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Cursive writing is fading skill, but so what?

By msnbc.com (CLICK to read more)

"Charleston resident Kelli Davis was in for a surprise when her daughter brought home some routine paperwork at the start of school this fall. Davis signed the form and then handed it to her daughter for the eighth-grader's signature.

'I just assumed she knew how to do it, but I have a piece of paper with her signature on it and it looks like a little kid's signature,' Davis said.

Her daughter was apologetic, but explained that she hadn't been required to make the graceful loops and joined letters of cursive writing in years. That prompted a call to the school and another surprise."

Time management for homeschool families

By Jeanne Noorman / Grand Rapids Homeschooling Examiner (CLICK to read more)

"If the quote “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned, ” is true, than homeschoolers would be well advised to spend time organizing their time.

With academics, enrichment classes such as music and PE, and extra-curricular activities to coordinate for each student in the home along with daily and weekly household tasks (cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping), doctor’s appointments, church commitments and more, time management skills and/or a time management system are essential in achieving a balance in your homeschool. Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, comments that “the best thinking in the area of time management can be captured in a single phrase: Organize and execute around priorities.”

Priorities in a homeschool will vary according to the ages of the students and the dynamics of the family. A working mother will have to schedule school around her paying job; while a stay-at-home mom can be more flexible with her schedule. Other aspects to be taken into consideration when setting priorities in the homeschool household are learning styles, homeschooling methods and curriculum choices. Active, younger children and those with shorter attention spans will need regular breaks while doing their school work. These short breaks can be utilized by mom to do quick household chores such as changing a load of laundry, unloading the dishwasher or returning a phone call. Older students should be able to work independently for longer stretches of time.

CLICK on the full article link above for a few time management tips offered by experienced homeschoolers."

Big Universe Taking Book Website to the Next Level

Big Universe Taking Book Website to the Next Level: "Big Universe Inc., an award-winning Internet newcomer, is taking its educational service to the next level with the launch of its premium subscription, which multiplies benefits on this children's picture books website.

The premium subscription enables online members to read the most beautiful story books in children's publishing in their entirety, as well as print the books they have written using the site's innovative Big Universe Author tool. The website is a cost-effective option for educators struggling with budget cuts during the current economic crisis.

"The buzz this company is making is phenomenal," said Anil Hemrajani, founder and CEO of Big Universe Inc. "Publishers, educators and parents can't wait to get involved with this new service, but that's not that surprising," explained the website's creator. "We have put together a really strong value proposition for teachers and parents, as well as for the children's book publishers, who are partnering with us on this venture."

Members have created more than 5,500 books to date -- stories which can be shared with other site users once the books have been submitted and approved by a review board. Users can track reader feedback and stock personal favorites on virtual bookshelves. Kids can share their favorite books with others and improve their reading, writing and computer skills, as well as their hand-eye coordination as they learn to place text, pictures and animation in self-generated e-books."

How to teach your kids 'fractions', with a tape measure

How to teach your kids 'fractions', with a tape measure | eHow.com: "Ask any carpenter to add or subtract fractions, and it will seem like he's a mathematician on the subject. It's because he is so familiar with fractions as he uses them every day. It's a procedure we use in the trade known as 'cross taping'. We'll show you 'how to'."

How to Learn Fractions

How to Learn Fractions | eHow.com: "Learning fractions can seem scary when you're looking at all those numbers. However, even preschoolers can learn fraction basics."

How to Homeschool a Child in Preschool

How to Homeschool a Child in Preschool | eHow.com: "Homeschool activities can really enhance a child's growth. Preschool-aged kids want to taste, touch, feel, smell and listen to everything around them. Your child needs the opportunity to experience the world. Follow these steps to expand her education and have fun at the same time."

How to Demonstrate how a Solar Eclipse Blocks the Sun

How to Demonstrate how a Solar Eclipse Blocks the Sun | eHow.com: "During a solar eclipse the moon moves between the earth and the sun, and totally blocks the sun from view. Sometimes it is difficult for children to understand how the moon, which is so much smaller than the sun, could hide the sun from our view during an eclipse. This simple illustration will show children how this is possible."

How to Create a Unit Study Book List Using Online Resources

How to Create a Unit Study Book List Using Online Resources | eHow.com: "The internet is an excellent modern convenience. You can do or find just about anything you need with just a click of the mouse. As a teacher and a home schooling mother, I have learned how to save a lot of preparation time by creating my unit study book lists using online resources. By following a few simple steps, you too can create a fabulous unit study book list from the comfort of your home."

Unschooling Unmanual

Hi Ryan,

I thought you might like to know about our forthcoming book, The Unschooling Unmanual: http://www.naturalchild.org/unmanual/ . That's my son Jason at age 4 on the cover - he's 26 now and has unschooled from the beginning.

Thanks for your link to "A Conversation with John Holt" on our website. Please feel free to add a link to th Unmanual.

Best wishes,JanJan Hunt, DirectorNatural Child Project

http://www.naturalchild.org

Telephone counseling worldwide

http://www.naturalchild.org/counseling/877-593-1547 / 541-593-1547

"Children behave as well as they are treated."