Mid-May 2008
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.
MID-MAY 2008 ISSUE
Home School News and Events
Dear Home School Leaders and Friends,
We are excited to share with you some information about several events that may be of interest to home schoolers in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region. Please feel free to pass along this newsletter to the homeschooling families in your network.
If you would like for us to help you spread the news about an event or activity that your group is doing, or if you know of an event or activity that would benefit other home schoolers, please drop us a line at info@HEARTofTex.org so we can include it in the next issue of our bi-weekly e-newsletter.
We also have a “featured articles” section. We hope that you will find the articles that we will include to be informative, encouraging, and full of wisdom. If you or anyone in your group would like to submit articles, or have suggestions for future article topics, please contact us at info@heartoftex.org.
We would love to hear from you!
www.HEARTofTex.org
Our deadlines are as follows:
the 12th of the month, for the mid-month issue;
the 27th of the month for the issue that goes out at the beginning of the following month.
Thanks so much!
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Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling support groups, leaders and families in our regional service area. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, resources and support within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups, leaders, and families in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region.
This information is provided as a service to our fellow home schoolers. HEART of Texas does not necessarily endorse, warrant, or represent any of the activities, events, or organizations listed, or their content, views, opinions, or recommendations. Please use your own judgment when considering taking part in or attending any of these events or activities or visiting any of the websites or links provided. HEART of Texas assumes no responsibility for the content of any ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered.
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~~ May Highlights~~
MAY 19
HOME SCHOOL DAYS AT HAWAIIAN FALLS IN THE COLONY
Time: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 121 and Plano Parkway
Admission: $9.99/person (plus tax, unless tax exempt form is presented)
Children 2 and under are FREE
With every 10 tickets purchased, one chaperone is FREE
Because attendance will be limited during School Daze, reservations are
accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
Meal Options: $3.50 Hot dog meal includes hot dog, chips and a drink.
$4.00 All day drink pass available.
Children may bring a sac lunch for free.
A $5 fee is applied to coolers larger than 12x12x6.
No outside commercially prepared food is allowed in the park.
Details: HAWAIIAN FALLS is a whole island of tropically themed fun featuring exciting
waterslides, including the Flyin Hawaiian, the Maui Express, and the Hawaiian Halfpipe;
our lazy river the Kona Kooler, Breaker Bay wave pool; Keiki Kove children’s area that can
accommodate over 200 keiki’s (kids) at one time; and our 3 new slides, The Honolulu Lulu!
There’s a whole day of safe, wholesome fun for your young people at Hawaiian Falls.
For More Information: Angela Mashigian at 972-370-4327, ext. 208.
Website: www.hawaiianfalls.com
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MAY 19
HOME SCHOOL AFRICAN SAFARI DAY CAMP
AT FOSSIL RIM
Time: 9 a.m. – 4:30
Please bring a sack lunch.
Details: Learn about the geography of Africa and where our African animals come from, make a Savannah Field Guide, discuss Savannah Ecology, learn about Cheetahs, discover the difference between grazers and browsers, and take a guided tour of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center!
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
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MAY 29
HOME SCHOOL NIGHT WITH FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS
AT DR. PEPPER BALLPARK
Registration Deadline: MAY 15
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $10 (or all you can eat for $15)
Details: Price includes group rate in the Bullpen section, limited ddition RoughRiders hat, free player autographs, free “PlayBall” game program, chances to win prizes
For Tickets or More Information: Contact Will LoVerde at 972-334-1935
Or email wloverde@ridersbaseball.com
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MAY 30
DEADLINE TO ORDER FREE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS TICKETS FOR STUDENTS
Free Homeschool tickets for the 2007 State Fair of Texas are good any Thursday during the run of the Fair.
RESERVATION DEADLINE: MAY 30
Ages: The program is for Kindergarten thru 12th grade beginning with 5 year olds - no Pre-K.
We do not have a ticket program for children younger than 5.
Requirements: The program is for families living within a 100 mile radius of the Fairgrounds.
How to Reserve Tickets: Each family must submit individually to avoid duplicate requests.
We do not accept requests from home school groups or associations.
Please submit your request on school letterhead or paper/stationery.
Include the following information in the body of your letter:
1) Your name and complete mailing address.
2) The ages and grade levels of each student.
3) Your request for a teacher ticket (we only allow one per family)
4) Daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you.
5) A business-sized, stamped envelope (so we can send you the tickets).
Requests without this information will be returned unfilled.
Envelope Instructions: Please DO NOT address the envelope in any way as we will print address labels. The envelope must be business size because of the length of the tickets.
Deadline: All requests must be POSTMARKED AND COMPLETE by the deadline date of Friday, May 30, 2008. Incomplete requests and requests arriving after this date will be returned unfilled.
Mail Requests To: State Fair of Texas
Attn: Lisa Boubel
PO Box 150009
Dallas, TX 75315
For More Information: Call Lisa Boubel or Special Events at 214-421-8737, or specialevents@bigtex.com. All requests must be made in writing.
No requests made by phone or e-mail will be accepted.
IMPORTANT REMINDER - When mailing your request for State Fair tickets, please keep in mind that the postage increase that takes effect May 12. The new first class rate for 1 oz. will be 42 cents. Even if you mail your request to the State Fair before May 12, make sure you put a 42 cent stamp on the business sized envelope you enclose with your request because they won't be mailing the tickets out until after then.
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MAY 30
STARGAZER PAUL DERRICK ASTRONOMY EVENT
AT FOSSIL RIM
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Activities Barn at Wolf Ridge Camp in Fossil Rim
Cost: $10 per person
Details: Mr. Derrick returns with a Power Point presentation entitled "Constellations of Spring," a laser pointer "Sky Tour," and Telescope Viewing using Mr. Derrick's 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
Schedule:
8:00-8:30 “Constellations of Spring,” Power Point Program
8:30-9:15 Sky Tour (Laser pointer tour identifying major constellations and bright stars!)
9:15-10:00 Telescope Viewing (Using Mr. Derrick’s 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and one of Fossil Rim’s Star-Hoppers!)
About the Instructor: Paul Derrick “Stargazer Paul”
...is an amateur astronomer who has lived in Waco, Texas, since 1966. Born in Houston, he grew up in nearby Bayview, on the banks of Galveston Bay -- a few miles from the site which became NASA's Johnson Space Center. As a teenager in the 1950s, the dark skies over Galveston Bay, and the inspiration of an 81-year-old stargazer, Margaret Willits, sparked his early interest in astronomy. His love for the stars was rekindled in the mid-1980s in anticipation of the return of Halley's Comet.
...is the author of the "Stargazer" column published in the Waco Tribune-Herald and other Texas newspapers. Originated in January 1990, "Stargazer" appears every other week.
...conducts public and private amateur astronomy slide programs and star parties for children and adults in schools, camps, parks and other settings.
...is the author of (A Beginner's Guide to) Learning the Night Sky (2003) and Star-gazer's Life List (2004).
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
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MAY
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR
HOME SCHOOL PE CLASSES AVAILABLE AT VELOCITY SPORTS
REGISTER TODAY FOR FALL 2009
We are very excited to announce that the Velocity Sports Performance locations in Highland Park and Southlake have partnered with HEART of Texas to offer special discounts to homeschoolers!
The PE programs at Velocity Sports are taught by trained, degreed coaches who have coached college, professional, and Olympic level athletes.
Classes are one hour long, and focus on speed enhancement, strength, power, agility, core development, flexibility, and balance. Participants can expect increased muscle tone, a higher vertical jump, better running form, reduced likelihood of injury, increased confidence and increased endurance.
Their 16,300 square foot indoor facility is climate-controlled and features turf, track, hard court, and weight areas, as well as a viewing area for parents/guests.
For the Highland Park Location:
Call Mark Cox at 214-739-1122
www.velocitysp.com/highlandpark
For the Southlake Location:
Call Emily Hubbard at 817-416-0606
www.velocitysp.com/southlake
Please Note: Each Velocity Sports location is independently owned and operated, and offer different pricing and discount rates for their classes. Please contact the location directly for more information.
Discount: HEART of Texas Members receive a discount on classes!
See http://www.heartoftex.org/partners/partners.html for more details.
To learn more about HEART of Texas membership: http://www.heartoftex.org/membership/membership.html
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JUNE 2
HOME SCHOOL FOSSIL DIG CLASS & TOUR AT FOSSIL RIM
Time: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p .m.
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: In the morning, take a bus down to our Fossil Pit and dig for marine fossils! Share a picnic lunch at the Overlook, then take a guided tour of Fossil Rim's current, non-marine residents!!!
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
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JUNE 7
CAREER DAY AT THEO IN PLANO
THEO Career Day
“Exploring the Possibilities"
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 (includes, light breakfast, lunch, and snacks)
Details: THEO is pleased to announce its First Annual Career Day. Come out and hear from dynamic, interesting speakers regarding their respective career choices. Medical, business and technology fields will be among those represented. Information on colleges will also be available. In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete a career assessment and determine which career choices fit their interests and skills. The day will be educational, informational and fun (prizes and games!).
To attend the student needs to complete the Student Registration Form.
Location: 1301 Custer Road, Suite 703
Plano, TX 75075
For Agenda: Click Here
For More Information: www.THEOsonline.org
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~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)
FEATURED ARTICLES
To CLEP or not to CLEP -- by Jean Burk, SAT/PSAT Specialist
A Call to Leadership Education -- by Rebecca Smith
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
1. Library Programs at North Texas Libraries -- North Texas
Other Libraries are Welcome to Include Their Events – contact info@heartoftex.org
Bedford Public Library
Fort Worth Public Library
Hurst Public Library
McKinney Memorial Public Library
Tyler Public Library
READING REWARD PROGRAMS
2. Library Summer Reading Programs -- Libraries Throughout Texas
3. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Reading Club -- Participating Texas Libraries
4. Book It! Reading Program -- Enrollment Open
5. Brain Food Summer Reading Program -- Deadline August 15
6. Braums Book Buddy Reading Program -- Enrollment Open
CONTESTS/COMPETITIVE EVENTS
7. BEST Robotics 2008 Preview: Just Plane Crazy! -- Texas Best
8. Texas State Fish-Art Contests -- Entries Due March 31, 2009
9. National Engineers Week -- Future City Competition
CIVICS/GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
10. City of Fort Worth Youth Advisory Board -- Fort Worth
11. City of North Richland Hills Teen Court -- North Richland Hills
12. Texas Home School Coalition Good Citizenship Award Program -- State-wide
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
13. Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for Graduating Seniors
14. National Congressional Art Competition -- Districts 3, 4, 5, 12, 24, 26, 30
HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
16. THEO Home School Classes -- Plano
17. Classes and Achievement Testing Available at CERC in Rowlett
18. Faith Christian Academy -- McKinney
19. Homeschoolers East Co-Op Classes -- East Dallas
20. Legacy Home School Enrichment Program at First Baptist in Euless
21. Christian Cottage Prep
22. Cooke County Cotillion for Home Schooled Teens -- Gainesville
23. Tarrant County College -- High School Math Classes
24. YMCA/Irving Home School Classes -- Irving
BOOK SALES & HOME SCHOOL BOOK STORES
25. Library Used Book Sales in North Texas
The Colony – May 31
Irving – June 6-8
Dallas – June 7
Wichita Falls – June 7; July 5
Denton – July 12
Plano – July 31 - August 2
26. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett
27. Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
28. Home Educators Resource -- Lewisville
NATURE CENTERS & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS/CAMPS
29. Dallas Arboretum – Dallas
30. Day Camps at Camp Tonkawa
31. Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Programs
32. Fossil Rim
33. Heritage Farmstead Museum -- Plano
34. Sharkarosa Open-to-the-Public Days
35. Texas Discovery Gardens
36. Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs -- State Parks in North Texas
37. Home School Week at Sky Ranch Christian Summer Camp -- Van, TX -- June 1-6
38. Homeschool Family Camp at Snow Mountain Ranch -- Colorado -- August 17-22
PERFORMING ARTS
39. Performances at Casa Manana Children’s Playhouse
Summer Camp & Theater School Schedule
Suessical the Musical, Jr. (all youth performance) – July 18-19
40. Performances at CATS -- Arlington
The Shoemaker and the Elves – June 17-19
41. CERC DramaCamp -- Rowlett
Much Ado About Nothing – June 16-20; June 23-28
42. Cottage Theater – Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
Theatre Camp: Emperor's New Clothes – June 2-12 -
Musical Theatre Camp: Annie, Jr. – June 23-July 3
43. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater -- Hurst
The Music Man – May 30-June 28
Summer Theater Classes: Where the Wild Things Are - June 9-13
44. Performances at Bass Performance Hall -- Fort Worth
45. Dallas Children’s Theater -- Dallas
If You Give a Pig a Party – May 9-25
46. Plano Children’s Theater -- Plano
Revenge of the Space Pandas - May 30 - June 7
47. Texas Ballet Theater Performances
48. Home School Discount Tickets to Dallas Theater Performances
ART MUSEUMS
49. Amon Carter Museum Exhibits – Fort Worth
50. Dallas Museum of Art Exhibit -- Dallas
51. Kimball Art Museum Exhibit -- Fort Worth
52. Museum of Nature & Science -- Dallas
53. Museum of Science & History -- Fort Worth
IMAX/OMNI THEATERS
54. Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature
55. Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater -- Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
HISTORICAL PROGRAMS
56. Programs at Log Cabin Village -- Fort Worth
57. Dallas Heritage Village -- Dallas
SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
58. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
HOME SCHOOL SPORTS/PE PROGRAMS
59. Maritime Merry Time Tuesdays (Open Homeschool Swim) -- The Colony Aquatic Park
60. Dallas Thunder Homeschool Basketball Organization -- Registration Open
61. Elite Track Club/Cross Country Program for Home Schoolers
62. Home School Athletic Association
63. THESA Riders Home School Sports Association
64. Hulcy Home School PE Classes -- Richardson (Taught by Rhett Hulcy)
65. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Highland Park
66. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Southlake
67. Home School Fencing Classes -- Fencing Institute of Texas -- Farmers Branch
68. Pop-In Playtime -- Pump It Up of Grapevine -- Grapevine
69. Tae Kwondo for Home Schoolers -- Plano
SUPPORT GROUPS
70. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas
Arlington
Athens/Tyler Area
Denton
North Richland Hills
Plano
Sulphur Springs
71. Keller 4H Club Meetings -- Keller
72. Park Day Drama Club -- Plano
73. Ready to Answer Speech and Debate -- Decatur
COLLEGE PREP
74. SAT Test Dates
75. SAT Prep Classes with Jean Burk -- Various Locations Across North Texas
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
76. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties -- American Cancer Society
77. Become a Host Families for Foreign a Exchange Student -- INTO EdVENTURES
78. Volunteers Needed to Serve Meals at The Stewpot -- Dallas -- The Stewpot
OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
79. Home School Tae Kwondo Classes In Plano
80. Great Opportunities for Students at Pump It Up of Grapevine
81. Hulcy Home School PE Classes -- Richardson -- Fall Registration Open
82. 2008 Home School Day at Rangers Ballpark -- Arlington -- May 9
83. Home School Bookfair at Arlington Convention Center -- Arlington -- May 9 & 10
84. Texas Frontier Forts Days -- Fort Worth -- May 9 & 10
85. Home School Day at Hawaiian Falls -- The Colony -- May 19
86. Home School Night with Frisco RoughRiders at Dr. Pepper Ballpark -- May 29
87. Deadline to Register for State Fair of Texas Tickets -- May 30
88. Creative Arts in Action Annual Garage Sale --- June 6-7
89. Face to Face with Greatness: A Thomas Jefferson Education Seminar -- Hurst -- June 6-7
90. 4-H Family County-Wide Picnic -- June 7
91. The Rebelution Conference -- Dallas -- June 28 (Early Registration closes June 21)
92. HEART of Texas Leadership Conference -- Euless -- July 19
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FEATURED ARTICLE
To CLEP or Not to CLEP
By Jean Burk
Should my child CLEP out of class some or all their college courses?
This is the question that is on the mind of a lot of homeschooling families. It has become a popular trend over the last few years. Stay at home, save money-get college credit. Sounds like a win-win situation, but know all the facts before you jump head first into this new concept.
The College-Level Examination Program® or CLEP is a program that allows students of
any age the chance to gain college credit through a series of exams in undergraduate
college courses. Like AP courses, there are several advantages to doing well on CLEP
tests. Ask a local school advisor or go to www.collegeboard.com for more information on the CLEP program. CLEP program is in not necessarily a substitution for taking college courses, but it can help you prepare and enhance your college experience.
Take fewer classes in college. You can get college credit for information you
already know. If you have already studied a particular subject you can channel
that knowledge into other college hours and therefore take a lighter load in college.
Spend less money of education. CLEP exams coast roughly $65, which is
minimal when compared the coast of dollars in tuition. CLEP exams are also free
to those who are serving in the military.
Skip the stuff you already know. Why waste time and money learning
something you already know? CLEPing out of beginner classes can help you
jump into the more advanced and interesting courses college has to offer.
Finish your Degree. If you are missing some courses for graduation, CLEP
exams are a great way of helping you get those few college hours.
There can also be disadvantages that you need to be aware of as well. Remember that this is still new territory especially when it comes to CLEPing out more than a few classes.
Credibility of your degree. Many families have opted to have their child do all their college work through some of the “distance learning” programs. Make sure that by earning your “degree” this way will actually be counted as legitimate.
Longer than you think. Some programs claim that a four year degree can be obtained in six months through accelerated learning and then CLEPing out of normal college classes. Don’t just take the word of someone who has written a book; do more research to find out if anyone you know has been this successful in such a short time?
Scholarships nullified. Imagine spending a lot of time working on CLEP tests to then find out that you have too many college hours and are disqualified for scholarships. Many students have lost out on scholarship money because they were no longer considered an incoming freshman-but a transfer student because of their “earned college credit”.
The decision when and how many CLEP tests should be administered is a personal choice. CLEPing certain classes can actually benefit students in several ways. Too much CLEPing could be more of a hindrance. Make sure you base your college class decisions on facts and research and what will best fit the needs of your family. A happy medium might be to enter college with a some credits, get scholarships and then CLEP out of as many classes as you want.
Jean Burk is a published author, speaker and teacher. She has been featured on television as an expert on the SAT and PSAT tests, College Prep and How to Get Free College. Jean is also a “completed” home school mom. Both of her children received incredible scholarships because of their PSAT and SAT scores. She has been teaching her “Master the SAT” Prep Class in the D/FW area and many surrounding cities. She also travels and speaks about her book College Prep Genius. You may contact her at Jean@collegeprepgenius.com or visit her site at www.collegeprepgenius.com.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
A Call to Leadership Education
By Rebecca Smith
It all began last summer, when I attended a seminar on leadership education, by Oliver DeMille. He’d just finished a masterful discourse on the need for a renaissance of classical literacy, and leadership education. According to DeMille, when public compulsory schooling became the American way, we put ourselves on a conveyor belt of sorts. While education for the masses has been integral to the goal of widespread literacy, it has edged out leadership education, which is badly needed in our time. We rarely see this latter type of education administered in today’s America. So I pondered over my own experience on the conveyor belt, as the seminar drew to a close. The desire came over me to make the sacrifices necessary to gain the education I lacked.
I knew that the vast majority of my homeschooling peers were also products of the conveyor belt approach. Surely I wasn’t alone in my need for scholarship. I sensed that a population of homeschoolers existed that would also want to participate in the creation of a leadership society. Certainly I wouldn’t have to re-invent the wheel, I thought. Fortunately for me, the Texas homeschooling community, to which I am a recent transplant, already enjoys an abundance of great leadership. Even better, there is an infrastructure of resources in place that has been built over the course of at least twenty or thirty years, beginning with the pioneers of the 1980’s who wanted more for their children, just like I do.
Now fast forward to October of last year, and you find me sitting by a beautiful lake, adjacent to the Lake View Conference Center in Waxahachie, Texas. I had by now contacted the other Thomas Jefferson Education (TJEd) families I knew, who were dispersed all over the D/FW metroplex. Beginning with about ten families, we met in July, and formed the North Texas Statesmanship Society. I’d heard about the opportunity to attend the THSC annual Leadership Conference for home school support leaders. Anxious for training, I jumped at the chance to attend, though not without some trepidation. After all, my support group leadership experience amounted to a grand total of three months. I wondered if I really had what it takes to create the kind of community I’d envisioned. I was almost overcome with a sense of inadequacy at the prospect of my present path.
Then something amazing happened, in that half-hour by the lake, on that beautiful autumn afternoon. In a moment of prayerful meditation, an indelible sense of calling washed over me. It replaced the suffocating fear that had me captivated just a moment earlier. Conviction of the rightness of my course came into my mind with a cascade of ideas, adding vibrant details to my earlier vision of what to do. In that moment, God made it abundantly clear that He had work for me to do, and I’d better get to it. I walked back into the leadership conference, carried by this greater vision. It was a watershed weekend for me. I didn’t know any of the leaders there, and didn’t converse with nearly enough of them. But those who I did get to know and observe were inspiring leaders and statesmen, all with missions of their own, going about the work they were called to. They inspired me to be a better person, lifting me up by their examples of courage.
I am ever drawn back to this idea that it’s not just a select few of us who are meant to be statesmen. Oliver DeMille maintains that in order to meet the challenges of 21st Century America, we will need a generation of statesmen and stateswomen. Indeed, I’m inclined to believe that each of us has a calling we are meant to fill --- a mission if you will --- that only we can accomplish. As to what that is, no one but the individual can determine. Of all societies in history, I think ours is among the neediest of statesmanship.
Russell Kirk, in his ageless “Roots of American Order” quotes Simone Weil, a French philosopher and born again Jew: “Our 20th Century. . . is a time of disorder very like the disorder of Greece in the Fifth century before Christ. In her words, ‘it is as though we had returned to the age of Protagoras and the Sophists, the age when the art of persuasion --- whose modern equivalent is advertising slogans, publicity, propaganda meetings, the press, the cinema, and radio --- took place of thought and controlled the fate of cities and accomplished coups d’état. So the ninth book of Plato’s Republic reads like a description of contemporary events.’”
Considering this, I have to ask myself, “How long has this been true in America? When was the time that we were still thinking for ourselves? When did we stop?” While I claim to be no expert on this subject, I suspect that this shift from independent thinking to dependence on persuasion occurred gradually, but accelerated with the advent of mass media. Weil’s astute assessment of modern times, even half a century ago, reflects our American reality today. Our sources of propaganda and persuasion have only broadened with the inventions of the television, cable networks, and internet. Think of the Y2K phenomenon. Remember the propaganda surrounding that non-event? The amount of money funneled into the Y2K campaign was staggering.
With the angry masses always clamoring for our attention, it’s no wonder we feel like there is little we can do to make a difference. But this is wrong thinking. There is much we can do. Homeschoolers and educators are uniquely equipped to influence future generations for good. But do we realize how much power we hold in our hands? We are molding the next generation. In this context, does it make any sense to replicate the conveyor belt model of learning in our homes? And yet many of us, not knowing anything but this unnatural approach, unwittingly beat ourselves up in the pursuit of mediocrity.
Let’s discuss two of the seven keys to a great education. First: Inspire Not Require.
Was your natural love of learning as a child smothered in the education process? Think about your upbringing in the public school system. If all of our teachers had set out to inspire great learning in each of us, exposing us to the greatest classics down through history, allowing us to explore our greatest talents in depth, what would have happened? Our founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson were mentored this way. They thirsted after great knowledge. Their mentors filled the need. Because of this, they were prepared for the miraculous work of building a new nation where all men are created equal.
Second, You Not Them. How does a child choose to get a great education? One of the elements of conveyor belt schooling is that children's initiative is marginalized, even discouraged. We don't believe anymore that if left to himself, a child might make wise educational choices. If done well, education can be a mix of child-initiated learning and wise parent-mentoring. The most powerful way to insure your child's acquisition of a world-class liberal arts education is simply to get one yourself. The sooner we realize that homeschooling is more about our own education than our children's, the better. The best mentors are first and foremost excellent students, pursuing life-long learning and growth.
Who are the mentors who can help us rise above our limitations? God is naturally our first and most important Mentor. If we are careful observers, we can identify other mentors who are most willing to help us. Plato mentored Aristotle. Thomas Jefferson had George Wythe. Esther had Mordecai. Who were your mentors? Statesmen and stateswomen are visionary leaders, walking an independent path. They look for the need that they can fill, and then go about doing it. When that need is filled, they find and fill another one. They do it again and again. They heed an inner-voice that guides them undeviatingly to serve the common good. Anchored to true principles, guided by God and the greater good, they live publicly and privately virtuous lives. America needs them desperately. We are meant to be more than we’ve allowed ourselves to be. In ten years, your education will be the same as your children’s. Will it be poor, mediocre, or great? One inspiring stateswoman put it this way: If not you, then who? If not now, when?
Rebecca Smith is a homeschooling mother of four children aged 8 to 1. She is currently president of the North Texas Statesmanship Society (www.ntstatesmen.org), which is bringing the Face to Face With Greatness seminars from George Wythe College to Hurst, Texas, on June 6-7, 2008. For more information, Click Here
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
1. LIBRARY PROGRAMS AT NORTH TEXAS LIBRARIES
Summer Reading Programs, Clubs, Story Times, Events, Activities, and more! Libraries in North Texas are gearing up for an action-packed, fun-filled summer that will inspire a love of reading!
To find out what programs your local libraries have going on, visit the website below. It includes links to public libraries all over Texas, so you and your kids can get in on the adventure of reading.
http://www.publiclibraries.com/texas.htm
BEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Location: 1805 L. Don Dodson Drive
Bedford, TX 76021
817-952-2342
Contact: Jeannie Green
TUESDAYS -- Sprouts Story Time
(for the more active child)
Time: 10 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Bonnie Finn Room
TUESDAYS -- Story Book Club
(for the child who is ready to be a sitter and llstener)
Time: 11 am. – 11:25 a.m.
Bonnie Finn Room
THURSDAYS -- Peapods Story Time
(for babies 2 years and under and their caregiver.)
Bonnie Finn Room
Registration is required for this program.
For More Information: Contact Kids Help Desk at 817-952-2373
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Summertime may mean a vacation from the classroom, but it should not mean a vacation for your child's intellectual development! Let the Library help your child maintain or improve their reading skills by participating in our Summer Reading Club. Summer learning comes from reading books, playing games, listening to storytellers, and other free fun activities!
Ages: Birth through sixth grade. Reading logs are due August 1st.
SUMMER -- Summer Teen Volunteer Opportunities
This summer, we have two teen volunteer programs so you can have your choice of fun! We have our annual Summer Reading Club (SRC) volunteer program and our Summer Teen Tutoring program. Both program volunteers get to help with fun kid activities! Kid activities include things like game nights, crafts, and more. All who want to join the fun must submit a short essay of up to 2 pages, either handwritten or typed, about why you want to be a SRC volunteer or a tutor. These essays will determine who will be selected to become a tutor, so put some of your creative energy into it! Turn in your essays to the Youth Services Desk by May 18. Also, don't forget to fill out an emergency notification form from the website (http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=BEDFORD) and turn it in with your essay. Tutors must have a 3.00 GPA or higher, or are working on service hours for IB or NHS or another Honors program. If you are accepted, we will give you a call.
Contact: Kids Help Desk 817.952.2372
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FORT WORTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
CENTRAL LIBRARY BRANCH
Location: 500 W. 3rd St
817-871-7701
DIAMOND HILL/JARVIS
Location: NE 35th Street
817-624-7331
EAST BERRY LIBRARY
Location: 4300 E. Berry St.
817-536-1945