Welcome
In Search of the Perfect Curriculum
Premise: If the right curriculum can be found, it will perform the magic – the abracadabra – to transform a student from ignorant to educated all by itself.
As an experienced homeschool mom, speaker and curriculum writer, I’ve noticed that many believe this and seek earnestly for the genie, or the wand, or the catalog. And, lest you think I’m loftily looking down my nose, let me add that I was one of them. In the early days of homeschooling, I was convinced that there truly existed a perfect curriculum, and spent years on a quest, like those in search of the Holy Grail, to find it. Most of us who invested way too much time and money on this zealous mission have found by now that there is no fantastic carpet ride — only increasing disappointment, discouragement, and often the end of homeschooling altogether. We wonder why all of our attempts end in defeat, in our children showing distaste and disgust at the results of our valiant effort to find the perfect curriculum. Convinced that it’s the curriculum that accomplishes the difficult feat of teaching, we continue to crawl toward the increasingly remote goal of enthusiastic, passionate, well-educated children. We end up calling the goal a fantasy when the mirage is too elusive. (Click HERE for more.)
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Are Homeschoolers Different? I Hope So!I didn’t see the friendly stranger approaching us. Instead, I was distractedly walking with my family through Mesa Verde National Park, talking about the amazing homes built right into the rock and helping my kids think through the questions on the Jr. Ranger Badge worksheets. This curious tourist meandered up to us and casually asked, “You homeschool don’t you?” At first I felt a twinge of pride. “Why yes,” I purred, “We certainly do.” Secretly my ego puffed: We must look thoughtfully engaged with our children. But then I began to wonder, do we have a look? – and I don’t mean blue denim jumpers (That homeschool fashion statement has come and gone, thankfully, since at my height I simply looked like a pup tent with feet.). (To read more, click HERE.) |
Did You Lose Something?The MACHE Conference "Lost and Found" box has accumulated quite a few items that were found and brought to the MACHE booth during the conference. If you lost something while attending a workshop or shopping in the exhibit hall or just standing and visiting with a new friend, you might want to find out if one of these items might be yours. Contact MACHE at 763-717-9070 (Toll free: 866-717-9070) to identify your items. You will need to pay for any necessary expenses incurred in returning the item to you. |
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INFORMATION. ENCOURAGEMENT. PROTECTION.Do you need assurance that you are not alone in your quest to home educate your children? Do you need friendly support that you know you can go to when you need information, protection, or just more encouragement? MACHE wants to introduce you to three resources that will do just that. National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) conducts and collects research about homeschooling and publishes the research journal, The Homeschool Researcher. NHERI has hundreds of research works documented and catalogued on homeschooling. If you need homeschool statistics to support your desire to educate your children at home, NHERI is the place to go. American Home Education and Discipleship (AHEAD) conferences are sponsored by Christian, state-wide, family-focused, home education organizations throughout North America. Representing forty-eight affiliate state organizations with hundreds of years of homeschooling experience, you will find plenty of encouragement, curriculum, and support whether you are just thinking about homeschooling or are a seasoned veteran. The state organizations are there for you all year long. MÂCHÉ is proud to be an AHEAD affiliate. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms on the national, state, and local levels, as well as with the media. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed. Click on the links below for more information. |
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