Why do I want students to really understand what they are doing and not just memorizing a series of steps?
Why do I think that arithmetic should take a back seat to real mathematics and completely reject the idea that you have to memorize your multiplication tables before looking at real math?
Paul Lockhart has explained it brilliantly here!
Read it. Yes, it will take 15 minutes. Print it out and take it with you. It will make a difference in how you see those piles worksheets.
Jan 8, 2011
Jan 7, 2011
Chicago Museum Free Days for 2011
Want to go on a lot of field trips! Good!
Here is how to plan many of them for free!
Here is how to plan many of them for free!
Jan 6, 2011
Crystal Lake Park District Winter Classes Start Jan. 20th!
Crystal Lake Park District winter classes start Jan. 20th!
All classes are on Thursdays at the Crystal Lake Park District's Rotary Building and run for 6 weeks starting January 20th. Registration is happening now at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/
The third session of Crystal Lake Park District homeschool classes is open for registration.
Open registration will close Jan. 17th!
10:00 - 11:30 Nature Study
taught by Jess Day at the Nature Center. In this totally interactive class, the children will be exploring plant and animal life at the park, seasonal changes and much more. Ages 6-10, cost $36. Contact: leah.mikkelson@gmail.com to register.
10:00 - 11:00 Pen and Mouse Drawing
with Julie Kukreja. Come blast off using your imagination and learn how to draw in 3D! Club House Artists will learn the basic fundamentals of drawing using "tool box" word such as: horizon line,shading, shadows, and much more. These 3D drawing techniques will help pop theirdrawings off the page. By the end of each session, Club House Artists will have the enthusiasm to draw anything and will be able to see their artwork displayed on our virtualart showroom at www.penandmousedesign. com/clubhouse.htm. Each session covers new material, so be sure to sign up for multiple sessions and increase your drawing skills. A one time $12 material fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of class. Ages 6 and up.Cost:$75 in district / $90 out of district. Class code: 4495-7
11:00 - 12:30 Algebra - Cure for the Algebra Curse
taught by the always popular Kathy Wentz. This series of classes uses a visual and hands-on system for learning Algebraic concepts. This winter session will cover graphing linear equations and introduce polynomials. Ages 12 and up. Cost: $51 in district / $66 out of district. Class code: 4495-1 *I am aware that this description does not match the one in the catalog that was published last summer. I was asked to offer this class instead. The description here is the correct description.
12:00 - 1:00 Karate
taught by Patric Murphy of Kon Jo Karate Club in Fox River Grove. Mr. Murphy is a third degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and is a wonderful, warm instructor who encourages each of his students to do their best. Ages 3-16yrs. Cost: $50 in district / $65 out of district. Class code: 4494-0
1:00 - 2:00 Math and Science Club
with Kathy Wentz. This is the same class which filled up with a filled wait list at the GIFT co-op! Each week students will explore a math or science topic with hands-on games and activities designed to spark interest, improve memorization skills, and increase vocabulary. Class will also include hand outs offering ways to further explore the topics at home. Ages 6-11. Cost: $51 in district / $66 out of district. Class code: 4495-0
All classes are on Thursdays at the Crystal Lake Park District's Rotary Building and run for 6 weeks starting January 20th. Registration is happening now at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/
The third session of Crystal Lake Park District homeschool classes is open for registration.
Open registration will close Jan. 17th!
10:00 - 11:30 Nature Study
taught by Jess Day at the Nature Center. In this totally interactive class, the children will be exploring plant and animal life at the park, seasonal changes and much more. Ages 6-10, cost $36. Contact: leah.mikkelson@gmail.com to register.
10:00 - 11:00 Pen and Mouse Drawing
with Julie Kukreja. Come blast off using your imagination and learn how to draw in 3D! Club House Artists will learn the basic fundamentals of drawing using "tool box" word such as: horizon line,shading, shadows, and much more. These 3D drawing techniques will help pop theirdrawings off the page. By the end of each session, Club House Artists will have the enthusiasm to draw anything and will be able to see their artwork displayed on our virtualart showroom at www.penandmousedesign. com/clubhouse.htm. Each session covers new material, so be sure to sign up for multiple sessions and increase your drawing skills. A one time $12 material fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of class. Ages 6 and up.Cost:$75 in district / $90 out of district. Class code: 4495-7
11:00 - 12:30 Algebra - Cure for the Algebra Curse
taught by the always popular Kathy Wentz. This series of classes uses a visual and hands-on system for learning Algebraic concepts. This winter session will cover graphing linear equations and introduce polynomials. Ages 12 and up. Cost: $51 in district / $66 out of district. Class code: 4495-1 *I am aware that this description does not match the one in the catalog that was published last summer. I was asked to offer this class instead. The description here is the correct description.
12:00 - 1:00 Karate
taught by Patric Murphy of Kon Jo Karate Club in Fox River Grove. Mr. Murphy is a third degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and is a wonderful, warm instructor who encourages each of his students to do their best. Ages 3-16yrs. Cost: $50 in district / $65 out of district. Class code: 4494-0
1:00 - 2:00 Math and Science Club
with Kathy Wentz. This is the same class which filled up with a filled wait list at the GIFT co-op! Each week students will explore a math or science topic with hands-on games and activities designed to spark interest, improve memorization skills, and increase vocabulary. Class will also include hand outs offering ways to further explore the topics at home. Ages 6-11. Cost: $51 in district / $66 out of district. Class code: 4495-0
Dec 28, 2010
RSA: Changing education paradigms
This is an amazing video by Sir Ken Robinson about our global efforts to change education today. Take the time. It is worth it. I promise.
Dec 25, 2010
History for Music Lovers!
This is an amazing collection of music videos for those interested in history or who need to learn about an event and simply remember things better when they are put to music!
They take popular tunes and insert their own lyrics. Each song is about a specific event or period in history.
The graphics are based on fine art and, for those of us who remember the old Clutch Cargo cartoons, will bring a certain smile to the face.
Enjoy!
They take popular tunes and insert their own lyrics. Each song is about a specific event or period in history.
The graphics are based on fine art and, for those of us who remember the old Clutch Cargo cartoons, will bring a certain smile to the face.
Enjoy!
Dec 23, 2010
The InHome Conference is coming March 24 - 26th!
I'm excited to be a returning speaker at the InHome Conference again this year (on March 26th).
Even more exciting, David Albert, Cindy Gaddis and Patrick Farenga will be returning as well!
Patrick Farenga, President of Holt Associates, Inc, worked closely with author, teacher, and school reformer-turned-homeschooling advocate John Holt until Holt's death in 1985. Farenga is a popular and charismatic speaker, and has also written widely about homeschooling on his blog and for many publications. Check him out at http://patfarenga.squarespace.com/about-pat-farenga/.
Be sure to tell your friends about the InHome Conference, the Midwest's largest non-sectarian whole-family homeschooling conference!
(Non-sectarian does not mean anti-religious - it means all religions are welcome!)
For more information about the InHome Conference, please visit
http://homeeducatorsconference.org/
Even more exciting, David Albert, Cindy Gaddis and Patrick Farenga will be returning as well!
Patrick Farenga, President of Holt Associates, Inc, worked closely with author, teacher, and school reformer-turned-homeschooling advocate John Holt until Holt's death in 1985. Farenga is a popular and charismatic speaker, and has also written widely about homeschooling on his blog and for many publications. Check him out at http://patfarenga.squarespace.com/about-pat-farenga/.
Be sure to tell your friends about the InHome Conference, the Midwest's largest non-sectarian whole-family homeschooling conference!
(Non-sectarian does not mean anti-religious - it means all religions are welcome!)
For more information about the InHome Conference, please visit
http://homeeducatorsconference.org/
Dec 18, 2010
Google Explores the Human Body in 3-D
This has amazing images!
Google has just soft-launched its latest browser experiment, the Google Body Browser, which is basically Google Earth for the human body.
Think of it as a three-dimensional, multi-layered browser version of those Visible Man/Woman model kits. Or a virtualized version of Slim Goodbody, if you will.
Google has just soft-launched its latest browser experiment, the Google Body Browser, which is basically Google Earth for the human body.
Think of it as a three-dimensional, multi-layered browser version of those Visible Man/Woman model kits. Or a virtualized version of Slim Goodbody, if you will.
Dec 17, 2010
I Love Lunar Eclipses!
NASA Science News for Dec. 17, 2010
Northern winter is beginning in a special way. On Dec. 21st, the winter solstice, a lunar eclipse will be visible across all of North America.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/17dec_solsticeeclipse/
Northern winter is beginning in a special way. On Dec. 21st, the winter solstice, a lunar eclipse will be visible across all of North America.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/17dec_solsticeeclipse/
Dec 15, 2010
Try Figment!
Do you have a teen writer who would like to share his or her writing with other teens?
Try Figment!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/books/06figment.html?_r=2&ref=global-home
Try Figment!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/books/06figment.html?_r=2&ref=global-home
Nov 23, 2010
FYI: The Kid's Science Challenge is open for submissions now!
The Kids' Science Challenge is open to all legal U.S. residents who are students enrolled in 3rd through 6th grade at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. For a student to officially enter he/she must be registered with the Kids' Science Challenge and his/her submission must be uploaded, faxed or postmarked between October 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011. Limit one entry per student or group per science topic. You may submit an entry for each of the 3 science topics.
Click "Submit Your Entry!" to complete the Kids' Science Challenge entry submission process. A parent or guardian may register their child online and then complete the entry form via the Kids' Science Challenge website. Alternatively, you can download the Entry Form [PDF: 2.71] to be completed, and faxed or mailed to the Kids' Science Challenge office.
Click "Submit Your Entry!" to complete the Kids' Science Challenge entry submission process. A parent or guardian may register their child online and then complete the entry form via the Kids' Science Challenge website. Alternatively, you can download the Entry Form [PDF: 2.71] to be completed, and faxed or mailed to the Kids' Science Challenge office.
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