Homeschooling

Teaching Writing

12.7.10
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I like the idea of encouraging my kids to just write. Get the ideas out, then edit, edit, edit. I’ll teach them to be concise, to use valid points to support their ideas, and to make sure their writing flows logically. But outlines? Topic sentences? I’m not convinced.

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Homeschooling 2010

8.30.10
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I’m inherently an unschooler, and feel completely confident in that philosophy. But my recent exposure to some wonderful books and programs and inspiring friends has lit a fire in me. Additionally, my son has asked me to do more “school” with him. (Excuse me while I pause and revel in the fact that I’m raising a child who loves to learn…)

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Everything I Need to Know About Economics I Learned Playing Age of Empires III

6.23.10
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Video games have come a long way since Space Invaders and Asteroids. And while vile, cop-killing, Grand Theft Auto-style games capture the headlines, hundreds of other games that don’t grab headlines would be labeled educational if they simply weren’t so much fun to play. Parents need to rethink their perception of video games and stop lumping everything on a computer or console as a wasteful diversion away from productive, educational activities. It may be time to recognize that some video games are both productive and educational and it’s their extra element of fun that makes the learning process so effortless.

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My Son, the Movie-Maker

3.10.10

This week my son jumped over another hurdle in our homeschooling journey: The Presentation.

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Learning Through Living

2.3.10

I think homeschooling parents are much more active than other parents in seeking out these unique activities. We can’t rely on a school for field trips and assemblies – we need to create these opportunities.

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Routine and Responsibility: Musings

1.23.10

While I know where I stand on my schooling philosophy, the “responsibility and routine” theme of our conversation kept haunting me. My kids have responsibilities (that don’t involve specific schoolwork), but they don’t have a routine.

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12.5.09

That kind of “crap” would get you detention (at a minimum) in any school. But I was thrilled that these homeschooled students were taking the next step, testing the limits and making a connection.

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What I Learned From Preschool

6.23.09

Preschool was fun. Playtime, with some education and social etiquette thrown in. It was a good experience for our whole family and it actually taught me to more fully embrace homeschooling. I learned that, as much as I yearn for more “me” time, I like being with my kids and sharing their learning and growing process.

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Five Kindergarten Math Resources

6.18.09

Did you know that in 1992 Mattel released Teen Talk Barbie who spoke a number of phrases including “Math class is tough!”? Well, that doll was recalled and we all now know from Danica McKellar that math is neither tough, nor does it suck. Start your little math-lovers early with these kindergarten math resources.

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Homeschool Science: Capillary Action in Plants

2.25.09

My son is studying biology this session in his homeschool co-op science class. I’m really not a science person and particularly not a biology person. Hated it in high school and had to take it twice to pass in college. Luckily, my husband loves science and has this baffling ability to remember everything he learned [...]

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Sharing Opinions on Homeschooling and Politics

1.31.09

I’ve tried unsuccessfully for the past three days to post a comment on the Momversations post, “Homeschool: Good or Bad?” So I’m going to post my comment here, cuz I kinda like what I have to say. I always have to laugh when I hear people debating whether parents are “qualified” to teach their kids. [...]

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The 117th Carnival of Homeschooling

3.25.08

The Carnival of Homeschooling highlights many homeschooling blog posts from around the web.

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Who Do Homeschooling Parents Think They Are?

2.15.08

There is an interesting discussion going on at the Asbury Park Press web site about the pros and cons of homeschooling. This is one of my favorite comments (and in case you don’t catch it, this is sarcasm): TANSTAAFL2: I don’t know who these parents think they are. You would think they might leave the [...]

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Ron Paul on Homeschooling

1.10.08

Ron Paul on Homeschooling…

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Education Administrators Say Don't Focus on Personal Value

11.30.07

While schools willingly support team competition, writing, math, and other individual academic contests are being shunned, sometimes prohibited.

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Stifling Creativity: Screen Time, Supervision or School?

11.17.07

Is our kids’ creativity being crushed? By the school system? Or screen time? How about the so-called helicopter parenting?

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This Homeschool Co-op Thing is Working Out Well

10.31.07

This fall our family joined a homeschool co-op group. The co-op is not designed to so much “teach” him as it is to expose him to new things and inspire him to want to learn more. And that is what it’s all about.

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