Not Another Homeschool Blog

At the Alamo, 11/1999 Most people who know me in real life would say that I am a "strong person".  I hate that phrase.  Probably because it is not true.  I am more of a 'stiff upper lip' type of person, able to hide my emotions, especially when and I am distraught.  I am not strong at all.  I am sensitive, and repressed. With that said, I am just so mad right now.  I am mad and I am sad. The connecticut school shootings are killing me.  I am over here ugly-crying, brooding, sobbing, and just overall ticked off.  I have so much to say, and can barely phrase my emotions today. I managed to squeeze out abbreviated versions of how I was feeling at Examiner.com today, but there is soooo much more in me that I need to get out. Will mental health professionals in the school prevent future school shootings? Media unfairly pointing to the fact that Adam Lanza was homeschooled I looked at an old family photo of my family taken when my son was in...

In his State of the Union address a few days ago, President Barack Obama stated that “We need to teach our kids that it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair.”  Yet it is sometimes difficult to get students excited about studying science.  Enter the International Year of Chemsitry (IYC), a yearlong, worldwide celebration of chemistry sponsored by some of the leading international chemistry organizations in the world.  As Andrew Liveris (president of the International Council of Chemical Associations, one main sponsor of the event) notes, “95 percent of the things that touch our lives — such as food, water, shelter, transportation, and medicine — are made possible through chemistry,” and the goal of the IYC is to help show people just how important chemistry is in daily life.   To get students involved in the celebration, the IYC designed a Global Experiment called “Water: A Chemical ...

This is a fun comment from a MSNBC article on homeschooling: "There are home-school parents who are knuckleheads just like there are public school parents who are knuckleheads". I have to say this is the MOST positive write up of homeschooling I have ever read.    I plan to go back later and read the comments... there are over 100 right now.  That's going to be fun! Enjoy the article: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39342787/ns/today-parenting/ FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE MY BUSINESS WEBSITE WalletPop Contributor

I can't say that I agree with the idea that homeschoolers should bypass college, but I found the subject interesting and wrote about it in Is a College Education a Good Idea for Homeschoolers?   Meanwhile, as for me and my family, were are doing everything in our power to ensure college entry and scholarships.  Read:  Things Homeschoolers Can Do to Secure College Scholarships . FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE MY BUSINESS WEBSITE WalletPop Contributor

Here are a few of my articles I have written in the last few weeks regarding homeschooling and education. Newsflash! All Homeschoolers are Not Conservative Proof that all homeschoolers are not conservative... I watch Hardball with Chris Matthews. While Chris Matthews would not characterize himself as liberal (which I also do not) he is certainly far from conservative. Homeschoolers Are Not Entitled to Free School Online The Missouri Virtual School which many homeschoolers use to teach their kids for free is in danger of shutting down due to a lack of funding. Missouri Virtual Instruction, also called MoVIP has allowed many public school students as well as homeschoolers to take courses online for free. Think You're Against Homeschooling? Just Wait I just stumbled across a homeschooling mom blog where the writer explains that she used to oppose homeschooling. She was offered the opportunity to homeschool as a teen and turned it down. She saw her brothers get homeschooled. ...

Here are some of my recent articles on homeschooling and education from around the net: The Cost of Homeschooling VS The Cost of Public School by Andrea Hermitt Yesterday at 08:22 AM I was sent a link this morning for an article called Even government envious of homeschooling success. Latest Homeschool Battle Takes Aim on Religion by Andrea Hermitt 28 Aug 2009 10:50 AM In what appeared to be a case of a divorced family fighting over homeschooling, the judge has ordered the child into school because she held to strongly to her own religious beliefs. Is Testing Homeschoolers Really a Bad Idea? by Andrea Hermitt 22 Aug 2009 01:55 PM A recent Washington Post article promotes homeschool testing as a way to tame this huge "sleeping giant". Thinking About Homeschooling on the Road by Andrea Hermitt 19 Aug 2009 09:50 PM As we wind down our 12 day trip in Los Angeles, I have to admit wanting to stay longer or to at least explore other cities. Sure I would miss my pets, and my own bed,...

Sorry I have been mia lately. The summer is coming to a close here in the Atlanta area, plus we are heading to Los Angelos for a performance my daughter is in and a mini vacation. ps. Here are some articles I have written lately. Back to school: Furloughs preventing new move registrations Monday, August 3rd, 2009 With education furloughs happening all over the country, teachers and administrators are trying to be selfless by... Keep Reading » Thinking about Grad School? Consider going overseas Monday, August 3rd, 2009 Recent college graduates fin...

Here are some of my recent homeschool and education blogs from the websites I work for. Homeschool Curriculum Review: Educator.com I was introduced to a new online education program called simply Educator. This website is geared toward higher level high school instruction, more specifically, AP level courses. Homeschool Q & A: Homeschooling for Senior Year in High School I recently received the following question by email: I am going to be a Senior in High School. I don't want to go back to high school because I am having a bad experience and I have had enough. Homeschool Cash: Can homeschooling be profitable? I recently stumbled across an advertisement that promises to show you how to make money by homeschooling. No More Rules! In my previous post answering homeschool questions for a young lady who wants to homeschool her senior year of high school, it was clear that her questions were the result of 12+ years of public school restrictions. Education jobs: Homeschool instructor...

Here are some of the homeschooling articles I have written lately Homeschool Q & A: Homeschooling for Senior Year in High School by Andrea Hermitt 22 Jun 2009 06:55 AM I recently received the following question by email : I am going to be a Senior in High School. I don't want to go back to high school because I am having a bad experience and I have had enough. Homeschool Cash: Can homeschooling be profitable? by Andrea Hermitt 18 Jun 2009 06:42 AM (cc) image by Tracy O/ flickr I recently stumbled across an advertisement that promises to show you how to make money by homeschooling. Should all homeschoolers join groups? by Andrea Hermitt 15 Jun 2009 06:37 AM When the socialization question is posed to homeschoolers, the defense most used is that their kid participates in group activities or takes a class here and there. Recently, I have noticed people giving the advice that homeschoolers should HAVE to work in groups. Scouting and the homeschool portfolio by Andrea Hermitt 11 Ju...

Here are some of the recent articles I have written at families.com Ideas for keeping homeschooling fun: Study Groups Ideas for Keeping Homeschooling Fun: Following your child's passion Websites for keeping homeschooling fun Ideas for keeping homeschooling fun: Passive Learning Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum

Universal school vouchers could be coming to Georgia Education examiner week in review February 1, 2008 What's right with public education: It's available to all Parental Valentine's Day stress and the Sadie Hawkins dance Freaky Friday: Sex change SAT and other odd stories in education Homeschoolers Shouldn't Fret over College by Andrea Hermitt My subscription to the Homescholar Record came to day and it carried great news. Will the mom of the new Octuplets Homeschool? by Andrea Hermitt When I think about the mom who just added 8 children to the six she already has, my only thought is "how is she going to get one on one time with each of them". My next thought was of the Duggar Family. According to Newsvine. South Dakota School Board Wants Homeschoolers Back by Andrea Hermitt According to the HSLDA. the Rapid city School Board in South Dakota wants to recruit homeschoolers in an effort to bring more money into the district. Read more about Rapid City school...

Homeschoolers and the Great Subway Debacle by Andrea Hermitt In the last two weeks, here has been a huge uproar in the homeschooling community. It seems that Subway, the restaurant that serves sandwiches, has snubbed homeschoolers by introducing a writing contest, and adding the stipulation that no homeschoolers were allowed to compete. Why So Many Parents Homeschool "Problem" Children by Andrea Hermitt A teacher of a five year old boy is recorded calling the child "pathetic", "selfish", and "ignorant" and discouraging other kids from being his friend. The teachers union saying that the teacher's rights have been violated. An Entire Georgia County Could Turn to Homeschooling by Andrea Hermitt I recently wrote an article entitled Clayton County GA Parents Should Look into Homeschooling I do not think I really believed that an entire school district might have no other choice than to actually turn to homeschooling. Tennessee Homeschool Graduate...

Forgive me for not being more active lately, but as you may or may not know, I write for the families.com homeschool blog. Here are some of my recent blogs: Fifth Grade Math Curriculum Fifth grade math curriculum builds upon what was learned in previous years. Your child may already know many of these concepts, but they must be practiced at a higher difficulty level. Here are the math concepts that your fifth grader should learn. Homeschooling making Schools of the Future Possible If you were an elementary school student in the 1970's like I was, then you remember predictions of what it would be like to like in the year 2000. What are your homeschoolers doing this summer? As summer approaches, it is time for my family to switch from out regular homeschool schedule to out summer schedule. I want my children to continue spending time purposely learning every day without burning them out. How to Make Your Homeschoolers Good Citizens Yesterday I addressed the assumption that homeschoo...

I just ran across this interesting advice column where a family psychologist makes some recommendations to a public school mom. He tells her that if her child's teacher is not doing her job, then mom will have to pick up the slack at home. I have often given this same advice myself and am amazed that people look at me blankly when I tell them they have the power to teach their kids outside of public school. One person in particular has a child who needs a great deal of math help, and I have gone as far as having purchased workbooks and given the parents instructions to help the child, but she seems to feel it is above and beyond the call of duty. The full article is below. Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom Visit Free Home Ed. Homeschool For Free!

If you are anything like I was when I began homeschooling, as a new homeschooler, you are starved for advice from homeschoolers who have been at it a while. Read more»

I feel like grades should be completely eliminated from the education process. If anything, student's reports should reflect "Mastery", "Satisfactory", and "Unsatisfactory" progress. Read more»

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

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 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

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