|
December 2004
In the December issue:
~ FREE HOMESCHOOL HUMOR BOOK ~
~ KIDS' CLASSIC BOOK CLUB ~
~ JOURNALING LIFE ~
~ HEM'S NEWEST LIST: HEM-MAGAZINE ~
~ eCYBERMISSION COMPETITION ~
~ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ~
~ HOMESCHOOLERS FREE MEDIA ~
~ AMERICAN HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION E-MAIL LISTS ~
~ EYEWITNESS HISTORY ~
~ GLOBAL CONNECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: PBS TIMELINE ~
~ The Final Word ~
****************************************
"Most private schools and alternative schools are not required to administer the same tests, scope and sequence as public schools because it is inappropriate to judge an alternative, personalized program the same way we evaluate conventional, mass-market schooling. There are other ways to evaluate learning besides testing, and these schools and homeschoolers can make use of them."
~~ Patrick Farenga on the HEM-Networking list ~~
HEM-Networking is sponsored by Home Education Magazine (HEM) for networking and communication within the online homeschooling community. All topics of interest to homeschoolers are welcome and encouraged.
To join HEM-Networking, send a blank e-mail to
HEM- Networking -subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Networking
****************************************
FREE HOMESCHOOL HUMOR BOOK
http://www.timeforbedlam.com
Homeschooler Debbie Harbeson has written "a short humor book about our family's early homeschooling experiences" and has made it available as a PDF document.
****************************************
KIDS'CLASSIC BOOK CLUB
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/216/classicbooks.html
If you asked me to name the best thing about our homeschool group's Kids' Classic Book Club, I'd have a hard time choosing just one. Every month, I love to watch heated discussions (Was Mary Poppins really mean or was it an act? Why did Bilbo keep the ring a secret in The Hobbit?) where the youngest kids more than hold their own with their older siblings. And it's really cool how the boys will read a "girl's" book like The Secret Garden, and the girls dive into Treasure Island, without thinking about it twice. Then there are the activities. We've visited a candy-maker's shop to talk about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, picked wild strawberries for lunch after discussing the city boy who wants to see if he can survive in the wild in My Side of the Mountain, and once I even got everyone to paint my back fence for (what else?) Tom Sawyer. Oh yes, and the books themselves--what a great way to catch up with The Railway Children, The Phantom Tollbooth and other time-honored stories I missed reading when I was a kid, revisit old favorites like A Wrinkle in Time and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and discover great new books like The Thief Lord and Holes.
But the best part of belonging to a homeschoolers' book club may be knowing that, in amongst all the Star Wars novelizations and Garfield comic books my kids strew around the house, they're going to read at least one good, meaty, thought-provoking book every month--all without any nagging by me!
The Kids' Classic Book Club got its start more than two years ago when a couple of moms sent a notice out to the local homeschool network saying they wanted to start a monthly reading group for kids seven and up. About a dozen families came at first, but eventually that number whittled itself down to a hardcore group of around eight families, who each take turns hosting meetings, planning activities and providing a snack or lunch. The adults choose the books with the kids' input (Sorry, but they're just going to have to read Captain Underpants or The Baby-sitter's Club on their own.) from sources that include personal or family favorites, books we've heard about or always wanted to read and lists of recommended children's literature (see sidebar). Because of the range of ages, we tend to stay away from the gloomy kind of young adult novel some "experts" push on preteen readers. But that doesn't mean we stay away from difficult issues--just that we look for classic treatments of serious themes that have served children well over the years.
~ Kathy Ceceri ~
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.
Home Education Magazine is offering a one year introductory subscription for $20.00! (reg $32.00) To take advantage of this price HEM Online News readers should mention this newsletter when contacting us. To order write: Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; call toll-free 1-800-236-3278; email Orders. Or use our secure online form at: http://www.homeedmag.com/ORD/_hemonline.html. MC/Visa/Disc cards accepted.
*** HEM Holiday Gift Idea ***********
Wondering what to give your homeschooling friends - or those skeptical relatives - this year?
Send a holiday gift of great homeschool reading with a subscription to Home Education Magazine. We'll start the subscription with the Jan-Feb/05 issue and your gift will keep giving all year long!
To order a gift subscription, visit our website at http://www.homeedmag.com/ORD/_hemonline.html or send a check $20.00 for a one year subscription to Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; 800-236-3278; Orders. MC/Visa accepted.
****************************************
JOURNALING LIFE
http://www.journalinglife.com/jl-start.html
A gallery of examples and resources for many styles of journaling, including thematic, nature, dream, exercise, and more.
****************************************
HEM'S NEWEST LIST: HEM-MAGAZINE
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Magazine
HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE
This list has been designed primarily as a sampler of the printed Home Education Magazine (HEM), a place to share articles, columns, resources, letters, essays, editorials, excerpts, quotes and other features from current and past issues of Home Education Magazine, and occasionally from our free online newsletters. With over 20 years of issues to select from, we'll be presenting a broad-ranging collection of outstanding writings and resources on homeschooling!
If there are specific articles or topics you'd like to see posted here, feel free to make requests. We'll do our best to comply and present the requested article, column, or something relevant within a day or two. Often on the same day.
Sometimes we'll only post a single item in a day; other days we might post several items, perhaps related, perhaps not. Occasionally, if we're traveling or otherwise distracted, a few days may go by without any posts, but we'll try to keep this list presenting material on a regular basis. If list traffic gets too heavy, setting your preferences to digest mode will ensure only one emailing per day (unless we get some unexpectedly enthusiastic discussion going).
We welcome discussion of the articles and items posted - or of homeschooling issues in general.
Be sure to check out the Links section for bookmarks to HEM features and back issues, and the Files section for information about HEM's support groups, laws & regulations files, writer's guidelines, and advertising rates and specifications and more.
Visit Home Education Magazine's award-winning website: http://www.homeedmag.com
****************************************
eCYBERMISSION COMPETITION
www.ecybermission.com
This Army-sponsored, science, math and technology competition is open to students in grades 6-9. Prizes: up to $8,000 and a week paid educational experience in Washington, DC. Registration deadline: December 13, 2004.
****************************************
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Questions & Answers is readers' forum, a section to share our concerns, experiences and insights. Each issue will highlight questions proposed by our readers along with a sampling of answers, which reflect a wide range of perspectives.
Questions for the upcoming issue:
"I had planned to homeschooling my five year old next year, but now I'm not so sure. While I am a strong introvert, my son is much more extroverted, and this has always been a struggle for us. He ends up watching TV and playing on the computer for several hours each day because his younger sister and I just cannot give him the constant interaction he desires. He is quite social at preschool. But there are no kids near his age in our neighborhood for him to play with, and our local homeschool group has only about 20 families, few structured activities and no kids his age. I am torn as to how to best meet his needs. My child is gifted (for instance, he is reading on his own and doing two-digit math in his head). Our public school is has mainly low income families and is oriented to meeting remedial education needs while the only private school in town doesn't reflect our beliefs. I don't really want to send him to either school. But if I keep him home, even with sports and other activities, for most of the day he will be one lonely little boy. Even if there were enough activities to satisfy his love of doing things with a group, having to take him there and the resultant lack of quiet time alone will surely make me into one crazed mama. Any suggestions?"
~ Loner at Heart ~
"My two young teens have always been homeschooled. This year I began working at home out of sheer economic desperation. It means I am on the phone a solid five hours a day. The kids hang around me and try to talk to me when I'm working---somehow they can't get their work done and amuse themselves while I'm busy. I am running myself ragged trying to get them to friend's houses and field trips same as always. I feel guilty and angry too that they aren't adjusting. I need solutions fast."
~ MaryLou, Texas ~
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 January1st. Please recognize that your submission may be edited for length or clarity. Indicate how you prefer your question or answer signed.
Laura Weldon laughs and learns with her four children, husband and assorted pets in Litchfield, Ohio.
****************************************
HOMESCHOOLERS FREE MEDIA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolersfreemedia/
This grassroots organization of homeschooling families is developing internet radio programming and a website dedicated to providing a place for liberal and progressive homeschooled kids to sound off and speak out.
****************************************
FREE POWER POLITICS III GAME http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/decision2004/powerpolitics/index.html
This free online game lets you act as a campaign manager for any of the 2004 presidential candidates. Run against the computer or a human opponent.
****************************************
AMERICAN HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION E-MAIL LISTS
AHA-Travel
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-Travel/
Homeschooling & travel seem a natural match--at least for those of us who enjoy travel! Homeschoolers aren't restrained by the school-year calendar--the too-short and too-crowded "summer vacation." Learning about the world out IN the world seems only logical...and it's a lot of fun!
AHA-PoliticalAction
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-PoliticalAction/
For discussion of issues that impact homeschooling freedoms.
AHA-Discussion
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-Discussion
For general topics of interest to homeschoolers.
****************************************
HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE'S E-MAIL LISTS
HEM-FreeResources
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-FreeResources/
Share information about free samples, books, magazines, videos, computer software, games, toys and more - all FREE! To join HEM-FreeResources, send a blank e-mail to
HEM-FreeResources-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
HEM-Unschooling
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Unschooling
HEM-Unschooling was created for discussing unschooling. Recent discussions include TV and computer use, beer, housework, enzyme theory, and more.
To join HEM-Unschooling, send a blank e-mail to
HEM-Unschooling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
****************************************
EYEWITNESS HISTORY
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/index.html
"Your ringside seat to history - from the Ancient World to the present. History through the eyes of those who lived it."
****************************************
HEM'S CURRENT ISSUE
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/216.html
In the November-December issue of Home Education Magazine, you'll enjoy articles on exploring history as a group, ooblec and gloppity glop science, frost on the lens, the perfect student, and more.
Column topics include: Rebecca Rupp's resources for Philosophers' Clubs and Socrates Cafes, David Albert shows how almost anyone can obtain a basic math education in just 20 hours, Elizabeth McCullough's reviews of religious homeschooling books, and Carol Narigon answers questions about ruined children.
Other columnists include: Linda Dobson, Laura Weldon, Ann Lahrson Fisher, and Larry and Susan Kaseman.
The November/December issue also includes publisher Helen Hegener's exploration of the path that led her to homeschooling.
*** HEM Holiday Gift Idea ***********
Wondering what to give your homeschooling friends - or those skeptical relatives - this year?
Send a holiday gift of great homeschool reading with a subscription to Home Education Magazine. We'll start the subscription with the Jan-Feb/05 issue and your gift will keep giving all year long!
To order a gift subscription, visit our website at http://homeedmag.com/ORD/_giftsub.html or send a check $20.00 for a one year subscription to Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; 800-236-3278; Orders. MC/Visa accepted.
****************************************
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: PBS TIMELINE
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/timeline/
Middle Eastern History from 1890s to 2002. The flash version allows visitors to apply category filters, such as economic, cultural, and political.
****************************************
HEM ONLINE NEWS UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
For information on purchasing unclassified advertising space in this newsletter, please contact the editor at Newsletter@homeedmag.com .
________
USBORNE AMERICA.COM
Want to win a 5 day luxury cruise for 2? Set up an e-show for friends and family, and with minimum sales of $450 in November and $400 in December, you'll be entered to win this and 27 other great prizes. You'll also earn lots of free books for the holidays! Register each month at website for $50 in Free books drawing. Love kids, books, want cash? Fun business earns income at whatever level you desire -- no minimums/inventory requirement. Wholesale buyer bonus! Contact me about getting a free business kit! Email sharonkm@mac.com or call 888-474-8499. Sharon Madden, Independent Supervisor.
________
Learning Through History Magazine http://www.homeschoolingcompanion.com/index.php
Learning Through History magazine presents world history for the curious child. Each 64-page bi-monthly issue has 15+ unique articles, arts and crafts project plans, hands-on activities, study guides for historical literature, discussion questions, web links and book and video suggestions - on one historical theme per issue. A great resource for homeschooling families with children ages 7-14 who love to read and are passionate about history. Visit our website to subscribe or order back issues.
________
REACH OVER 10,000 HOMESCHOOLERS WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR BUDGET!
If you would your ad to appear in HEM's Online Newsletter, where it will reach over 10,000 subscribers-and then be viewed by thousands more online-write to editor Shay Seaborne at Newsletter@homeedmag.com for details. Please use "Shay: Send Ad Info" as your subject line.
****************************************
FINAL WORD
http://ww12.e-tractions.com/snowglobe/globe.htm
Shay Seaborne, Newsletter Editor Newsletter Email
Mark and Helen Hegener, Publishers of Home Education Magazine
****************************************
|