I just got back from the Christmas program at Messiah. Serenity, Mike and Lora were all in it so I was the only family member in the audience :-) Serenity was wonderful, she gave out her lines clearly and loud enough to hear, no mumbling and stumbling from my granddaughter. If there is one thing Serenity has no problem with it's talking! Getting her to stop is another matter altogether.
I've been toying with the idea of homeschooling for Serenity. I'm in the midst of doing some online research. I have a number of reasons for thinking of this. First is that I am convinced that public schools are really not good for learning anything other than obedience to authority. That is their primary purpose as far as I can tell. The idea of government indoctrination camps for 6 year olds just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I also don't agree with much of what is taught in public schools, from the glories of the American Empire and the flag waving hyper-propaganda the kids are made to participate in to the one sided presentation of science issues like evolution and global warming with the one side always being the left wing socialist view. Everything has a government solution as far as the public schools are concerned and they start teaching it in kindergarten!
When I think back on my own wasted school years I recall learning virtually nothing from school after basic reading and arithmetic. I took a lot of classes that didn't stick, took numerous tests to regurgitate information for a grade but I didn't learn anything. Everything I know now about history and science and other subjects I learned on my own, reading for pleasure and researching them outside of school. I think learning what you want to learn is really the only way to do it, otherwise you are just getting a grade.
I have other reasons for thinking this would be a good idea. One of them is that on my long weekends Serenity and I could travel about, see the area, go to museums, hike and camp and enjoy ourselves, all while she and I are learning exciting and fun things together. That would be so much better than what we have now which is me being pinned here because most of my days off I need to be around to take care of Serenity after school anyway. I may as well do the "teaching" and have some fun along the way. Oh, and staying up late and sleeping in, we would both like that once in a while and homeschooling means never having to set your alarm clock... well at least on those days I'm off anyway :-/
I've checked out a few web sites so far.
California Homeschool Network
Atypicalhomeschool.net
An Unschooling Life
Sandra Dodd on Unschooling
The last three are on the more radical side of the homeschooling movement. I, of course, lean toward the more anarchistic styles they advocate as opposed to the more formal homeschooling where you pretty much have school classes in your home.
Your prayers are invited as I ponder this idea. Advice is cool as well. :-)
Related to this issue is the fact that Lora is thinking strongly about attending Art classes. She is looking at the San Francisco Academy of Art. Or, if financial aid isn't forthcoming, a local community college's art program.
I've been toying with the idea of homeschooling for Serenity. I'm in the midst of doing some online research. I have a number of reasons for thinking of this. First is that I am convinced that public schools are really not good for learning anything other than obedience to authority. That is their primary purpose as far as I can tell. The idea of government indoctrination camps for 6 year olds just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I also don't agree with much of what is taught in public schools, from the glories of the American Empire and the flag waving hyper-propaganda the kids are made to participate in to the one sided presentation of science issues like evolution and global warming with the one side always being the left wing socialist view. Everything has a government solution as far as the public schools are concerned and they start teaching it in kindergarten!
When I think back on my own wasted school years I recall learning virtually nothing from school after basic reading and arithmetic. I took a lot of classes that didn't stick, took numerous tests to regurgitate information for a grade but I didn't learn anything. Everything I know now about history and science and other subjects I learned on my own, reading for pleasure and researching them outside of school. I think learning what you want to learn is really the only way to do it, otherwise you are just getting a grade.
I have other reasons for thinking this would be a good idea. One of them is that on my long weekends Serenity and I could travel about, see the area, go to museums, hike and camp and enjoy ourselves, all while she and I are learning exciting and fun things together. That would be so much better than what we have now which is me being pinned here because most of my days off I need to be around to take care of Serenity after school anyway. I may as well do the "teaching" and have some fun along the way. Oh, and staying up late and sleeping in, we would both like that once in a while and homeschooling means never having to set your alarm clock... well at least on those days I'm off anyway :-/
I've checked out a few web sites so far.
California Homeschool Network
Atypicalhomeschool.net
An Unschooling Life
Sandra Dodd on Unschooling
The last three are on the more radical side of the homeschooling movement. I, of course, lean toward the more anarchistic styles they advocate as opposed to the more formal homeschooling where you pretty much have school classes in your home.
Your prayers are invited as I ponder this idea. Advice is cool as well. :-)
Related to this issue is the fact that Lora is thinking strongly about attending Art classes. She is looking at the San Francisco Academy of Art. Or, if financial aid isn't forthcoming, a local community college's art program.
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