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	<title>CSTHEA</title>
	<atom:link href="http://csthea.org/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://csthea.org</link>
	<description>Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Home Education Association</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:42:50 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Graduation 2012 Info!</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2012/01/28/graduation-info/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2012/01/28/graduation-info/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:13:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Webmaster</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events & Activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Front Page]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Graduation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3389</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Graduation 2012 Graduation Information Downloads 2012 Graduation Calendar &#38; Schedule &#8592; Download PDF 2012 Graduation Information &#8592; Download PDF 2012 Graduation Rules &#8592; Download PDF Graduation Registration Meeting 6:00 PM EST, Monday, January 16, 2012 Oakwood Baptist Church Sanctuary 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 Do not call the church. High School Banquet &#8592; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Graduation 2012</h2>

<h3>Graduation Information Downloads</h3>

<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-Grad-Calendar-Schedule-R1.pdf" title="2012 Grad Calendar &amp; Schedule R1.pdf">2012 Graduation Calendar &amp; Schedule</a> &larr; Download PDF</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-Grad-Info-R2.pdf" title="2012 Grad Info R2.pdf">2012 Graduation Information</a> &larr; Download PDF</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-Grad-Rules-R3.pdf" title="2012 Grad Rules R3.pdf">2012 Graduation Rules</a> &larr; Download PDF</strong></li>
</ul>

<h3><a href="http://csthea.org/2011/11/26/graduation-registration-meeting-2/">Graduation Registration Meeting</a></h3>

<ul>
<li><strong>6:00 PM EST, Monday, January 16, 2012</strong></li>
<li><strong>Oakwood Baptist Church Sanctuary<br />
4501 Bonny Oaks Drive,<br />
Chattanooga, TN 37416</strong></li>
<li><span style="font-size: larger;"><em><strong>Do not</strong> call the church.</em></span></li>
</ul>

<h3><a href="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-Banquet-Info-Reg_R1.pdf" title="2012 Banquet Info &amp; Reg_R1.pdf"><strong>High School Banquet</strong></a> &larr; Download PDF</h3>

<ul>
<li><p><strong>Date:</strong>  Friday, May 18, 2012</p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-CSTHEA-Outstanding-Student-Application-Form_R1.pdf" title="2012 CSTHEA Outstanding Student Application Form_R1.pdf"><strong>Outstanding Student Application Form</strong></a>
<!-- 
### **High School Banquet**
* **Date:**  Friday, May 20
* **Location:** <span style="color: red; line-height: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-size: 115%;">Note change of venue!! &rarr; Central Baptist Church, Hixson</span>
* **Cost:** $20 per person
    &#8211; Payment deadline is **May 14**
    &#8211; All admissions prepaid by check only.
    &#8211; No unpaid admissions.
    &#8211; No payment taken at the door.
    &#8211; Make checks payable to “**CSTHEA**”
* **Dress Code:** Dress is formal or semi-formal. No low-cut, backless or otherwise immodest attire. If you are dressed inappropriately, you will be asked to leave.
* **Attendees** must be junior high/high school age or older (13 and up).

#### Schedule
* Seating &#038; pictures **6 p.m.**
* Meal starts **7 p.m.**
* Program **7:55 p.m.**

#### Emcee Info
Would you like to emcee the banquet? We prefer to choose our two emcees from the senior class but we are open to having other high-schoolers if no seniors apply. If you are interested in emceeing, we will contact you based on your interest expressed in the registration form.  Or you can contact Mrs. Lynn Smith <tlecal@comcast.net>.

#### Performance Information
We encourage everyone who would like to perform to do so. Both group and individual performances are welcome. The more we have the more fun the banquet! You do not have to be a senior to perform Any homeschool related group can perform a skit as long as they meet the deadline for sending in information and the content is deemed appropriate and is adequately described and time slots are available.

Those performing at the Banquet will still have to get their proposed performance reviewed &#038; approved.

You must send an e-mail to Mrs. Lynn Smith at <tleca1@comcast.net> &#038; to Gary Hargraves at <gary@csthea.org>. The e-mail must have “**Banquet Performance Details**” in the subject Line, The deadline for submissions is **May 7, 2010**. Please include all of the following: 

1. Theme
2. Content
3. Number name and current grade level of all individuals involved
4. Duration of performance
5. Name, e-mail and phone number of contact individual for the proposed performance

#### Banquet Seating &amp; Requests
Seating is assigned 1st come 1st served. If you want to sit with friends, both you &#038; they must request to be seated together. We will honor requests if possible.

**[Banquet Reservation Form](http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BANQUET-RESERVATION-FORM-2011.pdf &#8220;BANQUET RESERVATION FORM 2011.pdf&#8221;) &larr; Download PDF**

#### Directions from I-24
Take the Belvoir Ave. and Germantown Rd.exit (Exit 183 on I-24 East, 183A on I-24 West) to Belvoir Ave. Turn north on Belvoir. Take the 1st right after North Terrace onto Austin St. The BX can be seen from Belvoir and North Terrace.
 &#8211;></p></li>
</ul>

<h3>Calendar</h3>

<ul>
<li>Graduation Rehearsal, May 17</li>
<li>Banquet, May 18</li>
<li>Graduation, May 19 at 1 p.m. at Central Baptist Church Hixson</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Valentine Banquet</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/12/04/valentine-banquet/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/12/04/valentine-banquet/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Webmaster</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events & Activities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3368</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[￼“With Joy Abiding” Please join us for a formal Valentine Banquet on February 11, 2012 to benefit The Home School Players. Beginning promptly at 6pm, you will enjoy a delicious dinner followed by live entertainment provided by the Home School Players. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Dress is semi-formal. Tickets are $12.50 each if [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-size: larger;">￼“With Joy Abiding”</span></p>

<p>Please join us for a formal Valentine Banquet on February 11, 2012 to benefit The Home School Players. Beginning promptly at 6pm, you will enjoy a delicious dinner followed by live entertainment provided by the Home School Players. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Dress is semi-formal.</p>

<p>Tickets are $12.50 each if purchased before January 1st, 2012; $15 if purchased after. Tickets for this event can be purchased from any member of the Home School Players or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope containing your check made out to CSTHEA to the following address:</p>

<pre><code>    Sherri Pietrantone  
    23 N. Crest Rd.  
    Chattanooga TN 37404  
</code></pre>

<p>All tickets must be purchased or postmarked by january 31st. Tickets will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please purchase tickets quickly.</p>

<p>Please contact Sherri Pietrantone with any questions:</p>

<ul>
<li>(423) 624-0333  </li>
<li><a href="&#109;&#x61;&#105;&#x6c;&#116;&#111;&#x3a;&#74;&#x70;&#105;&#x65;t&#114;&#x61;&#110;&#x74;&#111;&#x6e;&#x65;&#64;&#x68;&#111;&#x74;m&#97;&#x69;&#108;&#x2e;&#99;&#x6f;m">&#74;&#x70;&#105;&#x65;t&#114;&#x61;&#110;&#x74;&#111;&#x6e;&#x65;&#64;&#x68;&#111;&#x74;m&#97;&#x69;&#108;&#x2e;&#99;&#x6f;m</a></li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Graduation Registration Meeting!</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/11/26/graduation-registration-meeting-2/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/11/26/graduation-registration-meeting-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Webmaster</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events & Activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Front Page]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3357</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<h2>Graduation 2012</h2>

<h3>Graduation Registration Meeting</h3>

<ul>
<li><strong>6:00 PM EST, Monday, January 16, 2012</strong></li>
<li><strong>Oakwood Baptist Church Sanctuary<br />
4501 Bonny Oaks Drive,<br />
Chattanooga, TN 37416</strong></li>
</ul>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Graduation 2012</h2>

<h3>Graduation Registration Meeting</h3>

<ul>
<li><strong>6:00 PM EST, Monday, January 16, 2012</strong></li>
<li><strong>Oakwood Baptist Church Sanctuary<br />
4501 Bonny Oaks Drive,<br />
Chattanooga, TN 37416</strong></li>
</ul>

<p><span style="font-size: larger;"><em><strong>Do not</strong> call the church.</em></span></p>

<h4><em>All Graduates Must Attend</em></h4>

<ul>
<li>Each Graduate MUST be accompanied by at least one (1) Parent or Legal Guardian.</li>
<li><strong>(No Student will be registered without a Parent or Legal Guardian present.)</strong></li>
<li>Each Graduate will be sized for his/her gown. </li>
<li>Each Graduate will pay his/her fees at the Registration Meeting. </li>
<li><strong>Fees must be paid by check <em>only</em>. No cash will be accepted.</strong> </li>
<li>Fee amount will be announced at the Meeting but should be between $185 – $250. </li>
<li>No Graduate will be registered without providing payment at Registration. </li>
<li>We will go over all other details during the Meeting. Q &amp; A time will follow. </li>
<li>The Meeting should end between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.</li>
</ul>

<h4>Late Registrations</h4>

<ul>
<li>A $50 Late Fee will be applied for all who register after January 16, 2012. </li>
<li><strong>No one</strong> will be registered by phone, US mail, e-Mail, or any other way than a direct face-to-face meeting. </li>
<li>If you miss the January 16 Meeting and still wish to register you MUST: 

<ol>
<li>E-Mail Gary Hargraves.</li>
<li>Send the e-mail to <strong><em>both</em></strong> of the following addresses:

<ul>
<li><a href="&#x6d;&#97;&#105;&#x6c;&#116;&#111;&#x3a;&#x67;&#97;&#x72;&#x79;&#64;&#99;&#x73;&#116;&#104;&#x65;&#x61;&#46;&#x6f;&#x72;&#103;">&#x67;&#97;&#x72;&#x79;&#64;&#99;&#x73;&#116;&#104;&#x65;&#x61;&#46;&#x6f;&#x72;&#103;</a> and <a href="m&#97;&#105;&#108;&#116;&#111;&#x3a;&#x67;&#x6c;&#x68;&#x61;&#x72;g&#114;&#97;&#118;&#101;&#115;&#64;&#x74;&#x76;&#x61;&#x2e;&#x67;&#x6f;v">&#x67;&#x6c;&#x68;&#x61;&#x72;g&#114;&#97;&#118;&#101;&#115;&#64;&#x74;&#x76;&#x61;&#x2e;&#x67;&#x6f;v</a>. </li>
</ul></li>
<li>Include the name of your Graduate in the e-mail. </li>
<li>Include the name of the Parent or Guardian in the e-mail.</li>
<li>Include a phone number or two in the e-mail at which you can be reached.</li>
<li>Put &#8220;Graduation&#8221; in the Subject Line of the e-mail. (E-mails without the required Subject Line may be deleted and not responded to.)</li>
</ol></li>
</ul>

<h4>We will <strong>attempt</strong> to contact you and let you know the following:</h4>

<ol>
<li>If it is too late to register</li>
<li>When and where Mr. Hargraves might be available to meet with you.</li>
<li>Whether it is too late for the graduate’s name and Bio to be listed in the program.</li>
<li>When your Bio is due (If adequate time remains before the Layout Deadline).</li>
<li>When your Bio Late Fee would be incurred (usually 1-7 days after your Registration)</li>
<li>What your Registration Fee will be.</li>
</ol>

<h3>Calendar</h3>

<ul>
<li>Graduation Rehearsal, May 17</li>
<li>Banquet, May 18</li>
<li>Graduation, May 19 at 1 p.m. at Central Baptist Church Hixson</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Multitasking and the diminished child</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/26/multitasking-and-the-diminished-child/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/26/multitasking-and-the-diminished-child/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Webmaster</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3335</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<strong>by Ellyn Davis</strong>

The last issue of Home School Marketplace explained what researchers are discovering about multitasking. It seems that trying to do more than one thing at a time muddles the brain in a variety of ways. Here are just a few.

<ul>
<li>Multitasking adversely affects how you learn</li>
<li>Multitasking creates chemical reactions in your brain that resemble addiction</li>
<li>Multitasking produces stress</li>
<li>Multitasking actually reduces productivity</li>
<li>Multitasking creates shorter attention spans</li>
</ul>

The idea that multi-tasking, particularly with technology, causes information overload which causes distraction and decreased ability to learn or be productive has been supported by more and more research. But there is another hidden danger to multitasking that is even more disturbing than the ones listed above. There is some indication that heavy multi-tasking among children not only rewires their brain in such a way that it disrupts the natural learning process, but it also creates a lack of empathy and social connectivity, two of the characteristics of being human. Some scientists believe heavy multitasking, particularly with technology, can produce forms of autism resembling Aspergers Syndrome. In short, chronic multitasking in childhood can lead to an inability to relate to other people.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>by Ellyn Davis</strong></p>

<p>The last issue of Home School Marketplace explained what researchers are discovering about multitasking. It seems that trying to do more than one thing at a time muddles the brain in a variety of ways. Here are just a few.</p>

<ul>
<li>Multitasking adversely affects how you learn</li>
<li>Multitasking creates chemical reactions in your brain that resemble addiction</li>
<li>Multitasking produces stress</li>
<li>Multitasking actually reduces productivity</li>
<li>Multitasking creates shorter attention spans</li>
</ul>

<p>The idea that multi-tasking, particularly with technology, causes information overload which causes distraction and decreased ability to learn or be productive has been supported by more and more research. But there is another hidden danger to multitasking that is even more disturbing than the ones listed above. There is some indication that heavy multi-tasking among children not only rewires their brain in such a way that it disrupts the natural learning process, but it also creates a lack of empathy and social connectivity, two of the characteristics of being human. Some scientists believe heavy multitasking, particularly with technology, can produce forms of autism resembling Aspergers Syndrome. In short, chronic multitasking in childhood can lead to an inability to relate to other people.<span id="more-3335"></span>It seems strange that a high level of computer and cell phone use can actually cause an inability to relate to other people since cell phones, email, and websites like Skype, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are all about social connectivity. But, actually, they aren’t about real social connectivity, they foster virtual social connectivity—a form of social interaction that relies on brief interchanges and minimal face-to-face contact.</p>

<p>I’ve actually experienced this with a friend I once was very close to. We would spend hours together each week and we kept up with each other by phone when we couldn’t actually be together. But once she discovered texting, most of our conversations began taking place by text in messages that were never over 160 characters long. The more she relied on texts to communicate, the less actual face-time she wanted to spend with me. Nothing really happened to make the relationship fade, it just gradually became reduced to a few texts every few days. And when I did see her, she spent a large part of our time together texting other people in the midst of our conversation. What had once been a rich, deep relationship of sharing our lives together became reduced to short snippets of contact. She had become unable to sustain the level of interaction and focus required in personal contact.</p>

<p>My experience correlates with recent studies that show people who spend a lot of their personal time on electronic devices (computers, cell phones, etc.) tend to be generally more scattered and less focused because their minds are always somewhere else and they tend to live in a virtual reality in their heads instead of being here and now and having real relationships with people and real interactions with life.</p>

<p>In a previous article I shared some of the research from Dr. Clifford Nass of Stanford University about how multitasking affects the ability to focus, to learn, and to remember what you’ve learned. Other Stanford studies have shown that increased dependence on technology has resulted in the diminishing of empathy by limiting the amount of human interaction that takes place. A recent analysis of 72 studies performed on nearly 14,000 college students between 1979 and 2009 showed a sharp decline in the empathy trait over the last 10 years.</p>

<p>Professor Poldrack from UCLA says, “There is a cost to the way that our society is changing. Humans are not built to work this way. We’re really built to focus.” The growing problem of lack of focus has been christened “attention deficit trait” by psychiatrist Edward Hallowell. “As our minds fill with noise, the brain gradually loses its capacity to attend fully and gradually to anything,” he argues.</p>

<p>And Professor Nass at Stanford thinks the ultimate risk of heavy technology use is that it diminishes empathy by limiting how much people engage with each other, even if they are in the same room. “The way we become more human is by paying attention to each other, he said. “It shows how much you care.”</p>

<p>Gary Small, a neuroscientist and author of the book iBrain, warns that children who spend their formative years multitasking lose out on chances to focus on developing crucial but slow-forming interpersonal skills. “With the weakening of the brain’s neural circuitry controlling human contact, our social interactions may become awkward, and we tend to misinterpret—and even miss—subtle, non-verbal messages,” he says. Such constant “attention switching” affects a person’s ability to interact with others and Small fears may be causing a form of autism, particularly in children who are immersed in technology. Small states, “You can think of it along the scale of Asperger’s syndrome, which is a mild form of it, where there’s not social connectiveness.” And one of the hallmarks of autism is a lack of empathy.</p>

<p>Mr. Nass at Stanford agrees and believes empathy is essential to the human condition. “We are at an inflection point,” he says. “A significant fraction of people’s experiences are now fragmented.”</p>

<p>So what can we do?</p>

<p>The most obvious thing we can do is move slowly but surely in the direction of mono-tasking and encourage our children to do the same. But if you must multitask, researchers recommend you do the following:</p>

<p>DON’T multitask in the afternoon. Your brain struggles hardest to multitask in the afternoon and can easily overload.</p>

<p>MEDITATE. Brain scans of those who meditate indicate that meditation makes brains more efficient at paying attention, so there is more brain power available when doing two tasks at once.</p>

<p>PRACTICE multi-tasking with simple tasks, like folding the laundry, not with complex tasks like talking on the phone.</p>

<p>Other measures you might want to consider are:</p>

<ul>
<li>Become a mono-tasker. Even when using electronic media such as the computer, try to focus on only one task at a time and minimize the amount of time you spend switching from one activity to another.</li>
<li>Spend face time with others. Build in as much face-to-face relational time with the people you love without distractions or interruptions.</li>
<li>Wean from screens. Keep the TV and computer off when you’re not actually using them. The brain finds it almost impossible to not look at a TV screen or computer monitor when it is on. So turn them off.</li>
<li>Read more. Books require single focus.</li>
<li>Try to be in the moment. Multitasking takes you out of the here and now.</li>
</ul>

<p><em>This article is reprinted from the August 25, 2011 Home School Marketplace newsletter. For more articles on topics of interest to home educators as well as helpful resources for your homeschooling journey, sign up for the Home School Marketplace newsletter at <a href="http://www.homeschoolmarketplace.com">www.homeschoolmarketplace.com</a>.</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Teaching your older boys</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/25/teaching-your-older-boys/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/25/teaching-your-older-boys/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Webmaster</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Front Page]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3328</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Cindy Rollins

I have been asked if there are ever circumstances where a boy might flourish in a school environment rather than at home with his mother, acknowledging that not everyone has that option.

I did not have that option and I always consoled myself by remembering that most boys in schools are taught by somebody else’s mother.

What are some of the obstacles a mother faces while homeschooling older boys?

After talking to a friend it occurred to me that these problems might not be exclusive to boys, only most of my experience is exclusive to boys so I will address that.

<h3>Two Scenarios</h3>

When boys enter 9th grade they are often immature. They still don't care about much but as they begin to mature in 10th grade, I have found, they either become increasingly concerned that they are going to look stupid when they get out into the world, a bit self-conscious about being judged as a homeschooler, and as a consequence willing to go through almost any hoop you put them through in order to succeed, or they begin to think that the other kids they know have it a lot easier than they do and that public school is a piece of cake and that their mother's expectations are completely ridiculous. All of my older boys so far (6 of them) have fallen loosely into one of these two categories in 11th and 12th grades. Other families are probably not quite so extreme. We tend to run hot or cold around here.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/boyrunning.png" alt="Boy running" style="border: 0px; width: 175px; height: 309px; float: left; margin: auto 10px 5px auto;" />By Cindy Rollins</p>

<p>I have been asked if there are ever circumstances where a boy might flourish in a school environment rather than at home with his mother, acknowledging that not everyone has that option.</p>

<p>I did not have that option and I always consoled myself by remembering that most boys in schools are taught by somebody else’s mother.</p>

<p>What are some of the obstacles a mother faces while homeschooling older boys?</p>

<p>After talking to a friend it occurred to me that these problems might not be exclusive to boys, only most of my experience is exclusive to boys so I will address that.</p>

<h3>Two Scenarios</h3>

<p>When boys enter 9th grade they are often immature. They still don&#8217;t care about much but as they begin to mature in 10th grade, I have found, they either become increasingly concerned that they are going to look stupid when they get out into the world, a bit self-conscious about being judged as a homeschooler, and as a consequence willing to go through almost any hoop you put them through in order to succeed, or they begin to think that the other kids they know have it a lot easier than they do and that public school is a piece of cake and that their mother&#8217;s expectations are completely ridiculous. All of my older boys so far (6 of them) have fallen loosely into one of these two categories in 11th and 12th grades. Other families are probably not quite so extreme. We tend to run hot or cold around here.<span id="more-3328"></span></p>

<h4>Solution for Scenario 1</h4>

<p>The first scenario while not exactly a mature attitude is very easy to deal with. Lay it on thick, mom.</p>

<h4>Solution for Scenario 2</h4>

<p>The second scenario is much more difficult. As a matter of fact, the ideal at this point would be to get the child under other academic authorities. Mom should try to remove herself from the equation either through some sort of school, outside courses, online courses, dual enrollment, etc. Our options for this are growing exponentially in this age of the Internet.</p>

<p>As I have mentioned, I have not been able to remove myself from the equation which has added stress to my life. Insert Big Smiley Face. But in spite of the smiley face homeschooling a resistant son can be hard on mom. I suppose I might have lived to 100 if I had not had so many boys now I will be lucky to hit 60.</p>

<p>If you find yourself in that situation, with an uncooperative child, you are going to have to, as a last resort, pray.</p>

<h4>Hope for the Future</h4>

<p>After you have prayed you are just going to have to do the best you can. You are going to have to choose your battles wisely, you are going to have to communicate the ideas of self-government and you are going to have to be brave and let your child fail. And while you are doing all that, may I suggest that you try not to take the situation too personally.</p>

<p>Taking things too personally is a fatal flaw of any parent/child relationship. It causes you to lash out and misinterpret what is really going on. It causes you to overreact. This is especially lethal in parenting boys. A boy will naturally be confused and repelled by this sort of emotion. It will make him feel manipulated, especially if he is a very nice boy and ultimately wanting to please you. You see, a boy can be very nice and resistant at the same time.</p>

<p>It is most likely a situation that could not have been avoided due to the temperament of the boy and his reaction to your personality and expectations. If you can navigate through it prayerfully you can still go on in future years to have good relationships with your stubborn sons and they may still have tenderness and love for their stubborn mother too.</p>

<p>But perhaps you are thinking about all those boys in the homeschooling catalog that seem willing to sit at their parent’s feet until they are at least 30. I am sorry to say that you cannot order boys from a catalog.</p>

<p>You are stuck with the real kind that came filled with testosterone straight from the factory. The only way to deal with a real boy is to speak to the manufacturer about him on a regular basis, not expect him to act like a girl, make sure he is not on the computer too much and get him in the fresh air and sunshine.</p>

<p>May I suggest baseball?</p>

<p><em>Cindy Rollins is a homeschool mom of 9 children who lives in Hixson and blogs at <a href="http://dominionfamily.blogspot.com/">dominionfamily.blogspot.com</a>. Email Cindy at <a href="m&#97;&#105;&#108;&#116;&#111;&#x3a;&#x64;&#x6f;&#x6d;&#x69;&#x6e;i&#111;&#110;&#102;&#97;&#109;&#105;&#x6c;&#x79;&#x40;&#x67;&#x6d;&#x61;i&#108;&#46;&#99;&#111;&#109;">&#x64;&#x6f;&#x6d;&#x69;&#x6e;i&#111;&#110;&#102;&#97;&#109;&#105;&#x6c;&#x79;&#x40;&#x67;&#x6d;&#x61;i&#108;&#46;&#99;&#111;&#109;</a></em></p>
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		<title>Western art museum delights families</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/22/western-art-museum-delights-families/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/22/western-art-museum-delights-families/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:19:48 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Events & Activities]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3324</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<strong>By Erin Stroud</strong>

Many may be unaware that the western lands of our nation are but a couple of hours south of Chattanooga. “How can this be?” you ask. Well, it’s only an illusion, but a topnotch one. The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Ga., is a gem just down I-75, and makes for an exceedingly worthwhile day trip for enrichment and enjoyment.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/museum.jpg" alt="Museum" style="border: 0px; width: 298px; height: 191px; float:left; margin: auto 10px 5px auto;" /><strong>By Erin Stroud</strong></p>

<p>Many may be unaware that the western lands of our nation are but a couple of hours south of Chattanooga. “How can this be?” you ask. Well, it’s only an illusion, but a topnotch one. The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Ga., is a gem just down I-75, and makes for an exceedingly worthwhile day trip for enrichment and enjoyment.</p>

<p>The 120,000-square-foot museum, opened in 2003, houses permanent collections of Western art, Civil War art, and a remarkable gallery of Presidential letters and portraits. The variety of artistic media is truly stunning, from fine art and sculpture to classic Western movie posters. Some special items of note are a showcase of the stages involved in casting a bronze sculpture; an exhibit of one artist’s depiction of the same range burial in two differing paintings and a sculpture; and a large, intricate, fascinating sculpture made entirely of paper. The themes of the six permanent exhibitions are The American West gallery; The Cowboy gallery; Faces of the West; Heading West; The Modern West; and The Sculpture Court. The Heading West gallery features a genuine, restored Conestoga wagon. There is much to be found in the way of enrichment and education at the Booth Museum, and we in this area are very fortunate to have such a distinguished facility of which to take advantage.</p>

<p>The museum also houses temporary exhibits. Those coming up include “Stan Natchez: Indian Without Reservation” (September 13 through January 8, 2012); “Booth Photography Guild Biennial Exhibition” (September 13 through November 13); and “Western Art South of the Sweet Tea Line III” (September 24 through February 12, 2012).</p>

<p>Be sure to check out a “Saddle Bag” at the Information Desk for your child/children when you arrive.It’s filled with family activities to make the visit more engaging. Younger children will enjoy “Sagebrush Ranch,” a high-quality, hands-on area where they can take part in more fun and educational activities than can be detailed in this space. Suffice it to say that their experience will be a memorable one (be sure to take your camera)!<span id="more-3324"></span>Oct. 20-23 of this year, the Booth Museum will host their Annual Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium. The following is reprinted from the Museum’s website: “Sample the wares of vendors ranging from Western art to collectibles. Enjoy entertainment throughout the day on two stages, including Western music, fast draw competitions, three performances of the Re-enactment of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and demonstrations of traditional Native American dances by the Big Mountain Family. Plus, living history encampments with demonstrations of pioneer skills from bygone days.</p>

<p>The Kids Corner of the Festival and Symposium will feature a variety of free activities for children. They can create a slinky snake or a hand print horse, paint the “yard art” ponies, do some calf roping and have their face painted. There will also be pony rides available for a small charge.” The admission prices for the day are Adults &#8211; $10; Seniors (65 and over) &#8211; $8; Students &#8211; $7; Children 12  Under &#8211; $3. There are also special group rates available.</p>

<p>In March 2012, make plans to attend the Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Now, this is FUN! Chuck-wagon cookoff; open fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo contests (“Top musicians from around the Southeast compete for cash prizes and bragging rights”); an adult cowboy poetry workshop, children’s activities, musical entertainment; and more. When our family of four attends, we are each given a ticket to a different chuck-wagon for lunch; that way, we can sample each other’s food and vote for our favorites. Tickets for the chuck-wagon lunch are $12 each. The general admission prices are the same as previously shown.</p>

<p>Of particular interest to home-schoolers are the museums “Homeschool Fridays” (Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2) held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., during which students will “&#8230;discover a different artist, style and theme each month while creating [their] own masterpiece[s].” Also on tap for homeschoolers is “Home School Gathering (Ages 5-17) “Calling all Home-School Students! The Booth Museum is having a special day just for you! This program is held in connection with the 9th Annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Tours will be offered several times throughout the afternoon, art activities will be located at different stations around the museum, free audio tours will be offered that day and there will be a special 10% discount for you and your family in the store and café. (Thursday, March 8, 2012, 1 – 4 p.m. $5 for students, $3 for adults.)</p>

<p>I can’t encourage you enough to take a day to check out the
Booth Western Art Museum. There is a cafe on-site where lunch or
snacks can be had, plenty of free parking, and, of course, a gift shop
par excellence! So saddle up and mosey on down to Cartersville’s <a href="http://www.boothmuseum.org/">Booth Museum of Western Art</a>.</p>

<h3>HOURS</h3>

<ul>
<li>Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday &#8211; 10:00 am to 5:00 pm</li>
<li>Thursday &#8211; 10:00 am to 8:00 pm</li>
<li>Sunday &#8211; 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm</li>
<li>Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas</li>
</ul>

<h3>ADMISSIONS</h3>

<ul>
<li>Members &#8211; Free &#8211; JOIN NOW!</li>
<li>Adults &#8211; $10.00</li>
<li>Seniors (65 and over) &#8211; $8.00</li>
<li>Students &#8211; $7.00</li>
<li>Children 12 and under – Free*</li>
</ul>

<p>*Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian</p>
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		<title>Public schools tap homeschoolers</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/22/public-schools-tap-homeschoolers/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/22/public-schools-tap-homeschoolers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:53:47 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Current Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law & Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3319</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Jan Bontekoe

The Hamilton County School Board revisited their July decision to not allow home educated students to participate on area school teams and voted this time to allow home educated students to participate beginning with winter sports.

The rule applies to homeschooled students registered with their local education district.

Those covered under a church-affiliated program or other umbrella group are excluded.

The following ruling will only apply to students already registered for this school year with the LEA. The ruling is as follows:]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By Jan Bontekoe</p>

<p>The Hamilton County School Board revisited their July decision to not allow home educated students to participate on area school teams and voted this time to allow home educated students to participate beginning with winter sports.</p>

<p>The rule applies to homeschooled students registered with their local education district.</p>

<p>Those covered under a church-affiliated program or other umbrella group are excluded.</p>

<p>The following ruling will only apply to students already registered for this school year with the LEA. The ruling is as follows:<span id="more-3319"></span><img src="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/football.png" alt="Football" style="border: 0px; width: 200px; height: 283px; float: right; margin: auto auto 5px auto;" /></p>

<p>A homeschooled student wishing to participate in extracurricular athletics at a member school shall be eligible if the following qualifications are met:</p>

<h3>The fine print</h3>

<ol>
<li><p>The student shall be enrolled in a homeschool study program in compliance with Section 49- 6-3050(b)(1) and be registered with the local director of schools (or head of school, if a private school) by August 15 of the current school year.</p></li>
<li><p>The participating student must have a legal residence within the school district where he/she is registered, if registering with a public school. If registering with a private school, the student must have a legal residence within 20 miles of the private school and meet all tuition and financial aid requirements.</p></li>
<li><p>By Aug. 15 of the school year, the parent or guardian must make application to the principal of the member school in which the homeschool athlete wishes to participate.</p></li>
<li><p>The homeschool athlete shall meet the same academic standards required of a member school student athlete to participate in the athletic program; however, the Director of Schools for public schools (or the head of school for private schools) in which a homeschool athlete wishes to participate shall work with the parent or guardian to ensure that the homeschool athlete is academically eligible. If a homeschool student’s course of study does not include five (5) academic subjects, then the Director of Schools (or head of school, if a private school) and the parent shall develop an alternative measure of academic progress and submit the same to the TSSAA for approval. The member school shall provide proof of academic eligibility to the TSSAA each semester.</p></li>
<li><p>The homeschool student must provide proof of basic medical insurance coverage and both independently secured catastrophic insurance coverage and liability insurance coverage which names the TSSAA as an insured party in the event the school’s insurance provider does not extend coverage to students enrolled in homeschool programs. The insurance must be in place before the homeschool student practices or participates.</p></li>
<li><p>The LEA may impose a participation fee for each athletic sport in which a homeschool athlete wishes to participate. Such participation fee shall not exceed three hundred dollars annually for each sport and shall be paid in full prior to the first regular season contest. A homeschool student participating at a private school shall be subject to full tuition and financial aid rules.</p></li>
<li><p>The homeschool student must meet all other TSSAA eligibility requirements.</p></li>
<li><p>All eligibility issues may be appealed in accordance with the Bylaws of the TSSAA.</p></li>
<li><p>The homeschool athlete must adhere to the same standards of behavior, responsibility, performance, and code of conduct as other participants of the team.</p></li>
<li><p>This rule gives a homeschool athlete the opportunity to try out for a member school’s athletic team. Ultimate decisions on the roster are left to the member schools and are not governed by the TSSAA. No student is guaranteed participation, but only the opportunity to try out for a position on the team, subject to the other provisions of this rule.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>CSTHEA will continue to offer sports and other extra-curricular activities for area home educated students. Mock trial and drama as well as many sports teams are some of the activities available.</p>

<p>Please see www.csthea.org for more information on CSTHEA sponsored activities. If you are interested in starting an activity not offered to our students please contact Janell Bontekoe at <a href="&#x6d;&#x61;&#x69;&#x6c;&#x74;&#111;&#58;&#106;&#97;&#110;&#101;l&#x6c;&#x40;&#x62;&#x6f;&#x6e;&#x74;&#101;&#107;&#111;&#101;&#115;.&#x63;&#x6f;&#x6d;">&#106;&#97;&#110;&#101;l&#x6c;&#x40;&#x62;&#x6f;&#x6e;&#x74;&#101;&#107;&#111;&#101;&#115;.&#x63;&#x6f;&#x6d;</a> for activity start up information.</p>
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		<title>A homeschool grad looks back</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/22/a-homeschool-grad-looks-back/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/22/a-homeschool-grad-looks-back/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:36:45 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3315</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At 15 my life revolved around one person – me. On the way to school one day at the end of my sophomore year, my mom gave me the ultimatum of either staying at the Christian school I was attending or be homeschooled with my two younger siblings. I scowled and said I would stick it out at school (I am sure eye rolling was involved and a slamming of a van door). However, as the day progressed, the Lord made it very clear to me that I needed to be educated at home for the remainder of my high school career. I was apprehensive at first but God gave me such a peace that I could not ignore it.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Paige Coker Rekers (homeschool class of 1999) answers the question, “How has homeschooling prepared you for life?”</em></p>

<p><span class="byline">By Paige Coker Rekers</span></p>

<p>At 15 my life revolved around one person – me. On the way to school one day at the end of my sophomore year, my mom gave me the ultimatum of either staying at the Christian school I was attending or be homeschooled with my two younger siblings. I scowled and said I would stick it out at school (I am sure eye rolling was involved and a slamming of a van door). However, as the day progressed, the Lord made it very clear to me that I needed to be educated at home for the remainder of my high school career. I was apprehensive at first but God gave me such a peace that I could not ignore it.</p>

<p>As I began my first year of homeschooling in 11th grade, I was stunned to see that children of all ages were interacting with adults, and each other in a positive way. While attending conventional school all of my life, it was very uncommon to see a younger student conversing with an older student even if they were a mere one grade apart. Very quickly I felt welcomed into a small community of people. That year was so pivotal in my young life. Always shy and introverted, I finally felt at home.</p>

<p>Opportunities to socialize and interact with others abounded. Without the stress of classroom settings, grades, teachers and peer pressure, my creativity flourished through sketching, creative writing classes, and discovering museums. I made friends with whom I am still close, even to this day. After graduation in 1999, I pursued Interior design at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. College became an opportunity to deepen the confidence I had gained in myself and in my abilities through homeschooling.</p>

<p>Now, 15 years later, I am able to grasp the importance of relating to others of all ages. I learned how not to ignore the innocent voices of the little ones. I also discovered how to respect the adults involved in my teaching which overflowed into my relationship with my parents. With two children of our own, my husband and I believe the Lord is leading us to teach them at home, and I hope they will learn these things. Homeschooling is just an illustration of life — people of all ages interacting with each other, learning from each other.</p>

<p><em>Paige, the daughter of Neil and Beth Coker, resides with her family in Murfreesboro, Tenn.﻿</em></p>
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		<title>Vision and Revision</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/12/vision-and-revision/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/12/vision-and-revision/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3311</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Before I started homeschooling, I listened to a series of tapes about a vision for homeschooling families. The speaker, George Grant was illustrating how we only use a small portion of the brain’s capabilities. He told a story of Teddy Roosevelt and how he was able to dictate two letters in different languages to two different secretaries while reading a book at the same time. Even though that feat may not be possible for our untrained minds, he suggested, our children could surpass us in their abilities. We would stand amazed at what God could do through faithful families who trained their children at home to be warriors for God’s Kingdom.

Last month I had the privilege of talking with Dr. Grant about that vision and had to admit, I seemed to be in a season of disillusionment. Oh, I still listened to and was inspired by all the getting started with homeschooling talks that are so popular this time of year. It is not that I have any regrets but I no longer am starry eyed about how it all will turn out. Dr. Grant admitted that he too was not sure about his children at certain points in their life before they were adults. But the point he made was we really do not know what the future will hold for us or for our children. In the meanwhile we are to continue faithful to our calling as homeschool parents.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://csthea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/binoculars.png" alt="Binoculars" style="border: 0px; width: 250px; height: 218px; float:left; margin: auto 10px 5px auto;" />Before I started homeschooling, I listened to a series of tapes about a vision for homeschooling families. The speaker, George Grant was illustrating how we only use a small portion of the brain’s capabilities. He told a story of Teddy Roosevelt and how he was able to dictate two letters in different languages to two different secretaries while reading a book at the same time. Even though that feat may not be possible for our untrained minds, he suggested, our children could surpass us in their abilities. We would stand amazed at what God could do through faithful families who trained their children at home to be warriors for God’s Kingdom.</p>

<p>Last month I had the privilege of talking with Dr. Grant about that vision and had to admit, I seemed to be in a season of disillusionment. Oh, I still listened to and was inspired by all the getting started with homeschooling talks that are so popular this time of year. It is not that I have any regrets but I no longer am starry eyed about how it all will turn out. Dr. Grant admitted that he too was not sure about his children at certain points in their life before they were adults. But the point he made was we really do not know what the future will hold for us or for our children. In the meanwhile we are to continue faithful to our calling as homeschool parents.<span id="more-3311"></span>At this point in my life, we have graduated our oldest from homeschool, and, Lord willing, will have another graduate this coming year. In addition we have another in high school and our youngest is in elementary school. On bad days I joke to myself that I even though I have made glaring mistakes with my teenagers, I still have hopes of my youngest emerging from my parenting relatively unscathed!</p>

<p>But, as I said, that is on my bad days. When I am thinking clearly and am in more of a spiritual balance (!) I can recognize much grace and much delight in all the years I have homeschooled. I have the fondest memories of early homeschooling, of amazing field trips, of entertaining talent shows, of countless mornings and afternoons just curled up on the couch with my children around me listening to me read aloud from many many living books. Homeschooling has given me the opportunity to teach my children as individuals, to tailor their lesson offerings to what they needed. I used the same curriculum through the years with all four of my children and each one took something different away from it. One child drank in all the beauty and creativity of the arts, another child’s imagination was fed by all the classic tales of fantasy, still another was able to keep up with his academic work even though he had huge difficulties reading, as I read everything aloud to him and we delighted together in the books that my older children read on their own without me. And now my youngest looks at me wide eyed at the antics of the Wilder children in Farmer Boy, the third time reading it aloud for me, but it is all new to him and we are both laughing and being amazed together at the hard work, huge quantities of food and industriousness of farm life.</p>

<p>I can honestly say I am looking forward to another year of homeschooling. I love that I can tell my oldest son what he needs to graduate and he can on his own, do the necessary work in a mixture of self study courses and outside classes. I love that I am still reading quite a bit aloud to my middle son, that I can choose books that I love to read, that I am looking forward to reading along with him. Books on theology, on worldview, on culture along with classics that I never got around to reading myself. And even though it is the fourth go round on teaching year three, I love that I can share those beloved books scheduled for this year with yet another child who will look at me with wonder.</p>

<p><span class="dropcap">B</span>ut one of the biggest benefits of our homeschooling journey has been that I have become a lifetime learner. Earlier this month, I visited my daughter who is living and going to school in NYC. Before my trip I did lots of research on self guided walking tours. I am never happier than when I can visit a city and know all the stories behind the buildings, recognize the architecture and realize the life that was happening at the time that building was built. I get such a thrill looking at a street or a walkway and knowing that an artist, writer, musician, etc whose work has delighted me has walked those same streets, lived in that very building. So I purchased several books, checked out others from the library, and arrived in the city armed with a list of places I wanted to visit and guided walks for nearly every area of the city. The first day I decided to try to make an early morning gallery talk at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Frans Hals. Because he is a Dutch painter, I felt an affinity with him. The talk did not disappoint. I left with a new understanding of life in the Netherlands, of the reformation, of the value of art in the common life. The rest of my week was filled with visits to other historic museums, libraries, churches and sites where certain events occurred. I had my trusty guidebook with me at all times. When my daughter accompanied me, she put up with my “obsession” as she called it, with the history of the city. I know it was humiliating for her to be with such an obvious tourist!</p>

<p>I do believe my years of reading about history, art, literature and so much more has whetted my appetite to continue to learn when the opportunity presents itself. For that I am so very thankful. I did not know or expect that when I started homeschooling my children. My goal was for my children to be lifetime learners, to be self-directed, responsible, freedom loving adults. The thing is that we really can not dictate what our children will be like as they get older. It is encouraging to see many of those traits in my children. Yet, we are all unfinished works, even this mom who is on the other side of 50, has so very much to learn. The upside is that our God is forming us daily into the image of Christ just as He is forming our children. We are not perfect, we make lots of mistakes, and yet, we press on. We may not always be the best example to our children. Some days it seems I have to do a lot of apologizing to my children. But instead of making me feel weaker, I know that it is the necessary burning off of all that dross. As my children get older, they are forgiving of me in a more understanding way. For this I am grateful.</p>

<p>It is good to have vision, to see in your children how God might use them in the building of His kingdom. I just need to be reminded that how that vision will be filled in is not for me to control.</p>

<p>And so another year begins. May your homeschool year be full of grace, rich in delight and grounded in His truths,</p>

<p>&mdash;JMT</p>
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		<title>Weary in well doing</title>
		<link>http://csthea.org/2011/10/08/weary-in-well-doing/</link>
		<comments>http://csthea.org/2011/10/08/weary-in-well-doing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:46:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Webmaster</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://csthea.org/?p=3306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Earlier this month I noticed several disheartening comments on e-mail groups of which I am a member. Most of us were just starting the homeschool year, with some having made that big decisions to start educating at home. Veterans were gearing up for yet another year, with several years or more under our belt.

Yet whispers of defeat were being voiced. “I’m so tired of homeschooling,” says one. In another sigh you hear this: “How hard is it to put your children in school after being homeschooled?” OK, I know you don’t exactly hear whispers when you are just reading email postings, but I am certain some of us may be hearing some discouraging words, perhaps just in our own mind, possibly even from well-meaning friends and family members.

Hopefully you have started the year with a certain measure of excitement, maybe mixed with a modicum of trepidation, most likely with some definite expectations of the new year. Of course you were aware that not every day will go as planned, not every curriculum choice will be a perfect fit.

You feel weary after a day in which you may feel like you are doing battle with your children, pitting your will against theirs. Those whispers may be suggesting that today’s labor is a mistake, that you do not know what you are doing, that you were not adequately trained for homeschooling.

But let me assure you, you are “well doing.”

If you have those days where you feel like you are flagging, consider this.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Earlier this month I noticed several disheartening comments on e-mail groups of which I am a member. Most of us were just starting the homeschool year, with some having made that big decisions to start educating at home. Veterans were gearing up for yet another year, with several years or more under our belt.</p>

<p>Yet whispers of defeat were being voiced. “I’m so tired of homeschooling,” says one. In another sigh you hear this: “How hard is it to put your children in school after being homeschooled?” OK, I know you don’t exactly hear whispers when you are just reading email postings, but I am certain some of us may be hearing some discouraging words, perhaps just in our own mind, possibly even from well-meaning friends and family members.
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Hopefully you have started the year with a certain measure of excitement, maybe mixed with a modicum of trepidation, most likely with some definite expectations of the new year. Of course you were aware that not every day will go as planned, not every curriculum choice will be a perfect fit.</p>

<p>You feel weary after a day in which you may feel like you are doing battle with your children, pitting your will against theirs. Those whispers may be suggesting that today’s labor is a mistake, that you do not know what you are doing, that you were not adequately trained for homeschooling.</p>

<p>But let me assure you, you are “well doing.”</p>

<p>If you have those days where you feel like you are flagging, consider this.<span id="more-3306"></span>Is it your curriculum? Could you make some changes? You can always borrow something to try it out and you can always sell what does not work well for you.</p>

<p>Is there ill discipline among the children? Those need to be dealt with first, gently but firmly.</p>

<p>Are you getting enough sleep? A tired mom is often an irritated mom.</p>

<p>Are you tending to your devotional life? A dry cistern cannot water anyone.</p>

<p>Why did you decide to homeschool? Was it a calling?</p>

<p>An article by Reb Bradley, “Solving the Crisis in Homeschooling,” has recently been re-posted by Josh Harris and has been making the rounds on Facebook and other venues. It suggests some blind spots in homeschooling.</p>

<p>Actually the points made in this article would be fodder for a whole other column. But this is one of my favorite bits.</p>

<p>One of the reasons parents homeschool is because they want to accomplish something good in their children. Success in homeschooling requires that academic, moral and spiritual goals be set. It is only natural for parents to have high hopes and dreams for their children. However, when we begin to see our children as a reflection or validation of us, we become the center of our dreams, and the children become our source of significance. When that happens in our home it affects the way we relate with our children, and subtly breaks down relationship.</p>

<p><span class="dropcap">O</span>f course we want to accomplish something good in our children. We want to give them a sound academic education but we want to do so much more than that. We want to educate our children in light of God’s truths.</p>

<p>We want all they learn to be seen through the grid of true truth as Francis Schaeffer was wont to say. We want our children to know they are in God’s hands, that all of history is in God’s hands. That the world about them is created by Him for His glory. That the beauty we see in literature, the arts, in nature study is beautiful because we are creative beings with a soul. He made us to know and glorify Him and the world we see and learn about confirms that. God calls each one of us to be faithful to the task of rearing our children. If He has called us to homeschool our children, then we are doing so as a matter of obedience.</p>

<p>But it is not a joyless, plodding obedience of drudgery. Nor is it merely a discharge of a duty. We GET to be with our children, we know them in a way we would not know them if they were in a regular school classroom seven or more hours a day (plus that hour in the yellow bus). We get to learn alongside them. We have the privilege of seeing sparks of delight, of nurturing their gifts, of helping them over the rough patches. We have the confidence that He who called us is faithful.</p>

<p>A verse I turn to again and again is Galatians 6:9. Here it is in the KJV “And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”</p>

<p>One of my favorite ways to study the Bible is using a Strong’s Concordance with the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries. I do not do this often enough but it is always amazing to me what you see when you go back to the Greek and “unpack” just one verse. Here is the verse unpacked with the literal meaning in parenthesis.</p>

<p>And let us not be weary (lack courage, lose heart, be faint hearted, to fail in heart, to faint) in well (right, beautiful, valuable, virtuous, good, honest, meet) doing, for in due (the season divinely appointed for the reaping) season (the set or proper time) we shall reap (harvest) if we faint not (relax, dissolve, melt, put off and so to enfeeble).</p>

<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>hat does that tell me? It is a friend who comes along beside me, throws an arm over my shoulder and says, “We can do this; let us not be faint hearted; what we are doing is a beautiful thing. We may not be reaping now all that we have planted, but in His time we will harvest if we don’t melt when it gets a bit hot.”</p>

<p>For additional encouragement, I asked a mom who graduated her last child a year or so ago to share her perspective. Most of us are still in the trenches, so to speak. Sometimes it is nice to hear from someone on the other side who finished well.</p>

<p>“Homeschooling was a long but worthwhile journey for our family. One of our greatest trials came early in our homeschool journey. We became caregivers for my dad after my mother became sick suddenly and died within four months. We took care of my father for the next 2 1/2 years who had lost both legs and was not mobile without help. During this period of our life we had to rethink how we homeschooled our children. Our schedule was no longer our own. For our family, homeschooling became a series of life lessons, not always found in a book. Homeschooling taught our children the discipline of education without the negative peer pressure. We learned to stay surrendered to God’s will. The awesome journey put before us was the key to perseverance in our homeschool journey. The blessings over the 16 years of homeschooling outweighed all of the trials we faced along our journey. When things got tough, I always remembered what one of my college professors wrote on the board during exam week: ‘THIS TOO SHALL PASS!’ Yes, it did, and we are stronger because of the journey God called us to.”</p>

<p>As we homeschool we are in a season of much busyness, lots of running around, schedules to follow, classes to attend, not to mention all that goes with life as a family. It is easy to lose sight of what we are doing and why. Are you fainting?</p>

<p>Be refreshed in God’s Word and by His people.</p>

<p>This month we are starting what I hope will be a regular column, “Where are they now?” (Page 14) in which we hear from a homeschool graduate about how homeschooling prepared her for life.</p>

<p>If you know of a graduate that would like to contribute to this column, please let me know. I firmly believe that God is building His kingdom through faithful families that are training up their children through home education.</p>

<p>&mdash;JMT</p>
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