Not Another Homeschool Blog

I really, really, really like my kids. When people ask me why I homeschool my kids, thier questions always end with the declaration that they could never, ever spend so much time around thier kids. I usually reply by saying "I used to feel the same way", but I walk away wondering if they like their kids at all. True, my kids used to make me a little batty when they were younger, and we still have those moments when they won't stop touching or looking at each other, but for the most part, I really enjoy thier company. On rainy or those rare snowy mornings (we live in GA) we snuggle up in bed for an extra hour instead of trudging out into the cold We play impromptu board games, educational games , and games we make up. We have long serious talks and moments of sheer silliness. Sure I could use more peace and quiet once in a while, but when they are not here, I really miss them. ...And the longer I homeschool them, the more I like them. They have learned my moods and know w...

This is a question I am often asked. It is also the biggest fear many new homeschoolers have... that their children will never learn to read. Personally, my children did not start homeschooling until after they learned to read... so I thought I lucked out there. But after thinking about it, I remembered that I did have a large hand in teaching both kids to read. My first child learned a phonics approach to reading while we lived in the New Orleans area. He struggled alot at first. All we felt we could do was watch him and encourage him. Then one day, my husband was sitting at the computer and an idea struck him. He had noticed that Jackson was a visual learner... meaning he could absorb what he could see.. while in school he was being taught theory. I came home that evening to an elated husband and child! My husband had taken my sons words, broken them up phonetically, and blown them up really big... and my son read the words. So every week we would do the same, and within 2 months he...

If you didn't know my race previously, you do now. I am black. (african american, brown, non-white... whatever) There has been a great stir in the news lately because the number of black homeschooling has suddenly increased. As a black person, homeschooling is not a decision to be made lightly. "for the black community, teaching at home was frowned on because of the civil rights battle to get into public schools in the first place. Mike Smith with the Home School Legal Defense Association says the times are changing." But just as those first pioneers forced thier way into public schools to get quality educations for thier children , many people like myself are now fleeing. Why so late in the game? Easy... we didn't feel welcome, at first. Here's my personal story: I first looked into homeschooling when I lived in New Orleans. I called the local homeschool association and had a very pleasant conversation in length. Finally, I was invited to come to a homesc...

Well, it is difficult to say the least! Jackson is officially on 2 weeks break from his classes with two project to finish for January. Right now, he is hiding in his room, but not too effectivley as I hear the leggos being rummaged through. Jordan is hiding in her fathers office. He works from home now and is trying to get a business started. This makes homeschooling more difficult because she uses him for a distraction. All of thier friends are on vacation... they feel they should be on vacation too, but I am only asking for a few days work so that when we feel like an impromptu vacation, we won't have to take work with us. But if we really wanted to, we could. Especially since Jordans homeschool curricullum is online. We are buying laptops for Christmas to make it even easier, and seriously considering separate laptops that will allow her to do her homeschooling anywhere she pleases. Until then, I just need to get her get out of the school time, vs relaxing time mentality, and...

You just can't! My nephew was here 2 weeks ago. He is the same age as my son, 11. He is 3 grade levels behind my son. Why does this happen?... this is a classic example of falling through the class. The schools take a child and insist he is special ed. He sits there for a few years, doing the minimum work. Finally they realize he has a head on his shoulders and mainstream him just in time to frustrate him completely, because he has missed 3 years of basic math and reading. I worked with my nephew for the time he is here. We did online learning games , and worked in his math skills. I also listened to him read and I know his few problems in that area could be fixed with some basic remedial reading programs , but alas it only had 2 weeks and in the end he has to go back home to parents who (I hate saying this) don't have the confidence to stand up for their kid and ask questions. I am hoping that his family will take the extra 1 hour a day and spend it on elementary learn...

When I look back at the reasons I decided to homeschool my kids, I still get pretty angry. I first heard of homeschooling when my son was only a few months old. My husband came home and suggested that we homeschool our kids. A colleague of his was doing it with pretty good results. I wasn't happy to say the least. Nor was I kind. Fast forward a second kid and a few years later and I found myself completely frustrated by what seemed like a blatant and purposeful lack of communication. It seemed to me that the schools really wanted no involvement from the parents. They wanted no insight into the kids, an they did not want to tell you now the kids were doing unless it was absolutely necessary. My very first clue into the troubles that where to come later was at a teachers' conference in January of my son's first year at a Catholic preschool. I had made numerous attempt to explain my sons personality to the teacher. Basically he was pretty quiet and withdrawn until he got t...

They said she couldn’t learn; wouldn’t learn. Perhaps she shouldn’t learn. Let's medicate out of concern, so she can’t disturb the others. There's something wrong inside her brain. Others are just the same. We must label them all in the name of education for all - except her. I did not listen for she is mine. Though she tires me, I will take the time. She tests my patience, but it is not a crime to be so energetic. Now I sit beside this child. She is unruly, and often wild. But on her face, there is a smile that melts a mother's heart. I now know I’ve made a choice, to let a little girl keep her voice. Someday a nation will rejoice instead of just her mother. She will grow up free to be herself, her inhibitions upon a shelf. With no one to blame, except oneself and me, if she falls short. Responsibility I will gladly take, as the other options, I did forsake. In her education, I did partake, for she is mine alone. The system could not have known what hides inside of her. …N...