Not Another Homeschool Blog

The proof is in Michigan:  Homeschoolers recently took first, second and third place in the National Spelling Bee and 3rd place in the National Geography Bee. They typically also test higher on college-qualifying SAT and ACT exams than do either public or private school students. One local homeschooled youngster made a perfect score on the ACT. No wonder home schooling is growing at 15 to 20 percent yearly. All state compulsory-education laws make home schooling a legal option. Michigan does not require a parent to have a teaching certificate. Reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing and grammar must be taught. Dave and Sue Johnson of Manistee home school their four children who range in age from 17 to five. Two of the children are in the band program in public school; two of them also play in the Manistee Symphony Orchestra. "We had friends whose children were home schooled, and we were impressed by the way they handled themselves," Dave...

This could have been anyone's child.  They wanted to my child on this Ritalin Program where they drug children into submission, but I would not allow it began to homeschool... Suppose I just did as I was told! How does a school professional give a child who needs "medicine" to behave the entire bottle?  I thought they "new best" for our kids! An 8-year-old boy overdosed at school, reportedly on 25 Ritalin pills. Dakota Loflin was transported to a local hospital. His doctor said it could take three days for the medication to wear off.   The boy's mother said on the last day of school, which was Tuesday, the school secretary sent Dakota home with the bottle of Ritalin and he ate all of them.

It recently occurred to me that when my kids graduate from homeschool that they will not have the same automatic privileges that the homeschool class of 2005 is enjoying.  I have seen a couple of homeschoolers graduate and prepare to move on to college this year.   With that, I have seen the open arms acceptance of them into the work community, the colleges and the mission fields. But when my kids graduate, (my son will graduate between 2009 and 2011, and my daughter between 2011 and 2013, depending on the routes they decide to take) They will have some serious competition.  Today’s Graduation classes with 9 kids per ceremony, could be as many as 90 -900 kids per ceremony at the rate homeschooling is growing. It makes me wonder If I need to be more strict and academic with my kids to make sure that they are the best of the best. Then reality sets in.. We are homeschooling so the kids can learn in a relaxed atmosphere without the pressure of competition.  I a...

Bill Cosby slams blacks saying that they (we) can't speak... And he's right... to a point. In the presence of NAACP President Kweisi Mfume and other African-American leaders, comedian Bill Cosby took aim at blacks who don't take responsibility for their economic status, blame police for incarcerations and teach their kids poor speaking habits. ... He added: "They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English. I can't even talk the way these people talk: 'Why you ain't,' 'Where you is' ... And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the father talk. ... Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. ... You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth!" full story here: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38565 I have no argument with his position... I do however have a question... What about Fat Albert?  Back in the ...

Barrow students, 14, charged with gun plot   Two Barrow County teenagers are scheduled to appear Thursday in Juvenile Court on charges that they planned what police called a "Columbine-type" assault at their middle school. The names of the boys — both 14 and students at Russell Middle School — were not released because of their age. The boys, being held Tuesday in Gainesville, were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, making terroristic threats and disruption of a public school, police said. Former teacher charged with child molestation   A former Apalachee High School teacher, who resigned after being accused of sending improper e-mails to three female students, has been charged with child molestation. Eric Polite, 30, turned himself in at the Barrow County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday after deputies telephoned to tell him they had warrants for his arrest. Coweta students arrested after porn prank   Some Chamblee High School students who were expecting to s...

I just read an article about a homeschool "teacher" who defrauded a family by taking money and never teaching.  He is currently in jail under other charges. Parents beware.  To hire a teacher to run your homeschool program is pointless and not what homeschooling is about.  In the past year I have seen numerous people proposition myself and other homeschooling parents to "homeschool" thier kids as well.  THIS IS NOT HOMESCHOOLING PEOPLE!  This is private school.  Most homeschoolers do not want to turn thier homeschooling experience into private school for everyone else... and if someone solicits you to homeschool your child.. beware and be aware. This families situation could have been so much worse.  Did the father check this man for references?  He could have been someone looking to victimize troubled kids, he could have even killed her.  Fortunately for the family, he was just a con man.

transformation complete... I am wondering if I shouldn't paint a similar area on the other side of the room to balance it... without first peeling paint, of course.  www.ahermitt.com

wall damage undergoing makover  www.ahermitt.com

Picture this. You planned your room decor thoroughly. Every detail was well thought out, and you were very happy with the results when tragedy struck. A flood in the room above it ruined the wall glaze effect that you so painstakedly worked on. Your paint peeled off of a 3 by 18 inch area of the wall leaving the bare drywall shown behind. Your plans are ruined. Do you declare the room a disaster? Do you start over from scratch or do you work with what you have. I had this dilema, which today I finally decided to work with. The results will be in the following pictures. What if this was your child? What if you planned this childs life, his future, his education. Little Timmy would be a doctor, he would lead the family to greatness, the family would shine because of Little Timmy, and you will all be so proud. But, suppose Timmy turned out to have ADD. Timmy would never make it through math and Science with his self esteem intact. Do you declare Timmy a disaster, and te...

every now and then some company pokes it head out of the ground long enough to give homeschoolers a quick pat on the back. For 99.00 we got 4 tickets to six flags and a buffet lunch as today is Homeschoolers only day... OF COURSE IT IS RAINING! We are going anyway... heck we get free return tickets for whenever we want to come back as well! So can't blog today!.. oh wait.. I just did! www.ahermitt.com

Homeschoolers Don't want tax credits.... at least not the ones I know anyway. There's a movement in Congress to give teachers a tax credit. The break would include parents who home-school, as well. Under his plan, all teachers would receive a $1,000 tax credit and would be able to deduct up to $2,000 — up from the current $250 — off their taxes for any "in class" purchases Such bills however leave homeschoolers suspicious of giving the government a foot in the door to future homeschooler regulation. as one homeschool mom stated : " I have my reservations about this. I can only imagine what type of regulations this would put on homeschooling families. What baffles me the most is the fact that HSLDA, the largest legal protector of homeschooling is pushing HARD for such credits http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200308190.asp yet every homeschooler who has homeschooled for 2 years or more is vehemently against it. Are they all crying wolf? Probabl...

HOMESCHOOL UNIFORM...  

WHY HOMESCHOOL? 

even when I don't answer this way, I certainly want to: ( cartoon by Dreah)

Did you know there was a homeschool mom uniform... me either... but apparently there is..... here it is: (CARTOON BY DREAH)

My name is Dreah and I have been homeschooling for about a year now. I have had a blog since before day 1 on a subscription website, and the first year has already been compiled into a book. I have decided to make my blog ongoing and for public view.