Not Another Homeschool Blog

"Mom and Dad" as well as "husband and wife" effectively have been banned from California schools under a bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who with his signature also ordered public schools to allow boys to use girls restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa, if they choose. ... Analysts have warned that schools across the nation will be impacted by the decision, since textbook publishers must cater to their largest purchaser, which often is California, and they will be unlikely to go to the expense of having a separate edition for other states. I am seriously at a loss of words with this news story. It is quite lenghty... read it. And they say the family is not under attack! UPDATE... This post may be the result of Christian Hysteria... read my next post. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

My kids just got a new doctor who is very engaging and positive about homeschooling... other doctors, just tried not to mention it... This one took 15 minutes to explain the organic fish tank she was building. She did say that she admired the way we were combining classes and homeschooling... I wonder if she would feel the same if we were unschooling! Here is a you-tube funny about doctors and homeschooling. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

Back when I graduated in 1986, the entire school was alarmed to find that two kids had sex in the projector room at school. Now it is commonplace. Seems that kids are having sex in closets, classrooms, and wherever else they can find at school. According to a recent survey done at momlogic.com, an astounding number of kids are witnessing and participating in sex acts at school. Not only are they having sex in the classroom, but also there is an epidemic of students having public sex. check out the mom logic story: http://www.momlogic.com/2007/11/momvestigation.php Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

Elizabeth Edwards talks about homeschooling. unfortunately she perpetuates the myth that you must have money to homeschool and that you need a certified teacher. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

I haven't lifted a finger so far this season. All of the decorations you see have been compliments of my son and his dad. Now he is trying to learn this This Christmas song. He has been playing it every morning. It is great to wake up to the sound of the piano playing... even if he doesn't have it perfected. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

I am generally not very impressed by homeschooled preschoolers. (hold that rock, don't throw it yet) It is just that there are alot, alot, alot, more preschool homeschoolers than Kindergarten homeschoolers, and alot more kindergarten homeschoolers than first grade homeschoolers, and alot more first grade homeschoolers than second grade homeschoolers, and so on, and so forth. Show me a homeschooled high schooled kid that started at the beginning... then you've caught my eye. Show me one that's kicking (academic) butt, and my attention is full and undivided. But this time, unabashedly cute caught my eye and stole my heart. Check at What does that spell at The Wired for Noise homeschool blog. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

just chatting with the camera... first video blog in a while Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

As a homeschooler, creating a culture of constant informal learning is a most coveted goal. This post What is informal learning , hits the nail on the head. In particular, this excerpt: Many a knowledge worker has said “I love to learn but I hate to be trained.” Training is something that’s imposed on you; learning is something you choose. Knowledge workers thrive when given the freedom to decide how they will do what’s asked of them. This is exactly how my son feels about learning vs. being taught. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

I really don't mean to pick on the blogger. His blog is actually quite intelligent. Still in his post "Good Idea Backfires ", he talks about how the schools have gotten the kids to eat healthy and one day when the kids could not find healthy snacks they neglected to get on the school bus. As I read this, I scratched my head because I didn't think kids old enough to get on the school bus on thier own were young enough to care about getting a ticket reward for having healthy snacks. I was right. I got to the bottom of the post and read: "This is two 10 year olds and an 8 year old." Ok, so my kids were 10 and 8 once. (now 11 and 13) They also once rode the school bus once,as they went to school until 1st and 3rd grade. Here's the question I have... how are an 8 and 10 year old mature enough to choose healthy snacks and get on the school bus without parental supervision. How was the parent surprised that the kids made very immature choices and opte...

Check out the 100th edition of the Carnival of homeschooling . My favorite post so far is Homeschool Hovering at Little Homeschool on the Prairie. enjoy... meanwhile, I've got alot of reading to do. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

According to the following story, if yu want your homeschooler to exercise, you should do it with them... sounds kinda like a no-brainer, but sometimes these things need to be said. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Have you ever felt like someone was trying to sabotage your homeschooling efforts? Have people done things that make you wonder if they are just pretending to be agreeable while their actions say otherwise? Do you find that some people have a bad habit of interrupting your homeschool day? If you suspect someone is trying to sabotage your homeschool efforts, you need to take action. read more at ehow.com Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

I just read a story about homeschoolers in the Baldwin Union Free School District in New York who want to participate in public school programs. I understand how parents are seeing tons of free resources for their kids that the kids can't participate it. But I feel like if you are going to separate your kids from public schools, then you need to separate your kids from public schools. In life, you seldom get to have your cake and eat it too.... to homeschool while demanding use of public schools activities is in my opinion damaging to homeschoolers who are fighting for true separation and also unfair to the public school children. If we, as homeschoolers want sports groups, and bands, and ensembles, then we need to create our own. It can be done. In the Atlanta area where I live we have a major homeschool sports organization that provides football, baseball, cheerleading, and more. There are homeschool choirs and bands. There are traveling soccer teams and more. Instead ...

I saw the words K-12 Free Homeschool and got nervous. I am going to have to give a bad review, I thought. One public school at home program is no different from the rest, not to mention the fact that veteran homeschoolers everywhere are waving their arms and yelling NOOOO about free k-12 homeschool programs. But this one is different. First of all, it is not a public school program. K-12 Free Academy is an online "cutting edge solution for home school families who wish to provide their children with a quality CHRISTIAN education at home." Yes, I sad Christian and Free in the same sentence. Here's how it can be tuition-free. But what about the courses? K-12 Free provides 6 courses per year for elementary students, Middle school students can choose electives and alternate learning paths in addition to core courses. High schoolers can choose from free core courses and elective courses. The large variety of courses includes Crime Scene Investigation and piano lessons. T...

Well, you shouldn't be... but just in case you are, here is an article I wrote for ehow.com “What about Socialization?” Just about everyone who encounters a homeschooler asks that question. It seems the world is under the impression that homeschoolers have no social skills or graces. If you are homeschooling and are worried about your own child’s social skills, here are some things you can do. read more Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

here is one of my homeschool videos on Associated Content Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Here is my latest homeschooling article written for ehow.com Have you ever felt like someone was trying to sabotage your homeschooling efforts? Have people done things that make you wonder if they are just pretending to be agreeable while their actions say otherwise? continued Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

The Carnival of homeschooling is up at: http://homeschoolbuzz.com/Carnival_of_Homeschooling_Nov_20_2007.html I highly recommend reading the post "oh really". Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

What Grammy Award singer was homeschooled and now has a record label called Home School? John Legend: Legend, who says his friend Will.I.Am has been in the lab with Estelle, adds that the name of his imprint is a tribute to a part of his childhood. "I was homeschooled as a kid — my parents taught me and my brothers at home for a while," he explained. "The idea is having this home factory of making music, where there's attention to detail and an authenticity, a soulfulness, to it. There's an independent spirit to it. That's the reason for the name." full story here more about jOhn legend: Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

In the process of homeschooling, I want my kids to learn certain life lessons early. I don't want them to struggle through their 20's to have these great big revelations that it took my years to figure out. I want them to think for themselves because know one else is going to give you information that will make you better. I want them to love themselves because no one else is going to love you better. I want them to be in business for themselves, because no one else is going to make you rich. Yes, I am teaching them to be a little cynical ... a bit un-trusting ... and very self reliant. Isn't that what homeschooling is born of? Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Channel 2 news (Atlanta) just profiles a 12 year old boy who attended Morehouse college for a summer course in advanced calculus. His mother Michelle said he was very bored in elementary school, so they decided to homeschool him, he shot through the curriculum so fast he was in the 10th grade by age 11. Last summer after the caluclus class was over, he received and award for best student. He tutored his older peers. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Here is a photo from the holiday chorus show last night. My daughter is the first child next to the piano, my son is way in the back in front of the window. The is the Masters Academy of Fine Arts Chorus that meets every Monday. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Educational Website Review: Accelerated Learning By dreahwrites , Oct 17, 2007 This video introduces accelerated learning homeschool curriculum http://www.acceleratedlearning.com/ Watch» Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

In my Lawrenceville Blog (local blog) I wrote about the problems our area is having with the redistricting debate. Unfortunately when you have to add as many schools as our area has had to add, major redistricting is called for. Unfortunately, redistricting sucks. It is uncomfortable for children and adults alike. Very fortunately, this is a problem we don't have to deal with. Yay! Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Find this week's Homeschooling Carnival blog over at Nerd family. She has a thankful theme in honor of Thanksgiving. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

to fill out their homeschool survey... Its about 120 questions, and I finished it in 5 minutes. Greetings! It's almost time for us to close our 2007 Homeschool Survey ! But You Can Still Participate! Over 3000 homeschoolers have already shared their opinions with us, but we say "the more the merrier". We even have two free ebooks to share with anyone who completes the survey. One is our newest ebook, Homeschool Dialogues , which features some of the most popular interviews from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine over the years. The other is 20 Homemade Learning Games from our friends at Trigger Memory System! We definitely think you'll enjoy reading both of these books. Be watching; once you complete the survey, you'll be directed to a page where you can immediately download both ebooks. We truly appreciate all of you taking the time to participate in our survey and look forward to reading all of the results. It truly helps u...

I complained to a well meaning person about financial issues. Thier answer was put the kids in public school and get a full time job. Personally, I would rather be destitute than to hinder my kids educational progress... not to mention spiritual and emotional. Money is just not worth it. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Educational Website Review: ABBA Homeschool Academy By dreahwrites , Oct 17, 2007 The video introduces ABBA Homeschool Academy http://www.abbahomeschool.com/aboutus.html Watch» Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Here is a video I made reviewing the website Allied National High School. Educational Website Review: Allied National High School By dreahwrites , Sep 13, 2007 This video demonstrates Allied National Highschool, a distance learning program. Watch» Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

It dawned me yesterday just how old my kids are. When I started homeschooling, they were in the 2nd and 4th grade. Now they are in the 6th and 8th grade. My son will be driving in less than 2 years (permit at 15), and it is likely he will leave for College at age 17, as he is already doing high school work. My little baby girl that I used to carry around on my shoulder when she wasn't moving fast enough cannot be budged now. Her father can barely lift her, and at 11 years old, she does not want anyone picking her up. She speaks with authority and is more grown up than I want to admit. I am not homeschooling babies anymore. I am homeschooling a pre teen and a teen, soon to be a man and a young lady. I think I'm scared! Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

I read what must have been the longest blog post ever, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Timothy Power of Sometimes I am Actually Coherent laid some ground rules for commenting on his blog. It seems his family members got under his skin, and into his blog and wreaked havoc in the comments section. I think this is why my family members don't know much about my blogs. If they did, where would I complain when they got on my nerves?! Anyway, in setting his ground rules, he also manages to relay his respect for teachers and demands respect for his decision to blog his own kids. I would have left a comment, but apparently he has had enough for now, and shut off comments for that post. In the end, what his post relayed to me the most is that in homeschooling, no one is trying to take anything away from public schools, and in homeschooling blogging, no one is trying to shame public schools. We, the homeschool bloggers are here to share with other homeschoolers and support those who choose to ...

I certainly hope not. I ran this blog address through a reading level assessment reader and here is what they said: I guess it's an ego stroker, but does not bode well for my blog. The explanation said that it would take a person with 15 years of education to read and understand it. Maybe they meant 15 years of public education... I seriously doubt homeschoolers have trouble reading this. (Don't get mad... this is comedy!) Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

These articles will help your child plan for after home school. After Homeschooling: Successful Recent Homeschool Graduates By dreahwrites , Oct 29, 2007 It is easy to point out that people like Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin were home schooled. Just about every person alive before 1850 was homeschooling in some capacity. Read more» After Homeschooling: Preparing to Enter the Workforce By dreahwrites , Oct 29, 2007 Not all people who home school have the goal of going to college. Just like many students who attend traditional schools, many home schooled students go directly into the work force. Read more» Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Welcome to Homeschool U, the 97th Carnival of Homeschooling , is up at Principled Discovery. If you are looking to do some serious reading about homeschooling, it is the place. There must be a record number of entries. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

I just got a note from the HSLDA.ORG urging homeschoolers to barrage legislators with calls to stop the Federal Employment Non Discrimination Act. "ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of "actual or perceived sexual orientation." They do not want the non discrimination act passed because it means that businesses would have to hire people who were gay or lesbian or were perceived as gay or lesbian. Of course religious organizations are exempt from this law, but HSLDA says that a business would have to prove it was a religious organization. While a church or Christian school might be able to freely discriminate, a business based on religious foundations like Chik Filet, Hobby Lobby, or Wells Real-Estate Funds would have to hire people of all sexual orientations. Now I am a Christian, and a homeschooler, yet I am offended by this email. First of all, I think it is presumptios of HSLDA or use this "legal service" to homeschoolers as an aven...

Infact, it can be quite thorny at times. Take for instance this article written by a mother who started homeschooling, while also entering into a marriage with step children. Not only did she continue homeschooling her husbands children, but also began homeschooling her own. Yes, she shook things up a bit from the way they used to do it (they were previously unschoolers), but she homeschooled in excellence as she wanted to make sure each kid reached his or her full potential. Her story shows that homeschooling works... that homeschooling makes it easier to fix educational gaps... even that unschooling, has its advantages. Read it. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

As homeschoolers, this is not a worry... for now, but still something that cannot be overlooked. What you name your child can and will affect the way 'professional' educators view them and will also affect the kind of effort put into their education. It will however have an effect in college applications and the job market. As an African American, I have always been painfully aware that a name could get in in the front door, or lock you out. I saw many friends with Afrocentric names and funny nicknames unable to break through certain barriers. (Those who did, altered or changed their names.) My mother used to point out that she named me, and chose the names of many of her nieces and nephews carefully for that reason. Yes she was one of those relatives that would passionately campaign and bombard pregnant women with name choices. Still, I cannot complain about my name. It is one of those names that leaves everything to the imagination. It it a distinctly girly name, b...

Here are some recent homeschooling articles I wrote. After Homeschooling: Successful Recent Homeschool Graduates By dreahwrites , Oct 29, 2007 It is easy to point out that people like Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin were home schooled. Just about every person alive before 1850 was homeschooling in some capacity. Read more» After Homeschooling: Preparing to Enter the Workforce By dreahwrites , Oct 29, 2007 Not all people who home school have the goal of going to college. Just like many students who attend traditional schools, many home schooled students go directly into the work force. Read more» Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Sisterlisa at Apples of Gold Ministries asks if homeschoolers are interested in having a chicken soup of their very own. I say yayus! In response to her questions, Yes, I would be willing to write a story. Yes, I would purchase the book. And yes, here is my link back to her post. Go visit. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom