For any of you who are thinking about homeschooling or even if you just want to know why would anyone do it, or if you homeschool and you want to know why YOU do it, or if you are opposed to doing it yourself but think it is O.K. for others, or if you are opposed to anyone ever homeschooling, here are two great books that very clearly lay out the vision and the blessings of homeschooling, and the responsibility we have as parents.
The first one, The Well-Trained Mind, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Bauer, is my "bible" and it is well-marked up and well-read. The second, Teaching the Trivium, by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn, is a new book I just bought a couple of days ago. I'm already on page one hundred and something and it is INTENSE! It is kicking my homeschool behind.
If you would like to borrow either, please let me know. I would love to lend them out... provided I get them back, of course!
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I love THE WELL TRAINED MIND. Oh my gosh it is the most informative book about homeschooling. The logic, the conclusions, the reasoning behind homeschooling screams for attention. This is by far one of the most well written, thought provoking books. I, too, know what you mean about it being your Bible.
I CAN NOT wait to homeschool next year. That book has completely solidified and supported our decision with clear reasons why we are going to do it. I love that book. Everyone should read it. You might find that you would like it!!
I remember talking to you a while back about The Well Trained Mind.
I actually just ordered this book off of vegsource three days ago. Come on snail mail!!
Jenny
Are you trying to brainwash me? :)
Are you kidding me...
When is the video coming out... or better yet, how about you read it into an MP3 file and burn it on a DVD or CD so that I can hear it - books on tape, a-la Michelle...
...or video tape yourself reading it... then I can watch it... read it, I don't use such vocabulary.
Rick, this latest book actually addresses people like you. She says to those who are victims of public schools, "1. Kick the entertainment habit. Turn off the television. You cannot develop your mind under a television (movie)addiction. 2. Start reading. If you don't like to read, then start learning to like it." And she goes on.
So to you I say, "You don't like to read. Start learning to like it!!!"
As far as brainwashing, Christopher, the authors definitely have a point of view. They say, "Briefly, parents should control their children's education because this is their responsibility before God (Deut. 6:4-9). It is not the responsibility of the state, nor of the church, nor of the economy, nor of society at large."
Consider my brainwashed!!
Ah-ha... More media (TV) bashing... Just as I suspected!
TV is the *best* way to learn for a visual learner. I challenge anyone to recite the preamble to the constitution without singing it! Schoolhouse Rock – Rocks! That is WAY better than having to read it! For crying out loud you can’t get a 3rd or 4th grader to read the constitution, let alone understand it – Schoolhouse did! For that matter I learned about Nouns, adjectives, verbs, Interjections and adverbs from them folks (you KNOW that you are all singing those songs now)…
As for the alphabet – Sesame Street baby! For sentence structure, vocabulary enhancement and basic math, The Electric Company! Come on now, they even had God himself (in the form of Morgan Freeman) on that show – not to mention, Rita Moreno, Irene Cara, Zero Mostel, Mel Blanc, Bill Cosby and Mel Brooks. Wow, now that was education.
Oh, and let’s not forget science and math – Zoom! And Mr. Wizard. Yeah, my early education was great. Yeah, I read, I can read, I just don’t enjoy it – I am a visual learner and text on paper isn’t enough stimulation for me.
I just think your books author needs to invest in running electricity to her log cabin, stop churning butter in her Birkenstocks and bib overalls and realize that the future is now. “Why she gotta be like dat?”
RICK,
AMEN! I have a son who is a visual learner, thank the lord for allowing us humans to invent electricity! If you have kids who are easy to teach and don't require all of the interventions and special resources public education has to offer, more power to you. When you have a child, who from day one, has struggled with everything from rolling over, to walking, talking, memory, learning in general, I would consider a specialist. Those who have dedicated their lives to teaching our children. I'm not saying you should take a back seat, but if you have other kids who need your attention, it is close to impossible to dedicate as much time as it will take to the difficult learner. There is a happy medium out there folks, don't be so closed minded!
Oh! and by the way this "victim" of public school has jesus in her heart, a wonderful family who have jesus in their hearts and a very fulfilling, happy life. I wouldn't change my education for the anything! I turned out just great :)
Wow! Look at what has started because I suggested people should read...
I suppose if you just want to learn the letter B (from Sesame Street "Letter B, Letter B, Letter B, Letter B" to the tune of "Let it be") and then jump to Oscar the grouch bemoaning all the kind acts going on and never get to the letter C then more power to you.
If want to know that "conjuction" rhymes with "junction" and "function" Schoolhouse Rocks, rocks. Ask my kids what a conjuction does and they'll sing, "Conjunction, junction, what's your function, do do do do do do do do"
I never saw the Electric Company or Mr. Whizard, so I don't know how I learned anything about science or math. Come to think of it. I did learn very little about science.
Too bad I don't know who anonymous is. He sounds upset with me and my banter with the very smart Rick. Use every resource available and please do not overlook our greatest source and way of passing on knowledge - books. Even God had to write it down so we could READ it!!!!
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