Life On The Planet

Random Links and Family Tidbits

*We're taking Greek lessons! I'll have a post up on it soon at Homeschooler Savvy.

*Tenure makes bad teachers hard to fire. Now there's a revelation.

*I made pepper jelly, and oh, is it good. I dropped a jar of hot pepper jelly on the kitchen floor. Bad side - The mess. Good side - the kitchen smells great.

*Here's a list of summer games. I don't care what the title of the list says, they're not just for kids.

*Salamander was called out last night for Order of the Arrow. We're very proud. He's taller than I am. He's starting highschool. I'm old. It's hard.

Being a Parent of an Autistic Child is a Tough Gig...

especially if you fly American Eagle.

Homeschooler recommends stricter monitoring of Social Services

Does it seem to you that every time Social Services ignores a report of abuse and a child dies, homeschooling is to blame? This excuse is used whether or not the child is of legal school age. It doesn't seem to matter if the parents are registered homeschoolers or not. Oddly enough, when abuse happens to a child who is enrolled in a public school (here's the shocker) - the school system doesn't get beat up in the media or in the legislature - even if the abuse is perpetrated by a school employee!  

I for one am tired of my educational choice being used to cover Social Services collective rear ends. Not being in favor of child abuse, and therefore looking for a logical solution to the problem, I think we need to more closely monitor Social Services case work.

Lives could be saved.

HT to Dana

Educational Anarchy...Better Than the Alternative

I am an anarchist. Deal with it. I'm not speeding. I'm not robbing grocery stores. I'm educating my children. According to the California chapter of the National Education Association, that makes me guilty of "educational anarchy." Sweet.

However, in my humble opinion, Educational Anarchy beats Educational Chaos any day. But what do I know? I'm just an anarchist.

P.S.A. from Scratchy-Cat

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"Attention please, everyone.  Thank you. Due to a nasty cold (which involves fever, hacking, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, red puffy eyes - honestly, she's rather frightening!) the Activities Coordinator is taking a short break from blogging."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I, personally, have vacated the premises. While it's true that I would rather not be sneezed on, the real reason is those children! They've been left unsupervised and are running amuk! One game of "Spin the Kitty" was one too many."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Take my advice, people. Go play Mahjong. Come back Monday."

No School on Mondays

A school district in Minnesota is going to a four day week next year to save money.

In a similar story, the proposed plan to eliminate the 2008-2009 school year here on The Planet has been vetoed by the resident dictator. Appeals are likely to be ignored.

The Logic Escapes Me

18 year old admits she skipped school when visiting Mom. Now that she's a adult, her Dad is going to jail because she flunked one section of the GED. 

New Horizons

Next year we begin the journey into high school. I'm just a little bit nervous. Salamander is excited. In fact, I think you could say he's gung-ho. I'm just nervous.

We gave Sal the option of homeschooling during high school or going to the local public school. While I had my reservations about the school, I needed it to be his decision. For one thing, I didn't think that homeschooling high school with an unwilling student would be very pleasant or productive. Also, I suppose I still have that little voice in the back of my head wondering what I am getting myself into. Finally, I absolutely did not want him in therapy at age 35, telling his shrink that I made him homeschool during his high school years. So we asked. He said, "Homeschool!" I said, "Hooray?!?"

After thorough, complete and exhaustive research, we have decided upon using NARS to get us through the high school years. I like the thought of his getting an actual diploma. While "Mommy Diplomas" are being accepted more and more by colleges who have had positive experiences with homeschoolers, I just think that maybe life with the piece of certified card stock will be a little smoother. While I positively enjoy bucking the system, I hesitate to involve my children in my ventures on the "Road Less Traveled." I have to say that the fact that NARS will do all of my record keeping for me is hugely appealing to me. I hate record keeping. It makes me cranky.

So my summer will be spent brushing up on American Lit. and Biology, as well as preparing a course on Korean History and culture. Once I have a semester under my belt, I think I'll feel a little better. Of course, then Salamander turns fifteen and will be eligible for his learner's permit. Yep, we're definitely looking at new horizons.

I Learned Many Things From My Mother...

and I can assure you, how to beat the snot out of a teacher was not one of them.

Should Internet Safety Be Taught In Schools?

The State of Virginia thinks it should. It is the first state to require internet safety to be taught in schools. Texas and Illinois have similar laws, but they didn't make the program mandatory.

Read the Virginia Guidelines and Resource information.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I think that internet safety is a must. It is an absolute must for children (as well as adults) today. It is something that we discuss with our children on a regular basis. However, should it be included in public school curriculum? With all of the other things begging to be taught in our schools (like Math and Reading), and with the United States currently ranking 24th out of 29 countries in math, do schools have time to worry about internet safety? Also, shouldn't this be the parents responsibility? Is this just another instance of the Nanny-State rearing our children for us?

On the other hand, with so many parents abdicating their responsibilities toward their children, it is apparent that someone has to teach the little darlings to guard themselves while on-line.

Related Sites:

Back to School: Reading, Writing and Internet Safety

How Virginia Teaches Kids Online Safety

Virginia Guidelines and Resource information.

What is your opinion on the matter? Talk amongst yourselves.

Or not.