Homeschool Conference in Spokane 2015

HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE IN SPOKANE!

Reviving the Heart
21st Annual CFHE Homeschool Conference
Millwood Community Presbyterian Church
Spokane, WA
March 13 & 14, 2015

TODD WILSON is a dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions across the country and as a guest on Focus on the Family.   You can read more about Todd Wilson at his website,  www.familymanweb.com

For more information about the conference, workshops, vendors and vending or to register early and plan to attend  or bring your family, go to The Christin Family Home Educators website: http://www.cfhe.net/

Do You Like Legos?

Let There Be Legos!  (At the local public libraries)

"Mix fun and learning by spending a Saturday creating engineering feats at the library! SCLD is hosting a series of day-long Lego Build Days, one at each library throughout 2014 and 2015. The library will provide thousands (current count is roughly
47,000270+ pounds which is about 150,000 pieces!) of Lego pieces for kids and families to build.

Drop in for an hour or all day! Doors open at 10am and we’ll finish up building by 5pm so that we have plenty of time to put the display together. Enjoy some snacks and build to your heart’s content. Your awesome creations will be on display at that library for the duration of the month. Then, they will be dismantled, sorted, and shipped off to the next library for their Lego Build Day! Feel free to follow the Legos to as many building days as you like!"

See: http://www.scld.org/let-legos/

Other interesting LEGO related learning websites:

http://www.learningliftoff.com/20-fun-activities-learning-legos/#.VLhpbC7LpIY


http://www.edudemic.com/legos-education/ 


'http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2013/12/using-lego-build-math-concepts


http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/06/20/free-lego-printables-and-70-plus-lego-learning-activities/


And

taDa..... LEGO MAN!
http://www.instructables.com/id/LEGO-Man-Costume/

A Homeschoolers Best Rescource

So many times parents think that they could not homeschool because they cannot afford books and materials to do so.  They browse the internet and get overwhelmed by the plethora of homeschooling resources; they feel  intimidated and sometimes deterred by the cost, especially when they consider that public school and the state run school-at-home programs are presumed to be "free."  If that is you, be careful not to let the financial outlook blur your vision for home educating your own children!  In the planning for your homeschool year, there is one homeschool resource that you may have overlooked, and it's not only invaluable, but small enough to carry with you everywhere you go.  It's the Library card!  And would you believe, just ike the public school, it's free to you, thanks to the money people like you pay in taxes. 

Yes, it is free!  With your card you also get in-library (free) wi-fi connection, free computer use with accessibility to a printer, and you can make serveral copies for free!  You can use this both as a teacher finding resources or as a researching student.  There is computer software you can use and some common office software you can borrow.  There are books and books and more books, as well as educational and entertainment videos, computer games and music. In fact, the local library in Spokane boasts a collection of popular materials of approximately one-half million items, and best of all it's FREE!

Libraries have information on all kind of subjects of interest to you and your little learners.  They have a great educational support system and they advertise that it even includes" on-line tutoring"    and various digital opportunities that you can access via computer at home too.  The Library card is one thing that no family doing life and learning together (in or out of regular school) should be without.

 Kids can ask, (even call the librarian) and ask for help in finding information or answers to their important questions.  Parents and kids can request titles to be bought for library use.  Families can pick up a themed book bag..... and learn something new!  One other thing you might want to know is that your local library offers the use of their  meeting rooms (low cost and sometimes FREE) for public use, giving you a workspace to meet up with other families who homeschool.  The library also hosts various activities you and or your children can take part in,.  They offer STAR classes to make you more comfortable teaching your kids and all sorts of adult workshops as well as classes for teens 
There is even  story-time for preschool aged children and group activities of interest to  older kids, which all just might have a place in your homeschool and be of benefit to you so that you can spend less money on materials for your homeschool.

Parentalrights.org

Parents and their children not only have a strong bond, but they belong together.

They are family.  This is why parents sign consent forms at school. 

Contrary to what you might hear from others, your children do not belong 

to the state or to the community.  Your children are your children... 

your posterity and when you have children, their future and your own posterity

is in your hands...

From parentalrights.org:

December 16, 2014

Removing Parents from Public Schools

It is no accident, no coincidence. And it’s not just your imagination. 

There really is a steady trend by the government and the courts to remove 

the influence of parents from the public schools.

I’m not saying your child’s teacher or principal, 

or even your local school board, is out to get you. 

Nor am I suggesting some giant system-wide conspiracy, 

where some shadow organization is secretly working through 

all different channels to rob you of your rights.

It is something bigger and more dangerous than that.

What we are witnessing is the rise of an ideology,

 a statist mindset that actually believes that “expert” 

agents of the state can make better decisions for your child than you can.

In 1979 the Supreme Court held, “The statist notion that 

governmental power should supersede parental authority in all

cases because some parents abuse and neglect children is repugnant 

to American tradition.” Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584 (1979), at 603. 

Unfortunately, a growing, powerful minority no longer find that idea 

repugnant today. 

Visit parentalrights.org.

In An Emergency...

Does your child know what do do at home in a home emergency should one arise?
Have you instructed your child on answering the door and phone while you are preoccupied or not at home?

Here are some helpful articles, tips and reminders to help you have an important lesson on safety with your kids about safty issues while homeschooling.


9-1-1 Calls... How to teach kids to call 9-1-1.. from Cell Phone Sally down in Texas

Article on Safety by Homeschool Views

Accident Prevention Household Safety Checklists

Fire Safety for Homeschooling Families  
We often hear about fire drills taking place in our public schools. Do we hold fire drills in our homeschools, and if not, well then, why aren’t we? 

Fire Safety teaching Ideas for Early Education with  Printables to use (FREE)

Kidpower Article...What Parents Need to Know About Personal Safety For Children and various helpful articles for talking to children about personal safety issues.

Red Cross'  Disater and Safety Library

Weather Related Emergency Information... Borchures for Families from NOAA.

Back to School Days Are Here!

Yes, "school is in the air," or rather, "back to school" is in the air.  The sad part is is that it is not even September and the weather is still lovely outside.  Kinda sad to thinkof all those kids going back to classrooms in the school buildings and spending their days indoors.  I am more inclined to celebrate NOT going back to school... or rather, homeschooling. With flexiible schedules you will likely see those homeshooled kids still enjoying the beautiful days in the sunshine and doing various outdoor learning opportunities while the weather lasts.  Soon enough will come the says for being indoors, all in their proper time.  Just the same, in a formal school or not, tis the season to get back to the task of learning.

Roaming the internet, I found some ideas for celebrating the new "school year."

There was a great littl eidea for a "Back to Home School" Board Game.  You can read about it and print and play this one, or even make up your own.  It might be fun to personalize something like this for your family and kids.

Maybe you prefer to have your own Back to Homeschool celebration... or you could celebrate  "Not Back to School" with  little party.  Either way, it is fun to make the event of getting back to the books festive and memorable by celebrating what you are doing.  You can do it simply as a family or with friends.  You can also make new aquaintances too by getting together with other homeschooling families in your area by hosting a "back to homeschool" event.

And if you are feeling a little uneasy about the task ahead, take minute or two to remember all the "greats" who have been sucessfully educated from home, directed by their own parents' leading and teaching.  George Washington, Booker T. Washington, and Leonardo Da Vinci, to nam a few.

Another list avaliable here.

School pictures are in order too.  You and your kids might like to do a photo shoot to kick start your new year.  There are some really creative ideas out there.  You can use free prinables that are ready made to help you or be creative on your own..... showing off your interests and things like that.

And while you are thinking about your new schooling year, you can Strew Up some ideas to surprise your family... if not now, then sometime in the future.

What IS the difference between a peach and a nectarine?

Simply find some interesting things to peak and perk their interest in something new. It's a great way to assist them in making their own discoveries.

"Back to school" season is a good time to go shopping for school supplies

....and even organize your supplies together with kids.












And this is also a good time to read or reread, some of those old homeschooling books and manuals or if you dare, get into a home school bootcamp to prepare for those wintery months ahead or  difficult situations along the homeschooling road that might arise.  You now, and brush up on strategies for handling things like rebellion from kids or parental "burn out."  There's a lot to be learned from homeschoolers who have gone the road before you.

And if you don't do the boot camp offered above,  at least check out the freebies Tina offers on Day 29.


Most of all, remember, you bring your own wisdom and strength to your family, to your own children. It is not your job to out-do others nor compare what you do to what others seem to do.  Prayer, perseverence and patience, as well as an occasional tidbot of wisdom from a seasoned homeschooler and maybe some new ideas or advice from another homeschooling mom will often be of great encouragement to you in what you are currently endeavoring  or encountering in your own homeschool.

Best wishes for your new homeschool year!

What Your Child Needs To Know... When

What Must Your Child Learn?

Washington Schools posts a helpful page for parents about understanding of what your child should be learning each year of schooling from Kindergarten until Grade Ten.   For some reason grades 11 and 12 do not exist.

 Read it here in lots of different languages too.

I have slightly modified their text in order to write about it, but for example, in Kindergarten... which is listed here even though children are not required to enroll in school until age eight, (about third grade,) your child will learn:

WRITING
• Knows that an audience exists outside of self and understands writing has different purposes
• be able to analyze ideas, select topics and add details to stories and narrations
• Know and apply spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and paragraphing appropriate to the
grade level as all kindergartners should.

MATH
• Begin to develop basic notions of numbers and be able to use numbers to think about objects and the world around them  (also known as "learning to count")
• Learns what it means to add and subtract by joining and separating sets of objects
• Learns to describe attributes of geometric shapes, such as triangles, rectangles and circles

READING
• Recognizes, understands and applies concepts of print and sounds (Alphabet?)
• Expands oral language skills and gains meaningful vocabulary for reading (letter sounds)
• Demonstrates comprehension by responding in different ways when listening to or viewing text of all kinds (follows directions and can understand the sequence of things...(the beginning middle end of a story)
• Shows interest in a variety of books

SCIENCE
• Learns that scientific investigations involve  trying to answer questions by making observations or
trying things out
• Learns to use simple tools (e.g., pencils, scissors) and materials (e.g., paper, tape, glue and cardboard) to solve problems in creative ways
• Learns about the properties of liquids and solids, objects seen in the sky and the needs of plants and animals

For Kindergarten, that's what the schools have listed as the learning standard.... and Kindergarten is not even "required" by law.... neither is first and second grade.

By the Tenth Grade it gets a little tougher:

WRITING
• Writes for a variety of audiences and purposes, including persuading and explaining
• Analyzes ideas, selects a manageable topic and elaborates using specific, relevant details and/or examples
• Knows and applies spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and paragraphing appropriate to the grade level

MATH (GEOMETRY)
• Formalizes geometrical experiences from earlier grades and uses more precise definitions in developing proofs
• Develops the concepts of congruence and similarity and applies right triangle trigonometry
• Connects algebraic formulas to geometric concepts in order to analyze, model and solve real-world problems

READING
• Shows awareness of vocabulary and comprehension strategies used, especially when encountering
difficult text and/or reading for a specific purpose
• Shows greater ability to make connections and adjust understandings as knowledge is gained
• Continues to increase academic vocabulary

SCIENCE
• Learns to construct sophisticated system models, including the concepts of subsystems, boundaries, flows and feedbacks
• Extends and refines understanding of the nature of inquiry and ability to formulate questions, propose
hypotheses and design, conduct and report on investigations
• Learns that cells have complex molecules and structure that enable them to carry out life functions such as photosynthesis

So... after reading this about your state's learning standards, do you as a parent have any apprehension about you being your own child's primary teacher and being able to provide a great education if you decide you want to homeschool?

A superior help for understanding what to teach when is this.

For Kindergarten

For Tenth Grade

For Twelfth

MEPP Enrichment for "Homeschoolers" Sign

Have you seen this sign on Hwy 2?

Mead Educational Parent Partnership (East) Sign

The sign reads, "An Enrichment Option for Homeschoolers."

Obviously, a keyword here is,"enrichment."  Is there really something about this public education program that will enrich the life of a family that has chosen to home educate their own kids? What could they offer of value to homeschoolers, (that is those who are currently outside of the public school system,.who either have children under the requirements of compulsory education ages or who currently practice home-based educating under the Washing State homeschooling law.  It is, after all, these families that this sign with it's public school programs is intentionally being targeted.  What is this enrichment?

Maybe it is a diploma?  Will the enrichment be that your homeschooling will kids be able to get a high school diploma and go to college?  Will your enrollment make Running Start an option?  No. Can't be.   "Homeschoolers" already award diplomas and sign up for running start.  They are accepted into colleges too..  In fact, organizations like Home School Legal Defense, (HSLDA) or Washington Homeschool Organization, (WHO) and Christian Homeschool Network, (CHNOW)  make themselves available to help direct home educating parents in understand how this all works.  It's not a diploma, (unless you think that the stamp of approval for the education of your child, comes only from the employees who work for the government at your local local public school.)    

Maybe "homeschoolers" will think it's enrichment their child's education to go to a school building once a week and submit learning plans for each child as well as report test scores and grades monthly to school personnel?  Could this be it?   Is it enriching to your child's home education to have people that are paid with your own hard earned tax dollars, oversee and access what you do and what your "homeschool" children are and are not  learning when compared to the requirements created for governmental institutions?  Hardly.

Parent Partnerships will require stringent hoops for you as a parent to fulfill in what you do at home and present to school officials. There will be more tests required too, like the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. (WAS,)  created specifically to test public institutions, including your kitchen table learning, run with public funds.(The WASL claims to give our schools a grade on how well they are teaching our youth, ) Is it an enrichment for your homeschool to teach to the (mandatory) WASL, so your school can get a good grade?  Do you know that the WASL does not apply to private or home-based schools? 

Is this enrichment? Any of it?   Hardly.

Okay, perhaps the enriching aspect of this program will be "socialization."  After all, this is a major concern for more people against home schooling.  in the Parent Partnership, you will be able to gather regularly with like-minded families for learning experiences at the local public school campus.  Children can interact and learn things the homeschool parent cannot offer their own children.... Right?  This must be it!

 Of course,local homeschooling groups have always networked and organized group times and learning situations for kids.. There are often classes,  park days and backyard play days between like minded individuals.  They create opportunities go to the State Fair or Theater productions and various feild trips too...  and, believe it or not, this all happens without the oversight of, or being enrolled in the local public school.   But maybe, just maybe... it's the classes that will  enrich or enhance learning for the student...

Perhaps they offer French or Spanish?  Algebra? Trigonometry?  ....things that might be a challenge for some parents to teach their kids at home.  

No.  That is not the thrust of the program.  They offer stamp collecting, folklore and folksinging, making things with Lego, circus stunts, ballet and martial arts.  These are the offerings of "enrichment," (your tax dollars, hard at work,) at the Parent Partnership school.  But there is one more thing offered for people who join the program...  money.  Both the families and the school get an allotment of government funding. 

In MEAD, our schools get allotted about $ 6,000.00. per year per student.. This amount is the same for all full-time enrolled students, whether they are on a school campus one day per week, (as in an ALP) or five days in a regular classroom.  As you can imagine, that is a big chunk of money.  It id money gained when people sign up and money they never see if parents choose to homeschool or send kids to private school. Just as there are strong advocates of private schools or homeschooling, there are also strong advocated for public education.  One of those is the NEA.

The National Education Association, a labor union that claims to be committed to the advancement of public education, is very vocal about it's dislike for people who do not submit to the public education of all children.  Make no mistake, the NEA opposes every aspect of parent directed education.   The NEA's position on the concept of home based education in it's 2007-2008 Resolutions  read:  "The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used."   Parent Partnerships, (along with the NEA Common Core Curriculum, looming over all our public schools,)  are exactly the kind of learning that most people in the NEA would even allow and it must be clearly understood by all of us that these Parent Partnerships, are NOT home-based education. 

 By law, Parent Partnership programs have had to be required to tell enrolling families that, but still many unsuspecting people are fooled by the ambiguity as they enroll.   Read, for example, the FAMILY HANDBOOK for the MEAD SCHOOLS's Program.  ( On page 8, it informs the reader that this program is NOT  home based instruction.)  You are duly informed, then you sign on the dotted line, and then you and your students are welcomed to their "homeschooling" program.

You and your brood will likely think you are "home schooling;" especially after you saw this sign on the highway,  {see the sign pictured above.)  and are bring told that you are simply participating in a "homeschool enrichment program." You might feel like you are in charge of your child's education as you select curriculum from a state approved list of textbooks; and you might even tell your friends and relatives that you love the "homeschool"program you are in; but in essence you are only being the kind of "homeschooling parent" designed by, allowed by and endorsed wholeheartedly by the NEA.

Think about this:   Unlike parents who question teachers in school about what their kids are learning....  the schools are no longer really working and answering to you as the parent; instead, teachers are now in authority over you and you will answer to them for the schoolwork your children do and what they learn.  This is an odd combination.   And, while you might not even realize it, you will have exchanged everything your homeschooling community worked to establish and already had to offer you...  that is except the funding....  the funding that, if you enroll in the program, pays for books and possibly pays you to teach classes on campus too.

 It's simple mathematics and logistics, coupled with a political agenda, really.  Schools get the credit, parents get a share of the funding and the teacher's union takes back the authority and control... not only of children and what they are learning, but of parents who now answer to the teachers while mistakenly thinking they are truly in control.... who believe they are homeschooling their own children.

The dishonesty of this sign put out by the local school district is appalling.  What's being offered as an "Enrichment Option for Homeschoolers,"  it merely a marketing ploy, one that preys non unsuspecting people who believe, for whatever reason,  this program will enrich them and their kids.  My hope is that by reading this, people will take time to consider both what Homeschool  and American freedom, really is.

Will you exchange freedom to homeschool under the home based education law (RCW) for the financial carrot that is being held out to you?

_____________________________________________________________

Educate yourself.  Here are some helps.

Learn more about this MEPP "enrichment program advertised on this sign at :
http://meppeastprogram.weebly.com/about-our-program.html

And, because of being under WAC, they have a new vocabulary for you:
http://meppeastprogram.weebly.com/important-terms.html


ConsiderL
A home educator, Voddie Baucham talks about the freedom to homeschool.. (3 min)

A home educator, Andrew Pudewa encourages parents in their homeschooling:  (15 min.)

Parents and teachers talk about about the joys of being in a parent partnership program. (4 min.)
This one in Everette WA

Listen carefully to what is being said.  You will hear a few comments that you should note as you do.

1.  It is not "homeschooling organizations" that run these programs.  The people hired work for the school system run by the state.

2.   One woman says she "started hearing about the Washington State Homeschool System...."  

Please note and understand that educating your own childten under Washington's home based Instruction Law, is not a tax burden to the public.  Our state does NOT FUND parents who file intent to homeschool forms with the OSPI in order to home educate.  They do not and never have been funders of any homeschooling organizations.

3.  One teacher says, "One of the ways that we best support parents is in  helping them know what the state requires." This is because you will have legal obligations to meet the requirements for the school because your are publically funded in these programs.  Families, if you are home educating your children at home (under the RCW) you can learn what  "the STATE requires" of you as a home based educator by simply reading this little pink book or the  RCW.  A teacher from the school does not have to help you understand the requirements you must meet.  Also, you can always find more answers you ,ight want from one of the many homeschooling organizations that have formed to legalize homeschooling in our state.  Requirements for home educators are listed plainly.  This is quite different from requirements for public school alternative learning programs, (options like Parent Partnerships.) 

Parent Partnerships are tax funded public school.  These are not only regulated by the WAC, but these are formed with NEA approval,and like all public institutions, are accountable to taxpayers and are regulated by the WAC

Enrichment?  Enrichment for "homeschoolers?"

You decide.

Recommended Viewing for Moms and Dads

A little before my time, a song was made famous by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.  It is one of the first soings that I learned to play in the guitar.  Not really sure of all the some actually mesans, but the message of the title is imperative.... 
Teach Your Children....

The lyrics go like this:

You, who are on the road, must have a code, that you can live by.

And so, become yourself, because the past, is just a good bye.

Teach, your children well, their father's hell, did slowly go by,

And feed, them on your dreams, the one they picked, the one you're known by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you you would cry,

So just look at them and sigh, and know they love you.

And you, of the tender years, can't know the fears, that your elders grew by.

And so please help, them with your years, they seek the truth before they can die.

Teach, your parents well, their children's hell, will slowly go by.

And feed, them on your dreams, the one they picked, the one you're known by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you you would cry,

So just look at them and sigh, and know they love you.

Recently, I have been reminded of how important is it to tell parents not to be afraid to teach your own kids and to be involved in what your kids learn.  I have been finding things on the web that I would recommend anyone watch, if they are interested in the world of education, but particularly recommend for those parents who wonder about their own role in the education of their own children.  First and foremost I recommend reading some John Taylor Gatto.... and you can start with this video production, "Before You Send Your Child To Public School."  and this one as well... about his own experiences, number two in this series....
where he expounds upon, "I quit, I think."  I can attest that this man understands what he is talking about because I have experienced what he talks about from another perspective.... and then some.

Next, I recommend you view the results of people being kept in the dark...

Many people just repeat what they have been told.... they do what they have been told without thinking, and they just do not care.  They don;t think for themselves....and often they do not have their facts straight because they have no sense of curiosity.  They don't ask questions or seek answers.  In many cases, they have no desire to know the truth..

They will remain in the dark.... until someone turns on the light, then hopefully, they will be able to think clearly and make honest, thoughtful and intelligent decisions.

________________________

Watch as people sign a petition to repeal the First Amendment.. and freely give out personal informastion. markdice.com.

Watch as people have no idea about the Forth of July.... markdice.com

And hear from people who do not read books.... markdice.com

______________________

Teach your children.  Read to them.....and  don't pass that responsibility off to people you do not even know.


Finally, today I recommend that you think about  the history that you personally know and then view the 180 Movie.produced by Ray Comfort.  (Warning.... contains graphic and upsetting photos..but done in truth.)

and thenbe amazed at God's goodness to those in darkness in Ray Comforts other production called
Evolution vs God

I would like to add that I  wonder a little bit about Ray's detailed theology.  I do not really know what it all entails.   I do love that he engages people to tell them about God's law and Jesus.  I appreciate how he  encourages them to read their Bibles and to think about what they believe, about life and death and God.   For this reason I think viewing these two short films is worthwhile for moms and dads.

Teach Your Children ...well.

How About That Homeschool Book Sale?

It was great, and yes, let me tell you, there were lots of books, but besides all the great books and various materials for homeschooling as well as seeing and meeting homeschooling families in the local area, there was something extra special at the booksale, kid-made treasures! There were all kinds of great kid-made things!

 I bought several items made by both young kids and teens, like a plant, some art painted on rocks, Shea butter lotion, a wooden sword, bracelets and survival gear too.  Great fun was had by all!

If you happened to miss this particular homeschooler's booksale, complete with students of all ages selling their handmade items, don't fret.  You can attend the booksale scheduled by Exploring Families in Liberty Lake, WA in August.

CURRICULUM SALE 

Thursday, August 1, 2013, 10 am - 2 pm

 The HUB Sports Center 

19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake.

Need more info? Want a space from which to sell your used curriculum? Go to:

http://www.exploringfamilies.com/2/post/2013/06/used-curriculum-sale.html

Homeschool Grants and Scholarships

I just learned about this and decided to post.  (Yes... learning is that way!) Did you know that there are  homeschooling grants and scholarships to help people in need who want to home educate their own children?  If that is you check this out....
(If you want to help, and donate to the cause, check it out too.)

from
http://www.homeschoolfoundation.org/index.php?id=22

"In 2005, a concerned father approached the Home School Foundation about his burden to assist homeschooling single parents. His desire was to minister to single parents who were committed to the Lord, to their children, and to homeschooling. Through his vision and vast generosity, the Children of Single Parents Fund was born."


"The Special Needs Children's Fund offers assistance to HSLDA member families (who have been a member for at least six months) who are struggling with the financial burden of meeting their child's special learning needs. Our Fund helps with special therapies, equipment, testing and specialized materials."


"Recognizing the unique challenges and often bleak financial circumstances that widows and widowers face, this fund offers HSLDA membership, curriculum scholarships, and emergency help so that dedicated widows/widowers can continue to direct their children’s education at home."


"In early 2011, God put it on the hearts of the Home School Foundation’s board members and leadership to start a fund for military families. The details began to come together while simultaneously we heard from donors who wanted to help military homeschoolers. Thus, the Military Fund was born!"


See also:



http://www.ehow.com/list_6517813_education-grants-homeschooled-children.html

http://www.homeschoolingfordummy.com/home_schooling_grants.php

Indoctrination Movie

 The movie, Indoctrination, had a special viewing a couple of months ago.  I thought I had already posted this, but I see now that I forgot to post it.  It is never really too late for good information, so I will post it even though it's been a while since the event.  It is a worthwhile film.

Go to the Indoctination website to order your copy of this film.

This event took place at the Moran Prairie Library and room was packed with people of all ages.  The film is a documentary about the Public School System.  In the film, a homeschooling family, the Gunns, take a field trip in a big yellow school bus to learn about the history of the Public School system we have come to know in America.


This independantly produced film is chock full of information about the origin of public education and the men who established it as well as why it was established.  In this film are interviews with men like, Samuel Blumenfeld, John Taylor Gatto, Col John Eidsmoe, Irwin Lutzer, Ken Ham, Bruce Short, Doug Phillips... (just to name a few.)

The producer, Colin Gunn, was there in person to promote the film, answer questions that people in the audience had after the viewing of the movie.  Through the film, as well as in-person he encourages Christian parents to step out in faith to be salt and light in their communities and to their own kids by parenting and educating them rather than subjecting their children's precious young minds to the vain philosophies that drive our public schools... taking note that these philosophies are not only real, but when ignored, work to undermine the honoring of God and his ways, and work to destroy both individual freedoms and innocent lives.


Indoctrination is a film for adults.  I recommend parents previewing this film before watching it with their kids.  It's a film that challenges Christians to examine what is taking place because of these philosophies of public education highlighted in this film and to examine what God's word says about the training and education of the next generations.  I am convinced it is worth watching because it empowers people by giving them hard truth to think about and being a documentary it is also filled with factual, historical information.

Christian Family Home Educators Conference 2012

Attorney Mike Smith, President of Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA,) spoke at this conference.  HSLDA was founded in 1983 to protect the right of parents to teach their children at home, and now represents over 80,000 member families. Mike has been defending families for 28 years and his columns on home education appear regularly in the Washington Times.  The conference was held at the Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene, located at 5515 E 20th Ave

Spokane Valley, WA.


Scheduling for the 11th and 12th of May, the same weekend as many other activities in Spokane, like the Lilac Parade and Music Fest, even it being Mother's Day weekend, may have been reason for a lower turnout than in recent years, but the  messages Mike gave especially regarding the value of family and of home education were very encouraging.  The impact of hearing about the freedom to raise and educate your own children was profound.  In addition to Mike's talks, there were many great workshops given by moms and dads to other moms and dads with practical advice and creative ideas.  There were also many vendor booths where people could talk to product representatives and see and feel great the great books and teaching materials they had to offer for use in individual homeschools.


Here are some photos of the event.

A Day at the Races, Turtle Races and Other Fun Paper Toys

These photos were taken on a really busy and playful day where we made all sorts of papery things that we printed from www.thetoymaker.com.  . We made and played with paper people , a.k.a. paper dolls, (both boys and girls,) which we dressed in their fancy historical costumes... dogs in a dog show, (which had a wide variety of dog breeds and the kids took turns being the various dogs, doing dogs tricks and distributing prizes!

We made a paper rabbit and a frog...




and some fun animal finger puppets which did a very nice puppet show,


and best of all, we made turtles!

I am not sure "why" exactly, but the turtles were an absolute hit! Before I knew knew it, everyone getting into the action, coloring one, or two, or three turtle to call their own!  . When we ran out of printed ones we began tracing the ones we had made and making our own!

Even the residetnt teenager could not resist and got into the action.







Of course,
it had to be
labeled

"TOP SECRET."

But  with permission, I snuck a peek.









Everyone was having fun together and was in the mood for playing with, cutting out and coloring... and racing ...turtles.  It was a glorious day of good, old-fashioned, family fun!


When we were done coloring the turtles, Papa set up the turtle race course, and before long they were all off and running!


Did I say running?  I really mean... RUNNING.



This was the really fun part....

You see, no one but Papa and I really knew what the race would be like and even we were a bit surprised to see it in action.  It was great!  The kids had tied a string to their own turtles and were just pulling them around the room on the floor, ready to race! They envisioned that they would be pulling their turtle, pushing it, maybe even running with it to be in the "Turtle Race" that they were preparing for.  Finally, the race was on and they lined up, following our directions.  Ready to have a go at it.

You can only perhaps imagine their surprise when they were told to simply jiggle the string in their hands to make the turtles run all the way to the chairs and over the finish line!  And boy,  was it a surprise to us all to actually see them all go!

Here they are at the start line... on their marks and ready to go!

The paper turtles will be racing to those chairs.

 "ON your shell,

        get ready...

                      GO!"

And
they
are
off!


and running!

Hooray for Turtle Day!

You can find these neat printables and more at www.thetoymaker.com.