What is the point of Standardized Testing? The name alone is offensive. Do we really want to live in a world where every person has exactly the same level of knowledge? These tests do not measure the quality or even breadth of one's education. They are a joke, really.
Homeschoolers in New York are required to test, using one of several options approved by the NYS Education Department. The one my family uses is the California Achievement Test. It is a format with which the kids are comfortable, it goes in 20 minute increments, and is relatively clear in it's instructions. I do not mind the test itself, honestly. I think it is a great tool for gauging where a child should be and seeing where you should be heading. However, using this tool as the be all end all to quantifying the value of a life's worth of education is ridiculous.
I want my children to be thinkers, problem solvers, creative reasoners. I want them to be pioneers, inventors, artists! Yes, I do believe it is important for them to know how to formulate an intelligent sentence and solve simple math equations. I think they should know important historical events and have a general understanding of geography. But who is to say what is important? Half the contries I learned about in middle school World Cultures don't even exsist today. And my kids have a whole new technological world that I could not have even imagined. How much of my education do I use in my daily life? To be honest, not a whole lot. Most of the skills and talents for which I am employed I learned on the fly in my adult life. Truly, in my return to the work force after kids adult life!
I do not care if my kids can identify a hanging participle or an indirect object. I care that they can coherently articulate their thoughts and enjoy good literature. I am not interested in torturing them into memorizing multiplication facts. I care that they know how to findt he answers they need. I care that they are curious about how things work and how to make their daily lives more fun!!
There is nothing better then seeing the look on a child's face when they discover something for the first time. There is no greater joy than seeing a dream brought to fruition by their own determination. These are the lessons I want to teach my children. Dreams can come true, and they can make it happen. I will be here, cheering them on and hopefully providing the inspiration and the courage to try.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Leprechaun Traps?
I had bever heard of such a thing! And while me dear friend Shelly, whom I have known since Kindergarten, was complaining about having to make one, the prospect was intriguing to me! To be fair, she has 5, public schooled children and she is a wonderful, active, involved Mom. So multiply all the silly, time wasting projects kids (read:parents) get assigned by 5 and she has certainly done more than her fair share!
Today is raining like crazy, and I have off. Kenny III is at his new home, with a new family, and so it is just me and my girls. While they were sleeping (till Noon, no less) I ran out to Target to gather some supplies. Upon returning home I asked the girls if they wanted to make Leprechaun Traps. Kyleigh's eyes lit up and she literally jumped up and down and ran to get whatever she thought would be useful. Jessie, in true teenage fashion, rolled her eyes and looked at me like I had 4 heads. Then I reminded her that if there were no trap the Leprechaun's would have no effort to reward. She, ever her mother's daughter, replied "The leprechaun's have been good to me already, no need for more." Smartass! But, she must have had a change of heart, as she is happily creating away with her sister. Jessie is utilizing her physics skills to build a ladder! Kyleigh says she will build stairs out of Legos.
I am so blessed to have this time with my kids, building memories and traditions, however silly they may be.
Today is raining like crazy, and I have off. Kenny III is at his new home, with a new family, and so it is just me and my girls. While they were sleeping (till Noon, no less) I ran out to Target to gather some supplies. Upon returning home I asked the girls if they wanted to make Leprechaun Traps. Kyleigh's eyes lit up and she literally jumped up and down and ran to get whatever she thought would be useful. Jessie, in true teenage fashion, rolled her eyes and looked at me like I had 4 heads. Then I reminded her that if there were no trap the Leprechaun's would have no effort to reward. She, ever her mother's daughter, replied "The leprechaun's have been good to me already, no need for more." Smartass! But, she must have had a change of heart, as she is happily creating away with her sister. Jessie is utilizing her physics skills to build a ladder! Kyleigh says she will build stairs out of Legos.
I am so blessed to have this time with my kids, building memories and traditions, however silly they may be.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
No Spring Fever here!
Parents, teachers and children alike are all complaining about being cooped up inside during these new days of sunshine and warmer weather. Once again I am reminded of how blessed we are to have made this life for ourselves.
Our days have been spent walking through our towns, taking beach walks in search of treasure (and seals), playing tennis, riding bikes and enjoying the warming sun. Even more special, is that we are able to do these things all together (or not, as is sometimes the choice). It is so much fun to watch the kids discover the first bulbs peeking through the ground, or spot the first robin of the season. As we were walking last week Kenny III noticed the first osprey returning. What a glorious sight!
I am also grateful, as we experience the first night of daylight savings time, that my kids can sleep till they're done. We have a full day planned today, of bike rides and tennis and a little produce shopping then an evening of homemade pizzas and a movie.
I love spending these times with my kids, and try to be as thankful as possible for each moment.
Our days have been spent walking through our towns, taking beach walks in search of treasure (and seals), playing tennis, riding bikes and enjoying the warming sun. Even more special, is that we are able to do these things all together (or not, as is sometimes the choice). It is so much fun to watch the kids discover the first bulbs peeking through the ground, or spot the first robin of the season. As we were walking last week Kenny III noticed the first osprey returning. What a glorious sight!
I am also grateful, as we experience the first night of daylight savings time, that my kids can sleep till they're done. We have a full day planned today, of bike rides and tennis and a little produce shopping then an evening of homemade pizzas and a movie.
I love spending these times with my kids, and try to be as thankful as possible for each moment.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
"You can't preach the Bible without preaching the hatred of God." 2006 quote from Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, in a CNN interview.
Westboro Baptist Church is a disgrace to Bible believing, Christ following Christians. I John 4:20 tells us "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" The "hatred of God" is not supported by the Bible. There are several Old Testament verses in which God professes His hatred of sinners and of sin itself. However, this cannot be said of the New Testament.
We are commanded to love one another, and to preach the good news. God tells is if we hate our brother we are murderers, and no murderer has eternal life in Him!
Certainly God hates sin, and I am in no way suggesting that we turn a blind eye to sin or to sinners. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us a very clear prescription for dealing with the sin (and sinners) among us. Nowhere in Matthew 18 does God tell us to disrupt a grieving family or picket funerals.
Let us all love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us. Let's show Westboro Baptist Church the True God of Love, the One who Heals broken hearts and mends erroneous ways.
Lord prepare me, to be a sanctaury. Pure and Holy, Tried and True.
With Thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary, for You.
Westboro Baptist Church is a disgrace to Bible believing, Christ following Christians. I John 4:20 tells us "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" The "hatred of God" is not supported by the Bible. There are several Old Testament verses in which God professes His hatred of sinners and of sin itself. However, this cannot be said of the New Testament.
We are commanded to love one another, and to preach the good news. God tells is if we hate our brother we are murderers, and no murderer has eternal life in Him!
Certainly God hates sin, and I am in no way suggesting that we turn a blind eye to sin or to sinners. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us a very clear prescription for dealing with the sin (and sinners) among us. Nowhere in Matthew 18 does God tell us to disrupt a grieving family or picket funerals.
Let us all love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us. Let's show Westboro Baptist Church the True God of Love, the One who Heals broken hearts and mends erroneous ways.
Lord prepare me, to be a sanctaury. Pure and Holy, Tried and True.
With Thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary, for You.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kudos to Linda Dobson
http://www.parentatthehelm.com/3758/why-homeschooling-mothers-are-superior/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ParentAtTheHelmBlog+%28PARENT+AT+THE+HELM+BLOG%29
The above link is an article by Linda Dobson (no relation to Dr. James Dobson) on Why Homeschooling Mothers are Superior. I have been following with interest the article by Amy Chua on why she believes Chinese mothers are superior. The article horrifies me, and I cannot imagine why berating, belittling and shaming children can be touted as successful parenting tools. A better question is, why is the parent taking credit for the "success" of the child ?
I understand the innate feeling of pride a parent feels when their child achieves a goal or is recognized by others as talented. My smallest blessing has chosen to pursue competitive gymnastics. Frankly, she is quite good at it and has been since she first stepped onto a mat at the age of 3. I enrolled all three children in a homeschool gymnastics class along with 3 of their friends, solely to provide fun exercise in the middle of winter. Kyleigh took to it right away and felt pure joy with each session. She now spends anywhere from 12-15 hours a week in the gym and countless more hours in the basement on her bar and/or beam. She LOVES gymnastics. The result of her hard work and dedication can be seen in the form of the many medals, ribbons and trophies she proudly displays all over the house. Am I proud of her? Of course! Probably sinfully so! Do I think her success is in any way a feather in my cap? Absolutely not. It's not me getting battered and bloody in the gym 4-5 days a week. I am not the one doing sit ups and rope climbing till my muscles scream. It isn't me doing cartwheels and back walk-overs on a 4" piece of wood 4' off the floor! Her success is her own.
Our oldest daughter won lots of ribbons in equestrian events, and our son is gifted at whatever sport he chooses. Our children are talented and passionate and delightful people. They know that they are loved and more importantly, that we trust them. They are free to explore their passions, with as little or as much dedication as they have at the time. They pick things up and put them down at will, and know that we support them without question.
Society does not define success in our home. We judge our own success by the way we treat each other, and the tenor of our home. Come visit, we hope you will be blessed.
The above link is an article by Linda Dobson (no relation to Dr. James Dobson) on Why Homeschooling Mothers are Superior. I have been following with interest the article by Amy Chua on why she believes Chinese mothers are superior. The article horrifies me, and I cannot imagine why berating, belittling and shaming children can be touted as successful parenting tools. A better question is, why is the parent taking credit for the "success" of the child ?
I understand the innate feeling of pride a parent feels when their child achieves a goal or is recognized by others as talented. My smallest blessing has chosen to pursue competitive gymnastics. Frankly, she is quite good at it and has been since she first stepped onto a mat at the age of 3. I enrolled all three children in a homeschool gymnastics class along with 3 of their friends, solely to provide fun exercise in the middle of winter. Kyleigh took to it right away and felt pure joy with each session. She now spends anywhere from 12-15 hours a week in the gym and countless more hours in the basement on her bar and/or beam. She LOVES gymnastics. The result of her hard work and dedication can be seen in the form of the many medals, ribbons and trophies she proudly displays all over the house. Am I proud of her? Of course! Probably sinfully so! Do I think her success is in any way a feather in my cap? Absolutely not. It's not me getting battered and bloody in the gym 4-5 days a week. I am not the one doing sit ups and rope climbing till my muscles scream. It isn't me doing cartwheels and back walk-overs on a 4" piece of wood 4' off the floor! Her success is her own.
Our oldest daughter won lots of ribbons in equestrian events, and our son is gifted at whatever sport he chooses. Our children are talented and passionate and delightful people. They know that they are loved and more importantly, that we trust them. They are free to explore their passions, with as little or as much dedication as they have at the time. They pick things up and put them down at will, and know that we support them without question.
Society does not define success in our home. We judge our own success by the way we treat each other, and the tenor of our home. Come visit, we hope you will be blessed.
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