Locating Local Support, Kinesthetic Motion Learners
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, September 21, 2009
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 10 No 69 September 21, 2009
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Learning While in Motion
Helpful Tip
-- Book Adventure
Resource Review
-- I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
Reader Question
-- Finding Homeschool Support
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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Learning while Moving - Kinesthetic Education
Or... Does a Boy Have to Sit to Work?
---
Recent question asked on our HomeschoolingBOYS.com email group:
"I tried to imitate a school-like environment but I am very
quickly realizing that it doesn't work. My son is 6 (almost 7)
and is doing 1st grade work except for math. But my biggest
problem is getting him to actually sit down and do some folder
work. He is very hands-on and doesn't like to sit still and
write out anything." -- S.
---
Answer from another member:
"My advice with a 1st grade boy: Don't try to imitate a school-
like environment -- because your conclusion is absolutely correct;
it doesn't work. I'm going to challenge your thinking here: Why
does he have to sit down to do folder work?
I was finding myself in that exact position with my son last year.
Mind you this was my third boy to do 1st grade. My first two boys
sat down at the table and did their work, no problems. My third
son just couldn't do it. If I was asking him to sit down at the
table, he would more than resist. He began to HATE it.
Based on a recommendation from someone else in this group, I went
to IKEA and bought a swing to install in our basement. He now
does almost all of his school on his swing -- and he LOVES school!
You may have yourself a kinesthetic learner -- one that literally
can't learn unless he's moving. I put a timeline on the floor
for him to do adding and subtracting with. I give him Legos, and
cars, and counting chips, and anything else near me for him to
manipulate with his hands.
I tell him he can choose to sit on the chair or stand at the table.
I hardly ever give him worksheets anymore. We are part of a virtual
academy, so he does still need to fill out assessments to mark in
the school system, but I rarely teach using paper and pencil and
'Sit down now'. I teach by showing it to him on the whiteboard
and then expecting him to be able to show to me somehow that he
has understood the material -- either by verbally answering several
problems or by showing it to me with manipulatives or sometimes
by writing it out.
I know of a couple other ways to provide movement opportunities --
an indoor trampoline or an exercise ball. I'd love to hear from
other parents about more ways they provide movement opportunities
for their kinesthetic learners." -- B.
---
Do you have comments to share? Please do!
Send your emails to: mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net
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Helpful Tip
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Book Adventure
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Kids register, read books from the list (5,000 titles and growing),
take quizzes and earn prizes. K-8
-- Lara
---
Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
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Resource Review
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Review – I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
Author - Cathy Gohlke
Genre – Historical Fiction
Age – YA- Adult
Notes – 2009 Christy Award Nominee
Publisher – Moody Press
Robert Glover faces more choices in this sequel to 'William Henry is
a Fine Name'. This time, we join Robert near his eighteenth birthday
at his home in Maryland. The Civil War rages on, and Robert's father
Charles is away, working for the Union making maps. Robert's mother
Caroline has decided to stay on her father's plantation in North
Carolina. Despite his desire to fight for the Union, Robert promised
his father that he would not enlist until he turned eighteen.
Emily, Robert’s cousin, asks him to visit her father, an officer in
the Confederate army. Uncle Albert is being held as a prisoner of war
at Fort Delaware. Robert agrees, due in part to family obligation,
but mostly because he loves Emily. After he visits Albert, Robert
plans to go help his mother, who he has not seen in four years.
Robert involuntarily gets caught in a prison escape plan, derailing
his plans to travel to North Carolina. He is abducted, left for dead,
and faces charges as a spy -- challenging his integrity, his endurance,
and his faith. Robert's adventures include new friends, a persistent
enemy, and even a friend from his past travels on the Underground
Railroad.
This book is a roller coaster reading adventure packed with action
and intrigue. We see Robert mature and find his place in life while
coming to terms with family secrets. 'I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires'
is a wonderful story that gives the reader thoughtful insight into
days gone by. Robert's story brings history to life, and it would
serve as a great teaching tool for this era.
If you liked 'William Henry is a Fine Name', you are sure to enjoy
Cathy Gohlke's satisfying conclusion to Robert's story. Pick up a
copy; you won't be disappointed.
Parental Note: 'I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires' contains subject
matter pertaining to the realities of war and post Civil War slavery.
Depending on the ages and maturity levels of your children, you may
wish to preview this book before allowing your children to read it or
using it as a read aloud. I recommend this as independent reading
for mature preteens and up.
For more information or to order:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802487742?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20
---
Review by Karen Lange. Karen homeschooled her three children K-12.
She is a freelance writer, homeschool consultant, and creator of the
Homeschool Online Creative Writing Co-op for teens. Visit her websites
at www.hswritingcoop.bravehost.com or www.karenlange.bravehost.com
Review copyright 2009, used with permission.
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"I homeschool my 5 and 7 year olds and we have been very blessed
with great support groups in the past. We have just moved to Bend,
Oregon and I have been looking for a support group and have not
found one yet. Does anyone have a good resource for finding a
support group or know of one in the Bend (Central Oregon) area?
I think it is important to find something so my girls can begin to
make friends. Thank you." -- Tracy
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Our Readers' Responses
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"Oh my goodness! I live in Bend and home school my 6 and 8 year
old daughters! There are many resources, and a very entrenched
homeschooling community. It has been established here for 25
years at least. There are classes in art and music, ballet, weekly
play/get-together groups, and Yahoo group, yearbook, school pictures,
an annual camp out, an annual used curriculum sale... much more."
-- D.T. [Private contact info was sent to Tracy on behalf of D.T.]
---
"I had the same problem. I knew all the homeschoolers in one area
and then moved to another state and knew none. But I found out that
just because I could not find them did not mean other homeschoolers
were not around. This is going to take a bit of work on your part,
but I would suggest going to the HSLDA website first (www.HSLDA.org)
and click on your state. It will bring up a list of associations in
your state and you can scroll down to your area. I would then Google
search Homeschool associations in the state of Oregon, or Central
Oregon. That will get you started there. If you are involved in
a church or a religious organization (like the Southern Baptist
Convention), call their home office and ask if they know of any
homeschool organizations.
Lastly, you do not have to just depend on homeschool groups (though
great). In my case, my daughters take dance. Because of the time
of day they met, we met up with other homeschoolers. Also, check
with your local library. Because so many homeschoolers use the
library, the librarians usually know many of them. Find out when
many come in and be there next week to try to meet them! This also
works at the local park. Try to drive by every so often and see when
the kids are there! You would be surprised how many other families
I have met this way!
Good Luck and good hunting!" -- Mrs. Dani
---
"I would start on Yahoo Groups and search for 'Homeschooling + Your
state/city/region'. Also check on Google Groups. You should be able
to find at least a state-wide group and perhaps a more local one.
HomeschoolClassifieds.com has listings of groups and activities.
Also, contact your state's main homeschooling associations to see what
lists they may have. If they have a public website, they should have
lists of support groups.
Lastly, if you can't find one, start one! Invite others to play dates
at the park and go from there!" -- Julie C.
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Answer our NEW Question
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Handling Criticism
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"I'm just starting homeschooling my 4 year old (5 in November) son.
I have three daughters as well (3, 2 and 3 months). While trying to
figure this out and rearrange my time and activities to accommodate
more instruction has been difficult, the most difficult part has been
my husband's parents comments. I've been told I won't be able to do
it, I'm a bad/harsh mother, my children need to go to school, I'll
never be able to accomplish everything (unless I get up at 5!) and
my children will suffer... to mention the worst things. To top it
off, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it either! And all the other
mothers in my small town all put their kids into pre-K and K and have
those whole big chunks of time alone or with less kids (the only
homeschoolers I know have much older children and the only support
group is very spread out since we're rural). Not to mention that
my son is a very active, stubborn, loud little boy and sometimes I
really enjoy time away from him (like when my in-laws have him).
My own mother has said all the same things but it doesn't bother me
as much because we've been disagreeing for years on major issues.
My husband's parents have been such a loving supportive presence
since we moved to the same town 3 years ago that their recent
criticism is very surprising and hard to take. I should mention
that my husband and I are united in this choice and he is supportive,
and my mother-in-law has since apologized saying it was none of her
business. Still, I know what they really think now. Does anyone
have any advice? Thanks." -- Katherine
---
Do you have thoughts to share with Katherine?
Please send your answer to: mailto:HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
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