Melanie Shimokawa

OK, here's how it goes - my mom - at first totally against my
homeschooling my own children decides that my younger brothers and
sisters aren't getting a good education in their new school (they just
moved). So she asked me for advice on homeschooling ASAP! Well, I sent
her Mississippi (where they just moved - Collinsville - anybody there?)
state laws (I got it off the unschooling.com website), and I promised to
sort through some essays for her and pick out a few that would be most
helpful to them in their situation. Well, I was looking for a certain
essay - the one that "converted" me (sounds like a religion, doesn't it
- I guess in a way, maybe it is). I don't remember what it's called. I
don't remember who wrote it. It was about a family with a lot of kids
(I think at least four) and they asked Mom to homeschool them, and so
she did. She talks about how they teach themselves, and they have a lot
of land. She says they have to spend money for school taxes anyway and
she'd rather spend it on the kids. Um, she also says that the school
authorities leave her alone - that testing is wrong and they know it.
Oh boy. I wish I could remember it better. I thought I had kept it,
but I can't find it. Perhaps I'm misquoting, but if anybody can lead me
to it, I'd be very grateful. I searched the unschooling.com website,
but it wasn't there.

Two of my brothers and one of my sisters are teenagers, and Mom is
worried about sending them to college - how now they have 4.0+ grade
point averages, but homeschooling doesn't look as good, and how will she
prepare them for the SATs, etc. I don't want to scare her away - this
is my chance! I suggested the Teenage Liberation Handbook (or whatever
it's called) for starters. She has a new baby at home (guess the
doctors were wrong about the menopause <g!>), so she doesn't have time
to search the web or join a mailing list - though I would suggest this
one.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Love, Melanie in Japan

[email protected]

In a message dated 09/15/1999 2:58:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
sfamily@... writes:

<< It was about a family with a lot of kids
(I think at least four) and they asked Mom to homeschool them, and so
she did. She talks about how they teach themselves, and they have a lot
of land. >>

Is it "We Learn Better When We Teach Ourselves"???? By Agnes Leister or
Leicester or something? Sorry I can't be of more help.

Sam

D.J. Brewer

Is someone looking for the book Homeschooling for Excellence by the
Colfax family. That is a VERY good book to give someone beginning to
homeschool. they had 4 kids that they homeschooled on a lot of land in
California.

DJ of Texas

Diana Asberry

YIPPEE!

Good for you, Melanie (and Her...and the kids!)

Diana A.


----Original Message Follows----
Two of my brothers and one of my sisters are teenagers, and Mom is
worried about sending them to college - how now they have 4.0+ grade
point averages, but homeschooling doesn't look as good, and how will she
prepare them for the SATs, etc. I don't want to scare her away - this
is my chance! I suggested the Teenage Liberation Handbook (or whatever
it's called) for starters. She has a new baby at home (guess the
doctors were wrong about the menopause <g!>), so she doesn't have time
to search the web or join a mailing list - though I would suggest this
one.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Love, Melanie in Japan

[email protected]

In a message dated 99-09-15 02:58:38 EDT, you write:

<< Mississippi (where they just moved - Collinsville - anybody there?) >>
We dont live there anymore, but we might be of some help. Email me prvately
if you think I can help.

Rachael

[email protected]

Hey, I know this might sound really cheesy, but don't forget to appreciate
your mom for deciding to homeschool! Its a scary decision for a parent, and
I know a lot of us wish our parents would have made it. Just a thought!
Congratulations!!!! Rachael