Just came across this list - thanks to a friend on Facebook.
http://www.examiner.com/article/21-world-mythology-books-that-are-free-for-the-kindle
There are so many more books available for free download online. Visit this page on my blog for a list of sites with millions of free books to download: http://www.homeschoolsantafe.com/Homeschool-Resources.htm
Have a fabulous day,
Takara
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
The Self Directed Homeschooler
This post is meant as an encouragement for anyone who has a younger homeschooled son or daughter who doesn't want to learn or resists doing lessons.
My son, Jess, is now 14. He is an only child and we have always homeschooled - first in New Mexico and now in Virginia. I'm divorced. He lives with me.
If you've ever read my article about homeschooling (its on the home page of my homeschool website), you have read that Stanford and several other top schools actively recruit homeschool students because they have maturity, self-reliance, and self direction that is hard to find in publicly educated students.
I used to read those words and compare it with what we were experiencing at home. It was like pulling teeth to get him to study. "Doing" school was really a struggle and certain subjects caused so much tension and stress for both of us that we ended up having to get a tutor. I literally thought my kid just didn't fit the "norm" of the self-directed homeschooler. I love him and felt obliged to accept him the way he is - even if that meant he was not very self directed or driven to succeed. Since I'm extremely driven, it wasn't always easy.
My son, Jess, is now 14. He is an only child and we have always homeschooled - first in New Mexico and now in Virginia. I'm divorced. He lives with me.
If you've ever read my article about homeschooling (its on the home page of my homeschool website), you have read that Stanford and several other top schools actively recruit homeschool students because they have maturity, self-reliance, and self direction that is hard to find in publicly educated students.
I used to read those words and compare it with what we were experiencing at home. It was like pulling teeth to get him to study. "Doing" school was really a struggle and certain subjects caused so much tension and stress for both of us that we ended up having to get a tutor. I literally thought my kid just didn't fit the "norm" of the self-directed homeschooler. I love him and felt obliged to accept him the way he is - even if that meant he was not very self directed or driven to succeed. Since I'm extremely driven, it wasn't always easy.
Then
I took him to Fiji and we lived aboard a yacht for 6 weeks. He was
given crewing duties and was expected to do the work asked of him. He
was only 11 and I was very proud of how he completed his tasks and took
to sea life. While on the trip, he was introduced to the show, The Big
Bang Theory, and the topic of physics. He became almost obsessed with
the subject.
He has now decided that he wants to be a physicist and for
the last year and a half or so, he has been completely self directed. He
has taken up studying Latin completely on his own, as well as high
school chemistry and biology. He reads books about physics and watches
tons of science documentaries. He assigns himself lessons and spends
hours each day completing them.
The change I have seen in my son borders on the miraculous. I don't think you have to take them to an island or to live on a boat. I think you just have to expose them to enough things that they can find the one that turns on the light and makes them excited to learn.
The change I have seen in my son borders on the miraculous. I don't think you have to take them to an island or to live on a boat. I think you just have to expose them to enough things that they can find the one that turns on the light and makes them excited to learn.
I feel the greatest things we can give our
children is love, appreciation, assistance with high self esteem, and
help in discovering their gifts and interests. Then it seems we can just
get out of the way and let them shine - whether its as an artist or an
astronaut.
Have a fabulous day,
Takara
Bestselling author of Peering Through the Veil: The Step by Step Guide to Meditation and Inner Peace
Friday, March 8, 2013
Women's History Month from the History Channel
This just in from the History Channel also for Women's History Month
Women's History Month Programming:
Mothers of Invention
Monday, March 11th, at 6am/5c
Mothers of Invention explores the role of female innovators in American society. Despite many barriers, including unequal access to the education system and the patent process, women designed and helped produce a wide range of items, from refrigerated rail-cars to cosmetics to rocket devices.
You will also find valuable background information and video clips at the BIO Women's History site, located online at http://www.biography.com/
View a timeline of women's history.
Women's History Month Programming:
Mothers of Invention
Monday, March 11th, at 6am/5c
Mothers of Invention explores the role of female innovators in American society. Despite many barriers, including unequal access to the education system and the patent process, women designed and helped produce a wide range of items, from refrigerated rail-cars to cosmetics to rocket devices.
You will also find valuable background information and video clips at the BIO Women's History site, located online at http://www.biography.com/
View a timeline of women's history.
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