My last two posts have been a little preachy so today I'm posting challenges. My weight loss blog has a challenge. I'm trying to lose 20 pounds by my birthday in 6 weeks. My everyday life blog is looking for challenge ideas. I suggested vacuuming everyday for 6 weeks. If you have another idea click on my profile and then click on Morning Coffee with Micki and leave me a comment. So now I want an idea for schoolwork. I'm homeschooling my beautiful daughter and need an idea of a challenge and reward. And I'm drawing a blank. I think I'm going to give her her birthday off but that's in like 10 days.
So, any ideas? I want it to be something fun. Maybe a field trip? Well, in any event leave me a comment with your best idea and I'll post a poll later this week.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Obligations Part 2
Yesterday I wrote about some of my reasons to homeschool my daughter. Today I'd like to talk about my obligation to her. It's not enough to clothe and feed her. She needs more than toys and video games. She needs an education.
Why does she need an education? God commands me to educate her. God wants her to be knowledgeable so that she can protect herself. She needs to know when people are trying to hurt her and persuade her to do things she's better off not doing. Why can't she get that at public schools? Well you used to be able to. Now we are so worried about being politically correct and not offending anyone that kids don't get a chance to learn anything. Let's talk about history for a minute. We have short history compared to other countries. Not all of it is very "pretty", for example slavery. The act of one human being claiming another human being as property. It's a horrible practice. A lot of schools nowadays are downplaying slavery in U.S. history. Others are using it as an excuse for poor behavior by their students. What is the reality of slavery? Do your children know? Do they know that a lot people question who sold the slaves to the slave traders? Do you know this? What about the fact that this is not a new practice? Nor was it new in 1800's. What about the Israeli's? They were slaves for hundreds of years. Should we shield our children from the harsh realities of history? Should we pretty up what really happened? Throughout history people have been raped, murdered, taken hostage, turned into slaves and prostitutes. Smart, intelligent, happy men and women have been turned into drug addicted, depressed homeless people. Do we ignore this when teaching our children?
I believe we have an obligation to teach our children not only the "pretty" version or the "ugly" version. The story has to contain both to give our children an accurate picture of the world in which they live.
My obligation to her education is to make certain she is prepared for the world in which she will live. And if I don't think she's getting that education in public school, then to find another alternative. If I can't find a suitable substitute, then my obligation is to educate her myself. It's not enough to say the schools are not doing a good job. It's our duty to our children to give them the best education we can. Whether it's us personally teaching them or keeping tabs on their public or private school. Only we can decide for sure.
Have you met your obligation to your children's education today?
Why does she need an education? God commands me to educate her. God wants her to be knowledgeable so that she can protect herself. She needs to know when people are trying to hurt her and persuade her to do things she's better off not doing. Why can't she get that at public schools? Well you used to be able to. Now we are so worried about being politically correct and not offending anyone that kids don't get a chance to learn anything. Let's talk about history for a minute. We have short history compared to other countries. Not all of it is very "pretty", for example slavery. The act of one human being claiming another human being as property. It's a horrible practice. A lot of schools nowadays are downplaying slavery in U.S. history. Others are using it as an excuse for poor behavior by their students. What is the reality of slavery? Do your children know? Do they know that a lot people question who sold the slaves to the slave traders? Do you know this? What about the fact that this is not a new practice? Nor was it new in 1800's. What about the Israeli's? They were slaves for hundreds of years. Should we shield our children from the harsh realities of history? Should we pretty up what really happened? Throughout history people have been raped, murdered, taken hostage, turned into slaves and prostitutes. Smart, intelligent, happy men and women have been turned into drug addicted, depressed homeless people. Do we ignore this when teaching our children?
I believe we have an obligation to teach our children not only the "pretty" version or the "ugly" version. The story has to contain both to give our children an accurate picture of the world in which they live.
My obligation to her education is to make certain she is prepared for the world in which she will live. And if I don't think she's getting that education in public school, then to find another alternative. If I can't find a suitable substitute, then my obligation is to educate her myself. It's not enough to say the schools are not doing a good job. It's our duty to our children to give them the best education we can. Whether it's us personally teaching them or keeping tabs on their public or private school. Only we can decide for sure.
Have you met your obligation to your children's education today?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Obligations
As a homeschooler to whom are we obligated? Depending on your reasons for homeschooling I think your obligations vary. Obviously you are obligated to your children. If you're married then your spouse. Depending on the state or country your in, the government or board of education. Perhaps a homeschooling co-op. Perhaps other family members. Maybe the community at large as an example.
For me, my first obligation is to God. I believe he intends for me to homeschool my daughter. My beliefs don't agree with a great deal of things taught in public schools. I don't believe first graders need to be given a sex survey. I don't believe that it is wrong to say the Pledge of Allegiance. I don't believe that gang members should be allowed to terrorize my daughter.
I do believe that I am obligated to protect my daughter from growing up before she's able to handle the "real world". I believe that I should teach her patriotism. I believe that I should teach her to respect other people and that not everyone will agree with her opinions and views. And that that is okay. I believe that if my daughter wants to write about God or something that happened at church, she should be able to. I believe that she should be able to follow her interests and learn in a way that works for her.
Those are just some of the reasons I choose to educate my daughter myself. You don't have to agree with me on any of this. That's what makes this country wonderful. The freedom to disagree and still do what we feel is right.
For me, my first obligation is to God. I believe he intends for me to homeschool my daughter. My beliefs don't agree with a great deal of things taught in public schools. I don't believe first graders need to be given a sex survey. I don't believe that it is wrong to say the Pledge of Allegiance. I don't believe that gang members should be allowed to terrorize my daughter.
I do believe that I am obligated to protect my daughter from growing up before she's able to handle the "real world". I believe that I should teach her patriotism. I believe that I should teach her to respect other people and that not everyone will agree with her opinions and views. And that that is okay. I believe that if my daughter wants to write about God or something that happened at church, she should be able to. I believe that she should be able to follow her interests and learn in a way that works for her.
Those are just some of the reasons I choose to educate my daughter myself. You don't have to agree with me on any of this. That's what makes this country wonderful. The freedom to disagree and still do what we feel is right.
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