Check it out.

http://forums.theledger.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4521043365/m/5001005116


Information on:

Law
Curriculum
Books for children and parents
Educational Resources
Educational CDRoms
Educational DVDs
Forms and what to include on them
Foreign Language
Art Resources
Music Resources
Math Resources
Literature Resources

Florida Virtual School and Florida Virtual Academy

Presidential Candidate Standings regarding H/S
Homeschool Conventions
Articles on Why Homeschooling is a Good Choice

MAD SCIENCE HOMESCHOOL CLASS:

New class begins April 15th:

http://www.madscience.org/locations/centralflorida/ourservices.aspx?sm=-99

I think it's wonderful if you can homeschool. We have for several years but things have changed for us.. Anyway, I'm all for homeschooling if a parent chooses too. God bless them for it.

Every year parents should reassess their educational options regardless of their current school of choice.

That's true about reassessing the situation. We took J out at the beginning of 1st grade at the public school. Because of several issues. He is in 5th grade now. Everything is going good so far. He likes it too so we're happy about that.

You have a wonderful Easter too!

gritsrus, Glad to hear J is doing well and once again enjoying his education! That's got to be a relief on you and Dad!

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
BOOK ADVENTURE

http://www.bookadventure.org/

SPELLING CITY

www.spellingcity.com

DAILY GRAMMAR

http://www.dailygrammar.com/

MATH COUNTS

http://www.mathcounts.org/

Florida: Governor Declares Home Education Week:

March 30 - April 5

"Good news! Governor Charlie Crist has declared March 30-April 5 to be Home Education Week in Florida! This is the second year in a row that
Governor Crist has issued a homeschool proclamation.

Regina Hicks of Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) and Kendall Hicks of the Christian Home Educators of the Sunshine State
(CHESS) contacted the governor's office to secure this proclamation, making some additions from last year.

We recommend all homeschoolers in Florida to widely distribute this proclamation and celebrate homeschooling during the designated week!"


CHARLIE CRIST, Governor
HOME EDUCATION WEEK PROCLAMATION:

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/fl/FL_proclamation_08.pdf



This is a time to celebrate!!!



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I have to say, this Home Education Proclamation is beautifully written to include the foundation of home education as the fundamental God given right of parents!


Home Education Proclamation:

WHEREAS, the State of Florida is committed to excellence in education and to the public policy that strengthens the family and recognizes parental choice in pursuit of that excellence and the importance of parental involvement in education; and

WHEREAS, from the earliest days of our nation, there have been some prominent Americans who were home educated including George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Booker T. Washington, Helen Keller, and Sandra Day O'Connor; and

WHEREAS, home education has existed as a statutorily protected educational option in the State of Florida since 1985, providing parents the ultimate authority and responsibility, under God, for the care, character development, and educational opportunities for their children; and

WHEREAS, in support of home education, the State of Florida extends and embraces the opportunity for home educated students to participate in and benefit from scholarship programs, college courses, Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and Florida State Music Association (FSMA) extra-curricular activities; and

WHEREAS, over two decades of studies indicate most children who are home educated exhibit self-confidence, good citizenship, exceptional academic test scores, higher than average college attendance and success and many have proven devotion to their country by faithfully serving in the armed forces of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida and its citizens benefit from reduced educational expenditures and classroom crowding each year given the daily sacrifices and commitment of thousands of home schooling parents;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing March 30 thru April 5, 2008 as Home Education Week.


Signed February 29, 2008



Many thanks to Regina Hicks of Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) and Kendall Hicks of the Christian Home Educators of the Sunshine State (CHESS) for their efforts!

We just went to the Florida Parent Educator's Association (FPEA) Convention this past weekend in Orlando. It was the first time we'd attended but it was so inspiring seeing all the other homeschool families. My fellow homeschooling sister asked me if I was overwhelmed from the sheer volume of stuff. Well, I can honestly say "No" because I had a mission. To seek out Math-U-See and only brought one check with me! lol I took our older son the first day and my husband and younger son came the next day. My husband attended the Math-U-See workshop to gain a better understanding of the curriculum.

It was fun, too, to see those in our own group, another group I went to meetings with in the past, and some from an older church we attended who wasn't too sure what to think of homeschooling when I said we were going to and now is herself!

I wanted to share some very cool resources with you:

Binding Books Beautifully is one. Here is their website. We had so much fun reading her children's self created stories and to see how wonderfully they were preserved! It was a mini-lesson. What a blessing it was for them to see the joy their children's stories brought other young children. Family heirlooms can be done this way, too! It is a definite to look at.

http://www.bindingbooksbeautifully.com/


Another one is a book, The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook and we had a great time in her seminar, including our boys! They liked seeing what they'd be doing following some of their lessons. They have a great number of other items to look through, too.

http://www.tobinslab.com/shopping/catalog.aspx?scCatalo...&scCatalogItemID=974

I wanted to also share that my husband came away with a deeper appreciation of me and my spending habits or lack thereof. There were soooo many vendors there who are all vying for time, attention, and sales. I can't tell you the number of times we were approached. BUT, when you go, keep in mind having a plan of attack is key or else you will be attacked yourself!

The above are good even if not homeschooling, so I hope other parents read this thread.



Michelle