Not Another Homeschool Blog

I can hardly believe how many people have informed me that they intend to start homeschooling in the fall. Just this week it must have been five families. All of these families have small kids below grade 4. I am very excited for them. I have share my favorite homeschool book I have shared my favorite curricula for young kids time4learning.com, and shared a few homeschool email lists too. If there are any other new homeschoolers out there, don't be afraid to ask questions and advice from people who have homeschooled for a while and don't be afraid. Before long you will be an old pro too.

We are on summer break here... sort of.  As year-round homeschoolers we don't really take the summer off, but we scale back the school work and take off any weeks when we are actually on vacation.  Where it relates to the Carnival of Educators, I need a break... I really, really do.  So I am discontinuing this carnival for a while planning to re-start it in the fall.  Until then, please patronize the Carnival of Education. Here is this weeks Carnival Entries: Welcome to the June 9, 2010 edition of carnival of educators. Basil presents Our Society of Grades posted at Teen College Education , saying, "The truth about how our society is raising children and teens. Grades are the only thing that matter and points are more important than experience." Cody Lettau presents Ten Tips for College Preparation posted at College Conundrum . Mathew Needleman presents Good Teaching Should Be Like Pulling Teeth (Sometimes) posted at Creating Lifelon...

 Of all of the Algebra 2 curriculum options available!  My son started the year with an Algebra 2 workbook and Khan Academy for Algebra 2.   After a month or two, he came to me and asked for Algebra 2 for Dummies.  "For Dummies!?"  I asked.... "For Dummies" he replied.  I purchased the set... a textbook and a workbook. He completed it today and we went over his work together.  Here is how he used it. First, he read the chapter.  Then if he wasn't clear on it, he Googled the concept and looked at videos and sites like AAAmath.com.  Then he printed a free worsheet on the topic.  Finally, when he felt comfortable, he used the workbook for his chapter tests. His reasoning for his approach is that Algebra 2 for Dummies should be used as a review for someone who has already taken the class, or for extra help for someone taking the class.  Not as a first exposure. Still, that and the internet was all he needed He scored a 91...

Yes, we have started looking at colleges with a rising Jr, and a rising Sophmore.  Our long list (for our son) should turn into a short list in a year.  As a homeschooling beginning to start the college search process with her children, I am drawn to colleges that allow you to design your own program. The University of Redlands in California is one of those colleges that allows you to "Design Your Own Education". The Johnston Center for Integrative Studies at the University of Redlands has a "radical vision for undergraduate education". For over 20 years, this program trusts in the students ability to active in their own education process and take ownership over their studies. This program currently has 200 students who live and work together in the Johnston complex in their own little areaq of the University of Redlands. My kids may or may not end up in a program such as this, but it is good to know that these options exist for independant learners like my o...