Not Another Homeschool Blog: Articles

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Somewhere between mad and sad

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 Kindergarten, and I am sharing it with you. I can't imagine the little kids in that photo being taken in violence and not allowed to grow up and be as amazing as they are today.

This is all beyond tragic.

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Getting Excited about Science with the Global Experiment (Guest Blog)

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 Solution,” which has the potential to be the largest chemistry experiment ever. Students from all over the globe will participate in the water themed experiments by testing how chemistry can be applied to purify water so it can be consumed. More specifically there are four activities that students will complete while taking part in the experiment: 1) acidity 2) salinity 3) filtration 4) solar still. Here is a more in-depth look into what students will be exploring in each required activity.

Acidity- In the first activity students will use pH strips and learn about the pH scale in order to measure the pH of their local body of water. They finish by learning methods for testing the reliability of their results.

Salinity- The Salinity activity provides students the experience of making their own water meter and testing the conductivity and salt presence in their particular water sample.

Filtration- Students must work with household or classroom found materials to construct a functioning water filtration system. In addition, they must test out and rank the filtration abilities of different materials. Then they will end this activity by carrying out an actual water treatment and filtration and record their findings on the Global Experiment website.

Solar Still- The Solar Still activity provides students experience in alternative methods of purifying water, with specific attention to the distillation process.

The Global Experiment assumes that teachers will direct students when they are carrying out each experiment, but the experiment encourages guidance and supervision from any adults willing to get involved. It does not matter if a teacher or parent has background in chemistry; the experiment comes with specific directions with regard to the methods and materials necessary for the successful completion of the modules. According to the IYC, the experiments will cost very little, if anything at all, to get as many people participating as possible. Finally, they designed experiments based on the level of education for those involved. Elementary school children can follow simpler experiments while those in middle or high school have increasingly complex and challenging tasks.

The International Year of Chemistry kicks off February 6th, and the Global Experiment runs all year, so if you believe that your child or your class would enjoy participating in the experiment visit the website! It is an easy yet terrific way to get students excited about science, and it also gets students involved in helping to solve the problem many countries have accessing clean drinking water. When Liveris was in grade school he says he became “hooked on the knowledge that chemistry would open the door to innovations that would make the world a better place.” Hopefully, by getting involved with the Global Experiment, more and more students will start to feel this way!

Alan Parker is a blogger based out of New York, NY who writes about alternative energy, green business, sustainability, and climate change.
Follow on Twitter @AGreenParker

(Thank you Alan Parker for this very valuable guest blog)

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There are home-school parents who are knuckleheads just like there are public school parents who are knuckleheads

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/

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Homeschoolers, college, and scholarships

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.

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My recent homeschool and education articles

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. Yet she saw no appeal in it.

If I Could Start Over Again, Thoughts from a homeschool veteran

I don't know If I can really call myself a homeschool veteran just just yet because I have not graduated a homeschooler. I have however, gotten my kids to the high school stage and am continuing to homeschool them. 75% of homeschoolers (my best bet)decide to stop homeschooling by this point.

Homeschooling Highschool, harder than Chemistry and Trig

Many people worry about homeschooling highschoolers because teaching subjects like Chemistry, Trigonometry, and Calculus is so hard. Compared to the full job of homeschooling a high school students, a few AP courses don't scare me in the least.

Notes from a homeschooling mom: What does success look like For children in public school, success can be measured at each pop quiz and chapter test. If a student can pass a test after the teacher has taught the material, then all is well. Of course there is some debate in the success of teaching to the test, a teacher who can promote a class full of children who are ready for the next grade level is typically successful.

Homeschool 101: Hiring in-home instructors

Homeschoolers take classes online, they go to local classes and co-ops, and they take lots of educational field trips. For some subjects however, it is best to have an instructor to come to you.

Carnival of Educators v. 2: Here's to teachers Welcome to the November 3, 2009 edition of carnival of educators. This week's theme is Here's to Teachers.

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Education Article Round-up

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, and my family and my friends, but I finally understand why some homeschoolers take off for a year or two of learning adventures.

Homeschool Field Trip Must: La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles
by Andrea Hermitt
17 Aug 2009 09:21 PM
(cc) image by MoToMo/flickr If you are ever in Los Angeles, one of the most important places for a homeschooler to visit is the La Brea Tar Pits. Who would have thought there would be tar pits containing fossil bones from 40,000 to 8,000 years ago in the middle of Los Angeles? Certainly not us.

The modern nanny must be able to homeschool
by Andrea Hermitt
12 Aug 2009 10:45 AM
In searching for homeschool news on the internet, I keep noticing ads for nannies that ask for homeschooling qualifications. I am also noticing teachers offering their services as nanny/ homeschool teachers.

When Schools Don't Deliver
by Andrea Hermitt
06 Aug 2009 06:19 PM
Joanne Jacobs recently reported on a story where a recent college graduate sued her alma mater as she had not found a job and felt the school had not delivered it's promises. "They have not tried hard enough to help me," the frustrated Bronx resident wrote about the school in her lawsuit.

Atlanta Homeschool 101, Homeschool Music Instructors
11 hrs ago - Atlanta Homeschooling ExaminerFor many homeschoolers, music instruction is a large part of education the child. For that reason, we employ music instructors and take our kids to... Full Story

Another reason Atlanta moms are choosing to homeschool

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 ·The Atlanta Pampered Kids Examiner wrote an article detailing why more Atlanta moms are choosing to homeschool. In the article she interviews a...Keep Reading »

Special event announcement , Homeschool day at Stone Mountain Park

Monday, August 31st, 2009 · The next homeschool day at Stone Mountain Park is Friday October 2, from 10am to 5pm. The cost of a "Special Home School Day Adventure pass: is...Keep Reading »

Notes from a homeschooling mom: It's all about creativity

Saturday, August 29th, 2009 · A conversation with another homeschool mom involved searching for a graphic arts class for her son. The problem is that he already has the knowledge...Keep Reading »

A bit about the Atlanta Homeschool Examiner
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 · The frugal homeschooling mom just posted a blog about me and my family. I have often said that it is important to...Keep Reading »

Should Obama's student address be cancelled
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 · President Obama is planning to address America's school children Next Tuesday (Sept 8, 2009) during school hours....Keep Reading »

Education 101, websites to help you tutor your child

Monday, August 31st, 2009 · Here are my favorite sites for tutoring kids. Math.com for free elementary -highschool math help. They have a free worksheet generator, and times...Keep Reading »

Nude man hijacks school bus in Atlanta (video)
Thursday, August 27th, 2009 · Today in Atlanta, a school bus was hjacked by a man wearing a condom with his sweatpants pulled down to his knees....Keep Reading »

Swine flu spreading fast through colleges (video)
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 · Colleges have been in effect for less than 2 weeks in some parts of the country. In other areas it hasn't even...Keep Reading »

School misspells "Education", examiner commiserates
Monday, August 24th, 2009 · As an education examiner, from time to time I get comments shaming me for spelling a word wrong. I agree that as...Keep Reading »

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

Almost back to school time (recent articles)

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 finding the job market unfriendly are considering graduate schools. Kiplinger.com...
Keep Reading »

Blind students neglected in Baltimore schools

Friday, July 31st, 2009

“I wish I could be reading my remarks to you in Braille, but I was never taught Braille in school". Vison impaired teenage student...
Keep Reading »

Education 101: Helping your teen take charge of their high school education

Thursday, July 30th, 2009 ·

If you read the articles Education 101: Taking charge of your child's middle school education, and Education 101: Taking charge of your child's...
Keep Reading »

Is Obama's race to the top a good idea?

Monday, July 27th, 2009 ·

The overall consensus is that the Race to the Top initiative introduced by Arne Duncan and President Obama that...
Keep Reading »

Race to the top has states competing for education stimulus funds

Friday, July 24th, 2009 ·

Arne Duncan, US Education Secretary appointed by president Obama, has introduced his $5 billion "Race to the Top" fund. The purpose...
Keep Reading »

Back to school: Preparing your student for the new year

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Back to school time is just weeks away here in the south and for everyone else, it will be here before you know...
Keep Reading »

Education 101: Taking charge of your child's middle school education

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 ·

Middle School is where parents begin to lose touch with what is going in in their child's education. The...
Keep Reading »

Education 101: Taking charge of your child's elementary school education

Too often, parents send children to school and disconnect from the education process. They feel that once the...
Keep Reading »

Obama is serious about community college

President Obama's recently unveiled education plan focuses on the building of community college and online...
Keep Reading »

Back to school: Signing up for fall homeschool classes

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

For many homeschoolers, the new school year means finding new classes and new opportunities for learning and...
Keep Reading »

Homeschooling at Zoo Atlanta 2009-2010

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

Zoo Atlanta has created a couple of programs for homeschoolers. The following activities are on the calendar...
Keep Reading »

Should homeschoolers take advantage of the tax free weekend

Friday, July 31st, 2009

This weekend is tax free weekend here in Georgia. This is certain to bring educators and parents out in...
Keep Reading »

Atlanta homeschool 101: Declaration of intent and montly attendance

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

In the article Atlanta Homeschool 101: Rules and regulations, I explained the rules and regulations that homeschoolers in Greater Atlanta and the...
Keep Reading »

Special Event Announcement: Home school history with National Archives Atlanta

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Press release: Home School History With the National Archives At Atlanta 2009-2010 Every Third Wednesday...
Keep Reading »

Notes from a homeschooling mom: Using public services

Saturday, July 25th, 2009 ·

There was a meeting in Gwinnett County this week to discuss budget cuts. Dekalb county is certainly making...
Keep Reading »

Back to school... kind of

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Five years ago, for this homeschooling family, the title would have read "Back to...
Keep Reading »

Homeschooling Groups and Resources in Georgia M-Z

by Andrea Hermitt

30 Jul 2009 11:25 AM

To succeed in homeschooling, it is in your best interest to get involved with other homeschoolers. You should join a homeschool network or group near you. In Georgia there are many homeschooling groups as well as many homeschooling classes, and programs for students.

by Andrea Hermitt

28 Jul 2009 06:20 AM

One thing a new homeschooler needs to be especially careful about is bad homeschool advice. We often get "advice" about homeschooling that is unsolicited, but sometimes we go to the wrong people for advice.

by Andrea Hermitt

24 Jul 2009 11:22 AM

by Andrea Hermitt

20 Jul 2009 09:23 AM

Homeschoolers are the butt of late night tv jokes, a writer recently stated. Being an insomniac, I watch a bit of late night TV and with the exception of one skit that included Micheal Phelps, I don't recall hearing any.

by Andrea Hermitt

14 Jul 2009 01:30 PM

My husband and I don't discuss homeschooling much. We just have an understanding about it. It is something we do, and we live our lives around it. It is good; and that is that.

Recent homeschool and education blogs

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
Schools, whether public or private, are not the end-all, be-all of education jobs. There is a large market for good teachers in homeschooling. ... Full Story

Homeschooling, unschooling, not schooling
Norfolk Homeschooling Examiner, Sherene Silverberg, did a brave thing by voicing her opinion in the Examiner...Keep Reading »

Homeschool debate, one-on-one
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009In weighing in on the homeschool debate, I actually found myself with nothing to say. Homeschoolers in...Keep Reading »

Michael Jackson's homeschooled kids
For most of the TV viewing world, the past few days have been taken up with news of Michael Jackson. Now most...Keep Reading »

If students behaved the same as teacher's union members
At a recent annual teacher's union meeting in San Diego, Arne Duncan was met with a great deal of hostility. ...Keep Reading »

From homeless to Harvard bound
Every year there are stories about graduating students whose stories pull on the heart strings. Some students...Keep Reading »

Year-round school begins in Chicago
The jury is out on whether year-round schooling is a good thing or not. However, it is becoming a popular trend....Keep Reading »

Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

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Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum

Recent homeschooling articles

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 Jun 2009 06:46 AM
Some time back, Julie Gentry wrote about using scouting to fulfill homeschool requirements. She described what she called scout school and how easy it was to integrate it into homeschool academics.

How to use learner.org as a homeschool curriculum
by Andrea Hermitt
04 Jun 2009 06:10 AM
I recently mentioned learner.org amongst my best free homeschool programs online for 2009. I have been using learner.org extensively since then, and realized that new users to the site might need a bit of a tutorial. Learner.

Micheal Jackson's homeschooled kids
Monday, June 29th, 2009 As with most of the TV viewing world, this past few days has been taken up with news of Micheal Jackson. Now...Keep Reading »

Notes from a homeschooling mom: Things we like about homeschooling

Saturday, June 27th, 2009 I can write oodles about why homeschooling is good and why it is the right thing to do for kids. The thing is, none of that would matter if it...

Homeschooling with YouTube
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 · 2 commentsI have found that YouTube has some awesome tools for homeschooling. My favorite is Khan Academy which teaches...Keep Reading »

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

Recent families.com articles

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

Recent homeschool and education articles

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 budget woes.

Should you hire a high-end homeschool professional

by Andrea Hermitt

In a tongue-in-cheek article that manages to kick homeschoolers a few times in the process, a Cityfile New York article introduces an entrepreneur supplies high end teachers to affluent homeschool families.

My families.com recap for this week

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 Graduates Face Diploma Issues
by Andrea Hermitt

A police officer received a perfect 4.0 average at the police academy, but has lost his certification because he received a category IV high school diploma. (A Category IV high school diploma is awarded to private church schools and homeschoolers).

Typical High School Course of Study: Language Arts Part 1
by Andrea Hermitt

Four years of language arts classes are required to complete high school. There really is not much variety in the language arts choices, as you need to show that you took 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade language arts to show you have earned a "diploma".

Typical High School Course of Study: Language Arts Part 2
by Andrea Hermitt

Four years of language arts classes are required to complete high school. There really is not much variety in the language arts choices, as you need to show that you took 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade language arts to show you have earned a "diploma".

Reasons I am glad we homeschool: Electronic monitoring
by Andrea Hermitt

In a time of mass failure of standardized tests, and children finishing high school unable to read or do college level math, it seems that schools are spending more time and money worried about behavior and tracking kids than actually teaching them anything.

Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

Recent articles I wrote for families.com

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 homeschoolers may turn out to be poor citizens. Realizing that this accusation is just another way to make homeschooling appear inferior, just like the socialization issue, it is still important for homeschoolers to work to invalidate such statements.

Can Homeschoolers Be Good Citizens?

I recently came across a conversation on one of my homeschooling email lists about homeschooling and citizenship.

Fourth Grade Homeschool Basics

For your child's fourth grade curriculum, I have complied a list for each subject for you to use. Each page will have a list of recommended subjects that you should cover as well as links to materials that I recommend. This list also contains information brought to you by other bloggers.

Fourth Grade Language Arts Part 2

Fourth Grade language arts skills builds upon skills learned in previous years. Here is part 2 of the list of fourth grade language arts skills adapted from the World book website along with my suggestions for teaching these skills.

Fourth grade Language Arts Part 1

Fourth Grade language arts skills builds upon skills learned in previous years. Here is part 1 of the list of fourth grade language arts skills adapted from the World book website along with my suggestions for teaching these skills.

What Does it Feel Like to be a Homeschooler?

Homeschoolers, especially homeschooling parents experience a wide range of emotions. Some of these emotions come from within; others are a result of outside experiences. Some are very good. Others are not so great.

Fourth Grade Science Curriculum

Fourth grade science curriculum focuses on nature, such as plant, weather, pollution, and the earth's place in the solar system. The following list of lessons was adapted from the list at World Book Encyclopedia. I am adding suggestions you can use to teach these lessons.

Read the families.com homeschool blog here:

Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

Responsible Parents must do Some Degree of Homeschooling

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

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Tips for New Homeschoolers

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»

Schools Should Eliminate Grades

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»

Someone close to you sabotaging your efforts?

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

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Are you worried about socialization?

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

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How to Prevent Homeschool Sabotage

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

Homeschooled Grammy Award Winner Starts Home School Label

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

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