I had to step out in faith this week. A local newspaper reporter wanted to take photos of the boys “doing school.” Problem is – every time he was able to come out – we were – Volunteering at the local Book Author’s Fair, Attending a Renaissance Fair Campout, Working at the Library, on a Field Trip, at Surf Lessons, Etc – So he would reschedule. This is the sort of shot he wanted.
Their workboxes are behind them, the “classroom/learning library” is actually in a different room. He asked to record them – and then asked them questions. I prayed. I walked to an adjoining room. And I prayed some more.
He said he was Pro-Homeschool. He asked questions like – Have you always homeschooled? Do you think you are missing anything? Do you have any friends? Do you like homeschooling? He asked me – what I thought was different between the way I learned in school, both private and public, and the way the boys are learning.
I’m hoping this one makes the paper. The boys were pretty upfront. I didn’t coach their responses. I’d love to hear a panel of Home/Public/Private kids and listen to how the answers would differ. Nathan filled out his Brain Builders/Social Studies worksheet 5 times in different styles of print. Jon just randomly wrote numbers on his Jump5 Math Book.
Ultimately, I think the interview was good. We’ll see it in the paper on Thursday. (Our town only has one paper edition per week). My goals? To promote homeschooling in Lincoln City. To let people know that people do homeschool through middle school and high school. To know that there are people to contact in our small town to join with. To let people see a different way of learning than the Oregon “School at Home” Charter School – ORVA? K-12 type options. I told the guy – I was taking him on faith – not knowing the angle of the article – as he kept trying to say it would be ok – pro homeschool etc. But this isn’t my first rodeo with the paper – even a poorly quoted negative article would let families know we exist in Lincoln County. And that – Is what I want. 
PS. I had to post these pictures of our table looking spiffy in the middle of the day and their Workboxes looking so organized behind them and I’m not sure my boys have ever sat on the same side of the table and did anything without kicking each other – but don’t they look sweet?. . . For the trained TOS Eye, you’ll see I would like a couple of brownie points for displaying 2 upcoming reviews and 3 Timberdoodle products. . . . . . Work it – work it . . . .
+Angie Wright
