Fun Ways to Help Kinesthetic Learners - Lisa Kang

Even before he was born, my son, Ben, was constantly in motion. I would sit in disbelief (and some discomfort) and watch my abdomen quiver and roll as he thrashed and flipped in utero. After he was born, I was thrilled when the doctor gave my vigorous baby a perfect Apgar score. I was less pleased an hour later when she exclaimed in annoyance, “I am so glad you are taking this one home!”

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Taking Charge - Can a Constitutional Amendment Protect Parental Rights? - Larry and Susan Kaseman

Parental rights are being challenged these days, and we need to work to act in ways that will maintain them. At first glance, adding a parental rights amendment to the U S Constitution might seem like a good way to make these rights more secure. In fact, some well-known homeschoolers are promoting such an amendment. However, an amendment would not protect our rights and, in fact, would actually undermine them. Fortunately, there are other, better, more effective ways to maintain our rights. This column will discuss problems with a constitutional amendment and suggest actions we can take to maintain our parental rights.

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Lying on the couch in the morning, my fourth-grade son would snuggle up and read chapter books. At church, he would read the number on the hymn board, find the hymn and sing along. Then one day he couldn’t read the number, and a few weeks later he couldn’t read the words in the books. We grew more concerned each day while we waited impatiently for one doctor appointment after another.

After a four-day hospitalization and lots of tests, the doctor finally told us that Peter’s optic nerve had been affected by a gene we didn’t know existed. He said Peter has something called Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, a mitochondrial condition. He said there was no treatment for it.

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Our readers answer these questions:

History Dead or Alive

After one too many boring field trips to historical sites my kids are in full revolt. They want nothing to do with anything that reeks of ‘old and dead.’ What do you do to make history interesting to your kids? - Eileen Petrelli

Answers!

Mother-in-Law

“We have a five year- old son whom we have decided to homeschool in the new year. He is showing signs of being very bright and we think he’ll be able to learn more this way. The other reason is that he is a little behind with speech development, which makes him less self-confident in big groups of peers and therefore affects his learning because he’s anxious or uncomfortable. We think he’ll become more confident when he’s more comfortable and not pushed into situations where he’s forced to fit in. He does fine with younger and much older kids and adults, but is a bit inhibited with large groups of kids his own age range.

My mother-in-law feels he needs a lot more social interaction outside of the family. She’s always pushing that he needs to play with more children his own age, get involved in more social activities. While I’m looking into an activity or two, and to meet other home school families nearby, I don’t think he is going to be socially backward if we’re not involved in a myriad of group activities. We haven’t even told her we’re leaving public school to home school yet, so I know the constant comments will get worse. I find it really disappointing so many people think a child’s own parents aren’t able to decide what is best for their child’s education and well being because it’s outside the norm. How can you explain to people who don’t understand homeschooling that it helps with confidence and socializing skills, not prevents them, and that a five year- old doesn’t need to play with tons of kids to get social interaction?” - Cheryl Bush

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The bottom line is a full year, six issue subscription to HEM for just $20.00 (reg. $32.00). We trust our May-June issue will tell you why this is such a good deal. Read on and then subscribe today!

In the May-June 2008 issue Home Education Magazine offers articles focusing on play and playing with real life. You will be able to find suggestions for getting your kids fun, ‘hands-on’ learning from making an inexpensive kite, to finding independence in the kitchen as well as a hands-on way to ease your own stress by knitting while you teach. Lisa Kang’s Fun Ways to Help Kinesthetic Learners, offers suggestions for that child that is all about hands-on learning.

In her column, Hands-On Learning, Kathy Ceceri looks at Geography and Arctic Life as Becky Rupp offers resources for irresistible hands-on science fun. Christine Gable cooks up quick salsa while Carol Narigon finds ways to inspire joy of learning and critical thinking. Laura Weldon shares readers suggestions for dealing with in-laws and making history relevant as Linda Dobson explores how history is repeating itself for yet another generation of school kids. The Kasemans look at the dangers of a Parental Rights Amendment, Jeanne Faulconer reviews two new homeschooling titles, Tamara Orr considers the technology gap between parents and kids, and David has a New Exercise Regimen - My Word!

You are bound to find a lot in this issue worth reading. Enjoy!