Homeschooling Atheist Momma

St. Louis Homeschool Resources

2012-02-10T13:00:00.011-06:00

Seriously Low Pricing on nearly all of my books listed on Amazon.com.
You can see my personal storefront at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&isAmazonFulfilled=0&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&isCBA&seller=A3OLRG93HI3ZY0

Ordering two or more books from my storefront AND sending me a message either here or through Amazon.com will get free shipping on your order in the continental US OR APO address.

12 Homeschool Myths BUSTED by Homeschoolers

2012-02-06T20:30:00.003-06:00

The other day, after English 1 class at my home, the kids participating in my class got to talking about the "usual" myths associated with homeschooling. I decided, right there and then, that the words from this remarkable, and typical, group of teens could respond to the usual homeschool criticisms better than I could.

I went online and found umpteen lists of criticisms and myths of homeschooling. We sat and talked about each list, point by point. I am paraphrasing much of the responses. Where possible, quotations will be used.

So, without further ado:

Homeschoolers are super religious. "Some are, some aren't. We're totally NOT." Within our homeschool group, about half of the families claim some religious affiliation. I don't know if this represents most homeschool groups, but it does ours.
Homeschoolers sleep late and do their lessons in pajamas. Well, OK, yes. Sometimes we do sleep late. This totally depends on how late we were up the night before. And, we admit, we do stay in our pajamas when we can. Actually, we leave the house so many days a week, days like this are a treat to us too.
Homeschoolers don't have any friends. "Insulting!" "I have lots of friends!" "Some homeschoolers somewhere might have no friends, I don't know. And I'm sure that there are kids in schools who don't have friends."
Homeschoolers have fun all of the time. "It can be fun...OK, it is fun, but not all of the time." "I still have to get lessons done. That takes me anywhere from one to three hours or so each day. After that I get to choose what I do." It depends on each homeschool family. Some people really have learned to find fun in life. Some people never really do!
Homeschoolers are not social. "Of course I'm social! Many homeschoolers are very outgoing." "I know people who homeschool who are very social, some not so much. I've also met regular school kids who are social and some who are not. I don't get why we get this one!" "Every child is different!" Some kids admit to times when they feel like being home alone. All of the teen respondents also report wanting more time with friends when they have no scheduled activity.
Homeschoolers play video games all of the time. "Of course not! I have to earn time and then I have to play when the little ones are in bed." Many of the participants report having favorite video games and many other activities that occupy their time. No one claimed to spend "hours" on video games daily. All claimed to play them "occasionally" or "not every day".
Homeschoolers stay at home and are isolated. "NO! Sure, we stay at home sometimes, but we leave alot too. We go on field trips, day trips, and we go to co-op activities every week." "I have at least two days with outside activities, sometimes more." This group of kids listed almost twenty different activities between them. I should also mention that most of these myths were met by laughter...this one especially.
Homeschoolers have no boyfriends. “What?! NO! Not true!” That depends on the family. Two of the teens claim to have boy or girl friends. Most report having had boyfriends or girlfriends in the past. All report having long-term friendships with people of the opposite sex. A few of the kids admit to having no interest at this time.
There aren’t many homeschoolers. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! “There are so many! I laugh at that!” We find that, when we go out in public, we can almost always find other homeschool families wherever we are.
Homeschoolers are either super smart or they have ADD. “Well, we tend to be smart because we spend a lot of time on subjects.” “Most of us are in the middle.” “I admit that people often call me ‘mature’.” It’s different for everyone, but most of the students are “average”. "I know we keep saying it but it depends!"
Homeschoolers can’t play organized sports. “WRONG! I play hockey!" Other sports played include: softball, soccer, tae kwon do, and baseball. Many sports are able to be played without being associated with a school. “But I play for a school."
Homeschool parents can't teach high school. "WHAT! Parents can teach anything. They can read!" The kids all laugh at this one. "I guess most people don't understand what homeschooling is all about."

Overall, the kids were surprised, a bit insulted by the claims that non-homeschoolers make about homeschoolers, and entertained by the misconceptions. And then we moved on.

Interestingly enough, I have more to this post. After this conversation, I asked the kids what stereotypes that THEY have about public school kids...
THEN I asked a good public school kid to reply to those...
More to come!
Stay tuned!

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Mom day, Mom day...so good to me!

2012-02-03T21:19:00.000-06:00

I am totally taking tomorrow OFF!

We Have 5ive Winners!

2012-02-01T16:17:00.004-06:00

Totally at random, chosen by my son using a hat, I have the winners.
Winners, I will attempt to reach you. If I do not reach you by the end of Thursday, please contact me!
All prizes still unclaimed until February 17th will be forfeited OR redrawn.
And CONGRATULATIONS!

First, this prize packet containing a planosphere goes to Domestic Diva!
Second, this book Home Educated and Now Adults by Brian D Ray, PhD goes to Rayven Holmes!
Third, Play Lightly on the Earth by Jacqueline Horsfall goes to A Homeschool Story!
Fourth, Impressionist Art Masterpieces to Color goes to Tata!
And Fifth, The Me I'm Learning To Be by Imogene Forte goes to Steph!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Teen-Led One-Acts

2012-02-01T16:01:00.003-06:00

On Wednesdays I have a group of families over to my house for classes. I do an English 1 class, others do Geometry, Origami, Waldorf-Style Preschool, and the teens are doing a One-Act class. The class is designed with ten or so participants are writing their own play. I am their adult sponsor, but I am "hands off", letting them to all of the work.

What I'm actually doing, unknown to the teens, is watching the group dynamics.

Cast of Characters: Tall boy, Quiet blond,

Dr. Who, The Cure, Milly,

Indie, Izzy, Tomboy, Cool, Actor

2:15 - I started the class by telling them that they are, basically, on their own. I let them know that they are responsible for the group, for setting goals, creating, encouraging all to participate, and all production. We all know how this is going to go. The "quieter" kids are going to be quiet. The rambunctious kids are going to overrun the class, making it impossible for anyone to get anything done. The others, not wanting to look uncool, will allow the "dominant" and louder teens to run rampant. There will be many hours of side talking and off-topic conversation. I plan on keeping track of the dynamic.
2:25 - I'm sitting here, now, writing this as the group is talking, all at once. Lots of talking, lots of shouting "shut up". Ideas are being tossed around. Two of the kids, Izzy and Indie, are very quiet and haven't spoken at all. Some ideas are being tossed around. A "Lord of the Flies"-type idea is being tossed around, which I find ironic. One person, Dr. Who, said, "I have an idea!" Everyone quieted down, saying "shut up", and she spoke.
2:30 - Tall Boy said, "Stop saying 'shut up', it's annoying"!
2:45 - There has been at least thirty minutes where the group is still tossing ideas around, most of them incredibly gross or ridiculously silly. A small group of kids appear to be, internally, forming a small group of people who are interested in being productive. Boys are wrestling, talking silly, tossing things at each other.
2:47 - kids talking to me, hoping I am not annoyed and hoping I'm not noticing their language use. I assured them that I'm barely paying attention. Tomboy offers me a great deal of attention and affection.
2:50 - a neighborhood boy walking by outside and captured their attention. They're now shouting out the door, running out the door, talking to him.
Tall boy says, "GUYS! We need to get serious now."
Tom boy and Tall boy disagree on what is funny. Eight others barely speak. Cool keeps offering silly ideas designed take the group totally off track, and it works.
2:55 - Indie suggests that the ideas don't make sense and are not "plausible". A fairly interesting conversation ensues, although it doesn't much relate to a play. Actor dominates with silliness. Cool enjoys the sillier times better than the productive times, as evidenced by his volume.
3:00 - Apparently they have decided on there being a lobster in the play. Dr. Who is shouting "QUIET", and they do quiet for a moment. The Cure makes a suggestion. Definition of "nerd" is discussed. Quiet girl is asked if she has any ideas. She says she doesn't. Is progress on their goal being made? Maybe! It seems that, with the "Lord of the Flies" idea, there are nine characters being sketched out. Some ideas are pretty clever. One character is called "Heat Stroke Water Guy". Barry Manilow is being discussed as a character. Now we're making progress!
3:05 - Dr. Who is making notes, Tall Guy is standing and talking. Izzy asks some good question, quietly and Tom Boy says, "Hey! Izzy has something to say!" Dr. Who, as the group member with a laptop, seems to be leading the discussion. The discussion of characters becomes very productive, with lots of silliness.
3:15 - I bring in the promised snacks and they are devoured. Seriously.
3:15 - Milly talks with a huge smile of her face. Eating. Characters are now listed, named, and given brief description. Actor frequently shouts out random, non-related words and phrases. The reading of the characters elicits laughter, new ideas, and, finally, a GOAL! Each person will create their own character's back stories and names.
3:20 - Cool starts naming characters and creating relationship information. Quiet blond sits with her hand on her cheek. Indie smiles and laughs silently. Tomboy squeezes between two closely-sitting people on the couch. All laugh.
3:25 - more food, all are quiet and munching. And giggling. I notice some texting going on. Indie starts reading aloud all of the written information. Everyone listens and laughs at their favorite funny parts.
3:30 - characters were set and a plan for next week: figure out the plot!

Interesting and funny!
Turns out that I was WRONG! These kids, through what looked like and felt like chaos to me, they were able to create characters and some semblance of a plot.
I've been SCHOOLED!

Did you think they would get anything done?

This I Believe

2012-01-31T22:32:00.001-06:00

If you've spent any time on NPR.com's This I Believe, the spoken essays on NPR that are based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, Americans from all walks of life share the personal philosophies and core values that guide their daily lives, maybe you've given some thought to just exactly what you believe. I have given it some thought.

Take your life, blow away the superfluous activity and worry, pass by the time-consuming daily chores, and turn away from those people and things that simply bring difficulty to your days. What is left is what is important. What is left is the condensed essence of who you are and what you care for.

Watching my life on the boiler, the first things that blow away in a vaporous mist is the driving, the teaching, the cleaning, the fussing, the worrying, and the computer. Cooking skitters away the fastest. Next in the condensing procedure are the numerous family members who tend to express disapproval, dismay, or simple dislike. I'm happy to see them gone and they seem to leave with some satisfaction. Following closely behind, acquaintances who tend to take more than they give or who need me more than want me.

Floating away on the breath of a whisper, car troubles, money worries, buying and selling of any and all things, tiresome banter, dreary philosophical discussions of all kind, and household clutter. Vaporizing and shimmering into non-existence, even my most treasured of belongings: pictures, letters, and possessions from long-gone loved ones. And finally, as the haze of memories and plans clear away, what is left in the bottom of the vessel?

I peer in carefully. There, solid and lovely, surrounded by warmth and honesty, my family. My husband and my two children. My stepchildren. My sister. The relationships that honestly mean everything to me.

People make life worth living. Take care of your relationships so that they will be left in the vessels of the ones that you love instead of a disappearing haze above their lives...

This I believe.

How Lame?

2012-01-30T00:43:00.000-06:00

How lame is my giveaway?
No one seems interested! LOL

Family Values

2012-01-30T00:37:00.004-06:00

According to the #1 authority on the net, Wikipedia, Family values are political and social beliefs that hold the nuclear family to be the essential ethical and moral unit of society.

WE-hee hee heelll. I just want to tear that one apart!

Jerry and I have a wonderful family! Doesn't it stand to reason that our values are "family values". Well, they're not, not in the societal-accepted way.

To begin with, we are more than a nuclear family. I have two beautiful and superlative-heavy stepchildren. These kids are remarkable human beings and loving people. We have an ex-wife and her husband. These people are, in fact, a part of our family. We share the two kids, right.

We also have some kids from other families that fit right with us whenever they are here. They fit right under my wing, just as my kids fit right under the wing of my friend.

We have parents and parents-in-law. We have a family of friends. We have a family that is far more than nuclear. It is atomic!

That's our family. But what of those families that have one parent? What of the families that have two parents of the same gender? How about families that manage to have more than two adults under the room? These families are atomic families too. And each of them has a set of values that guides them through the complexities of our society.

Is our family the "essential ethical and moral unit of society?" mentioned in Wiki? In it's unwieldy way, yes.

Admittedly the term "family values" is a bit vague, as well as being one of those concepts that changes with the wind. Interesting, then, that politicians actually run their entire campaigns claiming to support "family values"!

I know what these conservative types mean by "family values". They mean two parents with "traditional" roles, etc, but mostly, they mean opposition of families and beliefs that do not fit into their narrow definition.

Well, bully for the conservatives.

Our family believes in freedom and peace and choice and living kindly on this earth. Wrap me in tie dye and I'm happy.

But, I want all families to be accepted, welcome, supported in this grand country of ours. Without definition. Without someone else's idea of what a family should look like. Without that set of people who don't even ever see each family but who manage to define "family" for us. I want our nation to stand proud as we see the community of family options out there and as we embrace each and every one of them. THIS is the type of family value I can get behind.

The older I get, the more I am convinced that healthy families create healthy children and adults. Not just the narrowly-defined families. But families of all make up.

The greater we care for, nourish, and provide for each family on this planet, the more likely we will bring up the generation of adults who will solve the problems before them.

Does this make any sense to you? What do you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lighting a Fire

2012-01-28T22:02:00.000-06:00

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must
have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.
We must believe that we are gifted for something and
that this thing must be attained.
~Marie Curie

GIVEAWAY REMINDER - Enter Today!

2012-01-28T21:40:00.000-06:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's see, from all of the entries I have received, if you enter today...YOU WIN!

Four more days...then...YOU WIN!

http://taytayhser.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-is-giveaway-time.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Update

2012-01-28T16:01:00.001-06:00

Our days have been taken up with THEATER lately. Auditions, choreography, sets, props, special effects, costumes, and DRIVING THERE. We have all had a jolly time!


This troupe of friends and actors come from Belleville, New Athens, and other parts thereabouts.

From the rear, Ron Klein, Dan Irwin, In the front: Sandy Hesse,

Joyce and Gary Mossiman.

These folks are GREAT talents and they generously share their talents and wisdom with the kids who come out to Open House Theater in New Athens.

Director, Rich Matt, Lights, Charlie, Special Effects and backstage crew, Charlie and Jerry. Travis is missing from this pic.

The incomparable Sandy Hesse and John Lukomski.

Friend and Bonobo

Rich working on one of Jerry's special effects...the falling knife!

Dr. Who as an Elizabethan lady

Dr. Who and her Bestie in New Athens

Dr. Who, relaxed and happy after the last show!

Dr. Who and her "spouse" from the play. The Trents!

Our family has worked hard on this show and we have enjoyed it tremendously!
Next, both of the kids are working back at this theater on "Annie". Dr. Who is assistant directing while Bonobo is playing a zillion parts.
Dr. Who is so thrilled and proud to be assistant directing. MANY THANKS to Rich Matt for having confidence enough in her to expect good things from her!

Bonobo and I have been working on General Science with mostly biology. Plants and animials, and learning how to categorize them into Kindom, species...whatnot. (*I never could remember the levels, but Bonobo has is down pat! lol)

Bonobo keeping the smile up while working!

Bonobo and I are also working on geography. Spending lots of time learning about Africa. Reading, documentaries, map and atlas work, music, foods, and some excellent African Art. Next for us: Asia.
We've also been reading and writing. If you are one of the lucky ones, you should expect a letter from Bonobo in the mail! He's been writing like crazy!
He and I also enjoy board games, so we've been playing some fun stuff.
Online we've watched for current events, African news and movies, and humor!

Dr. Who is working hard at learning Korean. The next time you see her, ask her to say something in Korean! I thank Kehelea Taylor SO MUCH for her wonderful work with my daughter. Kehelea is so enthusiastic and encouraging!

She has also been learning about the Republican nominees, DNA and alleles, writing LOTS, and she's been walking and biking a bit.

There has also been some wrestling and some tickling going on!

We've had a pretty wonderful January!

Homeschool Pen Pals

2012-01-27T22:12:00.000-06:00

When I was growing up, I had some great friends who started out as pen pals. People from other parts of the country that I exchanged letters with weekly, sometimes more! lol
I would love to see my kids developing friendships in that way. Are pen pals a thing of the past?????
Are PENS a thing of the past?????????
I have been thinking about setting up a site for homeschoolers to connect with one another by snail mail.
Maybe starting with matching kids up from one HS group in another part of the country with kids from our HS group...
I don't know.
Would this work?
Any suggestions or thoughts???

Relativism and Atheism

2012-01-26T02:10:00.003-06:00

A friend of mine has an online atheist parenting magazine called Bright Parenting Magazine. She recently put out a call for articles, specifically, on virtues. I started writing, but kept getting stuck. The more I wrote and thought, the shorter the list of "obvious" virtues there were.

I started out considering the list from Bright Parenting Magazine: Humility, Empathy, Courage, Honestly, Openness, Generosity, and Gratitude. I was focusing on "HUMILITY". The more I thought about it, the less convinced I was that the traditional definition of humility was, truly, a virtue.
What IS a virtue? Various sources define virtue as "moral excellence" according to Wiki, THIS from www.thefreedictionary.com:

1. a. Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness.

b. An example or kind of moral excellence: the virtue of patience.

2. Chastity, especially in a woman.

3. A particularly efficacious, good, or beneficial quality; advantage: a plan with the virtue of being practical.

4. Effective force or power: believed in the virtue of prayer.

5. virtues Christianity The fifth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.

That dictionary actually claims that CHASTITY, especially in a woman is a virtue! (KMA, thefreedictionary.) Other sources define virtue as "moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. 2. conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude," according to dictionary.reference.com.

OK, so I'm willing to go with "ethical excellence", as I avoid the word moral at all costs. I don't care for the religious overtones, not to mention the overuse of the word. So, in my usual way of defining my own darn terms, we will refer to virtues at ethical excellences. Political correctness and brevity be damned.

Now, let's look again at that list of ethical excellences. Are they truly signs of ethical excellence?

Humility
Empathy
Courage
Honestly
Openness
Generosity
Gratitude

Beginning with humility, I already have a problem. The church has always encouraged it's devotees to be humble, to exhibit humility. In other words, to view themselves as unworthy, despite one's good qualities. I have always detested this one. Must I be modest if I am a good person? Is it honestly a way to advance our culture and ourselves, by undervaluing one's self?

Take a moment and go "Google" the word "Humility".
Go ahead. I'll wait.
If you get the same results that I did, you got over 39 million results. All of the top hits come from websites that are religious in nature OR that ascribe humility as a characteristic associated with Jesus.

Seriously?
Maybe the problem lies with the differing qualities generally associated with humility. Here are a few that I read from these top-linked websites from my search:

meek
self-effacing
humble
even humiliating one's self.

Is it possible that this so-called virtue is simply not all that virtuous? If I am not trying to control you, having you be meek and self-effacing does nothing but make you feel like crap...right? Like you will never be good enough.

Many traditional "virtues" have become obsolete as time has gone on. Perhaps some "virtues" simply run their course in history. Chastity, for example, isn't really the virtue it used to be. We no longer judge a person's "goodness" by whether or not they are chaste. For that matter, would "obedience" still be considered a virtue when no religion was asking for it?
Ethical excellences, one would assume, are those qualities that denote exceptional goodness. Is humility even on your radar?
So, let's strike off humility.

Next is Empathy. Dictionary.reference.com defines empathy as: the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another. Listen, this is a good one. I like it when the people I am around are capable of identifying with my feelings and can respond to them.
On the other hand, I have some friends who are exceptionally shy or socially-reserve. These are some terrifically good people. Although they are less likely to identify with and understand the feelings of everyone around them, some of these people are so good and kind and well-meaning that I can't not include them in the Ethical Excellence Club.

And so, I'm sorry, but I am going to have to remove empathy from the list. Not because I don't see it's value and it's goodness; I do! But because I simply don't like it being on THE LIST.

Courage. Are we saying here that people who are fearful or apprehensive can't be among the ethically excellent? I'm against this one on the list too. I'm sure that each of us knows of an anxious person who is so good that they almost break your heart.
Listen, I get it! It takes courage to stand up for what is right. It takes courage to do the right thing in the face of opposition. As an atheist, I can totally relate. But for those people who have difficulty with this, I don't see why their inherent anxiety or angst makes them a less ethical person than the next guy..?
Sorry, I'm going to have to strike that one too.

Honesty? Gee. It's difficult to find the grey area of honesty. I will leave the research up to you, but there truly are different levels of honesty depending upon one's intended outcome. I have been seriously emotionally wounded by someone who claimed that their words were an attempt to be "honest" with me. Most of us, I am sure, can come up with similar situations.
Is it possible that honesty can be judged based upon each situation? Situational honesty...

The funny thing about atheists, though, with regards to honesty, is this. I find atheists to be honest almost to a fault. We try so hard to be upfront and clear that, often we tend to say a bit too much.
Also, it's possible to be honest with everyone else except for ourselves. In this case, are we being honest?
I don't know about you, but even honesty seems a bit of a murky subject philosophically. I'm going to have to scratch it as it no longer seems universally to be an ethical excellence list component.

Openness... Aw geez, I know that you know where I am going with this.

Does being an ethical excellence relativist make me wishy-washy? I dislike THE BOX, THE LIST, THE MAN, and The Authoritatively Correct Thing.
Am I wishy-washy? Maybe. But I'm happy here in the grey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January 26, 2012:

After thinking about this for several days now and reading as much on it as possible in these days, I would have to claim the following values: do no harm, integrity, empathy, reason, and kindness. These five values cover a range of other possible inclusions.
Not a bad list, considering this is the first "research" I've actually done on this topic!.

Evolution Myths Busted

2012-01-23T03:55:00.002-06:00

Here is a kick ass website for evolution. Especially if you find the need to debate it.

http://www.atheismresource.com/2011/top-10-myths-evolution-downloadable-pdf

I was reading some blogs tonight and I'm SHOCKED and ...well, SHOCKED at the number of adults who are out there blogging about creation or blogging against evolution. In addition to referencing "The Bible" as a source for explanations, and in addition to referring to Roe vs. Wade as "asinine", and for suggesting that National Geographic is waaay off the mark when it refers to it's "facts", reading these blogs is enough to make a parent want dropkick Tim Tebow through the goal posts of life. It makes me, in fact, so angry, that the smug face of Bill O'Reilly makes me want to throw something at it.

I'm not a violent person, but reading this drivel is enough to choke the pacifism right out of me.

I need to remind myself of my beliefs! I need to get myself back to a happy place:

I believe in the goodness of all humans.
I believe that all humans deserve basic dignities.
I believe that people mean well and are doing their best.
I believe in freedom of speech.
I believe that people are doing their best each moment.
I believe that human beings have insatiable curiosity.
I believe that there is no end to the goodness we are capable of.
I believe that education of all kinds is a key to becoming the best "you" a person can be.
I believe in revering nature and all natural sources.
I believe in the uniqueness of every person.
I believe that everyone is deserving of respect.

Good grief, this crap isn't working!!!!!

Just looking at his smug, fat face brings out the anger in me!
I honestly think it has alot to do with choosing to remain ignorant of natural truths and choosing to use the public sector as a means for encouraging enmity and discord.

ACK, I have to get his face away from me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John Muir

2012-01-23T03:22:00.001-06:00

Take a course in good water and air;
and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own.
Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you.

John Muir (1838 - 1914)

HOMESCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRE

2012-01-20T16:58:00.001-06:00

Homeschoolers are NOTORIOUS for privacy AND for excellent blogs...LOL...We may possibly be a bit dichotomous.

In the spirit of getting to know more about the readers of this blog, ALL readers, not just the homeschoolers, I have come up with a brief questionnaire for ALL. Please, if you are interested, copy and paste my questions into your reply box and...ANSWER THEM!

ALL Questions are to ask your kids!

Are you a homeschooler? If so, what "type"?
What books are your favorites? School books?
Reading books? And why???
What do you do FOR FUN that doesn't count as a lesson?
Do you have any friends or family that don't really support homeschooling? What do they say and what do YOU say to them?
What is a unique lesson your family has participated in lately?
What is each child's favorite activity?
Give some advice to "newbies" to homeschool.
What has been very hard for you?
What was not as hard as you had anticipated?
Do you have a favorite website or other curriculum piece?
Do you have any favorite homeschool jokes or comics?
What do they love about homeschooling?
What is Mom or Dad's STRENGTH when homeschooling?
What is something that is hard to focus on?
What do people ask you or say to you about homeschooling?
Have you had anything funny happen when people discover you homeschool?
WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZATION?

Thanks so much for participating!

GIVEAWAY REMINDER - ELEVEN DAYS Remaining!

2012-01-20T16:12:00.002-06:00

http://taytayhser.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-is-giveaway-time.html

Make Your Own Joy!

It's Science Time and We're Doing the Litmus Test

2012-01-19T15:48:00.003-06:00

We're having an active and fun day exploring pH.
Litmus paper is cheap and easy to come by; so get some!
We first spent some time online learning about pH, what it means, H+ and OH-, acidity, alkalinity, and base.
We started with this website, Chem4Kids:
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/react_acidbase.html
Next we made a list of dozens of things we wanted to check out pH levels on.

Soft Scrub with Bleach was 11
baking soda water was 8.5
Gaviscon was 7
salt water is 5
nail polish remover is 5
dish soap is a 4
vinegar is 3.5
windex is 12
strawberry is 3
saliva is 6
Poppy seed salad dressing is a 4
milk is 7
first aid spray is a 5
soy sauce is 3.5
mouth wash is 3
7-Up soda is 4
Dr. Pepper is 3.5
Olive Oil for cooking is 4.4
tomato sauce is 3.5
and number 1 is 7. (I won't tell you whose number 1 we checked!)

That was fun.
But THEN came the insanity. We started mixing things and figuring out if they would become more basic or acidic. LOL

The energy level in this house, considering there are only two kids, is sky high. Dr. Who is totally business. Bonobo is totally play.

Here are some of our completed test litmus papers

Tracking tests on a scale

Hard at work on the counter

Windex, Apple, Orange, Milk

Dr. Who, hard at work

Bonobo, checking his litmus paper against the scale

A few of our tests

Bonobo doing a mix

We used LOTS of litmus!

Using the Litmus on soapy water

checking the litmus against the scale

Testing a grape - ACIDIC!

germX is a basic!

We had a wonderful time and everyone helped with the clean up!
REWARD: Orange and apple slices!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Questions for further study:

Bonobo: What IS litmus paper? How does it work? What is on the litmus paper that makes it able to detect hydrogen ions? Can we make our own litmus paper?

Dr. Who: When will 5:00 pm get here?!!!!!!!

We did further research on the questions and now we want to make our own cabbage-based litmus paper.

Rethinking Education

2012-01-18T23:08:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=g-all-esi&context=G2c41ddaFAAAAAAAABAA

PLEASE WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

Besides being a KICK ASS video, the messages are amazing!

It has the exciting title "Changing Educational Paradigms".

I know...*yawn*

But I PROMISE it will capture your attention!

Bringing This One Back Around

2012-01-18T23:04:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about being a homeschooling mom, what that means to me, what I bring to the table. I remembered that I have a post from 2010 from this blog that expresses it fairly well.
So, to reprieve: from September 2010:

I am a Homeschool Mom

I was thinking about what I wanted to write about and what I know about. HOMESCHOOLING MOTHER is the thing that I know the best!

I am a good homeschooling mom and I'm going to muse on why I am good. What do I do that makes me certain, confident, comfortable, and effective as a mother homeschooling the two more important people on earth? I have honestly never adequately put this into words. I've tried, but I have never been satisfied with it. I'll try again now.

I'm not perfect and I have made many mistakes. I'm not always patient. I'm not always encouraging. I'm not always tuned in to their needs. I'm not always open and ready for the next teachable moment. I could freely list my iniquities...but I think you get the idea!

But I love them enough to allow them to make their own mistakes. I love them enough to tailor each and every lesson to each of my children. I love them enough to include character-building into each and every lesson. I love them enough to allow each of my children to struggle in the ways that strengthen them. I love them enough to let them know when they have not done their best and to encourage them to do it for the sake of having done it. I love them enough to not sweat the small stuff. I love them enough to let them "disappoint me". I love them enough to know when they need time away, time back to lessons, time to follow their own bliss. I love them enough to let them know that their abilities and strengths are not diminished by those things that are difficult for them.

I truly enjoy being with them. I enjoy seeing their comradeship with one another. I enjoy seeing them handle their own conflicts with respect. I enjoy seeing them support and encourage each other through difficult times, performances, moody days, boredom, busy days, day in, and day out. I enjoy seeing them take the leap to understand things that are "above their level". I enjoy seeing them as they struggle with those things that are "below their level" and still know that they are trying their hardest. I enjoy seeing them instigate a field of study for the day through their own interests and zeal for learning. I enjoy being there when one of them says or does something so very wonderful that even /they/ are aware of the significance of that moment.

A child's thirst for knowledge is so very unique to that child. As a homeschooling mother, I am uniquely aware of those interests and I enjoy showing them just how very 'NOW' and 'today' and RELEVANT learning is and can be for them.

I know when internal pressure, frustration, energy, and other factors have just gotten in the way of their learning. I can see it immediately and I can and do point it out and help my kids to find their way back to focus on the work.

And, you know, as I've been writing, it has occurred to me that the single best thing that I bring to the table is my own enthusiasm for learning. I have many varied interests and experiences that make me an admirable teacher! I enjoy learning and I have taken the time to follow my own bliss. I think that THIS is what makes me a wonderful teacher to my own children!

Emerson's "Self Reliance"

2012-01-18T22:09:00.002-06:00

There is some writing that I have always adored and that I read and reread. And each time I spend some time with this piece, I read something new in it. It is Emerson's "Self Reliance". I recently found a cool blog activity, a 30-day writing challenge associated with others who love his writing, that I want to do.
Here.
On this blog.Tee Hee. I hope this entertains as much as I plan on enjoying it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jan 20, I've decided to NOT blog this as it is quite TMI,

but I'm leaving this post in case anyone is interested in the project.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is today's PROMPT from Self Reliance:

Ordinary Things by Ana Guardia

“Every artist was first an amateur.”

To be an artist one has to find beauty in ordinary things.

Find 10 things of great beauty in the landscape that surrounds you.

For example, crumple sheets on your bed in the morning,

the smell of coffee making its way around a busy office.

The sound of my son and daughter singing a song together in the other room.
The smooth shiny wood of the desk top
This adorable little box in which I keep my flossers handy.
In front of me is an old picture of my Aunt Elizabeth, age about 98 in the picture. She is wearing a striped orange sweatshirt and a ski cap.
Hanging on the desk lamp is a small stuffed purple dragon keychain given to me by a young and sweet friend of the family. He brought it to me and handed it to me with a smile.
On the table across the room is a pile of new books, purchased for my reading fever. They are stacked haphazardly, next to the new sofa lamp.
Sticking out of the letter holder on this desk is a small circle of embroidered fabric that I created one night using the pretty threads I had purchased for another project. Just a random pattern that I created as I stitched.
My glass sits on a beautifully painted wooden coaster sent to me by my friend Rayven from Okinawa. Probably junk souvenirs for the tourists, but painted with leaping dolphins against a red sunset.
In front of me is a business card sent to me by my sister in Colorado. It is really beautiful. A sky blue on one with with her contact information, a color image of some gorgeous Colorado landscape.
and Sitting beside my computer is a stack of Holiday cards, all of them a mini-microcosm of the sender's faith and creed.

Lovely, I am surrounded by beauty.

It is GIVEAWAY Time!

2012-01-17T16:33:00.001-06:00

I like comments on my blog posts.

Correction: I LOVE COMMENTS!

For this giveaway, interested readers need to do these things:

Link one of my blog posts to your blog OR Facebook page and ask your friends to visit and read, and
Write comments on at least three of my blog posts, and
and, by a separate comment on THIS post, tell me which of the giveaway items you are interested in receiving. In that same post, please send me links to your blog or FB page. Please make sure I have an email or other way to contact you in the event that you ARE A WINNER!
Please enter as often as you like; more entries improve your odds of winning, AND please encourage your friends to enter as well!

Here are my cool giveaway items

for five prize winners in total!:

First, this prize packet contains a planosphere for the northern hemisphere, some observing guide information, and a some observing games.
You can find more about it at:

http://www.amazon.com/American-Educational-Products-Challenger-Game/dp/0924886471/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326837486&sr=8-1

This is a nice beginner set for the interested beginning observer in your family!

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Second, this book Home Educated and Now Adults by Brian D Ray, PhD, is full of information and statistics about how adults who have been homeschooled are represented in the community at large.

You can find out more about it at:

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Educated-Now-Adults-Brian/dp/0965755436/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1326837724&sr=1-1-catcorr

This book might interest you if you are looking for more information about homeschooling and you want to research how the lifestyle has effected others who have been raised in a homeschooling family.

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Third, Play Lightly on the Earth by Jacqueline Horsfall is a lovely book that weaves basic nature and science information with outdoor activities for your 3-9 year old.

Look here for more information:
http://www.amazon.com/Play-Lightly-Earth-Jacqueline-Horsfall/dp/1883220688/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326837910&sr=1-1

A pretty adorable book if you ask me!

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Fourth, Impressionist Art Masterpieces to Color contains sixty great painting outlines from Renoir to Gauguin that you can paint or color or trace or use in whatever way your imagination works! I have copied pages out of these books and have had many people coloring at the same time...a terrifically fun project!

For more information, check out this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Impressionist-Art-Masterpieces-Color-Paintings/dp/0486451356/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326838186&sr=1-1

Your entire family will love this book and will look for more just like it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And Fifth, The Me I'm Learning To Be by Imogene Forte, is a book that works to improve self-awareness with activities on feelings, attitudes, and self-esteem issues. It is for approximately ages 8 - 12 or so and deals with both school-related and non-school contemporary issues.

You can see more here: http://incentivepublications.com/products_detail.asp?product_id=330

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The deadline for entering the giveaways is

Tuesday, January 31st at midnight.

On February 1st, when time permits,

I will select AT RANDOM

a name for each prize item

and I will let the winners know by email.

Good luck and Have fun!

You Live and You Learn...

2012-01-16T21:05:00.002-06:00

In a previous post I talked about how we have plans to take January OFF and to do new things each day.
NICE IDEA.
Didn't work!

Today we had the moment where we were disgusted with our own indolence and we decided to get cracking! Everyone was excited and full of vibrancy after we decided to GET BUSY.
Immediately each child had a million things and plans and work that they were wanting to do. I have to admit, I was a bit floored. With total freedom and "permission" to do absolutely nothing, they prefer to be productive?
As I always say, being a homeschooling mom means to be learning forever!
I was proud of our conversation and I was proud of the kids' abilities to ask for what they want. And I am happy to be getting into the books again. I admit, I was feeling pretty crappy about how little we were doing. WHEW, I'm glad the feeling was mutual!

This evening I've been working on some projects that the kids wanted to work on. In the meantime, Jerry and Dr. Who are out working on the set for the upcoming show! This is TECH WEEK and we are all busy with projects for the performance. I hope I remember to post some pictures of the dress she will be wearing.
The show is set in 1916 and we were having a heck of a time finding a formal dress for her to wear. Finally a friend loaned us a very pretty black lacy dress. I made about a dozen "upgrades" to the 1916 style. It's now STUNNING! I'll make sure to get some pictures and post them.
THANK YOU Patti Schneiderjohn for sharing your 1980's fashions with us!
And, tonight, Bonobo has been dancing, martial artsing, bathing, and snacking. Just your basic night.

And, finally, last night I spent some time making my own personalized clip art for this blog. It was a blast and I made about a hundred of them. LOL
I hope they make my blog look SO MUCH more cool!

Peace.

That's My Girl...

2012-01-14T19:53:00.000-06:00

My Girl

From behind her locked bedroom door I hear her singing, humming, dancing, laughing, talking with friends, and silent. I know that, within her private sanctuary, she is reading, writing, living, and loving. She shares her poetry with me. I get to read her fan fic. I get to hear the songs she is willing to share. With a sense of wonder, I think to myself, that's MY girl!

She attires herself with style and personality. She carries herself with the seeming dichotomous qualities of dignity and timidity. She shares her deepest self with me with such courage and trust that I am humbled. She carries qualities of every other woman in my family and in Jerry's family. She, while being a kaleidoscope of past females, is distinctively herself. She carries her shoulders back and her head up high. That is my girl.

She is able to stand in front of crowds of strangers and receive their attention, their applause, their energy. She can stand there as they rise to their feet and clap hands with the thrill of acclaim and ovations. It is a wonder to see her accept those accolades with a bowed head and quiet smile. That is my girl.

She quietly lounges with her reading or her writing, continually trying on fictional "lives" and, thereby, standing up for who SHE is. She accepts my apologies and my love as I patiently learn anew and again the best ways to love this child. She struggles with some qualities of "self" while fiercely hanging on to who she is determined to be. She forges her own way through the unforgiving treacheries of adolescence. She sings her own tune. That is my girl.

Looking in to my daughter's eyes I see determination, defiance, curiosity and wisdom, teasing, trust. I see the sunshine of her spirit, a spirit indomitable and exquisite. The soft grey-blue eyes play with the colors she surrounds herself with. Her hesitant smile, while awaiting your goodwill, steadfastly offers her good heart. She looks at me and I know she is happy. She shares the things that thrill her. She is moved by love and sweetness. She is the early morning of hope. She is my girl.

She loops her arms about my shoulders, gathering me close. She touches her cheek with mine as we feel one another smile. She wraps herself tightly around me, somehow leaving space for her independence. She hold my hand as I drive. She offers me her mints. She shares her secrets and her hopes and the loves of her life with me, late in the night, quiet as midnight. She giggles and dances with her dad in a dance of pure love. And, when the moon is just right, she offers us the very best of herself. She is my girl.

She and I are writing a play together as well as working on other projects together. Deep inside, I feel solid as a rock. She is my girl.

My Boy...

2012-01-14T03:30:00.001-06:00

My Boys

I can see him now...sitting on the floor with his back to me, arms askew, Legos sorted into incomprehensible piles... The sounds of pilots, attackers, and heroes coming out of both sides of his mouth. Adventure pouring around and through him. His elbows stick out a bit too far, his hands fumble as he gets used to his longer fingers, his knee caps visible from behind as his legs lengthen...
My boy loves to snuggle up under the covers with my hands in his hair. He loves to sit on my lap and listen to books. His lips whisper secrets into my neck as he holds on tight. His secrets slip into my waiting and longing ears. His fingers slip around mine as we walk away from the car, his eyes slip over to me with a crinkly grin. His song echoes through the bathroom door as he reads long after he needs to be in there. His too-long bangs fall into his eyes; my fingers long to sweep them aside so I can see those grey-green eyes.
My boy reads my moods quicker than a barometer. He sneeks a cherry-flavored cough drop out of my dresser drawer and shows it to me before slipping it sweetly into his mouth. He tells on himself when he forgets to do something. He folds clothes into clumps and puts them away. He stands close enough to me for me to breath in his freshness, his "outside" smell. He laughs riotously and secretly gathers his blanky close at night. He talks during every reading of the book with other thoughts that his mind can't possibly contain for one more second. His fingers slip silently into my hand as he dreams. He gently adjusts his toys...
My boy gets cross when he witnesses injustice, injury, and cruelty. He gets sad when he sees unkindness.
My boy tells me everything. He lowers his eyes with a grin and tells me about a pretty girl. He can't believe how he was lucky enough to get the best mom on earth. He is curious about where dialects come from. He wonders what people "get" from being mean to others. He has questions about refraction, life, and gummy bears.
My boy hugs his buddies, his family, his friends.

My heart aches with love for this child.
I hope every day that Jerry and I are able to provide him with the strength, love, constancy, and direction that he will need in this world.

I can see him now...sitting on the floor with his back to me, arms askew, Legos sorted into incomprehensible piles... The sounds of pilots, attackers, and heroes coming out of both sides of his mouth. Adventure pouring around and through him. His elbows stick out a bit too far, his hands fumble as he gets used to his longer fingers, his knee caps visible from behind...I slip into the room, sit quietly, and begin playing...

Not-Back-to-School Party

2012-01-12T18:52:00.001-06:00

Today our homeschool group had an event at a local favorite family spot, the City Museum. It is a unique play-and-learn MARVEL of a location for getting together with friends and hanging out. The entire place is styled by architects who have no end to their creativity. There is not a single inch of this place that doesn't show, in the minutest of detail, the talents of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly and his team.

Our group occupied the building from the first through the fourth floors and it was an amazing sight of kids enjoying themselves on materials salvaged from various building sites and other donated materials.
This place is the original STEAM PUNK fun spot!
We had some new families show up to see our group at it's best.

At one point, several of the moms and I were talking and the moms were saying that some of the other Christian homeschooling groups in the area refer to our homeschool group as "That Group", as though we were infamous for our dirty dealings or something...LOL. We are secular as a group, but there are people who practice many different religions and creeds. Atheists, Agnostic, Mormon, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Quaker, Pagan, and probably other creeds that I don't even know about. It's a wonderful group that loves and accepts all people.

That is why I found it interesting that our group is actually being spoken of by other groups. I can't even remember other groups being discussed AT ALL in our group except for if a member had dual membership and is mentioning activities with other groups. I guess I shouldn't be, but I am flabbergasted at the negativity.

Ah well, back to the fun of the day!

We had about 80 adults, teens, and children running through the mazes and secret tunnels, climbing the structures, inside and out, and enjoying the beauty, magnificence, and FUN of this great St. Louis attraction.

Oh, and we were celebrating our children NOT returning to school after the holidays...

a GREAT reason to celebrate!

Homeschool Support and Information for Newbies

2012-01-11T13:02:00.001-06:00

Just a QUICK blog post to pass along this excellent website I just found. A website that contains so much information on homeschooling it almost makes everyone else obsolete! (JK!)

http://learninfreedom.org/

Reasons Why You Should Not Homeschool

2012-01-07T19:32:00.003-06:00

I have given this alot of thought and I realize that homeschooling is NOT for everyone. As much as I believe that most people could homeschool the hell out of their beloved family I realize that it is not the right choice for some people for some very important reasons.

Here are the reasons that I have come up with. PLEASE FEEL FREE to add to my list.

If you simply adore the selling of the pizza, gift wrap, nuts, cookies, posters, holiday cards, and other fund raisers, you should not homeschool. If going door-to-door, taking the order form to work, and delivering in the dead of winter is a bright part of your year, I would hate for you to miss out!
If you enjoy making the same lunch look different each morning, you might miss that if you homeschool. I mean, who doesn't want to make smiley faces with apple slices, raisins, and peanut butter sandwiches?!
If you whole heartedly agree with recent decision that pizza is, in fact, a vegetable, then please don't homeschool! We like to lump VEGETABLES in the vegetable group.
If your children love the school breakfasts too, yum.
If you sincerely love the morning round-up of the carpool,
If your children love the fun of the school bus, including the kids at the back of the bus,
If you and your children love the rules of the school system that guide your every move, you should not homeschool.
If you enjoy handing the reins of your child over to a teacher who is holding 29 other sets of reins...for over six hours a day,
If you love that early morning WAKE UP routine,
If you enjoy the parent/teacher conferences where your child's teacher shares successes and goals with you and decides what is important in your child's learning career,
If it is OK with you that your teacher knows more about your child's day than you do,
If your child enjoys being a "Wallflower", "Bully", "Brain", or any other label,
If you think a classroom full of 26 other ten-year-olds is "an environment conducive to learning",
If you don't mind paying for school pictures, supplies, new clothes, books, Kleenex for the teacher, valentines, art fee,
If you don't mind your son coming home telling you that Josh's brother told Josh where babies come from that Josh shared that nugget with your son,
If you think your child will learn best from his seat,
If you have a problem with books on your kitchen table, under the bed, on wall-spanning bookshelves, and every other level space in the house,
If you enjoy the past-bedtime freak out of not having the project done for tomorrow,
Or the two hours of homework each night,
Or if you enjoy your kids having to check with their friends before they can make up their own minds,
If you enjoy drilling a sobbing child in multiplication tables,
If you don't mind your child being around "the seven deadly words" each day,
Or the depression of the Friday spelling test,
If you have a problem with the grocery story lady asking "are the kids off of school today?",
If you prefer having your kids SOMEWHERE ELSE,
If you don't mind the forgotten lunch, back pack, permission slip,
If you dislike rainy days in pajamas and reading books together,
or if you simply don't like them then you probably shouldn't homeschool.

Look, I admit that a bit of this is tongue-in-cheek and I have many public schooled kids that I ADORE.
But don't miss my point:

YOU CAN DO IT!

It will be different and it will not look like school

and you CAN do it!

In Retrospect...

2012-01-07T17:13:00.003-06:00

I was just about to read a blog post by another homeschooling parent, a post called Beginning Homeschooling: What I Wish I Had Done Differently. I love the idea of that post. So, I didn't read it. Instead I came here to post my own thoughts on the matter before reading her thoughts.

We have homeschooled from almost the beginning. My 14 year old daughter had a year of preschool and half a year of kindergarten. She also has had a few sporadic forays into public education for a variety of reasons, all of which lasted very brief periods of time. My 11 year old son has never been in school at all. He has never expressed the slightest interest in going to school.
So we have homeschooled from the start; we had no transitional time from public school to homeschool. Not really.

It's a difficult concept to consider and I'm not even sure how useful the thought is to another family. Homeschooling experiences are so unique and so diverse.
What would I change, having started homeschooling from the first?

I'm not sure it is actually possible, but I wish I could have relaxed in that first year. I was a nervous wreck, though I was certain we were on the right road.
I would have been less defensive with people in the beginning. But, again, you live and you learn. Maybe I had to earn the wisdom that comes from years of homeschooling.
I would have spent less money. I am a book lover so I probably would still spend money on my library, but, probably, far less on texts and workbooks that were never used. Also, less on stuff I thought I needed to do.
I would worry less about written work. The type of work whose sole purpose is to determine if my child comprehended the work or not. I would trust in the learning process without the constant need for testing it. Again, I probably needed to learn that one too.
I like to think I would have felt more confident about my instincts. I often have these feelings that I need to try one thing and to let go of another. I can think of a time or two where it took me a fairly long time to trust that instinct. It has to do with trusting myself, trusting my children, and trusting the learning process. Maybe, again, I had to experience those times in order to learn from them.

~~~

Overall, my experience seems to be that I needed to learn how beautiful and natural the process of learning actually is. It took me quite a long time to get out of my "school-y" head and to not apply that same method of study to our homeschool life together. Many times I have gone back on past subjects and tested the kids and they have looked at me like I have lost my mind. They can't possibly know the fear the comes from being a parent! Anyway, it turns out that they always know and they always remember and they have often made connections between seemingly divergent points. They don't keep subject matter compartmentalized as I did: this is Science, this is Math, this is History, this is Art. Instead, they see the world as a complex and interconnected place. I love seeing that they truly ARE learning daily and making sense of the world as we go.

I am happy that we have often taken lots of time "off" and gone out to play, explore, experience the world. We have done many projects, games, and activities together. We have created our own things to play with and have used them in many ways. We have spent hours on board games, puzzles, putting on shows, dressing up, pretending, and just hanging out and laughing. I think we got that part RIGHT!

That's a good question: what else have we gotten right?

I have changed materials fairly quickly when we didn't care for them. I have responded to the kids' suggestions for areas of study or exploration. I have encouraged the kids to follow their bliss with activities. I have gone out of my way again and again in following their bliss. Perfection is unnecessary. Mistakes are wonderful ways to learn. We appreciate the flexibility. We take vacations on "off" times. We travel as much as possible. I have stayed up late with one child and gotten up early with the other one in order to have excellent and extensive one-on-one time with each child. Times I cherish so much. We have put aside the books and learned from many other sources, people, websites, locations, events, and points of view. We have made friends from as many different strata as possible, with wonderful results! We have not lingered in painful friendships unnecessarily. We have worked on cold and rainy days and taken breathtakingly beautiful days OFF. We have rushed forward in textbooks when the interest and ability were there and we have lagged behind in others when the interest and ability were not there. We have valued quality over quantity. We have made efforts to create learning experiences for our friends and co-homeschoolers by sharing our talents and interests. We have worked on character and ethics and citizenship frequently and continually. And we have studied hard whenever we were able to buckle down and focus.

I think we have done great. And we continue to revisit our methodology and subject matter regularly to make sure we are still on the right track and doing what makes sense in the ways that work. Homeschooling my children is one of the greatest joys of my life.

So, if you are thinking about starting homeschooling soon, or if you are researching, maybe these thoughts will help you.

My main advice:

TRUST IN THE LEARNING INSTINCT

TRUST YOURSELF

TRUST YOUR CHILDREN!

English 1

2012-01-07T03:22:00.002-06:00

Getting a Special Book as a Gift

One day Dr. Who and I were reading a novel together and talking about the book. You know, analyzing it and whatnot. It occurred to me that this would be alot more fun if other people were in the discussion too.
English 1 was born.

I offered it as a class to our co op and it went over well! We are reading novels, plays, poetry, Shakespeare, and prose. We are writing poetry, paragraphs, five-paragraph essays, journal entries, personal blog posts, and, eventually, the two-page essay. The class has become a wonderful part of each week.
On Wednesdays, the kids tromp over and hang out. When class begins, we have a short writing prompt for our journals. Then we have a lesson in grammar, writing, analysis, or other types of lessons. We read poetry in class, public speaking, and reading our journals.
We have also had "film nights" when we have read books that have been made into movies. These are pretty fun and include alot of hanging out, loud laughter, interested comments, and a more full understanding of the story.

AND WE TALK ABOUT LITERATURE!
It is a great group of kids who are, mostly, involved, prepared, and engaged.
One neat thing we did was this. Everyone in the class went to www.blogger.com and started their own blogs for middle-of-the-week lessons. The blogs are each unique and express each person in their own distinctive way. One girl designed her blog to look like pie! Another boy has penguins all over his blog, including sound! Some of the titles are extremely clever and the designs are ingenious! Hockey, writing, horse riding, playgrounds, funny titles, pictures, captions. It's fantastic to see their creativity!
Using this venue, I can comment on assigned work and offer personalized suggestions for further skills work or just work for the fun of it. The blog idea is a cool one because the kids have become better at organizing their writing as well as designing their own personal writing space. The blog is, at this point, private, between each student, their parents, and me.

I give activities for reading and writing during the week and they post this work on their blog. From these posts, the kids get very individualized critique from me AND a pretty neat way to express themselves in their own unique ways! Using the blog, I can give extra work through the week and each student can work on writing ideas unique to their own goals. Also, many of the kids write extra stuff on their own and offer it to me to read on their blogs. It's a real honor to have such work shared with me.

Coming in a few weeks, I'm offering a writing workshop for kids from this group and other teens or adults as well. We will do some fun writing activities and games.

Because the common wisdom is: If you want to learn how to write, you have to WRITE!

This class is one of those activities that give our homeschool experience such meaning. We created it, carried it out, and offered it to others. I enjoy having the kids grow, try their wings, and offer glimpses of their genius!

The kids enjoy it so much, they have added a second part to the class that begins in February. They have added One Acts, as an activity class where the participants will write, produce, and put on their own one act(s)! The kids will be working out how the class goes, will find sets, costumes, and props, and will put on the show for our homeschool group.

Talk about seeing GROWTH happen!!!


This pic is missing a few kids!

January, We Start the Year off Fine

2012-01-07T02:50:00.002-06:00

It's January, half way through the "school year" and, after looking at where we are in are textbooks and realizing we are "behind" in most of them, we decided to take January OFF! Yes, Folks, off.

We are calling it "A January of New Experiences" and we've decided that each day, rain or shine, we have to do something different, go someplace we have never gone before, or eat a new food. We also decided that, since we HATE rules, that this is a guideline rather than a rule. *grin*

So, today we went to a part of town, accessed our GPS, and went to a new park. It was 70 degrees in January (!!!) so we played there for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful day and everyone was in fine form.
We proceeded to try a new restaurant and have fun together this evening at home. All in all, a wonderful day.
I was just sitting and talking with Dr. Who, who is happy and smiling, and she went on and on about how happy she is.

Yes, Folks, taking time OFF!

Nap Time 2012

2011-12-30T19:51:00.000-06:00

From our home to yours

NAPPY NEW YEAR

Top Ten Things I Wish I Would Have Said in 2011

2011-12-30T19:28:00.001-06:00

...but that I only THOUGHT ten minutes or ten hours later...probably losing HOURS of sleep...

I took my daughter and several of her friends out to an event across the state. At the last moment, I was asked by a person I know to include one of their children in our visit. I gladly agreed to take this child with us. Let me preface this with a bit of information, this child has frequently been heard to call my children "weird". As in "they're sooo weird." But I took this child anyway. We made this long trip in order to meet more homeschoolers and to, hopefully, forge some new friendships. But what do I hear??????? This child is at this cool event telling all of the kids there that...you guessed it, my kids are "WEIRD". I DID say, "Wow, you accept my courtesy and kindness, you are friendly with us the entire way out there, and they you sabotage our ability to make friendships with that group of kids by calling us names... I honestly think you owe us an apology." What I wish I would have said: WHY YOU LITTLE SHIT!
We did some home decorating this year, as you might know if you are friends with my husband. My husband did some gorgeous woodwork and decorating in our bathroom. So, it's time to order the tile. In my odd KAREN way of "figurin'", I said that we needed X amount of the main color of wall tile. The two math geniuses (my husband and the designer) look at me with this withering LOOK as thought to say "Poor you, you just don't get it..." So we used their figures and ordered Y amount of tile. You guessed it...I WAS RIGHT. The tile we received was not the correct design we were hoping for and it was too late to correct it. I totally regret not standing up for myself with the math wizzes, and insisting on ordering X amount of tile. What I wish I would have said: ORDER MORE YELLOW TILE!
When I was asked to do some extra work for a group that we participate it, I said "sure". What I wish I would have said: NO, Sorry.
When someone invited them self over to our home, we said "Sure!" What I wish I would have said: LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.
When a friend made sport of me on Facebook, I wish I would have said, 'Ha ha ha, funny." Instead what I said was something like: Why are you so mean, you need to think of my feelings for once because you have hurt them. Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. Seriously, kindness is so important in friendship and you have not exhibited kindness today. Blah, Blah, Blah...You have hurt me and made my friends think you are an ass. Next time, please keep your comments to your self. I'm not kidding. Have I ever talked to you like that? No, because I wouldn't hurt you in that way Not everyone is fond of your sense of humor and I am among that group. Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. Seriously, kindness is so important in friendship and you have not exhibited kindness today. Why are you so mean, you need to think of my feelings for once because you have hurt them. Blah, blah, blah. And, what's more, you are not being nice. No you're not! Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. You have hurt me and made my friends think you are an ass. Next time, please keep your comments to your self. Blah, blah, blah. Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. Seriously, kindness is so important in friendship and you have not exhibited kindness today. You have hurt me and made my friends think you are an ass. Next time, please keep your comments to your self. I'm not kidding. Have I ever talked to you like that? No, because I wouldn't hurt you in that way I'm not kidding. Why are you so mean, you need to think of my feelings for once because you have hurt them. Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. Blah, blah, blah. Have I ever talked to you like that? No, because I wouldn't hurt you in that way. Never. I feel upset and don't know how to handle it. I'm angry and hurt and blah blah blah.Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. Seriously, kindness is so important in friendship and you have not exhibited kindness today. You have hurt me and made my friends think you are an ass. Next time, please keep your comments to your self. I'm not kidding. Have I ever talked to you like that? No, because I wouldn't hurt you in that way I'm not kidding. Why are you so mean, you need to think of my feelings for once because you have hurt them. Please refrain from commenting on my posts if you can't be nice. Have I ever talked to you like that? No, because I wouldn't hurt you in that way. Never. I feel upset and don't know how to handle it. I'm angry and hurt and blah blah blah.
When Jerry asked me to go camping with him, to a week-long star party (an astronomy event), I said, "SURE, Honey." What I wish I would have said: HELL NO! IT'S COLD!!!!! Go and enjoy yourself!
I can't think of anymore!!!!!! LOL If I come up with more I will update!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2011 was NICE for our family. The kids are busy and happy. Jer and I are busy and happy. And all are healthy. We've had some events that have caused us to reconsider our lifestyle and we have found that we are quite happy with our current lifestyle and we wouldn't change it...unless we could go to Australia!

Jerry had an opportunity at work, an opportunity that , sadly, did not fully materialize, to work in Brisbane Queensland in Australia for a year. We were thrilled with the idea and had made some very nice connections with some very nice people in the general Brisbane/Ipswich area. Sadly, the entire plan didn't work out and so we are staying in St. Louis. But a part of each of us is disappointed to miss out on such an awesome opportunity.

Sign. Maybe someday...

Wishing you and yours a wonderful NEW YEAR.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Welcome 2012! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yule Love It

2011-12-28T20:20:00.002-06:00

Yuletide Gymnastics

It was good.
The celebrating was festive, the tree was sparkly, and the holiday was totally secular.
I only had one person ask me how secular people celebrate Christmas, and it wasn't "WHY" do we.
To begin with, our tree is smashing. Our tree is sparkly and more sparkly. It is quite pretty. Several evenings, as the end of the night, I have just sat with the house lights out looking at our tree with the kids.
I should mention a few of our holiday family traditions.

Onto the tree, each person puts an object or two that is NOT an ornament, but fairly well blends into the tree. We've had many eating utensils, pieces of jewelry, computer parts, flowers, bows, etc. This year, the best piece, in my opinion, is my daughter's teeth mold from the orthodontist! It is joined together by a ribbon and hung front and center. If you didn't know it was a snaggle-tooth "before" ortho mold, you would just assume it is was another ornament.

We play several fun family games on the day that we have copied, created, or changed from other forms. I don't "hide the pickle", I hide teh beautiful glass bird ornament. It's SOOOO pretty. We spend at least three hours playing a variety of games we have created. Listen, from the youngest to the oldest, we all love this time together more than the gift-opening part of the day!

And today, the coolest of the cool. My stepson, Tim, and Jerry have been building a secret contraption for the last few days together. In the garage, in the basement, outside.
The first light of the NET CANNON just happened...HUGE HUGE SUCCESS!
One rule for the net cannon: No firing it at Bonobo!
Bonobo says: AW!!!!!

And now, each day is lengthening, the nights are getting shorter, and we are headed into the dark of winter.
Let's hope this winter is a good one!

Yule Laugh

2011-12-22T01:12:00.001-06:00

www.atheistholidaycards.com
http://www.zazzle.com/atheist+holiday+cards

Those are some of the websites the carry several different holiday cards for the skeptic in you. From the completely irreverent (and who doesn't love that?) to the simple expression of holiday joy, these few cards represent something important to me. They say that it's spreading.

Atheists, generally, at this time of year, put their heads down and listen to the fingernails down the chalkboard. We take it on the chin. We watch with incredulity as another year of mythology blossoms to a ridiculous level. We CRAVE to shout out to the roof tops "IT'S A SCAM!!!" We watch as the malls fill up as Christians settle in for a long line at the cashier as they spread the love of their Lord's birthday. We smirk and think "Seriously?"

But there are enough of us and enough momentum that we are able to support the holiday marketers out there who have our needs in mind. Others who will gladly put the federal STAMP to the envelope and send out our true wishes to our family and friends at this time of year. Seasons Greetings, Evolve Already.

Here are a few of the designs available from these two websites:

So, if you are STILL looking for the perfect card this year, the card that sweetly sends pagan greetings or the card that sends scathing evolving suggestions, check out these websites. They are just what you've been looking for.

And, by the way, in honor of Secular Thursday, I saved the best one for last:

Yule Cry

2011-12-18T02:51:00.002-06:00

According a Huffington Post from today: Nearly half of America's public schools didn't meet federal achievement standards this year, marking the largest failure rate since the much-criticized No Child Left Behind Law took effect a decade ago, according to a national report released Thursday.

No Child Left Behind cost the nation in the billions of dollars. The train wreck that is No Child Left Behind is doing exactly what it is intended to avoid. It is leaving children behind. Entire school districts worth of children behind. It is not capable of providing the opportunities that it was hoping to provide.

I don't claim to be an authority of the education system, and we are all aware that many factors effect the efficacy of this type of policy making, but it is still so painfully obvious that failures in the school districts of our country, in my very own city, are, in part, impacted by the No Child Left Behind Fiasco. At face value it was marketed at a way to preserve and bolster poorly-performing schools. In reality, schools closed, leaving families in educational failure situations.

In the meantime, I was at a holiday party this weekend for my husband's employer. While speaking to a very nice woman who works as a teacher in a Montessori school, when she discovered that we homeschool, she leaped to the "socialization" argument, straight to the "you can't teach high school" argument, followed that up with the, "children being isolated" argument, and hit her homer with the "taking good kids out of the school systems" argument.
Seriously?

And I sat right there, in holiday splendor, as she quietly and with certainty made her statements.
I should not have to deal with that every time I go out.
I stood there wishing that Rayven was there.
And I drank my soft drink and let her quietly rant.

According to The Atlantic this week, Study of the Day: Home-Schooled Children Score Higher on Tests.

I fear for the children in this generation. Global Warming, underfunded schools, poor access to health care for all families. But I also have a certainty in my heart that these are the very kids who are going to grow up wiser, more capable, and able to make decisions with a world view.

I DO have faith...In the children!

LINK 182, Worthy Reads

2011-12-08T23:18:00.001-06:00

I have decided to hand over the keyboard to a few good blog posts I have read lately.

Who knows how we get to some blogs! Shopping online for good socks to wear with blue jeans (STILL need some) and I find myself on someone's blog. Looking at the headline news and, eventually, I'll be reading a blog somewhere in the world. Drinking a cup of hot tea and a blog spontaneously opens up on my PC...

Anyway, who knows how it happens. But when you find something worth reading, you wanna pass it along.
So, in the spirit of lending my good paperbacks to a friend, here are a few links to a few blogs that have had my attention lately.

If you read anything you enjoy, leave a comment. Bloggers love that!
I hope you enjoy this Secular Thursday Offering!

http://www.thinkatheist.com/profiles/blogs/confessions-of-an-atheist
This blogger is an atheist homeschooler who created a homeschooling co op and has found the politics of "secular" difficult to stand by. It's thought-provoking and most of us can relate to the struggle.

http://ourfreerangelife.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-coming-out.html
This blogger is "coming out" as an atheist in the great state of Creation Museum, AHEM, I mean Kentucky.

http://www.raising3thinkers.com/2011/10/one-little-spark.html
Here is another blog I click onto from time to time. She is a mom with some little ones and she seems to be exposing them to some great activities so that she is, truly, raising freethinkers.

http://backwoodsmom.danoah.com/2011/12/the-shield-of-confidence/
This blog is one I shared on Facebook recently. This blogger writes posts that never cease to touch me. I'm sure, were we ever to meet, we'd be good friends!

http://dysfunctionalhomeschooler.blogspot.com/2011/12/conversations-with-kids.html
This blogger, a friend of mine, managed to capture the sweetness of being a mother...those million small moments that stop us in our tracks...

http://thespectrumofbeing.blogspot.com/2011/12/thoughtless-thursday-pa-has-date-rape.html
And, if you are looking for a THINKING freethinker, look no further. This blogger is one I go back to again and again for thought-provoking posts.

O Tannenbaum

2011-12-02T16:36:00.000-06:00

Do you put up a tree? When?

We put up a tree. The past many years we've gotten away with putting it up about mid December and removing it the day or so after Christmas. This year the kids are insisting, "We're putting up the tree this week and it's not coming down until after Christmas!"

Jer and I are like, "Excellent! Have fun!"

The truth is, Elizabeth is taking the "Bah Humbug" out of it for me. She's making me enjoy the holiday again! She loves the holiday lights, the shopping, the sparkling, and all of the Jingle Bell rocking going on. She loves the Christmas music and plays it all of the time.

She took the time to help me with the holiday cards, even providing the hot chocolate! She started thinking about things that her brother would like as gifts and she took the time to write them down and give the list to me. She asks to go "look at the lights" many nights a week. And she listens to the "All Holiday Music All of the Time" radio station.

To see this normally "glass-is-half-empty" child become bright and rosy-cheeked, and full of good cheer, to see her thinking of others and what would please them, to see her feeling happy and delighted day after day...it is making me like the holiday as well! She is what is making MY holiday full of good cheer!

I hope you have some small ones in your home to help you remember to ENJOY the season of long, cold nights and brief, bright days!

It's Beginning to Feel Alot like...the Holiday

2011-11-30T01:19:00.000-06:00

Oh, fergoodnesssake, it's started again.

Is it REALLY a major statement for me to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hannakah"?

Already I have heard it to death from some people that REJECTING the word "Christmas" is incredibly insulting and whatnot. Seriously?
Seriously?

If you, for one moment, think that my choice of "Happy Holidays" is a part of some sinister plan or is, in some way, a condemnation on Christmas, then think again. Fox News may enjoy creating WARS on ideas, but I do not. Anyone who chooses to participate in any sort of war of ideas is already fighting a battle with themselves.

There are BILLIONS of people on this earth. HUNDREDS or more different ideologies, philosophies, dogmas, and religions. Anyone who sets out to claim a war of religion is setting themselves up to be a bully. An angry bully. It is audacity in the extreme to expect everyone to approve or agree with your actions. So, relax, Man. Honestly make an effort to enjoy the season without looking for the overworked cashier of every store in the mall to offer you kind wishes of your particular flavor of religion.

During this time of year, the Christians dominate the airwaves. Most of us make many concessions to the loudly-proclaimed "Spirit of the season". Most of us keep our mouths closed and walk through the mass-hysteria of commercialism wrapped up in a big Christian bow. Most of us seek to enjoy the season for Goodness's sake.

If my custom of acknowledging the specialness of this time of year for MOST OF US is bothersome, I suggest you find someone else to carry you. I am not responsible for upholding YOUR beliefs or for validating you. I am honestly thrilled to be upholding my own. And I am not persecuting you. Seriously, you're barely even on my radar.

So, if you wish me a "Merry Christmas!" I will heartily thank you for that. If you send a "Happy Hannakah!" my way, I will accept that in the spirit in which it was offered. And if you suggest that I enjoy my "Happy Solstice!" I will smile and know that you mean well.

My family and I enjoy Christmas. We feel the peace, love, and joy of this holiday season. I hope yours does too.

Happy Holidays.

Doctor Strangeglove: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the (Text) Book

2011-11-22T16:15:00.004-06:00

I can't tell you how many books and curriculum I have tried in these nine years. From a hundred different publishers and with many different approaches. It's a dang jungle out there. And I'm not afraid to tell you what I have finally settled on.

Early in the experience I bought dozens of mini workbooks. Lots of pages of math and mazes and crosswords and sketching and whatnot. Very simple and handy when we were home. We read ALOT and went outside and did many things. We visited police, fire, hospitals, airports, train stations, etc. Lots of visits to woods, streams, meadows. Playdates filled our calendar. The early years were fun and easy because learning is everywhere.

Soon I moved on to larger workbooks and a few websites. Learning is everywhere, so we were also very busy in our community. Museums, zoos, farms, parks, local historical places: many opportunities for learning and having fun. Films, games, cards, scavenger hunts, creation of plays and performances galore.

Next, move into the phase of freaking out about materials. Hundreds of dollars (thousands?!) spent on materials that would never be used. Fear and worrying in St. Louis. I guess it happened because I saw how quickly the kids were growing up and how frightened I felt about that.

I can honestly say that I wish I had had the courage to avoid this stage. The stage where I began questioning our methods. Am I doing enough? Are they learning enough? In hindsight, though, I realize that I needed this stage to get here! I bought many materials that were of exceptional quality, but still didn't feel like I had it quite right. I can highly recommend The Critical Thinking Company materials, though. Very high quality, secular, and generally fun.

All along, I have spent thousands of hours creating my own materials. Worksheets, packets, units, readings, writings, so many materials I don't even know how to characterize it. I ENJOY this, though, so don't think this is necessary. I completely enjoy exploring subjects in depth and creating unique "units" of study.

And now, today, I have decided to simplify. Textbooks. I have found used textbooks everywhere. Used curriculum sites, Amazon.com, yard sales, friends, and many other places (I'm veeeeery resourceful!)

I love textbooks. I feel comfortable with them. We can zoom through them at high speeds and cover lots of material in short amounts of time. Learning is EVERYWHERE, even in textbooks.

At first I felt like something of a sell-out. Now I love them!

I still consider us ECLECTIC homeschoolers. My materials come from everywhere, and we still LOVE to read, but textbooks...I love them!

A Case Against Homeschooling, Really

2011-11-14T18:50:00.003-06:00

The post that brings the most people to my blog site is called "The Case Against Homeschooling".
Are these folks coming here looking for a case against homeschooling?
I'm happy to provide!

I'm not the slightest bit afraid to talk about those subjects that might expose the negatives of homeschooling. Because, in spite of them, after all, it's always a choice. Parents who send their children are choosing, alternative education options are choices, home schooling is a choice. For goodness sake, parenting is rife with choices from morning until night! Also, I have found, after nine years of homeschooling, that almost every single thing on the "con" list below, somehow becomes a "pro" of homeschooling!

I'm going to offer this little expose' in honor of all of those children and families who are about to begin and who want the total, unhidden, balanced truth.

This is my writing and I offer it as such, my story.

We live in a neighborhood with elderly neighbors, most of whom have lived in the same home since having it built forty years ago. We have no children in our neighborhood except for the unkind kid who verbally attacks John every time they get together. The other kid is the drinker, smoker down the street. We care about this boy alot, but the kids don't want to hang out with him. This means that we are ALONE. We don't have a single neighborhood friend to play with. While this isn't, specifically, a homeschool issue, it does effect our homeschooling experience. Unless we leave the house and drive we don't get to hang out with kids daily. I mention this one first because we've all been sick lately and are, quite honestly, needing to get out!
The kids don't see other kids every day. We see them often, maybe 2-3 times per week, on average. Much more some weeks, less others. This is not "socialization", this is "socializing".

Our house is a mess. We are here far more than most families. Messes multiply around here. We have more books and games and stuff than we need. Mostly books. Activities are spread all over my house as I type. Several people are involved in several different activities that require space and time.
Homeschooling takes time. Your time. As the mother and major homeschooling parent in the house, I spend a great deal of time on planning, researching, and more planning. It takes organization and a great computer. There is no way around the need for planning. Being a homeschool parent requires constant footwork to find what’s available in the community. Knowing how to get information on your own, knowing how to access people who can answer your questions, and knowing how to communicate well are essentials skills of being a homeschooling parent. Being resourceful is essential.

Can you support your child as they are? They will be with you 24/7. Can you honestly embrace the person that they truly are? Homeschooling is like putting every problem into a pan and boiling it down. Soon the problems are all that you can see...unless you find a way to commit yourself the the children that you have. You have to accept them so that they can accept themselves and move successfully into life.
I don't know everything about every subject. Again, planning, researching, planning. Time well spent, but time, nonetheless.
Not everyone approves. Can you remain dedicated to a lifestyle that often takes hits from family and friends and media? People will disapprove without having the slightest understanding of it. It is a lifestyle choice that people feel the need to give their two cents on. Overall, people are very supportive and admire us. But there are those folks who can't accept it.
Some learning objectives work best in group environments. Homeschool groups and co ops are useful for many different types of these objectives, but there is still organization and planning involved.

Did I mention cost? Some homeschool families spend hundreds or thousands of dollars a year on materials and optional experiences. This type of cash outlay is not necessary. I know very frugal families who homeschool extremely successfully. But, as we all know, some great activities cost money.

When the kids are unwilling to work, this shows itself in many different ways, little gets done. Lessons require a certain amount of willingness on the part of the child. If your child is less-than-motivated, it's not much fun.
Homeschooling parents have less free time or child-free time. Privacy? I get some, but I have to create it. It's all about balance. As a homeschooling parent, you will have to figure this one out. Not just so you don't lose your mind, but so you can be a whole and healthy person!
Homeschooling through high school requires some more...YEP, research and organization and creativity. People homeschool through high school every day, including my daughter! It works.
Homeschool families can be marginalized, demonized, and, generally, be treated oddly. Living "outside of the box" is an honest expectation for families who choose this lifestyle. Homeschooling parents learn to cheerlead whenever the need arises. It's unfair, but there you are.
For some parents, the doubt comes and goes, but never really disappears. It's the nature of the individual that matters. I know of several parents who are constantly on edge about homeschooling while other parents I know are the freaking paragons of placidity! Homeschooler's angst is like having the world's worst friend in your own head!
There are no overseeing bodies to reprimand, guide, or support you. So, you are, truly, on your own. This can freak some folks out. For others, it is a comfort. I love it, but as first I was frightened. Having other homeschoolers to talk with made all of the difference.

Accepting the fact that children learn at different levels and different speeds. They actually do. Even when they are in school. But it's more obvious in homeschooling.
And, it is up to YOU, to your family, what gets into their lives. Talk about a panic sandwich with guilt on top. Very often you are going where there are no roads. Get ready to steam your way down a path of your own construction. homeschooling.

That's my honest list AGAINST. Being a parent means being constantly on the look out for the best thing for your child. I hope this list helps. I hope you realize that this list is intended to let you know, up front, some of what you will have on your place if you homeschool. I hope the list doesn't turn you off...just be more informed!

What about Socialization?
Nope, I don't think that's a problem.

Honestly. When we get with kids, we experience the exact same things every group of kids does.

The kids learn sharing, what a bully looks like, conflict resolution, etc. and the kids are just...normal.

He Ain't Heavy...

2011-11-13T16:15:00.000-06:00

I was thinking about reprieving this blog post on siblings called, appropriately enough, Homeschool Siblings.

And then something happened.

My son, who has been out walking with my daughter, came running into the house, angry, crying, shouting, hurt. He and his sister had had a huge fight in the sidewalks of some other block. He talked and shouted and talked until she got home. She went into her room, he want into mine.
He talked with his dad and I for a few minutes before she sidled into the room. Bravely, I thought.

They shouted and cried a bit at one another, then they started talking.

Build a bridge

About their feelings.
About what they wanted from one another.
About what is hard.
And with respect.
There were a few detours, surely.

Jerry and I watched and listened and smiled. Sure, they were still on different pages, but it had become very productive and kind. And they were striving to be respectful and honest.

It was a moment that Jer and I will forever remember as being CERTAIN our kids are on the right road!
They had shown themselves that they knew how to fight, how to resolve a fight, and how to do this without hurting each other or losing themselves.

We are proud.

Remember to Tip Your Wait Staff

2011-11-11T23:01:00.000-06:00

It's the end of the week and I'm looking back at the week in AWE at how much we did, even though all of us have been in various stages of "sick" for almost two weeks.

Being a homeschool mother is a fairly thankless task. I don't actually expect "THANKS" from the kids or anything. Well, maybe a little. Kids just aren't aware of the work we parents do. That's normal. I certainly didn't appreciate my parents when I was young.

The thing is, as a homeschool parent, I am constantly thinking of the kids. Preparing lessons. Creating the work itself. Driving us here or there. Feeding or cleaning. Arranging plans. Keeping a calendar is a real TALENT! Looking over work. Working with the kids on lessons. Frequent deep discussion about the world at large. Researching everything.
Very little of what I do is not for my kids. I KNOW. All parents can say this. I happen to be a homeschooling parent.

I admit that I am looking forward to that day, far in the future, when my children have children of their own. I get that call I've been waiting for:

My Fantasy Adult Child: Mom?

Me: Yes, Honey? How are you? How are the kids?
My Fantasy Adult Child: Mom...I'm exhausted.

Me: I understand, Honey.

My Fantasy Adult Child: How did you do it, Mom? How did you do so much for us? You were always there for us, calm, patient, creative, loving. You were SO selfless. You gave up so much for us and never let on. I am so inspired by you and I'm sure I am a better parent because of you, Mom. How did you do it, Momma?
Me: Honey, what's going on?
My Fantasy Adult Child: I can't do it, Mom! I'm exhausted, I'm poor, and I haven't showered all week! I haven't been able to find my purse for three days, I found my flip-flops in the dishwasher, the kitchen floor is so sticky I can tell what was eaten in the kitchen for the past week, I'm rinsing and reusing the same bra day after day because I can't find any others, and, yesterday, I made canned chicken noodle soup and mayonnaise sandwiches for lunch...and dinner!
Me: I understand, Honey.

My Fantasy Adult Child: Mom, I completely respect and admire the parent you were and the person you are! Thank you!
Me: *smile*

Listen, I can dream, can't I?
At this point, the kids have many chores and help out a great deal. But, for the most part, they are blissfully unaware of how much work it is to be the parent. For every lesson they work on, not only do I have the carrying out of that lesson, I have the research for and the preparation of that lesson.
Right, Moms and Dads?

Listen, I'm sounding a bit...whiny tonight.
Let me dream about that fantasy conversation with my adult child.

I am an Atheist

2011-11-10T15:34:00.002-06:00

If you are here from Google, you are looking for information about atheism OR you are an atheist. OR you are looking for information about people who are atheists.
Welcome.

Really. That's all there is to it.

I am a full-on, no holds barred, non-agnostic atheist. The type that does not hold to anything supernatural. No devils, no crystals, no dream reading, no telepathy, no tongues, no spiritual warfare or end of times fears, no fasting, no prayer, no need for intersession of any kind. No spirits, no afterlives, no auras, nothing. No ESP, no tarot, no spiritual connections of any kind, no "power" of any kind, nothing paranormal, nothing metaphysical, no angels or demonic beings, and no need to figure out why a "loving" deity would allow or create such pain and hatred in the world.

No special rituals. No special books. No special clothing, chants, herbs or spices, no substances of any kind. No secret handshakes. No secret words to utter. No special days of the year. No secrecy at all.
Just the wonder of what IS.
And I DO mean the wonder.

It is an act of sublimity to look at our earth, at our solar system, at our cosmos and see it through the eyes of AWE, rather than through eyes that call it a "miracle", finger-snapped into place by a deity. Instead, the vastness, the magnificence, and the incomprehensibility of it washes over me like a total sacred experience. I feel connected to it. I am a part of it. I am star stuff. The wonder of that never ceases to move me.

Our family is very science-oriented, specifically astronomy. Our opportunities to see deep space objects, to follow the movement of planets in our solar system, comets, and other objects help to support the "all natural" paradigm. The beauty of the natural works is truly without peer.

With the oncoming winter, the sky is darker earlier. Take this opportunity to get outside under the night sky and see what you can.

Having rejected all religious dogma and all supernatural deities of all kinds, I can honestly say, the world makes sense! No need to rely on "faith" and accept "mysteries" that defy logic, ethics, and integrity.

I have been talking with a Christian friend who is moving down the path towards a more liberal and questioning way. He has struggled with this for at least a year or more and is now beginning to realize that the "truth" as he knew it doesn't work for him anymore. I truly delight in his transformation. He has become a happier and more kind person.

So, if you are here looking for a kindred, like-minded person, WELCOME.

Homeschool Mac, Rumors

2011-11-08T19:20:00.000-06:00

One of the blogs that I check with some regularity is http://homeschoolingunited.wordpress.com/. This website had a recent blog post that suggests that there is a national plan for regulating homeschool on a national level. Then, every single link offered in the post gave evidence against the idea.
Reason?
Why would this reputable sight post such rumor?

EASY.

Homeschoolers feel the need to constantly be on alert. Is someone attempting to reduce our rights? Has another special interest group (The NEA, for example) covertly attacking our rights to homeschool again? Is another state putting the right to homeschool on the burner? Is some state bill containing hidden language designed to reduce the rights of homeschoolers in special circumstances?

We are UNDER represented on The Hill and poorly organized.
I strongly urge all homeschooling families to join a homeschool group that pays attention to the political environment of your state and to maintain contact with your local representative!

The only National Homeschool Organization that I know of disbanded over a decade ago. The closest thing we have it the Home School Legal Defense Association. According to the HSLDA website, their mission is:

Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed.
HSLDA advocates on the legal front on behalf of our members in matters which include conflicts with state or local officials over homeschooling. Each year, thousands of member families receive legal consultation by letter and phone, hundreds more are represented through negotiations with local officials, and dozens are represented in court proceedings. HSLDA also takes the offensive, filing actions to protect members against government intrusion and to establish legal precedent. On occasion, HSLDA will handle precedent-setting cases for nonmembers, as well.
HSLDA advocates on Capitol Hill by tracking federal legislation that affects homeschooling and parental rights. HSLDA works to defeat or amend harmful bills, but also works proactively, introducing legislation to protect and preserve family freedoms.
HSLDA advocates in state legislatures, at the invitation of state homeschool organizations, by assisting individual states in drafting language to improve their homeschool legal environment and to fight harmful legislation.
HSLDA advocates in the media by presenting articulate and knowledgeable spokesmen to the press on the subject of homeschooling. HSLDA staff members are regularly called upon for radio, television, and print interviews, and their writings are frequently published in newspapers and magazines across the country. HSLDA’s own bimonthly magazine, The Home School Court Report, provides news and commentary on a host of current issues affecting homeschoolers. And its two-minute daily radio broadcast, Home School Heartbeat, can be heard on nearly 500 radio stations.
HSLDA advocates for the movement by commissioning and presenting quality research on the progress of homeschooling. Whether it’s in print, from the podium, or on the air, HSLDA provides insightful vision and leadership for the cause of homeschooling.

Members of the HSLDA are entitled to certain benefits for their membership. Upon review of the benefits, I found a link to current alerts and calls to action for homeschool families in order to not be blindsided by legislation hidden in jargon and buries in unknown bills.

I'm joining!

Beautiful People Don't Just Happen

2011-10-31T02:59:00.000-05:00

A Little Homemade Love

2011-10-30T21:10:00.003-05:00

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.

~William Wordsworth

The kids are begging and begging me, "Mom, what do you want us to buy you for your birthday?"

And "PLEASE, Mom, what do you want?! Nothing we make or write, PLEASE!"

And, "MOM, I have over fifty dollars that I want to spend on you!"

But the truth is, there is nothing that I want that I don't have.

The only things that mean ANYTHING to me are, truly, not things.

My heart and my life are so full of love. I have a wonderful husband who doesn't just TOLERATE my ways. He embraces them, love me for them. He quietly smiles as me and I know he truly understands. I know he loves me fully. I have children who are blossoming and becoming more and more each day. The fullness I feel for them is overwhelming.

I have my health, my home, my friends, enough.

For my birthday this year, I am hoping I get letters and home made gifts from my kids.

Because I will keep them in the drawer underneath my socks for many years. Because I will read and reread them until the paper becomes thin and threatens to fall apart at the creases. Because I will tape those seams and continue to hold them dear long after the kids have forgotten about them. Because these children are growing up so quickly that these days are far too short. Because the depth of their hearts are such gifts to me; they don't understand that yet. And because I can never get enough of knowing them better.

Oh, and because I REALLY don't want a Roomba!

I can Refute That

2011-10-29T03:05:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about the dozens and dozens of ala carte Christians out there. It's really a free-for-all these days with the believers. When I was a kid, man, people staying in the lines!

In a way, I'm proud of "them" for being able to put the kibosh on some beliefs that are particularly irksome. Various positions on "THE AFTERLIFE", for instance. Instead of feeling the need to fall in line in the pew, Christians are finding themselves empowered to add to the many options of "What Will Happen After I Die" with their own ideas about where their souls will spend eternity.

It's pretty interesting, actually, that most people no longer subscribe to the fire-and-brimstone Hell any longer. No, the more palatable (and less heat-exhaustive, apparently) and NEW Hell is the Hell and is simply the absence of God. No temperature required. Other Hells seem to be cold and bleak. Others lonely. Others more metaphorical, and, therefore, difficult to put into words. The spiritual aloneness of despair eternal.

Other points of contention within the Christian spectrum include the literal or figurative transformation of the host during communion, requirements for salvation, leadership within the church itself. You've got your right-wing Fundamentalists and Evangelicals who disagree with their more liberal-minded brethren. You've got your folks who choose to view "reality" as some New Aged Metaphor that is completely difficult to understand, express, much less refute. Various groups interpret scripture one way while others interpret another way. Rituals are carried out in any number of varied ways.

Conceptions of a deity, morality, the role of women in the church, the role or roles the deity or deities play in every day life, the carrying out of various rituals, the value of prayer, the value of confession, symbols and their meaning, family and individual roles within a family, and so many more issues are in the exhaustive list of the disagreements within the various religious groups.

And from these disagreements, there are, literally, hundreds of variations on the theme of Christians, not to mention the other major world religions. These groups are equally in disagreement on various policies, practice, and dogma. It is, in fact, a veritable maelstrom of belief systems out there.

AND, each of these groups believes themselves to be the one, true group. The ones to hold a monopoly on liturgical and sacramental correctness.

And why mention this?
Because debating or discussing with a religious person is FULL of pitfalls because each person one speaks with offers their own perspective of the reality of their belief system. It is simply not possible to refute each and every religious person's ideology individually.
But, if "they" would all go into a room, fight it out, and come out with a single belief system...I could refute it!

But, those of you who disagree with me, you're safe with me. I don't debate. I just like to be ABLE to debate.
LOL

Moves Like Jagger

2011-10-25T00:29:00.002-05:00

Why does this song have NO Jagger-esque riff? Just wondering.

So, how is our family moving like Jagger?!?

We are constantly reinventing ourselves. From acting to art to gymnastics to writing to whatever the next thing is, we are constantly exploring and pushing the envelope.
We are scandalous. Not a single week has gone by lately where one of us hasn't caused a sensation with our rock and roll. Ok, this one doesn't actually fit us, it's not true. How disappointing and boring!
People copy his style. People copy us all of the time! Our sense of humor, our way of creating attention wherever we go...Okay, well, again...NO.
Anti-Establishment. We are TOTALLY anti-establishment. Childishly so, at time. LOL

Well crap, I don't think our family actually IS like Jagger.
Oh well.

But we ARE like the song, according to Bill Lamb from About.com:

Loose, light, and irresistibly funky!

WHAT in the World Are You DOING?????!!

2011-10-24T20:53:00.001-05:00

I have finally come up for air! We have been traveling again. Also, my daughter has been in another play and it is unreal how much of my time that takes. Over sixteen hours in a normal week. But these last few weeks, it as been more like twenty hours or better.
Now it's OVER!!!!!
The show was super good; I'm just thrilled to be back to "normal" life for now.

The Cardinals are in the World Series and we are, actually, watching TV these days! lol The more commercials we see for tv shows, the more convinced we are that our No-TV home is perfectly happy without that nonsense.

Elizabeth is working hard on learning Korean. She submerges herself in film, music, and online Korean soap operas (YES, I do realize that this is TV...LOL.) She also works on vocabulary, history, and writing. Soon, we plan on her working with a Korean tutor.
She is working on evolution in Biology 1, dividing real numbers in Algebra, and the Bill of Rights in Civics. In English 1 we are working on Expository essays and "To Kill a Mockingbird".

John is working on abbreviations, plural possessive nouns, and punctuation on English, Pre-Algebraic stuff in Math 76, and the human body in General Science.

Not long ago I took Elizabeth and some other homeschool friends out to an awesome event put on by the Kansas City Secular Homeschoolers. They call it the Unprom. It is a theme-based, family-oriented dance. This year the theme was TIME. Elizabeth went as her favorite time traveler: Dr. Who!
The Unprom was AMAZING! And it was wonderful to hang out with such cool and like-minded people!

I LOVE knowing that I am a part of the secular homeschool movement here in Missouri.

Diary of a Wimpy Homeschooler

2011-10-09T01:02:00.001-05:00

As a modality for homeschooling, we have been very eclectic for years. Using materials from far and yon and where ever I could find materials that interested us and promoted further challenge. Ever since Elizabeth became a "high schooler", I've been so frightened of being inadequate that we have been following a variety of textbooks day after day.

With both kids, we have been studying textbooks that include the subjects: Science, Math or Algebra, History, Grammar and Literature and Writing, and Critical Thinking. With Elizabeth, we have textbooks and other regularly-used materials for Korean, Theater, Civics and Government, and English 1. We also include art and music. Same with John.

I'm trying to decide how I feel about this new way of homeschooling.
On one hand, I'm certain we are "covering the bases", on the other hand, I am equally as certain that I am squashing some passion and interest in other things...at least, that is my fear of "schooling at home."

The kids, however, are DOING THEIR WORK and completing lessons on the day they are assigned. They are motivated to get their work done and they are self-starting as they get their materials together and start working. They report and admit that they prefer this type of structure. In the past few weeks I have tried backing off on the structure. Each of the kids, in their own way, has told me that they prefer the structure and and has asked me to keep it up.

I find it interesting that they prefer "school at home" homeschooling. Earlier in our homeschooling careers this would never have flown and now they request it. It's possible that I could have been doing this all of these years, to the betterment of the kids..?

It goes against my grain, to be honest. I prefer the unschooling or eclectic approach to learning. BUT, as this is THEIR journey, we are schooling at home. This requires a great deal of preparation from me each evening or several times a week. But the results have been surprising! The kids get up, check their lessons for the day, prepare for their day, and get to work. Who would have ever forseen that?! lol

Our lives are different with this amount of scholastic time in the house. I'm not sure how long I can keep up the exercise of operating INSIDE OF THE BOX! lol...it's just not my speed.
Let's just think of this as a learning experience...

On Being an Atheist Parent

2011-10-05T23:31:00.004-05:00

Do you find it difficult being an atheist parent in a nonsecular world?
You know, I really don't. It just IS. It is what I am.

Conscience, Integrity, honor

"We" don't have a cool acronym like WWJD to use to instill fear and loathing in our kids. We don't have Biblical or other religious literature to teach us how to separate and sheep from the goats. Or the pillars of salt or the threat of hell to frighten our kids into good behavior.
Although, I kind of like WWCSD!

In case YOU don't find it easy, I have thought of a few parenting tips for you.

Be honest. Always answer questions with correct answers, without any sort of mythology. I am convinced that parents use the myth stories for two reasons: to give kids HOPE and to make it easier handling the difficult things themselves. Who WANTS to explain the end of life to a child? Who WANTS to explain that Grandpa is gone for good? Well, I do. I want the kids to know that THIS is the life that we have. All good things that want to do, the must do in THIS life. That lesson makes life and time very precious.
Create customs and rituals in your family that are for celebrating, mourning, being together. Your celebrations can be all about FAMILY and FUN without any of the downer myth stories. I'm sure you already have family traditions that you can build on!
Read many myth stores, including the Christian myths. These myths are no more believable than any of the other myth stories out there. Explain that these myths were created in order to answer questions that we now understand through a greater understanding of scientific principles. Are we having a drought because someone angered a god? Of course not. The study of weather sciences can explain that. How about where WE come from? Did a god SNAP us into existence? Of course not. Evolution and the Big Bang Theory can explain much of this. The explanation as to why is there SOMETHING instead of NOTHING...I'm not sure there is a scientific explanation for that one! But that's OK. Sometimes "I don't know" is a totally acceptable answer.
Teach your child to think critically and to ask for PROOF of extraordinary claims. Talk with them daily about how certain groups are always trying to "sell us" their point of view. Watch commercials, then go look at the junk that they represent and seek to sell. Explore how the commercial's job was to make that toy look extremely AWESOME, while the reality of it is that toy is junk. It's a tough lesson, but well worth it! Look for empirical evidence, apply logic and reason, and thinking skeptically. These are the three skills a good atheist parent gives to their children.
Make sure you do not have hateful, vengeful, or angry outlooks at people and things that don't agree with you. Creating unkind people doesn't help anything! (Yes, I DID just say to "be nice"!)
Allow them to explore the religions and to learn about the belief systems of each one that interests them. Nothing creates good strong atheists like reading the Bible. Support them in their search. Each of us needs to search and find our own answers. As long as you have given them that critical foundation of being able to think logically, you can sit back and let them go on their own journey. In fact, if you were to discourage this type of exploration, you would be no better than any other authority that seeks to force it's beliefs on others.
Sadly, prepare them for people who may say unkind things about atheists. Help them to understand that those people, regardless of how loud or unkind they are, have ALOT to learn about what makes a truly GOOD person. Religious beliefs, in this day and age, are very public. So expect that.
And, finally, stress good ethical behavior at all times...talk about being Good for Goodness's sake! Because that is what makes you feel great inside. As my son told me one day, Being a good person is it's own reward.
Now, doesn't all of this make sense? You're probably doing all of this already! If so, guess what, you are parenting atheistically!

I'm convinced that giving our children the ability to think critically, the skills for thinking logically and rationally, and a skeptical mind are the best gifts we can give our kids as they go out into the world...to adulthood.

The INSANITY that lives inside of some people's heads...

2011-10-03T23:26:00.000-05:00

Did anyone hear Fresh Air on NPR today? Terry Gross talked to A Leading Figure In The New Apostolic Reformation, the nuttiest nut I've heard in a loooong time.
Terry Gross was SO respectful it was amazing. She got lots of guff from listeners for being too respectful and not confrontational enough. All I could think was, "How fun it is to shoot fish in a barrel?"

C. Peter Wagner actually believes there are demons in the cities who are responsible for all bad things that happen, LITERAL demons from Satan's army...

He is, particularly, concerned about Japan because, as he says: The emperor of Japan has sex with the sun goddess, a demon, and brings bad things on Japan, like the tsunami and the recent nuclear meltdown.
God COULD have prevented the bad things, Wagner assures us, but he didn't...

Seriously?!
Here's the link: http://www.npr.org/2011/10/03/140946482/apostolic-leader-weighs-religions-role-in-politics

Don't Kill the Writer

2011-09-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

I'm teaching an English 1 course to homeschool kids who are about 12-15 years of age. Each child has a different writing level and a different levels of grammar work. I find myself learning something new each class!

I started out with the first class containing a Powerpoint presentation on basic grammar and sentence structure.

Have you ever looked out into a class full of bored faces? I hesitate to tell you what it is like... I don't want to frighten you!
It must be a nightmare to teach unwilling high school aged kids literature. (I sincerely apologize to my literature teacher from my senior year!)

I saw doodling, yawning, eye rolls, gum bubbles, texting...
It was awful!
Immediately I started rethinking my teaching method.

The next class we did more in-class writing and reading.
It was better, but still a grind.

This last class, I think I finally got it.
First we wrote a paragraph while sitting in my living room.

What is the day like?

Most kids talked about the beautiful sunny weather and the nice temperatures.
Then, I marched them outside, moved around the yard, sat in the warmth of the sun on the soft carpet of my front lawn. Then we rewrote the paragraph. Talking about sensory words. Noticing the variety of birds overhead, the depth of the amazing color of blue in the sky, the thousand colors of green in the grass, the nonstop sound of insects, the smell of the grass, leaves falling from the trees onto our toes, the feel of the breeze that moved the tree leaves...

The paragraphs that came from that exercise were top notch!
And I learned a thing or two too.

Keep it simple. Keep it interesting. And keep it real.

What's it Like Being an Atheist?

2011-09-19T17:05:00.000-05:00

It’s a lot like being the only sober person in a car full of drunk people,

and they refuse to pull over and let you drive.

full on STEAL from: http://freethoughtblogs.com/bluecollaratheist/

The interesting thing is, I seldom go through my day thinking of religion or gods or anything supernatural. Dream reading, ghosts, tarot cards, talking to the dead, afterlives, prelives, for that matter, runes, angels, daemons, dream interpretation, Phrenology, palmistry, alchemy, Big Foot, Astrology, Crystals, crop circles, UFO abductions, Deja Vu, faith healing, telekinesis, faith healings, reincarnation, palm reading, vampires, horoscopes, and the like.

I'll just be moving through the day, rationally.

Suddenly someone will say something about an angel thing or a prayer thing and I'm immediately like

BOOM

Oh yeah, people out there actually believe this stuff and it is meaningful for them...

Weird.
Here is an example: I was as Walgreens earlier today and saw a DVD meant for TODDLERS explaining the beauty of God's creation... I literally nearly tripped!

All I could think was: ACK!!!

Dr. Degrasse-Tyson, I Presume

2011-09-19T01:02:00.002-05:00

If you read my blog, you know that I have been struggling with a label. Am I Humanist?

I've been reading and watching and thinking and musing and whatnot and, sure, I agree with so much of the tenets of those who call themselves Humanist or Secular Humanist. So what. I realize it's not that big of a deal.

The other day I was listening to a podcast that had a wonderful interview with Neil DeGrasse-Tyson talking about this EXACT THING.

Like, isn't it amazing and serendipitous when you are thinking about a thing and the next thing you know NPR or someone is doing a segment on it. It was weird and great like that.

He was talking about why he does not espouse an 'ism' or an "ist". It's the very reason why I am having trouble with labels at all.

As soon as anyone knows your "label", they can claim to understand where you are coming from. You are immediately pigeon-holed and filtered and fitted with your "beliefs" by the person with whom you are speaking. You are immediately seen as having a set of things for which you stand. What you love. What you hate. What you criticize. What you support.
Besides, most "isms" are shallow and hate-based.

I find myself living in the "gray" areas of life. In the spaces between things. I can't claim to be either Republican or Democrat. Liberal or Conservative. Friendly but shy. Sensitive or indifferent. Confident but insecure. Enlightened and biased. Dingy or deep.
Maybe I should consider calling myself a Dichotomous Freak of Nature.

My point is, if a person knows me as an atheist, and most people do know me this way, they make assumptions about who I am and what I stand for that may or may not apply to me.

We are all complicated beings. We have our own personal filters. Our histories that move us in many directions at once. Our cathected ideas and objects. Personal injuries, emotional and otherwise. Those things that fill us with excitement and passion.
We are simply TOO COMPLEX to allow any "ism" to define us.
And I say we embrace that.
Today.
Today we stop using "isms" and "ists".

I have already begun, actually.
I was talking with my sister about this tonight. (Well, sort of about this...) I would say that we all have a degree of being friendly, unfriendly, sensitive, indifferent.
In fact, I believe it is these very dichotomous natures within me that allow me to have compassion and respect for many people with whom I disagree. I can appreciate the even and the odd, the dark and the light, the easy and the difficult, the self aware and the unenlightened.

And why not? Viva La' different!

And that statement in other languages too!

The Greeks, way back at Delphi, graffitied on their walls "Know Thyself".

γνῶθι σεαυτόν

All through history philosophers have talked about the wisdom of knowing one's self. Plato, for goodness sake, made the phrase his own personal catch phrase!
And my favorite philosophical writer from the last two hundred years or so, Ralph Waldo Emerson, frequently wrote about the need to know the self within.

So, I have decided to take Dr. DeGrasse-Tyson's lead and NOT label myself further.
I AM a homeschooling parent and I AM an atheist.

Beyond that, hey, I'm a rolling stone...

Brights Mag

2011-09-18T18:30:00.002-05:00

A good friend of mine, Rayven Holmes, has started her own secular parenting magazine called "Bright Parenting Magazine". Her first edition comes out tomorrow.
The COOL thing, besides me having an article in the issue...AND the fact that this magazine is going to be in existence at all...I was there as Rayven took the pic for the cover art...ON HER PHONE.
Man, the cameras on those little devices are amazing...

Here is a link to the mag's website: http://brightparentingmagazine.com/

I will follow up with more information as the issue comes out.

Count down: 1 Day until First Issue

WHEW...Too Much To Do!

2011-09-11T22:13:00.000-05:00

We're having one of those weeks. FAR too much to do on each day. It's a bit overwhelming just thinking about it...
But, WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN DO IT!!!

The kids who are taking my English 1 class are SO inspiring!
I am offering an English 1 class to the kids on our co op (Who have already signed up and started the class) this semester and next. One of the things they are to do is begin a blog to be used only for the class and for publishing their writing for my perusal only. (Well, mine and their parents.)
I am enjoying them immensely! Each child comes across so uniquely in his or her writing.
We are planning on reading some of the classic "freshman" reads this year, as well as a few different titles. So far, I'm very excited!

I do hope to see more interested faces next week...LOL.

I have been working on a costume for John for a costume birthday party he is going to this week.
Have you ever heard of Gir? He is a little character on Invader Zim cartoons. John's favorite. He looks like this:
I can promise you, my darling boy will NOT be looking quite like this.
I'm making the costume on the fly and it's looking a bit...weird.
I hope I can get it done and I hope I can get it done in a way that doesn't make him weep.
LOL
Laura or Ashlea, where are you!!!!

Laundry, lessons, cleaning, shopping, working on the bathroom remodel, working on lessons that I am preparing, working on the yard, and so many other forms of working...
Did I mention lessons?

As for HUMANISM, I've been listening to some good and not-so-good podcasts. Still enjoying learning more.
At this website, I read this:

What Is Secular Humanism?

Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to describe a world view with the following elements and principles:

A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.

Do I have a conviction that dogmas, ideologies, and traditions must be weighted rather than accepted on faith? YES.
Am I committed to the use of critical reason rather than faith or mysticism? YES
Am I in a constant search for truth? YES
Do I believe that this life can be made better and more meaningful through connection with others? YES
Do I believe that ethical principles are judged on their ability to enhance humanity? YES
Do I believe that these principles can lead to a better world? YES

Secular Thursday: Good Video

2011-09-08T09:08:00.000-05:00

But WHY do people wish to believe?

WHY does religion thrive?

Why do people continually ignore obvious facts before them in pursuit of a myth?

For one brief, excellent video response to these questions, check out this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wakUK3joatQ&feature=player_embedded#!

For Poetry Rushes in Where Fools Fear to Tread

2011-09-02T14:52:00.001-05:00

The Quiet Life

by Alexander Pope

Happy the man whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air
In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire;
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

Blest who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixt, sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please
With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

Humanist in the Making

2011-09-02T02:40:00.000-05:00

I was listening to a humanist podcast that a friend left in the car the other day and it really made me think.
I realize that I have tired of talking about atheism and about reading atheists who rant. I'm tired of being at a standstill. I realize that I am moving back into life without that label being my first identification (this blog not withstanding! lol)
I have been a humanistic thinking for most of my adult life anyway. After moving from those early years when I thought that "nice people go to church. I'm nice. Therefore, I should go to church" place, I have come to a place where I am ready to simply BE.
I feel that I feel quite liberated from the frenzied anger that I had for awhile. I understand it. I appreciate it when others are there. I, myself, have moved to another place. I don't claim to be "beyond" anything. Simply in another place.
I still have alot to read though!

I am a peaceful person who prefers loving kindness to most other things.
I still abhor hatred and pain caused by religions.
I still strongly hold with separation of church and ...well...everything.
I am a skeptic.
I believe in integrity and goodness.
I believe our species and our planet is a small part of a universe so vast we cannot truly comprehend it.
I believe in natural explanations.
I believe science has much to learn, but that it mostly operates with integrity.
I believe that every human being deserves respect.
And I am optimistic about people in general.

Furthermore, I feel the need to connect and to act ethically to improve my corner of the world.
The kids and I are planning on visiting the Ethical Society near us with the hopes of joining with a caring group that creates opportunity to help the community.

I'm happy with this choice, I've got alot to learn, and I'm looking forward to seeing changes take place in our parenting, in our family, in our lives, and in the world.

Secular Thursday Post Time

2011-09-01T00:56:00.000-05:00

Paprocki: Catholic principles under attack in Illinois

Bishop Poprocks...er, Paprocki

The gist of the article is found in these paragraphs:

"It seems as if the state is at war with the Catholic community, Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki says.

“In many ways, it does certainly feel like our principles and our ways of acting within our religious beliefs are under attack,” Paprocki said in an interview.

The decision by the Department of Children and Family Services to sever its foster care and adoption services contracts with Catholic Charities is just one example, Paprocki said. He also cited an order by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich requiring pharmacies and pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception. The order was struck down by a Sangamon County judge in April.

“We have concerns down the line about requirements mandating contraception in insurance plans and ultimately even requiring Catholic hospitals to perform abortion,” Paprocki said.

Following Circuit Judge John Schmidt’s ruling that Catholic Charities does not have a legal right to extension of its state contracts to oversee foster and adoptive children, Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky said “important elements of the political establishment in the state of Illinois are now basically at war with the Catholic community.”

Asked last week if he agreed, Paprocki said, “It feels like it.

“We’re simply trying to continue to do the social services we’ve done for decades,” he said. “Suddenly, they are telling us we can’t do that anymore. We are concerned that this is not just an isolated case. We see a growing secularism in our society.”

The Prairie State

I am THRILLED and HAPPY to see secularism creeping into Illinois decisions. The Great Land of Lincoln!

Contraception, Pro-choice decisions, removing foster care from it's long-time near-monopoly relationship with Catholic Charities Bishop PopRocks's fear of the frightening slippery slope ahead gives me hope.
But it also means he will be on his pulpit bad-mouthing the "secular" decisions of the state.

I can guess as to why Illinois Child Welfare Services has severed it's contract with Catholic Charities as of August 19th of this year, but that is HUGE. Many Catholic social service agencies have been kept afloat financially by these contracts. I wonder what will happen to them now? Who has those foster care contracts? DCFS?

Make no mistake, those foster care contracts were terminated with the Catholic agency for one reason: they refuse to allow openly gay couples to provide foster care to children in need and THAT violates the Illinois state anti-discrimination laws.

Due to the Catholic Church's unwillingness to budge on this issue, over two thousand children will now have to be moved to new foster arrangements. Two thousand children!

I salute the state of Illinois for doing what is right in this case and for sticking to the ethics of the situation.

Illinois...SALUTE!

Land of Lincoln

Today's Lessons

2011-08-29T16:18:00.000-05:00

Practicing Korean

Just to give you an idea as to our work load for a day, today is a random day and we'll talk a bit about what is going on in the house.
John wakes up first, begins working on lessons I have placed on the table for him last night. I awaken shortly later, he brings everything into my room. Together we worked on math (Saxon 7/6, lesson 45). He used a science article to practice using context to understand the meaning of new words. We watched a Christian movie on Netflix called "Icons on Evolution", talking about creation science. (Hey, you've got to know what they're saying, right?!) John was appalled at the bad science in that one. It's hours later and he is still steaming about the ridiculous claims in that film.

Loving Life!

Next he did more math, learned some current events with me at the computer, and learned about Buddhism.
That's over four hours of work for him. In the middle, he took a break and played in the sprinkler on the trampoline.
Elizabeth is learning about the various cabinet members in the US Cabinet (LOTS of work there), practicing writing basic Korean characters, Saxon Algebra Lesson 14, reading in "Things Come Apart", cellular biology, and watching a couple of TEDtalks on theater. Hers is well over four hours, she is about half way through that at this point.
And now, as she is listening to John go on and on about the film, she wants to watch it too. LOL


Saxon Math 7/6

An "A" Primer

2011-08-21T20:43:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it's ALL a fact, but I thought this was cool and I wanted to pass this on.
I wish I could print it out...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/62630233/100-Facts

Mission: Podcasts

2011-08-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/oh-no-ross-and-carrie/id425328515

I've been listening to the podcasts of this couple. The podcast is described thusly:

Welcome to Oh No, Ross and Carrie!, the show where we don’t just report on spirituality, fringe science and the paranormal (from a scientific, evidence-based standpoint), but dive right in by joining religions, attending spiritual events, undergoing “alternative” treatments, partaking in paranormal investigations, and more. At Oh No, Ross and Carrie!, we show up, so you don’t have to. Each episode deals with a single topic in a twenty-to-forty minute segment. Our website also features web exclusives including interviews and bloopers. Join us as we ask tough questions, explore the nature of belief, and always find the humor in life’s biggest mysteries.

I've been, specifically, listening to the LDS podcasts. First of all, this is a pretty sweet couple. They get along well and are very respectful to one another and to the issues in general.

I would welcome your thoughts on any of the podcasts.

I like their honestly and integrity.

Entitled

2011-08-14T00:32:00.000-05:00

I'm playing with new titles for this blog...Stay Tuned.

2011-08-13T23:53:00.000-05:00

You are Amazing (and Beautiful and Intelligent!)

2011-08-13T23:29:00.002-05:00

While reading two other blogs, I came across this exercise in feeling GOOD about myself and decided to give it a go as another in an ongoing series of blog posts containing TMI.

She, at http://smrtlernins.com/ asks the reader:

Really, have you looked at yourself lately?

Have you taken a moment to consider your many amazing qualities?

The blog goes on and asks us to fill in the following so we will:

...remember that you, the unique and remarkable you, are an amazing person...

1. Make a list of five amazing, beautiful physical qualities about yourself. Don’t couch them in an insult (“I look good for my age” or “I have nice legs for an overweight person“). You have at least five beautiful things about you, I guarantee. If you can’t see them immediately, this is your opportunity to search for them. Find those five amazing things about your appearance and list them.

I have great, natural fingernails.
I have a nice and frequent smile. ...erm, this is harder than it looks...
I have nice, clean teeth.
I have good, clear skin.
My hair is healthy.

2. Make a list of five amazing things about your mind. Don’t couch them in an insult (“I’m smart for someone who never finished college“). You have at least five incredible things going on up your head. If you can’t think of them immediately, this is your chance to discover them. Find those five amazing things about your mind and list them.

I love to learn and I am enthusiastic about new ideas.
I am a "community builder" as I love bringing people together.
I am great with words and language.
I have good ideas and, generally, think 'outside of the box'
I have a good sense of humor.

3. Make a list of five amazing things you have accomplished. Don’t couch them in an insult (“I’ve accomplished a lot for someone with children“). You have accomplished at least five spectacular things in your life. If they don’t spring immediately to mind, take this time to remember them. Find those five amazing accomplishments and list them.

I earned a masters degree as well as an advanced license in my field of training.
I gave birth to two healthy, brilliant, talented children
I educated myself on many things and worked to bring myself from the darkness to the life I have today.
I create and carry out events and activities for many people.
I am a peaceful, non-sarcastic mother who has AMAZING relationships with my children, YES, even the teenaged daughter, and I'm passing healthy messages on to my wonderful and loving children.

What a great way to realize that I don’t always have to have “auto-negative-comments” on when I talk to myself. I hope, if you can use it, you do this same list for yourself!
And, if you do, post it someplace you can see it whenever you can use a hand up.

You Know You are a Homeschool Dad When...

2011-08-12T02:09:00.000-05:00

You buy your wife a new printer for her birthday...and she's HAPPY.
Your dinner table becomes the science lab in less than five seconds.
Your family vacation includes museums...and the kids are GLAD.
You are the school lunch lady.
You have more books in the living room than the library has on all of their shelves...and you can't move them!
The kids point out historical inaccuracies while watching "Dr. Who".
You report dinner time discussions on Facebook.
Your son asks for a lathe for Christmas.
Half of your salary goes to memberships to local museums, zoos, and libraries.
Your daughter calls you names in Korean and you have no idea what she is saying.
You contribute to the education of your offspring every time you upgrade an electronic.
You watch documentaries on rainy days.
Time with your children often occurs under the night sky, at a pond, or in a tent.
Your wife takes "time outs" daily.
You bring home unused paper from the office to be used for printing lessons.
When people ask you about socialization, you just laugh!
Your family is still on their PJs at dinner time.
You are proud of your little "Class Clown", "Class Dunce", and "Class Valedictorian" and they are all the same child.
You open the refrigerator for a snack and find a science project.
YOU dress up as a literary character on Halloween.
Your family vacations are in September.
Your family disappears on field trips with little or no warning.
Your children are cooking dinner...as a lesson
You introduce yourself as "Elizabeth and John's Dad".
Your children are THRILLED when you share your hobby with their friends.
Your kids invite you to play games with they and their friends.
You can kiss your children's teacher.
Your children never stop asking "why" and "What if..."
You get to join the kids for "gym".
Your children request BOOKS as gifts.
You budget "library fines" into the books.
Your wife "forgets" to primp for the day.
Your kids have Mozart on their iPod
You get your way with the kids by threatening to kiss the teacher.
Your child is saving his or her allowance for a terrarium.
When your family goes out to buy school clothes, they return home with new, comfy pajamas.
Your children never hear the words, "Wait until your Dad gets home"...unless they are planning to do something fun!
Curriculum money gets spent online, at garage sales, at Goodwill, and at local entertainment centers.
You watch your wife homeschooling herself.
Parent-teacher conferences occur daily.
You come home to find your family under the table...living like the nomads.
You consider waking the kids up from a sleep because Neil DeGrasse Tyson is on TV.
Your family purposefully grows mold.
You and the children often discuss the physics of cartoons.
"Mythbusters" is played on "Family Night".
Your children are doing their own research on upcoming purchases.
Your children quote Shakespeare.
Your family doesn't take "snow days". They take "Great Weather Days".
Your children can't say the "Pledge of Allegiance".
Your family considers arguments "lessons on interpersonal relations".
Your wife considers curriculum fairs foreplay.
You consider "Mom's Night Out" as money well spent.
You leave the kids at home alone and they watch a documentary and play a game together.
You can tell how the lessons went by looking around the house.
...And by how quickly your wife grabs her keys when you walk in.
You have made butterbeer in your own kitchen.
You get to sit with a cup of tea and your wife and talk about books.
You are also a teacher.
You are constantly restocking, resupplying, and reusing materials.
You pay taxes to support the local schools AND you provide materials for your homeschooling family.
You have learned the art of creative teaching.
You have promised your wife that you will never again utter the words, "I can't spell so it's OK!"
Your household swings from vegan to Korean to all science to theater to no TV to anti-consumerism to Socialism to Little House on the Prairie and you swing with it.
You know that in 72 months, the last one will be starting community college.
You go to bed and realize you haven't spoken to your wife yet today.
You always put your family first.
When you get home from work you, literally, NEVER know what you will find.
Your children are writing their own books, songs, and plays.
Your kids beg you for a mini van.
You turn the spare room into a lesson room.
You proudly consider your children "unsocialized".
Your wife spends more time developing lessons than folding clothes.
You might have to be convinced to take on the homeschool lifestyle, but then you wouldn't change it for anything!

GRIPE

2011-08-12T01:23:00.001-05:00

Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious, quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or loud because he's homeschooled.

It's not fair that all the kids who go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded as representative of anything but childhood.

Morality vs. Ethics

2011-08-11T23:31:00.002-05:00

The questions are:

Do atheists have a moral ground for their perception of right and wrong?
Is an atheist entitled to claim a sense of right and wrong?
Can we really be good apart from a god?

Simplistically, according to a typical atheist, right and wrong is a matter of whether or not your behavior hurts people or fails to help them.
Wrong action vs. right action.

Once the basic idea is in place, the familiar rules of common sense morality seems obvious. Why should we not kill, murder, steal, rape. Why should be help the needy, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, demand justice for the unrepresented? Disrespect, limiting someone's autonomy, questions of self-defense, etc, are all shades of this question.

My answer, of course, is we do NOT require a god to know what is right and wrong. Certainly we can lay claim to knowing when an act is either not right or inherently wrong. And, of course, we can be and are good without a god. One reason it is true that we can be good without a god is because it is in an individual's own self interest to do right. To make decisions and to take action that is correct or good. When I make decisions of right and of wrong, I effect the community around me as a whole. Each of us impacts the other. To be maximally successful we must cooperate with each other. This is a good enough reason to discourage most atheists from "antisocial" or "immoral" behavior, purely for the purposes of self-preservation. Further, we effect our own sense of the type of person we are as compared to the type of person we wish to be. Integrity requires ethics! But that's not even the crux of my reasoning!

Being an atheist does not suggest that a person upholds any particular ethical system. It merely reports that an individual has no belief in a deity of any kind. Each person, atheist or theist, ascribes to their own chosen, absorbed, inherited, or cobbled sense of correctness vs. incorrectness, good vs. evil. In other words, being an atheist does not mean that one subscribes to a particular world view; each person creates their own sense of right and wrong. This makes many religion-followers very uncomfortable. Perhaps this has to do with having had little practice making ethical decisions on their own, using their own internal barometer.
I know of some wonderful people who are Christians who, in response to my questions, assert that they would, in fact, NOT make good decisions if the guidelines of their religions did not guide them. I am certain that they truly believe this. But I am equally as certain that the inherent goodness of these people would shine through. They would, simply, be good for goodness's sake.

Atheism is often wrongly identified with evil and moral anarchy. Certainly some atheists exist who are less than virtuous -- just as some religious people lack perfection. Lack of virtue is a human trait, not a trait based on one's belief system. From my extensive and recent research, using this argument, believers frequently tend to bring the Marquis de Sade and Nietzsche as failed examples of allowing one's internal sense of right and wrong to be one's guide.

Religions are the cradles of despotism.

Marquis de Sade

A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum

shows that faith does not prove anything.
Friedrich Nietzsche

It is not a surprise the Friedrich Nietzsche was unloved by the churchfolk as he was known for explaining Man's behavior as being of "free will" and autonomy rather than of controlled by an outside source such as the church or other political system. He also, astutely, I believe, argues that anyone who claims to offer a guide for morality is simply revealing themselves in their claims and assertions. One who professes "truth" is, in a sense, confessing their own witness for who they, themselves, are.

The church's historical fear of Free Will and "will to power" is certainly threatened by a rational being stating and choosing his or her certainty and "goodness" or "badness". We, as human beings, operate in the gray areas of life. An atheist would suggest that these gray areas are normal, unique, and, further, are for each individual to judge. In this example, using Nietzsche as an example of morality without god works.

Nietzsche went even further, though. His belief was that, as Men were to flourish and to grow intellectually, Men would become what they truly felt they should be. Man's sense of ethics would create the ability to understand and to absorb the values of others as well, learning from one another. There would be the ability to view and judge behavior based on each individual's life and circumstances. Relative Morality. No black and white. Shades of gray. Nietzsche had the belief that a "higher man" or "superman" would eventually result from this theoretical ability to make the nobler choices independently. I don't know if his ideas would come to fruition in such a world, but human nature often surprises us with it's goodness. Think of that darling boy who gave up the baseball last week...

As a role model for ethics, however, few modern atheists would claim Friedrich Nietzsche as their poster boy. He's an odd choice, in my opinion, for focus by those who claim that atheists cannot be "moral" people.

The fact of the matter, human are social beings. We live in societies and form relationships beginning at our very first day. We feel empathic as very young children. The need to feel connected and to please our elders and respected ones creates the perfect environment for a child to learn the specifics of a given family, group, society.

As a caveat, and in response to the criticisms I have read, I realize that this idea of learning right and wrong from our own culture and life would not work in the event of a mentally ill person. Neither does religion assist these people. I have seen, first hand, that neither religion nor reason helps in situations with people with this nature.

I would also suggest that morality, as a concept, isn't truly well-practiced in the church. I won't base this statement merely on the many, many, many deaths, murders, and tortured people the various religions have produced. I won't merely suggest that the blatant sexual abuse scandals and their in-house cover ups suggest a significant deficit of "morality".

Instead, I would offer for evidence the overall hatred policies of the differing religious sects with regards to racism, sexism, agism, genderism, sexual preference-ism, and a multitude of other ISMs that are all, by my ethical code WRONG.

It's Monday...

2011-08-08T13:21:00.000-05:00

I've decided to, unnecessarily, join the Secular Thursday bloggers!
Watch this site for these Thursday specials!


http://smrtlernins.com/secular-thursday/

New to Homeschooling?

2011-08-08T00:47:00.000-05:00

Each of the determined, confident, admirable homeschooling parents that you have met have, at one time, been a beginner. Right where you are now.

Fearful. Curious. Exploring. Awake looong into the night, looking for even MORE information online to either support or discourage you as you consider homeschooling your children. If you are like me, you actually Googled “Reasons Why I Should Not Homeschool”. Go ahead, read those vitriolic, uninformed, frightened people who warn you away from homeschool. However, those folks have not homeschooled… they are simply against something that they are not knowledgeable about.

Are there reasons to NOT homeschool? Sure. I’m sure there are parents who are not equipped to either meet the needs of their children or to find a way to get them met. Not every parent has their children’s best interest at heart. Not every parent wants to homeschool in order to openly and passionately create a loving and learning environment for their children. Not every parent has the desire to do it. And not every parent is willing to put their child’s needs first. If you are abusive in any way…you should not homeschool.

Although I have homeschooled for eight years, I have never met one of these parents, I’m just covering my bases in case one of them gets to this blog!

On the other hand, if you are online (for the eighteenth hour in a row) looking for more information on homeschooling, I am SURE you can do it!

And, notice, I did not mention that a parent who wishes to homeschool needs to be the brightest bulb in the box.

Determination. Resourcefulness. “Can Do” attitude. Motivated. And full of love for your child. These are the necessary qualities for a parent who wishes to homeschool. You don’t need lots of money; you don’t needs lots of advanced education; you don’t need to be perfect; you don’t need to be married. If you feel that this is the best decision for your child and your family, then you CAN DO IT. If you decide that this is not the best decision for your child and your family, then there is no shame in not moving forward into homeschooling. But, if you are considering it, then keep reading.

If you have found your way here, I recommend you do this: read about the types of homeschool styles, read about learning styles of children, Google “what is learning” and “what is education”, and continue to educate yourself…well, as long as you shall live. Homeschool families are fortunate enough to be in the position to create the best, unique environment for their children. Even if you don’t see another homeschooling family that looks like the one you think you want to create, that is OK! That is normal. That is as it should be. That is why we homeschool. We want to create an environment full of opportunities that meet our child’s unique needs, abilities, and temperament. If we wanted to be exactly like everyone else, well, we would have picked up a cookie cutter and started creating our family that way.

Are you still feeling unsure? Alone? Fearful? Nervous? Excited?

GREAT! Join the club! Prepare yourself to explore an entirely new way of life…a way of life that you and your child create simply by living it!

Don’t buy anything…at this point, just keep learning!

A Typical Day

2011-08-08T00:40:00.000-05:00

Is there a typical homeschool day?

I doubt it!

Yesterday we were at the table doing lessons at about four in the afternoon, but that is because we were running around visiting friends that morning! Why not have dessert first!

Today we were doing lessons, then played some “cup bowling” (as we call it), when a HS friend dropped by and spent the afternoon with us! There is nothing like a homeschool friend! They think NOTHING of all kinds of stuff piled up in the living room, simulating a bowling alley! lol Then there was a little sprinkler play…

When people ask me about homeschooling, one of the first questions is usually “what is a typical day like”?

That’s a tough one. And a simple one. Our days vary so much, as do the days of most families that I know. We are busy, active, rarely sitting still. But when lesson time does come, we’re at the table learning decimals, prepositions, and American history. We have a nice little spot with markers, paper, books, stickers, a timer, rulers, scissors, pencils, and snacks. There we will follow our math books, have discussion about ethics, or letter writing, or friendship, or politics, or discoveries, or plans for the year/month/week/day/moment, play games, science experiments (our favorite!), growing up, kindness and fairness, maturity, history, other cultures, biographies, computers, or just about anything!

In fact, one of the best things about homeschooling is that it is so very CURRENT. If something is happening in the world, we want to know about it!

“Harry Potter” coming out tomorrow? Let’s learn about special effects in the movies. Let’s discuss the controversies that some families experience regarding the films. Let’s get excited that our countdown is nearly over!

President Obama in town? Let’s check out how various news sources around the world discuss his activities for the day. Let’s watch his speech or event. Let’s learn more about a president’s duties.

You get the picture!

We have our math books. We have our language lessons. We read our history. We are avid science book readers. We love learning about art and music and dance.

BUT! We can get up anytime, run out the door, and follow our bliss!

Information, Help, Encouragement

2011-08-08T00:37:00.000-05:00

We aren’t the homeschool pioneer generation. We don’t have to struggle with legality of homeschooling.

We don’t have to be isolated. We are no longer considered “strange”. Homeschooling has proven time and time again what a success it can be, what wonderful adults it can build. We no longer have to try to homeschool our children without decent materials and NO INTERNET! (How did they do it?)

Today, the internet is almost TOO full of information. It is almost TOO easy to find opinions and facts and figures and materials and answers and questions. But we are the lucky ones. The families who are able to bask in the work of our forefamiles, the pioneers of homeschooling. The families who broke the ground of this current ground swell of families who have taken this wonderful road, a road that used to be pathless, now, a wide two-lane highway…construction ahead!

Those families, our homeschooling wise ones, were at a loss for three major things. Three key elements that homeschooling parents today STILL need, but can now find more readily: information, help, encouragement.
As homeschooling parents, one of the things we are constantly doing is educating ourselves. Bookstores, the internet, and community support groups now about and we are surrounded by education sources and wonderful success stories. Resources are endless and I, for one, find the internet to be a major source for my own education. I love it!

As for help, no longer are we alone in our wagons on the prairie with miles between us and the next homeschooling family. With some exceptions of course, we are the lucky recipients of assistance lovingly offered by homeschool veterans and kind-hearted parents who have been there! Additionally, if we have a question, we are no longer alone AND, there are often a number of answers from which to choose.
Encouragement? Each family and friend group has their own unique personality, but I have found that encouragement is abundant and available whenever I need it! In fact, our homeschooling community is a vital and safe place to explore the grand expedition of being a homeschooling parent.

One of my dear friends IS of the homeschool pioneer generation and I can’t even compete with the passion that is this woman! Nancy Clavenna is an energetic, vital, , learning, adventuresome, blue-eyed wonder of a mother who is now the grandparent of two homeschooled grandchildren: Evey and Jonas! Nancy is a first class example of the type of person who has seeded our homeschooling adventure and made it possible for we relative newbies to move forward with confidence and pride that we have taken this road less traveled, yet traveled for a millenia!

No More Guilt

2011-08-08T00:33:00.002-05:00

GUILT!!!!!!!!!

I have it. You have it. It must be some sort of invasive thing that enters our body when we have children. I just can’t remember feeling it so often BC (before children)! Not enough fruit. Not enough baths. Not enough sleep. Not enough awake time. Not enough reading. Not enough fractions. There is just no end to it!

At the same time, I see guilt as one of the least productive of all emotions. Guilt grinds us to a halt. It weighs us down until we can barely lift our primate knuckles off of the ground and it makes us long for hibernation. The thing it doesn’t do, however, is inspire us to do better!
So, in order to make a dent in the homeschool parents’ overload of guilt, I have created a list of rules. Strike that. Suggestions! Evaluate them and decide for yourself if they make sense for you!

Never, EVER, when feeling particularly down in the dumps read a “How to Homeschool” type of book. Most of them can bring me down from the pinnacle of a homeschooling buzz! They effect me even worse if I am doubting my ability to explain exponential notation properly. These books can offer some truly wonderful and inspired ideas and guidelines. But that is what they are. Ideas and guidelines. Not rules.
There. Are. No. Rules. Your. Way. Is. Correct.

If your child were in school, he or she would have at least FIVE different adults offering instruction or supervision during a single day. Of course you can’t to all of that!

You can do better. You can be a single, consistent adult, who truly sees and cares. That always trumps the numbers.

Knowing HOW to learn is more important than knowing everything. I have NEVER memorized the state capitols and I will never know how to speak Spanish or French. But, I DO know where to find all of this information (AND MORE) and that is even more important. At any given moment as an adult, none of us know it all. But, happily, we know our resources and we use them.

You didn’t even know what an iPod was three years ago. You won’t know everything that there is to know about homeschooling…well, ever! But you can do your very best today with that you know today.

And that phrase that I remember hearing so often when I was a kid, that phrase that means so much to me now: Tomorrow is another day.

I honestly have to remind myself of that. Do you?

We don’t have to do it all today! There will always be a tomorrow for us to learn more, do more, or even use for relaxation. Art, music, biographies, creative writing. Let’s plan on doing some of that stuff tomorrow. And if tomorrow never comes, well, I have to say, I only read about three true pieces of literature throughout my entire high school years. Most of my literary reading came as an adult and by choice. You really don’t have to do it all. Sometimes it is enough to say, ‘Hey, there are some cool things over there…wanna go have a look? Well, maybe another day.”

Your family is a team. YOU are not the work horse and PLEASE don’t think that you can be or should be a super mother. Every member of the family can help plan and carryout a meal. And, if your children are like mine, some of them will happily cooperate and feel proud for doing so while some of them will feel like it isn’t fair and life stinks! That’s normal.

If at all possible, take mental health vacations. You alone or the whole family. Go to the park and just lie in the grass. Stay up late and look at stars. Sit by a creek and collect insects. These activities are perspective-givers. Sometimes we all need a reminder…

Peace.

You KNOW you are a Homeschooler When…

2011-08-08T00:25:00.000-05:00

Someone asks what grade you’re in and you’re not sure.
You always have snacks with lessons.
You go to Target HOPING someone will ask you why you are not in school today.
You don’t need permission to either teach evolution or leave it out
You have already done the grocery-store-as-a-field-trip thing
Your best vacations are in September, October, November…
Socialization is NOT a thing you worry about as you get so much of it!
You stay up past midnight to see the stars on a Monday night.
Your favorite tool is the computer
The librarian knows your children's names.
Your child asks for a reference book for a birthday.
Your children can occupy themselves for hours.
Your favorite author is Avi, Jane Austin, Willa Cather, Herman Mehville, or Alexander Dumas.
You own the entire “Planet Earth” series on DVD
You can mix a batch of home made play dough from memory
Your children wear clothing that they have designed
You don’t have room for all of your books
You know many genres of music.
You ask enough questions at the dentist office that you get some “Office time”!
You are no longer offended by the “Is it legal?” question.
You have multiplication posters taped across from the potty
If you forget your homework you can go get it in a minute.
Your birthday is an official school holiday.
You work when you are sick and take “sick days” when you are well.
You are completely unaware of the current fads, fashions, and “cool” slang terms.
You have no idea what a wedgie is.
When you watch a movie, you can compare it to the book because you’ve read it.
You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween, or just for fun!
You exchange home made valentines.
You have your parent/teacher conference in the dark before going to sleep.
You have a rock collection, a leaf collection, a bone collection, and an insect collection.
The librarian knows your name and suggests books to you.
You have ever attempted to teach yourself algebra, sentence diagramming, or physics.
You learn something new every day
Your dictionary is dog-eared and tattered, and well used!
Santa brings you craft books and science kids and you are happy!
You know what Latin roots are.
You visit website you would have NEVER found had your children not asked a question
Your board games all have names like “Scrabble”, “Trailblazer”, “Game of Knowledge”, and “Geo Bee”.
You have created a newer decimal system for organizing books
You told the librarian about it and she was impressed
You have homemade timelines and maps on your walls
You know all of the planets’ names and have seen them
Your favorite place to study is outside on a blanket, under a tree, anyplace flat!
You can quote lines from Shakespeare, but not from the Disney Channel.
You play math games and language for fun
You own a bingo game
You have “Not Going Back to School” parties
The only bully you ever run into is your brother
It takes you less than a minute to walk to school.
Your school bus is a mini van.
You keep paper, pens, a dictionary, Peterson Field Guides, binoculars, compass, rock hammer, collection kit, snacks, and a change of clothing in your car.
There are only four students in your class – and all of them are your brothers and sisters.
You have a 12-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a toddler in the same class.
The school nurse, principal, librarian, bus driver, and lunch lady all tuck you in at night
You have mold growing in your refrigerator on purpose
If you have EVER studied the contents of the vacuum bag
You own more than one of the following: telescope, microscope, binoculars, fax machine, copier, video camera, black board, or compass
Every day you are thankful to have spent that day with your children
You will NEVER regret not having spent enough time with your children
You actually look forward to “PTA meetings” with other parents!
Your teens make valentines for YOU.

Choosing Curriculum

2011-08-08T00:17:00.000-05:00

Homeschooling parents want to know three things: What are the best products? Can I do better? And Am I doing enough?

Choosing homeschool materials can be time-intensive and can require much research on the part of parents. Some years ago, parents had to deal with the dilemma of having very little to choose from. Today, we are lucky enough to be homeschooling at a time when the choices are amazing and when more becomes available each year. Of course, the yin to this yang is that it requires more time and attention on our part to sort through the available curriculum and materials in order to locate and aquire the “right” materials for our family.
It helps to talk to other homeschooling families, but each family you ask will have different answers! At first, thosesewing-1 early years of homeschooling, this can cause a parent to lose heart. Eventually, the fact that every homeschool family is unique becomes one of the best things about homeschooling.

When it comes to choosing curriculum, remember, your family’s needs are more important than any expectations you will read/hear/feel from outside sources. Trust your instincts where materials are concerned. Why buy “Spelling, Level 3″ when your child, regardless of age, needs “Spelling, Level 2″? Ignore those “levels” and “grades” that are attached to most material and choose each subject based on the level of your child, rather than the other way around. Think of it as a quilt. Choose the materials, sizes, shapes, textures, and quality that appeals to you and make it your own.quilt-11

There is no reason why you can’t combine materials from across the spectrum into your homeschool day. A book from here, a film from there, workbook from a third place. Happily, we are living at a time when our options are open and we are the seamstresses of our children’s education! Choose pieces that you love, pieces that appeal to them, pieces that are unique. Blend them into a work of art that is your child!

A father was shopping in the store this morning. He and his wife are fairly new to homeschooling and they had come to shop, browse, educate themselves. He asked me something along the lines of “what are the benefits of homeschooling”. My Top of the List is the fact that I can teach my children at their level, rather than at the level of their peers. In this way, we can zoom forward or stay in one place for awhile. Flexibility. Accept it. Love it!

Will you use secular or Christian materials? Again, this decision is one that wants to mesh with the goals of your family. And it is possible to combine the two in order to find the materials that make sense to you.

I realize that these aren’t answers, per se. But no one can tell you what is best for your family. You will know it when you see it. So, take some time, browse, educate yourself, ask around. Eventually, you will find the materials that feel like “home” to you.

Are you still feeling confused?

Wanting more concrete assistance?

Check back soon. I will talk more about various homeschool approaches and some materials that “fit” each one.

At Least TEN Good Reasons to Homeschool

2011-08-08T00:13:00.000-05:00

What are the top ten benefits that homeschooling has to offer that your friendly, neighborhood public schools may not offer?

10. Your child can have an individualized education.

As the parent, you can skip the child any number of grade levels and there is not one administrator to explain why it is not possible. Does your child know it already…then SKIP IT this time! Is your child interested in a particular subject…spend lots more time on it!
No classroom bells ending the period, ample time to complete, investigate, continue your learning!
If a child has asynchronous development (and what child DOESN'T?), you can customize the work for acceleration in one area and remediation in another. My two children vary in their levels of skill in each subject…and we can accommodate each of them easily!

9. Homeschooling can give a child the gift of time because it does not generally take 6 or 7 hours for a days’ work.

A child can follow his interests for hours a day!
There is extra time in the day for expanded exploration and extension activities on any given topic.
There is time for household chores, play, hobbies and reading for pleasure
We take 1-3 hours per day for structured lessons…all of the rest is for following your own bliss!

8. The classroom has no walls.

Field trips can occur at the parent’s discretion and can be spur of the moment decisions.
Pick up and move outdoors whenever it makes sense to do so!
Follow up activities from a field trip can last as long as the interest lasts.
Instruction can take place at the library, park, or even in the car on the way.

7. The family can travel and not be subjected to a school calendar decided by the schools.

A trip to a favorite tourist spot with all the educational value of the monuments, museums, and tours can be considered “unexcused” absence in the school system, not so if you are homeschooling.
All homeschoolers LOVE the off-peak travel benefits!

6. Most homeschoolers have freedom from bureaucracy.

No rules about who can participate based on geographic location.
No rules about who cannot participate.
No rules about when to begin and when to end.
No rules about WHAT to teach WHEN.
No rules to get in the way of your child’s needs.

5. There is a short commute time from home to classroom.

There is no strange zoning where your child is bussed to a school on a 45 minute bus ride when there are two schools closer that the bus drives right past.
NO WORRYING about that stranger that you heard about on the news who has been seen handing out near bus stops and schools.
No car line in front of school for those that live too close to ride the bus.
No tardies, no missed recesses, no lunch bell.
No bus!

4. Curriculum can be presented in a manner that suites the child.

Parents can choose a traditional method or non-traditional.
Curriculum can be modified without worrying about the implications it has on an entire group of students.
If materials or approaches aren’t working a homeschooler can immediately try something else.
Parents and children can learn together what method of learning WORKS for that child!

3. Mastery learning is possible.

Your child can master the content of a lesson before moving to the next lesson without inconveniencing others. Take as long as you need to on integers!
Homeschoolers know that all kids get "A"s in all subjects. Why? Because you don't more forward until your child is ready!

2. There are no afternoon and evening homework battles.

1. The PLACEMENT TESTS are not mandatory for a homeschooler.

Woo Hoo.

Homeschooling Atheist Momma

St. Louis Homeschool Resources

Seriously Low Pricing on nearly all of my books listed on Amazon.com. You can see my personal storefront at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&isAmazonFulfilled=0&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&isCBA&seller=A3OLRG93HI3ZY0Ordering two or more books from my storefront AND sending me a message either here or through Amazon.com will get free shipping on your order in the continental US OR APO address.

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Mom day, Mom day...so good to me!

We Have 5ive Winners!

Teen-Led One-Acts

This I Believe

How Lame?

Family Values

Lighting a Fire

GIVEAWAY REMINDER - Enter Today!

Today's Update

Homeschool Pen Pals

Relativism and Atheism

Evolution Myths Busted

John Muir

HOMESCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRE

GIVEAWAY REMINDER - ELEVEN DAYS Remaining!

It's Science Time and We're Doing the Litmus Test

Rethinking Education

Bringing This One Back Around

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It is GIVEAWAY Time!

You Live and You Learn...

That's My Girl...

My Boy...

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Reasons Why You Should Not Homeschool

In Retrospect...

English 1

January, We Start the Year off Fine

Nap Time 2012

Top Ten Things I Wish I Would Have Said in 2011

Yule Love It

Yule Laugh

Yule Cry

LINK 182, Worthy Reads

O Tannenbaum

Do you put up a tree? When?

We put up a tree. The past many years we've gotten away with putting it up about mid December and removing it the day or so after Christmas. This year the kids are insisting, "We're putting up the tree this week and it's not coming down until after Christmas!"

Jer and I are like, "Excellent! Have fun!"

The truth is, Elizabeth is taking the "Bah Humbug" out of it for me. She's making me enjoy the holiday again! She loves the holiday lights, the shopping, the sparkling, and all of the Jingle Bell rocking going on. She loves the Christmas music and plays it all of the time.

I hope you have some small ones in your home to help you remember to ENJOY the season of long, cold nights and brief, bright days!

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Doctor Strangeglove: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the (Text) Book

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The INSANITY that lives inside of some people's heads...

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What's it Like Being an Atheist?

It’s a lot like being the only sober person in a car full of drunk people,

and they refuse to pull over and let you drive.

full on STEAL from: http://freethoughtblogs.com/bluecollaratheist/

I'll just be moving through the day, rationally.

Suddenly someone will say something about an angel thing or a prayer thing and I'm immediately like

*BOOM*

Oh yeah, people out there actually believe this stuff and it is meaningful for them...

Weird. Here is an example: I was as Walgreens earlier today and saw a DVD meant for TODDLERS explaining the beauty of God's creation... I literally nearly tripped!

All I could think was: ACK!!!

Dr. Degrasse-Tyson, I Presume

Brights Mag

WHEW...Too Much To Do!

What Is Secular Humanism?

Secular Thursday: Good Video

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Secular Thursday Post Time

Seriously Low Pricing on nearly all of my books listed on Amazon.com.
You can see my personal storefront at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&isAmazonFulfilled=0&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&isCBA&seller=A3OLRG93HI3ZY0

Ordering two or more books from my storefront AND sending me a message either here or through Amazon.com will get free shipping on your order in the continental US OR APO address.

BOOM

Weird.
Here is an example: I was as Walgreens earlier today and saw a DVD meant for TODDLERS explaining the beauty of God's creation... I literally nearly tripped!