First college application submitted

We have talked to a lot of admissions counselors, but done nothing on paper until today.  We just submitted the SCAD application online... too bad the application fee waiver coupon they gave didn't work. No worries though, it was only $35.00. 

SCAD strongly suggested my son apply NOW, almost 2 full years before he is to enroll... strange, but if that's what they want, that is what they get.  We will be contacted by a dedicated admissions counselor soon to continue the process... this was just the initial form.

We also need to submit a special application in the spring for their Rising Stars program.


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The ingorance surrounding homeschooling

I mentioned yesterday, the Today Show Online article on homeschooling.  http://nfahm.blogspot.com/2010/09/there-are-home-school-parents-who-are.html

I said I woud go back and read the comments, and I did.... at least a quarter of them anyway.  It has left me exhausted.

It's not that I knew it existed, but the inorance around homeschooling continues to astound me.

• There were the verbal bullies who wanted to state just how backwards and

Carnival of Homeschooling: School Rooms and the Places we learn

This carnival is a visual guide on how to set up a homeschool area, and demonstrates the creativity and flexibility around creating a workspace.....  and there's lots of blog posts from homeschoolers too. 


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There are home-school parents who are knuckleheads just like there are public school parents who are knuckleheads

This is a fun comment from a MSNBC article on homeschooling: "There are home-school parents who are knuckleheads just like there are public school parents who are knuckleheads".

I have to say this is the MOST positive write up of homeschooling I have ever read.    I plan to go back later and read the comments... there are over 100 right now.  That's going to be fun!

Enjoy the article:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39342787/ns/today-parenting/

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What Does an Elementary School Homeschooler Really Need to Know

I had this conversation with a new homeschooler earlier today. I promised to send a recap. I will also add that if any seasoned homeschoolers has a list of what an elementary age homeschooler needs to know, please leave a comment.

So in my estimation, by the time a child enters middle school, they need the following

Oprah: Looking for Superman (video)

I missed the first episode where problems with education was discussed.  But I don't really have to watch Oprah to understand the problems with our schools.  They are plentiful and farspread from the teacher's unions that keep poor teachers, to the politics that drive out new teachers with potential. 

(I am watching part two of this episide, and just 10 minutes in I am distressed.  I feel like the solutions about to be offered are still band-aids.  The first guest, a star teacher in Harlem requested 1 extra hour a day... an hour of what?  More crap?  Ugh!.  )  She presents her own Supermen who she thinks can effect change, and they are calling for mothers, fathers, teachers, adminstrators to join them...

Homeschooling For Dummies

I just read an article entitled Using For Dummies Books in Homeschooling.  "Hey!  I've done that"; I thought.

I mostly use free online programs for homeschooling my high school students, but there were few options available for Algebra 2.  I had noticed the For Dummies books but hesitated to buy them in fear of insulting my son.  Then he came to me and requested Algebra 2 for Dummies.  (My son has always helped  research and choose his curriculum.  I purchased the book and accompanying workbook. He loved it.

Upon finishing it, he did give a small warning. He said that it was written for someone who was familiar with Algebra and possibly even Algebra 2, but needed extra help.  Whenever he got stuck, he went online and chose videos from sites like Khan Academy, and Your Teacher.com.

Just something I thought you should know.

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Could my child be Self Directed?

You might remember that last week I wrote about changing my son's math plans.  He was supposed to start Calculus, having just finished trig... but he just didn't want to.  Because he is only 16 (a Jr.) and because calculus is not really necessary for his projected course of study, we decided to put calculus off for a year and in the meanwhile, work on perfecting his current math skills so he will do well on standardized exams.

I thought that meant I would have to buy workbooks, and stand over him and force him to do math practice every day, but boy, was I wrong! 

This morning he printed off a stack of math worksheets to take with him to his Fine Arts programs so he could work on them during is study hall period.  He is actually assessing his weaknesses, and doing extra practice in those areas on his own. 


YES!!

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Sometimes you just have to take a day off

I joked yesterday that my weekend was busier than my week and I needed a day off.  This morning, I still felt the same way.  Every member of my household had a non-stop weekend which followed a non-stop week.  Today, we stopped. Sort of.

 I took a couple of hours to clean so far, and soon, I will look through the kids notebooks and grade some tests, but active instruction is not going to happen today.  I don't have the strength.  The kids also didn't get to do their homework for their Arts program over the weekend, so they will finish that up later today.

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TV Schoolhouse

I love to use visual aids and movies as much as possible to teach students and illustrate points.
 
http://www.tvschoolhouse.com is just getting started, but they are building a library of "old school" educational films.  I was especially enthralled by the full length version of the movie Nineteen Eighty Four... an excellent addition to studying the book!

Their tag line is: "A free and fun way to support your classroom or homeschool curriculum using time-proven Educational Films, Newsreels, TV Shows, PSAs, and Movies from the past."


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Ready for Calculus, Part 2

I can't believe I spent the night fretting over this.  I was up from 1 till 4 doing research on whether or not he really needs to take calculus. 

I asked the question to one of my homeschooling groups and heard back from the wife of a school counselor... he suggested pre-calculus. (even though he took trig?)... I guess Pre-calculus will be easy for him. 

Ready to start calculus?

My son finished Trig today.  He earned 88% on the final exam and his chapter tests were usually between 90 and 95.  He deserves an A.  I have to crunch the numbers, but he probably earned a 92.

Anyway, I talked to him about starting Calculus.  (Picture a 6'2", 230lb boy) He did a little dance and said "no-math-no".  (The dance resembled a pee-pee dance.)...

Raising Autodidacts; Getting them to learn on their own

 The subject of autodidacts came up today on a homeschool loop.  An autodidact is a person who will learn independently, usually as they become interested in a subject.  Training this type of learner is imperative in

Homeschoolers, college, and scholarships

I can't say that I agree with the idea that homeschoolers should bypass college, but I found the subject interesting and wrote about it in Is a College Education a Good Idea for Homeschoolers?
 Meanwhile, as for me and my family, were are doing everything in our power to ensure college entry and scholarships.  Read:  Things Homeschoolers Can Do to Secure College Scholarships.

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Five Reasons African Americans Should Homeschool

As an African American, I have not been able to ignore the horrible graduation rates among African Americans. Sometimes we like to say that the child is not doing well because the family does not value education, but that is not always true.  In fact, there are a great many families who are distressed and frustrated and feel like their hands are tied in getting them to succeed in school.  If this is you, should should read:   Five Reasons African Americans Should Homeschool because if you want something done right, sometimes you just have to do it yourself. 


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Taking on a homeschool consultant role

I have decided to take on a homeschool consultant role this year.  I have been writing about homeschooling, for about 5 years and homeschooling for 8.  The number of people who have approached me just this summer has been overwhelming... in a very good way.  I have been able to give people advice and help them get started in homeschooling as well as provide support for people who have been homeschooling for less time than me.  In some cases I have been able to help homeschoolers who have homeschooled longer than me too. 

I believe the reason I have ammassed so much knowledge and insight is because I am a writer and so read everything I can find on homeschooling, and stay on top of the movement and subjects that affect them. 

I am excited to move onto this phase in homeschooling and plan to continue long past the time I finish homeschooling my kids. 

I don't know exactly what my role will look like yet and need to make some decisions as to what I will charge for and what I will give away... and the value of these services. 

I hope to start doing seminars soon, and am getting my materials together. 

I would love to hear from other homeschoolers who have moved into this role and from homeschoolers who need help so I can know what to provide.

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I thought homeschoolers weren't supposed to be afraid of lizards

 Another homeschooling myth debunked!

Yesterday a Gecko decided to grace us with his presence on the kitchen counter.  My daughter discovered him when she went to do the dishes.  He was about six inches long (tail included) and clearly a baby.  He scared us to death. Me, my 5'5" daughter and my 6'3" son were practically in hysterics as we scrambled around to find a bowl, (that we never planned to eat from again) to trap him under.  As much as we didn't want him in the kitchen, we also didn't want to trap him kill him or accidentally decapitate his tail.  That would be gross.

Finally, I took a cheap rubbermaid bowl and trapped him under it.  I was shaking by then, so I told the giant boy to take it from there and put him out side.  I went upstairs... I had to lay down for a minute.

Well, that didn't happen.  I discovered he was still there as I finished eating dinner!  (I didn't cook, but picked up dinner from the grocery store) The kids hadn't touched the lizard. They were saving it for daddy.

I had a neighborhood meeting to go to so I missed Dad's arrival.  I just assumed it was taken care of.... till time for my midnight snack.  I bumped the bowl, and he jumped out.

I screamed!  My daughter forced my protesting husband downstairs to take care of it.

(Let's just jump forward a little.  It was ugly. )

As we opened the back door to put out the lizard, a great bug grasshopper jumped in.  Putting him out was easier.

Oh, and now everyone is mad at me for keeping them awake last night to get rid of the lizard.  Apparently, I should have kept my surprise of finding him still there to myself.... and put him out too!

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Is it time to put your homeschoolers back in school?

This is a dilemma  many homeschoolers face.  Some times homeschoolers enroll into public school upon their own request.  For others, it was planned that they go to public high school from the beginning.  There there are those instances when other circumstances dictate enrolling a child into public school.  This article addresses this issue.

 

Homeschooling Questions and Answers: Enrolling Them in School

Not all homeschoolers do so for the entire k-12 process. This means that at one point or another, they will come to the decision to put their child back in school. This can be a difficult and heart-wrenching decision.

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The Pros and Cons of Having a Homeschool Mentor

If you mentor homeschoolers, so you go to far in instructing them, teaching them to do as you do?  Are those you mentor too reliant on you?  As a new homeschooler, do you follow your mentor too closely, too blindly?  Read:  The Pros and Cons of Having a Homeschool Mentor  "As wonderful and as useful as homeschool mentors are, there are cons as well as pros in having a homeschool mentor."

Published 9/3/2010 

 

 

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Homeschooling for only one year.

I run into alot of people who have decided to homeschool for just one year.  I tend to discourage this because it signifies a lack of commitment.  Still, there are times that it can still be a great idea.

Following is an article I recently wrote on this subject.

 

Homeschooling Questions and Answers: Homeschooling for One Year

Some people find they need a break from the regular grind and decide to homeschool for one year for any number of reasons. Hopefully they will find this advice to be helpful.

Published 9/3/2010 

 

 

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Homeschool: Why Would You Do That?

 Not all of the homeschooling questions I receive are from people looking to homeschool. Sometimes they come from people who are against it, or want to stir the pot. Here is one such question.

Question: Why would you want to homeschool your children?

Answer: Why wouldn't I want to homeschool my children? Seriously! If there is something crazy or

Final Curriculum Tweak!

OK, I think I've finally gotten it right!
 

One of the reasons we start homeschooling in August is so that by September 1, we have made all of our adjustments and are on track to complete our curriculum by late spring.

So far, I have adjusted the kids literature courses, Adjusted my son's Spanish, and this morning, I adjusted the Biology.

The literature courses (Skills or Literary Analysis and American Literature: Encouraging Thoughtful...

It's about following direction people (book giveaway winner)

Stat's tell me that dozens of people read my blog about the book giveaway.  Investigation told me that several people entered. But one... only one person followed instructions of the giveaway, and so the book goes to Mrs. C.

Mrs. C, please email me your information at ahermitt (at) gmail (dot) com.

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Homeschooling and Black History

 The other day, I wrote about my anxiety about teaching the hard parts of American History, most specifically black history.  The good news, is that once I write these things down and get them out of my heart, I am pretty much over it.

Now I get to enjoy the good parts about it.  Yesterday we spent an hour discussing westward expansion and

Tying it all together

I love the fact that we can make the students curriculum cohesive by making sure that different subjects follow the same time line.  For example, Right we are studying US History 2, so I was able to assign a book for literature that is from the same time period.  It was really cool today to be discussing westward migration and find Mark Twain's name listed as a reason people moved west as he'd romanticized the west. It only makes sense to be reading Huckleberry Finn right now.

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