Montessori Homeschooling

Developed from the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, this style of
teaching aims at duplicating natural laws that a child faces in
life. Thus the aim of the teacher is to control the environment
and not the child. It was observed that children who are left free
to interact with their environment developed an innate
self-discipline, love for order and natural curiosity.

The Montessori method of teaching is especially suitable to the
preschooler who wants to do everything by himself. Finding ways in
which your child can participate in the cleaning, washing,
cooking, gardening and other ‘adult’ activities sets the perfect
backdrop for the learning experience. By providing such
opportunities for independence, the child’s self-esteem also gets
a huge boost.

Artistic, cultural and scientific activities abound in the
Montessori 3-6 class. There is no TV, junk food, or computer.
Material is selected carefully. The child is never forced to work.
Instead he is encouraged to do things that interest him, and the
teacher picks up the teaching from cues given by the child.  The
Montessori method focuses on the child’s inborn ability to learn
from his surroundings. Thus the teacher aims to encourage the
natural curiosity of the child. He is never forced to learn or
explore. When the child understands why he needs to learn
something, he will love the learning process.

Homeschooling Your Teenager

As children start maturing into adults, parents feel insecure
about homeschooling. Many parents then discontinue the
homeschooling process and happily hand over the reign to outside
authorities. But is this really necessary? Is the strictly
compartmentalized education provided in schools a better option?

If social concerns are worrying you, look for interest-oriented
associations, clubs and societies. These offer a lot of support
for leaders, opportunity for shared experience, and foster a sense
of belonging. Make up your own group or share this responsibility
with someone else. Home education support groups provide fantastic
opportunities to meet your child’s needs. This is the best way to
develop intelligent, self-motivated, healthy and able young
people.

If the growing burden of some of the higher level Math or Science
seems to be beyond you, enlist the help of someone who knows more.
You can even barter your own services and thus save some money.
With homeschooling becoming more and more popular, support groups
will have innumerable resources that help you find the right
teacher for your child.

The underlying principle that guides homeschooling is this: any
child has the innate capacity to grow, develop and achieve his or her
full potential. All they need is the right environment and all the
right answers. Be there to provide these and think twice before
you turn over this responsibility to a third party.

Benefits Of Homeschooling

Are you considering homeschooling your kids?  There are several benefits to homeschooling that include not having to wake them up at the crack of dawn to send them off with lots of instructions and feeling little control over what and how they are learning.

Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that
affect your child. The growth and development of your child
is removed from the realm of the unknown. You, and you alone
can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring
the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child
is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling

Individual attention is another salient benefit of
homeschooling. For instance, if your daughter needs more time to learn
Math, then she can reduce the time for her English lessons.
There are no fixed hours of learning per subject. This means
that a child has the advantage of assigning more hours to the subject that seems tough WITHOUT any additional pressure. The amount of time needed to learn each subject
will depend on the abilities and interests of the child.

The schooling of the child becomes an extended family activity.
Parents get involved in every step of the learning procedure.
Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus,
the child receives more quality time with his parents. The
entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family
closeness becomes the focus here. The child is also free of
any negative peer pressure while making choices and decisions.

Competition is limited when it comes to homeschooling. The
child does not need to prove his ability with regards to other
children. His confidence remains intact. Since parents have a
deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning
program to pique the child’s interest. It is also possible to
intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. A tough hour
with Algebra can be followed by a trip to the nearest museum.
Learning becomes fun. Parents can also tailor the curriculum to
suit the learning style of the child. Some children learn through
reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see
objects in action.

Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and
religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to
incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child’s curriculum.
There is no confusion in the child’s mind either because there is
no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.

Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the
public school system. They believe that their children are being
pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to
discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many
repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on
the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories
of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for
homeschooling when it comes to their own children.

Homeschooling is the best way to teach a child if you have the time,
the ability and the interest to follow through with his education. After
all, nobody can understand or appreciate your child more than yourself.

Homeschooling Programs

For many people, homeschooling may call to mind the picture of two
or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in
their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not
entirely true. There are different methods of homeschooling,
and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your
style of teaching. Given below are some of the most influential
and popular homeschooling methods.

The Charlotte Mason method:
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling
movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal
to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete
homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same
time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis
placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music
and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical
literature, which she called ‘Living Books’. Since this method
encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read
to daily from the ‘Living Books’. After this, the child is asked
to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of
six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in
her book. Mason also advocated the use of ‘Nature Diaries’. After
each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to
Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also
gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that
development of good character and behavior was essential to the
complete development of the child’s personality.

Eclectic Homeschooling:
This is a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the
innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the
topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents
continuously look out for the best products that will meet the
needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling
curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum
is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to
accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children.
The child’s gifts, temperament, learning style and interests
dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the
museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling:
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the
unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when
they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided
by their own interests. His message was to ‘unschool’ the child.
This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent
takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite
curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most
unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.

The Montessori Method:
This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children
have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of
intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an
activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The
Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate
learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to
satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child.
The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather
expensive.

These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the
method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest
in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child’s
desire for knowledge to further his education.

If you homeschool your children and would like to submit a guest postabout your experiences, please send an email to editorial@summitseriesforfamilies.com

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Asperger Syndrome is a relatively mild form of autism that effects people in different ways than regular autism. Because it usually does not affect language, many people with Asperger Syndrome go undiagnosed. This is the one form of autism that is usually not caught at an early age. Asperger Syndrome, however, can be a very difficult condition to have, so as soon as you suspect yourself or your child of having communication and social behavior problems, see your family doctor.

Many famous and successful people have been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. And historians even suggest that Einstein and Mozart each suffered from this disorder, although there wasn’t a name for it during their lifetime. It is important to note that no form of autism is a form of mental retardation. In fact, most people with Asperger Syndrome are very intelligent. Asperger Syndrome does not dictate mental ability, but rather makes it difficult for people to communicate in social settings, much in the same way a typical autistic child has trouble with behavior in groups. When this disorder goes undiagnosed, children do not get the help they need, leading to problems in school such as bullying. Most children are relieved to find out they have Asperger Syndrome instead of just thinking they are less of a person. By getting diagnosed, not only can you or your child put a name to the problems, but it is then also possible to get treated to improve your overall situation.

Some symptoms to watch out for if you suspect Asperger Syndrome are some of the same symptoms that people with full-blown autism experience. This includes social confusion, first and foremost. Many people with Asperger Syndrome find it very difficult to deal with transition or change, wanting everything to stay the same. A quickly changing environment is especially confusing. People with Asperger Syndrome also may say rude or inappropriate things when they don’t mean to do so, and may not be able to understand others’ thought processes. Another common trait they share with autistic individuals is fixation, although people with Asperger Syndrome usually have more control over their fixations, which take the form of highly focused interests. If you suspect yourself or a loved one of this disorder, these are just a few of the signs for which you should be watching. You doctor should be able to answer further questions and provide both reading material and treatment for this disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults and Children

There are certain symptoms of ADHD that parents need to be aware of as signs that they should have their child evaluated by a doctor.  Only a doctor can make the diagnosis and it will be based on feedback from both parents and teachers regarding a child’s behavior and performance at school and at home.  Many children are undiagnosed and move into adulthood still struggling with similar symptoms that can affect their interpersonal relationships and career.   Below are the warning signs of ADHD in children and adults to help you recognize if you need to visit the doctor.

Children and ADHD Symptoms

The following symptoms in children are signs you may need to have your child evaluated by a doctor:

• Lack of Focus – Many people mistake the lack of focus associated with ADHD as the normal short attention span found in young children. However, there is a difference. Children with ADHD aren’t usually able to concentrate on anything regardless of the child’s interest in the subject or activity.
• Highly Disruptive – Children with ADHD don’t want to be disruptive, but they just can’t help it. If your child has to always be in motion and is often disruptive regardless of your attempts to control the behavior, he/she may have ADHD.
• Acts on Impulse – Children with ADHD don’t have the ability to “think things through” and will often act on impulse. It may be that they interrupt frequently, ask irrelevant questions or have constant tantrums.
• Always in Motion – Children with ADHD have a need to be in constant motion, almost as if they aren’t able to sit still. These kids aren’t bad kids, in fact many try to sit still when asked, they just can’t.

Adults and ADHD

The signs and symptoms of ADHD vary from children to adults. Below are the most common symptoms found in adults with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder:

• Easily Angered – Many adults with ADHD aren’t able to control their emotions and often have angry outbursts. If this is a normal occurrence for your loved one, he/she may have ADHD.
• Lack of Concentration – This is a shared symptom of ADHD for both children and adults. Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to focus on one thing without their mind wandering off and thinking about something else.
• Lack of Organization – Adults with ADHD usually struggle with getting organized. This is usually true for their homes and work place. The lack of organization may even extend to their social lives too.
• Intense Focus – A common technique many adults with ADHD teach themselves to do is to focus extremely hard on a topic or activity that they find fulfilling. This is known as “hyperfocus” and it is a way for those with ADHD to block out all the other distractions. However, while they are focusing on something, this is still a symptom of ADHD and should be checked out.

Types of ADHD

Most people don’t realize how many different types of ADHD there are.   However, there are approximately 9 different forms of ADHD. Below you will find a brief overview of each with their associated side effects.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Form: This form of ADHD is typically characterized by hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. People with this form of ADHD typically display an excessive amount of interrupting and excessive talking. They may also answer a question before it has been finished and generally have trouble waiting, causing them to be in constant motion whether they’re running, fidgeting, climbing, etc.
 
Predominantly Inattentive Form: This form of ADHD can be hard to diagnose because people with this type don’t usually display the normal signs of impulsive and hyperactive characteristics associated with it. Instead, the most common symptoms of this form of ADHD include the inability to focus, making careless errors on homework, appearing to be inattentive and distracted when being directly spoken to and/or while in the middle of a task.
 
Combination Form: The combination form of ADHD is considered to be a form of the disorder that displays characteristics from both of the two forms listed above.
 
Classic ADD : This is based on Daniel Amen’s described forms of ADHD, some of which do not include the “H.” Classic ADD as described by Amen displays symptoms such as impulsiveness, disorganization, hyperactivity and distraction.
 
Inattentive ADD: This form of ADD revolves around a person’s inability to concentrate and/or stay attentive. People suffering from Inattentive ADD also tend to be disorganized.
 
Limbic System ADD: Limbic System is a form of ADD that generally produces constant low-grade depression in those suffering from it. For instance, they don’t have much energy, experience feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and other symptoms of depression. However, they also display signs of inattentiveness too.
 
Over-Focused ADD: Over-focused ADD is a form where those with it aren’t able to move from one task to another easily. They can easily become obsessed with a particular task and may exhibit signs of stubbornness, inflexibility, anxiety and negativity as well.
 
Temporal Lobe ADD: This is the temperamental and moody form of ADD. It can often cause those suffering from it to be outright disobedient and defiant. These people are also usually very impulsive and struggle greatly with learning and handwriting. Temporal Lobe ADD is considered one of the most difficult forms of ADD/ADHD out there.
 
Ring of Fire ADD: This form of ADD is just like it sounds. Symptoms include being easily distracted, oversensitive to changing circumstances and angry behaviors. Some people describe this form as a combination of bipolar disorder and ADHD.

ADD and ADHD Symptoms in Adults

While Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) always begins in childhood, it often doesn’t get diagnosed until adulthood, usually after that person has struggled with symptoms that have interfered with work, family and social situations.  Of those diagnosed as children, it is estimated that as many as one-third to one-half of these adolescents continue to experience symptoms of ADD as adults.  There is no test to diagnose ADD in children or adults.  Instead, a health professional will do an evaluation, and sometimes even get feedback from family members and/or teachers to make a diagnosis.
ADD symptoms in adults are usually not as clear as in children, but treatment still includes lifestyle adjustments to help stay organized, counseling, and may also include medication.  Because interpersonal relationships may be difficult for those struggling with ADD, it is important for loved ones to understand the symptoms in order to support the person trying to make adjustments necessary to stay more organized, use better listening skills and stay on task.

While the majority of people are concerned with children exhibiting signs of ADHD, it is possible that many adults have ADHD and don’t even realize it.  Here are some warning signs of ADHD in adults:

• Working too much. Most people dismiss these people as “workaholics” because they get so wrapped up in a project. This form of ADHD is referred to as “hyperfocus.” Hyperfocus ADHD works as a coping mechanism which allows people to easily block out various types of distractions and focus on one thing specifically. This should be monitored because it can lead to an obsessive nature.

• Disorganization. While all people are organizationally challenged from time to time, adults with ADHD aren’t usually able to get organized at any time. It seems overwhelming to them and easily frustrates them. A few signs of disorganization in adults with ADHD include arriving late to scheduled events, prioritizing responsibilities and leaving things in out-of-the-ordinary places.

• Becoming easily angered. Anger is a symptom in children with ADHD as they may frequently have temper tantrums over small things. This is the same for adults with ADHD, however, these “temper tantrums” are described as “angry outbursts.” If you aren’t able to let go of anger and your behavior is controlled by it, then you may suffer from ADHD.

• Lack of concentration. Just like in children with ADHD, adults with this disorder have a hard time concentrating on things. These people often describe the condition like “having a brain fog.” They find it extremely difficult to concentrate on a task from start to finish as they find their thoughts wandering from topic to topic.

• Excessive worry. ADHD can cause people to worry excessively. Sometimes the worry becomes so intense that it causes panic attacks and other forms of anxiety.

• Lack of interest. Those with ADHD become easily bored. This is a common symptom shared by both children and adults with the disorder.

• Depression. While a lot of adults feel depressed and seek treatment, what many don’t consider is the possibility that their depression is stemming from ADHD. Depression does accompany ADHD in certain instances, therefore get it checked out if you are depressed and have several other symptoms listed above.

A Review of The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser

By Kelly Thunstrom

With the exception of medicine and the technology fields, education is perhaps the most changeable major a college student can study.  From the time I was a freshman studying education topics, to the time I student taught and then graduated, ideas changed.  From the time I graduated and obtained my first teaching assignment to now, things changed drastically.

Large, cumbersome, heavy computers have made way for six-pound laptops, Ipods, and Smartphones.  Textbooks are gradually going by the wayside in favor of using one of the aforementioned devices.

How is your child being taught the necessary skills and literacy to become a responsible citizen?  Education trends seem to come and go based on the research on any given day.  One thing never changes, however, and that is good teaching.  In The Daily Five, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser have put together a teaching framework that lets students practice and shine every day.  They have decades of teaching experience between them and are nationally known education consultants.

The “literacy block” has been a very common way of teaching language arts for quite a long time.  This just means that instead of having Reading, Grammar, Spelling, and Writing broken up into separate classes throughout the day, they are taught in one very long block.  Successful programs seamlessly integrate the components so that students see these subjects as “integrated language arts”.

The Daily Five is a step-by-step way of accomplishing this.  The block is broken into five increments…Read to Yourself, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading, and Spelling/Word Work.  Teachers give mini-lessons in-between and work with students during the block.  It sounds simple, but there are many classroom management strategies that must be in place before it runs smoothly.  Usually by mid-October or so, children, even the youngest ones, can handle the full Daily 5.  Many schools and individual teachers have adopted the framework with much success.

To read more about the sisters and their program, visit www.the2sisters.com and www.thedailycafe.com.

Kelly Thunstrom has been teaching for almost 15 years, working with the fourth, fifth, and seventh grades full-time.  She has been named to Who’s Who in Education, as well as awarded the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence in Education.  Kelly is editor and publisher of 1776books, which provides reviews of various types of books.  She also writes book reviews for Bookloons, local theater reviews for Stage Partners, and is the arts reviewer for the local Patch syndicates.

Author Interview: Kathryn Erskine

Interview by Elaina Daniels

First off, let me just say how much that I absolutely loved the book Mockingbird.  As the mom to a nine year old little boy with autism, I just “got” this so much.  If you are ready for a “real life” book about living with autism, try the book, Mockingbird.  There were some very heavy questions to ask the author, Kathryn Erskine, regarding her process in writing this thought provoking book.

Elaina Daniels: You mentioned that you have a child on the spectrum.  How do you handle being a mom to a special needs child, and a writer all at the same time?

Kathryn Erskine:  I am fortunate that both of my children are in school all day so I’m able to spend part of that time writing.  As you know, there are always appointments, new things to research, etc., but I write “in the cracks,” those bits of time that aren’t already accounted for.

ED: Was she the inspiration for Mockingbird?

KE: She was definitely a large part of the inspiration.  Since she wasn’t diagnosed until she was 8, we spent a lot of time trying to understand her, often unsuccessfully!  It was a huge relief to know what was going on and learn how to address it.  I wanted others who had been in our situation, i.e., anyone who doesn’t already understand kids on the autism spectrum, to have a chance to see the way they think and feel.  And I wanted the story to be accessible to younger readers because I firmly believe that a lot of the teasing will stop if kids have an opportunity to understand.

ED: What helped you really get into Caitlin’s mind in this book?  

KE: Having knowledge of how kids with Asperger’s react in a variety of day- to- day situations made it easy to write.  I also did a lot of research–reading, workshops, observation, talking with those who work daily with kids on the spectrum.  Since much of it was an integral part of my life, it just poured out.

ED: I like that you aren’t afraid to show the real emotion of the characters in the book.  This was an incredible emotional journey for me.  Several times I had to put the book down, and just absorb everything that was going on.  This is such a touchy subject, how did you approach that?

KE: Directly, exactly the way a person with Asperger’s would.  I think it works because it’s authentic.  It can be kind of in-your-face but that’s the way someone with Asperger’s often is.  There is no mincing of words.  Also, because Caitlin is often emotionally distant, she can look at things in her objective way which makes the pain a little easier to take.

ED:  How could you see a teacher using this book in their classroom? 

KE:  I know classes have used it as anything from a creative writing tool to a fully integrated curricular and community event.  In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the whole town was involved in learning about autism.  Teachers, parents, police officers–everyone was reading Mockingbird.  Every high school student received a copy.  Students spent six weeks learning what it means to be on the autism spectrum.  They worked on projects from woodworking (making a mission chest) to music (writing a song about Mockingbird) to drama (producing a movie).  Local college students who had studied autism came to the high school to show the kids what it would be like to try concentrate and communicate in a classroom setting when you have Asperger’s–they flashed the lights, made jarring noises, patted the students, etc. and then shot questions at them so the kids could feel what it was like to deal with sensory overload.  At the end of the unit, the schools invited me to speak and had a community talk and concert — where the high school choral group and special needs students together performed “Imagine,” complete with sign language.  It had me in tears.  It was a truly stunning endeavor and I think LaCrosse pulled it off beautifully.

ED:  What age level do you see as appropriate for that?

KE:  Mockingbird has been used, to my knowledge, from 3^rd through 12^th grades.  I think it can be used for any age, really, as long as the activities are age appropriate.

ED:  In this story, you combine great sadness and grief with really good humor.  How did you balance it, in a story about something so tragic?

KE:  Having a main character with Asperger’s made it relatively easy.  She almost can’t help but make us laugh sometimes with her inappropriate or straightforward or unabashed remarks.  Her misunderstandings can be poignant but also funny.  Living with someone on the autism spectrum, I think you need to cultivate a sense of humor.  Sometimes that’s the only thing that helps us all deal with the ups and downs!

ED:  What made you walk away from law and turn to writing?

KE:  I always figured I’d write when I retired but when my mom died, still in her 60’s, I realized life is too short and we need to follow our dream while we have the chance–and it might mean we have to be proactive about making that chance for ourselves.

ED:   Is there more to be told about Caitlin’s story?

KE:  There’s definitely more, but I’ll leave that up to readers.  I’ve had kids write the next chapter in the book and it’s fascinating to see.  I hope the rest of the story includes a better understanding of all the Caitlins out there, and that all the Caitlins understand their world better, too.

ED:  What advice would you give an aspiring writer, on both the side of what to do, and what not to do?

KE:  Read lots, write lots.  Join a critique group because you need the support of fellow writers; also, you learn as much critiquing others as having your own work critiqued.  Take lots of classes–seminars, workshops, online classes, whatever and however many you can get to.  Don’t settle for less than your best.  People often give up because they start submitting before their work is really ready.  And even though you can self-publish, be sure it’s the best it can be before you put it out there.  It’ll have your name on it forever.

ED:  You are a recipient of multiple awards with your books, including the National Book Award 2010, and the International Reading Association Award 2011.  How did it feel to achieve this level of success?

KE:  Amazing!  I’m very grateful.  I hope the more Mockingbird is read, the more people will come to understand those on the Asperger’s spectrum.

Elaina Daniels is a 13 year educator, who had taught at the elementary/middle school level for all of those years.  She has taught all subjects, but her passion is Reading.  She has two children, aged 9 and 7.  Her oldest son was diagnosed with autism.  Elaina lives on a farm in Southwest Missouri with her husband of 11 years. Together, they raise children, dogs, and cattle.

See my review of the book Mockingbird, here.