Author Archives: Meg Rayborn Dawson

Legislating Religion in New England (What I learned from Sam, #3)

In the year 1620 a group of Puritans set sail from Plymouth, England, on a venture for freedom in the New World. They were armed with utopian ideas, hoping to escape from post-Reformation tyrants. They wanted to be self-governed, and … Continue reading

Posted in History of American Education, homeschooling, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Phonics, Reading, teaching | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Taught George Washington? (What I learned from Sam, #2)

Who taught George Washington? How about Benjamin Franklin? Thomas Jefferson? Do you care to guess? Lawrence A. Cremin (author of “American Education: The Colonial Experience 1607-1783”) describes the signers of the Declaration of Independence and of the U.S. Constitution as … Continue reading

Posted in Declaration of Independence, George Washington's education, homeschooling, Thomas Jefferson, tutoring, U.S. Constitution | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fines Levied on Truant’s Parents (What I learned from Sam, #1)

Fines levied on parents of truants? “What fines?” you may ask. “For skipping school?” “That’s tyranny!” “We’ve got to do something about this!” But where? When? Believe it or not, the first example of compulsory school attendance was in Württemberg, … Continue reading

Posted in Compulsory Education, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Puritan schools | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Unstructured Learning & Creative Problem Solving

I recently observed an Unstructured Learning experience. Two 6-year-olds were playing in a park, and this is what they figured out: “When you get dirty in the sand box, you can get clean in the water park.” “If you don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Phonics, problem solving, problem solving skills, tutoring, unschooling, unstructured learning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Read to your Children & Around the World with Madeline

Following Madeline around the World “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread And brushed their teeth and went to bed. … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha-Phonics, education, geography lessons, homeschooling, Phonics, Reading | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Words and Their True Meanings (Adult lessons in Children’s Books)

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, education, homeschooling, linguistics, Phonics, truth in language | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Raving Customers (Homeschooling with Peter Watt: Episode 3)

“Dianna and I are just beginning lesson 7. After going over lessons three and four Dianna was so excited that she could read that she hugged my neck and told me she loved me. She said, ‘Oh mommy, my wish … Continue reading

Posted in education, homeschooling, Phonics, Reading, teaching, tutoring | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mirror-Image Reading and Writing (Homeschooling with Peter Watt: Episode 2)

My first child learned to read effortlessly. It was so easy for her that she believed she had taught herself. So, of course, I assumed I was an expert at teaching reading. Then came my second child. This daughter had … Continue reading

Posted in education, Home Business, homeschooling, Peter Watt, Phonics, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hearts and Certificates (Homeschooling with Peter Watt: Episode 4)

I am delighted to announce that The Paradigm Company continues to garner Homeschooling excellency awards. Check this out: “This is to certify that Alpha Phonics, a product of Paradigm Company, has tied for First Place in the Phonics Program category … Continue reading

Posted in education, homeschooling, Mary Pride, Phonics, Practical Homeschool Magazine, Reading, teaching, tutoring | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Through it All (Homeschooling with Peter Watt: Episode 1)

Peter Watt has been the man behind the scenes of a growing homeschool movement since January 1984. He has rigorously pursued the simple cause of teaching young people to read. Within the environment of their parents’ choice. Peter and his … Continue reading

Posted in education, homeschooling, Phonics, Samuel Blumenfeld, teaching, tutoring | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment