my project4peace

Homeschooling in the Desert with Intention and Hope and Special Needs


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Larry Sanger Blog » Reading Bear: Rave Reviews

There are lots of great links here if you are a fellow hunter, and some reviews of Reading Bear.  What I like about this program is that it is respectful of children.  It does not (with the exception of the little bear logo which I’m not fond of) suggest that children must see things only with black outlines and in rounded simplified shapes.  Children are in love with the world they are in.  Watch them when they are outside, be it trash can or giraffe they prefer the real stuff of life if given the opportunity and this love is nurtured. What I like about this program is that it is broken down so nicely, giving most children what they need to know to learn to read.  A little like Starfall, but less cartoons. Larry Sanger Blog » Reading Bear: Rave Reviews. Starfall was built by a man who grew up with Dyslexia and wanted to create a program that would be free of charge and might help children that had difficulties with reading.  I recommended it often to parents whose children were particularly drawn to the computer.


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Articles on empowering greatness in your children and transforming challenging behavior

 

Articles that transform your relationships with your children. I have experienced this transformation first hand. This is work worth doing! As a teacher, and parent I had tried everything. Just prior to choosing to homeschool (something I never thought was possible given our relationship) I read Transforming the Difficult Child by Howard Glasser in Tuscon, Arizona.  It changed everything so quickly for us. I found myself joyfully loving my son again and really seeing all that he did well for the first time in a long time.  I am grateful for this new perspective and refuse to go back.


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21 Exceptionally Valuable Asperger’s Sites

This was included in one of our group emails and thought I would pass it on to anyone else.  It looks like there is much to be gained from the insights shared in these beautiful blogs.  I hope one day this blog will be note worthy and helpful to as many as these are. Enjoy the hunt and the moments spent with your children especially when you remembered to laugh! 21 Exceptionally Valuable Asperger’s Sites. The photo here is from quirkyandlaughing.wordpress.com, a blog written from this perspective as well. I am reminded by observation, that I forget to laugh at antics that I would normally think were funny if they were they were performed by my typical son.  I get frustrated by the filters through which I am constantly looking and how those particular filters can, if I’m not conscious color my world in ways I would not otherwise intend.  Mindfulness practice, I think would serve me well to stay in a place where I can see things for what they are in the moment and not judge them by how they will be perceived by others ALL the time.  This thinking lives in my fears about the future, stories of mis-judgements that lurk in my thoughts.  I can’t make them go away but I can put them in their place with mindfulness and a perspective check.  I am grateful to those around me that have given me that insight without really even knowing how valuable.  The young man at Hubbard Swim school who recognizes that unencumbered play is just as important as learning swim strokes!  I have learned so much about my son just by watching him with this teen.  Noticing that my worries don’t exist for others who enjoy my son’s energy and enthusiasm and good will.  I often wish to be them, for a moment, and seek to find that mindful space where I too, can enjoy his beautiful nature without the fears of the future or concerns that win my attention. One thing to be sure of is we are always learning.


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Multisensory lessons

Here are some helpful ideas from a homeschooling Mom with 7 years experience. Multisensory lessons.


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StudyJams

 

Enjoying some nice science animations with a teen flavor.  Nice to have visuals with an older model.  Very clear explanations and nice vocabulary bits. StudyJams.


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WatchKnowLearn – Free Educational Videos for K-12 Students

 

I can’t wait to use this!

WatchKnowLearn – Free Educational Videos for K-12 Students.


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Getting Started with Reading Bear–Q&A, Tips, and Tools

Check out this online reading program.  I have just reviewed the introduction and sample videos.  Looks really interesting. I am going to see if Dylan enjoys having it as a language choice.  Let me know what you think.  I really like the real object photos the simple but not childish voice and images.  Seems like it would be appropriate for older challenged readers. Not so sure about the Identity image with the bear…info text reads ” It is free, ad-free, and non-profit. It is a project of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. The gentleman who generously paid for Reading Bear also funded WatchKnowLearn.org (which I also designed). Love to see free education!

Getting Started with Reading Bear–Q&A, Tips, and Tools.


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HumaneEducation.org

HumaneEducation.org. This is a site that speaks to my heart. I wonder how I will incorporate these beautiful life lesson plans into our days.  Between speech, reading tutor, time for physical activities that build strength like gymanstics, swimming, vision therapy, and our regular homeschool activities and outings, and on going search for a social world that fits, this is most important.  The spirit of the child, especially a child with challenges must stay intact and vibrant for him to be able to seek his own path, and be joyful in the face of some challenges and prejudices that may persist throughout his life. How do we balance the lessons to live with the lessons of life and what it is to be human when we are still discovering ourselves? How can we teach or let them teach us when we are struggling to accept, believe fiercely, love unconditionally, teach what is needed, be patient beyond our ability, and remain above the darkness and moving toward a future that though unknown for everyone feels especially uncertain? Maybe if I step back and look in from the outside a bit I will see things more clearly. For now I am grateful for stopping by this mindful and affirming website.


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Global Village School Whole Child Healthy Planet Curriculum Guide

http://blog.denschool.com  -Global Village School Whole Child Healthy Planet Curriculum Guide. Denschool.com is another interesting site for the homeschooler.  Global Village Curriculum is reviewed here.


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Such a lot of wonderful science resources hear. If your lucky enough to live in this area, looks like a terrific program. Have fun checking out all of her enticing nature links.

The Infinite Spider's avatarSERC Home School

 

When: Tuesday, September 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Reed Education Center, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD (directions available at www.serc.si.edu)

Speaker: Sandy Barnett (www.boxturtlefacts.org)

Requested donation: $25 (tax deductible) payable at the door, see benefit information below

To register: contact Karen McDonald at 443.482.2388

 

  • Do you own box turtles, or just want to learn more about them? Have you ever found an injured or sick box turtle and don’t know how to provide emergency care? You’ll find the answers to these and other turtle questions at this workshop.

 

  • We will cover indoor and outdoor housing (including special needs housing), hatchling care, nutrition, routine health management, diseases, emergency care of injured and sick specimens, and the proper ways to transport box turtles. Examples of short-term housing for special needs and healthy turtles will be displayed.

 

  • We will also briefly cover proper handling…

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