From Dan Galvin's Thought For The Day mailing list:
The smallest good deed is greater than the grandest intention. -Anon
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Some of our best posts from September 2008
Janine and I have been blogging about homeschooling for almost eight years. If you missed some of our early posts, you have missed some of our best thoughts. Here are some highlights from September 2008:
One of the lessons we are trying to teach our daughters - to look for worthwhile things to read.
We had a few Suggestions for helping children to learn self-motivation.
We wrote about Why it is so important to teach, correctly, the first time.
And I had a few thoughts about Homeschooling and World War II.
One of the lessons we are trying to teach our daughters - to look for worthwhile things to read.
We had a few Suggestions for helping children to learn self-motivation.
We wrote about Why it is so important to teach, correctly, the first time.
And I had a few thoughts about Homeschooling and World War II.
TED Talk - Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar
I enjoyed Pamela Meyer's talk on How to spot a liar:
I have added her book Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception to my list of books to buy.
I have added her book Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception to my list of books to buy.
Monday, December 09, 2013
Retiring outside of the United States
Why US baby boomers are retiring in Latin America covers an interesting trend where many Americans are moving to cheaper locations to spend their sunset years. It is an interesting article. It talks about both some of the benefits of living in Latin America and some of the problems.
On a somewhat related note, my bother has put up a real estate web site for buying land in Anguila, where he lives.
On a somewhat related note, my bother has put up a real estate web site for buying land in Anguila, where he lives.
Good article about 3D printing
I like this article: How the Innovation Economy is Turning Makers Into Manufacturers.
I would like to buy a 3D printer some day. My father did buy one six months ago and has had some success playing with it.
We live in an amazing world.
I would like to buy a 3D printer some day. My father did buy one six months ago and has had some success playing with it.
We live in an amazing world.
What is the purpose of a report card?
Our
foster boy who is in Kindergarten got his report card in the new
Common Core format. What a ridiculous document! And what a terrible
burden it puts on the teacher to track these idiotic "standards."
In most of these bizarre categories, the child is evaluated on "group participation."
For example,
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Participates in group reading activities with purpose and understanding by using prior knowledge and making predictions"
Here's another one:
"Participate in a variety of collaborative discussions, recounts key events, and ask and answer questions."
Kind of creepy. "Group Think" is the new standard of excellence in Kindergarten. Why would I care how well a child reads in a "group activity?" Isn't reading kind of a individual sort of activity? Collaborative discussion is not my top priority for a Kindergartener.
What is worse, the report card was mostly inaccurate about the boy's academic abilities.
For example,
Reading Standards: Foundation Skills
Phonological Awareness: Demonstrates understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds.
In this category, he got a 2 which stands for Basic - Making adequate progress toward end of year grade level standards.
First of all, what in the heck does that really mean? He is basic doing what exactly?
Second, the kid reads fluently, easily on a 3rd grade level. Does the teacher really not notice that this kid can read and that he can sound out almost every thing he reads? I'm guessing that they gave all the students - Basic on the report card except maybe the obviously struggling students.
This same kid got a 2 (Basic - Making adequate progress toward end of year grade level standards) in Math for Count to tell the number of objects to 20. He can count to 100 plus easily.
So, if the report card doesn't really report accurately what the child is doing academically, then what is the purpose of a report card? Whom does it benefit?
A friend explained to me (that her child's teacher explained to her) that the students would be given 2's so that the report card could show improvement by the end of the year. I do see the teacher's dilemma. If the child is proficient on the end of year academic goal at the beginning of the year, then it is tough to explain why the child should bother to attend the class at all.
As a homeschooler, I don't have much experience with report cards. I did create a transcript with grades for my older girls so that they could apply to community college. I called the transcript my little "creative writing project." I assigned grades based on how well I thought the child had mastered the material with no actual hard data. I gave A's, A-, B+, B, B- based on "feelings."
The grades of C and below don't exist for us because no kid of mine is done working on a subject until she has mastered it, no matter how long it takes, which is why a daughter was still finishing up the Algebra 1 book at the beginning of the 11th grade. [Interestingly, this same child scored well enough in math on the ACT test to meet the admissions requirements of the universities of her choice.]
Even though we didn't have grades in our homeschool work, my daughters have gotten very, very good grades in their college classes, so the absence of grades in their early years didn't hurt them any.
In most of these bizarre categories, the child is evaluated on "group participation."
For example,
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Participates in group reading activities with purpose and understanding by using prior knowledge and making predictions"
Here's another one:
"Participate in a variety of collaborative discussions, recounts key events, and ask and answer questions."
Kind of creepy. "Group Think" is the new standard of excellence in Kindergarten. Why would I care how well a child reads in a "group activity?" Isn't reading kind of a individual sort of activity? Collaborative discussion is not my top priority for a Kindergartener.
What is worse, the report card was mostly inaccurate about the boy's academic abilities.
For example,
Reading Standards: Foundation Skills
Phonological Awareness: Demonstrates understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds.
In this category, he got a 2 which stands for Basic - Making adequate progress toward end of year grade level standards.
First of all, what in the heck does that really mean? He is basic doing what exactly?
Second, the kid reads fluently, easily on a 3rd grade level. Does the teacher really not notice that this kid can read and that he can sound out almost every thing he reads? I'm guessing that they gave all the students - Basic on the report card except maybe the obviously struggling students.
This same kid got a 2 (Basic - Making adequate progress toward end of year grade level standards) in Math for Count to tell the number of objects to 20. He can count to 100 plus easily.
So, if the report card doesn't really report accurately what the child is doing academically, then what is the purpose of a report card? Whom does it benefit?
A friend explained to me (that her child's teacher explained to her) that the students would be given 2's so that the report card could show improvement by the end of the year. I do see the teacher's dilemma. If the child is proficient on the end of year academic goal at the beginning of the year, then it is tough to explain why the child should bother to attend the class at all.
As a homeschooler, I don't have much experience with report cards. I did create a transcript with grades for my older girls so that they could apply to community college. I called the transcript my little "creative writing project." I assigned grades based on how well I thought the child had mastered the material with no actual hard data. I gave A's, A-, B+, B, B- based on "feelings."
The grades of C and below don't exist for us because no kid of mine is done working on a subject until she has mastered it, no matter how long it takes, which is why a daughter was still finishing up the Algebra 1 book at the beginning of the 11th grade. [Interestingly, this same child scored well enough in math on the ACT test to meet the admissions requirements of the universities of her choice.]
Even though we didn't have grades in our homeschool work, my daughters have gotten very, very good grades in their college classes, so the absence of grades in their early years didn't hurt them any.
Interesting test for Alzheimer's disease
My mother forwarded a link to a moving puzzle.
She had this explanation:
----------
If you can put this puzzle together, You can say goodbye to Alzheimer's! This is really clever and a bit challenging. As we older people are concerned with Alzheimer's disease, this puzzle may help dispel some fear. It's easy to put together if you are not affected by Alzheimer's disease, but impossible to do for someone with the disease. Give it a try. If this puzzle is particularly difficult for you, then your physician can offer you additional testing to check you for Alzheimer's. Just remember, if you can put this puzzle together, you do not have to fear Alzheimer's! A really neat puzzle!!
----------
I am happy to have put the puzzle together without any problem.
She had this explanation:
----------
If you can put this puzzle together, You can say goodbye to Alzheimer's! This is really clever and a bit challenging. As we older people are concerned with Alzheimer's disease, this puzzle may help dispel some fear. It's easy to put together if you are not affected by Alzheimer's disease, but impossible to do for someone with the disease. Give it a try. If this puzzle is particularly difficult for you, then your physician can offer you additional testing to check you for Alzheimer's. Just remember, if you can put this puzzle together, you do not have to fear Alzheimer's! A really neat puzzle!!
----------
I am happy to have put the puzzle together without any problem.
Success
This is an important lesson to teach your children:
A man's success or failure in life is determined as much by how he acts during his leisure as by how he acts during his work hours. Tell me how a young man spends his evenings and I will tell you how he is likely to spend the latter part of his life.
B. C. Forbes
Hat tip: From my Franklin Covey Planner
A man's success or failure in life is determined as much by how he acts during his leisure as by how he acts during his work hours. Tell me how a young man spends his evenings and I will tell you how he is likely to spend the latter part of his life.
B. C. Forbes
Hat tip: From my Franklin Covey Planner
Life Humor 2.A
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
Bumper Sticker:
If all else fails read the instructions (The Bible)
Prepare for your FINALS Read the Bible
----------
Quotable Quotes from Reader's Digest, April 1987:
Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
One thought driven home is better than three left on base.
Cultivate the habit of early rising. It is unwise to keep the head long on a level with the feet.
He who hesitates is sometimes saved.
If the human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we
couldn't.
It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.
----------
Anti-trust laws should be approached with exactly that attitude
----------
"One size fits all."
Just who is this "all" person anyway, and why is he wearing my clothes?
----------
"The law, in all its majestic equality, forbids both rich and poor to sleep in the streets, to beg for money, and to steal bread."
----------
PHONE COMPANY GIVES SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
Dear Ann,
I think I can top the person who wrote complaining about the idiocy of the phone company. Talk about garbage in, garbage out!
When AT&T split with Bell, we had three phones in our house. The equipment belonged to Ma Bell and the service belonged to AT&T. After we returned all the phone equipment to Ma Bell, we received a bill for $0.00. A few weeks later, we received a check for $5 and a note thanking us. Several months later, we received another computerized bill for $0.00. We called again, got nowhere, so we sent another check for $0.00. A few weeks later we received another $5 refund with the same thank you.
This went on every three months for two years. Now we are down to once a year and have given up trying to straighten this out. We just cash the $5 and forget about it.
-- Linda K. R. in California
----------
This is related by a recent emigre from the USSR, according to a recent issue of "World Press Review":
One cooollld winter, a rumor went around that a certain butcher shop would have meat for sale the next day. By very early the next morning, a long queue had formed outside of the butcher shop.
At 8 o'clock an official came out briefly and announced, "Well, comrades, I'm afraid there's not enough meat for everybody here. Would all of the Jews leave?"
They did, and the line was shortened somewhat.
At 11 o'clock the official came out again and announced, "Well, comrades, I'm afraid there's still not enough meat for all. Would all of the non-party members please leave?"
They did, and the line was shortened again.
At 2 o'clock, the official came out again. "There's still not enough meat for all of you! Would all those who did not defend our great country from the fascist German intruder leave?"
Once again, the line was considerably shortened.
At 5 o'clock, the official announcement was, "There's still not enough! Would all those who did not participate in the liberation of our people from the terrors of the Czar leave!"
This included just about everybody.
Finally, at 8 o'clock in the evening, the official came out again. The only people left in line were three half-frozen old men. He told them,
"There isn't any meat."
The old men moved slowly away, grumbling among themselves - "Those Jews get the best of everything!!"
----------
----------
Bumper Sticker:
If all else fails read the instructions (The Bible)
Prepare for your FINALS Read the Bible
----------
Quotable Quotes from Reader's Digest, April 1987:
Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
One thought driven home is better than three left on base.
Cultivate the habit of early rising. It is unwise to keep the head long on a level with the feet.
He who hesitates is sometimes saved.
If the human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we
couldn't.
It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.
----------
Anti-trust laws should be approached with exactly that attitude
----------
"One size fits all."
Just who is this "all" person anyway, and why is he wearing my clothes?
----------
"The law, in all its majestic equality, forbids both rich and poor to sleep in the streets, to beg for money, and to steal bread."
----------
PHONE COMPANY GIVES SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
Dear Ann,
I think I can top the person who wrote complaining about the idiocy of the phone company. Talk about garbage in, garbage out!
When AT&T split with Bell, we had three phones in our house. The equipment belonged to Ma Bell and the service belonged to AT&T. After we returned all the phone equipment to Ma Bell, we received a bill for $0.00. A few weeks later, we received a check for $5 and a note thanking us. Several months later, we received another computerized bill for $0.00. We called again, got nowhere, so we sent another check for $0.00. A few weeks later we received another $5 refund with the same thank you.
This went on every three months for two years. Now we are down to once a year and have given up trying to straighten this out. We just cash the $5 and forget about it.
-- Linda K. R. in California
----------
This is related by a recent emigre from the USSR, according to a recent issue of "World Press Review":
One cooollld winter, a rumor went around that a certain butcher shop would have meat for sale the next day. By very early the next morning, a long queue had formed outside of the butcher shop.
At 8 o'clock an official came out briefly and announced, "Well, comrades, I'm afraid there's not enough meat for everybody here. Would all of the Jews leave?"
They did, and the line was shortened somewhat.
At 11 o'clock the official came out again and announced, "Well, comrades, I'm afraid there's still not enough meat for all. Would all of the non-party members please leave?"
They did, and the line was shortened again.
At 2 o'clock, the official came out again. "There's still not enough meat for all of you! Would all those who did not defend our great country from the fascist German intruder leave?"
Once again, the line was considerably shortened.
At 5 o'clock, the official announcement was, "There's still not enough! Would all those who did not participate in the liberation of our people from the terrors of the Czar leave!"
This included just about everybody.
Finally, at 8 o'clock in the evening, the official came out again. The only people left in line were three half-frozen old men. He told them,
"There isn't any meat."
The old men moved slowly away, grumbling among themselves - "Those Jews get the best of everything!!"
----------
Saturday, December 07, 2013
HSLDA movie on Common Core
This comes out in February, in two months:
I think Common Core the movie will be worth watching.
Here is the HSLDA web site on Common Core.
Hat tip: Spunky Homeschool
I think Common Core the movie will be worth watching.
Here is the HSLDA web site on Common Core.
Hat tip: Spunky Homeschool
Anyone seen The Christmas Candle?
The Christmas Candle looks good. I like the trailer:
It looks like something I could take the whole family to. Is the movie worth watching?
It looks like something I could take the whole family to. Is the movie worth watching?
How to be happy
There is a lot of truth in this:
There is only one way to happiness, and that is cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
Epictetus
Hat tip: From my Franklin Covey Planner
There is only one way to happiness, and that is cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
Epictetus
Hat tip: From my Franklin Covey Planner
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Reminder - Please submit your post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Dewey's Treehouse.
This will be the 415th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 415th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - The Vlog hop edition
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Notes From A Homeschooled Mom.
The carnival starts with:
----------
I am happy to be posting this week's carnival of homeschooling, but since this past week was thanksgiving weekend, alot of our regulars were off giving thanks and didn't submit posts. But never fear, there's still plenty to share. We've found a couple of new bloggers to add to our carnival, and I want to introduce you to some of my favorite homeschool vloggers, and encourage you to give that a try too.
----------
Enjoy!
The carnival starts with:
----------
I am happy to be posting this week's carnival of homeschooling, but since this past week was thanksgiving weekend, alot of our regulars were off giving thanks and didn't submit posts. But never fear, there's still plenty to share. We've found a couple of new bloggers to add to our carnival, and I want to introduce you to some of my favorite homeschool vloggers, and encourage you to give that a try too.
----------
Enjoy!
Monday, December 02, 2013
Homeschooling and family time
Family time is a benefit of homeschooling which is very important to us.
When our children were little, homeschooling was like a little oasis from the hustle and bustle around us. While our friends rushed back and forth to school, crammed homework in during the evenings and got up early to do it all over again, our lives where one of freedom and a relaxed pace.
We NEVER did homework in the evenings. Evenings were always family time.
We traveled and enjoyed the off season discounts and short lines at museums. We spent a month in another city, far from home, just because it seemed like an interesting thing to do. We ate almost every meal together and did most outside activities as a family.
However, as time went on, our homeschool pace got faster and faster. While we still get more family time than our friends with children in traditional school, we are rushing back and forth and getting up early each day to do it all over again.
It seems like we have more outside activities than we have at home activities. With two teenage drivers and a extra vehicle, we are also going in opposite directions. I'm coming to the realization that from now on, we will only have limited family time together as our young adults prepare to step into the adult world.
Some of this is just a natural progression of things. We no longer have little girls (9 years old, 7 years old and three years old) who I drive around to activities we do together. Now we have a 19 year old young adult who is working and preparing to leave home in the next month or so. We have a 17 year old who is attending community college, working as a nanny, sing in a choir group and preparing to leave for 4 year college. We have a 13 year old and 7 year old with their own separate activities in addition to our foster children who come and go.
I'm very grateful that we had all that time when our family was young to build our relationship and spend time together. I'm grateful that my children spend as much time home as they do. Thanks to homeschooling we had the gift of family time.
My 13 year old pointed out to me that because she is homeschooled, she only talked to members of her own family today. I think to myself, "Enjoy it while it lasts, it will end all too soon."
When our children were little, homeschooling was like a little oasis from the hustle and bustle around us. While our friends rushed back and forth to school, crammed homework in during the evenings and got up early to do it all over again, our lives where one of freedom and a relaxed pace.
We NEVER did homework in the evenings. Evenings were always family time.
We traveled and enjoyed the off season discounts and short lines at museums. We spent a month in another city, far from home, just because it seemed like an interesting thing to do. We ate almost every meal together and did most outside activities as a family.
However, as time went on, our homeschool pace got faster and faster. While we still get more family time than our friends with children in traditional school, we are rushing back and forth and getting up early each day to do it all over again.
It seems like we have more outside activities than we have at home activities. With two teenage drivers and a extra vehicle, we are also going in opposite directions. I'm coming to the realization that from now on, we will only have limited family time together as our young adults prepare to step into the adult world.
Some of this is just a natural progression of things. We no longer have little girls (9 years old, 7 years old and three years old) who I drive around to activities we do together. Now we have a 19 year old young adult who is working and preparing to leave home in the next month or so. We have a 17 year old who is attending community college, working as a nanny, sing in a choir group and preparing to leave for 4 year college. We have a 13 year old and 7 year old with their own separate activities in addition to our foster children who come and go.
I'm very grateful that we had all that time when our family was young to build our relationship and spend time together. I'm grateful that my children spend as much time home as they do. Thanks to homeschooling we had the gift of family time.
My 13 year old pointed out to me that because she is homeschooled, she only talked to members of her own family today. I think to myself, "Enjoy it while it lasts, it will end all too soon."
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Now that there are only 25 days until Christmas
 | My sister and her friend have designed this beautiful outdoor nativity scene. They are selling it via the web. We have one. If you are looking for the "perfect" outdoors nativity scene, check it out. (http://www.nativitysceneoutdoor.com/) |
Friday, November 29, 2013
Reminder - Please submit your post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Notes From A Homeschooled Mom.
This will be the 414th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 414th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Life Humor 2.9
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
Q: What do you call a sadistic Dentist who rides a motorcycle and wears a black leather jacket?
A: The Leader of the Plaque
----------
Q: How many members of the U.S.S. Enterprise does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 7. Scotty will report to Captain Kirk that the light bulb in the Engineering Section is burnt out, to which Kirk will send Bones to pronounce the bulb dead. Scotty, after checking around, notices that they have no more new light bulbs, and complains that he can't see in the dark to tend to his engines. Kirk must make an emergency stop at the next uncharted planet, Alpha Regula IV, to procure a light bulb from the natives. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Sulu, and 3 red shirt security officers beam down. The 3 security officers are promptly killed by the natives, and the rest of the landing party is captured. Meanwhile, back in orbit, Scotty notices a Klingon ship approaching and must warp out of orbit to escape detection. Bones cures the native king who is suffering from the flu, and as a reward the landing party is set free and given all of the light bulbs they can carry. Scotty cripples the Klingon ship and warps back to the planet just in time to beam up Kirk et. al. The new bulb is inserted, and the Enterprise continues with its five year mission.
----------
My four year old and I were discussing holidays, and I asked him, "What is the day which comes after Halloween when you have turkey?" My husband quickly answered, "Election day."
----------
What would you call Santa's son if he became an elf? A subordinate Claus.
----------
What does Santa call his wife at tax time? A dependent Claus.
----------
Santa noticed that the elves weren't working as hard this year as last so he told them that the elf who made the most toys could have his beautiful daughter for one night. What did the elves call his daughter after that? An incentive Claus.
----------
A pickup with three guys in it pulls into the lumber yard. One of the guys gets out and goes into the office.
"I need some four-by-two's," he says.
"You must mean two-by-four's" says the clerk.
The guy gets a kind of a blank stare and scratches his head. "Wait a minute," he says, "I'll go check."
He goes out to the truck. The window gets rolled down, and there's an animated conversation. Finally the guy comes back in.
"Yeah," he says, "I meant two-by-fours."
"OK," says the clerk, "how long you want 'em?"
The guy gets the blank look again. "Uh . . . I guess I better go check," he says.
He goes out to the truck, again. There's another animated conversation. The guy comes back into the office.
"A long time," he says, "we're building a house."
----------
"You can neither win nor lose if you don't run the race" --Bowie.
----------
From the San Jose Mercury News, Sunday 14 July 1985, page 23A, referring to arson investigations:
On highly publicized cases, it's not unusual for tips to arrive from all over the country. "People call in and tell us about one individual they don't like. They say, 'He's the type who could have done it.' A couple hundred of those and you're chasing people all over the country," Bressler said.
In one case, he was flooded with calls from "people back in the Midwest who knew people in California who were really weird."
It wasn't the kind of tip that led anywhere, he said. "Almost all of California's really weird compared to the Midwest."
----------
Lots of folks are forced to skimp to support a government that won't.
----------
The advice your son rejected is now being given by him to your grandson.
----------
Some people pray for more than they are willing to work for.
----------
One of the most common mistakes is to believe that others know more about the problem than you do.
----------
Parents often talk about the younger generations as if they didn't have anything to do with it.
----------
----------
Q: What do you call a sadistic Dentist who rides a motorcycle and wears a black leather jacket?
A: The Leader of the Plaque
----------
Q: How many members of the U.S.S. Enterprise does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 7. Scotty will report to Captain Kirk that the light bulb in the Engineering Section is burnt out, to which Kirk will send Bones to pronounce the bulb dead. Scotty, after checking around, notices that they have no more new light bulbs, and complains that he can't see in the dark to tend to his engines. Kirk must make an emergency stop at the next uncharted planet, Alpha Regula IV, to procure a light bulb from the natives. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Sulu, and 3 red shirt security officers beam down. The 3 security officers are promptly killed by the natives, and the rest of the landing party is captured. Meanwhile, back in orbit, Scotty notices a Klingon ship approaching and must warp out of orbit to escape detection. Bones cures the native king who is suffering from the flu, and as a reward the landing party is set free and given all of the light bulbs they can carry. Scotty cripples the Klingon ship and warps back to the planet just in time to beam up Kirk et. al. The new bulb is inserted, and the Enterprise continues with its five year mission.
----------
My four year old and I were discussing holidays, and I asked him, "What is the day which comes after Halloween when you have turkey?" My husband quickly answered, "Election day."
----------
What would you call Santa's son if he became an elf? A subordinate Claus.
----------
What does Santa call his wife at tax time? A dependent Claus.
----------
Santa noticed that the elves weren't working as hard this year as last so he told them that the elf who made the most toys could have his beautiful daughter for one night. What did the elves call his daughter after that? An incentive Claus.
----------
A pickup with three guys in it pulls into the lumber yard. One of the guys gets out and goes into the office.
"I need some four-by-two's," he says.
"You must mean two-by-four's" says the clerk.
The guy gets a kind of a blank stare and scratches his head. "Wait a minute," he says, "I'll go check."
He goes out to the truck. The window gets rolled down, and there's an animated conversation. Finally the guy comes back in.
"Yeah," he says, "I meant two-by-fours."
"OK," says the clerk, "how long you want 'em?"
The guy gets the blank look again. "Uh . . . I guess I better go check," he says.
He goes out to the truck, again. There's another animated conversation. The guy comes back into the office.
"A long time," he says, "we're building a house."
----------
"You can neither win nor lose if you don't run the race" --Bowie.
----------
From the San Jose Mercury News, Sunday 14 July 1985, page 23A, referring to arson investigations:
On highly publicized cases, it's not unusual for tips to arrive from all over the country. "People call in and tell us about one individual they don't like. They say, 'He's the type who could have done it.' A couple hundred of those and you're chasing people all over the country," Bressler said.
In one case, he was flooded with calls from "people back in the Midwest who knew people in California who were really weird."
It wasn't the kind of tip that led anywhere, he said. "Almost all of California's really weird compared to the Midwest."
----------
Lots of folks are forced to skimp to support a government that won't.
----------
The advice your son rejected is now being given by him to your grandson.
----------
Some people pray for more than they are willing to work for.
----------
One of the most common mistakes is to believe that others know more about the problem than you do.
----------
Parents often talk about the younger generations as if they didn't have anything to do with it.
----------
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Some of our best posts from August 2008
Janine and I have been blogging about homeschooling for almost eight years. If you missed some of our early posts, you have missed some of our best thoughts. Here are some highlights from
August 2008:
An unusual reason for homeschooling - To avoid air pollution.
Janine and I shared Sorta kinda the first day of school and Ramping up for the new school year.
I wrote about how David McCullough got me to read Anna Karenina.
This was one of my favorite videos from August 2008 - I Will Survive- Homeschool Version:
August 2008:
An unusual reason for homeschooling - To avoid air pollution.
Janine and I shared Sorta kinda the first day of school and Ramping up for the new school year.
I wrote about how David McCullough got me to read Anna Karenina.
This was one of my favorite videos from August 2008 - I Will Survive- Homeschool Version:
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thanksgiving Proclamation
As tomorrow will be Thanksgiving I've gathered a few Thanksgiving Proclamations. (Click here to see all the presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations.)
George Washington
John Adams
Ulysses S. Grant
George W Bush
THANKSGIVING DAY 2006
November 16, 2006
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION
As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.
The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.
At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces throughout the generations. Today, many of these courageous men and women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in our prayers.
Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country, where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family, and faith, and may God continue to bless America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
This week we can spend time reading the past proclamations as part of our studies. It is interesting to see how proclamations have changed over the years, as well as how they have stayed the same.
Happy Thanksgiving
George Washington
THANKSGIVING DAY 1789
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks...
John Adams
THANKSGIVING DAY 1798
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES – A PROCLAMATION
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness can not exist nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed; and as this duty, at all times incumbent, is so especially in seasons of difficulty or of danger, when existing or threatening calamities, the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity, are a loud call to repentance and reformation; and as the United States of America are at present placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation by the unfriendly disposition, conduct, and demands of a foreign power, evinced by repeated refusals to receive our messengers of reconciliation and peace, by depredations on our commerce, and the infliction of injuries on very many of our fellow-citizens while engaged in their lawful business on the seas – under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country demands at this time a special attention from its inhabitants....
Ulysses S. Grant
THANKSGIVING DAY 1870
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it behooves a people sensible of their dependence on the Almighty publicly and collectively to acknowledge their gratitude for his favors and mercies and humbly to beseech for their continuance; and
Whereas the people of the United States during the year now about to end have special cause to be thankful for general prosperity, abundant harvests, exemption from pestilence, foreign war, and civil strife :
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, concurring in any similar recommendations from chief magistrates of States, do hereby recommend to all citizens to meet in their respective places of worship on Thursday the 24th day of November next, there to give thanks for the bounty of God during the year about to close and to supplicate for its continuance hereafter.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 21st day of October, A.D. 1870, and of the Independence of the United States of America the ninety-fifth.
U.S. GRANT
George W Bush
THANKSGIVING DAY 2006
November 16, 2006
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION
As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.
The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.
At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces throughout the generations. Today, many of these courageous men and women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in our prayers.
Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country, where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family, and faith, and may God continue to bless America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
This week we can spend time reading the past proclamations as part of our studies. It is interesting to see how proclamations have changed over the years, as well as how they have stayed the same.
Happy Thanksgiving
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - the Geography edition
CT is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at Petticoat Government.
She starts the carnival with:
----------
"I like geography. I like to know where places are."
- Tom Felton (the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies)
We went to Cost Plus World Market last week to get chocolate Advent calendars, and my six-year-old daughter fell in love with and just had to have two globe Christmas tree ornaments. I gave in and bought them for her as a Christmas present because I thoroughly sympathize with her. After all, we did just have her older sister compete in a geography bee. It's neat to look at a globe and think about all the foreign and fascinating places, landscapes, cultures, and peoples represented by each different colored patch.
----------
Enjoy!
She starts the carnival with:
----------
"I like geography. I like to know where places are."
- Tom Felton (the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies)
We went to Cost Plus World Market last week to get chocolate Advent calendars, and my six-year-old daughter fell in love with and just had to have two globe Christmas tree ornaments. I gave in and bought them for her as a Christmas present because I thoroughly sympathize with her. After all, we did just have her older sister compete in a geography bee. It's neat to look at a globe and think about all the foreign and fascinating places, landscapes, cultures, and peoples represented by each different colored patch.
----------
Enjoy!
Life Humor 2.8
From the Henry Cate Life Humor collection:
----------
In a survey taken several years ago, all incoming freshman at MIT were asked if they expected to graduate in the top half of their class. Ninety-seven percent responded that they did.
----------
From Harper's Magazine:
Amount of pizza eaten each day in U.S. (acres): 75
----------
Found on the seal of a bag of bagels:
NEW
IMPROVED
Made the old
fashioned way
----------
On a story about the discovery of a 20-million-year-old bear-dog den:
"Den of Antiquity Uncovered"
----------
Did you hear about the gallant lady in Peru who saved a drowning man from a lake, fell in love and got married before the Inca was dry.
----------
From Robert C. Cumbow's "Pardon Me Roy, and Other Groaners":
A publisher was dismayed at the manuscript for Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." He'd contracted for a children's book, of course, but he was appalled that Stevenson had delivered a volume of poetry. "It'll never sell," said the publisher, and informed Stevenson that he was backing out of the contract. Stevenson, however, gently reminded him that he had no leg to stand on. "After all," said the author, "I never promised you a prose garden."
----------
Sign in a restaurant:
"We reserve the right to serve refuse to anyone."
----------
According to "The Australian," an airliner recently encountered severe vibration in flight. The captain decided to make an emergency landing, and switched on the seat belt sign. The vibration stopped immediately. A passenger emerged from a lavatory and explained that he had been jogging in place inside.
----------
Q: What's the difference between Xerox (Or pick your favorite organization) and the Titanic?
A: The Titanic had a band.
----------
There is no statute of limitations on stupidity
The average nutritional value of promises is roughly zero
----------
Working at a theater box-office ticket window poses many challenges in dealing with people. When a disgruntled customer at a window exclaimed, "No Tickets?" What do you mean NO TICKETS?" the women waiting on him smiled sweetly. "I'm terribly sorry, sir," she replied. "Which word didn't you understand?"
----------
A normally sweet Great Dane, Pail has one quirk: she hates United Parcel Service drivers. While walking Pail one day, around the corner of a house came a UPS man. Struggling to keep hold of Pail, the owner tried to ease the situation said, "As you can see, he just loves UPS men." "Don't you feed her anything else?" he responded.
----------
One student fell into a cycle of classes, studying, working and sleeping, Didn't realize how long he had neglected writing home until he received the following note:
"Dear Son, Your mother and I enjoyed your last letter. Of course, we were much younger then, and more impressionable. Love, Dad."
----------
One women is never happy when she has to wait in line, and people who try to squeeze in front are a special sore point. One day a young man at the supermarket stepped up to her just as she reached the checkouts counter. "Mind if I go ahead?" he asked. "I just have this one can of dog food." "Goodness, no," she roared, "If you're that hungry, go right ahead!"
----------
Guidelines for good writing from a recent Omni article:
-Subject and verb always has to agree.
-Do not use a foreign term when there is an adequate English quid pro quo.
-It behooves the writer to avoid archaic expressions.
-Do not use hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it effectively.
-Avoid cliches like the plague.
-Mixed metaphors are a pain in the neck and should be thrown out the window.
-Placing a comma between subject and predicate, is not correct.
-Parenthetical words however must be enclosed in commas.
-Consult a dictionary frequently to avoid mispelling.
-Don't be redundant.
-Don't repeat yourself or say what you have said before.
-Remember to never split an infinitive.
-The passive voice should not be used.
-Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
-Don't use no double negatives.
-Proofread carefully to see if you have any words out.
-Hopefully, you will use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
-Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
-Avoid colloquial stuff.
-No sentence fragments.
-Remember to finish what
----------
----------
In a survey taken several years ago, all incoming freshman at MIT were asked if they expected to graduate in the top half of their class. Ninety-seven percent responded that they did.
----------
From Harper's Magazine:
Amount of pizza eaten each day in U.S. (acres): 75
----------
Found on the seal of a bag of bagels:
NEW
IMPROVED
Made the old
fashioned way
----------
On a story about the discovery of a 20-million-year-old bear-dog den:
"Den of Antiquity Uncovered"
----------
Did you hear about the gallant lady in Peru who saved a drowning man from a lake, fell in love and got married before the Inca was dry.
----------
From Robert C. Cumbow's "Pardon Me Roy, and Other Groaners":
A publisher was dismayed at the manuscript for Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses." He'd contracted for a children's book, of course, but he was appalled that Stevenson had delivered a volume of poetry. "It'll never sell," said the publisher, and informed Stevenson that he was backing out of the contract. Stevenson, however, gently reminded him that he had no leg to stand on. "After all," said the author, "I never promised you a prose garden."
----------
Sign in a restaurant:
"We reserve the right to serve refuse to anyone."
----------
According to "The Australian," an airliner recently encountered severe vibration in flight. The captain decided to make an emergency landing, and switched on the seat belt sign. The vibration stopped immediately. A passenger emerged from a lavatory and explained that he had been jogging in place inside.
----------
Q: What's the difference between Xerox (Or pick your favorite organization) and the Titanic?
A: The Titanic had a band.
----------
There is no statute of limitations on stupidity
The average nutritional value of promises is roughly zero
----------
Working at a theater box-office ticket window poses many challenges in dealing with people. When a disgruntled customer at a window exclaimed, "No Tickets?" What do you mean NO TICKETS?" the women waiting on him smiled sweetly. "I'm terribly sorry, sir," she replied. "Which word didn't you understand?"
----------
A normally sweet Great Dane, Pail has one quirk: she hates United Parcel Service drivers. While walking Pail one day, around the corner of a house came a UPS man. Struggling to keep hold of Pail, the owner tried to ease the situation said, "As you can see, he just loves UPS men." "Don't you feed her anything else?" he responded.
----------
One student fell into a cycle of classes, studying, working and sleeping, Didn't realize how long he had neglected writing home until he received the following note:
"Dear Son, Your mother and I enjoyed your last letter. Of course, we were much younger then, and more impressionable. Love, Dad."
----------
One women is never happy when she has to wait in line, and people who try to squeeze in front are a special sore point. One day a young man at the supermarket stepped up to her just as she reached the checkouts counter. "Mind if I go ahead?" he asked. "I just have this one can of dog food." "Goodness, no," she roared, "If you're that hungry, go right ahead!"
----------
Guidelines for good writing from a recent Omni article:
-Subject and verb always has to agree.
-Do not use a foreign term when there is an adequate English quid pro quo.
-It behooves the writer to avoid archaic expressions.
-Do not use hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it effectively.
-Avoid cliches like the plague.
-Mixed metaphors are a pain in the neck and should be thrown out the window.
-Placing a comma between subject and predicate, is not correct.
-Parenthetical words however must be enclosed in commas.
-Consult a dictionary frequently to avoid mispelling.
-Don't be redundant.
-Don't repeat yourself or say what you have said before.
-Remember to never split an infinitive.
-The passive voice should not be used.
-Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
-Don't use no double negatives.
-Proofread carefully to see if you have any words out.
-Hopefully, you will use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
-Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
-Avoid colloquial stuff.
-No sentence fragments.
-Remember to finish what
----------
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Some of our best posts from July 2008
Janine and I have been blogging about homeschooling for almost eight years. If you missed some of our early posts, you have missed some of our best thoughts. Here are some highlights from July 2008:
Often when trying hard things, like homeschooling, we may not realize You get a parachute.
It is important to Teach your children to pass the marshmallow test.
Many people Rush to fix education, without understanding why it is broken.
This is one of the first times Janine wrote about Baby Bop who we later adopted.
This is still fun - Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles
Often when trying hard things, like homeschooling, we may not realize You get a parachute.
It is important to Teach your children to pass the marshmallow test.
Many people Rush to fix education, without understanding why it is broken.
This is one of the first times Janine wrote about Baby Bop who we later adopted.
This is still fun - Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles
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