~ November 2011 ~

Dear Readers,

Happy November! This month includes two holidays of special significance to Americans - Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

Veterans Day was established to honor our veterans and to thank those who continue to protect our freedoms and our way of life that we so often take for granted.

Thanksgiving is a time when Americans pause to reflect on our beginnings as a nation, and to give thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy.

The next time you see someone in a military uniform, be sure to thank them for their service. Remember those who are overseas and will be spending Thanksgiving away from their families.

And a very special prayer for those homes that will forever have an empty chair at the dinner table; may their sacrifice not be in vain.

Featured Article

Many parents choose take advantage of homeschooling their children. Others, however, simply look at homeschooling as a huge disadvantage in the lives of children. Often times, these are the people who have been plagued by the myths that often surround homeschooling. Home schooling, if done correctly, can provide many great benefits for students. If you are considering home schooling, this article could be beneficial for you. The following are 8 myths that are commonly associated with the topic.

Kids who are home schooled do not have social skills. This is perhaps one of the biggest myths associated with home schooling. Yes, it is true that these kids do not have as much social interaction on a daily basis as children who attend public school, but it doesn’t mean that they do not have ANY social skills. Parents who home school kids make an extra effort to socialize their children. Whether it is at church or the park, there are opportunities for socialization other than just public school. Parents of home schooled children often ban together and form organizations that provide socialization opportunities for their children.

Kids who are home schooled can’t function is the school setting. Myth. Many times, people get the wrong impression of home school. They expect that a child is home schooled because he somehow can’t function in the school setting. This is untrue. Many parents choose to home school because they feel they can provide their children with a better education. It may also fit more easily into their schedule. Families who travel around a lot enjoy the advantages of homeschooling rather than switching schools time and time again.

Kids who are home schooled have over protective parents. This is another myth. As stated above, some parents simply feel that home schooling is the better option. It often has very little to do with protecting their children and more to do with helping their children earn a solid education. While protecting children may be the reason for some parents, the overwhelming majority just believe in a more solid education for their children.

Kids who are home schooled miss out on extracurricular activities. Myth - Home schooled children may not participate in after school sports at the local school, but they do have opportunities to play in local sports. Many parents take advantage of winter basketball leagues or other sports that are opened to all children. It is up to the parent which extracurricular activity their children participate in. It should not be assumed that just because the child is homeschooled that he has any less of an opportunity than public school children in playing sports and getting involved.

Kids who are home schooled aren’t as smart. Once again, this is untrue. There have been countless home schooled kids who have gone on to be doctors and lawyers. A great education does not lie within a public school. It lies within the person who is willing to teach the child. Parents make great teachers for children if they are willing to put for the time, energy and effort to provide their child with the best education possible.

Kids who are home schooled do not do as well in college. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, many home schooled children enter college well ahead of public school children.

Kids who are home schooled can’t function in society as adults. Myth. Society is full of adults who were home schooled that have done just fine in society. As long as children who are home schooled are familiar with how society works, they often do very well.

Homeschooling is easy. Myth. If you are considering homeschooling you will want to pay close attention to this myth. As a parent, home schooling will take a lot of time on your part. Before you choose to do it you must make sure that it will work into your schedule and that you have the time to devote to teaching your children.

The myths listed above have given homeschooling a bad name. Now that you know the truth, you can make an informed decision about homeschooling. Will you choose to teach your children at home?

Marina is a freelance writer and co-owner of a nesting doll store. She learned a lot about homeschooling from her sister who has been homeschooling her teenagers the last 3 years.

Book of the Month

America's Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims' harvest feast, part of the story of the settling of Plymouth Colony, an important period in American history. Since the Pilgrims' original feast was never repeated, it can't really be called the beginning of a tradition, nor did the Pilgrims call it a Thanksgiving Feast. Nevertheless, the 1621 feast has become a model for our own Thanksgiving celebration. Learn all about the first Thanksgiving, find out what else was happening at that time, read Thanksgiving poems, get authentic Pilgrim recipes, activity ideas, and much more.

48 pages of Thanksgiving resources including:
-The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving
-The Mayflower Compact
-The First Ever National Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1777
-Continental Congress Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1782
-Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789
-Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1863
-The First Thanksgiving (from "Stories of the Pilgrims")
-Pilgrim Timeline
-Pilgrim Trivia
-Thanksgiving Links
-Thanksgiving Poems & Prayers
-Thanksgiving Quotations
-Thanksgiving Scriptures
-Thanksgiving Picture Study
-Thanksgiving Worksheets
-Thanksgiving Activities
-and much more!!!

*Downloadable in printable PDF format, using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Famous Homeschoolers

“The March King” was born on November 6, 1854. Musically talented and homeschooled as a child, he grew up to be a world-famous American band conductor who composed over 100 popular marching songs. Read his biography here. You can also download the following story written by Sousa himself: John Philip Sousa: Experiences of a Bandmaster

Reading Between the Lines

This 420-page treasury was compiled by a homeschooler for homeschoolers! It contains almost 3,000 quotations by more than 1,000 people on teaching, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge. The quotes are categorized by subject, covering both traditional and nontraditional forms of education.

Learning for Life features quotations by a diverse spectrum of philosophers, scientists, religious leaders, statesmen, writers, educators, and others from throughout history. Many of the quotations are from Christian sources, harkening back to our schools’ Christian heritage and reflecting a strong biblical perspective.

These observations on education and child training range from witty to wise, practical to profound, and informational to inspirational. The book is a useful resource for parents, teachers, college students, speakers, writers, history buffs, book lovers, and lifelong learners. It makes a great gift too!

For more information, please visit my Learning for Life page: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/learningforlife.html

Learning Links

Veterans Day (The history and traditions of this holiday, along with some activity ideas.)

The First Thanksgiving (The Pilgrims' 1621 harvest feast became a model for America's Thanksgiving celebration. This page includes Thanksgiving poems, recipes, and activities.)

Giving Thanks (The Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to help your children reflect on what they are grateful for.)

Family-friendly Thanksgiving Films (Some movies with Thanksgiving themes that the whole family can enjoy.)

First in Flight: Wilbur & Orville Wright (To celebrate Aviation History Month, read about these two brothers who built the first successful airplane.)

Teddy Bears (November 14 is National American Teddy Bear Day.)

World Hello Day (Learn how to say "hello" in 37 different languages.)

Freebie of the Month

The Gettysburg Address - President Lincoln delivered his famous speech on November 19, 1863. Download this PDF and practice reciting it.

Thanksgiving Proclamation - Print out a copy of the actual 1623 Thanksgiving Proclamation. It looks great on parchment paper if you have any!

November & December Calendar - Print out these calendar pages and hang on your fridge, next to your computer, or keep in a binder. Includes a convenient list of holidays and special days, plus space for notes.

(Requires Adobe Reader: click here for free download.)

Quote of the Month

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds.” ~Philippians 4:6-7

A Note From Teri...

I hate to end on a sad note... but if you all could keep the Hooker homeschooling family in your prayers as it's going to be especially hard on them with the holidays coming up after the very sudden and unexpected loss of their dear mother.

Christina Lee Jones Hooker
Homeschooling Mother Of Five
3/23/1976 - 10/19/2011

Christina Lee Jones Hooker, 35, of LaFayette, Georgia, went to be with Jesus Christ on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. She passed after a very short and unforeseen affliction. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She loved and served her family faithfully as she did Christ. Her death is a tragedy beyond measure, and her resurrection will be a triumph that will rival it. Christina was a devoted homemaker and homeschooling mother, whose life and joy centered around raising and adoring her husband and children. Survivors include her loving husband of more than 17 years, Jonathan Christian Hooker; five daughters, Locksley, Ruby, Isabel, Esther and Naomi Hooker; her parents, Bruce and Teresa "Teri" Jones; sister, Samantha Jones Cashen; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Memorial services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, October 24, 2011, at Highlands Presbyterian Church with Pastor Travis Hutchinson officiating. Online guestbook at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com

Blessings to you and yours!

P.S. Did you like this month's newsletter?