There are a few spots on this site that pertain
to just about anyone. This is NOT one of those places. This is only for
those currently homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling. The pages in
this section are divided into three parts.
THE MEMPHIS HOMESCHOOLER:
FREE activities for homeschoolers plus a listing of local
support groups and other resources for our Memphis (and surrounding
area) homeschoolers.
A FEW THOUGHTS ON HOMESCHOOLING:
Some ideas and thoughts I've put together over the years. A little bit of
insight from a fellow homeschooler. It also has a link for getting the
latest on homeschool laws and requirements for each state. There's even a
spot for
homeschool Dads sponsored by NHEN. If you work outside the home, or
are a single parent, or just struggling to pull things together, then
New
Rising Homeschool Network was created just for you!
HOMESCHOOL LINKS & RESOURCES:
A bit of everything. From time to time I'll be adding new links for
resources that are sure to be helpful to any homeschooler. If you forget to
add a link to your favorites section, you'll always be able to come back to
Dell's Place!
Well, what are you waiting for? Start looking around...
Remember to come back, 'cause you're always welcome at
Dell's Place!
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A FEW THOUGHTS ON HOMESCHOOLING
If I had to use only one word to
describe homeschooling, I think I would have to say "individualized".
Homeschooling is custom-designed education. The sky is the limit for what
you can do and how you do it. It's YOUR call. You can be very conservative
or make everyday an adventure. Go with the one that works for you. You may
need a few weeks, even months, of trial and error before you figure out what
works for you and your student.
Here are some tips and suggestions you might want to use or at least think
about.
Make sure you know the law! If you're not certain
click here to find the
homeschool laws in your state.
Do your homework: if at all possible, make sure you have reviewed and gotten
prepared for the next school day.
Establish a routine: For me, it makes things go soooooo much smoother. I
have a certain time for each aspect of schooling right down to when is it
time to sharpen pencils! I wrote it out on a piece of cardstock and put it
on the wall. My son knows what's going to happen next and I'm no longer
fumbling for anything. Depending on your teaching style, how much time
you're planning to invest in this, and the temperament of your children,
having a posted, written schedule might be more of a hindrance than a
blessing. For me, it's been a lifesaver.
Remember, this is your school! Aunt Susie Mae does not dictate what you can
and cannot do, nor does your nosey neighbor from down the street have any
business in your school. This is your school. Now, this is not to say that
you shouldn't listen to the advice of anyone, but treat it like a buffet.
Just because the food is there doesn't mean that you're going to put
everything on your plate. What works for you, go for it, what doesn't, just
thank the person and shake it off.
As a matter of opinion, based on years of experience, I encourage you to
join a local support group. If you live in or around the Memphis area, I
invite you to join Ebony Homeschoolers. We'd love to have you. I would
discourage ANYONE, no matter how long you've been homeschooling, from going
it alone. I feel all homeschoolers need to be connected somewhere in some
local support group. EH is a Christian support fellowship established to
strengthen and encourage the African-American homeschooling family. However,
we are not limited to the single objective of African-Americans only. Also,
joining the
MHEA (for Memphis-area residents) and
HSLDA
(National) would be VERY wise moves as well.
*Are you working fulltime and feeling as though you and your children have
been left out of the homeschool loop? *Are you a single parent
concerned you might not be able to meet the demands of homeschooling?
*Does your child have special needs?
Dell's Place! has established a network for working moms, single parents,
and the rest of us who struggle to pull it all together. The purpose of this
network is for support and encouragement, but it's also to offer real
solutions from other parents who struggle with the same issues. Come on in
and make new friends at the
New Rising Homeschool Network!
For those of us in Tennessee, be mindful, that you are required to teach 4
hours per day for 180 days. The start date of your school is totally up to
you. The calendar you establish for your school is totally up to you. The
structure of your day is totally up to you. You don't have to start school
the same day that the public schools open. You don't have to have spring
break when everyone else does - you might want to have a vacation in
February - that's your business. Your school day does not have to start at
8am, unless you just happen to want that time. You can start at 10am or 2pm,
if it suits you better. Unfortunately, if you do school during "off" hours,
expect nosey neighbors to bud in at some point in time. Be prepared to
POLITELY stand your ground.
In Tennessee, the homeschool day does not have to be a solid 4 hour block of
time. You can break it up into several smaller chunks or maybe getting it
all done at once is best for you. It's your call. The four hours do not have
to be four hours of sitting at a desk with book and pencil in hand.
Especially for the young student, the teaching can be much more relaxed.
Thank God that we live in a free country where it is legal to homeschool in
all 50 states. This was not always the case. As recent as the mid 1980's, it
was still ILLEGAL to homeschool in 45 of the 50 states! Thanks to the
prayers and perseverance of the pioneer homeschoolers who risked everything
for the sake of their children, combined with the efforts of the
HSLDA,
you and I have the legal right to home educate our children in ANY state in
America. May we never take this freedom for granted.
I hope these few thoughts have been of some help to you.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, you know where to find me.
I'll be right here at
Dell's Place!
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THE MEMPHIS HOMESCHOOLER
FREE activities for the
Memphis homeschooler. Last update: 11/25/05
Lichterman Nature Center
5993 Quince, Memphis. 901-767-7322. Free admission Tuesdays, 1:00
- 4:00 pm.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis. 901-544-6200. Free admission
Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Free parking.
Memphis Botanic Garden
750 Cherry, Memphis. 901-685-1566. Free admission Tuesdays, 12:00 -
4:30 pm. Note closing time change.
Memphis Pink Palace Museum
3050 Central, Memphis. 901-320-6320. Free admission Tuesdays,
1:00-4:00 pm. (Does not include IMAX.)
ZooOverton Park
Memphis. 901-276-WILD. Free admission Tuesdays, 2:00 pm - closing.
Tennessee residents only, all adults must present valid Tennessee ID.
National Civil Rights Museum
450 Mulberry, Memphis. 901-521-9699. Free admission Mondays,
3:00-5:00 pm.
Earthquake Resource Center
University of Memphis
3918 Central Ave., Memphis. 901-678-1723,
www.ceri.memphis.edu/perc. Free admission at all
times. Open Monday -Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm. Appointments preferred.
Presentations available for groups of 15 or more.
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LOCAL/NATIONAL
SUPPORT GROUPS & AGENCIES
TnHomeEd
This site
has become one of Tennessee's best homeschool informational sites.
Stop by and tell them Dell sent ya'.
Church-related School Registration (CRS):http://
Bruce Institute of Higher Learning
www.greGateway Christian
Schools
Greater Praise
Christian Academy
FaithHeritage
Christian Academy
Home Life Academy
Lighthouse
Christian academy
Tennessee Homeschool Hideout
A super resource for local homeschool
information and happenings. If you live in or around Memphis, this is a
must-see site.
Homeschool Hideout
- a super resource for so
many of life's little bumps.
Stop in and tell Robyn I sent ya'.
The
Homeschool Trading Post
They're still building
this site, but it's clear they have LOTS planned for the future. Keep your
eye on this site. When they finish, it'll be jam packed with information.
Home School Legal Defense Association
(HSLDA)
Memphis-area Home Education Association
(MHEA)
MHEA support groups:
For further information
regarding support groups, please contact
MHEA.
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HOMESCHOOL
LINKS & RESOURCES
Some extra special places to visit:
The Symphony
If you want to teach your child (or you would like to learn for yourself)
the some of the musical greats, then this is the site for you! You don't
need to have any music training to get through this one. Just read the
background info and listen. This is an interactive guide for both young and
old. Well worth a visit.
http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/
The History Link
Hands-on history resources to homeschoolers. History galore along with new
products and helpful information for the homeschooling community. Stop by -
you've got to see this one!
FunSchool
Your K-6 grade student will have so much fun learning at this site. There
are games and activities galore grouped by grade level. Colorful and kid
friendly. Bookmark this one!
http://www.funschool.com/index.html
Family Education.com
Packed with all kinds of family and educational helps, this site proves to
be a definite worthwhile stop.
http://familyeducation.com/home/0,1669,,00.html
EDHeads
Free online, educational activities. Educational and definitely fun for ALL
ages.
http://www.edheads.org/
Assorted crafts and more!
http://www.dltk-kids.com/
Writing printable activities for kids
This site has all kinds of materials. You could get lost here.
http://abcteach.com
Dositey - Learning Site
All kinds of FUN learning. This is a super site!
http://www.dositey.com/
FunBrain.com
FUN!!!! and educational. Kids love this site and you will too. There's so
much to see!!
http://www.funbrain.com/
Memphis Library System
The whole library system and more at your fingertips - see this BEFORE you
go to the library. It's saved us MANY a trip.
http://www.memphislibrary.lib.tn.us/
Encyclopedia Smithsonian
If you can't afford to hop over to DC to the Smithsonians to answer
every question, then you might want to try the next best thing, the
Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
Ask a variety of questions and get the answers A-Z.
http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/start.htm
School Express
Packed and jammed with fun learning for various grades and subjects. This
is a must see site.
http://schoolexpress.com/
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Math Resources
INEW Math
The INEW website provides a large mathematics database which is useful for
practicing and sharpening various skills for students in grades K-6. You
will find over 500 core math skills with millions of variations.
http://www.inew.com
MathWork - Math worksheets
This is a super site for customizing your own worksheets. Type in what you
want tested/reviewed and the MathWork will generate the perfect worksheet to
YOUR specifications. Excellent time saver!!
http://themathworksite.com/
Super Kids Math Worksheet Creator
Create custom math (and other subjects) worksheets. This site contains
simplified instruction for those of us who forgot ... so WE can teach.
Another SUPER site!!!
http://www.superkids.com
Teaching Time
An awesome site for every stage of learning to tell time. This site is for
the very beginner to the most advanced. Take a look at the beat the clock
game(s) for the more advanced. Also, there are printable worksheets. If
you're teaching time, this is the site!
http://www.teachingtime.co.uk/
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Reading Resources
Complete Language Unit Worksheets
Worksheets
http://worksheets.teach-nology.com
Science Resources
BrainPop
A great site for science, health, technology, and more. Free instructional
movies. This is a fun and informative site.
http://www.brainpop.com/
Writing Resources
Writing printable activities for kids
This site has all kinds of materials. You could get lost here.
http://abcteach.com
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Homeschool Radio & Film
Mysterious Ways
A homeschool project and movie in one! Stop by their site and see the.
http://www.homeschoolmovie.com/index.html
Homeschool Radio
Longing to hear some of the old fashion radio programs? Wholesome,
traditional radio stories. Classic education programs from the days of old
time radio - especially for homeschoolers! Sign up on their site and
receive a different broadcast every week - FREE! I've already signed up and
I LOVE the broadcasts!!
www.HOMESCHOOLRADIOSHOWS.com
Feature Films for Families
"Strengthening traditional family values through entertainment." I've
ordered a number of these movies. You won't be disappointed.
http://www.familytv.com/index_usa.asp?SID=199912963993
Family Movie Reviews
See this BEFORE you go to the movies. It's kept us from making some
potentially huge mistakes.
http://www.gradingthemovies.com/
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Homeschool Sites & Resources
Homeschool A to Z!
The name says it all!
http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling/index.htm
Dell's Place! has established an online network for working moms, single
parents, and the rest of us who struggle to pull it all together. The
purpose of this network is for support and encouragement, but it's also to
offer real solutions from other parents who struggle with the same issues.
Come on in and make new friends at the
New Rising Homeschool Network!
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few thoughts on homeschooling]
[the memphis homeschooler]
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Homeschool Hideout
The Homeschool Hideout - LOTS of encouragement and links to other
homeschool and related sites. If you have a need to know, then this is
the site where you go.
http://www.geocities.com/braylink2772/LOCAL.html
My Tin Cottage
a super resource for so many of life's little bumps.
Stop in and tell Robyn I sent ya'.
http://www.MyTincottage.com/
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Homeschool Super Search
Calling this a mega site is an understatement! Make sure you have lots of
time because there's lots to see.
http://www.homeschoolsupersearch.net/
Homeschool T-shirts & Christian Apparel
Great Christian T Shirts
The name says it all - I've bought T-shirts for my niece from here - no
complaints.
http://www.greatchristiantshirts.com/
Great Homeschool T Shirts
The name says it all - I've bought my son's homeschool T-shirts from this
company for years. I highly recommend them.
http://www.greathomeschooltshirts.com/
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