March 13, 2009
A Little of this -
and A Little of that...
Glad you're taking a minute to read this! I know you're busy, so you might notice I've changed the formatting on our newsletter. Below you'll see a short Table of Contents, allowing you now to take a quick glance and shoot straight for what interests you! You'll also see our articles are never too long, and usually link you to places where you can get more info if and when you're curious. So...get comfy and pour yourself "a cuppa" if you have the time, or briefly skim:
This month's contents-at-a-glance...
1. Staying Organized!
2. Homeschool-Movie Nite - Check out the Discount Link!
3. New developments at Homeschool-Entrepreneur
4. It's "Testing Time" again...
5. Do You Read to your children like this?
6. Book Review: 7 Strategies for Developing Capable Students
7. Missed Anything? Getting Back-issues
Welcome...to Sparks for the Flame!
Staying Organized!
Wow - is anyone else as amazed as I am to see March here already?!? Are you starting to feel the effects of spring fever, too? Seems like just yesterday I was thinking about my New Year's resolutions, and today the blue skies and warm(er) breezes are luring me outside! How to stay "on track" through it all is my question! Read some thoughts I have on staying organized...whatever the weather! And this article I found at homeschool.com offers some great tips for evaluating your own homeschool approach and strategies to create an environment that works in your favor for staying organized and on-track!Homeschool-Movie Night!
What an exciting find!! Pendragon - Sword of His Father is a movie put together by a bunch of homeschooling families, and from what I can see, rivals any "big ticket" movie out today. This link allows homeschoolers to purchase the film at a discount price. (So you can buy it here as a gift, but please don't pass on the link to non-homeschoolers. Thanks!) The movie takes place on the Isle of Britain in 411 A.D., and follows the challenges and quest of young Artos, son of a British Chieftain, as he works to defend the people of his villiage, whom he has been entrusted to defend. Definitely just the ticket to engage and inspire the men and boys in your house... and a great gift idea for Father's Day ;-)! Read more here...
What's new at Homeschool-Entrepreneur?
Last month I mentioned our friends at Homeschool Entrepreneur. Well, I am thrilled to report that Deb has opened her homeschool-home business resource center! Basically, after purchasing her high-school level course on starting a home business, you have lifetime, unlimited access to this center - what an unebelievable "perk"! The center offers everything from soup-to-nuts on business building. The areas covered are:
*Starting Your Business
*Minding Your Business (handling the "money stuff")
*Marketing
*Computers & Internet
*and more...
Each section offers oodles of links to sites that have tools, "how-to's", courses, and/or articles to help you every step of the way. It really does represent the 3+ years I've heard it's been in development. The additional value I see in it is even above-and-beyond a high-school course. Given today's economy, there's enough serious and high-quality info here for mom and/or dad to begin a home business of their own!
It's "Testing Time" again...
It's that time of year again...and no, I'm not talking about spring fever, either! I'm talking about Standardized Testing... There's alot of controversy and emotion on this subject. Some states require it; some don't. Some homeschoolers swear by it; some are terrified of the "outcome". This page discusses some of the issues regarding standardized tests, and offers some alternatives. But in this newsletter I wanted to highlight a free resource available concerning a standardized test your high schooler will most likely encounter. Homeschool Science Academy is offering live, 45-minute, online seminars, and one of the topics is "SAT and ACT - What You Should Know". Contact them for a schedule and to register.
Do You read to your children like this?
My hubby caught this piece on NPR the other day. It is too funny!! Apparently, the author and her husband read to their children on a regular basis...but the activity has become somewhat competitive! They're not homeschoolers, but clearly value their childrens' education. I think it's a great example of developing a lifestyle-of-learning, and a terrific way to get dad involved in the educational activities around the home. Do read it, but better yet, hit the link above the article to hear the podcast (it's ~4 mins) - it's SO entertaining!! I bet you recognize most of the books she refers to, and the kids will enjoy her "voices", too... Read "Bedtime Story Showdown" here.
Pat's Book-of-the-Month...
7 Strategies for Developing Capable Students
by H. Stephen Glenn, Ph.D. and Michael L. Btock, M.A.Homeschoolers or no - who doesn't want a capable student? This is not a new book (copyright 1998) and some of you may already be familiar with it. Dr. Glenn and Mr Brock seek to provide parents with the encouragement and tools to help them enable their kids to grow into capable students and human beings.
Granted, the case studies they look at and analyze revolve around the situations kids in public or private schools might face, but homeschooling families are not exempt from behavior problems and relational struggles.
Interspersed with "School-smart Parenting Tips", this book is very practical. Because we are with them 24/7, it's very easy for us to fall into the trap of "doing for" our kids, and the authors show just how disabling this behavior is to them. Truly empowering our children happens when we create conditions that enable them to act effectively on their own behalf.
By identifying and describing "barriers" (parental behaviors which reduce children's confidence) and "builders" (parental behaviors which increase the same, parents can begin to recognize and increase the latter. Builder behaviors include:
1) checking
2) exploring
3) inviting/encouraging
4) celebrating
5) respecting
Divided into 18 chapters and 3 sections: The Capable Student, The Capable Family and The Capable Team, homeschoolers already understand how these areas interact - hey, we live it! But I understand this may be a new concept for others (smile!)
Part One describes 7 significant attributes that a capable student possess. Part Two looks at important areas to develop to create and maintain a positive family environment. And Part Three explores ways teachers and parents can "combine forces" to help develop capable students. Homeschooling families can glean much from Parts One and Two. I really appreciate the authors' perspective that any change (and in this case, in the classroom or learning arena) always begins in the home.
Click here to find out more about 7 Strategies for developing Capable* Students. (*responsible, respectful, and resourceful)
Well, that's all I have for this edition! Hope you enjoyed our time together, and that you'll find these resources inspiring and helpful to your educational efforts. Have a great month...TTFN!
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