May 8, 2006 - George Wythe College & Mormonism

GWC is founded by Mormons and DeMille is Mormon.  Although I have never attended a TJEd seminar, I have been told that the Mormon theology is fairly blatant.  I do not recommend them.  If you are looking for alternatives with a Christian perspective, I would suggest Schola online tutorials with Wes Callihan.  I have also found Gileskirk Humanities Curriculum by George Grant to be excellent.  This curriculum does not offer online mentoring, but it has excellent worldview lectures.  The lectures are fantastic springboards for discussions at home.  If you want to read more about Gileskirk, go to http://www.curriculumconnection.net/gileskirkreview.htm

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January 6, 2006 - Start Your Year with A New Perspective on Homeschooling

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December 12, 2005 - Pros & Cons of Thomas Jefferson Education

I forgot to say that this is in response to a discussion I was having with some other moms.

TJEd has some great points about getting off the conveyor belt, mentoring, training leaders instead of followers and classics.  BUT, I agree with you that parents should use a variety of educational approaches (lectures, videos, classics, mentoring, projects, research, etc).  I also believe that God gave parents to kids as authority and guides.  Oliver DeMille says that he doesn't teach his kids anything until they "want" to learn it.  This is so unbiblical and something I have tried to tell those who buy his book. 

I am somewhere in the middle.  Steve & I have decided which studies we will "require" of our kids and which ones we will "inspire" them to further studies.  I do think it is important that our kids have some time to study their interests while they are under my guidance.  I have let the kids choose a topic to study & research.  Then, they are to write about their findings.  I help them with their writing, using IEW outlines & Lost Tools of Writing ideas.  I also believe this develops leadership skills as they are not just doing what I tell them to do (you know, following vs. leading).

I could go on & on about this topic because I have wrestled with it over the past few years.  If anyone has other ideas on developing leaders, I'd love to hear them.  I truly want my children to be leaders for the Lord, not followers that do whatever they are asked to do.

 Kerry

Leadership Education

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September 20, 2005 - In response to A Thomas Jefferson Education

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September 10, 2005 - A Bit About Me

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August 24, 2005 - Prioritizing-Time vs. Content

I tend to have all sorts of things lined up for my kids at the beginning of the year and then “wham”, the end of September comes and my expectations have changed.  One thing I am REALLY going to shoot for this year is “structure the time, not the content”.  Okay, I am still the mom and God put me in authority over my kids so I get to choose some of the content.  But, I plan to give my kids some freedom about what they will study.  If I tell my 12year old that we will study until 3pm (starting around 9am with an hour lunch break), he should have lots of time to study and read.  If he is not finished with something by 3pm, but has really studied the entire time, then it is time to stop and work on it tomorrow.  There is no rush to get through everything.  I have to keep reminding myself of this concept, especially with my 17 year old who is taking a college course this year.  I still have so much I want to teach her.

Well, I have been at this computer way too long and need to get back to my kiddos. 

Kerry

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August 17, 2005 - Phases of Leadership Education

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August 6, 2005 - What's the Buzz About Thomas Jefferson Education?

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July 14, 2005 - Mom's Self Study

I am a big proponent of mom studying herself so she can mentor her own kids in their education.  This is what truly makes leaders, the mentoring process.  Reading classics is a great way to start your own education.  Another way is to listen to audio cds.  I have learned so much from lecture series or sermons that are on audio cd.  While traveling from Texas to our home in Idaho,  I listened to a Confederate Heritage conference that my oldest daughter attended in May.  Steve & I decided not to go because we would be on the road for the next 3 weekends.  So, Ashley went with our pastor's family to Louisiana.  She had a great time listening to the speakers, attending the family Confederate Ball, and going to Steve Wilkins' church on Sunday. 

Since we did not make it to the conference, we asked Ashley to buy a set of the lectures.  I was challenged by the comments made about states' rights and encouraged to read Flannery O'Connor after hearing these excellent speakers. 

I try to always have an audio cd in the van so I can listen to it after I drop off the kids at whatever activity they have.  In addition to your readings, try listening to audio workshops, audio books or audio sermons.  You will be glad you did.

To see a listing of audios, click on the title below:

Ranger Press Audios

Audio Sermons

Audio Workshops

Audio Books CD  (scroll down to Jim Hodges, Jim Weiss)

Thomas Jefferson Education Audios

Kerry

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July 4, 2005 - America's National Book

Speaking of the Declaration of Independence, did you know it was considered one of America's national books?

In his book, A Thomas Jefferson Education, Oliver DeMille argues that America no longer has a national book.  In past years, the Bible and Declaration of Independence were considered national books for Americans.  From the founding of America through World War 2, these two books guided Americans. 

During the 1960’s young people quit referring to these documents for guidance.   There were no absolutes and no foundation of truth for this new generation.  America cannot remain free, prosperous and moral unless we return to the truths and absolutes found in the Bible.  As parents, we must teach, educate, train and civilize our children.  Once our kids have a core foundation of truth, they can learn how to be leaders for the future.  

Why not read part of the Declaration today as you celebrate America's independence?

Kerry

Leadership Education

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July 1, 2005 - Resources for History of American Public Schools

I have written several posts about the founding of American public schools.  Someone stated they read a book by Chris Klicka about the founders of government schools.  My resources (so far) are as follows:

Underground History of American Education, John Taylor Gatto

A Thomas Jefferson Education, Oliver Van DeMille

Hopefully we will have Gatto's book back in stock this summer.  I have been waiting for it all spring.

Kerry

www.CurriculumConnection.net

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June 30, 2005 - Why all the posts about American public schools?

You may wonder why I write posts about the public schools in America.  I think it is important to understand the foundation of the schools today in order to change the direction of education in America.  Most of us think our own education was adequate, when it really wasn't.  Our own education (if we attended government schools) was a result of the visionaries of the early twentieth century.  Although it is fascinating to read about the founders of public school, it is also sickening to see their ulterior motive - social engineering and control of society through educating our kids. 

If we understand where we came from, we may have a better vision of where we need to go.

Kerry

Homeschool Curriculum

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June 30, 2005 - Thomas Jefferson Education in Your Home

Trying to figure out how to do this leadership education in a real home - your home?  Why not read from experienced homeschoolers who actually implement leadershipe education.  Oliver & Rachel DeMille have homeschooled their own kids using the leadership-mentoring model outlined in A Thomas Jefferson Education.  Rachel offers tips to leadership education in homeschool in the lecture notes titled, Thomas Jefferson Education in Our Home.  Read more about it HERE

Kerry

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June 29, 2005 - Lowering Teacher Influence in Schools

In 1903 public school officials were looking for ways to lower the influence teachers had on students.  They found two ways to diminish this influence.

1. Increase the administrative, non-teaching hierarchy in school districts.  Hire more & more people who are not educators.
2. Standardized Tests – If you have standardized tests, the teacher no longer has a say about what is taught or is important in educating students.  I think we can all see how this influenced the public school system of America in the twentieth century.  What do teachers teach these days?  They teach to the TEST!

Will you follow the public school example?  Or, will you be the expert you already are in your family and choose what is important to teach your own children?

Kerry

Thomas Jefferson Education

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June 29, 2005 - Purpose of American Education

The chief end (of public education) was to “impose on the young the ideal of subordination”.  Benjamin Kidd, British evolutionist 1918          

Public education is successful, when you see what their real purpose for schools is.  Our society is a society of followers – excellent examples of subordination.

Kerry

Leaders

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June 29, 2005 - Founding of American Public Schools

Take a look at what one of our industrial giants said about the founding of American public schools at the beginning of the twentieth century.

“’Survival of the fittest is nature’s way of producing beauty,’” said Rockefeller Sr.  As a principal stockholder in U.S. Steel, he approved of school experiments in Gary, Indiana, to dumb down curriculum, (and) seek more effective means of mind control.” 

     Rockefeller Foundation 

John Gatto was New York State & City Teacher of the Year and wrote an expose on the pubic education in America.

Forced schooling was the medicine to bring the whole continental population into conformity with these plans so it might be regarded as a “human resource”.  Managed as a “workforce.”  No more Ben Franklins or Tom Edisons could be allowed; they set a bad example.

    John Gatto, Underground History of American Education p. 38

Kerry

Reloading

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June 28, 2005 - Where Do I Start?

Start with yourself!!!  Yes, you heard me right, start with your own education.  Investment in your education is not withdrawal from your kids’ education, just the opposite.  You can not be a good mentor unless you are educated to be a mentor.  This summer is a great time to start by reading some classics.   Take one classic a week for 4 weeks.  After that, read the Declaration of Independence and write a summary of this document.  From there, you can read a classic in a deeper way.  Keep a commonplace book, or reading journal, about your readings. 

In the back of Thomas Jefferson Education, you will find a plan for parents to get started.  Oliver DeMille provides a list of classics from which to choose.  He also has questions for many adult classics so you can read more in-depth.

Remember:  YOU, not them!

Kerry

Diamonds

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June 27, 2005 - Which Education Shows Kids How to Think?

For those of you that don’t know, there are three types of education, historically.  Each type deals with thinking skills in a different way.  Let’s look at what I mean.

1.  Public Education

Public education is historically an education reserved for the poor so they can contribute to society by working a job.  The goal of this education is to provide skills for a job, job training.  I am amazed that most Americans today receive an education for the poor.  Graduates of public education learn WHAT TO THINK.  They merely learn what they are told to learn – skills for a future job.  Education provided by the government is characterized as a conveyor belt education in a factory school.

2.  Professional Education

A professional education goes one step further than the public education by training students WHEN TO THINK.  The goal is to create specialists in a variety of fields that are excellent in their own field.  Some types of this education include law school, med school, MBA programs, apprenticeships and so on. This is what I would call a competitive-conveyor belt education.  Historically, the middle class received a professional education at private schools, trade schools, and law/med schools.

3.  Leadership Education

Leaders are developed through a different type of education.  Historically, leaders have been trained by mentors using classics.  Aristotle, Socrates and Thomas Jefferson were all educated by mentors.  This type of education trains students HOW TO THINK.  Using classics properly develops those critical thinking skills in a way workbooks and public school cannot.  Students who receive a leadership education are prepared to be leaders in their home/family/church, entrepreneurs in their community and statesmen in their country.

Kerry

Leadership Education

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June 27, 2005 - Conveyor Belt Education-What is it?

You might wonder what I mean by conveyor belt education since I use it in the title of this blog.  Conveyor belt education is the education provided by public schools today.  A product (or child) is placed on the conveyor belt so it can pass through 12 stations.  At each station the product is fitted with the same parts (curriculum) as all other products riding down the conveyor belt of government school.  The product continues down the conveyor belt.  What happens if the product gets ahead?  A factory worker pulls them back to the station they belong.  What happens if they get behind?  A “special” worker helps them catch up.  After completing 12 stations, the product receives a stamp of completion (diploma) and is ready to sell to the job market.

John T. Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year, calls the government schools a factory.  This goes right along with the conveyor belt motif.  Gatto should know what he is talking about since he was “the” star teacher of New York for two different years.   Gatto researched the history of the government schools and outlines his findings in Underground History of American Education.  It appears to be a long book, but once you start you will be amazed at the founders of our schools.

Kerry

Leadership Education

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June 23, 2005 - Reading Journals

Sorry to send that one without the text  

We have used reading journals for a couple of years to record what we are reading about.  When first starting, I think it is important to develop a daily habit of keeping a reading journal.  This can simply include literal information about what was read. (plot, characters, setting, etc).  After recording several times, older students (& parents) should begin to interact with the text.  This may include your opinion about the text or a critique about the text, or comments about the worldview of the text, or whatever you want to say about the text.  The point is to start "thinking" beyond the literal so you become more critical in your reading & writing. 

There is no right or wrong with reading journals.  We personally use our entries as a basis for discussing the books - finding "living ideas". 

Kerry

Leadership Education

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