Taking our children's education into our own hands.

[Nicholle]

I see a lot of us are frustrated with the school system and have a desire to home school, but because of structural constraints (jobs, school, etc) we are not able to walk immediately into home schooling.

I suggest that we do what many of our ethnic counterparts do. Saturday school. When Chinese immigrants come to the US, they have children and then they start Saturday schools to teach their children about Chinese culture, language, foods, social customs, literature etc.

While many of us are not able to walk away from our committments to jobs or school, we can all agree to take some time on Saturday mornings or afternoons to collectively educate our children.

I see several regional associations on here- including mine- the North Texas Moms Group. Since we have connected regionally, why not come together in each region and organize a Saturday School program. Maybe not every Saturday, but two Saturday's a month, or on another select date, and start communally schooling our children ourselves.

I see that we have many educators on here, perhaps we can start an archive of lesson plans on different topics appropriate for each age group, and split up the lessons and teach them.

This will require more organization and planning, but I think it is very doable if you all are interested.

I understand that many moms want to home school, and for those that are able, perhaps the Saturday School can be an intermediate step between where you are now and the journey to home schooling. For those of us who must make do with public schools, outside of parental involvement in the school, we have to be involved in our homes and communities and Saturday Schools are a great way to do this.

if YOU HAVE A REGIONAL GROUP... Let me know if you are interested in organizing the moms in your area

if YOU ARE AN EDUCATOR... Let me know if you are willing to provide age appropriate lesson plans

if YOU ARE A MOM : ) and we all are.... Let me know if you are willing to be an community educator, what area you are willing to teach, and how much time you are willing to contribute

if YOU WANT TO DO THIS...start thinking about spaces, resources, supplies and other materials
....start thinking about what our kids need to learn about
....start thinking about your social network and who is willing to help and support you in
this endeavor

[Iyabo]

I think this is a fantastic idea. Anyone on here in the Atlanta area want to meet up?

[Renee W.]

I`m in atlanta/ Riverdale Ga. what age group does your child fall into ? Our child is in middle school (8th grade)and the oldest is a college student.

[LindsMom]

I'm here in Stone Mountain area. Would love to link up as my daughter is gearing up for Kindergarden.

[Nicholle]

We had our first Saturday School Session yesterday. It went well. My nine year old worked on math, read Black history, and did some artwork. My six year old was stuck on math the entire time...he was very distracted and wanted to play under the table... I'm going to have to work on a strategy for him developing more self discipline and focus.

[Latrice Fowler]

I think this is a very good idea also. Let me know what I can do to help. I'm still on board with the NTMG!

[Jenay]

I love this idea. I live in Raleigh, NC. Let me know of anyone that is interested. I'm frequantly doing things with my own to expand their knowledge. I'd be happy to work with more of our children and would love the help from others in the community. :)!!

[Renee W.]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXCELLENT IDEA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I`m willing and ready to be apart of such a group, as a parent and civil rights activist, my husband and I firmly believe in educating our own, please let me know how this is progressing and I will keep my eye out for it. I will also gather more material for our children and share with you as we go.

[belizean_mommy]

I think the idea of a saturday school for OUR children is a wonderful idea. I once assisted some old college friends with their saturday school. It was an interesting experience seeing my Mandarian friends volunteering their saturday's (mornings no less) to teach American born chinese their culture. That was back in 1998, now it is a phenomenon that has swept the entire Northern Calif. region. I always secretly wondered why WE don't have something like this for our younger children. In Southern Calif. there was a group that I was apart of (as a teen) called SIMBA, SIMBAsis. They may be defuncted by now.

Anyhow, I think this a wonderful idea. Now that I am mom, an educated mom, I would be willing to volunteer my time to plan and coordinate curricula for this project. Have any of the BMC mothers started to put this awesome opportunity together? If so, email me. I would like to talk about this further.

[Nicholle]

Hey Ladies,

Thanks for all of the support! My computer crashed shortly after we started, and I could not get on line like I normally do. We are still going strong each Saturday morning. Last week we had our first field trip to the Fort Worth Modern. They had the Kara Walker Exhibit which I really wanted to support. I've been a fan of her work since the nineties... The boys drew and did artwork in the notebooks provided by the museum while I walked through the exhibit- it was not appropriate for children. Then we walked through the museum to see several short films and modern art work. They had so much fun, and I got my soul fed by the work of Ms. Walker.

Curriculum wise, we are still working on the basics reading comprehension, math and writing. They are reading Black History for Beginners and African History for Beginners which are graphic comic book style booklets, and Native American History which discusses groups around the US, and their beliefs, practices etc. We've also done a little on Hispanic stories since October is Hispanic Heritage Month.

Next month I'd like to start on some of the African American Folk Tales. I am so open to coordinating and getting something more solid in place, so all of the educators out there, please forward me whatever you have and see as helpful. My boys are in the 2nd and 4th grades. But I'd like to see us put something together across the grade levels and subject areas.

Thanks and lets keep building!
Nicholle

[Bridget]

I would love to start up a school or and orginazation for kids with special needs. I have three other kids all daughters and their school issues are nothing compared to what my son deals with. I live in Duarte California and its truly sucks I would love to start something here