 | My sister and her friend have designed this beautiful outdoor nativity scene. They are selling it via the web. We have one. If you are looking for the "perfect" outdoors nativity scene, check it out. (http://www.nativitysceneoutdoor.com/) |
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Now that there are only 25 days until Christmas
Friday, November 29, 2013
Reminder - Please submit your 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: Notes From A Homeschooled Mom.
This will be the 414th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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 414th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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.
Life Humor 2.9
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
Q: What do you call a sadistic Dentist who rides a motorcycle and wears a black leather jacket?
A: The Leader of the Plaque
----------
Q: How many members of the U.S.S. Enterprise does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 7. Scotty will report to Captain Kirk that the light bulb in the Engineering Section is burnt out, to which Kirk will send Bones to pronounce the bulb dead. Scotty, after checking around, notices that they have no more new light bulbs, and complains that he can't see in the dark to tend to his engines. Kirk must make an emergency stop at the next uncharted planet, Alpha Regula IV, to procure a light bulb from the natives. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Sulu, and 3 red shirt security officers beam down. The 3 security officers are promptly killed by the natives, and the rest of the landing party is captured. Meanwhile, back in orbit, Scotty notices a Klingon ship approaching and must warp out of orbit to escape detection. Bones cures the native king who is suffering from the flu, and as a reward the landing party is set free and given all of the light bulbs they can carry. Scotty cripples the Klingon ship and warps back to the planet just in time to beam up Kirk et. al. The new bulb is inserted, and the Enterprise continues with its five year mission.
----------
My four year old and I were discussing holidays, and I asked him, "What is the day which comes after Halloween when you have turkey?" My husband quickly answered, "Election day."
----------
What would you call Santa's son if he became an elf? A subordinate Claus.
----------
What does Santa call his wife at tax time? A dependent Claus.
----------
Santa noticed that the elves weren't working as hard this year as last so he told them that the elf who made the most toys could have his beautiful daughter for one night. What did the elves call his daughter after that? An incentive Claus.
----------
A pickup with three guys in it pulls into the lumber yard. One of the guys gets out and goes into the office.
"I need some four-by-two's," he says.
"You must mean two-by-four's" says the clerk.
The guy gets a kind of a blank stare and scratches his head. "Wait a minute," he says, "I'll go check."
He goes out to the truck. The window gets rolled down, and there's an animated conversation. Finally the guy comes back in.
"Yeah," he says, "I meant two-by-fours."
"OK," says the clerk, "how long you want 'em?"
The guy gets the blank look again. "Uh . . . I guess I better go check," he says.
He goes out to the truck, again. There's another animated conversation. The guy comes back into the office.
"A long time," he says, "we're building a house."
----------
"You can neither win nor lose if you don't run the race" --Bowie.
----------
From the San Jose Mercury News, Sunday 14 July 1985, page 23A, referring to arson investigations:
On highly publicized cases, it's not unusual for tips to arrive from all over the country. "People call in and tell us about one individual they don't like. They say, 'He's the type who could have done it.' A couple hundred of those and you're chasing people all over the country," Bressler said.
In one case, he was flooded with calls from "people back in the Midwest who knew people in California who were really weird."
It wasn't the kind of tip that led anywhere, he said. "Almost all of California's really weird compared to the Midwest."
----------
Lots of folks are forced to skimp to support a government that won't.
----------
The advice your son rejected is now being given by him to your grandson.
----------
Some people pray for more than they are willing to work for.
----------
One of the most common mistakes is to believe that others know more about the problem than you do.
----------
Parents often talk about the younger generations as if they didn't have anything to do with it.
----------
----------
Q: What do you call a sadistic Dentist who rides a motorcycle and wears a black leather jacket?
A: The Leader of the Plaque
----------
Q: How many members of the U.S.S. Enterprise does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 7. Scotty will report to Captain Kirk that the light bulb in the Engineering Section is burnt out, to which Kirk will send Bones to pronounce the bulb dead. Scotty, after checking around, notices that they have no more new light bulbs, and complains that he can't see in the dark to tend to his engines. Kirk must make an emergency stop at the next uncharted planet, Alpha Regula IV, to procure a light bulb from the natives. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Sulu, and 3 red shirt security officers beam down. The 3 security officers are promptly killed by the natives, and the rest of the landing party is captured. Meanwhile, back in orbit, Scotty notices a Klingon ship approaching and must warp out of orbit to escape detection. Bones cures the native king who is suffering from the flu, and as a reward the landing party is set free and given all of the light bulbs they can carry. Scotty cripples the Klingon ship and warps back to the planet just in time to beam up Kirk et. al. The new bulb is inserted, and the Enterprise continues with its five year mission.
----------
My four year old and I were discussing holidays, and I asked him, "What is the day which comes after Halloween when you have turkey?" My husband quickly answered, "Election day."
----------
What would you call Santa's son if he became an elf? A subordinate Claus.
----------
What does Santa call his wife at tax time? A dependent Claus.
----------
Santa noticed that the elves weren't working as hard this year as last so he told them that the elf who made the most toys could have his beautiful daughter for one night. What did the elves call his daughter after that? An incentive Claus.
----------
A pickup with three guys in it pulls into the lumber yard. One of the guys gets out and goes into the office.
"I need some four-by-two's," he says.
"You must mean two-by-four's" says the clerk.
The guy gets a kind of a blank stare and scratches his head. "Wait a minute," he says, "I'll go check."
He goes out to the truck. The window gets rolled down, and there's an animated conversation. Finally the guy comes back in.
"Yeah," he says, "I meant two-by-fours."
"OK," says the clerk, "how long you want 'em?"
The guy gets the blank look again. "Uh . . . I guess I better go check," he says.
He goes out to the truck, again. There's another animated conversation. The guy comes back into the office.
"A long time," he says, "we're building a house."
----------
"You can neither win nor lose if you don't run the race" --Bowie.
----------
From the San Jose Mercury News, Sunday 14 July 1985, page 23A, referring to arson investigations:
On highly publicized cases, it's not unusual for tips to arrive from all over the country. "People call in and tell us about one individual they don't like. They say, 'He's the type who could have done it.' A couple hundred of those and you're chasing people all over the country," Bressler said.
In one case, he was flooded with calls from "people back in the Midwest who knew people in California who were really weird."
It wasn't the kind of tip that led anywhere, he said. "Almost all of California's really weird compared to the Midwest."
----------
Lots of folks are forced to skimp to support a government that won't.
----------
The advice your son rejected is now being given by him to your grandson.
----------
Some people pray for more than they are willing to work for.
----------
One of the most common mistakes is to believe that others know more about the problem than you do.
----------
Parents often talk about the younger generations as if they didn't have anything to do with it.
----------
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Some of our best posts from August 2008
Janine and I have been blogging about homeschooling for almost eight years. If you missed some of our early posts, you have missed some of our best thoughts. Here are some highlights from
August 2008:
An unusual reason for homeschooling - To avoid air pollution.
Janine and I shared Sorta kinda the first day of school and Ramping up for the new school year.
I wrote about how David McCullough got me to read Anna Karenina.
This was one of my favorite videos from August 2008 - I Will Survive- Homeschool Version:
August 2008:
An unusual reason for homeschooling - To avoid air pollution.
Janine and I shared Sorta kinda the first day of school and Ramping up for the new school year.
I wrote about how David McCullough got me to read Anna Karenina.
This was one of my favorite videos from August 2008 - I Will Survive- Homeschool Version:
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thanksgiving Proclamation
As tomorrow will be Thanksgiving I've gathered a few Thanksgiving Proclamations. (Click here to see all the presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations.)
George Washington
John Adams
Ulysses S. Grant
George W Bush
THANKSGIVING DAY 2006
November 16, 2006
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION
As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.
The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.
At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces throughout the generations. Today, many of these courageous men and women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in our prayers.
Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country, where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family, and faith, and may God continue to bless America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
This week we can spend time reading the past proclamations as part of our studies. It is interesting to see how proclamations have changed over the years, as well as how they have stayed the same.
Happy Thanksgiving
George Washington
THANKSGIVING DAY 1789
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks...
John Adams
THANKSGIVING DAY 1798
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES – A PROCLAMATION
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness can not exist nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed; and as this duty, at all times incumbent, is so especially in seasons of difficulty or of danger, when existing or threatening calamities, the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity, are a loud call to repentance and reformation; and as the United States of America are at present placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation by the unfriendly disposition, conduct, and demands of a foreign power, evinced by repeated refusals to receive our messengers of reconciliation and peace, by depredations on our commerce, and the infliction of injuries on very many of our fellow-citizens while engaged in their lawful business on the seas – under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country demands at this time a special attention from its inhabitants....
Ulysses S. Grant
THANKSGIVING DAY 1870
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it behooves a people sensible of their dependence on the Almighty publicly and collectively to acknowledge their gratitude for his favors and mercies and humbly to beseech for their continuance; and
Whereas the people of the United States during the year now about to end have special cause to be thankful for general prosperity, abundant harvests, exemption from pestilence, foreign war, and civil strife :
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, concurring in any similar recommendations from chief magistrates of States, do hereby recommend to all citizens to meet in their respective places of worship on Thursday the 24th day of November next, there to give thanks for the bounty of God during the year about to close and to supplicate for its continuance hereafter.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 21st day of October, A.D. 1870, and of the Independence of the United States of America the ninety-fifth.
U.S. GRANT
George W Bush
THANKSGIVING DAY 2006
November 16, 2006
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION
As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.
The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.
At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces throughout the generations. Today, many of these courageous men and women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in our prayers.
Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country, where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family, and faith, and may God continue to bless America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
This week we can spend time reading the past proclamations as part of our studies. It is interesting to see how proclamations have changed over the years, as well as how they have stayed the same.
Happy Thanksgiving
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - the Geography edition
CT is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at Petticoat Government.
She starts the carnival with:
----------
"I like geography. I like to know where places are."
- Tom Felton (the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies)
We went to Cost Plus World Market last week to get chocolate Advent calendars, and my six-year-old daughter fell in love with and just had to have two globe Christmas tree ornaments. I gave in and bought them for her as a Christmas present because I thoroughly sympathize with her. After all, we did just have her older sister compete in a geography bee. It's neat to look at a globe and think about all the foreign and fascinating places, landscapes, cultures, and peoples represented by each different colored patch.
----------
Enjoy!
She starts the carnival with:
----------
"I like geography. I like to know where places are."
- Tom Felton (the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies)
We went to Cost Plus World Market last week to get chocolate Advent calendars, and my six-year-old daughter fell in love with and just had to have two globe Christmas tree ornaments. I gave in and bought them for her as a Christmas present because I thoroughly sympathize with her. After all, we did just have her older sister compete in a geography bee. It's neat to look at a globe and think about all the foreign and fascinating places, landscapes, cultures, and peoples represented by each different colored patch.
----------
Enjoy!
Life Humor 2.8
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
In a survey taken several years ago, all incoming freshman at MIT were asked if they expected to graduate in the top half of their class. Ninety-seven percent responded that they did.
----------
From Harper's Magazine:
Amount of pizza eaten each day in U.S. (acres): 75
----------
Found on the seal of a bag of bagels:
NEW
IMPROVED
Made the old
fashioned way
----------
On a story about the discovery of a 20-million-year-old bear-dog den:
"Den of Antiquity Uncovered"
----------
Did you hear about the gallant lady in Peru who saved a drowning man from a lake, fell in love and got married before the Inca was dry.
----------
From Robert C. Cumbow's "Pardon Me Roy, and Other Groaners":
A publisher was dismayed at the manuscript for Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." He'd contracted for a children's book, of course, but he was appalled that Stevenson had delivered a volume of poetry. "It'll never sell," said the publisher, and informed Stevenson that he was backing out of the contract. Stevenson, however, gently reminded him that he had no leg to stand on. "After all," said the author, "I never promised you a prose garden."
----------
Sign in a restaurant:
"We reserve the right to serve refuse to anyone."
----------
According to "The Australian," an airliner recently encountered severe vibration in flight. The captain decided to make an emergency landing, and switched on the seat belt sign. The vibration stopped immediately. A passenger emerged from a lavatory and explained that he had been jogging in place inside.
----------
Q: What's the difference between Xerox (Or pick your favorite organization) and the Titanic?
A: The Titanic had a band.
----------
There is no statute of limitations on stupidity
The average nutritional value of promises is roughly zero
----------
Working at a theater box-office ticket window poses many challenges in dealing with people. When a disgruntled customer at a window exclaimed, "No Tickets?" What do you mean NO TICKETS?" the women waiting on him smiled sweetly. "I'm terribly sorry, sir," she replied. "Which word didn't you understand?"
----------
A normally sweet Great Dane, Pail has one quirk: she hates United Parcel Service drivers. While walking Pail one day, around the corner of a house came a UPS man. Struggling to keep hold of Pail, the owner tried to ease the situation said, "As you can see, he just loves UPS men." "Don't you feed her anything else?" he responded.
----------
One student fell into a cycle of classes, studying, working and sleeping, Didn't realize how long he had neglected writing home until he received the following note:
"Dear Son, Your mother and I enjoyed your last letter. Of course, we were much younger then, and more impressionable. Love, Dad."
----------
One women is never happy when she has to wait in line, and people who try to squeeze in front are a special sore point. One day a young man at the supermarket stepped up to her just as she reached the checkouts counter. "Mind if I go ahead?" he asked. "I just have this one can of dog food." "Goodness, no," she roared, "If you're that hungry, go right ahead!"
----------
Guidelines for good writing from a recent Omni article:
-Subject and verb always has to agree.
-Do not use a foreign term when there is an adequate English quid pro quo.
-It behooves the writer to avoid archaic expressions.
-Do not use hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it effectively.
-Avoid cliches like the plague.
-Mixed metaphors are a pain in the neck and should be thrown out the window.
-Placing a comma between subject and predicate, is not correct.
-Parenthetical words however must be enclosed in commas.
-Consult a dictionary frequently to avoid mispelling.
-Don't be redundant.
-Don't repeat yourself or say what you have said before.
-Remember to never split an infinitive.
-The passive voice should not be used.
-Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
-Don't use no double negatives.
-Proofread carefully to see if you have any words out.
-Hopefully, you will use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
-Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
-Avoid colloquial stuff.
-No sentence fragments.
-Remember to finish what
----------
----------
In a survey taken several years ago, all incoming freshman at MIT were asked if they expected to graduate in the top half of their class. Ninety-seven percent responded that they did.
----------
From Harper's Magazine:
Amount of pizza eaten each day in U.S. (acres): 75
----------
Found on the seal of a bag of bagels:
NEW
IMPROVED
Made the old
fashioned way
----------
On a story about the discovery of a 20-million-year-old bear-dog den:
"Den of Antiquity Uncovered"
----------
Did you hear about the gallant lady in Peru who saved a drowning man from a lake, fell in love and got married before the Inca was dry.
----------
From Robert C. Cumbow's "Pardon Me Roy, and Other Groaners":
A publisher was dismayed at the manuscript for Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." He'd contracted for a children's book, of course, but he was appalled that Stevenson had delivered a volume of poetry. "It'll never sell," said the publisher, and informed Stevenson that he was backing out of the contract. Stevenson, however, gently reminded him that he had no leg to stand on. "After all," said the author, "I never promised you a prose garden."
----------
Sign in a restaurant:
"We reserve the right to serve refuse to anyone."
----------
According to "The Australian," an airliner recently encountered severe vibration in flight. The captain decided to make an emergency landing, and switched on the seat belt sign. The vibration stopped immediately. A passenger emerged from a lavatory and explained that he had been jogging in place inside.
----------
Q: What's the difference between Xerox (Or pick your favorite organization) and the Titanic?
A: The Titanic had a band.
----------
There is no statute of limitations on stupidity
The average nutritional value of promises is roughly zero
----------
Working at a theater box-office ticket window poses many challenges in dealing with people. When a disgruntled customer at a window exclaimed, "No Tickets?" What do you mean NO TICKETS?" the women waiting on him smiled sweetly. "I'm terribly sorry, sir," she replied. "Which word didn't you understand?"
----------
A normally sweet Great Dane, Pail has one quirk: she hates United Parcel Service drivers. While walking Pail one day, around the corner of a house came a UPS man. Struggling to keep hold of Pail, the owner tried to ease the situation said, "As you can see, he just loves UPS men." "Don't you feed her anything else?" he responded.
----------
One student fell into a cycle of classes, studying, working and sleeping, Didn't realize how long he had neglected writing home until he received the following note:
"Dear Son, Your mother and I enjoyed your last letter. Of course, we were much younger then, and more impressionable. Love, Dad."
----------
One women is never happy when she has to wait in line, and people who try to squeeze in front are a special sore point. One day a young man at the supermarket stepped up to her just as she reached the checkouts counter. "Mind if I go ahead?" he asked. "I just have this one can of dog food." "Goodness, no," she roared, "If you're that hungry, go right ahead!"
----------
Guidelines for good writing from a recent Omni article:
-Subject and verb always has to agree.
-Do not use a foreign term when there is an adequate English quid pro quo.
-It behooves the writer to avoid archaic expressions.
-Do not use hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it effectively.
-Avoid cliches like the plague.
-Mixed metaphors are a pain in the neck and should be thrown out the window.
-Placing a comma between subject and predicate, is not correct.
-Parenthetical words however must be enclosed in commas.
-Consult a dictionary frequently to avoid mispelling.
-Don't be redundant.
-Don't repeat yourself or say what you have said before.
-Remember to never split an infinitive.
-The passive voice should not be used.
-Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
-Don't use no double negatives.
-Proofread carefully to see if you have any words out.
-Hopefully, you will use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
-Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
-Avoid colloquial stuff.
-No sentence fragments.
-Remember to finish what
----------
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Some of our best posts from July 2008
Janine and I have been blogging about homeschooling for almost eight years. If you missed some of our early posts, you have missed some of our best thoughts. Here are some highlights from July 2008:
Often when trying hard things, like homeschooling, we may not realize You get a parachute.
It is important to Teach your children to pass the marshmallow test.
Many people Rush to fix education, without understanding why it is broken.
This is one of the first times Janine wrote about Baby Bop who we later adopted.
This is still fun - Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles
Often when trying hard things, like homeschooling, we may not realize You get a parachute.
It is important to Teach your children to pass the marshmallow test.
Many people Rush to fix education, without understanding why it is broken.
This is one of the first times Janine wrote about Baby Bop who we later adopted.
This is still fun - Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles
Monday, November 25, 2013
A few of the reasons why I’m grateful we homeschool
As this is the season of Thanksgiving I’m been thinking about why I am thankful we are able to homeschool our children. Here are a few of the reasons:
I am grateful that we don’t have to deal with the conflict in what we teach our children and what public schools try to teach students.
When my children get excited about a project we can let them work on it for as long as they want.
My daughters have plenty of time to read. Going to the library is one of their favorite treats.
My children are turning out to be wonderful people.
My children can pass the marshmallow test.
We were able to avoid having government schools ruin our children.
My children have more time to spend with my parents.
My children are respectful to Janine and me.
My children get along with each other, most of the time. And the rare fusses are getting fewer.
I’m happy with the fruits of homeschooling.
My children are able to avoid destructive assignments.
Homeschooling allows us to bond when life’s tragedies strike.
We don’t have to deal with public schools who ignore parents.
Our children have time to listen to the unabridged version of Homer’s Odyssey.
We have great flexibility.
Our children can learn history.
Homeschooling has made it possible for us to do foster care.
We don’t have to put our children in an environment where they can’t escape bullies.
Homeschooling lets us go on vacations when most children are in school.
Our children have mostly mastered the difference between wants and needs.
This is by no means exhaustive. I am sure I could come up with dozens more.
I am grateful that we don’t have to deal with the conflict in what we teach our children and what public schools try to teach students.
When my children get excited about a project we can let them work on it for as long as they want.
My daughters have plenty of time to read. Going to the library is one of their favorite treats.
My children are turning out to be wonderful people.
My children can pass the marshmallow test.
We were able to avoid having government schools ruin our children.
My children have more time to spend with my parents.
My children are respectful to Janine and me.
My children get along with each other, most of the time. And the rare fusses are getting fewer.
I’m happy with the fruits of homeschooling.
My children are able to avoid destructive assignments.
Homeschooling allows us to bond when life’s tragedies strike.
We don’t have to deal with public schools who ignore parents.
Our children have time to listen to the unabridged version of Homer’s Odyssey.
We have great flexibility.
Our children can learn history.
Homeschooling has made it possible for us to do foster care.
We don’t have to put our children in an environment where they can’t escape bullies.
Homeschooling lets us go on vacations when most children are in school.
Our children have mostly mastered the difference between wants and needs.
This is by no means exhaustive. I am sure I could come up with dozens more.
Massachusetts is opposing Common Core
The Heritage Foundation reports that Massachusetts Halts Common Core Implementation.
I found this paragraph encouraging:
----------
Massachusetts joins the ranks of 15 states now pushing back against the standards—four of which have also halted implementation of the PARCC exams or downgraded their involvement.
----------
I found this paragraph encouraging:
----------
Massachusetts joins the ranks of 15 states now pushing back against the standards—four of which have also halted implementation of the PARCC exams or downgraded their involvement.
----------
Do you have references for why the push for early academics is bad for children?
I have a friend with two young children. He and his wife are Indian. Their culture has a strong push for success in school. Many have a strong push for early academics. This means that even after a full day of school the parents will work with the children to do all the homework and then they'll even supplement with more academics. Long hard hours in high school do have a positive correlation with increased mastery of the subject, but I've read that ten and twelve hour days before ages 12 have a decrease in long term comprehension.
And from a brain development stand point this makes total sense. Children's brains don't finish developing until they are in their late teens. We don't ask a two-year-old to do calculus, but public schools see no problem pushing hard to have five and seven year old children start down the academic road with full force and speed.
My friend was surprised when I shared that lots of academics for young children was bad in the long run. He asked for references. I found this one: Full-day kindergarteners' reading, math gains fade by 3rd grade.
Do you know of any other references?
Thanks.
And from a brain development stand point this makes total sense. Children's brains don't finish developing until they are in their late teens. We don't ask a two-year-old to do calculus, but public schools see no problem pushing hard to have five and seven year old children start down the academic road with full force and speed.
My friend was surprised when I shared that lots of academics for young children was bad in the long run. He asked for references. I found this one: Full-day kindergarteners' reading, math gains fade by 3rd grade.
Do you know of any other references?
Thanks.
Life Humor 2.7
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
A man, who not being certain of an item he reads in the newspaper, buys 100 copies of the paper to reassure himself of its truth.
----------
During the last great war, the captain of a battleship was proceeding, slowly, (with/on his vessel), through the fog. Up ahead they spot company on a collision course. Via radio, on the emergency channel, they contact the intruder.
"Veer to the LEFT" shouts the captain.
"No, you veer to the RIGHT" comes back the reply.
"I'm a captain and I order you to veer to the LEFT"
" I'm a seaman first class and I say veer to the RIGHT" came back the reply
"Sailor, you don't understand, I'm captain of this battleship, with a hell of a lot of firepower and if you don't veer to the LEFT we'll open fire"
"Sir, I'm in charge of this lighthouse here . . . . . . .
----------
Fred walks into a psychiatrists office one day and says to the psychiatrist,
"Doc, I don't understand what's going on with me. It's really strange, sometimes I feel like a tepee."
The doctor thinks about it for a while and then urges the man to continue.
So, the man continues, "And sometimes I feel like a wigwam."
To which the doctor says "I wouldn't worry about it, Fred, you're just two tents."
----------
Bumper snicker: Save Our Trees. Stop Printing Tax Forms !
----------
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."
--Groucho Marx
1890-1977
----------
Supposedly G.B. Shaw once sent Winston Churchill some tickets for the first night of one of his plays. Churchill then sent Shaw a telegram to the effect:
"Cannot come first night. Will come second night if you have one." Shaw promptly replied: "Here are two tickets for the second night. Bring a friend if you have one."
----------
Definition: A manager is a person who thinks that nine women can produce a child in one month.
----------
Broadcast blooper of the week heard on KABC radio:
"This program was brought to you by the Canadian Government Office of Terrorism...er, Tourism"
----------
On a bright spring morning, four high-school seniors decided to skip all their morning classes. They arrived at school after lunch and told the teacher a very long-winded story about the flat tire the car had gotten and all the problems they'd encountered in getting it fixed.
To their immense relief, the teacher did not seem too concerned with the story. She just smiled and said, "I'd like you to make up a test you missed this morning. Take seats apart from each other and get out your pens."
When the boys were ready, the teacher said, "Each of you answer the following question: Which tire was flat?
----------
Here's a collection of Scientific and Futuristic graffiti:
Got Mole problems? Call Avagadro: 6.02 x 10¡23.
Reality is for people who can't face science fiction.
Bumper sticker: I'd rather be teleporting.
Going the speed of light is bad for your age.
White dwarf seeks red giant for binary relationship.
Your test tube wears combat boots!
Quasars shift red
Hot stars burn blue
Space is warped
And so are you.
Warning: Due to the robot shortage, some of our bartenders are human and will react unpredictably when insulted.
Kiss me twice. I'm schizophrenic.
Wernher van Braun settled for a V-2, when he could have had a V-8.
----------
----------
A man, who not being certain of an item he reads in the newspaper, buys 100 copies of the paper to reassure himself of its truth.
----------
During the last great war, the captain of a battleship was proceeding, slowly, (with/on his vessel), through the fog. Up ahead they spot company on a collision course. Via radio, on the emergency channel, they contact the intruder.
"Veer to the LEFT" shouts the captain.
"No, you veer to the RIGHT" comes back the reply.
"I'm a captain and I order you to veer to the LEFT"
" I'm a seaman first class and I say veer to the RIGHT" came back the reply
"Sailor, you don't understand, I'm captain of this battleship, with a hell of a lot of firepower and if you don't veer to the LEFT we'll open fire"
"Sir, I'm in charge of this lighthouse here . . . . . . .
----------
Fred walks into a psychiatrists office one day and says to the psychiatrist,
"Doc, I don't understand what's going on with me. It's really strange, sometimes I feel like a tepee."
The doctor thinks about it for a while and then urges the man to continue.
So, the man continues, "And sometimes I feel like a wigwam."
To which the doctor says "I wouldn't worry about it, Fred, you're just two tents."
----------
Bumper snicker: Save Our Trees. Stop Printing Tax Forms !
----------
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."
--Groucho Marx
1890-1977
----------
Supposedly G.B. Shaw once sent Winston Churchill some tickets for the first night of one of his plays. Churchill then sent Shaw a telegram to the effect:
"Cannot come first night. Will come second night if you have one." Shaw promptly replied: "Here are two tickets for the second night. Bring a friend if you have one."
----------
Definition: A manager is a person who thinks that nine women can produce a child in one month.
----------
Broadcast blooper of the week heard on KABC radio:
"This program was brought to you by the Canadian Government Office of Terrorism...er, Tourism"
----------
On a bright spring morning, four high-school seniors decided to skip all their morning classes. They arrived at school after lunch and told the teacher a very long-winded story about the flat tire the car had gotten and all the problems they'd encountered in getting it fixed.
To their immense relief, the teacher did not seem too concerned with the story. She just smiled and said, "I'd like you to make up a test you missed this morning. Take seats apart from each other and get out your pens."
When the boys were ready, the teacher said, "Each of you answer the following question: Which tire was flat?
----------
Here's a collection of Scientific and Futuristic graffiti:
Got Mole problems? Call Avagadro: 6.02 x 10¡23.
Reality is for people who can't face science fiction.
Bumper sticker: I'd rather be teleporting.
Going the speed of light is bad for your age.
White dwarf seeks red giant for binary relationship.
Your test tube wears combat boots!
Quasars shift red
Hot stars burn blue
Space is warped
And so are you.
Warning: Due to the robot shortage, some of our bartenders are human and will react unpredictably when insulted.
Kiss me twice. I'm schizophrenic.
Wernher van Braun settled for a V-2, when he could have had a V-8.
----------
Friday, November 22, 2013
Reminder - Please submit your 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: Petticoat Government
This will be the 413th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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 413th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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, November 20, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - an icon for every post
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Every Bed of Roses.
Chareen starts the carnival with:
----------
Welcome to the 412th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling where home school families share their homeschool wisdom with us from all over the world via their blogs.
----------
She has selected an image or icon for each post.
Enjoy.
Chareen starts the carnival with:
----------
Welcome to the 412th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling where home school families share their homeschool wisdom with us from all over the world via their blogs.
----------
She has selected an image or icon for each post.
Enjoy.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Homeschooling and the What If game
As a parent, it is easy to second guess yourself. As a homeschooler, it is especially easy to fall into the "What If" trap.
Here's a few examples.......
What if we had used math program A instead of program B?
What if we had use an online accredit program instead of a non-accredited program?
What if we had focused more on science and less on literature?
What if we had been more structured? What if we had used a more unschooling approach?
What if we had spent less time on sports? What if we had spent more time on sports?
What if we had traveled more and studied less? What if we had studied more and traveled less?
And on, and on, it goes.
Because we, as homeschoolers, have a nearly endless supply of educational options, it can be very hard to be satisfied with our choices. What if there is a better math program than the one you are using? Or, maybe, what if there is a math program that is better suited to this particular child and would it be worth your time in the long run to abandon the program you used for the 3 prior children and try something new? If you don't try something new, how would you know that what your are using is really the best?
(Heavy sigh)
Sometimes, I wonder if parents send there children to school just so they can leave it to the school to decide. As an added bonus, the parents can always complain about it afterwards and blame the school if they don't like the outcome.
Homeschoolers have no such luxury. There is no one to blame but yourself.
(Heavy sigh)
Another thing that makes it hard is that we hang out with such high functioning families. Our children's peer group is a bunch of high achievers that make the 90th percentile look practically remedial.
I'm very happy with my older children's success in college and life,.....but there still is this little voice that says, "What if we had ......".
(Heavy sigh)
Here's a few examples.......
What if we had used math program A instead of program B?
What if we had use an online accredit program instead of a non-accredited program?
What if we had focused more on science and less on literature?
What if we had been more structured? What if we had used a more unschooling approach?
What if we had spent less time on sports? What if we had spent more time on sports?
What if we had traveled more and studied less? What if we had studied more and traveled less?
And on, and on, it goes.
Because we, as homeschoolers, have a nearly endless supply of educational options, it can be very hard to be satisfied with our choices. What if there is a better math program than the one you are using? Or, maybe, what if there is a math program that is better suited to this particular child and would it be worth your time in the long run to abandon the program you used for the 3 prior children and try something new? If you don't try something new, how would you know that what your are using is really the best?
(Heavy sigh)
Sometimes, I wonder if parents send there children to school just so they can leave it to the school to decide. As an added bonus, the parents can always complain about it afterwards and blame the school if they don't like the outcome.
Homeschoolers have no such luxury. There is no one to blame but yourself.
(Heavy sigh)
Another thing that makes it hard is that we hang out with such high functioning families. Our children's peer group is a bunch of high achievers that make the 90th percentile look practically remedial.
I'm very happy with my older children's success in college and life,.....but there still is this little voice that says, "What if we had ......".
(Heavy sigh)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Reminder - Please submit your 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: Every Bed of Roses.
This will be the 412th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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 412th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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, November 13, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
PBS on Homeschooling
I happened to notice that the PBS web site has a section on homeschooling.
I browsed several of the pages. They are pretty positive about homeschooling!
I browsed several of the pages. They are pretty positive about homeschooling!
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - The Creative Learning Edition
Judy is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at Consent Of The Governed.
She starts the carnival with:
----------
Welcome once again to the Carnival of Homeschooling! We have lots of interesting posts to share with you this week! I thought the theme this week should be all about building creative curricula.
Whether you have little ones or big kids to teach at home - there's always something different and wonderful to do as homeschoolers... so step right up to each carnival booth and enjoy!
----------
Enjoy!
She starts the carnival with:
----------
Welcome once again to the Carnival of Homeschooling! We have lots of interesting posts to share with you this week! I thought the theme this week should be all about building creative curricula.
Whether you have little ones or big kids to teach at home - there's always something different and wonderful to do as homeschoolers... so step right up to each carnival booth and enjoy!
----------
Enjoy!
Monday, November 11, 2013
The crazy months are over
For us September and October are the most hectic months of the year. A whole bunch of activities kick in as the summer ends. Soccer starts off early in August with practices and then games early in September. Janine started practicing with a local symphony. Our children started doing a serious load of schoolwork. Our second daughter has the heaviest load with a full set of high school classes for her final year of homeschooling, and two college classes through a local junior college.
Well soccer ended this weekend! I am probably the most happiest about getting so much free time back. Work has been demanding and it has been rough to head off to afternoon practice twice a week.
The symphony had their performance last week!
And a few more things will come off our plates in the next couple weeks.
So we’ll go into the end of the year with a few less activities, which may let us relax through the Christmas season. (Especially once we get our Christmas letter done.)
One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is we are able to be flexible and adjust to the demands on our time. When my nephew was in town last week I didn’t have to get permission from the school officials to take our younger two children on a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We just went.
With all the distractions homeschooling allows us to dial it back a bit.
Well soccer ended this weekend! I am probably the most happiest about getting so much free time back. Work has been demanding and it has been rough to head off to afternoon practice twice a week.
The symphony had their performance last week!
And a few more things will come off our plates in the next couple weeks.
So we’ll go into the end of the year with a few less activities, which may let us relax through the Christmas season. (Especially once we get our Christmas letter done.)
One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is we are able to be flexible and adjust to the demands on our time. When my nephew was in town last week I didn’t have to get permission from the school officials to take our younger two children on a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We just went.
With all the distractions homeschooling allows us to dial it back a bit.
Friday, November 08, 2013
Reminder - Please submit your 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: Consent Of The Governed.
This will be the 411th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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 411th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
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, November 05, 2013
Monday, November 04, 2013
Transitioning to public schools
Janine and I started homeschooling fifteen years ago. Our oldest was in kindergarten and we figured if we messed it up we could also then turn to public schools. We had a few family members who were role models for us. My cousin had been homeschooling for close to twenty years and one of my sisters had been homeschooling for close to ten years.
Unfortunately my sister died twelve years ago. My brother-in-law struggled for a bit and then decided to send the children to public school. One of my nephews is in town this week. I asked him about the move from homeschooling to government schools. He wrote:
---------
Transitioning from a home schooling environment into the public school system was more surprising that it was challenging. A few relatively minor things were completely foreign to me; cursive handwriting, for instance, had become mandatory by the 4th grade, whereas I had yet to be exposed to it at that point. On the other hand, passing public school standards in the subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic proved to be all but effortless and the coursework dwarfed in comparison to the material with which we’d been working. I feel the transition was very manageable, and that with a few simple preparations it would have been even less of a shock. In my particular circumstances, things like social studies and geography had not been as deeply impressed on my mind as they would have been in the public school, but the added advantage of reading ability and analytical thinking more than compensated for the deficit and enabled me to catch up at a speed which would otherwise have been impractical. I would also like to mention that lacking one or two of the skills others had may have been a blessing in the end, as it kept my head down and my work ethic up, and allowed for an opportunity to learn how to focus harder on those particular subjects--a skill which would later prove completely invaluable as an educational asset.
---------
Unfortunately my sister died twelve years ago. My brother-in-law struggled for a bit and then decided to send the children to public school. One of my nephews is in town this week. I asked him about the move from homeschooling to government schools. He wrote:
---------
Transitioning from a home schooling environment into the public school system was more surprising that it was challenging. A few relatively minor things were completely foreign to me; cursive handwriting, for instance, had become mandatory by the 4th grade, whereas I had yet to be exposed to it at that point. On the other hand, passing public school standards in the subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic proved to be all but effortless and the coursework dwarfed in comparison to the material with which we’d been working. I feel the transition was very manageable, and that with a few simple preparations it would have been even less of a shock. In my particular circumstances, things like social studies and geography had not been as deeply impressed on my mind as they would have been in the public school, but the added advantage of reading ability and analytical thinking more than compensated for the deficit and enabled me to catch up at a speed which would otherwise have been impractical. I would also like to mention that lacking one or two of the skills others had may have been a blessing in the end, as it kept my head down and my work ethic up, and allowed for an opportunity to learn how to focus harder on those particular subjects--a skill which would later prove completely invaluable as an educational asset.
---------
Learning to code
Do you want to be a software engineer? Do you have a child who wants to learn how to program? Check out The 7 best ways to learn how to code.
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