"Personalizing
Science" by Kathryn Stout
March/April 2006
"Children begin with a curiosity about the world around them.
If that has faded, these suggestions for adding a personal connection
may restore their enthusiasm."
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"Finding
Success" by Kathryn Stout
January/February 2006
"…teachers must recognize that children may not think
or learn the way they do."
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"No More Children's
Crusades" by Rev. John Campbell
December 2005 (Date of posting on www.orchidde.com)
"Those caterwauling about Christmas this year seem less focused
on crèches darkening courthouse lawns, though no doubt some
quake as ever at that prospect. Their current focus is rather convoluted:
to mock Christians who complain that the term "Merry Christmas"
is being replaced by "Happy Holidays" in many department
store ads and displays this "Holiday Season." They defend
this slight-of-hand by…"
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"No More Children's
Crusades" by Christopher J. Klicka
October 2005 (Date of posting on www.orchidde.com)
"Sending our children as crusaders or missionaries to the public
school sounds like a noble idea, but it is clear from Scripture
that in light of what the public schools have become, it would be
presumptuous disobedience to God."
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"Homeschooling
Basics - Part II: The Pace" by Kathryn Stout
July/August 2005
"Planning lessons begins with targeting specific objectives (the
concept or skill we want learned). Then we must estimate the amount
of time needed for the student to achieve each goal. Just the thought
of all this planning makes ready-made lesson plans appealing."
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"Homeschooling
Basics - Part I: Balance" by Kathryn Stout
May/June 2005
"How do we decide what to teach and at what pace? Having opted out
of the school system in order to give our kids the personal touch,
are we still following their choices of what to cover and when?
Are we nervous about getting our kids a diploma by eighteen?"
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"I
Can't, I Won't" by Kathryn Stout
March/April 2005
"Most of us are familiar with the child that wants to quit if the
task doesn't appear easy instantly. He can't seem
to handle even a tiny challenge. What can be done?"
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"Strategies
for Teaching Kids with Special Needs" by Kathryn
Stout
November/December 2004
"Although every child is unique and specific needs vary, there are
a number of recommendations I find myself making to almost all of
the homeschooling families I work with who homeschool children with
special needs."
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"Motivating
Your Teenager" by Kathryn Stout
September/October 2004
"Frequently, students are willing to complete academic assignments
without too much protest until becoming teenagers. As the work becomes
more demanding, it's likely that earning good grades or pleasing
parents isn't a good enough reason to wade through all that's required.
Frustrated, parents may urge students on with the "good jobs require
a good education" mantra. But unless your teen has a job in mind,
that's too abstract. So, let's make it personal."
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"From
Avoidance to Confidence" by Kathryn Stout
July 2004
"Is there something your student finds too hard? If so, he probably
tries to avoid that task. When a student feels like a failure, he
needs to experience success, not criticism. Come to his rescue with
a method that will not only build his confidence, but also serve
as a model for him to use when facing future challenges."
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"Healthy-Hearted
Juggling" by Kathryn Stout
May 2004
"There have been plenty of things I wanted to do, even thought were
necessary, that never made it to the top of my "To Do" list. These
recommendations won't allow you to accomplish it all. Instead, you'll
be able to react more frequently to comments or situations with
kindness instead of criticism and patience instead of anger, worry,
or frustration. You'll be able to determine what's really important
and let go of the rest."
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"Why
Your Child May Have Trouble Staying Focused"
by Kathryn Stout
April 2004
"Our children want to succeed just as much as we want them to. Since
it is likely that they have no idea why concentrating is difficult,
it's up to us to look for ways to help them."
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"How
Do Homeschooled Kids Become Responsible?" by
Kathryn Stout
March 2004
"Not long ago, a parent told me that during his Internet search
into homeschooling he could find nothing to satisfy his concerns
about developing a sense of responsibility in his child if he decided
to teach her at home. Nevertheless, these behaviors can be instilled
at home just as well or better than in a public or private school
setting."
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"Is
It Time For A Change" by Kathryn Stout
January 2004
"No matter what the reason, if you or your kids feel as if you're
just "going through the motions," here are a few suggestions that
may help..."
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"Building
More Specific Images in Compositions" by Kathryn
Stout
November 2003
"One of the most common weaknesses seems to be the use of a very
limited vocabulary, resulting in vague sentences. Here are a few
strategies that can help kids build more specific images in their
sentences and paragraphs."
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"Minor
Adjustments for Major Benefits: Using English to Teach Teens to
Think" by Kathryn Stout
October 2003
"As I mentioned last month, teenagers need plenty of opportunities
to think critically. We can meet this need by simply adjusting the
approach used to cover required high school subjects. Last month
we discussed history, so let's take a look at what we can accomplish
during four years of high school English."
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"Minor
Adjustments for Major Benefits: Using History to Teach Teens to
Think" by Kathryn Stout
September 2003
"The high school years should include plenty of opportunities for
teens to practice thinking critically. This can be done by making
a simple adjustment to the approach used to cover content in required
courses such as history."
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"More
Tips for Teaching Handwriting" by Kathryn Stout
August 2003
"Handwriting questions continue to fill my mailbox, so here are
a few tips that I hope will help."
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"The
"Foreign" Language of Math" by Kathryn Stout
July 2003
"Sometimes the errors kids make in solving math problems have nothing
to do with skill in computation or basic reasoning; it's just a
misunderstanding of the language used."
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"The
Quest for the Perfect Curriculum" by Kathryn
Stout
May/June 2003
"The perfect curriculum is the one you put together with your child
in mind. No, you don't have to write a curriculum. You just have
to judge resources for each subject based on your child's age, personality,
learning style, strengths and weaknesses."
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"The
Power of Purpose" by Christopher Stout
April 2003
"My parents told me I could do anything and then acted like it was
true. I'm not the smartest guy, and I'm not the most talented, but
I've finally been convinced that I can change the world and that's
a lesson I'm a thousand times more grateful for than any subject
I mastered in school."
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"More
About How Kids Learn" by Kathryn Stout
March 2003
"If you teach more than one child, it may seem impossible to meet
everyone's needs. But there are a couple more bits of information
that should set your mind at ease."
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"Developing
a Writer-Part II" by Kathryn Stout
February 2003
"Parents and teachers hoping to develop both interest and skill
in writing should borrow from the Suzuki method for teaching young
children to play a musical instrument."
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"Developing
a Writer-Part I" by Kathryn Stout
January 2003
"Parents and teachers hoping to develop both interest and skill
in writing should borrow from the Suzuki method for teaching young
children to play a musical instrument."
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"Making
an Alphabet Book" by Kathryn Stout
November 2002
"Making an alphabet book is a simple activity that helps develop
reading readiness in young children. It can also be used to aid
the transition from manuscript to cursive handwriting."
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"How
Do I Know if My Child 'Gets It'" by Kathryn Stout
October 2002
"It's easy to believe a child "gets it" when he answers a question
using the exact words he just heard or read. Actually, all that
proves is a good memory."
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"A View
From the Homeschooled" by Clea Stout Fennemore
September 2002
"Kathryn's daughter Clea comments on homeschooling and her mom's
methods as guest columnist this month."
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"Tips
for Tutoring Middle School Math" by Kathryn Stout
August 2002
"As a math tutor, my job includes helping students with difficulty
staying focused develop work habits and organizational skills along
with problem solving strategies. Following are a few techniques
that have proved helpful."
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"Machiavelli
Was Right-Sort Of" by Kathryn Stout
June 2002
"A family I work with recently reported that their son's former
public school teacher (former because they now homeschool their
son) had announced to the class after he left that anyone choosing
to be homeschooled would never have the opportunity to attend college
and would not have a promising future."
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"Little
Things Do Mean A Lot" by Kathryn Stout
May 2002
"Parents are often surprised when I suggest something is important
that they thought was insignificant, primarily because they didn't
see the long-range effect. Let's take a look at a few of those "little"
things."
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"The
Perfect Homeschool-Yours!" by Kathryn Stout
April 2002
"As a consultant, I have been impressed with the wide variety of
creative ways in which parents have adjusted to the needs of their
children and themselves in order to homeschool effectively. More
often than not, these are parents who pray for guidance and share
their stories with the preface 'And then the Lord showed me.'"
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"Handling
Homeschool Stress" by Kathryn Stout
March 2002
"My days were already more than full, so when I thought about taking
on homeschooling I panicked. How could I possibly manage it all?"
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"Time
for a Change?" by Kathryn Stout
February 2002
"This is a good time of year to step back and review what's working
and what's not. As we draw on our observations and ask for our kids'
input, we can adjust our methods and materials at any time to ensure
their progress and sense of success--the great advantage of homeschooling.
Here are a few ideas to consider."
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"Help
for the Anxious Child" by Kathryn Stout
January 2002
"Is your child a perfectionist? Is he easily frustrated? Frequently
worried? Does he struggle with poor self-esteem? The answers to
these questions should give you insight into whether or not your
child has the confidence to learn or, instead, retreats from challenges,
afraid of failing. Here are a few suggestions to encourage the nervous
child or one who has poor self-esteem."
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"Music
Makes a Difference" by Kathryn Stout
December 2001
"Do you want your children to move with grace? To read with expression?
Would you like your children to be self-confident? Do you want them
to develop perseverance? You can help your children develop all
of these qualities and more by taking advantage of their natural
enjoyment of music."
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"The
Power of Patience" by Kathryn Stout
November 2001
"How we teach influences our children as much, or more, than what
we teach. If we hope to raise children who love to learn, have confidence
in their ability to learn, and are able to think critically, then
patience will be our biggest ally."
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"The
Gifted May Not Seem A Gift, But They Are" by Kathryn Stout
October 2001
"As a teacher I saw too many bright students who had become bored.
I often wondered if they would ever reach their potential once out
of school or if they would simply lose heart and settle for ordinary
lives."
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"More
Ideas to Help the Developing Reader" by Kathryn Stout
September 2001
"We often forget just how many details we are expecting our children
to master as they read. By providing plenty of opportunities for
supplementary practice we can prevent children from becoming discouraged
when the lessons in a reading program move ahead too quickly."
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"Training
Our Children In the Way They Should Go" by Kathryn Stout
August 2001
"As I work with parents whose teen-agers are aimless, without a
sense of purpose or meaning, I find myself sharing some of what
I did with my own kids. Perhaps these ideas will be helpful to you
as well."
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"What
Do I Do With Those Test Scores?" by Kathryn Stout
July 2001
"You may have been thrilled--or dismayed--by your child's standardized
achievement test scores this spring. If his scores were high, should
you jump ahead a few grade levels? If low, have you failed as a
teacher? The answer to both questions is, 'No.'"
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"Add
Benefits to Summer Fun" by Kathryn Stout
June 2001
"A great deal of learning can take place during the summer without
the sense of formality a child may associate with school. Here are
a few ideas that are simple to implement but have lots of benefits."
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"Helping
Children Learn to Read" by Kathryn Stout
May 2001
"There are a variety of good reading programs available, yet many
children progress more slowly or with more difficulty than expected.
Here are a few hints that may help."
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"Time
to Talk" by Kathryn Stout
April 2001
"Oral presentations, from "show and tell" in kindergarten to debates
in high school, are all part of training children to speak in front
of groups. Too often, though, these training opportunities are set
aside in order to complete the "more important" reading and writing
assignments. Are such public speaking experiences really just time-fillers?"
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"Teaching
With Toddlers" by Kathryn Stout
March 2001
"Keep toddlers occupied in the home classroom with suitable materials
and let them feel involved."
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"Getting
More Out of Movies - Part II" by Kathryn Stout
February 2001
"Movies have become a routine part of many of our lives. Let's use
them as an opportunity to share our values with our children as
well as to equip them with skills needed to help guard their minds
and emotions."
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"Getting
More Out of Movies - Part I" by Kathryn Stout
January 2001
"All students can benefit from learning how a filmmaker uses visual
effects and sounds to accomplish in moments what may require several
paragraphs or even pages of prose. This makes movies a useful supplement
to any English program."
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"Breaking
Down the Barriers" by Kathryn Stout
December 2000
"When children struggle repeatedly without success, their natural
reaction is to avoid that challenge in the future. Happily, patience,
encouragement, and a few simple one-on-one teaching techniques can
turn a frustrated student into a willing learner."
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"Teaching
Children to Take a Stand" by Kathryn Stout
November 2000
"How can we train our children to stand against the onslaught of
persuasive techniques that pull them toward compromise?"
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"Developing
Classification Skills in Young Children" by Kathryn Stout
October 2000
"Busy schedules make it easy to overlook suggested reading or math
readiness activities simply because they don't seem to be necessary.
But spending time on these activities when children are young and
eager to learn can pay off later by increasing their ability to
make connections in order to draw logical conclusions and make predictions."
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"Motivating
Young Readers" by Kathryn Stout
September 2000
"Children want to imitate their parents, and, so, are eager to read.
At least until they discover that one short lesson isn't enough!
Here are a few things you can do to encourage the perseverance needed."
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"A Simple
Approach to an Essential Tool: Vocabulary" by Kathryn Stout
August 2000
"If a child is able to retell the basic plot of a story just heard
or read, or fill in workbooks by copying the correct passages, is
it proof that comprehension has taken place? Unfortunately, the
answer is "No." But there is a simple remedy."
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"The
Pauses That Refresh" by Kathryn Stout
July 2000
"Burn out is a common complaint among homeschooling parents, even
among those just starting out. Here are a few tips to help prevent-or
at least bounce back from-feeling tired and overwhelmed."
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"I Think,
Therefore I . . . Fill in the Blanks?" by Kathryn Stout
June 2000
"Even if a workbook page is labeled 'Thinking Skills,' it may not
be developing a student's ability to reason."
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"The
Play's the Thing" by Kathryn Stout
May 2000
"We can no longer take for granted that our children will be physically
fit - with all the benefits that brings. We need to schedule physical
play, and summer is the perfect time to start."
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"Adjusting
Attitude" by Kathryn Stout
April 2000
"If you want your students to have a lifelong love of learning and
the self-confidence necessary to eventually learn on their own,
it's worth looking at a subtle influence--the teacher's attitude."
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"Gaining
Literary Experience" by Kathryn Stout
March 2000
"With guidance, students can develop analytical skills that will
make time spent reading literature a life-enriching experience."
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"Fostering
Creativity - A Balancing Act" by Kathryn Stout
February 2000
"It requires a balancing act to prevent discouragement while developing
ability, but it's worth the effort--creative expression without
the right tools ultimately limits a child's ability to accomplish
his vision."
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"Confidence
Builders" by Kathryn Stout
January 2000
"How we interact with our children can make or break their self-confidence.
Simple actions can make all the difference."
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"Toys
That Teach" by Kathryn Stout
December 1999
"Young Children can learn a great deal as they play. Following are
a few items that can be used fairly independently by children from
ages 3 to 6."
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"Why
Bother with Physical Education?" by Kathryn Stout
October/November 1999
"Often considered just one more thing that has to be completed,
physical education is frequently pushed to the bottom of the "to-do"
list in favor of the academic."
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"What's
in a Game?" by Kathryn Stout
September 1999
"By incorporating games into your lesson plans, kids have a chance
to improve skills and have fun-which fosters a love of learning."
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"Introducing
Word Problems" by Kathryn Stout
August 1999
"Kids tend to look for the quickest and easiest way to complete
a lesson. Therefore, once they see a pattern, they simply plug in
the assigned numbers. Since this does not require understanding,
they can appear to be a whiz at math. Their secret is only revealed
when those rare word problems come along and they fall apart."
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"Getting
Ready to Handwrite" by Kathryn Stout
July 1999
"Enjoyable activities that develop hand-eye coordination pay off
later when young children learn to write. For children already writing,
they can help improve the control necessary for neat handwriting."
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"Exploring
the Sense of Touch" by Kathryn Stout
June 1999
"Let your children explore and make discoveries about their senses.
Not only will they develop a greater understanding of their own
capabilities, improve their vocabulary and ability to observe, but
even though these activities 'count' as school-your kids will think
it's just summer fun!"
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"One
Stop Shopping, or Eclectic Education?" by Kathryn Stout
May 1999
"The homeschool shopping season has begun. Here are a few tips to
keep in mind as you select materials."
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"What
Do I Need to Know About Learning Styles?" by Kathryn Stout
April 1999
"Anything we find confusing or complicated is best learned when
we can see, hear, and do something in order to understand it. In
general, however, by age 8 or 9, a child is stronger in one of those
three areas: seeing (the visual learner), hearing (the auditory
learner) or doing (the kinesthetic, or hands-on learner)."
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"Teaching
Children Who Have Difficulty Learning" by Kathryn Stout
March 1999
"Each child is unique, and his learning disability specific. However,
there are general techniques that can be applied to most situations."
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"Kids
Who Have Trouble Paying Atten. . ." by Kathryn Stout
February 1999
"When lessons don't seem to stick, a short attention span could
be the culprit. Here are a few suggestions to help students focus
and, hopefully, retain the lesson."
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"Fun
With Money" by Kathryn Stout
January 1999
"The holidays are over and its time to get back to the academic
routine-but, that doesn't mean assignments must be dull. Begin the
year's math lessons with a topic most kids enjoy, money."
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"Easy
Ways to Put Spark into Your Home School" by Kathryn Stout
December 1998
"There is nothing more exhausting than trying to get kids to do
what they don't want to do. If you have discovered that the curriculum
you thought would be easy, isn't, or your home school has become
a place of brooding instead of learning, you may want to try some
of the following techniques to turn things around."
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"How
to Teach Handwriting" by Kathryn Stout
November 1998
"There are three components to handwriting, whether a child is learning
to print or write in cursive: correct letter formation, uniform
letter size, and uniform slant."
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"Tips
for Multi-Level Planning" by Kathryn Stout
October 1998
"Here's one approach to developing a working outline that is easily
adapted to multi-level teaching."
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"Casual
Conversations Can Build Thinking Skills" by Kathryn Stout
September 1998
"Here's an easy way to help your children get more out of the fiction
they read or hear. Choose one or two of the following questions
(from Critical Conditioning) to ask casually while reading out loud,
or after a child has read a book and is helping with chores, or,
perhaps, during dinner."
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"Help!
My Child Can't Spell" by Kathryn Stout
July/August 1998
"Spelling is a regular part of the language arts curriculum through
eighth grade. So why don't all children learn to spell?"
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"Fringe
Benefits of the IEP: Individualized Educational Program" by
Kathryn Stout
June 1998
"What is an IEP? With only one student in mind, the teacher targets
specific weaknesses (in any area, not just academics), decides on
an attainable goal, or goals, in each area, and lists how the attainment
of that goal will be measured."
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"Is It
Possible To Enjoy Social Studies?" by Kathryn Stout
May 1998
"If you want your children to benefit from studies in history, geography,
government, and economics, you must make the people, the place,
and the problems real and meaningful."
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"Playing
To Learn" by Kathryn Stout
April 1998
"Long before official "school" begins, children's play can provide
opportunities for development in motor skills, language skills,
and reasoning."
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"What
to do with the Hands-On Learner" by Kathryn Stout
March 1998
"This month, let's take a look at the hands-on, or, kinesthetic,
learner. These are the kids that are in trouble most of the time.
They want to touch everything (including the walls as they walk
down a hallway). These kids can be exhausting to teach no matter
what method you use. However, if you ultimately want to see an improvement
in skills, and a desire to learn, you must consistently use the
following teaching strategies."
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"Beat
the Blahs" by Kathryn Stout
February 1998
"This is a good time of year to take stock of what's worked and
what hasn't. ... Often, however, adjustments to the pacing of the
school day and the method used in teaching the information can make
all the difference in helping a student experience success instead
of continual frustration."
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"Simple
Techniques To Encourage Thinking Skills in the Young" by Kathryn
Stout
January 1998
"Here are a few simple ways to encourage the development of problem
solving skills in children from ages 4 to 8."
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"Exceptions
To Our Established Homeschool Routines" by Kathryn Stout
December 1997
"It is a month of exceptions to our established homeschool routines,
which sometimes leaves us feeling a bit guilty. This month I would
like to comment on the importance of some of the things we think
of as "exceptions," addressing my remarks to fellow Christians."
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"Help
Your Children Write Well" by Kathryn Stout
November 1997
"Hopefully, the following suggestions will make it easier for you
to help your children write well. After all, it is a skill they
will draw on throughout their lives as they compose thank you notes,
letters to friends (even if it is via e-mail), letters to businesses
or editors, resumes, business memos, or even business reports."
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"Try
a Project Approach" by Kathryn Stout
October 1997
"Well, we've all been back to homeschooling for a month now, and
many are probably already looking for more things the kids can do
on their own. Instead of more workbooks, try a project approach."
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"Learning
& Real Experiences" by Kathryn Stout
September 1997
"Don't let the routine of the school day lull you into a false sense
of security. Finishing workbooks may keep the kids occupied, but
real experiences are a necessary part of learning and should remain
high on your list of priorities."
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"Opportunities
for Discussions" by Kathryn Stout
August 1997
"When we relax, we usually find plenty of opportunities for discussions.
Use this month to find out just how productive those discussions
can be so that you are comfortable including them as part of your
school plans."
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"Is It
Easy?" by Kathryn Stout
July 1997
"Since this is the time to make decisions for the upcoming school
year, I thought I would share some tips designed to lift some of
that burden."
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Unit
Study Tip by Kathryn Stout
The Teaching Home, March/April 1996
Help your students develop clarity of thought for their writing
assignments.
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Reading
Critically by Kathryn Stout
The Teaching Home,
September/October 1995
Teaching our children how to think so that they will not be easy
prey for anyone with an emotionally charged message.
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Instilling
A Love of Learning by Kathryn Stout
1995
When Kathryn Stout decided to homeschool her two children, she wanted
to be certain that she instilled a love of learning that would not
fade because of the common "read, memorize, and test" formula.
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Articles
by Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas
The
Submarine: A Legend Before It's Time
Missionary
Geography
Christmas
and Geography
Hands
on History
Looking
Ahead to College
Diaries
from the Desert
A
Real Mom's Homeschool
Co-ops
Part I
Co-ops
Part II
Co-ops
Part III
What
We Perform, We Remember
Christmas
Around the World
Pearl
Harbor Day
Diary
of a New Recruit
National
African American History Month
Presidents'
Day
Guiding
the Gifted Child
Armed
Forces Day
High
School Apprenticeship
Why
Homeschool Through High School?
Geography
Reference Tools
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