Not Another Homeschool Blog

The Complete Works of Shakespeare ...  Abridged!  I made 2 and altered the rest.  A guy is playing the women's parts! Gertrude (made with no pattern) Lavina (also made with no pattern) Ophelia Juliet Cleopatra  I am still working on the nurse costume... and kilts for Macbeth!  So if you are wondering why I haven't produced any art work in a while... here's why.

This was the exact thought I had when I decided to homeschool my kids...and the sentiment is growing, especially among African Americans. Black families have become one of the fastest-growing demographics in homeschooling, with black students making up an estimated 10 percent of the homeschooling population. (For comparison’s sake, they make up 16 percent of all public-school students nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.) And while white homeschooling families traditionally cite religious or moral disagreements with public schools in their decision to pull them out of traditional classroom settings, studies indicate black families are more likely to cite the culture of low expectations for African American students or dissatisfaction with how their children—especially boys—are treated in schools.   read more

Not why most people homeschool, but this rings true to me.

I went right from making costumes for the Dorothy /Alice show to making costumes for a Shakespearian show.  I am very happy about that. Next to murals, (or set painting, which I have to get in better shape to do) this is my favorite form of art, I think. Right now I am exploring period proper clothing, modern relaxed clothing that is an homage to the Elizabethan era, i.e. the time of Shakespeare.  I am also exploring outfits that take a humorous twist on clothing of the time period.  The mashup will be interesting. Interestingly enough, I would have never become interested and involved in costuming, were it not for homeschooling.  Following my daughter's interests led me to making costumes for her drama club which I absolutely love. This led to her becoming more interested in costuming as well, and seeing it as a possible side job to her acting aspirations.  She has implored me to keep it up, as she sees it as something we can do together when she is done w...

I've been really busy since depositing the kids back at college. I have been doing volunteer work for a community theatre, and my job right now is to make costumes for a show that is quickly approaching, so I haven't had the opportunity to write or do art-work.  Or have I? Some of the costumes I have created have turned out to be some interesting works of art.   Here are some of the things I have made. Wonderland flower.  a few fake flower bouquets attached to a sin visor.  Wonderland flower dress.  Green pillowcase dress with tulle tutu Tin man hat.  A plastic funnel, grey and shiny silver duck tape and some christmas garland Tin man suit. Silver sweatsuit I found, with wire sewing into the hems to make it rounded.

All my kids' friends are college age right now.  Some about to graduate, and a few still to enter college. From my own kids' experience and observing and inquiring into the college journey of their homeschooled friends, I have come to the conclusion that college can be difficult for homeschoolers, and while many make it through completely unscathed, very many become disillusioned quite quickly and struggle or drop out. Just starting with the fact that they are homeschooled and used to doing things in a way that makes sense to them and only them, bending to a teachers whims and quirks is off-putting and difficult to maneuver. In short, the freedom they experienced as homeschoolers, can cause problems when it disappears suddenly when they reach college. All of a sudden things that have never counted, and probably should not count are deal-breakers.  My own son was penalized greatly for things like, not using the plagarism check tool correctly and thus losing a grade point, not...

Needless to say my kids are home from college and I am enjoying them, so... no blogging.  I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  I'm looking forward to a year of personal growth, and creativity.  I wish you all the best of all things, for yourselves and your families. See you in 2015.