Looking for homeschool language lessons?   I've discovered an excellent website that can teach your child a foreign language—even if you don't speak the language yourself.  Even better?  Most of it's free.  The website is called "Mango" and it's one of the best resources I've found for teaching homeschoolers a foreign language.   Here's how they describe themselves…

Mango is the world's first enterprise language learning system being offered mostly free to everyone.  When we launched on August 31, 2007, we gave away every feature in every lesson in every language for free.  

Mango has now moved-out of beta (testing stage), and the main features are still free.  However, they do charge for "premium access."  I know that teaching a foreign language as a homeschool parent can be tough.  Many parents choose to hire a native speaker, or enroll their child in an enrichment class or community college course—both of which can be pricey. 

I am continually amazed at how the internet is revolutionizing education, and specifically, homeschool education.  We have a wealth of information, resources, and online curriculum that wasn't available to homeschool parents just 10 years ago.  With the availability of online courses, it's so much easier to homeschool today than it was 10 years ago.  Technology keeps making curriculum options easier.  If you're looking for a foreign language program, be sure to check out Mango.  It's a great resource for homeschoolers, and people wanting to brush-up on their foreign language skills.

A Personal Note:

I want to make Homeschooling Your Child an excellent resource for homeschooling parents.  Unfortunately, due to family commitments, I haven't had the time to write as frequently as I would like.  I am exploring the possibility of partnering with another homeschool parent, to help me manage and update this site.  I'll keep you posted!

I came across a thought-provoking (and humorous) speech given by Ken Robinson.  Robinson believes that the current education system stifles creativity and suppresses children's individuality (in the interests of conformity). 

He argues that there are many different forms of intelligence and that we should not force children to submit to narrowly defined standards of who is "intelligent" and who is "creative."  Funny, and thought-provoking, this video emphasizes that children are unique—and a rigid, "one-size-fits-all" approach to education is a recipe for disaster.  

Looking for homeschool curriculum and free online high school courses? I've discovered a great website that includes links to:

• Interactive Geometry courses with online video.
• Online Algebra I courses with free homework, quizzes, and tests (with key).
• American History and Western Civilization courses with video instruction.
• Online Pre-calculus and Calculus courses (including AP) with video.
• Interactive AP Biology I and AP Biology II with homework, quizzes and tests (with key).
• Physics, Environmental Science, and Chemistry courses.
• Online English grammar courses, writing assignments, principles of composition.
• Online journalism, newswriting, and screenwriting courses.
• Online Advanced Placement (AP) Courses.
• Literature Unit Studies for Grades 9-12.
• 13 free Computer Science courses from MIT.
• Free programming and web design courses.
• Free Video Series on How to Debate, and Fundamentals of Debate.
• Free Online courses on probability and statistics.
• Free Science, Social Studies, Health Education, Math, English, & Foreign Language Courses.
• Music Theory (including instruction, assignments and sound files), and Music Appreciation courses.
• An introductory statistics course complete with 12 thirty-minute video lectures, assignments, quizzes, online calculator, and exams with answer keys.

All of this (and more) is listed at Hoagie's Gifted Free Online High School Courses. Odd name, but it's a great collection of online courses and curriculum.

Frankly, this is one of the best free resource sites I've discovered for homeschool parents and educators. Enjoy!

As the number of homeschool students grows (currently 1.1 million), colleges are revamping application policies to accommodate them.

According to a recent news article by CNN, 83% of colleges now have a formal evaluation process for homeschooled students. This is up from only 52%, just 4 years ago. As the number of homeschoolers increases, many colleges—including UC Riverside and MIT—are actively encouraging homeschoolers to apply. This is good news.

Partial excerpt from the CNN article:

Some private colleges have eagerly recruited those students for years and tailored application processes to include them. Homeschoolers still face challenges when applying to many public universities, but their chances of being considered are improving.

In 2000, 52 percent of all colleges in the country had a formal evaluation policy for applications from homeschoolers, said David Hawkins, director of public policy for the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Four years later, the number jumped to 83 percent. During that time, 45 percent of colleges reported receiving more applications from homeschoolers, he said.

Major schools that now post application procedures for homeschoolers on their Web sites include Michigan State University, Oregon State University and the University of Texas. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also willing to consider homeschoolers. The highly regarded school does not require a high school diploma. As part of its admissions process, it considers scores from college entrance exams and asks applicants to submit a 500-word essay, detail five extracurricular activities and offer two teacher evaluations."

Don't you wish you could put your child through college for free?

Well, MIT and UC-Berkley now allow you to teach your high school student (or college student) for free using online lectures and video courses. Of course, your child doesn't receive college credit for these courses, but they can learn the material without having to pay tuition fees.

I've also found a website that lists free college classes, documentaries, and language courses. The Elite Skills website has compiled a massive list of free college courses for autodidacts (self-taught learners).

A junior-high student could benefit from the documentaries, language learning lessons, and educational videos found on this website. If you're homeschooling a junior-high student, you can use the documentary videos and do a unit-study, or require a written report (research paper) based on the video documentary. This website is a fantastic resource for homeschool parents—I wish I had found it earlier. My oldest son was particularly fascinated by the physics documentary on The Elegant Universe (string theory).

This "Homeschool Christmas Song" been passed around the web, and it's quite funny. Almost all homeschool parents can relate to this. Merry Christmas, and I hope this song makes you smile.

The 14 Days of Homeschooling
(sung to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas")

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They *can* go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY.

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE?. I think we can do this, if you will help us, we'll join a sports team, and we'll homeschool legally.

Homeschooling to Build Character

Book Review for Mothers Who Are Raising Sons

My husband and I homeschool for a number of reasons; however, one of the biggest is our desire to teach character, and influence the values and morals of our children.

I want to share three "must-read" books for all homeschool moms who are raising sons. The name of the first book is That's My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character by Rick Johnson.

This book helps mothers realize how to train boys to become responsible men who will lead with courage and integrity. Rick Johnson speaks very frankly–especially to mothers about their role in their sons' lives. Johnson realizes that many mothers are raising sons single-handedly, in the absence of the father. Unfortunately, Johnson says, many fathers are either absent physically or mentally from the home. Johnson addresses the need for positive male role models for our sons today - because many do not have this within the home. The author provides practical insights and strategies for teaching integrity, perseverance, courage, loyalty, manners, and respect.

The author's premise is that it's easier to raise a boy, than to change a man's character once he's older. Johnson says he senses a desperation in many men today and questions what men are passing on to their sons. I encourage all moms—but especially moms who are bearing the load with their sons—to read this book. The author describes pitfalls along the way, and how to seek situations where your sons can interact with positive male role models.

Two additional books on character-building (for young men) that I highly recommend are: Boyhood & Beyond, and Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men, both written by Bob Schultz. These 2 books are excellent for mothers to read out-loud and share with their sons. I am currently reading these books out-loud to my 12 year old son and my 7 year old son. Schultz includes questions at the end of each chapter, and these books have really spoken to both of my boys.

In Boyhood and Beyond, the author addresses authority and good attitudes, forgiveness, industry vs. sloth, leadership, temptations, jealousy, and how to overcome fear. The author is very transparent in describing difficulties that he has struggled with—yet despite this, he still manages to writes on a boy's level, and maintain interest. Boyhood & Beyond is an excellent book for mothers and sons to connect with. It is told in stories, with humor and a good dose of practical humility. The stories teach timeless principles and morals, and Schultz has a real personal touch.

Created for Work, is the sequel to Boyhood & Beyond, and discusses how responsibility and a strong work ethic develop confidence, initiative, continual learning, and appreciation for what you have. Schultz believes that America–as a society–has shied away from work, which has created a lazy, self-serving, and self-gratifying attitude. He addresses the importance of how boys spend their time, and argues that habits set in childhood will set a precedent for the future.

These 3 books go hand-in-hand—speaking, helping and enabling moms to raise sons with strong character and good leadership skills.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have.

Olympic dreams can push school into the home
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The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool 
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World Congress of Families Blasts European Homeschooling Ban
Dakota Voice, SD - Oct 11, 2006Oct. 11 /Christian Newswire/ — World Congress of Families President Dr. Allan Carlson said he was appalled by the decision of the …