June 2003

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In the June issue:

~ THE POWER OF STORY RETELLING ~
~ GOOD STUFF: MEASURING UP ~
~ FUN WITH FAMILY HISTORY ~
~ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ~
~ unschooling.com ~
~ CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF FLIGHT ~
~ PIANOGRAPHIQUE ~
~ THE LITERATURE NETWORK ~
~ FURBY AUTOPSY ~
~ The Final Word ~

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"Whenever we are stuck in our homeschooling routines, whether it be around math or anything else, I am learning not to be frustrated with my children, but to step back and ask myself three questions: Have I provided the inputs necessary so that my kids can see the beauty in what they learning? Have I given them opportunities in the present for them to use it? Do they have models in front of them to which they can aspire if they put in the necessary learning effort? And, my experience has shown me that when I can answer these questions successfully, there's not an awful lot left to worry about. My kids, bless them, can take care of the rest."

~~ David H. Albert in "A Travel Excursion of the Mind" from "Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery: A Journey of Original Seeking"

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The Power of Story Retelling
http://www.nwrel.org/learns/tutor/spr2003/spr2003.html

Asking children to "retell" a story--through words, drama or pictures--can improve their verbal ability, understanding of the story, and increase their awareness of story structure. The North West Regional Education Laboratory offers articles on "the power of story retelling to support literacy development. Readers will discover how to use retelling to build comprehension and assess student progress, and be exposed to a variety of retelling activities." Read it online at the URL above or use this link to download the PDF version: http://www.nwrel.org/learns/tutor/spr2003/spr2003.pdf

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GOOD STUFF: MEASURING UP
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/203/mjgs.html

Everything, in homeschooling, connects; sometimes home education has a lot in common with "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." You know how it goes: you're reading Aesop's "The Grasshopper and the Ants" and somebody asks how grasshoppers are different from crickets; and in no time at all you've wandered off into how to determine the temperature by timing the rate of cricket chirps and then they decide to read The Cricket in Times Square and then somebody wants to know how the New York City subway works and then... You all know what I mean. A case in point around here was the study of measurement.

Starting in kindergarten or so, according to the math manuals, kids should be encouraged to investigate the science and mathematics of measurement in active hands-on fashion, comparing and contrasting the lengths, heights, weights, areas, and volumes of various objects using nonstandard (how many pencils long is the kitchen table?) and standard (inches, feet, yards, centimeters, meters) measures. My initial forays into this flopped: our kids, no matter how charmingly encouraged, showed little interest in determining how many paper clips could be lined up end to end across a desk top or how many teaspoons it took to equal the length of the piano bench.

Instead what caught their fancy was James Thurber's Many Moons.

Many Moons (Harcourt Brace, 1971) is the enchanting picture-book story of the little Princess Lenore, who falls ill (of a surfeit of raspberry tarts) and will only be well again if she can have the moon. Nobody, however, can get the moon: the Lord High Chamberlain insists that the moon is 35,000 miles away and as big as the princess's bedroom; the Royal Wizard claims that it's 150,000 miles away and twice as big as the palace; the Royal Mathematician announces that it's 300,000 miles away, half the size of the kingdom, and made of asbestos; and the Royal Goldsmith thinks that it's 500,000 miles away and made of bronze. The Court Jester comes up with a clever solution to the dilemma and all ends happily -- at which point, after a satisfied pause, one of our kids said, "Well, how big is the moon anyway? And how far away is it?"

Yes, I thought.

Faith McNulty's How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World (HarperTrophy, 1990), the story of an innovative small boy managing to do just that, inspired another wave of measurement-minded questions and investigations: "How far away is the center of the Earth?" "How deep is the deepest hole in the world?" "How deep is the Grand Canyon?" "How big is the biggest cave?" "How deep is our well?" "What about the Pacific Ocean -- how deep is that?"

This isn't to say that there's no place for pencils and paper clips, since home-and-garden-variety comparisons do help kids put standard measurements in perspective. It's just that there's no need to settle solely for the prosaic when there are so many mind-expanding alternatives.
~~ Becky Rupp in the May/June issue of Home Education Magazine ~~

You can read the rest of this article, as well as a couple 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.

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FUN WITH FAMILY HISTORY

Since being bitten by the genealogy bug a few years ago, I've discovered that uncovering one's roots is a fun way to learn about history. Having a clear connection to dates and places, through names, biographical sketches, and--if you're lucky--photos, can kindle the imagination and make history come alive. The information I found about my and my husband's ancestors sparked our children's interest in particular periods of history. Once our young history buffs learned that their paternal great-great grandparents passed through Ellis Island on their way from Slovenia to settle in Pennsylvania, they wanted to know more about the conditions and challenges those immigrants faced.

Through Internet searches I found out that a lot of my maternal ancestors were pioneers, many of whom converged in California during the gold rush era. This, too, piqued my children's interest, as did learning that the home of one direct ancestor is now part of a historical society museum. My kids were fascinated to learn about another colorful spur on the family tree: their 6th great-grand aunt, who was married at age 50 to an 80 year-old man who happened to be Wyatt Earp's father. The write-up of the wedding, which was attended largely by aged Pioneer Society members, brought lively images to our minds.

Genealogy can connect you to relatives you never knew you had. My search found many distant cousins, some of whom live in England, Australia and New Zealand, although most are in the western US. One cousin, upon learning of my older daughter's special interest in the Oregon Trail, wrote a lovely factual story about some of our ancestors who traveled the Trail, just for Cait.

Another cousin sent me the result of his 10 years of research: a fantastic CD including as much information and as many photos as possible of the descendents of our common ancestor. When my husband, kids and I met Len and his immediate family "IRL" at a local restaurant, we had to take pictures of his twin grandsons together with my children, as we were amazed to discover that, despite the family's migrations, these 7th cousins live very near each other.

Searching for ancestors incorporates timelines, geography, mapping, journalism, social studies, languages and more. It exercises the resourcefulness and critical thinking muscles, and often, brings marvelous surprises.

Overhearing my children using their imagination to play "Oregon Trail" or listening to them trying to match what they imagine is their "Ozzie" cousins' accent, I marvel at how their awareness of family history has already influenced the girls' thinking and interests, and I look forward to seeing where it will take them.

You don't have to pay a big subscription fee to have fun with genealogy online. Below are some of the best resources, including some especially for kids. Happy Hunting!
-Shay

RootsWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com
Provides searchable databases, family trees, mailing lists, and message boards.

The Genealogy Homepage
http://www.genhomepage.com
Genealogy help and guides, a variety of resources, maps, deeds, software, events and more.

Cyndi's List
http://www.cyndislist.com
A categorized & cross-referenced index to nearly 100,000 genealogical resources on the Internet.

FamilySearch.org
http://www.familysearch.org
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has "the world's largest family history library." Site includes information on getting started with genealogy, maps, forms, guides, and much more.

World Gen Web Project
http://worldgenweb.org
A non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources.

Genealogy Today
http://www.genealogytoday.com
Articles, tips and links geared toward a variety of levels from beginner to professional.

Genealogy Instruction for Beginners, Teenagers, and Kids
http://home.earthlink.net
Projects, interview tips, books, blank forms, and more.

Tracking Your Ancestors
http://family.go.comcrafts
Project idea for younger children: make a tabletop map showing your family's history.

Genealogy Today Jr.
http://genealogytoday.com
Tips, family stories, "fun ways to learn about genealogy" and more.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

"I have 3 children, ages 7, 5, and 10 months. Our youngest is very active and does not require much sleep. It has gotten very difficult for us to do any projects or games or help the older ones with reading or math. Reading to them is impossible--if I separate the baby (in her crib or a gated area with toys where she can see us) she screams, of course wanting to be included. If we join her she grabs and rips the book. Reading to one child at a time while the other one plays with her works for only a very short time. She has major separation anxiety right now, so using a mother's helper (even Grandma!) also only works for a very short time. My husband works long hours, so we don't have time while he's home for more than dinner and bedtime rituals. How do other families homeschool with babies in the house?"
~~Busy Mom~~

"At a homeschooling conference last year, a difficult question was posed: Why is homeschooling perceived as an upper-class, white bread, luxurious lifestyle, instead of one lived by the splendid tightwads we are? Most homeschoolers I know are just scraping by, with only one parent working full-time (or occasionally a single parent, displaying magnificent financial creativity to homeschool her family). How can we change this perception?"
~~Frustrated Cheapskate~~

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 the 1st. Please recognize that your submission may be edited for length or clarity. Indicate how you prefer your question or answer signed.

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

My kids don't ask to learn. They just learn. They will ask questions when they need help, but they come across things and the second they're discovering what it is they have heard, opened, read, seen, they learn about that thing. They either move toward it (stay, explore) or they move away (smaller interest, busy), but they know then more than they knew AND they know where to find more...Just make them a rich nest of input and love them and BE with them, talk to them, sing with them, make sure they have new things to touch/see/hear/taste/smell and they will learn.
~~ Sandra Dodd on the UnschoolingDotCom e-mail list~~

Unschooling.com offers a free monthly newsletter, message boards, an email list and more just for unschoolers. To subscribe to the email list send a blank email to: Unschooling-dotcom-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Or visit the email list website at: http://groups.yahoo.comgroup/Unschooling-dotcom.

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HEM'S CURRENT ISSUE
http://www.homeedmag.com In the May/June issue of Home Education Magazine, you'll enjoy articles on detective skills, desks, watching out for Glitz, burnout and more.

Column topics include: Larry and Susan Kaseman on maintaining independence, Sandra Dodd describing a typical unschooling day, Becky Rupp's reviews of books and resources about measuring, Carol Narigon shares ideas for "Selling Homeschool at Home," and David Albert reveals the special talent he discovered while sitting in "Row 1, Seat 1." Other columnists include: Linda Dobson, Laura Weldon, Ann Zeise, and Elizabeth McCullough. HEM also offers an essay on doubts, by publisher Helen Hegener, classified ads, letters and discussion, pen pals and networking, and more.

SPECIAL FATHER'S DAY OFFER

If Dad works out of the house it's not going to be easy for him to gain an understanding of homeschooling. A subscription to HEM can help. HEM Online News readers can start a one year subscription for only $20.00! (Reg. $32.00) Write to Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; for orders: toll-free 1-800-236-3278; email orders@homeedmag.com. MC/Visa cards accepted. Or see http://www.homeedmag.com

Your subscription will begin with the upcoming July-August issue. Look of great articles including Homeschooling and the Type A Dad, Minority Homeschoolers,Kids and the Real World, When Children Become Teachers, Critical Thinking 101. For a complete list of articles and columns see:http://www.homeedmag.com

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CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF FLIGHT
http://www.centennialofflight.gov

The US Centennial of Flight's site provides images, essays, a timeline, and a calendar of events to be held across the country.

The Commission also offers a FREE beautiful 32-page brochure about the history of flight in the US. Covering the prehistory of flight, aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers, flight in WWI and WWII, airmail, Lindbergh, female aviators, helicopters, jets, breaking the sound barrier, space flight and more, this full color, 8 1/2 x 11" booklet is sure to intrigue anyone with the slightest interest in aviation history. To request a copy, write to centennialofflightadmin@hq.nasa.gov with "Celebrate- brochure request" in the subject line.

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PIANOGRAPHIQUE
http://www.pianographique.comdatas/inter_uk.php

Create unique audiovisual collages with your keyboard. Pressing a letter key creates an image and sound sample. Press another key to overlay a different image and sound. Too fun to miss! Requires Shockwave.

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THE LITERATURE NETWORK
http://www.online-literature.com

Providing public domain books written by authors such as Bronte, Cervantes, Dostoevsky, Thoreau, Voltaire, and Eliot, with biographies and summaries of each author's style and of the longer works. Search by author, keywords, or start by looking through the author index. Currently there are over 300 full books and over 1000 short stories and poems by over 90 authors. The quotations database has over 8500 quotes. You can also read and post at the literature forums or sign up for the "Sonnet-a-Day" newsletter.

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FURBY AUTOPSY
http://www.phobe.comfurby

If you're wondering what can be done with those defunct Furby toys hanging around the house, conducting an autopsy can put them to new educational use.

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HEM ONLINE NEWS UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

For information on purchasing unclassified advertising space in this newsletter, please contact the editor at Newsletter Email.

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USBORNE
UsborneAmerica.com

New young reader science books -- including Bears, Frogs and Tadpoles, and Airplanes. Instill the joy of learning science and history early on and watch your children thrive. Want to eliminate one bill from your budget next month? Flexible, rewarding business allows income at whatever level you desire. Email sharonve@aol.com or call 888-474-8499. Sharon Vander Ende, Independent supervisor, UsborneAmerica.com.

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GNARLY MATH
gnarlymath.com

"MY KIDS LOVE IT! EVEN THE ONE BORED WITH MATH". Read this and other compliments by some of the hundreds of folks who have discovered the magical value of our CD-ROM Solid Gold Gnarly Math. It makes algebra, geometry, trig, and probability easy, natural, and fun. Try it. You can't lose -- It's guaranteed to please, or your money back. Learn all about it at http://www.gnarlymath.com, where you can also subscribe to our free humorous math newsletter, the Gnarly Gnews.

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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!

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HOMESCHOOLERS LOVE HEADSPROUT'S ONLINE EARLY READING PROGRAM! www.headsprout.com

Listen to Homeschooling Mom, Ann Shelton: "I need to send a thank you to Home Education Magazine's Online Newsletter. Headsprout has made a potentially stressful learning situation into a fun experience. This has set the whole tone for his schooling attitude. That learning CAN be fun. Headsprout really does work. Thank you." JUNE SPECIAL!! Try Headsprout for FREE -- decide to purchase and you'll receive 30% off! Just enter code HEMJUNE03. http://www.headsprout.com

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POWER-GLIDE

IT'S EASY TO TEACH LANGUAGE with Power-Glide! Fully accredited foreign language courses made with the "non-speaking" instructor in mind. Whether you're a teacher, homeschooling parent, or just want to learn on your own; NO previous language knowledge is required. Just read what our customers say about our courses!

"With Power-Glide you won't be intimidated to teach a foreign language, and people will wonder where your child prepped." - Kathy von Duyke, Editor: KONOS Helps!

READ MORE testimonials here:
http://www.power-glide.comtestimonials.asp?from=HEM_eNewsletter_March
ORDER NOW at: http://www.power-glide.com?from=HEM_eNewsletter_March

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FINAL WORD

"It will be said that the joy of mental adventure must be rare, that there are few who can appreciate it, and that ordinary education can take no account of so aristocratic a good. I do not believe this. The joy of mental adventure is far commoner in the young than in grown men and women. ...It is rare in later life because everything is done to kill it during education."
~~ Bertrand Russell~~

See you next month!

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

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