The Homeschooling Handbook_ From Preschool to High School - Mary Griffith [88]
There are a number of mailing lists of interest to homeschoolers, from general discussions of homeschooling to those specializing in particular areas such as religion, ethnicity, or special needs (subscription information for these mailing lists is given in Appendix A). Here’s a sample:
The Home-Ed list has lengthy discussions on philosophy, support groups, and resources, along with frequently recurring threads on kids’ favorite books, whether spanking is ever justified, and whether television is a useful educational tool or a promoter of idiocy and mindless violence. There is also lots of banter and joking and occasional annoying crossposts from other lists. Home-Ed is a very active list; a digest version is available for those who don’t like getting several dozen separate posts daily. Home-Ed’s FAQ (frequently asked questions) file contains listings for dozens of resources, both online and off, from a wide range of viewpoints.
The Unschooling list obviously specializes in unschooling. It’s a friendly, relaxing, but fairly active list, and it is also available in a digest. Also available are the Radical Unschoolers List and the Unschoolers’ Circle.
The Homeschool Train Up A Child list is for those whose (Christian) religious or spiritual values are a central motivation for their homeschooling. The Madrasah List supports Muslim homeschooling families. LDS Home Learners supports Mormon homeschoolers, and the Many Paths List was started by a Christian mom and a Pagan mom who wanted a homeschool discussion group that welcomed all religious viewpoints.
The Home-Ed Politics list is devoted to discussions of the politics of education, broadly defined. The level of activity varies enormously: Home-Ed Politics can be almost inactive for weeks until a new issue prompts a flurry of vehement discussion. During its active stretches, a little bit of Home-Ed Politics can go a very long way.
The Aut-2b-home List is a private, moderated list for parents homeschooling kids with disorders on the autism spectrum. The ADD/ADHD List is for parents homeschooling kids with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Similar to mailing lists but less interactive are electronic newsletters, which also cover a variety of topics from general to specific:
The AHA Online Newsletter is sent the first week of every month with news and information, articles and essays, networking, and other resources.
Chart & Compass is a monthly newsletter for anyone interested in letting their children learn at home.
Edusource Web Reviews offers Internet learning resources.
Dozens of specialized homeschooling mailing lists and newsletters are now available. It may take a bit of lurking to find the group that suits you, but more lists are started all the time. Many of the major homeschooling Web sites maintain lists of mailing lists, or check Liszt and other lists of lists. One of the best sources for homeschooling mailing list and newsletter information is Karen Gibson’s “Homeschooling Email Lists, Newsletters, etc.” Web site.
The number of excellent Web pages on homeschooling has exploded in the last few years, and more pop up all the time. Joining Jon’s Homeschooling Page, one of the oldest and best homeschooling Web sites, are Ann Zeise’s Mining Company homeschooling pages; Kaleidoscapes, hosted by Kathleen Iuzzolino, Cafi Cohen, and Karl Bunday; and dozens of other new and interesting sites.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Coping with the Rough Spots
MANY NEW HOMESCHOOLERS find themselves dazzled and discouraged by conversations with longtime homeschoolers. The veterans can intimidate by being so helpful: They seem to have everything perfectly organized, their houses are always clean, their kids are bright and eager and always geniuses, and they have plenty of time to answer your questions and solve your problems. Worst of all, they never, ever have bad days