DOCUMENT RESUME

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AUTHOR Beirne, Jo-Anne, F3d. TITLE Australian Homeschool Journal, November/December 1991-July/August 1993. PUB DATE Dec 91 NOTE 415p. AVAILABLE FROMHomeschoolers pty ltd, P.O. Box 420, Kellyville, , 2153, Australia (6-issue subscription, $30 Australian). PUB TYPE Collected Works Serials (022) JOURNAL CIT Australian Homeschool Journal; n31-40 Nov-Dec 1991-Aug 1993

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC17 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Early Childhood ; Elementary Secondary Education; Foreign Countries; *Home Programs; *Home Schooling; *Nontraditional Education; *Parents as Teachers; Periodicals; *Private Education; School Attendance Legislation IDENTIFIERS *Australia

ABSTRACT This document consists of 10 issues of "Australian Homeschool Journal" extrinsic across about a year and a half. This bimonthly serial offers a variety of news, information, and advice for parents who are providing schooling for their children at home. Issues usually contain:(1) articles or reprints of articles from other sources;(2) interviews;(3) resource information;(4) news; (5) announcements of workshops, seminars, conferences, or meetings; (6) lists of support groups, newsletters, and organizations;(7) letters to the editor; and (8) editorials. The homeschooling information usually falls into the areas of legal and legislative news and issues, practical issues, educational issues, and fail-lily issues.(TJO)

*********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. !AustralianHomeschool U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Odic* et Educational Research and ,n,proyament EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) )(This document has been reproduced es Journal received from the person or orgenizetton onginahne 0 Minor changes have been made to wnproys reOrOductron quality

Points et wee Or opnIons stated in this docu- ISSUE 31 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1991 ment do not necessarily represent official OE RI position or pohcy EDITOR: Jo-Anne Beirne ti 2rmi

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY -S. f; 'beVrn_t.

TO THE EDUCA1(ONM. RESOURCES If you wish to subscribe to INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Australian Homeschool Journal ( 6 Issues) Please send * 5 (five), A4 or C5 (the magazine will be folded) size envelopes * self - addressed and stamped (use an 80c stamp in N.S.W., a 90c stamp in all other states) * and a cheque for $20 (twenty dollars) Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd, P.O. Box 420 Kellyville N.S.W 2153

2 Introduction page 3

Contributions, Seminar, Workshop page 4

Application of Law page 5 NSW, Tas, Cgcl,WA by .go-Anne Beirne

A Week of Homeschooling page 10 by Carolyn %Weiler MEDIA

Resource Information page 11 What a year it has been for English, Mathematics, Science, Musk, Computers, homeschooling in the media! 5ust some Leawing Disabled, Gifted children, Fathers as Teachers. of the articles, new and TV Natural Learning page 16 programme.s follow: by gleren 9-kgener. 9Zeprinterffrom 9-fome Education 9vfagazine On Being - MacAulay, Stone and P.O. Box1083 Tonasket WA, 98855: Crossley families; Sydney Morning Sena -Beirne family; An interview with Don Haddon pagel7 Good Morning Australia (10) - from the N.S.W Board of Sturfies Montoya family; 'The Today Show on Channe t 9- Pinky Won't they be different 9 page 18 Mackay in Melbourne; Socialization in perspective by Becky Olsen. 54Magazine- Tq printed from 9-fome Education 9vfagazine Crark:Mackay, Dickxn, Galin and P.O. Box1083 Tonasket WA, 98855. other famifies; 60 Minutes - Brodaf-1(9bertson, Going to school part-time page 20 Marrett & Bei= families; An interview with Brydon laetftel 'Vox- Popuii (Channel 0 )- Hames, Adams, Annanious, Bailey-Waetfief and Preparing a Portfolio for your child page 21 Beirne families; by 50-2nne Beirne ABC Wadio in Armidiale - 50-Anne Beirne; Play as Real Learning page 23 Compass (Channel 2 ) by _go-Anne Beirne Puffett and Stone families; Taking a Child out of School page 26 Simpfy Living Magazine - Setting up a Curriculum by _go -Anne Beirne Beirne family; Family Circle - Annanious, Duncanson & Bailey - Naethel families; 1lfawarra Mercury - Pinazza family.

2 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 3 HISTORY education of their children is the prime responsibility of parents, whether one chooses to use the state or The Australian Homeschool Journal was first private system or homeschooling is a matter of published in January 1987 and continued monthly choice for the family, not any educational authority publication for 30 issues until August 1989. At that or politician. stage we had subscribers from every state in Australia, as well as the U.S., the U.K & West It is my belief and experience that committed, Germany. However, a combination of four children caring parents are always going to provide a superior and exhaustion, from being closely connected with spiritual, educational, social, moral and the changing legislation in N.S.W over a 2 year psychologicaleducation than the schools can period forced us to cease publication. At this stage I possibly provide through their deep seated am promising only 6 issues of the new A. H.J and convictions about the way children learn, the will see how I go. application of small group tuition, the superior type of socialization they provide and their dedication. OUR AIMS The A.H.J. is committed to emphasizing the diversity of homeschoolers while encouraging the STRONG & DIVERSE SUPPORT acceptance of homeschooling as an individualised GROUPS approach to education. I feel there is a great need to have strong homeschool Although I am a practising Christian I intend that support organisations in each state and feel Australia the A.H.J. should primarily be concerned with has many of those in place already. There should educational matters with a bias towards a "natural" always be mutual support between organisations in learning or approach. It seems to me time of need while each group pursues its own short that the specific scriptural and doctrinal needs of and long term goals. There are lots of experienced homeschooling Christians is admirably met in and dedicated homeschoolers and supportive publications such as Families Honouring Christ, the academics all over Australia and they can save us all Family School Magazine and the Teaching Home. from having to reinvent the wheel. If this journal can in anyway facilitate this networking it will have Although the "natural learning" idea was once achieved something worthwhile and I heartily regarded as a /secular humanist approach welcome contributions about activities and areas of it has been my experience over the last 7 years that concern from all support groups in all states and long term homeschool parents of very diverse regions. religious and philosophical backgrounds (and their children) eventually come to feel very constricted and limited by the application of highly structured programmes and timetables.

I have always defended and supported (with time, personal expertise and money) the ideal of everyone's right to homeschool, no matter what their religious or educational philosophy. I have fought on behalf of Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd and joined with other organisations whenever there was need to express a united commitment to parents' rights to home educate at a political or administrative level, and will continue to do so. The

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 3

4 3E31 COPY AVAILABLE CONTRIBUTIONS SEMINAR I welcome type written contributions. CONSIDERING/ STARTING * To have an article included in the next HOMESCHOOLING ? A.H.J. please have it to us at P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 by 7th December 1991. Want to know/dicuss more, see resources, discuss programmes ? Any ideas or opinions expressed in the articles are the opinions of the author and do Date: Saturday 16th November not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, publishers or readers of this Time: 1-5 p.m magazine. Place: Woodstock Community Center, Church St Burwood ADVERTISEMENTS Cost : $ 5

We welcome advertisements from R.S.V.P. By November 12th to Jo-Anne individuals and organisations who are Beirne P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153. providing goods and services for Please include your name and phone homeschoolers. number.

Advertising rates will be sent upon request. The inclusion of advertising in Australian Homeschool Journal does not necessarily WORKSHOP. indicate endorsement by the publishers. TRUSTING KIDS AND NATURAL LEARNING A short formal presentation followed by an interractive workshop, share your experiences and insights with others about how to extend and faciltiate this type of learning. Can it be done at high school level ?

Date: Saturday 1st February

Time: 1-5p.m. Cost : $ 5 Venue to be confirmed

R.S.V.P. By January 25th to Homeschoolers Aust. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 (More information in the next issue)

4 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

5 Homeschooling has changed have the courage of your since the bad old days of 87, 88 convictions when you &`89 !!! prepare your education programme and try to OBSTACLES make it reflect what you Many lucky people will be really believe is important unaware of the obstacle course in the education of your that an inspection visit could be individual child. in the bad old days when the general attitude was that home DIVERSITY school meant "school" at home ACKNOWLEDGED initial forms but everyone needs with paperwork, replicas of Families using programmes of great a copy of the first form because teachers programmes, diversity and philosophy from very it is a great guide to the paperwork, extreme concern by structured to an unschooling administrative procedure and administrators about that old approach and the A.C.E. appeals process. bugbear "socialization" and programme have all been approved. more paperwork. Usually to the In the main inspectors have been GROWTH! detriment of quality interaction granting approval for a two year Exact figures are changing time with one's children. Some period and in a case where they feel weekly but it has been inspectors took the make and that the approach of a programme in confirmed by The Board of model of the video and T.V., a subject or subjects needs more Studies that there are well over some measured the length and work they have been happy to come 300 individual homeschoolers breadth of the room and checked back in a month or two to encourage registered with the Board in that windows opened and the competent reworking by the parent N.S.W The figure at the toilet flushed (I kid you not !!!!). without pressure. It has always beginning of 1990 was said to be These were the days where The seemed to me that negotiation is the 183 so this represents a Education Dept. and its key to getting the best you can out significant increase !!!! employees saw themselves as of your homeschooling experience Applications are being received the prime dispensers and and Board of Studies inspectors weekly by the Board so it seems guardians of "preferred have been listening to the concerns likely that the homeschool knowledge". Times have of committed homeschooling movement will maintain steady changed as those who have parents & respecting and growth and likely expansion undergone inspections in the encouraging them to pursue their from now on. This is due in no past 7 months will be very goals. small part to the hard work and aware. If one can dismiss the negotiation we put in with the "fear" of an authority figure who INSPECTIONS IN 1991 Carrick Review Cornmiuee and is able to have a say on "whether All those families who received the then Educ. Minister Dr. or not" one homeschools one can their last visit in late 1990 will have Terry Methercll. The present be in for a very positive received letters notifying them of Minister Virginia Chadwick is inspection experience. the imminent commencement of also very supportive and aware visits for 1991. If you have not of homeschooling and is VISITS please contact the Board of Studies, addressing important issues such I have received lots of feedback 925 8111 for an application form. as access to the H.S.0 for about inspection visits to date The reapplication forms themselves homeschoolers. In fact, and almost without exception are single page while the homeschooling is growing in people have felt that they have accompanying material provides all every area. John Gollan ,the new received lots of good advice, the information you need to know as Australian coordinator for encouragement & understanding well as giving a good idca of what is A.C.E, based at Strathpine in and that inspectors welcome expected in the programming of Queensland states that there are their individualised approach. So each subject are not as bulky as the 350 families using that

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 5 with results and it will be great to State or non-State school if a see a copy of the Minister's dispensation or provisional recommendations when they are dispensation is granted in programme here in N.S.W. ready. accordance with Section 58. (p.21) REGISTRATION "(a) that the child concerned is FORMS receiving, in the opinion of the Those in possession of the old Minister, instruction Cerificates of Exemption will be as impressed as I was with the (i) in a place other than a State new Certificates of Registration. school or a non-State school in Those old certificates of accordance with guidelines exemption had written on them prescribed by Order in Council; things like "subject to your satisfying an inspector.., and (ii) in a range of subjects you are reminded that an acceptable to the Minister, in exemption can be withdrawn at some other manner which, in the any time if the conditions are not opinion of the Minister is being met", almost as if we were efficient and regular; "(page 21) criminals or out on parole, and impossible to display in a MEANING? portfolio. The new registration forms look good and are a much The way the act is written these better acknowledgement of the are OR provisions. legitimacy of home education Homeschooling in Queensland has 1. Horneschooling parents are under the law. been a bugbear for some families following the guidelines. OR for many years. It always makes me mad to think that after 6 years of 2. Homeschooling parents have high quality and very successful applied to the Minister for Tasmania homeschooling in N.S.W, if we dispensation and he has applied moved to Qld, I would have to his judgement of regular and Homeschoolers in Tasmania either use the A.C.E. programme, efficient instruction. have been involved for some hide from the authorities, employ a time in a working party, set up registered teacher to supervise my THE GUIDELINES by the Minister, to address programme (what dos she know mutual concerns about the issue about my kids and their learning?) The guidelines come in a of home education, including the or pay a huge price for the Distance package titled "Homeschooling large number of homeschoolers Education programme. After that =aainformatiaabrader which in that state. we are informed there is no option. is contained inside the " In other words average parents who Application for Dispensation". The working party consisted of can homeschool any where else in The section specifying who shall many people including John Australia are discriminated against teach the child is on Page 2 (6.) Peacock from T.H.E.M., in Queensland. (a) - a registered teacher (b) a Georgie Holderness-Roddam, registered teacher employed by representing the views of non- THE ACT the parents (c) if the teaching aligned homeschoolers, an parent is not a registered teacher A.C.E representative, Education The Act of 1989 did not remove the then the child must be enrolled Dept. oficials etc. shortcomings of the Act that went in a Distance Educ. course. before it.. It says Education The draft report is now complete (General Provisions) Act 1989 and has proceeded to the Part V Sections 57 and 58- Minister. All the homeschoolers Compulsory Education allows concerned seemed very pleased that a child need not be enrolled in a

6 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

7 [ To digress for a second, I Eduaition Minister) press secretary WE WILL WIN believe that the distance educ. and she told her that it was not This fight Ins only just begun. programme costs $1000 per necessary in Queensland to be a We are presently preparing a year and must be regarded as a qualified teacher and that there were submission on the historical, cosy little arrangement that legitimate avenues for non-certified legal and ethical considerations restricts parents choice committed parents to homeschool. of homeschooling as a high somewhat - you didn't know Obviously this answer is only a part quality educational option. If that the Queensland Education truth , the legitimate avenues are you wish you can add your voice department had the one true and only available to wealthy or to ours, please send a self- expensive answer to education religious families. addressed stamped envelope to now did you?] Bob Osmak Lot 2 Caboolture QLD PARENTS River Rd. Upper Caboolture Qualifications are again It is my experience here at 4510 or myself Jo-.Anne Beirne mentioned on p.4 Guidelines 4. Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd at PO. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 - a repeat of 6 above. Now if you ACN 003 222848 that many parents and we can co-ordinate a mutual choose to apply for would like to homeschool in support group to challenge this homeschooling dispensation Queensland, but cannot because of Act. under 2 (a) (i) you are bound by the law. I get on average 3 phone these guidelines and you must calls/ letters per week requesting be a registered teacher or have information about this possibility the child enrolled in the distance from intelligent and highly educ. programme. motivated parents who are not The Law in W.A. regarding registered school teachers, are not homeschooling while not ideal, MINISTER'S REPLY religiously aligned with the A.C.E. is a reasonable and workable I was hoping that if you applied programme, who cannot afford one. It says "That a child under under Section 58 2 (a) (ii) that and/or do not wish to participate in regular and efficient instruction normal parents who wished to the Dist Educ. programme. The at home or elsewhere of which homeschool may in fact be great majority of these people fulfill fact notice in writing has been judged under some definition of all the requirements that would sent shall be a matter for "regular " and " efficient.". We make them registered the decision of the Minister, who wrote to the Minister on just this homeschoolers in N.S.W, Vic, may require the report of a point but his double jeopardy W.A., S.A, A.C.T, or Tas. Superintendent of Education reply does not really answer our thereon" problem. (18 September) COMMITTED PARENTS In other words under the Educ "In reply to your specific ARE COMPETENT Act 1928-1981 Section 14 (a) question, parents of EDUCATORS p.24, The Minister is responsible homeschooled children do not It is my experience that in 99% of for deciding a case for or against have to be registered teachers. cases homeschooling is They may engage a registered characterised by caring, concerned teacher to supervise the and committed parents, devoted to instruction of the child, or they the social, moral, educational, may enrol the child in a course mental and physical growth of thcir of distance education offered by children who are prepared to forgo a an approved State or non-State second income and commit their school.". time, energy and resources to their children's education. This applies A GOOD STORY? no less to those parents who live in Interestingly, when I was Queensland, who must also be involved with the 60 Minutes recognised under the Law as homeschoding segment.. intelligent/ competent home Andrea Keir the producer of the educators of their own children. segment was in contact with Thc Hon. Paul Braddy's (Qld's

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 8 purport to be in possession of the with the educ. programme that power to circumscribe, limit or in she was providing. However,

. . . anyway prescribe the type of home she received a report saying instruction at home. What this education programme that we will things that were basically lies. means is not that the Minister apply to our children if those rules She has documentary evidence decides each individual case but are unjust and unfair. Instead of to prove that every single that s/he appoints others to enduring unreasonable reports and criticism is unjust, much of it decide (e.g Inspectors of School appalling inspections it becomes actually presented to the Education) and these people imperative to approach the Minister inspectors on the day of their recommend to her. However in and ensure that justice is done. visit. cases of dispute, the fmal decision becomes the Minister's. DISCRIMINATION PREJUDICE This information is all preface to a I am confident that the THE DECISION case presently before the Education inspectors' report smacks more Having the Minister decide can Minister in W.A. Mrs. Kay of prejudice against be good for a couple of reasons Hallahan. In 1990, Education homeschooling than any 1. Often, unwittingly, school authorities proposed a:aft perceived interest in the authorities have the vested Requirements for the Registration education of the child. Proof of interests of schools and their of Home Tuition Pmviders . They this lies in statements such as procedures, jobs, goals and sent copies of them, after they were "(the child) did not wish to even aspirations as their primary prepared, to groups and individuals discuss the possible advantages concern., whereas a Minister is connected with homeschooling and of returning to a regular school not bound down by a narrow these people had a right of reply. environment...." and "at that "school-type" view and can see Most people with whom I am in point a decision will have to be the benefits of a homeschool contact, including Eamon Murphy made about (the child)' s approach to education. at Curtin University were appalled education for 1992" (note: the 2. A Minister is an elected by their restrictive and proscriptive inspectors feel they will be politician and as such they can nature, including the advent of 6 making the decision about be sensitive to the wishes of the monthly visits. further homeschooling NOT the electorate. They are used to parent.). listening to deeply held and Most homeschoolers wrote to the widely spread views of a great then Minister about their concerns, many people. A Minister is however despite the fact that these forced to weigh up the regulations have in no way been reasonableness or otherwise of a confirmed or sent to homeschoolers proposition, consider the legal they are presently being applied in aspect of a refusal and come to some cases in a most heavy handed some fair and impartial and discriminatory way. I have been decision. in close contact with many W.A. homeschoolers - and have a phone If the decision ultimately rests bill to prove it ! and there are cases with the Minister, as it does in of concern. For example a highly N.S.W, Qld, and W.A. for qualified and committed example, we are further homeschooling mother with well- protected by a Federal Act educated child, good programme, called the Administrative excellent child's work etc. recently Decisions Judicial Review Act received an inspection visit. While [13955] 5 (1) (a)- (i) that is not positive she was given no binding in the case of State laws impression that the inspectors, (there were two inspectors and There is absolutely no purpose unfortunately she had not taken the in my mind in running scared precaution of having a witness from Education authorities who present), were in any way unhappy

8 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

9 No -one could read the report and not be convinced that the inspectors are extremely biased educationally and philosophically HOMESCHOOLING FREEDOMS against the possibility of long term home education.

I am also incensed to hear that many other committed and highly motivated homeschooling families have been putting up with very negative inspection visits and even Despite our different localities we fight the same battle, for the worse written reports, because they feel freedom of the family and individuals to choose the option of home scared to rock the boat. These appalling education without harassment or unnecessary restriction. reports that speak of you, your teaching and We live in a democracy, where the rights of individuals are respected your child's application stay in your child's but the rights of those who speak up are even more respected. There is record at the Department of Education for no need for any homeschooler to feel powerless when they can justify ever. as unfair a law, guidelines, decision, inspection or report. There are local, state and national support groups who can put you in contact DECIDING TO FIGHT with someone who can help in any situation or at least devise a Under the present W.A. Act there is absolutely strategy to approach a solution. However it should be remembered that no necessity to submit to awful inspection no-one represents you better than yourself. visits. Rather it is a matter for a group of articulate, intelligent parents to present a case For this reason I would like to encourage each homeschooler, when it pro-homeschooling, including sensible is necessary, to make a stand at point of contact, on the issues that regulations, to the Minister.. effwt the quality of your home educating lives. Some important things to remember are 1. Give a bureaucrat an inch and s/he may take a mile, power becomes People who do not personally know greater when it is not challenged . homeschoolers have a great problem with 2. If you don't deal with a problem when it is small it is going to get adjusting to the idea that parents want to bigger. provide their own children with an education. 3. If you don't complain, it is presumed you HAVE NOTHING that Inspectors, authorities, the Minister, your you are unhappy about. local member all need to know that homeschooling is a growing, responsible and If they have your permission (in that they receive no complaints) to high quality educational movement, that regulate and criticise your home education programmes/ approach / cannot be regulated into obscurity. set-up they will do just that because they presume they know best in this educational field as well as the school field- courtesy of titles and We live in a democracy but the price of our degrees. Of course they will then decide that they know better than you in the area of socialization and home education in general because freedom is eternal vigilance (who said that?). you have given them permission to comment in the first place. Homeschoolers must support each other and MUST object when they are unjustly treated. The fact is that education legislation all over Australia while not There is no need for anyone to suffer because perfect is good (or has the potential for change in the case of Qld). In they homeschool.. some cases it is applied in a heavy handed and discriminatory way - i.e. the same rules are not applied to schools which are funded through the public purse. I believe we all should make the time and energy to handle our own individual issues as they arise - if you object to six monthly visits write and tell the Minister why, if you receive an untrue report send it back with comments and complaints as soon as possible - in that way you are all indirectly supporting each other, without nec 1 of a mass;ve top heavy organisation to tell you what to do. If you take each istae as it arises and explain your philosophy/ methods/ commitment with intelligence and patience to the bureaucrats and politicians you have a powerful chance to influence long term decision making. I hope none of you decide that you can live with the chains they have or may put on you, I never will.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 9

1 0 BEST COPY AVAILABLE A Week of Homeschooling by Carolyn Wilcher

Perhaps one of the most asked The following morning we set to questions to do with work to make out first candle. (Cmf fwmeschoding are iBut how do t). After preparing the mould and taping the wick in place we you teach aft those su6jects?"'iTtis proceederl to melt the wax by article, p, lel in the original placing it in a tin and standing the Tvesource Bookfor Home tin in a pen of hot water. Learning Educators, (Homesclwofers experience - we applied heat to a Australia pty lid 1989 ) answers solid which melted to become a this question beautifully. liquid. We poured the liquid into the size from the largest to the smallest mould which when cooled, became (Maths). a solid. (Science) One cold winter's day last week, as We sang the song "Five Little my 6 year old daughter, Amy, We took a trip to our local library Candles" (Music) which involves snuggled up on her grandmother's and looked up "Candles" in the counting backwards from 5, thereby knee and watched our video catalogue and found a book called incorporating the concept of "one recording Seven-Network's "The Great Candle Scandal" by Jean less"(Maths). presentation of "A Climate in Chapman, a children's story book Crisis", a discussion arose. As often which we borrowed. Amy enjoyed It happens to be my birthday this happens, I needed to simplify the listening VI the story and reading week so we made a cake (Science) dialogue so that Amy could those pa: ts she could. We discussed involving weighing and measuring understand more easily. She wanted uses of candles in the past (Oral to know about coal and the "dirty (Mak) and counting the correct Language. History) and present, e.g. number of candles for my age smoke" it makes. I explained simply Birthday celebrations, Weddings, (Maths). that we burn coal to make electricity Christmas, uses of candles in church and that we can help make our earth (Social Studies. Religious We made a candle holder out of clay and air better by not using too much Education). We discussed fire (Craft), enjoyed our evening meals electricity. Later, after sunset, Amy safety, use of matches, how to put together by candlelight, while went around turning all the lights out a "body " fire by rolling on discussing, at Amy's prompting, the off, as she had heard on the program the ground, or by smothering the greenhouse effect (Environmental that this would help. This led to a flames with a blanket, etc. We Studies) and topped the candle discussion on electricity and what taLked about the fact that flames life must have been like before studies off with a family excursion need fuel and proved this by placing to the Argyle Soap and Candle Shop electricity - how people used an upturned jar over a lighted candle at the Rocks in Sydney. candles for light. At this point I and watching the flame go out as it remembered that my brother had a used up the oxgyen. (Science) Just as one wave gathers another, candle-making set as a young boy. rolling into one and ultimately A phone call later and the candle kit I scribed Amy's personal story about coming to land on the beach, so was was ours! This has expanded into a a candle which she dictated( this whole learning experience on whole unit of work on candles. I call Creative writing) and illustrated Candles. One idea led into another it a "unit of work" but that's just a (Pre-writing skills). We counted and then another until they all rolled fancy way of saying we had lots of candles and matched and sorted into one and reached the same fun learning about candles, and them into groups of tens and ones destination - a knowledge and without trying, covered every (Maths) and wrote down the correct understanding of candles and their "school" subject. Our week went answers (Writing Numerals). We uses. Integrated Learning in a something like this: put the candles in order according to nutshell !!!

10 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

1 1 ENGLISH - POETRY to visualise numbers of blocks in a COMPUTERS variety of rotations and then place We recently discovered an them into an ever expanding grid. Dataflow computer company will interesting, concise and well-written Tetris does this in a 2D approach, send you a free copy of their book called Poetry in Many Forms Welltris takes the concept further catalogue if you write to them at by Lesley Pyott and published by and makes it almost 3D forcing you DATAFLOW P.O. Box 525 Kings zingman Cheshire - $10.75. It to estimate, visualise, rotate, Cross 2011 seems to me that it could be used calculate and EXASPERATE at over a whole range of age groups as an ever faster pace. This parent it explains, with the use of many tends to hit the panic button, but wonderful examples, the seven needless to say the kids don't bat distinct types of poetry: Free verse, an eyelid. It has been our Concrete verse, Haiku, Narrative, experience that those children Descriptive, Ballads, Limericks. If who are not usually crazy about you never really understood computer games find Tetris most onomatopoeia (or could spell it), or enjoyable and are not as likely to the difference between metaphors become discouraged as it has 10 and similes you will probably find ability levels and is very mentally yourself as absorbed in the book as I satisfying. did. The choi( .s of verse are also a lovely mixturG of old and new MUSIC including some Shakespeare. Are you aware that there is a group Computer Programme MATHEMATICS called Pan Pacific Music Camps? Review: [P.O. Box 614 Blacktown N.S.W. Sim City - Although we have found For those who have found the new 2148 (02) 671 6801] This group of that this programme is able to be K-6 Maths syllabus inspiring- people, in association with Rotary mastered by children as young as 7, especially the emphasis on spatial International run very professional who have the interest and reading concepts there are two fun (and music camps in the Christmas ability to do so, I believe it is also thoroughly absorbing) computer Holidays for children and adults being used in some Universities for programmes available that will give including a Prcp Music Camp 2-5 1st year architecture students. In lots of practice in these areas. They January (5-9 years old) a Junior Sim City you get the opportunity to are Tetris and Welltris distributed Music Camp 2-7 Jan (10-14 years take charge of an evolving and by Dataflow. Developed by a old). The directors and guests for growing city. You collect taxes, Russian the programmes force you the camps are highly respected design public transport needs, build people in their fields and the houses, bulldoze bushland (or not) activities planned look very manipulate property values, handle interesting. After these camps they cyclones, fires etc. There is a lot of hold specialist music technology, feedback, for instancc when a city saxophone, flute, and gets too large the programme forces schools. you to make decisions about pollution, transport and power options. The cities can be saved and worked on over a long period of time and it requires a lot of thought. For instance I don't know how I

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 11

12 could have ever incorporated a SCIENCE TEACHING "schoolwork type unit" on "light A NEW APPROACH industry" into a K-6 "programme" I was interested to mad an article by yet our little town planners arc very the scientist and respected journalist aware of the importance of light and Peter Pock ley on 18.8.91 (Sun heavy industry for employment Herald p.40) about the intention of levels in their cities. The price is The International Conference on around $79.95 and Sim City is made Chemical Education to "help make for every popular computer. more relevant to life the subject of chemistry." (England on the SCIENCE 24-25th of August).

Two homeschooling parents Greg Without realising he was doing it I Baker and Robin Jean have recently believe that Peter Pock ley's article written a book called made a brilliant argument for the Communication: A Book of way some homeschoolers teach The article made me smile as it Activities and Information for the their children science - including sounded awfully like application of Australian Science Teacher's cnemistry. I quote "Most school the principles of homeschooling to Assoc. 1991 Australian Science in pupils have been introduced to me - starting from real life Schools Week. It covers a wide chemistry and its theory in a experiences then range of activities for children logically ordered progression. answering/introducing relevant Primary 5-6 and Secondary 7-10. When I look back on my own learning needs! Greg says "Although primarily approach, as recorded in a textbook designed for school teachers there is I wrote on physical chcmistry in the LEARNING no reason why any homeschooling 1960's, I realise how difficult it DIFFICULTIES parent could not help a child work must be for average students to throush the aaivities at home or grasp the significance of, say, Somc families who decide to indeed that a child could not work atomic and molecular theory or homeschool do so for the specific through the activities themselves." reaction kinetics. SaelonC.CLILI reason that their child has been They cost $4 each (includes post & may be central to the chemistry labelled a "learning difficulties" packaging) and are available from laboratory but they are quite foreign child. This presents special Mr. Robin Groves G.P.O. Box to everyday experience and a challenges to the parent and child in 2682, Canberra A.C.T.2601., curriculum which force feeds such coming to terms with what has gone tory _intast before and developing a strategy CiiMilfeSOMInilInC1111=1.111e.111ail that will ensure learning success and highly motivated." enjoyment in the future. I am happy to help set up a support group for " Reformers of the chemistry those parents who feel they might curriculum arc turning to building want to discuss this issue an understanding of the subject specifically and the ways they have from the materials and matters of found to help their special children. ordinary life." The approach he says is "applications led and builds SUPPORT GROUP on students' experience of their own If you would like to help start a world." e.g. " A unit on sunlight support group of homeschoolers brings in concepts of radiation and dealing with learning difficulties spectroscopy." A company called please drop me a note containing a Salters has sponsored a curriculum stamped self-addressed envelope that has recently been explained at about same and I will get the first the University of Technology - meeting organised. "Students taking the course do not have to grind through a weighty textbook from beginning to end."

12 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 13 AN IMPORTANT BOOK One wonders how they can be discourse is structured, ABOUT LEARNING serious about programming conversations (e.g. telephone) - DIFFICULTIES classroom time for oral language presumably a play telephone about a An extra special book I have development. Surely if they just let make-believe topic instead of real recently read on the subject and the children out of the classroom conversation about real concerns). highly recommend to anyone and gave them more free time they One wonders that if 0-5 year olds interested in pursuing the issue is could develop their own oral realised just how mammuth is the The Learning Mystique - A Critical language, given that they learnt a timetabling involved in their Look at Learning Disabilitiel by language totally without tuition learning of grammar, syntax, Gerald Coles published by Fawcett between the ages of 0 and 5 years. expression, vocabulary etc. whether Columbine. Gerald Coles is Interesting that the whole learning they would ever undertake the job at associate professor of Clinical difficulties business is concerned all, especially given many of them Psychiatry at Rutgers Medical with the "reading" & "writing" learn from, save us, unqualified School. His articles have appeared fields i.e. those where parents!!! in The Harvard Educational "programmed" development Review, Science and Society, The occurs, it is widely acknowledged i' II SEA YA IN CORT !!! Journal of Special Education, that even children teachers label as Learning Disability Quarterly. having severe reading and writing PEN 83 is also interesting as Peter Another interesting article on the problems are always perfectly Williams discusses the Legal issue, which is a good deal more capable in the areas of oral Dimensions to the Teaching Process readable is available from Holt language. . He asks and answers the question Associates and titled "Everyone is about whether the time is coming Able : Exploding the Myth of Perhaps this will change when they when children will sue their schools Learning Disabilities". timetable, as one teacher does in a and teachers for bad advice and sample in PEN 82, activities such as career damage due to bad teaching. "talk in different contexts, (that suit It is the feeling of many that here in P.E.T.A. - The Primary the classroom of course), talk as Australia we will soon see court English Teachers performance/product, listening in cases arguing just these issues. Association formal situations, awareness of how

Many of you will be aware of The Primary English Teachers Association. I always find their bimonthly material interesting and thought provoking.

DYSLEXIA or DYSTEACHIA ?

Sometimes the P.E.T.A material is especially good for reminding me just how we can take for granted the natural learning we do at home. In PEN 82 for example this classic quote is in a paragraph entitled The Importance of Oral Language "Oral language is a vital resource for communication (amazing!!), for learning and personal gowth, and yct it is often treated incidentally in our classrooms. We take great care for instance to deliberately plan for writing for different purposes and in different contexts "

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 13

1 4 GIFTED & TALENTED Hawker Brown low Education is a major textbook supplier and supporter of gifted and talented education in Australia. They are committed to importing and producing a broad range of resources, and have started printing a newsletter full of information, articles and challenges for parents and children with this special interest. For more information their address is 235 Bay Rd. Cheltenham Victoria 3192, Ph (03) 555 1344 BOSTON UNIVERSITY WELCOMES HOMESCHOOLERS Dr Moore has sent me a copy of an interesting letter from George A. Schiller the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Boston Uni. It says in part "If you recommena the book Bomeschool sharing in his lifetime of are a homeschoolcd student Burnout for anyone considering experience. Whatever you are doing interested in attending or simply either taking up or giving up home together you are teaching - so dads concerned to know more about your education. Mind YourONVEL are probably doing a great more options in higher education we Dusines% their new book, is also a than they are actually given credit would be pleased to talk with you. very good read. for and by rights it should be called Dr Moore has also received a laboratory or practical teaching similar letter from Harvard FATHERS & TEACHING time." University. I will share information The very well known received from registrars around homeschooling researchers, MARY PRIDE'S BOOKS ? Australia on homeschoolcrs advocates & authors Raymond and These well known and informative attending universities in the next Dorothy Moore were brought to books, in a brand new edition are issue. Australia by homeschooler also available from Koorong Beverley Hogg and others in 1988. I Bookshop. ADVENTIST recorded some of their talks and one HOMESCHOOL of the things Dorothy had to say on NEWSLETTER one of the tapes was " Some The first edition of the Adventist research recently said that fathers WHAT IS TEACHING Homeschool newsletter arrived in spent less than 0.5% of their time ANYWAY? September for those wishing to teaching their children. But too Interestingly enough the word teach subscribe or know more please often we think of teaching in a very actually means "to show" . The write to Vada Kum Yuen P.O. Box specific narrow way. For instance if word goes back to the Indo- 1252 Mareeba Qld 4880. the father is cleaning the car and a European base *deik- which is child is helping him, or they are pronounced in Greek as 'show'. WHERE DO I GET THE shopping , playing sport or even MOORES' BOOKS ? (Bloomsbury Dictionary of Word sitting together they are talking, Origins) All the Moorcs books are available responding and communicating from Koorong Bookshop, which has about lots of things, the child will be branches in most states. I highly imitating what dad is doing and

14 AUSTRALIAN FIOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

15 ADVERTISEMENTS ,UEST1ONS MUM 'How de you think you'll * Yours could be here ! * Send for our rates like harrieschoolingr was a question asked of a child who was recently removed from school. "I can't wait, CARTWRIGHT every ume I want to ask the COMMUNICATIONS teacher a question she sends me back to my desk, I am My husband going to ask so many and I sell IBM questions and find out so compatible many answers!!!" computers and software for Amiga, Atari, Apple LEARNTNG and MS Dos. I BECAUSE YOU can get software for WANT TO KNOW homeschoolers at a greatly HonieSehealers haVe always reduced price. The hitch is that endorsed the idea that you unless you live nearby. I cannot learn moSt when You really help you install the software- (luckily homeschoolers are well want to and I was recently educated and know how to do priviledged to see just this this anyway.) I can also have happen Over 1thiue day catalogues sent to your home. If period. A:y*3g you want an IBM computer I can hoMesChOoler I knoW really get you the best price. Give me a WantS tOPUriue-the career of call on 047 39 6650. aCting; an atiditiOn came up Sue Cartwright . Where She wis iiintired to play WOO. Despite thiS child's dislike of learning the piano and despite the fact that lessons hadn't been taken on the instrument for weil over 6 rtionthS, Within three days she bad, of her own accord, mastered a quite difficult piece, Way above what Would be regarded as her possible achievment level .4 not an expert or with brilliant technique but nonetheless with competenee and determination. She was rightly proud of herself and quite surprised at her achievement, it taught all of us a very valuable lesson about her own ability to learn when self motivated..

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 15

BEST COPY AVAILABLE 1 a

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children don't need the coercion, the threats, the demands, or the bribery. They'll learn, in their own good time and in their own unique ways, how to read, to write, to spell, to do arithmetic. They'll figure out plenty of science and history, they'll learn about health, music, and what the schools call social studies. They'll concentrate on what interests them, and they'll ignore what doesn't but over the course of time 0 they'll arrive at a good balance however they choose to define that for Ir.,ow. themselves.

But is natural learning simply letting children learn about the subject areas that schools have defined in their own way and when they're ready for it? No. Ara There's much more to life than social studies and spelling. Children need to learn stuff like responsibility, judgment, perserverance, respect, discipline, independence. Many parents can accept that a child will eventually be able to teach himself to read, but to be Natural learning, sometimes referred to as unschooling, responsible? That's asking for a real leap of faith, isn't is one of the more interesting and controversial aspects it? And yet why shouldn't our children be just as of the homeschooling movement. It calls for a kind of interested in becoming responsible, caring adults as we faith that few people possess these days. One of my are in seeing them become so? Why the attitude that favotuite quotes comes from the book 'How Children unless we steer the ship it will run aground? Learn'. In the foreword John Holt wrote "All I am saying in this book can be summed up in two words "Trust Chil- tiver notice how many books there are on how to get dren." Nothing could be more simple or more difficult. your children to do what they're told? Disobedient, Difficult, because to trust children we must trust rebellious teenagers (as well as younger children) are the ourselves and most of us were taught as children that we basis of many popular cartoons. It seems to be could not be trusted. And so we go on treating children universally accepted, like a distaste for tripe and onions. as we ourselves were treated, calling this 'reality,' or Why can't we let go of the notion that unless we adults saying bitterly `If I could put up with it, they can too'." (who know best) dictate the lives of our children (who don't know anything), they'll naturally turn out to be Over the course of the past few years it has become shiftless, lazy, irresponsible and a burden on society? evident that homeschooled children can learn in many Homeschooling parents have a singular opportunity to different ways, other than those laid down by the change this misguided perception, but we ourselves will schools. The lock-step methods have been shown for have to embrace it fully before we can convince anyone what they are: simply a convenient means of controlling else of the idea's merit. large numbers of children day after day. In reality,

16 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 17 nInterview with Don Haddon from the N.S.W Board of Studies by Jo-Anne Beirne

I recently fwd. the opportunity to interview Don of the guidelines including programming, .91addon wfw is presently co-ordinativ inspection documentation, resources etc.. visits by Board Of Studies inspectors. Don Haddon How are inspectors chosen to visit families? was an inspector of fiotnescfwolers under the old Despite their expertise and qualifications in other areas legislation so has, with homeschoolers, been witness to few of thc Authorised Persons had undertaken some big changes. homeschooling visits previous to their induction in February 1991. So this year has been a learning Who is in charge of homeschooling? experience for us all. Initially visits are apportioned The Minister, Mrs Chadwick is completely responsible geographically, however in some cases this has or will for homeschooling. However, the administration of lead to overload. In these cases the Board's other homeschooling is undertaken using Board of Studies Authorised Persons are allocated families to visit and inspectors, through an organisational structure which is this year I have done a substantial number of visits called the Homeschooling Unit, using Board of Studies myself. We understand that many homeschoolers believe inspectors and Liason Officers. These officers arc known there are advantages in consistency of inspections i.e. as Authorised Pcrsons. that a family sees the one Authorised Person if at all possible, and we are mindful of this consideration when How do you see your role in an inspection? allocating visits. As Authorised Persons we have a multi-faceted role. Primarily it is our responsibility to see that the guidelines What have been the greatest difficulties and are being covered. Then we can be a source of advice pleasures of your own visits thus far? and support in areas such as the direction that programs One of the difficulties is that some families assume that arc or could be heading and information about particular we can do some or all of the initial work for a family

,relevant resources of which we am have personal who wishes to be registered. It is not our duty to knowlegde. assemble programs and collect very basic information, that is the role of the parents themselves. Parents must How does this role differ from the one you had as an access the relevant information themselves - often this is inspector under the old legislation.? done most efficiently through homeschooling support lt seems to me that the new role allows us the groups and teacher friends. We all have a certain amount opportunity to foster an ongoing relationship with and of time to spend on a visit and we expect that families support to families and to combine our inspection role will have taken the initiative in preparing themselves with one of an advisor or consultant, in a less judgmental adequately for the important role they are undertaking. way than previously perceived. Under the old Act there We would expect not to have to spend an enormous were requirements that onc might tick and and cross and amount of time explaining each individual guideline and so the exemption was determined in this formally its application but that parents will have done this for structured manner, i.e. them were definitive rules themselves.The pleasures on the other hand have been governing programming, documentation, timetables, many, we have seen lots of enthusiastic and well diaries, environment etc. Under the new Act we arc able prepared parents, lots of fine work and pleasant children to be more flexible and able to respond to the individual and we have partaken of lots of delicious treats prepared familes and their homeschooling, in a less structured by competent homeschooling children. way but still in the light of the guidelines. What advice would you give ? 3. What are your functions as Authorised Persons ? 1. Make sure you arc thoroughly aware of procedures I. To respond to the application for registration as and requirements. required by the Law. 2. Seek advice and resources from more experienced 2. To become an administrative structure between homeschoolers. homeschoolers and the Minister. 3. Rcmcmbcr that homeschooling is an enormous 3. To attend to an inspection visit, where our prime commitment. concerns arc that the family is fulfilling the requirements

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 17

18 Won't They Be "DIFFERENT?" Becky Olson

"Aren't you doing your kids awould have diffi- disservicebyhomeschooling? culty getting a mean, how will they fit into the realjob, because in world if they haven't been schooledreality indepen- like everyone else? Won't they bedent thinking different?" and self taught "I sure hope so!" I wanted toskillsarenot say. "I really want my children to bevalued. different!" Her question was honest Yes, those enough. She was concerned aboutof us that have my kids' futures. I don't think sheopted to home- would have ever understood if rdschool are work- tried to explain to her why differenting to help in- is good. So I just smiled and said,crease the value "Well, they seem to fit in most eve-of being able to rywhere," as I glanced past herthink through a shoulder at my youngest daughterproblem and scooping up her baby and the restfind the solution, either indepen- This same child,inlater pairing off, already finding commondently or in a team. When youyears, if' left to use his own creativi- interests. watch a young child that has bond-ty, will face all challenges the same Our society pays great lip ser-ed well with his parents and theway. Speaking, reading, arithmetic, vice to "being your own person."world around, that has been encour-roller skating and calculus will all be Several years ago a TV commercialaged to use explorative powers, thelooked upon as a conquerable chal- applauded the individual who tookchild doesn't sit down in defeatlenge, if not today, then perhaps to- the last exit off the freeway inwhen he comes to an obstacle in themorrow, next week, or next year. search of his uniqueness. we stillpath. This free thinking individual One of the amazing attributes idolize the Horatio Alger ideals ofpuzzles out a way to overcome, orI see in homeschooling people is they fortitude, hard work, and the con-use the barrier instead of fighting it.don't take their validation from their cept that "anyone can work theirIn fact if it is indeed an insurmount-"book larnin'." My own children have way to the top." Chances are nowable obstacle, the child may just sitgiven up trying to convince adults that one of those fictional boysdown and explore it. The child maythat knowing the multiplication ta- choose, too, to accept the obstacle asbles or the capital of South Dakota is a quest too big to conquer today. He Becky Olson is long time home- not an indication of their learning may turn his back and leave this forabilities. Data is not valuable in and schooling advocate and a frequent con-another time. Or the child may call tributor to these pages. She and her hus- of itself, but rather is gathered and band Paul, the homeschooling parents ofto a larger person - parent, friend,stored to be used later on. Whether five, make their home near Tucson, Aiirn or sibling - to help move the obstruc-the use is to answer a trivia ques- zona. tion. tion, solve a math problem or write a letter, each is an equally respectable reason for us- ing the information. As my oldest be- comes ateenager,she doesn't feel a need to give in to peer pressure if it makes her uncomfortable. All her life she has decid- ed what is the upper limit of her involvement with anything--from sleep,to reading, to multiplication tables, to jumping into the

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE September-October/1991

18 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

19 deep end of a swimming pool. If sheer on many an exploratory searchrnonish children to share, sharing wasn't comfortable with it or didn'tthrough the public library, encom-the credit for an accomplishment at see a valuable reason for doing it,passing ancient and medieval histo-the office can spell doom. The driv- she wouldn't do it. These skills are ary, genetics, animal husbandry, biol-ing force of America is competition, great help to her in maldng the deci-ogy, literature, archeolcgy,one-up-manship, winning. sions teens must make daily. Peeranthropology, and a half dozen more As I watch homeschooled kids pressure is a factor in her life, butsubjects. Once she started, everyinteract, so many times the chal- not the deckling factor. contributing discipline had to be me-lenge of the game seems far more Children that are home mostthodically explored. Some booksimportant than winning. When they of their young life learn to get alongwere read to answer one specificchoose up sides for a ball game, lit- with people of allages. Home-question, others were explored covertle ones are just as valued as big schooled kids make great baby-to cover, and many of these led off toplayers. When winning isn't the an- sitters, because they enjoy beingother studies. By the time the fasci-swer, it's not necessary to degrade with people. I'm always amazed atnationhasbe- the lack of skills how patient these kids are with lit-come a glowing one player may tle ones as well as adults. Theseember instead of have. baby-sitters seem to innately under-a blazing need, My son and stand the value of play, and enjoyan amazing hisfriendwere sitting down to simple board games,amount of infor- competing with or more complex computer games,mation had been each other on a with the child they are taking carecovered, as well computergame. of. Because self-esteem is high, theas thesatisfac- After it was all younger child often teaches the old-tion of following a done, their satis- er one the rules of the board gameproject from be- factionwas de- and the tricksof' the computerginningtoend. fined as a compar- game. Information is shared equal-Skills had been ison. "I'm almost ly. learned to facili- as good as Ste- These same kids seldom gettatethesearch phen in this impatient with a well meaningforinformation: game, and he is adult who talks down to them in ause of the library as good as I am in store or rushes over to prevent themcard catalog, the other game." from touching a breakable object.reading and note Neither of these They smile, step back, and kill look-,:aking skills im- two boys self es- at the beautiful item. Sometimesproved, and so on, teemrestedon they ask questions about the item,hutthesewere beating the other, or call me over to share the view. Iftools to help an- only upon improv- I sense a real need for the child toswerquestions. ing skill levels. touch it, I'll hold it and let the childTherewasno Theprob- explore it gently with their fingers.written report to lem solving skills Often the clerk will comment onenablesomeone thatthesechil- how gentle the child is with fragileelsetodecide dren are learning items. whether the work in their indepen- Children that don't find theirhad been worth- dentexploration days cut up into blocks of time havewhile,orhad of the world will, the healthy ability to go with thebeendonecor- indeed, make flow. Having been allowed to ex-rectly, or had fol- them different. plore things until they are finished,lowed arbitrary Being different is they have a higher frustration limit.parameters set by alwaysachal- Most often they understand that thean authority fig- lenging path. project will be waiting for themure. The girl was With challenge when they return.I rarely findpleased with comes growth and homeschoolparentscomplainingwhatshehad independent about the lack of attention spanlearned and that was the only vali-thinking. Above all of that comes their children have. More often thandation she needed. happiness. Those of us involved in not, the parents are frustrated by For many years the buzzhelping nurture a "different" person the child's need to follow a course ofword in big business has been "teamare different, too. When we, like the study to the very end, along withwork." This has been a difficult con-toddler, stop fighting the obstacle in several detours into other disci-cept for Americans to take to heart.our path, and accept and explore it, plines that contributed to the origi-Prom preschool on childrenarewe find happiness in our peace. This nal project. taught that when the final count-is the gift we pass on to our "differ- One young woman's fascina-down comes, winning is why theent" children. tion with cats led her and her moth-game is played. Although adults ad-

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE September-October/1991 _ - - - ^

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 19 1 00 erview with Brydon Raethe

Brydonl4lethef is 13 years ofcf and group is disruptive and some environment and I read lots of he has afways been homeschoofed of them talk a lot more than other things too. they should. Since second term this year he has How did the kids treat you had his first regufar (part-time) What do you think you've or did you know some of everience with school doing learned? them before you went? science.askedfiim why he I've learned a lot of stuff that I didn't know anyone and they cfecided to go to schoo and what is really interesting, but I teased me a bit. I didn't get in he thought about the evenence. thought it would be better with any of the "in" groups than it was. Now I've had the but I make friends easily and I When & why did you start experience I realised that I was able to make friends with at school and how often do thought it would be more kids not easily accepted into you go? practical. Unfortunately they the group including a Mum arranged with the had done chemistry mostly in Taiwanese kid and a shy kid. Principal for me to start in a Term 1 and only a little of it Year 7 class at the beginning was done in Term 2 - the You are moving soon so do of second term at my local things we did do in chemistry you plan to go to school near high school. I attend were really great though like your new house? whenever there are science looking at battery acid and its No, I don't think so. I really periods and I stay for the effect on sugar crystals. The enjoyed going but I didn't break after them. I went chemistry teacher was good. learn as much as I thought I because I wanted to do more The science teacher since then would, I would encourage chemistry than we were able has done some good things other kids to go just for the to do at home with our own too like how geographical experience if they wanted to equipment. forces work and the San try out what it is like to be at Andreas fault and sediments, school. So, what is it like? but I knew a lot of these Well it takes ages to get things already. organised and if the kids just settled down we'd get twice How did as much work done as we do, you know things that should take 5 these minutes take 15 to organise. I things? think that the advantages are I read about that the teacher is a specialist, them in NI there is a good library there magazine. that I can use, they have good It has a lot materials and equipment to of use. The disadvantages are information that the teacher can't give you about the much individual attention, problems there is lots of copying from faced by the board, there is major third world hassle about 3cm margins and countries, title and spelling pages. Some as well as kids treat the teachers really about disrespectfully and insult politics and them, the ringleader of the the

20 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

21 high quality education our home 5.Yearly notes or assessment from educated children have received 'outside- the-home' teachers e.g. while they were being educated. gymnastics, soccer, tennis, ballet, music etc. Also any details of levels WHEN DO I START? reached or exams passed in these types of activities. There is no need to start this type of 6. Photographs of your child portfolio before Grade 6 or 7, other pursuing their normal activities than for your own, or your child's, receiving awards or participating in personal interest and edification. drama, eisteddfods, sport etc. activities may also be a valuable HOW WILL IT LOOK ? part of their portfolio. 7. Your own 'school-type' personal The portfolio should be something (and as your child gets older, their that is able to grow, convenient to own) records of academic store, portable and easy care. One achievements. As education is an ongoing process example of a portfolio would take that mostly happens in institutions, the form of a ring folder with plastic ASSESSMENTS many people feel that they are able sheets that contained some of the to gauge the relative successes and following or similar documents. There are many ways to undertake failures of a child's education by this task, none of which should take teachers' reports, assessments, 1. Awards for community service or the place of or be a substitute for exam results, etc. participation activities c.g clean- real time spent exploring and ups, work with old people or young learning. Parents who do not wish to Children who attend school mostly children. assess their own children may wish have these types of achievement 2. Church service or youth group to get a school teacher/psychologist records kept for them over long commendations etc. or one of the testing organisations to periods of time by their schools, 3. Certificates for competitions give their child a standardised test their ultimate school results being entered e.g. exams, local Art on a regular basis. the state matriculation exam. exhibitions etc 4. If your child works part-time or in On the other hand parents who do Homeschoolers do not choose the a voluntary capacity references not wish to use these types of tests standard 'school' types of ongoing from people that the child may have could either make up their own at testimony to their children's helped or worked with e.g. "I have the end of each year - based on the education. Nonetheless our children found John to be a highly motivated, work covered, or just make an will eventually have to go into the community-oriented honest overall, written view (given that we normal fields of work and academia individual who has performed every are extremely close to the children and compete with those who have task that I have set him to the utmost all year and very aware of what they the "acceptable/normal" criteria of of his capabilities " Don't ever arc doing). Results obtained and the educational success. It seems to me be too shy to ask for these types of tests themselves may be filed in the a good idea for us to have our own references as your child's future portfolio for posterity. catalogue of the different but very may be helped by them.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 21 22 Forms of ASSESSMENT English, Computer/ Technology re Tectively. The assessment should take the form that is most suitable and 5. Easy to read numerical tables convenient for you and most easily of achievement, especially in readable for a prospective employer Maths. or registrar. The type of assessment may change from year to year and 6. Personal evaluations of could include some of the following achievement. (not in any order of importance) 7. Dated, pictorial/ documentary evidence of the child's 1. Independent external assessment undertakings including work in results and comments and/or the areas required by the education department in your 2. A neat typed, dated year by year state and any extra that they may copy of studies undertaken under have completed beyond the state subject then topic headings (at high requirements. Samples of school level) - with some projects e.g art/science/social T.A.F.E comments, samples of work (i.e. studies could be included. 3. Used the Phillips language course to your programme) .and/or study Japanese. EMPLOYMENT 4. Competed in local netball. 3. Comments made by homeschool 5. Organised children's church camp. inspectors should be requested and Homeschooling parents might 6. Entered Sydney Morning Herald if relevant to the child's be concerned that this Essay competition. achievements they could be kept in information could be 7. Worked part time at MacDonalds. the portfolio and/or unacceptable given that the 8. Attended aerobics classes. parent is also the arbiter of 4. At the end of every year a list of achievement. However if one The most important thing to remember your child's academic and extra- makes a commitment to the is that this document is being put curricular activities could be made. truth in the first place you can together for other people to see. Try to (This list will be easily accessible if never be "caught out" i.e. the make it neat and readable as well as a you have your programme, your child him/herself will be proof truthful representation of your child's child's work or have kept a basic of the accuracy of your ongoing homeschooling achievments. daily or weekly record of lea ,ing.) assessments, and on interview or test their oral and written You might like to convey this capabilities can easily be information in the form of a table determined. You would do your mentioning application, self child no favours by telling lies OTHER READING motivation, in-depth study, about their work. understanding, written or oral work THE QUESTION IS or you might choose another way. WRITING a C.V. COLLEGE - Herbert Kohl: Random House. Mathematice, is an area where it is Encourage your child to write a A brilliant, easy to read & very important to keep easily curriculum vitae for themselves wise look at employment readable records. A survey done .E.g and career options aimed at among a large number of employers Dawn Smith, Address, Phone high school students in 1989 showed that 97% of them No. suitable for all. would choose an applicant with Yr. 1992 high maths marks above any other 1. Completed all set study in WHO DOES WHAT applicant for any job - even one Maths, Geography, Science, WHEN ? Kate Kerman: where mathematics was not part of Asian social studies, Economics Holt Assoc.Curriculum the job itself. The next most & English. planning & record keeping important subjects/marks to 2. Undertook a pan-time course in the Homeschool. employers were Economics, in still life drawing at Burwood

22 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 Play is real learningby Jo-Anne Beirne

A homeschooling mother of my For instance each family and child homeschooling is about freedom acquaintance recently expressed her has unique ways of responding to without licence; learning through concern that her child of 8+ yrs the same learning situation. Two experience; facilitating the learner wishes to play all day. Her main families of my acquaintance were so that they help themselves to learn question was: When will this child recently sharing some time when a and trusting childrens' natural have enough of playing and start book loved by all was chanced instincts to Ic.irn, but the reality can learning something? upon, the children of one family be quite different because of our were all desperate to take turns personal experiences of school over We all have our own ideas of what reading aloud this much loved tale, a 10 to 12 year period. the home education of our children the other children of the same age will be like. However, for many of and devotion to the story were intent One of the ideas of education that I us ideas about education are upon listening to the story rather would like to challenge is that wcighed down by our personal than reading it out loud. The second `playing' is not REAL education. perceptions of the learning we group of children wanted to sit Respected researchers and keen experienced ourselves in schools. pencil in hand drawing the images observers strongly support the idca This type of learning tended to that the book brought to mind. It has that playing is real, efficient, revolve around desks, workbooks, been my observation that in school positive and intense learning. assignments, pencils, paper and instcad of respecting these teachers (with varying degrees of individual preferences, the children IS PLAY REAL WORK? exasperation, enthusiasm & would have been encouraged to Nancy Wallace is an experienced intensity) who delivered their views "do" the opposite i.e. the non- home educator who says in her ncw on what we should know, when and readers read and the rcaders draw in book Child's Work that what we why. We would do well to remind the perverse belief that everybody would call playing (i.e with a range ourselves that this model is not thc should be a little good at everything. of "toys" e.g. blocks, words, dolls, only learning model. Then perhaps cars, art doodles, concepts, even we can begin to explore other ways Theoretically, we can be very music) is basically a child's work of "getting" an education/learning. committed to the idea that and should be acknowledged as

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 23 2 4 such. Like so many others before her the close observation of her own children over a long period of time (they are now 16 & 12) has shown that things she never even conceived of as the building blocks of learning vim actually innovative, creative problem solving and efficient life preparing research.

Closely observe your own children and you will see they ask appropriate questions, organise complex information and test theories continuously through their play - much like real scientists. Nancy Wallace quotes Bnino Bettleheim, a renowned researcher of children's play,- ""Besides being a means of coping with past and present concerns, play is the child's most useful tool for preparing himself for the future and its tasksA child at play begins to realise that he need not give up in despair if a block doesn't balance neatly on another block the first time around. Fascinated by the challenge of building a tower, he gradually learns that even if he doesn't succeed immediately, success can be his if he perseveres. He learns not to give up at the first sign of failure, or at the fifth or tenth, and not to turn in dismay to something less difficult but to try, try again." (Atlantic Monthly, March 1987- quoted We should never be concerned about the play our children from Wallace: Child's Work1 pursue as in every case it is a stepping stone to more knowledge, deeper understandings of oneself, one's family, SCHOOLS & PLAYING community and the functioning of the world. Children have a great need to extend knowledge and experience The idea of children wishing to be continually boundaries of their own, and the adult world, through safe, playing is not exclusively a homeschooling personally limited imaginative play and even in school they problem, contrary to what we might think. In fact, actively and passively seek out ways to fill these needs. many of the children who are required to stay in schools (by parents and the compulsory attendance In the classroom meeting the 'play' needs of individual kids law) still manage to use the less than conducive would of course create havoc, in the homeschool it can be school environment to play a great deal of the simply allowed to pursue its natural course. If you are really time. Not play that they would otherwise choose of interested I suggest you undertake to record some of your course, but still interesting and often entertaining children's play, in an unobtrusive manner. It will provide an varieties including manipulative and disruptive amazing insight into the depth & breadth of learning that is play e.g the class clowns, jokers and day dreamers. bcing developed while children are "playing". The activities these children involve themselves in Some of my own records show the usage of quite could reasonably be called "play", yet because it uncommon 'new' words, thoughts, ideas and information in is within the "structure" of the classroom where it a testing sense c.g letting the play characters use the is presumed that those who attend are "learning" unfamiliar language, innovative questions. Play often we tend to accept this play as legitimate. In the involves detailed problem solving, very intricate work, homeschool the play might take the form of patience, incredible persistence and follow through on endless dams and mud villages, doodles of make tasks, enabling investigation and finally consolidation of believe theatre productions or doll play, yet it is no itew information. legitimate because it is self-initiated and directed, follows a logical sequence and will reach It is perhaps fortunate for children that the learning and a satisfactory conclusion in the mind of the child. enjoyment benefits of play are so hard to evaluate and

24 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 25 measure and unfortunate for adults because, for this lack of an LATERAL THINKING DEVELOPED empirical assessment, we tend to value play so lightly. . THROUGH CREATIVE PLAY S. IVL.H. p.16 October 8th 1991COMING, READY OR NOT, WHEN SHOULD CHILDREN START SCHOOL ? PLAY OR WORK? Research shows us that play is the Dr Simon Clarke, a consultant pediatrician at Westmead Hospital, precursor of other learning, it who deals with behavioural and iearning problems, believes that teaches us the first steps of what we parents who send their children to school as early as possible are later call the scientific method being driven by their own ego rather than concern for their children's investigation, testing, welfare. "We should be a more mature society which protects our hypothesising, proving (if I throw young rather than kicking them out of the nest too soon," said Dr the biscuit will it fly like a bird or Clarke. "Parents want to say their children are doing well even though fall like a stone?). Children are they are very young. But doing well' is an adult judgemeni" basically researching their theories "Children actually develop their confidence and ability for lateral about actions & reactions (plastic thinking thmugh creative play. They will never develop their full mugs don't break but "wow, mum's potential if they spend their school lives simply struggling to keep up not keen on me throwing glass!"). with their school peers." From lots of experiences they rcach what they feel are reasonable conclusions, that take thcm ever further along the path of knowledge and understanding. Why should this extremely effective method oc learning that children have employed to teach themselves their language & all about the world around them suddenly become redundant at age 5? It seems entirely ridiculous that it does..

There must be individual needs and desires for play. Some really BIBLIOGRAPHY creative people probably have a Beuelheim, B. (March 1987:37) 'The Importance of Play' Atlantic very great need for more playing Monthly. time than others of us. Perhaps it Bettelheim, B. (1977) 'The Uses of Enchantment' Vintage Books could be said that someone like U.S.A. Edison played all his life !! After all Butler, A.L., Gotts, E.E., Quisenberry, N.L.(1978) Play as don't many people make thcir living Development., Bell & Howell Co: Ohio. playing? Architects with shapes, Dennison, G. (1969) The Lives of Children Addison-Wesley Reading, fashion designers with fabric, MA, U.S.A mathematicians with figures, sports Holt, J.(1989) Learning All the Time Addison-Wesley Reading, MA, people with bats and balls. Of U.S.A course, they cail it "work" Iso-Ahola, S. (1980) The Social Psychology of Leisure and distinguishing it froln"play" when Recreatior Wm. C. Brown: Iowa. the distinction is really a mauer of Kelly, J. (1983) Leisure Identities and Interactions. Allen and Unwin, societal acceptance. It seems to me London. that homeschooling children will Leistico, A.(1990) I Learn Better by Teaching Myself Home greatly benefit from the opportunity Education Press. WA, U.S.A to pursue their natural inclination to Wallace, N. (1983) Beller than School Larson Publications Burdett, learn and work through play. New York. Wallace, N. (1991) Child's Work Holt Assoc. U.S.A.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 25

2 6 n. iriwup your- owngoto

BOTH PARTIES MUST AGREE YOUR ROLE PATH ONE Past experience has shown that it is Mothers may not want to take on this To some people home education is very important that both the parent and "school-type role" in the homeschool 'school at home' and to undertake that child are keen on the idea of and in this case the children can find the path they usually consult and use homeschooling. It is extremely hard to independence, need to be self- standard school textbooks and methods. home educate a child who wants to be in motivated and the freedom quite Resources to facilitate 'school at home' school. It does not matter how strong daunting. Indeed, they may have the are plentiful.The family is usually able and determined the parent, it ends up misconception that they are to access the books their child was using being a very unhappy situation. notleaeling' anything unless they are at school, can and will obtain advice filling in worksheets, writing spelling from teachers and will be able to attend In America where parents have often lists etc. They may also have a deep- to the texts and subject topics in the written about the experience of taking seated (though unreal) fear of falling order and at the pace they fmd most their children out of school in G.W.S., behind their school peers. For example suitable for the homeschool teacher and Home Education Magazine etc., there is homeschooled children axe often asked child. There are set curricula available consensus that it may take a child a good by schooled children "But how do you to pursue this approach. In this manner while to settle down to homeschooling learn anything at home, won't you be a the parent can confidently feel that the (in fact even as many years as s/he has dummy?" - because school children child is progressing, often in leaps and been in the school system). The feeling (and often society in general) assumes bounds because of the one to one is that the education children receive in that education only happens in the attention they are receiving. school is conducted in a specific building marked "school". Thus manner, with special criteria and homeschooling for the previously PATH TWO expectations based around an schooled child can be a frustrating and Some people who decide to home authoritative, competitve, and non- scary experience that requires a lot of educate don't want homeschooling to be interactive, tabula rasa approach where trust on their part. It is a phenomenon 'school' at home. They do not wish to activities/learning are mostly dished out that must be adjusted to slowly and follow timetables, set or complete rather than self motivated. accommodated broadly, as the unease worksheets and exercises, tick, cross, or can show up in many ways. have their children sit at desks for any period of time. In thi., case I advise parents to give deep thought to exactly

Ari

26 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 2 7 hat path of education they wish their with which they are unhappy. exploring the Hilaire Belloc poems in the child to explore. I feel that consultation The amount of preparation and book 'Cautionary Tales'. [Includes oral with the child who is able and aware of paperwork you will have to language development, comprehension, their learning needs is a really important compile will be determined by a reading, writing, drawing, integration with starting point. combination of many different social studies] We will discuss all work as factors including ponibly the age necessary and follow up any topics that come Some of the reasons that parents remove of the child and your own to our attention, or need to be explained as a children from schools include inclinations to paperwork. result of our reading. We will use our own and inadequate teaching, bad facilities, large library books for research and reference. We class sizes, discrimination, slow or It is worth mentioning here that the will be using the A.B.C. programme B.T.N. negative educational progress, unfair paperwork seems overwhelming as appropriate. and bad behaviour, unhappiness, the when it has never been done before peer group , etc. Whatever the reasons but nced not he so. Consultation My child does not like to hand write or for the withdrawal of your child from with other homeschoolers and compose stories at the moment so we will school ,your home education support groups will really help you concenvate on the development and programme can be a new beginning for deal with the 'necessities' and importance of oral language and writing will you and your child redressing the eliminate the 'extras'. be kept to a minimum. However, as writing is perceived wrongs of the past and Programming & paperwork seem a practical and useful skill we will approach forming the hopeful basis of your new to become much less relevant the writing in the following forms: word puzzles; learning journey. more experienced you become, shopping and other lists; recipe writing; because you are interracting with PHILOSOPHY thank-you notes; penfriends; birthday & other only a few children on a very close cards. Spelling and punctuation will be part An important first step is to think about, level and you are also observing all of our ongoing reading commitment and and write down, in a simple meaningful the learning that they are doing out covered in conjunction with all other way all the educational, spiritual, social, of "school" hours so you become subjects. Mention should also be made of moral, emotional and other reasons why very aware of where they are audio, video, written, library and people you wish to homeschool.. "now" and where they want/will be resources that you plan to use. going next. You should use your philosophy as a Mother example: YR 6 TERM 1 focus for your homeschooling and will WHAT TO TEACH SOCIAL STUDIES help you set up a curriculum that really Your decision on "what to teach" My child has a great interest in her immediate works for you. When you have decided should reflect a combination of community as well as in the world and we that you want your child's education to plan to use our social studies topics as the be more/less God centred, more/less I. What you feel is essential that basis for our English programme child centred; more/less peer the child know, (either intuitively, (incl. reading, writing, handwriting, listening, dominated; more/less practical skills idealistically, based on some set speaking, research skills etc.) based; concentrate more/less on the model or as recommended by a The three definite topics we intend to cover basics; allow more/less time for government body- these goals are - freedom; move forward lister or aren't always mutually exclusive), approach things at a more leisurely pacc; be more/less artistic, and 2. What either or both of you want more/less musical then you will have a to pursue and some space for the much better idea of how to facilitate interest led learning that will be these decisions. generated by the mere fact that you arc now active learners intimately PLANNING involved in the ebb and flow of the Consider the main subject areas and learning process. decide where you want to go in each of those areas. There is no formula for The following is only a sample hgme_schsIgEng it is a very personal NOT the answer. You must foul matter and as such you alone can decide your own answers !! what is best for you and your family. YR 3 TERM 1 (Obviously you can and should consult English: texts, helpful friends, etc - but the My child will read to me daily decisions are ultimately your own). No from a book of their own choice committed and caring homeschool and I will be reading the 'Little parent should feel or be made to feel that House on the Prairie' series to him they are being forced to do anything over the next term. We will be

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991 27

BEST COPY AVAILABLE 28 1. Our Local Area, - To understand the METHODS or do tapestries or dig in the garden or historical & geographical reasons for falfmlutsalasIlugaultlagit play music or learn to weave and spin. development of our area, to fmd out lwalizark. They may be happy to spend hours about our local government, to increase A schooled child will be very used to building model cars or painting or our knowledge of local resources, to sitting at desks and being given work to playing lego and dolls. The satisfaction consider the options for the future in the do and unless the child has been of working with one's hands can be very development of our district. specifically rebelling against that type healing and a positive introduction to a 2. Vikings - to develop an awareness of of teaching and learning you will multitude of other life/learning skills. an ancient culture, to consider the probably fmd that you will do a certain Vikings' effect on international histoty amount of this sort of teaching. This is (d) Out and About and language, to expand our possibly because we parents have rarely Many children who have been in school geographical knowledge. been privileged to see how real learning can really benefit from seeing "who, 3. Australian explorers- to study the and gifted teachers work. In this model does what, where?", actually getting social, political and historical reasons the motivation and understanding of the into the learning market place to see for their exploration, to understand and learner is trusted- i.e no one checks to why all this education business is so investigate our cultural heritage, to learn see if you know the information - the important Visits to building sites, more about the history and geography of learning is the learners delight and own museums, theatres , parks, workshops, OUT country. responsibility. the zoo etc. inject reality, enthusiasm and energy into learning. Being inspired Of course, the language component (b)harzadulltarning by an exhibition of old furniture at the could include activities such as Try to make sure that your learning has museum can result in a fluny of activity preparing a talk on the Vikings and a purpose. Doing schoolwork merely to from constructing a chair from dead Vinland, visiting the Mitchell library to accumulate pieces of paper to "show gum branches, exploration of tools and read the Blaxland, Wentworth & inspectors" is a sad and unnecessazy how to use them, visits to antique & Lawson diaries, talking to people at the way to homeschool. If you are studying furniture shops, intense observation of local council and historical society. ancient cultures you should set yourself furniture styles, 17th & 18th century Investigating, listening, planning, the task of fmding out exactly what you history and art, discussion, drawing etc. questioning, recounting, explaining, want to know about them, not what you The 'hands-on' or 'eyes- on' approach describing, exploring issues. These are think some authority thinks you should does not have to result in a massive all the things that we Homeschoolers do know. Find solutions to questions, don't interest or undertaking. The every day - but they sound so much just make a pretty or arty collection of commitment in time may be as small as better when written this way ! information e.g. If you are interested in the child's interest level desires, but it is the Aztecs you may choose to consider still a powerful way to initiate a love of HOW TO START ? their connection to chocolate, their learning. Try to choose topics that you and your amazing ceremonial clothes or their child really WANT to know about. If preoccupation with gold, instead of the We must try to remember that real interest level is high neither children nor normal questions such as where did the learning is not the end result of being adults have to be motivated or bribed to Aztecs live? etc. Who is to say that MADE to study something that learn. For instance, if you really want to personally interesting questions are not someone has set for us ( How much learn calligraphy,typing, geology you just as likely to inspire new learning? history or calculus do you remember?) will be anxious to attend the classes, but and pursuing to a logical practise and succeed. Every subject and Time is not so much of the essence conclusion those things we want to learn topic is a jumping off point for when homeschooling so it is easy to ourselves. somewhere else! For instance a drag subjects on and on losing interest mathematical child who hates to read in the research and ultimately letting may well be interested in you reading boredom set in, when really the learning problems from the books Amazing should be a voyage of discovery. So try OTHER READING Mazes (R. Heimann) Atlas Explorer & to remember that it is not always a G.W.S Holt Associates 2269 Mass, ave. Cambridge 02140 Maakrint Maps_LJacarandal aloud to or matter of imishing the project but very Name Education Mamine with them. In fact, they may then decide important to enjoy the learning. to sit down and read these books Home Educ, WA 98855 I-IOMESCHOOL BURNOUT- themselves at a later date, but then again (c) Try the experiential /practical they may not. (this is not a problem and Dr. R & D Moore WA approach HOW CHILDREN LEARN, will be covered in another issue). An Everyone learns best by doing. From interest in model aeroplanes can lead to LEARIMICALLIEE drawing and experimenting to making TIME.WHY CHILDREN FAIL. the history of air flight, biographies of music. A child who has been burnt out famous designers, maths and physics. John Holt- Penguin Press-& by school may need (or really want) to Addibon Wesley N:Y.) deal with their learning on a very practical level.. They may want to cook,

28 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1991

BEST COPY AVAILABLE 29 __usrahan __omescool _ournal ISSUE 32 JANUARY BRUARY 1992 Editor: Jo-Anne Beirne

Any ideas or opinions expressed inthe articles are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the edgor or readers of this magazine

A subscription to the Australian Homeschool Journal is for 6 issues. To obtain your six issues please send 1. A cheque for $20 made out to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd 2. 5 (five) A4 size new envelopes that are self-addressed and stamped (An 85c stamp is required for N.S.W & A.C.T. & 95c stamp for all other states)

to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 :4(1 Editorial by ;o-Anne Beime page 3 The Victorian Legislation by Jo-Anne Beirne page 38 Queensland Legislation by Jo-Anne Beirne page 9 West Australian Legisation by Jo-Anne Beirne page 10 N.S.W news by Jo-Anne Beirne page 11 Resource Information by Jo-Anne Beirne page 12-13 Letters page 14-16 Homeschool Pre-School by Marcel le Foundling page 17 Time Requirements for Homeschooling in N.S.W by Jo-Anne Beirne page 18 Done to Death by Nadia Wheatley page 19 Developing Good Learning Skills by Pat Nelson page 20-21 94printed from Home Education Magazine P.O. Box 1083 Tonas ko W.A 98855 Natural Learning by Joanne Brugmans page 22 Natural Learning Workshop by Jo-Anne Beirne page 23 Programming by Robyn Mikhaiel page 24-26 Suggestions for Homeschool Reading page 27 Homeschool Support Groups compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne page 28

A little about the homeschoolers I know: 1. We spring from all manner of backgrounds. 2. We range the full-gamut of socioeconomic groups. 3. We are of many varied religions and beliefs. 4. We hold true to many different philosophies of education. 5. We homeschool in a myriad of different ways. 6. We homeschool for many different reasons. However, despite our differences, we are caring parents committed to the spiritual, educational, moral, psychological, physical and social welfare of our children. this form of political self-education is the sort of thing that homeschoolers undertake in so many other fields every day of their homeschooling careers. EDITORIAL So for what good it does I have tried to incorporate by Jo-Anne Beirne some of what we learned in the process of changing the N.S.W legislation and Departmental attitudes in a piece called An This issue of the AHJ is dominated by overview -Victorian legislation. Perhaps when you read this legislative concerns in Vic, W.A. & Queensland. piece you will incorporate a small piece of the information While some of you may consider these issues a gained into your own thoughts so that, if. or when, a battle over little boring, I feel that it is very important to legislation arises again or in your state you will be better have a regular, written record of political and prepared to fight the good and efficient fight. I have received a administrative changes in each state of good deal of positive feedback on the piece so I hope a little step Australia. Despite the fact that education has been taken. Also there is much reason to be hopeful in administration was given to the states as Victoria as Don Haywood, the Shadow Minister for Education individuals at Federation, we are all citizens of has promised tr.; do his utmost to defeat the legislation (in the the same country and erosion of the rights of any Upper House the LiberaN have a majority and this should easily one group of people/ homeschoolers affects us be achieved) and maintain the staus quo should he get into all. Also knowledge of all laws allows freedom power at the next election. Most people will be aware that W.A. of movement between states. and Victoria face elections inside the next twelve months and I am also a strong believer in not Queensland not long after that. Happy homeschooling ! reinventing the wheel. So while each state has its own peculiarities which require the specific attention and advice of local support groups there are broader political issues that apply to all of us throughout the country. It is a shame to have to ferret out this information over and over ; again for ourselves. All of us need to know how to lobby politicians to protect our interests in many fields, as well as education. It seems to me

in existence). This of course is possible, though not very THE VICTORIAN likely, as in reality inter-state contact between education departments is almost nil even in the areas of LEGISLATION- prosecution and the sharing of information, resources and materials. People shouldn't forget that despite the An Overview by Jo-Anne Beirne geographical closeness of the 8 Australian states and territories we all have different education legislation, standards and qualifying exams and can agree on hardly The Victorian parliament presently has before it a bill anything at a national level. Education in Australia is called the Education (Out of School Education) Act highly politicised and even the application of 1991. This Act aims to amend the Education Act of expenditure is very much dependent on State by State 1958. political, educational philosophies. It is the feeling of a broad range of At a Federal and State level the Labor Party is homeschoolers that all Victorian families should protest known to have a bias against the option of against the proposed Legislation changes in the strongest homeschooling except under special circumstances. possible terms to their local member whether s/he be John Hewson has recently affirmed the Liberal Party's Liberal or Labor. The beauty of the 1958 Act was that support for homeschooling "under reasonable families were not required to be registered but rather, if conditions". The Democrat party is supportive of challenged, they were required to prove in a court of law homeschooling. (An ex Federal Democrat Michael that they were providing regular and efficient education Macklin wrote a book titled 'When Schools are Gone%) for thcir children - an easy thing to prove for a competent and committed homeschooling parent. CONSPIRACY It has been widely stated that the proposed Horncschoolers are also, sometimes legitimately, Victorian legislation is based on the draconian concerned about political, bureaucratic and even inter- legislation passed by the then Labor government in homeschooling conspiracy theories. The idea that "they N.S.W in March 1987 (and since March 1990 no longer are out to get us" is shared by Christians and alternative

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 3 32 lifestylers, with some Christian groups even postulating that in general and when convinced administrators.are that others have "done deals" with the government to open to significant change and do see the benefits of enable the passing of bad legislation. I do not believe this homeschooling. However, initially they tend to act to be the case and it is my belief that a commitment to 'reactively' like administrators (and many others in the truth should not be lost just because there is legislation to population) everywhere. It seems to me that when we be fought as it wastes too much precious time. have a perceived problem in our society to-day we often Perhaps because we were all brought up to be a don't deal with the basic cause of the problem but rather little frightened of authority in general and because we throw a 'rule/piece of legislation' at it e.g increased tend to have little to do with them in general we can get deaths on the roads - wear seatbelts, use speed cameras; concerned that "they are against us". But looking at it smoking causes cancer - ban sales to 18 year olds, put a from the other side, to your average administrator, home warning on the packet etc. Being 'reactive' like this has educators do "look" and "sound" different. It is pretty had some very successful results but it tends to make the weird, the department could well contend, to be part of a bureaucrats (and us) do the same with everything e.g. a tiny percentage of the population and educate your kids child drowns or dies while riding a pushbike - the media yourself when there are perfectly good free schools just cries why don't they teach these things in school? waiting to be used. One administrator I dealt with was After discussion with many people on the issue, surprised when I turned up to a meeting in a dress instead it is my feeling that the Victorian Education department of looking like a , another felt sure I kept my kids bureaucrats could have become tractive about locked up, away from the real world. In fact it is perhaps homeschooling for at least some of the following a little like the way we look at Muslims or bikies or even reasons: both ends of the homeschooling spectrum (Greenies & 1. A perceived ongoing problem with a religious group fundamentalist Christians) with suspicion bred of a lack called the Children of God. of knowledge and understanding. 2. A significant truancy problem, with no effective When we first had the change of legislation legislative muscle to solve it, as they see it_ problem in N.S.W. I subscribed to the 'conspiracy' 3. The loss of a couple of court cases and actions before theory i.e. that the politicians and Education Department the Equal Opportunity Commissioner and the Croydon were out to get us because we are different. Interestingly Baptist Academy case that was so well won in 1991. enough time has shown that bureaucrats who may hate you under a Labor government can be very reasonable We would all agree that it is an appalling and tolerant under a Liberal government. (Political comment on our democracy that as a reaction to losses in policy determines bureaucratic behaviour). Over time I court the bureaucracy spurs the government to go out started to become a little informed about the legislative and change the legislation to ensure they win next time. and political process and I found out that the removal of But it is typical in all states, for all parties and for all the right to attend a court of Law to have a decision types of legislation, and in the main people affected by arbitrated (rather than just by the Minister as this Educ. such changes rarely even know it is happening because Act proposes) has been removed regularly in legislation they are just so busy running their own lives. (not just Education) in all states of Australia over the past ten years and it is a continuing trend. Actuany a USING THE BIG GUN conspiracy against the population in general rather than one group of people in particular. Rather than attcmpt some negotiation situation So, while acknowledging the possibility, we the education department officials figure they can solve ought not waste too much time on conspiracy theories, all the problems with the really big gun - legislation. You but rather emphasise the POLITICAL side of the see, they have long memories and they don't like to be problem. Bureaucrats have their jobs for life, politicians made to look foolish either through not being able to on the other hand must be responsive to the mood of the adequately prosecute the 'wrong- doers' (as they see electorate and they are in charge of moderating and them) or, in the media (truancy) or in the courts. So after controlling the bureaucrats. Politicians are the set of some frustrations comes the time when the department people who can put this legislation in the trash where it people write down their lists of changes, to shore up all belongs and they will do that if they are well enough the perceived holes in the present legislation (as they see motivated to do so. it) and after meetings with the Minister, much work and many inter-departmental drafts they have their new set REACTING of invincible rules, written up by the Ptrliamentary After six years of interaction with the Draftsman, and presented to Parliam mt by the Minister. Education bureaucracy (in N.S.W mainly but also in In the normal situation the Bill is retd, debated, W.A. and Qld) and the way they think and function I amended, voted on and becomes an Act. would likc to propose an alternative theory- which is

4 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 33 CONSULTATION electorate, especially when there is a politically volatile There is an important lesson to be learned here situation as in Victoria, but also because if the fight is i.e. that the homeschoolers who are prepared to stand up well coordinated their parliamentary researchers can and be counted in a public sense should always have a keep a unified home education lobby group informed at person/committee that maintains constant contact with every stage. Support group leaders shouldn't hesitate to the Education Department and the Minister's office so ring them - you pay enough to have them serve you. But, that neither legislation nor guidelines can be changed try always to be logical and rational and easy to deal without input from homeschoolers. In W.A. and N.S.W., with. Remember that while the Education Minister may for example, the law requires that special interest groups be presenting the Bill it was written by the bureaucrats be consulted before any changes are made to an Act. who saw some loopholes they wanted to clean up. I This is of course not always possible for those people Legislation isn't always the Minister's baby s/he is just who believe that God is their authority for often left holding the dirty nappy. homeschooling and will not integrate with authorities. While I fully support this view of homeschooling, it can BAD AND GOOD LEGISLATION tend to leave you somewhat voiceless when change is It could easily be argued that presently Victoria about to happen and awfully busy after it does. and the A.C.T have the best education legislation in Australia- in that parents have only to prove regular and OBJECTIONS TO THE BILL efficient instruction before a court of law and are not 1.The removal of the right to access to a court subject to any other requirements. of law to prove regular and efficient instruction and the It has been said on the other hand that N.S.W implication that home educators must have a certificate has one of the worst Education Acts where the following under section 53F. requirements exist 2. The powers that the department has assumed 1. Registration with specific requirements under the for summoning officers relating to actions towards and Minister OR proceedings against any person without a certificate 2. Certification under a Conscientious Objection option under 53D (2) (c)& 53E (2) (a), (b) & (4). with specific requirements OR 3. For those with no objection to certification 3. Use of the A.C.E program (some A.C. E families do the objectionable sections are 53 H (b), 53 I, 53J & 53 K. neither of 1 or 2). However under the "bad" N.S.W. Education POLITICS Reform Act 1990, there has been a large increase in (a) You may be aware that the way our registration applications (from 183 to about 450 in government/party system works in Australia is on the 1991), (b) conscientious objection applications and (c) consensus approach so it doesn't really matter if your families using the A.C.E program. Why? Because Labor member knows you hate the legislation (though despite the major flaw, of remr val of access to a court of do please tell her/him) because they have to vote on law, (which will always be lc hied against as party lines. In N.S.W we even had a Labor Minister who unacceptable)there have be(major changes in the had been homeschooled himself and he had to stand up perception of homeschoolers as people and educators. and repudiate all the good things that the Homeschoolers had to take such a large part in Liberal/National party and Independent members said lobbying against the legislation that the authorities came about Home Education. On the other hand the to know that we were competent, committed, caring Liberal/National and Independent members, if well parents who only wanted the very best for our children. informed, can do many things (going from our They know us and even admire us. As a result the range experience) including: of acceptable (to Education /Board of Studies officials) I. They can really slow up the passing of the programs has increased enormously (from Bob Jones Bill, allowing time for you to get more people to lobby and A.C.E to "unschooling" or Steiner based programs). against it. Also the range of acceptable methods and evaluations 2. They can propose amendments and have the (from very structured to very unstructured) has legislation changed. broadened. Almost without exception there is tolerance, 3. They can ask for it to be sent to committee, good will, recognition of thc rights of parents and great which creates more public discussion. homeschooling. 4. As they have the numbers in the Upper House(Legislative Council) they can of course stymie MANDATORY REGISTRATION / the bill altogether, if they want. CERTIFICATION CAN WORK WELL Registration works in N.S.W because the Act is well The politicians, Labor, Liberal and Democrat implemented under the Board of Studies, a body can be useful not only because they are revonsive to the independent from the Education Department and

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 5

al A responsible to the Minister. The Board and the Minister exactly correct is debatable. Nonetheless society supports consult with and listen to homeschoolers on a regular their decisions and implements them in schools. Because basis and homeschoolers are usually given a two year so much money, time and expertise is devoted to registration. Board inspectors are responsive to parent education theory and practice, administrators feel that needs giving educational advice and resource they have basic standards that work and should be information and/or acting in a supportive and advisory generally acceptable to all, including homeschoolers. 53F role. If we are unhappy with anything, there is a friendly (2) (a) is a very open-minded attempt to define in one and reasonable interaction at this level, then there is the sentence these well-researched "ideals". further option of the Appeals Tribunal and further than It seems to me that all homeschoolers provide an that to the Minister. In the 400+ registrations of 1991 education for their children that can easily be defined by none went the appeals path, far less the prosecution path this sentence and that the wording is well thought out in and a very diverse set of homeschoolers were seen. that it allows for comparison with children of For some few politicians and bureaucrats the COMPARABLE age, ability and maturity. This allows ieea of registration or certification is one that fulfils their for children with special learning needs whether they be desire to have a "book" to throw at those people that are bright Of developmentally delayed and while it is specific educationally abusing their children. But we have found re the learning of "school" subjects it makes no comment that for the great majority of administrators and as to the content, scope or sequence within the broad homescheolers registration works fairly and well. subject headings. Home educators want the very best for their DON'T BE A VICTIM, BE AN ACTIVIST children in all areas and they provide their children with a If the legislation in Victoria is passed as it is written in learning environment that is much more broad and the Bill it could very well happen that nothing will comprehensive than is ever possible in schools and very change from the way it is now or that in fact it could get well balanced, e.g. there is no way that a family would a lot better depending on the amount of time and energy spend a huge proportion of their time on just Maths, people are prepared to put in with Education Department science or macrame etc. What education authorities tend officials in the area of negotiation. If you believe in what to forget is that as homesehoolers we don't teach our you are doing from the type of learning achieved to the children well because of rules and regulations and amount of paperwork maintained you must and can equivalency to thes school compatriots, we teach them argue in its defence, and stay informed to support others because we love, care and want the best for them - in fact to do the same. a comprehensive and balanced education superior to that received in any school. 53F (2) (a) Many people have told mc they are concerned with the 531, 53J & 53K replacement of the old definition of instruction as For homeschoolers who have always accepted "regular" and "efficient" with the wording in Division certification, cvcn though it wasn't actually required, lA 53F (2)(a) "the instruction the child will receive is sections 531, 53; &: 53K should cause a great deal of comprehensive and balanced and in the subjects which concern and be objected to in the strongest possible terms. children of comparable age, ability and maturity would In 531 (a) and (c) ihe powers given to the Chief General ordinarily undertake in a state school: Manager's representatives are equivalent to those in a What does regular mean? Usually it means that police state. While they might not be used in an appalling the child is educated on every day that school is in. manner they have the potential to be misused by zealous What does efficient mean? Usually that the officials who arc philosophically opposed to child is receiving instruction in all subjects as his homeschooling. schooled compatriots and that there is no emphasis on 53K states that Chief General Manager may one particular subject to the detriment of the others. cancel the C:stificate"The terms and conditions of the What does comprehensive mean? Large in certificate have not been complied with" or "any lawful scope and broadin content. direction of his or her representative have not been What does balanced mean? To be in proportion. complied with"obviously there arc checks and balances in the Appeals process under the Act and possibly under All of these definitions arc open to the Equal Opportunities legislation and we must assume interpretation and by Law are not allowed to be applied that justice will be done because obviously biased in a way so as to dcny a citizen natural justice. Why officials would constantly be before the Appeals process. define instructions at all ? Education is very important to Nonetheless your elected representatives should easily our society and an enormous number of academics spend understand a natural fear (especially if you put them in a huge amount of time weighing up what is important to your place) that this type of discriminatory regulation know, when and why for children. Whether they are should not be in existence at all. I very much doubt that

6 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992

M schools can be treated in such a way and therefore why homeschoolers have the time, energy or will to be under should homeschoolers have more stringent rules applied the threat of constant litigation. Many homeschoolers to them than institutions answerable to the public and base their educational philosophy on the assumption that funded from the public purse? the way children are taught in schools is just not efficient or good for children and they don't want any sort of WORST CASE SCENARIOS regulations or rules that lay down a government's "one I have always been strongly critical of those right way" in any area of education, especially specific people who put forward the possible sexual, social or regulations governing goals, objectives, procedures or educational abuse of homeschooled children as the evaluations of homeschooling. reason for the policing of homeschooling. Obviously abuse does riot only happen between 9 and 3 and indeed FEDERAL PROTECTION happens in schools anyway. It is my strong belief that One of the biggest problems some people see, with The homeschooling, or in fact schools (with a 16% Out of School Certificate', is that the Minister and functional illiteracy rate they would be in BIG trouble), Administrative Appeals Tribunal (section 53M of the should never be judged on a worst case scenario basis. Bill) have the final say. However, it is not widely known That being said, I do believe the state (we, the that an application may be made to the Supreme Court citizens) has a legitimate right to demand that children under the Administrative Dccisions Judicial Review Act be educated. There is an enormous long term social and 1988 which recognises that abuses of Ministerial power economic cost of an uneducated population that cannot can occur and covers such things as " ....a breach of be underestimated. So while I whole heartedly respect natural justice and the taking of relevant.... (or). and support the democratic rights of all those people irrelevant considerations into account in the exercise of a who feel that the state has no concern with the education power...". (Section [13955] 5. (I) (a) - (i) and (2) (a) -(f). of their children, I do strongly sympathise with the state in terms of required access to a guaranteed education for THE FIGHT MUST GO ON all children. Obviously, the education aspect is well Of course if the legislation does get through, the fight covered when parents use high-quality educational will not stop for some people. Some groups will fight curricula. one way (please see the next paragraph) and some While you and I see heaps of normal, people will want to set up an ongoing "talkfest/lobby responsible, caring, intelligent homeschool parents; group" with the department to ensure that the regulations education inspectors and welfare officers see some truly are applied in an even handed way that recognises the sad cases of neglect from people with severe psychiatric superior and diverse type of education that disturbances to others with severe drug problems who homcschoolers give their children. keep their children home and do not educate them. The It is well known that the religious beliefs held fact is that because education administrators often do not by some homeschoolers preclude them from registering interact with normal homeschoolers as regularly as the with the State for homeschooling. One of these groups is 'bad' cases they tend to be specifically concerned about led by Frank Marrett of Werribee. If this legislation does the plight of children at home that reflects those bad pass Frank intends to use a range of options including the cases they have seen. Neither bureaucrats nor politicians Equal Opportunity legislation and even gaol to continue will see the hundreds of committed parents giving high the fight. quality education to their precious children, unless we show them. UNITY It seems to me that all homeschoolers of different GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS philosophies, doctrines and beliefs should be able to Many people are of the impression that asking support each other's right to home educate because we thc Department of Education for guidelines on what they all share a basic commitment to the importance of the determine as the parameters of education is a good idea family and personal freedom. It would be a sad situation because it is then "easy" for a homeschooler to show that indeed if people who choose onc type of homeschooling they arc doing a better job than the schools. This is NOT educational option deny othcr people their choice of how guidelines work. Past experience in Qld, W.A. and option. We need to fight as concerned individuals, N.S.W has shown that quite the opposite happens and in members of support groups and as a movement fact regulations/guidelines arc used to "string-up" reflecting a broad spectrum of society. homeschoolcrs in avalanches of paperwork. "Court-happy" people may say that they want THE IDEAL regulations so as to prove that they arc being applied To have the Education (Out of School Education) Act unequally in schools and homeschools to the Equal 1991 totally thrown out and to ensure that powers for Opportunity Commissioner. However, not all welfare officers remain under the Welfare Act .

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 7 A FALL BACK POSITION of certified homeschoolers will never be regarded as truants If the law is to be passed, in the short term, in some form, and the section regarding summoning officers powers (53E) will never affect them". Handle all with care. is there a part you can live with and what are the parts you cannot? Obviously this is going to be an individual WHAT TO DO choice. Some people. especially those who don't ever 1. Get a copy of the proposed Bill and a copy of the objections intend to register for religious reasons will object mainly from your local support group and read their informed, non to 53D, E, G & 53 I while other parents may have more emotional objections. As a result write your own comments. concerns with 53F, 531, 53J and 53K. Some families and detailed objections to may be willing to accept 53F with a modified 53K, (1) the Education Minister Mr. Pullen though with 531 and 53J totally removed. (The.se two (2) your local member sections are almost identical to the 1987 N.S.W (3) Don Haywood the Shadow Minister for Education. legislation but were amended and thus removed from the 2.1f possible make an appointment with your local member 1990 Education Reform Act.) Support groups will have and go along and introduce yourself as a home educator in their ask copies of exactly how they want the law to read. While area. In a non emotional way present your objections and them to take up the issue and keep you informed. the Liberal Party may approve of some form of 3. Write letters as an individual but keep in contact with the certification and registration and vote with Labor on that support groups so you are aware of what is going on. Send issue they could, with their majority in the Upper House, them a self addressed stamped envelope for more information easily amend or remove the unwanted sections. or start a phone tree, we all need each other. 4. Try to encourage all homeschoolers to write and be heard, THE REALITIES especially those who don't usually write letters. 1. Frank Marrett says that part of the Education 5. Religious people will pray for strength & wisdom. (Out of School Education) Act 1992 must be passed 6. Try to put differences aside and support the right of all to because it is the long term intention of the Education home educate. Dept. to transfer truancy enforcement to themselves and 7. Don't give in or run out of energy, "one letter does not a change make", members of support groups have to realise that this is part of what the Act does. However the wording of if you can hold the legislation up for a couple of months they this Act obviously needs to be changed back to the have to be there over that period to get a good result. unthreatening option that is presently part of the Welfare 8. Know your politicians well in both Houses, by sight as well. Act. So if this part of the legislation must go through it Some will be useleis for your cause but the friendly ones will require delicate and persistent negotiation to get the should be respected and used but still treated gently and not relevant bits changed. Ideally all groups can mutually threatened. decide on an option with which they are happy and a 9. Whenever the legislation is being discussed have support short logical explanation of why to limit the effect of group members in Parliament- it cartmake a difference. (The looking disorganised. N.S.W. bill was fir.ally passed at 2 a.m.) 2. The Liberal party has a majority in the Upper 10. If the law is passed you can still beat it at the next election house and therefore the legislation cannot be passed if especially if you have made thc Liberals realise that it could be the Liberal party is totally convinced by your an election issue. submissions- this is the challenge. It is Frank Marrett's opinion however, that the Liberal party want a system of registration and they may well support this option and SOME LEADERS OF SOME LOBBY GROUPS also that John Hewson's "reasonable conditions" is the same as saying "registration". N.S.W experience does Resource Group (A.E.R G) back this assessment up but the only true information is Peter Petersal 059 665 210; Anneue Berryman 03 spoken by the person concerned. 489 7530 ; Lindy Fergus 03 807 9122 Sue Simpson 03 8897044 THE MEDIA All forms of the media can be powerful allies or deadly Australian Christian Academy & Croydon Baptist enemies. Anyone who is outspoken or seen as highly radical AcademyGeorge Moran(03) 72.5 1559 compared to the norm can be seen as fair game for a T.V. crucifixion. Obviously, homeschoolers can justifably feel Families Honouring Christ highly emotional and yet coldly rational on thc issue of the John Angelico 03 543 5237 Fax 03 544 2328_ change in legislation. But the Education Department officials, who will be consulted as the 'experts' against you in any The Ohristian Family School Association interview can look very reasonable if they say something like Frank Marrett 03 741 1490 (7 - 10 p.m). "If these families are teaching their chi'.dren well, they have Ithing to fear from us." "Comprehensive and balanced Yarra Valley kirn/schers Karen Williams 059 669063 ducation is the goal of schools, why shouldn't homeschoolers be subject to the same rules as everyone else?" " The children

8 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 37 "ANY of the following shall be deemed to be a valid

reason..." . QUEENSLAND That is, 58 (2) (a) (i) & 58 (2)(.,) (ii) are OR propositions and the Order in Council only applies to the first section. LEGISLATION Robin Sullivan answered the problem unsatisfactorily when she wrote "In your letter you refer An Update by Jo-Anne Beirne to section 58 (2)(a) (ii) of the Education (General Provisions) Act 1989. Section 58 (2)(a) (i) states 'This is part of ;sty most recent fetter to th e Mini:surfer that. prescribed by Order in Council" Education in Of. As this is a very important issue I ans I am well aware of Section 58 (2)(a) (i) and not content to kt QG1paresu be discriminated against in what is prescribed for it by the Order in Council. But it is the OM cf flontuchoortng. Section 58 (2)(a) (ii) that is in dispute. Furthermore close reading of Section 78 reveals "The Governor in Council may make regulations not inconsisteht with this Act for or in respect to - (j) all LEGISLATION - Philosophically matters required or permitted by this Act If legislative changes are required homeschoolers will be prepared to lobby for them. So if the Governor in Council has NOT made a Obviously the main problem for us is that the present regulation in respect of Section 58 (2) (a) (ii) then legislation, as it is bcing administered, is discriminatory obviously the Ministcr is able to makc a decision and unworkable for many families. CONSISTENT with the intention of the Act and thus the You are undoubtedly aware that Australia is a intention of Section 58 (2) (a) (ii) which states "in a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights range of subjects acceptable to the Minister, in some which says "Parents have a prior right to choose the other manner which, in the opinion of the Minister, is kind of education that shall be given to their children." regular and efficient." (Article 26 (3)). The present Queensland legislation denies non-teacher registered Queensland parents this In Section 58 (2) (a) (ii) there is no mention of basic right. There is no other state in Australia that treats REGISTERED TEACHER or ORDER IN COUNCIL parents this way. Furthermore you will not find an (and there is no Order in Council that refers to this educational theorist or researcher anywhere in the world section). Indeed we believe Section 58 (2) (a) (ii) who will not substantiate the fact that one to one, or provides a statement equivalent to the option that small group tuition, is a highly effective model for provides for homeschooling in every other State's education. All of the basic criticisms of homeschooling legislation. It allows that the Minister must decide in from a lack of socialization in the real world, to the cases of dispute about a parent applying regular and pursuit of too structured/unstructured programs can be efficient instruction. While this is not our ideal for answered with respected research if we have an legislation it is workable at present and non- opportunity to put it before you and the Education discriminatory with regards to Queensland parents who Department. are not registered teachers who wish to homeschool.

LEGISLATION - Practically No-one has yet proved to my satisfaction that the Education (General Provisions) Act does indeed need to be changed. I still believe that 58 (2) (a) (ii) could easily be set up to allow non-registered teachers to register for homeschooling dispensation. Robin Sullivan sent me a copy of the Order in Council and, the way it is written, it definitely does not apply to Section 58 (2) (a)(ii). It actually states "His excellency the Governor, acting and in pursuance of the provisions of 58 (2) (a) (i) ..." (From the Order in Council at the Executive Building, Brisbane 3.8.89 - Qld. Gov. Gazette no. 146 p. 2993.) i.e. with specific mention of 58 (2) (a) (i). Some people may say that the Order in Council is meant to provide for BOTH sections i.e. (2) (a) (i) & (2) (a) (ii) however if you read Section 58 (2Xa) it states

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 9 Homeschooling in West Australia by Jo-Anne Beirne

This is an excerpt from my recent fetter to Mrs Kay dangerous situation, i.e. an increase in parents choosing gfaffahan, Minister for Education in W.91.. There are the option of homeschooling. Fortunately, uie foresight 2 families of whom I am aware, wfw are presently in of our politicans in enshrining the right to homeschool, dispute with the Department over gfome Education in in legislation, provides some small protection against any excessive application of restrictive regulations by WA.ft is my feeling that the inspectors in question those who perceive the law allows them this power. are not against homeschoothig per se but just se education in the light of a very 'schoof-type' Sometimes, only time will heal the problem and often definition. Fortunately, the law in WA. specifies there is merely a need for negotiation, so that 'regular' and 'efficient' and. both families being administrators can meet regularly and speak with cortunitte d and intef4ent can easily use their homeschoolers. This enables them to appreciate that homeschoolers come from a broad range of programs, child-rens work& diaries to prove regular socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, many are and efficient. in fact teachers and professionals, and that they have very positive and well thought out reasons for making "Some of the main things that the research the homeschooling choice and continuing with it shows are indefinitely. 1. One to one, or small group tuition, is a highly effective model for education. You are undoubtedly aware that Australia is a signatory 2. That an assessment of capacity for, and enjoyment of, to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which socialization among homeschoolers is at least as good as says "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of and often better than that recorded for their schooled education that shall be given to their children." (Article peers, and is definitely spread over a wider age group of 26 (3)). Obviously the present W.A. legislation does not people. deny parents this basic right. However flowing from this 3. That the educational, emotional and social nurturing one presumes that natural justice should be granted both provided by the family unit, allows homeschooled sides in a dispute. There should be able to be some children to develop skills of self-motivation, initiative review of the whole situation, by independent persons, and independence. preferably with some homeschooling experience if not 4. There is no one educational program or method to suit sympathies. We believe from past experience, and cases all children. Children have different aptitudes, interests, that have gone before the N.S.W. Ombudsman, (the abilities and learning modes. If we develop an individual duties and powers of the Ombudsman in W.A. and approach to learning, that is the characteristic of the N.S.W are very similar - according to our legal advice), homeschool, children are most likely to have positive that it is regarded as a reasonable request to have an attitudes towards long term learning. alternative inspector/superintendent become involved in a case of dispute. This does not cast any aspersions on Unfortunately, it has been our experience, that either party but merely acknowledges differences in Education Department administrators generally have interpretation of the "truth" regarding education thought. only limited access to small numbers of home educating families and rarely have the opportunity to sec a broad Standing back from the situation I have been able to range of philosophies and different approaches over any compare the programs, paperwork, reactions and length of time. Added to this is that some tend to view treatment by W.A. officials of homeschoolers from a the phenomenon of homechooling negatively at the first broad geographical and philosophical range in W.A. and contact and secondly some educators are philosophically it is our strong belief that the program, evaluation and and practically opposed to homeschooling. interaction with the Department of at least one, if not both, families in dispute would be considered more than Often these adminstrators/educators use the power that satisfactory by other inspectors. they have to try to limit, what they perceive as a

10 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 Homeshoolers who choose to become legal never wish why? If any change in the Law is proposed could you to be in an "us" and "them" situation with the Minister undertake to inform us please, as the law requires: and the Department. The law allows for homeschooling quite explicitly, we apply quite openly and yet we are 2. Could you please outline the procedure that you and often treated like common criminals and have conditions the Department would use in a case where a parent has a applied to us that would never be accepted by the school legitimate complaint against an inspector's assessment of system the best example of this is six monthly visits. So the homeschool situation? Is there a Horneschooling often we are made to feel we are guilty until we are Review Committee or board ? Does it have any proven innocent, instead of the other way around. homeschoolers on it ? If one was created could we suggest that it does? Would it be possible to meet you in Sure there is the "worst case scenario" of parents person and/or address such a committee? I would possibly abusing their children educationally, but this envisage that our presentation group would be made up same "worst case scenario" is also just as possible in the of a diverse range of homeschoolers from all the W.A. sehools where yoi, will be aware that despite the support groups, Dr. Eamon Murphy from Fremantle and Department's best efforts there are some teachers, myself representing Homeschoolers Australia. classrooms and resources that are not perfect. Homeschooling parents cannot be hauled over the coals 3. Are the changed Draft Requirements for and treated like criminals in anticipation of some parent, Homeschoolers completed ? If so can they be distributed some time, not educating their children. Just as the among homeschoolers for feedback to your Department? Department cannot be held totally responsible for the 16% of children who graduate schoois functionally 4. It has been said that the Labor party is philosophically illiterate and innumerate, or the chronic truants. opposed to homeschooling. We wonder if you could confirm for us if it is the intention of your own political GENERAL HOMESCHOOL1NG CONCERNS party to limit the number of homeschoolers in W.A.? If Many of our members have voiced the following so, for what reasons? concerns to me in our discussions regarding the present application of regulations in W.A. and regarding the I would like to emphasise again that we would be present cases in dispute, could you please reply to them? delighted to meet with you. A meeting will undoubtedly confirm for you that homeschoolers are not "kooks" or or I. Our most important concern is that now this matter any other "group" but rather ordinary people who want has come to a head is there any chance that Departmenui to do the very best for their children in all areas. Thank officials will apply to have the Legislation altered? And you for your attention in this matter and looking forward are you aware if the Education Department has any to your reply. policy with regards to limiting homeschooling and if so

N.S.Wnews by Jo-Anne Beirne

There are three homeschooling concerns presently before the N.S.W Minister for Education and the Board of Studies these arc ..14/

I. Access to the H.S.0 at Year 12 level.

2. The issue of the old Education Department files that were kept on us undcr the 1987 legislation being removed from our Board of Studies files and sent to the archives. -

3. Access to Distance Education materials, at a pricc. I OITA .1

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL JANUARY-FEBRUARY1992 11

A n RIESQVACE. ENIMplATIQN.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN EDUCATION EXPO SCHOOLS ? Many of you will be aware of the If you are interested to know what Dept. of Education's Education the Education Department and Resource Centers (E.R.C.) These Board of Studies in N.S.W specifies centers are designed to provide the as essential coverage for each public with access to a large range subject in schools you can get of educational resources and each copies of these documents from unit has it's own particular 'expo' noarssi rsc Studies- days where private and government K-6 Science & Technology , All publishers, computer distributors subjects for the School Certificate & and art suppliers gather to present Higher School Certificate. their wares. One is planned for the Communications Branch Board of Emerton E.R.C. soon and the one in Studies Ph 925 8111 Parramatta is also very well or GETTING CHILDREN'S equipped. Find out about your local *Department of School Education E.R.C. soon. WORK PUBLISHED for all other primary syllabuses. There is a magazine called Aspire (Thanks to Donna Gibbs & Rhonda Curriculum Resource Unit- The Pritchard for this information.) that appears monthly that publishes Shop Ph 808 9444 children's work. For more details (Thanks to Neil Mierendorff and PUBLICATIONS the telephone number is Don Haddon for this information) 07 355 0868 Many of the educational regions (Metropolitan South, North, etc.) AUSTRALIAN ACADEMIC have publications committees, that MICROSCOPE FUN TOURS Did you know that there is a Postal publish materials used or compiled Dr David Roots runs a very detailed by teachers. Often these are very Microscopical Club of Australia? It program of short, long and overseas enables members from all parts of good and inexpensive resources. If trips from Sydney, Melbourne and you would like any more Australia to participate in the Canbera concerned with all sorts of microscopical sciences- particularly information you will fmd the phone geological and natural history number of your region in the front natural history specimens. The club issues. If you wish to get a copy of circulates sets of prepared slides of the white pages. For the Met. his program & price list write to 12 West Publications Committee together with a comments book to Sturdee Lane Elvina Bay 2105. all members to study in theirown brochure write c/- Bert Oldfield time. A newsletter Amateur Public School, Oldfield Rd. Seven SCHOOL MAGAZINES Hills Ph. 671 7760. Microscopist is sent to members I read on the advertisement that the which includes articles on school magazines were founded in techniques, history, formultK and 1916. They sure are a great literary letters. The club encourages tradition. I remember loving mine members to prepare their own slides and my children love thcirs too. and send them to other members They cover reading ages 8- around Australia. The enthusiasm advanced in four levels and comc rubs off onto new members whocan once a month from February to then participate in this hobby November. The cost is $6/sub & without fear of isolation. The club $11 postage. For more deaths : accepts members over 11 years. For School Mag. Priv Bag 3 Ryde 2112 more details write to PMCA, 28 Valley Rd Hazelbrook 2779.

12 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL* JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992

41 RESOURCE INFORMATION continued

COUNCIL EXCURSIONS SCIENTIA CHALLENGE MATHEMATICS Recently a group of Blue Mountains PROGRAM First Aid in Basic Mathematics is a homeschoolers attended an This is supposed to be for gifted and handbook for parents &leachers of informative excursion of the Blue talented high school students from children having difficulty with Mountains City Council. Mr Yrs 7-10, who are at Yr 10-12 level, school mathematics. The author Doggett (an ex-council employee) but obviously it would suit anyone Theodore H. MacDonald is highly spent his own time to come in and who is enthusiatic and rich enough qualified and experienced. It is explain to the children levels of (a two day program is $200). There available from most bookshops. government and how the council is a broad choice of studies to works to our children. The children undertake under the auspices of a SCIENCE QUESeciON TIME learned so much ! They participated number of faculties and highy Alan Thompson is a homeschooling in a mock council session and were qualified academics. This is the parent and teacher who has written a able to sit in the alderpeople's fourth Christmas break Scientia software drill-quiz covering 65 chairs, don the mayoral robes and Challenge program, For more Junior Secondary Science Topics act as the Town Clerk. They put and details ring Uni of N.S.W 697 3175 (which he teaches) for Apple passed various motions and even Computers. It is excellent got thrown out when disorderly- all preparation for H.S.C. Science according to council meeting subjects. If you would like more protocol. The session took over two information contact Alan at P.O. hours and there was even tea and Box 346 Dubbo 2830. biscuits after. I would recommend this educational excursion to SHAKESPEARE everyoneso get a goup together For those just discovering the joy of and ask your local council for Shakespeare."Playing Shakespeare" details. (This information sent by is a board game of Shakespearean Sue Cartwright.) charades- involving players who attempt, through charades, to fill in WHY THEY SHOULD BE AT EARTHWATCH missing words in famous HOME? Earthwatch is an organisation that Shakespearean quotations. A new course incorporating drug funds scientific field research by Although it is recommended for education will be mandatory in placing paying volunteers into the children 12 years old and over no N.S.W high schools in 1992 and in field to work with scientists. You special knowledge of Shakespear K-6 hum 1993. Ms Graham who is can find out more about the 1992 is necessary. A booklet is included teaching the course at Willoughby expeditions by calling Earthwateh with quickie summaries of all 37 Primary School said "Young on 290 1022. (From the A.N.H plays. Available from Aristoplay children are particularly susceptible magazine.) P.O. Box 7529, Ann Arbor, MI to any direction you may lead them" 48107-7529. U.S.A PC GLOBE/ MACGLOBE This educational software takes you NEW SYLLABUSES on a world tour of 190 countries Just to show you that a diversity of where you can hear the national subjects is now encouraged in anthem of all of them, see the flags, N.S.W it is interesting to read that read about any statistic from some of the new syllabuses in '92 currency, population, industries and include Business Studies, Studies of death rates to imports and exports. Religion, Drama, Dance, Korean, There is extensive cross referencing Arabic and Turkish (Years 11-12) and data on each country including Aboriginal Studies, Career three different types of maps and a Education, Engineering Studies, facility that allows you to determine Food Tecnology, Design and the distance from any one place on Technology and Chinese earth to any other. (Years7-10)

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JANUARY-FEBRUARY 13 42 encouraged us to send letters to those concerned. Glad to read that you are a councillor for Dr Moore's Home LETTERS Educators International. When I replied to their questions I commented that I felt you were a worthy Dear Jo-Anne choice and I hope Australia would get some benefits from the organisation in the near future. The Yarra Valley Homeschool Group has grown with an interest from 7 or so new families.

Ray Dimitroft, Upwey Tas. Appreciate your efforts, we found the AHJ very informative and inspirational.

.1. =.1.J.011.1.MMIM 7 .1.11111.91111.1111 E.: Lynn Cherry, Quilpolly olielnINAINIII12 misitgilmlwIii.r.-. Thank you for the journal. It is just what we need. Thank you for all the advice and support that you gave as when we were starting. We have quite a good little group at Quirindi and we have had excursions to Lorna Tonnochy Pimlico Qld Bayswater Power Station, Glenbawn Dam, Tamworth I really feel I can't anonymously send off these Airport, where we rode in the Fire engine. We also saw envelopes without trying to express my thanks to you. Ginger Meggs presented by the New England Theatre It's taken me years, starting at curiosity, through to Company. Now to get Mc children to write about these commitment to get where I am now, which is ready to things! begin homeschooling. I first applied in May but persistence has paid off and I now have been assured that JOhn Peacock, Tasmania approval will be through next month. Without your Many thanks for the copy of your resurrected journal there is no chance that I would have known journal. It is good to sec you back in harness again.I where to begin, my sincerest thanks. It has been an particularly liked the piece on homeschooling freedoms. interesting exercise working "with" the Qld Education You managed to put my feelings, and I am sure those of Department. many other home educators, so succinctly. Point 3 said that if I don't complain you will assume that there is Peter & Lily Nesbitt-Hawes, Central Coast, N.S.W nothing that I am unhappy about.I am not complaining Here is a list of Home School Dates for 1992 from the but I must say that your comment on the legal situation Central Coast. We ask families to please give us some in Tasmania was well below your usual meticulous level notice if they wish to attend on (043) 621473. and should be amended. The working party consisted of 1. Saturday 15th February \Long Jetty Park (West) 6 people only. If you are going to mention namcs you Lots of play equipment, picnic facilities, walk and bike should do the honours all round. Kathleen Carins of tracks, etc. Meet 11.30am A.C.E. travelled furthest and worked hardest of the 2. Saturday 23rd May, Lane Cove River Park near zoo home educators and deserves a mention, not to say a and causeway. Meet 12.00am commendation. The other members of the committee 3. Saturday 15th August Rumbalara Park via Springfield were Kate Shipway, a lecturer from the University of Picnic arca/bushwalking. Tasmania; Alistair Holm, who does work for the Education Dept but made it clear that he was there from Susan & Will McAulay, Moss Vale NSW his own interest and not specifically representing Thank you for all that work. Loved the cover, attractive anyone; the chairperson Alison Jacob, who is the person and easy to read layout, excellent content, informative, in the Department who has responsibility for home practical, challenging. We have 11 interested families in education. Georgie Holderness- Roddam of N.A.G. and Moss Vale this year. myself. All the home educators concerned (The Karen Williams, Salisbury VIC committee adopted that title to include homeschoolers) Great Journal! It happened to come just in time to help were "not very pleased with the results".I certainly am another family and myself decide what we should do in only relatively happy with it as it was drawn up and regards to receiving extra attention from the local many home educators in the community have chosen to officers. The officers want them to home educate in a shun the whole proceeding altogether. After the renort more structured manner than they wish. It was the was submitted, the Minister met with all the committee article on P.9 - Homeschooling Freedoms, which except Georgie, who was in England, and Alistair, and

14 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 writing. Going to school was very difficult for him as LETTERS he had to learn all sorts of things. His not. knowing what "rule a margin" meant was just one more sign to the suggested significant alterations with which I do not teacher that she was dealing with a very sad case, agree and which considerably undermine the original someone with a severe learning disability. He managed report and the intent behind it. The report was to go for 2 semesters though his self-esteem seemed to subsequently amended according to the Minister's me to be plummeting. It was only recently that he said to desire. Because it is still a confidential document I can't me "I didn't cry every day but I felt like it". What a go into detail, but it is not as good an outlook as we had terrible thing! I'm just so glad he didn't stay there any hoped. Beyond all that, it is likely that there will be an longer. Two semesters was enough for Josh to realise he election before Christmas and the Liberal shadow really would rather be home schooled and we're all much minister has stated that he is satisfied with the old happier for it.I'm very interested in how you go about system. The Liberals have also come under considerable educating your kids. Do they have much tuition? You pressure from the Principal's Association which opposes mentioned that one is doing carpentry on Saturdays. home education. The situation is not, then, all rosy but Was this arranged with a friend or is it an actual course. we are still battling. Do your kids have much contact with other children and are they children of friends of yours or arc they Lynden Jacobi, Whitebridge neighbours? How did you first find out about homeschooling? How old are your kids? My questions I'm feeling more and more comfortable with go on and on. I'm keen to learn as much as I can about all homeschooling the longer we do it.It has always felt approaches to homeschooling. It's also good to talk to good to have Josh at home but doubts pop up every now people who arc doing it so that I can bounce my ideas off and then, usually concerning things like "how can I do others in a similar situation. all I want with him and still have time for Erin (3 years old) and Sylvie (5 months old) and of I have found that thc more sure I am course, time for me. I've just finished A about our decision not to send Josh to reading Learning All the Time and am school the less people voice their about to start on Teach Your Own by disagreements but there is still this John Holt. feeling that I have to justify my actions. Many people see keeping Josh out of We really started to school as over protectiveness on my homeschool Josh when we went part.I think it is important to protect travelling last year. It was so easy those you love especially children who because I wasn't concerned about arc given so little power in our society teaching him anything knowing that there was enough to protect themselves. The other thing I quite often come going on without me doing anything. While in the States up against is the fact that Josh will be different and how I read Teach Your Own and was very impressed and is he going to be able to fit in to the real world later on. very keen to kccp Josh out of school. When we got Little do they know that our family life is just as real and home 6 months later Josh wanted to go back to the I honestly don't feel it will make such a difference to my Steiner school so I agreed. His class was too full so we children anyway except maybe give them a stronger base continued with schooling at home but suddenly there to move on from. was pressure on me to teach him things. I decided to enrol Josh in the Government Correspondence School. Stephen Ward, Sussex Inlet N.S.W This was a big mistake. Josh had gone through a very Thank you for the help and encouragement you gave different system and had done no reading or writing Debbie prior to our homeschooling inspection. We were before. It was terrible trying to stick to such a straight granted permission to continue for another two years and program and both of us disliked it. We lasted 6 weeks the visit was very positive, affirming what we had then dropped out. Josh was still keen to go to school and already done as well as confirming our change in decided if he still couldn't get into the Steiner school he drection regarding pioneering our own curriculum. We would like to try the local public school. I was very enjoyed the AHJ and hope it can continue to be concerned about how this would go as he would be published. If we can do anything to contribute to your starting 3rd grade without having done any reading or work in homeschooling please let us know. We are writing. The Steiner school only introduced letters in excited and challenged about thc years ahead and would 3rd grade. I enrolled Josh at a private tutoring school, like to see more parents given the opportunity to teach Arrendell, in order to teach him the basics of reading and their own.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 15 4 4 Rosa Geenen, Blaxland N.S.W In 1991 I organised a music/art group for the Lower Blue LETTERS Mountains. We had a fulfilling and enjoyable year. We covered international, Australian bush and Aboriginal Ian and Rose Tresvaskis, Wairewa VIC music. We had a go at a didgeridoo and the older Just to inform you that we will again be having our children learnt recorder. We had an end of year concert annual homeschooling weekend from Friday to Monday, where the children played music, performed in a play, Labour Day Weekend March 1992. did dance and gymnastics routines and sang. Everyone We are situated in East Gipps land on the edgce of the participated in our sing-a-longs and about 40 people State forest, 11km from Nowa Nowa. Wairewa is a small attended the event. This year we would love to see more farming valley off the Princes Highway, close to the participants and our first day will be Feb 3rd. On March famous Limestone Caves at Buchan and the beautiful 90 2nd we will have a music specialist to perform a show mile beach. Camp Wairewa can be your base for for us. A small fee is charged for participation. If you are exploring these tourist attractions as well as the interested please contact me on 047 396403. opportunity to meet with other homeschooling families in a relaxed, informal, holiday atmosphere. Our Kathy Boles, Emu Park Queensland homeschooling camp is usually a memorable time of HOME EDUCATION GATHERING fun, farm and fellowship. Our tentative program is as Anyone interested in a Home Education Gathering on follows: the weekend of 5-8 June near Emu Park, Queensland please write to Kathy Boles, 2 Richard St, Emu Park, HOMESCHOOL CAMP WEEKEND 4702 and send a self-adressed stamped envelope for Friday: Welcome information and to contribute ideas. We need to know Saturday: Breakfast, 9.30 a.m trading table, 10.30 a.m. approximate numbers by mid-April to decide if it is out in the bush by horseback, carriage or on foot. Meet viable. Accomodation is in a church camp close to the for a .)icnic lunch at the Pioneer Memorial, 2 p.m. Team each 3km from Emu Park, with a kitchen-dining- Gamrs, 6 p.m. Casserole Tea, & 7.30 p.m. Bush Dance. meeting building and a separate sleeping quarters Suneay: Breakfast, 9.30 a.m Worship, 10.30 a.m. building. Emu Park is a small seaside town 45km cast of Pioneer Skills Demonsiration, 12.30 lunch, 2 p.m cricket Rockhampton and about 700km north of Brisbane. Cost match/pony ridesarip to Mt Nowa Nowa 6 p.m. Tea $4 per person per night or $12 per family per night or $2 7.30 Concert. per day visitor. Babies and toddlers no charge. Activities will only be as organi.,ed as people want. Barry and Roz Hancock, Riverstone N.S.W In 1991 we started the North West Sydney Homeschool Support Group especially but not exclusively for A.C.E. homeschooles. The aim of our group is to provide prayer support, encouragement and practical help. We hope to particularly meet the needs of Mums who have little opportunity for fellowship with other Mums. Please contact us on 02 627 1308 if you wish to know more details.

Sandra and Barry Turner, Burrinjuck N.S.W We were delighted to receive the AHJ. We want you to know that we appreciate the time, energy and effort it took you (and is going to take you) to produce this quality and much needed forum for homeschooling families. We both read the journal from cover to cover.Our interview with David Evans went really well and we were granted a one year registration. I am happy with the programme I have put together for 1992, with the help of a teaching friend, but I am convinced that a non-pressure approach to education is the best approach. I admit that I am hoping that future issues of the AHJ will inject mc with the encouragement and confidence I need, as every little bit helps!

16 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 45 influence of the school environment to bring out the best in a child!', some would say. The irony is, I thought HOMESCHOOL afterwards, that if he were at school he would not be given enough time to complete this task and the PRE-SCHOOL inspiration would probably take him at morningtea or by Marcel le Foundling mathematics time anyway. Yesterday I was writing when Rory asked me to write his name at the top of a page so he could copy it.I was delighted to witness his first attempts at writing and he The night before Al-U 31 arrived I was deep in finished up filling five pages of people'snames. Again it meditation, praying for guidance as to whatwas the best occurred to me that if he were at school he wouldnot be option for my children's educational future. I have allowed to use a thick red marker pen and write the always been enthusiastic about unschooling but having letters in any size or position he liked as I had allowed my children home seven days a week for the past five him to. He would learn to write at school but Iam sure months is something I am not used to (as 1 have been his first experience of writing would not beany fun with studying part-time for the last six years). Bede (18 the regulation pencil tracing dotted outlines of 'cat' and months) had been teething and whinging constantly fora 'dog' along a straight Ifne (I have seen the Pre-Writing fcw days. workbooks!). Most saddening to me would be that I could not imagine him mowing his father downat the I was comforting him as I sat on the floor amidsta door to show off such unoriginal efforts. mountain of toys when Rory (4 112years, the "is he going to school next year?" age) decidedto jump on my There seem to be more and more instances I noticenow back as he often does as soon as I pay Bedeany of how Rory would be better offaway from school. I attention. "I can't handle this", I thoughtto myself and needed to have a look to realise two things: reached for the phone to call a local Community School I had been meaning to have a look at for sometime.They I. Homeschooling requires a great conviction and said come down and have a look anytime and I hadthe commitment to work so I am not putting hisname on the kids dressed and on the doorstep within halfan hour. waiting list 'just in case' (It is a bit like having thedivorce The school was lovely (as far as schools go) and had all papers filled in before you marry). the things I would like for in an educational establishment loose structure, mixedage classes, free 2.1 need to make sure I am not crackingup and do more time periods for the children, parental involvement, self reading, networking and attending homeschool paced teaching, etc. One of the teachers hadeven functions. All of which I have been neglectinglately. homeschooled herself for a while so understoodmy concerns and almost convinced me this school wasa better option. Rory loved playing in the cubby house and sandpit and has told me he would loveto go there.

As impressive as it was, I still have not filledout the application form Why? Maybe it's when they said they follow the Education Department CurriculumI could not help but. feel that this was justa nicer way of getting the same old information in. I have been watching Rory more closely over the last weekto compare what he is doing at home with what he would be doing at school, even an alternative school.The next day he pulled out one of his dinosaur sticker cardsand began painting each little section a different colour. After twenty minutes of concentrated workhe announced that he wanted to make this really good'just like those kids at the school had worked fora long time on their sandpit' (the children had built a great network of roads, tunnels and castles). Hewas at it for an hour and produced a beautiful picture. 'Ah! Nothing likethe

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 17 TIME REQUIREMENTS FOR HOMESCHOOLING IN N.S.W. by 9o-Anne Beirne

Many homeschoolers have recently asked me about the hours 365 days/year. This is not to say that school numbers of hours and days "required" by the N.S.W children don't learn all their waking hours 365 days/year guidelines to homeschool. as well, only that for homeschoolers the learning of all these times is connected to their living and their "school" The actual wording is as follows: life and it is more likely to be integrated across a broad 6. " The total teaching time should be sufficient to spectrum of subject areas not disjointed into allow for coverage of that body of work that could be compartments. undertaken by a student working 5 hours daily for 200 days per year. Some students may cover this work in less Homeschoolers, legitimately feel that the "learning time." facilitator" is more likely to be aware of from where the learning springs, has a better idea where to direct her This wording was not written by accident, but after individual child and the connections to further explore. careful consideration and discussion between practising For example a child who suddenly becomes very homeschoolers and The Board of Studies. They were interested in rocks will most likely have that learning written to allow for the unique situation that is met by visiting the geological mining museum, being homeschooling and the children who follow this given or read to from books on same, accessing friends learning alternative. Some of the specific reasons follow: and others with knowledge of rocks, watching T.V programs about the history of the Earth etc in a very 1. Most homeschooling parents have been at pains over flexible manner. Homeschoolers are able to eliminate the years to deny the 'hothousing' label. Obviously if a the time-costly situations of class control, administrative parent so desired it would be easy to accelerate a paperwork and change of teachers, who must "get to homeschooling child in say the language, science and know" the class again, from year to year. mathematics areas purely by virtue of the amount of one to one tuition and back-up that the child would receive. With these issues in mind the guideline concerning When you are sure that a child understands a topic and is "amount of time spent on education" was written so as competent at it you can easily move on, at their own to ensure that school children and homeschool children pace, without doing tens of examples. I can give many receive equivalent education in terms of coverage and examples of children, including my own, who have done quality rather than in terms of numbers of hours applied. 2 or even 3 years of school-type Maths texts in a year. There is also recognition of the fact that the "school- type" body of work is often covered in the homeschool It has been my experience however, that most in a shorter period of time. homeschooling parents do not usually choose this option, rather they present their child with a very broad Personally, I agree that the state has a legitimate interest programme that is certainly comprehensive and detailed in seeing that all its citizens are educated. The welfare (though not necessarily) written and rarely aimed at cost of those that aren't is an enormous and ongoing acceleration. It was recognised by the people who budgetary concern for all of us. Homeschoolers are worked on the guidelines that forcing homeschoolers to charged with the same responsibility as are all schools do 5 hours face to face "school-type" teaching per day to educate children efficiently and regularly to standards could indeed pressure homeschoolers onto the that are generally accepted by all educators and outlined acceleration path. in the "curriculum guidelines" for each key learning arca, but there is no specific requirement as to hours and 2. When one is dealing with only a couple of students,as days of teaching. The requirements on homeschoolers, in homcschooling, one is very aware of what those as regards the application of an educational programme students are doing and is constantly integrating their are no greater or less than for schools, though a good work across their curriculum, virtually thc deal more flexible, and the time element is recognisedas learning/teaching programme is happening all waking being a guide for homeschoolers.

18 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY1992 NADIA WHEATLEY- the well known author of "My Place' & other books on studying books in schools. DONE TO DEATH: SHOULD BOOKS BE 'USED' OR READ? A few years ago I was on a conference panel with Patricia Wrightson, Jan Mark and Libby Gleeson, and a member of the audience asked: 'How would you like your books to be used?' One of the panel answered in a steely voice: 'I don't want them "used" I want them read.' While that succinctly sums up my own gut feelings about the matter, I accept that children's fiction will be used in the classroom. So, rather than rail against the fact, it seems sensible to try to suggest some guidelines. Before I start, I should quickly say that I am not concerned here with the sort of literary studies that secondary students do, but with the use of a work of fiction in areas such as social studies, language development even maths in the primary curriculum. I should also say that the following very obvious comments are not based on my own experience in the classroom, but on the sort of feedback I have received from students who have had both good and bad times 'using' my books. So Rule 1 is Enjoyment. The most important thing, if a book is to be 'used', is for the teacher to be sure that the children are enjoying the book as a book as a story. And of course if this is to happen, the teacher herself must enjoy .not only this particular book, but also the act of reading. This is not to say that the teacher must love all books; indeed, the indiscriminate and uncritical love of books is as deadening as not loving them at all. However, if a teacher is to impart enjoyment of literature, then she must herself be the kind of person who sometimes gets so carried away by a book that she neglects to do the housework or prepare her lessons. In line with this theme of enjoyment, I'd like to quote a kind of warning I tried to give back in 1987, when My Place was first published. My Place is many things, but one thing it isn't is a textbook. I wrote it in the hope that it would start Australian children thinking in a new way about historyand about themselves, their families, their homes, their environments. I hoped that it might make history seem real, immediate and interesting. Though I think that My Place could also be a useful teaching aid, as far as I'm concerned the book will have failed if even one child thinks: 'Oh, My Place, yuk! That's the book that's full of work!'... Please bear in mind that the book is a picture stony-book, and that it's meant to be enjoyed. If Rule 1 -is Enjoyment, Rule 2 is There arc no rules. By this I mean that there are no formulae or recipes for the successful or suitable use of a book in the classroom: the teacher alone can decide what is appropriate in the context of her particular students. Here it is vital that the teacher respects what the children bring to a book. Though I know this goes against the whole system of curriculum preparation, I would suggest that teachers should not be very well prepared about what they plan to 'do' with a book: to a great extent this should be determined by the children's response. Only in the light of this can the teacher decide what activities would interest her classor rather, what activities would interest particular children in her class, for if the book is at all complex, different children will probably be excited by quite different aspects. The teacher must also know when to stop. The key to all this of course is the teacher's own expertise, her own imagination, her own perception of her students. That is why I am very wary of published sets of teachers' notes, for if works of fiction must be 'used' in the classroom, I fully believe that teachers themselves are able to think up the most interesting and appropriate activities. An obvious problem here is timeor rather, the paucity of funding for education. It is very hard to think up special activities for different children when the class is too crowded, when you have little preparation time, when you may only have one or two copies of the book that you are working on. But beyond this, I think teachers must develop their confidence in themselves and in their own responses to a book, so that that they trust their own judgement rather than relying on the interpretations of professional note-writers. Finally, I would like to ask you always to remember that books are not tadpoles. BY this I mean that I sometimes find people whether educationalists or critics or film-makers who seem to think that a book is a sort of stase of creation which, under the right circumstances, can develop into a veritable frog (which can in turn, if kissed by the right person, even become a prince). Or perhaps a better analogy would be to say that some people tend to regard a hook as a kind of packet cake mix: as the basic raw material which mug he added to and stirred and cooked before it reaches its proper form In fact, of course, the hook is the frog, the prince, the cake. it is an end in itself, and all that needs to be done to it is to read it.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 19 Developing Good Learning Skills Pat Nelson

Homeschooled children obvi- ously have parents who are commit- ted to academic achievement. But as parents, we sometimes doubt our ability to successfully educate our children, and when these doubts surface we become less effective. Parents need to realize that their children's success may depend less on what we teach them than on how well we can instill a love oflearning that will continue throughout their lives. To effectively develop a love of learning in our children, our role is to stimulate their natural curiosi- ty. In her book, I Learn Better By Teaching Myself (Home Education Press, 1990), homeschooling mothermy children. This can open the door Agnes Leistico states, "The old say-to a discussion of values or choices ing, 'You can lead a horse to water,in life. but you can't make him drink,' ex- Make frequent trips to the li- presses the futility of forcing a stu-brary. Help your children selectuse illustrations, analogies, exam- dent to learn something when shebooks relatedto their interests,ples, and hands-on experience as does not think she can succeed and/such as hobbies, pets, or famousteaching aids. For example, if you or she is just not interested in thepeople. Teach them how to use thewanted to teach the skill of classifi- topic." Success comes not from forc-card catalog, and as they get older,cation, you might suggest sorting ing a rigid curriculum on a child,the Reader's Guide to Periodical Lit-the family laundry into piles and la- but rather from opening the mind toerature, the Guide to Books in Print,beling each one (shirts, socks, pants, questioning, to exploring possibili-and reference books such as encyclo-or wash and wear, lights and darks). ties, and to the joy of learning. pedias, The World Almanac, and theSome hobbies such as collecting There are steps we can takedictionary. And don't limit yourselfbaseball cards or stamps lend them- to enhance our children's learningto your community library. Intro-selves well to classification skills. sldlls: duce your child to the libraries at Expose your older children to Encourage reading. Start read-community colleges and universi-current events. Encourage them to ing to your children when they areties, and even your local museum.think about social, economic, and po- babies and read to them every day.Teaching your children how to re-litical problems, but be ready to lis- After they learn to read by them-search is one of the most valuableten to some idealistic viewpoints. selves, they will still enjoy the sto-tools you can give them. Ask "Can you tell me your reasons ries they can't yet master on their Encourage problem solvingfor forming that opinion?" You don't own. Give them a free rein in whatand logical thinking. Whether stud-have to agree with your children's they choose to read. Even books thatying math, history, or science, relat-viewpoints, but you can respect you may feel have no literary meriting a problem to your children's in-them. can be surprising tools for learning.terests will create a natural desire Control television viewing. It I have never censored a book in myto seek a solution. Try to get themis estimated that children watch up home. If I don't approve of a bookto think up personal connections.to 18,000 hours of television by the personally, I explain the reasons to time they ale 18, and in recent

.2 0 HOME EDUCATZMAGAZINE January-February/1992 years programs have become lessthe rest of their lives. Show yourDescribe theexperiencesthat discriminate in the showing of sexchildren that you value them forhelped you form your beliefs, the and violence. There is much criti-their decency or personality, not forreason behind your feelings. Let cism of television, but it can also begrades or competitiveness. Whenev-your children see that you treat a valuable learning tool. Let the ageer possible, give your children thethem and other people with respect and maturity level of the childrenopportunity to make decisions thatand courtesy. Remember, children be a guide in prcgram viewing. Helpaffect themselves, particularly in ar-do learn by example. your children select the shows theyeas of their education. It will also help to recognize want to see, and then try to watch Emphasi ze the positiveyour children'a personal learning these programs with them so thatthings they do, not the bad. Givestyle. Do they learn better by ver- you can discuss important topicsample praise, a special privilege orbal, visual or tactile stimulation? Do that might be raised, or pose ques-increased responsibility for a jobthey need more structure to disci- tions to underlying suggestions onwelldone. Responsibilities makepline themselves or more flexibility the show that concern you, such aschildren feel useful and valued. to hold their interest? sexism, violence, or prejudices. Teach your children the value The late John Holt, who has For the older child you mightof negotiation and compromise sobeen called the father of interest- find cable stations that transmit lo-that they can learn the importanceinitiatedlearning,believedthat calcollege courses. Even thoughof being a team player and the abili-there is a common pattern in the. your children are not enrolled in thetytosee the way children course, the programs can enhance"whole picture." learn.He ob- their education and even qualify forChildrenwith served that chil- covering the subject to meet highhigh self-esteem dren alternate school requirements. You can pur-are able to cyclesof rapid chase the accompanying text at themake good deci- learning with pe- college book store. If you make ansions, take riodsofreflec- appointmentwiththeprofessorprideintheir tion. He claimed teaching the course and explainaccomplishment that thesepat- what you are doing, many of thems,acceptre- ternscouldbe are delighted to recommend appro-sponsibility and neitherpredict- priate outside projects to accompanycope with frus- ed, nor con- the studies. tration. trolled, and that Talk with, not to, your chil- Set a children, given dren. Communication skills are of-good example. If the opportunity, ten the most difficult to achieve,you are enthu- willsuccessfully whether with our spouses, our chil-siastic about direct their own dren, or the public. Listen to yourlearning and learning. In How children when they talk about whatshow that you ChildrenLearn is important to them. Truly listen-value educa- (1983), John Holt ing to children enhances positivetion, your chil- wrote, "All I am feelingsaboutthemselvesanddren will, also. sayingcanbe teaches them, by example, how toAsyourchil- summed upin listen to parents, siblings, and otherdren'sprimary two words: Trust adults and children. It encouragesmodel for atti- children.Noth- cooperation. Ask them questions,tudes and learn- ing could be and show that you respect theiringskills, you more simple, or opinions, even if you don't alwaysare al ways more difficult. agree with them. Try not to criti-teaching. Difficult, because cize. instead, point out options. Ask Maintain to trust children them if they have considered othera sense of hu- we mustfirst particularalternatives, and givemor.Ithelps learntotrust them the opportunity to mull the in-everyonekeep ourselves, and formation over in their minds. Helpperspectiveon most of us were them articulate their feelings andwhat is important and what isn't.taught as children that we could not be willing to discuss yours. (I reallyLet your children know that you feelbe trusted." felt scared when your father was ill.good about yourself and your accom- Perhaps, then, the best way I bet you did, too.") plishments, that you take pride inwe can help our children is to pro- Promote self-esteem. Helpingyourself as an individual and as avide an environment of love and en . childrendevelop posi ti ve self.parent. Also, let them see that youcouragement conducive to learning esteem is probably the most conse-can make mistakes and can learnand then to trust their individual quential thing a parent can do forfrom them. Express your values, butlearning pattern and natural curios- children, because self-esteem is thego beyond telling them to "do thisity. foundation on which children build because its the right thing to do." HEM EST COPY AVAILABLE HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE January-February/1992 50 .3 I NATURAL LEARNING by Joanne Brugmans then a severe percentage fail in an area such as reaciing or maths after a few years of being "schooled" our children's ages are now 8.3 & I never pull a topic out of thin air and These days a great value seems to be say "this week we will learn about kings placed on things being "natural" as and queens", for example. Learning does opposed to refined, processed or artificial not happen like that here. We live, we and it also feels appropriate for me to follow our interests and we share time follow natural approaches with regard to with each other. If a child wants te know my children's education. I see that about kings and queens there will be a learning happens all the time if my reason - something will have inspired children feel safe, happy and confident. them and it will be a natural part of my No matter where we are or what we are parenting to assist that child in ways I doing my children are learning. I should can to help answer those questions and not concern myself if this learning inspire more learning. It is the same as parallels the learning school children when a child learns to Valk. Parents are doing. However as schools are trying show natural encouragement and to get children to learn many things interest, play with the child and enjoy they would naturally learn anyway the whole process. e.g. "see if you can (particularly in the primary years) walk to daddy, now over to me, Oh there are in fact many parallels. As for terrific!". those learning areas where some people I also try to involve myself in feel worried children would never learn learning experiences that I really enjoy unless "schooled", I say wait and see, it is and not to take part in activities I'm not very likely that at some stage in their keen on. lives those areas will be of relevance and All my reading and meeting with interest to them and if not I don't see any other home educating families, all my reason for them to learn those things. interaction with children and adults who I never feel that because one day my have been schooled, my own experience children might go to school I'd better of school teaching and my observations make sure they "keep up" now. If of natural learning situations have led something major ever happens in our ine to the conclusion that natural lives and school is a necessity, they will learning is an extremely pleasant and cope. Children are very resilient and efficient way to learn. manage to cope with many difficulties I also have my own life te lead and when faced with them. I've recently met though parenting is a big part of it, a family where this has happened and spending several hours each day although it was rough going for a. few "homeschooling" my children is not (not weeks the children eventually all settled that I mean this approach should not be in well. an option for other families). It is As our natural learning approach important for me to have my own needs progresses I can see many benefits met and then I can give a great deal to relating to my children's developments, my children. Mostly they play, do things relationships within our family, for themselves, share time with me as I confidence in learning, attitudes to do things, go on outings, listen to books learning, maintaining acceptable family being read, look at and read books on stress levels and general happiness and their own, talk, ask questions, interact freedom for us all. All these pluses help with each other, spend time with other keep us on the natural learning home adults and children and of course more. education trail. Jaap (my husband) and I are here to put Real learning, that my children do in our energies when we feel it is naturally happens continually. If they appropriate. We answer our children's are interested they learn. Being questions, we tell them of things we interested is I feel, a major influence think of, hear about or see that we feel learning cannot help but follow. As my may be of interest to them We involve children have been following their own them in experiences we think they'll curiosities since birth this style of enjoy We share our lives with them. learning is no effort and is simply a part of living in this world. ...and our children are developing and It seems interesting to me that every growing into responsible intelligent normal healthy child, learns using people who are making their own lives natural learning methods, how to walk or for themselves even now as they are 22 !k for example, until age 5 or so and quite young. NATURAL LEARNING WORKSHOP conducted by Jo-Anne Beirne

COST $5 per adult attending. R.S.V.P. by phone by 31stJanuary on 02 629 3727. Please leave your phone number in case we need to contact you. VENUE: Woodstock Community Center Church St Burwood TIME: 15 P.M. CHILDREN: Most welcome if they are breast-fed or quiet and supervised, there is a wonderful play area outside and shade.

DISCUSSIONTOTICS

; * In&vidual learning styleswhat's 1"."ii1111 yours, what are your children's? 11/ * What will natural learning mean long term? * Evlocang the myth of the school- nwdef of karning. * Discussion of some of the material written on natural learning. ' A natural learning approach = a reaf-fife program.

--'1141kk

Some of the obvious questions that come up about 'natural learnmg' include the following: L How can you guarrantee that children will learn anything if you let them direct the learning? i.e. You don't really believe, do you, that kids, will choose to do reading, writing, grammar, spelling, history and arithmetic, surely they must be made to do these things? 2. How can you possibly structure a day to fit in all the things that need to be done, if you have more than one child and they are all leading you around in different directions at the same time pursuing their own natural learning? 3.Won't natural learning lead to undisciplined learning and how will such people ever get a job? i.e Children flitting from subject to subject and never getting to the bottom of anything, or even the opposite - becoming too involved in one subject and never seeing the whole larger learning picture.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JAN-FEB 1992 23 PROGRAMMING Program of learning for Hamiah and Naomi Mikhaiel

One of the most common enquiries I field on homeschooling is 'How do I know what to teach?" While all education systems in each PHILOSOPHY state probably have certain goals that they Since our program for Hannah and Naomi is to be oriented aim all school children to achieve by certain toward their learning rather than toward what we intend to stages, the fact is that education, beyond the teach them, I feel that it is inappropriate for me to map out a 3 R's and what to leach" is politicised and full detailed course of study for 1992. In the 3 years that we have of value judgements. been teaching Hannah at home, I have observed that children learn best the things in which they are either interested or see Whether you purchase a pre-packaged some real value in, whether that purpose be immediate or of curriculum with Christian or alternative philosophies or whether you borrow or design future value. a "school-type" or unschooling type program to teach from you are making statements The enthusiasm of myself or others also can have some about what you want your children to know influence as well. It seems to me that children do not and learn just as a state education system necessarily want to know everything about a subject or topic does. at one time but rather that they approach learning in a rather unpredictable way, and it is more like the way one might You may feel that you want your children to approach a jigsaw puzzle. Isolated bits are examined; learn reading by a 'phonics' method or to relationships between bits are suddenly seen after examining approach maths calculations from a solid individual bits and comparing them from different base of table learning. On the other hand you perspectives. One jumps from one part of the picture to might make your program emphasise practical learning before book learning e.g. another as other bits take one's interest, but gradually the lots of shopping transactions to understand whole thing begins to come together to form a meaningful the value of money and experience real picture. addition and subtraction and/or assuming that reading will come if a child lives in an The more sections completed, the quicker the growth of the environment with books and is read to very whole becomes, but often there are some pieces that are left often. and returned to time and again before their relevance can be seen. Everyone uses different strategies to put the pieces There is no one way to write a program and it together, but given time and an incentive plus the necessary seems to me that investigating which way encouragement and sometimes help from others, the picture suits both you and your child and evolving a usually emerges, assuming that all the pieces are available or program over the years to meet your needs is the very best way to get yourself some can be found of course! professional developmenti.e. a short cut to a degree in real learning. Homeschoolers are at the forefront of original learning because they are primarily concerned with what is "good for Valk children" and are quite prepared to do things different from the norm.

Please remember that if you are really concerned with developing the individual learning potential of your child that there is no one "purchased" program you should be using and no standard ideal from which to copy. Your own program is the best program. However for those people who would like to look at the program of an experienced homeschooler Robyn Mikhaiel has kindly offered to share hers with us.

24 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 53 Part of Robyn Mikhaiel's Program continued

Thus it is our aim, not to prescribe what Hannah and Naomi should learn and how and when, but rather to foster their desire to make sense of the world by recognising and valuing their strategies and aking sure the pieces are there by giving them access to materials, people and any other resources and helping them develop the skills necessary for them to practise those strategies SPECIFIC SUBJECT AIMS: as well. We would also aim to give MATHEMATICS them as broad an experience of life as would seem appropriate and atracaLAIL_T helpful for their age and ability to "Togive Hannah and Naomi theopportunitytodevelop sound cope. mathematical understandings andskills,building on theirprevious skills and knowledge. 'To demonstrate the application of mathematics to the real world, thus We recognise of course that the recognising the relevence and importance of the study of the same. "picture of life" is a complex one Method and we would be very arrogant in The N.S.W. syllabus is our basic guide to acqaint us with the scope of assuming that we can know or find mathematical concepts and helpful approaches to gaining understanding all the necessary bits, but we also of these concepts. believe that God has a purpose for 'We use a combinationoforal,practical and writtenstategies, our lives and the lives of our sometimes using a variety of workbooks, but wherever possible using reallifesituations and examples to stress the purpose of maths as a children, as part of our family and as tool rather than an end in itself. part of the wider community and so we endeavour also to encourage our children to know this as a frame of PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT reference in all their growth and Aima learning. Knowing, just for the sake 'Toallow Hannah and Naomi opportunities to develop social skills and attitudes, through interaction with family, friends and neighbours, and of knowing can be rather futile, but other children and adults ininformal and formal situation. Such skills knowing so as to be able to grow to sliould include: maturity and use one's abilities for 'Tolerance of Other points of view and ways of behaving. the highest purpose is indeed a 'Caring about others, even the "unlovely". worthwhile thing. 'Sharing of possessions, attention, skills and ideas. 'Ability to express ideas and opinions thoughtfully and clearly. 'Responsibilityincareofpossessions,suitablehouseholdtasks, general helpfulness, unselfishness and cooperation. "Discernment in dealing with 'unknown" people. 'Realistic view of self and others. 'A firm set of personal moral and spiritual values, based on increasing If you would like knowledge of God and the Bible. to share your Activities through which these aims may be achieved program please 'Family life in the home and community. send it to "Regular attendance at Church and Sunday school. 'Regular attendance at Girls Club. 'Visit and be visited by relatives in Sydney and country. Jo-Anne Beirne 'Visits with other groups in church and camp/conference situations. P.O. Box 420 'Visitstoand fromfamilies associated withour work(including Australian, Iranian, Philipino, Turkish, Syrian families) Kellyville 2153 'Flay with neighbours' children. 'Meet with other families who are homeschooling theirchildren,in arranged joint activities and on a purely social basis

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 25

5 4 ROBYN MIKHAIFIS' PROGRAMcontinued.

MUSIG

To encourage a positive attitude towards music To help Hannah and Naomi develop the aural capacities, understandings and skills which make possible: -response to music in an individual way, -activeparticipationin music,whichincludesenthusiasticand sensitive performance, -awareness and appreciation of various cultural traditions, Past music traditions and present practices, -increased enjoyment of music. To provde opportunitiesfor Hannah and Naomi tolearn through participationinmusicalactivitiesatalevelconsistentwiththeir developmental needs and interests.

Objectives; 'Develop the ability to listen with awareness and discrimination. 'Understand theinter-relation of experiences inperforming, creating and listening. 'Participate confidentlyin performance through singing,playin^, a moving, with opportunities to develop a range of performance ski S. 2 techniques as a means of both expressing and interpreting. 'Develop awareness of sound as a raw material which can appreciated initself, or organised into compositions. 'Understand how others have worked with so:. Developself-direction,self-motivation and thecreativesk,iis improvisation and composition. 'Acquire a knowledge of musical vocabulary as the need arises. Develop understanding and techniques in the use of symbols use:: notate sounds, as the need arises. *To express and communicate through music, her ideas, feelings beliefs. 'Evaluate their own music and the music of others in context. 'achievea sense ofsatisfaction and enjoyment throughwo'i : creatively: View their own music activities as worthwhile..(Music K-6, p

SCIENCE General Aims: *to involve Hannah and Naomi inas much direct observation of the environment and processes at work in the environmentas possible so as to allow them to gainunderstanding of *the variety in living things 'the characteristics of living things 'the needs of living things 'change 'adaptation 'interdependence *To look at these conceptsin 'the living world 'the physical world and "the world of people and the environment. Method. 'We will follow the children'snatural interests where possible,using direct observationand experiment where possible and our own, library and"expert' resourses where possibleand o necessary This usually leadsus to finding out about lots of things we did not knowabout or know thatwe would be interested in.Itis a very exciting field of discovery,especial'i for me, who never hadan opportunity to study biology before!

26 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *JANUARY-FEBRUARY1992 13737 COPY AVAILABLE 55 TASMANIA John & Camille Peacock 134, Main Rd, Claremont 7011 002 492 369 Georgie Holderness Roddam 155 Main Rd, Austin's Ferry 7011. 002 491 579

VICTORIA Hawthorn Regular meetings are held at the A.E.R.G. office 39 William St. Victoria 3122 03 818-3674 Mt Waverley - Families Honouring Christ John Angelico 03 543 5237 NOWA NOWA HOMESCHOOL WEEKEND Labour Day Weekend March 1992 contact Rose Tresvaskis 051 557 242 Werribee - Christian Family Homeschool Assoc. Frank Marrett 03 741 1490 ERACTICALIMMESCIAIOLINarMIERENCE 15.2.92 10-5p.m contact Frank Marrett. HOMESCHOOLING Yarra Valley_group Karen Williams 059 669 063

SUPPORT GROUPS WEST AUSTRALIA Home Based Learners Network - Perth newsletter Sue AND EVENTS Warner 13 Coongun Ave Greenmount 6056. Enquiries Australian Capital Territory Elva 09 307 1232 and Anita 09 401 7546. Canberra Home Education Network Claire Powell 06 Rainbow Coast Homeschoolers Gina Wright 87 251 6663 & Jo Boehm 06 248 5962 Scotsdale St Denmark 098 481671 SonlighLEgmaschisArs Karcn Loney 097 311 817. NEW SOUTH WALES Blue Mountains music/art group Rosa Geenen first meeting 3rdFeb 047 396403 If you know of other homeschoof groups who Would Durwood Homeschoolers Group first meeting 13th Feb fike to be inctuder on this fist pfease teff me. Ann White 045 712 107 Camilep_group Sue Dowey 046 311180 Carlingford/North Rocks - Frances Calvert 871 8497 Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller's mentor and Central Coast Group Activities- contact Peter or Lily friend, said. "I am beginning to suspect all Nesbitt-Hawes (043) 621473 first meeting 16th Feb elaborate and special systems of education. Goulburn group Sharon Bell 048 219403 They seem to me to be built upon the Horneschoolers Australia Preparing a program/ supposition that every child is a kind of idiot curriculum Woodstock Community Center 18th January who must be taught to think. Wherea" if the 1992. Natural Learning Workshop -Woodstock child is left to himself, he will think more and Community Centre 1st February 1992. better, if less showily. Let him come and go Moss Vale Group contact Sue McAulay 048 681 094 freely, let him touch real things and combine Newcastle Gmup Carolyn Arthur 049 665098 his Impressions for himself, instead of sitting indoors at a little round table while a Nimbin group Joanne Brugmans 066 897473 sweet voiced teacher suggests that he build Northern Sydney 10th Feb Elizabeth Orr 856900 a stone wall with his wooden blocks, or North Western Sydney Group Roz Hancock 6271308 make a rainbow out of strips of coloured Ouirindi'Homeschoolers Lynn Cherry 067 462284 paper, or plant straw trees in flower pots. Southern Sydney Homeschool Group Debbie Such teaching fills the mind with artificial Armanious first meeting 6th Fcb 02 529 2032 associations which must be got rid of before Western Sydney - Rhonda Pritchard 673 3821 29.1.92 the child can develop independent ideas out Wollongong Group Robyn Brodal 042 840 512 of actual experiences."

QUEENSLAND Quoted from an article by Earl Stevens EMU PARK (near Rockhampton) HQMESCHOOL titled What is unschooling? WEEKEND 5-8 June contact Kathy Boles 2 Richard St, Emu Park 4702

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992 27 My favourite ARTWORK of John Holt and The Moores copied from Home Education Magazine - P.O. homeschool reading Box 1083 Tonasket WA 98855 U.S.A Trapkus, Stuffelbeam & Civik.

The Home School Reader (Edited M. & H. Hegener), I Learn better by Teaching Myself (A. Leistico), Home Education Magazine (bimonthly) Available from Home Education Press, Box 1083 Tonasket WA 98855; U.S.A. Ph: 509 486 1315 Learning all the Time, Shared Treasures, Teach Your Own (J. Holt); Better than School, Child's Work (N. Wallace) A Life Worth Living, The Myth of Learning Disabilities (S. Sheffer) G.W.S (bimonthly) Available from John Holt's Book & Music Store, 2269 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge Mass 02140 U.S.A. Ph. 617 864 3100 Schooling at Home (Edited P. O'Mara ) Available from John Muir publications, P.O. Box 613, Santa Fe, NM 87504 U.S.A Mothering Magazine (bimonthly) P.O. Box 532 Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7856 The Three R's at Home (S.Richman ) Available PA Homeschoolers RD 2, Box 117, Kittanning, PA 16201; Ph 412-783 6512. Homeschooling for Excellence (Colfax) Available from Mountain House Press, Box 353, Philo CA, 95466.U.S.A Homeschool Burnout, Homestyle Teaching, Home Spun Schools, Home Grown Kids (R & D Moore) Available from The Moore Foundation P.O. Box 1 Camas WA 98607 U.S.A For the Children's Sake (S. Shaeffer Macaulay) Available from Crossway Books 9825 W. Roosevelt Rd. Westchester, IL 60153 U.S.A. Ph.312 345 7474

DR.MRS. RAYMOND MOORE

28 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1992

57 Australian Homeschool Journal ISSUE 33 MARCH- APRIL 1992 Editor: 5o2nne Bei=

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From this issue to receive the 1992 editions of Australian Homeschool Journal, please send a cheque for $30 to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 A.C.N. 003 222 848

I entourage you to support our magazine by askfng your filen& to subscribe rather than fenchng your own copies of the Yournaf, which is prauced at great evense of my personal and family time wuf energy.

5 s t2-:\ r_. : CONTENTS / \, .4bommaaalear.a

News and Information P. 3 Some Letters p. 4 Earthquest/ Science Resource and Workshop P. 5 Legal Update Jo-Anne Beirne Victoria, Queensland, N,.S.W, WA., Tasmania p. 6 Media about Homeschoolers P. 7 Doing is Learning John Holt p. 8- 9 Excerpt from Instead of Education Homegrown and Homeschooled Raymond Moore p. 10-12 1Wrinte1 (in part) from Mothering Magazine Five good reasons for homeschooling Adams & Beirne p. 13 Enjoying Learning to Sew Jo-Anne Beirne p. 14 About the Colfax family Helen Hegener p. 15 9eprinted (in part) from Home Education magazint. What is Unschooling? Earl Stevens p. 16-17 What do I teach? Resourcefulness. Jo-Anne Beirne p. 18-20 Dare we speak against schools? Compilation p. 21-22 Housecleaning and Homeschooling Debbie Westheimerp. 30-31 24printed (in part) from Home Education magazint. The Mentoring Method Jj Fallick p. 25-26 14printed (in part)from Home Education magazmu. Like a Weaning Peggy O'Mara p. 27 9Zeprinte1 from Mothering Magazine Einstein the Autodidact p. 28 2(eprinted from G.WS The Board of Studies and the H.S.C.- A letter. p. 29 "Clippings from the Media" p. 30 Books for Sale p. 31

NEXT ISSUE

* MATHS

* MUSIC

* UNIVERSITIES & THEIR ATTITUDES TO HOMESCHOOLERS

2 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL MARCH-APRIL 1992 59 NEWS & INFORMATION

SUPPORT GROUPS AND NETWORK HOMESCHOOL CHILDREN'S NEWSLETTER INFORMATION. A couple of years ago I had the idea to get the older Humble apologies are in order for all the "lost, forgotten homeschooi group of children to start a newsletter to or mislaid" entries that missed the Support Group mail among themselves that required minimal cost, adult information page in the last issue. intervention and work. The idea was to encourage them 1. Can I really have forgotten the excellent "Homeschool to get to know each other and develop their creative Network newsletter"? (considering I subscribe myself) talents. There were no specific requirements or and the excellent work Anne White and many others do competitions merely a sharing of thoughts, ideas, facilitating meetings/functions/learning days at puzzles, games, jokes, drawings, autobiographies etc. Burwood. Of course people travel from all over to get to The process entailed getting together a list of the network's events and it is not just a Burwood approximately 12 families who had interested children, meeting. I believe the new editors of the newsletter are giv:sig each a copy of the months that they were to be Barbara Braethen & Lyn Keen, more details as they responsible for editing and mailing the newsletter and come to hand. The address for subscription details is still then let it run its course. It was extremely successful for (I think) Anne White P.O. Box 71 North Richmond. the first 18 months and has started again recently, after a hiaws, through the industrious efforts of Susan 2. Maureen Tully is the editor of a magazine called McAulay. When it is your turn the cost works out as "Welcome Home Australia" P.O. Box 768 Jamison postage 12x standard size envelopes + 12x45c stamps + Centre ACT 2614. This newsletter is for Christian the cost of photocopying approx 12x4 sheets of paper women, homeschoolers and families "who believe that back and front, once a year (usually around $20). Lots of all Scripture including Titus 2: 3-5, is the inspired and good learning experiences are involved including infallible word of God and constitutes completed and mastering the photocopier, being responsible for the end final revelation." Subscription $20/year/family. product, purchasing stamps, addressing mail etc. Maureen also organises a support group in Canberra. Four families are already interested in getting another of 3. I incorrectly put in Sue Dowey's group as Camden these newsletters going, so if you would like to join them area it should have been Macarthur area. Her phone please ring Catherine Errey 043 621 779 and leave your number is 046 311180. name address and the age of your children and she will get the first one up and going. RESOURCES The N.S.W Department of Education publishes a book CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS FOR N.S.W titled Learning Resources Catalogue. This publication SCHOOLS details the K-12 materials available for sale that have The Board of Studies on 925 8111 has available (cost?) been initiated and developed by teachers for classroom an excellent booklet titled "Curriculum Requirements use. It also lists an extensive range of professional for N.S.W. Schools" it is the Board's advice to schools development material, publications & videos from the about the implementation of new requirements taking Department and other sources in areas such as craft, effect from 1992. Including *Guidelines K-6 drama, health studies, maths, music, science, social *Guidelines for the School Certificate * Patterns of studies, visual art, home economics, languages etc. For Study for the Higher School Certificate *Timeline for more detals please contact The Curriculum and the Introduction of new syllabuses *Course descriptions Resources Management Centre 3a Smalls Rd North for new courses for 1992. Ryde or ring 808 9444. THE GREATER WESTERN EDUCATION EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTERS CENTRE (G.W.E.C) Suite 2, 204 Queen St St. Mary's If you arc interested to see more of the resources, 2760 produces many good publications. One that I have computers, equipment and texts etc. used in the school used a great deal is the Excursion Register 1985 which system don't forget to consult the front of your white was developed for the use of Met. West teachers pages directory page 52 (Sydney) for details of your planning excursions. I think all homeschoolers would local Education Resource Centre (E.R.C.) you are very find it very useful for both planning and finding out the welcome to go visit them in business hours. existence of many educational places off the beaten track.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992 3

60 SHELLEY AUTUMN recommend their dedication, how to change and adapt to where HOMESCHOOL CAMP honesty and effectiveness most the kids want to go. I was impressed 20th-28th APRIL. highly. Just as you have become an to see Don Haddon at the Feb. 1st Shelley is a forestry camp 85 km educator you can become a strong meeting, he seems open to things east of Wodonga. voice in speaking out against the and an interested, normal and Cost: $4.20/night/person, children degradation of pornography. For reasonable person. I guess it was a under 4 free. more deatils please send a self little like you mentioned in a recent Facilities 80 persons in two long addressed stamped envelope to article that never having met anyone buildings, camping possible. Aust. Fed. for the Family P.O. Box from the Department everything Activities: Great scope. 106 Canterbury Victoria 3126. was a little bit unknown to me ! Co-ordinator Janet Barneu (060) Again, many thanks. 216950 LETTERS Booking Fee $5. JULIE PINAZZA, Mt. Kernbla GWEN ANDERSON For an A4 page with many more Just wanted to let you know how Just wanted to drop you a short note details please send a self addressed much I appreciate the work you to thank you so much for your help, stamped envelope to P.O. Box 420 have put into publishing the and all you're putting in to the Kellyville 2153 and I'll post you a Homeschool Journal. It is a very seminars, meetings & journal. I do copy of what Joanne Brugmans professional publication which I really appreciate it, as for me sent to me otherwise ring or write to hlwe enjoyed reading immensly. It personally it has helped me Janet Barnett 2/195 Alexandra St. is stimulating to have a journal understand a lot better how to Albury 2640. contributed to by our colleagues. explain what I've been deing all The access to resources and these years. Even though I have GETTING TO KNOW THE awareness of other publications is been homeschooling a long time I World's Greatest Artists also great. Hope you are having a feel in no way experienced or that I An imposing name for a series of great year of learning with your know it all, it has been exciting to books and quite well deserved. children. After the Guggenheim see how much more there is to learn. Aimed at 6-10 year olds these exhibition our boys are having real The seminar on "Writing a books, from Chicago Children's fun creating masterpieces. May God Program" was very helpful, Press, are written and illustrated by Bless you and your family. Mike Venezia and are well worth a especially for my teenagers- mainly look as a great introduction, for in helping us get a better "handle" MARG PONTIN Albany WA. on it and more direction. And with interested children, to da Hi ! Just a quick note to say thank the Natural Learning Workshop of Monet tec. The reproductions are you for your support and Feb. 1st the kids and I are having superb. encouragement. I wanted to write to lots more fun and excitement just in say hello because it was you I seeing more possibilites for us to THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF: contacted in the first place when I "learn" the things they want- a an Irish Pilgrim, Gernian printer, considered homeschooling two couple of them are all excited again English engineer, Greek potter etc. years ago. I took my Year 2 about continuing their Japanese etc. When these easy to read & daughter out of school in 1991 and language studies & characters interesting history books came out a homeschooled last year. I had a lot practise which they had wearied of couple of years ago they were of ups and downs, mainly trying to in the last couple of years. A recent around $17.95 each. Now I notice fit it in with a new baby (my 4th) "Australian History" excursion to K-Mart has them and all the books and a kindy child. Also, my Parramaua's Old Government in the "MacDonald country series" daughter and I tussle with issues of House that I planned, turned into on special in hard back for $2 each. authority and control and it is not quite an exciting study of easy. However, as I was on the point handcrafts, embroidery and AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION of giving up your AHJ arrived and I needlework ideas for my two girls FOR THE FAMILY saw an advert. for 'Humeschool and a stimulating science lesson on This excellent hard working Burnout ' by Raymond and Dorothy how the whale oil lamps, kitchen organisation is tirelessly devoted to Moore. I ordered it and read it flues, and implements operated. It the elimination of pornographic and within days. It turned me around was a real "hands on" experience. It violent videos, magazines, movies and gave me just the encouragement even became an exercise in deciding etc. in Australia. If anyone is to continue on this year. I would how to adapt our own kitchen to interested in helping them in their highly recommend this book to energy-saving ideas. I can see that fight, through any number of ways anyone. Keep up the good work ! including prayerful support I I'm the main one who is learning

4 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APR1L 1992 Science Resource Information & Workshop

Rosemary Hafner, Board of Stales saving the bush etc. the booktefts you where to Authorisedperson, has been co-onfinating a write for more info. as weft as giving an overview. superb science resource to accompany the 9C6 ft is most up to date and the presentations by the Science andTechnology Syfiabus andTeaching Channel VIne Eartkquest peopfe are exceffent. gat. ft consists of an amazing& cheap video mut 'Iis resource court t gasify be used by 80 page book 'Ihe whok produa is of an homeschoofers over a taw age range and many incrediffy high star:dad and my children have years, yet is fess than the price o f a starulan1 singfe really enjoyed the video and a couple of the issues year textbook grit reason it is so cheap is that the pursued so far, through the Research Reports. presenters, co-onanators, Sanitarium & Channel 9 Shona Sadler, who is herself a scientist , donated their services and the only cost invoived is kid me she was particular& impressed' with the production cost. (ft is aLso printed* on recycied references listed under each topic. For instance if paper). Ihigh& recommend this as agreat science you or your children are intereste d in bats, PET TeSOWT.C. recycang, streams, communications, geothermal* For more &tails or to purchase pfease power, sofar homes, the pfatypus, shore watching, contact the Board* of Studies .

DEVELOPING A SCIENCE CURRICULUM for your HOMESCHOOL SCHOOL VIDEO & RESEARCH REPORTS 2 hour Science Workshop Ea-th Quest is e series of awartLwinning environmental programs presented nationally on the Nine Network by its leading news and current affairs personeities. Seven fascinating segments on the Environment art featured in the Earth Quest School Vide, WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE 1992 The, ha./ been specifically chosen to accompary the Earth Quest Research Reports bookle-.. The complete kit complements the K-6 Science and Technology SyCabus and Teaching K. Ros mary Hafner, from the Board of Studies, has A: SE CO (video] and SE SO ;Research Reports bookleti plus postage end packing. the Eart.-. Quest kit provides exceptions' vslue for an excellent teaching resource. kindly volunteered to talk to interested To order the Earth Quest School Vtleo please complete and rewrn with your payment tc homeschoolers about the process involved in Sales Clerk designing and creating a workable approach to Cornmun'ca'.ions Branch teaching your child science. (As well as her Board of Saudies PO Box 460 background as an inspector of school programs North Sydney NSW 2059 with the Board of Studies, Rosemary is an Phone (02) 925 8111 experienced high school science teacher.) Piease supply:

Code No. Title Quantity Required Price VENUE: Woodstock Community Centre - 253:020 Earth Quest School Video Ballroom Church St. Burwood 253C030 Earth Quest Research Reports Packsge & Pcs.age Please add $2 CO for one item DATE ; Wed. 3rd JUNE TIME: 10.30 a.m. $5 CO for two or more items .. TOTAL $ COST: $2 per person, All welcome. I encl.:se a cheque/money order foe $ made payable to the "Eloartf of Ssucles'. Name: R.S.V.P: We must have some idea of numbers Address' . before 31st May please CONTACT Marj Postcode: Tabemer on 868 1218 Date (Please allow 21 da)s for defi,ery)phone (business hours) Please send me further information on the K-6 Science & Technology Seabus and Teething Kit. V-711 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL *MARCH-APRIL 1992

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

62 LEGAL UPDATES

VICTORIA knowledge of the practice of home that in the great majority of cases education. Rather it is the arbitei of "Authorised persons" and Annette Berryman and others from who shall receive "dispensations" "BOSLOs" have totally stepped out A.E.R.r3 were responsible for and who shall not. of all the connotations associated organising a seminar in conjunction with "inspection" and show parents with the Education Faculty at No home educators, to our all the time that they are flexible, Melbourne University on 23/2/92 knowledge, have ever been allowed reasonable, concerned and entitled "The Education (Out of to address this Committee despite interested in the programs and School Education) Bill ,is it really specific requests to do so. However activities being undertaken by necessary?" we will not be giving up the fight to competent parents. obtain for all Queensland parents The idea of this seminar was to (rather than just qualified teachers 3. Many of the "converts" to encourage people from both the or those using the Dist. Educ. homeschooling come via "old homeschooling and alternative program) the right to have hands" at homeschooling and for schooling movement to become homeschooling recognised as a N.S.W. I would like to remind you informed on all the issues to do with legitimate education option. I have that it is vitally important to inform the proposed legislation and indeed prepared a detailed submission and friends considering the option that to consider with what legislation the Minister and the members of the they get a copy of the Board of they can live. It was well attended Committee have been sent copies. Studies Application for Registration and represents a first step along the We have not attempted to approach document (925 8111) and READ it exhausting but fulfilling road of it from a discrimination or through thoroughly !!! It might look a little negotiating legislative and the Parliamentary Commissioner daunting but it is very valuable, self administrative change. Act yet but this may well be our explanatory and essential if you next move. intend to be well prepared for the I really encourage everyone to BOSLOs visit and receive support all those groups in Victoria NEW SOUTH WALES registration. It is my firm conviction who are endeavouring to make that if someone can't read the form change happen (The list of groups is 1. It has become common and do as it requires they are going to be found in AHJ 32). In the next knowledge that around 130 children to have a good deal of trouble few weeks there will be an of Plymouth Brethren have been homeschooling their children. advertisement in The Age given conscientious objection status newspaper inviting submissions on by our enlightened Minister for 4. I have been informed by at least the issue. I hope that many people Education and been allowed to use two families that on removing their find the time and energy to tell our the Distance Education materials child from school, prior to obtaining elected officials exactly what they despite living in the suburbs. Many registration, they have had a good want. religious groups have deep concerns deal of trouble with their local about the literature component of school principal and Home School QUEENSLAND the English syllabus in high school Liason Officer. The law is most and it is an indication of the specific about children being in Bob Osmak has sent a copy of intelligence and sympathies of the school before registration, though information he received from the Minister that she has recognised and there has always been a "lag time" Minister that states that all the listened to her constituents on this that has enabled the administrative issues that Osmak, Beirne, Foster vital issue. undertakings of both sides to occur. and Harker have been writing to the If you know of anyone who is Minister about will be attended to at 2. Goodbye Inspectors !!! considering taking their child out of the next meeting of the Home I am going to try very hard in the school you must inform them Schooling Review Committee. future in the Journal to call our (a) To get their application in to the While this may seem a positive step "inspectors" - authorised persons or Board as soon as possible. This way forward it isn't necessarily, as this BOSLOs (Board of Studies Liason the good people in there will inform Committee actually has no Officers). From all the feedback I the HSLOs and avoid possibl.- homeschooling members or real am receiving it could easily be said hassles. (b) To use whatever

6 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992

63 resources at their disposal , do this after unwitting advice from a protect their own ! especially support groups, to get local support group was savaged by organised as quickly as possible. the inspector for not having the TASMANIA child present and seen as 5. We believe the number of obstructive. In the last edition of Home registered homeschoolers in N.S.W 2. Some families have received Education magazine John Peacock is now around 530, showing steady undated exemptions and no follow of 43, Sharland Ave, New Norfolk growth. up visits , yet Regulation 8 states outlines the Tasmanian that the certificate is only in force Government's Recommendations 6. We have heard that the for a period of one year. for Home Education and asks Opposition Shadow Minister for 3. The frequency of visits between people to comment on them as a Education may well try to cause districts varies enormously (e.g. matter of urgency. I believe that the some trouble (media ? political?) for from 1-3 visits in a year) as does the change of government to the homeschooling at the instigation of volume of paperwork required. Liberals should change this option an irate relative of a homeschooler. 4. The District Superintendents somewhat but if you want more While this is a very small matter it virtually set themselves above the details or to be more actively does not hurt for us all to remember Minister as in a case of complaint involved please contact John by that the growth of this education recently where a letter to the sending a self addressed stamped option will not be achieved if the Superintendent informing him of a envelope. public becomes of the view that it is complaint before the Minister was a frowned upon or dicey alternative. greeted with a reply to the effect If you see anything written that is that as far as he was concerned his damaging or imputes untruths about ruling still stands. And another the option of homeschooling, please superintendent wrote on his letter "I drop a small note to the person or refuse my permission....". We outlet concerned expressing your should remember that despite the objections. Perhaps those of us in fact that superintendents see Labor electorates ought to try to themselves as having total power visit with our local members or under Regulation 8, fortunately, write to them given that the political ultimate power still lies with the situation in N.S.W at the moment is Minister. in such flux. 5. All things considered it is my belief that the form and WEST AUSTRALIA requirements are not at all bad as long as they are not interpreted and Media Although the decision ultimately applied in the heavy handed manner On 4th March the crew of lies with the Minister to determine that is presently the case.However Burke's Backyard will be regular and efficient in W.A., Homeschoolers Australia is still filming for 4 hours at the Regulation 8 is the ruling which petitioning the Minister to meet home of Lynden Jacobi, Len goveris the administration of with all homeschooling McCarthy and Josh, Erin homeschooling. Regulation 8 also representative groups in W.A. and Sylvie near Newcastle. allows that District Superintendents They have done lots of are allowed to administer and grant The particular family who were in preparation for the big day exemptions in their district. This is dispute with the Department have and we are really looking an extremely dangerous had their case reviewed and a minor forward to seeing them on proposition, because it gives victory achieved in that they have the box.On 6th February virtually unlimited power to non been appointed new inspectors and 1992 the Beirnes had an elected bureaucrats and as could be a new District Superintendent to article in the Telegraph expected a good few discrepancies oversee the homeschooling. Of Mirror that was followed up have come to light in relation to this course while this creates a precedent by two radio interviews one matter. For instance and acknowledges the prejudice of really good one with John I.Some families have been allowed the past inspectors and old Stanley on 2LJE and one on to see their inspectors without their superintendent the home visit by the morning show on 2UW. children being present, though this these new authorities was In January Valerie Hames is expressly not allowed under appallingly intimidating and had an article in the Regulation 8. One parent who did extremely difficult - the bureaucrats Northern Districts Times.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992 7

64 DOING IS LEARNING by John Holt

A common and mistaken idea well as they can, or they will soon may walk somewhere. He is hidden in the word 'learning' is that do it less well. The principal flautist walking because he wants to walk, learning and doing are different of the Boston Symphony under right now. He has thought about it, kinds of acts. Thus, not many years Koussevitsky used to say, 'If I miss worked it out in his mind, convinced ago I began to play the . I love a day's practice, I hear the himself that he knows how to do it the instrument, spend many hours a difference; if I miss two days', the and can do it. And now he is going day playing it, work hard at it, and conductor hears the difference; if I to do it. mean someday to play it well. Most miss three days', the audience hears people would say that what I am the difference'. We cannot separate skills and acts, doing is 'learning to play the cello'. and we make a disastrous error Our language gives us no other THE BABY IS NOT 'GETTING when we try. Talking is not a skill, words to say it. But these words READY' or a collection of skills, but an act, a carry into our minds the strange idea doing. Behind the act there is a that there exist two very different Educators talk all the time about the purpose; whether at two or ninety- processes: (I) learning to play the 'skills% reading skills, writing two, we talk because we have cello; and (2) playing the cello. skills, communication skills, even something we want to say, and They imply that I will do the first listening skills. It may be true, at someone we want to say it to, and until I have completed it, at which the level of words, to say that because we think or hope our words point I will stop the first process and anyone doing a difficult thing well will make a difference. The baby begin the second; in short, that I will is using a variety of skills. But this who begins to talk, long before he go on 'learning to play' until I have makes any sounds that we hear as 'learned to play', and that then I will words, or even understands words, begin `to play'. has learned from sharp observation that the sounds that bigger people Of course, this is nonsense. There make with their mouths affect the are not two processes, but one. We other things they do. Their talk learn to do something by doing it. makes things happen. He may not There is no other way. When we know exactly what, or how. But he first do something, we probably will wants to be a part of that talking not do it well. But if we keep on group of bigger people, wants to doing it, have good models to make things happen with his voice. follow and helpful advice if and when we feel we need it, and always In the same way, walking is not a do it as well as we can, we will do it skill, but an act, with a purpose; the better. In time, we may do it very does not mean that the best way to baby wants to move as he sees the well. This process never ends. The teach a difficult act is to break it into bigger people moving, artd quickly finest musicians, dancers, athletes, as many separate skills as possible and skillfully, like them. Reading is surgeons, pilots, or whatever they and teach them one by one. As not a skill, but an act. The child sees may be, must constantly practise at Whitehead said years ago, we written words all around him; he their art or craft. Every day the cannot separate an act from the sees that the older people look at musicians do their scales, the skills involved in the act. The baby those words, use them, get meaning dancers exercise at the barre, and so does not learn to speak by learning from them. Those words make on. A surgeon I know would from the skills of speech and then using things happen. One day (if we give time to time, when not otherwise them to speak, or to walk by him a chance) he decides that the busy, tic knots in fine surgical gut learning the skills of walking and wants to find out whai those words with one hand without looking, just then using them to walk. He learns say and mean, and that he can and to keep in practice. In that sense, to speak by speaking, to walk by will find out. At that instant, and people never stop 'learning to do' walking. When he takes his first with that decision, he begins to read. what they know how to do, no hesitant steps he is not practising. Not to 'learn to read', but to read. matter how well they do it. They He is not getting ready. He is not Of course, at first, he doesn't do it must 'learn' every day to do it as learning how to walk so that later hc well. He may not even be able to

8 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992

65 read one word. But if he is allowed comes from our doing things that (as few children are) to continue to we ourselves have decided to do and do it, to seek out in his own way and that in doing such things we often GROWING for his own reasons the meaning of need very little help or none at all. WITHOUT written words, with only as much help as he may ask for; if this task This article is from Instead of SCHOOL which he has set himself isn't taken Education (1976 Penguin New from him and replaced with a lot of York) other Holt books to read are: ING fragmented and meaningless tasks 1981 Teach Your Own : Delta

invented by someone else and done Publishing Co. Inc. New York ) .nded by educator John Holt in on their command; if he is not 1964 How Children Fail: Penguin 1977, each issue of GWS contairh: convinced by adults (as many New York Letters from parents and children children are) that he is not able to do 1967 How Children Learn : Penguin about their homeschooling this task he has set for himself, to New York challenges, concerns, and successes; figure out what written words say, 1969 The Underachieving School living and learning with each other but he must 'get' reading from a :Dell Publishing, New York. at home and at work. teacher as a patient gets a shot from 1989 Learning All the Time : Edited Interviews with authors and a doctor; if he is very lucky, and writings of John Holt Addison none of these bad things happen, he Wesley Publishing Reading U.S.A educators who challenge our will be reading well in a short time, 1990 A Life Worth Living : Edited assumptions about learning. perhaps even Up-to-date legal and education in a matter of nev.s that affects homeschoolers. months. Book reviews and resource recommendations. Not long ago I Regularly updated Directories of wrote to a homeschooling families & services, number of & more! Get your FREE issue now. people who WRITE: GWS, Box M10, 2269 work in "c:Iss. Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140. reading and reading instruction in 7 Ct.:legato:Ls from Holt Associat various schools of Child's Work. by Nancy education, to Wallace. 11470$12.95 ask if they Earrl.ng Our Own knew of any Money: Homeschoolers 13 research to and Under Tell Their find out how Stories.*1578 $4.50 many children teach themselves to letters of John Holt. Addison read, and beyond that, how they Wesley Publishing Reading U.S.A Everyone Is Able: may have done it. Only one person Most are available through Holt Assoc. Exploding the Myth of Learning Disabilities. answered, to say that he had never 2269 Mass Ave Cambridge Mass. *2660.95 heard of any such research. Nor 02140 U.S.A have any of the hundreds of Homesehooling in the educators and reading experts I have I wonder if homeschoofers are News - a collection of asked since. At first it seems interested. to take up iohn Holt articles from the popular press. 01562 $6.95 strange that reading experts have suggestion reganfing children not asked this question. One might teaching themselves to read & to Responding to think it would be the first question Children's Writing. they would ask. On second thought, keep &perhaps share, through the *666 $3 homeschoof networkan account of it is not strange at all; the answer to Sharing Treasures: Book this question might be dangerous. It your non-reacang eh& teaching Reviews by John Holt. might show once again that our themsefves to read, how they did *3512115.95 most rapid, efficient, far-reaching, it, over what periodaiuIanything Prices do not Include postage. useful, and permanent learning else you consifkr relevant. Drooling Without Schooling 2269 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02140

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992 9

6 6 BEST COPY AVAILABLE HOMEGROWN & HOMESCHOOLED Raymond Moore

*printed from the excellent Mothering Magazine ?ay/ August /September1990 P.O. Box 532 aft. Morris Iffinois 61054

Dr. gtaymond Moore is a developmental' psychologist who.se research on the family and the sciwof has appeared in virtually We then initiated a series of multi- every academic journal in the fief d of Education inthe 'U.S. disciplinary analyses to cross-reference the and abroad 'The research of 141ymond and his wife Dorothy (a research on children's senses, brain development, cognition, and coordination. We well known reacfing specialist) has been commended by noted analysed more than 8,000 studies, 20 of which psydwfogists, psychiatrists, educators, ministers and families. compared early school entrants with late starters. We also analysed classroom situations In 1967, when I left my position as graduate research involving children who were misbehaving or and programs officer for the US Department of Education, I felt not learning. As it turned out, many school- frustrated. The millions of dollars spent on public schooling related problems were associated with the were only creating new problems. The focus was more ondollars stress of early academics or out-of-home care. than on children, and those dollars seemed to be confusing things Our research revealed that all 50 states rather than helping them. After several more frustrating years require children to go to school before they are directing an advanced study centre in Chicago, I decided, along ready for formal learning. Furthermore, the law with my wife Dorothy and several educational colleagues, to requires boys to begin at the same age as girls, research some areas of education that had been scuttled or even though entrance evaluations show that ignored. What, for example, was the cost of ignoring the work boys trail behind their female peers by a year or ethic? Was institutionalising young children a sound educational so in terms of general maturity. Studies on sex- trend? What was the best timing for school entrance? role differences among older children reveal a We sought guidance from numerous child development ratio of between 3 and 13 boys to every girl in and learning specialists: John Bowlby of the World Health resource rooms for the "learning impaired" and Organisation's early childhood program; Joseph Wepman of the a ratio of 8 to-1. in programs for the University of Chicago; family psychologist Uric Bronfenbrenner "emotionally impaired". of Cornell University; early childhood specialists Sheldon White Our findings indicate that formal and Burton White of Harvard University; parental attachment schooling constraints are detrimental before the researcher Robert Hcss of Stanford University; learning authority age of 12. Bronfenbrenner warns of the William Rohwer of the University of California, Berkley; and dangers of peer association before fifth or sixth more than 100 other noted researchers. Although thesescholars grade. William Rohwcr insists that we could each held differing beliefs about many aspects of childhood, they save millions of youngsters from academic all recommended a cautious approach to subjecting the failure by delaying formal academics until developing nervous system and mind to formal constraints. They junior high school. And whereas Piaget notes also pointed out an abundance of research on the questions we that the average child becomes capable of were asking, an astonishing indifference to the findings, and formal cognitive operations (adult-type inconsistent recommendations. For example, family perceptions and judgment ) between ages 15 psychologists such as Urie Bronfenbrenner, who notes that and 20, Texas school counsellor David Quine school attendance by elementary-age students can result in reports that children exposed to full time family excessive peer dependency, as these children often spend more life during their early years often reach time with their agemates than with their parents. cognitive maturity between 8 & 12.6 yrs of age.

10 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992 67 Despite an early they may be, cannot handle cause- never a neutral one. Positive excitement for school, most four-, and-effect reasoning in any sociability is characterised by five- and six-year-old entrants tire consistent way at today's school altruistic and principled attitudes of education by third or fourth entrance ages. In support of this and is firmly linked with the family. grade. David Elkind, professor of point Hasler Whitney, a It is demonstrated in both the child studies at Tufts University and distinguished mathematician with quantity and quality of self- author of The Hurried Child, calls Princeton's Institute for Advanced confidence, self-respect, and self- these children "burned out". Other Studies, cites L.P. Benezet's worth deriving from the values and researchers suggest that such historic study suggesting that math experiences provided by the family children are better off waiting until should not be forced on children at least until the child can reason 8, 10, or later to begin formal before the seventh grade. consistently. In other words, studies either at home or at school. According to all children who work, eat, play, rest, Children who delay school entrance parameters under study, readiness and interact each day with parents and subsequently enrol in the same for formal learning, especially for more than with peers sense that they grade as their age-mates quickly boys, should not be assumed before are part of the family corporation - surpass early entrants in age 12. If early care is needed for a that they are needed, wanted, and achievement, behaviour, and child, the preferred setting is a depended upon. Such children are sociability. warm, responsive, home-like more often thinkers rather than mere In the early years, vision, environment offering a low child- repeaters of other children's hearing and other cognitive adult ratio and sound values. And thoughts. Independent and self- processes are not directed in the acquisition sufficiently developed to of values and skills, they handle the usual academic largely avoid peer sanctions. As a result of dependency. early schooling, many Negative children's eyes are sociability is characterised permanently damaged by narcissistic, me-first before age 12. Neither the behaviours. It is maturity of the developing associated with increased nervous system, nor the peer group contact and "balancing" and with decreased meaningful "lateralizing" of the parental contact and brain's hemispheres, nor the for children between 6 and 12, the respons'bility experiences in the insulation of nerve pathways can optimal choice is an informal, home during the first 8 to 12 years provide a basis for thoughtful nonacademic home or school of life. Early peer influence can learning before age 8. Somewhere setting in which many subjects are lead to an indifference to family in the 8- to 12- age range, most available but not enforced. values. Children who do not yet children reach an integrated According to understand the whys of parental maturity level (IML), a point at Bronfenbrenner and others, children demands, and who spend more time which all these faculties have in the first 10 to 12 years of life are with their agemates than with their blossomed. better taught at home; they are also parents, do what comes naturally: The IML is a crucial far better socialised at home. they replace their parents with their consideration. Some children Stanford's Albert Bandura observes peers as role models. According to mature more rapidly in vision, that dependency on peers for basic Bronfenbrenner, such children often others in hearing, and still others in values has in recent years moved lose self-respect, optimism, respect cognition. The sum total of these down to the preschool ages. for parents, and even trust in their abilities, however, requires plenty Contrary to popular belief, peers. of time to develop. Aside from an however, children are best Homeschooling has IML evaluation, it is difficult to socialised by parents, not other proven to be a viable alternative for know just when a child's learning children. In fact, says parents concerned about the faculties have matured, although Bronfenbrenner, the more children influence of schools on their parental assessments are often there are in a group, the fewer children. Virtually all states have helpful. meaningful contacts each one has. changed their laws or policies Our IML findings coincide We found that through legislative or court actions with the conclusions of Piaget and socialisation creates either a over the past 20 years. States that others: children, however bright positive or a negative profile, but have compared homeschools with

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992 11 138 MINIM

conventional schools (Alaska, we can provide. It also demands Flat Creek Place, Richardson, TX Oregon, Tennessee, and patient inquiry and the thoughtful 75080. David Elkind, Thc_aurkgmild Washington) have found that home study of available materials. But (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1981). rest assured, if you are loving and education excels significantly. Jean Piaget, "The Stages of the Students who learn at iesponsive and can read, write, Intellectual Development of the Child." home generally reflect a high degree count, and speak clearly, you are Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic 26 of competence both academically ipso facto a master teacher. (1962):3; and and socially. In a study of 50 John L. Phillips, The Originsof families (of predominantly lower REFERENCES Intellect Piaget's Theory (San socioeconomic standing and lower- Urie Bronfenbrenner et al., Two Worlds Francisco: H. W. Freeman, 1969). than-average educational levels) of Childhood: US & USSR (New York: The Denver Post "Math Crisis Bredicted who were taken to court over some Simon & Schuster, 1970). in US Classrooms," (15 June 1986). aspect of their homeschooling, Raymond and Dorothy Moore et aL, Albert Bandura and Aletha C. Huston, standardised testing showed that the Better Late Than Early (originally askatifigaggalaiLErstr published by Reader's Digest Press, Ingidiagleaming," Journal of children scored an average of 80.1 1975; updated for a sixth printing by the Abnormal and Social Psychology LXIII percent, or 30.1 percent above Moore Foundation); (1961): 311-318; average test scores nationwide. In School Can Wait (originally published Albert Bandura, Dorothea Ross and terms of socialisation, John W. by Brigham Young University, 1979; Sheila A. Ross, "Transmission of Taylor's national-sample-based updated for a 6th printing by the Moore Aggression throuah Limitation of study of self-concept found that Foundation); Aggressive Models,"Journal of 77.7 percent of all homeschoolers "Home Schooling: An Idea Whose Abnormal Psychology and Social scored in the top quarter of scores Time Has Returned," Human Events Psychiatry LSXII (1961): 575-582; and recorded. He also found that (15 Sept 1984) Albert Bandura, and Richard H.Walters, excellence in home education has P.D. Forgione and R. S. Moore, "The Social Learning and Personality Development (New York: Holt, little to do with the parent's Rationales for Early Childhood Policy educational level. Although many parents may not know it, they are usually top-notch teachers for children in the first 10 to 12 years - through high school, in fact, if balanced methods are followed. A Smithsonian Institution study of 23 world-class geniuses found that they shared three distinguishing characteristics: warm, loving educationally responsive parents, as well as contact with other nurturing adults; scant involvement with children outside the family; and a great deal of creative freedom to explore their own interests under Making" (1973-1975). A research Rinehart & Winston, 1963). parental guidance. Blended in monograph prepared for the US Office Michael S. Shepherd "Homeschooling; balance in the home environment, of Economic Opportunity at Stanford A Lgal View" Mothering, no. 47 and nurtured through the sound University. . (Spring 1988) example of a parent, these Anne K. Soderman, "Schooling All 4 Ross Campbell "Homeschoolingawe ingredients help foster peat Year Olds: An Idea Full of Promise, by State" by , in Mothering, no. 47 Fraught with Pitfalls." (Spring 1988): 82-91. characters and personalities. Educatiot. Week (4 March 1984). John Wesley -Taylor V "Self-Concept Parents everywhere can W.D. Rohwer, Jr., "Prime Time for in Home Schoolina Children," A provide this sort of nurturing. The Eflusatigziamix_cliklliss4stt doctoral dissertation for Andrews key is to balance study, work and Adolescence?" Harvard Education University (1986). service with developmental needs. Review 41 (1971): 316-341. Harold McCurdy, "The Childhood Home education offers David Quine, "The Intellectual Pattern of Genius," Horizon 2 (1960). significant promise to children and Llsyslopman of Home-Taught 33-38. to society. It deserves the best Children." An unpublished exploratory research and professional concern study available from the author, at 2006

12 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992

69 4. Homeschooling parents perceive life for children in school as less than ideal . Schools must conform to parameters as a result of fiscal and administrative limitations. These limitations can contribute to children being hurt educationally, socially, psychologically, mentally, physically and spiritually.

5. Homeschool parents believe that they can provide good, positive socialisation in the form that has traditionally been the province of the family i.e socialisation with the full range of age, skill and socio- economic groups in society (as it will be in the work place). Homeschoolers believe that we all have varying needs for socialisation at different times in our lives, that it cannot be enforced or ensured in the classroom (and that often classroom socialisation is brutal, nasty and not good for children's self esteem) and that adequate social development is something that humans have been well able to cope with, without an institution to enforce it, efficiently since the dawn of time and long before compulsory schooling.

Einstein is quoted as saying

" It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry: for this delicate little For most parents the reasons for keeping their children plant, aside from stimulation out of school or taking their children out of school is a stands mainly in need of freedom. combination of all of the following: Without this it goes to wrack and ruin without fail. It is a very grave I. Homeschool parents feel that their children are family mistake to think that the business and not the government's- especially when parents are prepared to take full and competent enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by responsibility for them and educate them to SUPERIOR means of coercion and a sense of standards. duty. To the contrary I believe 2. Homeschool parents enjoy being with their children that it would be possible to rob and helping them; they havr observed their children even a healthy beast of prey of its from birth growing and learning; they have the utmost voraciousness, if it were possible, confidence in the integrity of their children's learning with the aid of a whip, to force the and their own ability, as parents, to facilitate that beast to devour continuously, learning. They are aware that their children are even when not hungry, especially intelligent, resourceful, skilful, adaptive, inventive and if the food handed out under such competent. Parents feel they can extend and develop coercion were to be selected these skills without giving up this task to schools. accordingly".

3. Homeschooling parents believe they can provide a better academic grounding than the schools can because of the quality, quantity and type of education they provide.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992 13 volume of high quality work to her ENJOYING LEARNING name Dale seems to take real pleasure in people achieving what WHILE LEARNING TO SEW they can do for themselves and is generous to a fault with sharing her Jo-Anne Beirne expertise on her sewing machine and overlocker. She has never said "you can't do that yet" or expected Recently my ten year old daughter, etc. classes much as if they were Rebecca or anyone else would fmd Rebecca and I started sewing second class idiots - not so Dale. something too hard for them and as classes. It has been a while since I. a Having attended many a result we feel really confident with born klutz, decided to learn classes over the years where threading bobbins, assessing and something where I had absolutely everything goes back to basics and fixing tensions and reading patterns no knowledge or experience. it is ages before you can move on to (a whole new language for the However I was enthusiastic and anything interesting it was so after becoming aware of a lovely uninitiated). teacher in my area decided to give it Learning sewing myself a go. has reminded me of some important Being a 'right from scratch' "dos and don'ts" concerning learner again with absolutely no learning, that I always need to keep prior information or experience to remembering back home. fall tack on has been really 1. Enthusiasm is a inspiring for me and has forced me wonderful spur for learning. to look once again at how some Gregory and Stephen have been so people, like me, must learn. Our inspired by all Rebecca and I have teacher, Dale, did not require that achieved that they have cut out we prove that we know how to sew things for themselves (using our in straight lines or circles, she didn't small expertise as guide) and sewed say you can't do zippers until lesson and overlocked them quite 9 or "that is too hard for you." In confidently. When I think of the fact at our very first lesson another "pretend" craft done in the schools I "pupil" brought striped material to am really pleased that they have make a circular skirt (a real no no learnt such valuable skills and have for a beginner apparently) but she such confidence in three short has now completed the skirt (it weeks. looks great) and we all used her 2. You don't need to start at experience to learn lots of valuable the textbook perceived "beginning" to learn, sometimes jumping right in hints and techniques along the way. refreshing to be told to bring the there is the best introduction anyone Part of the joy of working material and pattern of our choice needs. with this teacher is that she is really (Rebecca's was tf) be necessarily 3. It is easier to learn if you experienced and totally confident in simple) and begin where we wanted are being taught by so:neone who her own dressmaking skills. She has to begin. no "image" or "power" problems. Plunging in at the deep end really enjoys showing you how, and who respects you and your ability to She she,ws all the time in a myriad like this meant that we would have a learn. of ways that she really enjoys finished product that met our needs sharing what she knows with others in z few short weeks ( I have now It also makes me realise that if I had decided to "teach rather than lording it over we less made 6 tracksuits for my two year experienced learners. She treats old in 3 weeks) and, for me, this dressmaking" for example, as a part of a learning program this year in everyone equally as witnessed by made the class really worthwhile. my daughter Rebecca who said after At no stage has Dale criticized, our homeschool, I would have attacked it in a totally different way, lesson two "she treats me like a real ridiculed or even frowned at an leaving all of us with the impression person, an adult, Mum". Rebecca, individual for a mistake though we that it is a hard, exact and dry like many homeschooled children, have definitely unpicked a lot of is acutely aware of and often hurt by things! occupation when obviously it is the condescending way many adults Despite being a quite the opposite. treat children in dance, gym, drama, perfectionist with an incredible

14 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992

71 A NATURAL A CONVERSATION WITH LEARNING APPROACH TO DAVID & MICK' COLFAX LEARNING TO Reprinted from Home Education Magazine March-April 1991 SEW In Growing Without Schooling #35 (October, 1983) a front page Our environment of learning, article reprinted from the Boston Globe (August, 1983) told how Grant preparing for the next lesson, Colfax, educated at home for eleven years, had recently been accepted for talking about patterns and admission by both Yale and Harvard, and would be entering Harvard that haunting remnants bins in fall. The next issue of GWS reprinted a story form the San Francisco 1 materials shops has created a Examiner (November, 1983) reporting that Grant was doing well. And in real learning environment at our GWS #38 it was reported that the Colfaxes were "just finishing a book on place. We are talking weft and homeschooling." warp, grainlines, clothing styles, The book was titled Homeschooling For Excellence, and in it David denim, baste, selvage, slipstitch, and Micki told how and why they had educated their four sons at home over tension, ballpoint needles and fifteen years. They told about the materials they used, the lessons they widths of seams. I tell myself learned, and yet in the introduction to their book David and Micki cautioned, that this is real maths, language, "Our homeschooling program was not derived from a set of neatly-organised social studies and science. Not principles that guided our day-to-day activities. We did not attempt to many 11 year old boys, for implement a particular educational philosophy, but, rather, attempted to example have made a tracksuit respond to the evolving needs of the children more or less in an ad-hoc for their small sister, for many fashion. Because of this, our subsequent efforts to reconstruct and rationalise reasons including lack of access what was largely a trial-and-error process proved to b a rather complex and peer group pressure. We undertaking. We discovered that our deep-seated aversion to educational have seen that the boys regard ideologies in general, and pop ideologies in particular; made it impossible for sewing as a valuable skill for us to condense a decade and a half of experience into a few easily- them as well. apprehended directives which, if followed, would ensure homeschooling Perhaps the most success. The educational experience is simply much too complex, too varied, important lesson I have learned, and too rich to be reduced to a neat formula or two, or a set of pat and trendy though, is about "time" and phrases." "flexibility". When there is "big Three of the Colfax sons have gone to Harvard, and David and learning" going on one must Micki have been increasingly called upon to share what they have learned. ignore the mess and often most The news media picked up their story and their family has been featured on other things and go for it. television, radio, and in hundreds of publications across the nation. Virtually a year's school type Homeschooling conferences have invited David and Micki to speak, and "pre-programmed" learning has articles and interviews by them have appeared with increasing frequency. happened here in just a couple of What has the Colfax family been up to since the publication of the weeks. Sure everything else has book, Homeschooling For Excellence, several years ago? been placed on hold but we have Grant is now 26, and in his second year at Harvard Medical School, achieved a lot in realising that where, in addition to his studies, he's working on a study of health delivery we are masters of our own services in black, low-income communities in Boston. We just received a learning and capable of just phone call this very morning from our second oldest son, Drew. He about anything to which we set graduated from Harvard with high honours in June and is now in Niger, on our minds. his way to Mali, where he has a Rockefeller Fellowship to study the impact of famine on tribes in the southern Sahara. Reed, our third boy, is a junior at Harvard and majoring in Afro-American studies. Garth, our 15-year-old, is still at home, where we have a 17-year-old German student, Matti Sander, spending the year with us in our homeschooling program. The continuation of this conversation is available from Home Education Magazine in a set that includes many of their conversations with noted homeschoolers..

Homeschooling For Excerrena is available for US$ 10.40 (intruding tax and postage) from Mountain 9-fouse Press, Box,353, Prtiro, CA 95466.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL MARCH- APRIL 1992 15

72 3E3T COPY AVAILABLE WHAT IS UNSCHOOLIN-G? Earl Stevens

Ear 'Stevens is one of my to conclude that favourite writers from the 'U.S., I children don't like fwpe you fikc him too. to acquire knowledge. Thus schooling came to "What we want to see is the child in be a method of pursuit of knowledge, not controlling knowledge in the pursuit of children and knowledge in pursuit of the child." forcing them to do - George Bernard Shaw whatever work educators decided was beneficial homeschooling under the It is very satisfying for for them. Most children don't like impression that homeschooling can parents to see their children in textbooks, workbooks, quizzes, rote be pursued only by following some pursuit of knowledge. It is natural memorisation, and subject variant of the traditional public and healthy for the children, and in schedules. One can discover this, school curriculum in the home. the first few years of life this pursuit even with polite and devoted Preoccupied with the idea of goes on during every waking hour. children, by asking them if they "equivalent education", state and But after a few short years most kids would like to add more time to their local education officials assume that go to school. The schools also want daily study schedule. I feel certain we must share their educational to see children in pursuit of that most will decline the offer. goals and that we homeschool knowledge, but the schools want The work of a school simply bccause we don't want our them to pursue mainly the school's teacher is not the same as that of a kids to be inside their buildings. knowledge and to devote 12 years homeschooling parent. In most Textbook and curriculum of life to doing so. places a teacher is hired te aeliver a publishing companies go to great in his acceptance speech ready-made, standardised, year- lengths to assure us that we must for the New York City Teacher of long curriculum to 25 or 30 age- buy their products if we expect our the Year award, John Gauo said, segregatred children who are children to be properly educated. "Schools were designed by Horace confined in a building all day. The As if this is not enough, there are Mann... and others to be teacher must use a standard national, state and local support instruments of the scientOc curriculum, not because it is the best organisations which have management of a mass population." approach for encouraging any practically adopted the use of the In the interests of managing each individual child to learn the things traditional curriculum and the generation of children the public that need to be known, but because school-in-the-home image of school curriculum has become a it is a convenient way to handle and homeschooling as a de facto hopelessly flawed attempt to define track large numbers of kids. The membership requirement. In the education and to find a way of school curriculum is understandable midst of all this, it is very difficult delivering that definition to vast only in the context of bringing for a new homeschooling family to numbers of children. administrative order out of daily think that an alternative approach is The traditional curriculum chaos, of giving direction to unruly possible. assumes that children must be children and to unpredictable pursued by knowledge because they teachers. It is a system that staggers One alternative approach is will never pursue it themselves. It ever onward but never upward, and "unschooling," also known as was no doubt noticed that, when every morning we read about the "natural learning" or given a choice, most children prefer results in our newspapers. "experience-based learning." not to do schoolwork. Since, in a But despite the differences Unschooling isn't a school, knowledge is defined as between the school environment method, it is a way of looking at schoolwork, it is easy for educators and the home, many parents begin children and at life. It encourages

16 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992

73 things invariably tend toward healthy development and valuable knowledge. It is natural for children to read, write, play with numbers, learn about society, find out about the past, think, wonder, Home and do all those things that we so unsuccessfully attempt to force EDUCATION upon them in the context of schooling. PIZESS While few of us get out of bed in the morning in the mood for a "learning experience," I hope that all of us get up feeling in the mood HOMESCHOOL READER A unique anthology that answen ques- for life. Children always do so tions onsocialization,legalissues, unless they are ill or unless life is higher education, accountability, com- pulsory education, selecting curriculum made overly tedious and confusing materials, and much more. From the for them. Children don't love to pages of Home FA..-ntion Magazine, 1983 through 1988. 164 pages, re- learn, they love to do, and in the aot source listing, indexed, S12.75 ppd. WHAT IS UNSCHOOLING ? of doing they learn. Sometimes the HOMESCHOOL HANDBOOK by Earl Etevens continued problem for the parent is that it is A complete guide to home schooling rather difficult to determine if from the editors of Home Education Magazine. An extensive resource list- trust in both parents and children to find anything important is actually ing, with informative reviews of books, the paths that work the best for them going on. It is a little bit like publications, and tesources. 60 pages, 81/2" x 11", informative articles, re- without depending on educational watching a garden grow. No source listing, reviews, advertising, in- institutions, publishing companies, or matter how closely we examine the dex, S730 ppd. garden it is difficult to verify that experts to tell them what to do. ALTERNATIVES IN EDUCATION Unschooling does not mean anything is happening at that A comprehensive guide covering home schooling, alternauve schools, Waldorf that parents can never teach anything to particular moment. But as the schools, Montessori education, learning their children, or that children cannot season progresses we can see that exchanges, apprenticeships, alternative higher education and much more. 120 use a textbook or even a curriculum. much has happened, quietly and pages, resources, indexed, $10.75 ppd. Unschooling does not mean that naturally. Children pursue life, children should learn about life entirely and, in doing so, pursue LzrrEas HOME A fascinating glimpse into the life of a on their own without the help and knowledge. They need adults to home schooled young lady who em- guidance of their parents. Unschooling trust in the inevitability of this very barks cei travels around the world at the age of sixteen. Her experiences shed does not mean that parents give up natural phenomenon and to offer light as the question of how home active participation in the education and what assistance they can. schooled youngsters might make the transition from the home to the world. development of their children and Homeschooling is a 60 p., $5.50 ppd. simply hope that something odd will unique opportunity for each family HOMESCHOOL BOOKSHELF happen. Finally, since many to do whatever makes sense for the A complete homeschooling books unschooling families have definite growth and development of their catalog from Home Education Press. plans for tertiary education, children. If we have a reason for Listing more than sixty titles by over using a curriculum and traditional forty authors, this is the only catalog unschooling does not even mean that of its land. Available free upon re- kids should never take a course in any school materials, we are free to use quest. kind of school. them. They are not a universally necessary or required component Then what is unschooling? of our homeschooling programs, Home Education Press either educationally or legally. PO Box 1083 To me a large component of Tonasket, WA 98855 unschooling is grounded in doing real Even educators are beginning to things, not because we hope they will be question the planned, year-long good for us, but because they are curriculum as an outdated, 19th "Publishing only intrinsically fascinating. There is an century educational tool. There is the best for energy that comes from this that you no reason that families should be homeschooling families can't buy with a curriculum. Kids do less flexible and innovative than since 1983. II real things all day long, and in a schools. supportive home environment those

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH- APRIL 1992 17

7 4 GM COPY AVAIL ABLE HOW DO HOMESCHOOLERS KNOW WHAT TO TEACH ?

by Jo-Anne Beirne

New homeschoolers, teachers and (b) it is bland and designed to be many other people often ask me, handed out in small doses. We must "How do homeschoolers know what remember that there is much to teach?" as if schoe'ts have a theoretical and practical discussion monoploy on the dispensation of going on all the time among knowledge and a casual, non- educators about whether the school trained member of the public could syllabuses are reflective of what not possibly handle such amazing society or parents want and if they information. will even be of any use to the judgement as to what time should be children of the future. (In fact as WHAT DO SCHOOLS KNOW ? allotted to say the "social service" recognition of this, homeschoolers We would all do well to elements of the curriculum and in in N.S.W, are required to fulfill the remember that many respected undertaking these personal guidelines in the key learning areas educators have said that a lot of development tasks how much but not to follow school syllabuses.) what the schools teach is full of academic work is missing out? value judgements about what some As a society we have Given the structure and administrators and practitioners mostly decided to put curriculum administration hierarchy of schools thought at some point in time was planners/teachers in a position it is just not possible for them to relevant and important for children where theY make these decisions for respond to technology, far less a to know e.g Latin was once seen as us e.g. Society feels that it is shift in philosophy in less than 20 relevant now it is not. important for children to know of years. For instance ten years ago a Homeschoolers decide the danger of AIDS, or to develop computer was a very expensive and what to teach their children by suitable environmental awareness inaccessible piece of technology for making these value judgements for strategies, so time is given in the schools and it was generally themselves. For instance in the Sun curriculum ito achieve these goals. believed that to get ahead in the Herald l/3/92 there is an article world most highly skilled people speaking of the huge increase in PRIORITIES FOR A HOME would have to learn enormous anorexia among school girls and the EDUCATION CURRICULUM amounts about programming. Of intention of the Education In the homeschool the parents are course now we have the situation Department Curriculum Co- the ones to decide the priorities. where computers are cheaper, ordinator to develop materials to Some parents may want more time smaller, accessible and much more help solve this problem. While none emphasis on the basics, others on efficient pieces of technology and it of us would dispute the need to help history, others on social issues. is recognised that while there will these children it becomes a value Obviously it is not essential for the always be specialists who will take homeschool curriculum to cover an area of no perceived need.

I personally believe it is in fact no big deal if homeschoolers don't teach thc majority of the content that they are teaching in schools at all because (a)it is designed for large group compulsory digestion

18 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL1992 up the career of programming most WHAT TO TEACH ? of us can function at peak So, what can/do homeschoolers performance in our selected careers teach ? They are lucky to be able to using software already developed acces all the traditional sources that and perfected by some whizz bang are available to schools through programmers and we will never textbook and curriculum suppliers really have to write a program and schools programs and then if ourselves, just as we no longer have they are flexible ther is all the rest. to go out and milk the cow to complement our cereal. Take for example a hypothetical single parent living in a caravan on a THE CONTENT pension with virtually no disposable A further example lies with- military version from the mouths of income, very few resources but a information about CFC's, the effects the generals themselves and their commitment to homeschooling her of driftnet fishing, salination of our allies and detractors; the man in the child. rivers, the discoveries of Voyager, street's version courtesy of the the effects of garbage polluting our daring reporters at ground level, the Resources : Library, church, sport undergound water supplies, the Gulf protestors, the wives of the soldiers and scoial clubs, local community- War etc.We all know it will be a and everyone else in between. people, courses, entertainment, long time before school textbooks, local government services, teachers and programs will get This is the case in just about every television and radio. around to including real information area of learning now. There isn't a English: about these things in school subject that hasn't got a book written Listening , discussing, researching curriculums- and will it be out of about it (from ice sculptures to and following up news items of date even before it is put in? assembling a nuclear bomb) and interest regularly.+ time and there is an avalanche of information encouragement to read often from Usually before there is a shift in on every topic imaginable in a huge innumerable fiction and non-fiction emphasis or content in a syllabus variety of forms. If you just took books, periodicals and newspapers there must be meetings, notes from the evening news off the from the library, also audio story suggestions, agendas, trials, radio there would be enough tapes - don't forget inter-library discussions and finally a syllabus. I geography, history, maths, loan. Explore all sections of the am not knocking any of this process, language, philosophy, politics, library including history, in fact it is essential to ensure the economics and practical jump off geography, poetry, biographies - quality of schools' materials. But points to keep you busy for weeks. use information obtained as a basis homeschoolers will know that we for a good social studies program. can get to it quicker, handle it more WHO OWNS IT? Discussions with parent, other efficiently, discard it when Once upon a time the schools were adults and friends about the books inapplicable, pursue it if interesting indeed the greatest and often sole read, translation into action e.g. a and important and give a broader repository of educational book on bike building could lead to more diverse view on most knowledge both in terms of physical a salvage operation on a bike from occasions, if we are prepared to be and people resources. Nowadays it the local garbage depot. Lots of oral resourceful, do a little research and is exactly the opposite case. comprehension as part of this listen to diverse points of view from Basically schools are impoverished reading and action process. Writing a variety of commentators and institutions where the resources that as necessary and as a part of the sources on each issue. are taken for granted in the home and wider community are thinly BEING INFORMED spread among a huge number of Probably for the first time in history children and this situation can only the man in the street has as much get worse. In the 90's it is both opportunity to be informed about a cheap and efficient to access the huge range of subjects as the most community and all its diverse highly qualified academic. For resources, especially mass media instance, in the gulf war wc had the and computers, as a far greater and blow by blow political version from more up to date repository of all the leaders and a politically knowledge and information . diverse set of commentators; the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992 19

76 volunteer bush guides and environmental organisations who exchange enthusiastic labour for high quality expert information conntin about habitats, animals etc. Obviously there is heaps more in every science area and none of this community e.g to complain, addition, subtraction, multiplication requires expensive equipment or volunteer or make suggestions for and division, the budget of the resources just ingenuity. improving local community family, local council and the services, as a penfriend, relative and country's budget , tax forms, cheque The same sorts of things apply for as part of daily living including books, bank accounts, comparisons creative and physical arts. If you paying bills, requesting of interest and other benefits horn a want mnsic lessons badly enough information, filling in forms etc. range of financial institutions, the you will be creative enough to maths of the social security system, advertise in the library or on notice Social Studies: Pick any topic and T.V programs/advertisements boards to fmd someone or use the library to explore it in more timetabling, bills and efficient something you can exchange for detail. Local media, genealogical management of funds, the stock this skill. I know some kids who society or historical society to exchange, scores, tables, charts etc. have made valuable contacts pursue a family history; local through Meals on Wheels - history, overview of Australia's Science: Geology: collect / housebound people haven't usually history, world history in any compare/swap rocks, read about and lost their faculties only their century, follow a theme such as identify them, fmd out about the mobility. No-one says you have to fashion, transport or statesmen geological formation of the local be taught art you can practice your through an historical period. Use area and Australia, visit appropriate drawing and use books for more local people, the local council and museums, write t pnvate collectors ideas, apprentices in the studios of information from State government and ask to see their collections, join the old Masters spent hours every departments to concern yourself an appropriate club of enthusiasts. day copying their masters to perfect with your community in the area of Astronomy: watch the sky, read, their own skills. roads, tourism, industry, tree construct star charts, compare them, Committed Christians can planting; water supply, retail trades, join clubs, go to the University open and will use every subject area to careers. Local old people who might days for budding astronenners, keep incorporate and expand on the want jobs done in exchange for newspaper clips of the must up to teachings and writings of their information or skills they have to date findings. Botanists have church. share (art, craft, woodwork); everything around them to observe Pamphlets from any number of from live to dead plant specimens in CREATIVITY & government , private (B.H.P.) etc. any environment, progress to RESOURCEFULNESS and travel agencies are a good record, experiments to think about Being creative and resourceful is starting point for finding things out and try, predators to assess, what a person on limited funds has of interest in our world. Just look at drawings to make, root systems and to do to give their child an where you live "How are caravans reproduction to consider. There are education, it is my experience that, made? How much do they cost? any number of museums and in the main they are precisely that. If What are rivets? What are the we encourage people 1f) think of advantages and disadvantages of themselves as "power brokers" for this home compared to others e.g their own and their children's igloos, teepees, mudbrick, tents, education then we will undoubtedly brick, etc have a better educated society that doesn't equate school with Maths: Most people can easily get a education. Perhaps compared to Maths book at a garage sale but those of us who tend to just open up even without a textbook there is the Arrwam,=.1 a textbook and ask the kids to do maths of distances and time what schools and educators have measurement, temperature, latitudes drummed into us is "learning", the and longtitudes, wind speeds, tides, less well off can give their children barometric pressure, magnification, irr an active, involved, resourceful and weights, cooking, shopping, useful education.

20 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992

77 Lots of researchers have problems with schools too !!!

When the opportunity arises for a Feelings are irrelevant in education. CONNELL et al. (Making the large group of ftomesciwoling There is always a single, Difference 1982) documents parents to discuss the reasons why unambiguous Right Answer to a aspects of what they call the question. "unending guerrilla war aspect of they homeschoot the topic of Enjlish is not history and history is classroom life". 'schools' is usually a key ofie. For not science and science is not art despite the fact that most people and art is not music, and art and WERTHMAN (1977) homeschod for very positive music are minor subjects and in his study of a group of 'delinquent reasons die reality is that the english, history and science major students' showed that they carefully 'mildness' of schods has helped subjects, and a subject is something evaluated the teacher's claim to you take and, when you have taken authority and this determined the to create those positive reasons. it, you have 'had' it and if you have nature of their classroom behaviour. 'had' it, you are immune and need Schods are so socially and nwrally not take it again". HENRY (1988 p. 54) says " that accepte if in our society that more this (Werthman's) research and often than not home educators are HUMPHREYS & NEWCOMBE other research suggests that so- made to feef guilty for citing our (1975 School's Out) called delinquent students are 'constructed' during schooling". own school- everiences of elitism, "The curriculum, day in and day authoritarianism, cfassism, out, oppresses children. They are HENRY, KNIGHT. LINGARD & viokna, racism, sexism and forced to learn a mass of facts, TAYLOR (1988 Understanding boredom as reasons for without any real understanding of Schooling) say "Research on homeschooling. So, it is with much why these particular facts are primary school teachers shows that delight tfiat I present these quotes important in their own world. They they demonstrate a preference for even query whether it is their world gathered together by Anna Adams males, and that they interact more that they are learning about at all. with boys and value male ideas amf myself to support The necessary ingredients of more highly ( Delamont, 1980; homeschoders confdent belief unquestioning acceptance and Evans, 1982; Spender, 1982). Work that schools are not aff they are docility are slowly mixed into the in secondary schools also shows crackcd up to be. brew of inquisitive effervescent that both male and female teachers children in giant assembly lines give more attention to boys than POSTMAN & WEINGARTNER across the nation". girls in the classroom two thirds (1971): of classroom time spent with boys." MUSGROVE (1969 Society and Based on research from Fitzgerald, 'Passive acceptance is a more the Teachers Rote) spoke of 1976; Meade,1978; Branson and desirable response to ideas than curriculum as being "an elaborate Miller, 1979; Edgar,1980 to back active criticism. device for filling the time available" up their claim Henry, Knight, Discovering knowledge is beyond Lingard and Taylor also the power of students and is, in any MACDONALD (1977- The write"Cultural and class factors also case, none of their business. Curriculum and Cultural influence how well children do at Recall is the highest form of Development) said "curriculum is school and there is a wealth of intellectual achievement, and the a social construction in which the Australian evidence that shows that collection of unrelated 'facts' is the selection and organisation of despite the expansion of mass goal of education. knowledge into the timetable of the education in the secondary area The voice of authority is to be school is a result of a choice from there are still gross inequalities in trusted and valued more than possible alternatives". educational outcomes which are independent judgement. reflected by social class inequalities One's own ideas and those of one's in occupational qualifications, classmates are inconsequential. income and wealth".

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992 21 76 RESEARCH ABOUT SCHOOLS HOW TO MEASURE continued THE 'REAL' ACHIEVEMENTS SHANE & SHANE (Learning For OF SCHOOLS ? Tomorrow- edited by Alvin Toff ler 1974 D. 195) both Anna Adams actual& developed a set of very simple 'reality Professors of Education at Indiana questions that we would both lave to challenge imaviduat University suggest that the future schools and schoofing as a whole to answer. You could educa:ion of our young children should abolish age-segregation undoubted& thinkof may more. altogether, because after 100 years of searching "no psychologically 1. At the various grade levels, how many children are desirable or reliable ways have been reading below grade level? found to subgroup children in a given grade. To attain a good 2. At the various grade levels how many children are climate for learning, the graded- reading at least two years ahead of grade level? school concept must be abandoned and age-grouping replaced by short- 3. Of the children reading below grade level two years term or ad-hoc groupings built ago, how many are now reading at grade level or better around child interests, purposes, now? In other words how effective are schools at tasks, discussions and comparable improving the reading of those students who are having activities." trouble?

University of Chicago Adolescent 4. At each grade level, how many students have been Project reported in Gifted designated as having "learning disabilities", "emotional Children's Monthly 1988 that half of disturbances", "hyperkinetic or hyperactive" all gifted high school students quit dispositions ? pursuing their special ability area while in school. Csikszentmihalyi 5. Of the children so designated two years ago, how saw this phenomenon as a product many of them are freed of these problems now? In other of stress and boredom and blamed words how successful are schools in dealing with and school's adherence to inflexible overcoming these problems? blocks of instructional time for part of the problem. He suggests that "a 6. How does the Education Ministry or Department linear presentation of materials in assess whether special programs for girls, Aborigines, most classrooms works against ethnic groups or "working class" or any other group capturing student interest and deemed to be educationally disadvantaged, actually enhancing their intrinsic reduce these disadvantages? In other words how motivation". efficiently do schools use their resources ?

PARTINGTON (What do our Children Know ? 1948) "It is true

that there is no unanimity as to what .7114K~.*4? ge*em.410194witeilellaNt - --, students should achieve in education and there never will be. v Education is a highly contested and 1 # necessarily contestable concept. In a GOOD OL TOYS totalitarian system there might be the appearance of unanimity but this Len MCorthj' would only indicate the suppression 0 Lsnden Jacobi 4 of dissenting opinions." B FludsonS1- 1.A1-1-e_brick9e 2290 . / 04q-14.qb4 6 '7 "4,4iPw.Piwrvirgormobaroormer+wow prnrrimp...,A. 22 AUSTRALIAN HOMESO .OL JOURNAL * MARCH-APRIL 1992 House cleaning and Homescooling by Debbie Westheimer

ted firm raineation Magazine ea W4K1083Ton Ask,010198855

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I'm on my hands and knees hotrm neat and clean. We are help decide what stays in the house in my wardrobe. My hands are working at it. What is true for us is and what goes to our Salvation filled with things that should not be that house c'...:aning has taken on Army pile. She can choose between there: coins, a checker piece and a more importance since we have stuffed animals that have meaning piece of foam rubber. Boots and decided to school at home. After to her and those that have been shoes are piled on top of sandals and all, we are spending much more sitting unloved for nine months. slippers. I pull out all those craft time in our home. Even though our We started in storage. Do projects that I started but never educational philosophy allows us to we really need to keep those boxes finished. By removing the crafts, I view our schooling as a never of wool that we thought might be have a place for the boots. If I'm ending cycle, we do mark a braided into rugs? Do we really lucky I might even find the beginning and an end to our school need to keep the canteen set that I floor! What does this cleaning have year. We do this partly to ed as a Girl Guide? The reality is to do with homeschooling? It has complement Dick's schedule as a that I probably won't braid rugs for a everything to do with my sanity and public school teacher. We seem to long time, long enough that the something to do with providing an do the same at nome, having very wool won't be missed. And the orderly environment for our family. different expectations during canteen set is not likely to be used in I have found that the more Order holidays than at other times of the the near future, either. But my there is in our living space, the more year. Just as Dick spends time in his Beatles lunch box and my original efficiently our time is spent on classroom before kids join him, we Barbies have this place in my heart projects that have meaning for us. If prepare our home for a new year as that allows them to pass inspection. I'm preparing tomatoes for sauce, I well. We have begun a tradition There is a place for the sentimental want to spend as little time as called the big purge. and otherwise memorable items. possible looking for the squeezer We begin sometime in Them are papers to file in the office, and the canning equipment. When January, and our goal is to finish by bins of toys to sort through in the everything has a homc and finds its Australia Day. The big purge play room, books to dust and way back when not in use, our involves opening every drawer, organise in the hallway, and tools to household seems to run more every cupboard and every cabinet in put in order in the workshop. In the smoothly. the whole house. It is a monumental dining room, we have a drawer for I have lived in my house task for us, partly because we aren't thin markers, crayons, thick for 11 years now. Out of these, the as good as we should bc at keeping markers, pens and pencils and last three have been homeschooling up with things the rest of the year. rubber stamp sets. There is a place years. One would think that by this Nonetheless, in January this for rubber bands, staples, and time we might have some sort of purging becomes a family affair. mistake stickers. All of these small system that would help us keep our Even my four year old daughter can containers arc dumped out, sorted

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL MARCH -APRIL 1992 23

80 through and put back in order. doing this for over a year, we tidy or would they rather sit out while we During the year, our construction rarely pull out the chart. do our "What Next?" Sitting out does not sheet paper mixes in with our Rather we tend to yell out our mean that they can sit on the couch with a notebook paper. Our recycled scrap preferences. What do we do book in their hand. Sitting out is just sitting paper mixes in with our solid white when two people want to do for as long as it takes for the rest of us to paper. The mess gets pulled out and the same room? Usually we fmish. (An average time is thirty minutes.) stacked in neat piles, ready to be let the person on lunch duty It is rare that someone decides to just sit, used by all. It's a wonderful feeling (this rotates between the but occasionally it does happen. to prepare our home in such a way. three kids) choose first. We have tried lots of different What next? We do our big Occasionally we opt for ways to keep up with the house cleaning, purge once a year. We do small teamwork. Two people including hiring help. We have read books scale purges throughout the year, might work together to do about the subject. Of all the systems that maybe every three months. As for four rooms. During the we have read about and tried, our current the daily pickups and the weeldy sumtner months, with extra method is by far the most rewarding. dustings, sweepings, and moppings, farm demands, the house I can't say that our cleaning is the we have come up with a system we takes on less priority. We do highlight of our home life. It is a necessary call "What Next?" What this name not keep up with this routine part of our homelife and an integral part of implies is that after one is finished on a daily basis. When we do our home school. I am proud of my ten with the room that one is finally tend to the inside, we year old who can wash dishes and mop a responsible for, an out loud yell will don't necessarily wait for floor. I am proud of my seven year old who follow: "What Next?" to see what evening hours. Dick is home can stick to a task from start to finish. I am else needs to be done. None of us full time with us then, so we proud of my four year old who can separate are done until all of us are done. can attack our space any light and dark laundry and pour a cup of Our bedrooms are on the second time. soap into the washer. These daily living floor of our home. We do this floor So what is chores are the backbone to taking care of first, sometimes before breakfast, expected? Basically "What one's self and one's environment. We sometimes after. Basically, this is Next?" is the time to put believe our children will come away from the time to make our beds, make things away in their proper their home schooling years with a sense of sure that clothing is properly taken home. This is the time to these, as well as other, responsibilities. care of and bins and drawers are in organise those blocks in the order. Because we spend little of hallway, to fold the quilts on our waking hours on the second the couch, to sort through the OTHER READING floor, it doesn't take us long to tidy mail that accumulates on the Sidetracked Home Executives by on this level. The first floor sideboard. High use rooms Peggy Jones and Pam Young, demands more of our time. This is also get a daily sweeping. Warner Books, 1981 partly because there are more rooms Our dining room gets swept here and partly because we spend after each meal. We also Clutter's Last Stand by Don Aslett, our waking time here. Also, we expect for workers to be Writer's Digest Books, 1984 (Holt have all developed some bad habits. focused with their tasks. If Associates) We don't put things away properly we have dawdlers, we will when we are done using them. If we bring in the stopwatch and did, there would be no such thing as ask for that person to look "What Next?" How and when do around his/her space to we do this straightening? estimate how much time it During the school year will take to straighten. After when Dick works out of the home, a reasonable time is agreed we save this level for his upon, we set the clock. This involvement. We have found that incentive is helpful and we al! feel better about pick up if we challenging. There are times do it together. My tcn year old will (more with our near four year put on some music and off we go to old than with the older guys) tidy. Whcn we first began this when someone will simply routine, we had a chart with all the choose not to work different rooms printed down the efficiently. Once Dick or I left side of the page, and with the recognizes that we don't have seven days of the week printed at a complete work force, we the top. Now that we have been ask if the person intends to

24 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL MARCH -APRIL 1992

A cently included woodstoveopera- and practical application as major tion, winter heating, the French learning tools, we learn while we Revolution, Thomas Paine and Eng- eat, garden, drive, work, and live! lish literature! Woven into the fab- Most signifcant, though, is ric of our discunionsare our priori- that mentoring builds the frame- ties, beliefs and views of the world, work for a strong and healthy adult 'I& article Menwring' Itis essential, however, for the relationshipwithyour growing Faracku sharing to go both ways. If it both- teens. It will last through their leav- reprinte d from Some ers you for your child to express an ing home and helps them on their Education Magazine idea you disagree withyour effec- way to responsible, independent tiveness as a mentor will bere- adulthood. And, esr all, isn't that P.O.Box1083 duced. The moreyou Can discuss what homeschooling is really all Tenaskft 'WA 98855 even controversial topks (and teens about? do love controversy)as equals in a reasonable way, themore you will HEM be respected. Ifnecessary, you may need to agree to disagree. Inthe long run you will havemore impact on the beliefs and behaviors of youth when youare perceived as "reasonable" rather than "authori- tarian." One of the hardest jobsas a 9dothering is one ofmy parent is allowing a child the free- favourite magazines dom to fail; the second hardestjob about people, famifies, may be picking up the pieces with- chifirrn and education. out the "I told you so." Asa home- schooling parent mentor I believe pugisher Peggy that both behaviorsare essential. Of O'Mara has written course, I don't "set anyone up" to some beautifut articles. fail, or neglect my role as a guide (see page 27) I highly and advisor by not discussingpoten- tial pitfalls. On the contrary,a good recommend* this mentorship allows you to discuss puSacation. possibleproblemswithout your child feeling like "she's trying to tell me what to do again." But one way we grow and learn our limits is by pushing them. This by necessityin- cludes "failure." Fortunatelyrnoet failures are not permanentor life threatening. You can't leta 3-year- MOTHORING old run into the street, butyou can PO Box 1690Santa Fe, NM 87504 let a 16-year-old procrastinator miss 505-984-8116FAX 505.985-8335 (credit card orders only) a newsletter deadline, for example. Subscriptions and Customer Service 800-545.9364 (LISA and Canada) Once he has had to face his club and explain why there isno newsletter Mothering serves an international community of he'll be less likely to put it off again parents, retognizing that America is a country of than if you spent 30 hours nagging mixed cultures and that, regardless of country of or helped him to meet the deadline origin, we are all, first, citizens of the world. at the last minute. Mothering serves the healing of our Mother Since we developed the men- Earth through the healing of mothersboth the toring method of horneechooling I've inner healing of mothers themsehand the heal- proven to my somewhat skeptical ing of the act of mothering whether done by men spouse (the ex-teacher, remember) or by w omen. my contention that most children, Mothering celebrates the experience of mother- given a stimulating environment,a ing and fathering as something worthy of one's little guidance, andan active, in- best efforts and seeks to inspire a recognition of volved, intelligent family, can't help but learn! the immense importance and value of parenting and family life in the development of the full The side effects of the men- human potential of parents as well as children. toring method have done wonders to As a readers' magazine, we recognize parents as mitigate possible homeschool burn- the experts and wish to provide truly helpful out, as well. Since my kids are in- information on which parents can base informed creasingly responsible for their own choices. learning I spend len time as a Mothering is both a fierce advocate of the needs "school slave driver." This reduces and rights of the child and a gentle supporter of my *trete level as well as allowing the parents, as we strive to empower decision more time for my activities and making that will embrace and consider the needs learning. This, again, stimulates of all members of the family. We explore the reali- everyone else. And with discussions ty of human relationships in the family setting, recognizing that raising the heirs of our civiliza- 9EST COPYAVAILABLE R 3 tion well is the prerequisite for healing it. ,

......

Jj Fallick The Mentoring Method

books and learning materials aswhat you are asked and leave Iota of soon as they want to do so. Weroomfor morestudent-initiated guide their selection of books appro-questions. Nothing can turn kids off priate to their ability with discus-faster than a lecture! My daughters sion, not manipulation or persua-sometimes complain about their Mentoring is a popular con- sion. By the time they are in theirdad, an ex-classroom teacher, in this cept today. In some business circles teens, our daughters even selectregard. "He just keeps telling you it has replaced networking, and '.1 their.own courses of study. They re-more than you ever wanted to know the fonnal structure of the city gov-fer to state requirements, and con-or even thought there was to know," rnment of Spokane, Washington,sider their own interests, needs,says Amy. When we can turn a po- there is now an official rnentorshipskills, and weaknesses. If you havetential lecture into one of our wide- program. Mentorship is not just anot experienced such a program, itranging, free-far-all discussions the fad, but an excellent method ofwill probably surprise you that theykids learn much more. These conver- teaching and learning. "Advisoistudy subjects they don't like or dosations, a cornerstone of our borne- might be a loose synonym, but thepoorly in without being pushed!schooling, often prolong dinner or connotation of a mentorship in-Mentoring, in the context of dailybedtime. Months later, questions volves much more. life, shows them the real need to beand comments by even the youngest In Greek legend, the original able to spell, cypher, read, or vinia.-children prove that the discussions Mentor, trusted friend of Odysseus, ever they might like to avoid. Theare not only retained but also wider became responsilole for the educa- kids that I see are usually verystood and integrated with other tion of Odysseus' eon, Telemachus, aware of their weaknesses, and Iknowledge. Even better learning when the father departed for Troy. think they are more likely to tackletakes place when w can actually Telemachus is the central figure inself-improvement when itis notuse what we talk about in a project. the first four books of Homer's epic, forced on them, especially if theyAs Eric says, "Actual experience is The Odyssey. can do it in a gentle, supportive at-better than just reading about some- Eric Large, 16, sought outmosphere. thing in a book or having a teacher our family as mentors in indepen- That's where you, as mentor,talk at you about it." dent rural living. He says, "A men-come in! You may get asked, "How Two of my goals as a home- tor and student have much more ofdo I calculate this?" or "What's theschooler are to instill a life-long love a chance if they meet on equal best way to learn to spell decentlyrof learning and tofosterself- ground. It is a relationship, not a or your teen may cry on your shoul-motivation. Knowing how he learns, matter of simply learning facts but der over a fault, perceived or real.and what works far others helps a a way of thiAing, a way of teach- When you have developed the trust-student to make good use of his ing a student to think." He also ob- ing, open relationship essential totime, and to be able to learn under serves that the success ore mentor-mentoring,thesequestions andmost conditions even when they ship "depends on how much trust sharing of emotions come more easi-don't fit his preferred learning style. you go in with." Within one's ownly. Your teens won't be put off byApparently I'm not the only one who family, developing a mentor rela-unexpected lectures or fault-findingthinks this is important. On a ques- tionship may be difficult The tran- that sour so much parent-teen com-tionnaire she completed during her sition from an authoritarian "be- munication. The mentor's job is notgraduation from home school my cause I said so" attitude to the to solve his student's problem, butdaughter, Katrina, was asked the o.nness and acceptance of your to help the student find his own so-most significant thing she learned child as an independent person lution. In the case of the math prob-while homeschooling. Her answer whom you meet on equal groundlem, this may require actual teach-included "self-motivation and learn- isn't always easy. In the long run,ing. The spelling question woulding theory." though, it is always worthwhile. probably generate a discussion of A good mentor relationship is In the horneschooling con-learning styles. In the last care,a very personal, close one that in- text, we begin the transition by let-your child is probably not looking asvolves much sharing. Certainly such ting our children choose their ownmuch for advice as for an empathica relationship will go beyond any ear. All of these situations come uporiginal single purpose. In the cares Jj rollick isafreelance writer andregularly when you mentor. of Eric and Rebecca, who both carne homeschooling mother living near Am- Alien you are called upon forto learn rural life skills, this is true. enport Washington. actual instruction try to answerjustDiscussions with Rebecca have re-

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINEMarch-April/1992

82 the teen years. My favorite reassur- ance is that the closer you've been with your child, the harder the teen years are. I wouldn't have believed Peggy 0Mara that earlier, when I could still control LikeaWeaning their behavior, but it makes sense now. 'd like to write about kabies have, in fact, learned relationship It makes sense now because I because I know that many of you with. You have always trusted them. understand what is happening. The have babies, but I don't. I have You have spent years building trust teen years are like a weaning. Al- teens, and 1 want to scream. I with them. Do you stop trusting though we still love these children I them now because the temptations as we did when we held them in our think it may have to do with being arms, they must leave us. And for short. Maybe if I were a taller parent are greater, the risks riskier? Can .... Maybe if I were a married par- you afford to let them learn through them to leave us with their self- ent their own experience, the way you esteem intact, they must sometimes Maybe if.... Where have we fight their way out. At eight or nine, gotten the idea that we can cor.trol learned, the way anything important human beings? Why do we believe ! is learned when the risks are so great they assure us that they will live our virtue and good intentions can and when you don't have any other with us foreveror at most, build create perfect children? Which one choice anyway? their own house right next door to of us was a perfect child? One ana- When they were little, you wor- ours. We are all relieved. This, how- lyst I know says she sees more "per- ried about them falling into the ever, is not what is best for them. swimming pool. You breathed a sigh They must sometimes fight their fect children" in her chair than those way out. who raised hell. of relief when they all learned to Something about parenting teens swim. Now you worry about the This summer I will have three is reminiscent of the early years of whole ocean. There are cars. New teenagers. Send money, flowers, con- parenting. Things are all askew, and Mexico has the highest rate of dolences. Pray that I don't take to you feel as if you've arrived in a for- drunken driving in the country. Car drink. I've taught them excellent eign land where you certainly don't accidents are the leading cause of boundaries and now they are using know the territory and haven't yet death among teens. There are ciga- them against me. They've caught me learned the language. The things rettes. You wonder about a society at my game. They are better at it that used to work don't work any- that sells something more addictive than I am. They challenge me to more, and you suddenly realize that than heroin in vending machines. trust them. And trust is, after all, all you got more than you bargained You worry about drugs. Are they that I have. for. And, no one talks about it. Ivot really available in schoolyards? You I have raised my children to have really. Not the scary stuff. We're all won-y about food. How can anyone certain values, and now it is time for afraid it might be our fault. live long on Hershey's Kisses, orange them to test and make them their When they are babies, you can soda, and potato chips? Why don't own. I have tried to shield them keep their outrageous behavior to they remember to take their vita- from society; they want to jump in yourself. You don't have to tell any- rnins? No wonder they're cou,;hing. feetfirst. And yet, I hold on tight. one that your daughter cut her hair I talked recently to a woman whose Unlike some parents who seem to with pinking shears and then shut name you would know. She spoke in abandon their children once they her baby brother up in the toy chest. hushed tones about her marriage become teens and attribute to them And you don't have to mention and her teens. The whole thing was more worldly experience than they what you did when you found out. going to hell in a handbasket, but could have, I do not. I am only the The behavior of teens is a much she was not specific. I'm sure she bumper rails, though. They are now was afraid to tell me, Ms. Perfect in the driver's seat, and the air is more public affair. low in the tires, and they have little Your friends see your teens down- Parent, what was really happening. I town in black, playing cool with was dying to tell her what was really experience with snow and ice, and they are in the hands of God. cigarettes. Your coworkers report on happening here. Like in the early your teens' driving prowess. Other days of parenting, we keep our paw These are the same teens who parents form alliances to report teen and confusion to ourselves, fearing sometimes still want to get in bed drug and alcohol transgressions. that confiding in others will confirm with me after a bad illness or a Your daughter's friend's mother our fears of our own inadequacy. stressful week. The same teens who calls in the middle of the night to say It helps me to talk to other parents demonstrate against the war in the that someone you thought you knew of teens, and especially to talk to Middle East and in support of high- very well has just climbed out of her parents of grown children. I cried er teacher sakries. The same teens window. The authorities arrest teens with relief over an article by Eda who work weekly with the home- for shoplifting just to give them a LeShan about little monsters who less. The same teens who have in- taste of jail. Therapist friends sug- grow up to be rabbis and attorneys. I tense loyalty to their friends and gest addiction counseling for things was ecstatic when my neighbor told compassionate tolerance of intolerant you suspect may just be normal me about the five foreign cars his adults. The same teens who hold a experimentation. You wonder if in grown daughter had wrecked when baby with the tenderness of Mother this self-obsessed, antiseptic society, she was a teen. And I laughed up- Teresa. teens have a right to experiment roariously wheja this same neighbor I am on a roller coaster of my own anymore. You won ler about teen described the time he came upon his creation. I have no choice hut to hold bashing. But you're not sure. And teenage son smoking and playing on. I am a parent of teens, and I do you worry. pinball in a local convenience store. not know the way. They bring out the Then you look at your teens. These My neighbor calmly walked ,ver to worst in me and have seen my be:t. are the same sweet children you him and had a casual conversation All else that has come before in our have loved and trusted over the while his son hid the burning ciga- relationshiithe sleepless nights, the years. The ones you hPve intimate rette in his pocket. I feel comforted hospital stays, the tantrums, and the communication with. 7 .te ones you when I hear that passive-aggressive rocking chairhas prepared me for and manic-depressive are normal in this trusting. For no one else would I hang on so tightly with one hand while I loosen the grip of my longing BEST COPY AVAILABLE 84 with the other. qflL artic4 is reprinted from Growing 'thoutSchooang (G.141.5.) fssue 8 5. 1 stro1g(!j recomnsetuf this journaf for aff those peopk who fifcc to read about the personafeKperienets of honteschoofing parents atuf el:gel-nitover a flow I educational; everientiaf ant pfalosophicat range.

Einstein the Autodidact whatever else it might be, was pre-eminently fun. Ei-nstein's home environment was congenial for hunting x's and proving theorems From a manuscript by Howard R. Bernstencalled -The Holy in novel ways. The game was to do it without the book, that is to Curiosity of /nquiry': Albert Einsteinas Student and F.ducator: say, to figure it out oneself. and therefore to savor the joy of one's own discovery. Uncle Jakob wasn't a professional teacher, but ... It may well be fair to say that at least for Einstein, formal more important, he was an interested, sympathetic adult who was able to communicate his enthusiasm, schooling had little to do with thinking andlearning ... I do not no doubt, by example. mean to say, however, that Einstein learned nothing valuableat ... I have made the observation that Einstein was an school, or that his suffering therewas ur.alleviated. Indeed he had autodidact, literally that he was aelf-taught. Not orily did the congenial memories of at leastone teacher at the Gymnasium. mathematics culture available to him at homeprepare him to and very good feelings in genera/ about hisyear at Aarau. acquire school arithmetic without difficulty, but he a/soseems to Switzerland. The point is simply thatretrospectively. Einstein's have been encouraged to build on that foundationas he, and not learning in class struck him as neitherfundamenta/ nor inspira- tional, neither deep nor lasting. Rather, hisintellectually formatve moments, those which he recalledto have made a 'deep and lastng impression,' were had eitheroutside, or in spite of, What is important is that heseems, early schools. on, to have been in control of his !earning In his 'obituary' (near the end of his lifeEinstein wrote an to an astonishing degree. autobbgaphy which he jokingly called hisobituary) Einstein referred to yet another crucial educatonalexperience, 'a second wonder.' he wrote, 'of a totally differentnature: in a hale book dealing with Euclidian plane geometry...* This was the famous someone else teacher or other adult, saw fit. That the young hedtge Geometrie-Buehleba (holygeometry booklet) which came his way, probably because he asked his Einstein learned directly from books and creative play, rather parents for it, when he than formally, by verbal instruction in a place called school, was twelve. But even before Albert confronted 'thesacred text,' he is was mathernatcally engaged. And this is because not, to my mind, especially illurainadng. What is impertant is in spite of a that he seems, early on, to have been in control of his learning mathematically impoverished schoolenvironment, his home to environment, in Seymour Papert's expression, an astonishing degree. He asked ler books; he got them. He asked was enriched by questions, his own questiona'and made progress finding the the presence of 'mathematics speakingadults.' The idea here is that children, like the young Einstein, answers for hfrflPlf, This is very unusual and very noteworthy are encouraged and indeed. In education, Einstein benefited from motivated by their own desire forcompetence and participation a truly extraordi- in grown-up life to acquire the languar(sl nary latitude for aelf-determination. This liberty was crucial for that is/are spoken in his own development and for his ideas abeut educaton the home. When mathematics, forvrample, is an inextricable later on. feature of the child's early My gufts is that Einstein's appreciation for freedom, together environment, there is vanishingly with his remarkable degree of self-reliance, had their little chance of It appearing alien and'dissociated' in their later beginnings experience. Such children are often highly successful in the home environment of his childhood. in school Of course even Einstein's childhoodwas not entirely flevoid of mathematics in spite of poor instruction andcurriculum design. In young Albert's case, Uncle Jakob, his coercion. Middle class family life in Munich at the end of the 19th father's busLness partner century tended to be rigidly structured, hierarchical and patriar- and engineer, reinforced the boy's aptitudefor problem solving by presenting him with challenging mind chal. Even the efted and independentyoung Einstein was obliged twisters from time to to perform solid middle class rituals, which, with the musically time. ... It was this Uncle Jakob who initiatedhim into the aecret of the Pythagorean theorem, which talented mother that he had, included lessonson the violin. As it Einstein remembered to have happens, his career as a 'fiddler* (Einstein's expression) set about to prove for himself 'on the basisof the similarity of richly triangles.' This feat young Albert illustrates the kind of learner hewas. For Albert was consigned to accomplished before he was violin lessons al the age of six, with thcliffaient exposed to plane geometryas a formal study.... success at best. As ... By the time he was fourtmn, Einstein had taught himself he tells the Moly, 'I really began to Scare only whenI was 13 years old, mairdy after I had fallen in love with calculus, in all probability from H.B.Lubsen's textbooks, which Mozart's sonatas. The happen to bear Uncle Jakob's attempt to reproduce to some extent, their artistecontent and signature on the flyYzat This uncle. singular grace compelled nx to improve of whom we have aL-rady heard,was the same person who my technique, which deeeribed algebra as 'a calculus of indolence.' improvement I obtained from these sonatas withoutpracticing When you don't systematically.' By common know a quantity, he explained to hisapt pupil, all you have to do consensus Einstein developed into a is hold its plart with an x. The Wee is fairly skillful amateur violinist. Itmay well be that that learning to teat It as though you the violin mirrors learning mathematcs, know it. on/y to tletermine it forre I later on. This =planet= of or simply learning in general As long as Albert mechanically executedthe scales and algebra no doubt pleased young Albert.whr: soan found himself at home with equatons that would have compelled his fingers Joylessly to find theirpositions on the myselled classmates still strings, his proven stagnated. Apparenty, at sea with decimals. My suspicion is thatJakab pr-nented Einstein learned, not mathematics as a rewarding kind of play, by practicing but by playing,in effect, not by preparing to re.alte an entertainment that. musk but by making it. Growing Without Schooling585 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 8 5 NEW SOLTH WAIFS

Ms .1 Beirne :2 Homeschoolers Australia PtyLtd Tel. (02) 925 8111 PO Box 420 Kellyville 2153 "., -- 2128 CF:MS

Dear Ms Beirne

I refer to your letterdated 10 January 1992 concerning access of HomeSchoolers to the awards of the SchoolCertificate and Higher School in replying. Certificate. I apologise forthe delay

The Board of Studies considered the issue ofaccess of Home Schoolersto the award of the Higher School Certificateat its meeting on 23 Schooling candidates December 1991 and decidedthat Home may enrol in an accreditedor recognised school for the 12 and enter for theHigher School Certificate whole of Year provided that the principalcertifies that all assessmentrequirements andoutcomes of the courses selected Board also confirmedits rule that students have been met. The School Certificate who undertake theTAFE one year Higher course must be 19 years ofage. For a student to be eligible for the Higher SchoolCertificate as a school normally benecessary for him/her to have the student, it would School Certificateor its equivalent and to undertake the fulltwo year HSCprogram. It may be possible for students to gain accelerated a small number of status by compacting thetwo years' study normally for Higher SchoolCertificate study into required one year. To do so, the studentconcerned would need to enrol in Year11 and the principalof the school would accelerated status following apply to the Board for the school'sassessment of the student'sability. Home schoolers who donot wish to enrol in wish to enter thc any accredited or recognisedschool and who Higher School Certificateexaminations may doso as self tuition candidates, sitting fora maximum of 9 units and receiving a result noticeonly. While the issue of theHome Schoolers' eligibility was not directly discussed for the award of theSchool Certificate at the December Boardmeeting, adoption of the Board means thatthose Home Schoolers the Guidelines by of the School wishing to be deemedeligible for the award Certificate must enrolfor the whole of recognised school. Year 10 in an accreditedor

Yours sincerely 3A

G G Weller for J L Lambert Pyesident /'-/1992 86 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY15. 1992

THE COURIER-MAIL arentskey tostarpupils countries Home support Probleirm put tochildren in .20 QUESTION 2 QUESTION 4 QUESTION1 THE total weight f throesuib biginfluence cases is 2Ilb. John'ssuitcase weighs as mudt as thether together.WhatIsthe By WILLIAM LOWTHER weight,two In pounds, ofJohn's and HUGH MUIR THERE is no suitcase? (a) 134 (b) 144 (e) SPENDING on schools, single magic Itl) 22. size of classes and even the button that quality of teacher training QUESTION 3 have little impact on pu- will unlock WHALES, seats, horses endbats pits' achievement, new rc . educational are all classified inthe urn* search shows. excellence 9 group because theyhave many Tbe key facto( is bow much oftho'ernecharacteristics. support a child is given st Which of the following Is oneof borne. Thousands of children trained teachers, higher these characterist,cs? (a)theyWHAT Is the Mal surface areaof amounts of tbe grossastional feedtheir in 20 countries were involvod be- producemilkfl the cube?(a)240 square cent- product being spent on educe- THE flour* shows throo routes gills for Imefres; II:13 400 SCI CM: CC)KO sei in the world-wide study. in ',sung/ 04 they use CO hailed by experts as 'the mast tion .i.. it doesn't seem to tween two points, measured breathing; (c) they toy eggs; 1,003 sq an scientifically sound survey ofTIMM miles. How {en; b the shortest meat is their main food. "The only two areas we route? Answers ore below. its type ever done". found to be consistently con- Researchers tooled at a va- 131h place with Canada. Thir- nected with high achievement is no single magic key thatwill riety of schooling systems, were leisuretime readingand poor areas. ty-two percent of thenine- hoping to find a "magic bul- Of the countries &sled to Two thousand pupils inunlock educational excel-ycar-ulds got it right and only let" that msde the most suc- the student's altitude towardstalc part in the study, only lence." the science and maths. England took part. Final aver- Eighty percent of the Eng-three cuuntries, Canada, cessful pupils in different "Both the-be things are in-Germany and Japan refusW,ages were worked anusing a US and Portugal, did worse. coumries excel. although some entered only lish 13-year-olds who tcok the fluenced heavily by tbe home. complicated weighting proce- QUIZ- Question Three was cor- Gregory Anat. president of Indeed, the home is the ley toone or two or four sections. tat were able to answer Educational Testing Services, Children iled nine and 13dure. riot% One correctly, whichrectly answered by 511percent education. The cultures a here relating The average score was 62.5. of Princeton, Ncw Jersey, were asked queatiom England's was 63, Scotland'smeant they, with Korea, wereof the 13-year-olds, which left *bid carried out the maths education is valued very high- length, Yoint ninth out of the 20 WW1. them yoint I6th out of 20, fy in the home achieve thebestto measurement al 64.25 and Ireland's 60.25. of and science tests, said: "We weight and arta. They MereHungary, witb 73.5, Taiwantries. But on/y 32 eercent along with Ireland. Forty- found that all tbe tbings you results. That's the real mes-also asked to answer simple the nine-year-olds gut it right.three percent successfully &ay." 71, and the former Soviet completed Question Four, Ole would think would help stu- multiple choice science ques-Union 67.25, were well aboveOnly Ireland, Portugal and dents do better had AO consist- ETS. the world's largest Slovenia scored lower. sixth bar performance. private educational measure-tions. average. The US scored ent relationship with higher develops Schools were chosen to in- On Question Two, 72 per- mem institution, also chide equal number of boys6/.23. cent of the 13-year-olds an- achievement. and administers American Mr Anrig said: "Tbe over- 'E RS: 11 miles; tr; 'A longer school year, MOM and girls and to balance cityriding conclusion is that thereswered correctly. They shared instructional time spent on university entrance exarnim-and rural and wealthy and maths and science, better- tions.

BEST COPYAVAILABLE

only effective way to run aschool, I don't think it is possible to organise aschool to suit the stupid." S.M.H *Radical changes for schools inN.S.W - very clever and the very Performance monitoring, improvementin oral 28.2.92 communication...." Ken Boston Dir. GenEduc. *How the H.S.0 Odds GoAgainst Girls by Sun Herald 2.2.92 Marlene Goldsmith MLCChairman of the Committee on *Uni Entry -Easier than youthink .S.M.H. N.S.W Legislative Standing social issues and a formerhigh school 7.2.92 teacher.Re: access to medicine and lawby brawl as 150 those students with high mathsand science *Two youths stabbed in wild Do we actually want lawyers schoolboys armed with knives,bats, poles and marks" Melbourne who are mathematiciansrather than debaters or chains fought each other at a persuaders? Do we want doctors who may not suburban carpark S.M.H. 11.2.92 be very good at communicatingwith their *"Research shows that most highschool and patients ? took a number of history know how to teachers and gave them the same essay tomark. primary school pupils do not 20% to study intelligently andefficiently" S.M.H. The marks given ranged from 90% A system that discriminates 13.2.92 against English and the humanitiesis a very *Alastair Mackerras long termex-principal of effective way of disriminating against Sydney Grammar "Academic elitismis the girls " S.M.H 30. 1.92

BEST COPY AVAILABLE87 * MARCH-APRIL 1992 30 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ri 9 tc' 'cl '41 ='' cx cx, cg . z1:0, 5' g CfQ 4 r g0.=CD tret crtmrP 5. r)R.* r)*R. ""'' , P--z(0< F.,, ,- 9, . i- c4 0 .04D t<-4.1cal CA tA if? g N c%& Fv41 g -.. CD0 Z i-1 V CD .,, , CD"' 0,F, 8 ,i0, :::118 ..., R. a. g g CD tra a- aQ =- V =..... tf) rr i ..... FD kg - ,,,, ,_..__.CDV" t i .... a, co - ...., ca..a. 8 rD ,.., CD z X0 ro o (z. ..g r,tri,,, '''Et 718 0 0.0 F, el . = CD 0,74 i g z :::::.1 0 =. = co X (4 = tn ta-0 001,CtE VI.-.* m P., CIZog :::0 in.0g 2. 4.9*1.--.z R 6.4. 49 N.)=co o0 4:"N.)z 0 = 4,930..CD= F.: P R ..z. 4:00*V) 14k<,..., 0 = 6 crEr k.4 .,.,El.go CD cr t< Zji,j1 r; rs cl- iv , 0 a CD !J") 0* 41 FIN 7.-.: t,j !,.. ag 80-=--.. g 4.< °E..9 °° " > mo CaP=. g0..n- 4) & 1.< a- ....., l'') ....,FLck ... 8 LT, riS4'5':§ .1=+.a. 0 11* cnb3trblall 'X/ 3141 aa. 4.< a- '

89 Australian Homeschool Journal ISSUE 34 MAY-JUNE-JULY 1992

'Editor 9o-4nne 'Beane

A single ,ubscription runs for 6 issues, no matter when they arrive !

f4ip Pi!

At'-"41

,t 041, IIt irie immier Attention N.S.W q. 41F,-; t Homeschoolers please read page 30 !

AIL

111 .4'

I encourage you to support our magazine by asking friends to subscribe to the journal ratiler than lending your own copies. The Journal is produced at great expense of my personal and family, time and energy.

4 Subscription for 6 issues is $30 to P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

BEST COPY AVAILABLE Australian Homeschool Attention N.S.W Homeschoolers Journal please read page 30 ! ISSUE 34 MAY-JLAE-1LLY 1992

Letters page 4-9

Legal considerations from all over page 10-18 Compiled by Andrea Fuller & Jo-Anne Beirne HOMESCHOOL Children taken from their Homes page 19-20 Jo-Anne Beirne PICNIC, RESOURCE- SHARING & Holt Book & Music Store information and reviews page 21-26 INVENTIONS DAY Sharing Our Homeschooling Experiences over 4 years page 27-28 Susan Crossley BICENTENNIAL PARK Learning My Own Way - A Book Review page 29 Joe Rippolles

INFORMATION ABOUT N.S.W GOV. STORES page 30 29. 11. 92 SEE PAGE 32 Jumping Through Hoops page 31-32 for details Helen Hegener (Reprinted from Home Education Magazine)

HOMESCHOOL PICNIC DETAILS page 32 HOMESCHOOL Sport and Readiness page 33 Jo-Anne Beirne SEMINAR

Mathematics - some challenges and resources. page 34-36 16TH AUGUST 1992 Richard Feynman (and a little Beirne) Woodstock Community Homeschooling After Schooling at age 14 page 37-38 Center (Reprinted from G.W.S. Issue 86) Church St., Burwood

Some Thougths on Testing page 39-40 See enclosed handout or ring Ann Lahrson (Reprinted from Home Education Magazine) 02 629 3727

RESEARCH REQUEST page 41 Don Haddon RESEARCH Socialisation Research Study page 42 SURVEY Unschooling Myself page 43-44 REQUEST Lois Stratton Kern (Reprinted from Home Education Magazine) If you would like to participatein a Research SUPPORTING HOMESCHOOLING BUSINESSES page 44 Study into the nature of The Story of Dr Robert Allan Curriculum in the page 45 Horneschool please see page 41 . Information about the Moore Report & Moore Foundation products page 46-48 It; not going to disappear or not find its way on to the printco page or somehow manage to collapse. I didn't really manage very well for this issue but I'm planning to know more for the next.

WINTER ILLS We had much joy and sadness in the past two months with finding out we were extveting our fifth baby and then losing it. Like many others we have had lots of days and nights (why are they always so bad at night?) with sick kids and even a few trips to the hospital. the virus around this winter has been a horror and even Ne been down with it. Although I -../111par-- really believe that homeschooling is important work our needs as a family must always come first for me.

SCIENCE DAY with Rosemary Harrier Mad Taberner helped me organise a Science Day at THE BEIRNE FAMILY Woodstock where Rosemary Hafner from the Board of Studies gave an excellent presentation on the new Yes, 11 is true this issue of the Australian Science and Technolgy Curriculum K-6 (available I lomeschool Journal is exceptionally late but I do from the Board of Studies 925 8111 for a brochure to have a few really good excuses. Firstly, I was lucky be sent. ). enough to be invited to attend the inaugural meeting of Home Education International by Dr Raymond MOSS VALE & SINGELTON SEMINARS and Dorothy Moore - a very special experience, as There was a full Sunday at Moss Vale talking to well as the New England Homeschool Conference some superb homeschooling families about organised by Homeschool Associates of Ncw unstructured homeschooling organised by Greg and England in Boston . As always just being with Dr Margaret Stone and an information day at Singelton Raymond and Dorothy Moore is to experience with 15 families organised by Laurel and Ross selfless Christian devotion to the cause of Clarke of Muswellbrook. Also many interviews- the homeschooling. They are held in very high esteem highlights being a searching one on regional ABC and respect by the thousands of people that they have with Kate Beneeke arranged by Jim Cherry of educated and helped wilh practical support over Quirindi and one for the Education Department many years. I also had the opportunity to learn much magazine by Deborah Arantz. We have also had about homeschooling in tne U.S.A. and to meet and some good feedback from articles in the West talk with some 'If the people I have really admired Australian (written by Eamon Murphy) and Nine to over the years including Patrick Farenga from Holt Five recently. Associates. THE CHILDREN OF GOD 13REAKING IN A NEW I have spent many long hours COMPUTER talking to the families and Since then lots of things have Dear friends trying to keep track of what is slowed down production of the happening legally and magazine. Being no genius on emotionally to the so -called the computer, I have hit quite a "Children of God" families. I few snags with some updating think it is really important to needing to be purchased and Why I'm rate I keep abreast of the results of then learnt. I always feel like a these court cases as they could real homeschooler when I have well impact the future security home new computer hardware love of homeschooling. (More and software, as I come to it about this inside the journal) quite literally frightened to death and have always to master 50-Anne QUEENSLAND & W.A. the paranoia that my hard work Some W.A. families are facing

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BEST COPY AMP....AEV some very difficult situations with regards to their delighted about this and a load of books is already on the homeschooling. The Minister to date has been totally ship on its way to Austzalia. I plan to bring samples of all unapproachable aad has even allowed Welfare that is available to homeschooling meetings and Department officers to be used in what is certainly an seminars I attend and am happy to facilitate functions Education , not a welfare matter. The new "trial policy" where people feel they might like to see these useful in W.A. is awful and I hat,.e written a personal criticism books. Our Holt/Homeschoolers Aunt, catalogue should of it which is available ifanyone wants a copy. There is a be out soon and I will probably mail it with the next real campaign going on among Queenslanders to let Mr journal. exhaustion permitting. We also have samples of Braddy know how appalling is the Qld legislation and I G.W.S available fa anyone who would like to see this too have been keeping up my own barrage to him. magazine before they order it.

The phone bill has anived and is concrete evidence of all THE MOORE FOUNDATION VIDEO & BOOKS the "communication" that has been going on with some Possibly the best homeschooling resource that I have great & good people in Vic, Queensland & W.A. ever seen is the new video about homeschooling by Dr. especially Gina Wright & Mei Cheng of W.A.. There is Raymond and Dorothy Moore. It is so good I have asked still a very good chance that more prosecutions will go to sell it for them here. It cost the Moores $U.S. 40 000 ahead in W.A. and every new (seemingly impossible) to make and I am not surprised as it is so professionally setback gives me uncontrollable butterflies hut somehow done. It features searching and intelligent interviews there is energy to think up another approach and we just with long term homeschoolers from many dinrmit keep moving forward. backgrounds & experiences using different approaches. I was stunned by the story of the mother with multiple BROAD EDUCATIONAL CHANGE sclerosis who homeschools her three daughters and very Anneue Berryman from A.E.R.G in Victoria is trying impressed by the achievments of all of the children hard to educate me to be less agreeable with politicians featured. I personally think this is a superb resource for and more particular about demanding homeschooling everyone from administrators and politicians to new and rights and broad educational change and she is winning! experienced homeschoolers. It covers all the main issues in less than an hour. It seems to mc t.hnt fer those who do ACCESS TO N.S.IV GOVERNMENT STORES not have time to read a book, or do not wish to read one Between in-coming phone calls (only 32 this week), (critics, relatives etc.) this is the perfect option. It is outgoing calls, housework, homeschooling, the available for $40 posted. Because many people ask us washing, (1 daren't say the ironing it gets done only as for the the Moore's books we now have them available needed- sometimes), I was del d to have a meeting please see page 47 this issue for details. that confirmed imminent homeschool access to N.S.W. Government Education Stores, commonly known as Q THE RESOURCE BOOK [ for quartermaster] Stores, and I took the next I get lots of requests about the update of the Resouce paperwork step in hopefully geuing homeschoolers Book and it is finally on the move again. If you have access to Sales Tax exemption with the Tax Department anything you wish to be included please send it (typed !) (a slow process indeed) . to P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153. Thank you!

READING HOMESCHOOLING PICNIC DAY NOV. 1992 My favourite homcschooling reading this month was of Gregory, my sot:, and I would like to get a course G.W.S. and Home Education magazine. These homeschooling picnic together for Sunday 29th great publications give me a boost to keep me November 1992 at the Bicentennial Park at Homebush. functioning through the homeschooling week .I really All families are invited from everywhere and enjoyed 's book 'Dumbing Us Down' grandparents are especially welcome. If you don't know this is a short but masterful expose describing just how the Bicentennial Park, there is a great bike track and lots very bad institutionalised schooling is for children; in the of room to move and things to do. As pan of this day opinion of this highly qualified and well respected Gregory is inviting other homeschooling kids to bring practising teacher. along inventions to share in a non-competitive, fun way. Even if the inventions component does not get off the AUSTRALIAN AGENT FOR THE JOHN HOLT ground we are hoping that many families will join us for BOOK AND MUSIC STORE this relaxing, sharing day. I am hoping that we might Lots of the homeschooling books that I would likc to also use it as a day to recycle books/equipment that we read arc not available here in Australia, so Patrick are no longer using and access homeschooling Farenga and I have reached an agreement about information and products . Homeschoolers Australia stocking the John Holt Book and Music Stores books and products. We are absolutely Best wishes from Jo-Anne

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BEST COPY AVA1LASLE 93 SHARING INFORMATION,VIEWS AND CONCERNS

JILL ALROE GILGANDRA MARGARET STONE MOSS VALE AN OPEN & FLEXIBLE OFFICIAL ATTITUDE SOUTHERN HIGHLAND SUPPORT GROUPS Mr David Evans, BOSLO from Bathurst, attendedour It has been an exciting start to 1992 in the Southern Highland.s. first visit. All went well fortunately. despite my having given up We began the year with a bang-twelve families convergedon the on detailed programming and not keeping a diary for the last year. McAulays house one Sunday afternoon. It wasa great time of I presented him with a small mountain of past detailed records, saying "Hi, who are you?" and hearing each ()them version ofday but asked him whether he would prefer to actually observethe to day homeschooling. Some have been at it for 3-4 years, some 1 children, their progress and work or read about it. Mr. Evans or 2 and others just about to begin so it was a good cross section of opted for the former. I guess the reality of the situation is that he is pcople.Since then we seem to have divided into threecamps aware that we are now fairly experienced with home schooling. mainly due to location and numbers of children-the Bundanoon are fully committed and coping well, the children are thriving and people, the "little kids" group and the "big kids"group. The "little well ahead of their age peers, that wearc well resourced, we take kids" have been sliding in slime, paper weaving, stain glass pos.. . steps to overcome any deficiencies and that we are windowing, string ballooning and lotsmore on Friday looki..e _head to life after homeschooling for our children. No mornings.The "big kids" have spent their Tuesday afternoons doubt, he would have been less co-operative with our apparent exploring various backyards ranging from suburban sizeto 400 lack of documentation if we were just startingout on acres or so. We've caught lizards, locusts, grasshoppers, water homeschooling, but I thank him and am most relievedat his snails, tiny fish, tadpoles, built elaborate cubbies, yabbied in astuteness in assessing our circumstances. the darn, rescued stray puppies, performed amazing featson From your records of who's horneschooling, are there trampolines, stalked giant mozzies at the Rileys',etc. We mums any other homeschoolers in our region who might be interested in have enjoyed great chats, commiserations, laughs and sharedeach an occasional natter or note comparing? The great distances out others' interests. We've all gone home from Janece Rileys' here may preclude anything even semi-formalised, laden but just having with flowers, we've spent days trampingup mountains, around a couple of contacts would be encouraging. wetlands and sat in the sunshine discussing. disecting and I am enclosing a photocopy of an amusing articlefound categorizing fleeces for spinning and weaving. Sue McAulay on a Pathology Company newsletter from last December. I commented one day about how we've changedover the years. contacted the editor to enquire if we could possibly republish the Three years ago it was just three families andwe mums had to account in our journal. He said the origin of the article was chase each other around the kitchen tables as the girth of obscure, but that he liked it so much he went ahead our and published tummys didn't allow us to pass. Two years ago whoever wasn't it anyway and couldn't see why we shouldn't do thesame... breast feeding poured the tea and checked the older children.Last "The heaviest element known to sciencewas recently year it was porta cots and constant surveillance of small walkers. discovered by university research scientists, the element,tentatively This year the Riley and Merz families are withus and we're lucky named "Administratium", has no protonsor electrons and thus has an if we remember a spare pairof atomic numbcr of zero. H )wever, it does have 1neutron, 125 assistant undies for the youngest! The neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and I 1 1 assistant vice neutrons. This gives it patchwork and spindle spinning have re-appearedandneedles are clicking to the sound an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together bYa force ofthe jug boiling. thatinvolves thecontinuous exchange of meson-like particles called All the children seem to have particular interests. Music morons. features with pianists, clarinetists & recordists. Wehave potters, Since it has no electrons, Administratium is inert.However, it weavers, model builders, artists, sewers, reptill enthusiasts, bird can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in lovers and expert sand diggers. Soccer is still the favouritegame contact with. According to the discoverers, &minute amount of to play all together especially when some of the Dads join in. Administratium caused one reaction ta take four days to complete when Most importantly, we all have a wonderful time andappreciate it would have normally.occurred in less thanone second. Administrathlin has a normal half-life of approximately three the support and encouragement we are toone another. We are all years, at which it does not looking forward to our next Horneschool concert-always actually decay but instead undergoes a reorganisation in whichassistant a barrel neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. of laughs and an opportunity to hear the latest musicalpieces etc. Some studics have shown that the atomicmass actually increases after The parents have to participate in these specialnights too and its each reorganisation. Research at other laboratories indicatesthat amazing what some people are willing to do in front oftheir Administratiurn occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tendsto friends! The "stafr are still recovering fromour regularstaff zoncentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large dinner", this term held at the McAulays. We allate too much and corporations and universities and can usually be found in thenewest, best laughed too hard and all needed a lie down thenext day.Sothat's appointed and maintained buildings." some of whats happening in the Southern Highlands.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 5 ISOLDE PETERSEN WARBURTON' LEONIE WESTENBERG WEMBLEY WA A LATE REAITER CHILDINITIATED LEARNING Thank you very much for the Australian Homeschool Thank you for the copy of your last Australia Journal. I was particularly interested in the article "Homegrown Horneschool Journal. My husband and I really enjoyed reading it. and Homeschooled" by Raymond Moore. I'd been a bit worried Our three oldest sons read the article by Nadia Wheatley on books because Samantha can't read at all well. She has problems being used rather than "read" and found it interesting; our eldest, concentrating (I don't know the right word ) on print. She is bright having been to school, dissecting books in class. The excerpts of but can't really read-not for want of our trying. She will be eight in your letter to the WA Minister for Education were great. We hac October. My concern about Samantha's reading originally came written also to the Shadow Minister for Education and have about because we know two boys (only months older thanSammi) received a reply. Actually, the article I personally enjoyed the who can read extremely well. They're from different families and most was the article by Joanne Brugmans on Natural Learning. attended different schools. Also another homeschooled boy who This type of child initiated learning seems to be the hardest for is a year older than Sarnantha and is also homeschooled reads well most people to accept and understand. As an example of the kinds and boys are supposed to be slower than girls but we are of learning and activities that children will undertake on their becoming more confident that she will read when she is ready. own, here is a page from our daily journal that occurred in the last school holidays. JANINE BANKS THE CHANNON Now, I know that learning occurs at all times, but I NATURAL LEARNING usually don't bother to record any "learning experiences" during I really enjoyed Earl Steven's article (AHI 33), particularly the bit the holidays. I figure I need the break! However, on this particular about watching a garden grow. That really hit home for me, as I day I got to thinking about what the boys (then aged 11, 8,7) we're watch and listen to my children as they cover so much ground doing and grabbed a pencil to jot activities down. The day went each day. Today there was a puppet show with a narrator, yoga, like this: L: constructing with Lego G: reading "Young Pioneers" lots of puzzles, lots of reading (by me to them), they set up their by Rose Wilder Lane, N: listened to story I read to preschooler own obstacle course for some wild activity, some cooking, "The Midnight Garden", and discussed thoughts on how things melting and burning candles they made the other day and planting look at night, L: has a friend over: building a fire in the back some cress and mustard seeds. It's raining here, so we all walked garden, heating sugar to burn so they can observe the components down to the creek to see how far overour causeway the water has of sugar. Other boys gradually become interested. All bake risen. If we go to town this week well have to use our suspension potatoes in the ashes for lunch. L: and friend reading Usbor-ne bridge to get out. Book of Electricity and Book of magnets, G: has friend visiting How much are they learning? As Earl says, we'll have to they set up and play several draughts games together, N: wait for the season to progress. I love it. It's so reassuring. I also watching, making suggestions, N: constructing with Meecano, ail enjoyed Peggy O'Mara'a article very. much. My eldest is eight so helped with ideas from the electricity book-working with banenes rve a few years to go but her article made me feel glad we're home to make a bulb glow. schooling so we have the timeto be with them before these As you can see they cover ct:I man; subject areas across ,.:hallenging years. It was a beautiful article. the curriculum and I personally feel that any learning that may have occurred was of more importance and will probably be long- ROSLYN BAIRD KODINA SA. lasting simply because it was a) relevant and b) interest generated. WANTED: RELIABLE CORRESPONDENTS Life is hectic with three children along with our JULIA Bon MUDGEE veterinary business. They enjoy life with embroidery, craft, BOARD OF STUDIES LIASON OFFICER music Swimming, horse riding and dancing. I think actual We write to share with other readers our experiences bookwork comes after all the "extra curriculae activities but it with our Board of Studies Liason Officer. Being newcomers to seems to come along slowly or non-existent for some time, then in home schooling, we have never experienced the unhappy or leaps and bounds. My husband Works'away in our branch practice difficult situations had by many families with some "inspec tors' two out of four weeks- coming home on the weekilnds- so it's from the Department of Education. It seems the new Liason usually just the kids and myself. Also; for trips to Adelaide, its Officers are offering a much more positive approach. Our officer, just too hard to arrange Bill to be "off duty" so we go by Mr. David Evans, based at Bathurst for theWestern Region. Is ourselves.Simone (who is eight) has been busy making and certainly one such person. sending her "Simone's Fun Time Mtigazine" full of stories, jokes, Dave Evans has visited us in our home twice, once at de poems, anything. She just loves writing to people, penpals etc. outset of our home schooling programme late last year and agam The only trouble is that a large percentageof children and adults a few weeks ago at our request. We have found him to bc not only aren't good correspondents. She asks if you could make a note in totally professional in his approach, but alsoa warm, friendly and the. journal to irdvertise her magazine.tIt's free and she.would like enormously supportive,indiyidual. He has answered our questiors people to writeinith contributions:nSimone'sFun Time with clarity and accurate information. When unsure of the Magazine thSimone & Eloise Baird PO Box 251 KODINA SA answers, he has said so instead of "waffling on" with personal 5554 assumptions..He then carefully follows up the issue and prornpdy

AUSTRAUAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 6 9 5 gets back to us, by phone and in writing, again with accurate information. We believe he views the relationship as we do i.e a taken from Mother Mary's name in religion. The School aims to team approach between him and us with the goal being the provide an elementary curriculum with its emphasis on the basics. asSuranee of a qualiky educational programme for our children, Mathematics, Reading, Spelling and Science will be provided one which nurtures their learning Potentials and encourages their along with fohnal English (grammar, punculation, written pursuit bf Varied interests in an individualized, diverse and expression and word 'Study). History and Geography will look at comprehensive way. He is also a marvelloueresource" person. the world in general but will focus on Australia. Reading material Indeed, we do not view him at all as a threatening pe:son will Ix, provided at each year level. The upper grades will also be required to read books from a list of the classics. Lesson packages to be"tolerated" in our horneschooling programme, but rat%er as will be mailed regularly and will include tests and exercises to be one we would be very hard pressed to do without! ! He is one of returned for grading. Suggestions will be made where extra work the major reasons for the positive feelings we have in starting is required. Awards will be given where work is of a high home schooling and for the success of our programme with the standard. For more details please contact Mary of the Cross children thus far. We sincerely hope this liason continues over School, 22 Braborne Street, MADDINGTON WA 6109 Fees time and that other readers are experiencing the same with their schedule -1992 1 child $75.00 per term, 2 children $135.00 per B.O.S.L.O.s. term, 3 children $185.00 per term

JOY GODK1N A.E.R.G ..VIC LYNDA HATFIELD QUIRIND1 VICTORIAN LEGISLATION DEFEATED HOMESCHOOLING AFTER CORRESPONDENCE The Alternative Education Resource Group, particularly It was great to receive yet another terrific A.HJ. It has those people who have taken action over the Out Of School supplied many stimulating hours of reading as well as producing Education Bill in the last two months, wish to thank you both for enthusiasm and confidence. Thank you for the tremendous your moral support, efforts in preparing relevant documentation, amount of time and effort you are putting into the journal and also and your readiness to share ideas on the issues raised. We too to your family for sharing you. We have seen the light, have left share your view that the issue is far from being resolved, however correspondence behind and returned to homeschooling. Ott, the the deferment of the passage ofthe Bill plus the promise of liberation ! The pressure to keep up with weekly returns was consultation is seen as an important first step. We look forward to enormous and seemed to dominate our lives.Well, two of the three have returned. Last year, Monty, not knowing if he wanted the continuation of the frank relationship established between to go to high school, decided he would try it out. So we arranged Hawthorn and Kellyville on Home Education Matters. for him to attend the local high school for three days. He enjoyed SUE DICKSON WOOLLAIIRA it so thought he would like to go for year 7. We suggested he try it INTEREST LED LEARNING for six months to give it a fair trial. There are some aspects he ts I've always believed in my heart, if not in practice, that being stimulated by and he is having no trouble coping with the children learn best when they direct their own learning and are situation but as yet he can't imagine staying on. However, if he genuinely interested in a subject. Some evidence of this happened does return to homeschooling he won't be sitting out here on the last year pending our Board of Studies inspection. I decided to property wondering what he is missing out on. He will kmow! revise with Emmanuel (aged 10) some of the things we had We recently had a wonderful trip with another family. covered during the year in science and social studies. Together we bought an 18-seater ex-school bus, gathered a few Topics of his own choicc included the universe, the basic necessities together and set out for the Nullarbor. From history of flight and a study about windmills. In each of these Kalgoorlie we travelled towards Alice Springs spending two areas he seemed to have remembered even the smallest detail. I weeks at an Aboriginal community, Warburton, where we worked was so impressed! We moved onto a topic that I had chosen - for two years when Monty was a toddler. At Giles Weather leaves. Hc couldn't remember the name of the tiny holes on the Station we inspected some incredibly sixnpleTecording equipment bottom of the leaf, nor their function and he was pretty vague in all soon to be computerised, climbed 'the Rock', enjoyed explaining why deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter. I found Christmas in Alice Springs with friends, then down to Coober this whole exercise very interesting to say the least. Not that I Pedy, Woomera, Port Augusta, Kldura, Dubbo and home. Still have ever doubted self ..irected learning but this certainly proved we are building our 'big' house. Milling our own cypress pine is the point to me. very satisfying (though slow) and a great learning experience. Visitors always Welcome. What a difference it makes having a K. LAIBER MADDINGTON WA support group close by and an empathetic authorised person !! A CATHOLIC CURRICULUM AVAILABLE Mary of the Cross School is an Australian Home Study LAUREL CLARKE MUSWELL.BROOK Programme established to cater for the need., of young Australian RESOURCES Catholic children in their primary school years.Thc school's Firstly I want to thank you for the Horn 'school Journal, development was inspired by the work of Mother Mary it has been a great help and support to me while I have been MacKillop, who took Catholic education to the poor and to getting started with homeschooling. As soon as it arrives I sit isolated families of early Australia. The school's name has been down and "devour" it. It has been a real eye opener. I have always

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 7

.1 BEST COPY AVAILABLE disliked having to Part with my children and send them offto Ausian for communication . I am not sure of the numbers of ''school" and at the tiMe there seemed little other choice,so my parents who have learning disabled children and have chosen to older two children completed their schooling in governmentinn teach them at home, but I understand that most of the home schools. Now however, I have the opportunityto school my last teaching programmes are targeted at "regular" children. I have three at home and am gaining confidence with the help of lotsof found home teaching very rewarding and my daughter has extra reading and support from other horneschooling people. benefited enormously from our time at home. Her vocab for RESOURCE MATERIALS instance has doubled to over 400 signs - very encouraging and I Scienctl: For simple but great science projects and experiments am determined to continue. If any of your readers have anything for various age groups, particularly primary and lower secondary you think might be of interest I would be grateful. level students, I found the book by Leonard De Vries excellent.. It's called 101 Amazing experiments. Available at the library. (I will pass on Robyn' s address or your letters if you send your Mathematics and English: I also recommend the "Video Aided letters to P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 .) Learning" programs "Maths made easy" and "English made easy". They contain all the basic maths and English principles MARCELLE FOUNDLING BATHURST which are taught in schools and also availableas part of the BATHURST AREA CONTACTS program is the help of a phone tutor and achievement certificates Hi! I'm just writing to see if there is anyone home which can be used in a portfolio arraniement. educating or intending to homeschool in the Bathurst area. If so I Language: We have chosen tulearn sign language. It iseasy and would love to hear from you on (063) 322132. I've just moved fun to learn and just as useful as any foreign language.We use the into the area and feeling like a loner as far as homeschooling goes. Talking Hands videos which are availableat our library. These Thanks for all the work that goes into the journal, it's very much come with booklet and signing dictionary. In the city or wherever needed and appreciated. there is a school fOr the deaf these videosprobably 4411 be available, possibly also classes fOr the learning of signing.The ANGELA EDWAiiDS WAHROONGA possibilities for using signing are numerous. BOARD OF STUDIESINSPECTION Just a quick note to let you know how our recent CATI1ERINE ERREY OURIMBAH Homeschool registration inspection went. In a word - great! We FUN WITH MATHS AT 6 YRS OLD & WORKSHOPS had Donna Gibbs, and she couldn't have been nicer. She sat in the I'd like to tell you of some fun we've been having with living room the whole thne and basically just chatted. The girls maths. Over Easter we went for a long drive by car. Feeling thought this was great - a captured audience- and proceeded to somewhat bored Anya (6 years) asked if we could do some sums. present her with "craft" offerings and show off everything and So, "There were 5 birds feeding on the ground. 3 flew away. How anything they could lay their hands on. many were left? Pause "2" came her answer.We went on this way We used as our program the 6 key learning areas outline for some time. Anya is now pretty comfortable with addition and as sent out by the Board of Studies - the minimum requirements subtraction of numbers up to r. She quite often asks me to make e.g. English- reading, writing, listening etc. plus daily journal to sums up for her. Perhaps the inspiration came from Anya'a cousin post-program. All with an open un-schooled approach - the main who attends school and has 20 "mentals" to do each night. criteria being the girls interest level. We were up front with her Another thing Anya enjoyed while trawAling was that it was very much an evolving experience for all of us, and that reading the speed limit numbers. This idca Lame from a friend as such we didn't exactly know what we'd be doing. We have the Anya's age. If the new speed limit requires a drop in speed Anya Maths and Science and Technology syllabus, and I explained that will keep repeating it until I slow down. She is a good judge of our our minimum expectation, however, was to have covered all wcas speed now. Thank you especially for the articles "Housecleaning as set out in these by the end of the primary years - via the and Homeschooling" by Debbie Westheimer and "Like a unschooled approach. Much to our surprise she fully understood Weaning" by Peggy O'Mara. Thanks too for the workshops you and supported this, suggesting we get hold of the English syllabus run. The two I attended really helped me gain the confidence I which she had been working on. (when it comes out in May/June). needed to go ahead. I'd like to attend a workshop/gathering of Anyway, she is recommending a 2 year exemption, and practising homeschoolers to hear and share experiences. commended us on our commitement to our girls' education and made comment about the "rich learning environment" we were ROBYN TSAPAZI LEEMINGWA providing for.them. All in all, great stuff! We're very conscious of HOME EDUCATING A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD how the ease with which this monumental change./ milestone/ I read with interest an article in the West Australian landmark/watershed - that's the word I am looking for - was yesterday (June 2nd) titled "Learning at Home". It was discussing passed through, is due in part to your (and it is late and I need home teaching, the positive aspects and made comment on some another big word and can't quite get it - washing up 6 times a concerns. I found the article most interesting. I started home night is taking its toll I think!) stupendous contribution to teaching this year with my daughter. Perhaps we are a little homeschooling. The confidence we got from poring over the different to others who have undertaken this role. My daughter various literature - resource books - the programming workshop, suffers from aphasia, and dyspraxia, and as a consequence she is - to go with our convictions was invaluable. I can't imagine non verbal. She is dependent on Australian Sign language and ho v difficult it must have been to "chart the waters unnavigated"

AUSTRAUAN HOMESCHCOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 8 (isn't it amazing how metaphors get mangled when you're tired!) Anyway, two weeks ago now I felt that it was no good Many thanks, Joanne, for all the help. We're just esctatic about seeing Phil unhappy and I was feeling like an oge all the time and the whole thing anlvery gratefulyou bothered to invest your time unhappy too, so I just stopped! And, surprise of surprises. Phil and energypromoting homeschooling. spent hours learning, including mowing the grass (under his Dad's supervision). Then he asked for f:1lp to create a sign MARY-ANNE CUMMINS . advertising his lawn-mowing capabilities, and arranged with a HOMESCHOOLING WITH A NEW BABY friend in the local township to fix the sign to her fence. The hourly Ilook forward to receiving the Journal and my husband rate ($6.00) he discussed with Dad, allowing money for fuel and a has been able to get more in touch with homeschooling ideas by little to contribute to dad for transport. The money he makes, he gradually reading the information as it arrives. He has been home plans to spend repairing the 3 dismantled old Victas that he's with glandular fever for nearly a month and, for once, had time to pulled down and cleaned with Dad's help. And the hardest thing see us in "action". The boys are progressing well and about all this? I didn't organize any of ii I feel guilty saying "I'm homeschooling is the best decision we have made. Thanks for all homeschooling Phil" for he is teaching himself (with good help your help in the early days.Our third child is due to arrive in about from Dad!) a week and everybody tells me homeschooling will become too The nicest thing is that Phil isn't complaining about "no much with a new baby. Perhaps you have an interesting article on time to play" and he's a lot happier and more willing to do what I the subject for a future journal. I have no intention of sending the ask. I do still worry about what the neighbours will think of a 6 children off to school because we have a baby. The pregnancy so year old moWing lawns during school hours (or riding the go-kart) far has led to many wonderful learning experiences with my but from the results in such a short time (i.e. happier, more eldest, Joseph (7) deciding to become a Pathologist when he obedient boy, willing worker and his being able to stick at, or grows up! We hope to have the ctildren present for the birth and keep returning to a job at hand), I am gaining in the confidence Jeremy (4) can't wait to see the blby come out! A homeschooler's that this is the right thing to do for us all. life is so different to people with children "in school" and I feel I'm helping make the world a better place. The institution of school seems to do more damage than good.

SUSAN LACOBA CAMPERDOWN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP WITH ROSEMARY HAFNER . I appreciated the Science and Technology workshop you organised with Rosemary Hafner at Woodstock and I wondered if a similar thing could be organised with the other inspectors in the key learning areas. I would be especially interested in one for Human Socicty and its Environment.

SUSAN CROSSLEY MOSS VALE MOSS VALE SEMINAR Thank you once again for your encouragement last Sunday at the seminar at Moss Vale. Thank you for giving your time, expertise and experience so graciously to us. We really do appreciate it and I personally benefit greatly. I especially appreciate your honesty in dealing with the realities of homeschooling.

TERESA STEVENSON RMBOOMBA REMOVING STRUCTURE Dear Jo-Anne re our discussion about structure or lack of it: Phil (6) was feeling sullen and resentful because I was sitting him down each morning at 9am doing things that I felt he should be but that he disliked. He wasn't happy and although I was feeling that I was doing the right thing so I could answer the critics I wasn't happy either. I was mindful of the books and articles advising nail= early formal learning (Better Late than Early and School Can Wait) but I couldn't see how I could conscientiously not sit down with Phil each school day and yet say I was homeschooling.

AUSTRAUAN 140MESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 9

98 ErAJCATiON ACTS, AZ,IVIINIS.,77RA,711C14, POLICY & HOME EDUCATORS

your Act, regulations and policy and read them so that you understand your rights. Except for N.S.W, the section that WHAT WOULD you LIKE HOME refers to Home Education is listed under the part called EDUCATION LEGISLATION/ "Compulsory Attendance". Legislation is usually written to REGULATIONS/ POLICY TO SAY ? outline the basic "rules" while "policy, guidelines etc." are formulated by "Education Departments, Education Ministnes or the Board of Studies" (the names change from state tostate) ONE IDEA as an extra to the Law. Supposedly to help administratorsof 1, The State acknowledges that the natural educator of the the law define things more accurately and apply the law more chlidis the family and guarantees to respect the reasonably. When tabled in Parliament or allowed for in the inalienable right and duty of parenCs to provide, according legislation guidelines and regulations usually have the same to their means, for the religious and moral, intellectual, effect as the Law itself. However regulations & guidelines physical and social education of their children. must be seen to reflect the "intention" of an Act although the administrators' interpretation of the intention of the Act is 2. Parents shall be free tl provide this education in their often a lot different from what we would desire. homes or in private schools or in schools recognised or. established by the State:',:,' SUPPORT GROUPS After you have "read your rights" another avenue for 3. The State shall not oblige parents in violation of their explanation and interpretation of your Act and its attendant ,onscience or lawful preference to send their children to regulations (if any) are national & state newsletters and schools established by the State, or to any particular support groups - sensibly not all support groups take the same school recognised by the State. attitude with regards to the Law. For some people any interference by the State in what is seen as a basic "right" of 4. All children, in schools and in their homes, shall be parents, i.e. to CHOOSE the type of education they prefer for guaranteed a certain minimum academic education. their children, is not aecepted and these people have not become involved in any form of "registration" with the State ANOTHER IDEA Other families choose the registration/ certification/ Children between the ages of 6 and 15 are required to dispensation process with various degrees of enthusiasm and attend school unless they have a reasonable excuse. are treated by education adminstrators with various degreesof (based on the Victorian legislation) respect and intimidation. This treatment however makes no --- .1 difference to your real right to homeschool and if the law or requirements in your State are onerous you may wish to http RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES those people who are attempting to create change. POLITICS THE OPTION OF HOME EDUCATION Unfortunately education in Australia is a political football and When considering or taking up the option of homeschooling administration and policy tends to change depending on v. no anywhere in Australia, I believe it is your responsibility to is "in charge" at the time. The Liberal Party claims tohavea become informed about the legislative and administrative more benevolent attitude to the concept of a parent's requirements for your state, if any. (Education has been a state by inalienable right to homeschool but in practice this tends to te state concern since Federation - though it is federally funded). token with the attendant Law and regulations being even more restrictive than those in.Labor States. It is important for all of KNOW YOUR LAW us to remember to keep our politicians informed on aregular It is inconceivable that one would drive on the roads not knowing basis of what we are doing in home education, what we desire the road rules. There is an Act of Parliament in every State and for it and how they, as our representatives, can facilitate ow Territory which governs education. You should get a copy of wishes.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 10

99 THE MINISTER ITS TIME TO REALLY TALK It has also become increasingly common inAustralia over thc ABOUT EDUCATION last decade to make the responsible Minister, ratherthan a court of Law, the final arbiter of what isright and wrong in Interesting reading on this topic includes many areas of our lives, includingeducation, though this is * Compelling Belief - The Culture of American not the case in either Victoria or theA.C.T. In Victoria a Schooling by Stephen Arons definition of "reasonable excuse" is able to he defended in a * Dumbing us Down - John Taylor Gatto magistrate's court by any parent. The main reason forthis erosion of rights is the unwillingness of governments tobe ANNETTE BERRYMAN of A.E.R.G has had the idea, taken to court and "lose". To pre-empt such occurrences,laws and I fully support her, that we need to try hard tobring have been written this way. Homeschoolers maywell become education issues (not just homeschooling issues) on to a a vocal group of people who feelcompelled to object to this bigger stage than just state by state lobbying and erosion of citizens rights to access a courtof law. discussion. Education needs to be talked about as a real issue for everyone not just in terms of reforming theschool WHOSE VERSION OF THE TRUTH ? system, but in terms of really discussingalternatives to the Any "working" committee or group that "studies homeschooling" in any state (as was recently done in "factory" model. Tasmania) and even committees at a federal level can manage We would like to encourage you to join us in a hopeful to inlluence your homeschooling without your evenknowing spirit of starting some long term openness about where about it. For example some people feel that a changein education is going in Australia with a view to having all Federal funding could conceivably force the States tobecome authorities acknowledge that education is much bigger than even more regulatory with regard tohome education. So schools and that we are doing our society a grcat disservice please take the time to keep informed and tell thepeople who by seeking to limit diversity and alternatives ineducation. can annoy your life permanently how youfeel about things at If you would like to contribute ideas or write articles about a local (inspectors), state (administratorsand Minister) and this issue we would love to create a forum to print them.So Federal (The Education Minister- Mr. Beazley) level. please send your comments to BIG BUSINESS Annette Berryman c/- "OTHERWAYS" A.E.R.G 39 In a recent interview with The Minister of Education in or N.S.W, Virginia Chadwick, she was quoted as saying thatshe William St. Hawthorn 3122 Victoria controls a budget of $4.5 billion, (Sun- Herald 19.7.92)which Jo-Anne Beirne "AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL is almost a third of the State budget for N.S.W. This amount - HomeschoolersAustralia P.O. Box 420 of money does not even include the income generatedby text JOURNAL!. Kellyville 2153 N.S.W with your contribution. book manufacturers, retailers or private tutors.Education is big business for a large number of people and homeschooling could c.asily be seen as threatening to that business.

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 11

BEST COPY AVAILABLE in different subjects. It is not essential for children to be It attainment level 6 before attempting their SACE or other university entry exam.

The subject areas are: The Arts - includes music, movement, drama. art English- includes reading, writing and talking LOTE-language other than English. (not all children are expected to reach any level in LOTE) Health and Personal Development SOUTH Mathematics Science and Technology AUSTRALIA Society and Environment It is anticipated the subjmt areas may change in time. Attainment Statements for each level of each subject arc given hy ANDREA FULLER VENUS WAY SA and then observable outcomes stated illuswated with examples. This is a brief report on the ncw Attainment Levels that The following will give you a very brief view. the Education Department of S.A. is introducing to all schools - The Arts. Level 1, Attainment Statement: the student shares what supposed to he implemented by 1994, and I believe all S.A. he or she is doing and can explain activities and choices. homeschoolers may be expected to use them for their evaluations Observable outcome: the student can show and explain art as well. processes and products to others e.g. talks about choice of A copy of the Attainment Levels should be available material and method of construction. e.g. responds to works of from all Regional Education Centres and all S.A. schools. The other children by questioning, applauding, joining in. document folder is full of a lot of waffly jargon, but it also The Arts. Level 6. Attainment Statement: "the student recognises contains some concise, well set out summary sheets of each level the importance of rehearsal and undertakes and applies the and subject arca. The following statements are my interpretations. process of refinement and polishing for the presentation of art The rationale of this new "baby" (which is held in high works to public audiences." esteem by most educational authorities, and I believe W.A. Health and Personal Development. Level 1: the student knows authorities are looking at using it also) include:- what people eat can influence their health. Level 6: the student 1) provision for a uniform assessment and evaluation procedure understands the physiology of reproduction, pregnancy and birth for the whole state. and the social and pyschological aspects involved. 2) provision for individual assessment where children's progress Society and Environment. Level I: the student observes and can be evaluated without the need to compare against each other - records ways in which animals care for their young.Level 6: the testing is not part of the Attainment Levels. student recognises causes and effects of natural and human 3) providing a more positive approach to evaluation procedures induced disasters and their impact on the environment. and assessment since It is SKILLS LEARNT that is the basis for There are numerous attainment statements (between 5 evaluation rather than what is not known and 20) for each level of each subject area and a majority of skills 4) emphasis on skills aquired rather than knowledge retained. (not all) have to be met for the student to be deemed at that level. 5) provision for flexibility and change. Thc Attainment Levels are I think it is well worth while for all SA homeschoolers to supposed to be under constant review. read through this. Its flexibility and emphasis on individual All S.A. primary schools are supposed to be using the Attainment differences and broader perspectives make it particularly suitable Levels by the end of next year, I think, and all schools including for homeschoolers when trying to work out evaluation procedures secondary by 1994. But other assessment procedures will also still and curricula planning to suit the department. It may also be a be operational. useful reference for other states. As far as the SA Education Department is concerned one The Attainment Levels-- of its uses will be to compare different teaching methods and Six levels of attainment have been defined for each subject area, styles and schools (and homeschools?) for information on what is through what the Education Department has termed "the working well through these attainment levels. compulsory years of schooling". (i .e. 5-15 yrs) Some of it seems very subjective and open to individual The arbitary number of six was specifically chosen to try and interpretation, but I personally see it as a positive step in the right prevent correlating attainment levels with age levels or year direction, a much more realistic view of education today and of levels. (10 yrs) (Reception to year 10) potential benefit to homeschoolers. Children of the same age or in the same year may be at different attainment levels. Children may be at different attainment levels

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 12

Bp" COPY AVAILABLE 101 unfavourable comparison ot homeschooling standards because VICTORIA such a study has never been done and furthermore there is a great deal of evidence to show that the education standards in many Victorian (and all other Suites' schools) arc extremely ordinary and many children are not being educated to the standard they A VICTORY deserve. It isn't a question of resources because the average The Victorians beat their change in legislation!!! Huge homeschool with 4 children is 5 times richer in adult, community conuratulauons must go to all those people w ho put such a big aecess and physical resources than the average child sharing a etfort into mobilising, v. riung and getting heard on the issues and classroom with 25 others and one teacher. So what is the issue? those who are continuing to monitor the situation. CONTROL IS IT ALL OVER? Many believe the issue is one of control and it comes from both But if we hope that this will be the end of the trouble then I sides of the political spectrum. Schools are the instruments used believe along with many others such as Annette Eerryman of by governments and institutions to subtly indoctrinate and enforce A.E.R.G., John Angelico of Families Honouring Christ and Frank the. State's vision of acceptable truth. Read Compelling Belief - Man-ett of The Christian Family School that this is a forlorn hope. The Culture of American Schoolig by Stephen Arons for more The Families Honouring Christ newsletter recently noted that a on this. The founders of compulsory schooling always argued that letter has gone out from the Director of the Schools Improvement it is in the States' interest to ensure that Children have a greater Branch announcing that the branch"will review current allegiance to the State than their families. How else could you Department of School Education procedural requirements for guarantee that they would fight for the survival of a nation? How home tuition in the light of concerns "Interest groups and else could one ensure adherence to the common good, organisations concerned with home tuition will continue to be materialism, class- ism and elitism if one didn't have children consulted during this process"The advice of all the Support from a very young age and tell them that they wanted these things groups to their members has been do NOT respond to these for themselves and that God and family - values, authority and overtures. allegiances were of secondary value ?

DO NOT ASK FOR PERMISSION TO HOME TEACH ANTI-FAMILY The fact is that the legislation in Victoria is excellent as it is & Many homeschoolers reject the policies, morals and view of life there is no need for parents to register with the Education that governments have as being distinctly anti-family. Some of us Department if they have "a reasonable excuse" for their children believe that schools are the means whereby many children are not attending school. A reasonable excuse is that you are indoctrinated into a me-first, materialistic, violent and peer group educating your children at home. (Education Act 1958 Section dominated world that we object to for a myriad of reasons. (For 53.) If you are already in the system why not consider opting out more on this read Dumbing Us Down - John Taylor Gatto). now? THE GOOD WORK PARENTS' RIGHT TO CHOOSE Why should home educators be subject to any of the criteria that This is exactly how it should be and how every Act should read. It is laid down for schools when for the most part we object to their was always the intention of the law makers that PARENTS basic ethics, their assumptions about children and learning, their EDUCATE their own children and, for those parents that couldn't programs, their standards, their methods, their evaluations and there is the option of state or privately provided schools. Parents their right to decide what is good and bad for society or even that have always taken up this option perhaps more so in Victoria than they are capable of doing it in the first place? I hope the Victorians in any other state. In all the years there has never been any keep up the good fight and I believe they will win in the long run. evidence that these home educated children didn't become It is an exciting example of what we have before us to aim for in educated and go into the workforce and become normally every other state of Australia. functioning citizens.

A NEED TO LEGISLATE AND REGULATE? So why the sudden need to regulate, define, prescribe and dictate restrictive legislation and then regulations to home educators? It cannot be because they presume that the parents who wish to undertake this option now are less well educated than their predecessors 10 - 40 years ago. After all most parents who are or who desire to homc educate have themselves graduated from the Victorian schooling system. It cannot be standards or an

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 13 QUEENSLAND the Department has informed me that no prosecutions against A.C.E. families have been launched because although the A.C.A. is not yet registered as a private school there are registered private schools using the A.C.E. materials from which families who desire these materials could easily get access and thus be covered QUEENSLAND THE WORST STATE by the Act. FOR HOME EDUCATION THE LAW IN QUEENSLAND 2. Lie low and hope not to be discovered. A recent article in a S. 57 EDUCATION (GENERAL PROVISIONS) ACT 1989 s. Queensland newspaper said that families caught who do not have 58 page 21 PART VCOMPULSORY EDUCATION dispensation could possibly have their children taken from them 57. Compulsory enrolment and attendance at school. Every parent of a by the Welfare Department. Carolyn Gibbs of Noosa Heads has child being of the age of compulsory attendance shall cause that child written to the Education Minister re this statement and part of the tal to be enrolled at a State school; OT letter from his senior policy advisor Michael Stephenson states kb) to be enrolled at a non-State school. "Whether the Department of Education seeks prosecution in such and to attend on every school day the State or non-State school at which cases, as provided for in Section 61, is a matter for the Minister's he is enrolled unless there is in existence at the material time, in respect discretion. Should the Department choose to prosecute, the of that child, a dispensation or provisional dispensation granted in matter would then become one for the police to pursue through accordance with section 58. the court. The Departmeat of Family Services might become involved at this stage". 58. Dispensation from compliance with compulsory enrolment and attendance provisions. (I) The Minister may grant to a parent of a child of the age of compulsory attendance, in respect of that child, dispensation 3. In his latest newsletter Frank Marrett of Werribee has also from compliance with any obligation set forth in section 57 during the written to the Minister requesting information re: Section 58 (e) period specified, if any, in such dispensation and may at any time revoke "that there is any other reason that in the opinion ofthe Minister the dispensation so granted. is valid." Frank is of the opinion that a valid reason is an objection to dispensation on religious grounds and has asked the Minister if (2) In connexion with a dispensation referred to in subsection (I) any of this qualifies. I cannot see why any strongly argued case could not the following shall be deemed to be a valid reason for such be determined as valid. THIS IS VERY INTERESTING and dispensation: ignorantly I did not notice it previously! Thank you Frank ! John (a) that the child concerned is receiving, in the opinion of the Minister. instruction Peacock in his recent magazine published a leuer from a lady who stated that she couldn't afford the Dist. Educ, program and she (i) in a place other than a State school or a non-State school in accordance hadn't heard from anyone since - another valid reason? with guidelines prescribed by Order in Council; (ii) in a range of subjects acceptable to the Minister, in som other manner which, in the opinion of the MillisteT, is efficient and ACTION regular What right has any government to deny parents the right to home (e) that there is any other reason that in the opinion of the Minister is educate ? Many people believe that now is the time. to do valid. something about this. We have been told that there are impending changes in different pieces of legislation to meet social justice ORDER IN COUNCIL issues in Queensland and that possibly homeschooling will be A copy of the Order in Council mentioned in 58 2 (a) (i) can be considered as one of these. We must tell the Premier Wayne Goss found in Queensland Government Gazette no. 146 p. 2993 and is and the Education Minister Paul Braddy now so that they know in fact incorporated word for word in Home Schooling- An we want change. Information Booklet under the heading Guidelines in Respect of Instruction in a Place other than a State or Non-State School, page INTERESTING 2, published by the Department of Education in January 1990. In N.S.W there are about 650 registrations for h/sing. Mr. Braddy's figures for home education in QLD are 25 with 8 GUIDELINE 4 refusals in 1992. This horrible piece of discriminatory regulation specifies that to teach your own children you must either be I. A Queensland A MEETING WITH THE QUEENSLAND HOME SCHOOL registered teacher 2. Employ a Queensland registered teacher or STATE REVIEW COMMITTEE 27th July 1992 3. Use the Queensland Distance Education Program (at a cost of Our family has often considered living in Qld permanently but about S1000 per year) one of our most serious concerns about moving was our ability to homeschool there. With this in mind I started to write to Mr THE THREE OTHER CHOICES Braddy - my first letter was 28 March 1991, hoping to convince I. To use A.C.E. materials as no-one using these materials is him to change thc homeschooling requirements in his State. As I prosecuted and they do not apply for dispensation. An officer of am no: a teacher, would not employ one and will not use Dist.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 14

103 3E3T COPY AVAILABLE Educ. programs. to present my homeschooling case to representatives of parents' I started writing after taking advice and enlisting the organisations who may or may not be philosophicallyopposed to support of two people I greatly admire and respect, Bob homeschooling. These are not the people to whom Osmak of thc ()Id. Homeschooling Assoc. and we should be Dr Barry talking as the Minister is the correctperson to consider the issues. Harker of James Cook University, Townsville.In every letter I wrote, we three requcsied thatwe be invited to meet with the 3. I see this as a possible delaying tactic giventhe present injustice Minister to discuss our joint concerns. At no time did I say is an issue that needs to be addressednow. that I was representative of all homeschoolers.It is totally impossible to represent all homeschoolers because, 4. I don't want to downplay the importanceof the enormous thankfully, we arc a diverse and independent lot. However homeschooling issue, which I feel the Minister hasalready done Bob Osmak, Barry Harker and I didwant to speak to the by only allowing a one hour meeting. FurthermoreI was invited Minister for ourselves and for those who enlisted us to fight on my own, not with Bob Osmak despite his devotionto the their cause because they were too scaredto be heard. I had no homeschooling cause (though I go with his blessing) great plans for change or any particular agenda. Those and not with who Dr Harker as he had only 2 days in Brisbanein July which we had know me from seminars are wellaware that I believe all advised the Minister about a month before. children have the right to an education and allparents have the right to provide that education. AGENDA AT THE MEETING In my opinion everyone, no matter what their So I am going to go to the meeting witha challenge - I intend to background, resources or methods, should beentitled to come out with a commitment, and Sue Macqueen has givenme homeschool.I just decided to be the woman who didn't the impression that this is possible, witha recommendation that giveup and knocked at thc doorso loud and for so long that the issue of homeschooling be openedto all those people who the judge had to let her in. Inevery letter I tried to think up have written to the Minsiter about the issue another issue to break down the barriers. (and others) who want to discuss the whole issue AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I asked about denial of natural justice, quotedthe Declaration of Human Rights, Prepareda submission about Also I am going to answer any questions theCommittee presents the range of alternatives that peopleuse when homeschooling to me about what I know about homeschooling practice, and the great results gained, sent books, research, a video and research facts, figures and laws around Australiaand our family's papers. Mostly I asked LOTS of questions. Such as, why are homeschooling. I make no apologies for the factthat I am A.C.E families not prosecuted given that they are technically addressing the Committee, while it is notmy first choice of in contravention of the law? (I believed,perhaps wrongly, options it is still one more step towards the real reason for non-prosecution of A.C.E. some acknowledgment by families was the Minister that something needs to be done because the A.C.A is a very active and about strong organisation homeschooling in Qld and needs to be donenow. that has always used much foresight inprotecting its families) I also suggested that perhaps it was just that A.C.E had a I would like to encouragceveryone to write with the same st.ructurcd program ? Would a structuredprogram be persistence as I did. The more of us thatanswer questions about acceptable?- Not that I was preparedto take this option for our own homesehooling in the Committee the myself as I homeschool in an unstructured more they will see manner, but homeschooling as the diverse and important, high quality, because I wanted to elicit from the Department people (who alternative education option that it is. always advise Ministers on their replies)just what it was that they were concerned that parents couldn'tdo and teachers WHAT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO DO could. In the meantime I was still getting regularphone 1. Write (or fax ) a letter to Mr. Paul Braddy calls from Queenslanders who wanted at P.O. Box 33 to homeschool, who Brisbane North Quay 4002 Fax (07) 229 6562and tell him what were getting hassled, who did not feel able to hideor did not you think of the Queensland legislation and the injusticc want to use A.C.E (Carolyn Gibbs that it says the same thing in her perpetrates. Spell out in a simple and shortmanner your personal recent newsletter), so I kept on going and lo and beholdI was grievances. 1,-..cently asked to meet with the Home SchoolState Review Committee. While I do not want to be accused oflooking a SUPPORT GROUPS gif. horse in the mouth I havea great problem with this mc cling for a few reasons. Become a part of local, state and national support groups to stay informed about options andprogress towards change. Not all I .Thc has absolutely no mand.ite to either change individuals & groups like to have theirnames published but I will things or advise the minister to changeanything. happily put people in contact with those few othersI know if they request it and send a self addressed stamped envelope. 2. While Alan Mulaly on the Committeeis sympathetic ti homeschooling I see it as a denial of naturaljustice that I have

AUSTRALIAN 110MESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE34 PAW.; IS 104 TASMANIA Furthermore, whether the Minister or the working Committee itself is responsible I am not sure but a copy of this report has been sent to every Minister and Education Department throughout Australia, giving the impression that it is some sort of definitive study of homeschooling. Both politicians and When the law or regulations concerning homeschooling are administrators in other States have already started quoting the not good we can often point immediately to the fact that the conclusions of this far from exhaustive study of bureaucrats concerned had little or no contact with homeschooling to us at an official level as if it were accepted homesehoolers and little or no understanding of the knowledge and the conclusions accepted by all philosophy and practice of home education when the law and homeschoolers, when this is definitely NOT the case. It seems regulations were being formulated. that unless homeschoolers are continually bombarding the authorities with information it is always possible that GETTING WHAT YOU WANT misinformation can rule the day. However this is not always the case. In N.S.W we broke our necks at every turn for two and a half years to make sure that every relevant person from the Minister down knew how we all felt when our N.S.W legislation was changing. While we NEW SOUTH gained some concessions, of which we are proud, there are many areas that are FAR less than we would have liked. In WALES the area of the formulation of the law we were both successful and unsuccessful and in the area of regulations we believe The number of registered homeschoolers and conscientious that lots of negotiation and understanding plus a very healthy objectors in N.S.W is increasing all the time. We are around ongoing dialogue has enabled us to achieve a great deal. 650 registered (not including conscientious objectors) as at June 1992. The administration of homeschooling continues to THE WORKING PARTY IN TASMANIA be excellent with all people very pleased about their dealings I sense from John Peacock's editorial in a recent issue of with authorised persons. Home Education that he was somewhat frustrated (strong enough?) by the process of being a part of the Tasmanian ACCESS TO Q STORES / EDUCATION Working Party that investigated home education. After DEPARTMENT STORES reading the results of that Working Party in the most recent Later in this newsletter you will read the interesting ne vs that issue of Frank Marrett's Christian Family Homeschool homeschoolers will have restricted access to the stores wed by Magazine I can see why. John and the others on the schools. Should anyone desire to thank the Minister for this committee would have fought long and hard for parents' option her address is P.O. Box 33 G.P.O. Sydney 2001 rights and less control of homeschooling and that is not the impression that I get that the report is recommending.

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 16

BEST COPY AVAILABLE le5 homeschooling family could easily prove regular and efficient WEST AUSTRALIA instruction albeit at the cost ot time, energy, lawyers and stress.

The West Australim Education Act 1928-81 says14. Any of the WEST AUSTRALIAN REALITIES following reasons shall be deemed a reasonable excuse: (a) The W.A. Ministry of Education has recently released a 17 That a child is under regular and efficient instruction at home or page policy entitled "Procedures for Ministry Officers elsewhere of which fact notice in writing has been given by the Authorising Home Tuition in West Australia 1992" and parents or parent to the Director-General not more than fourteen "Advice to Parents Considering Home Tuition in West days after such instruction is commenced or not more than Australia 1992". These procedures come about possibly as a fourteen days after the date when the parents or parent would be reaction to an increasing number of parents in W.A. applying in the ordinary course obliged under section thirteen of this Act to for exemption and as a result of submissions by send the child to a Government or efficient school: and whether homeschooling individuals and groups as a reaction to a draft such instruction is efficient or not shall be a matter for the policy first released in 1990. The Chairman of the Committee decision of the Minister, who may require the report of a set up to study the submissions was Gail Wyatt. Superintendent of Education thereon. (The other relevant section is section 16 which says that a child between the ages of 6 & 15 POLICY NOT REFLECTIVE OF SUBMISSIONS must attend school unless "there is a reasonable excuse" - section While written submissions were received on the policy, 14 is the definition of a reasonable excuse.) The Education Act regular application by homeschooling individuals and groups Regulations 1960 state 8. (1) "Where a parent of a child who has to address the Committee and the Minister were refused. It is not reached leaving age informs a welfare officer or the chief true to say that the new policy is not at all representative nor executive officer that the child is under regular and efficient reflective of any of the submissions that were put tothe instruction at home or elsewhere, a Superintendent may, after Committee. It is also truc to say that the new policy is even examining the child, grant that child a certificate exempting him more restrictive and open to horrible interpretation than thc from attending school. (2) (a) A certificate so granted may be draft policy. It is interesting to note that now that the policy is cancelled, by notice in writing served on a parent of the child by in placeandbeing interpreted in a most heavy handed and the Chief Executive Officer if it appears to him that there has been discriminatory manner by some District Superintendents, the an alteration of the circumstances under which the certificate was Minister has only most recently directed Gail Wyatt (not a granted Ministry employee but on a private contract) to finally make contact with homeschoolers on the issues that concern them. BAD THINGS ABOUT THIS LAW 1.The ultimate recourse to justice is the Minister, who decides the RESTRICTIVE AND DISCRIMINATORY definition of "regular" and "efficient" with a "District The West Australian regulations are appalling and apply to Superintendent and the Chief Executive Officer". This is a denial homeschoolers restrictive and discriminatorj obligations that of natural justice. are not applied to teachers nor schools in W.A. Furthermore 2. It gives those people with a vested interest in onc form of there is no allowance for anything other than a "school type" education, "institutionalised" education, the right to decide to program and parents are required to demonstrate intangible certificate others who reject their form of "schoolingin the first and subjective proofs that their children are learning to the place. .satisfaetion of the officer concerned. For instance"Students 3. There have been successful prosecutions in 1991 and 1992, not on home learning will be expected to maintain an appropriate because the fa:.nilies concerned weren't educating well but rate of learning"(Attachment 2) "If parents fail to because they were not fulfilling an individual District demonstrate the above to a nominated Ministry Officer then Superintendent's definition of "program, learning, achievement approval for home tuition will be withdrawn" . Yet in a recent etc." and because they were bullied into sending their children case approval was withdrawn and one of the reasons back to school. They were prosecuted unjustly under theWelfare verbalised by the Superintendent was because the family had a Act. child who had accelerated in the area of Maths since being homeschooled. The officer considered this advancement POSSIBLE GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS LAW inappropriate. 1. There are many people who have been homeschooling for years under this Act with little or no trouble. REFUSALS 2.1f or when the Minister denies the right to horneschool, it is the It is easy to assume that those people being refused permission Minister's responsibility to prosecute the family. We believe that in W.A. are perhaps in some way inefficient or inadequate but this requires that the Minister must prove to a magistrate that a I can assure this is not the case. I have extremely close family is not giving regular and efficient instruction. If the knowledge of more than 100 programs and approvals for magistrate is open minded and just and not just in the business of home tuition in N S.W and many of the refused W.A. ensuring that the Minister's will is fulfilled, a committed

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 17

106 applicants and their paperwork would be considered excessive in must give her as much information as possible and apply as much N.S.W. I have copies of the W.A. programs and have been pressure as is necessary to ensure that the perfectly workable and integrating with some of these highly educated, motivated and adequate situation that existed before 1992 be returned to commiued parents closely and I personally cannot believe that immediately. these parents arc being refused the right to home educate unless 3. SUPPORT GROUPS the Minister has a deliberate policy of limiting homeschooling in Join local, state and national groups to keep informed. Local W.A. However real exposure of the NEW policy will come in W.A. people to contact are December when many long term successful and experienced Sue Warner 18 Coogan Ave Greenmount 6056. homeschoolers will be forced to submit to the new "trial" Leonie Westonberg 4 Herdsman Pde Wembley 6014 procedures. Gina Wright P.O. Box 334 Denmark 6333 098 481 671 Mei Cheng 16/70 Broadway Nedlands 6000 WHAT TO DO? Lyn Gould P.O. Box 60 Tambellup 6320 098 258219 1. CAREFULLY READ THE ACT AND THE POLICY Karen Lawtie P.O. Box 339 Donnybrook 6239 Get a copy of the "Procedures" sent to you from the Ministry. Read them carefully, write down in the strongest terms your 4. WRITE TO THE OPPOSITION objections and post a copy of your objections to the Premier The Shadow Minister for Education, the Liberal Fred Tubby has Carmen Lawrence. We have all tried on numerous occasions to been kept appraised of the situation since November last year and meet with the Minister for Education Kay Hallahan. Not only is supportive of homeschoolers and their right to undertake this does she not reply to letters or answer our questions but she option. It is his written opinion that the present Minister does refuses to see any horneschooling representatives. Despite being intend to limit homeschooling in W.A. and it is his stated required to do so by W.A. law she has not in reality consulted with intention to change this should he get into power. However, Fred the special interest groups effected by the policy This policy has Tubby too needs to be tclusattal. He thinks the N.S.W law is a been totally conceived with the intention of limiting, restricting good option and the Working Party in Tasmania on Home and possibly removing the option of homeschooling. Education had the right ideas (I disagree strongly with both of these assumptions) and these would be good models for W.A- 2. WRITE TO TIIE PREMIER they would NOT. The Law as it exists in W.A. presently is It is time to be as politically adept as were the Victorians and llFe MUCH better than the one that exists here in N.S.W., though our the fact that the Labor government in W.A. is teetering on the administration is excellent. brink of scandal and has a very slim majority to get the politicians to listen to home educators' concerns. Dr. Carmen Lawrence, the I heartily encourage you to do something about home education in Premier, is an intelligent and well-educated woman who should W.A. now. be able to see that it is highly discriminatory to apply to homeschoolers arbitrary and discriminatory requirements not required of schools. She has stated in the past to Homeschoolers Australia that she is open to the idea of home education so we

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 18

BEST COPY AVAILABLE EARLY MORNINGRAID CHILDREN TAKENFROM THEIR PARENTS A BRIEF OVERVIEW byJo-Anne Beirne

Most people will have seen or heard headlines like would undoubtedly not see eye toeye on every the above in newspapers, on T.V. andradio in May. issue, (I don't see eye to eye with For all commiued parents everywhere many people on the very anything) my contact with them has shown thought that their children could be me that forcibly they are families who are now followinga strong removed strikes to the verycore of our beings. basic Christian philosophy and theycare most sincerely about the welfare of their children. SOCIAL WORKERS It has been my personal experience that theyare well informed about educational and other issues l count myself as one of the and great many people while conservative (many of involved in the homeschooling us are) I would not movement who have considered it possible that they would have a deep and suspicious distrust ever be of some social accused or treatedinch a horrendous manner. workers. While idealistically Isee that a good society feels it must makesure that all citizens that ATTITUDES arc possibly being mistreated are looked after,I strongly object to the idea of paid "social workers" Many of us are guilty of believing theinformation as police force and arbiters and guardians ofthe that the media feeds us without checking rights nd morals of a community. it out first, often it is impossible to check. Caring,committed parents are especially frightened when they It is my strong belief that if may be our society put as much "seen" to be like someone who has been money, commitment, manpower and "tainted" in energy into some way. Of course in this day and age, with the supporting families as the basic unitof a healthy media it is a case of "guilty until society then we would have proven innocent " a more moral, ethical, instead of the other way around with efficient, safe and pleasant world no thought to and a lot less need the pain and suffering involved of all for social workers & psychologists. concerned. BEING DIFFERENT DISCRIMINATION The big problem for these families is How does one simply define that they are a good parent, a good "different" from the people who live educator, a good child ? And whose on E Street, in responsibility the T.V. soaps, in the minds of the advertising is it to provide the definition ? As homeschoolcrs executives and compared to the standard we are all very aware of discrimination, definitions we know the media and social workers what it feels likc to have people are used to. First they think of us as have large families (more than 5 children criminals just bPcause we decide is the not to send our norm). Second, they live ina commune situation children to school. To be different is to be suspect sharing community, work and worship. and in a society that values conformity Thirdly, to a "media" they are fairly isolated, if one picture of the perfect nuclear family can describe weekly (both parents at contact with 30 other families as isolated. Fourth, work, baby in day care) and its rulesand methods they don't send their children some of us are already "weird" and "suspect". to school, having homeschooled over a long period of timebecause most of them arc recent arrivals in Australia after OBSERVATIONS returning from work as missionaries in Asian countries. [Please note: They used Over a period of time I have had to belong to the personal contact Children of God, which is now with the families whose children a disbanded were removed organisation. If you want the printed information from their homes at 6 a.m in the morning. While we about their beliefs please contact themthrough the address at the end of this article.)

AUSTRALIANHOMESCHOOL JOURNALISSUE 34 PAGE 19 ICE WOEOKARENT IVERE SHODr .1FOR GIVE HIM YOU? THAT'S WHY THERE HERE 60175 54KE, A 54,40. riM STARING AT 70 HELP 50/4480Dr OW06 Ala ME! 14E14.,rmee YOU. c A a KR OP me vAN. CAN RAY THAT GAM5 ! -I. .

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It is of course up to the court to ultimately decide the :t the time of the community services action in conclusion of this appalling situation. It is vey easy N.S.W, some of the families Involved had been to take the "med a" view of all this and be against the r::gistaed as lioniesclux)lers by the Board of Studies families. It is -ery hard for me who sees them and Ind the others were in the process of being their children often enough to believe they are registered, after only recently being informed as to innocent to do so. I don't want this situation to the requirement.s of the law. One of the "authorised" happen again and I don't want to live in fear that my persons concerned in registering those -legal" kids can be taken because I am different to the families was subpoenaed to appear in court and he perceived norm and some government or social (Don Haddon) testified that the families were in fact worker may decide they don't like the way I bring up providing education.for their children as required my children. under the N.S.W Education Reform Act. I can't imagine how traumatised and fearful these I believe it is the view of the Minister for Education, children must feel after being dragged out of their which was reiterated by Don I iaddon and has been beds and taken away early in the morning, (shoeless always held by me that the education of registered in most cases!). I can sympathise with the horror and children IS NIOT an issue with which Community pain of the parents who would have given anything to Services socid workers had any right to be get their kids back - "what ransom can we pay?" To concerned. In N.S.W the Welfare Act and the feel powerless is horrible but to be forced into the Education Act are separate entities. situation of being "on the run" to stop this sort of thing happening is just as bad. I don't have any JUSTICE answers but I do have a million accusing questions. Thc authorities concerned did test even the very young children in many areas while they had them COURT CASE in custody. Young and older children were On 27th July 1992 the case against these families will interrogated alone for long periods of time. They be heard in Cobham Childrens' Court. (Which has were assessed for physical, emotional and sexual been refurbished for the occasion while Legal Aid abuse and their academic abilities were also tested. has denied the familes enough legal representation.) I We believe these tests showed nothing. In fact on a am told it is a very small court room but you arc more personal and academic level we believe the children than welcome to attend to observe the proceedings if both here and in Vic, have impressed their you desire to do so. inquisitors. The people from Community Services have continual, regular access to these peoples' IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT homes and children while they are awaiting trial. THE FAMILIES INVOLVED THEIR contact person is Bev Hartingdon BOX 1617 MACQUARIE CENTER 2113

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 20 109 BEST COPY AVAILABLE Someschoofers Australia is delighted to be abfe to announce that we are theAustralian agents for yohn 9-fott's Book,and. Music Store.

Until we are completely organised and have a big enough volume of books shipped here from the U.S. there will be some delays between orders and delivery. However we plan as soon as we have enough stock and are more knowledgeable about what books Australians want that we will be able to ensure that waiting time is kept to a minimum. We only intend to keep those books that are not readily available or not available at all here in Australia and arc of specific concern to homeschoolers.

Everyone on our mailing list will be sent a catalogue of the books available as soon as it is ready. We intend to print regular books reviews especially of the great books that Patrick Farenga, Susannah Sheffer, Donna Richoux and all at Holt Associates are continually adding to their list.

SAMPLES OF Growing Without Schooling magazine (G.W.S)

* Would you like to see a sample of the magazine that so many homeschoolers rave about ? As a special introductory offer for those who would like to find out more we are offering a single sample/ family posted for $4 !!! [A single issue of G.W.S. usually costs $U.S.4.50 about $ 6 Australian] If you are interested please send your cheque to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153.

PM;E 21 Please apt* ve law to lay nese looks fro* Holt Associates retail, slip dant kers mut allow for extlaage rate costs lad laallikg. John Holt's Book and Music Store A

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BEST COPY AVAILABLE PAGE 22 1 1 1 Please Rote we lave to lay ties. boots from Holt Associates retail, skip Men len aka allow for ea:cisme rate costs awl baAlliag. JOHN HOLT'S BOOK AND MUSIC STORE HOMESCHOOLERS AUSTRALIA pty ltd P.O. BOX 420 KELLYVILLE 2153

Children Learning at Home reads a lot, both for pleasure and factual books about fanning by Julie Webb #1586 $40 r $4.70 postageN.S.W and natural studies, and is following a correspondence course $7.50 other states in gardening for adults with comparative ease." This is a study of home education in Great Britain, but it has much information that will benefit homeschoolers in the Julie Webb ends her work with some interesting ideas about how homeschooling bears upon orthodox educational systems. United States, too. W'riting in an accessible, narrative style, Julie Webb traces the theoretical and historical background of It may require a little effort, however, for Americans to think of homeschooling ir England, and then explains how she chose equivalents of the specific British programs to which she refers. and structured her research model. Her interviews over an 18- Children Learning at Home is based on research done using month period were primarily with homeschoolers associated the 1984 Education Otherwise contact list, which at the time had ith the British group Education Otherwise and with school roup.hly 200 families on it. A recent visitor to our office from officials who handled homeschooling issues. Webb uses an Great Britain told us that there are now considerably more ethnograhic approach. presenting people's own words in families homeschooling in Great Britain, so this study is based transcripts from interviews and tying them together with her on a small sample compared to what could be done today. commentary and observations. This approach makes the book Nevertheless, this book provides useful qualitative descriptions accessible to the general reader, and by presenting the wide and is a good example of a type of academic research that is variety of motivations and characteristics of homeschoolers in very different from the quantitative surveys and test score their own words, it allows readers to garner specific ideas about studies that dominate research in the U.S. how children learn and how parents can help them. Many of the families interviewed came to home education as a last resort. Their decision was not based on wholehearted A Time to Fly Free belief in homeschooling as a positive alternative, but rather on by Stephanie To lan #1634 $9 +-$2.80 postage the belief that it was better than the alternative of school. Julie Webb writes,."Those I interviewed had generally been forced to Years ago John Holt read A Time to Fly Free. Stephanie look for an alternative by the inflexibility or other unsuitability Tolan's fictional story about a fifth grade boy who becomes a of available schools, in particular, usually, the one their children homeschooler, and went so far as to make notes for a review of attended. This was so even where the parents had a predisposi- the book before he learned that it had gone out of print. When tion to consider alternative education by reason of their personal the book came back in print last year, we immediately added it background." to our catalog and interviewed the author for GWS #83 to learn An interesting section of the book shows how some fami- about how tier own experiences had led her to write the book. lies actively involved their children in the homeschooling deci- John's notes give a lot of clues about why he thought so sion, "giving the child some power over his own future educa- highly of the book. He wrote: tion." Another section focuses on "Family Influence on the This is the first book !have read that really looks into Choice of What to Learn," examining qualifications and creden- the mind of a child, a 10-ycar-old boy, who hates school - is tials of homeschooling parents and children, both self-imposed bored by it. puzzled by it, angered by its deliberate failure, and state-imposed. Interesting interviews and later follow-ups indeed refusal, to think responsibly about what it does, to with families who don't follow set curricula show that their make distinctions between what is and what is not important. children are not at a disadvantage when it comes to going to Schools, at the very least school texts, treat children as if college or entering the world of adult work: they were all stupid. The result is to make many of them act stupid. and many more feel stupid. Those who will neither The home-educated child's option to disregard academic feel nor pretend to be stupid, like Joshua. the hero of this criteria and set his own standards in terms of attainment of book, go almost crazy with boredom, anger, despair. skills is a valuable alternative... This extract from an Iask myself, why was I, a supposedly fairly bright kid, adviser's report about a teenage boy whose parents decided to able to stand school as Josh could not. 1 v. as bored with complete his education at home illustrates the variety of job- school from the age of 8 on. Why did I not worry about it or oriented skills that may be obtained this way: "Schools resist it tr...)re? One reason is that there were so few other cannot always provide ideal conditions for all learning and things I was interested in or cared about. At the age of 9 and certainly cannot provide the context in which Peter 101 did only two things I cared about - making model operating. He is looking after a sizable segetable garden airplanes (at home) and playing football with a small group single-handed and has plans to extend considerably onto of other boys, not in school. By two years later, when I was other land owned by the family. He has numerous animals to young for my grade and small for my age. I was clearly not care for, he is playing the organ in the next-door church and going to be a football player. For the rest of my schooling I the piano at home, and he also does some composing. He did only two things with all my heartlisten to jazz music.

PAGE 23 112 BEST COPYAVAILABLE John Holt's P.O. BO% 420 Book andMusic Store KELLYVILLE 2153

and play squash racquets. If I had had a real life, as Josh did. My Life as a Traveling Homeschooler and if school had taken me away from it. it would have by Jenifer Goldman #1614 driven me crazy. But I did not, so I adjusted, as schools are $20 4-$2.80 postage supposed to make you adjust, to the boredom. Like Now that I have a real life, now that I have known real A Time to Fly Free, My Life as a Traveling work, real thought, real learning, to have to spend time in a Homeschooleris the story of a child who acts on her dislike of school would drive me as crazy as it did Josh. What happens school and manages to make a viable life outside of it.My Life to kids like Josh who, unlike him, cannot escape from as a Traveling Homeschooleris autobiography rather than school? Many of them find their real life in fighting school. fiction, however. In it Jenifer Goldman chronicles her unhappy experiences in school and her adventures as a homeschooler In the years sinceA Time To Fly Freewas published and who spends most of her time traveling with her uncle. Of her John Holt made these notes, very few other books have been decision to try homeschooling, Jenifer writes: published that take a child's dislike of school seriously. ATime to Fly Freestill stands out itt this respect. The book doesn't Through most of my life school's been pretty miserable. betray Josh or the readers who identify with him by having When I started homeschooling, everything got better.... I've some adult convince him that staying in school is better than been living in the same house with my nana and my uncle Jerry for many years leaving or even that he ought to go back once he has left. ... Jerry used to run an alternative school in Vermont. Then Jerry became the director of a company Although his mother has many of the usual concerns about called the NCACS (National Coalition of Alternative Com- homeschooling. his stepfather joins Josh in convincing her to let munity Schools). So, when I was having trouble in school, him try it. By the end of the book it has become so clear that Jerry thought that it might be a good idea for me to home- Josh is thriving outside of school that his mother can't ignore it. school for a while.... Jerry suggested that maybe we could try and I doubt skeptical readers will be able to. either. homeschooling for a few months. I thought it was a good After only a couple of days of being out of school. Josh has idea, but we had a time trying to get my mom and dad to this realization: agree. Finally, we decided that I would try it. for just a few months. The time didn't matter! There was no bus waiting for him. No bell would ring. He was free! His schedule was no Though Jenifer doesn't devote a lot of space to the question more demanding than the tides. He had what he'd always of what it's like to homeschool primarily with an uncle, instead wanted more than anything in the world -time. of with one's parents, just the fact that this is what she did may help other families imagine different ways to arrange home- And in answer to the question of what this boy will do with schooling for themielves..Maybe this will help more families so much time, Stephanie Tolan manages to show us Josh's spe- feel that homeschooling is a real option. cific choices without suggesting that he is the prototype home- Meanwhile, Jenifer demonstrates very clearly that home- schooler who speaks for everyone. At the same time, Josh's schooling doesn't have to go on in the home! She learns from particular example conveys enough of what is possible for what she sees as she rides the train across the country, from the everyone that other kids will be able to imagine their own people she meets at homeschooling and alternative schooling choices. conferences, from the conversations she and her uncle hase as Josh ends up spending much of his time apprenticing to a they travel. At the end of the book she concludes: man who helps wounded wildlife. He learns a great deal while doing this, of course, and also teaches readers that children who ... Learning while traveling sure beats sitting in an old can't bear meaningless schoolwork do thrive on the chance to claisroom any time, or sitting around the house.... You getto do real, important work: explore the world and what it really is. In school they teach math on a piece of paper. But through my travels I got to For the next hour, under Rafferty's exacting eye, Josh experience how to use math in real life. Not only math, but cleaned cages, learned the names of the birds, and read their just about anything else that I'll need for life, like how to charts. He listened eagerly to the stories of their injuries, their understand people and get along, and how to use language in illnesses, their capture. When Rafferty looked at his watch communication to make contact with people, how to help and announced that it was well past lunchtime. Josh was people with their problems, and how to solve problems. I also surprised. He couldn't remember a morning that had passed learned about current events and what's going on in the world. so quickly. Earlier in Jenifer's homeschooling, she and Jerry held a I would give ATime to Fly Freeto homeschoolers who "Question Class" - Jenifer brainstormed all the questions she long to see a homeschooling character in a novel. Kids who could think of and then rated those she was most interested in. turned to homeschooling because of difficult school experiences She and Jerry used those questions as starting points for further will probably find Josh's story particularly appealing. I would study and exploration. Some of Jenifer's questions were, "How also give the book to kids who are suffering in school, as Josh does a TV work?" "Who thought of putting pockets in pants?" was. Josh -and,implicitly, the adult author who created him- "Why can't people get along more easily?" "Who invented lets kids know that theycanfly free, that a life without school written music?" "Why do I always dislike my art work, and really is possible. Susannah Sheffer other people always like it?" "Where did the first languages

BEST COPY AVAILABLE PAGE 24 113 John Holt's P.O. BOX 420 Book and Music Store XELLYVILLE 2153 - come from? If they couldn't communicate with each other, how Carnegie Hall (see GWS #851. an eent he continues to present could they tell people what they meant?" "How come most wherner he can in addition to speaking at other events across the grown-ups never understand us kids?" country. I love the way Jenifer mingles questions about language, Dumbing Us Downcollects four of his most dynamic speeches history, science, and music with questions about human behav- and his essay about why he became a teacher, -The Green ior and her own emotions. She doesn't separate academic Monongahela." Packed with insight, full of John's personal concerns from concerns about being understood by crown-ups experiences and his keen knowledge of history, this modest-sized or making friends: all her questions have to do w ith understand- book will engage your thoughts long after you finish it. ine the V orld in one way or another. No two children's question Going from public school teacher to the public lectern thrust lists would be the same, but all would contain perfectly good John into the public spotlight, a role that he claims to be uncom- places from which to begin exploring. If only schools would fortable with due to his essentially shy nature. But his shrewd realize that there are as many ways to approach the study of the talent with words, and the conviction and power of his thoughts, world as there are children, and would let children begin with are what make him so in demand as a speaker: their ow n concerns, interests, and questions. - SS Networks like school are not communities, just as school training is not education. By preempting fifty percent of the total Dumbing Us Down time of the young. b locking young people up with other young by John Tay lor Gatto #1588 people exactly their own age. b ringing bells to start and stop $20 t- $2.80 postage work, by asking people to think about the same thing at the same time in the same way, by grading people. the way we grade John Gatto is an award-winning teacher who toiled in Man- vegetables - and in a dozen other vile and stupid ways - network hattan's public schools for 26 years. At the height of his career, schools steal the vitality of communities and replace it with an ugly after receiN Me the New York State Teacher of the Year Award mechanism. No one survives these places with their humanity in 1990 from the New York State Senate. John Gatto stunned his intact, not kids, not teachers, not administrators, not parents. audience with his acceptance speech. He said in part: John stands out among school reformers because of his ability I've noticed a fascinating phenomenon in my 25 years of to synthesize the historical and social antecedents of compulsory teaching: that schools and schooling are increasingly irrelevant schooling and democracy while keeping us aware of the intrinsic to the great enterprises of the planet.... Although teachers do tension between these two poles. This is a distingaishing feature of care and do work very hard, the institution is psychopathic: it his thought, since most school people think democracy cannot exist has no conscience. without compulsory schooling. John also shows us the variety of choices we have for gctting an education and strengthening John worked one more year as a public school teacher and democracy without coercively schooling people. then resigned. During that year his acceptance speech was wide- Let me leave you with one last quote. from the speech "The ly circulated and talked about and he was invited to speak at all Psychopathic School": sorts of events: homeschool, private school, political and indus- trial. After he resigned from teaching in 1991 he staged 'The What can be done? First, we need a ferocious national debate Exhausted School: A Speakout on Parent-Choice Schools" at that doesn't quit. day after day. year after year, the kind of

Destination Zone (Based on postcode of destination address - refer to Table I)

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$ $ t $ $ $ $ s $ $ $ s s s 1 1 p to liOg 1.30* I 80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1 80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 110 CAer 230e to 500g 1.30* 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2 80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2 80 2 80 ONer 500g to I kg 2.85 4.30 4 60 1.70 6.00 6.00 6.50 6.80 7.00 6.25 6.80 7.85 7.50 7.85 730 ther 1 kg to 2 kg 2.85 4.30 4 FA 5.00 6 45 6.45 7.45 8.05 8.45 6.95 8.05 10.15 9.45 10.15 9 45 Crier2 halo 3 kg 2.85 4.30 5 00 530 6.90 6.90 8.40 9 30 9.90 7.65 9.30 12.45 11.40 12.45 11 40 Ow 3 kgto 4 kg 2 85 4 30 i 20 5.60 7.35 7.35 9.35 10.55 11.35 8.35 10.55 14.75 13.35 14.75 15 35 ONer4 kat° i kg 2.85 4.30 5.40 5.90 7.80 7.80 10.30 11.80 1230 9.05 11.80 17.05 1530 17.0$ 15.30 Over 5 kg ta 6 ke 2.85 i 50 5 60 6 20 8.25 8.25 11.25 13.05 14.25 9.75 13.05 19.35 17.25 19.35 1725

Oqr 6 kg tokg 2.85 4 30 5.80 6.50 8.70 8.70 12.20 14.30 15.70 10.45 14.30 21.65 19.20 21.65 19.20 Cher kg io 8 kg 2.85 4 30 6 00 6.80 9.15 9.15 13.15 15.55 17.15 11.15 15.55 23.95 21.15 2335 21.15 26.25 23.10 Over 8 kg to 9 kg .2.85 4.30 6.20 !.10 9.60 9.60 14 10 16.80. 18.60 11.65 16.80 2625 23.10' 0q19kgto 10kg 2.85 430 6 40 ".40 10.0 10.05 15.05 18.05 20.05 12.55 18.05 28.55 25.05 25.55 2515 Ow 10 kg to II kg 2.85 4.30 6.60 7.70 10.50 10.50 16.00 19.30 21.50 13.25 19.50 30.85 27.00 30.85 rid Cher II kg w 12 kg 2.85 4.30 6 80 8 00 10.95 10.95 16.95 2035 22.95 13.95 20.55 33.15 28.95 33.15 395 0her 0.1410 13 kg 2.85 4.30 7.00 8.30 11.40 11.40 17.90 21.80 24.40 14.65 21.80 35.45 30.90 35.45 34.90 0%er 13 kg w 14 kg 2.85 4.30 7.20 8.60 11.85 11.85 18.85 23.05 25.85 15.35 23.05 37.75 32.85 37.75 3245 0%er 14 kg to 15 kg 2.85 4 30 7 40 8.90 12.30 12.30 19.80 24.30 27.30 16.05 24.30 40.05 34.80 40.05 34.00 04er 15 kg ai 16 kg 2.85 4.50 7.60 9.20 12.75 12.75 20.75 25.55 21.75 16.75 25.55 42.35 36.75 4135 36.75 Oser 16 kg to 17 kg 2.85 4.30 7.80 9.50 13.20 13.20 21.70 26.80 30.20 17.4$ 26.80 44.65 38.70 44.65 31 70 tTer 1' kg to 184 2.85 430 8.00 9.80 13.65 13.65 22.65 28.05 31.65 18.15 28.05 44.35 40.65 46.95 94 65 Over 18 kg to 19 kg 2.85 4 30 8 20 10.10 14.10 14.10 23.60 29.30 33.10 18.85 29.30 49.25 42.60 49.25 4160 Om 19 kg to 20 kg 1.85 4.30 8 40 10.40 14.55 14.55 24.55 50.55 34.55 19.55 50.55 51.55 44.55 51.55 44-55 PAGE 25 11 4 BEST COPY AVAILABLE John Holt's P.O. BOX 420 Hook and Music Store XELLYVILLE 2153 continuous debate that journalism finds boring. We need to notion of -Citizenship Schools." where thousands of blacks scream and argue about this school thing until it is fixed or taught each other to read in small groups, in homes or back broken beyond repair. one or the other. If we can fix it. fine: if rooms of stores, in order to pass voting tests. (2) Rosa Parks we cannot, then the success of homeschooling shows a differ- attended a Highlander workshop shortly before she refused to ent road that has great promise. Pouring the money we now give up her seat to a white man on a Montsiomery bus. launchino pour into schooling back into family education might cure two the ciil rights moernent. She had gained the strensith during the ailments with one medicine, repainng families as it repairs workshop to act in accordance with her convictions. (3) "We children. Shall Overcome." the famous anthem of the movement, was Pat Farenga adapted by Horton's wife Zilphia from a hymn. and later added to by many others. Although Horton acknowledged that Highlander has not The Long Haul since been involved with any social movements as lar2e and fast- by Mles Horton #1606 $244- $2.80 postage moving as civil riehts. it contihues to help grassroots organiza- tions form and strengthen. For example, it aided a group of wel- Before I read The Long Haul(on the recommendation fare women in West Virginia to organize, help each other, and GWS reader). I had only a vague idea of what the Highland eventually get an improNed welfare law passed in the state. In Center was - someplace that promoted Appalachian culture. another project, it encouraged ordinary people to dig through thought - and knew nothing of its founder, whose autobiogn mounds of paperwork to discover who really owned Appalachia phy this book is. In fact, Horton says he consciously decidec and was letting it be strip-mined. avoid becoming a celebrity, as he found that charismatic I'll end with a few of the many observations and conclusions leaders tended to create disciples and followers instead of cm Horton made about his experiences: leaders. With so little to go on. I was surprised and delighted to It made no sense, however, to work with poor people who find the book to be stirring. funny. readable, eye-opening, and had given up hope. Only people with hope will struggle... If thought-provoking. Myles Horton dedicated his life to prornot- people are suffering and exploited and want to get out from ing humane social change and acting in accordance with his under the heel of oppression, if they have hope that it can be theories, with some notable successes to his credit. done, if they can see a path that leads to a solution, a path that Born in 1905. Horton grew up in Tennessee with parents makes sense to them and is consistent with their beliefs and who, he said. "taught me by their actions that you are supposed their experience, then they'll move. But it must be a path that they've started clearing... to serve your fellow men, you're supposed to do something worthwhile with your life, and education is meant to help you You couldn't. through mere discussion, persuade people to do something for others." His first paying jobs led to a growing have a change of heart and to give up their biases... But the cis II dissatisfaction with social and economic injustice, and he rights movement started forcing people to change their actions... eventually left Appalachia for a few years in search of ways to People were forced to adjust their minds to what they had to do. live a moral life in what he perceived to be an immoral society. And their hearts came poking along later... He pursued this education on his own terms - he spent most of his college years reading in the library and ignore. d the Instead of thinking that you put pieces together that will add graduation requirements. and he studied world religions, phil- up to a whole, I think you have to start with the premise that they osophy, and education alivays with the idea of what he could are already together and you try to keep from destroying life by bring back to his home region. His inquisitiveness finally led segmenting it, overorganizing it and dehumanizing it. him to Denmark to see the "folk schools." a form of adult edu- [On the Appalachian Land Ownership Task Forcel To my cation in which the students set up the agenda and run the way of thinking, the rnost important thing was that these people program. He realized here was a practical, small-scale model got a sense of their own power to do something, and could then consistent with his values that he could bring home and use to use that method to research any kind of problem. encourage his fellow Southerners to solve their problems. He and some friends started the Highlander Center in 1932 Anybody who has spent his life in this blend of action and on a shoestring. They invited people from the labor movement thoughtfulness has much to say from which we can all profit. to short workshops; the school provided food, folk dancing, Donna Richoux singing, and a chance to share ideas and ask for information. As the school was racially integrated, unusual and even illegal Back Issues: We strongly urge you to get the back issues of GWS. in the South at that time, it also became a starting place for the especially if you plan to begin homeschooling. Civil Rights movement and a major influence in its develop- ment. Though the Highlander staff faced dangers (death threats, accusations of being Communists, firebombs, etc.), the school The cost of postage depends on the weight survived to. in Horton's phrase. "multiply leadership for radical of the article and its destination, in the social change." catalogue,and from the next edition of the Some notable examples of the staff s success in civil A.H.J. I will be printing the weight of all rights: ( I) Horton, along with Septima Clark. invented the the books and a table of postage.

PAGE 26 1 1 " BEST COPY AVAILABLE HOMESCHOOLING OVER TIME by Susan Crossley (A soon to be mother of five)

YEAR 1 good and most of these activities precipitated battles of wills and We have been homeschooling for four years now and so many times I just completed the tasks myself. . over this time I have bezn greatly encouraged through reading In our schooling we still followed a curriculum with lots about other people's experiences in homeschooling and as a result of written work to "prove" to the inspector that we were really I have decided to write this article in the hope that it too may working. But rather than having each child follow his/her encourage others who are also educating their children from the individual programme we all shared the same learning in areas home. such as Social Studies and Science but continued graded Since we began homeschooling many of my former individual work in the other areas. However, the children resented attitudes to education, roles of mother, father and children within the amount of work they had to do and so there were many hostile the family have changed. However, my initial reasons for moments.With the birth of our fourth child we had the bedroom homeschooling our children hale not altered and have, in fact, reshuffle and no longer had a "school" room, but worked together become more sigi.ricant. around the kitchen table, we all found this heaps better. I have been trained as a primary school teacher and No longer having a "school" room marked a major taught for three ycars in a high sclool before having my own change in my attitude to what education was but still the children. My husband is also a teacher. Our throe children all wcnt memories of my years of school experiences remained strong and to school until the eldest was in Year 4, our second in Year 3 and I was slow to change my ideas on what eklucation actually was, our third in Kindergarten so we all had definite ideas of how believing that subjects needed to be taught in definite ways and education should happen. We withdrew our children from their atdeflnite grade levels. I have since rethought these issues and school half way through the school year. now strive to have learning readiness and relevance as the reasons Having such a "schoolish" background I imaghed for introducing new concepts etc, rather than rny former homeschool would be just like school except at home with a "schoolish-type" graded expectations. loving mother giving instruction at each child's individuld level and with heaps more individual time for each child. Consequently YEAR 3 we lined our garage and set it up as our schoolroom and that is I then read a "Survivors Guide to Homeschooling" by where we did our school work, from 9am to 12 noon almost every Luanne Shackelford and Susan White which I found very week day. The children had a workbook for every subject and we encouraging and helpful, full of intensely practical suggestions, did lots and lots of written work. However, we all agreed that it some of which I incorporated into the running of ow home and was heaps preferable to going to school and we were all happier our homeschool, to the benefit of us all. than formerly. I now began to "back-programme" which allowed us the In between teaching the children I also ran our house, flexibility to follow the children's interests in most areas rather cooked the meals, washed and cleaned with the children doing a than following a predetermined programme and with far less liule to help and also keeping their own rooms clean and tidy. My emphasis on written work. memory of that year is rushing in and out to the laundry with wet However, my eldest child was now "doing" Year 7 work washing and finally getting it all on the line by lunchtime, which and so the pressure was on to maintain a programme with him in our climate, (Southern Tablelands N.S.W) especially in winter that was comparable to Year 7 at school and this I did in the areas months, allows for very little drying. I then read "Homeschool of Maths, Science, Social Studies and, to some extent, English. Burn Out" by the Moores and as a consequence we then divided our school terms into 4 weeks of work and 1 week off when we all YEAR 4 could follow personal interests. In those "off" weeks I noticed that Now this past year has once again seen gradual changes the children's natural creativity surfaced and they deimitely .in us all. Our family is now working as a co-operative unit with learned heaps! Another lesson for mother! the children accepting responsibility for tasks around our home without comptaint or having to be driven byme to complete YEAR TWO them. Educationally, our older two children are beginning to In our second year of homeschooling We had our fourth accept responsibility for their own education, especially in the child and some organisational changes were made. There was a areas where I have limited ability and knowledge, which has reallocation of family chores - hanging washing, vacuuming, taken lots of pressure off me as the provider of all knowledge. washing dishes, ironing etc., but the children's attitudes were not I continue to back-programme and keep a weekly "day

AUSTRAUAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 27

116 book" rather than writing up what we do daily and this too has recognising that I do still have these limitations, I tend to major on been much easier for me and a more realistic approach, allowing my personal strengths and rely on other people and resources to for days when we "goof-off". We tend to do only one subject per meet those areas where I feel inadequate. This attitude has been a day, or week, and this allows for interests to be followed for as great relief for me and it works! long as desired and for set work to be completed in a defmite time The "big" household chores which used to really oppress frame rather than going on and on and on! We follow our own me e.g. cleaning oven, freezer. fridge, windows, shower, etc., arc interests in as many areas as possible and in so doing have seen now tackled on a cyclic pattern of cleaning once per month. This lots of untapped talent and interest surface. is my plan, but with all such plans it means in reality that most ot This last year has been the most encouraging for me thetaskswill eventually be done perhaps once each three months regarding the growth and maturity of our children and their and I can live with that. acceptance of how our home and education best suits everyone. However, as our two older children are now in Years 7 and 8, I CONCLUSION feel the need to equip them to be able to stand with the other Since we began homeschooling we have met with students their own age in the basic subjects English, Maths and other homeschooling families in our district for weekly play- Science and so we follow a text book in Maths and Science but times, learning experiences, concerts and children's newsletters. skip over repetitive work. I am sure there is a better way but at the These have provided invaluable experiences for us all. My moment I need to have the personal assurance that I am not husband has always been totally supportive of our homeschooling disadvantaging them in these areas and so we continue to use which I am sure has not always been easy for him as he is a textbooks, supplementing them with library books in these areas. teacher in the state school system and of necessity must educate In the other areas of learning we follow personal interests. children quite differently from the way we are free to do at home. In this past year various opportunities have opened for However, without his constant help, encouragement and support I our children to be involved with other people in our community am not sure that I would have continued. He therefore has bccn in such areas as work experience one day per week with a and continues to be an important person in the continuance of our mechanic, professional writing lessons, cake decorating lessons- homeschool. with another homeschool mum and sewing lessons with a My initial reasons for homeschooling have not neighbour. I also recognise that these openings have arisen as a altered. As a Christian I still see that my ministry is to my direct result of my changed views on what real education is. children but the way I have carried this out has changed greatly This supplementary learning is in addition to their music over the years. I am sure as I see my older children enter the lessons and sport activities in which they were already involved. workforce and my younger children grow up that I will change For most of the former activities the children take themselves and my educational views even more. Perhaps by the time I am a so that relieves me from being continually driving children to grandmother I may understand more fully what educating places and activities, which I find very exhausting. children is really all about! I used to feel guilty and inadequate in subject areas where I felt I had limited abilities and expertise but now, while

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 28

t 117 BOOK REVIEW BY JOE RIPOLLES(Proud father of Yvette, Eryn & Kaitlyn) IN THEIR OWN WAY by Thomas Armstrong

After readin8 this bookon loan from the local library, I feel that someonehas finally shownme the reasons why I didn't do too wellin school.I have always felt that

misted the basics and I seemed to be bypassed with comments like"Why aren'tyou like your big brother,he is always top of the class and.doesso well at Maths". My brother wenton to tecome an accountant and I continued to be the day dreamer.

On reading this bookI discovered why. It shows how in America (I'm sure this applies in Australiatoo!),the education system is basedon two learning styles, Mathematical and Linguistic and ifyour natural learning style is not one of these,you do not achieve your maximum learning potential. It ofcourse amuses me when people quote averages because whose average are they measuring by?

From memory, there are 7 different learning styles discussed and as you read them you can see yourown style and that of your child unfold. Onc can think of many examples of men and women who were or are brilliant in their field and at some stage of their academic career suffered tags like below average,poor student,disruptive and the current favourite of learning disabled.

The author highlights ways of using a childs main learning style in all fields of learning,it applies well in the home learning/schooling area as well as for those who have their children in the school system.I will certainly be purchasing it for our own library. This book finally released me from embarrassment of my past schooling days of a below average dreamer.

IN THEIR OWN WAY IS AVAILABLE IN SOME BOOKSHOPS AND ALSO FROM THE JOHN HOLT BOOK AND MUSIC STORE C/- HOMESCHOOLES AUSTRALIA P.O. BOX 420 KELLYVILLE 2153 FOR $22 (includes postage)

PAGE 29 BEST COPYAVAILABLE 118 STOP PRESS: N.S.W. HOMESCHOOLERS GIVEN RESTRICTED ACCESS TO EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STORES (commonly called Q stores) BY 1993

* WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO GIVE NOTHING IN RETURN, NOR WILL WE BE ASKED.

I was delighted to attend a meeting on 7th July 1992 with Bill Hamilton Director Administration; Fred May, Director Q Stores; Don Roberts, Supply Manager N.S.W. Supply Service; Helen Clunas Manager, Contracting Services and Jim Perkins of Contracting Services. The result of this meeting was confirmation that registered N.S.W Homeschoolers will be given significant though partially restricted access to Education Depanment (Q) stores by 1993.

The Ministers for Education, Virginia Chadwick and Administrative Services, Anne Cohen and these administratorshave been swift and superb in facilitating this access for homeschoolers and definitely deserve a note of thanks, as it will entail a good deal of co-ordination, trust and administration work to keep it working.

While all arrangements and requirements have not yet tx.:en finalised some details follow and I will be updating the information in the ncxt issue of the Australian Homeschool Journal.

PLEASE NOTE * Goods for purchase will include science, craft, art, * It is ILLEGAL to resell government stores or buy mathematics, sports & computer equipment- hardware them for anyone else. They must be used for the family and software, stationery, encyclopaedias, maps, desks, concerned alone. Abuse of this situation by any bookshelves etc. individual homeschooler will undoubtedly mean loss of the privilege for all homeschoolers. * Please note that text books are not sold by Q stores. * If you wish to avail yourself of this service you must HOW TO GET THE CATALOGUE be a registered homeschooler and you must register * If you wish to receive the end 1992 Q stores with Q stores by mail. catalogue pleases send you name and address to the following address HOMESCHOOLERS/ * Every six months registered homeschoolers, who CONTRACTING SERVICES 2-10 Wentworth St choose to buy Q stores products, will be sent a detailed Parramatta 2150 as soon as possible. order list from Q stores enabling them to decide what they want to order for use in any of the key learning Q stores CANNOT access the list of Registered areas and other basic equipment. Homeschoolers from the Board of Studies as this confidential. So Home Educators wishing to take up * A minimum order from Q stores will be $100. The this option must register their names, by mail, with Q issue of payment and invoicing is still being organised stores. This will guarantee that those families who as it is likely that prices on large goods, especially wish to remain anonymous can do so. computer equipment, could increase marginally between order and delivery. SPREADINq THE NEWS Given that not everyone gets the AHJ I would like to * Goods will NOT BE DELIVERED to your home but encourage all homeschoolers to spread the news about will be able to be picked up from Q stores headquarters access to Q stores so that everyone has the opportunity at Alexandria and/or 4 other metropolitan nominated to choose to take up this option. pick-up points as well as 6 regional pick up points. The relevant freight charges will be incurred for deliveries IF YOU WISH TO KNOW MORE: to country areas. Please send a stamped self-addressed envelope with your questions to P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 and I * You must submit a copy of your current registrationwill do my best to answer your query with help from certificate with your order and undertake to inform Q Helen Clunas of Contracting Services. stores within 14 days if you stop homeschooling .

PAGE 30

119 Most books and articles on home education are quick to point out that homeschooling is legal--in one form or another in allfifty states. Parents might have to jump through more hoops in one state than in another, but, as long as ON JUMPING they'rewilling to jump through those hoops, they are allowed to teach their own children at home. But are these hoops actually neces- THROUGH sary? There is a conviction in this country that laws, rules, and regula- tions are centrally important to HOOPS maintaining proper social stability. And there is a certainty that laws Helen Hegener are necessary to keep "everyone else" from running amok. People who would decry the need for yeter for the New York Times, cautions,hoopsa .eobservedandleapt another law will also argue the ne-"Make no mistake. Schools havethrough, homeschooling parents can cessity of ensuring that other peoplebeen viewed by Congress primarilyrattle around between laws and reg- behave responsibly. "Legislating thyas instruments of social change."ulations and this is called freedom neighbor" has become a popular ap-The benevolent teacher impartingto educate our children. But many proach to living together in thisknowledge to children has been re-parents find these hoops altogether country, and those with the most fi-placed with a combination of psy-intolerable. In Horneichooling for nancial resources to gain adherentschological goals and restructured in-Excellence (Warner Books, 1988) Da- to their cause have generally pre-tellectual objectives. Schools havevid and Micki Colfax wrote, "Home- vailed in the legislative process. become the primary agency for elim-schooling Parents can ignore what The current homeschoolinginating social ills in this country,are for the most part government di- laws in this country are, at best, aand for developing personal integri-rectives as to what shall be taught poor compromise between a highlyty and the national character. It hasand when. Rather, parents and chil- complex, two hundred billion dollarbeen a masterstroke to veil this de-dren can work together to develop a year industry and the beliefs andsign with an inspired long-termcourses of study that address imedi- principles of a handful of parents.public relations campaign that hasate and long-term needs, interests, Of those parents, the majority sim-turned parents into staunch alliesand capabilities in the context of ply welcome the opportunitytoby proclaiming that "Education iswhat they, and not a bureaucracy of homeschool their children and willthe key toThe Good Life!" decidedly dubious credibility, deem jump through whatever hoops the The 'idea of education as aimportant and necessary." Department of Education insistsmethod of control is not advertised They can, but in many states upon. For the most part, these areas such, and most people simplysuch action will bring them into con- the same parents who are writingthink that teaching children to readflict with the lawand with their compromisesintohomeschoolingand write and work with numbers ispeers. Too frequently homeschooling laws. They don't question the state'sa good idea, which, of course, it is.leaders" are briskly admonishing motivesforenacting regulationsThis benevolent image has lead toparents who might upset their apple and accountability measures, muchunquestioned support behind educa-carts by not complying with home- less its interest in determining whattion in this country from manyschooling laws and regulations. Civil constitutes education. quarters, and yet our schools are indisobedience in educational matters Educationalpolicyinthistrouble, fighting .to maintain theirhas become a form of heresy in country is the result of many yearshard won appearances. While themany support groups, and expulsion of lobbying by powerful educationnose-dive in American education isfornoncomplianceisacceptable interests, whose dedication is not toan inability to continue making thepractice. Parents who find them- children so much as to protectingsocial engineering palatable, it is be-selves caught between following the jobs, increasing benefits, and ensur-ing attributed to a loss of authority,law and doing, what they consider ing political clout. And schools areand the most common reaction to abest for their children are faced with the foremost tools of social engineer-loss of authority is more authority,disapproval and outright condemna- ing. Gene I. ?Altera; education writ-more control. ,tion from fellow homeschoolers. What then of those parents Why the intolerance? Fear is who choose to stand in the face ofa strong motivating factor fear of a Helen Hegener comes front a long line ofthese dictates and assume responsi-loss of control on the part of the independent thinkers. She and Aer hus-bility for educating their own chil- 'meschooling support groups and band Mark are raising five more. dren? As long as all of the proper continued on page 26

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE May.June/ 1992

BEST COPY AVAILABLE PAGE 31 On Jumping Through Hoops A few years ago, after suc-and homeschool their kids. No doubt cessfully passing homeschool legis-they did so Illegally. No doubt they leaders, which could potentially lead lation, a major publicity campaignwere radical, reactionary, and rebel- to a loss of memberships, or news-was launched by a large state or-lious. But without that first pur- letter subscribers, or conference andganization with the slogan, "Home-poseful step, none of us would be workshop fees. Fear of a loss of con-schooling is Legal and It Works!" Ahomeschooling our children today-- trol of others, the old 'legislate thycatchy phrase, but I've often won-legally or otherwise. We need to look neighborS attitude. Fear of retribu-dered if that group could have evendown the road to ten or fifteen years tion by authorities in the form ofconsidered spreading a slogan be-from now and try to imagine what stricter legislation or regulations.fore the law was passed, somethingthe homeschooling atmcephere Mil Fear of a loes of external control: a along the lines of "Homeschooling isbe like then. Will homeschooling recurring theme in many home-Illegal, But It Works Anyway!" Notfamilies enjoy the freedom to simply schooling newsletters is gratitude very likely. To be out of compliancelive with their children? Or will for the laws and regulations which with the law is to be labeled a radi-homeschooling have become a bu- guide parents in their homeschool-cal, a reactionary, a rebel. ieaucratic nightmare, with volumes ing. Fear that one wouldn't "meas- What seems to escape evenof regulations and guidelines? The ure up" if homeschoolers were actu-the most thoughtful homeschooler ischoice is ours. ally ailowed to make their own the fact that, at some point in time, decisions about education. someone had to challengethe law

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE May-June/ 1992

HOMESCHOOL PICNIC & RESOURCE DAY 11 a.m. Sunday 29th November 1992 (if bad weather the following Sunday 6th December 1992) MEET UNDER THE HOMESCHOOLING BANNER NEAR TIIE POND Bicentennial Park Homebush

Everyone welcome !!!!

BRING YOUR LUNCH. YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR BIKES. BRING ANY RESOURCES & BOOKS YOU WANT TO SELL & SWAP.

THERE WILL BE TABLES OF HOMESCHOOLING BOOKS FOR SALE CHILDREN ARE INVITED TO BRING ALO G AN INVENTION MADE OR DRAWN BY TREM TO SHARE IN A NON-COMPETITIVE WAY.

R.S.V.P. To Dodie Conway 02 639 4858

PAGE 32 121 BE3T COPY AVAILABLE SPORT & READINESS by Jo-Anne Beirne

Lately I have noticed a big change in the physical and sports abilitics" of our eldest child Gregory (12). While his interest level and personal commitment to sport has always been high, often his realities could not keep pace with his lofty goals for himself. Gregory has played soccer since he was 6 years old and though he has always been very interested in all sports he was never a "natural" or a "star" at soccer. He played because of his enjoyment of participating in the games themselves. From the very first day Gregory brought special gifts to the team including boundless enthusiasm, good will and an amazing memory for every score in every match. Still to just be in possession of these skills is not enough in most teams where winning" is the only reason for playing and lack of speed can see one on the bench interminably. It has been our experience that some teams start at a very young ageequal stints on the field in positions of their own choice to grade and weed (small and slow) children so that even in the Under 9's and the positions he secs them best suited for in the lung there are already children who play only one or two matches a season and term, but it has taken until this year (Under 1 l's) for us to arc as it were "on the scrap heap". (So much for socialisation through really see the advaatages of this attitude, for a good playing team sport !). number of the team members as well as Gregory. When really young boys play soccer it is mostly a matter of kicking Gregory has mostly played goalie and has and running with the ball and the fast., big kids with big boots soon become become very confident and trusted in this position but he the stars and the regular players. Obviously there are advantages and has always wanted to play in the field. He might never disadvantages with every game but it is my conviction that it takes some have been given a run on the field all these ycars (as parental persistence and a very aware coach to make sure that there are more happens to many other kids) because of his lack of advantages than disadvantages. speed, by any other coach, but thankfully our coach If the attitude of the coach is "win at all costs" then you can be sure recognised and encouraged this desire, so he has stuck that the parents racing up and down the side line will be shouting "kill" and with soccer for all this time. As it has worked out he has the kids will also feel an enormous psychological pressure to win. had a good few half games in the field in the last two Eventually they will come to hate the kids who make a mistake or don't years and has slowly but surely been build:mg up a range perform well on the day, including themselves. Personally, I feel it is nerve of skills and confidence that his goalie friends in other wracking for both parent and child to be involved in such a gladiatorial teams have not been able to do. For instancs, we know of contest and defeats the whole purpose of the exercise in the first place. But a really good striker that the "best" team in the district of course this does not mean that some children do not. wish to be involved keeps as a reserve and who rarely gets to play, when this in really compctitve sports so the balance has to be achieved - usually by child would be a star in any other team around. you! Interestingly enough this year we have seen a We have found that kind, calm, congratulatory words, especially major change in Gregory's playing ability in lots of areas after a failure,by the coach do a lot to alleviate children's personal Suddenly he seems to be "ready". We have also noticed disappointments. After all they are not playing for diamond mines and they that other perceived "less talented" kids in Gregory's already have high expectations for themselves. We have found that "revving team have also as it were "become ready", one in them up" or "haranguing" children completely removes the pleasure of the particular has developed absolutely remarkable balance game for the all. I know kids become "used to" this sort of approach but I and an ability to change direction with the ball which think it is sad and ui.necessary. We have been incredibly lucky with the really outwits players much bigger and more coach for our team in thL. last couple of years for without fail he experienced than himself. It reminds me yet again of the congratulates the individual players for their good personal moves and Integrated Maturity Level spoken of so often by Dr performances, whether they are the "stars" or not. He also shares awards etc. Moore. It is important for me to remember that each of so that the improvements of some have as much value in the eyes of coach my children is an individual with ditierent timetables for and team as the outstanding skills of others. After a loss he always dwells on achieving physical, cognitive, emotional and academic the strong points of the game with few or no recriminations. Hc says you skills. learn as much from a loss as a win and it usually brings you to the next game Of course, it also helps the readiness factor if with a much better attitude and less pressure. one has the been given the space to do so by an Fortunately the coach of our team has strongly resisted any intelligent and thoughtful coach who really does believe attempts by anyone to head him in the "win at all costs" direction. He has that the "playing fairly and well" is much more important always given all team members who train regularly and are enthusiastic. than "winning".

PAGE 33

1 22 named Mrs. Whitehouse, Mr. Norris suggested that I meet her and find out what the committee did and how it worked. MATHEMATICS Mrs. Whitehouse started out telling me about the stuff they were going to talk about in the next meeting She told I wrote an article on Mathematics for this edition, me how the members of the commission normally rated the new however while I was away I read a great book by the schoolbooks. They would get a relatively large number of copies Nobel Prize physicist and mathematician Richard of each book and would give them to various teacheis and Feynman called "Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman!" administrators in their district. Then they would gct reports back and I realised that he had said what I was trying to say on what these people thought about the books. Since I didn't but he says it with much more authority and know a lot of teachers or administrators and since I felt that I experience. I hope you will enjoy this piece from his could, by reading the books myself, make up my mind as to how book and in the next edition of the A.H.J perhaps they looked to me, I chose to read all the books myself. :)thers as well as myself might like to comment on A few days later a guy from the book depository called "maths" experiences. up and said, "we're ready to send you the books, Mr Feynman, 140 kilograms North." I was overwhelmed. It's all right, Mr. P. 264 - 269 (Judging Books By Their Covers) Feynman we'll gm someone to help you read them. I couldn t figure out how you do that: you either read I was giving a series of freshman physics lectures at that them or you don't read them. I had a special bookshelf put in my time, and after one of them. Tom Harvey, who assisted me in study downstairs (the books took up seventeen feet) and began putting on the demonstrations, said, "You oughta see what's reading all the books that were going to be discussed in the next happening to mathematics in schoolbooks! My daughter comes meeting. We were going to start out with the primary school home with a lot of crazy stuff!" books. I didn't pay much attention to what he said. But the next It was a pretty big job, and I worked all the time down in day I got a telephone call from a pretty famous lawyer here in the basement. My wife says that during this period it was like Pasadena, Mr. Norris, who was at that time on the State Board of living over a volcano. It would be quiet for a short while but then Education. He asked me if I would serve on the State Curriculum all of a sudden, "BLLLLL00000 WWWW" there would be a Commission, which had to choose the new schoolbooks for the big explosion from the "volcano". The reason was that the books state of California. You see, the state had a law that all of the were so lousy. They were false. They were hurried. They would schoolbooks used by all of the kids in all of the public schools try to be rigorous, but they would use examples (like automobiles have to be chosen by the State Board of Education, so they have in the street as "sets") which werealmostOK, but in which there a committee to look over the books and to give them advice on were some subtleties. The definitions weren't accurate. which books to take. Everything was a little bit ambiguous they weren'tdnartenough It happened that a lot of the books were on a new method to understand what was meant by "rigor." They were faking. of teaching arithmetic that they called "new math" and since They were. teaching something they didn't understand which was, usually the only people to look at the books were schoolteachers in fact, useless, at that time, for the child. or administrators in education, they thought it would be a good I understood what they were trying to do. Many people idea to have somebody who USES mathematics, scientifically, thought we were behind the Russians after Sputnik, and some who knows what the end product is and what we're trying to teach mathematicians were asked to give advice on how to teach math it for, to help in the evaluation of the schoolbooks I agreed to by using some of the rather interesting modem concepts of get on this committee. mathematics. The purpose was to enhance mathematics for the IMMEDIATELY I began getting letters and telephone children who found it dull. I'll give you an example: They would calls from book oublishers. They said things like, "We're very talk about different bases of numbersfive, six, and so onto glad to hear you're on the committee because we really wanted a show the possibilities. That would be interesting for a kid who scientific guy..." and "It's wonderful to have a scientist on the could understand base tensomething to entertain his mind. But committee, because our books are scientifically oriented..." But what they had turned it into, in these books, was that EVERY they also said things like, "We'd like to explain to you what our child had to learn another base! And then the usual horror would book is about ..." and "We'll be very glad to help you in any way come: "Translate these numbers, which are written in base seven, we can to judge our books... ' That seemed to me kind of crazy. to base five." Translating from one base to another is anutterly I'm an objective scientist, and it seemed to me that since the only useless thing. If youcando it, maybe it's entertaining if youcan't thing the kids in school are going to get is the books (and the do it, forget it. There's nopointto it. teachers get the teacher's manual, which I would also get), any Anyhow, I'm looking at all these books, and wine of extra explanation from the company was a distortion. So I didn't them has said anything about using arithmetic in science. If there want to speak to any of the publishers and always replied, "You are any examples on the use of arithmetic at all they are about don't have to explain, I'm sure the books will speak for things like buying stamps. themselves." Finally I come to a book that says, ".Mathematics is used I represented a certain district, which comprised most of in science in many ways. We will give you an example from the Los Angeles area except for the city of Los Angeles, which astronomy, which is the science of stars". I turn the page, and it was represented by a very nice lady from the L.A. school system says, "Red stars have a temperature of four thousand degrees,

PAGE 34

123 yellow stars have a temperature of five thousand degrees..."so excusing themselves and hoping they could have their set of three far, so good. It continues: "Green stars have a temperature of books considered, even though the third one would be late." seven thousand degrees, blue stars have a temperature of ten It turned out that the blank book had a rating by some of thousand degrees, and violet stars have a temperature of... (some the other members! They couldn't believe it was blank, because big number)." There are no green or violet stars, but the figures they had a rating. In fact, the rating for the missing book was a for the others arc roughly correct.It's vaguely rightbut already, NO:. bit higher than for the two others. The fact that there was trouble! That's the way everything was: Everything was written nothing in the book had nothing to do with the rating. by somebody who didn't know what the hell he was talking I believe the reason for all this is that the system works about, so it was a little bit wrong, always! And how we are going this way: When you give books all over the place to people, to teach well by using books wntten by people who don't quite they're busy; they're careless; they think, "Well, a lot of people understand what they're talking about, I cannot understand. I don't are reading this book, so it doesn't make any real difference." And know why, hut the books arc lousy; UNIVERSALLY LOUSY! they put in some kind of numbersome of thcm, at least; not all Anway, I'm happy with this book, because it's the first of thcm, but some of them. Then when you receive your reports, example of applying arithmetic to science. I'm a bit unhappy you don't know why this particular book has fewer reports than when I read about the stars' temperatures, but I'm not very the other booksthat is, perhaps one book has ten, and this one unhappy because it's more or less rightit's just an example of only has six people reportingso you average the rating of those error. Then comes the list of problems. It says, "John and his who reported, so you get a reasonable number. This process of father go out to look at the stars. John sees two blue stars and a averaging all the time misses the fact that sometimes there is red star. His father sees a green star, a violet star, and two yellow absolutely nothing between the covers. stars. What is the total temperature of the stars seen by John and his father?"and I would explode in horror. My wife would talk about the volcano downstairs. That's only an example: it was perpetually like that. Perpetual absurdity! A VERY FEW MATHS There's no purpose whatsoever in adding the temperature of two RESOURCES stars. Nobody ever does that except, maybe, to then take the average temperature of the stars, but NOT to find out the total temperature of all the stars! It was AWFUL! All it was, was a UNDERSTANDING YEAR 7 & 819 & 10, 11, 12 MATHS game to get you to add, and they didn't understand what they is a series of 6 maths summary books that set out to explain the rules and give some examples for every topic that were talking about. It was like reading sentences with a few should be covered, known and understood at every school typographical errors, and then suddenly a whole sentence is level. In the introduction, the author W.S. Marlin points out written backwards. The mathematics was just that, hopeless! "ft is necessary for students and parents to understand that Then I came to my first meeting. The other members had the complete syllabus up to Year 10 tends to be spiral in given some kind of ratings to some of the books, and they asked nature. What this means is that every year a substantial me what my ratings were. My rating was often different from amount of time will usually be spent revising and theirs and they would ask, "Why did you rate that book like that?" consolidating on the previous years work, before any new "I would say the trouble with that book was this and this on page ideas are presented Thus children will spend the first soandsoI had my notes. few months of each year revising the most important work They discovered that I was kind of a goldmine. I would from the year before. tell them, in detail, what was good and bad in all the books and I had a reason for every rating. VIDEO AIDED LEARNING I would ask them why they had rated this book so high This company produces videos of expert mathematics and they would say, "Let us hear what you thought about such and teachers explaining all the major topics from primary to such a book." I would never find out why they rated anything the Year 12 Mathematics. They are well produced, easy to way they did. Instead, they kept asking me what I thought. understand, give back up service & workbooks and are We came to a certain book, part of a set of three, horrifically expensive, approx $2000 for the whole set and supplementary books published by the same company; and they aound $300 for each individual of the ten tapes. asked me what I thought about it. I said, "The book depository The product has been sold to over 2000 parents I believe didn't send me that book but the other two were nice." and at least a few hundred schools. While schools may be Someone tried repeating the question: "What do you think about able to afford itI know that this amount would cause a great deal of hardship for many homeschool families (I have also that book?" "I said they didn't send me that one, so I don't have said this to their advertising man). Perhaps we should any judgment on it." hassle our libraries to get a set? The man from the book depository was there, and hc The cost is calculated on the cost of a tutor ($35/hr) every said, "Excuse me; I can explain that. I didn't send it to you week for a couple of years. ft also saddens me to think that because that book hadn't been completed yet. There's a rule that after 8 hours a week of Maths in school and endless you have to have every entry in by a certain time, and the homework that students still need this type of resource and publisher was a few days late with it. So it was sent to us with just tutors anyway. . the covers, and it's blank in between. The company sent a note PAGE 35

BEST COPY AVAILABLE 124 MATHEMATICS CHALLENGES

RESOURCES Some questions that have been bothering me about Maths, as done in schools, for years- ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA, Harold Jacobs. This textbook is "reader-friendly" 1. Is the uttimate aim of Maths to gather and regurgitate and defuses algebra terror. You can large numbers of facts & figures or to enjoy & use Maths ? browse, looking for things that interest you, instead of feeling you must plow 2. How many people feel useless at Maths & even hate it grimly along in a straight line, understand- ing everything perfectly. Answers to all because of how they were taught Maths in schools? Set II problems are orovided in the back of 3. Once a concept in Maths has been really understood does the book. it not make it terminally boring, and turn some children off "..My daughter is successfully teaching maths, to continually revise it ? herself algebra. We ordered Elementary Algebra last fall, and she has been working 4. How much of the textbook maths we learnt for all those as it ever since... Algebra was a big years do we retain? i.e. how much use is integration, stumbling block for me in high school so I geometric theorems etc. to the general population as dreaded getting to the point where my compared to the maths of banking, finance etc. ? daughter would need help. We tried tutoring but she was frustrated xith that so we ordered your book. It is just right for 5. Is hands-on Maths more or less useful in understanding her needs, so she is enjoying (no ksdding!), concepts in Maths? i.e. fractions in cooking. the dreaded ALGEBRA!" L. H. (KY) 6. If children really understand the concepts the first time FIFTY CARD GAMES FOR CHIL- around could they not easily condense 12 years of school DREN, Vernon Quinn. A classic colle::tion maths into 6 years worth. (Actually a lot less, given the of games, solitaire, and magi: tricks. Learn efficiency of one to one tuition). about numbers while having fun as a family or alone! #282 7. Do schools introduce new ways of doing maths (4-, double HOW TO LIE WITH STATISTICS, digit multiplication, etc.) because each way does not suit Danel Huff. We are surrounded by some children and/or so that they are always the experts misleading figures and graphs; this hook and maths is somehow mystified and hard and parents can't shows you bow to spot them. Entertaining, help with it? easy to read - and vitally important.Using this book to study current news would be good not only for the Math part of your home curriculum but also for Citizenship, as we need more healthy skepticism and indignation. THE I HATE MATHEMATICS! BOOK, Marilyn Burns. Lots of ideas A CHALLENGE BASED ON OUR FAMILY'S relating math to the real world. Cartoons. jokes. activities. Informal and fun, for EXPERIENCES WITH MATHS TEXTS children AND adults. 1. Maths texts that ask the same questions year after year e.g. MATHEMATICAL MYSTERY in kindergarten children are expected to answer "What is this TOUR, Mark Wahl. The author shares his shape (a circle) ?" In most texts they are still being asked the love of math through a series of unusual ideas. projects. and puzzles. Helps us see same question in grade 6. that math is not merely arithmetic but a way of looking at the world. 2. If you can afford to get a full set of Maths texts (as we did at a garage sale from Yr 1 to Yr 8) go through and put a red mark MATHEMATICS: A HUMAN EN- through every topic that is repeated ad infinitum, long atter you DEAVOR, 2nd Ed.. Harold Jacobs. Our hope the child would know it, for example in Signposts Maths favorite hook about not just the techniques Grade 8, the tests still check if they can do single & double digit but the spirit and beauty of math, for addition, either they can or they can't by then. If they can't why children or non-expert adults. More than has the school sent them all the way to a grade 8 Maths class? justasuperb textbook. Answers for selected exercises are provided in the back 3. When correcting your child's work do so carefully because of the book. we still find mistakes in the answers, ambiguity in the questions MATHPLOTS 2, Kate Kerman How on a regular basis in all high quality M.Vhs books. young children will learn math around the home, from playing games, handling 4. Remember that our lives are FULL of real Maths money, measuring, examining shapes. etc. Written by a certified teacber from her own experiences, every single day. homeschooling experiences, this booklet 4 36 packed with interesting and practical ideas.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL PAGE 36 12E Going from School to Homeschooling at 14

We're hearing from more and When you were Just beginning to think you're not in school? I kept saying. 'Well, more teenagers who are just start- about U., did you hove any sense of what you have to read this book!' ing to homeschool after being in you would do ,t( you were out of school? school for many years. Simone Now that you've been out of school for McGuire of Oregon left school in I wanted to take more art classes. and a little while, have you been able to give the middle of ninth grade, and I wanted to go to LCC. the community them a sense of your life and explain when atm ha.d been out of school college here. And 1 really wanted to just yourself any better? about three months we spoke with take it easy for a while - getting up at 6 and her about what it is like to decide going to bed at 11 had been really tiring. so Well, since the middle of junior high 1 to leave school and to make the I think at first I didn't want to do any- had become - not a loner exactly, but I was transition from school to home- thing. I just wanted to rest, take a break, doing everything aJone and my friend- schooling: and then after a while start doing other ships were starting to grow weaker. So I things. haven't kept tn touch with people from How did you learn that t was possible to leave schoo/? school very much. For a while I was going to the school once or twice a week to eat lunch with my best friend there, but she My morn's friend was talking about just moved to California. I saw her out of this great book she had read, and it turned school too, and we would sometimes talk out to be The Teenage Liberation Hand- My idea sounded ridiculous about what I was doing. She was a senior, book by . My morn looked to them because they so she was excited about getting out of at it a little bit and then decided to buy it. I school herself. and I think that helped her read it first and I said to her. 'Morn, after thought. how can you learn to understand. A few people were jealous. I you read this book, you're not going to if you're not in school? think. One friend of mine said. "My morn want me to go to school ever again.' After would kat me if I even brought that up.' reading the book I kind of realized that I Another friend who has a really active wasn't going anywhere in school and that I social life couldn't imaging leaving that. was hartng a really hard time. I decided But you can still get together with people that as soon as possible. I would like to get out of there. after school and on weekends, and you can meet for lunch the way I did. I don't think you lose all your friends just because How had you felt about school before What were some of the things you you're not in school. And I'm looldng reading the book? worried about when you thought about forward to meeting new people. too. leaving school? Everybody not just kids at school. I liked school until fifth grade, and but my parents' friends - would ask me. then it got a lot harder. It felt like you had worried about my dad and stepmom. "What do you do all day?" I would answer, to work harder for less. I never really liked because they're very school- and career- "I don't have a plan for every sinOe day. I it during the past few years, but I never oriented, and I worried that I wouldn't get get up. eat breakfast, go to the library or go thought about leaving. Quitting just wasn't anywhere. I wouldn't learn anything. and to the mall, read a book or write a book an option. It didn't even enter my mind. I would just become a failure. My dad was report...* was unhappy - I was atways tbed. and pretty understanding. though. He said. grumpy. and I wasn't doing well at all. But -Well. if that's what you want. it's OK' I It must have been a new experience to I didn't know I could leave. think he understood that what I was doing have so much time in which no one was wasn't the same as dropping out. telling you what to do. What were the parts of the book that spoke to you. or marip sense in terms of How soon after reading the book did your experience? didn't get bored at all. At first I you leave school? thought. "Oh my God. I've got 24 hours on my hands. every single day." but I didn't I liked the stories of kids who were out About a month afterwards, at the end feel bored even though I hardly did of school, and where the book explained of the first term. I basically left as soon as anything at first. all the other things you could do besides go I could. Last summer I was volunteering at a to school. And I always knew this. but I loo..-income family center, doing filing. hadn't ever thought about it- that school How did the kids at school react to and I called them up and am doing that is like a jail. That sentence made me your decision? again once a week. I also called up my think.-Oh. gosh, yes, that Ls the way it is.' mom's friend and arranged to do filing at I had always thought that if you quit They had a really hard time with it. I her office. I guess I'm into office workl school you were nothing, a failure, but the said. I'm doing horneschooling." and they A while ago my mother and I decided book made tne see that that wasn't true. asked, 'Is your mom teaching your I said, that I would get a dollar for every book "No. I'm learning. myself,' and they report I wrote, because we decided that I II's interesting . anyonel-an rear/a couldn't understand it at all. They just needed to get going a little bit. I'm havtng book, but not everyone actually takesa said, "Well, that's stupid.' I kept trying to fun with that because I love to read, and I lye-changing step qfter reading a book. explain that it wasn't stupid. that it was like knowing that I don't have to write the the way I wanted to do it and that it was reports by a certain time. One thing I We decided that I would try it out, and working out, but I figured out that they're figured out in school is that in high school that if I didn't like it I could go back to so caught up in school that they don't they kind of drop reading and writing. and school. So it was kind of like changing my understand how It could be any different. I love reading and writing. so I feel I have life temporarily, which made me more My idea sounded ridiculous to them to get back in the mode of doing it. I felt comfortable taking the step. because they thought, how can you learn if that in high school I didn't read anything Growing Without Schooling #86 nit t±e .27 1 26 nro-r nrtmuMinn atri r that I really learned something from. so mLchberter? Give kids the option of takingtr-ox I'm also figuring out that I like for a while, and he!p them through it by American history.Ilike old-fashioned Well. I think I wasn't getting enough asking if they would like you to do cen.a.n clothes, and learning about gravestones sleep before, and that made me cranky all things. Let them know that you're there and the people's life stories, and the the time. And it's hard to be in the school and that if they want your help they can history of little towns. One day I thought to budding all day. knowing that you're also ask for it. I don t think parents should myself. 1 guess that's American history.' going to have three hours of homework make everything a requirement: bet:er so I'm thinking of getting some books and and then get up early and go back to if they give kids :deas that they can thi.-.k researching more about it. school. It s very stressful. My mom and I about. I'd like it if my mother ga.%e me nen I've never done very well in math, and have always had a close relationship, but more ideas, although I understand what now I want to take a math class at the in homeschooling you get to be with your she's ththldng: she doesn't want to be community college. It's not that I didn't parents more, and you learn more about planning everything for me. She knew she like math, but nobody ever took the time how they feel, and about how you feel. Kids wasn't going to be in the teacher role to get me into it. This year in school I liked who hate their parents might think. 'I because she didn't want to be and because the teacher and I started out doing well, but wouldn't want to spend all that time with she works during the day. then I lost the momentum - I started out them.' butt think they'd get used to It. and getting A's. and by the time I left I was after a while they'd realize that there is a Are you comfortable being by yoursey- getting D's. person there, with feelings, and maybe most of the day? they wtll start to like being around that ft sounds as though you feet that person. My mother thinks homeschooling Oh yes. I'm completely used to it. I can you're starting to come out of that vaca- Is great. She's really glad that I decided to get around on my bike or on the bus. At tion period that comes right after leaving do it. We get to be with each other more, first I thought people would think I was school. and talk more. I've gotten a lot more ditching school or was a dropout. and I projects done around the house, like worried that everyone was staring at me. Yes. I'm starting to feel that I need making curtains for my room and maidng but no one has asked me any questions. stuff to do. I've always liked oil painting a list of all the phone numbers we use. I and ceramics, and rm thinking of taking a used to feel that I never had time for those class and learning to use a potter's wheel. kinds of things. We're also planning to One big thing that's changed is that I have exchange students from Thailand. For more on going from school to France. and Spain. and that should be fun. used to be really uptight. and tired, and homeschooling, see GWS *76. #77. cranky. and Mom and I would always get Lnto yelling fights about homework. Now Now that you're a bit beyond it. cart *78. #79. #80. it's so much nicer. I'm much easier to get you say anything to parents about what along with, and we hardly fight anymore. they cart do to help kids through that initial adjustment period when they've Why do you think your reladonship is just begun horneschooling?

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PAGE 38

BEST COPY AVAILABLE 127 c!'ESTD1G 1:ESTING

"But itis such a simple, Itraightforward, once a year kind of evaluation! Why make it hard for 'ourself?" From a parent's point of view, perhaps, ye; but for the children Why I Refuseto being tested, standardized testing is neither simple nor straightforward. The testing situation is usuallyanx- Test My Children iety-ridden, bringing unnatural and unnecessary pressures to bear on children whose learning progress Ann Lahrson can be easily observed without the rigors and pressures of testing. I hold a philosophical objec-pletely incongruous with the type of No, I did not want my chil- on to standardized testing as alearning that happens in the homedren's lc.rning to be labeled bya se- form of evaluation for every child, inwithhomeschoolers,particularlyries of numbers. I did not want to any educational situation. All chil-the very young. Older children mayrisk any loss of self esteem. I didnot dren are subject to harm from stan-occasionally want to know how they dardized testing. The younger the want my children to think that the measure against their peers, andonly important informationwas the child, the more vulnerable he is tomight choose to be tested. I can seeinformation being tested. I did losing his self esteem, perhaps ir-only harm arising from required, not reparably, in a testing situation. want them to spend their years be- routine testing of all children undertween testa preparing for testa,wor- During the years that I eitherthe age of twelve or so. rying about tests, or even thinking attended or taught in public school, If I were required to prove I observed the harmful effects of about tests. An annual test could that my children were learning, Ieasily become an annual eventto standardized testing on my class-thought, I would prefer to gather adread as much as Christmas and mates and me, and later on my stu-portfolio of typical work, keep abirthdays are annual events to joy- dents. Test anxiety had at leastas journal of daily activities, or someouslyanticipate.Toorisky, I much bearing on a child's ability tocombination thereof. It would be athought. perform as did his knowledge andpain, but certainly a better option understanding. Irreversible harm is Before continuing, I want to than standardized testing. The paindefend this discussion tosomeone done to a child's self esteem when,would be mine, not my children's,who might say under his breath, for the sake of the integrity of theand I could put up with that. "Well, maybe this parent is afraid test (whatever that means), he is Imagine my dismay when,that her children might notpass the never told the correct answers tojust as my oldest child turned seventest. Then her arguments really the test he has taken. This shockedyears old and subject to compulsorydon't apply to many children who me as a student, and it bothered theeducation law, my state legislatureare likely to do well in testing situa- majority of the students in my class-(Oregon) enacted a law requiringtions." rooms.Thetestwasactuallyannual standardized testing of all Itis deemed more important than the precisely because my homesch4oled children, with no ex-children are likely to do wellon potential for learning that it offeredceptionsof any kind! Suddenly to individual students! Something testa that I do not want them to be homeschooled children were subjecttested. FlI explain. Both ofmy chil- was very, very wrong. to more frequent standardized testsdren read, wrote, spelled, and did As a parent of very youngthan public school children were! mental math with excellent ability children in the early eighties, Icon- Homeschooled children werewell before the age at which such sidered many aspects of the educa-required to prove their progressskill is. typically expected. They tion question very carefully. I deter- per- solely via a testing instrument thatformed, not to prove anything tome mined that avoiding standardizedwas never designed to indicate indi-or to a testrnaker, but because they testing was one of' the very bestrea-vidual progress,eveninpublicloved to learn, and their interests sons for teaching my children atschool! When I taught public school,were wide. I wished never to take home. I had other reasons, to beyear after year, I showed test re-that away from them. sure, but required testing was highsults to parents and cautioned them My elder child, now in public on my list of things that should notto consider the test scores as onlyschool eighth grade, has been tested happen to young children. oneindicator of'theirchild'sin school and currently wearsa Tal- I felt that if, at a later age,progress. And year after year, par-ented and Gifted Label. To have "la- they went to public school, and took ents and teachers alike disregardedbeled"herearliercouldhave standardized tests, that was tolera-the cautionary statement, and la-changed her opinion of herself, her ble. Standardized testing isan una-beled their children based solelyoninterests, and her ability to learn voidable part of the school package.those scores. Now the state wants tofreely.I am convinced that she But standardized testing iscorn-label homeschoolers each year. would be a different person today,

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINEMarch-April/ 1992 PAGE 39 BEST COPYAVAILABLE 128 TESTING TESTING

that will informing, and the evaluationof learning, had she been tested from a verya standardized test piece me as well as thisteacher has! takes place best when it takes young age. I thinkthe testing and isin its own time and at thediscretion labeling at an older age mayhave Thisyoungerdaughter that are but Inearly eleven, and now shows quiteof the learner. The tools changed her somewhat, also, a bit of interest inlearning moreused to instruct and evaluate must hove much less profoundly. about the world "out there."Part ofbe selected with far greater care My younger child prefers to tests,'Ilaniscurrently taken,for :he :earn from matenals that youand I.hat'votedis standariizea problems caused by side effects ,1 deem tooand we won't forevee prevent eer and everyone else would such exams, ifan evaluation tool canbe far more iiincuit for her. Yet she finds"age/ rom taking part in destructive than. any benefit they she wishes to find out herstanding appropriate" work boring is:an produce. andtedious. We have chosen towith her peers. The distinction In fact, t.crne of the more sub- and she learnsthat testing is at her ownchoice, to rust her judgement, 'earti more about herself,is tighttle problems of standardized testing according to her own plan.Recently imposed re-cause me far greater concernthan her clarinet teacher describedheryears away from state quirements. test anxiety. as a "gift," a studentwho learns of readily, And therein lies the c-rux quickly, accepts correction philosophy. Learn- with good learning habits. Show memy educational to the progress of othercluldren. Standardized tests, rather in- who do not score as well." Thus, tests promote competi- ept measurements ofacademic "Poor test scores mean that you tion, not cooperation. poorly, progress, are powerful teacners. are a failure. If you score Poor test scores decrease self es- Few people consider tests tobe there is nothing you can do to social teaching instruments. If your change it. Why try?" teem, possibly leading to and discipline problems. children take standardized tests, you should be prepared to The following list of proolerr.s Testing can damage the trust counter the potentiallyharmful with standardized testing isdenved relationship between teacher lessons your children may learn from research and observationsin and student. from being tested. school situations. It is likelythat Test scores and grading are adi- The list that follows includes some of the sameproblems will o-- visive force in families, separat- a few messages thatchildren cur with somehonieschooled stu- ing parents from their natural take away from standardized dents. position as the child's first and (Yes! testi n g situations. The single most commonmisuse most committed teacher. "Someone else knows what of any test score is as a soleevalu- Some educators know this! you should know betterthan ation tool, contrary totestrnakers' Yeay!) you do." recommendations. Reliance on standardized test inde- "Learning is an absolute that Tests do not measure whatthey scores reduces initiative, can be measured." pendence, creativity, and will- are said to measure. ingness to take risks in learning "Your interests are not impor- Standardized tests cannot meas- situations. tant: ure creativity. Test scores become the goal of "The subject areas being eval- Test scores reward childrenwho student work (extrinsic reward) uated on the test are the only have one style of learning,and rather than the sense of' satis- important things to know." penalize all other childrenfor faction and wonder that natural- "Thinking is not valued; get- having a different style oflearn- ly follows discovery of some- ting the 'right' answer is the ing. thing new (intrinsic reward). only goal." Standardized tests cannot meas- The drive for high test scores "The answer (to any question) ure the ability tothink, and actu- creates unnecessary,unproduc- is readily available, and it's ally teach children badthinking tive stress. one of these answershere; habits, such as trying to outguess Standardized tests promote un- there's no need to look deeper the testrnakers, ratherthan think or dwell on thequestion." for themselves. derachievement. Testmakers assume that all "Your worth can be summar- Standardized tests result in a is easy to children have equal readiness ized by a single mark on a type of evaluation that for all subjects at the same age. paper." manage (trueffalse,multiple choice). Thinking skills are very Tests focus on a narrow band "The pu of learning is to of learning, emphasi zina mem- get ahigrr ssCore. High test difficult and time consuming to scores are the only purposeof evaluate. orization skills. testing." Standardized tests are designed, Reliance on testicores and grades causes studer ts to drop "If you score very well, you not to test individual progress, are better than otherpeople but to compare a child's progress courses of study.

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE March-April/ 1992

P AGE 40 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 12" RESEARCH AND HOMESCHOOLING

Many of you will know that I am personally very sceptical regarding the issue of research and homeschooling. For a really good analysis of this issue by researchers and eminent homeschoolers please send for the booklet Homeschooling Research SU.S.4 to H.E.M P.O. Box 1083 Tonasket WA 98855 U.S.A.

This being said I am more happy for academics to study some homeschooling issues if they are not comparing me to any other homeschooler or the education system. I feel that over time this approach may enable a broad range of academics and others to read about the very diverse ways and means that homeschoolers use to give their children high quality education.

From this point of Iiiew I have undertaken to publish the following request from Don Haddon, a Masters Candidate from Macquarie University regarding research into the development of curriculum in the homeschooL This is a voluntary survey and no one is pressed to participate. It is completely confidential as no names will be entered on the form and all forms will include postage pre-paid envelopes to Macquarie University. We, at Homescboolers Australia will be addressing the surveys sent to you as our address list is confidential . In the meantime if you do not wish to receive the survey please drop us a note to that effect and we will return the cost of your postage conGdentially but out of the researcher's pocket.

Research into The Nature of Curriculum

For the past twelve months, I have been researching thc nature of the curriculum vhich home schooling parents provide for their children. This research is being arried out through thc University of Sydney and has involved the search of vailable literature and seeking the views of some home schoolers through the. onducting of a number of interviews with home schooling parents. At this point, would like to contact as many home schoolcrs as possible in NSW ane request hat they complete an anonymous survey dealing with their views of c.irriculum, nd the processes they follow in developing curriculum.

have approached Flomeschoolers Australia, seeking assistance with the issue of the survey, and have arranged to have completed surveys returned to the 'niversity of Sydney, so that anonymity will be assured.

he purpose of this research is not to identify any individual families in the tudy nor to judge the curriculum which is provided, but to attempt to discover ow homc schooling parent.; perceive curriculum, and how they go about preparing or their children's education. It is anticipated that the information gathered will ssist home schoolers as they provide a variety of curriculums, and as they seek to discover the most appropriate and effective manner to prepare for the ducation of their children.The information will be made available to home choolers at the end of the study.

'our participation in this research would be greatly appreciated.

on Haddon PAGE 41

BEST COPYAVAILABLE I 3 t) STUDY: HOME SCHOOL CHILDREN GET ALONG BETTER Monday, 15th June, 1992

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UPI) -- schools, he said. Children taught at home by parents get Shyers said the study found no along better with others than youngsters significant difference between the two of the same age who attendconventional groups of children in self-concept or schools, a new University of Florida assertiveness, which were measured by study says. the social development tests.But the Educators and parents videotapes showed that youngsters who traditionally have feared that were taught at home by their parents had home-schooled youngsters lag in social consistently fewer behavioral problems. development because they lack regular classroom contact with other children, He said home-schooled children said Larry Shyers, who did the study for tended to talk quietly, play well his doctoral dissertation in UF's together in groups and take the College of Education. initiative in inviting other children to The study's findings suggest join them, he said. that home-schooled children behave "Traditionally schooled children better because they tend to imitate were considerably more aggressive,loud their parents, while traditionally and competitive than home-schooled schooled children model themselvesafter children of the same age," Shyers said. other children in theclassroom, Shyers "If one child was loud, another child said. tried to be louder. If one child picked "In largeclasses, where the up a toy, another child often tried to teacher has limited time for each take it." child, the primaryinfluence is the For example, home-schooled peer," he said. "Home-schooled children 8-year-old girls tended to talk softly are encouraged to lookup to their to the stuffed animals, while parents and behave toplease them traditionally schooled 8-year-old girls becauseof the great deal of time tossed the stuffed animals up in the air parents spend instructing and guiding and tried to disturb the boys at play, them. he said. "The results seem to show that a Home-schooled children quietly child's social development depends more introduced themselves at the beginning on adult contact and lesson contact of a play session, but most with other children than previously traditionally schoolad children sat thought," he said. alone watching each other, sometimes Many studies show that crossing their arms and pouting when not home-schooled children score as high or included in a game, he said. higher on standardized achievement All 50 states passed compulsory tests than children in conventional school attendance laws by 1918, partly schools, said Shyers, a on theassumption thatthe classroom psychotherapist, who is chairman of the provided the best place forstudents to Florida Board ofClinical Social Work, develop social skills, Shyers said. He Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental said home schooling has become more Health Counseling. common as dissatisfaction with public But little if any research has schools has grown. been done on the social adjustment of More than 6,000 home schools are home-schooled youngsters, he said. registered in Florida and anywhere Shyerscompared behaviorsand between 10,000 and 1 million are social development test scores of two estimated nationwide, he said. groups of 70 children ages 8 to 10, one Studies show that between 50 and educated exclusively at home and the 70 percent of students educated athome other in public or private schools in eventually end up in traditional Lake,Orange and Seminole counties. classrooms, Shyers said. Children were videotaped atplay and "Many of these children return their behavior was observed by trained to the school system because of counselors who did not know which were parents' fears that they may not develop educatedat home or in traditional appropriate social skills," he said.

PAGE 42 131 UNSCHOOLING MYSELF by Lois Stratton Kern (Reprinted from Home Education Magazine P.O. Box 1083Tonasket WA 98867)

For a lone ume now I've been interested in the idea of program, no grades for either child, and a child whodoesn't unschooling. I've read a lot of John Holt's hooks, and also know the three states of matter, yet can explain the structure of an Growing Without Schooling and talked with many families who atom. are unschooling. It all seemed to make sense,but it wasn't unul Unfortunately, those families that arc very unstructured recently that I've been thinking about unschooling in terms of make me unsure of myself also. I see other children on homestead farms who are learning and experiencing a great deal by raising inyself. In the three years we've been homeschooling, we have animals, growing large gardens. and, in general, getting a large families not used a prepared curriculum. We have concentrated onthe part of their education simply by living day to day. Other basics: reading, writing and math, plus whatever else happened to live in large cities and have access to good museums, concerts and come along to grab our interest. And plenty camealong - we have other special activities that metropolitan areas have to offer. And had no difficulty being able to claim that we covered art, music, here we sit in a typical suburban neighbourhood, with only a cat science, literature, and history, just to name a few! Mychildren and dog for animals, outside a small city with limited cultural arc happy and relaxed, they have learned how toread and write, activities. I sometimes feel that I should be doing something a and how to get involved in things that interest them. little more "structured" to make up for the lack of these other So what's the problem? The problem is that in spite of opportunities. Is their environment rich enough to support the self the fact that I can see this working, that I can see that my children guided learning I'm trying to foster? arc being educated, I'm still left with some of myold ideas of I realize that the answer is yes. My children have years v. hat children should know and how they shouldlearn it, before they have to prove that they are educated (i.e. college according th the "experts." boards). Given their natural curiosity, I have no doubt that That's why I cringe whenever someone asks me what everything will be covered in one way or another by that time. phonics program I use. I don't use one, and yet we do a lot of The biggest challenge of unschooling is on my part, not phonics in many ways. The problem comes when I start thinking, theirs. After recognizing that one of the biggest problems I have "Maybe I should use a phonics program. Am I missing with unschooling is changing my own way of thinking, I have something?" Is there some important concept that has been begun to look back to see what a traditional education did for me. ignored? "Why does everyone else use a phonics program?" I have come to the sad conclusion that I am not very well When someone mentions that their third grader is struggling with educated. Yes, I was a good student all the way through school the multiplication tables, I start thinking about my own 8-year and in college, but now I know that good marks do not old and wonder if I should be teaching hcr that too. Will she be necessarily mean a good education. behind if I don't? Should I drill her with flash cards? When The amount that I have retained from my years in school someone talks about their five-year-old who loves to read,and is astonishingly small. I can remember some good teachers, but my child is a late they were few and far reader I start to between. What I remember more is the wonder, "Is something wrong? time I wanted to learn Should I make her about butterflies but had memorize words? to study sound waves Does she have it too instead because that was easy at home?" the next unit in science. These Or the time I got excited thoughts come to about writing "short haunt me again and stories" only to have again whenever I mine read to the entire confess our other class, much to my "faults": a 3rd grader embarrassment. fit with no math text. a After years of being 6th grader with no educated in the formal social studies traditional manner, it's

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 43 132 difficult to rid myself of all the baggage I"ve managed to hi spite of these moments of insight, I have a long way to accumulate. All through school I used traditional textbooks, go. I feel I've made significant progress simply by realizing answered the questions at the end of each chapter, took tests and where I am, what has influenced me in the past, and whcrc I'm quizzes, did homework and assignments and received grades. I headed. We still have our good days and our bad days. There arc don't use these tl ings with my children because I can see that in days when I'm sure they are not learning anything and never will, our situation they aren't necessary. But that doesn't mean that the but there are many more days when I am amazed at how far they public school mentality magically goes away. My common sense have come. There are also days when I end up saying "Just do this tells ine one thing, while my background tries to tell me another. because I say so!", but these happen less and less. My children kFul sometimes I find myself listening to the wrong thing. to be able to meet me part way. Homeschooling is, after all, Recognizing the disadvantages of a traditional education team work. is not entirely new to me. I dropped out of college during my third year partly because I was tired of playing the game and , being rushed from one course to another with no time to ponder what I had learned. When I decided to homeschool rny daughters, I couldn't bring myself to buy a prepared curriculum because I knew I'd never he able to stick with it when there were so many other things to learn too. Although we haven't used a formal curriculum, it still has been a struggle to shed my ideas about school. When we first began homeschooling, I thought we would be doing pretty much what the schools do, but in a more relaxed and sane way. It was disturbing to find that my first grader was not going to follow a typical first grade program without quite a fight. If first graders are supposed to learn to read, shouldn't I push a bit to make sure :he did? Gradually I realized that the timetables set by the school were not handed down by God, and were not necessarily good for every child. It took a long time to become totally convinced about that. My bend toward "schoolishness" has also been reinforced by the fact that I have not always horneschooled my children. My oldest daughter was in public school for four years, during which time I went to parent-teacher conferences, helped with homework, etc. It all seemed fine for a while, and when I look back I can see how much my thinking has changed. School has always seemed to have a kind of rhythm to it ever since I can remember. HOMESCHOOLERS Homeschooling has been a process of getting to know my children and recognising their interests, learning styles, and HELPING learning rhythms. It has also been a process of learning those same things about myself. How much easier it is to accept what HOMESCHOOLERS thcy do if I can recognise and accept those same things in myself. They learn best in spuris and when they are truly excited about John Angelico recently had a brilliant idea in what they are learning. I do the same. his magazine (one of many). He started a list of Unschooling is gradually making more sense to me as I goods and services provided by finally come to terms with the learning process within myself. I homeschoolers that other homeschoolers could can understand my children's struggles to learn to read music use. If you would like to advertise your home when I struggle myself on the piano to learn a difficult piece by business I would like to start a list like this in Chopin. I can sympathize with my daughter reading a difficult our magazine too. Our first two are book when I'm trying to get my reading level up to where I would like it to be (I may be seventy years old before I get through Stephenie Bailey - Music Teacher and some of the 19th century novels I want to read!). I wade through performer the directions of a knitting pattern and understand how difficult it 12 Red Cedar Cl. Ourimbah 043 622 689 is for them to keep track of knit-purl-knit. The Gippels- engraving and sign making 6 Robertson Cres Greenacre 707 3437

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 34 PAGE 44

133 Parade That conventional school is not essential for Magazinelearning has been proven repeatedly, but Robert Howard Allen of Tennessee didn't really have featureshomeschooling either as most people think of it. He learned to work at carpentry and house painting like "Homeschooled"his male ancestors since the '30s, and took care of sick elderly relatives at home, but textbooks covering Phi).the usual school subjects did not exist for him. Yet at age 3 2 when be turned up on a whim at Bethel College 2000 volumes by his early 20's. to "give education a whirl." hecause his upholstery In addition he discovered the library, a virtual gold business bad failed, the administrators were baffled, mine for a poor youngster and it was the staffer there especially after he had "blown the lid off" his college who encouraged him to try for college. She reported placement test. He had had no formal schooling, but, that sometimes his Grandfather Jim and Aunt Bevie because of his potential, college officials arranged a came with him. Eventually he worked his way through work-study grant combining scholarship funds and a the entire library! He says he "followed a vague, campus job. overall plan, which he more or less fulfilled - "to study According to the reporter of the article in Parade literature in the context of history from the earliest Magazine, it was considered that -the scope of his times to the present." He also taught himself to read learning was far greater than that of any professor at Greek and French so that he could absorb original Bethel" and they allowed him to skip most of his versions. He considers poetry "language used to its freshman courses and enter as a sophomore. In three highest potential" and writes it to express some of the years, he graduated surruna cum laude. He then sorrow and rejection of his childhood. accepted a fellowship at Vanderbilt University and If there is anything homesehoolers can learn from graduated last May with a master's degree and a Ph.D. this story other than the obvious things, it is that of in English. Since then he has taught a semester of allowing a child's own motivation to direct his learning English at Bethel College and also teaches English at rather than lesson plans and required curriculum. Of Murray State College. course, be didn't have fascinating toys, sports, TV and Robert Allen was what would be considered a peers to distract him. But it does seem that be bad the deprived child in today's society and might even be essentials of the Smithsonian recipe for genius - warm, renamed from his home, because his parents were responsive adults, little or no association with children divorced before be was born, his mother left bim and outside the family and freedom to explore. later died and he has never seen his father to this day. He lived in a ramshackle farmhouse without indoor plumbing with his grandfather, three great-aunts and it great-uncle who decreed that school was "a waste of This article does not actually do justice to time" and blocked authorities from enrolling him. He the story of Dr Robert Allan. I was rarely set foot outside the county where he was born priviledged to hear it from him while in and never node a bicycle. When he turned up at Bethel America and it is very interesting to hear College, he had safety pins to hold his ragged sweater about someone who never read until age 12 together, boles in his shoes and no front teeth. The county sent a home teacher two times a week and then for a long while only the bible and for one year, when Robert was six, but that was the end comic books. He received no formal of school. He heard countless family stories and Aunt teaching at all, lived in a very poor area with Bevie Jones, Uncle Eddie's wife who had an 8th grade not very well educated people yet he education, began reading to him, essimtially teaching developed a deep and abiding love of him how to read. Obviously his Aur.t Bevie really literature and a good knowledge of science cared about him and he cared about her, for he brought and mathematics without ever being forced her with him to Vanderbilt until he was forced to put her in a nursing borne where he visited her regularly to "study" or do "homework". He decided until she died. His grandfather taught him to write and in the 1983 recession to go to college and did the boy read the Bible through twice I) his blind Aunt fantastically well there despite fulfilling Ida. none of the usual pre-requisites. He is quite Tbe secret of his brilliance was reading, which unassuming and a delight to listen to. became his first lovenot too different from Abraham Lincoln who devoured every book in sight. Yet, I am happy to copy the tape of his speech for fortunately for Robert, books were easier to come by than in Lincoln's day. Hc began picking up books at anyone who wants to send a blank tape, yard sales for pennies apiece and accumulated some aself-addressed envelope with the correct postage for a cassette tape and a donation of some unused stamps.

BEST COPY AVAILABLE PAGE 45 134 MOOREREPORT ITERNATIONAL

BEST COPYAVAILABLE Hor.0Your.Chance! You won't want to miss a single issue of the new Moore Report Internationalnewspaper. Keep abreaSt of local, regional, national and international home education news. Read intelligentcolumns wiitten by the world's family and home education leaders;including Dr. Raymond andDonithy Moore, Steve Graber and Ruth BeeChick. among others. Certainly, when you read thenew Moore Report Interpahonat you'll be educated and encouraged Considersubscribing for you and your tamily, and sending a gift certificateto a friend who would also be encouragedby reading the Moore Renort International each month. Simply fillout the for m below and mail it backto us. that simple!

I Yes. I want to subscribe to the Moore'Report International.Enciosed please find my checW money order for $12 for one year or $20 fortwo years. Hurry, Send me the NAME next issue. ADDRESS CITY STATE 'ZIP

nYes. I want to send the Moore Report International to a friend. Enclosedplease find my check/ money order for $12 for one year or $20 fortwo years. Hurry, send my friend NAME the next issue. $i t/ 5 ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

RD out form, dip end send cher:Wmoneyorder to: The Moore Foundation, 13 5 Box 1, Camas, WA 98607 -J First oF all. %Chat kind or knit:, and mai nage niodelN are you providing for your children yours. your friends' families. grandparents or others? Are you training your boys to pick up Editorial after themselves or are you going to let their wives suffer that out'? Are they learning to be thoughtful of girls and women as a good husband OurultimateGoal should be? Are you helping your girls become Those of us who are Christians and believe in unselfish and loving or are you waiting on them. an after life recognize that we are educatingour indulging them so that they become lazy, selfish, children, not only for this life, but for eternity. Yet vain and rude? Are you hoping that they will when we say that, we must recognize thatwe are become better as they grow older? not limitine "education" to Are you training both your boys and girls in academics. Indeed, true home management, money management, nutri- education is the harmoni- tion, food preparation, housecleaning, care of an ous development of the automobile, etc. Are you aware that lack of such physical, mental and information and training can put snags in mar- spiritual aspects of the riages? When and where will they learn if they individual. Certainly don't learn now? success in life here on Many of you young parents tell us of the earth is important, struggles you have, to learn things your parents but in a very real failed to model or teach you as children. To the sense we are also prepar- extent that we are able, our business is to provide ing for adulthood and for you with the best and fullest information available the life to come. Then Dorothy Moore about all aspects of good parenting through our what is our responsibility in the nurture ofour seminars, this newsletter and our books. As senior children? citizens, we take Titus 2:2-5 seriously, to teach Since we as homeschoolersare convinced of what we have learned through research and experience. the value of the family, it is important thatwe bear in mind our goals for the kind of familywe This is why our books are not limited to want our children to establish some day. The day- homeschooline, but are thoroughly researched in by-day training of our children and the example all areas of family life. They cover discipline, we set for them now are laying the groundwork character, health, nutrition and home and financial for the kind of husbands or wives our children management. If you want high success with low will become. Surely.you hope.thatsome other stress and high behavior with low cost, take a look family is bringing up children with equally high at these books. We haven't had a failure yet. Get goalsthat their homes, as well as ours,may be a them at the library or borrow them from a friend if bit of heaven to go to heaven in. you cannot afford them. They have helped thou- sands already. See titles on Order Form. Dorothy Moore

HOMESCHOOLERS AUSTRALIA pty lid is very proud to sell the following books and video tape Please send a cheque by or money order made Dr Raymond and Dorothy Moore. out to Homeschooters Australia pty ltd P.O. MINDLNG YOUR OWN BUSINESS Box 420 Kellyvilte (Businesses to run from home) $202153. AU prices EXTRA CASH FOR KIDS (How they can earn it) $18 include postage. HOME SCHOOL BURNOUT (How to prevent it and cure it)$28 Homeschool Burnout is hardcover and over 500grns so postsge is 55.80 in N.S.W & $7.50

HOME MADE HEALTH (Backed by specialists)$20

HOME STYLE TEACHING (Handbook for teachers)$18 HOME GROWN KIDS (Steps in parenthood) $17

HOME SPUN SCHOOLS (How others did it)$15

BETTER LATE THAN EARLY (Research based informationon why children should not start school too early- easy to read) $17 SCHOOL CAN WAIT --(Research Sourceson why children should not start school too early) $18 196 HOME GROWN KIDS THE VIDEO (VHS). (Made by the MooreFoundation - & featuring the Moores) A brilliant 45 minute tape of inteririews and information thatanswers all the questions you ever PAGE 47 needed to ask about homeschooling. $40 (includes postage) hOME GROWN KIDS THE VIDEO !45information packed minutes

Invite Dr Raymond and Dorothy Moore and other experienced homeschooling families into your home to hear what they have to say on all the important issues that odncern all home educativs throughout the world to-day.

Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore are internationally acclaimed educators, researchers and authors who have been deeply involved in and supportive of the home- schooling movement for more than three decades. The Moores are the respect- ed authors of Home Grown Kids, Home Spun Schools, Better Late than Early, School Can Wait, Home Made Health, Homestyle Discipline, Homeschool Burnout and Mind Your Own SOME OF THE MANY ISSUES DISCUSSED Business. IN THE VIDEO

*THE VITAL ROLES OF MOTHERS & FATHERS IN EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN WHAT TO DO - FROM SMALL CHILDREN TO TEENAGERS * ENTRANCE AGE & BEING READY TO LEARN WHERE TO GET THE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK & SERVICE HOME GROWN KIDS VIDEO AS WELL AS STUDY ETHICS PREPARATION FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP USING REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND REAL AUSTRALIA BOOKS AS WELL AS TEXTBOOKS TO SEND a cheque for $40 (includes postage) to DEVELOP LEARNING SKILLS. PARENTAL COMMITMENT GIVING INFINITE Homeschoolers Australia P.O. 420 Kellyville 2153 REWARDS EDUCATING CHILDREN WHO LOVE TO UNITED STATES LEARN POSITIVE SOCIALISATION The Moore Foundation Box 1 CAMAS Washington HAVING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS & EDUCATING 98607 U.S.A AT HOME DEVELOPING HIGH SELF-ESTEEM -137 PAGE 48 I 1

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_ ,kt, ' ..1r,.\\ - .1 ' 1..' '44;', ..... \NA vt11. . . .fr '), ,. ; .N.4. \- .... , . - a, i';:tAk... ' ; ...... - ... ,, , .. '\.t. ..,I c7 i ,,iy .3N1.4 1.\ ...1).11 A:t It.. x ..." . /.'114? ...i;tAk.4\; s!, 4 , ,',-;::;...v.,:,;.:.,...'.:.;,.,..:.,..,.. AV-s...Aric%Rt)..:. , -:',,i \ 4.4% :tti/ t N'Y . , fI A i1/4,f4*k j. Please consider sending us your CONTENTS subscription for the six editions of the 1993 Australian Editorial Homeschool Journal by Jo-Anne Beime page 3&4 40 pages of Resource Information information at only By Jo-Anne Beirne & Anna Adams page 5&6 $30 for one years How our homeschooling program has changed subscription !!! over the years by Carolyn Arthur page 7&8 No Contest- A Book Review by Steve Ward page 8 I was one of the children stolen by the University Entrance Department of Community Services page 9 for Homeschoolers Willing Workers on Organic Farms & Local Exchange Trading Information See pages 26-27 by Judith Chorley page 10 A wonderful Career Choice by Mari Taberner page 11 Coming out of School for Homeschooling by Cecilia & Donna Giandomenico page 12 Q Stores Update HomeEducators given Apple Educators price Information by Jo-Anne Beirne page 13-15 Development of a Support Group by Agnes Leistico page 16-17 See pages 20-21 Australian Support Group information by Jo-Anne Beime page 17-19 QStores- Update by Jo-Anne Beirne page 20-21 Great news for Home Advert for the books of John Holt page 22 Educators from Apple The Learner's Manifesto Computers !!! by Frank Smith page 23 How do you know if they are Learning ? (Reprinted from Home Education Magazine) See pages 13 & 14 by Sue Smith-Heavenrich page 24 Labelling & Giving Children a Bad Name by Richard Glover page25 University Entrance for Homeschoolers by Jo-Anne Beirne & Anna Adams page 26-27 Buying a Curriculum on a Budget NEXT ISSUE (Reprinted from The Teaching Home) by Sally A. Herigstad page 28 *Software bargains for Home Evaluating the progress of the Homeschooled Child Educators by Jo-Anne Beime page 29-30 Homeschool Survey Results * Learning Music in the by Jo-Anne Beime & Anna Adams page 31 Homeschool Horneschoolers Supporting Homeschoolers by Jo-Anne Beirne page 32 * An interview with Toby Information about the N.S.W. Basic Skills Test Adams about going back to page 33-34 school. Socialization (Reprinted from The Sydney Morning Herald) by Jo-Anne Beirne page 35 * The 1992 Homeschool Homeschooling Books you might like to read page 36 Survey Bad Media Coverage page 37 Write to the critics page 38 *What if they won't finish N.S.W. Homeschooling Picnic page 39 anything? Seminar Information page 40 AND MUCH MORE....

139 EDITORIAL BOOKS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING by Jo-Anne Beirne JOHN HOLT'S BOOK & MUSIC STORE Homeschoolers Atistralia pty ltd is carrying most of the books that the JOHN HOLT'S BOOK & Q STORES or Education Dept. Stores MUSIC STORE sell in the U.S. including Homeschooling for Excellence by the Colfaxes, Please, please, please if you are a N.S.W. whose sons ended up at Harvard and their new book homeschooler read the Q Stores information in this Hard Times in Paradise; Better Than School and issue and if you are interested send your request for Child's Work by Nancy Wallace; Learning all the registration in. It has taken me very much time and Time and Teach Your Own by John Holt, the books effort to get this thing together and as it may well be about learning to read and literacy issues by Frank the strong first step in facilitating access to Sales Tax Smith Joining the Literacy Club and Insult to I would like people to support it if at all possible - just Intelligence. Also In Their Own Way by Thomas sending for the catalogue will at least register interest Armstrong which explores the fact of different types with the Educ. Dept. of intelligence rather than just linguistic or mathematical intelligence. SALES TAX EXEMPTION DR. RAYMOND & DOROTHY MOORE As at 30th August I have prepared and submitted Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd is also carrying most another yet more detailed request for Sales Tax of the books and the video that are written by DR Exemption. Close reading of the relevant sections of RAYMOND AND DOROTHY MOORE the the Tax Act reveal a great tkal of documentation is esteemed Christian educators and authors of Home needed to support an application and mine went in Grown Kids, Home Spun Schools and Homeschool with well over 100 pages of further information. I Burnout etc. believe our case is further supported by access to the H.S.C. as is outlined by John Lambert in his letter in BOOK CATALOGUE Issue 33 of the A.HJ., I aiso believe We will be posting out our catalogue to all our acknowledgement of our educational institution subscribers within a couple of weeks. If you have a status by the The Educ. Dept.. re: Q Stores in Issue 34 friend who you think would like the catalogue that will also be a valuable lever in this procedure. I will supplies more detailed information about any of these keep you informed as I believe approval for any one books PLEASE RING AND LEAVE THEIR NAME family will mean approval for all with presentation of AND ADDRESS ON OUR MACHINE 02 629 3727 the correct documentation and WE WILL BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU ONE. THE AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL MONTHLY HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL - SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE !!! GATHERING & SPORTS DAY

We hope you will decide to renew your subscription Aim: To network, provide a venue, support, to our journal which falls due after the next issue. For encouragement and infomation for those $30 you get 6 issues of what we believe is very useful homeschooling or those thinking about it. resource, legal and practical information about VENUE: Kellyville Sports and Recreation Center, homeschooling, programming, socialisation, higher Memorial Drive Kellyville 10 a.m.- 2 p.m education, research and much more. Anyone wishing * Tuesday 20th October 1990, to subscribe to the 6 issues of the journal in 1993 is Monday 23rd November 1992 requested to send a cheque for $30 to Homeschoolers Facilitated by Greg & Jo-Anne Beirne. There are Australia P.O. BOX 420 Kellyville 2153. already a large number of older children at this meeting and it is a super large area so we do lots of A BONUS FOR OLD SUBSCRIBERS large group activities such as soccer games (age IF YOU GET A FRIEND TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE based), volley ball, running, skipping, hopping races JOURNAL WHO HAS NEVER SUBSCRIBED and ball games. There are swings and all aged BEFORE YOU NEED ONLY SEND $25 for your children are very welcome. If you have anything to own yearly subscription but both subscriptions and share in the line of games please feel at liberty to cheques will need to be posted in the same envelope. bring them. This meeting will always be on except if it is raining. Contact persons for more information - Dodie Conway 639 4858 Ann Gippel 707 3437

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL PAGE 3

140 HOMESCHOOL PICNIC WEST AUSTRALIAN SEMINARS 29TH NOVEMBER 1992 At the invitation of Sue Warner 09 294 4553 from The * Everybody warmly welcomed Home Based Learning Network, Gina Wright from The Rainbow Coast Homeschooling group and Karen Lawtie * END OF YEAR PICNIC & BOOK SWAP, of the Bunbury Homeschoolers 097 311 817, I am going TRADE & BUY RESOURCE DAY to Perth in November to do some networking and information gathering and talking with homeschoolers Contact persons : Dodie Conway 639 4858 and politicans. If you wish to know more please ring any Ann Gippel 7073437 of the above contact numbers.

TIME: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. or anytime in between. W. A. Court Case The case that is presently in dispute has been accepted Venue: The venue of this event has been changed to for heating in the Supreme Court early in the New Year. Kellyville Sport, Recreation Center & Park Memorial Drive Kellyville. What is planned: QUEENSLAND * A large sports and picnic day, with a BBQ available.* One of the results of the Queensland election A huge range of new Homeschooling books available to where the Labor party was easily re-elected was that see.* A collection of new, as new and old school type, there is now a new Education Minister in that State - Mr fiction and non-fiction homeschooling and educational Condon- he was previously the Minister for The resources. Environment. * Shared afternoon tea, in an indoor, upstaiss room. (Tea A recent letter I received from The Director and coffee making facilities and a large fridge available). General of Education in Qld. Prof Roger Scott answers Who and what to bring: many of the questions I have had about the process of * Any new or used ir)oks you wish to sell, swap or change. It states: trade. * The whole frmily- grandparents are most 1. TheHome School State Review Committee is not welcome,* Sports ecuipment, balls, comfortable clothes, entitled to ask for change to the regulations, i.e. it is sandshoes, etc.* Your lunch and something to sit on.* A involved in the process of dispensation. However, if the small plate to share at afternoon tea 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Committee chooses to recommend change the Minister, he is at liberty to listen to or ignore their LOCAL NEWSLETTERS recommendations. If you can possibly afford local newsletters I believe 2. There is no need for the legislation to be amended to they are an essential support mechanism for all allow the removal of the present requirements for a homeschoolers. You will be able to find out about local homeschool parent to be a registered teacher, use A.C.E. get togethers, excursions, resnurces and many other programs or Dist. Educ programs. The guidelines are useful pieces of information. Hopefully your local governed by an Order in Council and can be changed newsletter will be able to connect you with people who without amending the legislation. have the same philosophies and interests as you so to 3. Prof Scott's letter speaks about change and the need provide ongoing friendship and support. for the involvement of the whole community in any negotiations but he also says this process should not be undertaken hastily.

GETTING STARTED WITH HOMESCHOOLniG

The information booklet for those thinking about homeschooling has recently been UPDATED & reprinted.

If you have a friend or relative who wants to know the answers to these pertinent homeschooling questions *WHY *HOW *HIGH SCHOOL *TERTIARY *ACCOUNTABILITY *LEGAL ISSUES SOCIALTLATION & the answers to 30 or 40 other commonly asked questions & concerns Please tell them to send $15 for our information package to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 Ph: 02 629 3727

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35PAGE 4 14 1 Resource Information compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne & Anna Adams

Computer Information and Resources German, French & Japanese Modem Languages Resources:Resources for German, French & Japanese Catalogue from Ashton Scholastic P.O. Box 579, Applecations Newsletter Apple Users' Group P.O. Box 1077 Dee Why 2099 $451year, Gosford 2250 043-28-3555 Showroom:345 Pacific Hwy newsletter- 10 issues. Reviews Apple software. Has a list of Lindfield 2070 volunteers who are available to answer questions in many areas. Gifted & Talented Students Resources Kurrawood Computers facilitating purchase of Apple Computers at the Education price Symposium: for all homeschoolers. Shop 5, 148 Windsor Rd Richmond 2753 "Accelerated Progression of Academically Gifted Students" with 045-78-2377. Apple software available. Professor Julian Stanley & Dr. Jan Hansen Tuesday October 6th 1992 9.30 - 4.30 p.m. University of New South Wales tickets: $90 New Horizons Enquiries: 02-697-5540 Is an organisation that services schools and individpals with a special interest in educational service & materials. They publish a Assessment & Advisory Services ige and superb catalogue full of information about an enormous Advancement Centrefor Gifted & Talented Children & Adults 9 range of programs and could easily be called educational Brett Avenue Wentworthville 2145 02-896.231. Seminars for computer software experts. They stock IBM Compatible, Apple Parents of gifted Children. Next being held 6th November 1992 and Macintosh software. For a catalogue ring New Horizons PO Also Courses for Gifted Children next Oct. 17th, 24th,31st. Box 658 Armidale NSW 2350 Ph 008-023-069 Fax 067-71-1050. Assessment $150 per child per hour in Writing & Speaking & Science. Try & Byte Ply Lk1 Macintosh Entertainment Centre, Macintosh Software User Centre, for Catalogue Shop 3 Oxley St Crows Nest 2065 Ph Homeschoolers Camp 02-906-5227 Fax 02-906-5605 Cataract Scout Camp off Appin Rd Wollongong from 4p.m. Feb. 26 - 4p.m. Feb. 28th 1993 Lots of exciting activities for the days Connections including Caving, Abseilling, Archery etc. for small cost. Ring Quarterly newsletter from Curriculum Corporation PO Box 177 Sue Dowey 046-311-180 or write to"Denwood Park" Kennedy Cadton South 3053. This is a really interesting newsletter because Grove Appin 2560 it provides information on networks that libraries and schools can access for a reasonable cost to download informationinto their Money making opportunities computers and access a wide range of databases e.g. SCIS, AAP, Presscom, Eric, Dialog, Pergamon, Ausinet, Sportscan etc. Aussie Monogram Company P.O.Box 183 Kincumber 2251 enables people to sell first aid kits, Dominie School Centre monogrammed stationery, mugs etc. as a fund-raiser ; 20 -25% This bookstore has most books for every subject done in schools. commission orders for pre Xmas delivery Oct. 31st. Ph Ring for catalogue of a wide range of education products. 8 Cross 008-800-818 for more information. St Brookvale 2100 Ph: 02- 905-0201 Fax 02-905-5209 Great Australian Book Fairs Education Alternatives is a company that sells recreational reading material for Independent Monthly National Newsletter for educators. PO Box children at reduced prices and gives free books if you conduct a 365 Caulfield East Vic 3145 Ph 03-576-0061 Sub: $65110 iss/yr. fair yourself. P.O. Box 525 Gosford 2250 Ph 043-28-5433, Toll- free- 008-024-840, Fax 043-28-2205 English language teaching resources P.E.N. The Newsletter of Primary English Teaching Assoc. Laura Museums St Newtown 2042 Ph: 02-565-1277. Newsletter & product Please do not forget museums and other state government run catalogue concerned with English language and literacy skills. educational institutions as wonderful resources in the school Membership $45/year

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 5

1 4 2 holidays. For example the Old Mint in Sydney and The Science Materials Powerhouse museum conduct really economical but extremely For a really thorough and detailed set of activities and high quality workshops in a wide range of art and crafty type information it is very hard to beat the Board of Studies K-6 pursuits every school holidays and usually special exhibitions as Science & Technology syllabus and support documents. A well such as Gargantuans of the Garden which is presently main document available for $20 supported by a series of 12 showing at the Australian Museum in College SL. high quality booklets (teaching kits) $4 each. Highly recommended as being excellent value. Full of interesting N.S.W. Board of Studies projects from K -6. For Catalogue and order form: Sales Clerk, Communications Branch, Board of Studies 35-51 Mitchell St H.S.C. information materials North Sydney 2060 or Ph 02-925-8178. If you are in Nth Sydney drop in and see the material that the Board of Studies has for sale concerning the H.S.C. including Qld Educ. Dept. information about HSC Course Outlines; Sample Answers to Exam questions, Subject Manuals, 35-51 Mitchell St., North MCCC Update Sydney 2060 or Ph 02-925-8178. This bulletin printed by the Queensland Education Department and compiled by the Ministerial Consultative Council on Neil Mierendotff Curriculum Issue 3 1991 printed information regarding the is the Board of Studies Liason Officer for the North West region. alternative learning styles and the book Frameworks of Mind at has written to all homeschoolers in his region enabling them to by Howard Gardner. faciNtate contact with each other if they so desire. I really encourage homeschooiers to make contact for support, encouragemein and information sharing and congratulate Neil on Video Resources his thoughtful initiative. Please take the opportunity to Write if Video Media Pty Ltd P.O. Box 186 Alstonville 2477 you are in that region and wish to be included on this 066-28-3838 Fax: 02-28-0884 Supply videos on a wide range homeschoolers list to Locked Bag 1610 P.O. Tamworth 2340 or of Australian topics with accompanying books $52 per title. 067- 684-716.

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35PAGE 6

143 How our program has changed over the years

by Carolyn Arthur

The first time I heard about namral learning I can remember led to a better thinking, if only I could have been educated in this way my love understanding for learning would never have been stifled so many years ago. of what I wanted to foster this natural curiosity and love of history is and learning that children have at a young age, with our children ages how it 8, 6 & 2, but I found that "school" type thinking was a very hard develops concept to forget. In the beginning I clung to this type of learning through the as security by following a highly structured program. I felt as if I years. was groping in the dark and to have a curriculum laid out step by step was a tremendous help to me. As time went on, I began to Our day feel a little frustrated because there were so many activities the usually boys could have been doing, but by the time their book work was begins with finished, I was frazzled and so were they. reading and Bit by bit I have experimented with different approaches ends with to their education, watching their responses, and bit by bit the another structire of our program has disappeared. I didn't want the chapter or so children to see their education as a separate part of their life where of our latest each subject seemed unrelated to the other. I wanted them to see book. The boys will often work along with me when I am cooking th:. each piece of information they learnt was another piece in the and a lot of science and maths has been learnt in this way. puzzle, helping them to understand the world we live in. Regan(6) enjoys the garden and we grew spinach and carrots over I felt considerably relieved when I decided to put the the cooler months. He has learnt about the germination of seeds, workbooks away but also a little uneasy wondering if the boys the needs of plants, roots, natural methods of pest control, uld ever learn all they needed to know. It seems silly when I composting and snails. After discovering lots of worms in the soil ook back on it now, knowing the vast quantity of information we decided to make our own worm conservatory with two clean they have devoured and stored since we started learning in this containers. The worms had grown quite large by the time we way, but I still get waves of doubt especially during periods of emptied them back into the garden eight weeks later, and the boys lighter learning that happens from time to time. I keep reminding had learnt a considerable amount about the environmental needs myself that children learn as the information is relevant to them of a worm, its food, reproduction and usefulness to the gardener. and that the timing can be different with each child. Recently the boys began writing letters to friends and I decided the best way to start our new, unstructured way relatives and designing birthday cards with their own special of learning was to expose the boys to a smorgasbord of messages for family members. They create outside games for information and activities, then sit back and see what would which they keep score, then add the numbers to see who has won. happen. I visited the library and came home with a large bundle of Maths manipulatives like multi-link cubes have taught numerous books on varying subjects that I knew the children would possibly maths concepts from addition, subtraction and division to be interested in. Their interest was overwhelming. I was swamped measurement. Dams built in the garden and lined with plastic with questions like "What is this picture about Mum?" "Who is have set the scene for a lesson on 'floating and sinking". Empty this man?" and "Can you read me this one first?" Consequently milk containers, jugs ad measuring cups teach measuring in the our trips to the library have become a regular event. I already had bath. quite a variety of activity books in our library at home, not just art We try to plan frequent outings as a family so Dad can and craft type projects but activities for teaching science. Our join in. The newspaper has been a great source for many of our favourites are the World Book Young Scientist set and also excursions and activities. During Aboriginal week we attended a Usborne books. These books contain lots of hands on activities corroboree, visited the "Green Train" in Newcastle station, saw using household items. The books contain lots of hands on over an American Navy Frigate and observed the history of steam activities using household items. The books from the library tend and the Steam Festival in Maitland. Landon, 8, is attending a three to be along the lines of stxial studies/history, stories, tapes and month basic art course for children for $1 per class run locally. children's poetry. These books have taken us to many different The boys also enjoy exploring in the bush or rock pools at the parts of the world and the children's knowledge of the globe is beach. The local community is alive with activities that can enrich amazing. We have read about many lives from history which have a horneschool program.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 7

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

144 How our homeschooling has changed over the years by Carolyn Arthur NoContest continued from page 7 byAl fie Kohn

My husband and I love to watch the childrens' reactions to this style of learning especially when they A BookReview turn around and say "we haven't done much schoolwork by Steve Ward lately". They don't seem to realise that they are learning, to them its just life. We fmd it wonderful to watchthem, often all by themselves, learning the basic principles of This book directly challenges the wide range of nature, purely by observation and experience as a partof preconceived ideas commonly held about winning and their play. The more we watch them the more conscious losing, questioning the necessity, and inevitability of we become of how extremely efficient this way of the presence of competition within our families and learning is. The stress has gone and homeschooling has institutions. Kohn exposes, and refutes, the popular become an integrated part of our lives. cultural myths concerning the positive value of competition, where in order to win someone else has to lose. This ubiquitous situation, which is often either revered, taken for granted, or naively defended in the name of common sense, is proved to be detrimental to creativity and self esteem, possessing no intrinsic moral or intellectual value. Competition is not a part of our 'human nature', but is in fact culturally specific, having its strongest source in our school system. With an aggressive literary style which makes the book interesting to read, and the complex issues dealt with more accessible, Kohn asserts that the process of learning, and personal growth, is more successfully undertaken within a cooperative, mutually supportive environment. The research which Kohn has collated verifies that the 'spirit of competition' in fact inhibits the learning process, and is responsible for many of the social ills that seem endemic to our culture. Competition is not inevitable, despite the criteria within our society which makes it seem so. There are alternatives, and the fact that empirical evidence supports these alternatives demands a response. This is at times, a confronting and disturbing book, challenging a status-quo which seems ruthless in its selection process, and compelling its readers to re- evaluate their own motives and methodology. I recommend it as compulsory reading for all home schoolers.

It may well be that genuine education, which is decidedly not the consequence of our schooling, may not even be its chief purpose. The point of competition ,suggests education critic George Leonard, is "not really to help students learn other subjects, but to teach competition itself". (p.59 Sla contest) /1111

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 8 145 I was one of the children takenby the N.S.W. Dept. of Community Services It is illegal to print the name of the person writing this articlewhile the case is still being heard. Suffice to say I am totally convinced that these are the words of a youngadult who wrote it from the heart and who was under no pressure from anyone to do so.

Something very, very strange has happened recently. I'll .bet it's the biggest goof in the history of Australia!One day, COMMUNIIY SERVICES stormed into the house of a good religious group,and Stole away theirchildren whilst they mere asleep! I know,I was one of the kids! I was very, very shocked when I first realised it wasthe Police raiding our home, and not ordinary kidnappers. More still, when I first heard that some people are saying that our Parents donot take good care of us! I want to make it very clear that any one who would saysomething like that has either never met us, or is down right lying! You may think that because I am a child,I don't know what I'm talking about, or that Iam told to saythis, or you might have some other idea.

So, Ithought it might help if I explairied life in our homes a little more throughly than what these liars think they know.

First of all, in our homes nobody may drink, smoke, use drugs, (illegal ones, of course) or carry out violence, these areall excommunicable offences. it And as for our parents not taking good care of us, 1 just want to make known that we must have the best Parents in the world.

What in our life style does anyone think is inferior to most people's? Sure, it's different, but it's not illegal to live together, or to be Chriistian Missionaries, or to live like the early disciples did,is it? Us kids get enough to eat, enoughexercise, as well asenough schooling and sleep.I don't see anything wrong with the way we live, & Ican't seeanything wrong with the way my Dad and Mum take care of me!-at least it's better than the way they were at Ormond!

Some of the things they did there were quite crooked! For instance, when they woke us up, we were told that we weregoing for a day & and a night,to have break off school. Another example is when we first arrived, theygave us appilication forms to get out of there, but then they wouldn't let us apply! Infact, we were not allowed acess to telephones, or to writeletters until the very end. One of the D.O.s would come ti say "Did youkids hear my crude joke for the day? He told reporters that we tell crude jokes!

f:Thefact is that thesechildrenwere mmoved from their homes and that charges against their parentshave still not beenlaid:\ despite many months of intense surveillance. Furthermore the Dept. of Comnumity Services feels it has the right todetermine the quantity, quality and content of the education & socialisation given to thue children by their pamnts. Thechief D.O.C.S in this case has even called the Board of Studies edefective ix-ionisation". THIS IS a VITAL issue for all homeschoolers.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 9 146 L.E.T.S. W.W.O.O.F. !!!!! An invitation to visit an organic farm by Judith Chorley

There are two resources Homeschoolers may wish W.W.O.O.F. - simply as homeschoolers learning from to be aware of ( if they are not already aware of them!) homeschoolers or friends of friends. which could deeply enrich their practical experience and knowledge. LOCAL EXCHANGE TRADING SYSTEM WILLING WORKERS ON ORGANIC FARMS The other organization in which we are involved The first of these is the organisation called is far more local but may provide just as much opportunity "Willing Workers On Organic Farms" which is rapidly or not more, provided there is a system operating in your becoming known internationally having begun in the United area - or you may wish to start one. There are as many as Kingdom and spreading to some European countries, United twenty systems operating in Australia and many more States, Canada,Australia and New Zealand. The list grows overseas. Its called Local Exchange Trading System or constantly. simply L.E.T.S. and empowers us to utilise more fully the W.W.O.O.F. is a wonderful way in which to gain gifts and talents of the local community without the first hand experience of farming and organic gardening, limiting factor of federal dollars. You might have longed requiring only $15.00 annually to join. For this year receive for those art classes but put them aside because of the a list of host farms in the country of interest, which gives a money that seemed so elusive and needed for essentials, description of every farm; its locality; what they do; phone but now, provided there is an art teacher on your list, you numbers etc. - can happily go ahead. Its then up to you to choose the farm and then So what is L.E.T.S.? Its a simplified banking either phone or write to them to arrange for your visit for a system. LETS units (such as our local "waratahs" which mutually agreed period. You will be given meals and were given the value of$2.00each) take the place of accommodation in exchange for four hours of work each dollars. Goods and services are exchanged for an agreed day. There is no further cost except for private phore calls price in LETS units which are then credited and debited to etc. Some host farms find it difficult to have children and the appropriate members accounts on a central computer. farms who accept families are marked accordingly in the This system can boost self-esteem enormously farm list. where there is massive unemployment and presupposes There is a studentship available to any student with that all members of a community have worthwhile goods a love of agriculture, through this system. There is a network and services to offer. of commercially certified Organic farms which cater for We have acquired computer lessons for Loren serious students of alternative agriculture for periods of up and ourselves through this, that we certainly would not to twelve months. have done otherwise, as well as many other things. Membership of Organic Farming Studentship is I can see opportunities for children of any age to separate from W.W.O.O.F. and costs SAust 20.00. be directly involved in this and to gain from it enormously, Enquiries about studentship and W.W.O.O.F. generally, are even if a child only minded a pot plant or a pet in order to welcome through W.W.O.O.F. Lionel Pollard, W Tree, gain LETS units. They might then spend the units on Buchan Victoria 3885 Australia. having their bikes fixed or maybe lessons in abseilling or We have been a member of W.W.O.O.F. as a host music for example. The possibilities are only limited in our farm for the last seven years and our seven year old has imaginations as well as giving a valid experience of enjoyed interaction with people from all over the world alternative monetary systems. especially Germany, U.K., Japan, U.S., New Zealand and We are deeply impressed by this system and Canada. recommend it highly as a very effective means for You can imagine how often the world map or globe Homeschool families to access our community resources is referred to, to find out where our visitors are from. It is a more fully. We are happy to be a contact point for anyone wonderful way to learn from other people and to appreciate requiring further information (phone045- 672124) other cultures viewpoints, objectives, interests politics and otherwise Eric Brocken(045-721-002)is our local to ultimately simply value the people of the Earth as one big counsellor for the Hawkesbury LETS system. Another family. local system exists in the Blue Mountains which has We would like to invite homeschoolers here on a recently amalgamated with the Hawkesbury system. similar basis without the obligation to work or join

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 10 147 A Wonderful Career Choice by Marj Tabemer

In life we all make many choices, some very important, is more important than most careers which are being pursued some less so. Most responsible and loving parentsmake choices anywhere. We are helping to mould the next generation. We are for their children which are both considered and, at least when encouraging our children to adopt made, believed to be in the best interests of the child. values which we believe are correeL We are educating our own We have made the choice to homeschool our children. children because we believe it is too important a responsibility to This choice removes us in some ways from the mainstream; it is be left to someone else - a stranger. an uncommon choice. This life choice we have made would not be suitable for, Many other parents feel threatened by the choice that we or acceptable to, many families. Financially,it is a costly choice. homeschoolers have made. Frequently they feel that our choice is Often it can be an exasperating choice. So, if ever any of us is an implied criticism of theirs. Some make judgementsabout our tempted towards feelings of guilt about our homeschooling and competence, our motives and our abilities. At times these family careers, perhaps we should ponder a while: judgements can tend to make some of us at least, doubt ourselves Did we believe that this choice was the best choice for our and our abilities. family at the time that was made? It is at these times that we can start to feel inferior to - Do we sometimesdelight in the achievements and maturity of those who have made different life choices and are managing our children? rewarding, and successful careers outside the home, or, are - Do we thrill sometimes as aspark of knowledge illuminates one !ding down jobs which substantially boost the family income. of our children's faces ? e can even get to the stage of feeling guilty or inadequate - Do we gain satisfactionby being able to build on the knowledge because we are not likewise occupied. that we know our children have ? Motherhood came to me at a later age than is usual. That - Is it satisfying for us toknow that we are reponsible for their has some disadvantages but also many advantages. One of the well-being both physically and emotionally ? major advantages for me has been experience. I have experienced - Do we gain the feelingof achievement sometimes when we have a successful career. I have observed my friendsbringing up their helped a child achieve success with a skill that has proved families and have seen many changes in society and its values. difficult to master ? No-one will ever be able to make me feel guilty about not still While ever we can answer yes to most of these being in the workfcrce - it can be a pretty empty, self serving questions, we are gaining more satisfaction out of our careers than world out there. most people in the paid workforce. How fortunate we are to have We homeschoolers have a wonderful career, which to us been able to avail ourselves of this opportunity. Feel proud !

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 11

14E Homeschooling after schooling by Cecilia & Donna Giandomenico

How encouraging it is to discover so many others experiencing Double Helix Club. The magazine has lots of interesting the same joys, difficulties and discoveries as we are. I particularly information and hands on experiments and at $15 a year is great enjoyed the article by Susan Crossley on her progression over value. four years of homeschooling. Having just completed the first of During our first year we have enjoyed a leather work day with 4 our two year registration we have ourselves progressed from an families at our place, a trip to Wellington caves, Burning almost =bon-copy school type program to a less structured one. Mountain, the Power Station and Pavarotti. At the moment we are Our daughter Donna is very interested in Science and our kitchen building a Perrnaculture- No Dig garden and worm farm as part of table is often honoured with many interesting (and messy) our outdoor project in biology and the environment. Enclosed is a experiments. For children and adults who are interested in a broad letter from Donna- totally her own work ! range of scientific interests I can recommend the CSIRO's

THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOME-SCHOOLING BY DONNA GIANDOMENICO

I have been doing Homeschooling for a year nowand have found it to be a lot better than school.Lunch and recess I had nothing to do but walk around as very few childrenwould play with me.

It was no better in class. For instance once when I came across a question I was not able to answer, soI put up for help, after ten minutes I still had no reply, so I went over to ask the teacher. All she said was 1"Go sit down and put your hand up," so I did again until about fiveminutes before the lesson ended I gave up and had to work it out for myself.

Once I had a teacher who spelt Piano, Piana and wrote on my report that my handwriting was carless and spelt a lot of other things wrong during the year.

We never did any Science experiments. I myself love Science but hate repetition in other subjects. Though I know of other schools that are a lot better than mine was I still think a lot of children go right through school and come out not even able to read, whereas Homeschoolers come outweileducated. So I say Homeschooling can't be anything but the BEST.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 12 APPLE COMPUTERS EXTEND THEIR EDUCATION PRICE TO ALL HOMESCHOOLERS tPI -5._... Thank. youApple //11 & Kurrawood Computers!! In conjunction with Ross & Heather Bulliit and all the great people at Kurrawood Computers, Homeschoolers Australia is delighted to announce that all N.S.W. homeschoolers and very soon all Australian Homeschoolers will be welcome to pay the educators price for Apple hardware from 30th September 1992. What is the procedure? 1. If you wish to purchase any Apple product, Kurrawood Computers will order, then deliver and install your computer hardware or arrange to have this done for you. Inter-state subscribers will be notified as soon as this service is available nation-wide. 2. In order to be eligible for the discount prices, families need to be on the Homeschoolers Australia/Apple Register. To have your family registered, you will need to send a copy of your current Homescooling Registration and $35 (The registration price for Australian Homeschool Journal subscribers is $25) to Homeschoolers Australia, P.0 Box 420 Kellyville 2153. 3. It is essential you be a legitimate homeschooler to participate in this service. It is up to the homeschooler to provide concrete evidence that you are a homeschooler and Homeschoolers Australia reserves the right to protect itself from prosecution by refusing any homeschooler whose evidence of homeschooling is inadequate. A reminder will be sent annually to those people who are registered to ensure your continuing registration with us in case you intend to up-date your hardware. 4. You only need register if you wish to buy anything. We will register your order process it and send it to Kurrawood Computers who will attend to it immediately. Their phone number is 045 782 377.Their fax no. is 045 782 173. 5. If you wish to know more please send a self addressed stamped envelope to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd A.C.N. 003 222 848, P.0 Box 420 Kellyville 2153. Our phone number is 02 629 3727. Our fax number is 02 629 3278.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35PAGE 13 150 Kurrawood Computers Pty Ltd

,60()D C 0A4._ v.,\Ished .1;410e, t$' 4.?

Homeschoolers Australia pty Itd A.C.N. 003 222148

%stratum Agent for Me yoa Heir sookand Music Store. Watts for Me book; and' video of Dr lUtymond & Dotothy Moore

Pubashers 'getting Starte 41 with 5fomeschoortng' Co-ordinators : Jo-Anne & Greg Beirne The MorneschootScpource Book; dr P.O. BOX 420 Kellyv file NS.W 2153 Vhe Austnetan 2ipmescActol 'Journal' Ph. 02 629 3727 Fax 02 629 3278

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 14 151 Homeschooler Pricing

RRP Inc Tax HorrieSchootersSaving Inc Tax

CLASSIC 2Mb Floppy 1695 1540 146 CLASSIC 2Mb HD40 2195 2005 100 CLASSIC 4Mb 11040 2395 2188 207 CLASSIC II 2Mb HD40 2595 2370 225 CLASSIC II 4Mb HD40 2795 2553 242 CLASSIC II 4Mb HD $0 2995 2735 260

LCII2Mb Floppy,12"colour 3590 2795 795 LC Il 2Mb 11040, 12" colour 3890 3494 396 LC II 4Mb HD40, 12* colour 4090 3737 353 LC II 4Mb HMO, 12" co/our 4390 4010 380

IrnageWriterIIPrinter 795 727 68 Style Writer Printer 895 818 77 LaserWriter NTR Inc Toner 4180 3560 620 LaserWriterIltIncToner 6740 5561 1179

These prices include delivery in the Sydney metropolitan area only at the moment. Ring 02 629 3727 for more details about out of Sydney delivery.

Please note: the prices of Apple equipment is due to change from the 19th October 1992. An updated price list willbe printed in Issue 36 of the A.H.J.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 15

1 9 The development of a Support Group by Agnes Leistico (Author of I Learn Better by Teaching Myself)

Our support group began in the middle of 1986 when ago. Many of those families who continued homeschooling six families started meeting at a local park for mutual subsequently joined Kings Academy. support and encouragement. At that time the local public About that time there was a great swelling of interest in library had a children's librarian who was constantly homeschooling in the community so we were faced with encouraging us and telling interested patrons about our many, many newcomers. I started a newsletter late in 1989 so group so we graduMly added more families. We wanted a that information could more accurately be spread to the large group that accepted everyone, no matter what their race, number of families. I started by sending it to 25 families and creed, lifestyle, or educational philosophy. We chose the by the summer of 1990 it was going to 40 families. By the last name Kings Academy for the group when we found that issue that I edited (summer of 1991) I was sending it to 65 having a name made arranging field trips simpler. families! A new editor took over, I don't know her figures, but We were a very simple group with no desire to have I do know the number of families homeschooling has grown officers, bylaws, or dues. Our main purpose was to support even more. each other without any of us looked on as an expert since we The purpose of the activities was not only to tell when felt each family was its own expert. We freely shared any activities were, but also to give the yoitngsters a chance to information each had found. contribute (which they did) to explain activities (so everyone Field trips were fun experiences as were several other had the same facts), to bring us closer to each other, and to spontaneous activities that came up in connection with our provide additional supportive information. The fust issue country's constitutional bicentennial contained copies of the or other interests within the group. California educational code as The enduring activity which we Our main purpose is to accept all it applies to homeschoolers. began shortly after forming has been homeschoolers, to make our focus be Now the newsletter has to rent the municipal swimming pool homeschooling with each family free to become simply a calendar of fen an hour each week for our use. choose their own religious preferences events, as that was what At first it was a struggle to reach the and educational philosophy, to support certain members preferred. required number of participants in and encourage each other in our The 1990-91 school order to rent the pool but we hoineschooling adventures. As a result of year was a bumpy year for managed. This has become such a the last several months of turmoil we Kings Academy because we popular activity that local have been enriched with a greater had grown so very much. homeschoolers now have four understanding of the meaning of People had differing ideas of different swim times during the acceptance of each other. We realise that what they expected from a week. as we want the freedom to decide about support group. A large For the first couple of weeks our own children' s education, we have to segment preferred to have we stayed around ten to fifteen also support other parents to have the their support come from families although we would same freedom even if we disagree with religious aspects as well as a occasionally hear of a few other ..t.heir decisions. very structured way of local families homeschooling on education. They have since their own. Word spread about the formed the Faith CHEA advantages of homeschooling as our youngsters for the most (California's Christian Home Education Association) support part were visible in the community. Kings Academy became group with numerous types of meetings during the week. known as a source of information concerning It was an emotional time for those of us who had been homeschooling. People freely and knowledgeably shared associated with Kings Academy for any length of time. their insights with inquirers. Those who chose to go with Faith CHEA were torn in their Shortly after Kings Academy formed a couple of loyalty as much as those who chose to stay with Kings families wanted a Christian emphasis and much more Academy. Great effort was made by many people to keep the structure so they formed a group at a local church, which good will between groups and to try for caring and harmony. became mostly composed of families attending that church I believe that this has happened because of the concern of (a number of families in that church became those families involved. homeschoolers). That group folded about two or three years Kings Academy has grown much too large to keep its

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 16 feelings of closeness and personal support. What seems to be served its purpose and is looked onwith gratitude by those of happening now is that other smaller groups are forming to us who first conceivedit but now it is time to move forward. meet the various needs of individual families. This looks to In our discussions over the last few months we have me like a good, healthy thing in thelong nm. People are determined that our main purpose is to accept all working to keep an openness to each other and to the other horneschoolers, to make our fccus be homeschooling with each family free to choose their own religious preferences and groups. The fate of Kings Academy is up in the air at the educational philosophy, to support and encourage each other present. Those who were longtime memberslook back on the in our homeschooling adventures. As a result of the last early days of closeness and "being in thistogether" several months of turmoil we have been enriched with a nostalgically knowing that it cannot be brought back inthe greater understanding of the meaning of acceptanceof each same way that we remember it.Growth can at times be other. We realise that as we want the freedom to decide about painful, but we are hoping for better things in the future.The our own children's education, wehave to also support other with pain of separation is diminishing. parents to have the same freedom even if we disagree A small group of families decided to meeteach their decisions. month to discuss how to apply interest-initiatedlearning, (or natural learning or whatever term you like to give it).Now, as REPRINTED FROM HOME EDUCATION the months go by it looks like this group is going toevolve MAGAZINE September-October 1992 into an entirely different group that may take on theKing's edition. Editors Mark and Helen Hegener P.O. Academy membership with a new name. Kings Academy BOX 1083 Tonasket WA 98855 U.S.A.

Australian Homeschooling support groups,newsletters, events and contacts

compited by o-Anne Beime

Australian Capital Territory NEW SOUTH WALES Carlingford/North Rocks Marj Taberner 868 1218 Frances Calvert 871 8497 meetings for Ainslie Adventist bomeschoolers homeschoolers in this area. Jo Boehm 16 Stephen St. Ainslie 2602 Beverley Hogg 060 290 167 Central Coast Group Activities 06 248 5962 Albury Janet Barnett 060 216 950 Peter & Lily Nesbitt-Hawes (043) 621473 Bonython meetings for homeschoolers in this area Vanessa & Drew Corrigan 23 Bardoph St Annangrove Forestville Bonython 2905 Louise Oliver 654 1414 Armidale Robyn Wigmore 451 5671. A group for Cook homeschoolers with younger children in Maureen Tully publishes "Welcome Home Sue Vile 067 724 769 Australia " a magazine for Christian families Avalon Beach this regional area. Gifted & Talented Homeschoolers P.O. Box 768 Jamison Centre ACT 2614 also Renee Cowell 918 8453 Esther Nott 487 2975; Maria Jenkins 939 holds regular homeschool meetings Ph 06 251 Bathurst Marcelle Foundling 063 322 132 1031 & Christina Patriarca 387 1590 3159 Gilgandra Macquarie Bilpin Jill Alz-oe 068 47 1289 Canberra Home Education Network Judith Chorley 045 672 124 holds regular meetings and functions. Blue Mountains music/art group Grafton Kerry Pothin 066 425 774 Publishes "Homework" magazine, Rosa Geenen 047 396403 networks, resources, news and information. Blue Mountains Greenacre Ann Gippel 707 34 37 Claire Powell 44 Allman Circuit Macquarie Sue Cartwright 047 396650 Goulburn 2614 06 251 6663 Bondi Jennie Mullins 389 7249 Sharon Bell 048 219403 Spence Goulb urn Fr. De La Tour supportive Mary Peemoeller 1 Trenwith Cl. Spence 2615 Broken Hill traditional Catholic priest P.O. BOX 417 Watson Kylie Green 76 Williams St. 2880 Goulburn 2580. Ph: 048 295 177 Wendy & Steve Hodgman 062 479 358

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 17

1 54 Homescboolers Australia Moss Vale Group QUEENSLAND Jo-Anne Beirne publishes the Australian Sue McAulay 048 681 094 Homeschool Journal 40+ pages supports Margaret Stone 048 682 2959 regular Beenleigh the right of all parents to homeschool and support group meetings and local Marion Meues facilitates meetings in the all children to a high quality education, newsletter. Brisbane area and publishes Raising provides information about resources, Mudgee Children Our Way P.O. Box 822 networking, legal and practical issues with Julia Boxx 063 737 686 Beenleigh 4207. an exploratory bias towards unstructured Mullumbimby Caboolture learning. Phone 02 629 3727 Fax 02 629 Jodie Watson L56 841 709 Bob Osmak homeschool meetings and 3278 Subscription $30 for 6 issues. Muswell brook legal information & support 074 967 884. Regular seminars for new homeschoolers Laurel & Ross Clarke 065 433269 Emu Park and about unstructured learning. Newcastle Group (near Rockhampton) Annual Homeschool * Regular monthly support group get Carolyn Arthur 049 665098 regular camp weekend in June 1993,1ccal togethers & sports days kr older and support group meetings and regional newsletter and support group contact younger children at Kellyville Sports newsletter. Kathy Boles 2 Richard St, Emu Park 4702 ground Memorial Drv. Kellyville contact Nimbin and Nth Coast group Ph: 079 396 213 Dodie Conway 6394858. Joanne Brugmans 066 897473 Gayndah *Annual Homeschool Picnic Day 29th Janine Banks Ross Rd The Chanon 2480 The Slack Family 071 613 136 November 1992 Kellyville Sports ground Northside Sydney Mareeba Memorial Drv. Kellyville contact Dodie group meet at Lane Cove National Park, Adventist homeschooling support Conway 6394858 Chris Puffett 876 5914 network for information and Trued Agent for The John Holt Book and Pre-school homeschoolers Adventist newsletter Vada Kum Yuen Music Store- free catalogue available 150 Enthusiastic parents who have pre- P.O. Box 1252 Mareeba 4880 titles in all subject areas that concern schoolers and who intend to homeschool - Jimboomba homeschoolers from P.O. BOX 420 happy to talk and support. Theresa Stevenson 075 469 195 Kellyville 2153 N.S.W.. Mary Collis Blacktown 621 6285 Noosa Heads Agent for the books and video of Dr Fiona Manuel St Marys 623 3257 Carolyn Gibbs 19 Viewland Div. Noosa Raymond and Dorothy Moore - Home Queanbeyan Heads 4567 074 473 343, publishes The Grown Kids etc. Free catalogue available Gail Webb 06 2973128 Queensland Home Educator. from P.O. BOX 420 Kellyville 2153 Quirindi Homeschoolers Strathpine N.S.W.. Lynn Cherry 067 462284 Australian Christian Academy Homeschool Network Lynda Hatfield 067 462 102 distributors of A.CE. materials in Aust. which publishes the Homeschool Southern Sydney Ph: 07 205 7444 Fax 07 205 7331 P.O. Network Newsletter a 10+ pg info Debbie Arrnanious 02 529 2032, regular BOX 470 Strathpine 4500. newsletter that details excursions, meetings, bowling, biking and other Tamborine Village meetings, contacts etc. mostly in the educational activities for homeschoolers Rachel Hearin Lot 40/2 Boomerang Rd Sydney region (send S.A.E. for details to of all ages. Tarn. Village 4270 Barbara Braathen 17 Francis St. Sussex Inlet Toowoomba Naremburn 2065 02 436 2057) Debby & Steve Ward 044 4'537 Ken Woolford 076 384460, non- Woodstock Community Center Church Sydney A.C.E. Support Group homeschooling supportive teacher. St., Burwood is the base for some for families using the Accelerated Townsville meetings. Lynn Keen 713 2584, Maureen Christian Education program, regular Dr. Bany Harker P.O. Box 314 Richardson 8182784, Anne White 045 meetings Roz & Barry Hancock 627 1308 Townsville 4810, non-homeschooling 712107 are also contacts for this group Tamworth very suppordve academic. that meets for educational/fun excursions. Contact Dorothy Long 067 66 5149 Inner City of Sydney group Toongabbie TASMANIA Colleen Strange Stanmore, regular Angela Griffiths 688 1850 new group for meetings ring 569 3381 homeschoolers with younger children in Cygnet Kellyville this regional area. Jane Stephens "Misty Top" RSD 522 Monthly horneschool meetings at a large Wahroonga Wattelgrow Rd. Cygnet 7112 park, contactDodie Conway 639 4858 Angela Edwards 489 0299 Kurri Kurri Western Sydney group New Norfolk Carol & Greg Tisdell 049 374385 Rhonda Pritchard 673 3821 John & f..:amille Peacock 143, Sharland Macarthur/Camden group Winmalee Ave. New Norfolk 7140 002 492 369 Sue Dowey 046 311180 facilitates regular Kassandal Toohey 047 543 301 produce Home Education magazine support group meetings. Sue is also Wollongong informative magazine featuring very running a homeschooling camp February Robyn Brodal Balgownie, 042 840 512 interesting resource ideas for practical 26th-28th 1993. Julie Pinazza Mt Kernbia, 042 722696 homeschooling 002 491 579

AUSTRAUAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 18

1 55 VICTORIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Alternative Education Resource Albert Park Group publishes "Otherways" a 30+ Sandra Caut 08 268 7210 (-Aboutsupport groups page newsletter of legal, resource and Coober Pedy Join one 1 It can be practical information. Regular M. Nagyszollosi P.O. Box 33 Coober Pedy helpful to spend time meetings are held at the A.E.R.G. 5723 with parents and office Ph: 03 818-3674 Kodina children who are healthy Catholic Homeschooling materials Roslyn Baird 088 212120 examples of the benefits (Seton distributor) Bob Dennahy P.O. Kyancutta of home education. But Whit lands Vic 3733 Lenore Stiggants Box 2 Kyancutta 5651 sometimes it can be Creswick Morphett Vale difficult.to find the De lxa Calisbro Carol Calder 14 Duvall Drv. Morpheu Vale right group: You may P.O. Box 177 Creswick 3363 5162 editor of H.B.L.N.S.A. Hawthorn 339 William St. 122 Ph: Pt. Lincoln attend a local support group meeting and find 03 818-3674 regular homeschool Andrea Fuller 086 824 418 that there is great meetings (A.E.R.G. office). Prospect pressure to homeachool Hunt ly Anne Colangelo 08 269 2358 aspecific: way. In Jane Raeburn 29 Egans Rd. Hunt ly Reynella this case you may wish 3551 Marianne Gale 08 387 0140 Maiden Gully Surrey Downs :to start your yown : support group. Even two Berndette Truscou 054 496 230 Keny Letherby 08 289 0309 Mt Waver ley Yankallila or three families, with whom you feel Marjo & John Angelico, publish Beverley Paine P.O. Box 371 Yankallila 5203 Families Honouring Christ organise 085 583 212 publishes Home Based comfortable is a goOd way to be support group meetings, seminars on Learning South Australia, facilitates stire:of phonics, discipline etc & in meetings and camps etc. Camp Sept. 1992 support,'encoiliSgemSnt conjunction with L.E.M. etc. for Yankallila andknowledge ,abOut:: Christian families .. Also organises Carol Davidson 085 985 327 corranutity resOurces::, subscriptions to The Teaching Home a high quality conservative Christian WEST AUSTRALIA magazine from the States with Australian insert. The Angelicos sell Catholic Curriculum Distributor of Mary other homeschooling resources and McKillop materials Kathy Laiber 22 books as well 03 543 5237 Braberne St. Maddington 6109 09 459 2937 Nowa Nowa Denmark Annual Labour Day Homeschool Gina Wright. 87 Scotsdale St Denmark 098 Weekend March 1993 contact Rose 481671 publishes the Rainbow Coast Tresvaskis 051 557 242 Homeschooiers newsletter support info. (Ifyou are looking for Strathfeldsage Donnybrook horneschoolers to form M. Pool Liat 20 Sweenies Creek Karen Lawtie 097 311 817. a support group you Rd.Sizathfeldsage 3551 Greenmount will find them. You Upwey Sue Warner 13 Coongan Ave Greenmount can begin with notices Ray Dimitroff 100 Old Belgrave Rd. 6056. Enquiries Elva 09 307 1232 and Anita on a library or Upwey 3158 03 754 8038 09 401 7546 publishes the Home Based community board or an Warburton Learners Network newsletter, support advertisement in a lsolde and Peter Petersen group meetings, legal, resource information, local newspaper and/or 059 665 210 camps & seminars. through contacting Werribee Manjimup your large state wide Christian Family Homeschool Assoc. J. Rennie 097 731 246 groups. Frank & Valerie Marreu publish Leeming Robyn Tsapazi 18 Shea Grove \support The Family School Magazine, Leeming 6149 produces homeschooling curriculum Palmyra Colin Wilson 112 Aurelian St. materials, dispenses legal information, Palmyra 6157 facilitates an annual seminar and Tambellup resource day. Lyn Gould very committed homeschooling Phone 03 741 1490. advocate. P.O. BOX 60 Tambellup 6320

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 19

156 RES/ HOMESCHOOLERS P.O. BOX 77 Alexandria 2015

47 BOURKE RD ALEXANDRIA

GOODS AVAILABLE * It is ALL homeschoolers' responsibility to pay for Goods for purchase will include science, craft, art, their goods within 14 days - you will receive a mathematics, sports & computer equipment- posted invoice. You can pick up your goods, after hardware and software, stationery, encyclopaedias, they are delivered to them, from the following maps, desks etc. (Text books are not sold by Q regional contacts: stores). * Bathurst - Marcelle Foundling 063 322 132 WHAT IS INVOLVED * Grafton Kerri Pothin 066 425 774 * Moss Vale - Sue & Will McAulay 048 681 094 * If you wish to avail yourself of this service you * Newcastle - Carolyn & Carl Arthur 049 665 098 must be a registered homeschooler and you must * Quirindi - Jim 8.. Lyn Cherry 067 462 284 nominate an intention to deal with Q stores by filling in the form that accompanies this notice, * Exact delivery date and location will be available attaching your registration certificates (all of them from the contacts above. However expected if :ow have more than one child) and sending it c/- delivery dates are around 30th January 1993 and Q STORES P.O. BOX 77 ALEXANDRIA 2015 around 30 th June 1993.

* It is ILLEGAL to resell government stores or buy * Homeschoolers must provide a copy of all their them for anyone else. They must be used for the current registration certificates whcn they educational needs of the homeschooler concerned. INITIALLY apply for registration with Q Stores, Orders will be monitored and abuse of this situation (but not with their orders) and undertake to inform by any individual homeschooler will undoubtedly Q stores within 14 days if homeschooling is mean loss of the privilege for all homeschoolers. discontinued .

* Q stores will make available a detailed order list * Once ordered and received goods cannot be for free to all homeschoolers registered with them returned. so they can decide what they wish to purchase before the 15th December 1992 and again before * We have been asked to give nothing in return, nor the 15th May 1993. will we be asked. However it is reiterated that it is ILLEGAL to buy these items for someone else or to * Orders placed with Q Stores MUST be a resell them. minimum $100. Payment must be made within 14 days from date of invoice. * If you wish to receive the Q stores order/price list catalogue of goods please send your name and *Orders you wish to make from QStores must be address and register your interest, as soon as received by Q Stores at Alexandria before the possible and preferably before the 15th November, closing dates of 30th December 1992 and 30th May with 1993. Orders received after this date will not be processed until the following 6 monthly ordering. Q STORES /Homeschoolers P.O. BOX 77 Homeschoolers within the metropolitan arca and ALEXANDRIA 2015. lose to Sydney MUST collect their orders from Q Stores' warehouse. 47 Bourke Rd Alexandria.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 20

157 Q STORES REGISTRATION FORM

1. On receipt of this form Q Stores will send you, as soon as possible, their catalogue/order/price list. 2. Please return this form before the 15th November 1992 to receive the order/pricelist. 3. Final registrations will be taken on 15th December for those who wish to receivethe order/price list. 4. If you do not register with Q Stores before 15.12.92 you will not be able toparticipate it, the first ordet 5. Orders for the 1st half of the school year MUST BE in at Alexandria BEFORE30th December 1992 6. Payment for your order will be due late January or early February. 7. Please attach photocopies of your registration certificates

SURNAME: (and initials)

NAME OF PERSON APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION:

RELATIONSHIP TO REGISTERED CHILD:

FULL ADDRESS & Postcode:

PHONE NUMBER:

NEAREST LARGE TOWN OR CITY (if outside Sydney):

NAMES & AGES OF CHILDREN

Please name the contact person or place you will use to pick up your goods

Please attach photocopies of your registration certificates for EACH of your children (this is to provide some check on the appropriateness of the volume of the order i.e. a family with one six year olddoes not need 5 basketballs)

Please remember if you wish to receive the Q STORES order/price list/catalogue for Jan-June 1993 you must send your registration in by 15th November 1992. The absolute cut-off date is 15th December 1992

PLEASE POST THIS COMPLETED FORM AND PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR CHILDRENS' REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES TO

* ** **QS(TORES/ Homeschvoters* ** * * P.O. BOX 77 ALEXANDRIA 2015

You are encouraged to Inform allregistered homeschoolers you know about this option

158 ooks by Joimolt Australia's John Holt Book & Music Store P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 215

ogues will be posted to all Australian Homesehool lolil71421 subscribers before November 1

!FREEDOM AND REYOND,1972. I) Whet freeka moos io &ally fife. ad 1 JOHN HOLT some of the hmeions Ii gremes; sod 2) will esbools sees mire remay, sod rely mks * wane. Cretan Ile may 'Three Made Jam Net (192345) pew a wlawbeerkeret Diadems" which many writing and edwationsl critic whew lerflanalalgeithemb whits pier aim* al bait spw*ed &haw abate aducationatase/pical waiting. Fascinating &vial ea reform awl die amen of feinting ae e d laterAwlezeity.'"Dieeiplier: DearbooNag pree rapper: wad itspiredies kaaw-sad lee Pam* madams. *dealers. ESCAPE FROM CHILDHOOD,,1974. The cam for beating ehildreo Ike real 41111111111111111111111 pop& em gets and shwa. met for nark* evagabk go tbsto dab :Wm & vespogel- Whigs One eilaba's moat ematrovenid A LIFE WORTH LIVING: setsciad logk mod matting (mansions Lour. ef John HA, ad. by S. Sheffsr. 'we mate you &irk Woe about Nail& Hese batten - which begio in 1945 and hood." scab tbe next four &cadet - show lanes INSTEAD OF EDUCATION, 1976. were wad at wart aad also save as a How ootammitist ear provide =kin and maid of a *urinating pried is recent bomb alterogim smoornes for km*. be balmy. This material has are berm 11.11ammINI place of datructive movelsory sehoollag. pablisbad before in my form. g Tkis beck pests clearly bum& lobes 'Swam& Sheffer's welleeStad mad . . bee &inking abotx honencloolIng at the perovtively introduced soNesion of Jobs HEVER TOO LATE, 1974. Rack b moat bopful pie for oilmen& educatiom Hors Muss invites Erb acquaint (or hist! JAL's mood persona/ and humor- mampaint) osmelves with one of tbe most ampler Nod admirable seem eduCa- oat book Hy laming to play Ibe milk at TEACH YOUR OWN, DE How nod Ibe age el My. Jobe wowed bevy tonal powers (fmta the why snmy pock lbw takes &ark eblireo Marken and Wrisers, Sept.-Ort. 91 `...by my own example lbat aN bavs at embed, mad bow they Um helped purer pryers &an we &ink; &an bra at kale. Aaewent to Rost Werth Mean for those revolted is &a wbatever we want to aura or lams b eammoo objectiom. lap/ advice, motet Ihocuken sod Skyphem West of we probab/y eat kern: bat wef *woe ilea Wisp. Wade sgenyin efsoomtal saretiog the yam& sad got so young.* ter pombitities ere sot dearnshaset itmoescbmbag popossis The hams. . Whole Earl* Rniew. Fail 1991 lbsed by what Upper!! Oa ft whew ws aticeding bandbagL I Sod something in almost every hum taws tirde, or by what eepatt gay we ma mat! want ao share with someons." er ounce do." LEARNING ALL THE "GM, 1919. LH, 11/inois "Mask to the eye nod ear.- A Johan* war weatieg co this book Was &Welly subversive book. LA ids &Mb and k wat tengisted ming his IA Vie Wort Week really Le morn -amities In GWS god Ober perioudy feepbatireal thing Fes mad in a loog tims. 71meit entollemd mitiag. It demeatrems that It ittruly onatual cupola/me blearr "The pettiest package um* tbe Wilms. grams befog eossoed about a Rh and b admire k sampletaly sod Chriztonat tree.. so admmtnee b adult manipulated, ao aod tb pirk up from Os widgeon reservatime AG. New Tart laaredag." Paltlishen Weakly world armard thmo Ihe Itarrica.'"John Items we as real a lobo Holt as am eggpart simple ways arm ear give HOW CRILDR.EN FALL, W. Revised prelly be dope M,, Mioois ehildna ta aNglt mistime they may mod 1942. New 1941 editioo with ao 10 burs man& amities, auk 'deem. ask I'm fistful it to it one of Sow Me- lice by George Moaovers. If par ehan= of a boot? 5.5, Minomma alai= an it arbad. and having trouble, mak.. . 'A =crime b Mr be boob about &it will bit you a Int aboat why. If they um at home. this may belp you mid memetbentioteNF Fleas micors .1 erDI mho bap you *HARM TREASURES: book reviews 'bears the algae in your abildren's behavior by Iola Bak Ed. by P. Farms, bed LP. ...137wring Fr:antra is/ my favorite &at will tall yoo Vpoo art Mill mak* Holcomb. A sketim of buteductbet b milmtioo of his writings." scam of &am . boob sad book grebes bow 1965 I945. The Mame School Sewer leak Tog am read folat's Illoggbts about ems- HOW CHILDREN LEARN,1967. Iikeries Treasures It particularly obi b om arboolhomes (bit Wm ID My Revised 1913. Hoe Mk childreo figure mad and valuable." John T Gann Cowry Schad www, bibertity adze*. &lop Old far Sleek owe satisfaction wilb Sub erbak. before the Istalligenes Mace* aod karaing. sad met mots. THE EDUCATION OF YOH!: HOLT, Me Allan Ac serunir ire warm and ontiadty 4 crippled b) hiving b lama Ceiketut boo soum womb as 774 N. r. seek wtai, fcr praise aese mewl Ms Hewn, gad CRT foie biographic*/ and eluracter portrait of John, Hors prase mosounmadatbm sof publisbed ia Pager 11.1cev 1941. original trot. plus mad impanels! New material. hawaaelawaliag bworms. &ma pages.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 22 15a BEST COPY AVAILABLE The Learners' Manifesto from the book Insult to Intelligence by Frank Smith

(1) The brain is always learning. We learn exactly what ourselves to people who practice what they teach. is demonstrated by people around us. Schools must Schools must stop trying to deliver instruction stop trying to teach through pointless drills, mechanically. If teachers cannot teach, there must activities, and tests. be better teachers, not more tests and programmatic instruction. (2) Learning does not require coercion or irrelevant reward. We fail to learn only if we are bored, or (6) The consequences of worthwhile learning are confused, or if we have been persuaded that learning obvious. We demonstrate the worthwhile things we will be difficult. Schools must be places where learn by engaging in those activities. Schools, teachers learning can take place staturally. and parents should not have to rely on marks, scores or tests to discover if we have learned. (3) Learning must be meaningful. If we understand, then we learn. Schools must change themselves, not (7) Learning always involves feelings. We remember try to change us, to ensure we understand what we how we feel when we learn and when we fail to learn. are expected to leam. Schools must not treat learners like battery hens or hle machines. (4) Learning is incidental. We learn while doing things that we fmd useful and interesting. Schools must (8) Learning must be free of risk. If we are threatened stop creating environments where we cannot engage by learning, then the learning will always threaten. in sensible activities. Schools must recognize that continual testing it intellectual harassment. (5) Learning is collaborative. We learn by apprenticing

"We underrate our brains and our intelligence. Formal education has become such a compliceted, self-conscious and overregulated activity that learning is widely regarded as something difficult that the brain would rather not do. Teachers are often inclined to think that learning is an occasional event, requiring special incentives and rewards, not something that anyone would normally engage in given a choice. Such a belief is probably well- founded if the teachers are referring to their efforts to keep children moving through the instructional sequences that are prescribed as learning activities in school. But reluctance to learn cannot be attributed to the brain. Learning is the brain's primary function, its constant concern, and we become restless and frustrated if there is no learning to be done. We are all capable of Frank Smith is not a homeschooling advocate, rather he is a huge and unsuspected learning specialist in reading instruction and a school reformer. Other good accomplishments without effort." books by Frank Smtih are Insaminmiliganagzadin&maihQui Frank Smith Noun= and ilillitIRMILIAICIaCaellib.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 23

160 But... How Do You Know If They'reLearning?

Sue Smith-Heavenrich

When I was teaching invested). Administrators want ruts-Seems that the state was planning schools, giving tests was part of thesurance that their teachers ars notto reclassify the stream and allow game. Having been a rather poor"too easy" and that the students willmore pollution (it was not a town test-taker myself I'd developed anbe ready for the rigors of college. water supply). Coincidentally there avereion to fill-in-the-blanki and Testing becomes, if not the fo-was increased development near the true/false I'd rather write acus of school, at least a major part ofkcal ski area, and my students were lengthy discourse or prepare someschool life. We introduce a topic, lee-absolutely convinced that something science exhibit. And so it was thatturr, discuss, do an experiment, andfishy was going on. upon beginning a new year at a newjust when the interesting questions So they got busy reading, and !school I found myself contemplatingpop up it's time to have the test andinterviewing local business-folk, and stacks and stacks of test bookletsmove on to the next topic. Perhapstalking with an environmental law- full of multiple ehcice questions, de-the saddest result isn't that the testyer. They wrote up field notes and signed to follow along with the text.is course-driven, but that the testthe only tests we did were chemical This stuff was clearly too good toindicates a false sense cf closure.analyses of the stream. Did the stu- throw out - so I took it to the localRarely will anyone go on to investi-dents learn? One needs only to recycling station. gate further. chanri,e the inflection: did the stu- Like purple boost:life, howev- I tried to subvert the systemdencs learn! One student, labelled er, tests are invasive. They expandas best I there was bot cocca"dyslexic; magically learned to read to fill an area that formerly gaveand cookies to munch, hands-on labso he could work with the local envi- shelter to creative projects and self-problems, short essay question;ronmental group - and order sup- evaluation. Once part of the natureand unlimited time for completingplies from the sciencecatalogs. of things they're hard to get rid of.the exam. I felt benevolent, my stu-Those who swore they'd neu a. take Thus it did not take long until mydents were more relaxed, but we didchemistry had great fun with ni- courses too were defined by mid-little to change the problem of test-trite* and hydroxides. Without tests terms and finals, with lots of quiz-driven schooling. there were no stop signs to indicate zes thrown in so the students would I have seen hard-working stu-that "enough" had been learned, have "something to fall back on"dents accomplish amazing things inand I even overheard them discuss- should they do poorly on an exam.situations where tests were not re-ing stream ecoloo at meal.. (The Not rny idea of how to teach, but asquired. In particular I recall an ecol-only other time I ever heard stu- new kid on the block I was toldogy course I once taught Or per-dents discuss a course-related issue quite bluntly to shelve my radicalhaps "sat in on" would be a morewas when I asked whether girls ideas and see how things were done.apt description. This was at an al-smiled more than boys.) Form should follow function,ternative school, my introduction to My ecology students were not and so the way we teach should be ateaching, and I was encouraged totop ocholars - quite the opposite. result of the learning that I. goingtry new ideasA handful of studentsBut given an environment where on. Too often the reverse is true andwanted to study ''ecology; a prettythey could define their goals, and learning is circumscribed by thebroad rubject, but as our first classfreed from the anxiety of testing, teaching. From the student we hear,meeting progreseed it became clearthey blossomed. Maybe it's time Vie this be on the testr Parentsthat what they really wanted toagree to a tett-ban treaty and get want numerical evidence that theirstudy was river ecology. In particu-back to the business of learning. child is learning (and is worth thelar they wanted to study the small thousands of dollars of tuition in-stream that ran beside the school. HEW..

HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINEMarch-April/ 1992

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 24

1 61 from The Good Behaviour Book for The following article appeared in the Sydney Morning Schools Appendix 18 Herald, August 17th 1985 Labelling Don't give a child a bad name by Richard Glover 'I Wouldn't Have Seen it if I Hadn't Believed It' - the tide of this article by G. Foster, J. Ysseldyke and J.H. Reese (Exceptional Children, April, 1978.) rather cleverly sums up the problems of labelling A study published in the British Journal of students. The authors describe an experiment where 38 graduate and undergraduate education students were divided into two groups. One Education Psychology has asked whether teachers group was told that a 'normal' child seen on a video was normal. The are influenced by the Christian names of their pupils when they mark essays. The researchers - other group was told that the same child was emotionally disturbed. The students were asked to rate the child on a number of measures. P.G. Erwin of Manchester Polytechnic and A. Caley of Manchester University - first tried to establish Those who believed that the child was emotionally disturbed rated the child more negatively. Interestingly, the authors claim that the which names were generally considered attractive by Britons.They then went on to test whether there students in the experiment had previously been exposed to the was any correlation between attLactive names and pioneering work in this area by R. Rosenthal and L. Jacobson who wrote Pygmalion in the Classroom, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, high marks. New York, 1968, considered at the time to be a classic statement They began by asking 50 undergraduates to rate 80 about labelling or the 'self-fulfilling prophesy'. first names, giving them marks from one to seven on a scale of attractiveness. All the undergraduates were Anglo-Saxon, as were all the names. The two male and two female names which had attracted extreme reaction - the names on the bottom and top of the list - were selected for the second part of the study. The most attractive names, as rated by the undergraduates, were Alison and Steven. The most unattractive were Beryl and Norman.

A sample of six essays written by nine and 10-year olds were labelled with one of the four names or left unlabelled. Erwin and Caley then presented the essays for marking to a group of 36 female and 36 male undergraduates from MancUster's Polytechnic and University.The results confirmed the researchers' fears. Essays supposedly penned by the Alisons and Stevens were given higher marks by all participants then the unnamed essays.The essays labelled Norman and Beryl received the lowest marks of all.

The researchers concluded that a system of anonymous marking should be introduced in important school examinations. But they also noted that the findings probably indicated the pervasive power of Christian names. An 'unattractive' name was likely to affect a child in many more ways than simply school marks - including their self-image, social standing and reactions to others.

STUPID Et riti This information contributed by Bev Hartington.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 25 University entrance in Australia for Homeschoolers by Jo-Anne Beirne & Anna Adams

In 1991 Anna Adams and I wrote to every University in Australia requesting information about access to these institutions for homeschoolers. It has to be remembered that the Registrars, who in the main replied to our queries, had no real understanding of the concept of homeschooling or what it entails.The following are excerpts from all those Universities who replied.

Monash University, Janice A. Dunn Registrar The University of Queensland, Patricia A. Meaney Deputy " We have a Direct Entry Scheme for "Alternative Year 12" Academic Registrar. students In some exceptional cases (where there is "Entrance to an undergraduate course at the Uni. of Qld is the concrete evidence of outstanding talent) the Academic Board of result of satisfying two requir =eras. The first, the course- the University has a discretion under Statute 6.1.1. to confer specific subjects pre-requisites (a pass at Year 12 level), the matriculation status More information on curriculum and second an entry score and consequent admission to a quota place. as,,essment would be required before any policy decision on This University has, as a matter of custom, always been more homeschooling could be made. concerned with catisfaction of the subject pre- requisites The competition for places in all undergraduate The Australian National University, R.V. Dubs Registrar courses at this University has meant that the acceptance of non- "Applications from students who do not meet the University's award enrollments have been limited to students alreay enrolled at minimum entry requirements, in terms of Year 12 scores another tertiary institution, who are completing courses and calculated by State authorities, are normally submitted to the transferring the credit to the home institution. For the same reason Admissions Committee for special consideration The the flexible admissions policy adopted by some of the larger, Admissions Committee is concerned, in these cases, to assess che privately endowed tertiary institutions in North America, have not stldent's potential for tertiary level study I would suggest been feasible at Queensland University where Commonwealth that students considering applying to the University contact the policy determines the number of places available fo each course Admissions office well in advance of the year in which they hope in each year." to enter so that arrangements can be made for a submission to the Admissions Committee You should be aware that all University of Wollongong, T.J. Brew Manager Student Rtculties have quotas and if the Admissions Committee grants Services. general admission to the University this does not neccessarily "We do not have any age restrictions on applicants except that guarantee an offer of a place in a preferred Faculty they had completed a regular secondary schooling

James Cook University or North Queensland, T.J. Rogers The University of Adelaide, E.R. Dines Academic Registrar. Director Academic Services. "Other than the Special Entry Scheme for "mature" applicants "Our university admits non-matriculants under a scheme known and the Aboriginal Access Scheme, admission to the University's as provisional admission. Applicants are generally assessed via undergraduate courses requires matriculation as a minimum interview with account taken of previous education and work educational standard. However the University has recently experience. In some areas applicants are required to complete an completed mergers with the city campus of the South Australian essay and successful completion of an aptitude test may be an College of Advanced Education and with the Roseworthy advantage Applicants may apply for provisional admission Agricultural College both of which offer some courses for which to all our courses. There are limited numbers of provisional this is not the case. " Admission applicants admitted to some courses such as Law and Psychology No minimum age stipulation is set for this The University of Western Australia, Jim Mitchell Director of form of admission." Admissions "We would consider all homeschooled students on an individual Deakin University, Geelong Victoria; R.G. Burrows Head of basis for entry to courses here but, as entry to all of our courses is Student Centers. competitve, they would be unlikely to succeed in gaining places "For applicants who are under 21 years of age and seeking entry unless they completed some recognised university entrance to undergraduate courses there is an alternative method for qualifications. satisfying university entrance requirements "

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 26

1133 The University of New South Wales, I.R. Ray Registrar and opportunity to consider such an applicant, application forms Deputy Principal should include as much relevant and detailed information as "At present the University of New South Wales does not have a possible that could aid in making a fair assessment. Thisshould policy regarding the admission of students who do not satisfy the include detailed information about study undertaken, syllabus, student's potential to following requirements The N.S.W. H.S.C. or equivalent test results, and any details that indicate the The University also accepts other qualifications e.g. interstate succeed at tertiary study. Sitting the QSAT is strongly and international qualifications. Your letter raises some recommended." interesting issues which will be brought to the Attention of the relevant authorities." SUMMARY

The Flinders University of South Australia, Marie Gorman I. There are already many precedents of students enteringEastern Admissions Officer. State universities without sitting the standard matriculation exam. "We do have alternative admissions paths Obviously such a thing is not going to be widely advertised in case more school students decide to takethis path and because of University of Western Sydney, Garry St. Lawrence Manager the high cost of assessing non-matriculation students. Academk Administration. Our admission requirement for undergraduate courses for 2. Now that homeschooling in N.S.W. has the same standing as applicants who do not satisfy mature age criteria, is satisfactory schooling in private or state schools there would be a strong case completion of the N.S.W. Higher School Certificate or for discrimination if a N.S.W. University decided to refuse entry equivalent. The definition of equivalent qualifications can be set without proper consideration. from time to time by Academic Committee and currently includes all interstate final high school examinations and a range of 3. For Universities that are particularly intractable it might be overseas qualifications such as A levels, theInternational worthwhile to be approved for study by those that do offer Baccalaureat and the Malaysian STPM. For entry to our Visual alternative admissions pathways and then apply to the University and Performing Arts courses, assessment is based on portfolio/ of choice. audition/ interview and is not dependent on HSC score 4. If you have any other information that would help Univei .,ity of Tasmania, Ci. Chapman Registrar homeschoolers in this area, please contact us at Homeschoolers The University recognises qualifications such as the Australia P.O. BOX 420 Kellyville 2153. International Baccalaureat and some overseas assessments like those awarded in Hong Kong, The U.K., Singapore and Malaysia .Finally the practice of ranking hoomschooled OTHER INTERESTING BOOKS TO READ ON THE students in their home state universities will be pertinent to TOPIC OF FURTHER EDUCATION deliberation here...." The Question is College by Herbert Kohl University of New England, Ray Esdaik, Administrative Officer Your Hidden Credentials by Petei Smith EcI.D " I will need some more detailed information on curricula and The Teenage liberation Handbook by Grace Uewellyn courses undertaken." Humeschooling for Excellence & Hard Times in Paradise by Griffith University, Queensland Phil Rowan Student Secretar David & Micki Colfax iat 44 Applicants who are not eligible for standard admission may apply for special admission to programmesof the University on the grounds of academic, occupational,learned or other achievement on the grounds of personal aptitude for study. Each case for special consideration is considered onits individual merits. The University does not conduct entrance examinations. However, special consideration applicants can sit for a Special Aptitude Test (QS Al) conducted by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)and results will be taken into consideration along with other information provided by the applicant As homeschooled students do not receive results which can be converted into a comparable score to allow ranking with other applicants, these students are considered on an individual basis. To allow the University the best possible

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 27

164 Buying curriculum materials on a budget or How to get maximum value for your education dollars by Sally A. Herigstad

reprinted from the April-May edition of 'The Teaching Home'

I'm a sucker for educational products. After six years of IThese illustrations are from teaching. I am no longer tempted by dresses and dinner datesyou David Macaulay's fantastic and can find me at the book store with armloads of goodies. Sometimes I have a small educational budget and sometimes I can spend a little fascinating book more. But never do I need another game, map, book or tape that will The Way Things Work sit on the shelf and make me feel guilty every time I see it ! Here are a few suggestions from the home-school teacher who wanted it all- and collected most of it in the spare bedroom. 1. Don't buy too much at once. Therewil be other sales. And you don't save that much buying it now. 2. So you did buy all that at once: well stash it away. Dole out the goodies little by little and they'll go further. 3. Avoid ordering materials sight unseen whenever possible (unless there is a good return guarantee). Somebody in the homeschool group has probably tried it and will be happy to let you look at it. 4.Don't buy special materials to teach things that_ kids learn naturally (and probably already know). Why teach colors or big, bigger, biggest ? Have you ever met a child who didn't know which cake was the biggest ? S. Before you buy any material ask: Could I make this myself? (Manipulatives, flashcards, many science kits.) Could I teach this another way just as easily ? (Talking about verbs in the car rather than a computer verbs game. ) Do we have time to use this, really? Where are we going to keep this? Could we borrow this book from the library or a friend ? Almost all books can be obtained through interlibrary loans. How lone will this be used? Some material is good for ten minutes, some is outdated in ten months and some will be used for ten years. I KIDILAULK MINCES liana rum wed saagnia. of de bml-brinonlid ormas4 Immo. brim& Wino& 'gram Thr lonnint now try to spend more money on literature, wonderful nature and lei mono in pow In do mom rIliodek me% in CZIof in looke Owl enonly ohnongln. vronna how-it-works books and so on to supplement grade specific ponre 61.4 insino pm.. la dr ohnol ethainn gnna vier.% On Invion schoolbooks. My motto is: Buy books we can't outgrow! sLna Thr *Imo dim do smom plID) dos sions cr dinw 6.Never buy material just because it makes you look more like you're really teaching school! The proof that you are teaching will be in your children not in the rows of finished workbooks and completed curriculum. The curriculum you choose must be your toolnot your master. Granted, it would be more fun to stock up all at once on language tapes, musical instruments, cameras, dark room supplies, computers, ready-made tennis courts, private pools, horses. Well maybe some other year. Once you decide what the necessities are, you can budget for what's important to you. With the money you save from unnecessary supplies, you may he able to encourage a real interest, such as astronomy. Remember for the price of a stack of books you DOC can buy a decent telescope which your children will never outgrow Itlii and may inspire the whole family's learning.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 28 165 Evaluating your homeschooling child's progress

by Jo-Anne Beirne

Every homeschooling parent has at one time or another been learning in the home is more flexible, less structured and diverse asked or asked themselves the question, "How are the children than learning in a school. Therefore standardised tests, in the going academically? Have you had them tested lately ? Are they home, tend to be unnatural and can't really reflect the kind of really learning anything? How do you know you are teaching broad learning that a homeschooled child is undertaking. effectively?" Despite the claims to the contrary by the large testing organisations rarely does any test mean that we have a sure way to Can schools can tell that a child is learning ? tell how much learning is really going on. Many of you, like me, The inquisitors presume that because a el' ild going to will have done extremely well in tests only to realise 6 months school is generally subjected to a continuous flow of tests, later that we remember virtually nothing of the particulars that we quizzes, and graded assignments that teachers and schools can were tested on. provide easy answers to all the above questions. Tests do make it easier for teachers to monitor a child's progress through the How to evaluate ? curriculum and to assess the short term memory of a student. But So how can we evaluate our homeschooled children ? no test is effect; ve at deciding how much a school child has One approach is to look at some of your child's written, creative, learned in the long term, in fact there is no guarantee that swotting science, social studies, reading or art work. Compare it with what for a test provides long term learning. Tests are to assess adequate he or she was reading, writing, drawing, creating, studying, regurgitation of what has been taught over a short period, with a collecting last month, or last year. Concentrate on the content. Is it maximum time period of ten months. Furthermore, tests cannot more complex? Is he or she tackling new information, more assess the broad learning that a child may be achieving in the detail, new ideas, new structures, selecting more elaborate home and the community if that learning does not fall within the vocabulary, doing more research, understanding and applying key learning areas and the specified syllabus. more, asking more questions, solving more problems alone? Even if there are many incongruities, is there a progression that A range of choices indicates an understanding of how the adult world thinks and does So for many homeschooling parents, there is a problem things? It is important to realise that in a subject like math or that can result, on occasions, in insecurity for the teaching parent. science, you may be more concerned with the child's ability to There are a few options to choose. You may decide to formulate internalize concepts and apply them to life. your own tests, based on the material you are covering and give Another approach is to realise that in the one-to-one them to your child. The test can be written or oral or an evaluation teaching situation of the homeschool usually you are able to based on a conversation with the child. You know what you actually evaluate your child's learning and see progress happen intended the study to achieve, did it happcn? How could you have day by day, so you can base your evaluation on your own improved your child's learning and what lessons does it have for interaction with your child. My experience has been that this is a your preparation, delivery and interaction when you study the most effective way to evaluate. The results of these real next learning topic ? How did the child like the learning, were evaluations can be noted in a diary e.g. Alison asked a question there child initiated changes ? etc. to-day about engines that came as a result of the air show we saw six months ago. We did more than six hours research on how Teaching to the test engines work and how they were developed. She is thinking she Whether it is widely admitted or not, in schools teachers would like to build a small engine from scratch" 17.9.92. teach to the test i.e. they prepare the students for the types of questions they think they will encounter, because thc results on Trust tests arc also a measure of the competency of the teacher. We all need to learn to trust our children's learning Homeschooling parents are fortunately not in this situation- our especially if they are in a home environment that is rich in commitment in time, energy and resources to our children is an rcsourccs and committed to education. Furthermore we must also adequate measure of our competency. In fact this sort of testing trust our own judgement and eva, Iation about the progress of our situation in the home is contrary to what most homeschooling children and be less inclined to give in to those people who apply parents feel is the responsibility and aim of education. Anyway pressure to force any child and their learning to sit for a

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 29

1 EE supposedly "magical test". The proof is in the pudding and it is a diverse and interesting challenge to try to separate out and evaluate the achievments of a homeschooled child who has been given the Dllk.4 RAYMOND encouragement, time and resources to develop their learning in any area as far as they want to take IL DOROTHY Answers for the critics The biggest problem of course is answering the critics - MOORE relatives, friends etc.. There is some great material questioning the value of standardised testing ( including Fairtest & Home Educ. Magazine Mar-April 1992). If your critics are particularly vocal BOOKS FOR SALE perhaps you can read some of the literature available from your library to answer their concerns. BETTER LATE THAN EARLY (research based However, if it is just your confidence that is lacking, questions information on why children should not start school about 41progress and evaluation" can probably be answered with some too early - easy to read) $17 (incl. postage) of the following jargon i.e. develop your "evaluation vocabulary" e.g. My child is good at solving real problems; My child is good at EXTRA CASH FOR KIDS (How they can earn it, analysing, researching and applying information; My child is good at easy to read for competent readers 10 years and up) conceptualizing; sorting, dividing & manipulating various materials; $18 (incl. postage) My child is good at applying k-,lowledge and solutions to a variety of real life problems involving people and objects; My child is good at HOME GROWN KIDS THE BOOK (Steps in assessing nee& and coming up with possibilities in linguistic and parenting) $17 (incl. postage) mathematical contexts; My child is good at directing and participating in practical activities to do with art, craft & sport ; My child is very HOME GROWN KIDS THE VIDEO (The total capable and further developing his ability to be able to interact with picture about horneschooling, interviews with a large people of all ages and abilities; My child is good at disciplined range of families who have been homeschooling and assessment and complex understanding; My child is good at still are doing it very successfully. Great gift for understanding a broad range of crtieria and processing this information; sceptical parents) $40 (incl. postage) My child is good at developing new and original solutions to a wide range of problems; My child is good at mastery of physical HOME MADE HEALTH (Backed by specialists) environments and thinking laterally and creatively, My child is good at $20 (incl. postage) becoming creatively involved in the home and community environment; My child exhibits maturing growth in all his mental and HOME SCHOOL BURNOUT (Interesting, easy to emotional skills read hard cover about how to prevent bum out and how to cure it.)$28 (incl. postage) Homeschooling works ! As I made all of these terms up I was thinking of lots of HOME SPUN SCHOOLS (How others homeschooling children I know for inspiration. Try not to be defensive homeschooled) $15 (incl. postage) about the evaluation of your child and what they are learning in the homeschool. Remember that they are achieving so much, and can't HOME STYLE TEACHING (Handbook for help but do so in the one to one situation of the homeschool. P.S. Don't teachers) $18 (incl. postage) forget to tell the critics the same! MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS (Businesses to run from Home) $20 (incl. postage)

SCHOOL CAN WAIT (Research sources on why children should not start school too early) $18 (incl. postage)

If you wish to purchase any of these books please send a cheque or money order for the appropriate amount to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 and we will be pleased to send it to you. ThankYou

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 30 167 Homeschool Survey by Jo-Anne Beirne & Anna Adams

The survey was carried out by sending questionnaires to children was an abdication of responsibility. However, the subscribers to the The Australian Homeschocl Journal & asking other 75% thought the children's attitude would be considered people to respond. and whether or not this would carry any weight would depend on age. Only 15% thought the choice to go to school would be In 1989, we carried out a preliminary survey of Australian totally the child's i.e. 3 families. homeschooling families with 24 homeschooling families responding to a survey we printed. There were 74 children in Concerning the daily formal tuition, 20 of the 24 mothers did these families and an average of 3 children per family. 45 80% or more. 3 did 73% and only one said she did 60%. So the children in all were being homeschcoled with only 2 school-aged most any father did of formal tuition was 40%. Mostly they children going to school. did 20% or less. 8 mothers did 100% - 6 fathers did none at an.

Of the families, 21 considered themselves to be either low or Of the informal learning activities, fathers did a lot more. No middle income earners, only 3 estimated that they were from a mother did 100% of the informal work but they still did 50% high income bracket. 2 families were sole parentsmothers, and or more of informal activities. Only one father did more than they were the families that moved most frequently - almost every 50% of the informal activities and he did 90%. 2ar.

The parents educational background was for the most part co- We are intending to do another survey in the not too educational state - both for primary and secondary. 16 mothers distant future. had some tertiary education; 14 had university degrees or college diplomas while 10 of the fathers had university degrees.

The decision to homeschool was made either by the mother or by the parents as a couple. Only one fathcr made the decision to homeschool. The reasons for homeschooling ranged from religious & philosophical to practical concern that schools were not doing their jobs. All of the families thought that homeschooling was a superior educational choice regardless of the schooling options available.

Of the families, 11 families had homeschooled all their lives while the rest had taken their children out of school. All these children were in primary school.

The longest totally homeschooling family had been horneschooling 6 years and the longest for previously-schooled children was four years. No-one in this survey was homeschooling at high school level.

22 of these families had exemptions - only 2 had not and did not intend to apply.

18 of the families found their local inspectors helpful or tolerant - only 4 believed their inspectors were difficult.

A quarter of the families thought the decision to homeschool was totally the parents - one even commenting that consulting with the

THE AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 31

168 Homeschoolers Supporting Homeschoolers

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL 1SSL E 35 PAGE 32 A friend recently received her child's report forthe Year 6 Basic Skills Test and I thought you might like to readabout the levels of skills expected in *Reading * Language *Number*Measurement *Space. It is possible for homeschoolers to have theirchildren sit the Basic Skills Test if they so desire. Contact should bemade with the Education Department early in the year - allowing plentyof time to arrange the details.

25 25 Lower Lower

Reading Language Number Measurement Space

Your Child's Skill Levels (shown above as STUDENTS WITH YOUR CHILD'S RESULTS ARE GENERALLY ABLE TO:

Reading urderstand the meaning of a cartoon supported by text Band 2* understand comparisons made in a piece of personal writing identify where information is located in differing factual texts recognise the reason for the actions of a person in a text Language recognise the inconsistent use of tensp Band 3* recognise the incorrect use of a word that looks and sounds similar notice a missing letter in a familiar word (interested NOT intrested; choose a verb that agrees with its subject and the tense Number solve a problem using addition when subtraction is suggested by clues Band 4* solve multiplication or division problems involving several steps recognise which fraction compares the lengths of two objects work out and compare total prices to find the cheapest supermarket Measurement measure length to the nearest centimetre Band 3* understand a scale with unlabelled subdivisions (circular gauge) work out a container's capacity (mL) and give the answer in litres work out arrival time given walking speed and path travelled Space interpret information shown on a line graph (When did the yabby's Band 3* length increase the most?) recognise a 90-degree angle use a compass direction to find a place on a map

t Information about these scalesisavailable from your child's school. M21846 Your child's skills also include thuse described for skills up to this band.

ACERCopyright 1992 Australian Council for Educational Research Prepared by the Australian Council tor Educational Research eJeriL; Street, Hawthorn Victoria 3122 tor the NSW Department of School Education

BEST COPYMINABLE

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 33 170 BandSkill srunt.Nis IN EACH SKILL BAND GENERALLY Reading IAVE THE SKILLS DESCRIBED l'OR THAT BAND AND THE BANDS LISTED BELOW IT. Language Number STUDENTS IN THESE BANDSMeasurement ARE GENERALLY ABLE TO: Space 4 4 extractput:.how ictuatroil an inlorniation understanding can affect from meaning oftechnical how anotheirecognisethe text subject an inconsistent and pronoun pronoun intervene where in solvewuidwhen clues asubtraction problemdivision problemusing is suggesud addition involving by workkni)speedinterpret and out lin times informationthekm/h) perimeter (in given minutes) to distances olcalculate a regular lur visualiseidentity(horizontallyinto paper the the result folded compass and of vertically)twice cutting direction readintormationwritingunderstandlariguage carefully when in thea there detailedlo purpose sort is outcompeting factual of competing a piece text of recognisenoticewordpronounlecogruse (you're) a missingwow) thethat common instead'y' question becomes ofmisuse themai i contractedk of a in the past solveseveralrecogniseseveral a stepsmultiplication steps whichincluding fraction problem "rounding compares with oil" shapemadeworkofsolve measurement frorn outproblemsfrom athe scale blocks volume involving drawingunits where of a partamodel mixture o( pictureinterpretnewof an position original graph information positionwhere a shown fromkey is a in a expressiondeteccuniormat the ion meaning("renewable in a factual of an resource")text abstract usedtensenonce (curetul01 `Anne where Nur Verb!, &obit.: ( lifted letters NOI hitutald Or(I) not by superthemmakthe lengths outrural10 lindtotal ket of the pricestwo cheapest oblects and compare wintheatt.,1 modelk urti ula cannotmold)otlt. ',mal( atea be seenpall when is giventhe as [KEY: V _ . 5 litres supportextract inlormationa conclusion. from a table to solve a problemcugnise by sublr that acting 14 arid ale !actors an informeasure rikr1 (t:riga!unit. to the nearest grvenCuriipletetriter table pft,1 a lii Itata ti Mal PHI sllOwn on i aphu useig a 3 3 'ARA,/ipersonaliecogrise oirlpate an orortheunderstanding curicwuescriplive writer's itrast til Iwo differentfocus pieces writingof a in step point.;aof piece writingin a of of recognisenoticeNOI'tiyAe)sourulsrel'05:111st! a the andmissing incoreastera Ole looks incur apostrophe similal rect usere.r: ofinol teMea wurd that !EM:i. [Allk diangechoosethllerericedet duds in the wireda bet problem correct NICen trading withcoins 284 is several needed toand give 45 steps (theas7) gauge)centimetreworksubdivisiortsunderstar out the id a capacity(nrcular scale with temperatureof unlabelleda uselecittpliSeyubby'sJ line a 10,11.11 compass Itttintlt d 90. (11011./I its, angledirection mt:t1V, dal dic theto find drawthedaterentseleaprocedure uppropnate conclusions a title perspectives or to drawing)a reflecttodescription explain a theme the (by feelings givenchoosing from withcontractedchoose(mraerusiednotice a similar a a wordmissing vet word NOT b commonly that (you're intrested)letter agrees in Nor aconfused withlanuhar stouter as sublet word nearestsolvetoworkround estimate hundred outa four.hguredivision whether the answerproblem to numbers use to andt- a problemexpress to the . x . speedworkthecontainer answer out and arrival (in path(to millilitres) litres) travelledtime given and walkingconvert a place ori a map. understanddetector behaviour meaning the of ameaningof person expressions inof aa storycartoon in context andnotice the ter the ise incorrect spelling of a common solve(wholethe answer a boutsproblem in NW/ructions a commonusing a simple sense ol bouts). ratioway estimate length from a picture showparallel an understanding lines by matching of sets dilieleiidentilyotunderstandsupported personal a where types by wrcomparisons text itinginformationof factual textmade is located in a piece in wordabeginnmgnotice questionffnends a missing NOTol mark a set freinds) capital aence letterognise, at the given clues, the incortect use of (milksIwoidentifyitr one 5(10mgiveniwtt minute?) decimal rlitomiberswholein 10 minutes; numberstractions which how (Colour betweenwe farbetween in 9 choosecomparedrawnthebalance toroost the scalemasses (seesaw) thermometer likely on temperature a simple showing hollowon!lameof tracksa map the compass coordinates directions of a placeto understandpersonrecognise in athe texttheimagery reason purpose usedfor ofthe ina actionsfactuala story oftext a q1.110NO1wordschoose there that the otlook correctly thcy're. or sound speltquite !Mutual word Nor quaIrom (their ur (_.0."-;) (lunchtime in shade 01 tree) draw a path on a map locatepiecesdetect andaof similar writing use information theme in two that contrasting is clearly neededrecognisechoose (another whenthe correct a NOI comp,,uruf ottpronoun Whet) word that isagrees understand the value ul each place in 9). convert analogue to digual time whichrecognise combrne the simple to Intake shapes ii grven I putmuketostated together draw connections III a aCOMseveral factual pieces textbetween of inhumationpieces of subjectchooserightrecognise aoda(answer ramiliar the a wrong tenseNOY verb onset) spellin(I hal agrees thath its sounds withsubject its addhveliguredifferentw('ognisemore two usnumbers numhets givendiagrams. the same when fraction a word showni like by 3.:'2 ur 4.11 2.21 NO1 2 42 or drawnamesgiveshape a limeappropriate lur ul everyday symmetry georrietnc obit:cis on a showillustrationintuttnationdestribetheme an understanding in theina shorta mainstory, text character supported of the main in bya shortan familiarchoosethatrecognise, looks thepreposition andgiven adverb sounds clues, commonly similara wrong used spelling with a ).1..my porn NW' shape (boot): 171 factualNM'Nolo text, 2'I given obvious clues MOW-text in inlormal italics in ion this about table your of skill descriptrons relates to questions in t he 1992 Nisi( Skulls test belundrusults hormmid yottt s:ttrittual twilit! want e at school will be available Itorrt his or her school GEST COPY AVA1LASLE 172 Damned if I do and

SOCIALEATION damned if I don't other areas of public open space to the home. A simple inquiry as to the The quedion, 'but what pleasures of her day is received with the abeut socialization ?" is same grace and good will as nine-year- old sister Zoe's request to borrow the perhaps the question Walkman and a goodbye kiss in the answerei most often by morning is followed by rush to the horneknoolers. Personally I bathroom to wash her face. always maintain that the Terms of endearment art as welcome socialization in schools is RELATIONS as peas on the dinner plate. A sullen, cold typically poor and not at all MIKE STEVEN silence prevails, though I suspect that ft is not just in my imagination that I bear like it is in real society her repeating, "Beam him up, Scotty", where people are integrated THERE was a time when childrenas she vainly hopes for some extra-ter- vertically for social events, respected their parents and restrialforce torelieve her of my work-wise and in terms of looked op to them as role models. incommodious presence. I'm trot sure when that was, but 1 experience. Are there any saw it on TV once, children referring to gave the family dog more reason to real world environments their father in deferential tones and resent me the day I drove over him with where you can exclusively addressing him as ''Sir". I think it was athe station wagon, but it seems that dogs find thirty, 35 year olds in film about Eton, but the fact remains, it art more forgiving than daughters, and h as happened somewhere in the Eaglish- Max dame back from the vet as friendly close proximity ? In schools speaking world. and faithful as ever. Mind you, he knew all the social integration is Not any more. The prevailing attitudewho cut up the dog foot!, and being a horizontal i.e. 29 other kids a 12-year-old holds towards her flzher is dachshund, he never did see who was all of the same age. acute embarrassment. This perception isdriving the car. Rut this line of argument the result of a scientific survey of a presupposes that perhaps 1 have run over population of two, my 12-year-oldmy daughter recently and absent-mind. But I was really saddened daughter, Alexandra, and her 12-year-edly failed to apologise. when I read this article and old friend, Joanna. Conventional wisdom has it that univer- realised that it is probably Oa Monday evening I made thesity lecturers do things like that, being true for the relationships of unforgivable mistake of joining Alex atsomewhat detached from the world, the Richmond bus stop to accompany heroblivious to the reality of life about us. many schooled children with ea the 16 kilometre trip borne, gen r-This is particularly true of those who work their parents. I believe this ousfy leaving work an hour early to goewith plants and flowers in preference to sort of "cringe" attitude is her the pleasure of ber father's company. people. At least I maintain there's svothing created by peer pressure My arrival beside her on the kerbside about my job, well, nothing that she knows was greeted with a glare that woold wilt a about, that would give her cause for and the fact that children silk flower and stony silence. spend so little time with embarrassment. Joanna to Alex: ns that your father I've put the white socks away for their parents when they beside you? How embarrassing. Iever, but it seems that when it comes to attend school, that they lose couldn't stand It if my father came and dressing right, you're damned if you do the time to build respect and sat down best to me in public." and you're damned if you don't. I've devotion that is an essential Aad so it was that fears that I had held tried my best to be cool, but Country for my relationship with ray daughterRoad jeans and a Number Three ingredient in a happy became real, aod a universal truth about haircut don't cut much ice with a family. father/12-year-old daughter relation- 12.year-old. I've offered to give my ships became apparent. hair a treatment of Grecian, but it This "parental cringe" has I could dismiss this as an isolatedseems that fogeyness is more than never happened with our incident were It not for the recurringfollicle deep. The unkindest cuts are comments from Alex to her father that reserved for my efforts to preserve twelve year old nor all the have put somethin of a damper on oursome vestiges of Apollonian physique. many other high school age relationships over the last three months. Nothing is surer to reduce a 12-year- homeschooled children I It began with a similar incident at theold daughter to mocking, derisive know. If the wonderful start of term when, In a fatherly fashion, laughter than the sight of her 40-plus 1 foined her in the bus queue at Grossfather in fluoro Lycra pants. "socialization" provided by Vale to accompany her on the school bus. schools makes a 12 year old She made a dash for the back seat, I'm optimistic things will change. Even feel this way about her determined to put as much distanceKelly Bundy has the wit to realise that between her aod her father as the length Dads can be played like a piano. Alex obviously devoted father - of the bus would allow. 1 waive!) assumed wili turn on the charm again one day. Rut long live homeschool she might be concerned that 1, too, would there will always be a cost. Today, socialization ! Ire embarrassed by her new green, white self-esteem, tomorrow, cold hard cash. and blue school uniform, which in her I'm not sure which I can afford to lose eyes rates rather lowly on the scale ofmost. things In which it Is cool to be seen. Contributionsto Relations artss.el. Now relations have developed to the come. 710 should he 700 words, typed state where It seems my very existence on and slim& me real names of people and the same planet is a matter causing her places. Psendonynu will not be aceepted. some considerable trauma, a phobia Send to Mr 4genda editor, Peter Freeman, which has extended from bus queum and S4H, GPO Box 506, Sydney 2001.

BEST COPY AVAILABLE AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 35 173 Books about Homeschooling from Australia's John Holt Book & Music Store P.O. Box 420 Kellyvilie 2153

Catalogues will be posted to all Austnalian Homeschool Journal subscribers before November 1992

BETTER THAN SCHOOL, Nancy Wallace. Among the finest books of bow TAKING CHARCE THROUGH LETTERS HOME, Britt Barker. A bomeschooling has worked and what it bAs HOME SCHOOLING, M. Larry & Susan collection of this teenage bomescbooler's been lac in one family. Their story is a D. Kssernan. A Fovocative and useful textbook case of how to deal with difficult articles written for ber local newspaper interpretation of what is happening in about ber adventures in the real world (at a school boards. Hardcover. American education written in the form of time when Ier age-mates werecraMming a borneschooling handbook. Their CHILDREN LEARNING AT HOME, for tests). An inspiring account of bow she Julie Webb. This researcher writes: " [This experience and clear presentations of practical alternatives will impower you to found jobs she wanted without the aid of book] explores the results of home find a way to bomesebool that works for saiool credentials. Britt details her travels education for those wbo undertook it and your family and to deal successfully with across Canada, the U.S., and Italy asshe describes and analyzes tbe ways in which school authorities. Useful for beginning apprenticed herself to various scientists these results were achieved... Home- bomeschoolers as well as experienced engaged in field research. *431 $550 schooling appears to be increasingly ones. *1564 512.95 relevant to a society in which imp:ntant SCHOOL'S OUT, Jean Bendell. An educational decisions are becoming more THE TEENAGE LIBERATION English bomescbooling mother writes HANDBOOK: How to Quit School and and more centralized, with less choice..." about her family's experiences and the role Get a Real Life and Education, Grace Case histories and theoretical background of homeschooling and schools in general. of home education in England, but useful Llewellyn. A former teacher shows teenagers what they can do through The perfect balance between first-hand for all of us to iv:: there is no one best way hundreds of examples of what other teens experience and advice. Some surprising to educate at borne. have done, and helps readers feel that lamous bomeschoolers described. THE HOME SCHOOL SOURCE adolescence can be an exciting time of BOOK, Donn Reed. A huge collection of exploration, discovery, and meaningful SCHOOLING AT HOME: Parents, international resources and idformation work. Wonderful ideas about pursuing Kids, and Learning, edited by Anne science, history, writing, and other subjects that is available for free or for fee for Pedersen and Peggy O'Mara. Explores in the real world, chapters on college and homeschoolers. Also included an ways and philosophies of learning, legal homeschooling cartoons and the Reed finding work, and in-depth stories about family's homeschooling story. The author bomeschoolers' lives. Fascinating and issues, methods of teaching at home, and writes, 'This book lists many items with useful reading for teens, their parents, and personal accounts of homeschooling. Some articles originally appeared ie Mothering which we don't agree... but we don't mind parents of younger children looking ahead magazine; some written just for this book. telling you where you can buy them if you to tbc future. 411630 $14.95 Among the authors included are John Holt, want them As you'll see, I have strong THREE R's AT HOME, Howard & Herbert Kohl, Penny Barker, Thomas opinions. Whether you epee or disagree Susan Richman. The rich and detailed Armstrong, the Moores, Patrick Patens, with me, you'll always know where I story of one family's homeschooling Nancy Wallace, Kate Kerman, and morel stand, and will Dot be misled by indiscrimi experiences, with much helpful advice for nate praise and false 'objectivity." others. Great info about writing their own igWRITING BECAUSE WE curriculum, helping kids learn phonics and LOVE TO: Homescboolers math, keeping records and staying at Work, by Susannah HOMESCHOOLING FOR EXCEL- organized. Many stories first appeared in Sheffer. How Susannah LENCE, David & Micki Colfax. The GWS, and there's lots of new material, too. Sheffer, editor of Growing Withoat family that has sent three bomeschooled 411194 $7.95 Schooling, worked tlrough the mail with sons to Harvard. Goes far beyood the homeschooled writers aged 10 to 15, A TIME TO FLY FREE, by Stephanie media coverage they've received. commenting on their stories, poems, and Tolan. Josh's unhappiness in school is essays and answering their questionsabout taken seriously by the adults in his life, sod beg own writing. Includes many samples of HOMESCHOOLING IN THE NEWS, be is allowed to learn at home and to ed. Patrick Fareaga. Contains 28 articles the kids' writing aod excerpts from letters apprentice to a man who helps wounded in which they reflect on the process of (from 1986 - 1191) on bomeschooling from wildlife. A wonderfully sympathetic and a wide variety of national newspapers and work. Explores such questions as: why realistic story about a contemporary self-directed !tamers sometimes seek out a magazines: TIME, NY and IA Times, borneschoolen already much loved by teacher's help, and why it's important to let Washington Post, Boston Globe, etc. The homeschoolers wbo have discovered it. kids choose their own teachers; bow to text of each article is reprinted exactly ae it give children access to the writing culture; originally appeared. A great gift for why periods of not writing can be valuable. skeptics.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35PAGE 36 174 THE MEDIA The Daily Telegraph-Minor 31.8.92 Education Minister Virginia Many people have sent me a copy of an article that Chadwick is an unabashed appeared in The Daily Telegraph Mirror 31.8.92 called admirer of homeschooling School's In But Who is Taking Class? The author of this "Homeschoolers have strong emotional & inaccurate article was Wayne Miller. . We personal views about the topic feel there were many good reasons for Mr Miller not to (socialization) and I think if they have written this article. Often personal issues that have thought they were not coping they strong emotional components can cloud judegement and would be big enough to admit it" reason. It is unfortuate when this happens, that articles are written which solidfy positions, making negotiation difficult if not impossible.

As a result of the article Anna Adams & I complained on behalf of ourselves and other homesehoolers to his editor. Many other homeschoolers have informed me that they did the same. I a:so took the time to write to Mr Aquilina expressing my disappointment at the attitude of the Labor party. As many people as possible should do the same. 4chool's in

IT IS TRUE That the Labor party is presently philosophically opposed to but who's homeschooling and while I do not doubt that they may regulate homeschooling more strictly if they get power at the next election I cannot see that they could possibly remove the option taking class? altogether given the historical, legal, philosophical and human THE number of duldron boing romorod from NSW sdiook by OHM parents hos rights issues involved. mom than baffled in ii months.. list flys confrovirrial ram horse echosing taws logfacy ahamir Education Minisfor CONCERNED Tony Mothoroll haw swimd a bitter It is also true that people such as Graham Allpin of the Parents now debate. reports WAYNE MEM & Citizens Association; Dick Shearman of the Independent FEWER than MO NSW children 1 were taught at hotne when Dr Metherell Teachers Association & Denis Fitzgerald of the Teachers championed Mg tevoiutionary Educatires Reform BSI two years ago. Todm the Federation are going to have "problems" with horneschooling- number of chltdren taken out of school has biown

out dramnically. 1 especially when they have the most to lose by an increase in the The exact number is difficult to obtainedotatkin authorities Mil my ably that the flame le "somewhere over S. I numbers of homeschoolers and have made absolutely no effort Suppoeters ray home schooling Ls ter than anything the moven- r to find out anything about it. Making them understand and nonel education system can offer: alba my listen will take time. But as our numbers increase, still further, children out be badly disadvantaged and and our confidence grows it will be harder for them to Isolated from the real weekt Home schooledchil- "eliminate"us. I feel that we can make all these people see dren do sot lave the sense rip= as chit- ,.., reason in the long run if we are prepared to stick together and achoobe and do Dot have their fight any problems that come up. progress tnaesured. HY law they only have le be nettedtothe NSW Hoard of Studies CHM 'generally once a yaw". I believe it was significant that thr excellent article the week Teacher groom her same of thew children I before about Chris Puffett and Iva children in the Sydney may Womb belate& Tony Wittfhorat setnth and narrow- Morning Herald resulted in two prime time and sympathetic minded and are wiesing them ea twit" aajs Me et enteterecting anus- INfaisitsoneducation The NSW OppedUonsisoltesenan . John long radio interviews whereas the only radio follow-up of this bu pmenared le scrapAquilinehas always boats schwa** be itsbeen a stcal able of the particular article was on the 4 a.m. 2GB program (no I'm not an mean Wm boe1 wouldlegitimise a/low people So mach It should be a last re- insomniac but I have a relative who is). their children at homesort, he said hall In specie! cams. -Quitefrankly.the The Telegraell MirrorBoard of Studies le Inca- has found: patee wtth the mamma pkarrers do not needthat it has of being able PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS eny MIUMLIccal *Ian-to monitexthisade- esteem to take their chil-quately: be mid. Nonetheless, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance and if we dren to Mach them at NSW independent home, Teachers AaMetation can all of vs should take every opportunity to influence Labor HONE SCHOOLEDspokesman. Dick Mame- children are not givenmaa. Is also attire] teeic aub tow; ^Social interaction and party thit);:ing and your Labor politicians in particular about the **moist enanisthe slicallesnoe of learn reasons for your objections to their stance against on IOW from mho. homesc hooling.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 37

1 75 BEST COPY AVAILABLE IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF HOMESCHOOLING IN N.S.W. PLEASE MAKE THE TIME TO WRITE TO THE FOLLOWING MEN.

"homeschooling is atomising childhoods - individual, "Social interaction and the significance of separate and aloof from the rest of society" learning from others and with others is the Denis Fitzgerald N.S.W. Teachers Fed. spokesman. most important thing that gives you a shared Ph: 287 2100 Fax 267 5221 experience of the world" Dick Shearman of the Address: 300 Sussex St. Sydney 2001 N.S.W. Independent Teachers Association.

Address P.O.BOX 116 Sydney 2001 John Aquilina (Shadow Labor Minister for Education) has always been a vocal critic of the legislation (homeschooling) "Quite frankly "I see a very great danger in allowing unqualified the Board of Studies with the resources it has parents ti) teach" Graham Allpin Senior Vice is incapable of being able to monitor this President of the Parents and Citizens Assoc. adequately".

Address: 210 Crown St Darlinghurst 2010 Address: 2146 Railway Rd. Marayong 2148

It is extremely hard to find a forum to allow homeschoolers to address the concerns of these gentlemen, so,I suggest as many homeschoolers as possible write to them asking them to attend the Homeschoolers Australia Picnic 29th November 1992 (see advert on page 39). This will enable these men to really talk to homeschool parents about the positive choices they are making for their children. It will also let them see the socalled "deprived and aloof" children in action.

rSAMPLE LETTER ONLY - PLEASE MAKE UP YOUR OWN

Dear Sir

I read your comments about homeschooling inthe Telegraph Mirror 31st August 1992. It made me realise that you probably know very little about the option of homeschooling. We are parents who choose this high quality educational option for our children and are very pleased with the results. We would like to invite you to our annual homeschoolers picnic on 29 th November 1992 so that you can meet and talk to a wide range of parents, many of whom are teachers, about the legal alternative of horneschooling. We hope this may help to dispel any misinformation you have about homeschooling. We hope to hear from you soon.

Yours Sincerely

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 38

176 HOMESCHOOL PICNIC 29TH NOVEMBER 1992

EVERYBODY WARMLY WELCOMED

END OF YEAR PICNIC & BOOK SWAP, TRADE & BUY RESOURCE DAY

CONTACT PERSON : Dodie Conway 639 4858 Ann Gippel 7073437

TIME: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. or anytime in between.

VENUE: The venue of this event has been changed to Kellyville Sport, Recreation Center & Park, Memorial Drive Kellyville. What is planned: * A large sports and picnic day, with a BBQ available. * A huge range of new Homeschooling books available to see. * A collection of new, as new and old school type, fiction and non-fiction homeschooling and educational resources. * Shared afternoon tea, in an indoor, upstairs room. (Tea and coffee making facilities and a large fridge available). Who and what to bring: * Any new or used books or educational materials you wish to sell, swap or trade. * The whole family- grandparents are most welcome, * Sports equipment, balls, comfortable clothes, sandshoes, etc. * Your lunch and something to sit on. * A small plate to share at afternoon tea 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.

177 Homeschooling Seminars

NEWCgISTLE 5EiPT2 7th TER751 BUNBrIIRY Wt NOVEMBER15th-22nd Hillview Hall, Morrisset. Organised by Carolyn Arthur phone 049 665 098 for details. Contact persons Perth Sue Warner 09 294 4553 SYDNEYREGION Sun OCT 25th Bunbury Karen Lawde 097 311 817 Topics: Legalities, past experiences, dealing with Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. administrators, homeschooling philosophies and freedoms. What can I read about homeschooling ? Resources Venue: Kellyville Sport, Recreation Center Hall Memorial Drive information & the power and protections of networking. Kellyville. Everyone warmly welcomed. Topic: Why, how and what to use for homeschooling. What should I read ? Resources, information, networking. Discussion about SYDNEY REGION structured and unstructured programs, how do I make up a program, Sunday 59iNZIART 24th diary ? How do I evaluate what my child is learning ?

Cost S20 per familygrandparents and husbands warmly welcomed. Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. The cost is S15 per family for anyor.e who has already attended one of my seminars. Childminding available and afternoon tea supplied. Venue: Kellyville Sport, Recreation Center Hall Memorial Drive Kellyville. R.S.V.P. Please remember to tell us you are coming before 22 nd October, the seminar will not proceed if enough people are not Topic: Why, how and what to use for homeschooling. What inictestod or available for that date. Ring 629 3727 for more details. should I read ? Resources, information, networking. Discussion about structured and unstructured programs, how do 1 make up a program, diary ? How do I evaluate what my child is learning ? What about socialization?

(:A.LLSUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE Cost $20 per family - grandparents and husbands warmly 1993 AUSTRALIAN welcomed. The cost is S15 per family for anyone who has HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL already attended one of my seminars. Childminding ARE NOW DUE available and afternoon tea supplied. R.S.V.P. Please remember to tell us you arc coming bcforc SUBSCRIVTION: $30 for 6 issues 23rdJanuary, the seminar will not proceed if enough people are not interested or available for that date.Ring 629 3727 If you send the subscription, name & address of for more details. a new subscriber with your own subscription you need only send $25 for your 6 issues !!

Send your cheque or money order to

Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd Happy Someschooting P.O. BOX 420 KELLYVILLE 2153

AUSTRALIAN HOMES0-100L JOURNAL ISSUE 35 PAGE 40

17C5 -4111.11/ Australian Horneschool Journal ISSUE 36 Editor: .loAnne Beirne

Subscription to this journal is $30 for 6 issues P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

r2r) * Microsoft Announces Big Savings for Homeschoolers !!! * Socialization feature !! * Gifted & Talented Program * Learning Disabled & The use of Ritalin * Research into Homeschooling 179 Please consider sending us your CONTENTS subscription for the six editions of the 1993 Australian News & Information Homeschool Journal by Jo-Anne Beirne page 3&4 40 pages of Resource Information information at only by Jo-Anne Beirne page 5 $30 for one years How Not to Teach Physics subscription !!! by Richard Feynman page 7-9 Research and Homeschooling by L. & S. Kaseman page 10-13 Where to look for Homeschooling Resources Great feature on by Jo-Anne Beime page 14 socialization by A Resource for Gifted Children page 15 homeschooling Evaluation in the Homeschool children themselves by Anna Adams & Jo-Anne Beirne page 16-17 Ritalin from G.W.S. 88 by L. Walker & M. Brown page 19-20 Mediation Victory- Vindication page 21-22 What Socialization Means See pages 23-27 by many different homeschoolcd children Reprinted from G.W.S. page 23-27 Apple & Microsoft information and Price List by Kurrawood & Homeschoolers Australia page 28-29 Don't forget to Software Information register with Q by Josie from Kurrawood page 30 Stores for your

Parental Warmth is What's Important catalogue ! from G.W.S. 81 page 31 Natural Learning Works See pages 38-39 for by Marj Taberner page 31 the registration The Real World form. by Mark Hurst page 32 G.W.S. page 33 Why We Homeschool by Julie Pinazza page 34 The Moores Books page 35 Great savings for Home Homesehoolers Supporting Homeschoolers Educators from Apple by Jo-Anne Beime page 36 Computers & Microsoft! Keeping Records by Jo-Anne Beirne page 37 Q Stores Information page 38-39 See pages 28-29

GETTING STARTED WITH HOMESCHOOLING A 44 page information booklet for those thinking about homeschooling has recently been UPDATED & reprinted.

ff you have a friend or relative who wants to know theanswers to these pertinent homeschooling questions *WHY *HOW *HIGH SCHOOL*TERTIARY * SOCIALIZATION *ACCOUNTABILITY *LEGAL ISSUESez the answers to 30 or 40 other commonly asked questions & concerns Please tell them to send $15 for our information package to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 Ph: 02 629 3727 Q STORES for N.S.W. Homeschoolers Please, please, please if you are a N.S.W. homeschooler News & Information read the Q Stores information in this issue and if you are interested send your request for registrationwith Q Stores in. If you have received a letter from Ms. Rathna The John Holt Book and Music Kumar, please ignore it as it was a mistake and you will Store Catalogue HAS ARRIVED ! soon receive your catalogue.

THE AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL THE UPDATED APPLE PRICE LIST FOR HOME JOURNAL - SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE !!! EDUCATORS IS ON PAGE 29 Thank you to all those people who have already resubscribed. We hope you will decide to renew MICROSOFT-grants homeschoolers THE your subscription to our journal which falls due EDUCATORS DISCOUNT (Thanks Ross Bull& this issue. For $30 you get 6 issues of what we believe is very useful resource, legal and of Kurrawood Computers for negotiating this on our behalf) practical information about horneschooling, SEE page 29 for details!! EXAMPLE Word 5.0 recommended programming, socialisation, higher education, retail price is S595 now only $185 if you are a registered research and much more. Anyone wishing to homeschooler and register through Homeschoolers Australia and subscribe to the 6 issues of the journal in 1993 is Kurrawood Computers. requested to send a cheque for$30 to Homeschoolers Australia P.O. BOX 420 Kellyville 2153. COMPUTER WORKSHOP- 28TH MARCH 1993 A BONUS FOR OLD SUBSCRIBERS IF YOU GET A FRIEND TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE JOURNAL WHO HAS NEVER We are planning a computer workshop. Bill Chalker is going to SUBSCRIBED BEFORE YOU NEED ONLY help me coordinate it. His phone is 02 4844680, mine is 02 629 3727. It will be homeschooler generated and conducted but I would SEND S25 for your own yearly subscription but both subscriptions and cheques will need to be envisage at least some of the following happening. posted in the same envelope. * Families bring their own computers and software. * A few hours for parents and children who are experienced with SUBSCRIBE TO THE A.H.J. FOR YOUR computers. In this time they could share with other experienced LOCAL LIBRARY users the software they most enjoy, the skills they have discovered, Jackie Perriam rang through the week and said the information they have found most useful, programming and she would like to subscribe to the journal for her other tips. local library - Castle Hill in doing her "bit" for * The second half of the day would provide an opportunity for homeschooling. Two other families are children and parents who have never used computers or would like subscribing for their mother and mother-in-law to find out more detailed first hand information about them. They so that they know what's going on. could ask questions and use the machines, under supervision, of the more experienced users. YOU CAN SPREAD THE WORD !! * I will attempt to coordinate it so there is a diverse range of In 1993, I will be canvassing all libraries with a software available from Physics & Calculus through Maths view to encouraging them to stock at least some Blaster, Sim City and Sim Ant to word processing programs, the books on home education in each library around Dycam camera which transfers pictures straight on to a computer the State. You can really help this process by (just for inspiration), chemistry , flight simulators, etc. speaking to your local librarian and informing * We hope to set up a homeschoolers users network, to distribute her that you are interested in homeschooling. useful computer information & perhaps a newsletter. Anyone who wishes us to send a copy of the John Holt Book and Music Store Catalogue to Suggestions are welcomedon paper initially and to P.O. Box their librarian should drop us a notc with the 420, Kellyville, 2153. If you are intemsted in attending the name and address and wc will follow this up workshop please write and tell us, listing which part of the immediately. workshop applies to you, also your name, age (of child), type of computer & any expertise, software you would wish to share and anything else you think relevant.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 3 181 KELLYVILLE HOMESCHOOL Resources GATHERINGS & SPORTS YOUNG HOMESCHOOLER AT T.A.F.E. DAYS in 1993 Celicia Giandomenico has written to say that her daughter AIM: To network, provide a venue, support, encouragement and Donna (10) has been accepted, after interview, into their local infomation for those homeschooling or those thinking about it. TAFE college to do a computer course in 1993. All the normal VENUE: Kellyville Sports and Recreation Center, Memorial costs apply of course but it is a piece of knowledge others Drive Kellyville 10 a.m.- 2 p.m Monday 23rd November 1992 might like to use. Facilitated by Greg & Jo-Anne Beirne. Contact person for more information - Dodie Conway 639 4858 FAX MATH Have you ever felt like giving up with Maths because no-one can help you and group tuition is a waste of money and private * Monday November 23rd tuition is too expensive ? - Well * Tuesday February 16th This is the introductory blurb for a service offered by Peter Ooi * Tuesday March 16th (B.Sc, Dip. Ed. who is a senior Maths/Computing Teacher with twenty years of experience at all levels and currently * Monday April 19th teaching at South Sydney High School. * Tuesday May 18th If you fax your Maths problems to him Peter will solve them for you at a cost of $1 per problem with a minimum of $20 per IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN SYDNEY subscription. For more details ring 02 666 3331 or fax 02 316 PLEASE COME AND SEE US !!! 4996 and you will be faxed an application form. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING SERVICE PHOTOGRAPHER ANSEL ADAMS was a If you ask them you can be included on their mailing list fidgety child who had difficulty adjusting G.P.O. Box 84 Canberra. They will send you a catalogue of to school. His father decided to teach him at home, and the next years were which features a range of interesting books, reports and results frnitful. Learning of studies. experiences were tapped into the TANDY - SCIENCE KITS young boy's in- Mary Bath kindly reminded me of the great variety of trinsicinterests, interesting science kits, that are relatively inexpensive and are and ranged from playing the piano available in Tandy Stores . Included are general science and to visiting an ex- physics kits, electric circuits, etc. position. Several years later, after EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRES he had become Education Resource Centers are situated around NSW. They internationally his regularly have open days to display a wide range of curriculum knownfor creative photog- and other educational materials. Contact your local E.R.C. for raphy, Adams details and use this useful resource. paidtributeto the courage of a APPLE father who was willing to take risks, If you use an Apple computer you may want to attend the to listen to that "different drummer" MacWorld Expo at Darling Harbour in November. The range unique to each child. In his autobio- graphy, Adams wrote: of products and services is usually stunning. "1 am certain he established the posi- tive direction of my life that otherwise, GIFTED AND TALENTED CATALOGUE given my native hyperactivity, could Each year Hawker Brownlow publishes a very detailed list of have been confused and catastrophic. I books and other resources available for use with gifted and trace who I am and the direction of my development to those years of growing talented children . If you would like a copy ring their Sydney up in our house on the dunes, propelled Office on 02 634 6969 or their Melbourne Office on 03 555 especially by an internal spark tenderly 1344. Their toll free number is 008 33 4603. kept alive and glowing by my father." -Mel& Aabik, Growin tip Crtelive

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 4 12 SEMINARS DON'T FORGET PERTH 15TH & 16TH NOVEMBER 1992 THE Contact person Sue Warner 09 294 4553 HOMESCHOOL Topics: Legalities, past experiences, dealing with administrators, PICNIC ! homeschooling philosophies and freedoms. What can I read about 29th NOVEMBER '92 homeschooling? Resources information, the power and protection of networking. Books from Raymond & Dorothy Moore & The Featuring: (thanks to Ann Gippel) John Holt Book and Music Store on display. Everyone warmly EARTH BALL, PARACHUTE AND welcomed. GETTAS, SACK & THREE LEGGED RACES, ETC. BUNBURY 22ND NOVEMBER 1992

Contact person Karen Lawtic 097 311 817 * PICNIC & BOOK SWAP, TRADE Topics: Legalities, past e4eriences, dealing with administrators, & BUY RESOURCE DAY homeschooling philosophies and freedoms. What can I read about homeschooling? Resources information, the power and protection CONTACT PERSON : Dodie Conway of networking. Everyone warmly welcomed. 02 639 4858 Ann Gippel 02 707 3437 SYDNEY JANUARY 24TH 1993 TIME: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. or anytime in between. Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. VENUE: The venue for this event has Venue: Kellyville Sport, Recreation Centre Hall Memorial Drive been changed to Kellyville Sport, Kellyville. Recreation Centre & Park, Memorial Drive Kellyville. Topic: Why, how and what to use foi homeschooling. What should I read ? Resources, information, networking. Discussion What is planned: about structured and unstructured programs, how do I make up a * A large sports and picnic day, program, diary ? How do I evaluate what my child is learning ? with a BBQ available.* A large range of What about socialization? Books from Raymond & Dorothy new homeschooling books available to Moore & The John Holt Book and Music Store on display. see.* A collection of new, as new and old school type, fiction and non-fiction Cost $20 per family - grandparents and husbands warmly homeschooling and educational welcomed. The cost is S15 per family for anyone who has already resources. * Shared afterno m tea, in an attended one of my seminars. Childminding available and indoor, upstairs room. (Tea and coffee afternoon tea supplied. making facilities and a large fridge available). R.S.V.P. Please remember to tell us you arc coming before 23rd January. The seminar will not proceed if enough people are not Who and what to bring: interested or available for that date. Ring 02 629 3727 for more * Any new or used books or educational details or to leave your name and phone number if you wish to materials you wish to sell or trade. * The attend. whole family- grandparents are most CANBERRA THURSDAY 28TH JANUARY 1993 welcome. * Sports equipment, balls, comfortable clothes, sandshoes, Contact Claire Powell 06 251 6663 Jo Boehm 06 248 5962 suncream etc.* Your lunch and something to sit on.* A small plate to Topic: Why, how and what to use for homcschooling. Natural share at afternoon tea 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. learning, resources information, networking, programs, how do I make up a program, diary ? How do I evaluate what my child is learning ? What about socialization? ctc. Books from Raymond EVEUBODy WARMLY WELCOMED & Dorothy Moore & The John Holt Book and Music Storc will be display.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 5 183 ABC1011 TV STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY ON ABC TV: OPEN LEARNING

WHAT IS TV OPEN LEARNING?

TV Open Learning is a pilot project offering seven different first-year university courses using broadcasts on ABC Television. There are no educational or age entry requirements and no prerequisites forstudy. The television programs introduce and illustrate key concepts of each unit, and aresupported by textbooks and special study packages prepared by the universities involved. All units can be studied from anywhere ig Australia.

Five universities are currently involved with TV Open Learning: Monash (the project manager), New England - Armidale, South Australia, Deakin and Griffith.

WHEN DO I WATCH?

Five units are currently being broadcast on ABC TV during study period 3, which finishes at the end of November:

Mondays at 7.30 am: Australian Environmental Studies: The Unique Continent Tuesdays at 7.30 am: Anthropology: Faces of Culture Wednesdays at 7.30 am: Australian Studies: Images of Australia Thursdays at 7.30 am: Statistics: Against All Odds Fridays at 7.30 am: French: French in Action

Each program is repeated on the Saturday of the following week as follows:

Australian Environmental Studies: 9.00 am Anthropology: 9.30 am Australian Studies: 10.00 am Statistics: 10.30 am French: 11.00 am

A new study period commences on Monday November 30th, with the following units:

Australian Environmental Studies: The Unique Continent will recommence on Monday November 30th at 7.30 am. Religion Studies: The Long Search commences on Tuesday December 1st at 7.00 am, with hour-long programs (not repeated on Saturdays; all others are). Marketing: Theory and Practice commences on Wednesday December 2nd at 7.30 am. Statistics: Against All Odds continues with new programming on Thursdays at 7.30 am. French: French in Action continues with new programming on Fridays at 7.30 am.

New enrolments can be accepted for AuL,tralian Environmental Studies, Religion and Marketing until mid-December.

HOW DO I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION OR ENROL?

Obtain a copy of the Open Learning Prospectus by writing to: TV Open Learning, CPO Box 1188, Melbourne VIC 3001. Or simply leave your name and address with us at the Open Learning stand today. 154 How not to learn Physics Richard Feynman (Nobel prize winning physicist) From the book "Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman !"

I have always thought that this is a magnificent piece about the difference between "learning to pass exams" and "learning to understand". I lotrzeschooling mothers are often made to feel inadequate about the possibility that they can teach subjects such as physics and chemistry. I truly believe, however, that homeschoolers' general inclination to letting children ask questions and find real answers will hold their students in good stead for anything they need to find out in the future.

I also felt it was essential to publish this when a computer expert I know recently told me that he was at a function wherethe head of technology development of a large scientific company in Australia asked him the most basic questions about the computers that he had already purchased for his department. Ile told the computer expert that "he didn' t want to appear stupid by asking those people under him, who worked for him, what he didn' t know." As if being higher up the salary ladder must, by necessity, must make one more knowledgeable (or look so) in every area than those down the salary or experience ladder.

In regard to education in Brazil,I had a very interesting medium with an index, such as the bay outside, was polarized; experience.I was teaching a group of students who would they had even told me which way it was polarized. I said, "Look at ultimately become teachers, since at that time there were not the bay outside, through the polaroid. Now turn the polaroid." many opportunities in Brazil for a highly trained person in "Ooh, it's polarized!" thcy said. science. These students had already had many courses, and this was to bc their most advanced coursc in electricity and After a lot of investigation, I finAly figured out that the students magnetismMaxwell's equations, and so on. The university was had memorized everything, but they didn't know what anything located in various office buildings throughout the city, and the meant. When they heard "light that ireflected from a medium course I taught met in a building which overlooked the bay. with an index," they didn't know that it tocant a material such as water. They didn't know that the "direction of the light" is the I discovered a v..ry strange phenomenon: I could ask a question, direction in which you see something when you're looking at it, which the students would answer immediately. But the next time and so on. Everything was entirely memorized, yet nothing had I would ask the. qoestionthe same subject, and the same been translated into meaningful words. So if I asked, "What is question, as far as I coeld tell-- ,y couldn't answer it at all! For Brewster's Angle?" I'm going into the computer with the right instance, one time I was 'liking about polarized light, and I gave keywords. But if I say, "Look at the water," nothing bppens them all some strips of polanid. Polaroid passes only light whose they don't have anything under "Look at the water"! Later I electric vector is in a certain direction, so I explained how you attended a lecture at the engineering school. The lecture went like

could tell which way the light is polarized from whether the this, translated into English: "Two bodies.. . are considered

polaroid is dark or light. We first took two strips of polaroid and equivalent.. . if equal torques. . .will produce.. .equal rotated them until they let the most light through. From doing that acceleration. Two bodies, are considered equivalent, if equal we could tell that the two strips were now admitting light torques, will produce equal acceleration." The students wcre all polarized in the same directionwhat passed through one piece sitting there taking dictation, and when the professor repeated the of polaroid could also pass through the other. But then I asked sentence, they checked it to make sure they wrote it down all them how one could tell the absolute direction of polarization, for right. Then they wrote down the next sentence, and on and on. I a single piece of polaroid. They hadn't any idea. I knew this took was the only one who knew the professor was talking about a certain amount of ingenuity, so I gave thcm a hint: "Look at the objects with the same moment of inertia, and it was hard to figure light reflected from the bay outside." Nobody said anything. Then out. I didn't sce how they were going to learn anything from that. I said, "Have you ever heard of Brewster's Angle?" "Yes, sir! Here he was talking about moments of inertia, but there was no Brewster's Angle is the angle at which light reflected from a discussion about how hard it is to push a door open whcn you put medium with an index of refraction is completely polarized." heavy weights on the outside, compared to when you put them "And which way is the light polarized when it's reflected?" "The near the hinge, nothing! light is polarized perpendicular to the plane of reflection sir." Even now, I have to think about it; thcy knew it cold! They even After the lecture, I talked to a student: "You take all those notes knew the tangent of the angle equals the index! I said, "Well'?" what do you do with thcm?" "Oh, wc study them," hc says. "We'll Still nothing. Thcy had just told mc that light reflected from a have an exam."What will the exam be like?" "Very easy. I cart tell

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 7 185 you now one of the questions". He looks at his notebook and says, know. They all fake that they know, and if one student admits for "When are two bodies equivalent?' And the answer is, 'Two a moment that something is confusing by asking a question, the bodies are considered equivalent if equal torques will produce others take a high-handed attitude, acting as if it's not confusing at equal acceleration. So, you see, they could pass the all, telling him that he's wasting their time. examinations, and "learn" all this stuff, and not know anything at all, except what they had memorized. I explained how useful it was to work together, to discuss the questions, to talk it over, but they wouldn't do that either, because Then I went to an entrance exam for students coming into the they would be losing face if they had to ask someone else. It was engineering school. It was an oral exam, and I was allowed to pitiful! All the work they did, intelligent people, but they got listen to it. One of the students was absolutely super: He answered themselves into this funny state of mind, this strange kind of self- everything nifty! The examiners asked him what diamagnetism propagating "education" which is meaningless, utterly was, and he answered it perfectly. Then they asked, "When light meaningless! At the end of the academic year, the students asked comes at an angle through a sheet of material with a certain me to give a talk about my experiences of teaching in Brazil. At thickness, and a certain index N, what happens to the light?" "It the talk there would be not only students, but professors and comes out parallel to itself, sirdisplaced." "And how much is it government officials, so I made them promise that I could say displaced?" "I don't know, sir, but I can figure it out." So he whatever I wanted. They said, "Sure. Of course. It's a free figured it out. He was very good. But I had, by this time, my country!" suspicions. After the exam I went up to this bright young man, and explained to him that I was from the United States, and that I So I came in, carrying the elementary physics textbook that they wanted to ask him some questions that would not affect the result used in the first year of college. They thought this of his examination in any way. The first question I ask is, "Can book was especially good because it had different kinds of you give me some example of a diamagnetic substance?" "No". typefacebold black for the most important things to remember, Then I asked, "If this book was made of glass, and I was looking lighter for less important things, and so on. Right away somebody at something on the table through it, what would happen to the said, "You're not going to say anything bad about the textbook, image if I tilted the glass?" "It would be deflected, sir, by twice are you? The man who wrote it is here, and everybody thinks it's the angle that you've turned the book." I said, "You haven't got it a good textbook." "You promised I could say whatever I mixed up with a mirror, have you? "No, sir!" He had just told me wanted."The lecture hall was full. I started out by defining science in the examination that the light would be displaced, parallel to as anundersianding of the behavior of nature. Then I asked, itself, and therefore the image would move over to one side, but "What is a good reason for teaching science? Of course, no would not be turned by any angle. He had even figured out how country can consider itself civilized unless .. yak,yak, yak." much it would be displaced, but he didn't realize that a piece of They were all sitting there nodding, because I know that's the way glass is a material with an index, and that his calculation had they think. Then I said, "That, of course, is absurd, because why applied to my question. should we feel we have to kccp up with another country? We have to do it for a good reason, a sensible reason; not just because other I taught a course at the engineering school on mathematical countries do." methods in physics, in which Itried to show how to solve problems by trial and error. It's something that people don't Then I talked about the utility of science, and its contribution to usually learn, so I began with some simple examples of arithmetic the improvement of the human condition, and all thatI really to illustrate the method. I was surprised that only about eight out teased them a little bit. Then I said, "The main purpose of my talk of the eighty or so students turned in the first assignment. So I is to demonstrate to you that no science is being taught in Brazil!" gave a strong lecture about having to actually try it, not just sit I can see them stir, thinking, "What? No science? This is back and watch me do it. After the lecture some students came up absolutely crazy! We have all these classes." So I told them that to me in a little delegation, and told me that I didn't understand the one of the first things to strike rne when I came to Brazil was to backgrounds that they have, that they can study without doing the sec primary school kids in bookstores, buying physics bookc. problems, that they have already learned arithmetic, and that this There are so many kids learning physics in Brazil, beginning stuff was beneath them. much earlier than kids do in the United States, that it's amazing you don't find many physicists in Brazilwhy is that? So many So I kept going with the class, and no matter how complicated or kids arc working so hard, and nothing comes of it. obviously advanced the work was becoming, they were never Thcn I gave the analogy of a Greek scholar who loves the Greek handing anything in. Of course I realized what it was: Thcy language, who knows that in his own country there aren't many couldn't do it! One other thing I could never get them to do was to children studying Greek. But he comes to another country, where ask questions. Finally, a student explained it to me: "If I ask you a he is delighted to find everybody studying Greek, even the question during the lecture, afterwards everybody will be telling smaller kids in the primary schools. He goes to the examination of me, 'What are you wasting our time for in the class? We're trying a student who is coming to get his degree in Greek, and asks him, to learn something, and you're stopping him by asking a "What were Socrates' ideas on the relationship between Truth and question'." It was a kind of one-upmanship, where nobody knows Beauty?" and the studcnt can't answer. Then he asks the what's going on, and they'd put the other one down as if they did student,"What did Socrates say to Plato in the Third AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PM;E 8 186 Symposium?" the student lights up and goes, "Brrrrrrrrr-up"- he phenomenon is called "triboluminescence." Then someone will tells you everything, word for word, that Socrates said, in go home and try it. Then there's an experience of nature." I used beautiful Greek. But what Socrates was talking about in the Third that example to show them, but it didn'i, make any difference Symposium was the relationship between Truth and Beauty! where I would have put my finger in the book; it was like that What this Greek scholar discovers is, the students in another everywhere. Finally, I said that I couldn't see how anyone could country learn Greek by first learning to pronounce the letters, then be educated by this self-propagating system in which people pass the words, and then sentences and paragraphs. They can recite, exams, and teach others to pass exams, but nobody knows word for word, what Socrates said, without realizing that those anything. "However," I said, "I must be wrong. There were two Greek words actually mean something. To the student they arc all students in my class who did very well, and one of the professors artificial sounds. Nobody has ever translated them into words the I know was educated entirely in Brazil. Thus, it must be possible students can understand. for some people to work their way through the system, bad as it is." I said, "That's how it looks to me, when I see you teaching the kids 'science' here in Brazil." (Big blast, right?) Then I held up the Well, after I gave the talk, the head of the science education elementary physics textbook they were using. "There are no department got up and said, "Mr. Feynman has told us some experimental results mentioned anywhere in this book, except in things that are very hard for us to hear, but it appears to be that he one place where there is a ball, rolling down an inclined plane in really loves science, and is sincere in his criticism. Therefore, I which it says how far thc ball got after think we should listen to him. I came here one second, two seconds, three knowing we have some sickness in our seconds, and so on. The numbers have system of education; what I have learned 'crrors' in themthat is, if you look at is that we have a cancedand he sat thcm, you think you're looking at down. experimental results, because the numbers are a little above, or a little That gave other people the freedom to below, the theoretical values. The speak out, and there was a big book even talks about having to excitement. Everybody was getting up correct the experimental crrorsvcry and making suggestions. The students got fine. The trouble is, when you some committee together to mimeograph calculate the value of the acceleration the lectures in advance, and they got constant from these values, you get other committees organized to do this and the right answer. But a ball rolling that. Then something happened which down an inclined plane, if itis was totally unexpected for me. One of the actually done, has an inertia to get it students got up and said,i n one of the to turn, and will, if you do the two students whom Mr. Feynman experiment, produce five-sevenths of referred to at the end of his talk. I was not the right answer, because of the extra educated in Brazil; I was educated in energy needed to go into the rotation Germany, and I've just come to Brazil of the ball. Therefore this single example of experimental 'results' thisyear." The other student who had done well in class had a is obtained from a fake experiment. Nobody had rolled such a similar thing to say. ball, or they would never have gotten those results! And the professor I had mentioned got up and said, "I was "I have discovered something clsc," I continued. "By flipping the educated here in Brazil during the war, when, fortunately, all of pages at random, and putting my finger in and reading the the professors had left the university; so I learned everything by sentences on that page, I can show you what's the matterhow reading alone. Therefore I was not really educated under the it's not science, but memorizing, in every circumstance. Therefore Brazilian system." I didn't expect that. I knew the system was bad, I am brave enough to flip through the pages now, in front of this but WO percentit was terrible! Since I had gone to Brazil under audience, to put my finger in, to read, and to show you." So I did a program sponsored by the United States Government, I was it."Brrrrrrrup" -I stuck my finger in, and I started to read: asked by the State Department to write a report about my "Triboluminescence. Triboluminescence is the light emitted when experiences in Brazil, so I wrote out the essentials of the speech I crystals are crushed..." I said, "And there, have you got science'? had just given. I found out later through the grapevine that the No! You have only told what a word means in terms of other reaction of somebody in thc State Department was, "That shows words. You haven't told anything about nature- WHAT crystals you how dangerous it is to send somebody to Brazil who is so produce light when you crush them, WHY they produce light. Did naive. Foolish fellow; he can only cause trouble. He didn't you see any student go homc and TRY it? He can't. "But if, understand the problems." Quite the contrary! I think this person instead, you were to write, 'When you take a lump of sugar and in the State Department was naive to think that because he saw a crush it with a pair of pliers in the dark, you can see a bluish flash. university with a list of courses and descriptions, that's what it Some other crystals do that too. Nobody knows why. The was.

AUSTRALIAN IlOMESCHOOL JOURNAt ISSUE 36 PAGE 9 1 6 7 RESEARCH ON HOME SCHOOLING M. Larry and Susan D. Kaseman 1990

Interest in doing research on home schoolers is growing, - Conventional school values andpractices dominate the increasingly home schoolers are being asked to fill out background, training, and experience of educational researchers. questionnaires and participate in research studies. Our first They are accustomed to using data sets, research methods, and response may be to feel flattered. After all, we know we are doing questions that are suited to conventional schools, so they a good job and have interesting stories to tell. It is about time inevitably attempt to fit home schoolers into these categories. other people caught on and wanted to know more about us. This They ask, in effect, "How well do home schoolers do what will give us a chance to share some of what we have learned. We conventionzl schools do?" rather than asking, "What do are confident that research results would reveal and "prove" the homeschoolers do that is of value?" This generally applies even if strengths of home schooling and home schoolers. And maybe a researcher has had personal experience with home schooling, research would help convince Dur adversaries that homeschooling partly because participation in the conventional education system is an acceptable alternative and does not need state regulation. It is a prerequisite to getting credentials for doing research that is would certainly be a useful tool to have available in court cases, recognised and accepted in most educational settings and legislative battles and any time we need to document the strength journals. Evidence of researchers' bias is readily found in the of home schooling. On a personal language used, the types of level, some of us would like to fill questions asked and the out a questionnaire, just to see assumptions underlying home how well we can answer the schooling research questionnaires. questions and "measure up." - A homeschooler filling out a However, before we questionnaire gets the clear wholeheartedly embrace research message that she should be and agree to participate in studies, following conventional school we need to take a much closer values and practices. A question like, "How many hours a week do look at what is involved. We need to ask what effect such research you teach reading?" clearly implies will have on the home schooling that she had better be teaching movement, whether such reading - and for quite a few hours educational research is really as a week at that. Once more the message is sent to home schoolers, scientific and accurate as it claims "you had better make sure you are to be, who will benefit from such conforming with what is expected research, whether such research is necessary, what alternatives exist of conventional schools". Again for gathering additional home schools are pushed in the information about home schoolers and how home schoolers can direction of becoming like conventional schools and away from respond to research requests. the advantages they offer as alternatives to conventional schools.

WHAT EFFECT DOES EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH - Research studies compare homeschoolerswith conventional HAVE ON THE HOMESCHOOLING MOVEMENT? schoolers. Thc studies arc clearly implying that the standard which should be held up for home schoolers, against which they (I) Research on home schooling strongly promotes the values and should be measured, is that of conventional schools. This doe,s not practices of conventional schooling, an effect which is very give any credit to home schoolcrs whose goals and values are serious, especially since many of us are home schooling precisely different from those of conventional schools. because we object strongly to these values and practices. Among the ways research promotes these values arc: (2) Research studies weaken a grassroots movement in several ways, including these:

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 10 1 88 the contribution we could make to the understanding of how - Participating in researchgives credence and importance to children learn and how adults can assist them. quantitative studies rather than to winning support for homeschooling by having home schoolers tell their own stories (6) On an emotional level, when measured against what really and share their experiences through presentations to groups in matters, research is found wanting and can be harmful. It distorts their communities, newspaper stories, etc. It is another example of and damages our self-image, our self-esteem and our confidence. relying on "experts" instead of empowering themselves. Among other things:

Studies can divide homeschoolers by emphasising differences - Research quantifiesand thus dehumanises people. Instead of among them as shown in their responses to q.estions and to wonderful, alive, unique individuals, our children become black research surveys in general. marks on a score sheet; our families become numbers, part of a set. - As a general strategy, it is betterfor a small minority like home schoolers to keep the opposition guessing than to reveal too much - Research is an invasionof privacy, even if anonymity is about themselves. guaranteed. We have still been asked questions we might have preferred not to answer; we have still been singled out for (3) Research could provide data and arguments that opponents of scrutiry. home schooling could use to support their demands for greater regulation of home schooling. For example, if a study reveals that - The emotional impact of filling out a survey canbe much like some, or many, or most home schoolers voluntarily do something, that of taking a standardised test. The implication is that someone, such as use a purchased curriculum, somewhere knows what we should or administer standardised tests or be doing; that there are right keep detailed records, opponents of answers, or at least better answers. homeschooling could argue that Research quantifies and The questions almost seem to say, these arc generally acceptable to thus dehumanises people. "you should be teaching this many homeschoolers and should be hours a week, you should be going required of them. In other words, Instead of wonderful, alive, on field trips, you should be the research could be used to force unique individuals, our participating in a support group, these practices on home schoolers, children become black etc." This encourages people to especially if a large majority of marks on a score sheet; our figure out what they should be doing them already seem tofit so they can report it on a survey, and conventional school expectations. families become numbers, they may lose sight of the effect such part of a set. an action will have on their children. In addition, and perhaps even more Research seems to render a serious, once the role that research judgment on homeschoolers; it does findings should play in determining not encourage them to become home school regulation is accepted, there is no end to the empowered and make their own decisions. regulation that can and will be required, based on research. For example, home schoolers have been reported to score as well as or - Research promotes conventionalschool values and practices better than their conventional school counterparts on standardised (see above). This may undermine the confidence of some home tests. Additional research is now showing that these tests arc schoolers who are trying to find alternatives to conventional questionable at best and that other means of assessment (such as schooling that will better serve the needs of their families. portfolio assessment) are needed in addition to, if not in place of, Questionnaires usually begin with a "guilt trip" about how such tests. Do homc schoolers want to be subjected to this important the study is and how much home schoolers' help is additional requirement or any others? (Research studies have needed. The many home schoolers who want to do whatever they been used to justify and support virtually all the practices of can to support the home schooling cause may be particularly conventional schools.) vulnerable to pleas of this type and need to realise that research (4) Thc right of a family to homeschool has a solid foundation. In has serious potential problems. agreeing to be the subject of research, home schoolers are implicitly agreeing that we need to be judged and assessed. We ARE RESEARCH RESULTS ACCURATE ? arc thereby surrendering an important fundamental right. If we get into this game of proving what wc can do by conventional The history of social science research, including educational standards, we arc giving up one of our most important rights. research, is filled with problems, criticisms, accusations and doubts. Space does not permit a thorough discussion, but among (5) Because research studies emphasise conventional school the most important point:, that pertain to home schooling research values and practices, they move home schoolers away from the arc: cutting edge of educational alternatives and innovations and limit

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE II

182 - Most topics included in thesocial sciences cannot be studied scientifically. Home schooling cannot be quantified or measured. For example, there is no common agreement about what it means to be educated or how a researcher determines when someone is educated. To try to make their studies more "scientific," researchers sometimes choose instead variables that seem easier to measur.:, like how many hours a day a child spends reading. (Even this is complicated.) For example, if in an hour, one child quickly skims a book and remembers little, a second child reads uncritical!.'nd recalls many details, and a rd child covers only a few pages but thinks a lot about the subject, are all three "reading" ? If a researcher studies only things that can easily be measured, like how many years the subject of research has been esteem of a child who had been labelled "learning disabled" by a home schooling or the subject's age, the results are simply a conventional school) cannot be captured and recorded in collection of statistics and do not reveal much. quantitative or "scientific" studies. Therefore research gives a misleading picture of home schooling when it claims to show the - Responses people give are influenced bothby what the strengths of home schooling but fails to study or report the most researcher asks and how she asks it. Definitions of terms are also important ones. a problem. If a researcher asks whether a homeschooler is "home schooling for political reasons," what does the researcher think - Despite these and other limitations,complications, and she is asking, what does the home schooler mean by his answer, ambiguities, researchers present their results as facts, using and how does a person reading the research results interpret the numbers, graphs, charts and similar devices to give the illusion of question and the answer? Sometimes researchers try to correct scientific accuracy. This is at best misleading and occasionally this problem by simply reporting that a certain number or per cent downright dishonest. of home schoolers said they were home schooling for political reasons. But if it is not clear what this means, what is the point of WHO BENEFITS FROM HOMESCHOOLING doing the research? RESEARCH?

- Subjects' realisation that they are being observed changes their Given all these problems and pitfalls, why would anyone do behaviour. Some give answers intended to please the researcher research on home schooling? Who benefits? Obviously, rather than those which would be accurate or give more complete researchers and thc universities and other institutions wits) which information. Others hide informadon or distort things. Others they work or who support and use their work benefit directly in refuse to participate. (Researchers account for those who refuse terms of money received and increased smuts and prestige. by having what they consider enough other respondents with Homesclnoling research may be particularly in vogue now, similar characteristics [income, education,religious background, making it easier to get grants and other support for home age, sex, place of residence, etc.], but one never knows what the schooling research than for other seemingly less timely topics. non-respondents really represent, which limits the accuracy of But when there are more than 100,000 articles published each researchers' conclusions, espetially when dealing with a small year (as reported in Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 71, No. 3, Nov., 1989, minority.) p. 226), there must be intense pressure on graduate students, instructors and professors alike to find an original topic. Do home - Research data by definition must be interpreted; and a schoolers have an obligation to serve as fodder for this arm of the researcher's experiences, beliefs, and biases influence his educational establishment? interpretations. This adds more uncertainty and ambiguity to the research. IS HOME SCHOOLING RESEARCH NECESSARY ?

- The most important parts of home schooling (the look of joy on No. Parents have thc right to home school thcir children, and there a child's face as she discovers something, the recovered self- is no substantial evidence that home schoolers arc a problem.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 16 PAGE 12 1_5 0 Note, for example, that essentially all the published stories about have a more satisfying experience if they were willing to speak to home sehoolers are positive. (How many cover stories have groups about home schooling, testify at legislative hearings, be appeared: "Homc Schooling: The New Menace to Our Young?") featured in a local newspaper story, write an article about their experiences, etc. In addition, research is not effective. No matter how positive the results, research will not stop or significantly diminish opposition Rational, logical, legal, constitutional, moral, and practical to home schooling. People who are already open-minded about arguments can be given to support home schooling. (See pp. the home school or tending to support it may say, "Oh, okay, since 219-240 Taking Charge Through Homeschooling for examples.) the studies show home schoolers do so well by conventional It is much better for home schoolers to provide such arguments, zthool standards, I'll support you." But people tend to hcar what plus case studies, than to give in to researchers' demands and LLey want to hear, and positive research results arc highly unlikely participate in studies to show that home schooling is acceptable. to change home schooling policies. Determined opponents of homc schooling will argue, "the report shows that all the home RESPONDING TO RESEARCH REQUESTS schoolers who responded to the survey are doing a good job. But what inadequate home schoolcr would fill out such a survey A home schooler who receives a request for information for a honestly? Anyway, we still need regulation to prevent someone research study has several options. If her honest response is to from doing a bad job in the future." want to throw it in the trash, unread, she can do that and rest assured that she has not damaged the home schooling movement's Given the potential problems outlined above, and the fact that chancesforsuccess--infact, she may have made a positive there arc better ways (see next question) contribution. Or she can read it and of gathering information about home decide what to do on the basis of an schooling, if such information is really honest assessment of her reaction. If needed, does it make sense for home Does it make sense to she agrees with the values and the schoolers to risk participating in studies participate in a misleading approach of the researcher and wants which are unnecessary and ineffective? to support them even at the risk of and potentially harmful dividing or weakening the home ALTERNATIVES TO RESEARCH research study just so it will schooling movement, she can send in be a little bit less misleading the questionnaire. If her response is There may be times when it is handy to and harmful? to feel that the questionnaire is cite research studies. In addition, some objectionable and an invasion of allies and potential supporte:s of privacy (even if she has been assured homeschooling claim that more needs to anonymity), she can refuse to fill it be known about homeschooling. (The out. Or she can refuse to respond to authors do not agree, but nevertheless, that is how some people the questions butsendthe researcher a letter explaining her feel.) Is there an alternative to research, any other way to gather objections, concerns, and reasons for refusing. information that could be used to support homeschooling? It can be argued that if home schoolers who refuse to adopt Case studies could be used. Home schoolers who arc willing to conventional school values refuse to respoi,to research requests, share their experiences could do so, and these could be presented research data will be weighted even more heavily in favour of as just what they are--first person accounts of a particular more conventional home schoolers and therefore be even more experience. Few generalisations could be drawn from these misleading. This is logically accurate. However, the problems and reports, but as was shown above, accurate generalisations cannot distortions of social science research would not be corrected even be drawn from research data either. At least with case studies one if every home schooler participated in a given study. Does it make would have a view of what home schooling is like for a few sense to participate in a misleading and potentially harmful families. And some of the stories home sehoolers have to tell arc research study just so it will be a little bit less misleading and outstanding. Case studies are limited, too, but they are more harmful? honest about their limitations, and at least they come cioser to conveying the uniqueness and value of an individual human life than a research study can. This excerpt is from the highly recommended book - Taking Home schoolers like to talk about the exciting experiences they have had, discoveries they have made, things they have Charge through Homeschooling: accomplished. Some feel they should participate in research so Personal & Political they can tell their story and help other home sehoolers or potential Empowerment by Larry & Susan home sehoolers. This is an understandable and commendable kaseman (Koshknong Press) reaction. However, for reasons given above, these people would probably contribute more to the cause of home schooling and

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PACE 13

191 Where to look for homeschooling resources

1. Standard school type textbooks- Dymocks, Angus & broadcaster. Use of videos and audio cassettes to record relevant Robertson, Dominies, Ashton Scholastic etc. Most good material for later use is a neat way to bring the experts with access bookshops sell "graded" textbooks in every subject area and in a to the best equipment right into your living room. huge variety - I suggest that parents take an excursion themselves to one of these bookshops and just take two or three hours to 8. Sales - garage sales, opportunity shops, libraries all provide browse through the amazing range. opportunities to access a wide range of educational resources.

2. Libraries - everything from building the ultimate bomb to finding out how worms eat your garbage.

3. Public institutions -in every city every museum, park, gallery, public library and most public utilities run &P. information dar, exhibitions, lectures, P information groups and courses and provide a wide range of resource materials.

4. Your local Education Government Department or Resource Centre has much "school-type" material available for sale.

S. Your Telephone Book is a mine of information. (a) Companies- All large and many small companies put out information that describes their activties and services they provide. (b) Teachers, tutors, mentors of every sort are listed. (c) Groups for sport and leisure from athletics through kayaking to skiing and yachting. Others from craft and woodwork to Rotary and Greenpeace.

6. People - especially friends and family, are great educational resources and homeschoolers have found that their community is alive with older citizens who are anxious and happy to share their skills and knowledge with enthusiastic and respc( tful children.

7. The Mass Media -radio & T.V. can be extremely useful educational resources especially the public

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 l'AGE 14 192 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWSOUTH WALES Ch0.10E-ge -PrOgrettn.:,

FOR GIFTED AND TALENTEDSTUDENTS

The IPACE Institute The University of New South WalesThe Challenge Program is proudly sponsored by PO Box 1, Kensington, NSW, 2033 McDonalds Australia hone: (02) 697 3175 Fax: (02) 662 6983 The Program The Summer Challenge Program is for gifted and talented High School students in Years710. The program, formerly known as the Scientia Challenge Program, features a variety of workshops from a range of disciplinesand will be presented by academics from the University of New South Wales who are experts in their field. The Challenge Program offers eleven two-day workshops.You may choose one from the following:

An Issue in Criminal law se Enter the World of the Chemist, Strand 1 and Australian Comedy: Do we play it safe? Strand 2 (advanced) Mind, Body and the Human View of the Universe Better Cities for Tomorrow. of Chaos, Fractals and all that! Oceanography: The Movement of the Seas Creativity Enhancement Towards a Digital Psychology: Brain and Behaviour Darkroom Thinking Like a lawyer

The Challenge Program is designed for academically gifted students Venues and the level of work will be L oth rigorous and challenging. As a guide to the degree of difficulty, the level of work will be set at the The workshops will be held at various venues on the Kensington equivalent of that attempted in Years 10 12 rather than Years 710. campus of The University of New South Wales, with the exception of The workshops are not intended as vocational tra.;ning but are purely Creativity Enhancement: Towards a Digital Darkroom, which will for stimulation. commence at Kensington on the first day and then move to the University's College of Fine Arts at Paddington.

Cost All students will enrol from 8.30 am on 21 January at the Sir John Clancy Auditorium. The Official Opening of The Challenge Program The cost for this two-day program is $200. Lunches, morning and will commence at 9.00 am for students and parents. afternoon teas will be provided. The $200 covers lecturer fees, as well as venue, equipment and associated costs. Each workshop will run with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 participants. Public Seminar

Dr Miraca Gross will conduct a Public Seminar after the Official Sponsorship Opening for parents of students attending the Challenge Program. Full and half sponsorships to attend The Challenge Program have The seminar will be entitled Accelerated Progression: Academic been made possible due to the generous assistance of McDonalds and Social Effects for Gifted Students. Australia. Sponsorsh ip pl aces are not allocated on academic merit but Dr Miraca Gross is the Senior Lecturer in Gifted Education at the on the basis of fmancial hardship or geographic isolation. University of New South Wales. Dr Gross has 22 years experience To apply for sponsorship to attend the Program please include a as a classroom teacher and school administrator, including 12 years letter outlining reasons for applying and submit this along with your as a specialist teacher of the gifted and talented children in state schools. She holds M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in gifted education and application form. Aince 1987 has won four international research awards in the education and psychology of gifted students. She is recognised as a If you require further information about sponsorships contact: leading authority on the social and emotional development of gifted De&ra Farrelly, C.o-ord:uator of The Challenge and talented children. Program, The IPACE InsuNtte, The University of New South Wales, (02) 697 3055 between &15am The seminar will run from 9.30 am until 11.00 am. Morning tea and 12.00 noon weekdays. will be provided. 193 What does evaluation of our children's learning mean, and how do we do it ? Anna Adams & Jo-Anne Beirne

Most homeschooling parents have at one time or another been this_ read this,.. how can I do this better, I don't think it's good asked, or asked themselves, the questions "How are the children enough?" We are all alert for evidence of our own progress and going academically? Are they really learning anything? How do ways to improve what we are doing. How well did I do? What you know you are teaching effectively? Have they been tested else could I have done to maximise and utilize my resources? lately?" Listing, in a diary or in some other way, their achievements as they see them and as you observe them, is a very good way to While teachers, psychologists, social workers and counsellors evaluate how much they have learnt in many different areas. often feel that standardised and psychological testing is a good measure of learning achievement, most homeschooling families MEASURING OURSELVES COMPARED TO OUR PEERS reject formal testing for the:r children, on the grounds of irrelevance; unnecessary stress and unreliability. But Of all the methods of evaluation, the one most familiar to those of homeschooling parents have given a lot of thought to evaluation us who attended school is ranking and comparison with our peers and realise there are many other options and opportunities for - it infiltrates almost every area of life. Schoolsdo it, sports do it, meaningful evaluation of their children's learning. even professions do it. Familiarity with competition and comparative ranking has meant we often regard it as necessary MEASURING OUR OWN PROGRESS and even desirable. It is a common belief that comparision and ranking stimulate people to do their best. The most seductive The reality is that all people are evaluating constantly. We look at aspect of evaluation through competition is that it appears so easy what we are doing, compare it to past performances, what others and objective - "you do well if you win and poorly if you lose". It are doing, what we had hoped to do. We do it when we are relies on tangible, external verdicts - a trophy, an award, a good driving, cooking, playing, working. It is part of the living- grade, etc, winning is the baseline of whether your performance learning process. As was alright. we evaluate, we are monitoring the While we may be process and our part used to this system of in it. grading, testing and ranking it is a poor Children do this sort way to evaluate an of evaluation all the individual's learning. time if you think Firstly because so about it. "Look, many variables can Mum, now I can affect individual climb to the top of the performance, Was the tree" or "Look now, I test well designed ? have read this whole Was the material book and I know all presented in a way the words". If you arc that the student could listening to your understand before the children, you will test? Was the student notice how often they ill the night before the share their personal tcst ? Is the student evaluations with you. coping with the loss "Watch me do of their grandparent ? this,....makc this; Do the other children Listen to me sing in the class actually

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 16 understand the material ? Results on a test whether bad or good albums, video-tapes of projects, etc. Keeping records of activities really only give us information about our performance compared and achievements not only says to the child that you think what to a group of others on one day, about one particular topic. They they do is important, it becomes a tangible measure of how far tell us nothing for example about the development of logical they have come. Records are a valuable tool for review that serve thinking processes, the depth of understanding and reading as very satisfactory evidence for anyone who is willing to spend undertaken in other relevant subject areas, the knowledge the the time reading them that the learning process is taking place. child brings to the test or in fact the possibilities for expanding our learning horizons. (b) Environment A child's learning environment is something else that can also be Alfie Kohn (1986) has articulated a distinction between evaluated. What constitutes the environment - books, resources, "competition", which leads to an unhealthy evaluation of excursions ? How can the child's living/learning environment be performance and "co-operative conflict" which leads to a healthy improved? Is the child able to work on projects relatively easily ? aPpraisal of performance. Kohn's study of competition and its Do they have enough materials? Do they have access to relevant effects psychologically, emotionally and socially, prescnts a very books? Do they like being in their work-area? Is there anything convincing argument against the use of any competitive that could be added or taken away to make the environment more evaluation, especially academically or recreationally. pleasant and useful ? And so on.

MEASURING Ph1GRESS USING CO-OPERATION Useful evaluation is finding the balance between what is invasion and what is necessary feedback. Learning to evaluate is simply Without competition is there still room to measure ourselves another skill. Ultimately, we all have to accept that no test, against our peers? Yes. There is much stimulation and motivation worksheet nor evaluation can really determine what any person in challenging ourselves with our siblings and/or our peers knows in every area. In fact learning is so diverse and so much an without having to compare, rank or win. Becoming engaged with intricate part of our lives that it cannot be stopped, but it can our peers in any skill improves our performance and enhances our sometimes be thwarted. enjoyment. The many different approaches people have to learning a new skill expand our own horizons, taking us in new To learn people need to have trust, time and freedom. Trust in directions and presenting us with new challenges that sharpen and their ability to find out, pursue and achieve to their own unique improve our learning. We can get better, faster, higher WITH potential. Time to attend to their learning needs that is not other people, without having to defeat or diminish them. This is artifically imposed or limited. Freedom to understand that all what most homeschooling families do well anyway, function as a learning is important and of value. co-operative, non-competitive team. Kaseman & Kaseman Taking Charge Through Homeschooling Evaluation, through the co-operative contribution of participants Stoughton, Wisconsin Koshkonong Press 1992 may seem more difficult and complicated than competitive evaluation because it is internal and subjective, but it works.We Kohn, Alfic. No Contest The Case Against Competition Boston, evaluate by simply asking- "How well did we succeed, as a group Houghton Mifflin Company. 1986. and as individuals, while doing this task together ? What couldwe have done to maximise and utilize our learning and resources? Rather than, "How well and in what areas did I succeed, that makes me superior to the people I worked with ?

Evaluation is only useful if it helps us assess our personal progress, for our own information and to undertake further learning- not for the information of a teacher, government or education department. Many people use competitive test information for self evaluation. But test results are frequently used to grade, rank and otherwise tell people that their peersarc better or worse and as such have more or less value and worth in schools, sport and the community.

RECORDING PERSONAL PROGRESS

(a) Written records Kaseman and Kaseman suggest record-keeping as the most accurate way to monitor personal progress, either as an individual, part of family or part of a team- diaries, photo

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 17 q Home educating a childwho has been labelled " learning disabled" Anna Adams

One challenge to parents who wish to homeschool the child who Coles' analysis is as chilling & horrifying as Selling and Divoky's has been identified as learning-disabled' is that they feel they work "The Myth of the Hyperactive Child". Horrifying because lack the expertise to cope with the problem. Despite the fact that children's lives are often scarred by the consequences these schools do not boast much success with these children, often powerful labels carry. All parents need to be aware that there is a educators are very reluctant to allow these children to learn at body of quite expert literature that does not accept the concepts of home. Parents can fmd themselves intimidated with jargon about "learning-disabled", " dyslexia" or "minimal brain dysfunction" minimal brain dysfunction and yet, they become desperate to find as valid explanations or useful toolsin undersianding some solution to meet the obvious reality of a veryunhappy child, teaching/learning interactions with children. that they love and for whom they want the very best education . Other thoughts on this issue have been formulated by Thomas There is mounting literature that challenges strongly the very Armstrong, psychologist, learning specialist, lecturer and concepts of "learning disabled" and even "hyperactivity".For university teacher. His book "In Their Own Way" is a positive many parents, it is a relief to hear that perhaps, theirintuition that recognition of the unique nature of human learning. He talks of their child is not really "dyslexic" is correct. In fact rather than the the seven intelligences -linguistic, logical-mathematical, child having a problem with learning, the teacher does not have spatial,bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal and the skills to teach him, ("dysteachia"). Those children who are intrapersonal. His exciting development of the work of Howanl labelled"worksheet disabled" or "curriculum dysfunctional" Gardener gives practical suggestions on identifying your child's may just not find the particular school programentertaining, learning style and how to relate different styles to different subject useful or involving.( See Armstrong 1987 p 40.). areas.

There are a few books that should be considered indispensable for John Holt was another educator who felt that any teacher's task the parent of a child who has already been labelled as "learning- was finding ways to help children learn, ratherthan explanations disabled". Gerard Coles' "Learning Mystique" is the first. It is a or excuses for why they weren'tlearning. Undistracted by brilliant analysis of hundreds of studies concerning Learning obsession with what might be wrong, Holt and Armstrong both Disabled children and attitudes. focus on what is right and amplify this in order to make new discoveries and new understandings. "Learning All The Time" is " The crux of my argument is that the very existence of this a compilation of hundreds of ideas gleaned over the yearsfrom "condition" has been virtually unproven, with only the shakiest of Holt's writings about many subjects. Finally, the powerful story evidence reported, and that it has certainly been claimed in far written by Lori and Bill Granger "The Magic Feather", about the greater proportion than it actually occurs. After decades of impact on a family, of the labelling of a child as "disabled" is research, it has still not been demonstrated that disabling essential reading. It explains this family's successful fight against neurological dysfunctions exist in more that a minuscule munber the labelling - a story about a child learning successfillly outside of these children. A review 1 published in 1978 illustrates the of school and "special education classes". point: most studies of the ten major diagnostic tests have not proved that the tests can differentiate between learning-disabled Armstrong, T. ia_Their_awn_Aa.v.:12iscarsdingskIncouraging and non-learning disabled children; the few studies that do claim Thig__child:lysssonaLlszaning_atyk. Los Angeles, Jeremy P. to validate the tests have serious methodological flaws." xii Tarcher, Inc. 1987.

"T e invalid assumptions behind the learning disabilities Coles, G. The Learning Mystique: A Critical Look at Learning explanation centre almost exclusively on what is happening inside Disabilities. New York, Fawceu Coumbine. 1987. child en' s heads and misdirect diagnosis and remedial programs. At the same time,they hinder the pursuit of other explanation, of Granger, B. & L. The Magic Feather : The Truth About Special preventative strategies, and of truly effective methods for Education, Ncw York, Delta. 1989. addressing the problems when they do occur. "... Holt, J. Learning All The Time. Reading, Addison Wesley 1989

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 18 196 Rita lin: Uppers for Children Lynne Paige Walker & Ellen Hodgson Brown

Reprinted from Mother to Mother Another View Autumn 1991.

While amphetamines have for the most part been superseded as amount of information learned while on Rita lin is forgotten when medical therapies, they remain popular in the treatment of the child is taken off the drug. This is also a known drawback of hyperactive children.Between 1985 and 1988, sales of the studying on "speed". amphetamine methylphenidate (Rita lin) increased by 97 percent. The drug is now used to treat an estimated one million Most reviewers have concluded that Rita lin has neither short term Americanchildren, or some 3-5% of the school-age population. nor long term beneficial effects on academic performance. The Other amphetamines used for this purpose are main problem with amphetamine treatment is that it doesn't teach dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dexampex, Ferndcx), and the child anything. The ability to concentrate on a task is pemoline (Cylcrt). improved by chemical means, but the drugs don't seem to affect reasoning, problem solving, or learning, in adults or children. Although amphetamines are stimulants, they have the property of Children on Rita lin who have been followed through high school calming down hyperactive children. This effect was considered still have trouble with their families and still have academic and paradoxical, until researchers had a closer look at it. Stimulants, it behaviour problems at school. Hyperactive boys on Rita lin are no seems, have the same effect on problem children as on normal less likely than other hyperactive boys to be arrested and adults: they increase the ability to concentrate on a task. The institutionalized for juvenile delinquency.At best, the drug child sits still and gets down to work. Children on Rita lin perform better on certain masks the underlying problem, so parents and clinicians can avoid dealing with it. types of tests, As any mother especially those knows, coffee is requiring attention bad for children and motivation.In because it stunts one recent study, two their growth and thirds of the Rita linis also hyperactive children tested improved subject to this academically, side effect. socially, or both, on Amphetam ines the drug.Hyperactive affect the children on Rita lin release of work faster and make growth fewer mistakes. This hormones at a is also true of adults on coffee. time when children are still growing. Amphetamines arc Most notorious for their researchers illicit use by college think this doesn't cause an students to gct actual loss of through exams. One height, since the problem with Rita lin is that high school onchild "drugcatches up students are peddling holidays". But it to thcir friends for the same purpose. the matter isn't settled. Ritalin Another problem is also has other that a significant side effects,

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PACE 19 197 of treatment. But it is including sleeplessness, loss of appetite, irritability,headaches, child, the drug is obviously the best choice corrected by other fatigue, withdrawal, crying for no apparent reason,abnormal often given to children who.-,e problems can be injuries lawyer representing sensitivity to criticism and depression. The most seriouspotential means. As John Coale, a personal involuntary, darting, Rita lin victims, observes: Many of the kids I see(on Rita lin) are side effect is the development of tics, or obviously just purposeless motor movements of the face or arms.In the worst highly creative children with high IQs who are "Tourette's syndrome," a condition plain bored in school.They're being drugged because they're cast, the tics can progress to deficiencies, characterized by generalized jerking movements in any partof the intelligent. Other possibilities include nutritional drugs used to body, accompanied by a tendency to use foullanguage and to low blood sugar, food allergies, or hay fever and the Hay fever can cause irritability, moodswings, and repeat words heard. treat it. insomnia and the drugs can make victims drowsyand slow. The learning, and These side effects have led to a spate of lawsuits inthe U.S. on result can be a short attention span, difficulty behalf of children allegedly harmed by inappropriate useofthe disruptive behaviour in school. drug. One child/plaintiff was forced by school employees totake Ben Feingold's Rita lin to avoid being expelled fan school. Hetook it for about The Feingold Association offers support for Dr one's four years, during which he suffered insomnia, baddreams and special diet which links certain foods and additives to slowed growth. He also became violent andsuicidal, traits behaviour and ability to learn. I have seenhomeopathic remedies trained common to "speed freaks". Anotherchild is alleged to have work wonders in these areas, administered by a depression, and professional. Quite often children are simply havingreactions to suffered from nausea, insomnia, hallucinations, If your suicidal thoughts during his three years on the drug. Hismother their environment or medications they are already on. having reports that on one occasion, he lay in the streetduring rush hour child has been diagnosed as being hyperactive or alternatives because "his mind told him to." On another occasionhe said he Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) please investigate (Excerpted with wanted to be dead.He lost weight, was uncoordinated, and it could save your child's life and your sanity. permission from The Informed Consumer's Pharmacy"The "seemed retarded". Essential Guide to Prescription and Over the CounterDrugs" by Carroll Rita lin is prescribed for children with a conditionformally Lynne Paige Walker & Ellen Hodgson Brown, publishers characterised as "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder," or & Graff. "minimal brain dysfunction." The disorder is considered tobe a form of brain damage, but studies have been unable tofind consistent, objective evidence of it.The disorder is also not defined by a consistent cluster of symptoms.In fact, the American Psychiatric Association's official criteria forits diagnosis could apply to most children. As comedian BillCosby (who has five children) points out: "All children havebrain darnage...If you know you're not supposed to do somethingand you do it and then people say whydid you do it and you say "I don't know," that's brain damage."

According to the American Psychiatric Association, a childis considered to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who shows eight of the following symptoms for at least six months, beginning before his seventh birthday: 1. Often fidgets his hands or feet or squirms in his seat.2. Has trouble staying in his seat when required. 3. Is easily distracted. 4. Has trouble waiting his turn.5. Often blurts out answers before the question is completed. 6. Has trouble doing chores or otherwise following through with instructions.7. Has trouble sustaining attention to work or play activities. 8. Often shifts from one unfinished task to another. 9. Has trouble playing quietly. 10. Often talks too much. 11. Often interrupts others or butts into other children's games. 12. Doesn't seem to listen to what's being said.13. Often loses things (toys, pencils, books, assignments).14. Does dangerous things without considering the consequences, like running into the street without looking.

Most children display some of these symptoms; and it's this vagueness in diagnosis that has led to most ofthe problems with Rita lin use. Where the only alternative is to institutionalize the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL PAGE 20 198 Update on 'The Family' Court case. Mediation Victory-Vindication

At 6am al dr 15th of May a series of ire-davar raids were created on 6 hours of a Christian group ailed Ty Farily in Sydtry and Victoria. Ibis was dr ainination of mlt of irttensive nrveillutee by Police in both States. What followed was for us the mut inaecible, heavy harakd rction taken by the athorities we could have imagined in a supposaly democratic "free" cantry. In a dramatic show of' force, doors were kicked in and swarms of police and community senices workers flooded in

In Syckry 72 dihken were tliren from their beds, soar while they were still asleep or in their nightclothes, and without shoes or extra clothes dry were loaded into waiting buses, which took than to three axisdosed detention centres. Within 2 hotrs, thanks to a solicitor fiiend, we were miraculously provided with a magnificent legal team

Over that weekaid we tidal know what car children wa.e being kept and dr dildren had been lied to being told than that they were just "going away for the week-end or the day", in order for Ike Dept. to "talk to than"

Monday dr 18th of May saw the release of 6 older teats and otr vay young ch!d as well as the "Care Applicadoos" being put faith by the Departmat on the other 65 children still in custody who wae aged 3-15 yeas. At this tinr we were told dr Dept was seeking to keep the dildrect in their are for at least a year.

The chicken, lyre in Sydney, were rdeased on the Thursday right of that week (May 21st) after dr magistrate had visited our boars, aid found than to be "above standard". He also spoke to all the children whom be found "delightful end artictiate. The kids arrived hour 6 hairs short of a trantatic week away from their loved ars.

While in "are of the Dept. the dildren were tested in realm, comprehension, spelling and maths. Nearly all of the chilck-en were way above average in the first three and maths was more average. Many of the workers in the banes where the dildrcn were keit commented on the dildren's helpfuhrss, sweet cispositions and love Ind ccncan for each other.

The effects of this time have been marked cal the dildren with onz of the 5 year olds now being afraid of buses. Many of the chilik-en are still suffaing from nightmar es and ar 12 year old girl jams wharver she hears trucks rumble past the house at night fearing the door is again being kicked in and slr niglt be taken away again We could give a long list of negative effects on dr thicken from dis whole emperience, however we waft get irto it here and we know that with love, care, prayer and time it will fade.

Ile court ane started July 27th and at that tiny we were given a suggested order in event that the chilcktn were four' to be in wed of' care. These included having certain dildren "assessed and tested' by Dept of School Education, "arolling all the school we children in community schools, either Cvvernmart or regjstered non-governmat schools...and to follow recomnendations made by dr Dept of School Etkrati on about involvanat of any dild in extra- curricula- activities." Also whether that was any crowd abuse or not they were cdling for psychological assessments of each of de chicken for the purpose of "dawdling the cognitive, social sad emotional developmental levels of each

The proceecings never got past its first witness and nnw a stay order is in place for the yearot the end of whidi it sill be ""uaroncitionally withdraw(n)".

As you may have hard a medation - the first of its kind in a child welftre cue in Australia - wee ttrashed out ina marathon 17 bOLICS of trgodation with the Dept. of Commaity Savices, before Sir Larence Street, farmer Chief Justice of NSW. 'Ms meats the cue is now essatially ova..

As with any nrciation, ground had to be given on both sides. The saaifioes we have made include allowing the Board of Stales to drck our horneschooling 6 madly fcr a year and having at dildren over five years of age attend 3 hours of weddy activities outside car homes. We have agreed to comply with these restridiotz and although we don't like the thought of being told we "fun" to attend these activities, if that's ail we hive to do to get DOCS out of otr lives, it bears no comparison to sitting in court formaw yew. AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 21 199 The key points in the Principal Agreement rest 1:10(..S' does not seek as part of these arrangements any tired contact by anyof its officers with or supervision by any of its officers of iny of the patents or of the chilcken." "DOCS will not Finite the obtaining of firths evidencein support of these care applications..."

It mat be errchasised that in the =clarion that DavidMarchat (Acting Head of DOCS) and the Dept. ofConinurity Services (DOCS) signed to say DOCS agreed with the following statemat."The parents do not concede my wrong doing on their part or aly need for care crdss aid consert to the arrest arrangementsolely in the irterests of relieving their decker' of the birden of de collimation of the arrent Cart proceedings.The paraits in no way adcnowledge any deficiency in the socialisation of theirdildren."

You night note, as we do, that dis statement does not gofar enough in proclaiming otr innocence. But I wouldlike to emphasise that despite 6 months of intensivenrveillance of otr hsnes and filmed* heavy irterviewsand examinttions of our children, no mat has been charged with any form ofrime of their dild. In fact, in Victoria, where a sinilar case is presently proceecing, the allegations of sexualabuse have rrver been Argued at all.

After the =dation, Sir Larence Street commented "Ishould say, in particular, that I was impressed with tlx maturity of judgement of the six dildren who attended, besing in nind their ages."We felt this spoke very higliy in favotr of otr kids' s ociafis ati on and goes along with =mous reports, droughoutthe cos e, of than being "articulate, deligttfti, well mararred, happy, ccesiderate, mature rod sociable".

Just a note, if anyone would like to write to us, receive otr slalom:Its orknow more otr address is P.O. Box 1671, Macquarie Centre, NSW 2113

Best wishes; B. (rant withheld for legal. remora)

The Sydney Morning Herald PriLAInvesinlate- 6 ,tq Jurists slam 'Gestapo' sectraids its power lay inits very cases succeed, writs will be issued The Australian chapter of Sy ALICIA tARAIIIIA children were taken dunng the said ICJis chaired by the St 72 in NSW and lilin existence. "If governments choose on behalf of the other 70 children. The "Gestapo-like" behaviour raids Government's former Attorn Victoria had clearly breachedto disregard our requests for Last week the sect and the of Department of Community information they leave themselvesdepartment settled the case General. Mr John Dowd. their civil and political rights. president is Justice Michael Kii Servio s officers during their pre- He also said their civil andopen to further questions about which had begun with allegations dean raid on the homes of a their behaviour," he said. bythe Department of Community A lawyer for The Fan religious sect. The Family, is to be human rights had been breached because they had been kepi for a The Minister for CommunityServices that all the children had accused Victorian welfare auth investigated by an international Services, Mr Longley. declined tobeen sexually assaulted or had had tiesyesterday of conductini judicial watchdog. long time and interviewed without out of court access to legal advice. respond to Mr Bitel's comments.sexual intercourse witch-hunt after the sect's offe The investigation will be pan of through mediation. resolve costly legal action aga an inquiry into the powers of -It seems to us the conduct of Today, lawyers acting for the the department may have been Family will issue the first writs for There is a I2-month stay on it was rejected. public servants proceedings, after which care pro- The secretary-general of the such that causes concern thst false imprisonment against the The Victorian branch of the proper procedures were not fol- NSW Government, the NSWcsedinp will be unconditionallyhad sought a deal similar to Australian chapter of the Inter. withdrawn. national Commission of Juristslowed," Mr Bitel said. Department of Community Ser. one in NSW. ICA Mr David Bite!, said yester- "You're dealing with minors, vices, the NSW Police and officers The ICJ inquiry will involve aom both departments. review of all the legislation, Fed- A Victorian lawyer acting day that it was evident from there has to be some degree of The Family, Mr Gres Smith, Two of the children taken fromeral and State, that entitles public reports of the case 'that many aensitivity." servants to starch people, theirCommunity Services Victoria adminiurative officers acted like The ICJ has no power to call their beds by police and depart- rejected the seci's offer out of a rwtnt officers during the May IS homes, confiscate their property the Gestapo". witnessesOfsubpoena documents and take part in their arrests. without giving reasons. He said the anannet in which or other evidence, but Mr eitelme -re suing the State. If their

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 22 BEST COPY AVAIUME ZOO FOCUS: What Socialization Means

each other we had a really good time making up our own oldies How do homeschoolers themselves define music show, and after that we kept writing back and forth and socialization? What kind of social interac- sending songs through the mail. So I think you can share tion do they value, and what opportunities do interests with friends through the mail. You can keep secrets for pen-pals and help them with problems, too. I think if my pen- they have for engaging in it? For this pals had a problem I could help them out. I could write to them, or issue's Focus, several young readers answer if I couldn't think of anything to say in a letter I could call them these questions. up. But even though I don't see them every day I can still care about them. So I guess it doesn't much matter to me whether it's a pen-pal or a friend next door. or If the person's 7 or 91. Real friends are Close Friends, Not "Sort of" Friends what I look for. To me, a real friend is someone who doesn't go From Megan Cohen of California: behind your back and say mean things about you. It's somebody who's always your friend, not somebody else's friend one day and I think socialization is being able to have friends and being yours the next. A real friend is constant, not fickle. able to keep them, but also being able to be independent and not totally relying on them. Also being able to talk to them and being able to work out arguments. ..And So Can Brothers Most of my friends range from ages 8 to 11 and half of them Rum Christopher Roch (PEI): live on the East Coast (New York) and the other half live on the West Coast (California). This situation makes it hard for me to To me socialization means to have a good relationship with keep friends, and I'm always wondering if my friends remember someone. I'm comfortable socializing with other kids, but it's me. I think having two close long-term friends is better than not a big deal to be around other kids. I have one friend my own having ten sort-of friends. When I was in preschool in New York I age who I feel I can communicate with. He knows what rm met a girl and even though I moved to San Francisco we keep in talking about, and I understand him. touch and are best friends when I go to New York every summer. I have an especially good relationship with my oldest As for the question. is it harder having friends when you brother. Colin. He teaches me things and helps me with things. I are homeschoolingr I say definitely not. I've also gone to school feel I know him really well, almost as well as he knows himself. and there weren't many girls in my class and the boys were or that's what I think. He probably gives me more I give immature and basically so were the girls! But homeschooling him, but I gtve to him by just being there. I'm practica liy always opened my horizons because in school I felt limited to the kids in with him. He likes me because I'm enthusiastic about almost my class, but I don't feel that way anymore. In school there was everything he likes, and he can do what he likes around me. this girl named Bella in my Hags, and we were friends. Then she I help him by gtving him ideas or figuring things out for him. joined the clique which I wasn't part of because I hated one of the We made a game called 'Treasure Island' together. and I thought girls in it. (A clique is a bunch of kids who are like a club and who of quite a lot of the rules and the size and shape of the board, of don't play with anyone else but other kids in the clique.) Then how to steal the treasure, of the speed the ships could travel, and Bella and I both started homeschooling and since then we've the number of men they could carry. But I couldn't have done the become best friends. project alone. I might have Wen up. Cohn found a way to counteract some problems. He did the sawing of the pieces. although I helped sand them. I held it and assisted him. but I Pen-Pals Can Be Real Friends... couldn't saw it myself. Rom Cora Nielsen (VT): Sometimes I just observe Colin working on a project, like when he discovered an old well and excavated it. I would read I enjoy situations where there are only three or fewer people what he wrote on the computer. and I went down the well with a more than I enjoy situations where there is a crowd of at least rope harness he made. Another time Colin mule a crossbow and five. You are able to hold a person's attention much more easily decided to make another one which was quite a lot better than in a smaller group. the first one, so he gave me the little one, and I decided to improve I think that it is important to be able to get along with people it. I knew how to do this because I'd seen Colin make a spring who are different from you in some way - age, for instance. Age trigger. doesn't really matter all that much to me. I enjoy being with These are just a few examples of how I like to socialize. adults at least as much as I enjoy being with people my age and younger. I have two very good friends who are both around 10. (I'm almost 13.) One goes to school and one I met at the Hulbzrt Different and Proud of It Outdoor Center program for homeschoolers when she was almost Rom Anne Brosnan (XY): 9. I also have some older friends, two in particular. I think that when homeschoolers answer the socialization homeschoolers, who I think enjoy being with me as much as I question in the usual way they are only trying to prove to enjoy being with them, which is important too. They are both skeptics that yes. homeschoolers have a social life as good as good correspondents, which is nice, and we visit each other school kids their age. We act as if we want to have the same kind whenever we can. I met them at camp, and we started writing of social life as schooled kids, but a lot of homeschoolers have afterwards. We discovered that we both like Beatles music, and spoken and written about the kind of social life they have or we started writing back and forth about music. When we visited want to have, and tt is something entirely different. We all seem

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCROOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 23 201 to know that the quality of friendship is what counts, and not the matter. My friends don't need to group together, to form 'clubs,' amount of trinds; that you can live in the middle of New York to exclude other people and all be one of a kind. City and not have any friends or Itve in a rural community with I also have friends who are different religions and races acquaintances for miles around - that everything depends on the than I am. and that has definitely never been an obstacle of any kind of person you are. kind. I think that since I was not raised in any one religion. I To me. it Ls like taking a person from a northern part of the have been able to grow up with an open mind toward all religions country. raising them in the son th. and then expecting this and able to accept people from all kinds of religions as my person to grow up talking and acting as if he were from the north. friends. I know that in the present day, religious discrimination Why do homeschooling parents take their kids out of school, is not as apparent as it once may have been. but I have known raise them in a home/family environment, and then spend their children who were prejudiced against other children because of time gloating over the fact that they've managed to make their their religious beliefs. I don't mean to imply in any way that all kids' social lives as glamorous as the social lives of their people who are religious are prejudiced against others or that schooled counterparts? people who aren't particularly religious are not prejudiced. I I think that instead of trying to prove to ourselves and simply think that in my case, when I become friends with others that homeschoolers won't grow up 'different from all the someone I think of them as one single person. not as a represen- other kids, we should simply start acknowledging the fact that tative of a race or religion, so in this way it Is easy to overcome most homeschoolers don't fit into a school-type social group and any barriers that might have been there. couldn't care less. I am only speaking from my point of view, I have had bad experiences with groups of kids who gather though. as I have never had that kind of social life and don't wish together and talk about meaningless topics and speak rudely or that I had or did. I know many homeschoolers near my age (15) vulgarly towards each other, never get anything accomplished, who have decided to go to school, and the biggest reason they go is never talk of anything meaningful. I have not often encountered to have more friends and to belong to a social type of group. Many young people who socialize in a better way - who do things of them meet very nice. Interesting people, but often they meet a together, or who spend time having quiet, thoughtful, meaning- group of kids who think that all the kids in the other groups are ful conversations. There have been some instances when I have snobs, and don't socialize with them. I may be wrong. but I have socialized with groups of adults or people of mixed ages and there had a little experience with this and it seems to me that within has betn an overall sense of well-being and direction. One of any high school, or even elementary school, you find therm these has been with groups of musicians, when we spend a lot of groups of kids who socialize with each other and not with any time talking about the music or the instruments and then play other group, and it betnmes almost an ethnic thing. each group music together. In these instances we all have a common having its awn culture, sometimes conflicting with other groups objective. Another instance is at a historic house/farm where my and sometimes ganging up on a member of their own group mother and I are volunteers. Every once in a while the volunteers because he or she was seen hanging around with someone the get together and have a potluck supper. and we talk of hundreds others didn't want to socialize with. of interesting things about the house and family and the history To me. friendship and socializing are two different things. and the region, and people come up with new facts and anecdotes, Friendship. I think, is ultimately a one-to-one Idnd of deal. If and everybody feels at peace with one another, because we are all you can't be friends with someone just because you don't like involved in the same project. their other friends, then you are missing the whole heart of the I think that when a group of people are socializing they matter. Instead, it's better to concentrate only on this one person should all have a common objective, but they don't all have to and become friends with that sole being,. not his environment, agree with one another or be like one another. Arguing ts one of family. or other friends, but that person, his nature, attitude. the best ways to find new ideas about things or answers to likes, and dislikes. Sometimes this means that you yourself questions, and a medley of different types of people makes the must change to adapt to different situations and the friends you world interesting. A group of school kids, all the same age, with may make in those situations. I know that I have a lot of the same hairdos, wearing the same fashionable clothes, who all different personalities, a lot of different sides I show to different watch the same TV shows, don't socialize with each other with a people. yet they are all true; I never act falsely or try to be common objective in mind - to get something done, to argue somebody rm not. Since I take people one-on-one, in many something out, to discover something new. They socialize different situations. I know that some of my friends would most because they want to talk about themselves, to show they fit in. to likely not get along with my other friends, but this doesn't gather self-esteem from the knowledge that they fit in and are not outcasts or misfits. I don't understand how they can ever achieve self-esteem if their objective is to be like other people. Most of the time, I am at peace with myself and I can f,pend hours and hours alone with myself and my thoughts. I am not talkative, but neither am I shy. I like being around people, and though I myself am not good at conversation. I like most of all to listen to other people as they talk amongst each other. I also like to travel and see new places and new people, so I think I am a social peraon. But unlike others, I don't like the type of socializa- tion that school offers, and I would never go to school for the social aspect. Through *interests, I eventually me._ t people who can be the right kind of friends, and once in a while I find the right kind of socialization, too. Looking for Common Interests From Geoffrey Utwack (PA):

Socialization. That's usually the first thing people ask me about when I tell them I'm homeschooled. 'But how do you find friendsr they say. Usually I blow them off with something like. 'Oh. I have plenty of friends from karate, camp. etc." But really, deep down Inside, I feel kind of insecure. I have very few true

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 24 202 time, my little brother, who's 3, wanted to stay upand look at a friends, but I think they're enough - I have three really good look at the friends, and then I have some other so-so friends that I know, book instead of going to bed. My mother said he could book in bed. Parents teach you about compromising early on. and like, and hang out with sometimes. It's my experience that in you're learning school. it's basically the same thing. You have a few good friends You don't really think about it - you don't realize to compromise - but for example, my brotherfound out that he you can trust, and then you have a whole bunch of people that you and what my know slightly and can converse with on occasion. could do something tn between what he wanted When I meet someone new I try and see if we have anything mother wanted, and that's how he learned. About realizing that things don't always go one's own way: in common. Does he have a Macintosh? Do we play the same (a computer games? Does he play role-playing games? Stiff like Last year we had wanted to go to the Vermont Dairy Festtval sort of fair near us). and what do you think mysister did? She got that. I determine if we have anything in common, if we'd make a which decent pair. I would never discriminate against someone because appendicitis and had to stay in the hospital for a week - wasn't what I had planned on, but 1 learned somethings about of his skin color, or religious beliefs, because in the long run, hospital. We that's not really important. What is important is that you share hospitals. I spent four nights with my sister in the found out about the nice nurses who were friendly andthe not-so- the same set of ideals. For instance, if someone is the Hey, I've had a hard time got an idea, why don't we go stick a firecracker downthe tailpipe nice ones who rushed you around (my sister walking at first) and talked to you as if you were only 5 or6 (my of that car over thtre" type of person, I don't think we'd make found out about very good friends, because that's not what I like todo. sister was 12 and I was 14 at the time). We also I do have some t :ult friends, but I don't normally justhang Inn:luny- hospital food. out with them. Usua...ly I do something with them. For instance. my friend Jim is a professional photographer. I godown to the city with him and we take pictures and develop them. Hard to Get Along *ith SchoolKids rve had my fair share of people who I thought were friends, Prom Colin Roth MEI): but it actually turned out that they were hying to get something from me. This made me sort of paranoid at the time. but I guess I I've become very frustrated over social experiences I've had can accept it now, even though it's strange to mebecause don't with my peer group. I have the most interaction with my peers at really act that way. But it's not like rm usually ticked bypeople. regular weekly meets of the air cadet squadron I have joined.I get I think I'm pretty good at choosing my friends and knowingwho frustrated because of the feeling that I'm so different from the l can trust. rest. It is nearly impossible for me to have a conversationwith anyone, save one or two. I've tried to listen towhat most kids talk about, and all I've heard is gabble and sickly laughter, no Different Types of People deep thoughts, questions, or analysis. only monotonous utter- From Ginny Hood (MD): ances about schooL I guess they just talk aboutwhat they can relate to in their fives and 90% of it is school. So, alreadythat My definition of socialization is this: having learning excludes me from what they can relate to. experiences outside the home. It is best to have a mixture of They aren't interested in the things] arm probably because acquaintances - people with different values, of different ages they don't have time by themselves to think many thoughtsof and races, all sorts of people. Socialization means dealingwith their own and are turned off being interested in anything. I try to people who aren't exactly like you. Some people are nuisances. take an interest in what they say, but this is further limitedby Others are good friends you'd like to have forever. I get to meet my strongly set values which are different fromthe common different kinds of people by going out in the world. Some people teenager's. think homeschoolers are just locked up in closets, but that isn't However, there are some teenagers who go to school whom I true. I meet many different types of people in theater, for can relate to. I do not want to isolate myselffrom my peers. I instance. To me, a well-socialized person is a person who can get realize it is not their fault they're stuck in school, and I know along with many different types of people. that I was not myself when I went to school. So, perhaps theonly I'm in a library volunteer program. Many of the people there socializing I can do with them is on another level, apart from don't have the same values as me. There is one girl who was verbal interaction - just being there being myself, relaxed. etc. I chattering away with me about how she had been in The Wizard think it is good for them to be around a free-from-school of Oz and how it didn't leave her any time for other activities. I teenager who is not trapped in the acceptable mold. knew she was lying and hadn't been in the play. because I had been in Oz myself. You have to be aware of people who lie, so you don't believe everything that you hear. However, you have to be considerate. That girl probably wanted a role just as badly as I did. For me, theater and Girl Scouts are both good for socializa- tion. Theater is nice because it is one of the few times as a kid when you actually feel like you are working. and grown-ups respect you more. On the other hand. Girl Scouts is good for rnaldng friends your own age, and talking about stuff that adults don't understand (or have forgotten).

Learning to Compromise From Newt Patry of Vermont About developing the ability to compromise: I think everyone learns this from their parents (or most people do anyway), seeing as there aren't many choices in the matter except maybe to move out, which might not seem like the greatest idea. Last winter when I wanted to go outside and ice skate, my mother said I could stay out for ten minutes. but I wanted to stay out longer. We compromised and agreed on fifteen minutes. Another

Growing Without Schooling 1188

AUSTRALIAN HOMEScHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 25 4 O3 I have observed that the people I can talk to are the outcasts to adults and older kids because I come Into contact with them from the social superstructure in school, the people who do not more often. These are very positive relationships. conform to the mold school has imposed on them ar-± are I've been in a lot of plays, which involves working with persecuted by the rest as a result. I also find these people are people. Sometimes we would make up skits, and there was a lot of interested in horneschooling. conflict because everyone had different ideas about what they I'm sure more socialization. in all meanings of the word, wanted to do and it was hard to make up our minds. I often found will occur for me simply as I become more familiar with people myself being mediator between people who would get angry at around me (specifically in air cadets). And as I move into my each other. So another aspect of socialization, to me. is the chosen career, relationships that do not depend on school will ability to listen to everybody's ideas and then make a decision develop. based on that. Having an Adult Friend Lasting Friendships Within Family From Brenna Youcinoff (CO): Flom Nicholas Roth (PEO:

When I first met some kids who'd always gone to publiz I have never in my life had a deep, lasting friendship with school, such as people from my neighborhood and my soccer someone apart from my family. I have had the odd good friend at team, they wondered if I had any friends. I thought it was kind of school (when I went to school), but these supposed friends only funny. I probably spend more time talking and playing with wrote one or two letters to me after 1 moved away. and they soon friends han the kids in school have time for. I think the big got tired of writing and gave up. I am not sure why they gave up difference is time. writing, and this crosses my mind often, but it showed me what I feel that I am quite able to get along with people who have kind of friendship we really had. different beliefs than mine. For instance. I have some friends I've only had lasting friendships In my family, with my two who are fundamentalist Christians. and I am r. Quaker. We find brothers and my parents. I am not embarrassed having a that it's much easier to simply play games than w '4

Growing Without Schooling 088

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 ra GE 26 its U nothing. the places I mostly meet friends are at church and at activities I would really enjoy having more friends andacquaintances with other homeachoolers. A lot of the kids at homeschool who are a few years older than me. I don't knowmany, but the few activities know what it's like to be a homeschooler, they know older teenagers that know make me wish I couldget to know what it's like to be different, so they're nicer to me. more of them better. It seems to me that the greater the age difference between me and my friends, the more easily Ican communicate with them on my own level. This seems especially true with the one or two people I know who have gone away to Friendships With Young Children college. Even just a little time In college broadens their horizons From Serena CArtgold (CA): immensely. They tend to be more open-minded, having encoun- tered a wider range of people and ideas. Talking to them makes Considering that I don't see other kids frequently, I think rne realize how much of my mind I effectively shut down in order that I do fairly well when placed in a group situation or left on to communicate with rny same-age friends. In fact, one of my my own to make friends. It is easier when I have another friend main reasons for wantkig to go to college is to meet more like- with me. but even when I am alone I feel confident. Where I live. I minded people who can provide me with the kind of stimulating don't have any friends my age. I've tried to be friends with some, conversation that l often find lacking. but I am ao different, probably because I am homeschooled and care about things other than what's happening in school, what teachers are terrible, did that boy like me. etc. Some people would probably say that I don't try hard enough to make friends or that More Confident I don't want to badly enough - not true. I think the main problem is that the other kids don't need me as much as I need them. It Fl-om Vivien Zapf (MD): doesn't matter to them whether I'm their friend or not because they have other friends at school and they're not missing out on I think that homeschooling has allowed me to develop my anything. I've almost given up on finding someone my age who social skills a lot more than school did. When I went to school lives in my town to be a good friend: but I still hope that maybe there were two things I could do: someday I might find someone. join a clique and trail around I actually have quite a few behind a bunch of other people, or friends who live in town, and stay an individual and be laughed some who live right up the road. at, whispered about, teased, However, they are not close in sneered at, bullied, and otherwise age to me. They are all at least tormented. I don't see how this It was only after I left school three years younger. if not more, could have developed my social that I opened up and made friends which makes it difficult for me slails! On the contrary. it stunted to get everything I want and need them. I became paranoid. Every / am much more confident in out of the friendship. I still have time I noticed someone looldng at myself and make friends a lot more a lot of the kid in me, even me or whispering with someone easily. though I'm 13 1/2. My younger else, I was sure that I was the topic friends make It possible for me of their conversation. to have someone to play with, It wa.s only after I left school which I really enjoy. (Kids my that I opened up and made friends. age, especially school kids, never Now when I overhear someone play?) I find it strange. but little speaking about me, I don't have to kids are attracted to me like ants care. If they don't like me, so to a bowl of sugar. I love taking what? I can leave them and find someone else to make friends care of little kIds and entertaining them, so I think it's wonderful with. I'm slot stuck with them every day for a whole year or more. that they love me and I love them. We get along mostly as equals, As a result of this I am much more confident in myself and make but they do look up to me because of our difference in age and friends a lot more easily. height (sometimes not height!). I'm thinking of going into a A point brought up often by critics of homeschooling is that career In child study and development, so I like having the in school you can meet people from all walks of life and learn to chance to start early. socialize with them. Not so! How varied can a group of people be But all this doesn't make up for not having teenage friends who are all the same age, listen to rock music, wear skin-tight whom I can see regularly, and I know I'm missing something. I pants, and prop their bangs up two feet in the air? Since I left maliee this especially when I talk with my pen-pal Lluvia school, and especially since I started taking classes at the Crockett on the phone, or see my pen-pal Cristie Boone. I have community college. I have met more varied, strange. and unusual wonderful conversations with them about things that I never people than ever before. College students, mothers who hold two talk to little kids, or local older kids, about, and I wish they lived full-time jobs. go to school, and take care of children, senior closer to me. Lluvia is all the way in Colorado and I have never citizens, construction workers, engineers, and also 1K-ople I'd met her. Cristie is three hours away. rather not meet but are still interesting, like high school drop- I wish there were someone I could talk with and see all the outs, drug addicts, and alcoholics. How many school children get time. I manage to survive most of the time, but if I get to thinking to socialize with such an enormous variety of people? about It too much I get really depressed and go into a black mood for a day or two. I think that having some good, close pen-pals makes It better in some ways, but sometimes I feel worse because Finding Friends Who Don't Tease I want to see them and talk to them, and I can't. From Jessica Metcalf (DO: lately we've made three trips to homeschooling conferences and I've made many friends. I've had a lot of offers to spend time The thing that is hard for me Is that kids make fun of me. I with various families. and I hope to have a chz..nce to do this. I'm have a learning diirtrence because of my eyes, so it is hard for always working on socialization because of my circumstances. rne to make friends. When I had to go to school for half of the but I think it just comes naturally to people. day so that they could help me with my difference, the kids in the Learning Lab were very mean to me. They called me a dog one time. My teacher tried to talk to them so they said OK. So Growing Without Schooling *88

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 27 APPLE COMPUTERS EXTEND THEIR EDUCATION PRICE TO ALL HOMESCHOOLERS tf-41 Thank youApple & Kurrawood Computers!! In conjunction with Ross & Heather Bullôt and all the greatpeople at Kurrawood Computers, Homeschoolers Australia is delighted to announce that all N.S.W. homeschoolers and very soon all AustralianHomeschoolers will be welcome to pay the educators price for Apple hardwarefrom 30th September 1992. What is the procedure? 1. If you wish to purchase any Apple product, KurrawoodComputers will order, then deliver and install your computer hardware or arrange tohave this done for you. Inter-statt subscribers will be notified as soon as thisservice is available nation-wide. 2. In order to be eligible for the discount prices, familiesneed to be on the Homeschoolers Australia/Apple Register. To have your family registered, you will need to send a copy of your current Homescooling Registrationand $35 (The registration price for Australian Homeschool Journal subscribersis $25) to Homeschoolers Australia, P.0 Box 420 Kellyville 2153. 3. It is essential you be a legitimate homeschooler to participatein this service. It is up to the homeschooler to provide concrete evidence that you are a homeschooler and Homeschoolers Australia reserves the right to protectitself from prosecution by refusing any homeschooler whose evidence of homeschooling is inadequate. A reminder will be sent annually to those people who are registered to ensure your continuing registration with us in case you intend to up-date your hardware. 4. You only need register if you wish to buy anything. We will register your order process it and send it to Kurrawood Computers who will attend to it immediately. Their phone number is 045 782 377.Their fax no. is 045 782 173.

5. If you wish to know more please send a self addressedstamped envelope to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd A.C.N. 003 222 848, P.0 Box 420Kellyville 2153. Our phone number is 02 629 3727. Our fax number is 02 6293278.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAI ::iSUE 36 PAGE 28

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Software Program Recommended Retail PriceHomeschooler's Educator Price WORD 5.0 $ 595 $ 1 8 5 EXCEL 4 $ 755 $ 290 WORKS 3 $ 230 $ 149 POWERPOINT $ 625 $ 233

Please note : For an additional S30 when buying Works 3, (i.e. a total of $179) C.L.A.S.S. Works is available this includes * templates for schools * Clip Art (education) * Space Station Alpha (A curriculum unit). ******************************************************************************

'To benefit from these prices you must register with 9-fomeschooters Australia and purchase the software through Kurrawood Computers as Microsoft onty attows the educators price for homeschoofers on strict requirement that the purchaser be a registered homeschooter and resident of Australia.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 20 7 PAGE 29 Kurrawood Computers Software Reviews

Bank Street Writer (Mac) Outnumberedis an adventure Macintosh Fonts maths Bank Street Writerfor the Mac game which promotes Kurrawood Computers have adds unique classroom skills-incorporating amazing put together a public domain features to a fully featured animation sequences and True Type Font collection for Mac word processor. So, in sound effects. School edition all of you that are running addition to multiple fonts andfeatures teacher notes and True Type on your Macintosh's. styles, cut and paste editing, classroom activities. If you are not running multiple windows, and Price: $115.00 True Type on your Mac yet paragraph rulers, students andFor all our Sim City fans out then a copy comes on one of teachers alike will be able to there Dataflow have released the disks, but you must be take advantage of classroom the SisnCity Graphic Librariesrunning system 6.0.7 or later. publishing, hypertext, sound for $59.95 you can transport The collection comes on three and colour.BSW (Mac)is moreyour city to another timeand 1.44Mb disks or six 800k disks, than just another word place. and is presented in a folder processor, it is a writing There is also a new range of with a printed sample of each processor. HyperCard stacks available font. There are over forty new The Classroom Publishing through Data Flow like: fonts in the collection and is feature lets students publish priced at a low $49.00. Just a *Earth Quest, all about the their writing in multiple earth, the environment, the taste: column newsletters, fliers and people,(history and Alison:74cça4*bwuiii stories. Hypertext lets you geography.) $99.00. insert a "button" in a jbxjizmped ove document that connects the *Cell Explorer, helps teachers reader to a note, another file or& students understand the lazy dosc a sound. It comes with aClip- complex nature of microscopicClassicaItalic: 7he quick art library in colour. "Frozen life. $79.00 brown foN jumped over text" to create assignments *Hyper Electronics, turns the students cannot modify. BSW Mac into an electronic circuit the lazy dog. also has Sound input board on which you may closeFlinstone:THE Quick capability, can import text filesswitches, change values of INOWN FOX JUMPED OVER from other word processors as resistors and supply voltage toTHE LAZY DOG. well as importing graphics. see what happens. $79.00 Other features: full colour The collection has been support, on line spelling Other titles include: designed so we can add to the checker and thesaurus, on line Everyday Shapes, collection, as more fonts Adventure of the Lost Tiki, punctuation and usage guide. become available. Human Body Structure and Ring Sharon today for a copy Price: $149.00 School edition. Function, to be posted out to your home, Outnumbered (Mac) Antarctic Seals, or come and see it foryourself Outnumberedis from the Antarctic Penguins, at: learning company, It supports Maths Matters, colour on the Macintosh LC Bugs, Kurrawood and is part of a new Beasties Computers generation of software 5/148 Windsor St featuring arcade style Creepy Richmond 2753 graphics, combined with rich Crawlies. Ph: 045 78 2377 educational value. 3 6 Fax: 045 78 2173 Parental Warmth is What's Important (Reprinted from G.W.S. #81) While schools continue to make the undocumented claim that they offcr children better socializing experiences than homcschoolers can, another piece of evidence shows that social maturity is most directly fostered by affectionate parents. "Parenting for Success Study finds Natural Learning warmth at home enhances children's prospects as adults. There is no recipe for raising children to be successful adults, but parental warmth and Works ! affection make more of a difference than any other factor, according to a study that tracked how by Marj Taberner childhood experiences affected adult development 36 years later. Most of the factors that might conceivably affect how children turn out do not make any difference at all, the researchers report. Philosophically I have believed that Natural Learning works but That includes whether parents arc punitive or then, there are always those little nagging doubts around, aren't permissive, how well the parents get along there? Recently I had a fairly illuminating (for me) example of it (according to the mother), and whether the which has firmly convinced me that it does REALLY WORK! individual's childhood was difficult." (From the Our almost 6 year old son David, calmly announced over Boston Globe, 4/8/91). breakfast one Saturday morning that hc would like to write a newspaper. As David doesn't read yet I thought that this was a Children who lost a parent or sibling, moved many fairly ambitious project but stopped myself from saying so. I times, or whose parents divorced did no worse by asked hir what he wanted to write about and he gave me a list of conventional measures of social accomplishment headings which I printed on to a piece of paper for him. He then than those with less stressful childhoods. These dictated to mc what was to be said under each heading. findings arc being reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology by three Most "articles" were only one sentence long. Then he asked if he psychologists who used data at the Henry A. could type them up, which he did over the reu of Saturday and Murray Centre of Radcliffe College to find out half of Sunday with surprising skill and determination. On how individuals who were first studied at age 5 Monday my husband took the sheet of paper and made a number were doing at the age of 41. The main finding, of photocopies for David, who then delivered them to a number of they wrote, was that "subjects who had warm neighbours. As a learning experience it was marvelous; David mothers or warm fathers were more likely to be gained in the following ways * thc letters of the alphabet were rated as higher in social accomplishment 36 years firmly implanted in his brain (not in sequence but for use); * he later."The original study of 379 mothers of 5 year learned to recognise a few simple words; * he understands upper olds, begun in 1951, focused on child rearing and lower case; * he knows what commas, apostrophes and full practices and concluded that maternal warmth and stops are for * he has learnt something about the composition of affcction correlated more strongly with social sentences; * he knows that underlining something adds emphasis maturity in children than any other factor studied. to a headline;* he understands in a primitive sense about the gathering and distribution of the news; * he knows that he can contribute to the society in which he lives. I'm now wondcring what next ?

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCIIOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 31 21) work and travelled with their grandfather picking up material * learned typing *taken art classes in pottery, drawing. painting, The Real World and drama * learned to play musical instruments- guitar, piano, drum and bellyre *been paid for work as custodians at a church * corresponded with people from many countries * collected by Mark Hurst stamps and coins from all over the world * campedwith youth groups * appeared on newspaper front pages*often cared for younger children or did baby-sitting * learned woodworking with This article was printed in the Ilurst family newsletter that is one a builder * made and sold the work oftheir own hands * raised of the family-type shared newsletters that are distributed between chickens, rabbits, sheep, guinea pigs, fish, cats and a dog *worked some homeschooling families in Sydney. at planting and caring for a garden as well aspreserving its produce * learned how to cook, bake, buy food, sew, clean, do I told someone the other day that we teach our children at home. dishes and do laundry * helped in a craft store doing stock work, He asked, "How will your children handle the "real world" when inventory, and running the cash register * helped put out mailings, they meet it?' This was not the first time I heard this question but learning to collate, fold, stuff, stamp and send letters * learned it got me thinking. from their grandparents about the embroidery and sportswear businesses * visited Amish families and their homes* "The Real World".Do school children experience the "real been camping by the sea and in the mountains'teen in the world" sitting in a classroom all day with thirty other children? Atlantic and Pacific Oceans * been part of homeschooling groups What is the "real world"? Our children haven't experienced an in Georgia, Indiana, Virginia, New Brunswick, and Sydney seen institutionalized school setting but they have *lived in three how maple syrup is made * sung as a family in church services countries * met people from all over the world *visited prisons, and taken part in other ways too, like reading the scripture lesson half-way houses, hospitals, * been part of a children's and senior citizen's homes * church choir and in Sunday gone ice-fishing, cross School programs*visited country skiing, snowmobile Mennonite, Independent, riding and snow-shoeing in Methodist, United Brethren, Labrad-_ where they met United, Uniting, Baptist, Coptic native Canadians and saw Orthodox, Roman Catholic and how these people live *seen Anglican churches and Sunday whales, seals, and dolphins Schools * visited classes at in their natural environment Universities and seminaries in New Brunswick * studied *explored caves in West tides and ocean life with Virginia and visited a fish trained Rangers in Canada's hatchery * travelled by car, Fundy National Park * bike, ferry, prop and jet learned about geology with a airplane, canoe, train, geologist from Macquarie snowmobile, komatik, horse University *visited and sleigh, and motor, row and newspaper companies in sail boats * enjoyed tractor both Miami and Sydney and rides, hayrides and sledding saw how a major newspaper with cousins at their is produced * visited a piano grandparents farm *learned to read, write, and do mathematics tuner and builder * regularly gone to zoos, parks, museums, with the help of their full-time teacher * met people affected by historical sites, libraries, concerts, plays, debates, and public child abuse, broken homes, drugs and alcohol, as well as people events * participated in public marches against war, capital with physical and mental handicaps *attended orientations and punishment, destruction of the environment, and to raise* money retreat with other adults and children involved involunteer and for the hungry * taken classes at the YMCA/YWCA in mission work around the world *learned about computers and swimming, diving, racquetball, archery, gymnastics, cooking, spend up to ten hours a week using them at our local library *been kite-making, and baby-sitting training * been involved in ballet snorkeling, fishing, and observed spear-fishing underwater classes and performances * delivered meals to elderly people at *toured the space centre at Cape Canaveral *played in a drum and Christmas * shared their home with University students, ex- bugle core *experienced love and acceptance through family, offenders, church workers, and travellers from around the world* friends, and church...... been to rock concerts, pro sporting events, and agricultural fairs* lived in large and small cities and in the country * made pottery The "real world".Maybe our kids haven't with an accomplished potter * delivered newspapers, cut grass experienced it yet but when they do, I think they'll and shovelled snow *helped on construction sites doing clean-up be ready for it.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 32 210 1101 ViE

Joanna Hoyt (ME) is EDUCATION interviewed in GWS #83's PRESS Focus on In 1977 author and teacher John Holt Young founded Growing Without Schooling, the Lobbyists: fast magazine devoted to exploring and Homeschool- publicizing issues about raising children ing Kids in HOMESCHOOL READER A unique anthology that answers ques- and helping them learn without attending the Legislative Process. schools. Since then we have published tions on socialization, kgal issues, stories, news, and information about higher education, accotmtability, com- pulsory education, selecting curriculum learning outside of school from all over the materials, and much more. From the globe. Each bi-monthly issue contains pages of Rome EdiAcation Magazine, news about the homeschooling movement 1983 through 1988.164 pages, re- in the U.S. and around the world; pen-pal source listing, indexed, 512.75 ppd. listings; a directory of homeschooling families; reviews of useful materials; a HOMESCHOOL HANDBOOK feature on a specific topic or question; in- A complete guide to home schooling depth exchanges among our readers about from the editors of Home Education Magazine. An extensive resource list- such issues as making a living while ing, with informative reviews of books, teaching your own children. TV and publications, and resources. 60 pages, homeschooling, and more. A reader writes: Christian McKee (WI) wrote for our 8112" x 11", informative articles, re- "GWS is the written form of an informa- Focus on Working Toward a Goal, source listing, reviews, advertising, in. tion network like mothers have had for GWS #8.4. dex, 5730 ppd. ears. Perhaps this is a new literary form" Join us today! ALTERNATIVES IN EDUCATION A oornprehensive guide covering home 1 year (6 issues), #2001 $55 "For over ten years the leading homeschooling publication." David schooling, alternative schools, Waldorf 2 years (12 issues), #2002 $98 schools, Montessori education, learning 3 years (18 issues), #2003 $125 and Micki Colfax in Homeschooling exchanges, apprenticeships, alternative for Excellence higher education and much mort. 120 GWS Single Issue, #2000 $9 pages, resources, indexed, $10.75 ppd.

LETTERS HOME A fascinating glimpse into the lift of a Growing Without Schooling sub- your order and send it to you. home schooled young lady who an- scriptions and back issues are not barks on travels around the world at the If you do not have a Visa or age of sixteen. Her experiencxs shed kept in stock in Australia. They need MasterCard: light on the questice of how home to be ordered from the U.S. The costs 2) Ring John Holt's Book and Music schooled youngsters might make the may change a little as they depend on Store in Sydney on 02 629 3727 (or transition from the borne to the world. currency fluctuations. There are two fax on 02 629 3278) and place your 60 p., 5530 ppd. ways to facilitate payment for GWS: order with them. Our Sydney branch 1) Ring John Holt's Book and Music will inform you of the cost and will HOMESCHOOL BOOKSHELF Store in Massachusetts on 0015 1 order from Holt in the U.S. within 24 A complete homeschooling books 617 864 3100 (or fax on 0015 1 617 hours using their Visa facility. You catalog from Home Education Press. 864 9235) and leave your order, must post your cheque or money Listing more than sixty titles by over name, Visa or MasterCard number, order to Homeschoolers Australia forty authors, this is the only catalog and expiry date and we will process immediately. of its land. Available free upon re- quest.

Home Education Press If you would like to receive a copy of PO Box 1083 G.W.S., send $4 to Homeschoolers Tonasket, WA 98855 Australia PO Box 420 Kellyville 2153 and we will send you a sample copy. "Publishing only the best for homeschooling families BEST COPY AVAILABLE since 1983.11

AUSTRALIAN HOW:SCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PACE 33 211 The role of structure in our homeschool Julie Pinazza

Before one can discuss any aspect of which he grows. homeschooling, one must look at one's philosophy for We organise our days and weeks, therefore, homeschooling to begin with. For our family, the decision to according to a schedule.It is by no means rigid and if homeschool our three boys was a very difficult one because necessary or desired, it is abandoned altogether.Generally, we both were teachers; my husband secondary and myself however, our children realise they have responsibilities which primary. We therefore believed in much of the public are to be met each day. The timing of our structure is flexible education philosophy. However, when we looked at how to too but has broad bands of time into which different facets of best develop our children's education as they approached learning are allotted. Learning to be efficient, wise stewards "school age" we decided that the environment we had of our time is something we believe is important. nurtured our children in through their first four years of their Consequently, expectations of daily achievements are a life was individualised, catering for their gifts and interests reasonable way to foster this Mid*. and holistic with varied and frequent socialization.As The other facet of a structured day is ensuring all or educationalists we believed we were well equipped to many of the key learning areas are covered consistently, not organise our children's learning and to develop their haphazardly as may otherwise happen. If a child is focussed insatiable desire for learning and channel it into learning on an area of interest, that can become the catalyst for skills which would equip them to become free thinkers, explosive learning. However, we find that that can still fit into genuine inquirers, decision makers and Irlarners for a life in a structure ensuring literacy, numeracy, technological, social, which they would aspire for their potential. [That's by no physical, spiritual skills are incorporated. Some may require means implying that parents who are not educkonalists are greater emphasis with a particular interest arca naturally. Of less equipped. It just was appropriate preparation for us.] We course, there always must be the place for the "drop were committed to provide a framework of lea.. :rig that everything and run with the moment" learning opportunities. looked to the universe, not just to the pragmatic. To use Through negotiated planning we monitor and guide Louise Mare's term, to be "cognitively free", having the the foci of learning so as to keep a balance. If, for example, freedom of knowing why they believe what they believe. we have been to the Guggenheim exhibition and much of our We wanted to develop in our children a love of learning has revolved around art and artists, then we would literature alongside encyclopaedias, because we believe discuss the need to focus on another area such as science or literature leads to questioning and a discovery of one's own human society, when we come to negotiate our future values. We wanted time to develop their love of and gifts in planning. music as a crutch to perception of the universe: to free them Children feel secure knowing their responsibilities from the limits of fashion and "herd instinct". We believe a and what is expected of them. Of course we have to be eafeful child cannot overachieve. One can only run a hundred metres our expectations do not become limits or boundaries. Our as fast as one can run it! As long as progress is initiated by children arc always involved in our planning and know the the child and "relatively" stress free, a child will learn as his stars arc where our limits begin. There is a place though, for interest, need and opportunities determine.However, wc us to determine what we want them to learn or that we believe appreciate that there arc many component skills in any is an integral part of their knowledge development, and this is learning arca and opportunities need to be provided if these part of the responsibility of facilitating their learning. Our are to be explored and mastered. children respect those decisions and usually thoroughly enjoy No child creates without the tools of creativity. No the"imposed" aiea of work. child is socially adept without the tools of socialization. They encourage one another to reach out daily one These are gaincd in a secure, positively reinforcing step closer to the ultimate goal of independence and "cognitive environment where as many varied opportunities for learning freedom". The path will only be trod if it is secure and the are offeredTherefore as to the question of why structure reality of being "a learner equipped to learn" is seen to be learning. worthwhile. Children are natural learners, but may never find It is our belief that in our society we must all live the stars if they are too busy managing the pragmatic to lift within a structured framework. Indeed, we believe that we their eyes from where they arc.Being cognitively free have ail been born into a structured universe whit It ha, oids.r 1/4.,u1,1Le and dist.ipline P. '..:ilitator of and purpose. In all he does, therefore, a child must learn to out LlIIlWnlearning is having a dintetim, the future, 3ppreciate order and structure at his level of development so and is tne greatest pi ivilege and tesponsibiiity that parenthood that he can contribute effectively in the structured world into bestows upon us.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 34 212 DR, RAYMEND THY MO RE,

BETTER LATE THAN EARLY (research based information on why children should not start school too earlyeasy to read) $17 (incl. postage)

EXTRA CASH FOR KIDS (How they can earn it, easy to read for competent readers 10 years and up) $18 (incl. postage)

HOME GROWN KIDS THE BOOK (Steps in parenting) $17 (incl. postage)

HOME GROWN KIDS THE VIDEO (The total picture about homeschooling, interviews with a large range of families who have br..en homeschooling and still are doing it very successfully. Great gift for sceptical parents) $40 (incl. postage)

HOME MADE HEALTH (Backed by specialists) S20 (incl. postage)

HOME SCHOOL BURNOUT (Interesting, easy to read hard cover about how to prevent burn out andhow to cure it.) $28 (incl. postage)

HOME SPUN SCHOOLS (How others homeschooled) $15 (incl. postage)

HOME STYLE TEACHING (Handbook for teachers) $18 (incl. postage)

MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS (Businesses to run from Home) $20 (incl. postage)

SCHOOL CAN WAIT (Research sources on why children should not start school too early) $18 (incl. postage)

If you wish to purchase any of these books please send a cheque or money order for theappropriate amount (all prices include postage) to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

ThankYou

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 35 2 1 !q Homeschoolers Supporting Homeschoolers

ORGANIC GARDENING CARPENTER PIANO TEACHER Central Coast The Chorleys Highly experienced, reliable, honest, Highly qualified & Northgate competent carpenter experienced piano Mt Tomah tutor and Bilpin 045-672124. Phil Conway enthusiastic 639 4858 performer, homeschooling mother. MONUMENTAL SCULPTOR ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES Stephenie Bailey Anna Adams Ring 974 5148 R.F. Gaites 043 622 689 Agent for Dr. Jim Spira 250 Bridge St., Stanford University South Tamworth U.S.A.Tapes, seminars & P.O. Box 156 Sth. articles on adjunctive Tamworth 2340 CD ROM PRODUCTS therapy for cancer and (067) 652377 other chronic illness Lyn Keen also pain management in cancer & chronic Friendly, helpful, advice GIVE A HOME TO A illness. and service on a wide range GNOME of ROM products. Ann Gaites (067) 02 713 2584 SCREENPRINTING A RANGE 652377 OF RECYCLED STATIONERY *Ornaments from $2 * Large range of The Pothins gnomes *Wishing wells P.O. Box 1088 *Bird Baths Grafton *Gift vouchers N.S.W. 2460 250 Bridge St. Do you want to Tamworth be listed in this BEAUTIFUL SIMPLE section? WOODEN CHILDREN'S TOYS NATIONAL NAME BARS & If so, send your Len M.-Therson & ENGRAVING Lynden Jacobi details to Labels, name badges *Send to P.O. Bo:-: 743 and small signs Homeschoolers Charlestown 2290 for Australia P.O. Cippels 707 31.,=',7 a catalogue BOX 420 Kellyville 2153.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 PAGE 36 214 Homeschooling Records

1. A Diary The aim of a diary is to record and hopefully reflect what you have achieved in the education of your children. It can be keptdaily, weekly or less often. It can be kept by parents, children or a combination of the two. It can be kept in a couple offorms (a) a catalogue of who did what page, of which textbook, when. (b) a conversation about how learning was initiated where it is going and special achievements. (c) a list of topics covered, when and why etc. (d) a list of books, excursions, interactions and research found to be useful in presenting the learning. Diaries can be hand-written or kept on computer, audio cassette, etc. They can contain photographs, flyers, programs and other educational material given out at events attended.

While a diary that catalogues all the textbooks covered by your children may make administrators happy, we should try to remember that our diaries are actually precious records of the unique way we choose to educate our children. Sure I can write down HBJ page 32-43 (multiplication) 20.10.92. But how much more interesting to write down "Did multiplication in the Maths book, but F. also asked about prime numbers to-day by saying "Do you know no other numbers beside 1 & 19 go into nineteen?" Then I asked if he could think of any other numbers that were like this and he spent about half an hour going through allthe primes before 100.1 explained they are called "prime numbers'', he commented "they are pretty amazing when you think of it".

2. Photographic,Video & Audio records Depending on your interest in technology these are useful and valid ways to record your child's learning achievements.

In any tribunal or court of law, a regularly kept, crossreferenced diary is regarded as a very special piece of documentation. It can easily be verified using outside sources ("couldn't attend because of rain"; "attended the Egyptian exhibit at the Museum") and it is almost impossible to forge a detailed diary that exists over a long period of time.

3. History Most importantly, in the future, your diary if you desire it, may become a valuable testimony to the "different" mode of education you have used with your children. Providing a record for yourself, your child, researchers, educators and the comunity at large of the value of homeschooling.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 36 215PAGE 37 Q STORES/ HOMESCHOOLERS P.O. BOX 77 Alexandria 2015

47 BOURKE RD ALEXANDRIA

GOODS AVAILABLE * It is ALL homeschoolers' responsibility to pay for Goods for purchase will include science, craft, art, their goods within 14 days - you will receive a mathematics, sports & computer equipment- posted invoice. You el-. pick up yourgoods, after hardware and software, stationery, encyclopaedias, they are delivered to them, from the following maps, desks etc. (Text books are notsold by Q regional contacts: stores). * Bathurst - Marc( le Foundling 063 322 132 WHAT IS INVOLVED * Grafton - Kerri Pothin 066 425 774 * Moss Vale - Sue & Will McAulay 048 681 094 * If you wish to avail yourself of this service you * Newcastle - Carolyn & Carl Arthur 049 665 098 must be a registered homesehooler and you must * Quirindi - Jim & Lyn Cherry 067 462 284 nominate an intention to deal with Q stores by filling in the form that accompanies this notice, * Exact delivery date and location will be available attaching your registration certificates (all of them from the contacts above. However expected if you have more than one child) and sending it c/- delivery dates are around 30th January 1993 and Q STORES P.O. BOX 77 ALEXANDRIA 2015 around 30 th June 1993.

* It is ILLEGAL to resell government stores or buy * Homeschoolers must provide a copy of all their them for anyone else. They must be used for the current registration certificates when they educational needs of the homeschooler concerned. INITIALLY apply for registration with Q Stores, Orders will be monitored and abuse of this situation (but not with their orders) and undertake to inform by any individual homeschboler will undoubtedly Q stores within 14 days if homeschooling is mean loss of the privilege for all homeschoolers. discontinued .

* Q stores will make available a detailed order list * Once ordered and received goods cannot be for free to all homeschoolers registered with them returned. so they can decide what they wish topurchase before the 15th December 1992 and again before * We have been asked to give nothing in return, nor the 15th May 1993. will we be asked. However it is reiterated that it is ILLEGAL to buy these items for someone else or to * Orders placed with Q Stores MUST be a resell them. minimum $100. Payment must be made within 14 days from date of invoice. * If you wish to receive the Q stores order/price list catalogue of goods please send your name and *Orders you wish to make from QStores must b- address and register your interest, as soon as received by Q Stores at Alexandria before the possible and preferably before the 15th November, closing dates of 30th December 1992 and 30th May with 1993. Orders received after this date will not be processed until the following 6 monthly ordering. Q STORES /Homeschoolers P.O. BOX 77 * Homeschoolers within the metropolitan area and ALEXANDRIA 2015. close to Sydney NV ST collect their orders from Q Stores' warehouse, 47 Bourke Rd Alexandria.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL Q STORES REGISTRATION FORM

i 1. On receipt of this form Q Stores will send you, as soon as possible, their catalogue/order /price list. I 2. Please return this form before the 15th November 1992 to receive the order/price list. !3. Final registrations will be takenon 15th Decernber for those who wish to receive the order/price list. 4. If you do not register with Q Stores before 15.12.92 you will not be able to participate in the first ordd 15. Orders for the 1st half of the school year MUST BE in at Alexandria BEFORE 30th December 1992 16. Payment for your order will be due late January or early February. 7. Please attach photocopies of your registration cerdicates

SURNAME: (and initials)

NAME OF PERSON APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION:

RELATIONSHIP TO REGISTERED CHILD:

FULL ADDRESS & Postcode:

PHONE NUMBER:

NEAREST LARGE TOWN OR CITY (if outside Sydney):

NAMES & AGES OF CHILDREN

.....

Please name the contact person or place you will use to pick up your goods

Please attach photocopies of your registration certificates for EACH of your children (this is to provide some check on the appropriateness of the volume of the order i.e. a family with one six year old does not need 5 basketballs)

Please remember if you wish to receive the Q STORES order/price list/catalogue for Jan-June 1993 you must send your registration in by 15th November 1992. The absolute cut-off date is 15th December 1992

PLEASE POST THIS COMPLETED FORM .AND PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR CHILDRENS' REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES TO

* * * * *QSTORES19-romeschnoters**** * P.O. BOX 77 ALEXANDRI A 2015

You are encouraged to Inform allregistered homeschoolers you know about this option

217 Australian Homeschool Journal ASIA 31 NOVEM1ER/DRCD4OLIt

tmos:JO-ARMOdra' THE AUSTRALIAN

-it HOMES CHOOL

'A JOURNAL

6 fabulous issues a year !!! Australian Horneschool Journal $ 30 for a one year subscription E IrEBRUAR Ja3nni pt If you wish to subscribe please 1. ftft, ft .ftes ...... uft-,wiftftw. -ftft. ft& ft...t oftft send a cheque or money order to

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f 1,4,* &eft Joe mot fork. le Mi. Iftwioftse vrftw p ow*,oft/Way O....1..14 Australian Homeschool Journal ISSUE 37 Vfitor: joAnne Beirne

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We welcome all contributions to this journal. Ideas or opinions expressed in articles 4, are those of the author and do e not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors and t/55 44, publishers of this magazine. 1^ ' " 7111111111t,Lk4'_'''4, e )1" Please notify us of your change ' < 1. of address. 55- Homeschoolers Australia ^1^., t 5, " \" P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 "

''' .1, CONTENTS The Resource Book for Home Editorial - Big Business by Jo-Anne Beime page 3 Resource Information- Educatorsis Science, English, Computer, Maths, Library by Jo-Anne Beime page 4-13 HERE AT LAST !!! Letters page 14-16 Homeschooling the Older Child by Jo-Anne Beirne page 17-19 In 1987 Homeschoolers Aust. pty ltd. What is Smart published a 100 page Resource Book by Alan Gartenhaus page 20-22 detailing a great number of educational, A Homeschool Program curriculum and homeschool resources as byMarjTaberner page 23-24 well as a good deal of information on Book Reviews special issues such as gifted and talented by Katharine Houk and Seth Rockmuller page 25-26 John Holt Book and Music Store Information page 27 and special education. Raymond and Dorothy Moores Books & Videopage 28 Some ideas on what to Teach Young Children NOW our new Homeschooling by Jo-Anne Beime page 29-30 Resource Book is almost ready and we Serendipity or Structure will have it for sale for $30. in April. by Dr John Vaughan from P.E.T.A. page 31-33 It will be available for your perusal at all Apple & Microsoft Information and Price List our homeschooling seminars and John by Kurrawood & Homeschoolers Australia page 34-38 Holt Book and Music Store Displays. Custody Battles by Anna Adams and Jo-Anne Beirne page 39-40 Send your cheque for $30 Legal Updates To Homeschoolers Australia Qld, W.A., S.A. page 41-42 Resource Information P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 from the W.A. Education Department page 43-45 NSW Homeschooling & DOCS page 46 What's On ? page 48

The 1993 Australian Great savings for Home Homeschool Journal Educators from Apple 48 pages of Computers & Microsoft! information at only $30 for one years See pages 34-35 subscription !!!

GETTING STARTED WITH HOMESCHOOLING A 44 page information booklet for those thinking about homeschooling has recently been UPDATED & reprinted. If you have a friend or relative who wants to know the answers to these pertinent homeschooling questions *WHY *HOW *HIGH SCHOOL TERTIARY * SOCIALIZATION *ACCOUNTABILITY *LEGAL ISSUES & the answers to 30 or 40 other commonly asked questions & concerns Please tell them to send $15 for our information package to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 Ph: 02 629 3727

220 2. Could I compile a similar product, tailoring it to the Editorial educational needs of my own child, a good deal more cheaply by applying a little research, ingenuity and energy of my own? HOMESCHOOLING - BIG BUSINESS ! 3. Am I sure about the background of the person/company selling this product ? What is their expertise ? Are they I think I first read it in one of John Holt's books, but of course educators or have they homeschooled themselves or it has been said by many others, that one of the reasons supported education and homeschooling ? Have they a homeschooling often has to face so much criticism and resumé of themselves and their company that I could peruse ? challenge is because the education industry is a billions of Despite the fact that some products have a money back dollars a year enterprise. If you just think of the numbers of guarantee (many don't after a very significant outlay), or people that are directly and indirectly employed by the come sealed with the approval of some university, (especially education systemteachers, public servant administrators, American) many of them are not of as high a quality and authors of textbooks, printers and publishers of textbooks, standard as those who spend their limited and hard earned cleaners, builders, uniform, shoe, writing implements & cash would hope. learning tool manufacturers you will know what I mean. 4. Is the product /service exclusivist ? Does it seek to bind you to it and effectively remove you from the mainstream or Many of us would respond by saying that the family is the marketplace? For instance, if you are told thousands of others Most efficient and effective basic unit in our society and that are happily using this product or have joined an organisation spiritually and philosophically the total welfare of our own can you be put in contact with those who are in your local children comcs before any macro economic considerations area? If not why not? For what reason does it suggest and in a democracy this is the way it should always be. exclusivisity ? Is it based on sound principles that you feel can However, while responding to criticism about homeschooling be truly substantiated by the Bible or your philosophy of life from academic to social, becomes easier the longer we and education ? homeschool, the really powerful criticism both political and 5. Have I been fooled by the advertising hype, or by the label economic lies somewhere in the future. For if a larger number - "Environmental", "Christian", "Bible Based", "Natural of families choose the option of homeschooling, ultimately Learning" ? If the product is very expensive is there a sample the pockets and power of some people will start to hurt I can see for a short period, if this is not a policy of the sufficiently for them to decide to address the issue in a more company why isn't it? Have I asked around, (for example in significant way. I personally am not paranoid about this but I support groups and through newsletters), to find out how do think it is important to think about. many people have found this product/service usefulor useless and compared the relative cost to other things in the We have already seen examples of this in 1992 with the Miller marketplace? Does the producer allow that an expensive article which quoted the Parents and Citizens Association & product may not work for some people (refundable) ? The Teachers Federation. The Teachers Fed. can see quite clearly already that homeschooling could cost them power, I know when I first started homeschooling I felt that I was out jobs and status. (What if unqualified parents are as successful there on my own and that I had to have a crutch to lean on. as 4 year trained teachers?) But in reality these organisations, Many of the crutches we "think" we need however turn out to though very powerful, are possibly not even as dangerous to be very expensive and very useless. There are more people, homeschooling as big and small businesses who may seek to discussion groups, reviews, books and newsletters around make a quick buck or a long term killing in the homeschooling now than ever before so at least there is some chance to avoid market. We must try hard to be careful not to see bogeymen some of the pot holes, though I guarantee I'll fall into at least making money or taking control bchind each new situation we a half dozen in 1993 myself! Happy homeschooling ! come across. But is hard to know what critcria to use to judge sincerity, not to mention competence, especially as homeschoolers arc spread far and wide and do not have many THANK YOU means of contact as yet. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support and encouraging letters I receive. Having fallen victim to such situations on many occasions I The job of editing the AHJ and running the John Holt am always trying to decide what is the best way to determine Book and Music Stort is not a small one and we have if someone or something is "ripping me off" (I hate that to dovetail the responsibilities with the home expression). Here arc some of my rules, perhaps you have education of four precious chädren, working on a your own. strong and loving family, as well as our own 1. Have I been talked into buying this product or service or businesses and often it gets a little stressed. have I been told there are no othcr options? Am I buying this Nonetheless, we believe it has made all of us a good product because I think it will make an inspector, my support deal stronger and it has definitely introduced us to a group, my friends, my mentor etc. happy or am I buying it whole new range of skills. because I know it will work for us? PAGE 3 221 Science Resources

These problems are for fun.I never meant them to be taken too seriously. Some you will find easy enough to answer. Others are enormously difficult, and grown men and women make their livings trying to answer them.But even these tough ones are for fun.I am not so interested in how many you can answer as I am in getting you to worry over them.

What I mainly want to show here is that physics is not some- thing that has to be done in a physics building. Physics and physics problems are in the real, everyday world that we live, work, love, and die in. And I hope that this book will capture you enough that you begin to find your own flying circus of physics in your own world. If you start thinking about phys- ics when you are cooking, flying, or just lazing next to a stream, then I will feel the book was worthwhile. Please let me know what physics you do find, along with any corrections or nts on the book.' However, please take all this as being fun.

1111 T1104.1, 1111 WORE ttitia5 rirnenti EDISON tin ta !I BOOK OF V101 COBB EASY D CREDIBLE EXPERIMENTS )04afects and fuence.aperiments CiedWe 444kV% 411 49ai

Litt Ages 10-13

Whet makes bull noon? Hod does milk become cheese? Whsn does an apple bate Ide an mon? Here d mhos of aid) ecoertments to perform In your labontory Mowing and COoltng. betting and thewmg. ilsbyttbroM.1,044111.341bnd abbot all triton art smonp eh* ambit pocOuno by Muth yob cAn produce and Omen, changes in fox Knew cromotry THE THOMAS ALVA EDISON FOUNDATION is fun The proofin She (chocolate) Poddroce

Oeliplolul book for the inOSOMP-Icbool scomooco0O. Seism* ono' Cniteren

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 4 222 Science Resources

MESSING AROUND WITH DRINKING STRAW CONSTRUCTION

Bernie Zubrom illustrated by Stepl. A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AC

1) -ar- EiIii s el -1

I 0. 10.1. LI

, lo

These two syllabuses have been recently t+It I' 44opzt:developed and are available from the '. - Board of Studies PC Box 460 NORTH SYDNEY 2059

Cost: $25.00 ea

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 5 223 English Resources .7 I. Ob LtiJU i) N., t1 dams tisevbefer wait Shifts Hymn= 1 I ) ; 9 11 ---,rt.:. Ildi ", c.ounsel cou Mation Marks Question marks Apostrophes Pu 41kignies liblisliespsfIlyntieereff Acier :ling letters.Commas Semi-colons Capital lett* Nem Suffixes Attlevistims Otammor Uwe I k ,I, im ,, tar lisc 1Ito thel-boside. oword Contents Colons Hyphens Full slops Irho apodmfire &Sans tkeiwbeffirwonisSil*OS .,ii -.1 rici, , tIi; it-11 ilt inciptc_atiectt s.Quntatinn madm Rr-1,1,nts Fyr",^nlion mamows 1. 'e fa estro inglettmisspelt P tifYX ot al mma Nord.0yaw Usi English c,en .1s.0 Quota'*Sink's I ol rks lion mafdtholusrVocabularytar, ona ostro 4 . I nas SrxxiNtns 'ons its Cort.irvbethrig Aid ta

ph e n marks IManistipeter Howa..1- 4C, 'E.al Is E s Apo, dpI da,* Usingtettertxrds ims 1 _s P o'ons wris Spolivnios tAtxtsfrr,%j1Asspelt Pen lettersI- orewuru Luntents Worts Hyphens Ix Aufixes &Mos Abb.' ..inemmy 7 _lei cc, ps Dashes Quotation marks Brack^ls E aclamalThearagnarie kkxra. .ar or s Sinks at91' rimed words Beginning with adjectives Bo-a meaning Joining with which Use the nght pro % 0 tense Make sentences simple Euphemisms 1' !mtut words that link sentences Correcting mista NEW >noun /nt jidy R a P WO1 Or tclive in MS MSS on e the iple E NO NEW area to SHEIS 'env( . Ive ra Ou rerwor ,d meaning Joining with which Use the right pro me tense Make sentences simple Euphemisms rentences simple Euphemisms Unclear sentenc Pr.nces Correcting mistakes Uyng the right pto Aojectve or adverb'? Write comparisons dead ceYUs, active rattler than pai,yve verbs 'Shout )r+if CI x,i,ft,ripnn vpspf

1 . . T elYlat -171 T;'7.1C4 -A GUDE TO ESSAY-WRMNG t rs -JOHN EIJ1S--i- s-v., 0 44"

This book has been specially written for 8 to 12 year old Australians. It presents good quality information about * spelling punctuation and grammar * the writing process * the various forms of writing * key aspects of language use.

For around $14 a useful book 4 .. for homeschooling libraries !!

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 224 Computer Resource Information

STIMULATION THE HOME COMPUTER Part of the problem of maintaining a chikl's interest in a particular learning area is that of stimulation. All the good software has this and HOME SCHOOLING in common. Areas that might otherwise leave a child bored cc prone to avoiding the area altogether are made much more interesting and entertaining via the interactive nature of the by Bill and Anne Chalker programmes and the fact that they allow the user to manipulate masses of information and procedures that would otherwise be With the growing importance of computers in the workplace and difficult if not impossible. With regard to the writing of university the world at large, homeschoolers may feel it is important to theses the literature searches which took days a decade or two ago recognise the necessity of providing for at least some level of can now be accomplished in minutes via the power of information computer literacy in children. The level of literacy will largely retrieval systems in computer systems available in academic depend on the directions children take in both schooling and libraries. eventual vocations. However, today's computers and software have become so versatile that all manner of educalional needs and The use of a computer and educational software should never be vocational preferences can be assisted in some form or another. seen as an excuse to avoid the learning of basic research skills. Instead they can enhance the process. Nor should it replace the To give an example of the diversity of potential use of computers use of books. As book lovers and owners of extensive personal in homeschooling consider the following: libraries, we are advocates of the pleasure of books. However, computers can also enrich the learning process and encourage the SCIENCE: In the science field the range of existing software is building book writer. extraordinary. Much of the software available can make areas of learning, that might be otherwise dull or unstimulating, rich and enjoyable learning experiences. BODYWORKS (retails at about $119.95), ORBITS ($89.95) and SIMEARTH ($99.95) provide extraordinary rich and innovative educational experiences in Miner's Cave human anatomy, the solar system and planetary evolution A physics simulation usingpullrys, levers, ramps respectively. and wheels set in an abandoned mine.

MUSIC: If piano playing is your child's passion or future then MIRACLE PIANO might be the way to go. $700 is a lot of money Orbits but when you compare it to the cost of regular lessons and Travel to outer space with spectacular consider the very entertaining way the package approaches the graphics and coloutl animation learning of music it might seem worthwhile. This systemwas Th. Wow' 111.011 only viewed in the shop (Dick Smith Electronics) by way of a lot MS demonstration and my reaction was that if I had this as a child I SOS might have got somewhere in learning piano skills.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES: The New Testament was recently brought out on a new form of software- a "megafloppy" disk - which enabled all of the New Testament to be placedon one standard 5 1/4" disk. This was an Australian innovation which provides for easy use in a desktop computer and full word search capabilities (ie. nominate a word and the computer goes looking BodyWorits for each occurrence of the word- an invaluable tool). This product has been readily available in newsagents at about $10. Human physiol gy with stunning Also available at low prices are shareware software (eg. each disk and interactive presentation may cost around $8) in religious areas eg. Bible-Q, Biblemen, Bible Study Helps, Jesus says, Bible Companion, Scripture Quest, MS Bible Topic Management, Bible Tutor.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 7 225 WHY BUY A COMPUTER ? Our purchase of a home computer was prompted by: (1) the possible educational benefits (2) the word processing and writing capabilities (3) computer modem communications (4)entertainment

Everyone who is pondering the question of whether to buy a home computer or worse, which system to buy, needs to face similar questions. Do we need a computer? We can only speak from personal experience. To do so let's look at the 4 areas that originally prompted us to take the plunge.

(1) Education We have had the benefit of quite a number of educational programmes and our children have found a lot of them to be of great value. From our own personal experience here are some of the software we found particularly good: SIMEARTH - a source of endless hours of fun and rich and complex learning experiences as planets are managed and assisted through evolutionary and environmental stages on a global scale. EZCOSMOS - an excellent tool for exploring and understanding the night sky. WHERE IN THE WORLD IS along often using incorporated help screens or tutorials. The CARMEN SAN DIEGO - a fun detective game which enquiring child can pick these programmes up readily and be heightens children's deductive skills and also provides for producing and publishing their own works in no time. enhancing a child's global location skills in an entertaining (3) Computer modem communications way. BATTLE CHESS - a great way to hook kids into the This function opens up vast opportunities for tapping into an game of chess, with all its attendant logic and tactical skills. extraordinary range of information resources that are only at the ATLAS THE EDUCATOR - a cheap shareware programme end of a phone line via the us : of bulletin boards systems. I tap with NAME THAT PLANET, muurrnmE (multiplication into a specific bulletin board zovering a limited subject area, but table drills) and HISTORAMANIA (history quiz). WORD the range of bulletin board are almost endless. Perhaps before SEARCH CONSTRUCTION KIT - spelling puzzles. long we may have an Australian homeschooling bulletin board (if EDUCATIONAL HANGMAN - spelling puzzles. it hasn't already been set up somewhere?) There are many in the CHEMISTRY LAB - an entertaining tour through elementary U.S. already. chemistry. MATHS TUTOR - maths skill drills at different levels. BODYWORKS - a very detailed guide to the human (4) Entertainment body presented in a very user friendly way. The range is endless and varies widely in quality. As with most recreational pursuits the parent as teacher needs to monitor and (2) Word processing encourage the healthy recreational use of computer garnes. Word processing provides a tremendously powerful way to However we are often amazed in the depth of educational learning write. This article was prepared on WORD 5 - an excellent experiences that occur in many games. Like most other areas of wordprocessing package. Extensive changes, inserts, spelling entertainment, care should be taken in not allowing such facilities checks etc., become easy to do, rather than laborious e to dominate the child's life. xercises. Desktop publishing software allows the home computer user to produce professional looking documents. The home computer should never be a substitute for real life We have used KEY PUBLISHER, NEWSLETTER and learning experiences, rather it provides a marvellous extension of PRINTMASTER. These sorts of programme allow you to them. Care should be taken to avoid utilising them as defacto introduce graphics into your publishing efforts. While your baby-sitters or surrogate teachers. As with all such activities the child can be started off on introductory word processing use of computers must be supervised. The computer literacy of at packages such as WORD PROCESSING FOR KIDS, least one parent is a necessity. For the uninitiated it is not as advanced packages such as WORD 5 are designed so that you intimidating as it seems. can start with little advanced nitoring and learn as you go

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 8 226 RESOURCES

1. Other homeschooling families, friends and relatives. Homeschoolers Australia

Many people are already making extensive use Computer Resource Day of home computers. They have their own sources of information on computers in general and 28th March 1993 various programmes that they use and enjoy. The Australian Homeschool Journal is happy publish 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. reviews from homeschooling parents and teachers re various programmes. 4, A hands-on computer workshop where those horneschoolers parents and children, possessing 2. Resource days featuring computers and educational software computers and software will hopefully share and Many Education Resource Centers (listed in your demonstrate the machines and packages they are telephone book have days where computers are using. displayed many of the big computer companies have EXPOs of their products in the larger cities Kellyville Sport and Recreation every year, watch your newspaper for details. Center, Memorial Drive, Kellyville. 3. Free Catalogues An excellent resource tool we came across Bring your own lunch, your computer, your recently is NEW HORIZONS - "Australia's software (well marked) and $6 per family premier National Educational computing contribution to the hire of the hall. Magazine". NEW HORIZONS (P.O. Box 658, Armidale, NSW, 2350) is a major supplier of Please ring Bill and Anne Chalker 02 484 4680 to computer software to the education system. It register your interest or intention to come. WE also supplies a reader service, advice and catalogues of major educational software MUST INSIST THE PEOPLE R.S.V.P. so we can hove supplies (Ashton Scholastic, Dataflow, some idea of tables, chairs etc. required. Dataworks, Jacaranda, etc.). I found them to be very helpful to deal with. R.S.V.P. before 25th March 1993

4. Computer magazines (eg. Mac World, PC User, December, 1992) and newspaper columns (eg. Mondays Sydney Morning Herald) are frequent resources of information. AT LAST S. Budgetware Shareware AUSTRALIAN GRAPHICS For cheap programmes. Their catalogues which FOR AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS often appear as inserts in computer magazines list many educational programmes covering a very broad range.

We hope that this brief overview has given you enough information to at least consider the advantages of home computing. We are certainly converts. It opens up a whole new world of extraordinary possibilities, but don't leap in blindly. Use the resources mentioned and make an informed decision. Good computing 1

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 9 227 Mathematics Resources The National Science and Technology Centrp 0 UESTACON ZANBERRA--AU-S.TRAL 1 A Some Sydney homeschoolers arranged a great afternoon at the Questacon Maths Center when it was recently on the outskirts of Sydney.

Questacon Maths Centre Children from 15 to 3 years atended and we bad a superb afternoon with our children pondering The Cuestacon Maths Centre comprises 500 hands-on mathematics tasks which provide an enormous range of very high quality Maths prcblem solAng challenges that are tun and exciting tot children from year Sour to yew ten. The tasks come from the !eighty sucoessful Campbell Mathematics Centre which puzzles and games. The staff who conducted the popularized maths for over ten years. The Campbell Maths Centre, located In a classroom workshop were also excellent. bl the ACT, served thousands of school children each year and was often booked out up to a year in advance. It is planned that the Questacon Maths Center will be travelling all over regional Australia. You may like to find out when it is going to be near you by dialing their Toll Free Number 008 020 603 (A.C.T. 06 273 2917)

TOURING EXHIBMONS After they finish their time at the Centre, our exhibitions don't sit idle in Canberra. The exhibitions Dinosaurs Alive!, IBM Mathrrnatica, ICI MicrocosmandOTC Double 0 Double7 are visiting other science and technology centres and museums across Australia to support the hands-on approach to learning in other places.

ENJOY THE QUESTACON would like a one year subscription to MAGAZINE The QuestacomMagazine FOUR TIMES A YEAR I have enclosed $10.00 J Ovvseas subscriptions $20.00 Aust cheque money order credrt card number IHTHHIIHHIII Keep up to date with current science and Expfry dale J J technology issues and what prominent Australians say Cardholders signature about them. Cheque payable to The Neiona! Science and Technology Centre Find out about the latest innovative hands-on Surname MrJMrsJMssJMsJ or exhibitions in Australian First name science and technology Address centres. Pos:rode Enioy hands-on educational Telephone. home ( business ) activity pages for children, I parents and teachers. Subscriptions bailable free Mail this form, with ten:lance to: Subsaiptions with membership of The Questaeon Ibligarine Questacon - The ketone Science and If you or your school would PO Box E28 Queen Victoria Terrace TKhnolog) Centre ACT 2600 like to receiveThr Qui-gat-on Membership enquiries 106) 270 2893 Magazineplease fill in the coupon opposite.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 10 228 Library Resources Until quite recently I was unaware that different libraries in each capital city specialise bl different subject areas. Following is the list for the Sydney Region. I will publish them for the other capital cities as I receive them.

SYDNEY SUBJECT SPECIALIZATION SCHEME SUBJECT ALLOCATIONS

CLASS NOS. SUBJECTS COVERED LIBRARY

004039 Generale. Communication. Cariputers Bankslown 010-019 BiblibGraphy State Library (NOTE: Subject bibliographies ore allocated to subject where possible.) 020-029 Library and information science Worringah 030-M9 Encyclopaedias. Journaism. etc. State Librory

104 WC Philosophy. Psychology Sutherland 200-229 Reigen. Bible Hurstville 230-249 Christen theology Concord 250-24; Chris-tion Churches. Other religions Hurstville

31:0-329 Sociology. Politico! Science Randwick 330-339 Economics Canterbury 340-359 Low. Pubic Adrnhistration Waverley 360-363 Social services. Social wOrK City of Sydney 364-369 Crime. Prisons. insurance. Misc associations Newcastle 370-379 Education Ku-ring-gal 384389 Commerce. Tronsport Strathfield 390-399 Customs. Costume. Folklore Willoughby

400-429 Linglistes. Engksh bnguoge (ADULT) Hornsby 403-429 UngListics. Engksh longuoge (CHILDREN'S) Manly 430-499 See 830-899

50O-509 Science Wollongong 510-519 Mathematics Gosford 520-529 Astronomy Canterbury 530-539 Physict Porromatto 540-549 Chemistry Blocktown 554569 Ecarth sciences. Poloeontplogy Kogorah 574573 Anthronology. etc. City of Sydney 574-579 Biology Foirfield 580-599 Botany. Zoology Ryde

Not: Where Adult & Chick en's books ore ollocated to differentlibraries. on hdication appears obove.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE II

22Q Library Resources

CLASS NOS. SUBJECTS COVERED LIBRARY Stonton (N Sydney) 6120-619 Technology. Health Core and Fitness City of Sydney 620-621 Engineering Wollongong 622 Mining engineering Rockdale 623 Militory. Nautical Engineering Comden 624 Civil Engineering Railway. Rood Engineering (ADULT) Leichhardt 625 Kogarcsh 625 Roitway. Rood Engineering (CHILDREN'S) Loke Mocquorie 626-628 Hydraulic Engineering Leichhardt 629 Aeronouticol. Automotive Engineering (ADULT) Kogaroh 629 Aeronouticol. Automotive Engineering (CHILDREN'S)

Foirrield 630-635 Agricuiture. Gardening Liverpool 636-638 Animal husbandry 639 Hunting & fishing industries Sutherlond Hornsby 640-649 Domestic science (ADULT) 640-649 Domestic science (CHILDREN'S) Monty 650-659 Business methods Bonkslown

Blocklown 660-661 Chemical technology (GeneroD 662-688 Fuel. food. Ic& gases. plastics. etc. Biocktown Wollongong 669-676 Metallurgy. timber, leather, poper. etc. 677 Textiles (ADULT) Leichhordt 677 Textaes (CHILDREN'S) Kogoroh 678-679 Rubber. etc. Porromatto Porromatto 680-689 Instruments. Woodwork. Printing. etc. Sionton (N. Sydney) 690-699 &Acting

Morrickville 700- 709 Art 710-729 Area planning. Architecture Stonton (N. Sydney) 730-749 Sculpture. Drawing. Crafts Worringah 750-759 Pointing Morrickville 760-769 Graphic arts. Philately Newcastle

770-779 Photography Worringoh 780.789 Music Rockdale 790-795 Recreation. Performing arts. Indoor games Porromatta 796.799 Ott tdoor sports Ashfield

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 12 Library Resources

CLASS NOS. SUBJECTS COVERED LIBRARY

KO-819 General & American Itterature RYde Woolkohro 820-829 Engksh & Austrolion literature Bonkstown 830-838 Germain 839 Scancinovian. etc. (ADUL1) Leichhordt 839 Scandnavion. etc. (CHILDREN'S) Kogaroh 839.3 Dutch Sutherland 840-859 French. Mown. Rumanian City of Sydney 860-869 Sponish. Portuguese Wovertey 0870-879 Latin (ADULT) Leichhardi 0 870-879 Lath (CHILDREN'S) Kogorah Mr:ride/Ole 811 880-889 Greek 5913 &) 0891.85 ) Russion & Poish (ONLY) Fairfield

890-894 Other (EXCLUDING RUSSIAN & ROUSH) Porromatto 895-899 Afro-Asion. etc. (ADULT) Perirtth 895-899 Afro-Asian. etc. (CHILDREN'S) Blocktown Note: The State Lbrory lends foreign language books of o populor nature on bulk loan: Rule. 2.5

900911 History (General). Geography (General) Burwood-Drummorie 912 Maps & Atlases Wollongong 913-919 See 930-999 920-929 Collecttve Biography. Geneology Rockdale Note: incinAdual biographies ore allocated to subject where possible: Rule 2.3

930-939 Archaeology. Ancient History Compbeltown 940 Europe (Genera ONLY). World Wars Lone Cove 941-942 Great Brftoin Willoughby 943-945 Germany. France. ttoly. etc. Monty 946-949 Spoh. Russia. Scondriovia. etc. Howkesbury

950 952 Asio (General ONLY). Chino. Japan (ADULT) Pendth 950-952 Asio (General ONLY). Chino. Japan (CHILDREN'S) Blocktown 953-958 Mickfle East. hdia Burwood-Drummore 959 Southeost Asia. Indonesio (ADULT) Peritth a959 Southeast Asio. Indonesia (CHILDREN'S) Blocktown

960-969 Africa BurwooO-Drummoyne 970.979 North & Central Americo (ADULT) Aubtin 970-979 North & Central America (CHILDREN'S) Blocktown 980-989 South America Lake Mocouone 990-9;19 Poclfic. New Zealand. Austroilo. Oceania Mosmon

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 13 231 LETTERS, LETTERS, LETTERS

Q STORES DELIVERY FOR GRAFTON REGION READERS THAT USE A PHONETIC APPROACH Gary & Kerri Pothin, Sandy Beach: We were to be the Grafton delivery point for Q Stores but we have just moved from Grafton Philip O'Carroll - Nth Fitzroy, Victoria to Sandy beach (just south of Woolgoolga) so I just thought I We at Fitzroy Community School have long been would drop you a short line to let you know our new address and involved in homeschooling in Victoria. We are one of the very also we are still able and willing to be a drop off point for Q few alternative schools to have survived the 70s. Many Stores. Our new phone number is (066) 540-372. (Our move was homeschooling families have spent time with us. We were quite sudden and unexpected so this is why we weren't able to let strongly involved in the (successful) campaign against the you know earlier. diabolical "Out of School" Education Act they tried to introduce in Victoria last year. PREPARING FOR HOMESCHOOLING The reason I am writing t) you is that we have created a Lindy Walters - Bowraville, NSW: Please keep sending me your new set of READERS for children, which we believe many excellent magazine. My little boy is 3 1/2 years old. The articles homeschoolers would want. As you probably know there are and info I've read so far are helping me to clarify and consolidate changing fads within the school industry as to how subjects my thoughts and feelings regarding homeschooling so that by the should be taught. And while a fad is "in", it tends to be slavishly time Eddie is old enough I should be well geared to take on the followed throughout the system - until it is deemed to be "out". responsibility. I have two teenage daughtc.s and though they The current fad as regards teaching reading is the LOOK & SAY would be called successful in Education Dept. terms, I have been method, where no attempt is made to be aware of the SOUNDS of far from happy with their education. Keep up the good work. I the letters involved. Our readers are based on the PHONETIC look forward to the next issue. approach - coupled of course with the Look & Say learning of "special" (non-phonetic) words. Now there are many arguments LEARNING THAT IS PRACTICAL AND VERBAL for and against both approaches. Now there are many arguments Lynden Jacobi - Charlestown, NSW: I sometimes find I panic for and against both approaches. But the most powerful argument about our visits with our Home School Liaison Officer. I know I is the results. We have tried various approaches and have had shouldn't but I become anxious about how different our ideas on most success with the Phonetic. Many homeschoolers use a learning are. I find myself afraid that he may want to see a lot of phonetic approach. written work to prove that learning is taking place. Althougl we Our Founding Principal, Faye Berryman, has gradually have a folder to show him, most of my child's learning takes place written over our 16 years, FIFTY different little stories - generally verbally or practically. I feel very strongly that my child is enlightening in themselves - covering each of the main sound learning all he needs to know just by living with us. I wrote a types in the English language. We have spruced up the leuering fairly detailed program last year listing subjects and topics which and the drawings and cohered the readers into a complete system we might cover and although we didn't use it as a guide of what to (some samples herein). learn, it was very interesting looking at it again at the end of July Our little school has done very well with thcse readers. and finding that we had covered at least 75% of the subjects Apart from routinely high praise for our students at their various without any "lessons" whatsoever. Since then we have covered secondary schools, we won the 1992 Australia-wide Dorothea even more but I still panic at the thought of explaining all this! I Mackellar Poetry Competition (Small Schools Section) and have kept a diary last year and although it wasn't very detailed, it was twice won the Australia wide ATOM Video Screenplay Award suggested that I shorten the entries to just include the subjects we (Primary), many teachers from State, Catholic and Independent covered each day. I now realise that without work sheets the diary schools have been grateful to get hold of copies of our readers. doesn't look very impressive. I also found it almost impossible to The titles range from A FAT CAT to THE WISDOM OF keep it up. I have to go now. I hope all is well with you and your SOLOMON. There are 5 packs of readers called prep, one, two, family. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. three & four. The cost for each pack is $29.95. Postage is free in NSW. If you would like more information please contact Fitzroy A BOOK ABOUT TESTING Programs, 597-599 Brunswick St., Nth Fitzroy 3068, Aust. Virginia E. McCullough, 1759 West Berteau, Chicago, Illinois Ph:(03)489-5700, (03)489-54.60 FAX:(03)482-3226 60613, (312)327-8096: I thought that you and the members of your organisation would like to know about the book, Testing and TANDY STORES - A GOOD RESOURCE Your Child, recently released by New American Library (NAL.). Roz Lazar, Bathurst: I wanted to let you know of a resource we meant as a handy resource book for parents, medical practioneis, found recently. Tandy stores stock an excellent and relatively teachers, psychologists and other interested people. inexpensive supply of kits; Science and Physics experiments, Developmental and psychological tests are profiled along with circuits, etc. The Physics kits were about $40-50 with many well-known educational tools. about 280 experiments. The electric circuit was on special for $20 (normally $40). We find them great!

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 14 232 NOW WE'RE HOMESCHOOLING make it difficult for those who are genuinely trying to seek a Elizabeth Bartley, Lemon Tree Passage, NSW : Thank you for better education for their children. your AFIL We really enjoy reading it. We were registered for home schooling by Trevor Swan on November 6. Kristopher is N.S.W. HOMESCHOOLER WANTS CONTACT eight years old and loves learning in this atmosphere, having been Sonja Brady, Bowraville NSW: After considering different in a private school until now. Kristopher has been labelled approaches in the education of our only daughter, Miriam (she's learning disabled so we decided patience, love and repetitive five years old and a happy, delightful child), we decided to apply lessons are what he needs. We found Trevor Swan very ourselves to the responsibility of giving Miriam a natural home supportive and understanding. He told us he's only a phone call schooling. We are fortunate to live on 25 acre rainforest - a away if we have any problems. he gave us a two year registration. peaceful environment with the opportunity to witness ecological Thanks again for your nrgazine. We'll look forward to the next wonders and natural developments firsthand. Miriam enjoys the issue. company of children very much, but in this respect we are quite isolated. Therefore we would welcome any contact from other SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAMILY WANTS CONTACT home schoolers in NSW. We are situated on the Mid North Beverley Paine, Yankalilla, SA: We are a family of five wanting coastal interland only 15 minutes to the beach. Our property to make contact with others with similar goals and ambitions. bounds directly onto State forest. I imagine many home schooling We've spent some time heavily involved in trying to make a K-7 families would enjoy the exchange of ideas and the chance to let graded class an ideal educational environment, so we've seen the kids see, smell and handle Australia's wonderful nature. If any education from a school view. We've also home educated full and interested reader of your journal wants more information please part time, and feet nothing beats learning at home. We have 4 1/2 write to: James & Sonja Brady, P.O. Box 113, Bowraville, NSW acres near the coast, about an hours drive to Adelaide. We are 2449 or call (065)695-505. trying to develop it into a permaculture farm, in addition to building our own home. We're trying to make the break from READERS' LETTERS & YOUNG CHILDREN traditional consumer lifestyle to a more humble, earth friendly Mary Collis, Blacktown NSW. It's a great journal and seems to be lifestyle which is kinder to body and soul. It's hard work as our getting better all the time. One thing I missed hi the last two issues will power isn't the best. We are not "religious" in the traditional - the readers' letters about things they liked in the ART and what sense, just open minded and willing to accept everyone and value they're doing at home regarding education. Also, could you them for who they are. Spirituality for us is very personal for the possibly consider for a future issue some ideas homeschooling individual. Our children are aged 6, 10 and 12 and we are 34. parents use with toddlers. For example, do they do daily craft with We'd love to hear about your experiences. Please write to: them or just let them roam about outside? Did/do your watch Beverley, P.O. Box 371, Yankalilla, SA 5203 PlaySchool, Humphrey Bear, etc. What are your thoughts on this? What about Play Group? Your philosophy and how does it apply CENTRAL QUEENSLAND HOMESCHOOLING GET to these things? I often wonder if I should be doing more (or less) TOG ETH ER and have little I know of to follow the example of. An article and Central Qld Get-Together, 1993: Anyone interested in a Home some recommended reading would be fantastic. Educating Families' Camp from 7-14 June, 1993, near Emu Park, Qld, please contact Kathy Boles, 2 Richard St., Emu Park, Qld, NSW EX- HOMESCHOOLER COMMENTS 4702, Ph:(079)396-213. Please enclose non-refundable deposit of I'm not homeschooling any more. I almost became an emotional $5.00. Accommodation is at the same venue as our highly and mental wreck from the constant pressure. My husband never successful 1992 get-together, a church camp close to the beach, 3 supported me, only to say yes I could do homeschooling. I lasted km from Emu Park. It has a kitchen-dining-meeting building and 3 years. I'm not happy with the public school system at all. I see a sleeping quarters building. Emu Park is a small seaside town 45 children being uneducated daily, growing up to be juvenile km from Rockhampton and about 700 km north of Brisbane. delinquents because they aren't helped properly. I believe phonics Cost: $5 per person per night or $15 per family per night max or is the only way to go and of course I get hardly anywhere with that $2 per day visitor. Babies and toddlers no charge. No Particular idea with State-trained teachers. Our boys were on ACEprngram Curriculum or Method. The aim is to get to know and to support which I really liked. It's far more learning orientated than schools. each other and to have a good time. I am trying to give them extra work from ACE at home but it's a battle. My husband isn't in favour of this - only school homework. SONLIGHT MATERIALS I never did well in school and I do not want that for my children. (No name) Cooranbong, NSW: We really appreciate the It really bothers me to see so many children being passed onto the information you shared with us at your recent Morisset Seminar, next class without learning or understanding what they have been and we are looking forward to reading your articles in the Journal. taught. I found it difficult homeschooling out here because of no Last week I went to a Sonlight Resource Centre - Homeschooling one else actually homeschooling near me. People do not like Seminar, and I was disappointed with their attitude toward both change or different ideas and I received no support from my Public and Private Schools, and their recommendation not to family at all. I borrowed some homeschooling books but I found register with the Government as Homeschoolers. I believe it is that they really didn't help my situation. Our boys were always people like this that have a very unbalanced view of education and fighting and I ended up always spankilig them trying to keep some

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE IS

2 :12 sort of peace, which I felt was actually hurting them.So I've got must not be taken out of context or distorted to reflect some the "system" on one side saying they're right and homeschoolers person's thoughts, opinions, etc. I do not believe that I have any on one side saying we're right, and also Christiansagreeing with answers, but I do believe that God has all the answers. Whenever the "system". I have read articles from different magazines about anyone quotes Scripture or anything else to me, 1 check it outfor negative socialisation at school. When I read your magazine and myself. Do you know why? Because I don't trust anyone except see all these different groups of homeschoolers it'sexciting. Mr. God. And He says "...work out your own salvation..."(Philippians Go Ilan (of ACE) Said that there are 1,100 families on ACE alone 2:12). To me one of the saddest things that has happened is the in 1992. way the church has been split up into severaldenominations, groups, etc., which oppose each other and do what they can to ANOTHER NEW HOMESCHOOLER ! prove that that each other group is no good. Wendy Smillie, Oberon, NSW: Following the article in Sunday's They all profess to use the same book as the basis for paper about you and your children, I contacted PhillipKoch so their criticism of each other butl believe we have to be very that I could make contact with you. I am in the process of taking careful about this. Perhaps their ambition is to build up their own our children out of the school system, and I've beenunable to or maybe someone else's empire; but is it God's? Manyof the make contact with anyone in .NSW who is actually legally people I have been in contact with recently have been scared by teaching their children at home. As you would probably information about the advent of a one World Government, and understand, I'm really in need of some advice, particularly in banking organisations taking over our country along with the rest regard to the law, and how to go about having an application to of the world, etc. These people are living in fear of the authorities "home school" our children approved. I am reasonably confident governing our land. As a result some are so disgusted and hateful that we can do the rest, but at present the Education Department towards our government that they are not cooperating, looms large as far as obstacles go! We have two children, 14 and communicating, nor even interested in fmding out about where 11 and we are no longer prepared to delegate responsibility for they stand according to the laws of the land. These people believe their education, or their future to a system which is just not that they are abiding by God's laws. However, there is plenty of measuring up. I realise that we will probably get only one chance evidence in the Bible showing the wisdom in knowing the laws of and we want to be as well-prepared as possible before making the land, and communicating with and especially for (in prayer) application. Looking forward to hearing from you. the governing authorities. In the Book of Acts where we can read about the life and trials of Paul, we can see how he got himself out BE SURE WHO YOU ARE FOLLOWING of many a tricky predicament because he knew the laws of the Susan Warner, Greenmount, WA: It has occurred to me that most land and was acquainted with many of the people in power. people are happy to be dictated to by others. If not by the To his advantage also, of course, was his knowledge of Government, their parents, their peers, society, their financial God's Laws; both those which applied before the death of Christ situation, their boss, their drug, their preacher, pastor or guru, and those which apply according to His New Will and Testament. their dream, clairvoyant, or mentor, then they will enslave It is crazy to think that anyone who believes he is a Christian themselves to their own desires. would be afraid of the people who govern our land or any other I too am a slave. My master is the most Supreme, and I people. But it seems there are many Christians who are indeed am very grateful to Him for allowing even me to be His servant. afraid of mere men. How sad, especially when all we need to do All my life I have heard all kinds of religious controversy being for reassurance is opon the Scriptures. (Don't believe me. Look in discussed by those around me, and watched people being misled your own Bible!) by other people in the name of Christianity. I've also been misled Read Titus 3:1-2 "remind them to be subject to rulers, to myself by people on several occasions. Fortunately, the Truth has authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to usually been revealed every time I have had the desire to learn it; malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every and especially when I have looked in the most famous book ever consideration for all men." and Romans 13:1-4 "Let every person written, the Bible. In my experience people will go to all kinds of be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no lengths to convince others that their ideas, logic, opinions, etc. are authority except from God, and those which exist are established correct mid in their effort to convince they resort to using by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the Scripture, secular history, statistics, church history, name ordinance of God: and they who have opposed will receive dropping, etc. condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear The more gifted of these people will gather a following for good behaviour, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of of supporters, believers or whatever and this gives them some authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the power. Power corrupts. Human beings will build up thcir own same: for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do empires with the use of more of their persuasive actions. Even what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; well meaning individuals can be caught in the trap of pursuing for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the their own interests in an attempt to do good for others. Recently I one who practices lawlessness." Judges 3:7 describes in gory have met several people who believe the Bible and try to live detail what can happen when God's people prefer to learn from according to the will of God. These are honest, well meaning other men/idols than from Him. God allowed the ungodly King good individuals. I am convinced however that when we talk we Eglon of Moab to rule His people for 18 years. The best stories must quote the Word of God. And when we do quote Scripture, it are in my favourite book I

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 16 2:14 Homeschooling the Older Child Jo-Anne Beirne

Many well meaning people have told me on many occasions that homeschooling the older child if not impossible is "The child who .attends public ,school . downright educationally dangerous. They say "It is O.K. to typically spends appraihnately 1,100 hours a teach your children to read, write and calculate at the primary year there, but only:20% of these 220 hoUrs-- - level as most parents could handle that competently. But what are spent , as the educators' -Say, ."on task". about the older child, who has already learned more about Nearly 900 hours, or 80%, are squandered on maths than you ever knew, and now wants to know about what tire essentially organizational .ttiatted.":. biology, politics and the history of the Middle East. How are Homeschooling For ExCellence by.David & you possibly going to teach things outside your knowledge Micki Colfax p.46 (Warm Books, -1988), base and understanding?"

Fortunately the problem is not as onerous as often imagined. " There are uven big fat chapters in this book Contrary to popular opinion educators no longer feel that which tell you how to studY all the schoOl humans are merely empty vessels or blank pages waiting to be subjects without .school. They can help you filled or written upon. Parents contemplating educating the both learn things you are already interested older child need not fear that their lives will be one long in and help you discover intellectual drudge from the well of knowledge to the open mouthed child itformation that you never thought you were hoping to pour most of it in. HOmeschooling is empowering interested in." the family, the children and the parents. It is understanding The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How that children can and do take an active role in the learning to quit school and get a real life and process even in such an unsupportive environment as the education by Grace Llewellyn p.136-262 classroom. Your older, or gifted child or teenager, can be (Lowry House) trusted with much of the responsibility for their learning.

DEMYSTIFYING EDUCATION One of the greatest shortcomings of the schools seems to be their gross inflexibility There is no big mystery in the education process. The books when it comes to teaching a subject or skilL used by schools are NOT kept in a safe somewhere with a sign Teachers present the material in one way- attached that says "only for use of teachers and education usually through some combination of professionals". Everything available for the use of students in lectures, blackboard lessons, textbooks and schools, and MUCH MORE besides, is freely available in the worksheets - and if children don't get it, then community from hundreds of shops, universities, people and it's their problem, not the teachers'. But as libraries. In fact most school books, unlike real books, are we've seen children learn in a number of ways conveniently written in the simplest possible form as they are and need to be taught their way if it is going to aimed at children, who it is presumed know nothing. It is no sink in. Let's explore how you can create an big deal to get the books, read them and learn along with your optimum learning environment in your suited child or just ahead of them. It doesn't require any great to your child's particular learning needs." intelligence or achievement, just some devotion and Learning in Their Own Way: Giving application to the task. Children at Home What They May Not Be Getting at School by Thomas Armstrong SELF-TAUGHT p S6 (Jeremy P. Tarcher ) Computers are a wonderful example of the ability of an interested user to access and utilise information they need. You could not force a child, as part of a school program, to

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 17 13E61 AVAILABLL 235 read boring old computer manuals, even if you promised them a distinction or even some monetary award. But put a child in front of their beloved computer with a new and interesting A concern among many homeschoolers with older program and they will soon be pouring over the information in children is the teenage years and the transition into the manual with much healthy attention to detail. adulthood after a We somewhat suspended from the mainstream. Does the philosophy of living each day to ADVANTAGES OF HOMESCHOOLING the fullest, rather than of constantly preparing for the next test or for college entrance exams, make as much When developing a home study program for your older child sense for our teenagers as is did for our blossoming you are benefitted by one to one, or at least small group tuition. young children ? Looking at the homeschooled teens It is going to be a lot easier to cover a broader range of material that I know I cannot help but think that it does. Our or particular topics in greater depth and with much more speed homeschooled teens have benefited enormously from and flexibility than is possible in the school system. Some the wide variety of experiences we provide for them. rules to remember are to tease out whdt is important Both their growth and sense of direction have been knowledge and what is busy work and eliminate the second. If enhanced. I remember when my daughter Britt was your educational program becomes too stultifying and fourteen, she was writing a weekly puzzle column for provides no challenges for your older student - change, grow, our weekly magazine and selling articles to Mother investigate, find new areas to explore and learn about. Earth News . People asked her if she planned to be a writer when she grew up, and she would say, in the most HOW WILL YOU MAKE YOUR OLDER CHILD unassuming manner, 1 am a writer". At fourteen, this ATTEND TO THEIR LESSONS ? answer was accurate; it reflected where Briu was at that time. Now that she is nearing eighteen, when asked the This statement is frequently heard and Ifeel that it should be same question, Briu ponders over it and truly wonders of concern to our educators that schoolwork is seen as about her adult hfe. Similarly, being applauded and punishment and schools are seen as prisons. We need to lauded for her piano playing at eleven was very, different recognise some children do in fact often need to be from now considering making piano playing her We's "deschooled". This means they have to realise that schooling work." at home is not prison at home and be given the space and time An excerpt from 'The Homeschooled Teenager to have the love of learning, that may have been effectively Grows Up' by Penny Barker p 203 printed in removed by the school system, reemerge. This can be Schooling At Home: Parents, Kids and Learning facilitated by careful and intelligent negotiation, thus retaining (John Muir Publications) the spirit of any regulations or guidelines that are required in your state. Homeschooling has sometimes been thought of as LONG TERM HOMESCHOOLERS something that keeps children separate from lots of peers and prevents peer pressure (it does, to some If you have been homeschooling your children long term, extent), but basically homeschooling opens up a homeschooling them through high school just becomes a person's opportunities for interaction and helps people natural extension of what you have always been doing. You to learn to interact in a society where we seem to have know about their learning and how it works and how you can few good friendships. partly because people are best facilitate it. You have seen their self-motivated learning labelled and categorised and put into boxes. This seems and it is only a matter of staying tuned in to newer and more like a dangerous thing to have happen and somehow, as interesting ways of pursuing learning in an ever broader arena. homeschoolers, we have to take on some responsibility for changing it. Human beings are meant to be WARNING integrated, not kept in boxes by age or other categories. But in order for integration to occur, children need to be Past experience has shown that it is very important that both given more respect and trust than they receive to-day. the parent and child are keen on the idea of homeschooling. It is extremely hard to home educate a child who wants to be in By an 18 year old homeschooler, Ms Kaseman in school. It does not matter how strong and determined thc Learning Every Day p. 79 Taking Charge Through parent, it ends up being a very unhappy situation. So if you are Homeschooling - Personal and Political taking a ch.ld out of school please make it a decision by both Empowerment . (Koshkonong Press) parties.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 18

24.1E PATIENCE OTHER READING Remember adolescence can be a trying time of life, both for the youngster trying out new and unfamiliar emotions, and for the family learning to cope The Day I Became an with and understand them. Patience and tact are necessary. Adolescence is the Autodidact by Kendall Hai ley age of trial and error. It's trying on being an adult while not being quite ready to New York, Delta Publishing. give up being a child. Parents recognise that this young person is an individual, 1988 and due the respect you would give any other individual. It's important that Your Hidden Credentials by their unique interests be acknowledged, and that they can be and wish to be, Peter Smith Washington D.C., actively involved in their own educational decision making. Ask them what Acropolis. 1986. they want to learn - and why. Then use their interests, needs for now and hopes The Teenage Liberation for the future, to develop a suitable learning program and means of evaluation. Handbook by Grace Llewellyn Discussion, reading, research and negotiation must play an important role here. Oregon, Lowry House 1991 There is a wide range of people and material in the community and on Schooling at Home: Parents, homeschooling resource lists, some of which needs to be explored and Kids and Learning Edited by considered when developing a meaningful and useful educational program for Anne Pedersen & Peggy O'Mara older homeschoolers. Like all children,teenagers want to read, write and (Eds.) Santa Fe. John Muir create but they also want to see, touch and experience a broad range of learning Publications 1990. and become involved in real learning work. G.WS. A bimonthly American journal that features many A resourceful commitment to homeschooling the older child will provide great articles about the experiences of benefits for the parent and child in all areas of their lives both academically and parents and older children who socially. pursue the option of homeschooling and unschooling. 2269 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge Mass. U.S.A. 02140 Taking Charge Through Homeschooling M. Larry & Susc- D. Kaseman (Koshkonong Press) Home Education Magazine A bimonthly American journal that features many articles about those who pursue the option of homeschooling. Helen and Mark Hegener P.O. Box 1083 Tonasket WA 98855 U.S.A. The Question is College Herbert Kohl New York, Random House. 1989. The Teenage Liberation Handbook Gracv Llewellyn. Eugene, Oregon. Lo wry House. "Typical Course of Study: Kindergarten through Grade 12." Available for U.S. 50 cents from World Book Incorporated, Inc, Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago II 60654 U.S.A. The Big Books of Home Learning Vols 1-4 by Mary Pride published by Crossway Books.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 19 237 What is Smart ? Alan Gartenhaus

We are all different; and it is presumptuous, even wrong, to expect that others will necessarily make the same discoveries or draw the same conclusions we have.

As an educator working in museums, I often introduced turned toward it. The children enjoyed the silliness of walking young people to art. Of the many tours I conducted, I recall one backwards, and some laughed out loud. As they quieted down, I most clearly. It involved a group of third graders and a larger than told them I would count to three and ask them to spin around, look life sized portrait by John Singer Sargent. at the painting, and name the first thing they saw."One, two, The portrait was of a woman named Mrs. Wertheimer. three," I said as I, too, spun around to look at Mrs. Wertheimer The painting hung in the museum's entrance hall, about three feet and her magnificent brooch. A split second later, I heard a chorus off the floor. 'The image of Mrs. Wertheimer stood over six feet of voices."Her feet! Her feet!" they cried.My immediate tall, making her an imposing figure who looked down imperiously reaction was confusion, then I dropped down to their eye level. at all who approached. Indeed, it was true; the first thing they could have seen was her Mrs. Wertheimer had lived during the 19th century and feet. was a person of obvious wealth and status. Her posture was erect; her bearing, regal.She wore an elaborate white dress and an Expecting the Unexpected abundance of jewelry. Among the many possessions adorning her, the one most likely cherished above all others was a large I learned an important lesson that day: one must not cameo brooch.It seemed to be the focus of the painting. presume uniformity of thought. We each approach things from Everything called attention to it. Her arms formed lines leading our own vantage point.We are all different; and it is you to it, her pearl necklaces encircled it, even the light seemed to presumptuous, even wrong, to expect that others will necessarily shine most brightly upon it. make the same discoveries or draw the same conclusions we have. To demonstrate how artists direct our attention to certain Our dissimilarities run the gamut from our physical relationship areas of their work, I decided to play a little game with the to things, to our personal or cultural patterns of thinking. Andthe students. I had them approach this painting with their backs differences can be profound.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 20 '/:38 ultimately Teachers and interfere with the parents who Published in Mothering Magazine Fall 1991ability to would integrate failure constrain or into the building define blocks of success. children' thinking skills using a single standard, such as academic Educational methods based on having "the right answer" grades or standardized testing, make an error similar to the one I teach that correct answers are good and incorrect answers are bad. made regarding Mrs. Wertheimer. Too often, we adults presume This value is deeply embedded in the incentive system used in that thinking and perception should follow a single point of view most schools.Right over 90 percent of the time = A. Right over and that to be correct, children must arrive at a predictable answer 80 percent of the time = B. Right over 70 percent of the time = using a prescribed method. C. Right over 60 percent of the time = D. Less than 60 percent, This narrow view of thinking and intelligence does you fail.Young children exposed to this system learn early on to young people a grave disservice, and robs society of a precious be right as often as possible, and to keep to a minimum any efforts resource - intellectual diversity. A narrow viewpoint discounts that might result in mistakes. the variety of forms that intelligence takes.It discourages intellectual curiosity and the testing of new or different ideas in Defining Smart favour of playing it safe.It can also diminish individual creativity, the thinking process by which individuals generate Difficulties are sure to arise when trying to pigeonhole their own alternatives, options, new ideas, and unique solutions. what, or who, is smart.If being smart refers to mastering established academic achievement, how do we account for Types of Thinking context? Is it not true that being street smart can be more valuable in some situations than being book smart? And if being smart Though many problem-solving activities require means being correct, why is being politically savvy sometimes convergentthinking - an ability to focus thoughts while selecting more important than being right? a correct response from a range of possibilities- some demand If being smarter denotes knowing more facts, then we divergentthinking- an ability to generate a range of possibilities must wonder, is it truly more important to know the names and in order to make a considered, or better, decision. For instance, dates of World War II battles than to understand the war's causes computing the distance between two points on an automobile trip and consequences? Certainly, if being smarter is thought of as is a convergent task; deciding what to bring along for the ride is a being better able to use one's mental abilities for problem solving, divergent one. then it must be as essential to generate ideas and alternatives While convergent thinking dominates most school (divergence) as it is to use logic in choosing between them activities and tests, divergent thinking is often given short shrift. (convergence). Divergent problems require additional time for thinking through Should we agree that being smart has something to do ideas and then testing them. Such problems arc less predictable, with a brain that functions exceptionally well, then we must often crossing the artificial boundaries established by academic conclude that "smart" can take many forms. One, surely, is the subject areas.They are also more difficult to evaluate, as general intellectual model of intelligence stressed in most subjective criteria must be considered.The neglect of divergent classrooms, which involves the talent to understand and learn thinking, however, can result in an imbalance, leaving most subjects with ease, and to use logic and remember well. imaginativeness, inventiveness, and decision-making skills Others might include the following: underdeveloped or even damaged.Teachers and parents who disregard divergent thinking also fail to convey an understanding * Specific academic aptitude, which helps a person excel in a of, and an appreciation for, individual and cultural differences. single subject area while remaining average in most As critics of the so called Back to Basics movement in everything else educaCton have noted, excessive emphasis on predetermined * Psychomotor skills, or the brain's ability to command the body outcomes may actually inhibit the learning process. Long term to perform physical activities exceptionally well retention may be lost to short term memorization.True * Artistic ability, the capacity to translate thought and emotion understanding may be discounted in favour of simple recall in through painting, dancing, music, or other art forms preparation for passing the next test.The outcome: passing * Leadership skills, the facility to inspire, shape, or speak on courses whose lessons cannot be remembered or used. behalf of public opinion. A disproportionate emphasis on being "correct" also * Creativity, the ability to generate ideas or inventive thoughts lessens intellectual risk taking, which is the pathway toward new while seeking out new insights, relationships, and and better solutions.It is difficult, if not impossible, to try out solutions untested ideas under the looming presence of evaluations based * Wisdom, the capacity to judge the soundest course of action on"right" or "wrong" responses. Learning environments that rely based on knowledge, experience, and understanding. on such techniques limit discovery through trial and error, and

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 21 239 Achieving Balance and open-ended math questions to the traditional multiple-choice format.The changes, scheduled to go into effect in 1994, While many children who test well do understand and acknowledge the essential importance of divergent thinking learn with ease, others simply have very good memories. Some of skills, and address charges that the test's current multiple choice today's more "successful" students have abandoned their own answers reflect cultural and gender biases. thinking abilities in favour of memorizing or parroting Indications are that a mix of thinking activities is an information and behaviour patterns imposed by the educational urgent need of our times.Young people require practice in system. Other students rated among "the brightest"show little wrestling with both convergent and divergent questions. evidence of generating any creative thoughts on their own. Exposure to the full spectrum of problem solving, at home and at Skewed emphasis on convergent thinking and arriving at school, would promote not only a healthier balance of thinking predetermined answers has make knowing the correct response skills, but also encouragement and a sense of worth to children more important than understanding the information orhow to use who are smart in ways other than those conventionally reinforced. it. As a result, students have become "obsessed with getting the Developing minds ought to be challenged.Children right answers on tests, and weak at analyzing what they are need to use their imaginations ant to actively participate in learning and at grasping implications."Educators worry that solving problems.They also need to experience learning "these weaknesses will affect the students' ability to make future situations in which evaluation is suspended, in which attempts are decisions about career and marriage, what candidates to vote for, as valued as results. Most importantly, children need to be and and what products to buy." Some might also wonder about their feel appreciated for their own unique blend of thinking aptitudes, ability to make future childrearing decisions. rather than denigrated for not excelling within a prescribed mold. Several concerned educators propose eliminating the Walter Lippmann, journalist and author, is credited with reliance on standardized testing, thereby reducing a teacher's saying, "Where all think alike, no one thinks very much." In a tendency to "teach to the test rather than to the student."Others, participatory democracy that embraces scientists, surgeons, such as Robert Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and musicians, mechanics, judges, jurors, entrepreneurs, electricians, Education at Yale University, call for revamping the tests. athletes, architects, actors, and astronauts, can we afford to see Stemberg says that well-designed tests can measure, and thus any other way? inspire value and appreciation for, a variety of forms of Alan Gartenhaus (39) is a writer and education consultant to intelligence, including analytical, creative, and practical thinking museums and school systems throughout the USA former abilities. In fact, the College Entrance Examination Board has education specialist for the Smithsonian Institution and recently announced a series of changes designed for its Scholastic curator of education at the New Orleans Museum of Art. He Aptitude Test (SAT) the first set of radical changes since the has written the book Minds in Motion: Using Museums to 1920s. Modifications will include devoting a substantial portion Expand Creative Thinking available from Caddo Gap Press, of the examination to interpretation by adding both written essay 1411 West Covell Blvd. Davis, WA.

OTHER READING Adams, James L. The Care and Feeding of Ideas: A Guide to Encouraging Creativity. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, MOTHORING 1986. De Bono, Edward. Lateral SAVE OFF THECOVER PRICE AND GET YOUR COPIES DELIVERED EACH ISSUE Thinking. New York: Harper U.S . Yes!Iwant some Mothering. Enter my 1 year subscription (4 issues)ofMotheringfor only $22. and Row, 1970 Guilford, J.P. The Nature of Name Human Intelligence. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967. Address Raths, Louis E., et al. Teaching MOTHORING for Thinking. New York: City PO BOX 532 Teachers College at Columbia State, Zip MT MORRIS IL 61054-7856 University, 1986. von Oech, Roger, PHd. A Whack on the Side of the Head: CI Payment Enclosed How to Unlock Your Mind for Please allow 6-8 weeks for maiing of first issue. Canadian and foreign ordersadd $5.00 per year, US funds. Innovation. New York: Warner Books, 1983.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 22

4 0 Homeschool Program

A HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM THAT WAS APPROVED 1:N1 THE SYDNEY REGION IN 1992 FOR A SIX YEAR OLD.

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(Editor' s note: The written component of a program is only one books on topics related to his current interests and to help develop part of the approval for registration which includes interaction additional ones. This will involve him in computer searches for with the parent and child and other combinations of evidence.) appropriate materials. * By encouraging and helping him to write short stories based on EXPLANATION: This program has been designed to meet the his own experiences and imagination. educational needs of our son. Our belief is that all knowledge is * By helping him to learn to use a dictionary to the levels of his linked and is easier to grasp when learned within a context, we ability. have therefore, chosen to use a natural learning method in the * By continually encouraging him to listen to the way language is belief that he will continue to enjoy learning in this way. used by others and to converse frequently with others of all ages. *By using a tape recorder to help him to improve his own diction, ENGLISH OBJECTIVES pronunciation and listening skills. * To instil in a love and understanding of the English language in all its forms. MATHEMATICS OBJECTIVES * To provide him with the skills to enjoy it to the full including, * To help to understand and apply the basic concepts of reading, writing, speaking, spelling and conversing fluently, number, quantity, space, logic, quantitative relationships and confidently and with clarity. patterns. * To encourage him to be able to apply knowledge of the above in STRATEGIES everyday life. We will achieve these objectives in the following ways: *By continuing to read to him daily from works of fiction and STRATEGIES non-fiction as well as the various other forms of writing including This will be achieved as follows: poetry. * By use of everyday measuring tools of all kinds, i.e., kitchen * By continuing to take to the library frequently to select and bathroom scales amd implements, rain gauge, thermometer,

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE23 241 rulers, speedometers, number charts, watches and clocks, * By listening to and watching concerts, ballets etc on radio and calendars etc, and to put this type of knowledge into a suitable television. context. * By reading children's classics to/with ...... and discussing the * By encouraging him to build various structures, implements characters and authors. This will include searches on the library etc.,with meccano and lego. computer for the extent of an authors work. * By teaching him how to count and to use a calculator. * By encouraging participation and interest in * Through the use of appropriate workbooks (inciuding drawing,painting, modelling, building (lego, meccano, hammer Kookaburra Maths Book) and nails), making papier mache models and greeting cards.By taking him to appropriate stage productions where practicable. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OBJECTIVES * To encourage in an abiding love and understanding of the PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH & PHYSICAL environment in which he lives and of which he is a part. EDUCATION OBJECTIVES * To encourage his inquisitiveness regarding how things are * To instil in the value systems required firstly within made, where they come from and "why is it so? ourfamily group and then within society. * To encourage to develop healthy living skills, enabling STRATEGIES him to utilise his mind and body to their maximum, for his own We will achieve this in the following ways: benefit and that of society. * By continuing to read books relating to the animal world, the * To ensure that is always aware of his own worth and to help natural environment and scientific and technological him to develop as a self confident and self disciplined individual. achievements. * By encouraging to observe closely the natural environment STRATEGIES and/or resources in our own neighborhood and in our city We hope to achieve these objectives in the following ways: andothers we may visit. * By continuing to provide opportunities for to mix with * By becoming familiar with museums as a means of increasing relatives, friends and acquaintances. knowledge and understanding of those areas. * By providing him with the family support and discipline *By use of simple experiments commensurate with necessary for a young child. participative abilities to demonstrate simple scientific facts and * By continuing to encourage in healthy eating and living theories. habits by discussion, explanation and example. * By providing him with information and guidance as appropriate HUMAN SOCIETY & ITS ENVIRONMENT OBJECTIVES to his age and experience regarding health care, drug abuse, *To help to know, love and understand his country, fellow procreation, cltanliness and maintaining personal safety. countrymen and heritage. * By encouraging his skills and interest in playing tennis, golf and *To help to an understanding of Australia's place in the cricket as commensurate with his age and abilities. world. * By encouraging his interest in bushwalking and bicycling.

STRATEGIES We will achieve these objectives in the following ways: *By encouraging to compare how various people live within 02 - 411 11S6 our own family circle as compared with other family groups and IETOND then other different groups within the wider society. * By encouraging his use of an atlas and the writing of short BEyoNd Toys stories related to his "discoveries". * By continuing to visit the library to search for books related to Supplier. of history, geography and various cultures. This will involve him in Innovative Material. computer searches for the appropriate material. For Matkematie. * By having learn to speak German. & Primary Science CREATIVE & PRACTICAL ARTS * To develop in a love of music and the arts. Catalogue 1992 * To help him to express himself artistically to his satisfaction So. our complete rouge of in whatever ways he chooses. otiusulatimg, curriculum rolotoil motoriolo ibt BEYOND TOYS STRATEGIES We will endeavour to achieve these objectives as follows: SHOP 2, BIRD'WOOD LANE, LANE ONE NSW 2044 AUSTRALIA PHONE. (02)4111 &1St FAX: (02)411I * By continuing to expose to music (primarily but not exclusively classical music). * By his continued weekly attendance at music lessons (piano).

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 24

4-'42 BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS

Writing Because We Love To: Homeschoolers at Work by Susannah Sheffer Reviewed by Katharine Houk As a parent of homeschooled children who have not of my life and my focus on my children. Susannah reaches been given writinglessons"or"assignments," I approached back into her past experiences with teachers and readers Susannah Sheffer's book Writing Because We Love To: ofher writing, exploring their appropriate and meaningful Homeschoolers at Work with the anticipation of some- offerings as well as the ways in which they were not one who has also been learning from children, while at the helpful.Reading Susannah's book was like having a same time "unlearning" many of the things I had been sensitive and respectful friend give me suggestions for my taught in my own school experiences about writing. It was own writing work, not only with the examples she gave of enormously refreshing to read a book that speaks of how she responded to children, but by inspiring me to helping children with writing in terms of a teacher's consider more deeply my own writing past and the mean- "relationship" to those children, rather than in terms of ingful memories with respect to writing which are embed- rules, devices, motivations, and the "do's and.tion'ts" that ded there. Susannah reminded me that 'everything is one finds in many books on teaching writing. writable," and I am grateful, for my children's sake as well as my own, to be reminded of that. Over the past few years Susannah, editor of Growing Without Schooling magazi ne, has worked by mail and over Writing Because We Love To is really about under- the phone with homeschooled writers, and this book ex- standing ourselves, what we love to do, and the commit- plores the growth that has taken place - both on the part ment to our work that grows from that love, whatever the of the young people and for Susannah herself - as a result work may be. When the winter doldrums set in, curl up of those relationships. While discussing the choosing and with this book, consider your own work as well as that of using of teachers, the reasons children have for writing, your children, and enjoy the rare respect for children that how young writers relate to the larger community of shines through the pages of Writing Because We Love writers, revising work, writing to clarify thoughts, inspi- To. ration and experimentation, writing via dictation, Susan- nah offers examples from the work of young writers and illustrates how she responds to them. The books mentioned in the Book Review As I read the book, every once in a while I thought how Section were reviewed by Katharine Houk or unbelievable such freedom and commitment on the part of Seth Rockmuller from ALLPIE - tions in students might sound to people used to teavhing children Learning newsletter P.O. Box 59 East to write based on a reward and punishment model (assign- Chatham N.Y. 12060. ments, grading, set expectations, keeping up to grade level, etc.). I do hope that many teachers in schools, as well All the books are available in through as parents teaching athome, read this inspiring and useful book. As Glenda Bissex says in the book's foreword, "Imagine the enerv of students released to choose their The John Holt Book.and Music own teachers! Imagine the joy of teachers surrounded by students who have chosen to learn from them! Such a Store:. revolution in schools where so much is compulsory - from P.O. BOX 420 the students' presence at a particular place to how they use Kellyville 2153 their time and with whom - boggles the mind.But Sheffer's sharing of her microcosmic revolution enables us to see in specific detail what this might mean for individ- *Writing Because we love to. ual teachers and students and to contemplate its implica- (Sheffer)$28 + $1.80 postage tions on a larger scale." This book led me to consider the unique ways in which *Family Matters (Guterson) $46 4- my children approach writing, for their own purposes and to fulfill needs they have in their own lives, and how I could $4.30 postage be more helpful to them. Yet one important and unex- pected gift I received from reading Writing Because We *The Exhausted School (Gatto) $23 + Love To was an opportunity to consider my own writing life, to examine anew my assumptions about the writing $ 1.80 postage that I do myself, which sometimes get lost in the busy-ness

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 25

. I as" Ihr 4 :) BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS BOOKREVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS

HOMESCHOOL SIBLINGS The Exhausted School: The FirstNational Grass- roots Speakout On The Right ToSchool Choice ft is late morning. Ben bas done the breakfast dishes (Emily is on lunch dishes this week) and after doing some writing (a letter to ed. by John Taylor Gatto a pen-pal and some word puzzles), some math (the kids have been trying to beat their own best times using -Math Wrap-Ups"). and Reviewed by Seth Rockmuller some research (Ben's love affair with reference books is stronger On the evening of November 13, 1991John Taylor than ever), the two of them have retreated to the back room together. Gatto and Roland Legiardi-Laura rentedCarnegie Hall in I hear the murmur of voices as whatever imaginary world they are New York City to kick-off a grassrootsdebate about the spinning begins to take form. problems with education in this country and tointroduce Gatto As Ben and Emily get older, their lives outside home are people to alternative approaches to education. becoming more involved. Emily works as a mother's helper. Ben opened and closed the evening with a scathingindictment Between his two goes for a week at a time to a camp for homescboolers, they of government-controlled schooling. sometimes attend our local Alternative Learning Center on different presentations, five practitioners of existingeducational former students days from one another, or go off to friends' houses without one alternatives and two of John Gatto's another. These separations make their time together more precious described their approaches to education andthe successes to them, and generally speaking, they make good use of it. Ben and that have resulted. Pat Farenga ofHolt Associates spoke Emily are best friends. about home education; Dan Greenbergof' the Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, MAspoke about the stu- I am attempting to get some work done with the computer, dent-initiated democratic approach to educationfollowed writing articles, answering letters. I slowly become aw are that the at that school; Kathleen Youngspoke about the Waldorf voices from the back of the house are getting louder, more strident. approach to education employed at the HawthorneValley Suddenly Emily bursts into the office. yelling, "I'll never play with School in Harlemville, NY; Dave Lehman,principal of the him again! He's not being fair!" I bear Ben from the back calling. Ithaca (NY) Alternative Community School,spoke about -It's not my fault! That's the way this game goes!" Before I have the availability of alternative educationalapproaches in a chance to say anything, Emily has turned and stomped back to their public schools; and Mary Leue, founder of TheFree School game, and after a few minutes of loud negotiadons. all is quiet again. in Albany, NY discussed the importanceof community in edueating children. Gatto's former students RolandLe- I tend to stay out of their tiffs as much as !can, to be the person giardi-Laura and Barbara Jill Cummingsdiscussed their who listens and empathizes, but wt.-3 turns them back to each other school experiences and how they received the mostvalu- to work things out. I am notjudge and/or jury in these matters. Based able parts of their education outside of school. on many years of intense work and play together, Ben and Emily manage to work out their differences without coming to blows or All of the above presentations are included in The being deliberately nasty (I feel a twinge of remorse as I remember Exhausted School. In addition, the book contains an in- how I used to pull my younger sister's hau when we would have an troduction, which includes the preliminary memo sentby argument). Mr. Gat* to the speakers and a discussion of theresis- tance encountered in trying to publicizethe event through Lately, Ben has been expressing his affection for his sister the media and through teacher education institutions.An verbally, as well as with spontaneous hugs. I watch their highs and afterword by Gatto on The Curriculum of Reformis a lows with each other with wonder, seeing how intimacy between provocative essay on the regimentation of our society, the people unfolds when it is not warped out of shape by peer depend- historical efforts to break apart families in order to achieve ency, competition, lack of free time, distractions like television, and that regimentation, and the role played by educational outside arbitrators. Homescbooling has made it necessary for them institutions in that process. to fmd ways to work things out with each other. - it's either that, or lose your playmate for the rest of the day! The issues raised in The Exhausted School are of critical importance to families concerned with the educa- Last night, while reading the new book Family Matters: Why tion of their children. The purpose of the CarnegieHall Homeschooling Makes Sense, in the chapter on socialization I event was to stimulate discussion of those issues.It is came across David Guterson's words, "Homeschooled siblings certainly peculiar that this event, sponsored by the New must live and learn with one another, and the intensity and meaning York State Teacher of the Year in Carnegie Hall, was of their relationship, its daily depth and fragility, become the virtually ignored by the popular media and by the indi- standard for future relationships. Without the chaotic background viduals and institutions active in educational reform. This of hundreds of peers that ultimately distorts the social lives of school book provides another opportunity for the Carnegie Hall students, allowing carelessness and cruelty to creep in, bomeschool- event to stimulate thought and discussion. Combining a ers are able to nurture the health of a few intimate connections." critical appraisal of government schools with positive Considering what the proliferation of self-help books about "finding discussions of at least a smattering of the myriad different intimacy" implies abou t adult relationships these days, firm ground- approaches to education which are possible, The Ex- ing in such friendship and love in childhood can only belp Ben and hausted School argues forcefully for rebuilding the role Emily as they move away from bome and each other, toward of families in the education of their children. intimacy with people in their adult lives.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 26 / " , /4.e",' 2/0,74/

...5124124

Further Additions for the John Holt Book and Mvsk Store 1993 7=:;72:1's 02.1Ce`ok"- CHILDREN LEARNING AT HOME Julie Webb Devekped from the work fa a PliD degree, dtis book documents stories of families homeschooling in the U.K. A well-researched background fox parents. teachers and academic erkcsuicrial specialists. $46.00. 394 gms.

THE GLIDING FLIGHT Joim Collins A brief and ckva explanation of the plysics of flight, by showing you bow to make twenty different airplanes. Clear diagramshelp you create the planes, and the physics tot presented to belp you make your plane fly better. You learn to fix dihedral angle to stabilize flight sod adjust trim to affect you plane's attitude, etc. uses no glue or cutting. Unique Flip-through animationsshow you bow to do the origami folds needed for the advanced designs. 180gms, $20.00

MORE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS YOU CAN EAT Vicki Cobb *What makes fruit ripen? *How does mik tecrome cheese? A aeries of easy experimentsto caftan in your kitchen laboratory. Heating and cooling, freezing and thawing, dehydration, dlctiflim- and above all, tasting- are among the simple procedires by which you can observe changes in food. Kitchen Chemistry is fun: the proof is in the (chocolate) pudding! 190gas, $11.00 WORMS EAT MY GARBAGE Miry Appelhof WW1 worms eat garbage, they convert it to very fertile sal, so vamicanposting isa wondaful tam of recycling that familks can do far themselves. For years John Holt successfully maintained worms cc his patio in the middle of Boston, usingthis helpful book as a guide.. This is a tick= poject that really makes a difference in bow your family lives and bow much garbageyou produce. It's hard so find a child who isn't fascinated by worms. 150gms, $23.00

THE CONTINUUM CONCEPT Jean Leidloff A very important book about why we should raise your babies theway primitive peoples do. with almost constant human contact. The benefits of keeping young chiltken in arms and all children near adult activity is evident in trthal people; forinstance, moons are tmknown to them and teenagets pass responsibly into adulthood without prolonged adolescence. Manyuseful ideas that are appropriate for kids of sny age. 'As important a book as any I haveever read John Holt. 234gms, $20.00 WHAT TO DO AMR YOU TURN OFF THE TV Prances M. Lappe Modern ideas for old-fashiceed family fun. Word games, romping, crazing, crafts, music,writing, imaginative play and more collected from families who actually do than. 288 gms, $17.00

STORIES THEY'LL REMEMBER Frank Lord Children rarely linen to lectures, but they will listen to fust-hand experiences fromyour own life. This little book gives you confidence in your ability to tell stories thu transmityour vaities effectively. And the author does it, not by lecturing you but by telling stories about people telling stories. 136gns.S13.00 rai,.k:1;

IMMUNISATIONS: THE REALITY BEHIND THE MYTH Weft James The most up-to-date and well-documented book about the controversies surroundingmandatory vaccinations we have seen. Fascinating examination of the history and controversy =sanding thegerm theory versus the spontaneous generation theory. The author successfully challenged U.S. Virginia's vaccine law. 350gms, $21.00

NNIUTING BECAUSE WE LOVE TO Suzarnah Sheffer An engrossing record of correspondence between the author and harne educated writersaged between ten an:I fifteen. A rare glimpse at what child= do when they are in charge of their writing lives, and of bowcee adult writer responded to yang pope who asked fox kr help. An inspiring read. 202gms, $20.00

IA II Ii . 1 1# a Page 4: Three R's at Home- 346gau;Page 5: Never Too Late - 300 gms,

Page 8: Cars And How They Go- 76 gms,Page 9: A Mathematkal Mystery Tour- $58 BEST COPY AVAILABLE AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNALASSIJ07 PAGE 27 41 R. RA YMON DOROTHY MOORE

BETTER LATE THAN EARLY (research based informaticn on why children should not start school too early easy to read) S17 (incl. postage)

EXTRA CASH FOR KIDS (How they can earn it, easy to read for competent readers 10 years and up) $18 (incl. postage)

HOME GROWN KIDS THE BOOK (Steps in parenting) $17 (incl. postage)

HOME GROWN KIDS THE VIDEO (The total picture about homeschooling, interviews with a large range of families who have been homeschooling and still are doing it very successfully. Great gift for sceptical parents) $40 (incl. postage)

HOME MADE HEALTH (Backed by specialists) S20 (mei. postage)

HOME SCHOOL BURNOUT (Interesting, easy to read hard cover about how to prevent burn out and bow to cure it.) $28 (incl. postage)

HOME SPUN SCHOOLS (How others homeschooled) $15 (incl. postage)

HOME STYLE TEACHING (Handbook for teachers) $18 (incl. postage)

MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS (Businesses to run from Home) S20 (incl. postage)

SCHOOL CAN WAIT (Research sources on why children should not start school too early) $18 (incl. postage)

If you wish to purchase any of these books please senda cheque or money order for theappropriate amount (all prices include postage)

to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

ThankYou

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 28 246 be a great opportunity and in a very short time they become Home Educating experienced at being "out" and behave in a way that makesyou very proud of them. It has been our experience that expecting kids to behave in restaurants, on planes, in church etc. ftorn a very Pre-School Children young age soon makes them alert to what is expected of them and enables you to take them anywhere and this also makes themvery popular with other adults who will give them a great deal of time, Jo-Anne Beirne energy and involve themselves in any questions that a child needs answered.

There are always different ways of looking at things andone thing TELEVISION & VIDEO you can be sure everyone will disagree about is the education of I an a selective user of television. I feel that there a greatmany young children. Some people are strongly in favour of lots of good quality programs on T.V. even for quite young children that early and rigorous exposure to flash cards and classical music, can help them become interested in and learn a great many things. other people believe that itis very important for pre-school I don't have a problem with Sesame Street (except for their big children to have lots of free time to use theirown creativity to raps for school and American vowel sounds - though none of my make their own fun and it is only then that theycan reach their full children speak with an American drawl.). I do havea problem learning potential. with kids being exposed to (indoctrinated by) advertisements. Any good programs on commercial channels we always record There are a huge range of books to read on these sorts of issues and edit out the advertisements. Often it is importantto sit and from the material by Glen Doman to The Hurried Child by David watch the T.V. shows with your children to get themost benefit Elkind. I don't want to take sides as I have four children and I have out of them - i.e. you are there to answer the relevant questionsas swung from one end of the spectrum to the other. I feel it is they arise and sort out any difficulties. I, pggest people geta TV essential people make up their own minds. However I haveput program at the beginning of each week and mark down what together some ideas for activities that I have used that I feel other would be useful to record for that week and developsome sort of parents may find useful. library (for personal educational use only). The ABC & SBS feature some very good programs- no advertisements, in foreign TIME languages and of high quality. It is useful to get an ABCprogram Just being with your children and talking and respondingto them, in January and July to see what they will haveon for the following giving them your precious time and energy is going toensure that six months. We have found in the past that shows advertised for they develop great self-esteem and confidence in theirown infants and even for primary aged school childrenare quite abilities no matter what they decide to undertake in thefuture. understandable and interesting for pre-schoolers. We havea three This can be personally unstimulating work forsome parents e.g. year old who has really enjoyed the Playschool program about the reading the same book or doing the same puzzle 25 timesa day orchestra. but nonetheless it says a lot to your children about learning, persistence, love and patience. AUDIO TAPES It is a lot easier to be selective with audio tapes. I believe they WORK create a good deal of concentration and of course they are usually Small children love to help, they don't want to be waitcdon hand read by famous actors and actresses who have wonderful diction and foot. From sorting the washing and passing thepegs to setting and a lovely way of putting the storyacross. Perhaps you can the table and supermarket shopping, all of these activitiescan be provide a special quiet time when your pre-schooler just sitsand done with children avid to help. "Aren't Ia good help, Mum?" listens to e.g. the Alfie Tape (from the great stories by Shirley Involving children in real work, teaches them really important Hughes) or even their favourite musical tape. We often playand skills, makes them feei valuable and needed and enablesyou to sing with tapes we have in the car as we drive along. I have found get across any lessons you may think are important from counting that listening to story tapes develops acute listening skillsand (the pegs) to discussions about behaviour (you can't justput that great memory. We use tapes primarily for enjoyment, rather then thing in the trolley we have to pay for everythingwe buy and we "education" but over the years the kids have builtup a good size can't afford that toy). repertoire of music and stories they like to listento and even our three year old can hum her favourite tunes. Oftenyou can get a PEOPLE simple tape recorder that a pre-schoolercan operate themselves. Children like to feel part of a family whether it be the nuclear, extended or community family. They bring much joy forinstance GIFTS to older people and receive much in return. Visiting people with If you have special resources thatyou would like to use with your your children or just taking them out and letting them interact in children but cannot afford them remember to seek themout at shops or at classes you attend or they attendare important garage sales and opportunity shops. You may even like to ask learning experiences. It may be a lot easier toget the kids minded your parents and those people that givc your children gifts to while you do the shopping (and in somecases essential) but it can contribute to a special thing you would likeyour children to have

AUSTRALM ' HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL PAGE29 2 4 7 or event or class you would like them to attend.Homeschooled congratulations for the results being an essential conclusion to the children tend to have a good deal less demand for "name toys" process. (Barbies, Ninja Turtles etc.) than other children (probably through less peer group and TV exposure) so it is easier to get them in the PUZZLES habit of asking for and being really glad to receive gifts such as There are lots of great wooden puzzles around for children. books, paints, tickets to the children's ballet or a puppet show etc. (Garage sales are great for these). They may like to have help to do them or they may like to do them alone. Of course you can SPECIAL EVENTS make your own "puzzles" which can encourage your child to Without going overboard it is easy to expose your children to a think laterally and creatively - what is the shortest way from the wide range of educational experiences in the community. Nearly dining room to the front gate ? Can you find all the black handled all local councils, state government bodies and community based utensils? What would you use to pick up the poached eggs ? How organisations provide a list of events and shows that are about to many wheels altogether on these two toys with wheels ? Why happen in the neighbourhood and your nearest big town or city. does the light do that ? All museums, orchestras and other cultural groups have at least some activities for pre-schoolers that they will enjoy. In Sydney MUSIC the Benelong Program at the Opera House provides a diverse Music is a simple thing to share with your children. Few houses range of activities. Using your phone book and community don't have a tape recorder and every house has a radio. There are newspapers and magazines you should be able to find cheap and a huge range of stations providing really good quality music interesting things to attend or participate in on a regular basis that programs (and information, current affairs and science programs will make both you and your homeschoolers happy. for the parents) that you can share simply and cheaply with your children. There are the activities provided listed in special events READING above and the resources provided by TV. You can sing, hum, It seems logical to me, though I know others who do not agree, dance or play percussion with your child or facilitate them doing that if you read regularly to your children they will come to love it themselves. reading and think it is a very important activity. I think it is important to curl up with a good book for adults but even more CLASSES & OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES important to curl up with a good, suitable book with your children There are lots of classes and outside activities to attend with pre- as often as possible, hopefully daily. I believe that reading is a schoolers from Kindy Gym, Little Athletics and Swimming wonderful activity that fathers can take responsibility for. As well Classes to Yamaha Music, dancing and homeschooling support as getting fathers actively involved in the learning process, they group meetings. All activities can be stimulating and positive have the time to share somcthing interesting and exciting with experiences but need to be monitored. It is my personal their children and to see them develop and mature. Some of the experience that teachers and some parents can take these activities very best memories our children and my husband have of my very seriously as they attempt to train up their little darling and/or children's childhoods are "when Dad read to us". If we are tidying genius. There is a strong possibility of burn-out (yours and/or the bookshelves, so often a comment will come out "Oh, I love your childs) so never pay ahead for lessons for longer than a term. that book Dad read that to us heaps of times". If your children It is also rarely advisable to have pre-schoolers in classes where value books it is great preparation for their educational future. parents are not warmly welcomed. Please remember that there are children who may not even want to participate in group classes LIBRARY even if their siblings happily did so, this is no big deal and they Your library is your cheapest and most useful community will be happy to when they are older. resource. There are often craft days, story time and special events for pre-schoolers. If these things do not happen in yoar library CREATIVE FREE TIME - DEVELOPING IMAGINATION now you can help to initiate them and this will further help to We all have lots of things we like to do by ourselves. Many people make your child feel at home in the library. Even monthly visits may regard our "creative time" as wasteful and useless but for us for a pre-schooler will be forging important pathways for their it is important. Children arc the same, some of them need lots of future. time to be imaginative, to try out their dreams and inventions, to drive cars up and down a single dirt road in the garden or to build WRITING & DRAWING a dam or be a mother to their dolls. They may need to just sit and Some children love to write and draw while others are not so sing or make endless cups of tea for the teddies or ride rockets to crazy about the idea. For all children the resources to write and the moon. Much has been written about this process and its draw should always be close at hand and not so tidy or well stored importance to later learning. It has been my personal observation as to inhibit creativity. It doesn't hurt to have pens and crayons, that free time while important for sanity and creativity also tends paints and textas on a low desk that has a piece of plastic to promote self-motivated, original learning that does not tie one underneath. All scrap paper can be placed in some sort of box or down to the worn channels of tradition but inspires one to achieve container nearby along with paste, sticky tape, glitter and other far past those grades and levels that are pre-determined as the child fancies. Time to create freely without parental interference "achievement level" for ones age and ability. and correction is really important with lots of hugs and

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL PAGE 30

^AQ STRUCTURE OR SERENDIPITY: An edited version of a talk by retiring Educational Consultant, A RETROSPECTIVE Dr John Vaughan. Reprinted from the documents of The Primary English Teachers Dr John Vaughan Association. If anyone would like a full copy they should contact PETA Laura St. Newtown NSW HOW DOES LEARNING HAPPEN? 2042 PH. 02 565 1277 Fax 02 Those of you who know me best are aware that I have spent a large part of my 565 1070 professional life looking at "conventional wisdom" with some skepticism.If you are expecting that tonight, you'll probably not be disappointed. However, let me say at once to my potential critics that I freely concede retrospective consideration is selective, THE MAGIC MOMENT impressionistic, uncontrolled, unscientific, and lacking in research design. Indeed it's The semantics change, the rather like normal living. In my traverse of the years, to the extent that I was conscious of phraseology changes, the explanations learning, my concentration was on "what" I was learning. In retrospect, however it is the frequently become increasingly "how" of learning which comes to assume major significance. convoluted and 'scientific', but the successful teacher of today, when it's all PROCESS AND CONTENT boiled down, will be using the techniques I have a profound attachment to Bernard Shaw's aphorism: "Education is what of Christ, of Socrates, of Rousseau, of you have left when you have forgotten everything you learned at school." Shaw could Dewey. And that teacher needs to be ever distinguish between content and process.Content is the stuff we work on. It is not to be sensitive to the existence of the "magic ignored. Because, in today's world, there is so much of it, careful selection is of critical moment" when the child is ready to learn. importance. But no matter how careful the selection, with the passage of time much The moment may be ephemeral, but it is content will prove to be irrelevant to emerging needs, much will be revealed as fallacious, fundamental to learning. It is impossible much will be forgotten.On the other hand, the processes which we develop and use on our to forecast and difficult to recognise, but neverending educational journey remain with us. We add to them, we amend and refine the effective teacher will grasp it.The them and we go on using them, day by day. child who wants to learn will learn. There As I reflect, my mind does not focus naturally on acquired information is no such thing as education by fiat. (important though that might have been to my teachers), but rather on incidents, That's why compulsory studies show little occurrences, experiences and, move all else, on people. People made the impact. All profit and usually lead to rejection of the through my primary and secondary schooling, I thought my task was to hold in my head course.As Brendan Behan said, "The the information which teachers placed there and spill it out at test or examination time in Gaelic was spoken in Ireland until the the form of 'right answers'. (I might add that there are too many people today who Government made it compulsory." continue to see this as the task). Teachers are blessed when they A reasonable measure of success in this mind-stocking/stock-taking educational develop a facility for recognising or, procedure enabled me to experience some sense of achievement, to please my teachers perchance, creating magic moments and and to give some satisfaction to my parents. And though I did not realise it at the time, I using them to enable the child to was in fact learning a great deal about attitudes and approaches, about techniques and understand. Dymphna Cusack was aware procedures, about human interaction - about "processes". of this when she wrote of opening 'a window in the dark' (the title of her book) THE TEACHER (PARENT) IS "CRITICAL". "a window through which the child could see the world".She provided two When I struggle to recall specific lessons or even, more generally, courses, I find delightful illustrations: the lad from the the memories long gone, but, as I've indicated, the people remain. Most of what I learned slow-learners class who, when given a and retained was related to people. This is why, in the educational enterprise, I see the membership ticket to the council library, teacher (who, incidentally, may be parent, relative, friend, peer or seer) as "critical". The became a voracious reader her person who gives the lesson is infinitely more significant than the lesson itself. The abandonment of the prescribed poetry human relationship between teacher and learner far outweighs the importance of formal syllabus and the development in her status, of knowledge of theories and procedures, of administrative structures. pupils of a love of poetry by reading to them poetry which "she loved".You will I tremble to think of a child of the future closeted alone with a computer screen, be opening windows in the dark when you 'being educated' .As, over the years, I have sat (figuratively and literally) at the feet of the challenge children to challenge you and to theorists, researchers and philosophers, as I have grappled with the ideas which have question the conventional wisdom, as did come and gone, I have discerned that the fundamentals of teaching/learning haven't Gallileo, Newton and Einstein. Or when, changed much over time. instead of inflicting your meaning of the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 31

2dg system's meaning on the child, you accept and show that you he came across a herd of zebra lying dead beside a poisoned value the child's meaning. waterhole."At that moment," he said, "I knew I was a conservationist." There was no preparation, no structured course NOT DIRECTOR BUT GUIDE just serendipity. Then there was the paleontolOgist who was asked It is what you will be doing when you provide the when he had decided to pursue that profession. He said, "At age climate and the gentle guidance and let the child do the nine I picked up a fossil and knew that I had found my life's developing, when you abandon the structuring of espaliers and let work". the trees fulfil their own potential, when you play the role not of "Though it did not occur until I was in my teens, by far director but of "guide".fln our time we have all used magic the most significant learning experience to influence my life was moments. Frequently we haven't recognised the fact. Indeed, our what, at the time, was considered by the participants to be no objectives often differed from the consequences.But when more thana casual comment.One day, as part of a general free- teacher action and the child's magic moment were synchronised, wheeling conversation, my Dad asked, "What are you thinking of massive learning occurred.This is the marvelous process of doing when you leave school?"I replied, "I'm going to work with serendipity, the faculty of achieving most remarkable results you on the farm."His response was, "First, get yourself an without careful planning and without knowing precisely what's education. Then, if you want to come back to the farm, you'll be happening. welcome."I don't believe it was a planned lesson. I don't believe he knew what he had done. Serendipity, indeed. From that day A TEACHER CAN ACCEPT CRITICISM on, I have been getting myself an education. I recall a personal involvement with it when, at teachers college, I had the great good fortune to learn from Chris McRae. LEARNING TO READ He taught a carefully structured course in psychology, based on a I go bark now to an earlier time. I recall, at age 4 or 5, set text. I don't recall much about it.What I learned from McRae sitting with my Dad at the kitchen table as, by the light of was that a teacher could accept criticism, disagreement and akerosene lamp, as he read aloud from the Sydney Morning argument.; that the status quo was not immutable and therefore Herald, two days old.Gradually, with his guidance, I came to beyond inquiry; that knowledge andculture did not exist in state understand the significance of the black marks on the page and to of perfection, awaiting transmission. These understandings were derive meaning from them. Thus, in the complete absence of not McRae's lesson topics. He taught them serendipitously. The theory, I learned to read. moments were mine and he was the teacher. I also learned from Later I attended school and experienced the thrill of 'the him that my other lecturers were pursuing a chimera when they fat cat that sat on the mar. It was years before it dawned on me taught the principles of lesson structure: carefully * assemble and that my Dad with the Sydney Morning Herald and the teaches * present material work to a climax, always have a precise with the 'fat cat' were engaged in the same activity. During the denouement, with all loose ends ties up at the end. From McRae years between 11 and 15 I read anything I could :ay my hands on, I learned that the good lesson is open-ended, from the beginning abetted by a youthful uncle who was a member of a lending of further inquiry. library. He knew not what he did. I like to agree with James Michener:"You should read all the books you can before you'rg I like the story of David Shepherd, the wildlife twenty. A man (or woman) can travel all over the world and come conservationist, was askcd to explain l.w he hakarncd to bc back the same kind of fool he was when he started.You can't tic prepared for the task. He replied that, while travelling in Africa, that with books."

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 32 250 SERENDIPITY As a boy I used to sit, seen but not heard (as were the requirements of the time), while my Dad and a neighbor discussed the problems of the nation and the world, and propounded and criticised their own solutions.Thus, with no structures, no formal lessons, but, indeed, quite serendipitously, I learned about governments and their functicas, about politics and politicians.I also learned that there was a place for individual thinking about such matters and thit they could be discussed incisively and without raneou. Further, I learned a great deal about language and its uses from two men of limited formal education but formidable self development. Some years ago I knew a student who was having difficulty with leaving certificate mathematics.I suggested that she consult with her teacher and seek guidance. This she did. He was not very helpful but did give her a booklet of previous leaving certificate papers, suggesting that she work through them at home and submit her output for checking. She spent a week-end on the job and, filled with enthusiasm, set out for school onMonday morning.Confidently, she waylaid the teacher in the playground to show him what she had done. His response was, "I'm too busy to be bothered with mantle of failure with pride (they had little else to be proud of), some that now. Go away and see me some other time." I'm sure his with despair. Those boys, though they didn't plan it, taught me intention was not malicious: he knew not what he did. But a something of enormous importance. They taught me that all pupils, perverse form of serendipity was at work. That student never referred to variously in the jargon as disadvantaged, neglected, dull, again 'bothered' the teacher.She didn't bothermaths much bright, talented, gifted, problem-cases, failed pupils, if appealed to in either! the appropriate manner, if given security, if encouraged as individuals, can learnis that the basis of a theory of a structure? YOU CAN DO IT !! Perhaps it is. Last year I visited a primary school on the occasion Perhaps the very notion of serendipity is a theory. Perhaps of its 75th anniversary.I had taught there in the late recognition of its significance is another step along the road which '40s.There came up to me a man who said, "You probably leads towards, but never reaches, "wisdom". My essential message is don't remember me," (I didn't) "but you taught me in sixth that the process of teaching/leaming is even harder than you think. class." When he gave me the name, my recollection worked: There is no 'easy fix', no universally applicable theory. Each child is he had changed somewhat in forty odd years."One day," he wiferent:what works with one fails with another.But difficult said, "you set us some very difficult maths, when I got it all though the task, search for the magic moments when the child is ready right, you said, "A boy who really understands the"principles to learn, and assist in the process. of mathematics". You convinced me. I went on & became a Remember always that education is not about mathematician & an engineer. I just want to say thanks." implementation of a currently favoured theory, not about mind- stocking, followed by stock-taking. What is fundamentally important THE MESSAGE OF PRIME EDUCATIONAL to the child is the development of thinking skills: observing, SIGNIFICANCE inquiring, data gathering, hypothesising, testing hypotheses, problem The single comment had been more significant than solving, analysing, generalising, applying facts, principles and all the carefully planned lessons, the gradual accumulation of theories to new situations. What counts is not what the child knows mathematical concepts.Serendipitously he had got the today, but what he or she can do with it tomorrow. message: "I can do it".That's a message of prime educational Keep in mind the aivice of the experienced teacher to the significance. Undoubtedly, implementation of then current neonate:"In nearly every clns there is a youngster eager to argue. theories over time has helped pupils to learn it. But I know of Your first impulse will be tr,, Alence him or her. I advise you to think no theory which clearly states:"The aim of this structure is to carefully before you do.That is probably the only child really establish in the learner's mind the unshakable belief:I CAN listening." Whatever the presently popular structure, remember DO IT !!!! always thatthe essential educational factor is the relationship between you and the individual child. Learn to recognise and use the magic ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN moments. The effective teacher is ever sensitive to psychological In the early '50s I taught in a school whichcatered climate, to child response, to the impact of word and action, to the for court-committed delinquent boys.By and large, they possibilities of gloriously elusive serendipity I were social misfits and educational failures. Some wore the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 33 251 APPLE COMPUTERS EXTEND THEM EDUCATION PRICE TO ALL HOMESCHOOLERS

Thank youApple Kurrawood Computers!! In conjunction with Ross & Heather &Olt and all the great people at Kurrawood Computers, Homeschoolers Australia is delighted to announce that all N.S.W. homeschoolers and very soon all Australian Homeschoolers will be welcome to pay the educators price for Apple hardware from 30th September 1992. What is the procedure? 1. If you wish to purchase any Apple product, Kurrawood Computers will order, then deliver and install your computer hardware or arrange to have this done for you. Inter-state subscribers will be notified as soon as this service is available nation-wide. 2. In order to be eligible for the discount prices, families need to be on the Homeschoolers Australia/Apple Register. To have your family registered, you will need to send a copy of your current Homescooling Registration and $35 (The registration price fbr Australian Homeschool Journal subscribers is $25) to Homeschoolers Australia, P.0 Box420Kellyville 2153. 3. It is essential you be a legitimate homeschooler to participate in this service. It is up to the homeschooler to provide concrete evidence that you are a homeschooler and Homeschoolers Australia reserves the right to protect itself from prosecution by refusing any homeschooler whose evidence of homeschooling is inadequate. A reminder will be sent annually to those people who are registered to ensure yourcontinuingregistration with us in case you intend to up-date your hardware. 4. You only need register if you wish to buy anything. We will register your order process it and send it to Kurrawood Computers who willattendto it immediately. Their phone number is045782 377.Their fax no. is045782 173. 5. If you wish to know more please send a self addressed stamped envelope to Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd A.C.N. 003 222848, P.O. fox 420Kellyville 2153.Our phone number is 02 629 3727. Our fax number is 02 629 3278.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 34 252 APPLE PRICESFOR HOMESCHOOLERS Computer Name Rec. Retail Price incl Tax Hrn/schoolers Price incl tax Classic ll 2Mb HD 40 $1 0 9 5 $1 91 0 Classic II 4Mb HD 40 $ 2295 $ 2197 Classic II 4Mb HD 80 $ 2495 $ 2389

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To benefit from theseprices you must register with9-(omeschooters Australia and purchasethe software throughKurrawood Computersas Microsoft onfy alTows theeducators prize for flomeschooferson strict requirement that the purchaserbe a registeredflomeschoofer and resident of Australia.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE IS 253 Homeschoolers Supporting Homeschoolers

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AUSTRALIANHOMESCHOOLJOURNALISSUE37 PAGE M 254 Would you like a copy of the John Holt Book & Music Store catalogue ?

If so please ring us on 02 629 3727 and wewill send you one.

HARD TIMES IN PARADISE, by David and Micki Colfax. I Mum TIMEM The authors of Homeschooling For Excellence describe how ag-ri homeschooling, homesteading, and hard work shaped the ^.% *momA. PA %MI . IVI AO I. Colfax family and prepared their children for the real world worm 11.wwouut. and places like Harvard University. Funny, insightful, and inspiring. See page 4.

FAMILY MATTERS: Why home- schooling makes sense, by David Guterson. A high school teacher, whose three boys are home- schooled, compares and contrasts the two worlds of education that he straddles. A penetrating, highly readable book that is especially useful for homeschoolers facing opposition. See page 3.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 37 (;).5 Joanna Hoyt (ME) is GROWING WITHOUT interviewed in SCHOOLING GWS #83's Focus on Young In 1977 author and teacher Jan Holt Lobbyists: founded Growing Without Schooling. the first magazine devoted to exploring and Homeschool- publicizing issues about raising children Mg Kids in and helping than leant without anending the Legislative Process. schools. Since then we have published stories, news, and information about learning outside of school from all over the globe. Each bi-monthly issue contains news about the homeschooling movement in the U.S. and around the world, pen-pal listings; a directory of horneschooling G.W.S families; reviews of useful materials; a feature on a specific topic or question; in- depth exchanges among our readers about such issues as making a living while teaching your own children. TV and PUBLISHED homeschooling. and more. A reader writes: Christian McKee (WI) .wrote for our "GWS is the written form of an informa- Focus on Working Toward a Goal. BY tion network Wee mothers have hatl for GWS #84. ears. Pahcs this is anew literary forni Join us today! "For over ten years the leading 1 year (6 issues), #2001 555 horneschooling publication." David 2 years (12 issues), #3302 598 HOLT ASSOC. and Micki Colfax in Homeschooling 3 years (18 issues), #2003 S125 for Excellence 2269 Mass. Ave. GWS Single Issue, #2000 59 1 Cambridge Mass. U.S.A. 02140 Growing Without Schooling sub- your order and send it to you. scriptions and back issues are not If you do not have a ViS3 or kept in stock in Australia_ They need MasterCard: to be ordered from the U.S. The costs 2) Ring John Holt's nook and Music may change a little as they depend on Store in Sydney on 02 629 3727 (or currency fluctuations. There are two fax on 02 629 3278) and place your ways to facilitate payment for GWS: order with them. Our Sydney branch 1) Ring John Holt's Book and Music will inform you of the cost and will Store in Massachusetts on 0015 1 order from Holt in the U.S. within 24 617 864 3100 (or fax on OM 1 617 hours using their Visa facility. You 864 9235) and leave your order, must post your cheque or money name, Visa or MasterCard number, order to Homeschoolers Australia and expiry date and we will prccess immediately.

If y ou would like to receis e a copy of G.W.S., send $4 to Homeschoolers Australia PO Box 420 Kellyville 2153 and e will send you a sample copy.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 38 256 Custody Issues and Homeschooling

Anna Adams and Jo-Anne Beirne

It is distressing when parents, motivated by concern for you think he will really appeal the custody ruling? Just as I their children, choose to homeschool, only to find their families thought We was going to get better " vehemently opposed to this educational option and not at all We talked a bit about Brian, the events of the last few inhibited about expressing this opposition. This is not uncommon, weeks and what had been happening with the children. After the but during those challenging early days, the couple know that as initial difficult adjustment to single life, Jane had noticed her the child's parents, they still have the responsibility for the final children were losing their "joie de vivre". They just didn' t have decision. They are still as a unit, in control of their familial the same enthusiasm for activities.Jane had not taken the destiny. decision to homeschool lightly for a co...,ilination of academic What has become increasingly common is the number of social and personal reasons and after talking with their teachers single parents wanting to homeschool and in this group, often and a counsellor, Jane felt that the children needed to be bitter and highly emotional contests are fought between the homeschooled. separated parents on how the children should be educated. This opposition is much more difficult to experience as more people In fact this is not an unusual scenario and as are involved with the decision-making and both custodial and homeschooling grows "the bitter divorce" is happening more and non-custodial parents can feel their parental roles and rights being more often. In time, many support groups will be faced with undermined and made insignifigant. single parents who have the added complication of an ex-spouse who objects to homeschooling and does not hesitate to make their Jane nervously twisted a tissue, her red eyes conveying feelings known. the trauma of the last few nights. Brian had just left, banging the Recently a non-custodial parent has vented their spleen door emphatically and we were both shocked. Ilewas so angry, against the custodial parent, through the media, politicians and full of accusations that Jane was turning the children against him, other administrators. There are many issues involved and there is that he had rights concerning his children education, that Jane the concern that these emotional dramas will damage was both too ignorant and too disorganised to educate the homeschooling. children herself and that the last thing he was going to dowas Of course there are many different people involved all of allow Jane to jeopardise the children' s future. All the time hewas whom have differing needs and priorities the children, the delivering this speech, he paced the kitchen, not looking at either custodial parent, the non-custodial parent, the administrators of of us. His parting remark was that he was going to appeal the homeschooling, members of support groups. There are no easy custody decision because Jane was proving herself to bean unfit answers but these are the most common issues and responses. mother. Sometimes, the choice to homeschool for a custodial "I am so sick of this, sometimes it seems as if it will never parent Ls made initially to reduce the degree of stress on the family end. It has been two years since we first separated and still these members at this difficult time and to consolidate new relationship fights continue. It doesn' t seem to matter what I do,we end up dynamics. Unfortunately, the non-custodial parent is very aware with these outrageous scenes.What am I going to do now? Do of the fact the family is re-adjusting without them and they can go

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 39 257 through a period of feeling a sense of acute loss and anger.This feel that if they caused it by wanting to be homeschooled, they can can be easily intensified if thenon-custodial parent sees the fix it by volunteering to go to school. As this is very rarely the homeschooling custodial parent as getting "more than half" ofthe case, even if the child goes to school,it doesn't take long for children, turning the children against them and so on. So the another issue to arise where the non-custodial parent challenges emotions then can amplify into jealousy and can slip into revenge the custodial parent's decision and the whole process starts again. if no one helps this person re-gain a sense of control overtheir Custodial parents, who want to break this cycle where homeschooling has become the issue, need to be very clear and emotions. Given this situation, it is mostly a waste of time to firm that this is what is happening. The homeschooling issueitself indulge in long philosophical debates because these almost then becomes non-negotiable and the parents canspendtheir certainly will not end in acceptable resolution without attention to energy on finding workable ways to achievethe best possible the emotional experience of the family. It is the deliveryof what is educational structure together. This also relieves the children of being said, rather than the content that is the important to listen to the responsibility of solving their parents problems for them. at this time. This does not mean ignoring children's wishes when Given the status of homeschooling under the law - i.e. they express the desire to go to school. It means listening to them equivalent to private and state schooling, and its administration, it very carefully, about why they want to go and whatthey think will seems likely that the family Law Courtwill always allow the change if they are at school. If they say, "Mummy and Daddy will custodial parent to homeschool, so fears of the non-custodial stop fighting", it's a good indication they aremaking choices for parent's threats are usually unnecessary.Often all the non- their parents sake, rather than their own. custodial parent really wants is to be re-assured that they still will have their connection with their children. It is up to the custodial How support groups can help. parent to demonstrate that homeschooling willenhance their Support groups are just that, support groups. The role of the opportunities to connect with their children, not decrease them. members can be to listen and help clarify issues. This may not seem like much, but it is of great importance thatpeople in crisis Some suggestions have someone who just listens. Aim for conversation and negotiation. If itis possible, include the non-custodial parent in as much of UM preparation work as possible up to and including the inspector's visit.Discussing the children's education gives both parents the chance to demonstrate their maturity and responsibility to the children. It is not the children's fault the marraige failed and maybe the least the parents owe to the children is working on their education together. If this is not possible, at least send the non-custodial parent copies of the material when it is completed. The non- custodial parent should, if at all possible, be asked to become involved in the process sharing their ownkills with their children. Rely on them to do these things and provide feedback - listen to their feedback. Invite them to homeschooling seminars and support group days, suggest that they be responsible for some of the excursions to museums and other interesting events. Even if there is much initial :resisitance to how the homeschooling is going to happen, don't cut off avenues of communication. Get your child to keep a diary of their educational activities for the non-custodial parent or write regularly or send their special drawings or photos of things they are doing as part of their educational program to the non-custodial parent as often as possible. Every so often copy your own diary and give it to the non-custodial parent for them to see what you are achieving. Explain that they will have more say rather than less in their child's education if they want to become involved. Talk about the advantages of flexible custodial visits and time not based around weekends and school holidays. Talk about the advantages to the child and to the non-custodial parent of homeschooling. The children often feel that they are the cause of the conflict because they are the subject of the argument. fhey can

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 40 3 S observantly pointed out, has no emotional hang-ups with regard to homeschooling! We noted that she obviously raised her three adult Legal Update sons as individuals more than as her children, and it is this fact that allows her to see what homesehooling can offer relative to institutional schooling. She sees that home-schooling can be a forward leap in the field of education, as opposed to the general QUEENSLAND assumption in the education department, at present, that it is a backward step into the educational dark ages!!! WEST AUSTRALIA Naturally, she will be confronting flak from some of her colleagues and superiors in this process. It was observed that this SOUTH AUSTRALIA would arise out of fear and lack of familiarity with real cases of healthy homeschooling experiences, as well as the fact that at some Queensland level the self-pride these officials have in their understanding of Queensland homeschooling groups are about to make a move education, is confronted by folk who are not officially in the on changing their law so that it is at least more in step with the professional field. (Also having to weave her way through the laws governing homeschooling in other States and hopefully political climate.) superior to ali other laws. This "coming together" was As with other countries and states who have gone through precipitated in part by John Peacock's lengthy visit to (and are still going through) the administrative growing pains of Queensland in 1992. The result is that at the end of March adequately and appropriately addressing, managing and supporting 1993 many Queensland and other interested homeschoolers home-based learning, the main social issues seem to be relative to: will gather together to form some groups who will set up an (a) how to co-operatively work with the Fundamentalist agenda for action. If you would like to know more about the Christian and like families, working with the A.C.E. program (which Queensland get together which will be in Brisbane, the co- is a less than adequate curriculum from their standards), and who ordinator at present is Rachel Hearn 075 436 451. choose to bypass the current legal requirements for homeschooling; and, West Australia (b) how to monitor the potential child abuse that could The new regulations, that have been discussed for some years, occur, through offering the public the outright freedom to not send will, we are told, come into being in February 1993 in West their children to school. Australia. The new Chief Executive Officer, Greg Black has made it clear however, that the continuing concerns of W.A. Another topic in our convivial discussion covered the more homeschoolers will most certainly be listened to, unlike what radical unstructured approaches to home-based learning and her has been happening in the past. In a meeting held between outright support of such emergent learning. It was interesting to note homeschoolers and Greg Black he made it clear that these new her lack of bias to either more structured or unstructured approaches, regulations would not be "frozen in stone" but would be open and that the bottom line for her was working in harmony with the to negotiation and feedback for at least the next two years. He natures of the given adults, as well as children. As was applicable to also promised to review them so that they were reflective of both Eve and I, discussion of end of year reporting in those emergent homeschoolers' concerns. Mr Greg Black should stay in office style learning approaches and their what can be 'lack of work to show even if there is a change of government in West Australia - the for a year's learning explorations, was again received with a wise election is imminent. Difficulties for the future come in two mother's calm. "That's fine!" was her response. It was obvious that her forms (1) a case that will possibly be go to the Supreme Court understanding of evaluation does not necessarily have to be from a concerning homeschooling and (2) the prediction that Fred more natural life-process orientation. As you could imagine, this was Tubby, shadow Minister for Education in W.A., if elected will music to Eve's and my ears to have such a senior and respected rewrite the Education Act, and this will effect homeschooling. education department official able to be unruffled by such socially 'risky' approaches. South Australia As we proceeded, she revealed the secondary and tertiary Susan Seeley wrote this report in the magazine institutions are in the throws of opening up their doors to a more Home Based Learning, South Australia. This is a report on 'offering what the students request' than making the students have to Eve Leuick's and my meeting with Marelle Harisun 2nd of choose within the constraints of what they offer! She stated that after October 1992. Marelle is the current co-ordinator for this is established it should not be long before such an approach Homeschooling in South Australia, and as such, has been touches the primary school sector. This is unlikely to have any effect working on the changes needing to occur to the current in the next 5 years, but Marelle pointed out, just the fact that the Education Act to incorporate the option of homeschooling education community is moving in this direction opens up many more directly and more openly. She is also the Director for the possibilities for the future resource needs of home schooled children Watern Area, based in Whyalla. during school hours. (She spoke of a "voucher" system.) We were very excited and impressed with her natural I spoke of my own situation with my 9 year old daughter, commitment to creating a legislative vehicle for home-based Sky, choosing to attend our local state school and that we will be learning to take off in full glory! This lady, as Eve so requesting continued exemption on the basis of protecting her human

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 41 259 rights for freedom of choice during her "compulsory" school age experiences, what they would like the others to understand about years, even while she is attending and participating in a state their positions, hopes for the future and being available for school'steachingprogram. Again, Mare lle offered her outright questions and answers. I also felt that watching the newly support in these actions. available video called HOME GROWN KIDS together, would be Mare Ile also spoke of how her current pmposals include great. Mare Ile welcomed this idea and strongly recommended that having our local schools open their doors to homeschooling Glen Edwards be invited to participate. I am willing to initiate this families in the same way as they have to long distance educating and I intend to request secretarial support and administration costs families. That is, they become available for accessing resources be tended to through the department. I will also be requesting that for social instructions to welcome the resource needs of a conference space is offered for use, maybe at The Orphanage. homeschooling families and invite children to participate in Teachers Centre in Goodwood. Any wishes to present a talk special aztivities like camps, sports days, swimming programmes, please contact me on(08) 398-2005(Children &/or adults.) excursions and music classes with their peers; even to go for the On that hote, I just remembered that Mare Ile has agreed occasional or regular lunch hour to hang out with special friends. to request that The Orphanage Library start a specialist section on Two of Mare lle's next steps are as follows: homeschooling with regard to books, videos and journals. If (a) to publish a brochure detailing procedures of parents homeschooling takes off in S.A. like it is doing in other states wishing to register and apply exemption to home-educate (a (NSW had 700 new registrations in just this last year!), then this "welcoming" brochure!) can start branching out into our local TASS Centres. So send any (b) to establish a task force with parents (and interested recommendation to be published in our newsletter and I will take children will be my suggestion) to really get the ball rolling! For responsibility for passing these on to the library manager this to occur, she will be inviting Glen Edwards, Associate concerned. Director General - Schooling, and her superior, to put his I also requested a recommendation of an education blessings on this process, in the next couple of weeks. (If you are journal that interested folks could write about homeschooling in, interested in being part of this, I suggest that you make yourself to gain professional understanding and recognition. She known to Mare lle. Her telephone number is(086) 45-6500.) suggested an Australian journal called Curriculum Perspectives One last thing is that I suggested, in the near future, that and she knows the editor personally. She suggested that he would a day's seminar is established that brings together all who are probably be interested in including a Point and Counterpoint participating in the process that is involved in legally offering our section on homeschooling. children the educational option of home-based learning. That is, So in summary, due to Mare Ile's position coming up for officials (senior administration, as well as district grabs in December, she has committed herself to getting this show superintendents/attendance officers) and parents, as well as rolling with solid momentum prior to this time. I am grateful for interested children to get together in the name of working together her breadth and depth of understanding, as well as competence in as a co-operative team/whole. I suggested that a couple of actualising her visions. I will be sending a copy of this report to speakersfrom each category give a short talk on their Mare lle.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 42 260 MUSIC

REPERTOIRE. OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES

i The Children:

KNOWNSONGS HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT Revise and sing songs leer dentify regular 14 wevious phases. THEY EXPECT SCHOOL eproduce environs,'

Mil/ SONGS CHILDREN TO KNOW ?? ove to the beat o: Tgee Th--57.1Tabusp 86) lay the beat on .'Hey Mr Echo (MBY When constructing a program or evaluating one's child some tep the beat of a .41Down Came a Lady (CAS people feel it is important to know what school children are .*Love Somebody (SS) supposed to lmow at each grade level. One of the easier ways to epresent the beat .4tHow Many Raindrops (SS, find this out, I found when in Western Australia recently at the *ad left to rLght Trot Old Joe (SS) State Government BookshopSupply House Grnd FL 815 Hay epresent the 'seat Click Clack (CSB, St, Perth WA 6000 Telephone 09 222 8216 Fax 09 321 2192. ben a child steps .41Go Home/Come Home (CSB hildren place sym Little Mouse (CAS They had quite a few interesting resources (The Ministry Office in song. March March Soldiers Royal St carries some supplementary material, not available in hildren point to (CAS Hay St.) syllabuses, videos & other materials. Some of it is very inging a song. Solo singing) overpriced & not a great deal of use to homeschoolers but some hildren identify 1, things I found interesting are copied in small part on pages 43-45. ong. Songs for themes and sp occasions (syllabus p 4 MATHEMATICS They sell a set of seven A3 sized sheets ontinue to accompe own choice) called Maths Syllabus Overview that state in jargon, but still quite he strong first be readable terms, what the W.A. Education Department thinks that lay the accent on Songs for expressive si a child should know in all the main areas of mathematics at each everal children pe (See SS, MBF, or own ch grade level in primary school. It is set out in a very detailed format with columns so you can "mark off' what your child knows. I Hear With My Lit There are TWO full sets in a packet and when I was there they attern. cost JUST $1.45 EACH SET OF TWO !!! lemory game on a tc HIKES ENGLISH The same exists (seven A3 sized sheets) in a very eacher or child cl slection detailed format (with columns so you can "mark off" what your tyme. Children ie (See PIM, MFML for ideas) child knows) called English Syllabus Overview under headings such as Language Concepts, Text understandings and ECORDED MUSIC conventions, Spoken Language, Punctuation, Phonology, Forms hildren clap or p: om: (AIM Grade 1 Vol. 2 of Text many people tell me that they would like to know if Morris Dance they are "covering" what the schools think is important for a child to know and here is a very cheap and easy way to do this ! xplain and use the ord accurately. MUSIC: There is also a set for music which I believe was around $7 but again it was K-6 and lists repertoire, objectives, activities and evaluation for each grade level, it is called Music air songs (see not Progamming ideas for Primary Schools. hythms. Encourage ords. You may wie

i BEAT AND RHYTHM 1

1 1.10 Distinguish between beat and I a) Sing a known song - rhythm. b) Beat/rhythm circle c) Use a puppet - sing without singing whf

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 43 261 Learning MathematicsSYLLABUS OVERVIEW : Stage Two Bold italicprint indicates object PART FOUR: MEA SU REMEN T Mass PART ONE: PART ONE: 1. Use recommended mar Movement and Posirton in the Environment Length variety of free and dire( activities such as: balar 1. Use stimulus material in a variety 1.Cany out activities which develop hefting, lifting, lowerin an interest in movement and of free and directed activities such throwing. rolling. carry as: classifying, sorting, matching, position: cooking. ordering, arranging, building, (a) according to directions constructing. 2. Compare and seriate ol formulated by teachers and quantities of material a 2. Compare and striate linear children; mass. (b) move around territories, home dimensions: area, neutral ground. 3. Play games and carry (a) of objects; activities using the see 2. Plan and arrange the classroom (b) of persons; and other areas for special pur- (c) of distances' 4. Carry out experiments poses. modelling material usii 3. Measure lengths and distances balance. 3. Carry out activities to investigate: scing arbitrary units. Estimate before measurin. 5.Find own mass with t (a) regions and boundaries; assistance using scale (b) paths. 4. Use the l0 cm rod as a measuring unit. 6. Relate actitities with 4. Make models and drawings of arbitrary measures of 5. Find own height in centimetres familia; objects and areas. attributes. with teacher's assistance. PART TWO: PART FIVE: Exploring Three-dimensional Shape 6.Relate measurement of length to Time other measures. 1.Carry out activities to become 1. Take part in incidenta familiar with the attributes of PART TWO: of times, dates and eve shapes. Area 2. Take part in activities 2. Carry out activities involving the I. Use a variety of material in free sequences of events: comparison and classification of and directed activities such as: shapes. colouring, painting, cutting out, (a) days of the week; pasting, framing, enclosing, (b) use of the calendai 3. Model and draw a variety of covering, tracing, drawing, pattern (c) names of the seaso shapes. making. (d) current school eve 4. Carry out activities in which the 2. Carry out games and activities (e) annual events. uses of shapes in common objects requiring movement and 3. Take part in activities and structures are investigated. arrangement of shapes. PART THREE: (a) response to rhythr 3. Compare and senate the si:e of (b) moving at differen Exploring Two-dimensional shape surface and areas by: (a) rotational movem 1.Carry out activities to investigate (a) direct comparison; (d) timing, using arbit methods. the attributes of shapes. (b) use of arbitrary units. 2.Carry out activities involving the 4. Use timing devices to 4Relate activities with area to comparison anftlassification of arbitrary measure of other appreciation of the di: shapes. attributes. time intervals such as three minutes. ten mi 3.Make and draw a variety of shapes. PART THREE: Volume and Capacity 5.Carry out activities ir 1.Investigate the use of shapes in and clock reading: common objects and structures. I. Use a variety of material in free activities such as: pouring, filling (a) play game, using PART FOUR: and emptying, modelling and dials; Transforming Shapes shaping, packing, stacking, (b) tell the time on el I.Carry out activities to investigate building, combining and (c) begin learning to changes in position. separating, constructing and at signifwant vnoi dismantling, cooking ... the day. 2.Carry out activities to investigate 2.Carry out directed activities symmetrical shapes and patterns. involving informal (non. numerical) comparison of the PART ONE: -4 1Itiat11.1ins"{tire Addition and Subtnctia

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C.r 55 MARKET STREET. SYDNEY 2000 4t 1, v POSTAL ADDRESS A. .1. 46 ; BOX 33 G.P.O . SYDNEY 2001 i S i CA TELEPHONE: (02) 561 8100 NEW SOUTH WALES FAX: (02) 561 8185

Ms Jo-Anne Beirne Homeschoolers Australia Pty. Ltd. PO Box 420 KELLYVILLE NSW 2153

Dear Ms Beirne

Ireferto your letter concerning the legalresponsibilities for theregistration of homeschooling.

The Education Reform Act, 1990, is quite clear on the question ofresponsibility for the registration for homeschooling. Registration is approved by the Minister forEducation and Youth Affairs following receipt of a report and recommendation from anauthorised person. I have authorised officers from the Board of Studies to advise me on thequality of the educational progams which are presented following application for registration.

The matters concerning the case of "The Family" have now been resolvedby the court system. Officers from the Department of CommunityServices aware of the provisions under the Education Reform Act, 1990.

The NSW Government is committed to an effective education system whichprovides for all students.In this State, it includes public and private schooling and homeschooling.The Education Reform Act, 1990, provided the basis for a positive approach to homeschoolingand this Government is committed to ensuring that this approach continues.

Yours sincerely As the court case concerning the Family drew to its settlement Homeschoolers Australia was nominated to supervise the educational program of the Family's children without prior consultation with either myself or the Board of Studies. Anna Adams and I were horrified by this option and objected in the strongest possible terms. We met much resistance from The Department of Community Services Official and Virginia even legal representatives who said that DOCS were being obliging MinisterI aEducation and Youth Aairs rather than creating the dangerous precedent that we could see for the Minister formployment and TraininR future, hut we held on and won. We were so concerned that we wrote to the Minister for Education on the issue requesting that DOCS be 3 1 DEC informed about the wording of The Education Reform Act 1990 and 1192 the reality that DOCS had no right to appoint anyone to assess an educational program other than the Board of Studies. I have decided to publish this letter in the interests of precedent and so it can be used in the future should some further incursion into the education of registered homeschoolers be undertaken by D.O.C.S.

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Subscription $30 per year for 6 information packed issues to Homeschoolers Australia P.O. Box 420

5. Prevention of discrimination. Active attempts are made to HOMESCHOOLING balance the tendency to discriminate against boys in primary ADVANTAGES & GOALS schools (many more primary aged boys are in learning difficulties classes than primary aged girls) and discriminate against girls through the secondary curriculum (keeping girls' confidence and 1. One to one, or at least small group tuition. interest high in maths and science and valuing their skills in history and English as highly as mathematics-science skills). (a) freedom to meet the diverse academic, emotional, psychological and social needs of the individual child; 6. Harmony and continuity of values. Removal of the adverse (b) freedom to answer questions, pursue curiosity and special pressure the peer group applies so often in schools e.g. the tendency interests; to under age drinking, smoking, materialism, drugs & dishonesty (c) enables a broad and diverse curriculum to be covered; The ability and will of parents to supply long term security, (d) prevents education burnout by allowing flexible scheduling; acceptance, understanding, support and values for their children. (e) freedom to pursue the child's learning at their own rate; Home provides the best atmosphere (conditions) for acquiring a (f) builds an atmosphere of trust in the capability of every child to good sense of self-worth,competence, independence, sensitivity achieve their own learning potential; and sense of humour to deal with the realities of life. (g) facilitates flexible and efficient use of community educational resources. 7. Protects from overstirnulation. School takes up too much time and energy, which is not effectively used and limits other activities. 2. Time to access a broad range of educational resources. In the Homeschooled children's free time is not spent recovering from the wider community, we are not limited or constricted by the overstimulation of school but in pursuing valuable learning for life. administrative, physical, expertise and economic boundaries of the classroom. Learning has real purpose. Access to the broad S. Produces happier, more inquisitive and creative human community as a valuable resource, lots of experience of the real beings and happier families. world and the work of people in the real world. 9. Provides opportunity for self-evaluation and self-motivation 3. More opportunity to recognise, explore and extend individual on the basis of progress, potential and mastery. learning differences. For instance recognition and development of sport, intrapersonal, music and art intelligences as well as pursuing Liberally interpreted from the schools' traditional mathematical and linguistic intelligerces. GROWING WITHOUT St.:HOOLING MAGAZINE ISSUE 40 4. Formal education can be introduced at the right time. Published by Holt Associates Research has shown that the readiness of individuals for "school- 2269 Massachusettes Ave., type" learning can be extremely variable. Cambridge MA 02140 U.S.A.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 47 266 BESTCOPY AVAILABLE Homeschoolers Australia What sOn? JANUARY MARCH If you have a special event 24th January *BRISBANESun 21st March national, state or local that you * SYDNEY would like listed in this section Homeschooling Seminar I will be in Queensland for the week and so have planned a Homeschooling Seminar with a few please send us the details at Kellyville 1 - 5 p.m. interested families. From 1-5 p.m. 84 Livesay Rd (allowing plenty of time for Cost $20 per family, $15 per family Bellbowrie. 07 2027642 if you would like to publication). for those who have already attended attendplease ring Greg or Kim- more details in one of our homeschooling seminars in the next newsletter. the past. Topics covered include Resources, Socialization, Success, * SYDNEY-COMPUTER Experience. How do I homeschool? OTHEREVENTS How structured should I be? How do I WORKSHOP Sunday 28th program & evaluate ? What is required March 10 a.m. -4 p.m. of me, what books do I use? This event See details inside this Australian Homeschool is definitely on, so if you are interested Journal, page 9. If you wish to register and find FEBRUARY please contact Jo-Anne Beirne on 02 Cataract Dam Camp 26th - out more details contact Jo-Anne Beime 02 629 629 3727 for more details. 3727 or Bill Chalker 02 4844680 28th February 1993 Contact Susan Dowey on 046 * CANBERRA 28th Jan 311180 for details if you wish to APRIL attend this camp. John Holt Book & Music Store & Raymond & Dorothy Moore books * SYDNEY 30th April presentation and general Homeschooling Seminar at homeschooling discussions at Weston Kellyville 1 - 5 p.m. MARCH Park. Contact Claire Powell 06 251 Cost $20 per family, $15 per family for those Queensland Home Educators 6663 for details. If raining Steve and who have already attended one of our Group Conference Wendy Hodgman's house 27 homeschooling seminars in the past. Topics Brisbane 22nd-25th March Higginbotham St Watson contact 06 covered include Resources, Socialization, Contact Rachel Hearn for more 247 9358. Success, Experience. How do I homeschool? details 075 436 451 How structured shoulfl I be? tIow do I program & evaluate ? What is required of me, what books FEBRUARY do I use? If enough people are interested this JUNE * SYDNEY 8th February event will be on. Please check beforehand and Central Queensland Get- contact Jo-Anne Beirne on 02 629 3727 for Together (see this AHJ - Letters An attempt at a regular meeting for page 15 for more information) people with high school aged more details. Send a non-refundable $5 homeschoolers. If you would like to deposit to Kathy Boles 2 become part of a group of people who Regular Homeschool Richard St Emu Park 4702 for are interested in furthering the more details or ring 079 396 213 educational and social contacts of their Meetings at Kellyville high school aged children please including SPORTS DAYS contact Debbie Armanious for details * Tuesday February 16th 529 20 32 * Tuesday March 16th * SYDNEY- Cataract Dam * Monday April 19th * Tuesday May 18th. 28th February 1993 John Holt Bring Lunch and any games you think your kids Book & Music Store & Raymond & might like to play. We have a parachute and we Dorothy Moore book stall at Cataract plan to do face painting with the younger Happy Dam. This event has been totally children at the February 16th meeting (a organised, facilitated and promoted by donation towards costs required).Don't forget Susan Dowey who is kindly letting us hats and sunblock !! Kellyville Park Memorial Homoschook set up this stall. Please contact Susan Drv Kellyville. Ring Jo-Anne Beirne 02 629 on 046 311180 for details if you wish 3727, Dodie Conway 02 6394858 for details. to attend this cam AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 37 PAGE 48

267 Australian Homeschool Journal ISSUE 38 Publishers: Jo-Anne & Greg Beirne

Subscription to this journal is $30 for 6 issues to P.O. Box 420Kellyville 2153

4A, rri Ideas or opinions expressed in articles and letters are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors and publishersof this journal. 8 Australian Homeschool Journal Issue 38 March/April 1993

Yor.:. Letters 4-9 Family 23-28 Legal & Political Issues 35-41 What's on 10 More on the Issue of Custody South Australia Lynden Jacobi Qld Conference, Computer Workshop, Queensland Homeschooling in our family Seminars, NSW Conference West Australia Sue Cartwright Sales Tax Exemption & Funding Forget about Planning Quality Time Practical Issues 11-22 Ed Wocicji (Reprinted from Media 42-44 Mothering magazine) Children Writing diaries Homeschoolers in the news Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne Jo-Anne Beirne Education Issues 29-34 Going back to school Education round-up Opening up the Options Toby Adams Compiled by Jo-Arne Beirne Damien Murphy (Reprinted from Choosing Teachers for 'Out of Time Magazine) Homeschool' Activities Resource Information Schools Failing to Confront a Very Jo-Anne Beirne 45-47 Real Crisis Maths textbooks in the Homeschool Questacon- Canberra ACT Teacher (Reprinted from The Jo-Anne Beirne Jo Boehm Canberra Times) Acquistion of Literacy ABC TV Program etc. More to Teaching than Chalk and Talk Alanya Sutcliffe Jo-Anne Beirne Geoffrey Maslen (Reprinted from the Reading Aloud is Not Enough The Moores Video -Home Grown Canberra Times) Patrick Groff (Reprinted from Kids. Mothering Magazine) Reading Without Nonsense Frank Smith

About the Editor CALLING ALL HOME- I am a 36 year old happily married woman, to my beloved (patient & SCHOOLERS enduring) husband Greg. We have always horneschooled our four chil- I am planning to update the dren. Gregory is nearly 13, Rebecca 11 Support groups/individuals years, Stephen nearly 9 and Mary-Beth contact list for Issue 39 or 40 3 years. We live about 45 kms from Contributions Sydney on a 5 acre block where we as I know many people have don't grow our own produce, have to this journal stopped their groups and/or horses nor even chickens - we tried it ceased homeschooling, as well but we just aren't farmers ! We try to are warmly as other groups starting. IF support, encourage and challenge YOU WANT TO BE LISTED homeschoolers, with varying degrees of success, failure & reward. We are welcomed. as an individual or a group, committed to information dissemina- anywhere in this great coun- tion about the option of homcschooling try, PLEASE INFORM US so that others can learn about this NOW Homeschoolers important moral, social and academic P.O. alternative to traditional schooling. Australia Box 420 Kellyville 2153. Thank you.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 2

. 269 From the Editors Desk P.O. BOX 420 KELLYVILLE 2153

AN INVITATION- Publicity NSW Homeschooling Conference I hope that you can take a spareHomeschooling has had great media'Open Network' day. moment to write and share with uscoverage in the last couple of months,Following on the lead of the your homeschooling anecdotes, expe-the families involved have done us allVictorians, the Queenslanders and riences, hopes, fears and concerns. Iproud. (See this edition Home school- Sue Dowey in NSW. A group of would love to hear from you. You caners in the Media). It has also generat-homeschoolers here in NSW have only get better at writing if you prac-ed lots of inquiries to The Board ofdecided to facilitate an innovative tise! Studies in NSW & homeschoolingconference on homeschooling in organisations. If you do some mediaNSW based around an exploration of DON'T FORGET 28th March 1993 work please send it to us, as we wouldall the things homeschoolers already The Computer Seminar ! Details arelove to publish the details. do with their children. We figure most in What's On, page 10 this issue. horneschooling parents are experts in Libraries - Congratulations Ku-some field or another or have interests Queensland Conference ring gai Municipal Library! they would like to pursue/share with I shall be speaking at the QueenslandFirst, thanks to those people who haveother homeschoolers. The aim of the Home Education Conference ondonatedsubscriptionsoftheunconference is not to listen to Tuesday 23rd March on learning andAustralian Homeschool Journal toexperts but to get "in touch" with the on Wednesday 24th March re: thetheL library. We are already gettingskills and experiences that are so three Education Acts that we havecalls from people who have found outplentiful in the homeschooling com- lived under here in NSW. If you areabout homeschooling in their library. munity. Anna Adams (02 8094676) coming to this conference, pleaseMany people who cannot find anywould like to hear from you if you introduce yourself as I am lookinginformation on homeschooling inhave any suggestions on the issue - forward to meeting many home-bookstores go to their local library.there are more details inside this edi- schooling "pen- friends". However many have no informationtion of the journal page 9. on homeschooling. What to do? We 0000PS !!! are trying to get our updated informa-NEXT ISSUE I feel rather stupid because in the lasttion booklet Getting Started WithFunding journal I printed that the next seminarHomeschooling onto the shelves in all d like homeschoolers to consider about homeschooling is on the 30thNSW libraries (300). This is not easyand write about the idea of funding April - BUT this day is a FRIDAY. Ibecause it is presently in pamphletfor homeschooling. Issues you might must have looked up the wrongform - but we're working on it! Somelike to think about would include loss month - I can't exactly blame the cal-wonderful & dedicated homeschool-of autonomy, regulation, how much, endar! The next Sydney seminar is oners have been lobbying their localhow often, equity and justice. See the 18th April - sorry for any inconve-libraries to buy books about home-inside for more information about the nience. schooling. Librarians mostly do have Sales Tax issue. a policy about ordering books thatSpreading the Word John Holt Bookstore catalogues people request and so if you tell yourJulia Boxx from Mudgee has written a We are presently awaiting a largelibrarian what you want you may wellsuperb article on practical ways of order of books from the US , so in thefind it on your shelves sooner than"spreading the word" about home- next issue, Issue 39, we will be send-you think. Ku-ring gai Municipalschooling, which I am looking for- ing out another copy of our catalogue. Library has ordered 20 homeschool-ward to publishing. I also plan to If you want one in the meantimeing books from the John Holt Book &include with the next edition - Issue please ring us on 02 629 3727 andMusic Store this week - so the home-39 - an advertisement that can be we'll post one straight away. schoolers in that shire have a greatplaced in your local library or on a range to choose from including Hardcommunity noticeboard to help people Q Stores Times in Paradise & Family Matters -get informed about the possibility of Q Stores have rung to ask me totwo great sellers in the US at thehomeschooling. It's always exciting to remind people who have not settled moment. If you would like catalogues talk to people who say "You mean it' s their bills to do so. If you are one ofto give to your librarian please ring uslegal?" "Why haven't I heard about these people, could you please attendon 02 629 3727 and I'll send youit?". We had over 70 enquiries here to this ASAP so that the service is notsome and don't forget to ASK yourat Homeschoolers Australia in the cut out for all homeschoolers . librarian about books on homeschool- week ending 13th March 1993. ing for your library soon.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 3 270 Letters Letters Letters

ANYONE FOR ITALIAN?

Jill Alroe, Gilgandrz, NSW: John Aquilina, NSW Shadow Is there any homeschoolers learning or HIGH SCHOOL HOME- Minister for Education and YouthSCHOOLING CONTACTS speaking Italian? Joel (11) has beenAffairs: learning through Stott'sMany thanksforyourletter. Correspondence and would love some-Generalizations such as are often foundFabienne Durdin, Nong Khai, one to write and speak to in Italian.in media articles are bound to offendThailand: Our addressisP.O. Box 233people such as yourself. I have noThank you very much for your letter Gilgandra, NSW 2827. doubt that there are scores of parentsand suggestions. You are a real gold such as yourself who have assessed allmine of informv.tion about home- LEARNING DISABILITIES the alternatives and made a sound andschooling. We found books about tak- CONTACT logical decision concerning home-ing the SAT and the ACT in Bangkok - schooling. That decision also entailswhen we visited there last year (quite a number of Thai students go to the USA Robyn Tsapazi, Leeming, WA: scubstantial dedication, commitment and sacrifice for your role as parent. Ifor tertiary and /or post graduate stud- ....I have enjoyed reading the journals ies). Also, a friend in the USA has and have found lots of valuable infor-am equally convinced, however, that been sending us a bit of information mation. My daughter is learning dis-there are several parents for whom homeschooling is a "way out", anabout colleges there. We were very abled and because of this I seem to be encouraged by the information you about the only mother doing homeoption which is not in the best interests provided about tertiary opportunities in tutoring with a disabled child. I wouldof the children, either in the short term Australia. be grateful if you could pass my nameor long term. My eldest son Marc (16 now) is on to others who may in the same posi- tion. In Perth I seem to be the onlyACCESSING COMMUNITYvery keen on a career involving com- one. It would be good to exchange puters and he has become extremely COURSES proficient in programming as a result information and help problem solve if of working alongside my husband John necessary. Keep up the good work. It is Esther Nott, Wahroonga, NSW: whose work here consists mainly of appreciated here in the West. Thomas and I are enjoying a calligra-program development for linguistics (J.B. I highly recommend the follow- phy course at the local (Waitara)applications, as well as consulting for ing books to anyone who wants to fur- Adventist Activities Centre in term #1 other aid organisations. John and Marc ther investigate the area of learningfor two hours each Tuesday afternoon. disabilities, The Learning Mystique have been developing a dictionary We are very pleased we persuaded thedatabase program for use with South- by Gerard Coles; Learning Denied by organisers to accept Thomas as he isEast Asian languages. Denny Taylor and Exploding theonly 10. Myth of Learning Disabilities by As I prepared for this year's home- We attribute our success to swift actionschooling I realised how difficult it can Susannah Sheffer) in phoning one of the organisers andbe to avoid falling back into a "school- turning up early on registration day DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR room" approach, especially after deal- and the approachability of the churching with two years of correspondence LETER FROM MR JOHN representative in question. lessons for the older ones. Do you AQUILINA? know of anyone who is homeschooling CATHOLIC NEWSLETTER at upper high school level (or better yet (Ed Many homeschoolers complained I am also writing a newsletter to factili-someone who has done it) with whom I to Mr Aquilina, Dick Shearman andtate communication between orthodoxcould exchange ideas? The Teachers Federation about theirCatholics in NSW -"Keeping In try to get the writers and illus- commentst thc end of 1992 in an arti- Touch". Subscription is $10 per annumtrators in our family to contribute to cle written by Wayne Miller of the(6 issues) Esther Nott, 21 Edwards Rdthe AHJ. As members of SIL, John and Telegraph Mirror. Everyone I know Wahroonga NSW 2076. I have to get anything for publication received the following replies.) checked by our director, so it would be

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 4

_271 more complicated for us to contribute. Denise Traynor, Chisholm, ACT Canberra Times. Sad to say nowhere is May the Lord bless you with the wis-Joshua is 14 years old and this is thehomeschooling suggested as a solution dom, grace and strength you need infirst school year he has been home-(in whole or in part) for the various the months ahead. schooling. Joshua breeds mice andproblems identified. does gymnastics and athletics.. He HELPFUL SEMINARS wrote "The Mouse" poem for theAlanya Sutcliffe, Penrith, NSW, newsletter. Thank you Jo-Anne forDistance Education Support Unit: Julia Boxx, Mudgee NSW: your wonderful presence, advice and I am writing to thank you and the other I want to thank you for the workshopsupport on your recent trip to Canberrahomeschoolers for the welcome you in January in Sydney. It was well- it was terrific. The books I purchasedextended me last Sunday at your worth our time, money and effort tohave been most helpful - different per-Sydney Region seminar. The seminar attend. Being still relatively new tospectives and practicalities, etc. I amwas very informative and dispelled a homeschooling, we learned a goodenjoying the ncwsletter enormouslyfew doubts and misconceptions I had deal about resources available, differ- and learning constantly. Many Thanks. held. I was especially impressed by the ent approaches and issues which need(JB You will fmd Joshua's great poemsincerity of the presenter and practi- our further careful thought. I admireaccompanying the article Children'stioners and I support and commend our your enthusiasm and dedication to Diaries) common objective of providing the home schooling. Your efforts with the most appropriate learning environment Journal and these workshops are aDrew Corrigan, Bonython ACT for each child in New South Wales. valuable resource to homeschoolingWe were so pleased to be able to meet families. It would be terrific if youyou in person when you visitedAHJ- COMMENTS were able to get up our way for aCanberra back in January. We thor- workshop - perhaps Lithgow, Bathurstoughly enjoyed our conversation andJackie Stibbard, Blacktown, NSW: or Katoomba. I'm sure you would haveappreciated the opportunity to lookThank you very much for all your a large number of people attending.through the books you brought down. wonderful work in providing a first- And to you. Greg our thanks too. IThank you so much for the copies ofclass journal for Homeschoolers in know there's a lot of "behind theGWS you sent. We have been mostAustralia. I always look forward in scenes" work to make these meetingsimpressed with the magazine and willanticipation for the next issue to arrive successful. Your efforts weren't unno-be ordering a set of back issues fromin the mail, and I spend the next few ticed by us either. the US soon. days being totally encouraged and (JB: I will be in Bathurst for a country I haven't forgotten my promise toinspired by every article. seminar and to show books from The review the two books by David Lewis John Holt Book and Music Store arid("How to be a Gifted Parent" andLouise Murphy, Lurnea, NSW: The Moores on Sunday May 16th in"Mind Skills") nor have I forgotten to .... Ienjoyed all the issues last year and the large room of theEducation write up my own experiences in self-look forward to getting the AHJ in '93 . Resource Centre Cnr George & Rocketdirected learning. I have started work Sts Bathurst. If anyone would like toon one of the reviews. As I have been Hatfield,Quinindi , NSW: attend the seminar and meet otherworking on it I noticed with interestWe are really appreciating the Journal country homeschooling families on thethat Mr Lewis cites a couple of works- thanks again for your efforts. day please contact Marcel le Foundlingby John Holt, so there appears to beAfter three terms at High School for more details 063 322 132.) some commonality of thought betweenMonty decided that he wasn't particu- the two. When we were discussinglarly enjoying having to learn a lot of Sue Elvis, Unanderra, NSW your son's interest in "Logo" and com- things that weren't of interest to him, Thank you for a very interesting semi-puter networks such as the "Internet" ithe found it difficult coping with teach- nar. It is always good to get togetheroccurred to me that a brief introductioners who had no respect for the students with other homeschooling families. Ito these kind of facilities (and what and felt there was a lot of wasted time. always come home with lots ofthey offer inquisitive homeschoolers)Socially he had a wonderful time much renewed enthusiasm. After the semi-might be of interest to your readers. Soto the surprise of the headmaster who nar, I was able to put the finishingI will also write up an overview ofwas sure he would have great difficul- touches to my programme for Felicity.such services in the form of an article ties in that area. John Miller, from the Board of Studies, for you to use as well. visited us last Tuesday. FelicityPlease be patient with expecting theseSusan Lacoba, Camperdown, NSW: enjoyed this visit immensely. My pro-items from me. Things are terribly Thanks for all your work on the A1-13. gram was fine and we have a two yearbusy here (at the A.N.U. where I work) have almost read "In Their Own registration. What a relief that it is all with the start of the academic year. InWay"(Armstrong) a book reviewed in over! I always enjoy reading the addition, we are endeavouring to start athe journal recently. I have found it so Journal and appreciate all your hardcouple of home-based businesses. So, helpful that I would like my own copy. work that goes into it. it may be a month or more before I can devote a lot of time to writing. ForJanet Christopherson, Northbridge, your interest I have enclosed several NSW newspaper items from a recent....Thanks for the information and

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 5 2.72 A1-1.1! The success of homeschoolingfacilitate this re-education process is toI live in the country secluded by forests and degree of recognition is a credit todemand a high level of respect andall around. My life is pretty much your dedication. accountability which I think your replypeaceful and quiet, my "school" sys- did. tem very relaxed. I go to a tutor for Teresa Stevenson, Jimboomba Qld Alegbra and English grammar/compo- ....Thank you for that well-worded let-AMERICAN PEN - FRIENDS sition once a week. I also take. choir (I ter you sent as a suggestion concerning am an accompianist for a choir) and the correspondence school. I hit a veryJoyce Dielschneider, Iowa, USA driver's education at our local public low spot at the end of last year I'mWe live in the Mid-West of the Unitedschool. I have been playing the piano on an up now. We had an anti-clutterStates, in the state of Iowa. We arefor 8 years. My interests include campaign and giant spring clean that'shomeschooling our three boys, agesmusic, cultural anthropology, tennis, almost done plus a few really relaxing 12, 10 and 7. Our ten year old, Adamaviation, writing and spending time days off. I will homeschool Phil thiswould like to write to someone inwith my lovely mother. Please write year too without correspondenceAustralia. Could you give us theback and tell me all about your system because I'm convinced we can do bet-address of a boy his age that would beof schooling. I am very interested in ter. However, I still worry about theinterested in having a pen-pal? I gotlearning all about it. And, besides legal side. Circumstances permittingyour name from the Moore foundationreceiving mail is exciting! Especially I'd like to meet you when you are up inas a contact person for home school inmail from Australia. Thanks a lot! March. I would Iike to purchase two Australia. I hope you can help us out! 55616 Williams Lake Rd, Deming interesting science books advertised inthank you very much. The addressWashington 98244 US. themagazine"MoreSciencewould be: Adam Dielschneider, R.R.I. Experiments You Can Eat" and "TheBox 66, Beaman, IA, 50609 GROWTH IN THE Flying Circus of Physics with WOLLONGONG REGION Answers". Thank you once again forMali Sastri, Lexington, Mass. US the work you do for us. I really do Hi! I'm a sixteen year old homeschool- Julie Pinazza, Mt Kembla, NSW appreciate it. er from America and I'm very interest- ...We have four new families home- ed in the country of Australia. I'm hop-schooling around Wollongong that I HOW CHILDREN LEARN ing to visit sometime soon, but in theknow of this year. Three of those four meantime, would like as much infor-have spent some time with us getting Stephen Ward, Sussex Inlet mation on the country as possible. Intheir programs organised and are now I apologise for the delay in returningparticular, I love adventure anddelighted to have two year registra- your book "Compelling Belief" to you.Australia seems to have so much totions. We're looking forward to an Arons does raise some interesting ideo-offer in this area - bushwalking, theexciting year of learning together. logical questions in those middle chap-Outback -Oh! I hope I can come! ....Thank you again for editing and pro- ters. The impact was not the same,Anyway, a friend of mine suggestedducing such a professional publication however, as "How Children Learn" bywriting to homeschoolers or home- for us. Holt ( which I read at the same time).schooling groups such as yours to see It was much more accessible, challeng-if you had any information on orga-GROWTH IN THE ing the heart as well as the head. I hadnized tours or adventures. As a home-NEWCASTLE REGION an interesting discussion with my his-schooler, this is a golden opportunity for me, and I would thrill to take tory tutor last semester. He is an ex- Carolyn Arthur, Beresfield. advantage of it. If you have any infor- high school teacher now vigorously Please find enclosed our Newcastle mation, it would be deeply appreciated. opposed to compulsory education and newsletter. We have grown to 30 fami- Thank you so much! Mali Saari, 10 has many horror stories of class room lies this year! failures, to support his assertions. Bicentennial Drive, Lexington, MA Your reply to the study being done on02173. USA homeschooling by Hunter from GROWTH IN THE Griffith University was an accurate and Roberta Pietila, Deming WashingtonSOUTHERN TABELANDS challenging chastisement of institution- US. al incompetence. I think you are right...I am a fifteen year old homeschooler,Margaret Stone, Moss Vale not to let the idea of homeschooling beliving in the United States. Pretty soonHere is the first family newsletter. We patronised or demeaned by academicsI will be done with my homeschoolare 15 families here in Moss Vale this who have no mai empathy with theeducation and I would like to attend year ! convictions that lead a parent to makecollege in Australia. the decision to teach their children at....if there are any girls my age (15 or home and who inadvertently don'taround there) who would like a pen- show the respect they need to. Plus Ipal, please feel free to give them my think this decision needs to be seen asaddress. I love to write and it would be a rational, intelligent alternative togreat to have a friend in the country I institutional education, not an idiosyn- love so much. (I have been there twice cratic social aberration, and one way toand did not want to leave either time!)

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 6 233 HAPPY & SUCCESSFUL boss, friend or work-mate. ton process. HOME EDUCATED STU- So have we given these children aJordan, our young actor. has fought a great gift? Sure have. Can't beat ahard battle to get good at something he DENTS beautiful, sunny day on the back veran-loves as well. Like his sister there was dah, books in hands, sisters to enjoy,no natural talent for what he wanted to Le Ann Bae, Castle Hill, NSW parents around, subjects of interest todo. Like her again, all his gains have First, I want to thank you, Jo-Anne, forresearch on, results to produce, choresbeen through hard work alone. He your dedication to Homeschoolingto handle and self-esteem intact. takes drama classes during the week because it has paved the way for me and practises scenes out of his favorite and many others to enjoy the freedomSuzie Hammond McGraths Hillmovies for hours. (Not being one to of being with our children and rearingNSW miss an opportunity we got out the them as we see fit. Secondly, Um writ- I thought that a chronicle of the kinds1989 Kenneth Branagh version of ing to make my contribution relating toof things my kids do might inspireHenry V. Jordan was delighte . th this precious freedom. I'm a mother ofsome others to tell us what their kids the drama, battles and the langua._ of 4 children who are being hom,?- are up to. the whole thing. He now uses all these schooled - 12, 10, 8 and 6 so after 2Our children have established a wildlyShakespearean passages for his audi- years, has homeschooling been a suc-long list of things they are interestedtions when they ask him to do some- cess? in. Which, although impressive sound-thing. We also spent weeks immersed Well, let's see what can these kids do? ing, keeps their parents in the poorin English history, from how many 1. 2 of them can do Chinese painting. house. Since we get formal lessons outfeathers Henry ordered to feather the 2. 2 of them can play a decent game ofof the way early in the day and sched- arrows he took to France, to what hap- tennis and 2 swing pretty well for theirule in all sorts of external classes theypened to him and his successor. We age. don't get tired out the way a lot ofwrote a letter to K. Branagh and 3. 4 of them have won ballet scholar-other schooled kids are when they getreceived a signed copy of the screen- ships. home. At the moment we have a balle-play from the movie-that was English 4. they have been featured in localrina (Althea) and an actor (Jordan) instudies for one week.) newspapers for their ballet achieve-the house. This huge amount of interest and con- ments. Althea is now 13 1/2 and has beensequent work on his part have paid off. 5. 2 of them have done TV workdancing fairly seriously for about 5In the past six months he has been in a including an anti-smoking segment foryears.Like other parents we made thefeature movie that is going to the the Life Education programme. rounds of music, gymanstics, etc. ButCannes Film Festival this year, an 6. 2 of them can do the family shop-she seems to have settled on the inten-international Japanese commercial, ping including comparison shopping totion of becoming a world class primaepisodes of GP and several educational get the best prices. ballerina, and she bends a great deal ofvideos including one that all NSW 7. they can all read, write and do mathenergy towards this goal. She has for-school students will see about the to their grade level or above. mal lessons in dance for a total oflibrary and another for the Life 8. They can all sew with a sewingabout 15 hours a week now and she Education Units that go to the schools. machine which they love to do anddances in eistedefods and goes to holi-It's not really important whether or not they can embroider too. They do lotsday schools and summer schools dur-be decides to become an actor when he of craft and love it. ing every term break. Her eisteddfodgrows up, but the learning and self dis- 9. They love all kinds of theatretotals are reaching close to 200 hun-cipline that he gains now by getting Including Shakespeare. dred placings with many champi- good at something he enjoys is superb. 10. They love all kinds of music -clas-onships and scholarships in addition. Lest you think that they are monodi- sical as much as rock. The thing that is most important aboutmensional people let me also mention 11. they love telling jokes to theirall this is her attitude towards the com-that they have both won awards for friends and can work together withpetitions. The winning of a first, sec-their artistic efforts, Althea with her them to create and act out plays. ond, or third place has little, if anypastel still life and calligraphy work 12. They adore history and science -impact, the adjudicators comments in and Jordan for his pottery and dancing. educational TV such as Beyond 2000terms of what he perceived about herBoth have had their letters and work and Behind the News are quite enjoyedactual dancing and the disection of the published in newspapers and both are by them as was Henry V. video afterwards are the things that avid about writing letters of complaint 13 The people they like to interact withcount. Did she actually dance well?to companies that don't fulfill their are of all ages and either sex. Was it a better performance than thecommitments or harm the environ- 14. They can play together for hours &one last month? Has she truely fixedment. seldom fight; they can resolve fightsthat awkward transition step in theChildren have tremendous amounts of by themselves when they happen. middle? These are the importantenergy and wide interests. Our experi- 15. They can recognise a good teacherthings to her. Additionally, eisteddfodsence has been that if they are encour- and a suppressive one so their self-and master classes are all used toaged, not pushed, they achie.ved more esteem will likely not falter shouldbecome thoroughly used to dancingthan we expected, and in a wider area they have to associate with a down-under any, and all, conditions and notthan we had anticipated.Let's hear tone type person who is a teacher,being worried about any sort of audi- from the rest of you!

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 7 274 GETTING STARTED WITH too much structure or parental organi- and by creating a loving, stress-free sation. ...I have read and researchededucationally enthusiastic home-life - HOMESCHOOLING different authors on the subject - most- how could children not learn? ly the Moores, John Holt, Dobson, and But all ideas might sound good and Megan Gosling, Cobar, NSW. any article that came our way. We'vethey might work for other families, but Thanks for all the work you and othersbeen to two of your seminars, metwill they work for us? But I feel a have put into Getting Started withother families and believe in themore structured approach would create Homeschooling. My husband, Bill, and'serendipity approach' i.e. wait andfor me and my family- "burn- I have a little boy, Jamie, 14months search for those moments when theout"....Will a more unstructured and our second baby due in July.child is ready to learn and assist in theapproach find favour with BOS inspec- We've both been reading up on ourprocess. This type of approach takestors? ...I think of one of your recent educational philosophies, in particularlots of courage as people ask: "Whyarticles in your journal: our job is to homeschooling, for the past couple ofaren't you doing this, that or whateverward off the critics and protect the family here years since meeting a with the kids, why can't your childchild so they can have the space to (who've since moved on but are stillread, write, spell, etc. Why aren't yougrow and be educated. close friends) who were very keen ondoing school-at-home, workbooks,So I guess we need reassurance- will homeschooling. We both believe this is drills in phonics, maths and language?" it work for us? Will we gain a registra- the way we will educate our children, I feel, rather than spend hourstion without having a really structured havc at least initially, now that we drilling on phonics and teaching all theprogramme? We appreciate families looked into it ourselves. rules of spelling/language, why notare different, variations in homeschool- Most of the material we've got hold ofwait till the child is really ready? Whating are enormous but really are home- has been of American origin and we'reare the `ready' signs? Well, I'm notschoolers mostly really structured or now looking to becoming more awaresure yet. But as loving and caring par-do some take a more unstructured of what's happening here in Australia.ents, we'll see the signs. To me livingapproach? I've been encouraged several times is learning. So much of what is done in(JB: Yes it will work for you! Any coming across your name in mediathe home can be integrated or expand-parents who so obviously devote so interviews etc. and in reading newslet-ed into the learning process. By takingmuch time and attention to thinking ters from friends. You and yourfamily this approach and encouraging myand reading about what they should do are obviously doing a lotfor the home-children with their various interestswith their children will undoubtedly school movement in Australia - espe-and talents, by being with them, takingprovide a most positive and beneficial cially in helping it to be recognised asthem where I go and allowing themlearning environment for them. No alternative to a serious and responsible freedom to grow, I believe they will beteacher in any school system could the present school system. Againeducated. We are accumulating ourpossibly care about or devote the atten- ...thank you. Hope you find plenty ofresources, now - encyclopaedias, sci-tion to your children that you do encouragement in your efforts.

HAVING THE COURAGE TO TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR LEARNING

Julie & Darren Higgins, Mirabooka, NSW We arc Chrisitans and the parents of five precious children from the age of 5 down. I have been in contact with other families and I started to feel how different I wanted our approach to be....Our eldest child is a very sociible, outgoing athletic and bright little girl who really enjoys her younger siblings. At times she's a bit restless so I nowence books charts, maps, story books,because they have so many adrninistra- occasionally sir down with her and crafts teaching aids, manuals, ( actual-tive, time and financial constraints. "write", draw, colour, cut and paste ly, books, books, books). We believeRaymond Moore writes of a study of mostly on an afternoon while the etc. in our kids, we believe in their in-builtover a thousand schools matched other children rest. She enjoys thesenatural desire to learn. By providing aagainst over a thousand homeschools. times! .. Darren and I believe in giving Its conclusions were that in the very time tobroad spectrum of resources, by expo- our children freedom and sure to various activities and the homebest schools the best teachers gave on explore and play in their world without

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 8 275- average 7 minutes of individualisedexperiences and different ways of pro-from our families, friends and support time to each child in a week whereas cessing information. What use is it to agroups. While I do think it is important the average homeschoolig motherchild who lives and works on a farm toto state that the common bond for all gives 70 minutes of individualised timespend valuable time filling in a socialhomeschoolers must be a quality edu- in a DAY! That means whcn your chil-studies worksheet topic on "farms"? Acation for our children, facilitating dren are ready to read or need yourprogram designed by the parent canfriendships and sharing resources time and attention you will give it to take advantage of the particular knowl-depends very much on those individual them appropriately. Sure plenty ofedge of the child. For example if yourreasons for homeschooling. children learn by drilling, but plenty ofchild has a great love for history, this Over the last year I have children learn without drilling. Schoolscan be used to broaden and deepengained the impression that there is do not have a monopoly on knowledgeknowledge in other areas from mathsroom for another support group in nor the ability to teach it. It seems such to literature and music or art. Sydney - cityside. The philosophies of a shame to incorporate instruction In designing your own cur- this group I would see as being educa- based teaching as it is in the schoolsriculum, parents must really devote tion driven, family-centred, holistic. If into the home - go with your heart !) time to deciding exactly what type ofanyone would be interested in such a education they want for their child andsupport group and feel they would like SETTING UP YOUR OWN what. form it is going to take. "They are to share resources, philosophies, litera- CURRICULUM able to allocate appropriate time toture, science material, and possible specific learning areas. Your child may social contact for their children please well need more help and time in read-contact, in the first instance, Barbara S.T. Perth WA : Braathen on 02 436 2057. I would be I am interested in buying a home-ing or maths, as a committed parent you are going to make sure this ispreparedtoco-ordinateinitial school curriculum for homeschooling exactly what they get. An individu-enquiries, put people in touch, organise for one year, my children are 7 and 9 alised program allows you to responda meeting, or whatever is appropriate. I years. I was wondering in particular to the reality of your family, emphasis-would be grateful if you could list this whether there is a homeschool curricu- ing your own and your child's needsgroup on your contact list. It would be lum where the information is set out in good if other groups could furnish you a progressive manner with worksheets and preferences. with similar information . or something similar for each subjectNAMING SUPPORT area. I already have an education syl- (JB You're exactly right Barbara. In labus for most subject areas from the GROUPS homeschooling there are a very diverse education department but this is diffi- group of people from a huge range of cult to follow at present as it only pre- Braathen, Narembuin Barbara religions, philosophies, educational NsW sents ideas rather than specific exercis- and ethnic backgrounds. Some home- Thank you tor your informa- es that build on previous lessons. schoolers are delighted to meet any- The above is a common example oftive and supportive journal. It is a valu- where or anytime with anyone. Others letters we regularly receive, follow-able resource for those grappling withprefer to meet with people who are what can be a very steep learning ing is our typical reply) more closely aligned with their think- curve. I have also heard positive feed- Here at Homeschooler's ing. I am happy to publish information Australia, we do not believe that a pro- back from those who have theabout individuals or support groups, Resource Book and "Getting Started" gressive work sheet curriculum pro- meeting particular or general needs, gram is the most effective nor efficica' package. that happen anywhere in Australia.) methodforteachingchildren It is probably fair to say that Sometimes this approach may work it there are as many reasons for home- schools but it cannot be superior to th schooling as homeschoolers. Some,CALLING ALL SUPPORT best possible curriculum-tfa. like me, have decided from their chil-GROUPS - I am planning to designed by the loving & committr dren's birth that it is simply the bestupdate the Sup,,ort groups parents. This type of individualisededucation you can buy. Some see it ascontact list for Issue 39 or 40 curriculum is based on the parents'the only way to provide special atten-as I know many people have knowledge about their own child, shar- tion for their children's individual ing of the skills and knowledge thatneeds, whether they be gifted or havestopped their groups and/or al..eady exist and are useful in thatparticular learning difficulties. Othersceased homeschooling, as well "amily, extending the family's knowl-remove their children from the systemas other groups starting. IF edge into areas that interest either the in great dismay at the service they arcYOU WANT TO BE LISTED children, parents or both, hi a way that receiving. There is another group, foras an individual or a group, suits the family. whom their religion is the driving Any curriculum purchasedforce, and yet another who, whilst th, iranywhere in this great coun- with 'worksheets', that has informationreligion is an important part of theirtry, PLEASE INFORM US organised in a sequential, progressivelives, base their programs on educa-NOW Homeschoolers manner, cannot and does not -Ilow fortional values alone. Our reasons forAustraliaP.O.Box 420 the individual learning variations ofdoing things are important to us, andKellyville 2153. Thank you. people who have different historicaldictate the type of support we look for

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 9 276 the past. Topics covered could include Resources, Socialization, Success, What's On Experience. How do I homeschool? How structured should I be? How do I program & evaluate ? What is required past.Topicscoveredinclude of me, what books do I use? If you are Resources, Socialization, Success, MARCH interested you must contact to RSVP. Experience. How do I homeschool? Jo-Anne Beirne on 02 629 3727 or How structured should I be? How do I local contact Marcelle Foundling on program & evaluate ? What is required * Queensland Home 063 322 132 of me, what books do I use? If you are Education Conferenceinterested you must contact to RSVP. March 22nd to 25th Jo-Anne Beirne 02 629 3727. It's not too late!Contact Rachael JUNE Hearn on 075 436 451 or just turn up* Monday April 19th Central Queensland at Greenwood Conference Center, Homeschooling Get Together, Eaton Hills S7.50 per night per person.Regular homeschool meeting at 22nd March 2 p.m. - 25nd Mar 1 p.m. Kellyville Park, Memorial Drive7-14 June 1993. Kellyville. Sports & general activities.Send a non-refundable $5 deposit to Bring lunch, games, balls etc. We haveKathy Boles 2 Richard St. Emu Park * Computer Workshop a parachute and do face painting with4702 for more details ring 079 396 Sunday 28th March the younger children (a donation213. The aim is to get to know and 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Self-help displays oftowards costs required). Don't forgetsupport each other and have a good computer hardware & software If youhats, lunch and sunblock. Ring Jo- time. wish to register and find out moreAnne Beirne 02 629 3727, Doclie details contact Jo-Anne Beirne 02 629Conway 02 6394858 for details. 3727 or Bill Chalker 02 4844680 OCTOBER Possible ?? NSW APRIL MAY Homeschooling Conference Aim networking, so that we can share * Seminar * Seminar ideas, skills and information. Venue - Sydney 18th April1993Sunday May 18th. to be decided. Cost to be decided. If Homeschooling Seminar at KellyvilleHomeschooling Seminar at Bathurstyou want to put ideas down or discus,: Sports Centre, Memorial Drive,E.R.C. cnr George St Bathurst. 1- 5it or be a part of making it happen Kellyville 2153. 1 - 5 p.m. Cost $20p.m. Cost S20 per family, SI5 per fam- please ring or write to (PO Box 420 per family. $15 per family for thoseily for those who have already attended Kellyville) Jo-Anne on 02 629 3727. who have already attended one in theone of our homesehooling seminars in

Family Newsletters once a year and this amount includesstarts again. Sue McAulay, Margaret for kids by kids envelopes, postage, photocopying etc.Stone and Catherine Errey have taken All the homeschoolers we know haveturns at this job. (In '92 Catherine start- Three years ago at a homeschoolingused their newsletter "turn" as aned a second newsletter group for meeting the suggestion was made thatopportunity to learn new skills andyounger kids). one good way to keep our kids in con-crystalise and share what they are tact was to have them prepare a home-doing in their homeschooling. SomeRos Lazar, Bathurst mother of schooling newsletter of their own thatkids have told us about their hobbiesElizabeth 10 and Peter 8 has volun- was sent out to other homeschoi lingand others about their animals, art,teered to set up another network in families on a once a year basis. Formusic or sport achievements. 1993. If you would like to join this example 24 families in the group newsletter tree - compiled by kids for means that each family can expect toWe've really enjoyed getting our fami- kids, please ring Ros on 063 334 736 hear every fortnight from another fami- ly newsletters and each year a or send her a self addressed stamped ly about what is happening in theirdifferent family takes responsibility forenvelope and she will send you the list lives. The cost works out at about $25 getting the first one out and the list when it is ready.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAl ISSUE 38 PAGE 10 27 7 Children & Diaries

Jo-Anne Beirne

Many times in our home-children's diaries often have gaps (bet-by a small space or may like a theme schooling caieers we have gone downter to use a beautifully covered exer-diary on Australian history, Cricket or the path of diary writing. When thecise book than a daily dated type ofone from the Australian Conservation children were first writing we encour-diary - where "gaps" really look obvi- Foundation so that they can detour into aged them to keep records of what theyous - and can be depressing). For ussome other information while they are were doing based around pictures thatthe real reasons for writing diariescontemplating what they wish to write. they drew accompanied by short sen- included expanding their facility with, What the author of the diary tences. Often we would take a pictureand love of, writing and reading; andand the parent want written in he diary of a Lego village or a huge sandcastledeveloping their confidence in them-can sometimes be a really big issue. If they had made and add it to the diary. selves and their skills. Although whenthe parent visualises a "puThshable It was very much a togetherness pro-the teacher in me really took hold indocument" and the child a list of activ- ject because they needed help formingthe early days I sometimes forced onities " I played soccer, I mowed the words and sentences. They needed to my children daily diary writing - citinglawn, did some maths and read a book" ask about spelling and they needed lots"discipline". I came to realise thatthere is probably going to be a hassle of admiration and encouragement. unless some negotia- Some days we didn't Nr-- tion takes place. What bother, of course, and other days MOUSE has to be decided is there was so much to write. From the relative impor- an education standpoint it was an The mouse runs in a trundle wheel, tance of this diary. interesting and practical way to the sweeping breeze at his heels. For younger children watch my children's many linguis- it cannot really take tic skills develop. You could see He exits the wheel to rest his feet, the place of the moth- them venture into more difficult picks up his food and begins to eat. er's record of home- words and sentences; you could With the food in his jaws tightly clamped, schooling unless both see that learning was rarely linear he quickly scurrys up the ramp. parent and child use or sequential, that something He sits upon his nest of straw, the same document. might be a problem for a good For older children deal of time and then all of sud- he feels vibrations from the bottom floor. sometimes it can, but den, there would be a burst and so Back down the ramp he trots with grace, this needs to be dis- much would be achieved. Often if through the glass is his owners face. cussed with the child. a child had information pouring She lifts the glass and puts in her hand, If you are expecting out and no time to get it all down, the mouse runs swiftly back up the ramp. that your child will, would write it for them while for example, keep a they dictated. list of all the books Mostly we were learning Joshua Traynor they are reading and about our history. The things that Z, perhaps, even some were important to us right that day comment on content, and things that used to be importantbeing a prison officer in my own homeauthor etc. you could gently remind and things that would be coming up. is neither pleasant nor productive andthem of their responsibility in this area At that stage I didn't auempt to make itrather defeats the purpose of inspiredand the fact that it is time-saving for a review of the previous day's activi-personal writing and enjoyable learn-you if they faithfully keep this list- ties but used more of an "issues" ing. freeing up your time for other things. approach. We saw a lizard or the birds As the children got older weSome children like to use diaries in a were digging up worms on the lawn ortried different approaches according tovery personal way - and not share the "To-day I read the Alfie books". My their needs and interests. When buyingresults, if this is the case you need to children usually got great satisfactiondiaries with our children we soondiscuss this and be aware of their need out of looking back on their "work",learned to take into account how muchfor privacy. and would often say disbelievingly " I they will write - a scribe will need lots Every year the reasons for never spelt 'could' like that (cld) in my of space, as will someone who likes todiary writing have changed for us life" - how things change ! illustrate their work. A child whoespecially as our children have grown. We tried not to make the diarydoesn't really enjoy writing very much Skill development is not necessary in a "battleground" which is why ourmay feel comfortable and less dauntedchildren who read and write compe- AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE11 275 tently already but I still like the idea ofhate. When I have had a long day chil-think diary writing improves their diary writing. Over the holiday period Idren sittirg around composing diaries interest in other types of writing as that realised that I wanted my children toand asking questions late at night is nothas not been our experience, though it be aware of all the education they werealways my idea of fun - especially ifmay do so for some other children. getting in their lives, not just the "tra-the time gets spun out. So this year ourThough when it becomes a regular ditional" learning type things we do. new innovation for diary writing is thatactivity it does seem to provide an We had a big discussionit is done before breakfast. One side ofimpetus in itself. The only ulterior where I explained to them that whenme feared that this would mean a rushmotive is that the children have a they ask questions they are actuallyjob, but quite the contrary has hap-record of at least some of the very educating themselves and that thispened. When the writing startthey diverse interests that they pursue in learning and the research necessary tobecome really focused and time is nottheir daily lives and that they learn to 3atisfy their curiosity has a most valu-important to them. Definitely it is abe aware that education is something able place in our homeschool. Forgood impetus for completing the task. you decide to do for yourself. some weeks my eight year old would Before you say but my chil- ask one of his many questions throughdren "won't the day and soon afterwards "Is thatwrite" I educational enough to go in theneed to say diary?". It really made all of us reallythat two of aware that even conversations"Whymy children are they fighting in Bosnia?" can lead(while great to some interesting learning. readers) are not atall DO YOU MAKE THEM WRITE? keen on When I talk with people aboutwriting. On diary writing they have often agreedtheother with me that when it is happening it allhandcue goes really well but getting them start-loves to ed is often difficult. I often found thatwrite. I'm diary writing was postponed in ournot going to house until bed time. This was my petsay thatI

Maar.

An Ideas Diary Helen Hegener

_

One of the most valuablegraph paper. ers, leaves, cups, books, etc. journals a homeschooler can keep Idea books are filled withBecause I have many different is an ideas book. Homeschoolingimages and thoughts from ourareas of interest, it was becoming families are a curious lot. We askdaily life.You can jot down adifficult for me to find the idea or many questions, and have evenbook a friend recommended orbrainstorm thi t I was looking for more ideas. We can't possiblydraw a picture of the back seat ofin my notes. Now, I keep an idea remember it all, so what appearedyour car as you run about town onjournal divided into sections - brilliant yesterday afternoon canerrands. You can sketch a floorhome business, freelance writing, quickly be forgotten in our busyplan for re-arranging the livingpersonal and household, and lives. room. Write down the details forhomeschooling.I carry this beat- Writers, inventors, andthe home made math game youup, well-used sketchbook every- farmers keep sketchbooks to heipread about last week. Copy downwhere. When inspiration hits, I jot them in their work. Thomas A.fragments of an interesting conver- down notes or a quick sketch, and Edison used notebooks to improvesation overheard in the groceryfill in details later, if necessary. the designs of his inventionc. Thecheck-out line. I can't tell you how valu- artist and inventor Leonardo da Notebooks can also beable this notebook has been to me. Vinci kept notebooks throughoutused for creative inspiration.FillEven though I don't have the time his life. your journal with visual images(or energy!) to do everything I You and your family canthat please you. Tape in a picturewant to do, I can at least note begin your own idea books withfrom a magazine. Paste in a cai-down my ideas for projects and spiral notebooks. Art supply storestoon that makes you smile.activities for the future. This arti- sell a variety of different sketch-Doodle funny words and letters.cle developed from a note I jotted books. Some people preferInclude quick little sketches ofdown last year. unlined paper, and others likeobjects around you - shoes, flow- AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 12 279 Going back to school

Toby Adams

(Toby Adams is 16 years old. He had coloured soc's! I think uniforms are been homeschooled all his life until he just a control thing in schools. For attended school for six months in 1992. instance the kids go completely crazy He has been homeschoolins againand uncontrollable on no uniform days. since September 1992.) How much do you think you Toby, why did you decide to go backlearned? Computers was the only to school? class where I felt I learned something. I didn't, because of temporarilyAlthough the computers in the school changed family circumstances my par- were quite bad in some ways. When ents decided I should. we used Apple 2a machines (which are very old) we had one each but when What year did you go into ? Is thiswe used the IBMs there was only one lower than you were up to ? machine to seven kids and most of the Year 10, which was my appropriatekids spent most of the time drawing class. stupid pictures.

Did they have any trouble with youWhat things did you really enjoy ? entering at that level? Well I had fun at handball, but often No the sport was really badly organised. Actually that wasn't bad because if What was it like? you got sport detention you had to go I thought it was really funny at firstand sit and read in an air-conditioned because all the kids were naughty, ill- room, something I didn't really regard mannered, refused to listen in class and as a punishment. thought it was their job to give the teachers the hardest time possible. What did you really hate? I really hate the peer group pressure. How did you fit in with all theseFor instance, when we were playing kids? volleyball a kid purposefully kicked Well on the first day I went there Ithe volleyball right into a girls face, walked over to some kids and sat on anot only didn't he say sorry but every- seat with them and they looked down body laughed at her. their noses at me and asked what class I was in and when I said year 10 theyWould you like to go back to school? pointed to another set of seats whereNo thank you. the year 10's sat, you see you don't sit with Year 11's. Actually that amazed me how all the year 10's sat together and even in their own groups in year 10. For example basketballers, hand- bailers, Nazis they all sit together in tight knit little groups.

How did you find the regimentation? No one thought it was a problem to be late for class regularly. As the year progressed the kids got slacker and slacker then after a time they would have a clampdown which wwild mean detentions for wearing the wrong

BEST COPY AVAILABKgsTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 13 2.80 FindingaTeacher for Out of Homeschool Activities

Jo-Anne Beirne teachers are not always the most highlyThey see the fact that they are impart- qualified and that ideal teachers of aing knowledge as a pleasurable oppor- subject are not always working in thattunity rather than as a chore. They love field. We always try to talk to our chil-their subject, usually practise it a great dren's dancing, gym, soccer etc. teach-deal and are very enthusiastic about ers about how we learn with our chil- someone else sharing their devotion. dren and their specific needs andThey build up a relationship with the desires. We impress upon them that wechild that is mutually satisfying. It is respect our children's learning and theiran unequal relationship in terms of instinct for what works. We speakknowledge of course, but it is special about the reality that from our experi-in many other ways including mutual ence sequential, step by step learning isrespect, child for teacher, teacher for not the (only) way to achieve enjoy-child. They show great commitment to ment and good results. We say we aretheir subject and student, mostly not expecting a Baryshnikov or aremaining flexible to alternative ways Mozart, that we would prefer to haveof doing things. They are not locked our children enjoy their music classinto a method or plan that comes rather than become virtuosos (thoughbefore all else. For instance, if the obviously we want to help themchild has an interest in some area that achieve the very best they can). We tell goes off at a tangent the gifted teacher them that our children have chosen the is likely to see this as an exciting opor- class, or are prepared to give the lessontunity rather than a nuisance distrac- A 10 year old child explaineda fair go, so that the teacher can pre- tion from the allotted curriculum. to me recently that the reason why hesume that the child will be well didn't like his present music teacherbehaved and that we don't want themMusic was because "she is patronising".yelled at, or beaten up by fellow class- I had no music training myself and decided that I would really Vihen asked what he meant this childmates. We try to determine the attitude like my children to play a musical (wt.-) does other classes in other areas)of the teacher to achievement. If we said "Well you know how in theencounter a teacher who feels that win- instrument. I plead guilty to having a lessons ;hat I do with X and Y theyning or being the greatest is the pinna-three year old sawing away at a violin, cle of achievement, we are very unlike-attending numerous musical introduc- treat me liI am their equal, when we tion courses and playing policewoman are learning? Well, the music teacherly to join a class with that teacher. We for practice sessions. I also confess in presumes I am an idiot and that every-also promise ourselves that if we have the past to valuing the achievement thing she says will need to be repeatedgiven it a fair go, all is not lost if the over the child's feelings and to making over and ove I don't enjoy it when thischild wishes to leave a class. Being miserable but attending does not fulfdmusic seem like a chore. It took me a happens". This conversation and othersour definition of productive learning. while to realise that in music, dancing, Not all teachers, of whatever tennis etc. achievement and ability are like it have been repeated many times not a reflection on either parent or over in our own family horneschool.age and ability, relate well to children. Finding teachers for music, art andFor many it is just a job, a pay packetchild. There are always other activities craft, dancing, gymnastics etc. hasor a means of improving their ownand they will come up all through been a constant challenge for usself-esteem. Our experience with extra-one's life. Everything does not have to be done nov.. In fact the world would because while we are committed to ourcurricular activities over the years has children expanding their horizonsshown us a few things. thoughbe an awfully boring place if we all excelled at everything and did so from through extra-curricular activities weundoubtedly we will learn more as are not prepared to accept just anyonetime goes on. childhood. But the worm can turn! I do to teach our kids. The best characteristics of the good teachers we have known wouldalso admit to letting a child take 18 Finding a teacher that suits be at least some or all of the following: months off piano, against everyone's We have found that the bestThey respect the child as a person.advice, only to see him return to the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 14 2,ei instrument a much more confident and Taking on and mastering aI. What is the purpose of the lesson - enthusiastic player who is in commandsecond langauge in a country where itrelaxation or serious knowledge gath- of what he wants to do with music. Iis rarely spoken, with German illiterateering ? Do both the teacher and the stu- confess to never forcing music lessonsparents, is quite a special achievement.dent understand what each expects out (despite my strong inclinations to doWhile I believe all children are capableof the lesson ? so) on to a most adamant 11 year old,of it, I certainly know that it may take2.Does the teacher have the skills to only to see her decide to start guitarsome searching to find this rare breedimpart ? (This is often not at all related last year and continue it with the addi-of teacher who is capable of encourag- to their qualifications). tion of piano this year. She is showinging and inspiring such an achievement. 3. Does the teacher really enjoy teach- a great deal of interest and delight inObviously in the school system stu-ing? Do they have the spark of enthusi- her endeavour. dents have to take the teacher allottedasm and commitment that will inspire The same has happened withto them whether they be great or ordi- my child? many other extra curricular activities in nary. A benefit of homeschooling of4. Do they treat me with respect and our house. We've dragged and prancedcourse is that we can choose and belisten to my queries, keeping me through singing, tennis, gym, craft and flexible with teachers and timing ofinformed of how I can help and my dancing lessons with varying degreeslessons. The community is full of com-child's progress ? Or do they say one of aptitude and enjoyment. Our mostpetent teachers in a wide range ofthing to my face and another when I successful teacher of all started with usactivities - you can find one to suitleave the room ? when she was a high school student. Ayour needs. 5. Do they treat my child with respect ? native German who had not long Does the class the teacher is conduct- before migrated to Australia. SheIn the position of the learner ing fulfil my child's desire for that brought to her German sessions, with Perhaps one of the key issuesclass whether it be relaxation or our then very young children, no pre-we have teased out in our "teacher knowledge acquisition? conceptions about what teaching orsearch" is determining what the learner learning would be like. Mostly sheis after. Does the child want the classIf all of these requirements are met I came to us a homesick individual des-for recreation or is it for knowledgecan be pretty sure that my children will perate to share her culture and lan-extension? It is ridiculous to go to areally benefit from a special learning guage, strongly believing that not toprofessor of music for a child whorelationship. know German was to be somehow lessthinks they might like to try lessons on than what one could be. The childrenthe flute. Just as it is silly to expect aI read a good summary of my feelingi never had any formal "school-type"child who is gifted at dancing to attendin an article from Scientific American lessons with her when they were youngthe local class of beginners. The fact isDecember 1992 titled 'Learning From or even as they got older . She just hadthat parents are the linking mechanismAsian Schools' by Harold W. two hours, twice a week with eachbetween a person with knowledge, Stevenson when he says child where she played, sang, cooked,skills and understanding and a person read, wrote, drew and shared activitieswho wants to have all these things. (1...... teachers can be described best as with them. Ultimately however the commitment towell-informed, well-prepared guides. Actually she really spoiled usstudy, strive or enjoy is made by theThey do not see themselves primarily for other teachers because she had astudent themselves. as dispensers of information and special gift of being "child-like". She Often I have to decide if myarbiters of what is correct but rather really loved kids , their games, theirown criteria for judging the teacheras persons responsible for guiding stu- sharing and she was endlessly patientwould be my child's. Feedback on twodents skillfully through the materi- and curious. She thrilled in theirlevels is important. Firstly you mustal children (should be) active achievements and insinuated herselflisten and talk to the child and second-participants in the learning process into their lives, just as they insinuatedly the teacher. Often a teacher is morewho must play an important role in themselves into hers. She was neverthan happy to accomodate a child'sproducing, explaining and evaluating Patronising, artificial or saccharin. Asneeds and aspirations if only they aresolutions to problems". the children got older, though shetold about them could be demanding of their accuracy. Basically the result is that after 10When I think of years we have children who are fluentfinding teachers, German language speakers and read-and then staying ers. An important part of this learningwith them for was undoubtedly the strength and con-activities, I try stancy of the relationship - this may beto apply the fol- hard to find in the general community,lowing coecklist but easier in the extended family. We(not in any order have also found that teenagers andof importance) some younger children can maketo my delibera- excellent teachers in their particulartions. subject area.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOUR; 'AL ISSUE 38 PAGE 15 282 Using Maths Textbooksin the Homeschool

Jo-Anne Beirne in the sys-playing with numbers and what we can tem. do with them. Add to this the ability to solve number problems in word form If you could-and an understanding of the modern n't afford acalculator and voila! - primary Maths. textbook Amazingly enough if you buy yourself Someonea year 6 or 7 text you will find that once askedthey are still checking if the children me, whatknow and understand what was taught Mathsshein beginning primary. would teach if sheMaths in the school couldn't Textbooks are commonly afford a text-used as the primary source and rein- book. forcement for teaching maths in the recalledclassroom. Why ? Say a teacher is somethingteaching addition of fractions. First she that Richarddoes not know what knowledge each Feynman theof the children bring to that lesson on Nobel prizefractions. For instance "Do they under- A homeschooling friend and I recentlyphysicist (also an avid and gifted math-stand fractions? Do they even under- had a long conversation about standardematician) said about Maths. Basicallystand addition r Maths textbooks. I wondered if youthere are five components arithmetic, Then as she teaches she must would agree with any of the things wegeometry, algebra, trigonomea-y andallow for the fact that some children have found? calculus. can immediately take the information The basic aim of primaryon board (so she call% let them be I. Maths texts treat all children as ifschool maths education is to introducebored), some need a little extra work they have equal ability and interest in children to numbers and the operations(keep them stimulated), some will not Mathematics. performed with numbers (arithmetic)pick it up until she has reviewed it a and also explain simple geometry.couple of times (let's hope they keep 2. Maths texts are appallingly repeti-Secondary maths is about review ofpaying attention, and don't start talk- tive and boring. Year after year thearithmetic, more geometry and intro-ing) and some will not even pick it up same material is revised, with barelyduction and explanations of algebra,next year when the next teacher any new information added, alwaystrigonometry and calculus. reviews the whole issue. She has nei- presuming that the child never under- ther the time nor often the energy to stood the facts in the first place. What is arithmetic? see a flicker of understanding in a The four basic operations:child's eyes and reach for it. She can- 3. Maths texts tend to break any learn-addition, subtraction, multiplicationnot even be sure that all the children ing task into such tiny fragments as toand division performed on numbers.are attending to the lesson. (Johnny, at make the whole picture hard to recog-The numbers on which the operationsthe back, stop passing notes, please nise, are performcd become increasinglyand attend I). more complex of course (initially sin- So, logically, she uses the 4. Most of the grade level texts aregle digit going up to six digits) andtextbook after the blackboard lesson to inappropriate in the homeschool wherethen these operations must also be per-review, extend, check understanding the one to one situation allows quickformed on fractions, decimals and per-etc. This gives her some measure of progression and deep understanding.centages. Decimals and percentagesher success imparting the knowledge Usually to provide challenge a parentare just different ways of writing frac-and a gcod indication of what she has should consider buying Maths textstions, and fractions are just the way weto do to improve understanding. It that are, at least, two grade levelslook at numbers that are less than one. gives some students busywork to ahcad of where their children would bePrimary level maths is exploring andattend to while she works with others

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 16 283 who need special attention. It saves hereighths you really have to measITTeweeks in the classroom. Which may setting examples to be taken home andthem well." Three hours later you'llmean you are severely limiting your- worked on at night, to reinforce (hope-call a halt for lunch and probably get aself if you only consult one graded fully with the parent's help) what wasvolunteer to cut the sandwiches intextbook in a year and don't progress taught in the day. halves, quarters and eighths. up the grades as appropriate. To my This student will not have themind it is a shame to import a text- Maths in the homeschool need to do 100 textbook examples tobook, which has been compiled and What do I want from my childrenprove that they know the concept ofdesigned for classroom needs, into the learning maths ? addition of fractions. They may onlyhomeschool and use it in the same Comprehension, the ability toneed to do ten, if you feel there is needfashion as it is used in the classroom, apply the learning, standards and theat all and then they will probably bedissipating our naturally superior discipline to see things through.done very swiftly as they sing out thelearning methods. Obviously the same goals the schoolsanswers to you. You will undoubtedly Certainly for those who want strive for. But we have an entirely dif-review the topic at some time in theto make sure they are "covering every- ferent set of circumstances. First we, asnext couple of days, as it stays upper-thing the schools are" textbooks tend parents, are acutely aware of ourmost in your mind. For example at the to provide reassurance. As well, text- child's strengths and weaknesses anddinner table "You got half the pie andbooks may explain in a simple way the knowledge they bring to a topic.Paul got a third - how much left?"how to solve a problem or attack an You will not start your student on addi-Over the next few weeks, for exampleissue (there are major exceptions to tion of fractions for instance, justwhen cooking (I need double the mix-this). For many parents they are a use- because the next chapter in the text-ture please), additon of fractions willful "memory jogger", as the question book says to do so, if you know thecome up -again because of the type ofarises "how will they manage if they child is really not confident with therelationship involved in homeschool-have to go back to school?". But, in concept of fractions. Secondly, when-ing - close, mutual, regular contact. many cases, the way you always did it ever we go through a topic area withBut basically you can be confident thatis just as good and probably superior our children we can very quickly tell ifaddition of fractions was really under-because you, the teacher, are confident the light of "insight" is on or off. If it isstood at that first level because youwith "your way". off you always find yourself thinkingwere there and you saw it happen. To "Are they ready for this now?" "Howme this method is much more efficientHigh school texts no better can I explain this better? "Maybe if weand satisfying than screeds of exam- Pursuing my natural cynicism of maths got the measuring cups, cut up anples in an exercise book and the ticks textbooks after 8 years of homeschool- orange or some kindergarten squares?"and crosses, which work effectivelying I have had a fun time of late com- Thirdly, we have the enormous advan-(up to a point) in a classroom. paring high school textbooks and what tage that the student is not compelled Of course there are those thatthey expect "learning wise". I was to stay silent for the sanity of the class- say that doing heaps of examples getsinterested to read a Year 9 text that in room. I have found that given thethe concept straight in your head and ischapters 1 and 2 (42 pages) reviews yet nature of the relationship when work-good discipline but there are othersagain - arithmetic! Not harder versions ing with your child almost instandythat say "nt lots of examples, (espe-mind you just the same old questions your child will give you feedback oncially when you are confident youdone in years 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 ("Do I the topic you are covering " So youknow what you are doing) make mathshave to do these again mum?"). The mean I can add a half and a third if Iboring - and most of these are the stu-algebra chapter headings in the year 9 make them both sixths?" and on itdents who have to do all the examples! beck are exactly the same as they were goes. Actually I believe the "doing lots ofin the Year 8 book as are many of the Ibelieve that textbooksexamples" idea is a misinterpretationexamples. No wonder students get should only be used as a resource inoftheconceptofdiscipline.bored with Maths. the homeschool because it is based onMichaelangelo had to be incredibly a learning relationship between thedisciplined to paint the ceiling of theConclusion child and the parent, which is very dif-Sistine Chapel. He would have beenIt may take some courage but perhaps ferent to the one in the classroom. labelled totally crazy to keep on doingwe can learn to pick and choose and Homeschooling maths lessonsit over and over again. What are wediscriminate what works for us in our are not limited by bells or timetables orsaying to our children about learningfvnily rather than just presuming that external requirements. So that if theand maths if we make them endlessly textbooks or standardised curriculum light of "insight" stays on you justrepeat things that they already know? will provide the best results. keep firing - "now lets do quarters and We have a big advantage in thirds, twelfths and ninths etc." Whilethe homeschooling situation not only In no state in Australia is there a gov- you are doing it you'll undoubtedlybecause of one to one, but because weernment prescription for what must be find a few tables that are sticky - "howknow what went before and we can uselearnt or how it must be learnt, other about we just write down the eight"hands-on" to deepen understanding.than in very general terms. Be confi- times tables to look at and make thingsThe comparison time wise is interest-dent to pursue the method and use the easier" and you'll find that they'lling. Often a couple of hours in thetools which work best for you and your notice things "Oh to cut things in exacthomeschool compared to a couple ofchild.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 17 284'. Reading & Literacy

Is your child an early reader ? Is your child a latereader? How can I teach my child to read? There are no simple answers to these questions, it depends onthe child, the circumstances and the teacher. Homeschoolers who arelooking for answers might find that the following articles point them in some interestingdirections. The Acquisition of Literacy Skills Alanya Sutcliffe

the written language. Recent researchprint; Leave out words of familiar sto- ries, recite rhymes and encourage child (Alanya is a teacher with Distancehas shown that phonological awareness to put in missing words; Label pictures Education in NSW who has sent someis related to success in early reading (the ability to recognise that a spokenand drawings; Share recipes, research notes on Reading and Support instructions, letters; Ask why, how, Strategies. She put them together forword consists of a sequence of sounds) sheThis skill can be taught. Children canwhat do you think questions about an on-air Staff Development it'd; Write letters, lists, addressed at Tibooburra, she asks usbecome aware of the segmentation ofwhat you fill in forms togettitr. to note that they may not stand alone.) speech through word games, rhymes and songs. This awareness provides theFor older reluetaut readers Select nooks which pursue the How do we read? basis of automatic word identification Simply the interaction of askills which allow the reader to con-child's current interest, buy comics, book (text) and a brain. Meaning iscentrate on comprehension. word games, puzzles, magazines. Borrow or make taped stories for the made from this. Reading is the interac- Support Strategies child to listen to and follow the print. tion of the text (visual information)Reading begins at home; Reading is with information in the brain of th1/4 -ne aspect of language, closely linkedEncourage the child to keep a diary of reader (non-visual information).with talking, listening and writing.events (write for him/her if necessary) paste in cuttings, pictures, tickets, etc Effectiveness of the reader in makingExperiences at home prepare a child to move naturally into reading.; A homeand ask the child to help you read it all. meaning out of the interaction will read/serialise suitable books, but depend upon the reader's store of non- rich in language is where people love expect some contribution from the visual information: semantic knowl-stories, books and telling tales, use child: either a picture, opinion, car- edge; or information about the world:interesting speech, and are seen to read syntactic knowledge; knowledgeand write. toon, craft activity etc. Encourage the about sentence patterns, parts ofThe best preparation for speech: grapho-phonic information;a childistohold or spelling and letter sequences. It ishim/her on the adult's all about making sense. lap and read favourite Good readers expect the textstories over and over to make sense. They do not read wordagain.; Physical comfort by word but skim and search for sense, and security identify predicting and testing and keeping itbooks as something all together. pleasurable. Poor readers are not skilledSO in looking for sense, in fact, they mayTalk, explain, question, not realise that this is what reading isread: Encourage the all about. They guess wildly, try tochild to talk and experi- sound out slowly and make no use ofment with words; Tell the clues in the surrounding print. andretellstories; Knowledge required for read-Encourage children to ing comes from experiences of talkingread along, discuss pic- and learning about the world and abouttures, run finger under

AUSTRALIAN 110MESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 18 2E15- child to review books; buy recording title details, date read and comment. Reading Aloud Is Reading to a younger child or writing and illustrating material for the sibling benefits both parties. Letters to and from friends, family and penfriends are Not Enough good motivators especially if invitation are involved. Sight words Patrick Groff Displays, child-made books, craft, mobiles and labels can surround the child; Base sheet activities involvingThis article is from the Spring edi-stories, their background of informa- matching, selecting. Sorting of cardstion 1993 of Mothering magazine. Ation grows. They move well on their into eg colour words, animal words,superb US publication that concernsway to becoming culturally literate. 'other'. Concentration, matching, iden-itself with The Art of Mothering;Indeed, studies show that children who tical words or 'go togethers', makingHealth; A Child'sWorld;bring prior understanding to the sub- sentences with words or phrases, sub- Pregnancy, Birth & Midwifery;jects they read about in school are far stituting; Illustrating words can beWays of Learning & Family Living.more likely to read classroom material enjoyable as well as drawing attentionMothering P.O. Box 1690 Santa Fewith comprehension. to pattern eg making the oo in lookNM 87504 Ph 0015 1 505-984-8116 While the advantages of read- into eyes. Words can be drawn in sand, ing aloud to young children are paint, steallhalk, dust, with gingersAs a specialist in reading development,notable, parents have been oversold on on the body, plasticine etc. Read andI am frequently consulted by parents.the effect these readings will have. draw activities, selecting pictures, from "I would read aloud regularly to mySome parents have been told that read- magazines, level of sophistication canchild long before school began. Whyaloud sessions are more critical to the be varied to age. then," they inquire, "does my childacquisition of reading skills than is Phonemic awareness (realising thatnow have trouble learning to read insystematic and direct teaching. Others words can be broken up into separateschool?" Or parents will ask, "Whyhave been informed that reading aloud units of sound and put back togetherdid my child not learn to read beforeis the most important contributor to again) This training is oral. school began?" success in learning to read. Segmentation Draw!.ng a word out Advocates of this "immersion slowly (2 secs each sound) True Gains and False Claims in books" or "whole language" theory Blending The opposite of segmenta- Reading aloud to young chil-of reading development maintain that tion, putting sounds back together todren is certainly of great consequence.the best way to teach school children to form a word. For one thing, these sessions create aread is simply to continue the read- Isolation: Saying the phoneme in awarm emotional bond between parentaloud approach used at home. Thus, spec ified position and child. They offer a unique oppor-some teachers merely read aloud while Alliteration Recognising if words starttunity for close, uninterrupted contacttheir students follow along in duplicate with the same sound on a recurring basis. For another, read-texts.Experimental research on read- Exchange Substituting ole phonemeing aloud to little ones helps theming instruction, however, does not sup- for another to make a new word develop enthusiasm towards books.port these views.Instead, as Marilyn Rhyming Sequential activities can beThey discover these volumes containAdams concludes in her recent review found in many programs pleasing content; they learn to equateof this research, "explicit training" in reading with enjoyment. A positivereading development is imperative. (1) All activities relating to words andattitude toward books plays a well-doc-Harvard professor Jeanne Cnall in her sounds in isolation need to be complet- umented role in learning to read. now famous survey of experimental ed in a contextual framework. The Then, too, the more childrenstudies, comes to the same conclusion. object of the exercise should not belisten to stories, the more their literary(2) lost within seemingly pointless tasks,capacities expand.While listening, Proponents of the "following the object being to encourage reading,children discover that written talesalong" approach, say these researchers, and to develop reading through read-have a "grammar" - a beginning, mid-base their belief on a false premise - ing. Thus wherever appropriate, thedle, and end, as well as other linguisticnamely, that learning to read and learn- focus word or sound should relatestructures. This knowledge goes aing to speak are identical processes. directly to a sentence or story written long way toward helping children writeActually, they are far from identical. by or of interest to the child. Phrasesstories of their own at some point.The history of humankind reveals that should be presented in preference toMost books also extend the child'sthe spoken word preceded the written single words and the article (i.e., "a",knowledge of word meanings, andword by many thousands of years. "the" etc) at the very least, should betransport the child beyond the realm ofIndeed today, all people learn to speak, included (e.:., "the cat" rather thanimmediate experience. whereas numerous societies still do not "cat" alone). In short, as children listen tohave a written language.In addition. AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 19 28 learning to speak is an effortlesschild's progress in reading. Try them "How about teaching the process requiring no formal instruc-in the order in which they appear: alphabet?" parents often inquire. tion. As humans, we have no doubt* Show your child that sentences, bothChildren will need this information inherited a neurological capacity forspoken and written, are made up of awhile learning about phonics in school. the relaxed, carefree, and facile learn-string of individual words. Have yourThus, those who learn their letters at ing of oral language. The same cannotchild listen to sentences, look at them,home will be off to a head start. Teach be said of written language.In fact,and count the number of words inthe alpha'.at? By all means. about 20 percent of Untied States citi- them. The fmal word is: yes, young zens experience serious difficulty in* Show your child that spoken wordschildren may learn something about learning to read. (3) What is needed,are composed of individual sounds.the alphabet and the speech sounds according to experimental research, isDog, for example, has three sounds: incidentally while their parents read to direct and systematic instruction in/d/-/o/-/g/. Say a word, and have yourthem. Exactly how much of this criti- reading, including intensive educationchild count the number of sounds in it;cal knowledge can be acquired through in word recognition skills. repeat the activity with another word.listening alone, however, remains Start with short words, and move on oauncertain .Reading aloud cannot reli- Inherent Limitations longer ones. ably impart all of this specialised and Listening to stories has a lim- *Point out that speech sounds inesoteric information. Reading aloud is ited effect on reading development.words occur in serial order.Select asimply not enough. One celebrated study, by professorword and - using the phonetic spellings Dolores Durkin, reveals that only 1in your dictionary as a guide - enunci- Notes percent of "intelligent preschool chil-ate, in order, the separate speech1.Marilyn Adams, Beginning to Read dren" learn to recognise 18 writtensounds in that word. (The serial order(Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute words after simply being read to byof speech sounds in man, for example,of Technology, 1990). their parents. (4) A subsequent investi-is /m/-/a/-/n/.) Have your child guess2.Jearine Chall, Learning to Read: The gation reports that considerable num-the correct pronunciation of the targetGreat Debate (New York: McGraw-Hill, bers of children who are not read to atword. Start with two- and three-letter 1983). home become excellent readers inwords and progress to longer ones, school. (5) avoiding those with "silent" letters. 3.Patricia Smith et al,. Illiteracy in America A third study shows that chil-* Explain that removing or adding a(Washington, DC: Nationa! Advisory dren's interest reading, as a result ofspeech sound to a spoken word createsCouncil on Adult Education, 1986). being read to, is not directly related toan entirely new word. Ask, for exam- how soon they learn to read. (6)ple: "If I take away the first sound of4.Dolores Durkin, Children Who Read Early (New York: Teachers College, Another researcher even found thatcat - /k/ - what is left?" or "How many Colombia University 1966). third graders who were read to fre-sounds can I add to /ing/?" quently as toddlers became poorer Segmenting speech sounds5.William Teale, "Toward a Theory of readers than those who were not readout of spoken words, counting theHow Children Learn to Read," in to frequently. (7) sounds in words, and moving theGoelman, id., Awr.eening to Literacy Statistics comparing howsounds around within words are high- (Portsmouth NH: Heinemann, 1984). often children are read to at home withorder prerequisites to learning our how successfully they learn to read inalphabetic code (the letters we use to6.Chari Briggs and David Elkind, school are equally illuminating. Theserepresent the speech sounds of our oral"Characteristics of Early Readers," findings offer little if any comfort tolanguage). Children who can con-Perceptual and Motor Skills 44 (June 1977): 1231-1237. those who maintain that reading aloudsciously recognise, enumerate, and to young children is the main solutionrepeat these speech sounds - which7.George Walker and Iris Kuerbitz, to today's national crisis in readingyoungsters already do unconsciously,"Reading to Preschoolers As an Aid to development.All told, the body ofas evidenced in their ability to speak - Successful Beginning Reading," Reading experimental research to date does notare well on their way to learning howImprovement 16 (Summer 1979): 1149- support the conclusion that readingio decode words.In effect, they are 154. aloud to children before they beginready to learn about phonics (the rela- school will ensure their reading suc-tionship between speech sounds and8.Dale Johnson and James Baumann, "Word Identification," in P David Pearson, cess in school. letters). ed., Handbook of Reading Research (New Why phonics? "The message York: Longman, 19R '), p.595. Beyond Reading Aloud is clear," say researchers Dale Johnson If you desire to fully prepareand James Baumann. "If you want to9.Patrick Groff, "An Analysis of the your child to learn to read upon enter- improve word-identification ability,Debate: Tcaching Reading without ing school, or to have your young child teach phonics."(8) And, as readingConveyingPhonicsInformation," become a precocious reader, you will researchers demonstrate, no literacy Interchange 21 (Winter 1990): 1-14. need to go beyond the reading aloud offactor is more closely related to read- stories.Here are four activities thating comprehension than automatic - have been identified by rcading spe-that is, quick and accurate - word cialists as a further means of assisting arecognition. (9)

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 20 :187 There is absolutely no evidence that teaching grammar helps a child to Reading without learn to speak, and none that drills phonics or other nonreading activities help the development of reading. It is not difficult to argue that mastery of Nonsense phonics develops only to the extent that reading proficiency is acquired, Frank Smith just as grammar is a meaningful and useful subject (if at all) only to those who already know how to use lan- In "Reading without Nonsense" Iunique and individual interests, con- IP I guage. described the ease with which childrencerns and difficulties become literate when they are person- Typically, what are called "rules of ally involved with people actually An excerpt from reading" are hints or slogans for read- making use of signs, labels, lists, news- ing instruction. Learning to read is not papers, magazines and books in theEssays into Literacya matter of mastering rules. Children world around them. By contrast I learn to read by reading. examined the difficulty many children experience with formal readingIn his book "Essays Into Literacy"2.Ensure that Phonic Skills are instruction based on exercise, materialFrank Smith has a great deal to sayLearned and Used and drills which are largely nonsensi-about what he regards as the twelve cal. The philosophy of this kind ofwrong ways to teach reading.A prominent aspect of the "reading by instruction , which I now call "pro-Following are just two of his expla-rules" fallacy is the notion that reading grammatic" is that reading is a set ofnations of common misconceptions. ability depends on a knowledge of skills that can be taught and mastered spelling-to-sound correspondences. in a pre-determined sequence, provided1.Aim for Early Mastery of the(In itssophisticated form, this notion there is a closely managed "systems"Rules of' Reading merely asserts that children must learn approach with properly specified the "sounds of letters" without any objectivesandfrequenttests. The rule is absurd because there are norealisation of just how complex and Programmatic instruction is therules of reading, at least none that canpredictable spelling-to-sound corre- antithesis of meaningful languagebe specified with sufficient precision tospondences are.)But reading is not experience for teachers and children. Itteach a child.All proficient readersaccomplished by decoding to sound; is primarily a method of control. Sincehave acquired an implicit knowledgemeaning must usually be grasped I first wrote this in 1978 the issuesof how to read, but this knowledge hasbefore the appropriate sounds can be have become more clearly demarcatedbeen developed through the practice ofproduced, and the production of and the conflict more acute. On the onereading, not through anything that issounds alone does not give meaning. hand the programmatic approach totaught in school. The learning process Decoding directly from letters to sound reading instruction had clearly failed.is identical with that by which infantsin order to understand what they are No one claims that children are readingdevelop a set of internal rules for pro-reading. Nevertheless, it is frequently better today than they were 25 yearsducing and comprehending spoken lan-argued that a mastery of phonics must ago, when the development of rigor-guage without the benefit of any for-surely be essential for children; other- ously controlled instructional programs mal instruction. And just as no linguistwise, how would they ever learn to for literacy instruction began to prolif- is able to formulate a complete andrecognise words that they had not met erate. That was the time when manyadequate set of grammatical rules thatin print before, words that are not in educators thought that the technologycould be used to program a computertheir "sight vocabulary?" There are that could put man on the moon would(or a child) to use spoken language, sotwo good reasons why the last resort of also be a certain cure for illiteracy.no theorist has yet achieved anythinga child in such circumstances should One might think that most politicians like an adequate insight into thebe to turn to phorics. and administrators by now would haveknowledge that people acquire and use recognised that the "remedy" for illit- when they become fluent readers. The first objection to phonics as a way eracy might instead be a contributing of reading is that it is conspicuously factor. But with the failure has come a But even if we did have a clearerunreliable and cumbersome. Studies at clamour for more programs, for even understanding of the reading process, itthe Southwest Regional Laboratory for tighter control of schools and teachers would be doubtful whether anyoneEducational Development (US) in the name of "accountability". Allshould try to give this understandingshowed that 166 rules would be this may sound reasonable but it con-directly to children. After all, millionsrequired to account for the most fre- strains teachers to teach in a mannerof children have learned to read in thequent correspondences in just 6,000 decreed by outside authorities whopast without any profound insight onone- and two-syllable words in the know absolutely nothing of the particu-the part of their instructors into whatvocabulary of 6- to 9- year-olds - and lar children in their classroom, or their the children were learning to do.these 166 rules would still not account

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 21 :2.8e for over 10 percent of the most com- mon words which would have to be excluded as "exceptions". There is no rule for predicting which of many alternative rules should apply on any particular occasion, any more than THE JOHN there are rules for determining which words are exceptions. The rules often HOLT BOOK & cannot be applied unless one is aware of the meaning and syntactic role of MUSIC STORE the word and the way it carries stress. In other words, phonics is easy provid- CATALOGUE- ed one knows what a word is in the Free when you write to first place. The John Holt Book & Music Store - Australia P.O. BOX 420 5hellyvWe The very complexity and indetermina- 2153 N.S.W or call 02 6293727. cy of such a system makes it remark- able that anyone should expect chil- OVER 100 homeschooling books from many dren evertotrytolearnit. authors, Holt, Colfaxes, Kaseman, Wallace, Nevertheless, many educators believe Aarons, Armstrong. Reed. Llewellyn, , that teaching at least an arbitrary part Pedersen, O'Mara etc:, Books on many of the system is the answer to "the subjects, Maths, Science, Eistory. These titles reading problem". But even if chil- have been chosen for their inspirational dren were gifted and gullible enough qualities - which teach without being to learn such a system, there is ' text-booke. Books about living in famnies absolutely no evidence that they could running a business and a house., while ever actually use it in the process of bomescbooling. reading. Quite the reverse, it.is easy to show that any attempt to read by trans- lating letters to sounds through the application and integration of phonic rules could result only in catastrophic overloading of short-term memory. Besides, the use of spelling-to-sound THE CATALOGUE OF rules to identify words is as absurd as clipping a lawn with nail scissors. Far THE BOOKS & VIDEO more efficient and economical alterna- OF DR RAYMOND & tives are available. DOROTHY MOORE This leads to the second objection to Free when you write to the phonics fallacy, namely that 9: Homeschoolers Australia sounding out words letter by letter (or P.O. BOX 420 Kellyyille 2153 N.S.W., the even more complicated task of or call 02 6293727 . identifying and articulating "letter clusters") is the last resort of the fluent Dorothy & Raymond Moore are Christian reader, a fact already known by most educators and homeschooling advocates with children whose natural perception of respected academic backgrounds. They have reading has not been distorted in the been involved with tens of thousands of process ofreading instruc- homeschooling families over a period of 30 years tion (pages 12 & 13 in in political, practical and legal capacities. They Essays into Literacy by Frank Smith hp ve also scientifically researched many aspects HeinernannEducationalBooks of homeschooling. Their quiet wisdom is London) exp-o:;sed through their many books -Home OTHER READING Gr-,3ven Kids; Home-Spun Schools; Home-Style Joining The Literacy Club Frank Teaching; Better Late Than Early and Smith Heinernann Portsmouth NH Homeschool Burnout and their superb video. Reading Without Nonsense Frank This video is highly recommended for sceptical Smith Teachers CollegePress or concerned educators, administrators, Columbia University New York politicians& family. Insult to Intelligeoce Frank Smith Heinemann Portsmouth NH

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 22 289 FAMILY Moreonthe issue of custody of homeschooling children Lynden Jacobi

(Lynden Jacobi and Len McCarthy among many other things, make wooden toys and live with their two young daugh- ters and son Josh in Newcastle NSW. )

Lynden wrote "After marling the arti- cleonCustodyIssuesand Homeschooling I thought I should write in and tell people how our situa- tion has worked out". I have been separated from Joshua's father for nine years and our ability to communicate in a reasonable manner has fluctuated, seesawing from angryaccusationstofriendly exchanges of ideas. I began home- schooling Josh almost two years ago and was very worried about Mike's possible reaction to this decision. He runs a school/tourist camp on his farm, and luckily had just had a group of We both had very differentthat before Josh was allowed to visit homeschoolers stay for a week longviews of Joshua. I was seeing a well-the farm again Mike and I would have camp and was convinced that home-balanced and socially adept child whoto see a counsellor to discuss Josh's schooling was a good idea. was doing fairly well academically andeducation with a mediator present. This was his feeling for a fewMike was seeing an insecure kid andThis turned out very well. We were months but he slowly began to have his felt that his chances of growing up intoexpecting an hour long session but it doubts again and he wanted proof thata normal adult were becoming slimmeractually dragged on for three hours, but Josh was learning and keeping up with and slimmer.I was sure that home-one of the things we finally managed his peers at public school. Josh wasschooling was working very well forto agree upon was a suggestion that we behind those kids to begin withus and therefore when Josh was withboth spend a couple of days in each because he had spent the first twome he was not shy about telling peopleother's environment in order to years of school at a Steiner School andabout it, but when he was with Mikeobserve Josh in these different situa- six months travelling in the US, Ireland who felt that school was the only rea-tions. One of the conditions of this and Thailand before he began 3rdsonable option, he was much moreagreement was that when we were at grade at the local public school. reluctant to discuss his education witheach other's places we were not Although I was seeing Joshanyone. Mike saw this as a sign thatallowed to mention anything that learning every day, Mike was only see-he was unhappy with his achieve-would provoke any feelings of conflict ing him fitting in with the large groupsments. This disagreement finallyat all.If it was necessary to say any- of school kids (aged from 8 to 12) atflared up into a situation in which Josh thing we were to write it down and dis- the camps. Josh always takes a littlewas caught in the middle of an argu-cuss it at a later date. while to settle in with a new group ofment over whether he was okay or not. Although I thought this agree- kids he hasn't met before and this was Josh was very distressed byment was a great idea I was also very the situation at the farm. this.I was very upset too so I insistedanxious about how it would turn out.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 23 230 Mike was at this stage totally Pnti-Josh in each other's environment.impressed about Josh's obvious enjoy- home schooling and I felt that he couldMike accepted this and stopped tryingment of learning. Also that Josh was just come in and make lots of notesto take over the lesson. When Joshquite willing to do "lessons" at any about the shortcomings of our set upwas finished with his Maths he wan-time of the day. He realised that it without really seeing what we are actu-dered off into his room. Mike was sur-isn't necessary in our household to do ally cluing. My punier Len and I andprised at this and began trying tothree or four hours of school work our two daughters had often stopped atorganise an English lesson orevery morning . The idea I had always the farm for an overnight visit withGeography lesson to continue on with.promoted of "learning all the time" Josh but Mike had never visited JoshHe called Josh back in and began try-began to make sense at last. up here and had resisted any contacting to interest him in things like lati- A few days after his visit I got with Josh's life with us. Waiting fortude and longitude.This didn't elicita call from Mike telling that he felt our Mike's visit I felt like I was gettingmuch of a response. I got out a couplehome schooling was excellent.I was ready for a visit from a Home Schoolof pen pal letters from Asia and Russiaso surprised at his change of attitude Liaison Officer, who was going toand some maps and the atlas and justand very pleased that it worked out so stay for two days and nights and whotalked with Josh about where we hadwell. This was the best that we could would prefer it if my child was sent totravelled in relation to these pen pals. have expected. As it has turned out we a boarding school. We went to the beach afterare all much happier and Josh is able to We spent our two days at thethis and when we got back for lunchgrow and learn naturally without the farm in January and all went very well.Josh got out The Bones Book andpressure of feeling he is letting down We were involved in the camp activi-skeleton set and put it together. Weone of his parents.It was wonderful ties and it was great to have that timetalked about the bones and exoskele-for Mike to see Josh up here and great with Yish at his farm. tons and muscles and the nervous sys-for Josh to be able to include his Dad htike came up here in earlytem and numerous other Vaings. Afterin his life with us. February ahd he took Josh to baseballthis Josh read a bit with Mike from a I think one of the most impor- practice the first afternoon. Thatkarate fiction book which we had beentant things we came to realise is that evening we had an enjoyable dinnerreading together. Later Josh and Mikeboth of our views of Josh are valid with family and friends. The nextwent fshing with a neighbour. Wheneven if they do differ. We should morning Mike arrived back from histhey got home at 9:30pm we had aalways try to be aware of this and if morning run when Josh was halfwaylight meal and Josh did a little bit ofpossible try to see the other parent's through his maths. He immediatelywork on spelling "to, two, too, for andpoint of view no matter how much one started suggesting things and givingfour" which I hadn't noticed he wasn'tdisagrees with it. I'm sure we will still Josh little problems to solve. Josh wasclear about during the morning maths. have our ups and downs and disagree- obviously getting flustered when I By the end of the eveningments about Josh's upbringing and finally interrupted and reminded MikeMike had decided that our "school"education, but at the moment, things that our agreement was to just observewas very good.I think he wasare great! Books about writing from the John Holt Bookstore P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

FAMILIES WRITING

A Wm. lasnik.... acumen wort Own t." ....WA we. ion* mord Arad Won sarws perm. 61.1. mnrank.k. wet e6A44 nnd dr.iew hems innih

PETER R. STILLMAN PAMIL LICIT!)

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 24 2,91 Our homeschool

Sue Cartwright

(Sue & Joe Cartwright are In following each of their owncontinue at that point. involved in the computer worldpursuits, I have been on a tremendous Our eldest boy decided to be a journey. Christopher, our youngest,magician. He attends the Genis Club as well as being the parents ofdecided he would be a mechanic. A now, a band of professional magicians. Ashton 9 and Christopher 7 theyfriend of ours is a mechanic. ChrisHe has read every book in two libraries come from the Blue Mountainswent down to work with him everyon the subject, has given numerous region of NSW.) Saturday for a year! I had to put upprofessional shows, and is making We have been homeschoolingwith all the spark plug, tools and gen-money out of it! He loves geology and eral garbage that he came home with.over the years has collected probably for 3 years now and I can honestly say $1,000 worth or gems. He has cut that with every day, we are becomingHe quit that (hurray!) and took up stones at his local lapidary club, and happier and happier. When we firstgymnastics, eventually winning 6 can make broaches, rings, etc. He had started, I was very serious about themedals at State in 1992, taking overall made $100's of dollars selling "gem whole thing. The children had to "sitsecond (missing 1st place by 0.3 trees" (little wire trees with precious down" to learn and I had to "teach"points) He catne away with a gold and stones on them). The money comes in them. Those days are gone, although I5 silver medals. He followed a course am glad to say they didn't last veryof interest in birds, collecting feathers,handy to buy more rocks and to buy magician gear. He has taken up acting long. modelling life-like birds out of clay recently, and currently wants to be an Can children only learn sittingand putting feathers on them to make down? Can they only learn whenrealistic models. He took up ballet andactor. He loves computers and is learn- ing to programme them as he has a someone teaches them? No and No. Idance. He loves singing. he took piano particular strategy game he wants to have seen for myself that children arelessons, he still loves piano, but has put that aside for the moment to try outdevise. learning ALL THE TIME. Once I gave I really could go on and on my children the freedom to pursueacting. He loves all sports and is very but I won't. What I want to communi- whatever subjects they were interestedco-ordinated. He and his brother in, I was kept busy - full time- justnagged me for 8 months to do fencing,cate here is that almost NONE OF THESE INTERESTS belong to my keeping up with their pursuits. My first(they had Zorro) I thought they would husband and myself. Sure, we are into big realisation was that they are indeedforget about it. No such luck. I had to computers and so is our oldest boy. separate people with their own person-fmd a fencing club and they went for a alities, likes, dislikesetc and Iyear. They quit as one cannot compete But I think that is it. I can tell you that couldn't and shouldn't foist my per-until 12 years old, but they intend toeach of these interests the boys thought sonality, interests and disinterests on them. An example: My oldest has a head for figures. He always has remembered amazing details. He can tell you the temperature of the sun, how far away the moon is, at what speed an object falls. I recall one day where he said, "Mum, do you know how fast a bullet travels?" I replied "No". I was about to launch into " We can look that up... etc" but my son then said, "Well, it travels at blah speed, and it blah...." He then went into a tremendous physics spiel. What amazed me is that he was actually teaching ME. What is more, he knew he was, and he knew that his under- standing on the subject was superior to mine. He was 8 years old at the time.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 25 2c1 up and pursued in their own way. Suremoney and had bought all these lollies. leave school?" Some of them vaguely I helped is I said, "OK, I will take youOne of the boys offered some of thesay, "Oh I guessIwill go to to gym, etc." But that is where it ends."booty" (lollies) to Ben. Ashton, our 9University." (But th v have no idea I never did gym as a child. Neither didyear old then stepped in and said,what they want to stut'v.) Some will my husband. Chris saw it on the"Ben, if you take those lollies you willsay, "I hope I can get a jb." (But they Olympics on TV and thought he wouldbe as bad as they are. You shouldn'thave no idea what kindCrjob to get like to try it. When Ashton said hesteal." Ben didn't take the lollies andbecause they never had the clportunity wanted to be a magician, I thoughtthe boys walked home. to discover where their interests lay or MAGICIAN! No boy of mine is going When Ashton came home Iwhat they were good at.) to be a magician! But I did not say thisasked him about his time with my A friend of mine 3son out loud. I have learned better - thanksbrother and his cousin, and he told mewho just achieved 98.6 on his TM. I to homeschooling. What I said wasall about what he did, but he neverknow this boy and he HAS NO IDEA "OK, honey. Try it out." Ashton nowmentioned the incident. My brotherwhat he wants to do. When I kept at has some great friends ( professional called me up later and told me about it.him saying "Surely there is something magicians of course!). They think thatApparently his son, Ben, was soyou want to do..." He said " MAYBE a boy of his age is great fun to haveimpressed that he had told his fatherhe will be a lawyer, because the money around because of his genuine interest.about it, and then his father called tois good." What kind of reason is that? One friend from the magic club, by thetell me. I asked him why he didn't tellSpend a lifetime of work at something way is a science teacher, who has visit- me about it and he said, "Gosh, Mum,becanse it "seems like" it might be a ed often. Ashton expressed an interestit wasn't that big a deal." good idea. Or because it "makes in chemistry, so Paul (the science Well, I would no more havemoney". The poor kid has no devotion, teacher) comes over and does chem-stood up to some older kids at his ageno overwhelming interest in anything! istry with him! Paul (about 40) is nowthan fly! I was really proud of him!He is shy, lacks confidence, and - his an avid supporter of homesehooling. But to him it was "No big deal". Whatmother says that he "lost all his cre- I do not believe that going toalso surprised me is that even thoughativity" through trying to get a good school makes a child social. we all we have never (at least to my knowl-TER score. And look where it got him. know this, but I want to give an exam- edge), given either of the children anyExactly nowhere. ple. If one is stuck every day at schoolformal lessons in morality, they not Our children are using this with the school bully, one would even-only know and understand the moralexciting time of their youth, to confi-. tually give in. I know I did when atstandards that my husband and I holddently go toward where their goals are school. Here is a story: One night, ourfor our family, but they can applyand fmd themselves, their abilities and son Ashton ( when 9 years old) spent them. interests. They get up each day with the night at my brother's house with So, that is our story. It isenthusiasm to pursue their interests and his cousin Ben (then about 12). Benongoing. The only problem they willthe day isn't long enough for them to and Ashton were walking toward theeverhave isdecidingwhatdo all they want to do. They will not be shops and some of Ben's schoolprofession/job/home business to takegetting a TER score. But if someone friends (also 12) stopped Ben. Theup as they are so interested in every-could "test" them on their ability to "friends" of Ben then told him howthing. Not like these kids who leavesurvive in life, to be happy and achieve they had been stetling hub caps, andhigh school, and still have NO IDEAtheir own goals; if someone could test how great this was, and how there waswhat they want to achieve in life. Itheir personal certainty and confidence, a man down the street who would givehave talked to a lot of them. I ask,then I know that is one "test" they them $2 a hub cap. They had a lot of"What are you going to do when youwould do very well on indeed. The books of John Holt

How Children_ Learn from the John Holt I RI- IS.t : 1%C..,:to. C..,0 Bookstore P.O. Box 420 tts 45). fl TOIL Ur Mo.4 :"Ot Kellyville 2153 01 ng.". 7.. I 1:11INHIF11111111 THE ItISTARLING CIACSIC THAITIRED THE. RITHKm John Holt orAMERICAN El It !CATON %UK VIn P1111011111.% RI 1.11114

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 26 293 Forget about Planning Quality Time Ed Wojcicki

This article is reprinted from a "Kids hate quality time any time.don't see - makes a mockery of the 1992 edition of Mothering mag- Parents ought to forget about it."Mypopular use of the term.When my son theme was going to be that parentalwas four years old, all he knew about azine. A superb US publication plans for "quality time" often fail toquality time was that he loved playing that concerns itself with The Art produce resounding joy in children.baseball. An early riser, he thought of Morhering; Health; A Child's That's as far as I got. When I returned6:45am was the perfect time every day World; Pregnancy, Birth & to my writing hours later, I found ato head into the backyard and bat a few Midwifery; Ways of Learning & new sentence on the screen: "(Saraplastic balls. He didn't know the dif- says) I like quality time."Sara's adden-ferencebetweenTuesday and Family Living. Mothering P.O. dum jolted me into a new understand-Saturday. What he did know was that Box 1690 Santa Fe NM 87504 ing of quality time. quality time happened whenever Dad Ph 0015 1 505-984-8116 Previously, I had known only two responded with a spontaneous "Yes!" definitions of the term: Real quality time, in the eyes Experience proves that build-Definition #1: "Quality time," in pop-of a child, is rarely planned in advance. ing relationships, especially in fami-ular use, involves scheduling a specialThe most meaningful moments in rela- lies, requires wasting time together justevent with others, usually family mem-tionships often begin unexpectedly. hanging around or sitting on the porchbers to deepen relationships.ParentsMy daughter frequently dips into her or building snow sculptures in themight look ahead to the weekend, forenormous reserve of energy to draw or yard. Relationships need quantity timeexample, and designate three hours ofpaint or create something on the home as much as they need quality time. MySaturday afternoon as pure qualitycomputer. And always, she wants to 11 year old daughter Sara startled metime- to take the children to the parkshare her achievement with Mom or one evening and taught me a valuableand then to a restaurant for a treat. OrDad, whomever happens to be lesson about quality time. Begging forspouses might designate one evening aaround."Look at this," "Come here, my attention, she asked if I would helpmonth as quality time so that they willquick," and "Look what I've made" her set up a tent in the backyard. Notnever forget how to enjoy each other'shave been uttered at least a million now, honey. OK, she said. Would Icompany. times in our house just in the last 24 drain our wading pool and refill it withDefinition #2 (my longtime prefer-hours, it seems. My daughter believes, clean water? Later. She then talkedence): "Quality time" is a trendy ratio-without ever having said it, that quality as if her entire future depended uponnalization for not spending enoughtime means Mom and Dad will pause going out for a snack right then! "Cantime with people who need us or peo- to focus on what she has donellow we go get ice cream?" she asked.ple we love. Experience proves thatinsensitive it would be to reply, "I Maybe,"Do you think we can go?"building relationships, especially incan't look at your picture right now, came the question 10 minutes later. families, requires wasting time togeth-but I will take you to soccer practice "Can we?" she repeated a few minuteser just hanging around or sitting on theSaturday, and then we'll have real later, knowing full well I knew the restporch or building snow sculptures inquality time." of the sentence. "Have you decidedthe yard.Relationships need quantity To a child, real quality time yet?""Yes, I have decided. We're nottime as much as they need qualityis a "quality moment", and such going." And we didn't go. time. moments require only eight seconds of Yet, something gnawed awayDefinition #3 (my daughter's contribu-attentiveness to acknowledge what our at me. I knew I had let her down, and Ition): While adults debate the pros and children are trying to show us.While wondered if I had made a mistake bycons of planned "(polity time," chil-most parents are not callously indiffer- turning down an opportunity to be withdren have a definitio.i of their own.ent to their child's world of creations, her, even though I preferred to do myThey cannot articulateas finely as athey may inadvertently deliver an "I own projects that evening. sculptor carves wood into a statue.don't care" message. Not long ago, as A New View Yet, like the Supreme Court justiceI was typing away, my daughter came Earlier in the day, I laterwho said he cannot define obscenityin to tell me something. She said a learned, Sara had discovered on mybut he knows it when he sees it, chil-sentence or two, and left the room.I computer screen the first couple ofdren know quality time when they seehad no idea what she said. She might sentences I had drafted for this article:it. And the quality time they see - orhave wanted a quality moment. I hope

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 27 it was not we in a series of momentsmonopoly inside to playing with carsOften, those parents genuinely feel that that she'll remember as Dad not payingor dolls just about anywhere. Suchthey are doing the best they can with attention to her. These days when myplaytime also includes occasionaland for their children. Often they are children interrupt me without beingbrushes past Mum or Dad to suggest aright. More often, they are not. rude, I try to stop what I'm doing andtrip to the store for a new toy or to the look them directly in the eye. That'sfast food joint for a quick taco. MyTime Giving Is Lite Giving the only way I can stop focusing on mychildren, I have come to realize, expect In relationships of any kind, own project and experience a couple ofme to say no to quite a few of theirthere is no substitute for time, period. quality moments which, unlike qualitysuggestions. They might mumble aForget about "quality" time. A recent time, are brief, unplanned, unsched-complaint. A few minutes later,study found that husbands and wives uied, and unspectacular. though, they're back in the yard con-spend an average of only seven min- I play on a men's softballjuring up a new game with their neigh-utes a day talking to each other. Learn whose members are all just oldborhood pals. The "no" is forgotten. Numerous other studies reveal that enough to have an informal team poli- For kids eager to play, whatmany children, if not most, spend more cy against running too fast. Most of usreally matters is that their parents aretime watching television than they do also take a vow against sliding becausewithin range. Just by being around, wewith their parents. Quality time is not we would rather be out than hurt. Onprovide security and set boundaries forthe solution because lack of quality several occasions over the years, boththe children's activities."Are you goingtime is not the problem. The problem on the bench and before or afterto be home today?" my children willis with our misuse of-time itself. We games, a "How are you?" has turnedask.Yes."Hooray! So can we go :mitmisappropriate our time so badly that into some very good conversations,and play?"Yes. And off they go, to th..only a few minutes a day can be sprouting seeds of friendship that canseen only now and thenuntilsqueezed out for the people we pre- only blossom when two people get pastlunchtime. That's qua:ay time on asumably love the most. the weekend's football scores and intochild's terms.When my son or daugh- Many people describe their more intimate talk about families, rela-ter says, "Can I help?" as I'm washinglives as crazy and chaotic. From the tionships, and dreams. the car or fixing a dripping tap, qualitymoment they .wake up, they engage in One good friend on the teamtime means more than being withinone scheduled activity after another- always asks about my writing.I, inrange.It means saying, "Of course,"their own and their children's.If it's turn, challenge him on our "field ofand joyfully wasting the next 10 min-not a child's ball practice or art class, dreams" to finish that album he has utes with my "helper". Pro jec tsthen it's an evening meeting or a late been producing for a year or two in his with young children as helpers alwaysbusiness appointment. Each day spare time. Such quality moments "justtake longer. So what? Sometimes thebecomes a shuffling act, and the much happen". children lose interest in less than 10talked about "t;me when things slow Why the old view bites the dust minutes and ask if they have to keepdown"neverarrives.Never. Popular "quality time" failshelping."No, go along and play," I say,Reallocating our time to allow for because it does not produce the expect-with appreciation that although themore unscheduled quality moments ed results.It is not encompassingproject took longer than necessary, realwith loved ones is essential. It requires enough to produce meaningful, deeperquality moments occurred. personal sacrifice, a phrase we don't relationships with people we love. These spontaneous scenes ofhear much anymore. My children, for While the implication is that qualityincluding children are of short dura-example, may never know, and don't time events will be pleasant, the imple-tion, yet they build a trust that may lastneed to know, that in recent years, I mentation of quality time activitiesa lifetime. Dr. Melvin Goldzband, ahave been getting out of bed at 5:00 or often falls flat. When the kids don'tpsychiatrist, warns about "arcade par-5:30 most weekend mornings. That is feel grateful enough for the much-ents" and "Disneyland parents"."my" time. There is no better time for anticipated quality trip to the park, orAlthough he finds many positive appli-me to write.When they roll out at 8:00 when they start elbowing each othercations for use of the term "qualityor 8:30, it's time for me to stop writ- and screaming, "You're on my side,time", he is concerned about parentsing, for they will have something to you jerk" in the back seat of the car,who take their children to big ticketask me or tell me. the happy air quickly escapes from theactivities while avoiding much person- Their energy and enthusiasm quality time balloon. Such momentsal involvement in their children's lives.will keep them darting past me every can even inspire parental resentment orMany parents, he says, define "quality23 minutes or so, all weekend long. anger,. an ironic by-product of qualitytime" in their own individual ways toNo way can I respond if I'm absorbed time. suit their own purposes and capacities.in my writing or if I'm engrossed in Another big hole in the popu-Many of those parents feel quite guilt-other favorite projects or if I perceive lar quality time argument comes fromridden not only over their post-divorcethe entire weekend as "my time." the simple observation of how childrenrelationships with their children butAnticipating real quality moments, on enjoy spending their time. Like a fallalso over the divorce itself.It is nota child's terms, means knowing some in a pinball machine, bumping quicklyhard to see how clutching at the termof that time is their time literally, on a from one place to the next, their activi-[quality time], taking refuge in it, andmoment's notice. ty is apt to change several times every beating it to death by overuse, can pro- hour, from baseball in the yard tovide solace for those guilt feelings.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 28 295 Education Issues Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne

I would like to stress that some homeschoolersfears about educat- ing their children through high school and to university are general- ly unfounded. The following set of articles, from a variety of sources, attempt to present a range of views that may encourage you to adopt the idea that education administrators and teachers are still talking about how to do things better and have not got things perfectly organised - edu- cationally nor socially in schools; that there is flexibility in the system in every state and that universities have not made up their collective minds in concrete on the issue of uni- versity entrance. Opening up the Options Damien Murphy Time magazine - Education section January 25 1993

Simon Fuller looked at his celebrating, beer-spilling friends packed into the Gold Diggers Armsa two year system offering 44 subjects34.8%. A decade later, in 1991, it had Hotel in Geelong, Victoria, "and felt soand the removal of exams as the main more than doubled to 71.3%. lonely I could die."It was Januaryassessment. Work throughout the year The chairman of the Victorian 13th 1992. Says Fuller, now 19: "I'llcounts up to 75% in some subjects.Curriculum and Assessment Board remember that day as long as I live.The VCE is one of a plethora of recent(VICAB), Howard Kelly, says that, Going down to the post office in thereforms around the nation.Soaringdespite constant publicity about the morning, opening the letter , seeing I'dretention rates have speeded thenumber of people completing sec- passed my exams ... but not well changes. ondary schooling who can't get into enough to get into uni. After 12 years' The overhaul of upper sec-university, the VCE "provides young and old students alike with a range of school the system failed me and kickedondary schooling started in 1985. A options that did not exist before." me out." report to the then Victorian Labor gov- Fuller had just finished theernment by educator Jean Blackburn Victoria went furthest down the path of school-based assessment. 1991composite Higher Schoolpredicted rising retention rates and said Certificate/Victorian Certificate ofthc finaltwo years' schooling shouldQueensland and the Australian Capital Territory offer four courses in the final Education - the last time the traditional be combined into one course. Events three-hour examination was used alone overtoI: the prediction as youth unem- years with school based assessment. University entrance is determined by as a means of secondary school assess-ploymc nt rose sharply and employers external exam. The South Australian ment in Australia's most educationallydeman led better qualifications.In Certificate of Education, which starts experimental state. Last month, 470001971 oilly 30.6% of Australian sec- Victorians completed a new VCE. It isondary scylonts stayed at school untilthis year, is based half on external year 12. By 1981 the figure wasexamination, half on school assess-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 29 ,2 9. 6 ment. Western Australia, Tasmaniahelp from teachers, tutors and parents.mark up on the next. It was hard, but I and the Northern Territory have similarBut in their report Professor Timwanted to get to uni with my mates." systems. New South Wales authoritiesBrown, of Melbourne University, and adopted two courses for years 11 andProfessor Sam Ball, deputy president 12: The Other Endorsed Studies courseof the NSW Board of Studies, said of has a mix of school-based assessmentthe Victorian changes: "Our recom- and TAFE exams while the state'smendations build on the current VCENSW Board of Studies president Johnsystem and in no way invalidate its Lambert: "Perhaps we are more con-ideals." servative in NSW, but I think the pub- VICAB chairman, HowardFlexi plan for lic support competition." Kelly, who was also principal at a The federal and state educa-Melbourne government secondaryHSC Study tion ministers' forum, the Australianschool during the stormy introduction Educational Council, is drawing up aof the VCE, says: "I felt like MikhailSydney Morning Herald national school curriculum. Dr KenBaryshnikov pirouetting on eggshells."Sian Powell Education writer Boston, chairman of its curriculum andSometimes that meant coping withMarch 5 1993 p. 3 assessment committee, says a nationalcomments from teachers such as school curriculum from kindergarten toBrighton Grammar School headmasterStudents will be able to study the HSC year 12 should be ready by 1995, goodRobert Rofe, who declared the VCEfor up to five years, repeat individual news for the 70,000 Australian stu-was "ideologically driven" by teachercourses rather than the whole exam dents who cross state borders eachunions and left-wing parent groups andand use work and life experience for year. Boston is less confident about a"must inevitably lead to a lowering ofcredit .... The paper (is) tided Advice national assessment scheme. Saysstandards." to schools on Higher School Certificate Boston:"I don't think I'll see an After his desolate evening atPathways ...... The Board of Studies Australian Certificate of Education inthe Gold Diggers Arms, Simon Fuller,also hoped to convince university my working life." from Bream lea, on Victoria's westchairs that the TER should be slightly The revamping of late sec-coast, returned to school to do the newdifferently composed....Year 11 will be ondary schooling in Victoria wasVCE and easily passed, doing subjectsdesignated as a preliminary course and painful. The former Labor governmentsuch as international, media and legalthe assessment component of the HSC failed to spell out VCE changes, caus-studies, none of which would havewill be conducted in relation to the ing confusion and fear, which thecounted under the old system. He isHSC course only (yr 12)..Students Liberal-NP opposition used againstconfident he will be offered a place in beginning Year 11 in 1994 will be able Joan Kirner when she was educationDeakin University's arts. faculty. Saysto study the HSC over,up to five years. minister and later premier.Fuller: "I'm the sort of person thatStudents will be able to gain credit Universities backtracked from initialpacks up in exams.I sweat, I panic, Itowards the HSC from TAFE and other support, with Melbourne University'scan't think. With the VCE I knew howcourses from accredited providers. vice-chancellor, Professor DavidI was going all year. If I did badly on Penington, campaigning successfullyone assessment I'd work to bring my against common assessment tasks (CATS) as the sole means of measure- ment. Lately Penington has suggested his university might rely on externally assessed CATS for entrance. The common assessment tasks require year 12 students to tackle set exercises worth 75% of the total score. Students complained that the CAT workload was too onerous, but Sean Clerehan, vice-principal at Marcel lin College, in the Melbourne suburb of Bul leen, says the new VCE was a godsend to some students. "We had students pass by working steadily all year who could never have coped in an exam." Last month Victoria's Kennett government received a report on the VCE saying the marking system for school-assessed work was open to cheating and to students getting unfair

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 30 297 Schools failing to confront a veryreal crisis

You mean, regurgitate it! Some children can almost read by the An ACT teacher says Yes, I can hear the screaming jackalstime they get to kindergarten? our education system of mediocrity shouting it. That was oneYes, there will be those who are read- succeeds only in perpet- of the first big words they met in theiring and doing basic arithmetic at a education lectures and they have con-level three years ahead of their class. uating the mediocrity oftinued to use it ever since to shoutThis is very likely because they have the herd down any attempt to ask students tobeen lucky enough to have a parent memorise. (most probably a mother ) who took (Both Joe &dun and Drew Corrigan sent us this piece printed in theDid you have to memorise? the time to teach the alphabet and how Sure I did. Wordsworth and Hopkinsto read small words and sentences and Canberra Times on Feb 3rd 1993) even books. The parent also showed It has been said so often thatand Yeats; French irregular verbs and them how to count and add and take there is a crisis in our schools that itthe properties of organic compounds. I never regretted that effort. I can stillaway and perhaps more. has become a cliche. Education costs But parents aren't professionals. rise but the quality of the product doesremember passages from Tintern Abbey and The Lotus-Eaters. I oftenShouldn't they leave the job to those not. Ask any teacher who has been in go to Tennyson or Yeats when I need who can do it properly? the classroom for more than 20 years to compare the quality of studentssomething to soothe, the way others goThe fact is that these children have learnt more from their mother in five today with what they encountered into Bach or Chopin. That's elitist, surely? years than they may ever learn for the the past. To a man (and in those days, most were men; the dominance ofYes, of course, elitist and middle-class.rest of their schooling. Unfortunately, women is teaching is a relativelyTwo favourite put-downs of the. newthey must now be dragged back to the recent happening) they will tell youorthodoxy. We have condemnedmediocrity of the herd. They are con- demned to boredom and in many cases how today's school leavers would betoday's youth to reading today's poets unable to cope with the standardsand then we ask them to make the sen- to getting into mischief at school. timents their own. We encourage them Facilities exist for dealing with slow demanded in the '50s and '60s. Of course this can be dis-to write their own poetry and tell themlearners or those who are behind with missed as not more than nostalgichow good it is. We are not allowed to their age group. Why isn't some atten- suggest that it is rubbish; that would betion given to those who are ahead? boast; in the same category as reminis- Because we are not allowed to say that cences of standards in cricket or farm-to give a sense of failure. Do you think our schools are ineffi-some children are brighter or have ing or manners. The difference is that cient? reached a stage ahead of their class- these old chalkies have evidence in the mates through working or having a form of exercises they set for theirWithout a doubt. A large measure of classes in days gone by. These arewhat passes for schoolwork is glorified mother who is a better teacher than the professionals. Such children are just as dated and might even be a source ofday care. disadvantaged and out of place as amusement with their parsing andIs that why so many women are now in teaching? those who have learning difficulties. analysis, pounds, shillings and pence, latent heat of fusion and even theBe serious. Although the case can be What does happen to them? put that in a society where the two-In a typical class in our primary quaint requirement that students have income family is increasingly the schools the teacher directs her attention some ability to locate places on a map. norm, babysitting may well be a neces-to the middle ground. She ignores the The fact is that today's students would top third who know the material be unable to tackle many of thosesary provision. But what abovt parents' expecta-already and she tries valiantly to drag tasks. tions? along the bottom third who are strug- So what does that prove? gling.If she is an exceptional teacher Only this: we have been so seduced byBy and large, parents don't give a damn. Go to a kindergarten anywhereshe may well extend the bright stu- soft pedagogy assignments and excur- dents and get them to produce new sions and projects and all the activity-in Australia on the first day of the work and to learn new skills. But that based trivia that have found their wayschool year, look at the faces - of the parents, I mean. What you are seeing is is rare and even where it occurs, it is into our schools that our students are relief. They have done their five yearstemporary; for the following year, with no longer required to learn anything - I of unpaid babysitting. Now it is thea majority of teachers, their learning mean, learn in a way that they know it turn of the state to provide the servicewill stop while they wait for others' and can make some attempt to repro- for the next 13 years. fruitless and half-hearted attempts to duce or apply that knowledge.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 31 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 29F3 more to teacn- ing than chalk and talk. The challenges that face teachers in the modern classroom

Geoffrey Maslen From The Canberra Times Feb. 1993 Here they are. Lined up in the corridor outside the classroom door. Well, not so much of a line, more of a muddle of heaving bodies really. The: they march in or run, scramble, shove their way past, as if desperate to get to their desks which is a bit of a joke consider- ing some will do not work at all for the catch up. The treatment of clever orthan the students. It would be difficult next 40 minutes. There goes Leonie, bright children in our schools is a dis-to program such changes, but it would two metres high and only 13. The grace. not be impossible. tallest girl in her year, all knees, The lock-step model certainly seems But surely, that doesn't happen in elbows and a giraffe-like neck. She high school? Here, each child has ato be inefficient. ambles down the aisle, banging a row I liken !iigh school to a military exer- number of teachers. of heads with her bag, trailing shouts, cise. We have to move a large army In fact, the situation is even worse. By curses and threats behind her like a from A (primary school) to B (college now the brighter kids have found other noisy veil. And here's little Nick. A things to do during class: talking, play-in the ACT system). The army is jockey-sized freckle-faced, jug-eared ing up, sending notes, being teenagers,placed in ranks, marshalled by busy bundle of dynamite ready to explode at A few minutes of homework eachteachers, making sure they all keep in the slightest bit of friction. He reacts so night will maintain their position at thestep. If some members of the army are violently to provocation that even the top of their class: one-eyed creaturesmoving slowly, all have to move slow- big kids are scared of him. He held an who are kings among the blind. ly; if some are moving too quickly, entire home economics class hostage Aren't classes streamed? they are directed to the back in an with a fire extinguisher for two hours Not on your life! Any mention ofeffort to push the stragglers. And off to last week including the teacher who he streaming will waken the jackals ofthe side are academics writing reports finally let have it with a jet of CO2 uniformity once more. If Johnny ison how best to move the army forward. foam. He then curled up into a whim- bright, then he must use that talent to The requirement is that each pering ball for the rest of the day. help the others in the class. If in thegroup must take exactly four years to Down the back already is process his performance suffers, that'stravel from A to B. It is little wonder that teaching no longer attracts theKylie. All-knowing Kylie, chewing too bad. gum like Ms Mole herself and a sex What do you suggest? brighter students coming from our col- kitten if ever there was one. Her moth- We should forget about year Seven and leges. Most people choosing to go into er brings home more boyfriends than Year Eight and the lock-step approachteaching today are outside the top 40 takeaway dinners and some of them to being in a certain stage of schooling per cent of academic achievers. almost certainly spend the night in at a given age. All students should be Kylie's bed. Beside her is Chris. required to reach a certain level ofSo in a few years from now, teaching Mousy Little Chris. Studious, quiet, a knowledge and skill before they arewill be a career for second-rate intel- hard worker and never a boo out of allowed to move on to year 11.lects? him. His father took off last year and Students could achieve those levels inShaw's jibe that"Those that can, do; left mum and the four kids to fend for anything between two and five years. those that can' I, teach" isin danger themselves. Chris suddenly became Such a scheme would be a nightmare of becoming a reality. dad to the three younger nes; no won- to administer. der he always looks exhausted. For too long, schools have been run on Anton saunters past with tiny a model which suited the school rather

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 32

0 Kim Ng. Middle Europe and Asia areas many devote much of their timesometimes create a riot? great mates. Anton's mildly dyslexicafter school coaching sports teams, The dilemma for the consci- and sometimes as slow as a wet week. runni^g clubs, or ferrying children toentious teacher is how to cope with Kim's dad was a doctor in Indo-Chinaand from other schools. school's contradictions. On the one and now he sweeps floors in a car fac- The constant interaction withhand, a teacher is supposed to be pass- tory but Kim is destined for greatyoungsters who can be cheeky talka- ing on to the next generbtion the accu- things in maths or science.... tive, energetic, quarrelsome, rebellious, mulated knowledge and ways of know- Every morning at school thecruel, kind, happy and helpful - anding of a society - ensuring continuity of teacher confronts 20 or 30 living histo-that's just at the start of the lesson-the future with the past. On the other ries, a milling crowd of immature char-makes great emotional demands uponhand children have to be prepared to acters who arrive with their baggage ofteachers. These can be so exhaustingdeal with a world that is undergoing a family problems and fascinating poten-the teacher simply burns out. That istransformation, to use the knowledge tial. The classroom mix of personali-one reason why many teachers keepof the past without being limited by it. ties and peculiar behaviours poses con-their distance from the kids, why theyto understand that knowledge itself is siderable challenges for the teacher,retire to the blackboard in class, whyproblematical, that it is a human con- not only devising programs that eachthey are seen as an alien race by stu-struct and therefore, should be thought student might find interesting but alsodents, quite unlike other adults theyof as a tentative subject to revision and in 1.eeping the lid on sometimes irre-meet. reinterpretation. pressible boisterousness. I remember being astonished How teachers respond toin my first year at secondary schoolHow do you teach to inform and lib- those challenges depends on their ownwhea I learned the head of science waserate? experiences as learners - both in schootgulng to many the woman who taught Twenty years ago, a few and during teacher training - on thehome economics. The idea of a teacherteachers and I helped found a commu- ethos of the school and on the particu-having a normal relationship withnity school in Melbourne. We thought lar class they are taking. The actualanother person seemed unreal. Butthat solving the classroom dilemma business of teaching is hugely complexthen, look at it from the kid's point was easy. You introduced far greater and is much more difficult than mostview. You are made to go to school,choice into the curriculum, handed lay people think - much harder thanwhether you like it or not. There youresponsibility for learning back to the mere chalk and talk, for example, orbecome victim of a machine thatkids, allowed each to work at his own handing out wrrksheets and tellingorganises every hour you are present,pace and untied the leash. It did not kids to get on wiit. directs you to one place and thenquite work out like that. The students Good teachers are constantlyanother, sits you down and stands youwere teenagers and brought with them making intuitive decisions in class on up , a machine that is run by perempto-their own experiences of school and how to handle a remarkable range ofry adults who order you about, whowhat they thought real learning was issues - resolve a row, say, or help asometimes shout and rage and try toabout. Most of the children were student understand a particular point orbully you into subservience, whorefugees from the authoritarian class- choose just the right moment to takerarely if ever, ask your opinion androom and some useo their new free- the lesson on to another stage. Yet ask would doubtless ignore it if youdom to do nothing, at least nothing them to define what they are doing andoffered an observation. other than sitting around smoking, they are as much in the dark as the rest You are constantly told to sitplaying guitars and chatting. Some of of us. still and be quiet - at a stage in yourus found this alarming while a few of Many primary and secondarylife when you are full of curiosity andthe kids found the unstructured teachers know in remarkable detail the want to talk about the world, aboutapproach we adopted frightening. They personal and educational histories ofyourself and your relationship withwanted knowledge and understanding the students they teach. If they haveothers, when your body longs to bebut were made anxious by the thought been in the school for a f-tw years theyactive, to be testing itself against newof uncovering it in novel ways outside will know the brothers and sisters, thechallenges, climbing higher, runningthe formal classroom. children's friends, their parents andfaster, leaping further. The resolution of these issues their past. In the classroom, however, aswas never going to be easy because it They will have watched thein peace, nothing so becomes a child ascentred on the tension between eman- children grow and change and willmodest stillness and humility. Noise iscipation and control, between process have an informed opinion on wherethe great enemy in school. Althoughand content, between the teacher get- they will be when they finally leavehumans are the only animals who liveting students to acquire a body of school. Outside the school, teachersto converse, who often value most theknowledge - the traditional purpose of rarely tire of gossiping about theirinformation that comes from listeningthe academic curriculum - and having charges like doctors in a hospital with and speaking, silence in the classroom them develop skills appropriate for life a ward full of patients. They oftenfor teachers is seen as success. So stu-long education. spend hours and expend enormousdents are cowed into being quiet, Today, the conflict is even effort seeking ways to help a studentbribed to conform, droned at until theymore pronounced and it is felt in both who presents special difficulties, justare bored silly. Is it any wonder theythe primary and the secondary school.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 33 300 Students, young and old, are morein the middle of this. Whatever theirconventional forms of its transmission. assertive and more demanding. Manycritics might claim, primary and sec- How to do this individually are no longer subject to the parentalondary teachers really do want children and collectively is not easy. Teachers restraints of the past and are accus-to do well at the traditional studies, need help - from their colleagues, their tomed outside the school to anthey want them to be able to read and principals, school councils and parents. unprecedented degree of freedom. write and compute. The federal government has now Meantime the pop Coca Cola culture Yet most would also say thatpromised a package of professional of youth encourages contempt for most they want their young charges todevelopment reforms worth 130 mil- adults and their values. become self-directed, socially-compe- lion over the next three years. At the top of secondarytent, independent, and these days com- That could be the catalyst school increasing numbers of studentsmitted more to collaborative ratherAustralian schools desperately need. are staying on because there is no workthan competitive ways of learning. Meantime, teachers ought to be urged outside for them to do. They have dif- That means teachers mustto review their own habits and prac- ferent experiences, different interestsseek new methods that accomplish onetices. They should aim to encourage and different ambitions from thegoal without losing sight of the other.autonomy in children rather than minority who used to occupy the chairsThey must draw on academic curricu-dependence, creativity instead of con- in the Year 12 classroom. They objectlum, because to deny students access to formity, co-operation over competi- to one-voice lecturing, to abstractthe traditional disciplines is to deny tion. bookish learning. Teachers are caughtfuture opportunities,while rejecting the THE BOOKS OF RAYMOND DOR,OTH.Y MOORE

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 34 301 * establish a fund to finance publicity,The homeschooling court case of Mei Queenslandthe dissemination of information andCheng vs Kay Hallahan. The ex- other activities (Labor) Minister for Education in Carolyn Gibbs , * compile information (researchW.A. will be listed very soon. The case Noosa Heads Qld papers, newspaper articles, books, etc.)number is 2075/92 to support the case for home education I promised Rachael that I would send* devise emergency strategies to deal An update on the situation in W.A. I you a copy of the account of thewith investigations by social service have enclosed a draft of the policy stat- regional reps meeting that I had writtenofficials ment sent to me by Greg Black, the for the "The Queensland Home* appoint a negotiating team to repre-Chief Executive Office- of the Educator"- "Regional representativessent Queensland home educators to theMinistry of Education, (the same meeting". During John Peacock's visit,government and other organisations Ministry official Gina Wright, Jo-Anne the people who had helped to organise* appoint a panel to vet research pro-Beirne and I saw in November last his speaking tour got together inposals involving home educators year). All the homeschoolers I have Tamborine and made plans to keep theThese proposals and ways to put themconsulted are very pleased with this momentum going. The state camp/con- into action will need to be discusseddraft and think that there has been ference in March is the main event, butand developed by the Queenslandgreat effort on the part. of the Ministry many other strategies to help homehome educating community, a processto understand and accomodate the spe- education grow were discussed andthat will be given a kick-start by thecific needs of Home-based Learners. agreed upon. camp/conference in March. Before I get too excited I am waiting to These included: see the Procedure Manual. I hope the * organise a state-wide association procedures are consistent with the (along the lines of Victoria's AERG) ideals of the policy statement. I would * aim for legislative change, with theWestern like to thank Jo-Anne in particular for Victorian/ACT models being the pre- the generous and willing help she gave ferred goal Australia to us in working this through with the * undertake a publicity campaign to bureaucracy. The advice and support promote home education Sue Warner, H.B. L. N, Perth helped us tremendously in our negotia- * find allies among all groups with anRE: THE MEI CHENG COURTtions. Thank you again for your contri- interest in home education CASE

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MM. OM mom. Homeschoolers Australia pty ltd. P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153 Ph: 02 629 3727

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL IfiSUE 38 PAGE 36 303 Legal & Political Update

schoolers enjoy. In particular - a key schoolers. factor is the separation of Board of While this may sound intimi- South Studies and Department of Education.dating to new homeschoolers, it must Because homeschooling is not abe understood that homeschooling is a Department of Education responsibilityserious undertaking and one that Australia in New South Wales the application ofdemands a high level of responsibility. regulations is freer and open to a wideHowever, having children has similar Eve Luick: Adelaide, SA. range of acceptable interpretations.demands and most homeschooling par- These conditions do not exist in otherents have been demonstrating their states. However, it is the strong opencommitment to their children since An up-date on the situationrecognition of homeschooling as abirth. The process of becoming a legal here in SA. My experience with theviable educational option that has beenhomeschooler is just another step along bureaucracy to date has lead me to the most useful and helpful to us. the way. Becoming aware of what edu- observation that South Australia and Here in South Australia, wecation policies are and finding ways to Adelaide in particular, is not conserva-are grateful that we do not have to con- incorporate these policies in a way that tive by nature and still retains the pace- vince the Department from scratch is acceptable to both family and state is setting enthusiasm that was the markabout the desirability of permittingone creative way of demonstrating that of the Dunstan era, deep in itS struc-homeschooling. In our discussionsdegree of commitment and intelli- ture. It seems that the Department ofwith Departmental officials, we aregence The fact that many families can Education in South Australia regardssimply working on details to ensure we and do succeed in convincing the the legislation in New South Wales asare able to enjoy educating our chil-Department they are capable of educat- giving homeschooling in Australia the dren at home legally. ing their own children without compro- official green-light-go-ahead. In practical terms, this meansmising their philosophical motivations Horneschooling has beenbeing aware of what Education policiesis adequate demonstration that home- given the stamp of approval - so toexist in South Australia, such as theschooling is being treated with non- speak. In their willingness to co-oper- introduction of second languages, what hostile and healthy respect. atewith homeschoolers, Southsort of educational material is consid- In our discussions with the Australia is looking to New South ered racist and sexist, and so on. It alsoDepartment one of our major concerns Wales and importing the intention of was to ensure that the most up-to-date families were able to legislation in Australia. have some access to For this reason, they a system of appeal if are even ready to make aregistrationor the distinction between exemption WaS registration and refused (as is done in exemption in order to NSW). This was con- cater to differing philo- sidered reasonable sophical motivations in and efforts are being choosing to home- made to design an school. Appeals mechanism. Asanex- On the whole we NSW resident I am have had very sup- aware that while New portive and encour- South Wales legisla- aging discussions tion has provided a with departmental very useful model and representatives who springboard for design- areanxiousthat ing legislation in other South Australia not states, it would be trail behind with out- foolish to suggest that of-date policies and this legislation is ideal legislation. The final to import directly with- drafts are expected to out adaptation. There be completed in late are specific conditions that exist inmeans ensuring our children have theMarch or early April. I will keep you New South Wales that assisted in cre- key learning areas covered during the informed. ating the supportive homeschoolingperiod they are registered as home- environment New South Wales home- 302 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 35 Your Ret.

Oa Ref 809/92 Ministry of Education 151 Poyal Street. East Pecr-I. Western Ak;s1ru.ia 6004 Enquines Telephone (09) 264 4111 r-e- (09) 264 5X.5 Branch

Ms Sue Warner 18 Coongan Avenue GREENMOUNT WA 6056

Dear Ms Warner

I am writing to inform you of the Minister's decisions following the 1992 trial of home tuition procedures. I would be grateful if you would convey the contents of this letter to other parents who share your interest in home tuition.

The Minister has directed that the following provisions for promoting reasonable and accurate assessments of home tuition programs be put into effect for a two year period:

1. The wording of the policy statement and procedures document should be clear and unambiguous and should be entirely consistent with the current provisions of the Education Act and Regulations.

2. Interactions between parents and administrators should be arranged for mutually convenient times and should follow set pro^edures on which both parties are well informed.

3. Children can be withdrawn from school in advance of parents having an education plan; however administrators should point out the advantages. of advanced planning.

4. Ministry monitoring of provision should take place with adequate notice and not in the first term.

5. No electronic recording should be made of visits.

6. Witnesses for both parties can be present if requested.

7. Children could be assessed orally, but only for as long as there is no sign of stress exhibited by the child; the parents should have the right to be present during oral assessment and to terminate the interaction; the administrator should not report back to the parent in the child's presence.

8. Records of plans and programs should be acceptable in various forms in recognition of the diversity of philosophies and methods employed.

9. The criteria to be met should be clear, objective and consistent with legal provision, and not just oriented to a Ministry government school focus.

10. Copies of parents' plans and programs should be made available to the administator as an essental part of the assessment process, but the originals should remain the parent' property. ,ITST COPY AVAILABLE AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 37 1 30 4 11. A full assessment of the program or plan should be provided to thehome tutor am soon as possible after the assessment;formal recognition can take the form of a letter and/or a certificate, according to parent request.

12. Adequate explanation of the assessment and adequate time to redress inadequacies should be given, but actual assistance in rewriting plans should not be provided.

13. Disagreements between parties should be addressed in a producdve manner. If conciliation is unproductive, appeals should be made to an unbiased body reporting to the Minister.

14. Before inidal assessment of t.he plan and during any appeal, the child can remain at home, a/though administrators can advise on any perceived disadvantages of this course of action.

15. Advice on future pathways following compulsory education should be restricted to making parents aware of accreditation and certification issues.

16. The existence of cornmunit;' support groups should be brought to the attention of parents.

17. All administators should be briefed on the Ministry's policy and procedures as soon as possible after being assigned responsibility for home tuition matters.

18. These procedures will operate for two years, from the commencement of 1993, for all home tuition cases and be reviewed at the end of that time.

I am confident that these provisions will do much to assist the process of assessment and approval of home tuition applications. Should you seek further information or clarification on any aspect of this correspondence, please contact Mr Peter Frizzell, Manager of Operations Branch on 254-4729.

Yours sincerely

cREG BLA.CK CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

3 February 1993

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305 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 38 Sales Tax Exemption

Anna Adams & Jo-Anne Beirne

As always happens with anybly unable to take advantage of thisan annual grant or a scaled grant for issue in homeschooling, there is nobecause they have always been philo-each registered child they homeschool unanimous agreement from home-sophically opposed to any governmentat the end of each registered year. This schoolers about any aspect of the desir-involvement with homeschooling. is given because it has been argued ability of compensation/ funding - no Obviously it could happensuccessfully that homeschooled chil- point that we can state "Well, at least that a group of homeschooling familiesdren are just as entitled to their share we agree about that". We get many forming an organisation and negotiat-of the tax-education dollar as the enquiries from homeschooling familiesing eligibility for sales tax. Of courseschooled children. It seems to us that concerning their eligibility for Salesone of the disadvantages of an umbrel- Government grants are more equitable Tax Exemption under Item 63A andla organisation approach is that any-and give families greater freedom to understand that many families feelthing bought by the organisation woulddecide how to spend their education entitled to some government compen-belong to that organisation and woulddollar themselves. Perhaps, registration sation for assuming the onus of educat-have to be distributed/loaned to mem-and government grants could be linked ing their own children. bers through some mechanism orthus allowing those families who There are also many familiesother. If anyone decides to pursue andobject to registration, the option of who regard compensation as an inva-develop this option, it could undoubt-refusing government money. sion of their private lives. These fami-edly be activated through one of the The problem of working with lies suggest there are no "free" giftsvarious homeschooling newsletters. homeschooling issues, politics, funding and any educational compensation will and legislation has been one of work- be accompanied by some sort ofSome facts regarding sales tax - ing for the greatest freedom possible unwelcome regulation- regardless of*All textbooks and all computer soft- for all families making the decision to what options are offered. The purpose ware are sales tax exempt already. homeschool. We feel as individuals we of this article is not to tell other fami- *Sales tax only applies to new goods,understand the difference between lies which democratic option should be20% of computers, art supplies etc. demanding a freedom and requesting made compulsory for all homeschool-*The onus of proof is on the purchaserfmancial assistance. While some fami- ers, but rather, inform new and rela-that any goods purchased with a saleslies will assume worst case scenarios tively isolated families what is beingtax exemption is being used signifi-of control and takeover, the reality is done and by whom. It is up to individ-cantly used for educational purposes. that while there are many bureaucrats uals to educate themselves and come to*Sales tax exemptions are not limitingwho will have no problem with this at their own conclusions about thesein any way i.e. once you have exemp-all, there are others who will use fman- issues. tion it applies to all goods that havecial requests as yet another reason to In 1992 the Beirne Family, assales tax applied. oppose homeschooling. We can't just NSW registered homeschoolers, sub- hide and hope for the best. It is impos- mitted an application for Sales TaxRelative benefits sible to predict how long it might take Exemption to the Taxation Philosophically, a sales taxto gain financial assistance for home- Department's Sales Tax Office. If theexemption benefits the wealthy moreschoolers but we feel it is worth pursu- application had been successful we feltthan it does the poorer families, as it ising. Shyness on our part certainly that it would have set a beneficialthe wealthy who already buy signifi-won't gain homeschoolers any advan- precedent for all homeschooling fami- cant quantities of new goods. If a fami- tage as we have never heard of a gov- lies. As we suspected we were deniedly resources and uses mainly second ernment offering unsoliticited finanical this option because we do not fulfil thehand goods, sales tax exemption may assistance and think it is highly unlike- law requirement of being an organisa-either be no use or possibly couldly in the case of homeschoolers. tion or institution whose primary con-increase their access to new materials. In response to those who are cern is education. (The letter from theHowever, the many families who areafraid that this action will provoke Tax Department follows this article). quite satisfied with the quality of sec-unnecessary political hostility, we do The Australian Christianond-hand goods may well find it morenot feel that fear is an adequate objec- Academy (distributors of ACE materi-advantageous to opt for a governmenttion to working for recognition that not als ) is possibly the only homeschool-grant/ compensation or funding. only should homeschooling be permit- ing organisation that could be eligible ted, it should be supported and encour- for Sales Tax Exemption because it isGovernment Grants aged in every way possible for the sake an organisation whose primary purpose New Zealand and some statesof our society and our children both is education. However, ACE is proba-in the US give homeschooling familiestoday and in the future. 306 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 39 Australian Taxation Office Jessie Street Centre 2-12 Macquarie Street, Parramarta (P 0 Box 4220, Parramatta 2123)

Telephone : (02) 893 3327.1"1 Fa&unile: (02) 893-3888 10 December 1992 Our Reference: SMT X- Contact Officer : Steve Millwarti Your Reference:

Mrs Jo-Anne Beirne PO Box 420 KELLYVILLE NSW 2153

Dear Madam

SALES TAX : HEM 63A EXTMPTION

Reference is made to your letter dated 30 August 1992 requesting exemption from Sales Tax pursuant to item 63A, First Schedule, Sales Tax (Exemptions and Classifications) Act 1935 in relation to Homeschooling activities carried on by you.

Item 63A exempts:

"Goods for use...,and not for sale, by a university or school conducted by an organisation not carried on for the profit of an

For exemption to apply the legislation requires that certain conditions must be met. One of these conditions is that there is a "university or school conducted by an organisationnot carried on for the profit of an individual".

Where a word or phrase is not defined in the sales tax legislation, reliance is placed on its ordinny, natural or popular mean. The word "organisation" is such a word and therefore, its popular meaning must be considered.

This office considers that the common or popular meaning of the word "organisation" does not extend to include an individual or household, and therefore, the terms of Item 63A will not be satisfied.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURV ISSUE 38 PAGE 40 Another condition that needs to be met is that a body has a predominant aim of imparting knowledge as an object or an end in itself.

Sales Tax Ruling ST (NS) 3003, titled "Itern 63A: Goods For Use By Certain Universities or Schools" sets out the Commissioners interpretation of Item 63A in the First Schedule, and paragraphs 3.24 to 3.26 of this Ruling discuss the issue ofimparting knowledge, giving a number of examples of bodies that do, and do not, satisfy the guidelines.

Childminding centres, creches and playgrounds are not considered to be schools, by this Office, as their predominant aim is the care of children, even though some schooling activities may be carried out.

Similarly, it is not considered that the predominant aim of the household is imparting knowledge as an end in itself, rather it is the care and well being of the family as a whole.

Therefore, exemption from sales tax pursuant to Item 63A., First Schedule, Sales Tax (Exemptions and Classifications) Act is not granted.

Yours faithfully

A SEBERRY Deputy Commissioner of Taxation HOME-EDUCATION PRESS A common sense approach to homeschooling since 1983! HOKE EDUCATION MAGAZINE HOMESCHOOL READER I LEARN BETTER BY TEACHING MYSELF HOMESCHOOL HANDBOOK

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c 308 AUSTRALIAN 110MESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 41 111=111M111111b, Homeschoolers in the Media

I am hoping, with help from Parents Magazine schooling Hannah (11) and Naomi (8) you, to make a regular page "Alternative Education", journalist"in a wide variety of ways including interstate travel as a family on business Shane Collier, p 61, February/March, thai details homeschooling trips and observing the process first families' contact with the 1993. The Braathen Family of Naremburnhand involved in wrting a book." This article also mentioned a very small sur- media. If you have an article homeschooling Roald (6) and Douglas printed about your family, or do(8) in the "Barbara and the childrenvey undertaken by Sydney University a radio interview, or have any work in what she describes as anstudent, Michelle Hughes, (3 families) 'enriched environment'." A positivewho was surprised that children who other media contact we would were homeschooled benefitted socially be really happy to include it in article which describes their home- schooling experiences leaving asideas well as academically. Positively pre- sented with reference to both Board of this section. Please send it to usmore provocative issues . with the name of the publica- Studies and Homeschoolers Australia. tion and date of publication The DailyTelegraphContact numbers included. and any comments you may Mirror have. The Australian Women's "Home school scores top marks"Weekly (evening edition), journalist Frances In this issue we have articles aboutO'Shea, Friday February 5th, 1993. "School's in at home", journalist four homeschooling families all ofThe Morrison Family of NewcastleElizabeth Johnston, p. 81, March, which generated lots of good publicityhomeschooling Samuel (7) & Jessica 1993. for home education . (5) in "a class of their own." AnotherThe Jurth family of Redbank Plains positive article which mentions thenear Brisbane homeschooling Levente We alsc would like to encourage peo- extent of homeschooling and a brief(12) Kingas (11) Gejza (9) & Timea ple to contact tlIcir local newspapers tohistory of regulations. Information sup-(8) overcoming numerous legal and suggest the idea of an arjcle on home- plied by both Board of Studies andwelfare objections and confrontations schocting, if you feel you are preparedHomeschoolers Australia. to protect their children's education to do this. Jo-Anne has helped a few across a wide range of interests in people over the years become moreSydney's Child Queensland. Great article showing confident with the media and is happy truly committed parents. Background Headline "Sydney's Homeschooling", to talk to you before any interviews, if information supplied by this would be useful. Phone 02 629journalist Robyn Cusworth, p. 9,Homeschoolers Australia. March, 1993. 3727. The Mikhaiel family of Sydney home- Education issues in the Media

National war on sexism at school tells schools to: Counter endemic sexualChairman of the Senate Standing Tele Mirror 13101193 harassment and stereotyping of girls by Committee on Education. Employment and A new policy aimed at overcoming sexual male students and teachers in co-education-Training, said the committee would review harassment will take effect in all Australian al schools. Ensure that more attention is notentrance procedures, becuse schools secondary and primary schools thispaid to boys in class than girls and stopfocused on preparing students for competi- year.The policy, backed by the Federal andboys "hogging" equipment and activities.tive university rather than providing a all State governments, has been formulated Stop role models identified in course mate-sound education. "The focus seems to be because sexual harassment in schools has rial being predominantly male. Mr Davis. on scores ... there is not enough concern been found to be "endemic". The head of Secretary of the Tasmanian Educaton and about whether the courses are suitable for the working party which held a Federal Arts Department. said the problems were young people," ... The Committee's reveiw Government investigation, Bruce Davis, similar in all States and some were doingwould cover issues such as: Are young said yesterday that harassment problems more to combat them than others. people choosing courses that are appropri- emerged as early as kindergartcn and not UNI ENTRY REVIEW ate to their needs both at HSC and universi- enough was being done to encourage girls. Daily Tele Mirror 13101193 ty levels? Are some young people who ate "Four- and five-year old boys arc alreadyThe Federal Government is set to reviw the better suited to TAFE being pushed into showing signs of considering themselves to university selection system, a senator university because of parental ambitions or be superior to women." he said. The policy revealed yesterday. Senator Terry Aulich, pressure from schools? Is the obsession-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL nogISSUE 38 PAGE 42 with winners overshadowing the education- claims Australian teaching methods have they are unable to understand properly doc- al needs of all students in secondary placed too much emphasis on developinguments, simple arithmetic and newspaper schools? Are school curriculums being nar- the skills of children up to Year 5 and ofreports essential for full participation in rowed to meet the needs of university?those completing their last two years atmodern society. A Federal parliamentary Senator Aulich said the increasing competi- school. It says children between Years 5 report, Literacy Challenge, found that one tion for university places was forcing stu- and 10 - aged between about 10 and 15 are in four children finish primary school with dents to select HSC courses which would at a crucial developmental stages of their inadequate literacy skills. Apart from the given them high marks rather than courses lives and should be encouraged to movehuge human costs associated with reading that really interested them. "Young people from dependence to independence. The and writing difficulties, including low self- are still choosing courses on the basis of main function of middle schooling, referred esteem, low levels of health or poverty, improving their aggregate and getting an to in the report as the "forgotten years" andthere are also significant economic costs improved score," he said. And he said rank- the "Cinderella section", was to ensure stu- for society. While the degree of illiteracy. ing students against each other, largely ondents developed intellectually, emotionally or "problems with the reading and writing" the basis of one exam, had no educational and socially, and to encourage them to see as the experts prefer to say, varies across validity. Although educational authoritiesconnections between school experiences the social spectrum, so too do the reasons were trying to make the HSC more voca- and their future lives, the report said. In the behind the problem. "I think people are tionally oriented, the entire system needed Middle, which was released by the National often surprised there are adults from revamping, he said. "The system whichBoard of Employment, Education and English speaking backgrounds in Australia operates, particularly in NSW, appears toTraining's Schools' Council. a government who have difficulty with reading and writ- be obsessed with this numerical ranking, advisory body, was based on research done ing because they presume everyone has regardless of what the Board of Studies orlast year with parents and more than 36 access to schooling. It's free, so why can't education minister's views may be,". Australian schools. He said teachers needed everyone read and write?" says Sue Sim a Senator Aulich said the problem stemmed to adopt a more flexible approach to teach- member of the NSW Adult Literacy and from the university entrance procedures in ing these students and instead of teachingNumeracy Council. And from the most States which also were fixated with them from the front of the classroom, theyCanberra Times 03102193 Child literacy marks, rather than students' individual abil- should organise them in small groups, 'inadequate' Queensland Labor back- ities. "Schools do not exist simply in order according to their ability and age, to allow bencher Mary Crawford "although the to select an elite for university." he said. them to think for themselves. committee had found no hard evidence that "That is one of their minor functions butAn unsung (self-educated) hero of med- literacy standards had risen or declined most importantly they should be providing ical technology over time, "it is also unacceptable that the education for all the students in thatSMH Feb 18th 1993 actual numbers of children with such prob- school." Mr Vivian Richard Ebsary, AM, a remark- lems are not known." Watching TV may turn children to fat, ably talented yet unsung hero of medical .Teenagers Increase grog binges researchers find technology for more than 35 years, died The Daily TeleMirror early March '93 SMI1 10102193 peacefully in Sydney last Thursday. He Binge drinking among Australian chilaren CHICAGO, Tuesday: Television may bewas 87. The engineer, who was born on is increasing and teenage girls are just as contributing to a near epidemic of obesityMay 12, 1905 at Narrogin, Western likely to get drunk with their mates as boys, among American children . A study pub- Australia, and left school aE 13, devised according to a study of more than 10,000 lished in the February issue of the medical life-saving devices used in hospitals the high school students. Most teenagers sur- journal Pediatrics said TV viewers' metab- world over, including a heart/lung machine. veyed regarded alcohol as the safest drug. olisms fell below those of children who Mr Ebsary, a one-time fitter and turner, set- This is despite the fact that alcohol plays a were just resting. "Television viewing has atled in Sydney in 1927 specialising in pre- part in 60% of the deaths in the 15 to 34 fairly profound lowering effect on rnetabol- cision engineering and later founded age group. The survey by the drug founda- ic rate and may be a primary mechanism Ebsray Pumps Pty Limited, in Brookvale. tion of Victoria, shows an alarming lack of for the relationship between obesity andHe co-founded the Institute of Automative understanding by teenagers. The report's amount of television viewing," the study Engineers of Australia in the early 1930's. author David Crosbie said "How can we said. The study, by Memphis StateIn his spare time, Mr Ebsary developed an tell our children they shouldn't drink too University and the University of Tennessee anaesthetic machine appropriate to themuch when they see their mum or dad in Memphis, was described as the first toneeds of children at the Hospital for binge drinking?" Children are bombarded explore the metabolic effects of television Children. Camperdown. He developed a with images about drinking. viewing. The researchers said obesity had hypo-thermia machine which could lower a Teacher gives cigarettes to 6 year olds. become a near epidemicin the Unitedpatient's body temperature, allowing theDaily Telegraph Mirror 123.93 States, affecting as many as 25 percent ofheart to be stopped for up to six minutesA primary school teacher has been sus- children and about 30 percent of adults. without damage to the rest of the body. He pended for giving 22 of her six year old According to a 1985 survey, American worked as a voluntary member of both the students cigarettes to smoke She had children aged six to 11 watched about 26 cardiac team at Camperdown and a Sydney seen reports this week by a Sydney hours of TV every week -as much time University experiment team and, in 1959, University professor urging the practice. over a year as spent in school developed the Ebsray heart/lung machine Professor Stephen Juan proposed all chil- Schools neglect teens: report which enabled surgery on the heart for up dren aged five and six should be made to SMH 10102193 to an hour. In 1968 he helped develop asmoke one cigarette during their first year CANBERRA: Students in their middlehyperbaric oxygen unit at Prince Henryat school in the hope they would be sick- years of schooling have been neglected by Hospital which sill treats patients with ened by the experience and would never a system which has failed to catch up with bums, gas gangrene and the bends. smoke again. Mrs Clark (from the Catholic changes in the past decade, and an imme- 10pc cannot read or write survey Education Office said "I think it is diate review is needed to help them develop Sunday Telegraph 14102193 absolutely ludicrous to expect that children intellectually, emotionally and socially, a An estimated 10 percent of Australiansaged 6 could possibly make an adult, life- study has found. The government study over 15 are functionally illiterate - that is time decision not to smoke"

AUSTRALIAr: HOMESCH,Q0L JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 43 1 (1 Resources Questacon Canberra Jo Boehm

have seen a presentation on the habits During the school holidays the Centre conducts a series of 3 day Canberra is home to a wonderful of koalas, another on the discovery and programmes for children up to the age resource for homeschoolers - workings fr the circulatory system and Questacon - The National Science and one on the science of various structuresof 12 years. They also have several Technology Centre. Not only are the (bridges etc). excursions. The sessions have titles galleries packed with hands-on The Questacon Shop containssuch as "Light & Colour", "Kids in exhibits ranging from Biology toa small but interesting range of booksSpace" and "What's Inside?" For non- Physics to brain puzzles, but therelating to science issues. There is amembers the cost is $25.00 for 3 x90 Questacon shop provides manyselection of games and "toys" designedminute sessions. An excursion costing $5.00 for non-members may be similar resources to take home. to show a variety of scientific princi- Questacon is situated close toples. For example, you can buy bounc-to the one "Freshwater Ecology" where the City Centre near Lake Burleying puny. It changes shape and is softthe children were able to use water Griffen. Admission is $18.00 per fami-like plasticine but if you roll it into atesting kits and microscopes. ly. Be prepared to spend the day as theball and drop it onto a hardfloor, it The Manager of Education four galleries will take a while to getbounce like a rubber ball. The putty isProjects at the Centre, Brenton through. The exhibits change periodi-a substance called polyboro-siloxane.Honeyman, is very amiable and help- cally although some displays are per It is actually a fluid that has very large,ful. the Centre conducts teacher and manent. The latest additionis thelong molecules which cause it to actworkshop programmes and Brenton Environment Exhibition in Gallerythe way it does. Pull it apart verywas quite open to the idea of such One. This covers a broad range ofquickly and it is like cutting it with aworkshops for homeschoolers when issues. It makes the visitor aware of theknife. stretch it slowly and it's likeand if there was sufficient interest. impact our everyday activities at homechewing gum. Great stuff!Hopefully horneschoolers will be able have on the environment, with aUnfortunately I think some of theto access their facilities more fully in stylised walk-in house. You can alsoitems are over-priced. the future. find out how and why some animals Another item available from In addition the NSTC pro- and their habitats are endangered. Bythe shop is the Exciter Pak. (Excitingduces "The Questacon Magazine", using a touch-screen you becomescience Iechnology Resource Eaks).which costs $10.00 for 4 issues. knowledgable on the GreenhouseCurrently there are only four types of(Subscription is free with membership to Questacon) Although only about 20 Effect. Paks for sale with the promise of more In each gallery you will seeto come. They are titled "Bubbles",pages, it is a high quality publication people wandering around in blue jack-"The Environment", "Music" andcontaining many interesting articles, ets. These are the explainers.They are"Balloons". The kits contain virtuallyactivities and a calendar of events always friendly and very willing toall you will need to conduct a series ofAustralia-wide. explain the workings of the variousexperiments on the given topic. With So next time you are down exhibits. If there is a puzzle you just"Environment", you investigate airCanberra way you may want to take can't solve, they are there to helppollution, study the effects of sewageadvantage of this wonderful facility in although they give clues and only giveand learn about acid rain. All of thethe Nation's capital. We're not all answers if you are really desperate!equipment is packed in a plastic con-politicians down here you know. The explainers also present regulartainer and is accompanied by a booklet shows (usually twice a day) in Galleryof detailed instructions. They retail for two which last for 15-20 minutes. Weabout $7.00 (P & P $2.00)

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Scientific Eye 1-listory, Language, *Acme School of Stuff French, * World of Chemistry MUSIC

* The Mechanical Universe

OTHER RESOURCES (Saturday workshops also) - Children:Aero-Gramme gym, visual arts, gymnastics, drama,Aero-Gramme is a magazine for those drawing, languages, music; Adults:interested in alternative schooling. For Colour with Numbers yoga, play reacting, self defence,further information: 417 Roslyn Road, Numberworks Maths Schools coversiapanese, ufrniture restoration, photog-Roslyn Heights, New York, NY, the NSW maths syllabus fromraphy. Ph: 967 2917. 11577. Phone 0015-1-516-621-2195, Kindergarten to Year 10. TeachingPhoto Competition fax 0015-1-516-625-3257. centres at Chatswood, Mosman andHeritage Week Photo Competition,New Horizons Pennant Hills. Ph: 419 8000. Sutherland Shire - designed to encour-Latest issue of New Horizons comput- Ballet & Yoga age amateur photoraphy of historicaling magazine is out now. Free call DoughertyCommunityCentre,aspects of the Shire during the preced- 008-023-069, fNe fax 008-808-656. Chatswood offers courses in paintinging 12 months. The date has alreadyOpen Learning Australia (water colour & craft), pre-schoolpassed for this year, however youOpen Learning offers all Australians music and movement, music withmight want to write it on your calendaran opportunity to study university babies, square dancing, ballet, tai chi & for next year. courses for credit towards university yoga. Ph:419 2555. Education Resource Centres (ERC) degrees - established by Monash Acting Many ERC's run courses to help par-University in association with other Mona Vale Film & TV Centre -ents in the commmunity. ObviouslyAustralian universities, with the sup- Children's classes offered includingthey do it from a school perspectiveport ofthe Commonwealth live-in film camps, adult classes alsononetheless you may find them inter-Government and the collaboration of available. Ph: 997 4222. esting. Upcoming courses includethe ABC. For further information, The Cottage, Mosman Parent Update/Helping your Child withwrite to GPO Box 444, Melbourne, Day & evening courses for adults andReading; Parent Update/Study SkillsVIC, 3001, phone 13-29-29 or fax 03- children - various classes offered cov-and Teachers & the Community.204-8990. ering exercise, arts and crafts, andContact Sue Cass 763 1400 for moreRailway Building music. Ph: 908 2102. details about Strathfield ERC's presen-A course on the hobby of building and North Sydney Leisure Centre tations. ( Thanks Alanya Sutcliffe.) running a model railway system is Various courses for adults and childrenContinuing Education - Universityavailable at the Manly Warringah including exercise, self defence, danc-of Western Sydney Community College. Making the ing, photography, writing, readinrShort non-degree courses coveringengine, carriages and track along with groups, bush walking, theatre work-general interest, business, professional esigning the layout with scenery, shops, arts and crafts. Ph: 922 2299. and computing areas. Westmead,buildings and bridges is a creative Willoughby Park Centre Kingswood and Werrington campuses.exercise which draws on artistic skills. AdultsandchildrensprogramPh: 678 5400. Ph: 913 8766.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 45 312 nt9 Resource Book For your copy for Australian Home send $30 Homet choolers Educators Australia 2nd Edition P.O. BOX 420 An updated catalogue and directory of learning resources. An inspirational tool and guide for new and experienced Kellyville 2153 homeschoolers. 02 6293727

Inside-120 pages

20 Inexpensive Ways to Access Educational Resources in the Resource Book Community.* A detailed list of Homescbooling Books -a range of for Australian Home books that can help you decide the how to, wheres, whens and whys of Educators home education.* A national list of 2nd Edition Homeschool Support Groups, Newsletters, Contacts & Products. * An updated catalogue and directory of learning Some Educational Resource resources. An inspirational tool and guide for Information for the A.C.T., new and experienced homeschoolers. N.S.W.,Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, S.A.. Especiallyplaces to visit, museums etc. for N.S.W. The aim being to create ideas for pursuing educational alternatives rather than creating a definitive list for each state. *Curriculum Resources -U.S. & Australian * Educational Catalogues * Books & Book Suppliers *Project Material & Magazines* An Australian & an Published by American Family's Individual Homeschoolers Learning Resources P.O. BOX 420 KELLYVILLE 2153 NSW *Resource Articles about Preparation of a Portfolio; Evaluation; Learning Disabilities; Homeschooling & The Media; Homegrown & Homeschooled - Raymond Moore; --neschooling & Computers; Research This Resource Book does not claim to cover the depth and - Larry & Susan Kaseman; How breadth of educational resources that are available in Homeschooling Changes over Time; local and state communities, far less the national arena. Unschooling;Teaching History; Discipline & Learning & Play; The information we have compiled is merely meant to Teenagers; Legal Opinions; School provide a guide and an inspiration about what is possible, After Home Education ; Housecleaning if we only look around. We hope we can all learn that our & Homeschooling. world is our best educational resource.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 46 31 :3 ,

g THE VIDEO I45information packed minutes

Invite Dr Raymond and Dorothy Moore and other experienced homeschooling families into your home to hear what they have to say on all the important issues that concern all home educators throughout the world to-day.

Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore are internationally acclaimed educators, researchers and authors who have been deeply involved in and supportive of the home- schooling movement for more than three decades. The Moores are the respect- ed authors of HomeGrown Kids, Home Spun Schools, Better Late than Early, School Can Wait, Home Made Heatth, Homestyle Discipline, Homeschool Burnout and Mind Your Own SOME OF THE MANY ISSUES DISCUSSED Business. IN THE VIDEO

* THE VITAL ROLES OF MOTHERS & FATHERS IN EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN WHAT TO DO - FROM SMALL CHILDREN TO TEENI\GERS * ENTRANCE AGE A: BEING READY TO LEARN WHERE TO GET THE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK & SERVICE HOME GROWN KIDS VIDEO AS WELL AS STUDY ETHICS * PREPARATION FOR GOOD al d.h.NSHIP * USING REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND REAL AUSTRALIA BOOKS AS WELL AS TEXTBOOKS TO SEND a cheque for $40 (includes postage) to DEVELOP LEARNING SKILLS. * PARENTAL COMMITMENT GIVING INFINITE Homeschoolers Australia P.O. 420 Kellyville 2153 REWARDS EDUCATING CHILDREN WHO LOVE TO UNITED STATES LEARN * POSITIVE SOCIALISATION The Moore Foundation Box 1 CAMAS Washington * HAVING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS & EDUCATING 98607 U.S.A AT HOME * DEVELOPING HIGH SELF-ESTEEM

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 38 PAGE 47 314 5lomeschoofers Austrafia pty ftd mint6 acn 003222 848

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Homeschooling events formore information see page 10 this edition.

MARCH homeschooling seminars in the past. Ifgramming & evaluation ? What is you are interested you must contact torequired of me, legally ? If you are RSVP. Jo-Anne Beirne 02 629 3727interested you must RSVP. Jo-Anne Queensland Home Education Beirne on 02 629 3727 or Marcelle Conference March 22nd to 25th for more details. Foundling on 063 322 132 At Eaton Hills, near Brisbane. Contact * Monday April 19th Rachael Hearn on 075 436451 Regular homeschool meeting at JUNE " Sydney Computer Workshop Kellyville Park, Memorial Drive Kellyville. See March 16th informa- Sunday 28th March Central Queensland Homeschooling tion.Ring Jo-Anne Beirne 02 629 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Displays of computers Get Together, 7-14 June 1993. Scnd 377, Dodie Conway 02 6394858 for If you wish to register and find out a non-refundable $5 deposit to Kathy details. more details contact Jo-Anne Beirne Boles 2 Richard St. Emu Park 4702 for 02 629 3727 or Bill Chalker 02 more details ring 079 396 213. The 4844680 MAY aim is to get to know and support each other and have a good time. APRIL * SEMINAR Sunday May 18th. Homeschooling Seminar at Bathurst OCTOBER E.R.C. cnr George St Bathurst. 1- 5 * SEMINAR Sunday 18th April p.m. Cost S20 per family, S15 per fam- Homeschooling Seminar at Kellyville NSW Homeschooling Conference?? ily for those who have already attend- Sports Centre, Memorial Drive, Contact Jo-Anne Beiren 02 6293727 ed one of our homeschooling seminars Kellyville 2153. 1- 5 p.m. Cost $20 for more information. per family, $15 per family for thosein the past. Topics covered -resources, books, socialization, success, experi- who have already attended one of our ence, practical issues, structure, pro- 315 Australianoeschool ournal ISSUE 39 May-June 1993 Publishers: Jo-Anne & Greg Beirne

Subscription to this journal is $30 for 6 issues to P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

cf) Ideas or opinions expressed in articles and letters are those of the author and do g;14not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors and publishers of this journal. Australian Homeschool Journal Issue 39 May/June 1993

Your Letters pg 3-7 Funding pg 17-26 Education Issues pg 30-31 A case for the funding of homeschool- To School or not to School? (Reprinted ing from Classroom magazine) Feed back please pg 8 Julie Boxx Norah Colvin Government Allowances for Older How can I hope to match the teacher's Practical Homeschooling Children (reprinted from The Christian training?(Reprinted from School's Out) Family School Association magazine) Jean Bendell Issues pg 9-14 The Marretts Austudy access A letter from Mrs State Issues pg 32-33 Homeschooling the Best Kept Secret Chadwick's Office (NSW Educ. Min.) Queensland Support Group Ben Meues Julie Boxx Paying Parents to Stay at Homesehooling Camps, Try Them! Home(reprinted from Sydney's Child) Joanne Brugmans Steve Biddulph Media pg 35-40 Hard Times in Paradise Licensing and Christian Education Homeschoolers in the news David& Micki Colfax (reprinted from The Christian Family Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne School Association magazine) Education round-up Dr. Little (ACE) Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne Creative Ideas to Try pg 15-16 Family pg 27-29 Resource Information Candle Casting from Making Things Parenting Kathy Boles pg 41-42 Cheese Making from Vicki Cobb - Taking the Plunge: Getting my Kids Support groups, More Science Experiments You Can out of School Robyn Lake Eat Conferences & Camps pg 43-48

About the Editor I am a 36 year old happily married woman, to my beloved (patient & Networking & enduring) husband Greg. We have Contributions always homeschooled our four chil- Support Groups dren. Gregory is nearly 13, Rebecca 11 years, Stephen nearly 9 and Mary-Beth to this journal 3 years. We live about 45 kms from I wish to continue to update Sydney on a 5 acre block where we are warmly the support groups contact don't grow our own produce, have list. If you want to be listed horses nor even chickens - we tried it anywhere in this great coun- but we just aren't farmcrs ! We try to welcomed. support, encourage and challenge try,please tell us about your homeschoolers, with varying degrees group. of success, failure & reward. We are Homeschoolers Australia P.O. committed to information dissemina- Box 420 Kellyville 2153. tion about the option of homeschooling Thank you. so that others can learn about this important moral, social and academic alternative to traditional schooling.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 2 3 7 Letters Letters Letters Letters

Learning Resources &information not available elsewhere.exhibition as well as having many So keep them in mind. Learning isexcellent displays has a video to watch Materials largely free or often no more than theabout book illustrators and their work. cost of a phone call or postage stamp. Julia Boxx Mudgee NSW Happy Homeschooling! Learning Morse Code We recently carne across an Jerry Mintz Roslyn Heights NY, excellent and inexpensive set ofBoard of Studies EducationUSA resource materials. These are the PeterResource Materials As I mentioned in AERO -GRAMME Leyden.'s Resource Book School #9, I developed a technique for teach- Project booklets. Titles in this series Duncan Sutherland, Managering the Morse code to people who were "for study, reference work and cutting interested in getting their amateur radio up at home or school" cover eighty-Product Development & Marketing Group license. For example, one of the first plus Australian and World topics con- people I taught was David Browth. cisely but in detail and with colourful I have pleasure in notifying your organisation about the Board ofwho is now a newscaster on NBC. A poster lift-outs.Prices for individual homeschooler on one of the comp, ,ter project books range from $1.50 toStudies February 1993 Education Resource Catalogue. The Board ofnetworks heard about this and ask: d if $3.20 and can be purchased from I could make a videotape of it, wh ch I newsagents and selected bookshopsStudies has maintained a strong com- mitment to the concept of homeschool- finally did. The msults have been pret- from Leyden House, PO Box 77, ty spectacular. With this technique, firtarmon, NSW 2064. Titles includeing and Board Officers have sought to support parents in this endeavourpeople can learn all the letters in less "The Anzac Story", "Pollution", than 25 minutes! In fact, the tape con- "Australian Mammals", "The Drugwherever possible. The Resource Catalogue contains a wide range ofsists of my teaching two 12 year olds Problem", "Japan", "The Arab World", in less than 20 minutes each. Ben and "Stone Age Man", "The Olympicproducts which I am sure homeschool- ers will find interesting and helpful. Sylvia Olson who got a prototype tape Games", "The Story of Energy", wrote an amazing review of their expe- "Early Sydney & The Rocks", "ThePlease note that all products may be purchased by telephone or mail orderrience with the tape for the Seven Seas Universe and Earth" and many more. Cruising Association Bulletin: "The New titles are added regularly, and alland that the Board offers customers a full money-back guarantee on all prod-results were nothing short of astonish- titles are listed on the back of each ing: both of us, after watching 20 min- School Project booklet. The bookletsucts. If you would like a catalogue or to obtain further information about anyutes of the video 'Code Crash', knew are great for any age level and can be the code for every letter of the alpha- used over and over in all sorts of ways. of the Board products, contact the bet.If you want to learn the code, we Another resource our familySales Clerk by telephone on (02) 925 8178 or fax on (02) 956 5205 highly recommend the 'Code Crash' makes frequent use of is free pam- video". From that recommendation we phlets. These can be picked up or writ- received over 75 orders for the tape. ten for from almost anywhere - muse- Travelling Art Exhibition Another man got the tape for his ums, special exhibits, national parksJoanne Brugman:, Sphinx Rockdaughter. He mailed a note to me: and tourist-attraction centres, business- NSW "Jerry, it really works. My daughter es, manufacturers, government and pri- We recently enjoyed "Picturelearned the entire alphabet and all the vate agencies and industries (we gotThis", an exhibition of children booknumbers in a single sitting - then start- some terrific ones when visiting theillustrators compiled by the Booked sending me code faster than I could NSW Mapping Authority, by writingIllustrators Guild of NSW at our localtake it down.". We're selling the tape to the National Philatelic Centre and(Tweed) art gallery. This exhibition isfor $US22.00 postpaid, and looking for even from a trip to our local abauoir!). on tour thorough the State Library of a possible distributor. Free pamphlets make a great additionNSW and will move on to Tamworth to the family's library and providenext then Dubbo, then to . The 318 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 3 Mothers and Teachers your own lunch. Cost $2 per family (to cover the hire of the hall - given it may well be fairly cold that day) from Anne Jackson Lismore NSW 10 - 2pm. Contact Fiona Manuel on We are in our fifth year of home623 3257 for more information and to schooling and as each year passes, itRSVP. makes more and more sense. We have eight children, three daughters and five sons, aged 21, 20, 12, 10, 8, 5, 3 and 1. Homeschooled kids out in They are Erin, Christopher, Manette,the real world Brendan, Kieren, Dominic, Callan and Jasmin. Our eldest daughter is marriedAnn Cabanas-Brown Texas, USA and expecting her first child at the endAnne Cabanas-Brown a homeschooler of this year. She and her husband havefrom Texas wrote in AERO-GRAMME already made the commitment to home#10about her children's involvement0 on the lOpm news. That's all the educate their children. Although shewith the Clinton for President cam-glamour - but the fact is, they worked lives in another town, Erin is a pas-paign: very hard. The adult volunteers looked sionate supporter of home education,"Last Match Konrad (then 12) decided to them to answer questions. Marcel attends all of our get togethers and hasthat he wanted to work for Billwas in charge of the Clinton-Gore been my staunchest ally over the yearsClinton. Okay, we said. We didn'tstore and directed the adults who ... so much so that she would driverealise that he actually meant it.He worked. Konrad was the right hand for home in between lectures at universitylookeduptheHarrisCountythe coordinator of over 3,000 volun- last year, to help tutor her siblings. It is Democrats, called them up, and since itteers. The Clinton-Gore folks were difficult to convince outsiders of howwas so early in the political season, hetremendous mentors. fulfilling the lifestyle is, but the rewardgot right in with the delegates. He of full time motherhood is tenfold.I started off making phone calls, madeFr de la Tour Goulburn recently met a mother who felt pres-lots of friends and by May he had I found issue 38 of your mag- sured into giving up the thought ofalready met Bill and Hillary. He wentazine more "substantial" than the ones making the commitment as her child'sto the Conference of Mayors where hebefore. There were some very interest- teacher told her, "You can't be asat and talked to Clinton, and a fewing articles (on reading, etc.).I fin- teacher and a mother too". What anweeks later, they talked about allergies. ished the book "Dumbing us Down". I amazing remark. Was she not worthyHe almost went jogging with him, butam in full agreement with John Taylor to be both until the magic day theydidn't have shorts so he passed. Along Gatto's criticism of compulsory mass walked through that school gate wherethe way he worked daily at the partyschooling. But I disagree with his they finally became "enlightenedoffice. By July he had (younger broth-overemphasis on what Rousseau called beings"?The saddest aspect of thisers) Anson and Marcel working with"negative education" (the child learns comment is the assumption that teach- him, doing everything from answeringalone). Once again, the Catholic phi- ers not parents are the "first and fore-questions about Clinton policies to fax-losophy of education is a balance most educators" whilst parents are onlying confidential stuff all over the coun- between the mechanistic drudgery of the auxiliary helpers. No wondertry ... I was shocked the first time Imodem schools and the unrealistic the- schools then feel free to run "parent-walked in and found Marcel at theories of some educators who simply ing courses" for many parents who feel front desk!I can't tell you what posi- forget original sin (fallen human nature undermii;cd, even in their parentingtive press homeschooling has gotten inwith ignorance, laziness, etc.). These role. this process. questions arc fundamental. Should They had a luncheon with Governored ication consist exclusively of devel- A support group for peo-Ann Richards, of Texas, who heardopment from within or is there also a ple with 6 and unders what an asset the kids had been, andformation from without (by a good asked if they could help in her cam- teacher)? paign. They had pictures taken with Fiona Manuel St Mary's all of them. Even Jesse Jackson insist-Amanda Thompson Warners Bay Jo-Anne I am interested in starting aed on having one. They also spent We started a trial-run home- suport group for mothers in the outer some timc educating people in theschooling in November 1992, for my western region who intend to home- party about homesehooling.Gildaughters Katie (nearly 6) and Emma school but have children that are 6 and Brown, their father, said that the kids (4) to see if they could learn what they under. I am planning a first up discus-were often there ,.om 9 - 6 or later.needed to learn, I could keep up the sion day on September 28th at ErskineUltimately, they were invited to thehousehold responsibilities and we ParkCommunity Centercnrinauguration, given VIP passes to thecould all stay sane all at the same time. Pepper-tree and Swallow Drive- a real-White House, and even appeared onWell, we're all still sane (I think) and ly lovely indoor facility that caters forCBS Sunday Morning and McNeilin fact I think our life together has kids and has tea making, tables and Lehrcr, MTV and local media a dozenimproved. We are all learning con- chairs for littlies and mothers. Bring times. Sacha even spelled POTATstantly, in fact my children have taught

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 4 31D me much (is that how it's meant toallocated according to the size of theSunday. We really appreciate yours be?). I am finding our home schoolfamilies or groups coming. I'm theand your kind husband's hard work in goes best when we cruise along notcontact person - Joanne Brugmans,supporting and encduraging us and worrying what others think, but whenKyogle Road, Sphinx Rock via Uki,promoting home schooling. I am still what we do at home school is a result2480 (066) 89 7473. It should be wellapprehensive about my capabilities as of others' criticisms, in a defensiveattended. a teacher though. At times I feel so way, then the ship begins to go a bit We've just returned from theexhausted mentally and physically, so off course. For example, I may panicQueensland Home EducationI'm hoping that by research and dis- and do more work books, to have proofCamp/Conference. It was really terrif-cussion with other homeschoolers will of the work we do, which results in theic to see you there and I'd like to thankgive me the confidence to pursue it any girls revolting.I am slowly becomingyou so much for all the help and sup- way. I intend to come to the many dis- more confident and the support groupport you have given the cussions you hold to keep me fired up. in Newcastle (which is wonderful)Queenslanders. Your input at the con- helps prop up the confidence that isference was useful and empowering.Collen Keeley Marrickville NSW lacking. As someone who has attended quite aThank you for a most informative sem- I must constantly remindfew home education gatherings ininar held at Kellyville. I was very com- myself that I don't have to proveEastern Australia over recent years, I'dmitted to the notion of homeschooling myself to others but get on with thelike to say that I've never seen sobut the seminar greatly reinforced my adventure of learning with my chil-many cars ever before. We were notconvictions and ironed out a few wrin- dren. I am also learning not to paniccounting heads and there were not hun-kles, so to speak. when we have a hard day or two,dreds of people but the numbers were because so often the day after there areimpressive. The Queensland peopleAmericans want more encouragements and indications fromare getting things together and I'm sure the girls that they are learning muchwhen the time is right will handle theirinformation from home- and using what they learn. Thank-youdifficult legislation situation well.schoolers in Australia for your journal, it is very encouraging.Their immediate action will be in the I am presently awaiting a visit from annetworking line, building up the grass Carrie Sutherland St Louis, USA inspector to approve our registrationroots level of home educators and sup- I have been homeschooling for the past for homeschooling. porters in their state.I personally six and a half years - the first two and a believe this to be a very good approachhalf in Britain, and the past four here in NSW Home Educationand know they will do it well. the US. This summer a few mothers Camp and I plan to have our children work North Coast Newsletter together and learn to cooperate with one another. There will be six chil- Joanne Brugmans Sphinx RockStephanie Armstrong Lismore dren, ages 11 and 12, three boy s and NSW I am the editor of the local Nth Coastthree girls (five are American, one is Thanks for the package ofnewsletter. I can be contacted at 1/5 British). They will meet twice a week John Holt Bookstore catalogues. We Anstcy St Lismorc 2480 or on 066for two hours each time.I am respon- toik some of your catalogues to a local 891435. sible for the activities in July, and plan market yesterday - we had a stall mak- to study Australia with them. Do you ing and selling candles as well as giv- have any information you can send me ing out home education information.Seminars on homeschooling in Australia? The There was some interest. I've booked Sharon Kickert Riverstone NSW children will find that more relevant Yarrahappini Ecology Centre, Grassy than just learning how traditional Head, near Macksville NSW forThank you very much for the lovely schooling is set up. Any other sugges- September. So it is a Home Educationseminar-discussion we had las tions, information or contacts will be Weekend Get Together from 2:00pm gratefully received. 718 Lami, St Friday 10th September until 2:00pm Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. Sunday 12th September. The cost is $9.00 per person (over 5 years) per Sandra Merrion Indiana night. As Ehvam Vccellio described it We are homeschoolers who are plan- before the first Yarrahappini - "Timber ning a gigantic field trip end 1993 and bunkhouses nestled in rainforest by the in 1994 to Australia, New Zealand and beach - an inspiring place!"I describe it as "the most beautiful place on other places cast We would like to contact homescboolers in these coun- earth" - if ever I was going to say that tries. We would like to get to know lots about any place. Bedding, pillows and of local people in Australia who can food need to be brought. Great kitchen show us what is interesting around this and dining facilities with ample fridge arca. We are my husband Duke, son and food storage space available. The Rob - eighteen, daughters Rebecca 15 qms are of differing size and will be

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 5 !In and Tiffany 10 years and mothersome people want to keep you out oftime now.I see homeschooling as a Sandy. It will be a low budget trip withthe discussion regarding Queensland'ssharing of ideas and experiences and us camping and trying to travel aslegislation. These people are verythought I could be of some help - the cheaply as possible. If anyone woulddestructive.I have always enjoyedugly paybacks for this stupid thought be interested in putting us up for a fewyour efforts for the cause of home-are still coming some 2 years later. As days, we would be willing to work orschooling and even if we do not agreesome found my involvement offensive pay something. We also thought if weon all points, I think that it is a goodI was more than happy to step back. I could arrange to buy a car instead ofthing that there are different opinions.do not want to make homeschooling in renting one we could save someIf you r ..ted any support to get moreQld, or anywhere else, look like it does money. Help in that area would beinvolved in the Paths Bon case, youin NSW. Experience shows that this appreciated. Our daughter Rebeccahereby have mine. I think we are verywould be impossible anyway. States was one of the authors of the bookmuch in need of someone with yourthat can't agree to join a national elec- Real Lives: Eleven teenagers whobackground. I think the only fear oftricity grid, standardise health regula- don't go to school edited by Gracesome people is that you will start totions, revenue raising and other taxes Llewellyn . Our address for any con-dominate the debate, which - I think -or line up their railway guages are tact is 223 S Rd 300 E Danville INis more due to their own inertia than toextremely unlikely to copy each oth- 46122 USA any of your intentions. ers' homeschooling legislation. My aim was to address what I saw as (Jo-Anne's Note: Thanks Ben for theunfairness and Queensland being out Public facilities availablevote of confidence, very much appreci- of step, not to introduce any model as to homeschoolers ated ! Many of you will be aware that the ideal one. I know that this is not the law in Queensland regarding home-blieved by some but I need to say that Lynda Hatfield Quirindi schooling is governed by the unreason-I have neither the time, energy or will While we were on correspondence weable "guideline 4,"that requires thatto be involved in anything to do with learnt of an allowance we were eligiblehomeschoolers either use ACE, beQueensland legislation changes other for - the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme. When we returned to homeschooling we decided to apply with our registration certifi- cates attached. We had no trouble and have received it for the last two years. 'AL! kV Our criteria is that we are at least 4.5 ' PUP rir, ET nix CU km from transport and at least 16km MUIR IN Our 11791AFIE 1773, J17,1 jrx from the nearest school. TEITVAITE rITT LTIPE allowance is $10.00 per week per child ,1;" " r14111137711Pit A, for primary and $20.00 per week per RITA 12104.7114A ; It. child for secondary. Application forms can be obtained from all country CES offices.It is a wonderful no strings attached allowance for us at present considering the drought, etc. This may help if you don't already know about qualified teachers, employ part-time athan to say I wish all Queensland it. qualified teacher or purchase and usehomeschoolers well for a speedy and the Qld Distance education programmesuccessful addressing of the issues and Homeschoolers and Schoolthat costs around $1000 per year. Nonethat I would be very happy to print any Dental Facilities of these requirements is in existence in results or submissions that happen as any other state or territory. In 1990, I part of the process of change.) started a personal campaign to attempt Sue Warner Greenmount WA to change this as a result of anticipat-John Horn Walpole WA It has come to my attention that home- ing a move to Qld ourselves and due to I have been reading all night schoolers, in this state at least, are enti-a number of families ringing me aboutthrough your homeschoolers material. tled to use the school dental facilities.the issue. While I consulted with BobGreat to see that my family is not alone These are located on school premisesOsmak and Dr Barry Harker on thesein looking for better educational within each district. issues, some people have taken greatoptions. Through your writing you are exception to my getting involved,giving great encouragement indeed. Queensland Legislativenotably Carolyn Gibbs - which is ofThank you! Whim your talent for edu- Change course quite reasonable. However Icating, don't you think that you should wish to state categorically that beyondbe a school teacher in a public school? Ben Mettes Queensland any help asked for, I do not wish to(Just a joke). I am enclosing a ten dol- lar bill to buy some stamps to assist There seems to be some confusion that"get involved" in Queensland and have been totally "disinvolved" for a longyou in spreading your good news.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 6 321 Looking forward to receiving yourare looking forward to meet- next journals. ing homeschoolers in the Blue Mountains. Kim Galvin Berridale, NSW Thank you for your patientTrish King Charlestown answers to my many questions.I feelNSW reassured after talking to you (I was I am very interested starting to imagine the Educationin homeschooling my chil- Department as a large and drooling dren. We have not used Pre- ogre!). At this stage it looks as if weschools. We currently have will be registering our eldest as aa (NSW) Year 3 and Year 1 homeschooler at the end of the year.as well as a 4 year old who (She doesn't have to start until 1994,is ready for school and will so I have allowed plenty of time tobegin next year. investigate everything.) Besides having ridden the 'educational conveyor belt' Katherine Houk New York myself, and having done Thank you for your newsletterwequite well, I have been a enjoyed seeing ALLPIE's reviews ingoverness (with Correspondenceschool (& H S) resources, cassettes, strip films, reading cards, science aids, your newsletter - in exchange we haveSchool Lessons and School of the Air) scales, trundle wheels, globes and so printed your article on pre-schoolers inat Bourke and Longreach. the list goes on. I felt it well worth the the New York newsletter. Feel free toI am concerned about the current sys- $50.00. Also of course the immense reprint from ALLPIE's newsletters- wetem's failure to broaden knowledge or amount of material for the uni students only ask that you credit the articles andto teach and foster a love of learning. (great educational reading). Even if include ALLPIE's address. - PO BoxIt seems to narrow minds to the point people don't want to join its a great 59, East Chatham, NY, 12060-0059,where we are all specialists without a afternoon's pottering around using USA. general knowledge of how the whole their facilities. Obviously they don't social system works.It is no longer want noisy toddlers, but didn't mind broadening the mind, but a means to Great Books my children at all. getting a job. I'm planning not to get too carried away by it all, but would Two places we've visited this Teresa Stevenson Jimboomba, QLD term that are really worth visiting for a love some info, about homeschooling. Thanks for sending the latest order of combination of education, entertain- books. "Hard Times In Paradise" ment and interest. Lightning Ridge - really highlighted the value of familiesUniversity and CollegeHome of the Black Opal.Very working together.I then read NancyLibrariesaregreatenlighteni ig as far as opals go. Also a Wallace's "Child's Work" which hap-resources wild life .efuge, house built out of bot- pened to be a good sequel since it tles, bu a museum with every piece of highlights that the best thing for chil- machinery you could imagine. dren is to include them in our workRos Lazar Bathurst NSW Coonabarabran - the (which is all the things we feel arcFound an absolutely Al, top valueWarrumbungle's very beautiful bush- meaningful to us) on a level that theyresource yesterday, the Charles Sturtwalks, interesting geology and rock can manage. I'm half way throughUniversity Library. Probably everyone formation, Siding Springs observato- John Holt's book "Never Too Late"else is aware of this. The library willry, hands on exhibition on the stars and which is inspiring to say the least.I admit community members for a fee ofother galaxies. Crystal and Gem muse- did enjoy the day I spent at the confer-$50.00 per year, however if you are not um. Mini land - a bit touristy but fun, ence very much. Actually, I feel onea teacher or nurse you have to be(and had a small interesting museum of the most valuable experiences of thereferred, so its a very individual crite-also). An astronomer can come out to day was hearing everybody else's "rea-ria as to whether you can become a where you are staying for $5.00 a head sons why" and their experiences inmember. Believe it or not I couldn'tand talk about astronomy - very inter- your segment of the programme. be admitted as a nurse becauseesting.For those who are 5 star although I'm registered, Im not cur-Motclicrs and want a taste of some- Kim Preston Warranwood, VIC rently employed.I was admitted as athing different we stayed in a mud I'm bringing my family tohome school teacher! The librarianbrick home on a farm called TIBUC. live in the Blue Mountains and hope toanswering our application said he had No hot water nor electricity but beauti- find a place to rent somewhereno problem with our situation so longful, private and fun. Other huts have between/around Katoomba - Lawson.as I was registered with the Board ofvarying degrees of comfort ranging to I'll try and get up their on my ownStudies (Each library may have differ-electricity and running hot water. around 10th June to have a look ent rules). Contact no. for TIBUC - Tony Marx around, but anyway we all arrive about In our library there are thou-(068) 321 740. 10th July.(Claire 8 and Peter 7) andsands of dollars worth of primary 322 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 7 book to get out of work or to disguisewill consider adequate yet, which the fact that he cannot do the work.won't draw a negative response from Feedback His teachers have not been able to getTim. Neither Tim nor I cope well with much work out of him at all. Eachstressful situations so, for everyone's report has been worse and we knowsake, I would like to keep the situation please that he is getting further and furtherwith the least amount of stress possi- behind other children of his age. ble. Whatever advice you can give me will be welcomed. Thank you for your (Jo-Anne's note : I would like to gen- Prior to taking Tim out of erate replies to people like Gwendaschool, we noticed that his health,time and diligent efforts to help chil- through the AHJ . I have very littlebehaviour, attitudes and abilities alldren have a better and happier learning time to reply to all the letters that I getimproved noticeably on weekends andexperience. that need these sorts of issuesduring school holidays. The longer he addressed, so if you would like towas away from school, the moreLenore Stiggants Kyancutta SA reply to Gwenda, I will happily passmarked wastheimprovement. I really appreciate the interest- on your letter and if you would likeThrough much trial and error we haveing and inspiring articles in your maga- zine. Could you ask your readers if your reply to be printed in the journalproven to ourselves that Tim can learn anyone knows where I could buy, hire as well, please mark your envelope forrelatively well, given the right circum- my attention - thank you.). stances. or borrow videos on the following top- Since we have finally takenics: calligraphy, folk dancing, foreign Gwenda Cannane Wingham Tim out of school, the changes in himcountries, cursive/script writing and We were visited by Donhave been obvious. His health, happi-sign language. Also, are there any Haddon in December, and finallyness, behaviour, confidence, abilityreaders using KONOS curriculum? received our registration certificate theand desire to learn have all shown week before last.It is only for 6marked imprtveinent. However, theTeresa Stevenson Jimboomba, QLD months as my program wasn't ade-damage done during the past three I'm writing, Jo-Anne, to trou- quate. I'm still a little unsure aboutyears due to his inability to cope atble you for some help. How does one what is expected and would appreciateschool, is still obvious. He seems towrite a programme for home education you helping me by recommending suit- feel afraid, overwhelmed by anythingthat is honest but at the same time real- able information.I'll gladly accepthe cannot grasp straight away. Heistically caters for natural learning? any guidance you can offer as I wouldretreats rapidly, saying that he can notand doesn't create stress in the parent's very much like to help my son Tim. do it or refusing to even try.If wemind in trying to cover what is out- Tim is nine and a half nowforce the issue, the best we can get islined in the programme? Does anyone and has been on a handicapped chil-that he will scribble anything thatknow of anyone homeschooling a dis- dren's allowance since he was three.comes to his mind to get the situationabled child? A friend has a daughter The medical professionals involvedover and done with.I don't believewith cerebral palsy and is autistic. She seem to think that his disabilities,this method has any positive effect.It goes to a special school which is rigid though not severe, will continue intodidn't work at school and I cannot seein its attitude, e.g. they don't like her to his adult life. He has some brainit working here. bc taken to an Independent School to abnormalities which affect his compre- By making activities lessinteract with "normal" children (which hension, sequencing, moods, attentionstressful and lowering Tim's fcar ofshe enjoys so much). She too would span, etc. He is also epileptic and hasfailure, I have been able to get him tolike to know more. fine and gross motor problems. Withdo a wide range of activities but, as medication, in addition to watchingsoon as the situation looks too hard inRos Lazar Bathurst NSW what he does and ingests, we can keephis eyes, he reverts back to the way he Dare I suggest an idea I him relatively stable. The stress ofhas learned to react at school. I wouldthought of while reading the Double school has been causing severelike to continue with the advice I'veHelix magazine? Do you think there migraines and he has missed a lot ofbeenusingfrom "Overcomingwould be much interest in organising a school either through illness or becauseLearning Difficulties", by BarbaraScience for Kids by Kids Expo? My he was so traumatised by school wePheloung and Jill King, as part ofidea was to have it. in a hall and have were unable to get him to go there. Tim's program if that is possible.I the kids set up experiments etc for I imagine Tim's story is quitehave tried to evaluate what Tim canother kids. My children love to do typical of the education system today.actually cope with in the curriculumeasy, simple experiments eg. holes in Although my eldest two sons both suc-subjects and I have been giving himplastic bottle full with water and shows cessfully completed their HSC's, Timwork at those levels which, althoughthe effect of pressure - that sort of idea. is not only failing to learn and developvery basic, at least he is doing. It would encompass most ages depend- properly, he has also developed terri-Hopefully, he will progress to hardering on ability, like thc Double Helix bly negative attitudes towards thework as his confidence improves andtravelling science expos'. What do whole learning process. He has eitheras his fears diminish. you think? (Jo-Anne's Note: If you are failed or been ridiculed so often that hc I'm really quite concerned asinterested in helping Ros put together a no longer wants to try.I think heto how to provide the Board of Studies Science Day contact her on 063 334 knows just about every trick in thewith programs and records that they773)

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 8 :421 Homeschooling the best kept secret

Julia Boxx

I often think that home schooling iswould attend.I had talked with this What is needed is a constant, one of the best kept secrets around. Somother on a number of occasions aboutongoing "educational" campaign about often when I mention our children areour children being hoineschooled.homeschooling within our own indi- homeschoolers, I get asked the sameSeeing her recently, I mentioned won-vidual communities, a campaign that old questions over and over. Questionsdering why more parents didn't home-goes on and on year round until the like "What's that?", "Is that legal?",school their children. Her commentmessage gets through to the general "But how do you keep them out ofwas, "Well, until I talked to you I public.I recently attended a workshop school?, "Oh, you meandidn't know anything about home-on homeschooling where one point in Correspondence", "How'd you find outschooling - didn't even know there wasparticular stuck in my mind. The about it?", "How do you go about get-such a thing. The school didn't men-speaker said, "You need to inform the ting into it", "Who makes sure you'retion it."That's the problem. Unlesspublic about homeschoolinglI have doing the right stuff academically?",someone "mentions it", homeschoolingeducated about 400 people this year "How do you get all the books and theis often not even known about as anabout homeschooling.If each of you syllabus and tests you're supposed tooption. And I doubt seriously that anydo the same, then we will really get use?", "Isn't it awfully expensive to setschool teaching staff or administration somewhere as a group!"I couldn't up your own school?", "Do agree more. A one-off newspaper you have to pay teachers to story or radio interview or TV check on things atset appearance or chat with a few times?", "Did you have to friends over coffee isn't enough! build a school room onto the house?", "Gee, I didn't know Informing the community you were a certified teacher." I've thought of 18 ways to (I'm not). inform the public in each of our own The list goes on and local communities about home- on. What is disturbing about schooling as a desirable option. many of these questions is There are lots more ways I'm sure, that they show the speaker and even these 18 are not all my has no idea homeschooling is own, some having been suggested a legitimate option of school- by other authors. These ideas pro- ing, what it really is or even vide a way to spread the message that it exists.I find, general- and keep it in the public's mind. ly, that people are not so Starting at the local level spreads much opposed to homeschooling as will be outlining homeschooling as anthings faster than at any other level, as they are unaware of it. While we whooption to families, even if (or in someit lends a grassroots "realness" to the homeschool are busy educating ourcases, especially if) the families are not issue. children, participating in homeschool-satisfied with the school. ing support groups, workshops, and I know homeschooling is1. Write or visit your local library shared activities and dealing withaddressed in the Education Reform Actwitha listofbooksand issues and legislation relevant to us at1990, the TV and radio stations dojournals/newsletters about home- the state and national level through ourregular interviews about homeschool-schooling which it might purchtise. writing, reading, discussion and lobby-ing and of course there are some news-If your own funds permit, you might ing, the general public, it seems,paper articles about homeschooling .donate a copy of one or several books remains largely uninformed aboutBut it is hardly enough ! Generally theor an annual subscription to the homeschooling. public remains largely in the darkAustralian Homeschool Journal to get One example comes to mindabout homeschooling and needs to bethe ball rolling. Make sure to give the which demonstrates this. An acquain-constantly made aware of homeschool-library a copy of a currcnt catalogue of tance of mine has recently beguning if it is to become viewed as just asHomeschooling literature. homeschooling her son, as she was notcommonplace and an acceptable way particularly happy with the school heto educate children as any other.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 9 324 2. Contact your own local radio andmunity markets, TV stations for an interview onevents and local homeschooling. People often payshows. Be sure to more attention to local items on theirofferhandouts local station than to those about nation-aboutreading al and world events. The interviewlists, contact mai even be played more than once onsources and gen- local news stations! eral information about home- 3. Contact your local newspaper for schooling. an interview and photos.The com- munity knows you as a person, and9. Get a fisting in likes to read about local people andyour communi- their affairs and issues. ty's annual pub- lication for gov- 4. Stop in to chat with your localernment, profes- newsagent and book store propri-sional, social and etors about stocking magazines andbusiness groups. books on homeschooling. They stockBe sure to include that matches such programs or that the every other kind of literature, so whya contact name, address and phoneonly things of benefit to their children not information on homeschooling?number or the same for a supportare things provided by such profession- Be sure to give them a current cata-group you may have already formed. al groups or persons. Being given logue too. access to information about home- 10. When approaching local busi- schooling may provide the impetus and 5. Talk with your council, local civic nesses for products and services, getconfidence these parents need to begin and social organisations and venueinto the habit of introducing yourselfseeing themselves as worthwhile and resources about giving a workshopas "a homeschooling family", or "asignificant people in their own chil- or guest lecture on homeschooling.homeschooling mother-father-stu-dren's development and learning. This could be a one-hour, half-day,dent". This approach gives credence full-day or even two-day event,to your request and promotes home13. If your finances permit, have a depending on the interest level andschooling as a legitimate option in thesmall pamphlet or brochure about time available. Make sure participantspublic's eye, entitled to any discounts,homeschooling, with local contact go away with handouts full of detailsrebates or special offers available tosources noted, printed up for free on names, addresses and phone num-other educational organisations. distribution in your community cen- bers of contact sources and further tres - places like the public library, reading sources for follow-up. 11. Have a chat with your local doc- hospital, community health and well- tor or medical centre professionals,baby centres, council day-care centre, 6. Have a coffee- or cocktail-hour orthe local community health servicesshire council offices, superriarket, a brunch, picnic or dinner partypersonnel, hospital staff, allied-new sagency, CWA centre, Nursing with several friends to discuss home-health, para-medical and alternativeMothers' centre, church offices, after- schooling. Ideally you can arrangehealth professionals in your commu-school centres, arts and crafts coopera- something to pull fathers in too! Hownity about homeschooling asa tives, Police-Citizens' Youth centre, many times have you spoken informal-resource for educational options.public resting rooms, Neighbourhood ly with only one or two "unaware"You'd be surprised how many of themWatch centre, and any others you think friends about homeschooling whileare seeking more and worthwhile edu- of as appropriate. shopping or having coffee, only tocational sources for thcir patients' fam- wish afterwards that you didn't have to ilies. 14. Invite friends around during repeat it all the next time with another conventional "school hours" - grant- friend? 12. Contact your local play-groups,ed your homeschooling program may day care centres, preschools andnot fall within the regular "9:00 - 3:30" 7. Encourage your children to dis-home-care givers organisations andscene, but then again it may. Either cuss their homeschooling with theirindividuals with information aboutway, your friends will learn a lot just friends and their friends' families.homeschooling. Perhaps you think, from seeing what happens with a home We have found that our children are"Well, if their children are already inschooling approach (no matter what often our best way of informing otherthose sorts of places at that age, thethat approach may be!) and gain valu- peop'e about what homeschooling is,parents aren't going to be at all inter-able insights into what homeschooling how it works and of its benefits. ested in homeschooling." Not neces- is about, how conventional or diverse sarily. Many parents have their chil-and unique it can be and how it can 8. Set up attractive professionaldren in those "sorts of places" precise- specifically meet each child's individ- looking display posters and stallsly because they feel they have nothing ual needs. about bomeschooling at your com-to offer their own children themselves

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 10 325 15. Advertise that you are happy tofrom family, friends and acquaintanceswho got the message, decided to fol- be a local contact by writing to yourabout homeschooling that you havelow up on it and are homeschooling by local shire council members, membersalways answered, and tell yourself thatthen as well. They too can help spread for State and Federal parliament andyou won't have to do this forever. Butthe message. Those of you who opposition members, your homeuntil then.... already have a local support group can schooling unit, Board of Studies offi- share this load over the year and a half cers and liaison officer, your local Perhaps you're saying, "Yes, or longer if you have even mole ideas. school's Cluster Director, State andthat's fine for someone with not a With each of us putting this Federal Ministers for School Educationwhole lot to do, but I'd never find thekind of effort into it within our own and Shadow Ministers and local schooltime to do all that!" Well, no one saidlocal communities, the day will come administrators informing them thatit all had to be done in a day or weekand not in the too distant future when your name and phone number may beor a month! One of the best ways tohomeschooling is as familiar and used as a local contact for personsmake a lasting impression in people'sacceptable to the general public as any inquiring about homeschooling. minds is to provide small amounts ofother educational choice. That matters information over longer periods ofand that is important! So get started, 16. Actively promote homeschoolingtime. Try doing one item each monthkeep at it and good luck! Happy home- in your community by wearing aover 18 consecutive months. That's aschool ing ! sloppy joe or jumper with a home-lot of information being spread around schooling logo or displaying ayour community about homeschooling Dr Julia Boxx lives with her husband "homeschoolers" car bumper stick-constantly over a year and a half, a lit- Jess and their thirteen children in the er. Add "Homeschoolers!" or "Atle bit at a time. It might even sink in Mudgee region of NSW. Homeschooling Family" to your returnmore effectively in these smaller doses address sticker labels, personal sta-over a longer period of time that tionery, telephone answering machineeverything bcing thrown at people all or faxed messages or have your shop-at once with little or no follow-up. ping carry-all or beach towels imprint-Too, this approach is more likely to ed with a "Homeschoolers!" logo.reach a larger number of people than a Think of other ways you can more gen-one-off blitz. Not everyone is tuned erally spread the message of home-into that TV or radio program that par- schooling within your community. ticular night, nor does everyone read that issue of the paper, nor was every- 17. Offer to give a talk about home-one able to attend that talk you gave schooling to your family's church,on that evening nor did everyone see social, civic or other communityyour car bumper sticker when you groups you are involved in. Theseparked in the supermarket car park organisations are always eagerly look-and so on and so on. ing for guest speakers on any sorts of topics, and they welcome offers fromGetting the Message their members. You can be assured that even though you may be alone locally in the 18. Continue to politely and thor-first year of your efforts, you won't bc oughly answer the endless questionsafter that. There will be other families Attention NSW Homeschoolersre Access to Q Stores (NSW Government Stores)

When homeschoolers first gained access to Q Stores in 1992 we were not able touse the NSW Supply Services. This has recently changed and aB homeschoolers will soon be informed about this change most likely by letter from B. Campbell the Executive Director of Supply. This means thata homeschool- er can purchase educationally approved materials relating directly to your role as a homeschooler (At the discretion of the supplier) from NSW Supply Services. This would include items suchas printers, computers etc. Please note that this does not mean that these items will be cheaper from these sources as Q Stores have asked me to remind you (and it is written on the form you will receive) that access to Q Stores and NSW Supply Services does not provide nor imply Sales Tax Exemption.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 11 326 Going to Home Education Camps Joanne Brugmans

It all started about three and agroups), clay sculpture, parachute half years ago. We travelled north ofgames, a children's circus, bike rid- Sydneytoourfirstcampating and canoeing. The costs were planes and at Cape Bridgewater it was Yarrahapinni .Since then we havemoderate, the facilities great and thethe spider web and spider games. been to many more and our total iscompany superb. I'm always most impressed by now 14 (which does not count smaller Most families have a naturalthe older children at these camps - they events with lower numbers). Back inlearning style and everyone's approachjoin in and have a wow of a time. the early days we all seemed to need tois unique. We always have our ownTheir level of talent and expertise in talk about home education in largesleeping space - tent or cabin and usu-many areas is always amazing. Seeing groups. We were always impressed by ally there are shared facilities forthese children gives me hope for this wonderful things the children did eveneverything else. (Some camps havewhole thing working out just the way though we did not then (compared toensuite accommodation available).I've always dreamed and believed it now) spend great amounts of energy inShared mealtimes are the highlights aswould. After every camp there is a those areas. These days the adultswe go about parenting and providingperiod up to one week long where I seem to have worked out what homealongsid3 others. Children can seefeel our family is floating on cloud education really is and are getting onother families doing the things they do.nine, where I have every ounce of with it. It is really quite inspiring to share apatience I need or want. The children There is always the opportuni-living experience with other home edu- too show with their co-operation and ty for large group discussions thoughcating families. love that the camp was something spe- they are usually few and far between. At first the children are loudcial. The most recent camp at Emu It is as if we (the parents) have movedand full of energy, excited as theyPark (June 1993) organised by Kathy finally from the school approach toexplore their new environment. TheBoles, was the absolute best one yet. learning about home education to theadults are busy settling in and catchingTwenty families had a wonderful time natural learning one. Small informal up with old friends. By the second daytogether and we made brilliant penta- discussions take place the whole camp a calm, enthusiastic, co-operativegon lanterns for our walk along the long, while craft activities, natureatmosphcre has arrived and plans are beach. walks, meal preparations and concertsmade. As the days go on everyone are in action. notices the lift the camp is giving us Our family finds great valueall, families share their energy andSo why not do yourself a favour in attending camps. People from allresources. The children interact well - experience a camp - you'll walks of life come with varied philoso-with other children and adults and rela- never be the same again. phies about children and learning.tionships blossom. Ups and downs Everyone is always welcome andoccur of course. We slowly get to(Jo-Anne's note: See the back page accepted. We share what we have toknow some of those faces we've onlyof the Australian Homeschool share and enjoy each others company.been smiling at in the kitchen. CleanJournal for details of the camp the At the last "Victorian" camp there wasup rosters and commitments we'veBrugmans family is organising at sailing, recorder ensembles, dramamade keep us sane. There could be aYarrahappini in September) workshops, 'juggling balls' makingbirthday to celebrate or a drama to deal and juggling, small box making (origa-with, the season, the campenviron- mi type- out of used greeting cards), ament and the people make each camp Joanne Brugmans lives in Sphinx 50's dance night, co-operative games,what it is. Rock NSW (near Nimbin) with a concert, hair braiding and binding, a Every camp has a special husband Jaap and children night hike (the camp had a colony ofsomething that the children designed Kylie(10), Stephen (7) andNicole koalas), kite making, a communal mealthemselves. At this ycars Raymond (5).She facilitates support group (children could help with prepara-Island camp it was a spot light chasing meetings in her own area, most tions), day outings to archery and minigame on the oval at night!At last recently at the end of May for 30 golf, a boat trip, free time, self defenceyears Shelly it was "British Bulldogs" families and the Brugmans family for women, a womansong workshop,pole games, at the second Yarrahapinni are undoubtedly homeschool stick animal workshop, poetry work-it was wool loop designs (cats cradle, "campers extraordinaire" shops, late night discussions (smalletc).At Howqua it was paper aero-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PACE 12 Book Review Hard Times in Paradise

by David and Micki Colfax

(Jo-Anne's note: Hard Times ingo?" Micki asked as Grant reappearedcould get in," Grant said petulantly. Paradise is one of the most interest-and climbed in beside us. "Terrible,""You know I would." ing and inspiring books I've readhe snarled. "Just terrible." "What hap- "You have ten more inter- about homeschooling in a long timepened?" "That interviewer said I'dviews," David reminded him. "Don't is Hard Times in Paradise. Bothhave to be considered along with themake it miserable for us just because Gregory (13) & Rebecca (11) alsoforeign applicants since my schoolingof a bad start." "We should have loved it. This is a g eat family whowas so different.I knew this was astayed at home," sulked Grant, slouch- educate their children,in anwaste of time.I'll never get into anying down in his seat. "Yeah, maybe we unstructured way, under very hardof these colleges." "You might not,"should have if this is the way you're circumstances to great academic going to react," said David. We success. This is just a small were heading north to excerpt from the chapter Pennsylvania. Grant had inter- 'Backwoods Scholar'. I highly ILN1views scheduled at Swathmore recommend this book). [Micki is and Haverford the next day. We the mother, Grant the eldest of PAP: E. had always assumed that the boys four sons, Drew the second would one day leave the home- eldest and David is the father]. ,16.Aei AN AMERICAN E1/41ILVS stead, that there would come a ., STRUGGLE TO CARVE , - time when they would want to . OUT A HOMESTEAD IN From Grant's diary, March 1982: CALIFORNIA'S REDWOOD, strike out on their own, to explore Decided to get my act together and "100 MOL-yrAiNs and experience the world on their started to study to go to college. own terms. But when we came ryebeendoing schoolwork nearly onto the land, those days seemed full time since Christmas. In the infinitely far in the future.It last four months I've done 420 wasn't until Grant was sixteen that pages of math, 800 pages of we began to think seriously about English, 200 pages of chemistry his - and the other boys' - off-the- and have almost finished second land future. We didn't have any year Spanish. Major events since reason to worry about how well last fall: County fair: Kupie won they might do in college. They'd Grand Champion, and this ended read extensively - certainly to a the show season. What a way to greater extent than we ever had - go! Stock sales are up and still ,DAVT ansicMICICI.CRILENE and their interests were even more climbing.I have sold almost all wide-ranging and arcane. Because my kids in utero. People from they were self-directed and Washington, Nevada, Indiana, enjoyed learning - whether it was Michigan, and California havesaid Micki. "We talked about that"building a house or solving a math reserved kids.I wrote a short story"Not that I'd be considered a foreignproblem - we were confident that they that the entire family gave ravestudent." "What was the interviewerwould have no trouble managing what- reviews. I've decided to become alike?" David asked as we pulled outever they might encounter in a college writer despite the odds of getting ainto the boulevard that bordered thesetting. short story published running aboutcampus. 'Well, when I told her my The real question was how 25,000 to 1. Have added "Rebecca"parents were visiting the museum, she we'd ever be able to pay for ii Room and "David Copperfield" to my top tensaid she'd never been there," fumedand board at a state school would run best movies of all time list. Grant. "Never been there even though at least seven thousand dollars a year - it's right across the street!" "That saysabout what we managed to bring in on We parked the pickup in fronta lot about her," said David. "Yeah,a good year. We simply weren't gen- of the Baltimore County Museum, justbut she' s the one who makes theerating enough money to pay even for around the corner from the Johnsadmissions decisions." "You wouldn'tthe cheapest of college . "I'd Hopkins University Admissionswant to go to school here anyway,"go whcrc the money is," Eric advised Office. Drew, Reed, and Garth were insaid Micki, unfolding a city map."Ithc summcr before "Grant's smart thc camper shell behind us, whiledidn't know Johns Hopkins was inenough. He ought to apply to a school Grant did his interview. "How'd itsuch a bad area." "I'd go there if Ilike Harvard or Yale, where they have AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 13 3,8 about what we managed to bring in ona list of colleges he thought he mightpreparation of the goat sale:: list, the a good year. We simply weren't gen-be interested in attending. After ansummer garden harvested and the win- erating enough money to pay even forhour he drifted into the kitchen, whereter garden planted, breej.gngs to the cheapest of college educations. "I'dMicki was just taking some loaves outarrange. Grant took a math achieve- go where the money is," Eric advisedof the oven. "What do you think aboutment test, did very well, and spent the summer before "Grant's smartmy becoming a doctor?" he askedOctober writing and rewriting the per- enough. He ought to apply to a schoolcasually as he broke off a steaming sonal essay that the college admissions like Harvard or Yale, where they havecrust. "That would be fine," Mickiofficers told him was so important. all kinds of scholarship money." Thesaid. We'd always assumed that GrantHe'd decided that he wanted to go to a problem, of course, was getting admit-would go into anthropology or becomelarge urban university - an environ- ted to one of Eric's "rich schools". Fora veterinarian ment as different as possible from the one thing, Grant's credentials were not "Here he comes," Micki saidone in which he'd grown up - a deci- exactly conventional, and we had noapprehensively as Grant emerged fromsion that eliminated more than half the way of knowing how admissions offi-one of Swathmore's hallmark greycolleges at which he'd interviewed. cers might regaro a home-taught appli-stone buildings. Grant approached,Harvard cautioned him against apply- cant. For anothei, Grant had nevera wide grin on his face. "What hap-ing in November for a December deci- taken any kind of standardised test. pened?" "Tsatt the director of admis-sion - the "early action" procedure - We had never felt the need to test thesions," Grant announced. "He said tosince his score on the English achieve, boys ourselves, for we did not sub-tell Johns Hopkins to go to hell."ment test wouldn't be available in time scribe to the classroom 'riven notions"What?" "He used to be in 4-H, andfor consideration, but Yale said they of "age specific" or "grade level" per- we really hit it off. He said that ifcould make a decision without it.It formance. To the extent that we had aJohns Hopkins can't deal with mywasn't a conventional application.In theory of learning, it was simply thatbackground, just tell them to go tolieu of a transcript, we wrote a letter we tried to respect and build upon theirhell." "It sounds like it was a goodexplaining his "unique educational individual differences - in social, emo- interview, then," said David, greatlybackground," described his "course tional and intellectual development andrelieved. The trip up from Baltimorework," and listed textbooks he'd used in interests and abilities. Our job ashad not been a pleasant one. "Yeah,"over the last four years. In place of the parent-educators was to suggestsaid Grant. "But of course he didn'tusual high school counsellor report, he options, to identify opportunities andsay I'd be admitted." submitted a half dozen letters of rec- to provide support and not to demand We made our way up theommendation - from fellow dairy goat conformity and attempt to control thecoastasGrant interviewedatbreeders, 4-H project leaders, the edi- way most schools did. And in sharpHaverford, Princeton, Yale, Brown,tor of the dairy goat publication for contrast with the organisationally dri-and Harvard, then turned west towhich he'd been writing since he was ven conventional wisdom of the pro-Dartmouth, Amherst, and Williams.eleven, and co-workers at the new fessional educators, we believed that itThe interviews that had begun so poor-health centre at which he'd been doing was not important that they master anyly at Johns Hopkins hao turned intovolunteer work one day a week since or all subjects at any particular age, in something very different: Each of thedeciding that he wanted to become a any particular time span, or in any par-schedu,ed fifteen-minute interviewsdoctor. There were his current sales ticular sequence. And now Grant,lasted at least an hour or two, while thelist, reprints of articles he'd done for untested and with that background, hadfive of us wandered the campuses, tak- the Dairy Goat Journal, Goat Notes, to confront on of the most intimidatinging in the local colour and checkingand the Dairy Goat Guide, and a long conventional and formidable of hur-out points of interest. The interviewsessay about his life on the ranch and dles: the Education 1 Testing Service'shad become performances, each ofhis reasons for wanting to go east to a Scholastic Aptitude Test - the SAT's -which Grant would ratein terms oflarge university. and Achievement Tests. "Well, hereprevious ones: this one was better than "Well, thank you for call- goes the rest of my life," he said onlythe one at Brown, that one was worseing me." He put down the telephone half-jokingly one January morning asthan the one at Yale, he was tooand turned solemnly to the five of us, he headed off to Fort Bragg Highemphatic here, forgot to mention thiswho had gathered on the other side of School to take his first test., the SAT's.or that there. "You must go on andthe room. "I'm in!" he shouted, thi W- "If I screw up today, it's all over."on," Micki said with a sigh after aning his arms into the air."I'm in.I "I'm sure you'll do just fine," Mickiespecially long interview at Yale.made it!" Micki said...."I just assured him Grant received hisGrant laughed, exhilarated and sudden- don't know how we'd have managed if SAT scores a few days after he andly self-conscious. "Yeah. Prettyyou hadn't been admitted. You would Micki had returnedfrom Losmuch.I go right down the list - fromhave been unbearable." "I know," said Angeles He'd done better thannot going to school to living withoutGrant. "But you know what this any of us could have ever hoped, withelectricity to raising goats. They reallymeans? Now I can apply to Harvard." scorcs inthe ninety-ninth per-get into it.I guess I comc across as"And it really won't mattcr," said centile being pretty unusual." "I can't imagineMicki. "What do you mean it won't One afternoon a few dayswhy," said Micki. matter?" Grant said. "Of course it later, an uncharacteristically subdued It was a busy summerwill." "Here we go again," muttered Grant sat in the living room compilingand autumn: goat shows, the fairs, Drew.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 14 !:)f. Candle casting in wet sand by Ann Wilson

from MAKING `DINGS The Handbookof Creative Discovenj

Available from The John Holt Bookstore P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

1. Fill a box with sand. Wick can be introduced at pouringslowly so wick stands straight. 2. Add enough water to dampen thestage by tying section of wick to stickAdd candle hardener for better, longer sand and resting it over the wax hole. Pourburning candles. 220gms stearic °Lid 3. Scoop out a hole, or screw per 5kg block of paraffin. your fist in the sand 4. Poke thumb and 2 fingers into hole, down far enough to make leg molds. 5.Melt paraffin in double boil- MAKINGTHINGS er. Melt crayon bits for colour. The HandBook of Creative Discovery 6. Pour melted wax into mold. 7. While wax is soft make wick hole with toothpick 4es....,. A 8.Introduce wick into candle, ---me_lit, a..,...... _ pour tiny bit more warm wax to .....,,,. set wick. 9. When wax is cool remove dr. candle from sand. Make differ- or ;' ent shapes. i 0 -,--- MASTER NOTES: The sand 0 1Z- sticks to the outside of candle. If agiVV. you want a wider sand area mix a can of sand and wax together AnnWiseman and coat the hole with a thick wall of this mix. Then pour pure _ wax into centre burning area. Making Cottage Cheese whole milk vs skim milk by Vicki Cobb from More Science Everiments you can Eat Available from The John Holt Bookstore P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

The basis of all cheese is milk solids,bacilli culture. When milk is madebutterfat removed. In this experiment the proteins and fats in milk. Milkinto cheese, the milk protein is coagu-you make cottage cheese from skim solids can be separated from thelated and then separated as "curds"milk and compare it with cottage watery portion of milk in several ways.from the watery portion of the milk, orcheese you make from whole milk. You can add an acid such as lemon"whey." Cottage cheese is one of theThe question you'll be trying to answer juice or vinegar. You can add ansimplest fresh cheeses to prepare. is "Does butterfat make a difference enzyme (a protein that controls chemi- Cottage cheese is almost syn-in the texture and taste of cottage cal reactions in living systems) such asonymous with the word "diet."It's acheese curds?" rennet, the milk-coagulating proteinstaple food for many people when theyThe procedures for this experiment and derived from the stomachs of calves.want to lose weight. That's becausefor the next one (making soft - or hard- It's used to make Junket desserts.most commercial cottage cheese isripened cheese) lend themselves to an And, of course, you can use a lacto-made from skim milk, milk with thealmost unlimited series of other experi-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 15 330 large bowl and the whole milk intocool for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, the other. Add 3 tablespoons of but-repeat the procedure with the second termilk to each and stir well. Coverbatch of clabbered milk. Skim off each bowl with plastic wrap and putabout 1/4 cup of whey from the first the bowls in a warm place overnight. batch of cheese into a small glass. The next day the milk willSet aside. Line a colander with two be "clabbered," or like a soft cus-layers of cheesecloth. Pour the tard. (Using what you learned in thecurds and whey into the cheesecloth Cultured Cream experiment, canand let drain. From time to time, lift you explain what causes the milk toup the cheesecloth and shakethe "clabber" ?) The milk is ready forcurds to let pockets of trapped whey the next step if the whey is startingdrain through. Bring the tops of the to collect around the edges.If thischeesecloth together, twist, and isn't happening, it isn't "ripe" yet.squeeze out the remaining whey. Give it more time. Put the drained curds into a small Make slices through the bowl.(If you wish, you can rinse curds one inch apart. Repeat in thethe curds undek cool water. We did other direction to make a crisscrossnot find this necessary.) Repeat the pattern, forming rough cubes. procedure as precisely as possible ments in cheese making. (There are The next step is to furtherfor the other batch of cheese. specialists called dairy microbiolo-coagulate the curds and cause them gists who study the making ofto separate from the whey. This isOBSERVATIONS cheese and other cultured milk prod- done by very slow heating to aboutTaste the whey samples from both ucts as a career.) The cottage cheese38 degrees Centigrade (100 degreesbatches.Are they different in results of this experiment can serveF)- just warm to the touch.If youappearance and taste? Taste the as the raw material for the one thatheat the curds too quickly or at toocurds from both batches. Which are follows. If you intend to go on andhigh a temperature, they willmore tender? (one standard for judg- make pressed and ripened cheese,become tough. Put a bowl contain-ing the quality of cottage cheese is read the instructions for Hard-ing clabbered milk in a pot contain-the tenderness of the curd.) Do you Ripened Cheese and collect all youring hot water.(If the bowl doesn'tthink butterfat plays a role in the equipment for both experimentsfit into the pot, or if it isn't heat-making a more tender curd? Save before you start making cottageproof, gently pour the curds andthe curds from the whole milk for cheese. NOTE: In any cheese-mak-whey into a stainless steel saucepanthe next experiment, it you wish. If ing experiment, there is a possibilitythat does fit in the larger pot.) not salt the curds and mix in heavy that your mixture, instead of ripen- Heat over a very low flame,cream to taste (or creme fraiche ing, will spoil. This can happen ifstirring occasionally. The heatingfromthelastexperiment.) your equipment isn't perfectly cleanprocess should take about 30 min-Refrigerate the cheese until you are or if the temperature is too high.Ifutes. Heat until the milk is justready to eat it.Cottage cheese is your cheese smells bad or lookswarm to the touch. perishable and should be eaten with- spoiled, do not eat it. Remove the curds and in two or three days. whey from the heat and let them MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT 2.5 litres of skim milk two layers of 2.5 litres of whole milk chee se doff, 2 large glass or ceramic bowls or stainless steel pots (do not use alu- carols minium or cast iron), cultured but- o /ander sink termilk, measuring spoons, plastic wrap, knife, a very large pot and a smaller one (stainless steel) that fits inside it - to be used as a double boiler, spoons for stirring, 2 small glasses, colander, cheesecloth, 2 small bowls, heavy cream or creme fraiche (optional) curds and PROCEDURE whey Allow the cartons of milk to stand, unrefrigerated, for several hours low until the milk is at room tempera- heat ture.Pour the skim milk into one

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 16 331 Should home A Case For the -schoolers Funding of Home receive government Education funding? Julia Boxx Homeschoolers hold many differ- ing opinions on the idea that homeschoolers should be funded Whether or not educationalfunding for homeschoolers on the for the education with which they funds ought to be made available forassumption it would result in higher or provide their children. Some peo- homeschooling continues to be a mat-more standards and/or requirements ple say that to accept government ter of contention or differing philo-being set for homeschoolers (further money is to accept greater regula- sophical views. This appears to me,"regulation") seems at best unwarrant- tion, others point out that it is however, not to be the central issue,ed and unsupported and at worst illog- extremely unjust to expect parents for several reasons. ical and rather paranoid. to pay taxes that educate everyone First, government funds are To "hone this point" further else's children while receiving no used to provide and regulate educa-still, funding for even the taseline sharing of the "tax dollar" for the tion. Opposition to this for whateveramount allocated as "amount per stu- high quality education of their own reasons - moral, social or ethical -dent per year" to all government and children. should be an issue separate to that ofnon-government schools is not related whether some persons ought to beto requirements and standards set edu- The reality is that while some denied funds available to others in thecationally, but rather to number of stu- homeschoolers will never wish to same group.If one opposes funding,dents. For example, a school receives accept funding of any sort, funding it can be refused by him. No one is, orXX dollars per year irrespective or in the short and long term will ever will be, required to accept taxpay-whether it offers only one or several enable more parents to take up the er funds made rvailable to him for anycourses in a given area, its students option of homeschooling. It may be purposes. attend classes regularly or not, they that under discrimination legisla- Second, to assume that mak-achieve the school's academic pass tion it is impossible for the govern- ing funds available to homeschoolersmarks in courses or not., or whether or ment to refuse funding to one part will enable the government to furthernot the school has sufficient sports of the education system which is regulate those families or to increasegrounds for its student population. recognised under the law and reg- requirements and tighten standards istered as such. This case is required of them, is unwarranted in presently being tested. Funding terms of what is currently the case in has not meant any more strict con- other similar situations. There are trol of homeschooling in New already numerous cases which indicate Zealand, France or California. this would not occur. Consider, for Furthermore it seems logical that example, the student eligible for those who happily concur with and Austudy assistance. He is not required fulfill the community ideal of the to accept these funds, nor is he right of a child to a high quality required, if he does accept them, to education should not be discrimi- meet any additional or more stringent nated against by not receiving requirements educationally or in any funding. Following are some arti- other way. The same is true of the cles that present philosophical, non-government schools and students practical and esoteric views on compared to thosc of the government this topic for your consideration. schools, schools and students receiv- ing special government grants, or stu- dents receiving "aid to isolated chil- dren" fundinginthe form of allowancesforcorrespondence lessons, boarding school fcc assistance or second home allowance. To oppose

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 17 These examples, only a few of many(students in government schools) andemment funding of or regulation of the which could be sighted, may relate tonear fully funding those who directlychild's schooling does not exempt the eligibility for or awarding of cre-incur only partial costs (students inthem from paying tax which is then dentials, but not to the amount ofnon-government schools) while with-used for these purposes. For such money allocated by the state per stu-holding all funds from those whoopposition to be valid, it needs to be dent per year from the education bud-directly incur all costs themselvesapplied to all schooling options, not get. (homeschoolers). This is discriminato-solely to homeschooling. Too, that homeschoolersry and might even be viewed as misap- already do as well, and in most casespropriation of funds. S. Government expenditure on gov- better, educationally than students in ernment schools in 1990-91, when other school options is clearly support-3. The law (the Education Reform Actexpressed in "per student" terms was able and widely known. Even the gov- 1990) states that the education of theestimated to be $4,305 per student - ernment would not raise this issue aschild is primarily the responsibility of$3,712 per student in primary and one of concern in something of anthe parent. But by not funding the$5,206 per student in secondary "assurance of value for money" argu- homeschooling option, the state makes(Reference: National Report on ment. it financially prohibitive for many fam- Schooling in Australia - 1991, pub- Third, and conversely toilies to fully assume a responsibility setlished by Australian Education Council points one and two, the opposing of orby the state of them.It could thus beand Curriculum Corporation, 1992, refusal to accept available funds by asaid that the state makes it impossiblep.15.). No funds were allocated for student, his family or a school forfor some families to abide as fullyhorneschooling students. This anom- whatever reasons does not free thatwithin the law as they might otherwise aly may be viewed either of two ways. student, family or school from, or even be able to do. The education budget would have to be reduce for them, the responsibility of larger to support funding of home- fulfilling the minimum educational "Why are homesthooters schoolers (and thereby to fund all stu- standards and requirements set by the not funded and can, the dents which it proports to already do) state.Homcschoolers, whether regis- or the education budget is large tered or not, :ike all other school pro- government justify enough, but is being parcelled out over grams and students, are already only some students in larger amounts required to meet these minimum edu- this?" than it should be, at the expense of cational standards and requirements. other students who get nothing. This responsibility has not been In response to those raising waived or lessened in any way for4. Most homeschooling families, likepoints about these figures including home schoolers, nor will it be, because most other families, pay tax, part of"expditure on provision of buildings they are not funded. As noted, regula- which is used to educate Australia'sand grounds, which homeschoolers tions imposed beyond this minimumchildren. Thus, the homeschoolingdon't have", etc. and it "costing money requirement related to eligibility for orfamily pays twice to educate its family to regulate homeschooling", the former awarding of particular credential-not to- once through taxeswhich do not goamounts to only $325 per student per funding. to educating its child and then again byyear of the total figure per student In light of the above points,directly incurring all costs involved in(Reference: National Report on I offer here a number of rationaleschoosing the option of homeschooling. SCaooling in Australia - 1991, pub- for why homeschooling should be Let me make another point forlished by Australian Education Council funded. those beginning to raise oppositionand Curriculum Corporation, 1992 here. This is not justified on thep.35), and even those arguing most 1. The law (the NSW Educationground that everyone pays tax dollarsdesperately against funding of home- Reform Act 1990) requires that everyfor education, even those people withschooling would not suggest it costs child aged 6 to 15 years must be for-no children being educated. Society as$4000 per student oer year to regulate mally educated. It is impossible to doa whole benefits by its children beinghomeschooling! this without expenditure of money. educated, but the vast majority of those That homeschoolers are cer- with children pay no more for this ben-tainly entitled to their portion of the 2. The state of NSW endorses threeefit than those without children andgovernment's tax dollar for education legal options of formal schooling -certainly not twice as much. We doseems beyond dispute. Let's not waste attendance at a government school,not operate on a "user-pays" systemtime asking irrelevant or superfluous attendance at a non-government schoolwith regard to education, as it isquestions like "Should homeschoolers and homcschooling. However, therequired by law - EXCEPT in the casebe funded or not?" and "Why should state funds only the first two. By fail- where homeschooling is chosen. Nor ishomeschoolers be funded and how can ing to fund the third, the state is usingthis point the same as "Well, we pay we convince the government of this?" taxpayer funds disproportionately road tolls on roads built with taxpayerRather let's ask the real questions, amongst students and in something ofmoney." No one is required by law to"Why arc homeschoolers not funded a "reverse order to needs or costsuse the roads. Use of the roads, any and can the government justify this?" I incurred."It is fully funding thoseroads, is optional.Educating children suggest we ask these questions imme- who have no direct costs educationallyis not. Finally, that some oppose gov- diately.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 18 a AA Government Allowancesfor Older Children Frank & Valerie Marrett

on the joint income of husband anddesigned to be paid to the child only wife and the number of children theyand a higher amount was to be paid if Reprinted from The Family Schoolsupport. Family Supplement alsothe child was not living at home. This Magazine Vol 7 No 1 First Quarter was to be financed by taking the 1993 produced by the Christian depends on the joint income and num- ber of dependent children.Childrenmoney from the mother and giving it to Family School Association o between thirteen and sixteen are eligi-the child, who might or might not give Australia P.O. Box 237 Werribee ble for higher allowance. it to the mother. Supposedly this was Victoria 3030. Phone 03 741 1490 Families being paid Familyto allow the child the benefit of the Supplement are also eligible for amoney and to provide an incentive to Health Card. The benefits of this mayremain at school.It is important to vary from state to state but in Victorianote that neither Family Allowance nor the Health Card entitles families toFamily Supplement is subject to several concessions. For example, aincome tax, but Austudy is. The family supplement and family winter concession on gas and electrici- Once the child turns sixteen, allowance was originally paid to the iftheyareatan family as a tax deduc- approved school, they tion. Each child was would normally apply claimable and the edu- for Austudy. The aver- cation of the child age amount is about could be claimed at the $60 a fortnight but rate of about $250 per again thisvaries child. Child depending on the par- Endowment was paid ent's income. Should at the rate of fifty cents the child earn any per week after the first income during the year, child. By the late eg delivering papers, it 1970's it was clear that must be added to this fifty cents per week amount and declared was a ridiculous for tax purposes. This amount. Claiming that can mean that with a many husbands were small job a child can not giving the money pay tax. The allowance to their wives, the can be paid into a par- Government decided to ent's bank account but increase the amount of exactly who then is Child Endowment and liable for tax is not pay it directly to the quite clear. mother. This was to be Since most home- financed by withdraw- ty, concessions on water, bulk billing schoolers do not attend an "approved" ing tax deductibility of children. Any school they are ineligible for this family with children was eligibleby the doctor, cheaper medicine ($2.50 instead of $13.00 per prescription),allowance.It is important to under- regardless of income. cheaper fares and entrance to placesstand that it is not a case of legality. A few years later, to allow forsuch as cinemas for the first personOnce a child is sixteen he can leave the rising cost of living, this was fur- listed on the card. These concessionsschool. They are then administered by ther increased. This time it wasadd up to a considerable amount ofa separate department and, as far as the financed by a means test. All those on money, especially on bills. bureaucrats are concerned, the child is lower incomes were eligible for an Austudy was originally intro-not supported by the family. They extra supplement SD children would not duced as a scheme to keep children atonly recognise parental support at the be disadvantaged.The cut off point school longer and thus keep the unem-time that they assess eligibility for the now for Family Allowance is currentlyployment figures down.It wasscheme. 'This means that the child will $50 000 per year.Eligibility is based

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 19 3:14 not appear on the Health Card and willSupplement to us for Cindy and not forbe able to show an employer that the not be considered when this is beingFrank. Before they would believe thatapplicant's time has been spent pro- assessed, as a result of which a familyCindy had been granted this allowanceductively. The allowance is counted as can have a great many more expenses. we had to forward a copy of the letterincome for taxation purposes. A Until a child is sixteen thesent by their Department to us, statingHealth Care Card is provided which, mother is automatically eligible forthat we would receive Familyamong other things, allows the student FamilyAllowanceorFamilySupplement for Cindy. Their file con- to travel for half the price on public Supplement providing that the familytained no record of their own letter. transport. meets the means test requirements.We have heard of similar cases, so Families need only fill in the form sentsuggest that you file all letters from to them once a year and supply detailsSocial Security. A letter has been since of their taxable income for the previ-received stating that the Family ous year. As previously mentioned,Supplement has been reinstated and once the child turns sixteen, home-that we will receive $73 per fortnight schooled children are generally not eli-for Frank. (We also have five current gible for Austudy. They aeligibleHealth Cards since every time they however for Family Allowance andchanged their mind they sent another Family Supplement until at least eigh- card.) teen. Where it says school, fill in the N.B.It is important to file name your own home school. Do notany letters you receive from them since supply extra information unless it isthey seem not to file their own letters required of you as it may be confusingor else they lose them. Copies of The form will enquire why the child isStudent Met Cards have also been not applying for Austudy. "Notaccepted by Social Security as evi- attending an approved school" hasdence that a child is a student.This been accepted as a sufficient reason. should be produced at the time of an Families have found that youappeal. may be refused first time or only be offered Family Allowance. Do notFormal Training Allowance accept this, appeal! This is done by simply writing back and stating why A Formal Training Allowance youshouldbegivenFamily is a far better allowance than Austudy. Supplement. If your child has someOnce a student has finished school and sort of a student identity card e.g. stu-is undcr eighteen years of age or has dent concession card for bus or trainbeen on the. Commonwealth enclose a photocopy of the card.Employment Register for six months, Government they Departments Austudy become eli- acceptanother gible for the Department's Famify Allowance allowance word that the child providing is a student. Family Supplement they are Once this prepared to letter has beenFormal 'Training Allowanceundertake received, even if it work relat- takes several months to settle, then par-ed courses. While undertaking these ents are entitled to be back paid. Wecourses students may apply for jobs were paid Family Supplement forbut do not appear on the statistics as Cindy until she reached eighteen. Thisunemployed. In the present economic could have been received far longer ifclimate the C.E.S arc happy to allow we were supporting her as a student.students to choose any course they like With Frank, they paid us for twoproviding it will be likely to be of ben- months and then stopped paymentefit in gaining a job. because they had not processed the Al: courses are paid for, form within their deadline. We werebooks are supplied, and the student is then required to fill out another form,not required to pay the Higher on the basis of which they decided that Education Tax.An allowance, they would allow us $20 per week independing on age, of approximately Family Allowance. $149 a fortnight, is also paid. This We wrote back and askedhelps provide for fares, clothes ctc..It whytheyhadgivenFamilyis an asset, when applying for a job, to

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 20 q_c Eligibility for Austudy Jo-Anne Beirne

As Frank Marrett points out in hisspecify the ages of compulsoryAustudy for their over 15 year old, so article 'Government Allowances forschooling as 6-15 years ie educ. legis- it can be taken on a case by case basis. Older Children', Austudy is avail-lation governing homeschooling doesA:so I have approached the NSW able to students once they turn sixteennot presume to register a child not atEducation Minister Mrs Chadwick re and are registered at an approvedschool after 15 years. However theresome method of handling this less school (subject to a means test).are ways around this, most notablythan perfect situation. As ususal her Homeschoolers generally cannot bethose pointed out by Frank Marrett.office has been most helpful - the registered in this way because theAs well, I am aware of one home-response follows. Education Acts all over Australia stillschooling family who is in receipt of

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH AFFAIRS MINISTER FOR EMPLOliMENT AND TRAINING

RML 93/00738

Mrs Jo-Anne Beirne PO Box 420 KELLYVILLE NSW 2153

Dear Mrs Beirne

I refer to your letter regarding the registration of home school students over the age of fifteen.

As you rightly state, the Education Reform Act 1990 does not provide a basis for registration of home schooling beyond the age of fifteen.Students who continue their education at home after turning fifteen are able to do so without formal Ministerial approval.

Home schooling students are eligible to apply to sit for the Higher School Certificate as self- tuition students and are required to notify the Board of Studies of their intention by March of the year of their candidature. I have asked the Board to discuss the possibility of providing a statement to verify the student's submission of their HSC entry form.The Board is also exploring the feasibility of formalising a process whereby homeschooling parents can write to the Board to indicate that the student is currently undertaking study at Year 11 level and intends to apply for the HSC the next year. The Board may be then be able to provide a statement to this effect

The Board's statement regarding the notice of entry to the Higher School Certificate and the full- time educational programs that parents develop for students over the age of fifteen may provide evidence which could assist in an application for Austudy.

The matter of Austudy assistance is not, however, one which is dealt by the NSW Government. Criteria for eligibility for assistance in this area should be discussed with the appropriate Commonwealth authorities.

Yours-sincerely

nt*71 . .

eVirginia Chadwick

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 21 336 Paying Parents to Stay at Home Steve Biddulph

Reprinted from Sydney' s Childstreet, amongst your friends, perhaps in Geraldine Doogue and many others, Volume 4 No.3 March 1993 Theiryour own home, marriages are fallinghave pointed out the same trend, in phone number is 484 5334. Sydney'sapart, health is being damaged, kidsrecent articles. On the one end of the Child is delivered to over 950 loca-are being mistreated; tions Sydney wide effectively distribut- teenagersarein ing 47, 000 papers to Sydney parents.despair.It hasn't Sydney's Child is a great publicationalways been like this. available free from your local libraryAfter all, parents with in Sydney and soon to be started inchildren have only Melbourne. They have great featurefour simple needs - articles as well as heaps of informa-some way to make a tion about resources, events, outingsliving, somewhere to etc. live, the time to make the marriage work There's a lot of noise theseand above all, to be days about Childcare, as politiciansable to care for our woo the parent vote.Quietly, aroundchildren. Although Australia, a much more radical propos- simple, these things al is being discussed. The idea is - that take time and money if we really value children, if we reallyand in the nineties, want to 'save the family', we shouldwe often have too lit- pay a wage to mothers (or fathers) whotle of either. Life just choose to care for their kids full time atisn't working. Our home. In this special article, authorwholevisionof Steve Biddulph argues as to why thiswhere we want to go, idea now has to be seriously exam-what we want to be, ined.. has become an I'm a psychologist and aimpossible dream. social scale are the under-worked. We father - not (thank God!) an economist While these arc responsibili-have a million people unemployed. or a politician. So up until now I'veties of the individual, the associated650,000 children are now living in always kept my writing firmly focusedproblems are now beyond the individ- families where neither parent has a job on the perennial concerns of family lifeual. The kind of world we live in - ourand 500 more join them every day. - discipline, love, marriage, communi-cities, our circumstances, resembleThen there are the over-worked. These cation. But as someone who hasnothing so much as a horrible mistake.days, having a job can feel as insecure attacked what has happened to theWe have floundered into the kind ofas not having one. Many people with Australian family over the last 20 yearssociety that none of us really wants.jobs now work 50-60 hour weeks, just and as one who has talked to thousandsThere are causes we can tackle thoughto hold on to them. This is especially of parents across Australia each year, I- the economic priorities of our gov-true of small business but also of pri- feel a personal responsibility to speakernments and corporate forces thatvate enterprise and government work- up about what can no longer beshape the way we live and which haveers. These people tell of horrendously ignored.I cannot put it more plainlybecome a hazard to life and health.stressed lifestyles - rushing to child- than this - the Australian family isWe cannot do our part as parentscare, getting transport, trying to snatch dying of stress. unless the structures we live in supportsleep, neglecting relationships, suffer- You know what I'm talkingthis goal.Our society, one hop.esing health problems, barely earning about. In ways that have never been sounintentionally, but undeniably, hasenough to offset the costs of childcare, serious or so widespread, the average,become anti-family. Parents aretransport, ctc and guiltily spending the normal, middle of the road family -becoming more educated, more com-money on 'making it up to the kids' for your family and mine -is beingmitted and more interested in their not being there. squeezed into so much financial andchildren, and yet at the same time they emotional turmoil that it can not sur-are pulled away from their children byThe Two Income Family isn't work- vive much longer. You can see thisthe demands of staying afloat. ing! with your own eyes.In your own Commentators as diverse as Having two incomes in a fam- Bettina Arndt, Bob Santamaria,ily isn't a sin.But it IS a stress. A

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 22 337 huge number of mothers with youngkinds of other public service. For Work is now such a scarce children feel they must return to workinstance, the central tenet of all gov-commodity that we must avoid forcing (26% of them when their children areernments, from the Fraser era onwards,those who would rather be at home less than one year old). They feel pres-has been to allow unemployment towith children (or in other forms of sured to do this because their partnersrise in the service of restructuring ourcommunity service), to take the jobs do not have jobs or the value of theireconomy. We now unemploy one mil-others desperately want. What would partner's wages has so eroded that theylion Australians. We pay them for thisParent Pay mean in practice? The cannot support a family on their'service' with unemployment benefits.details obviously need thought and income alone. Also (and this must beThey are paid not to have a job. care. What follows are simply sugges- said) in some families both parents At the same time there are contradicto-tions for starting the discussion. work, basically, for greed and take jobsry policies. We want to free people to that others would more deservedlyparticipate in the workforce. So weHow much should parents be paid? need, just as some people have chil-subsidise childcare services, provide Recent proposals for parent dren whom they neglect in order to fol- incentives and as Bronwyn Donaghypay may have been insultingly small. low a career. This group is, thankfully,pointed out in Parents MagazineEstimates of the work done by a moth- a small minority. recently, we have a tax system thater at home with children haw' exceed- The economy wants womengreatly favours the dual income family.ed the $80 000 per year mark - if that and not men. Without us fully realis-The government may subsidise a child-work was to be carried out by paid ing it, the shape of the workforce hascare centre to the tune of $120 a week.staff, round the clock.I would esti- changed dramatically and perhaps per-Is it so much to ask that they pay par-mate a reasonable salary for parenting Manent ly. Researchers point out thatents to provide the childcare them-to be $400 per week but to be practical, women's employment, especially inselves? a more affordable level with widely low status jobs and part-time jobs has Everyone has the right to seekbeneficial effects, would be around the increased hugely, despite the recession.and hopefully find meaningful work.$200 mark. The fact is that women will tolerate aMen and women need the stimulation, job which many men will not. A part-participation and rewards that workWhat would be the conditions? time low status job ghetto is being cre- brings. However, work must be cho- 'Parent Pay' would be avail- ated, occupied by women who will sen, must be a REAL choice. Womenable to any family where one or both make the sacrifice for the sake of theoften have to work at unfulfilling,parents do not hold a full time job and family but feel torn in half by the costmenial, dead end jobs, while their chil-be reducible in proportion until the in time and energy. dren are cared for by strangers, at greatnominated 'parenting' parent obtained Women have an equal right toexpense and with a lot of heartache,part-time work. Either a father or a work. But I also believe mothers ofinconvenience and stress. What havemother could be the one who nomi- young children have the right not towe done to mothers? Why should they nates to be the 'parenting' person and work. At the moment many women dobe forced into menial work and bethe rate would be the same, regardless not have this choice. (Fathers, offorced to hand over the skilled and sat-of how many children in the family. course have long been deprived of realisfying work of parenting their own (The last thing we need to encourage is time with their children and this situa-young children - especially when oth-overpopulation!) Parent Pay would tion is worsening. Working fathers soers less skilled or more in need of work continue until all children are school often today leave home each morningwould prize the chance to have thatage. Alternatively, it could continue at early and return after dark, exhausted). job. half rate until the youngest child is 18. Once women had to fight for the right to a career.It seems Where will the money come now we have to fight for the right to from? parent our own children. Which The great beauty of 'Parent means an economic right. This Pay' is that it kills two birds brings us to the question of Parent with one stone. The effect on Pay - the proposal that we pay a the workforce would be imme- wage to parents to stay at home to diate and dramatic.I would raise their own children up to school guess that some 60% of moth- age. ers of young children now working (and an unknown Parent Pay - solving two problems number of fathers) would leave at once. the workforce immediately, if The concept of parent pay they had the economic means has been around for a number of to do so. There would be a cor- years and was recently put back on responding and immediate the agenda by a NSW Labor back- flood of jobs made available to bencher.It isn't such an extreme the unemployed breadwinners idea. We already pay people for - male and female, currently on

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 23

`'? Q the dole - as well as unemployedchanges currently happening in ourworking. The assumption of industry school leavers. Since unemploymenteconomy. or government has always been that if benefits are currently $255 per week, we invest in the mines, farms, factories there would be a net saving whenever aValuing what we care most about. and companies (all massively sub- job was created. In this society, we show what sidised by the taxpayer), hoping that we value by where we allocate money.thesewillthrive and ordinary people Costing it out. Mothers and fathers, who stay at homewith families will benefit. But I feel if There is no doubt that Parentto raise the kids often feel worthless,we don't invest in families now, then Pay would be costly in the short term. compar?,d to those who work inthe social problems will be so enor- We are talking about half a million'careers'.It's one of the mostmous they will bring us to our knees. families with children under fiveingrained aspects of sexism to value As I said at the start, I am not receiving $10 000 per year each.the work of an executive shufflingan expert in these things. But I DO That's five billion dollars (in the USpapers, or the tycoon buying and bor-know that the state of the Australian system where a billion is a thousandrowing, which produce nothing offamily is in crisis.Before the 'Parent million).If, in addition, parents ofvalue but devalue enormously the posi-Pay' concept can be pmperly assessed, school aged children are paid at thetive work that is done in the home andmore informed people need to com- half rate suggested, then we can addthe community by people, usuallyment and more complex calculations another $6.5 billion. For comparison, women, who are paid nothing. need to be made. In the end, though, it we now spend $4.5 billion on unem- The work people do at homewill come down to votes, which means ployment and $9 billion each year onhas monetary value and is a directYOU. defence. (Editor's Note: and about 15input to our national well being and What do you think? billion a year on school (K-6) educa-productivity. Also, when people don't tion alone). Luckily, there is ando this work, it costs us in health, adjustable balance to Parent Pay - thecrime, divorce and a myriad of other Steve Biddulph author of the best more we pay, the more employed par-forms of expensive social problems. seller 'The Secret of Happy ents will take it up and the more jobsPaying people to work at home is not Children' and the Director of the will be released, bringing other peoplereally THAT radical. Anything is pos- Collinsvale Institute in Hobart. off the dole. It doesn't seem any moresible.It's quite likely that one day of a gamble than many other of thepeople might pay for the privilege of

HOME EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT EXPERIENCE s HoME EDUCATION WEEKEND GET-ToGETHEA - IN SEPTEMBER ....from 2pm 10th Sept. to 2pm 12th Sept. 1993. - AT YARRAHAPPINI ADVENTIST YOUTH AND ECOLOGY CENTRE on the NSW coast at Grassy Head, south of Macksville. This lovely conference centrevenue is situated in forest (some rainforest) by the beach. There are 2 timber buildings with rooms with bunk beds and each building has shared bathroom facilit-les, another building has a large kitchen and dining/activities area and there is a laundry and recreation room too. There is also a nature study centre.

COST $9 per person per night (children 5 and under free) Bring your own bedding, pillows, food and personal items. Also bring fun things to share such as activities, games and ideas. The emphasis will be on meeting people, having a good time and sharing our home education experiences.

Facilitators : Joanne and Jaap Brugmans, Sphinx Rock, Kyogle Rd, via UKI 2484 Ph. 066-897473.

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN - if you c.an, please let us know about a month before if you are coming.

There is no doubt that home educators find their Job challenging. This will be an opporAunity for people to come together, to share and to gnow. Children especially enjoy the contact and the activities and adults will find lots for them too. Our family have gained much from gatherings such as this and we look forward to spending time with lovely families again.

Feel free to let others know this is happening.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 24 339 Liscensing and Christian Education Dr Little

Reprinted from The Family of Christ's ministries? Eph 1:20-23, Col School Magazine published by 1:16-19 the Christian Family School 3. Is our church school an integral insep- Association of Australia P.O. arable part of our church? Is our home BOx 237 Werribee Vic. 3030 school an integral part of the family? Phone 03 741 1490. Things to think about Dr. Little, from Accelerated Christian Education, gave the following message1. Only a higher authority can license a at a Christian Educator's Conference atlowet. Olivet Christian College, Campbells2. The question in the licensing is Creek, Victoria, in 1986. Lordship. 3. A dangerous justification of licensing At the centre of all problems isis pointing to the "reasonable" registra- the Lordship of Christ. The real questiontion while being blind to the relationship is who owns the children and who owns involved. the church. To license is to allow or per-4. Licensing is ineffective. It does not mit someone to do something. It is themaintain standards. permission to exist or do something.5. Licensing eventually carries the phi- What words you use to describe thislosophy of those in power. Neutrality is licensing really do not matter. You canimpossible. call it approval, unification, registra-6. The person who issues the license can tion, accreditation, assistance, or aat any time revoke it. request. It is just another name for7. In registering we are seeking approval licensing. of a system which already disapproves of us. Neither do parents seeking to reg- To find out whether or not youister approve of those who are doing the are being licensed ask yourself the ques-registering for they have already taken tion "What will happen if I do not accepttheir children out of its system. this?" If the answer is "We will not8. How would state school teachers react allow you to continue. We will forceif it was the Church that had to give you to close." then you have beenthem permission to register their state licensed. Many Christians distinguish schools. between different forms of licenses. Government Subsidies They do not mind the Government licensing cars, insurance, medicine, etc. 1. Biblically, education is not the but most Christians object to the licens- responsibility of government. It is the ing of the Church and the family. responsibility of the parents and the church.Whythenshouldthe There are some crucial questions weGovernment be asked to pay for it? must ask: 2. Subsidies cripple the recipient to a place where he becomes dependent. 1. Will my faith allow me to accept3. Subsidies are an effective means of State licensing for my church ministry?control. My Sunday school? My Sunday service?4. Subsidics arc a departure of a plan My family? that God has blessed. 2. Does the Lordship of Jesus Christ5. Subsidies teach the recipient to have over everything in my church excludefaith in the Government rather than in the state from becoming Lord over oneGod.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 25 340 A reply to the "Licensing of Homeschooling" idea

Anna Adams

The view expressed in Dr Little'sunderstanding what the education oftecting many legitimate interests and address about the 'Licensing' of home-children involves and that the openingconcerns. They will understand that the schooling ignores the cultural, socialof freedoms to a minority has to beregistration of homeschooling is nei- and political realities of the 1990s. accompanied by certain responsibili-ther an attempt to licence families, nor Most Christians, (being law- ties. to ursurp the authority of the Lord. abiding citizens), understand that they In NSW for instance, the It should be obvious to any do not live in a society in which thelegisdation has for the first time, any-Christian concerned with State inter- Christian princples of decent living are where in Australia, recognised thatference in church matters that at pre- religiously practised. The fact that ourhomeschooling is a viable educationalsent, the state is very cautious in this society has both Christian and non-alternative to public and privatearea. For instance it should be very Christian rapists, liars and thieves isschooling. This legistlative move hasreassuring to witness the deliberate graphic illustration that not all mem- been greeted with mixed response fromnon-intervention of the state in the bers of our society are equally ready to homeschoolers themselves. On the oneordination of women issue. Especially assume the responsibilities that go withhand, all are pleased that at least home-as it could easily be argued under state personal freedom. It is the duty of gov-schooling has not been outlawed.legislation that that there is a direct ernments to legislate to protect theHowever, having been given thisconflict between anti-discrimination good citizen, the weak and the inno-recognition, then comes the long andstate law and church tradition. Yet the cent. tiresome process of working out howstate does not assume to intervene. Fortunately in this era (unliketo make this legislation work. This While it is healthy to be con- in the 1800s) children are consideredprocess can be seen as a dance betweenstantly vigilant about protecting spiri- to be weak, innocent andin need ofhomeschoolers and public servants and tual matters from secular concerns, it is protection and the government behaveshow this dance will be seen at any onenot healthy to amplify and exaggerate in a Christian fashion, when it tries totime, will depend on individual per- reality to the point of paranoid hysteria protect the interests of children.spective. in order to confuse trusting home- Although their actions are not always Those who see evil every-schooling families with periodic perfect, I personally cannot find any-where, will not be able to recogniseunnecessary "calls to arms". It is my thing wrong with persons working inthat our legislators and public servantsopinion that righteous outrage is better positions of authority negotiating with(many of them Christian themselves)contained until such a time when the representatives of minority groups onare just that - servants of the public,state may attempt to direct Christian creating conditions to grant them morepeople trying to orchestrate a complexdogma or the manner in which it is freedoms . It . seems the obvious devel-process that involves juggling and pro-taught. Meanwhile, we can all instruct opment and pplication of democratic our children in religious and spiritual principles - people working together to contexts with a freedom that is the extend the freedoms of a minority, pro- envy of millions of families throughout vided that the minority can demon- the world. strate that they are responsible enough Would that we, as parents, to be granted those freedoms. provide a shining example of thr com- That homeschoolers have passionate Christian ideals to our chil- negotiated conditions to permit them to dren by focusing on how much we opt out of formal schooling, which was have instead of demanding a hostile considered essential and the norm in and aggressive manner that we deserve Australia until very recent times should to enjoy the freedoms of heaven right be seen as an incredible victory in the now here on earth. The reality is that current cultural, political and social cli- we can only enjoy those freedoms mate. when we have worked hard enough Homeschooling is the priv- demonstrating by our actions, our iledgc of families who arc capable of integrity and responsibility.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 26 241 Parenting Kathy Boles, her husband and family live at Emu Park in Queensland. Kathy is the organiser of the Kathy Boles annual Central Queensland Get Together.

Parenting has been a very asI experienced. My time was taken I also want to control the educational experience for me when Iup by school, brownies-guides, Sundayquality of my children's experiences think of what I have learned in the lastSchool and so on, used as baby-sitterswith others and through this provide seven and a half years.Its hard toas well as for their stated purposes.them with freedom and flexibility. imagine what my life would be likeWhatever good these institutions mayThis may sound illogical. Let me give now without children. Not only havehave done me they imposed an exter-an example. By not putting them in many of my illusions about childrennal and mostly irrelevant timetable onsituations where they will be belittled and child-rearing been shattered andme so that when I wasn't feeling inade- into conforming to peer pressure I my practical understanding increasedquate for not doing well enough I washope I will enable them to have the enormously but my understanding offeeling bored but unable. to escape.It freedom to grow up true to themselves myself has grown accordingly. is now recognised that because chil-rather than as conformists.Of course, Recently I gained some new dren are so vulnerable, injustices adultsevery parent controls his child's time insight into my beliefs about child-would not tolerate are imposed uponand experience but I suppose the dif- rearing. Of course, in my case as inthem without thought.I believe thisference here is the conscious effort to many others, home education is a nat-wresting of control of their lives awaygo against the crowd to create a ural progression of parenting.I feel sofrom children helps to make them lifestyle for my children that provides strongly about keeping my children outdependent on others to make decisionsthem with the skills to be themselves. of school that if this does not happen Ifor them.I try to give my children as I am concerned that my chil- will feel as though my last illusion has been shattered and that I have failed. Why do I feel like this? I have long understood that much of my life and child-rearing style is a reaction to my upbringing. Whereas some people choose con- sciously or otherwise to emulate their parents, I was one of those who did the opposite. Those of my parents' gener- ation were cheated out of so much of parenting's pleasures.It is distressing to me that so many still believe in what I believe are out-dated ways of bring- ing up children, e.g. scheduled feeding, leaving )abies to cry, punishment for minor infringements (the punishment not fitting the crime), babies viewed almost as enemies who try to manipu- late their parents and must be con- trolled even to the extent of breaking their spirit and so on. My own experience of power- lessness at home and a school has cre- ated in me a control-freak.I have to have control over my time as so much control was taken from me as a child. I find myself getting edgy if events ormuch control over what happens todren have a more positive childhood people wrest this from me. How doesthem as I can in minor and major than I experienced.I know I will also this relate to homc education?I wantaspects of thcir lives. Home education have to accept the people my children to control my children's experiencegives us all more time and freedom tobecome, difficult as this may be if it insofar as I don't want them to sufferdo this. doesn't fit the picture I have in my the same lack of control of their time mind. and loss of freedom and human rights

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 27 q419 Taking the Plunge: Getting my kids out of school Robyn Lake

It wasn't a deep seated dissat-our children. isfaction with the Education System Sometime early in my son's that led me to consider homeschoolingthird year of school I began to get a as an option. My interest inhome-strong conviction that homeschooling schooling had been sparked by a friendmay present a more positive form of who, some two and a half years ago,education. As I am a Christian, I had removed her children from a finebegan to prayerfully consider the and well respected Christian School tooption of homeschooling. The more I teach them at home. I watched withprayed about it the more appealing it great intrigue as this way of teachingbecame. At this time I began to read a unfolded. The idea began to settle inlot of articles about homeschooling.I the back of my mind, however Iwas fortunate to have a friend nearby believed it to be an impossible situa-also considering the homeschooling tion given our work and home life. option. She passed onto me many I continued to watch my twobooks, articles, videos, magazines and children flourish at their large publicjournals.I read everything I could school. They achieved well and hadafford to and had access to. Slowly my the motivation to succeed when theyideas and conceptions of education applied themselves to a task. Theybegan to change. were popular socially and interacted I started to view the children's normally. My exuberant son managedschool in a more analytical way. to avoid trouble at school .(However,Looking to see where I could improve we did occasionally get the short endand how much of my time home- schooling would actually involve. Oneobserve the classroom, I realised that of the stick at home). although my children were away from I also enjoyed their schoolof my frustration's with school life was me for 6 hours each day actual formal and I spent many hours a week in athat there was never enough time to teaching time was nowhere near that. voluntary capacity working in theirspend with my children.I believed I should be teaching them more practicalSchool commenced at 9:15 am, how- classrooms, helping with remedial chil- ever, after lining up and the general dren, compiling the year book andlife skills but by the time school was business of the school room, children other activities. I learnt which teachersover, music practice attended to and homework completed, it seemed mean were rarely ready to begin before 9:45 were to be feared, which children were am. I watched my son repeatedly com- to be avoided and I was able to observeto take away their only hour of free my children first hand. We experi-play to teach them how to prepare a plete his work in the 10 minutes before recess having spent a goad half an hour enced the highs and lows of school life meal or vacuum the lounge room.I wanted more time with them, morcof the lesson chatting, fiddling and together. We spent many afternoons generally wasting time. When I con- discussing school life, sorting out peerinput and I wanted to take charge of sidered assemblies, special occasions, conflicts, listening to the latest schoolthem. At this point I seemed to have sports days, visitors, news and the gen- news and admiring many handiworksmany concerns as to how the home- eral day to day business, I realised I and, on the odd occasion, nurturingschool concept really functioned in the could complete their formal learning in someone's wounded self esteem. I day to day running of the home. one and a half hours each day, leaving accepted these daily occurrences as One of the major considera- them free to follow their own interests, normal and I was glad my childrentions I had was that of time.I won- dered how I could find the 6 hours Iread, or work with me. The home- talked to me about school and I could schooling option began to become be part of their school life.I retained aconsidered necessary each day to teach the children.I was fortunate, becausemore attainable. positive attitude to their education. On There were however still the odd occasion that I needed toI had given up working outside the home some years ago. However, I wasmany hurdles for me to grapple with. express a concern to a teacher, I was My husband fully supported my always well received. We believed ourinvolved in many time consuming children's school was the best weactivities. My husband's job by itsresearch and conclusions and although a teacher himself never felt threatened could offer our children and acceptedvery nature is demanding, I felt there by the concept of homeschooling. This that along with the negative it had a lotwas not time to be found in our sched- was a great encouragement. What of of good and positive experiences forule for homeschooling. As I began to

AUSTRALIAN HavESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PACE 28 our friends? Many of them are teach-particular had not come into contacthave a twinge of melancholy but its ers themselves and had previouslywith the concept and showed greatonly brief and serves to remind me per- taught my children, they were now partinterest which led us to a discussion ofhaps the children feel this also.I then of our social circle.I didn't want tosome hour in length. The headmastermake a special effort to see the chil- offend them, and as it is in a countryand teachers concerned had no troubledren's friends or have an extra special town, I certainly couldn't hide theunderstanding our reasons for home-outing and school fades into the past. notion of homeschooling the children.schooling our children. They agreed Now we've begun a new We decided the best approach wouldwith unfavourable peer pressure andschool year at home. I wonder why I be not to mention anything until theinfluence and were too familiar withworried so much about the side issues. last clay of the school year when wesociety's illsto pass negative judge- Things that were once important to me would tell the children's headmasterment on our decision. We left theare insignificant and I wonder why the and their respective teachers. school on a positive note with friend-hurdle of decision seemed so great.I What about the children andships still intact. ponder the worries I had of "taking the their friends? After being at a school We told the children of ourplunge". Is it the little bit of education for 5 years and being settled in a circleintention to homeschool after theingrained in us, the need to follow tra- of friends since they were 5 years oldschool year had finished. They weredition, not to be different or the securi- was a homeschooling decision too dif-familiar with the concept and had anty of the familiar? I'm glad I followed ficult for them. Would they miss theirnumber of friends in other cities whomy instincts enough to know I could friends? How would I feel about leav-were horneschooled. We believe hadteach my children. we told the children earlier, they would ing a school where I had many social Robyn Lake is not this author's real have had time for regrets, questions, cOntacts and spent in excess of 8 hours name, she wishes to remain anony- doubts and their last weeks of school each week? I had always been met mous, but the story is true. with courtesy and was free to usewould have been unsettling and melan- whatever facility I needed to completecholic. This way the decision was various tasks I was involved with.final, the school What gripe did I have with the schoolyear was finished to warrant homeschooling? I oscillatedandit would be between taking up homeschooling orweeks before the leaving the children in school. holidays were over These questions caused aandourminds great deal of thought, considerationturnedbackto and at times, consternation. For any-school. Our one involved in a good school and con- announcement of sidering homeschooling these are hardoar intention was questions, which, may lead to the deci-more than sion to leave the children at school, favourably met with however, my husband and I continuedthem. The only to read many books., we attended aanxiety expressed seminar and really weighed up the proswas a cry of "what and cons. We pressed ahead, appliedabout our friends". for and received registration (evenThey accepted our before we were sure we were going todecision and trusted homeschool).It was after we wereus to bc able to registered that we made a two yearmake the correct commitment to homeschool our twodecisions to best children. direct their lives. When we finally approached What about the children's headmaster we werethe wider communi- received with great interest. He hadty?In all the people we've told from Life is too short to procrasti- heard a little of the concept of home-family (who incidentrilly are teachersnate over our children's education. schooling, mainly through the media,themselves) to shopkeepers, librarians,I'm aware my children might have and was intrigued as to how it wouldfriends and acquaintances, I've onlygrown up before I took the plunge and function. He offered us help in anyhad one negative reaction which wasthen I'd have to live with regret. I'm way and welcomed us to use anydirected at the invasion on my privacyglad I broke with the bonds of tradi- resources or curriculums we needed.and my time not on our choice of edu-tional education and took control over He was in no way offended or defen-cation. our children's schooling. Now we're sive. What of my anxieties andthe only ones to blame for their faults We then approached the chil-concerns? To be honest, I've been tobut we can live with that.I realise it dren's teachers, who also showed abusy to give it much thought. On thewas the hurdles that were hard to jump great deal of interest. One teacher inodd occasion we whizz past school, I not the track on the other side.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISEUE 39 PAGE 29 To School or not toschool? That is the question. Norah Colvin groups and so I favour multi-age I fear teachers such as those 7,77,---aueron7-7-aassro.----inaga- groupings over the more traditional INK) taught my son and were unaware zine - Volume 13, No2 March, 1993. and artificial sitn:-age classes. If sheof his abilities until end-of-year test- Published by Ashton Scholastic was to go to sch.1, she would alwaysing. I fear teachers who fail to see what (Kindly sent by Kirsty Hughes) be one of the oest in a single-agechildren can do, but only what they group, as she has a February birth-can't do.I fear teachers who do not My dissatisfactionwith day acknowledge or cater for individual schooling began when I was a young So should I ignore my beliefsstyles and rates of learning, or personal teacher in a very administration-orient- and dreams, enrol her in the closestinterests. Mostly I fear the possibility ed school where everything ran to aschool and hope for the best? Orof my daughter's education being rigid timetable. There was no place forshould I educate her at home? placed in the hands of a less-than-com- a teacher's individual style of working, I fear for my daughter's won-petent teacher.I can only be amused nor for the individual needs of stu-derful creativity, and independence inwhen others question my ability to dents. My three years of training hadthought. In any class with twenty tohome educate. How can it be more ill-prepared me for the realities of thetwenty-five students, there will alwaysdifficult to educate just one, and the classroom be some degree of conformity; more inone that I know best? I am not reluctant to Disillusioned, I resignedshortly let my after, vowing never daughter go. to return to teaching. I value inde- At that time I had a pendence young son. His greatly.It development fasci- wouldbe nated me. Although much easier I had lost faith in ifIcould schools, I had not accept the lost my interest in status quo. education.I sought Home edu- out and read books cation on alternative educa- requiresa huge com- tion strategies. I was both challenged mitment and excited by what both of time I read and reassured and finance. that I was not alone I have even in my beliefs considered Now my Ic home edu- daughter is of school cating only age...it leaves me in quite a predica- some classes , less in others.I fear shc until she is about eight years old. I fig- ment. Socialisation is important, but Imay, like many others, find classworkure that by then she will have devel- value co-operation over the competi-repetitive and unchallenging. She hasoped enough self-confidence and inde- tiveness of our school system. Manyalways been the instigator and directorpendence in her learning to survive classroom and playground survivalof her own learning. She already readswhatever happens beyond that.But strategies are required nowhere else.I as confidently and fluently as manywill she? do not need to create artificial role-would in their second year of school, I would be delighted to hear play situations for learning social skillsand has a good understanding of math-the opinions of other readers; and - my daughter is already a very socialematical concepts. She is a confidentwould be especially pleased to hear being. problem-solver and independentfrom home educators in my local area I want her to mix with all agethinker. She has achieved all this with-(west Brisbane). out formal 'lessons'. AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 30 345 HowcanI hope to match the teachers' training? Jean Bendell

This excerpt is taken from the Englishlions are unwelcome, she will learn towe can show our children the way they book Phoor s Out: Educating Yourbe inhibited about asking anything. can be found. It is not always possible Child At Home David Lewis' research on- nor desirable, I think - torush off and exceptional children (reported in hislook up the answer at the precise It could be argued thatbook How to be a Gifted Parent,moment the question is asked. While teachers are the best people to teachSouvenir Press, 1979) found thatit seems commendable to do so, it our children as they have been specifi-teachers do not value question-askingwould make the child realise that this cally trained for this. But just asin the same way that parents do. In hisis no ordinary conversation going on equipment is only of value if the childstudy, parents and teachers were askedbut an educational event. Better to learns through its use - it has no worth to arrange in order of importance tencontinue an interesting conversation in otherwise - the qualifications of thecharacteristics of cleverness. Of thea normal and relaxed way even if there teachers are of little value unless theparents in the survey, 95% thoughtare questions in it you don't know the child is actually learning. Lookingquestion-asking was highly importantanswer to.In a conversation with back, we can all remember teacherswhereas this was placed in the lastadults you would not dream of rushing teaching away unaware that nearly allthree by 85% of teachers. Teachersoff to check up facts in books. If you of what they were saying fell on deafplumped for things like neat work andfeel you have to do this with your chil- ears. Or perhaps they were perfectlygood school reports but these weredren, they would soon see that conver- well aware. Perhaps that is the system.rated as least important by over 90% ofsations with them are not considered Recent research by Barbarathe parents. Given those findings, who valuable or their own sake but as a Tizsard and Martin Hughes shows thatdo you think is best qualified to answervehicle for education. young children learn a great dealchildren's questions - the parent who My feeling is that - before through quite ordinary family conver-welcomes questions even if she doesreaching for the books - it is better to sations at home and that the sort ofnot know the answers or the teacheradmit that you do not know, to ask her casual talk that goes on at the dinnerwho would frankly prefer fewer ques-what she thinks and to discuss the vari- table is just as valuable as conversationtions and tidier work? ous possibilities you both come up that has a more obvious educational Like parents, teachers don'twith. And you can do this while wash- content. Their book Young Childrenknow all the answers. Yet I recall aing the dishes or bathing the baby.I Talking compares the quality of con-friend at school commenting that theam sure that this line of approach is versation at home and in school.difference between the pupils and thegood for the child's confidence - as Children at home have more opportu-teachers was that we would say, "Iwell as her ability to think. Always nity to ask questions and are more like-think ..." or "I read somewhere that .."slavishly searching for the one right ly to be able to take a lead in the con-even about something we knew,answer straight off will make the child versation.In schools, discussions arewhereas teachers would say the equiv-feel that the answers she comes up often directed by teachers to achievealent of "This is so". Is it that teacherswith are inadequate - that her ability to the ends that the teachers, and not thebelieve they have to make statementsunderstand the world is inadequate. children, have in mind. of fact in order to gain credibility? I came across an example ofPerhaps we carry through to adulthood this recently on a television pro-the memory of their supposed infalli- gramme about teaching. A mathemati-bility.Perhaps this is why so many cal problem was being discussed withparents lack confidence and feel they some pupils. Just in case we missedhave to rely on teachers to come up the fact that the teacher was controllingwith the answers to their children's the conversation, the narrator pointedquestions. As parents we don't need to this out to us - 'Note how she drawskeep a class of thirty under the spell of the right questions out of the children.'believing that we know all the answers. This was considered skillful teaching.We don't need to keep the illusion But sometimes it is thewrong ques-going that we are the fountain of all tions that will give us a greater insightknowledge - our children know better into what the child understands. Whn than tbelieve that. the child knows that the wrong ques- If we don't know the answers

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 31 346 A Queensland Home Education Organisation? Ben Mettes

Reprinted fromthemagazineThe Government's Way By largely controlling the cur- Optionality, March 1993 edition. For However, there are some bigriculum, qualifications, appointments more information on this journal anddangers in these calls for such anand financial affairs of schools. the Government ensures that its voice gets the principles behind Optionality seeorganisation. To better understand these dangers, one first has to look atheard in education. Although the right the end of this article. the way the Government operates. Theto choose the best form of education Government is essentially dictatorial, itfor children is widely accepted to be Organisations targeting spe- makes a single law and everyone has towith the parents and although even the cial interest groups can be most useful. obey this law or face punishment.United Nations have incorporated such However, when there are calls for sin- Decisions taken by the Government dorights in their protocols, the Ausa-alian gle, geographically oriented organisa-not follow the people's wishes in someGovernment still insists that children tion, one should be suspicious. respect - those in power may be electedof a given age compulsorily enrol with in a multi-party democratic system -and attend its preferred educational Benefits of Organising but many, often a majority, do notinstitutions. No matter which party is There are often calls for all involved in agree with the view of the party in in power, the system stays essentially home-education in Queensland to get charge in Parliament. the same and, inevitably, there are vic- organised. Other State Governments, To protect the position oftims of this system. in particular in New South Wales and minorities, the Government observes Victoria, have more fully organ- Let us not Collaborate! ised home-education as a genuine The conclusion that those alternative to school, whereas the involved in home-education Queensland Government still should draw, is that we should seems to regard home-education not imitate this system among as something for families living ourselves. By setting up a single in areas too remote to be serviced organisation aiming to cover and by schools. respect all those involved in home-education, we would do Frequently mentione benefits of exactly the same thing the having a State-wide Home- Government does. Perhaps the Education Organisation: spokespersons of such an organi- 1. To provide better support for sation would be elected and those involved in home-educa- instructed by majority vote, but tion, e.g. by making available the voice of those who are differ- information, by bulk buying of ent and do not fit in with a educational items, by offering majority view, will not be heard, legal aid, by assisting with setting worse, will be misrepresented. up groups, meetings and networks Especially when such an and other ways for those involved organisationistobea in home-education to get in con- 'Queensland' organisation, there tact with each other; is an even bigger danger of col- 2. To give home-education a laborating with the Government broad platform from where home- to the detriment of minority education can be promoted withcivil rights and liberties to some ews. Why endorsethe prospective members, in the media, extent.But in many cases, the overnment's artificially drawn bor- with educational organisations and Government blatantly ignores suchders? These borders have little to do with the government; rights. Those who want to educatewith education, have they? A 3. To act as a catalyst for legal recogni- their own children are the living proof 'Queensland' organisation runs the risk tion of home-education, lobbying with of this. They are the victims of a dicta-of focusing on thc State Government, the Departments of Family Services, torial system that is based on majorityeven collaborating with the State Education, Taxation and with anti-dis- rule and prone to adopt only a singleGovernment, while, in fact federal crimination and other authorities. solution to fit all. issues such as taxation may be more

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 32

:I 4 important to home-education than thethose involved in home-education andthere is in society for optionality. compulsory nature of school asclaims to have a mandate to 'negotiate'Instead, most organisations seem eager imposed by the State Government.Ifwith the Government as to how fund-to become the dominant force in their the Government organises societying should be allocated and who isarca, not realising that once they have along feudal lines of local dictators,entitled to educate their own children. 'beaten the competition', there are no this is no reason for those involved inTherefore, it is highly recommendedincentives for innovation and improve- home-education to imitate such despi-that any organisation active in the areament of efficiency, quality and service. cable policies, as they are the very vic-of home-education build adequateA single organisation dominating an tims of such policies. safe-guards in its constitution or arti-area is prone to collaboration with the Feudalism and dictatorshipcles to prevent this from happening.Government, in order to hang on to are characterised by the fact that theyThe following clauses could be used as power in the face of inevitable decline. accept only one ruler locally. The examples. It is hard not to collaborate Government bribes many groups intoI. The organisation does not claim orwith the Government. In order to con- collaboration by giving them money,aim to cover a majority of thoseduct business, for example, one has to by negotiating exclusively with them,involved in home-education; register a business name, which has to by making sure that only one organisa-2. If there is a suspicion that the organ-be displayed in a conspicuous way on tion is dominant in each area. Theisation becomes the dominant organi-the outside of all premises where busi- Government would love to see a singlesation in home-education, the organisa-ness is deemed to be conducted. Queensland Home Educationtion will split up into two differentAnyone setting up an organisation will Organisation. This would give theorganisations, each with half of thebe confronted with huge amounts of Government the opportunity of dealingorganisation's assets and with half thered tape.Rather than adding to this, with only one group, negotiate anorganisation's membership (randomlywe should simply aim for more option- agreement on the preferred legislationallocated); ality. 3. Spokespersons for the organisation and possibly provide some funding. (advertisement) Anyone who disagrees can then bewill not claim or aim to define what told: "You have had your say, now youconstitutes 'home-education' and who ptionalitye must stick to majority rule!" There is ais or is not fit for this. These are ideas Th,Voice of the Vision big danger that such a single organisa-only; each organisation should work Advocates to end monopolies in tion will effectively become a tradeout how to best deal with this issue. travel,transport,communications, union for those involved in home edu- Alternatively, the organisation post and health care. Advocates to cation. The Government may evencould abstain from direct contact with end compulsory schooling and the offer funding and legal recognition tothe Government, while promoting tertiary education monopolies. And members of such an organisation (onhome-education and exposing in the also suggests to end the monopoly an exclusive basis) in return for control mediatheabsurdityofthe of the rule by one single Law! and compulsory membership for allGovernment's position on education. those who want to be involved inSome organisations may not get Mail the filled-in coupon home-education. involved in discussions about legisla- before 1 August 1993 and tion at all, but concentrate entirely on get a one-year subscrip- Constitutional Prudence support activities. In that case, there is tion (12 issues) for $50.4 This does not mean that thereless need for constitutional safeguards. Add $20 fa airmail delivay ouuide Australia! should be no organisation active in theHowever, if such a 'non-political' Nam,.

area of home-education at all.Thereorganisation were to grow to become a Adams: should be a multitude of such organisa- majority organisation, it will inevitably tions and, in fact, there arc. Manyhave some political clout and should cwsts.: Enclose cheque made payable to families meet on a regular basis and be cautious. Quintessence Pty. Ltd. and send thus form their own little organisation. Few organisations have built What should be avoided is that onesuch safeguards into their constitution, to: PO Box 822 Beenleigh 4207. organisation claims to represent allwhich shows just how little respect Make the Vision(advertisement) yours! Quintessence Pty. Ltd., the publisherofMptionality? offers consulancy services in the area of policy, planning and marketing. Most articles that have appearedinMptionaliteover the years are in fact extracts from consultancy reports or resultfrom research work don for clients. Each client can submit issues for further discussion in one of the upcoming issues o ptionalite For more details, please write: QuintessenceConsultancy, PO Box 822, Beenleigh 4207 Australia.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 33 348 Getting Started with Homeschooling

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AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 34 349 Homeschooling in the Media

lems prevalent in many public schools. tem says learning is sequential but it Print Media Disappointed by the often lacklustreisn't.....Following her children's inter- results of institutional teaching, theyests has taken Mrs Cartwright to lapi- believe that they can help their chil-adary clubs, magic clubs, garage sales HOMESCHOOLING IS ITdren more by giving the one-on-oneand numerous libraries and taught her FOR YOU? attention that home schooling makesa great deal. Awake 8th Apri11993 possible. (Thanks to Sue Cartwright for sending Explaining why some prefer home this article) "An eccentricity that has become aschooling, the book Home Schools: An national movement" That is howTimeAlternative states: "Parents [whoCHARGED MUM FIGHTS magazine recently described homeschool at home] have 100% involve-TO TEACH CHILDREN AT ment with their children ... They can schooling in the United States - a HOME growing trend championed by parentsdevote their attention to their child's who believe that the best education aown education." Courier Mail, 21st April, 1993 child can receive is available in his orThere is "virtually no empirical evi- her own living room, not in the tradi-dence available" to prove conclusivelyMs Patris Bon, 29, of Red Hill, tional classroom. Still viewed by somethat homeschooling is an academicallyQueensland has been charged with two as eccentric or even revolutionary,superior educational method, Thebreaches of the State's Education Act home schooling is, nevertheless, win-Home School Manual explains.for refusing to send her children to ning more advocates every year."While homeschoolers commonly doschool. She was granted an adjourn- Researchers say the home schoolingwell, the proper research design would ment in Brisbane Magistrate Court yes- ranks have swelled from about 15,000need to show that any difference is notterday until her application to the in 1970 to 500,000 in 1990. Somedue to other factors." Government for a home education dis- home schooling advocates claim thatMany Still Sceptical pensation has been processed more than a million families in theHome schooling is not without its crit-Yesterday, Ms Bon said the case raised United States are now schooling theirics.Many school officials havethe question of children's value in children at home. expressed concern over the inconsis-society, which was hardly "children- Why They Do It tent quality of education being offeredfriendly" when it insisted on depositing Interestingly, the National Catholicthrough home school efforts. Timethem in institutions from 9.00am to Reporter estimates that from 50 to 90magazine put it this way: "Good inten-3.00pm. The classroom catered for the percent of US parents who practisetions do not automatically translateaverage student, leaving all the others home schooling do so for religious rea-into solid education." either struggling or bored, whereas sons. These parents are generally con-(Thanks to those ten homeschoolinghome education offered children a cus- cerned about protecting their childrenfamilies who sent me copies of thistom-made education. Her children from what they perceive as atheisticarticle) might be taught one-on-one but she influences in the schools. "The back- vehemently rejected any suggestion bone of the home school movement isKIDS LEARN AT HOME home schooling would retard her chil- the Christian Fundamentalist commu-Marcia Hawthorne Penrith Pressdren's social development. Socialising nity, which believes that religion isApril 20 1993 with her friends' children more than either abused or ignored in the class-Report about The Cartwright Family ofcompensated for their lack of class- room," said Time magazine. "ThingsBlaxland mates. School was "enforced socialisa- were getting pretty out of hand with tion" where children were subjected to immorality in the schools," said one "competitive, nasty interaction".... A Ashton Cartwright can tell you how farspokesperson for the Minister for Christian man who decided severalaway the moon is and the temperature years ago that he and his wife would Education, Mr Comben, said a conven- of the sun and how fast a bullet travels,tional school environment was consid- school their children at home. "Webut he has not been to school since he were concerned about our children and ered preferable but parents could opt was six. The nine year old and hisfor approved home education if they about the sad state of affairs in theyounger brother Christopher have been school". wished. Ms Bon will meet Education taught at home by their mother atDepartment officials today to discuss Sometimes, parents choose homeBlaxland for three years. ...."you just schooling for educational rather than conditions for dispensation and has follow what they arc interested in "been remanded to appear in Brisbane ideological reasons. They are fed up"We have almost no formal lessons with overcrowded classrooms, low Magistrates Court with the next hear- anymore. I think the best way to learning June 10th. academic standards, and safety prob-is just go out and do it. The school sys-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 35 nSii (Jo-Anne's Note: If anyone wantsTHEY'RE ALL REALLY more information on the Patris BonQUITE AT HOME IN THETelevision case, or to offer Patris support theyCLASS should contact Ben Mettes at the Third Home Education Network at PO BoxMara Beare Sunday Times (Western 822 Beenleigh Qld) Australia) June 6th 1993 ATTITUDE ABC TV 31st March 1993 NEW APPROACH TO EDU- ....Mrs Westenberg of Sawyers ValleyThe show dealt with the topic of the CATION - INTEREST IN(WA) thinks home tuition is best formind covering many areas including her lads Luke 13, Gregory 10,things like schizophrenia, mental disor- HOME SCHOOLINGNicholas 9, Jonathon 4, Alexander 2ders, genius and prodigies. Through a ALTERNATIVE ON THEand Thomas six months. Husbandpart of the show they introduced a 13 INCREASE Gerry agrees. So three years ago theyyear old girl who was a genius at math- Alison Houston Western Advocate 6thdecided to let the boys stay home andematics, English and music and was May, 1993 be taught at their own pace Mrsready to enter university at age 13. In Report about the Foundling Family ofWestenberg says it is the children's the interview she attributed her success Bathurst choice to learn at home. They make ato the fact that she was homeschooled daily observation of their children'sfor the first 9 years of her life. She progress as well as providing them A growing interest in home schooling seemed very positive, happy and well- in the Central West reflects parentswith gym and music lessons outsidebalanced and said she wouldn't have disillusionment with the conventionalthe home. "I am extremely confidentswapped her homeschooling years for they will do well," Mrs Westenberg education system, and their concern anything. over the peer influences under whichsays. "No-one has a monopoly on edu- (Thanks to Kerri and Gary Pothin for their children fall at school. There arecation"."It's fun" says Luke. "Rightsending this information) now I'm reading the Martian set of currently six families in Bathurst who have taken up the challenge of homeboks by Edgar Rice Burrows". TheHINCH schooling with still more in outlyingboys have a lot of friends in the HomeChannel 10 23rd April 1993 Based Learners Network.... areas (Marcel le said) "One of the The Cartwright, Bon and one other prime reasons for my own decision(Thanks to Susan Warner for sendingfamily were covered in this positive was to ensure learning was an enjoy- this article) analysis of homeschooling. The only able experience for her children unlike down side being Hinch's ridiculous her own vivid memory of school - comment on socialisation at the end. boredom."Children are very enthusias- tic to learn and motivated to learn on A CURRENT AFFAIR their own, but often once they've been Channel 9 llth June 1993 at school for some time they become The Dennahy family, a family using quite flat about the idea" she said. "I the American curriculum Seton, of felt I could cover the same material Victoria were covered in depth, as a with my children as they cover in follow up to an interview done with school in a much shorter period of them 10 years ago on the same pro- time" gram. A superb, in depth and inspiring (Thanks to Julie Boxx for sending this piece about homeschooling where the article) father, Bob and the teenage children came across beautifully. Followed up by a positive end comment by Mike Munro.

Introduceafriend. to the Australian 5-fomeschoof _Journal- ancl get a $ discount off your next order from the john Hort Bookstore

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 36 Education Issues in the Media compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne

Union Rejects 'Femocrats' school but if my boy is touched again I for teaching gifted and talented children. A Sydney Morning Herald April 1993 Juliehave told him to stab his attackers," Mrspecialist in gifted education, Dr David Lewis Wylie said. "If the school does not supplyGeorge, said he did not believe in segregat- Senior women in the Shop, Distributivea safe place for my child, then carrying aing gifted and talented children into special and Allied Employees' Union have backed knife is his only defence." Mrs Woolly ofclasses or schools - a system he referred to a call to pay parents to stay at home to look Lalor Park, said she had decided to keepas "elitist" - because their emotional and after children and endorsed an attack onher sons - Justin, nine, Jason, seven andsocial development may suffer. He also "radical femocrats" in Canberra. "Radical Jeremy, four at home when school resumed warned of the dangers, for similar reasons, femocrats ensconced in glass towers in tomorrow, rather than risk further bashings. of accelerating children through classes. Canberra have no idea what the ordinary"My boys are too scared to go back toThese two strategies are major planks of working women and their families really school," Mrs Woolly said. "They've comethe NSW DepartmentofSchool want," the newsletter said. home with buttons ripped off their shirts or Education's gifted and talented education It said paying parents to stay at home to the backs ripped out. These older kids have policy. look after children was a "sensible propos-no right to bash up my kids just becauseThe Minister for Education, Mrs Chadwick, al". Families who would prefer to have one they're slow learners." Shadow Education increased the number of opportunity classes parent Stay at home with their young chil- spokesman John Aquilina said police werein NSW from 30 to 80 this year. The num- dren would be at-1e to make that choice.being sent to Sydney schools every day to ber of selective high schools has grown. The union's national secretary, Mr Joe dequell playground violence and a systematicAcceleration, too, has been introduced in Bruyn, said yesterday that all money spent procedure to handle and prevent violence many schools. on child care subsidies and the 30 per cent should be adopted by the department. He Dr George, the keynote speaker at a confer- child care rebate proposed by the Prime said an attack a week ago on a 16-year-old ence organised by the NSW Asscniation for Minister in the first weeks of the election at Miller Technology High School nearGifted and Talented Children, said acceler- should be put towards the direct payment. Liverpool involving a gun, and studentsation was the most popular educational wielding wooden chair legs, showed thestrategy for gifted children, simply because Govt strays from education plan incidence of youth gang-style violence was it was "easy and cheap". Sydney Morning Herald April 1993 Sian getting out of control and threatening the"No child grows exponentially," he said. Powell effectiveness of schools. 'They grow in fits and starts. Be careful. The first major deviation from the What would happen if we pushed a girl up timetable laid down by the Scott Report, History with Blinders two years-grade-hopping, as the the enormously influential blueprint for Japan's Supreme Court backs censorship ofAmericans call it - what would happen if education in NSW, has been authorised by textbooks Time, 29th March 1993 she then had a crash? You could do untold the Minister for Education, Mrs Chadwick. When Japanese historian Saburo Ie.naga sat damage." Dr George also doubted the value The report, commissioned in the Metherell down more than three decades ago to write of special classes and selective schools. years, recommended that the transfer sys- a high school textbook, he wanted his read- "On the whole, I don't believe in segregat- tem for NSW teachers should be aban- ers to get a complete, accurate picture ofing children into special schools ... because doned by term two of 1993 and replaced their country's not always glorious past. education is about socialising children, not with "merit selection" where principalsFor example, he chronicled how the gov- just educating them". advertise for staff. But Mrs Chadwick hasernment maintained public support during decided that principals can either advertise World War II. 'The war was glamorised as School parent power or accept a transferred teacher - a compro- a holy war," Ienaga wrote, "and the defeats Call for voice on principals The Courier- mise to placate the NSW Teachers' and atrocities of the Japanese military wereMail 17th April 1993 Peter Morley Federation, which is firmly against meritcompletely concealed." Japanese students Parents may be given a say in the selection selection. never read that passage, or nearly 290 oth- of principals in Queensland's state schools. ers that were deleted or rewritten by a gov- The proposal, which follows a decision to School Violence - boy has permission toernment screening committee. Instead oftest parental involvement in ale running of carry knife accepting this mutilation of his work, schools, is being considered by Education The Sun-Herald 18th April, 1993 Karenlenaga filed a lawsuit, charging that the Minister, Pat Comben. And in a display of Davey textbook,guardians had violated the consti- parent power yesterday, Brisbane's A NSW parent, who says his son has beentutional right to freedom of education. MacGregor High School community won a assaulted four times at school, has given Ienaga, now 79, kept the legal battle going battle to keep principal David Edwards, the boy permission to carry a knife tofor 28 years, but has lost the final round. who was appointed from the start of this defend himself. A spate of violence inThe Supreme Court ruled that the state has year by a panel of four senior educators. western Sydney schools has lead irate par- the right to determine textbooks' content to His appointment had been overturned on ents to call for prompt action and tougherensure "neutral and fair" teaching. 5th April in favour of former acting princi- penalties against students who assault oth- pal David Sutton, who appealed to a one- ers in playgrounds. Rod Wylie, of Prospect, Elitist schools may hurt gifted pupils person tribunal from the Public Sector alleged his 12-year-old son Rodney hadSydney Morning Herald 16th April 1993 Management Commission. The appeal been attacked on four occasions at Evans Sian Powell process did not give enough weight to the High School at Blacktown. "Rodney is A British educationalist has cast doubt onviews of a school community, they said. under orders not to fight at school or after the value of two of NSW's major programs Mr Comben welcomed the end to the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 37 352 impassive but told school representativesthere's been a slow but consistent nudge Minister for Education, Mrs Chadwick, yesterday afternoon that he did not appreci- towards greater national consistency," heunveiled a special education policy. She ate their attempts to subvert the indepen- said. also announced that from next year new dence and fairness of the appeals system. teachers would need to have completed a "The whole process of selecting a ccincipal Murphy's baby: Was Quayle right? basic 14 week course on the special educa- will now have to be repeated," Mr Comben The Sun-Herald 4th April 1993 Frank tion ne:As of children with physical disabil- said. "Mr David Edwards will become the Waller itief:, learning difficulties and behavioural acting crincipal in the interim." In the US the rates of divorce and childrend'sorders. born to single mothers have soared. In the New graduates who had not completed the AU at C over exam grading post-war generation 80 per cent of children course, now taught in NSW universities, Sydney Morning Herald 17th April 1993 grew up in two-parent families. Now half would not be given teaching jobs. Sian Powell of all marriages end in divorce and less She said annual spending on special educa- The letter C is imbued with a whole range than half of all US children will get through tion would rise from $100 million to $120 of meanings in the world of education. In childhood without their parents splitting up. million. The Department of School the Victorian Summary Statement ofOne in four children is now born to a single Education's director of special education, Grades, a C denotes 5 - a middling mark. In mother. Dr Loretta Giorcelli, said the policy would the Western Australia Information Sheet, The studies show children in broken fami- assure parents that NSW had not joined on the other hand, a C stands for "sound lies or with single mothers do worse on what she described as a world trend to inte- achievement", in a scale which runs from A several measures of well-being than chil- grate all children with disabilities into regu- to F (but avoids the letter- E). In the Southdren in intact families. "Children in single- lar classes. "In other States and in other Australian Year 12 Certificate ofparent or step-parent families are morecountries, in the last couple of years, there Achievement, C denotes a "competent" stu- likely than children in intact families to behas been a shutdown of special schools," dent. But in Tasmania, the C is far more poor, to drop out of school, to have trouble she said. laudatory, awarded as a "credit" to the topwith the law - to do worse, in short, by"There has been a lot of political and 5 per cent to 20 per cent of candidates. In most definitions of well-being." A few parental anxiety about any change in direc- the ACf, a C is "clearly satisfactory", fol- findings from latest studies: tion from the Liberal Government." lowed by D, "limited but satisfactory", and * Kids in single-parent families arc up to She said NSW had 4,000 children with var- E, "very limited". In NSW, of course thethree times more likely to have emotional ious disabilities attending special schools, system is fax too complicated for mere let- or behavioural problems. 10,000 children in special education classes ters, and even numbers become elastic in* Kids from broken families are less suc- attached to regular schools and another the scaling process. Pity then the employer cessful as adults, particularly in love and at 108,000 receiving special assistance so who is faced with applications from stu- work. they could attend regular classes. dents all over the country and has to com- * Divorce almost always brings a decline in"The parents of those 10,000 children and pare nine different forms of certification. the standard of living for mother and chil- those 4,000 felt those "special ed" options (South Australia, Tasmania and thedren. Half the single mothers in the US were going to be closed down," Dr Northern Territory have two leaving certifi- live below the poverty line. Giorcelli said."In Victoria, that has hap- cates). To shed some light on the murky * 70% of all juveniles in reform schoolspened. In Queensland, there is an enor- world of matriculation, the Federalcome from fatherless homes. A wide body mous push. In Italy, they have shut down Department of Employment, Education andof research shows kids from broken homes all their "special ed" facilities ... every Training funded a 48-page booklet which are more likely to commit crime. child is in a regular class whether he or she explains the various forms of certification Barbara Whitehead certainly leans towards can cope or not." Dr Giorcelli said parents for bemused employers. Leaving School the conservative and tends to blame single of children with disabilities had felt threat- 1992: A Guide to Year 12 Certificates andmothers for their own situation. Shc ened and wanted NSW to declare its stand. Tertiary Entrance statements in Australiaacknowledges the vast majority of adults "It is not baby-sitting, it is not childmind- explains exactly how the various systems say they are happier and better off after theing, it is education". She said the policy work. For instance, courses may be units in divorce but "what contributes to a parcnt'sstill allowed, where appropriate, shifting some States and subjects in others. A syl- happiness may detract from a child's happi-children with disabilities towaids conven- labus is a syllabus in most of the countryness". "All too often the adult quest fortional classes. Dr Giorceili said screening except Victoria whm it is a study design.freedom, independence, and choice in fami- kindergarten children would involve teach- Every State has a school year divided intoly relationships conflicts with a child'sers "observing" pupils for early signs of four terms, except Tasmania, where it is developmental needs for stability, constan- learning problems. Kindergarten pupils divided into three. University requirements cy, harmony and permanence in family would be checked for basic early literacy are called tertiary entrance ranks in NSW life," says Whitehead. Something has cer-skills, such as knowing the front of the and the ACT, tertiary entrance scores intainly gone deeply wrong in American book from the back and knowing that print Victoria and Western Australia, higher edu- society. Crime is soaring and getting more goes from left to right. They would also be cation entrance scores in South Australia, and more violent.Education is in a pitiful screened to determine how well they could and overall positions in Queensland. Itstate. Many are without health care. follow instructions and if they understood would be far simpler to have some form of Average wages are declining. One in five the concept of numbers. The senior vice national certification but responsibility for children live below the poverty line. presidentofthe NSW Teachers' education is constitutionally vested in the Federation, Mr Denis Fitzgerald, said he States, and they all prefer their own meth- Kindles to test learning skills had feared NSW was moving towards ods. The new Federal junior Minister for Sydney Morning Herald 26th March 1993 "mindless integration" of children with dis- Education, Mt Free, said the problem with Richard Macey abilities into regular classes. He believed leaving certificates could be compared with All kindergarten pupils will be screened the trend had more to do with economics the problem over railway gauges and the from next year to identify children with than good education. problems with plumbers' qualifications. It problems that may hamper their education. all stemmed from Federation, he said. "But The plan was revealed yesterday when the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 38 ( 353 Honesty the best policy the education sector. squeeze on funds. Schools - like hospitals, Sunday Telegraph 21st March 1993 SueThe report, titledGraduating to the prisons, roads and railways - have to queue Quinn Workplace,was carried out by the Businessfor their share of the tax pool. Education is Parents who fail to tell children about their and Higher Education Round Table group one of the biggest fmancial commitments impending separation could create a shockwhose members include university vice- governments make to their taxpayers. In similar to that caused by the death of a chancellors and business chief executives.Queensland last year, $2.8 billion was loved one, according to a new program inThe survey canvassed 535 business andspent on education, making the Education NSW schools. The separation and divorcecommerce students from nine tertiary edu- Department the state's biggest public sector program, designed to help students suffer- cation centres across Australia.It foundspender. The money paid the way for the ing because of a marriage break-up, urges that more than 30 percent of students con-547,300 students in the state's school sys- parents to be totally honest about all sidered they had achieved a poor or very tem. aspects of separation.: poor standard of training from their facul-Nationally money for schools and educa- The resource plickage includes lessons forties. About 85 percent said a greatertion is increasing as Australia pushes to use during personal development classes, aemphasis should be placed on providingbecome the 'clever country' of the Asian booklet for parents and statistical informa-on-the-job work experience. Round Tableregion, building on an advantage it already tion. Developed by the School Educationpresident Eric Mayer said yesterday thehas Employers complain that students Department and piloted last year, the pro- survey highlighted an alarming need for fresh from school don't suit their needs. A gram has been so popular it is now likely to consultation between business and educa-recent Queensland Confederation of be used more widely in NSW schools. The tion leaders. Industry survey found 86 percent of bosses program's handbook lists the questions did not think schools were producing stu- children most often ask when told their Schools to Ban Violent Students dents suited to industry. A similar poll five parents are about to separate. Most impor- The Daily Telegraph Mirror 1 lth May, years ago produced the same result. Survey tantly, the hand800k emphasises the need 1993 Education Reporter - Megan Howe respondents repeated their view that for the children to be told that they are not Principals will be able to exclude violentschools should teach more basic skills - not responsible for the divorce and that bothsenior students from high schools underjust English and mathematics, but work- parents still love qiem. The booklet dis- moves revealed yesterday to cut the num-related subjects. One employer said: "I find cusses other issues related to the separation,ber of serious attacks and brawls in Stateit incredible that after 12 years of school including access by the non-custodial par- schools. students are still classified as unskilled ent and common reactions by children after Labor." QCI general manager Clive the separation. It says children often feelSoftware helps llft literacy Bubb said the survey results showed a frus- "an overwhelming sense of loss", confu-The Aus:ralian 20th April, 1993 Trudi tration with a system which did not accom- sion about their future relationship with McIntosh modate the different needs of academic their parents and fear that they will be Visiting US educational software expert Ms achievers and those who would go strait to abandoned. The program advises parents Sharyn Fitzpatrick....marketing director, work. "Essentially what they are saying is not to be derogatory about each other andcorporate communications, for Thethat the system should stream out those to try to understand when a child appears to Learning Company, a leading Californian-who are not going to follow an academic favour one parent over the other at different based publishing pioneer in children's edu- career and give them some different skills" stages. The classroom lessons take studentscational software toldThe Australian"The.Barry Maranta, a businessman, former through the issues involved in separation biggest growth area for us has been ineducator and textbook writer, looks with and divorce, and sness the inevitability ofhome based education" The Learning dismay at his time in the education bureau- change. Co, which distributes many of its titles incracy and it results. "I was part of the social The lessons examine the various ways chil- Australia through Data-flow, is widelyscience revolution in schools in the late dren react when their parents split up andregarded in the US for its high quality soft- 1960's and 1970's and I look back with encourage them to think about the positive ware programs designed to enhance theremorse because what seemed right then aspects of that change. They point out that analytical and creative skills of childrenisn't right now."Ask the academics if while it is common, for children to fantasise and young adults from three to 17. there is a problem and they say society about their mother and father getting back merely expects more and leaves fewer together, the reality is that this doesn't usu-Is Education Working? Or will schoolsoptions for poorly skilled people. ally happen. But students are encouraged to fail the test of the future? In the past the less-bright students found a realise that separation does not mean thatThk. Courier-Mail 27th March, 1993job in the family business or joined a facto- parents aria children stop seeing one anoth- Melissa Ketchell and David Fagan ry production line. Those jobs are drying er and doing things together. Schools in the 1990s have been given theup and by the time children who are start- impossible task-to teach a generation skills ing high school now are ready to enter the Study finds university courses often use-that will help them use knowledge not even workforce, the technology they are learning less invented yet. And they're not winning will have been superseded. Many of the The Daily Telegrairh Mirror 8th May, 1993 much applause for it.Change itself, thejobs they will be doing simply don't exist Sydney: University courses are out of step push to succeed and the number of students yet. Academics agree the emphasis needs to wlith the real world and need urgent finestaying at school rather than joining thebe on develoging.kjalgraloaDfkarajag tuning according to a report released yes- dole queues, have put the education system rather than memorising particular facts and terday. The findings were from a nation- under pressure. bodies of knowledge which will soon be wide study into the relationship between Some classrooms are bursting at the seems, outdated. Many are opposed to what they higher education and the business world.trying to hold the senior school students see as a growing trend of linking education- Among the most damning facts to emerge who would leave in normal economic con- al objectives to the economy - a trend was the percerion that many of the lec- ditions. Teachers complain that their time is which has seen federal influence in educa- tures had little to do with real workplacestretched thin, riving them little chance to tion growing steadily since 1973. situations. Students were also highly criti- upgrade their skills. A paper to be published in September, writ- cal of lecturers who had not worked outside And overhanging all this is the constantten by the University of Queensland's

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 39 354 Paige Porter, Bob Lingard and John dents to make the transition from school to 400 students and teachers in Tasmania and Knight, claims the logic behind all of these the real world. He is confident the system NSW By sexual harassment I mean reforms has been the Federal Government'swill work but recognises that principalsphysically abusing women and sexually will to link education and the economy.need money they can spend on specificabusing them right through to basic Everyone agrees the education system school tasks. "There's a chance that in the assault Mrs Robinson said that in one needs to change but amid a series of state -long term we will end up with a better sys- sample 27 out of 30 tewhers felt that they by-state currimlum reviews, training com-tem. The present system of people in head had been sexually harassed and 23 of those mittees and proposed national strategiesoffice in Brisbane deciding what should be had been harassed by students and competencies there is confusion abouttaught in Mount Isa doesn't have any hope how. of working" Professor Meade said. Queensland has taken up the lead set by the School mourns tragedy US and Britain in a move towards school- Harassment leads to school violence Pauline Ray Parramatta Advocate May based management or devolution Sue Quinn Telegraph Mirror May 1993 1993 Dean of Education at Griffith University, Sexual harassment in Australian schools is Police are interviewing students at Professor Phil Meade, said surroundingrife and can lead to violence, a new study Crestwood High School in Sydney after the communities could be one of a school'sshows. Kerry Robinson, lecturer in sociolo-death of a student from his injuries after a greatest assets. More interaction between gy at the Uni. of Western Sydney has com- school fight. business and parents made it easier for stu- Oiled the study after surveying more than

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Adventuring with Children The sell include HSC past papers the K-6ers, including an insert called 'Take the Complete Manual for Family Science and Technology Teaching Kit,Stress out of Science Software'. For Adventure Travel , by Nan Jefferey. Personal Development, Health andmore information contact New This family has been travelling adven- Physical Education 7-10 Teaching Kit. Horizons on 008 023 069 turously worldwide with their 13 year Australian Geography 7-10 Teaching old twin homeschooled sons for the Kit etc. Environmental Education Material past 13 years. The book is $US 14.95 from the Association of Contact Kevin Jefferey P.O. Box 3010 Campus Review is a newspaper ofLiquidpaperboard Carton manufactur- Rt 6A Bamstable, Mass 02 630. US. Higher Education News that considersers P.O. Box 2572 Nth Parramatta the funding, political, practical and2151 02 630 8488. Aerogramme is the newsletter ofreform issues that are affecting the uni- Alternative Schools all over the planetversities. Subscription $100 for 48 edi-Farm Barn is an educational pro- from Australia and Russia to Denmarktions to Locked Bag 19, Post Office,gramme at Golden Ridge Animal Farm and America Address 417 Roslyn RdPaddington 2021. for Primary aged children at 686 Old Roslyn Heights NY 11577 PH 0011 1 Northern Rd Dural phone 867 5174. (516) 621 2195 Fax 0011 1 (516) 625Computer Shopper is a new maga- 3257. zine that advertises new and used prod- FaxMaths is a service by an experi- ucts to do with computers Theirenced teacher , Peter Ooi (B.Sc, Dip Australian Reading Association isaddress is PO Box 34 Geelong 3220 phEd) who is currently teaching at South holdingitsfirst conference in052 823742 Fax 052 82 3958. Sydney High. After purchasing an ini- Melbourne on July 5-9 The theme is tial 20, $1 units you can fax him any 'Literacy for the New Millennium'ConTACT is a newsletter of theproblem and he will answer it and Contact conference organiser 03 819Continuum Concept Network and isreturn it to you. Fax 02 316 4996 3700. based on the work and writings of JeanPhone 02 666 3331. Liedloff, author of The Continuum The Backyard Scientist is the otherConcept subscription is $25.00 perFlashcard System for Windows is name of a fabulous lady called Janeyear to Bethany Alldridge 529 Northmarketed by You and Me Products PO Hoffman who has developed resourcesSt. Albury 2640 Box 61488, Vancouver WA USA and materials that bridge the gap 98666 pH 0011 1 (206) 5742689. It is between knowledge and the learningCo-op Bookshop is a chain of over 40a computer program tool designed to process by featuring hands-on experi-bookshops backed by sophisticatedhelp 5 to 8 year olds learn elementary ence of scientific principles usingcomputer networking. ".... it is a truemathematics. (Editor's Note: They every day items that children mightco-operative, so as profits increase sohave sent me a 5 and a quarter inch find in their homes. There are 5 bookshave the discounts.." When purchas-disk of this shareware to try out. As I in the series, each costs $US 9.50. Foring through the Co-op you get 13% offdo not have a machine that takes this more information write to Backyardall books paid for by cash or chequesize disk others may like to try and Scientist P.O. Box 16966 Irvine, CAand 10% off all books paid for byreview it for me. Please be aware that 92713 U.S.A. Bankcard, Visa or Mastercard. Therebeing American it may well be in are agencies for the Co-Op Bookshopimperial rather than metric. If you wish to receive the Bennelongon many University and College Program from the Sydney OperaCampuses. Growing Up is the newsletter of the House write asking for it to GPO BOX Christian Community Schools P.O. 4274, Sydney NSW 2001. Dataflowand New HorizonsBox 159 Wentworthville 2145 Ph 636 Computer Catalogue These two com-9944. These people make Christian BoardofStudiesEducationpanies have combined their services tomaterials for their schools and they are Resources Guide is available fromproduce a huge catalogue of education-available, after a registration fee, for them on 02 925 8111. Products theyal and all other programs for comput-purchase by homeschoolers. Send a

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 41 3 5_1S large 85c stamped envelope requestingon ABC TV. The cost of each unit isthe Conservatorium on 02 230 1222. the catalogue of their materials. $240. There is no real age limit on this study. If you wish to find out more ringThe Home Schooler is an Adventist Homework is the excellent and goodthe Unilearn Open Learning Studenthomeschooling quarterly publication looking networking newsletter of theAdvisers on 03 655 8955 or fax yourcosting $10 from Beverley Hogg Canberra Home Education Network. Ifinquiry to 03 655 8966. "Truro", Pleasant Hills NSW 2658. you live in the ACT it would be sensi- ble to subscribe for $7 per annum byPlain Talk About Spanking is aThird Home Education Network cheque or money order to Vanessabooklet pri.ited by Parents and(THEN) is a newly formed home- Corrigan, 23 Bardolph St BonythonTeachersAgainstViolenceinschooling network. Application for 2905. Education and presents some veryassociation with this network which interesting information about this topicdistributes a newsletter among mem- Kindifarm - Mobile Animal Farmfrom PTAVE P.O. Box 1033 Alamo,bers and offers meetings, news, activi- Hands On Science and Technology 56CA 94507-7033. ties for children, support and resources Kitchener St. St Ives NSW 2075 02 in Queensland and around the country 449 1122 If you have a child (Yr 5 on) who iscontact THEN at PO Box 822 interested in things mechanical theBeenleigh 4207 Australia. Mathematical Society The 37thmagazine Popular Mechanics, avail- Annual Conference of theable from newsagents is an interestingTropical Butterfly House Sydney is Mathematical Society is being held atway to extend knowledge and keepat 628 Old Northern Rd Dural. Ken the University of Wollongong on Julyabreast of technology. Hargraves has 300 types of butterflies 5-9. If you would like to attend contact maintained at a constant Cairns tem- Dr G.H Williams at the University. Power Station at Mt. Piper (off theperature of 27 degrees. Ph 02 651 Mudgee Road past Wallerawang 1868. Ashton Scholastic print a cataloguePower Station). Excellent visitors cen- called 'ModernLanguagestre with lots of "hands on" exhibits.The University of NSW runs the Catalogue' which lists all the maga-Power station tour available complete"Challenge Program" for Gifted and zines they publish in foreign languageswith hard hats and guide. "sample bag"Talented Students in Years 7-10. it fea- as well as audio and video tapes andprovided, overflowing with factualtures a variety of workshops from a resource materials for language teach-information from Faraday to solarrange of disciplines presented by acad- ing. power. emics from the U.N.S.W. The level of work is rigorous and challenging, the Moore Foundation BasicRaconteur is the name of a non-com-cost of the two-day program is $200. Curriculum Guides petitive game that has no violence and Their basic curriculum guides come in involves players taking turns andYoung WritersoftheYear three levels ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18.employing their creativity using theCompetition is an interesting project Each one is packed full of informationright side of their brain. It puts childrenthat high schooled homeschooled chil- about the Moores' books and materialsand adults on an equal footing becausedren might like to become involved in. and how to use them, suggestions forno-one is locked out by information Ireceived the application form service and work projects, plus a longthat they may not have. The game sellsaddressed to Homeschoolers Australia term research unit study. A guide costsfor $30 at Dymocks stores. so I cannot see why homeschoolers SUS 10 The Moore Foundation Phone would not be eligible around the coun- 0011 1 206 835 2736, or write to BoxSydney Conservatorium of Music try. Entry forms can be obtained from 1 Camas WA 98607 has a preparatory division called 'Thethe Canon Office in your state or Young Artists Program'. To gain entryDymocks Bookstores. MUSEUM CALENDAR OFto this program you have to audition EVENTS - ALL STATES All muse-(up to 18 yrs of age). The flyer says Help !! ums around the country have a calen-applicants needtobe "Young I was recently informed dar of events that it is really worth get-Musicians with determination and about a booklet called ting sent. Interesting speakers oftencommitment to study at a high level come to share information at the muse- whilst coping with the demands of a Go Sydney! 100 excur- ums and for a very small fee you andnormal school and home life. There are sions in the Sydney your family can meet and talk to scien- two semesters a year and successful region published by tists at the forefront of science and applicants receive weekly instrumental Hop-Ed publications. If technology. lessons from Conservatorium teachers anyone knows the and a carefully structured complimen- Open Learning is a university spon-tary course of 3-4 hours which will address of this group sored "at homer study program thatinclude music skills, chamber music, could you please con- enables people to study for pleasure orconcert practice and performance plat- tact me with it. Thanks. to gain advanced qualifications usingform. If you would like to find out notes and lectures that can be watched more about this program please contact

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 42 357 Homeschool Support Groups (Real Networking not just talking about it) If you would like your group added please send details.

KELLYVILLE HILLSchat and the children play.materials and some social New outhDISTRICT SYDNEY Families start arriving fromcontact for ourselves and Wales Jo-Anne Be:rne Kellyville about 11am, and there isour children. Contact me on There is a meeting held atopportunity for general dis-436 2057 for more details. Kellyville Park, Memorialcussion around midday. BONDI Drive Kellyville usually onBring your picnic lunch andSTANMORE Jennie Mullins the second last or lasta chair or rug.ContactColleen Strange facilitates I have a ten year old and amTuesday in the month. JuneChris Puffett, 876 5914, oran inner city homeschooling trying to follow an unstruc-29th, July 20th, AugustElizabeth Orr 874 6900 ingroup at Maudrell Park tured, non-textbook24th,September21st,case of rain or change ofStanmore contact Colleen approach. Phone 389 7249 October 26th, Novembervenue, these meetings noton 02 569 3381. 30th. Please RSVP if you held during school holidays. BURWOOD are coming to these meet- TOONGABBIE Lyn Keen Russell Lea ings to Dodie Conway 639MACARTHUR REGION Diana Green Toongabbie The Homeschool Network 4858. Cancelled in case ofHeather H ux leyAngela Griffiths was the organises a monthly meet-rain. These are relaxed, pic-Leppington Toongabbie contact person ing at Woodstocknic meetings (bring lunch)I'm writing with regard topreviously, however she is Community Cente: Contactwith a wide range of sportsupdating information on ourmcving to Canberra and I Lyn Keen for more detailsactivities for children of allMacarthur region supportam the new contact person 02 713 2584. ages skipping, runninggroup.Sue Dowey hasfor this area, if anyone races, soccer, elastics, faceabdicated as convenor and Iwould like to attend a sup- DOLL'S POINT painting. etc. Books fromhave been duly volunteeredport group meeting please Debbie Armanious Dollsthe John Holt Bookstore- which I am happy to do forcontact me on 636 4748 Point availableforviewing.a 12 month period, phone South side meetings are usu- Discussion and interesting606 5670. WAHROONGA allyheld on thefirstinteractions, open meetings Esther Nott Wahroonga Thursday of the month atwith no particular religiousMOSS VALE I am happy to have my Peter Depena Park at Doll'saffiliations Usually plentyRegular support groupname and particulars as a Point, meeting from about of older children attend. meetingscontactSuesupportfororthodox 11am. Often there is a spe- MeAulay 048 681094 orCatholic homeschoolers - 21 cial activity so it is a goodKURING-GAI CHASEMargaret Stone 048 682 959 Edwards Road, Wahroonga idea to make contact beforeNATIONAL PARK NSW, phone 487 2975. attending for the first time.Robyn WigmoreNORTH ROCKS/CAR- Contact Debbie ArmaniousForestvi'le LINFORD WINMALEE 529 2032. MeetingattheKalari Marj Taberner 8681828 Kassandal Toohey on 047 Visitors Center. Second or 543301, fortnightly get ERSKINE PARK last Tuesday in the monthNORTH SHORE/EAST- togethers for homeschoolers Fiona Manuel St Mary's contact Robyn WigmoreERN SUBURBS in the Blue Mountains. A NEW homeschool meet- 451 5671 Barabara Braathen ing for those with children 6 Naremburn WOLLONGONG and under September 28thLANE COVE/DENIS-I am starting a science clubSue Elvis Unanderra at Erskine Park CommunityTONE here for the North Shore & We have a great support Center cnr Peppertree and Chris Puffett Epping Eastern suburbs of Sydneygroup meeting at the Library Swallow Drive - a reallyA support group meeting isit anyone would like to joinin Wollongong where about lovely indoor facility thatusually held on the thirdme for semi-regular meet-8 families meet now. Robyn caters for kids and has teaThursday of the month in ings possibly at the Trumper`rodal is the contact on 042 making, tables and chairs.Lane Cove National Park,Pavilion in Chatswood. It is840512. I would be happy to Cost $2 per family from 10Lady Game Drive,within walking distancetalk to people about home- -2pm. Contact FionaChatswood. (In Junc atfrom the station. The aim ofschooling if they want to Manuel on 623 3257 for Darya ll Park Denistonc).this support group is tocontact me 042 729 120. more information and toThesc are usually relaxedshare resources, philoso- RSVP. gatherings where the parentsphies, literature, science

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 43 35R NTR ydney or many of us, soCOBAR nic at Pappinbarra on June we couldn't all get to theMegan and Bill Gosling 6th. Our group consists of ARMIDALE seminars you organised.We have an 18 month oldfour families with 13 chil- Jane Ile Hardy Armidale Please tell other home-son and are really thinkingdren between us ranging Thanks for all your goodschoolers to feel free toabout the option of home-from 1-12 years old. My advice on Sunday! As aphone us and get advice forschooling. Our phone num-phone number is 065 854 result, I rang the library inthe price of a phone call. ber is 068 362 127. 148 if are any homeschool- town here who were very(Fear not, we do not sell ers who are interested in good. They said if I recom-computers to the public, soFAR NORTH COAST getting together with us. mend a number of books,we are not trying to coerce that the will look at gettingyou into buying anything!)LISMORE NEWCASTLE as many as finances allow.You can phone us at KurriAnne Jackson Lismore Carolyn Arthur Beresfield IfeelI could then sayComputer Services (049) 37What's On - Report LismoreWe have regular support 4385. group meetings and a local "There is at the library, areameetings - first grab that", and people who Thursday of every month.newsletter. Contact Carolyn are interested can do theirLISAROW Much enthusiasm has been049 665 098 own research! Please put myPeter & Lily Nesbitt-generated as a result of our name on the list as a contactHawes Lisarow monthly get togethers thisQUIRINDI for this area - I am more Our next home-year. February saw twentyLynda Hatfield Quirindi than happy to do that too -school meeting will be heldfamilies in contact. SomeI am the contact person for PO Box 210, Armidale,on August 7th at the Pinestravel for up to two hours toQuirindi Homeschoolers 2350, phone (067) 78 1145. in Watagans Forest for ameet and the opportunity isGroup - "Castle Mountain" BBQ and walk. Please makecertainly appreciated.Quirindi NSW 2343. BATHURST sure to ring us on 043 621February - We held a music Marcel le Foundling,473 and confirm you areand games day. March -SOUTH COAST Bathurst coming. The followingEach family brought a craft Our group is growing here.meeting will be Saturdayactivity to share. April -SHOALHAVEN We have a regular meetingNovember 13th at PearlWas suspended as manyPeterRyan &Suzi in the park, all welcome.Beach Arborteum at 11.30mumsweredoinga Krawczyk Please contact me for moream. Again ,please ring andSpalding course (with phon-Wc have a three and half details 063 322 132 confirm that you are com-ics) which we felt was oneyear old daughter that we ing. of the most exciting weeksare intending to home- BROKEN HILL of our lives (20 adults, 8school. We would like to Kylie Green Broken Hill MORRISETT children between 8 and 10have contact with people in I am really happy to makeMarie Laruffa Morrisett years). May - Novelty day -our area 78A Budgong Rd contacts in our area 080 874I started homeschooling ategg and spoon, 3 leggedWest Cambewarra 2540 965. Address 86 Williamsthe beginning of this year.I race, sack race, etc.For St Broken Hill 2880 have three children, Jessicamore details contact AnneBERRY 8, Egan 6 and Ay la 2 1/2.Jackson (066) 21 5866. Fiona Waite Berry NSW CENTRAL COAST So far it's going well.I'm I havejust started to home- enjoying my children andSPHINX ROCK school, after considering a KURRI KURRI they love to be home play-Joanne Brugmans SphinxSteiner approach & would Carol & Greg Tisdelling and exploring aroundRock NSW like to contact other people Kurri Kurri our property. We live near We have regularin my arca Ph 044 729 120. You asked in your previousDooralong on the Cenualhomcschooling educationOr write to 72 North St journal for anyone who wasCoast and as yet I haven'tmeetings and informationBeny 2535 working as a support grouphad any contact with otherdays in our arca. If anyone or individual contact. Myhomeschoolersonthcwould like to come please Central Coast.I am inter- Nthn Territory husband, Greg and I are contactme - Joanne quite happy to talk to otherested in getting togetherBrugmans, Kyogle Road, home schoolers or answerwith other homeschoolersSphinx Rock via Uki, 2480Clare Ridsdale NT any questions of prospectiveweekly or fortnightly so the (066) 89 7473 I would love to start a sup- home schoolers. Greg is achildren can play games and port gioup for homcschool- computer consultant and amake fricnds and the moth-MID NTH COAST crs in Darwin. If anyone computer teacher at TAFEers can exchange ideas and knows of homeschoolers in support each other. My Darwin or suburbs please so if any homeschoolers PAPPINBARRA have any computer ques-phone number is (043) 55 get them to contact mc at 10 1429. I would like to be aMaryAnn CumminsRadford Court Coconut tions we would be happy to Bonny Hills contact on the Central Grove 0810. help them or advise them. The Mid Nth Coast home- It's quite a long trip toCoast. Thanks for a great publication! schoolers are having a pic-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 44 359 .Q.ueensland the last Sunday of eachwith a disposable cup so the month at a place of interest.little ones wouldn't get hurtWest Australia To contact Monica - 23and could keep up. The BEENLEIGH Toona Terrace, Red lynch,cubby house was overflow-ESPERANCE Qunitessence Pty Ltd Cairns 4870, phone (070) 39ing with no pushing orRobert Robins Esperance We are organising a confer- 1895. shoving and everyone tak-WA ence for 30th July called ing turns on the bikes andI would like to start a sup- REFORM. Everyone is wel- GAYNDAH (westofswings. The food was aport group in my area P.O. come and we invite peopleBundaberg) feast and everyone is look-Box 1644 Esperance 6450. to write to us for more infor-Chaille Clarey Gayndah ing forward to the next one. Ph 090 713 296. mation P.O. Box 822QLD Beenleigh 4207 As Imentioned at theSUNSHINE COAST DENMARK Queensland conference ourSunshine Coast HomeGina Wright I am planning BULIMBA family organised "the win-Education Camp Contactto travel around Australia Louisa Danen Bulimbadow for homeschooling" forMaggie Purcell 40 Brownswith my two children and Qld the Orange Festival. WeRd Belli 4562 Ph 074would like to meet and stay We are currently organisingwere really pleased,it470227 for more details. with homeschooling fami- a conference which will belooked great and will attract lies. My mail will be sent on of interest to Christiana lot of attention throughout so please write to me at 87 Homeschoolers inthe celebrations. May AnnSth Australia Scotsdale Rd Denmark _6333 Queensland. Biblicaland all the Slack family Christian Education andorganised a fantasticLenore StiggantsPERTH Parenting Conference, 20thevening at the Town HallKyancutta Susan Warner - 22nd September 1993,for 250 people for thePlease list me on your con-GREENMOUNT Pius XII ProvincialGarden Competition. Thetact list (086 81 2038). WeWe have regular home- Seminary, Approach Road,best they've ever had. Liam,are enjoying homeschoolingschool support meetings and Banyo, Brisbane,our homeschooled son wonimmensely but feel like out-seminars for new home- Queensland. Topics to bethe best garden by a highcasts in the community. schoolers at alternating covered include:school student. We are plan- venues. If people would like Humanism, Who owns ourning a conference tentative-Beverley Paine Yankallila tocontact me on 09 Children?,Morethanly for the 8th to 10th ofWe would like to make con-2944553 or Gaye Englund Merely Married, What isOctober possibly at Ilukatact with other homeschool-on 09 381 3949 , we can put Christian Education:, Thegardens, an ecology centering families PO Box 371them in contact with other Christian World View, Aat Bugara ,east ofYankalilla 085 583212 homeschoolers. Great Start to Life, TheBundaberg (about 4 hours Genesis Solution & north of Brisbane). If any- PORT HEDLAND Resources and Support. Forone would like to comeVictoria Jessi Seller Box 2176 further information, contactplease contact me on 071 South Hedland. WA L & M Danen,112a611137. May Ann Slack andAERG If anybody else happens to Henderson Street, BulimbaI also have an irregularRegular Friday meetings atdo Home Ed. in Port or QLD 4171, or phone (07)socialget togetherasthe Alternative EducationSouth Hedland could they 395 6370. required. Resource Group office 39please write to me. William St Hawthorn. CABOOLTURE MACKAY SAWYERS VALLEY Weekly homeschool meet-Susanne Boughton, ings at the Osmak residence Leonie Westenberg 25 Mackay Kirkstall Way Sawyers Lot 2 Caboolture River RdWell, last Saturday we had Upper Caboolture contact Valley WA 6074 09 295 our first home educators' 3373 Bob Osmak 074 967 884 forfamily barbecue - 43 people more details. For morein all, 15 adults and 28 chil- information on networkingdren, 2 families unable to and homeschooling in gen-attend and 1 father had to eral contact The Thirdwork. Great day, parents Home Education Networkenjoyed each others compa- P.O. Box 822 Beenleighny, children played peace- 4207 fully, not an argument, squabble or rough play.It CAIRNS was beautiful to see them all Monica Hudson Cairns playing together, the big Cairns Homeschoolersoncs looking aftcr the small- Group currently meets oner ones, playing brandings

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 45 360 Resource Book For your copy for Australian Home send $30 Educators Homeschoolers 2nd Edition Australia P.O. BOX 420 An updated catalogue and directory of learning resources. An inspirational tool and guide for new and experienced Kellyville 2153 homeschoolers. 02 6293727

Inside-120 pages

* 20 Inexpensive Ways to Access Educational Resources in the Resource Book Community.* A detailed list of Homeschooling Books -a range of for Australian Home books that can help you decide the how to, wberes, whens and whys or Educators home education.* A national list of 2nd Edition Homeschool Support Groups, Newsletters, Contacts & Products. * An updated catalogue and directory of learning Some Educational Resource resources. An inspirational tool and guide for Information for the A.C.T., new and experienced homeschoolers. N.S.W.,Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, S.A.. fspeciallyplaces to visit, museums etc. for N.S.W. The aim being to create ideas for pursuing educational alternatives rather than creating a definitive list for each state. *Curriculum Resources -U.S. & Australian * Educational Catalogues * Books & Book Suppliers *Project Material & Magazines* An Australian & an Published by American Family's Individual Homeschoolers Australia Learning Resources P.O. BOX 420 KELLYVILLE 2153 NSW *Resource Articles about Preparation of a Portfolio; Evaluation; Learning Disabilities; Homeschooling & The Media; Homegrown & Homeschooled - Raymond Moore; Homeschooling & Computers; Research - Larry & Susan Kaseman; How This Resource Book does not claim to cover the depth and Homeschooling Changes over Time; breadth of educational resources that are available in Unschooling ; Teaching History; local and state communities, far less the national arena. Discipline & Learning & Play; '1 cettagers; Legal Opinions; School The information we have compiled is merely meant to Atter Home Education ; Housecleaning provide a guide and an inspiration about what is possible, & Homeschooling. if we only look around. We hope we can all learn that our world is our best educational resource.

361 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 46 n f HOME GROWNKIDS THE VIDEO !45 information packedminutes

Invite Dr Raymond and Dorothy Moore and other experienced homeschooling families into your home to hear what they have to say on all the important issues that concern all home educators throughout the world to-day.

Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore are internationally acclaimed educators, researchers and authors who have been deeply involved in and supportive of the home- schooling movement for more than three decades. The Moores are the respect- ed authors of Home Grown Kids, Home Spun Schools, Better Late than Early, School Can Wait, Home Made Health, Homestyle Discipline, Horneschool Burnout and Mind Your Own SOME OF THE MANY ISSUES DISCUSSED Business. IN THE VIDEO

" THE VITAL ROLES OF MOTHERS & FATHERS IN EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN * WHAT TO DO - FROM SMALL CHILDREN TO TEENAGERS JPIIJIMMI/ ENTRANCE AGE & BEING READY TO LEARN WHERE TO GET THE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK & SERVICE AS WELL AS STUDY ETHICS HOME GROWN KIDS VIDEO PREPARATION FOR GOOD CMZENSIIIP * USING REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND REAL AUSTRALIA BOOKS AS WELL AS TEXTBOOKS TO DEVELOP LEARNING SKILLS. SEND a cheque for $40 (includes postage) to PARENTAL COMMITMENT GIVING INFINITE Homeschoolers Australia P.O. 420 Kellyville 2153 REWARDS EDUCATING CHILDREN WHO LOVE TO LEARN UNITED STATES POSITIVE SOCIALISATION The Moore Foundation Box 1 CAMAS Washington HAVING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS & EDUCATING 98607 U.S.A AT HOME DEVELOPING HIGH SELF-ESTEEM

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 47 ..:.,,, 1 9-fotaescfworers Australia pty 1 ..(1,,ItrmtilififYil'IP011,111,1 .-7, 5CN003 222 848 711,1114,1,110filt(kfii(rillIMIgil(tiiii,., ,,,.ko: t ,9.r.CA ,1 1,11111 P.O. Box420 ntfyvi& 2153 111,7)1/4:11t 1 '.----

ir 1 . Ph 02 6293727 I NI 114;11',11" 1 Fax02 629 3278

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JULY 1993 OCTOBER 1993 Queensland Queensland Kellyville Homeschool Bundabcrg Home Education Camp Meetings 1993 REFORM Conference 30th July 8th -10th October write to MS 322 organised by Greg and Beenleigh Queensland Contact BenGayndah 4625 Qld or phone 071 Jo-Anne Beirne Mettes at PO Box 822 Beenleigh 611137. 4207 for more information. Kellyville Park Memorial Drive MARCH 1994 Kellyville 2153. RSVP Dodie SEPTEMBER 1993 Conway 6394858. Cancelled if rain- New South Wales New South Wales ing. A wide range a sports activities NSW Homeschooling Conference for all ages. Parents participation Contact Jo-Anne Beirne on 02welcomed, discussions, John Holt Yarrahappini Home Education6293727 or write to me at PO Box Camp (Sth of Macksville) 10th Bookstore books available for perusal 420 Kellyvillc 2153 for morc infor-No particular religious affiliations. September to 12th September mation. Usually plenty of older children Contact Joanne Brugmans on 066 897 473. Sphinx Rock, Kyogle Rd attend. via Uki 2484 APRIL 1994 * 29th June Queensland * 20th July * 24th August Sunshine Coast Home Education * 21st September Camp Contact Maggie Purcell 40 Browns Rd Belli 4562 Ph 074 * 26th October 470227 for more details. * 30th November 3 62 Australian Homeschool Journal ISSUE 40 July-August 1993 Publishers: Jo-Anne & Greg Beirne

Subscription to this journal is $30 for 6 issues to P.O. Box 420 Kellyville 2153

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. ) cr) Ideas or opinions expressed in articles and letters are those of the author and do psilnot necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors and publishers of this journal.

d Australian Homesehool Journal Issue 40 July/August 1993

Vol11 Letters pg 4-8 (reprinted from GWS) schooling? Homework Newsletter Daniel Bergin NSW - The Board of Studies Another case for Funding Jo-Anne Beirne Feed back Please pg 9-12 Barbara Braathen Queensland - The Queensland Home Educator Computer Bulletin Boards Reading pg 20-30 South Australia's New Association Marianne Gale Julia Boxx Reading Survey Responses Natural Learning at high school level compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne Beverley Paine Literacy Pamela Protheroe Media pg 42-44 Reply Jo-Anne Beirne A Response Anna Adams Using Educational Jargon Homeschooling Anon W.A. The HSC pg 31-32 Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne Reply Jo-Anne Beirne The New Look HSC Education Jennie Orchard Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne Resource Information Questions about Pathways Julia Boxx In the interests of fairness pg 13-17 Success in the eye of the Beholder Special Needs Homeschoolers Thea Davis pg 44- 47 Dept. of Educ Resources Why do I homeschool? Learning Disabilities Resources Ian Howie Computer- Civilisation Education Issues pg 33.37 Does Homeschooling need to be pre- Gregory Beime & Toby Adams Houses, Boats, Families and the busi- planned and do parents know what is Art Thacher & Hurd ness of homeschooling best for their children? Drama Herbert Kohl John Taylor Gatto Jo-Anne Beirne Vision for a new more flexible school Birth4ay Gih Ideas Kim Preston system Technology pg 48-51 Geoffrey Maslen In defence of television Practical Homeschooling Legall State Issues Jo-Anne Beime Issues pg 18-19 pg 38-40 A response to In defence of Television ACT- new administration of home- From School to Homeschooling Anna Adams

About the Editor I am a 37 year old very happily mar- Networking & ried woman, to my beloved (patient & Contributions enduring) husband Greg. We have Support Groups always homeschooled our four chil- dren. Gregory 13, Rebecca 11, Stephen to this journal 9 and Mary-Beth 3 years. We try to I wish to continue to update support, encourage and challenge are warmly the support groups contact homeschoolers, with varying degrees list. If you want to be listed of success, failure & reward. We are welcomed. anywhere in this great coun- committed to information dissemina- try,please tell us about your tion about the option of homeschooling so that others can learn about this group. important moral, social and academic Homeschoolers Australia P.O. alternative to traditional schooling. Box 420 Kellyville 2153. Thank you. AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 2 365 Editorial Issue 40

Firstly I'd like to welcome About our Homeschoolersmay want to organise a photo display Ray Ireland and his wonderful illustra-Australia conference, which I'm call-of their group activites and families tions to the Australian Homeschool ing may want to set up a display of the Journal. Ray has a wonderful touch'A Celebration of Homeschooling'.written, art and craft and other work and as a homeschooling husband ofNo we daven't as yet got a venue. Itthey have been undertaking at home Julie, and father of four, with numberneeds to be large, with rooms for smallwith their children. Certainly people five on the way, he has a good under-group discussions as well as a largeare always encouraged and inspired standing of the ins and outs and upscoming together, room for a largewhen they see what homeschoolers are and downs of love, life, children andshared barbeque, room for children todoing and a display in a big hall might homeschooling. I hope you enjoy hisplay safely, an oval as well as swingbe a good opportunity to invite cynical illustrations as much as I enjoyed get- sets, rooms for other aLtivities such asrelatives and friends People who ting them and putting them in. I could- music making, puppet show, dramahave volunteered so far to help with n't resist the one on this page - as thisactivities. I would like it to be a confer-organisation include Anna Adams, just how I feel after getting out theence that the homeschooled kids asSuzie Hammond, Sue Cartwright, journal! Thanks Ray! well as the parents went away fromBarbara Braathen, David Winch, happy... so I'm still working on venueLeanne Bae, Julie Ireland, Julia Boxx, Regarding funding. There isfrom a long list and thus the date is notMarj Taberner, Ros Lazar, Shona more food for thought in this issue andyet fixedat this stage perhaps lastSadlier and Dodie Conway. It'll be a I had a good deal of feedback aboutweekend of the 1994 Easter schoolhuge job but we really want to make it Julia Boxx's article, most in strongholidays - if the venue is to be a schoola big success. If you want to help, agreement and asking "well, when are(around 4-6 April) or perhaps earlier ifmake suggestions, or just tell us your we going to do something about it?"there are better venues. coming please drop us a line to PO Good question! There is really a need One of the advantages ofBox 420 Kellyville 2153. for a committee of sorts and anyoneschool holidays is that camping Apologies for the size of print interested in volunteering themselvesgrounds around Sydney are morein the homeschooling and educational for this panel is most welcome to doempty as Sydney siders leave town.media sections this issue. Also humble so. Some people are making privateAnyway I am open to suggestions.apologies to the people who sent things initiatives already, I believe, and IRosemary Hafner from the Board ofthat I didn't print. I just keep running would welcome them to publish any-Studies said she will attend for a ses-out of space! thing they feel is relevant in thesion and Sue Warner from The Home There is always going to be Australian Homeschool Journal. ForBased Learners Network in W.A. hascriticism of homeschooling, some of it the moment I would like to suggestsaid she will be attending! Prettyjustified, but in the interests of fairness that we prepare a discussion list andamazing Susan! the critics sometimes need to be perhaps a timetable with the aim of Initial suggestions for topicsanswered. The article and my response leading into the Homeschoolersfor discussion are science in the home-on pages 45-47 are an attempt to do Australia Homeschooling Conferenceschool, university education, experien-just that. with this as one of the issues for dis-tial learning, homeschooling high Happy Homeschooling! cussion. Feedback is welcomed fromschoolers, music, funding, research and anywhere around Australia! homeschooling There has also been a great suggestion that groups

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 3 366 Letters Letters Letters Letters

NEW HOMESCHOOL MEETINGSon Sunday 5th September, 10am tillTuesday to another day. Most of our approx 12 noon at Whyanbeel Farmactivities centre on enjoying the natural Barbara Braathen Naremburn NSW and afterwards at 4 mile beach at Portenvironment eg. bushland or beaches. The first meeting of a North ShoreDouglas. Whyanbeel Farm is a tropicalWe go somewhere different every homeschool support group called 'Theflower farm. They have a large varietymonth, usually for a bush walk, but not Science Club' will be held at the endof tropical flowers with some very rarealways. (eg recently we did a tour of of August 1993 between 10.30 am andvarieties in their collection. Cost $5the Adventist Hospital). We've been 2.30 pm. Everyone is welcome but itper family. .They would like to knowto the Kuring-gai wildflower gardens will be essential to RSVP beforehand,approximate numbers so please let meseveral times, Stony Range Flora as soon as possible to me on 436 2057.know by August 20th if you're com-Reserve, Kalkari Visitors Centre plus I will bring some science equipment,ing. other bushwalks locally (Ganigal microscopes and resources, other fami- National Park). We do a few hours of lies are encouraged to bring slides andMaria Sozanski Bathurst NSW walking usually in the morning and anything else that may be of interest.Bathurst area homeschoolers will nowthen have a picnic lunch and Jo-Anne Beirne will bring materialsbe regularly meeting on the 1stmums/dads chat while kids play soccer from The John Holt Bookstore for yourThursday of every month 10.30am / frisbees / explore etc etc. until mid interest.I have booked Bales Park,12.30pm atthe West Bathurstafternoon.I also wanted to let you Sydney St Chatswood for our intialCommunity House. We have alsoknow I rang into Brian Wiltshire on meeting and it will cost around $4 perstarted a regular newsletter. TheThursday night (2GB) and spoke for family (depending on attendance) asshared ideas, support and encourage- 10 minutes or so about homeschooling. we need an indoor venue in winter. Itment is great and appreciated by bothHe was wondering why there were no has a hall, kitchen and a verandahparents and children. We are promot-'geniuses' these days like Edison, Abe looking out on to a soccer field and aing the idea of homeschooling in theLincoln, Van Gogh, Agatha Christie safe area for young ones. Parking isarea by distributing copies of ouretc etc.I rang in and read the list of available, accessed from Sydneynewsletters to the local library,famous homeschoolers and suggested Street. Bring something to sit on, lunchWomen's Health Centre etc. We'vethe school system was squashing the and your ideas. The first thing we willinvited the newspapers to photograph'genius' out of people. He was quite need to do is address what we wantus at our next excursion and have beentaken aback!Its still scary talking on from a support group. invited to speak at a Nursing Mothersthe radio but it was better than last Association meeting. For more infor-time! (J.B. See Homeschooling Media Janelle Hardy Armidale NSW mation or just a chat, contact Marcellesection). We are getting the word around aboutFoundling 32 2132 or Maria Sozanski homeschooling and are hoping our32 3410. CONTACTS PLEASE information day in October goes well. We had an article in the "local paper"Robyn Wigmore Forestville NSW April Simon Blackheath NSW andontheT.V.(J.B.SeeOur group is now about 10 families inThanks again for your newsletter. I've Homeschooling Media section). Couldall, with children ranging from 2 - 11been going to write a piece for you to you please note in the next journal thatyears of age. The "core group" all livepublish but haven't got down to it yet. an Armidale and area, information dayfrom Chatswood to the NorthernWe are nicely settled in the Upper Blue will be held Sat 23rd October, 1993 atBeaches, but all our activities are openMountains now though know of no 1.00pm, St Mark's Chapel UNE. Ringto people from everywhere (andhomeschoolers closer than Bathurst (an Janelle (067) 781145 for more details. 'extras' always come - often to escapehour and a half away) or Springwood the inner city and see the bush etc).(40 minutes away). We would love to Monica Hudson Redlynch Far NthWe meet once a month but the exacthear from any of your readers in this Far North Queensland date varies each month depending onarea. Greg and April Simon 16 St We'll be pleased to see you Jo-Anne atthe activity. Sometimes we need to fuElmo Street Blackheath 047 876 119 the FNQ Home Educators Picnic Dayin with guides etc so change from a

AUSTRALIAN IOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 4 There would be a cost involved, theABOUT SCHOOL NSW REGISTRATION PROCE- school literature indicates an admissionAldo Ferraro Macquarie Fields DURE Don Haddon , Castle Hill fee of $7.00.It should be considered (Jo-Anne' s Note: Many of you will that the organiser applied for funding I have recently undertaken the know Don Haddon as the Board of to keep costs to a minimum but untilresponsibility of providing my 7 chil- Studies Authorised Person who he can prove its worth, funding has notdren with an education at home. As a patiently answered all of our phone been given. Depending on numbersresult, I received a copy of your jour- enquiries and visited a great number of we may be able to come to an amicablenal (issue 36) which I found interest- families between 1991 -1993 for the arrangement for family groups. Theing. On browsing through your journal purpose of registration. Don sujfered a sessions would be at night time, proba- I came upon a number of quotes mademild stroke a couple of months ago and bly starting around 6.30pm againby people opposed to home schooling; is now retired from The Board of depending on numbers and the weath-especially one made by a GrahamStudies but maintains a healthy interest er. Please contact Marion Ripolles onAllpin Senior Vice President of the in all matters to do with homeschool- (02) 601-3254 or forinterstate interestParents and Citizens Association ing and especially the registration write to me at15Lang Road, Casulawhere he wrongly stated "I see a very process. I am delighted to print his NSW 2170. Please notify me by thegreat danger in allowing unqualified detailed response on this matter.) end of August. When the full itineraryparents to teach". is availableforthe tour, I will arrange Up until June1993, Ihad 5 In the May-June issue of to let the country andinterstatehome-children (oldest 11 years) attendingAustralian Homeschool Journal I was schoolers know. school. Not mentioning the level ofinterested in the correspondence [Jo-Anne's note: For anyone with violence in schools, two of my childrenreceived from Gwenda Cannane, pub- children interested in astronomy whocouldn't even read a Golden Book,lished in "Feedback Please" and I live near Sydney or Parkes (or are pre-three of my children could not do basicwould like the opportunity to discuss pared to visit ) both observatories inaddition if it involved a carry, subtrac- some of the matters raised.I should these places provide absolutely superbtion was worse; with multiplicationemphasise that I do this not on behalf resources indoors, for studying theand division considered impossible.of the Board of Studies, but as an indi- stars. The cost is minimal and enthusi-My daughter, aged5started school thisvidual subscriber to your journal. In astic astronomers work with fairlyyear. Five months later she still didview of the fact that my name was small gruups. Sometimes you have tonot recognise any letters of the alpha-published in the article, I should also book butoftenyou can tell it is goingbet. Not even A. In the first week ofpoint out that my comments are meant to be a clear night and just go on thehome schooling, my daughter learnedas a general response to these issues, as spur of the moment, phone217 0345. the entire alphabet and is now learningI do not wish to discuss the details of Macquarie University also has twoto spell small words. In six weeks, mythis particular visit.I do this, not as a Open Days a year when their tele-oldest son has progressed to highdefence of my actions during my time scopes are available for public use -school maths (fractions), with the oth-at the Board, but as an attempt to clear ring them for more details). ers obtaining sound addition and sub-tr2 some perceived misconceptions traction abil- which this and other such statements ities. Twomay create. My major concern is that of my sonsthe letter states that the program pre- (aged 10 andsented at the visit "wasn't adequate". 9)can now Registration for homeschool- read chaptering is only recommended where pro- books.grams have been found to be adequate, Obviouslyregardless of the time recommended. there isThe current registration procedures more. Whatallow for a great deal of flexibility I am tryingwhich previously had not existed, to say is thatenabling homeschoolers to become if itis aregistered at many different stages of great dangertheir experience. You may recall an to allowinterview with me, published in your unqualifiedNovember - December 1991 issue of parentstothe journal, where, in response to your teach, thenquestion regarding the difference in what doesroles under the old legislation, I stated this say forthat (among other things) "the new role qualifiedallows us (i.e. Authorised Persons) the teachers fail- opportunity to foster... support to fami- ing to teach? lies and to combine our inspection role with one of an adviser and consultant". In order to give some flexibility to the 369 BEST COPY AVAILABLEUSTRALIANHOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 6 THANK YOU 5291 USA (they also offer volume dis-him on the subject. The Exhibition Tina Mueri Stanwell Park NSW counts of 5% for over $50, and 10%consists of (4) Large Telescopes, with We received a 1 year registra-for over $100) Also - an excellentwhich all students and parents will be tion from the Board of Studies forresource for Christian homeschoolersable to view the wonders of the Kiara and found the whole experienceis Cathy Duffy's Curriculum Manuals.Universe. very positive and encouraging. Jo-There is an elementary manual and aThe Display Module has various visual anne, we realise that there was a lot ofjr./sr. high one. They are aroundand inter-active displays onboard "back-stage" work to get us to theUS$14.95. I know that Builder Bookswhich include:computers, photograph- point where registration for home-stocks them.I guess the best descrip- ic displays, astronomical books, educa- schooling is now such a pleasant expe-tion would be that they are on the sametional games and VCR's which contain rience. We will never know how muchscale as Mary Pride's books. ?motherup to date footage on the NASA Space 'lobbying' and time people like youdevelopment - Although homeschool-Programs. All students will be given a have invested but we'd like to thankers are now networking pretty wellspread sheet which contains informa- you for helping to make it possible. here, and Home-Based Learning hastion about telescopes, The beginning of been growing, there are some of usthe universe, the planets and other sub- Nadia Clarke Nth Lambton NSW who are starting an association. It willjects on Astronomy. Each telescope Just a note to express my thanks Jo-probably be called "Homeschoolingwill focus on a particular object in Anne for your help and availabilityAssociation of South Australia" forspace and everyone will have a chance when needed together with practicalsimplicity. The primary purpose ofto view these objects for themselves. suggestions regarding homeschooling.having an association is to help home-The objectoftheAstronomy I never realised there were so many interesting facts and places etc. around our town to learn about. One benefit with homeschooling is being able to explore what is around. Recently Peter Hall (BOSLO) came and he was more than happy with the children's work. One of our students is in Year 8 and the other Year 5. he gave us two years registration if we wished to continue, which we are doing at present. We are planning to move to Darwin. Thank you again.

FOR SALE Kym Lawrence Cambewarra NSW / am writing to tell you about the ulti- mate homeschooling experience! We have just returned from taking our family all around Australia, we loved it but now we want to sell our vehicle. It's a Ford Transit/Independence Motorhome - six berth, toilet/shower, LPG Petrol, long wheel base, dual wheel, store/fridge, All that you'll ever need and registered to the 6/94. Price $12500. if anyone is interested pleaseschooling groups to come together at Exhibition is to expand the mind and to contact me at 455 Koloona Drvtimes. We are aiming for the associa-wonder about the grand design of the Cambewarra 2540. tion to be 'up and running' within theuniverse. We will have to arrange an next few months. My address is 11 area on the outskirts of the city to place NEW SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Ross Court Reynella, SA 5161. the semi-trailer as the effect of the HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION "corona" from the city lights, smog Marianne Gale, Reynella SA ANYONE FOR ASTRONOMY? and pollution wouid impede the best I've just had a look at your 2nd editionMarion Ripolles Casula NSW view through the telescopes. The finer of the Resource Book, that had been'Road city astronomer' is a mobiledetails have yet to be arranged and at sent to Bev Paine (I'm putting togetherastronomy exhibition. It will be travel- this point. I am seeking expressions of the Home-Based Learners newsletterling around Australia. Thc organiserinterest to take back to the organiser in this year). There arc a few updates forwas unaware that there was such aorder to arrange times for homeschool- it: pg 12: my telephone no. is 08) 387thing as homeschooling other than cor- ers only. You will all appreciate that it 0104 pg 52: Builder Books is now: POrespondence and long distance school- would be less than satisfactory to be Box 5291, Lynnwood, WA 98046-ing, needless to say we enlightenedherded together with school groups.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE S 36R registration process, periods of fromthan two years is not an expression ofduties within these guidelines and six months to two years registration areinadequacy, but gives the chance formake their recommendations directly given.If a program was inadequate,parents to spend more time on theirto the Minister. registration wouldn't be recommended. programs where they may have had to Whilst it is recognised that a On some occasions, particu-prepare quickly and with little supportregistration visit is a stressful time for larly where parents are preparing forfor the initial visit. On occasions, chil- many, I believe that every effort is registration for the rust time, materialsdren with specific individual learning made to be positive and supportive presented at the home visit lack thedifficulties are visited for registration.during the visit. Many new home- necessary detail to recommend to theSometimes, these difficulties are soschoolers fmd assistance in a follow-up Minister that two years registrationprofound that is is impossible for thevisit after six or twelve months, and, at should be given. In all such cases, par-parent to provide a program whichtimes, have been known to reque-. ents are given the opportunity to dis-.covers all stated curriculum require-during the initial visit. In cases' .e cuss this during the visit, and time isments as they pertain to all key learn-parents are not certain of the dire;Jins spent discussing the preparation of theing areas.In my experience, it hastheir homeschooling experiences program which best meets the needs ofalways been the policy of the recom-should take, much can be gained by the individual student. On many occa-mending officers to consider the spe-recommending shorter registration sions, this support has continuedcific case in question, and to make rec-periods followed by a further visit throughout the registration period byommendations accordingly, once again which may be used to confirm that means of calls to officers at the Boardproviding as much support as possible.which is being done, or to discuss of Studies or to Liaison Officers basedThe question of setting a programexperiences which may be provided to in the Regions. "norm" for registration is a complexbest suit the particular learning situa- Sometimes, the Authorisedmatter.I believe that one of thetion. Person is unable to make any recom-strengths of the current system is the mendation at the initial visit due to theflexibility which is provided for par-THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN fact that parents are not appropriatelyents to structure experiences whichAngela Edwards Wahroonga NSW prepared for the visit and, after somebest suit their children's learning, andI was wondering if you had seen the discussion regarding the curriculumtheir own particular style of pedagogy,following article in The Age? It is cer- requirements, has arranged to return inwithout having to be governed by thetainly an eye-opener! a matter of weeks to conduct a furtherconstraints of strict rules and regula-Sex Battle Lines Drawn Up in registration visit. At all times, thetions. The guidelines clearly set outPrimary Schools Caroline Milburn interests of the students and the sup-minimum requirements. The ways inThe Age 18 June 93 port of the parents are major considera-which programs are presented to satis- Violent sexual attitudes to tions in such discussions. fy these requirements are many andgirls are common among boys in pri- A recommendation of lessvaried. It has been my experience thatmary schools, according to an unpub- parents are able to obtainlished survey on school violence fund- a great deal of supported by the Federal Government. Grade within the homeschoolingfive and six boys dominated their groups and, at times,school culture and used sex as a through discussion withweapon to intimidate girls, the survey the Authorised Personfound. Sexual harassment was so bad when making visits. at one of the five Melbourne primary Finally,Ishouldschools surveyed that the teachers point out that Authorisedbanned children from holding hands. Persons are not operating Girls at the school reported according to the regula-being threatened physically and verbal- tions of the Board ofly if they did not meet the boys' Studies, as implied in thedemands to tongue-kiss and touch final statement of the arti-them. When asked about violence, cle. When a registrationboys in all of the five schools respond- visit occurs Authoriseded by defining violence in sexual Persons (who are appoint- terms. They said violence meant ed by the Minister) are"grabbing tits", "nipple crippling", responding to the guide-"grabbing butt", "giving head jobs to lines which have beenboys" and "poofs". In answer to the drawn up by a group madequestion "what causes violence?" A up of officers from theboy in one discussion group said: Board of Studies and"Watching a movie where a guy's get- homeschooling parents,ting on to a girl, and then you want to and approved by thego out and do it, too." All of the other Minister. Authorisedboys in the small single-sex discussion Persons carry out theirgroup agreed.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 7 370 When asked to name otherharassment was rife in schools. The However, Ms Rosita Villa, an causes of violence, the most commonmost commonly reported element ofindustrial officer with the Federated responses from boys were "to beschool culture was male domination byTeachers Union of Victoria, said the tough", "because you're horny", "sex",students and staff (sic). Teachersstudy debunked the image that primary "anger" and "jealousy". Girls in gradereported that boys dominated sport,schools were idyllic havens immune five and six reported being repeatedlycomputers and other equipment, class- from social trends beyond the school and severely harassed by the male stu-room time and playing space in thegate. She said teachers were increas- dents. The report said that althoughschool yard.They said girls wereingly concerned about the overwhelm- the girls said they felt uncomfortableoften withdrawn, marginalised anding nature of sexual harassment in and upset by such forced attention,aimless within the school culture.schools. "It is a social problem that their values reflected the dominant cul-Males tended to control the decision-exists in our culture", Ms Villa said. ture of the boys in schools. Whenmaking within the school."Go to any"If there's rape on the streets there's questioned about their hierarchy of val-school yard and you will see girls sit-sure to be sexual harassment in the ues, all the girls revealed that theyting round in huddles or pushed to theschools." A national review of school wanted to have a boyfriend and be con-fringe areas of the playground, " Mspolicy released last year supports Ms sidered by the rest of the boys as theForsey said. "it's wonying because itForsey's findings about widespread most desirable and therefore the mostcreates and perpetuates an unequalsex based harassment of girl students. popular girl in school. "This, they said, ationship which places males aboveThe national report, 'Listening to would make them the most powerfulfemales not only in terms of their self-Girls', identified sexual harassment as girl in the school," the report said. regard but in terms of their access anda daily fact of life for Australian "The most powerful boy in the school opportunities in education and life." schoolgirls.It said girls suffered was not the most popu- lar but the toughest" The author of the report, Ms Christine Forsey, a project officer withtheWestern Education Centre, said the boys used their sex- ualityto intimidate other boys as well as the girls. "When the boys talked about sex, it was not in terms of love, it was in relation to vio- lence and it was disturb- ing that the boys were learning from each other," she said. "They had it firmly plantel in their heads that male sexual desire is some- thing uncontrollable". Ms Forsey interviewed 145 primary students from government and non-government schools. The Federal Department o f Employment, Education and Training funded the project, which was set up to examine Ms Forsey's report has notharassment from boy students and violence in schools. Responses tobeen released because it was a qualita-sometimes from teachers. questions z.)out violence from the 10-tive study which did not survey a large 'Listening to Girls' was part year-old and 11-year-old students ingroup of schools. But other educationof a review of national education poli- grades five and six were similar in pri-sources said that it had not been pub-cy by the Australian Education vate and state schools. licly released because it was too con-Council. About 800 schoolgirls aged Ms Forsey said curriculumtroversial and painted an ugly picturefrom four to 18 throughout Australia discussions in the past year with more of primary schools. were interviewed for the report and 73 than 200 primary and secondary szhool schools were visited. teachers had revealed that sex-based

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 8 371 downloading and/or uploading. theircomputerand modem. Feedback 2.Networking with U S.A. andHomeschooling starts to look a lot Australian Bulletin Boards. more attractive to rural Australia if a This is the section where we3. Allow a means of easy mass com-Bulletin Board is part of the support invite you to contribute ormunication on issues needing every-and networking system. reply to items of particularbody's attention and input immediately8. Allow for nationwide personal concern. (e.g. regulation policies, funding, etc.). interaction between families, not just 4. Allow for forums and general dis-local or regional. cussion about issues of interest and9. Provide a means of "advertising" A Homeschool Computerongoing concern (e.g. as above, educa-among families about texts, equipmen:, Bulletin Board ? tional, social, legal, etc.). resource materials, supplies for buying 5. If data could be kept over time onand selling, exchange, loan or other Julia Boxx NSW theBoard's"UsageRates",ways to access. Homeschoolers Australia would be in a 10. Allow children (and parents) to My husband and I have been strong position to approach the govern-commn.licate with others on any areas discussing a very exciting possibilityment (and/or other organisations) forof interest or hasslehobbies, pro- for homeschooling families. We wantfunding of a Keylink Hook-Up forjects, special skills, problem areas with to put the idea to others for their con-homeschoolers in future. school work, to know more of different sideration. Would Homeschoolers6. Provide greater and regular supportlifestyles/ cultures/ regions etc., jobs Australia or another family or group beand interaction among all families, par-and work, approaches to learning and interested in setting up a Computerticularly those more geographicallythe like. Bulletin Board-with full messaging,isolated in rural areas, those with no 11. Emphasises to the government and down loading and uploading facilities?support groups in their communities,the general public that homeschoolers If cost was an issue (it always is Iand those unable, for any reasons toare at the front of the line in using guess), perhaps a small annual feeparticipate in support groups andtelecommunication systems to educate, could be levied per family or the Boardshared activities. socialise and prepare their children for might be operated on "budget time", as7. Homeschooling numbers are grow-life in the 21st century.Such a in 6pm Saturdays to 8am Mondays,in.; markedly in rural areas. Most ruralBulletin Board would not be for us a with this perhaps being extended infamilies, even without being on the"40 minute period twice weekly in a future if the idea is successful overmains power, have computers andclass with 30 others to meet the acade- time. Such a Bulletin Board mightmodems. They are used extensivelymic requirements of learning about offer the following benefits and oppor-for the family business and to over-computers of science and technology" tunities, only some of many examples: come the barrier of "isolation." Theywhether you want to or not. Rather, it 1. Shareware educational programs forhave instant access to everything viawould be what it is meant to bea real life tool for learning about things and for communicating more efficiently and effectively. 12. Enable homeschoolers to come together as a "whole group" to address and deal with issues and yet maintain eac!! individual family's independence and freedom. In short, it could assist in giving us greater power without numbers while avoiding the "an associ- ation speaking for us all" thing. 13. Any other benefits people think ofand I'm sure there are many morel! A Bulletin Board would not replace any of the things we have already journal, support groups, family newsletters, homeschooling workshops or anything else. Rather it would seAve as an additional resource of assistance and inter? -tion for families. We'd be interested in peoples thoughts on this idea, or if it has been suggested or con- sidered already. Please contact me via the mail if you are interested in doing this. Julia Boxx RMB Carcalgong via Windeyer Mudgee 2850.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 9 Natural learning in high school ? Bev Paine Yanks lilla SA Thank you for the newsletter, and all the effort you and your family put in.I am now studying at University full-time as an external stu- dent and my efforts in promoting the home education movement as an alter- native is no longer as prominent in my life. I am wondering if any of the readers of the Journal are offering a 'natural learning' program to 12 year olds and up. April is at this age, and I feel the pressure to offer more 'book' learning, structured activities, and would like to know how others feel about natural learning methods for teenagers. My children don't have any consuming interests or passions. We don't spend all day 'expanding' their activities, they have a lot of time to do their own thing while we doprint someone on the outside, be itindividual's interests and priorities ours.(studying and building our house.) another family, a researcher or an edu-which makes our world such an amaz- However, we are available should they cation official gets the idea that thising place (and our lives as home- need or want us for something. "program", "standard", " range ofschoolers so marvellous). This is why I If anyone out there has an older child strongly believe in writing and negoti- who has only experienced a naturalactivities", "number of hours" is OK or not OK. ating one's own educational program learning method, especially through the early teenage years, or even a How do you possibly quantify rather than copying someone else's or and qualify what you are doing as par-buying one. hybrid education, I would be grateful ent, friend, teacher, mentor with your I read recently that Doug to hear from them. children? It doesn't just happen 9 - 3,Moran the multi millionaire owner of sometimes the learning/living relation-the hospital group left school at 11 Jo-Anne's reply: ship is really intense, but most of theyears old, and of course many others (I would love to print other people's time as they get older, it is so close andregarded a failures at "education" have replies to this letter as well). unspoken it just happens. turned out successful and happy peo- I found a really inspiring book There is absolutely no way tople. Of course I don't wwIt my chil- about the whole idea of living, and bycompare the way schools look at learn- dren to miss out on anything educa- way of living, learning, is the Colfaxesing with the way we look at learning.tionally but I realise that they cannot book 'Hard Times in Paradise'. ThisSome examples: Rebecca (11) has acover all the myriad things there is to family built their home, raised animalsschool friend the same age as her whoknow - so I can only give them so and indulged their children's normal has read 3 books since the beginning ofmuch and then the confidence and interests in a utally natural way and sothe year & done 7 projects. Rebeccaskills to believe that whatever it is they far three of their kids have ended up at has done no projects but has read near-want to know or do they can achieve it. Harvard on scholarship and two havely a hundred books - our priorities and When you have been home- since completed degrees. flexible lifestyle (or timetable) are a lotschooling for as long as we have, you In terms of what we do as adifferent to what is common in otherstart to look at your tenager and realise family, I must say that it is almosthomeschools and schools. My kids alljust how far they have come. There are impossible to simplify down enough tolove music and have 3 hours a weekgreat conversations and arguments, fit in a space such as this. I also don'teach of lessons (and much more thanthey make so many thoughtful state- want to feel that other homeschoolersthis of practice) by choice. I don't wantments and are (usually) so responsible may judge or compare what they Ereany homeschooler to observe that I amand self-motivated that in your heart doing with what we are doing in a. rdoing too much music or that they inand brain you are confident to just go household. (I know I still do it). It hasturn are doing too little music. It couldwith what is happcning- evaluating and always seemed to me that so much ofeasily be said that my 13 year old sonchanging only as necessary as you go the learning that happens in our houseis disadvantaged in that he has litdealong .Gregory for example has is intangible and unable to be neatlyidea about geology but how to weighalways hated to write, his comment placed in a 'category' for evaluation.up and compare, and what should we"But Mum I just don't write like the The danger then is that when it is incompare it with? So much depends onauthors I read, mine looks so second AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 10 373 class" has been a challenge for me onsomehow this integrity bears fruit. Iand that the children of tomorrow will occasions, and issues such as "If hedon't know if this is the definition ofneed skills and abilities that society doesn't do paperwork will I be able tonatural learning, but whatever we are(including schools and education get registered?" (we always have); " Ifdoing it is working. It may look a littledeparunents) don't hold as valuable at he doesn't practise writing will he everdifferent from what the Paines arethis time. They seem to think they get better at it?;" Am I irresponsibledoing, but as long as we are committedhave a monopoly on where and how to in not pushing him to write?" pale,to our children, they are content anddirect our children's lives. I do believe when he sat down in the last twolearning, then I feel, like others do, thatthat our children need an education but months and wrote two superb piecesall is well . how do you get through to these people using language that obviously grew Educational jargon- that it may not be their form of educa- from all the literature he has read over tion that we believe is best, without the years. My lesson of course is that the pros and cons having our kids taken from us because he is a really wonderful and capable we don't fit into any existing mold. person, he does heaps of thingsAnonymous W.A. I know this policy has been extremely well, he is exposed to man May I ask for your supportagreed upon by many homeschoolers. writing than most people, he has aand advice as a fellow homeschoolingI also know that many of these are ex- mother who writes all the time and he mum? Today on receipt of the officialteachers, I am not, and as suc h don't can in fact write when he has to, but documents regarding homeschooling, Ispeak the same language or kr ow how don't expect it to happen too often. realise I am at a loss as to how to fulfilto test and evaluate my kids, apart John Holt's "trust your chil- their requirements.I have come to befrom a mother's intuition that they are dren" keeps coming back to my mind in this position because of several val-'maturing nicely', this doesn't look fortunately, and I suppose I need to tell ues I hold dear. Such as Alternativevery impressive on a report sheet.I you that I say "trust yourselr toEducation to me, means something farreally wonder why we have to do all myself on regular occasions. Someone removed from schooling as we know itthe written work for the department said the other day that homeschooling and getting back to the basics. Thosewhen we know we are only going is knowing when not to interfere. Youbeing family communication, love,through the motions, explaining what get a bit more experienced at knowing respect, time, acceptance of each otherhappens everyday whether taught or what to do and when to do it and howas individuals... My values are notnot. To me it seems irrelevant to what much to do after awhile, you try to domainstream, in as much as I believemy kids are really learning. We don't your best, you love your kids andsociety is in for some drastic changeknow what having a loving, secure life encourage them to seek their best and is teaching them, probably a lot more than we could ever write on paper. My kids are just really content to be around our life which is some- times interesting, sometimes not but it's real which I believe is relevant. Regarding the part of the policy called 'efficiency of planning'.I feel inadequate in this area as I have no previous training in education and cannot predict needs or levels. This definitely leaves me perplexed. Also 'the extent of consistency with the outcomes listed'.I see these outcomes displayed everyday in the way the kids express themselves and respond to people, the environment and new situations, but I am not good with paperwork and miss recording much of what is covered. One outcome I fear I will be found lacking in is 'literacy skills' because although my daughter (9yrs) reads well she dislikes to write therefore there is not a quantity of work to show.I don't think sheetwork is very good and I recall you mention- ing that you didn't use spelling lists, I feel these are a very false tools in the homeschool.(I would be inter- ested to know how your

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 39 PAGE 11 3 4 family learns because you are the rustwant to state it. That being said, I per-rules, some of them are not so good of homeschoolers I know that don't fol-sonally do Lelieve that there are certaincourse, but many of them are useful, low a bought program). standards of education that it would bekeep us safe and enable the great I am trying to accept my chil-irresponsible, as a caring parent, not tomajority of people to live in harmony. dren as they are but am finding thismaintain. The same happens with homeschool- difficult when I read about the 'evi- However your children areing, the education department regulates dence' I have to provide. My son young and obviously it is not necessaryit, this is probably not a great rule, but (6yrs) is not very co-operative when Ithat they have volumes of paperworkit is the way it is at present. They are try to teach or tell him things, heor that a six year old be reading. ( Ifthe biggest so they define what we doesn't like to write regularly, heyou want literature on the issLe ofshall call "the chops". They call them didn't even like to draw when he was'reading late' I can give you a list). I"efficiency" and "evidence" and "eval- younger. He reads some words withbelieve if you were well informed anduation" you probably call them "being help but has no retention of sounds, heargued your case well that you couldthere", "listening" and "questioning" . is good with shapes, memory games,convince the most "schooled" inspec-The fact is though that if you want to numbers, music, is a mature speaker.tor of your convictions on these issues,talk to the rule makers you have to He is a real nice person and I feel theplenty of people in every state ofeither make them understand your academic skills will come with age. Australia have done so. words or attempt to understand theirs Am I being too optimistic?I believe But I can hear your replyand frame what you are doing in their the district education officer thinks so"Why should I, have to convince any-jargon. Considering the fact that we and therefore I am in need of advice. Ione of anything if I am looking afterask our children to learn heaps of new wouldn't feel right working from amy children, love them and can seethings all the time it should not be so bought program as this would be justthey are achieving? My way ofhard for us to learn something new for following the mold of the schools. Iexplaining this is fairly simple and can a change as well. hope my writing to you is not a burdenbe best described with a few poor I know I used to be really but I couldn't think of anyone in a bet-analogies but here goes. paranoid about the words "sequential, ter position to advise me. Looking for- If you went into a butcher'sprogressive and developmental" (our ward to hearing from you. shop and ask for chops the butcher isdepartmental bugbears) - whenever I likely to say "Which ones lady?saw them in a regulation I'd be beside "Chump, grilling, cutlets, pork, short-myself with rage arguing both about Jo-Anne's Reply loin etc.?" Most likely of course youtheir meanings and their application to have already specified "which" chopsthe realities of homeschooling. I realise Firstly I would like to referand even how much you want, 2 kilosnow that the business of education is you to an article by Gina Wright in theor 20 of them. around a $30 billion a year industry in most recent edition of the W.A. Home Australia and they have to have some Based Learners Network newsletter The same happens throughoutstandards for administering all that which explains extremely well the dif-our lives. We obey road rules becausemoney. ferent approachcs that some They can't really decide what people take to home learning. it is all children should know, they Second, I need to reassure you can't make the kids all come out that to my certain knowledge knowing the same things and they the great majority of parents can't be sure the teachers are all who put in submissions for the equivalent ; nd teaching the same new regulations in WA are not things, so ti

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 12 375 I Resource Information compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne

Special NeedsRosemary Haft °,r has kindly suppliedThe NSW Genetics Education information about the three EducationProgram Homeschoolers Department documents available forThe NSW Genetics Education Program 'special needs children from theproduces an excellent Directory of Education Department's Resource 'Special Needs' is the name usually Genetics Support Groups and Genetics Centre at Small's Rd North Ryde. EachServices. This 174 page directory given to children who have severeof these documents would be useful available for$15from PO Box 317 St physical and intellectual disabilities. Inwhen assembling a program and for Leonards2065lists Support groups for our community we now have a grow-springboarding ideas they are ing number of families who have taken a large range of genetic disorders, fact up the challenge to homeschool their sheets on each of the disorders and 1. Strategies for Teaching Childrenhow to draw up a family health tree. special needs children. with Severe Intellectual and Physical I would be delighted to setDisabilities iside a page, or more, for whatever the Testing Science 2. Curriculum Statement for theWe recently were given a copy of the parents of these children feel would beEducation of Students with Severe most useful. Perhaps articles sharing Australian Schools Science Intellectual Disabilities Competition. What an eye opener it ideas about stimulation, learning, good3. Programming Communication b3oks, socialisation, respite care and was. No actual science knowledge is For Studentswith Severeassumed only the ability to interpret ether activities could be a way to start.Intellectual Disabilities ,Iso I would be really happy to start a and apply scientific information which is fully given in each example. My 113t of names, addresses and phoneThere is a Board of Studies ufficer that numbers so we can set up a support nine year old wasn't at all intimidated specialises in the special needs area, so by it and did very well. So if you are network or a phone tree for the dissem-that if we wished to get a coffee morn- ination of information about resources wondering what they are up to in sci- ing organised we could have someence in school, you can get a book & facilities that have been found use-input from a few sources. Please send ful. Please take the time to contribute copy of 'The Best of the Australian what information you have to PO BoxSchools Science Competition Yrs 7- to this idea if you would like to give or420 Kellyville2153. receive some support. 10' for $15 plus $8 postage from (cred- it cards accepted) Phone5643322.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 13 376 Learning would like a copy of Disabilities their catalogue please ring them on Recently I had corre- 06 280 4499 or toll spondence ana a huge free 008 026 168. package of well 'fiesent- Their address is PO ed and researched infor- Box 457 Fyshwick the mation from 2609. Northern Beaches Learning Difficulties Dominie School Support Group. This is a Books and very well organised Materials Centres group of people that have These very well an excellent newsletter known school book and support group meet- sellers have a huge ings on the first Monday rule of books and of each month at 67 hands on materials a Kalang Rd, Elanora their shops and will, Heights 2101, Phone 913 for a price usually, 7165 . Membership is send you a copy of $10 per year and their their huge catalogue openinghoursare which covers all 10-12and Tuesday subject areas. Look Thursday 12.30-3.30. I the local address up know that many people in your phone book are removing their chil- but they are in NSW dren from school because at Brookvale, of them being labelled Victoria Mt ADD and LD and these The Alternate Press 195 Markville Rd Waver ley, Queensland Mt Gravatt, Sth people can give you reading lists and Unionville Ontario Canada ONL3RFlrisbane, Indooroopilly and Ipswich. lots of support in dealing with children 4V8 Subscription Rates approximatelyS.A Wingfield, W.A. Osborne Park, who may have these problems. I have $30 US for 1 year. Tasmania Launceston. enclosed one of their pamphlets with this edition of the AHJ. ABC Education Computers The Sydney Conservatorium of1993 Mid year update The ABC dis- tribute written resource materials to A Review of the Computer Masic accompany their TV programs for The Open Day of the Sydneyexample: Upper Primary - Secondary game "Civilization" Conser,,atorium of Music is on AugustScientific Eye is $8.95 Concepts In by Gregory Beirne & 21st. It is always a great day with con-Mathematics: Trigonometric Functions Toby Adams certs from the students in singing,1 & 2, $10.75, Concepts In Science - ensembles, soloists, jazz and orchestra. Biology, Physics, Photosynthesis, "Civilisation" is a computer Electrochemistry, The Mole Concept, game in the tradition of "A-Train" and The Hames Players Electricity, Electromagnetism all"Sim-City". The game starts in 4000 This accomplished string quartet hap-$10.75 each. If you are recording theseB.C., when you control a band of pen also to be homeschoolers. They shows & would like to purchase these"Settlers", and your first of many goals perform on the last Sunday afternoon books- ABC Educ PO Box 630,is to fmd a suitable place to start your of each month at the Balmain TownGosford 2250. Phone 008 800 150. first city. Once you have founded your Hall. Playing works by -Bach, Mozart, Boccherini & Grainger. Admission city(s), it becomes the producer of mil- Festival of Light itary units, city improvements, and $10. Concession $5. Children $2.50 Caroline Fraser is co-ordinating awonders of the world (7 ancient, 7 Pensioners Free. Information: Phone Christian Family Parade for themedieval and 7 modern) (they, the Don Mori Ph 810-3188 Festival of Light for Monday Octoberwonders, have good effects on your 4th. If you would likemore information civilisation), but probably most impor- please ring Caroline. Natural Life tant is more settlers. Settlers carry out Is a newvaper-sized publication pub- the following tasks: start new cities, lished by , who hasAcademic Remainders build irrigation, forts, roads and rail- Clouston & Hall are booksellers who written many articles in US home- roads. The last can only be achieved sell remaindered items from many of schooling magazines over the years. It after you (and your wise men) discover the large publishing houses. Some of is like a big version of our Australian the technology advance of "Railroad". publication Grass Roots. Address istheir books are quite cheap and their range of titles is impressive. If you

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 14 377 The discovering of new tech-city makes any military unit raised by Yes,I have read Betty nology, is carried out through the slowthat city immediately become a veteranEdward's Drawing on the Right Side (time-wise), but educated, minds (ifunit ( Increases attack and defence fac-of The Brain and I do have enough they have any!) of your "wise (theytors, which otherwise would haveconfidence to know that if I really wish!) men". The attainment of certain taken several fights.) stuck at it I could probably draw at technological advances leads on to the* Before you have any city improve-least as well as your average person. discovering of more sophisticated tech-ments, which costs money to maintain, But that is just it, I love to look and nologies. The order of technologyput your tax level down to 0%, whichadmire but I'd rather not paint or draw. advances is integrated in a flow chartputs 100% of your taxes towards the But what about the kids? Are in the back of the manual. With thediscovering of new technologies. they destined to be artistically deprived technologies, you basically have to* If you have the Russians as yourdue to my obvious failings in this area? have to re-discover just about every-neighbours, be very wary of them, andWell some would say, quite rightly, thing known to us today. Some of theyou should probably destroy them asyes. Pio Hart would probably freak if technologiesinclude:Railroad,soon as possible, -as they are veryhis children couldn't express them- Mathematics, Pottery, Iron Working,untrustworthy, very militant, and willselves through paint (I read once a BridgeBuilding,Construction,barely ever keep peace treaties. Note:while back that Pro Hart was home- Gunpowder, Conscription, Medicine,their leader is Stalin. (A cheating wayschooled for some significant time), Combustion, Steel, Space Flight,of saving yourself from militant civi-but what to do about it? Classes, well Nuclear Fusion, Atomic Theory,lizations is to (IBM Only) hit "ALT"we have tried these with varying AdvancedFlightandGeneticR, which randomises world leaders'degrees of success and interest. Engineering. (The last one is a realpersonalities, which is how a civiliza- Immersion, yes, we've done the art doozy. The wonder of the world thattion's militancy, peacefulness orexhibition and art gallery circuit "Not can be built after the discovery of thisexpansionistic behaviour is deter- another exhibition, please Mum". technology is a "Cure for Cancer"mined.) I'm just not like a home- wonder!). *When you build Settlers in a city, thatschooler I know whose lumps of wood You also have to control thecity's population level goes down by 1,become miraculous music stands and financial side of your empire. Youso raising lots of settlers in one citywhose lumps of clay soon look like must decide whether to spend moneycan strangle its growth. pots and jugs and cute little houses. on luxuries, which keep your citizens a*Each "wonder of the world" requiresI'm a slave of the books, and yes, little happier, to spend money to getdifferent numbers of "recources" to bewe've been through many inspiring technologies quicker, what tax levelscompleted. "Caravan" units are veryones over the years about puppets, fin- to use to gain more money, anduseful for helping build wonders. Justger painting, drawing the human body, whether to trade with other civiliza-move them into a city and they will putwatercolours etc . I've read Making tions via your trade "Caravans", whichabout 50 "resources" towards buildingThings, Drawing with Children and brings in plenty of money (usually). whatever wonder it is you are buildingArt from Many Hands and they gave Using money you can also speed upin that city. us lots of ideas. the building of military units, city Hardware Requirements But our most recent "find" improvements, and wonders of theIBM: This game is quite playable on ahas been 'Watercolour for the world. 286, though you need a Hard Disk or 2Artistically Undiscovered' by Thacher The decision whether to makeHigh density floppies. EGA graphicsHurd and John Cassidy. We got this peace or war with opposing civiliza-are adequate but VGA are a lot better.book at Dymocks and it was not real tions also rests with you (unless theThere is sound support. cheap - but contains about a term's opposing civilization makes the deci-Macintosh: LC or later, colour moni-worth of solid work (around $29.95) sion for you). If you are a Republican tor with system 6:07 or later. and lots of jumping off points to con- or Democratic government, your tinue with after. If you have more that Senate will not allow you to go to war one child able to use it is even more with another civilization unless you Art in the economical! were already at war with the other civi.. In this book you paint, sketrh lization when that government came homeschool and basically work with watercolours into power. Any offer of peace by under the headings of another civilization will be accepted by I have just returned from a Democratic or Republican govern-cleaning up a hugely messy kitchen*really basic watercolour technique, ment's Senate. where the children aged 3 to 13 have*colour mixing, *using your pencil, Tips & Hints just been "painting". What a thrill!*washes, *light and shadow (this is *The discovery by your civilization ofDon't get me wrong I do love to seeexplained really well), *perspective, the advances of gunpowder & combus-the kids creating masterpieces (not so*painting a still life and *tell a story. tion makes your existing barracksthe mess), I do love colour and texture obsolete, and they are pulled down. Itand looking at other people's paintings Anyway it has encouraged is a good idea to sell your barracks juston art gallery walls but I'm personallysome interesting questions and some before you invent gunpowder or com-about as arty as a lump of concrete. proud productions for us, maybe it will bustion. (Note: Having barracks in a do the same for you!

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 15 37 8 behind the door in your imagination.and then into a giant. Act out those Drama: What happens? changes and then "explain" your This simple exercise bearschanges to a friend. Improvisation repeating. On the first try with a group S. It is a stormy night and the electrici- of children, there is often a monsterty has gone off. You hear a strange This excerpt h gm the book Makingbehind the door, or something equallynoise in your house and go to discover Theatre by Herbert Kohl availablepredictable. With repetition the imagi-what it is. from The John Holt Bookstore fornation stretches a bit.: you might find a $28 + postage. book of spells, a key, a long passage, aWhat these situations have in common sad or happy person, or another dooris an element of mystery: a transforma- behind the door. The more peopletion, a discovery, or an uncertain out- Improvisalion become involved, the more it chal-come that challenges the improviser. lenges everyone's imagination. IdeasAll of them also have no single best Doing theatre with children consists of way of being played. Good improvisa- more than putting on plays. The per-lead to other ideas in the noncompeti- formance of a play is a particulartive and nongraded world of freetional situations evoke multiple inter- pretations. They can also involve more event, a focusing of talent and energyimprovisation. It's not difficult to that one person.It makes sense to do on a moment that happens and theninvent situations that can lead to individual and group improvisations, The development of the skillsimprovisation. Here are some to play passes. and constantly to extend the bound- and sensibility that make for good the-with: atre also provides avenues for the aries of what your students do. development of self-confidence and1. Yogi fall asleep and then awake to fmd yourself on a strange planet. YouOne way to come up with your own sensitivity to the voices and gestures of hear footsteps approaching. What dolist of situations is to examine classical others, and the experience of working literature (including fairy tales & collectively. Because teaching dramayou do? 2. There is a full moon and you aremyths), much of which is full of mys- has such serious potential, I like to tery, challenges, uncertainty and start with charged themes, common buttaking a walk admiring the sky when difficult emotions, gestures, andall of a sudden your skin feels funny.magic. Example, The Tempest begins with a shipwreck; Hamlet sees the moments of discovery. Little by little, hair by hair, you find yourself transformed into a werewolf. ghost of his father and has to figure out whether he is dreaming or not:Little Imagine the following: You find your-Act out the transformation. Begin by Red Riding Hood has to go through he self in front of a door in a stage house.seeing the moon and feeling very small dangerous woods; Hansel and Gretel You don't know how you got there,changes in your hands, faze, and feet. plan to escape the witch; Orpheus has why you are there, or on what part of3. You are escaping from prison and to descend into the underworld and, on the planet the whole scene takes place.think you are being chased. Act out getting away. (This can also be donereturning to the land of the living, You are just there and have to open the never turn to look back; Oedipus has to door. How do you feel before touch-as an improvisation of running away answer the riddle of th Sphinx. All of ing the door knob? Express it in yourfrom home.) these themes can be transformed into face and body and then slowly reach4. You fmd yourself, like Alice, trans- for the knob while creating the roomformed first into a tiny, tiny creatureimprovisational situations.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 16 Birthday Gift Ideas Kim Preston

3-5 YEARS scarf, candlewick bee. bucket and car sponge $8, Cottage spade (smaller spreads, old pottery jugs & nailfile and nail brush $6 spade)$32, hammer, nails, pkt seeds and flower pot teapots All around $2 at an Supermarket soft-wood$28, secateurs$18, $5, thin circular tree-stumps Op Shop Vase - Crystal/Pottery $5, tool box $10- $40, tape mea- $3,wood 'off-cuts' & sand- full-bodied 'dancing skirt', old cake tin - sewing box $4 sure$20, air foot-pump $15 paper $ 5 Nursery cover shoe-box with paper, Op Shop saw and rasp (file) $25- $30 metal dustpan and brush $8 cardboard-box car or doll's assorted lace and ribbon $6, Hardware Fire Place Shop house - Homemadepktsbeeswax or clay for 3-ply wood squares (sand modelling $3- $6 PARTY 'TAKE corners) $3, plank of wood 6-8 YEARS Craft Shop HOME' GIFTS (sanded) $5, trowel $5, card games e.g. Happy Families $3, pad/drawing paintbrush $4 Hardware Torch & batteries $10, 4m tiny soaps candle paper $4 Newsagent bicycle bell $4 & bicycle rope (skipping), padlock, small magnets hair clips basket of 'similar - size' basket $7 Cycle shop chain @ $4, rope pulley $5, note book scrunchie ice block makers, pkt wood- garden rake$6, sandpaper pebbles for counting etc mini paper parasol's from beach, needle - case en pegs & cookie-cutters 40c p/s Hardware marbles in bag with large needles, snakes around $4 Supermarket candle-holder, candle- shell posy of flowers and ladders game small cane basket $10 snuffer $6-$8 Giftshop crystal balloons Homemade Market kitchen knife $10, chopping cookie cutters tiny gift- jar of pretty buttons $3, board $8, magnifying glass boxes pkt seeds aluminium pans for sand-pit $6, stapler $8, celotape dis- ball of wool $2, carved wooden bowls penser $10, straw broom BIG GIFTS paper aeroplane hook $2, wooden egg-cups (tea- $10, photo album$6, scis- pkt sparkles chalk sel) $2, cotton tablecloths, SOfS$8, 3 balls wool @ $3 Fruit trec $ 25 Nursery cats-cradle wool plaits dress up shoes and hats, silk Dept Store hairbrush $35 Chemist ribbons and lace

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 17 From School to Homeschooling Daniel Bergin

Reprinted from Growing Without Schooling (G.W.S.) a superb home- schooling magazine from the U.S. If you've already been in school for a while and then you start homeschooling, at first it's pretty hard because your friends are still at school. But that gets better after a while because they can still come over after school and on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, even though my old friends are at school, I have new friends who aren't in school.I met them at our local homeschool support group gatherings, and also Mum found out about all the families homeschooling in the towns around us and got their phone numbers and called them up. Then we visited these families and I my friends who are in school varsitywere visiting the hatchery and looking became friends with some of the kids. sports.I think sports are a trick thataround at the thousands of fish.I said Homeschooling can be kind schools play on kids to make them getI'd love to work there. My mum said of boring at first because you're so exhausted that they can't complain,she didn't know if they would let chil- used to having teachers tell you what toand also to give them a reason to comedren volunteer. But we went right into do. But then it gets a lot better, believeto school just when they start reallythe chiers office and found that they me.It's like me writing this story. hating school. had a volunteer program already in I'm having fun doing it. When you Homeschoolingisgreatplace and had no problem with children homeschool and you choose to dobecause you can do things that the kidsvolunteering as long as their parents things, they can be fun. in school can't. Like my brother wentsigned a release form. In school it was really badto Alaska for three months, and I can I volunteered there once or because the teachers were really mean. go to Mount Katandin and camp theretwice a week for about three hours.I Since I've been out of school foron weekdays. My learning doesn'tgot to feed fish and spawn huge almost five years now, I've forgottentake as much time at home, and it'ssalmon. One of my jobs was to go into about most of it except for the teachersmore fun. Last summer I caught a lota little pool where there was about making me put my head on the desk ifof butterflies and then let them go,twenty salmon and pick them up and I did something wrong.I remember because I was really interested in but-put them into a net. For some reason it my neck getting really sore. Also,terflies then. One day we went to ahelped them get ready for spawning some of the kids who go to school aremuseum at a collep that was full ofbetter because they flopped around really mean.I have a friend namedbutterflies from the tropics. Theremore. It was so much fun trying to get Jared. Most of Ow kids think he's pret-were some very rare ones. Some ofthem with a net. The rangers ,aso let ty weird, and one day he was just walk- them were twelve inches across andme hold these huge ten-pound salmon ing by this kid named Scott, and Scottseven inches long, and thc colourswhile we got the eggs out and fertilised grabbed Jared and spat in his face for were amazing. and then sent them off to the hatchery. no reason, and then grabbed his finger I make a lot of money sine 3They liked having me there to help, and twisted it around so he sprained it! because I liked doing some of the jobs Another bad thing aboutI'm out of school because on weekdays I can get money snow shovelling whilethat they thought were boring, like school is homework. And then there's other kids are at school.I had anotherfeeding the thousands of fish, and that sports. When you play sports in the job, too, but I didn't get paid for it.It freed them up to do other things. middle of such a busy schedule, theywas an apprenticeship at a national fish drain all of your energy. I've watchedhatchery. One day when I was 11 wc

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 18 Another Case for Funding Barbara Braathen I haven't actually worked individe the responsibility, without awith teachers, not for myself but for the NSW Education system, but byclear definition of the duties of each,my children and their future careers. virtue of my qualifications, I under- the result is often an abrogation of thatHow could this be achieved? Perhaps stand I could be employed and beresponsibility by either side.I haveit would be advantageous to us if there given the responsibility of 30 odd kids, often stood in a staffroom to hear suchwere more rigorous conditions placed with no overt supervision.I would be'things as "Joe is being very disruptiveon gaining a homeschool registration. able to write reports like "J does notand his work is very poor"...."OhThe obvious problem with this is that try haat enough", or "D is a daydream- didn't you know .... his father's run offthe simplest way is the 'Bureaucratic er" or "P missed too much school lastwith ....", and I've lost count of themeasure', ie 'attendance' or 'time year due to sickness: I trust he willparents who say "Wendy's teacherspent' type of records, and any teacher make up the wurk" etc, etc. and mydoesn't understand her, what can wewill tell you mere attendance at school opinion would be enough. The issuedo?" activities does not imply any learning here is that it is the child's problem as The Economic Advisoryhas taken place. to whether he learns anything or not. Council to the Federal Government Perhaps funding can help C. a that I had the responsi-have put forward a proposal to finehere. Thanks to the Carrick Review bility of 3t; utid kids, would I take itparents by withholding their familyCommittee and the subsequent change seriously? To use an extreme exam-allowance if their child is not perfonn-in the N.S.W. law we can now be con- ple: the man on trial for the murder ofing at school.It was further proposedsidered on a par with a registered Ebony Simpson. Just let your imagina-that teachers could visit homes toschool. This has been an important tion run for a bit: Do his old teachersassess whether the parents were doingstep, but I would also like the recogni- consider they have failed? they wouldthe right thing....the teachers were pre-tion, acceptance or professional stand- dismiss (and so would I) him as 'a badsumed to have the expertise.... While Iing that other private schools currently one' or that it would be the parentshave no doubt the proposal will behave in our community. Would not problem. Now imagine that man asburied where it justly deserves to be, itsome level of Government funding having been homeschooled (could itdoes reflect some genuine concerngain us such recognition? happen ?)(a) the parents would beover the problems that are expected to take full responsibility (b)currentlyfacingour the media would undertake an exposeschools.It is just such of homeschooling blaming it for pro-concerns that have led ducing 'animals', or emotionally dam-many of us to take the aged etc etc. option of homeschooling. Yet how is it that teachersI personally would like it can be given responsibility with noto be more widely under- accountability? Is it just a matter ofstood that as homeschool- passing the buck when something goesers we do take responsi- wrong? As there is great concern at the bility, and take it serious- moment in the community about thely, and are prepared to be level of violence, lack of observableaccountable. standards, homeless kids etc. Perhaps Unfortunately we should be emphasising the idea thatmy perception is that we homeschooling parents do take respon-are treated as somehow sibility and take it seriously and areless than a teacher in a prepared to be accountable. school, not quite trusted When I was growing up,itin some way.Is this was quite clear that the parents hadbecause we are not part of pastoral care, the day schools academica system, unpaid, or have care, while the boarding school wouldno trade Union? Or is it make full allowance for academic andOlt we are not a full pastoral care. In our community todaymember of society in the the division of responsibility betweensame way 'women at family and school is less obvious and ithome' have been painted? could be argued that this is a good I would like to thing.If one party isn't doing a goodbe considered a profes- job then maybe the other will.It issional at least on a par unfortunate however that when you

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 19 382- Reading-A Homeschool Survey compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne

Jo-Anne's Note: A Possum In The House, Books that It occurred to me, while looking over my children's reading recently, that can be sung - 12 Days of Christmas -(a homeschooled children probably do a great deal molt reading than your aver- huge favourite) age child, basically because of the time they have available. So, I devised a sim- Would like more books about: ple survey to guage just what homeschoolers read and sent it out to a few peo- Gentleness, respect, consideration and ple. Thanks to all those who participated. I think the results give us all some relationships for the children to begin books we may like to pursue in the future. Interestingly enough a fortnight or so learning from. Books on personality after the surveys were returned to me reading became a topic of discussion with traits and sharing love - with a moral to the Pamela Protheroe books and interview. I thought publishing her ideas and the story. Thinking books where the Anna Adams reply to those ideas, might give us all something to think about. children have to fmd a hidden creature or object, puzzle books

Family: Shellard Arthur And The Knights Of TheFamily: McAulay Children: John 8 yr & David 6 years Round Table, Children's Bible Stories,Children: Duncan 14, Caroline 10, Children's Interests are:Battles, Dot And The Kangaroo, The BillabongKatherine 6 and Hugh 4 years Electronics and Engineering series, Famous Five series Children's Interests are: Reading, Books they have read: Narnia seriesWould like more books about: The soccer, tennis, drawing and music. by C. S. Lewis, Biggles, Around thelives of children in past times. Also the Books they have read: Duncan: World in 80 Days world and universe - on a children'sGoodnight Mr Tom - M. Magorian, I Books I have read to them: Enidlevel. Comments - Our 15 month oldAm David - A. Halm, The Cay - T. Blyton Famous Five, Wind in thelikes the "touch and feel" books Taylor, The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien, Willows, Little Pilgrims Progress, The Shield Ring - R. Sutcliff, Boy and Cocky's Circle Books Family: Manuel Going Solo - R. Dahl, Caroline: The Must fmd some: Interesting geograph-Children: Aged 2 and 4 years Hardy Boys - Franklin Dixon Patricia ies books. Books I have read to them: TuckingSt John books, Usborne books, In Mummy In, Any of the Golden Books,Grandma's Attic - Arleta Richardson, Family: Boxx Student: Isaac 16 years Student's Interests are:Space, Science, Fantasy, Fiction (S&S) Books I have read: Mars - Ben Bova, Contact - Carl Sagan, Domes of Fire - David Eddings, Eleniwn triology - David Eddings, Above Top Secret - Timothy Good, Light Years - Gary Kinder, Space Demons - Gillian Rubinstien Books I would like to read: Rcd Mars, Blue Mars, Green Mars, The Shining Ones - David Eddings, Galaxy Arena - Gillian Rubinstien I would like more books about: New technology, Space exploration (fact), Time travel theory.

Family: Boxx Children's ages: 9, 8, 6, 5, 4, 2, andl Books I have read to them - Age read to is under 10, The Wizard Of Oz, Alice In Wonderland, Babar series, Laura Ingle Wilder series, The Eleventh Hour, The Sign Of The Seahorse, The Fantastic Mr Fox, (and others by Roald Dahl) The Pink Panther Storics, Robin Hood, King

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 20 383 The Railway Children - E Nesbitt, Enidbooks, Follow My Leader - James B. Blyton books, The Silver Brumby -Garfield, T. A. C. K - Miller and Elyne Mitchell, Tom Sawyer - MarkRobinson, Hitchhikers Guide To The Twain, The Boxcar Children - GertrudeGalaxy - Douglas Addams, Chocky - Warner, Judith Beresford books. John Wyndam, Cowboy Books - Lewis Would like more books on: sport, art,Liamour, Enders Game - Orson Scott science, model aircraft's Card, S F Wizard Stories - Ursulf. K. le Tail stop reading to your Books I have read to them: We of theGuin &Wm whea they can Never Never, John Milton - Hobbs, TheBooks I have read to them: The Children Of The New Forest - Marryat,Hobbit, Lord Of The Rings etc - read thansektes Robert Schumann - Wheeler, UsbourneTolkein, The Secret Garden - Frances H. books, Tales From Shakespeare - Lamb,Burnett, Winnie The Pooh, House At Lilly child can read so why Florence Nightingale, The IncrediblePooh Corner - Mime, Charlones Web Journey - Bumford, In Grandma's Attic should3 bother 2cading as - Richardson, Blinky Bill, SnugglepotFamily: Keen a family is an iatcresting poc - And Cuddlepie, Dot And The KangarooChildren: Toby 12, Zoe 10 & Josie 8 - Pedley, The Railway Children -Children's Interests are: Reading, time. Ot also enables you to Nesbitt, Arabian Nights, The Sirensewing, writing letters, riding bikes, lego extend your children's knowl- Wailed - Streatfield, Sugar Creek Gang & knitting edge base into areas they may not Series, The Radium Woman - Door ly Books they have read: Zoe: Lotta Comments: -Fortunately we all loveLeaves Home, The Mischievous normally think to choose for reading and being read to - just makingMartins, Pudding And Pie, A Clock themselves. Wien they were time is the issue !! Called Kate, Tales Of A Little Grey Rabbit, The Adventures Of Odd And little you often read books to Family: Stevenson Elsewhere, The Butcher, The Beagle them they did not understand Children: Philip 7 & Connie 5 years And The Dog Catcher, A House In A fully, the same can happen as Children's Interests are:Motorbikes,Town, Josie: The Cat In The Hat, drawing, chooks and pigeons. Ernest And Celestine, Tales Of Amanda are older. 'By making the Books they have read: The ThreePig, Little Brown Mouse, Frosty The effort to read to your older chil- Bears, The Enormous Turnip, The PiedSnow Man, The Mouse With The Too- Piper, Bears In The Night, Little RedLong Tail dren you may be broadening Riding Hood Books I have read to them: The Bible, their educational horizons. Would like more books on:Wildlife,The Wizard Of Oz, The Little House 'Books that parents can and (bush and undersea), specific machineryBooks, The Muddle-Headed Wombat, such as Harley Davidsons, books onThe Borrowers Series, The Spirit Flyer should read to their teenage chil- motorbikes. series, Seven Little Australians, For Me, dren would be the classics Books I have iread to them: All ThingsMe, Me, Possum Magic, Peter Pan, Wise & Wonderful - James Herriot,WinnieThePooh, 101Great inchuling Shakespeare, Wind In The Willows - Kenneth Australians, Mulga Bills Bicycle, Frank "Dickens, 9lomer, Tlu torch, Graham, The Adventures Of GingerPeretti Books - The Door In The Socrates, poetry by Meggs - James Kemsley, The Owl WhoDragon's Throat,The Namia Books, A Was Afraid Of The Dark -JillCollection Of Austrailian Bush Verse (Wordsworth, .Reats, scientific Tomlinson, Charlie And The ChocolateWould like more books about: and environmental articles from Factory - Roald Dahl, The CompleteChildren in other countries, home- Adventures Of Blinky Bill - Dorothyschooled children & Australian history vlustralian gographk, Hall, Snugglepot And Cuddlepie - Mayin story form for children 2'iational geographic, Scientific Gibbs, Winnie The Pooh Series - A. A. 2Irnerican, 2'lature, physics, Milne, My Book Of Bible Stories -Family: Arthur Watchtower Society, The Man WhoChildren: Landon 9, Regan 6 & Bree 2 chtmistry, astronomy, geology Planted Trees - Jean Giorno, Burke AndBooks I have read to them: The Secret and political history books that Wills - Roland Harvey, The Land OfGarden, William And Air Raid Mad -R. L. Stevenson, BedtimePrecautions - Richard Crompton, Heidi - really need to be discusseO and Rhymes - Ladybird, poems from ThisJohanna Spyri, Charlie And The referenced. Land-Flynn & Green, & Bush Ballads ofChocolate Factory - Roald Dahl, Little Australia - Currawong Press, excerpts ofHouse On The Prairie, Narnia series, kids choices from Australia's DangerousGeorges Marvellous Medicine - Roald Creatures - Readers Digest. Dahl, Robin Hood, The Adventures Of Black Beauty Family: Cartwright Comment:I haven't found it a prob- Children: Ashton 10 & Chris 9 years. lem to find books on anything. Books they have read: Roald Dahl

A USTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 21 384 Family: Mulders These books were written well and I Student: Natali 13 years throughly enjoyed them. Student's Interests are: horses andBooks I have read to Althea & horse riding Jordan (10):All books by Robert Books Natalie has read:LittleNewton Peck, Shel Silverstein Poetry Women, Anne Of Green Gables seriesCollections,The What-a-Mess series - 2Lostao4m4 mAmst - I. M. Montgomery, TheHeavenlyFrank Muir Horse From The Outermost West &Would like more books on: Children msbookstorstrialirea Piper At The Dates Of Dawn - Marywith really good characterisation, also Stanton, Tales From Shakespeare -more books like Tin Tins and Asterisk 1.our library - J read Charles and Mary Lamb, Mysteries- the comic book format that all kids Fmm Forgotten Worlds - Berlitz love, but literate good vocab and sto- recently that 67% of all ries with fewer stereotypes. 49Iustralians regularly use a Family: Warner Children: Crystal 8 , Adrian 6 yearsFamily: Armanious library. (also 3 and 1 year olds) Children: Elizabeth 13 years and 2. `The 21SIV Education Children's Interests are: foreverLuke 12 years 'Department's School changing Children's Interests are: Reading, Books I have read to them: Bible art, computers, cycling and lego cAlagazines have been really Story Picture Book, Little House OnBooks they have read: Elizabeth: useful in encouraging our The Prairie, Heidi, Pigs And Honey,Lord Of The Rings, Cuperpunk, Swallows and Amazons, YoungKlontarf - Colin Thiele,Witch Week - children to explore new Scientist and the Childcraft series,Dianne Jones. Luke: The Biggles authors and playwrights series, The Red King Machinery Books because they print extracts Would like more books about: WellBooks I have read to theme Kapatoo, behaved boys! Biographies written forTomb Travellers - Roy Pond and samples and some kwely children about children which will Petri!. teach good character traits. Family: Paine Comments: The boys love booksChildren: April 12 years, a 10 year 3. .2 ead 3im 7rekase's about machinery, what it is for, how it old and a 6 year old. guide called 'Tie Rcad Children's Interests are: Everyday works etc - eg. Snoopy's Question L.211oud .glandbook. book about machines/things that go.life and a bit out of the ordinary Adrian(6) has been through AncientBooks they have read:Space 4. 2ead "Books Children History, Creation Government, fishing,Demons and Skymaze -Gillian Love- by Elizabeth (-Wilson. wild animals, monsters, all the youngRubinstein, Scatterlings - Isobel scientist books, he is fascinated byCarmody, Books by Paul Jennings, Aborigines, The Chinese, any animals, Robin Klein, Judy Blume, Enid Blyton, farming, climate, volcanoes etc. (ImesRoald Dahl and Dick King-Smith documentaries on T.V.). He can't readBooks I have read to them: Graeme yet, but has mernorised 'rigs andBase Books - Eleventh Hour and 'Ms 2CD.4.91.4iJ4 awards Honey" which has a lot of words. HeAnimalia,The Never Ending Story, hates "readers". Crystal (8) went fromRobin Hood, Where The Forest Meets seasons and nature, to cute girl stories,The Sea - Jamie Baker, Little Critter Vith the ..WD.L.R.L.L..R. to fashion, to horses, to endangeredbooks - Mercer Meyer, The Rupert awards (Wids' Own animals, to horses, to farms, to otherseries, The Young Indiana Jones cultures, especially European. Chronicles, Round The Twist etc - k"gustralian Literature Paul Jennings, Jan Pierkowski books, LAwards), children arc given a Family: Hammond Janet and Alan Alberg books list of books to read and evaluate Student: Althea 13 years Would like more books on:stories Children's Interests are: Dance,that relate to real life - fictional stories through the library. 'This often music, computers, history, science fic- with photographic illustrations- illus- encourages them to read books tion & poetry trations are very important for interest Books Althea has read: Alanna seriesin younger children. Bev Paine: A that they may not otherwise - Tamora Pierce, Citizen Of Thecomment on types of books available read. Check with your librarian Galaxy - Robert Heinlein, Restoree -for boys age 8 - 12 who are not profi- for more information. Anne McCaffery, On Fortunes Wheel -cient readers, or who are beginner Cynthia Voight, The Zero Stone -readers.Thnre doesn't seem to be a Andre Norton lot written for this age/interest group, Would like more books about: likein the cheap, paperback range. (This is the Alanna books, and more likeunderstandable as most boys this age Citizen Of The Galuy and Restoree.can read) However, I first came across

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL :SSUE 40 PAGE 22 385 this problem when my chilchen were atLeonie's comment: Everyone (MumFamily: Lazar school! My son has always valuedand Dad included) has loved the "pic-Students Elizabeth 11, Peter 8 years illustrated books and the lack of illus-ture" books Alexander and TheChildren's Interests are: Acting, vet trated novels for kids has restricted hisTerribly, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad science, dancing and swimming interest in books (which isn't greatDay And Alexander Who Used To BeBooks they have read: Elizabeth: anyway.) P.S. The best read book inRich Last Sunday (Judith Viorst). WeLittle House on the Prairie books, this house is the 50c lego catalogue!! quote parts!I read aloud constantly:Anne Of Green Gables, Great My husband is the "storyteller" andExpectations, Midnight In The Dolls Family: Westenberg often "tells" his favourite books. eg. House, Mil ly Molly Mandy Children: Luke 13, Greg 10 & Nick 9 Books by Edgar Rice Burroughs Books Ihave read to them: Children's Interests are: Luke war Huckleberry Finn, Danny The garnes &history, Nicholas - WWI &Family: Bartley Champion Of The World - Roald Dahl, crafts, Gregory history and sport. *Student: Kristopher 8 years Alice In Wonderland, The Water Books they have read: Biggles series,Kris's Interests are: Pottery, cars,Babies, Dangerous Journey, Amelia Martians and Venus series - Edgarbooks and excursions Jane And Friends - Enid Blyton, Rice Burroughs, Little House Books -Books Kris has read:George'sRamona Quimby, The Magic Pudding, I-aura Ingalls Wilder, Narnia series, AMarvellous Medicine - Roald Dahl,Seven Little Australians Wrinkle In Time and others- Spaghetti Tangle - Alexander McCallWould like more books: that had suit- Madeleine L'Engle,Tin Tin Series -Smith, Charlottes Web - E. B. White,able topics for boys with a sense of Herge, James Herriott Books, BetsyThe Perils Of Pirate School - Youngrealistic adventure - Huckleberry Finn Byars series, Roald Dahl, RosemaryPuffm, Bible Stories, Charlie And Thetype books. Sutcliff, Willard Price adventureChocolate Factory - Roald Dahl, TheComments: Time has been too short books, Enid Blyton books, TheBFG - Roald Dahl, The Great Glassthis year. For a number of books I bor- Phantom Tollbooth,Legions Of TheElevator - Roald Dahl, Anything byrowed the 'read aloud' cassettes and Eagle, Pollyanna, Heidi, Black Beauty,Mem Fox we all listen while I iron or drive. Little Pilgrims Progress, What KatyWould like more books about: I like Did Next, Asterix books, Childcraftthe Young Puffin types of books, butFamily: Glen books, Huckleburry Finn, LeonRoald Dahl is my favourite author,Children: 3, 7 and 8 years Garfield's Shakespeare Stories, Mrbecause his books are so funny. Books they have read and enjoyed: Midshipman Hornblower, Ruth Chew,Comments:We have read the aboveHeidi Series, Little House In The Big Looks Like The Magic Coin, Arthurbooks on Kris's list together, we alsoWoods, Blinky Bill, Little House On Ransome's Swallows And Amazons,enjoy Mem Fox books and find thatThe Prairie, Willow Farm Books- TreasureIsland,TheThreeKris now knows where to find theEnid Blyton, Uncle Arthur Stories, Musketeers, The Prince And The books he likes in the libruary. Alison Wittley's Stories About Pauper, Worry Warts And Misery Guts Animals, Noddy Stories AND LOTS MORE !!! Family: Sedgman Would like more books about: I wish there were more books Student: Emily 13 years Australian colonial families' lives - around about: Biggles, The FamousStudent's Interests are:Basketball,like the Laura Ingles - Wilder type Five, Peter Pan books, books likereading. from USA. Narnia, Cowboys and Indians Books they have read: Massflower Brian Jacques, (and the rest of theFamily: Pinazza Family: Westenberg series), Gerald Panel Books Children: Tobi 10, Eliot 7 & Jesse 4 Children: As above + Toddler (2yrs), Children's Interests are: Music, bal- Books Ihave read to them:Family: Dowey let, history, literature, ancient history Grampa's Horses, A Fly Went By,Child: Robert 10 years Books they have read: TOBI: The Mike's Birthday Bulldozer, BibleRobert's Interests are: PhonecardHobbit, Lord Of The Rings and Stories,Little House On The Prairie,collecting, anything in the bush, Tolkien ,The Narnia King Arthurs' Tales, Tin Tin Books,archery, playing with the dog - Josh. Series - C. S. Lewis, Robin Hood - H. Alexander And The Terribly, Horrible,Books he has read: Any Paul JenningsPyle, Wind In The Willows - Kenneth No Good, Very Bad Day, Alexanderbooks, Any Roald Dahl books, NinjaGraharne, Bilbo's Last Song - Tolkien, Who Used To Be Rich Last Sunday- Turtle Stories, Pick Your OwnMuddle-Headed Wombat - Ruth Park, Judith Viorst, Carry On Mr Bowditch,Adventure Books, There's A Wolf InBlinky Bill - Dorothey Wall, The From The Mixed Up Files Of MrsMy Pudding, The Blossom Stories,Magic Pudding - Norman Lindsay, Mr Basil, Frankweiler, The Family BookBirthday Burglar, Are You There God?Shy's Shoes - J. Walsh, Beethoven - P. Of Mary Claire, The Phantom Its Me Margaret, Frosset's Revenge Autezier, The Man Who Planted Trees Tollbooth and C.S. Lewis books,Would like more books with: More- V. Giorno, Alice In Wonderland Narnia books, and The Hobbit. pictures and easy to read text such asBooks - Lewis Caroll, Famous Five Would like more books about:Collins Eye Witness Guides, easy toand Secret Seven - Enid Blyton Family life and children in earlyread fiction with plenty of pictures. Would like more books about: Australia, as well as books involving Tolkiens creatures - Hobbits, medieval large families. times, history and ballet

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 23 386 Books I have read to them: Sign OfComments: We borrow and buyagain. (We had to draw the line some- The Seahorse - Graeme Base, Thebooks regularly. Our children have awhere!) As you will notice, there is Hobbit - Tolkein, Dinotopia - Jamesgreat library and a great love of books.quite a wide range, and the books they Curney, Narnia series - C. S. Lewis,Tim reads picture books when Lauraenjoy are not necessarily great litera- Ausualian Geographic Articles, Poetryrequests it and Laura spends lots ofture. books eg. The Fireside Book - Davidtime looking through her hundreds of On my survey form, I have Hope, The Magic School Bus series,picture books, and can sit throughfirstly given a few books which they Magic Pudding - Norman Lindsay hours listening to a long story until youhave both enjoyed, followed by a list Would like more books about: Thedrop from exhaustion. We read veryof those Timothy has enjoyed, and then values of good vs evil, but in a magi-widely and spend a lot of time reading,Alison's favourites.It has been inter- cal, fanciful and literacy genre, alsoso it's hard to pinpoint favorites!! esting for me to find that Timothy biographies that are readable and inter- doesn't really remember some of the esting to serve as worthy models forFamily: Macready books which we have read as a family our children. Children: Timothy 11 years andsuch as The Hobbit and the Spindles Alison 8 years books, but Alison wanted these put on Family: Ripolles Children's Interests are: Stamp col-the list.I'm not sure just what this Children: Yvette 8, Eryn 5, Kahlyn 3lecting, playing games, chess, soccer,indicates, but it is interesting! Because Children's Interests are: Cooking,reading puzzle books and rock collect-they got so carried away with their reading, drawing and playing ing lists, I have put on the survey form Books they have read together: TheBooks they have read: Chronicle Ofthose books which they had in com- Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Bambi,The World, Chonicll Of Themon, and have taken the liberty of Bih1.:. Stories , The Great AustralianTwentieth Century, Chronicle Of Theincluding a separate list for each of Pumpkh , Questions Young PeopleSecond World War, Books by Betsythem, since their tastes are rather dif- Ask, Anzwers that Work, TheByars, especially the Cybil War andferent and, even where they like the Rescuers, Microwave Cooking Forthe Eighteenth Emergency, Enidsame author, they often like different Kids, The Gull That Lost The Sea, ShyBlyton's Boarding School Stories, Paulbooks. I hope all this doesn't make it The Platypus, Winnie The Pooh, OwlJennings books, Roald Dahl books,too difficult for you to draw conclu- And The Pussycat, Harry The Hairy-Astrid Lindgren especially Emil andsions for your article. nosed Wombat, Rufus The RedKarlson, Elmer Runs Wild - Patrick We picked up information Kangaroo, Rhinoceros Success, OldCook, The Sheep-Pig - Dick King-about K.O.A.L.A. awards (Kids' Own Man Fire Smith,BillyBunter -FrankAustralian Literature Awards) a couple I would like more books about:Richardson, Hating Alison Ashley -of years ago from Blacktown Library, Australian Animals Robin Klein, The Amazing Book Ofand Timothy and Alison read a lot of Comments: My girls enjoy nearlyFirsts series, Krypto Books - Timbooks which they probably wouldn't every book that they can get theirHealey, Selby's Secret series - Duncan have read otherwise because they were hands on! Ball, Pinquo - Colin Thiele, Spiriton the list to be read and evaluated. Flyer series - John Bibee, Katie'sThey enjoyed being involved, and it Family: Nesbitt-Hawes Adventure series - Karen Mezek,was a good opportunity for us to dis- Children: Tim 9 & Laura 6 years Trixie Belden Mysteries, Computercuss why certain books did or did not Children's Interests are: music,Nut and The Blossoms - Betsy Byars,appeal to us. The evaluation form was singing, play-making, puppetry, story-Asterix books - Uderzo easy to fdl in, and we got through an writing, reading drawing, makingBooks I have read to them: Narniaincredible number of books in a rela- things Stories,BlinkyBill,Midnite,tively short space of time.I think it Books they have read: Enid Blyton Screwtape Letters, The Secret Garden,was well worthwhile. books, Clifford The Big Red DogThe Wolves Of Willoughby Chase, At times I have wondered series, James Herriot series, Ralph theThePhantomTollbooth,Thewhether Timothy in particular will Mouse stories, Meg And Mog series,Borrowers stories, Noel Streatfield'ssoon reach the stage where he no Frog And Toad series, Mrs Gaddybooks, Skymaze, Space Demons, Thelonger wants me to read to him. But it series, Michael Salmon's books,Demon Headmaster, Georgedoesn't look likely at the moment. He Geoffrey Bakers' Maurice MiniMacDonald's Children's Stories, Thehas a pile of books which he wants me Minor's Adventures, PaddingtonOrdinary Princess, Spindles stories,to read to him, and I am happy to do it Bear's Stories, Katie Morag Stories -Selected sections from My Family Andfor as long as he wants.I suspect my Mauri Hedderwick, Snugglepot AndOther Animals. children will be ready to stop before I CuddlepieStories,Alice InLesley's Comment Dear Jo-Anne, I'm am.I have visions of sitting in bed Wonderland Stories, The Waterafraid Timothy and Alison got ratherreading Anne of Green Gables or Babies, The Wind In The Willows,carried away with their lists of books.something with Alison the night before Black Beauty, Mother Goose Treasury,They have justincluded theirshe gets married! Even with those Poetry Books eg. Someone Is Flyingfavourites, which basically meansbooks which they read themselves, Balloons, Rattling In The Wind, Drbooks they like to re-read, althoughthey often likt. me to read them too, Seuss, Yertle Turtle, Anne of Greenthere are others they have enjoyedand it's great to be able to share read- Gables, Some Walt Disney Stories reading once but probably won't reading experiences. Many of our family

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 24 jokes and sayings have come fromBruce, Boy, Going Solo and Matilday - Family: Beirne characters in books.With parents likeRoald Dahl, The Hardy Boys series -Children's Interests : Gregory 13 yrs Timothy and Alison have, I reallyFrank W Dixon, Jar,....s Herriot Vetreading espe;:ially about WWH, shouldn't be surprised that they loveSeries, Growing Up In Phillips Sydney heroes, all modern history, all sorts of books as much as they do. They are- (History Books), Secret Seven seriessport, computers, aeroplanes, maths. aware that they will have to leave a lot- Enid Blyton, Childcraft set, SilverRebecca age 11, foreign languages, of things behind when we go overseas,Brumby series - Elyne Mitchell,history, drumming, computers, read- and are willing to go without quite aNarnia series - C S Lewis, Windinging, science, porcelain doll making. few toys, but there are so many booksValley Farm series - Betsy Stephen age 9 interests are music, which they don't want to part with thatBooks I have read to the youngerGerman, computer, maths, architec- we will have some difficult decisionschildren: The Wheel On The School ture, interior designing. to make in the near future. Meindart De Jong, Little House series -Books I have enjoyed by Rebecca: The Edited Macready List: PaulLaura Ingalls Wilder, The Little WhiteThe Little House on the Ptairie Books, Adshead: Puzzle Island, Duncan Ball:Horse - Elizabeth Goudge, Tim AndBallet Shoes, The Gemma Books and Selby's Secret, Selby Speaks, SelbyGinger stories - Edward Ardizone,others by Noel Streatfield, The Screams, John Bibee: The Spirit FlyerChildren On The Oregon Trail, JamesMallory Towers &St Clare's series, series (7 Christian books published in Herriot Vet Stories,"Pilgrims Progress -The Circus Days series, The Famous the 1990's by Inter Varsity -Press;John Bunyan, The Secret Garden -Five series, The Secret Seven series available from Koorong Books), BetsyFrancis Hodgson Burnett, Asterix - Tinby Enid Blyton, The Longtime Series Byars: The Eighteenth Emergency etc.Tin, Robin Hood - John Finemore,and others by Hester Brinsmead Barry Chant: a series of ChristianNarnia series - C. S. Lewis, Brambly(Aust), Little Women and others by books set in the Australian outback,Hedge series, In Grandma's Attic,Louisa May Alcott, The Rocks of Patrick Cook: Elmer Runs Wild, TimSwallows And Amazons series - Honey, I Own the Racecourse, The Ice Healey: Mr Enigma's Code Mysteries,Arthur Ransome is Coming series by Patricia Wrightson Krypto Strikes Back, Rolf Heimann:Would like more books about:(Aust), Usborne books on lots of Amazing Mazes, For Eagle Eyes Only, History - like the Cynthia Hartnettthings, History Begins and Threads of More For Eagle Eyes, Preposterousbooks. Time by Sheena Coupe & Barbara Puzzles, Paul Jennings: Quirky Tales, Scanlan, The Narnia Books by C.S. Unbelievable,Uncanny,AstridFamily: Calistro Lewis, The Anne of Green Gables Lindgren: Pippi LongstockingChildren:Yvette 14 and Mark 8 years Books by L.M. Montgomery, The Five etc.Karen Mezek: (6 Christian booksChildrens interest: Horse riding,Chilthen and It series and others by E. published by Harvest House Publishersreading, looking after children Nesbitt, The Pollyanna Books by in the 1990's and available fromBooks they have read: Grand-ma'sEleanor H. Porter, The Heidi series by Koorong Books)Penguin Books:Attic series - A Richardson, Any EnidJoanna Spyri and Charles Tritten, The Chronicle Of The Twentieth Century,Blyton books, the Chalet School seriesGreen Knowe series by Lucy Boston, Chronicle Of The Second World War,- E M Brent-Dyer, Nancy Drew booksThe Borrowers series and Bedknobs Chronicle Of The World, Frank- C Keen, Sweet Valley High -and Broomsticks by Mary Norton, Richardson: Billy Bunters Double etc.Francine Pacal's, Any Ivan SouthallDoctor Dolittle series by Hugh David Smith and Sue Cassin: Thebooks, The China - Allan Baillie, MyLofting, Chalottle's Web and other Amazing Book Of Firsts series (4Place - Sally Morgan, The Childrenbooks by E.B. White, The Billabong books published by Happy Timewho lived In Barn Royer Falla - Susanseries by Mary Grant Bruce (Aust), Books), Catherine Starr: Clever PollyTerrie, Student Nurse - HD Boyiston. Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers, And The Stupid Wolf, Polly And TheBooks I have read to Mark: RoaldSeven Little Australians and the Wolf Again, More Tales Of Polly AndDahl books, Laura Ingalls books,Family at Misrule by Ethel Turner The Wolf, Colin Thiele's books,Narina books, Robinson Cruso, Little(Aus), My Sister Sif by Ruth Park Various authors: Trixie BeldenWomen, Happy Prince - Oscar Wilde,(NZ), All Creatures Great and Small Mysteries, M. M. Kaye:The OrdinaryRudyard Kipling books, Peter Pan,and others by James Herriott, What Princess George MacDonald: A 19th Enid Blyton books, Robin Hood Katy Did and others by Susan century author suitable for reading toI would like more books about:Coolidge, Snow Treasure by Marie children (sometimes explanation isHomeschoolers in Australia - like theMcSwigan, Distinguished American needed), The Golden Key & OtherAmericans have. Women,The Five Little Pepper series Stories, etc. Comments: Mark doesn't as yet read,Margaret Sidney, My Friend Flicka so he has all his books read aloud.and others by Mary O'Hara, Born Free Family: Stone Yvette has a list for you as she readsand Living Free by Joy Adamson, Children: Annie 11, boys 9, 7& 4on her own. Books we like to readKids for Sail by S&P Bendell, Hard Children's Interests are: Reading,aloud need to flow. Some books,Times in Paradise- M & D Colfax, The flute, pouery, weaving, environmentalwhile they are lovely stories, just do Battle of the Galah Trees by Christobel studies. not lend to being read aloud.I foundMattingley, The Secret Garden by Books they have read: The Load Of"Books Children Love" by ElizabethFrances Hodgson Burnett, The Unicorn and The Woolpack - CynthiaWilson to be excellent for books andRamona Series by Beverley Cleary, Harnett, Billabong series - Mary Grantideas. The Kon-Tiki expedition by Thor

AUSTRALIAN HOMFSCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 25 388 Heyerdahl, lots of biographies from thebooks, Circus Stories series and Secret library especially about the women's suf-Seven by Enid Blyton , The Tin Man by frage movement at the moment I am read-Ted Hughes, Woof by Alan Ahlberg, ing about Irene Joilot-Curie. I hate RobinWhere's Wally series, Moving into Maps Klein balks. and Mastering Maps by Jacaranda, com- Books I have enjoyed Gregory puter manuals, any sort of puzzle books, Reach for the Sky and Dambusters by Paulnot too hard crossword books. 2tatikii the Ms book Brickhill, The Viking Trilogy and othersBooks/periodicals we have read and are by Henry Treece, The Three Legions,reading to all the children The History of over mid over Outcast and other books by Rosemarythe Earth, Australian Reptiles and Frogs, Sutcliffe,Tank Commander and others byThe Feynman lectures on Physics, National 9arents sometimes fed Ronald Welch, All Creatures Great andGeographic, Australian Geographic, Small by James Herriou, The Restaurant atScientific American, Best Loved Poems of worried when their children the End of the Universe and others bythe American people a range of poetry, only want to red the same Douglas Addams, My Friend Flicka byShakespeare, Usborne books, Iliad & books over and over. Mary O'Hara, Surely you're Joking by R.Odyssey, Dickens. Feynman, Snow Treasure by Marie homeschoolers have McSwigan, A Story Like the Wind and AFamily: Braathen commentd on this phenom- Far off Place by Laurens van der Post,Children: Roly 8 and Douglas 6yrs Kids for Sail by S P Bendell, HardChildrens Interests: Hoon cars, fixing enon ow the years and Times in Paradise by M & D Colfax, Maus things, farming, architecture, trees, bugs have noticed that it seems to 1 & 2 by Art Spiegelmann, Car Talk by R.and animals, tennis, gym, basketball, soc- herald a build up of reading & T. Maglozzi, The Biggles series by W.E.cer, machinery, building, fluid flow, and Johns, SAS- Phantom's of the Jungle,computer design sped and comprehension Books they have read: Thomas the Tank- Tactics of Success: Cricket, High-Tech levels. Often this period can Warplanes, The F-16 Fighting Falcon,Thewhen younger, Pooh Bear books, Secret House by D. Bodanis, How ThingsArabella's Raven - Peter Corrin collection, last 12-18 months. Work by Michael Pollard, The Secrets ofany books on machinery, Garfield, Calvin Science, Desert Shield to Desert Storm byand Hobbs, Asterix is great!(current), any D. Hiro, Vietnam Fragments by R. Mckay,articles or books on animals/dinosaurs. The Long Range Desert Group, AirBooks I have read to them:Wind In The Assault, The Worlds Greatest Escapes, SpyWillows - K Grahame, Rudyard Kipling in the Sun , Spy Catcher by P Wright,books, Colin Thioele books, some Roald Battle of Britain, Siegfried:the Nazi's LastDahl books, The Black Stallion - W Stand by C. Whiting, Commandoes inFarley, Wizard of Oz, Chronicles of Narnia Action, Operation Dragoon, the Invasion- C S Lewis, Series of Story Books -Peter 'Use Tizza 2iut 92ealus of Southern France, Overlord, Flights ofCorrin, Comics - Garfield, Calvin and Competition the Forgotten by K A. Merrick, Tunneling Hobbs, Asterix, Dr Seuss books, Putrid intoColditz,TheLastDaysofpeems, Petrifying poems - J Coverton, All Hitler,Tanks, Advance by Ken Tout ,TheRight Vegemite series- June Factor, Every year Tizza 21 ut run Incredible Cross-Sections - Stephen Green Beret by Saunders,The Trail of the a reading competition that Fox David Irving, The Vilde Affair byBiesty's, Inside The Whale - Ted Dewan, Martin Blumenson,Willard Price adventureCollins Eye Witness Guides - Visual ofiers pizzas as rewards for Books, Helicopters,Treasury of AmericanDictionaries, any books on bridges, cars, improved reading - judged Humour -assorted authors, Betrayal atmotorbikes, trucks etc, Inside Story - (4 Pearl Harbour Nave and Russbridge, Codebooks), Tage Voss,Discoverting by the teacher. Lillany Name Marianne by Edith Katoma,Astronomy - J & S Mitton, The Universe - homeschooling parents have Glorious Summer by JE Johnson & RBNigel Henbest, Guinness Book of Records, applied for their gamily Lucas, The Invasion of Europe by A.A.Periodicals :New Scientist, Scientist Michie, Watch for me By MoonlightAmerican, National Geographic, Double fRomeschool and been Evelyn Chene, To Kill a Mockingbird byHelix, ANH, Zoo Friends, Discovery accepted into this award Harper Lee, King Lear by WilliamComments: Because my children do not Shakespeare,Veil: The Secret Wars of therequest favourite books (once seems to be scheme. CIA by B Woodward, Spy V Spy: Stalking enough!) I make great use of the library - Soviet Spies in America by R. Kessler,generally taking 20 books out on any trip. Revolutions and Revolutionaries by AJPWithout a big research effort at that Taylor, Super Spy: The Man who infiltrat-library, I find it quite difficult to remember ed the Kremlin and the Gestapo by R.all but the most obvious titles/authors!.I Deacon, Hammerhead by D Brown personally would like far more 'fiction' Books I have enjoyed by Stephen Thebooks based on real or historical events. Ladybird series of history and biographyThe vast majority of books under explo- AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 26 389 ration, history, geography are dry dustythe Sea Horse - Graeme Base, Usborne Patricia Wrightson's Wirrun Trilogy, affairs.I would like a little morePuzzle Adventures - Justin Somper,Ethel Turner's Seven Little Australians human interest or drama in our history.The Enchanted Woo(' - Enid Blyton,& The Family at Misrule, Frances "For the Term of His Natural Life" is aMyths and Legends - E rimax. Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden, good example (but a little huge forMargo's comment "Would like moreThe Katy books, Heidi, Anne of Green reading out loud for the children!) books about sharks that are not tooGables, many myths and legends in scary". particularChineseandNorth Family: Richardson Books I have read them: JamesAmerican. Children:Fiona 10 & Margot 7 years Herriot series, Coran Island, GorillaAnna's comment : I do not regularly Children's interests are: Fiona:Hunters - R M Ballantyne, Tales fromread to Danny nor Toby, given that Equestrian, piano, languages, cooking,Henty - G A Henty, Tale of Two Citiesthey, like me, have their own tastes to ballet and swimming.Margot::Dickens, To The Wild Sky, I Southall, indulge (computer magazines, history Horses, ballet, drama, craft, the sea. The Penang Pirate - J C Hutcheson,books, techno thrillers, mediaeval nov- Books they have read: Fiona:True Blue - W Kingston, Australianels (Toby) or humorous, detective, Journey to the Centre of the Earth - JPioneer Women - E Parma. children stories (Danny). I have no Verne, Morris Blechman, BlabberFrances' Comments: Would likeinterest in this reading matter whatso- Mouth, Two Weeks,The Queen,more books about Australian families,ever. They are certainly not interested Storm Boy - Blue Fin, Februarylife through history; The Nancy Catsin what I read independently - the Dragon, Colin Thiele books, Thebooks are a great read and fairly accu-philosophical or psychological. But we Pollyanna Series, Famous Five Series,rate, but reading Gone With the Windstill share some reading together - Little House on the Prairie Series,aloud is sometimes hard going! information mostly and frequently Hester Brinsmead, Longtime obtained from newspapers or maga- Dreaming, Longtime Passing, ElyneFamily: Adams zines, though sometimes from books Mitchell series - Moon Filly, SilverI regularly read to: Jessica 8 years they have read on their own such as Brumby Stallion, Kingfisher, Feather,Age of children I read to irregularlyHow The Universe Changed. There is Colt from Taperoo. Margot: Rain Danny 13 yeats, Toby 16 years room for improvement in this area and Stones - Jackie French, The GiantOutstanding books we have enjoyed:both boys would benefit from shared Devil - Dingo, Turramulli The GiantSusan Cooper's Dark is Rising series,and sustained reading of much more Quinkin - Dick Roughsey, The Sign ofRomer Godden: Episode of Sparrows,complex material.

Are Picture Books Harmful ? Pamela Protheroe

Pamela Protheroe is a secondarytistically 3I5ths (around 30%) of thatThe development of literacy has far- school teacher and author of Vexed50% could be two years or morereaching effects on general intellectual Texts: How Children's Picturebelow, just as 315ths of the 50% coulddevelopment and thus anything which Books Promote Illiteracy (Bookbe two years or more above. (So theimpedes the development of literacy is Guild, Sussex). This article is30% below is no surprise figure but aa serious matter for all of us. So the reprinted from The New Scientisttypical one). The problem should ofhunt is on for the cause of the decline and in conjunction with the ABCcourse be what is the average sixteenin literacy. The search so far has Lateline program considering theyear old reading like, NOT how manyfocused on socioeconomic factors, or same issue. are below the average.] the effectiveness of "traditional" verses "modem" teaching techniques. [Greg's Note: Pamela's figures in Them is a great concern in the The fruitless search for the cause of the paragraph 1 leave a lot to be desired.West about declining standards of liter- increase in illiteracy is a tragic exam- Given an average reading age of 16azy in schools. In Britain, the fact that ple of the aphorism: "They can't see years old, 50% of 16 year olds are30 percent of 16-year-olds have a read- the wood for the trees". When teachers going to be above that level and 50%ing age of 14 or less has helped to use picture books, they are simply below that level whatever it is, and sta- prompt massive educational changes. continuing a long-established tradition

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 27 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 390 that is accepted without question. Andare the most vulnerable, but tests showseemed to ignore the pictures and for the past two decades, illustrationsthat even intelligent children are beingpointed at the words learnt Mae words in reading primers have becomeaffected. The response of educatorsthan the children who pointed at the increasingly detailed and obtrusive,has been to extend the use of picturespictures, but they still learnt fewer while the language has become impov-in books and to simplify the language,words than the children who had no erished - sometimes to the point ofeven at senior levels. The universitiespictures at all (Review of Education extinction. of Oxford and Cambridge recently heldResearch, vol 40, no 3, p349 and Amazingly, there is virtuallyjoint conferences to discuss the notice-p397). The conclusion was that pic- no empirical evidence to support theably rapid decline in literacy amongtures, when used as supplements to the use of illustrations in teaching reading.their undergraduates. printed text, do not aid comprehension However, a great deal of empirical evi- Pictures are also used to helpin children who are learning to read. dence shows that pictures interfere in amotivate children to read because theyVery often these readers have difficul- damaging way with all aspects ofare beautiful and eye-catching. Butty undeastanding the pictures. learning to read. Despite this, frommotivation to read should be provided I know of no research to back North America to the Antipodes, theby listening to stories well-read, whereup any claims about the positive value first books that many school childrenchildren imagine in response to theof textless books or illustrated readers receive are totally without text. story. Then, as they start to read, theyin developing literacy skills. Not even A teacher's main concern is tohave this experience to help themthe idea that they motivate by provid- help young beginner readers to develop understand the language. If we presenting pleasure has ever been tested. not only the ability to recognise words, pictures to some children then theyProm my own research, the observa- but the skills necessary to understandmay not take the trouble of developingtions of those who advocate their use what these words mean. Even if athis creative skill. If that is the caseare all anecdotal.I am not suggesting child is able to read aloud fluently, hethen I think we are making a great mis-that we use dog-eared, unillustrated or she may not be able to understandtake. reference texts or the abolition of illus- much of it: this is called "barking at Academic journals rangingtrations in children's books. There is a text". The teacher's task of improvingfrom educational research, psychology,place for beautiful pictures in books comprehension is made harder bylanguage learning, psycholinguisticsfor children - but not in the books that influences outside the classroom. Butand so on cite experiments whichare used in the first stages of develop- the adverse effects of such things asdemonstrate how detrimental picturesing reading skills. television, video games, or limited lan-are for beginner readers. Here is a As standards of literacy guage experiences at home, can be off-brief selection: decline, so the visual appeal of books set by experiencing "rich" language at The research results of theincreases. However, it may be that this school. Canadian educationalist Dale Willowsvery teaching resource is making the Instead, it is not unusual for awere clear and consistent: picturesproblem worse. We cannot continue to book of 30 or more pages to have onlyaffect:7,d speed and accuracy and the ignore the implications. one sentence full of repetitive phrases.closer the pictures were to the words, The artwork is often marvellous, butthe slower and more inaccurate the the pictures make the language redun-child's reading became. She claims dant, and the children have no need tothat when children come to a word imagine anything when they read suchthey already know, then the pictures books. Looking at a picture activelyare unnecessary and distracting.If prevents children younger than ninethey do not know a word and look to from creating a mental image, and canthe picture for a clue to its meaning, make it difficult for older children. Inthey may well be misled by aspects of order to learn how to comprehend, theythe picture which are not closely relat- need to practise making their owned to the meaning of the word they are meaning in response to text. Theytrying to understand (Journal of need to have their innate powers ofEducation Psychology, vol 70, no2, p imagination trained. 255). As they grow older, many Jay Samuels, an American children turn aside from books withouteducational psychologist, found that pictures, and it is a situation madepoor readers given no pictures learnt more serious as our culture becomessignificantly more words than those more visual.It is hard to wean chil-with the pictures. He examined the dren off picture books when pictureswork of other researchers who had have played a major part throughoutreported problems with the use of pic- their formative reading experiences,tures and who found that a word with- and when there is competition for theirout a picture was superior to a word attention from so many other sourcesplus a picture. When children were of entertainment. The least intelligentgiven words and pictures, those who

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 28 nqi Development of Literacy? Anna Adams

Since my first child was aread to them, illustrations would stimu-ken word. baby some sixteen years ago, there haslate their memory of the content of the Danny and Jessica by con- been a substantial increase in the vari-story, including plot development andtrast, were not physically active pre- ety of illustrated children's books nowcharacterisation.I assumed that illus-schoolers and they both had access to available.I have become quite over-trations enriched their imagination. hundreds of wonderfully illustrated whelmed by the exultation of attractive It didn't ocatr to me that per-books. They sat with them for hours. and often inexpensive picture bookshaps picture books were not connectedThis is not to say they didn't enjoy lis- shouting at me from the bookstands.to the development of literacy until I tening to complex novels without illus- The standard of illustration is incredi-heard a debate on Late line recently.trations - they listened and are still lis- bly high, colours vibrant, exeitingNew research suggests strongly thattening to a wide range of authors such images and concepts - delightful char-picture books seem to delay the devel- as Godden, Wrightson, Ransome, acterisations and humorous relation-opment of reading skills in non readersCooper, Montgomery, Turner etc.I ships. Many of them are so captivatingand actually distract competent read-read and they listened. But their own they immediately propel the most seri-ers so much that they read slower, withselections from libraries were enticing- ously pre-occupied adult into the worldgreater inaccuracy when working withly illustrated and I know they weren't of playful and/or whimsical imagina- illustrated texts. So it seems that manychosen for the text. They probably tion - books such as Grahame Oakley'sof my assumptions were wrong. learnt that books were for them, more a Church Mice series. Naturally. I was inclined tosource of interesting pictures than the Oakley's books in particularthink about whether my own children's'coded spoken word. are a superb example of clever sup-reading history would support this Pamela Protheroe, an English portive illustration. Having beenresearch. My last child is an intelli-educationalist, questions the value of repelled by stories about rodents, givengent, articulate little girl of eight whoillustrated books in enhancing literacy my phobia, I refused to read my chil- started reading in the last few months.in her book "Vexed Texts". Her argu- dren any book which featured suchMy first child Toby, who is now six-ment, as expressed on Lateline and in anthropomorphised creatures, butteen, was reading competently andthe New Scientist article, centres round Oakley's endearing cat, Samson, whoindependently two years earlier at six.the proposition that illustration inhibits had taken an often-regretted vow not toDanny who is now thirteen, didn't startthe development of imagination - kill even mice, won me over.I havereading independently until he waswhich she seemed to defme as the abil- quite happy memories of many a plea-nine. There was a considerable differ-ity to create a mental visual image surable hour,in the company of myence in the books these childrenfrom printed or aural information. children, enjoying Oakley's wit andenjoyed in their early years. PerhapsProtheroe criticises picture books for humour expressed with intelligentthere was an explanation in this illus-their impoverished language usage in interaction of text and illustration. trated book debate. creation of mood, atmosphere and When choosing books for my Toby definitely suffered illus-character. She says that picture books children as pre-schoolers, I admit thattration deprivation. I loathed the illus-tie children's imagination to what they illustration was a major consideration.trated books popular when he wascan see, rather than extend their ability In general, I preferred complex artyoung (Dick Bruna and Mr Men comesto create a mental image of what can- work with careful attention to detail toto mind.) Toby was a very active pre-not be seen. This ability to create men- basic crude design.If I didn't find aschooler. He listened to me read whiletal images of what cannot be seen is book interesting or attractive, I certain- doing somersaults off the bed, throw-crucial at advanced levels of learning ly wouldn't select it for my child'sing his bear about the room or jumpingespecially in maths and science. mjoyment. off the chairs. But I persisted reading In the same program Dr Why did I and many otherto him all the same. By four, he wasRobert Solman from the University of parents choose picture books at all toreading bits and pieces of variousNSW stated that concrete scientific read to my children? There are variousbooks and was well on the way toresearch demonstrates clearly that chil- assumptions underlying this choice.I reading independently. His booksdren need nearly twice as many expo- assumed that the pictures would helpwere noN here near as excitingly illus- sures to words accompanied by pic- engage my child to the text - in othertrated as the books to which Danny and tures than, they do if words are pre- words, they would be motivated toJessica hvie enjoyed, nor did he spendsented in isolation, in order to read read in order to glean the meaning ofmuch timo actually looking at pictures.them independently. So it takes twice illustrations. I assumed that when theyHe certainly didn't learn to associateas long to learn to read. An explana- looked through books I had previouslybooks with pictures but with the spo-tion for Danny's and Jessica's relatively

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 29 392 late reading? What implications doesrange from the most intellectuallyrather than read. this research have for the homeschool-demanding to the most mindlessly Not every individual family ing parent teaching their child to read? enjoyable.Illustrated books, whilewill aspire to great heights of literacy, Books serve many differentenjoyable, apparently fall into the cate-which may be irrelevant to their fami- purposes from entertainment to infor-goryofmindlessenjoyment.ly's or children's needs. Many families mation resources.It seems illustratedIllustrated books do not encouragedo not wish to observe or participate in books are excellent entertainment - achildren to read, nor probably enhanceintellectual debate of ideas, philosoph- sort of 'culturally correct' form of babytheir ability to create their own mental ical, mathematical or scientific, and are sitting, (Morris Gleitrman) superior toimages. quite content to use reading solely for watching television. But there are Apart from simple pleasure, Ithe extension of practical life-skills. increasing doubts as to their suitabilityfound it difficult to find research evi-Plenty of families find sufficient enter- or relevance for learning to read. dence that suggests any worthwhiletainment in music or art, finding little The acquisition of any skillpurpose for illustrations at all. Peopleinterest in the printed work. Being an requires the effort, persistence, andwho strongly advocate the use of visu- accomplished reader is no more moral- patience - reading included. This doesal thinking for the understanding ofly or ethically superior than being an not mean that young children shouldmathematical, scientific, artistic, philo- accomplished musician, artist or be required to make great efforts tosophical principles do not suggest thatmechanic or electrician. It may be less learn to read, but rather the efforteven this skill is learnt through illus-a case of intellectual superiority and comes from the parents and/or oldertrated books. Visual thinking is a verymore a case of hemisphere dominance. children reading a wide range of mate-complex skill, developed through right It is obvious that despite the rial frequently to the non-reader, prob-brain activities requiring a fine balanceyears of funded research poured into ably without the distraction of pictures.of attentive relaxation. Activating thiseducation, there is still a vast terrain of As print is an essentially symbolic rep-very perceptive state of mind takesunresolved minor educational factors resentation of the spoken word, it istime and substantial variety in sensoryeg. phonics versus sight-trading, early not hard to understand why readingexperiences, not just the visual stimu- versus late development; now illustrat- aloud to children is the singularly most lation of pictures. ed versus text-only books. Nor has important factor in the development of This may be co-incidental,there been significant research efforts reading skills. but both Danny and Jessica enjoyinto the role and importance of the Reading is an extremelydrawing and draw quite well whileright hemisphere of the brain and until sophisticated activity, used for all sortsToby could be considered "drawing-there is, we will probably continue to of purposes - from the transmission ofdisabled". Drawing is essentially adevelop and use only half our brains. practical information - how to make aright-brain process while reading is aBut the major factor concerning the cake, fix a car, the emotional stimula-left brain activity. Danny who used todevelopment of literacy 3till remains tion of poetry, the intellectual commu-spend many more hours drawing than unchallenged - that the cl ildren most nication of ideas and concepts throughreading, had reversed this tendency,likely to become -skilled readers are to simple item-passing entertainment.now spending more hours reading than those who live with people who read It seems that the content of books candrawing. Jessica still prefers to drawand who read to them.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 30 393 Changes to the HSC omments on Jennie Orchard the proposed HSC changes: Sydney Morning Herald 20th July 1993 Effect on Jo-Anne's Note: The question I am Ranking (TER) and of the requirements asked most frequently is "What of any university or college courses homeschooling? about the HSC?" Homeschooling .they may want to pursue after leaving parents and students should remem- school.With regard to the TER, the ber the HSC is not a prerequisite for change is that the marks gained from at entry in to university in this country. least one of the two units of HSC Julia Boxx Universities are happy to come to English and a least one unit from each other arrangements if presented, of the two key learning area groups early enough, with a well reasoned will be included in the overall calcula- Dr Julia Boxx is a homeschooling letter, good portfolio, interview etc. tion of the scaled aggregate of the best mwn who is widely read, well In NSW if you want to find out more 10 units. While the majority of the informed and has personal experi- about the 'new' HSC contact the units must be Category A or B.O.S. ence in this area. A couple of her Board of Studies on 02 925 8111. courses, students may present two units children have done the HSC as from the more practically oriented Distance Educ. students and she the motivating force for theCategory B subjects- science for life, has a few more to take down that changes was a perceived need for aclassical ballet, mathematics in prac- path. We are indebted to her for more flexible program to cater for stu- tice, electronics technology, accounts her comments and insight into this dents with a wide range of personalclerical & travel. issue. Following is a part of a let- and academic circumstances From* From 1994 it will be possible for ter she has sent to the Board of 1994, options will enable students toYear 11 students to accumulate their 11 Studies voicing some legitimate accelerate their HSC course or to accu-HSC units over a period of up to 5 concerns about the implementa- mulate units for up to five years. Prioryears. This which will make the HSC tion of the new look HSC. The studies or work experience may bemore accessible to a broader range of answers to these questions could recognised and substituted for parts ofstudents including those wno need to have an effect on many of us in the the HSC, distinction courses are to besupport themselves as they study or not too distant future. added to the curriculum for especiallywho are caring for young children, stu- gifted students, and the rules governingdents who want to dovetail their HSC Having read the "Higher School the choice of HSC subjects are to bestudies with a TAFE course etc Certificate Pathways changed, enforcing the inclusion of 2-* It will be possible to extend the peri- Implementation Guidelines", I unit English and at least one subjectod of HSC studies or undertake an have a number of questions from each of the two key learningaccelerated full or part program. regarding the Guidelines for Self- gmups Those who complete their HSC a year Tuition Candidates. Our children, * Students must select at least 11 units,in advance might proceed immediately as homeschooled students, am including two units of English & oneto tertiary educ, travel or work for one within this group. As such, it is unit from each of the two key learningyear. Students who have accelerated necessary we fully understand the area groups. Grp 1 - science, mathe-only part of their HSC may combine Board's guidelines and require- matics, technological and applied stud-the second year of their studies with ments to best prepare them as can- ies. Grp 2 - languages other thanpart-time university or college study, or didates English, human society and its environ-work, undertake additional units from ment, creative arts, personal develop-the HSC or choose one of the new dis- 1. As the Self-Tuition Candidate ment, health and P.E. tinction courses starting in 1994. may now present any number of * Six of the mandatory II units mustWhile these courses will not be includ- units for the examination, will this be from board-developed courses anded within the required 11 units of HSC candidate be eligible for a TER up to five may be one-unit courses.study, they may be counted for the pur- even though he remains ineligible These requirements need to be met forposes of calculating the TER. for the HSC testamur or the HSC boththeYear 11Recordof* Some courses undertaken at TAFE Record of Achievement? Achievement (assessed by the schooletc may be approved for credit towards 2. The Guidelines state the Self- only) and the HSC, subject to externalthe HSC. Prior learning/work experi- Tuition Candidate will be eligible examination& internal assessment. ence may be sufficient to exempt a stu- to receive a Result Notice. If the In making their choice, stu-dent from certain course requirements candidate is eligible for a TER, dents will need to be aware of the crite-/assessment tasks in the preliminary will he receive this instead of a ria affecting the Tertiary EntranceYear 11 component of the HSC. Result Notice or in addition to it?

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 31 continued from page 31

3. If the Self-Tuition Candidate does not wish to receive a TER (should it be available to him) may he present for the examination and Success in the Eye of the receive a Result Notice without being required to complete satisfwtorily the HSC course Beholder assessment program (as has been the case)? Or will he now be required to complete satis- Thea Davis factorily the HSC course assessment program Tuesday, July 6th, 1993 Sydney Morning Herald to be eligible even to sit HSC examinations in chosen sitjects and/or receive a Result Notice? "You have not failed, until you fail to try.". These words rang 4. The Se If-lruition Candidate may not in the back of my mind on the afternoon of January 11, 1993. The day receive the HSC testamur or the HSC Record I'd dreaded for months. The day the Higher School Certificate results of Achievement. Why and how then (as is arrived in households throughout NSW. I had attended a private girls' noted in item 4.5 of the Guidelines) is he con- school for five years and the emphasis had always been on academic sidered to be undertaking the HSC program of achievement. However, not all of us fell into the category of academic study? achievers. My time as a student had been filled with immense happi- S. When in 1993 will the Guidelines (as yet ness. I had worked hard and whieved to the best of my ability, yet on untitled?) explaining the assessment program the afternoon of January 11, 1993, I was to learn a valuable lesson. operation for Self-Tuition Candidates be avail- There is more to education than a mere piece of paper with a number or able, and will there be a consultation docu- a series of numbers on it. ment issued fust? If the latter is the case, how I opened the envelope. My life stopped. Teary-eyed and in does one obtain a copy in time to comment if shock, I realised that I fell into the category of "non-academic whiev- desired? As this document will relate specifi- ers". (The mark I had attained was less than half of what I needed to cally to Self-Tuition Candidates, they ought to gain eltty into my chosen course.) The way I felt was similar to what I be made aware of any consultation document imagine a five-year-old would feel if caught stealing a biscuit from the leading to it. This seems particularly impor- tin. tant when considering that Self-Tuition This year I have undertaken the sort of course I vowed I never Candidates may be required to pay fees for the would, a secretarial course. Filled with resentment and shame, I began setting and marking of assessment tasks. I am 1993 on the wrong foot. Yet, as a result of not getting into university, I concerned there is even consideration of fees have learnt an invaluable lesson. Achievement six months ago for me being levied on one group of students to entitle took the form of a number on a piece of paper. It was, I presumed, my them to complete requirements to sit exams ticket to happiness and achieving my long-term goals. My vision, as a and obtain secondary school credentials. I result, couldn't extend past an examination, which had, in fact, taken hope the Board uecides against this proposal, two years to complete. Six months later, I am able to recognise that but I trust there will be indisputable rationales success for many may be totally unrelated to a piece of paper. provided should it be implemented. The ability to score a goal in a game of hockey or football, or 6. What is the Board's policy of Self-Tuition even the apparently simple task of tying a shoelace provides, for some, Candidates being eligible to undertake an immense sense of achievement Society today places an emphasis on Distinction Courses, sit HSC exams in these the materialistic education offered to those fortunate enough to receive courses and be dually credited for their it, often dismissing what , not so long ago, was considered sufficient for achievements? I hope the Board does not survival in the world. The education of life itself is far more valuable intend to limit Distinction Courses only to stu- than that which may be offered in an educational institution. The ability dents doing coursework through government to love, to observe and to learn from one's mistakes cannot be "learned" or non-government schools. Self-Tuitioned through attendance at even the most renowned educational institutions. Candidates may well be capable of successful- The saddest aspect of this, however, is that so many of us are incapable ly undertaking these courses as well, due of recognising it. Last year, for me, was filled with the kind of anxiety either to their life and/or work experiences or, and stress I hope I never have to experience again. as in the case of many Homeschooled stu- Several girls with whom I went to school chose to re-sit this dents, their intense interest and ability in a appalling examination, yet I ask myself whether such a drastic measure given Distinction Course area. is really necessary? To those of you who are yet to face the stressful I look forward to your answers to the ques- two years which the Higher School Certificate entails whether it be in tions I pose. I am sure your comments will 1994 or 1998, I wish you every success in achieving your goal, and clarify these issues, thereby enabling us to leave you with the kind of advice I wish I'd been given: there ,s more plan effectively for our children's educational education available than that which one receives in an educational insti- program and to assure their readiness and tution, and the greatest service one can do for oneself is to recognise qualifying for presentation as candidates. this.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 32 395 Houses, Boats, Families and the Business of Homeschooling

John Taylor Gatto

I want to give you a yard-where there really is an abstractionSwedish school, the authorities ask stick, a gold standard, by which tocalled "the public" at all, except in thethree questions: (1) Why do you want measure good schooling. The Shelterominous calculations of social engi-to go to this school? (2) What do you Institute of Bath, Maine will teach youneers. As a boy from the banks of thewant to gain from the experience? (3) how tc, build a three thousand-square-Monogahela RiverinwesternWhat are you interested in? And they foot, multi-level Cape Cod home inPennsylvania, I find the tenn insulting,listen to the answers. three weeks, whatever your age. If youa cartoon of social reality.If an insti- Can you build a house or a stay another week, it will show you tution tlut robs people of their right toboat? Can you grow food, make cloth- how to make your own posts and .1If-determination can call itself "pub-ing, dig a well, sing a song (your own beams; you'll actually cut them outlic" means it can turn families intosong, that is), make your children and set them up. You'll learn wiring,agents of the state, making parents spyhappy, weave a whole life from the plumbing, insulation, the works.on and harass their sons and daughterseveryday world around you? No, you Twenty thousand people have learnedbecause a schoolteacher tt.. them to; you can't? Then listen to me how to build a house there for aboutif the state can steal your homeyou have no business with my kid. the cost of one month's tuition in pub-because you can't pay its "public" In my own life, with my own lic school. (Call Patsy Hennon at 207-school taxes, and courts can break upchildren,I'm sorry I lacked the 442-7938 and she'll get you started onyour family if you refuse to allow thecourage to say what Hester Prynne, the building your own lome.) For juststate to tell your children what towearer of the scarlet letter, said to the about the same money you can walkthinkthen the word public is a labelPuritan elders when they tried to take down the street in Bath to thefor people who allow themselves to beaway her daughter. Alone and friend- Apprentice Shop atthe Mainetreated like slaves. less, dirt poor, ringed about by ene- Maritime Museum and sign on for a A few weeks is all that themies, she said, "Over my dead body." one-year course (no vacations, fortyShelter Institute asks for to give you aA few weeks ago a young weman hours a week) in traditional woodenbeautiful Cape Cod home; a fewcalledmefromStroudsburg, boat building. The whole tuition ismonths is all Maine Maritime asks forPennsylvania to tell me the state had eight hundred dollars, but there's ato teach you boat building and ropejust insisted she stop homeschooling catch. They won't accept you as a stu-making, lobstering and sail making,her little girl, Chrissie. The state was dent until you volunteer for two weeks,fishing and naval architecture. Wegoing to force her to send Chrissie to so they can get to know you and youhave too much schooling, not too little.school. She said she was going to can judge what it is you're getting into.Hong Kon,g with its short school year,fight, first with the law, although she Now you've invested thirteen monthswhips Japan in every scientific ordidn't know where the money would and fifteen hundred dollars and youmathematical competition. Israel, withcome from, and then by any means she have a house and a boat. What elseits long school year, can't keep up withhad. If I had to bet on this young sin- would you like to know how to do?Flemish Belgium, which has the short-gle mother or the State of Pennsylvania How to grow food, make clothes,est school yearinthe world.to win, I'd bet on the lady because repair a car, build furniture, sing?Somebody's been lying to you.what I really was hearing her say was Those of you with a historical imagina-Sweden, a rich, healthy, and beautiful"Over my dead body." I wish I'd been tion will recognise Thomas Jefferson'scountry, with a spectacular reputationable to say that when the state came to prayer for schoolingthat it wouldfor quality in everything won't allowtake my own children.I didn't. But if teach useful knowledge. Some placeschildren to enter school before they'reI'm born again I promise you that's do: the best schooling in the Unitedseven years old. The total length ofwhat I will say. States today is coming out of muse-Swedish schooling is nine years, not A few days ago I got a call ums, libraries, and private institutions.twelve, after which the average Swede from a newspaner that wanted somc If anyone wants to school your kids,runs circles around the over-schooledadvice for parents about how to launch hold them to the standard of the ShelterAmerican. Why don't you know thesetheir children into school.All the Institute and you'll do fine. things? To whose advantage is it thatreporter wanted was sound advice from As long as we're questioningyou don't? a tormer New York State Teacher of public schooling, we should question When students enrol in athe Year. What I said was this:

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAG E 33 396 "Don't cooperate with rut children' splaces where you can read rather thanbehaviour; it doesn't make recom- school unless the school has come tojust pretend to read. How importantmendations or issue orders on how I you in person to work out a meeting this silence is.Schools are nevershould use my time outside of the of the mindson your turf, not theirs.silent. People of all ages work side- library. Only a desperado would blindly trust by-side in libraries, not just a pack of The library doesn't have a his children to a collection of untested age-segregated kids. For some rea-tracking system .Everyone is mixed strangers and hope for the best.son, libraries are neither age-segregat- together there, and no private files Parents and school personel are justed nor do they presume to segregateexist detailing my past victories and plain natural adversaries. One groupreaders by questionable tests of read- defeats as a patron.If the books I is trying to make a living; the other ising ability. Just as the people whowant are not available, I get them by trying to make a work of art called adecided the secrets of farming or ofrequesting them - even if that deprives family. If you allow yourself to be co- the forests and oceans were not segre-some reader more gifted who comes a opted by flattery, seduced with worth-gated by age or test scores, the library minute later. The library doesn't less payouts such as special classes or seems to have intuited that commondetermine which of us is more quali- programs, intimidated by Alice inhuman judgement is adequate to mostfied to read that book; it doesn't play Wonderland titles and degrees, you will become the enemy within the extension of state schoolinginto your own home. Shame on you if you allow that. Your job is to educate, the schoolteacher's is to school; you work for love, the teacher for moneyl The inter- ests are radically different, one is an individual thing, the other a collective. You can make your own son or daughter one of a kind if you have the time and will to do so; school can only make them part of a hive, aherd, or andlearning decisions. favourites.It is a very class-blind, anthill. The librarian doesn't tell metalent-blind place, appropriately Museums and institutes ofwhat to read, doesn't tell me thereflecting our historic political ideals useful knowledge travel a differentsequence of reading I have to follow,in a way that puts schools to shame. road than schools. Consider the dif-doesn't grade my reading. LibrariansThe public library isn't into public ference between librarians andact as if thcy trust their customers.humiliation the way schools seem to schoolteachers. Librarians are custo-The librarian lets me ask my ownbe. It never posts ranked lists of good dians of real books and real readers;questions and helps me when I needand bad readers for all to see. schoolteachers are custodians ofhelp, not when the library decides IPresumably it considers good reading schoolbooks and indentured readers.need it.If I feel like reading in theits own reward, not requiring addi- Somewhere in the difference is thesame place all day long, that seems totional accolades, and has resisted the Rosetta Stone that reveals how educa-be okay with the library.It doesn'ttemptation to hold up good reading as tion is one thing, schooling another. tell me to stop reading at regulara moral goad to bad readers. One of Begin with the setting andintervals by ringing a bell in my ear.the strangest differences between social arrangement of a library. TheThe library keeps its nose out of mylibraries and schools, in New York ones I've visited all over the countryhome, too.It doesn't send letters toCity at least, is that you almost never invariL!!!!, are comfortabll and quiet,my mother reporting on my librarysee a kid behaving badly Or waving a

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 34 397 gun thereeven though bad kidsthem is minimal. Schoolbooks are a crowd-control have exactly the same access to Real books are deeply sub-device. Only the very innocent and libraries as good kids do. Bad kidsversive of collectivisation. They arewell schooled see any difference seem to respect libraries, a curiousthe best known way to escape herdbetween good ones and bad ones; phenomenon which may well be anbehaviour, because they are vehiclesboth kinds do the same work. In that unconscious response to the automat-transporting the reader into deep cav-respect they are much like television ic respect libraries bestow blindly onerns of absolute solitude whereprogramming, the function of which, everyone. Even people who don'tnobody else can visit. No two peopleas a plug-in narcotic, is infinitely like to read like libraries from time toever read the same great book. Realmore powerful than any trivial diffa- time; in fact, they are such generallybooks disgust the totalitarian mindences between good programs and wonderful places I wonder why webecause they generate uncontrollablebad. haven't made them compulsory mental growthand it cannot be Real books educate, school- and all alike, oc course, too. monitored! books school, and thus libraries and Here's another angle to con- Television has entered thelibrary policies are a major clue to sider. The library never makes pre-classroom because it is a collectivethe reform of American schooling. dictions about my immediate futuremechanism and, as such, superior toWhen you take the free will and soli- based on my past reading habits, nortextbooks; similarly. slides, audiotude out of education it becomes does it hint that my days will be hap-tapes, group games, and so on meetschooling. You can't have it both pier if I read Shakespeare than if Ithe need to collectivise, which is a ways. read Barbara Cart land. The librarycentral purpose of mass schooling. tolerates eccentric reading habitsThis is the famous "socialisation" John Taylor Gatto won New because it realises that free men andthat schools do so well. Schoolbooks York Teacher of the year. He women are often very eccentric. Andon the other hand, are paper tools that finally, the library has real books, notreinforce school routines of close-used his acceptance spech for schoolbooks.Its volumes are notorder drill, public mythology, endless this award as a springboard written by collective pens or pickedsurveillance, global ranking, and con- to question schools as we by politically-correct screening com-stant intimidation. That's what the know them. He is author of mittees. Real books conform only toquestions at the end of chapters are The Exhausted School & the private curriculum of each writer,designed to do, to bring you back to a not to the invisible curriculum ofreality in which you are subordinate. Dumbing Us Down both some German collective agenda. TheNobody really expects you to answer available from the one exception to this is children'sthose questions, not even the teacher; John Holt Bookstore booksbut no sensible child everthey work their harm solely by being reads these things, so damage fromthere. Thatistheir genius.

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE40 PAGE 35 Vision for a new more flexible school system Geoffrey Maslen Canberra Times July 14th 1993

In the long history of humanto cram all this stuff into one's mind,removed are many youngsters from the kind, school is an aberration. Masswhether one liked it or not. This coer-real world outside the school gate that schooling - the idea that all young peo-cion had such a deterring effect thatthey have only the remotest idea of ple should spend a certain period ofafter I had passed the final examina-what their parents actually do. Too their lives segregated in a special insti-tions, I found the consideration of anyfew students play a part in adult affairs tution in the company of others of thescientific problems distasteful for anor are given the opportunity to shoul- same age - was an invention of theentire year." "It is in fact nothing shortder adult responsibilities. 19th century. Yet, so woven into theof a miracle that the modern methodsIn school, the student who successfully fabric of our lives has the school sys-of instruction have not yet entirelymasters the rituals is rewarded, while tem become, that we cannot imagine astrangled the holy curiosity ofthe one who rejects them is not. The society without it. We forget, howev- evidence is there that schools continue er, how much our notions of schooling to fail many of their clients - although, in a curious twist, it is the youngsters have changed. "My educadon was of the most In most states, the formal who a blamed and who get to be education system was created more ordinary description, consist- labelled failures. than a century ago but then was entire-ing of little more than the rudi- The deschoolers and other ly different to that of today. Not all ments of reading, writing and opponents of formal education lost the children went to school and not every- "school-is-dead" debate the decade arithmetic at a common day before. Nevertheless, there are still one went there every day of the week. school. My hours out of Most youngsters dropped out at the powerful arguments why school end of the primary years and went off school were passed at home should not continue to exist, at least in to join the adults. and in the street" -Michael its present form. Although still relatively new The "neo-Rousseauians", like and subject to profound changes over Ivan Illich and Paul Goodman, called the years, school now seems secure:inquiry." Einstein's "modern methodsfor the deschooling of society entirely; more students are staying for a longerof instruction", of course, were thosethe neo-Marxists, on the other hand, time than at any period in our history.of nearly a century ago. But they arewanted school preserved but reshaped Just as universal primary schoolingthe same ones whose virtues are regu- so as to serve and match society with a became accepted last century, so, too,larly celebrated by conservative criticsnew order of production. The conserv- has the idea of everyone remaining toof today's schools. atives, meantime, kept up their attacks year 12.In the 1990s, post-school The kids, however, see iton schools, claiming that "standards", education is becoming the norm forfrom a different perspective. Theirparticularly the basics, had been con- most young Australians. This islives are ordered according to the dic-tinuously slipping. In the middle of all despite the fact that to many youngtates of a timetable - for hour afterthis teachers went ahead doing the people, school remains an alienatinghour, day after day, year after year.things they have always done.It is a experience. And no wonder. ForKnowledge, whether it is relevant andnatural enough response. "The past schools are still places that regimentinteresting, potentially useful or blind-went that-a-way," Marshall McLuhan children, that put them into uniforms,ingly dull, is parcelled out in 40said. "When faced with a totally new age-grade them in classes no matterminute bits and delivered in mostsituation, we tend always to attach our- what their knowledge, intelligence orclassrooms by the full frontal methodselves to the objects, to the flavour of maturity, that sit them in rows, lookingof instruction. the most recent past. We look at the to the front where an adult, (a talking Not only does this extendedpresent through a rear-view mirror. head in an age of extraordinary elec- institutionalisation create serious prob-We march backwards into the tronics!) attempts to daily dose themlems of student motivation and disci-future..." with what must seem to the kids ran-pline, it also makes the transition from This is not to say that schools dom bits of knowledge. the "information - rich, but action-have not changed. They have: most Asked about his own school-poor" classroom to working life anare today far more caring, more con- ing, Albert Einstein recalled, "One hadoften traumatic experience. Indeed sovivial places than they were in the

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 36 399 past. Students do play a greater role in bly learn more about life and livingbe resisted. Less emphasis needs to be many classrooms and most now have aoutside school - especially from televi-placed on marks, examination results bigger selection from the curriculumsion - than they do in the classroomand certificates and more on the skills smorgastIrd than before. SchoolsYet the school takes no account of this. young people need to survive on their themselves, despite severe budget cutsIf it is to survive, school must relateown, to make their way in the world in several states, are still bettermore to the world beyond the schoolwithout institutional props. equipped, better staffed and bettergate. * To learn to take responsibility for looked after than they were 40 or 50* As a few schools are demonstrating,their own lives, students have to be years ago - although those times seemthe magic of the microchip is capablegiven more responsibility. They need to be returning. of transforming the way children learna greater say in what happens while Society's demands on schooland the way teachers teach. Schoolsthey are in school and they should be have also changed. As well as impart-will be sidelined unless they take noteencouraged and helped to work with a ing the basic skills, teachers are.and adapt to the amazing technologicalwider range of younger and older peo- expected to shoulder other responsibil-changes occurring in industry, businessple. The age-graded classroom is a ities that impinge on student health,and higher education. Computer-basedrelic of a bygone era and schools need sexuality, nutaition, careers, problems -instruction and interactive video-disksto experiment again with vertical a growing list of roles that extends allare capable of linking the classroomgrouping, more flexible hours and the way to safe-driving habits and anti-with students around the world and ofimproved links with bodies outside in smoking campaigns. providing one-to-one tutorials forthe community. One of the great puzzles ofeveryone. The teacher as facilitator* Alternatives to school are needed - life, says the now more than American writer ever. We should Michael Katz, is be experimenting the faith in the with farm school as an schools,work instrument for camps, communi- coping with ty service, social problems, schools without despite evi- walls, the city as dence tothe school. contrary. Along Paul with this atti- Goodman, who tude is the idea once described that school theAmerican should serve in high school as a bringing about a "therapeatic more just, more halfway house equal society - for the insane", whereas critics also observed, wouldargue "More than any- that schools thing, we need a help perpetuate community and social and class differences. At thewill be a reality. community spirit in which many adults same time, school is expected to* Lifelong or recurrent education iswho know something - not only pro- respond to the demands of the labourbecoming increasingly accepted as afessional teachers - will pay attention market and the requirements of highernecessity in a world where people willto the young". That was written in the education. Instead of being the "greatchange their jobs - just as the jobs will'60s but the message still applies equaliser", school has become thechange - several times in a workingtoday. "great sorting machine". lifetime. Students need to learn adapt- ability. Yet too much of what students [Jo-Anne's Note: Thanks to Jo What is needed, then, is a new visionlearn in school, and how they learn it, Boehm for sending of what school should be about.is valueless and they could better this article. Such a vision might include: spend their time in the workplace or I rang and spoke to Geoffrey the community at large, sharing school Maslen, and found out he was * Formal full-time schooling for 13and work. involved in setting up and running years, but everyone needs to change* The rise of credentialism - the infla- an alternative school in Melbourne both in the mode of operation and thetion of certificates, diplomas, degrees - in the seventies and eighties. I am years of attendance required. Youngwhereby people need higher and higher trying to interest him in the potential people need less schooling of the kindacademic qualifications to perform of homeschooling.] they get at present. They now proba-increasingly less skilled jobs - should

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 37

4n Legal & Administrative Issues .1. at home, neglectful situations were highly unlikely among home educa- ACT tors. We stressed that sending chil- NSW dren to school was by far the easier From HOMEWORK - option for irresponsible parents. Board of Studies Newsletter of The CanberraThesetwoofficersofthe Home Education Network Department are sympathetic to Jo-Anne Beirne July-August 1993 teaching out of school, though they take their charge of ensuring that In NSW the Board of Studies is the every child receives an educationadministrative body that handles the regis- A review of home education in the seriously. According to Narelle, the trations for homeschooling and the applica- ACT has begun, but it seems noth- new head of the Dept comes with a tions for conscientious objection to registra- ing will change in the short term.strong background in social justice, Chris Freudenstein from School tion. (Though the process of inspection and which makes it likely that she will requirements to be met is exaztly the same Services phoned Claire Powell towant to uphold the right of parents request a meeting, having got the for both registration and conscientious to choose the most appropriate edu- objection). When the Education Reform Act name and phone number from thecation for their children, be that in Contact book. Wendy Hodgman of 1990 was being discussed, we consistent- or out of school. ly put forward that we were concerned and Claire Powell met with Narelle There was considerable Hargraves, Executive Director of about the possible administration of home- interest in how we arrange ourschooling by The Education Department. Schools, Black Mt Region & Chris home education, particularly withWe felt we had legitimate concerns that Freudenstein, to talk about a reviewregard to socialisation, sharing of of ACT Dept of Education policy officers of the Education Department might resources, curricula, etc., and try to enforce on NSW homeschoolers stan- for home education. assessment. As Wendy and Clairedards and requirements that are useful for Chris handles all enquires are not representative of all home schools but irrelevant for homeschooling. relating to home education in theeducators, so Narelle stressed that ACT and Narelle will be conducting For us the appointment of The Board of others at the same level in the Studies to administer homeschooling was the review. They are concerned that Department were not necessarily ofan excellent alternative because this inde- the existing policy is not working, similar mind to her and, of course,pendent body, whose curriculum staff is having issued only 1 exemption cer- personnel in government depart- seconded from different systems has no pre- tificate, and see the need to rewrite ments change. There is, therefore, aconceived ideas of preferred method of their policy statement to reflect cur-danger of unsympathetic interpreta- rent home education practice. The schooling. tion of any new policy document, The use of the term "registration" legislation will remain unchanged. which would need to be very broad Narelle appreciated that also became an issue for us when attempt- to attempt to cover all home educa- ing to change the Act. This is because home educators would need a posi-tion situations.We don't expect any- tive incentive to register with the schools in NSW are registered. This regis- thing to change in the short term tration is the acknowledgement that they are Dept, indicating that she would like and feel confident that we will be meeting standards and is the same across to make educational resources avail-informed of any char L.r.s beforethe board for state and private schools. able to us -school sports facilities, they occur. However, this meeting Homeschoolers in NSW asked to be recog- science labs, music programs, for- does raise important issues for home nised as registered as well, ie a legitimate eign language teaching classes were educators. alternative to state and private schooling. mentioned. She recognises the dif- We objected most strongly to the term ficulty of developing policy, which Conclusion "exemption"- because we felt it held the would suit all home education situa- connotation that school was the ideal and tions and is realistic about not being Wendy Hodgman hosted a meeting we were the ones "opting out". In fact 'reg- able to contact/register all families. on Monday, 12th July at Watson, Chris is concerned about istration for homeschooling' did become which a variety of people attended,part of our law and has given us a strong neglectful parenting and apparentlyso that there could be discussion. has to field complaints from the legal base from which to grow. Homeschooling in NSW is grow- public about children who do not go Jo Boehm told the AHJ that the ing well. As more and more people undergo to school. It would be easier for her outcome of the July 12 meeting was the registration process and find that it is a to answer if these chilcken were onthat homeschoolers impressed upon an approved program. After some reasonable procedure to gain 2 years regis- the Department people concernedtration, they in turn advise their friends of discussion, she seemed to under-that they did not want any changes stand that given the level of com- the wonders of homeschooling and so to their present situation. homeschooling grows. For most home- mitment necessary to teach children schoolers the "inspection visit" by Board

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 38 401 Officers raises some initial concerns.the Board of Studies officers and theout" and "judge", they merely come to (A bit like a visit to the dentist). Theyparents can come to reasonable agree-examine your proposal that states that know they really want to homeschoolment. For example schools areyou are fulfilling the guidelines, as you and so the visit is very important torequired to ensure that students receivesignfied in your Application for them. Will I meet the required stan-education 5 hours a day, 200 days aRegistration. dards for house, planned work, recordyear in NSW . Homeschoolers on the Obviously, over time, the keeping? How do I know what theseother hand are required that their chil-inspection visits take on different char- standards are? dren receive "equivalent" to the schoolacteristics. The emphasis in a first The Application forrequirement. This was written to allow visit to a family undertaking the educa- Registration document sets out thefor the fact that homeschoolers maytion of a six year old will be different standards and conditions in a detailed well cover a body of work in much lessto the emphasis in a first visit to a fam- way that is easy to understand if you.time than it takes to be covered in theily commencing the education of a 13 read them carefully. The accompany-school situation (due to the uniqueyear old or a family who has a special ing Curriculum Guidelines specifysmall group arrangement) and also inneeds child or a second visit to a fami- what the state requires by law that yourecognition of the fact that home-ly educating an eight year old. teach your children. These are exactlyschooling does not just happen 9-3 on Many homeschoolers have the same requirements that are expect-school days. I have been collectingsaid, and I concur, that their programs ed of state and private schools insome anecdotal information aboutand diaries become much more reflec- NSW. inspections visits, as well as that whichtive of the realities of homeschooling Homeschooling parents comecomes into the Australian Homeschoolas their experience increases. Excellent to the registration process from manyJournal, and the consensus is thatadministration from Don Haddon and different perspectives. Some arehomeschooling visits are working real- now Rosemary Hafner featuring dis- removing their children from primaryly well. There are reasons for home-cussion, flexibility and great reason- and secondary schools, due to concernsschoolers' good relations with Boardableness, has meant a level of respect about their educational attainments,of Studies officers. The persons whobetween Board of Studies officers and violence, socialisation etc., some comeare authorised by the Board of Studieshomeschoolers that will hold us in very to homeschooling from a philosophical to inspect homeschooling families dogood stead in the future. Undoubtedly commitment to family superiority innot, from my observations, come to thethe calibre and experience of the Board the field of education, some find thatjob with the aim of "picking holes" inofficers has also been to our advantage. their special needs children just cannotanyone's situation, program or work.One key feature, in my opinion, of this be adequately helped in the system andThey come because the law is specific,arrangement has also been families decide to take on the task themselveshomeschooling is an option and thedefending and negotiating their pro- etc. Whatever the reasons for home-law ensures protection of those peoplegrams within the provisions of the Act schooling, the Board of Studies liasonwho wish to homeschool. They also- a peaceful and successful way to officers are required to listen to whatcome to ensure parents from a broad range of educa-a basic set of tional backgrounds and social concernsstandards that have to say for themselves and aboutapply in equal the education with which they aremeasure under going to provide their children. theActto Many of these Board ofeverysingle Studies officers have told me that theyschool in are amazed by the diversity and inge-NSW. There is nuity of educational programs and the no requirement commitment of parents. Obviouslyin Registration some parents are less well preparedGuidelines that than others but the Board of Studiesis any more or officers are likely to put them in con-less than the tact with people who can help in astandards that broad sense, in their local area or rec-have been ommend a shorter registration period,determined by from which most families emerge moreeminent citi- confident and capable. From the rangezensinour of programs I have seen at home-NSW commu- schooling meetings I know that thenity as appro- Board of Studies officers must havepriate for the their ideas about education stimulatededucation of and even challenged on a regular basis.all children in The guidelines and regula-this state. So tions can be met by a wide range ofthey do not teaching patterns, so that usually bothcome to "weed

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 39 4 0 2 encourage discussion and change. requirement to specify details. (f) legalcators? (a) none (b) basic information In attempting to summariserequirement to register accompaniedeg existence of support groups, contact the homeschooling registration processby details of proposed program (g)people, newsletters and other self-help in NSW I am trying to fill in those peo-other (please specify) (c) access to educational "experts" eg ple who are new to homeschooling teachers, inspectors, liason officers, about a little of our history since 19903. How would you propose the Dept ofremedial teachers, other (please speci- and inform those who are thinkingEduc. fulfills its obligation to ensurefy) (d) access to teacher and school about homeschooling of the realities ofthat every child receives an education?support centre services (e) access to the process. Those people that attend(a) trust parents (b) trust members ofschool libraries, gymnasiums, science homeschool support group meetingsthe community to report cases of edu-laboratories, theatres, by arrangement are lllcely to become self-informed oncational neglect (c) authorise inspec-with school principals (f) access to these issues, but many others who amtors to visit home educators on receiptschool specialist activities eg orches- isolated from such groups may beof a complaint (d) authorise local prin-tras, drama, music classes, excursions, grateful for this information. If anyonecipal to visit home educators on receiptArts Council performances (g) finan- would like to discuss this issue furtherof a complaint (e) authorise police,cial assistance eg per capita grant, sales please use the Australian HomeschoolJAB officials to visit family's home ontax exemptions, book allowances. Journal as a forum. receipt of a complaint (f) assign inspector, local principal, JAB official8. Please add any other thoughts you to visit family's home periodically (g)may have on the way home educators assign practising home educator toand the dept of Educ should deal with Queensland visit family's home periodically (h)each other in the best interests of our other (please specify). families and children. Finally is there TheQueenslandHome any other way that the law could be Educator No. 5 August 1993 4. If you think it is relevant how wouldchanged to make home education in you define an "education"? ShouldQueensland better and easier? "minimum standards" or "basic sub-If you want to know more please con- The Queensland Home Educator has ajects" (eg Maths, English) be required tact Heather Cleary of MS 283 questionnaire titled How Would Youby law? How should the education a Mackay Qld 4741. Like The Law Changed? child at home is receiving be easily Heather Cleary of MS 283assessed? (Please use a separate sheet!) Mackay Qld 4741 is inviting all indi- viduals and support groups to con-5. If parents are in conflict with TheSouth Australia tribute to a questionnaire before 16thDepart of Educ. how should this be October with a timetable for submis-resolved? (a) by magistrates court (b) Marrianne Gale sions being November - circulation ofby committee appointed by the Dept of 11 Ross Court Reynella, SA copies of submissons to supportEducation (c) by special appeals tri- groups, December - deadline for com- bunal independent of the DepartmentFor anyone asking about how home- ment, January- Legal expert commis-of Edcuation (d) other (please specify) sioned to draft proposal for legal schooling is in S.A., good question! At the moment, things are in "limbo", change based on home educators'sub- 6. If parents are deemed not to bewhich is good on one hand, but frus- missions. March 1994 Proposal pub- meeting their obligation to provide antrating on the other. The Department lished for comment, amended if neces- education for their children, whatof Education is currently reviewing the sary and republished for comment.should the consequences be? (a) noRegulations to the Education Act (Heather is looking for a lawyer will-consequences follow (b) parents(which happens every 10 years). ing and capable to undertake the job ofallowed a "second chance" (c) parentsHomeschooling is growing pretty drafting the proposal). given a probationary period to providerapidly here, so I think that the Dept. is an education (d) support given to par-considering what direction they are The QUESTIONNAIRE ents to enable them to undertake theirgoing to take. We have seen some children's education (e) parents offeredconsistency develop, which has facili- 1. Are you happy with the current leg- services of correspondence course freetated the process of applying for islation for homeschooling in Qld? of charge or on payment of fee (f) par-exemption. However, there are differ- ents offered services of registeredences in individual inspectors' inter- 2. If not, would you prefer: (a) legisla- teacher free of charge or on payment ofpretation of the given guidelines, and tion similar to Victoria's (b) legislation fee (g) parents required to send theirsome unfortunate communications. similar to NSW's (c) legislation similarchildren to school on a part-time basis to another state (please specify) (d) To date, I have not heard of any legal (h) parents reguired to send their chil-action being taken by the Dept. against legal requirement but with no details dren to school on a full time basis (i)a family. When I hear what the official specified and no registration (e) legalother (please specify). requirement to register with the guidelines are (they are following 'interim' guidelines at present), I will Department of education one's inten- 7. What help should the Dept. of Educ. forward a copy to you for your records. tion to home educate but withoutbe legally required to offer home edu-

AUSTRALIAN 'NVIESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 40 413 ing 'always been interested in space sci- ence and exploration', plans to further his interest and career in this field by studying aerospace engineering at university upon Homeschooling in the Media completing his secondary school studies Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne next year. A personally initiated article by Bev Homeschooling continues to have pos-home and take up the homeschoolingParton titled Why a Parent Chooses itive, steady coverage in the media. option, which suited us well at the time,Homeschooling was printed in The and has ever since. We don't have formal Armidale Express Wednesday, June The Hawkesbury Gazette May 26th, lessons, and I don't fmd it necessary, as she 23, 1993. The article quoted freely, without is very anxious to learn... She learns aboutacknowledgement, from the introduction 1993 carried an article by Ainsleemaths because she likes it, and we usesectionofGettingStartedwith Dennis titled 'Young Thespianmoney foi our maths lessons, which is Homeschooling. It introduced what is to be Makes His Mark' about McGraths good for learning decimals and fractions'. a regular article for The Armidale Express Hill homeschooler Jordan HammondBoth Pandora and her mother are also by Colin Parton, 10yrs. Some of the things 64 He doesn't attend school, is fasci-learning to play the violin with the first vio- Colin said were ".... My brother and I are nated by Shakespeare and is detennined to linist of the London Symphony Orchestra,hotneschoolers and I wanted to tell people carve a niche for his talent in the AustralianJohn Gould, in Orange. 'Most days shewhat homeschoolers in and around acting community Ten-year-old Jordanplays the violin herself & is responsibleAnnidale are doing. The most recent pro- features in "Bedevil"It is one of only 20enough to know she has to practise,'ject we did was "Ethiopia". We learnt Australian films selected for screening atKristin said. Homeschooling was a more about the people, climate, and its politics. the prestigious Cannes festival. "Bedevil""whole system" of learning, as childrenOn part of our food study we cooked (and is a feature length film of three ghost sto-could learn things when they were ready". ate) an Ethiopian meal of beef wot and ries directed by Tracey Moffat. Jordan enjara - an Ethiopian bread. The beef wot began his acting career two yean ago. His Mudgee Guardian 30th July 1993was spicy but nice. A coincidence occurred portfolio of achievements includes a perfor- 'Isaac Reaches For The Sky' when Michael Palin on 'Pole to Pole' trav- mance in the ABC medical soap G.P., Life elled through Ethiopia because of the civil Be In It and Life Education Centre feature Mudgee Year 11 homeschooler, Isaacwar in Sudan.It showed us things about films, an Austudy commercial and the play Boxx has recently returned home from Ethiopia we had read about. I enjoy sport Swimming in the Light. It is the fantasy ofa wq.ek long stay at the Australianand as a homeschooler we seem to have acting which attracts Jordan to the stageInternational Space School in Sydney. more time for this. Our sports program is and camera, and the money. "It is fun.I Isaac, one of only 60 Year 10 and 11 stu- very flexible and we can choose to do a dif- love be'ng able to be other people. Butdents selected nation wide by theferent sport each week. Joseph, another another good part about acting is theAustralian Science Teachers' Association,homeschooler, edits a homeschool newslet- money," Jordan said. Mustrating his point, described the Space School as a fantasticter which has poems, stories and letters. he told of commercial work he did for theoppottunity to learn more about space sci- There are quite a few homeschoolers Japanese. "I had to go to Morec and sit in a ence and astronomy and about Australia's around Armidale". tractor that was in a field of stwflowers. Irole in it. "It was a real honour to be cho- got paid $155 an hour to laugh and talksen. The lecturers were great and thereThe Sydney Morning Herald did a with the two other kids". Jordan and his were really terrific field trips and hands onweek long feature comparing the relative sister, Althea, have never attended school. experience with equipment in the field ofresults, costs and benefits of attending a Mrs Hammond recently introduced Jordanspace technology," Isaac said. The aims ofrange of public & private schools. In a to Shakespeare's Henry V. "It was amaz- the Space School, sponsored by thepiece entitled 'Your Verdict on Our ing: he just loves it. Jordan can recite great Australian Space Office, are to provide anSchools' August 2nd, 1993 Bernard sections of the drama" opportunity for young Australians to meetZuel, the Herald journalist, wrote "and, of and work with an astronaut and with some course, some people say "a pox on both The Land Thursday July 29th 1993 of Australia's finest scientists in the area ofyour houses" when it comes to education. featured an article about Pandora space science. The school encourages stu- (Esther Non had called to say ) "the most Holiday and her parents who live atdents to pursue careers in space science andpositive thing I've done for my 11-year-old to enable them to meet other students, both 'Homeleigh' Lucknow titled Head of child is pull him out of the school system". within Australia and from overseas, with"I am an active member of the growing The Class : Why Homeschooling issimilar interests in space. Students also Working. band of home educators." Mrs Non said. I attended from New Zealand, Korea,am registered with the Board of Studies. ".... Kristin Van Brunschot and her hus- Norway and Japan. Isaac thinks the aims ofYou follow your basic curriculum & (in my band, John Holliday from "Homeleigh", the School are being well met. "It was great son's case) many other things as well". Lucknow ... utilising the homeschool sys- being able to talk with other Australian stu- tem to educate their seven-year-old daugh- dents and those from other countries about ter, Pandora, for the past two years. space science," he said. "Another real highThe Courier Mail Aug 3rd, 1993 print- Pandora Holliday is very much like other point for me was hearing Dr Scully-Powers ed an article (page 3) titled School normal seven year olds...'Academically (Australian astronaut with NASA) lecturesCharge Mum Has Case Dismissed. very bright, Pandora, however, was, social- and talking with him throughout the week "Chaiges against a mother for not sending ly, very clingy to me, and I don't think it is during our trips and activities. "I'd recom- her children to school were dismissed yes- good to force children away from you whenmend applying for the Space School toterday but the woman said she would have they are not ready,' Kristin said.'I had to anyone interested in space science", Isaacpreferred to have been convicted. Pains drag her to school, so decided to keep hersaid. Isaac, who describes himself as hav-Catherine Bon, a 30-year-old widow, of

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 41 dllA BEST COPY AVAILABLE Peachester in the Sunshine Coast hinter- restraints on behaviour," "Before then gen-something." land, pleaded not guilty to breaching sec-erations of people were educated at home." tion 57A of the State's Education Act by.." said children could learn more at homeThe Northern Daily Leader cont'd failing to send her daughter , Miria Bhakti, than at school - if they were really interest- The piece on the Hardy Family was titled nine and son, Raymond, six, to the Bardon ed and motivated". 'The individual atten- "Its Just Wonderful" - Advantages State School were they were enrolled. Mstion means they can learn so much moremake the enormous effort worthwhile'. Bon, who defended herself, told thewhere, at a regular school, a lot of time is Janelle Hardy said...."As their teacher and Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday shespent on things like just getting the class their mother, I'm the one who cares about had notified the school she was relocatingquiet," she said. my children more than anyone else."It to the cotmtry and enrolling the children in brings whole family together, the kids are a distance education. Prosecution witness,The Northern Daily Leader cont'd lot happier and they're not exhausted after former Bardon state primary school princi- The piece about Cherie Galtes in the arti-a long day in the environment of a school." pal William McClintock, said in evidence cle was titled 'Program Adjusted To Suit"At school they are told when they will he believed the children were not legallyThe Child' - and said in part "Eleven-year-study a subject and for so long at a particu- enrolled at the school. This prompted pros- old Cherie Gaites and her teacher Dorothy lar time. "But when is a child really ready ecutor Constable Mark Sprenger to ask toLong came in from the lesson singing andto learn something? Why should a child at amend the cherges and prosecute Ms Bonlaughing. They had been out walking -a particular time and day have achieved for not enrolling her children at the school. which Dorothy says is the be,tt way to learn something? We're always growing and Magistrate Robert O'Sullivan dismiss xi the and exercise at the same time -and they always learning..."it's got to come from application and the charges, saying evencarried pine cones for an art project, pack- the child, draw on the child's own personal though Ms Bon had in her evidence and ets of seeds for a gardening project and lots interests and strengths and be relevant to submissions infact admitted she was guiltyof new ideas for the design of a new guinea them. 'That's where the motivation comes of the charges - in spite of her formal notpig hutch. "We work out in the open air from." guilty plea- that did not absolve the prose-because we get bogged down sitting cution from the responsibility of proving all inside," Dorothy said. "Cherie's not a child elements. Ms Bon told the court shewho sits at a desk and learns, but she'll received formal written confirmation lastlearn anything while we're walking. That's Homeschooling on week her children were enrolled in thethe value of home schooling - we can School of Distance Education. She was not adjust the program to suit the child, so we Radio and TV a home schooling advocate and had onlywalk and we talk and we learn.".... Mrs wanted to be able to transfer her children to Gaites said she was thrilled with Cherie's2GB & The Domain the School of Distance Education. "I wasprogress and happiness. She said her canglit in a cumbersome and only partially daughter kept in contact with her peers effective law.I don't disagree with com- Robyn Wigrnore of Forestville had around through skating and ballet and, if she decid- 12 minutes air time recently on Brian pulsory education," she said. Ms Bon tolded to attend a regular high school, her train- Wilshire's 2GB evening talkhack program. the court Juvenile Aid Bureau police had ing with Dorothy would have prepared her She was part of a phone in (with prizes) threatened to have her children removed to cope..."I could see this little person not where people talked on the topic 'How can from her care if she continued to refuse tomaking very much progress and I thought send them to school. But Constables you and I Help to Make Australia a better there must be something better," DorothyPlace' Using some inspiration from the Marcus Elder and Ian Hansen denied the said. "Cherie was bright and alert but she book Famous Homeschoolers Robyn said allegation saying they had only warned Ms wasn't getting there and it's no good con- she was able to put forward a lot of argu- Bon that a summons would be taken outtinuing at Year 5 if your problem was ments that suggested homeschooling in a against her if she didn't send her childrensomething you didn't pick up back in Year to school in the next week. Ms Bon told multitude of ways could help make 2. "Home schooling gives you a chance toAustralia a beter place. Robyn won her sec- the court that her defence throughout thedevelop the bits that are wrong and max- six month-long legal wrangle had been that tion and as a result was invited to speak in imise particular strengths and interests."front of 500 in the Domain on 24th July. "the best interests of the children have been Dorothy said she used Cherie's interest in foremost at heart". She didn't win this part of the competition the stage or in sewing or animals ... "You but felt it really put her on the road to a won't teach a child to read unless it's inter- major committment to the media. A great double page spread on pagesesting to them," "But give a ballet kid a 10 and 11 of The Northern Daily ballet book or a horse kid a horse book and Leader Weekend Magazine, Saturdaythey'll read it even if it kills them"... she July 31st, 1993 by Kate Pretty featuredworked out how much material she would NBN & PRIME TV really good quality information on home-need, measured it, cut it and sewed it her- schooling finm a variety of sources whileself, using mathematical skills without real- As a result in part of the article in The also showing the diversity within home-ising it. "Our latest maths project is mak- Northern Daily Leader The Hardy Family schooling. It included pictures of Cherieing a guinea pig cage," ... "We do the were seen on an NBN and in a Prime News Gaites from Tamworth, The Hardy familyshopping very slowly and carefully and feature on July 22nd. The voice over com- from Armidale and Neil MierendorffCherie does the banking. "These are allment was "If you don't like kissing your (North West BOSLO). There was also things to give her hands-on experience with kids goodbye then maybe this is for you!". interesting comment by New Englandmaths because maths on paper doesn't go Janelle reported that she was really happy University honorary consultant in educa- down very well with her," ".. every child is with the interview and the time span they tion studies Margaret Mackie who saiddifferent," she said. "That's what's wrong gave to the issue. 'The ooncept of home schooling is not real- with regular school - at some point some- ly so radical" "Universal schooling was one decides all kids should have reached a originally introduced by religious organisa- certain level. And you just can't just tions to tame people and formalisedecide when a person is going to learn AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 42 4 5 turbing increase in violence and aggression by pupils at primary schools. The survey of teachers at high schools, primary schools and pre-schools, conducted by the ACT Education in the Media Department of Education, was prompted by complaints from teachers of an increasing Compiled by Jo-Anne Beirne incidence of verbal and physical abuse by pupils. Experts believe this rise in violence in Canberra primary schools may be Jump in Tertiary Educated -has....Employers complain that students reflected in similar schools in NSW. Fiona Thousands on Dole The Courier- fresh from school don't suit their needs. A McGregor, of the ACT Australian Teachers Mail, 25.6.93 recent Queensland Confederation ofUnion, said first impressions of the survey Industry survey found 86 percent of bosses The number of people with post-school data showed that "there were more inci- .did not think schools were producing stu- qualifications has jumped 21 percent in the dents in primary schools than anyone had dents suited to industry. A similar poll five ever imagined". "It appears there are past five years but thousands are not usingyears ago produced the same result. their extra training. Figures released young children who are coming into our Survey resp3ndents repeated their view that showed 35,100 degree holders were work- schools with very challenging behaviour," schools should teach more basic skills - not ing as labourers, drivers and machine oper- she said. just English and mathematics, but work- ators in February. This was almost 10,000 more than the figure in 1990. On top ofrelated subjects. One employer said: "I fmd it incredible that, after 12 years of school Boys copy video terror Craig this, the recession had increased the unem- students are still classified as unskilledHenderson Daily Telegraph 26.7.93 ployment rate for people with trade qualifi- labour."... QCI general manager Clive Violent, sex-based videos, video games and cations from 3.6 percent in February 1990 Bubb said the survey results showed a frus- movies are causing boys to sexually harass to 9.6 percent in February this year. The girls at school, the Australian Teachers unemployment rate for people without tration with a system which did not accom- modate the different needs of academic Union claims. Even very young students post-school qualifications jumped from 8.8 achievers and those who would go straightare desensitised to violence by the sheer percent to 14.8 percent over the same peri- to work. "Essentially what they are sayingquantity they are exposed to through od.The number of employed people with is that the system should stream out those media, TV and videos, according to the extra qualifications was up 18 percent over who are not going to follow an academic ATU. It has told a federal parliamentary 5 years while those without qualifications inquiry that the effects violent video games were down 6 percent. There was a big career and give them some different skills," he said. ...Ask the academics if there is a have on children and the values they might increase in qualified people who were nei- problem and they say society merelyinstill in boys is of particular concern. ther working nor looking for a job.In the "...dominated by violent acts," says a union past year alone, people in this category expects more and leaves f wer options for poorly skilled people. In the past the less-submission to the inquiry into violence in with post-school qualifications jumped by bright students found a job in the family schools. "Video and computer games are 87,300 (or 10 percent) to 989,100. business or joined a factory production line. possibly of even more concern because of Those jobs are drying up and by the timetheir interactive nature. "much of this vio- Will Schools fail the test of the children who are starting high school now lence is sexual and sex-based in nature." Future? Courier-Mail 27.6.1993are ready to enter the workforce, the tech- The submission urges the Government to Schools in the 1990s have been given thenology they are learning will have been limit children's viewing times and access to impossible task - to teach a generation superseded. Many of the jobs they will beviolent video games. The ATU claims skills that will help them use knowledgedoing simply don't exist yet. Academicsharassment of girls and some "minority not even invented yet.. Change itself, the agree the emphasis needs to be on develop- groups" is ari issue of concern often over- push to succeed and the number of students ing a lifelong love of learning rather thanshadowed by more dramatic incidents of staying at school rather than joining thememorising particular facts and bodies of schoolyard violence. dole queues, have put the education systemknowledge which will soon be outdated. under pressure. Some classrooms are burst- Many are opposed to what they see as aSingle-Sex Classes: The Girls love ing at the seams trying to hold the senior growing trend of linking educational objec-Them Sydney Morning Herald school students who would leave in normal tivesto the economy - a trend which has28.7.93 Bernard Zuel economic conditions. Teachers complain seen federal influence in education growing that their time is stetched thin, giving them .... A major survey of boys and girls in steadily since 1973. Dean of Education at segregated Year 9 maths and science class- little chance to upgrade their skills. AndGriffith University, Prof Phil Meade, said overhanging all this is the constant squeeze es has found that the girls felt they would surrounding communities could be one of a benefit from segregation in other subjects on curids. Schools - like hospitals, prisons school's greatest assets. More interaction and railways - have to queue for their share as well. But the boys could not see the between business and parents made it easi- point. The survey was conducted among of the tax pool.Education is one of the er for studcnts to make the transition from biggest financial commitments govern- more than 400 students at three North school to the real world. He is confidentCoast comprehensive high schools by Mr ments make to their taxpayers. In the system will work hut recognises that Queensland last year, $2.8 billion was Les Regan, a senior lecturer in education at principals need money they can spend onthe University of New England, and Mr spent on education, making the Educationspecific school tasks. "There's a chance Department the state's biggest public sector Peter Tucker, a teacher. "By and large the that in the long term we will end up with a boys disagreed with the single-sex classes," spender. The money paid the way for the better system....".Professor Meade said. 547,300 students in the state's school sys- Mr Regan said yesterday. "The boys didn't tems. Nationally, money for schools and enjoy the separation, saw no change in their education is increasing as Australia pushes Alarm at Primary Schools Violence work and, in essence, couldn't see what the to become the 'clever country' of the Asian Sun Herald 27.6.93 Karen Davey problem was with mixed classes." But the region, building on an advantage it already A probe of 100 schools has revealed a dis- girls voted overwhelmingly in support. "Girls from single-sex classes reported

AUSTRALIAN ft-IOW:SCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 43 406 their work improved, there were morevariety of electronic media were alreadycounsellor, mostly because they feared ret- chances to ask questions and more access "suvets ahead" of their classroom-bound:ibution but partly because they felt it to equipment," ..Teachers, of whom 18 city cousins. would not produce results. The study, by were men, made almost identical comments researchers from Flinders University and to the girls.Ms Goleby (Ba lmain High) Th%. Sydney Morning Herald Sianthe University of S.A. surveyed children said one major difference was in the teach- from 26 government, Catholic and indepen- Powell 6.8.1993 Bullies Torment One dent schools. ..."it's part of the hidden cur- ing, which was more activity-based &in Ten Pupils: Study "more relev.Int to life" than the theoretical riculum of schools" Professor Slee said approach favoured by boys. More impor-At least ten per cent of school children are "We're taking childrm and by law telling bullied more than once a week and many tant .. is whether the basis of that teaching - them they have to go to school and work in like the curriculum - is oriented to boys'endure the harassment silently for fear of groups in a highly artifical situation. We retaliation, a study has found. The study, preferences for abstract, rather than contex- bring together a whole range of individuals which canvassed 7,000 students found that tual, thinking. who may be highly different and, in some Distance Ed Kids Way Ahead -frequent bullying (once a week or more)magical way, expect them to get od with was reported by 17% of primary school " Overseas research has Cairns Post, 19.7.93 M. Zlorkowski one another" boys, 12 % of secondary schoolboys andfound that bullying impairs the ability to Distance education used by isolated chil- 10% of both secondary and primary school form stable relationships in later life" "A dren in remote parts of Australia wouldgirls. One of its authors Professor Phillip study in South Australia found that victims become the way of learning for the future,Slee, a lecturer in human development atof bullying were more likely to be tolerant international author Dale Spender predicted Flinders University said bullying had a dra- of spouse abuse. Females tend to believe in Cairns on the weekend. Dr Spender,matic effect on children and could affect they must have deserved the abuse and speaking at an Education Departmentattendance at school. About a fifth of themales tend to believe they ahve the right to regional conference on Literacy, saidbullied children said they were afraid to hit their wives." Outback children who have learned from a report the bullying to a teacher or school llive litalmatssi Dittrinanz

Why do I homeschool? Jo-Anne's Note: I hope this will be an irreg- ular paa of the Australian Homeschool Ian Howie Journal ! But after this article it had to be Reprinted from The lome Schooler, No 2. done!

Ever asked that question?can provide. However, it is in thisfor the attempt. The response from the You know - you are halfway throughsame area that the potential problemsparents is usually very warm and lov- establishing some vital concept and the also lurk. ing, yet it has a measure of gentle cor- phone rings, or the timer in the kitchen So what are we talking about?rection built in. What we have here is goes off, or the kid who was feelingPut simply, the most effective learninga learning model which includes lousy this morning brings back theexperience is that which ensures thatimmersion, expectation of success, breakfast you hoped would stay put. the teacher teaches in a manner which reward, correction, support and love. Why do I do this? Or per-reflects the way the child learns. The way the child learns is haps, for some, why are you contem-Children do not learn most effectivelysupported by the way the adults around plating doing it? In reality there areby just hearing or seeing but by beingteach - complete congruence between many reasons why families decide thattotally immersed in the experiencethe learning and teaching models. The home schooling is the best way to go. from which we wish them to learn. homeschool is the perfect setting for What is important is that you made theTake, for example, the yoeng childthis to continue - so good, in fact, that decision for the right reasons. beginning to comprehend language.the new South Pacific D_vision However, it is not reasons forMost of our children are immersed inPrimary Curriculum uses it as a iodel your decision that I wish to consider.an environment rich with language.for the church schools of the future. Rather it is the potential benefit inThey hear people conversing all However, as the child reaches what you are attempting and some ofaround them, they even have peopleschool age we can no longer leave the the inherent dangers. The secret of thetalking to them long before the wordslearning experiences the home offers real benefits of homeschooling lies inthose people say make any sense. to chance, because most of the com- the congruency of the learning and Once the child begins toplete learning opportunities that your teaching models that the homeschoolattempt his/her first words he/she ishome provides have been exploited by encouraged, supported, and rewarded this time.

ISSUE 40 PAGE 44 AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL 407 cont'd from pg 44 We must be very careful in planning learning experiences for our chil- A response to Ian Howie's article dren. I have spoken with many groups of homeschool parents over by Jo-Anne Beirne the years and I am always con- cerned that there are some, fortu- nately only a few, who feel that Does homeschooling need to be home schooling is just a matter of letting the child grow. We rarely pre-planned and does a parent allow the growth of a tree to be directed by the forces of nature, why really know what is best for then would we allow such for a child? Homeschooling provides a their child? natural setting for learning, but it also brings with it great responsibili- ties. It demands much careful Jo-Anne's Note : Despite thedanger that in forgetting to educate the thought, detailed planning and spe- title 'Why do I homeschool? Ian Howie total person (rather than just your cific goals. It requires the support is not a homeschooling parent. Ianmind)shools have made it hard for and advice of others who have gone Howie is curriculum development offi- you to Lave a successful marriage and before and those with a sound cer in the primary area for thebe happy in your life, not to mention knowledge of a child's needs. Adventist School System. Although this the very real danger that you will be It is not enough in our article is a severe criticism of some ofphysically, emotionally and psycholog- complex world to simply say, "I am the content of Ian' s article, no disre- ically abused in your school career by a parent, I should know what is best spect or personal criticism is intendedteachers and the peer group. for my child." You should, but you to Ian Howie. I am well aware that Ian Ian talks about the"lurking might not. Just like the best profes- is extremely supportive of homeschool-potential dangers"for homeschoolers sionals in any field the homeschool- ing on a personal & professional levelin underestimating"the congruency of ing parent needs to be willing to . My criticism of his article is intended the learning and teaching models". admit his/her areas of weakness, to only to question Ian's expertise in theThis is gobbledegook, meant to sug- acknowledge what is unknown and area of homeschooling. (Quotations in gest some great understanding home- to accept that there may be profes- italics are directly from Ian' s article.) schoolers cannot easily attain. In fact sionals in the area who can provide teachers are completely unable to cre- good support. There is an increasing tenden-ate congruency between the "teaching Which brings us back to cy of "school-experts" both here and inand learning models" in the schoo'. sys- reasons. You need to examine your America to make unfounded, unre-tem. They can only teach, as they are reasons for home schooling very searched and inexperienced commentspaid to do and HOPE that learning carefully. It provides a powerful about homeschooling. This sort of mis-occurs. Teachers' further employment learning environment. Rightly used information needs to be dispelledand promotion does not in any way and carefully balanced you can before it becomes commonplace in thedepend on children learning what syl- achieve great things with your chil- academic fraternity. It is also danger-labi demand & teachers temh, nor is dren. Wrongly used it can do con- ous for potential and new homeschool-the system considered a failure if a siderable harm. ers to be fed meaningless educationalchild fails to learn or thrive - rather the Rightly used you have little jargon, before they have the opportuni-blame is placed squarely at the feet of to fear, because you will seek ty to consider "the realities" of actuallythe child - an incongruent result advice, you will welcome any sup- homeschooling. wouldn't you say? port the state offers, and equally No inherent dangers Most effective learning important, you will recognise when Ian Howie's aiticle rests on In paragraph four Ian makes your home can no longer provide the recurrent theme of the"inherentthe point"the most effective learning the environment that is needed to dangers"of homeschooling. What areexperience is that which ensures that achieve your goals. these inherent dangers and why do the teacher teaches in a manner which Take the time to examine they remain unspecified? Are they akinreflects the way the child learns" (per- again your motives for teaching to the inherent dangers of schools ? hapsthis is his definition of congruen- your own children and be sure that Including the danger that you couldcy?). One wonders how anyone can they all relate to the potential bene- end up illiterate and innumerate, thepresume to say that a teacher in the fit to the child and not to some sort danger that you could end up unem- iverage classroom can possibly expect of need for personal satisfaction ployed after 12 long years of educa-to teach in a manner which reflects the which will leave you blind to the tion, the danger that your education way any individual child learns? Much potential dangers such a powerful may not have given you an/ real skills research has shown that teachers teach to participate in the workforce, the learning environment brings with it. to expectations. For example when told

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 45 408 that a group of children are slow learn-yet providing a perfect situation forlum is set up by academics, in consul- ers, a teacher will treat the class thissolitude, research and reading; uniquetation with teachers,ut in isolation way no matter what happens in theaccess to the community, throughfrom the individuals who are destined interaction of the classroom. Slowmuseums, libraries, classes, business,to be taught. learners labelled bright on the otherin fact "immersion" "real life" with all As for Ian's comment about hand were treated by teachers as if theyits responsibilities, challenges, ups andhis concerns that homeschooling par- were talented. In fact in the averagedowns. Most importantly, in terms ofents may just consider "letting the classroom where a school student getsthe possibilities of extending thatchild grow and that we rarely allow less than 7 minutes of individualisedlearning environment, a homeschooledtrees to just grow" this is such a poor time in a week, it is a blatant lie to saychild has the one to one attention of ananalogy it is hard to know where to that teachers teach in a "manner whichattentive adult who cares immenselystart. I am yet to see millions of work- reflects the way the child learns"andabout the total welfare of that child anders out there clipping the trees in the to exhort homeschoolers to pursue thistirelesslywelcomesquestions,Amazon, or any forest infact. 'ideal'. remarch, individuality and challengesAllowing trees to fulfill their genetic Virtues of the home while providing feedback and appro-blueprint and 'just grow' is one of the Ian goes on to extoll thepriate work. things that we do in fact do in our soci- virtues of the home environment for The average classroom, on theety. Sure some trees are cultivated and language learning as an example ofother hand allows about 2-3 sq metrespruned for food crops bu they are by "immersion, expectation of success, per child (in a class of thirty). Where isfar in the minority. Ian's concern about reward, correction, support and love".the immersion component in the stan-"just letting the child grow" would be He is 100% right well-found- onthisissue, ed if that however, Ian and meant leav- I diverge violent- ingthem ly with his com- out on the ment (paragraph streetsto 9) that "most of fend for the complete themselves. learning opportu- However nities your home just "letting provideshave thechild been exploited by grow " in this time" the home is (school age). The a whole dif- fact is that ferent mat- immersion, ter. In fact expectationof the family, success, reward, in fulfilling correction, sup- Ian's early port and love observation never run out in of provid- the home at any i n g age. Sixty year "immer- old parents still provide for their mar-dard school timetable, in the boringsion, expectation of success, reward, ried children exactly this kind of feed-classroom ? Where is "expectation ofcorrection, support and love"is edu- back about everything they do in theirsuccess, reward, correction, supportcating their children far beyond what lives - this is the nature of family. and love" for any but the favouredany school, with their pre-planned, In terms of learning opportun-few? Instead we find timetables andpruning schedule could ever hope to ties the average home has a fullyrequirements that limit movement,do. Families educate the heart, mind equipped science lab (kitchen), aaccess to the community, questioningand spirit of the child, not just their potential botany, biology field (back-and creativity. Sure there is a library,brains. yard), a workshop (garage), mediaTVs, computers, videos etc but theyFlexibility not plan,' Ing resources (TV, video and radio) thatare shared with hindreds of others in I: is also my belief that home- can tuned into appropriate programsthe school. Think about the child whoschooling does not in fact require any time of the day to extend, chal-understood within 10 minutes the day's "careful thought, detailed planning lenge and reinforce learning, plenty ofprogrammed maths "pre-planned andand specific goals"as Ian Howie room to contemplate, set things up,specgic" though it was, and sits thereasserts. Quite the contrary, if we are to make models, design. The home pro-bored. Have a care for the child whofulfill Ian's exhortation "to teach(es) vides security yet flexibility, room todidn't understand the work but will bein a manner which reflects the way the move, make noise, generate enthusi-forced to move on regardless as thechild learns"homeschoolers must be asm, activity and full time interactions,"pre-planning" requires.The curricu-highly responsive to the moment and

AUSTRALIANHOMESCHOOLJOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 46 4 9 the child and committed to supremeWho is ultimately responsiblP? quite sure that schools cannot and do flexibility. Pre-planning in the home- Ian says "iris not enough innot take the level of responsibility for school is limiting, frustrating and like-our complex world to simply say 'I amall their pupils that Ian presumes ly to cause burn out. It has been mythe parent, I should know what is best homeschoolers may not. Some of us experience and the experience of manyfor my child(paragraph 11). Thisare very tempted to ask, after reflecting other homeschoolers that "specificcomment raises a lot of importanttin declining academic standards in goals" that are essential for the class-issues . Firstly, who does Ian thinkschools, racism, sexism and the esca- room are almost entirely unnecessaryshould take the responsibility forlating crime statistics, whether in fact it in the home. knowing what is right for the child ifis at all possible (far less rightly used Language/Life/ Learning the parent doesn't ? Do teachers,and carefully balanced) for one adult to It is recognised that forschools, the church, the government,educate and socialise 30 children with humans one of the greatest learningthe media or the children themselvesdifferent backgrounds, morals, learning whievements we will ever attain is thehave this responsibility? Should weabilities, aspirations and interests ? learning of our own language. Whichshare this responSibility among all Satisfaction & enjoyment we all did, barring disabilities, beforethese agencies? Secondly, one is very I am really disappointed to we turned five years old without spe-tempted to say that if our world is soread Mr Howie's comment that parents cial programs or specific goals. Whycomplex that parents can no longershould not choose homeschooling for slould reading, science, maths, historytake responsibility for their childrentheir children for their"own personal and geography be any different ?then it is the world that has the prob- satisfaction".It is my strong convic- Given a warm, responsive tion that a parent who environment all learning can chooses to homeschool mirror language learning. It for their own personal has been consistently my satisfaction is much experience over the last five more likely to provide yearsthatcommitted, their child with the best responsive, loving parents possible education spiri- with no "official" education- tually, socially, morally al background or knowledge and academically. Truly are capable of becoming the great teachers want the most powerful facilitators of very best for their stu- their child's learning while dents, but they don't fulfilling none of the paper- teach to prostitute them- work nor criteria that the selves to their student's schools use to measure suc- learning, rather they cess or failure of teacher or teach because they love student. their job and because it In my experience it givesthem great person- is extremely limiting to have al satisfaction to explain, detailed "pre-planning" in explore, clarify and the homeschool for many, encourage the child's many reasons including the learning. following: technology and learning are advancing at such a pacelem, not the family. Of course manyA powerful learning environment that the textbooks (the pre-plannerspeople would say "But what about Homeschooling certainly is a bible) are often ten years out of date;'bad' parents?" There certainly arepowerful learning environment, as Ian we just do not ic.t.qw what our childrensome bad parents but then again thereHowie states. It is empowered by the will need to know re: the future (com-are also bad welfare agencies, teachers,fact that it is happening in the family, puter skills held by 12 year olds inschools, relatives, friends, pressures,that parent.; are taking total responsi- 1993 were unknown to University pro-influences, politicians and societybility for facilitating their children's fessors just 5 years ago); just "cover-is still based on its most effective unit,academic, social and .noral develop- ing" the pre-planning does not guaran-the family. If we remove the family'sment - this is why it will always be tee that anything is learnt; the prepon-responsibilities to the child, as schoolsmosteffectiveforchildren. derance of cultural and educationaland professionals have been doing soHomeschoolers are working at the resources in the community and theeffectively for some decades, we dic-coalface of education in an atmosphere home which will not be accessed to thetate our own ruin. of discovery that is broad and unlimit- level they deserve unless you have theFamily- the basic unit of society ed by the strictures the school system flexibility to seek them out and use Ian Howie tells homeschool- must fwe. Homeschoolers do not need them. Homeschools do not, and shouldersto "examine their reasons" forpaternalistic, ignorant warnings about not, want to mimic what is appropriatehomeschooling carefully and makewhat they should and shouldn't do or and what works for the institution ofsure their homeschooling is"rightlythink in their own homes with their school. used and carefully balanced".I am own children.

AUSTRALIAN H VIESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 47 410 In defence of television Jo-Anne Beirne

I have spoken to many home-analysts worlemg at the time, and fromup in a TV program whether it be schooling parents who tell me proudlyhindsight; and heaps of interestingabout the horrors of the Holocaust, the that they have "given away" their tele-facts and figures. The sheer volume ofclimbing of a great mountain, or the visions. They say that television isinformation would have taken days todeath of a young child we are going to potentially an addictive and destructivecover in a classroom or from a text-be able to put the information, and the medium that threatens their children'sbook and the ability to present it in issues that arise, into a context relevant moral development as well as wastingcontext and with visual aids such asfor our children. Secondly, Greg and I a great deal of their precious learningmaps and computer simulations etc.are interested in world history, eco- time. While I can see strong points inmeant that it was much more likely tonomics, politics and scientific discov- these arguments and would stronglycreate an impact that set a good basiseries. We believe that only with a good support the idea that there is indeed afor more research and learn 'rig. overview and knowledge of what has huge amount of "junk" on televisionQuality and bias happened in the past and what is hap- that children (and adults) should not be Many people worry, rightly,pening now, can our society make watching, I do believe that totallyabout the objectivity of television pro-intelligent and just decisions for the removing the television is a little likegrams but of course they are no less orfuture. Thirdly, we have found that the throwing the baby out multi-dimensional visu- with the bathwater al information presented and is depriving the on TV seems to be family of a very incorporated into our potent and useful brains more efficiently tool. than textbook informa- Education Resource tion. Lastly, we just Presently cannot find there are a great num- textbooks/booksof ber of programs on quality that discuss the ABC, SBS and .iy important histori- sometimes commer- cal and current issues to cial channels that pro- the depth that television vide information on a can provide so easily. huge variety of topics Instant History from a diverse num- Take for instance the ber of sources. These Gulf War. It happened, programs pride them- how long ago? But how selves on the quality, long will it be before it imilediacy and technical information more objective than a textbook. Eachis in the textbooks? Will it then merely they provide. If, for example, you aretextbook,likeeachradioorbe the historical perspective? At the learning about the arctic and polarTVprogram, carries the bias of itstime of the war however there were bears, you will never get out of a text-maker. However television is such acontinual TV debates by laymen and book what you would have seen in the"hungry for programs" medium that itexperts, linked up instantaeously by recent five TV shows on ABC Sunday islikely you will see an alternative to satellite, who argued the relative merits night about the topic. Or if you P rethe view you once saw, in the not tooof the war. the ethical implications, the studying the Middle East you willdistant future. Despite the "junk"results, the possible effects on world undoubtedly be better informed if youscreened much of the time by TV sta-trade and world politics. The resulting saw the two part program TimeWatchtions we have not "thrown out the TV"discussions and opinions of a whole on SBS, Monday nights at 7.30. In thein our house. Instead we watch suitablerange of people, from the woman in first show we found out about the his-programs on a regular basis with ourthe street to the generals, historians, tory of the Middle East, the settling ofchildren. Flexibility in this area isarms experts and the bureaucrats pro- the Jewish homeland, the work of Benenabled through the judicious use ofvided unique and momentous insights Gurion, the effect on the Arabs, the our video. into the political, administrative and British presence, Nasser, the SuezSupervision even media workings in our society at canal crisis and nationalisation. There WO watch TV programs with large. were newsreels of speeches by theour children for a couple of reasons. Television reporting of scien- leaders then, comments by relevantFirstly we know that whatever comestific advances, critical decisions, cata-

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 48 4 1 1 strophes and other problems are practi-violent. We also both really enjoy cally instantaneous, you don't have toreading and have read a lot to our kids hear about it days (months?, years?)over the years. Perhaps our children later in a form "modified" by a govern-never had the opportunity to see TV as ment/bureaucracy for public consump-something you just turn on, plonk tion. It is impossible that a decisiondown in front of and watch whatever is from President Clinton about bombingon. Anyway as they have gotten older Baghdad will go unquestioned. "Whythey have come to see TV as a useful did you do it?" "Wasn't there anothermedium and they just don't seem to choice?" "What will be the conse-fmd nature, maths, history, geography quences?". or science shows as "boring". Where will we go to-day? Comprehension For me, one of the most excit- We have found that our chil- ing things about television is where itdren may no :. understand all of what is can take you. From the bottom of thesaid in a program but because one of ocean out to the ozone layer, fromtheir parents usually watches the show deep in the body to close up pictures ofwith them we can answer any ques- Saturn. Through television I can virtu-tions that arise by judicious use of the ally walk into a science lab that haspause button on the video. We also just made an important new discoverytend to do what we did with reading, about cancer, or see and talk with awe expect that what they miss this timebeen recording the Little House on the great humanitarian working in thewill be caught another time in anotherPrairie TV programs (Saturday after- desert in Somalia. I get to have ancontext. I remember when Greg readnoon Channel 10) and he sits down opinion, right or wrong, on whether the Laura Ingalls Wilder books towith the children and watches them. they should be cutting down the jun-Rebecca years ago there was muchEven Mary-Beth (3) likes to watch and gles in the Amazon, or using euthana-explaining and undoubtedly much wasask questions. Why did they do that? sia or whether the official version ofleft not understood by Rebecca, but inWhy did they treat her like that? Why what happened in Vietnam is actuallythe length of time everything becomesis she sick in bed? Some of the topics the truthful one. I get to talk, throughclear. The same happens with TV pro-discussed so far after watching Laura reporters, with world leaders, scien-grams, we don't get our kids to doinclude rabies, interference in the nat- tists, social workers, adventurers andquestion and answer sheets aboutural environment, alcoholism, weather, the man on the street in Boston who"what they learned" after watching aharvesting, winnowing, animals, edu- just saved a farnily from a fire. And inTV show, we just trust that they havecation and much more. the main the reporters ask the samelearned something. We are always see-What will we watch? questions as I would "How did it feel?"ing the results of this trust in their The decisions about what to "Why did you do it?" "What can we dolearning through the sharp questionsrecord and what to watch are made on to prevent this happening again?" and comments we later have to fielda Sunday when Greg gets the Sunday Often people say to me, "How"Why would Nixon make that decisionTelegraph TV guide. This is the best do you make your kids watch theseif he knew it could hurt his own sol- "boring" programs ?" Who said lifediers?". and history were boring? Perhaps Even months later there will schools made us feel that way, aboutbe comments by the children that show information - certainly our children arethat the information was "filed" for like sponges for all sorts of knowledgereference and slotted into the "big pic- about all sorts of things and while theyture" of their world. For instance may have things they really love toGregory and I were studying the prop- watch they are very open-mindederties of chlorine gas in science recent- about invitations to find out morely when he was able to slot some of about something new. Perhaps it is inthat knowledge about its properties part because we as parents are interest-into other information he had about ed in these things and are discriminato-chlorine from the World of Chemistry ry about what we watch ourselves. and Eureka programs. Discrimination Evaluation Obviously parents need to show con- We carefully evaluate what trol and be aware that our bad habitswe watch on TV. Yet not all of our can be caught. However, our reasonschoices are strictly "educational". We for our "controlling TV watching" inall like gardening shows & sport - the beginning, were not all that idealis-especially the Olympics. All programs tic. Greg hates advertisements anddepending how you use them, can be feels they are akin to brainwashing andjumping off points for a whole range of I hate cartoons as I feel they are reallylearning initatives. Recently Greg has

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 49 412 guide he has found be-cause it has adifferent cultures; Monday SBS 7.30found that TV, used properly, is a pow- good run down on each program forpm Timewatch Middle East (made inerful learning tool. Given the populari- the week. He (they) then go through itFrance) - part two of a look at eventsty & great success of Open University page by page deciding what would bewhich shaped the history of the Middlecourses here & in Britian, it needs to useful, entertaining and interesting forEast, from the end of the Suez crisis inbe said that others also feel the way we our children, now and in the future,1956 to the Gulf War in 1991; SBSdo. Perhaps it is merely a case of being given their different interests and need8.30 Masterpiece: Beauty Saves theapprehensive about the possible far for information. (It is legal to recordWorld - A history of the Bolshoi Balletreaching applicatons of this new tech- programs for a single educational use.)and its role in the establishment ofnology rather than any real research After recording these programs, Gregclassical ballet in Australia 50 yearsabout the negative effects of television. edits out the advertisements (if thereago; Tuesday ABC 7.30am anthropolo- are any programs recorded from com-gy - The Faces of Culture (one of theInstantaneous, yet lasting. mercial channels). This means that weexcellent Open Learning for University One does not have to have have some really excellent resourcesprograms); ABC 2.00 The Falklandsmuch imagination to realise that televi- for different topics as they arise. SomeWar; Channel 10 8.30 Pavarotti insion and other technologies, such as of the "for schools" programs in MathsCentral Park, SBS 8.30 Blood Brotherscomputer modems, CDs, faxs and and Physics (high school level) on thea four part documentary-drama aboutvideo phones could make classrooms ABC are excellent and have been usedAustralian Aboriginals; Thursday 7and schools obsolete, so criticism of in many different contexts by us. am Open Learning: Statistics - Against one's competitor might just be the best Television Timetable All Odds 8 am For All Practicalmode of survival. Anyway, our fami- For example, the guide forPurposes 9.30 The Big Picture - exam-ly's experiences of controlled TV recording in the Beirne household forines the most controversial intelligencewatching have been very positive. We the week commencing Sun July 1 lthoperation of the Vietnam war, thefeel our children have had the opportu- looks like this ABC 3.50pm R.A.F.Phoenix Program. nity to see and investigate so much Documentary about Britian's fightingThe Plug in Drug? more than we ever dreamed was possi- capacity in the air four years before Many people have writtenble as children and adults. We also feel WWII; SBS 7.30pm The Greatabout the mindlessness of television,it encourages them to ask lots of ques- Commanders series Horatio Nelsonalso insisting that little of what is seentions that they may never have thought (we've watched Alexander the Greatis retained and even less is applied.of before. It costs us virtually nothing and Napoleon so far); SBS 8.30pm OutThere are even some strong argumentsto have the top experts in a myriad of the Past, anthropologists look at thefor television's inefficacy as a teacherfields right here in our living room. economic processes of production andand information disseminator. This hasBest of all if we missed what they said distribution of goods as one of thenot been our experience over the lastwe can always rewind it and play it most ancient links between people ofsix years. On the contrary we haveagain.

In Defence of Television: A Pesponse Anna Adams

Television is undoubtedly a mediumpersuading people to watch was not Well, television has been that has had incredible impact on theone of the medium's problems.under attack from many fronts - everyday life of the average citizen, butRecently I saw (on TV) an isolatedaccused of being an addictive drug; there has been very little written inIndian village which had bought theirpassively contributing to the general defence of it.Probably because pub-first television collectively. The scenelack of fitness of our citizens;it has licly defending television has neverwas filmed on a sunny Sunday mo n-been blamed for the level of violence been necessary. I don't think I haveing & the entire population of this vil-in mr society.It is hard to find any- ever seen an advertisement anywherelage was gathered under trees watchingthing written in praise of TV. It is encouraging people to buy televisions,an Indian soapie. The usual religiousalmost as if no-one dared defend it, (though during the "Life Be In It" cam-observances were cheerfully aban-even though most of us watch it. The paign there were plenty of televiseddoned with the arrival of this new nov- previous author's article very persua- ads telling us to turn off the TV).elty. Across the planet everyone lovessively argued that television in con- From the time TV was first invented,television. Does it need defending? junction with a video, could be an

AUSTRALIAN HOMESCHOOL JOURNAL ISSUE 40 PAGE 50 4 1 intelligent and exciting learningthese series offer learning about our Television is what we make resource of the most up-to-date infor-society, its values and the complexof it. We, as families, are responsible. mation, if parents made the effort tonature of humans, if we want to makeWe gain nothing by abdicating our censor the mediocre. use of the material. I would include farresponsibility to the directors, produc- Educate or harm ? more programs as having educationalers, advertisers or the 'government' I am not convinced that thepotential than those Jo-Anne selected. and placing the blame for society's ills content of television alone can eitherWhat about violence? on either television itself or its pro- educate or harm children.It is the Am I saying even violence isgramming.Homeschoolers have social interaction that occurs as a resultOK so long as the whole family enjoysworked hard to re-establish the fami- of the viewing that is educational orit and discusses it afterwards?It isly's importance in society. We would the lack of it that is harmful. Jo-Annepossible for normal well-adjusted peo-do well to maintain this stance. As describes in her qualified defence ofyle to watch stories about people mur-homeschoolers, we need not worry if television, a high level of the use ofdered in cold blood, while educatingtelevision transmits violence or social interaction between the mem-their children. Of the programs Jo-unwholesome values because we are bers of her family stimulated throughAnne listed, there were several warfree to work with messages, however the use of television. I suggest it is thisdocumentaries and a four-part serieswe like. interaction that is the essential catalystabout the Australian Aborigines, whichThe strong family ship that transforms television from ancould not fail to include violent atroci- Perhaps the violence and addictive drug into an intelligentties, all the more dreadful because theymediocrity of television can be likened resource. Children learn from theirreally occurred. The children rely onto stormy weather at sea. Our children families, not from the television,their parents to interpret these pro-are not swimming alone in the ocean or regardless of what programs theygrams according to the values of theirin fragile canoes manned by other chil- watch. family. This would be the same if Jo-dren. They are in the ship of the fami- A. family who collectivelyAnne had listed drarnatised versions ofly. If the ship is unseaworthy, then it is enjoys, talks and listens to each otherthe violent war between police andprobably bett,,.r to avoid storms. about the events and/or characters of A criminals instead. Storms are dangerous. But in a strong Country Practice, Cosby Show, Perhaps if my children wereand seaworthy vessel, a storm is not Roseanne or even the Simpsons, couldnot homeschooled, I would be morelife-threatening. As homes-.hooling be providing a more stimulating andconcerned about a conflict of valuesparents, we are not threatened by tele- educational experience than the experi-creating contextual confusion for many vision because we are inte Wed and ence of a child watching Davidprograms. Possibly I would be moreconcerned enough with oil; children's Attenborough's Life on Earth, alone.inclined to direct censorship if I welfare to establish a conte:4 and inter- Perhaps such series are providing thethought the peer group was beingpretation for our children't, viewing in nuclear fami'y with the twentieth cen-influential. As it is, my children watch accordance with our values. Perhaps it tury version of the extended family,Simpson's because we all like it. Ourwould be better for those who are con- some members of which traditionallyreasons may not be the same as thosecerned with storms, to focus on ways have been a source of gossip, conjec-of children's pop culture but thatto help design better ships than to rail ture and, sometimes, just horribledoesn't bother me because it isn't aat the inconsistencies of the weather. examples, for everyone else. Many ofproblem.

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End AUGUST1993 10th -12th SEPT 1993 NSW Science Club Meeting Chatswood Yarrahappini Home Education Kellyville Homeschool Contact Barbara Braathen on 436Camp (Sth of Macksville) 2057. John Holt Bookstore attending. Contact Joanne Brugmans on 066 Meetings 1993 897 473. Sphinx Rock, Kyogle Rd organised by Greg and via Uki 2484 28i1 SEPTEMBER 1993 Jo-Anne Beirne Erskine Park Community Center OCTOBER 1993 Get Together for those with children Kellyville Park Memorial Drive 7 and under interested in home-Queensland Kellyville 2153. RSVP Dodie schooling. Contact Fiona Manuel 623Bundaberg Home Education CampConway 6394858. Cancelled if rain- 3257. John Holt Bookstore attending. 8th -10th October write to MS 322 ing. A wide range of sports activities Gayndah 4625 Qld. Ph 071 611137. for all ages. Parents participation OCTOBER 1993 welcomed, discussions, John Holt Introduction to Homeschooling Bookstore books available for perusal Seminar Conducted by Jo-Anne MARCH 1994 No particular religious affiliations. Beirne 5 hours cost $25 per family. New South Wales Usually plenty of older children Covers legalities, pmgramming, eval- attend. uation, how and why to homeschool. A Celebration of * 24th August Must RSVP to Jo-Anne on 6293727 * 21st September before 25th September. John Holt Homeschooling Bookstore will be there. Contact Jo-Anne& Greg Beirne on 02 * 26th October 6293727 or write to PO Box 420 * 30th November Kellyville 2153 for more information. 415