Home ed digest issue 531
hom...@world.std.com
Submissions to the list or digest: hom...@world.std.com
TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send mail to d...@world.std.com
TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
A lightly-edited digest of on-topic messages sent to the
hom...@world.std.com mailing list.
To subscribe to the digest, send mail to d...@world.std.com; to
subscribe to the mailing list itself, send a message containing
``subscribe home-ed your-email-address'' to majo...@world.std.com.
--------------------------------------------------------
Table of contents:
Re: Kids and computers - more thoughts
dumbing us down
Re: Penmanship
Re: Science Ideas
Who's paying the piper?
Re: Music & Art & Klutz Press
Kids and Computers
Re: Art & beeswax modeling clay
Farewell
Re: Music & Art
Nursing and f*zzy t**l*ts (was RE: KIDS AND COMPUTERS
birth & nursing (was f*zzy t**l*ts, which was Kids & Computers)
------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ste...@media.com
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 0:46:16 +0000
Subject: Re: Kids and computers - more thoughts
Jackie, regarding your "conditioned responses" issue:
Maybe "conditioned-responses experiences" are, in fact, most
appropriate for early developmental minds??? Throw a ball, push
a mouse, use an electric can opener, adjust the water temp and
pressure in the shower, etc. Kidstuff? I dunno, it's not a big issue
for me-but I do not disagree with you. However, I did find your
polemic interesting because, for my bet, I could substitute "reading
and writing" where you had "computer use."
Thanx,
Steve Fedorko
Multimedia Learning, Inc.
5215 Nancy O'Connor, Suite 760
Irving, TX 75039-3737
214-869-8282
FAX: 214-869-8280
"You can't always get what you want,
but if you try some time,
you just might find,
you get what you need."
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Kris Stanton <kr...@medianet.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 01:34:36 -0600 (CST)
Subject: dumbing us down
Hi all! I just wanted to thank all those that suggested to read
"Dumbing Us Down". It is a WONDERFUL book! My husband and I are
just amazed. Now all we have to do is have kids!!!!
Kris
Sad because Spring Break is over...
----------------------------------------------------------
From: ae...@detroit.freenet.org (Sandy Colby)
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 09:42:31 -0500
Subject: Re: Penmanship
>Why bother with penmanship? As an adult, who needs to write by hand
>except to a) make notes *for themselves* on things they are working on
>(and, with outlining software, how many of us even do that anymore?) b)
>write up shopping lists, again for personal consumption, and c) sign
>credit card slips?
Letters to others, doctors, nurses in hospitals, notes around the house
to others, Christmas cards, (well, I guess that falls under letters to
others)...
----------------------------------------------------------
From: nets...@cts.com (Paul Yandell)
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 95 07:26 PST
Subject: Re: Science Ideas
>
>Lisa is working on a presentation about science. She asked me to send a
>request out on the list for ideas.
>
>What are you doing for science? What is working and what is not working?
>
Pets! (I mean bugs, alligator lizzards, whatever we can find. Lots of
gardening and "yarding around". My son can't get enough reptile and animal
books out of the library.
I have a background in forestry (BS '78) so I'm pretty good at the nature
lectures for a 7 and 5 year old. Lots of outings geared towards finding
animal tracks, catching snakes and lizzards, etc. Also stargazing and books
on the Universe (they know all the planets and even where most are in the
sky). Piquing their interest (not hard!) is all that is necessary. I
think at this age this is appropriate, but later they will need more formal
texts.
Good luck!
-Paul
Paul Yandell Blue Ribbon Orchids
Net Sales, LLC Live Flowering Plants for Live People
(619) 631-2890 http://www.cts.com/~netsales/
fax (619) 631-1687 or email for catalog: nets...@cts.com
(800) 388-7800 (sales only)
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Ginge...@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 10:34:34 -0500
Subject: Who's paying the piper?
Braindance wrote:
>Every time you are served by someone who can read and >handle figures,
whether a doctor or a Burger King >clerk, you are benefiting from the
education he got; >why shouldn't you help pay for it?
While I don't disagree with the intent of the post completely, I would like
to point out that when I go to a doctor, or go to Burger King, I *do* pay for
whatever knowledge and/or services they have, that I need. And I pay on a
*per benefit* basis.
My .02
Ginger
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Ginge...@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 10:34:50 -0500
Subject: Re: Music & Art & Klutz Press
We just bought a CD with Yoyo Mah and Bobby McFerrin. It is really great fun!
One of the best things I think we can do, musically, is to *play* lots of
great music whenever we get the chance. Play CDs if you don't play an
instrument youself. Sing, dance... ;)
If you feel really lost in the classical genre, try reading "Beethoven or
Bust." It will help with the ins and outs a bit.
I just read the post mentioning the neat stuff by Klutz Press. We have a
number of their books and would like to get at least a half dozen more.
Would there be enough interest in their products (at a discounted price, of
course) to warrant my opening an account with them? Let me know what you
think. :)
Also, we just tried out some beeswax that we purchased and *loved* it. I
would love to carry it because it is so unique. (It must be warm before you
can mold it, and then hardens when it cools, but can be worked again and
again.)
Does anyone have an address for a *manufacturer* of the stuff? Maybe I can
sell it cheap...just a thought.
P.S. "Dryer lint" paper, Tamara? Do tell!
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Boban...@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 11:48:25 -0500
Subject: Kids and Computers
Since I have a 10 year old "kid" and two "computers" I think I qualify to
comment on this thread.
We got an IRS refund just before our son's 8th birthday. I suggested getting
a 486 multimedia computer setup with color printer for my son so that I could
use my computer without "fighting" my son for usage time. I'm glad my wife
said "Yes," even though she doesn't know how (and doesn't want to know how)
to turn either of the computers on!
Originally my son was attracted to the computer because of the educational
games we bought. We helped him with the math games, etc. As he became
familiar with the computer, his interest turned to sports games--limited to 30
minutes per day.
Since getting him his own computer, I've taught him (with the help of
multimedia) how to type, desktop publish on Pagemaker for Windows, file
management, etc. As part of his schooling, he composes short letters of his
weekly activities (mostly sports related--he is not "academically inclined"),
add appropriate graphics and mail out his notes to relatives and friends
around the country. Those who receive the computer-generated notes are
thrilled to receive them and write back. If he had to hand write each note he
would never bless so many people so often.
Bottom line: we control the computer; it does not control us. And we love its
usefulness and the creativity it allows us in so many areas (bulletin inserts
for our church, home-made birthday cards, etc.).
Thanks for listening, Bob
----------------------------------------------------------
From: st...@alaska.net
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 08:43:41 +0900
Subject: Re: Art & beeswax modeling clay
Ginger writes,
>Also, we just tried out some beeswax that we purchased and *loved* it. I
>would love to carry it because it is so unique. (It must be warm before you
>can mold it, and then hardens when it cools, but can be worked again and
>again.)
We also have the beeswax molding "clay" that Grandma bought them. Very
expensive,
but the kids love it! In fact my kids loved it so much they wanted more. All it
is is 100% high quality beeswax. I also make my own lip gloss, lotions, and
potions, and so have beeswax that I have mail ordered for this purpose.
The natural beeswax is a light cream color which the kids can use "straight",
but you can also heat up the wax and add food coloring (just a little and it
can be hard to mix in). Even just giving them a sheet of the natural beeswax
gives kids alot more to "play" with. I buy the beeswax in a "on-a-roll" and
it is very inexpensive. A sheet is 1/8 in. thick, 7" wide and 1/4 lb is about
9 - 10 long. I pay only $2.00 for this huge amount! The natural color makes
the perfect flesh tone for "people", and so it's nice to have a little more
of it.
>Does anyone have an address for a *manufacturer* of the stuff? Maybe I can
>sell it cheap...just a thought.
As far as I know the only manufacturer is Swedish, and there are no American
manufactures of the "modeling beeswax". If some one else knows of another
manufacturer, I'd love to know.
susan
st...@alaska.net
----------------------------------------------------------
From: lo...@community.net (Lori Christian)
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 10:34:01 -0800
Subject: Farewell
Adios all. I've only been on this mailing list for a couple months. Have
enjoyed it thoroughly and found it a valuable resource.
My son is soon to be a homeschool "graduate" (high school diploma from
Clonlara) and will be pursuing a musical career.
While we will always consider ourselves homeschoolers, it is time to direct
my energies elsewhere. I'm going to finish my BA (via Regents College --
still homeschooling myself). I am also devoting considerable time and
energy to the research of Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments (just diagnosed
and terrified of "traditional" allopathic therapies).
Best regards and thanks to all!
-Lo
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Heather Madrone <mad...@cruzio.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 95 12:10:53 PST
Subject: Re: Music & Art
Michelle Lowe wrote:
>Heather writes:
>>programs and scouts. A lot of "arts and crafts" projects are adult
>>-directed modeling art projects. The adult presents the child with
>>pre-cut shapes (say a pumpkin, three triangles and a mouth) and the
>>child then assembles them according to adult instructions. Such projects
>>are not art. A two year old's crayon scribbles on paper (or the wall)
>>have more real value to the child than a thousand modeling art projects.
>
>In our scrounging of used books through the years I once got one (probably
>out of print) called "Art and the Young Child" by Kenneth Jameson. He
>comes across as rather "snobbish" in his writing but has *lots* of
>thoughtful consideration on the real value of art to very young children.
>He is quite in agreement with what Heather states here and suggests access
>to painting and drawing materials from twelve months (or earlier) on (I'm
>looking at a wonderful photo in the book of a ten month old with
>paint-covered hands and feet crawling on a paper/board, obviously intent on
>the results).
Sounds like a great book and reminds me of some of the more interesting art
projects that we've seen in our house.
At the age of 3 or so, Morganne liked to take her clothes off and paint her
belly with tempera paints. Our young friend Melanie used to begin all felt
pen drawings with her two hands -- she'd completely cover both hands before
tackling the paper. Our friend John, at two, liked to put his play doh on
the floor (vinyl, thank goodness) and squish it with his toes.
I wanted to mention one other type of art material that gets a lot of use
around our house - clay. Sculpy comes in many colors and bakes dry in the
oven. It's not too expensive and easy for 6 year old Morganne to work with
solo. Our favorite modeling material, though is Das Pronto. Das Pronto
comes in white and clay colors, air dries and can be painted with tempera
paints. Sculpy's good for artistic projects (witches, animals and so
forth) while Das Pronto is good for more clay-like projects.
Oh, and don't forget good old-fashioned mud. A few weeks ago, we had four
homeschooling children from this list over here and they began some
impromptu mud play in the yard.
And one more thing: coloring books are Evil Incarnate and do nothing
positive for a child's art education. It takes no creativity for a
child to fill in adult-drawn shapes and gives a child a poor concept
of the value of natural children's art.
We are fortunate to live near Santa Cruz, which is the home of the
Children's Art Foundation. In addition to a wonderful (and expensive)
series of art classes, the Children's Art Foundation promotes children's
art from around the world. So there are often free local art shows
with beautiful children's art on display.
The local library also runs children's art shows from time to time.
They even ran a homeschoolers art show for the month of February.
Morganne had a couple of pastel drawings displayed in the show.
--
Heather Madrone
mad...@cruzio.com
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Nicholas Miskin <nmi...@cln.etc.bc.ca>
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 1995 11:19:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Nursing and f*zzy t**l*ts (was RE: KIDS AND COMPUTERS
On Sat, 18 Mar 1995, Bonnie Bedford wrote:
>
> You mean I'm not the only one who nurses at the computer? I used to
> think I was the only one who nursed on the phone (and on the t**l*t
> too.)
> Your comment about warm f*zzy feelings made me remember the nursing on
> the t**l*t. There is something warm and f*zzy about my t**l*t but I
> won't mention it on home-ed. Waste of band width.
>
>
We didn't have a computer through the many long years my kids nursed, but
they have nursed through weddings, a funeral, air trips, movies, an
outdoor symphony concert and at baseball games. Just to name a few
situations ...
Back to topic, sort of. It would be interesting to know how many
homeschoolers have gone through the home-birth, LaLeche League route and
ended up with homeschooling just the next stage in what feels to me like a
natural progression.
Sandy Keane <nmi...@CLN.etc.bc.ca>
an about to retire LLL leader in soupy vancouver where my kids have a
soccer tournament in the mud today. |-/
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Laura Janetzke <jane...@rand.org>
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 95 11:50:08 PST
Subject: birth & nursing (was f*zzy t**l*ts, which was Kids & Computers)
I *wanted* to have a home birth, but my insurance wouldn't cover it and my
doctor wouldn't do it (long story on why I couldn't switch doctors or
insurance). I did breastfeed as long as I could, however (*I* would have
nursed longer, but Kasie lost interest at about a year. She liked food
too much!) But I do see homeschooling as part of my overall phylosophy of
child-rearing. I'm trying to do things that I believe will help Kasie to
be a basically positive, happy, and secure person. So far I think it's
working because I would most definitely use those terms to describe the
person she is now.
Laura, who wishes she could find the "natural" way to potty-train, without
being coercive, of course. I don't *really* need to buy one of those f*zzy
p*ink t**l*t se*t co*ers, just to get her interested, do I? My f*zzy green
one doesn't seem to be doing the trick.
------- Forwarded Message
From: Nicholas Miskin <nmi...@cln.etc.bc.ca>
Subject: Nursing and f*zzy t**l*ts (was RE: KIDS AND COMPUTERS
On Sat, 18 Mar 1995, Bonnie Bedford wrote:
>
> You mean I'm not the only one who nurses at the computer? I used to
> think I was the only one who nursed on the phone (and on the t**l*t
> too.)
> Your comment about warm f*zzy feelings made me remember the nursing on
> the t**l*t. There is something warm and f*zzy about my t**l*t but I
> won't mention it on home-ed. Waste of band width.
>
>
We didn't have a computer through the many long years my kids nursed, but
they have nursed through weddings, a funeral, air trips, movies, an
outdoor symphony concert and at baseball games. Just to name a few
situations ...
Back to topic, sort of. It would be interesting to know how many
homeschoolers have gone through the home-birth, LaLeche League route and
ended up with homeschooling just the next stage in what feels to me like a
natural progression.
Sandy Keane <nmi...@CLN.etc.bc.ca>
an about to retire LLL leader in soupy vancouver where my kids have a
soccer tournament in the mud today. |-/
------- End of Forwarded Message
----------------------------------------------------------
The opinions expressed above are those of the original authors of the
messages. Inclusion in this digest does not imply any endorsement (or
even awareness) of those opinions by the editor of the digest.
END OF HOME-ED DIGEST