Why Parents Should Home School Essay example -- Essays Papers

Why Parents Should Home School When Americans think of education, they almost automatically think of public education. However, education in our public schools has been on a down slope for over twenty years now. This is because many parents today are deciding to home school their children. Although most people think that a public education is better, statistics and facts tend to show that home schooling is beneficial in more ways. Since the beginning of civilization, children have been learning in and with their families. Children learned how to survive and make a living through life with their families and in the community. Parent’s taught their children everything they needed to know or established them in private school or apprenticeships. Until about 150 years ago, this was considered the norm of society (Lahrson-Fisher 49). The term â€Å"home schooling† began to flourish in the 1970’s when it found a place in the dictionary. For many people, this was the only option because public schools were too far away to attend. There is over a fifteen percent rise in home schooled students each year. A majority of home schooled students are white middle-class families, but minorities are finding that this option is also better for their children (School Choice). It is estimated that there are currently two million children home schooled in the United States (School Choice). The number of children being home schooled increased from 32,804 in 2000 to 53,216 in 2003 (Brown 1). There are three basic reasons parents keeps their children out of public schools. First, they think that raising their children is their business and not the governments. Second, they enjoy being with their children and watching and helpin... ... admissions policies for children that are taught at home (School Choice). What was once looked down upon has become a popular alternative to public schooling. There various reasons why children should be home schooled. Children will have time for sporting activities, musical groups, church and youth organizations, field trips, volunteer opportunities, arts and crafts workshops, neighborhood activities and more. Home schooling provides time for family support of critical areas of social development: love, self-discipline, security, independence, and responsible use of freedoms (Lahrson-Fisher 24). Current statistics and facts show that home schooling is highly beneficial. Parents simply want is the best for their child. Through home schooling, this want can be met. In closing, home schooling offers numerous advantages and opportunities over public schools.

Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ In the Qur’an

The genealogy of Mary the mother of Jesus according to Ali, 1935, started from the bloodline of Moses and Aaron’s father Imran and wife Hannah( 131).   Imran’s wife Hannah (Anne) was very excited that she conceived of a child so she offered it to God’s service again even when it was still in her womb (132). Hannah was thinking it was a male (132). After giving birth and realizing it was a baby girl, Hannah named her Mary (132).   The people cast lots with bows and arrows and disputed over the care of the baby girl Mary (134). Hannah then sought God’s guidance, protection and sustenance for her daughter Mary because during those times the Mosaic Law was in force and it prohibits females from temple service (132). After realizing that God must have plans for giving her a baby girl, she was inspired to commit Mary to the care of people who was directly related to her family. Hannah entrusted Mary to a priest Zacchariya who was already an old man and wife Elizabeth.   Elizabeth was her cousin as she was the daughter of Aaron (132).   She was already past her menopausal age so she does not have a child at the moment (132).   Zacchariya and Elizabeth took Mary just like their very own and housed her in a place that was secured and protected from harm (132).  Ã‚   Every now and then just like a real daughter, Zacchariya would check on the condition of Mary in her room (132).   Zacchariya would offer her food and other needs but all the time Mary was found to have abundant supply (132).   As a priest Zacchariya could not question Mary’s faith (132). Mary never lack in any material needs (132).   When Mary was asked where she got all those stuff, her answer would be God provided her everything she needs (132).   This kind of secluded life, a life away from socialization was the lot of Mary the daughter of Imran and Hannah up until she was about twelve when lo and behold! Angels who were in human form from nowhere appeared (134). They said God has picked you above all women on earth (134). At first she was adamant and scared and so she sought God’s help (771).   She then pleaded for them not to approach her until after she could veil herself up (771). Covered with a veil she conceded talking to her visitors (771).   The visitors informed Mary that they were messengers of God and they are here tasked to deliver to her some lessons to learn (134). They taught her whom to worship alone (134).   The visitors who were actually angels in human form taught her also how to properly prepare herself before worship and the proper way of doing worship to God (134).   She was told to bow down like a Muslim does and stand humble before God as those Muslims who bow down and worship God Alone (134).   She was very obedient and receptive that she followed all that they taught her (134).   So, the angels went away.   After sometime, one of them name Jibril (Gabriel) came back (134).   He said, this time he has a new message from God (134).   Mary was told that she will conceive of a child (134).   Of course she was stunned and dumbfounded (134). But the angel relieved her by saying only through the words of God â€Å"Be and it is†, then, this will be realized (134).   She submitted to the call but she added in her innocence saying, how will I ever get pregnant when I do not have any relationship with any male (135)?   The Angel answered that it is up to God on how to go about it (135).   Whatever God plans, it can happen there is no question on that (135).   The angels told her that she will be pregnant with a boy.   This boy she will have to name Christ Jesus (Isa), the son of Mary (134).   Mary conceived while she was in Nazareth of Galilee some 65 miles North of Jerusalem (772).   Because this pregnancy condition was a taboo in her country and people, and people would kill her for immorality, Mary must keep herself away from the probing kinsfolk and neighbors (772). So she was led by the Angel to a place called Bethlehem, around six miles South of Jerusalem (772). She stayed in seclusion until she delivered Jesus nine months later (772).   Mary was all alone when she delivered her child, so, she held on to the trunk of a palm tree to pull her strength up as she felt the pangs of birth and she cried because of pain that she said to herself, it could have been better if she died before and just laid to rest (772), but she was able to push out the baby successfully.   Alas! She heard a voice telling her not to be sad and to quench her thirst, wipe away her tears, and cool herself down with the spring water just flowing beneath the palm tree, and if she shakes the trunk of the tree the ripe dates would fall down for her to eat with delight (772). Amr bin Maymun said, â€Å"Nothing is better for the woman confined in childbed than dried dates and fresh dates† (http://www.tafsir.com/). When Mary regained her composure, she was also instructed not to talk to anyone, and if ever there are those who persist, just to tell them with a hand sign that she was fasting (772).   The area where she delivered Jesus was an obscure place and so she was thought to have moved the child to the manger in a stable (772). After gaining back her much needed strength and confidence, she decided to go back to her hometown carrying along the baby Jesus (773). But, to her dismay, her towns mate slapped on her face the fact that she was the sister of Aaron and that her father was not a bad man so as her mother was not a bad woman (773).   To all these however she did not say anything, but, she just pointed out her finger to the child she was carrying (773).   The people said how on earth a child can talk to us (773).   And to their amazement, the baby Jesus on her mother’s arms talked (773).   This was in defense of His mother Mary whose chastity was a special virtue and became an ideal for all nations to learn (843). Works Cited Ali Yusuf, Abdullah. The Holy Qur’an. Lebanon: Beirut. 1935.         

Grounded Theory -- Definition and Overview in Sociology

Grounded theory is a research methodology that results in the production of a theory that explains patterns in data, and that predicts what social scientists might expect to find in similar data sets. When practicing this popular social science method, a researcher begins with a set of data, either quantitative or qualitative, then identifies patterns, trends, and relationships among the data. Based on these, the researcher constructs a theory that is grounded in the data itself. This research method differs from the traditional approach to science, which begins with a theory and the seeks to test it through the scientific method. As such, grounded theory can be described as an inductive method, or a form of inductive reasoning. Sociologists  Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss popularized this method in the 1960s, which they and many others considered an antidote to the popularity of deductive theory, which is often speculative in nature, seemingly disconnected from the realities of social life, and may, in fact, go untested. In contrast, the grounded theory method produces a theory that is based on scientific research. (To learn more, see Glaser and Strausss 1967 book,  The Discovery of Grounded Theory.) Grounded Theory Grounded theory allows researchers to be scientific and creative at the same time, as long as the researchers follow these guidelines: Periodically step back and ask questions.  The researcher needs to step back once in a while and ask the following questions: What is going on here? Does what I think I see fit the reality of the data? Data does not lie, so the researcher needs to make sure their own ideas about what is happening matches what the data is telling them, or the researcher may need to alter their idea of what is going on.Maintain an attitude of skepticism.  All theoretical explanations, hypotheses, and questions about the data should be regarded as preliminary, whether they come from the literature, experience, or making comparisons. They should always be checked out against the data and never accepted as fact.Follow the research procedures.  Research procedures (data collection, analysis, etc.) are designed to give precision and accuracy to a study. They also help the researcher break through biases and lead him or her to examine some of his or her assumptions that might otherwise be unrealistic. Therefore, it is important that the correct research procedures are followed so that an accurate conclusion is reached. With these principles in mind, a researcher can construct a grounded theory in eight basic steps. Pick a research area, topic, or population of interest, and form one or more research questions about it.Collect data using a scientific method.Look for patterns, themes, trends, and relationships among the data in a process called open coding.Begin to construct your theory by writing theoretical memos about the codes that emerge from your data, and the relationships among codes.Based on what you have discovered so far, focus on the most relevant codes and review your data with them in mind in a process of selective coding. Conduct more research to gather more data for the selected codes as needed.Review and organize your memos to allow the data and your observations of them to shape an emergent theory.Review related theories and research and figure out how your new theory fits within it.Write your theory and publish it. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.