_In The News                          July 2004   Vol. 7-7

President’s Message
This month we have been busy creating and developing a new arm of the Internet-based education business.  With the recent move to larger space, we are able to open an on-site learning center.  After much thought, research and planning we are laying the ground work to bring students into the Knowledge HQ Center.  The first phase has been to hire a strong cadre of tutors who will work with students using the e-Tutor Learning Program.  There has been much anticipation from residents in the immediate community as well as neighboring businesses.  We look forward to welcoming our first students sometime in August.   
Many of our subscribers and friends take vacations during this month.  It is such a delight to hear their stories when they return.  It is fun and exciting to "escape" for awhile to a totally new "world."  For many of us who, for one reason or another, are staying close to home this summer, there is still much to do.  Our communities have much for us to learn about, remember and/or enjoy.  Sometimes those things that are closest to us are often forgotten.  My goal this summer has been to spend at least one day each week doing or seeing something new that is in my community.  A few of these new adventures have included visiting new gardens on our lakefront, exploring some of the oldest homes in the neighborhood,  attending a bilingual French/English Jazz session,  joining an exercise club and using the local library at least once a week.  The summer is still young and there is still much to see and do.  The practices and habits I'm developing today will last through many winters.  

Summer is the time to catch up on how the children in the neighborhood have grown since last year.  And my, how they have grown.  Our block is flooded with youngsters.  Those beginning bikers from last year are in full racing form this year.  Up and down, back and forth the children practice their roller blades, scooters and push cars.   They are so proud of their skills and delight in showing adults how adept they are.   To see their excitement and happiness in the exercise and movement is worth missing a week or two of vacation.   

Enjoy the warmth and freedom of this month.   

 

Weather affects us in different ways and can make us change how we do things on a daily basis. This issue of 
Learning Themes at:  www.knowledgehq.com
is full of facts, resources, 
activities and projects for students,     
parents and educators.  
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Children are people.   They grow into tomorrow only as they live today.

John Dewey 
       Learning with e-Tutor:

e-Tutor Tools

An important feature of the e-Tutor Program is the ability to search the vast e-Tutor lesson bank.  Lessons can be searched by subject, topic, key word and/or grade level.  If your child wishes to focus on a particular curricular area or subject then this is the tool to use.  If you want your student to work in a specific subject area then search the lesson bank.  Take a few minutes to practice using this powerful tool.  You will find that your student will want to use this tool daily.     

Search Lessons

Search A Lesson
Looking for lessons concerning a particular topic? Use the search feature to find those lessons. Follow these steps to conduct a search:

  1. Click on the white text boxes under step 1 and type in the search word or words. (Use the "OR", "AND", or "NOT" feature to obtain specific lessons.  "OR" can be used to search lessons with either search term or both search terms.  "AND" can be used to search for lessons that only have both search terms in the lessons.  "NOT" is used to find lessons with the first search term that doesn't include the second search term.) 
  2. Pull down the grade level menu by clicking on the arrow on the right. Highlight the grade group that you wish to search
  3. Click on the search button to begin the search.

Study Tools Page

e-Tutor makes learning more convenient by making study tools available at the click of a button.

Calculator
Click on the "calculator" link to use this study tool. A calculator will appear in the main screen. Use your mouse to enter any calculations. The clear button is found in the upper-right corner of the calculator.

Periodic Table
Click on the periodic table to view all of the chemical elements. Details of each abbreviation pop up after clicking on an element.

Dictionary and Thesaurus
This link takes you directly to the Merriam Webster © website, where you can look up words using the dictionary or thesaurus. Click on the textbox, type in a word and click the "Search" key.

This is a perfect month to explore different concepts and techniques in learning.  Use this month to explore all of the capabilities e-Tutor has to offer.   

New lessons are regularly added to e-Tutor.  Subscribe today for your child!

www.e-tutor.com
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We owe almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have differed.

Charles Caleb Colton

 

Elementary Music Experiences

The study of music should begin during the child's early learning years.  These are the years during which they are acquiring attitudes, skills and appreciations in many fields; and if they do not get them in music, they might find themselves severely handicapped if they try for musical experience later.  Music is for nearly all children, not just the "talented" few.  Talent in music, like talent in most human endeavors is largely the result of hard work.  We need to help our children find a relationship with music that will bring lasting satisfaction.  Musical growth should parallel physical and emotional development.  A good musical experience for the early learner should include:

  • A daily period for music.
  • Time to sing, play, crate and listen to music.
  • Experiences that develop functional familiarity with musical notation.
  • Opportunities to play such instruments as the Autoharp, tone bells, recorder or ukulele.
  • Experience that develops familiarity with the keyboard.
  • Opportunity to play in a band or orchestra or at least, the opportunity to play a band or orchestra instrument.
  • Opportunity to sing in a choral group.
  • Rhythmic movement, essential to certain musical skills and appreciations.
  • Participation in the presentation of public programs.  

Adapted from National Education Association


The best single social test of a nation's regard for the future is the way it treats its children. 

Donald Kennedy

 

Around the World in July!

Have your child use her imagination to plan a trip around the world.  Have her think of places she would like to visit.  Now try to help her find out as much as she can about those places.  Visit the library to check out books about her imaginary destination.  Teach her how to use the library computer to find books about the imaginary destination.  Ask the librarian if there are fiction books by authors from this country.

Teach your child how to write for information about other places.  For example, most states have a department of tourism in the state capital she can write to.  most countries have an embassy that can provide you with additional information.  Your local video store may also have a video about the country you have chose.  

 

Teens and Parties

As children grow older, they spend more time with friends.  This is a necessary part of growing up as teens learn how to get along outside their family.  But peer pressure can lead to unhealthy behavior, including early sexual activity, drugs and alcohol.  Here are some ways you can limit the negative influence of peer pressure on your children when attending parties.

Talk with other parents.  You might learn that "everybody" isn't allowing kids to have unsupervised parties.  In one Wisconsin school district, parents have organized themselves into a Parent Support Network.  Beginning in middle school, the parents agree: 

  • not to allow parties in their homes when they are not present. 

  • not to permit the use of drugs in their homes or on their property.

  • to follow certain guidelines if a party is held at their home, including calling the parents of children who possess drugs or alcohol.

  • to call the host parent to verify the occasion and location.

  • to allow their children to attend parties only at the homes of parents who have signed the agreement.

  • to call host parents who have not signed the commitment to discuss the guidelines about social gatherings.

  • to tell their children they have signed the agreement and to discuss it with them.  

American Association of School Administrators
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A great library is the diary of the human race.

Time Out!

Often, the best way to save time is to do it minute by minute.  You will be surprised how much time you will have left over by the end of the day.  The following from a time management expert may help:

  1. Know the value of your time.  Each moment of your life, once gone, is gone forever.  Make each moment count.

  2. Make plans.  Set goals and deadlines that fit in with your mission.

  3. Prioritize.  Set priorities daily and on a long-term basis.

  4. List projects to do.  Check off each task at it is done and review the list often.

  5. Budget your time.  Factor in time for work, play, family and spiritual matters.

  6. Be flexible.  Allow for unexpected disasters and delights. 

  7. Say no.  You should not have to accommodate everyone.

  8. Check your calendar.  Purchase a good appointment book or planning system.  Write everything down;  don't trust your memory.

  9. Compromise.  Striving to be perfect will merely block your pathway to success. 

  10. Delegate.  Let others do things you don't have the time...or desire...to do yourself. 

How to Get Organized When You Don't Have the Time, Stephanie Culp
 

Make Stress Your Pen Pal

Internalizing stress over time can make you sick, no matter how carefully you control your outward facade.  But constantly verbalizing your frustrations may not be the safest thing to do around co-workers and your spouse may not be interested, either.  

So, if you can't talk about your problems or work them off with regular exercise, try writing about them.  Get them all down on paper.  Your body doesn't care if you relieve stress through your mouth, your muscles or your writing hand.  You just need to expel it.  Make stress your pen pal by taking these steps:

  • Buy a special notebook or cloth-covered bound book with blank pages where you can write down all of your thoughts.
  • If you will be writing about happenings with the family, keep the book in a private place so that it won't fall into the wrong hands.
  • Make sure that you date the entries.  In addition to reducing stress, you may find that you will learn a lot about how you managed (or mismanaged) certain problems by rereading your entries.
  • When you feel like writing on the run, don't hesitate to grab a piece of paper to jot down your thoughts.  You don't have to save everything you write.  In some cases, you may want to vent your feeling on paper, then rip the paper into small pieces and toss them in the trash.  You may find you will toss your stress out, too.
  • Don't try to write a masterpiece.  Nobody but you will ever read what you write, so don't worry about grammar, punctuation or the best words to describe your feelings.  Writing about stress is most effective when you put it down as a "stream of consciousness," without excessive mental editing.
  • Try to do most of your stress-writing in private.  You will be able to express your feelings more freely if you find a private place to get it done.  A closed door might ensure that you won't be interrupted in the middle of a significant thought.
  • If you can't get a moment's peace during the day to write about things that cause you stress, set aside a few minutes after everyone has gone out.  Or, arrange for some "quiet time" just before bedtime.  Establishing a regular stress-writing routine will help you continue to shed frustration caused by stress. 

Working Smart

 

A Matter of Control

"Control freaks" are bossy people who like to run the show...and call the shots for others.  They are all over the place.  Real control freaks...as opposed to merely bossy people...often have similar traits.  They:

  • Believe that they have to seize control because everyone else is incompetent...and that their victims like to take orders. 

  • Select friends and associates who allow themselves to be controlled.  As a result, they are seldom confronted with honest criticism.

  • Dislike following rules and consider their bosses as obstacles. 

  • Make poor bosses themselves because they alienate employees by distrusting them.

How to handle control freaks:

  • Realize that their behavior toward you is not personal.  They can't help themselves.

  • Never confront them.  You will only make them worse.

  • Be aware that whatever you do will have a limited effect.  They are afraid to let go.  The best approach: Discuss the way their behavior affects you.  But never accuse them.

  • Realize that real control freaks can cause emotional damage to others.  Sometimes it is best to get away from them. 

If you have some of these traits:

  • Consider going for counseling.

  • Keep in mind that the more you try to control others, the less real power you have over them. 

Michelle Green writing in Self
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Experience is not what happens to a man.  It's what a man does with what happens to him.

Aldous Huxley

Sitting Pretty

You may be getting ready to set up a learning station for your student.  Providing appropriate seating may be the most important thing you do.  Poor desk chairs can cause muscle strain and interfere with productivity.  They can also aggravate lower-back problems.  Here are some guidelines from a nationally known physical therapist on selecting a good desk chair:

  • Be sure the back of the chair curves slightly forward toward your lower back.  This supports the lower back and discourages slumping.  Note: Most secretarial chairs (without arms) give good support; most executive-type chairs don't.
  • Get a chair that you can pull up close to the desk.  If the chair has arms, they must be low enough to fit under the desk.
  • Make sure your feet rest comfortably on the floor when you are sitting all the way back in the seat.  
  • Check to make sure that the back of the chair can be locked in place.  Don't buy a chair that has a back that gives way when you lean against it.
  • Be sure the chair offers firm support even it is upholstered. 

Back Trouble:  A New Approach to Prevention and Recovery, Deborah Caplan

Great July Links

2001: Destination Space:  This website, created as a companion to an exhibit at the San Jose Tech Museum, compares the science and technology found in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (released in 1968) to real science and technology of today. Compare the current world with science fiction or see and hear interviews with six visionaries, including artist Robert McCall. Learning resources include activities on space and planning for the future. 
http://www.thetech.org/2001ds/

A Bomb is Dropped, And Lives Are Changed:   This Webquest has students take on the role of a Japanese Civilian, a photographer, a U.S. politician, or a soldier to uncover the reasons the Atomic Bomb was used on Japan and how it affected various people. Student participants will conduct research, write an editorial, debate, and write a letter explaining how the bombing has affected their lives.
http://students.itec.sfsu.edu/itec815_s99/rfishtrom/

A School for Iqbal - A Bullet Can't Kill A Dream:   Iqbal Masih was sold into child bonded labor at 4 years of age for the equivalent of $12. He escaped at age 10 and began to speak out against child slavery. He won the Reebok Human Rights Youth in Action Award 1994 and on Easter Sunday, 1995, he was murdered. Students at Broadmeadow Middle School formed a campaign to help fight for Iqbal's Dream. Also look to the Atlantic Monthly's exhaustive and persuasive article, Child Labor in Pakistan by Jonathan Silvers. Students could use the Iqbal site as inspiration for their own projects.
http://www.digitalrag.com/iqbal/index.html

The Gilder Lehrman Insitute of American History:   There is a wealth of resources at this site.  You will find primary sources on slavery, Mexican American and Native American history, lessons that focus on human elements of rebellion and change and a visual archive with hundreds of historical maps and images.
http://www.gliah.uh.edu/index.cfm

Be WorldWise:  Travel the seas virtually aboard a Tall Ship on a 19 month, 22 country voyage. On board, you will learn about the teachers who have signed on 
for the journey and their fellow crew members. The site includes activities and lessons on Exploring the Oceans and Environmental Investigations.
http://www.beworldwise.org/

My First Garden:  This garden site deals with the planning of the garden, such as where it will be placed, what will be planted, and when planting will happen. One great area for younger students deals with students using parts of their body to measure the depth of plantings, or the distance between 
plantings. There is a great area where students can look at pictures of 
things to plant and get pertinent information.
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/firstgarden/fundamentals/index.html

The Dewey Decimal System:  Take a tour of the Dewey Decimal System. During the tutorial, find out how the Dewey Decimal Classification system can help you organize information on any topic under the sun. There is an 
interactive quiz to test knowledge.
http://www.oclc.org/dewey/about/ddctour/ddc1.html

Mexico Para Ninos:  This site is truly Mexico para Ninos, and in addition to Spanish, the site includes English, French and Italian translations. Students can explore the states of Mexico as well as the government and history. 
Diversity not only covers plants and wildlife, but the indigenous 
peoples of Mexico. Cultural information on Mexican mythology, foods, 
games and music can be found throughout the site.
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/

 

Enjoy a warm and relaxing July!
From the Staff at Knowledge HQ

6713 No. Oliphant Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
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F. 773-467-9740

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