Homeschool Review

Night Sky Watching

2013-05-05T16:54:00.003-07:00

Do you find yourself looking up at the sky and wondering what you're looking at? Maybe you would love to know where and when the next meteor shower will be visible in your area.

I have three favorite apps for Droid phones designed to help you discover the wonders that surround our little blue marble.

Google Sky Map

This may be the most obvious, but that doesn't diminish its "wow!" factor. Created by the people at Google, the Sky Map uses your location (on your GPS-enabled phone) to show you all the visible objects in your night sky, including stars, planets, meteor showers, and Messier objects. It also maps out the constellations, which is great for those of us who have a difficult time identifying anything beyond the big dipper and Orion's belt. As you move your phone, the map adjusts to show what night looks like from the new perspective. So, in addition to viewing your own night sky, you can see what it looks like on the other side of the world. Pretty cool!

Say you want to focus on just one object group, such as planets or constellations. Google Sky Maps allows you to select or deselect any of the groups to personalize your viewing. You can also "Time Travel" to see what the night sky will look like in the future or what it looked like in the past. And not to ruin the nighttime viewing experience, Google Sky Map also has a "night mode," which changes all the text to red and reduces the contrast.

Google Sky Map is a terrific introduction to the night sky and the wonders it holds.

Meteor Shower Calendar

Now that you've become familiar with the night sky, you'd like to watch some meteor showers. But when do they happen? Where should you look in the sky? When is the best time to head away from civilization and toward truly dark skies?

The Meteor Shower Calendar lists current and upcoming meteor showers; gives start, peak, and end dates; rates the showers (from one to four stars) based on the likely frequency of meteor viewings; sends you a message on your phone with current shower information; provides your local sunset time and weather, as well as moon phases (a full moon may limit meteor shower viewing). It works with SkEye, an astronomy app that acts as an "advanced planetarium" and can be used as a PUSHTO guide for telescopes. (I haven't used SkEye, yet, but have downloaded it.)

Nothing creates excitement about the heavens like witnessing "shooting stars" blazing across the night sky.

For more field trip ideas,

check out GHF's Virtual Field Trips page.

ISS Detector

The International Space Station (ISS) is visible with the naked eye, if you know where to look. The ISS Detector will tell you, based on your location, when and where to look for the ISS and Iridium flares (small telecommunications satellites which orbit the Earth, whose solar panels are visible when at a specific angle to the sun and Earth).

The ISS Detector gives an overview of upcoming passes, moon phases, and forecasted weather. You can set up notifications and alarms, as well.

Seeing man-made objects flashing across the night sky is surprisingly moving. Even though that actual event only takes a few minutes at most, the experience will foster questions and curiosity.

"Hacking Your Education," by Dale J. Stephens

2013-03-08T21:45:00.002-08:00

Dale J. Stephens left traditional school at 12 years old to become an unschooler. After giving college a try, he discovered that fellow students were more interested in partying than learning. He quickly concluded that if the best experiences were to be had outside the classroom, it made no sense to pay tens of thousands of dollars to sit in the classroom. He dropped out of college, and ended up founding Uncollege.org.

In his inaugural book, Hacking Your Education: Ditch the Lectures, Save Tens of Thousands, and Learn More than Your Peers Ever Will, Mr. Stephens proceeds to undo the myth that a college degree guarantees job security and happiness. He shows that with a little gumption, people can create their own educational path, build networks of mentors and supporters, and make some close friends along the way.

Hacking is often associated with computer hackers, tech-savvy people who break into computers to spy or drop viruses. In the sense of education, hacking means breaking away from the tradition-bound structure of education to design an lifelong learning mentality which doesn't rely on being spoon-fed what those in academia assume is needed in the real world. Mr.Stephens does make an exception for careers that require highly specialized training, such as medical doctors, but perhaps even they could benefit from a little hacking.

In addition to describing his experience with education and real life, Mr. Stephens shares the stories of others who have taken it upon themselves to be responsible for their own learning and success. We meet Tiffany Mikell who, despite being a young black single mother without a college degree, discovered a talent for JavaScript programming and ended up working at Accenture. We learn about Christian Keller, who dropped out of school when he was thirteen and is now, at 25, working on a film with Barrie Osborne (producer on Lord of the Rings and The Matrix). The pages are littered with people who took control of their education.

One of my favorite parts of Hacking Your Education is the "Hack of the Day" at the end of each section. Each "Hack of the Day" focuses on the idea just presented and gives hands on tools for incorporating it into your life. Whether it's planning a "brain party," finding out "what you aren't talented at," or making "the most of $100 a week," the ideas are doable and in small enough doses that they don't become overwhelming. Even though I am well beyond my college years, I look forward to trying many of these ideas to expand my experiences and create opportunities for my children.

Mr. Stephens is an extrovert, so many of the techniques he uses come easily to him. He acknowledges this and suggests a more low-key approach for the introverts among us. Even doing a little of what he describes will put most people light-years ahead of the crowd stuck in college lectures on subjects they must take in order to get to the classes they really want to attend in two or three years.

I do have one quibble with the book, and that is the use of profanity. As I have already admitted, "young" parted ways with my "adult" many years ago. I also realize that this book is aimed at older teens to young adults, not their parents. While interspersing the f-word here and the s-word there may make Mr. Stephens sound like one of the people his book targets, those very words detract from the message, drawing attention away from the text and instead pulling it to themselves. This is language one may use among friends, but certainly not when putting on our adult persona. And the author (and editor, who should have excised these from the text) needs to remember that many parents will be reading this book before passing it on to their kids. There is a market beyond the target, and writers and editors need to be sensitive to those pocketbooks.

Having said that, I still recommend Hacking Your Education. The overall message and specific action items far outweigh any language issues. Going into debt for an education that guarantees nothing but classes, homework, and a piece of paper, doesn't make sense in this age of information access. With a library card, Internet access, and passion, people can create their own path in life, without the debt and lost time. Hack your own education and see what it brings!

"The School for Gifted Potentials: Orientation," by Allis Wade

2012-10-19T18:32:00.001-07:00

In her new book, Allis Wade delves into an area of giftedness not previously covered in children's literature: overexcitabilities.

Typically, gifted children in literature are portrayed as precocious brainiacs, striking it out on their own with little adult guidance. In The School for Gifted Potentials: Orientation, we meet Everett, who struggles to hide his giftedness under strict orders from his mother. Although Everett doesn't understand why his mother is so adamant that he act like the other children at school, while conversely making the effort to challenge his mind at home, he senses his mother's deep anxiety about his differences being discovered. In order to please his mother, Everett manages to hide his abilities for years.

Ultimately, though, he is discovered, and is sent to the School for Gifted Potentials for evaluation, which he does his best to fail.. Nevertheless, he is admitted and begins his one week orientation. No one at the school can understand his reluctance to attend, since being identified as a Gifted Potential is an honor. But, Everett's feelings are tainted by his mother's fears, so he finds himself overwhelmed with feelings of abandonment and anger, while experiencing joy at finally learning about his abilities and being able to explore his interests in an open and accelerated manner.

During the orientation, Everett, along with other new students, is introduced to Kazimierz Dabrowski's idea of overexcitabilities in the gifted. Through gently-led classes, Everett and his classmates discover which overexcitabilities they have, how these intensities are actually a benefit, and how best to manage them. Everett discovers other kids with intense feelings like his, as well as kids who experience completely different intensities.

As the story progresses, Everett begins to question his beliefs about his mother, his missing father, and the Chancellor. He also starts on his journey of self-discovery, which subsequent books promise to further explore.

The purpose of this book is to give gifted children a chance to see and better understand themselves in modern literature. They may relate to some of the overexcitabilities described, and even utilize some of the coping mechanisms. Also, gifted children may identify with the attempt to hide their abilities out of a desire to fit in. They may become more willing to accept who they are and what they're capable of becoming.

Although I enjoyed reading this book, speaking as an editor, I do wish the manuscript had been professionally edited. Typographical errors, odd formatting, and avoidable mistakes litter the text, interfering with the flow of the book. Perhaps future editions will address these issues.

Still, do not let the above comment prevent you from reading this novel. In fact, in true homeschooling style, use them as teachable moments.

The School for Gifted Potentials: Orientation is available in both print and Kindle versions.

Museums of Health and Medicine, England

2012-10-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

The Summer 2012 issue of Granta, a British magazine of new writing, centers around medicine. It's filled with new fiction, memoirs, photo essays, and more, all focused on what medicine means to humankind and how medicine or medical issues have affected us as individuals and in totality.

On the inside back cover is a listing of museums of health and medicine in England. Granted, most people who read this blog are not in England, but one never knows when the opportunity to visit will arise. Plus, having a chance to check out these unique museums may serve as a catalyst to actually heading across the pond.

Here are the names of the museums, along with the summaries quoted from Granta (with links added by me), and corresponding websites.

Good health!

The Anaesthesia Heritage Centre
http://www.medicalmuseums.org/Anaesthesia-Heritage-Centre/
The Heritage Centre contains the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland's archives, museum and rare book collection. It is a unique resource for research into the history of anaesthesia.

Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives & Museum
http://www.bethlemheritage.org.uk/
Explore a selection of work by 'outsider' artists (including Scottie Wilson and Madge Gill) drawn from Bethlem's outstanding collections, on display in the museum. Please see website for opening hours.

Chelsea Physic Garden
http://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/
Something new at London's oldest botanic garden: the inspiring Garden of Edible and Useful Plants in now open, bringing you closer to the plants that are inextricably woven into our everyday lives.

For more field trip ideas,
check out GHF's Virtual Field Trips page.

Foundling Museum
http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/
Celebrating the way artists of all disciplines have helped improve children's lives for over 270 years. Dickens & the Foundling includes contributions from actress Gillian Anderson and writer Armando Iannucci.

Freud Museum
http://www.freud.org.uk/
The final home of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. Discover his intriguing study and iconic couch. The museum hosts an exciting programme of events and contemporary exhibits.

Royal Society of Medicine
http://www.rsm.ac.uk/
Human Race: inside the science of sports medicine exploring the history, culture and science of sport and exercise and its impact on the human body.

OstrichLand USA

2012-09-23T17:07:00.002-07:00

Have you ever seen an ostrich up close? They're huge! And their enormous eyes with those super-long lashes? Stunning!

Now, imagine being able to not only see them right across the fence, but actually feed them. What an experience!

On one of our many trips up and down the California coast, we stumbled upon OstrichLand USA in Buellton/Solvang. We passed it as we were heeding the call of Danish pastries in Solvang, and we just had to check it out on our way back to Highway 101.

What a treat! We entered the everything-ostrich shop, paid for our admission and bowls of ostrich food, then headed to see the great birds. The ostriches and emus are trained to eat out of the bowls, which are firmly attached to dustpans (to keep your hands away from those strong beaks). Older kids and adults should be able to do this on their own, but little kids will need help holding on to the pan, as ostriches flock from all over the ranch to grab a bite.

After feeding your new feathered friends, talk a walk along the short path to see more ostriches and emus, and truly obese squirrels (a lot of food hits the ground). Take some time to look out over the landscape, trying to spot as many ostriches as you can. They blend in surprisingly well with the chaparral, especially the brown females.

OstrichLand USA isn't just a novelty, it is educational. They have a tall board filled with Ostrich Fun Facts, which can also be found online. Better yet, if it isn't too busy, you can ask the staff about ostriches and emus, and they'll be happy to share their knowledge.

For more field trip ideas,
check out GHF's Virtual Field Trips page. Field Trips page.

By the way, OstrichLand USA sells ostrich meat (among many other ostrich- and emu-themed items), but they do not raise their birds for food. Instead, they purchase the meat from ranchers who do raise food birds. So, you are not paying to feed an animal that will land up on a hamburger bun in the near future.

OstrichLand USA is better than a zoo, because you get to interact with the birds, not just watch them from a distance. Of course, you need to obey all the safety rules: Ostriches are strong, protective, wild birds.

My only complaint about OstrichLand USA is their website, specifically their Links page. Instead of just promoting local hotels, which is fine, I would love to see links to more information about the birds. Perhaps links to the American Ostrich Association, YouTube videos about ostriches, Enchanted Learning, National Geogaphic Kids, or HelloKids: How to Draw an Ostrich. But this is a minor issue, and one that any Internet novice can overcome with a browser search or two.

Regardless, OstrichLand USA is well worth the slight detour off Highway 101. Learn, and have fun in the process!

Pea Soup Andersen's

2012-09-04T19:14:00.001-07:00

I have traveled up and down California more times than I care to count. And on every long road trip, I see the signs for Pea Soup Andersen's. Not being a pea soup fan, I never felt the urge to turn off the road and head to Buellton, but on a recent road trip, I figured it was about time I checked out the restaurant with the ubiquitous highway signs. So, at the crossroads of Hwy. 101 and Route 246, we pulled off and headed on our latest adventure.

Set in the California Danish heartland of the Santa Ynez Valley, Pea Soup Andersen's evokes the Danish settlers who came to California in the 1860s. The building keeps in theme with the many Danish-style homes, shops, and hotels in the area. In addition to the restaurant, you'll find a bakery and large shop, filled with knick-knacks, Danish blue and white pottery, and road games for the kids, as well as a year-round Christmas shop.

But our favorite parts of the restaurant didn't cost us a dime (or a krone). First, just outside the front door is a long plaque with carictures of all the Danish monarchs, going all the way back to Gorm the Old. Did you know that that Danish monarchy is the fourth oldest continual monarchy in the world, at over 1,000 years? And that it is now a constitutional monarchy? We spent quite a while looking at the different monarchs, discussing what they must have been like based on their drawings and names. Harald Bluetooth, Sweyn Forkbeard, Harald the Soft, Olaf Hunger, Eric Evergood, Eric the Memorable, and on and on. What glorious names! No mention of the Hamlets, though.

For more field trip ideas,
check out GHF's Virtual Field Trips page.

Inside, in an attempt to drag the kids away from all the shiny treasures for sale, we headed upstairs to see what we could discover. Lo and behold, an entire room dedicated to the history of Buellton! Pictures, descriptions, objects, maps. Why is it called "Buellton"? How and why was Hwy. 101 developed and improved? How did folks of yore manage to get through the Gaviota Pass? What made the dairy farmers so successful? What were some of the tools people used? Learning history on such a local level helps personalize the experience, reminding us that history is the story of people, not just dry words in an oversized textbook.

So, as you're traveling up and down Hwy. 101, stop in Buellton at least once. Even if you don't have a meal there, Pea Soup Andersen's offers food for the mind. But the pea soup is pretty good!

"Dismantling the Inner School," by David Albert

2012-08-17T17:04:00.002-07:00

Although we may homeschool our children, most of us still went through the traditional school system. We grew up believing that being cooped up in a classroom for the better part of the day with 30 kids our age and one adult, all learning the same thing at the same time, and being told when we could and couldn't use the bathroom or go out a play or read or talk or sit and ponder or ask questions was normal and desirable. Our parents had done it before us, and probably our grandparents before them.

We may believe that by choosing to homeschool that we have broken away from the system. Yet, so many of us still find ourselves trying to replicate school at home, or comparing our children's progress to their agemates', or wondering if we're doing enough based on what we think is going on behind the closed doors of our local school.

David Albert addresses these issues head on in his latest book, Dismantling the Inner School: Homeschooling and the Curriculum of Abundance (Hunt Press 2012). In a series of essays, David argues that we parents need to remove the bricks that "block us from true, natural learning," and understand that children start learning from the moment they start living. Learning is a natural response to life, but school is designed to undermine and subvert this innate desire, preventing children from experiencing with all their senses, which is originally how we learn.

For those who are unfamiliar with David Albert, he is a homeschooling father, speaker, writer, and advocate. He readily questions much of what is commonly accepted about school, learning, and even intelligence. He is an engaging speaker and writer, who encourages dialogue, whether verbal or virtual.

In Dismantling the Inner School, David takes to task much of the research and many of the claims surrounding school. He doesn't merely question the findings, but looks at them from a completely different angle. For example, David cites the well-reported research about how ADHD symptoms in children virtually disappear with regular exposure to the outdoors. Much of the reaction to this research centered on introducing nature programs in schools, creating green spaces in cities, and the like. David looks at all this and instead infers that perhaps kids being shut inside all day at school is causing ADHD, and therefore, school is the problem, not the kids.

But, the book doesn't just attack systemized schooling, it provides ideas, suggestions, and examples for approaching learning in our everyday world. Whether discussing ways to include children in adult activities within families and communities (an "apprenticeship of thinking") or giving specific information about books and websites to enhance the learning experience, Dismantling the Inner School inspires readers to explore the "curriculum of abundance" that exists in our lives. Readers are advised to keep a paper and pen handy to jot down all the tips for future reference.

Dismantling the Inner School is good for new and experienced homeschoolers, alike. In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea for a school teacher or adminstrator to take a gander. Imagine the real educational reforms that could happen if those in charge of the system decided that learning came before classroom management.

Dismantling the Inner School: Homeschooling and the Curriculum of Abundance is available through David Albert's website, www.skylarksings.com. Supporting members of the Gifted Homeschooling Forum receive a $2.00 discount on this and all of David Albert's books ordered through his website.

Historical Sites

2012-08-11T21:58:00.001-07:00

As you travel the highways and byways of our nation, have you noticed the tan and brown historical landmark signs? Have you been tempted to check out the site, but wondered if the detour would be worth the time? What if you could see photos of the site, read a review, and discover other nearby sites?

The Historical Marker Database (http://www.hmdb.org//) is the perfect site for experienced and would-be explorers. The organization describes its website as an "illustrated searchable online catalog of historical information viewed through the filter of roadside and other permanent outdoor markers, monuments, and plaques." Through photographs, written descriptions, inscription transcriptions, and maps, travelers can learn about local, state, national, and even global history.

Information is updated by fellow travelers and edited by volunteers. The website is searchable by word, phrase, category, county, state, province, or country. Basically, no matter where you are, you have the chance to learn about the history and people.

For more field trip ideas,

check out GHF's Virtual Field Trips page.

While the website is a great planning tool for trips, what makes this database really spectacular is that you can install it, for free, as an app on your smartphone (http://www.appbrain.com/app/historical-marker-database/com.ericwikman.hmdb). Using your phone's GPS, the HMdb will find your location and list a number of historical sites near you, complete with the same information as on the website.

We've used the database to discover historical markers near our home. We've used it to find interesting
places to take a break during long road trips. We've researched landmarks that we previously had passed hundreds of times and wondered what was so special. We have seen and learned more about our home and state because of this database.

Traveling doesn't need to be about getting from point A to B. Just like life, it can be about meandering, discovering, and learning. The Historical Marker Database can be an important tool on your journey.

Museum of Making Music

2012-06-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Interested in introducing your family to the music and musical instruments of the 20th century? Then the Museum of Making Music is a must-see for you!

Located in beautiful Carlsbad, California, right next to Legoland, the Museum of Making Music is a hidden gem. Tucked away in an office complex, it's easy to miss, but don't make that mistake!

Organized into five galleries, MOMM begins with American music at the turn of the 20th century. Each subsequent gallery covers two decades of American music and the history that inspired it. Period instruments, on loan from manufacturers and collectors, line the walls. Interactive displays allow visitors to hear what the instruments sound like, as well as music from the era. Marketing, distribution, and innovations of each era are covered, giving a complete sense of the development of the American music scene.

But, best of all, each gallery has at least one hands-on instrument for visitors to play. What a terrific way to engage children in the sounds and experience of music. In Gallery Five, the museum has at least a dozen hands-on instruments, as well as an interactive wall-sized computer screen for visitors to learn about World Music.

Entrance to MOMM is very reasonable, and they accommodate school, homeschool, and scout groups.

For more field trip ideas,
check out GHF's Virtual Field Trips page.

In addition to the galleries, MOMM hosts regular music events, some of which are free. Check online for details.

If a visit to the museum isn't in your future, still take the time to check out the MOMM website. It is filled with information geared toward education.

MOMM is one of those museums that we didn't know we needed until it was built. Now, it is a reason, in-and-of-itself, to visit Carlsbad.

Creating Your Own Curriculum, Part 6-- Final Thoughts

2012-05-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

(This is part of a series of posts on creating your own curriculum. See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 for more information.)

Moving into a homeschooling routine is best done incrementally. I’ve added in focused instruction gradually over the last three years. I started with “stealth lessons” that I had sitting at the ready for when we had some down time. If those went well, they gradually became a regular part of our morning routine. I still tend to introduce new curriculum this way—it’s like tasting the soup as you cook to make sure the balance of flavors is right, or in this case the balance of content and my child’s learning style.

As I mentioned before, it may be helpful to block out on a calendar how your week might flow based on your notes, goals, and new purchases. At our house, we have three mornings a week that are good for focused instruction. The other mornings are mostly taken up by other obligations (some of which help meet other goals), and although I might be able to sneak something in, I don’t count on it. Art and science experiments in our house often happen in the afternoon. Once the curriculum materials I plan to use are in hand, I also at least think through a rough idea of the pacing over weeks or months.

Like sewing, crafting, or cooking, the best thing about homeschooling is its flexibility. If it doesn’t fit, alter it! Don’t have all the ingredients? Improvise! Hate the math curriculum? Use something else! It’s really ok if your family only got to chapter twelve on that great history book and then completely changed goals. You were learning along the way.

Some Boxed Curriculums

I hear some of you saying, no, really, I want a boxed curriculum to get me started! Sometimes, it’s easier to get going with a curriculum that someone else has designed. Here are three boxed curriculums of various prices to get you started.

Moving Beyond the Page

Moving Beyond the Page currently offers curriculum for four to thirteen year olds with complete packages starting at $150. Although I have never actually purchased this curriculum, I like it’s design, because it is based around large themes such as environment, patterns, and relationships, and it is literature based. Many samples are available on the web site, so you can get a flavor or the materials before you buy. Also, it can be purchased as nine week units, so you do not have to buy a whole year to get started.

Oak Meadow

Oak Meadow produces Waldorf based curriculums for preschool through high school with complete packages starting at $190. Their materials are often criticized because they don’t follow the Waldorf philosophy closely. They emphasize a more gentle introduction to language arts/math and use fairy tales, nature study, and crafts as integral parts of the curriculum. The format is weekly—a week’s worth of activities are presented and it’s up to the parent to decide what to do each day.

Learn At Home from American Education Publishing

Learn at Home is the least expensive option (from about $5 used to $20 new) for kindergarten through fourth grade. For each of thirty-six weeks, a two page spread of daily activities for each subject area is provided plus additional learning activities and several worksheets for each week. Reading assignment are suggested and the activities are often related to a theme.

I hope that this has been a useful series of posts. Please leave your comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Creating Your Own Curriculum, Part 5-- Selecting Materials

2012-05-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

(This is part of a series of posts on creating your own curriculum. Please see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 for more information.)

If this were a do-it-yourself project for making a dress, we would have taken our measurements, bought a pattern, sketched a design (with our adaptations, of course!), and we are now ready to buy or scrounge the fabric. Curriculum materials, like fabric, can be free, cheap, or expensive, and like any other purchase, you don’t always get what you pay for. Curriculums tend to be tied to some method of instruction, so go back to your information gathering and recall what you know about your child’s learning style, need for structure, and so on. Also, don’t be wooed by a curriculum that will take much more time than you have, unless it can be picked apart so that you can use what you want and ignore the rest. In addition, we have a few materials we use in part because they generate good work samples, which you may need depending on your state laws or involvement in an independent study program.

Curriculum can be anything that helps meet your goals, from magazines and websites, to apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities. For this post, I’ve limited myself to describing three major sources of ink and paper curriculum materials. I’ve included some examples of specific materials and/or vendors to get you started on your search. Just remember to keep your goals and pacing in mind as you visit each source.

The Library and a Few Free Techniques

The library is the homeschooler’s best friend. Books or videos on virtually any subject in science, social studies, or history can be found here as well as a complete selection of readers from very simple to graduate level texts. Take advantage of your library’s online catalog and reservation system, if it has one, to pre-select books so they are waiting for you at the front desk. Librarians are also very helpful in choosing books as well.

Once you get the books home, try one of these techniques:

Read and See What Happens: Choose a different book to read each day and read it. Does it spark interest, discussion, or project ideas? Follow them! Does it produce yawns? Pick a different book or topic next time. This is keeps-you-on-your-toes homeschooling at its best and great for those “Explore…” goals.

Narration: Read a book or portion of one. Ask your child to summarize what has been read by drawing a picture, telling you what she remembers while you write it down, writing down a summary of his own, and/or by making leading comments at the dinner table (i.e. “Tell dad what we read about today!”). Expand this technique by thinking of some “I wonder…” questions that you hope will be answered next time. If you produce written or illustrated summaries, collect them together in a book about the topic with a stapler and some construction paper covers.

Lapbooking: A lapbook is basically a modified file folder with lots of clever mini-books inside that are collections of facts, timelines, summaries, and so on. An excellent introduction to lapbooks can be found at http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking. This is a great technique for comprehension, synthesis, and analysis verbs. Make the mini-books as you read, then assemble the lapbook at the end.

Teacher’s Supply Companies

I know that a teacher’s supply store may seem like a crazy place to look. After all, aren’t many of us homeschooling to avoid the pitfalls of traditional school? It may be a surprise to discover that teacher resource books are often richer and more… well, interesting than textbooks. We have found books full of alphabet activities, science experiments with lab sheets, ancient history, activities to go with our favorite picture books, and unit studies (called “thematic curriculum” in the teacher world). A great book with a concept called “word ladders” in which you change or rearrange letters based on clues as you write successive words on the rungs of a ladder has become a spelling/vocabulary/cursive curriculum all in one for us. Another find, Mathematics Their Way by Mary Baratta-Lorton was our math curriculum for two years. Although some activities are clearly for large groups, many are perfect for individuals. I’ve also found great books full of information on how children learn certain subjects, such as writing, that have informed my less structured approach in those areas.

Scholastic and Evan-Moor are two of my favorite publishing companies. Both allow you to preview some or all of the pages of their publications online before you purchase. Both also have online subscriptions where you have access to thousands of pages from their books for a monthly fee.

The teacher’s supply store also has math manipulatives, science kits, nifty art supplies, magnet sets for your fridge, and alphabet strips and number lines for your wall. Unless you have many children or a way of sharing with other homeschoolers, I would avoid the subject specific board games. They are often fun at first, but once the targeted skill is mastered, they are cast aside.

If there are no teacher supply stores in your area, don’t despair, you can still shop online or through catalogs. In addition to the companies listed above, also check out Nasco, Lakeshore Learning Company, and Discount School Supply. Reading A-Z and their associated sites Science A-Z and Writing A-Z are subscription sites which also have great resources.

Homeschooling Suppliers

The wonderful thing about curriculums made especially for homeschoolers is they are made especially for homeschoolers! They usually don’t require adaptations for use with one or two children, because they were never intended for classroom use. They often take advantage of the one-on-one teaching environment in novel ways.

Rainbow Resource Center has a 1200+ page catalog contains virtually every curriculum resource known to homeschooling and each one is described in more than average detail by someone on their staff.

CurrClick offers only pdf downloads of curriculum materials from an extensive list of companies. They have previews of all their materials and an online review system. We purchased Miquon Math from this source so the workbook materials can be reprinted as much as needed for our family.

No matter who you purchase from, know the return policy. Many companies have some kind of policy that allows you to return “like new” items for a full refund. Write on your calendar when the materials arrived and when they should be returned if they are not as expected. Then take some time to seriously preview it. Does this item match your child’s learning style? Does it match your goals? How much of it will you really use? How labor intensive will it be to prepare for each lesson? Don’t be afraid to return something that doesn’t look like it will work for you, especially if you will only lose the cost of shipping.

In the next post, I'll give you some final thoughts on curriculum and goals and tell about three pre-packaged curriculums that could get you started.

Creating Your Own Curriculum, Part 4-- Pacing

2012-05-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

(This is part of a series of posts. Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 contain additional information.)

Curriculum and pacing are dance partners in the homeschooling experience who both fight for the lead. An earth science curriculum may seem perfect until a family realizes that it will take hours of preparation a week just to collect materials and prepare the experiments. A broad goal such as “Explore the natural world and other cultures.” could be completed once a month, once a week, or once a day, depending on the curriculum used or child’s interest if child-led. “Write in a variety of genres…” could include grammar, punctuation, and spelling instruction—or not. I’ve heard quoted that focused instruction, that is, time spent when your child is actively learning about a particular skill or topic related to your goals, be limited to the following: ½ to 2 hours a day for primary grades, 2-3 hours a day for intermediate grades, and 3-4 hours a day for secondary grades. These guidelines assume you are still available at other times to answer questions, provide support, read with your child, and so on for all the everyday learning that takes place interacting with the world.

With these suggestions and your homeschooling style in mind, pencil in next to each goal the amount of time you think you might spend on it. Your notes might say things like: fifteen minutes daily, once a week, incidental (when it comes up), a big unit over a few weeks then incidental, do during dinner table talk, through weekly art class, etc. Used curriculums galore are available on the web because families didn’t realize how much time they would take compared to how much time they wished to spend. If your goal covers a large area such as medieval history or third grade math skills, consider if you would be happy to take each topic as it comes and perhaps complete the study over a longer period at a time, or are there important topics in that goal you want to learn about first in case your family loses interest, or would you want to keep a particular pace and be finished by the end of a year? Pencil these thoughts in, too. Once you have some times penciled in, try to imagine a typical weekly schedule, keeping in mind all the usual classes, playgroups, and other obligations you regularly attend. Be realistic about when and where you will be using curriculums for focused instruction.

In the next post, I'll talk about selecting curriculum to go with your goals.

Creating Your Own Curriculum, Part 3-- Writing Goals

2012-05-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

(This is part of a series of posts on creating your own curriculum. Please see Part 1 and Part 2 for more information.)

Verbs for Writing Goals

Some of the resources from the last post list only topics: fractions, Civil War, nouns. Others say a little bit about what the child might do with the topic: write fractions, read about the Civil War, identify nouns. I’ve found most useful goals are written from the child’s perspective and begin with a strong verb that describes what the child will do. Benjamin Bloom, an educational psychologist, developed a list of verbs in the 1950’s to describe cognitive skills. Below you will find my adaptation of that list which you can draw on as you write your goals. Notice that these progress from relatively simple thinking skills to more complex ones.

Try to avoid verbs such as “know”, “learn”, and “understand”. It’s often hard to tell if you’ve accomplished your goals with these verbs. Instead, try to use verbs such as those below, which describe different ways a learner might be thinking when accomplishing a goal.

Remembering Verbs Define Identify Memorize Pronounce State Locate Duplicate Recall Repeat Remembering Verbs have to do with memorizing and recalling information.	Understanding Verbs Depict Describe Explain Record Restate Summarize Translate Report Understanding Verbs describe situations in which the learner explains ideas or concepts.	Applying Verbs Apply Construct Demonstrate Make Operate Solve Use Dramatize Participate Applying Verbs ask the learner to use information in a new situation.
Analyzing Verbs Analyze Compare and contrast Diagram Dissect Distinguish Examine Outline Analyzing Verbs ask the learner to show likenesses and differences in two or more areas.	Evaluating Verbs Assess Critique Debate Evaluate Judge Justify Support Evaluating Verbs are used when the learner must justify a decision or make a stand.	Creating Verbs Design Modify Plan Write Assemble Construct Create Develop Write Express Creating Verbs are used when the learner is developing a new product or point of view.

Adapted from Bloom’s Taxonomy. This website is a good place to start to learn more:

http://www.odu.edu/educ/roverbau/Bloom/blooms_taxonomy.htm

Setting Goals: Writing Goals

The time has come to write some ideas down. When you are finished, you will have four to ten statements that describe the big ideas of what you and your child hope to accomplish in the next year.

A goal is basically an action and a concept. Begin each goal with a verb-- that’s the action taking place in your child’s head. Don’t be limited by the list I’ve provided, but do consider where the verb you have chosen falls in regards to the six areas listed above. Follow the verb with the topic area, skill, tools, or whatever else you need to add that describes the concept. Make the goals broad but not too vague. Writing goals is kind of like writing haiku: you don’t use too many words, but the ones you do use pack a punch. Here are some examples from our three years of homeschooling. I’ve also described some of the information gathering that led to these particular goals.

Cooperate with other children to complete creative and practical tasks and solve problems. (There are a number of independent study programs and homeschool classes in my area. This goal was written because I wanted to remind myself that my reserved son also needed some experiences working with groups and I had some specific ideas of what I was looking for in a group. This also related to learning cooperation with younger siblings at home.)

Express ideas creatively through art, music, storytelling, bookmaking, performance, movement, etc. (Developing creativity is a very important reason I homeschool. This goal crosses subject area boundaries and helps me keep that reason in mind.)

Explore the natural world and other cultures. (This is a goal from our first year in homeschooling when I wanted something very general to acknowledge our child-led explorations of science and social studies topics.)

Create and describe mathematical patterns and use manipulatives to solve problems. (This is another early goal that emphasized my belief that young children learn best when they have a firm foundation of hands-on experiences in math. It also reflects my son’s early interest in math concepts and how I hoped to direct that interest.)

Use upper and lowercase letters and numbers using proper stroke and grip. (My son had developed a fist grip on his pencil and only used capital letters. It was obviously slowing him down in his writing and he was frustrated. This is one of the most specific goals I’ve written for him.)

Here are some additional examples of goals set by other families.

Use present and past tense verbs in Spanish. (This is from a family who are working to become bilingual. The child has a large vocabulary already and the family is planning another trip to Mexico.)

Participate in a local children’s triathlon event. (A local race has a entry category for children and the whole family used this as a goal to work towards during the year in regards to physical health.)

Write in a variety of genres and publish selected pieces. (The child seemed to be “stuck” in one style of writing, and the parent felt she was ready to expand her horizons. The parent felt finding a variety of places to see her writing in print such as the editorial page would be ample motivation to try new styles.)

Practice piano regularly using a timer and participate in recitals. (A goal written due to a child’s interest in music but difficulty in practicing. The parent planned to work with the child on determining the definition of “regularly” and the selection and use of a timer.)

Conduct experiments in earth science and compare the results to her reading. (This parent wanted to use a lot of hands on experiments but also wanted to know her child could connect the experiments to the reading she planned to do as well.)

Once a year our homeschool parent support group sits down to write goals together. We share our ideas, borrow each other’s wording when it strikes a chord, and suggest resources we know that might help. We sometimes bring our goals to a midyear meeting to evaluate our progress and adjust or rewrite as needed. Many of us use our goals to decide which enrichment activities we will try to participate in. The goals are our “essentials,” but we encourage each other to drop goals that aren’t working for us or our children without guilt.

In the next post, I'll talk about how to use your goals to plan your pacing for the year.

Creating Your Own Curriculum, Part 2-- Information Gathering

2012-05-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

(This is part of a series of posts on writing your own curriculum. Please see Part 1 for more information.)

Goals direct your choice in curriculum materials. They help you make decisions when faced with more than one resource or class. They guide how you apportion your time on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis. While they serve as “driving directions” for your learning, they are like their transportation counterparts in that they may change due to the reality of construction and new development. In that sense, homeschooling goals are also flexible, you can change and adapt them as needed.

The first step in writing goals is to do some personal information gathering. On a piece paper or in your head (because, hey, who has time to sit down and write?), consider your response to the following questions:

Why did you begin homeschooling in the first place? What was different or special about the experience that you were looking forward to?
Is there a particular philosophy of learning that you try to incorporate into your homeschooling? What are your beliefs about children and life?
What is your child’s learning style? Is your child very physical? Does he love to read? Is she fascinated by numbers? Does your child tend to pick things apart to see the details or get the big picture first? (An excellent resource for exploring learning styles is Discover Your Child's Learning Style by by Mariaemma Willis and Victoria Kindle Hodson.)
What kind of structure is your family accustomed to? Do you have a very regular schedule or does it vary? Does everyone get up and go to sleep at the same time every day? Do you tend to be “morning people” or “evening people”?
What is your child doing and learning right now that is exciting? What mistakes do you notice that show he is trying to figure something out or apply something new? What do you notice that your child can do independently now and what does she still need assistance to do?
What curriculums and resources have you used before with success? What didn’t work
What is coming up in your life in the next year? New baby? Big trip? A move?
What does your child think? What is she interested in right now? What would he like to learn more about?

By now you should have current snapshot of your child in your head, some ideas about where you’ve been on your learning journey, and some thoughts about where you are going. To further develop a picture of where you might be going, consider looking at a “scope and sequence” or list of skills for each grade level. This optional step is most useful for those who favor a more structured approach. World Book describes a typical course of study for each grade level. Rebecca Rupp’s book, Home Learning Year by Year, also lists skills for each grade level. Your state’s standards can also be used as a resource. The Well Trained Mind by by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise describes the sequence of a classical curriculum. As you look at these resources, also consider a grade or two above and below your child as grade listings can be fairly arbitrary. Mainly, you are looking for some ideas of what skills tend to precede and follow each other.

In the next post, I'll describe how to write goals for your homeschooling.

Creating Your Own Curriculum, Part 1

2012-05-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

I am the kind of person who goes to a craft fair and comes home empty handed because if I see something I like, I invariably think, “Oh, but I could make that!” I have the same attitude about expensive clothes, expensive food, and expensive curriculum. It’s not that I don’t appreciate their prepackaged beauty, their mirage of perfection… it’s just that I know if I buy one of these items, I’ll wish there was a different style of lace, a different pattern of cloth, or a different main text for the history section.

So it was natural for me as I began my homeschooling journey three years ago to develop my own curriculum. As a former teacher who was allergic to the textbooks assigned to her grade level and a former curriculum consultant who encouraged other teachers in other schools to develop the same allergy, I was lucky to have a rich background in selecting alternative materials. I’m also fortunate to live in an area with state parks, museums, and enrichment classes for kids. But with so much to pick from and so few hours in the day, how to decide which things met our needs?

What is a Curriculum Anyway?

The term “curriculum” has several common uses in the homeschooling community. It can mean a list of goals and a timeline for completing them. It can also mean the materials you use to teach those goals. Often it means a package that incorporates both these things: materials to teach particular goals based on a timeline. Being a do-it-yourself type and honestly believing I know my children better than authors I’ve never met, I tend to feel the “goals” part of the curriculum is my job. However, I can often cannibalize a packaged curriculum for materials to meet the goals I’ve determined and discard the rest.

In this series of blog posts, I’ll describe the process I’ve used for setting what I call yearly goals. I’ll show you how I used these individualized goals to select curriculum materials and list a healthy number of resources to get you started. I’ll also discuss how to pace your learning. The best thing about this process is that it can work for almost any style of homeschooler. For those who favor a more structured approach, it can clarify your goals and help you weed out activities that aren’t working for your family. Children can be involved in each step of the process if you favor a more child led approach. Even if your style tends towards unschooling, creating goals can help you to be better at “strewing” those tantalizing resources around. Although I assume you will use this process for one year periods, it is easily adaptable to shorter time frames of weeks or months.

In my next post, I'll write about gathering information to write goals.

Murderous Maths

2011-10-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

Too many of us believe that math must be taught with lecture, followed by worksheets, wrapped up with tests. Only after showing proficiency in a particular area may a student proceed to the next step.

Boring!

Where are the colorful characters that developed math as we know it? Where are the problems that stumped humankind for generations, until some creative soul said, "Aha!" Where are the explanations of the purposes and applications of all this math? Nowhere in a traditional textbook, that's for sure.

Supplementing mathematics with books about math (as opposed to "math books") can bring a traditionally dry subject to life. Why math isn't taught like this in schools, I have no idea. But you're homeschooling, aren't you?

A wonderful addition to any home library is the Murderous Maths series written by Kjartan Poskitt and published by the same folks who gave us Horrible Histories, Horrible Science, and Horribly Famous series.
With intriguing names like Numbers, the Key to the Universe, Mean and Vulgar Bits, and Do You Feel Lucky?, students will hardly realize that these are math books. Text is combined with cartoons, illustrations, humorous asides, and knowing nods to the reader, all with the attitude that this is stuff your teacher doesn't want you to know and maybe doesn't even know himself.

Please don't make the mistake of thinking, "My child has barely memorized the multiplication tables, so how can she understand more complex math?" These books introduce new ideas in a fun and engaging manner. While a reader may not be able to solve a page of calculus after reading these books, she will have been exposed to more advanced formulas and equations, read about shortcuts and tricks, and generally found math entertaining.

On a personal note, my eldest son has just about read the ink off all the Murderous Maths books he has. Many's the night he's come bounding down the stairs to share some new insight he's gained from the books. Enthusiasm for mathematics is worth every penny.

Article by Sarah J. Wilson

Giving Kids Money-Smarts

2011-09-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

How do we teach our kids to handle their money, when so many of us are struggling ourselves? Many homeschool families like to take on this challenge as part of their learning lifestyle. After all, you're never too old to learn how to save, invest, and spend wisely!

Recently, the San Jose Mercury News ran an article entitled, "Websites teach kids how to manage their money." The article included a list of websites aimed at kids, teens, and families for learning about and discussing finances. Here are some of my favorites from that list.

The Mint: This website has tabs for kids, teens, parents, and teachers. From savings and investing to decoding paychecks and tracking spending, The Mint covers many of the areas other websites, and certainly traditional financial education, neglect.

Kidnexions: This commercial site does sell books and software, but it also offers many free financial videos. Your kids (and you) can learn about the Rule of 72 (not even all bankers know this!), how compound interest works, and how to set financial goals.

U.S. Mint Kids: Is your child fascinated with all things "money"? The U.S. Mint's site for kids is filled with games, cartoons, and information about how money is designed and created. Learn about what the Mint does, how to collect coins, even facts about the U.S. Presidents and branches of government.

If your child is also in Cub Scouts, these websites can help with the Collecting, Mathematics, and Video Games belt loops and pins.

A strong financial education is one of the best gifts you can give to your child and yourself. Learn how your money works and how to make it work for you.

Article by Sarah J. Wilson

"7 Secrets to Finding the Best Homeschool Curriculum" Review

2011-08-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

New homeschoolers are often overwhelmed by the extensive choice of curricula available through catalogs, the Internet, conference exhibits, and other vendors. The beautifully boxed books, gorgeous games, and intriguing DVDs and CDs tempt families into spending loads of money on systems that don't fit their children's learning styles or interests, placing stress on budgets and the homeschool experience.

In comes Carletta Sanders to the rescue! Her free yes, free ebook, 7Secrets to Finding the Best Homeschool Curriculm guides readers throught the process of choosing a curriculum.

Sanders begins by helping families focus on their homeschool goals and budgets. Next, she discusses learning styles, an often overlooked element of learning in traditional school situations, but very easily addressed in a homeschool environment.

After determining goals, budget, and style, Sanders introduces eight homeschooling methods, including the well-known styles of Charlotte Mason, classical, Montessori, and unit studies, as well as literature-based, online, relaxed, and unschooling. Besides the usual discussion of each style's strengths and appeal, Sanders takes the extra steps of stating what types of families and students dislike particular styles or might struggle with them. These helpful additions allow families to better identify not just what sounds exciting to them, but what might actually work for them an important distinction. (Note: Unschooling, by definition, does not have any formal curriculum. Sanders instead gives a basic definition of unschooling, followed by ways to approach it, even in states and jurisdictions which require written study plans.) At the end of each section, Sanders includes links to additional information and interviews with people expert in the various methods of learning.

Interestingly, Sanders chooses to put eclectic homeschooling in a separate chapter, instead of with the other styles. Families who consider themselves eclectic homeschoolers do consider it a style; however, it has no formal curriculum, so Sanders divides eclectic homeschooling into basic areas of study. Through a series of questions, she guides families to discovering which curriculum or approach would work best for that particular subject.

Sanders leaves her discussions of preschool, kindergarten, high school, special education, and gifted education to the appendix, also with additional links to extended interviews with experts in those areas.

7 Secrets to Finding the Best Homeschool Curriculum provides an excellent starting point for new homeschoolers, and perhaps homeschoolers looking to experiment with new approaches.

For more homeschooling information and ideas, check out Sanders' website, Successful Homeschooling.

"Visual-Spatial Learners" Review

2011-08-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

As any parent of multiple children can tell you, each one is very different from the others. What works with one child is doomed to fail with the others.

This is certainly true when it comes to helping our children learn. That fine system you put in place for your first child will collapse in heaps when the second child comes along.

Figuring out your child's learning style can give you insight into ways to better reach them and open up the world to their inquisitive minds.

Typically, schools are designed with the auditory-sequential learner (ASL) in mind. This child thinks in words, learns well from instructors, is a step-by-step learner, and so on. They tend to fit very well into the classroom system.

Then there are the other students, the visual-spatial learners (VSLs). These children think in pictures, develop their own methods of problem-solving, are whole-part learners (understand the big picture, before they grasp the parts that make it), and so on.

If you are an ASL, or your other children are ASLs, and you are now faced with a VSL, figuring out how to best present new material and learning opportunities can be frustrating. What worked before, simply does not work now.

This is where Visual-Spatial Learners: Differentation strategies for creating a successful classroom, by Alexandra Shires Golon, can help.

Don't let the title throw you. Although Golon definitely directs her advice to classroom teachers, most of what she suggests can readily be put into action in the homeschool environment.

Golon starts by relating an activity she gives to teachers. She has them draw a 2"wide x 1/2" tall rectangle, a space similar to the signature line on a check. Then she asks them to place their pen in their non-dominant hand and sign their name within that box. She inevitably hears groans and moans from the teachers about the awkwardness and difficulty of the task. She then tells them that this is what it feels like for a "right-hemispheric, visual-spatial student sitting in a left-hemispheric, wor-dominated classroom."

Readers of Visual-Spatial Learners can either read the book cover to cover or jump to the specific chapter(s) which interest them. (How's that for ASL versus VSL accessibility?)

Golon addresses the basics of elementary education: reading, writing, spelling, note-taking, mathematics, and organizational skills. Timed tests, written agreements, and creating a visual-spatial classroom may not apply to homeschoolers, but the basic skills are universal. Quite frankly, having taught in a classroom environment, I find many of her suggestions overwhelming wih 30-35 kids in mind (I have all this required stuff to do, and now you want me to do more?); but, as a homeschooling mom, I find her suggestions really simple to incorporate in our learning.

For example, VSLs often have lousy writing. But when writing is presented to them as art, such as with calligraphy, their handwriting skills improve immensely, as does their ability to and joy in communicating through the written word.

When it comes to math facts, all sorts of tricks come into play. Golon presents hand games, lattice multiplication, drawing assignments, and more, to help VSLs create mental pictures of mathematical information.

Perhaps her most powerful message is that, just as children learn differently, the way they present that knowledge should be different. Not all children want to write down what they're learned. Some may better demonstrate mastery through building a diorama or designing a poster or putting on a play. We, as homeschooling parents, are in an excellent position to gauge learning through unorthodox methods.

Visual-Spatial Learners will give homeschooling parents a deeper insight into their VSL children, as well as tools to create and support learning opportunities to fit their children's needs. VSL children will develop confidence in their ability to learn, explore, and understand their world in their creative, big-picture, enthusiastic way.

Fundamentals of Homeschooling: Notes on Successful Family Living

2011-07-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, a book resonates with what I believe from page one, making me wish that I had been able to write the book myself. On the first page of Ann Lahrson-Fisher's Fundamentals of Homeschooling she says, “Homeschooling success builds on this simple foundation: living a satisfying learning lifestyle.” Those five words—living a satisfying learning lifestyle—summed up my deepest hopes and dreams for how my children would grow up, even before we started homeschooling.

The book is divided into six parts (Play, Conversations, Togetherness, Growing Up, The Big Picture, and Subjects), each beginning with a “Keynote” describing some big ideas about that concept and followed by several easy to read chapters about some specific topics within that concept. Each chapter can be read in isolation, so a tour of the table of contents can take you to your current hot-button topics. However, I feel the book is best read one part at a time, because of the way the author links the topics together.

In Part One: Play, the author gives an overview of the value of play and then goes on to describe a number of ways that we can manipulate our home environment to encourage play that supports a learning lifestyle. There are several lists of toys, games, and learning materials, and a whole chapter is devoted to modifying games to meet the needs of different ages and temperaments.

Part Two describes how “family chitchat” can become a vehicle for learning. Some
examples may seem familiar or simply intuitive, others are fresh and new. Several
chapters are devoted to both language arts and math. The last chapter of the section talks about how conversation can be used for everything from teaching self control to learning how to handle mistakes.

These first one hundred and thirty pages make this book worthwhile for even the family whose children are attending public school, because they describe a set of skills and opportunities that all families can take advantage of. Because of this, I've given this book as a gift even to friends who aren't homeschooling.

Beginning with Part Three, Togetherness, the book discusses many issues specific to
homeschoolers. Chapters describe everything from homeschooling styles to yearly planning to handling criticism to homeschooling with a baby on your lap.

Part Four is about the end of the homeschooling journey, as children grow up and become adults. It gives many suggestions about how homeschooling families might approach this rite of passage into adulthood.

Part Five explores some tools that homeschoolers use to enhance learning such as field trips, learning clubs, and apprenticeships.

Part Six includes a chapter for each of nine subject areas, with some big ideas about homeschooling each, followed by a list of selected resources for that subject area.

Although each idea in Fundamentals of Homeschooling may be explored more deeply in
other books, Lahrson-Fisher neatly sums up the most important points about each in an easy to digest text that reads like a letter from a good friend. I've found comfort in this book more than once because I always come away with the feeling that “I can do this.” I appreciate her emphasis on the family and learning to live comfortably together as we take the learning journey.

New Blog: Watch Out for Gifted People

2011-07-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

Yep, I've started a new blog.

When I began Homeschool Review, I envisioned it as a resource for ideas, support, and reviews for the homeschooling community. While I knew personal stuff would slip in, I didn't want it overtaking the blog's raison d'etre.

So, I woke up this morning, way too early after way too late a night, and thought, "Hey! I'll start another blog!" Insanity, perhaps. But what else am I going to do to with all my free time. I do have free time, right?

Anyway, my new blog is called Watch Out for Gifted People. It's a more personal look at what it means to be "gifted." The stories may be inspiring, funny, touching, or downright depressing, but they'll always be true.

I hope you take a moment to check out my latest endeavor. Because being gifted isn't always a gift.

Article by Sarah J. Wilson

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

2011-07-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

It may be the middle of summer, but many homeschoolers are beginning to plan their curricula for the upcoming school year.

Seemingly endless choices parade before their eyes, as catalogs arrive in mailboxes, companies exhibit at conferences, and other homeschoolers post rave reviews of products they've used. Once a parent sorts through all this and decides what to use, sticker-shock hits. Who knew homeschooling could be so expensive?

In comes the Homeschool Buyers Co-op to the rescue! Using the purchasing power of over 67,000 homeschooling families, the Homeschool Buyers Co-op offers steeply discounted materials and courses.

Joining the Co-op is free and easy. Just register on their site. You can then peruse the many categories and products they currently have on offer. You will also start receiving a periodic e-newsletter announcing current and upcoming deals, as well as free curriculum discoveries by Diane Flynn Keith.

Once you find a product you want to purchase, you'll notice that it has price points, depending on how many people order. The more people who order, the greater the discount: sometimes up to 90 percent! You decide which price you're willing to pay. Once the number of buyers reaches that level, that price goes into effect. If more buyers step up, pushing the price even lower, you get the lower price.

The Homeschooler Buyers Co-op charges a small processing fee on each order (a few dollars), which does not reduce the value of the service in any way.

In addition to pooling together the buying power of homeschoolers, the Homeschool Buyers Co-op offers free homeschool ID cards, SmartPoints for purchases made, free curricula, and other money-saving ideas.

You can learn more about the Homeschool Buyers Co-op at http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-curriculum/, on Facebook, and on YouTube.

Article by Sarah J. Wilson

Organize Your Homeschool with Collaborize Classroom

2011-07-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

Looking for a new way to organize your homeschool? Perhaps you're running a co-op class or two, and want to engage your students between meetings? Maybe you want to encourage your student to explore new ideas and information, but meet with resistance when doing so one-on-one?

Collaborize Classroom, a free online learning platform from Democrasoft, might just be the tool you need to make your homeschooling experience more enjoyable and successful.

Designed for traditional classrooms, Collaborize Classroom easily lends itself to the homeschool environment. Whether you want to posit questions for your student to write about or you want to involve many students in discussions, voting, or collaboration, you can do it all with Collaborize Classroom.

Collaborize Classroom also will send you a weekly update on the progress of your students. You can see what they're working on, what they've missed, and adjust your homeschool plan accordingly.

Another good use of Collaborize Classroom is sharing information. For example, as homeschoolers, we come across endless recommendations for websites, books, and games to enhance our students' learning experiences. Instead of telling your student about them or emailing them, start a "discussion" about them. Your student can check out the resource, write about it, vote on favorites, and better take control of his or her own education.

If you're running a co-op class, especially one with an academic bent, Collaborize Classroom is ideal for keeping students immersed in the learning process between meetings. They can work together on projects, share infomation, ask questions, follow up on ideas presented in the class, and more, all in a private and safe environment.

Click here to more about Collaborize Classroom. You can also learn more on Facebook and Twitter. You can sign up for your free account (which Collaborize Classroom promises will always remain free) here.

Article by Sarah J. Wilson

Survey of Identified Gifted and 2e Children

2011-07-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

Has your child been identified as gifted or twice exceptional? Researchers at Columbia University's Paul F. Lazarsfeld Center for the Social Sciences are studying how children who are unique in some way are identified and developed. They are currently collecting stories from parents with children who have been identified as gifted, children who have unique artistic, scientific, or physical abilities, children on the autism spectrum, and children who have been identified as having attention disorders.

While all children are unique, the goal of their study is to identify how children with unique developmental abilities or trajectories develop over early childhood. Parents have different experiences and observations of their child's development and they have different personal resources with which they access services or programs. Parents also differ in the type and extent of their support networks and social relations. And finally, parents make different decisions when finding the right academic, extra-curricular, or other placements for their children. Now is your chance to tell your stories. Survey responses will help the researchers understand the experiences of unique children as well as their development over time.

They are collecting stories of parents of unique children through an online, semi-structured survey: http://uniquechildstudy.org. The more families who participate, the better the researchers' understanding of the gifted and 2e community will be. Let your voice be heard!

For more information, please contact the researchers at the Paul F. Lazarsfeld Center for the Social Sciences via e-mail at uniquechildstudy@columbia.edu or by telephone at 212-854-3440. You can also find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unique-Child-Study/171533039569039.

Article by Sarah J. Wilson

Song School Latin

2011-07-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

This summer, our family has been getting a gentle exposure to Latin using Song School Latin, offered by Classical Academic Press. The program consists of a workbook, CD, and optional teacher's edition. There are also several additional resources available for free online.

Song School Latin approaches Latin in the way of many other children's language curriculums, by starting with simple words and phrases to talk about ourselves, name items in our world, and say various polite phrases. Although Latin isn't used as a spoken language today, this method means we have lots of words to practice in our daily lives.

Each lesson of words is introduced by a song that mixes the Latin and English words so that the meaning of the former can be implied by the latter. The songs are memorable and have especially helped my musical daughter in remembering the vocabulary. A "Chapter Lesson" gives a short bit of information on Latin grammar or points out a Latin phrase still used today. "Grow Your English" points out English words that have Latin derivatives. "Practice Your Latin" is a collection of activities where you write, circle, draw, or match Latin and/or English words. Every fourth chapter is a review.

Online you will find additional audio files, coloring pages, and a flashcard game for each chapter's vocabulary. The Teacher's Edition contains the answers (not needed as the exercises are simple) and an additional practice page for each chapter.

The book is recommended for grades K-3. I am using the program with my 8 and 10 year old so we are taking it four chapters at a time, which gives us about 16 new vocabulary words or phrases a week. Don't expect to learn much grammar from this curriculum, it introduces very little that can be applied outside of the given words. The connections to English words and phrases are great, though, if you want to study Latin as a way of learning English vocabulary. I recommend Song School Latin for young children or if you want a fun introduction to Latin before using a more complex curriculum.

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