Author Archives: Meg Rayborn Dawson

Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Teacher (Little House on the Prairie)

(image credited to https://littlehouseontheprairie.com) The televised series, “Little House on the Prairie” (1974-1983) introduced Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family to households everywhere. Watching those shows caused me to explore a little deeper, and I discovered the treasure contained within … Continue reading

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

Cancel Public School

Cancel Public School March 18, 2021 By DAN GELERNTER  The Independemt Institute NOTE: THE OPINION IN THIS ARTICLE IS THAT OF THE INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE, NOT NECESSARILY THAT OF THE PUBLISHER OF ALPHA-PHONICS Also published in American Greatness Tue. March 16, 2021 85Shares A friend who volunteers … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Millions of families chose homeschooling during pandemic

EDUCATION Millions of families chose homeschooling during pandemic Thursday, March 25, 2021|  Steve Jordahl (OneNewsNow.com) Home-based education is surging in popularity due to the coronavirus pandemic and now a longtime advocate for homeschooling says the positive feedback from parents is … Continue reading

Posted in Covid Pandeic spurs Homeschooling to record Millions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Anywhere School – or Learning Anywhere

“I’m late, I’m late for A very important date. No time to say hello, good-bye, I’m late, I’m late, I’m late” (The White Rabbit — Alice in Wonderland)  Do you ever feel stuck on a tread mill, unable to step … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha-Phonics, homeschooling, Phonics, tutoring | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“That-Mom” & Socializing Homeschoolers

“What about the lack of socialization?” “How will she learn to make friends?” “Isn’t he lonely?” Comments like these never convinced me to enroll my children in public schools, but they did cause me to seek ways for my children … Continue reading

Posted in Apprenticeships, education, Homeschool Resources, homeschooling, Homeschooling Communities, Phonics, Reading, teaching, tutoring | Leave a comment

Big Ears & Harnessing the Creative Nature of Children

  Growing up, when I heard my mom say, “Little pictures have big ears,” I had an idea she was talking about us. But as I look back on raising my own children, I realize how big those ears really … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Crayon Catastrophe & Lost Teaching Opportunities

Homeschooling a large family on a limited income required many sacrifices. Pinching pennies was the key to survival. Most of my curriculum was either found at used bookstores, or I created it myself. And I bought supplies for the lowest … Continue reading

Posted in education, education reform, homeschooling, Phonics, Reviews of Alpha-Phonics, tutoring | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Homemade Props in a Child’s World (Imaginative Play)

Cardboard boxes and laundry baskets are lined up in a row. “All Aboard!” my 4-year-old son shouts, as he gestures for me to climb into the laundry basket. “Where are we going?” I ask him. “To market to market to … Continue reading

Posted in Imagination, Imaginative Play | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How it Began (Homeschooling in the ’80’s)

Dad, mom and two-year-old “C” moved to Washington state in the early 80’s. This was our first family home. Being overly ambitious, I hoped to demonstrate my teaching skills by instructing “C” early and giving her a great head start. … Continue reading

Posted in Alpha-Phonics, homeschooling | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Best Dividends & Investing in a Child’s World

Precious metals? Stocks? Real Estate? Children? Where is the best place to invest? I don’t know about you, but I’m very happy with the decision I made. The 80’s and 90’s are now a blur in my memory. A new … Continue reading

Posted in The Best Dividends (of homeschooling) | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment