Check out this little site. A member has posted a thread asking the question,
Things that come to mind when you think of high school?
Wow! Has anyone introduced you to PBS yet?
I found this site today via a link on some one's blog. (I wish I knew now, I would thank her.) It's a nice online book swap. (Kind of like the homeschool group's book swap.. only more books!) I've added 14 books to trade and so far 4 have been selected by someone. Once we finalize the swap and they receive the books I will get credit to choose my own books for free.
But wait! It gets better. Apparently the company realizes people like me need instant satisfaction. :) So, once you list 9 books to swap you receive a 3 book credit. Oh.... I've already spent my credits. That took about one minute.
Don't leave yet! There's still more to this deal. It's FREE! Yup, I swear, honest to goodness FREE. The only money involved is what you pay to ship a book to some one. Yes, really really.
So, come to the swap! I've added a quick link in the sidebar on the right. If you decide to join, which I would recommend you do, please keep me listed as who referred you. LOL, I get more book credits that way. ;)
On a personal note, I really enjoy the thought of swapping out books. I've simply acquired too many books which we haven't (and aren't likely to) read. In a way, using this book swap is helping me organize!
Last week I fell in love with a bookcase. It was just a simple and cheap case. Yesterday I bought four. Yes! Four new bookcases! Isn't that every homeschoolers dream? :)
So, out went the oversized entertainment center. (We have no tv anyway.) In it's place, the four bookcases all in a row. Oh! It's so wonderful to have most our books ready and waiting. I'm not the only one enjoying this either. Remington has kept me quite busy reading all the newly rediscovered books to him.
I think I need to buy another bookcase, we have too many books to fit into the four cases. Besides, my wall will fit another. ;)
Lately I've been bombarded with an overwhelming desire to organize. I know, I know... crazy. But, when I get this feeling I run with it. :)
My particular goal was to organize my family's daily life. I have tackled three different sections so far. They are home cleaning, cooking and organizing our homeschool.
1. Home Cleaning:
My part- I've been doing deep cleaning and organization lately. My latest projects: school area, pantry, dresser drawers and kitchen cabinets.
The boys- Before they only had one assigned chore but I fixed that. Besides, we get to count it as Home Ec. right? *snicker* All the boys all put away their own laundry and clean their own rooms.
Richie's chores
load and unload the dishwasher
vacuum living room
water goats and chickens daily
Devan's chores
bathroom- wipe down, take out trash, restock towels and tidy up
put goats out to graze once per day, bring back in afternoon
feed goats corn daily
Remington's chores
keep common areas free of toys
2. Cooking:
My part- I've decided to give The Homeschool Mom's menu a try. So far it's been easy and is quite the weight lifted from my shoulders to *know* "what's for dinner".
The boys- Richie has really shown quite the baking skills this year. He seems to enjoy making breakfast and dessert the most. He's been quite the little chef.
3. Organizing our homeschool:
The location-
Well, we've been using our attached garage as the official homeschool room but never completed our lessons in there. It mainly served as our storage facility. I became weary of the running back and forth between kitchen, living room and garage. It wasted quite a bit of time looking for curriculum or supplies as well. (This is because it was not organized well.)
So, now I have given in and "set up shop" in our kitchen. The dining room side of our large kitchen, that is. Really though, I've decided there is no point in having a homeschool room in a homeschool. I decided it would be far better to have a homeschool home. ;)
The stuff-
I began analyzing what we really need for each day. It basically came down to this:
somewhere to write
our core curriculum and curriculum items (located in individual stacks, bottom shelf)
reference books
writing items (small basket, top shelf)
books and items for our current unit study (large basket, top shelf)
time line
cork board (to display anything related)
chalk board (just because I like the idea)
manipulatives (small baskets, second shelf)
art materials (small baskets, second shelf)
Mom's books (teacher editions, etc...)
individual daily planners (with individual curriculum items)
All other books go in the new bookcases in our living room.
I'm trying to get back to basics. At one point I was very excited about buying TONS of "educational stuff" to hang on the wall. But, it didn't feel like home. It felt... well, like a school. Then there's all the unused curriculum. I too have purchased curriculum with the highest hopes only to find it wasn't a good fit. For some reason, I have held onto this stuff... just in case. I've now decided to donate, sell or trash unused items. I think this is a good quote,
A book in the hand is worth two on the bookcase.
This person clearly didn't think out her argument before sending this opinion piece.
Her first argument against homeschooling- Time and money
A significant example is the amount of time - not to mention money - it takes to
prepare and teach daily lessons and organize activities. Parents who chose to
home-school would have little time to themselves and would have to pay for most
of the resources needed to educate their children.
It is unlikely many parents can match the resources offered by a
government-funded school system.
But perhaps the greatest disadvantage is the difficulty in developing social
skills. Social skills cannot be learned merely through everyday
interactions, such as trips to the mall, church, sports and clubs or
visiting with neighbours.
It is that lack of exposure to the real world that poses aHmmm, where did those everyday interactions occur? LOL, in the real world, of course. (I told you it was an illogical argument, right?)
danger for home-schooled children, particularly those who are taught by their
parents right through their teen years.
Simply hearing about the dangers of life is not a substitute for reality. What
has always been forbidden or mysterious - be it alcohol, drugs or sex - can
become too great of a temptation to resist for some of these home-schooled youth
who may be intent on taking part in much they'd missed as quickly as possible.
It was recently awards time in public school. You remember how they should work, right? The students all watch in awe as a fellow student is awarded for some great action or work. It's always flattering to receive awards, especially with your peers closely watching. It creates a sense of pride and accomplishment.
These two teachers chose to present two awards to a 6th grade boy. Sounds nice huh? What were little Matt's awards you may ask?
"Most likely not to have children" award
"Sir clowns-a-lot" award
"Really dumb teacher" award
Gary Pellico, spokesman for the school system, declined to say whether
the teachers have been disciplined. He said system officials regret the incident.
"We don't feel like it was an
appropriate awards ceremony at all," Pellico said. "It wasn't part of the
school's award ceremony, and it will not happen again."
This is from the World Book Encyclopedia's "typical course of study" list. I've found it to be a handy reference for making sure everything is covered. BTW- there is a list for each grade. Some of these items, however, I find laughable. It is for these items I couldn't resist making a (snide comment).
But, if you find yourself needing a handy dandy checklist this will work.
Size
* Understands big and little.
* Understands long and short.
* Matches shapes or objects based on size.
Colors and Shapes
* Recognizes and names primary colors.
* Recognizes circles.
* Recognizes rectangles.
* Matches shapes or objects based on shape.
* Copies shapes.
Numbers
* Counts orally through 10.
* Counts objects in one-to-one correspondence.
* Understands empty and full.
* Understands more and less.
Reading Readiness
* Remembers objects from a given picture.
* Knows what a letter is.
* Has been read to frequently.
* Has been read to daily.
* Looks at books and magazines.
* Recognizes some nursery rhymes.
* Identifies parts of the body.
* Identifies objects that have a functional use.
* Knows common farm and zoo animals.
* Pronounces own first name.
* Pronounces own last name.
* Expresses self verbally.
* Identifies other children by name
* Tells the meaning of simple words.
* Repeats a sentence of 6-8 words.
* Completes incomplete sentence with proper word.
* Has own books.
* Understands that print carries a message.
* Pretends to read.
* Uses left-to-right progression.
* Answers questions about a short story.
* Tells the meaning of words heard in story.
* Looks at pictures and tells a story.
* Identifies own first name in manuscript.
* Prints own first name. (His name is Remington.... that's long.)
Position and Direction
* Understands up and down.
* Understands in and out.
* Understands front and back.
* Understands over (on) and under.
* Understands top, bottom, middle.
* Understands beside and next to.
* Understands hot and cold.
* Understands fast and slow.
Time
* Understands day and night.
* Knows age and birthday. (Does knowing the birthday really show an understanding of time or does it simply show rote memorization?)
Listening and Sequencing
* Follows simple directions.
* Listens to a short story.
* Listens carefully.
* Recognizes common sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of orally given numbers.
* Retells simple stories in sequence.
Motor Skills
* Is able to run.
* Is able to walk a straight line.
* Is able to jump.
* Is able to hop.
* Is able to alternate feet walking down stairs.
* Is able to march.
* Is able to stand on one foot for 5-10 seconds.
* Is able to walk backwards for five feet.
* Is able to throw a ball.
* Pastes objects.
* Claps hands.
* Matches simple objects.
* Touches fingers.
* Able to button a garment.
* Builds with blocks.
* Completes simple puzzles
(5 pieces or less).
* Draws and colors beyond
* a simple scribble.
* Able to zip a zipper.
* Controls pencil and crayon well.
* Cuts simple shapes.
* Handles scissors well.
* Able to copy simple shapes.
Social-Emotional Development
* Can be away from parents or primary care givers for 2-3 hours
without being upset.
* Takes care of toilet needs independently.
* Feels good about self.
* Is not afraid to go to school. (Hmmmm..... that all depends on how much he knows about the school, doesn't it? If the child knows they should attend a dangerous school it would actually be a sign of intelligence if they are afraid to go to school.)
* Cares for own belongings.
* Knows full name.
* Dresses self.
* Knows how to use handkerchief
or tissue.
* Knows own sex.
* Brushes teeth.
* Crosses residential street safely.
* Asks to go to school. (Bwaah! Does homeschool count?)
* Knows parents' names.
* Knows home address. (I'm not sure this is something preschoolers should know.)
* Knows home phone number. (Nor this)
* Enters into casual conversation.
* Carries a plate of food.
* Maintains self-control.
* Gets along well with other children.
* Plays with other children.
* Recognizes authority.
* Shares with others.
* Talks easily.
* Likes teachers.
* Meets visitors without shyness. (Why is this listed? Some children are simply shy.)
* Puts away toys.
* Able to stay on task.
* Able to work independently.
* Helps family with chores.
No, not homeschool room.... resource room. :) We *have* a room where we keep all our educational materials. But, we very rarely do our "lessons" in there. You will usually find us relaxing in the living room or sitting on the porch swing during official instructional hours. But, it is nice to have all our materials organized and it is that which I seek inspiration in these ladies.
Over a year ago HSB had a contest asking for pictures of people's homeschool/resource rooms. There were many entries. Some of the great organization skills displayed are awesome. Here is one I really enjoyed:
Kidsus8 is a homeschooling mother of eight children has a completely organized room. It's simply amazing!
We've all heard it....
Homeschooled children are deprived of the social interaction and cultural diversity public school can provide.
What's particularly worrisome for schools is that self-injury has a tendency to spread from one troubled adolescent to another. "It's a contagious behavior," Mr. Lieberman said.
Experts estimate that upwards of 4 percent of adolescents in the United States purposely hurt themselves in some way. That means in a 1,000-student high school, some 40 students intentionally harm themselves. Still, the veil of secrecy and shame around the behavior makes exact numbers hard to gauge.
Try this next time you're bored. Go to Photo Bucket and run a couple of searches. I found it amusing to search the words "homeschool" and "public school". The results of these two searches couldn't be any more different than night and day. It's really amazing.
*Warning*
It would be best to search the website when you do not have children near you. Some of the images are..... not child friendly.
Some are funny though, this one is called "I hate public school".
Of course, I feel compelled to call attention to the fact that little Johnny here is freely playing a game while listening to music in class. Anyone see ANY learning learning in this picture? Well, there *is* the kid behind Johnny, at least he's holding a pencil. ;)
Jefferson county schools are saying goodbye to superintendent Dr. Stephen Daeschner. Here's a part from this article:
Dr. Daeschner did take a few serious moments. He says his he is most proud of implementing all-day kindergarten, focusing on early childhood education and the $25 million GE grant the district got to come up with new innovative ways to teach math and science.
The one project he cares deeply about is the same on that will be left unfinished: Everyone Reads. It’s designed to have all JCPS kids at reading level by next year. They've had huge community support but it doesn't look like they'll reach their goal.
Well, I'm surprised anyone would not know the true answer to that question. It has nothing to do with education my friends.
That answer, in short, is MONEY.
"If we could get just 10 students back from a charter school, that would be worth it," said Fantini, a 25-year veteran on the committee. Because the district has to provide money to charter schools that enroll its students, he added, "At $15,000 per student, you're talking about $150,000."
And where colleges and universities once questioned how to accommodate homeschooled students -- and sometimes even shunned them -- institutions of higher learning now are increasingly more welcoming when their admission applications arrive.
In 2000, 52 percent of all colleges in the country had a formal evaluation policy for applications from homeschoolers, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Four years later, the number jumped to 83 percent. During that time, 45 percent of colleges reported receiving more applications from homeschoolers.
Tracy Morris, director of admissions at Illinois Valley Community College, said community colleges often are an ideal place for homeschooled students to begin their college careers since anyone age 16 or older can enroll through a fairly simple application process.
"IVCC is an open admissions institution," she said. "A home education diploma or GED is not required for admission. Transcripts are also not necessary for admission."
Me- "I meant to speak with you before about this. Richie tells me someone in your house was trying to convince him to attend public school."
PSP- "Oh, I certainly don't know anything about that."
Me- "Richie says someone guaranteed him the local public school would be safe."
PSP- "Well, I work in our local public schools and..."
Me- "Oh,then you are aware of the Stuart Pepper Middle School incident?" (Our local middle school had a gun and ammo brought in by a student.)
PSP- "Yes and I am aware of the Flaherty incident which happened today. But, the chance of home invasion is pretty high too." (I haven't heard of this one... yet.)
Me- "Well, we both live in homes so I'm not sure how that applies. Also, it's really a stretch."
PSP- "Yes, well it's a violent world. I could go to McDonald's and be shot."
Me- "Yes, but your argument makes no sense. There is violence in all the world, no doubt. However, the purpose of going to McD's is to eat. If you can do so safely you will. The purpose in schooling is so the child is educated. In my homeschool I know my child IS safe while studying."
PSP- "But the problem comes when you aren't out in public...."
Me- "Wait a minute. Before you finish that sentence let me ask you something. How did you come to the impression that we don't go out in public?"
PSP- "Oh, I'm sure you're out in public."
Me- "Good because it would be silly for you to believe we are social recluses. So, I guess we don't need to have that out in public conversation, right?"
STATE SCHOOL FOODS
A-
Kentucky (1)1
B+
Nevada (2), Arkansas (3), New Mexico (4), Alabama (5), California (6)
B
New Jersey (7), Arizona (8), Tennessee (8)
B-
Louisiana (10), West Virginia (11), Connecticut (12), Florida (13)
C+
Hawaii (14), Texas (15)
C
Maine (16), Mississippi (17), District of Columbia (18)
C-
Colorado (19), South Carolina (20)
D+
New York (21), Maryland (22)
D
Oklahoma (23), Virginia (24), North Carolina (25)
D-
Indiana (26), Illinois (27), Georgia (28)
F
Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming (All ranked 29)
1 The numbers in parentheses give the state’s rank as compared to the school nutrition policies in other states, with (1) being the strongest policy.
I'm not sure what year this particular report card was issued but I believe it is quite recent. The full report is really an interesting read.
This comment was left about an report of teacher Julie Amero's new trial.
The "think of the CHILLDREENN!!!" idiots never realize this, probably because they are among them, but children need some negative role models. Children need to encounter the occasional adult who is a jerk, an asshole, selfish, or just plain stupid. Three reasons: (1) It shows, like nothing else, that it is a possibility that adults you encounter in your own adult life are going to be in the above category; (2) It gives you practice in thinking around them, circumventing them, going under their radar and over their heads, which will be immensely useful in adult life; (3) Much of a person's character is defined by what they are determined to not be. The assertion "I will not be like that guy" is a good, character-building assertion to make.
Fortunately, modern high schools provide such examples in vast numbers.
Children need to encounter the occasional adult who is a jerk, an asshole, selfish, or just plain stupid.
Fortunately, modern high schools provide such examples in vast numbers.
A middle school student was arrested on felony charges of making a terroristic threat after removing a fire alarm cover.
A high school student was sent to a disciplinary boot camp school after a cigarette butt was found in her car.
Texas public schools have gotten tough on students who step out of line. It's part of the national trend toward zero tolerance ushered in after the deadly shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 and reinforced after 9-11.
A Texas Education Agency report shows that student discipline reports rose 52 percent between the 2000-01 and 2005-06 school years, from 1.7 million to 2.6 million. In the Arlington, Crowley and Fort Worth districts, about 20 percent of all students -- that's one in five -- were removed from the regular academic program for disciplinary reasons.
Of the 2.6 million discipline reports in Texas, the vast majority -- 2 million -- were for nonviolent infractions, such as violating dress code or being late for class.
In the Tomball school district just north of Houston, 11-year-old Casey Harmeier was charged in October with making terroristic threats, a felony, for removing the cover of a fire alarm at Benkendorf Intermediate School.
Casey had bumped into the alarm, loosening its cover. Dared by another student, he removed the cover, said his father, Frank Harmeier. Then the alarm sounded.
Casey was questioned by administrators and sent to the Tomball Police Department, where he was fingerprinted and photographed. He also signed a felony admission of guilt without parental or legal consultation, Harmeier said.
Kimberly McLemore of Slaton, near Lubbock, said she received no academic instruction, only exercising, during the day she spent at a boot camp disciplinary alternative school in nearby Plainview.
McLemore, 16, said she was sent to the program in the fall, after a routine parking lot search at Slaton High School turned up a cigarette butt under the seat of her car.
William McLemore said that his daughter doesn't smoke and that the cigarette butt was probably left behind by a relative who had used the car. Kimberly McLemore was ordered to spend 10 days at the boot camp.
'It's like I was in prison or something,' she said. 'It was horrible.'
After an hourlong bus ride, McLemore was marched into the building with her hands behind her back. Upon entering, an instructor told her to face the wall and not talk, she said.
McLemore said she accidentally replied, 'OK,' and was sent to a room where she was stood with her hands behind her back in front of 'a big poster of a military guy staring at you.'
After misinterpreting a command, she said, she was sent to a small closet where she sat staring at a wall for an hour. The rest of the time was spent exercising, McLemore said.
Her father withdrew her from school and began home-schooling her.
The United States spent an average of $8,701 per pupil to educate its children in 2005, the Census Bureau reported on May 24, noting that some states paid more than twice as much per student as others. New York was the biggest spender on education at $14,119 per student, with New Jersey second at $13,800, and the District of Columbia third at $12,979, the Census Bureau said. Seven of the top 10 education spenders were Northeastern states. The states with the lowest spending were Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. The 10 states with the lowest education spending were in the West or South. The May 25 Reuters article provides additional information on education spending.
I'll have to come back to this one. But, I'm interested in knowing how these states rank with their education numbers. IOW, does this extra (or lack of) spending help? Also, can you imagine what types of fun stuff we could do with $8,701 to homeschool?
Critics of school choice incessantly argue that vouchers will sap vital money from public schools and that students' learning will suffer. They're wrong on both counts, according to two recent studies.
With regard to school funding, it's assumed that even superior public schools will suffer if parents pull their kids. That's not quite accurate, according to Susan Aud, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who examined 11 school voucher programs in eight states.
Between 1990 and 2006, school choice actually saved taxpayers $444 million. That's because vouchers and/or scholarships are less expensive than public schools' per pupil costs.
Take Florida's corporate scholarship tax-credit program. Since 2002, it cost $11.7 million but saved school districts $53 million.
And civic values, the forte of a public school education? Not necessarily, says Professor Patrick Wolf of the University of Arkansas. His research found schools that parents choose equal or excel public schools in teaching basic civic values.
Both studies add to the growing body of research that finds higher levels of parental satisfaction with school choice.
Of course, any study is open to debate. But as school choice expands nationally, where are the studies showing the quantifiable detriments? Some shopworn shibboleths are increasingly losing ground.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/archive/s_510643.html
The bills, H 597 and S 288, would mandate a 14-part health curriculum that includes nutrition, mental health, substance abuse, ecological health and family life. It would also contain a provision that would allow parents to pull their kids from the health classes they oppose.
The bill's opponents uniformly objected to the proposal's inclusion of sex education, arguing instead that families are the primary instructors on all sex-related subjects and can better gauge their children's maturity.
“Each family has its own standard on ethical, moral and religious values," Rep. Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleboro) told members of the Committee on Education. "We should concentrate our educational effort on the academic areas that have been our historical mission" - such as math, science, literature and history.
Poirier offered her own proposal (H 521) that would require parents to opt their children in to sex education classes, as opposed to out of them, as H 597 and S 288 would allow. (This is very important guys. Remember how many schools simply fail to inform the parents sexual nature will be taught? You can't pull your child from a class you know nothing about.)
Other opponents of the measure held that it implemented a "one-size-fits-all" approach to sex education and failed to consider varying degrees of children's readiness for topics such as sexually transmitted diseases and abortion laws.
“The question at the heart of this is, Whose values will be taught?" said Marie Sturgis, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life.
"The bottom line is parents are the best teachers.”
