David Hardy blogs at Of Arms and the Law. David has been supportive of the Carnival of Homeschooling and has often mentioned it.
He recently produced a documentary film on the Second Amendment: In Search of the Second Amendment. It appears to be very supportive of the right to bare arms. The film even has an entry in Wikipedia.
I have thought about taking my oldest two daughters to a gun safety class. I'll probably do it some time in the next year or two.
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Technorati tags: second amendment, gun, right to bare arms
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Carnival of Homeschooling, week 56: connections
Anne the PalmTree Pundit is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling.
She looks at different types of connections that homeschoolers make.
Swing on by and enjoy the variety of postings.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
She looks at different types of connections that homeschoolers make.
Swing on by and enjoy the variety of postings.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Monday, January 29, 2007
Homeschooling in an RV
Jim Twamley of RV Now interviews a mother who homeschoolers her family out of an RV. (Hat tip: Google Alert)
My wife and I would enjoy being on the road with an RV, at least for a couple months. It would be great to see so much of the world instead of just hearing about it or reading about it.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
My wife and I would enjoy being on the road with an RV, at least for a couple months. It would be great to see so much of the world instead of just hearing about it or reading about it.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
One of the things I love about homeschooling
This morning my oldest daughter and I read several pages from The Law by Frederic Bastiat. The Law was published in 1849. Frederic Bastiat puts forth several arguments for small governments, and why citizens have to watch their government. After reading a couple paragraphs I would talk with my daughter to make sure she understand the main points.
One of my goals from this exercise is to teach her to mark up books. As I mentioned almost a year ago, one of the important parts of really mastering a book is to mark it up, to make the book yours. The brain processes the information deeper when you stop and think about the main points of a book, and add your notes. Just adding a few comments on a page makes the reading much more active.
About ten years ago I was reading The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. One of the references mentioned in the book was How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler. I had never heard of the book before. I bought the book. I read the book. I read it again. There was a little light bulb which went off in my mind. It was OK to mark up books! In fact, it was a good thing. Marking up a book helps with the processing and mastery of the book. I wish I had been taught this sooner.
One of the things I love about homeschooling is teaching ideas and skills to my children. From both nature and nurture I have always been distrustful of large government. The Law helps articulate why we need to be careful. But I was pass 30 before I learned to mark up a book. My oldest daughter is learning this important lesson at twelve.
The next books on the schedule are John Adams by David McCullough and The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias. I'll buy these books for her. She'll add them to her personal library. Some times we'll read parts of them together. We always discuss the books. And I encourage her to mark up the books. If she goes light, I'll go back through the book with her and tell her about some of the points I thought were important.
If you haven't taught your children to mark up a book, check out How to Read a Book from the library, or buy it, and read it yourself, with a pen in hand. Then you can work with your children to help them learn how to mark books up.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, book, books, reading
One of my goals from this exercise is to teach her to mark up books. As I mentioned almost a year ago, one of the important parts of really mastering a book is to mark it up, to make the book yours. The brain processes the information deeper when you stop and think about the main points of a book, and add your notes. Just adding a few comments on a page makes the reading much more active.
About ten years ago I was reading The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. One of the references mentioned in the book was How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler. I had never heard of the book before. I bought the book. I read the book. I read it again. There was a little light bulb which went off in my mind. It was OK to mark up books! In fact, it was a good thing. Marking up a book helps with the processing and mastery of the book. I wish I had been taught this sooner.
One of the things I love about homeschooling is teaching ideas and skills to my children. From both nature and nurture I have always been distrustful of large government. The Law helps articulate why we need to be careful. But I was pass 30 before I learned to mark up a book. My oldest daughter is learning this important lesson at twelve.
The next books on the schedule are John Adams by David McCullough and The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias. I'll buy these books for her. She'll add them to her personal library. Some times we'll read parts of them together. We always discuss the books. And I encourage her to mark up the books. If she goes light, I'll go back through the book with her and tell her about some of the points I thought were important.
If you haven't taught your children to mark up a book, check out How to Read a Book from the library, or buy it, and read it yourself, with a pen in hand. Then you can work with your children to help them learn how to mark books up.
----------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, book, books, reading
We are hearing a lot of American Girl stories right now
A couple years ago our oldest daughter read many, if not all, of the American Girl Stories. These are fun, educational books. The stories are set in various eras of American history. The books are well researched. The reader learns about what a young girl might have thought and did long ago.
My second daughter's favorite character is Felicity, because Felicity tames a horse that is pretty wild. Felicity lives during the Revolutionary War. Our daughter learned that the Revolutionary War split families apart, and how the gun powder got stolen by the British.
For each girl there is the same basic pattern. The first books introduce each girl. The second book has the girl learn a lesson, often about friendship. The third book has a surprise for the girl, around Christmas time. The fourth book is about their birthday. In the fifth book the girl "saves the day." The sixth books is about the changes the girl is going through. This pattern allows the reader to feel comfortable and know what to expect.
After last Friday's trip to the library we've been hearing one of the stories about Addy. My daughters got one of the stories on tape. My second and third daughters have been listening to the tape again and again. Addy is a young black girl who lives during the Civil War time. She with her mother escapes to the North.
There are many other books. There is one about Kaya, an Indian American girl in the mid 1700s. Josefina is in the Southwest when it was controled by Spain. Kristen is a ioneer girl in the midwest. Samantha lives during the early 1900s. Kit survives the Great Depression. And finally Molly lives during World War II.
Wikipedia has some background information on American Girl. I hadn't know the history of the books. Pleasant T. Rowland created the dolls because she was looking for high quality dolls, but couldn't find them. The books are reasonably priced and can be found in many libraries. The dolls are expensive and can chew up a lot of money.
I like the American Girl series. I have read all six of the Molly stories. They were well written and I was surprised by how much historical information was in the books. If you have young daughters who haven't been exposed to the American Girl books, I'd encourage you to check them out. But beware there may be some pleads for the dolls and all the accessories.
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Technorati tags: American Girls, Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Kristen, Addy, Samantha, Kit, Molly
My second daughter's favorite character is Felicity, because Felicity tames a horse that is pretty wild. Felicity lives during the Revolutionary War. Our daughter learned that the Revolutionary War split families apart, and how the gun powder got stolen by the British.
For each girl there is the same basic pattern. The first books introduce each girl. The second book has the girl learn a lesson, often about friendship. The third book has a surprise for the girl, around Christmas time. The fourth book is about their birthday. In the fifth book the girl "saves the day." The sixth books is about the changes the girl is going through. This pattern allows the reader to feel comfortable and know what to expect.
After last Friday's trip to the library we've been hearing one of the stories about Addy. My daughters got one of the stories on tape. My second and third daughters have been listening to the tape again and again. Addy is a young black girl who lives during the Civil War time. She with her mother escapes to the North.
There are many other books. There is one about Kaya, an Indian American girl in the mid 1700s. Josefina is in the Southwest when it was controled by Spain. Kristen is a ioneer girl in the midwest. Samantha lives during the early 1900s. Kit survives the Great Depression. And finally Molly lives during World War II.
Wikipedia has some background information on American Girl. I hadn't know the history of the books. Pleasant T. Rowland created the dolls because she was looking for high quality dolls, but couldn't find them. The books are reasonably priced and can be found in many libraries. The dolls are expensive and can chew up a lot of money.
I like the American Girl series. I have read all six of the Molly stories. They were well written and I was surprised by how much historical information was in the books. If you have young daughters who haven't been exposed to the American Girl books, I'd encourage you to check them out. But beware there may be some pleads for the dolls and all the accessories.
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Technorati tags: American Girls, Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Kristen, Addy, Samantha, Kit, Molly
Saturday, January 27, 2007
In the news
One of the problems with our public education system is that it is hard to monitor. Parents are essentially entrusting their children and our tax payer money to complete strangers. Many of these strangers are talented and trustworthy, while many are not.
Here are a few of the "not" category who made the news recently.
Yonkers Teacher Under Fire For Anatomy Assignment
Even my 6 year old daughter knows what male anatomy looks like. We have wonderful children's encyclopedia that shows the male and female reproductive system. It is very tastefully done. Having students draw male genitals on the chalkboard in a mixed gender class was just plain vulgar. My 12 year old daughters would have been mortified. This type of activity also breeds a certain disrespect for gender and sexuality.
Moving right along, we have another cheerleader scandal.
Ware Shoals High School principal arrested
The allegations against the coach get pretty ugly. She was basically "pimping".
This article contains more information on the role the principal played in this scandal.
S.C. principal arrested during probe
Parents are making a big mistake if they think the school staff is going to police themselves. And now for a wonderful federal program for disadvantaged students.
Couple Accused of Ripping Off School District with Textbook Scheme
This crime particularly ticks me off. The government keeps taking away our hard earned money under the guise of helping children. Time and time again, we see that much of the money is wasted in programs like this. A federal grant is just an invitation for fraud. The school was also at fault for not paying attention. What idiot pays $93 for a little book.
This is what the accused had to say:
I've heard the argument that these are just isolated incidents. They sure are easy to find in the news.
I've heard the argument that there are homeschoolers who do some pretty awful stuff too. That is true. But, their actions usually only involve their own children and their own money. When a teacher, principal or coach does something inappropriate it effects other people's children and wastes other people's money, and lots of it too.
I wouldn't be so mad if we could opt out. While they don't get my children, they still get my money.
---------------------------
Related Tags: public school, homeschool, federal funding, cheerleaders, principal arrested, textbook fraud, sex education
Here are a few of the "not" category who made the news recently.
Yonkers Teacher Under Fire For Anatomy Assignment
(CBS) YONKERS, N.Y. A 7th grade health teacher at the PEARLS Hawthorne School in Yonkers is facing termination after apparently asking his class to participate in a questionable anatomy assignment.
Jeffrey Kirby was removed by school officials Wednesday for starting off his anatomy lesson by asking the children to come to the chalkboard and draw male genitalia. Students then complained to the parents, who then complained to the school....
"To just ask individuals to come up and draw freestyle male anatomy is insensitive to the children," Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio told CBS 2.
Even my 6 year old daughter knows what male anatomy looks like. We have wonderful children's encyclopedia that shows the male and female reproductive system. It is very tastefully done. Having students draw male genitals on the chalkboard in a mixed gender class was just plain vulgar. My 12 year old daughters would have been mortified. This type of activity also breeds a certain disrespect for gender and sexuality.
Moving right along, we have another cheerleader scandal.
Ware Shoals High School principal arrested
WARE SHOALS, S.C.- Accusations of sex, lies and scandals run rampant at one upstate high school. On Monday, deputies arrested the principal of Ware Shoals High School for allegedly covering up for the school's cheerleading coach. The coach is accused of giving alcohol to her cheerleaders, and a whole lot more....
Last week, Greenwood county deputies arrested Jill Moore, the cheerleading coach at Ware Shoals High School for "moral offenses" involving some of her cheerleaders. On Monday, deputies also arrested Principal Jane Blackwell at the school. She's accused of knowing about the offenses and doing nothing about it.
The allegations against the coach get pretty ugly. She was basically "pimping".
According to FOX Carolina sources, Moore was dating a National Guard recruiter and was recruiting cheerleaders to party. In at least one incident, a 16-year-old student had sex and drank alcohol with another National Guardsman.
This article contains more information on the role the principal played in this scandal.
S.C. principal arrested during probe
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The principal at Ware Shoals High School lied to deputies investigating the school‘s cheerleading coach and was taken into custody at the school Monday, charged with obstruction of justice, police said.
Blackwell wasn‘t directly involved in those incidents but when investigators began asking questions, she told the cheerleading squad to keep quiet, Frederick said.
Frederick said immediately after Blackwell and others were told by investigators they planned to talk to each cheerleader, the principal called a squad meeting and told them not to discuss the case with anyone.
Blackwell asked investigators if they knew whether any calls were made from the school to the media and disciplined at least one student who mentioned the Moore case at school, according to a sworn statement filed with an arrest warrant.
Parents are making a big mistake if they think the school staff is going to police themselves. And now for a wonderful federal program for disadvantaged students.
Couple Accused of Ripping Off School District with Textbook Scheme
Tim Fuhrman/ FBI Special Agent in Charge: "Lining their own pockets with the proceeds of their ill-gotten gains. Approximately 4.5-million dollars in the last five years alone is staggering."
Susan Ross directed federal programs for the Davis School District, while her husband was in charge of getting grant money from the U.S. Department of Education. Both retired last year.
Each year, the district received more than 2 million dollars of federal grant money, including money for disadvantaged students.
Susan's job at the District included ordering books for Title One tutoring programs designed to help disadvantaged kids. But the district says the books were actually spiral-bound stacks of unauthorized color copies.
Bryan Bowles, Davis School District Superintendent: "They were barely photo-copied and bound with a binder you could have done at a local copy shop."
For example, the indictment says Ross and others made unauthorized copies of the book "Away We Go." The publisher's list price for the book was $13.22. However, the company she was tied to, charged the Davis School District $93 per copy. In all, it cost the district over $44,000.
This crime particularly ticks me off. The government keeps taking away our hard earned money under the guise of helping children. Time and time again, we see that much of the money is wasted in programs like this. A federal grant is just an invitation for fraud. The school was also at fault for not paying attention. What idiot pays $93 for a little book.
This is what the accused had to say:
Susan Ross: "We've done nothing but help."
I've heard the argument that these are just isolated incidents. They sure are easy to find in the news.
I've heard the argument that there are homeschoolers who do some pretty awful stuff too. That is true. But, their actions usually only involve their own children and their own money. When a teacher, principal or coach does something inappropriate it effects other people's children and wastes other people's money, and lots of it too.
I wouldn't be so mad if we could opt out. While they don't get my children, they still get my money.
---------------------------
Related Tags: public school, homeschool, federal funding, cheerleaders, principal arrested, textbook fraud, sex education
Friday, January 26, 2007
The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be hosted from Hawaii
Anne, the PalmTree Pundit, is hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling next week.
Submissions are due in two days, at 6:00 PM on the 22nd of January.
Click here for information on how to submit a post.
Update I: I forgot to include Anne's request for submissions. She is requesting entries dealing with connections.
Also consider sending in a submission to Joanne for the next Unschooling Voices.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Submissions are due in two days, at 6:00 PM on the 22nd of January.
Click here for information on how to submit a post.
Update I: I forgot to include Anne's request for submissions. She is requesting entries dealing with connections.
Also consider sending in a submission to Joanne for the next Unschooling Voices.
----------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Cool links from reddit - 26 Jan 07
The following are some cool selections I found via reddit.com:
Everything Interesting (And More) has posted Top 10 Magic Trick Tutorial Videos. Each video was very clear. The magic tricks were cool. This would be a good place to start for a child with some interest in magic.
If you live in the United States, have you ever wondered how your state compares to nations in the world? Coyote Blog has posted a Cool Map, which relabeled each state by the name of a country with approximately the same GDP as the state.
Several years back my mother took in a German Shepard pup to raise to be a guide dog. There is an organization which is doing a similar thing with miniature horses. The Guide Horse Foundation has pictures and information. My daughters would love to do this. Unfortunately (or fortunately) my wife is allergic and we couldn't have a guide horse in our home. But it would be fun.
Have you ever wondered about the break down of the Frequency Allocations of the Radio Spectrum in the United States? This is a great graphic showing how each frequency range is allocated, created by the NTIA Office of Spectrum Management. Pretty cool.
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Technorati tags: magic trick, guide horse, radio spectrum
Everything Interesting (And More) has posted Top 10 Magic Trick Tutorial Videos. Each video was very clear. The magic tricks were cool. This would be a good place to start for a child with some interest in magic.
If you live in the United States, have you ever wondered how your state compares to nations in the world? Coyote Blog has posted a Cool Map, which relabeled each state by the name of a country with approximately the same GDP as the state.
Several years back my mother took in a German Shepard pup to raise to be a guide dog. There is an organization which is doing a similar thing with miniature horses. The Guide Horse Foundation has pictures and information. My daughters would love to do this. Unfortunately (or fortunately) my wife is allergic and we couldn't have a guide horse in our home. But it would be fun.
Have you ever wondered about the break down of the Frequency Allocations of the Radio Spectrum in the United States? This is a great graphic showing how each frequency range is allocated, created by the NTIA Office of Spectrum Management. Pretty cool.
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Technorati tags: magic trick, guide horse, radio spectrum
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A good list of what non-homeschoolers may not know
Kendra of Preschoolers and Peace has a nice list of what non-homeschoolers may not know about homeschooling.
Some times as homeschoolers we know how busy our lives are and don't stop to realize that others may not know. Kendra has done a good job of articulating some aspects that our friends and extended family might not be aware of. Reviewing the list can be helpful for both us, and our friends & family.
(Hat tip: One-Sixteenth)
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
Some times as homeschoolers we know how busy our lives are and don't stop to realize that others may not know. Kendra has done a good job of articulating some aspects that our friends and extended family might not be aware of. Reviewing the list can be helpful for both us, and our friends & family.
(Hat tip: One-Sixteenth)
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
It's not on the test
Here is a great song that was on NPR on Jan 1.
Not On The Test
by John Forster & Tom Chapin© 2007 Limousine Music Co. & The Last Music Co. (ASCAP)
I'm so glad we homeschool!
-------------------------------
Related Tags: Not on the test, John Forster, Tom Chapin, No Child Left Behind, Public Education, Homeschool
Not On The Test
by John Forster & Tom Chapin© 2007 Limousine Music Co. & The Last Music Co. (ASCAP)
Go on to sleep now, third grader of mine.
The test is tomorrow but you'll do just fine.
It's reading and math. Forget all the rest.
You don't need to know what is not on the test.
Each box that you mark on each test that you take,
Remember your teachers. Their jobs are at stake.
Your score is their score, but don't get all stressed.
They'd never teach anything not on the test.
The School Board is faced with no child left behind
With rules but no funding, they're caught in a bind.
So music and art and the things you love best
Are not in your school 'cause they're not on the test.
Sleep, sleep, and as you progress
You'll learn there's a lot that is not on the test.
Debate is a skill that is useful to know,
Unless you're in Congress or talk radio,
Where shouting and spouting and spewing are blessed
'Cause rational discourse was not on the test.
Thinking's important. It's good to know how.
And someday you'll learn to, but someday's not now.
Go on to sleep, now. You need your rest.
Don't think about thinking. It's not on the test.
I'm so glad we homeschool!
-------------------------------
Related Tags: Not on the test, John Forster, Tom Chapin, No Child Left Behind, Public Education, Homeschool
One starfish at a time
The following is from a speech I recently gave in Toastmaster.
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Imagine that you are five again. One day a few policemen and other adults show up at your house. They meet with your mother in the kitchen. You can tell that your mother is angry and upset. After awhile she comes into the living room. She sits down beside you and holds you tight. After a few seconds she tells you "I want you to go with this social worker. You will be living with another family for awhile. I hope to see you again real soon." Tearfully she gathers a few clothes and toys. You go out the front door, not knowing, or understanding what has just happened.
Imagine how you feel.
(There was a five second pause here)
This is how many children are placed in a foster care family. Often with no warning they are yanked from an unsafe home situation. They are placed with people they don't know, who have different rules, and expectations.
In our county about half of one percent of the children are placed in foster care every year. Unfortunately only half of them will eventually be reunited with their families. But even then, it will often be extended families, uncles and aunts, or grandparents. Many of these children have suffered neglect or abuse.
Ten percent of the children placed in foster care families in our county are babies. These are babies tested who tested positive for drugs at birth.
The foster care system is designed to protect children.
My wife and I are in the process of taking legally required classes to become foster parents. The following is some of what I have learned. I'll summarize the major points and encourage you to consider looking into being foster parents.
Here is a diagram of how children are ideally moved through foster care.
REPORT
INVESTIGATION
TAKEN and placed in an ESH
LONG TERM FOSTER
First someone initiates action by filing a report. This may be an anonymous report via the phone. It may be the result of some police involvement with a family. A neighbor may call in with a real, or imagined, concern.
Next there is an investigation. A social worker visits the home and makes a decision on what action to take. If there is reasonable concern the children will be removed from the home, often right then. If there is reason for concern, then the social worker won’t wait. The long term goal is for the family to change so that the home is safe. The social workers are directed to work to reunify children with their parents, and if that is not prudent, then they try to place the children with extended family.
After the children are taken from their home, they are placed in ESH, an Emergency Satellite Home. These foster parents will have a few hours warning. This is designed to be short term. At this point the social worker is just trying to find a safe place for children.
After a couple days the children may be moved to another foster care family. This is more long term. The social worker may have found a family which is a better match for the children. For example the new family is Latino and has a better appreciation for the culture of the children.
Once children are taken from their parents, the state becomes the legal parent. A judge makes decisions bases on recommendations from social workers and input from other involved parties. Everyone has a lawyer. The children have a lawyer. The social worker has a lawyer. The parents have a lawyer. Maybe each parent has a different lawyer. The foster parents may have a lawyer. The social worker acts as the eyes and ears for the judge. The overriding goal is always what is best for the children.
As I said earlier about half of the children placed in foster care are returned to their family. But this may not always be with mom and dad. Sometimes they will be placed with an uncle and aunt, or with grandparents. The judge will try to find relatives who will provide a safe and caring home. When possible the judge will try to keep siblings together.
The other half of the children end up with one of three outcomes:
1) They may just stay in the foster care system.
This often happens with teenagers. They will be adults in a couple years and they don’t want new parents. They just need a safe place till they turn 18.
2) A foster family may become the legal guardian.
Foster care parents are on a short leash. For example they can not give a child a haircut without permission from the social worker. Being the legal guardian allows the foster care parents more flexibility.
3) A family may adopt the children.
If a family is found which wants to take care of the child, a judge may rule that the family can adopt the children.
If you are interested in helping out, or just learning more, call your local foster care agency. They can provide you with information about how things work, and what you can do to help.
As I working on this speech I remembered the story of the starfish. The story goes that one day there was a huge storm. Thousands of starfish were thrown up on the beach. A man was walking down the beach after the storm and noticed a boy running up on the beach and then down to the water. As the man got closer he realized the boy was picking up starfish and throwing them into the ocean. When the man got close enough he asked the boy why he was bothering. The man pointed out that there were thousands of starfish on the beach and the boy couldn’t save them all. “You can’t make a dent with all these starfish, you can’t make a difference, why even bother?”
The boy picked a starfish and threw the starfish into the ocean. “I made a difference for that starfish.”
Foster care parents can make a huge difference in the life of a child.
------------
Imagine that you are five again. One day a few policemen and other adults show up at your house. They meet with your mother in the kitchen. You can tell that your mother is angry and upset. After awhile she comes into the living room. She sits down beside you and holds you tight. After a few seconds she tells you "I want you to go with this social worker. You will be living with another family for awhile. I hope to see you again real soon." Tearfully she gathers a few clothes and toys. You go out the front door, not knowing, or understanding what has just happened.
Imagine how you feel.
(There was a five second pause here)
This is how many children are placed in a foster care family. Often with no warning they are yanked from an unsafe home situation. They are placed with people they don't know, who have different rules, and expectations.
In our county about half of one percent of the children are placed in foster care every year. Unfortunately only half of them will eventually be reunited with their families. But even then, it will often be extended families, uncles and aunts, or grandparents. Many of these children have suffered neglect or abuse.
Ten percent of the children placed in foster care families in our county are babies. These are babies tested who tested positive for drugs at birth.
The foster care system is designed to protect children.
My wife and I are in the process of taking legally required classes to become foster parents. The following is some of what I have learned. I'll summarize the major points and encourage you to consider looking into being foster parents.
Here is a diagram of how children are ideally moved through foster care.
REPORT
INVESTIGATION
TAKEN and placed in an ESH
LONG TERM FOSTER
First someone initiates action by filing a report. This may be an anonymous report via the phone. It may be the result of some police involvement with a family. A neighbor may call in with a real, or imagined, concern.
Next there is an investigation. A social worker visits the home and makes a decision on what action to take. If there is reasonable concern the children will be removed from the home, often right then. If there is reason for concern, then the social worker won’t wait. The long term goal is for the family to change so that the home is safe. The social workers are directed to work to reunify children with their parents, and if that is not prudent, then they try to place the children with extended family.
After the children are taken from their home, they are placed in ESH, an Emergency Satellite Home. These foster parents will have a few hours warning. This is designed to be short term. At this point the social worker is just trying to find a safe place for children.
After a couple days the children may be moved to another foster care family. This is more long term. The social worker may have found a family which is a better match for the children. For example the new family is Latino and has a better appreciation for the culture of the children.
Once children are taken from their parents, the state becomes the legal parent. A judge makes decisions bases on recommendations from social workers and input from other involved parties. Everyone has a lawyer. The children have a lawyer. The social worker has a lawyer. The parents have a lawyer. Maybe each parent has a different lawyer. The foster parents may have a lawyer. The social worker acts as the eyes and ears for the judge. The overriding goal is always what is best for the children.
As I said earlier about half of the children placed in foster care are returned to their family. But this may not always be with mom and dad. Sometimes they will be placed with an uncle and aunt, or with grandparents. The judge will try to find relatives who will provide a safe and caring home. When possible the judge will try to keep siblings together.
The other half of the children end up with one of three outcomes:
1) They may just stay in the foster care system.
This often happens with teenagers. They will be adults in a couple years and they don’t want new parents. They just need a safe place till they turn 18.
2) A foster family may become the legal guardian.
Foster care parents are on a short leash. For example they can not give a child a haircut without permission from the social worker. Being the legal guardian allows the foster care parents more flexibility.
3) A family may adopt the children.
If a family is found which wants to take care of the child, a judge may rule that the family can adopt the children.
If you are interested in helping out, or just learning more, call your local foster care agency. They can provide you with information about how things work, and what you can do to help.
As I working on this speech I remembered the story of the starfish. The story goes that one day there was a huge storm. Thousands of starfish were thrown up on the beach. A man was walking down the beach after the storm and noticed a boy running up on the beach and then down to the water. As the man got closer he realized the boy was picking up starfish and throwing them into the ocean. When the man got close enough he asked the boy why he was bothering. The man pointed out that there were thousands of starfish on the beach and the boy couldn’t save them all. “You can’t make a dent with all these starfish, you can’t make a difference, why even bother?”
The boy picked a starfish and threw the starfish into the ocean. “I made a difference for that starfish.”
Foster care parents can make a huge difference in the life of a child.
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The Carnival of Education, week 103, is up
This week's Carnival of Education is back at The Education Wonks. There is a large variety of interesting posts.
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Wednesday, January 24, 2007
From The Liberty Papers - Another reason to homeschool
A google alert this morning led to Another Reason To Homeschool at The Liberty Papers.
The opening line is:
"Why? Because if you miss a parent-teacher conference, you’re guilty of a misdemeanor"
Go here for the full details.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, reason, reason to homeschool, public school
The opening line is:
"Why? Because if you miss a parent-teacher conference, you’re guilty of a misdemeanor"
Go here for the full details.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, reason, reason to homeschool, public school
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Math Education: An Inconvenient Truth or what is 26 x 31?
A google alert came up saying that Charity, The Crafty Mama, had linked to us today. Curious I jumped over and read her post on Parents Fighting Fuzzy Math. She has a great post on the problems with teaching math in public schools.
Charity linked to a video on fuzzy math. You know it is bad with a TV weather woman takes time out from her job to produce a video on Math Education: An Inconvenient Truth. I watched the fifteen minute video. A large part of the video shows different ways students are taught to multiple 26 times 31. I was amazed, and had a better understanding why so many students entering college can not do basic multiplication and division.
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Technorati tags: math, fuzzy math, public schools, education
Charity linked to a video on fuzzy math. You know it is bad with a TV weather woman takes time out from her job to produce a video on Math Education: An Inconvenient Truth. I watched the fifteen minute video. A large part of the video shows different ways students are taught to multiple 26 times 31. I was amazed, and had a better understanding why so many students entering college can not do basic multiplication and division.
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Technorati tags: math, fuzzy math, public schools, education
Good thought about credit
Bob Thaves, the creator of Frank & Ernest, once said:
"Money talks - but credit has an echo."
As parents teaching our children the basic principles of finance and money management will save them headaches and stress. If they can learn that buying on credit and going into debt only postpones the day of reckoning, then they will be much wiser consumers.
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Technorati tags: money, credit, debt, finance
"Money talks - but credit has an echo."
As parents teaching our children the basic principles of finance and money management will save them headaches and stress. If they can learn that buying on credit and going into debt only postpones the day of reckoning, then they will be much wiser consumers.
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Technorati tags: money, credit, debt, finance
Carnival of Homeschooling, week 56: Fighting the January doldrums
Christine, The Thinking Mother, is hosting the Carnival of Homeschooing this week. She explores this time of year's affect on homeschoolers. There is a large variety of interesting posts. Drop in and enjoy.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Monday, January 22, 2007
What will the future hold for homeschoolers?
I've been mulling over some ideas about what will the future bring for children who have been homeschooled. I don't have any conclusions, but thought others might find these ideas interesting.
Sir Francis Bacon once said "Scientia potentia est" or in English: "knowledge is power." Like many short maxims, this is a generalization, and not true in all situations or settings. For example there is a lot of trivia that may never provide any true benefit.
The point Sir Francis Bacon was making is that knowledge can make a person more effective and more influential. By knowing history a person can see patterns in a current situation. Other people without the knowledge of similar situations may be blind to what is really happening. Someone who has studied chemistry can avoid mixing dangerous chemicals. With any problem, legal, social, business, and so on, knowing about similar problems and having some guidelines gives a person a greater chance of solving the problem.
One of the main points of education is to help children to become capable adults. With knowledge, and hopefully wisdom, our children will be able to handle hard problems and not be overwhelmed when hit with a major crisis. They won't throw up their hands and give up, but buckle down and work on solving the problem.
As a group homeschoolers tend to be dramatically more educated. This is not a couple percentage points more, but closer to an order of magnitude more educated. Some of the studies I've read show that as a group homeschoolers are a full standard deviation better educated.
One does this mean for society? In the past homeschoolers were a very small fraction of the total population. Up until now the percentage of adults who had been homeschooled was much smaller than 1%, in the 1980s it was less than 0.1%. There was very little influence. But currently about 3% of children in American are homeschooled. That means in a couple decades many of the well educated adults will have been homeschooled.
And since knowledge provides power, I believe that as a group homeschoolers will be more influential than the average person.
Another maxim is "There are three types of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wondered what happened."
I believe that a lot of what happens in twenty years will be prompted by homeschoolers.
I think the future will be very interesting.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
Sir Francis Bacon once said "Scientia potentia est" or in English: "knowledge is power." Like many short maxims, this is a generalization, and not true in all situations or settings. For example there is a lot of trivia that may never provide any true benefit.
The point Sir Francis Bacon was making is that knowledge can make a person more effective and more influential. By knowing history a person can see patterns in a current situation. Other people without the knowledge of similar situations may be blind to what is really happening. Someone who has studied chemistry can avoid mixing dangerous chemicals. With any problem, legal, social, business, and so on, knowing about similar problems and having some guidelines gives a person a greater chance of solving the problem.
One of the main points of education is to help children to become capable adults. With knowledge, and hopefully wisdom, our children will be able to handle hard problems and not be overwhelmed when hit with a major crisis. They won't throw up their hands and give up, but buckle down and work on solving the problem.
As a group homeschoolers tend to be dramatically more educated. This is not a couple percentage points more, but closer to an order of magnitude more educated. Some of the studies I've read show that as a group homeschoolers are a full standard deviation better educated.
One does this mean for society? In the past homeschoolers were a very small fraction of the total population. Up until now the percentage of adults who had been homeschooled was much smaller than 1%, in the 1980s it was less than 0.1%. There was very little influence. But currently about 3% of children in American are homeschooled. That means in a couple decades many of the well educated adults will have been homeschooled.
And since knowledge provides power, I believe that as a group homeschoolers will be more influential than the average person.
Another maxim is "There are three types of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wondered what happened."
I believe that a lot of what happens in twenty years will be prompted by homeschoolers.
I think the future will be very interesting.
----------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education
Have you been reading Weapons of Math Destruction?
edspresso has an article on Oak Norton and how he came to create a comic strip called Weapons of Math Destruction. It is a very funny comic strip, in a sad, painful sort of way.
Does anyone know of other comic strips focused on education, or homeschooling?
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Technorati tags: education, Math, Oak Norton, comic
Does anyone know of other comic strips focused on education, or homeschooling?
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Technorati tags: education, Math, Oak Norton, comic
Smog Referee - Part 2
This is a follow up to The Smog Referee.
Well, the visit to the Smog Referee went well. Going to the Smog Referee is much like seeing a doctor at a university teaching hospital. The Smog Referee was the teacher and my van was the patient. A student mechanic spent most of the time just looking at various aspects of the vehicle and looking up information in reference books. Normally, a smog check takes about 20 minutes. The Smog Referee took about an hour and a half. On the bright side, it cost 1/3 of what I was quoted at my local smog check shop before they discovered that they didn't have software recent enough to do the test.
I asked the Smog Referee why he could do the test when the local smog check shop couldn't. His reply, "We can just override the error message given by the software." I took this to mean that because they worked for the government, they had some by-pass code. I wonder if they purposely don't give the local smog shops the code to drum up "patients" for their students.
On the down side, I still had problems getting a licenses for the van. My local DMV couldn't find the fax that the out of state DMV supposedly sent verifying that the van had never been licensed in that state. I called the Hertz dealership where I bought the van. They told me that the local DMV office refused to give them the letter and would only send it directly to my DMV office. I learned that their local DMV said that their state DMV office would mail it to my local DMV office.
So, I returned to my DMV office and told them that they were looking for a letter, not a fax. They still couldn't find it. There is nothing scarier than two government agencies trying to exchange information. However, the local DMV manager took pity and issued me a provisional license anyway. I was told that if a letter didn't arrive in a few days, they would send me a notice rescinding my license plates.
Considering how bad they are at following up, I'm not to worried about that. Later that day, I got a call from Hertz. They had gone back to their DMV office. In the two weeks since I originally requested the verification letter, a new manager took over at their local DMV. This new manager agreed to give the notification letter directly to the dealership. The dealership will overnight the letter to me. So, hopefully, I will be able to finalize the registration sometime in the next few days.
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Related Tags: DMV, Smog Check, Smog Referee, Registering an out of state vehicle
Well, the visit to the Smog Referee went well. Going to the Smog Referee is much like seeing a doctor at a university teaching hospital. The Smog Referee was the teacher and my van was the patient. A student mechanic spent most of the time just looking at various aspects of the vehicle and looking up information in reference books. Normally, a smog check takes about 20 minutes. The Smog Referee took about an hour and a half. On the bright side, it cost 1/3 of what I was quoted at my local smog check shop before they discovered that they didn't have software recent enough to do the test.
I asked the Smog Referee why he could do the test when the local smog check shop couldn't. His reply, "We can just override the error message given by the software." I took this to mean that because they worked for the government, they had some by-pass code. I wonder if they purposely don't give the local smog shops the code to drum up "patients" for their students.
On the down side, I still had problems getting a licenses for the van. My local DMV couldn't find the fax that the out of state DMV supposedly sent verifying that the van had never been licensed in that state. I called the Hertz dealership where I bought the van. They told me that the local DMV office refused to give them the letter and would only send it directly to my DMV office. I learned that their local DMV said that their state DMV office would mail it to my local DMV office.
So, I returned to my DMV office and told them that they were looking for a letter, not a fax. They still couldn't find it. There is nothing scarier than two government agencies trying to exchange information. However, the local DMV manager took pity and issued me a provisional license anyway. I was told that if a letter didn't arrive in a few days, they would send me a notice rescinding my license plates.
Considering how bad they are at following up, I'm not to worried about that. Later that day, I got a call from Hertz. They had gone back to their DMV office. In the two weeks since I originally requested the verification letter, a new manager took over at their local DMV. This new manager agreed to give the notification letter directly to the dealership. The dealership will overnight the letter to me. So, hopefully, I will be able to finalize the registration sometime in the next few days.
---------------------------------------
Related Tags: DMV, Smog Check, Smog Referee, Registering an out of state vehicle
We've participated in another carnival
Carnivals are a good way to get some exposure for your blog.
We submitted Janine's post about The Smog Referee to the Carnival of Wheels, a blog carnival about cars. The Carnival of Wheels this week is hosted by The Garage. The Garage also has a post that Original Sixties Batmobile to hit the Auction Block. Back in the 70s we use to watch the reruns of Batman after school.
Also over the weekend the Carnival of Family Life #38 was posted at An Island Life. And this month's Carnival of Children's Literature was posted at Big A little a.
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Technorati tags: car, Carnival of Wheels, Batman, Family, Children, Literature
We submitted Janine's post about The Smog Referee to the Carnival of Wheels, a blog carnival about cars. The Carnival of Wheels this week is hosted by The Garage. The Garage also has a post that Original Sixties Batmobile to hit the Auction Block. Back in the 70s we use to watch the reruns of Batman after school.
Also over the weekend the Carnival of Family Life #38 was posted at An Island Life. And this month's Carnival of Children's Literature was posted at Big A little a.
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Technorati tags: car, Carnival of Wheels, Batman, Family, Children, Literature
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Reminder - submissions due in two days
Don't forget to submit a post for the 56th Carnival of Homeschooling. Submissions are due in two days, at 6:00 PM on the 22nd of January.
Christine of The Thinking Mother will be hosting.
Click here for information on how to submit a post.
And start thinking about a submission to Unschooling Voices, a monthly carnival on unschooling.
Here is Joanne's request for submissions. Entries are due before the 1st of February.
And here is more information about Unschooling Voices.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Christine of The Thinking Mother will be hosting.
Click here for information on how to submit a post.
And start thinking about a submission to Unschooling Voices, a monthly carnival on unschooling.
Here is Joanne's request for submissions. Entries are due before the 1st of February.
And here is more information about Unschooling Voices.
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children, education, Carnival of Homeschooling
Friday, January 19, 2007
A dog definition of a blog
I laughed when I read this:
"For those of you who don't have a blog yet, think of one as a large yellow Labrador: friendly, fun, not all that bright, but constantly demanding your attention."
- David Carr, The New York Times, Jan 15, 2007
(Hat tip: Quotation of the day.)
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Technorati tags: blog, definition
"For those of you who don't have a blog yet, think of one as a large yellow Labrador: friendly, fun, not all that bright, but constantly demanding your attention."
- David Carr, The New York Times, Jan 15, 2007
(Hat tip: Quotation of the day.)
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Technorati tags: blog, definition
A few more from reddit.com - 11 Jan 07
The following were found via reddit.com:
From the Ririan Project are 10 Reasons to Keep A Journal. We have our daughters keep a journal as part of their writing practice.
Donald Latumahina has 5 Reasons Why Doing What You Love can Optimize Your Life.
Would you like to have a Personal Blimp? I hope it works out that they become price affordable and safe.
Trent has 31 ways for Building a Better Blog for 2007.
Want to Improve Memory? Strengthen Your Synapses. Here's How is a technical review of how continuing to challenge your mind and educating yourself will keep your mind sharp. You really are improving your mind when you play Sudoku.
How being organized saves you money points out several different ways that taking the time to plan ahead and be organized can save you time and money.
For teenagers:
Liz Pulliam West, author of Deal with Your Debt, has an article on The best financial advice ever. This would be a good article to review with teenagers.
And Chris Buzzard has a good review on the importance of Saving Early. Compound Interest was once said to be the eighth wonder of the world. If people can learn to use it, rather than be a salve to debt, they'll have much better lives.
13 Things I Wish I Learned in College would also be good to review with teenagers.
One last thing for teenagers, Industry output and employment projections to 2012 is a twenty two page report which may help a teenager find something they love and would also be a good job to try.
Finally, something funny:
If you've never seen the towboat going under a bridge before, check it out.
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Technorati tags: journal, personal blimp, memory, money, college
From the Ririan Project are 10 Reasons to Keep A Journal. We have our daughters keep a journal as part of their writing practice.
Donald Latumahina has 5 Reasons Why Doing What You Love can Optimize Your Life.
Would you like to have a Personal Blimp? I hope it works out that they become price affordable and safe.
Trent has 31 ways for Building a Better Blog for 2007.
Want to Improve Memory? Strengthen Your Synapses. Here's How is a technical review of how continuing to challenge your mind and educating yourself will keep your mind sharp. You really are improving your mind when you play Sudoku.
How being organized saves you money points out several different ways that taking the time to plan ahead and be organized can save you time and money.
For teenagers:
Liz Pulliam West, author of Deal with Your Debt, has an article on The best financial advice ever. This would be a good article to review with teenagers.
And Chris Buzzard has a good review on the importance of Saving Early. Compound Interest was once said to be the eighth wonder of the world. If people can learn to use it, rather than be a salve to debt, they'll have much better lives.
13 Things I Wish I Learned in College would also be good to review with teenagers.
One last thing for teenagers, Industry output and employment projections to 2012 is a twenty two page report which may help a teenager find something they love and would also be a good job to try.
Finally, something funny:
If you've never seen the towboat going under a bridge before, check it out.
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Technorati tags: journal, personal blimp, memory, money, college
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Is High School Football a Public Good? by Jim Fedako
A couple weeks ago Jim Fedako posted on the Ludwig von Mises Institute an article Is High School Football a Public Good? He argues that public schools should not be involved with sports.
One of the big problems with public schools is there is such a conflicting set of ideas on what should happen at school. Many parents want their children to have a traditional academic education; they want their children to learn to read, write, and master arithmetic. Other parents are more concerned with socialization, or sports, or getting their children fed. A few parents are mostly interesting is having a place for their children to go during the day - free babsitting. Some parents want their children to be taught ethics, or a trade, or how to be a good citizen. With so many orthagonal views, it is no wonder that public schools struggle.
Jim Fedako opens his column with:
"Most of us would never think of asking our neighbors to foot a personal bill. We accept responsibility for car and roof repairs as ours alone. In addition, we don't bang on the door across the street in order to demand a contribution towards our children's figure skating lessons, taekwondo classes, etc. That which is consumed or used by our families is to be paid from our pockets — the definition of personal responsibility.
"Now let's change the situation slightly. Instead of a figure skating lesson — the realm of the private good, consider the local public high school football team — the realm of the supposed public good."
He provides a very thought provoking explanation of how public schools should not have sports programs.
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Technorati tags: public school, high school, education, sports, football
One of the big problems with public schools is there is such a conflicting set of ideas on what should happen at school. Many parents want their children to have a traditional academic education; they want their children to learn to read, write, and master arithmetic. Other parents are more concerned with socialization, or sports, or getting their children fed. A few parents are mostly interesting is having a place for their children to go during the day - free babsitting. Some parents want their children to be taught ethics, or a trade, or how to be a good citizen. With so many orthagonal views, it is no wonder that public schools struggle.
Jim Fedako opens his column with:
"Most of us would never think of asking our neighbors to foot a personal bill. We accept responsibility for car and roof repairs as ours alone. In addition, we don't bang on the door across the street in order to demand a contribution towards our children's figure skating lessons, taekwondo classes, etc. That which is consumed or used by our families is to be paid from our pockets — the definition of personal responsibility.
"Now let's change the situation slightly. Instead of a figure skating lesson — the realm of the private good, consider the local public high school football team — the realm of the supposed public good."
He provides a very thought provoking explanation of how public schools should not have sports programs.
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Technorati tags: public school, high school, education, sports, football
Education carnivals
Dr. Homeslice is hosting this week's Carnival of Education.
WhoLearns.com is hosting the Education Carnival this week.
Online University Lowdown is hosting this month's Carnival of Online Education.
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Technorati tags: carnival, education
WhoLearns.com is hosting the Education Carnival this week.
Online University Lowdown is hosting this month's Carnival of Online Education.
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Technorati tags: carnival, education
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