How would you feel if someone told you that you weren’t learning the “right” way? Would you be angry, inquisitive, or thank them for sharing their opinion?
Now, what if that someone was a judge and told you that your parents were committing a crime by homeschooling you? Sounds preposterous, right? Well, in California there are three judges that are trying to do that same very thing and label the parents that homeschool as criminals.
Criminal – one that has committed or been legally convicted of a crime.
What started as one family being told that homeschooling is illegal, has now escalated to the entire state of California. Homeschooling is now illegal throughout California. Children are being told they must go to a public school, or they will be labeled truants.
Truant – a person who stay away from school without permission.
What is to prevent this law from spreading throughout the nation? Honestly, no one knows.
So what can someone who is not a judge do to reverse the ruling? As a child, you are not allowed to vote until you are 18 year old, but that does not mean that you are powerless. America is a democratic nation. Your name, your voice, and your opinions matter.
Talk to your parents about this issue, and if they agree with you that homeschooling should not be illegal, show them www.ReverseTheRuling.com and ask them if you can sign the petition at http://www.reversetheruling.com/signthepetition.htm to Reverse the Ruling and show those in power that you believe homeschooling is something you value as an educational process that works best for you and your family.
With enough signatures, and enough voices, together we can reverse the ruling and give certain judges a history lesson on an educational process that has existed since the beginning of human existence.
Below is another great article I found about ADD/ADHD. If your not familiar with ADD/ADHD then please read these frequently asked questions so you can easily identify if your homeschooling child has it or so you can better meet your student’s learning needs. If you are a homeschooling parent of a child with ADD/ADHD I’d love to hear about your experience.
Please provide an overview of attention deficit disorders.Attention deficit disorder is a syndrome characterized by serious and persistent difficulties in the following three specific areas:
1. Attention span.
2. Impulse control.
3. Hyperactivity (sometimes).
ADD is a chronic disorder that can begin in infancy and extend through adulthood, having negative effects on a child’s life at home, school, and within the community. It is conservatively estimated that 3 to 5% of our school-age population is affected by ADD. Even though the exact cause of ADD remains unknown, research shows that ADD is a neurologically-based medical problem. There is no one “test” for determining if a person has this disorder. An accurate diagnosis requires an assessment conducted by a well-trained professional - usually a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or pediatric neurologist. (From ERIC EC Digest E569, Teaching Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders).
What information is available on legal issues and attention deficit disorder?
Most students with ADD are served in the general education classroom. Some students may receive services under the rules and regulations of either Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The IDEA defines as eligible only students who have certain specified types of disabilities and who, because of one of those conditions, need special education and specially designed instruction. Section 504 protects all qualified students with disabilities, defined as those having any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities including learning. Section 504 covers all students who meet this definition, even if they do not need to be in a special education program. It is important for classroom teachers and other professionals who work with these students to understand the classroom modifications and accommodations that can assist these students. (From Section 504 and the ADA Promoting Student Access: A Resource Guide for Educators. Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA).
What can you tell me about the use of Ritalin and other medications in the treatment of ADD? What are some alternatives to medication?
No cure or “quick fix” exists to treat AD/HD. The symptoms, however, can be managed through a combination of efforts. management approaches need to be designed to assist the child behaviorally, educationally, psychologically, and, in many instances, pharmacologically. Medication has proven effective for many children with AD/HD. Most experts agree, however, that medication should never be the only treatment used. Many parents and teachers have heard that mega-vitamins, chiropractic scalp massage, visual/ocular motor training, biofeedback, allergy treatments, and diets are useful treatments for AD/HD. However, these treatments are often experimental, and advocates and parents need to become informed consumers and exercise caution when considering such treatments. (From NICHCY’s briefing paper on ADD).
I think my child is gifted. My child’s teacher says he might have an attention deficit disorder. Is this possible? Where can I get information on children who are gifted and might have an attention deficit disorder?
During the past five years, an increasing number of gifted children have been identified or diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity. This dramatic increase is somewhat disturbing, and has been explained in many different ways including greater awareness on the part of educational professionals and improved diagnostic techniques. However, ADD in gifted students is difficult to assess because so many of the behavioral characteristics are similar to those associated with giftedness or creativity. A child who is gifted may have ADD. Without a thorough professional evaluation, including a physical examination by a physician, it is hard to tell.
Take some time to read this great article about helping students with Attention Deficit Disorder. Included are seven solid strategies that parents and teachers should start implementing for students with ADD.
As all good teachers know, every student has unique interests, abilities, and learning styles. In a successful classroom, this individuality is respected. In fact, teachers use what they know about each individual to help students learn. This same care and respect can help the growing number of students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) overcome some of the educational challenges that they face.
Distinguishing ADD from the normal range of childhood activity is difficult and requires the help of a trained professional. There is no cure for ADD. However, you can use strategies like the seven below to help students with ADD find success in your classroom.
Establish a calm, structured classroom
Set up regular routines and clear, consistent rules. While this classroom structure need not come at the expense of creativity or excitement, students with ADD are usually most comfortable in classrooms where procedures, expectations, and limits are explicit.
Provide a “stimuli-reduced study area” in a quiet, low-traffic area of the classroom. Encourage students to use it. To learn more about setting up this study space, go to KidSource Online.
Seat students with ADD away from distractions and close to you. Younger students who have trouble staying in their own spaces can benefit from clear physical boundaries, such as their own table or a box marked on the floor with colored tape.
Always be clear and concise when giving instructions
Repeat yourself! Students with ADD flourish in classrooms where reminders and previews are the norm. Be sure that students know what to expect, and give them frequent updates.
Maintain eye contact when giving verbal instructions and make sure that students understand the instructions before they begin the task. You may want to have students repeat directions back to you.
Simplify complex instructions, and break large tasks into a series of smaller, more manageable parts. Provide older students with written instructions for multistep projects. Review these instructions orally to be sure that students understand.
Use non-verbal cues to communicate with the students; for example, quiet the class by raising your hand or blinking the lights. Give private cues when students are off-task, like sending a signal to re-focus by placing your hand on the shoulder of a chatting or distracted student. If a student is struggling with written instructions, print simple, easy-to-understand icons in the margins of the page in order to draw attention to key points.
Help students to become better organized
Provide students with an easy-to-use assignment log. In this log, clearly list the day’s assignments on a clear, standardized homework schedule. Be sure to include a checklist of all books and supplies that students will need to complete the assignments. If possible, older students should make these homework schedules on their own. Remind all students to consult this notebook at the end of each day and to make sure they understand the assignments.
Take advantage of technology
Encourage students to do writing assignments on computers or word processors that have a spell-checking feature. Students can also use hand-held, computerized spellers. Of course, these aids should not replace good, comprehensive training in these basic skills. However, for projects that emphasize content mastery, technology can be a very valuable tool! Students who can demonstrate their knowledge without worrying about spelling or handwriting can feel pride in their accomplishment and enjoy a great boost in self-esteem.
Give frequent and specific praise
Be sure to tell students how much you value them. Praise all good behavior and outstanding academic performance or improvement in front of classmates or in private. Be specific - tell students exactly what they accomplished!
For example:
“Great job, Leila! You raised your hand before you answered the question!”
“Thank you for washing your paintbrush and putting it back where it belongs, Juan. You really listened to my directions!”
“What a clean desk! You are very organized today, Matt.”
Reward success in the classroom by:
Distributing small prizes, like stickers.
Adding checkmarks or stars to a prominently displayed chart.
Giving successful students firm handshakes and bright smiles.
Telling students that you are proud of them!
Share good news with family members
Tell family members about their children’s accomplishments. Don’t limit home-school communication to difficult periods or crisis situations.
Give younger students a daily home-school “report card.” Encourage them to keep cards in their assignment logs and to share them with their parents. Use this report card to describe students’ achievements and to ask for information or assistance.
There are no easy solutions to ADD, but a classroom environment that is rich in structure, support, and encouragement can nurture success in all students.
What are your homeschoolers doing this summer? Going back in time? Sailing on the high seas? Hanging out with the three little pigs? Summer is the perfect time for homeschoolers to improve their readings skills and have a blast while doing it. We’ve compiled a comprehensive summer reading list for each Grace Academy grade so that your homeschoolers can improve their reading skills over the summer and have fun reading a variety of amazing stories. Encourage your homeschooler to read everyday and see their reading skills improve dramatically over the summer!
Homeschool parents should also check out our homeschool summer school program. Our summer school program helps homeschoolers grow their minds, gain credit toward a high school diploma, and surge ahead academically instead of developing lazy habits. Have a great summer!!!
Earlier this week we celebrated Martin Luther King day. Martin Luther King Jr. was a pioneer in the civil rights movement. He was sadly assassinated outside his hotel room. However, he accomplished more in the few years of his activism than most accomplish in a lifetime. Click on the links below to find out more.Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Thinkquest: Color this inspiring picture of Martin Luther King.
Elementary Homeschoolers Golden Legacy: Here’s a great comic book-style introduction to the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Make sure to take the quiz at the end.
Middle School Homeschoolers The King Center: Listen to Martin Luther King’s speeches here at the King Center.
High School Homeschoolers Stanford University: Visit Stanford’s homepage for extensive information about Martin Luther King.
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” - Romans 2:1
Are you ready for some football? I know I am! Every year, American football fans gear up for the big game. Here are some fun sites that homeschoolers can view to get psyched up for the final battle between the AFC and NFC.Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers DLTK: Check out these fun football crafts you can do on Super Bowl Sunday!Elementary Homeschoolers Super Bowl Video: Learn all about the road to the Super Bowl in these cool videos. Meet Super Bowl legends from past years.Middle School Homeschoolers Superbowl.com: The Super Bowl XL page has plenty of fun things to do while you’re waiting for the game to begin.
High School Homeschoolers Super Bowl Ads: Companies pay millions of dollars for a few seconds of precious advertising. Click here to view the funniest, coolest commercials from Super Bowl XL.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7In Him,
The Jubilee Academy
Good Morning Homeschoolers. It has been months since the terrifying force of Hurricane Katrina demolished most of New Orleans. There has been a significant outpouring of charity and relief effort taking place since, but there is still much work to be done in order to help our Southern friends get back on their feet. Find out what you can do to help.Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Learning to Give: Teach young homeschooler’s how to give using this handy guide.Elementary Homeschoolers Whitehouse.gov: Find out what the White House is doing to prevent tragedies like the floods that plagued New Orleans from happening again.
Middle School Homeschoolers USA Freedom Corps: Get involved in the volunteer effort with hands-on relief.
High School Homeschoolers Network for Good: Homeschoolers can choose from several different charities dedicated to rebuilding the city.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10
So you’re a homeschooler. What does that mean? It’s more than just learning at home. You’re a part of a thriving community on the forefront of innovation. Check out the links below to find out more about homeschoolers across the nation.
Elementary Homeschooling Students Homeschool Sports Page: Interested in getting involved in sports? Here is a great resource to find out how to get plugged into a local sports team or club.
Middle School Homeschooling Students Homeschool Buzz: You can’t go wrong checking Homeschool Buzz for daily updates regarding homeschooling news.
High School Homeschooling Students Home School Legal Defense Association: The HSLDA is the place to go if your school district gives you hassle about homeschooling. The experts here know their stuff and provide helpful information.
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” -Psalm 145:18-19
Good Morning students! It’s important for us homeschoolers to know what’s going on out there. Keeping track of current events will help us to make informed, Godly decisions. Here are a few websites that will help keep you posted.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students Talk with Your Kids: When should kids begin watching the news. It’s never too early to start, but parents should be aware of what’s age-appropriate. Here is a helpful guide.
Elementary Homeschooling Students Time for Kids: Here you’ll find a great news page with games, polls, and even homework help!
Middle School Homeschooling Students Science News for Kids: Click here for all the latest scientific breakthroughs. This week’s “Weekly Report” is all about photosynthesis.
High School Homeschooling Students Fox News: Fox News provides all the breaking stories to keep you updated. Fox News reports, you decide.
“We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.” -1 John 4:13-15
Welcome! Today we are going to show our support for the men and women who are fighting for our freedom. Click on the links below for ways you can help them fight the war on terror.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students A Million Thanks: Send a thank-you letter to our troops. Let them know you are praying for them every day.
Elementary Homeschooling Students Cakes Across America: Do you know a child with a parent fighting overseas? Click here to find out how you can send a birthday cake to the children of servicemen.
Middle School Homeschooling Students KIA Memorial Quilts: Help honor the servicemen who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This also makes a great homeschool project!
High School Homeschooling Students Cell Phones for Soldiers: Do you have an old cell phone that you don’t use? Why not donate it to this charity to help support the cause of democracy? This great site was launched by kids your age!
“Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” -Proverbs 16:32
