Out with the old, and a bit of Disbelief.

This is the time of year when old curriculum is gathered together and either donated or sold to make room for new books, and manuals. Homeschool fairs pop up all over the country as well as used swaps in nearby parking lots. Some wait until the new season for school begins, but this is the time of year that our family has begun to think of purchasing what we will use for the coming year, though this year there will be no deleniation between actual years since the children will homeschool even through the summer. For the last 3 years we've used sonlight 1 and sonlight 2 for our children's history, bible, and language arts. We were blessed to find a friend who sold us sonlight 2 for really pennies compared to its retail price, and now we're about to gather all these things up and ebay them in hopes of purchasing Sonlights Core 3+4 program. This is a program that covers the age range of 8 to 12 years of age depending on reading and comprehension abilities. It is adaptable for the younger and even older so the 3+4 is not necessarily a grade designation.

There have been occasions when the neighborhood children talk of their school experiences and are suprised to learn we keep no grades, and track no attendence. We use a redo until correct method. When there are wrong answers the child is simple asked to try again. In out school settings there is really no time for this as there are too many students for a teacher in keeping with schedules and time restraints to allow for this. We test very little. Spelling tests are the bulk of our testing and in truth through the use of various curriculums is minimally required. These facts catch many on the hop. Much about our lives surprises people. Most believe it necessary for us to keep the same degree of information collected of children in "out" schools, but as we are always in touch of their progress or lack there of personally grades are merely unnecessary, and as we attend to one another on a daily basis keeping attendance is hardly required. I say this of elementary students however, and as they progress in a few years from elementary years to middle years and highschool years it will be increasingly important for us to keep such records for the sake of their having a transcript for college but not much beyond serving this purpose.

There was a time in the not too distant past when we were called upon to keep records as the state we lived in required. We are blessed now to live within a state that is less intrusive and in so freeing of bureaucracy that we may focus on the sole task at hand. I will continue to keep a portfolio or year book for their pleasure. I hope they will one day seek to look back on the work and projects they completed as a source of pride. On rare occasions I will see them pull out a set and reminisce about old work or field trip photos. I really love when they do that.

child violence

all I see is darkness
down the end of that barrel there

all the twisted faces
infinite anguish screams all's not fair

children come in armed
they do not understand what life awaits

by evil each is charmed
prison and juvy hall becomes their fate

who can give them hope
what magic fix breaks wicked spell

will they find a summons envelope
when the friend they trusted most is fell'd

parents, friends, people please
put to end their anger I implore

death at child's door teases
crush it down, lock it out. I implore!

My Suggested Reading List for Newcomers to Homeschooling

This is a post I left on a local group in the city I live. It's a suggested reading list for new homeschoolers, enjoy!


Suggestion #1-I give you a reading list. I've homeschooled for 4years now, and have to say I wouldn't change the decision for all theworld. There are many things I could have learned the easy way, ifI'd done my homework first though.First of all there's no such thing as ADD or ADHD in homeschooling.It does not have to exist. But if you or your Dr's feel this is astrong enough conflict to your child's education you may considerreading....You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy by Kate Kelly and Someone-Ramundo...this is a book about coping with ADD and ADHD. It was veryhelpful for me..as I was labeled ADD. And I'm terrible aboutremembering the authors of these books.If there are more pressing needs to be addressed then there is:Homeschooling the Special Needs Child--can't remember the authorDebra Bell wrote: The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling. This book ischock full of information about every corner of homeschooling and amust have resource.Easy Homeschooling--great examples of day to day living, as well asfrugal tips. The third edition of this book was just recentlypublished and was nicely updated.Guerilla Learning--co-authored by Grace Llewellyn(spelling) and Ican't remember the other woman's name. But so far a very good book.Anything by John Taylor GattoAnything by John Holt--I like: How Children Learn, and Instead ofEducation.
Suggestion #2 is to use your library to it's fullest extent. It isyour most valuable and least expensive resource hands down. Anythingyou want to learn or teach can be found there and if it's not thereit can be transfered to there. ALL FOR FREE!!!Now there are many more books upon my shelf HOWEVER I suggested thesebecause I think they will be most helpful to you in light of yourconcerns regarding the ADHD and any other needs there are. Thesebooks fall more closely towards unschooling...but if you prefer tohave a more structured parent led homeschool then you may considerrelaxed homeschooling and I would suggest reading up on philosophiessuch as Charlotte Mason, Sonlight (which can be as structured as youwant), and Unit Studies like Konos,
Suggestion #3--It may be tempting to forgo all this information andjump right out and buy a curriculum to get started but here are a fewthings to take into consideration (based on your experience withhomeschooling past or present you may filter)They are not necessarilyin order.1. You can not fully facilitate your child's learning if you are notwilling to learn along with them. So don't skip the learning you canglean from these reads..."I wish" sure doesn't make up for lostopportunity.2. You can not homeschool at all without understanding the gravity ofhomeschooling. Every single day, all day long, is an opportunity forlearning, strengthening your relationship and having fun with yourchildren.3. You homeschool for them, not for you, so consider their educationpriority one and household duties, errands, and hobbies secondly.Time is on yourside if you use it wisely.4. GET CONNECTED and STAY connected. More than once my homeschoolgroup has been my lifeline to sanity, and my inspiration for change.Internet is great for a few things, but there is no substitute forreal families sharing their journey with each other as well asencouraging one another face to face. "You can do this!" soundsbetter in person.5.Once your family has decided to homeschool look the people whoquestion in the eye and let them know you've made the best decisionfor your family. Then give them my reading list. These are guaranteedto put the muzzle on the nay sayers.6. If you're married make sure your spouse in on board fully.Homeschooling is a 100% family affair in my book. A nay saying spousecan undermind any goals you and your children set for theireducation. Not to mention you're spouse will be much moreunderstanding and supportive when problems arise if he/she alreadyagrees that this is the best choice for your family.7. When you pull your child out of school they need time to make theadjustment from school routine to a home routine. They need to adjustfrom the teacher to mom teaching, and they need the opportunity todiscover what they can learn for themselves. Keep your eyes open forareas of greatest interest and focus on having fun with those beforeyou whip out any serious curriculum. There is no such thing asfalling behind in homeschooling either so give them all the time theyneed.8 As with all good natured and friendly advice "Eat the watermelon,and spit out the seeds." Take what you need from all this anddisregard the rest.Welcome to a terrific journey!!