Worldschooling is a term coined by a young man named Eli Gerzon as an alternative term to "unschooling" and as an alternative education form to homeschooling.
Eli is a writer, speaker and traveler. He has spoken on his philosophy and experiences at Unschooling Conferences and in front of educational groups. He writes a very readable and informative online newsletter titled "Stranger in a Strange Land," as well as articles and poetry. On his site he hosts several photo albums of his travels, with each photo captioned, making them a very good teaching tool.
Everything on his site is free and mostly educational. I found the site easy to navigate, refreshingly without advertisements, informative and inspiring. This site is bound to grow and become an even better free educational resource.
Recently, Eli Gerzon began leading travel tours with a focus on Worldschooling. He has several exciting destinations coming up. You can read more about Eli's philosophy and educational background and his tours on his site at http://www.eligerzon.com/.
On the site you will find his definitions of the three terms I just mentioned, with this explanation on Worldschooling: Worldschooling is a new term coined by Eli Gerzon that is essentially a more descriptive and positive version of unschooling that can apply to anyone even those beyond school age. Gerzon defines it by saying, "It's when the whole world is your school, instead school being your whole world." Eli Gerzon has "unschooled through college" mainly by learning from his international travels but the term does not require you to travel the world, just as unschooling doesn't forbid making use of school resources. Instead, it's when one actively experiences and learns from the world around one: the home, family, friends, strangers of all backgrounds, libraries, parks, sports, forests, schools, towns, and of course the world and the world wide web. It also emphasizes that there is always more to learn from this wonderful, complex world regardless of whether one has a high school degree, is a doctor, or is solely self-educated.
You will find Mr. Gerzon on Twitter and a Worldschooling Group on Facebook.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Support & Community for Homeschool Moms
The free website The Homeschool Lounge offers the opportunity for a supportive community to homeschooling parents. As a homeschooling mother in the early 1980s, I remember being extremely grateful that my local school district supported me, by allowing me to homeschool my children without intervention or supervision. Friends in other school districts and/or other states did not have the same experience.
I was an experienced classroom teacher, properly credentialed in our state and a regular substitute teacher in our district, familiar to school district officials. But, all that was irrelevant in many school districts and I knew it. I could have just as easily been required to jump through dozens of hoops to get permission to teach my children at home. Indeed, I went into my school district office to ask permission expecting to come out with at least a list of requirements. Instead, I came out with the loan of materials and the information that my children would have to be tested for grade level placement, if they were re-enrolled in that school district in the future.
Not all school districts or state education departments were as lenient or should I say forward thinking as mine. Alternative education, at least in the upper mid-west of the U. S. was not as commonly encountered or accepted as it is today. Cooperation, by non-involvement was the best you could hope for from your local or state education officials.
Though there were a handful of other homeschooling parents in the district, we had no organization for support, and the idea felt a little subversive anyway. We Moms were too busy organizing natural food coops to put energy into our own right and need for support. The only means of communication we had were land lines and snail mail. So you might imagine how lonely I felt at times as a homeschooling mother.
That was then and this is now, where most homes have access to several forms of instant communication. I know that today many of you do not feel so privileged as I am making your situation sound. I know that even with the advancements in communication technology, it can still be a lonely, hard fought, exhausting campaign to educate your children according to your own principals and ideals at home.
That is why I am so impressed with the website Homeschool Lounge, http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/. It has over members, so I know that some of you have already explored it and or joined this dynamic community.
Though the site is by its own words directed to mothers, ("the homeschool lounge is a free online community exclusively for homeschool Moms,") I am sure a homeschool Dad or other family members could also find support, nurturing, inspiration, and good ideas on the site. After all they say, "Get advice, give advice, share, learn and laugh with those who truly understand you."
In addition to the gift of support, there are articles, discussions, reviews, resources, music, photos, videos and great free give aways on the site. Check it out at www.thehomeschoollounge.com.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog and Susie Williams."
I was an experienced classroom teacher, properly credentialed in our state and a regular substitute teacher in our district, familiar to school district officials. But, all that was irrelevant in many school districts and I knew it. I could have just as easily been required to jump through dozens of hoops to get permission to teach my children at home. Indeed, I went into my school district office to ask permission expecting to come out with at least a list of requirements. Instead, I came out with the loan of materials and the information that my children would have to be tested for grade level placement, if they were re-enrolled in that school district in the future.
Not all school districts or state education departments were as lenient or should I say forward thinking as mine. Alternative education, at least in the upper mid-west of the U. S. was not as commonly encountered or accepted as it is today. Cooperation, by non-involvement was the best you could hope for from your local or state education officials.
Though there were a handful of other homeschooling parents in the district, we had no organization for support, and the idea felt a little subversive anyway. We Moms were too busy organizing natural food coops to put energy into our own right and need for support. The only means of communication we had were land lines and snail mail. So you might imagine how lonely I felt at times as a homeschooling mother.
That was then and this is now, where most homes have access to several forms of instant communication. I know that today many of you do not feel so privileged as I am making your situation sound. I know that even with the advancements in communication technology, it can still be a lonely, hard fought, exhausting campaign to educate your children according to your own principals and ideals at home.
That is why I am so impressed with the website Homeschool Lounge, http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/. It has over members, so I know that some of you have already explored it and or joined this dynamic community.
Though the site is by its own words directed to mothers, ("the homeschool lounge is a free online community exclusively for homeschool Moms,") I am sure a homeschool Dad or other family members could also find support, nurturing, inspiration, and good ideas on the site. After all they say, "Get advice, give advice, share, learn and laugh with those who truly understand you."
In addition to the gift of support, there are articles, discussions, reviews, resources, music, photos, videos and great free give aways on the site. Check it out at www.thehomeschoollounge.com.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog and Susie Williams."
Friday, June 26, 2009
TeacherWrite Online English Usage & Writing Lessons
I know it is not yet the 4Th of July, but I am excited to tell you about a free educational resource that will be available to students and parents starting this fall.
Nancy Ramsay, a veteran classroom teacher is developing a series of online English usage lessons for her web site http://www.teacherwrite.com/. She will be developing and posting original lessons during the school year that she will be using simultaneously in her sixth grade classroom.
Her TeacherWrite materials are meant to be a supplement to the programs children are using at school and at home. The materials will focus on sentence structure and revision along with suggested writing activities.They will build grammar concepts of how sentences work. Lessons will be consecutive and build on each other, so that students will need to use the materials in the order they are presented on the site and remember the concepts for the next lessons. The best age groups for this site are 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.
Nancy is not charging a fee for the use of the materials on her site. She says, "I'm interested in helping parents and children. I am sharing information I wish that I had been taught as a child." I think this will be a great free resource for homeschooling parents of middle school students.
The site will develop slowly throughout the first school year (2009-2010). Ms. Ramsay welcomes parent and student feedback during the development year of this site to help refine the lessons. I will inform you on this blog or on Twitter when Nancy post her first lesson in the Fall. In the meantime, go to her site and get acquainted with Nancy at http://teacherwrite.com/. You can also find her on Twitter.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Nancy Ramsay, a veteran classroom teacher is developing a series of online English usage lessons for her web site http://www.teacherwrite.com/. She will be developing and posting original lessons during the school year that she will be using simultaneously in her sixth grade classroom.
Her TeacherWrite materials are meant to be a supplement to the programs children are using at school and at home. The materials will focus on sentence structure and revision along with suggested writing activities.They will build grammar concepts of how sentences work. Lessons will be consecutive and build on each other, so that students will need to use the materials in the order they are presented on the site and remember the concepts for the next lessons. The best age groups for this site are 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.
Nancy is not charging a fee for the use of the materials on her site. She says, "I'm interested in helping parents and children. I am sharing information I wish that I had been taught as a child." I think this will be a great free resource for homeschooling parents of middle school students.
The site will develop slowly throughout the first school year (2009-2010). Ms. Ramsay welcomes parent and student feedback during the development year of this site to help refine the lessons. I will inform you on this blog or on Twitter when Nancy post her first lesson in the Fall. In the meantime, go to her site and get acquainted with Nancy at http://teacherwrite.com/. You can also find her on Twitter.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Monday, June 22, 2009
Free Tool for Internet Protection for Children
Little Eye offers a free tool to help protect your young ones on line. I have checked out this link but have not actually registered for the tool they offer yet. I don't usually recommend products I have not yet used myself, however, the last few days I have been away from my own computer and not able to add their tool to my system. However, I do feel strongly that this is a legitimate site and free offer. Please check it out at http://www.littleye.com/homeschool. I will more thoroughly review this offer in the near future. In the meantime, please know that, as always I welcome your comments or info on your experience with this site.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog and Susie Williams."
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog and Susie Williams."
Friday, June 19, 2009
Summer Reading for Parents & Teachers
I saw the link to a book list on Twitter, submitted by Ron Glodoski an author and speaker on educational alternatives for at-risk youth.
Let's face it, not all homeschool and alternative programs are put together to provide a quality and creative foundation for children who are loved and cared for. As a former teacher and administrator in Alternative Schools, I know that many at-risk kids end up in some kind of alternative program, be it a homeschool environment, a tutorial program, etc., that is organized as a last ditch effort by parents, caregivers, or the court to keep a child off the streets and out of more sinister alternative educational programs like drugs and prostitution.
If you are an educator who works in alternative education or the desperate parent of a teen you will surely find something beneficial on this list. But if you don't fall into those categories, this is still a good list to download and add to your educational files. Though the title of the list, compiled by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, uses the term Disruptive Youth, you will find good reading about alternative education and educational philosophies on the list. I found lots of great books that I recognized and would recommend to any parent or teacher. One of my favorites is John Taylor Gatto's, Dumbing us Down; The Hidden Agenda of Compulsory Schooling.
Here are two links to the PA DOE list.
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/alt_disruptive/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=103435&pp=3
http://bit.ly/kcp8c
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Let's face it, not all homeschool and alternative programs are put together to provide a quality and creative foundation for children who are loved and cared for. As a former teacher and administrator in Alternative Schools, I know that many at-risk kids end up in some kind of alternative program, be it a homeschool environment, a tutorial program, etc., that is organized as a last ditch effort by parents, caregivers, or the court to keep a child off the streets and out of more sinister alternative educational programs like drugs and prostitution.
If you are an educator who works in alternative education or the desperate parent of a teen you will surely find something beneficial on this list. But if you don't fall into those categories, this is still a good list to download and add to your educational files. Though the title of the list, compiled by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, uses the term Disruptive Youth, you will find good reading about alternative education and educational philosophies on the list. I found lots of great books that I recognized and would recommend to any parent or teacher. One of my favorites is John Taylor Gatto's, Dumbing us Down; The Hidden Agenda of Compulsory Schooling.
Here are two links to the PA DOE list.
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/alt_disruptive/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=103435&pp=3
http://bit.ly/kcp8c
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Global Campaign Against Poverty & Disease Provides Free Educational Resource
Talk about a free educational resource on geography, climate, history, politics, economics, poverty and compassion! Check out One a grassroots campaign committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases. I first noticed One via their Twitter postings regarding clean water. Their site has an entire section titled Water for the World with pulitzer prize winning reports and compelling videos.
The site covers other vital global problems equally well and with the same quality of information: HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria; Agriculture; Education, Climate and Development, Maternal & Child Health, Trade and Investment and more. An educational site for adults, loaded with valuable teaching tools for educators and families. http://www.one.org/us/
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
The site covers other vital global problems equally well and with the same quality of information: HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria; Agriculture; Education, Climate and Development, Maternal & Child Health, Trade and Investment and more. An educational site for adults, loaded with valuable teaching tools for educators and families. http://www.one.org/us/
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Free Global Summer Art-Social Studies Project
A great art/social studies project to occupy the next few weeks of summer for children of all ages is offered online at http://www.togetherinpeace.com/. The Ontario, Canada based site is sponsoring a global community project that looks to the children of the world to join together in an expression of world peace. Talk about a free enrichment project.
On their site they say, "We invite children the world over to participate in the creation of an enormous global peace puzzle.
Like a puzzle, we too are all interconnected, and like a puzzle we are not complete if even one piece is missing.
Let your painting add your country to the display. "
They display on the site some of wonderful early submissions from children in South America, North America, Europe and the Middle East. Worth a stop by the site just to spend some time with your child looking at those submissions and locating the country of their origin on the globe.
The concept is a natural starting point for a variety of discussions on history, geography, theology, economics, anthropology, etc., for any age of child. So get your child out from in front of the T.V. this afternoon and take a look at http://www.inpeacetogether.com/.
Participating in the project is easy: produce a piece of art (they do ask for certain dimensions on the site), take a digital picture and email it to them at inpeace@inpeacetogether.com. There is also a snail mail option. Submission deadlines are July 10, 2009.
Construction (July 20) of all the pieces of this enormous puzzle will be video taped and run on u-tube.
They are still asking for submissions. Obviously, the more countries represented the better and if you know kids in countries other than your own, who might be interested get the info to them asap.
The following piece by Robert Fulghum is included on their site as a wonderful whimsical plan to bring world peace. "Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination."
~Robert Fulghum
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
On their site they say, "We invite children the world over to participate in the creation of an enormous global peace puzzle.
Like a puzzle, we too are all interconnected, and like a puzzle we are not complete if even one piece is missing.
Let your painting add your country to the display. "
They display on the site some of wonderful early submissions from children in South America, North America, Europe and the Middle East. Worth a stop by the site just to spend some time with your child looking at those submissions and locating the country of their origin on the globe.
The concept is a natural starting point for a variety of discussions on history, geography, theology, economics, anthropology, etc., for any age of child. So get your child out from in front of the T.V. this afternoon and take a look at http://www.inpeacetogether.com/.
Participating in the project is easy: produce a piece of art (they do ask for certain dimensions on the site), take a digital picture and email it to them at inpeace@inpeacetogether.com. There is also a snail mail option. Submission deadlines are July 10, 2009.
Construction (July 20) of all the pieces of this enormous puzzle will be video taped and run on u-tube.
They are still asking for submissions. Obviously, the more countries represented the better and if you know kids in countries other than your own, who might be interested get the info to them asap.
The following piece by Robert Fulghum is included on their site as a wonderful whimsical plan to bring world peace. "Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination."
~Robert Fulghum
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
$5 Credit at Used Homeschool Books
Used Homeschool Books, an auction site to sell and buy used homeschool books, offers a $5 credit for joining. Listings are FREE. Buying is FREE. Upgrades are very inexpensive. You can advertise there too. www.used-homeschool-books.com.
Selling formats on the site are:
Auction-style listing - Sell to the highest bidder or offer Buy It Now.
Fixed-Price listing - List items at a set price, so buyers can purchase right away (with no bidding).
Store Inventory listing - Store owners list their items either as an auction or at a fixed price.
Classified Ad - Advertise just as you'd use a traditional classified ad. You state a price, the buyer contacts you, and you handle the transaction personally.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
h
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Selling formats on the site are:
Auction-style listing - Sell to the highest bidder or offer Buy It Now.
Fixed-Price listing - List items at a set price, so buyers can purchase right away (with no bidding).
Store Inventory listing - Store owners list their items either as an auction or at a fixed price.
Classified Ad - Advertise just as you'd use a traditional classified ad. You state a price, the buyer contacts you, and you handle the transaction personally.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
h
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Monday, June 15, 2009
Road Map for Understanding Geography
Last week I pulled out an old geography tool I had used with my children 30 years ago to use with my grandson this summer. While homeschooling my two elementary children back in the day, we traveled with them in 40 of the 50 U.S. states. Almost as soon as they had crossed the state line from their home state to a neighboring state to visit friends or family, I would purchase a U. S. road map for each child at a local gas station and push pin it to their bedroom wall. Today with GPS and Internet map sites, you may find these maps unused in your own map collection or that of family or friends - outdated as far as road guides, but never outdated as a tool to teach geography - therefore free.
Before attaching the map to my children's wall, I unfolded it and helped them (they were usually about 2 years old) make colorful dots over our hometown and those of friends and relatives the child was familiar with. I outlined our home state in another color and helped the child color that state. I wrote the name of our friend or relative living near their dot.
Each time we planned to travel to visit these people or to see sites in a different state, we stood in front of the map and traced our route, discussing the names of states we would cross through. When we returned the maps were taken down off the wall and each state that had been visited was colored in its own color to distinguish its shape from adjacent states. As they got older they included other place names, more people and dates on their maps.
Several trips are planned this summer for my seven year old grandson, and he already has a number of states he could color in on his own map. This activity will help him become more aware of the size of the country, distance and time, and the unique aspects of each state he visits or has visited. Most important, he will understand why, "Are we there yet?" is a question that has limited relevance....won't he?
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Before attaching the map to my children's wall, I unfolded it and helped them (they were usually about 2 years old) make colorful dots over our hometown and those of friends and relatives the child was familiar with. I outlined our home state in another color and helped the child color that state. I wrote the name of our friend or relative living near their dot.
Each time we planned to travel to visit these people or to see sites in a different state, we stood in front of the map and traced our route, discussing the names of states we would cross through. When we returned the maps were taken down off the wall and each state that had been visited was colored in its own color to distinguish its shape from adjacent states. As they got older they included other place names, more people and dates on their maps.
Several trips are planned this summer for my seven year old grandson, and he already has a number of states he could color in on his own map. This activity will help him become more aware of the size of the country, distance and time, and the unique aspects of each state he visits or has visited. Most important, he will understand why, "Are we there yet?" is a question that has limited relevance....won't he?
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Room to Read Changing the World One Child At a Time
Free inspiration!! Check out the Room to Read website, where they believe that "world change starts with educated children." In less than nine years this non-profit has impacted the lives of over 3.1 million children in the developing world by:
Constructing 765 schools
Establishing over 7,040 libraries
Publishing 327 new local language children's titles representing over 2.8 million books
Donating over 2.8 million English language children's books
Funding 6,817 long-term girls' scholarships
These figures are as of December 31, 2008. Room to Read posts its result numbers quarterly.
According to the history on their site, "John Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, launched Room to Read after a trek through Nepal. He visited several local schools and was amazed by the warmth and enthusiasm of the students and teachers, but also saddened by the shocking lack of resources. Driven to help, John quit his senior executive position with Microsoft and built a global team to work with rural villages to build sustainable solutions to their educational challenges.
...John wove proven corporate business practices with his inspiring vision to provide educational access to 10 million children in the developing world.
Room to Read began working with rural communities in Nepal in 2000 to build schools and establish libraries. The organization's geographic reach expanded rapidly as significant needs and opportunities were identified in Vietnam (2001), Cambodia (2002) and India (2003). The Asian Tsunami in December 2004 provided a catalyst for entry into Sri Lanka followed shortly by Laos. In 2006, we expanded to our second continent by launching Room to Read in South Africa, and we began work in Zambia in 2007. In 2008, we began operations in Bangladesh and will commence program activities in 2009."
This is a well organized, informative website, easy to navigate and worth a visit, if only for the inspiration. Opportunities to help are clearly listed and defined and anyone can lend a hand to this valuable mission, "changing the world one child at a time."
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Constructing 765 schools
Establishing over 7,040 libraries
Publishing 327 new local language children's titles representing over 2.8 million books
Donating over 2.8 million English language children's books
Funding 6,817 long-term girls' scholarships
These figures are as of December 31, 2008. Room to Read posts its result numbers quarterly.
According to the history on their site, "John Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, launched Room to Read after a trek through Nepal. He visited several local schools and was amazed by the warmth and enthusiasm of the students and teachers, but also saddened by the shocking lack of resources. Driven to help, John quit his senior executive position with Microsoft and built a global team to work with rural villages to build sustainable solutions to their educational challenges.
...John wove proven corporate business practices with his inspiring vision to provide educational access to 10 million children in the developing world.
Room to Read began working with rural communities in Nepal in 2000 to build schools and establish libraries. The organization's geographic reach expanded rapidly as significant needs and opportunities were identified in Vietnam (2001), Cambodia (2002) and India (2003). The Asian Tsunami in December 2004 provided a catalyst for entry into Sri Lanka followed shortly by Laos. In 2006, we expanded to our second continent by launching Room to Read in South Africa, and we began work in Zambia in 2007. In 2008, we began operations in Bangladesh and will commence program activities in 2009."
This is a well organized, informative website, easy to navigate and worth a visit, if only for the inspiration. Opportunities to help are clearly listed and defined and anyone can lend a hand to this valuable mission, "changing the world one child at a time."
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Preschool Freebies at Scuba Jack
On the website http://www.adventuresofscubajack.com/ you will find free educational games, printable worksheets and craft ideas for preschool children. In addition, there is a useful down loadable assessment tool to help parents guide their preschoolers readiness for kindergarten. These tools were developed by veteran preschool teacher and curriculum designer, Beth Costanza.
The main thrust of the site is to promote Beth's DVD series for preschoolers, called The Adventures of Scuba Jack. "The Adventures of Scuba Jack is set in a quaint New England fishing village that is inhabited by exciting and colorful characters. Every episode teaches children a new letter of the alphabet and includes worksheets for practice and reinforcement. Children will also begin to learn basic words in Spanish with the introduction of a new word in each episode. A daily adventure to new locations is the highlight of each episode, with children learning valuable scholastic and moral lessons."
As spin-off of her successful 15 year old preschool in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Beth envisioned an educational DVD series, which allowed children to watch a show that made them feel as if they were a part of the classroom at Majestic Harbor Preschool. She wanted this to be a tool for parents to help their young children excel academically, while feeling confident that the time spent in front of the television was time well spent.
My seven year old assistant reviewer enjoyed the characters and the freebies available on the site. He thought that "little kids" would really like the games and worksheets and learn from them. He also thought they would love the characters at Mystic Harbor Preschool.
The freebies on the site will add quality materials to your educational or home school collection. Find them at www.adventuresofscubajack.com/learning-activities/. While your there read about Beth's own adventure in education and her DVD series and check out the extensive collection of educational materials the Scuba Jack on-line store provides.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
The main thrust of the site is to promote Beth's DVD series for preschoolers, called The Adventures of Scuba Jack. "The Adventures of Scuba Jack is set in a quaint New England fishing village that is inhabited by exciting and colorful characters. Every episode teaches children a new letter of the alphabet and includes worksheets for practice and reinforcement. Children will also begin to learn basic words in Spanish with the introduction of a new word in each episode. A daily adventure to new locations is the highlight of each episode, with children learning valuable scholastic and moral lessons."
As spin-off of her successful 15 year old preschool in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Beth envisioned an educational DVD series, which allowed children to watch a show that made them feel as if they were a part of the classroom at Majestic Harbor Preschool. She wanted this to be a tool for parents to help their young children excel academically, while feeling confident that the time spent in front of the television was time well spent.
My seven year old assistant reviewer enjoyed the characters and the freebies available on the site. He thought that "little kids" would really like the games and worksheets and learn from them. He also thought they would love the characters at Mystic Harbor Preschool.
The freebies on the site will add quality materials to your educational or home school collection. Find them at www.adventuresofscubajack.com/learning-activities/. While your there read about Beth's own adventure in education and her DVD series and check out the extensive collection of educational materials the Scuba Jack on-line store provides.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Friday, June 12, 2009
Encouraging Reading with E-Books
A UK on-line company is "bringing the magic of books to life" via one of modern kids favorite things, their home computer.. A visit to their site http://www.wizz-e.com/ starts with a gentle benign Wizard and the opening of a magical door to a beautiful castle. Through the door you are given the opportunity to sample some of the company's e-books through free downloads, as well as work some of their puzzles on-line free of charge.
Wizz-e.com is owned by Ebooks4Kidz Ltd an electronic publisher of books and puzzles. They do not publish or distribute hard copy materials. In their own words; "We are not trying to be a substitute for tangible books or bed time reading. Our mission is simple: We just want kids to read more, and have fun at it! Some children prefer to read online and to have the help, support and interactivity of an eBook. It makes reading fun. When parents or carers are busy then kids can still have a story they love read to them or read it themselves and click on any unknown words to hear them spoken without waiting for an adult to help. So if kids are reading and having fun - everyone wins."
My seven year old assistant reviewer spent an hour on the site working the free educational puzzles available. Though on first observation, I would have guessed that he would find the games lacking in sophistication and therefore impose that word all youngster begin to try out in middle elementary, "boring," he did not. Instead he played each game (puzzle) at the various levels available at least twice and later in the day ask to go back on the site. I was a little surprised. Remember their wizard is kindly and benign not menacing and there were no metal clad dark warriors anywhere on the site. And the site freebies are designed for pre-school through early elementary. My assistant seemed to appreciate the fact that he could get to the puzzles, activate them and play completely with out assistance.
The site is another opportunity to add to your home educational or school materials, though the freebies, naturally are limited on the site. So check them out and if you like the quality of http://www.wizz-e.com/ , remember that 10% of their profits are donated to supporting Room to Read – a charity building schools, libraries and sponsoring education in developing countries, http://www.roomtoread.org/.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Summer Learning to Maintain Grade Level Readiness
The National Center for Summer Education at www.summerlearning.org is concerned with loss of grade level readiness in reading, math and science and in identifying quality summer activities that help students maintain grade level readiness over the summer. To read articles on this subject, to view products, activities and take advantage of some free downloads if materials go to their site.
According to their history, the Center "started as an undergraduate student’s project and grew into a national movement. In 1992, Johns Hopkins University student Matthew Boulay recruited his fellow undergraduates to provide tutoring and academic support for Baltimore City public school students during the summer months. The program, called Teach Baltimore, definitely made a difference. Over the years, the Teach Baltimore program grew from a local program to a nationally recognized model.
In 1999, the organization began the nation’s first randomized study of a multi-year summer learning program. The evidence showed that the students who regularly attended the program for two years outscored the control group in standardized reading tests. In fact, those with a better-than-average attendance rate outperformed the control group by approximately 50 percent of one grade level."
Certainly, the information provided on their site supports summer learning programs, such as the reading based day camp sponsored by Fremont County Tutoring and mentioned previously on this site as a summer curriculum model. You will also find curriculum models on the centers site at http://www.summerlearning.org/, which can be adapted to your own summer home school program.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog/Susie Williams."
According to their history, the Center "started as an undergraduate student’s project and grew into a national movement. In 1992, Johns Hopkins University student Matthew Boulay recruited his fellow undergraduates to provide tutoring and academic support for Baltimore City public school students during the summer months. The program, called Teach Baltimore, definitely made a difference. Over the years, the Teach Baltimore program grew from a local program to a nationally recognized model.
In 1999, the organization began the nation’s first randomized study of a multi-year summer learning program. The evidence showed that the students who regularly attended the program for two years outscored the control group in standardized reading tests. In fact, those with a better-than-average attendance rate outperformed the control group by approximately 50 percent of one grade level."
Certainly, the information provided on their site supports summer learning programs, such as the reading based day camp sponsored by Fremont County Tutoring and mentioned previously on this site as a summer curriculum model. You will also find curriculum models on the centers site at http://www.summerlearning.org/, which can be adapted to your own summer home school program.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog/Susie Williams."
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Africa Wildlife Site
Africa Freak is a website created by Michael Theys who apparently has spent the majority of his life living in Africa. His site offers outstanding wildlife photographs with interesting text. He shares his knowledge of nature, conservation, animals and birds of Africa in a non-technical writing style appropriate for students and teachers. I believe any child who has learned to read could gain some knowledge from the text on the site.
In addition, Theys includes video experiences through BBC Wildlife and U-tube, such as this video of a safari group approaching a mother and baby Rhinoceros http://www.africafreak.com/how-to-approach-a-mother-rhino-calf-on-foot-in-a-single-lesson/
Though I prefer recommending free educational material that are interactive or engage the parent with the child, I find the photos and video on this site thrilling and worth the time you, your student or child might spend there. It's http://www.africafreak.com/. Be sure and check out his About Me page.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog/Susie Williams."
In addition, Theys includes video experiences through BBC Wildlife and U-tube, such as this video of a safari group approaching a mother and baby Rhinoceros http://www.africafreak.com/how-to-approach-a-mother-rhino-calf-on-foot-in-a-single-lesson/
Though I prefer recommending free educational material that are interactive or engage the parent with the child, I find the photos and video on this site thrilling and worth the time you, your student or child might spend there. It's http://www.africafreak.com/. Be sure and check out his About Me page.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog/Susie Williams."
Friday, June 5, 2009
Global Education Collaborative
Global Education Collaborative is an on-line community for teachers and students interested in global education. Their website hosts discussions with those interested in educational issues around the world, as well as, listing blogs and events. A free resource for the exchange of information and the seeds of ideas for your students.
I love the concept. Who can deny the importance of a global consciousness in these times and particularly when it comes to educating our next generation. Take a look at their site at http://www.globaleducation.ning.com/.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
I love the concept. Who can deny the importance of a global consciousness in these times and particularly when it comes to educating our next generation. Take a look at their site at http://www.globaleducation.ning.com/.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog by Susie Williams."
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Critical Thinking for Limitless Knowledge
I received an email message from the Critical Thinking Company titled Some Freebies. Of course, I instantly clicked on the link they provided. That led me to a page on their website that instructs the reader how to access software demos and hundreds of printable activity pages from this educational company's book and workbook lines.
It's free and easy to do! A great way to add enrichment materials to your home school collection or to find quality activities for children this summer. They provide the instructions for finding and printing pages right on the page under the word Printables at http://www.criticalthinking.com/all-abilities/try_before_buy.html
But don't stop there! Check out their website! To inspire your day, read the history of this innovative company. The Critical Thinking Company, a half-century old family owned business produces and distributes educational materials that support their philosophy, as stated by company president, Michael Baker, "If we teach children everything we know, their knowledge is limited to ours. If we teach children to think, their knowledge is limitless."
Their products are designed to empower the mind and teach problem solving skills to meet life's challenges. Also, free are dozens of articles on developing critical thinking in children at all age levels at http://www.criticalthinking.com/company/articles.jsp?code=c.
If you are shopping for challenging and entertaining materials their site is easy to navigate, with the option bars to shop by grade, product, series at the top of the product page at http://www.criticalthinking.com/all-abilities/index.html.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog & Susie Williams."
It's free and easy to do! A great way to add enrichment materials to your home school collection or to find quality activities for children this summer. They provide the instructions for finding and printing pages right on the page under the word Printables at http://www.criticalthinking.com/all-abilities/try_before_buy.html
But don't stop there! Check out their website! To inspire your day, read the history of this innovative company. The Critical Thinking Company, a half-century old family owned business produces and distributes educational materials that support their philosophy, as stated by company president, Michael Baker, "If we teach children everything we know, their knowledge is limited to ours. If we teach children to think, their knowledge is limitless."
Their products are designed to empower the mind and teach problem solving skills to meet life's challenges. Also, free are dozens of articles on developing critical thinking in children at all age levels at http://www.criticalthinking.com/company/articles.jsp?code=c.
If you are shopping for challenging and entertaining materials their site is easy to navigate, with the option bars to shop by grade, product, series at the top of the product page at http://www.criticalthinking.com/all-abilities/index.html.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog & Susie Williams."
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Education World.com a World of Free Info
Originally designed to assist educators in accessing educational and professional information on the Internet, the Education World website calls itself the educators best friend. Over almost 20 years, it has become a source of free educational information useful not only to professional educators, but to parents, students, home schools and alternative school programs.
The site is enormous but not cumbersome. The primary sections of the site are Lesson Planning, Professional Development, Administrators, Tech Integration, School Issues, Marketplace. It has its own site search and options to search by date or subject.
For parents looking for quality activities for their children or for homeschooling parents the Lesson Planning section of the site is a wonderful free resource for educational activities. You will find there a series of lessons and activities on hundreds of specific topics, broken down by subject areas (social studies, math, science, etc.) and grade level. Though designed for classroom use these lesson plans can be easily translated to individual use. At the very least they provide the parent or educator with inspiration to design their own activities. The site provides links to other sources of information as well. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/
The School Issues section of the site houses a large library of articles on behavior concerns that can be very helpful to parents who are homeschooling or those who want to keep informed on issues such as bullying in schools. http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog and Susie Williams."
The site is enormous but not cumbersome. The primary sections of the site are Lesson Planning, Professional Development, Administrators, Tech Integration, School Issues, Marketplace. It has its own site search and options to search by date or subject.
For parents looking for quality activities for their children or for homeschooling parents the Lesson Planning section of the site is a wonderful free resource for educational activities. You will find there a series of lessons and activities on hundreds of specific topics, broken down by subject areas (social studies, math, science, etc.) and grade level. Though designed for classroom use these lesson plans can be easily translated to individual use. At the very least they provide the parent or educator with inspiration to design their own activities. The site provides links to other sources of information as well. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/
The School Issues section of the site houses a large library of articles on behavior concerns that can be very helpful to parents who are homeschooling or those who want to keep informed on issues such as bullying in schools. http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams
Contact me: creeksideeducation@gmail.com
Contents of this Blog are copyrighted by Creekside Education and Susie Williams and may only be used or reproduced for non commercial purposes and must include the following credit; "This information is copyrighted by and used with the permission of Creekside Education Blog and Susie Williams."
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