Over the course of the last three years I have had the opportunity to become up close and personal with the educational reform that is sweeping our nation, the Common Core State Standards Initiative. It has not been a welcome interaction but most definitely a necessary one. It began with a feeling, a feeling that something was just not right. As my second son struggled with his class work and homework, I began to study what he was being asked to do. The work seemed more like busy work than educational work and when I tried to help him understand it, I was told - by my child nonetheless - that I was just a mom and his teacher would not let him do it that way. 'Just a mom' - where on earth did he learn that statement? I can understand if it came from a teenager but my son was seven at the time. Since when does a seven year old think that his mom is 'just a mom'? Most seven year olds still struggle at the thought of leaving their mother's side let alone putting the word 'just' in front of her name. In fact, I have come to realize that we as a society put more effort into pushing our children away at that age than our children put into trying to become independent even as a teenager. But I digress.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative - what started out as a few questions from this measly little mom about her child's schoolwork, blossomed into a full fledge understanding of the government's overreach. Since that day three years ago, I have worked with several dedicated parents and citizens to educate others on the movement and to try to rid the state of Nevada of the Initiative. But more importantly, I have become more and more in tune with what my children truly need. Just a mom - and a dad - to guide them in the ways of this world in order to prepare them for the next.
Knowing that we, as parents, did not feel comfortable with our children in the public school system while the CCSSI was being implemented, my husband and I withdrew our children and enrolled them in an exempt private Christian school. Over the course of their first year, it became painstakingly obvious that the overreach extended far into the private system as well. We, therefore, began our research into homeschooling. And that is where we are today! With myself as their teacher and my husband as our principal we are off! 2015 marks a new beginning for us and for our children.
The intent of this blog is to share our family's experiences. Whether it be about an incredible curriculum we have found, our homeschooling endeavors or the continued fight against CCSSI. I thank you for taking the time to read.
God Bless,
Amy
The Common Core State Standards Initiative - what started out as a few questions from this measly little mom about her child's schoolwork, blossomed into a full fledge understanding of the government's overreach. Since that day three years ago, I have worked with several dedicated parents and citizens to educate others on the movement and to try to rid the state of Nevada of the Initiative. But more importantly, I have become more and more in tune with what my children truly need. Just a mom - and a dad - to guide them in the ways of this world in order to prepare them for the next.
Knowing that we, as parents, did not feel comfortable with our children in the public school system while the CCSSI was being implemented, my husband and I withdrew our children and enrolled them in an exempt private Christian school. Over the course of their first year, it became painstakingly obvious that the overreach extended far into the private system as well. We, therefore, began our research into homeschooling. And that is where we are today! With myself as their teacher and my husband as our principal we are off! 2015 marks a new beginning for us and for our children.
The intent of this blog is to share our family's experiences. Whether it be about an incredible curriculum we have found, our homeschooling endeavors or the continued fight against CCSSI. I thank you for taking the time to read.
God Bless,
Amy