Central Indiana Homeschool

Hmph.

The study found first aid, physical activity and fitness, and nutrition and diet were taught more frequently than violence prevention, suicide prevention, consumer health and sexual health issues.

The solution? The public school better step in and educate ALL children, because you’re not doing your job!

The average time a homeschool educator had been in the profession was one to three years.

Clark believes the study points out the need for public school systems to consider addressing the health education needs of all students in their local community.

Great quote by James Madison about the state of the our laws, but it also speaks to our education.

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.
- James Madison

Via Say Uncle

Interesting. Here are some computer games with a Christian twist. I always am a bit cynical about slapping the label “Christian” on something just to sell it (e.g. TestaMINTS), but these look like some of them might be kind of cool.

Christian Games Now
Interactive Parables

(Via Mind & Media).

John Haney has a great article on News 6 / Knoxville’s site.

Home schooling is a growing trend earning more respect. Its supporters say that’s because it is getting results.

Statistics from the Dept. of Education show that children who learn at home read better and do better in math.

…

Home school students have standardized achievement test scores nearly 35 percent higher than public students. That means more and more elite colleges are choosing home school students in the application process.

Future employers are also taking notice.

J. Michael Smith has a great op-ed in the Washington Times.

Most people agree that we live in a country that is based on a free-market economy. Despite some imperfections, America has grown wealthy largely because of this system.

The system works best when new ideas are allowed to compete freely in the marketplace. Old, outdated and unresponsive systems act as a drag on the economy because over the long term, they need to be heavily subsidized once they become uncompetitive.

How much money would the country waste if it were decided to prop up every firm in America that loses money or does not perform a useful function? We soon would be bankrupt.

Regrettably, in one of the most important areas of society — education — competition is being stifled, and an outdated system is being maintained with vast sums of taxpayers’ funds. The average public school spends $7,000 per year per child just in operating expenses. Once the buildings are included, the true cost is much higher.

Check out these great thoughts on co-op classes from Guilt Free Homeschooling.

When families do participate in group activities, you can expect some changes to occur. Wallflowers often come out of their shells, and you get to watch them discover many previously hidden talents. New families may join your group for its advantages and fellowship opportunities. Some families may protest (to the point of leaving) any changes or any style of activities that they do not like. Be sensitive, but do not become doormats. The few should not dictate to the many.

What is your objective in offering a co-op class: to present material that is more easily demonstrated in a larger group than at home with only a few students, or to entertain a group of children for a few hours offering little or no educational value whatsoever? Personally, I have traveled great distances with my children to participate in co-op activities, whether classes or field trips, rising extra-early and packing sack lunches for the day’s excursion. When the effort provided a tremendous boost to their understanding, it was all worth it. On the other hand, some activities were nothing more than a waste of gasoline and cost us dearly in precious time away from our other studies. By sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly experiences we have endured, it is my desire that you will be able to turn all your co-op classes into good ones.

Interesting.

… in the U.S. the average family spent about $4,800 on food in 1997.

The number and age of your family members makes a difference, too. Singles reported spending $2,579 for food. A family of four spent $6,463. The statistics shows that a baby would add $1,010 to your food bill. A 15 to 17 year-old will add an additional $1,690 to the grocery tab.

Check out the brochure here. It’s Saturday and Sunday, Sep 17-18, from 9-4 at Mounds Park in Anderson, IN.

Artifact I.D.-Jim Mohow, consulting archaeologist, will be identifying artifacts brought in by
the public. He will also be on hand to answer questions on archaeology.
Kids Archaeology Dig.-Unearth the many wonders of Native American cultures.
Displays and hands-on tables- Take a closer look at archaeology, nature and history to
see what they’re all about.
Artifact display by U.W.R.A.S.- Come and see artifacts from Paleo-Indian to contact.
Atlatl Demonstration/Throwing- Demonstrations and public participation from 9:00am to
2:00pm. Contests for experienced throwers from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Display of atlatl
reproductions on site all day. Learn more about this ancient weapon from modern day
atlatlists.
Flint Knapping Demonstration- Archaeologist and flint knapping specialist Chris Bergman
demonstrates the ancient art of making stone tools.
Petroglyph Face Painting- Learn about telling stories with pictures as you get your face
painted with your favorite symbol.
Tomahawk Throwing- Try your throwing skill and see if you can hit the hawk block!
Dugout canoe display- See our full scale model while learning about dugout canoes, how
they were made and more.
Local food vendors- With food available, your family can be a part of the event all day long.

Wow! The new products in the Discovery Toys fall catalog are great! As regular readers of this blog know, April Wood, a Discovery Toys Senior Education Consultant, is one of the advertisers on our site, and as such we have been given a sneak preview of the fall catalog!

The traditional Super Marbleworks Raceway Construction set, and the accessory set of extra parts, have been discontinued and replaced with some exciting new sets! This is a favorite in our home, and it is a toy that develops creativity, thinking, and problem solving skills. (Dads love it too!) ;-)

Marbleworks Start Set ($29.99) is similar to the original set with 46 pieces.

The two brand new accessory sets are the Marbleworks Crank-It Up Accessory ($12.99) and the Marbleworks Wild Ride Accessory Set ($14.99).

There is also the Marbleworks Deluxe Set, which is a combination of the other three, and sells for $49.99 (savings of $7.98 versus buying the sets individually!)

Check them out at her website: http://shop.teachwithtoys.com

(Watch this space for more previews of new fall products, which will be available August 27th online!)

Bono hit a homerun with this interview.

The interviewer marvels some more: “That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has His rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?”

Bono comes back, “Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: ‘I’m the Messiah.’ I’m saying: ‘I am God incarnate.’ . . . So what you’re left with is either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that’s farfetched.”

Scott Ott has the scoop.

Entering the debate over the teaching of origins for the first time, President George Bush today said he sees “no evidence of intelligent design in America’s public schools.”

Hah!

Homeschool “classrooms” come in all shapes and sizes. Check out, and contribute to, the photos here.

And also from about.com, Starting the Year Off Right.

Was King David’s palace just found?

Maybe. And The Anchoress covers the coverage.

Interesting quote from Jennifer Lopez:

Either you are going to be a bad mom and be a really good career woman and wife, or a good mom and career woman and bad wife, or a good mom and a good wife and your career is going to suck.

I think I want one of these. Filed under “educational play.” :-)

Dawn Eden has some interesting commentary on a couple of articles that look at the positions taken on abortion and the death penalty. Check it out.