If HEM Takes a Closer Look at Learning Methods and Styles has sparked an interest, you might consider exploring a few of these favorite resources from HEM’s Guide to Resources.
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When we first started out homeschooling, we explored a variety of educational methods that might work for us. Before you explore the list of methods below, I suggest you first read Considering Methods & Styles of Homeschooling by Lillian Jones.
After investigating all of these, remember that YOU know what works best for your children. You are your family’s best expert and these are simply tools that may assist you on your journey.
* Considering Methods & Styles of Homeschooling
* The Many Styles of Homeschooling from Illinois H.O.U.S.E.
* Homeschooling and Its Many Faces from Beverly Hernandez
* Homeschooling Styles from Lenore Hayes
* Homeschooling Styles from Ecelectic Homeschool Online
* Homeschooling Methods by April Morris
I have a love-hate relationship with learning styles. I find them fascinating to read about, but I also think they can stymie the natural way that children learn if we allow them too much importance. I share Wikipedia- Learning Styles as a simple tool or resource. I think John Holt summed it up best when he wrote the following in How Children Learn:
..All I am saying in this book can be summed up in two words – Trust Children. Nothing could be more simple – or more difficult. Difficult, because to trust children we must trust ourselves – and most of us were taught as children that we could not be trusted.
Autodidactic Press is a favorite among many homeschoolers. Often, individuals who were homeschooled go on to be life long learners and Autodidactic Press offers a wealth of of information to explore.
There site says:
Self-education is the essence of genuine learning. Self-education provides the vitality that enables us to turn information into knowledge and to use it in such a way that it adds meaning to life. Indeed, without the dynamism of self-education, we fail to develop our own interests to the degree that they become driving forces in their own right. When our motivation arises from internal sources the value of lifelong learning becomes readily apparent to us.
Adult learning is more than alternative education, self-help, self-study, or training. Self-directed inquiry can free you from the cultural traps of today’s postmodern world. When you think for yourself, you take control of your life. Intellectual ability and critical thinking soon become substitutes for paper credentials. You’ll enjoy a higher quality of life, make smarter career choices, and begin to see ways to better our society.
Be sure to visit the Autodidactic Profiles; Self-educated People Who’ve Made a Difference page .
You can get started exploring here- http://www.autodidactic.com/index.html .
Hands-On Learning by Kathy Ceceri
Have you read the latest Hands-On Learning Column in the March-April 2007 Issue of Home Education Magazine?
In it, Kathy Ceceri gives instructions on how to build a simple cardboard robot hand that uses strings as tendons. To read this particular column, you will have to purchase the magazine here.
In past columns, Kathy has offered these great ideas. (I am listing all of them, but you will see that the last few are accessible online!)
* Jug Band Music and Invented Instruments; Hands-On Learning editor Kathy Ceceri explains how to make and play jug band instruments
* Flipbooks; Kathy intorduces her readers to flipbooks as a great way for beginning animators to create instant movies
* Solar S’mores and Other Sun-Powered Crafts; Kathy Ceceri describes how to make a solar cooker from simple materials and use it to create tasty S’mores
* Early American Paper Quilling
* World History Crafts
* Kids Classic Book Club
Be sure to subscribe to HEM today to enjoy future resources from Kathy’s Hands-On Learning Column!
Life Without School is collecting stories on “Why we homeschool.”
Life Without School, LWOS, ( www.lifewithoutschool.typepad.com ) is collecting stories on “Why We Homeschool.†We would love to hear your stories about why you homeschool. How does homeschooling benefit your children, your family, you as a parent. We are interested in all stories that celebrate finding your own way with your child(ren) and that are personally real and non-judgmental in nature as possible.
The stories do not need to be of length; in fact, a paragraph will work best for this project. A collection of personal vignettes will be used to create a web page called Real Stories: Real Lives:
http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/lifewithoutschool/2006/03/real_stories_re.html
Send your story (short vignette) and name as you would like to see it in print(or specify anonymous) to:
(questions welcomed)
About LWOS:
Life Without School is the focus of this weblog. We are real people living real lives without school. We share a common belief that LWOS is a valid and valuable lifestyle choice….LWOS is about respecting and valuing choice and perspective and the right of the individual to make choices.
Read more about us:
http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/lifewithoutschool/2006/02/about_us.html
Thank you! ~LWOS
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HEM’s Guide to Homeschooling Resources offers a growing list of learning resources which are reviewed and described, links to the companies’ websites, occasional interviews with companies or individuals about their resources and much more! HEM’s Guide to Homeschooling Resources also welcomes comments and suggestions by homeschoolers who use these resources. Every couple of days I will be adding a few new resources, so I’d love to hear about your favorites in the reply box below!
~ Mary Nix
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