My New Recorded CBB Virtual Classroom Tour is Now Up and Running!

Click on the link below to visit the CBB Virtual Classroom and tour with me through the CBB classroom and website. This is an unscripted tour, but I'd love to get your feedback. So, if you visit, please post a comment on this post.

 http://www.e-lectazone.com/tools/play_uni.asp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnode4.nirvanix.com%2Fbgs4n3hz%7ET5GVuw0ZVj%7EdpAWqs8r%7EiPd__61vbu%7EWBwo45Y%2FeLectaLive%2Felectalive%2FeLecta%2FServer%2F14DB%2FRecordedSessions%2FU685856R14508S3145772385.el8

Thanks and God bless!

FREE ONLINE STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS!

After working with some of my students this year who truly struggled with studying and organization, I have decided to offer a FREE STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS for ALL Classes by Beth high school students who are registered for regular year classes by June 17, 2013. Three different workshops will be offered in August, with exact dates and times available on the CBB website, but will also be recorded on the virtual classroom site for those students who may have to miss the actual events. 


The workshops will include:

• How to organize your class materials
• How to organize your time
• Effective note taking
• Studying for a test or exam
• Discerning what to retain
• Reading for retention
• Tips for being a lifelong learner

Many students focus on material in the moment, but have difficulty retaining it for when they need it most. They often don't realize the importance of of the habits of a lifelong learner until they're out of high school and desperately in need of those skills in college or at work. I want to give my CBB students the advantage of beneficial skills for the future, not just this school year.

Feel free to share this offer with other homeschoolers via your blog, FB, Twitter and email loops.  Please remember that to attend these free workshops, a student must be in high school and registered for at least one CBB Fall class. Students or parents may leave comments on this blog to register for the workshops.

Blessings,

 

Six Symptoms of the Stressed Out Homeschool High Schooler

Is it possible that as homeschool parents we're overloading our kids? This year I have observed a phenomena that is becoming more and more present in homeschooling...stressed out high school students. I see it in their faces and in their work, and even hear it in their words. Some of our children are feeling the impact of too many outside activities, too many classes and just too much going on. I've never had more students express to me that they just feel stressed out and overloaded. I even had an elementary student share with me the other day that he was exhausted from running from activity to activity. When I told him to share that with his mom, he just sighed.

I know that when my daughter, Ally, now 25, was in high school, we ran around like crazy, continually participating in 
homeschool activities, sports and church events. Ally thrived on it and although she had occasional moments of wanting to sleep in, she excelled in her academics and truly enjoyed herself. On the other hand, my son, JP, who is now 19, felt easily overwhelmed by not being home enough. He found comfort in home life and enjoyed the laid back homeschool schedule. If he didn't have unscheduled time, he became irritable.  Even now, in college, he pushes against overscheduling, requiring "off" hours to play music and be with friends. Obviously, I have raised two very different children and responding to their unique needs wasn't always easy or clear for me. I am a major overachiever, so JP had to work hard to get me to recognize his need for down time.

Many of you and the families I have previously taught have more than two children. Some of you live in your vehicles just trying to meet the needs of four or more children. I cannot compare my life to yours, but I do think that it's vital that we ask ourselves, When is enough enough?  While we all occasionally overdo it, sometimes that overdoing becomes our routine and we don't even realize it. Some clues that your high schooler might be stressed out include:

• Regularly staying up late to get school work completed because there's not enough time to do so during the daylight hours.
• Continual fatigue...never seeming well rested.
• Often expressing frustration or hopelessness (I'll never get finished in time, I don't have any time to myself, etc.)
• Lack of joy.
• Changes in grades or work ethic...often bright students will start turning assignments in late or incomplete almost as a plea for someone to notice their frustration. For students who already struggle, overscheduling can bring them down completely.
• Irregular emotional outbursts...seemingly unwarranted anger at siblings or parents, tears at an unusual time, etc.

We have so much freedom and so many opportunities in homeschooling that sometimes we feel like we just can't pass them up. But we also have the ability to allow our children to be children, and we don't want to miss out on that. I remember when homeschoolers were recognized for their ability to be flexible enough to jump into "teachable moments" because we weren't so scheduled. I wish that for each you! 

I love my students and some of them take three of my classes at a time without flinching while others struggle to squeeze one course into their busy lives. While we all go through periods where we feel stressed out by our obligations, if you see your high schooler exhibiting signs of stress for more than a couple of weeks, maybe you should look at the weight they're carrying. High school is a precious time for our children...we want them to remember it with joy. While some children need pushing to get through the challenges of high school, others just need time to revel in not having to be somewhere or do something.

If you need an objective look at your family's schedule, or desire assistance deciding where to draw line, I'd be happy to help! Shoot me an email or post a comment on this blog. 

God bless you as you balance it all, homeschool Mom!

CBB Online Open Houses for April

Do you have questions about CBB online classes or the newest program for 3rd-8th graders, CBB @ Home?

Would you like to meet Beth personally before signing your child up for classes?

Would you like to see how the virtual classroom operates?

Well, you can! Just sign up for a specific date and time (see current options below) via email. In your email, please provide the following information:

• Give at least two options in case your first is full as space is limited for each time slot. 
• Your first and last name.
• The program you are interested in discussing: online classes, CBB at Home or both.
• The ages of your children.

You will receive an invitation to the open house along with information about secure sign in. If for any reason, you can't attend, please email CBB at the earliest date possible. 

Thursday, April 11th - 3:00-3:30 or 3:30-4:00, evening slot: 7-7:30

Friday, April 12th - 11-11:30, 11:30-12, 12-12:30 or 12:30-1. 

*Note that these dates are NOT for registered students who want to practice using the virtual classroom, although students may attend with parents for open houses. Registered students are emailed different dates to experience using the virtual classroom. 

New Program for Younger Writers!

ANNOUNCING THE NEWEST CBB PROGRAM!

The new Classes by Beth program designed for moms who want to prepare their children for CBB classes, but feel their children aren't ready for online courses. Just imagine:

• Lesson Plans completed for you!
• Monthly online chat time with other moms and Beth!
• Eight opportunities each year (two per quarter) to submit written assignments for evaluation!
• Preparation for high school CBB courses!

Check it all out at the CBB website and enjoy teaching writing this year! Note "Raising Writers" in the referral section of your registration form and save $25 on any one CBB @ Home course.

God bless,

Why I Teach the Writing Process

I have had many different types of homeschool students over the years. Some students come to me with little to no outside classroom experience and others learned about writing via programs like IEW. I've taught students from public and private school who claimed they never wrote a complete paper in English class while other students shared that they did write but the work was never evaluated or returned graded.

Writing isn't an easy skill to teach, as many of you know. Even as a writing teacher, I struggle at times with the detail and thought required to teach students how to write. My students vary in ability, desire and support. I often teach students whose parents confess to me that they don't write well. Now with math, there's a solution to each problem and a path to take to get to that solution. With writing, there's an expression for every possible idea, but the numerous paths to those expressions means there's a lot of room for errors!

I taught writing for the first time, in public school, at the age of 22. I was responsible for teaching 125 4^th and 5^th grade students, five classes each day of about 25 students, how to write well. Most of these students hadn't written much more than a paragraph at that point and they possessed limited grammar and spelling skills. At that time, whole language had exploded in Florida classrooms, with all of the teachers trying it. Honestly, it made me uncomfortable because it seemed like an easy out for teachers while children wallowed in confusion. So, with the support of a wonderful administrator, I sought a different path. I decided to teach writing the way that I wrote…as a process.

The Writing Process certainly isn't my creation. Researchers actually suggested it in the 1970s. I utilized when I was in high school, although I don't remember it ever being called a process. Basically, the writing process organizes writing into a series of steps each depending on the previous to result in a well-executed paper.  I label the steps a bit differently than the original researchers (I am a bit more pragmatic, I think): choose a topic, take notes (research, if needed), create a thesis statement and outline, write a draft based on your outline, edit your draft, write another draft, etc.  Students who follow this process tend to be required to write fewer drafts. Students who skip steps or don't utilize the material created in the previous steps often find themselves struggling to clearly articulate their ideas. I have been teaching for over twenty years (oh…that was hard to say) and I haven't taught a student yet who couldn't successfully follow the writing process.

Sometimes, particularly in education, we look for the new and different route, something that will spark brilliance in our children. At other times, we're just looking for a course that works for our families with the least amount of stress. But from my experience, using the writing process, going old school, builds a foundation for students that they can rely on for a lifetime of writing. There aren't any catchy terms (an adjective is still just an adjective) or secret tricks. It's just what makes sense.

One of my sweet elementary students came to class very frustrated because she and mom had struggled with writing two assigned paragraphs. I asked the student to take out her notes and her web outline.  She pulled out her notes and then stared at me with a blank expression. When I found the outline in her notebook, she smiled and said "Ohhh…that's what that is." After reviewing the outline, we realized that she needed a bit more material from her notes to make it all work. So, she went to work. Once she finished her outline, I reminded her of its purpose and for the first time, I think she really connected the outline to the writing itself. Students often see an outline as just another assignment rather than a tool. After the light bulb went on (love that look on their faces when it happens!), she cheerfully wrote an outstanding five sentence paragraph. It was impressive. 

This student happens to be among my very youngest and yet, with a little direction, she could see the logic in using the notes to create the outline and using the outline to create the paragraphs. Some of my high school students could learn a thing or two from her!  The outline empowered her to write her paragraphs, giving her confidence. She also had the real life experience of trying to write without the outline and the frustration of not understanding why it wasn't all working for her.

The Writing Process may seem outdated and almost basic to you. Maybe you don't like the idea of having to follow steps to get a written assignment from your child. "Just write what you think" is nearly impossible for many children. They move into panic mode very quickly. The step by step process allows them to grow in confidence and experience so that by the time they're writing paragraphs, they have great command of the subject matter. So, even if you're a bit uncomfortable with the process of writing, sharing it with your children open new doors for them to express themselves in an organized manner.

Please leave a comment on this blog if you read the post. It's nice to know when someone else has a thought about your writing…even if it's not in agreement.

Next week, watch for why I don't allow "rough" drafts in my classes.

Have a blessed weekend!

One Single Tip for Improving Your Child's Writing

If you ask my students to a state a rule that they hear me reiterate on a regular basis, many of them will say, "Use strong verbs." I picked up this mantra back when I wrote more than I taught. Noticing that editors always seemed pleased with sentences enticing the readers through active verbs, I learned to incorporate them into my writing and found fewer editors asking for rewrites. Specific, active verbs actually strengthen sentences in a variety of ways.

1.       Solid writing creates word pictures for the reader.  For example, The wind whistles through the trees causing a rain of leaves. Can you see that picture in your head? Now imagine this sentence:  The wind is blowing and the leaves are falling from the trees. Can you see that picture in your head? Sure, but do you hear the whistle? The more specific the verb, the more articulate the word picture.  Another example:  He is driving to the store and his radio is playing loudly.  How about:  He drove to the store with his radio blasting tunes. The second sentence demonstrates action and provides a more articulate word picture.

2.       Stronger verbs generally relate to the senses, allowing most readers to respond more effectively to your writing. Notice that my previous examples weren't just about what the writer saw, but also what he heard. Sentences that stress more than just a visual sense involve the reader and typically, active verbs generate those sensory responses.

3.       Readers enjoy and comprehend active verbs. Active verbs evoke enjoyment for readers because they are more specific and more interesting. This enjoyment typically leads to a greater comprehension of the material presented.

TECHNIQUES

• Verb replacement – obviously, students can simply replace "be" verbs with active verbs in their writing. However, this often leads to stilted or awkward writing and can frustrate the student. So, other techniques should be taught as well.
• Succinct, rather than wordy – at times, students utilize too many words and this results in overuse of  "be" verbs. Such sentences appear longer and less interesting to the reader.    Example: The state of Florida has citizens who are active in politics.    Improved Example: Citizens of Florida actively participate in politics. OR Floridians        actively participate in politics.
• Changing word usage – I find that some of my students develop a solid idea but could improve how they're using the words in their sentences. Example:  You can pet and feed the animals, but make sure you use some hand sanitizer afterwards. Improved Example:  Feel free to pet and feed the animals, but sanitize your hands afterward. Notice how I changed the focus in the beginning of the sentence from the unnecessary "make sure you" to the actual verbs, "pet" and "feed." Also, I took the noun "sanitizer" and changed it to the strong verb "sanitize" which creates a more specific word picture than the previous verb "use."

Should students change all of their "be" verbs into active verbs in a writing assignment? Definitely not, but utilizing strong verbs makes their writing more effective. I tell my students that using "be" verbs in the majority of their sentences illustrates lazy writing. Honestly, for most of us, it's a lot easier to use "be" verbs or less specific verbs. However, if we're going to bother teaching our children to write, why not teach them mastery rather than minimally?

A pleasant man with a British accent just interrupted me as I write this blog at the downtown library in Charleston. He shares many interesting ideas (I often attract total strangers to talk with me…not sure why) as he worked as an electrical engineer for many years. Teaching, as I do, fascinates him and he discusses the idea that so many young people today don't understand the value of articulate communication. He theorizes that they rely on technology but forget that all thinking requires their brain power, not electrical power. I value his insight.

As you teach your children about such things as strengthening their writing, bear in mind that you're charging their battery for learning in general. They may get through life seemingly successful without concern about "be" verbs, but strengthening their written and "thinking" communication skills provides an invaluable learning experience.

God bless you as you teach your children!

Joy of Learning = Retention

One of the biggest issues I've noticed this year is that many of my students only "learn" something long enough to give me the right answer in class or pass a test. Ah, the age old problem of retention. At one point, I actually asked some of my American Lit high school students to tell me what they know about Patrick Henry. Imagine my concern when one of my students, who had taken my American History course the previous year where we read a biography of Henry, responded with "his name sounds familiar." My first thought was "Why am I teaching?" I felt that I had really let that student down. Amazingly, less than half of the class, all of whom admitted to having previously taken American History, could tell me anything about Henry.However, the students who did respond seemed to know a great deal about him. I was clearly dealing with a situation of extremes. 

So, I contemplated the difference between the two student groups. Was it that the knowledgeable group was brighter, more intelligent? No. Could it be that the group lacking knowledge had poor homeschooling, maybe their parents just didn't do a great job of teaching them? Well, considering that I had taught one of those students, well, we'll leave it at that. :) Finally, it hit me...they differed in one area...their attitudes toward learning. Most of the students who responded with knowledge had a different attitude about learning in general. They responded to their education from a perspective of desire rather than feeling obligated.

I remember high school American history. My teacher was the soccer coach and he referred to me by my last name only. He also threatened often to buy me a free airline ticket to anywhere. I drove him crazy because although I was an excellent student, I didn't understand the value of history. Being young, I was much more interested in creative writing where I was allowed to express my thoughts or literature where I could dive into another world for a while. But history? Yuck! 

Fast forward to a homeschool mom with an education degree hoping to teach her children in a more interesting way than she was taught. I spent many hours just sitting in the public library reading picture books, biographies and historical literature. They were much more interesting than textbooks. As my children grew, so did my love for history. I am still learning...I know I have at least one current student who could teach my class...he's that bright. But more than his knowledge, it's his passion for learning that would do the job. 

I have now raised two children who both admit to enjoying learning new things and realize the importance of continuing to educate themselves in their adult lives. This joy of learning translates to my daughter's book stack...she continues to grow in her professional and personal life. My son, a college student, went in with 30 credit hours due to dual-enrollment in high school and now wants to add a minor rather than graduating early. He feels like taking advantage of that time in college makes more sense than trying to go back later. So, how did I help instill this joy of learning in my own children? 

1. Be a learner - I am currently learning to draw and to play a musical instrument. I've never been able to do either, but I also know it's not too late to learn something new. If your children see you striving to add to your knowledge base, they'll take it as a matter of fact process. I still share what I am learning with my children. They encourage me and hopefully, it encourages them to see that I don't believe age should ever deter you from being a learner. Students of parents who read are more likely to be adult readers themselves.
2. Be positive about learning - If you relate stories about how much you or your spouse disliked school, reading, etc., you're giving your children permission to do the same. Regularly point out the value of learning and the joy it brings to life overall. Reading and learning from God's Word is a prime example...how much has studying the Bible changed your life?
3. Don't label your children - My son tends to be much less of an achiever than my daughter and I found myself saying that aloud as he was growing up. But I soon saw the effect it was having on him, as if my expectations for him were lower. I don't believe in lying...my son is an underachiever, but he is amazingly bright. Now, I focus on the amazingly bright aspect and encourage him to work up to it. He just has a very different approach to education, but it doesn't keep him from enjoying learning. Praise God that He revealed my mistake to me before I seriously affected my son's joy of learning. Labeling our children is easy to do because it makes us more comfortable, but it can keep them from growing beyond those labels.
4. Use your child's interests and gifts to instill the joy of learning subject matter that's not as fascinating - If your child enjoys building, but really doesn't like to read, encourage him to read books about building. Maybe you have a budding chef in the family...what better way to teach math skills? Or a future photographer may better see the value of history through photographs and their effect on our perspective. A joy of learning in one area can translate to a general desire to learn more about many different things. 
5. Point out why being a lifelong learner has such value - I often ask my students why they waste their time studying material only to forget it after the test. That's like eating a pan full of brownies while you're jogging. It's pointless except in the immediate. God didn't design us to be stagnate creatures. Proverbs 1 states let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (v.5). The world changes continually and people who choose not to be learners will find themselves left behind...I am not speaking of technology but wisdom. We cannot be swayed by the many voices that scream out against God, but the joy of learning can lead us closer to our Savior. My parents' generation often referred to education as the means to a great job and comfortable life. I want more than a comfortable life for my children...I want a passionate, Christ-centered life for them where joy is found in growing in knowledge and wisdom. Education isn't about grades or credits, it's about the person you become in the process.  The grade and credits are temporal, but who you are affects your life now and eternally.

Do you have ideas about instilling a joy of learning in our children? How do you go about moving your children from mere short term knowledge to a desire to grow? Please comment and share your wisdom with other homeschool parents!

God's blessing on your homeschool as you raise your writers!

Summer Schooling? No Way!

It might seem early to start thinking about summer, but I have many parents enrolling and inquiring about my six week summer workshops. Even if you don't want to commit to summer workshops, consider how no school during the summer may be affecting your children.

One of the great blessings of homeschooling is flexibility in scheduling when we teach and learn. While many homeschool parents still operate on the "school year" schedule, I am finding that more and more of my students' families are schooling year round. Many families do this because allows them to take vacations at times other than in the summer, but there are definitely other reasons to do some schooling in the summer.

1. Loss of knowledge and skills - as a teacher, I see it every year. I don't need statistics, although there are plenty out there, to notice how many of my students return to class and need "refreshing" when it comes to skills. As a writing teacher, I have to review punctuation and grammar rules every September even for my returning students.If you view writing as a life skill rather than a subject, then you can imagine how important it is to use that skill regularly to keep it fresh.

2. Change in attitude - in particular, my reluctant readers and reluctant writers get out of the habit over the summer. For some of them, it takes a full quarter or about eight weeks to get back into reading and writing regularly. Since they don't enjoy it as much as other students, they're inclined not to retain the habit over summer. Often, Moms with this type of student will let them "just be kids" over the summer to avoid dealing with the complaining. I do understand, but in the big picture, consistency is vital for reluctant students to succeed.

Even if you don't want to officially "school" during the summer months, consider a few activities that could keep your children moving forward with writing or reading skills.

• Join or start a summer reading program/group. Most public libraries have reading programs which offer rewards and other incentives for reading regularly. If the library incentives don't appeal to your children, you could set up your own rewards system. Then make sure to schedule time regularly for reading, even if it's just a few days a week. If you read at the same time, you'll also model the importance of reading to your children.
• Visiting readers - sometimes it's nice to have someone else read to you. Periodically, consider having a special friend or family member come read with your children. Or have your children visit someone and read aloud to them. Children in hospitals and homeless shelters as well as the elderly in nursing homes enjoy being read to and it also provides an opportunity for an older child to serve.
• Throw in some creative writing activities - consider summer journaling, scrapbooking or notebooking different events, trips, etc. for the summer. The writing does not need to be lengthy or detailed to keep up skills. A paragraph written a few times a week could serve as a reminder of how to maintain those oh so important writing skills. For families with multiple children, a summer newsletter where each child contributes can be very fun. Add some photos and graphics, then share it with friends and family electronically or in print. A summer pen pal can provide practice in both writing and social skills. Plan a summer get together and have your child write up the invitation, create a shopping list, design a menu and more. This will also demonstrate how important writing skills are in everyday life.
• Enroll your child in a summer workshop - I offer all types of classes in the summer, from Author studies to creative writing to writing intensives, that I don't offer the rest of the year. With six week sessions, students can enjoy a variety of experiences or just spend part of the summer keeping up with reading and writing skills.

However you choose to spend your summer, maintaining consistent learning practices will help most children succeed all year round. A little bit of a schedule allows children to keep a routine but still feel the freedom so often associated with summer. 

God bless,

High School Study Skills and Learning Styles

Mid-year often presents a clear picture of a student's current abilities. Occasionally, in my classes, parents find themselves surprised at the mid-term report. This usually occurs because students lack study skills or choose not to study. The point of mid-year evaluation is to reveal students' strengths and weaknesses while there's still time for reparation and improvement. I've noticed more and more with homeschool high schoolers that they're challenged by study skills. This may be happening for a number of reasons:

      1.  Lack of practice – with some families, evidence of mastery is not determined through testing or other methods that require studying, so students haven't had to study in the past.
     2. Uniqueness of homeschool families – one of the beautiful blessings of teaching homeschool students is that they come from unique backgrounds with their families focusing on what they value most. Within that focus, study skills may not have previously seemed essential.
    3. Age and maturity level – more and more homeschool students start high school courses in 8^th grade. While I greatly support that students should move at a pace that challenges them and allows them to grow, it is not common for 8^th grade students to have already developed essential study skills.
    4. Study skills are not developmental, but learned – few students develop strong study skills without assistance. Bright students may ascertain how to study through trial and error, but typically students benefit from being taught how to study.

Most students find that once they utilize study skills on a consistent basis, their stress level decreases and their confidence increases. They discover that some time and effort can bring amazing results! A student's learning style directly affects which study skills are most effective.

AUDITORY LEARNERS learn best from listening. Their study environment should be quiet without multiple interruptions so that they can focus on what they're hearing. Headphones often positively impact this type of learner. With online classes, headphones may help an auditory learner to better focus. Study skills that support this type of learner include:

•   Books on CD – For history and literature courses, many materials are available on CD. Auditory learners tend to comprehend content better when it is read to them.
•  Reading aloud – Some students can achieve the same purposes by reading the material aloud to themselves. The oral reading helps imbed the content into long term memory. For other students, they do best when it's another voice reading aloud to them.
•  Oral practices – reciting vital material aloud often works well for this type of learner. For example, grouping material into fact packages (such as info about a particular person or event) and reading the notes aloud for a few minutes a day can make a huge difference. Another example might be vocabulary definitions – looking at the word on a notecard and reading the definition on the back aloud often works for auditory learners.
•  Put it to music – any information put to music, even just using basic familiar tunes, can help an auditory learner remember important facts and information.

VISUAL LEARNERS find that learning is easier when they have graphics and other visual aids. One important point to remember is that visual learners study best in an area where there is less visual stimulation to distract them. They often want to study in front of the television but may struggle to do so. To help your visual learner get more out of study time:

•  Use checklists or homework assignment sheets – visual learners tend to work well with graphic organizers such as checklists and charts.
•  Color coding notes – highlighters and colored pens often assist visual learners. Different colored highlighters used to organize different material (vocabulary, important facts, etc.) can be very effective. Colored note cards can also help visual learners when studying.
•  Visualization – I am a visual learner and I can often remember information based on where I specifically saw it. I struggle with people's names, but if a person has a name tag or some other form of visual connection, I can recall names by visualizing. At one time, I worked with middle school students who had serious spelling problems. A strategy that I used very successfully was a combination of flashcards and hand movement visualization. If you'd like the specific steps for this strategy, comment on this post with your email address. When studying, photographs, maps and other graphics may be used to recall events and information more readily.
•   Rewriting, typing and redrawing –  I had a roommate in college who retyped every note she ever took because seeing the word printed on the page created a visual image she could remember. Having students copy material, rewrite notes and create charts or other graphic organizers can be beneficial.
•  Class seating – visual learners tend to remember content better when they can see the person presenting the information and the white board or other source of notes. In a physical classroom, sitting in the front can be beneficial. For online classes, a visual learner will generally remember more if he can see video of the teacher and the material being covered.
•   Lapbooks, notebooking, Powerpoint creation, etc. ­– I have started using notebooking in my history classes because it allows for both visual and kinesthetic learners to excel.  The importance here lies in the fact that the students must create the materials, including Powerpoint presentations, rather than having the material created for them.

KINESTHETIC LEARNERS are the most unique of learners. I have met very few truly kinesthetic learners. Most learners of this type combine audio or visual learning as well.

•   Audio + kinesthetic – this type of learner hears best when physically manipulating something while listening. Boys more often have this learning style from my experience. Drawing or manipulating a ball of clay or rubber band while listening to recorded information can help this person study. For some parents, this is a real struggle because they feel their child is playing, but with this type of learner, it is very apparent that the movement connects with the learning process.
•  Visual + kinesthetic – many math programs have been developed with this type of learner in mind. Using manipulatives while learning concepts works well with this learning style. Memorization of math facts may seem impossible until the student begins moving around counting chips! Electronic readers can be beneficial for assisting this type of learner with reading and comprehension. The manipulation of the electronic device, particularly with touch screens, can make learning more interesting and appealing to kinesthetic learners. Lapbooks, notebooking and other graphic organizers may also benefit this learning style when studying.

Most people are a combination of learning types. For many of us, we don't discover how we learn or study best without much trial and error.  For younger children, simply paying attention to how they respond to different activities can often reveal their learning styles. If you have an older child, you'll need to look more closely at how successful they are when studying. If you find that your older child does well with daily work but struggles with tests and other evaluation formats requiring studying, it may be that your child simply doesn't know how best to study.

If you have questions about learning styles or study skills, please feel free to ask as a comment. This will allow other parents to benefit from your question as well.

Blessings,

When Did You Last Teach AND Evaluate a Writing Assignment?

But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.

-Lord Byron

Over the years, I have discussed many issues with parents about teaching and evaluating their children's writing. I have often joked that I am going to write a book called, "Confessions of a Homeschool Mom: My kids never write!" Parents, in moments of true heartfelt struggles, have shared stories of a year of writing that went ungraded, going through an entire school year without giving a writing assignment and only using workbooks because they don't feel confident evaluating writing. I have only compassion because I have been in the same boat, not with writing, but with high school math.

Teaching Textbooks saved my homeschool reputation. :) It all started when my oldest child, Ally, needed to take Geometry. We had previously used Bob Jones curriculum for Algebra and I felt very confident teaching that math subject. However, I only succeeded in Geometry in high school because the teacher used the exact same proofs on the test that she covered from the text. I have, or had, a wonderful memory so I did well, at least according to test scores. However, I left high school never really understanding proofs. So, one day, I was grading my daughter's work based on the key in the Geometry book and her proof was different from the answer. However, looking at it, I realized that in my limited understanding, it made sense. Confused, I contacted a homeschool father, who was also an engineer and good friend, and asked him about the issue. He had me read the proof, approved it and explained that there was more than one correct path for that proof. I truly panicked. How could I evaluate Ally's math work if I didn't understand it myself? After trying to teach myself Geometry again, scouring the textbook hoping that something had been retained from high school, I sadly gave up. It was not much later when a friend introduced me to Teaching Textbooks which included DVDs where the professor fully mapped out the solutions. Now, I am not promoting Teaching Textbooks beyond my own personal experience, and it saved me at the time. I had to turn over my children's high school mathematical education to someone who was an expert. I was grateful to have the option!  During those days of struggle, I often put off grading Ally's math work. Although it wasn't fair to her, it reminded me of what I considered to be a great weakness in my own education and I didn't want to face it on a daily basis. My procrastination, of course, made the days that I caught up on grading absolutely miserable.

About a year ago, I considered going back to college and getting a degree in mathematics. It still bothers me that a part of my high school education left a gap in my knowledge. After prayer and consideration, I realized that I was just trying to soothe my own pride by proving I could do it. God spoke to me and encouraged me to focus on the gifts He has given me and not on where I feel deficient.

If you're inconsistent with teaching and evaluating writing with your children, it may be from your own fear  or reminder of a personal educational gap. Sadly, your inconsistency may be the way you pass on that gap to your children. None of us go into homeschooling planning on sharing our weaknesses with our children, but for most of us, those weaknesses become glaring as we teach. That's okay. We all have academic weaknesses. That's why I teach writing. Many moms express the relief that they feel from having someone who is actually a writer teaching their children. Removing that stress can be life changing and allow you to focus on those areas that you enjoy teaching and where you excel.

Whether you utilize Classes by Beth, another educational source or teach writing yourself, I strongly urge you to find a way for your children to write consistently. It's also vital for them to receive specific feedback on their writing so they don't develop poor habits that they could carry throughout their lives.  Viewing writing as a life skill and not as a subject in school may help you remember the importance of our children expressing themselves effectively through the written word.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about your children's writing progress or teaching writing.

With God's blessings,

Attitude Reflecton

It's not surprising when homeschool children come to me with weak writing and grammar skills. I'm not saying this because I am cynical about homeschool parents and their ability to teach. Writing is just one of those areas that intimidates many parents and students. I feel the same way about Geometry! Just a few of the reasons why this situation is so common include:
1. Parents don't feel confident teaching about writing. This can result in a parent who simply doesn't teach writing or focuses entirely on grammar because there are workbooks for those skills.
2. Parents don't feel comfortable evaluating their children's writing assignments. In this case, the parents usually give writing assignments, but since they're not graded or evaluated properly, the children don't grow as writers. I receive many emails from some pretty wonderful moms who are stressed out about the writing assignments piling up because they're too intimidated to grade them.
3. Parents attempt to teach writing, but the children's attitudes keep progress from being made. This often occurs when parents express their dislike for writing which gives their children permission to feel the same way. It may be that the parent had a negative experience in the past or never really learned to write well, so the idea is just uncomfortable.
4. Parents work hard to teach and evaluate their children's writing, and they still seem to be lacking in skills. This can happen with any subject. The child may not be developmentally ready to learn how to write (I don't recommend formal writing education until at least 3rd grade). Sometimes children just don't retain what has been taught to them, particularly if they're not interested or not really ready. Even with my high school students, I remind them continually that "learning to learn" is as important as learning and practice skills. I tell them that they are cheating themselves out of an education is they only learn things for the immediate. 

Of each of these scenarios, the most difficult for me to overcome with a student is #3. A lack of knowledge is so much easier to combat than a negative attitude. I call this "Attitude Reflection," which tells you how often I see it. :) I even have a name for it! So, if you really abhor writing, how can you prevent your attitude from being reflected by your child?

• Honesty may not always be the best policy...sometimes not sharing is more helpful. While I am all about being honest with a child, if the honesty doesn't positively affect the child, then what's the point? Is it beneficial for your child to know you despise writing? If you didn't enjoy writing as a child, but can discuss the value of it in your life today, that's a different story. You can express how important writing skills are rather than focusing on how you feel about them personally.
• Evaluate your child's writing in a timely manner. If you put off grading your children's writing, they may assume that it's not important. They probably aren't thinking that math is easier to grade or that you don't  have the energy at the end of the day to edit your children's written work - they just see it still sitting there on the desk. If you don't feel you can evaluate your children's writing, consider using CBB evaluation services. Either way, if you're not going to grade the assignment, it's probably better not to assign the work.
• Model writing as a life skill. Most of us email, text and write in other life situations. If you keep a prayer journal or participate in a Bible study, you're writing. If you create a Christmas letter, you're writing. When you find yourself writing, even if you don't enjoy it, point out to your children how you're using this important tool and why it's so important to be a writer in life.
• Treat writing like driving a car. Most of us can't imagine our children never driving, not using a computer, not having a job or being unable to verbally communicate. Writing is an invaluable life skill. Without this skill, imagine all of the different things that wouldn't exist in our world. It's amazing how many people will put their child in piano, dance or sports, requiring extensive rehearsal and practice. Yet, writing is viewed as a subject in school rather than a life skill.

Still unsure about how to create writers when you don't really enjoy it yourself? Check out my article, How to Grow a Successful Writer, on the CBB website. Just remember that your attitude tremendously affects your children's attitudes. As a teacher, I see the reflections whether they're positive, negative or as in most cases, somewhere in between.

God bless your new year!