Welcome to the premier issue of our homeschool journalism blog. I meet with a group of high school students every other Monday to discuss journalism and make writing assignments. We have chosen to use a blog format rather than a "paper" newspaper, primarily because of cost and circulation. New articles will be posted every other week. We hope you enjoy this and future issues. If you have suggestions for articles or comments on any present or future articles, please contact me at homeschooljournal@gmail.com.
Journalism Teacher and "Editor in Chief"
Debbie Sadler
Sunday, September 28, 2008
That's Open for Debate
BY STORMIE PERRY
Debate is a great activity that can increase your knowledge of current events and your communication skills. Many students have already learned much from being involved in debate, and many more have taken the step and joined this year.
This year there are two debate clubs or classes offered to homeschoolers. One club is in Cabot and is taught by Laura Clark, and this club has sixteen students. The other class is in Little Rock with seventeen students, and is taught by Lisa Alsop, assisted by Angela Childress. Laura Clark has a degree in Speech and English Literature from the University of South Florida, has been teaching homeschool debate and speech for seven years, and is a member of the NCFCA. Mrs. Clark's main focus is teaching the students to learn how to communicate and speak well. She says, "I don’t care if they come home with a trophy. I encourage competition, but competition is not the goal, the skills are the goal." Lisa Alsop is the teacher for the Little Rock group. She has a lot of experience in debate and the NCFCA.
Debate is where two students come together in a controlled forum to dicuss or debate a particular topic, or resolution. The resolution is chosen by the NCFCA every year. One student will present a case that they have written which includes evidence they have researched, to prove and affirm that the resolution is right. This person is called the affirmative speaker. The other student, the negative speaker, will present a speech that negates the resolution. They will both "argue" or debate each other on the issue, or resolution. This year's resolution is "When in conflict, idealism ought to be valued over pragmatism."
This year the debate clubs will have a debate tournament here in Arkansas and one in Memphis. Some students will also go to Texas for debate tournaments. Debate classes consist of a two hour class and research homework, which usually takes about five hours a week. Once a student reaches 120 hours, he or she will receive one full credit for either Public Speaking, Logic, or English Composition. Most students use this opportunity to receive their Public Speaking credit.
Debate is a great activity to get involved with if you love to argue, because it will help you to know current events, communicate your values and views, and to defend them as well.
Debate is a great activity that can increase your knowledge of current events and your communication skills. Many students have already learned much from being involved in debate, and many more have taken the step and joined this year.
This year there are two debate clubs or classes offered to homeschoolers. One club is in Cabot and is taught by Laura Clark, and this club has sixteen students. The other class is in Little Rock with seventeen students, and is taught by Lisa Alsop, assisted by Angela Childress. Laura Clark has a degree in Speech and English Literature from the University of South Florida, has been teaching homeschool debate and speech for seven years, and is a member of the NCFCA. Mrs. Clark's main focus is teaching the students to learn how to communicate and speak well. She says, "I don’t care if they come home with a trophy. I encourage competition, but competition is not the goal, the skills are the goal." Lisa Alsop is the teacher for the Little Rock group. She has a lot of experience in debate and the NCFCA.
Debate is where two students come together in a controlled forum to dicuss or debate a particular topic, or resolution. The resolution is chosen by the NCFCA every year. One student will present a case that they have written which includes evidence they have researched, to prove and affirm that the resolution is right. This person is called the affirmative speaker. The other student, the negative speaker, will present a speech that negates the resolution. They will both "argue" or debate each other on the issue, or resolution. This year's resolution is "When in conflict, idealism ought to be valued over pragmatism."
This year the debate clubs will have a debate tournament here in Arkansas and one in Memphis. Some students will also go to Texas for debate tournaments. Debate classes consist of a two hour class and research homework, which usually takes about five hours a week. Once a student reaches 120 hours, he or she will receive one full credit for either Public Speaking, Logic, or English Composition. Most students use this opportunity to receive their Public Speaking credit.
Debate is a great activity to get involved with if you love to argue, because it will help you to know current events, communicate your values and views, and to defend them as well.
Seniors Discuss Upcoming Year
BY AMY DANFORTH
On the night of Friday, September 12, seventeen homeschool seniors from the graduating class of 2009 met at the home of Rick and Dana Stearns, this year's class sponsors, in order to talk about the events of the upcoming year.
The two main topics of the meeting were the Ropes Course Event, which will take place in Ferndale in October, and the Flames Homecoming, which will be held in January. They also discussed what other events, if any, the senior class should participate in. Suggestions included things like a bingo gift exchange in December and a float trip in the spring.
After the major events were discussed, the seniors built ice cream sundaes and floats with the toppings they had brought, and spent the rest of the evening enjoying the company of fellow students while eating their creations.
Some events like graduation and the prom require students to be members of Home Ed. For more information on how to become a member of Home Ed, go to http://www.homeedonline.com/ .
On the night of Friday, September 12, seventeen homeschool seniors from the graduating class of 2009 met at the home of Rick and Dana Stearns, this year's class sponsors, in order to talk about the events of the upcoming year.
The two main topics of the meeting were the Ropes Course Event, which will take place in Ferndale in October, and the Flames Homecoming, which will be held in January. They also discussed what other events, if any, the senior class should participate in. Suggestions included things like a bingo gift exchange in December and a float trip in the spring.
After the major events were discussed, the seniors built ice cream sundaes and floats with the toppings they had brought, and spent the rest of the evening enjoying the company of fellow students while eating their creations.
Some events like graduation and the prom require students to be members of Home Ed. For more information on how to become a member of Home Ed, go to http://www.homeedonline.com/ .
Walkers Raise Money for Education Alliance
BY BEN DANFORTH
The Education Alliance is raising money by hosting a Bridge-A-Thon on the Pulaski County Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge, which spans the Arkansas River between Little Rock and North Little Rock. The event will begin at Cook’s Landing at Murray Lock and Dam, located in North Little Rock. The walk will take place at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 25, 2008. It is a 5 mile walk (back and forth across the bridge 4 times) over the world’s largest pedestrian bridge.
The Education Alliance is an organization that benefits home schoolers all over Arkansas. The organization will receive money pledged by sponsors collected by the walkers participating in the event. Money collected will be used to put on conventions, home school competitions and other state-wide events.
The Education Alliance is in its third year of putting on the annually occurring Bridge-A-Thon, usually on the last Saturday of October. Last year there were 26 walkers and the Alliance received 7,000 dollars. The event is an easy and safe walk for all ages. This would be an excellent event for families and groups to help raise money to benefit a very useful and necessary organization.
For anyone wishing to attend this year’s Bridge-A-Thon, visit http://www.arkansashomeschool.org/ where you can download the sponsor sheet, learn about prizes and receive directions.
The Education Alliance is raising money by hosting a Bridge-A-Thon on the Pulaski County Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge, which spans the Arkansas River between Little Rock and North Little Rock. The event will begin at Cook’s Landing at Murray Lock and Dam, located in North Little Rock. The walk will take place at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 25, 2008. It is a 5 mile walk (back and forth across the bridge 4 times) over the world’s largest pedestrian bridge.
The Education Alliance is an organization that benefits home schoolers all over Arkansas. The organization will receive money pledged by sponsors collected by the walkers participating in the event. Money collected will be used to put on conventions, home school competitions and other state-wide events.
The Education Alliance is in its third year of putting on the annually occurring Bridge-A-Thon, usually on the last Saturday of October. Last year there were 26 walkers and the Alliance received 7,000 dollars. The event is an easy and safe walk for all ages. This would be an excellent event for families and groups to help raise money to benefit a very useful and necessary organization.
For anyone wishing to attend this year’s Bridge-A-Thon, visit http://www.arkansashomeschool.org/ where you can download the sponsor sheet, learn about prizes and receive directions.
Students Explore Science Through S.E.E.K.
BY GLORIA HARRIS
The S.E.E.K program is an excellent enrichment program for hands-on learning in the sciences. The program will begin the first week of December and continue through the first week of March at the Arkansas 4H Center. The cost is $220 and includes all the students' materials. There is a price break for additional children in the same family. Classes meet for several hours each week from morning to mid-afternoon.
Wanda Curry, Coordinator of S.E.E.K., informs that there were about 180 students last year and she is expecting at least 175 students for this year. The S.E.E.K. Program is open to 1st through 12th graders. Students choose which day of the week they wish to attend, and classes are held each week. Classes are grouped according to age and each age group has a curriculum specific to that class.
S.E.E.K. is sponsored by The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas 4H Program and has been providing quality hands-on learning to homeschoolers for 10 years.
For more information, contact the Arkansas 4H Center.
The S.E.E.K program is an excellent enrichment program for hands-on learning in the sciences. The program will begin the first week of December and continue through the first week of March at the Arkansas 4H Center. The cost is $220 and includes all the students' materials. There is a price break for additional children in the same family. Classes meet for several hours each week from morning to mid-afternoon.
Wanda Curry, Coordinator of S.E.E.K., informs that there were about 180 students last year and she is expecting at least 175 students for this year. The S.E.E.K. Program is open to 1st through 12th graders. Students choose which day of the week they wish to attend, and classes are held each week. Classes are grouped according to age and each age group has a curriculum specific to that class.
S.E.E.K. is sponsored by The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas 4H Program and has been providing quality hands-on learning to homeschoolers for 10 years.
For more information, contact the Arkansas 4H Center.
Academy Opens Again
BY CALEB STEWART
On September 11th of the year 2008, the Little Rock Homeschool Academy opened a new year of helping parents homeschool kids in central Arkansas.
The Homeschool Academy offers a change of environment to homeschooled students along with
other benefits. Mrs. Mary Sample, director of grades 3rd - 8th, says, "At Academy, our goal is to partner with parents to enhance the students' home education experience. We help the parents by providing outside classroon experience for their students, classes which are easier to accomplish in a group setting (labs, speech, etc), an opportunity for social interaction for the students who attend, and a day off from teaching responsibilities for the parent."
The schedule at the Homeschool Academy is divided into 7 segments: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd periods, lunch and recess, 4th and 5th periods. (Lunch and recess order varies with grade.) When enrolled, grades 3rd - 8th were given a set class schedule. Classes include writing, history, science, math, speech, art, and sign language. High school students, however, can choose from a variety of 25 classes. These included 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade composition, theatre, photography, choir, chemistry, biology, physical science and others.
The Academy will also host special activities. Near the end of the year, the high school theatre class will give a performance, as will high school choir. Sign language classes will give a demonstration, and there will be a field day at the end of the year for the younger students.
For more information about Homeschool Academy, go to www.homeedonline.com .
On September 11th of the year 2008, the Little Rock Homeschool Academy opened a new year of helping parents homeschool kids in central Arkansas.
The Homeschool Academy offers a change of environment to homeschooled students along with
other benefits. Mrs. Mary Sample, director of grades 3rd - 8th, says, "At Academy, our goal is to partner with parents to enhance the students' home education experience. We help the parents by providing outside classroon experience for their students, classes which are easier to accomplish in a group setting (labs, speech, etc), an opportunity for social interaction for the students who attend, and a day off from teaching responsibilities for the parent."
The schedule at the Homeschool Academy is divided into 7 segments: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd periods, lunch and recess, 4th and 5th periods. (Lunch and recess order varies with grade.) When enrolled, grades 3rd - 8th were given a set class schedule. Classes include writing, history, science, math, speech, art, and sign language. High school students, however, can choose from a variety of 25 classes. These included 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade composition, theatre, photography, choir, chemistry, biology, physical science and others.
The Academy will also host special activities. Near the end of the year, the high school theatre class will give a performance, as will high school choir. Sign language classes will give a demonstration, and there will be a field day at the end of the year for the younger students.
For more information about Homeschool Academy, go to www.homeedonline.com .
Bump, Set, Spike: Volleyball is Back!
By KURT KAMPHAUSEN
Last month marked the beginning of the Flames volleyball season. Coming off superb seasons last year from all four teams, much is anticipated for the upcoming season. With four teams available, there are plenty of opportunities to get on a team.
The developmental team consists of players interested in playing volleyball and learning the basic skills. Almost every player has had to start on the developmental team and work up. Even though they do not play as many games as the other teams, this team has always been competitive and usually does very well.
The next step up is the junior varsity team. Coming off a great season last year in which they killed their opponents while only losing one game, this team has started off the year well, winning against Southwest Christian twice. It has not been easy, since they lost four players from last year, including the tallest girl on the team.
The local varsity has also undergone change. Having also lost four players, they have to rely on the abilities of the ladies moving up to have a successful season. They started off the year at a tournament in Kansas City which was a good warm-up for the season. Since the tournament, they are 1-1, with both games against Southwest Christian.
The final team is the traveling varsity, and “amazing” is an understatement when it comes to their talent. They only lost three seniors from last year and expectations are high once again. They also participated in the Kansas City tournament and most recently won against Southwest Christian in dominating fashion. Their only home games left are a tournament at Southwest Christian on October 3-4. Otherwise, they will be competing out of state.
Other sports seasons are coming up fast with track starting and basketball to begin soon, but if you want to see some of the best talent in the state, you might want to check out these volleyball teams before it’s too late.
Academy Enriches Students
BY HUNTER SADLER
The Enrichment Academy is a central Arkansas educational cooperative for home schoolers to supplement the education students are getting at home. It was started by Karen Peeler and Stephanie Thompson in 2007 to offer a co-op environment for students north of the river. Students from any location, however, are welcome to join.
This co-op provides a group environment for home schooled students. Many classes, taught by home school parents, are offered for children kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Classes vary from year to year. Most of the classes are hands on learning experiences, like music and art.
The Enrichment Academy meets on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. during the regular school year in the North Little Rock area. For more information on the Enrichment Academy, go to http://www.homeedonline.com/.
Juniors Plan Prom
BY JAKE SADLER
Early in September, a group of 18 high school home school juniors met in west Little Rock for the first ever “ice cream social” for the class of 2010. Each year, the junior class of home schoolers of central Arkansas meet to get to know each other better before their senior year, and to make plans for the junior/senior prom in the spring.
The junior class traditionally hosts the prom for the senior class. These students and 4 adults met to discuss ideas and possible locations for the prom of 2009. The specific location and details are always kept secret until just before the event.
If you are a home schooled junior and would like to be involved in future meetings/planning sessions, contact Mrs. Karen Wenneker, or watch for details in the monthly Home Ed newsletter. Juniors will continue to meet throughout the year to discuss plans and fundraising activities for the prom. Two car washes are already planned for the month of October to help raise money for the junior class. The first car wash will be at the Exxon on the corner of Cantrell and Mississippi on October 4.
In order to participate in certain events like the prom and graduation, students must be members of Home Ed. For more information on how to become a member, go to http://www.homeedonline.com/.
Be sure to keep watching the Home Ed newsletter in the months to come for the date of the prom-- you won’t want to miss it!
Early in September, a group of 18 high school home school juniors met in west Little Rock for the first ever “ice cream social” for the class of 2010. Each year, the junior class of home schoolers of central Arkansas meet to get to know each other better before their senior year, and to make plans for the junior/senior prom in the spring.
The junior class traditionally hosts the prom for the senior class. These students and 4 adults met to discuss ideas and possible locations for the prom of 2009. The specific location and details are always kept secret until just before the event.
If you are a home schooled junior and would like to be involved in future meetings/planning sessions, contact Mrs. Karen Wenneker, or watch for details in the monthly Home Ed newsletter. Juniors will continue to meet throughout the year to discuss plans and fundraising activities for the prom. Two car washes are already planned for the month of October to help raise money for the junior class. The first car wash will be at the Exxon on the corner of Cantrell and Mississippi on October 4.
In order to participate in certain events like the prom and graduation, students must be members of Home Ed. For more information on how to become a member, go to http://www.homeedonline.com/.
Be sure to keep watching the Home Ed newsletter in the months to come for the date of the prom-- you won’t want to miss it!
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