Hello, followers! Yup, I know the site is barely a month old. But this is a good thing, I promise. I wanted to be able to create a more flexible site that would grow with me as I explore new opportunities. If you’re looking for either http://www.schoolofsmock.wordpress.com or http://www.jessicasmock.com: you will now find School of … Continue reading »
Latest Entries
An invitation to resubscribe and to participate in a homeschooling survey
Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out on “School” updates? If you haven’t already done so, please re-subscribe to my blog at School of Smock’s new website: http://www.schoolofsmock.com And I wanted to tell you about a research project that I’ve just started. With the incredibly generous assistance of several homeschooling moms, I’ve created a … Continue reading »
Is a Claim of “Brain-Based” Enough? How Parents Can Tell “Good” Science From “Bad”
How many times have you seen a toy for your kid or come across an ad for a learning program that claims to be “research-based” or “brain-based”? New parents hear that Baby Einstein products may actually do more harm than good. But we’re still inundated with products that claim to stimulate brain development. Or boost … Continue reading »
School of Smock now has a Facebook page!
I’ve resisted long enough. It was getting too confusing to try to negotiate a personal existence on Facebook and my blogging stuff. But I’m actually really excited about this additional way to connect… And maybe I’ll get more out of Facebook than seeing baby pictures from my former classmates’ newest offspring. (Not that I don’t … Continue reading »
Mothers with one child are “real” too: my response to Elizabeth Banks
Are you a real mom if you only have one child? Here is what Elizabeth Banks told People magazine last week: “Two is very different from one. When you have one kid, you feel like you can jet set around and you can throw him on the hip and you get your life done,” she … Continue reading »
Guest Post: The Great Parental Stabilizer of Music
Today I have my first guest post. I asked my good friend, fellow doctoral student, talented teacher and administrator, and wonderful writer, Wendy Heckert, if I could re-post her story about her son. Wendy’s research is about the relationships between students and teachers, and I think this piece beautifully conveys her belief in the power … Continue reading »
Why researchers and educators might not “get” how parents make educational choices
First, I want to thank all the homeschooling parents who have participated in the discussion on this blog and on Facebook about my thoughts on homeschooling. I’ve learned so much from you. There should be so many more discussions like this one between parents, educators, and those involved in research in education. Many, many more. … Continue reading »
