http://www.giftedhomeschool.net Homeschooling gifted children in Boulder County, Colorado and the world Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:21:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 3.  We set our own pace.  My children decide how quickly they learn and move ahead in material.  We have the luxury of taking our time if a concept seems difficult and trying various learning techniques.  We also have the luxury of moving on in mastery is achieved quickly.  A ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/uncategorized/three-reasons-we-homeschool/ I look at my kitchen, that I spent quite a bit of time cleaning yesterday.  Twice.  I look at the family room floor, that was cleaned up yesterday.  Thrice.  Toys strewn everywhere.  I Look at the load of laundry in its purple bucket that has been sitting, waiting for someone ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/uncategorized/the-mess-and-noise-are-a-gift/ When oldest was in First Grade, and we still hadn't wisened up considered homeschooling, we started the application process for the Davidson Young Scholars Program.  We felt we needed help advocating in the public school setting and Davidson would be the best, and it would be free.  The people there ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/uncategorized/davidson-institute-and-the-explore-test/ Before I began homeschooling, I was so worried that we would not find anyone who could be accepting of us as liberal, secular people within the homeschool community.  I, like many others in the public school world, believed that pretty much everyone who homeschools is extremely regilious, and we just wouldn't ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/social-aspects/are-you-a-secular-homeschooler/ Even tho most people in the United States support our healthcare reform, I have seen posts from a vocal minority within the homeschool blogging community  opposing 3962.  I would like to share reasons to call your congressman/woman in support of House Bill 3962, The Affordable Healthcare for America Act.  This ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/uncategorized/in-support-of-house-bill-3962/ As many of you may know, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.  A local historic park is hosting a traveling exhibit about Lincoln, with many reproductions of personal effects.  It sounds pretty cool, and we are going this afternoon. In preparation, we watched the PBS documentary by ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/education/learning-about-lincoln/ The older two are at their one day a week school program and the babe is asleep.  I am tired after a long week of visitors/Halloween/Snow and an even longer month full of birthdays, visitors, events...you get the picture.  I skipped my girl scout service unit meeting to come home ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/uncategorized/becoming-a-planner/ I don't feel like homeschooling is going very well so far this year.  We homeschooled thru the summer, but stuck to the three R's for the most part.  Art and Music are daily occurances in my home and I don't have to plan for those.  When we started officially schooling this ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/education/barely-keeping-my-homeschooling-head-above-water/ In the state of Colorado, you are required to either 1)have an evaluation by a licensed(masters degree)professional or 2)nationally standardized testing done every odd year starting in 3rd grade.  I hemmed and hawwed about it.  I postponed and procrastinated it.  I finally gave in and opted for standardized testing, as ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/education/testing-smesting/ My girls are participating in a summer musical produced by a local children's theater group.  There are between 100-200 people per cast, and 2 casts.  Needless to say, an 8 year old and a 5 year old are not going to get huge parts.  In fact, during this entire 1.5 ... http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/uncategorized/determining-the-value-of-extra-curriculars/