Hello Everyone,
Thanks for all the input launching this new thread... let's keep it alive with ideas and resources
Namaste Firehouse--yes private Steiner schools and Waldorf schools are definitely worth looking into, can be a bit pricey, but there are lots of websites where you can find Waldorf-related information and products you can incorporate into whatever learning situation you children are in.
conniec818--your point is well taken, however you only see what TPTB want you to see in the news about parents being taken to court, children being taken away from their parents, which is designed to intimidate you and squash any plans or wishes you may have to create the best learning situation for your children. Regardless, homeschooling in on the rise.
You might find this link helpful for State-specific homeschooling laws:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/
unlimited mind--please share more...
Orpheus--yes, there is a strong community of fundamentalist Christians who homeschool (not my reasons for homeschooling), but the only way that has impacted me, is in the arena of "curriculum". When choosing materials, it's always good to preview them, before buying, to see if the language/concepts are a good match for your own children.
The good news is there are people from all walks of life homeschooling their children or supplementing public/private school curriculum, and hence there are huge amounts of diverse resources now available through libraries and the Internet.
And yes... there are also some great schools out there that are allowed to function "outside the box"...
Do post more about the fascinating work you are doing with children.
Ruby Tuesday--yes, the time to get resources together is now! As we look at creating safe places and small village communities, those of us who have gathered these materials ahead of time for our children will need to make them available to all.
With that in mind... would anyone care to share ideas about the most useful apprenticeships our children can benefit from, given the changes ahead?
Some of the basics my children apprentice in are: gardening, cooking, cleaning and doing their own laundry. It might sound like a mundane list, but how many children actually know how to do any of this? I believe "common sense" is fostered through the pursuit of everyday life... which is often an overlooked skill.
Best wishes to all,
Athena