IN THIS ISSUE
Homeschooling Teen Profile: Abby Sunderland
Homeschool Friendly College:
Ohio Valley
University
College Bound Reading List: Surviving the Applewhites
Calvin's Political Column: by Calvin
The FUN Column: by Alannis
Anime Reviews: by Xbolt
Career-of-the-Month: Farmer
Homeschooling High
School: Starting aTeen
Book Study Group
E-Mail Etiquette: Tip-of-the-Month
Parents Column
Plus a whole lot more!!!
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Homeschooling Teen Opinion
Homeschooling Teen Editor Tells
Abby:
"You Go Girl!" It seems ironic that Abby Sunderland received so little press
until she ran into trouble, and only then did the news really pick up on her
story. Abby's parents have been criticized for being too permissive in
allowing their 16-year-old daughter to be exposed to unknown perils alone on
the high seas. However, Marianne and Laurence Sunderland's philosophy for
building strong, well rounded adults is to mentor their homeschooled children
into setting goals, creating a plan to reach those goals, and implementing
them, allowing each of them to pursue their dreams. "We're a clan
of adventurers, not accountants," they confess.
Children who attempt certain
challenges are often suspected of being spurred on by ambitious parents who
want to live their dreams vicariously through their offspring.
However, over the last three years Laurence
Sunderland had taken his daughter sailing in nasty weather and bad sea
conditions to see if she was serious about going on such a venture, and
this just made her more determined. Prior to her trip, Abby received
much helpful advice from her brother Zac, who completed his own solo circumnavigation last year. Abby said,
"My parents would not let me go if I wasn't scared or if I didn't
understand what I am getting myself into."
Most
parents don't think twice about letting their teenager get a
driver's license and risk potentially life-threatening, dangerous
situations on the road every day. Why should a 16-year-old with
excellent
sailing skills not be allowed to venture out into her world? Abby was
probably
in less danger on the high seas than on the busy highways where she
lives in Southern California. And compared to some of the behavior
exhibited by other teens her age, there are certainly a lot worse
things she
could be doing.
By all accounts, Abby seemed well prepared and confident for her
journey. It doesn't seem fair that in the wake of her misfortune, many
are questioning Abby's competence. As Abby said herself, "I think
that a lot of people are judging me by the standards they have for their teens
and other teens that they know ... and thinking, 'She's exactly like them.'
They don't understand that I've sailed my whole life and I do know what I'm
doing out there."
Abby's experience cannot be considered a factor, since even
the most seasoned mariner can run into forces beyond his control such as
unpredictable weather and rogue waves. Those who say that Abby is too young
seem to forget that cabin boys on tall ships were usually 14-16 years old.
Cabin boys didn't simply run errands or help in the kitchen, either. The
cabin boys did virtually anything and everything that needed to be done on a
ship. They had to be familiar with the sails, lines, and other equipment -
and know how to use them in all kinds of weather. They would have to climb the
masts and scramble up the rigging whenever the sails had to be trimmed. A cabin
boy would also stand watch while other crewmen slept or act as helmsman,
holding the wheel to keep the ship steady on her course.
Unlike the sailors of old, Abby wasn't going to be gone away for
years; she was planning on completing her trip in six months barring any
complications. Abby wasn't really alone, either; besides God watching
over her, she was in constant contact with her parents and support team via a
satellite communication system. Abby had an electronic chart plotter, emergency
beacons, a safety harness she wore on deck, and a special system that allowed
her to sleep while it kept track of any object nearing her boat. The boat was
also equipped with a heater, solar panels, batteries, and fuel for the engine,
should the need arise.
Abby's supplies included a stash of Mountain House freeze-dried
food and plenty of fresh water, as well as a device for making sea water
drinkable. After two separate autopilot systems both failed, Abby had the
wherewithal to make do with what she had by swapping parts between them so at
least one would be fully functioning. When Abby wasn't busy guiding and
maintaining her boat, she would be documenting the journey, reading books,
doing homework, or listening to her iPod.
For those who complain about the cost of Abby's search and rescue
mission, her dismasting was an unfortunate accident but it wasn't her
fault. She was obviously well prepared, fully capable, and wasn't doing
anything reckless. I wonder if her critics would have been so quick to complain
if she had been a Hollywood celebrity, rock
star, political figure, or other famous person - like the late John F. Kennedy,
Jr., who was not qualified to fly a plane by instruments only; but he did it
anyway, at night, over open water.
In 1937, during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight around
the world, aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart disappeared. The ensuing air and sea
search by the Navy and Coast Guard was the most costly and intensive in
American history up to that time. In September 2007, the month-long search for
millionaire daredevil circumnavigator Steve Fossett cost $1.6 million, the
largest search and rescue effort ever conducted for a person within the United States.
There was plenty of money in Fossett's estate to reimburse the
authorities for his search effort, but they didn't demand repayment.
Nevada State Emergency Management Director Frank Siracusa noted that
"there is no precedent where government will go after people for costs
just because they have money to pay for it. You get lost, and we look for you.
It is a service your taxpayer dollars pay for." Why should Abby Sunderland
- who is not rich, by the way - be any less worthy?
While Abby's plight was a high profile situation, search and
rescue teams do important work all over the world every day rescuing people you
never hear about - whether it's a lost hiker, stranded mountain
climber, shipwrecked sailor, downed aviator, or trapped urban disaster
survivor. All of these search and rescue missions use manpower, fuel, and
equipment which must be figured into the cost. Although the non-combat duty pay
of U.S.
uniformed services (Coast Guard, Navy, NOAA Corps) is fixed, civilian search
and rescue efforts could be thought of as providing extra opportunities for
practicing their skills.
The Coast Guard reports that 95 percent of all sea rescue missions
occur less than 20 miles from shore. The 10 percent of missions that involve a
search cost the Coast Guard more than $50 million each year, an expense that is
passed along to U.S.
taxpayers. Each year, the National Park Servic�e spends $3 million on search
and rescue operations in our national parks. Once again, the federal government
picks up the tab, which of course comes from taxpayers. In a few states, search
and rescue agencies have the option to charge people for rescue, though they
rarely do.
The value of human life cannot have a price. If Australian teen solo
circumnavigator Jessica Watson had broken down off the coast of North America, the
U.S. Coast Guard would have rescued her and American taxpayers would have
footed the bill. Australian authorities stated that they have no intention of
asking American sailor Abby Sunderland to pay them back. Whenever and wherever
anyone is lost or in trouble, people are willing to help - not just
because it's their job but because they are Good Samaritans. That's
the way it should be.
America
was built by adventurers from the landing at Plymouth Rock to walking on the on
the moon. Few people have the courage to think outside the box, challenge the
culture around them, and take on the unknown; yet they are the ones who lead
the way for the rest of us. When individuals set high goals for themselves they
deserve acclaim, not ridicule. We should be encouraging teens; not stifling
their adventurous spirit.
Families like the Sunderlands inspire other young people to get off the
couch, go out and "Do Hard Things." In this age of video games and
instant gratification, has our culture become so alienated from real
achievement, so jaded by being handed everything we need, so dulled by our daily
routine, that Abby's vision of adventure escapes us? Or could it be that
her critics - the ones living safely and comfortably behind the walls of
their gated communities and working overtime at sedentary office jobs -
perhaps are jealous and don't want to admit it? - Teri Olsen
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Be Somebody...Be Yourself |
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College Bound
Preparing For College - ACT & SAT Information
Another school year has ended for some, and now is the time for high school juniors - especially if they dream of attending a highly selective college - to start thinking about taking the SAT and/or ACT. Besides good transcripts and letters of recommendation, entrance exams are an important part of the admission process. While some colleges have waived these tests as a requirement, many colleges and universities still rely heavily on SAT and ACT scores to help in admissions decisions. A typical applicant to a competitive college might boast section scores in the upper 20s for the ACT and above 600 for the SAT.
Read more by clicking
Sponsored in part by
Sylvan SAT/ACT� Prep can help you prepare.
Find a participating Sylvan below
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JULY IS... National Baked Bean Month National Hot Dog Month National Ice Cream Month 4 Independence Day 11 E.B. White's Birthday (1899) 12 Henry David Thoreau's Birthday (1817) 16 First Atomic Bomb Test (1945) 16 Disneyland Grand Opening (1955) 19 National Ice Cream Day 20 Moon Landing Day 28 Beatrix Potter's Birthday (1866) 29 NASA Established (1958) Click here for more July holidays:
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SAT WORD OF THE MONTH
quintessential "kwin-te-SEN-shel" (adjective) - representing the
perfect example; the most typical manifestation of a quality or a thing. Example: "Franz Liszt was the
quintessential romantic composer."
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 REMEMBER TO RECYCLE | | Homeschooling High
School: Helpful Tips
Starting a Teen Book Study Group
If you're looking for a way to connect with your teenage daughter
this summer, consider starting a girl's book study group with your
daughter and her friends. You may think that teens would not respond well to
this idea, but think again... you just might be surprised.
First, bounce the idea off your daughter and see what her thoughts are
on the subject. If she shows any sign of interest, then brainstorm some
possible book titles and/or topics. When my daughter and I started our group
last summer, we had in mind to get some girls together from our church's
high school youth
group. So we talked about some of the books that people were reading at
the time.
Next, my daughter started calling her friends and acquaintances to see
who she could interest in the idea. Almost everyone she talked to was
interested in coming and liked the idea, but many were already busy with other
summer activities. We narrowed the list to around four or five who committed to
reading the book and getting together to talk about it. We all gave input into
which book we wanted to read, and ended up with "What's So Amazing
About Grace?" a popular Christian non-fiction book by Phillip Yancey.
I broke the book down into three- to four-chapter sections, and we
decided to meet Wednesday evenings for six weeks. Overall, the study went very
well, and it was very rewarding. We all have fond memories of it, and it was
great to spend that quality time with my daughter.
If you think this is something you might be interested in doing, here
are some tips I picked up along the way:
Don't take it personally if everyone doesn't come every
week. Everyone has busy schedules and conflicts arise. Probably only one or two
girls came every single week, even my daughter missed at least one.
You'll find that conversations can greatly differ depending on the mix of
girls, which is good!
Meet in a low-key, relaxed setting so everyone is comfortable and
doesn't feel like they're in a classroom. We took blankets to sit
on down to a local park and had snacks every week.
Don't pressure yourself into having to "lead" the
group. You're not there to teach them, but only to facilitate the
conversation. I found it helpful to choose a book that included group study
questions. Some books have the questions in the back. This particular book had
a companion study guide that had to be purchased separately. Just let the girls
talk, and ask questions if there is a big lull in the conversation. Although
you might be tempted to challenge "wrong" answers, let the girls
challenge each other first and see what conclusions they come to. It is rare
that you'll have to intercede. Instead of challenging someone directly,
ask them more questions to help them reach another answer.
On the same note as the last point, don't feel you have to give
advice or have all the right answers. Most teenagers love having someone,
particularly adults, listen to their thoughts and feelings. They don't
expect you to know everything, they just want you to listen. You'll find
that the teens come from all different family backgrounds and don't
always have other people to listen to them when they need to talk.
Encourage girls to come to the discussions even if they didn't do
their reading for the week. You'll find that most are embarrassed if they
didn't do their "homework" and don't want to show up.
Encourage them to come even if they didn't read it, to encourage
fellowship among the girls.
Dads can have book study groups with their teenage sons and their
friends too! They may need to goof around some more and maybe burn off some
energy before they get down to business (some kind of outdoor activity), but
teenage guys like to get together and learn from each other also.
A book study group is a great way to get to know some of your
teenager's friends. Encourage them to also invite people they don't
know very well... people from youth group or work who they want to get to
know better. It's a great way to make that first step towards friendship
and teaches them to reach out to others.
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of five. For resources for
the Christian family, including parenting, toddler and preschool activities,
homeschooling, family traditions, and more, visit http://www.Christian-Parent.com
Source: http://www.homeschool-articles.com/starting-a-teen-book-study-group/
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Exciting News!
We have a new Homeschooling Teen FAN PAGE on Facebook!
Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homeschooling-Teen/119237994780935
Please join us and let's keep in touch!
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Please share your story! If you are involved with an amazing project,
volunteer in your community, have a special interest that you're
passionate about, possess a unique skill, talent or ability, or have
accomplished something positive and extraordinary for a person your age or in
your situation - be sure to tell us about it and we will feature you in
our magazine! Contact: [email protected] | |
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E-mail Etiquette Tip of the Month
Never provide personal
information or details until you confirm you are dealing with a reputable
party.
If you don't know who an
e-mail is from, never click Reply and start providing your personal
information. No reputable company will ever make this request of you.
Whenever you receive an
e-mail stating your account is suspended or canceled it is most likely a hoax.
Especially if the e-mail instructs you to click on a link in that e-mail so you
can resubmit all your personal or financial information. Just hit delete!
Any service that needs you
to verify your info will simply instruct you to visit their site (without
including a link because they know you know what it is) and to log in as you
normally do for further information.
E-mails like these are
called Phishing scams where crooks make fake Web sites to look like well known
sites to try and coerce personal information from you.
Don't get hooked!
This E-mail Etiquette Tip is provided as a courtesy by: http://www.NetManners.com
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American
History Quiz
Find out
how patriotic you are by answering these thirteen questions:
1.
Despite saying that he had "no wish but that of living and dying an honest
man on my own farm," which man became the first President of the United States?
2. Who
was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence?
3. Who
wrote this statement: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal"? A. Benjamin Franklin; B. George Washington; C.
Thomas Jefferson; D. Thomas Paine
4. Who
said "I have not yet begun to fight!"? A. John Paul Jones; B. George
Washington; C. Paul Revere; D. Patrick Henry
5. The
first national capitol was located in what city? A. Philadelphia; B. Washington;
C. New York; D. Boston
6. The
British and Americans signed a peace treaty at Paris, France,
on September 3, 1783. True or false?
7. How
did the Liberty Bell get its crack? A. British troops vandalized it; B. It was
struck by lighting; C. Someone dropped it; D. It cracked as it was being rung
8. Who
wrote the Star Spangled Banner? A. Betsy Ross; B. Francis Scott Key; C. Patrick
Henry
9. Who
said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country"?
A. Nathan Hale; B. Patrick Henry; C. Thomas Paine; D. John Paul Jones
10. Who
said "Give me liberty or give me death"? A. Paul Revere; B. Patrick
Henry; C. John Hancock; D. George Washington
11. The
British surrendered on October 19, 1781, at Yorktown, Virginia.
True or false?
12. The
Fourth of July commemorates what event? A. The end of the war; B. the firing of
the first shot; C. the adoption of the Declaration of Independence; D. the
signing of the Treaty of Paris
13. Can
you name all of the original thirteen colonies?
ANSWERS:
1 = George Washington; 2 = John Hancock; 3 = C; 4 = A; 5 = C; 6 = True; 7 = D;
8 = B; 9 = A; 10 = B; 11 = True; 12 = C; 13 = Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia.
(If you
answered all 13 questions correctly, you are a true patriot! If you answered
10-12 questions correctly, your forefathers would be proud. If you answered 6-9
questions correctly, history is probably not your favorite subject. If you
answered 1-5 questions correctly, you'd better take a refresher course in
American History. If you answered 0 questions correctly, you must be from a
different country!) Courtesy of www.HomeschoolPatriot.com
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The Fun
Column From
Alannis...
Strange but True!
Honey bees can be
trained to detect EXPLOSIVES! Peanut butter can be
converted into a diamond! A Camel can drink 500
CUPS of water in 10 MINUTES! You
can buy POTATO flavoured ice-cream in Idaho, America! Calculators are MORE powerful than the
world's first COMPUTER! A road runs straight
through the middle of a BUILDING in Japan! A record - setting
Box of Chocolates had 90,090 CHOCOLATES INSIDE! A scorpion can glow
in the dark! AMAZING isn't
it! What get wetter and
wetter the more it dries? Answer: a towel Alannis is our Fun Columnist. She lives in
England
and likes to write. She also loves to bake, take photos, and act.
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Do you like to write? Well, why don't you send us something! Become a part of Homeschooling Teen magazine and submit a letter, article, poem, short story, report, or review to:
[email protected] | |
Writing for HST will look great on a college application or resume! |
College Bound Reading List
Surviving the
Applewhites, by Stephanie Tolan
If you're looking
for some light, fun, summer reading..."Surviving the Applewhites" is
for you. In this 2003 Newbery Honor book, a juvenile delinquent named Jake
Semple (with red spiked hair, piercings, and a bad smoking habit) is sent to stay
with the Applewhites, a homeschool family living at Wit's End in rural North Carolina. The
Applewhites call their school-at-home the Creative Academy.
A banner on the wall states: "education is an adventurous quest for the
meaning of life, involving an ability to think things through" (p. 27). Their
learning style is more like unschooling, though, and the family is rather
eccentric. The mother is an author in the middle of writing a book. The father
is a play director and scriptwriter. The grandfather is a craftsman. Hal, the
older brother (15), stays in his room all day sculpting and painting. Cordellia
writes and choreographs her own dances. Destiny, the youngest at age 5, is
talkative and messy, with paint in his hair. E.D. likes to study and collect
butterflies, and she's so organized that she already has her curriculum planned
out for the entire year. However, E.D. is the only Applewhite who isn't
artistic so she feels kind of left out. Nevertheless, E.D. eventually realizes
that everyone in the family - including herself - is special in
their own way. The characters may seem self-centered, but they all pull
together as a family to put on a play, "The Sound of Music." In the
end, Jake also undergoes a major transformation and discovers his real talent. Children
and adults of all ages will enjoy reading about this creative family and their
crazy life, and homeschoolers especially will enjoy reading about other kids
their age who share their schooling situation. The 216-page novel even includes
discussion questions and activities, so it's perfect for a summer book
club!
Send your book reviews to: [email protected]
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Happy Summer!
What have you been doing so far this summer? Do you have anything
exciting planned? July and August are the most popular months for summer
vacations. Many people travel to the beach or mountains to cool off. Then of
course there are backyard barbeques, picnics, camping, beach parties,
sandcastles, sailing, swimming, family reunions, etc. Whatever your interests,
be sure to make the most of your summer time! And if you're already
bored, here are some ideas for things to do: � Clean, de-clutter, and
re-decorate your room. � Gather up all of your loose
photos, organize them, and place them in albums. � Put together a scrapbook of
mementos from the prior school year. � Research your family
history and interview your grandparents. � Set up an exercise program
that you can do in hot weather. Perhaps you have an indoor exercise bike or
even better, a swimming pool! � Begin a hobby or craft that
you've always wanted to learn, such as sewing, quilting, painting,
ceramics, scrapbooking, or playing an instrument. � Develop a skill such as
cooking, baking, typing, or knot-tying. � Start a collection of
rocks, stamps, coins, or whatever interests you. � Learn how to do some magic
tricks. � Set up a blog or design a
website. � Make your own movie. � Read books to your younger
brother or sister. � Get two plastic wading
pools. Fill one with water and the other with sand for a miniature backyard
beach. � Build a solar oven and
experiment with cooking different foods in it. � Get a field guide and learn
about the wildlife in your area. � Keep a record of birds and
other animals you see, or take an inventory of the plants in your yard. � Draw the layout of your
house and a map of your yard on graph paper. Build a scale model out of
cardboard or foam core board. � Memorize a favorite poem or
Bible verse. � Keep a journal in which you
write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, or a trip diary telling
about where you go and what you do. � Write letters to friends
and family. � Send care packages to
military personnel stationed overseas. � Study a foreign language.
Even if you don't become fluent, you will gain some familiarity with it.
Research the regions and people who speak that language. � Learn sign language. Even
young children will have fun signing the alphabet. � Have a chess or checker
tournament, play a role-playing game, board game, or charades. � Put together a jigsaw
puzzle. � Spend a leisurely afternoon
in the air-conditioned public library and check out a variety of books. � Help out at a local child
care center, church, or charitable organization. � Join a club or other group
such as an astronomy club or reading group. � Enroll in a class at a
college, community center, or on-line. � Spend a day at the science
museum, taking time to do all of the hands-on exhibits. � Travel through time to a
history museum, historical site, or living history village. � Take a tour of the state
capital building and learn about the history of your state. � Visit an art museum. Decide
which work of art you like best, learn more about it and the artist. � Arrange a trip to a factory
or manufacturer that offers tours, such as a candy company. � Go to the zoo and choose an
animal to learn more about. � Find a farm where you can
pick your own fruit, or go to a farmers market to see the fresh produce. � Visit a tourist information
website or Chamber of Commerce to obtain information on things to do and places
to see in your state. � Plan a family vacation or
weekend trip. Even short trips are great for family bonding and making
memories. �Look for a cool
spot to go camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, or fishing.
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Calvin's Political Column
Does My
Generation Have a Role in America's
Future?
Ronald Reagan, our 40th President, once said the following: "Freedom
is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it
on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and
handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years
telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were
free."
The consequences of not following this piece of advice from the late
President is dawning on us more clearer than ever in our nation today. It is
becoming increasingly clear to more and more Americans every day that we have
failed to raise a generation full of loyal Americans of faith who will fight
for God and their Country to their dying breath. The complacency and inaction
by the masses of Americans in recent years can be summed up in just a few
words: The distortion of the American dream. When our founding fathers set up a
Republic in which liberty could take the place of tyranny, and of which the
entrepreneurial spirit would take place over the taxation without
representation that existed under the rule of the British, they were pursuing
the American dream! In the Declaration of Independence this was titled: The
Rights to Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Centuries later, Martin Luther King was to reiterate is in his famous speech,
where he said: I have a dream that one day our nation will rise up and live out
the true meaning of it's creed: "We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal."
It was that spirit of Americanism that broke free of the constraints
placed on the people by the British Government that resulted in economic and
religious oppression on the colonists, and replaced it with The Great
Experiment, where immigrants came from around the world in order to
pursue happiness in a country where government oppression was non-existent.
But sadly, over time the American dream has been distorted from its
original meaning, and is now thought to mean something entirely different.
Whereas the American Dream used to be interpreted as happiness obtained by
thrift and hard work, now when many Americans hear of the American Dream, they
think of it as a promise to instant riches.
Due to this shift in thinking, Americans have become lazy. They have
failed as a whole to pass on the willingness to fight for and protect our
freedom for future generation's enjoyment. They have grown complacent in
their imagined security, convinced that it will always be the way it is now,
that we will always live with the freedom and prosperity that we now enjoy and
that there is no outstanding threat to that security that could take it away
from them.
However, as a direct result of this complacency, we are seeing the
demise of the freedoms that so many have fought and died for. We see the
evidence of this demise everywhere, from the tragedy of 9/11, to the complete
wall of separation of faith in God and the public arena. It is becoming obvious
that our laziness has taken it's toll, and it is a hefty price to pay.
However, I for one still have faith in the future of America.
Americans are slowly waking up to the battle at hand, and we are seeing more
and more outcry from groups around the country who have had enough of the
trampling of their rights, and demand the restoration of their lost liberties.
The accessibility and abundance of information in this generation is
staggering, however confusing the President may think it is for us to
comprehend. I suggest to you that we are seeing an American Revival stronger
than any in recent history. Americans are energized and ready to fight
diligently (yet peacefully) in order to take back the liberty that has been
lost. In spite of the hindrances that our opponents have placed that ensure
difficulty for anyone who attempts to educate their children to be protectors
of liberty, our citizens have succeeded in bringing up youth who will sustain
the spirit of Americanism that used to be so abundant nationwide,
You may question my hope in the youth of tomorrow, after all, it has
become clear to most of us that the majority of our youth are asleep to the
issues that afflict our country, and either ignorant of or unresponsive to the duties
of an American citizen to uphold the liberties of our citizenry. Instead of
protecting those liberties that are granted by God and protected by the
government and the people alike when the right balance of power is preserved,
these entitlement seekers would rather stay asleep to the obligations that they
owe their country because they either don't know or don't care
about the implications of doing otherwise.
But in spite of the large group of opposition by entitlement seekers, I
remain hopeful because of the presence of so many others who seek enlightenment
rather than entitlement. These brave men and women are unafraid to stand up for
what is right, and are prepared for the fight.
I remain hopeful because those who stand with me know their history, and
they realize that it has been proven time and time again that when people abide
by the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, there
will be prosperity, but when they stray from those principles, there will be
destitution.
And lastly, I remain hopeful because our side is faithful to God, and
will pray for His supreme guidance every step of the way, comparing their
thoughts and actions to that of His Word in case they are inconsistent with His
Will for us.
It is the job of our generation to fix the wrongs of it's
predecessors, and to uphold the principles of our founding.
However, it will most certainly not be an easy one. The opposition is
large, and as has become obvious in recent times, they are good at organizing.
If we are to defeat them, then we must actively oppose them at every turn.
Those who would take away our freedoms have been long at work, and there is
much to be undone.
We are outnumbered as well. There are few who are willing to join us in
our efforts. But we can accomplish our task if we preserver. God bless us as we
pursue the American Dream as it was originally conceived.
-Calvin Lyman
Calvin is fourteen years
old and lives in Granbury, Texas.
He is a devoted Christian, and regularly attends church worship services. Some
of his activities include following political stories, reading, playing air
soft and video games with friends, and doing school work. Calvin owns http://teensforliberty.com,
a political site for American teens and young adults interested in politics.
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Homeschooling Teen
July 2010
Welcome... Homeschooling Teen is a free e-zine for
homeschooled high schoolers and young adult alumni. Published once a month,
each issue is full of fellowship and fun, human interest and humor. Much of the
content is written by other subscribers, and there are many opportunities for
readers to participate - whether it's writing book or movie reviews, sending in
original short stories and poems, or submitting favorite websites for the links
section. Additionally, in each issue we feature a profile of a different
Homeschooling Teen subscriber and/or a famous homeschooled teen. Write to us at
[email protected]
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Homeschooling Teen Profile:  Abby Sunderland Abigail
"Abby" Sunderland (born October
19, 1993) is one of those homeschool teens who believes in the motto "Do
Hard Things." At age 16 she attempted to follow in her brother's
footsteps and become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
Zac
Sunderland (born November 29, 1991) was the first person to have accomplished
that feat before turning 18. Zac became a sailing celebrity when he finished
his thirteen-month odyssey in July 2009. However, his distinction as the
youngest person to solo-circumnavigate the globe was short-lived. Just six
weeks later, 17-year-old British sailor Michael Perham (born March 16, 1992)
set a new record as the youngest person to sail around the world alone, having
started out after Zac in a much faster boat.
The
record changed hands yet again on May 15, 2010, when a 16-year-old Australian
homeschool student named Jessica Watson became the youngest individual to sail
solo around the world non-stop and unassisted. Jessica had reached the halfway
point in her voyage when Abby Sunderland was just finishing the first leg of
her journey, following a delayed departure due to equipment problems.
Sadly,
Abby was forced to call off her circumnavigation attempt on June 10, 2010, right
after passing her halfway point. Abby's 40-foot racing sailboat was rolled
by a giant wave and dismasted during stormy seas in a remote area of the Indian
Ocean northeast of the Kerguelen Islands. Sunderland had been keeping in contact with her parents
and support team by satellite phone, and on the morning of June 10th she
reported that her yacht was being tossed by 30-50 foot waves and 70 mph wind
gusts. An hour later, Abby's emergency distress beacons were activated.
The teenager was feared lost at sea, or even worse.
Abby's
yacht was adrift and incapacitated with its engine not working, satellite
reception knocked out, and sail dragging in the water from the broken mast.
That area of the ocean is rarely visited by merchant ships or other sea
traffic, so Abby thought it would be weeks before she was rescued - but
in just two days she was spotted by a plane about 2,000 miles west of
Australia. Since setting sail from Marina del Rey 4 � months previously, Abby had
grown so attached to her sailboat "Wild Eyes" that it was difficult
for her to leave it behind, but the vessel had to be abandoned.
Sunderland stated on her
blog that she would like to write a book about her adventures. "I started
to think about all the good times Wild Eyes and I have had together," she
said. "All that's left of the voyage of Wild Eyes are my memories,
eventually they will get fuzzy and I won't remember all the details. I don't
want that to happen."
Abby is the second-eldest
of Laurence and Marianne Sunderland's eight children. Laurence Sunderland
is a shipwright, sailing instructor, and captain, so Abby grew up in a
seafaring family and has spent her whole life on and around boats. In fact,
when the oldest four Sunderland kids were
babies, a 56 ft. Tradewind sailboat was literally their first home.
Additionally, living aboard a sailboat during a three-year family cruise was a
formative experience for them.
Prior to her proposed circumnavigation, Abby accumulated thousands of miles of
coastal cruising through a number of hazardous weather conditions and was
trained in ocean sailing. She began sailing single-handedly when she was 13.
That's when Abby first had the idea of sailing around the world, even
before her brother did. She explains, "I had begun to think that dreams
are meant to be no more than dreams and that in reality dreams don't come true.
Then my brother (Zac) left on his trip. It was amazing to see all the support
that he got from around the world and to see how everyone worked together to
help make his dream reality. Watching him do this really made me believe that I
could too."
The
Sunderlands are devout Christians who homeschool their children through the Trinity Pacific
Christian School
program, a homeschool organization in Thousand
Oaks, California.
During his June 8 graduation at Calvary
Community Church,
Abby's older brother Zac said "God was with me every nautical
mile" regarding his own historic voyage. Abby had written on her website,
"I am taking my school books with me so that will keep me busy. I don't
want to stay in high school another year so I'm motivated to get my
school work done."
When Abby
rounded Cape Horn - the southernmost
point of South America - on March 31, 2010, she was the youngest solo
sailor ever to have done so. She hopes to one day make another attempt at
fulfilling her dream of a global circumnavigation, declaring "I'm
definitely going to do it sometime." Her father says he would
"absolutely endorse that wholeheartedly."
Visit
Abby's website: http://www.abbysunderland.com
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The
Nitty-Gritty on Sand Dunes, by Peter Olsen
 I'm a homeschool graduate attending Paradise
Valley Community
College in Phoenix,
Arizona. As an Honor Student, each
semester I'm required to do at least one Honors Project to maintain my
honors status. In the Spring 2010 semester, I designed an educational website
entitled "Sand Dunes of the Southwest" for my GPH211 Landform Processes class.
The purpose of my website is to describe the major southwestern sand
dunes, to present a virtual field trip, and to provide a sand dune study guide.
The site includes text, photos, maps, glossary, activities, and links. To
complete this project, I visited several different sand dunes where I collected
sand samples and took photographs. The virtual field trip is a step-by-step
tour of one particular sand dune, the Kelso Dune in the Mojave Desert of
California, which my family and I explored during Spring Break week.
Since I'm living at home, my college project was also able to
serve as a unit study for my younger brothers. We all learned about sand dunes
together. Sand dunes come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They are
constantly changing and some even make strange sounds!
When I first started this project, I thought that I'd already
been to all of the major sand dunes in the Southwest. But after beginning my
research, I discovered even more dunes that I hadn't seen before. How
many sand dunes do you think there are in the Southwestern
U.S.? You will have to visit my site to find out!
The Landform Processes class is unique because
it is an online lab course in which even the laboratory assignments are done on
the computer. This semester was the first time GPH211 was offered at PVCC.
Besides giving me an opportunity to utilize the observational skills that I
learned in the labs, this Honors Project enabled me to practice what I was studying
in my web design classes.
I think the best part of my sand dune study was hearing the
"booming dunes" at Kelso. The worst part was being stopped and questioned
by the U.S. Border Patrol while trying to track down some dune fields southeast
of Yuma, Arizona.
It was embarrassing having to explain what we were doing out in the middle of
the desert so close to the border fence!
My professor, Dr. John Douglass, nominated my project for the 2010
Honors Projects Showcase. The Showcase was held during finals week on May 13,
2010, from noon-1:00 pm, in the PVCC
Center for the Performing
Arts.
I hope that my website will give people a whole new appreciation for
these dynamic desert landforms. Visit my site at http://sand.xboltz.net.
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College Bound:
Homeschool Friendly Colleges
OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY: For Learning.
For Faith. For Life.
Ohio Valley University
(OVU) is a private Christian liberal arts college that offers associate and
bachelor degrees, as well as a Master of Education degree. The college has two
separate campuses on 266 wooded acres located in Vienna, West Virginia, a
small city along the Ohio River that was
established by a Revolutionary War veteran in 1794. OVU is consistently
recognized as one of the nation's top comprehensive baccalaureate
universities in U.S. News and World Report's America's
Best Colleges Guide, and was ranked as one of America's Best Colleges in
2010.
Founded by the American
Restoration Movement's Churches of Christ in 1958 (with classes beginning
in September 1960), the college has always integrated higher education with
biblical faith and service to God and humanity. According to its mission
statement, this is accomplished by: "Equipping students for life through
quality academic programs. Encouraging life-shaping relationships among faculty,
staff, and students. Fostering holistic growth through varied co-curricular
activities. Promoting knowledge, values, and skills inherent in healthy
families and quality relationships. Connecting students to the global
community. Instilling a desire for life-long learning. Creating opportunities
for growth in faith and service." At OVU, every student is
challenged to think critically, improve communication skills, and broaden his
or her knowledge base. Those goals are driven by small class sizes and
one-on-one relationships with faculty, staff and other students. OVU is
organized into the following colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College
of Biblical Studies & Behavioral Sciences, College
of Business, and College of Education.
OVU offers baccalaureate degrees in Accounting,
Bible, Bible & Ministry, Biology, Business Administration, Elementary
Education, English, History, Human Resource Management, Information Technology,
Interdisciplinary Studies (Communications/Mass Media, Criminal Justice,
Interdisciplinary Studies, Journalism, Math, Music, Spanish, Specialized
Studies, Pre-Law), Management, Marketing, Organizational Management, Psychology
(Pre-Professional, Christian Counseling, Human Services), Secondary Education
(English, Math, Physical Education, Social Studies, Science, Wellness), Sports
Management, Vocational Ministry/Missions, and Wellness.
An Associate of Applied
Science (A.A.S.) in Nursing is offered through a collaborative arrangement with
West Virginia University
at Parkersburg.
OVU also offers pre-Law,
pre-Medical and pre-Dental programs, a Master of Education
degree, Special Education endorsement, and other
specialized certifications. The music department
has many qualified teachers who are specialists in their fields, for those
students wishing to minor in Music or seeking private lessons.
OVU students have the
opportunity to participate in exciting semester-long and summer study programs
off-campus across the United States and around the world. U.S. opportunities include programs in Washington D.C., Nashville TN, and Los
Angeles CA. International studies provide opportunities to live and study
abroad, where students can experience the history, culture, and variety of
foreign countries such as Australia,
China, Russia, Egypt,
Costa Rica, and Uganda.
Honor students and other high-achieving students can even spend a semester
studying in Oxford, England
or Florence, Italy.
Facilities throughout
the north and south campuses feature wireless Internet access, learning centers,
computer labs, student housing, offices, smart classrooms, library, student
center, university bookstore, athletic and health/fitness center, two
gymnasiums, a theatre, student commons, chapel, dining hall and more. The main
campus has one entrance/exit to the buildings, providing added security. OVU
offers campus housing for 272 of its 542 full-time students. Freshmen are required
to live on campus, and a meal plan of nineteen meals per week is available.
A student centered
college, OVU strives to transform lives in a Christ-centered academic
community. All full time students are required to take a Bible class each
semester. Each member of the OVU community is expected to
attend the daily chapel service five days per week. OVU residence halls are
separated into male and female living spaces. OVU enforces a curfew for
resident freshmen and sophomores. Curfew hours are midnight Sunday through
Thursday and 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The campus
is a tobacco-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free community. Warm friendly
faces and a down-to-earth atmosphere are the basic ingredients of the college
culture.
OVU does not have
fraternities and sororities. Instead, as is common with Church of
Christ-affiliated colleges, the university has localized social co-ed clubs.
There are currently five social clubs - Delta, Kappa, Sigma, Theta, and
Omega Pi. Clubs compete in intramural activities, service projects, and a
musical concert held annually in the Spring.
The university publishes
The Highlander, the student newspaper;
and Penumbra, a literary
magazine. The university also offers opportunities in several performing
groups. These groups include the A Cappella Singers, a traditional chorus
composed of approximately 40 singers. This group performs at congregations,
youth rallies, and other venues. Express is the college's contemporary
Christian a cappella performing group. This group performs at over 200 events
per year. The Ambassadors is a dramatic group that travels around to youth
rallies, camps, and other church related events. The Chamber Players are
composed of woodwind, brass, and string ensembles. The Chamber Players perform
at two on-campus concerts a year and frequently give performances in the local
community. OVU also has a community band and jazz ensemble.
The university's
sports teams are called the Fighting Scots and they compete in the West
Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, a member of the NCAA's
Division II. OVU offers the following intercollegiate men's sports:
baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, wrestling, and soccer. OVU
offers the following intercollegiate women's sports: basketball, cross
country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
OVU is
only a short drive from several large metropolitan areas and major league
sporting events. The Mid-Ohio
Valley area is rich in
culture and history, offering concerts, cultural events, festivals, theatres,
shopping malls, road races, and other attractions. See a 1950's fighter
jet and train caboose while picnicking in Jackson Memorial Park.
Look for deer, turkey, foxes, coyotes, and waterfowl at McDonough Wildlife
Refuge. Ride down the mighty Ohio River on an authentic sternwheeler and
explore historic Blennerhassett
Island with its
reconstructed mansion. Visit museums, tour the local chocolatier and pasta
maker's shops, learn the art of glassmaking, or take to the Rail Trails
on your mountain bike. Other nearby recreational activities include: skiing,
golf, camping, fishing, whitewater rafting, boating, and hiking.
The student body at OVU
represents more than thirty states and ten foreign countries, but the
university does not accept everyone who applies. Approximately 50% of
applicants are accepted. The average verbal SAT score of students admitted
falls between 420 and 490, and the average math SAT score is between 440 and
500. The average ACT score of admitted students is between 19 and 23. The ratio
of male and female students is roughly 50/50.
APPLYING
AS A HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENT - According
to the OVU office of admissions, "If you are a home
school student, we welcome your application to Ohio Valley
University. Just follow
the admissions process [outlined on the OVU website]. Your transcript
should demonstrate completion of high school, but the University will be
flexible regarding documentation of basic credit hours. Because the
University believes in the validity of home school education, you will not
be required to produce an accredited diploma or a GED in order to gain
admission to the University."
For more information, visit
http://www.ovu.edu
Tell us about your favorite
homeschool-friendly college, and we will feature it in an upcoming issue! [email protected]
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Homeschool Teen Selected for Journalism Workshop
Weslie Swift, a 15-year-old homeschooled
sophomore, wants to be a journalist. Since last fall, she has been volunteering
for her local newspaper and has been published with her own byline several
times in the Sonoran News.
When Weslie submitted her application for the University of Arizona School of
Journalism "Journalism Diversity Workshop for Arizona High School
Students," she knew the competition from fall 2010 juniors and seniors
around the state would be fierce. "I thought it would be great, but with
only 15 students within the state being chosen, I wasn't expecting
it," said Swift. So Weslie was happily surprised to receive an e-mail congratulating
her on acceptance into the June 5-13 Journalism Workshop, celebrating its 30th
anniversary this year. The program offers a reality experience in writing,
reporting, editing, media law, digital design, photojournalism techniques and
multimedia journalism. Participants engage in discussions on journalism ethics,
write articles, and produce a student newspaper, "The Chronicle."
The students are mentored by college faculty and journalism professionals,
including a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and former foreign correspondent. The
Journalism Diversity Workshop for Arizona High School Students is an annual
program and welcomes high school students from all over Arizona to participate in the 12-day
intensive summer program in journalism. For more information, please contact
program advisor Lisa M. Button at [email protected].
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American Sign Language - a unique foreign
language credit 
Distinguish your homeschool transcript with a unique foreign language credit!
Do you want to learn a foreign language and earn community service hours at the
same time?
Do you want to attend fun social events where you can improve your skills?
Do you have a flair for the dramatic?
Do you want to learn a great memory aide?
Do you often use your hands while you talk?
American Sign Language (ASL) is for you!
Sign language can broaden your communication skills,
stimulate your senses, and increase your ability to be expressive.
Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Learn ASL
1. ASL is one of the fastest languages of study in the U.S. today!
2. There are already over 1,000,000 deaf and hearing impaired people using ASL.
3. ASL is the third most used language in the U.S. right behind English and
Spanish!
4. ASL helps parents talk more easily to their hearing impaired children.
5. It can help people get jobs in the service industry.
6. Learning ASL introduces you to the Deaf community and its rich cultural
experiences.
7. Learning a new language helps users appreciate the fundamentals of learning
a language.
8. Many people say that ASL is a lot more fun to learn than other foreign
languages.
9. You can teach it to a baby. Babies can learn to sign before they can learn
to speak.
10. ASL helps people with limited verbal skills to communicate more
effectively.
ASL Resources
http://www.deaflibrary.org/asl.html
- About American Sign Language, from the Deaf Resource Library.
http://www.aslpro.com
- ASL Dictionaries & Quizzes (with video).
http://www.lifeprint.com
- ASL
resource site. Free online lessons, ASL dictionary, and resources for teachers,
students, and parents.
http://www.signingsavvy.com
- Free
online video dictionary of ASL signs.
http://www.ncssfl.org/links/ASL.pdf
- States and colleges that recognize ASL as a foreign language (PDF format).
As with any foreign language, the best way to learn ASL is
to enroll in a class with a qualified teacher who can guide you in such
variations as regional differences and facial expressions. Your local community
center, community college, or homeschool co-op may offer ASL classes.
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Celebrate
National Ice Cream Month with this easy recipe! 
Ice Cream Pizza
To make
this deep-dish ice cream pie, spread vanilla ice cream (or your favorite
flavor) in a prepared graham cracker pie crust. Top with cherries, sliced
bananas, coconut, cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, M&M's,
crushed peppermint candy, etc. Cover with marshmallow cr�me or chocolate fudge.
Keep in the freezer until ready to eat.
For more
ice cream ideas, click here: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkicecream.html
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Strange But True Facts About The American Revolution
1.
Benjamin Franklin, who was by then 70 years old, wrote the first Declaration of
Independence, but most of the delegates in the Continental Congress didn't like
it. They voted for Thomas Jefferson's version instead. Then Franklin advised the colonial army that they
should use bows and arrows rather than muskets, but no one took his idea
seriously. Later, Franklin
was again disappointed when the eagle was chosen as the national bird, because
he thought the turkey was a better choice!
2. The
first submarine attack in history took place in New York Harbor
on September 6, 1776. David Bushnell of Connecticut
invented a submarine and called it the Turtle, because it resembled two large
tortoise shells joined together. The watertight barrel was made of 6-inch-thick
oak timbers coated with tar. It moved when a propeller was turned by hand. The
Turtle targeted the HMS Eagle, flagship of the British fleet, with the intent of
attaching a cask of gunpowder to the hull of the Eagle and exploding it.
However, since there was only enough air for thirty minutes underwater, the
Turtle lost precious time when it got entangled with the Eagle's rudder and the
mission had to be aborted.
3.
Benedict Arnold was one of the best generals in the Continental Army. During
the first three years of the war, Arnold's fleet
brought the British fleet to a standstill on Lake Champlain, he forced the
British army to surrender at Saratoga in 1777,
and he came close to conquering Canada.
In spite of his success, Arnold
wasn't well respected and he was passed over for promotion by the
Continental Congress while other officers took credit for his accomplishments. Arnold switched sides in
1780 after having been involved in several bad business deals and facing
financial ruin. His wife liked to live lavishly and suggested that he would be better
off working for the British.
4. George
Washington ran a spy headquarters. The man who supposedly would not tell a lie
was a genius at misinformation. He had dozens of espionage rings in
British-held New York and Philadelphia, which constantly befuddled the
British by leaking, through double agents, inflated reports on the strength of
his army.
5. There
were more Americans fighting with the British than with Washington. There were at least 21 regiments
of Loyalists in the British army, estimated to total 6,500-8,000 men. General
Washington had a field army of only 3,468.
6. On
July 9, 1776, Patriots in New York
City pulled down a lead statue of King George on his
horse. They carted most of it to the village
of Litchfield, Connecticut, where it was melted down and
molded into more than 40,000 bullets for American muskets.
7. Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow made a hero of Paul Revere in his poem, "The Midnight
Ride of Paul Revere," yet Revere
never got to finish his famous ride. He was captured by British officers
between Lexington and Concord. A man named Doctor Prescott who had
been riding with Revere was the one who warned the
Concord
minutemen to prepare for a British attack.
8. Some
Revolutionary War battles were fought overseas. Instead of waiting in American
waters for British warships to appear, John Paul Jones of the Continental Navy
sailed across the Atlantic to attack British
ships in their own territory. Jones captured the first British ship ever to be
taken by an American man-of-war, along with seventeen merchant ships and more
than 500 prisoners. In 1779, off the coast of England, Jones fought his most
famous battle. While Jones' ship was badly damaged and sinking, Jones fought
his way aboard the British ship and took it over.
9. Only
two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th -
John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the
last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
10.
"Yankee Doodle" was originally a British song making fun of the
colonists because they were not good soldiers. To be called a Yankee was
considered an insult, and Doodle was a slang term for "fool." At that
time, "macaroni" was considered stylish and it referred to the fancy
trim on soldiers' uniforms. Even though the song was intended to ridicule the
Americans, they liked the song so much that they sang it themselves!
11. The
British soldiers' wool coats were dyed with carmine, a red coloring made from
the pulverized bodies of cochineal scale insects that live on prickly pear
cacti. This dye had originally been used by the Aztecs and Mayas in Mexico, Central and South
America. The Spaniards who discovered the New
World monopolized the cochineal market. The striking red color was
the envy of England
and Colonial America. In the 1700's, an English dyehouse obtained a contract to
dye the Buckingham Palace Guards' coats with carmine. Today, carmine is used as
a coloring in cosmetics and textiles as well as yogurts, fruit drinks and other
foods.
12. Paul
Revere wasn't the only one to take a Midnight Ride. In 1777, a 16-year-old girl
named Sybil Ludington covered 40 miles in the pitch dark, from New York to Connecticut,
to warn local militias that the British were coming.
13.
Immediately following the Revolutionary War, patriotism was so popular that
some people even gave their children patriotic names such as Independence,
Liberty, and America. "Courtesy
of www.HomeschoolPatriot.com "
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Anime Reviews by Xbolt
Ghost in the
Shell
One more
semester of college is over, and summer is here. Which means I now have time to
devote to watching anime, and then writing about it. To kick
off the Summer 2010 season of Xbolt's Anime Reviews, I selected Ghost in the Shell. Ghost in the Shell came out in 1995, and
was a defining film in the cyberpunk genre. Cyberpunk is a type of science
fiction that focuses on computer technology and robotics, usually depicting an
oppressive futuristic society in which virtual reality (or at least some sort
of artificial reality) has largely supplanted physical reality. Cyberpunk
typically includes elements of massive urban decay and partial environmental
collapse, and often involves a lawless violent subculture. In 2029,
cyborgs are abundant. The plot follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg officer
from Section 9, a network security force in Tokyo. Section 9 is on a mission to arrest
the Puppet Master, an elite hacker who can hack into cybernetic bodies, and
implant false memories in order to get people to do what he wants. Because the
villain has the ability to hack into the minds of his enemies, he must be
stopped as soon as possible. But as the cops close in on their target, Motoko
realizes that she and Puppet Master seem to have a lot in common. A
stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in
the Shell was one of the earliest anime films to cross the Pacific
to non-anime fans. It had a large influence on a number of Western filmmakers,
notably the Wachowski brothers, who created The
Matrix. I had already seen The
Matrix, and I could definitely draw connections between the two. Overall,
I liked Ghost in the Shell. If
you're into cyberpunk, you'll probably like this film too. Visit
Xbolt's blog: http://blog.xboltz.net
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Career-of-the-Month: Farmer
Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural
managers own and operate farms, ranches, nurseries, timber tracts, greenhouses,
or other agricultural establishments. Many are self-employed farmers and
ranchers operating family-owned farms. Most farmers receive their training on
the job, often by being raised on a farm. However, the completion of a 2-year
associate degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree at a college of agriculture is
becoming increasingly important for anyone who expects to make a living at
farming. While most farm output is sold to food-processing companies, some
farmers - particularly on smaller farms - may choose to sell
directly to consumers through farmers' markets.
The type of farm managers operate determines their specific tasks.
Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers oversee crop production
activities, while others manage livestock and dairy production. On crop farms
- farms growing grain, cotton, other fibers, fruit, and vegetables
- farmers are responsible for preparing, tilling, planting, fertilizing,
cultivating, spraying, and harvesting. After the harvest, they make sure that
the crops are properly packaged, stored, and marketed. Livestock, dairy, and
poultry farmers and ranchers feed and care for animals and keep barns, pens,
coops, and other farm buildings clean and in good condition. They also plan and
oversee breeding and marketing activities. Both farmers and ranchers operate
machinery and maintain equipment and facilities. Agricultural managers usually
do not plant, harvest, or perform other production activities; instead, they
hire and supervise farm and livestock workers, who perform most daily
production tasks.
Specialty farmers include organic
farmers who rely on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest
control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control
pests without the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant
growth regulators, livestock feed additives, or genetically modified organisms.
Horticulture
farmers oversee the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers,
and ornamental plants - including trees, shrubs, and turf used in
landscaping. They also grow nuts, berries, and grapes for wine. Aquaculture farmers
raise fish and shellfish to be sold for consumption. They also stock, feed,
protect, and manage aquatic life used for recreational fishing.
As farming practices and agricultural technology become more
sophisticated, farmers and farm managers are spending more time in offices and
on computers, where they electronically manage many aspects of their businesses.
Nevertheless, farm work out in the field can still be hazardous. Tractors and
other farm machinery can cause serious injury, and workers must be constantly
alert on the job. The proper operation of equipment and handling of chemicals
are necessary to avoid accidents, safeguard health, and protect the
environment.
Related Occupations:
Food scientist
Agricultural engineer
Agricultural inspector
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HST Blogroll
Are you a homeschooling teen? Do you have your own blog? You know you excel in your field of thought, right? ;) Would you like to get more visitors to your blog? Let us add your blog to our Homeschooling Teen Blogroll at http://homeschoolingteen.wordpress.com ! You can write about anything you want in your blog, as long as it adheres to the standards set forth in Philippians 4:8. ("Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.") In other words, keep it nice and keep it clean! Take a look at a few of the blogs that are already there, and be sure to contact us at [email protected] to add yours to the list!
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| USA Science & Engineering
Festival The
first ever USA Science & Engineering Festival is coming to the National
Mall in Washington, D.C., this October, and the organizers want
to get the word out to the homeschool community.
The
festival will offer hundreds of hands-on science exhibits, workshops, and performances.
More than 400 of the nation's leading science, engineering, and academic
organizations will participate in the festival and expo.
In
addition, nationwide student contest opportunities are open to students now.
These contests are being held in advance of festival events October
10-23, 2010, and the expo on the National Mall October 23-24, 2010.
Contest
opportunities include:
"Why Science is Cool" K-12 Kavli Science Video Contest - This contest
challenges students to use their love of science to inspire everyone. The
winning videos will be broadcast on a large screen at the festival, as well as
other venues, including potential media partners and websites. Cash prizes will
support science education at the student's school or organization, and
electronics certificates and software will be awarded to the students. Winners
receive a travel stipend to D.C. to attend the expo. D.C. regional winners will
be invited to a special Discovery Channel Mythbusters reception in D.C.
in September. The Kavli video contest offers a great way to hone skills in
digital storytelling, electronic journalism, and media production, while
broadening students' understanding of science, and inspiring an appreciation
for science through the art of communication. Deadline: August 31, 2010
"You Can Do the
Rubik's Cube" - Regional K-12 teams will compete
for the fastest time to collectively solve 25 Rubik's Cubes. The top six
finalists will compete for the championship at the USA Science &
Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall on October 23. Prizes range from
$100 to $1,000 and will be awarded by Dr. Erno Rubik, inventor of the
Rubik's Cube. Deadline
for team registration: October 1, 2010.
"Environmental Engineering Challenge: Design a Sustainable Dream
House" - The American Academy of
Environmental Engineers is challenging middle and high school students to
design a residential home that a family of four could comfortably live in while
taking advantage of sustainable design concepts such as energy efficiency,
reusable natural resources, the sun, and much more. The top winner in each
category will get a chance to present their submittal in Washington, D.C.
during the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo on the National Mall,
October 23-24, 2010. Deadline for entries: September 15, 2010
Will
you be there when science takes over the National Mall? For details, visit http://www.usasciencefestival.org
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13th Annual Bill of
Rights Essay Contest: "Freedom and Civic Virtues"
Each year, National
Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) and the National Rifle Association
co-sponsor an academic scholarship for seven high school juniors and
seniors. Winners receive a $3,000 award and are given the opportunity to
attend NFWL's Annual Conference. At the conference, the scholarship
recipients will have the opportunity to learn about public policy, receive
leadership training, and network with lawmakers from all 50 states.
Several winners said their experience through the program strengthened their
passion for public service. It is important to note that in order to
enter the contest all applicants must be sponsored by a woman legislator from
their respective state. Sponsoring legislators of the awardees will receive an
NFWL travel scholarship to attend the Annual Conference in exchange for their
participation in the entire conference with their student.
This year's essay topic
is entitled "Freedom and Civic Virtues" in which applicants are asked
to describe how moral principles and the U.S. Bill of Rights shape the role of
young adults in civic engagement and politics.
APPLICATION
DEADLINE: Friday, July 30th, 2010 by which time essays must be
received or postmarked to NFWL.
CONTACT: The NFWL
office at 202-293-3040, ext. 1005, [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.womenlegislators.org
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CARTOONIST WANTED!
Are you a cartoonist and would you like to see your work published in this magazine? Please write and tell us about the type of cartoon you create, (single pane, strip, etc.) the topics you cover (current events, humor, homeschool life, etc.) and send us a sample along with your name and age. Contact: [email protected]
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Parent's Column
Dear Parents,
Thank
you for taking the time to view Homeschooling Teen Magazine. We hope
that you and your homeschooler enjoyed reading with us. That is our
goal, after all! It is also our goal to provide homeschooled teens a
place of their own, to highlight their accomplishments, talents and
thoughts. Here at Homeschooling Teen Magazine, our articles and
information are written exclusively by homeschoolers, for
homeschoolers. We strive to make this a safe place for your teens to
join in and express themselves in accordance with Philippians 4:8. We
will never share or sell your information with any third party. Content
is a top priority for us and articles will always be age appropriate.
Our magazine will only allow sponsorship logos and links that are
family friendly. However, the opinions expressed in our magazine are
not necessarily those of Homeschooling Teen Magazine and we cannot be
held responsible for any information listed or actions from our
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Our
magazine is free to all homeschoolers. If you know someone who would
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