Here he is watching the Standard Deviants Learn Geometry. He needed help opening the CD case, but he can get the answers right on the quizzes.I loved geometry too. In tenth grade!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Why The Engineer...
...is called the Engineer:
Here he is watching the Standard Deviants Learn Geometry. He needed help opening the CD case, but he can get the answers right on the quizzes.
I loved geometry too. In tenth grade!
Here he is watching the Standard Deviants Learn Geometry. He needed help opening the CD case, but he can get the answers right on the quizzes.I loved geometry too. In tenth grade!
Friday, September 12, 2008
On Compromise
A few days ago an email made its way to my inbox to inform me that
"comments were received by the ODE
which overwhelmingly stated that the Ohio homeschool laws and
regulations were working fine and needed no substantive changes."
Every five years the state's home education laws are to come under review by the department. It seems the home-schoolers who sent comments to the Ohio Department of Education during the comment period of the law review process largely wrote that the law is working fine, no changes are needed.
This means for the next five years, at least, we can expect no substantive changes. The two changes being implemented will remove an obsolete reference to a section of the Ohio Administrative Code and will update the definition of "teacher" to keep in accordance with teacher licensing changes in the state. When I read this news I felt relieved that I would not have to learn a new system, and I was pleased that things would be staying the same.
Then, I reflected upon those feelings. Now I''m still struggling with my ensuing thoughts. We in Ohio had an opportunity to decrease the regulation over home schooling. Now, for another five years, that opportunity has lapsed. I am profoundly thankful that Ohio home school regulation will not be increased. Still, the status quo is a compromise in principals of freedom.
These thoughts were tumbling around in my head while I was preparing a meal. As usual, the radio was on and I heard a newscast. More stuff about McCain. Just the evening before Rick and I had had a discussion about how dangerous we thought Obama's ideas and inclinations were. Even more dangerous than McCain's!
I started the primary season wholeheartedly believing I could not spend my November vote on any of the Republicans. Since then I've learned more about Obama, about Chuck Baldwin, and about Ron Paul, and Alan Keyes. My county's board of elections website has been inaccessible for a couple of days now. So I'm unable to satisfy my curiosity and tell you now which of these third party candidates will actually be on my ballot. I suspect my favorite, Keyes, is not.
The other night, Rick and I talked about how we loathed the idea of holding our noses to vote again. We discussed how far left McCain and Obama were, and how far left the Republican party would move if Obama won, and if McCain won. And we ended up undecided about voting against the worst candidate verses voting for the best available. Oh how we wish NOTA were an option on our ballots. I'm not so willing to compromise this election as I was four years ago.
Why is that? Why am I so willing to accept the status quo with regard to Ohio home schooling laws and regulations? Why do I find myself merely thankful it didn't get worse, when at the same time I'm so resistant to voting for lets just keep it from getting worse in November?
"comments were received by the ODE
which overwhelmingly stated that the Ohio homeschool laws and
regulations were working fine and needed no substantive changes."
Every five years the state's home education laws are to come under review by the department. It seems the home-schoolers who sent comments to the Ohio Department of Education during the comment period of the law review process largely wrote that the law is working fine, no changes are needed.
This means for the next five years, at least, we can expect no substantive changes. The two changes being implemented will remove an obsolete reference to a section of the Ohio Administrative Code and will update the definition of "teacher" to keep in accordance with teacher licensing changes in the state. When I read this news I felt relieved that I would not have to learn a new system, and I was pleased that things would be staying the same.
Then, I reflected upon those feelings. Now I''m still struggling with my ensuing thoughts. We in Ohio had an opportunity to decrease the regulation over home schooling. Now, for another five years, that opportunity has lapsed. I am profoundly thankful that Ohio home school regulation will not be increased. Still, the status quo is a compromise in principals of freedom.
These thoughts were tumbling around in my head while I was preparing a meal. As usual, the radio was on and I heard a newscast. More stuff about McCain. Just the evening before Rick and I had had a discussion about how dangerous we thought Obama's ideas and inclinations were. Even more dangerous than McCain's!
I started the primary season wholeheartedly believing I could not spend my November vote on any of the Republicans. Since then I've learned more about Obama, about Chuck Baldwin, and about Ron Paul, and Alan Keyes. My county's board of elections website has been inaccessible for a couple of days now. So I'm unable to satisfy my curiosity and tell you now which of these third party candidates will actually be on my ballot. I suspect my favorite, Keyes, is not.
The other night, Rick and I talked about how we loathed the idea of holding our noses to vote again. We discussed how far left McCain and Obama were, and how far left the Republican party would move if Obama won, and if McCain won. And we ended up undecided about voting against the worst candidate verses voting for the best available. Oh how we wish NOTA were an option on our ballots. I'm not so willing to compromise this election as I was four years ago.
Why is that? Why am I so willing to accept the status quo with regard to Ohio home schooling laws and regulations? Why do I find myself merely thankful it didn't get worse, when at the same time I'm so resistant to voting for lets just keep it from getting worse in November?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Remembering
Photos © AP or Reuters
Aerial view of collapsed Pentagon wall. Photograph taken on September 14, 2001.
Aerial view of collapsed Pentagon wall. Photograph taken on September 14, 2001.Monday, September 08, 2008
Writing Assignments
The Artist has had her share of writing assignments this summer. She earned herself a research paper early in the summer as a form of discipline. I think she learned about herself and about our expectations for her as well as a bit more about how to write a paper from that experience. She completed the paper she had all summer to do, two days before the start of school!
On the eve of returning to school for the fall she found out she would be testing for her red-black belt at Tae Kwon Do. The instructor has his intermediate and advanced students write papers for him in conjunction with their tests.
Mr. Weidendorf (Mr. W) chooses topics individually for each student. Last time, the Artist had to write about "Why Am I Important to Mr. W.?" This time, she has two essays to write. He wants to know her thoughts about "What is My Contribution to Class?" and "What Do I Expect to Do After I Achieve My Black Belt?"
Here she is planning her martial arts future.
I appreciate the writing assignments. They light a fire under her complacency that I cannot duplicate with school work. Part of that is the subject matter and part is that she is doing the work for someone other than Mom.
The test was on Saturday. She should find out her results in a couple of weeks.
On the eve of returning to school for the fall she found out she would be testing for her red-black belt at Tae Kwon Do. The instructor has his intermediate and advanced students write papers for him in conjunction with their tests.
Mr. Weidendorf (Mr. W) chooses topics individually for each student. Last time, the Artist had to write about "Why Am I Important to Mr. W.?" This time, she has two essays to write. He wants to know her thoughts about "What is My Contribution to Class?" and "What Do I Expect to Do After I Achieve My Black Belt?"
Here she is planning her martial arts future. I appreciate the writing assignments. They light a fire under her complacency that I cannot duplicate with school work. Part of that is the subject matter and part is that she is doing the work for someone other than Mom.
The test was on Saturday. She should find out her results in a couple of weeks.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Summer Experiments
Now it is back to school time, and Homestead Lutheran Academy will take more of my time, and blogging and knitting will receive a lesser share.
The summer was not completely devoid of school work though. The Artist took achievement tests, the Engineer and I read library books, and the kids did some self study science.
On those days when we stayed indoors the kids needed something besides videos or television to occupy themselves. A little experiment package came to my rescue.
This pack, from Educational Insights has kept the two of them occupied (and not arguing) for hours. The kit was produced in 2001, and I can't find it at their site anymore, but they have lots of other fun things to offer. The Artist reads the instructions and the kids gather the items they will need from the kit box or around the house. 
She likes being the leader, and for now, her brother is a willing apprentice. 
The summer was not completely devoid of school work though. The Artist took achievement tests, the Engineer and I read library books, and the kids did some self study science.
On those days when we stayed indoors the kids needed something besides videos or television to occupy themselves. A little experiment package came to my rescue.
This pack, from Educational Insights has kept the two of them occupied (and not arguing) for hours. The kit was produced in 2001, and I can't find it at their site anymore, but they have lots of other fun things to offer. The Artist reads the instructions and the kids gather the items they will need from the kit box or around the house. 
She likes being the leader, and for now, her brother is a willing apprentice. 
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Painting Workshop
Today is the first day back at school for this fall, but before I spend time blogging about that I'd like to catch up of some fun stuff that happened over the summer. 
When my aunt was in town for my dad's retirement celebrations she was able to spend some time visiting at my house. One day, she took the Artist shopping. They brought home several paint supplies and my Aunt spent the day teaching the Artist how to paint various things.
After learning how to care for her brushes, hold her brush, and prepare her paint and the Artist learned how to make several different kinds of flowers. Most of these they practiced on paper. Later on they did decorate some cardboard boxes with painted lace and leaves and flowers.
The Engineer received some new watercolors from his great aunt. He didn't want to be left out of the painting action! 
The next day, the Artist continued practicing her painting. She also painted a wall mount sailboat for her brother. He chose the name Waterbird on his own. Until Mom or Dad gets around to mounting it on the wall, it will remain asail on the dresser top. 
When my aunt was in town for my dad's retirement celebrations she was able to spend some time visiting at my house. One day, she took the Artist shopping. They brought home several paint supplies and my Aunt spent the day teaching the Artist how to paint various things.After learning how to care for her brushes, hold her brush, and prepare her paint and the Artist learned how to make several different kinds of flowers. Most of these they practiced on paper. Later on they did decorate some cardboard boxes with painted lace and leaves and flowers.
The Engineer received some new watercolors from his great aunt. He didn't want to be left out of the painting action! 
The next day, the Artist continued practicing her painting. She also painted a wall mount sailboat for her brother. He chose the name Waterbird on his own. Until Mom or Dad gets around to mounting it on the wall, it will remain asail on the dresser top. 
Monday, September 01, 2008
Children's Choir
May 24th our church held an installation. What a blessing to have one pastor retire and another installed in consecutive weeks. We avoided all the effort usually associated with calls. Well, from the layman's perspective we avoided it. I did not consult any board members before making that statement.
The service was beautiful and we had many guests helping to fill the church with music and song. We are fortunate to have a children's choir as well. And several child-guests joined the children's choir in singing Kyrie, God Father in Heaven Above (TLH 6) at the close of the service.
They did a fantastic job, and it was so nice to read of District President Cripe's commendation of the children's choir.
Thank you Presbytera and Barb the Evil Genius for working together on rehearsals and directing.
The service was beautiful and we had many guests helping to fill the church with music and song. We are fortunate to have a children's choir as well. And several child-guests joined the children's choir in singing Kyrie, God Father in Heaven Above (TLH 6) at the close of the service.
They did a fantastic job, and it was so nice to read of District President Cripe's commendation of the children's choir.Thank you Presbytera and Barb the Evil Genius for working together on rehearsals and directing.
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