Search Results for: blog homeschooling middle school kids

Homeschool Field Trip Must: La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles

(cc) image by MoToMo/flickr If you are ever in Los Angeles, one of the most important places for a homeschooler to visit is the La Brea Tar Pits. Who would have thought there would be tar pits containing fossil bones from 40,000 to 8,000 years ago in the middle of Los Angeles? Certainly not us. Before the tar pits began to be excavated in 1901, the pits were used by Native Americans for glue and water proofing for baskets and canoes. Early settlers used it for roofing. It is believed that a good number of extinct carnivore bones are found … Continue reading →

The modern nanny must be able to homeschool

In searching for homeschool news on the internet, I keep noticing ads for nannies that ask for homeschooling qualifications. I am also noticing teachers offering their services as nanny/ homeschool teachers. More and more nannies are offering or are being asked to provide homeschool services to children they watch. I am not surprised that parents are hiring nannies who are good teachers as well because I have seen it in action in real life. If a family has a nanny and decides as the kids get older that homeschooling a good idea, it is a natural progression to keep the … Continue reading →

Ideas for Keeping Homeschooling Fun: Following your child’s passion

Don’t think that because you are homeschooling your kids that they won’t still groan and moan when it is time to get down to serious work. It is pretty easy to get off track and behind in homeschooling when kids are resistant to anything that resembles real work. You can however keep them focused on school work if they have activities they are passionate about to give them something to look forward to. If this sounds like a bribe, it is because it is. Children will gladly do the activities they are less crazy about if it will be followed … Continue reading →

Homeschool Resource of the Day: LEE & LOW Books

LEE & LOW BOOKS are creative books for children that focus on and celebrate ethnic diversity. You will find story books from all ethnic perspectives such as African American, Asian, Latino and other ethnicities. These are award winning books, some of which have been written by new and emerging authors and illustrators getting their first break into the world of publishing. LEE & LOW BOOKS “takes pride in nurturing new talent”. While LEE & LOW books focus on diversity and not specifically on homeschooling, they have realized the value of providing resources to homeschooling. They have created a homeschool section … Continue reading →

Bullying may be a good reason to homeschool

If you have been following the news, you are aware that two 12 year old boys killed themselves in the past two weeks in separate incidents of bullying. According to an Oprah Winfrey show on the subject, the boys were hit, pushed, and called names, most specifically, they were called gay slurs. According to experts, harassment based on sexuality is the worst kind of torment for middle school students. I have my own personal history with bullying. It started in the third grade with girls who had previously been friendly becoming distant and cold. In the fourth grade it escalated … Continue reading →

Still homeschooling?

As we finish our 6th year of homeschooling and start planning our 7th, we are content to continue homeschooling through high school. People around us however are not quite as content. I have lost count of how many people have asked if we were “still homeschooling” and if we really plan to continue next year. My favorite grocery store cashier, has actually been asking on a weekly basis. I let it go because I am beginning to wonder if her repeated question isn’t a symptom of senility instead of stubborn harassment. I choose to believe the former. As I have … Continue reading →

Homeschooling puts the individual above the group

I have often been accused of putting my children above the group as a result of homeschooling. I can’t argue with that accusation still I realize the importance of looking out for the group as well. Everyday public and private schools make decisions based on what is best for the whole. I have no problem with that. They set a curriculum that everyone should be able to follow. They make playground rules that are best for the safety of everyone. They even create lunch menus that cater to the nutrition of everyone. Still what is good for the whole, is … Continue reading →

Homeschool con: when friends go back to school

This is a difficult year end for us as homeschoolers. Both of my kids are highschool level next year as are most of their friends. For many of these friends, because we live in a somewhat good area are returning to public school or private school in the fall. In areas where schools are poor it is more likely that parents will begin homeschooling in middle school and high school. In good areas, parents will homeschool in lower grades to give kids and academic headstart, and then return them to public school. So right now we are saying goodbye or … Continue reading →

Homeschooling Groups and Resources in Delaware E-M

To succeed in homeschooling, it is in your best interest to get involved with other homeschoolers. You should join a homeschool network or group near you. For this reason, I have decided to give a full listing of homeschooling groups throughout each state. Yes, there are other sites that list homeschool networks and support groups but none of are comprehensive. Some of them only list Christian, others only list those affiliated with them. This installment is for Delaware E-M. Eastern Shore Home School Association (ESHSA) The Eastern Shore Home School Association is an open and inclusive group. All homeschoolers are … Continue reading →

Are Our Kids’ Cultures Represented in Their History Books?

I love the Usborne Encyclopedias for Children, volumes such as World History, World Geography, and Science. However, many of our internationally adopted children will not find their heritage represented. I know full well that you can’t cram all of World History into a children’s volume. I also accept that Western Civilization and American History should play the greater role in books written for American children, which my children certainly are. Still, I worry that they will begin to think that people like themselves had nothing to do with history. When there is mention of Asian history, that refers to China, … Continue reading →