Friday, November 06, 2009

My recent homeschool and education articles

Here are a few of my articles I have written in the last few weeks regarding homeschooling and education.

Newsflash! All Homeschoolers are Not Conservative

Proof that all homeschoolers are not conservative... I watch Hardball with Chris Matthews. While Chris Matthews would not characterize himself as liberal (which I also do not) he is certainly far from conservative.

Homeschoolers Are Not Entitled to Free School Online
The Missouri Virtual School which many homeschoolers use to teach their kids for free is in danger of shutting down due to a lack of funding. Missouri Virtual Instruction, also called MoVIP has allowed many public school students as well as homeschoolers to take courses online for free.

Think You're Against Homeschooling? Just Wait
I just stumbled across a homeschooling mom blog where the writer explains that she used to oppose homeschooling. She was offered the opportunity to homeschool as a teen and turned it down. She saw her brothers get homeschooled. Yet she saw no appeal in it.

If I Could Start Over Again, Thoughts from a homeschool veteran

I don't know If I can really call myself a homeschool veteran just just yet because I have not graduated a homeschooler. I have however, gotten my kids to the high school stage and am continuing to homeschool them. 75% of homeschoolers (my best bet)decide to stop homeschooling by this point.

Many people worry about homeschooling highschoolers because teaching subjects like Chemistry, Trigonometry, and Calculus is so hard. Compared to the full job of homeschooling a high school students, a few AP courses don't scare me in the least.

 Notes from a homeschooling mom: What does success look like For children in public school, success can be measured at each pop quiz and chapter test.  If a student can pass a test after the teacher has taught the material, then all is well.  Of course there is some debate in the success of teaching to the test, a teacher who can promote a class full of children who are ready for the next grade level is typically successful.

Homeschoolers take classes online, they go to local classes and co-ops, and they take lots of educational field trips.  For some subjects however, it is best to have an instructor to come to you. 

Carnival of Educators v. 2: Here's to teachers Welcome to the November 3, 2009 edition of carnival of educators.  This week's theme is Here's to Teachers.
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Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com

Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Second edition of Carnival of Educators is out

Check out this week's Carnival of Educators entitled Here's to Teacher. 

It is chock full of posts relevant to teachers and educators.
Enjoy!

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Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com

Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Carnival of Educators, A Week of Firsts



Welcome to the October 27, 2009 edition of Carnival of Educators.


The absence of the Carnival of Education left a hole in my life.  I didn't know about Educarnival v2 but that one is silent right now too.  Anyway, I decided it was time to get another carnival going.  I am however looking for volunteer hosts.  I can't do it alone.   More info here.  I should also point out that I did not include posts that were not done by educators, hence the name, Carnival of Educators.  That can include teachers, college professors, homeschooling parents, school administrators, and tutors, and a select few others dedicated to education.  I am trying to make this a junk-free carnival.

With that said, we got a pretty good response for a first carnival, and I am happy to compile it.  Here are the entries for Carnival of Educators, A Week of Firsts.




Let's start if off with the first family:
Mary Ann Zehr presents Obama Keeps Track of What His Daughters Are Reading posted at Curriculum Matters.


First there's one, then there's two: 

Carol Richtsmeier presents Thing 1, Thing 2 & Fish Clappers posted at Bellringers.


Before you can help a child who needs special education services, you have to test them first:

Whispering Teacher presents When to Have Your Child Tested for Special Education posted at The Whispering Teacher, saying, "Hi, I came across your blog and I thought we could share articles :-)"


This college may very well be first on my son's list:


Herbert Aitken presents Pet Friendly Universities: 10 Colleges That Love Your Cat or Dog posted at College Stats.org.



Just about everyone's first science experiment is a volcano.  But there's a lot more you can do with baking soda.

Patti W presents Patti’s Baking Soda and Vinegar Compendium posted at Patti's Nursery School Class, saying, "Got little (or not so little) kids in your life? Want to learn some basic chemistry with them? The volcano is just the beginning of what you can do with baking soda and vinegar. Here's a sampling of what I do with those two ingredients in preschool and with my own kids at home."


This blog reminds us to think first, then speak.

Rachel Lynette presents Minds in Bloom: 8 Ways to Crush Creative Thinking in Children posted at Minds in Bloom.


This post is about putting others first, and yourself second.


Siddharth Garud presents Heroes and Hope of my India posted at Indian Eagle's Diary, saying, "2 of young inspiring educators from India. They were successful in their professions but chose to move into educating the underprivileged children. They are the heroes transforming India."


Every year, at yearbook time, I hear about a new controversy.  This is a new first for me.

hall monitor presents Lesbian student banned from wearing tuxedo in yearbook posted at DetentionSlip.org, saying, "I guess some schools think they can write the rules of gender rights."  But at least they are not picking on girls only.  Andrea presents Boy told he could not wear girls clothes to school at Education Headlines Examiner.


These final posts are from blogs that don't necessarily fit the theme, but they still have educational value.



TIC presents The Failure of Teacher-Centered Teaching in A Serious Man posted at Technology In Class, saying, "A reminder of the importance of student-centered learning through the multiple intelligence."

 Andrea presents Homeschool 101: Educator discount cards posted at Atlanta Homeschooling Examiner.


Fredric Cernick presents 25 Free Web Tools Every Student Should Use posted at How To E-D-U.


Alvaro Fernandez presents 15 FAQs on Neuroplasticity and Brain Fitness posted at SharpBrains, saying, "Here you have a Question and Answer session on what neuroplasticity means and how to maintain and improve brain fitness"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of educators using our
carnival submission form.  Past posts and future hosts can be found on our  blog carnival index page.

Here's a bonus halloween entry
:  Crafty Rose presents Halloween Ghost Garland posted at Fine Craft Guild .com.

Technorati tags:  , .





All images by in creative commons, attribution-share alike 2.0 liscense by lumaxart/flickr (aren't they cute?)
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Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com

Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources

Friday, October 23, 2009

I am a Kreativ Blogger!

I can't tell you how much it blows me away when someone tells someone tells me that I have been an inspiration to them.  Well it happened again to day.  Thank you so much  justlocs for thinking about me today and for allowing my journey to inspire yours. 

I was given a Kreativ Blogger award by Justlocs and feel very honored.  Now this isn't just any blogger award, it isn't meant to be held onto.  It must be passed on.  Here are the rules. 



1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award
2. Copy and paste the award on your own blog
3. Link the person who nominated you.
4. Name seven things about yourself that folks may not know.
5. Nominate seven Kreativ bloggers
6. Post links to the seven bloggers you nominate
7. Leave comments on each of the blogs letting them know that you have nominated them!

With that said, I will get to the seven things about myself that folks may not know.

  1. I am from a large extended family.  My parents raised 5 boys and 4 girls... I was in the middle group. 
  2. I began my college career studying law, and ended with a BA in Art. 
  3. I am actually an introvert.... on the inside anyway.
  4. I once took one of those tests that tells you what kind of job to get.  Mine just said "should work alone".
  5. My favorite food is spaghetti... I could eat it all day, every day. 
  6. I am very clumsy and accident prone.  I once stapled my shirt to my stomach... with construction staples. 
  7. I have been married for 17 years and have known my husband for at least 23 years.
My nominations of bloggers I want to pass this award to:

  1.  Tracy Knight has a newsletter and blog named Women Encouraged.  From meeting her, you would never realize the power behind her quiet personality.  She is a Dancer, and Actress, a Spiritual Guide all in one.  I haven't seen her in a while, and I miss her, but it is good to know that her blog is here to encourage me.
  2. Sandra King has a truly creative blog called Love Abounds at Home.  It is filled with pictures of handmade items and personal thoughts that touch the heart. This blog makes me smile. 
  3.  Big Momma from Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom blogs about marriage, faith, and rainy days.  I love her profile picture of a black barbie.
  4. The Homeschooling Mommy, AKA Mommie Tullottes, AKA Lyn Lomasi, is probably the most active blogger I know.  I met her as a fellow writer at Associated Content.com.  Like me she also writes her own blogs and for other sites like examiner.com... and she homeschools.  Phew!
  5. Paula Neale Mooney is my hero.  Paula is another content writer that I ran into on Associated Content.com.  Paula is now a blogosphere superstar, actually making a living by blogging.  She has a few blogs.  My favorite is linked above and talks about making money online. The other is more about news and other bits and pieces.
  6. I love Phat Mommy (and wish I had thought of the name first).  Her blog is so colorful, every day, and entertaining.  I love following her. This is a great homeschooling blog that doesn't shove homeschooling down your throat. 
  7. Darla Dixon is my favorite artist and favorite friend in Georgia. I have known her almost as long as I have been here.  We don't talk often, but when we do, it is hard to get off the phone. We run the Women of Gwinnett Group together... she's so dedicated!  Check out her art blog... it is to die for. 


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Read more Notes From a Homeschooling Mom

Visit Me at the Families.com Homeschool Blog

Visit My Education Column at Examiner.com

Check out FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE for free homeschool links and resources

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