The Occult Bot

Graduation has a different meaning to each individual. There are those that treasure the graduation day while others are not at all concerned of the outcome. However, many people anticipate the graduation day because it marks the next step they are going to take in life. This is what matters to most people and they do their best to have a great graduation ceremony. Whatever your reason is, prepare for your graduation and understanding the significance of the graduation ceremony is very important.
Graduation gowns trace their roots from the early scholars. In United States, the gown worn during graduation was used during the colonial period and formalized at the Intercollegiate Code in the year 1895. Other countries have followed most of what was used by intellectuals at Oxford and Cambridge Universities during medieval Europe. This shows how rich and important the graduation gown is in its essence. Today, many schools and learning institutions have changed their graduation gowns to match their schools colors.
The academic regalia in the universities have various colors depending on the field of study. It is normally usual for students receiving Bachelor’s degree in any field to wear black gowns that have straight unwrapped sleeves. The hats are generally black mortarboards while a colored tassel is also incorporated. The color of the tassel mainly depicts the field of study for that particular student. Others wear hats that drape around the shoulders and suspend at the back using the university’s colors. The university seal is indicated on a piece that is on the front of the neck.
The master’s students mainly wear a general mortarboard. The graduation tassels are mainly colored together with black gowns. The gown has sleeves that are rhombus with wrapped ends and everyone bestowed the master’s degree wears the cap. The lining of the gown has the same color as the tassel and shows the field of study for that person. For the master’s students, the outer color of the cap matches the color of the university one has earned a degree. The graduates are given their degrees and a handshake.
The doctoral students wear gowns with velvet stripes along the arms and chest. The colors of the graduation regalia indicate the area of study for a particular student. The doctorate graduates do not wear mortarboard but rather a tam which is attached a tiny golden tassel. Many universities give doctors capes that look like those for master’s students at the graduation ceremony. This cape is usually awarded by the student’s academic advisor. This is very memorable event for many graduates who have excelled in their field of study.
It is important to keep the tassels well after graduation so that they can act as a reminder of the graduation day. Many students value these moments and once they are older they can tell their children of the special moments in school and graduation. In, general the graduation ceremony is very significant in many learning institutions.

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Every student dreams of walking across the stage wearing a graduation cap & gown and receive a graduation diploma or certificate from the professors. Every pupil in each school, college and university looks forward to doing this. They work hard to be eligible for the graduation diploma. And finally, the convocation day comes and their dream comes true. Happiness and sense of achievement is all what the students want to experience on this important day. Wearing a graduation cap and gown is a tradition in graduation ceremony. As a result, caps and gowns for graduation are considered as the symbol of achievement and viewed with respect. As a result, it’s the duty of every student to follow these etiquettes of carrying the academic regalia during the graduation ceremony.
First of all you have to get a perfect cap and gown before the graduation ceremony. The graduation regalia can be obtained from the university or a local store. Find out what ways you have in order to save some amount on this expenditure. You can try buying or renting the complete robe from a store that offers discounts. Collect all the components that complete an academic dress. These include a cap, tassel, cord and a stole, which may be optional. Do enquire about the colour and style that your university has set up. It will look abnormal if you attend graduation ceremony wearing a different coloured caps & gowns that your school does not follow. This is definitely not a way to stand out of the crowd.
Before you become a part of the grand event of graduation, you should practice wearing your graduation cap. Wear it in such a way that the tassel hanging from the cap won’t obstruct your vision. The more you wear the cap, the more you will be comfortable wearing it for long time. Again, as you become more familiar with the cap, it will not distract you while walking on the stage. You will certainly not wish to walk on the stage as if you are balancing a big bundle of books on your head. The tassel should always hang from the right side of the cap. It doesn’t look appropriate if the tassel remains on the front or back or even on the left side of the cap. So adjust the cap accordingly.
When you name is called up, you may feel like dancing. Some students actually start jumping once they are called upon the stage to receive their certificate. However, you should remember that you are wearing a gown and it is likely to tumble while walking in a gown. Hence, one should always practice walking while wearing the gown. When you reach the stage, walk confidently towards principal and receive your certificate. After that, shake hands with the principal.

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Preschool graduation symbolizes the end of a young child’s time on this step of their life. This is their chance to get into another level and to achieve their next milestones in life. Most children are worried regarding their graduation day probably because this is their first time and they don’t have any idea on what will happen on the day of the event. Most parents and educators patiently introduce various graduation items to make sure that kids will become familiar with what they will wear on the day of their graduation. Preschool graduation gowns will make them become familiar and knowledgeable about the event itself.
There are lots of gathering organized by parents and teachers to make sure that their kids will have a memorable graduation experience. This will mark to them that are why their first graduation day should be well celebrated and organized. Preschool graduation gowns are very important to them. This is what they will wear on the day of the graduation. It will help them become confident on the day itself. Being familiar with it will boost their morale too. As a parent, you also have to assure them that everything will be perfectly fine on this special day.
First thing that should be on the top of your priorities is to find cheap graduation gowns for your kids. There are lots of sources online and land based. You can easily find what you are looking for through an online search. Preschool graduation normally takes place on a specific month depending on the country and state where it will be held. Graduation cap and gown is very important because it will make them feel that they are really an achiever. Usually, preschool graduation is participated by kids’ ages 4-5 years old. This is a very special and memorable day because at their young age, they have come to finish what is required of them.
A much scaled down version of the distant high school graduation is usually the first and formal ceremony kids will participate in. kids’ needs to be dressed in a nice clothes, it is typically held in school auditorium or gymnasium. Cheap graduation gown is a must for every kid to have. There are also times when faculty members should also wear graduation robes or regalia. There are lots of graduation parties after preschool graduation which is in lieu of the celebration. Celebration and party throw by parents are given much attention since this is their first time to make their kids happy and encouraged to push and move another step higher.
There are times when graduation cap and gown should be used as a theme for the graduation day itself. You need to make graduation announcements for your kids’ party to be able to invite your families and relatives. This will also make them feel that they are a part of your kids’ journey in life. You may also look for a nice and unique graduation gift for them.

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Themes are a fun way to homeschool your child. A theme can be created from any topic that your child is interested in. A theme is simply a base topic from which you can teach from in your lesson plans. A few examples of themes are apples, bats, zoo, space, fun in the sun, or even Dr. Seuss. You can choose just about any topic that you would like for your theme. Using themes will make your lesson plans more creative, fun and interesting.

Themes usually have a time frame from which they are based around. Themes can last from one week all the way to one month depending on how in depth you want to approach your theme. I would suggest using a theme no longer than two weeks with your homeschool child. Incorporating themes into your homeschool lesson plans is really quite simple and you and your child will both enjoy the fun that comes with creating a theme based lesson plan.

Themes do not have to be incorporated into every teaching objective for the week. You can be selective and use themed based curriculum once or twice a day, throughout your homeschool lesson plans. Get your child involved into your lesson planning process. Have your child help choose themes that are interesting to him. When children are actively involved in the lesson planning process and given choices they are more eager to learn. I suggest getting your child involved in all aspects of lesson plan preparation to keep their interests.

Let’s take the theme apples as an example of using themes in your lesson plans. In science, you can dissect an apple and look at the apple seeds or you could discuss how apples grow. In math, you could dissect an apple into halves and fourths. In social studies, you could learn about Johnny Appleseed. In language arts, you can read many books related to apples and even write your own apple related paragraph. During art, you can make apple prints using cut up apples with paints. In P.E., you can have an apple toss, jump over apples, or even bobbing with apples. For music time, you can find many songs related to apples to sing with your child. Make homemade applesauce, apple muffins, or apple butter for your cooking class. You can make interactive bulletin boards using apple projects that your child creates.

The most important factor in using a themed based curriculum with your child is to integrate the themes into your child’s objectives that need to met for the school year. A nice blend of themes into your curriculum base objectives can be both fun and rewarding for your child. Make learning fun and interesting by incorporating theme based curriculum into your lesson plans.

L. D. Mairet is the mother of four children, a former teacher with a triple major in education, and a former educational preschool owner. You can share and swap homeschool lesson plans at her homeschool site http://www.topchoicesite.com/free-homeschool-primary-lesson-plans-
and-resource-sharing-center-html

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We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit how ’bout you!

In our last article our subject was finding resources to homeschool african american children using the Internet and other avenues. In part 3 of 4 we will champion the use of computers to teach our african american children and prepare them for the future where computers will be involved in almost every aspect of our society.

Recent news came out that John Singleton, director of Boyz N the Hood has joined the ranks of other high profile directors in game design development. Video games these days, like the ones your children are probably playing are not only big business, but they also have small movies in them. These directors are becoming involved in video game design because it’s a natural extension of their talents.

I’m mentioning this because if your child is playing video games now, with the proper development in the coming years they could be prepared for video game development. The first step is getting them used to using a computer and then adding other skills in software programs that will help them in the future. An example is a powerful graphics program Adobe Photoshop, getting them to dabble now while they are young (and my 9 year-old nephew is better at Photoshop than I am) and exposing them to a formal class later (he had the class) will put them on the road to careers that are way above the pay at your local burger place.

That is just one career example with computers in the industry, it would take a book to show you the ones available today. In the not too distant future computers will be part of our society even more as the computers become smaller and smaller and faster and faster. Not exposing your children to computers now will only harm them and make sure they are left behind with the digital divide growing each day.

A computer homeschool will develop chidlren who are not only computer literate, but able to install software, learn new software, know how to use the Internet for research and communication, know how to keep a computer network secure and other numerous benefits.

Remember this subject is worthy of more than just one article and therefore will be covered in a 4 part series. Feel free to review articles part 1 and part 2 for questions you may want to email to us. To receive notification of the publication of the rest of the series email us at going.wireless.spirit@homeschoolwireless.com or if you have an RSS reader click on this link – http://homeschoolwireless.com/publication/homeschoolwireless.xml

Members of our staff support african american computer homeschooling in their area and we have a slight favor to see computer homeschooling everywhere benefit from the advantages of a wireless network. We even have minority friends that work at major retailers in several states that are homeschooled and already have experienced having a wireless home.

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Daviyd Peterson: 10-year consultant, instructor, trainer
Helps african american homeschools bridge the digital
divide by becoming computer homeschools. Free article
on “Computer Homeschooling” and other related articles
http://www.homeschoolwireless.com/homeschoolwireless.htm

309.403.4983 phone/fax

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It is not simple to get a scholarship these days. College scholarships differ from a student loan in that they are a grant for a college education, and, repayment isn’t needed. While searching ways of funding a university instruction, keep in mind that funds are available at really unusual sites, for example financing for left-handed students. Lefty Scholarships: – A left-handed scholarship may initially seem out of the ordinary, but consider these facts: Benjamin Franklin was left-handed, as is President Barack Obama. Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Paul McCartney and were also left handed. An estimated 11% of the population are southpaws. Although in the past southpaws experienced discrimination, nowadays they are considered to be intelligent and more artistic. Today, lefties are no longer stigmatized or thought of as odd, and may even have some qualities associated with the exceptional people identified above. If you’re lefthanded and exploring grants for left-handed scholars, a lot of scholarships for lefthanded students exist which you may be able to obtain. A Beckley Scholarship for $1,000 is available at Juniata College stuated in Huntington, PA. For pupils attending Juniata College and it was established in the 1970’s, this school fund has helped forty plus left handed scholars obtain a college education. Numerous bursaries do have prerequisites or restrictions. In a few cases certain grades can be needed or certain financial requirements have to be satisfied. Go For for as many scholarships as possible to increase your odds of funding your university degree incurring as small a debt upon graduation as is feasible. Clubs, hobby related groups and also community organisations may offer scholarships. Grants for southpaw scholars are simply one example; financial help is obtainable in other instances such as the students from military families or if you are disabled.

Researching scholarships may take a little work, all the same the reward may be enormous. Utilised along with standard lending, they can cut back the inevitable debt generated by a university degree. Be really particular and research all suitable funding. The above-mentioned grants are not the only option — write a list of each option you can conceive of and remember to utilize your resourcefulness. If you even suppose you might qualify, then apply, keeping any costs minimal, and you will likely look forward to a better economic future when you eventually leave school.

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Let me mention the subject of Home Schooling. What thought immediately comes to mind? There have always been many views of home schooling. There are varieties of opinions ranging from great parents to troublemakers. Most of the negative thoughts of home schooling are based on rumors and preconceived ideas. Out of all thoughts about home schooling, socialization is one of the first things that come to mind.
The most debated topic among home schoolers and non-home schoolers is this issue of adequate socialization for home schooled children. Some think that home schoolers do not get enough socialization. They feel since the children are home for school this makes the child become socially deprived. Home schooled children are not socially deprived.

As a home schooling parent, and from my personal experience my children are more social at times than I am. Many studies support the home school academic benefit, but what about social aspect? Are home schoolers missing proper socialization? Is there a right solution for the socialization problem? Is there a socialization problem at all? With the growth of home schoolers seen recently are we bound to have future generations of socially deprived misfits?

What is home schooling anyway? Why is the choice a debated topic? Is it just a passing trend? Home schooling is home education. This educational decision is a parents’ choice and right to teach his or her children one on one at home. This option is legal in all fifty states. Home schooling options have grown greatly due to many accredited curriculum providers targeting the large growing market of home schooling. These curriculum companies are providing parents with easy, different and even customized options for home schooling.

Home schooling just trend right? No. In 1999, the National Center for Education Statistics reported an estimated 850,000 students nationwide were being home schooled (10). The numbers are estimated to grow due to the popularity and the knowledge of home school benefits being explored. More parents are taking the home school route for the safety and academic achievements of their children. Home education is nothing new; it has been around for years. According to Home4schoolgear.com the famous Artist Leonardo Di Vinci, and Inventors Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and few presidents of prestigious colleges were home educated along with many other famous trailblazers (Home4schoolgear.com). Only in recent years has home education been media news. Home schooling as shown its solid foundation in successful results through time. Still there are those that have debated the choice of home education.

Home education has grown so much that most cities have home school groups for support, courses, activities and much more. There is also Home School Legal Defense Association to support families with home school legal issues. There are home schooling magazines, clothing and more. Will the growth of home schooling have an effect on public schools? Some feel that home schooling directly effects the public schools. There have been arguments that home schooling can have an effect on public schools in positive or a negative ways.

Paul T. Hill, author of “How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education” says, “Home schooling limits public school enrollments, therefore it reduces the money provided to school districts. Home schooling also reduces growth in public schools, and decreases the pressure for new buildings and staffs”(Hill). The concern of money for public schools has been a raising issue for years. Home schooling does not have a major effect on it. The problem of public school money issues is caused by a number of factors other than home schooling. There have been various news reports of public school officials misusing the money, and the debates to cut unnecessary cost and create better options for public schools. From a concerned parents’ point of view the issue of money in public schools is not a brow raising reason to choose public schooling. For the quality of education provided at home government, money is no comparison.

Socialization is one highly debated topic for home schoolers. As a home schooling parent, I often answer socialization questions. “You can’t mention home education without the s’ word coming up,” says Doug Phillips, director of Federal Relations at the National Center for Home Education (3). People usually question the socialization because they do not under stand how home school works. Many feel that home schoolers do not socialize with their peers so they become “weird” or sociably immature. Although the stereotypes are heard and believed, parents are still choosing to home school their children for reasons reflecting the quality of socialization in public schools, such as peer pressure, violence, sexual harassment and many other problems.

David Wagner says, “In the seventies, Christians home schooled because secular values being promoted in schools. In the eighties, parents home schooled for no particular religious belief. Others are trying to drop out of the prevailing culture”(3). We chose to home school our children because of the poor quality of public schools in the area we lived in. We also saw frequent news reports of school incidents involving violence and even sexual acts. We saw the advantage of instilling morals and values with the use of home education that was not available in public schools. We liked the academic freedom of choice to including subjects forbidden at the public schools.

While socialization was a factor, our decision to home school was not based only on creating a social safe haven for our children, but rather allowing them to excel academically and having the advantage of academic freedom. Despite the reasons for home schooling, it is the parents’ deliberate choice to remove their child from public school social settings as they see fit. Considering that thought, Dennis Helming, an education writer, believes the most miss the point of whether the protection of children from bad influences can cause a backlash to rebellion (3).

I have found this false among home schooling teenagers. All of the home schooled teenagers I have observed and interacted with are pleasant and responsible. They see the danger in rebellion, and choose not to indulge in it. Home schooling parents also do not hide what they are protecting their children from; rather they take the approach to show them what they are keeping them from. Children naturally wanting to be safe, if given a choice usually end up choosing not to be around things that cause them harm such as peer pressure and violence. Aimee Howd, a home schooled child and author of Confessions of a home-schooled kid says, “Home schooling was once considered a choice for the antisocial but home school achievers are challenging the old stereotypes”(3).

Yes, most home schooled children do spend a lot of time at home, however it does not mean the door is barred shut and the child is forbidden to see anyone. As home schooling parents having the natural need to enjoy adult communication, that is not a desired option! The socialization provided to home schoolers is broader than the public schools can allow. While public schooled children are confined to their peers, a teacher and a classroom home schooled children are traveling and learning by visiting museums, and other educational centers.

Simply going to the grocery store is a lesson in teaching social manners, mathematics, nutrition, and more. Most home schooled children are involved in different activities and community groups. Randal Rockney, author of The Home Schooling Debate: Why Some Parents Choose It, Others Oppose It reports that 90 percent of home schooled children spent more than 20 percent per month in organized community activities (3). I have found that many including my own children are in various different extra curricular groups, which also is a supplement to education.

For instance during the school year our local home schooling group has a coop called Masters Lyceum this is a program with a variety of classes from ballet to science. Every Friday morning, we get dressed and head off to school like the public schooled children. Many children and parents participate in the coop. Children have their own class schedule for each semester. The Masters Lyceum is used as a time for our children get together to learn, to be a part of a group, and learn from other adults. During the summer our children are enrolled in a number of community fun programs like any other child.

Rockney also says, “Children tend to be less segregated by age when involved in home schooling activities.” (3). My children are around children of all ages. It allows them to mature in their communication. My children have friends in various grades, which allow them to socialize on different levels. They learn social boundaries by being around a mixed group of children. Nancy Gibbs, author of Home Sweet School: Seeking Excellence, Isolation, Or Just Extra “Family Time,” says, ” Home School parents agree that the socialization in public schools is not all healthy, it may be competitive, intimidating and violent (4).

I personally do not think that public school socialization is all bad, but I do think that the majority of socialization in public school is improper and stressful for children and therefore unhealthy. When a child comes home crying about the treats of bullies, it causes an entire home to be effected in some way. It is potentially disastrous in the future. We have seen this as one of the causes in the increase of violence in public schools. Who can ever forget the traumatic event of Columbine? There are tons of talk shows with disturbed adults confronting their childhood bullies. This is not the socialization I want my children to experience.

Despite personal debatable views, let us look at the research conducted on home schoolers. Most research studies conducted for finding out if home schoolers are socially equal to non-home schoolers have had different methods, yet similar conclusions. Very few recently conclude differently. In 1984, Tisard and Huges studied 4 year olds at home and in public schools. They stated that home schooled children could not learn how to get along with other children, to be a member of a group, to separate from their families and to relate and communicate with strange adults (Van Galen 6). Our home schooling coop alone proves this statement untrue. This provides all of the educational needs that Tisard and Huges argued that home schooling parents could not provide.

It seems that times have changed, in a 1992 study on home school socialization was reported in a 299-page thesis written by Larry Edward Shyers. Dr. Shyers measured the self-esteem of 70 home schooled children, compared it with 70 traditionally schooled children, and found no significant difference in the groups. Dr. Shyers looked at how home schooled children treated other children by direct observation, using a “blind” procedure, found that home-schooled children had significantly fewer problem behaviors than traditionally schooled children did when playing in mixed groups of children did. Dr. Shyers concluded that contact with adults, rather than contact with other children, is most important in developing social skills in children.

This is not surprising because our children are more likely to be in a social setting with a mixed group than those public schooled children are. They in the “real world” environment on more frequent bases than their public schooled peers. Thomas Smedley completed a similar experimental design. His study evaluated communication skills, socialization, and daily living skills. Smedley found that the home-schooled children were more mature scoring in the 84th percentile, while the public school children scored in the 27th percentile (Bunday 9). While home schooled children are home they learn daily living skills more often than public schooled children do. Larger families have the children in the family all coordinate to work together and learn life skills and communication skills. It is an advantage to a child being taught one on one to grasp communication, daily life skills and socialization.

Brian D. Ray, Ph.D., produces another research finding in a book he wrote. The findings in this book concluded that the negative critics have claimed that home schooling makes weak adults have no solid foundational facts. The book reports that the adults who were home schooled were much more civically involved in the United States. Adults who were home educated express viewpoints or beliefs that is about as strong as that of the general public (10). Adults who were home schooled have the same socialization status or higher than those there were not home schooled. We have seen this proven in our listing of famous adults and other trailblazers in our society. They could not make a difference in our world without being strong adults.

We have heard from the researchers, and personal opinions from parents, but what about the children? In an article written by Lisa Russell, she tells of her public schooled days “I found the phonics and reading lessons to be incredibly boring. Luckily, the girl behind me felt the same way. We would chat back and forth. We were both asked to stay in at recess, and sit quietly in our desks for the entire 25 minutes, because “We are not here to socialize, young ladies.” Those words were repeated by just about every teacher I’ve ever had. If we’re not there to socialize, then why were we there? If schools weren’t made for socializing, then why on earth would anyone assume that home schoolers were missing out?” (Russell)

I remember myself as being a talker in class. That was my whole reason for going to school! I was told that we were not in school to socialize repeatedly also. These words are repeated in public schools often. Children in public school being told this begin to socialize out of disobedience. Is this proper socialization to teach a child? No. This is not, simply because in the class setting the teacher demands respect, which causes some to rebel and secretly socialize by whispering, or notes to each other. This can cause resentment for teachers and authority among students in the class. This problem could eventually snowball into disrespecting adults and any authority.

From my own personal experience with secretly communicating with my peers, it takes away from listening in class, and puts the priorities out to order for attending public school. Lisa asks the appropriate question in defense of home schoolers missing out. I do not think home schoolers are missing out simply because their day is not a typical day which involves freely socializing on different levels and not just their peers. This then teaches home schoolers to be responsible and mature. Children cannot learn to be responsible and mature while rebelling against their teacher to socialize in a classroom setting. Another young fifteen-year-old home schooled girl named Teresa expresses, “Many people are curious about the average day of a home schooler and are surprised to find out isn’t an “average day”.

My family chose homeschooling is to avoid the dull routines that schools create. I usually have lessons with my mom in the morning, take care of my siblings, spend time with other home schoolers in the area, and read. Most importantly, my day belongs to me. I have a quote on my wall in my room, “Learning involves everyone everyday. Learning and living are not separate activities. Learning cannot be contained in place or time” (Teresa). This fifteen-year-old is a good representation of home schoolers. Most of them do not have a regular 8-3 schedule like public school kids. Each home school environment is different. Their days incorporate more of in the real world, more than just a classroom full of peers. It involves many different activities, which allows them to experience more and learn in different ways.

The quote she has on her wall is very true. You can not avoid or confine learning. You can not possibly teach a child everything that is needed to survive in a classroom setting. Yes you can learn academics, but life lessons that you will use as an adult are usually learned while interacting with family outside of a classroom. Socializing with friends is a part of her day because that is natural and a child needs that. It however is not all of her day because sitting a classroom full of children will not teach socialization. I asked my children what they liked about being home schooled and they expressed that they liked the flexibility and not being confined to a classroom.

They explained to me that you could not eat breakfast in a public school at your desk like you could in home schooling. Being twins my daughters liked the fact that they are not forced to separate in to different classes if they are not ready for it and they can be with their little brother. They enjoy teaching their little brother what they have learned. This gives them a sense of importance and responsibility. They did not once say once that they are lacking time with their friends. They have ample time with friends during the week with the Masters Lyceum, church, and other activities.

In my conclusion, I will end with a story posted on an Internet message board, at http://www.homeschoolchristian.com:
Posted By: Cat.
Date: Tuesday, 3 October 2000, at 9:58 a.m.

This is a scene from a local park about a year and a half ago…(a local park back home!) 2 moms were sitting on a bench not too far from me. They were discussing the “homeschool movement” and how they couldn’t see the benefits of homeschooling because of the “S” factor–I WILL NOT say that word! They went on and on about how homeschooled kids wouldn’t be able to come to the park and play. They went on and on about how you can identify a homeschooled kid because they tend to be withdrawn…the whole time watching my 3 homeschooled children play quite nicely with their 5 children. Tag, races, pushing each other on the swing. I was soaking it all up. Never once did I say a word.

When it was time to leave, one of the moms thanked my kids for playing so nicely with their kids and asked, “Where do you go to school?” I knew it was our time to shine…Kristin said, “Oh, we homeschool.” and turned to walk away, leaving that mom staring at me–because she KNEW I had heard their whole conversation. I nodded and said, “Have a nice day.”

Talk about a PRICELESS moment! (Cat)

In my own personal experience, that I have seen home schoolers do not lack socialization. Researching studies support this conclusion. I feel that socialization among home schoolers is potentially more advanced than those isolated to a social settings in public schools. There is a time for socialization and a time not to socialize. Home schooling has provided an opportunity to show my children proper socialization skills for life. Home schooling has many myths; socialization being one that is exposed. Home schoolers will continue to prove the stereotypes wrong.

Works Cited

Bunday, Karl M. Learn in Freedom! Research on Home schooling Socialization Socialization: A Great Reason Not to Go to School.1999. 29 May 2004 <http://learninfreedom.org/socialization.html>.

Cat.” “Socialization” Stories” Homeschooledchristian.com 3 Oct 2000, 7 June 2004 <http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/Features/SocializationStories.html>.

“Famous Home schoolers” Famous People who were Homeschooled.
2004. Home4schoolgear.com 29 May. 2004 <http://www.home4schoolgear.com/famoushomeschooler.html>.

Gibbs, Nancy. “Home sweet school: seeking excellence, isolation, or just extra “family time,” more and more parents are doing the teaching themselves.” Time 144:18 (1994) 62+.

Expanded Academic ASAP Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Hill, Paul T. “How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education”
Hoover Digest, Summer 2000. 28 May 2004
<http://www.brook.edu/Views/Articles/Hill/2000Hoover.htm>.

“Home schooling in the United States 1999.” 2 Oct 2001 National Center for Education Statistics. 29 May 2004 <http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/HomeSchool/>

Howd, Aimee. “Confessions of a home-schooled kid.” Insight on the News 14.33 (1998): 18+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Ray, Brian D., Ph.D. Home Educated and Now Adults: Their Community and Civic Involvement, Views About Homeschooling, and Other Traits. Nashville: Broadman & Holman: 2003.

Rockney, Randal. “The home schooling debate: why some parents choose it, others oppose it.” Insight on the News 18:2 (2002): 3+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Robertson, Brian. “Is home schooling in a class of its own?” Insight on the News 10.42 (1994): 6+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Russell, Lisa. “No Thank You, We Don’t Believe in Socialization!” TnHomeEd.com 29 May 2004 <http://www.tnhomeed.com/LRSocial.html>.

Theresa, “Homeschool Girl” In focus TeenWire.com 21 Sept 2001, 7 June 2004 <http://www.teenwire.com/infocus/articles/if_20010921p125.asp>.

Van Galen, Jane , ed Homeschooling: Political, Historical, and Pedagoical Perpsectives. Norwood: Ablex Publishing, 1991.

About the Author:
Tawanna is a Home Schooling mother of identical Twin girls. She is a freelance graphic designer, and writes articles on homeschooling and graphic, and web design. Visit her sites at http://www.tsmiles.com and http://www.geocities.com/homeschooledmultiples/

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Keeping records for each school year is important for different reasons. They’ll help you to monitor your child’s progress, keep track of lesson plans and become part of a portfolio for college entry. Record keeping will help you to meet short and long-term goals for your school year. They will help in planning your lessons and help keep you on track during the school year.

Write a list of all the books and materials you use in school and keep with your records. You might want to include a list of books and materials you find interesting to research for later use in school.

Lesson plan books come in many styles. The most popular have the weekdays listed across the top and places along the sides for the subjects. You can easily create your own lesson plan book using a ruler and paper then inserting it in a three ring binder. Your local teacher supply store should also carry simple lesson planning books. This type of record keeping helps to plan out your curriculum on a weekly basis.

A daily logbook is like keeping a diary or journal for school days. It is used for writing ideas or activities that your children participated in each day. You can buy a logbook for homeschoolers or just use notebook paper and place in a binder. Write brief descriptions of the school day events and also include the date. If a school day doesn’t go as planned, then a daily log will help you to keep track of exactly what was accomplished that day. Have your children keep their own daily log if they are old enough to write down the day’s projects and activities. This will help them to retain what they learned and will help them with their writing skills.

Some states require a list of the books, curriculum and materials used by each child, every school year. Simply record each item used in that week in either your weekly lesson plan book or on the back of your daily logbook. Include the book title, author or publisher and you may want to give a brief description of how the book was used.

A home school portfolio may be required by your state but even if it’s not, it is useful when applying for colleges and for an annual evaluation of your child’s progress. The portfolio can include anything related to your child’s education. This may include lesson plans, logbooks, worksheets, test results, writing assignments and book reports. Field trips taken, special events, experiments, scrapbooks of projects and artwork should also be a part of the portfolio. Although most homeschoolers do not keep grades, you may find them beneficial. After grading your children’s papers, record their score in a grade book, available at a teacher supply store. Every six weeks, use a handheld grader, such as E-Z Grader to determine the average grade of each subject. By knowing their grades, you can determine any weakness your children may have in a particular subject and can now help them to improve their grade average.

Most children like receiving certificates for good grades or just a good job done well. They are available for almost every situation such as preschool, reading, science, honor roll and more. Certificates help build your child’s self-esteem by giving them a feeling of accomplishment and pride in their work. It also shows them the progress they’ve made in the school year.

Keep all your records in one binder for easy access, using tabs to separate by topic, subject or by child. Be sure to check with your states regulations for record keeping before you home school to make sure you follow their requirements.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Home School

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