Oprah: Looking for Superman (video)

I missed the first episode where problems with education was discussed.  But I don't really have to watch Oprah to understand the problems with our schools.  They are plentiful and farspread from the teacher's unions that keep poor teachers, to the politics that drive out new teachers with potential. 

(I am watching part two of this episide, and just 10 minutes in I am distressed.  I feel like the solutions about to be offered are still band-aids.  The first guest, a star teacher in Harlem requested 1 extra hour a day... an hour of what?  More crap?  Ugh!.  )  She presents her own Supermen who she thinks can effect change, and they are calling for mothers, fathers, teachers, adminstrators to join them...

Homeschooling For Dummies

I just read an article entitled Using For Dummies Books in Homeschooling.  "Hey!  I've done that"; I thought.

I mostly use free online programs for homeschooling my high school students, but there were few options available for Algebra 2.  I had noticed the For Dummies books but hesitated to buy them in fear of insulting my son.  Then he came to me and requested Algebra 2 for Dummies.  (My son has always helped  research and choose his curriculum.  I purchased the book and accompanying workbook. He loved it.

Upon finishing it, he did give a small warning. He said that it was written for someone who was familiar with Algebra and possibly even Algebra 2, but needed extra help.  Whenever he got stuck, he went online and chose videos from sites like Khan Academy, and Your Teacher.com.

Just something I thought you should know.

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Could my child be Self Directed?

You might remember that last week I wrote about changing my son's math plans.  He was supposed to start Calculus, having just finished trig... but he just didn't want to.  Because he is only 16 (a Jr.) and because calculus is not really necessary for his projected course of study, we decided to put calculus off for a year and in the meanwhile, work on perfecting his current math skills so he will do well on standardized exams.

I thought that meant I would have to buy workbooks, and stand over him and force him to do math practice every day, but boy, was I wrong! 

This morning he printed off a stack of math worksheets to take with him to his Fine Arts programs so he could work on them during is study hall period.  He is actually assessing his weaknesses, and doing extra practice in those areas on his own. 


YES!!

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Sometimes you just have to take a day off

I joked yesterday that my weekend was busier than my week and I needed a day off.  This morning, I still felt the same way.  Every member of my household had a non-stop weekend which followed a non-stop week.  Today, we stopped. Sort of.

 I took a couple of hours to clean so far, and soon, I will look through the kids notebooks and grade some tests, but active instruction is not going to happen today.  I don't have the strength.  The kids also didn't get to do their homework for their Arts program over the weekend, so they will finish that up later today.

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