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.
“Greetings, Mr. Iscariot.” The bellhop said to the well-dressed man just entering the luxurious hotel. “Can I take your bags for you?”
“Sure. And, here, take this.” Mr. Iscariot handed the bellhop five pieces of silver, a handsome tip for such a meager task.
In his room, Mr. Iscariot ordered room service. He had bread and wine delivered, and with tip it costs him ten pieces of silver.
He sent his clothes down to be washed, ironed and folded. –Ten more pieces of silver for that.
He then left the hotel to see the surrounding town. With fare, a snack, and admission cost into the various museums and shops, he spent another five pieces of silver and had nothing really to show for it.
And with that, Mr. Iscariot had no silver left. That was all he had to his name, or was it? Everyone knew him. Some loved him, many others saw him as the reason they were free. He was never thanked though, beyond the thirty pieces of silver. But his name is still remembered over 2,000 years later for his actions and the 30 pieces of silver reward.
Judas Iscariot. The man who betrayed Jesus. Jesus forgave him. And today, I’d like to thank him for baring the cross of those pieces of silver and helping Jesus free me.
As a child, my brothers and I spent hours dreaming up games that, for no other reason, allowed us to compete with each other and share the joys of spending time together. One game I remember with great excitement was our version of boardwalk horseshoes, but with pennies. Here’s how you can play:
• First, collect lots of pennies – five a person should be plenty
• Space out rows of containers, the more the better – use baby food jars or cans with smooth rims (they give the best bounce)
• Pick a line on the floor as the stand-behind line – and to be fair, adjust it for the different ages of those playing
• Players line up in single file
• Each player gets five pennies and one penny at a time tries to pitch them into the containers
• After five tosses, collect the missed pennies and go to the back of the line
• It is then the next person’s turn
• Repeat with all contestants until one person is out of pennies
The first one to make all five of his/her pennies wins and can either keep all of the pennies in the jars or pass them out again for another game!
White:
Pawn from e2 to e3: Your first move, or day of school. Different, but a comfortable move. Millions before you have been homeschooled and gone on to be some of the most influential people on our planet – like Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Red:
Knight from b8 to a6: Aggressive, throwing caution to the wind, the intent is to bark with little hope of a powerful or immediate bite. There is a temptation to strike with your bishop, but you’ll feel the repercussions of your actions. In chess, and life, we are taught that we must make sacrifices sometimes. Is this sacrifice worth it?
White:
Bishop from f1 to c6: That’s it, be smart. Think it out. Show your hand proudly. And remind your opponent that you are smart and can strike at anytime. This is your board, your home and your choice. Be proud of it. Educate your opponent while remembering there is a higher power than merely the one Knight.
Red:
Pawn from h7 to h5: Your opponent is trying to influence you from the outside. Influences oftentimes are introduced to us as pleasing to the eye, forcing us make decisions about what is right and what is wrong in life. Stay true to your direction in life and your game plan.
White:
Queen from d1 to f3: Her power can be intoxicating. It can shriek fear into pawns or cause the mightiest of kings to topple. As Christians, we must understand that God’s Word lives in us and can will us into the right direction as long as we continue to follow Him and serve Him.
Red:
Rook from h8 to h6: This is clearly an example of trying to establishing dominance. Sometimes our world gives us the illusion of satisfaction, the gluttony of greatness or the power of something powerless. Instead of allowing these false truths to corrupt your way of life, your Christian Values, stay on course for your ultimate prize.
White:
Queen from f3 to f7: You witness the world around you. You participate in sharpening your mind until every piece fits perfectly into God’s plan. Smart enough to recognize another’s motives, you keep your focus and convictions in check, and now you can proudly say, “Checkmate.”
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.
I love the sound of children playing in my neighborhood. Balls are bouncing everywhere. The sound of little feet running about echo through my windows. Little brothers yell at their big brothers to wait up. It’s important that home schooling students play outside too and enjoy playing with their siblings as well as other children in the neighborhood. Playing outside is an excellent way for home schoolers to get exercise and socialize with their peers. Here are some fun outdoor games for home schooling students to play.
Pre-Kindgergarten Home Schoolers Hide and Seek: Pre-Kindergarten home schoolers can learn how to play hide and seek. Pre-kindergarten home schoolers will love playing this game and never want to stop!
Elementary Home Schoolers Tag: Tag is a game that has remained popular over the years for elementary home schoolers. Tag can be played in a variety of ways. Elementary home schoolers can learn all the various ways to play tag and should try each one out.
Middle School Home Schoolers Capture the Flag: One of the most famous night games in America is Capture the Flag. Middle school home schoolers will have a blast planning how to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to safety!
High School Home Schoolers Washers: High school home schoolers may have never heard of this game before, but once the play they will tell all of their home schooling buddies how amazing it is! High school home schoolers can learn how to build a washers box here.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121)
Home schoolers, do you have a craving for something sweet? I have the perfect solution for you! Roll up your sleeves and make some yummy summer treats. Home schoolers should ask their parents for help before working on their delicious masterpieces. Cooking is fun and a wonderful skill to learn. It can also reinforce home schooling curriculum like chemistry, math, and reading.
Preschool Home Schoolers Summer Popsicles: Preschool home schoolers will love making these delicious popsicles, especially on a hot day!
Elementary Home Schoolers Frozen Chocolate Banana Pops: Home schoolers in elementary school will have a ball making this easy recipe for scrumptious chocolate covered bananas.
Middle School Home Schoolers Fun Healthy Fruit Shakes: Summer treats don’t have to be unhealthy. Middle school home schoolers can enjoy creating a variety of tasty and healthy fruit shakes.
High School Home Schoolers Ice Cream Sandwiches: Is there anything more brilliant than an ice cream sandwich! Everyone loves to eat ice cream sandwiches and now high school home schoolers can assemble their own.
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” — Isaiah 40:26
Homeschoolers, it’s time for you to get your hands dirty and garden! Gardening is a great way for homeschoolers to learn about plants, vegetables, photosynthesis and have fun during the summer. Gardening is also the perfect way to reinforce homeschooling curriculum by discussing the water cycle, the process of photosynthesis and other concepts in biology. Click the links below to start your homeschooling garden project.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Indoor Projects for Kids: Here are some fun indoor garden projects for pre-k homeschoolers.
Elementary Homeschoolers Terrarium Projects: Chech out these cool and creative garden projects that elementary homeschoolers will love!
Middle School Homeschoolers Vegetable Garden: Middle School homeschoolers can build a lovely vegetable garden using this great guide.
High School Homeschoolers Science of Gardening: High School homeschoolers are encouraged to read all about the science and art of gardening by watching the videos on this awesome website.
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. — Genesis 1:11-12
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!!!
What will are you doing this summer? I’m sure many of you Jubilee Academy homeschoolers have big plans! A great hobby to have for life is photography. People can enjoy snapping pictures in various styles no matter what age they are. Try your hand, and eyes, at photography this summer and see what sort of great shots you can capture! We’d love to see them!
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Baby Animal Photos: Look at hundreds of cute and adorable baby animal photos.
Elementary Homeschoolers Fun Photo Projects: Learn how to make some neat crafts using photos.
Middle School Homeschoolers Free Photography Contest: Homeschoolers can win big prizes and sharpen their photography skills.
High School Homeschoolers The Amazing Project 365: Document one year in your homeschool life and be amazed!
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14
