MAKE A NOTE!! -- March 21st, 2001
CIRCULATION - 12,191 (From Around the World! :-)
WEB SITE VISITORS - 17,484
A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT APRIL 4TH, 2001
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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READ ME FIRST-Lifelong Learning
One of the greatest things that we can give our children (or ourselves) is a love of LIFELONG Learning. That means that whether your kids are in public/private school, home school, or are grown & gone that learning for the whole family is a never-ending joy. If your children are in public/private school, then you probably do some additional lessons at home whether music, languages, club related, or some other interest. If they have problems with a particular subject, then you may buy material to help them outside of class, or curriculum to work with them during the summer so they don't forget. If you are home schooling, then you are doing all the teaching. If you are an adult, hopefully you are still taking classes, or trying to educate yourself in new areas (or perhaps buying for grandchildren?). Whichever of these groups you belong to, you have probably found that most school supply stores are woefully lacking in anything but material for light review (if you do have a great school supply store near you, then you are truly blessed...tell others about your find). The best sources for reasonably priced learning materials of any kind ARE home school sources. So as I spend several articles in the next couple of issues discussing home schooling materials, please don't dismiss it out of hand if you don't home school. I think you will find that there is material out there to please ANY student from any type of school or of any age. We are also working on a "Home school Checklist" for our web site's "Bonus Page," that will also help any learner in picking out the best material for themselves. We'll alert you when it is completed & posted to the site. POST IT...on your shopping list or near your children's report cards.
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"Big Book of Home Learning, 4th Edition"
This book set is considered by most to be THE ultimate reference for home schoolers or anyone picking out home learning material. This updated version just came out earlier this year and is packed with reviews of material, prices, different home learning methods, contact info for local, state, & legal groups. The 3 volumes can be purchased separately, or as a set.
 | Parents, of public/private elementary age & younger children, who are only interested in supplementing would probably only need Volume 2 which reviews programs by subject for that age group. |
| Parents, of public/private junior high school through college age children, only interested in supplementing would just need Volume 3. |
| Adults who are interested in learning new things themselves in particular subjects could also probably just get by with Vol. 3. |
| Beginning Home schoolers, or those interested in full service programs (pre-packaged sets that come with all subjects for a particular grade) should get Volume 1. |
| Advanced Home schoolers, who pick & choose all their own curriculum, should get Vol. 2 (Preschool/Elementary) or Vol. 3 (Junior High to College) depending on the age of their children. |
SET LINK- http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0740300830/makeanote
Vol. 1 LINK - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0740300067/makeanote
Vol. 2 LINK - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0740300075/makeanote
Vol. 3 LINK - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0740300083/makeanote
This is the perfect time of year to start your homework (on home learning), before summer breaks & the new school year. POST IT...on your shopping list or near where you post your report cards.
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My Home Learning Recommendations
For many years now I have conducted "How to Home school" Workshops for our county libraries & other groups in the area. I used to avoid making particular recommendations, because there are probably as many ways to home learn as there are people doing it. But participants couldn't seem to take no for an answer, so I gave up. If my experience can help someone else find a good program a little easier, then so much the better. Just keep in mind that everyone's learning/teaching styles are different and not every program works for every person.
| For Parents Supplementing Public/Private School Programs, Advanced Home schoolers Putting Together their own Programs, and Adults continuing their Education (the latter should pick from the college prep high school level courses)-I recommend Covenant Home Curriculum's Subject Modules. They search for the best material out there & from what I have seen, THEY FIND IT! Material available in all grade levels & subjects, with Day by Day Schedule included. |
| For Beginning Home schoolers or Advanced Home schoolers Using Full Service Programs-I recommend Covenant Home Curriculums Full Service Programs. Again the best material I have ever seen, reasonably priced, auditors that help & support the parents' instruction (as opposed to dictating excessive company rules to the parents), Day By Day Schedule included. Students able to be in different levels for different subjects w/their tailored program. Our family purchases the full service programs. |
| Interested in Computer Based Programs?-I recommend "Switched-On Schoolhouse" either by individual subject or set. I have not used this program myself, I tend to prefer the more hands-on programs, but the "Big Book of Home Learning" gave it a favorable review and a friend of mine whose opinion I respect greatly (thanks Leigh!) has used it with her child & praised it. |
| COVENANT HOME LINK- http://www.covenanthome.com or call 1-800-578-2421. If you decide to order please give them the following code "LR25" so they'll know who referred you. Or tell them you read about it in the "Make a Note" ezine. |
| SWITCHED ON SCHOOLHOUSE LINK - http://www.Switched-OnSchoolhouse.com or call 1-800-622-3070 POST IT...near your computer or other home learning material. |
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A Word About Unit Study Ideas for EVERYONE
Personally I think that the Unit Study Method of learning is the BEST way to learn, but it can be a lot more work than a classical program which is why I do not recommend it for beginners. HOWEVER, while even some experienced home schoolers prefer the classical programs (like Covenant Home), many home schoolers will use unit studies for holidays OR incorporate unit study methods into their classical programs. Let me give you an example...ideally you would choose a subject that your children are interested in. Let's say you pick baseball. You might start by learning the rules & watching some games, trips to baseball museums, learning about the players. You could use math to study the statistics, and use some physics to learn about pitches & hits. You might study Jackie Robinson & watch the movie of his life. That might lead to a study of the Negro Leagues, which could lead to a study of Civil Rights. But no matter what your theme is, in unit studies you incorporate all subjects into the lesson, using maps, crafts, games, books, & food to cover a particular time, location, or person. When all these things are incorporated into lessons, you can see why I think it is the best way to learn. You should also be able to see how you can use unit study methods to make your classical programs even better with a little bit of supplementation. If you are studying Spanish then watch some Spanish TV/movies, make some Mexican food, go to a Hispanic festival in your area, listen to Spanish radio stations. The idea is to immerse yourself in what you are studying. Now I am definitely NOT a unit studies expert, but fortunately I know someone who is...Lynn Hogan. Her web site is a great place to start at http://www.unitstudyhelps.com, with loads of great ideas to get those creative juices flowing whether you are using unit study for your complete home schooling program, or just want to spice up your classical or extra-curricular programs. If you are an email only subscriber, never fear, Lynn has also blessed us with the "Home schoolers' Notebook" ezine. This every other week e-publication is filled with wonderful ideas for any home learner. To subscribe send a blank email to join-HS-notebook@ds.xc.org. If you need more individual attention, Lynn will be happy to correspond with you to find the best material for you & your family. Email her at lynn@unitstudyhelps.com. POST IT...near the computer or with school material.
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Recipe: BAKED ALASKA MEAT LOAF
Easy meat/veggie dish for those school days when the time gets away from you. Combine 1 package brown gravy mix with 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (leaner the better for this recipe), and 2 tsp instant minced onion (or 1 1/2 tblsp fresh). Shape into a loaf 2 inches high in baking dish/pan. Prepare 4 servings instant mashed potatoes according to package directions (or use 2C leftover mashed potatoes if you have them on hand), but add 1 tsp chives or chopped green onions. Spread potatoes completely over meat loaf. Back in 350 degree oven 55 min. Top with 1/2C shredded cheddar cheese & bake until cheese melts. Makes 6 servings. This is one of those recipes off a gravy package from years & years ago, if anyone knows the company let me know so I can give them credit. Looks fancy, but very easy. POST IT...on your shopping list & in your recipe box.
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Back Issue Treasure: BACK ISSUE SITE UPDATE
You may have noticed that as the number of back issues grew, so did the time it took to pull them up on the web site. Well, our ever inventive webmaster has now broken the back issues up into years, so they come up a lot faster now, why not check it out. The search engine is always a great tool for finding info on particular things. Why not enter in "Easter," & see what wonderful ideas are available (don't forget our "Bonus Page" article on celebrating a "Christian Passover"). Or enter in "dessert" if you are looking for something new to make, although be warned...one reader told us that she was having so much fun going through back issues that she burned her dinner. So go check them out & tell us which article is your favorite. POST IT...on your computer.
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Final Words
JOKE (from Thomas Dildine, webmaster of "What Can I Do on the WWW?", http://it.stlawu.edu/~tdil/index1.htm)
A Woman went to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. "What Denomination?" Asked the clerk. "Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the woman. "Well give me 50 Baptist and 50 Catholic ones."
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QUOTE
"'What is my next duty? What is the thing that lies nearest to me?'
'That belongs to your every-day history. No one can answer that question but yourself. Your next duty is just to determine what your next duty is. Is there nothing you neglect? Is there nothing you know you ought not to do? You would know your duty, if you thought in earnest about it, and were not ambitious of great things.'
'Ah, then,' responded she, 'I suppose it is something very commonplace, which will make life more dreary than ever. That cannot help me.'
'It will, if it be as dreary as reading the newspapers to an old deaf aunt. It will soon lead you to something more. Your duty will begin to comfort you at once, [and] will at length open the unknown fountain of life in your heart.'"
--George MacDonald (1824-1905)
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AT&T's Community Port
AT&T has a site about WorldNet members, like us, who have created their own personal web pages. If you think our site deserves to be featured on AT&T's Community Port , send them an e-mail about it, at communities@att.net. Be sure to include the page's URL http://home.att.net/~make-a-note/index.htm and why you think our site is special.
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