HEM News - December 2007

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HEM NEWS - December 2007

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Welcome to THE HEM NEWS! For more information on Home Education Magazine, see the end of this newsletter or visit our web site at http://www.homeedmag.com

Send your comments and questions to editor Mary Nix at Newsletter@homeedmag.com

In the December issue:

~ A Quarter of a Century of Empowerment ~
~ HEM Takes A Closer Look ~
~ Physics Life ~
~ FreeTechBooks.com~
~ Why Professionals And Politicians Are Wrong About Preschool ~
~ Questions & Answers ~
~ HEM'S Current Issue ~
~ Rice Game~
~ GWS #7 ~
~ American Homeschool Association ~
~ December Webcasts ~
~ Devices of Wonder~
~ From Caveman to Chemist ~
~ Math Playground ~
~ HEM Blogs ~
~ HEM Discussion Lists ~
~ Classified Ads ~
~ The Final Word ~

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A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF EMPOWERMENT

The January-February 2008 Issue of Home Education Magazine marks Home Education Magazine's 25th year! Twenty-five years of empowerment and common sense articles for the diverse community that home educators are! To learn more about how it all began, be sure to read the January -February issue to read an interview with HEM's publishers, Mark and Helen Hegener. You can also learn more about the history of HEM at Helen Hegener's HEM Editor's Blog here http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/editorial/?p=198 .
Congratulations and thanks Mark and Helen!

HEM TAKES A CLOSER LOOK

HEM Takes a Closer Look is an ongoing project that focuses on specific topics, compiling an easily accessed collection of the best writing and resources Home Education Magazine has made available online.

HEM Takes a Closer Look has examined the topics of Unschooling, Science, Libraries, Homeschooling Dads, Educational Games, Reading, Blogs, Gardening for Kids! Math, Diplomas, Writing, Older Kids, Physical Education, Getting Started, Learning Disabilities, Geography, Lesson Planning, Foreign Languages, Music, Virtual Field Trips, Cooking and Learning Methods and Styles

For the latest edition of "HEM Takes a Closer Look" visit http://www.homeedmag.com

You can access past topics here: http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/closer_look/ (topics are listed in the menu on the right)

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PHYSICS LIFE

Explore the physics all around you with this animated cartoon street. (Requires Flash Player.) http://www.physics.org/interact/physics-life/web/physics_life/

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FREETECHBOOKS.COM

"This site lists free online computer science, engineering and programming books, textbooks and lecture notes, all of which are legally and freely available over the Internet.

Throughout this site, other terms are used to refer to a book, such as ebook, text, document, monogram or notes." http://www.freetechbooks.com/


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WHY PROFESSIONALS AND POLITICIANS ARE WRONG ABOUT PRESCHOOL - LARRY AND SUSAN KASEMAN

Suppose you discovered that federal and state governments were increasingly using public money to take young children away from their homes and parents and putting them in programs supposedly designed to increase their academic performance? Suppose research showed few long-lasting academic benefits from such programs and the likelihood for serious harm to children? But suppose those supporting the programs were misusing this research and claiming it supported preschool? Suppose parents, worn down by politicians', professional associations', and the media's constantly proclaiming that children need to attend these programs, were sending their children in increasing numbers, disrupting the children's learning and social development and weakening families? If all that were happening, wouldn't you want to do something? Well, it's time to act.

In 2006, at least 40 states were providing state funding for preschool programs while three states (Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma) offered universal preschool. In 1965, 5% of three year olds and 16% of four year olds attended preschool. By 2006, 42% of three year olds and 68% of four year olds attended. This represents an enormous change in the way vulnerable young children are being treated in just over 40 years. Even people who think it's a good idea to send children to kindergarten at age five should realize that institutionalizing three and four year olds is much more stressful for them and their families.

This column shows ways in which a few studies are being seriously misused to push for more preschool. It examines what's behind the increase in preschool. Then it suggests actions we can take.

How Does Attending Preschool Affect Children?
First, consider the terminology. "Preschool" refers to any program, public or private, for children not yet old enough to enroll in public school kindergarten, usually at age five but sometimes at four. "Universal preschool" uses state and federal tax dollars to make public school preschool available four year olds and sometimes three year olds.

Advocates of preschool often claim that studies show that children benefit. It is true that several studies seem to show that preschool has a short-term positive effect on academic work of disadvantaged children, although the benefits disappear by third grade. However, a more honest analysis of these studies clearly shows that they do NOT provide evidence that preschool has long-term positive effects on children's academic work. They do NOT show that children who are not disadvantaged would benefit from preschool. In addition, other studies demonstrate that preschool is harmful.

You can read the rest of this must read article at this link: http://homeedmag.com/HEM/246/takingcharge.html

You can access other articles and columns from HEM at the link above, but you will want to get the magazine--the one you hold in your hands--to read them all! See subscription information directly below or visit your local bookseller to get your copy today.

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HOME EDUCATON MAGAZINE INTRODUCTORY OFFER!

Subscriptions: Home Education Magazine is offering a one year introductory subscription for $20.00! (reg $32.00) To take advantage of this price HEM Online News readers should mention this newsletter when contacting us. To order write: Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; call toll-free 1-800-236-3278; email orders@homeedmag.com. Or use our secure online form at: http://www.homeedmag.com/ORD/_hemonline.html. MC/Visa/Disc cards accepted

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions & Answers is a readers' forum in the print version of Home Education Magazine, a section to share our concerns, experiences and insights. Each issue highlights questions proposed by our readers along with a sampling of answers which reflect a wide range of perspectives. To answer a question or propose your own question, please write to Laura Weldon via ReaderResponse@homeedmag.com or Questions & Answers, c/o Home Education Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket, WA 98855. Your responses must meet our deadline of January 10th. Please recognize that your submission may be edited for length or clarity. Indicate how you prefer your question or answer signed.


"My husband and I are, sadly, divorcing. I've been homeschooling our 11-year-olds for five years. Our children love it and are thriving. I want to know, is it still homeschooling if the children are home alone and I'm working 25 hours a week? The children are very mature and it's legal for them to be unsupervised for the number of hours needed. It's just that I don't want to shortchange them with my absence. But at the same time I don't want them to have to return to school because of a change in finances." -Pressed Mom

I'm asking for some ideas to help me reason with my wife. She does a great job homeschooling the kids but the house is overflowing with books no one uses and still she buys more. She get them from garage sales, friends of the library sales, eBay, bookstores, you name it. It's gotten out of hand. Not counting books on shelves and stacked everywhere, the kids and I found 29 large boxes of books. To me that deprives other people of using them because we sure aren't reading. Any ideas? - Brad Linkletter

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HEM'S CURRENT ISSUE

In the November-December issue of Home Education Magazine

Carol Alexander asks the question, what's the difference between boys and girls? and gives a peek into the life of a mom who is homeschooling five boys in her "Homeschooling Boys" article. "Homeschool Science Slacker" by Karen Vogel reminds us that not all homeschool moms run a chemistry lab in their kitchens and despite her guilt explains she is a self-proclaimed "science slacker" who may or may not get that science curriculum someday. Homeschoolers never know when we'll be required to step up and represent homeschooling. Deborah Markus offers some tips to make it easier in "Ambassadors to the Real World."

In his My Word! column, David H. Albert provides an interpretation of how an old chair represents the new American family style via "My Chair (New American Family Style)." Kathy Ceceri suggests how to introduce and involve your kids in the world of Archeology in an article aptly titled, "Archaeology." In "Whole Grains Made Easy", Christine Gable explains that whole grains don't have to take a lot of time to prepare. They're good for you and as usual, she provides several great tasting recipes. Linda Dobson describes how easy it is to slip back into the homeschooling groove during a wonderful vacation with her granddaughter, Emily in "Like Riding a Bike. Becky Rupp exhorts us to "Let it Snow" and explains as winter settles in, your family can settle in with all things snow and a bit of diagramming sentences, just for fun. Mary Nix interviewed Susan Smylie Odyssey of the Mind Coach who tells about her experiences coaching a team of homeschooled kids for The Odyssey of the Min
d, for which they've won awards in creative problem solving and teamwork competition.

Other Columnists include: Carol Narigon, Laura Weldon, Tamra Orr, Larry and Susan Kaseman and Valerie Bonham Moon.

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FREE RICE GAME

The more you play this game, and get correct answers; the more rice is donated to the United Nations World Food Program. It automatically adjusts to your vocabulary. An excellent challenge. www.freerice.com/index.php


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GROWING WITHOUT SCHOOLING ISSUE #7 NOW ONLINE!

Begun in 1977 as the first nation-wide publication for homeschooling families, Growing Without Schooling represents the original groundbreaking work of author and educator John Holt and homeschooling's early pioneer families.

Over the course of 24 years, Growing Without Schooling, widely known simply as GWS, became the gold standard for the topic of homeschooling, earning a devoted following and helping hundreds of thousands of families take or keep their children out of school. This landmark collection is made available online by the editors and publishers of Home Education Magazine.

An introduction by Patrick Farenga, President of Holt Associates Inc., presents the online collection at: http://www.unschooling.com/gws/.

The latest issue to be added to this collection is GWS Issue #7.

In addition issues: 8,14,15,18,20,22,24,26,28,30,31,49,52,53,54,68,69,70,77,78 and 87 are available. Many more will be added as old, outdated formats such as magnetic tape and floppy disks are translated into readable formats and uploaded.

This historically important homeschooling archive is being reprinted with the kind permission of Holt Associates, and is presented as a free service to the homeschooling community by the editors and publishers of Home Education Magazine.

You can read Growing Without Schooling Issue #7 here: http://www.unschooling.com/gws/?p=203


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THE AMERICAN HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION

The American Homeschool Association (AHA) is a service organization sponsored in part by the publishers of Home Education Magazine. The AHA was created in 1995 to network homeschoolers on a national level. Current AHA services include an online news and discussion list, which provides news, information, and resources for homeschoolers, media contacts, and education officials.
http://www.americanhomeschoolassociation.org

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ROBINSUNNE'S MULTIPLICATION CLOCK

"Robinsunne was teaching one day and, like a little breeze from angels' wings, this idea came flying in. Please use these instructions as a free gift! Just make sure to give Robinsunne the credit and refer your friends to this page.

We thought about printing out the clock and selling the instructions, but the fun - and the learning - is in doing it yourself. Make sure to hang your multiplication clock where you all can enjoy it!

This clock has been copyrighted by Robinsunne. Please use these instructions with your children. Please refer other parents and teachers to this page for the instructions to use with their children.

And speaking of children - don't let the youngers have all the fun. Having the manual dexterity and visual maturity of an elder is great. Definitely have your high school and college students make one, and make one yourself. All that coloring is a good thing. Have fun!"

You can see the clock and learn how to make your own multiplication clock here:
http://robinsunne.com/robinsunnes_multiplication_clock

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DECEMBER WEBCASTS

Activated Stories

Book mark the library of Activated Stories http://activated.libsyn.com/ from the Activated Storytellers (The Goza Family) so you don't miss any of their continuing tales and stories.

"My Career in Aviation"
An Evening with Test Pilot Robert K. Smyth
mms://media1.smithsonian.museum/NASM/2007/GE_Lectures/2007-10-25_NASM_Bob_Smyth.wmv

"Mathematical Pi - The Video"
http://www.stevetoner.com/ph/TonerS/mathpi.html

Starwars Bagpipes
http://jawboneradio.blogspot.com/2007/10/star-wars-bagpipes.html


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DEVICES OF WONDER

"The Devices of Wonder Web site explores the ancestors of modern cinema, cyborgs, and other optical devices. The Web site was created in conjunction with an exhibition, which presented the parlor games, natural wonders, moving image devices, and scientific instruments that have entertained and educated humans for more than four centuries.

The Web site allows visitors to experience some of these inventions first hand, offering a unique opportunity to operate objects that are too rare and fragile to be handled.

The objects are fun to play with, and they also teach us about our social, scientific, and visual history. Below are some ideas for how you can explore the exhibition themes with children."

http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/devices/flash/

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FROM CAVEMAN TO CHEMIST

"From Caveman to Chemist" is a course exploring landmark technologies on the road to modern industrial civilization. We will begin by learning to make fire and stone tools and progress up through plastics and semiconductors. Your grade in the course will be determined by the *number* of technologies which you master. Although this is not a lab course, it is very much a course about *doing* things. You will not only read about these landmark technologies, you will be expected to make things like paper and metals and batteries from scratch. By the time you have completed the course, you will have an intimate knowledge of most of the top 25 chemicals. http://www.cavemanchemistry.com/ http://cavemanchemistry.com/oldcave/projects/industry/index.html


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MATH PLAYGROUND

These games help to sharpen critical thinking and problem solving skills, but they are also plain old fun.

http://www.mathplayground.com/logicgames.html

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Arts and Crafts

Our family enjoys working with different craft resources throughout the year, but we always hit a mode of getting busy making things for friends and family this time of year. It all started when my children were small and it continues to this day. You can find wonderful treasures throughout friends and families homes that they have made and now that they are older, I still look forward to their homemade cards and gifts.

Here are some fun craft resources just in time for the holidays:

DLTK's Holiday Activities (scroll down the page for the many December holidays and crafts) http://www.dltk-holidays.com/

Artists Helping Children -
Kids Trash to Treasure Arts and Crafts Projects
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/artforchildren.html

Happy New Year Crafts
http://crafts.kaboose.com/crafts/new-year/happy-new-years-crafts.html

Craft Videos
http://family.go.com/tagsearch/crafts/11/?CMP=KNC-GoogFamily

Happy Holidays! -- Mary


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HEM BLOGS

HEM News & Commentary
http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/newscomm

HEM Editor's Blog
http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/editorial/

HEM Support Groups
http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/groupnews/

HEM'S Guide to Homeschool Resources
http://www.homeedmag.com/blogs/resources/

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HEM DISCUSSION LISTS

HEM's free email discussion lists are a wonderful way to access the online homeschooling community, and you can choose whether to receive a list's messages in your email box or to read them at the lists' home page on the Internet. Either way, you'll meet lots of interesting people who care about the list topic.

HEM Networking
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Networking
General discussion list on homeschooling issues.

HEM New Homeschoolers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-NewHomeschoolers
Specifically for those new to homeschooling.

HEM Unschooling
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Unschooling
Explore this relaxed approach to learning.

HEM Writers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Writers
Editors, columnists and those who want to write for HEM.

Short-Term Homeschooling
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShortTermHomeschooling/
Editorial group working on the new book by this title.

HEM-Recipes. The Homeschool Kitchen Online!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-Recipes
This discussion list is an online extension of Christine Gable's column, offering an expanded collection of recipes, menus for family meals, tips and ideas about cooking, and most importantly, an online source of networking, information, resources, and friendship!

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HEM NEWS UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

For information on purchasing unclassified advertising space in this newsletter, please contact the editor at Newsletter@homeedmag.com. Please use "Mary: Send Ad Info" as your subject line.

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Woza Books Announces The Call to Shakabaz
www.wozabooks.com

In a fantasy adventure of a different color, four children travel to the distant land of Faracadar to retrieve the powerful Staff of Shakabaz from the evil enchanter Sissrath. Set in an African American cultural context (featuring Black characters), this book delivers a magical climax that demonstrates the fundamental principles of nonviolence. Winner of an iParenting Media Award, this book will inspire deep discussion on many issues faced by contemporary youngsters.

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The Day After Graduation
WWW.TheDayAfterGraduation.com
What your parents and teachers did not teach you, written for ages 16-60.

Acclaimed by a Dean of Education, a Chancellor, academia and businessmen as a must read. The book will guide you in the how to's to live a successful life, how to apply for a job, how to sell a product, how to be financially independent, how to stay out of debt, how to save and invest money. Francis Brazeau, Author E-mail francisbrazeau@comcast.net

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FUN BOOKS - Looking for unique family resources?
www.FUN-Books.com

We carry books, games, audio recordings, GWS magazines and more. To celebrate the owners' 25th wedding anniversary, we are offering incredible deals throughout our site. We have many items on sale, including the awarding-winning Rosetta Stone foreign language program. Owner of former John Holt's Bookstore. FUN Books, PO Box 1360, Pasadena, MD 21123-1360;
http://www.FUN-Books.com

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REACH MORE HOMESCHOOLERS AND STICK TO YOUR BUDGET!

If you would like your ad to appear in HEM's Online Newsletter, where it will reach over 17,000 subscribers-and then be viewed by thousands more online-write to editor Mary Nix at Newsletter@homeedmag.com for details. Please use "Mary: Send Ad Info" as your subject line.

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THE FINAL WORD

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. - Chinese Proverb

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Thanks for reading The HEM News!
Pass it on to your friends!
To subscribe, visit our web site at
http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_hemnewsltr.html

Have a wonderful month!

Mary Nix, Newsletter Editor
Newsletter@homeedmag.com
Mark and Helen Hegener
Publishers of Home Education Magazine
http://www.homeedmag.com