It's been a while since I posted a Famous Homeschooler of the week, so I decided to post one this week. I find my Famous Homeschoolers on the HSLDA website.
BLAISE PASCAL
Blaise Pascal was born in France in 1623 and educated by his father, Etienne. For some reason, his father decided not to teach his son mathematics until he reached the age of 15. But Blaise Pascal was gifted by God with a natural curiosity, and began to work on geometry by himself at age 12. His study of geometry and hydrodynamics led him to invent the syringe and the hydraulic press.
However, Pascal was more than just a scientist. Later in life, a near-death experience caused him to write these words, which he eventually stitched into the lining of his jacket. He wrote: “Fire. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. Not of the philosophers and intellects. The God of Jesus Christ. My God and your God. Forgetfulness of the world and everything except God.”
He is also known for the famous “Pascal’s Wager,” attempting to prove that belief in God is rational. He states: “If God does not exist, one will lose nothing by believing in Him; while if He does exist, one will lose everything by not believing.” He later went on to write Pensées, a philosophical collection of personal thoughts on human suffering and faith in God.
Blaise Pascal—another tribute to the success of home education.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Common Questions about Homeschooling
"What things are vital to my success?"
We started with the ABC's of beginning homeschooling. Let's end with the 1-2-3 of things to do so you can't help but be successful!
1. Anything new in life has the potential to be trying--and can end in defeat if you haven't
built your foundation AND shored up your supports. It is imperative that you and your
husband are "reading the same recipe". Be sure to pray together before you start,
converse frequently along the way, and spend time reading uplifting and encouraging
material.
2. You will want to find like-minded families. Start asking around, search the Internet, and
don't forget to look at your state or country's Homeschool Nations page on The Old
Schoolhouse Magazine website at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com! Hook up with
a support group. Once you begin to go to meetings, on field trips, and on other activities,
you will find friends that you "click" with. Since relationships are key to success,
cultivate these. You can become a part of the homeschooling community online at
www.HomeschoolBlogger.com.
3. Mentors abound! One thing that veteran homeschoolers like to do is talk about
homeschooling! Find those in your area who can guide you with some tried-and-true
wisdom. Read homeschooling books and magazines at your local library, go to your
state convention, and try different support group meetings. Sometimes a play group
will turn out to be a great sharing time between the moms there. If you can't go to
conventions, get some speaker presentations on tape! You can have well known
speakers on audio right at home!
The journey of homeschooling is much more than a recipe for a nurturing dish or award-winning treats--but we hope these tips will help you find high quality ingredients and the tools you need. Our prayer is that your homeschooling endeavor will be both profitable and enjoyable and that these ideas on how to develop your own personal family recipe will bless you for years to come. We wish you many batches of healthy, happy homeschooling adventures!
This is the last post on Common Questions about Homeschooling from the little brochure that came with one of the issues of my Old Schoolhouse magazine. I hope this information has been helpful to you.
If you have any questions about homeschooling that I didn't cover, please feel free to ask me by clicking on the word "comment" at the bottom of this post and typing your question. I will do my best to answer your questions. We are in our seventh year of homeschooling and have been involved in co-ops, small groups that provided activities and field trips, and we have tried different approaches to homeschooling.
We started with the ABC's of beginning homeschooling. Let's end with the 1-2-3 of things to do so you can't help but be successful!
1. Anything new in life has the potential to be trying--and can end in defeat if you haven't
built your foundation AND shored up your supports. It is imperative that you and your
husband are "reading the same recipe". Be sure to pray together before you start,
converse frequently along the way, and spend time reading uplifting and encouraging
material.
2. You will want to find like-minded families. Start asking around, search the Internet, and
don't forget to look at your state or country's Homeschool Nations page on The Old
Schoolhouse Magazine website at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com! Hook up with
a support group. Once you begin to go to meetings, on field trips, and on other activities,
you will find friends that you "click" with. Since relationships are key to success,
cultivate these. You can become a part of the homeschooling community online at
www.HomeschoolBlogger.com.
3. Mentors abound! One thing that veteran homeschoolers like to do is talk about
homeschooling! Find those in your area who can guide you with some tried-and-true
wisdom. Read homeschooling books and magazines at your local library, go to your
state convention, and try different support group meetings. Sometimes a play group
will turn out to be a great sharing time between the moms there. If you can't go to
conventions, get some speaker presentations on tape! You can have well known
speakers on audio right at home!
The journey of homeschooling is much more than a recipe for a nurturing dish or award-winning treats--but we hope these tips will help you find high quality ingredients and the tools you need. Our prayer is that your homeschooling endeavor will be both profitable and enjoyable and that these ideas on how to develop your own personal family recipe will bless you for years to come. We wish you many batches of healthy, happy homeschooling adventures!
This is the last post on Common Questions about Homeschooling from the little brochure that came with one of the issues of my Old Schoolhouse magazine. I hope this information has been helpful to you.
If you have any questions about homeschooling that I didn't cover, please feel free to ask me by clicking on the word "comment" at the bottom of this post and typing your question. I will do my best to answer your questions. We are in our seventh year of homeschooling and have been involved in co-ops, small groups that provided activities and field trips, and we have tried different approaches to homeschooling.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
More Common Questions about Homeschooling
"What if my child has special needs?"
An excellent resource for special needs homeschooling is NATHHAN, the National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network. But remember, there are always unique needs present in every family! Some people have a special diet to adhere to--hence, no sugar or wheat is included in the recipe. And as with a special diet, there are special considerations in every family situation. You may be raising one or more children with a disability; or you, the parent, may have an illness or condition. See these things as challenges, not obstacles. An upcoming move or new baby in the family is just on more opportunity to learn! (And parents, YOU choose how to guide the learning.) Homeschooling in these situations is really no different from everyday life with them, and you are already familiar with that.
"Isn't there more to it than books, though?"
did you know that learning life skills is homeschooling too? How many high school grads do you know who don't have the necessary skills to manage a home? Lots. With homeschooling, you can be sure to teach your kids routine home maintenance, cooking, gardening, how to balance a checkbook, and so on! These things are part of life, but sometimes they get pushed to the "back burner" at an institutional school. Homeschooling provides guidance and direction in all areas of life, not just academics.
Yet again, this information came from the little pamphlet that came with one of the issues of my Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Just two installments left to this series.
By the way, homeschoolers also have access to sports. Some play sports with the local public school, but many homeschool groups also have organized sports. To see some photos of this, visit my other blog, Cozy Comforts, because my oldest son, Anthony, is currently in his soccer season and I posted photos from their first game today.
An excellent resource for special needs homeschooling is NATHHAN, the National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network. But remember, there are always unique needs present in every family! Some people have a special diet to adhere to--hence, no sugar or wheat is included in the recipe. And as with a special diet, there are special considerations in every family situation. You may be raising one or more children with a disability; or you, the parent, may have an illness or condition. See these things as challenges, not obstacles. An upcoming move or new baby in the family is just on more opportunity to learn! (And parents, YOU choose how to guide the learning.) Homeschooling in these situations is really no different from everyday life with them, and you are already familiar with that.
"Isn't there more to it than books, though?"
did you know that learning life skills is homeschooling too? How many high school grads do you know who don't have the necessary skills to manage a home? Lots. With homeschooling, you can be sure to teach your kids routine home maintenance, cooking, gardening, how to balance a checkbook, and so on! These things are part of life, but sometimes they get pushed to the "back burner" at an institutional school. Homeschooling provides guidance and direction in all areas of life, not just academics.
Yet again, this information came from the little pamphlet that came with one of the issues of my Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Just two installments left to this series.
By the way, homeschoolers also have access to sports. Some play sports with the local public school, but many homeschool groups also have organized sports. To see some photos of this, visit my other blog, Cozy Comforts, because my oldest son, Anthony, is currently in his soccer season and I posted photos from their first game today.
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