Message Board

Let Freedom Ring ...

MomOfOneSon — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:58:39 GMT

Happy Independence Day!!

We're off in a half hour or so to walk/ride in a neighboring town's parade with a "float" (big hay wagon, pulled by a truck) for our church. Passing out candy and flyers. :) Ds loves it!

Then we have a hog roast at the home of a family from our church. They also have a pool so that of course is a big hit with ds!

Tonight we'll go see fireworks.

What are you all up to on this Fourth of July?

Forum: Chit Chat

Waitin' on the Pizza!!

DonnaC — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:01:01 GMT

YUM!

Haven't had a pizza in seems-like-forever!!

Just thought I'd share... how's that for random?

Forum: Chit Chat

DS has his first loose tooth!

TXSuzie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:05:50 GMT

DS started complaining yesterday at lunch that his jaw hurt. He just nibbled on his food. He ate a decent snack later, but it was 'softer' than his lunch was so I forgot that he was complaining earlier of his jaw. Last night I made corn on the cob for supper. He took a couple of bites and said that his jaw still hurt. Loose tooth? He said he didn't feel any wiggling. But DS wouldn't eat the corn, which is his favorite food.
After supper, DH looked into DS's mouth and said he thought it looked like the gum was swollen. I pulled out a flashlight and looked in. I could see just a sliver of blood along the inside gum line. I touched his tooth. It is most certainly very loose! DS let out a scream - it is very, very sore.
DS is such a Drama King.
He hasn't wanted to eat. He is nervous about losing the tooth. He hates pain. And blood.

Talk me through this, please.
(I'm excited because our dentist was concerned at our last appointment that DS was showing no signs of losing his baby teeth. We go in next month for a check-up and I was hoping we would have some progress in this area.)

Forum: Chit Chat

Our new hobby - ATCs!

Mingo — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:26:18 GMT

ATCs - Artist Trading Cards. 2.5 x 3.5" works of art that are traded for free between artists.

DD and I went to a local scrapbooking store (I needed like, one (1), item... yeah, right). She got to looking at the shop's samples of ATCs and said, "Mom, can we do this?"

I've been resisting ever since I'd heard, so I had to have my arm twisted *really hard* to say yes.

Anyway, here are some of the things I've been making :

An Old Adage

Dali Farmer (You need to know that the Dali Lama's brother lives about 20 miles from us, so this is a local "ha ha.")

Arctic Story #2 (there are currently four in this series, but I'm not finished)

Arctic Story #4

And, for everyone on this list:

Chocolate Fantasy #1

The farm and chocolate ones are for swaps. The Arctic ones are "just because" and I will trade them eventually - well, not the fox one. :)

So, anyone want to trade? :)

Forum: Chit Chat

Perhaps going AWOL

Mingo — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:41:39 GMT

I'm unexpectedly having serious computer issues. Dfil was installing a new drive (he's the one who built this system and knows it inside, out, and around).

Anyway, one of those "dumb" errors occurred (like, hitting "default" in CMOS and wiping out my settings, which were highly customized) and it's possible I'm gonig to be "portal-less" for a few days.

So...if I go amiss - don't worry.

Donna, hope you don't blow away! Our radar has looked like that for several days here...

Forum: Chit Chat

Talk about Batten Down the Hatches!

DonnaC — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:38:06 GMT

This is what is bearing down on us right now... the white spot is roughly the area where I live.

Forum: Chit Chat

Homeschool Timeline?

SunflowerMom — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:12:45 GMT

What is the word for these timeline guides HSing parents sometimes use to help them go through some systematic order for teaching something utilizing their own curricula (not scope and sequence).

For example, if I want to teach DD history utilizing all my own books that I pick and choose. Recently someone mentioned something they use that would lay it all out for me...like:

I. Early American History
a. pilgrims land at Plymouth rock
b. pilgrims and the indians
c. etc

I can't remember the word she used. Any idea what I am talking about?

I have seen the World Book overviews of what students are expected to know at each grade. I was curious about something more specific. ???

Forum: Homeschooling Concerns

Michele's signature quote

MomOfOneSon — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:25:06 GMT

Just thought I'd move this over here to chat, as it was mentioned in a thread on the "News" forum...

Michele has a new quote on her signature line from Martin Luther:

"I am much afraid that schools will prove to be great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the scriptures are not paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt."

Cheryl commented,
Michelle, I have to sometimes bite my tongue to keep me from citing this very powerful quote from Martin Luther. I really wonder if any of my classmates from our Sunday School class have even heard of it, especially the ones who send their kids to public schools. I know they think that our local districts are "good schools", but good at what?

This ties in with a book I recently acquired at our HS used book sale, called When You Rise Up: A Covenental Approach to Homeschooling by R.C. Sproul, Jr. He makes the same point as Cheryl, in pointing out just exactly *what* kind of education the schools are *good* at. He starts out discussing the goal of education. His basic premise is that the goal of educating our children should be godly character and teaching of the truths and the principles of the Word of God. If this is the goal, then public schools (and many private, even Christian schools) fail miserably.

I haven't finished the book, but I intend to (mantra to self ... I AM smart ... I CAN read non-fiction ... I CAN finish this book ... I WILL finish this book ...). :) But I have skipped through and read various parts of it, and there are some real gems here. I especially enjoyed the last chapter called "Objections Answered," to those who "object" to homeschooling.

Anyway, just in case anyone feels in need of another book suggestion ... just thought I'd throw this one out there! :D

Forum: Chit Chat

Speaking of books

Mingo — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:55:22 GMT

On another list, we're sort of discussing/reading-as-we-go a book calle None Dare Call It Education by Stormer.

Despite the title, which is inflammatory and sounds a bit "tin-hattish," the book is really quite good; it's dated 1999. :) I bought it on Amazon - it's OOP, I believe, but readily available.

Some highlights:

1. He spends a chapter defining the origins of the current education movement, largely attributable to the writings/teaching/experiments of John Dewey. Stormer gets this fairly accurately and traces the impact to current teacher's-ed texts and classrooms.

2. He points out how this current educational reform (beginning in the 1930s) is set up to tear down 12 specific founding principles of our Constitution, including the understanding that our freedom comes from God, that we are ultimately responsible to Him, and that there ought to be limits to our "freedoms" - all notions expressed in our Constitution. He discusses each of the twelve points in turn eloquently, if on occasion using repetitive examples (my only gripe thus far).

3. His basis is based upon Biblical principles. As an example, he connects the rise in school shootings/violence to our teaching of evolution in the schools. If we teach students that they are nothing more than "evolved animals," then we ought not to expect them to act otherwise.

4. He takes his arguments through into the concerns about "Outcome Based Education" and the way testing is currently being conducted.

Overall, if you wanted to read *one* explanatory book about our current government education system and how it got to where it is, I would recommend this one.

(Being the fruitcake that I am, I actually have read some of the books this guy's bibliography is based upon....wish I'd read this first!)

Forum: Chit Chat

Why is Harry Potter so bad?

love2liv — Thur, 26 Jun 2008 22:22:59 GMT

Okay, I am a bit obsessed...I know. Does anyone have a link to a good article about WHY Harry Potter is caused such an uproar in the Christian community? I am having a hard time finding anything beyond, "Harry Potter does evil magic!" or "The Christian Right is a bunch of stupid Harryphobes!"

I'm just insanely curious at this point. I, for the life of me, cannot see a huge difference between these books and Narnia or the Lord of the Rings books. I have a few theories, but can't truly understand why the Narnia books or Lord of the Rings weren't banned as well. Now that I am reading them, I have a fresh interest in all the hoopla surrounding it.

Forum: Chit Chat

Michele - Climbing Parnassus Question

mikimtty — Thur, 26 Jun 2008 14:07:37 GMT

Michele,

I saw that you recommended "Climbing Parnassus" on another post. I'm very interested in reading this. When reading the reviews, the two terms that keep standing out are "LIBERAL" and "HUMANISM". I love the idea of a classical education, so I'm trying to incorporate more of it into our schooling.
My concern is, is this book more of a push for classical, or for liberal secular humanism? This old-fashioned, conservative Christian girl has issues with these views, so I don't want my blood to boil if I read it!

Thanks.

Forum: Chit Chat

Angry Kids Protest Gas Prices After Mom Cancels Cable TV

OKBound — Thur, 26 Jun 2008 03:33:54 GMT

Ok, I know this is a news story, but it didn't really qualify for the Education in the News folder.

So, you can just look at this as a form of entertainment.....note the spelling on the campaign signs.....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,371230,00.html

Forum: Chit Chat

Freebies from TOS (Charlotte Mason)

DonnaC — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:37:16 GMT

From their newsletter (email) today, I thought these were worth passing along. This is one portion of the newsletter, one column:

Homeschool Freebies
Jamin, Freebie Finder

The very first homeschool speaker I ever went to hear was on the Charlotte Mason approach. I remember thinking it was such a sweet and gentle approach to learning. I can't say that I am a real Charlotte Mason educator, but I do like the ideas and try to incorporate as many as I can into our learning.

Here are some great Charlotte Mason freebies I hope you enjoy!

Ambleside Online is a free homeschool curriculum designed to be as close as possible to the curriculum that Charlotte Mason used in her own private and correspondence schools. The curriculum uses as many free online books as possible, and there is no cost to use this information or join the support group.

Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life is a free E-Book from simplycharlottemason.com. Full of wonderful, practical ideas, it will equip you as both a homeschooler and a parent.

Nature Study - Charlotte Mason Style is a site with everything you could ever want to know about enjoying nature with your kids! You will find some of Charlotte Mason's original works online, information on nature walks, activities to do on nature walks and much, much more!

Simplycharlottemason.com also has some beautiful free manuscript copywork that you can print and use. You will find hymns, poetry, and scriptures.

~Jamin

While every effort is made to ensure that the recommended sites are family-friendly, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and its writers do not own the sites recommended. Content and advertising can change without notice. Please exercise caution when viewing website and review all websites before allowing your children to visit them.

Forum: Homeschooling Concerns

OBSESSED-Michele will be SO PROUD!

love2liv — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:14:39 GMT

I think I've gone over the edge....I am obsessed with reading all the Harry Potter books. I hate magic, I have no imagination, I've steered clear for years....and I read one and now I am on book #5.  My husband is worried because I can't seem to get anything else done except read Harry Potter.  My eyes and head are killing me.  I am starting to see people flying around on broomsticks...I had to sneak to the library yesterday across town, because I don't want my librarians to know I am getting out MORE Harry Potter books.  I got the last 3 yesterday and the librarian yelled to everyone, "Well, SOMEONE SURE LIKES HARRY POTTER!" and I contemplated throwing my own daughter under the bus and saying SHE was reading them...and I tried to explain that I really hate them but I am just reading them because I'm doing and in-depth study of today's youth culture....and she didn't believe me.  Then she yelled, "How are earth are you going to carry all these HARRY POTTER BOOKS out to your car?(because they are these huge 900 page hardback books) Do you need some help?  Do YOU NEED TO TAKE ONE HARRY POTTER BOOK AT A TIME?   THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS THAT YOU ARE OBSESSIVELY READING RIGHT NOW?   THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS THAT WILL BE CITED IN YOUR DIVORCE PAPERS????"  And then it was, "Oh, I love the HARRY POTTER MOVIES, they are so good!"  And finally, "These HARRY POTTER books are SO HEAVY I can barely check them out, it's killing my carpal tunnel!"

I ran out of the library as fast as one can with a 4 year old and 700 pounds of books...and went home and instead of folding laundry or making dinner I read Harry Potter.  And do you know how hard it is to hide three of these books so my husband doesn't know I am still reading them?????

Today I have not let myself read a page of Harry Potter until I get everything done.  Okay, that's not entirely true...but that's what I MEANT to do today.   I'm just glad that I only have about 2500 pages to go...

Forum: Chit Chat

I need a book rec, please

TXSuzie — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:53:06 GMT

DS has gotten very interested in space probes.
We have looked over NASA's website but he wants/needs a book on the subject. I did find a timeline of space history at Rainbow Resource and may get that - but - still want a book.
We have two books on 'space exploration' that I had picked up cheap at used library book sales - but 1.) they don't actually include much info on the probes themselves and 2.) are out of date.
This is the type of info he wants:
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/past/index.html
But in a book form.

I looked at Space Flight by Sparrow on Amazon. The pages on-line look along the lines of what I am interested in. However, I hate to spend that much money on a book that I haven't actually been able to peruse. I thought I would ask you resourceful ladies if you had any ideas or suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

Forum: Chit Chat