_In The News March 2006 Vol. 9-3
 President’s MessageHave you ever noticed that when things are going the smoothest (or you think they are) then, all of a sudden, things are tipped upside down and everything is in a muddle. We've had just such an experience this month. It is disconcerting. These hills and valleys crop up throughout life. Some of the dips last longer than others, but w  e know that
there will always be an upside. And, perhaps by knowing this,
the down times may not last as long. It is these hills and valleys to life that provide learning experiences for us. When we hit those plateaus and maintain the status quo for extended periods, we are not growing as much. So, painful as they are, I suppose we should treasure the opportunity to push ahead and do some growing. However, sometimes it is a hard pill to swallow. |
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T Perhaps it is the time of year, but I
find myself wandering out in my garden looking for the new shoots of
growth that are beginning to push their heads through the brown earth.
I am anxiously waiting to see if the rewards of my work last Fall have
been worth the effort. A visual reminder of the work is a wonderful
way to evaluate what one has done. Enjoy this Spring Month!
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We frequently act as a resource for parents and teachers as they plann an online educational program for a student or group of students. Students frequently write to us with questions about homework, graduation, college entry or course requirements. We are recognized for our expertise in k-12 online education. If you have a question you might want to check our resources first. Go to our Online Learning Resource pages for more information. We enjoy learning from you!
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his month we have been evaluating and
realigning the direction in which we are going. This is part of our
regular work of evaluating our systems and programs to determine
if we are providing the type of service that our clients
anticipate. It is a process we do at least once a year. And,
although time consuming, it is a necessary part of our ongoing effort
to improve quality. We appreciate the many comments that you
have sent to us and hope that you will continue to provide feedback to
us. We depend on your input. Some of our students have been with
us for five years now. There have been many changes in the
e-learning space since we started in 1997. It is exciting to be
a part of it and applaud those of you who are the early adapters.
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Work is more fun than fun. Noel Coward |
 Learning
with e-Tutor
Unique Online Learning What makes e-Tutor different from other online learning programs? Well, we believe it to be the only curriculum which embraces the assets of the Internet into the teaching learning process. Our goal in developing this unique program was to capture what the Internet offers in such abundance....information... and incorporate it into the structure of each lesson module. The concept has been recognized by NCA and CTA for accreditation. They found the distance learning program to be of such high quality that it is now recommended to other organizations as a model for K-12 online instruction.
Thirty-three
New Lessons
were added to the Join the e-Tutor world of learning today to view the Lesson Library. |
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Just as most issues are seldom black or white, so are most good solutions seldom black or white. Beware of the solution that requires one side to be totally the loser and the other side to be totally the winner. The reason there are two sides to begin with usually is because neither side has all the facts. Therefore, when the wise mediator effects a compromise, he is not acting from political motivation. Rather, he is acting from a deep sense of respect for the whole truth. Stephen R. Schwambach |
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Happiness is a stock that doubles in a year. Ira U. Cobleigh |
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Speak up. Disagree with conventional wisdom. Take the risk of going against the tide. It works! The "go along to get along" crowd doesn't even make it in politics anymore. Success demands the courage of one's convictions. Good teamwork and the ability to agree easily are not the same thing. A good partner is the person who has the courage to stand up and challenge the other. To be willing to override consensus. The person who is uncomfortable with a group decision can be the most important person to a team. That person needs to be heard and take a leading role. Those who take a leadership role whenever possible are the most effective. As opposed to people who turn to group thinking or a group leader and give up responsibility easily. The person who only says, "This is wrong, that is wrong....' takes second place behind somebody who points out those problems by showing solutions. Those with a sense of urgency, who act quickly when called upon to help, who are never too busy to solve a problem are the most valuable to others. In short, people who take the time and invest the effort to do what must be done. Adapted from Executive Strategies |
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We all have very busy schedules. Many of us are working parents and spend long hours away from home. But there are some creative ways to be involved in your child's learning activities. Here are some ideas that others have reported are working for them.
Adapted from The Parent Institute I'm always intrigued by conversations that start out, "It just isn't fair...." The whole concept of fairness interests me so much because I tend to believe that fairness is, at best, a losing proposition. Company day care services for children? Totally unfair to childless couples. Will you watch my dog instead? Upward mobility programs? Career pathing? Sorry. Unfair to the downwardly headed. Increased maternity leave? You must be joking! The dilemma of each of these scenarios begins with one false assumption: that fairness is possible. And the more you talk about fairness the more unfair you become. The more you're motivated by wanting people to approve of you and your actions, the harder it becomes to win approval. There seems to be a finite universe of expectations people have about what constitutes fair treatment. Make just one change in that universe and you affect an entire system of beliefs and feelings. People hate it when that happens. So is the answer unfairness? No, that wouldn't be fair. Complaining
about fairness has an unspoken hook. It's like a child saying to
a parent, "I'm bored." The unstated but intended
message is, "Don't just sit there, Dad. Do something to
entertain me." Of course, when parents assume that responsibility they nurture a dependency that can be hard to break in later years. An alternative....or more authentic....conversation goes like this: "You have a toy chest full of games and toys, lots of lessons, coaching and books. You can take responsibility for your boredom." It may turn out that boredom isn't the issue. The child may really want to say, "Dad, I'd like to spend some time with you. I'm lonely." Since that is a more authentic "child" conversation, the adult is more likely to deliver an authentic parent response. The operative word is authentic; owning what you really want to say in a clear, clean and direct way.
Where there is trust, honesty and respect between two people, there are fewer conversations about unfairness. If there is basic honesty in the way you approach others and you are clear with your own beliefs and feelings, you can also free yourself from having to take responsibility for the baggage of others, when there is really nothing you can do to make their world perfect. Now, doesn't that sound fair? Adapted from Working Smart |
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Adversity is not bad....it's inconvenient, uncomfortable and sometimes painful....but it's the most powerful catalyst for positive change and growth. Jim Whitt |
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Watch
children on the seashore and notice which holds their interest
more....gulls or sandpipers. Sandpipers chase down in the wet
sand when a wave recedes and then scoot up on the dry sand when the
waves com So, which are you? A gull or a sandpiper? The world will notice you if you're moving, animated, alive! You'll be ignored if you sit lifeless like a gull on a post. You can be interesting, vibrant, have personal magnetism that will make you a more dynamic person with the one magic quality of enthusiasm. Adapted from The Public School Administrator |
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The Greeks knew the importance of a sound mind and a sound body. Today, we know that poor health or nutrition can cause poor performance when learning. Here are some tips to help you and your child:
American Association of School Administrators |
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Consider using these shorthand symbols to save time when taking notes.
Brush Up Your Study Skills |
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They know enough who know how to learn. Henry Brooks Adams |
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Campus Tours: This site is for
students who are planning ahead for college or for people who just
want to see what other places look like. Colleges are listed by
U.S. state. Links can lead to VR tours (Virtual Reality),
streamed video or a website. Zoothland: Flash animations of
brushing, flossing and the mouth are supplemented with some online
videogames on dental hygiene. The most useful part of this site
may be in the teachers section, where diagrams of teeth can be printed
for use in the teaching learning process. Woodland Network: These projects from Sweden allow students
to observe and hypothesize about the health of trees in their
area. The first project is for students 10 - 15 years old and is
called Just a Tree (in both Swedish and English languages).
Older students (age 15+) can participate in the more extensive
Woodland Research Project (available in nine languages). Data is
sent to the project site, then posted for public use. This is a great
site for mathematics/science/geography integration. Poster Art: Graphic Design from the 1920s and 1930s: Trying to set the scene for the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald or the rise of Adolph Hitler? This is an online gallery created to share a collection of 1920s and 1930s travel-related ephemera (printed matter of passing interest). http://www.travelbrochuregraphics.com/ Fun Mathematics Lessons:
This site includes creative fun lessons. Skip right to the bottom of the page to
easily find out which lessons are best to use with your child. By placing your cursor over the links listed at the
bottom of the page, find out the grade level and a short description
of the lesson. The Physics Zone: For those who get it when they see a simulation or when they are able to play a tutorial over and over, this site will be a valuable aid. Lessons, review materials and solution to workbooks created by this company. But, this website is open to all, so take advantage of the materials online. http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/
From the Knowledge HQ Staff Copyright © 2006 Knowledge Headquarters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.knowledgehq.com
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What happens in fairness
conversation is the same deal. When I say, "That is not
fair," the unstated intended message is, "Make it right for
me." When a spouse or friend plays that game with us, we
are nurturing the same kind of dependency that the bored child and his
parents have created. 
A
Harvard psychologist suggested that you feel the way you act. If
you are going to feel enthusiastic you must act enthusiastic.
Let your enthusiasm radiate in your voice, your actions, your face,
your personality, the words you use and the thoughts you think!
Besides the joy and energy you will get from the feeling, you will be a more exciting person to others. 
e back in. Children are fascinated with the moving,
darting sandpipers; the placid gulls sitting on the dock post are
almost totally ignored. 
nutritious choices. 
