Over ten years ago, we had neighbors who homeschooled because their kids had health issues. After they moved (with no forwarding address), one of their homeschool magazines was delivered to our house in error. There was Grassley on the cover, at a conference and warning the home school people about the dangerous public schools. This "grooming" of homeschoolers and fear-mongering about the public schools has been going on for a long time.
OMG, Bob, I almost choked on my bagel laughing at the first of this article! Someone before me put river rock on three sides of my house in Ames (yes, Ames…if I’d known you were stuck just north of town I’d have rescued you) and I always enjoy picking up random rocks just to admire their beauty. I have volunteered at the library in Ames and I love to see the homeschoolers bring their kids in. I am a retired teacher and have a couple stories of unsuccessful home schooled children. No oversight is not good.
Thanks, Bob~ I'm a retired geologist. My mother was a librarian, my wife and I both taught in the public school system, and my daughter is currently a librarian. We all thank you for this piece! Homeschooling is a threat to public education.
You are a good man, Bob Leonard. Taking the time to visit with that young lady and tell her about the rocks and their origins is a kindness that many people would not take the time to show. You gave her great advice about visiting the library; I hope she is able to do that. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
I worry about some of my former students who have been pulled for “homeschooling” because “the school was getting in their parent’s business.” Most parents homeschool out of love and concern for their children and do a great job. I am certain these parents would have no problem with a system that checks on progress.
I really enjoy your articles. It is an sometimes an eye opening experience to find others who are so intrigued and excited by the simple knowledge of things. Thank you for blessing her with it. I love rocks too. I once sent home a 29 plus pound box of interesting rocks from beaches on the Cape. I gave the boys the ones that looked like dinosaurs eggs😊. I, like the others worry about no oversight for home schooling, with many of the same concerns shared by you and others. Thanks for sharing.
I've been disconnected from the internet for several days so I just ran across this today. I don't understand why so many people think that anyone can be successful at homeschooling or why there is so much fear that children need protection from so many things. I was fortunate to be raised in a time when none of my contemporaries were home schooled and we had a variety of teachers , most of whom encouraged us to find out as much as we could beyond the time spent in classrooms.
What a great story! We never know who we will encounter or what will emerge from that meeting. I can feel that this interaction between you and the young woman will stay with both of you for a long time. This made me think about what a huge difference a little kindness can make. Thanks for sharing this with us. I loved it.
I am reminded, from time to time, of the great variety of experiences I've had that others have not. For instance, I have a lot of treasured knowledge about animals, but some people don't even know what a snake feels like or that brushing the fur of a cat against the grain doesn't feel good. Such little things, but big differences.
Nice article, Bob. Libraries are great places to learn, so long as they stop banning books in them.
Margaret
Over ten years ago, we had neighbors who homeschooled because their kids had health issues. After they moved (with no forwarding address), one of their homeschool magazines was delivered to our house in error. There was Grassley on the cover, at a conference and warning the home school people about the dangerous public schools. This "grooming" of homeschoolers and fear-mongering about the public schools has been going on for a long time.
You are brilliant! Apparently you could teach me a lot, or maybe I should just go to the library. ❤️
On behalf of librarians and library lovers everywhere, thank you for this wonderful story.
OMG, Bob, I almost choked on my bagel laughing at the first of this article! Someone before me put river rock on three sides of my house in Ames (yes, Ames…if I’d known you were stuck just north of town I’d have rescued you) and I always enjoy picking up random rocks just to admire their beauty. I have volunteered at the library in Ames and I love to see the homeschoolers bring their kids in. I am a retired teacher and have a couple stories of unsuccessful home schooled children. No oversight is not good.
Thanks for writing.
Marge Nelson
Thanks, Bob~ I'm a retired geologist. My mother was a librarian, my wife and I both taught in the public school system, and my daughter is currently a librarian. We all thank you for this piece! Homeschooling is a threat to public education.
You are a good man, Bob Leonard. Taking the time to visit with that young lady and tell her about the rocks and their origins is a kindness that many people would not take the time to show. You gave her great advice about visiting the library; I hope she is able to do that. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
I worry about some of my former students who have been pulled for “homeschooling” because “the school was getting in their parent’s business.” Most parents homeschool out of love and concern for their children and do a great job. I am certain these parents would have no problem with a system that checks on progress.
All people are scientists
I really enjoy your articles. It is an sometimes an eye opening experience to find others who are so intrigued and excited by the simple knowledge of things. Thank you for blessing her with it. I love rocks too. I once sent home a 29 plus pound box of interesting rocks from beaches on the Cape. I gave the boys the ones that looked like dinosaurs eggs😊. I, like the others worry about no oversight for home schooling, with many of the same concerns shared by you and others. Thanks for sharing.
I've been disconnected from the internet for several days so I just ran across this today. I don't understand why so many people think that anyone can be successful at homeschooling or why there is so much fear that children need protection from so many things. I was fortunate to be raised in a time when none of my contemporaries were home schooled and we had a variety of teachers , most of whom encouraged us to find out as much as we could beyond the time spent in classrooms.
Awesome interaction!
What a great story! We never know who we will encounter or what will emerge from that meeting. I can feel that this interaction between you and the young woman will stay with both of you for a long time. This made me think about what a huge difference a little kindness can make. Thanks for sharing this with us. I loved it.
I admire your unusual ability to be present in the moment.
I am reminded, from time to time, of the great variety of experiences I've had that others have not. For instance, I have a lot of treasured knowledge about animals, but some people don't even know what a snake feels like or that brushing the fur of a cat against the grain doesn't feel good. Such little things, but big differences.
No, you’re not wrong.
You would have been a great teacher.