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Hands-On Homeschool Newsletter - Dec. 12, 2005
Vol. I Issue 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In this issue:
> 1. From the Editor's Desk
> 2. Article - Include Handwork in Your
Curriculum!
> 3. Letters to the Editor
> 4. Feature Article - Gift Writing
> 5. Homeschool Curriculum Ideas of the Week
> 6. Free Homeschool Resources
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. From the Editor's Desk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome!
Have you noticed? It's beginning to look a lot
like. . . (oops! dare I say it?). . . Christmas!
My goodness, have you been keeping up with the
"conspiracy" to take Christmas out of the schools
(and nearly everything else)? If you are
homeschooling, of course, you may have
barely noticed. Homeschooled children can create
their own Christmas cards, make Christmas tree
ornaments, bake cookies and treats for neighbors
and shut-ins, sing carols, build nativity scenes,
and buy (or create) and wrap Christmas gifts.
Likewise, children can celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza,
or any other traditional holidays in their own
traditional
ways.
It only makes sense to me that holidays should be
an integral part of a child's education. Our
belief systems define, in part, who we are as
individuals, and as members of families and
communities.
So why then, out of "respect" for the religious
beliefs of others, do schools and other public
entities seek to ban everything religious? Is it
really "respectful" to throw out religion? It
makes more sense to me to include religion, to
recognize the purpose of religion in people's
lives, and to celebrate religious diversity.
Is it necessary to actually teach children other
religious beliefs? Well, are you comfortable doing
so as part of your curriculum? Some parents
aren't. I remember a couple of years ago, as a
part of a Middle Eastern history course, one
public school curriculum taught children Islamic
history and a little bit about the Koran. By the
way, this happened to be within a year of 9/11.
Parents were up in arms, accusing the teachers of
trying to convert their children to Islam!
Because of technology, we have become a global
community. With so much happening in the world
that is rooted in religion, isn't it important to
have a basic knowledge of other major
religions and belief systems? This is one way we
can seek to gain an understanding and an
appreciation of our global neighbors. A wonderful
gift that would be, don't you think?
This issue brings you ideas for helping your
children create their own holiday gifts for
others. I hope you enjoy it!
"Happy Holidays!"
Sandra B.
Editor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Article
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Include Handwork in Your Curriculum!
By Sandra Bynum
For a time, my two youngest children attended
a Waldorf - based charter school. One of the
things that impressed me about the Waldorf
educational philosophy is the premise of educating
the "whole child." From the Rudolf Steiner College
Website at
http://www.steinercollege.org/waldorfed.html:
"Waldorf education balances artistic, academic and
practical work educating the whole child, hand and
heart as well as mind. Its innovative methodology
and developmentally-oriented curriculum, permeated
with the arts, address the child's changing
consciousness as it
unfolds, stage by stage. Imagination and
creativity are cultivated as well as cognitive
growth and a sense of responsibility for the earth
and its inhabitants. Under the warm and active
instruction of their teachers, children are
provided with a creative and nurturing environment
in
which to develop, grow and learn."
So, in addition to an academic education (the
head), the child's heart and hands are also
educated. How are the hands "educated?" This is
achieved is through handwork, of course! Time is
allotted each day (usually after lunch) for the
children to bring out their ongoing handwork
projects. This is a quiet time in the Waldorf
classroom, as the children's hands busily work to
complete a knitted scarf, a carved wooden letter
opener, or a woven basket. For many children this
is, by far, the best part of the day!
I had always included handwork in my homeschool
for many reasons. Handwork rests the brain while
keeping idle hands busy. It encourages creativity
while teaching a new skill; one that often
develops into a healthy hobby that lasts a
lifetime. The child achieves a sense of
accomplishment and pride as each project is
completed, and gains a measure of satisfaction
creating something that is useful to someone else.
Handwork often leads to a giving spirit as
finished items are lovingly presented to others.
Best of all, handwork is fun!
During our homeschooling years, my children
learned kite making, cross stitching, sewing,
woodworking, boondoggling, puppet making,
sculpting, and book binding. We knitted and
crocheted. We produced hand-made paper, and from
it we created our own greeting cards. When we
visited a weaver, the children touched the freshly
shorn wool, cleaned it, and watched as it was spun
and woven on a loom. The boys were particularly
interested, so we made our own looms and learned
to weave (see links below for loom-building
directions).
Forget about "girl's" or "boy's" handwork, by the
way. The boys knit and crochet just the well as
the girls, and the girls build fabulous kites and
handy key racks and birdhouses just like the boys.
Both boys and girls enjoy making woven potholders,
sculpting Christmas ornaments,
making boondoggles (lanyard keychains), creating
model train landscapes, and doing beadwork.
If you have a hobby or enjoy handcrafts such as
candle making, embroidery, doll making, macramé,
or anything else, share it with your children.
Your gracious gift may well provide a satisfying,
lifetime hobby to be passed on to future
generations.
To learn more about Waldorf education and Waldorf
homeschooling, visit
http://www.live-education.com. You can
also call any local Waldorf school to learn about
their homeschooling program.
Resources:
You can find all of these items and more
at
http://www.allthingshomeschool.com/HS_Kits.htm
Books -
Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of All Ages,
by Melanie Falick
Kids Weaving: Projects for Kids of All Ages, by
Sarah Swett
Kids Embroidery: Projects for Kids of All Ages, by
Kristin Nicholas
Kits and Products -
Potholder Loom and Loops Sets
Granny Squares Kit
Junior Tool Kit and Leather Tool Belt
Friendship Bracelet Kit
Basket Weaving 101
Fine Art Studio Sculpting Kit and Lesson Book
eBooks -
These links and many more can
http://www.allthingshomeschool.com/links_ebooks.htm
75 Craft Recipes for Kids, Crafty Concoctions Your
Children
Will Love!
Downloadable eBook
How to Build a Toy Train (or Play Activity) Table
-
Downloadable eBook (also perfect for Legos,
Thomas, and Brio products)
See "Free Online Homeschooling Resources"
below for free online hand-working tips and
instructions.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
FREE Shipping on orders over $50. . .
Avoid mall-mania this holiday season! Sit back and
shop unique designs on popular items including
apparel, buttons, bags, and more! Visit
Homeschool's Best Shop at and give an original
gift to all the homeschoolers on your list.
Shopping at Homeschool's Best is easy and
hassle-free. Our guarantee includes 30-Days 100%
Money Back on all returns. If you buy over $50 in
goodies, Super Saver Shipping is FREE!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. Letters to the Editor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No questions this week. It's that busy time of
year!
Editor's note: Do you have a question or a
comment about an article or feature in this
newsletter, or homeschooling in general? We would
love to hear from you! Please email
your comments to:
sandrabynum@allthingshomeschool.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. Feature Article
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gift Writing
By Sandra Bynum
Of all of the gifts I've ever received, those
that have meant the most to me over the years have
been heartfelt letters, personal notes, and
handwritten cards created just for me. Although
many of the writers have since passed away, I
still have these loving reminders and memories of
times past, and I treasure them.
Many of these treasures were written by my
children, and I have saved them all. They include
handmade birthday cards, love notes, poems, and
illustrated stories. In our homeschool,
creative writing was of great value. Creative
works were never hidden away in old binders or in
the bottoms of drawers. Work that the children
were proud of was "published" and
often given as gifts.
How can children's writing be "published" for
gift-giving? Try these ideas:
Poetry
- Print out a Christmas poem in a fancy font
on Christmas stationary, roll it up like a scroll,
and tie with ribbon.
- Learn basic calligraphy, write poem in fancy
script on onion skin or hand-made paper, and mount
or frame it.
- Create handmade greeting cards with your poem
inside.
- Compile your favorite poems into a specially
bound book (see links below for binding ideas).
- Create a CD; put your poem to music and recite
or sing alone or with appropriate background
music.
- Etch it into clay (be sure to put a hole at the
top for hanging on the wall).
- Make a wall hanging; stitch it into fabric with
a pretty fringe at the bottom.
- Inscribe it with fabric paint on a t-shirt
Letters
-
Encourage handwritten letters, which are
special because your child's growth is reflected
as she grows and matures.
- Make or decorate your own personal stationary
for letter writing.
- Create and write a family newsletter and send it
out to extended family members at regular
intervals.
- Teach children to the forgotten art of writing
thank-you letters, as well as I'm-thinking-of-you
notes.
- Make greeting cards personal and special by
including a newsy note or letter written inside of
the card.
- Write your letter on colorful poster board, then
cut it into puzzle pieces and put it in a
decorated box or envelope.
Stories
-
Write and illustrate original stories, then
bind in hardcover (see links below for binding
ideas).
- Use your story to create a comic book (kids love
to draw their own comics); then make several
copies, bind, and create an illustrated cover.
Keep the original
to use for making more copies later!
- Type your story using your favorite font(s),
print it out, and make copies for everyone!
- Create a weblog and "publish" your stories
online.
More Fun Ideas
-
Create a collection of silly limericks, print
or write them out, illustrate, make several sets,
bind with crazy fabric, and give as gifts to
friends.
- Keep a journal or a diary as a gift to your own
children someday.
- Make a scrapbook of photos and captions,
artwork, poems, narratives, and whatever else you
want and give it to your grandparents so they know
what you've been up to.
- Create a pop-up book for younger siblings or
cousins. (See last link below for pop-up book
directions.)
- Devise a series of crossword puzzles,
find-a-words, and mazes. (Make sure to include the
solutions at the end.) Make several copies of your
puzzle collection and give as
gifts. Don't forget to give one to your local
library, with your permission to make copies.
- Create coupon books for members of your family,
including such gifts as babysitting, doing chores
for siblings, doing special jobs for parents (such
as window washing).
- Make beautiful bookmarks from decorated tagboard,
writing your poetry or personal sentiment on one
side, and stringing a colorful twine or ribbon
through a hole at the top.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Find many more fun writing activities just
like these in our new e-book,
101 Hands-On, Tried & True Homeschooling Ideas
You'll Love!
(Reading and math activities, too!)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. Homeschool Curriculum Ideas of the Week
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1)
Invent a game, package it in a large zip lock
bag, fabric drawstring bag, or a decorated box,
and give it as a gift to your family. Your game
can be based on a book you just read (Stuart
Little? Harry Potter?) or a favorite subject such
as dinosaurs or space travel or math problems or
geography trivia. It could be laid out like a
board game, or on bingo-like cards,
or questions could be written on individual cards.
You'll likely need a set of dice or you can make a
spinner. Will you need a timer? Be sure to write
up detailed instructions and how to play, score
points, and win the game. (It helps to play the
new game first to work out any problems before
wrapping it up!)
2)
Make a few of your favorite sweet treats, wrap
them up on a holiday plate, attach a note that
says, "From your Secret Santa" or something
similar, place it on your neighbor's doorstep,
ring the bell, and RUN! You might want to write up
and include your recipes on decorated cards for a
gift that "keeps on giving." A great way to teach
your children anonymous gift-giving.
3)
Community service is always welcome; and
homeschoolers can often find unique opportunities
to serve. Make service projects an integral part
of your homeschool curriculum. Find and carry out
a service project that will make someone else
happy during this holiday season, and encourage
your children to continue to serve others
throughout the New Year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6. Free Online Homeschooling Resources
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step-by-Step Project Instructions
http://www.allfiberarts.com/library/aa01/aa040201.htm
How to build and use a simple cardboard loom
http://www.hallnet.com/weave.html
How to build and use a simple wooden loom
http://boondoggleman.com
Basic and advanced stitches and over 25 free
boondoggle
projects and instructions
http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/blpaperbagscrapbooks.htm
How to make paper bag scrapbooks - These mini
scrapbooks, are sturdy, unique, and easy to make.
Lovely sample shown.
http://www.zumgaligali.com/projects/bookbinding/book_5st_2.html
Five stitch book binding. These are blank
mini-books, but you can adjust these detailed
instructions to make any size book.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001156/makingbooks/makeown.htm
Step-by-step instructions for kids to make ten
different kinds of books; each step is
illustrated.
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