Read about this organization today in Mothering Magazine. I had not heard of them until today-sadly. The National African American Homeschoolers Alliance offers a wealth of support to the growing numbers of African-American families who have taken the learning of the children into their own hands. From the article it sounded like a terrific support group. It peaked my interest and I just spent some time looking over their site, http://www.naaha.com/ . The site is a valuable homeschooling resource for any family. Take a look!

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as General Homeschool and Unschooling, Outstanding Sites and Resources at 8:07 PM EDT

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There is lot to be said about watching movieswith your children. Even more fun is rediscovering movies you loved and getting to watching them again with your kids - experiencing the fun and excitement through their eyes.

About a month ago I picked up a book- The Best Old Movies for Families: A Guide to Watching Together . I TOTALLY loved the concept! He recommends older movies ( yes- even black and white ones) that children and teenagers will enjoy. The book is broken down by ages. The books is not reviewing best movies- just great old classics that you and your kids will enjoy watching together.

He also makes some thought provoking comments along the way- for example- while watching “Gone with The Wind” his daughter points out the the character, Prissy, played by Butterfly McQueen is odd- silly and stupid and the author realizes that the movie is tainted by blatant racism that was acceptable at the time.

The author writes in style that I found easy to read and insightful- and often hilarious. He shares very personal stories and truths without being pedantic.

He has a website, Best Old Movies for Families, where he has tons of recommendations and a tool where you type in your children’s age- and it will recommend movies for you to watch together. For example, 9 gives me North By Northwest, The African Queen and scifi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still .

Give his site a look- and definitely pick up his book at library or bookstore.

Do you have an “old” movie that you loved as a kids? Have you watched it with your kids? Let us know ! Just post in comments.

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 11:39 PM EDT

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Was at bookstore with my daughter tonight for our bi-weekly “date” night. I rarely look at the educations books anymore because they just make me mad. All about making your child smarter/better/more successful. The title of this one REALLY caught my eye,
Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn–and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less .

From the Publisher:

In this book two highly credentialed child psychologists offer a compelling indictment of the growing trend toward accelerated learning. It’s a message that stressed-out parents are craving to hear: Letting tots learn through play is not only okay-it’s better than drilling academics!

Drawing on overwhelming scientific evidence from their own studies and the collective research results of child development experts, and addressing the key areas of development-math, reading, verbal communication, science, self-awareness, and social skills-the authors explain the process of learning from a child’s point of view. They then offer parents 40 age-appropriate games for creative play. These simple, fun–yet powerful exercises work as well or better than expensive high-tech gadgets to teach a child what his ever-active, playful mind is craving to learn.

I am seeing a growing movement of “professionals” and “experts” who are crying out about the over-scheduling and over-teaching of our children. I read a good portion of the book while there- and might place it on my recommended reading for homeschoolers and unschoolers. The book preaches to choir for unschoolers- but it speaks to the mainstream and may help parents take a closer look at learning and how/why we learn vs. being teached.
I am curious if any one else has read- and what they think. If you are familiar with the book- please share with us- just post in the comments section.

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Fostering a Love of Learning, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 10:58 PM EDT

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“One of the first effects of school is to break the bond between parents and children, when the children are five or younger. It breaks bonds between siblings, and replaces them with prejudices about age and grade, with rules against playing with kids of other ages, and with social pressure to be hateful and secretive.”

……… Sandra Dodd

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as General Homeschool and Unschooling at 9:48 AM EDT

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I am in no way advocating you sit down and “make” children learn cursive handwriting (or anything for that matter). My daughter learned cursive handwriting on her own one day after she discovered Microsoft Word fonts- and just printed and traced over and over for hours. If your children wants to learn cursive- here is a neat site that animates the process. Each letter has it own little animation and it shows you how to make each letter step-by step.
Learn cursive writing tool link

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Fostering a Love of Learning, General Homeschool and Unschooling, Tools for Self-Learning at 12:10 PM EDT

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