The Simple Homeschool

This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Public School Education

2011-02-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

How the Unions Have Failed the Public Schools

It’s hard to miss the constant news coverage about the teachers unions in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana etc. I know I haven’t been able to escape it since I work from home and I have the news on all day in the background. But besides that I also take a personal interest in educational issues since I decided to educate my own children 10 years ago. At first this interest was more to justify my decision than anything else, but now I admit – I do it to gloat a little. You see my lazy, X-Box and MySpace addicted, no bedtime, no parental controls kids have thrived under my homeschool regime. They are both excellent readers and one is even somewhat of a math whiz – though he tells me everyday how much he hates algebra. At least he gets the right answers, which is more than I did in junior high.

When I look back on my own public school education I also admit that I can’t really think of a bad teacher – sure some of them were weird and some of them a little obsessive in a matriarchal nun sort of way, but I can honestly say they all knew how to teach.

I knew above all else that my teacher’s in Lake County, Ohio were in school to make me learn whether I wanted to or not. If it weren’t for the fact that I moved to California halfway through junior year it is possible that I would not have a single bad experience to recall about my public school teachers.

You see, I had an excellent public school education. From nasty Mrs. Sowards in 6^th grade to quirky Mr. Engle in 10^th – they all rocked my little educational world. They taught me everything I needed to know. Which was a really good thing because when I got to California things took a bad turn. I might even go as far to say those people were worthless.

Even though I was far from honor role material when I entered my 11^th grade English class at Escondido High, I was a full year ahead of those poor saps. On top of that I was balled out by the teacher for having the nerve to choose Cannery Row as my novel for Right to Read Week. Clearly , she said loud enough for all to hear, it was over my head and the only reason I choose the book was for its lack of thickness. This just pissed me off because anyone who knew me knew I was always a reader and I chose Cannery Row because I hadn’t read it yet, not because it was skinny. I actually prefer thick books myself.

At any rate – I managed to keep my mouth shut that day, being the new girl and all it doesn’t do to make enemies so quickly. But I returned the next day With Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I actually had read that book before but you know – shock treatments and motorcycles were my kind of topic. I flashed it to the “teacher” and told her I found a suitable replacement. She shut the hell up after that.

From there I went to two other California high schools as I moved around from parent to parent, finally settling at Anaheim High School where Mrs. Who-Gives-A Crap gave me a C just because I had a tattoo and talked to the skinhead girl who sat next to me. What was I supposed to do? The whole school was Vietnamese and Mexican, hell they even had the announcements in Vietnamese. She spoke my language, was friendly, and had a fringe – which I had never seen in Ohio! I lost my temper with that teacher but she never did take back that C. I was probably the most educated person in that room.

Then there was the fact that I was 2 years ahead at Anaheim Unified but – they explained patiently to me – I had taken too many math classes before 11^th grade. And even though I had completed Geometry (barely but hey) in the 10^th grade it didn’t count because it was not in 11^th or 12^th grade and that was their “policy”. Ditto for science. So even though I was two years ahead now I still had to go to night school if I wanted a diploma.

I agreed and completed a semester of science at night (took me 2 months and it was open book) and took an additional semester during the day along with “consumer math” just to get that lousy piece of paper. I also had to take Driver’s Ed because that was another “policy”. All three of those teachers made me the “teacher aid” and had me grading papers.

I also worked in the office and the library because you see I didn’t need a full day’s worth of classes but they couldn’t just let me go home when I was finished – I was stuck there for the duration because that was another “policy”. I should have been on the payroll if you ask me.

Flash forward to my own children’s education and we find my daughter graduating 6^th grade on the honor roll. That was the year we moved to Fort Collins in Colorado so I could finish my BS degree. So she started junior high there.

Do you recall that she was on the honor role the year before? She had a signed letter from our State Representative congratulating her on her achievements. Funny thing though – when I pulled her out of school for homeschool a few weeks into 7^th grade year (after a parent entered the school and tried to beat up a student in her class) I found out she had never even memorized her times tables.

How could a child who had never learned what 5x9 is be on the honor role?

I found out a lot more about my daughter’s public school education from that point on and decided that my son would be educated the way I was – because the public school education I received and the public school education my daughter received - were not the same thing.

Those of you who don’t know Lake County, Ohio (where I received my free education) might try and justify this with neighborhood environment. And hey, maybe that’s true for Anaheim High – but my daughter was educated in Wheat Ridge, Colorado – not a high society neighborhood by any means – but certainly just as blue collar and middle class as Willowick, Ohio.

So back to my original point about teachers unions. Back to the days when I felt I had to justify my homeschooling decision with statistics and whatnot…back 10 years ago, before I had a graduate degree and owned my own business…back when I was arguing with public school teachers about how the system was failing our kids and how school choice and charter schools were the answer.

And I ask you – where do we find ourselves today? Having this same FREAKING discussion. And while I was taking action, while I took full responsibility for my children’s education, while I spent tens of thousands of dollars on educational materials and easily the equivalent number of hours teaching – the public schools are still failing our students! Isn’t anyone else TIRED of this conversation yet? It makes me want to SCREAM!

So while the teachers bitch and moan about their freaking benefits, parents are being held hostage by their Unions. And if the Unions represented kids (and they don’t – just read their mission statement – it only represent the interests of TEACHERS), and weren't so worried about their PENSIONS, then they’d allow school choice, merit pay, and charters to take over where they have failed.

And my apologies to those of you who still live in Lake County, Ohio and have children who receive the same excellent public school education that we did when we were young – you are lucky if you do; most of the country is stuck with Mrs. Who-Gives-A Crap because she’s got TENURE and this AIN’T YOUR GRANDMA’S FREAKING PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION ANYMORE!

Did You Know You Were RADICAL?

2010-07-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

How the Nation Views Homeshooling

Like my last blog post - this one deals with the state of the nation's tolerance level for homeschooling. I am, and have been for several years, under the assumption that the view of homeschooling in mainstream society was one of reluctant acceptance. A view that had matured to a certain degree over the years to blossom into the idea that homeschool had become an accepted outer circle fringe choice for parents. Maybe not quite mainstream, yet not the albatross of weirdness that it once was.

I was pretty confident in this assumption until I was browsing a National Review article called Coyotes in the State of Nature, by Kevin Williamson last week. It is really a second amendment rights piece that illustrates how the Progressives hate the fact that the Constitution as it reads would allow just about anyone to apply for a gun permit. Which just blew my mind anyway. Living in Colorado gun permits means a conceal carry permit - not an actual permit to simply own a gun in your house. Anyway - fast forward to page three of the article and he began to wrap things up with this paragraph:

"The horror that progressives feel for gun owners is in many ways like the horror they feel for homeschoolers, whom they recognize, correctly, as one of the few truly radical movements in America. Prof. Robin West of Georgetown University’s law school offers a typical reaction to the phenomenon: “The husbands and wives in these families feel themselves to be under a religious compulsion to have large families, a homebound and submissive wife and mother who is responsible for the schooling of the children, and only one breadwinner. These families are not living in romantic, rural, self-sufficient farmhouses; they are in trailer parks, 1,000-square-foot homes, houses owned by relatives, and some, on tarps in fields or parking lots. Their lack of job skills, passed from one generation to the next, depresses the community’s overall economic health and their state’s tax base.” God defend the holy tax base!"

I was, in all respects, a little taken aback to be honest. People really see us as homeless vacant lot living weirdos? Is that the mainstream image of homeschool? Are we, as Williamson points out, "one of the few truly radical movements in America." Really?

How did that happen? I mean, I know how that happened - it is a rhetorical question. But ask yourself - how did educating one's child become such a threat to the Progressive ideology? I looked up the “scholarly piece” Williamson quotes in his article and read it for myself. Yup. Sure enough Prof. Robin West of Georgetown University does indeed feel we are tarp-living homeless people who refuse to contribute their fair share of the tax base by having mothers stay home to - gasp - teach their own children.

So, is it me or are these people the ones living in Bizzaro-Land? Am I the only one who thinks sending your kids to school for brainwashing is abnormal?

I guess it just stuns me that after all these years people still hate the homeschoolers. They make up outrageous lies about us and "respected publications" such as Philosophy and Public Policy Quarterly, from The Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland would print an article filled with such non-scholarly work. A piece filled with bigotry and bias a mile long. A piece that is titled "The Harms of Homeschooling". I won't bother to link to it - that rag doesn't deserve my backlink. If you really want to read the garbage you can do a search and find it almost anywhere.

My point for this post is the same as the last post - homeschoolers are still considered "radical". Heck, when a guy who writes for the National Review can print the sentence "The horror that progressives feel for gun owners is in many ways like the horror they feel for homeschoolers, whom they recognize, correctly, as one of the few truly radical movements in America." and say it with conviction - we have to know we have a problem.

Is the Country Becoming LESS Tolerant of Homeschool?

2010-06-28T07:10:00.001-07:00

It's a good question - one that matters since now is the time when my HSLDA membership expires. I will renew it - I ALWAYS do - and I am glad they are there because while I personally think homeschool is more accepted among my circles, I don't think large pockets of the country feel that way. Let me give you an example - recently I was browsing Craig's List looking for ducks and noticed the "forum". I have been on Craig's list for years and maybe visited that forum 2 or 3 times tops, but on this day I was curious so I went into the education section.

What did I find? Only dozens of posts bashing homeschoolers. Really nasty posts too, not anything with a valid point - but I was amazed. Maybe I don't mingle with the anti-homeschoolers enough or maybe I just assumed that people are like me and respect the rights of the parent to make choices in their child's life. But I was wrong. So I decided to post about my experience, telling people how rewarding it has been, what I've taught my kids over the years, etc. And the filth that replied almost knocked my socks off!

That doesn't bother me really. I have "friends" who put down homeschooling every chance they get, so a stranger is no big deal. But a week or so later I see an article about Sharron Angle, you know that Tea Party lady who is running for office in Nevada? She is telling her story of how a judge tried to prevent her from homeschooling even though it was legal. Not surprising, I read the Homeschool Court Report - it happens all the time. But the comments were just flat out calling her a liar. Simple as that - L-I-A-R. They felt it was fantastical that a JUDGE might legislate from the bench and try to deny someone’s individual rights and freedoms.Hello? What has this person been up to for the past 10 years? That's just about all judges have been doing. And today begins the confirmation hearings of Elena Kagen to the United States Supreme Court. A woman who has never been a judge before and who believes that free speech can be limited.

I think the rise of "mainstream" homeschool has had a good run but I think we are deluding ourselves if we think this will continue. I believe Sharron Angle's story because I know that people with "power" try to exert themselves on people who don't have any all the time. Remain alert people. Send in those membership dues to HSLDA. They work SO hard for us. All of us. We must all hang together or we will certainly all hang separately.

Free Homeschool Curriculum Week!

2010-05-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

It is free curriculum week at the Simple Schooling Classroom. All week we are offering you the opportunity to sit your kids down and see how fun can be! Included in this giveaway are two awesome printables - almost 1000 pages worth! Believe me, this event isn't something you want to miss out on. So come on down and get your stuff!

Homeschool, The Kentucky Derby, & Horses

2010-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

By J. Anne Huss

Did you watch the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday? First Saturday in May - I never miss it. This year seemed especially lucky for the Derby winners - Super Saver makes Calvin Borel the Run for the Roses winner for a third time in four years. A new record and Super Saver's trainer, Todd Pletcher, won his first derby after only trying for 24 years. To top it off, there was a contest this year where one lucky winner would get to spend the day at the track and then place a $100,000 bet on the horse of his choice. Glen Fullerton picked Super Saver to win and took home almost a million dollars. What a lucky day. Calvin says this horse can take the Triple Crown...I can't wait to see the Preakness and Belmont.

So what does all this have to do with homeschool? Well, I started thinking how horse crazy I was as a kid. I had it bad. I always had it bad - but I got it worse when I started to read The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley. Suddenly I was the only 10 year old who subscribed to the now defunct Turf Magazine. I devoured The Black Stallion books - they were filled not only with lots of horsey things, but adventure at every turn. That Black had more fun than a horse should. I still have my original copy of every single book. I went on to earn my undergraduate in Equine Science, but by that time I was obsessed with the Jumpers. I can't get enough of the Jumpers. Or the Eventers for that matter. But thoroughbred horse racing is still my old passion and every time I see the Triple Crown races I am transported back to my horse-crazy youth and my obsession with The Black Stallion books. I kept them on a special shelf in my room WELL into my teens. I polished that shelf so much their spines would reflect off the wood in the sunlight, I was proud to own such a spectacular set of words, and I took very good care of them.

To some, horse racing is about betting and money, but to "horse-people" (you know who you are) it is about horses. The Black Stallion books are also about history as much as horses. All set in the 1940's and 50's, you cannot help but immerse yourself into days gone by. There are 20 books in the series, with most written between 1941 and 1959, but a few oddballs linger on into the 60's, 70's and 80's, so it is the perfect series for middle graders who can't get enough books to read about a favorite character. There are also movies that go well with the first two books - both with stunning locations, costumes, and of course horses!

If your kids are horse crazy and they're doing the Simple Schooling Science of Horses unit study - then why not add a few horsey classics to their summer reading list? They'll love you for it and who knows - maybe 30 years from now they'll be watching the 166th running of the Kentucky Derby thinking about how they got so darn horse-crazy!

Simple Homeschool Classroom - Homeschool Expo

2010-04-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

WOW! The Homeschool Classroom from The Simple Homeschool has really taken off. Parents are excited about the all new interactive format for homeschool curriculum and unit studies, and they LOVE the fact that every single week new unit studies are added for free. It really is an investment that keeps giving back all year long.

During the week of May 10th-14th, they are planning a super Homeschool Online Open House EXPO where both parents and students and get an entire week of classes FREE to try out and see if this new interactive format will fit their style. In addition, there will be special HUGE printable that has never been offered before, as well as a sneak peak at the new Interactive Middle School Physics - an all-inclusive, computer based, full year science course that was written especially for homeschool students to foster a love for science and give them the tools they need to succeed.
Come visit The Classroom today and register for your FREE week of online classes!

Great Ideas Gone Bad

2010-04-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

How the Public School System has become the Betamax of America

I can think of so many - the mullet for example. I mean business in the front - party in the back - sounds great, right? Or how about Betamax? Anyone still remember that little mistake? Back in the late 70's there were two competing systems for watching movies at home. One was VHS, which we all know about, and the other was Betamax. Betamax is still a little dark spot on the household name that is Sony, kind of like Speed 2 or say...public school.

Yeah, public school makes the list. See the thing is, even Betamax knew when it was beat and joined the revolution that was VHS. Public school however, is clinging to life in the good old days when one room schoolhouses were necessary for the survival of the country.
Today, the good idea that was the public education system has gone terribly wrong partly because it has become obsolete and partly because it is ripe with corruption. Regardless, the public school system in America makes Betamax look like the idea of the century.

And it simply can't be "fixed". This isn't a rant about the public schools or the teachers, or the parents, or the students; although all of those people are part of the problem. I'm talking about the system. When a public education in D.C. costs almost $18,000 we have a problem. A BIG problem. And if you think taht is bad, you haven't seen nothin' yet - think $17,000 a year is bad? How about $28,000? You could send your child to the BEST private day school in your area (any area) for that money!

Watch the vidoos below...

Parents Defend Unschooling

2010-04-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

By J. Anne Huss
The Simple Schooling Classroom

Well, I was wondering when the "mainstream" media would start their attack on homeschool again. I mean, it is rather predictable, what with the comparison of conservatives to domestic terrorists over the weekend by Bill Clinton. What better way to alienate these "radicals" than to point out that "10%" of homeschoolers are actually radical unschoolers. If you haven't seen the piece, you can find it here.

First of all - I beg to differ with that number. I've probably run into a handful of unschoolers in my 8 years as a homeschool parent and curriculum provider. But whatever. The numbers don't matter because a version of this method is actually being used all over the country in "mainstream" schools - yes - it is called Montessori and no one seems to be doing any "stories" on them.

Second - they start the piece with "Imagine a WORLD without school." A WORLD WITHOUT SCHOOL? What they really mean is a world without their idea of school. Let's just get that straight.

But again. Whatever. It is clear that the reporter from ABC has no idea what she's talking about - "Did you ever miss or regret not being in a NORMAL school?"

Define normal? Maybe normal means government institutions flooded with card carrying union members whining about how they don't make enough money? Or maybe a normal school is one where students are bullied, beat up, or worse. Or maybe a normal school is one that has children parroting the political agenda of the left-wing loons that dictate the curriculum choices?

Is that “normal”?

Unschooling is not for everyone and just about every homeschool I've ever met knows that this method would not work for them because the first exercise in preparing to homeschool is to understand how your students learn. I know that 10% number is false. I don’t know where it came from but anyone in the homeschooling world can tell you it’s off. The radical unschooler is few and far between.

But I will let you into a little secret – all of us WISH we were unschoolers. We do. We love them and we will protect their rights right along with our own because it is up to the PARENT to deicide how to teach their children life lessons, not JuJu whatshername or the Department of Education.

This story isn’t about unschooling, homeschooling, or anything else. This piece is to show "mainstream" America that homeschoolers are not regulated enough. That homeschoolers, because they support unschooling, must have more government involved in their lives. It is just another pathetic attempt to marginalize people who refuse to let Big Daddy Government take care of them.

Go worry about your own kids, our kids are busy learning.

$50 in Free Simple Schooling Homeschool Curriculum

2010-04-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Homeschoolers,
Today I just wanted to blog about the complete site redesign we've done over at the Simple Schooling Classroom. Not only does it look fabulous, but there is an integrated forum and Facebook-type community where you can comment, post pictures, join and create groups, post polls, answer polls, review curriculum, and sell stuff! We also have a testimonials page where you can read about how Simple Schooling has helped homeschoolers. You can even leave one yourself.

Plus, all subscribers to the Simple Schooling Classroom have access to every single unit study from every page. What could be easier?

This brings me to our special $50 in FREE Simple Schooling Curriculum. We want you to get involved in our community so you can have a more positive homeschool experience and it will help us build the site faster. All you have to do to get your free curriculum is follow the 7 steps outlined here. That's it! All users who complete the 7 steps will be given a special membership to the Classroom where they can claim their free stuff.

And, if you decide to become a Simple Schooling Classroom subscriber you will gain access to even MORE FREE curriculum as we move into summer. Look for a TON of history to be added and even more science!

There is no better value out there so we hope you'll come on over and give us a try!

See you soon,

J. Anne Huss

Forensic Science and Homeschool

2010-02-25T14:54:00.000-08:00

When I went to graduate school I was lucky enough to choose a master's program in forensic science. Forensic toxicology to be specific. So after I graduated I was thinking to myself, what do I have to offer in the way of homeschool curriculum and of course, forensic science immediately came to mind. Kids LOVE anything and everything to do with crime scene investigation. It just perks up their interest when you start talking about solving a crime.

Realistically, I knew that this type of course is not for all ages, and so that is why I wrote the Simple Schooling Forensic Science course for upper middle and high school. This is an elective course. They can take
it in addition to biology and another year of CORE science, but realistically they cannot take it in place of those important subjects.

I did decide to leave a few topics out, such as blood spatter and graphic details about body appearance after certain types of death (because in school I was forced to see these and I will say, I am not easily grossed out but burn and drowning victims, not very palatable.)

So the REALLY gory details are left out but included in the text are CSI, death investigation, solving a case study, ballistics, toolmarks, arson, poisoning, toxicology, DNA analysis, the autopsy, fingerprints, and much much more.

It is a great course, one of our most popular in fact. And that is why I added it to The Simple Schooling Classroom as part of the yearly subscription rate. It comes with the full printable student textbook/workbook and 6 interactivities for each unit (20 separate units total). If you are a Simple-Zine newsletter subscriber you will get a free sample of it in the upcoming weeks. ;)

What is it with Boys and Writing?

2010-02-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Just the title alone is enough to make homeschool moms with young boys cringe. Yes, I'd say 99% of us have the same problem.

Boys.

And Writing.

I have tried several curriculums over the years, most recently Jump in Writing, which I love and am keeping for the future. But he's so resistant.

About two weeks ago we were finishing up the unit on the 13 colonies in Simple Schooling American History and the assignment (which I wrote, mind you) asks for a report on their favorite colony.

So he picks Georgia.

And sits there.

And moans.

And whines and complains and makes a nasty comment or two about how stupid this is and how he will NEVER ever need to write in HIS career and finally cries.

LOL. I was like, you've got to be kidding me? I asked for 500 words on the colony of Georgia not a dissertation with footnotes.

So I get it together and say, OK I'll help you. We brainstorm all the things we can say about Colonial Georgia. We've got it all on the board in bullet points. Alll he has to do is turn them into sentences.

He freaks out. Finally, after about 2 hours he manages 150 words.

I declare success and let him read.

This was an eye-opener for me. The kid shuts down when he has to write. So I did what all homeschool moms do - I go to the computer and search for the "perfect curriculum" to make it all better. I find Writing Strands and order it in a hurry. 2 day shipping even.

It arrived last week and we got started right away. By day 3 he says "I think this is actually helping me."

Praise the Lord and I'll give ya big Amen.

My son will write.

President's Day Unit Study

2010-02-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

The Simple-Zine Freebie newsletter is going out in - Oh, about 30 minutes - and I just wanted to put the freebie up for you Googlers! The President's Day Unit Study is the very first interactive/printable from Simple Schooling and is a glimpse of what is to come for many of our printable courses for next school year.

I know - is it too early to think about next year?

I was counting up the lessons left in our math book last week and I told my son we have to finish the book and he replied "Sheesh mom, I still have 4 months! Leave it alone!"

I was like - yeah, Ok. Point taken.

But us moms know that we start planning for the next year once Christmas is over and I bet many of you are making plans right now. So for your benefit (don't tell the kids!) here is what Simple Scholing will have for the 2010-2011 school year:

American History Part II - From Constitution to Civil War

Middle School Physics (Interactive)

Middle School Chemistry (Interactive & Printable)

K-3 Science full year course (120 lessons -includes mammals, bugs, amphibians, reptiles, sea mammals)

Ancient History (4-8th grade Egypt, Greece, and Rome)

Middle Ages and Reformation (4-8th grade)

Plus new interactive unit studies every week at The Classroom!

Kick The Bums Out!

2010-02-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

Ya know, I try to keep my blogs on track by making sure that I only write things relevant to homeschoolers, but today I am so unhappy with our government that I must make an exception. Senator Micahel Bennet's office in DC just lied to me and then threatened to call the Capitol Police on me if I continued to call and ask my question. I know what you're thinking - what kind of question warrants that reaction? It must have been a doosey.

Yes, it was. The question was how does Michael Bennet feel about the new spending bill.

Their reply - "What spending bill?"

I asked to speak to someone who knew what I was talking about and she said no. So I ask for her name and she hung up. That's great isn't it? She is sadly mistaken if she thinks I'm giving up that easy so I call back. She threatens to call the Capitol Police on me if I call one more time.

Now, it really isn't her fault that I am always up for a challenge, and obviously she's severely underestimated the American people's resolve, so I call back and she lets it ring for several minutes before doing the age old junior high trick of "pick up - hang up".

Nice one. I give it another try. She answers and says "Don't call here again!"

I'm sorry, what? Don't call MY SENATOR'S office so I can comment? I ask to speak to a supervisor, she replies there isn't one there and hangs up.

Boy, she's getting far fast isn't she?

I call again, the process repeats itself. Yet again, same thing. And one more time and guess who I get? A supervisor.

Oh, I thought there was no supervisor? Mike over at Michael Bennet's office in DC is pretty annoyed that I'm now asking why they condone threats to citizens in addition to why they are spending my money like its not their's?

The problem the people of Colorado have with Michael Bennet is that he was never elected. He was appointed by Governor Ritter to be his pet and act like a good in-the-pocket democrat. He doesn't care about the People because he's never been accountable to them. He never ran for Senator. He never had to LISTEN to us. And boy - that has never been more apparent than it was today.

I hope Michael Bennet and Bill Ritter stay good friends because they'll be seeing each other a lot next year when they are both out of a job. And Ritter can pretend it was for "family reasons" but we all know who Corey Voorhis is and we all know the lies they told about him.

Does Yahoo Answers help kids cheat in school?

2010-01-29T05:54:00.000-08:00

I asked this of the Yahoo answers community and my question was deleted by the Yahoo powers that be. If you have not yet been to Yahoo answers it works like this: You post a question and people who have logged in answer it. You can also help the community be answering a question.

If you go to the homework help section of Yahoo answers it takes only a few seconds to see that kids ARE cheating in school by using Yahoo Answers. Many times kids post entire homework assignments - including the multiple choice answers. And surprisingly enough, many times people actually answer them! I have seen entire essays posted at Yahoo Answers. In fact, some kids don't even try to hide the fact that they are cheating - they say "Please tell me the answers, I am failing!!!!!" or "I need Help NOW! Homework Due Tomorrow!"

What kind of service is Yahoo Answers? Was this the original intent of the Yahoo Corporation? To make cheating easier? I mean, it is no secret that the internet holds the answer to almost any question, but typically a kid would have to do that research themselves and along the way they would learn a thing or two. Not so with Yahoo Answers. They just plug in their question and by magic Yahoo spits out the information, while they hurry up and copy it down to their paper.

I have even seen kids who "homeschool" on Yahoo Answers. I put it in quotes because the ones I've seen are all doing those "online public schools" and it seems almost "club-house" like over there at Answers. "Quick! I need answers for Connections Academy Chapter 2 in Physical Science!"

And sure enough, there would be answers for those specific Connections Academy questions right in the Yahoo Answers Homework Help section.

Connections Academy, by the way, advertises itself as a "Free online public school providing a nationally certified K-12 home schooling curriculum." Many homeschoolers are wary of these "public school at home" options, and as you can see - there is reason. They don't change curriculum, or tests, or homework assignments like traditional teachers do. They recycle everything. That's their way of "being green" I guess.

But I get a little off point here - Does Yahoo Answers contribute to kids cheating in school? In fact, I could go one step further and ask - Has Yahoo Answers contributed to the downward spiral of American public education? I don't know but just yesterday this title - ironically enough posted in Yahoo news, caught my eye:

"Colorado barely passes teacher-quality evaluation"

Not only is Colorado barely passing with a D+, it seems that the highest ranking sate (Florida) only gets a C - and most schools gets D's and F's. But how do teachers in traditional public schools fight against the intellectual corruption of children by a Global Corporation such as Yahoo Answers?

It seems a little off base not to ask whether we are promoting an environment that accepts cheating. Now I must give credit to the general Answers community because often they will either be rude to those asking for answers or they will refuse to do their homework. In addition, there are kids there who genuinely seek to understand and not cheat or copy. But it is obvious to me that the reason my question "Does Yahoo Answers Help Kids Cheat in School?" was deleted because it hits a little close to home.

Just another way they are dumbing down America I guess.

Independent Workers - He's On His Own Today!

2010-01-28T05:49:00.000-08:00

I have to work at the Farm Show today as part of work, so I am leaving DS (12) to work alone. He's not home alone, mind you - just working alone. We do this a lot when I am working, which is only part time and seasonal. And I'm pretty happy with how he takes responsibility for his work. He gets himself up - later than usual of course - and checks off his work on the board as he does it.

Today he's doing Japanese (2 sections in RS and 1 page in his Hiragana workbook)

Teaching Textbooks Math

Simple Schooling American History

Simple Schooling Interactive Unit Studies (Space - he's done a LOT of space this year - but it is so easy and I just made it - plus it is fun - so he won't mind.)

Reading

Yesterday he wanted me to time him to see how long it would take him to do school if he didn't complain! What a good guy! :)

Free Interactive Unit Studies!

2010-01-27T08:58:00.000-08:00

I have heard that mid-year burn-out is high this year, mostly because we've fallen behind or the kids are giving us trouble - so I would really like to help by offering some exciting and fun interactive unit studies to my most loyal readers.

So I have transferred dozens of high interest, time saving, and energizing units into one complete low cost package that includes tons of cool stuff!

I have placed all of these interactive unit studies on a membership website that allows me to sell them for just $7 each. That is such a steal, but I totally understand how tight money is right now so what I want to do is offer every single one of them at a significant discount. Instead of paying $7 a piece for the first 36 units I'm practically giving them away at $57 for ALL OF THEM! That is about a $1.50 each and a total savings of $195.00!

Plus, your membership is good for an entire year and new units are added every week.

In fact, entire courses will be uploaded over the next few weeks and every week thereafter.

But that's not even the end of the deal here, I also have tons of printable Simple Days Unit Studies and Simple Days Free-4-Alls that are just hanging around on my hard drive, so I'm throwing those into the mix as well.

That is a more than a $50 value for FREE! If you subscribe before February 3rd you will receive more than $241 worth of homeschool curriculum for just $57. Plus you'll get more interactive unit studies each week!

I don't think a better deal exists, to be honest.

In addition, I would like to let you try them one more time so I am offering TWO MORE additional unit studies absolutely FREE! I know you already received the Forensic Science Freebie unit this month, and I hope you enjoyed it, but more freebies are never a bad thing! I want you to make absolutely sure that the interactive units are a good fit for your teaching style and your student's learning style. Just click the links toget immediate access to your additional interactive unit study so you can create a fun and engaging homeschool experience for your kids.

OR - if you already know that the interactive unit studies are a good fit and want to get in on the limited time special simply click here to join now.

Have a great time with the two new freebies and I look forward to chatting with you on the membership site forum!

J. Anne Huss

www.The-Simple-Homeschool.com

P.S. I do want to make sure that you understand that the $57 price will not last. We will be adding so much value to the site that this introductory deal will have to be increased, so don't wait!

Homeschool Black Friday Sale!

2009-11-24T05:30:00.000-08:00

Get 40% off your entire purchase ($25 minimum before discount) for Thanksgiving weekend! This sale starts immediately and goes through the weekend. All you have to do is add your favorite products to the cart and enter the coupon code GiveThanks at checkout. Note: the code is all one word - no spaces!

Have fun shopping and saving at The Simple Homeschool!

November Freebies!

2009-11-16T05:40:00.000-08:00

This month I have 5 freebies for you.

An awesome cursive handwriting practice and project book that teaches history as well. Kids will love this one!

A printable reindeer unit study that covers anatomy, habitat, diet, digestion, and more!

An interactive reindeer unit that does all the above PLUS lets your kids have a little fun as they learn vocabulary and comprehension while playing games!

A Christmas coloring book for those eager little ones - this will keep them delighted and interested as you rush around preparing for holiday guests.

The 12 Days of Christmas Interactive Fun Book! They can listen to the song as they watch the movie, play games, and test their memory with this great little interactivity!

Well, OK then - go get them here!

FREE Thanksgiving Unit Study

2009-11-06T05:55:00.000-08:00

This one is a little book about Giving Thanks. For the younger crowd - we will have our big Thanksgiving give-a-way on the 16th when the next issue fo the Simple Zine goes out. Look forward to some early Christmas stuff as well. Gotta get ready, right?

I'm planning on a reindeer unit, The 12 Days of Christmas, Thanksgiving (of course - and this one will be interactive!), and A Christmas Carol. Perhaps, loosely based, not sure yet. Perhaps interactive as well. Perhaps I won't even do Christmas Carol...who the heck knows...I make this stuff up as I go along. A fly by my seat type of person.

OH YEAH! - I am SO excited about my Christmas gift to all my loyal homeschool friends - I can't say too much right now - but look for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT in the November 16th issue of the Newsletter. It is BIG. BIG. BIG!

Did you get your FREE Halloween Unit Study?

2009-10-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hey! Did you get your FREE unit study for Halloween? Want to give your kids some time off this week but not completely let them get away with no school? Try this little workbook for the younger crowd!

When you're done with that have them spend some time doing Simple Schooling's INTERACTIVE Halloween unit. There's so much fun packed into these educational activities it is frightening!

The Death of Factory Education?

2009-09-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Shifting Paradigm of Factory Education Part I
The Process of Societal Conditioning

Mention education reform to a crowd and you get any number of responses. One might say schools are failing kids, another that the nation's youth has been dumbed down. Still more might equate education reform with standardized testing. But there is a growing group of parents (and would-be parents) who feel that the American factory education has run its course and education reform simply means a new system. A paradigm shift.

For most people the factory education is the only thing they've ever known. It used to be, back when I was little, that children were born and then they stayed home with their mothers.
Mothers used to stay home too. Some children, for various reasons, went to a pre-school. Often this was in relation to the church that the family attended. At the pre-school the children would learn to sing, and count, and recite the alphabet. They'd make macaroni necklaces and paint at the easel.

Read the entire article here.

Simple Schooling Anatomy and Physiology II

2009-09-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

...is on SALE now! Now Simple Schooling has ONE FULL YEAR of high school anatomy and physiology for your homeschooling teen. This course will prepare them fully for college level A&P. The second semester Anatomy and Physiology course includes:

Musculoskeletal System
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Digestive System
renal System
Lymphatic System
Immune System
Reproductive System

Over 290 pages in the Textbook/Workbook, FREE BONUS parent guide and FREE BONUS test Booklet - all for just $25! You will never find an easier homeschool science curriculum than Simple Schooling!

September Simple Days FREEBIES

2009-09-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

Hey! Did you forget to sign up for The Simple Homeschool's Freebie Newsletter? If so, you're missing out on some FANTASTIC free Unit Studies! Do you kids LOVE Eagles (stupid question, really - who isn't fascinated by a raptor?)...or how about Reptiles? Were you looking for a fun little copybook on Autumn stuff? And would you like your kids to learn a little about the Biosphere in my Ecology unit?

If you answered yes to any of those questions then what are you waiting for? Sign up for my newsletter and I'll deliver 4 new FREE unit studies to your inbox every month. But just in case you forgot to do that - go check out my free units right here! Hurry though, I take them down on the last day of every month and put them up for sale in the store for 99 cents so I can get ready to make you MORE FREE unit studies the next month!

Teach Your kids Ecology - Not Hyper-Environmentalism!

2009-09-05T06:54:00.001-07:00

I know how hard it is. I get it.

You want to be "for" the planet, but you refuse to sign on board with the radical "green" movement of the fanatical left wing of our country. That's why I wrote this little mini-course on Ecology.

Not environmentalism. Ecology. It covers what ecology is and what it is not. It gives them good information about biomes and the biosphere, conservation, nutrient cycles, and sustainability...but this is not pushing the radical "green" agenda. There is no Al Gore here. No Global Warming, and no Communist Green Jobs Czar telling people that the system must be "re-made".

I don't even know what system he is talking about, but what I am talking about is science. The science of ecology. If you want your kids to start learning the truth about our environment without the hype and lies, then try my $10 mini-course.

75 pages of truth is a good start.

J. Anne

Last Days to Save 40% off Simple Schooling

2009-08-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right. The Simple Homeschool sale is coming to an end and it will be goin' bye-bye on the 31st. If you still want to cash in on the savings, well then just use coupon code...

BackToHomeSchool

...during checkout! And don't forget that the August freebies will be taken down on Monday the 31st as well! If you haven't signed up for the freebies yet, well heck - take a look at them and then subscribe! You'll NEVER find more valuable homeschool freebies than those right here at The Simple Homeschool!

Happy Homeschooling!

August Simple Days

2009-08-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Homeschoolers!

I am have been very busy over the summer trying to make sure all the curriculum I had planned got out and ready for you guys to take advantage of. So far, all is well. Middle School Physics hit the store last month and American History went on sale August 1st. For anyone who hasn't made a history choice yet - this is the easiest program you'll come across. Loaded with information, worksheets, and a parent guide included - it is a print and plop winner! Enough stuff for a whole year is included - 60 units, 2 x a week? Sound good? Eh? No stress - zero prep. That's what we strive to do.

There are two grade levels - the upper school level is the 60 units 2x a week and it covers the Vikings to the Constitution - IN DEPTH! One entire year devoted to the Founding. The little kids versionis 40 unit studies that covers the Vikings to just after the Civil War. Add to them - or not. They come with what you need to get the job done.

Speaking of print and plop - the August Simple Days are out today. I know that getting back to school can be stressful, especially when you are teaching little ones and big ones at the same time! So I went ahead and made all 4 of the freebies for elementary kids. Keep them learning, interested, and busy while you help your teens get the hang of their new science, math, or history program.

This month's freebies are:

All About Autumn

Ocean Basics

The Gingerbread Man

The Solar System

Well, there's plenty more where that came from! As you probably know - we sell the freebies in the Store for 99 cents after the last day of the month and if you've missed some Simple Days in the past you can find them there. At the end of June we decided to compile them into age appropriate bundles to save file space over at E-Junkie and now you can get those compilations here:

Little Kids

Middle Kids

Big Kids

Well ladies (and gentlemen!)...I wish you all the best in your homeschool year! Whether you are just starting out or going on year 8 like me - there's no place like home!

J. Anne Huss

www-The-Simple-Homeschool.com

Middle School Physics

2009-07-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

Don't think it is possible do you? ;)

Well, Simple Schooling knows just how to make complicated things, like physics, well...simple! And we've done it again. Now your Middle Schooler can learn all about physics by using our well thought out, all-inclusive courses geared for 7th graders.

Who needs Physical Science when they can have the real thing?

Seriously, enough already with the weather...they learn about the weather for years. Let them in on the secrets of the universe - give them real science and see how far it takes them!

Here's what you get for the meager price of just $25 per course:

Simple Schooling Middle School Physics I

Motion

Forces

Vector and Scalar Quantities

Momentum

Energy

Circular Motion

Center of Gravity

Rotational Mechanics

Universal Gravitation

Gravitational Interactions

Satellite Motion

Simple Schooling Middle School Physics II

Special Relativity

Matter

States of Matter

Temperature/Heat/Expansion

Transmission of Heat

Changing States of Matter

Thermodynamics

Vibrations and Waves

Sound/Light/Color

Reflection/Refraction/Defraction/Displacement

Electrical Forces

Currents and Circuits

Magnetism

Elecrtomagnetism

The Quantum World and Radioactivity

One whole year of Middle School Physics that includes tests, quizzes, workbook, textbook, hand-on lab, computer lab, animations, and video!

Your student has never had a science class like this before! And you won't find a more SIMPLE way to do homeschool science - EVER!

Nursery University

2009-06-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of this show? Nursery University is a documentary that follows several Manhattan families as they make their way through the pre-school acceptance process. The New York Times says (and who reads that paper anyway -but ...) "If you thrill to the sight of a preschool teacher bringing an investment banker to his knees, then "Nursery University" is for you."

Do people actually thrill to that site? Apparently the NYT thinks they do. Sorta sick and twisted in my book, but that's just me...

Now, I don't live in Manhattan, so all me crazy but I thought this stuff was an urban legend. You know, kinda like Sasquatch or going on a date and ending up packed in ice, one kidney short. But apparently I am sadly ill informed.

It's real.

The promo for the film states "Set in New York City, NURSERY UNIVERSITY is a feature documentary that reveals the oddly competitive, yet often humorous, world of nursery school admissions."

Hmmm...

I DO realize I'm biased due to the homeschool thing - but seriously, at what cost? The Price of Perfection seems to be the ability to shamelessly demand your child to perform on cue, to fork over thousands of dollars for a hand print painted in primary colors so as to make yourself appear willing to go above and beyond the tens of thousands of dollars required for tuition, and to feel dejected and small when your child doesn't get in.

I obviously, do not live in that world. I spend, Oh, about $1000 a year on homeschool, some years less, some years more, and I put in more quality time with my kid in one morning than the Manhattanites I am supposed to be jealous of, do in a month.

Yet, this "documentary" is clearly supposed to make me loathe them and envy them at the same time.

Uh, no.

I came away feeling sorry for them. Even the mom who packed her stuff up and left Manhattan for Boston and the one who said her son was fine in a co-op preschool...until he got into an exclusive one.

I guess I just don't get it. I don't understand anyone anymore who thinks that sending kids off to strangers (especially those "Young 3's") to be taught BASIC - I'm talkin' BASIC - stuff all the while taking out a fourth mortgage on their home to pay for it.

It is crazy.

But anyway - it did make me feel happy that I'm not part of their world and it did make me feel like a great mom, so I guess I did get something out of my afternoon spent watching investment bankers being brought to their knees by pre-school teachers.

Free Summer Fun Coloring Book!

2009-06-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Almost every mom, whether you homeschool or not, can relate to needing some down time during the summer and that is why I am giving you the gift of coloring!

Simply add one of those delicious new boxes of 64 crayons and hand over the coloring book. Presto - Happy kids coloring happy pictures.

What could be better?

How about a 99 Cent Simple Days Unit Study from Simple Schooling? I just added 8 new ones up at the site including:

Christopher Columbus
Copywork for Boys
Copywork for Girls
The Ugly Little Duck
The Three Bears
The House that Jack built
Volcano!
Earthquake!

And don't forget, we're still running our classroom contest! It ends June 15th so go enter your classroom for a chance to win FREE CURRICULUM!

Vocabulary Software is a Hit!

2009-05-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

I just got the free demo for this vocabulary builder software and I'm impressed. It has a lot of great features. I was browsing for a new vocabulary program for my Little Moe and came across this site. At first I thought it was just for test prep, but after using it I think this will work for us as far as vocabulary goes next year.

I have used a lot of vocabulary curriculums, some better than others, and anything that gets the job done using the computer is always my first choice! Gotta keep those kiddos on the path to self directed learning, right! Anywho, you can go check it out and tell me what you think of this vocabulary software.

5 Easy Steps for FUN Summer Reading!

2009-05-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Want to cultivate the book lover in your child? Just follow these five easy steps and they'll be book worms in no time!

1. Let your child choose the book.
2. Download or rent the audiobook for the same title (IMPORTANT - DO NOT SKIP this step!)
3. Let them make themselves comfortable.
4. Start the audiobook and have them read along with their hard copy.
5. If the chosen book has a movie version too, rent that and have them watch it!

They'll never forget this summer reading program!

We've been doing this all year and I tell ya, it has completely changed my son's point of view on books. He's read classics and fluff with the exact same amount of excitement! Trust me - this WORKS! Last week I brought home the new Percy Jackson book and he told me he thinks he "is a book lover!"

Music to my ears....

Sometimes kids just need a little push to see that reading is fun so naturally if they can read-along and then watch a movie their interest increases. Of course, the book must be interesting to begin with. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T05:55:00.001-07:00

Now, I'm not trying to say that non-homeschool mothers love their kids any less - BUT let's face it; homeschool moms are amazing! We go so far beyond what most mothers do with our children because we choose to spend every single day with them. We take on the almost overwhelming responsibility of their complete education. We stay up late in the wee hours of the morning devising lesson plans and hunting down the perfect curriculum. We lovingly push and prod them in ways a "teacher by profession" could never imagine.

And - we do it all for free. Because we want to. Because we love them.

I've had quite a few, uh - let's say "defensive" - emails and comments over the years from non-homeschooling mothers who tell me that we homeschoolers try and make them feel inadequate. I want to laugh when I hear this - I really do, because seriously they have us all wrong if they think we spend our time devising ways to make them look bad - but I don't. I typically listen and say that they are missing the point.

But they aren't missing the point are they? They DO get it don't they? We ARE making a sacrifice that they won't or can't. Should we feel bad for that? Should they feel bad for that?

I always want to ask "them" why this topic hits a nerve so bad? Why do they care that in their minds we are a little self-righteous? Should we have to minimize our sacrifices so that "they" can feel good? Should we downplay our level of commitment to our children and pretend that we are all the same so we can all be "winners"?

I have to admit I do those things - I try to avoid the homeschool conversation with non-homeschoolers because the defenses go up almost immediately with the "Oh, I could NEVER homeschool my kids" comment. Perhaps they should mull over the words self-righteous a bit before uttering that phrase.

But at any rate - we homeschool mothers belong to a pretty cool club! It isn't exclusive or expensive to join and it isn't dependent on your heritage, nationality, skin color, culture, religion, music preference, or ability to draw.

You simple have to love them.

Happy Mother's Day Homeschool Moms! You really ARE the best of the best!

New Classroom Entries for our Creative Classroom Contest are now up!

2009-05-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

You should really come check them out - we've already gotten some fabulous classroom examples that will inspire you - and if you upload your picture you're automatically entered in the contest to win free Simple Schooling Curriculum! What could be easier or more fun?

I love how Colton's Classroom is so bright and airy - what a great place to learn and Hulette's Homeschool is organized and easy to use! And remember - the more people who enter the more people who will win. We're gonna have one winner for every 25 entries - not many contests give you those kind of odds!

Creative Classrooms Contest at The Simple Homeschool

2009-05-05T05:13:00.000-07:00

What does YOUR classroom look like? Are you and the little ones chillin' out on the beach or do you prefer a more traditional classroom setting? The Simple Homeschool wnats to know...not only that... we want to see pictures!

You can WIN FREE CURRICULUM just for entering your homeschool classroom space on our contest page. It doesn't get any easier than that! Simply upload your best picture, write a few sentences, and ta-da! You could win! In fact, there will be 1 winner for every 25 entries, not bad eh? I bet you've never seen those odds before in a contest!

So come on over and take a swipe at it - and while you're there why not take a look at Little Moe's classroom...it was a bit messy the day I took this becasue we still have the incubators going for hatching ducks and that takes up a bunch of table space, but at least the rabbits are now outside...Spring couldn't have come sooner in my opinion!

April Showers....

2009-04-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

Well, we all know what they bring! But if you would like to get your kids ready for learning about next month's flowers, there are a few great (and CHEAP) unit studies over at The Simple Homeschool that will get them all geared up. If you didn't get these fabulous units free in The Simple Zine, then why not sign up? Next month we'll take a look at what April Showers bring and have all sorts of fun with flowers and plants. There are some great webpages on this topic already up, but it is so much easier to have a pdf file that you can print out and hand over on those crazy days, isn't it? So if you're pressed for time and need a day - go grab some 99 cent unit studies over at The Simple Homeschool!

New Anatomy & Physiology Course from Simple Schooling

2009-04-04T03:24:00.001-07:00

I have FINALLY finished Human Anatomy and Physiology I and I have no idea why this particular course took me so long. I was sick twice, so maybe that had something to do with it. Plus I have been very busy obsessing over my hatching eggs and incubators that I tend to get side tracked over at the BackyardChickens forum. And really if you think about it - that makes perfect sense. Watching duck and goose eggs develop and writing about anatomy and physiology - sorta all related in a convoluted way, right?

Right! Anyway, this course is fabulous! It has over 400 pages! And for the same low price of $25 you get the 250 page student textbook/workbook, a 110 page parent guide, and a 50 page exam booklet. Can't beat that. Seriously, you can't. No one else offers such a comprehensive package for the price. As the title of this course indicates, it has both anatomy and physiology, emphasis on physiology. So if you've got a science oriented kid and think they could use another class in high school, give us a try. This course is written in the same conversational tone of all other Simple Schooling products which enables your teen to progress in a self directed manner. A complete one semester science course, A&P I includes:

Cell Biology Review

The Integumentary System

The Skeletal System

The Endocrine System

The Nervous System

Second Semester A&P II will be out May 15 and will contain:

The Muscular System

The Cardiovascular System

The Respiratory System

The Digestive System

The Renal System

The Immune System

The Reproductive System

So if you're looking for a complete year of upper level biology before college - Give Simple Schooling Anatomy and Physiology a try!

You won't be disappointed!

Happy Spring!

2009-03-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

I've done quite a bit to the website in the past few weeks. for instance - I added a whole bunch of pages about Cell Biology in The Student Help Center. Those pages will give you and your highschoolers a pretty thorough introduction to the organelles contained inside an animal cell. Enough to get you started, anyway.

If you would like more information I just gave out a unit study to Ezine Subscribers called The Cell. That little gem has a ton of info and if you aren't a subscriber you can get it for only 99 cents in the store.

Have fun!

J. Anne

Who has time to blog when you have to draw the hair follicle?

2009-02-28T04:29:00.000-08:00

I'm so busy with this anatomy project but it is fun revisiting all my old college notes. I remember this class really stressed me out - the amount of information was overwhelming and all the tests were multiple choice. Laugh if you want - those questions were hard! Give me a short answer or essay question anyday.

Example of exam questions: (these were our "practice questions" for the test)

The QRS complex of the ECG appears as the:
a. atria depolarize
b. ventricles depolarize
c. ventricles re-polarize
d. atria repolarize
e. b and d

The mechanism by which glucose is absorbed in the small intestine involves:
a. breakdown of carbons and hydrogens, followed by diffiusion
b. diffusion with water through the tight junctions between epithelial cells
c. entry together with sodium through a single transporter molecule
d. diffusion across the plasma membrane of the epithelial cells
e. endocytosis into absorptive cells

Simple Schooling Highschool Anatomy (First Semester) will be available next week sometime and that is why I am sequestering myself in front of the computer and trying to stay away form Twitter!

New Student Help center at TSH

2009-02-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

I spent almost the entire weekend writing upper level science help pages for homeschoolers - or anyone else who needs the help really - and they are now online!

Check out the new Help Center here or go directly to the pages that interest you below:

Plant Biology

Photosynthesis

Parts of a Plant

Plant Life Cycle 1

Plant Life Cycle 2

Cell Cycle

Cell Cycle Mitosis

Cell Cycle Control

The Simple Homeschool Has Something for Every Homeschool Family

2009-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

We have so much information over at The Simple Homeschool and I just want to share it with all of you today. Need help with any of the following? Go check it out!

Pros and Cons

Legal Stuff

Getting Started

Methods

Homeschooling High School

Online Homeschool

FUN Ways to Learn

Homeschool Videos

Science

Forensic Science

History

Math

Literature

Reading

Spelling

Writing

Grammar

Electives

Foreign Language

The FREE Unit Studies are Up!

2009-02-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

...and because I know you all are so busy I'm going to post the link here so even if you didn't sign up for the zine - you'll still get all 9 freebies. It's my way of paying it forward!

I'm pooped today. I was up all night finishing the freebie page and making e-book covers and I've spent the past three weeks getting ready for the big product launch of Forensic Science.

But, it's over now and I have like three whole days to screw off before I have to start writing Anatomy and Physiology.

Three days to myself sound like heaven.

I am going to be updating my about me page today for fun...yeah, that's my pathetic version of fun, to show off my farm and my animals, so stop by and check it out here.

Oh, and the BIG SALE ends Saturday at Midnight - get 'em now - regular price starts Sunday.

J. Anne

Sign Up For 6 FREE Unit Studies - E-Zine Goes Out Tomorrow!

2009-02-11T04:26:00.000-08:00

If you don't sign up you'll miss it!

Go here to get all your FREEBIES!

And these aren't just any old freebies, not the worthless lesson plans and endless web-links that have no value - these are all at least 10 pages and have activities built in.

This issue of the Simple Zine focuses on keeping learning fun - remember my last post? Well, I thought people needed a little nudge to get the vibe of it all...so I'm a nudgin', but don't worry - it won't cost you a cent.

Oh, and have I mentioned that The Old Schoolhouse Teacher's Toolbox is giving away another a FREE Simple Schooling Unit Study this week? Go Sign Up so you can get the Brand New Forensic Science FREEBIE too.

And, ya wanna know what else - because The Simple Homeschool has grown so much since last Simple Zine issue and I don't want anyone to miss out on the FREE unit studies, I'm gonna give you last month's FREEBIES as well!

That is 11 FREE Unit Studies if you sign up for two simple things!

Glad to be of service - Oh and don't forget that I have a FREE Valentine's Day Fun Book over at the website too - get it now so your kids can slack off on Friday!

Simple Zine FREEBIES

Happy Homeschoolin'
J. Anne

I'm addicted to Twitter.......

2009-02-10T21:04:00.000-08:00

It can happen to anyone, really. You innocently sign up and start following...pretty soon there is an interesting tweet staring you down...so you tweet back...just one wittle tweet...

Yeah right - Tweetin' is OUT OF CONTROL!

BTW - get my widget....

:slap:

Sorry...it's a disease...a dopamine reuptake issue I swear....

How Fun is your Homeschool?

2009-02-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

Are ya feeling the mid-year slump yet? Are your kids asking when summer vacation starts? Why not inject some fun back into your year by doing something new? I have a whole page over at The Simple Homeschool dedicated to Keeping Learning Fun.

One of the best ideas I had this year was to introduce what I am calling "Upper-Grade Read-A-Loud" ...except I don't do the reading aloud and neither does Little Moe. We have started using audiobooks to supplement our reading program. I never in a million years imagined that such a simple thing could turn my kid on to reading like it was an X-Box.

We do it like this: (It's real simple)

Open up audiobook (you can download them from all sorts of places but I get them from iTunes)
Open up book
Push play
Read along

He LOVES this! In fact he came in to my office last week and asked if he could do reading. We've slammed through Tom Sawyer, The Call of the Wild, Where the Red Fern Grows, and right now we are doing Percy Jackson. He's already begged for Huck Finn, so ya know - I guess I'll have to let him read yet another classic before the year is up.

So if your kids are a clammerin' for something different go check it out.

J. Anne

Forensic Science for Homeschoolers

2009-02-07T06:39:00.001-08:00

Simple Schooling

The EASIEST Homeschool Curriculum Ever!

In anticipation of the FREE Simple Schooling Forensic Science Unit Study due to be out in The Old Schoolhouse's Teacher's Toolbox on February 13th, I've put up a few forensic science pages on the website. There is a handy list of degree granting schools, both associate's and bachelor's, as well as a forensic serology (DNA) page.

If you already get The Old Schoolhouse you should be receiving the Teacher's Toolbox in your e-mail next Friday the 13th. If not, that freebie will probably appear at The Simple Homeschool Freebie Page in March, so you can check it out then.

In addition, Simple Schooling will launch the Homeschool Forensic Science Course on February 12th and will have it on SPECIAL for only $10. You'll get over 200 pages of text and worksheets for your upper middle or high school student for that incredible price.

But don't wait - that sale ends at Midnight on Valentine's Day. Regular price is normally $25 each or Buy 2 Get 1 FREE.

All other Simple Schooling courses are already on sale now.

Check out K-3 Science:
Bugs
Mammals
Oceans
Sea Mammals
Space

Check out 4-8 History:
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Middle Ages
Renaissance and Reformation

The Simple Homeschool -

Where Simple Just Got Easier

Free Homeschool Unit Studies

2009-02-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, over at The Simple Homeschool we give stuff away FREE. That's just how we roll over there...free is good. Especially in these hard economic times.

Let's face it - we're all hurting like crazy right now but when we started to homeschool we made a commitment, and that commitment was to give our children the best education we could.

The Simple Homeschool wants to help by offering 5 free units studies every month.

Here's how it works:

Just go to www.the-simple-homeschool.com on the first of every month and download the Free-For -All freebie.
Sign up for the Simple Zine at the same time and around the middle of each month you will get four MORE freebies delivered to your in box.

That's it. Simple right?

Well, that's what we're all about - getting things streamlined. There is nothing worse than complications.

See ya soon,

J. Anne