I have a several dozen blogs and web sites I try to check most every day. One of them is The Truth Laid Bear's (TTLB) Homeschool Community.
If you have a blog and you haven't checked out TTLB before, go check it out. TTLB is a blog, but it has much more. I first became aware of TTLB when I noticed its ecosystem. It some ways it is like Sitemeter, but the focus is on how many other blogs link to a particular blog, rather than the traffic or hits. (Blogger has more information on hit counters like Sitemeter.) The TTLB's ecosystem is a fun way to see which blogs other bloggers reference. To join the ecosystem you need to register.
Another service TTLB provides is Blogosphere Communities. Currenty there are 44 communities, and it looks like it is pretty easy to suggest another community. About six months ago Dana, of Principled Discovery, was able to get the Bear to create a Homeschool Community.
The Homeschool Community has several features. It lists recent posts about homeschooling. It lists homeschooling posts which other bloggers are linking to. And it provides a ranking of homeschool blogs in terms of how many other blogs link to a particular blog. The first two features are almost like a homeschool carnival. Every day there is a different list. Not all of the posts are directly related to or supporting homeschooling. The following are a few selections:
Daryl Cobranchi of HE&OS interprets a recent article on preschool in NEWSPEAK TRANSLATED.
Joanne of A Day in Our Lives quotes an article from the New York Times in New York Times on Unschooling. Thoughts of an Average Woman writes Unschooling Still a Bogeyman in response to the same New York Times article. In reference to the article Daryl makes an interesting observation: "Homeschooling is now too mainstream (and successful) for the MSM to pick on. Not so for unschooling."
Danny Homeschooling Dad warns parents about What's being taught in schools: Parental Divorce. Danny warns that public schools are teaching children to divorce their parents.
The Thinking Mother shares My Thoughts About What Homeschooling Parents Do, Opinions of Others, Finding Support and Friendships.
From Tales of a Farmwife is My little archaeologists. This is the type of learning that will stick a lot longer than a few books.
At What Would Phoebe Do is a post on Child-led learning which says unschooling is a bad idea.
The TTLB Homeschool community is a good site to check out now and then. If you haven't looked at it before, give it a try.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
Monday, November 27, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Book reviews at Dewey's Treehouse
A couple of our favorite books for homeschoolers are
1) The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and her mother Jessie Wise
2) Inside American Education by Thomas Sowell.
The first shows the potential of a truly great education. The second shows the reality of our current public school system.
Even with all the advances in technology Books are still one of the best ways to disseminate information efficiently and effectively.
Mama Squirrel of Dewey's Treehouse, recent posted several book reviews:
In Part 1 she reviews two books by Cyndy Regeling and Tammy Duby: Add Two Cups of Laughter and The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook. She starts off her review of the first book with: "Add Two Cups of Laughter is a book full of ideas to keep your homeschooling from getting stale, or what to do to spice things up when you've all been snowed in too long and you're close to round-the-bend."
In Part 2 she reviews Terri Camp's Ignite the Fire based on Yeats' statement: "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire."
In Part 3 she reviews When Homeschooling Gets Tough! by Diana Johnson and Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.
In Part 4 she reviews several books by Joyce Herzog.
Update I:
In Part 5 Mama Squirrel reviews Making Sense of History: Using High-Quality Literature and Hands-On Experiences to Build Content Knowledge, by Myra Zarnowski.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, book, reviews
1) The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and her mother Jessie Wise
2) Inside American Education by Thomas Sowell.
The first shows the potential of a truly great education. The second shows the reality of our current public school system.
Even with all the advances in technology Books are still one of the best ways to disseminate information efficiently and effectively.
Mama Squirrel of Dewey's Treehouse, recent posted several book reviews:
In Part 1 she reviews two books by Cyndy Regeling and Tammy Duby: Add Two Cups of Laughter and The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook. She starts off her review of the first book with: "Add Two Cups of Laughter is a book full of ideas to keep your homeschooling from getting stale, or what to do to spice things up when you've all been snowed in too long and you're close to round-the-bend."
In Part 2 she reviews Terri Camp's Ignite the Fire based on Yeats' statement: "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire."
In Part 3 she reviews When Homeschooling Gets Tough! by Diana Johnson and Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.
In Part 4 she reviews several books by Joyce Herzog.
Update I:
In Part 5 Mama Squirrel reviews Making Sense of History: Using High-Quality Literature and Hands-On Experiences to Build Content Knowledge, by Myra Zarnowski.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, book, reviews
Growing Without Schooling
The following was sent to the Stillwater Homeschool Alliance mailing list just over a month ago:
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Growing Without Schooling is the work of John C. Holt and homeschooling's early pioneer families. It is now made available exclusively by Home Education Magazine at www.unschooling.com/gws/.
Patrick Farenga President, Holt Associates Inc. www.holtgws.com writes:
"Posting issues of Growing Without Schooling magazine (GWS) online is exhilarating to me, and a bit sad. Exhilarating because I am excited that a new audience of children and adults will be able to read these issues almost exactly as they were published nearly thirty years ago. Sad because their posting achingly reminds me of the loss of my friend and mentor John Holt, and because they mark a fascinating period of my own life that is now considered "historic." Just writing that makes me feel old, if not historical.
At the time I didn’t think I was part of any historical record: I was just a young man gaining office and publishing experience, wielding an Exacto knife and rubber cement to get out the next publication John wanted to do. But after a year of working with John, I realized how important and unique GWS was and I "was hooked." Looking back, I also realize how lucky I was to work with Peggy Durkee, Donna Richoux, Tim Chapman, and all the volunteers who helped bring out the materials Holt produced then. With John, these diverse personalities produced one of the foundations of the homeschooling movement. John couldn’t have done it without their generous assistance."
Visit www.unschooling.com/gws/ to read the rest of Mr. Farenga's message.
Once you are there, you will find more Growing Without Schooling issues have been added. Issues 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, 31, 49, 52, 53, 54, 68, 69, 70, 77 and 78 are now available with many more to come very soon. Recently, Home Education Magazine also added an index to the issues that can be accessed here: http://www.unschooling.com/gws/?cat=15
For more information about unschooling or homeschooling vist the award winning Home Education Magazine here- www.homeedmag.com
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There is a ton of information. This is a great resource for both people new to homeschooling, and old timers.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, unschooling, Growing, Without, Schooling, John Holt, John C. Holt
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Growing Without Schooling is the work of John C. Holt and homeschooling's early pioneer families. It is now made available exclusively by Home Education Magazine at www.unschooling.com/gws/.
Patrick Farenga President, Holt Associates Inc. www.holtgws.com writes:
"Posting issues of Growing Without Schooling magazine (GWS) online is exhilarating to me, and a bit sad. Exhilarating because I am excited that a new audience of children and adults will be able to read these issues almost exactly as they were published nearly thirty years ago. Sad because their posting achingly reminds me of the loss of my friend and mentor John Holt, and because they mark a fascinating period of my own life that is now considered "historic." Just writing that makes me feel old, if not historical.
At the time I didn’t think I was part of any historical record: I was just a young man gaining office and publishing experience, wielding an Exacto knife and rubber cement to get out the next publication John wanted to do. But after a year of working with John, I realized how important and unique GWS was and I "was hooked." Looking back, I also realize how lucky I was to work with Peggy Durkee, Donna Richoux, Tim Chapman, and all the volunteers who helped bring out the materials Holt produced then. With John, these diverse personalities produced one of the foundations of the homeschooling movement. John couldn’t have done it without their generous assistance."
Visit www.unschooling.com/gws/ to read the rest of Mr. Farenga's message.
Once you are there, you will find more Growing Without Schooling issues have been added. Issues 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, 31, 49, 52, 53, 54, 68, 69, 70, 77 and 78 are now available with many more to come very soon. Recently, Home Education Magazine also added an index to the issues that can be accessed here: http://www.unschooling.com/gws/?cat=15
For more information about unschooling or homeschooling vist the award winning Home Education Magazine here- www.homeedmag.com
-------
There is a ton of information. This is a great resource for both people new to homeschooling, and old timers.
----------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, unschooling, Growing, Without, Schooling, John Holt, John C. Holt
A few selections from HomeSchoolBuzz - 25 Nov 06
I'm slowly climbing out of the hole of not enough time for blogging. For the last couple months I've been coaching my youngest daughter's soccer team. The extra four or five hours of coaching, plus the four or five hours of watching the other two daughter's games adds up. Soccer ended last week, and I'm expecting to be blogging more now.
Gary of HomeSchoolBuzz does a great job of finding interesting news about homeschoolers. The following are selections from some of his recent posts:
The Korea Times reports on Prodigies' Mother Reveals Secret. It was a nice article about how the mother of two geniuses helps her children get a challenging education.
From the Buzzle Web Portal is 4 Reasons Why You Should Homeschool Your Child. It started with this fascinating line: "A recent survey indicated that nearly 30% of American parents are seriously considering homeschooling their children rather than sending them to school." Does anyone know what survey?
From Dallas Morning News is a pleasant article on Home-schooling mom turns to nature for inspiration.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, HomeSchoolBuzz
Gary of HomeSchoolBuzz does a great job of finding interesting news about homeschoolers. The following are selections from some of his recent posts:
The Korea Times reports on Prodigies' Mother Reveals Secret. It was a nice article about how the mother of two geniuses helps her children get a challenging education.
From the Buzzle Web Portal is 4 Reasons Why You Should Homeschool Your Child. It started with this fascinating line: "A recent survey indicated that nearly 30% of American parents are seriously considering homeschooling their children rather than sending them to school." Does anyone know what survey?
From Dallas Morning News is a pleasant article on Home-schooling mom turns to nature for inspiration.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, HomeSchoolBuzz
Poll on Styles on Schooling
That tv show has a poll on styles of schooling. It is not very well written. They count unschooling and homeschooling as separate things.
Here's the latest poll results:
Considering that unschoolers are homeschoolers, that puts homeschooling at 76% as the best style of schooling.
The numbers keep changing. When my mother-in-law checked the poll this morning homeschooling/unschooling was only at 70%.
So much for a raise of hands like they did with the show audience.
------------------------------------
Related Tags: Dr. Phil, unschooling, homeschooling, private school, public school, polls
Here's the latest poll results:
Which style of schooling do you think is best?
15%..........469..........Public school
9%..........366..........Private school
57%...........2120..........Homeschooling
19%..........719..........Unschooling
Total:
3674
Considering that unschoolers are homeschoolers, that puts homeschooling at 76% as the best style of schooling.
The numbers keep changing. When my mother-in-law checked the poll this morning homeschooling/unschooling was only at 70%.
So much for a raise of hands like they did with the show audience.
------------------------------------
Related Tags: Dr. Phil, unschooling, homeschooling, private school, public school, polls
That TV show on homeschooling and unschooling
Once P.T. Barnum once said "I don't care what they say about me, just make sure they spell my name right!" His point was that even bad press was good business. There is some wisdom in his observation. I don't want to encourage people to watch TV shows which unfairly attack or are dishonest in their presentation. And so for the rest of this post I'll refer to the Dr. Phil show that aired last night as that TV show.
When I first heard a popular televsion host wanted homeschoolers for his show I was excited. Homeschooling is a great influence for good. To give it national exposure would encourage more people to at least investigate homeschooling. The popularly accepted numbers are that about two percent of the children in American are homeschooled. It would be great if that grew to five or even ten percent. I do think it will happen in the next ten to twenty years. National exposure on a popular TV show would help accelerate the growth of homeschooling.
When my wife found a report on the recording of that TV show, I realized that this would not be real helpful in teaching people about the benefits of homeschooling.
I only watched a few minutes last night. I hadn't planned to watch, since I had heard from several sources that it was to be an attack on homeschooling. My wife turned on the televsion last night and in flipping around came across that TV show. We watched for a bit.
I forget the exact words, but at one point the host asks the audience how many people thought unschooling was a good idea. Several hands went up. The host said about five percent of the audience was in support of unschooling. Then he asked how many thought public school, with all its problems was a better alternative. A few more hands went up. From the perspective the camera gave it didn't seem like a whole lot of hands went up. But the host said about 90% were in support of public schooling. I had read the report about how that TV show bused in students from a public school, so I recognized that that TV show was stacking the deck in favor of the arguement the host was making. This was very dishonest.
A little later that TV show had a 26 year old woman on who complained that homeschooling had ruined her life. That she didn't have an active social life. The viewers were suppose to come to the conclusion that all homeschoolers are socially backwards retards. For my wife and I the bad socialization at public schools is one of the reasons we homeschool. The truth is as a group homeschoolers are more socially well rounded.
One of the problems with making any kind of claim that life would have been better if we had choosen another alternative is that we can never know for sure. With science we can run and rerun various experiments. But with people we can't back up life and see what would have happend if this woman had gone to public school. All we can do is to look at evidence and make our best guess. We do know that children have horrible experiences every year in public schools. Thousands to hundreds of thousands are bullied every year. Public schools waste time. Even more get a poor education.
The problem with that TV show's presentation is not that there was some child some where in the whole world who was homeschooled and regrets it, but that there was no context given. For example they didn't mention Dr. Brian Ray's study which found that 95% of the adults who were homeschooled were glad they were homeschooled, and less than 2% were upset about being homeschooled.
If people stopped and compared the few individuals who regret being homeschooled to the mlllions of people who had horrible experiences going to public school, they would realize that homeschooling is a much better choice.
At this point I went upstairs to watch other shows.
What are some good responses?
Well I plan to write a short note to that TV show and explain that they were dishonest in their presentation of homeschooling and that I don't plan to ever watch the show again. I'll also write some of the companies which advertise on that TV show and tell them why I will not be watching that TV show ever again. Someone has already posted a list of sponsors of that TV show. If anyone posts a list with addresses, please let me know.
Right now I don't plan to write any more about that TV show. I don't want to give them any press. If you are interested in what others are saying about that TV show check out:
The Homeschool Scuttle reports on the taping of the show.
The Thinking Mother shares some of her thoughts and she also has a report on the taping of the show.
The Princess Mom reports that the poll by that TV show are rounding the numbers in favor of public school. Even with this dishonesty, the results are good for homeschooling and unschooling.
At the Four Willows Christian Academy the point is made that the 26 year old woman mostly seems to be upset that she didn't get to be a cheer leader.
Valorie Delp wants to know what research claims that after eighth grade children are better socialized in public schools.
Dana is upset that that TV show is so hostile to homeschoolers.
Spunky is looking for feedback from people who watched that TV show.
----------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
When I first heard a popular televsion host wanted homeschoolers for his show I was excited. Homeschooling is a great influence for good. To give it national exposure would encourage more people to at least investigate homeschooling. The popularly accepted numbers are that about two percent of the children in American are homeschooled. It would be great if that grew to five or even ten percent. I do think it will happen in the next ten to twenty years. National exposure on a popular TV show would help accelerate the growth of homeschooling.
When my wife found a report on the recording of that TV show, I realized that this would not be real helpful in teaching people about the benefits of homeschooling.
I only watched a few minutes last night. I hadn't planned to watch, since I had heard from several sources that it was to be an attack on homeschooling. My wife turned on the televsion last night and in flipping around came across that TV show. We watched for a bit.
I forget the exact words, but at one point the host asks the audience how many people thought unschooling was a good idea. Several hands went up. The host said about five percent of the audience was in support of unschooling. Then he asked how many thought public school, with all its problems was a better alternative. A few more hands went up. From the perspective the camera gave it didn't seem like a whole lot of hands went up. But the host said about 90% were in support of public schooling. I had read the report about how that TV show bused in students from a public school, so I recognized that that TV show was stacking the deck in favor of the arguement the host was making. This was very dishonest.
A little later that TV show had a 26 year old woman on who complained that homeschooling had ruined her life. That she didn't have an active social life. The viewers were suppose to come to the conclusion that all homeschoolers are socially backwards retards. For my wife and I the bad socialization at public schools is one of the reasons we homeschool. The truth is as a group homeschoolers are more socially well rounded.
One of the problems with making any kind of claim that life would have been better if we had choosen another alternative is that we can never know for sure. With science we can run and rerun various experiments. But with people we can't back up life and see what would have happend if this woman had gone to public school. All we can do is to look at evidence and make our best guess. We do know that children have horrible experiences every year in public schools. Thousands to hundreds of thousands are bullied every year. Public schools waste time. Even more get a poor education.
The problem with that TV show's presentation is not that there was some child some where in the whole world who was homeschooled and regrets it, but that there was no context given. For example they didn't mention Dr. Brian Ray's study which found that 95% of the adults who were homeschooled were glad they were homeschooled, and less than 2% were upset about being homeschooled.
If people stopped and compared the few individuals who regret being homeschooled to the mlllions of people who had horrible experiences going to public school, they would realize that homeschooling is a much better choice.
At this point I went upstairs to watch other shows.
What are some good responses?
Well I plan to write a short note to that TV show and explain that they were dishonest in their presentation of homeschooling and that I don't plan to ever watch the show again. I'll also write some of the companies which advertise on that TV show and tell them why I will not be watching that TV show ever again. Someone has already posted a list of sponsors of that TV show. If anyone posts a list with addresses, please let me know.
Right now I don't plan to write any more about that TV show. I don't want to give them any press. If you are interested in what others are saying about that TV show check out:
The Homeschool Scuttle reports on the taping of the show.
The Thinking Mother shares some of her thoughts and she also has a report on the taping of the show.
The Princess Mom reports that the poll by that TV show are rounding the numbers in favor of public school. Even with this dishonesty, the results are good for homeschooling and unschooling.
At the Four Willows Christian Academy the point is made that the 26 year old woman mostly seems to be upset that she didn't get to be a cheer leader.
Valorie Delp wants to know what research claims that after eighth grade children are better socialized in public schools.
Dana is upset that that TV show is so hostile to homeschoolers.
Spunky is looking for feedback from people who watched that TV show.
----------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
Friday, November 24, 2006
A few upcoming carnivals on Homeschooling
At The Common Room the Headmistress will be hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling next week. Submissions are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time. Here are the instructions for sending in your submission.
This snuck up on me, submissions for the December Catholic Homeschool Carnival are due tomorrow. It will be hosted by O Night Divine. (This carnival is a monthly carnival, with entries due on the 25th of the money.) Go here to send in an entry.
You have a little more time for Unschooling Voices, are carnival about unschooling. Joanne of A Day in Our Lives put out a request for submissions; the submissions are due at the end of the November.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling, Catholic , unschooling, unschool
This snuck up on me, submissions for the December Catholic Homeschool Carnival are due tomorrow. It will be hosted by O Night Divine. (This carnival is a monthly carnival, with entries due on the 25th of the money.) Go here to send in an entry.
You have a little more time for Unschooling Voices, are carnival about unschooling. Joanne of A Day in Our Lives put out a request for submissions; the submissions are due at the end of the November.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling, Catholic , unschooling, unschool
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving
Normal Rockwell
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
Frederick Keonig quotes
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Related Tags: Thanksgiving, Norman Rockwell, Freedom From Want
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Generosity and Education
A soon to be released books compares charitable behavior between various ideologies.
The book, "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism " by Arthur Brooks, has some interesting conclusions.
From Arthur Brooks' web page:
I've always thought that much of the support for "tax payer financed programs for the poor" were an attempt to avoid guilt for lack of personal generosity. True generosity is what you do with your money, not someone else's.
There is a theory in psychology that people feel uncomfortable in inequitable relationships. There are two ways to relieve the discomfort. Change what you do or change how you think about it. It is much easier to change how you think about it, so that is the option most people choose. Voting for more funding for the poor at the taxpayers expense alleviates feelings of guilt without requiring the individual actually do anything for the poor. This study bares that out.
I do think there is another category of people who support governmental income redistribution. Such individuals can be very generous, but arrogantly assume they know what is best for others. Thomas Sowell describes this phenomenon in his book, "Vision of the Anointed." Such people believe that by making life easier for non-producers at the expense of the producers, more people will prosper. The reverse is actually true.
I'm reminded of an example I read in a book. If you crack the shell of an egg to make it easier for the chick to hatch, the chick will usually die. The struggle to break the shell is what develops the circulatory system and makes the chick strong enough to survive. This is why much of welfare "help" actually harms the individual. The aided individual looses the capacity to do for oneself.
Like the Chinese proverb says, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.”
This relates to education. Our entire public education system is based on, "Give a man a fish, and tell him that only professionals with certificates are qualified to fish."
I can not tell how many times someone has said to me, "That's great that you homeschool, but I could never do that."
My response is, "Yes, you could."
Almost all functioning adults could care for and educate their children, if they choose to put in the effort to do so. It is a tragedy that capable adults now believe that it is impossible to care for children without the aid of the state. Increasingly, schools take on the role the parents once served. The more that parents are relieve of their responsibilities, the weaker they become. Eventually, potentially able parents find that even if they wanted to take an active role, they are afraid to try.
Regardless of how good schools become, children will go home to increasingly incompetent parents as the "education system" lulls parents into inefficacy, much as the current welfare system sabotages the poor.
Hat Tip: Spunky Homeschool.
-----------------------------------------
Related Tags: Conservative, liberal, Arthur C. Brooks, Christianity, culture, welfare, Thomas Sowell, Vision of the Annointed
The book, "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism " by Arthur Brooks, has some interesting conclusions.
From Arthur Brooks' web page:
People who are religious give more across the board to all causes than their non-religious counterparts
There is a huge “charity gap” that follows religion: On average, religious people are far more generous than secularists with their time and money. This is not just because of giving to churches—religious people are more generous than secularists towards explicitly non-religious charities as well. They are also more generous in informal ways, such as giving money to family members, and behaving honestly.
Giving supports economic growth and actually creates prosperity
Many studies show that giving and volunteering improve physical health and happiness, and lead to better citizenship. In other words, we need to give for our own good. Cultural and political influences—and the many government policies—that discourage private charitable behavior have negative effects that are far more widespread than people usually realize.
The working poor in America give more to charity than the middle class
The American working poor are, relative to their income, some of the most generous people in America today. The nonworking poor, however—those on public assistance instead of earning low wages—give at lower levels than any other group. In other words, poverty does not discourage charity in America, but welfare does.
Upper level income people often give less than the working poor
Among Americans with above-average incomes who do not give charitably, a majority say that they ‘don’t have enough money.’ Meanwhile, the working poor in America give a larger percentage of their incomes to charity than any other income group, including the middle class and rich.
Plus:
People who give money charitably are 43 percent more likely to say they are “very happy” than nongivers and 25 percent more likely than nongivers to say their health is excellent or very good.
A religious person is 57% more likely than a secularist to help a homeless person.
Conservative households in America donate 30% more money to charity each year than liberal households.
If liberals gave blood like conservatives do, the blood supply in the U.S. would jump by about 45%.
I've always thought that much of the support for "tax payer financed programs for the poor" were an attempt to avoid guilt for lack of personal generosity. True generosity is what you do with your money, not someone else's.
There is a theory in psychology that people feel uncomfortable in inequitable relationships. There are two ways to relieve the discomfort. Change what you do or change how you think about it. It is much easier to change how you think about it, so that is the option most people choose. Voting for more funding for the poor at the taxpayers expense alleviates feelings of guilt without requiring the individual actually do anything for the poor. This study bares that out.
I do think there is another category of people who support governmental income redistribution. Such individuals can be very generous, but arrogantly assume they know what is best for others. Thomas Sowell describes this phenomenon in his book, "Vision of the Anointed." Such people believe that by making life easier for non-producers at the expense of the producers, more people will prosper. The reverse is actually true.
I'm reminded of an example I read in a book. If you crack the shell of an egg to make it easier for the chick to hatch, the chick will usually die. The struggle to break the shell is what develops the circulatory system and makes the chick strong enough to survive. This is why much of welfare "help" actually harms the individual. The aided individual looses the capacity to do for oneself.
Like the Chinese proverb says, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.”
This relates to education. Our entire public education system is based on, "Give a man a fish, and tell him that only professionals with certificates are qualified to fish."
I can not tell how many times someone has said to me, "That's great that you homeschool, but I could never do that."
My response is, "Yes, you could."
Almost all functioning adults could care for and educate their children, if they choose to put in the effort to do so. It is a tragedy that capable adults now believe that it is impossible to care for children without the aid of the state. Increasingly, schools take on the role the parents once served. The more that parents are relieve of their responsibilities, the weaker they become. Eventually, potentially able parents find that even if they wanted to take an active role, they are afraid to try.
Regardless of how good schools become, children will go home to increasingly incompetent parents as the "education system" lulls parents into inefficacy, much as the current welfare system sabotages the poor.
Hat Tip: Spunky Homeschool.
-----------------------------------------
Related Tags: Conservative, liberal, Arthur C. Brooks, Christianity, culture, welfare, Thomas Sowell, Vision of the Annointed
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The Carnival of Homeschooling is up - week 47: Are you thankful for homeschooling?
Tami put together the Carnival of Homeschooling for this week. She is using a theme of gratitude. Many of the posts this week addressed why bloggers were grateful they homeschooled.
This week's Carnival of Kid Comedy is at Life in a shoe.
And this week's Carnival of Family Life is hosted by the Thrifty Mommy.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, gratitude, grateful, thanksgiving, Carnival of Homeschooling, family
family life, children, comedy, humor
This week's Carnival of Kid Comedy is at Life in a shoe.
And this week's Carnival of Family Life is hosted by the Thrifty Mommy.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, gratitude, grateful, thanksgiving, Carnival of Homeschooling, family
family life, children, comedy, humor
Monday, November 20, 2006
Putting the universe in perspective
My mother recently sent me a fascinating URL. The web site starts the viewer off by showing the Milky Way Galaxy from 10 million light years away. Then the web site zooms in by factors of ten each time. It helps to give some sense of the scale of our galaxy, our solar system, Earth, and so on, down to the subatomic level. Pretty educational.
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Technorati tags: Milky Way Galaxy, scale, Earth, atoms
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Technorati tags: Milky Way Galaxy, scale, Earth, atoms
Thanksgiving Proclamation
Since it will soon be Thanksgiving, click here to see all the presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations.
Here is this year's proclamation:
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
Here are a few excerpts from previous proclamations:
George Washington
John Adams
Ulysses S. Grant
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
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Related Tags: Thanksgiving proclamation, pilgrims, holidays, homeschooling
Here is this year's proclamation:
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
Here are a few excerpts from previous proclamations:
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
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
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Related Tags: Thanksgiving proclamation, pilgrims, holidays, homeschooling
Selections from Astronomy Picture of the Day - 20 Nov 06
My youngest daughter said the picture of Wisps of the Orion Nebula is the most beautiful astronomy picture she has every seen.
For the picture of a Cosmic Whirlpool she said "Wow!"
Her comment on two galaxies colliding was "That's nice."
Her observation of a variable star is "It's very nice."
I check out the Astronomy Picture of the Day web site most days. I guess I'll have to start having my daughters look at the pictures also.
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Technorati tags: Astronomy, Astronomy Picture of the day
For the picture of a Cosmic Whirlpool she said "Wow!"
Her comment on two galaxies colliding was "That's nice."
Her observation of a variable star is "It's very nice."
I check out the Astronomy Picture of the Day web site most days. I guess I'll have to start having my daughters look at the pictures also.
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Technorati tags: Astronomy, Astronomy Picture of the day
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Thanksgiving and homeschooling
This next week much of the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Tami is hosting the next Carnival of Homeschooling. She is using a theme of being thankful. Consider submitting a post about aspects of homeschooling for which you are thankful.
As always submissions are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM PST. Here are the instructions.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
As always submissions are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM PST. Here are the instructions.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Friday, November 17, 2006
Dads - Part 4
Next in the series on how Dads (or at least the Dad at our house) participate in the education of their children. (If you missed it, here's Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3)
4) Dad handles everything and anything to do with pets or animals.
This isn't unique to homeschooling and applies to families in general. Henry feels very strongly that pets are an important part of child development. It gives children the opportunity to be responsible for the care of the animal. It gives children experience with the life and death cycle of mortality.
While I agree with this, I hate to clean up after animals. I also have terrible allergies. So, Henry takes care of anything related to pets. He works with the girls to pick out a pet. He takes them on field trips to breeders and pet stores. He takes them to visit other people's animals. He teaches the girls how to care for and clean up after their animals. He takes the girls with him to the vet.
Henry also makes an effort to take the girls to his sister's house to learn about and ride horses. Their aunt is an accomplished rider and a great teacher.
The girls have had some wonderful experiences with animals. And not to sound odd, but the death of a pet is an important growth experience. Henry has presided over more than one pet funeral. Though I found his eulogy at the rat funeral rather terrifying when you think about all the roof rats we've killed in our garage.
Any time one of the kids asks about getting a new pet, my response is this. "Talk to your father. I'm not on that committee."
My kids know that I don't involve myself with the pets, but when they were asleep at night sometimes I would play with the pet rats. They were really quite sweet and I was actually quite sad to see them go. However, I wanted to throw a party when the last goldfish died. The kids were just to little to clean the tank and I did get stuck with that one. Now the tank is a pet rock habitat. I couldn't be happier.
For next in this series, see Part 5.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, family life, pets, fathers, rats, goldfish, horses
4) Dad handles everything and anything to do with pets or animals.
This isn't unique to homeschooling and applies to families in general. Henry feels very strongly that pets are an important part of child development. It gives children the opportunity to be responsible for the care of the animal. It gives children experience with the life and death cycle of mortality.
While I agree with this, I hate to clean up after animals. I also have terrible allergies. So, Henry takes care of anything related to pets. He works with the girls to pick out a pet. He takes them on field trips to breeders and pet stores. He takes them to visit other people's animals. He teaches the girls how to care for and clean up after their animals. He takes the girls with him to the vet.
Henry also makes an effort to take the girls to his sister's house to learn about and ride horses. Their aunt is an accomplished rider and a great teacher.
The girls have had some wonderful experiences with animals. And not to sound odd, but the death of a pet is an important growth experience. Henry has presided over more than one pet funeral. Though I found his eulogy at the rat funeral rather terrifying when you think about all the roof rats we've killed in our garage.
Any time one of the kids asks about getting a new pet, my response is this. "Talk to your father. I'm not on that committee."
My kids know that I don't involve myself with the pets, but when they were asleep at night sometimes I would play with the pet rats. They were really quite sweet and I was actually quite sad to see them go. However, I wanted to throw a party when the last goldfish died. The kids were just to little to clean the tank and I did get stuck with that one. Now the tank is a pet rock habitat. I couldn't be happier.
For next in this series, see Part 5.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, family life, pets, fathers, rats, goldfish, horses
Thursday, November 16, 2006
More on Bullies
Here are a few tidbits I saw in today's news about bullies and school violence, as a follow up to this post. All of these stories are very sad. I'm very grateful that my children don't go to school. I pity those who are left to sink or swim in such dangerous waters.
School Safety Expert focuses on Guns and Bullying
Next is a particularly horrifying story from the UK.
Parents burned to death following vendetta against bullied daughter, court hears
Can't really blame this one on the school. The whole family was in on it, even the grandmother who has since pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. I will be interested to see how the trial ends.
This last article comes from Cananda.
Beating the bully
With this story I keep asking myself why the mother keeps sending him back. I'm left to ponder what anyone can do from the outside. I can't think of any way I can make schools safer for other people's children. The only thing I can do is to keep my kids safe.
I do advice my kids to give difficult people a wide berth. We also tell them to defend themselves.
We had a minor incident at a few years back. A boy came up behind my oldest daughter and purposely tripped her with a jump rope. She fell flat on her back and had the wind knocked out of her. It really scared her when she could breathe for a few seconds.
She came to me crying and asked to go home. The boy's mother heard her and went to talk to her son. I was surprised when the mother came back and complained that my daughter had kicked her son in the groin after she fell. My daughter who was still sobbing at this point and just looked at the mother in confusion.
My daughter explained that she was kicking her feet to try and free herself from the rope that the boy had wrapped around her ankles. The boy's mother lectured for a moment about how you should never kick a boy "in his privates." My daughter was only ten and didn't really know what this mother was talking about.
My daughter was still quite upset and asked to go home. I took her aside for a private little chat. Basically I told her that in a situation like that it was ok to kick as hard as she could anywhere she wanted. She didn't need to worry about hurting her attacker. My daughter calmed down and that was the end of it.
I should add that the boy was basically a good kid. It seemed like it had never occurred to him that sneaking up behind someone and tripping them wasn't funny.
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Related Tags: bullies, public school, home school, homeschool, home education
School Safety Expert focuses on Guns and Bullying
Since August 1st, 16 students across the country have died as a result of school violence. That puts this school year on pace to be one of the most violent in the last 8 years.
Next is a particularly horrifying story from the UK.
Parents burned to death following vendetta against bullied daughter, court hears
A woman and her husband were murdered in an arson attack on their home following a vendetta against their bullied daughter, a court heard.
...The arson attack was launched by Michael Connor, 40, the jury was told, whose daughter, Natalie, then 17, had fallen out with Lucy when they were both pupils at Newall Green School last year.
Connor had been urged on by his estranged wife, Jane, 40, and his daughter, after playground rows between the two girls developed into a "campaign of harassment" by the Connors aimed at Lucy and her family, the court heard.
...He said the bullying at school started with insults and escalated until Lucy was arrested by police over an "entirely false allegation" of assault by Natalie.
During the campaign of harassment the Cochrane's car was damaged, and a tree was uprooted in the Cochrane family garden. Only five days before the fatal fire, liquid was poured on the front door of their home. It was reported to the police but no officer ever tested the liquid.
Mr Webster QC said: "Given that the fatal fire took place just five days later, what took place that morning seems to be particularly sinister - a harbinger of future tragedy - and it is extremely sad that it did not prove possible to take action in that intervening period."
Can't really blame this one on the school. The whole family was in on it, even the grandmother who has since pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. I will be interested to see how the trial ends.
This last article comes from Cananda.
Beating the bully
Eleven-year-old Sean understands why sometimes kids who are bullied commit suicide. There are occasions when the bullying that he endures at school becomes so tormenting that he thinks of jumping out a window and breaking an arm or a leg so that he can stay home from school.
Sean has been a target of bullies since kindergarten.
"I've always been left out," he said. "I had to beg to play."
Sean has been called names, pushed, kicked in the groin, and choked by the collar of his shirt. He's been harassed so many times that he usually no longer cries or wants to discuss it when he returns home from school. Most times, he said, he keeps his hurt feelings to himself.
Sean's mom, Margaret, has discussed bullying with school officials many times, yet efforts to halt it are often unsuccessful.
With this story I keep asking myself why the mother keeps sending him back. I'm left to ponder what anyone can do from the outside. I can't think of any way I can make schools safer for other people's children. The only thing I can do is to keep my kids safe.
I do advice my kids to give difficult people a wide berth. We also tell them to defend themselves.
We had a minor incident at a few years back. A boy came up behind my oldest daughter and purposely tripped her with a jump rope. She fell flat on her back and had the wind knocked out of her. It really scared her when she could breathe for a few seconds.
She came to me crying and asked to go home. The boy's mother heard her and went to talk to her son. I was surprised when the mother came back and complained that my daughter had kicked her son in the groin after she fell. My daughter who was still sobbing at this point and just looked at the mother in confusion.
My daughter explained that she was kicking her feet to try and free herself from the rope that the boy had wrapped around her ankles. The boy's mother lectured for a moment about how you should never kick a boy "in his privates." My daughter was only ten and didn't really know what this mother was talking about.
My daughter was still quite upset and asked to go home. I took her aside for a private little chat. Basically I told her that in a situation like that it was ok to kick as hard as she could anywhere she wanted. She didn't need to worry about hurting her attacker. My daughter calmed down and that was the end of it.
I should add that the boy was basically a good kid. It seemed like it had never occurred to him that sneaking up behind someone and tripping them wasn't funny.
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Related Tags: bullies, public school, home school, homeschool, home education
Recent carnivals
Janine's post on Pinocchio Parenting was in this week's Carnival of Family Life hosted by Michele at scribbit.
This week's Carnival of Kid Comedy is at Life in a shoe.
The 93rd edition of the Carnival of Education is at What It's Like on the Inside.
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Technorati tags: parenting, family life, children, comedy, humor, education
This week's Carnival of Kid Comedy is at Life in a shoe.
The 93rd edition of the Carnival of Education is at What It's Like on the Inside.
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Technorati tags: parenting, family life, children, comedy, humor, education
Questionnaire Answers 1 - 3
So here's how I answered questions 1-3 of the Homeschool Survey
Home Schooling Questionnaire
1. How were you introduced to home schooling?
I don't even remember. I've thought about it when I started college. I felt a strong impression that I would need to prepare myself to teach my children if they were to be taught the truth. There is so much bias in education. Also, my own experience in high school was very ugly. There were already a couple of homeschoolers in my husband's extended family. For example, my husband's cousin and his wife homeschool. Their children are the nicest kids you could ever meet. The older two are married now and have families of their own. Seeing their happy, polite, successful children made homeschooling very attractive.
2. Have your children ever attended another form of schooling? _____ yes _____ no
No.
a. If yes, was it: _____ a public school _____ a private school _____ a charter school
_____ some other form of schooling; what was it? _________________________
3. What are your reasons/benefits for home schooling your children?
The list is so long. Here's a few:
1) Individualized attention
2) Flexible curriculum - My children are late readers. At the end of second grade, my oldest daughter could barely read. When we tested her at the end of 4th grade, she was reading on a 12+ level. If she had been pushed to read before she was developmentally ready, she would not have wanted to read even when she was ready. I knew she was reading a lot, so I asked her to keep a reading log for a month. She was reading 60 chapter books a month when she was in the 4th grade. This is from a girl who didn't read Cat in the Hat in second grade.
My second daughter really didn't starting reading comfortably until she was almost ten years old.
School assumes that children are interchangeable widgets, all able to do the same thing at the same time. Children are stressed and frustrated when they are pushed to do things that are developmentally inappropriate.
3) Flexible calendar - We travel a lot. It is so much cheaper and less crowded to travel in the off season when everyone else's kids are in school. We went to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, twice in the last two years in the spring. The weather was comfortable (not like in the summer), the lines were short, the airfare was cheap, and the hotel room was reasonable. If we had gone during the summer, it would have been twice as expensive, miserably hot, and crowded.
We have a BLOG where we discuss these sorts of things. If you are interested, check out http://www.whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/
Looking back over the answers I sent, I see that I left out one of the most important reasons, moral development. For the most part, public education is amoral with the philosophy that all choices are the same, it's just how you feel about it. While I do want my children to be successful in an academic sense, I'm most concerned with the eternal significance of life.
I was sort of in a hurry when I answered them, but I wished I hadn't forgotten that one. While the other things I listed are nice, they are just window dressing on the core reason. I want my children to be moral, ethical and to know the truth.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, survey, questionnaire
Home Schooling Questionnaire
1. How were you introduced to home schooling?
I don't even remember. I've thought about it when I started college. I felt a strong impression that I would need to prepare myself to teach my children if they were to be taught the truth. There is so much bias in education. Also, my own experience in high school was very ugly. There were already a couple of homeschoolers in my husband's extended family. For example, my husband's cousin and his wife homeschool. Their children are the nicest kids you could ever meet. The older two are married now and have families of their own. Seeing their happy, polite, successful children made homeschooling very attractive.
2. Have your children ever attended another form of schooling? _____ yes _____ no
No.
a. If yes, was it: _____ a public school _____ a private school _____ a charter school
_____ some other form of schooling; what was it? _________________________
3. What are your reasons/benefits for home schooling your children?
The list is so long. Here's a few:
1) Individualized attention
2) Flexible curriculum - My children are late readers. At the end of second grade, my oldest daughter could barely read. When we tested her at the end of 4th grade, she was reading on a 12+ level. If she had been pushed to read before she was developmentally ready, she would not have wanted to read even when she was ready. I knew she was reading a lot, so I asked her to keep a reading log for a month. She was reading 60 chapter books a month when she was in the 4th grade. This is from a girl who didn't read Cat in the Hat in second grade.
My second daughter really didn't starting reading comfortably until she was almost ten years old.
School assumes that children are interchangeable widgets, all able to do the same thing at the same time. Children are stressed and frustrated when they are pushed to do things that are developmentally inappropriate.
3) Flexible calendar - We travel a lot. It is so much cheaper and less crowded to travel in the off season when everyone else's kids are in school. We went to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, twice in the last two years in the spring. The weather was comfortable (not like in the summer), the lines were short, the airfare was cheap, and the hotel room was reasonable. If we had gone during the summer, it would have been twice as expensive, miserably hot, and crowded.
We have a BLOG where we discuss these sorts of things. If you are interested, check out http://www.whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/
Looking back over the answers I sent, I see that I left out one of the most important reasons, moral development. For the most part, public education is amoral with the philosophy that all choices are the same, it's just how you feel about it. While I do want my children to be successful in an academic sense, I'm most concerned with the eternal significance of life.
I was sort of in a hurry when I answered them, but I wished I hadn't forgotten that one. While the other things I listed are nice, they are just window dressing on the core reason. I want my children to be moral, ethical and to know the truth.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, survey, questionnaire
Homeschool Survey
A friend and fellow homeschooler passed along this survey. Her former babysitter is now in college and doing a research paper on homeschooling.
So here's the survey:
Home Schooling Questionnaire
1. How were you introduced to home schooling?
2. Have your children ever attended another form of schooling?
_____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, was it:
_____ a public school
_____ a private school
_____ a charter school
_____ some other form of schooling; what was it? _________________________
3. What are your reasons/benefits for home schooling your children?
4. What do you as an adult enjoy about home schooling?
5. What does your child like about home schooling?
6. What was there about home schooling that you knew it was right for both you and your children?
7. Do you see any negative effects to home schooling on your children?
_____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what are they?
8. As an adult, what do you enjoy least about home schooling?
9. What does your child enjoy least about home schooling?
10. Why is home schooling academically better for your child?
11. Why is home schooling socially better for your child?
12. What facts or feelings about home schooling would you like the general public to know and understand?
13. What concerns do you have about home schooling?
14. Are there other families that you home school with? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, how many? ________________________________________________
15. Where do you home school your children?
_____kitchen _____family room _____ bedroom _____ special school room
_____ other (describe: ________________________________)
16. Is there a time period specifically set apart for school? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what is it? _________________________________________
17. Is there a time limit? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what is it? _________________________________________
18. Is there a daily schedule? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what is it? _________________________________________
19. What are some ways you motivate your children to learn and complete their work?
20. Do you use rewards or incentives? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, please give examples _________________________________________
21. What do they receive rewards for?
22. Do you teach all the subjects to your children? _____ yes _____ no
a. If no, who teaches the rest?
b. What subjects are they?
23. What are some strategies that you use to present the material?
24. What resources do you use to select the curriculum/learning materials?
25. Are you presently linked with some form of charter school in addition to home schooling?
_____ yes _____ no If yes, why?
26. What do you do to provide group social activities/social interactions for your child?
27. Does your child participate in after school sports at a school?
_____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what sports?
28. Please list your children by sex and age.
1. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
2. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
3. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
4. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
5. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
29. How long have you home schooled your children?
30. Have you home schooled all you children? _____ yes _____ no
a. If not, why have you home schooled some and not others?
31. Have any of your children gone back to a Public, Private or Charter school after being home schooled?
_____ yes _____ no If yes, why?
Other Comments:
Thank you so much for being willing to share your input.
Even if you don't turn in the survey, I would enjoy seeing other homeschoolers' answers.
Here's my answer to questions 1-3.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, survey, questionnaire
So here's the survey:
Dear Home Schooling Parents,
Thank you so much for being willing to complete this Questionnaire. The questions will be compiled as part of a research project for San Jose State University. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to fully complete the survey. If you would like to share any other comments, please include them at the bottom of the page. I value your comments and your quick response. If you received this Questionnaire through e-mail, please reply before Sunday, November 19, 2006 or before Thanksgiving. The research needs to be completed and compiled by Saturday, November 25, 2006.
Kymber Geddes
soccer1girl24@juno.com
Home Schooling Questionnaire
1. How were you introduced to home schooling?
2. Have your children ever attended another form of schooling?
_____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, was it:
_____ a public school
_____ a private school
_____ a charter school
_____ some other form of schooling; what was it? _________________________
3. What are your reasons/benefits for home schooling your children?
4. What do you as an adult enjoy about home schooling?
5. What does your child like about home schooling?
6. What was there about home schooling that you knew it was right for both you and your children?
7. Do you see any negative effects to home schooling on your children?
_____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what are they?
8. As an adult, what do you enjoy least about home schooling?
9. What does your child enjoy least about home schooling?
10. Why is home schooling academically better for your child?
11. Why is home schooling socially better for your child?
12. What facts or feelings about home schooling would you like the general public to know and understand?
13. What concerns do you have about home schooling?
14. Are there other families that you home school with? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, how many? ________________________________________________
15. Where do you home school your children?
_____kitchen _____family room _____ bedroom _____ special school room
_____ other (describe: ________________________________)
16. Is there a time period specifically set apart for school? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what is it? _________________________________________
17. Is there a time limit? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what is it? _________________________________________
18. Is there a daily schedule? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what is it? _________________________________________
19. What are some ways you motivate your children to learn and complete their work?
20. Do you use rewards or incentives? _____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, please give examples _________________________________________
21. What do they receive rewards for?
22. Do you teach all the subjects to your children? _____ yes _____ no
a. If no, who teaches the rest?
b. What subjects are they?
23. What are some strategies that you use to present the material?
24. What resources do you use to select the curriculum/learning materials?
25. Are you presently linked with some form of charter school in addition to home schooling?
_____ yes _____ no If yes, why?
26. What do you do to provide group social activities/social interactions for your child?
27. Does your child participate in after school sports at a school?
_____ yes _____ no
a. If yes, what sports?
28. Please list your children by sex and age.
1. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
2. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
3. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
4. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
5. Child’s Sex: M/ F, Age: _____
29. How long have you home schooled your children?
30. Have you home schooled all you children? _____ yes _____ no
a. If not, why have you home schooled some and not others?
31. Have any of your children gone back to a Public, Private or Charter school after being home schooled?
_____ yes _____ no If yes, why?
Other Comments:
Thank you so much for being willing to share your input.
Even if you don't turn in the survey, I would enjoy seeing other homeschoolers' answers.
Here's my answer to questions 1-3.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, survey, questionnaire
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
How Dads Participate in Homeschooling - Part 3
The next in a series which looks at how Dads participate in Homeschooling.
See Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed the first installments.
3) Dad keeps track of the library books.
I know this also sounds trivial, but after paying fines for 50+ books over due at one time, it can really add up. Every Friday Henry sends me an email with a list of the library books due before the next Friday. Since Henry has taken over this task, we've had much lower library fines.
We still get an occasional fine because the kids don't read the list carefully enough, but this is a huge improvement from before.
One of the great ways that Henry facilitates homeschooling is by stepping in to help where ever he sees a need
For next in the series, see Part 4 and Part 5.
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Related Tags: homeschool, home education, fathers, library fines
See Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed the first installments.
3) Dad keeps track of the library books.
I know this also sounds trivial, but after paying fines for 50+ books over due at one time, it can really add up. Every Friday Henry sends me an email with a list of the library books due before the next Friday. Since Henry has taken over this task, we've had much lower library fines.
We still get an occasional fine because the kids don't read the list carefully enough, but this is a huge improvement from before.
One of the great ways that Henry facilitates homeschooling is by stepping in to help where ever he sees a need
For next in the series, see Part 4 and Part 5.
-------------------------
Related Tags: homeschool, home education, fathers, library fines
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
It's Carnival Time
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is hosted by Sprittibee with a theme of Autumn Blessings.
So go check out the 46th Carnival of Homeschooling.
Monday, November 13, 2006
UK reports sharp increase in home education
Here's article from the other side of the pond.
Sharp increase in home education
Apparently a new policy called "statutory guidance" introduced in 2002 requires that schools give parents information about homeschooling if they ask.
I wonder what the policy is here in the USA. When I filed my R4 form (to register as a private school ) in California, my school district sent me a packet about homeschooling. It listed local homeschool support groups and websites.
Because the property tax rates are so high in my area, the school district doesn't loose much federal or state funding when a student withdrawls. I think it is something like $300 per student. They get the local property tax money regardless of the number of students in the district. So, at least here in Santa Clara Unified School District, they leave homeschoolers alone.
It is wonderful to see homeschooling expanding around the world.
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Related Tags: home education, homeschooling, Scottland
Sharp increase in home education
The number of children withdrawn from school to be educated at home has increased by 39% in one year.
Figures from the Scottish Executive showed that a total of 580 pupils were known to have been taken out of school by their parents in 2005/06.
A further 130 youngsters learning at home, had never been to school.
Apparently a new policy called "statutory guidance" introduced in 2002 requires that schools give parents information about homeschooling if they ask.
I wonder what the policy is here in the USA. When I filed my R4 form (to register as a private school ) in California, my school district sent me a packet about homeschooling. It listed local homeschool support groups and websites.
Because the property tax rates are so high in my area, the school district doesn't loose much federal or state funding when a student withdrawls. I think it is something like $300 per student. They get the local property tax money regardless of the number of students in the district. So, at least here in Santa Clara Unified School District, they leave homeschoolers alone.
It is wonderful to see homeschooling expanding around the world.
-----------------
Related Tags: home education, homeschooling, Scottland
How Dads Participate in Homeschooling - Part 2
See Part 1 if you missed the first installment.
More of the ways Henry participates in Homeschooling:
2) Dad educates himself on educational and parenting issues.
Henry has built a personal library of books related to homeschooling, parenting, politics, and education. He gets recommendations from the Internet, friends or finds the books at the library. He continually has a stack of new books waiting to be read.
Because he is so well informed, Henry is not easily discouraged in our homeschooling pursuits. He is very clear on our objectives. Many parents are intimidated by other parents or school staff because of their ignorance of child development and educational issues. If every parent read even a few of these books, they could not be so easily manipulated.
Here are just a few of the books in our personal library:
The ABC of Homeschooling, Between Parent and Child, Deschooling Society, Education and the State, Education, Free and Compulsory, Family Matters, Grandchildren of Alcoholics, The Homeschool Revolution, Inside American Education, It Takes a Parent, Let My Children Go, Home Educated and Now Adult, A Nation at Risk, NEA, Trojan Horse in American Education, The Power of Positive Parenting, Public School Public Menace, School Figures, Teach Your Own, Three Steps to Stronger Families, The Well Trained Mind, and so forth.
These books represent only a portion of our library. (I got tired of typing and inserting links.) Henry takes notes on what he is reading and writes them on index cards or in the front cover of the book. Sometimes we buy more than one copy of a book because Henry is reluctant to lend his annotated copy.
Henry also reads books and discusses them with the kids. For example, he read the Richest Man in Babylon with the girls and they discussed money management.
A well-read father is a wonderful asset to homeschooling.
Check out Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5
--------------------------
Related Tags: home education, homeschool, fathers, The ABC of Homeschooling, Between Parent and Child, Deschooling Society, Education and the State, Education, Free and Compulsory,, Family Matters, Grandchildren of Alcoholics, The Homeschool Revolution, Inside American Education, It Takes a Parent, Let My Children Go, Home Educated and Now Adult, A Nation at Risk, NEA, Trojan Horse in American Education, The Power of Positive Parenting, Public School Public Menace, School Figures, Teach Your Own, Three Steps to Stronger Families, The Well Trained Mind
More of the ways Henry participates in Homeschooling:
2) Dad educates himself on educational and parenting issues.
Henry has built a personal library of books related to homeschooling, parenting, politics, and education. He gets recommendations from the Internet, friends or finds the books at the library. He continually has a stack of new books waiting to be read.
Because he is so well informed, Henry is not easily discouraged in our homeschooling pursuits. He is very clear on our objectives. Many parents are intimidated by other parents or school staff because of their ignorance of child development and educational issues. If every parent read even a few of these books, they could not be so easily manipulated.
Here are just a few of the books in our personal library:
The ABC of Homeschooling, Between Parent and Child, Deschooling Society, Education and the State, Education, Free and Compulsory, Family Matters, Grandchildren of Alcoholics, The Homeschool Revolution, Inside American Education, It Takes a Parent, Let My Children Go, Home Educated and Now Adult, A Nation at Risk, NEA, Trojan Horse in American Education, The Power of Positive Parenting, Public School Public Menace, School Figures, Teach Your Own, Three Steps to Stronger Families, The Well Trained Mind, and so forth.
These books represent only a portion of our library. (I got tired of typing and inserting links.) Henry takes notes on what he is reading and writes them on index cards or in the front cover of the book. Sometimes we buy more than one copy of a book because Henry is reluctant to lend his annotated copy.
Henry also reads books and discusses them with the kids. For example, he read the Richest Man in Babylon with the girls and they discussed money management.
A well-read father is a wonderful asset to homeschooling.
Check out Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5
--------------------------
Related Tags: home education, homeschool, fathers, The ABC of Homeschooling, Between Parent and Child, Deschooling Society, Education and the State, Education, Free and Compulsory,, Family Matters, Grandchildren of Alcoholics, The Homeschool Revolution, Inside American Education, It Takes a Parent, Let My Children Go, Home Educated and Now Adult, A Nation at Risk, NEA, Trojan Horse in American Education, The Power of Positive Parenting, Public School Public Menace, School Figures, Teach Your Own, Three Steps to Stronger Families, The Well Trained Mind
How Dads Participate in Homeschooling - Part 1
Since the recent discussions about fathers and homeschooling on K-Dad.net and Spunky Homeschool, I've spent some time thinking about all the things that Henry does which helps our homeschooling be successful.
I give each point its own post.
So, in no particular order:
1) Dad does most of the laundry.
I know this sounds trivial, but it makes a big difference. In the morning, Henry puts in a load of laundry before he goes jogging. He moves the load to the dryer and starts another load before he leaves for work. He sets the timer to remind me to move it to the dryer. Half the time I forget anyway. When Henry gets home, he brings the clean laundry in baskets to our bedroom.
The baskets of clean laundry have a tendency to stack up in our room. When we run out of baskets, I dump the laundry on our bed to be sorted. One of the kids helps me sort it back into the baskets. Each person in our family has a basket with their name on it. The kids then put away their own laundry.
My twelve year old does her own laundry, but occasionally something of hers will show up in the big pile of clean laundry on the bed.
Because Henry takes care of this, it is one less thing I need to worry about. Henry does many things for our homeschooling, but this simple thing means a lot to me. It was his idea and he does it with no fanfare or complaint. Our agreement was that he would wash and I would fold and put away. When the clean laudry starts to stack up, he will jump in and fold/put away, as well. So, every time the discussion comes up about how fathers support homeschooling or their wives in general, this is the first thing that pops into my head.
See Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 for the next point.
----------------
Related Tags: homeschool, home education, laundry, fathers
I give each point its own post.
So, in no particular order:
1) Dad does most of the laundry.
I know this sounds trivial, but it makes a big difference. In the morning, Henry puts in a load of laundry before he goes jogging. He moves the load to the dryer and starts another load before he leaves for work. He sets the timer to remind me to move it to the dryer. Half the time I forget anyway. When Henry gets home, he brings the clean laundry in baskets to our bedroom.
The baskets of clean laundry have a tendency to stack up in our room. When we run out of baskets, I dump the laundry on our bed to be sorted. One of the kids helps me sort it back into the baskets. Each person in our family has a basket with their name on it. The kids then put away their own laundry.My twelve year old does her own laundry, but occasionally something of hers will show up in the big pile of clean laundry on the bed.
Because Henry takes care of this, it is one less thing I need to worry about. Henry does many things for our homeschooling, but this simple thing means a lot to me. It was his idea and he does it with no fanfare or complaint. Our agreement was that he would wash and I would fold and put away. When the clean laudry starts to stack up, he will jump in and fold/put away, as well. So, every time the discussion comes up about how fathers support homeschooling or their wives in general, this is the first thing that pops into my head.
See Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 for the next point.
----------------
Related Tags: homeschool, home education, laundry, fathers
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Fun Article on Homeschooling
I just love the first two paragraphs of this article.
Home, for some, is where the school is
The rest is a very pleasant article about homeschoolers in Sumter County, Florida. It is great to see more positive news article about homeschooling.
Home, for some, is where the school is
BUSHNELL — Children taught at home miss out on so many experiences that children who attend public school get to experience every day.
Their parents are thrilled about it.
The rest is a very pleasant article about homeschoolers in Sumter County, Florida. It is great to see more positive news article about homeschooling.
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