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Summer Study – More May 17th, 2009

How different can you make the summer? How long a “total” vacation is OK for an elementary or middle school student?  Can they feel like they’re having a total vacation but can you slip in enough education to keep them from backsliding?  You know that a two or three month summer vacation can result in serious back-sliding. 

Here’s my answer to this question:
1. A summer reading program.
Fit it into everyday. Maybe for 30 minutes after lunch. Maybe after dinner.  Maybe it’s comic books or other light-reading. But thou shall read daily!  My daughter had a trip to Rome planned: I had her (high school) read Angels and Demons.  Ok, maybe it wasn’t the best choice, but it did give her some perspective on what she was about to see.
2. Explore ideas. Talk about history and social studies and math as you see its traces in your travels.
3. An alternative summer study program for 30 minutes per day. And I recommend Time4Learning.  Depending on your child’s needs, you can focus on math, language arts, or do both.  Take a look. 

Time4Learning - Summer

And I’ll quote Time4Learning:

Your child works hard during the school year and needs a summer vacation in order to come back refreshed. The sensible part of you knows that it would be foolish to waste the summer months, since a long vacation without study can result in backsliding. The sensitive part of you feels guilty about asking your kids to do work while their friends are spending their vacation doing other things.

 Here’s a solution:

Have you noticed how much your child enjoys using the computer? If you haven’t, you should. Kids are constantly surfing the web. Whether they’re checking out a video game or chatting with their friends, they are (without a doubt) online. So, it makes sense to turn to the web for a fun alternative to summer school. Time4Learning’s online interactive curriculum provides a web based summer learning program that they won’t mind using. In fact, they might even like it!

Time4Learning’s Web Based Summer Learning Program might be your answer.

Spring & Summer Writing Courses May 8th, 2009

Another great idea for summer study, how about an online writing course? You know how much children like learning on the computer and writing skills, when properly taught, are fun. Children like trying to express themselves and learning the skills to do so. Unlike other subjects which can involve trying to absorb all sorts of information, there is really no memorization in learning to write, it’s all skill building.

 This spring and summer, take a break. Parents relax. Enroll your student in a Time4Writing.com writing class in which their licensed teachers do the work. And surprise, your reluctent writer who has been resisting writing practice and any feedback might emerge.  Take a look and find the writing course that is right for your students.

Oh, and why should the kids have all the fun? Take a writing course yourself.  Remember, most of what you say to your children will have no impact. No impact. But, they will definitely take note of how you behave. Sure, you talk a good game about education.  When was the last time you invested your time and energy in your own education? You want your kids to take education seriously. My advice is to stop talking about it and go learn something.

 And what could be more fun than a creative writing 2.0? I’m talking about a blog writing course. Learn to write using today’s hot new media. People who have taken this course rave about it. They make new friends, they learn new skills, some start new careers, they find new ways to express themselves, and they do it in about two hours per week from the comfort of their own home on their own schedule.  Take a look at the course on writing your blog.

Blog Writing Course

 

 

Geography Education & The National Geographic May 7th, 2009

I get all sorts of approaches from people interested in reaching online homeschoolers.  Most of them, I politely decline.  This one was pretty special so I thought I’d share it.  If you are interested, contact  contact Sarah:  scaban  at   ngs.org. Here it is:

National Geographic’s My Wonderful World blog is seeking homeschool, after school, and informal educators to share their experiences of geographic learning with kids. We’re looking for stories, best practices, tips, photos, and any other relevant information.

Here are a couple examples of past blog entries from homeschoolers:
Family on Bikes
SoulTravelers3 Explore World Culture through World Travel

So tell us: How do you teach geography at home and through field trips? What makes geographic learning fun? What geography resources (online and otherwise) do you recommend?

 Sarah

This sounds like a great opportunity for some homeschoolers to flaunt their creative approaches to education. Go for it. Make it a family experience. And tell her homeschoolonline.org sent you…