Home schooling has come a long way

TownHall.com ^ | Tuesday, June 4, 2002 | by Phyllis Schlafly

[maxwell]

When I went to pick these up from our local book store, the proprietor gave me a hard time about letting a 14 year old read Uncle Tom's Cabin. Told me that I needed to put it in context, how a child might misunderstand it, even told me to have him watch the King and I in order to get a better grasp of the issue. He was very condescending in his attitude toward me as a homeschooler, and in the fact that I was allowing my son to read a book that he felt should be "sanitized."

Yeah well see, this is where you tell him to get off, and tell him exactly where else you are going to take your business...

I can't stand self-righteousity and pompitude in any context.

[firewalk]

I'm not homeschooling because I'm paranoid. I'm homeschooling because I'm madly in love with my children.

It's so nice to see someone type what I feel. **big smile**

[ArGee]

So, will I see you on the 13th?

Shalom.

[ArGee]

My three year old told me that he's never leaving home. He said when he grows up, he's just going to stay here and take me to Silver Dollar City!

When I was young I used to spend every other summer at SDC. Today you couldn't get me near the crowds of Branson. Beautiful country ... too many cars.

Shalom.

[mrustow]

Thanks for the ping. Apparently, Phyllis Schlafly can write about anything, but she has a particularly strong handle on education issues. This is a good column -- better than most "education beat" reporters' work -- but it's a jog rather than a sprint for her.

[SpookBrat]

ARGEE!!!!! I've been thinking about you. Where have you been? I haven't seen you in ages. So nice to see you my friend. :)

[ladylib]

Please! It is no longer "The Old Man and the Sea." It is now, according to the NY States Regents, "The Elderly Man and the Sea." I wish you would be more politically correct in the future!

[ladylib]

Well-Trained Mind is a good classical website (Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer, who wrote "The Well-Trained Mind," the book on classical homeschooling. Great Books Academy (secular), Angelicum Academy (Catholic) classicalfree.org (on-line learning), Christine Miller, the Bludorns. Also, Association of Classical and Christian Schools (if you and your friends want to start a Christian Classical School). Vegsource has a site on homeschooling, including classical homeschooling. Just type "classical homeschool education" in your browser and you will come up with a lot of sites.

[ladylib]

People are doing that already. I read an article where public school teachers are so busy preparing their students for high-stakes tests that they really don't have time to use the internet in class. So much for Pres. Clinton's plan to wire every school to the internet. Public schools will eventually be kicked to the curb. I also read where the head of Ohio's public schools is ordering district superintendents to supply the names of homeschoolers in their districts because the state plans to offer on-line charter schools to them (Don't drink the Kool-Aid homeschoolers!) and the public school students who would rather learn at home than put up with all the nonsense they have to during the school day. I'm getting the impression that public schools are running scared.

[Domestic Church]

You bet, all in red. Pax et Bonem.

[Dutchgirl]

They won't be inflicted with whole language, which fraudulently teaches children to guess at words from the pictures, skip over difficult words, and substitute any words that seem to fit the context.

As a homeschool mom, I assign my 15 yr old son to read Buckley every day, note any new words and write their definition and latin root (when appropriate). The State of Florida allows homeschoolers to incorporate their own schools and issue their own diplomas...I am thinking of incorporating as "The Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies" which provides part of our education in civics, debate, history and satire.

[dbreidenbach]

I've noticed that home-educated kids are much more adept and confident communicating with adults, and other children outside their own peer groups than public-schooled children are. Anybody else notice that too?

I've noticed that with my own dd. At the ripe old age of 8 she is more capable of dealing with adults and other children, especially teenagers, better than her public school counterparts. She is capable of speaking on the level of an 8th or 9th grader. A definite positive aspect of homeschooling.

[Mad Dawgg]

"I also read where the head of Ohio's public schools is ordering district superintendents to supply the names of homeschoolers in their districts because the state plans to offer on-line charter schools to them (Don't drink the Kool-Aid homeschoolers!)"

Interesting I just yesterday received in the Mail A brochure from K-12 (Bill Bennett's home schooling network) and Low and behold a Ohio Based group is offering all K-12's stuff under the guise of a Virtual Charter School for Free. This offer apparently includes a FREE Computer!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WOW!!

This article needs to be passed around to many, many parents!!

[stands2reason]

Could you add me to your homeschool ping list, please, 2JM?

[stands2reason]

What adorable-looking boys you have there!

[ArGee]

Hi, Spook. It's good to hear from you, too. I've been lurking. It hasn't seemed to be so important to post since most everyone I see on the site has already heard what I have to say.

But occasionally there is a reason to pipe up. Plus, if I am too quiet for too long my head explodes. :)

Shalom.

[ArGee]

Hmmm.

I've never been to The Forum, although I work in Harrisburg. Is there some place FReepers could meet? Are there any other FReepers going?

I'll be there with whatever red I can find on.

Shalom.

[2Jedismom]

Thanks! They are good boys too...currently chasing bunnies out of our garden!

Added you to the list.

[homeschool mama]

Thank you, ladylib. :o)

I've come across a number of Classical Ed sites over the past 6 months...am more interested in pros and cons of various approaches to the classical philosphy.