Journalist~
I am homeschooling my 2 kids, ages 4 and 6. I plan to do so for their
entire educations, in one form or another. Even if I cannot personally
teach them in the older grades, I'm aware of many other resources
besides my own. Please give me the best advice you can for the good of
their education and my own sanity. :)
(Last question for this week, I still have to pay the rent! Thank you
for your previous answer I have already made and sold one of your
excellent ideas!)

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Request for Question Clarification by ephraim-ga on 27 Jul 2003 08:06 PDT

Roland,

I'm not sure I understand the question -- are you looking for general
advice on home-schooling?

/ephraim

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Request for Question Clarification by ephraim-ga on 27 Jul 2003 08:15 PDT

Ooops, just realized that this was directed at a specific researcher
who is not me. A small piece of advice -- if you want a specific
researcher to answer your question, put the person's name in the
subject header.

Good luck!

/ephraim

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Clarification of Question by rolandthegunslinger-ga on 27 Jul 2003 09:32 PDT

I'm not looking for general advice, I'm looking for the best advice in
the opinion of the answerer. For example...particulars that I should
concentrate on in these early years and particulars that I need not
worry about until later years. Things I need not worry about at all.
Anything you feel that would be of benefit.
Karen

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Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 28 Jul 2003 06:22 PDT

Dear Karen:

Thank you so much for requesting my services and I have two
suggestions.  The first is that you obtain some older school books
from the earlier part of the 20th century because the quality of their
contents is so much higher than what children see today.  I think that
by examining those older schoolbooks, you'll have a more comprehensive
idea of what you should *add* to the standard lesson plans of today
(especially, endeavor to teach them beginning Latin as soon as
possible because it helps so much with word comprehension and
recognition).

My second suggestion is that you request this answer from my
colleague, Larre-ga, because she home-schooled her daughter for nine
years and she is much better equipped to address your needs on this
matter.  I would love to claim the question fee (I know about paying
that pesky mortgage - lol) but I am childfree and could offer only
opinion.  Larre-ga will do the answer justice because of her
homeschool background.

If you'd like her to answer, just respond with a clarification here
saying that Larre's answer would be acceptable and I'll alert her.

I'm thrilled you have already sold a new "Karen creation"!  I hope
that you continue to have great success with the "extra books" ideas
and create a wealth of income!  I also look forward to answering
questions for you in the future.  :)

Best regards,
journalist-ga

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Clarification of Question by rolandthegunslinger-ga on 28 Jul 2003 07:38 PDT

Hi Journalist,
the reason that I requested you personally for this question was not
so much that I thought you might have experience with homeschooling,
but more that I have come to have a lot of respect for your
intelligence, sense of imagination, reasoning, and thoughtfulness.
For example, your first paragraph of comment on this question,
teaching them the basics of latin grammar, this is something that I
would have never thought of. That alone would have been a worthwile
answer if you stopped there and said nothing else.
It's nice of you to direct me to someone you feel might be better able
to help me, but I really want your personal opinion.
Unless you don't want this one.
Karen

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Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 28 Jul 2003 08:17 PDT

Dear Karen:

I DO want to answer and I wanted to be certain you knew I'd be doing
so from "my hypothetical child" point of view - we Researchers do want
to be sure the customer is pleased.  :)

I'll be composing an answer soon for you regarding this query.  Thanks
for the clarification *and* for your faith in my ideas!

Best regards,
journalist-ga

Greetings Karen!

As mentioned above, I believe that instruction in beginning Latin will
behoove your children as the best aid to future word comprehension. 
Those root terms are everywhere in the English language and learning
Latin would also assist your children in the future learning of
romance languages.  The earlier a child is exposed to Latin (or any
foreign language) the better their retention.

A wonderful article on how to relate Latin to children is titled
"ENGLISH FROM THE ROOTS UP FOR CHILDREN" by Joegil Lundquist and it
may be viewed at http://www.literacyunlimited.com/children.htm  In the
article, he states:

"Just as phonics helps children find out what words are, Latin and
Greek help them figure out what words mean. Without an early working
knowledge of these indispensable components of their language,
children are handicapped in their ability to use words well.

"Why do we put off until it is almost too late, or never provide the
opportunity to cultivate understanding of the vivid, active imagery
that confers power in the use of our language? Why do we postpone
Latin until it coincides with the onset of puberty, a time when
conflicting interests ensure that Latin will be far from uppermost in
a student's mind?"

He gives superb examples and ideas, and I believe you will find the
entire article to be of great assistance.

For some Latin book resources for younger children, see
http://www.latinteach.com/younglearner.html
 
*************

The same goes for music - for me, an essential part of learning and
life.  I would begin playing Mozart's music and other "perky"
classical music for your children because of the "math connection." 
Music *is* math and exposing young children to classical music seems
to set "brain patterns" that lead to better math skills.  It also
assists in motor skills and other aspects of a child's growth.

See "The Benefits of Early Childhood Music" at
http://www.musiceducationmadness.com/benefits.shtml  - you may also
wish to purchase (or obtain from your local library) "The Mozart
Effect" - it is a fascinating book.

"How Music Benefits Children"
http://parenting.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=2114

Also see "Effects of Popular and Classical Background Music on the
Math Test Scores of Undergraduate Students" by Mike Manthei,
Minneapolis, MN, and Steve N. Kelly, University of Nebraska at Omaha
at http://music.arts.usf.edu/rpme/effects.htm

For "recess" for your children, you could play classical music while
they color or ask them to tell you story (or write when they are age
appropriate for writing) based on how the music makes them feel. 
Encourage imaginiation.

**********

When I was young, my parents listened more to classical music and
movie scores than to lyricized music.  I still frequently listen to
Gershwin's "An American in Paris" and "Rhapsody in Blue" which my
parents played when I was tiny.  I love the sweeping passages and the
intense emotion in those pieces.

I also believe that instrumental music is far more beneficial to young
minds than lyricized music.  Children can hear the scope of emotions
in instrumental music without any prompting.  They also absorb
rhythmic timing from just listening.  The music need never be loud -
music playing softly in the background will permeate a child's senses
just as well as louder volumes.

Words are paramount, too, and I would suggest exposing your children
to rhyming poetry (as you probably do already) because the rhythm of
the words AND the "puzzle" aspect of supporting their minds to make
rhymes.  Encourage them to make up little rhyming poems.

I'd also look for some lyricized music for them from the 50s and 60s
era (children's music these days can be so benign).  Burl Ives was a
master storyteller with music and I loved his records when I was a
child.  Also, rent for them the film and soundtrack of "Hans Christian
Anderson" starring Danny Kaye.  What a great film for children!!  A
song from that film, "The Ugly Duckling," was one of my favorites.

If I were Queen of the world, I would push for a return to "classical
education."  Just pick up any second grade or third grade reader or
schoolbook from the earlier part of the 20th century and you'll see
pertinent subjects that schools either don't cover anymore OR they now
teach them to sixth and seventh graders.  US education has become a
"dumbing down" of children and I find that a very sad affair.

Where I used to live in middle Tennessee, the county schools pushed
"graduation of educated factory workers" far more than possible
opportunities for continuing education past high school.  The school
board meetings were always entertaining discussions of "teaching basic
math skills well" so that graduates could work on a factory line and
do basic calculations.  The world needs factory workers, I agree, but
I thought the school board's aspirations for students should be
excellence in education, not merely excellence for future factory
workers' education.

I was infused with classical music and poetry when I was a child - not
only in school but also at home.  I'm 47 now and I feel I received an
excellent education.  Oh!  And rent a copy of "What's Opera, Doc?" for
your children  It's an early Warner Brothers cartoon starring Bugs and
Elmer in Wagner's "The Ring of the Nibelung".  It was probably the
first opera excerpt I ever heard.  :)  Also, "Fantasia" and other
older Disney cartoon contain much classical music.

"What's Opera, Doc?" fact sheet
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_Opera,_Doc%3F

Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Filmography
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looney_Tunes_%26_Merrie_Melodies_filmography

I hope my literary and musical suggestions will be a good beginning
for your own "Chekhov Liszt" regarding the best education for your
children.  ;)  Thank *you* for asking such interesting questions!

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

benefits classical music children
"latin for children"
"latin for young children"
"what's opera doc"
cartoons with classical music

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Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 28 Jul 2003 10:49 PDT

ADDENDUM:  Although childfree, I was a journalist for a newspaper in
middle Tennessee for 1.5 years.  During that time, I was assigned to
the monthly school board meetings.  I listened as carefully (sometimes
moreso, perhaps) than parents attending the meetings.  :)

That was exactly the type of answer I was hoping for. You have given
me a lot to think about and attempt in the year to come. Also a lot of
new ideas I never would have thought of. I appreciate it.

I don't have kids, but...

A friend of mine homeschools her children. Despite the fact that she
is not Christian, she decided to take a Christian homeschooling
curriculum and spent a lot of time modifying it to fit her particular
needs and religious beliefs. From what she told me, the project took a
lot of time and effort, but the original curriculum she started with
gave her a fantastic base on which to build.

From what I've observed, she also makes a large distinction between
home and school. They "borrow" a friend's home down the street during
the day as their schoolroom, and the children are required to wear
uniforms when in school. This is because she doesn't want any
confusion as to when school rules and home rules apply.

/ephraim

Hello, Roland,

Journalist has offered you wonderful homeschooling ideas and
suggestions.

As a homeschooling parent, I found the greatest benefit of
homeschooling was having the opportunity to instill a love of
learning, rather than specific knowledge. We used few schoolbooks, had
no school rules, and incorporated learning into daily living.

We worked through a California Charter School, which provided
educational resources, activities such as a ski program and field
trips, and teacher/advisors qualified to advise on curriculum and
evaluate progress. We set our own curriculum. In fact, we
"unschooled." Whatever my daughter expressed an interest in became our
lesson(s) of the day, whether it might be...

-- a wild flower picked on our daily 2 mile walk to the mail box
(P.E.,
   counting/symetry/math, botany, art)

-- making Rice Krispy squares (chemistry, following directions, math
   and proportions)

-- building a backyard playhouse version of The Little House on the 
   Prairie (reading, literature, history, math, pioneer skills,
crafts,
   P.E. - a six month project)

-- finding out everything there was to know about the 
   Humuhumunukunukuapuaa. The authentically painted papier-mâché  
   fish-on-a-stick is still proudly displayed on one of my end tables
   12 years later!)

-- educational travel, including a driving trip across the U.S., and
   most recently a trip to Europe, which provided the basis for her 
   Senior Thesis on differential cultural and political perspectives.

Math was our most difficult subject. I have advanced degrees, but
little of the patience needed for teaching in this area. We worked up
to times tables, and halted formal studies there, though we continued
exploring math connections to other subjects and projects. Due to
divorce, we had to take a 3 year break in homeschooling. It took only
one semester for my daughter to catch up to the others in junior high
school (Algebra) math. That love of learning paid off magnificently.
She was tested at or above grade level in all other subjects, and
adapted well to both the socialization and the classroom format.

After a year of junior high, and two years of high school, my daughter
elected to return to homeschooling, taking responsibility for setting
and following a curriculum on her own. She graduated from high school
(with honors) just after her 17th birthday, and plans to begin college
this fall.

Every homeschooling experience is different, because every home is
unique. I especially enjoyed the exchange of ideas between parents at
our Charter School. Since everybody used different methods and
curricula, we had the opportunity to draw upon wide range of
experiences, and interests. Homeschooling is all about what works for
each child, more than parental expectations. It's one-on-one immediate
feedback, the joy of learning along with your child or children, and
exposing your kids to many different subjects, books, and interests.

Watching intellect blossom, in circumstances you control and approve
of, is, or, has been for me, one of the most rewarding experiences
imaginable. I wish you the same gratification.

---larre

Please make English fluency and literacy your #1 priority to expand
learning potentials for your children.  An excellent on-line resource
is www.WordsAhead.org...FREE!

This approach can be used with any literature, guaranteeing
decipherability of the text prior to its reading.

Go for it!