Grasshopper New Media Presents...

In last week’s post I asked people for clarification on the concept of “socialization”. Heartfelt thanks to Stu, Anita B, InTheFastLane, STL Mom, and Amberlynn for extremely thoughtful answers.
As a home schooler I am frequently met with the question about how my children are socialized. Implicit in the socialization question are [...]

I have a question.
As many of you know I homeschool my 4 boys. Most of the time if people question me at all, they ask about “socialization”. I usually answer by listing off the many activities outside the home in which they routinely participate. The questioner nods, satisfied.
I had a [...]

The snow has already started piling up outside and children here have begun practicing one of the traditions of winter: checking the weather forecast in hopes of a blizzard and subsequent snow day off from school. I remember many mornings (both as a student and as a teacher) squinting in the dark at the [...]

My daughter began attending pre-school at a local church this month and it’s working out really well. I have to admit that I was worried that it would interrupt school with my older son, because her class is in the morning when we are usually doing school work. Quite the opposite has happened.
I called the [...]

We are in week two of our school year and I am so impressed with the curriculum we’ve chosen for Language Arts and History. We used Sonlight last year, and while it was a thorough and enjoyable package, there weren’t many (any) crafts or projects tied in. I’m not a crafty person, so I’m not [...]

I’m sure that most homeschoolers have already got their plans for the upcoming school year completed. I also know how often I choose to supplement my planned lessons with a little something extra. Considering how expensive homeschooling can be and how difficult it is to survive as a one income family in today’s world, I [...]

Have you heard the news? Summer is coming to an end. I know, I know. It’s shocking. But, let’s just be grateful for the time we’ve had, okay? This summer was a good one, warm and sunny and full of good times. And rainbows. I definitely remember rainbows.
Do you know what this means? School has [...]

September is quickly approaching and I’m beginning to think ahead to the next school year. This year my children and I are joining a local homeschool co-op. Homeschool co-ops are a group of families with similiar interests and beliefs that get together to enhance their children’s education. Every co-op is different. Some may choose [...]

I’ve never been one to bash public schools. My son attended public school for kindergarten and first grade and had great success. I have no complaints about the education he received while he was there and I only pulled him out of public school because I had quit my job and was able to teach [...]

Some children have been calling my boys inferior because we homeschool. The first time The Manager and TechnoBoy mentioned it to me I was pretty shocked. I’ve been prepared for adults to give me a hard time about it, but to have children make these comments was something I hadn’t predicted.
Basically, the [...]