Homeschooling

[ddc101]

I am a homeschool mother.I also have a child who is in public elementary school.When she is older I will also home school her depending on our circumstances.My older child is ADD and needs special attention.She lags behind in a classroom situation.Regular school was making her lack confidence in her abilities.After homeschooling she tested out at ninth grade reading level in the
fifth grade.So certainly she is not disabled.She is just a hands on learner.If you have a child like this unit studies are your best friend.Go to art museums and science exploration places.Do outdoor school sometimes.Go to the zoo and to the theater.Not the movies but to the theater to see some really classic things.Read classic litterary works and discuss them.Get together with a homeschool group or start your own.What a good outreach for your church in your community.At least the homeschoolers can meet in the building and see the facility.That will make it so much easier to come to services.If your homeschooling is not working out ask some questions.Maybe we can help each other.lv sis.c

[foreverblessed]

DDC,
I homeschooled for a while. I can say that it isn't for me. I wasn't strict enough with it. I eventually put my daughter back in school. I did find something interesting through homeschooling though.
She was my shadow for one year. I taught her how to clean, do banking, money management, laundry, and cooking right along with her studies.
I only spent two hours sometimes three on school. I didn't spend but usually 4 days a week, cause Monday used to be my traditional cleaning day for the home. So she always had Monday's off.
When I put her back in Public school, they tested her. In one year at home, (exactly to the month) I brought her up 1 and 1/2 grades levels.
I don't feel that I really accomplished that much, and I know for a fact, I could have pushed her further and spent far more time. Makes you wonder exactly how much a child could be taught if all the time at Public schools were used more wisely.

Homeschooling can be used to meet the special needs of children that are having trouble with traditional classroom environment.

I also was surprised this year in testing, (she has only been back in Public school for a year). I was told she was reading at a 7th grade level at the beginning of the year (sept) and she is in the fourth grade. This really excited me because when I took her out to homeschool, she was reading in the Third grade at 1st grade level. She really has accomplished alot. Homeschooling had to have a lot to do with it.

If I were one who could do this and be consistant at it, I would love to do it. I now have to work, so it is out of the question now.

[ddc101]

:tup: to you sister.Many people feel unqualified to home school their children but there are programs and curriculums out there that make it very easy.My daughter can cook,clean,sew and has many hobbies.I make it a point to do put her in outside activities like Girl Scouts.Even my little one is a Daisy Girl Scout and I am a leader.I feel they need to be able to be around other children their own age as well.We are not secluded.Of course we have a church family with other children that they play and have ss.class with three times a week also.Apostolic children are usually no lacking for fellowship.I seek out fellowship for my daughter.In the summer she goes to church camp and girl scout camp.We usually take a day out of every two weeks and go out to lunch and shopping in a nearby city and spend time doing something other than school all the time.I would like to spend the whole time doing school but that would be grueling and miserable for her.Life experience counts a great deal as does hands on learning.I also supplement her material with extra studies and cd's such as
language programs.I recently bought her a sign language program that is excellant.lv sis.c

[ddc101]

For you moms who are interested in extra curriculum helps and or just fun stuff to get for the kids to do here is a link.They will send you a catalog for free.
www.lovetolearn.net

[Oldpreach]

OK...so now i can post on one of my fav subjects and not just leave it to my wife !

Just wanted to say that the one thing about home "education" as i prefer to call it is that i dont have to stucture it like a classroom or regular school. Who said that was the right way anyhow??? We have no set structure and the oldest boy is reading the Bible all the time at 6 and 7 years old , doing math above his "grade" level...ect ect. Please do not feel pressured to do it a certain way...thats the lie of the educational industrial comlex. Sometimes you can just wait to even introduce things until they are a little older ... that way there is an interest in them and they will actually pick it up and remember it that way !

So much more to mention...

[ThirdGeneration]

Old Preach- I agree with you 100%!! Did you ever think that was going to happen?

[Goodshepherd]

Can I ask a question? Maybe it is a silly question but I am not very knowledgable about this topic. Why does someone homeschool? Is it to protect their children from the corruptness of the world? Just curious. I know a few young people that are taking homeschooling because they are not doing well in school. Are there other reasons for a family to decide that they should homeschool their children?

[ddc101]

Goodshepherd,
Some people are homeschooling out of religous convictions.Some are homeschooling because they see it as an educational opportunity.For instance..and I have to say I agree with oldpreach on this one...my daughter does not do well in a structured enviroment.She is more the artistic type who does better by working at her own pace.This does not mean that we do not have a set scedule or routine.Also I believe a child needs mastery of main subject..english,math,science,history etc.
But my child is a kinetic learner.She learns more by doing hands on.For instance ..in the fifth grade she tested at ninth grade reading level.Reading is one of her favorite things to do.You can educate yourself if you are a good reader just by having the resources.I also know many homeschoolers who are finishing highschool with a dual degree such as an associates from a junior college and are ready to go into a four year university.
But homeschool takes parents doing more than just saying...How was your day at school.You have to be involved.It has nothing to do with keeping them sheltered..Although it is our responsibility to shelter them in the sense of provision.But it has all to do with
taking the pressure out of learning and allowing individuality.lv sis.c

[Goodshepherd]

Thanks Sis. Cooper

[ddc101]

Here is a cool link for educational supplies whether you homeschool or not.There are some really neat language courses and art lessons etc.hope you enjoy
www.lovetolearn.net

[ddc101]

For those of you who want to homeschool out of a real academy
there is Alpha Omega Switched On School House.
heres the link:
www.aop.com

[Janice Alvear]

I have some good friends in Waco that have very good books for homeschooling. Some might want to contact them at 254.8292981 and ask to speak to Brother Jim Truax. You might want to mention that I gave you the number so they could have an idea of where you got the number to call. We use their Building Christian Character book in Brazil. It is very good. May God bless you all. Sister Alvear

[Dave]

A Plan for Educating Children

by David A. Huston, 2002

As a home educating parent, your goal is NOT to bring what is being done in schools into your home (regardless of whether the schools are run by the government, religious groups, or other private entities). The school approach is fatally flawed and is not God’s plan for educating children, so let’s just forget it. It is not the only way to educate a child and is, it fact, not a very effective way. Instead, let’s think about education as a 24-hour a day process that never really ends.

Purpose, Objectives, and Structure of Education

Before looking at the specific objectives of the educational process, let us first consider its overall purpose. From a Christian perspective, the purpose of education can be summarized in the following way: To equip our children to know God in personal relationship and serve Him in His will. It is not to enable them to make as much money as they can, or even simply to earn a comfortable living. Neither is it to make them good citizens or enable them to fulfill their greatest ambitions, hopes, or dreams. A life lived in the will of God may result in these temporal blessings, but they are not the purpose of a Christian's life. As the Bible says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). The purpose of life is serving God to His glory.

The process of educating children can be divided into two phases: the Foundational Phase and the Perfecting Phase. These phases are divided by a transitional period which in most cases will occur between age 10 and 14. Each phase has a few simple objectives which will give parents direction in the great task of educating their children.

The Foundational Phase: As you drive through a community, you will notice that the houses differ considerably. They are different sizes and shapes. They have different types and colors of siding, different numbers of windows, different slopes to the roof line. Yet, even though the houses are different, the foundations of the houses are all very similar. There may be slight differences to accommodate variations in terrain and soil composition, but in general, the foundations are the same.

The purpose of a foundation is to establish a sub-ructure strong enough to support the house that is to be built upon it. The same is true of the Foundational Phase of a child's education. The objective is to establish a base of skills and understanding that will support the more specialized learning of the Perfecting Phase. Like the foundations of houses, the Foundational Phase does not vary widely from child to child. The content of the learning process will vary, but the specific objectives of this phase are the same.

There are three simple objectives of the Foundational Phase which every parent and child must understand. They involve a child being able to show competence in the following areas:

1. Reading: Able to read with understanding.

This will be reflected in the child showing a strong, continuing desire to read and the ability to describe clearly and accurately to others what he has learned.

2. Learning: Able to learn effectively.

This will be reflected in the child's ability to develop strategies for finding, evaluating, and assembling meaningful information about specific topics and his love for acquiring further knowledge.

3. Character: Able to clearly describe the character traits exemplified by Jesus Christ and be demonstrating steady growth in these traits. This will be reflected in the following ways:

The child is consistently honest.
The child is showing the ability to exercise self-control.
The child is growing in willingly accepting responsibility.
The child is demonstrating perseverance in accomplishing tasks.
The child has the ability to connect with and live harmoniously with other people.
The child has the ability to recognize and avoid the harmful behavior of other people.
The child is showing kindness and compassion toward other people.
The child is committed to following Jesus.

Once a child has demonstrated competence in these three areas, he is then ready to transition into the Perfecting Phase. For some children this could happen as early as age 10. For others it may be a late as age 14. As a general guideline, however, most parents should target age 12 as the appropriate time to begin the transition from foundation to perfecting.

[Dave]

The Perfecting Phase: Any 12-year-old child with strong reading and learning skills, with godly character, and with a deep love for learning is in a position to learn about virtually anything and prepare for virtually any calling in life. The only question is, to what life work is a child called. The purpose of the Perfecting Phase is to clarify the calling and prepare the child in specific ways to fulfill the calling.

Like the houses in a community, the Perfecting Phase will vary widely from child to child. This is because it focuses more on content than foundational skills. All children need to possess the three foundational skills, but not all children need to learn about animal husbandry or chemical engineering. There are broad areas of learning that all children need to learn about, but even in these areas, the levels of learning will vary. For example, every child needs to master certain basics of mathematics, but not every child needs to master advanced calculus.

During the Perfecting Phase, the nature and level of learning should be based on the Lord's purpose for each child's life. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” In the original language, the phrase “the way he should go” is a single Hebrew word meaning “his way.” In his book Our Father Abraham, Marvin Wilson explains the meaning of this verse. He writes:

There is a great difference between the training of a child according to the child's way (i.e. encouraging him to start on the road that is right for him), and training him according to the way chosen, prescribed, and imposed by the parents. The former is in keeping with the child's unique God-given disposition, talents, and gifts. It is considerate of the uniqueness of the child; it does not treat all developing personalities the same. The correct translation of this verse places the onus on the child to choose the right path. It is one thing for a parent to encourage, nurture, guide, and inform a child so that the child himself is prepared to choose the path that is right for him; it is something else for a parent to choose the path for the child. Parents must carefully observe each child and seek to provide opportunities for each child's creative self-fulfillment.

During the Foundational Phase, parents are responsible for observing their children for the purpose of determining the way they should go. This will mean taking note of subjects each child is particularly interested in and skills they are particularly adept at. This is to begin helping the child find a general direction in life. At this stage nothing should be “chiseled in granite.”

During the Perfecting Phase children should be encouraged to explore a wide variety of subjects. They should have many opportunities to talk with adults in a variety of fields. As time goes by, God's purpose for a child's life will gradually come into clear focus. As this happens, the child will need to begin focusing his learning on the specific areas that pertain to his purpose. This may mean learning about animal husbandry if God's purpose is that he be a dairy farmer. Or it may mean learning about chemical engineering if God's purpose is that he be a chemical engineer. This specialized learning can begin at any time but becomes more focused and concentrated during the latter years of the Perfecting Phase.

The three objectives of the Perfecting Phase are that a young person has become competent in the following ways:

1. Purpose: Able to clearly describe God's purpose for his life.

This will be reflected in the young person's ability to describe the gifts God has given him, the general ways in which he will function as a member of the body of Christ, and how he will support himself and his future family. It is recognized that at age 18 a young person will not have a complete understanding of all that God has planned for His life.

2. Preparation: Able to accomplish work associated with God's purpose.

This will be reflected in the competency the young person has attained in knowledge and skills in the areas of ministry and the field of work the Lord has directed him to. It may mean the young person requires further learning and development. In such cases, both the young person and the parents should know what additional education is needed and how it will be acquired.

3. Character: Able to consistently display the character traits exemplified by Jesus Christ. This will be reflected in the following ways:

The young person is honest.
The young person is able to control his words and actions.
The young person is carrying significant adult responsibility.
The young person prioritizes and successfully completes tasks.
The young person is living in harmonious relationships with most people around him.
The young person is recognizing and avoiding the harmful behavior of other people.
The young person is kind and compassionate toward other people.
The young person's commitment to the Lord is being demonstrated in consistency in prayer and fasting, diligence in studying the Word, and consistent manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit.

The Perfecting Phase of a child's education will normally end as a daily parental responsibility around age 18. At this time, most young people seek out specialized training or enter into their field of work. We should never think of learning as something that ends, however. In truth, the Perfecting Phase ought to continue on for the remainder of the child's life. And this is exactly what will happen for any child who has developed competence in the three foundational areas.

[Marie]

I really liked homeschooling. I started with my oldest son (now 26) taught him to read at 5. He wanted to read so bad. LOL So I picked up some homeschooling material. (ACE) He learned quickly and loves to read. He was reading at a university level in grade 8 or 9. We had actually tried some of the provinces correspondance material, but he found it "borin" because he wasn't learning how to read fast enough. LOL he wanted to read NOW! So we switched.

When my step son came to live with us(now 17) he was in grade 2 and could not pick up on reading even though he wanted to learn so bad. They were using what they call "Whole language" Basically they just teach memorization of whole words and no phonics. When he came to us, I took the first couple of months and homeschooled him. He has severe emotional problems and could not sit for more than 30 or 40 min at a time. So we learned to read during his "quiet" times and did other things, like learning numbers and talked about Creation and social studies, etc. He learned to read in about 2 months. After he started back to school, his reading began to slip, because his teacher would not let him use phonics to figure out a word. So we started reading together after school and he began to read everything in sight! Stop signs, street signs, words everywhere he could find them. If he couldn't figure it out, he kept at it until he could or asked for help. I hadn't told his teacher what we were doing and she was amazed thinking he had just suddenly began picking it up. We sure popped her bubble when we told her. LOL After he went back to his mother, he went from foster home to foster home. (we didn't know, because she wouldn't let us have contact with the kids) He became uncontrolable and suffered at school. But he loved to read! He was also at a very high reading level and once he was in a stable home, he began to do really well in school. And enjoy it!

I also taught my daughter how to read, although, at the time I was teaching the Kindergarten class at a private school. They learn to read in Kindergarten with ACE. It is actually called "Learning to read with ACE and Christy" or something like that. After this, we moved around alot so I homeschooled for a while. But my husband didn't want to pay for it and said I had to put her in school. She had an excellent school for grade 2. The teacher spent a lot of time in one-on-one sessions. Then she was in a private school, where I worked, for gr 3. In grade 4, she was reading at a grade 8 level and was way ahead in math, science and social studies.

I am positive it is the one-on-one attention that makes the difference. It is very important to work on things that are of interest to the child. It makes reading so much more enjoyable! And it is SO important to teach study skills. Almost anyone can read a book or passage. But, what are they getting out of it? This is so very important! Teaching them to glean whatever they can from what they read. This can make even :rolleyes: boring subject a little interesting, because they are actually LOOKING for something when they read, not just reading for the sake of reading.

Also, if they don't grasp the basic concepts of a subject, don't move on until they do, or they will run into problems later. It may seem unfair to hold them back, but, you are really doing them a favor! In the private schools where I worked (and at home), we did not allow a student (they worked at their own pace) to continue on to the next workbook until they got 100% on a current one. They had quizzes throughout the book and a "self test" at the end. If they didn't get 100% on the self tests, then there was some important concept that they were not grasping and would later run into problems. It happened everytime a student was moved to the next level without it. We would work with them until they were ready. This sounds tough, but it proved over and over to make the rest of their schooling easier. It also taught them to reach for their best. Most of the kids got 100% on all the tests:) because the teacher worked with them throughout each book until they were confident to work on their own.

If you visit some homeschooling sights, you will find that homeschooled students most often score higher on state exams and college/university entrance exams.;)

There are so many other things to discuss about homeschooling!

[Marie]

:tup: Brother Dave, that is an excellent article!

[Qwizcoach]

Just had to jump into this thread!!!

I am hoping to be able to stay at home and home school my son Jacob when he is old enough to go to school. I believe that the current classroom situation is not as conducive to learning as it once was.

I am a kindergarten teacher in a public school. With God's help I am the best teacher that I can be.............but how well can you educate when you have 24 5 years olds in the same room and 6 or more of them just turned 5 in the past 2 weeks...........................A couple have emotional problems............etc... the list could go on. One person can not meet the educational, and emotional needs of 24 5 year olds at the same time!!!!!! Students need smaller class sizes so they can get the individual attention that they need (usually you hear that teachers need smaller class sizes, but really it is all for the students). That is only one of the benefits of home schooling. Besides in school you leave God completely out of the picture!

I want my son educated in the best circumstances and I consider that he needs God in his education, not just while he is at home or church. And Lord willing I hope to provide him with that when the time comes.

Sis Trisha

[ddc101]

Sister I really truly love Abeka materials.If I were homeschooling a younger child I would use them again.My daughter Stephanie used to attend Pensacola Christian Academy and it was top notch.Now we use switched on Schoolhouse by Alpha Omega but really Abeka is the one I loved the most for someone really wants to teach their child one on one.lv sis.c

[Apostolic Kitty]

I have noticed that I am an eclectic homeschooler, but sorta lean toward Charlotte Mason's approach minus the daily nature walks. I am sure if I lived in the country that would work, but just imagine what I'd find around here in the suburbs with two oil refineries nearby in this swampy land... :)

[cinthia]

I too, Homeschool my kids, I love homeschooling! I think it is so great to have my kids home with me and that My Husband and I are in control of what our children learn! This is only my third year so I am still in the process of finding what works best for our family and what curriculum to use. Jim and Dave are very good people to ask if you have anu homeschool questions. They just taught a seminar at our church and it was awesome!

[Apostolic Kitty]

It must be nice to stay home with the kids like that. I'd be lying if I said I never got jealous of women who are able to be SAHMs. That's our goal...as soon as hubby is done with college and is working a good job.

All my homeschooling is done after a long day of work and on the weekends, but my son is worth the sacrifice. Hubby will do whatever I ask of him as far as helping with homeschooling goes, but I tend to go about a lot of it myself since I am the one with the ideas.

[cinthia]

Apostolic Kitty,
I think you are a special MOM! I think it is so wonderful the sacrifice you are making for your child. Jesus is going to bless you abundantly for it! Keep looking ahead to your goal! You will be staying home before you know it!:)

[Apostolic Kitty]

Cinthia:

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. :)

[lamama]

[The title of this article is a revealing commentary on our societal norms and our insecurities as parents about raising our own children. How sad that a study would need to be conducted to prove that children really do turn out okay when they spend most of their time at home (where children belong) with their mother, father and siblings. Children who are allowed freedom to learn in their own home can be much more than socially adjusted, they can and do thrive.]

Nevertheless, for your consideration:

http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0028919.cfm

November 20, 2003

Home-Schoolers are Socially Adjusted, Study Shows
by Steve Jordahl, correspondent


Learning at home produces students who are successful — in every way.

Home-schoolers aren't just achieving academic success. They're excelling socially, too, according to research from the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

The study finds they are better adjusted and more likely to be engaged in their communities than their counterparts in public schools. Case in point: Tiffany Crow.

When she's not playing pool, the 13-year-old is taking classes with other teenagers at a local home-school co-op. She spends a lot of time around kids her age — in contrast with the image that some people may have of a home-schooled youth.

"I feel exactly like (other teens)," Crow said. "I can fit in perfectly."

The HSLDA's Tom Washburne said home-schoolers like Tiffany are well-socialized because they are exposed to a greater variety of people.

"In home schooling, you see that socialization is about being with people of all ages — your parents, your grandparents, your neighbors," Washburne said.

That connection with the real world really is what sets home schooling apart, agreed Steve Moitozo of Home School Associates, who called public schools "an artificial world."

"Our experience is that home-schooled students are more mature and more ready for the real world because that's where they live," Moitozo said. "(As for public education), no other time in your life will you be restricted to doing the same thing in the same way, in the same room, at the same time with everybody else, just because you're all the same age."

Despite its benefits and research showing its strengths, the home-schooling movement continues to draw criticism — criticism that is wearing a little thin on students like Tiffany Crow.

"I don't really like how they try and bring home-schoolers down," Crow said. "It's wrong, because most of us are like every other kid."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Home School Legal Defense Association Web site contains more information about the study — and home schooling.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)


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[Deonna]

I homeschooled my oldest until last year when I started back to school myself. Last year wasn't too bad because my girls were in a Christian school and they got a lot of extra curricular activities that I hadn't been able to supply...but this year I've really struggled with not homeschooling.

I taught my oldest how to read and she excelled in it. But I was unable to teach my middle child last year and she has struggled so much with it this year. I blame myself for not being home to teach her. :(

I'm really debating whether or not to go back to homeschooling this next year. :confused: Something I really need to pray about.

[ddc101]

I just wanted to share how much this new material I am using has been a God send.Alpha Omega Switched On Schoolhouse.
With this my daughter was able to be tested and the program catered to her needs.In the areas she is proficient she excells and those that she needs help with she is able to pick up the building blocks.Its multimedia and online and has online teachers who can be asked questions then and there about any problem or subject you are working on.The good thing about this is its an umbrella.I used an umbrella school before but this one is considered a private school by the state and she is going to graduate with a diploma from an accredited school.Amen.lv sis.c

[lynn]

Hi. I've never posted here before, but I'd like to respond to this question. My husband and I have homeschooled our children for 10 years. We homeschool them for the same reason that we wear seatbelts, have a tornado shelter, and get immunizations. We believe that God gave us some responsibility to use our brains and protect our family. We wouldn't place our kids on the interstate and pray for God to stop the 18 wheelers. We both attended public schools and know the foolishness of childhood reasoning firsthand. Just because God is able to intervene for Daniel in an unavoidable emergency doesn't mean that I will be taking our children down to a lion's cage at the zoo and tossing them in to show my faith. I do have a choice. Recently, a student was found stabbed to death in the bathroom of his Middle School. He was bullied and quiet, not a trouble maker. If those who label homeschooling as a lack of faith in God knew that his parents loved and trusted the Lord, what would they say? Do parents not have a job on this Earth? Another local student was raped by his teacher. Are Philistine schools the right place for these Christian children? Many kids have backslid from our church because of evolution and perverted lifestyle classes at public school. I homeschool because I will one day stand before the Lord and give account for my decisions regarding those under my authority. How seriously did I take those responsibilities? Money and title can wait.(forever if necessary) I'm going to do right in these Endtimes with the children He made me steward over. I'm not going to grow weary in well doing and in due season I will reap if I faint not.

[sisdh]

I too have been homeschooling for a few years now
I would not have it any other way. My husband has been sick here this last year so i am also in school to be a nurse. But that does not stop me from doing what we feel God has told us to do for our children. My children are complimented everywhere. They know how to respect adults and play with other children. Homeschooling makes a difference!!!:beammeup:

[Melody]

Hi. I've never posted here before, but I'd like to respond to this question. My husband and I have homeschooled our children for 10 years. We homeschool them for the same reason that we wear seatbelts, have a tornado shelter, and get immunizations. We believe that God gave us some responsibility to use our brains and protect our family. We wouldn't place our kids on the interstate and pray for God to stop the 18 wheelers. We both attended public schools and know the foolishness of childhood reasoning firsthand. Just because God is able to intervene for Daniel in an unavoidable emergency doesn't mean that I will be taking our children down to a lion's cage at the zoo and tossing them in to show my faith. I do have a choice. Recently, a student was found stabbed to death in the bathroom of his Middle School. He was bullied and quiet, not a trouble maker. If those who label homeschooling as a lack of faith in God knew that his parents loved and trusted the Lord, what would they say? Do parents not have a job on this Earth? Another local student was raped by his teacher. Are Philistine schools the right place for these Christian children? Many kids have backslid from our church because of evolution and perverted lifestyle classes at public school. I homeschool because I will one day stand before the Lord and give account for my decisions regarding those under my authority. How seriously did I take those responsibilities? Money and title can wait.(forever if necessary) I'm going to do right in these Endtimes with the children He made me steward over. I'm not going to grow weary in well doing and in due season I will reap if I faint not.


You have put into words the reasons why I homeschool my children.

The scripture tells us to teach our children His precepts daily.

Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD:
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.


I used Christ Centered Curriculum when my children were pre-schoolers and I am using Rod and Staff now.

The reason why I use these is that when I prayed and asked God to provide materials these were given to me.

I would like to use Switched on Schoolhouse next year but that is in the hands of the Lord.

[lamama]

Welcome Lynn! Greetings of peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am so glad to see this thread back up in action. I appreciate what you and Melody both, just recently shared.

We're "unschoolers" I suppose. My philosophy is "Self Education is the Best Education." For young children, that would be *with* parental guidance. Our oldest son, age 8, reads the bible pretty much every morning. Then, when not allowed to go on-line, he will of his own volition, read and read. What more could one ask for?

Of course, if one can afford tutoring, that is probablly an excellent way to supplement self education. But children need time to just be children. They need a childhood full of memories of playing and talking and reading whatever they want to, of cooking and baking and helping around the house, of going on family vacations without needing anyone's permission. They need love, and the safe, familiar environment of home. And they need their mothers.

Every parent keeping their children at home to learn the ways of the Lord and to discover their individual, God-given gifts is to be commended.

To quote a mural on the walls of a local "Christian" pre-school, "Childhood is not a race, but rather a journey." The best thing we can do for our children is to love them, which begins with keeping them by our sides at home and enjoying just being together. Even the journey is quickly moving on.

Sincerely I pray :angel:

[Melody]

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
Here is a link to one of my favorite web sites for homeschooling. It's loaded with projects. Label maps and quizes. It has a monthly calender with projects every day.
My children and I have been following the Mars rover project at the Nasa site also.
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/mars_rocket.htm

[Apostolic Kitty]

If those who label homeschooling as a lack of faith in God knew that his parents loved and trusted the Lord, what would they say?
:)

Homeschooling because of a lack of faith?

No, I homeschool because I have faith.

I have faith that God will give me strength after a long day at work to work with my son.

I have faith that, even though I am a total idiot at math, there will be something or someone available to help him should he have questions.

I have faith that, if I put the godly world views into him, he will not stray.

I am so glad I was able to realize I could do this BEFORE he stepped a foot into middle school, where things get worse.. :)

[Melody]

:)

Homeschooling because of a lack of faith?

No, I homeschool because I have faith.

I have faith that God will give me strength after a long day at work to work with my son.

I have faith that, even though I am a total idiot at math, there will be something or someone available to help him should he have questions.

I have faith that, if I put the godly world views into him, he will not stray.

I am so glad I was able to realize I could do this BEFORE he stepped a foot into middle school, where things get worse.. :)

:yeah: :banana:

Amen!! Glory to God!!

[Sket's Wife]

Apostolic Kitty,

I have to give you the big:tup: for the middle school comment. I was an Instructional Assistant for the Special Ed. kids in the 6th grade for a school next town over from me where I went to school. It is just terrible! Because of civil rights, the children who have learning disabilities must be integrated into the regular classes with an assistant in the room to help them; however, there is a lot of weight on the actual teachers...extra work, seperate tests, study guides, classroom assignments, modifications for everything as well as prepare for the rest of the 20-25 kids who take the regular tests. They have reports they have to fill out...lots of paperwork...parents who don't take any responsibility for their childrens education so when they aren't doing well, it must be the school's fault. The teachers just can'tdeal sometimes.......LOT'S of legalities.
That's only the beginning. You should see these kids!!! The girls would wear jeans so low cut that I could see where their thong underwear would disappear!!!! How could some of these boys, OR TEACHERS concentrate when they have to deal with all the effects of MTV in the class?
And this was a "good school district" where people were flocking to live just so their kids could go to school there.
Kids selling prescription drugs in the sixth grade...totally absurd "dress codes"... completely vague curriculum. I would say more than half of the students did not know their multiplication tables by the sixth grade and the teachers didn't care..."use the multiplication chart" How can you learn division if you can't multiply?
I should stop or I'll be here all day listing the reasons why I want to homeschool. I will not feel bad for wanting to protect my kids.

[Apostolic Kitty]

I have to give you the big:tup: for the middle school comment. I was an Instructional Assistant for the Special Ed. kids in the 6th grade for a school next town over from me where I went to school. It is just terrible! Because of civil rights, the children who have learning disabilities must be integrated into the regular classes with an assistant in the room to help them; You were teaching the kids on the other end of the spectrum as mine. He's always been the gifted kid who "could teach the class himself", as almost all of his teachers put it. They stuck him in the gifted program, but the state of LA only allows the kids to go there for a few hours once a week. School was not challenging otherwise. I do believe the only challenge he would have had would have been the myraids of homework he would have received in middle school....and that's only because of volume -- not content.

[QUOTE=Sket's Wife]
That's only the beginning. You should see these kids!!! The girls would wear jeans so low cut that I could see where their thong underwear would disappear!!!! How could some of these boys, OR TEACHERS concentrate when they have to deal with all the effects of MTV in the class?{/QUOTE]

This is a problem I would not have had to deal with had my son continued in ps. Uniforms are mandatory here.

I am not surprised about kids selling drugs.

Nor I am surprised about the kids not knowing what they should have learned in elementary. I can imagine that would be a real pain for a middle school teacher to inherit that -- especially considering they have it all set up where you are supposed to teach them the next building block that goes on that, but how can a child learn concepts B & C properly if he never understood A? And, of course, I am sure it is the teacher that is supposed to teach them B & C that gets the flack -- not the former, nor the parents.

What I have seen is that the ps system stifles everyone involved except the administration. Teachers have to fit everything into this tiny little box and stifle much of their creative ideas. Children are given a load of homework... as if being at school from 8 am to 3 pm wasn't enough time to do all their work. Parents have to deal with the homework.

My mom and I were having a conversation yesterday and I mentioned to her how I'd like to go back to college, but can't because of other priorities right now. She mentioned how she had stayed out for a while herself (when my brother got to be middle school age) so she could be there to help with his homework. She said my sitiation was somewhat different since I quit to homeschool. I told her it wasn't really all that different and how I never even look at some of his work (particularly math), but just ask him about his progress.

We've already completed (actually surpassed) one of our goals for this year. I had set a goal in August, before we started, that he was to type 25 wpm. He does 35. We're also almost done with some other things.

[sister BB]

I have thought about homeschooling many times. But I would always change my mind. My kids wants me to homeschool them. But I'm afraid I want be able to help them. My oldest is in the 10th grade , and he is in the Senior Beta Club, he is very smart, and he wants to go to college, hes already taking subjects to help him in the medical field. And I'm scared I can't help him with that. Also my daughter who is 13, shes in the junior beta club, both of them makes excellent grades in school. But my daughter still begs me to homeschool her. And my oldest does too. Theres several other kids in our church that is already being homeschooled. I just don't know what to do. I have just went and got my GED in December of 2003. And I have started CNA classes. And I'll be through with the classes at the end of March. And I'm hoping I can get a job after that. Anyway,they said I could still homeschool them in the evenings. But I just don't know. My youngest son is 7. He does good also in school. But I have alot of problems with him learning things from the other kids at school.Things that a 7 year old definately shouldn't know. They learn things from the other kids ,that I try to teach them not to do. And the kids tell me that the pure pressure is so hard. We've already went through some things with my oldest. And he has repented over the things that he done. I know we can't protect them all their life. But when their children growing up ,should we keep them out of the schools??? And protect them for as long as we can from the world. Because when they get older their more able to make better judgements and desiccions about things, but when their children they seem to give in more. Thats my opinion anyway.
I know that the homeschooling that the children do from our church, is based on the Bible. And I really like that. But still I'm undecided on what to do. Alot of the children that is homeschooled in our church is very smart. And their not under all that pressure from the kids at school trying to get them to do things that they know that they shouldn't do. Anyways, pray that I'll make the right decision.

[Apostolic Kitty]

Sister BB:

If you had the confidence to homeschool, would you?

[sister BB]

My answer would be YES.

[lynn]

When parents are afraid they can't handle high school material, it makes me want to ask, "You attended public schools and think they didn't teach you well enough, but want to send your own children there as well? Why not start over with your kids and this time learn for yourself?" Lol. I didn't remember at the age of 17 what public schools claimed to have taught me, so I don't call that real learning. I received very HIGH marks on the tests they prepared me for days in advance (which is not really testing, just temporary memorization. You can't cram for "temperature taking" and a real test is meant to measure what you know without advance warning, just like taking your academic temperature.) Retaining the information is real learning. When I was in public school, the teachers (many of whom suspiciously shared the common first name of "Coach" ) sat behind newspapers and told us to read the next chapter and do the questions at the end. The textbook WAS the teacher. Any information that can be said, can also be written down in a textbook! I personally received my truest childhood education at the Springville Road Library where resources weren't hidden away in a closet and kept from me, and where there was no pressure from peer-world to stifle my questions for fear of looking ignorant. Homescooling has provided for many parents the education that their government schools neglected to give them. We have learned so much over the last 10 years that our schools said they taught us, but didn't. I think the most frightening factor for governmental education officials is this. When tested by a public school tester (without first cramming the exact info. only days in advance) and in a public school facility, children who have been home schooled by parents that posess only a high school diploma or G.E.D. , soar miles ahead of their age-mates who were schooled by the "professionals". That steps on quite a few prideful toes. Lol. I carry our S.A.T.'s in my purse for the busy-bodies at Walmart. No debate necessary. Just pull 'em out and smile. I always mention that I escaped public education via a G.E.D. myself and went out and got a real education. Seems to shut folks up real quickly, regarding academics atleast. If you would like however to stop them from questioning the ability of homeschooling parents in the future, you can ask them to define socialization. That is my favorite topic, since we aren't socialists. The word does not mean learning to raise one's hand,(mine learned that in 5 seconds), nor does it mean standing in line, (mine do that at Walmart), nor does it mean "being friendly and cooperative" (when studied for statistical reasons, homeschoolers work much better in groups of other children than public schoolers, showing considerably more patience and peace-keeping), nor does it mean learning to observe respect for authority (guess how homeschoolers compare to public school counterparts on THAT one.) Socialism in a nutshell means learning to be a conformed cog for the collective village-minded wheel. Can you say "worldly"? The purpose of government education is to compell people at an ever earlier age to shut up, stop thinking, and be like everyone else; A very important reason to homeschool, I would say. Because my father, who wasn't certified to do so by the way, taught me to read before I entered a school, and because my sister ,who is only 8 years my senior, taught me basic math concepts before I entered a school, I guess the notion that "Normal people aren't smart enough to learn without the flawless experts", never was an issue of concern for me. To imagine that we, as knuckle-dragging laymen, will be bumbling idiots without those infallible geniuses to lead us by the hand and spoon feed us, was just always so blatantly illogical. The entire issue of education is really about job security and MONEY. As long as parents don't know the facts, (95% of colonists were literate before compulsory attendace was institued and guess how many citizens are literate after those glorious schools took the mantle upon themselves?), they will believe that they can't succeed without government teachers helping them. Think of the most ignorant parent you know and would hate to see trying homeschooling, WHO "taught" her?

[LilOrphanAnnie]

I didn't read the whole thread, sorry, but here goes:

I had a lousy, miserable time in school because I was "bright" and very, very bored and there weren't classes to put me in, not that my mom could afford. So I hated school. My husband, equally bright, loved school and managed. He went on to 5 years of college. He thinks public school will be fine, I am worried about the Nazi-istic tendencies of the System but in our area the schools are very, very excellent, and encourage a lot of parent participation, so I think it will be o.k. I am of the opinion that a sheltered tree only grows up weak.

I don't want to homeschool for the simple reason that I can barely keep my house in order, what makes me think I can add homeschooling to it? Besides, it is obvious my kids are going to be bright as well (I'm not meaning to brag, really I'm not!). It sounds like an impossible task to me to be able to educate them. I recognize it is possible, I know of a pastor's wife with three children (two of them are very active boys), she home-schools them, and of course her house is clean. It is! And she's a lovely lady! (makes me sick! :) ) However, much as I try, I'm just not Suzie Homemaker. I don't think I'm up for homeschooling too.

[Melody]

I didn't read the whole thread, sorry, but here goes:

I had a lousy, miserable time in school because I was "bright" and very, very bored and there weren't classes to put me in, not that my mom could afford. So I hated school. My husband, equally bright, loved school and managed. He went on to 5 years of college. He thinks public school will be fine, I am worried about the Nazi-istic tendencies of the System but in our area the schools are very, very excellent, and encourage a lot of parent participation, so I think it will be o.k. I am of the opinion that a sheltered tree only grows up weak.

I don't want to homeschool for the simple reason that I can barely keep my house in order, what makes me think I can add homeschooling to it? Besides, it is obvious my kids are going to be bright as well (I'm not meaning to brag, really I'm not!). It sounds like an impossible task to me to be able to educate them. I recognize it is possible, I know of a pastor's wife with three children (two of them are very active boys), she home-schools them, and of course her house is clean. It is! And she's a lovely lady! (makes me sick! :) ) However, much as I try, I'm just not Suzie Homemaker. I don't think I'm up for homeschooling too.

Which is more important? A clean house or Christ-centered children?

[Apostolic Kitty]

My answer would be YES.
Sounds to me like you already know what to do, but are just afraid to do it. It's okay to be afraid -- just don't let it stand in your way. Take a step of faith. I really think the best thing you could do would be to tap into the resource you already have -- the homeschooling moms at church.

You know....I know a woman who homeschooled two of her three (very bright) children....and when I saw her in August she told me her goal was to get her GED. She used resources that helped her where she didn't have to teach subjects she wasn't too keen on.

Besides, didn't you say your kids were very bright? Bet they got it from their Mamma.... :)

[Apostolic Kitty]

When parents are afraid they can't handle high school material, it makes me want to ask, "You attended public schools and think they didn't teach you well enough, but want to send your own children there as well? Why not start over with your kids and this time learn for yourself?" Lol. I didn't remember at the age of 17 what public schools claimed to have taught me, so I don't call that real learning. I received very HIGH marks on the tests they prepared me for days in advance (which is not really testing, just temporary memorization. You can't cram for "temperature taking" and a real test is meant to measure what you know without advance warning, just like taking your academic temperature.) Retaining the information is real learning. When I was in public school, the teachers (many of whom suspiciously shared the common first name of "Coach" ) sat behind newspapers and told us to read the next chapter and do the questions at the end. The textbook WAS the teacher. Any information that can be said, can also be written down in a textbook! I personally received my truest childhood education at the Springville Road Library where resources weren't hidden away in a closet and kept from me, and where there was no pressure from peer-world to stifle my questions for fear of looking ignorant. Homescooling has provided for many parents the education that their government schools neglected to give them. We have learned so much over the last 10 years that our schools said they taught us, but didn't. I think the most frightening factor for governmental education officials is this. When tested by a public school tester (without first cramming the exact info. only days in advance) and in a public school facility, children who have been home schooled by parents that posess only a high school diploma or G.E.D. , soar miles ahead of their age-mates who were schooled by the "professionals". That steps on quite a few prideful toes. Lol. I carry our S.A.T.'s in my purse for the busy-bodies at Walmart. No debate necessary. Just pull 'em out and smile. I always mention that I escaped public education via a G.E.D. myself and went out and got a real education. Seems to shut folks up real quickly, regarding academics atleast. If you would like however to stop them from questioning the ability of homeschooling parents in the future, you can ask them to define socialization. That is my favorite topic, since we aren't socialists. The word does not mean learning to raise one's hand,(mine learned that in 5 seconds), nor does it mean standing in line, (mine do that at Walmart), nor does it mean "being friendly and cooperative" (when studied for statistical reasons, homeschoolers work much better in groups of other children than public schoolers, showing considerably more patience and peace-keeping), nor does it mean learning to observe respect for authority (guess how homeschoolers compare to public school counterparts on THAT one.) Socialism in a nutshell means learning to be a conformed cog for the collective village-minded wheel. Can you say "worldly"? The purpose of government education is to compell people at an ever earlier age to shut up, stop thinking, and be like everyone else; A very important reason to homeschool, I would say. Because my father, who wasn't certified to do so by the way, taught me to read before I entered a school, and because my sister ,who is only 8 years my senior, taught me basic math concepts before I entered a school, I guess the notion that "Normal people aren't smart enough to learn without the flawless experts", never was an issue of concern for me. To imagine that we, as knuckle-dragging laymen, will be bumbling idiots without those infallible geniuses to lead us by the hand and spoon feed us, was just always so blatantly illogical. The entire issue of education is really about job security and MONEY. As long as parents don't know the facts, (95% of colonists were literate before compulsory attendace was institued and guess how many citizens are literate after those glorious schools took the mantle upon themselves?), they will believe that they can't succeed without government teachers helping them. Think of the most ignorant parent you know and would hate to see trying homeschooling, WHO "taught" her?
Lynn: That's some good stuff you shared there.

Now, if you could go back --

*pretty please with a cherry on top*

--and edit it into paragraphs it'd be much more readable for folks like me who tend to skip over posts with big long paragraphs.

I may have missed yours had it been another subject! :)

[lynn]

For instance, you think "a sheltered tree only grows up weak", so why does God speak so highly in His Word of HIS sheltering of US? Maybe there is a good kind of sheltering. Is sheltering a child from a tornado good? Is sheltering a child from pornography or the taste of alcohol good? (By the way, I received my first experience with both of those in an elementary school hallway) God told me to feed my child HONEY that he might choose the good and reject the bad. Nowhere did he tell me to subject my children to danger that they might be "strengthened". I have heard that to be a popular philosophy for humanistic "Christians" however. If God had wanted His children to attend Philistine schools for the sake of the "experience", I think we would read that in the Word of God. Instead we read that children are tossed to and fro with every wind of teaching. I have seen so many children backslide from our church because of public school associations at an age when they were posessing childish reasoning and therefore corrupted by foolish companions. Some went on to marry the unsaved. Even if I were a gambling woman, I wouldn't gamble with the souls of my children. Because God is able to protect Daniel in an emergency where he had no choice, does not mean that I am going to take my kids down to the zoo and throw them to the lions to display my "faith". Parents have a GOD-GIVEN responsibility to gleen the treasures of His Word and will stand before Him one day to give account for those He placed under their authority. I am glad I will not have to explain the way I dropped them off at the enemy's camp to learn the way of the wicked, nor will I have to explain having tempted God by laying my responsibilities entirely on Him.

[sister BB]

Yes, I guess deep down I really know what I want to do, but I can't help but be afraid. I want my children to do well in life. I want them to be able to get a good job and provide for their family when the time comes. Anyway, for several years I have considered homeschooling, then I would get scared and back out. My dad really gives me a hard time about it. He's not in church and is totally against it. He says you can't protect them from everything. But of course he doesn't make the decissions for my family. Me and My husband does. I prayed really hard about this last year, for the Lord to make a way financially for us to homeschool. And the Lord provided the money, but again I got scared. Deep down I believe its the Lord's will. I know I have to step out in Faith and trust the Lord that he will help us through this. I want to obey what I feel in the Lord to do. Just help me pray that I will do what God wants me to do. Because I don't want to be out of the will of the Lord.

[LilOrphanAnnie]

My husband daily asks me, Do you think you could clean up a bit? Every. Single. Day. I stay home all day, what else have I got to do? I chase after the kids, try to keep them happy, stay on the Cafe too much, and clean. But he feels he has to ask me Every. Single. Day. Having clutter bothers him more than anything. I try but I'm just not there. To me, keeping him happy is a priority. I don't think it's a matter of Godly kids OR a clean house though.

I don't think a child that goes to public school is necessarily unsaved. Like I said, I think a sheltered tree only grows up weak. In raising my kids, I try to push their boundaries, gently. If one child was obviously not making it in a public school atmosphere of course I would pull them out. But I don't see the value in sheltering them from it either- I wouldn't put them in a bad public school, I thank God we have excellent ones here. But if a public school is high quality, and the child is doing o.k. and learning, and they are surrounded by your prayers and walking in the Holy Ghost, then I don't see what is wrong with it.

Yes the system can be Big Brotherish, and very scary in some ways. There is evil all around us. Walmart is a dishonest mega-corporation that exploits other companies and workers. Disney has lots and lots of dirty secrets. Hollyweird stinks. The newspaper is full of slanted, biased "news". Many, many companies import or make their products from China, or other countries that pay their people pennies an hour, or enslave them to make those products. Colleges can be weird, unGodly places, and even Apostolic colleges are not always all they're cracked up to be. Should we avoid college? An 18 yr old is not really an adult, either, isn't it rather rediculous to plunge them into the world (even Apostolic college!! It's no garden, I think!) after having sheltered them all those years?

Like I said, I try to expand my kid's boundaries gradually. I push the limits only a bit. With Rachel I waited until she was 14 months old to put her into church nursery by herself (drove the pastor's wife nuts, she thought I was being silly). However it was just right for her, and she was fine after that. With Jacob it was 10 months or so. I think my daughter could go to preschool now, she is only 3. She loves Sunday School and jumps into it whole heartedly. I think she would be fine in public school.

Maybe other kids wouldn't be fine, and that's o.k. Homeschool them. But I think the judgemental tone, if one doesn't homeschool as they do, is not good.

[lynn]

I attended public schools for 11 years and am only now learning anything about paragraphs.

[Apostolic Kitty]

I didn't read the whole thread, sorry, but here goes:

I had a lousy, miserable time in school because I was "bright" and very, very bored and there weren't classes to put me in, not that my mom could afford. So I hated school. My husband, equally bright, loved school and managed. He went on to 5 years of college. He thinks public school will be fine, I am worried about the Nazi-istic tendencies of the System but in our area the schools are very, very excellent, and encourage a lot of parent participation, so I think it will be o.k. I am of the opinion that a sheltered tree only grows up weak.

I don't want to homeschool for the simple reason that I can barely keep my house in order, what makes me think I can add homeschooling to it? Besides, it is obvious my kids are going to be bright as well (I'm not meaning to brag, really I'm not!). It sounds like an impossible task to me to be able to educate them. I recognize it is possible, I know of a pastor's wife with three children (two of them are very active boys), she home-schools them, and of course her house is clean. It is! And she's a lovely lady! (makes me sick! :) ) However, much as I try, I'm just not Suzie Homemaker. I don't think I'm up for homeschooling too.
Lemme get this straight....

1. You had a lousy, miserable time in school because you were very bright.

2. You know your kids will be bright.

3. You'd prefer to send them to a government school (where they will probably be miserable too, since they are going to be bright like you) so you can concentrate on having a clean house?

Haha...I work 40 hours a week and am perfectionistic about my house. There's no way I'd be able to do 1/2 the housework it needs to keep it the way I want it -- especially with a messy husband, 2 dogs and 4 cats. I am glad my son helps me do housework, but even with that it keeps getting messy again!

[Apostolic Kitty]

For instance, you think "a sheltered tree only grows up weak", so why does God speak so highly in His Word of HIS sheltering of US? Maybe there is a good kind of sheltering. Is sheltering a child from a tornado good? Is sheltering a child from pornography or the taste of alcohol good? (By the way, I received my first experience with both of those in an elementary school hallway) God told me to feed my child HONEY that he might choose the good and reject the bad. Nowhere did he tell me to subject my children to danger that they might be "strengthened". I have heard that to be a popular philosophy for humanistic "Christians" however.
Amen. We are suppose to shelter and nurture our children. Does that mean that we are not to educate them about what the world is like? Absolutely not!

[lynn]

When compared to publically educated children, homeschoolers are succeeding in life and providing for their families at overwhelmingly high rates. The difference is actually astonishing.

A great many colleges now actively seek home schoolers beacuse of their independence and motivation regarding study skills. As a matter of fact, as my husband and I have sold curriculum at state conventions, we have noticed the dramatic increase in booth rentals by colleges for the sole purpose of luring homeschooled kids into their universities. Seems they are far from weak afterall.

[lynn]

If I needed my children to experience first hand what it is to be in a public school, I'd take them into the bathroom daily, beat them up, and steal their money. They are very ferverantly educated about the evils of alcohol without me handing them the glass.

[Apostolic Kitty]

Yes, I guess deep down I really know what I want to do, but I can't help but be afraid. I want my children to do well in life. I want them to be able to get a good job and provide for their family when the time comes. Anyway, for several years I have considered homeschooling, then I would get scared and back out. My dad really gives me a hard time about it. He's not in church and is totally against it. He says you can't protect them from everything. But of course he doesn't make the decissions for my family. Me and My husband does. I prayed really hard about this last year, for the Lord to make a way financially for us to homeschool. And the Lord provided the money, but again I got scared. Deep down I believe its the Lord's will. I know I have to step out in Faith and trust the Lord that he will help us through this. I want to obey what I feel in the Lord to do. Just help me pray that I will do what God wants me to do. Because I don't want to be out of the will of the Lord.
Sis., allowing fear to keep you from doing what you believe is the right thing to do will only bring regret. Do you want to look back 10 years from now and say, "I should have...."?

I'm not trying to rough you up by saying that. I'm trying to be as gentle as I can in encouraging you to do what you already said you believe you should.

I think once you get past those fears you will look back and say, "What was I so afraid of?"

[sister BB]

Thank you for encouraging me. Talking to someone about this has really helped me.

[Apostolic Kitty]

I don't think a child that goes to public school is necessarily unsaved.
No one here implied they were, but they sure do have to face a lot of unnecessary stuff.

Like I said, I think a sheltered tree only grows up weak.
Thing is....our children are seeds, not trees.

I wouldn't put them in a bad public school, I thank God we have excellent ones here.
What is so excellent about them? The fact that they encourage parental involvement? All public schools I know of do -- even the bad ones.

Yes the system can be Big Brotherish, and very scary in some ways. There is evil all around us. Walmart is a dishonest mega-corporation that exploits other companies and workers. Disney has lots and lots of dirty secrets. Hollyweird stinks. The newspaper is full of slanted, biased "news". Many, many companies import or make their products from China, or other countries that pay their people pennies an hour, or enslave them to make those products.
You've brought up a lot of red herrings here! None of this has anything to do with what we're talking about at all. You cannot compare sending your child five days a week for 7 hours a day to an institution for training with a trip to Walmart, Disneyworld or the woes of Hollywood, let alone reading the newspaper or companies in China.

Colleges can be weird, unGodly places, and even Apostolic colleges are not always all they're cracked up to be. Should we avoid college?
Personally, I am preparing my son, who wants to be a scientist, to go to college. I don't want him to be deceived by anti-christ college professors, so I am giving him a strong, biblically based view on scientific matters.

[Apostolic Kitty]

I attended public schools for 11 years and am only now learning anything about paragraphs.
LOL

Well, Sis., I will be patient. :)

[lynn]

You say that you wouldn't put your child into a "bad" public school, but wouldn't shelter them from a "good" one. This is what was placing us on different ends of the issue. I don't know of any good public schools. Because you would choose to keep your children out of a "bad" one, surely you can understand why I am keeping my own out of what I as their mother consider to be bad schools.

For the record, if government schools were academically superior, I'd be homeschooling. If they were 100% physically safe, I'd be homeschooling. If they were owned and operated by God-loving Apostolics, I'd be homeschooling. Training up my children for God when they rise up, eat meals, walk in the lane, lay down, etc. just can't be beaten.

[LilOrphanAnnie]

Okay. My comparisons probably weren't clear. What I meant was, why pick one area to be picky about and stay away from- if I stayed away from every organization that was wrong, I'd never do anything but stay home.

The schools I went to didn't have any bright kids programs. This was the 1970's-'80's in the Midwest. I went to High School in American Samoa (long story)- let's just say that out of the 2% that made it to community college there, 80% of THOSE were in English as a Second Language class (like, 5th grade english or something). They all taught to the lowest level in the room. My husband's schooling wasn't like that, and I don't think the schools in Connecticut are like that.

I don't want to send them to public school so that I can concentrate on having a clean house. Puh-leeze. Let's be a little more courteous to one another, o.k.? My reasons are:

*I don't have confidence in my ability to manage homeschooling on top of everything else.
*I think they will receive a very good education. I will be assisting them at every step.
*The thought of trying to develop or find a good, challenging curriculum sounds overwhelming to me. The choices are huge.
*I don't think I can educate them myself to a level where they would enter University. I think they could be capable of that someday, I don't want to limit them.
*I don't want to homeschool. It doesn't sound any fun and I just don't want to do it. I don't think I'd be good at it and I don't think I would enjoy it.
*I don't think homeschooling is mandated by the Bible and I don't think my influence on my kids as morals-shaper, etc, ends when they walk in the school doors. What am I, chopped liver? What is God? School isn't this big huge inescapable monster that eats children alive, that we have no power against, that my kids are going to be too weak or helpless to do anything else but follow the whims of their peers, ever. Puh-leeze.
*My husband insists on public school.

You guys are not discussing the pros and cons of Homeschooling, you are encouraging each other to Homeschool. My mistake. I won't debate it again. Go ahead and encourage each other all you want, that's great, but don't attack me and think I'm this reprobate bad mother or something if I choose not to homeschool.

[lynn]

We weren't talking about areas for adults to stay away from, but rather areas for kids (without supervision) to stay away from.

The schools you attended existed in a very different world. If you really knew what goes on in elementary schools today, you'd be shocked. Try turning on the news. They might can hide the brainwashing agenda, but the physical harm is plain as day! Apostolic kids with parents who love the Lord are hit by cars, molested by teachers, etc. Loving and trusting God doesn't mean we should not be responsible parents. If we didn't have a job to care for our kids, He'd have made us give birth under a bush and keep going.


1)*I don't have confidence in my ability to manage homeschooling on top of everything else.

Maybe their education shouldn't fall so far at the end of the list of priorities.
Most of that "Everything else" comes below my kids.

2)*I think they will receive a very good education. I will be assisting them at every step.

Sounds like you are positive that schools won't harm them.

3)*The thought of trying to develop or find a good, challenging curriculum sounds overwhelming to me. The choices are huge.

Actually, it isn't hard at all. That's just what the teachers would have you to think. We have been doing this for 10 years and would LOVE to share the S.A.T. scores. Tasting is seeing.

4)*I don't think I can educate them myself to a level where they would enter University. I think they could be capable of that someday, I don't want to limit them.

G.E.D.-toting parents have proven that homeschoolers succeed BETTER than public schoolers in college by leaps and bounds. The fruit is in.

5)*I don't want to homeschool. It doesn't sound any fun and I just don't want to do it. I don't think I'd be good at it and I don't think I would enjoy it.

It has been nothing but a blast for my family. We are all enjoying ourselves. However, if I asked public school kids how much fun their work was, I wonder what they'd say. Can they just opt. out if it isn't fun?

6)*I don't think homeschooling is mandated by the Bible and I don't think my influence on my kids as morals-shaper, etc, ends when they walk in the school doors. What am I, chopped liver? What is God? School isn't this big huge inescapable monster that eats children alive, that we have no power against, that my kids are going to be too weak or helpless to do anything else but follow the whims of their peers, ever. Puh-leeze.

I tear up just thinking about the parents in our church who shared that view. Satan is indeed seeking whom he may devour and has swallowed up multitudes of children through public schools. Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. Did God's ability protect Solomon from his own capability of deception? Be not deceived, evil communication corrupts good morals. Holiness doesn't rub off, but unholiness does. The companion of fools will become a fool. There are many scriptures about foolish associations and the power of peer pressure on kids. I have seen the horrible results. I have also heard the "We can handle it" bit regarding t.v., sports, and a number of other standards issues. And I have watched Satan get a foot in the door. Beware when you say you stand lest you fall. We are not wiser than Soloman.

7)*My husband insists on public school.

God before man. No exceptions. My husband knows that.

8)don't attack me and think I'm this reprobate bad mother or something if I choose not to homeschool.

I'm not calling you anything, but I would be a reprobate mother if I didn't obey what God clearly told me to do personally in prayer.What others do is entirely up to them, but don't tell me my "sheltered children" will be weak. They are strong in God and that is the only strength that matters to us.

[Sheepish]

Like I said, I think a sheltered tree only grows up weak.\
I've always held a differing view of that. Let me explain: plants spend there early stages of growth in a nursery to insure their success outside. If a seedling is left to the elements then it becomes weak. Instead, it is sheltered until it is strong enough to withstand the opposing forces of nature. There is no advantage to unnecessarily exposing our little ones to the brutality of the world before they are mature in the faith.

[lynn]

If I take two of my tomato plants of the same age and expose one to the elements early and the other stays indoors longer, the first will likely die, and if it DOES survive, it will never produce as much fruit as that one that stayed in the hot house.
There is a book available called "Hot House Tranplants" that is written by a few dozen home school graduates and is just wonderful. I recommend it. The fruits of homeschooling are in, and have proven abundantly that homeschooling doesn't produce weaklings. It produces people who are passionate for God and very hard to deceive. If I wouldn't deliver my kids to a Catholic Sunday School one hour a week, why in the world would I deliver them to a humanist "Sunday School" 40 HOURS a week?! What we seem to disagree about is the correct AGE to take my little ones out of the foundational and fertile beginnings and place them into the elements. I am acting on my experience with both plants I have lost, and real, live children that I have heart-wrechingly watched friends lose because someone thought it was time for them to "leave the nest". I have not seen homeschooled children backslide or have their palettes trained to crave the world. I considered these undeniable facts all around me when deciding to homeschool 10 years ago. The results have been nothing but sweet. The manners, the attitudes, the family bond,the knowledge,the work ethic, the lack of passivity,the firm stand against the manipulation of peers, the utmost devotion to please God. I can not thank the Lord enough for telling me to homeschool.

[lynn]

If homeschooling makes children "weak", why are they frequently entering universities in their early teens, years ahead of public schoolers? Why are they often apprenticed to volunteer assignments by the age of 12? Why do their professors and employers consistently praise their uncommon maturity and dilligence regarding adult level classes? Could it be that receiving the thorough training they needed at the onset of childhood was the benifit? Could it be that a child who spends a large volume of time with attentive adult supervision becomes an adult ,and a child who spends a large volume of time surrounded by the foolishness of other children gets stunted into perpetual childhood? Why are homeschoolers storming the scene as they are in the news? When 96% of children are public/private schoolers, how do so many homeschoolers, making up a measly 4% of school-aged children, fill top spots at National Spelling Bees, Geography Bees, Chess League Tournaments, etc.? How do they overwhelmingly achieve as leaders when they were "sheltered"? They were SHELTERED from the harm that stresses so many kids, interfering with their studies, development, peace of mind. They were sheltered from teachers who can't divide themselves into 35 pieces. They were sheltered from a system that only gets $10,000 a head per year if the kids are kept from advancing according to their true capabilities. My sons are 10 and 7. The 10 year old is in 7th grade math, 6th grade Language, 8th grade science, 8th grade history. He is a chess master, volunteers at the local library, and is engrossed at this time with the study of engineering, (thanks to Pop-Paw) Our 7 year old (also elevated academically by years, 3rd-5th grade materials) got up today at 5:30 to complete his math early and tear into his captivating horse study that arrived UPS.(He is a 4-H kid) People who paint homeschoolers as disconnected from their communities or awkward in personality don't have a clue what they're talking about. Our sons both scored POST high school for high water marks on their S.A.T.'s, 7th grade being their average. The fact that a public school didn't murder their passion for learning has already begun to boost their resumes head and shoulders above the rest. Their curriculum includes Sign Language, and the same Spanish course that is used by NASA, the Peace Corp, and the military. Their music lessons are delight-directed. People who have a biased and incorrect view of homeschooling shouldn't speak about it at all. They should learn about it.

[lamama]

Lynn,

All I can say is this is great. Did you write this yourself? It's speaks eloquently on behalf of many mothers. Thank you.

Thank you for your explanation as well on Tomato plants.

Sheepish,
On your post, "Sheltered = Weak?", regarding the protection of tender lings, very well said, brief, direct and right.

[lynn]

Thanks! You are very sweet. Watch this dead horse keep decomposing. (You should "see me go" in a Walmart line. Captive audience.):banana:

[lamama]

Lynn originally wrote:
Why yes, it has to be original, it's about the progress of my own kids!
I'm embarrassed :goof: :D :confused: :angel: :)

...(You should watch me go in a Walmart line. Captive audience.):banana:

I'd like to do that sometime, Lord willing and or maybe watch you and your Captive audience in another setting. :) In the meantime, I thank the Lord for the opportunity we have, though on opposite coasts, to do that here!

When 96% of children are public/private schoolers, how do so many unschoolers, making up a measly 4% of school-aged children, fill top spots at National Spelling Bees, Geography Bees, Chess League Tournaments, etc.?

You're aware of statistics specifying unschoolers are the children filling top spots?

Thank you Lord for a place to meet with like-minded mommies. May thy will be done and thy kingdom come. In Jesus' name.

[ddc101]

wow Lynn what an awesome testimony of the ministry of motherhood.Thanks for the encouraging posts.Our fourteen year old homeschools and when the Lord makes a way so will our seven year old.I love education and books.You can find a pile of books at each of ours bedside tables.We simply have fostered a love of reading in our children.Our daughter who is homeschooled tested at ninth grade reading level on her third grade reading exam.Now she is way above that as she is in eighth grade currently.lv sis.c

[lynn]

Oh, those pesky, backward, and nerdy homeschoolers. What'll they ever accomplish? How will they even provide for their families!?

Well, let's just glance at some REAL history and find out, shall we?
(By the way, if you can't quite place these folks, you might need to homeschool.)

HOMESCHOOLERS

Hans Christian Anderson
William F. Buckley Jr.
Agatha Christie
Mark Twain
Charles Dickens
Robert Frost
Alex Haley
C.S. Lewis
George Bernard Shaw
Walt Whitman
Laura Ingalls Wilder (yes, I know about the videos, but she out of her own mouth said that she attended school for a total of two months and was otherwise taught entirely by Ma)
Charlotte Mason
Booker T. Washington
Louie Armstrong
Whoopie Goldberg
Hanson the family singing group
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Claude Monet
Grandma Moses
Leonardo de Vinci
Joan of Arc
Dwight L. Moody
John and Charles Wesley
Brigam Young
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison
Benjamin Franklin
Eli Whitney
Orville and Wilbur Wright
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
George Washington
Woodrow Wilson
Winston Churchill
Alexander Hamilton
Patrick Henry
Daniel Webster
Stonewall Jackson
Robert E. Lee
John Paul Jones
Douglas MacArthur
George patton
Sandra Day O'Conner
George Washington Carver
Albert Einstein
James Madison
John Quincy Adams
Grover Cleveland
James Garfield
Andrew Jackson
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Florence Nightingale
Thomas paine
Will Rogers
Albert Schweitzer
Gloria Steinem
Martha Washington
Lisa Whelchel
LeAnne Rimes
Andrew Carnegie
Joseph Pulitzer
Dave Thomas(founder of Wendy's restaurants)
Abigail Adams
Susan B. Anthony
John James Audubon
Clara Barton
Charlie Chaplin
Davy Crockett
Sam Houston
Margaret Mead
Pearl S. Buck
John Newton
Queen Elizabeth ll
Rembrandt Peal
Felix Mendelssohn
William Penn
John Witherspoon (president of Princeton)
Timothy Dwight(president of Yale)
William S, Johnson(president of Harvard)
whew
search in google for thousands! This is making my new ink cartridge run low!

[lynn]

That's supposed to say homeschoolers! I'll go fix it. (However, I suspect that it's unschoolers filling the majority of those homeschooling spots!)

[lamama]

We simply have fostered a love of reading in our children.

I'm glad you said that. I agree that reading is the key. We have a little children's book about the story of Jonah from the "Alice in Bibleland" series. It has a little saying that goes, "Reading is the special key, to take you where you want to be!"

Isn't there another saying about the ability to read equals "the world is your oyster?"

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic... With the help of the Lord, if every parent with a desire to keep their children at home to grow and learn could just help their children do comfortably well with the basics of those three subjects, that alone, would give their child a running start past government school academics, from the reports we hear in the news, etc. And now with spell check, well, there you go! :goof:

Then, after the basic basics, just praying and asking the Lord to help us define what each of our individual children is designed to do, has to be the most satisfying and rewarding gift a child could receive. How wonderful for any child to have an attentive mother who is watching for signs of what most interests him, and doing simple things to help that child pursue his interests.

Thank you Lynn for sharing that huge list of home and self educated people who are famous. There is a well known preacher out here in California, named I.H. Terry. He "dropped out" of school in the 8th grade I believe it was, saying that the only studying that ever interested him was the bible. That man has a reputation for establishing a work that is still going on and having trained several men to labor in God's great harvest.

What mother of an 8th grade "drop out" could ask for more? btw, Good for him, having sense enough to drop out! Bill Gates is a Harvard drop out. That would be an interesting list...Famous drop outs!

I appreciate the fresh air in this thread.

As ddc would say, "Post On!"

[lynn]

If those "educators" who tossed Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison out of early elementary school ,claiming that they were restless idiots, had posessed ADD medicine; I don't even want to think about it!

[lamama]

If those "educators" who tossed Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison out of early elementary school ,claiming that they were restless idiots, had posessed ADD medicine; I don't even want to think about it!

Right! I don't want to think about it either. But it is so pitiful to think of all the little children drugged up nowadays. SIGH. But is anything too hard for the Lord? ...We can pray and see those little children filled with the Holy Ghost, delivered and set free to serve Him.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phillipians 4:6-8

Under your avatar, "Titus2determined" Me too! And on that note...duty is calling!

[lynn]

Amen, amen, and amen! The Lord sure did rescue me! (and He had to reach waaaaay down to do it, too!) :tup:

[ddc101]

Sister those that are calling every child in need of medicine don't like children.
Children need to run,jump and play.What we have is people who want children to be mini adults which they are not.lv sis.c

[Apostolic Kitty]

For the record, if government schools were academically superior, I'd be homeschooling. If they were 100% physically safe, I'd be homeschooling. If they were owned and operated by God-loving Apostolics, I'd be homeschooling. Training up my children for God when they rise up, eat meals, walk in the lane, lay down, etc. just can't be beaten.
You know, I probably would, too. I really enjoy coming home, sitting on the couch, reading and discussing things with my boy.

[Melody]

You know, I probably would, too. I really enjoy coming home, sitting on the couch, reading and discussing things with my boy.

The Lord called me to homeschool before I ever knew there was a homeschool movement.

[lamama]

Post #72 by ddc, Absolutely! Aren't there studies (sad that we need them) showing spontaneous play to be central to a child's healthy development and well being, physicall, mentally , emotionally and socially? Play. Just Play! I don't mean the kind of play and often mean spirited mischief that takes place in the asphalt, fenced in, camps of age segregated concentration, known a public schools either. I'm talking about mother supervised play at home between siblings and playmates the parents know.

And about the people diagnosing and drugging children for "ADD" and who knows what next, I think you're right again. They don't seem to like or have any undertanding of a child's needs, both for play and firm and loving correction. Oh, there's a work to do to reach a lost world. It's NOT too hard for the LORD. Years from now, just up ahead, we're going to see young men and women testify against what happened to them today. They will be set free and healed and serving Jesus and telling it like it is!

Post #73 by Apostolic Kitty, I can imagine after being away you certainly must treasure being with your boy. Being home all of the time, I don't experience that in the same way I don't suppose. But I can't imagine it any other way.

Post # 74 by Melody, He did? Tell us more!

[Apostolic Kitty]

Okay. My comparisons probably weren't clear. What I meant was, why pick one area to be picky about and stay away from- if I stayed away from every organization that was wrong, I'd never do anything but stay home.
It's not that your comparisons weren't clear. It's that they weren't valid or relevant to the subject, as I've already pointed out to you.

I don't want to send them to public school so that I can concentrate on having a clean house. Puh-leeze. Let's be a little more courteous to one another, o.k.?
You implied that it was the case.

*I don't have confidence in my ability to manage homeschooling on top of everything else.
*I think they will receive a very good education. I will be assisting them at every step.
*The thought of trying to develop or find a good, challenging curriculum sounds overwhelming to me. The choices are huge.
*I don't think I can educate them myself to a level where they would enter University. I think they could be capable of that someday, I don't want to limit them.
*I don't want to homeschool. It doesn't sound any fun and I just don't want to do it. I don't think I'd be good at it and I don't think I would enjoy it.
*I don't think homeschooling is mandated by the Bible and I don't think my influence on my kids as morals-shaper, etc, ends when they walk in the school doors. What am I, chopped liver? What is God? School isn't this big huge inescapable monster that eats children alive, that we have no power against, that my kids are going to be too weak or helpless to do anything else but follow the whims of their peers, ever. Puh-leeze.
*My husband insists on public school.
Having confidence is not a necessity. It's a plus. There are many hsing parents who lack in confidence and find ways around the areas that intimidate them -- even the high school years.

Choosing curriculum that is challenging is easy -- especially once one taps into their resources....but, of course, there are those that do not use any type of curriculum at all.

Statistically, homeschoolers are more likely to be accepted into college AND have a tendancy to excel, both academically and socially.
http://www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID3625|CHID102011|CIID327089,00.html
http://randomseed.net/~julieclipse/education/education

And, actually, by sending them to ps you are limiting them. With hsling, the possibilities are limitless. Homeschooling is as fun/easy/boring/difficult as you make it.

I am sorry, and maybe in your area it's different, but I think you are fooling yourself if you think you have a real influence on how ps is run.

Here's an interesting link I was reading a few minutes ago that reminded me to check this thread's progress out.

http://newswithviews.com/Lamb/henry18.htm

[Apostolic Kitty]

It has nothing but a blast for my family. We are all enjoying ourselves. However, if I asked public school kids how much fun their work was, I wonder what they'd say. Can they just opt. out if it isn't fun?
I've never met a ps student who has ever said that homework is fun. In fact, my son used to wonder why he had to go over the same thing (that he already knew) AGAIN. No opting out of it either. If they don't do their work they get a detention and it affects their grades.

With homeschooling, once I know he understands a concept it's time to move on...

Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. Did God's ability protect Solomon from his own capability of deception? Be not deceived, evil communication corrupts good morals. Holiness doesn't rub off, but unholiness does. The companion of fools will become a fool. There are many scriptures about foolish associations and the power of peer pressure on kids. I have seen the horrible results.
Just bears repeating. :)

[Apostolic Kitty]

I've always held a differing view of that. Let me explain: plants spend there early stages of growth in a nursery to insure their success outside. If a seedling is left to the elements then it becomes weak. Instead, it is sheltered until it is strong enough to withstand the opposing forces of nature. There is no advantage to unnecessarily exposing our little ones to the brutality of the world before they are mature in the faith.
That was my point. I just didn't know how to make it since I am not too keen on gardening practices. Thanks for explaining for me! :)

[lamama]

When parents send their children to government schools, they relinquish their God given rights and privileges to oversee the indoctrination and training up of their children the way Holy Scripture instructs.

Relinquish - Click here to see the definition (http://www.wordsmyth.net/live/home.php?script=search&matchid=34769&matchtarget=7&returnFields=PRO,DEF,SIC,DER,CRF,INF,EXA,SYC,SYN,S IM,SYL,PHR)

Note that one synonym for relinquish is abandon.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: ... When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. II Timothy 1:1,2,5

It sounds like Paul was giving honor to the good teaching team that Timothy had as a young man - his grandmother and mother!

While A.K. is sharing some links, please allow me to share www.SepSchool.org

Click here for the Separation of School and State (http://www.SepSchool.org) website and to sign the petition, publicly proclaiming your favor of the end to secular, Government involvement in the education/ indoctrination of children.

[Apostolic Kitty]

If I wouldn't deliver my kids to a Catholic Sunday School one hour a week, why in the world would I deliver them to a humanist "Sunday School" 40 HOURS a week?!
Amen! Amen! :)

[Apostolic Kitty]

the same Spanish course that is used by NASA, the Peace Corp, and the military.
Interesting. what course is that?

I was able to buy the Berlitz Spanish program at Barnes & Nobles for $10 marked down. I think it was so cheap because it's the one with cassettes -- not cds. He's going to begin working on that in March.

[Apostolic Kitty]

Agatha Christie
I believe my boy is reading an Agatha Christie Book right now...

[Apostolic Kitty]

I'm glad you said that. I agree that reading is the key. We have a little children's book about the story of Jonah from the "Alice in Bibleland" series. It has a little saying that goes, "Reading is the special key, to take you where you want to be!"
I bought the entire Alice in Bibleland series for my boy when he was younger. He loved them. I am a book lover and kept them for the "next child" I would have (who has not yet come), but recently delivered them to my best friend, who is 4 months pregnant with her first (a boy!). I told her it was major for me to give those away, but I also know that they are just an addition to the list of things she and I consider "ours".

Oh, btw, my son has a deep love for poetry. He even won a state competition for one he wrote.

[Apostolic Kitty]

Sister those that are calling every child in need of medicine don't like children. Children need to run,jump and play.What we have is people who want children to be mini adults which they are not.lv sis.c
Isn't it something how they want to drug children to keep them from running around, yet complain that they don't get enough exercise and are overweight couch potatos who are addicted to video games....

[Apostolic Kitty]

Click here to sign the petition for the Separation of School and State (http://www.sepschool.org/)!
I love it...and am all for school and state being seperate!!!

[lynn]

It's called "Rosetta Stone", (In case you went to public school, that's not a lady, that's a stone discovered by Neopolian's forces that was the key to deciphering Egyptian Hyroglyphics). Anyway, it's a CD-Rom program and it is so amazing! Although it does ultimately advance to reading, writing, conjugation of verbs, and pronunciation via your microphone, the first and second level are exclusively photograph identification. It works just like a child learns their primary language. You are given 4 beautiful photos and the word is spoken. You just listen and select the correct picture. My son, Samuel, pointed out that learning a foreign language is simply learning synonyms if you really think about it. Well said, Samuel! The best thing about this little gem is the fact that everyone in the room starts picking up the language effortlessly from exposure. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PROGRAM. Another good one is the Muzzy video course. Rosetta Stone offers over 30 languages now, but we felt that Spanish would be most practical for our needs.

Isn't it wonderful how my husband and myself, who endured lifeless language classes with zero retention now get to actually learn something because of homeschooling!? When I think of the out-dated and error-ridden materials I've seen friends' children bring home, Ugh.(not to mention LIBERAL!) Our school district which can't even afford band, foreign language, and had just cut their sports team as well, "permanently misplaced" 61 MILLION dollars. The news says they are siting "an accounting error". LOL. It's funny, but it's not. I weep for those kids' futures.

Anyway, back to CD-ROMS. Let me add a few others to the list. My husband and I just love these.Homeschooling materials handed our God-given curiosity back to us on a silver platter! (a post public school resurrection x 2)

Mavis Beacon typing uses games to teach touch-typing. Instant Immersion American Sign Language is very well done and fun. Lego Chess is a favorite with the boys. "Word Roots" for Greek and Latin.(Criticalthinking.com) All of the Tycoon games teach business, profit, etc. Oh, I could go on and on, but those just HAD to be shared!

[Apostolic Kitty]

Lynn:

I have heard rave reviews about Rosetta Stone -- and even have a sample disc -- but I cannot afford that program. It is WAAAY too expensive. I was delighted to find Berlitz for $10.

My son, who was a hunt and peck typer, now types 35 wpm after 20 lessons out of a keyboarding book my husband used in college.

We have not yet gone the route of sign languge, though I intend on it.

I just recently bought Editor in Chief (also a criticalthinking.com publication) for my boy. Between that, reading and doing book reports (mostly fun ones), he's pretty much got any language arts activities covered.

I want Zoo Tycoon for myself....lol

[lynn]

What can the most well meaning parent NOT control when they choose government education? THE TEACHINGS.No parental consent involved. Many classes restrict the textbooks from leaving school grounds and refer to their content as "confidential" to classroom discussion alone.

Values Clarification- As early as 2nd grade- textbook excerpts
Do you like your parents?
Do your parents really understand you?
Do they ever lie to you?
Would you rather live with someone else?
What do you hate about your home?
Do you pray? Why?
Have you ever wished you were dead?
Would you like to have a different family?
Why did your parents get married?
Do you believe your parents are properly trained or skilled to help you with your problems?
Will you vow to keep all classroom counseling sessions secret?
What is a woman's role in a family today?
According to what we've learned about situational ethics, is any given action wrong in every circumstance?(Would it be wrong to steal medicine?)
What is the difference between mythology and religion?

Values Clarification classes have included the following-(all of which receive our tax dollars for not only appearing, but as donations to their organizations)
National Abortion Rights Action League speakers
Homosexual Rights Advocate speakers
ACLU representatives
Feminist groups speakers

Adolescent textbook questionarre for 8th grade girls-
Developing a value system that is different from the past generations and relevant to our modern culture, check the following as they apply to your own new value system-
holding hands, french kissing, petting, self gratification, love making with a person of the same sex, smoking marijuana, getting drunk, swearing, seeing sex in movies, having intercourse without a marriage, getting an abortion, taking pills.

Teacher is instructed in sex Ed. book to display overhead transparency listing medical terminology for private parts. Students in darkened room are instructed to shout out slang equivelents to be listed.

Plastic male genitalia model is passed around class for the purpose of each child learning to put on a condom. 6th grade! Female plastic model is used for tampon insertion.

Students in social studies classes might not notice that the majority of textbooks replace the word "students" with the word "workers". This is socialist language modification.

Children's readers have been overhauled to erase all traces of examples of "homemakers" and portray women completely in employed roles deemed worthy by society. Firewoman, doctor, etc.

Moral judgements-Textbook examples
Okay, you three boys hop into this boat. You are adrift at sea. There simply is not enough food for everyone. Which member of your crew is least useful to society and must be sacrificed?
Everyone gather in the circle. We will place our pennies into the middle. Billy, you brought 40. Sam, you brought 10. Lisa, you brought 0.Is that fair? Let's divide these pennies up so that all can share. If you can't share, you won't be very popular to the rest of us. Shouldn't we even share with other Nations?(This is called wealth redistibution. It is a communists practice and liberals call it Welfare or on a larger scale Globalism. This appears in a 3rd grade textbook. Are you familiar with pooling materials such as tissue, cleaners, pencils, etc. One child brings nothing, some bring a little, all is equally shared?This is referred to by the NEA as "early redisribution intervention" and later labeled "just short of funds" to the public.)

Ethical relativism-
Do you believe that your parents are always right?
Do you believe that any of your actions can be called wrong by other persons?
Is there ever a time when hard decisions must be made out of necessity that may not agree with older generational ethics?
Is there a time when you have to lie for a good reason?
Would it ultimately be a bad or good thing to receive an abortion at a schoolgrounds clinic without your parents ever finding out?
Is it wrong for a man to view Playboy if it prevents him from commiting a rape?

Overall, textbooks now either eliminate the fact that the 20 previous centuries were shaped by Christianity, or they portray Christians as intolerant, uncaring, and prejuduced peoples.

Sex Ed. textbooks as early as 1st grade now portray two embracing male or female "partners" as parents of children.

In Death Education textbooks, we find assignments to write one's own suicide note, plan a murder, dress for the Mexican celebration of the "Day of the Dead".

Easter break became Spring Break. Christmas vacation became holiday vacation or winter break. Religious symbols of every faith are readily displayed except for Christianity which is labeled uninclusive. Halloween is honored abundantly.

Drug Abuse classes make statements such as these. "There is little differnce between cocaine and caffeine. Almost everyone uses drugs on a daily basis for their needs. You must learn to choose the most productive ones."

Multiculturism class-
The children reenact a tribal lottery that results in the stoning of one woman to satisfy the gods.
Children dress in Muslim garb and chant to Alah.

Sources-
Child Abuse in the Classroom- Phyllis Schlafly
Why So Many Christian Parents are Going Home to School- Llewellyn Davis
The Underground History of American Education- John Taylor Gatto- Former New York Teacher of the Year
Schoolproof- Mary Pride

I could go ON AND ON.

We who homeschool understand why we've chosen as we have. We see the children in our churches turning against God. We will not grow weary in well-doing and in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

[lynn]

Many of the other materials that we buy are holiday gifts. We also have given a copy of the Mindware catalog to each and every relative! We don't receive useless and noisy toys now. Lol. We are focusing on quality over quantity.(Oh don't get me started on Mindware!)

[Melody]

Many of the other materials that we buy are holiday gifts. We also have given a copy of the Mindware catalog to each and every relative! We don't receive useless and noisy toys now. Lol. We are focusing on quality over quantity.(Oh don't get me started on Mindware!)
What is mindware and do you have a link to it?

[lynn]

www.mindwareonline.com (http://www.mindwareonline.com)

Some other treasure troves:
www.childsbooks.com (http://www.childsbooks.com)
www.lovetolearn.net (http://www.lovetolearn.net)
www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com (http://www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com)
www.answersingenesis.org (http://www.answersingenesis.org)
www.hearthsong.com (http://www.hearthsong.com) A FAVORITE SIMILAR TO MINDWARE
www.hometrainingtools.com (http://www.hometrainingtools.com)
www.legoshop.com (http://www.legoshop.com)
www.orientaltrading.com (http://www.orientaltrading.com)
www.naturesworkshopplus.com (http://www.naturesworkshopplus.com)
www.highlights.com (http://www.highlights.com)
www.youngexplorers.com (http://www.youngexplorers.com)
www.timberdoodle.com (http://www.timberdoodle.com)

[lynn]

Our son, Samuel's, latest favorite debate-team clincher. "Nietzsche is dead". Lol.

I also, (okay, I'm a little biased), found his recent analogy between homeschooling and boot camp to be incredible. He observed that he is in boot camp right now preparing for his life as a father, husband, and mature Christian man, and was glad that his training was Christian because so many of the kids at church are confused or afraid of being uncool. Boy, am I a happy camper that my kids aren't.;)

Also, some may not be aware of the perks of homeschooling support groups. For instance, one local homeschool support group, made up of over 400 families from the tri-county area, offers any or all of the following; class rings, year books, cap and gown senior walk ceremony , marching and symphonic band, scouts, 4-H, dance and gymnastics, dramatic performance, private music instruction, cheer leading, sports team competition, etc. (Much led by volunteers free of charge, and all inclusive of entire family participation. Talk about team-work.) There are about a million ways to homeschool!

Homeschooling- It's not what you thought it was.

[ddc101]

Thank you sister for the links.I loved the Mosiac coloring books...gotta have em....lv sis.c

[lynn]

It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the curiosity of inquiery. Albert Einstein

There is nothing on earth intended for innocent people so horrible as a school. George Bernard Shaw

I tried to never let my schooling interfere with my education. Mark Twain

My grandmother wanted me to have an education, so she kept me out of school. Margaret Mead

When I think back on all the nonsense I was taught in school, it's a wonder I can think at all. Paul Simon

How I hated schools, and what a life of anxiety I lived there. I counted the hours to the end of every term, when I should return home. Winston Churchill

I taught public school for 26 years, but I just can't do it anymore. For years I asked the school board to let me teach a curriculum that doesn't hurt kids, but they always had other fish to fry. If you hear of a job where I don't have to hurt kids to make a living, let me know. The truth is that schools don't really teach anything, but blind obedience. John Taylor Gatto- New York Teacher of the Year

I loathed everyday and regret every moment I spent in a school. Woody Allen

Education is nothing like the filling of a reluctant pail. It is the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats

Schools don't care one bit what students think. John Holt

I am beginning to suspect all elaborate and special systems of education. They seem to be built on the supposition that every child is a kind of idiot who must be taught to think.Let him touch real things and combine his impressions for himself, instead of sitting indoors at a little round table while a syrupy-voiced teacher suggest that he build a stone wall with his wooden blocks, or make a rainbow out of strips of coloured paper, or plant straw trees in bead flower pots. Such "teaching" fills the mind with artificial associations which must be gotten rid of, before the child can develop any independent ideas out of actual experience. Anne Sullivan

I remember that I was never able to get along at school. I was at the foot of the class. Thomas Edison

Together we have come to realize that the right to learn is curtailed by the obligation to attend school. Ivan Illach

[lynn]

He was a quiet little boy.
One morning, the teacher said,
"Today we are going to make a picture."
"Good!", thought the little boy. He liked to make pictures. He could make all kinds; lions and tigers, chickens and cows, trains and boats. And he took out his box of crayons and began to draw.
But the techer said, "Wait until I say go." ....... "Now," said the teacher, "We are going to make flowers."
"Good!" thought the little boy. He liked to make flowers. He could make all kinds. And he began to make beautiful ones with his pink and blue and orange crayons.
But the teacher said, "Wait, I must show you how." And she drew a flower on the blackboard. It was red with a green stem. "There," said the teacher, "now you may begin."
The little boy looked at the teacher's flower. Then he looked at his own flowers.He liked his flowers better than the teacher's flower, but he did not say this. He just turned his paper over and drew a flower like the teacher's flower. It was red with a green stem.

On another day, the teacher said, "Today we are going to make something with clay." "Good!" thought the little boy. He liked clay. He could make all kinds of things with clay, snakes and snowmen, elephants and mice, cars and trucks. He began to pull and pinch his clay.
But the teacher said, "Wait, It's not time to begin." ....."Now," said the teacher, "We are going to make dishes." "Good!" thought the little boy. He liked to make dishes. He could make all kinds. And he began to make some. They were all shapes and sizes.
But the teacher said, "Wait, I must show you how." And she showed everyone how to make one deep dish. "There," said the teacher. "Now you may begin."
The little boy looked at the teacher's dish. Then he looked at his own. He liked his dishes better than the teacher's dish. But he did not say this. He just rolled his clay back into a big ball and made a dish like teacher's dish. It was a deep dish.

And soon the boy learned to always wait to be told. And he learned to watch and make things exactly like teacher. And pretty soon, he didn't make things of his own anymore.

Then it happened that the little boy didn't go to the school. He learned at home. The first day, his mother said, "Today we could make pictures." "Okay," said the little boy, "what do I have to make?"
"I won't know until you make it", said mom.
"How shall I make it?" said the little boy.
"Why, any way you like," said mom.
"And any color?" asked the little boy.
"Any color," said mom. "If all people made the same picture and used the same colors, how would I know who made what and which was which?"
"I don't know," said the little boy.(He seemed to say that a lot)
And after a moment he began to make a flower.

It was red, with a green stem.

[lynn]

I'd like to propose, only half tongue-in-cheek, that I have discovered a new learning disability, which I am giving the name "Effective Education Deficit Disorder" (or E.D.D.T.), though it closely correlates with another condition, "Attention Deficit Teaching Disorder:" (A.D.T.D), the difference being that the second disorder is specifically tied to the classroom, while the first may manifest itself more widely in other venues as well.

Both disorders (which only seem to afflict adults within the teaching occupation when they are trying to interact with children for purposes having to do with "education") can be diagnosed by the presence of atleast four of the following six conditions:

1) The patient is unable to focus on the learning needs or desires of any individual child (or at least not for more than three minutes at any given time---hence the "attention deficit"),

2) The patient is unable to interact flexibly with the learning timetable of any individual child. On the contrary, the patient expresses irritability (sometimes extreme) when children cannot or will not conform to his or her teaching timetable. "Jumpiness" and "impulsive behavior" are two of the hallmarks of EEDD/ADTD.

3) The patient suffers from a minor form of dementia or other "thought disorder", and believes that learning takes place through the unadulterated transfer of information from his or her own head to that of another, physically smaller one. At it's worst, this thought disorder may express itself in feelings of grandiosity regarding one's own thought, and a belief that little is to be gained by allowing children to express their own. It may often manifest itself in belligerent tones of voice, or unnatural facial expressions.

4)The patient suffers from obsessive compulsive disorders. These may take the form of requiring regimentation in arrangement of furniture, rigorous requirements regarding handwriting or form of address, the lining up of objects or other human beings in size places (only according to vertical, and never horizontal, size) or alphabetically, a lack of regard for the personal space of others, the overly fastidious arrangement of materials on walls and bulletin boards, and a sometimes fanatical regard for the importance of what he or she refers to as "neatness".The disorder may also manifest itself in repetitive speech.Disruption of expected spacial or chronological patterns or routines may result in symptomatic expressions of irritability, anger, difficulty in focusing, and other attention deficits and, in some cases, may the result in the patient choosing to self-medicate, usually with alcohol, tobacco, or the illicit use of prescription drugs.

5) The patient believes that the most effective learning takes place within his/her highly controlled environment (despite all evidence to the contrary), with strict grouping of human beings according to chronological age, and reduced contact with other human activity taking place outside the small indoor cubic space to which he/she is confined.

6) The patient has grandiose opinions regarding the importance of the activity in which he/she is engaged, despite the opinions of others as expressed in financial renumeration or social status.

TREATMENT:

EEDD and ADTD are difficult to treat effectively, especially as stage 2 and 3 of the disorder are often accompanied by denial. There may be genetic presuppositions to the two related disorders, though symptomology is most often environmentally enduced. It is important to recognize that both EEDD and ADTD are chronic diseases, characterized by frequent relapses, and must be treated accordingly. Pharmacological interventions are under development. It is recommended that the patient be removed from the environment where symptoms manifest themselves, preferably for the long term.
Group therapy and self-help groups such as EA (Educators Anonymous) and TIR (Teachers in Recovery) have shown promise, especially with attention to the first 2 steps in the 12 step process.
(1. We admit that we were powerless over our disorder, and that our lives had become unmanageable; and 2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.") Compassion, rather than ridicule or stigmatization, should be shown toward the unfortunate sufferers.

Large amounts of outdoor exposure during daylight hours are recommended. It is also highly advisable that contact with children be carefully controlled, and limited to recreational activities, preferably to those in which the patient has no experience. Once symptoms are under control, patients should be encouraged to engage in therapeutic learning activities, preferably those which may have been denied to them during their own childhoods.

[lamama]

Then it happened that the little boy didn't go to the school. He learned at home. The first day, his mother said, "Today we could make pictures." "Okay," said the little boy, "what do I have to make?"
"I won't know until you make it", said mom.
"How shall I make it?" said the little boy.
"Why, any way you like," said mom.
"And any color?" asked the little boy.
"Any color," said mom. "If all people made the same picture and used the same colors, how would I know who made what and which was which?"
"I don't know," said the little boy.(He seemed to say that a lot)
And after a moment he began to make a flower.

It was red, with a green stem...

Thank you Lynn for more delicious morsels of wisdom. The "Little Boy Who Went to School" is heartbreaking. :cry: Do you really think that's what happened to us? I sure seem to identify. Thank the Lord that He is able to reverse the affects and turn the bad into good.

Here's a link to the documentary I mentioned earlier, that John Taylor Gatto (New York City Teacher of the Year Three Times) and Roland Legiardi-Laura (filmaker and poet) are working on.

It's entitled, The Fourth Purpose (http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/fourthpurpose/gatto.htm) and is acclaimed to be "A hard hitting, humorous & compelling exploration of American compulsory schooling ."

Click here for the homepage: John Taylor Gatto (http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/index.htm)

Group therapy and self-help groups such as EA (Educators Anonymous) and TIR (Teachers in Recovery) have shown promise, especially with attention to the first 2 steps in the 12 step process.
(1. We admit that we were powerless over our disorder, and that our lives had become unmanageable; and 2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.") Compassion, rather than ridicule or stigmatization, should be shown toward the unfortunate sufferers.

Large amounts of outdoor exposure during daylight hours are recommended. It is also highly advisable that contact with children be carefully controlled, and limited to recreational activities, preferably to those in which the patient has no experience. Once symptoms are under control, patients should be encouraged to engage in therapeutic learning activities, preferably those which may have been denied to them during their own childhoods.


LOL ... I can see why you said that you meant this "HALF" tongue in cheek!

The labeling of children must stop. And the labeling of the system, (Mass Compulsory Schooling) thank you Lynn, has begun! The sickness doesn't lie with little children who want to run and play and own their childhood. The sickness lies with a system that tells them not to run and play and that they have no right to childhood or say so in what *they* would like to learn.

If any adults human rights were violated in the way children's are by being *forced* to attend school, what might happen?

btw...regarding "The Fourth Purpose," anyone who contributes at least $25.00 to help finance the documentary will have their name listed in the rolling credits at the end. Neat huh!

[Apostolic Kitty]

I am so blessed.

Fortunately my boy has always been one to think outside the box and has not bought everything they had tried to cram down his throat in school. I believe that comes with praying favor over him all those years when I had no choice but to send him to the government school.

The teachers loved him and did not stifle his creativity as much as possible. However, I could see where that was coming in future times...and rapidly....before I pulled him out.

He was the child in kindergarten who sequenced the pictures the opposite of the rest of the class and, when asked why, the teacher wrote me a note letting me know she was impressed at his story. What impressed me was that the story not only was unique, but had a positive outcome (kid gets ice cream and gets happier), rather than the negative outcome the curriculum expected the kids to reach (kid loses ice cream and gets sad).

He was also the child who refused to clap for himself the first day in school because, as he stated to the reporter visiting his classroom that day, you're not supposed to clap for yourself because other people are supposed to clap for you. LOL

His first grade teacher recommended him for gifted classes at the end of the year. He went from second to fifth grade. It was the only thing that truly challenged and excited him in school, though it was only a few hours a week. No one there told him how to think. In fact, they encouraged him in his individuality and did things to excercise the mind.

He's never been one to follow the crowd, but lead it. He was an officer in the Jr. Beta Club -- the reporter.

He challenged the girl playing first chair flute in band and won....till she challenged him back several months later and he lost.

He would not allow the other kids to influence what he read, even though some of them were racking up the ARP points by reading those god-awful Harry Potter books.

He also had a tendancy to keep peace among other children in his group who would get into little tiffs with each other.

Not only that, but the boy loves cats. He had to give a report about his lifetime and got stuck talking about his cats (no comments, oldpreach!) when it came time to tell about his pets. LOL

He also won first place in state for writing a poem about a book they read in class.

I'm very proud of my boy still.

he began to read a book for homeschooling that I considered questionable. I trusted him with it, though. I told him if anything in it seemed wrong or made him uneasy to let me know. He did, so I am not expecting him to read it. Talk about being proud that he recognized something wrong and spoke up! :)

[ddc101]

Sister that is a boy that can do something for Jesus with the right direction.Is he a bible quizzer? lv sis.c