By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Gaddy]Jamie Gaddy
One of the most stressful moments of a teenagers high school career is taking the SAT/ACT standardized test. This test is a comprehensive assessment covering the majority of what they have learned throughout high school. Most of the time, they don't even start preparing for the test until a couple of weeks prior to the test date. As a tutor, I see this time and time again. They call me for last minute preparations, when they should have been preparing since ninth grade. Basically, they are expecting me to work a miracle that they were to lazy to attempt years ago.
Truth is, preparation for the SAT or ACT tests should begin many years before you actually take the test. Students in high school should have the goal of attaining college preparation in their studies. With this in mind, students should examine their high school work to be sure that they are meeting the requirements.
There are a few basic questions you can ask to determine if you are preparing your high school student properly for these tests.
� Have you been prescribing a challenging spelling/vocabulary program for your student since 9th grade? You can use awesome tools like Spelling and Vocabulary City to make this easy. Students should be stretching themselves with each new spelling list. I like to use Major Tests spelling lists as well. Remember, spelling and vocabulary preparation is a sizable part of the ACT and SAT tests.
� Have your students been writing clear concise essays? The introduction of the essay should occur at least by ninth grade - I prefer earlier. Summing up essay writing into just a few simple steps: Plan for 5 paragraphs-one introduction - 2 or 3 body points/paragraphs - and one conclusion that restates your 3 body points. An essay should be written from a given theme or question statement. The essay should also be able to be written within 25 minutes, using example from literature, history, and personal life.
� Are you challenging yourself with math courses? Don't skimp on math preparation. The SAT and ACT tests mainly use questions from geometry and Algebra II. If your student thought they would take the easy road and just do basic math or accounting they will not score as high as they could have if they challenged themselves in this area. Yes, math can be difficult, but it isn't impossible. There are lots of great math tutorials that will help get these difficult points across.
� Is your student consistently reading and reading critically? By the time a student reaches high school they should be avid readers. Yet, not just readers but readers that analyze what they are reading and think about underlying themes and motives as well as plot projections. Encourage them to THINK while they read.
Preparing for the SAT or ACT is crucial to doing well on the test. Take time to do your homework well in advance of the test date.
For more information on homeschooling your child and preparing them for high school read [http://momschool.net/2011/08/19/homeschool-curriculum-just-the-basics/]Homeschooling the Basics.
Jamie Gaddy, Ed.D. has been an educator for over 15 years educating both children and teachers. Currently an Educational Consultant and author, she also homeschools her six children. To get more information about homeschooling visit [http://www.momschool.net]http://www.momschool.net.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Ready-for-College?-Prepare-for-the-ACT-and-SAT-First!&id=6569688] Ready for College? Prepare for the ACT and SAT First!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Home School Perfectionism
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
Being a perfectionist is tempting. You know, doing the "dotting your i's, crossing your t's," leaving no blank unanswered, doing what it takes for as long as it takes sort of thing. And it usually takes a long time. By being "perfect" in this way, your student will have effectively ended any potential unpleasant conversations before they begin. After all, how can he be faulted for the extreme lengths he goes to do things right?
As Brene Brown (CNN.com) put it, "Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame." In the past, I might have said that doesn't apply to home schoolers because after all, being raised in an age-integrated context (the family) made peer dependency and the need to be accepted largely non-existent. I was mistaken.
I may be off the mark here, but it seems that perfectionism to any degree is used as a barrier to criticism whether by others (parental or peer standards) or even by yourself (your standards). When our children continually relate to us or to themselves on the basis of performance, life becomes a grind. And, usually perfectionists are not very fun to be around.
The very thing that makes home schooling appealing can also make it unbearable. Think about it.
You can customize the student's curriculum to his or her needs, but the notion of customizing leads to too many books that your child "needs" that you'll never get through.
I can't tell you how many books I've bought for my kids that were never used. In fact, I even bought some books twice not realizing I had already made the purchase months prior.
Teachable moments can be related to real life, but teachable moments never end. You and your student may find yourselves "in school" 24-7.
It can be weird and embarrassing when every trip to the store is seen as potentially fulfilling a home economics or consumer math assignment. I knew things had gone over the edge for me when, after parking downtown in Portland and rushing several blocks to make the start of a movie, one of my kids asked if they could count the time "running" toward their time based PE course.
You know your child better than anyone else and are therefore the ideal teacher. But, if we're not conscience of the "hat we're wearing, your child may always wonder if you're talking to him as the "parent" or the "teacher." Relationships can get awkward the older the kids are.
There's a point where separation of your child from you is absolutely necessary for him or her to truly grow up. If, when you see your kids leaving their room, you find yourself continually asking them, "you got that math assignment done, right?" it's time to re-evaluate things.
So, what am I saying? I'm saying that there is a part in all of us that wants to relate to ourselves and others by means of performance. Taken to an extreme, home schooling on the basis of performance becomes disordered and burdensome. If I were to say all you have to do is set time limits (or in the case of the "perfectionist" time restrictions as in you're not working past 3:00 P.M.), I doubt that would be helpful. Applying different techniques don't necessarily change root issues.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot
You have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to [http://basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-School-Perfectionism&id=6571760] Home School Perfectionism
Being a perfectionist is tempting. You know, doing the "dotting your i's, crossing your t's," leaving no blank unanswered, doing what it takes for as long as it takes sort of thing. And it usually takes a long time. By being "perfect" in this way, your student will have effectively ended any potential unpleasant conversations before they begin. After all, how can he be faulted for the extreme lengths he goes to do things right?
As Brene Brown (CNN.com) put it, "Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame." In the past, I might have said that doesn't apply to home schoolers because after all, being raised in an age-integrated context (the family) made peer dependency and the need to be accepted largely non-existent. I was mistaken.
I may be off the mark here, but it seems that perfectionism to any degree is used as a barrier to criticism whether by others (parental or peer standards) or even by yourself (your standards). When our children continually relate to us or to themselves on the basis of performance, life becomes a grind. And, usually perfectionists are not very fun to be around.
The very thing that makes home schooling appealing can also make it unbearable. Think about it.
You can customize the student's curriculum to his or her needs, but the notion of customizing leads to too many books that your child "needs" that you'll never get through.
I can't tell you how many books I've bought for my kids that were never used. In fact, I even bought some books twice not realizing I had already made the purchase months prior.
Teachable moments can be related to real life, but teachable moments never end. You and your student may find yourselves "in school" 24-7.
It can be weird and embarrassing when every trip to the store is seen as potentially fulfilling a home economics or consumer math assignment. I knew things had gone over the edge for me when, after parking downtown in Portland and rushing several blocks to make the start of a movie, one of my kids asked if they could count the time "running" toward their time based PE course.
You know your child better than anyone else and are therefore the ideal teacher. But, if we're not conscience of the "hat we're wearing, your child may always wonder if you're talking to him as the "parent" or the "teacher." Relationships can get awkward the older the kids are.
There's a point where separation of your child from you is absolutely necessary for him or her to truly grow up. If, when you see your kids leaving their room, you find yourself continually asking them, "you got that math assignment done, right?" it's time to re-evaluate things.
So, what am I saying? I'm saying that there is a part in all of us that wants to relate to ourselves and others by means of performance. Taken to an extreme, home schooling on the basis of performance becomes disordered and burdensome. If I were to say all you have to do is set time limits (or in the case of the "perfectionist" time restrictions as in you're not working past 3:00 P.M.), I doubt that would be helpful. Applying different techniques don't necessarily change root issues.
Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot
You have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back to [http://basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-School-Perfectionism&id=6571760] Home School Perfectionism
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Radical Unschooling - What, No Bed Times?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nicole_R_Olson]Nicole R Olson
What!? No bed times! Are you nuts!?
That's usually the reaction we get when people find out our unschooled children don't have a "bed time". Most of us grew up with imposed bed times, and adopted the belief that good parents make sure their children get enough sleep by setting and sticking to bed times.
Dig underneath a little, and you come to realize that this thinking is full of unexamined assumptions. Let's look at 5 bed time assumptions before we talk about the peaceful parenting or the radical unschooling approach...
Assumption #1: Children don't recognize the feeling of being tired.
Babies do recognize this feeling, and when allowed to follow their natural rhythm will usually fall asleep easily. Children lose touch with this innate ability over the course of time when artificial bed times are imposed, and they are made to lie in bed when they are not tired because it's "time for sleep".
Assumption #2: Children ignore their bodies' need for sleep because they want to stay up.
There are definitely developmental phases when children are deeply motivated to stay awake and resist sleeping. When children have moved through the developmental phase, their natural willingness to sleep when they are tired returns. Of course, there are also times that whatever's going on is too exciting to cut short.
We adults experience this, too. Sometimes that movie is just too good to turn off, the book is too good to put down, or a chat with a visiting friend too enjoyable. But that's the exception, not the norm.
Assumption #3: Children do not go to bed willingly.
We may be tempted think we've actually got some evidence for this one, in the form of our kids protesting bed time, repeatedly getting out of bed or calling for us continually. But we'd be wrong. Kids are willing to go to bed when they feel tired and are done with their activities. It's only when we send kids to bed when they are not tired or when they are still engaged in something that they protest.
Assumption #4: All children need the same amount of sleep - and it's a lot.
It's true that most children need more sleep than adults, but there's no "one size fits all" magic number. If you pay attention - really pay attention - you'll see that each child has his or her own ideal amount of sleep, and that it varies from child to child.
Assumption #5: An early bed time and early waking is better than going to bed late and waking up later.
Sleep is sleep. Sure, we need to respect our natural rhythms and internal clock. Being up all night and sleeping the day away messes with that. But a child who sleeps from 7:30 pm to 6:30 am is not getting a better quality sleep than the one who gets his eleven hours from 10:00 pm to 9:00 am. The tendency to favor earlier bed times is more about meeting others' needs, not the child's. Parents may be tired at the end of a long day and want some down time. School begins early, and schooled children are expected to be on time and alert when that morning bell rings.
Make no mistake: no bed time does not mean our home (or unschooling or radical unschooling) is a free-for-all, party-till-you-drop kind of place. Instead, it's peaceful, natural - not always - but more often than not.
About The Author:
Nicole R. Olson is the voice behind [http://unschoolers.org/]http://unschoolers.org/, a website dedicated to unschooling and radical unschooling. Nicole invites you to learn more about unschooling at [http://unschoolers.org/]Radical Unschooling
(c) Copyright - Nicole R. Olson. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Radical-Unschooling---What,-No-Bed-Times?&id=6556509] Radical Unschooling - What, No Bed Times?
What!? No bed times! Are you nuts!?
That's usually the reaction we get when people find out our unschooled children don't have a "bed time". Most of us grew up with imposed bed times, and adopted the belief that good parents make sure their children get enough sleep by setting and sticking to bed times.
Dig underneath a little, and you come to realize that this thinking is full of unexamined assumptions. Let's look at 5 bed time assumptions before we talk about the peaceful parenting or the radical unschooling approach...
Assumption #1: Children don't recognize the feeling of being tired.
Babies do recognize this feeling, and when allowed to follow their natural rhythm will usually fall asleep easily. Children lose touch with this innate ability over the course of time when artificial bed times are imposed, and they are made to lie in bed when they are not tired because it's "time for sleep".
Assumption #2: Children ignore their bodies' need for sleep because they want to stay up.
There are definitely developmental phases when children are deeply motivated to stay awake and resist sleeping. When children have moved through the developmental phase, their natural willingness to sleep when they are tired returns. Of course, there are also times that whatever's going on is too exciting to cut short.
We adults experience this, too. Sometimes that movie is just too good to turn off, the book is too good to put down, or a chat with a visiting friend too enjoyable. But that's the exception, not the norm.
Assumption #3: Children do not go to bed willingly.
We may be tempted think we've actually got some evidence for this one, in the form of our kids protesting bed time, repeatedly getting out of bed or calling for us continually. But we'd be wrong. Kids are willing to go to bed when they feel tired and are done with their activities. It's only when we send kids to bed when they are not tired or when they are still engaged in something that they protest.
Assumption #4: All children need the same amount of sleep - and it's a lot.
It's true that most children need more sleep than adults, but there's no "one size fits all" magic number. If you pay attention - really pay attention - you'll see that each child has his or her own ideal amount of sleep, and that it varies from child to child.
Assumption #5: An early bed time and early waking is better than going to bed late and waking up later.
Sleep is sleep. Sure, we need to respect our natural rhythms and internal clock. Being up all night and sleeping the day away messes with that. But a child who sleeps from 7:30 pm to 6:30 am is not getting a better quality sleep than the one who gets his eleven hours from 10:00 pm to 9:00 am. The tendency to favor earlier bed times is more about meeting others' needs, not the child's. Parents may be tired at the end of a long day and want some down time. School begins early, and schooled children are expected to be on time and alert when that morning bell rings.
Make no mistake: no bed time does not mean our home (or unschooling or radical unschooling) is a free-for-all, party-till-you-drop kind of place. Instead, it's peaceful, natural - not always - but more often than not.
About The Author:
Nicole R. Olson is the voice behind [http://unschoolers.org/]http://unschoolers.org/, a website dedicated to unschooling and radical unschooling. Nicole invites you to learn more about unschooling at [http://unschoolers.org/]Radical Unschooling
(c) Copyright - Nicole R. Olson. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Radical-Unschooling---What,-No-Bed-Times?&id=6556509] Radical Unschooling - What, No Bed Times?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Why Unschool?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nicole_R_Olson]Nicole R Olson
For many, unschooling is such a new and foreign concept that it can be a little scary to contemplate trying it. Rest assured that although it is unconventional, the unschooling approach is well-reasoned and has been successfully implemented by thousands of families world-wide.
As early as the 1970′s, teacher and researcher John Holt was criticizing traditional schooling and advocating the form of home learning that eventually became known as unschooling. Since then many others have added their voices, perhaps most notably the former New York State Teacher of the Year John Taylor Gatto.
Unschooling is based on sound theory
There is plenty of evidence supporting the idea that all people - children and adults alike - learn best when they are interested and engaged. In schools, this results in teachers attempting, with varying degrees of success, to make the predetermined curriculum somehow become interesting and engaging. Unschoolers, on the other hand, simply find out what is already interesting and engaging to a child, and then bring as much of that as possible into his/her world. Most everyone agrees on the basic premise; the unschooling approach makes use of it in a far more effective way.
Unschooling produces life-long learners
In school, learning is compartmentalized. You learn math during math class. You learn about literature during English. Schooled children come to equate "learning" with "academics". And since their experience with "academics" is often anxiety-producing, tedious and unenjoyable, they begin to think that learning is not fun. Unschoolers know this is not true. Learning is an integral part of every activity. Unschoolers see learning as pleasurable and themselves as highly competent to learn whatever they desire. Because they do not have the negative associations that many schooled children do, they enter the adult world enthusiastic about continuing to learn.
Unschooling leads to happy, successful individuals
In today's post-industrial society, the brightest and most successful thinkers believe that the leaders of tomorrow will need to be creative out-of-the-box thinkers. Entrepreneurs will be highly valued. Unschoolers enter adulthood with a strong set of these desirable skills. They have received the ultimate "liberal arts" education. They have developed a solid sense of competence. They know what their interests and passions are, and they know how to pursue those effectively.
Unschooling promotes deeper multi-generation connections within the family and community
When families spend time together pursuing passions and building a large base of shared experiences, the bond between parent and child and among siblings deepens in a way that children who spend thousands of hours away from the family are not able to experience. The benefits of such a close family relationship are innumerable.
Additionally, having been part of the "real world" all their lives, unschoolers are comfortable in relationships with people of varying ages. This allows them to connect more authentically in the larger community. There are greater opportunities for cultivating satisfying relationships, both personally and professionally.
Unschooling values the journey and enjoying the process
Schools are concerned with preparing students for the future. There is a preoccupation with product rather than process. The focus on high-stakes testing and grading sends the message that the outcome is to be valued over the journey. Unschoolers, on the other hand, focus on the joy of the journey. They believe that life is to be enjoyed and experienced now, rather than after graduation, and this allows children a level of self-expression and freedom that schooled children rarely attain.
About The Author:
Nicole R. Olson is the voice behind [http://unschoolers.org/]http://unschoolers.org/, a website dedicated to unschooling and radical unschooling. Nicole invites you to learn more about unschooling at [http://unschoolers.org/]Unschooling
(c) Copyright - Nicole R. Olson. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Unschool?&id=6552904] Why Unschool?
For many, unschooling is such a new and foreign concept that it can be a little scary to contemplate trying it. Rest assured that although it is unconventional, the unschooling approach is well-reasoned and has been successfully implemented by thousands of families world-wide.
As early as the 1970′s, teacher and researcher John Holt was criticizing traditional schooling and advocating the form of home learning that eventually became known as unschooling. Since then many others have added their voices, perhaps most notably the former New York State Teacher of the Year John Taylor Gatto.
Unschooling is based on sound theory
There is plenty of evidence supporting the idea that all people - children and adults alike - learn best when they are interested and engaged. In schools, this results in teachers attempting, with varying degrees of success, to make the predetermined curriculum somehow become interesting and engaging. Unschoolers, on the other hand, simply find out what is already interesting and engaging to a child, and then bring as much of that as possible into his/her world. Most everyone agrees on the basic premise; the unschooling approach makes use of it in a far more effective way.
Unschooling produces life-long learners
In school, learning is compartmentalized. You learn math during math class. You learn about literature during English. Schooled children come to equate "learning" with "academics". And since their experience with "academics" is often anxiety-producing, tedious and unenjoyable, they begin to think that learning is not fun. Unschoolers know this is not true. Learning is an integral part of every activity. Unschoolers see learning as pleasurable and themselves as highly competent to learn whatever they desire. Because they do not have the negative associations that many schooled children do, they enter the adult world enthusiastic about continuing to learn.
Unschooling leads to happy, successful individuals
In today's post-industrial society, the brightest and most successful thinkers believe that the leaders of tomorrow will need to be creative out-of-the-box thinkers. Entrepreneurs will be highly valued. Unschoolers enter adulthood with a strong set of these desirable skills. They have received the ultimate "liberal arts" education. They have developed a solid sense of competence. They know what their interests and passions are, and they know how to pursue those effectively.
Unschooling promotes deeper multi-generation connections within the family and community
When families spend time together pursuing passions and building a large base of shared experiences, the bond between parent and child and among siblings deepens in a way that children who spend thousands of hours away from the family are not able to experience. The benefits of such a close family relationship are innumerable.
Additionally, having been part of the "real world" all their lives, unschoolers are comfortable in relationships with people of varying ages. This allows them to connect more authentically in the larger community. There are greater opportunities for cultivating satisfying relationships, both personally and professionally.
Unschooling values the journey and enjoying the process
Schools are concerned with preparing students for the future. There is a preoccupation with product rather than process. The focus on high-stakes testing and grading sends the message that the outcome is to be valued over the journey. Unschoolers, on the other hand, focus on the joy of the journey. They believe that life is to be enjoyed and experienced now, rather than after graduation, and this allows children a level of self-expression and freedom that schooled children rarely attain.
About The Author:
Nicole R. Olson is the voice behind [http://unschoolers.org/]http://unschoolers.org/, a website dedicated to unschooling and radical unschooling. Nicole invites you to learn more about unschooling at [http://unschoolers.org/]Unschooling
(c) Copyright - Nicole R. Olson. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Unschool?&id=6552904] Why Unschool?
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Too Much School Work Already?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
Usually in the fall I get calls from parents who say they need to come in and see me. There's a sense of urgency in their voice. The story goes something like this. Their high school student is up early and starts her school work around 8:30 in morning. She stops for a brief lunch break and picks it up again until 4:30 or 5:00. On some occasions she even works a little longer. Day after day this experience repeats itself. The parent believes that if this continues, she will burn out or at least sour toward the home school experience.
So, what do I tell them? Actually, I usually ask a few questions to get a feel for what is behind this massive amount of work.
Generally, I have found that it's better for students to be too busy than not busy enough. They tend to manage their time better when there is a lot to do, when squandering time isn't an option. One of my clients, a senior preparing to test for his black belt in Taekwondo, told me that he had never gotten so much done in spite of the extended practices required to complete this final test.
A major difference between this student and the one I described earlier is that passion, to a large degree, was the driving motivation behind his packed schedule. Because of the great pleasure he got from the workouts, the mastery he experienced, and the well-deserved recognition, he didn't need to be goaded or coerced into this schedule. In other words, for a student who really loves horses, or let's say skate boarding, the parent rarely, and probably never has to say, "Now go ride your horse," or "I want to see you on your skateboard for another half an hour." "Now get to it!" This doesn't happen.
So, that's one thing I try to determine. If it's passion that's behind a lengthy school day, it's probably OK. If it's not, what else could it be?
There are three common causes that could be in play: perfectionism, an unbalanced need to please, and fear.
Perfectionism is strange to observe. It's the point of view that says, "If a job's worth doing, is worth doing right, and I'm the only one who knows what 'right' is." Sort of the opposite of the Nike slogan, "Just do it." What's strange about "perfectionism" is that it isn't always present in every context.
Thanks for Reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back [http://basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Too-Much-School-Work-Already?&id=6571749] Too Much School Work Already?
Usually in the fall I get calls from parents who say they need to come in and see me. There's a sense of urgency in their voice. The story goes something like this. Their high school student is up early and starts her school work around 8:30 in morning. She stops for a brief lunch break and picks it up again until 4:30 or 5:00. On some occasions she even works a little longer. Day after day this experience repeats itself. The parent believes that if this continues, she will burn out or at least sour toward the home school experience.
So, what do I tell them? Actually, I usually ask a few questions to get a feel for what is behind this massive amount of work.
Generally, I have found that it's better for students to be too busy than not busy enough. They tend to manage their time better when there is a lot to do, when squandering time isn't an option. One of my clients, a senior preparing to test for his black belt in Taekwondo, told me that he had never gotten so much done in spite of the extended practices required to complete this final test.
A major difference between this student and the one I described earlier is that passion, to a large degree, was the driving motivation behind his packed schedule. Because of the great pleasure he got from the workouts, the mastery he experienced, and the well-deserved recognition, he didn't need to be goaded or coerced into this schedule. In other words, for a student who really loves horses, or let's say skate boarding, the parent rarely, and probably never has to say, "Now go ride your horse," or "I want to see you on your skateboard for another half an hour." "Now get to it!" This doesn't happen.
So, that's one thing I try to determine. If it's passion that's behind a lengthy school day, it's probably OK. If it's not, what else could it be?
There are three common causes that could be in play: perfectionism, an unbalanced need to please, and fear.
Perfectionism is strange to observe. It's the point of view that says, "If a job's worth doing, is worth doing right, and I'm the only one who knows what 'right' is." Sort of the opposite of the Nike slogan, "Just do it." What's strange about "perfectionism" is that it isn't always present in every context.
Thanks for Reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Please feel free to forward this to home schoolers you think would benefit. Also, you have permission to copy this article to your blogs, forums, social network pages, or other websites. We only ask that you provide the live link at the bottom of the article that leads back [http://basicskills.net/index.html]www.basicskills.net.
Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Too-Much-School-Work-Already?&id=6571749] Too Much School Work Already?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Homeschool Advantage - Five Benefits of Homeschooling
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Donielle_Schipper]Donielle Schipper
Are you frustrated with the results that your children are getting through their public or private schooling? Are you concerned about the education that they are getting? Have you heard of the homeschool advantage?
Consider the benefits of homeschooling. When you commit to giving your child the best education through homeschooling, you will have what is called the homeschool advantage. Many colleges are more than excited to have homeschool students enroll in their classes, because they have found that these children often have a better education than students of other forms of schooling.
As a graduate of homeschooling, as well as a homeschooling parent, I have a little experience in this area and have listed here the top five advantages of homeschooling:
Homeschool Advantage #1: One of my favorite benefits of homeschooling is the flexible schedule that it allows. I love being able to change things around when the need arises. There are many examples I could give, but just recently our homeschool schedule has had to endure a few changes.
I have a 5 month old, and as all mothers know, babies at this age just don't have the whole "nighttime is for sleeping" thing figured out quite yet. So the last few nights here have been pretty much sleepless ones for me.
Normally, I try to get the school day started at around 7:30 or 8 in the morning. But because of the strange sleeping schedule, I've changed that to more like a 10:30 to 11am start.
Sure, the kids get their schoolwork finished a little later than I'd like, but it is a trade-off I'm willing to accept. If I can get just an hour of extra sleep, my attitude and level of patience is so much better.
Homeschool Advantage #2: Because I want the best for my children, I want to be able to choose their curriculum. Why should I let a teacher or a education counsel do that for me? They may want their school to do well academically, but I want my CHILD to do well academically.
I know there are exceptions to this. Not every school is only focused on the school's scores. But with homeschooling, you are able to pick and choose exactly what you want to teach your kids.
As a Christian, this homeschool advantage is vital to me. For example, I do not want my children to be taught that we evolved from apes. I want them to learn all the theories on the origin of the universe and to be able to discern for themselves the most logical theory (not to mention the most Biblical).
Ultimately, I want to be able to use the curriculum that best suits my children and their learning strengths. In a school system, this is just not possible. Every child in a classroom is taught from the same books in a school setting, whether or not they are actually learning well from that teaching style.
Homeschool Advantage #3: That leads me to a third benefit of homeschooling, which is being able to let the kids learn at their own pace. If you have more than one child, you know how different each of your children are. The learning abilities of each child are as different as their personalities.
This is abundantly clear in my family with my two oldest children. One is in 3rd grade and the other in 2nd. The 3rd grader has always been an extremely fast learner. She was reading on her own by the end of 1st grade. She was able to do all of her assignments almost completely on her own, with just a few questions here and there.
However, my 2nd grader is still needing me to read almost all of his assignments to him. He is able to do the work, but he is just not at the reading level that I had gotten used to with my 3rd grader. So instead of stressing about it, I've learned to go at his pace. He is improving daily with his reading abilities, just at a slower pace than his sister.
In a "normal" school setting, my son would have been held back a grade, or worse, put into a special education class. I know that just being in a class like that or being held back would have really hurt his self-image. He thrives better on encouragement and one-on-one guidance, which would not be available to him in a school setting. So this homeschool advantage is invaluable for my son.
Homeschool Advantage #4: Does your family travel a lot? My family doesn't any more, but we used to with my husband's old job. He used to go to Food Conventions to find vendors for the gas station he was a managing. Because my kids are homeschooled, we were able to have the freedom to travel with him to these conventions and spend fun time at the hotels.
My children's favorite part was being able to sample all the yummy food, and of course being able to swim in the indoor pools at the hotels! My favorite part was being able to continue their education while still enjoying spending time together as a family. We would bring the books we needed for the few days we were gone. The kids were given the incentive to finish their schoolwork so that they could go play in the pool. It worked like a charm!
If my children had been in a "regular" school, we would have missed out on these fun times. We would have had to stay behind as my husband fulfilled his role as manager, because I would not be able to just pull them out of their classes for several weeks out of the year.
Homeschool Advantage #5: Because of the homeschool advantage of being able to travel, the added bonus of family closeness is nurtured. We don't have to be apart, because we can bring school with us.
Now, my kids are still pretty young at this point, so I don't experience what families with older children do. My kids are not running off in all different directions with their extracurricular activities. But that is not really what I am talking about as far as family closeness.
What I am referring to is what happens when the children are grown and have lives of their own. How does homeschooling affect these years? Well, since I was homeschooled as a child, I can attest to the closeness I continue to feel towards my parents as an adult.
I didn't experience the peer pressure of other children telling me how my parents were "stupid" and that they didn't know anything. I grew up with a healthy relationship with my parents, understanding that they knew what was best for me and were doing their best to give me a homeschool advantage!
I hope this list has given you some encouragement, whether you are thinking of starting homeschooling or you are a veteran homeschooler. Knowing the advantages of homeschooling can be a great reminder that the work we are doing for our children is totally worth it!
If you are a homeschooler and have experienced some benefits of homeschooling in your life or your children's lives, please share them in the comment box. I'd love to hear your story!
I am a stay at home mother of five children. I love homechooling my children and teaching them to live healthy lives. I enjoy staying healthy and fit and love helping others to do the same!
Please visit [http://www.donielleschipper.com]Superfit Homeschool Mom and join me on my fitness journey!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Homeschool-Advantage---Five-Benefits-of-Homeschooling&id=6574379] The Homeschool Advantage - Five Benefits of Homeschooling
Are you frustrated with the results that your children are getting through their public or private schooling? Are you concerned about the education that they are getting? Have you heard of the homeschool advantage?
Consider the benefits of homeschooling. When you commit to giving your child the best education through homeschooling, you will have what is called the homeschool advantage. Many colleges are more than excited to have homeschool students enroll in their classes, because they have found that these children often have a better education than students of other forms of schooling.
As a graduate of homeschooling, as well as a homeschooling parent, I have a little experience in this area and have listed here the top five advantages of homeschooling:
Homeschool Advantage #1: One of my favorite benefits of homeschooling is the flexible schedule that it allows. I love being able to change things around when the need arises. There are many examples I could give, but just recently our homeschool schedule has had to endure a few changes.
I have a 5 month old, and as all mothers know, babies at this age just don't have the whole "nighttime is for sleeping" thing figured out quite yet. So the last few nights here have been pretty much sleepless ones for me.
Normally, I try to get the school day started at around 7:30 or 8 in the morning. But because of the strange sleeping schedule, I've changed that to more like a 10:30 to 11am start.
Sure, the kids get their schoolwork finished a little later than I'd like, but it is a trade-off I'm willing to accept. If I can get just an hour of extra sleep, my attitude and level of patience is so much better.
Homeschool Advantage #2: Because I want the best for my children, I want to be able to choose their curriculum. Why should I let a teacher or a education counsel do that for me? They may want their school to do well academically, but I want my CHILD to do well academically.
I know there are exceptions to this. Not every school is only focused on the school's scores. But with homeschooling, you are able to pick and choose exactly what you want to teach your kids.
As a Christian, this homeschool advantage is vital to me. For example, I do not want my children to be taught that we evolved from apes. I want them to learn all the theories on the origin of the universe and to be able to discern for themselves the most logical theory (not to mention the most Biblical).
Ultimately, I want to be able to use the curriculum that best suits my children and their learning strengths. In a school system, this is just not possible. Every child in a classroom is taught from the same books in a school setting, whether or not they are actually learning well from that teaching style.
Homeschool Advantage #3: That leads me to a third benefit of homeschooling, which is being able to let the kids learn at their own pace. If you have more than one child, you know how different each of your children are. The learning abilities of each child are as different as their personalities.
This is abundantly clear in my family with my two oldest children. One is in 3rd grade and the other in 2nd. The 3rd grader has always been an extremely fast learner. She was reading on her own by the end of 1st grade. She was able to do all of her assignments almost completely on her own, with just a few questions here and there.
However, my 2nd grader is still needing me to read almost all of his assignments to him. He is able to do the work, but he is just not at the reading level that I had gotten used to with my 3rd grader. So instead of stressing about it, I've learned to go at his pace. He is improving daily with his reading abilities, just at a slower pace than his sister.
In a "normal" school setting, my son would have been held back a grade, or worse, put into a special education class. I know that just being in a class like that or being held back would have really hurt his self-image. He thrives better on encouragement and one-on-one guidance, which would not be available to him in a school setting. So this homeschool advantage is invaluable for my son.
Homeschool Advantage #4: Does your family travel a lot? My family doesn't any more, but we used to with my husband's old job. He used to go to Food Conventions to find vendors for the gas station he was a managing. Because my kids are homeschooled, we were able to have the freedom to travel with him to these conventions and spend fun time at the hotels.
My children's favorite part was being able to sample all the yummy food, and of course being able to swim in the indoor pools at the hotels! My favorite part was being able to continue their education while still enjoying spending time together as a family. We would bring the books we needed for the few days we were gone. The kids were given the incentive to finish their schoolwork so that they could go play in the pool. It worked like a charm!
If my children had been in a "regular" school, we would have missed out on these fun times. We would have had to stay behind as my husband fulfilled his role as manager, because I would not be able to just pull them out of their classes for several weeks out of the year.
Homeschool Advantage #5: Because of the homeschool advantage of being able to travel, the added bonus of family closeness is nurtured. We don't have to be apart, because we can bring school with us.
Now, my kids are still pretty young at this point, so I don't experience what families with older children do. My kids are not running off in all different directions with their extracurricular activities. But that is not really what I am talking about as far as family closeness.
What I am referring to is what happens when the children are grown and have lives of their own. How does homeschooling affect these years? Well, since I was homeschooled as a child, I can attest to the closeness I continue to feel towards my parents as an adult.
I didn't experience the peer pressure of other children telling me how my parents were "stupid" and that they didn't know anything. I grew up with a healthy relationship with my parents, understanding that they knew what was best for me and were doing their best to give me a homeschool advantage!
I hope this list has given you some encouragement, whether you are thinking of starting homeschooling or you are a veteran homeschooler. Knowing the advantages of homeschooling can be a great reminder that the work we are doing for our children is totally worth it!
If you are a homeschooler and have experienced some benefits of homeschooling in your life or your children's lives, please share them in the comment box. I'd love to hear your story!
I am a stay at home mother of five children. I love homechooling my children and teaching them to live healthy lives. I enjoy staying healthy and fit and love helping others to do the same!
Please visit [http://www.donielleschipper.com]Superfit Homeschool Mom and join me on my fitness journey!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Homeschool-Advantage---Five-Benefits-of-Homeschooling&id=6574379] The Homeschool Advantage - Five Benefits of Homeschooling
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Maximized Childcare Training Room For Early Childhood Education Centers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Gozun]Glenn Gozun
Early childhood education is focused on providing kids with the appropriate learning suitable for their age. Experts who teach this education to children find it simple because of all the resources they can use while they're in the facility. Among these resources are their rooms in a facility.
Rooms in these centers are maximized to help meet a child's educational needs. These facilities have different areas that are made to help children with their needs as they stay in the facility like the following.
Room for playing
Playing is the primary mode of learning for kids such as teachers incorporating learning with playing to keep kids interested in early childhood education, as well playing with the help of educational toys will surely help kids learn various things. This room is filled with different toys that aid learning for kids. They can allow kids to play or even run in this area and have fun with their classmates. Since this place is for kids who will play, they must be kept safe all the time by removing objects that can hurt kids. Instructors usually check up this location before class to prevent potential accidents to children and let them enjoy their classes.
Room for reading
Some children are very interested to early childhood education and would spend their time learning different things. They don't usually play with other kids but devote themselves to reading. This makes it important for facilities to have a designated area for reading. Kids can spend some time in these areas and read various books.
These areas in the school are also used by teachers for their book reading programs and classes aside from personal reading. Teachers can easily read book and with children listening to them because of the space provided for this area. This will help kids learn while even bringing their interest back because of their stories. Early childhood education experts can do a great deal of things in these facilities to ensure learning.
Room for resting
Students will be in the facility in the morning and even for the whole day if their parents will not be around to get them. With this in mind, facilities also have a good area where children can rest during nap times or while waiting for their parents. Kids should be comfortable while staying in this area that's why they designed it properly to make sure kids can lie down and sleep. This early childhood education facility also has a space in any case they need to take care of an infant. Having this area will definitely allow children to have a good location where they can rest and be ready for the next set of lessons or play time within the day.
Without a doubt, a childcare facility has numerous areas that will be useful for kids who will stay in their facility. The good thing is these facilities are properly maintained with the help of experts who work in the facility to ensure children will learn fast while enjoying each day of their classes. [http://childcaretraining.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/childcare-training-programs/]Childcare Training Info Center has everything you need to make your life easier as you begin your career as a childcare professional. The site features state specific training requirements for early childhood education and a step-by-step overview of a typical hiring process, potential employers and interviews to help you get hired. And it also provide a complete range of accredited childcare courses and [http://childcaretraininginfo.tumblr.com/]childcare workers.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Maximized-Childcare-Training-Room-For-Early-Childhood-Education-Centers&id=6577474] Maximized Childcare Training Room For Early Childhood Education Centers
Early childhood education is focused on providing kids with the appropriate learning suitable for their age. Experts who teach this education to children find it simple because of all the resources they can use while they're in the facility. Among these resources are their rooms in a facility.
Rooms in these centers are maximized to help meet a child's educational needs. These facilities have different areas that are made to help children with their needs as they stay in the facility like the following.
Room for playing
Playing is the primary mode of learning for kids such as teachers incorporating learning with playing to keep kids interested in early childhood education, as well playing with the help of educational toys will surely help kids learn various things. This room is filled with different toys that aid learning for kids. They can allow kids to play or even run in this area and have fun with their classmates. Since this place is for kids who will play, they must be kept safe all the time by removing objects that can hurt kids. Instructors usually check up this location before class to prevent potential accidents to children and let them enjoy their classes.
Room for reading
Some children are very interested to early childhood education and would spend their time learning different things. They don't usually play with other kids but devote themselves to reading. This makes it important for facilities to have a designated area for reading. Kids can spend some time in these areas and read various books.
These areas in the school are also used by teachers for their book reading programs and classes aside from personal reading. Teachers can easily read book and with children listening to them because of the space provided for this area. This will help kids learn while even bringing their interest back because of their stories. Early childhood education experts can do a great deal of things in these facilities to ensure learning.
Room for resting
Students will be in the facility in the morning and even for the whole day if their parents will not be around to get them. With this in mind, facilities also have a good area where children can rest during nap times or while waiting for their parents. Kids should be comfortable while staying in this area that's why they designed it properly to make sure kids can lie down and sleep. This early childhood education facility also has a space in any case they need to take care of an infant. Having this area will definitely allow children to have a good location where they can rest and be ready for the next set of lessons or play time within the day.
Without a doubt, a childcare facility has numerous areas that will be useful for kids who will stay in their facility. The good thing is these facilities are properly maintained with the help of experts who work in the facility to ensure children will learn fast while enjoying each day of their classes. [http://childcaretraining.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/childcare-training-programs/]Childcare Training Info Center has everything you need to make your life easier as you begin your career as a childcare professional. The site features state specific training requirements for early childhood education and a step-by-step overview of a typical hiring process, potential employers and interviews to help you get hired. And it also provide a complete range of accredited childcare courses and [http://childcaretraininginfo.tumblr.com/]childcare workers.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Maximized-Childcare-Training-Room-For-Early-Childhood-Education-Centers&id=6577474] Maximized Childcare Training Room For Early Childhood Education Centers
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