For our children one of the few downsides to homeschooling is that there is no clear break from schooling to summer vacation. In public schools there is a “last day of school.” After that day school is all over and summer vacation starts.
For our children the transition from schooling to summer vacation is ranges from a fairly clear transition to a slow wind down. Our six-year-old son will have a traditional last day of school. We’ll go from our kindergarten routine of an hour or two of schooling each day to a fairly true vacation where we'll let him play much of the summer.
But at the other extreme our second daughter will be winding up school for several weeks. She finished up her American Sign Language class last Wednesday. Her junior college history class finishes up this Friday. Then over the next couple weeks she will wrap up her online high school courses and her Saxon Math. She will gradually slip into summer vacation.
Our third daughter will be kind of in-between. Once she is done with her online courses she’ll be mostly done, but we do plan to have her do Saxon Match through the summer. She is struggling a bit with math and we want to make sure she masters the subject.
We don’t give our children three months of play time in the summer, especially as they become teenagers. We want them to be doing useful things, they just don’t have to be classical academic endeavors. I’ll have our daughters read some useful books and I’m thinking of leading them through a programming class. My father has suggested Udacity’s Python class, which I still need to check out.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The latest Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival is up
One of the Carnival of Homeschooling frequent hosts, Mama Squirrel, is hosting the lastest Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival at Dewey's Treehouse.
Stop in and browse for awhile.
Stop in and browse for awhile.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Huge disruption in higher education
There are seismic shifts happening in higher education. One of the big changes is the move to online education. Several universities have started offering online courses. Georgia Tech is now offering a full online degree, for a sixth the cost.
Georgia Tech Takes MOOCs to the Next Level opens with:
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Georgia Tech announced yesterday that it is teaming up with Udacity, one of the leading providers of massively open online education, to offer a full graduate program in computer science. For a mere $7,000 dollars—or 1/6 the cost of the equivalent program offered on campus—students who meet the prerequisites can fulfill the requirements of a master’s degree entirely through open courseware.
This is a big deal. As the Washington Post notes, even MOOC-friendly colleges like Stanford, Harvard, and San Jose State have been reluctant to actually grant credentials for their online courses, preferring to use them as a teaching aids rather than as the foundation of a program. There have been the usual concerns about quality control, as well as worries that an all-MOOC degree could dilute the value of Georgia Tech’s traditional degrees, but Georgia Tech claims it has taken these concerns into account:
----------
There is a huge demand for cheaper degrees. There is no fundamental reason why the cost have higher education has to grow two and three times as fast as inflation, as it has over the last several decades. So as a few universities start granting degrees for online education many will take advantage of the cheaper product. Because online education scales so easily, many students will switch to universities like Georgia Tech. This will be a great benefit for the students as they will be able to graduate without a suffocating debt. And more students will be able to get an education with a cheaper price. It does mean that some of the unviersities existing today will go the way of factories who depended on water wheels.
Hat tip: Instapundit
Georgia Tech Takes MOOCs to the Next Level opens with:
----------
Georgia Tech announced yesterday that it is teaming up with Udacity, one of the leading providers of massively open online education, to offer a full graduate program in computer science. For a mere $7,000 dollars—or 1/6 the cost of the equivalent program offered on campus—students who meet the prerequisites can fulfill the requirements of a master’s degree entirely through open courseware.
This is a big deal. As the Washington Post notes, even MOOC-friendly colleges like Stanford, Harvard, and San Jose State have been reluctant to actually grant credentials for their online courses, preferring to use them as a teaching aids rather than as the foundation of a program. There have been the usual concerns about quality control, as well as worries that an all-MOOC degree could dilute the value of Georgia Tech’s traditional degrees, but Georgia Tech claims it has taken these concerns into account:
----------
There is a huge demand for cheaper degrees. There is no fundamental reason why the cost have higher education has to grow two and three times as fast as inflation, as it has over the last several decades. So as a few universities start granting degrees for online education many will take advantage of the cheaper product. Because online education scales so easily, many students will switch to universities like Georgia Tech. This will be a great benefit for the students as they will be able to graduate without a suffocating debt. And more students will be able to get an education with a cheaper price. It does mean that some of the unviersities existing today will go the way of factories who depended on water wheels.
Hat tip: Instapundit
Good thought about helping people out
From Dan Galvin's Thought For The Day mailing list:
If you wait until you can
do everything for everybody,
instead of something for somebody,
you'll end up not doing anything for anybody.
-Malcolm Bane
If you wait until you can
do everything for everybody,
instead of something for somebody,
you'll end up not doing anything for anybody.
-Malcolm Bane
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Forever, For Always, No Matter What.
This will be the 386th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 386th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Life Humor 1.H
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says the treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up. Man bursts into tears.
"But doctor . . . I am Pagliacci.
----------
Wrong Arm of the Law
A judge admonished the police in Radnor, Pa., for pretending a Xerox copy machine was a lie detector. Officials had placed a metal colander on the head of a suspect and attached the colander to the copier with metal wires. In the copy machine was a typewritten message: "He's lying."
Each time investigators received answers they didn't like, they pushed the copy button. Out came the message, "He's lying." Apparently convinced the machine was accurate, the suspect confessed.
----------
Sample cause-of-death reports from early 1800's in Missouri;
"Went to bed feeling well, but woke up dead."
"Died suddenly, nothing serious."
"Cause of death unknown; had never been fatally ill before."
"Don't know; died without the aid of a physician."
"Death caused by blow on the head with an ax. Contributory cause, another man's wife."
----------
Q: What do you call a cow that can't give milk?
A: An utter failure.
----------
A man walks into the sheriffs office...
"I want to become a deputy!"
"Fine. I want you to catch this man." Hands the man a wanted poster.
"Last seen wearing a brown paper hat, brown paper shirt, brown paper pants, and brown paper boots. What's he wanted for?"
"Rustling."
----------
OK, so this guy who's been painting lines down the middle of the road decides that the outdoor life is for him, and takes off to the Great White North to be a lumberjack. And after he's out there for a little while, he becomes an average, everyday lumberjack. One day, he's sitting there reading the Lumberjack Times, and sees an ad for a chain saw. So he thinks to himself, "Self, this ad says that using this chain saw will triple my output. I could sure use the money. I'll go check it out."
And check it out he did. He trucked on up to the Lumberjack store, and bought the biggest, bestest chain saw he could find. The salesman reminded our Lumberjack friend of the 10 day, money back offer that came with the chain saw, and showed him to the door.
Well, the first day the lumberjack used his new toy, he only was able to cut down about half of the trees he normally did. Well, he thought, it was merely because he wasn't used to it yet. The next day, he got up extra early, and worked an extra two hours, and only cut down about 3/4 of what he normally did. He was getting kinda discouraged now, but decided to give it one more try. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), the third day he barely managed to cut down what he normally did, working twice as long as usual to accomplish this.
After recovering from his exhausting day, the following morning he set off to cause severe bodily harm to the unfortunate salesman. Arriving at the store, the lumberjack walked through the nearest wall and demanded to see the kind soul who had sold him the chain saw. The quivering salesman approached, and the lumberjack launched into a detailed description of how the chain saw failed to live up to its reputation. The salesman listened raptly, and told the lumberjack,
"Well, I don't really understand how this could happen, but let's take a look at it. It's possible you've got a defective model there."
So, the salesman takes a hold of the chain saw, yanks on the cord, and starts the beast up.
Whereupon the lumberjack says, "What's that noise?"
----------
An airliner was going from New York to Los Angeles. After it had been in the air about an hour there was a loud BOOM and the plane shook violently. Naturally everyone became quite nervous. After about one minute the pilot came over the PA and very nonchalantly said "Ladies and Gentlemen, what we just experienced was nothing to be alarmed about. Our number one engine just went out. But I repeat there is no problem. Our numbers 2, 3, and 4 engines can easily carry us on into LA. However we will be a half hour late.
Eventually everyone calmed back down. About an hour later there was another loud BOOM and the plane lunged again. Thirty seconds later the pilot came over the PA again and said "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just lost our number 2 engine. But I assure you, there is nothing to be concerned about. Our numbers 3 and 4 engines can easily carry us on into LA. However we will be an hour late.
Sure enough, about an hour later there was yet another BOOM. The pilot immediately came over the PA and said "Ladies and Gentlemen our number three engine just went out but again let me reassure you that there is still no danger. Our number 4 engine is plenty powerful enough to get us to LA. However, we will be 3 hours late.
At this point a passenger, disgusted, leaned over to the guy sitting next to him and said "Man, I hope that number 4 engine doesn't go out or we're gonna be up here all day!"
----------
----------
Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says the treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up. Man bursts into tears.
"But doctor . . . I am Pagliacci.
----------
Wrong Arm of the Law
A judge admonished the police in Radnor, Pa., for pretending a Xerox copy machine was a lie detector. Officials had placed a metal colander on the head of a suspect and attached the colander to the copier with metal wires. In the copy machine was a typewritten message: "He's lying."
Each time investigators received answers they didn't like, they pushed the copy button. Out came the message, "He's lying." Apparently convinced the machine was accurate, the suspect confessed.
----------
Sample cause-of-death reports from early 1800's in Missouri;
"Went to bed feeling well, but woke up dead."
"Died suddenly, nothing serious."
"Cause of death unknown; had never been fatally ill before."
"Don't know; died without the aid of a physician."
"Death caused by blow on the head with an ax. Contributory cause, another man's wife."
----------
Q: What do you call a cow that can't give milk?
A: An utter failure.
----------
A man walks into the sheriffs office...
"I want to become a deputy!"
"Fine. I want you to catch this man." Hands the man a wanted poster.
"Last seen wearing a brown paper hat, brown paper shirt, brown paper pants, and brown paper boots. What's he wanted for?"
"Rustling."
----------
OK, so this guy who's been painting lines down the middle of the road decides that the outdoor life is for him, and takes off to the Great White North to be a lumberjack. And after he's out there for a little while, he becomes an average, everyday lumberjack. One day, he's sitting there reading the Lumberjack Times, and sees an ad for a chain saw. So he thinks to himself, "Self, this ad says that using this chain saw will triple my output. I could sure use the money. I'll go check it out."
And check it out he did. He trucked on up to the Lumberjack store, and bought the biggest, bestest chain saw he could find. The salesman reminded our Lumberjack friend of the 10 day, money back offer that came with the chain saw, and showed him to the door.
Well, the first day the lumberjack used his new toy, he only was able to cut down about half of the trees he normally did. Well, he thought, it was merely because he wasn't used to it yet. The next day, he got up extra early, and worked an extra two hours, and only cut down about 3/4 of what he normally did. He was getting kinda discouraged now, but decided to give it one more try. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), the third day he barely managed to cut down what he normally did, working twice as long as usual to accomplish this.
After recovering from his exhausting day, the following morning he set off to cause severe bodily harm to the unfortunate salesman. Arriving at the store, the lumberjack walked through the nearest wall and demanded to see the kind soul who had sold him the chain saw. The quivering salesman approached, and the lumberjack launched into a detailed description of how the chain saw failed to live up to its reputation. The salesman listened raptly, and told the lumberjack,
"Well, I don't really understand how this could happen, but let's take a look at it. It's possible you've got a defective model there."
So, the salesman takes a hold of the chain saw, yanks on the cord, and starts the beast up.
Whereupon the lumberjack says, "What's that noise?"
----------
An airliner was going from New York to Los Angeles. After it had been in the air about an hour there was a loud BOOM and the plane shook violently. Naturally everyone became quite nervous. After about one minute the pilot came over the PA and very nonchalantly said "Ladies and Gentlemen, what we just experienced was nothing to be alarmed about. Our number one engine just went out. But I repeat there is no problem. Our numbers 2, 3, and 4 engines can easily carry us on into LA. However we will be a half hour late.
Eventually everyone calmed back down. About an hour later there was another loud BOOM and the plane lunged again. Thirty seconds later the pilot came over the PA again and said "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just lost our number 2 engine. But I assure you, there is nothing to be concerned about. Our numbers 3 and 4 engines can easily carry us on into LA. However we will be an hour late.
Sure enough, about an hour later there was yet another BOOM. The pilot immediately came over the PA and said "Ladies and Gentlemen our number three engine just went out but again let me reassure you that there is still no danger. Our number 4 engine is plenty powerful enough to get us to LA. However, we will be 3 hours late.
At this point a passenger, disgusted, leaned over to the guy sitting next to him and said "Man, I hope that number 4 engine doesn't go out or we're gonna be up here all day!"
----------
Some of our best posts from June 2007
Janine and I have been blogging about homeschooling for over seven years. If you missed some of our early posts, you have missed some of our best thoughts. Here are some highlights from June of 2007:
Janine wrote about a Father's impact on education.
With an informed understanding of public schools as a group public school teachers are less likely to trust public schools.
The importance of a large vocabulary reveals that if children don't know certain words they might not even be able to have certain thoughts.
A classic reason why public schools are having trouble explores the problem with so many laws.
In May and June of 2007 our family took a 4 week field trip. The Benefits of travel is a list of some ways travel helps children.
Reading the classics via email was about a cool service: Daily Lit. This allowed me to eventually read Anna Karenina.
Book review: The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson The Long Tail is a good book. I've had my daughters read it.
June of 2007 was the first time we watch A Little Momsense:
Janine wrote about a Father's impact on education.
With an informed understanding of public schools as a group public school teachers are less likely to trust public schools.
The importance of a large vocabulary reveals that if children don't know certain words they might not even be able to have certain thoughts.
A classic reason why public schools are having trouble explores the problem with so many laws.
In May and June of 2007 our family took a 4 week field trip. The Benefits of travel is a list of some ways travel helps children.
Reading the classics via email was about a cool service: Daily Lit. This allowed me to eventually read Anna Karenina.
Book review: The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson The Long Tail is a good book. I've had my daughters read it.
June of 2007 was the first time we watch A Little Momsense:
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up -
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up at NerdFamily Blog.
The NerdMom starts the carnival with:
----------
Hi everyone and welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling. For those of you who aren’t familiar with CoH I am sure you are asking what this is;). A carnival is a collection of articles in a post on 1 subject. This one is homeschooling and we have some great posts!
May is a great time to discuss homeschooling. As a current homeschooler, I am using this time to reflect on the past year and plan out next year. I am also talking to a lot of non-homeschoolers who are contemplating what they are going to be doing next year for their children’s education. But enough of me jabbering, lets get to fabulous submissions we have for this week!
----------
Enjoy!
The NerdMom starts the carnival with:
----------
Hi everyone and welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling. For those of you who aren’t familiar with CoH I am sure you are asking what this is;). A carnival is a collection of articles in a post on 1 subject. This one is homeschooling and we have some great posts!
May is a great time to discuss homeschooling. As a current homeschooler, I am using this time to reflect on the past year and plan out next year. I am also talking to a lot of non-homeschoolers who are contemplating what they are going to be doing next year for their children’s education. But enough of me jabbering, lets get to fabulous submissions we have for this week!
----------
Enjoy!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Homeschooling in action - the bus ride
My middle daughter wrote this up:
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Middle sister and Baby Bop here! I’m helping Baby Bop write a post about our bus trip last week.
Here’s another awesome thing about homeschooling: You can do it anywhere, on the bus, in the car, or at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Last week Mom was busy so I babysat Baby Bop. I have American Sign Language on Wednesday so Baby Bop rode the bus with me to the junior college. My older sister gets out of class about the time my class starts so Baby Bop swapped and then rode the bus back with her. Baby Bop was quite excited about the idea of the long bus ride!
We walked to the bus stop and got there a bit early, so we watched the cars drive by and looked for trucks and Herbie (VW Bug’s). His favorite was a very white VW Bug that he said looks like Herbie.
While on the bus Baby Bop drew pictures and wrote his name. He also would write words and ask me to read them. Sometimes his combination of letters didn’t actually make a word at which point he would claim it was Chinese and demand I read it to him. I think some of the people on the bus found us quite amusing.
Other exciting this this week has included: a trip to the dentist, a trip to the airport to pick up family, and a trip to Sky High. (A cool trampoline place)
We love the flexibility that homeschooling has given us!
----------
----------
Middle sister and Baby Bop here! I’m helping Baby Bop write a post about our bus trip last week.
Here’s another awesome thing about homeschooling: You can do it anywhere, on the bus, in the car, or at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Last week Mom was busy so I babysat Baby Bop. I have American Sign Language on Wednesday so Baby Bop rode the bus with me to the junior college. My older sister gets out of class about the time my class starts so Baby Bop swapped and then rode the bus back with her. Baby Bop was quite excited about the idea of the long bus ride!
We walked to the bus stop and got there a bit early, so we watched the cars drive by and looked for trucks and Herbie (VW Bug’s). His favorite was a very white VW Bug that he said looks like Herbie.
While on the bus Baby Bop drew pictures and wrote his name. He also would write words and ask me to read them. Sometimes his combination of letters didn’t actually make a word at which point he would claim it was Chinese and demand I read it to him. I think some of the people on the bus found us quite amusing.
Other exciting this this week has included: a trip to the dentist, a trip to the airport to pick up family, and a trip to Sky High. (A cool trampoline place)
We love the flexibility that homeschooling has given us!
----------
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: NerdFamily Blog
This will be the 385th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 385th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - "First Teacher" Appreciation
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Corn and Oil.
Susan starts the carnival with:
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Parents are children’s first teachers and that important reminder should always prevail. Our little ones gain contact with grandparents, siblings and other family and friends to help teach communication and socializing skills. Many youngsters now go into an institutional school environment at ages as early as three. Today is Teacher Appreciation Day and with no disrespect to the people working hard in the school classrooms, this 384th Carnival of Homeschooling will celebrate the first and most important teachers.
----------
Susan starts the carnival with:
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Parents are children’s first teachers and that important reminder should always prevail. Our little ones gain contact with grandparents, siblings and other family and friends to help teach communication and socializing skills. Many youngsters now go into an institutional school environment at ages as early as three. Today is Teacher Appreciation Day and with no disrespect to the people working hard in the school classrooms, this 384th Carnival of Homeschooling will celebrate the first and most important teachers.
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Monday, May 06, 2013
The Art of Deligation
The longer we homeschool, the more I've come to rely on outside resources, classes, tutors, and co-ops to create our homeschool program. I feel like a contractor who hires a plumber, electrician and carpenter to build a house. I personally don't pick up a hammer much anymore. I organize the activities and spend a lot of time driving around in my car or in front of my computer sending emails to set up the next activity.
While preparing this list, I've realized that one of the reasons that we utilize more outside resources is that we can afford them now. Though, many of these options are very inexpensive, or even free. I'm also surprised at just how long the list has become. When I started working on this post, I could only think of a half a dozen or so outside resources. At last count, I was up to 17 outside options that we have utilized in the last year.
Here's what delegated "homeschooling" looks like at our house.
Cate Academy's "Outside" activities:
Sky High - This is a trampoline jumping place. They have a "Homeschool" discount.
Tutor (Occupational Therapy) - I won 5 hours of tutoring at a silent auction. I discovered that Beth has a degree in Occupational Therapy. She works with Baby Bop (Kindergarten) on a variety of OT type activities for an hour once a week.
Speech Therapy - Baby Bop goes to speech therapy once a week at our neighborhood school. (I was informed that next year the school will no longer provide services to homeschoolers and private school students, but that is another post). Baby Bop also goes to Speech Therapy at CSLOT. This service is provided to us free of charge because Baby Bop is a former foster child.
Rocket-it Science Class - Baby Bop and Wreck-it Ralph (Pre-K) attend an one hour class once a week.
South Bay FREE Scholars - I take Daughter #3, Baby Bop and Wreck-it Ralph to park day a couple times a month. My older girls are too busy to go to park day anymore, but they used to go when they were little. This homeschool support group meets once a week at rotating parks. I only seem to make it there half the time though because of all our other activities.
Singers Heart (Voice Lessons) - Daughter #2 will be auditioning for a Junior/Senior church choir group. She is taking a few months of lessons to prepare.
Parks and Recreation Classes - Baby Bop and Wreck-it Ralph take a pre-rec gymnastics class through Santa Clara City Parks and Recreation. Over the years, our kids have taken a variety of classes such dance, art, theater and karate.
SOL Co-op - SOL (Scholars of Light) is a co-op group that I helped start 9 years ago. We started in a bungalow apartment behind the house of one of our families. Then we moved to a garage behind the house of another family and then to a community room at a local park. Next we floated around to various churches and homes of members in the group. We now pay rent and meet at a local church. Unfortunately, this church required us to get group insurance which drove up our costs. Still, it works out to be $6 a month per child.
The co-op activities include rotating classes, such as art, art appreciation, chess, creative writing, science experiments, drama, beginning choir and a preschool class.
SOL Advanced Choir - Scholars of Light (SOL) is a sub-group of the co-op for the older children. Daughters #2 and #3 sing with this group. SOL choir perform at a local senior living center once a month. Recently, we began singing at the care home where my 97 year old aunt lives. It happens to be only a few blocks from our rehearsal location (which is the home of one of our families).
Sounds of Joy Band Ensemble - Our little band ensemble group includes homeschooled children, their parents and other adults from the community. The band ensemble moved with us to our currently meeting place with the co-op. The band rehearsal is before co-op which saves us a trip.
Math Tutoring - We have an excellent math tutor. She teaches math at the local high school full time and tutors a few students on the side. Once a week, she comes to our home to tutor all the girls. She also helps with science homework and Daughter #1's college math and writing assignments
.
Online classes - Daughter #2 and Daughter #3 take online classes in History, Science and English. We've had so-so success with the online classes. This year, things have gone very well with the addition of live online classes. Interacting with the teacher and the other online students has helped the girls feel more excited about what they are learning. If they have to miss a live class, they can always watch it later to catch up. I believe that this style of learning will be the wave of the future.
We haven't branched out much yet, but every day there are more classes available online, many of which are free.
Community College Classes - In our area, there is a program available to high school juniors and seniors to attend community college for free under the concurrent enrollment program. Our oldest daughter was able to complete a semesters worth of college credit before she started college full time. Daughter #2 is currently takes 2 classes: Sign Language and American History. Our oldest daughter is in the history class with her sister. They catch the bus together on Friday mornings. After class, the younger daughter then catches a bus to get to our co-op classes.
Sports Leagues - I can't not tell you how happy I am that it is NOT soccer season right now. In the fall, soccer takes over our life. However, I'm grateful that the kids get the exercise and can experience team sports. This should be an easy year with only 2 kids in soccer (since Daughter #1 and Daughter #2 have aged out). Of course, if Wreck-it Ralph is still with us, then we will be back to 3 kids in soccer again.
Music Lessons - We were lucky enough to find a violin/piano teacher that comes to our home. That way I can still get useful things done at home while my kids are having lessons. We are taking a break right now because we didn't register fast enough and our teacher's schedule filled up. We are preregistered for the fall.
SAT/ACT Tutoring - Even though I expect my children will go to community college before attending a university, I like to keep their options open. Our oldest daughter did both SAT and ACT prep classes through a private tutor. These small classes (6 or fewer students) taught in private homes were significantly cheaper than classes offered by a test prep corporations. Even though my oldest daughter (who scored well enough to get into the university of her choice) didn't need an ACT or SAT score for community college, I felt that the tutoring helped prepare her for college test taking.
Children's Community Theater - Last year all three of our girls were in a production of Pirates of Penzance done by the CTC (California Theater Center). The reason we choose this program is that there were no Sunday performances. Also, thanks to their summer program with all day classes, Daughter #3 no longer asked to go to school.
Two years ago, Daughter #3 participated in a musical production offered at the Coyote Grange. They offer a variety of classes for homeschoolers. The down side is that it is a 35+ minute drive each way. Even with sharing the driving with a carpool, that adds up to a lot of driving time.
And now you know why I have a bumper sticker on my car that says: "I don't know why they call it homeschooling. I'm always in my car."
While preparing this list, I've realized that one of the reasons that we utilize more outside resources is that we can afford them now. Though, many of these options are very inexpensive, or even free. I'm also surprised at just how long the list has become. When I started working on this post, I could only think of a half a dozen or so outside resources. At last count, I was up to 17 outside options that we have utilized in the last year.
Here's what delegated "homeschooling" looks like at our house.
Cate Academy's "Outside" activities:
Sky High - This is a trampoline jumping place. They have a "Homeschool" discount.
Tutor (Occupational Therapy) - I won 5 hours of tutoring at a silent auction. I discovered that Beth has a degree in Occupational Therapy. She works with Baby Bop (Kindergarten) on a variety of OT type activities for an hour once a week.
Speech Therapy - Baby Bop goes to speech therapy once a week at our neighborhood school. (I was informed that next year the school will no longer provide services to homeschoolers and private school students, but that is another post). Baby Bop also goes to Speech Therapy at CSLOT. This service is provided to us free of charge because Baby Bop is a former foster child.
Rocket-it Science Class - Baby Bop and Wreck-it Ralph (Pre-K) attend an one hour class once a week.
South Bay FREE Scholars - I take Daughter #3, Baby Bop and Wreck-it Ralph to park day a couple times a month. My older girls are too busy to go to park day anymore, but they used to go when they were little. This homeschool support group meets once a week at rotating parks. I only seem to make it there half the time though because of all our other activities.
Singers Heart (Voice Lessons) - Daughter #2 will be auditioning for a Junior/Senior church choir group. She is taking a few months of lessons to prepare.
Parks and Recreation Classes - Baby Bop and Wreck-it Ralph take a pre-rec gymnastics class through Santa Clara City Parks and Recreation. Over the years, our kids have taken a variety of classes such dance, art, theater and karate.
SOL Co-op - SOL (Scholars of Light) is a co-op group that I helped start 9 years ago. We started in a bungalow apartment behind the house of one of our families. Then we moved to a garage behind the house of another family and then to a community room at a local park. Next we floated around to various churches and homes of members in the group. We now pay rent and meet at a local church. Unfortunately, this church required us to get group insurance which drove up our costs. Still, it works out to be $6 a month per child.
The co-op activities include rotating classes, such as art, art appreciation, chess, creative writing, science experiments, drama, beginning choir and a preschool class.
SOL Advanced Choir - Scholars of Light (SOL) is a sub-group of the co-op for the older children. Daughters #2 and #3 sing with this group. SOL choir perform at a local senior living center once a month. Recently, we began singing at the care home where my 97 year old aunt lives. It happens to be only a few blocks from our rehearsal location (which is the home of one of our families).
Sounds of Joy Band Ensemble - Our little band ensemble group includes homeschooled children, their parents and other adults from the community. The band ensemble moved with us to our currently meeting place with the co-op. The band rehearsal is before co-op which saves us a trip.
Math Tutoring - We have an excellent math tutor. She teaches math at the local high school full time and tutors a few students on the side. Once a week, she comes to our home to tutor all the girls. She also helps with science homework and Daughter #1's college math and writing assignments
.
Online classes - Daughter #2 and Daughter #3 take online classes in History, Science and English. We've had so-so success with the online classes. This year, things have gone very well with the addition of live online classes. Interacting with the teacher and the other online students has helped the girls feel more excited about what they are learning. If they have to miss a live class, they can always watch it later to catch up. I believe that this style of learning will be the wave of the future.
We haven't branched out much yet, but every day there are more classes available online, many of which are free.
Community College Classes - In our area, there is a program available to high school juniors and seniors to attend community college for free under the concurrent enrollment program. Our oldest daughter was able to complete a semesters worth of college credit before she started college full time. Daughter #2 is currently takes 2 classes: Sign Language and American History. Our oldest daughter is in the history class with her sister. They catch the bus together on Friday mornings. After class, the younger daughter then catches a bus to get to our co-op classes.
Sports Leagues - I can't not tell you how happy I am that it is NOT soccer season right now. In the fall, soccer takes over our life. However, I'm grateful that the kids get the exercise and can experience team sports. This should be an easy year with only 2 kids in soccer (since Daughter #1 and Daughter #2 have aged out). Of course, if Wreck-it Ralph is still with us, then we will be back to 3 kids in soccer again.
Music Lessons - We were lucky enough to find a violin/piano teacher that comes to our home. That way I can still get useful things done at home while my kids are having lessons. We are taking a break right now because we didn't register fast enough and our teacher's schedule filled up. We are preregistered for the fall.
SAT/ACT Tutoring - Even though I expect my children will go to community college before attending a university, I like to keep their options open. Our oldest daughter did both SAT and ACT prep classes through a private tutor. These small classes (6 or fewer students) taught in private homes were significantly cheaper than classes offered by a test prep corporations. Even though my oldest daughter (who scored well enough to get into the university of her choice) didn't need an ACT or SAT score for community college, I felt that the tutoring helped prepare her for college test taking.
Children's Community Theater - Last year all three of our girls were in a production of Pirates of Penzance done by the CTC (California Theater Center). The reason we choose this program is that there were no Sunday performances. Also, thanks to their summer program with all day classes, Daughter #3 no longer asked to go to school.
Two years ago, Daughter #3 participated in a musical production offered at the Coyote Grange. They offer a variety of classes for homeschoolers. The down side is that it is a 35+ minute drive each way. Even with sharing the driving with a carpool, that adds up to a lot of driving time.
And now you know why I have a bumper sticker on my car that says: "I don't know why they call it homeschooling. I'm always in my car."
Friday, May 03, 2013
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Corn and Oil
This will be the 384th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 384th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Carnival of Homeschooling: Week 383 - Being Flexible
"In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."
- Dwight Eisenhower
As the organizer for the Carnival of Homeschooling, Janine and I are the backup of last resort. This is almost never a problem. We have over thirty active hosts who take turns publishing the weekly editions of the Carnival of Homeschooling. They are all very reliable. But sometimes life throws curve balls and we have to be flexible.
Janice Campbell was going to host this week's carnival but life threw her a major fast ball when her beloved grandmother died. As such, Janine and I are stepping in at the last minute.
Carnival themes are always a bit of a challenge for me. I try to pick something interesting which can be used to weave the posts together so the carnival flows fairly smoothly. This morning, I reflected that often to be a successful homeschooler meant adaptable to changing situations. There is great value in making plans and preparing for the coming days, but we have to be wise and know when to toss the plans out the door.
I'll stop pontificating and move on to the carnival:
Change
Sometimes our environment changes and we are forced to adapt. Rose writes about Homeschooling and the Common Core Standards at Learning at Home. Homeschoolers may need to make some changes in response to the Common Core Standards.
Sometimes we change as we move through a major event and process it. Barbara writes that her Post Election Depression Lifting, Finally! at Barbara Frank Online.
One of the big changes homeschoolers face is having a child finally be done with homeschooling. Economics Done! - a review is about what a soon to be graduated young lady thinks about economics; posted at Notes from a Homeschooled Mom.
In Homeschooling High School: End of School Year Review Heather writes about some of the changes they've made in how they teach their children, and let the children teach each other; posted at Sprittibee.
Monique shares some thoughts about It May be Time to Quit Homeschooling. She makes the point that sometimes we, homeschooling parents, forget to take off our teacher hats and just be our children's parent. Posted at Living Life and Learning.
Planning
S is for Schedule by Harvest Moon by Hand reminds us that there's value in having a predictable rhythm to each day - especially when homeschooling seems to be taking place more away from the home than in it. This post show ways to incorporate some of the Waldorf philosophy about a grain, color, and activity of the day.
In Top of the World by Homeschool Atheist Momma we read about a plan that has gone well. We are invited to join them as they explore a local iconic mountain...and live the homeschool dream!
With Young Students and "the Fairyland in Geography", Celeste takes thorough look at Charlotte Mason's suggestions for making geography come alive for elementary students. Posted at Joyous Lessons.
When making plans for your children, you might remember that Pets are Beneficial for Your Children! Chris makes the point that pets are important for helping your child deal with a world that continues to be scary and confusing! Posted at Home School vs. Public School.
Being Flexible
The next three posts didn't really address change or planning, so we'll be flexible and make a category just for them.
A lot has changed over the last five thousand years. The Mesopotamia Song posted at Highhill Education shares a song which makes Mesopotamian History easier to remember. It's to the tune of The Ants Go Marching.
Christine shares two charity download-able patterns (one knit, one crochet) to benefit her public library in The Knitted Library Window Watchcap is here, posted at Our Curious Home.
In Things to Learn About....May Edition Jennifer has a list of links to free internet resources, such as lesson plans, worksheets, crafts, printables, coloring pages and more for special holidays and/or events in May. Posted at Good Work Academy.
If you have enjoyed this carnival, please spread the word. Please mention the carnival on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and other appropriate places. You can also help promote the carnival by adding the carnival images. Learn how by going here.
Go here for the archives of previous carnivals.
Next week the carnival will be held at Corn and Oil.
- Dwight Eisenhower
As the organizer for the Carnival of Homeschooling, Janine and I are the backup of last resort. This is almost never a problem. We have over thirty active hosts who take turns publishing the weekly editions of the Carnival of Homeschooling. They are all very reliable. But sometimes life throws curve balls and we have to be flexible.
Janice Campbell was going to host this week's carnival but life threw her a major fast ball when her beloved grandmother died. As such, Janine and I are stepping in at the last minute.
Carnival themes are always a bit of a challenge for me. I try to pick something interesting which can be used to weave the posts together so the carnival flows fairly smoothly. This morning, I reflected that often to be a successful homeschooler meant adaptable to changing situations. There is great value in making plans and preparing for the coming days, but we have to be wise and know when to toss the plans out the door.
I'll stop pontificating and move on to the carnival:
Change
Sometimes our environment changes and we are forced to adapt. Rose writes about Homeschooling and the Common Core Standards at Learning at Home. Homeschoolers may need to make some changes in response to the Common Core Standards.
Sometimes we change as we move through a major event and process it. Barbara writes that her Post Election Depression Lifting, Finally! at Barbara Frank Online.
One of the big changes homeschoolers face is having a child finally be done with homeschooling. Economics Done! - a review is about what a soon to be graduated young lady thinks about economics; posted at Notes from a Homeschooled Mom.
In Homeschooling High School: End of School Year Review Heather writes about some of the changes they've made in how they teach their children, and let the children teach each other; posted at Sprittibee.
Monique shares some thoughts about It May be Time to Quit Homeschooling. She makes the point that sometimes we, homeschooling parents, forget to take off our teacher hats and just be our children's parent. Posted at Living Life and Learning.
Planning
S is for Schedule by Harvest Moon by Hand reminds us that there's value in having a predictable rhythm to each day - especially when homeschooling seems to be taking place more away from the home than in it. This post show ways to incorporate some of the Waldorf philosophy about a grain, color, and activity of the day.
In Top of the World by Homeschool Atheist Momma we read about a plan that has gone well. We are invited to join them as they explore a local iconic mountain...and live the homeschool dream!
With Young Students and "the Fairyland in Geography", Celeste takes thorough look at Charlotte Mason's suggestions for making geography come alive for elementary students. Posted at Joyous Lessons.
When making plans for your children, you might remember that Pets are Beneficial for Your Children! Chris makes the point that pets are important for helping your child deal with a world that continues to be scary and confusing! Posted at Home School vs. Public School.
Being Flexible
The next three posts didn't really address change or planning, so we'll be flexible and make a category just for them.
A lot has changed over the last five thousand years. The Mesopotamia Song posted at Highhill Education shares a song which makes Mesopotamian History easier to remember. It's to the tune of The Ants Go Marching.
Christine shares two charity download-able patterns (one knit, one crochet) to benefit her public library in The Knitted Library Window Watchcap is here, posted at Our Curious Home.
In Things to Learn About....May Edition Jennifer has a list of links to free internet resources, such as lesson plans, worksheets, crafts, printables, coloring pages and more for special holidays and/or events in May. Posted at Good Work Academy.
If you have enjoyed this carnival, please spread the word. Please mention the carnival on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and other appropriate places. You can also help promote the carnival by adding the carnival images. Learn how by going here.
Go here for the archives of previous carnivals.
Next week the carnival will be held at Corn and Oil.
If you are interested in submitting a post for a future carnival, click here for information.
We thank everyone who has helped out. Thank you to all the participants in this carnival. And thanks to all those who help promote the Carnival of Homeschooling.
We thank everyone who has helped out. Thank you to all the participants in this carnival. And thanks to all those who help promote the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Henry Cate's Life Humor 1.G
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
Subject: The software that worked too well
This story is nth hand, thus to be classified as rumor. But it is relevant to RISKS, so I pass it on, if only as a parable.
SeaTac is the main Seattle-area airport. Ordinarily aircraft landings are from the north, and this end of the runway is equipped with all the sensing equipment necessary to do ALS (Automatic Landing System) approaches.
The early 747 ALS worked beautifully, and the first of these multi-centaton aircraft set down exactly at the spot in the center of the runway that the ALS was heading for. The second 747 set down there. The third 747 landed on this part of the runway. ... As did all the others.
After a while, SeaTac personnel noticed that the concrete at this point at the north end of the ALS runway was breaking up under the repeated impact of 747 landings. So the software was modified so that 3 miles out on the approach, a random number generator is consulted to choose a landing spot -- a little long, a little short, a little to the left or a little to the right.
THE MORAL:
Don't assume you understand the universe without actually experimenting.
----------
Joke! A guy is driving through Vermont when he sees some old fogey sitting on a rocking chair, rocking back and forth, looking like he hasn't moved since 1957. He asks they guy "Been rocking there all your life?" And the guy replies "Not yet!"
----------
Another shaggy dog story:
In days of old when knights were bold there was on little runt who had to use a large shaggy dog instead of a horse. Well it seems that as he was out on a quest it started raining and very dark and gloomy. As it happened he came upon a castle and requested entrance to the establishment. He was admitted and soon he and his dog were drying themselves in front of the fire. Soon enough they were dry and comfortable and the day had turned to night and the storm had become worse. The knight prepared to go and noted that the dog was just as wet as ever and even more shaggy looking than when they had came in. The lord of the castle looked the situation over and thought a while then proclaimed:
"I'll let you stay the night. I can't send a knight out on a dog like this"
----------
An Englishman is trying to hitch a lift in the Irish country side. Soon a mini-truck pulls up and the Englishman boards. "You look lost Lad. Where'er you off to?" asks the driver, an old Irishman. "Down this road 'bout 6 kilo- meters" the Englishman says. "Ah! y'er English. I'm a farmer. I'm off to the market to sell me horse and the pig." the farmer says as he points to the back. "These are dangerous parts, Lad, you shouldn't be out here alone, you know. That's why I carry this buffalo-rifle, you know, for safety."
Just then, another truck approaches head-on on collision course. The farmer swerves back and forth to maintain control. After a lot of skidding, he hits a street-light pole and they all come flying out of the truck. The farmer gets up to assess the damage. He sees his pig, all cut up and barely breathing. He limps back to the truck, gets his rifle and approaches the pig.
"Oh poor little piggy," he says, "All cut up and bleeding. Yer must be in terrible pain. I'll put ya out of yer misery". He points the gun at the pig and pulls the trigger and BOOM. Then he walks over to the horse which is also lying there bleeding. "Oh poor little horsey, all cut up and bleeding. Yer must be in great pain. I'll put ya out of yer misery". He points his gun at the horse and BOOM. Finally he looks the Englishman, who has been watching all this. Being hurt bad, he's struggling to get up. He has a slash across the side of his face, arms and legs cut up and bleeding badly and one eye squinting and blood trickling out of his mouth. The farmer walks over to the Englishman and asks, "Are ya alright?" The Englishman responds with a quivering voice while his hand is shaking with a nervous twitch, "Fine, I've never felt better in my life! Thanks for the ride."
----------
----------
Subject: The software that worked too well
This story is nth hand, thus to be classified as rumor. But it is relevant to RISKS, so I pass it on, if only as a parable.
SeaTac is the main Seattle-area airport. Ordinarily aircraft landings are from the north, and this end of the runway is equipped with all the sensing equipment necessary to do ALS (Automatic Landing System) approaches.
The early 747 ALS worked beautifully, and the first of these multi-centaton aircraft set down exactly at the spot in the center of the runway that the ALS was heading for. The second 747 set down there. The third 747 landed on this part of the runway. ... As did all the others.
After a while, SeaTac personnel noticed that the concrete at this point at the north end of the ALS runway was breaking up under the repeated impact of 747 landings. So the software was modified so that 3 miles out on the approach, a random number generator is consulted to choose a landing spot -- a little long, a little short, a little to the left or a little to the right.
THE MORAL:
Don't assume you understand the universe without actually experimenting.
----------
Joke! A guy is driving through Vermont when he sees some old fogey sitting on a rocking chair, rocking back and forth, looking like he hasn't moved since 1957. He asks they guy "Been rocking there all your life?" And the guy replies "Not yet!"
----------
Another shaggy dog story:
In days of old when knights were bold there was on little runt who had to use a large shaggy dog instead of a horse. Well it seems that as he was out on a quest it started raining and very dark and gloomy. As it happened he came upon a castle and requested entrance to the establishment. He was admitted and soon he and his dog were drying themselves in front of the fire. Soon enough they were dry and comfortable and the day had turned to night and the storm had become worse. The knight prepared to go and noted that the dog was just as wet as ever and even more shaggy looking than when they had came in. The lord of the castle looked the situation over and thought a while then proclaimed:
"I'll let you stay the night. I can't send a knight out on a dog like this"
----------
An Englishman is trying to hitch a lift in the Irish country side. Soon a mini-truck pulls up and the Englishman boards. "You look lost Lad. Where'er you off to?" asks the driver, an old Irishman. "Down this road 'bout 6 kilo- meters" the Englishman says. "Ah! y'er English. I'm a farmer. I'm off to the market to sell me horse and the pig." the farmer says as he points to the back. "These are dangerous parts, Lad, you shouldn't be out here alone, you know. That's why I carry this buffalo-rifle, you know, for safety."
Just then, another truck approaches head-on on collision course. The farmer swerves back and forth to maintain control. After a lot of skidding, he hits a street-light pole and they all come flying out of the truck. The farmer gets up to assess the damage. He sees his pig, all cut up and barely breathing. He limps back to the truck, gets his rifle and approaches the pig.
"Oh poor little piggy," he says, "All cut up and bleeding. Yer must be in terrible pain. I'll put ya out of yer misery". He points the gun at the pig and pulls the trigger and BOOM. Then he walks over to the horse which is also lying there bleeding. "Oh poor little horsey, all cut up and bleeding. Yer must be in great pain. I'll put ya out of yer misery". He points his gun at the horse and BOOM. Finally he looks the Englishman, who has been watching all this. Being hurt bad, he's struggling to get up. He has a slash across the side of his face, arms and legs cut up and bleeding badly and one eye squinting and blood trickling out of his mouth. The farmer walks over to the Englishman and asks, "Are ya alright?" The Englishman responds with a quivering voice while his hand is shaking with a nervous twitch, "Fine, I've never felt better in my life! Thanks for the ride."
----------
Friday, April 26, 2013
Who do you listen to?
The older I grow, the more I listen to people who don't talk much. -Germain G. Glien
Interesting article about food and autism
Autism Recovery with the GAPS Diet: One Mother’s Story is about how a change in diet made a huge difference.
Hat tip: Parents With Purpose
Hat tip: Parents With Purpose
Henry Cate's Life Humor 1.F
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
A political activist named Dave was just arriving in Hell, and was told he had a choice to make. He could go to Capitalist Hell or to Communist Hell. Naturally, Dave wanted to compare the two, so he wandered over to Capitalist Hell. There outside the door was Adam Smith, looking bored.
"What's it like in there?" asked Dave.
"Well," replied Adam, "In Capitalist Hell, they flay you alive, boil you in oil, chain you to a rock and let a vulture tear your liver out, and cut you up into small pieces with sharp knives."
"That's terrible!!" gasped Dave. "I'm going to check out Communist Hell!" He went over to Communist Hell, where he discovered a huge line of people waiting to get in; the line circled around the lobby seven times before receding off into the horizon.
Dave pushed his way through to the head of the line, where he found Karl Marx busily signing people in. Dave asked Karl what Communist Hell was like.
"In Communist Hell," said Marx impatiently, "they flay you alive, boil you in oil, chain you to a rock and let vultures tear out your liver, and cut you up into small pieces with sharp knives."
"But ... but that's the same as Capitalist Hell!" protested Dave.
"True," sighed Marx, "but sometimes we don't have oil, sometimes we don't have knives ..."
----------
A man goes to his doctor for a physical. A week later, the doctor calls him with the results. "I've got some bad news and some very bad news. First, the bad news. You have an incurable disease, and I estimate you have 24 hours to live."
The patient replies, "My God, that's terrible! What could possibly be worse?"
The doctor says, "I've been trying to reach you since yesterday!"
----------
This IBM service rep, hardware engineer, and software engineer were driving down the road one day and they had a flat. The service rep wanted to replace the car, the hardware engineer thought they could work around it, and the software engineer said 'maybe if we ignore it, it'll go away'.
----------
Three guys went out in their 4 wheel drive unit to go "shootn". While out they found a rabbit from one of the neighboring farms and caught it. They decided instead of "shootn" at it, they'd have some real fun. And so they tied a stick of dynamite to the little beastie and lit it. Well remember, this was a poor confused farm rabbit, so it immediately ran off and hid,... directly *under* their four wheel drive truck. *BOOM*
.....and the four wheel drive truck suddenly turned into a Volkswagen Rabbit!
----------
A small town that cannot support one lawyer can always support two.
----------
There are two kinds of lawyers, those who know the law and those who know the judge.
----------
"There is no doubt that my lawyer is honest. For example, when he filed his income tax return last year, he declared half of his salary as 'unearned income.'"
----------
----------
A political activist named Dave was just arriving in Hell, and was told he had a choice to make. He could go to Capitalist Hell or to Communist Hell. Naturally, Dave wanted to compare the two, so he wandered over to Capitalist Hell. There outside the door was Adam Smith, looking bored.
"What's it like in there?" asked Dave.
"Well," replied Adam, "In Capitalist Hell, they flay you alive, boil you in oil, chain you to a rock and let a vulture tear your liver out, and cut you up into small pieces with sharp knives."
"That's terrible!!" gasped Dave. "I'm going to check out Communist Hell!" He went over to Communist Hell, where he discovered a huge line of people waiting to get in; the line circled around the lobby seven times before receding off into the horizon.
Dave pushed his way through to the head of the line, where he found Karl Marx busily signing people in. Dave asked Karl what Communist Hell was like.
"In Communist Hell," said Marx impatiently, "they flay you alive, boil you in oil, chain you to a rock and let vultures tear out your liver, and cut you up into small pieces with sharp knives."
"But ... but that's the same as Capitalist Hell!" protested Dave.
"True," sighed Marx, "but sometimes we don't have oil, sometimes we don't have knives ..."
----------
A man goes to his doctor for a physical. A week later, the doctor calls him with the results. "I've got some bad news and some very bad news. First, the bad news. You have an incurable disease, and I estimate you have 24 hours to live."
The patient replies, "My God, that's terrible! What could possibly be worse?"
The doctor says, "I've been trying to reach you since yesterday!"
----------
This IBM service rep, hardware engineer, and software engineer were driving down the road one day and they had a flat. The service rep wanted to replace the car, the hardware engineer thought they could work around it, and the software engineer said 'maybe if we ignore it, it'll go away'.
----------
Three guys went out in their 4 wheel drive unit to go "shootn". While out they found a rabbit from one of the neighboring farms and caught it. They decided instead of "shootn" at it, they'd have some real fun. And so they tied a stick of dynamite to the little beastie and lit it. Well remember, this was a poor confused farm rabbit, so it immediately ran off and hid,... directly *under* their four wheel drive truck. *BOOM*
.....and the four wheel drive truck suddenly turned into a Volkswagen Rabbit!
----------
A small town that cannot support one lawyer can always support two.
----------
There are two kinds of lawyers, those who know the law and those who know the judge.
----------
"There is no doubt that my lawyer is honest. For example, when he filed his income tax return last year, he declared half of his salary as 'unearned income.'"
----------
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Interesting tidbit on the history of books
The Revolutionary Effect of the Paperback Book is a quick read.
I hadn't realized that paperback books only started being published in 1939.
Hat tip: Instapundit
I hadn't realized that paperback books only started being published in 1939.
Hat tip: Instapundit
Another piece of evidence on just how inefficient public schools are in using money
Charter School Funding Disparity Exists reports:
----------
In general charter schools do at least as well as public schools is teaching children. Now we find they do it for less money.
This is only partially tongue in check, but maybe we should close all the regular schools and turn them into charter schools. It could save over $200 billion dollars a year.
Hat tip: Joanne Jacobs.
----------
Peer-reviewed, forthcoming research finds that charter school students receive an average of $4,000 less for their education than peers in traditional public schools in five major cities, all of which are foundation Investment Sites. While the gap is widening in some cities and narrowing in others, the research finds that traditional public school students receive substantially more local, state and federal funds than those who attend public charter schools.
In the regions analyzed - Denver, Milwaukee, Newark, N.J., Washington, D.C., and the Los Angeles Unified School District – at least one in every ten students attend a public charter school. As more families demand these high-quality public school options, this funding disparity has severe implications on how schools can rise to meet this need.
- Read the forthcoming research from the University of Arkansas.
- Read our press release.
In general charter schools do at least as well as public schools is teaching children. Now we find they do it for less money.
This is only partially tongue in check, but maybe we should close all the regular schools and turn them into charter schools. It could save over $200 billion dollars a year.
Hat tip: Joanne Jacobs.
Our son may be bi-lingual
Janine posted this on Facebook:
----------
Our seven-year-old was showing me the words he can write:
fan
rat
on
cat
tan
nta
Nat
ran
is
Janine: pointing to "nta:" What is nta?
Son: Actually, I think it is Chinese.
----------
Our seven-year-old was showing me the words he can write:
fan
rat
on
cat
tan
nta
Nat
ran
is
Janine: pointing to "nta:" What is nta?
Son: Actually, I think it is Chinese.
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschhooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Janice Campbell - Taking Time For Things That Matter.
This will be the 383rd edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 383rd edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Why we should study history
I love to learn history. Right now I'm watching the PBS special on The Story of India while I exercise.
I think this is an important reason to study history:
History is a vast early warning system.
-Norman Cousins, editor and author (1915-1990)
I think this is an important reason to study history:
History is a vast early warning system.
-Norman Cousins, editor and author (1915-1990)
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