Homeschooling Subject by Subject

This is your Gateway to the Online Articles on many topics and subjects for your homeschool:

Note: A – S need updating. T- Z have been updated with dead links gone.

Archaeology:

Meet An Archaeologist About one man’s route to becoming staff archaeologist for the Somerset County Park Commission in New Jersey

Art:

Art Appreciation http://members.aol.com/PennyGar/art.html

Art, Creativity, and Invention by Sharon Jeffus The more I research, experience and study in the field of education, the more I believe art education, when taught correctly is the most important catalyst for creative thinking and problem solving. Many of our greatest thinkers of all time were artists. http://eho.org/features/art_creativity.htm

Art Ideas in the Grammar Stage

Classical art curriculum in the Grammar Stage http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/art.html *

Do You Dream in Pictures? by Dr. Renee Fuller Using Art to Reinforce Core Subjects by Sharon Jeffus http://eho.org/pdf/arthist.pdf

Excellent article on art approaches to art and the different curricula available at
http://www.mbayweb.com/~bonajo/art.curriculum.htm

Teaching the Creatively Gifted Child by Sharon Jeffus. From Visual Manna’s art lessons and articles archive. http://www.rollanet.org/~arthis/switch.htm

Teaching Art Through history As a Right-brained Activity http://www.rollanet.org/~arthis/rightb.htm

Tips on how to teach colours, drawing, painting, all the famous artists at
http://artforkids.about.com/kids/artforkids/mbody.htm –

As Natural As Breathing – Visual Arts By Marty Layne There is something so soothing about drawing, doodling, coloring, and just messing about with paint and paper. Even toddlers under two seem to enjoy making marks on a piece of paper.

Art lesson plans at http://artforkids.about.com/kids/artforkids/msublessonplansart.htm

Learn how to do “Picture Studies” (tips on how to study art prints)***
http://www.gocin.com/homeschool/discussion-14.htm

Ideas on teaching Art Studying Art in the Charlotte Mason way. http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/art.html

How Do You Teach Art? Teaching art is not an abstract. There are abstract elements to it, but there are also concrete elements to a good art program. http://eho.org/features/how_do_you_teach_art.htm

Perception-Based vs. Invention-Based Art Instruction at http://www.newmasters.com/4c.html.

Paula’s archives on ways to help your child appreciate art http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/art-appreciation.htm

Picture Study Art appreciation the Charlotte Mason way http://www.home-school.com/Articles/AndreolaArtAppre.html

Computer Literacy:

Beyond Computer Literacy APRIL 13, 2000 http://homeschool.crosswalk.com/callihan/0,2477,4802,00.htm

Extra-curricular:

Growing Up on Holiday: On the Need for Significant Work #new_window(‘articles/holiday.htm’)

If I homeschool, can I use the local schools for sports, music and other subjects?www.homeschoolzone.com/faq/faq7b.htm

“opting in for music at Pub school”www.homeschoolzone.com/faq/psmusic.htm

The Economics of Working: Homeschoolers Who Work by Beth Waltman The pros and cons of allowing homeschooled teens to get jobs. http://eho.org/features/economics_of_working.htm

Volunteerismhttp://www.homeschoolzone.com/hsz/volunteerismCafi Cohen on how to integrate volunteerism into homeschooling

Field Trips:

A Successful Field Trip is Just Four “P’s” Away – Beth Ann Erickson As I stood behind the group of children it became painfully evident that the majority of the people attending this event were as ill-prepared as my son and I. www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM162.99/162.99_art_ftrp.html

The People Behind the Books: Visiting Author Historic Sites Plan a trip to a museum or historic landmark devoted to your favorite American author. http://eho.org/features/authors.htm

Field Trip Guidelines Hints on planning a successful field trip. Appropriate field trip behavior.

Field trip ideas. From the Gaston County Homeschool Network, NC. www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/3634/gchnfieldtrip.html

Field Trip Ideas http://homeschoolfaq.com/field_trips1.htm

Field Trip Planner (Sample) http://faqweb3/Articles/apple.htm

Foreign Languages:

Latin in the Grammar Stage http://home.att.net/~MikeJaqua/news/newsletter/september_98.html

Why Study Classical Languages? http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/why_study_classical_languages.htm

Ethics, Morals and Religion

Geography

Are We Having Fun, Yet? An article from geomatters website about using the world around us as learning tools. http://www.geomatters.com/index.shtml?main.html&1

Early Childhood:Where Learning Begins – Geography Good article on what to do to instil in your children a love for Geography at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Geography

Geography Memory Songs http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/geography.htm

Integrating Geography – Geography is Everywhere! http://www.geomatters.com/articles/integrating.shtml

Matt Rosenberg’s geography article archive has more than 200 articles categorized into headings http://www.geography.about.com/science/geography/library/weekly/topicmenu.htm

Maps, Maps, Maps http://eho.org/features/maps.htm

Maps: Storing and Displaying www.redshift.com/~bonajo/markmaps.htm

History:

Internet Links to Essays or Tips on Homeschooling History:

Why Teach History by Jim Muncy http://www.valdosta.peachnet.edu/~muncyj/homeschooling/thoughts.html#Why%20Teach%20History

How Do I Make a Timeline? www.geomatters.com/articles/timeline.shtml and Family Heritage and Timelines www.geomatters.com/articles/heritage.shtml

For Classical Homeschooling Newsletter tips by Lene M.Jaqua on “Teaching History Chronologically” see http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/news/March-April.html and “Creating Your Own History Unit Studies http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/news/Jan-Feb_00.html

Tips on “Art, Writing, Science and Timelines” by Shirley Minster can be read at www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/8-2article16.htm ; “Timeline Books. History At A Glance” by Beth Parker shows you how to make a timeline and how to make history learning fun for your kids at http://home.att.net/~bandparker/timelines.html and “Timelines: How, What, Why” http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/timeline.htm; Family Heritage and Timelines www.geomatters.com/articles/heritage.shtml

The Well Trained Mind’s website offers its approach in “A Classical Approach to History” www.welltrainedmind.com/classicalapproach.htm and in “History Resources: Starting Places” www.welltrainedmind.com/historyres.htm

Christine Miller has compiled a series of articles on “Using Literature to Teach History” at www.classicalhomeschooling.org/nnp/nnp/literature.html and on “Teaching History Chronologically” at www.classicalhomeschooling.rog/nnp/teaching.html

Find out more about “Helping Your Child Learn History”? at www.eho.org/features/helphistory.htm

Rob and Cyndy Shearer tell us how to make history exciting in “Put the Story Back into History” http://home-school.com/Articles/StoryInHistory.html and “How to Handle Mythology” by Rob and Cyndy Shearer http://greenleafpress.com/articles/a_myths.html

“Preparing Your Child for a Great Books Education by Fritz Hinrichs at www.gbt.org/preparing.html

“What constitutes a world-view?” and “What are the different aspects of a world-view?” URL: http://capo.org/kmsc/Mercury.htm

Art, Writing, Science and Timelines by Shirley Minster www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/8-2article16.htm

Ancient History 101 The Shearers think it’s time to study Greece, Rome, and Israel. www.home-school.com/Articles/CaseAncientHistory.html Old Testament History 101 The Shearers make it simple. www.home-school.com/Articles/ShearersOTHistory.html

Helping Your Child Learn History Activities for children aged 4 through 11. We hope to encourage children to love history and to enjoy learning about it. This booklet is a tool you can use to stimulate your children’s active involvement in the history that surrounds them every day. By Elaine Wrisley Reed. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/history.html

History Highlights – 11th Century – Two struggles came to a head during this period of the Middle Ages. The Church in the East vs. the Church in the West. Religious vs. secular rule. http://eho.org/history/highlights.htm

Holidays and Festive Seasons(Social Studies):

Math:

Delicious Math “Finish eating your math and you can go out to play,” AJ Schmidts tell her kids so they chew up the last of their manipulatives before racing outside to enjoy the rest of the sunny day. www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/172.00/ma_art_dmth.html

From Boring To Board Games Math Really Can Be Fun! – Elise Griffith www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM151.98/151.98_art_math.html

Math Cadences – Rhymes to learn your multiplication tables. Helping Your Child Learn Math http://eho.org/math_cadences.htm

Making Math Classical http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/news/Jan_99.html

Making Math Marvelous – Basketball Math http://eho.org/making_math_marv.htm

Picture Books for Math – Listed by mathematical topic http://eho.org/mathpickbk.htm

Research on the Teaching of Math. Classically, math was taught to older students. www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/research_on_teaching_math.htm

Review of Primary Mathematics CD-ROM http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/newsletter/May-June_99.html

Reviews of Singapore Math at Paula’s Archives http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/singapore.htm and Well Trained Mind website http://www.welltrainedmind.com/J01singapore.html

Saxon Math: Great Test Scores, Great Math Education?? http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/saxon.htm

Seashell Math How to teach the multiplication tables using seashells as manipulatives. http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/seamath.htm

Language Arts:

Biography Fair – Nancy Winningham. Real people, true stories http://www.home-ed-magazine.com//HEM/HEM155.98/155.98_art_bio.html (Note: www.biography.com is a great online resource if you don’t already know)

Narration http://www.angelfire.com/wa/beeme1/page2.html

Narration by Beth Parker http://home.att.net/~bandcparker/narration.html

Raising Vocabulary Levels by Shirley Minster http://homeeducator.com//FamilyTimes/articles/8-1article2.htm

Spelling by Lene Jaqua http://home.att.net/~MikeJaqua/news/news/Sept-Oct_99.html

WriteGuide :Teaching Grammar – a review by Benjamin Ludwig http://eho.org/writeguide.htm

Literacy and Reading:

Teaching Reading: Phonics Programs That Work http://www.welltrainedmind.com/O98reading.html

The Good Reader: Teaching Reading from Birth On http://www.welltrainedmind.com/O98readit.html

Learning to Read One method for teaching your children to read. http://eho.org/features/learnrd.htm

Story’s Corner by Susan Himelright http://eho.org/features/storycorner.htm

Discerning as You Read by Beverly Krueger the mechanics of reading and comprehension skills, we need to arm our children with another tool of reading, discernment or critical reading, reading that focuses on determining the bias of the author and whether the piece is based on fact or opinion http://eho.org/features/discerning_as_you_read.htm

Getting to the Roots – Beth Waltman shares how she made word study fun for her children. http://eho.org/features/roots.htm

Ongoing Debate in Reading Instruction: Finding a Balance – Mark Thogmartin http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM146.97/146.97_art_rdbt.html

Reading Lessons, Valerie Bonham Moon http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM142.97/142.97_art_rlssns.html

Learning to Read, Sue Smith Heavenrich http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM142.97/142.97_art_rlssns.html

From Tapes to Reading, Janet Keip http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM142.97/142.97_art_tptrd.html

Reading With Your Children by Lene Jaqua http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/news/Nov-Dec_99WIP.html

Optimizing Our Homes for Literacy by Mark B. Thogmartin http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM145.97/145.97_art_rdn1.html

The Whole-Language Boondoggle Sam Blumenfeld explains why “look-say” reading never works. http://www.home-school.com/Articles/WholeLanguage.html

THE GOOD READER: TEACHING READING FROM BIRTH ON by Jessie Wise excerpted from her book “The Well Trained Mind”at http://www.welltrainedmind.com/readedit.html

For more tips on how to reading instruction for parents and teachers from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, see these articles at http://ericec.org/ptips.htm and http://ericec.org/ttips.htm

For a huge resource list of Phonics Products for Home Use Prepared by The National Right to Read Foundation. Prices are indicated. Not comprehensive. Go to URL: http://www.nrrf.org/prodhome.html

“Teaching Reading: Phonics Programs that Work” . Pathway Phonics is recommended as a cheap and effective program by Jessie Wise in see at
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/O98reading.html

Tips from “Reading: The First Chapter In Education” from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education (http://ericec.org/frstchap.htm): Once beginning readers have acquired the skill of “mapping of print to speech” (phonological awareness and decoding ability) and strong word recognition ability, reading comprehension and other higher-order reading activities can then follow. To become skilful readers the child must learn to do this through practice that reading becomes so automatically and rapidly that it looks like the natural reading of whole words and not the sequential translation of letters into sounds and sounds into words.”

Research by the National Reading Panel (http://www.nrrf.org/essay_return_to_sci_rdg_instr.htm) shows, to be able to read proficiently, children must acquire four essential skills

According to the National Reading Panel “the teaching of beginning reading is of supreme importance and must be purposeful, strategic, and grounded in the methods proven effective by research.” (http://www.nrrf.org/essay_return_to_sci_rdg_instr.htm)

To understand the mechanics of phonological reading instruction from see the Riggs’ Institute “Phonetics – Spelling – Whole Language: How We Put Them Together for the Best of Both Worlds” See http://www.riggsinst.org/phonet.htm

Phonetics – Spelling – Whole Language. How we put them together for the best of both worlds, by Myrna T. McCulloch. More on teaching reading. www.riggsinst.org/phonet.htm

Reading Instruction: Finding a Balance by Mark B. Thogmartin, HEM, on the origins of the phonics vs. literature-based reading instruction debate, which shows no signs of ending. www.home-ed-magazine/HEM/HEM146.97/146.97_art_rdbt.html

Helping Your Child Learn to Read Teaching and learning are not mysteries that can only happen in school. They also happen when parents and children do simple things together. By Bernice Cullinan and Brod Bagert. www.ifg-inc.com/Consumer_Reports/LearnToRead.html

Here are some must-read online articles on choosing books and building your library below for your inspiration:

See article “Selecting Materials for the Very Young; the Preschooler and the School Library” by Jim Thomas http://www.sagebrushcorp.com/support/preschooler.cfm

“Preparing Children for A Great Books Education” Wesley Callihan
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/preparing.html

In “Preparing Children for A Great Books Education” Wesley Callihan says “The first important principle is that a child should learn to read well, since reading is the fundamental tool of all subsequent education. It is not critical that he learn to read extremely early; on the other hand, if he shows aptitude for reading early on, he should be encouraged heartily. Even if he doesn’t show a readiness to read at an early age, familiarize him with the look and sound of words by reading aloud, and with the look and sound of the alphabet with play blocks and songs. It is very important that he learn to read phonetically, as this ingrains a fundamental paradigm of thinking and reasoning and affects much more than the decoding of words.” See
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/preparing.html

A Twaddle Free Library http://chartncompass.com/newpage9.htm

The article “Reading: The First Chapter In Education” (by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education website http://ericec.org/frstchap.htm) suggests that in the formal school context, learning to read late can put your kid at a disadvantage (excerpt below):

“Unlocking the Doors The Preschool Years Preparation for Reading, Writing and Math, Birth-Age 5”
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/wtmchap4.html

See Terrie Lynn Bittner’s Language Arts page on PREREADING SKILLS

Lene Mahla Jaqua’s ClassEd Newsletter’s ClassEd Newsletter’s tips on boosting reading skills at /Nov-Dec_99WIP.html

Language and literacy:

Why Whole Language Seems to Work for Some Children

Narration The Art of Storytelling (excellent tips from the Parker Family)

Tips for Narration

Narration Beats Tests by Karen Andreola (Part of a series of homeschool tips on Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling)

Narration by Catherine Levison (one of the key authors on Charlotte Mason method)

Diagramming Resources

Dictation with Ben (An Actual Session)

Beginning Reading by Mary K. Fitzsimmons ERIC/OSEP Digest #E565

How to Raise a Literate Child

Using the McGuffey Readers

Language Notes – Word Play – Skilled writers play with words. Writing however is not word play. It’s hard work to produce a good story or essay. Still a great deal of learning and growing as a writer can come from word play.

A Return to Scientific Reading Instruction by Dr. Patrick Groff, Professor Emeritus San Diego State University

Article on how to reduce reading difficulties

by the Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children

Learning To Read Can Be Fun & Successful By Michele Nielsen www.gocin.com/homeschool/tips-2.htm (link down)

Phonetics – Spelling – Whole Language: How We Put Them Together for the Best of Both Worlds by the Riggs’ Institute See http://www.riggsinst.org/phonet.htm

Preparing Children for A Great Books Education by Wesley Callihan says “The first important principle is that a child should learn to read well….It is very important that he learn to read phonetically http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/preparing.html

Principles For Learning To Read from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education website http://ericec.org/princple.htm

Raising Kids Who Love to Read by Terrie Lynn Bittner http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/4336/booklove.html

Reading: The First Chapter In Education from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education “Once beginning readers have acquired the skill of “mapping of print to speech” (phonological awareness and decoding ability) and strong word recognition ability, reading comprehension and other higher-order reading activities can then follow. The article suggests that in the formal school context, learning to read late can put your kid at a disadvantage http://ericec.org/frstchap.htm

Reading Instruction Series by Karl Bunday on whole language vs phonetics issue http://learninfreedom.org/readingseri.htm

Reading Versus Television by Jim Muncy on why reading is a superior skill to obtaining info from the TV media. http://www.valdosta.peachnet.edu/~muncyj/homeschooling/thoughts.html#Reading%…

Selecting Materials for the Very Young; the Preschooler and the School Library by Jim Thomas

http://www.sagebrushcorp.com/support/preschooler.cfm

THE GOOD READER: TEACHING READING FROM BIRTH ON by Jessie Wise excerpted from her book “The Well Trained Mind”at http://www.welltrainedmind.com/readedit.html

Tips from the article “Beginning Reading” (The ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education) at http://ericec.org/digests/e565.htm

More tips on how to reading instruction for parents and teachers from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, http://ericec.org/ptips.htm and http://ericec.org/ttips.htm

Unlocking the Doors The Preschool Years Preparation for Reading, Writing and Math, Birth-Age 5 http://www.welltrainedmind.com/wtmchap4.html

Using the McGuffey Readers, http://home.att.net/~MikeJaqua/newsletter/Oct_98.html

Why do some children learn to read in whole-language classrooms? By Susan Wise Bauer http://www.welltrainedmind.com/O99reading.html

Literature And Poetry:

Grammar in Poetry: Imitation in Writing by Matt Whitling of Logos School http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/Poetry-june-2001.html

Poetry in the Classical Homeschool http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/Poetry-june-2001.html

Poetry Memorization: Methods and Resources http://welltrainedmind.com/099poetry.html

Building Character Through Literature http://eho.org/features/characterlit.htm

Conquering the Classics Can Unleash Power By Rob and Cyndy Shearer

Great Literature is a Gateway to Learning By Valerie Bendt http://www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/9-2article11.htm

How to Handle Mythology by Rob and Cyndy Shearer http://greenleafpress.com/articles/a_myths.html

How to Read a Book http://classicalhomeschooling.org/curriculum/literature-teacher.html#adler-ho…

Literature in the Grammar Stage by Christine Miller (she addresses these areas: Whole Books and Reading Textbooks, Reading Comprehension, What Whole Books to Read: the 1000 Good Books, Mythology, Fairy Tales, and Fantasy) http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/literature.html

Literature: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly by Douglas Wilson http://home-school.com/Articles/WilsonLiterature.html

Make Drama Part of Your Unit Studies Jessica Hulcy says dramatization helps education three ways. http://Home-school.com/Articles/DramaInUnit.html

On Fairy Tales and the Moral Imagination: the Pedagogy of Story by Vigen Guroian’s http://www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/1,1183,PTID3585|CHID…

Oratory in the Grammar Stage by Christine Miller (addresses enunciation, recitation and reading aloud, oral narrations) http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/oratory.html

Preparing Younger Children: Literature http://classicalhomeschooling.org/grammar/preparing.html#reading

Preparing your Child for a Great Books Education– Fritz Hinrichs www.gbt.org/preparing.html

Reading and Literature at the CE Loop page expounds briefly on mythology, fairy tales and fantasy. http://classicalhomeschooling.org/celoop/reading.html

Shakespeare for Children — Article by Beverly S. Krueger on introducing Shakespeare to children at http://eho.org/features/shake.htm

Sharing Shakespeare With Your Child by Nancy Wright http://home-ed-maggazine.com/HEM/HEM145.97/145.97_art_skps.html

The 1000 Good Books Michael Platt explains how and why to find them. http://www.home-school.com/Articles/ThousandGreatBooks.html

The Art of Storytelling by Marty Layne http://home-educator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/9-1article14.htm

The Charlotte Mason Approach to Poetry http://home-school.com/Articles/CmPoetry.html

Music:

Classical Music Appreciation Classical Composer Study Worksheets by Imj and Angela Polk http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/news/march-April-00.html

The “Mozart Effect and prenatal studies: http://musica.cnlm.uci.edu/mrn/acumidx960718.html.

Matters of Opinion On the Importance of Being Accurate by Dr Weinberger is an attempt to clear up the misconceptions about the Mozart Effect http://musica.cnlm.uci.edu/mrn/V5I2S98.html#accurate

Dr Weinberger’s The “Mozart Effect”: A Small Part of the Big Picture and The Mozart Effect Doesn’t Increase General Intelligence! Best way to long-term benefits is by music study and music making are enlightening: http://musica.cnlm.uci.edu/mrn/V7I1W00.html#part

Why Is Music Basic. The Value of Music Education offers 21 reasons why music is valuable. Go to: http://elwood.pionet.net/~hub7/value.htm

Music is a Positive Factor In K-8 Student Academic Achievement by Jeane Akin of California State University is a summary of her thesis findings on the positive effects of music education upon pre-learning activities, reading instruction, math achievement and upon academic achievement in general at http://pionet.net/~hub7/pos.html

“The Need For Music” at http://pionet.net/~hub7/but.htm#ROYAL

“Teaching music:for ‘feelingful’ intelligence” by http://pionet.net/~hub7/feel.html

Dr Weinberger concurs with Klester’s view in Creating Creativity With Music:

“Creativity, while highly desirable, is popularly regarded as an elusive, subjective characteristic. Within music, it is reflected largely in compositions. However, creativity can be measured objectively and its involvement of music is not limited to composing. Accumulating findings indicate that musical training enhances intellectual creativity in general.” Citing various studies of the effects of music on preschool, high school and university students he concludes, “In summary, the findings to date provide solid support for the claim that music increases creativity. Moreover, it appears that active music making is more effective than passive music experience.” To read more, go to http://musica.cnlm.uci.edu/mrn/V5I2S98.html#creating

The “General Considerations Concerning Learning To Play To play A Musical Instrument” the most insightful writing you will probably ever read on the subject is by John Krakenberger at http://www.geocities.com/~cmsunday/general.html

Early Childhood, Edwin Gordon. Gordon expounds clearly on the phases of music learning that a child goes through at http://www.unm.edu/~audiate/early.htm

Music Readiness Activities for the Young Child at http://www.serve.com/marbeth/readiness_games.html

The Impact of Piano Study on Family Life at http://www.serve.com/marbeth/family_readiness.html

Richard Coff’s articles Teaching Methods: Suzuki Violin Versus Traditional Violin by at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article17.asp; also Teaching Methods: The Suzuki Method by Maxine Komlos http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article7.asp: Kansai Time Out writes about a Suzuki concert in Nagano and the Suzuki method http://www.japanfile.com/arts_and_entertainment/music/features/Suzuki-1.shtml Japan file

Teaching Methods: The Kodaly Method – by Deborah Jeter at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article3.asp An Interview with Sister Lorna Zemke: Master Kodaly Educator –
World renowned master educator Sr. Lorna Zemke discusses her revered achievements in working with the Kodaly method–a system that uses singing as the fundamental teaching medium. September 7, 1999 http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article26.asp : see also

Teaching Methods: The Orff Method – Carl Orff believed that rhythm was the key to music learning – by Deborah Jeter at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article5.asp

Teaching Methods: The Montessori Method – by Dan Evola at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article18.asp

Teaching Methods: Kindermusik by Dan Johnson at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article10.asp

The Dalcroze method, read Teaching Methods: The Dalcroze Method – by Monica Dale at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article15.asp;

On the Dalcroze method, read Teaching Methods: The Dalcroze Method – by Monica Dale at http://www.musicstaff.com/lounge/article15.asp;

Article “Eurythmy in Waldorf Schools” at http://www.awsna.org/publications/renewal_eurythmy.htm and “What is eurythmy?” at http://www.waldorfresources.org/readroom/features/eurythmy.html

“Violin-Viola Pedagogy: Sevcik yes or Sevcik” at http://www.geocities.com/krakenberger/sevcik.html,

Tips on buying a violin http://www.bright.net/~hhelser/sheila.html;

“Buying an instrument” (violin): http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~leonid/buying.htm;

Buying a Stringed Orchestral Instrument by Bronislaw Huberman: http://www.geocities.com/~cmsunday/buyingvl.html#buying

What piano brands should I get? Get Larry Fine’s The Piano Book, which will give you great detail about individual brands and also the piano-building and -buying process.

Should you buy a new or used piano? Mary Beth Lewis answers this question at http://www.serve.com/marbeth/new_or_used.html

Mary Beth Lewis recommends a conventional piano over digital or electronic keyboards http://www.serve.com/marbeth/electronic_keyboard.html These and more questions are answered at Martha Beth Lewis’ Piano Web site http://www.serve.com/marbeth/consumer.html

Help for parents related to beginning music instruction with an instrument and facilitating practice and mastery of the instrument see these articles by Mary Beth Lewis: How to Find a Good Teacher; How Parents Can Help the Teacher Give Their Child the Best Possible Musical Education ; How to Listen to Your Kids Play for You at http://www.serve.com/marbeth/consumer.html

Introducing Your Child to Music – Music Lessons For Children Should Be Short and Fun by Nancy Bazilchuk Introducing Your Child to Music http://family2.go.com/raisingkids/learn/activities/features/family_1998_04/ki…

For tips on How to Help Your Child Practice at Home click on http://www.serve.com/marbeth/helping_kids_practice.html.

And for help for the student who wants to master learning the piano, see these articles: How to Practice Efficiently ; Some Suggested Practice Techniques ;My Favorite Practice Technique: Rhythms; Exercises for Improving Your Trills ; Four Things to Do at Your Lesson to Make Your Playing Better ; Four Easy Things to Do to Make Your Playing More Musical ; The Basics of Fingering; How to Play Trills in Beethoven ;Preparing for a Recital; Suggestions for How to Memorize Music; Tips for Duet Playing; Hand Relaxation Exercise at http://www.serve.com/marbeth/consumer.html

Teaching tips for the violin: John Krakenburger’s many valuable violin-playing tips: http://www.geocities.com/krakenberger; Sheila’s tips: http://www.bright.net/~hhelser/sheila.html; Westbury Park Violin School’s tips:

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~leonid/violin_easy.htm

Politics and Elections:

Seizing the 2000 Election Moment – Make the most of this teachable moment in US history http://eho.org/features/election2000.htm

Comic Strips and Political Cartoons – Add interest to your study of the election or American political history by incorporating political cartooning into your lessons. http://eho.org/features/politicalcartoons.htm

Election Year Adventures by Amanda Bennett www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/4-2article3.htm

Politics the Homeschool Way Jessica Hulcy explains how she does it www.home-school.com/Articles/PoliticsHsWay.html

Presidential Candidates Thoughts on Education www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/8-1article12.htm

The Democracy Myth by Sarah Watson www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/9-1article15.htm

Turn the Election into a Learning Experience NOVEMBER 29, 2000

Physical Fitness:

FunOFit Playing Field by Heidi H. Sampson on physical fitness for homeschoolers http://www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/8-2article10.htm

What About Summer Camp? By David and Laurie Callihan

http://homeschool.crosswalk.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID74453%7CC…

Home School Boys and Sports AUGUST 18, 1999

The Quest for Fitness! SEPTEMBER 22, 2000

What About Sports?

Science:

“A Chain of Reasoning” is a pattern of thought followed by all scientists which involves the following sequence of critical thinking skills: Observing, Comparing, Ordering, Categorizing, Relating, Inferring, Applying. This pattern makes arriving at a correct answer easier, for those who use it. Students in the course of their work, need to think of an idea, research their topic, plan their experiment, do the experiment, collect and record data, and come to a conclusion. They need to develop skills such as observing likenesses and differences, classifying, sequencing, drawing conclusions, making generalizations, making inferences, noting cause and effect, measuring, and making charts and diagrams” – National Science Foundation

An inspiring account of how the Hocraffer Family does nature studies the Charlotte Mason way by Lynn Hocraffer from the Popcorn and Peanuts website:

Art, Creativity and Invention by Sharon Jeffus

Can’t I Put This Off Until College? Dr. Wile warns parents not to put off teaching science until college www.homeschoolchristian.com/Position/WileScience.html

How to “Start a Nature Notebook” Charlotte Mason Style, by Karen Andreola. The Charlotte Mason method of science studies attaches great importance to nature observation the use of the Nature Notebook or Nature Diary is a staple of Charlotte Mason homeschoolers and the children spend lots of time outdoors observing, collecting, drawing or pressing specimens. Charlotte Mason children are also widely exposed to a wide selection of quality literature in the relevant fields.

Helping Your Child Learn Science, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research And Improvement Programs For The Improvement of Practice August 1991, on the need for integrated curriculum, with an emphasis on hands-on exploration, scientific thinking and thematically connected units. The National Center for Improving Science Education recommends that elementary schools design curricula that introduce nine scientific concepts (Organization; Cause and effect; Systems; Scale; Models; Change; Structure and function; Variation; Diversity) which will form a framework into which scientific facts can be placed.

Helping Your Child Learn Science By Nancy Paulu and Margery Martin

Helping Your Child Learn Science, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research And Improvement Programs For The Improvement of Practice August 1991

How to Help Your Child Learn Science Science is not just a collection of facts. Facts are a part of science. We all need to know some basic scientific information: water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 degrees Celsius), and the earth moves around the sun. But science is much more.

Does Your Garden Grow? How Tips on gardening and resources to incorporate gardening into your homeschooling.

In the Garden and Kitchen by Gale Luby

Its About Time! by Gordon Corbett. Ideas on having kids learn interesting things about time

It’s Only Natural – Barb Theisen Star Light, Star Bright Barbara’s daughters inherit her love of astronomy, to her delight. Bonus: figure out how many stars you can see!

Microscope Selection

My Word! – David H Albert offers his musings on the nature of science and ways to encourage inquiry and exploration in his debut column for HEM.

Nature Study Ideas:

*Nature Study: Charlotte Mason’s Cure for Tired Text-taught Tots Natural Nature Learning

Of a Flat Universe and the

Nature of Science

Science A La Carte – Michele Winkler Michele Winkler describes how she abandoned a lecture approach to offer her homeschoolers “science learning stations” a feast of information and activities which her children gobbled up.

Science Taken Seriously. The Language of Science is Mathematics by Dr Arthur Robinson

Science Ideas

Science on the Internet — An essay on teaching Elementary school Science the Charlotte Mason way, part of which appeared in the CHEC Connection.

Shooting Hoops, Riding Bikes: Science and Math in a Kid’s World by Sue Smith Heavenrich Sue Smith-Heavenrich invites her readers to join her and her younger son as they discover fascinating aspects of science and math, through sports like basketball and bicycling.

Enhance Your Science Program by Kathleen Julicher

*Real Science 4 Kids

The Science of Play

The Classical Approach to Science

The Naturalist Intelligence (the Eighth Intelligence) by Howard Gardner added the Naturalist Intelligence to his list in 1996. It is the first addition to the original seven. This intelligence has to do with observing, understanding and organizing patterns in the natural environment.

National Science Education Standards

Science Standards by the The National Academies of Science American Association for the Advancement of Science , the

Space Foundation’s Science Standards

The job of both scientist and student is the same: learn, and then communicate the new knowledge to someone else. Ignoring the fact that hands-on science is inherently exciting, teaching the student how to be a “scientist” should be the first task of every elementary school. The National Foundation For Science Standards advocates that teaching the student how to be a “scientist” should be the first task of every elementary school.

The Scientific Method 5 steps to help your child to acquire the thinking processes when approaching any topic of study or science experiment. Download a Printable Scientific Method Form

The Scientist’s Notebook Even very young children can be given notebooks and taught how to make entries in the following form: What We Used / What We Did / What Happened / What We Learned. Print out these worksheets for use in your child’s Scientific Notebook.

Science Lesson Plans

Leaping From the Boxd science articles

Start a Nature Notebook Karen Andreola shows us how to start a Nature notebook – Charlotte Mason Style

The Scientific Thinking Processes

Scientififc Thinking Skills

Teaching Science – Fritz Hinrichs

Why Should I Make My Child Take Science? He Wants To Be A Concert Violinist!by Dr Jay L Wile

Travel:

Hand Bound Travel Journals – Easy to make journals to write about your journey to Yosemite or any locale.- Record your vacation highlights in these easy to make travel journals.

Passport to the World – Sue Smith Heavenrich My son is off exploring the world this year. Last month it was Asia; this month it’s Africa.

Writing and Journalling

4 Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing

A Suggestion For Teaching Elementary Writing by Susan Wise Bauer

Adding the Creative to Creative Writing by Dave Marks

Application of the Classical Greek Progymnasta A Suggestion for Grammar Stage Writing

Barbara Smith’s Building Writers Column

Copywork The Art of Writing by Beth Parker

Copywork and Spelling , Classical Homeschooling Newsletter 1999 Sept-Oct issueCreating Characters

Creating Journals, Notebooks and Scrapbooks by Joan LaCelle

Essay Writing Advice from University of California

Getting It Down (Ways to Encourage a Reluctant Writer)

Guide to Grammar and Writing (created by late Professor Charles Darling) considered one of the best grammar online resources http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

How to Write Essays

Top Ten Writing Tips

Imitation A Common Sense Approach by Andrew Pudewa

Improving Writing, Creativity, and Critical Thinking by John Jenkins

Incorporating Literacy Activities into Social Dramatic Play

Let’s Write! by Dave Marks

Let’s Write (Understanding Ideas) by Dave Marks

Memorization and Handwriting

Montessori Grammar Bingo Game

No More Writer’s Block Using multiple intelligences to help young writers, By Laurel

Schmidt

New Outlining Resources

Preparing for the First Day at School (Help Your Child to Write Well)

Preparing for College Writing by Dave Marks

Sharpen Your Child’s Writing Skills

Strategies for Writing Reports by Dave Marks

Suggestions for Simple Writing Exercises for the Grammar Stage (in the Ancient Greek Progymnasta tradition) from the Class Ed Newsletter May-June, 2000

Suggestions for Elementary Writing by Susan Wise Bauer author of the Well Trained Mind

Tackling the Research Paper

Six Trait Writing Assessment strategies and Mini Lessons

The Elements of Style A staple for writers, based on William Strunk Jr.’s The Elements of Style, there’s an on-line FREE course intended to teach young students everything they need to know to write clearly and simply.

Ways to Encourage Reluctant Writers – Sue Smith Heavenrich

What about Journalling? (Or, My Child Hates His Journal)by Susan Wise Bauer. Although no child should be forced to do creative writing, every child should learn to form sentences properly, to construct paragraphs logically, and to build a convincing written argument

Why Do Copywork and Dictation?

Writing Activities

Writing Activities at Enchanted Learning website

Write Now Cathy Duffy gives quick tips that can add power to your kid’s writing.

Writing the Short Story

Writing Without Tears

Writing Papers of Literary Analysis

*Writing tips from Colorado State University’s Writing Center