Homeschoolers Forum

TxBec | 07/23/2002 | TxBec

[TxBec]

I have been thinking lately it would be nice to have a thread (maybe even a forum later?) for the homeschooling families, because you know how many of us there are. This would not replace us pinging each other with all the great articles we find. It would be a place where we could discuss what curriculum we use, vent when needed, share our successes, compare notes, alert each other to cool things we find on the internet, and vent some more. I'm sure we all have found other sites with forums that we use, but since FReepers are such a cool breed, where better to start up a forum? What do you think?

[OldFriend]

It isn't what is in the average high school that is so important, far from it.......the problem is that a fourteen year old does not fit in well with 18 or 19 year olds.

We have known several truly gifted students and the problem is that they have a very difficult time finding friends even near their own age. Some may feel that it isn't important to have friends your own age, but there are problems outside of the intellectual abilities to consider.

[Born in a Rage]

Got this in an e-mail today:

You know you're a homeschool mom when....

*you ask for, and get, a copier instead of a diamond tennis braclet for your
anniversary.

*your husband can walk in at the end of a long day and tell exactly how the
science experiment when just by looking at the house

*you never have to drive your child's forgotton lunch to school

*the only debate about the school lunch is who's gonna fix it

*the only drugs at school are Tylenol

*your formal dining room looks like an office supply store

*you have meal worms growing in a container...ON PURPOSE

*you can't make it through the produce section of the supermarket without
asking your preschooler the name and color of every vegetable

*grocery shopping is a math/home ec/statitics project

AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITES:

*talking to yourself is a PTA meeting

*you take a teacher in-service day because the faculity needs clean clothes

*the teacher and principle kiss in the "faculity lounge" and no one gossips

*your honor student can actually read the bumper sticker you have on your
car about him

*YOU LIVE IN A ONE-HOUSE SCHOOLROOM!

[TxBec]

Ok folks... adding a couple "finds" I came across

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If you have a junior or senior this might be worth checking out:

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Each year the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 250 scholarships valued from $4,000 to $20,000 to high school seniors. "Coca-Cola Scholarships are awarded based on character, personal merit and commitment. Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed."

The selection process is completed in 3 phases. In the first phase, the application "seeks a record of the student's overall involvement in school and community affairs as well as academic success and employment." The second phase requires "detailed biographical data, an essay, a secondary school report and personal recommendations." Finally, "in the spring of each program year, Finalists attend the National Competition in Atlanta, convened by the Foundation at its expense, to determine recipients of each level of award. The National Selection Committee designates 50 Finalists as National Scholars and 200 Finalists as Regional Scholars." This year, students can apply for the scholarship online after Labor Day. Applications for the first phase of the process are due by October 31. Homeschooled students are encouraged to apply.

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

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Ideas for homeschool "field trips"

*city hall
*hospitals
*police station
*firehouse
*post office
*tradesmen
*churches
*4-H clubs
*dairy farms
*planetariums
*science clubs
*music schools
*dance schools
*fish hatcheries
*YMCA & YWCA
*newspaper office
*telephone company
*government agencies
*chamber of commerce
*art associations
*audobon society
*farms & ranches
*parks & wild life centers
*scenic gardens & nurseries
*community theaters
*museums of all kinds
*libraries of all kinds
*parks & recreation
*couty agricultural agent
*tourist information bureaus
*water, gas, & electrical co.
*colleges & special schools
*armed service installations
*animal shelters or similar places
*nursing homes and similar institutions
*campfire girls, girl scouts, boy scouts, etc.
*little league & other community athletics
*public library: story time, films, workshops, etc.
*historical sites, state, & national landmarks
*classes: museums, recreation dept., etc.
*zoos: many zoos and entertainment facilities offer behind-the-scenes educational tours
*concerts, theater

*stores, businesses, factories: many give free tours, free samples or will let home schoolers have all sorts of matierials and discards
*mentors:people with special skills or information they might be willing to share.

[TxBec]

SORRY! I corrected the link

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Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Each year the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 250 scholarships valued from $4,000 to $20,000 to high school seniors. "Coca-Cola Scholarships are awarded based on character, personal merit and commitment. Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed."

The selection process is completed in 3 phases. In the first phase, the application "seeks a record of the student's overall involvement in school and community affairs as well as academic success and employment." The second phase requires "detailed biographical data, an essay, a secondary school report and personal recommendations." Finally, "in the spring of each program year, Finalists attend the National Competition in Atlanta, convened by the Foundation at its expense, to determine recipients of each level of award. The National Selection Committee designates 50 Finalists as National Scholars and 200 Finalists as Regional Scholars." This year, students can apply for the scholarship online after Labor Day. Applications for the first phase of the process are due by October 31. Homeschooled students are encouraged to apply.

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

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[Aric2000]

That is the same "curriculum" that we use!!

Unschool these poor children and teach them HOW to think!!

[Libertina]

Hi TxBec, what a great idea! I haven't had a chance yet to read all of your so-popular thread (:) but I suggest purchasing tapes from Michael Medved (KVI 570, Seattle) on American history & the Mid-East. Besides his radio show, he has columns in USA Today, WND.com. He is a wonderful conservative and an absolute expert on certain historical issues. His 'Hand of God on the United States'(?) is a wonderful look at how we were indeed a nation blessed in our creation. His research is extensive, reliable, and he portrays it as an exciting tale - weaving all the people and events together. "5 * Rating" from Libertina! LOL

[TxBec]

I'll check those out. My kids and I listen to him twice a week as we drive to Taekwando :)

[TxBec]

Homeschool ping

Please let me know if you off this ping list
(you are on it until you tell me otherwise by FReepmail.)

[TxBec]

Homeschool ping

Please let me know if you want off this ping list
(you are on it until you tell me otherwise by FReepmail.)

[cowgirlcutie]

Thanks for the ping. That Coca-Cola scholarship sounds great. We could have used it! My daughter has already started college here and is paying for it herself, so that she'll value her education. However, she does want to go to a four year school for her last two years and the one that she wants to go to is rather expensive, so...I'm going to be looking into scholarships also. BTW, I think the Homeschoolers Forum is wonderful! Even though we're finished with homeschooling, I still love to read articles on it and be informed on any news about it; so once again, thank you for pinging me.

[whenigettime]

OOOOoooo, count me in! I am just beginning with our 5 year old as of this fall. We also have a 4 year old and an 18 month old with DS who will also eventually be homeschooled.

[whenigettime]

Have you read "The Well Trained Mind" by Jessie and Susan Bauer (mom and daughter). It is also of the ClassEd mindset.

We will be using Rod and Staff for our first years as well as the TATRAS phonics and Math U See (if I can find a used version of Math U See, I'll buy it...)

[TxBec]

That was one of the first books I read about homeschooling. We are using "Designing Your Own Classic Curriculum" by Laura Berquist and the program she put together for Mother of Divine Grace School. It's pretty similar.

[TxBec]

We got all our books today :: doing the happy dance in my chair :: soooooo, we are going to go ahead and start next week, instead of waiting until after Labor Day as planned. :)

[whenigettime]

As much as I say "I" in beginning school this fall, it will be my husband moreso. At present, I will be returning to work since my husband lost his job earlier this year. Hoping to sell our house and go cheaper and closer to the big city so I can be home again. Thankfully, my hours will be clumped close together so I will be home about 4 days per week.

[TxBec]

:: ping list growing by leaps and bounds ::

Please let me know if you want off this ping list
(you are on it until you tell me otherwise.)

[Joe Brower]

And there's always the "Homeschool_list" FR group, a facility I sure wish folks would use more...

[TxBec]

Will make a note of that.

[SpookBrat]

I wasn't sure who to ping in here because I don't know very many homeschoolers or the ages of children.

I bought something at our homeschool convention for $5.00 and OMGosh, it is turning out to be a life saver. Like a miracle, my children are finally doing chores without complaining. My only problem now is sibling rivalry...they fight over who gets to do the chore. Sigh..... I can't win for losing. LOL But this "Service Opportunity" chart is WORKING!

If anyone wants to keep their house cleaner and involve the children in service opportunities in the home, I highly recommend this $5.00 item. You will be blessed. I can hardly believe it myself. I'm thrilled to have found something that works.

Doorposts "Service Opportunities"

[TontoKowalski]

Hi, TxBec, I'm not sure how I got on your list, but thanks! I'm excited about the chance that we homeschool types might get a forum of our own.

I'm an on-again/off-again poster to a Christian Homeschool Forum, but find it hard to find time. If I can only play in one forum, it's going to be FR!

Tonto Jr, is seven, and about to begin 2nd grade. One of these days, I'll post my homeschool "testimony" and share our story. It will take a while, lol!

The abridged version follows: We educate our son at home, and it has been a success and a blessing, and we can't imagine doing otherwise.