Not Another Homeschool Blog

We are home again and trying to get back into the swing of things. This has been an awesome week in Orlando Florida, but we are so glad to get back home and back to the business of homeschooling, and my personal business of writing. The kids have no outside classes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so getting them motivated to do their work is difficult, but I got some math and reading out of both of them today... but they are just so tired... we all are. Now that all that pageant socialization is done, I really would like to get some focused learning done for at least the next 3 weeks. PS. the one on the right is mine with who will probably be a life long friend.

This week we are at Disney World in Orlando Florida. My daugther is attending the Coed National Pageants this week. Lots of competition, lots of parties... a good opportunity for socialization, huh?

While writing about our homeschool adventures is one of the most cathartic things we as often-isolated homeschoolers can do, reading the writing of other homeschoolers is both enlightening and educational. This week’s carnival of homeschooling holds the thoughts, discoveries, experiences, and teachable moments of homeschoolers from... well, everywhere, including me! Read it now, especially if you are feeling like you need a connection with someone who does not think you have lost your mind. Homeschool message boards are something you might want to avoid, at least when you are new to homeschooling. It gets pretty hot in there. In this instance, a blogger asks, "Do you ever think the U.S. will change to the point that Homeschooling will not be allowed any more?” Both arguments and agreements are passionate. Some are kind and some are downright mean. When reading these, make sure you balance what is said with what you know and believe. Understand also, that some people are no...

Some mornings my daughter wakes up at 6am, brings her laptop to my bedroom, and does all her schoolwork by 10 am. She just finished and it is 9:52. This means we have time for the Library, games, and quiet reading. Yay! My son fortunately, does this most days. He is an early riser and does not come out of his room until 9 or 10 when he is done with his required work. Of course, by then the dogs are in agony if my husband or I have not walked them. He spends the rest of his day writing html and teaching himself internet website tricks. At 4pm, when the TV and video games are allowed to come on, I generally do not hear another peep from them. On early days like this, we can also get alot of errands done, and I am thinking about doing the local homeschool skate day... If we were not getting ready for Jordan’s Pageant next week, it would be a no-brainer! We would soooo be there! Of course there are late days too, and I have to allow for them. They are usually followed by a late night...

...a teaching opportunity Driving along in the car with my daughter the other day, she asked me what ammonia was... I still don't know why. I asked her if she meant pneumonia or ammonia she said both. I explained that pneumonia was a sickness like a really bad chest cold, and ammonia was was a strong smelling cleaning agent. She asked me to explain it two more times and then she asked why we didn't just call pneumonia a cold. So I went further to explain that it meant you had fluid and an infection in your lungs and it was so bad that you could get hospitalized. I'm pretty sure she will remember those words much better than if they had been on a list and she had to write them down 5 times and then take a test on Friday.

"A speech therapist at the school says (arson at school is) incomprehensible if its students." I'm not the least bit surprised a fire was set at a local school today. With reports of rape, bomb threats, and daily suspensions for the tiniest infraction, it is not wonder someone set a fire to Westlake High School this morning. Fortunately, it was done before kids got to school so no one got hurt. It was alluded to in the news that since progress reports came out today, the culprit could have been someone with a poor report. Regardless of the reason, these things happen, and I just get surprised that people get surprised. ... And I am pleased that my kids education was not interrupted today because someone decided to set fire to the school

I just got hired as aHomeschool Blogger at Families.com. I start in 2 weeks. Look ma! I'm a paid blogger... I really am! I checked with Families.com and they have no problem with me continuing to maintain my presonal homeschool blog. So I will not be abandoning Notes From a Homeschooling Mom..

I just got hired as aHomeschool Blogger at Families.com. I start in 2 weeks. Look ma! I'm a paid blogger... I really am! I checked with Families.com and they have no problem with me continuing to maintain my presonal homeschool blog. So I will not be abandoning Notes From a Homeschooling Mom..

As homeschool programs become more and more school centered, I have to wonder if I am really homeschooling at all, or just homeschooling part time. We use a fine arts/ history program that is thinking about following a traditional school calendar year, monday only of course, and I don't know if I like it. I like what feels like six months on and six months of... though it is probably more like 5 and 7. It gives us freedom to travel and explore the world around us. I guess I have to wait and see what their decision is... I gave my opinion... that is all I can do.

Here are some websites I really like for homeschooling they are Funbrain.com and starfall.com I made a quick online preview of these sites just incase you don't want to take the time to explore them, I have already done it for you.

Right now we are getting dressed to get to the Library, and then to Masters Classes (I will have a few hours to myself) in that time I will go to the chiropractor, and buy organic food, and look for pageant gowns... I am tired just thinking about it! Gotta Go, bye!