Homeschooling Is Fun!

Tomato seeds & Tomatosphere

2008-03-18T16:12:00.001-04:00

Hubby sent me this site to show my kids before we start our Tomatosphere tomatoes this weekend.

If you haven't signed up for Tomatosphere 2008 yet there is still time.

Tomatosphere

Meg

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jason Grooms
Date: Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Subject: Tomoto Seed Suggestions
To: Meg

Here is a cool site that even has some graphics about starting tomato seeds. thought maybe you could use the graphics in their school report.

http://www.kdcomm.net/~tomato/Tomato/start.html

J

Math is Fun - Maths Resources

2008-02-13T12:01:00.000-05:00

Math is Fun - Maths Resources - This is a realllly neat website with step-by-step directions for solving math problems.

Inside the Human Body - The Respiratory (health, anatomy, printables, worksheets)

2008-02-12T13:58:00.000-05:00

Inside the Human Body - The Respiratory System

Nifty health site with lesson plans and printables, divided according to grade level.

New Freebies Site

2008-02-12T13:20:00.000-05:00

I just started a freebies blog at Mama's Freebies.

I was spending so much time sharing the freebies I find via email, I figured it'll be more time-effective to just do it this way!

You'll find lots of good homeschooling freebies too (today there is a link to free historical figure bookmarks!)

Go visit and get yourself some freebies!

How to Create a Unit Study

2007-11-26T11:58:00.000-05:00

How to Create a Homeschool Unit Study

Unit studies are fantastic methods of instruction. The premise of a unit study is to incorporate one theme or idea throughout all instruction for a certain period of time. Unit studies are popular in families with multiple children as they allow the parent to teach to the entire brood of children at once while still providing individual instruction as needed.

The first step in creating a unit study is determining the length of time the study is to go on. Studies can last anywhere from a few days to several months, perhaps even an entire school year. When possible allow some flexibility in the schedule, this will allow you to continue a particularly fascinating unit and cut short one that isn’t as appreciated.

The next step in creating a unit study is to pick a topic. Begin by asking your children what they would like to learn about and go from there. Hold a vote if one topic can’t be decided upon, or perhaps focus your unit study on the democratic process! You can be as broad or specific in your topic as you wish, depending on the amount of time you wish to spend on the study. For short studies you may wish to narrow the topic down to something specific, for example, instead of studying explorers you may wish to only study Lewis & Clark.

Assigning subjects is a very important part of the unit study creation! Reading and art seem to lend themselves well to unit studies, but how will you incorporate math, spelling, language arts and history? A lot of parents decide to outsource math, to continue with a curriculum outside of the unit study. Spelling activities can be derived from the reading assignments. Language arts can be outsourced or you can provide copywork and narration from the unit study. Researching the history of the topic can be an assignment.

Decide upon one major project that will be the focus of the unit study. A study on a world culture can end in a festival complete with food and costumes. A study on cooking methods can end in a picnic. A study on oceans can end in a field trip to the ocean or an aquarium, you get the idea.

You have your topic, you have your assignments…now what? You need to find resources! You can purchase complete unit studies inexpensively, but expect to lose the customization, which is one of the major perks of the unit study style. When creating your own unit study look to the internet first and the library second. Expect to spend a lot of time, perhaps an entire week or more, locating resources, borrowing books (allow more time if you are borrowing from the library), purchasing supplies for your project, etc.

Once you have begun your unit study you will have to keep records somehow. Some parents continue record keeping in their usual manner. Journaling is an easy way to keep records when you use unit studies. Some parents create a checklist of things to be accomplished and write the date next to each item as it is completed. Some parents prefer to keep unique records for each unit study. You can find planner templates on the internet that may help in your record keeping.

If you have children of different ages and abilities you will want to tailor your unit study to accommodate all of your students. You can have an older child read book selections aloud to younger children. Younger children can participate in most aspects of unit studies with just a little more help from a sibling or parent. There is no need to “dumb down” the resources for smaller children as children are capable of understanding concepts much higher than their reading level. Simply help your younger children along as needed.

Unit studies are economical, entertaining, time-smart and fun!

Original article here

Anthony & the Magic Picture Frame Book Review

2007-11-15T09:10:00.000-05:00

Relating modern-era history to children often prove to be be a challenge. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, written by Michael S. Class, attempts to fill this void by bringing the child into history, literally.

Anthony is you average twelve year old boy, with one difference, Anthony has a macgi picture frame. Anthony’s picture frame allows him to step back in time and witness history first-hand. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame is a narrative journal of Anthony’s activities and provides detailed descriptions of what he saw, heard and lived through.

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame brings history to life for middle-years and older children. Wonderfully illustrated with archival photographs your child can see and read about important events and how these events shape our lives today. The photographs and brilliantly altered to include Anthony, in period garb, right in the middle of the action. Be warned, however, that many of these photographs are graphic. The photographs are real and are well-used but they are made so much more real by the presence of this little boy in each of them, sometimes in the middle of a battlefield. If you have a highly sensitive child you may wish to save this book for when they are of an age to see children in distressing situations.

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame has a place in the library of all Americans who want to give their children an accurate and detailed education in current-era American history. Best suited for children twelve and older, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame will provide years worth of lessons or serve as a fantastic stand-alone resource.

Homeschooling the Preschool Years

2007-11-13T13:20:00.001-05:00

Homeschooling is natural in a family with young children, even if the family doesn’t consider itself among the homeschooling ranks. The preschool-aged child is so full of curiosity one can’t help but teach them.

What is necessary when it comes to teaching a preschooler? The answer isn’t boxed curriculum and school schedules, it’s open-ended toys, natural socialization and conversation!

A well-rounded preschool education consists of the following:

Natural socialization is the gradual and safe introduction of your child into the world, and playgroups aren’t necessary. Take your child to the playground and watch them make friends (they may not make friends every time but they will see children at play, which is just as important), take them to the grocery store and the post office. Bringing your children on errands with you helps your child see the world around them and will teach them social skills in a safe and real setting. The world isn’t made of homogenous groups and there is no reason to isolate your child to children of only their age.

Open-ended toys are toys that inspire story-telling, imagination, creativity and relationships. Toy kitchens and workshops, doll houses, puppets and toy animals, colorful board games, dolls of many types and kid versions of “real” grown-up items are excellent choices. Encourage your child to tell stories using their toys, explore occupations and express their feelings using these items.

Creative materials provide hours of entertainment and education. Some items to keep handy are paints, crayons and markers (washable!). Provide access to many types of papers, including wrapping, junk mail, newsprint and construction. A well-stocked craft cabinet may also have glue, glitter glue, chalk, safety scissors, tape, paper bags, clay, beads, yard, boxes, plaster of Paris, and paper plates. Your child’s creativity will soar with access to very simple things that you most likely already have.

Books are the backbone of any homeschooling program. Board books, touch and feel books and story books are only the start! Help your child create an “All About Me” book. When choosing books don’t skip over books that they cannot read on their own, pick a few books they will understand when you read aloud.

Electronics are another way children love to learn. If you chose to allow your child access to electronics there are many products out there designed specifically for small hands. Educational videos are great, the LeapFrog DVDs are among our favorites. Computer software such as JumpStart and Reader Rabbit will provide hours of fun. Gaming systems such as the V-Smile and Leapster can reinforce concepts taught at home.

Unusual manipulatives can be used to teach math, even advanced math! Candy or cereal pieces are a favorite, as are canned goods, real or play money, silverware and dishes, building blocks, paperclips and twist ties. Egg cartons can be fashioned into fun math games in only a few minutes.

Science becomes every day learning through the use of bug vacuums and bug jars, magnifying glasses and simple telescopes and microscopes. Your kitchen and items you already have on hand can provide an entire science curriculum for even older children. The book series “Mudpies to Magnets” is a wonderful resource for teaching science to children under the age of 6.

More Resources:
Egg Carton Math & other games
Bubble Fun
V-Smile Review

Retailers that offer homeschool discounts

2007-11-13T13:19:00.003-05:00

Following is a list of retailers that extend an eduator discount to homeschooling families. Please note that most retailers expect to see proof of homeschooling, which usually means a copy of a previous evaluation or a group membership card. You can even make a school identification card for your family. Each retailer is different, however, call first to get the details. Not all stores in all locations will offer the discount, again, call ahead if there is any question.

You may find that retailers not listed here will provide a discount if you ask. You may also find that local art venues offer discounts, local craft and hobby stores as well as museums. Be prepared to show proper identification, proof of homeschooling, and note that you may be asked to provide further information. Discounts will vary by retailer and location.

Be aware that the sales clerk may not see a product as educational. If this happens, ask to speak with a manager if the products truly are for your child’s education. Plainly, if you are buying a new romance novel, don’t expect the clerk to believe you are buying it for a literature lesson.

Apple
4-15%, limited amount of products per year offered at discount

Barnes & Noble (in-store only, apply for discount card)
10-20% depending on media

Borders Book Store (in-store only, apply for discount card)
10-20%, occasional educator-only special sales

B. Dalton Book Store (in-store only, apply for discount card)
10-20%

Books-A-Million (in-store only, apply for discount card)
10% (if you buy frequently from BAM the frequent reader card may be of more advantage. There is an annual fee for the card but it gives you 10% off everything, including the cafe, and the discount is taken off clearance/sale items & books as well. The educator card is only good on certain items and does not apply to sale/clearance books)

Book Warehouse/The Book Market/Foozles
15%

Dell Computers
2 - 12%, limited amount of products per year

Hollywood Video
Free video rental for classroom use (with limitations)

Blockbuster Video
Free video rental for classroom use (with limitations)

Microsoft
10-40%, only good on academic versions of certain software titles

Wal-Mart - fabric department only
10% off fabric and sewing notions for home economic purchases
(While I have heard from people who assert this discount is real, I have been told by Wal-Mart managers that it does not exist)

Staples
Offers an educational rebate program, 10%-20% of every $100 in purchases

Office Max
MaxPerks program offers cash rebates for in-store and online purchases, up to $500 refunded per year. You can earn more refunds by recycling your computer peripherals and used ink cartridges.

Half Price Books
10%, apply for discount card, in-store only. Stores only available in a handful of states.

Fed-Ex/Kinkos
20% off with educator discount card, in-store and Print on Demand

Michael’s Craft Stores
10%

Hancock Fabrics
10% with educator discount card

Walden Books, in-store only, apply for educator card
10-20%

Discovery Channel Store - 15% with proof of hoemschooling
There are restrictions as to what merchandise qualifies, high-ticket items may not qualify.

Hastings Entertainment
20%

Original article

Thanksgiving Co-op Lesson Plan

2007-11-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

One of the local groups I am involved with called upon me to organize a co-op a few Novembers ago. After contemplating several ideas I decided to go with a Thanksgiving theme. My major difficulty was keeping it fun for the smaller kids, while being as historically accurate as possible given our time and monetary restrains. The co-op was to be held outside so I decided upon a game day.

This co-op was designed for the younger portion of our support group, the kids aged 3 - 7 years. With a little creativity you can easily adapt this for older children. This co-op is designed to be offered at very little cost. In our case the parents are only asked to bring in a few supplies, with no participation fee.

Book Reading - Visit your library now to find the best Thanksgiving books. If by chance they don't you can put one on reserve or, swipe a story from the internet and go to town. The book "If You Were At The First Thanksgiving" is the book I went with, having a child read a portion of it before the activi

Activity #1 - We will discuss one basic need for survival - food. The children will be asked in question-and-answer form about what they think the Pilgrims and Native Americans ate, how they found food, etc. The children will then be given the chance to fish.

Before the co-op make a fishing pole or two our of a fallen oak branch (obviously light enough for a child to manage), a string and a magnet "hook". Cut fish out of tagboard or construction paper and attach a paperclip to it.

Activity #2 - We will then discuss how the fish were used not only for eating, but for planting. The children will tear the fish into pieces and plant it with a seed of corn. You can choose to use fish emulsion to actually fertilize the seed, it smells like fish but is already prepared. Fish emulsion is available at garden stores int he organics section for a few dollars.

Activity #3 - Water Race Game. The children will be split into teams and given several plastic containers filled with water. The teams will then race from one side of the yard to the other in order to water their corn crops. The first child in the team carries a bottle to the other side, then the next child, then the next, etc. Another option is to have the children form a human chain to pass the water bottles along from one side of the yard (the river) to the other (the crop). If you live in a warm climate you can opt to use buckets instead of plastic containers. Reinforce that the Native Americans didn't use plastic containers.

Activity #4 - Crows Vs. Crops. All that work planting, fertilizing, and watering, only to have your crop destroyed by birds!!! Split the children into two teams - the Crows and the Crops. Each “crop” gets an ear of dried corn, placed in a pants or shirt pocket. The “crows” represent the various pests that infiltrated the crops. The teams stand on opposite sides of the yard facing each other. When you yell “go” the teams run around the yard. The crows try to take the corn from the crops - gently! When you say "stop" everyone returns to their originating point and the corn ears are tallied. The group with the most wins. Play several games and see who ate the best that season!

Activity #5 - drum making & harvest dance. The harvest is in and it's time to party! Use containers, glue, construction paper, dry beans, and various decorations to fashion drums. Play Native American music as the basis for your drumming. Encourage the kids to dance to celebrate all their hard work!

original article

Finding a Homeschool-Friendly Tutor

2007-10-16T14:19:00.001-04:00

Tutors are one of the many tools resourceful homeschooling parents may use during their home education journey. Tutors can be used to prepare a child for a standardized test, to give the child extra work in a certain area or to provide remedial instruction in an area the child has trouble with.

The decision to use a tutor isn’t made lightly and care needs to be taken in choosing the right tutor. It is imperative that parents find a tutor who is not only supportive of homeschooling, understands homeschooling law and understands the needs of the homeschooling family.

When interviewing potential tutors look for these key points:

-The tutor is willing to meet and speak with the child to get a feel for their learning style and attitude and they will acknowledge if the match isn’t right. Each child learns differently and learning styles can be better accomodated in a one-on-one setting, your child's tutor should embrace your child's unique style.

-The tutor should be less concerned with public school grade level expectations and use reinforcement and elevation of the child’s current level as a goal.

-The tutor is open to taking instructional direction from the parent when it comes to curriculum choice, learning style and the amount of work sent home for completion.

-The tutor doesn’t promise to “cure” a child’s learning issues.

Finding a tutor you and your child are comfortable with is essential. Commercial tutoring centers abound and are helpful, but they are expensive and often require long-term contracts, they have an institutional atmosphere and are usually not as interested in creating individual programs as a private tutor.

Many retired and substitute teachers offer tutoring at a fraction of the cost commercial tutoring centers charge. Ask your local homeschool support group and homeschooling friends for recommendations. If you live near a university look for undergrad and graduate students looking to supplement their income and education. Don’t overlook retired professionals and stay-at-home mothers.

Tutors can be a very useful tool and can add variety to your homeschooling life. Follow the tips outlined above and find the right tutor for your family!

Original Article

How to Ace the SAT Without Losing Your Cool

2007-10-08T16:17:00.000-04:00

Michele LoBosco & Jacqueline LoBosco, Ph.D.
ISBN 978-0-6151-4592-1

A lot has changed since I was a teen preparing for university life. One thing, however, hasn’t changed: the anxiety surrounding admission testing. In my day you were lucky to find a sole preparation course within fifty miles of your home. Studying for the test was generally something you either didn’t do or you were left to buy poorly-written and confusing exam preparation books in an attempt to be better prepared than the student sitting at the desk next to you. Today students begin studying for the SAT months, even years, before sitting down to the test. Resources haven’t changed a lot with the times, most preparation courses and books still seem to be confusing and may cause your child’s stress level to rise rather than cause them to gain confidence. Unfortunately, preparing for the SAT exam is often as stressful as the test itself but How to Act the SAT shows students that it doesn’t have to be.

How to Ace the SAT is perhaps the only SAT preparation course your student will need. This book is wonderfully simple, a very welcome change to the world of SAT preparation. How to Ace the SAT begins by explaining to the reader how the SAT works and instructing the student in how to read and interpret each question on the exam. Teaching students how to take this particular exam is a key factor in earning a higher score but it is often overlooked. How to Ace the SAT fills this void while instilling confidence in the student.

How to Ace the SAT is presented in a friendly and approachable manner. The book is divided into separate chapters for each subject. Each chapter is further divided into two or three sections consistent throughout the entire book. The consistency of this book is exactly what makes it appealing and accessible to students and is that “something” that other books miss.
Section one, “Know your Opponent”, lets the student know exactly what to expect on the exam, giving typical wording of questions, teaching readers how to recognize the audience and so on. Section two, “Know Your Strategies” arms the student with proven steps to ensure performance on each task. Section three, “Practice”, presents the student with real SAT questions to work through.

How to Ace the SAT Without Losing Your Cool” is a must-have for all students. I firmly believe that this book should comprise a large part of the curriculum used in the year leading to the test.

Read About & Buy This Book At Amazon

original article

The First year of Homeschooling

2007-10-02T11:32:00.000-04:00

When experienced homeschooling families are asked which year is the most difficult, parents and children often answer alike - the first year! Why is the first year so difficult? How can one be best prepared to face the challenges of first-year homeschooling?

When a family decides to homeschool they are often faced with the uncertainties of extended family, neighbors, and even strangers. To make their situation even more difficult, these families are often bucking the only system they know, the institution of public education. It is very hard to convince the skeptics that government schools aren’t the right choice for every family, so don’t try. When faced with questions such as “Why aren’t your kids in school?” or comments like “Kids need to socialize”, have a concise, polite, and unchallenging answer prepared. It’s very tempting to fire back sarcastically, but life is much easier if you hold your tongue. When you meet a person unfamiliar with homeschooling, remember that like it or not, you and your children are representing the movement as a whole.

One of the first areas of confusion will be in the area of curricula. What should I teach when? How do I teach this subject? Where do I find the resources? The very first thing you want to do is to get your hands on a good (the operative word here is good) scope and sequence. You can find various S&S through the internet, books, and even your local school district. Obtain an S&S for your child’s previous, current, and future grade levels. Compare them to your child’s current knowledge base and go from there.

Below I have listed some additional techniques to help prepare yourself for your first year!

-It is never too early to start your research, even if your children are infants.
-Research learning styles through books and the internet. Learn how to tailor your teaching style to meet your child’s needs.
-Always preview curricula before buying. Don’t be afraid to shelf what doesn’t work so well for your family.
-Don’t try to compare yourself or your children to other families. Be yourself and let your children learn at their own pace. Never force your children or you risk squashing their motivation and drive.
-Schedule time off every few weeks.
-Don’t over-educationalize every activity. Sometime it’s fun to go to the zoo just to go to the zoo.
-Remember that you are more than a parent and educator. Maintain your own identity and foster your own interests.
-Don’t be so ambitious that you overlook the small things.
-Don’t get caught-up with grade level designations. Let your children blossom naturally.
-Most importantly, have fun and enjoy watching your children grow.

original article

Special Needs Homeschooling

2007-09-14T13:00:00.000-04:00

Every single child in this world is different and has different educational needs. Parents who have children with special education needs face unique challenges, I happen to have two special needs children who are homeschooled. The good news is that homeschooling your special needs child is often the best situation for the child and your child doesn't have to give up school-funded therapies in order to homeschool, and it doesn't have to hurt your wallet. The hard work of homeschooling a special needs child is twice as rewarding.

Most states allow children to be evaluated for special programs at the public school, including students who do the bulk of their learning outside of a traditional school. Homeschooled children in most states are eligible to receive free speech therapy, autism support, occupational therapy, gifted education and other programs through their locally zoned public school. Your child will attend school for these programs only, they do not need to be enrolled full-time. Using this option is generally the least expensive and most convenient for a family, however family participation isn't always encouraged and you may find yourself fighting to stay informed of your child's status. You may also feel pressure from the school to enroll your child full-time. If this happens remember that they are speaking from a numbers and funding standpoint, schools garner three times as much funding for special education students as they do "normal" students. Your local school district will have all of the information you need to have your child evaluated and you generally do not have to have a prior evaluation or referral from a doctor. The school has a legal obligation to provide these services to your child regardless of where you child is educated. If you find the program just isn't working out you are free to remove your child at any time to seek services elsewhere.

Most states also offer early intervention programs for children identified before the age of 5 as having special needs. In some states these programs work hand-in-hand with the local schools, but since all are publicly funded they are open to ALL children who qualify. Evaluations, programs and therapies will be provided at no cost, and many can be performed in your home. A quick call to your state's Department of Health should gain you all the information you need to get your child evaluated.

Parents who have private medical insurance might be surprised at what they will pay for. Many top-tier insurance plans now cover speech therapy, hearing aids, physcial therapy, psychological care, occupational therapy and many other therapies and programs your child can benefit from. There are hoops that you will have to jump through and you will most likely need the referral of a physcian. This is a wonderful alternative for those who are unable to take their children to a school for these services or who want to try to keep everything in-house and under the radar. While this option is not free, it is desirable for those in the position to pay for therapy and who want the government school system involved as little as possible. If your family participates in a state-funded insurance program you are eligible for these services through your state Department of Health at no cost in most cases, when your child reaches compulsory school attendance age you will be referred to the local school district for most services. If you do not have insurance most hospitals that offer these services have a sliding scale, some have limited amounts of state funding to cover the costs of low income and uninsured children.

There are alternative service locations available if you know where to look. In many communities tutoring for all ages is offered for free or low cost at senior centers, community centers, churches and church schools, the YMCA and other community clubs, community colleges and universities. Many private and church schools have programs for special needs children at a reducecd cost, including autism support programs several days a week.

While homeschooling a special needs child takes more effort than homeschooling a child who doesn't need these services, you are your child's best advocate and you have the ultimate choice of where and how their education will take place.

Your child doesn't need to go to school in order to receive the services they need. It is your job as parent to ensure your children get the best possible education, and for most special needs students traditional school isn't the best option, and it is certainly not the only option.

Arm yourself with information and surround yourself with people who care and can support you. Locate a support group geared for parents of special eduation children who are homeschooled, research the internet, talk to professionals and make a sound decision based on your information and child.

Original Article

Homeschooling is For Everyone!

2007-09-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

Despite recent favorable news articles from national syndicates the belief that homeschoolers encompass two categories persists. There is a perception among the nation that homeschoolers fall into one of two categories, ultra-conservative Christian or anti-government. There is no doubt that conservative Christians make up a large segment of the homeschooling population, and there are those who are anti-government in the mix, but the reality today is that homeschoolers cross all borders of religion, political beliefs and ethnicity.

Who Homeschools?

Christian, Non-Christian and Atheistic families
Homeschooling is often seen as a Christian movement. This perception has been heightened in recent years with the leaders of some Christian sects calling for the removal of Christian students form public schools.

The early years of homeschooling in the United States was a movement to bring children out of school due to lack of religious instruction, for the most part. There were plenty of families who kept their children home for other reasons, but those people tended to stay "under the radar". The people who were jailed 20 years ago, the people magazines and television producers focused on, the people who were the most outspoken in those years were primarily Christian.

It's difficult to give an exact number of Christian homeschoolers versus non-Christian and atheistic homeschoolers, but I would wager the number is fairly even. Just five years ago it was difficult to find inclusive support groups that didn't force you to sign a statement of faith. In most cities today the number of inclusive or secular support groups has increased tremendously.

There are many different reasons why a family makes the decision to homeschool and more and more often religion is not the main reason. Now that homeschooling is mainstream, the reasons families opt to homeschool today are different than the reasons families chose twenty or thirty years ago.

According to the National Home Education Research Institute (www.NHERI.org), the most common reasons for homeschooling are "teaching specific philosophical or religious values, controlling social interactions, developing close families, and high level academics..."

Please see my article The Decision To Homeschool for a list of reasons families chose to homeschool today.

Diversity is something anti-homeschooling advocates claim homeschoolers aren't taught, but homeschooling in itself is extremely diverse!

Married couples, Single Parents and Same-Sex Couples
It is true that the statistics show that most homeschooling families are made of a dad who works full-time, a mother who stays home and perhaps a few more children than the American average. This does not mean, however, that single parents and same-sex couples do not homeschool. Everyday more and more parents of all types are making the decision to keep their children home. While these non-traditional situations may present more of an issue in the matter of logistics, it can (and is!) being done successfully, and in increasing numbers. These numbers will continue to grow with the growing divorce rate and as states continue to pass laws granting same-sex couples the right to adopt (of course there are no laws against same-sex parents homeschooling biological children!)

Google the terms “single parent homeschool” and “same-sex parent homeschool” and you will find a plethora of support and opinions, use what you can and toss the rest.

Caucasians, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Oh My!
When it comes to statistics the most recent set show that the dwindling majority of homeschooling families are caucasian. Historically the Caucasian population has been in a higher income bracket than other races, making homeschooling a more practical decision. The tides are changing, however, as more minority families decide to keep their children away from schools and as homeschooling becomes more mainstream and less expensive. There is a huge support network for parents that fall into the non-Caucasian mold. This further demonstrates how truly diverse homeschooling really is!

The Wealthy, The Middle, The Poor
For years the majority of homeschooling families fit into the middle income bracket. In the past the wealthy relied on private schools and the poor had no choice but to send their children to public school. No longer is income as much of an issue, due in part to the popularity of homeschooling, the abiliity to find curriculum used and the avent of online charter schools. Today many super wealthy celebrities have chosen home education for their families, as have a good part of the below poverty-level income families. There are ways to work around every situation, which is why a good support system is so needed.

Homeschooling is for every family make-up. You do not have to be Christian to homeschool, you do not have to be white, straight, married or wealthy either. What you need to be is motivated and confident! If you are making the decision to educate your children at home, you are not alone. For help finding a support group that fits you needs, please refer to Homeschooling By Location or feel free to email me through my bio page and I will be glad to help you find support in your area!

*link to original article*

Master Educational Links Updated

2007-09-05T15:40:00.000-04:00

I am going through the process of adding a couple hundred cool, fun and educational sites to my master list.

You can access the list here

If you'd rather cut and paste a link it's:

http://www.backflip.com/members/badhomeschoolmom

I am adding several new sites per day until I get through my ever-growing list.

Enjoy!

Creating a Homeschool Portfolio

2007-09-05T09:21:00.000-04:00

Journaling provides not only a record of studies for evaluation purposes, it also provides a family record that will be valued for many years. It can’t be simpler, and it only takes a few minutes per day.

organization, homeschool, family, homeschooling, home education, education, home school, school, home, home-school, home-education

Sticking to a routine helps even the most organizationally challenged persons (“OCP”) among us get things finished. I confess, I am a time-tested “OCP”! I have managed to muddle my way through life with little problem as I am compulsively early for appointments, however, my OCP tendencies made homeschooling a nightmare!

Half-way through my first year of homeschooling my oldest daughter I realized that things just weren’t getting done. We were three months out from our annual evaluation and I knew I had to do something! It took me a lot of trial-and-error, and a lot of notebooks, but I managed to devise a system that works quite well in my household. I knew that for us to stick to a schedule it had to be flexible and it had to leave a lot of free time. It had to include at least one day per week that was designated as mom’s work and errand day.

This is how I made it work…

I call this method the “Tick-the-day-away” method. The first thing you need to do is buy a large spiral-bound notebook with at least 3 divisions. One notebook lasts us approximately 3 months per child.

Sit down and list all the subjects you plan on teaching your children. Break larger subjects into smaller subjects as necessary.

Next to each subject note the amount of time - either per lesson, day, or week - you plan to study each. Take into consideration your child’s attention span and tolerance for each academic area.

On another piece of paper list the seven days of the week. Mark any recurring plans under the appropriate day (church on Sunday, PE on Tuesday, etc.) You may find that scheduling one day for make-up work or running errands helpful.

Now assign each subject to a day. This system works quite well in households that have multiple children studying the same material. You can assign the more complex and multi-faceted subjects to multiple days if you like. You may find that you want to assign a time frame for each subject, and that works fine for some families, but not mine. What you schedule on each day & how you schedule it is completely up to you!

As an example, this is the schedule we use with our first-grader:

Monday - math, read-aloud, phonics, Spanish, science, creative writing
Tuesday - Errand Day/make-up work/support group day
Wednesday - math, read-aloud, phonics, social studies, health, music
Thursday - errands/make-up work/
Friday - Math, read-aloud, phonics, handwriting, art

This is the part where the notebook you purchased comes in. Section number one is for your planning and calendar. Transfer the daily schedule into the front cover of your notebook. Section one is where you write down the plans on a particular day. You can write this down diary-style as it’s only a plan, be as detailed as you want. Use this section to document conversations with school officials and when important papers are sent as well.

Section two is where you record the “meat” of your child’s educational endeavors, where you write down every aspect of your child’s day. Begin by writing the date on the top of a fresh sheet of paper, I like to make a box around the date to help it stand out. Underneath the date write each subject you plan to study, underline it and leave plenty of room for journaling. As your child completes their work, write it beside the appropriate heading. Don’t be afraid to document the spontaneous activities, adding subjects if needed. Also, know that it’s perfectly fine to list an activity under several headings. At the end of the day write all undone subjects into the first make-up day available. To supplement the journal, pictures and brochures are easily pasted to blank pages.

Here is an excerpt from an entry in my first-graders journal:

Math - addition practice sheet, 12 problems. Self-corrected.
Mexico Unit Study - watched “Families of Mexico” video. Discussed diet of rural Mexican families.
Health - discussed posture and the importance of a balanced diet. Discussed diet of rural Mexican families.

Section three is all yours. Here you will record your thoughts, goals, obstacles, accomplishments. If you don’t wish to have your child or the evaluator seeing these entries they are easily removed. Upon removal simply staple and file.

Journaling provides not only a record of studies for evaluation purposes, it also provides a family record that will be valued for many years. It can’t be simpler, and it only takes a few minutes per day.

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Homeschooling & Socialization

2007-09-05T09:20:00.000-04:00

There is one word that every homeschooling parent fears. The mere mention of this word is enough to send chills through their body as they gasp for a breath of air. It’s so terrifying a word that homeschoolers cannot bear to mutter it, referring to it only as “the S word”…

SOCIALIZATION

“What about socialization?”
“Aren’t you concerned about their socialization?”
“But how will they learn to socialize?”

When a parent announces that they have decided to homeschool it seems the first concern on the mind of everyone told is socialization. “How will they learn to get along with others?” Socialization, however, is the primary reason parents are choosing in larger numbers than ever to homeschool. To put it bluntly, parents choosing to homeschool are parents choosing not to expose their children to the negative influences of modern-day schools and the lack of supervision that comes along. With today’s terrifying rate of childhood drug addiction and alcoholism, school violence, childhood depression, and teenage pregnancy can you really blame them?

The American Heritage Dictionary (1987 Second College Edition) defines “socialize” as “To place under public ownership or control.” If that’s the purpose of today’s school, no thank you! It’s a known psychological fact that people who are exposed to violence day after day become jaded; they begin to accept this violence as normal. This is not what most parents want for their children, yet our children are being forced to live it in the one place outside of their home that should be safe, their school.

From another perspective: Where is there anything naturally social in forcing thirty eight year olds to sit in neat, alphabetical rows? What about requiring students to raise their hands to speak, not to mention asking permission to visit the restroom. This is the “real world” homeschoolers are said to be shielding their children from?

Most skeptics who befriend a homeschooling family soon find out that home is rarely where you will find them, at least not for very long. I know that certainly was the case when I was introduced to a homeschooling family while still a teenager. Homeschoolers are at the doctor’s office, the post office, and talking about the weather to the grocery bagger. We’re learning while serving at the nursing home and the food bank. We’re shadowing reporters and butchers. We’re babysitting toddlers, leading tours at the science center, and practicing new piano scales. We’re interacting with hundreds of different people every day, each with a different view, faith, ethnicity…life.

Which child is truly in the real world? Which is receiving the socially-appropriate interaction?

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Multiplication Wrap-Ups Review

2007-09-05T09:12:00.000-04:00

remember learning multiplication tables in school, more specifically I remember the pain caused by attempting to memorize the tables. I have always been good at memorizing but not so great at multiplication. Though I managed my way through high school and college with this modicum of knowledge I was committed to making learning multiplication facts easier for my children. I wasn't so successful at first, until we happened across the 10 Days to Multiplication Mastery by Learning Wrap-Ups.

A Wrap-Up is an ingenious key shaped piece of pastic with an attached string. Each key represents one factor, such as "times 1". The multipliers are listed down the left side of the key and the answers on the right. Place the red string next to the multiplier, do the problem in your head, and wrap the string around to the answer. When you finish the key flip it over and check if the string pattern matches the etched pattern. If the strings and etches line up you correctly finished the key and can move on to the next one.

The teacher's guide that comes with the 10 Days kit isn't cumbersome, rather it is very valuable. Inside you will find simple lesson plans for 10 days worth of lessons, a reproducible chart for keeping track of your child's progress and ideas to further facilitate memorization of facts in a simple and non-threatening way. I'm a parent who often shys away from teacher's guides with lesson plans as I feel they often progress in a way that isn't in tune with my indivdual child, however the teachers guide in this kit does not fall into that category. The book promises 10 days to faster multiplication fact recall, and if you follow the lessons you will see nothing less than promised.

Learning Wrap-Ups are a lot of fun and especially effective for the child who must do and see in order to learn. Wrap-Ups are the perfect manipulative for the fidgety child. Wrap-Ups have the bonus of being inexpensive, durable and easy to carry around for practice away from home.

Wrap-Ups are available in several packages to meet every budget. For as little as $6 or so you can purchase one set of Wrap-Ups in a variety of subjects. Wrap-Ups cover subjects such as math, history and language. You can buy a more involved kit which includes one Wrap-Up set and a teaching guide for approximately $10. For a few dollars more you can buy the deluxe kits which include one set of Wrap-Ups, a teacher's guide and an audio CD (the CDs are also sold alone.)

Wrap-Ups are definately a product I feel is worth the cost, and I highly suggest purchasing the kit with a teacher's guide. Wrap-Ups are fun and portable, allowing your child to learn in the way they like best when they are ready, and they aren't tied down to a text book.

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