When our oldest daughter, Kalli, left, hit preschool age, we felt the peer pressure to at least check out the local offerings, even though we had long planned to homeschool. We were disappointed to discover a “health” curriculum, which teaches young children about the “benefits” of meat, dairy, and eggs in the diet. She already knew more about nutrition than your average four-year-old, and we weren't about to confuse her by sending her to school. l feel better about setting her free in the world of meat eaters knowing I’ve provided a sound base of knowledge concerning the health, animal welfare, and environmental issues connected to our family’s diet.
--Melanie Wilson
The Making of an Online Book Club and
Activity 'Zine for the Literary Child NEW
By Melanie Wilson
"I was so excited to hear about the Literary Child book club and activity 'zine created by veg mama Noelle for her three vegan children. I was even happier once I saw an issue and realized what a fun thing this would be our family. These are books we love, and the magazine is a treasure trove of activities. I asked Noelle to share a little about herself and her terrific kids..."
Veg-Friendly Thanksgiving Books for Kids
By Melanie Wilson
"Each year our family finds another book or two to add to our Thanksgiving selection. Apparently, not eating turkey is a popular theme among children...I wonder why! Well, our vegetarian family surely doesn't mind. Reading these books shows our children that we aren't the only ones out here who care about animals and will be skipping the turkey on Thanksgiving day..."
Regrouping This School Year
By Dana Anderson-Villamagna
"Last year was my first official year as a homeschooling parent. With a bit of trepidation about the official nature of this step, I sent in our intent to homeschool to the local government. My husband and I announced our decision to the relatives. We purchased math and reading programs, extra wide-ruled paper, and art supplies..."
K-12 Environmental Lesson Plans
From the EarthDayNetwork.net
These lesson plans were created as an additional resource to help teachers in the classroom on Earth Day or any day, but they are perfect for homeschooling veg kids who want to learn more about the environment! Dowload the lessons in PDF format and pictures to go along with it.
Top 10 Ways to Recognize a Veg Homeschooling Family
By Melanie Wilson
"10. These veg parents never worry about their kids trading lunches in the cafeteria.
9. The five-year-old can name more protein sources than your average adult..."
Homeschooling on Wheels
By Gina Cassidy
"This past summer, we made the economically unwise decision to purchase a recreational vehicle (RV). We thought that owning the RV would make traveling easier on our children - they could stretch out on a double bed (secured by three walls and a bed rail) and listen to tapes, play games, fall asleep, use the toilet, or have a meal in the comfort of our own home-on-wheels..."
5 Reasons to Take Your Kids to a Sanctuary
By Melanie Wilson
"It's easy to understand how bringing your children to a sanctuary can be a lot of fun. Kids get to do more than just stand at the edge of a cage and wonder at the smallness of an animals' confinement space. At a sanctuary, people get to touch, smell, and interact with animals - even very large ones - and the people who care for them. And it's overwhelmingly a positive experience..."
Bill Peet: An Author to Remember
By Gina Cassidy
"I love good children's books. They always impress me with depth, intelligence, compassion and superb illustrations. In the many books my children and I have read together, I have been surprised at those that show a vegetarian's sensitivity without being declarative about vegetarianism..."
The Veg-Friendly books of Lauren Mills
By Gina Cassidy
"It is difficult to write about Lauren Mills' work. Every time I sit down to my stack of books, I find one of my children has crept away with another of her captivating works and is happily entranced on the couch or in a corner..."
Vegetarian Families & Homeschooling
By Suzen Ruiz
"I admit it. Before I had children, I scoffed at the idea of homeschooling. Being a product of the public school system and having a mother who is a public school teacher, I thought homeschooling was something that anti-social families with "weird" kids did..."
Choose Better: Homeschooling for Vegetarians
By Gina Cassidy
"I have a friend who becomes upset when the connection is made between her son's cute "nuggets" and the animal from which they came. She refuses to allow her child to learn the price of his lunch..."
Homeschooling & the Vegan Family
By Melanie Wilson
"Allowing our children to learn at home gives us the opportunity to instill strong vegetarian values without the conflict inherent in public school curriculum assignments related to nutrition, health, animals, and the environment..."
An Unexpected Challenge
By Gina Cassidy
"This past Halloween, after several rejected attempts to give my children candy, a trusted friend asked if my kids could have a "reprieve" from veganism. She apparently felt sorry for them because they were not permitted to stuff themselves with sugar, corn syrup, whey, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. I was stunned..."
Teach Your Child About Responsible Camping
By Lisa Steele
"Many of us are still in the gloom of winter, but spring is coming, and it is a great time to start planning that family camping trip! Not only is camping an inexpensive family vacation, but it can also be the perfect opportunity to teach some important lessons about the environment..."
Crafts, Games & Activities for Veggie Kids
By Carinne Senske
Carinne is the founder of the San Diego Vegetarian Families Group. Try these three activities: The Mystery Vegetable Game, Watermelon Masterpiece, and Which Food Group?
The ABC's of Fruits and Vegetables
An online book from the Healthy Highways website
"Let's start with A for applesauce | We'll show the apples who's the boss | We'll squeeze and squish and squash and squoosh | Until the apples turn to mush..."
Not Back to School Camp
From the NBTSC.org website
Camp dates for 2004 are:
*Session 1, August 30-September 6, Oregon, *Session 2, September 9-16, Oregon, *Session 3, September 24-October 1, West Virginia
Go to the list of article sections.
Resources:
Veg-owned homeschooling and unschooling consultancy offering families personal help getting started, customized homeschool curriculum, and specific curricular guidance.
Home Academy
