February 2010

To review back issues of Newsletters, click here for tips, news, and announcements.


News Articles

Featured Resource of the Month

Additional Resources

Two Thumbs HighLegoLandClonlara SchoolAmerican Heritage

 



How Much Does Homeschool Cost?
by Sun Bae,Sun and Sarina Bae

I’m gonna to be honest here - the costs of homeschooling your child are enormous.

I know some of you may disagree, having done your own research into how expensive homeschool can be, but right, wrong or indifferent, I don’t believe those sources have given you the entire picture.  

Actually, the price tag for a homeschool curriculum (teaching materials + school supplies) can be very reasonable – with the Internet, you can probably get your entire curriculum for free if you look hard enough (including on our site!), leaving only classroom supplies as the major costs.  And if you buy your school supplies in bulk during the July/August back-to-school season, you can save a bundle, easily keeping your expenses under $50 per child..  .... read more

back to top


Best Foods For Family Health
by Pennie Sempell, JD, ACMTPenny Sempell

I am always on the look out for simple, honest and accurate tips that we can easily incorporate into our lifestyle for health.  It takes more than good nutrition to be healthy, but as a key building block for cells, energy and vitality, it cannot be ignored.

The patterns for health and healthy cells start at a young age.  Those big eyes are taking in what they watch us do, talk about and value.    Children are reproducing new cells at a rate much faster than those of us who are reading this article.  Their metabolism is probably higher, too.  Where do you think all their energy comes from?

Brain health is critical for academic performance.  A body that is receiving the minerals, enzymes, etc. that it needs is probably also going to have a well “fed” brain sitting right on top!. ...read more

back to top



How Do We Really Learn?Daniel Yordy
By Daniel Yordy M. Ed.

A young man wants to build a go-cart. He has an older friend who helps him out, but the drive and motivation comes from the 13-year-old. He finds an old go-cart frame, borrows a drive unit from a lawn mower, an engine from a rototiller, and runs off with his dad's wheelbarrow tire for the front wheel. When the go-cart is finally ready to go, he takes it on a test drive down a hill and manages to roll the thing in a glorious disaster because his "invented" brake system just doesn't do it.

Is he playing? Or is he learning?

The buzz word in today's education is "research-based." That means that If an idea about learning has not been proven by controlled "research," it should not be followed.  Now, proving whether something works or not is a good idea. There has been plenty of nonsense passed off as "teaching." ..read more

back to top



Kids in the Kitchen
by Yvette GarfieldYvette Garfeld

Someone’s in the kitchen with… kids!

It seems that everywhere you look these days there are children’s cooking classes being offered. Even though these activities are readily available, I often reminisce on my fondest cooking memories in my own childhood kitchen with my parents.  I can easily conjure up images from my childhood of cooking in the kitchen with my mother.  

Growing up, the kitchen was generally an off-limit zone and noted for potential danger. Mom and Dad were the gatekeepers who could grant permission to the heated contraptions and sweet treats from hidden cupboard shelves, which, not coincidentally, were out of my reach. My fondest childhood cooking lesson is when my mother taught me to make her famous cupcakes baked in an ice cream cone. These cupcakes are delicious, of course, but looking back I am amazed by my mom’s creative flair. She was always inventing unusual and often hilarious recipes, like her “One-Eyed French Toast,” where one egg was dropped in the middle of each slice of the toast. Her favorite dessert to make was “Mud Pie for her Mag Pie (me),” made with loads of coffee ice cream and topped with even more fudge. I always ended up with frosting or some other food spread covering my face and my Care Bears t-shirt! Making (and eating) dishes with my mom taught me that cooking can be fun and creative, and those moments are some of the fondest from my childhood.  .....read more

back to top



Online Learning- what to expect in terms of cost
by Bruce FriendBruce Friend

A key factor that influences many families’ decision about enrolling their students into online courses is cost.  Whether you are looking for a full-time online solution or seeking to enroll in a single course, the cost of the course is certainly a consideration when selecting an online program.

There are several factors that will influence what you will pay for an online course.  As a general rule of thumb, there is usual a direct correlation between the fee to take an online course and the level of teacher interaction that the student will receive.  Stated another way, online courses that include a highly-qualified, well trained online teacher to work with your student will cost more than online courses that are entirely computer-aided in their delivery model and/or provide limited interaction with a teacher.

So how much will you pay?  The answer to that question really depends on which model of online course delivery you wish to participate in. If enrolling in a single online course with an online teacher providing the instruction, you can expect the course fee to range from $250-$400 per course per semester. ...read more

back to top



Ask Naomi
By Naomi AldortNaomi Aldort

The Einstein Syndrome and Other Labels
“I have no preconception that I’d like to see you be or do. I have not desire to foresee you, only to discover you.”       
- Mary Haskell, in a letter to Kahlil Gibran

Q:   If my son were in school, he would have been labeled ADHD and given Ritalin. But even without school, I often wonder. Are these labels real? Should I worry?

A: Labels are the invention of the human mind when it believes that one way of being or learning is right and another is wrong. When you watch your son not with
a goal to shape him, but with the desire to discover him, you will have no need for labels because you won’t see problems. Instead you will see an amazing human
being unlike any; a world in creation. Rather than try to manipulate your son to fit with our school culture, your delight and curiosity will lead you to respond to
his unique path.....read more

back to top


Is My Child a Visual-Spatial Learner?
by Sarah Major, M.EdSarah Major, M.Ed

As a homeschooling parent, you naturally want to provide the best learning experience for your child. You’ve doubtless heard a lot about the various learning styles and how they might impact how your child learns, but you also might wonder how much of it is relevant to your situation. If your child is sailing through learning reading and math, likely not much of the learning styles discussion would impact the way you currently teach. However, if your child is struggling with learning the basic skills, looking at learning styles might be important. In particular, visual-spatial learners tend to face learning difficulties because traditional curricula are designed for a different type of learner.  Although every child has their own learning strengths and differences, here are some questions to consider in determining whether or not your child learns most naturally through visual-spatial methods.*.  ....read more

back to top




Featured Resource of the Month

American School

Why Choose American School?  Here are the Top Five Reasons:

    History:
Since 1897, the American School has been a leader in providing high school distance education courses. Programs are available to earn either General High School Diploma or a College Preparatory High School Diploma.

•    Accreditation:
The American School is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized as a non-public secondary school by the Illinois State Board of Education.

•    Personalized Instruction

We strive to give each student individualized attention, including personalized grading of exams.  Exam scores can be e-mailed to students who have provided valid e-mail addresses within 15 minutes of grades posting to accounts.

•    All Ages

We believe that age should be no barrier to achieving a high school diploma. Our student body ranges in age from teenagers to older adults. For any student wishing to earn a fully accredited high school diploma, the American School is here to help. Remember, it’s never too late to graduate!

•    Affordable
The tuition for a full four year accredited high school diploma program (18 units of credit), which includes textbooks, study guides and access to our Online Student Center is only $1399.00.  A student can enroll for one year (4.5 units of credit) for only $589.00.  We offer convenient interest – free monthly payment plans. Our contract outlining the program terms can be downloaded from our website: www.americanschoolofcorr.com


back to top

 



Featured Resource of the Month

Long Lake Camp for The Arts

Long Lake Camp For The Arts
-    Developing the highest art, the art of living.


Welcome to Long Lake Camp For Arts. We are a performing and fine arts camp perfectly suited to home educators and their families as our philosophy aligns with yours. Our campers are giving choices to design their own summer of creative fun, rather than trying to fit in with a “cookie cutter formulae” other camps use. Only you know what you love, we are here to make sure you have the best summer of your life. With only 250 campers ages 10 to 16 and 140 staff our size means making meaningful friendships is easy and know body feels left out or isolated in a large crowd.  Our campers come from all over the world and are looking for a camp to make friends, try new activities and enjoy creative passions they already nurture.  

A Performing arts camp and Fine arts camp all in one!

Long Lake is the arts camp that goes beyond the traditional idea of a summer camp. Our unique non-competitive and nurturing program caters to boys and girls from around the world who want to immerse themselves in the performing arts and or fine arts.   Campers choose Long Lake for fantastic summer fun in Drama, Acting, Musical Theater, Fine Arts with 20 studios, all forms of Dance, Music, Film-making, Rock Music and Circus. At Long Lake you concentrate on what YOU like best and still have time to explore and develop in new areas.  By creating your own program you get exactly what you want for the perfect summer! Our campers also can enjoy the most beautiful waterfront for swimming and water sports excitement and loads of fun in many land sports- as in the arts, all offered in the same style that supports each others achievements.  With over 40 years under the same dedicated family ownership Long Lake offers a safe and wholesome environment where campers succeed and grow.

At Long Lake Camp every camper gets individual attention and guidance.  Private lessons, small studio workshops and creating with new found friends in our magnificent shows makes Long Lake the place to be!


To find out more and so we can get to know your families needs please call us on 1 800 767 7111 or 914 693 7111.  You can also learn all about us from our website, www.longlakecamp.com  if you wish to email us please use marc@longlakecamp.com
Thank you.
Marc and Susan Katz-Owners.

In addition we have a separate camp next door for your adventurous children called…..
Long Lake Camp Adventures
-    A camp to develop your adventurous spirit.


After 43 years Long Lake Camp is expanding, by opening up new doors for new campers who love non-competitive adventures and sports.  Every camper aged 8 to 15 embarks on a unique journey, surrounded with positive experiences and the most caring, safety conscious staff.  Our campers enjoy all the aspects of camp life while experiencing new and exciting adventures, developing self-esteem and a sense of responsibility.  Our campers will explore nature from the mountain tops to the caves below, develop new skills, improve their game, and make friendships that will last a life time. 

Discover the spirit of exploration. The majestic high peaks of the Adirondacks are at the heart of our wilderness program; a haven for outdoor recreation with our nation's largest trail system.  Campers will find themselves immersed in nature and embark on adventures such as climbing mountains, following trails to secluded waterfalls, learning to pitch a tent, building a 
fire, cooking their own dinners and s'mores, and camping out under the stars.  We offer all land and water sports plus horseback, white water rafting, farming, cooking and more.  The core focus of our program is building friendships and togetherness through healthy outdoor fun.

To learn more visit www.longlakecampadventures.com and please do call us at 1 800 767 7111 or 914 693 7111, you can email lee@longlakecampadventures.com

back to top


 

 

 


 


 



Share/Bookmark