Educational Maelstrom
by Shirley M.R. Minster
A maelstrom is a powerful, dangerous current of water that moves in a circular pattern and is violent in nature. Interestingly, it is usually the result of conflicting tides. Some educational systems are similar to maelstroms. Children are hearing many conflicting ideas and it is causing them much confusion in the elementary years and great consternation in high school.
Does College Fit With Homeshooling?
by Peter Kowalke
Homeschoolers excel in college. But is college a temporary solution for homeschoolers until they, as a movement, find a better alternative?
How Do Homeschooling Parents Know What Their Children Are Learning?
by Jan Hunt
The assumption that homeschooling parents somehow lack awareness of their children's progress, and therefore require formal evaluation of that progress, is related to the fact that homeschoolers function beyond the arena of the schools, and our philosophies and methods are not always well-understood.
Unit Studies 101
by Amanda Bennett
Just exactly what is a unit study? After all, they are in all of the catalogs, talked about in the magazines, and people in the support groups rave about them. What are they? Why can't we just all use textbooks for curriculum? Just as with clothing, shoes, or so many other things in life, even for curriculum,
We all know that there is no such thing as "One Size Fits All!"
Amanda's Effective Education
by Jon Remmerde
Amanda, 16, hiked twice that sunny day, on the ranch we took care of in the Rocky Mountains. Most of the rest of the day, she wrote, building a novel. Laura asked me, "Do you think we should insist Amanda use some of her time to learn science and math?"
Lord, Meet Me In The Laundry Room
by Barbara Curtis (Book Excerpt)
What drives a mother to pick up a book about mothering? I mean, it's not like we have a lot of time to read. If you're like me, then it might be the vague feeling that since we've got questions – how do we find more patience/organization/discipline/happiness? – someone must have the answers.
How To Reduce Aggression
by Dave Marks
This is an exercise for students eleven to eighteen and all husbands. All of us, at some time or an other, have displeased those people we're responsible to, those we love or those who have the job of training us. It's got to happen.
Good News/Bad News for Stay-At-Home Moms
(Viewpoints) by Phyllis Schlafly
When Time Magazine runs a cover story called "The Case for Staying Home," and Reuters reports that housework is good for women because it can help prevent ovarian cancer, you know the feminists are on the run. Stay-at-home moms are coming back in style.
Everybody Else's Mother
by Debbie Farmer
It seems my 11-year-old daughter has a new friend. Although I haven't met her, I've heard a lot about her. Apparently she's the same age, height, and build as my daughter, but with bright blue hair, multiple body piercings, and a henna snake tattoo. She wears things like sliced-up jeans and suede halter-tops...
Kids and Clutter
by Carolyn Campbell
Five years ago, I won the CHAOS contest sponsored by my local newspaper. CHAOS is an acronym for "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome," because my house was so cluttered and disorganized. When my sister suggested that my husband, Griff, and I enter the competition, I wasn't humiliated--I just laughed because we were so deserving. To walk through our house, my family automatically stepped over an assortment of clutter that included everything from cassette tape cases to diaper wipes. If a plastic toy part broke underfoot, we didn't even flinch. We were used to looking through piles of disarray to find a paper or pencil--any coupons we uncovered were already expired.
Kitchen Table Classroom: Beach Days
by Diane Wilton
It's difficult to settle down with pencil and paper with the sun out and sand between our toes, so why bother? Here are some fun beach ideas to keep our hands and minds moving:
Homeschooling: Bonding, Closeness and Family Unity
by Dorothy Moore (1915- 2002)
As we all headed for home, we noticed that mother and daughters walked off hand-in-hand, as special friends do. This reminded us that the family togetherness which homeschoolers enjoy is probably the one best thing that we hear about in letters and phone calls from parents.
Homeschooling in the News: Schoolhouse Rocked
by Michelle Bates Deakin
Maureen Carey's Cambridge living room looks more like a teenage slumber party than an English class. Eight kids sprawl across the faded Oriental rugs and overstuffed armchairs in various degrees of slouch.
Read, Read!
by Jon Remmerde
Juniper read to Laura and Amanda in the living room. From my desk, a room away, I missed some of what she read, but I picked up the book and caught up when I had time. Sometimes I joined my family as they gathered together and read, but I often had work to do and missed out on part of it.
Dear Mrs. Web - Tackles hard questions dealing with life in general.
