Journal 5

I'm gonna miss it. All of it. The jokes, the discussions, the debates, the articles, every last bit of it. I can honestly say that this was a great semester. I met new friends, was assigned educated teachers, and I actually learned instead of just existing in class. I can only hope Fall will be this good..much luck to everyone in their future endeavors.

Journal 4

I just came to the revelation that journal entires are not written by hand but instead to be posted on a blog, so here goes...

I've taken Eng 102 a total of 3 times. My first two experiences were so drab that I predicted early on I wouldn't make it awake, so I withdrew. When the time came for me to register and start for the third time, needless to say I was not enthusiastic. However, I'd made a pack with myself that I would "duke it out" in order to pass and move on. Little did I know that it would have a profound impact on me. I actually enjoyed classes and looked forward to what was gonna happen in the next one. I was impressed with the teacher and thought the curriculum might even be put to use in future years. I can wholeheartedly recommend this class to anyone needing or wanting english enrichment.

Home schooling...yes or no?

Currently there is an epidemic in our school systems. Our children are not receiving the tools necessary to excel academically. Unfortunately, one major cause of this is the focus on socialization. It has become very popular in school systems as well as in general life that focus be put on one’s social skills. The way a student may dress, how much money their parents may earn, or their simple ability to get along with others takes precedence over learning. Those who fit the social model tend to stay in school (public/private), and if nothing less receives some sort of education by means of default. However, those who aren’t so fitting, may be pushed aside, forgot about, or labeled by their peers and professors. As a result these social misfits may be kicked out, drop out, or utterly exist in a school environment not able to keep them caged in. The lack of structure for these students often result in delinquent behavior, miseducation from alternative (quick) schools, and a hole in childhood development. Speculating, not fitting in socially may have been the catalysts in incidents like Columbine and Virginia Tech, where outcasts felt the only way in was to take themselves and others ?out?. Not to say that those who are welcomed into social groups aren’t capable of the same monstrosities, but the likeliness is a lot less. Of course there were many factors that contributed to these events, but what if they could have been prevented by taking a few extra steps when they were small children? Education is a necessity; therefore there should be a place for every student to learn. I propose that home schooling be placed on the ballot of education.

Home schooling is not a new program. It has been instituted by many communities of parents for years. Some parents have made the choice to educate their children at home. Currently, there are tools out there that can assist these parents, such as web-based programs and learning materials. My proposal would be to revamp the program. To this day, home schooling is still an unknown to the general public. Websites dedicated to home schooling can include a definition of the program, provide resourceful tools and materials to aid with teaching, and contacts to support groups for parents and children. During their downtime, substitute teachers can be utilized to teach and/or assist home schooled children and their parents. Also, home schooling can be added as a curriculum choice for students studying to become teachers. These costs are minimal and can be taken from the current means used for education (taxes, grants, financial aid, etc.). School administrators can be required to inspect home conditions to ensure adequate environments (for learning). It should also be mandatory that parents attend teaching classes periodically to keep up to date with appropriate curriculum. Skill testing and evaluations should also be given to students to make sure they are at or above their grade level. Ultimately the goal is to make the public aware of what home schooling is and that alternative methods of teaching and learning are readily available at their convenience.

The offering of alternative schooling is for parents who choose to educate their children at home and for those kids who don’t fit in the private/public school social atmosphere. The hope is that our social parameters will be widened or all together removed. This hopefully can have a positive effect on our school dropout rate, and our countries educational ranking amongst the rest of the world. It can also improve the current methods used for home schooling to ensure success. They will have access to resources and will have been trained on how to use them correctly. Socially, with field trips and public outings (mandatory) in place, home schooled children will develop skills that they can even incorporate in their adult life. Support groups can also be meeting places for parents and children to develop friendships and to learn to network amongst peers. In the beginning the transition will experience its fair share of obstacles to overcome. However, all new things have bumps along the way. With time and success, one can only hope that the myths associated with home schooling will be busted. You don’t have to be religious, your child doesn’t have to be disabled or mentally retarded, your child won’t lack social skills, and parents don’t have to be retired teachers to participate in home schooling. People are afraid of what they don’t know. Sticking to familiarities no matter how bad they may be can be one of the main causes of this countries educational failure. Positive advertisements (commercials, news ads, billboards, etc.) as well as high results from tests and evaluations will hopefully help eliminate the “untruths”.

The future outlook seems positive with the adoption of home school and its upgraded curriculum. No longer will there not be a place for everyone to learn. Socially challenged children may find those like themselves through support groups and together overcome the stigmas given to them in their public/ private school experiences. Not supporting this alternative may breed more and more socially defective individuals who may in turn lose all hope and lash out at the world.

Home school..pro or con?

Erin Crosby
English 102
4/9/07
Annotated Bibliography
The Effects of Home Schooling on Socialization
I originally decided to write on the issue of in-home accessibility and its effect on socialization. I wanted to include home shopping, grocery home delivery, online dating, and video games, but combined, they became too broad of a topic to cover. So instead I chose home schooling (teaching style, preparation, and the tools used). I also inquired how home schooled children compared to those who are not in areas of social adaptability, grades, and academic progress. When choosing my sources, I was looking for testimonial articles; ones that included real life home schooled children and their parents. I wanted to know their opinions on the subject as well as their reserves, if any, to opt to school in the home. I also wanted to involve some statistics that resulted from comparisons (then and now), tests, etc. I have mainly chosen articles from newspapers of different cities across the United States, with the exception of on one web entry. I did not want to stray from this country due to the different beliefs in education that vary amongst cultures and religions. They are arranged alphabetically by the authors’ last names. I chose to do it this way because a lot of the content in each article is similar. I had a hard time finding different kinds of material as well as locating articles that are recent to the times. A majority that I’ve used are from five to ten years ago. I have discovered that today there are an increased number of families opting for home school. The myths, taboos, and misconceptions of the past have longed passed, and therefore I feel there is less “print” on the subject. However, the material I was able to locate depicts the many opinions of parents, educational leaders, and “experts”. In conclusion, I think that home schooling has had no great effect on socialization in this day of age. I think adults that were home schooled as children bear no mark that can be spotted amongst a crowd of people. If in fact they are socially inept, other factors (like those of non home schooled individuals) will play a much larger part in diagnosing any issues.


Econopouly-Soehner, Cindy. “When School Gets in Learning’s Way.”
New York Times 27 Mar 1988, late ed.: A28.
This article’s author focuses on the effects on socialization home school has. She states that there are plenty of opportunities for home schooled children to interact with other children: “swimming classes, gymnastics, scouting, soccer teams. Also, every month or so the parents meet with other home-schooling families to network, compare notes, and share trade secrets.” In my opinion this article concentrates on the lack of hands-on teachers/facilities as the reasoning behind America’s growing home school population.
Gross, Jane. “Unhappy in Class, More are Learning at Home.”
New York Times 10 November 2003: 1.
Increasing numbers of American families are opting for home schooling: at least 850,000 children nationwide are now schooled at home, up from 360,000 a decade ago. This new rise is not classified like past reason: they are not of religious right. Instead, the author of this article states they are just parents who are fed up with shortcomings of public education and cost of private schools. It also states that these parents are disgusted by the new nationwide standards of uniform curriculum and more testing. Although I think this article is filled with statistics, it is more opinionated than factual. It gives tales of different parents and the obstacles and deductive reasoning for choosing to home school.
Koeppel, Geri. “Organized Activities, Resources Aid Parents.”
Arizona Republic 12 Sept 2004: B3.
The author is this article weighs the pros and cons of home school and its effects on socialization. The pros included were numerous resources available to home school providers, the real-world experience that can be applied to lessons, and that it allows kids to learn at their own pace. The cons included the commitment from parents, the fact that it’s not for social “butterflies”, and that the misconception that home schooled children are “geeks”. I think this article is a good representation of realistic opinions and ideas of home school and how it affects socialization.
Levitan-Spaid, Elizabeth. “The Family Room is the Classroom.”
Christian Science Monitor 11 October 1994: 10.
This article is reviewing a family who has chosen to educate their two children ages 8 and 11 at home. Their reason for wanting to leave the public school environment was due to the school having problems with finances. They also stated that their oldest child, Daniel, was very advanced in reading and the school was not equipped with the tools necessary to teach him. Daniel stopped attending public school after first grade. “I kind of miss seeing all my friends at school everyday, but besides that I like home schooling a lot better,” he says. I don’t feel his parents were concerned with isolation and the lack of extracurricular activities. To me they seemed more interested in the fact that their children were testing at levels far beyond their peers.
Lindbergh, Reeve. “When Learning is a Family Affair.”
Washington Post 28 July 1996: R12.
The author of this article depicts home schooling as an extension of parenting. “According to this philosophy, home schooling is the most natural and “traditional” form of education, whereas mandatory public schooling is a relatively new phenomenon. I feel the author is almost attempting to sell the idea that home schooling is part of raising your child. Also I think this pro home school forum gives great references to the likes of the topic.
Moitozo, Steve. “Children Educated at Home Don’t Become Social Misfits.”
At Home in America 19 March 2003: 18.
This article gives a more surveyed response to the positive effects of home school. J. Gary Knowles, U-M assistant professor of educators conducted an extensive study that included interviews via phone and in person. More than 40 percent attended college, and 15 percent of those had completed a degreed program and were self employed. When asked if they had their lives to live over again, 96 percent said, “Yes.” In my opinion the information of this article is valid, but has its limitations due to the amount and type of people surveyed.
Rachid, Nafisa M. “Home schooling; It’s a Growing Trend Among Blacks.”
Network Journal Feb 2005: 10.
Following a nationwide trend, educating children at home is becoming a popular option for Black Americans as private school costs rise and the reputation of public schools grows worse. The Home School Legal Defense Association says the Black home school movement is growing at a faster rate than the general home school population. “It allows African-American parents to teach their children cultural relevance and self importance.” All in all, I think the article is reflecting on the choice for the Black community to join into the home school revolution. It is adding to the many pros of why so many want to include themselves in the educational change.
Romanowski, Michael H. “Revisiting the Common Myths about Home Schooling.”
Clearing House Jan/Feb 2006: 125-130.
This article is a reflection of those opposed to home schooling. The author argues that by sheltering children from the real world, they are seldom presented with the opportunities to learn greatly needed knowledge and social interaction skills. He also states that home schooled children do not receive adequate socialization experiences. He states that home schooling produces social misfits. They are isolated from the outside world including political involvement, rendering them socially and educationally handicapped. Without be exposed to the social life found in public schools on a daily basis, they will lack the skills needed to successfully adapt to real-life situations when they are older. Further more he states that students who are home schooled have difficulty entering college due to lack of a diploma, SAT and ACT scores, or grades. He also states that people are only home schooled for religious reasons. After reading this article, I feel the sources are based on out-dated myths of home school. The author may have based his opinion on what was only known at a time when home school was a relatively new concept.
Tupachache, Asiba. “My Choice to Home school.”
News from Indian Country 15 Feb 1997: 13A.
The author of this article believes, “it is a misconception to think socialization is only possible in the American institution and that this type of socialization is remotely desirable, let alone necessary.” The author is a home schooling parent of Indian culture, who to me, seems to be on the defense of the ethnic communities within the home school environment. She states that great racism exists amongst whites and that they hold people of color’s issues (regarding home school) in contempt. She also states that racism and oppression are part of the education methodology even in with home school. In my opinion she does not like home school, private, or public school. Her issues are a lot deeper than that of education.

Annotated Bibliography..So Far, So Good

Well I've come up with a topic but the content may be too broad. I've decided to narrow it to homeschooling and the effects it has on socialization. I have found enough sources and based on my in class critique, I know exactly how to create an annotated bibliography. I should be prepared come next week.

Polygamy...who's the judge?

At some point in time in your life you’ve been exposed to polygamy, the custom of having multiple spouses at the same time. Rather it been on television, in a magazine article, or even possibly in the house next door, polygamists are no longer a taboo. Is society ready to except such an “open-minded” spin on marriage or will polygamists be present but adversely shunned like so many of our world’s “black sheep”?

In this day and age where almost any thing goes, our “free for all” world with closed-minded habitants has found yet another target of racism. Polygamy, however, is not a new practice. It can be traced back to biblical times when kings and men of great power held many wives including those of blood relation. So why now do we as a society find fault in the customs of those who choose to have multiple wives who in turn create multiple families who live in one home. Some may argue that it breaks the laws of bigamy, the crime of marrying somebody while being legally married to somebody else. Others may take a sexist viewpoint, stating that the female sexes, in this situation, are inferior and subservient to the single, yet dominating male sex. While in still, some may wonder if this is all some sexual arranged fantasy where the adults use marriage to justify their lustful ways. And what about the children, some may ask, out of concern for their well-being.

Yet, with the many questions and concerns that may linger around plural marriages, there are many who believe and support this custom. Those who have dared to speak out on behalf of polygamy, state that the arrangement is a win-win situation for all involved. Men not need be unfaithful to their lone wife, because they have plenty to choose from at home. Wives need not worry about being the sole source of child bearing and child-rearing due to the manifold of women providing what most do alone. And children reap the benefits of having a large family with multiple mothers, who have at least one individual who stays at home providing an environment of stability. These activists boast that their “ways” help them to avoid the many traps of society that solitary households are caught in such as dead beat dads, adultery, single moms, day care, debt, and lack of religious beliefs in the home. Although there is no proof (scientific or surveyed), polygamists and their supporters believe they raise better children who become more productive adults.

Besides the law that forbids this behavior, who decides what life style is to be judged and who should be discriminated against? Native Americans were persecuted for not conforming to the invaders of their land, blacks were tortured for not being born of the same skin color as their lawmakers and gays and lesbians were deemed outcasts for their sexual preference by their neighbors. Rules can be set forth, beliefs can be banned, religions can be shunned, but when all is said and done, who are we to judge. And who judges us?

Wondering Woman

Wondering Woman~
Dear Editor,
I am an active mother of two young boys. Along with motherhood, I work a full time job and attend school all day. My “me” time is very limited and you can just imagine my hair dilemmas. I usually hit the door running and have little or no time to style my hair. Wearing braids and extensions gets old after awhile and I’d really like to give my hair a break. I am writing to inquire how a woman like myself can still manage to have great hair (like many of the hair models in your magazine) with a lot less maintenance. I know I’m not alone and I don’t think that the “superwomen” of the world should get the short end of the comb. Thank you for time.
~Erin
Phoenix, AZ