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Bringing History to Life
by Melanie Skelton
As a teen I was convinced I hated history. Of course, that was textbook
history, not the kind of living history my children have been influenced
by. It wasn’t until I spent 18 months in The Netherlands, where World
War II left its devastating mark that I understood how interesting
history is. Discussions with people who remembered the horrors which
haunted their past and visiting the house where Ann Frank hid during
that terrible siege on this small country made it real in my mind..
Educating our children at home gives us the opportunity to bring history
to life for them. Though the Ann Frank house may not be in our realm of
possibilities, history surrounds us. Our job is to help them live it.
...read more
The obvious way to begin doing this is to be cautious
about using textbooks that focus on dates and battles. Though dates are
important on your timeline and understanding battles adds to the overall
picture of a war, children will better remember people. Focus on biographies
and books that bring historical events to life, especially when they are
forming that love of history. Reading about a person who fought in that
battle will give a broader understanding of the sacrifice involved.
Keep a timeline. Whether it is on the wall or in a
binder it will help your child put events in order as they learn about them.
Visiting museums lets children see interesting artifacts
from different time periods. Some museums give you more than artifacts; they
let you experience time travel. The Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield,
Illinois brings you face to face with lifelike wax figures of President
Lincoln and his family and let’s you experience the places he lived from log
cabin to the White House. You feel the rumble of cannons while watching the
presentations on the Civil War and come to understand a bit of the task the
man, Abraham Lincoln faced as our nation struggled with its differences.
Living history centers are another way to see history
come to life. These are places where a historical village or setting is hosted
by people in costume, playing the parts of people who would have lived in
these settings. Your children may experience spinning wool or making soap in
a pioneer or colonial village. They may hear a beautiful story punctuated with
the music of a celtic harp shared by players in costume at a Renaissance
fair. If you want to really experience this type of history, look for an
opportunity to volunteer, with your children of course, to be the players in
such a setting.
Visiting museums and living history centers is not the
only way to experience the costumes and the life of people from these other
times though. Dress up at home with your children. Role-play the things you
read about with or without costumes. If you are ambitious you may make a
movie of the role playing that they can watch again later. Role-playing will
bring history into your home and make it a part of your family memories.
One more way to connect with history is to learn about
your own ancestry. Learning that your great-great-great grandpa told stories
about marching in Sherman’s Army “and” chasing Billy the Kid is a reason to do
some research on the possibilities of being involved in both. Finding a home
that was owned by an ancestor in the 1800’s in a pioneer village helps
children realize that their forefathers “were” pioneers. That is living
history.
Bringing this love of history into the lives of your
children will help them realize early in life that there is value in studying
those who have come before us. They will learn lessons that will influence
their lives and help them have a broad understanding of the things that have
come before. History will live on in their minds.
Melanie Skelton has educated her six children at home for eight years.
She is the co-founder of Utah Families Teaching at Home and assists in
teaching workshops to empower and help home educators. She is the web
designer for the website, found at http:
http://www.utahfamilies.net/ and is in the process of
co-authoring a book about home education. This book will help home
educators better understand learning styles, personality styles and levels of
learning. It will teach the reader how to apply this information to
their home school and plan out a curriculum that will meet the needs of their
children.[ hide article ]
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Global Children Become Global Citizens
by Beth Butler
Here are some fun stats to bank away for
future cocktail party conversation. More than 28 million people in our
country speak Spanish as their native language. Learning Spanish opens
up the door of communication with more than 350 million people
worldwide. Adults who enjoyed being bilingual for a majority of their
lives experience a four-year delay of the onset of dementia and dementia
like symptoms. Should a parent begin to introduce a second language to
their young child before the age
of five, that child will exhibit early reading skills....read more
The list goes on and on. As a mom of three bilingual
children and a bilingual educator of thousands of children between the ages of
birth and ten I keep up on the latest and greatest statistics that relate to
teaching languages to young children and how bilingual and multi-lingual
children excel in life. It is my passion. It is my business to know these things
so that I can relay the information to fellow parents in an easy and
understandable manner.
Dora the Explorer and Diego on Nickelodeon, Dragon Tales on PBS, and Clay on
Disney have all shown parents around the United States that young children are
able to acquire a second language before the elementary school years, even
before the preschool years. In fact the latest research suggests that it is just
as easy for a baby to learn two words for one item as it is to learn one word
for that same item. That little baby hearing the word bread can easily listen to
and learn pan (pahn) as he stares at the loaf of freshly baked bread.
Here is where the fun part comes in for parents. You know your toddler is
absorbing everything around her like a sponge. You have experienced your
preschooler having an incredible memory for even complex lyrics to songs or
sequences in his favorite book. Now all you need to do is take that innate sense
of curiosity, that window of opportunity for language learning that we all know
exists between birth and ten, and that amazing cognitive development spurt that
occurs during the first five years of life and mold your child into a global
child who in turn evolves into a global citizen.
It is almost embarrassing that our country does not provide parents, caregivers
or teachers the tools to raise a generation of children prepared for what is
obviously a very global economy. The future our young children face requires the
acquisition of more than just English as a way to communicate and an
understanding of other cultures and customs experienced by the people in their
communities and in their world. The task to provide them a jump start on
garnering these skills and tools has been handed to us as parents, as the first
teachers our children encounter along the journey of life. This responsibility
of raising a generation of global citizens is up to us as individuals; whether
you are a parent, care provider, educator or all three. We know that the
politicians of the United States and the system they continue to manifest will
not provide for early language learning or for raising the cultural awareness of
our youth.
Parents can make this happen! Teachers can make this
part of their daily classroom routine! And you do not have to be bilingual
yourself to give the gift of a second language. Use the internet, use word of
mouth from other parents and teachers who have experienced success with certain
products and techniques to begin the second language journey every young child
should experience. The solutions are out there. You simply need to open your
mind and your heart to embrace what is sure to be the key to giving your child a
lifetime of language learning skills.
Beth Butler is the founder
of the BOCA BETH Program for young children. Enjoyed on The Education Channel,
you can sample the BOCA BETH bilingual music and movies for free at
http://www.bocabeth.com
Call toll free 1.877.825.2622
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Chart Your Course For High School Success
(Eleventh Grade)
(This is the third article in a series of four.)
by
Jean Burk
High school is half-way through. It is definitely not a time to slack
but to step it up a notch. Giving college more than a thought is
extremely important at this time. Colleges really focus in on the grades
of juniors so keep those grades high. Make sure your student saves
samples of their best work for their portfolio and continues keeping
good records. Keep in mind big scholarships are
on the line in the junior year. Focusing on the course ahead has never
been more important than now..
Maintaining good grades is a must if college is on their mind. The
junior year grades are very important in the college process because
they can be used to measure how well they will do in college. Grades
also play a hand in determining what scholarships and grants they are
eligible for so maintaining good grades is very important.
...read more
Attend a college fair with them to get more information
about the colleges that are on their list as well as checking out those that are
not on the list. Have them keep adding information to their college notebook.
Contact the schools on their list and request admission literature, financial
aid and scholarship opportunities. Narrow down the schools that don’t fit their
criteria. Students should be both optimistic and a realist when applying for
various schools.
Depending on your student’s degree plan, make sure they
save samples of their work to show the person that they interview with at
college. They should always take with them more than what is required. If they
are a journalist major, have them take several different types of their writings
to show the interviewer. (i.e. submitted article, winning essay, persuasive
argument, research paper) Keep these items in a neat portfolio along with their
continued community service records. Don’t forget to log in the time it takes to
go to and from the activity.
The PSAT/NMSQT now counts for all the big scholarship
offers. It is usually the third Wednesday or Saturday in October. Hopefully they
have been studying all summer by taking numerous practice tests. The benefits of
scoring high could include: full tuition, free room and board, study-abroad
stipends, graduate money, honors dorms, etc. Scores that qualify for
scholarships vary from year to year and depending on what region they live in.
If a student misses the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year, they can take the
“alternative testing method”. If a student falls into the National Merit
ranking, colleges will be begging them to enroll in their school (with them
picking up the tab).
Students should take the SAT in October since they are
already primed for the PSAT/NMSQT. Take an SAT II if the colleges they are
interested in require it. Take one or two more SAT’s in the spring. Scoring high
on the SAT can not only result in entrance to the college of their choice, but
also can yield great scholarships. Many schools have several full-rides
available in each department and are generally given to students with the high
SAT scores.
Time has really flown by and it won’t be slowing down any
time soon. It can’t be a time to take a break but more of a time to put it in
high gear. The pilgrimage may be getting harder but the road is a little
clearer. Keep your student on the road, trudge through the obstacles and you’ll
soon see the end in sight.
For more
information visit
www.collegeprepgenius.com or contact Jean Burk at
info@collegeprepgenius.com Also sign-up for our free No Brainer
Scholarship Newsletter.
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Kids Cheer for Rise in Gas Prices
by Seth Prezant
While parents are emptying their wallets at the
pump, children are filling up with excitement over gas prices that may
soon reach $6.99 per gallon.
These children who are cheering over the rising
cost of fuel have no clue how hard you work for the $80 it takes to fill
the tank. They have no idea the amount of weekly gas consumed to shuttle
them from home to school, to karate, to soccer, to the fast food joint,
and back home again. They are blind to the rising costs
of every household product that requires natural resources to produce or
petroleum to transport.
So, why are children across America cheering for
European priced gas? Well, simple, they get to spend
more time with mom and dad at home.
...read more
Every cloud has its silver lining and the silver lining
here is worth more than gold. With the rising cost of gas you can expect less
running around and more hanging out with the family. What a wonderful
opportunity to share the day with your children going for walks in the parks, a
hike though the woods, or a dip in the pool. Or if you are really brave… just
hang.
It seems inconceivable today that one would even remember
what it is to "hang out" doing nothing. It's time to reclaim the lazy days of
summer. Make fresh lemonade, skip rocks in the lake, fish, climb knolls, or camp
out in the back yard. Do things that cost less than a dollar and you'll see how
priceless it could be.
My best childhood memories are my many local camping trips
with my family in our Coleman pop-up camper. We stayed at KOA's less than 15
minutes from our house, showered with a hose, and ate beans straight from a can.
I still clearly remember the first bullfrog I ever caught, the first fox I ever
saw, and I'll never forget the make-shift toilet paper that turned out to be
poison oak growing along the hiking trail.
My all time favorite camp-out happened right in my very own
back yard. I was eight years old. My cousins came over and we set up a tent in
the back yard and filled it with marshmallows, canteens, flashlights, chips, and
the Swiss Army Knife the tooth fairy left under my pillow (I guess she was out
of cash that day). My cousins and I waited until the sun went down to begin our
night in the wilderness. We stuffed our faces with sweet home-made taffy, salty
chips, made scary faces with the flashlights, and laughed so hard my little
cousin peed in his pants, which made us laugh even harder. No parents, no rules,
just us kids and Mother Nature. Yes, Mother Nature has plenty beauty and many
sounds. The one we heard that night sounded, well, too close to our tent and we
decided to make a break for the house. The back door to the house was a good 50
yards away and since I was the oldest, I volunteered to go first. We all slept
in beds that night but as far as we were concerned our camping trip was a
success. And it's a fun memory I'll never forget.
Now's the time to plant that tree with your kids, build
that tree house for your kids, be a kid with your kids! Let your children paint
their rooms the color they choose, paint their sneakers, or better yet,
paint your sneakers. Bake a cake even if you can't bake. Decorate it with
two cans of whip cream and eat it. Eat it all with friends, invite the
neighbors, or the neighborhood. Block party anybody?
Start building some life-long memories with your children
in the place that matters most - your own backyard. You don't need to go far to
have fun and with gas prices soaring with eagles, there's no better time to do
nothing.
Seth Prezant is the founder and Bugmaster of
www.CoolBugStuff.com
His award winning web site was created to help promote fascination and education
in science using nature’s most abundant creatures…Bugs! Seth is a true EEE
(Education & Entertainment Entrepreneur) providing educational and entertaining
nature shows for schools, camps, aftercare programs and home school groups all
around South Florida. The Bugmaster can be reached @
seth@coolbugstuff.com
You can find many more easy parent/child projects to do together on Seth's
website
www.coolbugstuff.com.
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Life on a Bike Part II
by Becky Douglas
This is the tenth in a series of
articles about youth bicycle travel. The articles cover all aspects of
developing and executing a bike trip with home schoolers, and are based
on Adventure Cycling Association's
Pedal Pioneers Guide, a detailed handbook for bicycle travel with
kids.
Life on a bike is experiential travel at its finest. Below we will share
some hints for how to thrive on your multi-day bicycle adventure.
Take a few minutes
each evening to think about the experiences of the day, problem solve,
evaluate the progress of your child, and establish the needs of the next
day’s ride. You may want to involve your child in this exercise to get
their input. It is important to make your child feel empowered. This
exercise is best done in the evening, as mornings are often a very busy
time.
...read more
A regular daily discussion
with your child will help prevent communication failures and more involve them
in the process of the bike trip. Topics for this discussion might include:
• Do a safety reminder and
go over a new safety topic.
• Discuss the next day’s
activities, including:
o Where you are going
o Mileage and elevation profile
o Special events and fun stuff along the way
o Services
o Sharing stories
o Sharing highs and lows of the previous day
A
journal tracks important information in one tidy place. This information is
valuable on the tour, as well as after the tour when you are evaluating the trip
and planning your next adventure. Having your child keep a journal or a blog can
add greatly to their experience, both at the time of the trip and to jog their
memory over the years. Your child can paste in brochures, ticket stubs, and
photos. Make sure to protect the journal in a waterproof bag. Below is a list of
things that may be included (some for you, some for your child, and some for
both):
·
Serial numbers for
cameras, bicycles, and other valuables
·
Record of any accidents
or injuries on the trip
·
Daily route plan
·
Tour finances or child's
daily spending
·
Daily meal plan
·
Contacts (pen pals) made
along the way
·
The weather of the day
·
Food!
·
Significant events of
the day
·
What was learned each
day
·
How you felt that day
(physically and emotionally)
·
Sites visited or
interesting people met
“Tonight Todd wants us to write about a lesson we’ve learned while on this trip.
Mine would have to be responsibility. Before the trip I was used to my parents
doing most things for me that I could do for them just as easily, such as
washing clothes or the dirty dishes or even picking up after myself. After doing
that a few times for others, I kind of know what it’s like. So right now I make
a promise to start doing more for me and my family, whom I miss very much.”–
Jason Murphy, Talent Search participant
HINT:
Don’t forget to document your trip with lots of photos! You may want to have
"your camera" and "your child's camera".
Your
child will bring their own history and personality, so how do you ensure a great
trip? The dynamics of the trip will vary widely depending on the age, cycling
proficiency, attitude, and expectations of your child. In addition, your
leadership can have a profound effect on how your child learns and grows from
the experience of bicycle travel.
Elements of successful trip dynamics
• Create a safe space for your child to voice their concerns.
• Set achievable goals.
• Have a clearly stated mission - to have a safe and fun adventure.
• Encourage flexibility and the ability to compromise.
• Model openness and transparency where appropriate.
• Promote “asking first” rather than making assumptions.
• Clearly set rules and expectations.
• Address conflicts as they arise.
If you
do a group trip, and the group does not know each other, a “getting to know you”
or “name game” is a wonderful way to get the whole group involved, make them
familiar with each other, and ease some nerves. If the group is very large, you
may want to break up into smaller sections. In “two truths and a lie,” youth say
their names and then share two things that are true about them and make one
thing up. The group tries to guess which one is false. In another name game,
youth say their name and then a favorite food, movie, place, or any subject that
you choose. You can make it more challenging by making the word having to start
with the same letter as their first name or having each person repeat the
previous name phrases.
Team-building activities are fun and important for any group that will be
traveling together. These challenges can be a great way to help group members
begin to understand the value of teamwork and for you to gauge the level of
cooperation of individuals within the group. You will orient the group with some
parameters to achieve their goal, and then they will figure the rest out. If you
have a large group, you may want to break up into smaller teams. Low or high
ropes courses also offer a lot of examples of team-building games.
General
games are also a great idea. Playing word games can help to pass on-the-bike
time. Around camp, make sure games are low-impact. A majority of bicycle tour
injuries actually happen at camp, so encourage games that are low-impact and
safe.
The
opportunities for meeting new people while traveling on a bicycle are endless -
from connecting with the campers next door to enjoying ice cream with the
80-year-old small-town general-store owner - kids will have the opportunity to
mingle with another side of their country. Interacting with people along your
route can be a highlight of the trip for your child, as bicycle travel brings
them to new places. Bicycling is also inherently something different - it is an
eye-catcher, and people will notice your child, and the trip for both its
benefits and its challenges. There are some challenges that can be avoided and
some that are beyond your control. Bike travelers who understand they are guests
in the communities through which they travel will enjoy the best reception and
leave the best feelings in their wake. It is a worthy idea to discuss leaving a
good impression with your child.
Throughout this series of articles, we will be referring to the vast cycling
resources that already exist in North America. The articles should be
supplemented with other resources that address bicycle safety, camping skills,
and group dynamics if you are traveling with several kids. Happy bicycle
travels!
Becky
Douglas is the Outreach and Education Coordinator at
Adventure Cycling Association. Thanks to Kerry Irons for his help in writing
this article. The mission of Adventure Cycling Association is to inspire people
of all ages to travel by bicycle. They help cyclists explore the landscapes and
history of America for fun, fitness, and self-discovery. Becky is the
administrator of the
Pedal Pioneers Program, which aims to inspire and empower adults who are
taking kids on overnight bicycle adventures. She is also the author of
Pedal Pioneers: A Guide to Bicycle Travel with Kids and can be reached at
outreach@adventurecycling.org
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Self-confidence, Not Arrogance
by Diane Spoehr
Do you find arrogant people to be the most
aggravating of associates? A lot of us agree with you! But brushing off
such a person as a waste of time is an intolerant, perhaps arrogant, act
in itself. Arrogance may be camouflage; a coworker of mine came to work
in my group for a month to train for a new skill in a job he’s had for a
couple years. Within a few days he had told the entire team his life
story, his talents, his experiences, and how to perform all the new
skills his way and not our way. This man was so full of himself he never
bothered to ask about anyone else’s interests, abilities, or opinions.
We heard all about him, over and over and over. Then we heard it all
again, while he explained our jobs to us.
As arrogant as he was, his swagger was born of a
great lack of self-esteem. His father had died, his mother and sister
had both had serious medical operations, he was newly wed, all within
the previous three months. No wonder he needed to seek approbation from
all of us; he was dealing with events affecting every person in his
family. .
...read more
I saw him again a few months later and noticed his
arrogant attitude was almost gone. He no longer needed a façade, he’d
come to grips with his life altering changes. Hopefully when he is more
mature he’ll handle the travails of life in a better way. Hopefully so
will we all.
At certain ages arrogance is not unusual. Many two-, four-
and five-year-olds are supremely secure in the certainty that they rule all they
survey. Listen to a small child just learning to speak; most sentences begin
with ‘I” because we begin life self-centered, and gradually learn to include
other people in our circle. This is normal, and as my own two year old informed
me, “I’m going through a phase; don’t worry, Mom.”
Words mean things; listening to a person speak you will
discover how they feel, what they think, and who they consider important. When
you hear “me and my friends”, “me and her”, “me and him” there should be red
flags going up. This person thinks of only herself first, never the other
person. To help avoid the growth of arrogance in children (and adults) teach
proper grammar. Children who say ‘my friends and I” “she and I” “Sam and I”
show awareness of and consideration for others. The thought brings the words,
and words bring the action.
Arrogance may be misplaced confidence; for example,
claiming to be good at football because one is good at martial arts. It is lack
of humility and abundance of braggadocio. If one is very talented or proficient,
the work produced will speak for the person. Empty claims also speak loudly,
when results do not live up to the braggart’s noise. Oh yes, there are arrogant
folks who brag and then actually perform well. Then everyone sees that this is
truly a talented person and also that he is a pain in the neck, and no one
wishes to be around him no matter how well he performs. Since everyone
recognizes the talent why hammer them with superiority?
It seems as if some people are born arrogant, but are they
simply supremely self-confident? Arrogant people never ask ‘why’ because they
already know the answers, and they do not listen to anyone else. Those who sit
quietly listening may well have expertise beyond that of the speaker, but also
have the good manners not to show him up. How do we know to whom we are
expounding our knowledge; we may be explaining the doggie paddle to a former
Olympic swimming coach. A person who can barely walk across the room without
tripping over his own feet might be an accomplished musician. If a child is
criticizing or degrading someone, point out that everyone has talents, and a
humble person is always cognizant of this fact. Do not break down
self-confidence, instead add humility.
To teach self-confidence without arrogance, teach kids to
be good winners; to say ‘Good job, thanks for the competition.” Teach them to
say “Thank you” when someone congratulates or praises them. It is amazing how
many people do not receive praise well, even when they deserve it. All it takes
to accept graciously is humility shown with a sincere “Thank you”. But so often
people say “Oh no, you did much better.” or “Oh no, I messed up so much”. Well,
perhaps you did mess up, but now you’ve told the other person that he is a dolt
for praising you. Not very polite, is it?
Expecting praise is not the same as hoping for it; when a
person has honestly earned a nod, then they should have it; but use this
precious commodity sparingly. Arrogance can spring from praising mediocrity, or
from giving rewards that outweigh the merit. Sometimes a smile can be enough;
other times accolades, trophies, or a celebration dinner may be apropos. Some
of the biggest, brightest, best-looking people become arrogant, confusing
natural gifts with accomplishments. Some folks having none of these attributes
are full of themselves. Arrogance and conceit often appear together.
Rewarding behavior, or teaching it by example, will inspire
more of it. Children are excellent mirrors; we’ve all heard children echo their
parents’ words (usually in the middle of a large crowd) but notice their
behavior to see which of your traits they imitate. This can make a better person
of a parent who is humble enough to learn from her child.
You know your child better than does anyone. You know her
history, her talents, her passions. Make sure you also know her friends, her
environment, her dreams. Talk to your children, talk to their friends, ask them
about their opinions and ideas; not as an inquisitor, but as an adult interested
in understanding the child’s point of view. If your child has a personality
trait you want to modify, you first need knowledge of the source. Knowledge is
power, and when we know our children, we can give them the power to become the
best they can be.
When your child tells you about “that kid, Billy, who
thinks he’s so great”, he’s giving you a prime opportunity. Just remember that
leading children to discover their own conclusions makes a more lasting
impression than parental lectures, and it is more fun to see their faces light
up with discovery than to watch their eyes glaze over with boredom.
Diane Spoehr is a 3rd Dan Degree Black Sash in the
ancient Korean Martial and Healing Art of Hwa Rang Do®, with 10 years of
experience teaching children and adults of all ages. She has taught many
children and their parents how to develop self-discipline, demonstrate courtesy,
and achieve their goals. Diane Spoehr is the Head Instructor and Owner of the
Hwa Rang Do School of Jacksonville, located in Mandarin and Julington Creek.
Website:
www.hwarangdofl.com
Email:
hrdjax@bellsouth.net
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Home-Education on the Run: Smart Sailing
by John Bizelli
This month we will tackle my most favorite mode of “learning on the run”…
cruise ships. Hands down there is no better, more cost effective,
educational travel experience around. Most destinations are rich in
history, geography, marine biology, and FUN. Ships are as individual as
you are. I like to pick ships with WiFi for on-board research and
internet based curriculum.
Let’s start with the journey to the ship: If you are flying, there are
not many exciting learning techniques you can apply. Your best efforts
can be utilized planning for the downtime of the flight itself. Whatever
learning tools you can fit nicely into a small carry-on back-pack will
do the trick. It’s best to not even waste time trying to make a study
block out of time spent waiting to board; planes change, gates change,
and weather happens. You could be called to spring from your personal
holding pattern in a moment’s notice..
...read more
If you are driving to the boat please see the February 2008 article to
make the best of your road-trip. If you’re taking a train to the boat,
please see the April 2008 article for specific tips.
Now, we’ve made it to the cruise-port. You are almost onboard. Depending
on the time of your port arrival in relation to your scheduled departure time,
the pace will be fast. Please just focus on boarding the ship safely.
Once onboard you will enter the reception area of the ship and the hectic
pace of your journey to board will quickly be forgotten. I like to go straight
to my cabin, set up shop, grab the ships itinerary, and hit the main deck to
secure a seat for the debarkation celebration. This is where my wife and I like
scratch out a rough personal itinerary for the family. The main ingredient of
any successful fun learning adventure is planning. Even down time, don’t let it
just happen… plan for it to happen (within reason of course).
We like to spend our first afternoon on the ship exploring and gathering
as much information as possible. When planning please keep in mind: Hands on
learning is best when at your destination location. Studying (audio, visual,
and/or auditory) is best on-board during the morning hours. Children are less
likely to become distracted at this time because few desirable activities are
scheduled; and pools are being serviced in preparation for afternoon and evening
activities. The internet cafés and library, if you need them, are not as busy
during this time either.
A word of caution; there WILL be an endless supply of free-flowing food
items. Please feed your child’s brain, not their tummy. This may prove to be
your biggest challenge. Fruits, veggies, and protein will be your family’s best
friend. The endless supply of pizza, ice cream, cakes, and pies are sure to
create a information retention carb catastrophe extraordinaire.
What we have covered in this article is making FUN educational. If you
are trying to make your education fun please visit our website to learn more
about college credits at sea aboard the ScholarShip, as well as intense Cruise
Planner CMA programs for Doctors, Nurses, and Lawyers.
PLAN * Make
memories * Take one-thousand pictures * Laugh at yourself * Learn* See you next
month*
To view
past segments of this series visit the
Home Educators Classroom
John Bizelli is a Geospatial Information Systems Analyst and a
home-educating father of 3 teens. So it was only fitting that he and his wife
Pamela would start a travel company with an emphasis on education. Visit
www.MyGetawayPlan.com and click on “Education Travel” to find out more about accredited education
programs at sea such as “The Scholar-Ship”, an academic program hosting both undergraduate and postgraduate students on
semester-long voyages around the world. Also if you’re a Doctor, Nurse, Lawyer,
or Dentist you will want to find out about our CMEs - Continuing Education
Accreditation while traveling.
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Top 10 in National Teen Driving Hotspots
by
Maria Wojtczak
A
nationwide safe teen driving campaign titled "Action against
Distraction" launched by AllState Insurance in Spring 2008 identified
the top 10 teen driving hotspots in the nation. You guessed it. Phoenix,
Mesa and Scottsdale all made the cut.
The study used several federal statistics and Allstate claims data to
determine the frequency of fatal crashes involving teens throughout the
country. Working with Sperling's BestPlaces, a research firm based in
Portland, OR, AllState compiled a list of the top 10 deadliest hotspots
among the nation's 50 largest metro areas in the southern United States.
...read more
The top 10 include:
Tampa -
St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Orlando-Kissimmee - FL
Jacksonville, FL
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, TN
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
Kansas
City, MO-KS
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta - GA
Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
Louisville, KY - IN
The study
also found that male teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes at a rate over
twice as great as that for female drivers at the national level and that 18 and
19-year olds comprised well over half the number of teen-related crashes.
AllState
hopes that by making this information public to parents and teens on its
findings it can diminish this problem and better educate and protect the
nation's teens.
To view
the complete study go to:
http://media.allstate.com
Newsroom – Press Kits – “Allstate America’s Teen Driving Hotspots” Study.
You can download a pdf file of the study at this site.
Maria
Wojtczak is the owner of DrivingMBA and is responsible for marketing and the
operation of the organization. DrivingMBA is a unique driver tutoring program
geared towards better preparing teenagers for the responsibility of driving. To
learn more about DrivingMBA visit the web-site
www.drivingmba.com. Before Maria and her husband Richard, opened Driving
MBA Maria worked as a consultant for over 20 years in the field of organization
development working with a wide range of organizations. In addition to the use
of traditional organization development techniques, she is highly skilled in
large systems change and organization learning, with formal training in both
specialties. She has extensive experience in the field of adult learning
concepts, and in the design and facilitation of adult learning experiences.
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