tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88512621638637801742024-03-12T23:15:07.196-07:00Home School ProgramsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.comBlogger1009125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-32951982130962864972016-03-01T04:20:00.000-08:002016-03-01T04:20:05.852-08:00Homeschool e-BooksParents or and educators who home school children have the option to buy
online textbooks to facilitate your students' learning. E text books can
provide an appropriate curriculum for each grade level and subject, and
enable students to learn electronically.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FkgRqyW3OTMdb62H0UpRJgK1bK4odeRwseTBZty06mT-id6CPfEVnQHaXs751fLe3EkjsbFejAS1mrsif5wu4QiILwtxv7_zcx081ErE1qnpaUHu3Jg3wcsFPt3WNbvN9yDtNTmuzKFG/s1600/www.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FkgRqyW3OTMdb62H0UpRJgK1bK4odeRwseTBZty06mT-id6CPfEVnQHaXs751fLe3EkjsbFejAS1mrsif5wu4QiILwtxv7_zcx081ErE1qnpaUHu3Jg3wcsFPt3WNbvN9yDtNTmuzKFG/s400/www.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
School eBooks</h3>
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</tbody></table>
A variety of online textbooks have been developed that are
appropriate for each grade level from kindergarten to twelfth grade,
with each textbook indicating the grade level it is designed for. When
you use e textbooks at or above the grade level of your students, you
can be confident that they are working on appropriately challenging
material. This material helps home-schooled students function at levels
that are competitive with their peers.<br />
<br />
You can download online
textbooks and use them to challenge your students at appropriate levels
without having to come up with your own extensive curriculum. You can
take advantage of the flexibility of curriculum that home-schooling
offers by focusing studies on the portions of textbooks you find most
useful and relevant to your students' needs, or making use of multiple
textbooks. You can also incorporate your own supplemental material into
lessons as desired.<br />
Cheap online textbooks provide a lot of value
for a small initial expense. When you buy online textbooks you purchase
an appropriate and effective foundation for an entire course. These e
textbooks not only cover a particular subject, but provide opportunities
for students to learn computer skills while they study subject matter
and practice skills.<br />
<br />
Students
learning with e textbooks are guided through a digital learning
experience that engages them and improves their computer literacy, as it
develops their subject knowledge and provides practice for skills.
Students learn to use the keyboard and mouse and strengthen typing
skills as they navigate the electronic environments that e textbooks
provide. Completing quizzes that test their knowledge along the way and
performing electronic activities that practice their skills hold student
interest while measuring their success, and further strengthening their
subject knowledge and related skills.<br />
Online textbooks are
valuable tools for you to use for instruction because they can function
as complete as well as flexible programs for subjects. Downloadable
online textbooks on subjects including language arts, math, science, and
social studies can be found.
Online textbooks provide a foundation for you to personalize a
curriculum to students without having to develop a new curriculum in its
entirety, and students reap additional benefits from navigating digital
learning environments.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-9292689772218186392015-09-07T04:15:00.000-07:002016-03-01T04:15:22.426-08:00Less Stress With Home School ProgramsIf you live far off the mainland in a remote country then there are few
options for your child to study. Either you send him/her to a boarding
school where he/she would be on his/her own for the better part of the
year, or you teach him in a place which is difficult to journey to and
fro, making your child feel tired and stressed out thanks to all that
extra work. Truly, it is a big trouble for parents when it comes to
teaching their own child. Also a lot of students suffer from different
physical and/or mental disorders which make them a target for bullies in
the school. That is not a problem when it comes to learning from home.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhyphenhyphenuv1kVpAZAI-7BjK2TGQsJRpfaIu7ViP5fusF13_JpCx7D6vhdK5jCkvM5uiC0jvKROfGMCKig0AboWbrndldTvpy20DiQFZoWr6DuwlK7fl0cWRE9gfgrTzIYcOCZvsAGAVVGVNljF/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhyphenhyphenuv1kVpAZAI-7BjK2TGQsJRpfaIu7ViP5fusF13_JpCx7D6vhdK5jCkvM5uiC0jvKROfGMCKig0AboWbrndldTvpy20DiQFZoWr6DuwlK7fl0cWRE9gfgrTzIYcOCZvsAGAVVGVNljF/s400/1e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
Home School Programs</h3>
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However, if you think of the problem the solution is pretty simple
too. Have you thought of bringing the school to your home? Yes, we are
talking about one of the many <strong>Home School Programs</strong>
which cater especially to the needs of those children who cannot attend
regular school. Most of these home school programs have a very
compatible and practical set of syllabus that can be understood by the
students, and you can help your child learn about all the things a child
should from a very young age. The child would be able to understand the
things about reading and writing first, and then different kinds of
knowledge would be added to enrich his/her learning process like math,
science, arts and other extra-curricular activities.<br />
<br />
The best thing about most programs like this is that they make
learning a fun task rather than a pressured thing one must do. There is
no compulsion so you would have to make sure that the student is
learning everything provided in the <strong>Homeschool Curriculum</strong>
. Check out the detailed syllabus online because most major programs
put their syllabus there, and before buying into one such program you
can always ensure you get value for money by comparing more than one
online school on the basis of their resources, tools of teaching and the
homeschool curriculum they follow. That would help them understand the
basics of the process better, and ensure that they get the best learning
possible through online programs.<br />
<br />
You would see that as the student is not under any kind of pressure
while learning, it actually helps him/her better grasp the different
ideas and concepts and he/she is more open to new ideas and concepts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-7674897766960638942015-03-27T11:31:00.001-07:002015-03-27T11:31:29.506-07:00Some Data About Home Schooling<div id="body">
Nowadays, home schooling is no longer a big issue and in fact, it is
already generally accepted even by traditional schools or colleges.
Before you plunge into home schooling, you have to consider the various
factors involved.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZTVRid8soZmNai3HzicityBntHB3-2af-AHl_bBPQUVCrQTxv3Rhc39Wa3onudhOqlXdJfpgg1u0zTEnEQW_oUmK85TqGcL_tADrfn_T4SdCADcqWXn9SySNAnR9bml6kc8BcsSmOAEE/s1600/Some+Data+About+Home+Schooling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Some Data About Home Schooling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZTVRid8soZmNai3HzicityBntHB3-2af-AHl_bBPQUVCrQTxv3Rhc39Wa3onudhOqlXdJfpgg1u0zTEnEQW_oUmK85TqGcL_tADrfn_T4SdCADcqWXn9SySNAnR9bml6kc8BcsSmOAEE/s1600/Some+Data+About+Home+Schooling.gif" height="200" title="Some Data About Home Schooling" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Data About Home Schooling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Most of the home schooling students don't do
well in traditional classrooms and that's the main reason why their
parents choose the home-based schooling programs. But this reason is
sometimes not enough and you will need to consider other factors before
you finally decide if home schooling is the best decision for your
child.<br />
<br />
You can't find a lot of guides that can assist you with
home schooling but if you take just a few moments to read this article,
you will get some of the most important data about home schooling. <br />
Firstly,
are you prepared to supervise your child's education? Since your child
will be studying at home, you will need to keep a close watch especially
if the child is still young; high school and college students require
minimal supervision because they are already old enough to handle their
responsibilities as students but still, you need to check on them
regularly. The set up of home schooling is very much different from
traditional schools so you and your child would have to adjust on some
changes.<br />
<br />
The decision for signing up for home schooling should be
the joint decision of the parents and the child. As parents, you can't
just impose home schooling to your child. If your child is not
comfortable with home schooling, it might affect his/her mindset and
hamper learning progress. Another thing to consider is the type of
education that you're giving to your child. It must be suitable to your
child's interests and needs. There are various programs to choose from,
including basic subjects to complex topics.<br />
<br />
State laws on home
schooling also differ and so you should already expect some variations.
If you want, you can inquire at the local government office concerned.
In the US and Canada, home schooling has tremendously increased
recently. Parents can even participate in home schooling forums so that
they can receive assistance from more experienced parents. They can get
helpful pieces of advice from other parents. <br />
Some kids do well in
home schooling because they have more freedom. They can learn at their
chosen pace which makes it easier for them to understand various
lessons. You see, kids differ when it comes to learning. Through home
schooling, you can give much attention to your child's learning progress
and you can effectively monitor it. Home schooling often provides
scheduled projects and other requirements. You have to ensure that your
child meets all the requirements and pass all their projects. That is
one way to supervise the education of your child.<br />
<br />
Keep in mind
that home schooling is not for everyone. Children who do well in
traditional schools should not be pulled out immediately because it
might have a terrible effect on them. You must evaluate your child
carefully and you can even ask them. They should also decide if they
like home schooling. The final decision will still rest on you and if
you have certain problems with your child regarding your decision, you
have to explain everything to your kid. Tell him/her why you decided to
go for home schooling because if there is understanding, everything will
work well.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-57308654831749101862015-03-15T21:37:00.000-07:002015-03-27T11:22:15.006-07:00Do Black Children Do Better with Black Teachers<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0913543810/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0913543810&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=VIYHLXNIY35TUR47" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0913543810&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0913543810" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> New research confirms that <a href="http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/03/12/new-research-confirms-black-students-better-taught-black-teachers/">black students excel when they are taught by black teachers</a>. Interestingly enough, three years ago, a different study contended that the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/186523/black-teachers-dont-make-a-difference-for-black-students/">race of children doesn't matter</a>. The way I see it, each of these statements is true... and also false.<br /><br />I have observed through personal relationships, and/or just plain observation that a child will be who you set in their mind they will be. If you tell a child he is stupid, he will act stupid. If you say a child is bad at math, she will continue to be bad at math. Children are very open to suggestion. This is just part of the problem.<br /><br />I also know, just from dealing with my own kids and observing others, that children will meet the bar you set, and no more. So if you place the bar low, the child will meet it and then coast from that point. If you keep raising the bar, children will work to meet the bar. Eventually, if you keep raising the bar, they will learn to keep excelling on their own... if you keep lowering the bar to meet them, they will become lazy and won't produce.<br /><br />So this becomes a racial issue when children are exposed to instructors who know nothing, and don't care to know anything about that child's background, from a cultural or personal perspective, and instead makes assumptions based on their own experiences with a person of that race, and places that assumption on the child and what they can accomplish. In other words, Miss Sally Jones, a white women who is well educated, and had limited exposure to black kids, goes to teach in a black school. Her only exposure to black kids is a couple of people she met in college and did not find them especially bright for whatever reason. Likewise, she dismisses these kids as not very bright, and 'bless their hearts', she just humors the children and accepts work that is barely acceptable and calls it an A. <br /><br />Miss Dora White, on the other hand, is a black woman who has taught in inner city schools for years, and knows a spark of genius when she sees it. She also, being a black woman, knows very many black kids who are very bright, and so expects the most from her students, regardless of what color. When a child brings her sub-par work, she grimaces and tells them to try again. You can do better she says. The child goes back to the drawing board and does better. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/156584453X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=156584453X&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=ADUOSKP726G2B3HK" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=156584453X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=156584453X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> This is not to say that the same child won't also encounter Mr. Levine, a white male, who has grown up with and worked with black people all his life, and he has learned to not judge any child on first glance. Mr. Levine will engage, try different tactics that might even stimulate a child from a cultural perspective, having lived in and around that child's racial culture and having some insight. He could even do a better job than Ms. White, and he may have developed a passion and special interest in learning about that culture from a fresh perspective. He may connect with children in a way that not only inspires them to raise the bar, but also excite them and make learning fun.<br /><br />So, my point is, black kids with black teachers, will most certainly do better than black students with white teachers... if the teachers are equally inexperienced and approaching the teaching of these children from within their own cultural framework. But take a teacher of any race who takes time to understand where a child might be coming from, who can excite children, and not make judgements, and it won't matter if that teacher is orange, and those kids are magenta. They will learn from them.<br /><br />The problem is we just don't have enough Mr. Levines. We have far too many Miss Sally Jones' who are new to teaching and don't have enough social experience to deal with a kid who is not like them. And then, the Ms. White's are spread too thin, mostly because their value is clear, but be have to few of them. Hopefully, over time, Ms. Jones' will turn into Mr. Levine types, but chances are many will leave the school system before getting there.<br /><br />Oh, and I should probably add that black mothers who homeschool their black kids will have the best results probably because they already know their kids and expect them to succeed. They will continually challenge and encourage them to meet the bar, and sometimes even lower a bar or two temporarily to give the child a sense of satisfaction. There is a certain insight a homeschooling parent has with their own child (regardless of color) that even Mr. Levine will have trouble competing with.<br /><br />In the end, we need to stop worrying about the race of each child and each teacher, and staff schools with a good mix of races, so children will look around and see themselves represented among other students, teachers, and administrators, and even if they don't have a black teacher for each class, or even each year, they will feel represented in the school. Also, with a good mix of teachers, there will always be someone to whisper to the young Miss Jones' and remind her that a child who she isn't giving the benefit of the doubt can accomplish more than she thinks. This is who she will transform into a future Mr. Levine. <br /><br />I'm not saying race of teacher is not important to students, because it is, because understanding of the child is important to students, but that can be fixed with some cultural and sensitivity training (done regularly and often).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-81872720094770566582015-02-26T08:03:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.058-07:00Almost done costuming another show <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Complete Works of Shakespeare ... Abridged! I made 2 and altered the rest. A guy is playing the women's parts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHSSnBFe9TWJU-qt-kIqylg0Dy-tfpjBMuJcgDiwCwHvOemEG-pKP5vkJXEoqsPriB54fEJM7YV4QGfVS5E_62Nv0poSnZmIXqcJGMIB0DTDxfSLlNi8CLrvrQMwvHMRiok2l9qo26WE/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHSSnBFe9TWJU-qt-kIqylg0Dy-tfpjBMuJcgDiwCwHvOemEG-pKP5vkJXEoqsPriB54fEJM7YV4QGfVS5E_62Nv0poSnZmIXqcJGMIB0DTDxfSLlNi8CLrvrQMwvHMRiok2l9qo26WE/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gertrude (made with no pattern)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u3almSvCMU-TPjdCUFaal9bWHV1j6Rtn69fWk3BlwBGpgAhApUCNc9hXrYCHOflL4juRP9JvJM1jE-0yNd4kqoaoJUat_WbCuCpju5EYy3-ArBN_xSyLBpE-FYONLwj791aWA_kF6Lc/s1600/IMG_3482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u3almSvCMU-TPjdCUFaal9bWHV1j6Rtn69fWk3BlwBGpgAhApUCNc9hXrYCHOflL4juRP9JvJM1jE-0yNd4kqoaoJUat_WbCuCpju5EYy3-ArBN_xSyLBpE-FYONLwj791aWA_kF6Lc/s1600/IMG_3482.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavina (also made with no pattern)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU5ttQjJXSM2eqnJaSr1Van2SoPYWqZlhDDFKeWs3uwtVQGQEStPU_oYarol-a3jDAu0dqp0TFQSKHQLygju5z8yThq2Kx5LAA-t_67e5gFz4pngPACgV2-7H0T6Oenz1pYIxnWaL9DE/s1600/IMG_3484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU5ttQjJXSM2eqnJaSr1Van2SoPYWqZlhDDFKeWs3uwtVQGQEStPU_oYarol-a3jDAu0dqp0TFQSKHQLygju5z8yThq2Kx5LAA-t_67e5gFz4pngPACgV2-7H0T6Oenz1pYIxnWaL9DE/s1600/IMG_3484.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ophelia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAchPx0Y76W935ClOJP6LKAxUKzXowASECS9n191i2DXO0H15PrJ04VRm-ABi5DgSEl-13-Pgekp_yZtaAI8LW_ESR_J3kRZTgICv7aTWAR-l2IHk7ItMk0E5p6hbwTZfAhfC7oiSuZA/s1600/IMG_3485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAchPx0Y76W935ClOJP6LKAxUKzXowASECS9n191i2DXO0H15PrJ04VRm-ABi5DgSEl-13-Pgekp_yZtaAI8LW_ESR_J3kRZTgICv7aTWAR-l2IHk7ItMk0E5p6hbwTZfAhfC7oiSuZA/s1600/IMG_3485.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juliet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun5n8JcQnCI2URQtFklh1NqTk-MZDXZuJPW98cQ6dSenU5wfToDihh3jaE9mOBeeWddgdLRa1ofYD5TlQMFWc2ZNMdvVPiglpUGWAHSAu0zT0qOkxipuPVUIy8EU1DHkqG7Lqhxnd7W8/s1600/IMG_3487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun5n8JcQnCI2URQtFklh1NqTk-MZDXZuJPW98cQ6dSenU5wfToDihh3jaE9mOBeeWddgdLRa1ofYD5TlQMFWc2ZNMdvVPiglpUGWAHSAu0zT0qOkxipuPVUIy8EU1DHkqG7Lqhxnd7W8/s1600/IMG_3487.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleopatra</td></tr></tbody></table> I am still working on the nurse costume... and kilts for Macbeth! So if you are wondering why I haven't produced any art work in a while... here's why.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-23069469015583360982015-02-18T08:22:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.077-07:00"I just thought maybe I could do a better job myself" <br />This was the exact thought I had when I decided to homeschool my kids...and the sentiment is growing, especially among African Americans. <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375507744/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0375507744&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=ZMIBXXVKTP5KMPL5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375507744&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/02/the-rise-of-homeschooling-among-black-families/385543/">Black families have become one of the fastest-growing demographics in homeschooling,</a> with black students making up an estimated 10 percent of the homeschooling population. (For comparison’s sake, they make up 16 percent of all public-school students nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.) And while white homeschooling families traditionally cite religious or moral disagreements with public schools in their decision to pull them out of traditional classroom settings, studies indicate black families are more likely to cite the culture of low expectations for African American students or dissatisfaction with how their children—especially boys—are treated in schools. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/02/the-rise-of-homeschooling-among-black-families/385543/">read more</a></blockquote><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375507744" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-4948118368037035402015-02-12T10:18:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.131-07:00a poem. No child left behind. Not why most people homeschool, but this rings true to me. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RHSqUyi6GUU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-18667526647761213062015-02-05T08:35:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.146-07:00Homeschooling your kids can lead to post homeschooling passions. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486449068/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0486449068&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=3VXESNDAFIUKWLWV" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0486449068&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0486449068" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />I went right from making costumes for the Dorothy /Alice show to making costumes for a Shakespearian show. I am very happy about that. Next to murals, (or set painting, which I have to get in better shape to do) this is my favorite form of art, I think. <br /><br />Right now I am exploring period proper clothing, modern relaxed clothing that is an homage to the Elizabethan era, i.e. the time of Shakespeare. I am also exploring outfits that take a humorous twist on clothing of the time period. The mashup will be interesting. <br /><br />Interestingly enough, I would have never become interested and involved in costuming, were it not for homeschooling. Following my daughter's interests led me to making costumes for her drama club which I absolutely love. This led to her becoming more interested in costuming as well, and seeing it as a possible side job to her acting aspirations. She has implored me to keep it up, as she sees it as something we can do together when she is done with her education. <br /><br />That makes me very happy. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-67586059493761247592015-01-16T07:48:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.200-07:00Costumes or art? Definitely both. I've been really busy since depositing the kids back at college. I have been doing volunteer work for a community theatre, and my job right now is to make costumes for a show that is quickly approaching, so I haven't had the opportunity to write or do art-work. Or have I? <br /><br />Some of the costumes I have created have turned out to be some interesting works of art. Here are some of the things I have made.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lLQHIvDR1V5Idoedt9DN7O_ST_s4hJvCwCfLx2hMBxh42TcP3YzEPEP59dE9vGOHbiZ-Cz1rkwgeA82Lhf7tbwNYYumB9pDcHQaNq0NkeRB0EiL5p9rP3Z_hOLEi6BLOJGTtwtgSKGk/s1600/FullSizeRender-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lLQHIvDR1V5Idoedt9DN7O_ST_s4hJvCwCfLx2hMBxh42TcP3YzEPEP59dE9vGOHbiZ-Cz1rkwgeA82Lhf7tbwNYYumB9pDcHQaNq0NkeRB0EiL5p9rP3Z_hOLEi6BLOJGTtwtgSKGk/s1600/FullSizeRender-4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderland flower. a few fake flower bouquets attached to a sin visor. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQv_V8UQtYJ8uzMdXkxc47eBO8pBHXBGslIeAeunosG2lG7g4YUiEgMX6aA6o35Wupb9fgxsx5gjultP6wbcs-7HtTEQfkk7rBra9vL3TesYnlVQiE9iHTZFilpGKdYF7j4_7qMng-2U/s1600/IMG_3362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQv_V8UQtYJ8uzMdXkxc47eBO8pBHXBGslIeAeunosG2lG7g4YUiEgMX6aA6o35Wupb9fgxsx5gjultP6wbcs-7HtTEQfkk7rBra9vL3TesYnlVQiE9iHTZFilpGKdYF7j4_7qMng-2U/s1600/IMG_3362.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderland flower dress. Green pillowcase dress with tulle tutu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-siQx4IVyey8rURJW_C94dEk7QZk0hZ1oSpxmPYD6xQXZwbOZsGs3rkJjAz962IcJmu4hjbIVZSFqCiMdxS1yS2xnCh8pFNZh9gwLldAZMLAJTW9USesA2GyoUGBtp3CEI6uoJnRzFw/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-siQx4IVyey8rURJW_C94dEk7QZk0hZ1oSpxmPYD6xQXZwbOZsGs3rkJjAz962IcJmu4hjbIVZSFqCiMdxS1yS2xnCh8pFNZh9gwLldAZMLAJTW9USesA2GyoUGBtp3CEI6uoJnRzFw/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tin man hat. A plastic funnel, grey and shiny silver duck tape and some christmas garland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbwcAVokfiLhuYY6cLUQpAFXPapoTY3LUs-lPBpcz0fnkVpJA4UxBZrfeTWXGJpk9d4mkceGwy1Oy0MBDoJMVNvPyMeVS-9go422NdN8L4eQOdL2FB6SfPX5AF-namjHOfXMAPLilU9g/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbwcAVokfiLhuYY6cLUQpAFXPapoTY3LUs-lPBpcz0fnkVpJA4UxBZrfeTWXGJpk9d4mkceGwy1Oy0MBDoJMVNvPyMeVS-9go422NdN8L4eQOdL2FB6SfPX5AF-namjHOfXMAPLilU9g/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tin man suit. Silver sweatsuit I found, with wire sewing into the hems to make it rounded.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-47833787904217186842015-01-08T14:26:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.215-07:00This college thing is tricky for homeschoolersAll my kids' friends are college age right now. Some about to graduate, and a few still to enter college. From my own kids' experience and observing and inquiring into the college journey of their homeschooled friends, I have come to the conclusion that college can be difficult for homeschoolers, and while many make it through completely unscathed, very many become disillusioned quite quickly and struggle or drop out.<br /><br />Just starting with the fact that they are homeschooled and used to doing things in a way that makes sense to them and only them, bending to a teachers whims and quirks is off-putting and difficult to maneuver. In short, the freedom they experienced as homeschoolers, can cause problems when it disappears suddenly when they reach college. All of a sudden things that have never counted, and probably should not count are deal-breakers. My own son was penalized greatly for things like, not using the plagarism check tool correctly and thus losing a grade point, not taking a screen shot of a completed test, and therefore failing an important test that the program somehow glitched and deleted, And while he was a genius (if I say so myself) at computer art, he had to prove himself in craftier art classes, and that didn't go well either. It's all very confusing and can be unfair to these kids to jump through hoops that just don't make any sense at all.<br /><br />Then there's the old college fit. We spend years perusing lists of homeschool friendly colleges, and finding a schools that feel like a good fit for the kids, only to find that our kids are unhappy. That christian college we thought would nurture our kids doesn't quite feel so Christian in practice. Those scholarships offered now have unreasonable strings attached. Or it could just be that since you and your kid were more inseparable than most mom-kid pairs, and now they are not happy not being home or not being with you.<br /><br />The good news is that about 60 percent of homeschoolers I know, at least, have gone to and remained in the very same college they started in. The rest either left altogether, or transferred at least once in their college career. This percentage is no better or worse than the rest of the population though, so that's good. Be encouraged. College is a crap-shoot for everyone, it just feels more painful for homeschoolers when things aren't quite right because we tie our self worth as parents and homeschoolers to how our children fare when the leave the home. <br /><br />So don't get freaked out if your kid asks to transfer at the end of their first or second semester. Don't flip your lid if your kid fails or almost fails a class or two. Don't fall into despair if your kid tells you they don't want continue in college but instead want to get a job. At the same time, don't rush to bring your kid home if he or she tells you they are struggling, and don't let them lay around and do nothing if they withdraw from school. They are adults now. They have to have a game plan if they are not going to college, they have to be making forward progress. <br /><br />Finally, I said this before, but it surely needs repeating... don't tie your success as a homeschool parent to your kids' academic success post homeschooling. At the same time, don't lord you child's post homeschool success over other homeschoolers, because that's not fair either. Just know that you did your best to bring out their best qualities, because as homeschoolers, that really is our goal isn't it?<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-59918722809929541862014-12-28T12:04:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.269-07:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Y'all!Needless to say my kids are home from college and I am enjoying them, so... no blogging. I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to a year of personal growth, and creativity. I wish you all the best of all things, for yourselves and your families.<br /><br />See you in 2015.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-16171743884059397722014-12-18T14:44:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.284-07:00Teaching kids who can't sit still<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933653876/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1933653876&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=YDLXFKUGENDY7PRA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1933653876&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1933653876" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> When my daughter was in school, before we pulled her out to homeschool, we were constantly told she was very likely ADHD and needed to be medicated. We ignored them. Sure, she was extremely energetic at school, but at home, she wasn't really a bother. I have always loved her level of energy... except for when she was sick, because she would not lay down and allow herself to recover.<br /><br />Anyway, we never did medicate her. That was actually the final straw the caused us to homeschool. I was convinced that the hyperactivity (she is not attention deficit) was an asset and not a negative. She proved me right. Her first year at home, we used Time4learning, 2nd grade curriculum. After flipping over her chair a couple of times, I just took it, and raised the desk so she could stand. She stood there and did her work while bouncing around. I remember her doing a math problem, plugging in the numbers, getting it right, and jumping up and down and screaming, Yoooo Hooo! Then she did a second. When she got that one right, she took off running... Out of the home office, through the great room, through get kitchen, into the dining room, into the foyer, and back into the home office to the computer. She then continued to do her work. She was burning off the excess energy, and very likely processing the problems she had just done. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0807032573/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0807032573&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=XXTTYYDV7225BXE4" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0807032573&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0807032573" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> We went along this way for six months.. till Christmas. After Christmas, I had to call he office that administered the program and asked them to move her up to 3rd grade because she had finished a years work by Christmas. She finished 3rd grade by summer, and then we reviewed everything. She started reading after that and spent her years reading novels and going through curriculum at a normal speed, but graduated from a homeschool high school program at age 16. We checked her into her dorm room 1 month after her 17th birthday. She's 18 now, and just finished her 3rd semester of college with a 3.78 overall. <br /><br />I tell you this story not to brag but to present an idea.<br /><br />I am of the opinion that keeping kids moving while learning is something parents will want to consider. This is especially true for hyperactive, ADHD, and other distractible kids. I don't have an answer yet, but the wheels are turning in my head. Energetic kids should be taught in a way that allows them to use that energy and not suppress it. This is something I want to continue discussing and working towards as I begin to develop both my art and my contribution to homeschooling.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-1021772922338613532014-12-11T20:01:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.338-07:00This weeks art: Wreathmaking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYZOp_Oeel_ob33eWYIwWs9u_m-3bETikkbBOygyyQcvlNlZUcOUUAdwFLQ2aGTcxyh_lkjnrwDuLND-V-ImuT-j331vtcRudesdAzGC0mHVaLjqOgozqFZrq77GwAM3iQnjCDAYJoXQ/s1600/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYZOp_Oeel_ob33eWYIwWs9u_m-3bETikkbBOygyyQcvlNlZUcOUUAdwFLQ2aGTcxyh_lkjnrwDuLND-V-ImuT-j331vtcRudesdAzGC0mHVaLjqOgozqFZrq77GwAM3iQnjCDAYJoXQ/s1600/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>I have formulated an art concept that is going to take up numerous panels, I think, and take ages to complete. I will try to get a panel done a week.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLJdSQ2JOHpbUrsuWmagK6_mlc-XuqKZiCb1hP-7uGgWJFumiWJ_mbncKCoBsO8tc3BaqfRyrnQ2TCwxnvF3A2VVhQZAMQYcuuKWzhbPh0CAYVDgvh8PMb6WS2QLpvwjFFQVFAZcrlQI/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLJdSQ2JOHpbUrsuWmagK6_mlc-XuqKZiCb1hP-7uGgWJFumiWJ_mbncKCoBsO8tc3BaqfRyrnQ2TCwxnvF3A2VVhQZAMQYcuuKWzhbPh0CAYVDgvh8PMb6WS2QLpvwjFFQVFAZcrlQI/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>In the meantime, I created this wreath this week. It started out as the small white wreath make with that deco mesh, and I decided it was too small. So I went and made a bigger wreath out of Burlap, and I liked it, but not it was a little plain.<br /><br />Finally I got some wire and attached the two wreaths. I am happy with the outcome.<br /><br /><br />Enjoy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-56015032876657796892014-12-10T13:58:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.353-07:00Shakespeare not for black people? Think again. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1411401018/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1411401018&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=YEI4GPOWJPQUP4O5" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1411401018&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite Shakespeare versions</td></tr></tbody></table><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1411401018" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> It was reported today that a "top Shakespearean actress says black people are not interested in theatre (Shakespeare most specifically) as it is part of white culture". It is not in their (our) DNA she said. <br /><br />Well, Shakespeare may not be in my DNA, as in I may not be a descendant, but I have always been interested in and intrigued by Shakespeare, especially since it can be interpreted in many ways and transposed into many cultures. Yet, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2866804/Fury-actress-says-theatre-white-culture-meaning-black-people-don-t-appreciate-it.html">Janet Suzman, says black people are just not interested.</a> She's seriously misinformed. Now I don't think this woman is racist at all. She's just reporting what she sees, where she has worked, that there haven't been many blacks in the audience. I propose a different issue. Perhaps the ticket prices are out of line... cost prohibitive for many, especially the black working class. Perhaps, and most likely, she is only seeing the upper-upper class in theatre audiences, and only a very few of those people are black... But, she is letting her eyes override her good sense.<br /><br />She needs to get out more.<br /><br />These people and others would disagree with her:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.african-americanshakes.org/education/">http://www.african-americanshakes.org/education/</a><br /><a href="http://shakespeareinamericanlife.org/identity/africanamerican/perspectives.cfm">http://shakespeareinamericanlife.org/identity/africanamerican/perspectives.cfm</a><br /><a href="http://www.shakespeareinamericanlife.org/transcripts/hall2.cfm">http://www.shakespeareinamericanlife.org/transcripts/hall2.cfm</a><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7WRR2_70s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7WRR2_70s</a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/A98tf9krihg" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-61670443888018217752014-12-04T12:48:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.407-07:00art and unrestWhen I am quiet, it is because I have been thinking.<br /><br />As a mother of a young black man, it is hard to ignore the feeling that young black men are literally being hunted. It use to just be that they were incarcerated at an alarming rate, or that they did not get into college, often both. But now they could be just going about their own business, meet up with the wrong person who perceives them as a threat, and game-over.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iJn096pVra9bjnAl4T_1Jq6rBGwUztgxPRb_McRPJjR1FKQQlpnEjf0fyY1loxFZKiSsHpU6D5MPZyOrenwxux8B9CdzUL3g-ESnO3Sn8x0_E_XPpNPsnYfUjiwEPLcvRkRP3lx4ST0/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iJn096pVra9bjnAl4T_1Jq6rBGwUztgxPRb_McRPJjR1FKQQlpnEjf0fyY1loxFZKiSsHpU6D5MPZyOrenwxux8B9CdzUL3g-ESnO3Sn8x0_E_XPpNPsnYfUjiwEPLcvRkRP3lx4ST0/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>From Travon to Micheal Brown, to Eric Garner, the unrest in the streets matches the unrest in my heart, but is there any way to talk about it without seeming racist? I don't know. How about we talk about the 14 teenagers killed by cops since Micheal Brown, some black, some white, many carrying nothing more than a BB Gun. <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/25/the-14-teens-killed-by-cops-since-michael-brown.html">http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/25/the-14-teens-killed-by-cops-since-michael-brown.html</a> Too many cops act first, and then ask questions. Yes, Body cameras on police are a good idea. Will they fix the problem? Probably not.<br /><br />My art this week started out as a series of circles. I then just scribbled out my pain on paper. That's what if felt like. The outcome is kind of dark. Scary eyes and tentacles from an unknown sources controlling and/or torturing the faceless people.<br /><br />So here is my piece. Here is how I feel right now. <span id="goog_1083515148"></span><span id="goog_1083515149"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-48144395095305694762014-11-27T09:14:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.421-07:00Happy Thanksgiving! Here is this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling<br /><br /><a href="http://taytayhser.blogspot.com/2014/11/carnival-of-homeschooling-464th-edition.html">http://taytayhser.blogspot.com/2014/11/carnival-of-homeschooling-464th-edition.html</a><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-2952772238663527122014-11-25T20:23:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.475-07:00Thanksgiving break<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmMZ4n38eEedVpmvhK-J6vmMsADClPnUVv8oE8IsfDKHGPbPxo3tbmSxPwVBcfcW8G0APadnDY0P_egIhLVVKBPgdvoyp-oXLoUmijO3iPTIdngMTaYIus5h5JJ9HTWKRDSdfdBEXgZ0/s1600/IMG_3222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmMZ4n38eEedVpmvhK-J6vmMsADClPnUVv8oE8IsfDKHGPbPxo3tbmSxPwVBcfcW8G0APadnDY0P_egIhLVVKBPgdvoyp-oXLoUmijO3iPTIdngMTaYIus5h5JJ9HTWKRDSdfdBEXgZ0/s1600/IMG_3222.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>My kids are home and I am thankful. There are more dishes, and I have done a lot of laundry (I know they can do it themselves, but I didn't want my laundry room taken hostage for their entire visits). I have cooked a bit, and I have driven a bit, but they add a great kind of energy to my home.<br /><br />That is all I am thankful for though. I am mostly sad.<br /><br />Bill Cosby.<br /><br />Fergussen.<br /><br />Comments sections.<br /><br />Politics in general.<br /><br />I am very disappointed America.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MlJelCqfaQRXKUKoK6_lpv7hCtH-ifDK5cImt_Najz76FEm7iK4VNYRKxCC4qzvhMA0zKM0sXqkSdatv0WgAKdfKVTFkNWWql_s7WhDqrxXaiYQNmz8GrOPVNfIjqQP5aRb_dQnsP3w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-28+at+5.07.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MlJelCqfaQRXKUKoK6_lpv7hCtH-ifDK5cImt_Najz76FEm7iK4VNYRKxCC4qzvhMA0zKM0sXqkSdatv0WgAKdfKVTFkNWWql_s7WhDqrxXaiYQNmz8GrOPVNfIjqQP5aRb_dQnsP3w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-28+at+5.07.49+PM.png" height="320" width="223" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4ZU31CK4DRuBwN3b_OEXLmxtNvCdLJ_7y6J046D_H57sQtXpHG-fdDp9ALRFLQTcqX-a1wUFihJWpvHj7p9HEO6-6feieWYhu_9mRvTXIR1Dw-u71syM15rWssYPXfgoAFnpKwTsMKA/s1600/IMG_3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4ZU31CK4DRuBwN3b_OEXLmxtNvCdLJ_7y6J046D_H57sQtXpHG-fdDp9ALRFLQTcqX-a1wUFihJWpvHj7p9HEO6-6feieWYhu_9mRvTXIR1Dw-u71syM15rWssYPXfgoAFnpKwTsMKA/s1600/IMG_3184.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>After the break, I am going to start doing one piece of artwork each week. The daily sketches were more to get me warmed up and to work on some techniques. Sketchbooks can have some very bad days, and some very good days. You have seen both. From now on I will be showing a piece that I have conceived, sketched, developed, and completed. One a week. Please help me stay motivated!<br /><br />I am including some of my favorite pieces from my sketch a day series.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-7719383355579112862014-11-20T09:36:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.490-07:00Let talented children be talented<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyvcsAH8y-AKAS2dqIjhPyceb-uTuL0I3tYrSCKQghIwWBdCV-3N0-AbMAdGpLnfyx_ICVD1Iahau1rNucBKk89uo3_7_B4Ya_udRMlIbNxaBECu9SpdrlBUk8Gg26-wTMAtcwA28gvU/s1600/IMG_3237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyvcsAH8y-AKAS2dqIjhPyceb-uTuL0I3tYrSCKQghIwWBdCV-3N0-AbMAdGpLnfyx_ICVD1Iahau1rNucBKk89uo3_7_B4Ya_udRMlIbNxaBECu9SpdrlBUk8Gg26-wTMAtcwA28gvU/s1600/IMG_3237.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch a day #27 - 10 minutes</td></tr></tbody></table>Ruby Dee, Maya Angelou, Elaine Stritch, Casey Kasem, Robin Williams, Geoffrey Holder Joan Rivers, Oscar de la Renta, and many, many other deeply talented people died this year. Mike Nichols, who died this last night influenced the last Seven decades of televisions and movies. His death had me thinking... who are we replacing these people with?<br /><br />Kim K. West? Miley Cyrus? Justin Beiber? Basically, we are replacing these talented, talented, icons with people who are just as infamous as they are famous. The media is more full of narcisists, and dysfunctional stars than talented ones. Sure each has something about them that makes people swoon, and some even have staying power, but they attract more idolatry and admiration. That is a problem.<br /><br />As an artistic person, and as a parent of artistic people, I feel like my parents generation did us a disservice that we have to reverse. I distinctly remember my parents telling 13 year old me that black females won't get anywhere as architects, so I should keep my sketching as a hobby. They instead pointed me towards law. It was interesting enough, but when I changed my major in college to art, I remember, a cousin who I respected being called on to brow-beat me into changing my mind. It didn't work, but it did nothing to my confidence as an artist. I feel like this is why I have stopped and started so many times over the years. When your parents don't support you as an artist, will the world? How will you know.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935067214/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935067214&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=OIEB7PO4AL2HADRR" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1935067214&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935067214" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />This is why I have always done my best to support my kids as artist. Even though the boy is now more into programming than art, <br />I believe that he should integrate his talents into whatever he wants to do, and praise his work whenever he cares to show it. So what, my daughter may never make it to the Broadway stage. She may never design a costume outside of community theatre. She may not write the next great novel. She may not get her work in a gallery. But she might. Who am I to discourage her, especially when it is clear that her work is very good. (This isn't just me speaking. Do you know how hard it is to get A's in creative courses in college? Near impossible.) <br /><br />I pray homeschooling parents will continue to raise children in the way they should go, and not in the way that we parents envision them. Sure, their argumentative nature as children may have us dub them little lawyers. Sure, we would love for them to be doctors, or pastors. But, God doesn't gift EVERYONE with talents. That is quite evident based on the "talents" put before us today by the media. If your kids are talented, encourage them to pursue it, in whatever way they can and don't discourage. You will never know what dreams you are breaking.<br /><br />We need hope for a future where creative people are more positively influential then negatively, don't we?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-25894857616381394672014-11-18T14:32:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.544-07:00Famous homeschoolers have people saying ... huh?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFxDsUz_szG6fJURM2KMs9ocwJqjFiIGmh1ELKyjwEpS-kW5Y6_OWglk0WDqxGtnFIENDR0-RAdqylEB9xPd45qcKEA7RYW_ri5Cx1kRFn49UeZBAMtSC21-_x4FRFAl3txtJrf_pxtQ/s1600/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFxDsUz_szG6fJURM2KMs9ocwJqjFiIGmh1ELKyjwEpS-kW5Y6_OWglk0WDqxGtnFIENDR0-RAdqylEB9xPd45qcKEA7RYW_ri5Cx1kRFn49UeZBAMtSC21-_x4FRFAl3txtJrf_pxtQ/s1600/IMG_3234.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch a day # 26 - 10 min </td></tr></tbody></table>What set of homeschool siblings are probably the most famous and least understood? No. Not the Duggar kids. It is the Smiths. Jaden and Willow Smith, children of Will and Jada.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm not even sure they consider themselves homeschoolers, they went to school for a year after being officially homeschooled, and now they are lifelong learners. According to Jaden, "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">School is not authentic because it ends. It’s not true, it’s not real. Our learning will never end. The school that we go to every single morning, we will continue to go to." Since they are still minors and bound by education laws in their state, I consider that homeschooling. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">So people are weirding out because these famous and talented (some might disagree) children gave an interview and spoke about subjects that is not typical of children. Gawker magazine tweeted "Every single thing about this Jaden and Willow Smith interview is nuts". E Online says that the "interview will either blow your mind or give you a headache." I say that they are just kids being kids... well read kids, and I don't have a problem with that. </span></span></span></div><div><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1891824171" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1891824171/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1891824171&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=C2RBGDOEURSOAWJN" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1891824171&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">Willow's book list includes a book on Quantum Mechanics, and Osho, which is about meditation and unleashing creativity. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">Jaden is reading The Ancient Secret of the Flower of life, and other ancient texts. These most certainly were not on my children's most-read lists, but I can promise you these titles on their college applications... if they go to college will give them an instant acceptance letter. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1891824171" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">Ok. There is some other stuff in the interview that most adults would consider goofy. But who of us were not goofy as children. I remember reading "A Tale of Two Cities" and in my essay assignment that followed, I put myself in the foot of the Surfs, and wrote "the crunching of their bones was music to my ears". I got an A and my mother called the doctor to make sure I was alright in the head. Another time, I decided to speak only in the voice of the school librarian, who we were certain was drunk, all. the. time. Eventually, my mother threatened to choke me and I stopped. This is what 14 and 16 year olds do. Their minds are developing. They put information in... they give information out. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B2CZ3A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007B2CZ3A&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=ES75GKRA5Z2MZRGJ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007B2CZ3A&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007B2CZ3A" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">Maybe their minds aren't mature enough for some of the more sophisticated books, especially if they believe they can control time. Or perhaps the interviewer didn't care to understand their words from the viewpoint of a kid. Who knows, I wasn't there. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.9950008392334px;">I certainly don't agree with a lot of the things more traditional homeschoolers do and believe in, I still support everyone's right to educate their kids as they choose. And so, I support the efforts of the Smith kids too. You certainly can't accuse them of not being well read, and able to digest advanced books and subjects. </span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-4607254851198633582014-11-17T18:05:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.559-07:00Just a quick sketch<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7R56QObf5VAsjwE0_WXf0y5bLwWggcquJSKmToxJXQRsosf78J3qp74uOA-ZjhzQ5uyfK3pvQPxTYMVKckiChxQUaDegUOe2j092m1H80CdpsrBeQl3gH1VSgI1qPZuMDYuOmAoLQNQ/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7R56QObf5VAsjwE0_WXf0y5bLwWggcquJSKmToxJXQRsosf78J3qp74uOA-ZjhzQ5uyfK3pvQPxTYMVKckiChxQUaDegUOe2j092m1H80CdpsrBeQl3gH1VSgI1qPZuMDYuOmAoLQNQ/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch a day #25 - 10 minutes. </td></tr></tbody></table>This took about 10 minutes. I plan to revisit this subject Viola Davis in a week or so when I got from doing a sketch a day to a full fledged finished piece a week. She is a great actress and inspires me to be creative.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-13015889347174865032014-11-16T17:51:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.613-07:00Homeschooling will not make your family happyHomeschooling will not make your family happy. Having a happy family will make your family happy. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615791506/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0615791506&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=UT36RT2M3DWPRCZ2" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0615791506&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615791506" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I realize this is a simplistic statement, but it must be said, especially in light of all of the negative media surrounding homeschooling these days. There are some young adults out there with an axe to grind where homeschooling is concerned. Many of them have every right to be disgruntled because their parents... and therefor their homeschool experience sucked.<br /><br />So, I was reading a post today about "the homeschool myth", where the writer says that they blame homeschooling for their less than stellar upbringing because "homeschooling made that $hit (the bad stuff that happened) seem natural. That because they did not have access to people outside the home... ever... that they didn't know that this kind of abuse was not normal. Furthermore, her abuse was intensified because her mother was egged on by other homeschoolers who counseled her on making her child less rebellious. (Boy do I understand that... some of my mom's friends made my life a living hell! I couldn't get away with anything!)<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKxKBioio0nnu5KHA6KVmtSxzxwP-12KcbyJGmMf2H54arP4Sm5mlJHFf-XljT_S8IRcZCPV-QJKkc6dwvde5qLokmv0f0A_OWZt6yXsyL15yfphV439YTXG9Aurq1lzQvkceLE_UYV0/s1600/IMG_3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKxKBioio0nnu5KHA6KVmtSxzxwP-12KcbyJGmMf2H54arP4Sm5mlJHFf-XljT_S8IRcZCPV-QJKkc6dwvde5qLokmv0f0A_OWZt6yXsyL15yfphV439YTXG9Aurq1lzQvkceLE_UYV0/s1600/IMG_3228.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch a day #24 -20 min. </td></tr></tbody></table>I am not writing to discredit the story of this young woman and others who have a problem with homeschooling, conservative homeschooling, and last, but not least, the quiverfull movement. I am writing this so that any family out there hoping to homeschooling will understand homeschooling is a tough job, and while it is also rewarding, anyone who expects perfection from themselves or their children might as well go ahead and pack it up now.<br /><br />You can expect a dirty house. My youngest is well into her third semester of college and I am just now beginning to reclaim my house and to make it is as nice as I'd always hoped. I am just beginning, and I have a way to go. Think about it. The kids are home ALL THE TIME. Think summer, and multiply that by pi. That is your house. At one point, I hired a house keeper. At another point, I paid the kids to clean. I went on strike a couple of times. Finally, I threw my hands up and decided to wait them out. They had to leave eventually. You have to be OK with a TeePee in the living room, and unfolded laundry when you are homeschooling. There are many times when I was tempted to snatch a book from my kids hand and send them to clean, but how absurd is it to snatch a book? And so, I learned to find a happy place in the mess and move on.<br /><br />Expect to have arguments. You will argue with your kids. They will argue back. You will argue with your spouse. They will argue with each other. This is healthy. If only one person in the family is allowed to pitch a fit and leave everyone else cowering, there is a problem. Children need to be able to express anger and upset (without calling names of course), and adults need to. At the end of the discussions, everyone can have ice-cream... but if you are going to be the type of family that is together all the time, you have to give everyone an outlet to express themselves. That is only good and fair.<br /><br />Expect to see your worse behaviors mirrored in your children. If you are angry all the time, your children will be angry. If you yell, they will yell. If you curse, they will curse... ahem. No comment. I will tell you that the best thing I ever did for myself was to homeschool. After telling off a few people in front of my children (I have been known to give a piece of my mind), I realized how it affected them, and learned to be more diplomatic. I will also tell you that my kids saw me depressed for over a year after my brother died. My kids saw me try things and give up. My kids saw me angry and resentful. Fortunately, my kids were allowed to tell me about myself, and them bring me ice cream. So, if you are a raving lunatic, expect your kids to be raving lunatics too... or withdrawn and damaged.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691160597/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0691160597&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=E4F4QCWYUDWVSKWN" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0691160597&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a>Expect to be ridiculed and rejected. You probably already expect for your family and friends to decide you are wacko and for some of them to even turn their backs on you... for a while at least. You should also expect some homeschoolers to do the same. Here is why. When you do something different or out of the norm, people take that as judgement upon them, that by doing things differently you are saying they are doing it wrong. So choose a different math program than your homeschool mentor, send your daughter to college when other homeschoolers around you won't, put academics before values (as other people see it) and people won't like it. They will tell you so, or they will freeze you out. But here's the good news. If people object to the way you do things, you just might be doing them right.<br /><br />Expect for there to be failures. Sometimes a homeschooling kid turns out just like the kid next door who went to the worst public school in the county. You will look up one day and they will be snippy, withdrawn, and may even get into trouble you can't get them out of. You won't even see it coming. Sometimes it just happens. You are going to have to love them anyway. Things will come together. Remember even fairytales start out scary.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0691160597" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> If I haven't scared you away from homeschooling yet, I will now add that it can be magical, and wonderful, and your kids can turn out great, but you will have to work at it. Keeping your kids at home and having 2 or 10 kids will not make your household perfect and magical in any way. But, being the kind of parent that kids want to be around... that guides, cajoles, hugs, and supports, will make your homeschooling family happy, and if you can do that, they won't be writing an angry blog about you in ten years.<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-49182735893232350162014-11-14T11:24:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.628-07:00Who's? What? Where? How not to test kids<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmBWmxmE-U-SrBqH9TDCfwUDOtjyl3qpZ4MpsWA8wYOGZAjplNZ4jQt9tkN4nVV39c7NHkHbjX3xtfirnb7g1c5KMxDftNL8e1QvnzxaPT4zO8QH0CklpnbXoARv118ZIZCaMtk_KlcQ/s1600/IMG_3224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmBWmxmE-U-SrBqH9TDCfwUDOtjyl3qpZ4MpsWA8wYOGZAjplNZ4jQt9tkN4nVV39c7NHkHbjX3xtfirnb7g1c5KMxDftNL8e1QvnzxaPT4zO8QH0CklpnbXoARv118ZIZCaMtk_KlcQ/s1600/IMG_3224.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch a day #23 - 1 hr. Pen and ink</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">So clearly our society is obsessed with the size of people's butts. Whether, you are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PCkvCPvDXk">all about that bass- no treble</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMBXhDcogcI">think silicone butts are Ew- EW</a>. They are everywhere! And let's not talk about Kim K West's (no I'm not linking to it) latest magazine pics. The bigger the butt the better. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Pop culture has conversations about butts locked down. So why-oh-why does Mecklenburg County NC have <a href="http://www.msnewsnow.com/clip/10848383/mother-upset-over-bootie-quiz-question">questions about butt size on exams used throughout the county</a>? Seriously. Ew.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Here's my problem with the question: </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />"LaShamanda <span style="color: red;">(<b>Who</b>??? Lashamanda isn't a real name. One can only assume that they were going for a stereotypically black name. If you google Lashamanda, you will not find it has ever been used before. Lashanda, or Shamanda would have been more appropriate. Instead they chose to mock black names with this made up farce)</span> has a heterozygous big bootie, <span style="color: red;">(<b>What</b>? are you referring to her behind? Big bootie is a term used primarily in ebonics- slang... Both Oxford dictionaries and Webster dictionaries defines a bootie as a shoe worn by a baby. If they meant booty.. well that is defined as a plunder won in war. Urban dictionary, the worse source for a dictionary defines a bootie as "a woman with an --- that is healthy and fleshy from a bit of jiggle to firm but always tasty". Is that the definition of bootie, they want kids to embrace? How rude!)</span> the dominant trait. Her man Fontavius <span style="color: red;">(once again- who? First, "her man" is a phrase not used in any dictionary, but is street for her husband or boyfriend, so by saying they were married was kind of redundant. Second, Fontavius is another name not found anywhere on Google. Dontavious is a real African American name though, so way to go- mocking black names again!)</span>has a small bootie <span style="color: red;">(what? the term bootie is reserved for women, even in ebonics)</span> which is recessive. They get married and have a baby named LaPrincess. <span style="color: red;">(I actually found this name online, so ...OK. still it is rare)</span> What is the probability that LaPrincess will inherit her mama's <span style="color: red;">(Merriam Webster says the word Mama is slang for mother) </span>big bootie?" <span style="color: red;">(Saying a baby or child has a big bootie is crass and inappropriate. Like that time a man said my baby, who was six at the time, had a gadunk-adunk -and I almost slapped him.)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <b>WHERE </b>is that this was on a </span>science test in a public school.<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470551747/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0470551747&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=CBAE3IPM4AIODNU7" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0470551747&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span>This is offensive in more ways that I can count. The most detrimental salacious phrases possible was used in this test question. It mocked African American names and culture. And the subject matter was inappropriate. I will stop there. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />So when a parent complained, a teacher replied "I am sorry IF your child was offended". Please. <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bye%20felicia">Bye Felicia.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Can we please stop trying to bend to the lowest common denominator and teach kids using subject matter that won't dumb them down and victimize them? Where is the commons sense in this. Makes me glad we homeschooled. <img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0470551747" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-61463343723966909392014-11-13T18:50:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.682-07:00Involved as long as it affects my pocketbook<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXb_Zr7UP3w5xWNuoUQ4bgGGQOBTMSercwx3jfGaHgFoCKaC9zbHYYKMenAaauqhPaGUHEudSZzMKlr5P2gqD4MumroyOgZC1IwoBEpZRDdKNbP33KX4JupSMr5OKlZ_s2l43zRB8gUE/s1600/IMG_3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXb_Zr7UP3w5xWNuoUQ4bgGGQOBTMSercwx3jfGaHgFoCKaC9zbHYYKMenAaauqhPaGUHEudSZzMKlr5P2gqD4MumroyOgZC1IwoBEpZRDdKNbP33KX4JupSMr5OKlZ_s2l43zRB8gUE/s320/IMG_3221.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch a day # 21 20 min</td></tr></tbody></table>I feel like I'm waffling here, about being hands on with the kids, then hands off with the kids, and it really is quite a balancing act. In the case of things that affect my pocketbook, I am certainly hands on. <br /><br />This week the issue was registering for next semester. The girl did most of it on her own. She chose her classes and more wisely in terms of not killing herself and letting college counselors pile on or overly influence. I helped her out by doing a checklist to make sure she was meeting graduation requirements more than two years out, and trying to see how/if she could fit in a second minor which she sorely wanted. The verdict was yes! Go for it! You could finish in four semesters granted you get all the classes you need, and fortunately, you have five.<br /><br />For the boy, I was forced to pay a fine for him getting locked out (boys) before he could register. Then read the suggestions from his counselors which was bad because the classes were all conflicting with each other. Then we had to figure out what else he needed and what he could register for because classes had to be taken in a certain order. He only has programming classes left, but tons and tons. Programming is a lot like math.. you can't skip around. The verdict is that although he would love to be done in 3 semesters, it will take 4... but considering changing schools, then changing majors, twice, he's not doing bad. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HHb2wNsuc0JqxjGM5dT1-EVfhJpzI6-icd_njHyET6lyqVeS_OO1CQW0WyWJwSiWXtILXO3rQ9dReJf8bST_VcnSViT5IpY6mGzFOmAU4xLI89yA-q9zyxXw-VPYy4xPH7Mata3DtFg/s1600/IMG_3222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HHb2wNsuc0JqxjGM5dT1-EVfhJpzI6-icd_njHyET6lyqVeS_OO1CQW0WyWJwSiWXtILXO3rQ9dReJf8bST_VcnSViT5IpY6mGzFOmAU4xLI89yA-q9zyxXw-VPYy4xPH7Mata3DtFg/s320/IMG_3222.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch a day #22 30 min. </td></tr></tbody></table>I could have ignored them, both kids, and crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, but since the kids don't qualify for financial aid or anything, the onus to pay the college bills is on us. But would he register on time? Would she just take classes suggested for her and not look into what SHE wanted? Would they not plan ahead and end up getting surprised when they apply for graduation? Not chances I want to take! I need to know what is going on, how long they will be there, and how much it is going to cost me in advance. I am trying to avoid loans. Wish me luck. <br /><br />Todays sketches, I did two, are dedicated to the kids, a soft, contoured one for the girl, and a sharp edged architectural piece for the boy. Enjoy. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-78600788685567834932014-11-12T17:36:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.697-07:00I didn't ask for these<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96E6xWM8JCBHatufYpkgMYpWC98AGkRbeAjDKzg5_-e_k0B-LTb16G8-34OdaJaWs5OFP7dh1rc1NM-3kQuFNc15RN6lw0JwTUqoFU43xP3nKXiXihDbxj-Wo1uziD_SyWW384EKl9AI/s1600/IMG_3216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96E6xWM8JCBHatufYpkgMYpWC98AGkRbeAjDKzg5_-e_k0B-LTb16G8-34OdaJaWs5OFP7dh1rc1NM-3kQuFNc15RN6lw0JwTUqoFU43xP3nKXiXihDbxj-Wo1uziD_SyWW384EKl9AI/s320/IMG_3216.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch a day # 20 - 2 minutes</td></tr></tbody></table>It started about a year ago. About 6 different magazines started arriving at my door on regular circulation. They were all magazines I read in my youth. Ebony, US, Essence, and similar magazines geared toward the black crowd. I just shrugged, and tossed them in the recycle bin knowing that I did not order these rags and so I won't be paying for them when the bill came. A lady at my gym (older Scottish lady) was getting the same magazines and kept trying to give them to me because, well, they were black magazines and I am black. LOL! I messed with her a little. I scrunched my nose, and said "I don't read those", and suggested she give them out somewhere else. I know, that was shady of me, but oh well.<br /><br />I did some research and found that the magazine companies were sending out magazines to people who had never subscribed 1. to get them to consider subscribing and 2. To claim a bigger circulation than they had. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYWBT7C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KYWBT7C&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=SVYZSOJYJXOAQVKJ" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00KYWBT7C&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magazine I really want</td></tr></tbody></table>I guess since I didn't bite last time, this year it seems I have started receiving a higher level of subscription. I got Vogue ya'll. I have arrived! Snore. Vogue and the other handful of ritzy magazine I received are all perfume and shiny, and full of a bunch of girls who I will never be as skinny as, and full of ads for things I will never spend money on... perfume, watches, gilded furniture, and couture dresses. <br /><br />Yeah, no. I didn't ask for this. <br /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00KYWBT7C" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br />But it did inspire todays' sketch.<br /><br />So now, I have to actually look through a mailing I got today from my nephews school and see what magazine I actually want. I can't say no to him, I will order one. But it will be one that reflects my interest, not some demographic from a profile I have no control over.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8851262163863780174.post-71046604800015157542014-11-11T12:19:00.000-08:002015-03-27T11:22:15.751-07:00With practice, getting better, getting faster<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARLWLHnMAW2s7BaUbDZdFC7NDm8iJ7yQkjelPNZw9W0j_DRH8b5eGVvwC0nRfu7CxDhtN_2o2_0K6EpgTu_aNi_CFVpeLsAo2Dd9bEurHxv6I7QRNoUEF5w7NlVJwpX2F5Wl1BDFcdBM/s1600/IMG_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARLWLHnMAW2s7BaUbDZdFC7NDm8iJ7yQkjelPNZw9W0j_DRH8b5eGVvwC0nRfu7CxDhtN_2o2_0K6EpgTu_aNi_CFVpeLsAo2Dd9bEurHxv6I7QRNoUEF5w7NlVJwpX2F5Wl1BDFcdBM/s320/IMG_3215.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch a day #19 2 minutes</td></tr></tbody></table>I put the time on a lot of my drawings because I feel like it explains how quickly I did a drawing and why it is or isn't that detailed. But as I practice and draw more and more, I feel like I am getting into the knack of it. I am even getting used to <a href="http://nfahm.blogspot.com/2014/10/sketching-and-devil-in-white-house.html">holding the pencil differently</a>, even though depending what I am doing, I may still hold it like I am writing. <br /><br />Anyway, Here is today's drawing. I did it in 2 minutes, but I feel like I was still able to capture the glass mug that was sitting on my desk. There is a printer, an envelope, and a printer wire in the background. <br /><br />I'd been <a href="http://nfahm.blogspot.com/search/label/Math">going on about math lately</a>, where I was insisting that some kids close to me who were struggling with math should spend more time on it. Us homeschoolers like to say that kids will pick up some subjects in their own time and at their own pace, but if we let them, a lot of the kids will never get math, and reading might not happen before puberty.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557997462/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1557997462&linkCode=as2&tag=ahermittenter-20&linkId=PSVDHZPLF2FBXJU5" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1557997462&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahermittenter-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahermittenter-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1557997462" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Kids and they parents don't like to hear that two hours of math may be a necessity. The good news is that just like am getting faster at representing an item on paper, more and more quickly, that with a lot of practice, they will also get faster at math, and not have to spend two hours a day on it. <br /><br />The point is no pain-no gain. If you want to get good at something, spend time at it. Practice it even when you don't want to. Get someone else to help you if you need to as well. In time, you will get better and faster.<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13096065142903622627noreply@blogger.com0