(on) The Road (to becoming a) Scholar: In Search of Mark and Janice Vreeland of Family Learning

Friday, June 4, 2010

In Search of Mark and Janice Vreeland of Family Learning

For those that attended my games workshop, I had promised to try and contact Mark and Janice Vreeland that had written that great workbook called "Games...Tools for Learning" that I had gotten at a one day workshop back in 2003. I have tried google searching them, tried their web site, email all to no avail. So, if anyone out there has a copy of "Games...Tools for Learning" that they would like to unload, I know some buyers. I'm happy to act as a go between.

For those interested in further information on a full games workshop that I provide, that would include a workbook and time to create games with other moms, please contact me. The talk I gave at the conference was based on my workshop. My workshop is not like Mark and Janice's. Their seminar was a full day. I do my seminar in 3 hours and you go home with a booklet of quick and easy games. Mark and Janice almost created curriculum out of their games. I don't go that far and I don't use many of their ideas. I have a very different approach and we will have LOTS of fun.

I love doing the workshop and I think it's important, more so for the mom than the kids. Games give moms as much of a needed break as it does for kids. Mom? When was the last time you could say you really had fun teaching a subject? Playing a game with your kids on the subjects they need to learn will help restore our "love of teaching" as much as the kids "love of learning."

I don't charge much for the workshop, just the cost for the workbooks and my travel costs. My only request is that you have at least 5 people so the copy costs are reasonable. I get a discount for bulk copying. So, please let me know via the combox if you are interested. It would be my pleasure to do the workshop for you.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: How much do you charge for the game workshop? I belong to a homeschool group of 5 families (but more might attend). We all live in the Little Falls area. Also, in your "Beginning Homeschooling" Workshop you mentioned that if you have the internet you can homeschool for free. I would like to learn more about that! I am planning on homeschooling my daughter who will be in Kindergarten this Fall and I need any advice or direction you can offer! I attended 2 of your talks at the Catholic homeschool conference, but had to stand in the hall for both because of my infant so I didn't get to see your slides or hear all of what you had to say. I was so happy to hear that your kids stay up until 10:00 p.m. and that you don't start school until 9:00 a.m. We have late nights here too because of my husband's schedule and the thought of starting school early in the morning is not appealing. Now I know it's ok to start at whenever time is best for my family. That's one of the advantages of homeschooling!; June 9, 2010 at 2:36 PM
The Road Scholar said...: HI! I'll run the numbers for the games workshop at Kinkos and let you know what the cost would by tonight! We will be in Upsala, MN in July. I might be able to swing a workshop in while we're there. Would your group be willing to meet on a Sunday afternoon for the workshop, though? Please let me know!

I could tie in a talk on free homeschooling with the games talk, if you like. I will start a new post on free homeschooling, too.

God bless!; June 9, 2010 at 4:20 PM
The Road Scholar said...: I just ran the numbers and the manual and supplies for the workshop would run approximately $7-9 per person. The cost includes the manual, and supplies to make a game. I could also just send a list of material a person would need to make the game (fairly simple) and keep the cost to about $7-8 a person.

Let me know if that works and if Sunday afternoon is an option in July.; June 9, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Joy said...: Thank you so much for responding! If you could tie in a talk on free homeschooling with your games workshop, that would be great! I think the cost for the workshop sounds incredibly reasonable and meeting on a Sunday works for me. I will talk to the other moms in the group and get back to you as soon as I know more. This is super exciting!

P.S. I had to sign as anonymous because I could not get a username and password to work or the word verification. I'll try to sign with my name.; June 11, 2010 at 11:25 PM
The Road Scholar said...: Joy,

Feel free to contact me at:
cmbaier at gmail dot com
and we'll see if the date works.

Thanks!; June 14, 2010 at 10:50 PM

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

To arrange a presentation for your homeschool group or convention contact me here.

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.