OH today was to be filled with wonder and interest learning. This morning we were to go to the fair. We go every year. We always go early in the morning so we can get up close to the animals in the barns and petting zoo. We always go early so we wont have to be rushed, wont have to pay, and wont be in a huge crowd. We LOVE going to the fair. Today, however was disappointing. We show up at the gate and the lady asks us what group we are with. I said :Uh.. Ourselves.... We homeschool. She said (In a negative tone): Well today is food and fiber day, The petting zoo, and all the exhibits are only open for the 4th grade school children .. that goes until 2:30 today." I said: What is food and fiber day?" .. well long story short.. I was getting more and more upset. I pay taxes too! I have children who want to learn and are truely interested in what is here. I am GOING TO GO TO THE FAIR! I told the lady, we would just take a look around. She was kinda huffy and said.. "OK". I thought at the very least we could go and see the animals getting prepared for show, surely we could see a cow or a pig.. but the whole facility was being cleaned, it was empty!... We did get to see some cattle and horses that I figure were being used for the rodeo, and the kids got to sit on some bulldozers and tractors. We were there an hour and left.
I have never felt discriminated against, I am use to people looking at me funny when we go to the store, or the library in the middle of the "school day" .. but I have never felt I was being treated unfairly. Until today. So.. I got home and I called.. I usually dont call and complain.. thats just not me.. but today was different. I was pleasantly surprised when the lady at the main office apologized and said the lady at the gate told me wrong! UGH! .. I could have seen the exhibits, they open at 11. I could've seen the petting zoo.. just a bit later than that.. but we were already home and I didnt have time to go back.
Makes me wonder,, why do people do things like that. I have decided to think she didnt do it on purpose. I also learned a lesson.. I will take the phone number of the person in charge where ever I go.. zoo. library. Fair.. etc.. so that way if I have this situation again I can call and talk to someone who really knows what is going on.
I thought last night I would post some of my favorite homeschooling books in case any of you are interested.
The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Suan Wise Bauer
Teach Your Own by John Holt
Easy Homeschooling Techniques by Larraine Curry (I am currently reading this one.. havent finished it yet)
Real-life homeschooling : the stories of 21 families who make it work by Barfield, Rhonda.
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling: Books by John Taylor Gatto. (This is a must read)
Home schooling on a shoestring : a jam-packed guide Morgan, Melissa L., 1958-
Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever (Paperback)
by Mem Fox, Judy Horacek
Great Books for the kids:
Actual size by Jenkins, Steve, 1952-
Science verse by Scieszka, Jon.
Little House on the Prairie Series
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure (Paperback)
by Cindy Newschwander, Cindy Neuschwander, Wayne Geehan
Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland: A Math Adventure (Sir Cumference) (Paperback)
by Cindy Neuschwander, Wayne Geehan (Illustrator)
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander
Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander
All of Mem Fox's books.
OK.. now that I am into this list.. I am thinking.. WHAT WAS I THINKING STARTING THIS LIST! There are just too many books I love.. so I guess I will stop for now and do another list later.
I would love to hear your favorite books!
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Oops, didn't read the entire list, but my VERY FAVORITE books of all time, especially at the age of eight and nine, were Beverly Cleary's books, especially the Ramona Quimby books. Still have all of them. I even wrote a three-page letter to Mrs. Cleary when I was nine and included a school picture of myself. Just sent it to the publishers and they sent it on to her! I still have her handwritten postcard (a Ramona postcard, no doubt), saying, "I'm so glad you enjoy my books!" I will forever treasure that postcard!
Ooh...I remember very fondly my second-grade teacher reading Charlotte's Web out loud to us, one chapter every Friday. I could not get enough of that. Something so wonderful about being read to...I got my own copy just to follow along with her. I cannot wait to read aloud to my kids!!
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