Welcome to The MassHOPE Messenger, an up-to-the-minute e-mail summary of events and other opportunities for homeschoolers as well as other news items related to home education.
Please note that listing of items herein that are not sponsored by MassHOPE does not imply endorsement by MassHOPE. Due diligence should be exercised in determining what you consider appropriate for your own family.
This case—like other recent high-profile cases—raises several fundamental questions about the Constitution and the rights of the American people living under it. Namely:
- What is the proper role of government in America and what are its limits?
- What is the proper relationship between states and the federal government?
- How has the understanding of rights in America changed since its founding?
- What is the proper role of the judiciary in a free government?
To answer these questions, and many more, I invite you to enroll in Hillsdale’s free online course, “The U.S. Supreme Court.”
By taking this TEN-LECTURE COURSE, you’ll discover how landmark court decisions stand in relation to the Founders’ understanding of natural rights, morality, and the purposes of government. Taught by Hillsdale politics faculty, this course also covers the Court’s key rulings on property rights, federalism, free speech, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, and more.
You can access “The U.S. Supreme Court” for FREE today, as well as our other 30+ courses, by clicking on the secure link above.
I hope you join me in this fundamental study of the judicial branch and how today’s Court relates to the expectations of the Founders.
3. Philosophy for ALL
And also from Kyle Murnen, Director of Online Learning, Hillsdale College
Too often the study of philosophy is viewed as a special privilege for a scholarly few—too complicated, jargon-filled, and impractical for an amateur to understand or appreciate.
This commonly held belief is wrong, and Aristotle explains why.
In his Metaphysics he writes that “it is owing to their wonder that men both now begin and at first began to philosophize”—wonder, something natural to each and every one of us. Think of the last time you observed the stars through a telescope, or marveled at a baby learning to speak, or listened to a full orchestra perform a symphony. Wonder calls all of us to pursue deeper knowledge of ourselves and our world. (In fact, the word philosophy itself means “love of wisdom.”) And knowledge of what is true and what is good in turn frees us to live well, to lead a happy life.
That is why Hillsdale has produced “Introduction to Western Philosophy.” In this free 14-lecture online course, you will explore the ideas and arguments of the most important philosophers of the West—including Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Nietzsche, and C.S. Lewis—as they wrestle with the common questions that all human beings are called to answer.
The new year and this FREE COURSE provide an excellent opportunity to move beyond these common misconceptions of philosophy and pursue life-changing knowledge about God, human nature, and the world. You can begin this course for FREE today by clicking on the secure link above.
I encourage you to join us as we wonder and pursue knowledge together in this essential study of Western philosophy.
4. Article: “Homeschooling Just Crossed the Tipping Point”
“Scientists have found that when just 10 percent of the population holds an unshakable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of the society.”
I’ve never heard much about the concept of tipping points. Here is an intriguing and encouraging discussion about their importance: https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/homeschooling-just-crossed-the-tipping-point/?fbclid=IwAR322GNGl1dftN39s0R418LeG0nNVGLthQ3RBjOchDlhUts6v-oRuuhN3jo
5. Old Sturbridge Village home school offerings
From Liz O’Grady at Old Sturbridge Village:
Hope your New Year is off to a great start! Our first Home School Day of 2022 is scheduled for Friday, February 4. During this Home School Day, we will be exploring a New England winter and early 19th-century African American figures. Pre-registration is required for all workshops and spaces fill up fast. Click HERE to learn more or to register.
We’re also excited to announce several special winter sessions just for homeschoolers! First, we have live 3D tours of the Pottery Shop and Print Shop where participants join knowledgeable museum educators for a virtual tour from the comfort of home. Second, we have two multi-day, in-person, hands-on sessions designed specifically for home school teens. Pre-registration is also required for these winter sessions and we expect spaces to fill up fast. Click HERE to learn more about winter sessions, or to register for them.
6. Free course on the American story
From Kyle Murnen, Director of Online Learning, Hillsdale College
As we look toward the beginning of a new year, we at Hillsdale College aim to find ways to continue doing what we love—teaching the things that will perpetuate civil and religious liberty in America.
Because one of the best things to know is the story of our nation, we have organized a special eight-week study group of one of our most popular online courses, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope.” In this course, historian Wilfred M. McClay examines the story of America as a land of hope, founded on high principles. And like all of Hillsdale’s online courses, it is offered free of charge.
Those who enroll in this special study group will receive a syllabus that organizes the course into 24 lessons over eight weeks. They will also have the chance to engage with fellow students on a private discussion board to foster the true spirit of a “college” as a means to build friendships by learning together. Students in this study group will also receive exclusive access to a livestream Q & A with Dr. McClay.
This free special study group begins on Tuesday, January 10. To secure your spot today, click on this link: https://online.hillsdale.edu/study-group/the-great-american-story.
7. Still time to view Schoolhouse Rocked
“There’s a revolution transforming education and it’s NOT happening in the classroom!”
The new feature-length documentary, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, examines the incredible growth of homeschooling and why thousands of families across the country are choosing this path for their children’s education. You can see a trailer or order your tickets HERE.
Schoolhouse Rocked will impact countless lives by…
- Encouraging families who aren’t yet homeschooling to dive in,
- Bringing much needed encouragement and resources to current homeschool families so they will stay the course, AND
- Breaking down the misconceptions and negative stereotypes that many people believe about homeschooling.
Gather your family, other families, your support group/co-op, even skeptical friends and family members, and have a movie night! With each ticket purchased, 15% of the purchase will be kicked back to MassHOPE. Thank you, and enjoy the show!
8. TeenPact Massachusetts 2022
TeenPact is an “awesome Christian ministry” where your kids can learn about government from a Biblical perspective. They will learn how a bill becomes a law and how elections are run, and hear from elected leaders on site at the State House.
Email Ken at ken.tangel@teenpact.com to RSVP or for further information. Please share with your friends!
TeenPact Massachusetts will be April 25-29, 2022.
9. MassHOPE Facebook groups
Did you know that MassHOPE has two private Facebook groups in addition to its main Facebook page? If you would like to join the MassHOPE Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group (described in Item #11, below) or the MassHOPE Massachusetts Homeschool Marketplace and UCS group, or if you invite anyone to join these groups, please note that there are questions you will need to answer in order to be approved. If you don’t get approved soon after your request to join, perhaps you didn’t answer the required questions.
10. MassHOPE advertising opportunities
MassHOPE has a variety of advertising options available at reasonable rates in several media paths – MassHOPE website, dedicated email, Facebook, MassHOPE Messenger. If interested, please send an email to advertising@masshope.org. All ads are subject to availability and space. MassHOPE reserves the right to accept or reject ads as we must apportion limited space and evaluate relevance to our audience.
11. MassHOPE Facebook discussion group
Connect with us on Facebook at MassHOPE’s Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group. This group provides support and encouragement for homeschoolers pursuing privately-funded, parent-led home education. Its purpose is to encourage and equip homeschool parents to disciple and educate their children for the Lord, and to connect families within our state to give them opportunities to gather together for educational and recreational experiences.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MassHOPEDiscussion/
12. The MassHOPE Educator ID Card
Educator IDs are available for benefits such as potential discounts at retailers. Order them from our website HERE.
13. Are you on our mailing lists?
To those who have been recently added to our email list through our website: if you would also like to be added to our “snail mail” list to receive information (such as our print newsletter) via the U.S. Postal Service, please send your full name and complete mailing address to newsletter@masshope.org.
14. Your news items wanted
Do you know of an event or activity in or near Massachusetts that would edify or interest the homeschool community? Email Anne Smith at volunteer@masshope.org and we will review it for possible inclusion in the MassHOPE Messenger.
15. Remember to “Like” MassHOPE on Facebook
“Like” MassHOPE’s Facebook page: facebook.com/MassHOPE?fref=ts. You’ll be encouraged in your homeschooling journey and will receive all updates for upcoming events.
16. Do you receive The Voice of HOPE?
MassHOPE publishes a quarterly print newsletter, The Voice of HOPE. In addition to announcements you might also find in the Messenger, we provide three or four full-length articles on a variety of homeschooling topics. If you would like to add your name, please send your name and “snail mail” address to newsletter@masshope.org.
17. Support MassHOPE through AmazonSmile
Do you shop at Amazon? If you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to MassHOPE! If you’re not already signed up, you can do so more easily than ever. To start supporting our organization, simply click this link, which is unique to MassHOPE: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04- HYPERLINK “http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-3220412”3220412. That’s all! From then on, when – and only when – you enter the Amazon website through amazonsmile.com, Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to MassHOPE. Thank you for supporting the work of your Christian state homeschool organization!
18. How to homeschool legally in Massachusetts
This video features Michael Donnelly, HSLDA’s designated counsel for Massachusetts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmELLON4OFI&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWzxwNhyZUNrdz0K-tbkz9a&index=21. The link referenced for further Massachusetts-specific articles is https://hslda.org/legal/massachusetts.
19. Videos and webinars from HSLDA
Could Homeschooling Fit My Family?—Q&A, with Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, HSLDA Special Needs and High School Consultant, and Tj Schmidt, HSLDA Staff Attorney.
Single-Parent Homeschooling: Success Strategies—Q&A, with Kim Sorgius, Not Consumed community founder, and Erin Eskew, Have Soldier: Will Travel blog.
Helping Your Child Love Learning—Q&A, with Ainsley Arment, Wild + Free founder, and Natalie Mack, HSLDA High School Consultant.
Homeschooling Through Major Life Changes—Q&A, with Faith Berens, HSLDA Special Needs Consultant, Tracy Klicka, HSLDA Director of Development, and Sunny Coté, state department spouse.
9 Tips for Homeschooling in the Military—Q&A, with Natalie Mack, HSLDA High School Consultant and U.S. Navy Chaplain’s wife, and Sabrina Riley, Army National Guard, active duty spouse.
Homeschooling through the Holidays? (or taking a month off? or flexing with hands-on learning and unit studies? or . . . ?), with Vicki Bentley, HSLDA PreK-8 Educational Consultant and homeschooling mom to eight biological kids plus nine foster kids through the years), and Chelsea Moore, HSLDA blogger (and homeschooling mom to two).
hslda.org/Webinars
Three-part video series on getting started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOzkYx2vcA&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWAtvLTz1gA1CYyPLBBe-Ke.
Helpful overview of how to start homeschooling: https://hslda.org/post/ready-set-go-choosing-homeschool-curriculum-and-more.
You Can Homeschool Through High School: https://hslda.org/post/you-can-homeschool-through-high-school.
How to Start Homeschooling with Special Needs: https://hslda.org/post/how-to-start-homeschooling-midyear-with-special-needs-q-and-a.
20. MassHOPE: homeschooling in Massachusetts
Check out this MassHOPE site for getting started.
21. A bevy of materials, offers, and helps
https://www.mfwbooks.com/
My Father’s World materials. Includes offer of two free activity packs.
https://homeschoolhistory.com/
Notgrass History web-based curriculum. Free trial.
https://www.iew.com/three-weeks-of-language-arts-instruction-from-iew
Free language arts lessons from IEW.
https://coronavirushomeschooling.com/
The importance of Christian homeschool organizations for homeschool freedom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgV-1tfKz8&feature=youtu.be
YouTube with Dr. Kathy Koch: Having Conversations about Today’s Tough Stuff
https://www.oaclub.org/
Remember Adventures in Odyssey? Free 28-day trial.
https://billygrahamlibrary.org/continue-the-journey-from-home/
Family activities from the Billy Graham Library.
22. Variety of interesting sites suggested by the Heritage Foundation
Science, engineering, and building projects and lessons from The League of Young Inventors.
Exciting free courses from Hillsdale College in literature, politics, history, and economics.
From Joy Hakim: DIY lessons on topics such as the human body, Magellan’s travels, the story of Elizabeth Jennings Graham, and plagues from previous eras.
Students can explore the remains of Athens’ ancient Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, and more in these virtual tours.
Free online language learning materials in English, Spanish, French and German, from Lingoda.
More free language learning from Duolingo, with 23 languages.
Core Knowledge offers a vast array of resources. Their Language Arts, History and Geography, and Science curricula are available for free.
TouchMath offers free downloads of TouchMath Workbooks.
21. Browsing corner for vets and newbies
How To (and How Not To) Homeschool During COVID-19 by John Stonestreet by John Stonestreet
‘Most Rewarding Thing You Can Do’: Homeschool Experts Offer Hope to Parents in COVID-19 School Shutdowns by Kayla Root
Home-school family feels the impact of social distancing, offers advice to other families by Tiffany Kafer
5 Tips From Homeschool Veterans For Parents New To Learning At Home by Laura Isensee
Follow us on Twitter! @MassHOPE is our Twitter handle.
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The MassHOPE Messenger is published by Massachusetts Homeschool Organization of Parent Educators(MassHOPE). Visit our website at masshope.org/.
Any questions about items in this e-news can be sent to info@masshope.org. If you know someone who would like to receive our news, or if you wish to unsubscribe or change your e-mail address, please contact us at info@masshope.org. Items for possible inclusion in the newsletter should be sent to volunteer@masshope.org. MassHOPE reserves the right to edit or reject any items submitted for the e-news.