I also don't think it was to offend those who fought for the right to homeschool. Although, I'm still not sure how not using "Lastname Academy" does that... Reality is that sometimes things like this matter. I think it's good that the OP called attention to it. Each family has the right to choose what they name or don't name the family homeschool. For some (most?) it will never be an issue. For others it may. I think being aware of the possibility of problems is a good thing. Making the best possible decision based on individual circumstances is prudent. Isn't that what homeschoolers strive to do?

If one lives in a state that requires homeschools be named, there will absolutely be paperwork to justify it existed. Because it did. Official state forms with the name exist in some states. These forms are sometimes requested various places and are easy to obtain on the state website. Official state imprint and all. Names are required in some states, and it is even sometimes requested "Lastname Academy" NOT be used. It seems easy enough to just choose something else when the state recommends not using "Lastname Academy". It truly is not meant as an offense to those who have fought for the right to homeschool if we don't use "Lastname Academy". I promise.

I got so paranoid, I quickly double-checked my username!!! Whew!! :tongue_smilie:

Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks. Actually, many biographies and autobiographies have been helpful for both myself and my daughter. Those would be high on the list. I think I owe quark a nod and a thank you for Uncle Tungsten. Much obliged, quark. :cheers2: (Hibiscus Herbal Brew and Root Beer)

:iagree: :001_wub: :001_wub: :001_wub: We took turns reading them aloud while doing dishes after lunch. So much laughter...it's a wonder we never broke a dish...or did we???

:001_wub: Well done! Congrats to all of you!!

Believe it or not, gifted books aren't what I think of when I look back on what helped us. I remember someone giving me a gifted book in middle school to help me navigate life. The book quite bewildered me. I disagreed with so much. Same with some of the gifted books I've read as an adult. For whatever reason, I don't seem to connect with them. There are two books that stand out in my mind as being revolutionary for me. Charlotte Mason's original writings (especially Volume 1) and The Well-Trained Mind. There are other books that were helpful as well, but nothing with "Gifted" in the title comes to mind. I just thought of a third - Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. And a fourth - Machiavelli's The Prince. Now the list starts to snowball... ;) Basically anything I read to become more educated myself, helps my daughter. If pressed for an answer those would be the four that at present stand out in my mind as being the most memorable and useful. If given time, I'm sure I could think of many more... War and Peace just popped into my mind...Bleak House...and the list goes on and on...both fiction and nonfiction....not one gifted title comes to mind. Interesting! The WTM message board! That's a big one! During the younger years, Charlotte Mason's Volume 1 and The Well-Trained Mind set us on a path that has led to many, many wonderful places and countless adventures.

:lol:

Now that we're outsourcing most classes, one of my main roles is helping her navigate various social and professional situations. I'm tempted to use "finishing school"... Dogwood Finishing School ;)

It seems infinitely practical and prudent to me. Not in the least bit deceptive. Some states require a home school be named. Some even recommend NOT using the last name because it is so common and there will be 15 schools named Smith Academy or the education department may add something to the name to distinguish it from others. It's not as though "Lastname Academy" is legally required for homeschoolers. Quite the contrary. It's actually recommended it NOT be used. How is not using it deceptive? What is the goal in filling out the form? Isn't it common to try to put all information in the best light? Not to lie, not to deceive, but to have the best chance that accomplishments will reflect well on us. We all bring past experiences and judgements to every interaction. When applying somewhere, part of the problem is trying to navigate those waters. How can we get past the initial judgements so we can be seen for who we are and not for the surface findings? I see no need to wave a homeschooling flag. I see no need to make it an issue. I would still check a homeschool box if there was one. If I was asked about the school I would go into detail about the education, not just say homeschool. Why is listing the name of someone you admire and strive to emulate deceptive? Public schools often use names. Why not just say Local Public School 125? That's what it is. Just a local public school. Why get lofty about it? Our actual homeschool name is significant. If ever asked there will be plenty for my daughter to say besides, "Oh, I was homeschooled." It will be a chance to delve deeply into the details of her education. Those details are something that I have no problems raising the flag about and extolling the virtues of, which is why I chose the name. It's a signal going up to say this is who we are and what we're about. "Lastname Academy" doesn't come close to giving any sort of picture of what we do. So yeah, come to think of it, "Lastname Academy" would be deceptive....

It might sound more like a private school if the name wasn't the same as the applicant's. Perhaps a better option would be using the last name of someone the family admires. Jefferson Academy, Alcott Academy, Curie Academy, etc... (Presuming the family wants to use the "Lastname Academy" format... There are, of course, other options.)

From my in the trenches, completely short sighted view... (in other words, take this with a grain of salt as I have no earthly idea what I'm doing...) It seems to me that either path can lead to disaster. How's that for hope? :tongue_smilie: I had a friend whose son wanted to work a trade, but she insisted on a college path. Well that was an expensive lesson. $$$.... He didn't make it far. He had zero desire to be there. On the other hand, there are friends who regret not pushing more of a college prep path. The kid shifted from trade to wanting to go to college. It took some backtracking and regret over lost time... I honestly don't know how one is to know ahead of time, though. Life changes all of us. How can we know who we will become? It seems "keep your eye on the child" is the best advice. What appears to be the best step at this very moment, given all the possible outcomes of the path this step leads to? Is there any sort of fork in the road or U turn to allow for future changes (there usually are). We make the best decision for each step and have the compass in hand, ready to change directions when the wind blows and storms rise. (Or the grass is just greener elsewhere...) So, yeah. I'm with you. This is tough!!

I guess I'm the rain! I have no problem raining on my dd's parade. ;) The other day she thanked me for it. From early elementary school age we have had countless discussions about the bell curve, the curve within the curve, the curve within that curve, etc. It's been a great tool for helping her understand ability levels. We also discuss how people are born with a genetic range of ability in various areas. Hard work, determination, luck, and countless other variables determine where in that range a person ends up. We also discuss how sickness or injury can change the range. This allows her to have at least a rudimentary understanding of the interplay between nature/nurture and how both matter. It also helps her understand a bit about her place in the world. She's unique, just like everybody else. ;) I agree that most of the time life and maturity can temper overconfidence. Sometimes that's natural, gradual, and unmemorable. Sometimes, though, it can be crushing, humiliating, and scar forming. For us, it seemed natural and right to have the discussion early and often. It serves both to temper overconfidence in areas in which she excels and to encourage her in areas where she doesn't. After her comment the other day, I think it was the right decision for us. It's certainly not the only way. :)

Reported (Spam post has now been removed.)

Hmm....I think there are several ways of thinking about the bolded. It certainly is life enriching, encouraging, and reassuring to have others to share in the excitement of learning new things. To have people to light a path and dare that it be traveled... Likewise there is value in learning to interact and be real with people who are on other paths. They, too, have their stories and their lessons. In my mind, there is great benefit in your daughter learning this. I'm not sure I understand the wish that she never realize it. Please understand, I'm not saying looking for a mentor and peers is unnecessary. We moved to do precisely that. Just noting that in the meantime, while you are looking, there are lessons and life skills to be learned in the situation you are in.

Another thought.... Is it really reasonable to expect 10 year-old children and 16,17, or 18 year-old teen/near adults to spend lots of time socializing together? It's one thing to be working on a research project or attending and discussing talks. But frequent straight out socializing? I think it's good for teens to have time to discuss the areas of their lives that probably aren't appropriate for 10-year-old ears. Socializing time is often short in the teen years. I can see them sometimes wanting to make the most of the time they have. Just a different perspective.

We have been thrilled with CTY Spanish. DD had around 5 hours of online Spanish a week through CTY. Sometimes she was the only one to attend extra sessions, so it was like a private lesson. Other times there were one or two other students. I think in the regular weekly classes there were 5 students in her class. The teacher was a gem. High School can be a tough time. Many of dd's high school friends are stressed with college apps looming and getting ready to make their move into the world by themselves. I think that may play at least a small part in older mentors being more open and having more time. Different time of life, different perspective. I think personalities play a signicant role as well.

Given the mention of knitting in a reading thread, it would be remiss of me not to give a nod to Elizabeth Zimmerman's books. I was just flipping through Knitter's Almanac yesterday, and so many memories came flooding back... From Amazon: Elizabeth Zimmerman once wrote, "So please bear with me, and put up with my opinionated, nay, sometimes cantankerous attitude. I feel strongly about knitting." Perhaps her passionate opinions, as well as her love of wool craft and her delightful style, hark back to her English upbringing or long residence in the Wisconsin woods; in any case, the "Busy Knitter," as she calls herself, is one of the most charming and informative, as well as "un"ventive (her word) knitter-authors anywhere. This book gives full scope to her tireless imagination through a year's worth of projects, fitted to the seasons, moods, and needs of knitters who would like to design their own work. The year begins with an Aran sweater and proceeds to February baby things, a March Shetland, April blanket, May mittens, and so on through the months, completing the zodiac with November moccasin socks and a December last-minute wishbone sweater. Projects are completed in the midst of canoe trips, fishing expeditions, travel, and snowstorms. The author continuously comments on the project, its history, other ancient and modern customs, and personal beliefs. Mrs. Zimmerman works step by step with the reader, suggesting alternative methods and ideas as she goes. Her patterns are "classic," historically suited to wool, thus remaining ever-fashionable as well as tasteful and attractive. The knitter may easily adapt the designs at will, creating new, individual projects. Mrs. Zimmerman's hints (such as how to measure gauge when working a pattern and tips for baby's items) help ease the way and will instruct even the most experienced knitter. This corrected edition of the Knitter's Almanac will provide at the very least a year's worth of knitting pleasure to intermediate and advanced knitters and may even help stimulate a knitting passion.

Not a legal thriller, but I'm listening to The Forsaken Inn by Anna Katharine Green read by Gabrielle De Cuir on Audible. I suppose it's more of a Gothic murder mystery. I also listened to The Lodger (Jack the Ripper) on Audible. (I listened while on the treadmill... I think I picked up my pace in a few spots during the reading....convinced I was being followed.... ;) )

I guess it depends on what we mean by entrusting and whether we are speaking in general terms about education or about issues more specific to distance learning. My post was more than a greeting card sentiment. I disagree with the bolded. Once again, we would need to define terms and determine if we are dealing with generalities or specific circumstances. I strongly disagree with this. I imagine our situations, students, expectations, and goals are dramatically different. Capable and best have different meanings... Someone who has an advanced degree, decades of experience in a field, and a passion for teaching is far better than someone spending a few months researching and reading about a subject. Very few people have extensive education and experience in several diverse subjects. I'm happy to spend my time and money finding and paying people who have advanced degrees in the subject at hand. (Some may even continue to work in the fields they are teaching.) YMMV. :)

My daughter and I discussed this very issue last week. The person one should be most critical of is one's self because that's the easiest person to fool. I frequently remind my daughter that we all have blind spots in our thinking, so we need to be on alert for them.

Rose, your life skills oops is priceless! (And makes me feel better!) I'm on my phone, but wanted to say I love the updates!! Polly, your daughter taking swim lessons is music to my ears. What an accomplishment!

I'm sorry this has been your relationship with science and scientists. I hope your students aren't negatively impacted by your unfortunate experiences.

Just wanted to add Well-Trained Mind Academy to the list of online schools with payment plans. :) You make a good point about community college classes. Not everyone has a quality one nearby, though. Sometimes fitting in commuting to a cc or university for dual enrollment cuts into time for studying and extra curricular activities. Online classes are viable alternative. I'm thankful there are so many options!

I liked your post, but I mean that by way of support - not that I like what's happening. (((Hugs))) Your family will be in my thoughts!