There will be a lot more videos

I am now allowed monitization with YouTube so there will be a lot more videos.
I just realized that I used to preach about using public school resources for homeschooling, but we are now using them.

Never say never huh?

I do feel comfortable with using individual classes with Georgia Virtual School because it is not an online school, but online classes, so that parent still controls the students schedule and is responsible as their "principal".

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Racist Homeschoolers Unite? Not what I want to see in my inbox

Let's just say I was none too happy when I saw the following email in my inbox... here's an excert:


"Racist Homeschoolers Unite"?

Don't answer a fool according to his folly… that's our position and we'll continue to ignore the asinine assertions of racism being at the root of those who are displeased with the policies of the current administration. In the meantime, we're ready to start examining some of the GOP presidential candidates who may be able to turn the tide of the current political mess. The next president will be in a position to mold and shape the future America our children will inherit. ...

I am cringing at the thought of the next election. The last one was traumatic enough for me. You see, I have always been a person whose race did not seem to matter. Even the most racist of people seemed to like me and would tell me so. You know the old back-handed compliment "You're not like those other black people." Yes, that's been said to my face many times. I have always gotten along with all races, blended in, most people have always accepted me no matter what.

Then a black man ran for president.

During that election I found my "friends" saying things like "are you going to vote for Obama because you're black?" and other such dumb stuff. It lead to a lot of hard conversations I do not and did not want to have. MY RACE and the presidential election should have nothing to do with one another.



And so this morning, seeing the email entitled "Racist Homeschoolers Unite?" really cut me deep. I subscribe to homeschooling newsletters because I want to hear what others in homeschooling have to say about education... not about politics.

Was the sender of that email (with a photo of a black family on the magazine cover) so naive to think that all homeschoolers were GOP? Did they think that by putting a black family on the magazine cover that the subject matter was going to disarm black homeschooling families? You know what, I don't even want to know what they are thinking.

All I know is that I am a homeschooling mom, and that I am black, and that I am proud of our current president, for MY personal reasons, not the color of my skin and the last think I want to see in my email is a lot of propaganda that exploits the fact that I homeschool or my skin color for political reasons.

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First time dealing with public school teachers in years

As I have mentioned before the children erm, young adults are taking online classes with the public school teacher.  The Senior is taking 2 classes and the Junior is taking 1.

We received emails from all teachers today introducing themselves and letting us know when the weekly "chat" session would be.  Well, the session for my daughters Spanish  class is the same time as her drama club meetings. I emailed to the teacher to speak to him about the conflict.  However, as the teacher left his phone number I decided to try and call him.  He answered and was very nice.  He said just listen to the recordings of the weekly chats and and call him if she has any problems.

So far I am very happy with the level of communication.  That is usually my biggest pet peeve, so... so far-so good.


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I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

In July.

My daughters Drama Club is doing White Christmas.  The show will run the first week of December.

Auditions are soon.  I'll be picking up a copy of White Christmas the movie and the Broadway recording so she can prepare for auditions.

I think the role of Martha would be perfect for her... spunky and with a big voice.

 I'll be crossing my fingers for her.

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It's almost time for school! Homeschool that is.

The new school year starts in a couple of weeks. 

For my kids, their online classes (just a couple) start and their choir practice and drama club rehearsals also start the second week of august.  I will start their other studies once they get into the swing of things.

I already have the kids doing a little work to get them ramped up.  They are both doing test prep stuff and my daughter is halfway through her geometry curriculum. 

I am looking forward to this 2011-2012 school year with excitement. 

Are you ready?


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Crazy about online curriculum

I just updated my curriculum page, and listed my favorite curriculum from over the years (scroll to end of page).  To my surprise, most of them ended with .com or .org. I have a thing for online curriculum.

The downside to that is that we end up buying new computers... often.  My daughter seems to be able to trash a laptop in 18 months.  My son's last longer, but his choices are more expensive.

Fortunately, I fill in the blanks with free home education resources such as those found on my  FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE

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Choosing GA Virtual School over Ga Cyber Academy

It may seem odd that I have chosen to use a public school program to help homeschool my kids.  I have always been against public school at home, so I guess I should make a statement about this.

First,. because we could not get dual enrollment for my son's senior year, I wanted something to show to colleges that he was at the same level as high school kids.

Second, while Georgia Virtual School is sponsored by the state, it keeps the parent in control of what the child will take and even gives flexibility in scheduling.

Third, it is not Georgia Cyber Academy, in which the school makes all educational choices for the child.  I strongly dislike Georgia Cyber Academy because kids who are struggling in school, would almost never be successful in it.

Anyway, we chose to take a couple of online classes this year through Georgia Virtual School.  My son is taking Physics, Spanish, and a math class.  As I am not equipped to teach the spanish or physics, I had to find something, and this is free... more  money for college.  My daughter is taking Mandarin Chinese... there is no way I can help her with that.... for this reason, I am finding individual classes at Georgia Virtual School quite useful for my needs.


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Update:  Didn't have an awesome experience with Georgia Virtual School.  I only recommend if your kids can follow a typical school schedule... which sucks all of the fun out of homeschooling.