(on) The Road (to becoming a) Scholar: April 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011

A few book suggestions

I went book shopping at Border's Going-Out-of-Business sale. I didn't expect to find much (and neither did my husband, which is why I think he let me go ;-) but I did. I saved 60%. I've only browsed most of them, but started reading Here's Looking at Euclid by Alex Bellos, which is a fun, Right-Brain way of looking at Math. Anyone who loves Math will love it, too. I'm only through the first chapter so far and loving it (I love Math, though!)

CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! The following was a book I bought for me. I do NOT recommend it, but I cannot return it and thought that I would warn you so you don't make the same mistake as me (even though you probably wouldn't.) It is NOT for children's eyes as I realized after I got it home that it has some adult language in it. The book is called X-Treme Latin: All the Latin You Need to Know For Surviving the 21st Century by Henry Beard I'm not a visual person, so I did not even notice the picture on the front was of Roman soldiers making several offensive hand gestures. See, I told you you would never make that mistake. Seriously, I am so not a visual person that just missed me. What sold me was the chapter entitled "Latin for Trekkies" as my kiddos and husband are big Star Trek fans. While it is a shame I cannot return it (due to the foul language and cover art), there is some really funny stuff in there that I WILL give my kids to translate as they get further on in their Latin studies because they appreciate humor like this for when we're studying Roman History (like the books never written in Boy's Life Magazine):

Semper, Gallia C. Iulius Caesar scripsit (translation - Toujours, Gaul by Julius Caeser)

E Troia Viri, Ex Graecia Feminae Oriuntur P. Virgilius Maro scripsit (translation Men Are from Troy, Women Are from Greece by Virgil)

Let's just call it making lemonade out of lemons, shall we?

Next is for my son, who when he approaches his fellow scouts with a particular look on his face hears, "Nate's random fact time!" We all know the look. And I just gave him some more material. My education background is in Physics (lasers and fiber optics, actually). So, anything that will get my kids interested in Physics is a go, especially when it's 60% off. The Instant Physicist: An Illustrated Guide by Richard A. Muller is a hoot and information packed to boot. My kids found out that organic food causes cancer because the produce that is naturally resistant to bugs (cause it kills the bugs and pests that eat it) is because it contains certain poisons, that when we eat enough of them build up in our system. Produce naturally resistant to pests contains natural poisons as a protection mechanism. While eating a little won't kill us (because we're a lot bigger than a bug), eventually it might. So, see? You just learned something to!

In high school, I did everything I could to avoid biology. Not because I didn't want to dissect a frog. I did that in Anatomy and Physiology along with cow eye balls, fetal pigs and some-animal-I-can't-remember hearts. I did it because it was a repeat of what I had learned in 7th and 8th grade Science (and I knew already.) I am a Science girl, if I'm anything, so I just really didn't want to take it. I took Ecology instead of Biology. That was fun because we mucked around in ponds and creeks taking fish samples. So, I really appreciated both the conciseness of the following book and the humor. Painless Life Science by Joyce Thorton Barry (for which I can't find an Amazon link, so I used the Biology link instead) is a hoot. It's totally right brained with funny illustrations, hints and quizzes. It will be our 7th/8th grade Science class next year before we move into serious Science. I will use that and the Earth Science book.

There are more I will have to chronicle later. The trip was a treat because I brought a good friend with me who also home schools her five children.

Lastly, I did want to tell you that I just finished Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo I loved it. As a Catholic, I was not surprised that this little book that tells the story of a boy's three minutes in Heaven with Jesus, would not talk of Purgatory. However, it's credible (putting on my logic glasses) as it's clear in the book that God's time is not the same as Earth time. I really enjoyed the story. I will be reading it aloud to my kids and we will be discussing it within the framework of Catholicism. It's an easy read and the chapters were short, making for a good read-aloud book in our house.

The Road Scholar

Cathie and her husband are blessed with six children and have home educated them since 2003. Before children, Cathie developed curricula and taught classes for adults around the world on a variety of topics in the computer industry at the corporate and technical school level. She loves to develop curricula, teach homeschool co-op classes and organize book clubs. For five years, she held board positions on a large homeschool support group such as general coordinator, membership coordinator and advisory member.

Workshops, Presentations and Seminars

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Topics:

Beginning Homeschooling - Beyond the Basics

Are you new to homeschooling? Where do you start? How do you ensure a very good (not just adequate) homeschooling experience, especially in that important first year? This practical how-to session will help you determine the appropriate first steps on your homeschooling adventure. We'll talk about picking a curriculum, scheduling and strategies for developing an independent child as well as strengthening your family and social relationships.

Get Your Game On!
Using EASY, Almost No-Fuss Games to Help Keep Learning Fun

Kids love games and so much is gained by playing games: learning to taking turns, good sportsmanship, patience and development of relationships. By using games, we can tailor to the needs of the child - not just academically, but socially, too. Come join in the fun yourself and learn how easy it is to put together games for your children—and you don't have to be creative to do it, either! Besides learning how, you will walk away with instructions, tips and resources to make your own games at home.

How to Get Your Kids to See the Light (or Feel it or Hear it)!

Teaching different learning modalities requires different tactics. Learn how to determine which modality your child uses and find ways to present material so that it sticks the first time, especially if it is different than your own learning modality.

This Old Schoolhouse

The school marms and school masters of yesteryear taught several children at different levels and formed many of our favorite American heroes. We will look back at how those school marms ran their one room schools and take some tips on making our school days more successful. We’ll talk about schedules, curriculum, discipline, independence, character development and motivation for the one room school in your home.

Socrates Meets Homeschool Mom

If Socrates could teach you one thing, it would be to use his method (the Socratic Method) for literary analysis. This presentation addresses the fundamentals of literary interpretation from within the accessible world of children’s literature, so even young students can easily identify the language of literary analysis. As they mature they will readily spot these fundamentals in more difficult works, enriching both their understanding of the literature and their appreciation for the author’s handiwork. Learn the aspects of literary analysis and how to help kids appreciate and find the meaning in all the great books they read.

The Motivation Myth

What do sticker charts, time-outs and spelling bees have in common? They are examples of “Carrots and Sticks.” Over the last 40 years, study after study has shown that "Carrots and Sticks" don't work for long term motivation, especially when thought is required in the process. How are you motivating and inspiring your kids to study, do chores and reach goals? Learn about what truly motivates kids, how to mentor them and help them become successful in their endeavors. I will dispel the myths and reveal truths about human motivation and mindset. And here’s a hint. It’s you, not them. I hope you will join me to find out what that means.