This is always an exciting time of year for the Sonlight community as anticipation of the new catalog arrival builds. Some creative Sonlighters write poetry expressing their excitement, while others compose songs to new or existing melodies, calling on their mailbox to produce the desired publication. The new catalog goes into effect on April 1st, but I'll let you in on a secret ... it will most likely arrive before that date!
I answered my doorbell today to find our UPS delivery man standing on the porch with a two-wheeled cart stacked high with boxes of Sonlight catalogs. This is my stock for conventions this spring and summer. You would be proud of me for helping him stack them in the entry hall and waiting patiently for him to leave before pouncing on the top box to pull out the treasured catalog. In the years that I have used Sonlight, my appreciation for the UPS and FedEx delivery men has grown as they bring me box after box of treasured materials.
If you have ordered from Sonlight in the last two years, or visited a Sonlight convention booth, set up a customer account on the Sonlight website, or requested a catalog since the beginning of this school year, there is a Sonlight catalog with your name on it winding its way through the postal service for delivery to your mailbox.
When it arrives, set aside some time to curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee or glass of tea, and explore its pages. If questions arise, don't hesitate to contact me at klutman@sonlight.com and I will be glad to provide answers.
Kelly
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Spring into Convention Season
I don't know what it looks like outside your house today, but I have caught myself standing at the window gazing at the sunshine and the evidence of new growth all around. Thanks to El Nino (there's a Physical Science topic for you to research with your children) we've had a very wet winter ... including over 25" of rain in December alone! Add to that the much colder weather that so many experienced nationwide and you can understand why I welcome temperatures that allow me to open the windows and welcome the breeze. Trees are beginning to bud and some are even in bloom down here on the Gulf Coast, and the birds are busy tending the nests they have built, singing as they work. What a delight!
Beyond the beauty outside, I am eagerly anticipating the start of homeschool convention season. Whether you attend a convention for the vendor hall, or preparation for the next level of teaching, or to get rejuvenated after a long winter, there is usually a lot of benefit to be found. Conventions also offer an opportunity for homeschooling moms (or couples) to get a few days away to restore their focus and enjoy some adult conversation. I hope that you will look for me at the conventions I will be attending - CHEF of LA in Greenwell Springs, LA, on April 22-24, MHEA in Starkville, MS, on May 14-15, FPEA in Orlando, FL, on May 27-29, and SWLA CHEF in Moss Bluff, LA, on July 30-31.
The Sonlight booth will be an exciting spot to visit, with an expanded size, a new look, the new Sonlight catalog, and the opportunity to get your hands on our materials. For the first time ever, we will also be giving a $15 coupon for a purchase over $50 to every family who visits the booth as a convention special! Stop by the booth and fill out the contact card to receive your new catalog and the coupon, as well as be entered in a drawing for a number of goodie bags.
If you look in the right-hand margin above my convention listings, you'll find a link for a Convention Survival Tips article that offers suggestions for planning your convention trip to reap the most benefit. Here's a tip tidbit ... bring along some of the printed return address stickers you get free in the mail, and use those for any vendor contact cards you are asked to fill out. It saves you a lot of time - especially at a large convention - and ensures that your information is legible for the vendor.
I look forward to seeing you somewhere along the Gulf Coast in the next few months. Until then, focus on your goals for this year and finish strong. You can do it!
Kelly
Beyond the beauty outside, I am eagerly anticipating the start of homeschool convention season. Whether you attend a convention for the vendor hall, or preparation for the next level of teaching, or to get rejuvenated after a long winter, there is usually a lot of benefit to be found. Conventions also offer an opportunity for homeschooling moms (or couples) to get a few days away to restore their focus and enjoy some adult conversation. I hope that you will look for me at the conventions I will be attending - CHEF of LA in Greenwell Springs, LA, on April 22-24, MHEA in Starkville, MS, on May 14-15, FPEA in Orlando, FL, on May 27-29, and SWLA CHEF in Moss Bluff, LA, on July 30-31.
The Sonlight booth will be an exciting spot to visit, with an expanded size, a new look, the new Sonlight catalog, and the opportunity to get your hands on our materials. For the first time ever, we will also be giving a $15 coupon for a purchase over $50 to every family who visits the booth as a convention special! Stop by the booth and fill out the contact card to receive your new catalog and the coupon, as well as be entered in a drawing for a number of goodie bags.
If you look in the right-hand margin above my convention listings, you'll find a link for a Convention Survival Tips article that offers suggestions for planning your convention trip to reap the most benefit. Here's a tip tidbit ... bring along some of the printed return address stickers you get free in the mail, and use those for any vendor contact cards you are asked to fill out. It saves you a lot of time - especially at a large convention - and ensures that your information is legible for the vendor.
I look forward to seeing you somewhere along the Gulf Coast in the next few months. Until then, focus on your goals for this year and finish strong. You can do it!
Kelly
Friday, February 12, 2010
Win ... By Referring a Friend!
As winter draws to a close – at least that’s what we are anticipating here in the South – the homeschool convention season is just around the corner. I just spent several days in Littleton, CO, brainstorming with other Sonlight Consultants, and I have lots of new ideas in my head. I’m looking forward to my first event in April and having an opportunity to share Sonlight with homeschoolers like you.
Watch here for more information concerning a special, exclusive offer for each person who visits my Sonlight booth at the CHEF of LA, MHEA, FPEA, AH Expo or SEHS Expo events in 2012.
I’m offering a gift to my customers who refer a friend to me. The friend you refer must be 1) new to Sonlight – you are welcome to refer yourself if you are not already a Sonlight customer – and 2) make a purchase of at least $50 this year after I receive your referral. What’s the gift that I’m offering? It’s a free Sonlight book and a trio of Smencils. What are Smencils? They are scented pencils, available in either colored pencil or traditional #2 lead, that come in plastic tube cases to preserve their scent. They offer a unique twist to your child’s school work – a fresh aroma for your school – and a Sonlight book is always a treat. Send your friend’s contact information to me via e-mail at klutman@sonlight.com with “Sonlight Referral” in the subject line. I will register them as a new customer and introduce myself to them as their personal Sonlight Consultant.
If you are not currently a Sonlight customer, you are welcome to refer yourself … you can be your own friend.
It’s a great opportunity for both you and your friend – they get a personal Sonlight Consultant, available to answer their questions year ‘round, and you get a gift. Send me their contact information via e-mail, or your friend can contact me directly, telling me that you referred them. You both win, so send that e-mail now!
In case you are wondering, neither Sonlight nor I will share your friend’s contact information with anyone else. It is important to you and to us.
Watch here for more information concerning a special, exclusive offer for each person who visits my Sonlight booth at the CHEF of LA, MHEA, FPEA, AH Expo or SEHS Expo events in 2012.
I’m offering a gift to my customers who refer a friend to me. The friend you refer must be 1) new to Sonlight – you are welcome to refer yourself if you are not already a Sonlight customer – and 2) make a purchase of at least $50 this year after I receive your referral. What’s the gift that I’m offering? It’s a free Sonlight book and a trio of Smencils. What are Smencils? They are scented pencils, available in either colored pencil or traditional #2 lead, that come in plastic tube cases to preserve their scent. They offer a unique twist to your child’s school work – a fresh aroma for your school – and a Sonlight book is always a treat. Send your friend’s contact information to me via e-mail at klutman@sonlight.com with “Sonlight Referral” in the subject line. I will register them as a new customer and introduce myself to them as their personal Sonlight Consultant.
If you are not currently a Sonlight customer, you are welcome to refer yourself … you can be your own friend.
It’s a great opportunity for both you and your friend – they get a personal Sonlight Consultant, available to answer their questions year ‘round, and you get a gift. Send me their contact information via e-mail, or your friend can contact me directly, telling me that you referred them. You both win, so send that e-mail now!
In case you are wondering, neither Sonlight nor I will share your friend’s contact information with anyone else. It is important to you and to us.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
When a Written Test is a Must ...
Tests will be part of academic life at every level. You have a great deal of freedom to adapt your testing techniques in the homeschool environment, but should also offer opportunities for your child to test in the traditional method in order to be prepared for standardized testing, college testing and entrance exams. Let’s review some methods for your child to cope with the written test, no matter what his or her learning style.
For the auditory learner, thinking noises and processing information vocally are common. These can usually be accommodated in your daily educational activities, but in a group testing environment, the noise would be distracting for others. If you know the test administrator, you may be able to get permission for your child to listen to music on an iPod to provide the auditory cover needed. But don’t overlook the need for providing practice in a quiet testing environment. Make it a game. Start by challenging your child to work quietly for just 5 minutes, then build on that. When your child can work quietly for a reasonable span of time, add some further challenge such as distracting noises to help your child condition his auditory brain to tune out sounds.
A visual learner can be distracted simply by the appearance of the test itself. Lots of questions, lots of bubbles on a multiple choice test, disorderly presentation … any of these can present distractions to your visual learner. Coach your child to cover distracting portions of the test. A hand or second sheet of paper can be used to cover lower portions of the test, enabling your child to focus on the upper portion. The “wrong” answers on a multiple choice test are actually called distracters. These can cause your child to overthink the answer. Coach your child to cover the answers, read the question and think of the answer before looking at the choices, then mark the answer.
Your kinesthetic learner, aka wiggle worm, may find himself overwhelmed by the effort to simply sit still and not be able to answer the questions. Test whether manipulating a piece of clay or small stress ball, or chewing gum, will “release” your child to focus on the written work. As with the auditory learner, practice test conditions, challenging your child to be still for progressively longer periods. Or, find acceptable movement for a test environment – such as highlighting words, doodling in the margins – provided that the movement doesn’t occupy all of your child’s time at the expense of answering the questions.
Though written tests are not the only means for evaluating your child’s mastery of concepts, they cannot be completely avoided. Preparing your child to cope with the written test setting will provide him or her with a step up toward success.
For the auditory learner, thinking noises and processing information vocally are common. These can usually be accommodated in your daily educational activities, but in a group testing environment, the noise would be distracting for others. If you know the test administrator, you may be able to get permission for your child to listen to music on an iPod to provide the auditory cover needed. But don’t overlook the need for providing practice in a quiet testing environment. Make it a game. Start by challenging your child to work quietly for just 5 minutes, then build on that. When your child can work quietly for a reasonable span of time, add some further challenge such as distracting noises to help your child condition his auditory brain to tune out sounds.
A visual learner can be distracted simply by the appearance of the test itself. Lots of questions, lots of bubbles on a multiple choice test, disorderly presentation … any of these can present distractions to your visual learner. Coach your child to cover distracting portions of the test. A hand or second sheet of paper can be used to cover lower portions of the test, enabling your child to focus on the upper portion. The “wrong” answers on a multiple choice test are actually called distracters. These can cause your child to overthink the answer. Coach your child to cover the answers, read the question and think of the answer before looking at the choices, then mark the answer.
Your kinesthetic learner, aka wiggle worm, may find himself overwhelmed by the effort to simply sit still and not be able to answer the questions. Test whether manipulating a piece of clay or small stress ball, or chewing gum, will “release” your child to focus on the written work. As with the auditory learner, practice test conditions, challenging your child to be still for progressively longer periods. Or, find acceptable movement for a test environment – such as highlighting words, doodling in the margins – provided that the movement doesn’t occupy all of your child’s time at the expense of answering the questions.
Though written tests are not the only means for evaluating your child’s mastery of concepts, they cannot be completely avoided. Preparing your child to cope with the written test setting will provide him or her with a step up toward success.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Adapt the Dreaded Timed Test
Does your child get completely distracted and overwhelmed by the timer involved in a timed test of Math facts or other details? Timers certainly added a lot of pressure when I was a child – my body would tense up and my mind would be dominated by the ticking of the timer rather than the facts that I knew flowing onto the paper. Can you relate? Can your child?
So, what’s the point of the timed test? We recognize the benefit of being able to quickly present Math facts as the basis for more involved calculations, but does the timed test provide an incentive that works for all children? Why not let your child compete against himself, rather than others or that dreaded timer? Provide your child with the test sheet, record the time that he begins, and the time he finishes the page. The next time, his goal is to complete it in less time. That would be improvement, right? Try it … I would bet your child will like it!
So, what’s the point of the timed test? We recognize the benefit of being able to quickly present Math facts as the basis for more involved calculations, but does the timed test provide an incentive that works for all children? Why not let your child compete against himself, rather than others or that dreaded timer? Provide your child with the test sheet, record the time that he begins, and the time he finishes the page. The next time, his goal is to complete it in less time. That would be improvement, right? Try it … I would bet your child will like it!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Have a Tête-à-tête …
The term is borrowed from French, meaning “head to head,” which is a great description of discussion in the homeschool environment. Of course, the French term implies a private conversation between two people, and your discussion can include several family members, but I think you get the idea.
Narration can be part of this discussion. When you read a book out loud to your child, or your child reads a book independently, you can use narration to determine how much the he or she grasps the content. If the book is non-fiction, ask your child to share details from what you read. Does this request leave him or her stymied? Lead off with a question, or ask your child for information regarding a particular person or event. If the book is fiction, ask your child to retell the events of the story. Doing this helps him or her to practice following the plot of the story. After your child has completed the narration, you can expand on the retelling of the story by asking clarifying questions, helping your child to further explore the action in the story or the choices made by characters.
Take narration a step further and you can combine fine arts and kid creativity by having your children reenact the story. Costumes and props can be simple or they can further expand the visual aids you employ in reviewing what was read. Have artistic children? Let them draw or create 3D representations (we called these dioramas when I was in school) of the story. Incorporate other subject skills by having them create a newspaper article or another form of creative writing that will go far beyond the traditional book report. Remember the enticing presentations at the end of Reading Rainbow? Those children were “selling” the books that they had read, providing just enough information and personal testimony to catch your attention and make you want to read the book, too.
Any of these methods will demonstrate your child’s grasp of the book content, and make the most of his or her creative nature.
Narration can be part of this discussion. When you read a book out loud to your child, or your child reads a book independently, you can use narration to determine how much the he or she grasps the content. If the book is non-fiction, ask your child to share details from what you read. Does this request leave him or her stymied? Lead off with a question, or ask your child for information regarding a particular person or event. If the book is fiction, ask your child to retell the events of the story. Doing this helps him or her to practice following the plot of the story. After your child has completed the narration, you can expand on the retelling of the story by asking clarifying questions, helping your child to further explore the action in the story or the choices made by characters.
Take narration a step further and you can combine fine arts and kid creativity by having your children reenact the story. Costumes and props can be simple or they can further expand the visual aids you employ in reviewing what was read. Have artistic children? Let them draw or create 3D representations (we called these dioramas when I was in school) of the story. Incorporate other subject skills by having them create a newspaper article or another form of creative writing that will go far beyond the traditional book report. Remember the enticing presentations at the end of Reading Rainbow? Those children were “selling” the books that they had read, providing just enough information and personal testimony to catch your attention and make you want to read the book, too.
Any of these methods will demonstrate your child’s grasp of the book content, and make the most of his or her creative nature.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What About Testing?
"I know some kids who ought to exercise a right not to have their intelligence tested. They run the high risk of having their minds misrepresented by a score."
Mel Levine, M.D., A Mind at a Time
Tests have been a part of school since the classroom was established. Let's face it, tests were necessary for a teacher with a large number of students to evaluate and a limited amount of time to do so. But different learning styles absorb and process information in different ways, while most tests demand that the information be presented in one particular way. If your child doesn't seem to do well on tests, it is very likely that the test is calling for information in a way that doesn't match his or her learning style. A child that processes information globally will easily grasp big-picture concepts but will have difficulty breaking down information to specific details for a short-answer test; and likewise, an analytic child will quickly identify the details, but will have difficulty "seeing" the big picture.
Think back to your days in the classroom ... what was the normal environment for tests? Everyone sitting still at their desks, nobody permitted to speak, paper and pencil at hand and a timer (or was it just a clock) ticking. Sound familiar? There was an aspect of challenge for everyone in the room ... beyond the global versus analytic issues, the kinesthetic child can't move, the auditory child can't talk, and the visual child can't use visual aids. It's a wonder that more children through the decades didn't fall through the cracks of traditional testing. Perhaps they actually did.
Do you get the impression that I'm saying testing isn't necessary? Not really. Just don't confuse testing with accountability. A paper and pencil test isn't always the best way to evaluate your child's grasp of a subject. If you know your child's learning style, make that a primary consideration when you decide how to measure the level of your child's knowledge and grasp of the subject. Yes, they will need the discipline of being able to complete a written test, but that is not the sole means for evaluation.
We'll be talking about different alternate approaches to testing in the coming days ...
Mel Levine, M.D., A Mind at a Time
Tests have been a part of school since the classroom was established. Let's face it, tests were necessary for a teacher with a large number of students to evaluate and a limited amount of time to do so. But different learning styles absorb and process information in different ways, while most tests demand that the information be presented in one particular way. If your child doesn't seem to do well on tests, it is very likely that the test is calling for information in a way that doesn't match his or her learning style. A child that processes information globally will easily grasp big-picture concepts but will have difficulty breaking down information to specific details for a short-answer test; and likewise, an analytic child will quickly identify the details, but will have difficulty "seeing" the big picture.
Think back to your days in the classroom ... what was the normal environment for tests? Everyone sitting still at their desks, nobody permitted to speak, paper and pencil at hand and a timer (or was it just a clock) ticking. Sound familiar? There was an aspect of challenge for everyone in the room ... beyond the global versus analytic issues, the kinesthetic child can't move, the auditory child can't talk, and the visual child can't use visual aids. It's a wonder that more children through the decades didn't fall through the cracks of traditional testing. Perhaps they actually did.
Do you get the impression that I'm saying testing isn't necessary? Not really. Just don't confuse testing with accountability. A paper and pencil test isn't always the best way to evaluate your child's grasp of a subject. If you know your child's learning style, make that a primary consideration when you decide how to measure the level of your child's knowledge and grasp of the subject. Yes, they will need the discipline of being able to complete a written test, but that is not the sole means for evaluation.
We'll be talking about different alternate approaches to testing in the coming days ...
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