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!

Play fair and have fun!

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.”

Here’s how to play:

JESUS LOVES ME
This is a Christian twist for a simple word game. Have your guest write the words, “JESUS LOVE ME” at the top of a sheet of paper. Instruct them to write as many words as they can using the letters from the three words. If you like, you can set a time limit of 2-3 minutes. The person who comes up with the most words wins the game!

Let me know how many you can list and I’ll post the winners online! E-mail me at Mimi@LearningbyGrace.org.

Think you can come up with more than me?

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.

• 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.”

 

6. 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!

 

7. 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.

C.S. Lewis is one of the most celebrated authors in the 20th century. Lewis published poems, essays, non-fiction, science-fiction, and children’s books. He often wrote about Christianity or used Christianity as an underlying theme in his writings. Lewis is an incredible writer, to say the least, and The Jubilee Academy believes that home schoolers will strongly benefit from hearing or reading his works.

Pre-Kindergarten Home Schoolers
The Chronicles of Narnia Audio CDs: Reading Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia may be tough for pre-kindergarten home schoolers, but it doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the fun. Pre-k home schoolers can hear the gripping stories of Narnia on cd.

Elementary Home Schoolers
The Chronicles of Narnia Books: Elementary home schoolers will love the world of Narnia and Lewis’ imagination. Read all about Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, and a host of other delightful characters. There are seven books in all.

Middle School Home Schoolers
Space Trilogy: C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy is made up of three science fiction novels. Middle school home schoolers won’t be able to put down Lewis’ stories about Elwin Ransom and life in space.

High School Home Schoolers
Mere Christianity: Lewis’ Mere Christianity is adapted from his famous BBC broadcasts during World War Two. Lewis’ goal is to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.” Perfect for high school home schoolers.

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14)

In Him,
The Jubilee Academy

Poetry is a timeless art that has lasted throughout the ages. From David in The Bible to Walt Whitman, poems have been written that have stirred people’s hearts and sparked their imaginations. Poems have the ability to capture a moment, much like a painting, and encapsulate that moment forever. The Jubilee Academy believes that poetry is an excellent way for home schooling students to improve their writing and reading skills. Poetry is written in all different levels and in a variety of forms. The Jubilee Academy has found some phenomenal resources that will introduce younger home schoolers to poetry and challenge older home schoolers with more advanced poems. Enjoy!

Pre-Kindergarten Home Schoolers
Having Fun with Shel Silverstein: Pre-kindergarten home schoolers can write poems, solves puzzles, and learn all about poetry!!! This website brilliantly introduces poetry to pre-k home schoolers!

Elementary Home Schoolers
Giggle Poetry: Elementary home schoolers have always loved poetry and they will love using this website to learn about poetry. Giggle poetry allows elementary home schoolers to write, read, and perform poems with friends, and much more!

Middle School Home Schoolers
Famous Poems: Middle school home schoolers have a variety of interests and this extensive list of famous poems will meet their individual interests. The Jubilee Academy feels this website provides an impressive list of poems that middle school home schoolers should read and study.

High School Home Schoolers
W.B. Yeats: Yeats is perhaps one of the greatest poets known to man. Yeats was a founder of the Irish Literary Revival that produced many world-famous writers. Yeats’ poems may be difficult to understand at first, but we feel that high school home schoolers will greatly benefit from studying his works.

“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: ‘To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.’” (Proverbs 8:1-6)

In Him,

The Jubilee Academy

Good morning! Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is having a terrific week! Tomorrow, America celebrates the Fourth of July. How will you celebrate Independence Day? Do you know what Independence Day is? These sites are dedicated to teaching The Jubilee Academy home schoolers all about America’s most important national holiday.

Pre-Kindergarten Home Schoolers
Independence Day Printable Coloring Pages: Pre-k home schoolers can print out 4th of July pictures and color them in! This is the perfect Independence Day activity for pre-k home schoolers!

Elementary Home Schoolers
Fourth of July Activity Book: Elementary home schoolers will have a blast solving word puzzles, labeling maps, and reading about important American symbols. This is a great way to reinforce home school curriculum or introduce home school curriculum!

Middle School Home Schoolers
Constitutional Puzzles: Middle school home schoolers, do you think you know your American history? The Jubilee Academy is going to put you to the test! Solve each of these word puzzles that focus on a different area of American history. Enjoy!

High School Home Schoolers
Save the Bill of Rights: High school home schoolers, have you got what it takes? If you do, then help America save the Bill of Rights in this excellent interactive game. Playing this game is also a cool way to strengthen your home school education!

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:17-21)

In Him,
The Jubilee Academy