Patti's Homeschool Mentoring

Ms. Patti's Love of Learning, Community Home School Has Openings!

Hello Families,   

I'm starting my "Love of Learning", Community Home School again this fall and I have two  openings for ages 5 through 13, with a total of eight kids participating.

 I would also consider a pre-school age child who is ready to be a part of a group. Our Community Homeschool school is a Classical Liberal Arts learning environment, inspired by the TJEd philosophy, aka: Leadership Education.  We'll use resouces and techniques from, Waldorf, Montessori, Charlotte Mason and Classical approaches. We'll also sprinkle in field trips and some fun local  learning activities during our afternoons together.

 

On the Learning Agenda:

Math using Professor and Real Life Math: http://www.profb.com/Home.aspx,

Life of Fred for upper Math: http://lifeoffredmath.com/lof2.php

Charolette Mason Language Arts:  http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/hearing-and-reading-telling-and-writing-a-charlotte-mason-language-arts-handbook/

First Language Lessons: http://cathyduffyreviews.com/grammar-composition/first-language-lessons.htm 

Sequential Spelling: http://cathyduffyreviews.com/spelling-vocabulary/sequential-spelling.htm  

Powerglide Spanish, Mon @ 12:30 with Ms. Astrid:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R1M5X9T8AA0D8G/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R1M5X9T8AA0D8G

Inspired by, Classical Conversations History, US Geography and Music Memory Work with Ms. Michele and Ms. Patti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6CJdROEQE&feature=related 

Competiting in the National GEO Bee,  with Ms. Patti  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/

KidsTek Lego Learning, Wed @ 4pm: http://kidsteklearning.com/ ,

Science with Ms. Patti &  Online with Ms. Aura  @ http://www.sciencelearningspace.com/ 

 Soft Art & Waldorf Handwork, Fri @3:30pm with Ms. Allie & Ms. Patti:  http://mommychick.typepad.com/handwork_tv/ 
 "Patti empowers the children to find their own answers, often allowing their own wonder to lead them and, unknown to the children, finding ways to facilitate each child's discoveries through doing, seeking, conversing, playing, working and being exposed to great mentors. 

This community of children often come away with knowing that wasn't really taught, but was felt, experienced, lived, and internalized in a way rote learning can never imitate. Then they are encouraged to mentor others into the same kind of experience, bringing their own talents to the process. 

It's totally magical and a wondrous thing so see kids allowed to work and grow in her organic and well informed learning environment.”

~~Miranda B. Norris, Homeschool mom of three and owner of Miranda's Art of Living:   http://mirandasartofliving.squarespace.com/

 *Please note, the curriculum and resources we use will depend on the make up of the group.  I will be more than happy to take a look at, and possibly incorporate, any favorites your family has.  

 "I spend my days in the company of classic books and children, mine and other people's; In a wholesome, full of real life skills, artistic, hands on, imaginative, literature based, life learning environment. I am blessed everyday to see the light in children's eyes as they embrace the tools used for discovering their world .   This is probably the most soulful work in the world and it brings me much joy, even after 20 years of doing it!"  ~~patti

  Starting September 7th, 2011 

We'll meet Mon, Wed and Fri, Noon until 5:30pm at my home on Marco Island. 

**Parents are welcome to stay, help or drop off every day, one day or sometimes.  

This is a good opportunity to see "homeschooling" in action for those of you just starting out!    

 I'll be happy to accommodate those parents picking up their children on the way home from work with a later or earlier pick up time if needed. 

 For those families coming from Naples, we're starting a car pool to make the drive easier. With a north and south Naples pick up stop.  

 Our schedule will follow the public school calendar.

 

Tuesday's and Thursday's the students are welcome to join me in my other community co-op's.     

 About Tuesday's & Thursday's:

 Tuesday's we run an Organic Food Buying Club out of my home and the students will participate in running the club.  This is a unique and wonderful opportunity to get hands on life skills such as,  introduction to business, management. purchasing, real life math,  food preparation, nutrition, health and cooking.    

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marco-Island-Organics-Buying-Club/116273551783526 

 On Thursday's we host our TJEd MoM School which is going into it's fifth year! 

We meet on the 2nd,  4th and 5th (if applicalble) Thursday of each month.  

The students in our Love of Learning, Community Home School are welcome to participate in our Classical Liberal Arts & Life Skills, TJEd inspired study groups on Thursday's.    

 See: www.TJEd.org to learn more about the TJEd Philosophy and Patti's Homeschooling Blog to see one of our Thursday's in action:

http://homeschoolmentoring.typepad.com/pattis-homeschool-mentor/mommy-school/ 

**The families participating in my Love of Learning Community Home School are setting up a rotating babysitting schedule for the 1st and 3rd Thusday' of each month to accomidate those parents who are working and are in need of child care.      

To learn more about me and my background, my educational and child development philosophy and our TJEd Mom School, stop by my Blog and Facebook page  where you can read my bio's.  You'll also see photos of our Love of Learning, Community Home School in action!                                                                                                                   

 Go to: Patti's Homeschool Mentoring Blog:  

 http://homeschoolmentoring.typepad.com/pattis-homeschool-mentor/mommy-school/

 Patti's Homeschool Mentoring Facebook page with photos with comments,  you'll have to click on "see all photos" at the top right hand side to see the entire collection of albums:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pattis-homeschool-Mentoring/151966768152952?ref=sgm  

 

All participating families are required to read: Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning http://www.tjed.org/purchase/ebooks.  With particular attention paid to the Love of Learning phase.  This will give you a feel for how we will spend our afternoons learning together.  

I also request that each family participate in a daily classical book family read in their home and that TV and sugar be extremely limited, thereby enhancing your child's academic journey!      

 Contact me to receive my background information, testimonials and references or to discuss curriculum and your child's needs.  

 If you know of a family that might be interested, please feel free to forward this e-mail.  

~~:-)p

 Dear Patti,

     I cannot convey to you with enough enthusiasm the positive impact you have had on me and my children's lives through participating in your TJED program. Your leadership, mentoring and love for all of my children has made me a better mom, teacher and mentor.

     The way you have nurtured and educated each of my four children and myself has added so much more richness to our home school time at home. I am not worried about pounding facts anymore but, instead, am letting them experience the joy of learning. You have showed me that every

corner has not only a life experience but also a learning experience. My children have also benefited from your love of teaching by embracing new experiences without fear. They forge ahead now just to see what will happen versus being afraid of making a mistake.

     The result of being part of your program for over two years is apparent in the love and excitement my children have shown for "typical" boring material like the Laws of Motion, Inertia, knitting, felting and especially art and literature. Your style of teaching has grown my children and allowed them the down time to enjoy the world around them.

     I think what my daughter stated (my other three boys agreed with her) as we were driving to your house after a four month hiatus from your Thursday Coop says it all. She said,

"Mommy, I feel like we are going home."   Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Sincerely,

Michele B. Homeschooling Mom 

Testimonial from a mom who participates in our Mom School

Dear Patti,

My son and I have come on and off to your TJED program for the last 3 years (I think!) You've always welcome us back with warm arms and we thank you for that.

We love your house. It is a treasure of knowledge: from the materials that you use, to the people you surround yourself with, to you and your willingness to share what you know with all of us.

As a fairly novice homeschooler I am always looking for insights from the “expert-moms” and I know I can count on you for advices.

I use to think that homeschooling meant being a teacher to my son with strict schedule and boring lessons. You taught me to take my time and to have fun with it.

You also taught me something that I lacked big time: patience! You might not know it but as I watched you every week interact with all the children, I grew more confident in my ability to be a mentor to my son and therefore I became more patient.

You are truly a mentor, to the children and to us moms. You radiate around kids as they do around you.  We love you and your family.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you give and for your love of learning and teaching.

 

Magali Willar.

Homeschooler Mom

October 2011

 

Creative Friday, Soft Art with Alison.
Join us as we learn to knit, sew, felt, weave, spin, work with wool, etc...
This hand work circle is geared to older students or younger who are ready.
Friday's at 3pm starting 9/16 at my home.
Love Offering & material fee.

KidsTek Lego Learning Classes. We had 14 kids ages 6 through 13 participate!

KidsTek Lego Math Class for Islanders & Ms. Patti's Love of Learning, Community Home School is a Go!

      What two very famous engineers built their very first server equipment out of spare parts and used brightly colored LEGOs to build the casing for their external hard drive? Yup, It was Larry Page and and Sergey Brian founders of GOOGLE. In Fact Larry Page as a kid used Legos to build a working ink jet printer. Kids Love playing with LEGOS and so do we...

KidsTek Learning, LLC  John Van Gilder  Tel. 239-961-0935  johnv@kidsteklearning.com  www.kidsteklearning.com   
 We had 14 kids ages 6 through 13 join us Wednesday and we have room for two more!

 

 

Using Legos, KidsTek Learning introduces children from Kindergarten to 12th grade, to the principals and application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Building working models they can see, touch, and experiment with, gives children a deeper understanding of these principles. Our goal at KidsTek Learning is to instill a passion for learning within our students, and to cultivate a better understanding of how things work.

 OVERVIEW:

 Our goal at KidsTek Learning is to encourage curiosity and self reliance within our students, with the ultimate goal of instilling in them a passion for learning and a “what if?” way of thinking. Our students, along with their teacher, work together building, learning and having FUN!

DESCRIPTION:

 All classes are hands-on with students working in teams of two.  Each week students are taught certain engineering, math, physics, and/or technology principles such as friction, force, inertia, potential/kinetic energy, measurement, etc. Then, by building one or more models, students see these principles come to life in what they’ve built. Students are further challenged to expand on their models as time allows. Each 8 week program of classes will be centered about certain themes such as “Elementary Machines” and “Forces and Motion” to name a couple.

All classes are designed based on students age and skill level.  All materials for model building are provided by KidsTek with most models using LEGOs components.

OUR PROGRAM?

 While exploring, imagining, and creating, our students will:

•       Develop problem solving skills
•       Develop critical thinking  skills
•       Learn how to work in teams
•       Develop organizational skills
•       Work on motor skills
•       Learn to follow directions
•       See a project through from start to finish
•       Have fun!

 

CLASSES

              All teachers have a background in engineering or teaching and a background check.

• Our homeschooling classes typically run from September to June but can be scheduled outside this time period to meet homeschooling needs. Our Summer/Winter camp programs run June, July, August, and December and consist of 1 week of half day or full day activities.
• Classes are 1 hour long, once a week with programs consisting of 8 back to back classes.
• Each 8 week program is $96 per student for the first child and $80 for each additional sibling if KidsTek Learning provides the class location, or $80 per student for the first child and $64 per student for each additional sibling if the class location is provided by the homeschooling organization.  At the end of each program the students will receive:  A certificate of completion, pictures of their models and a LEGO® minifigure.
• Students may sign up at the beginning of any 8 week program.
• Students do not take home LEGO® projects or pieces, since we use materials for other classes through out the year.
•  
•  
• Class starts Wednesday, Sept 14th @ 4pm and will run for 8 weeks in my home.  
• $80.00 per student ($10.00 per class. If your student misses a class they are still responsible for the total 8 week block of classes- fee of $80.00.)  
• 
  See you on Wednesday! ~~:-) patti

 

                         

  

  

 

TJEd Inspired Mom School 2nd, 4th and 5th Thursday’s of Each Month September through January 2011-2012 Schedule

TJEd Inspired Mom School

Leadership Education

2^nd, 4^th and 5^th Thursday’s of Each Month

September through January Schedule

 

Our motto's... Classics as Mentors, Inspire not Require....

Read it, think it, write it, discuss it and present it, then you own it!  

2^nd Thursday Schedule:

12-12:45: Arrive with full bellies.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

1-2pm: Love of Learners & Core: Classic Book Read Aloud Circle & Charlotte Mason Language Arts using GEO Book.  With Ms. Patti

1-2pm: Scholars: Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew & Latin Study Groups with Ms. Miranda _____________________________________________________________________________________

2:00-2:15 Break

2:15-3:30: Love of Learners: GEO Bee Study Group with Ms. Kelly

2:15-3:30: Core Group: Circle Time & Movement with Ms. Patti

2:15-3:30: Scholars: Art; Clay Wheel Work with Ms. Jessica.  Bring your wheels!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3:30-4:30: All Students: Snack; See List _____________________________________________________________________________________

4:30-5:30: Love of Learners & Core: Geo Bee Inspired, Handwork Circle; Knitting, Felting World Map, Lap Books,  Clay & Lego World Maps with Ms. Patti,  Ms. Miranda, Ms. Jessica & Ms. Kelly.  See supply list.  We’re going to set up stations with the different activities, and have one adult Mentor at each station. 

4:30-5:30: Scholars: US Government: Classic Read Aloud & Colloquium, The Law by, Bastiat with Mr. Jerry.  Students will need their Common Books each week and if they’d like to follow along with the read aloud, a copy of the book.   www. http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 5:30-6pm Everyone, Clean Up. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 
 4^th Thursday Schedule:

12-12:45: Arrive with full bellies.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

1-2pm: Love of Learners & Core: Classic Book Read Aloud Circle & Charlotte Mason Language Arts using GEO Book.  With Ms. Patti

1-2pm: Scholars: Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew & Latin Study Groups with Ms. Miranda _____________________________________________________________________________________

2-2:15 All Students: Break

2:15-3:30: Love of Learners:  Art; Clay Wheel Work with Ms. Jessica.  Bring your wheels!

2:15-3:30: Core Group: Circle Time & Movement with Ms. Patti

2:15-3:30: Scholars: Fine Art with Ms. Miranda.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3:30-4:30: All Students: Snack; See List _____________________________________________________________________________________

4:30-5:30: Love of Learners & Core: Geo Bee Handwork Circle; Knitting, Felting World Map, Lap Books, Clay & Lego World Maps with Ms. Patti,  Ms. Miranda, Ms. Jessica & Ms. Kelly.   See supply list.  We’re going to set up stations with the different activities, and have one adult Mentor at each station. 

4:30-5:30: Scholars: US Government: Classic Read Aloud & Colloquium, The Law by, Bastiat with Mr. Jerry.  Students will need their Common Books.  www. http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 5:30-6pm Everyone, Clean Up. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5^th Thursday’s through January

Thursday 9/29

12-12:45: Arrive with full bellies. _____________________________________________________________________________________

1-2pm: Love of Learners & Core: Classic Poetry, Book Read Aloud Circle & Charlotte Mason Language Arts using GEO Book.  With Ms. Patti

1-2pm: Scholars: Classic Poetry & Latin Study Groups with Ms. Miranda _____________________________________________________________________________________

2-2:30 All Students: Break

3:30-5:30 Core, Love of Learners & Scholars: A TJEd Mentor Workshop:

 Cooking and Health Workshop with Integrative Health Coach, Miranda B. Norris

www. http://mirandasartofliving.squarespace.com/

This event is open to the public.

Bring Snacks to Share

5:30-6pm Everyone, Clean Up

*There are no 5^th Thursday’s in October & November.

**Thursday 12/29, No TJEd Winter Break

Notes: We decided to break up the Love of Learning Study Groups, focusing on the GEO Bee for the first semester and Science after Winter Break.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 Supply List:

Art, Clay Wheel Work.  We’re purchasing about $120.00 worth of supplies.   

Shakespeare Study: The Taming of the Shrew books were $2.50 each.

Handwork Circle:  We’re purchasing Muslin to make our Tapestry World Maps, Felt and embroidery needles.  Estimated cost $50.00.    

We’re over-estimating the cost to be around $175.00

Aslo, we’re asking each family to bring in as many Legos as they can afford.  We are going to attempt to create a world & US map.  You can purchase boxes on e-bay, nothing fancy-just the basics.  Sorry, they won’t be returned but will be well loved and used by your kids at my house. 

We have 14 families @ $12.50 per family. 

I will pre-pay for all of the supplies.  You can pay in full when we get started or pay it out weekly.  Just let me know what is best for you. 

_____________________________________________________________________

 Weekly Snack List:

This is a food a list of what families will bring each week.  If you are not going to be here, please let me know so I can supply your item.  If you haven’t told me what you are bringing please e-mail me today.  We could use some more fruit, someone to do plates and cups and a healthy, sweetened by nature (honey, agave, and maple or rice syrup) cookie, brownie, cake etc…

Patti –Lemonade & Fill in for absent families.

Jessica- Apples and Mellon

Kim- x2 Baby Carrots & Veggie Dish

Marta -Raw Dish

Kelli S. – x 2 Cheese

Kelly O.- Whole Grain Crackers

Miranda- Hard Boiled Eggs & something

Magali -Hummus Dip

Christie-x2 Veggie Chips

Heather –Celery and Peanut Butter

Sheryl-Nuts

Melissa ?

Sarah B.-?

Christine?

Michelle?

_____________________________________________________________________

Our TJEd Inspired Mom School has openings in the Scholar Study Group (Middle & High School).  

Our Love of Learning and Core Study Groups are full (Elementary & Pre-K).  

A Testimonial from Miranda, A Mom I Have Worked With and Who's Children Attend My Co-ops...

"Patti empowers the children to find their own answers, often allowing their own wonder to lead them and, unknown to the children, finding ways to facilitate each child's discoveries through doing, seeking, conversing, playing, working andbeing exposed to great mentors. 

This community of children often come away with knowing that wasn't really taught, but was felt, experienced, lived, and internalized in a way rote learning can never imitate. Then they are encouraged to mentor others into the same kind of experience, bringing their own talents to the process. 

It's totally magical and a wondrous thing so see kids allowed to work and grow in her organic and well informed learning environment.”

~Miranda B. Norris, Homeschool Mom of Three and Owner of :   http://mirandasartofliving.squarespace.com/

Homeschooling: Getting Started- Popular & Favorite- Books, Resources & Methods

Homeschooling: Getting Started- Popular & Favorite- Books, Resources & Methods

 

 

Successful homeschoolers are constantly learning about child development & educational methods.

 

Almost every homeschooler I know is on a constant  growth and educational discovery journey!  As they go through the years, their constant companions are those wonderful, popular homeschooling books that you see over and over again on homeschool blogs, web sites and in alternative education magazines.   

 

Here is a compilation of all the best resources you will find on veteran homeschoolers book shelves...

Anything by John Holt, Charlotte Mason,  Oliver DeMille, Susan Wise Bauer , David Albert, Charolette Mason, Ruth Beechick, Raymond Moore & books and webs sites on Waldorf Education-(Rudolf Steiner) & Maria Montessori...

 

 "We're not trying to do "school at home." We're trying to do home school. These are two entirely different propositions. We're not trying to replicate the time, style, or content of the classroom. Rather, we're trying to cultivate a lifestyle of learning in which learning takes place from morning until bedtime, seven days each week. The "formal" portion of each teaching day is just the tip of the ice-burg!"

 

Popular Books & Homeschool Web Site Resources Links: :

 

A Thomas Jefferson Education

 Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning

A Thomas Jefferson Home Companion

The Student Whisperer

 

Here's a web site that explains the phases of learning and different educational systems that can help you choolse the direction you would like to educate your children in.  www.TJEd.org  

 

Awesome subscription web site that keeps you and your family learning! www.TJEdOnline.com

 

Charlotte Mason Original Homeschool Series: http://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Masons-Original-

 

Homeschooling-Mason/dp/1889209007

 

The Well Trained Mind, Susan Wise Bauer www.welltrainedmind.com/    

 

Waldorf Education-You Are Your Child’s First Teacher & The Christopherus 

Waldorf Curriculum Overview for Homeschoolers  http://www.christopherushomeschool.org/home.html

 

The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by, Raymond Moore,  

 

Raymond Moore Foundation: http://www.moorefoundation.com/

 

Homeschooler resources, where you can purchase books by home schooling‘s founding father John Holt: http://fun-books.com/

 

Ruth Beechick: The 3 R’s & You CAN Teach Your Child

 

Successfully http://www.mottmedia.com/pages/publications.asp?Pub=beechick

 

The Unschooling Handbook, Mary Griffith  and here's a web site to explore: http://anunschoolinglife.com/john-holt/

 

David Albert Have Fun. Learn Stuff. Grow. Homeschooling and the Curriculum of Love And the Skylark Sings with Me: Adventures in Homeschooling and Community-Based Education  http://www.skylarksings.com/

   

Rainbow Homeschool resource center: http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php

 

Homeschool Philosophy Reviews: http://www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com/Homeschool-

Philosophy-Reviews.html

 

Montessori Homeschooling:http://www.montessori.edu/homeschooling.html

 

Homeschool Buyers Co-op:  http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/?source=hcomh-h#topchoice

 

Popular Curriculum: 

 

Simply Charlotte Mason: www.simplyschrlottemason.com 

Sonlite Curriculum: http://www.sonlight.com/

Calvert: http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/?gclid=CM-U-7uitZ0CFRyfnAodMk_Niw

Oak Meadow: http://www.oakmeadow.com/

5 In a Row: http://www.fiveinarow.com/ 

A Beka: http://www.abeka.org/

Classical Conversations: http://www.classicalconversations.com/

Alpha Omega Homeschool: http://www.aophomeschooling.com/homeschool-catalog.php?gclid=CM3ky5artZ0CFYNX2godGkRAyw

 Free Online Charolette Mason Curriculum: Ambelside Online:  http://www.amblesideonline.org/

 

Here’s a good website that can be a little overwhelming at first but a great resource. They go into detail about the different methods of home schooling. http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

 

And another is Jon's Homeschool Resource:http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/

 

The Old School House Magazine & web site: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/

 

The Link, The Nations Homeschooling Magazine: http://homeschoolnewslink.com/index.asp  

 

 

 

Homeschool Methods

 

* Charlotte Mason

 

* Classical Education

 

* Correspondence Schools

 

* Eclectic Homeschooling

 

* Montessori Homeschooling

 

* Tutoring

 

* Umbrella Schools

 

* Unit Study Method

 

* Unschooling

 

*Literature Based

 

* Waldorf Method

 

*Montessori Method

 

* Traditional School at Home

 

* Community Based/Learning Co-ops

 

Christian Homeschooling

Some of the best curriculum out there comes from a Christian perspective.  These are the founding fathers and mothers of the homeschooling movement and their efforts paved the path for all of us to be able to take control of our children's education.  Christian Homeschooling is over thirty years old, so you'll find an abundance of resources out there that fits this perspective. 

 

 My Father's World: here's a site that can direct you to some of the more popular Christian curriculum .http://www.mfwbooks.com/

Jewish Homeschooling:http://www.chayas.com/homeschoolcurric.htm#cat

 

Secular  Homeschooling: 

http://homeschooling.suite101.com/article.cfm/secular_homeschool_curriculum  

 

Finding homeschool curriculum without references to religion can be a challenge.  

Secular homeschooling curriculum shopping can be done even amongst religious resources.   Several online vendors specialize in non-religious educational supplies. Even some religious catalogs distribute a few non-religious materials and even more vendors distribute books which are both religious and non religious.

 

Calvert Homeschool offers a classroom-in-a-box type curriculum that doesn’t teach religious ideas as facts. Calvert is popular for the challenging student work and the ease of use for parents. Calvert offers a program where students can call their study questions in to a teacher and have their work looked over, too. Calvert gives families the option of using their internet homeschool program or their more traditional textbooks.

 

Sonlight is a popular literature based Christian curriculum that many secular homeschoolers enjoy. They have created a homeschool message board to discuss how they’re adapting the program to suit their needs.

 

Classical homeschooling methods like A Thomas Jefferson Education, Leadership Education, Charlotte Mason,  The Well Trained Mind and Sonlite curriculum are easily adapted simply by not presenting religious perspectives or by deliberately presenting a balanced mixture of perspectives for the purpose of discussion. By using timeless high quality literature instead of traditional texts, a classical education claims to teach students how to think instead of teaching them what to think, this idea is popular with secular homeschooling families.

 

Unschooling is a popular method of homeschooling.  In unschooling, parents provide the child access to stimulating resources, and allow the child to follow their natural learning interests and desires, without pushing academic studies. 

  

Internet Homeschooling

 

 Online homeschooling programs like Williamsburg Academy, K-12, Laurel Springs School, Keystone High School and Oak Meadow offer internet homeschooling courses where work is completed online and students interact with teachers through a social networking interface, like a secure chat room, instant messaging program, email and bulletin board service. It might sound confusing to parents but kids can catch on surprisingly fast.

  

 If you’re more of an eclectic homeschooler, Rainbow Resource Center offers homeschooling curriculum products that are both religious and non religious. The catalogs for Oak Meadow and Calvert also distribute other non-religious homeschooling resources.

 

The homeschool review website, Choosy Homeschooler registers users by religious preference, among other things, so you can check out the profiles of the curriculum reviewers you’re reading. Knowing the perspective of the reviewer can help you make informed homeschooling decisions.

  

Lik

A Testimonial from Michele A MOM of Four That Have Mentored and Who's Children I Have Worked With...

Dear Patti,

     I cannot convey to you with enough enthusiasm the

positive impact you have had on me and my children's lives through

participating in your TJED program. Your leadership, mentoring and love for all

of my children has made me a better mom, teacher and mentor. 

     The way you have nurtured and educated each of my

four children and myself has added so much more richness to our home school

time at home. I am not worried about pounding facts anymore but, instead, am

letting them experience the joy of learning. You have showed me that every

corner has not only a life experience but also a learning experience. My

children have also benefited from your love of teaching by embracing new

experiences without fear. They forge ahead now just to see what will happen

versus being afraid of making a mistake.

     The result of being part of your program for over two years is apparent in the

love and excitement my children have shown for "typical" boring material like the

Laws of Motion, Inertia, knitting, felting and especially art and literature. Your style

of teaching has grown my children and allowed them the down time to enjoy the world

around them.

     I think what my daughter stated (my other three boys agreed with her) as we were

driving to your house after a four month hiatus from your Thursday Coop says it all. She said,

"Mommy, I feel like we are going home."   Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Sincerely,

Michele, SW FLorida

 

Let's Talk About the Teens...

by Patti's Homeschool Mentoring on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 9:03pm

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all enjoying your summer!  

 

It's that time of year again, ,my phone and e-mail has been abuzz with families starting to plan the new school year and I've gotten a few calls about the teens, people are wondering what's out there in homeschool land for them to do...

 

For the last few years I've been hosting teen gatherings, many in my home on Marco.  I also run a MoM School one day a week on Thursday's that some of our teens have been participating in for the last five years. You can see photos of both on my Facebook page or my Homeschool Mentoring Blog.  TJEd MOM School

 

We've been lucky to have a core group of parents that are interested in helping the teens in our homeschool community develop deep and lasting friendships.   As a group we take the time to travel all around Collier County, sometimes Lee,  as well as taking turns car pooling with each other,  both of which makes getting our kids together on a regular basis easier!  

 

 We recognize that our teens academic life has gotten more intense.  And, our homeschooled teens tend to be very individualistic in their interests.  Their hobbies, studies and schedules differ vastly, making classes, sports and such hard to organize for the homeschooled teen crowd,  like we do so easily in our support group for our younger homeschooler's.   

 

The idea of just gathering and hanging out on a regular weekend day or night becomes more important, but harder to accommodate.  Our teens want friends and they want to see them regularly!   I know that,  like me there are other moms out there organizing gatherings, and who spend time helping their teens cultivate friendships...

 

Let's combine our energy!

 

What I would like to do is invite those of you with teens to join me in creating a list of the families in our support group who have teens and to ask you to help me create a calendar of teen gatherings for this new school year.  Gatherings that are planned in advance, or at least the date is blocked off so the teens can organize something on their own, and that happen on a regular basis.  

 

I am looking for parents to host gatherings in their homes, community centers or places of worship.  How about sharing ideas as to where the teens can meet.  In the past we've done ice skating, bowling, fairs, paint ball, there was a Spring Fling dance last year, and lots of movies.  

 

There are a couple of young ladies that are interested in calling those teens they do not know yet and they will invite them to events and try to make friends and plug them in.

 

So, if you are the parent of a teen that would like to gather with other teens, contact me, we'll put you and them on the list and get the teen group jumping even better this year!  

 

~~~:-)patti 

 

 

      ~~Patti Cohen,  My Home School Blog: http://homeschoolmentoring.typepad.com/

                              Join the home school conversation on Facebook at:

                               http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pattis-Homeschool-Mentoring/151966768152952?ref=sgm

                              Follow me on Twitter :http://twitter.com/HomeshoolMentor

           Join our: Island Organics Buying Club @  http://greenvillageorganics.com/

 

Bringing science to life with Engino Education

Bringing science to life!

Timberdoodle Co is thrilled to announce a brand new series by Engino Education called Mechanical Science. The series currently covers eight core subjects of mechanics: Levers, Linkages, Gears, Wheels & Axles, Inclined Planes, Pulleys, Cams & Cranks, and Screws.

What sets Engino's Mechanical Science apart is not only the sophisticated, multifaceted Engino parts, but each set also includes both a superb building instruction manual and a forty-page activity book (with innovative experiments and detailed explanation of the different technological principles applied). With hands-on activities, interesting facts about a variety of subjects, and exercises and quizzes at the end of each experiment, these are the engineering sets homeschoolers have waited years for.

Engino Mechanical Kits - Construction - Timberdoodle Co

www.timberdoodle.com

Engino Engineering Set - 80 Models  Our Price: $62.95		Engino Mechanical Series - Cams and Cranks  Sale ends 04/05!$19.95		Engino Mechanical Series - Gears  Sale ends 04/05!$23.95		Engino Mechanical Series - Inclined Planes  Sale ends 04/05!$23.95
Engino Mechanical Series - Levers  Sale ends 04/05!$19.95		Engino Mechanical Series - Linkages  Sale ends 04/05!$19.95		Engino Mechanical Series - Pulleys  Sale ends 04/05!$19.95		Engino Mechanical Series - Wheels  Sale ends 04/05!$23.95

 

Of the Three Types of Education Which Will You Choose?

Conveyor Belt Education  

The modern public school system was set up about the same time as the industrial revolution with the intent to educate the poor so that they could get a job, and thereby support their families.

Each person who travels through the conveyor belt receives a stamp of approval at the end (diploma), and comes out into the world as a “finished product,” ready to be marketed to the highest bidder for employment. And like a factory, conveyor belt institutions test and grade all students on the same scales regardless of individual needs or interests.

The Conveyor Belt does precisely what it was designed to do. It produces a relatively literate workforce for the general populace. It is not designed, however, to produce independently thinking leaders.

Conveyor Belt education can be found in public schools, private or charter schools, and even in home schools. It is sometimes referred to as the “soviet conveyor belt,” because standards and grade levels are set low enough to ensure that nearly everyone can make it through the educational assembly line.

Conveyor Belt Education has as its objective to prepare everyone for a job, any job, by teaching them what to think. This includes rudimentary skills to help them function in society. In general, compulsory schools are set up on the conveyor belt model, although most of us can cite wonderful examples of many excellent teachers in the public system who use leadership methods.

 

…Conveyor Belts have an important place in society, but it is essential that they don’t become a monopoly and that professional and leadership training schools are maintained.

Oliver DeMille, A Thomas Jefferson Education, 2nd Edition, pages 21-22

Goals:

• Educate the Masses and Lower Classes
• Teach What to Think
• Get a Job

Curriculum:

• 85% Social
• 15% Textbooks

Method:

• “Soviet” Conveyor Belt—Schools look and run like factories
• Individual intiative and innovation from students (non-conformity) is discouraged
• Individual initiative and innovation from educators is discouraged

Careers: (According to age)

• 0-12 Study
• 12-18 Play
• 18-24 College Major/Job
• 24-68 Work/Job
• 68+ Retire or Volunteer

Most of us can point to exceptions to the rule: teachers or students who stood out and excelled within the compulsory system; the fact remains that the system per se is not designed to produce such anomalies, and does not, in general, encourage or reward such outcomes.

 

Professional Education

Professional education systems create specialists by teaching their students when to think. This model has been used much longer than the soviet conveyor belt, since it arose from the tradition of apprenticeship, where the student was systematically taught what his master knew before venturing out on his own.

Each professional, whether a mechanic, a lawyer, a doctor, or a financial adviser, is trained to meet a certain set of standards and to think creatively within his field of expertise. However, outside of that narrow scope of knowledge, he tends to rely on the understanding of other experts. A complex society such as modern day America reinforces this.

Professional education is also known as the “competitive conveyor belt,” since the methods used are the same as the soviet conveyor belt, but the standards are set much higher—the top 10-15%.

 

The professional system does what it’s designed to do—create expertise. And if you need a doctor, a lawyer, or a manager for your business, you are glad they are well prepared. The professional system has been very effective in achieving its goals, but it is not a substitute for leadership training.

Oliver DeMille, A Thomas Jefferson Education, 2nd Edition, page 23

Goals:

• Train Experts
• Teach When to Think

Curriculum:

• 50% Case Studies
• 50% Ethics

Method:

• Competitive Conveyor Belt—Students Compete

Careers: (According to age)

• 0-18 Play
• 18-22 College Major
• 22-26 Professional Training
• 26-65 Career
• 65+ Retire or Volunteer

 

 

Leadership Education

 Leadership Education has three primary goals.

First, to train thinkers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and statesmen—those with understanding and competence to lead society (do things right) and the moral character to act with integrity in the areas they lead in (do the right thing).

Second, to perpetuate freedom by helping people understand what freedom is and what must be done to maintain it, and inspiring them to actually do the difficult things required to make it happen.

Third, teach students how to think, which is how the first two goals must be accomplished. Those who know how to think are able to lead effectively and help a society remain free and prosperous, while those who know only when or what to think will be unable to do so.

The method for training leaders is as old as humanity—classics and mentors. The student studies the greatest works ever created, and submits to the guidance of great mentors, who customize the education for the student’s mission in life.

This is the simplest, though arguably the most challenging of the educational paths.

 

“Leadership Education, which I call ‘Thomas Jefferson Education,’ teaches students how to think and prepares them to be leaders in their homes and communities, entrepreneurs in business, and statesmen in government.

“…What happens when a society does not prepare leaders? We get managers and professionals leading in areas they have no training for, such as government, and we get a nation of followers who see no problem with that because they have no experience with anything else. …This was the legacy of Germany in the 1930s—a highly trained but uneducated people easily swayed by Hitler.”

Oliver DeMille, A Thomas Jefferson Education, 2nd Edition, pages 21, 27

Goals:

• Raise Great Souls
• Cultivate Leaders
• Teach How to Think

Curriculum:

• Classics (any works that inspire greatness and are worth revisiting time and time again)

Method:

• Mentors that Design a Custom Education for Each Student

Careers: (According to age)

• 0-12 Play/Family Work
• 12-16 Scholar Phase
• 16-20 Superb Education
• 20-24 Depth Phase (Liberal Arts College)
• 24-50 Build Two Towers (a Family and an Organization)
• 50+ Impact the World (Statesmanship)

From:  http://www.tjed.org/about-tjed/

What is TJEd?

Discovered and organized by Oliver and Rachel DeMille,Thomas Jefferson Education, or “TJEd,” is an educational philosophy and a methodology by which great individuals throughout history were educated.

 Thousands of families and professional educators are applying those same principles today, with amazing success.