Not Another Homeschool Blog

Math and reading, reading and math

If there's anything I learned in my near-decade homeschooling, it is that to homeschool effectively, there are two things you need to concentrate on.

1. Math
2. Reading

If I were to start over again with little ones, I would probably spend our mornings on math and reading, and spend our afternoons letting the kids do whatever they wanted... unschooling of sorts. This is because I love the idea of unschooling and the magic it can create, but I am also a stickler for math and reading.

I think math is so important because I like to educate the child toward college. Even though I realize this is not everyone's goal, for my and my family it is non-negotiable. Even for those non-college-bound kiddies or

Revealing too much?

I just saw a Today Show segment about a famous mommy blogger and they mentioned that she is divorcing and could not -not write about it. This really sent my antennae up. Antennae one went up because this woman is a self sustaining blogger. COOL. If not for my husband being a self-sustainer, I would not be able to blog.

I am absolutely bonkers about the Atlantic Station neighborhood in downtown Atlanta. I actually have real plans to move there when my nest officially becomes empty. I will live in a high rise apartment and have access to live shows, stores within walking distance, and restaurants on every corner.

There is a square Atlantic Station which is a very nice green space where lots of activities take place. There are a handful of tables and chairs around this green space where patrons of the restaurants can sit and enjoy the free internet provided in the area while sipping their coffee or eating the lunch they have purchased in the area. Technically, anyone can sit at these tables and use the internet for as many hours as they please, but this leaves the people who are actual patrons in the area to perch uncomfortable on a stone ledge, or give up altogether, possibly even causing the stores to lose revenue as the patrons don't purchase a second cup of coffee or linger pick up a mid afternoon snack.

While the internet service is paid for by the city or community, one could argue that tax payments cover the use, so they can take up the tables with no regard to those who don't beat them to it, but it disturbs me a little bit that people could hog up all of the services without participating in what is the proper thing to do... patronize the businesses near the tables you are taking up.

It also disturbs me a little that as homeschoolers many of us don't want to patronize the schools, but still take up space on the football team that a child who does go to the school has earned.

Besides that, it is not that difficult to find a travel league or alternative for homeschoolers to participate in. Furthermore, I feel like it is a little hypocritical of us to complain about public schools and then still use the portion that will make our lives easier.

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What are your daughters wearing to prom?

There is a big to-do about prom dresses in the news. Apparently, high schools want it to be clear that girls should wear prom dresses that make them look like young ladies... not hookers. Yes, I said that. It completely floors me that parents are paying hundreds of dollars for dresses for their daughters that have so little fabric. Have they forgotten their veto power? Are they afraid to say no? ... And will they really be surprised when their little girl comes home knocked up? Yes, I said that too.

I'm sorry, but whether I buy my daughter a prom dress or not (yes, homeschoolers really do have proms), there will be quite a bit of body coverage. My rules are:

NO CLEAVAGE
NO BARE BACK
NO CUT OUTS
NO STRAPLESS without a cover up
NOTHING ABOVE THE KNEES

Are my versions of a decent prom dress really so unbearable that girls can't look good and ladylike and still have a memorable night?

I especially like the idea of a vintage or period dress for prom. I'd be willing to pay a small fortune for that. My kid is really quirky and would wear something like this.

(all images from creative commons)

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If I'm paying for college, should I mind my business?

I spent the last few hours walking my son through the student loan process. It kind of burns me up that we have to fill out financial aid papers when we know he isn't getting anything... and will need to take out loans anyway. Hopefully, because he's not too keen on the idea of loans, he will put a fire under his butt to get some outside scholarships, and then can cancel the loan amounts.

On top of the loans, we will have quite a bit to pay out of pocket too, for which we don't want to take loans. Yes, we are looking forward to some lean years.

Anyway, here's something else I don't understand. Folks (experts and such) say that we should not helicopter the kids through this process. However, if he fails to cross his t's and dot his i's... it's on me. More money out of pocket, and at the very worst, him sitting and looking at me next year because he did not take the necessary steps.

As far as I can see, I plan to stay fully engaged in all things financial until money ceases to come out of my pocket. Am I wrong.

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Words and phrases your kids may not learn in NYC public schools

Dinosaur
Halloween
Birthday
Poverty
Dancing
Divorce
Disease
Celebrities
Personal Computers
Backyard swimming pools
Politics
War
Violence

... and so many more.

To be exact, it is not that they won't learn the words at school, but that tests will avoid any words that allude to anything that may be uncomfortable, emote feelings of insecurities or jealousy, or make kids feel left out. So they won't see words that suggest evolution or creationism. They won't see words that suggest poverty or riches. They won't see words that may allude to a religion other than their own, and so forth and so on. As far as I can see, there will be no nouns or verbs on these tests. After all, could they use the word "run" when it may upset a handicapped kid? Can they use the word "pie" when dessert is a rare treat at home? This is sticky indeed.

And they say homeschoolers are crazy.

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OH my gosh! A series of Lasts is about to start

My son is about the tech the last run of his last high school play.
Next week he takes his last standardized test.
Before I know it we will take his last drive on his learners permit.
(my mind is literally going blank... I am freaking out)

sigh, this boy is growing up too fast.

Off to watch my kids homeschool Drama Club do their last performance of Much Ado About Nothing.