Given the increase in violent activities that occur in our nation's public and private schools, my original question of
Why on *earth* do I consider homeschooling part of survival?has become something of a rhetorical question. If "survival" = "staying alive," then keeping my children out of a dangerous environment obviously enhances their survival. I'll give you a quote from a friend of mine (who is also responsable for compiling much of the information on this page):
By the time I got all of this typed up and sent out to him, it occurred to me that one of the PRIMARY! "survival" needs would be for some way to pass on our civilization to our children. (Me being a teacher since '68, NATCHERLY it took me a little while to figure this out!)
Some wag once said that the human race -- at any given time -- was only ONE GENERATION away from barbarism! Sometimes I wonder if we have THAT much time.
I agree. By homeschooling, I also have a much greater control over my children's education. In my experience, the school system (public and private both) have quit teaching our children *how* to think and instead teach them *what* to think. I do not approve of someone else forcing their values into the brains of my children. So, my wife and I took the reigns back from the school systems. Now we teach our kids at home. If you are serious about survival, you should seriously consider researching how others teach their children at home, even if you leave yours in the school system. The day will come (all too soon, I am afraid) when our society is shaken to its very foundations and our education system evaporates in the scramble for personal survival. If you are ready to step in and continue the learning process, the "descent to barbarism" will be staved off just a little longer.
Once you decide that homeschooling is for you, how do you get started? First off, you need to find out what the laws are in your state concerning homeschooling. I can't answer that question for you outside of Louisiana, but I will point you in the direction of some help.
The Home School Legal Defense Association website is a very good place to start in your inquiries. They have a "finder" that lets you look up legalities by state and then gives you a list of homeschooling support groups that you can contact. After browsing the HSLDA site, I suggest you contact your state's department of education for more information.
CALL 1-800-395-7760 for a free copy of "The Teaching Home Magazine." Claims to be written BY Home Schoolers FOR Home Schoolers.
DISCOVERY TOYS (1-800-426-4777) puts out a very good catalog of educational toys for both normal and handicapped kids. This company operates through "Educational Consultants" (or HOSTESSES) who sell their products on a (like Tupperware) "PARTY" basis.
Write to FAMILY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
DR. ARTHUR ROBINSON -- MY CHILDREN TEACH THEMSELVES -- (Feature Article starting on page 28 of the publication PRACTICAL HOME SCHOOLING, 1994 FALL. The CD-ROMs cover grades 1-12. Quotes from flyer follow:
The Robinson children teach themselves -- so well that their 11th and 12th grade work is equivalent to high quality 1st and 2nd year university instruction in science and literature. . . .
Many home schools are limited by the burden of teaching that is placed upon parents. Dr. Robinson has spent less than 15 minutes each day teaching all six children at ages 6 through 18. Yet his oldest student scored 1440 on the SAT and received almost two years of advanced placement in college. The younger children are doing as well. . . . . .
On six CD-ROMs and usable with IBM or Mac and ink jet or laser printer, the Robinson curriculum enables you to print your own copies of 130 books. Providing for grades 1-12 and a 50,000 page library resource, it includes a course of study and reading comprehension and vocabulary examinations.
I looked at a list of the texts that are contained in their cd-rom set and I am *amazed* at how much they have packed into their cirriculum. I would almost reccommend *everyone* buy this set just for the scope of the library that makes up the set.
You also might consider adding the Prepare and Pray curiculum. I don't have the web addy and don't use it, but it seems to be popular among the survivalist types :o)
The SAXON math program is one of the absolute best inna business! Check them out in the above catalog and at http://www.saxonpub.com ----
Personal Opinion - my daughter *hates* Saxon Math. The math is designed in what I call a "repetition spiral" - every lesson has bits of the lessons before it. Caitlyn - who was in Gifted/Talented Math in the public school system - can't stand repetition. Once she *knows* something, she's ready to move on. The down side is, she has been known to *completely* move on, leaving the lessons learned totally behind and having to relearn them the next time she needs them. For that reason, we are considering going back to Saxon, at least in part.
Softbasics Software - If you teach math daily to children 5-13, then Math Maker & Math User are the perfect tools. Use your inkjet or laser for an endless supply of creative activities w/answers & study guides (Math Maker). Also, try Math User to solve word problems on-screen w/built-in calculator. We provide RISK FREE samples by e-mail attachment, free download, or mail. Win 3.x/95. See details or e-mail.
Home schooling newsgroup on the internet --
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET
LIBRARIANS' INDEX TO THE INTERNET
AND THE MOST -- *MOST* -- "_M_O_S_T_E_S_T_" OF THEM ALL!!!!!!
Also, there are MANY very valuable links in the SEPT 1997 issue of YAHOO! INTERNET LIFE
DONN'S "BEST OF THE NET" INDEX
EDUCATION RESEARCH SITES
(By the Hooo -- one of their links is to UNESCO. Not that I have any use
for these #$%^%^, but they used to publish a book called -- I think --
"Homegrown Science." This is a REALLY GOOD science text that uses common
household items as lab equipment. I donated my copy to the library of the
American Overseas School I taught at in Mexico. I DO intend to get another
copy.)
FastWEB
(A free, searchable scholarship database that enables you to locate sources
of financial aid that are suitable for you.)
US NEWS & WORLD REPORT (MAGAZINE)
Good source of college info and links
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