HEM-Online-Newsletter by way of Home Ed

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HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE'S ONLINE NEWS
November 2001

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Welcome to HEM'S ONLINE NEWS, a free monthly newsletter published by
Home Education Magazine and full of the best internet resources,
homeschooling news, announcements and article excerpts. For more
information on Home Education Magazine, see the end of this
newsletter or visit our web site at http://home-ed-magazine.com For
subscription information for the newsletter, scroll to the end,
reading everything in between. Send your comments and questions to
editor Carol Narigon at HEM-Newsletter@....

In the November issue:

~ Will They Ever Learn to Read? ~
~ Call for Learning Ideas ~
~ Back Issue Sale ~
~ Oglethorpe Wants You ~
~ Certificate of Empowerment ~
~ Homeschool Social Register ~
~ American Homeschool Association ~
~ Absurd Math ~
~ One-to-One ~
~ The Final Word ~

** Planning your holiday gift giving? Check out our advertisers at
the end of the newsletter. They're offering good deals on learning
resources for the whole family. **

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The biggest enemy to learning is the talking teacher. ~~ John Holt ~~

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WILL THEY EVER LEARN TO READ?
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/186.html

"Your daughter will learn to read if you do one simple thing every
day: read to her. Read books she enjoys, even if they have the word
"underpants" in the title. Share books you liked when you were her
age. Read silly books and classics, picture books and those with
chapters. Use different voices as you read. Have fun acting the
stories out sometimes. Relate other areas of your life to the book
you're reading when you're not reading it. Take a book or some other
reading material with you whenever you might have to wait -- at the
dentist's office or when you go to renew your driver's license. Make
reading a fun and constant part of her life.

You don't have to be the only one to read with her. Subscribe to
Boomerang audio magazine (boomkids.com), and check out books on tape
at the library so you can both listen to books in the car or while
you're working on projects. Encourage your husband or her siblings to
read with her. Read a special book with the whole family and then
watch the movie. Make reading a family affair.

And don't just read books. Buy her a magazine subscription. Kids love
magazines! A couple of our favorites are American Girl
(americangirl.com) and Hopscotch for Girls (hopscotchmagazine.com), a
topical magazine full of fiction and non-fiction stories that appeal
to girls. There are lots of magazines for kids that cover almost any
topic she might enjoy. Check your local library for a current list.

You may be thinking how in the world will your daughter learn to read
if you're the one doing all the reading? I promise you this: If your
daughter lives in a house where other people read frequently to her
and to themselves, and reading materials such as books and magazines
are available to her, she will learn to read and enjoy it. People who
don't learn to read either didn't grow up in an environment where
reading is important, or they have a disability that prevents them
from reading. Your daughter suffers neither. She will not discover on
her eighteenth birthday that she's unable to read her birthday cards."
~~ Carol Narigon ~~

You can read the rest of this column at the website above or in the
November/December issue of Home Education Magazine, available by
subscription and at fine bookstores.

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CALL FOR LEARNING IDEAS

Greetings,

After three long years I have convinced a publisher that the
homeschooling community has the ability and desire to create the
ultimate "learning ideas" book, a much needed alternative or
supplement to traditional learning methods.

The goal? To gather in one place the neatest, coolest, cheapest,
weirdest, quickest, funniest, most exotic, exciting, and fun learning
activities we homeschooling families have joyfully stumbled upon
outside of or alongside text book studies. We'll be focusing on ideas
for use with (about) 3- to 12-year-olds.

Your participation, as always, is warmly invited. Simply send an
email to ldobson@... with "Idea Book" as the subject. In the
body include your name, address and phone number. In return you'll
receive all of the information you need to submit your greatest
ideas, and my everlasting gratitude. Additionally, there's a copy of
the book for those contributors who submit five or more published
ideas.

More importantly, though, we'll help put the joy and fun of learning
into even more children's lives, and that will be a gift to them that
keeps on giving.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
Linda Dobson

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HEM'S ANNUAL BACK ISSUE SALE!
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/sale/bi.html

Home Education Magazine is again offering an opportunity to stock up
on some great homeschool reading for the winter with our popular
Annual Back Issue Sale. Our office manager has selected our most
popular theme packages for this sale. Whether you are interested in
Getting Started or Unschooling you will find these packages full of
useful homeschooling insights. HEM never goes out of style!

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OGLETHORPE WANTS YOU!
http://www.oglethorpe.edu/admission/jeo/index.htm

Good afternoon- I would like to notify home schooled students about a
scholarship competition that Oglethorpe University in Atlanta
sponsors each year. For the past three years a home schooled student
has won at least one of our five full-tuition, room and board James
Edward Oglethorpe Scholarships for all four years of study (worth
about $100,000) and I would like to encourage more participation from
the home school community. Thanks!

Barbara Henry '85, Director of Admission
phone: 404-364-8443
email: bhenry@...
http://www.oglethorpe.edu

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UNSCHOOLING.COM
http://www.unschooling.com

Certificate Of Empowerment
by Sandra Dodd
(This is intended for those who want to be "certified." Feel free to
print this out for yourself or a friend.)

As bearer of this certificate you are no longer required to depend on
the advice of experts. You may step back and view the entire
world-not just your home, neighborhood or town, but the whole
Earth-as a learning experience, a laboratory containing languages
(and native speakers thereof), plants, animals, history, geology,
weather (real live weather, in the sky, not in a book), music, art,
mathematics, physics, engineering, foods, human dynamics, and ideas
without end. Although collections of these treasures have been
located in museums for your convenience, they are to be found
everywhere else, too.
This authorizes you to experiment; to trust and enjoy your kids; to
rejoice when your children surpass you in skill, knowledge or wisdom;
to make mistakes, and to say, "I don't know." Furthermore, you may
allow your children to experience boredom without taking full
responsibility for finding them something to do.

Henceforth you shall neither be required nor expected to finish
everything you start. Projects, books, experiments and plans may be
discontinued as soon as something more interesting comes along (or
for any other reason) without penalty, and picked up again at any
time in the future (or never).

You may reclaim control of your family's daily life, and take what
steps you feel necessary to protect your children from physical,
emotional or social harm.

You have leave to think your own thoughts, and to encourage your
children to think theirs.

Each person who reads and understands this is authorized to extend
these privileges to others, by reproducing and distributing this
certificate or by creating another of his/her own design. Those who
don't feel the need to obtain approval to experiment, to think, or to
do things they've never seen others do are exempt, as they didn't
need permission in the first place.

Unschooling.com offers a free monthly newsletter, message boards,
essays, an email list and more just for unschoolers. Check it out!

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HOMESCHOOL SOCIAL REGISTER
http://www.homeschoolmedia.com/register/index.phtml

Thanks to the homeschooling pioneers of the 1980's and early 1990's,
homeschooling is legal everywhere in the U.S. and legal difficulties
are infrequent. It is very important to realize, however, that all
homeschooling is local. One reason for this is that in most states
school superintendents have a great deal of latitude in the
interpretation and application of state law and court rulings to
homeschooling in their districts. But a far more important reason is
that the emotional support we all need to "go against the crowd" and
keep our children out of school is something that requires direct
human contact.

Of course, these days there's an abundance of excellent books and web
sites devoted to homeschooling. But the kind of support I'm talking
about can't be found in a book or downloaded from a web site!

And that's why the Homeschool Social Register was created. It
includes almost every town and city in the United States and Canada
(missing towns are easily added). Anyone who is homeschooling or
thinking about it can list themselves on the page for their hometown
or city. And, the Register provides a method of contacting any other
listed person without revealing anyone's email address or other
personal information. Since the Register is organized by towns and
cities within each state, it's a simple matter to locate others who
are homeschooling in your town or nearby. ~~ Dave Hirschman ~~

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AMERICAN HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION
http://www.americanhomeschoolassociation.org

The American Homeschool Association (AHA), is a service organization
created in 1995 to network homeschoolers on a national level and to
provide news and information about homeschooling. Current AHA
services include a free discussion list providing news, information,
networking, and resources; a "Homeschooling and Libraries" discussion
list, a free email newsletter; and a web site providing categorized
links to some of the most helpful and informative pages of
homeschooling information on the Internet. The AHA is a free services
organization. There are no membership fees, and no fees to use the
services provided by the AHA. For information contact:
AHA@...

*AHA Networking Discussion List
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-Discussion
or send a blank message to [email protected]

*AHA Homeschooling and Libraries List:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-LibraryList
or send a blank message to [email protected]

*AHA Free Email Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-Newsletter
or send a blank message to [email protected]

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ABSURD MATH
http://www.hrmvideo.com/abmath

Whew! You're lucky I got this newsletter done in time! I took a
minute to check out this Absurd Math (pre-algebra from another
dimension) website and before I knew it a rather significant amount
of time had passed. These interactive math games are insidiously
silly and fun to play, and they're not all that easy. A precious
10-year-old could play them alone without frustration, as could most
teens and adults. Younger kids might enjoy doing them with someone
older.

Once you've met the pre-algebra challenges, you can go on to an
algebra and geometry game that's obviously more difficult. Better
take some snacks to your computer. You may be there a while.

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ONE-TO-ONE
http://www.nezertbooks.com

Those of you who live in the UK, those who like to take a look at
homeschooling from an international point of view or those who would
like to see what a Waldorf education might look like in a homeschool
setting will want to read "One-to-One: A Practical Guide to Learning
at Home Age 0-11." The book is a family affair, written by Martin and
Sophie Williams and illustrated by their children Sarah, Emma and
Chris. The kids even provided the cartoons.

Part indictment of the public school system, part instruction manual
and part curriculum guide, the book is an eclectic mix of
information, suggestions and practical instruction. Along with an
overview of the shortcomings of education, the book offers
information on how to teach art, math(s), gardening, cooking, crafts
and more, as well as suggestions for how to make the best of a public
school situation. For instance, the math chapter shows how to teach
basic operations including addition, subtraction multiplication,
division, fractions, time and more; offers a list of games that use
math (including instructions for many such as Whist, Racing Demon and
Battleships); and gives an overview of the best way to teach math to
kids.

There's a lot of information in this book and I liked its diverse
approach. Beginning homeschoolers would find a firm base for relaxed
homeschooling here. The author's condemnation of the school system
may seem harsh to some, but he gives concrete advice on helping
children negotiate the school system if the child must go to school
as well. If the book sounds like a tossed salad of ideas, opinions,
information and how-to's, that's exactly what it is. I enjoyed
reading it and I think many of you would too. ~ CN ~

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HEM ONLINE NEWS UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

For information on purchasing unclassified advertising space in this
newsletter, please contact the editor at
HEM-Newsletter@....

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GIVE YOUR CHILD THE HEADSPROUT READING ADVANTAGE
Headsprout.com

Headsprout Reading is the fun, Internet-delivered beginning reading
program that gives yours child a real advantage by systematically
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children read their first Headsprout book. Act quickly. For a limited
time, Headsprout Reading is offering a special introductory promotion
of the first 5 episodes free and the entire program for an additional
10% discount or a $9.95 savings at: http://www.headsprout.com .
Please enter the promotional code: HENJ1
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LEARNING SKILLS FOR LIFE
iKnowthat.com

What does your child need to succeed? Lifelong learning skills.
Experts say that's what our children will need to keep up in
tomorrow's rapidly changing world. Now there's a powerful new
web-based community that can help your child develop such
meta-learning skills. Try it risk-free at:
http://www.iknowthat.com/com?CO=01HEM01"
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USBORNE
UsborneAmerica.com

New titles for fall and winter are here -- including Internet-Linked
history and science books! Shop online and earn FREE and discounted
books. Visit our Books from Britain bookstore at:
http://www.UsborneAmerica.com Home business opportunity information
available onsite. Email SharonVE@... or call 888-474-8499 toll
free. Sharon Vander Ende, Independent Executive Supervisor.
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GNARLY MATH
Gnarlymath.com

HILARIOUS MATH STOCKING-STUFFERS! Give your kids, yourself, or your
friends a Math Christmas. Only $4.95 buys 12 issues of the Gnarly
Gnews on a floppy disk, and $35.50 gets you our CD-ROM Solid Gold
Gnarly Math, moneyback-guaranteed to refresh your own math and
intrigue your youngsters. Order the CD or floppy at
http://www.gnarlymath.com , where you can also subscribe to the
Gnews. This month our hilarious free newsletter takes you to the
famous island of Nomath, a country without numbers.

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THE RESOURCEFUL HOMESCHOOLER
resourcefulhomeschooler.com

Attention unschoolers and eclectic homeschoolers! The Resourceful
Homeschooler carries great books, science materials and kits,
learning games, and the most interesting software. 15% DISCOUNT ON
YOUR FIRST ON-LINE ORDER OVER $75. Coupon Number HEM-59999. Gift
certificates, a search service AND here is your opportunity to clear
some shelf space! List or consign your surplus or used homeschooling
materials. Store credit available for consignments. Visit
http://www.resourcefulhomeschooler.com or call (877)523-0494. Great
materials for independent learners of all ages.
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HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com

With the November/December issue, Home Education Magazine welcomes
(back) unschooling advocate and popular conference speaker Sandra
Dodd. Sandra wants nothing more than to make you think, and she has a
pretty entertaining way of doing it.

You'll also enjoy articles on feminism, reading, untypical days, and
what happens when the lab calls to say your brain is ready. Columns
include: Peter Kowalke on when grown homeschoolers read; Linda Dobson
on the most important media coverage to date; Laura Weldon on
decompression and spelling; and Barbara Theisen on O Tannenbaum.
Other columnists include Larry and Susan Kaseman, Becky Rupp, David
Albert, and Carol Narigon.

SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER
Send a holiday gift subscription of Home Education Magazine for 2002!
We'll send a letter with your personalized note announcing the gift
to start with the Jan/Feb, 2002 issue, or you can order the Nov/Dec,
2001 issue for presentation or mailing. All at a 30% discount! Order
your gift subscription online at
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/sale/_giftsub.html. Take advantage of
this offer for yourself at
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/sale/_hemonline.html. Or contact us
at: Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; for
orders: toll-free 1-800-236-3278; email orders@....
MC/Visa cards accepted. DON'T MISS IT!


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FINAL WORD

I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in
which they can learn. ~~ Albert Einstein ~~

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Thanks for reading HEM's Online News! Pass it on to your friends! To
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http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/wlcm_hemnewsltr.html or send an email
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See you next month!

Carol Narigon, Newsletter Editor
HEM-Newsletter@...
Mark and Helen Hegener, Publishers of Home Education Magazine