Satisfied With Your Child's School? There are Choices.

By Michelle Tucker
©2010 Michelle Tucker

     It's ironic, but the more parents get away from public education, the more flexibility and say you have in your child's education.  If you don't know you have a choice or what your choices are, read on.
     The local public school has been the least responsive to students' needs and parents' wishes, for the most part.  When I taught, administrators told me, we're (the school educators) here to do the job parents won't do.  So, we will make the decisions.  It's shocking that the schools view their role as decision makers instead of the parents.

     There are charter schools, which are free.  Often there are a few requirements as to a uniform/dress code.  Parents are very involved at charter schools, from opting to educate their own children at home about maturation to serving on the board which hires and fires the principal.

      On-line education could be either public or private.  If it is public, the government is making the decisions as to what your child is required to learn.  If it is an on-line educational program, you have some voice in it and choice as to courses, and you are paying for it out of pocket.

     The are, of course, private schools in which parents can become involved and have a voice, of course your money is directly paying for it.

     There are various Coops.   Of course there are preschool coops for the younger children.  But, children through 12th grade may be in a Coop.  If certain parents are not familiar with a subject, say Algebra, they can pay the tuition for the local Coop course for their child.  These later kind of Coops are usually held at churches.

     Homeschooling can be very flexible and varied.  No two families homeschool the same way.  Homeschooling can be done in conjunction with a Coop for certain courses the parents want their children to take with experts.  Homeschooling puts the decisions and control over their children's education in their hands.
    
     Which ever is best for your child, know that you can make this choice at any time.  Do not let the public school tell you anything else.  Although charter schools have lottery systems, most have told me that they take students all year long who are new.  One principal was trying to get me to enroll my child the day after our tour.  Another charter school told me not to worry about the deadline, that they take students everyday.  It's easy there to get in, I was told.  After collecting information and researching schools, we prayed about it.  It's one of the most important decisions that you will make.  My best to you!

What are Your Children Being Taught in Reading?

By Michelle Tucker
 ©2010 Michelle Tucker

     "The People's basic needs must be met in a country.  Needs for housing, education, transportation, and health care overseen by our government system."  This mandate is being tacked on to the end of the Preamble to the US Constitution.  Many of our schools in America are requiring students to chant it repeatedly.  Are our children being indoctrinated with socialism through this?  This is being called by our public schools, "The Promise of America."  It is in their "Building Fluency through Practice and Performance." 
     This is what the Preamble to the US Constitution really says:
     We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
     Our children need to be learning the basics in school.  Education should be for the general welfare, not propaganda to indoctrinate our children.  Ask your childrens' school, if they are doing this.

7th Grade Science Fair Project Requirements

By Michelle Tucker
 ©2010 Michelle Tucker

     Depending on the age level and educational placement (homeschooling, private or public), Science Fair Requirements vary.

Here are 7th Grade Science Fair Project Requirements:
The following items need to be on the science fair board:


1. Title

2. Question

3. Hypothesis

4. Variables, controls, constants

5. Materials

6. Procedure

7. Data (they must have one graph and one table)

8. Results

9. Conclusion

10. Abstract------THIS IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE BOARD

     For websites to help with these areas, refer to my blog post, Part 3.

Help with the Dreaded Science Fair Project, Part 3

By Michelle Tucker
 ©2010 Michelle Tucker

b. What do I as the parent check? Your child needs to follow his or her plan. Your child needs to conduct the study/experiment or observations and record the data. Here are the items that need to be on your child's Science Fair Presentation Board:

 1) Title

 2) Hypothesis

 3) Purpose

 4) Procedure

 5) Results
 6) Conclusion

 7) Materials

Here are some helpful websites about the science fair project, that I recommend for you and/or your child:

www.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral

www.homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/sciencefair.htm

www.elmers.com/products/glues-and-adhesives/school/glue

www.elmers.com/teachers/resources/science-fair

 

 

Help with the Dreaded Science Fair Project, Part 2 of 3

By Michelle Tucker
©2010 Michelle Tucker

2. Know that your job as the parent is just to provide materials and to check your child's work.






a. What materials are needed? Most Science Fair projects are displayed on a tri-fold poster board, found at most craft stores in a few colors and white.

    



b. What do I as the parent check? More in Part 3