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HEM SUPPORT GROUP NEWS - August 2004
In the August 2004 issue:
~August's Highlighted Support Group - Oklahoma Unschoolers
~July's question answered by a "newly minted U.S. citizen"!
~Issues to Watch- How to follow legislation
~August's Question - Upcoming conferences
~HEM Support Group Resources
~AUGUST'S HIGHLIGHTED GROUP:
This month's highlighted group hails from Oklahoma. It was formed by longtime Unschooler, Leslie Moyer. Leslie has been married to the same guy- Alan- for 20 years and they have three always-unschooled, wonderful children, ages 17,15, and 11. Leslie enjoys flower gardening, reading, travel and viewing movies.
I've learned a great deal from her about homeschool activism and I appreciate the time she took to share how this new group was formed.
Oklahoma Unschoolers is the name of the group and their home on the web is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oklahomaunschoolers/
The questions and answers we exchanged are below:
~Why did you start this online group?
Many of us have found that when unschoolers participate in discussion forums where a variety of homeschooling styles are represented, there can be uncomfortable points of discussion. We wanted to create a safe haven for unencumbered discussion on philosophical and practical aspects of unschooling, unschooling thoughts, experiences, questions and applications. On the flip side, many of us also found large, national unschooling networks to be impersonal and dogmatic. We hoped that by having a state-based group where people could get to know one another in person, a more respectful network of communication could develop. Our group is for "Oklahoma homeschooling families who consider themselves toward the unschooling end of the homeschooling spectrum."
~How did you set the group up? Has it served you offline as well?
We set the group up as an Internet-based group, but with the intent of fostering local real-life networking. This group has already facilitated park day gatherings in Oklahoma's two largest cities. We hope it can lead to some statewide events as well.
~What do you feel is the most valuable information you share with new folks? With veterans?
Unschooling is uncharted territory for most of us--so different from our own "educational" experiences. I think that new unschoolers like having a place to explore what unschooling really looks like in someone's home. They like the opportunity to ask real, honest questions from people who will understand their approach to learning. Veteran unschoolers benefit from the inspiration that comes from seeing things with fresh eyes. And since unschooling is such an individual journey, no matter whether someone is a new unschooler or a veteran unschooler, we all have plenty to learn from one another. We both benefit from exploring unschooling territory and learning more about why there is no "one right way."
~JULY'S QUESTION: What issues do you see that need to be addressed within your local homeschool community and how are you handling them?
~JULY'S ANSWER: As a newly minted US citizen I can't help but be surprised at how apathetic the average American is about keeping an eye on government (even if it is a jaundiced eye). As I sit on the sidelines and watch the heated debate about charter schools I wonder if the pro charter group truly understand the dangers of letting the government get even one step through our front doors. We tend to forget that when governments spend even a cent of "their" money they believe they have the right to call the shots.
The danger of an over zealous government was brought home to me when I was looking at the homeschooling conditions in the country of my birth, South Africa.
First of all parents have to APPLY for permission to homeschool their children and then they have to teach religion to their children but NOT from the POV of their own faith!
I quote from http://www.pestalozzi.org
"The Draft Policy on Religion in Education prescribes that all children in state and private schools as well as in home education be taught "religion" over ten years. The subject may not be taught from the perspective of any particular faith. It must be taught from the prescribed perspective.
The learning programmes and materials will be produced under the rigorous supervision of the national Department of Education and children will be taught the subject by specially trained teachers."
This is just another reason that I am glad I am now an American, but it also reminds me to be vigilant to ensure that our freedoms here aren't eroded by over zealous lawmakers and officials.
I suspect that my congressman groans when he hears my voice or reads yet another letter from me, however, he at least knows that one citizen is watching how he votes in congress and perhaps this might help curtail some of his more zealous big government propensities.
Sherene Silverberg
~AUGUST'S QUESTION - Do you have a conference coming up?
If you do and you'd like to have it listed here, send the vitals to me at Support Groups Email with "conference" in the subject line.
~ISSUES TO WATCH -
As I mentioned last month, some of us have been reading and discussing the book, "Taking Charge Through Homeschooling, Political and Personal Empowerment" by D. Larry and Susan M. Kaseman. For those of us who thought that politics was beyond our understanding, this is a book filled with practical information that helps us to understand how simple our participation can be in the political process.
Another helpful resource is the THOMAS Web Site. The THOMAS site is a service of the Library of Congress. At this site you can look up the U.S. Code, proposed legislation, Historical Documents, Congressional Records, Committee information and much more. http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html
Thomas also has a link for state resources, other jurisdictions and other resources. Under "Other Resources" you will find almost everything you wanted to know about your state and how it is governed. http://thomas.loc.gov/home/state.htm
~HEM Support Group Resources
Starting a support group
http://www.homeedmag.com/groups/start.html
Finding Support
http://www.homeedmag.com/groups/find.html
Staying Informed
http://www.homeedmag.com/groups/find.html
Home Education Magazine Articles and Columns
http://www.homeedmag.com
HEM's News and Commentary
http://www.homeedmag.com/HSRSC/hsrsc_gn.html
HEM's Online Newsletter
http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_hemnewsltr.html
Be sure to bookmark Home Education Magazine's Support Group page,
which can be accessed at:
http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_groups.html
If you need your listing updated or your group would like to be added, email me at Support Groups Email and it will be added in a timely manner.
See you next month!
Mary Nix
HEM's Support Group Liaison
Groups@homemag.com
http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_groups.html
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