The 12th Carnival of Homeschooling

// 3.21.06 // Filed under: Homeschooling

Welcome to this week’s Carnival of Homeschooling. If you are a homeschooler, settle in with a cup of tea and get ready to sneak a peek into the minds of your fellow homeschoolers. For those who do not homeschool, it is my hope that you will read many of the posts here and come to a greater understanding of just who these “weird homeschooling people” are… we are people just like you who simply want the best for our children.

A Personalized Education
We can all agree that learning – education – is a priority in parenting our children. So what’s so great about homeschooling? Steve at Dad’s Corner explains that children are uniquely created beings whose needs and styles of learning cannot be met in a classroom designed to treat everyone like a bunch of identical Grade AA Large eggs.

Chris from O’DonnellWeb links us to one of his favorite homeschooling articles in which business writer Daniel Pink states: “Home schooling is almost perfectly consonant with the four animating values of free agency: having freedom, being authentic, putting yourself on the line, and defining your own success. … Kids can become agents of their own education rather than merely recipients of someone else’s noble intentions.” ‘Nuff said.

There are many stereotypes about homeschoolers. By and large, we do not live in compounds cut off from civilization. But if homeschoolers are so normal, how do we arrive at the unconventional decision to homeschool? Julia at LiveLearnLaugh explains how two immigrant parents came to the homeschooling decision and notes that “whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual.” Michelle from J and R Learn at Home agrees in her post “We Homeschool.”

Dr. Izzy Lyman of Homeschooling Revolution writes about a high-powered doctor turned homeschooling mom and explores the question, “Can women have it all?”

Shaun at the Red Sea School says “Education isn’t about showing what you know, but learning something new.” And NYCMomx3 of Homeschooling in New York City has an epiphany about the real purpose of public schools.

Henry at Why Homeschool says wanting his daughters to retain their love for learning was one of his first reasons for homeschooling. And Karen of The Thomas Institute agrees in “Unschooling Only for Children With Curiosity.”

Socialization?
The “S” word, as many homeschoolers call it, is more of a joke these days. The idea that homeschoolers are not social has been thoroughly debunked. But what about the “socializing” homeschooling parents participate in?

The Thinking Mother wants us to think about how we answer the question “How long do you ‘do homeschooling’ each day?” and the impact that our reply may have on others.

The Happy Homeschooler uses a bean dip strategy for setting boundaries when others criticize homeschooling. When someone asks “What about socialization?” she answers, “Got that covered, thanks! Want some bean dip?”

Barbara, The Imperfect Homeschooler, talks about The Freedom You’d Have If You Sent Your Kids to School – with tongue planted firmly in cheek!

Does homeschooling shelter your child from the real world? Nerd Dad says yes, he’s counting on it.

Carrie at Mommy Brain strikes back at negative attitudes about homeschooling, pointing out that she is “fully capable of learning anything my kids need me to teach them. As are any parents who desire to home educate their children.”

Philosophies of Homeschooling
One question I often hear is “when are you starting school this year?” I find this amusing because my family does not follow a school year format – there is no beginning or end to our learning. However, there are many different ways to homeschool and finding a method that works for your family can be challenging.

In “Education is an Atmosphere”, Meredith tells us how she found a philosophy that spoke to her heart.

Carolyn at Guilt-Free Homeschooling asks “Who Wrote This ‘Rule Book’ and Why Do I Think I Have to Follow It? ”

Audrey from A Small Corner of Nowhere learns her lesson once again: “Duh! You idiot! Your child is a farm kid. Just let him be that and he’ll learn more than your books can teach him.”

Grace at The Blinking Cursor wonders about unschooling: “I’m all for coloring outside the lines as much as possible, but isn’t it important to learn why sometimes you need to color inside the lines?”

Captain Mom of Captain Me Planet shares 50 reasons why homeschooling works for her family.

Tricks of the Trade
These homeschooling parents share the unique “how-to’s” discovered by living and learning alongside their children.

• Wow! Do not miss Sprittibee’s Blog! Heather has tons of resources for preschool, kindergarten and first grade learning.
• Jennie from Creative Homeschooling has a super little mnemonic memory trick that should alleviate those lowercase b and d mix-ups for good!
• Maria at Homeschool Math Blog tells us how typical math books subtly teach kids NOT to think carefully with word problems, and what to do about it.
• Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn of Trivium Pursiut talk about delaying the teaching of formal math and the “difference between hard work and exasperation.”
• In “Public Speaking, For Homeschoolers”, Cinnamon discusses how she formed a group to help homeschoolers of all ages enhance their public speaking skills.
• How do you get organized? Amy at Dandelion Seeds details her steps in creating a schedule that is in harmony with God’s plan for you and your family.
• Chrissy over at Learning Adventures gives us “Just a Glimpse” into a day of her family’s homeschooling life.
• Melissa at Home Sweet Home gives us some examples of how every day activities are really education in disguise.
• And Beverly from About Homeschooling announces the 2006 Spring Science Club.

Family Matters
What’s it like to spend so much time with your family? There can be rough patches, but mostly, it’s a joy. We often talk about why homeschooling is best for our children, but it also affects us profoundly. Mother Crone’s Homeschool writes about all the wonderful things she has learned from the homeschooling experience.

Melissa at Here in the Bonny Glen learns a thing or two (or eighty!) from her daughter’s intense interest in butterfies, while SpunkyHomeschool discusses her method for resolving conflicts in the home – and the power of the bathroom.

M-mv of Mental Multivitamin offers us a poignant view of homeschooling: one part scholarship to five parts love, and Poppins at Poppins Classical Academy shares a beautiful tale of a tired gray morning turned golden by some fresh air and special time with her children.

Remember those little moments when your children touch your heart? Dana of Principled Discovery and Tami of Tami’s Blog share their moments. Tootlepip of Tootle’s Time discusses her quest to find appropriate books to share with teens about the topic of courtship and dating. Bruggie Tales reminds us how all generations have an important place in our childrens’ lives in What are Grandparents Good For?

And finally, Homeschool Mami reminds us that modeling behavior is the quickest way to teach someone. Is your day full of “filling in the blanks, finishing chores, running errands and checking off to do lists? Teaching your children has more to do with the community you are building within your family than it does with exactly what information you are teaching them. That is both the privilege and the responsibility of keeping your children at home.” Thanks, Mami, for reminding *me* of that fact that I so often forget.
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For more information or to submit a post, please visit Why Homeschool, founders of the Carnival of Homeschooling and hosts of next week’s Carnival #13.

A complete archive of all previous Homeschooling Carnivals can be found here.

This carnival has been registered with UberCarnival.

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