Homeschoolers Are Not Entitled to Free School Online

The Missouri Virtual School which many homeschoolers use to teach their kids for free is in danger of shutting down due to a lack of funding. Missouri Virtual Instruction, also called MoVIP has allowed many public school students as well as homeschoolers to take courses online for free. This allows struggling students to graduate on time, and allows homeschoolers access to the same education that public school children get. In spite of repeated warnings for homeschoolers to not rely on public resources the word FREE is something that they cannot seem to turn away from. What we must realize is … Continue reading

Biking from Alaska to Argentina: A Homeschooling Road Trip

If it wasn’t for a comment Nancy Sathre-Vogel left on one of my Pets articles I never would have known about the extraordinary undertaking she and her husband plan to make with their two boys and dog: a bicycle trip from Alaska to Argentina. (I for sure had to interview her about that!) Along the way she and her husband will be homeschooling their boys. I thought it would make an intriguing interview to post here. Courtney Mroch: On your website, you have a box encouraging teachers and homeschoolers to contact you for a “unique, dynamic way to help [their] … Continue reading

More Thoughts about Schooling Online

My last article picked up a discussion from a previous topic about online schools and online public education. The article mainly focused on the area of Texas. Texas started its first full virtual public school. It along with a few other states are now giving the students an option of attending class online. The school described is greatly confused with homeschooling. While the child does stay at home, the parents are not the educators. The child is still taught by a certified teacher. There are over 500 students enrolled in the online public school. These students include those who need … Continue reading

Homeschooling Week in Review July 22-28, 2007

Last week on the homeschooling blog we talked primarily about teaching language, or the lack of teaching language. I also completed the distance learning glossary. Here is the homeschooling blog week in review for July 22-28, 2007. 22 Jul 2007 Homeschooling Week in Review July 16 – July 21, 2007 by Andrea Hermitt Last week’s families.com homeschooling blog was fueled by news items such as year round homeschooling and conversations about when to start language instruction. I also added to my distance learning program glossary 23 Jul 2007 False Supporters by Andrea Hermitt In a paranoid but justified moment, I … Continue reading

2006 in Review: Homeschooling Blog at a Glance

As a new homeschooling blogger at Families.com, I wanted to know everything that has been discussed to date. In response to my own curiosity, and in an effort to make perusing our articles easier for you, our readers, I have compiled all of the blogs for the year 2006. Deciding to Homeschool Why homeschool Am I qualified for this? Reasons that Homeschooling Works! My Most Important Advice for Homeschoolers. The Cost of Homeschooling Instead of standing up for their own kids, why not stand up for all kids? Disclaimer: I am hardly an expert in education. Did You Know? ‘Empirical … Continue reading

Before Five in a Row

Product: Before Five in a Row Age Level: 2-4 years old Format: Softcover book Price: $35.00 What is Before Five in a Row? Not to leave out the eager younger children, this volume provides mini Five in a Row- style lessons for youngsters. This book; however, is divided into two parts, the first being similar to the other curriculum guides. Just as in the original series, each unit is built around a simple, classic children’s storybook. This book differs from the older volumes in that it is not structured around a week. The purpose is simply to provide an array … Continue reading

Christmas Crafts That Preschoolers Can Make

It’s the time of the year when thoughts turn toward seasonal holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you have kids under the age of seven, they tend to be the focus of the Christmas gift-giving. However, there is no reason why they can’t participate in the giving as well. No, you don’t need to give a three-year-old a huge gift allowance and online shopping privileges. You can make some very simple gifts for close friends and family. Children who love to sew can created unique embroidered art work. Take a sheet of thick card and draw a simple picture on it. … Continue reading

One of the Joys of Teaching

I’m teaching a 400+ student introductory course in film this semester and because of that I don’t get to personally meet many of my students. I lecture, show a film, and let my teaching assistants do the grading for this managerial nightmare. My teaching assistants act primarily as a buffer zone between me and questions I don’t need to answer 400+ times. The questions that get through to me are generally legitimate questions pertaining to actual problems in the course and, by semesters end, the litany of requests to be given free points despite a semester having been spent by … Continue reading

Education Week in Review: February 2 – February

This week has brought many educational discussions and topics. Teachers and students alike are missing classes all across America due to sickness from the winter weather, snow and ice, and storms. Check below for any articles that you may have missed this week! Saturday, February 2 My Frustrations with Teachers and Above Average Students In this article I discuss my frustrations with the lack of support and encouragement that we give the above average students. These students need and extra push to move them even further above. Sunday, February 3 More about Taking Students above and Beyond This article is … Continue reading