Not very Christmasy but man this gets me mad! This is NOT politically correct-so be aware

This is what is plastered across the paper today. Mind you-they fail to realize that these people cannot ever be considered as "homeschoolers" because they never did it...and if the school system had 4 years with her in their presence, and did nothing-why all the sudden is it the HSing law's fault? I am livid about articles like this-it does nothing to solve the real issue-child abuse and the lack of proper channels, personnel, and safety checks to prevent such a tragedy. The other kids (in the family) who went to school could have easily told someone in confidence-after all that is what they (the PS) say they offer? Yes, well-I guess I am going to hire a team of investigators to dig thru oh, the last 5 years of the PS systems and their tragedies, violence, and lack of prevention to counter act what was done with this article. Perhaps they should have a clause in the HS law that states that if you pull a child to "homeschool" after legitimate documentation of child abuse, then those families will be seen regularly by a child advocate or something-but in no way should it tell the parents what and how they are to teach the kids. I dunno about you but this is totally irking me! They need to take some classes on logic, because this defies it!


Detroit News

UHG!
Oh and I find this amazingly stupid....
the PS system/NEA says that we are not qualified to teach our children-they say they are-so we should have our kids in the system...to learn, right? So if they are so awesome at educating the kids (which we know they are not-just check the test scores against the other nations)-then when they graduate they should be so well educated that they can walk out the PS door to tackle anything (say homeschool)-right? So then by saying we are not qualified, they are actually saying (because we are still at that point in the HS movement where most of the home educators were PSed) that they cannot actually provide an adequate education to produce folks who can, yes you guessed it-educate. Does that make sense? In other words: they say they are the only ones who can properly educate-meaning they are actually failing because they say we cannot do it. See where I am going with this?
And before someone says we need college to do it-uh, let's just review the test scores for those graduating with an educational degree-shockingly, a vast majority of them cannot even do what they are suppose to be teaching! Sitting in a class "talking about" how to do something is very, very different from actually doing it. Now, I am not saying those who have dedicated their lives to teaching (and furthering their education/skills), and/or those who love it, and do a great job at it are numskulls. NO-they are to be admired and praised for sticking to a job that would kill most folks within the first 2 weeks of school! They have a heavy burden to carry-esp. since most districts are financially stressed, and do not provide the materials these people need to teach. I am saying they need to stop accusing those who chose to take on their family's education as not being able to do so. Just because we haven't spent 4 years (by the way-I do have a college degree and so do many, many other HSing families) on a college campus taking courses on how to do it-but rather have instead taken that time to actually be doing it. And we have a heck of a lot more at stake here folks-we LOVE our students and are told to train them up by the very Lord Almighty himself. Not hand them over to some entity that has no regard for our children, but only look to produce puppet-like sheep that are so dumbed down, and taught politically correct propaganda (yes, like homosexuality is OK, parents are stupid and shouldn't be listened to and so on), along with false concepts (evolution comes to mind)... thanks but no thanks-

I suggest that they spend their time coming up with viable and successful plans to help those children who walk thru their doors every day-to help get every child the education they need (to the best of their abilities)...then to be slinging mud at those of us who realize the system is a Titanic that has sucked more down to the bottom of the ocean and left the United States educational system in peril.

**disclaimer here: to those of you who have an educational degree or are my friends/family who are teachers-this is not aimed at you-it is aimed at the big wigs in charge of it all. Those who claim they want the best for the kids but truly only want further their own political and economical agendas. I know you are bound by the limitations of your local district. That you pump out more money and time than anyone probably realizes, that do your best with what you have. I am also not saying that furthering one's education (college) is unnecessary-because it is necessary for most careers, and I am all for continuing education/skills and so forth-but

I don't want to be told what "curriculum" to use-as each child is an individual in my home and they need products that specifically address their learning styles and needs. I don't need someone to come in and ask my kids about their education, nor check over my stuff to see if they are being educated. There are many, many other ways to learn outside of a worksheet, test or textbook. I don't need you tell me I do not know what I am doing-I do not enter your classroom and tell you how and what to teach. I do not need you to tell me my children will be social failures because they are not spending 40+ hours a week milling about with their age mates (most of whom are not Christian, and lack offering anything worth "learning/knowing" and so forth) nor spending that amount of time learning one way, and doing so stuck in a desk all day. No-I don't need that. And I can attest to the fact, that yes, my children have gaps; as it is virtually impossible to cram every known fact or snippet of knowledge into a child's head in a mere 12 years of school. That it takes a life time to learn many, many things and no one approach is perfect. I also can attest that my children are educated in an environment that allows them to learn at their pace. They do not need some "mystery authoritative figure" to tell them they need to know this or that, and exactly at such and such  point in time in their education-even when they are not ready for it, or may not even need to know it. I can tell you for fact that I have seen the fruits of homeschooling all the way through high school, and my graduates are better prepared for college, "the real world" and life in general-because they have lived it, instead of having spent all those years reading about it or being sequestered away from it. And yes, my students can read way beyond a 12th grade level.They attended prom and have friends.  And they are not geeks, weirdos or mice that huddle in the corner. 

I now will step off my soap box and let it be.

A Snowman Explosion

So, I visit my friend Lynn's blog often, and she wrote a ditty about making these Marshmallow Snowman treats, which looked really fun and well-good to eat. We decided we'd give it the old college try too! So glad we did, because they turned out quite cute. We decided to not coconut all of them, since we know some are not fans of it (meaning my son and nieces/nephews), and we used mini M&Ms for the eyes/buttons, and orange frosting for the noses for ours. Here are our swell snowman dudes, waiting to be given as gifts. Thanks Lynn for posting that project, it was a fun, new adventure for us.

The assembly line-I had the boy separate the mini M&Ms by color to make adding the eyes/buttons quick and easy (that is why there is an ice cube tray there).

Waiting to be bagged.

Aren't they darling?  They are good too-rather tasty combo of ingredients!

We'll attach a wee little card with them as well.  I have to make those still....which is what I should be doing, not blogging!  LOL.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Weekly Challenge : Leaning Tower

So my fellow TOS mate is hosting this awesome project.  You simply download the instructions, collect the materials needed and set the kids up with the info and time constraints to produce whatever it is they have to create that week.

We're hopping in here with the Leaning Tower Challenge.  You can go Delightful Learning for more info.

Here is what they came up with:  since this was their first challenge-they were freaking out about the time limits-it sure flies when you are trying to create something!

Cleo was checking out things before they even knew what I was up to.

The supply "table"  uh hem, aka the stool.

Planning. Notice the "supervisor" cat.

Executing. She's there still, I got a bit of her in this shot.

Results-75 points.  I didn't give them a ton for creativity-they used only

one toothpick, and they didn't get full points for working as a team...

so hopefully, next time they will do better in those departments.

They did get a lot of points for distance up the wall and out from the square tho!

So, not a bad start to our challenges career.  Thanks to Michelle for hosting this great activity!

**UPDATE:
well since I now see the square was suppose to be on the wall-they were father out and should get 12 more points so that takes it to 87 total, but then I feel bad because perhaps I was too stringent on the creativity part-so I am adding another 12 for that-bringing them up to 99.  That is better!

Things that go scratch in the night

It seems some unwanted house guest has moved into our attic. The last couple nights we have been hearing this scratching, and movement up there and well-it's freaking me out! My daughter came home from a sitting job late last night, heard the noisy beast, and promptly took her pillows and blankets to sleep down in the family room. I was kept up for a long time wondering if I was hearing things, or if I have an overactive imagination. My 8 year old scuttle-butted to his sissy's room to sleep and well-it is just freaking us all out. The hubby is now on a mission to seek, and destroy the uninvited menace and hopefully, he will be successful. We're thinking it is a chipmunk, but then horror stories of coons in people's attics has my mind flipping from those to squirrels, to the chipmunk to something right out of Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I fear the man will open the attic door and a creature will come flying out at him.

I dunno if I can take another night of all that rustling-I feel like the thing could dig its way thru the drywall and plop right down on our bed as we sleep. Did I mention how this is freaking me out? Well it is-I don't mind God's little creatures, as long as they stay out of my house! EWWWWW!

I will keep you posted on our adventures of the attic visitor.

Heads up for those who review items for companies

Starting Dec. 1, 2009, you are to have a disclaimer somewhere in your post noting the company and what they gave you, whether it was free or you are a paid reviewer. You can read about it here: FTC and Blogger Law and here:
FTC PDF file on law.

Don't want anyone to be "non-compliant", so I thought I would send out this reminder to ya all.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Hope your day was a special, safe and fun day!

Oh, and good luck and don't get crushed to my pals who are crazy enough to brave the crowds tomorrow-I will be thinking of ya as I sleep in my nice cozy bed, and whilst I shop on line in my jammies! Have a safe (and I mean safe girls!) day and gobble up some of those great savings out there~

Blessings!

Carpal Tunnel and not much floating around in d'head

So for whatever reason, my carpal tunnel has been flaring up quite a bit-and so I am trying to not be on d'puter too much, or doing repetitive activities-so that is why you are not seeing too many posts right now. Plus, my brain is kinda on auto-pilot and so I haven't been super crafty, creative or anything worthy of noting.

I have been trying to help the kids wrap up projects for their HS group classes (daughter had a quilt we needed to finish-so that took a lot of time-had some major fabric malfunctions that required a second trip to the local JoAnns store to get new material for the backing-and then the sewing of the binding, hmm, maybe that is why my wrists are killing me?) and so on. I am working on a neat project to schedule out our weeks (thanks to Ginger Snaps (blog) for the idea-just had to super size it) so that I am better prepared and the kids can see what they have going for the week (writing it out has never worked here-so I basically just spend a lot of time writing it out for no good reason, so I finally gave up on that approach). I need to get it laminated and bound and will post it on my What's in the Box? blog. My laminating machine is giving me some troubles, so I am behind in the posting of it.

Been busy but doing what? I dunno-life stuff really. Then the fact that somehow, someway the middle of Nov. has arrived and I have no idea what happened to Sept-Oct, so that has thrown me for a loop too! Still trying to figure out how that zoomed by. My goal is to get organized so that we can get what we need to get done-done by our break in Dec. I try to take most that month off, so that we can focus on the holiday, shopping, baking, cleaning, decorating and so forth-so we have to cram whatever I want to wrap up in the next 3 weeks or so! Ouch, that is gonna be painful-but worth it b/cuz we all need the break. We've been doing school since mid-Aug. I have tried to take time off here and there, but you know how that goes-somehow I am still end up using my time "off" to create and reorganize the school stuff-so I am really, really looking forward to the break.

Anyhoo-that is what is new 'round these parts. Nothing of much interest, but thought I would post something so ya all don't think I disappeared into deep space.

Have a super great Thanksgiving and blessings to you and yours. (just in case I cannot get back here with a decent post b4 then)

Homeschool Blog Award final voting is up

HS Blog Awards final voting is up. I see that my blog here, made two categories. I am so honored and actually, stunned that I made a final roll call list. I certainly didn't expect that-so thanks to all who voted me into the second round-I am honored. I wanted to point out that anyone who maintains a blog is worthy of an award-it is a work of love coming from the heart of the author who pens it. I am so grateful for all the fine blogs out there that inspire and encourage, make me laugh and cry, and offer great tips and links so that I can carry on with this great work called Homeschooling. I truly know that without all of your blogs-I would be a bore. So thanks again to all of you-regardless if you received a nomination or actually come out the top blog dog from these awards.

If you are curious-I am under 2 sections: Best Encourager and Cyber Buddy.

Again, thanks to all of you who stop by and read my dribble,  and also who comment and encourage me to keep up with the blogging. I have never blogged for the sole purpose of gaining awards-because my real reward is knowing I can empty some of this junk from my head, and have it actually help some of you out-and I will continue to do so-award or no award. May God bless you and your blog so that it too, will continue to bless others.

Free Holiday Digital Supplement from TOS

Start this holiday season with a special present from a trusted homeschooling friend . . . The Old Schoolhouse®!

Get ready to wrap your family in a ribbon of thankfulness and joy and season your holiday with laughter, love, and togetherness. Illuminate your Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the help of . . .

The TOS Holiday Digital Supplement

This is the perfect “idea book” to get your family ready for the upcoming holidays!
And it’s yours at no charge—no strings attached.

This 180-page Digital Holiday Magazine is not your typical E-Book. Created with the same high-quality format that’s used in the digital version of our print magazine, you can even “turn” the lavishly illustrated, full-color pages of this supplement. And we hope you will enjoy this timeless, practical, and beautiful resource for years to come—all at no charge.

Head on over and download your Holiday Freebie today!  

Sheri's Soapbox Reviews: Colonial Economics Regions by Pass-Ed

Picture it: You are hired as a consultant to determine if Sir John's sons should set sail to the British colonies, in that far away place called the New World.  Your job is to use your Pinkerton detective skills to dig up enough information to make sound recommendations based on the individual personalities, and desires of each of his three sons. Do you think you can do it?  How do you go about collecting enough data to surmise the best life changing decision for all involved? 

Actually, it is easier than you may think.  By working through the The Colonial Economics Regions Unit, you will glean enough information to do just that, and more.

The Colonial Unit is an early American* (history-based) supplemental program-with a tad of  the ole  "Lobster backs"** involvement sprinkled in; created for your 6th through 12th grade student(s).  With the use of Google Earth, the newly contracted "adviser" will mesh information from 18th Century history, with today's advanced research technology-so that they can present sound recommendations to their "client" at the conclusion of the study. This is accomplished by following the questions found in the student packet, along with the prompts and internet links strategically placed within the Google Earth program.   The Colonial Economic Regions Unit covers such subjects as:  slavery, the economic diversity of the regions, British laws and regulations that started to fracture the relationship between the colonists, and the religious ideals of the newly established colonies.

My Pondering Points:

I think this is a  unique program to have your older students work through, when you are discussing the 13 Colonies with your younger children.  Honestly, a lot of the programs get a bit "boring" or "dry" by the time the students enter the upper elementary grades and high school. Finding something to draw them in, while keeping them involved with the material at hand-can be somewhat daunting at times. Especially if you do not want to draw the lessons out for weeks on end.  This program is designed to take about 15 hours (give or take) to complete.  That alone gives the homeschool educator more freedom to work it into their schedule, as they see fit.  Plus, it allows the student to do something a bit more "mature" for their study on the colonies-and not have it be so overwhelming that interest is lost before they are half-way through it.


I found this to be a really interesting way to approach some of the aspects of the early colonies, and the dynamics surrounding the beginnings of our country.   The implementation of Google Earth, within this study, was something I have not seen used in historical units before. It is not your typical "just answer the questions and move along",  then "forget it" worksheet activity.  I also like how it encourages the student to use their findings to "consider and make decisions" based on research and deductive reasoning-a skill that is somewhat ignored, and not nearly exercised, as it should be.  I also like that it is a tag-a-long supplemental program [to enhance your "backbone" curriculum]-enough to offer more insight, but not so overwhelming that the project takes a semester to complete. All in all-I find this Colonial Economics Regions Unit a be a nice "extra" to have.

So, for those looking for some extra bling for their history studies; this gem will add some dazzle, without a lot of outlay of one's cashola.

Only those who have good internet access can utilize this program, due to the use of the Google Earth, and the linking to on-line articles while on it. Those with dial-up service simply will not be able to use this effectively. Speaking of Google Earth, you will have to download, and familiarize yourself with its features before beginning the study, to ensure this an enjoyable experience.

*Denotes the United States region of the Americas.

**Denotes a common term used by the Colonists, to describe the British soldiers' red coats.

Pass-Ed HS Homepage

Colonial Economic Regions HS page

Includes the Student Packet (worksheets), The Google Earth unit file and the Teacher's file with additional information, and suggestions for grading.


$20 Email Delivery download [license allows for use with your family only]

Pass-Ed also offers units on the Cuban Missal Crisis, Gatsby of the Twenties, Considering the Realities of the Holocaust, and the Okies Head West*** . 

***The units are, or will be, undergoing some revisions. You can purchase them now-and then you will receive the updated file when it is completed.

This could work in a co-op or group situation; as long as there is a good internet connection, and enough computers for the students to use. Contact Pass-Ed for information regarding license fees.

A little side note here: for those who teach in a public or private school, please visit the Pass-Ed School Homepage for more information regarding the licensing fees for classrooms.


***Pass-Ed provided me with a free version of the Colonial Economics Regions Unit, in order to test and use with my family, so that I could write this review.

2009 HS Blog Awards

Well it seems there are some award opportunities for the HS bloggers out there.  I have been nominating all of those that I can.  Wish I could pick a few per title-but alas-cannot.  Head over to Homeschool Post and vote for yourself!  Blessings!

I am seeing that nominations need to be in before Nov. 9th-so I am guessing they need these in even before that point. So if you feel inclined to nominate some fellow bloggers-please do so.

Oh, and Learning Through Lapbooks (The Road Less Traveled blogger) noted their link is a dead one on their icon-so use the highlighted one. I haven't gone back there to see if they have that fixed, so you may want to copy/paste their direct addy to avoid this too.

I have posted the links for the All About Spelling Workbox listing charts on my other blog

I have finally been able to get these posted without them moving all over the place. You can use these charts to help you fill the workboxes with the very items and supplies you need for each Step. Sometimes, not all the goodies are listed in the top section, and so I found I was hunting for the specific tiles and such-more than I was teaching. Hopefully, these will help reduce that for you as well.

Links to the Scribd pages

Oh, another fine award!

My blog friend,Bronwyn at Loving My Life as a Mother and Wife has blessed me with this pretty award. Guess all I need to do is write up 6 random things about myself, and pass it along. So-not sure if I can find 6 interesting things to say-hmmm.

1. I have been to all but one of the Little House on the Prairie historical/home sites (that would be the SD one); with Laura's house in Mansfield, MO being my absolute favorite. I would love to go back in time to get to know her, be her neighbor and hear the tales straight from the ole gal. She is my favorite author for children (and adults I do believe).

2. I am not a big fan of talking on the phone. Sure, I can have my times/days where I would prefer to chat via the phone line-but more than not, notta. I would rather do it face to face (the old fashioned way) or thru email.

3. I am actually a quiet person. I need quiet downtime with no interruptions. I would rather stare out the car window (on long trips) and think about all the things I am seeing, than to carry on a convo with someone (for the most part), but when something interesting comes up-I am more than happy to converse. I guess those type of folks are called "deep thinkers"- I speculate that I am one of them.

4. I can get caught up in a project (like designing and putting together a lapbook or workbox project) and won't quit until I am done-even if that means my back is screaming in pain, my eyes are blurry and I have not moved out of my creative zone for several (like 10 or more) hours. Maybe that is why I can do those all weekend-long scrap events. Once I get a rolling-look out. But when I hit my wall-my brain shuts down and not a creative juice is to be found in me for days.

5. I won a coloring contest when I was in the second grade. It was Thumper (from the Disney movie, Bambi) hitting his back paw against a tree. I was coloring, as one would expect, when oops-the crayon slipped and went over the line. I panicked. I almost cried (as a former perfectionist this was a big deal!)-then I got the bright idea to take my black crayon and outline (over the lines) everything on that page. It must have worked, b/cuz it covered up the boo-boo and I won a 4 pack of marigolds. I didn't understand when they called my name, that I had won. I thought I was in trouble! So up thru the entire school body, I trudged my scared self and wow! I got flowers to take home! I was so proud. We planted them in our little garden. That was the only thing I really won for several, several years-but I remember it like it were yesterday!

6. I pray for the Lord to supernaturally bless me with the ability to speak and understand many, many languages. I become sad when I hear folks speaking in their native tongue (say when they are trying to find something or are looking for some place) and no one can understand what they need. I would like to have this knowledge, so I can help them out, so I can talk to them about Christ, the love of God, and so forth. I honestly do not have time to dedicate hours and hours to learning languages-and I am not so sure I could learn it anyhoo b/cuz I simply get befuddled with trying. It will take the Holy Spirit to supply that. I am not sure if I will ever even have one language firmly planted in my noggin, but I have had a few very realish dreams where I was speaking Russian, and another where I was speaking another language (cannot remember which it was) and working like as a missionary or something like that.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13 and
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. NIV

Wouldn't that be a testimony to Him! Even if it never happens, it is fun to think and pray upon it.

OK, I am passing this on to 3 buds (not 6) b/cuz I need to get a moving here today...

Heidi from Reviews by Heidi (she is my TOS Crew Review Cap'n and friend-she has some great info on her blog! Take a look!)

Joyful at Joyful Journey (I met this fine gal last year via blogging. She is good at finding out what is going on out in the world and posting contests, giveaways, and helpful stuff)

Michelle at A Life Better Than I Deserve (a fellow TOS Mate and pal, Michelle has some great info on her blog too!)

That was fun and I hope you enjoyed learning some silly little things about me.
Blessings-

YUM! Fall Candy Pizza-gone haywire!

OK, first things first-

WARNING!  Do not put the cookie dough on a non-sided pizza pan!  I had thought about it, but opted for my stone pizza thing-and was that a mistake!  See picture below:  I need not say anymore.

Granted, this oven was on my "to clean" list anyhoo-seems like as soon as I get it all sparkly, the hubby or chitlins will make something super messy and well-there goes the clean oven. So, after grabbing the thing out of there, carefully cleaning the residue off the racks and bottom-I put the stone circle into my sided pizza pan. So at least the dripage will stay in one spot. Hopefully, the spreading of the said cookie dough had ended.

Now, back to the Fall Candy Pizza-

My buddy Bronwyn at Loving My Life as a Mother and a Wife, posted this yummy looking food craft. We decided we'd give it a try. The only thing we swapped out was the PB for the "sauce". I wasn't sure some members of the fam (altho we all love PB) would eat it on the cookie-so I bought chocolate frosting and layered that as our "sauce". I had also thought of tinting the white frosting red to make it more tomato looking-but naw-the more chocolate the better.

OH-head to her post for the recipe :0) as there is no need to retype all that.

Second note to fellow Pizza makers: Put it on parchment paper or tinfoil, like Bronwyn suggested (a very important step I somehow missed).  For our attempt-the edges stuck and it was hard to get off. Very disappointing indeedy. Well, it still tasted good. This is pretty rich too, so small slices are best. 

TOS Store offering FREE Autumn Unit Study and Lapbook eBook

Autumn Unit Study and Lapbook

The Old Schoolhouse Store is offering up a free, downloadable eBook on Autumn related fun. Be sure to grab yours today.


Oh, and they have this article to offer encouragement as well-go here to read the:
Are You Trained to be a Homeschool Momma Article.