December 2003

In the December issue:

~ Military Homeschoolers Web Site ~
~ Reading And Perpetual Motion ~
~ Federal Homeschool Legislation ~
~ Nasa's Kids Science News Network ~
~ Winter Holidays ~
~ Questions And Answers ~
~ Unschooling.Com's Unschoolingdiscussion List~
~ Exploring Maps ~
~ TOYchallenge Team Invention Contest ~
~ Matty Trescott Essay Contest For Girls ~
~ The Final Word ~

****************************************

The other night, when my DD 2yrs old was sick and needed to nurse non stop, my DS and I put on the movie "Dances with Wolves". It was his first time watching it. We had such a good time, he noticed so many things about that movie that I never thought he would get. He talked to me through the whole movie and I loved him doing it, we really shared it. I would never have thought to do that before reading at this list, I would have just immersed myself in guilt for watching the idiot box, but instead we reveled in a shared experienced.
~~ Nancy in BC on the Unschooling Discussion e-list~~

To join the Unschooling Discussion e-mail list visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnschoolingDiscussion or send an e-mail to
UnschoolingDiscussion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

****************************************

Military Homeschoolers Web Site
http://www.militaryhomeschoolers.com

"Serving American military homeschoolers around the world." Founded by a military homeschooler, this site offers a broad range of topics pertinent to military homeschoolers, covering everything from support organizations to news stories to handling moves to finding "me" time when you're a military spouse with a partner who is away.

****************************************

Reading And Perpetual Motion
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/206/ndread.html

Reading, for me, is a quiet indulgence. An activity to be savored in its simplicity and scarcity, done in the quietness of the early morning hours or during a lazy afternoon. Wintertime reading requires a warm fire, a cozy blanket and a hot cup of coffee. Summertime reading is best done outdoors, either in the warmth of the sun, or on sweltering days, in the shade of a tree. Most importantly, interruptions must be kept to a bare minimum.

Like me, my oldest son, Brad has had the ability to sit and listen to lengthy stories from an early age. It was quite common for him, even as a toddler, to come to me saying simply, "Read!" and then follow up his request with an hour of rapt attention.

Not so with my youngest. Story time for Evan has always been full of fidgets and wiggles. Now at the age of seven, Evan has mellowed in some aspects, yet he is still unable to enjoy stories like I do. Quietly. Calmly.

When Evan began in earnest to join us for our read aloud stories, things changed dramatically. No longer could we tackle a pile of fifteen picture books in one sitting. Long chapter books were out of the question. Evan bounced from chair to couch to floor, asking questions or providing a running commentary on the story the whole time. As much as I enjoyed reading out loud, and in spite of the fact that I knew his questions were valid, I became increasingly frustrated. Imploring him to sit still or be quiet was taking up too much of our precious reading time and making me grouchy.

Our early experiences with Brad and his insatiable thirst for long evenings of reading convinced my husband and me that homeschooling would be easy. Our method was a simple one: choose a great book from the library, sit down, read out loud and viola! In no time, not only had we shared some great books, but we also had an avid reader on our hands. I basked in the simplicity of our day-to-day learning. I reveled in the fact that I had a six-year-old who could read small chapter books. A savant by no means, but he was clearly excelling in the art of language.

And then there was Evan. Cuddling under a blanket with this boy--who was once likened to that famous pink bunny--was not an option. Reevaluating the situation, I saw that the only way for the boys to listen to the same story was to accommodate both of their needs. Brad, like his mom, needed only a comfy place to land. Evan and his constant movement had to be dealt with differently. His continual couch bouncing annoyed Brad, causing our reading time to deteriorate into the inevitable bickering that ensues when two siblings disagree.

Recognizing that my spirited child just had to move, I took steps to allow for his needs during our reading time by encouraging him to build with Legos, play with his cars or draw pictures. The only rule: his activity shouldn't interfere with our reading. I figured that, as long as he was occupied, Brad would be able to listen to stories and Evan would still feel a part of our reading ritual. But, as mothers are wont to do, I worried about him missing out on the wonderful stories we shared. I was afraid that when he reached "school age" and became an official member of our homeschool day, I would have to come up with a way to help him focus. Although he was there with us in the same room, I questioned his ability to absorb any of the details of our stories.

And then, one day a few years ago we began a new book, halfway through a previously started series. It had been some time since we had been involved in this particular series and we had read several chapter books aloud since then. As Evan constructed with his Legos, Brad and I struggled to recollect The book's minor characters. We couldn't remember who he was and what role he had played in the story. Feeling frustrated, Brad and I decided to go on reading, hoping that it would come to us. Then Evan piped up, "Mom, don't you remember? He's the one who..."
~~ Kris Bordessa in the November/December issue of Home Education Magazine ~~

You can read the rest of this article, as well as some other articles and columns from the current HEM at the address above, but you'll have to get the magazine--the one you hold in your hands--to read them all! See subscription information in this newsletter, or visit your local bookseller to get your copy today.

****************************************

Federal Homeschool Legislation

Petition Against HR 2732
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/807813448

Christina Anderson has created a petition with the intent to "let our government know that we will not accept bill HR 2732." Over 600 people have signed the petition so far.

HR 2732 Should Be Defeated
http://www.cthomeschoolnetwork.org/HONDA.htm

Attorney Deborah G. Stevenson presents this paper that takes point-by-point issue with the HoNDA legislation.

****************************************

Nasa's Kids Science News Network?
http://ksnn.larc.nasa.gov/beta/index.html A standards-based program that uses the Web, animation, and video to introduce science, technology, engineering, math, and NASA concepts. NASA's KSNN(tm) uses animated characters for grades K-2 and video technology for grades 3-5, to explain everyday phenomena, correct misconceptions, and answer frequently asked questions. Visit the K-2 portion of the site for 60-second animations, activities, and resource links covering such topics as "magnetism" and "states of matter." The grade 3-5 section features children in 60-second (video) newsbreaks answering such questions as why is the sky blue and what makes popcorn pop. Each newsbreak includes a follow-up written explanation, inquiry-based activities, related print and electronic resources, and a computer-graded quiz.

****************************************

Winter Holidays Site
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/winterholidays.shtml

Offers a variety of links for information and activities for several holiday categories: Christmas, Christmas Around the World, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. Includes "reproducibles," borax snowflakes, fingerplays, crafts, games, songs, books, recipes and much more.

****************************************

Questions And Answers

"We have homeschooled our two children for over five years now. Neither one of our families is supportive. More than once my sister has quizzed the kids on division during a holiday gathering. My in-laws are critical because my children sleep in, make a mess playing and generally enjoy their lives. Most frequently family members tell us what everyone else's kids are doing in school, as if we are depriving our own. They don't seem interested in all the places we go, don't recognize the tremendous musical and inventive skill our children are developing, pretty much negating our choices and the kids themselves. How do we strengthen the kids against their extended family?"
~~ Phillip and Carole, Louisiana ~~

"We moved into an area with tremendous homeschool group opportunities. There are field trips and events every day of the week. But I'm concerned that there's not much continuity. What chronology can the kids get when they go to an 1800's schoolhouse one day, an archeological dig another day and a Greek antiquities museum the next week? What continuity is available when they go to science programs on aeronautics, refraction and chemistry in the same month? Am I doing them a disservice by not keeping to themes?"
~~ Stephanie Ames ~~

To answer a question, or propose your own question, please write to Laura Weldon via Reader Response or Questions & Answers, c/o Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket, WA 98855. Your responses must meet our deadline of January 1st. Please recognize that your submission may be edited for length or clarity. Indicate how you prefer your question or answer signed.

****************************************

UNSCHOOLING.COM
http://www.unschooling.com

Unschooling Discussion
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnschoolingDiscussion

The staff of Unschooling.com has created several discussion lists for unschoolers and anyone interested in exploring the unschooling philosophy. The purpose of Unschooling Discussion is to " move out of our own comfort zones as we critically examine our beliefs, ideas, and viewpoints about learning, and seek a deeper understanding of unschooling and more respectful relationships with our children." List members have recently been discussing topics such as chores, rules vs. principles, responsibilities, spirited kittens, and more.

You can join via email by sending a message to
UnschoolingDiscussion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

For information about the Unschooling.com site visit:
http://www.unschooling.com

****************************************

Exploring Maps

When my family took a car trip across the country in my 8th summer, I became a map reader. Back then it was legal to ride in the trailer through some states, and when it was just my mom and I in the car, she relied on me to read the map as she drove. The immediate, real-life need for map skills-coupled with my mother's anger after I had a "learning moment" that sent her off course-gave me incentive to polish my skill quickly. What I learned on that trip stuck with me, and I took pride in my newfound ability.

Now my older daughter is interested in maps, as a result of my husband's taking her and her sister on a trip to SC to visit their grandparents, an 8-hour drive away. The 3 of them planned a side trip to hike at Raven Cliff Falls, and Cait began to study the map. That helped to prepare her for becoming the navigator for the trip. Her curiosity raised a lot of questions for her, and the answers she found broadened her horizons. Cait learned about map scales, discovered how to tell if a lake was natural or created, found out about how the highway numbering system works, learned a lot about SC's natural features, and much more.

Since the trip, Cait's picked up and studied other maps, learning about native words, highway systems, how to use the mileage chart, the significance of natural boundaries, topography, and on and on!

I've put together a list of fun and interesting mapping sites that I hope you and your children will enjoy.
-Shay

Just for Fun Map Game
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html
Drag and drop the names of Middle Eastern countries into their proper places on the map.

Online Map Creation
http://www.aquarius.geomar.de/omc/omc_intro.html
Construct your own map: choose coordinates for boundaries, kind of projection, and types of data.

Maps That Teach
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm
Learn the countries of different continents and their capitals with these fun and educational map puzzle games.

National Atlas of the United States
http://www.nationalatlas.gov
This digital online atlas offers easy to use, map-like views of America's natural and sociocultural landscapes. It contributes to our knowledge of the environmental, resource, demographic, economic, social, political, and historical dimensions of American life.

Earth and Moon Viewer
http://www.fourmilab.ch/cgi-bin/uncgi/Earth?opt=-p&img=learth.evif
Viewing the Earth: You can view either a map of the Earth showing the day and night regions at this moment, or view the Earth from the Sun, the Moon, the night side of the Earth, above any location on the planet specified by latitude, longitude and altitude, from a satellite in Earth orbit, or above various cities around the globe. You can view maps of the moon, too.

Zoom Into Maps!
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/maps/index.html
Using historic maps from the Library of Congress, help students discover the stories that maps can tell us. Site introduces historical maps from the American Memory collections. Categories include: Exploration and Discovery, Migration and Settlement, Travel and Transportation, Military, Pictorial Maps, Unusual Maps, and more.

National Geographic's Map Machine
http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine
Examine world themes, US themes, atlases, historical maps, flags and facts.

Mapping a Park Trip Lesson Plan (Grades 4-6)
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSOMDNationalParkUnit2-MappingAParkTrip46.htm
Students map routes to several National Parks they would like to visit.

Mapping My Spot in History Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/01/map/
Students create their town's history for coming generations and place themselves on the map in a literal as well as figurative sense, by producing portions of an updated version of an early twentieth century panoramic map from the American Memory collections. To complete this project, they gather information from a variety of primary sources, including the early twentieth century map, photographs, drawings, and site visits. Each student contributes to the revised map by creating a contemporary map of her or his block.

GEODE
http://geode.usgs.gov
Maps display a range of data: population, transportation, political boundaries, oil, water, other natural resources, & more. Students can explore geographic relationships by combining & co-displaying these data on maps of Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. Best with high-speed connection; it didn't work well with my 56K modem.

****************************************

HEM'S Curent Issue
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/206.html

In the November/December issue of Home Education Magazine, you'll enjoy articles on meaningful math, the company of books, using genealogy to teach history, supplying the junior scientist, and more.

Column topics include: Sandra Dodd on balancing in the middle ground, Rebecca Rupp's reviews of books about gratitude, David Albert on Carmenizing, and Carol Narigon on "scary power" and keeping track. Other columnists include Linda Dobson, Laura Weldon, Larry and Susan Kaseman, Elizabeth McCullough, and Ann Lahrson Fisher.

HEM also offers publisher Helen Hegener's essay on the repercussions of change, as well as classified ads, letters and discussion, pen pals and networking, and more.

To mark our 20th year, Home Education Magazine is offering a one year introductory subscription for $20.00! (reg $32.00)

To take advantage of this price mention HEM Online News when contacting us. To order write: Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; call toll-free 1-800-236-3278; email orders@homeedmag.com. Or use our secure online form at: http://www.homeedmag.com/ORD/_hemonline.html. MC/Visa/Disc cards accepted.

HEM 20th Anniversary Back Issue Sale
http://www.homeedmag.com/sale/bi.html

Also to mark Home Education Magazine's 20th anniversary the publishers are offering an opportunity to stock up on great homeschool reading with HEM back issues. Our office manager has selected new theme packages bundled in six issue sets. These six issue packages are available in $20.00 (per package - postpaid US Domestic addresses). The package includes: Arts/Music, Early Issues, Eclectic Learning, Foreign Language/Travel, Grab Bag, Great Covers, History/Government, Reading/Writing, Science/Math, Transition to Homeschool. Home Education Magazine, POB 1083, Tonasket, WA 98855; Orders@homeedmag.com; homeedmag.com/sale/bi.html

****************************************

TOYchallenge Team Invention Contest
http://www.toychallenge.com

Sally Ride Science Club, Smith College, and Hasbro have launched the first TOYchallengeTM. Students in grades 5-8 form a team that includes girls as at least half the members, find an adult coach, register the team (cost: $25), and create a "brand new-to-this-world toy or game." Categories include those for differing age groups, family games, sporty toys and construction toys. Prizes include 3 Grand Prizes comprised of a trip to Space Camp and creation of personalized Hasbro action figures. Registration closes on January 30, 2004.

****************************************

Matty Trescott Essay Contest For Girls

The Matty Trescott Essay Contest is open for entries from girls in grades 5 through 8. Matty Trescott is the heroine of a series of young adult novels in which Matty defends her Kansas farm from raiders, fights in the Union army in the War Between the States, and eventually becomes The first woman doctors in the United States.

The theme of the essay contest is Breaking Barriers for Women. A Grand Prize of $1000 is offered to the student with the winning essay, with $250 to the sponsoring teacher. The second place essay will be awarded $500, with $250 going to the third place essay, and ten fourth prize-winners will receive autographed copies of Matty Trescott novels. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled in grades 5 to 8 for the 2003-2004 school year. The authors assured me that homeschoolers are welcome to enter; they should list Their parents as a teacher.

The deadline for the contest is January 1, 2004. Rules for the contest and applications can be downloaded from the authors' website at www.MattyTrescott.com.

****************************************

HEM Online News Unclassified Advertising

For information on purchasing unclassified advertising space in this newsletter, please contact the editor at HEM-Newsletter@homeedmag.com.

_________

USBORNE
UsborneAmerica.com

1300 titles your kids will love to read...look under New Titles for books not in the current catalog. Register each month for $50 in Free books drawing. Want definite free books? Set up an e-show! Want to eliminate a bill from your budget? Flexible, rewarding business allows income at whatever level you desire. Email sharonve@aol.com or call 888-474-8499. Sharon Madden, Independent supervisor, UsborneAmerica.com .

_________

GNARLY MATH
gnarlymath.com

LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO AN "A" IN MATH. Neat gift: $6.50 for two floppy disks containing 48 issues of our humorous math newsletter, the Gnarly Gnews. Each has a cartoon, limerick, riddle, puzzle, and something mathematical. Dated from 26172 BC to 2145 AD, they include interviews with Shakespeare and Euclid. AN EVEN BETTER GIFT: our CD-ROM Solid Gold Gnarly Math which makes algebra, geometry, trig, and probability easy and enjoyable. To learn more, and to order, go to http://www.gnarlymath.com.

_________

THE RESOURCEFUL HOMESCHOOLER
resourcefulhomeschooler.com

Looking for something to do? Why not: ** Stage a Costume Ball from the Middle Ages ** Fly Through Human Anatomy ** Take a Virtual Walk through the Rainforest ** Program a Robot ** Build a Computer Game ** The Resourceful Homeschooler carries great books, science materials and kits, learning games, and the most interesting software. Visit http://www.resourcefulhomeschooler.com . Materials to involve, inspire and support independent learners of all ages!

_________

TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ! TRY ONLINE LESSONS NOW FOR FREE!
Headsprout.com

Headsprout Reading is the fun, Internet-delivered beginning reading program that will give your child a real advantage by systematically teaching essential skills and strategies ensuring reading success and confidence. Outstanding fast results! After just five 20-minute animated, interactive episodes, children read their first Headsprout book. Act quickly! For a limited time you can try out Headsprout Reading FOR FREE! http://www.headsprout.com Please enter the promotional code: HEMDec2003

_________

UNITED BOOK PRESS
Baltimore, Maryland
1-800-726-0120
LARRY DAVIS
LDavis@unitedbookpress.com

United Book Press is a complete book manufacturer. We produce loose-leaf, saddle stitch, perfect (soft) and case (hard) bound books, journals, catalogs and directories. With our web and sheetfed equipment our press runs begin at 500 each. United Book Press stands behind its commitments and schedules. Communication and cooperation are two key ingredients of our success. We welcome the opportunity to submit a competitive quote your next book project!

****************************************

FINAL WORD

"The single most important contribution education can make to a child's development is to help him towards a field where his talents best suit him, where he will be satisfied and competent. We've completely lost sight of that. Instead we subject everyone to an education where, if you succeed, you will be best suited to be a college professor... And we evaluate everyone along the way according to whether they meet that narrow standard of success. We should spend less time ranking children and more time helping them identify their natural competencies and gifts, and cultivate those. There are hundreds and hundreds of ways to succeed and many, many different abilities that will help you get there."
~~ Howard Gardner, in "Multiple Intelligences" ~~

See you next month!

Shay Seaborne, Newsletter Editor
Newsletter Email
Mark and Helen Hegener, Publishers of Home Education Magazine

top index

****************************************