Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Homeschooling in the News

I cannot stress it enough -- know your rights and know what's going on in your community. Knowing your rights isn't enough if you don't use that knowledge to defend yourself--and knowing what's going on won't do you any good if you don't know your rights. Be aware.

We endeavor to keep you well-informed about issues in the community, but we can't monitor every action in every community. In many cases, we don't even know about an issue until after it's been resolved.

Homeschoolers in Mississippi recently had their rights challenged by Judge Joe Dale Walker of the 13th Cnancery District Court, who issued a court order in late March that ordered attendance officers to give him the names and addresses of all homeschooling students and parents in his jurisdiction. Thankfully, the families who received letters from those attendance officers obtained assistance from HSLDA, who challenged it in court. Thankfully, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in favor of the homeschooling families.

While seeking names and addresses may seem innocent and harmless, Mississippi homeschool mom Natalie West Winningham pointed out, "If I were a vigilante judge who got my hands on a database of homeschoolers’ names and addresses, perhaps I would cross-reference it with past criminal records, DHS cases, driving records, credit histories, tax information, etc. And if I thought I could get away with it, maybe I’d send someone to your home to interview you and hope that you don’t know your legal rights. I’m not saying that Judge Walker would do those things. But there are many possibilities and none of them are pleasant." (Quote taken from the article in The New American... Read more about the case and about Natalie Winningham on her blog, Ramblings Rants & Remedies)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Build Sight Reading Skills

Reading is an essential life skill that challenges many parents and students. Even individuals who know how to read aren't often interested in exercising that skill. For many, reading takes too much time and effort.

Sight-reading is very beneficial. It increases reading speed and allows the reader to focus on the meaning and not the phonics of the words. Skilled readers often recognize the shape of the word without analyzing the individual letters. Building this skill in yourself and your children will make reading much faster and easier!

To encourage my children to sight read, I labelled everything in the house. I used wide strips of paper and a bold permanent marker to clearly write the names of all the large items in the house. The couch, refrigerator, door, wall, windows, bathtub, computer--everything was labelled. Visitors thought I was crazy, but the strategy is effective! It allows children to see the word and the object at the same time.

Flashcards are another easy and successful sight reading method. Make flashcards of the most commonly used words (listed below) and words that you frequently use, such as names of family members. Use a stopwatch to see how long it takes your child to recognize all the words. Set time limits and have the children compete against the stopwatch.

Another way to practice sight reading is by reading Dr. Seuss books aloud. These books are made up primarily of the most commonly used words, and they are excellent practice. Parents can improve skills by reading to their children. =D

The 100 most commonly read words are:
  1. the 
  2. of
  3. and
  4. a
  5. to
  6. in
  7. is
  8. you
  9. that
  10. it
  11. he
  12. was
  13. for
  14. on
  15. are
  16. as
  17. with
  18. his
  19. they
  20. I
  21. at
  22. be
  23. this
  24. have
  25. from

  26. or
  27. one
  28. had 
  29. by
  30. word
  31. but
  32. not
  33. what 
  34. all
  35. where we 
  36. when 
  37. your
  38. can
  39. said
  40. there
  41. use
  42. an
  43. each
  44. which
  45. she
  46. do
  47. how
  48. their
  49. if
  50. will
  51. up
  52. other
  53. about
  54. out
  55. many
  56. then
  57. them
  58. these
  59. so
  60. some
  61. her
  62. would
  63. make
  64. like
  65. him
  66. into
  67. time
  68. has
  69. look
  70. two
  71. more
  72. write
  73. go
  74. see
  75. number
  76. no
  77. way
  78. could
  79. people
  80. my
  81. than 
  82. first
  83. water
  84. been
  85. call
  86. who
  87. oil
  88. its
  89. now
  90. find
  91. long
  92. down
  93. day
  94. did 
  95. get
  96. come
  97. made
  98. may
  99. part
For a list of the 1000 most commonly used words, visit http://web1.d25.k12.id.us/home/curriculum/fuw.pdf



Monday, April 18, 2011

Homeschooling in the News

Several news reports caught my attention recently, and I would like to share them with you.

#1:  Homeschoolers Prevail in Illinois

Despite the dangers and failings of Chicago schools, Illinois state senator Edward Maloney (D-Chicago) has decided to crack down on children who do not attend public schools. Maloney, the sponsor of Illinois' Senate Bill 136, said, ""We're not after private school students... What we want is to know where homeschoolers are."

He can't understand why approximately 4,000 homeschooling parents and children gathered at the state capital in February to protest the bill. However, the bill has since died.


Although the bill has died, Senator Maloney is still trying to find ways to regulate homeschoolers. I urge you to read the entire content of the article found here. If you live in Illinois and would like to express your concerns about home school regulation to Senator Maloney, he can be contacted via email (emaloney@senatedem.ilga.gov). Additional contact information is available on the contact page of his website.


#2: HSLDA Helps Out in Ohio

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) came to the rescue of an Ohio family who had listened to the well-intentioned but inaccurate advice of friends instead of consulting a legal professional. She wisely applied for an expedited HSLDA membership and received the help she needed. The entire article is very brief, so I have posted it in its entirety below. (For more information on the HSLDA, please read our April 1 post titled "Legal Organizations.")
"HSLDA Arrives: Superintendent Does 180" (taken from HSLDA)
When Ms. Manning (name changed to protect privacy) opened a letter from her local school district she was alarmed by this message: “I am denying your request [to homeschool].”

The superintendent was refusing to excuse the Manning children from compulsory attendance because he had not received receipts for their curriculum, and the children had received allegedly poor reading assessments. The reading assessments were the result of a surprise testing appointment set up by Ms. Manning’s former spouse. “Failure to enroll the children in school by the end of this week,” the superintendent wrote, “will result in filing truancy charges.” 
Unfortunately, Ms. Manning had relied on a friend’s inaccurate advice and had not notified the school district of her intent to homeschool at the beginning of the school year. After being contacted by a truancy officer and learning about the requirement to submit a notice of intent, Ms. Manning complied with the law. She then found out about HSLDA and applied for a rush membership. 
Because the superintendent was not following the law, HSLDA Staff Attorney Michael Donnelly communicated with him on Ms. Manning’s behalf to clarify Ohio’s homeschool law. The matter was referred to the school’s attorney, and after further correspondence, the superintendent excused the Manning children from public school attendance.

While being connected to other homeschoolers is important, it is just as important to get competent legal advice. HSLDA exists to help homeschoolers comply with the law but also to defend them when ignorant or zealous school officials overreach their authority. Had Ms. Manning been a member before she started homeschooling and sought our assistance, we could have assisted her and likely prevented a very stressful and threatening encounter with the school.

In an email to HSLDA, Ms. Manning wrote:
“I just wanted to express my deep gratitude to the both of you for the work and time you put into my case, and the support you have given me. I have received a letter from the Superintendent excusing my children from compulsory school attendance. Another victory for HSLDA! You guys are the best! Thank you so much again, and may the Lord bless you both and your organization abundantly!”
#3: Homeschooling Faces Increased Scrutiny Abroad and in the US

The above articles seem to verify this article's statement that "an expert has noticed a 'marked increase' in the scrutiny that parents and students can face when they choose to pursue an education at home.' In some countries, parents are being fined and children are being removed from homes simply because the families are homeschooling. A suspected reason for the scrutiny is the increasing population of homeschoolers who "disproportionately represent the best and brightest." I strongly recommend reading the article, which can be found here. (http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=12750&fp=Y)



Friday, April 15, 2011

Rock Candy Science Experiment

It's been a long, long while since I've eaten rock candy, but the kids and I made some last week as part of our science studies. It's easier to make than you might think!

You'll Need: 
Clean wooden skewer (for each piece of rock candy)
A clothespin (for each)
A clean glass jar (for each)
Water
Sugar
Pan


The Process:

Boil water in a pan. Add food coloring if desired. Once the water is boiling, encourage each child write a hypothesis about how much sugar will dissolve in the water. Be sure to keep track of how much sugar you are adding to validate these hypotheses!

Add 1/4 of sugar at a time until no more sugar will dissolve in the water. Remove the mixture from the heat and cool for 20 minutes.

Dip each skewer into the mixture and roll it in sugar. Set the skewers aside and let it cool completely. (Investigate why rolling in the skewers makes the sugars grow faster!)

Pour the sugar water into each jar until the jar is at least 3/4 full.

Place one skewer in each jar with the sugar-coated side downward. The end of the skewer should be approximately an inch above the bottom of the glass. Use a clothespin to hold the skewer in place over the jar. Allow it to cool and wait 3 - 7 days for the sugar crystals to grow.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Thoughts about PE (Physical Education)

For many reasons, PE (physical education) can be a major homeschooling challenge. Although it is not a mandatory part of the curriculum in all states, it is required in some places. If you are struggling with PE in your homeschool environment, consider these ideas:

Active playtime counts! You don't need complex equipment or an expensive gym membership to exercise. Take time every day for active play--tag, Frisbee, dodgeball, basketball all count.

Chores are exercise, too--especially if strenuous outdoor work is involved.

Incorporate exercise into a family service activity. Clean up a park, or help build a playground! Go door to door and gather food for a food bank, or collect used magazines for an abused women's shelter.

Purchase fun exercise DVDs.

Visit parks and playgrounds! Older children may enjoy a visit to a skate park instead of a playground.

Have a dance! Turn up the music real loud and dance around.

Enroll children in community sports.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Field Trips for Less: City Pass

One of the more memorable family field trips we made was wrapped in a vacation last spring. While a lot of learning took place very quickly, we all had a great time. It was not cheap, but it was worth it. For families who can afford the expense, I strongly recommend a family learning vacation.


Although travelling to a distant city can be especially entertaining, it carries an extra expense. Budget-conscious families can always travel to the nearest big city, or explore their own city.

We purchased a Seattle CityPass, which gave us admission to several main Seattle attractions for a single discounted rate. Although it has changed since we used it last year, the Seattle CityPass costs just $59 per adult and $39 per child. For that price, each person gets admission to the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Seattle Harbor Tour, Experience Music Project & Science Fiction Museum, and a special ticket that can be used at either the Woodland Park Zoo or the Museum of Flight. These passes also allow the holder to skip the normal ticket lines at these attractions.

As you can see, these locations are both exciting and informative. We had great learning adventures surrounding science, animals, music, and local history and culture.

Because we lived a fair distance from Seattle and we wanted to really enjoy the use of our pass, we opted to stay in a hotel nearby for an entire week. We ate at cheap restaurants and lived like tourists. In addition to the locations on the passes, we went to nearby free attractions as well. It was a great adventure.

CityPass offers packages for Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood, Houston, Southern California, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Toronto. If none of these cities is near you, look for a similar deal package that could create fun learning experiences and memories for your children.

Check out the CityPass site at www.citypass.com.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Gardening 101

Periodically over the next few months, Homeschool Skills will highlight different lessons that can be taught through gardening. This is the first of that series.

Seize the opportunity this summer to plant a garden as part of your homeschool curriculum. Gardens provide enormous cross-curriculum opportunities for learning. Science and math have obvious applications, but gardens can also be tied into literature, geography, and history. In addition to curriculum applications, gardening provides children with a beneficial life skill--and it can help save money on groceries!

Worried about space? A full-scale garden is not necessary for these lessons. Plant a few items in a small garden box, a window box or even in cleaned out trash cans! If you will be growing your garden in containers, review this helpful article.

Some plants can be grown upside down. For more information on what plants can be grown in these conditions, read this. Other plants can be trained to climb poles, posts or fences.


The first step of gardening is planning. Plan the location, size and contents of the garden.

Choose a convenient locaton that recieves six to eight hours of sunlight every day. Ensure that there is adequate drainage and that the soil will not become waterlogged. If the soil is excessively wet. the plants will not grow properly. If the soil is inadequate, build raised beds and purchase better-quality soil. (Science -- Experiment to find the areas in your yard that have the best sunlight and soil.)


If you are planting in raised beds, outline the area where the bed

will be. Raised beds are usually built in rectangles so that all areas are easily reached. (Math -- Measurements.)

Determine the material that you will use to outline the raised beds. Wood, bricks, and stones are all excellent choices. However, pressure treated wood should never be used because the chemicals used to treat the wood can affect the soil and plants. (Science -- Experiment to find out what materials work best. Math -- determine the measurements for the required materials and the total area of the garden.)


Fill the raised beds with commercial soil or with a soil-compost mix. Raised beds are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and dryness than other gardens, so be sure to water regularly.  (Science -- learn about composting and fertilization. Perhaps you want to create several different, smaller garden areas to create a season-long growing experiment using different types of soil, compost, watering schedules, etc?) More information on raised garden beds here.

Select seeds that will grow well in your area and within the limitations of the garden you are planting. You don't want to plant something that spreads, like pumpkins, if your entire garden is only 2 or 3 feet square... unless, of course, you want to train the pumpkin plants to climb up a nearby shed, fence, or other surface. For more information on that, look at this page.


Taller plants should be planted on the north end of the garden so that they don't cast

shadows over the shorter plants.


Add some history to your garden by Introducing a traditional Native American gardening combination called 'the three sisters' to your garden. Plant corn closely together in a clump and plant climbing beans around the edges. The beans will grow up and around the corn stalks. Plant pumpkin around the edge of the beans, so that the vines will creep in and around these plants and keep the weeds away.

Focus on cultures you will be studying by growing culture or region-specific produce. If you are studying Mexico, grow a variety of peppers, tomatoes, and onions and celebrate the end-of-season harvest with a fresh homemade salsa. Irish studies can be augmented by growing onions, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and green beans, which can later be used to create this Irish recipe.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Surviving Math

As students, many of us shuddered at the word. As homeschool parents, we still don't like it much.


One of the most common questions homeschoolers get asked is, "How do you teach subjects you don't like or aren't very good at?" This is truly one of the biggest challenges of homeschooling. Not every homeschool parent is great at every subject, and some of us stumbled as students in math, science, language arts, or another major subject.

For those of us who struggle with math, how can we teach it?

Learn Along

Homeschool parents who began teaching their children from the start have the benefit of learning alongside their children. Since math is learned in a definite sequence, starting to learn alongside your children and reviewing the basics can help you refresh and be better able to grasp difficult concepts.

Make it Fun

Have fun with numbers. Small children may enjoy using Goldfish crackers to help sovle equations. They can physically build the equations by making piles of crackers, and learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by manipulating those piles.

Older children can enjoy playing games online and offline that build math skills.

Apply It

Look for real-life applications to the various math functions you are teaching. For example, paint a fence to learn about area. Go shopping and calculate how much you have saved using coupons. Encourage sports-minded children to calculate statistics. For more ideas on applying math to daily life, consider books like "Mathematics for Consumers" or "Life Skills Mathematics" (available in the Homeschool Skills store (http://homeschool.storenvy.com/collections/20835-books-math)).

Refresher Course

As a college student, I have the added "benefit" (some days it feels like a curse) of taking several required math courses for my degree. I seize these opportunities and try to dread them less because I realize that these classes better prepare me to teach my own children. I strongly recommend parents who have the time and resources to attend classes at a local community college, online school or other institution. It can be a wonderful experience, and it helps you teach your children by example the great value of continuing your education.

Tutors

If math is a subject you feel you can't handle, hire a tutor to teach in your home. Sit in the lessons with your children, and learn how to grasp those concepts. Like attending outside college classes, this helps teach your children the value of continuing learning.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Homeschool Conventions

he season of homeschool conventions is upon us. From coast to coast, there are dozens of major homeschool convention planned before the end of summer. These conventions feature keynote speakers, workshops, fun activities for kids, vendors, and so much more.


While the cost and time demands may deter participation, the opportunity is often worth the cost. Those who have previously attended homeschool conventions can and usually will attest to the benefits of attendance.

The following information is a simple crash-course introduction to the general world of homeschool conventions. For more information, research the specific homeschool convention you will be attending. Links to convention calendars at the bottom of this post!

What

Homeschool conventions are large events organized by homeschool groups, individuals or businesses. Most conventions feature prominent speakers, workshops, exhibits, vendors, and luncheons. Some feature family nights, contests, graduations, talent shows, and other planned activities.

There are several common convention terms that convention-goers should be familiar with.

Keynote: 'Keynote' addresses are speeches given by a speaker of significance, usually a highly credentialed or commonly recognized figure in the homeschooling community. Keynote events are given special importance and are often scheduled without any conflicting or concurrent activities. The names of keynote speakers are easy to find, as they are usually prominently included in all advertising material.

Workshops: Conventions often feature many concurrent workshops that attendees can select from. These workshops are often short and cover a wide variety of homeschooling topics.

Vendor / Exhibitor / Sponsor: These people are attending the workshop to show and sell their products. Usually, these products are assembled in a large vendor exhibit area where attendees can view them.

Who

Homeschool conventions benefit prospective, new and seasoned homeschoolers.

New and prospective homeschoolers benefit immensely from the knowledge and expertise of their seasoned counterparts. The information given by keynote speakers and workshops can be priceless.

Seasoned homeschool pros can benefit from the ideas, encouragement and products presented at these conventions. The annual homeschool convention season can revitalize bored homeschoolers and inspire homeschooling families for the next year.

Why

At the very least, conventions are very encouraging. Being in the company of hundreds (or more!) fellow homeschoolers sends the clear message that, despite how you may feel some days, you are not alone. Conventions can also invigorate the homeschooling spirit by infusing tired, curriculum-weary homeschoolers with new ideas and goals.

Since conventions are area-specific, they give homeschoolers the opportunity to meet and forge friendships with one another.

Speakers usually have significant experience and credentials in their areas of expertise. They are able to provide guidance and direction that can help give your homeschool direction and purpose. If you are struggling with any aspects of homeschooling, look for a convention that offers workshops on those subjects. Attending those workshops can help strengthen those areas of weakness and enrich your homeschool experience.

Conventions attract the best homeschooling products to one central location. Instead of shopping around at different retailers or buying and trying products that don't really fit your needs, shopping the vendors at a convention bring the products to you, in one room. The newest and best products are usually exhibited there, and you may be surprised at what you find! Deals and trial memberships are also common convention offerings.

When & Where

Find homeschool conventions in your area by searching the Internet or contacting your local homeschool organization. I recommend the following sites:

http://www.homeschoolconventions.com/
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1140380&sp=1016&event=1016
http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/HomeschoolConventions.php

Friday, April 1, 2011

Legal Organizations

Last Monday, Homeschool Skills featured an article about a New Hampshire homeschool student who was ordered to attend public school. While this case was certainly unique in many cases, it is nonetheless alarming.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. However, state laws vary in complexity and, just because it is legal, doesn't always mean that homeschooling is easy. Although there is a brief overview of each state's homeschooling law on the Laws page of this website, the laws for some states are extremely complex.

While this may seem overwhelming, it doesn't need to be. Several different organizations exist to help homeschoolers with the legal aspects of homeschooling.

The two most prominent of these organizations are HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) and HLA (Homeschool Legal Advantage). Both of these organizations are dedicated to defending homeschooling.

Below is a brief overview of each organization for your consideration.


Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) (http://www.hslda.org/)

HSLDA is a nonprofit that defends and advances homeschooling. Tens of thousands of homeschool families maintain membership in this organization. Membership is paid for in one year, two year, five year, lifetime or monthly increments.

As a nonprofit, all of the membership fees are directed toward operational expenses. HSLDA uses the fees to directly defend homeschool members in legal cases, monitor and influence federal legislation, assist state legislatures in creating homeschool-friendly environments, advocate in the media, research and present information about homeschooling.

The cost of membership is the only price that members pay. If a legal situation arises and the family seeks help from HSLDA, there are no further charges. All attorneys fees, travel expenses, and other related charges are paid by HSLDA. Legal advice is available 24/7 via telephone.

HSLDA membership also offers additional benefits, such as access to an Online Curriculum Market, HSLDA PerX program, and access to coordinators that specialize in high school homeschooling, homeschooling struggling learners, and homeschooling younger children (preschool to middle school).

HSLDA does not accept families who use charter schools, public school independent study programs, or similar distance-learning courses as members. Membership discounts are available to discount groups, full-time pastors, full-time missionaries, or active/retired/disabled military service members. Special membership offers are available here: http://www.hslda.org/join/offers.asp



Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA) (http://homeschoollegaladvantage.com/)

HLA has defended more than 8,000 cases and maintains a network of full-time and affiliated attorneys throughout the United States. As an outreach of the Christian Law Association, HLA offers its members free legal representation in cases that involve religious liberty but are not directly affiliated with homeschooling (such as workplace discrimination).

Membership fees for HLA are based on suggested donations instead of flat fees. The suggested donation for membership is $65 for the first year and $51 per year after that. Would-be members who cannot afford the full suggested donation are welcome to pay less. According to the HLA website, "If you cannot afford any donation at this time, but would still like to join, please contact us and we'll be glad to provide you with a complimentary membership. Whatever your circumstance, we want to be of service and will never let finances stand in the way." (Widows and widowers can enter "James 1:27" in the registration code field for a complimentary membership at any time.)

HLA members also receive a last will and testament drafted by an attorney, a 20% discount on resources from the Christian Law Association and 10% off admission to the Creation Museum (near the Cincinnati airport). HLA also operates a 24-hour emergency legal help line.