• President's Message
• Learning With e-Tutor
• The Bookcase
• The ABC's of Life
• Using Summer Break to Learn
• Albert Einstein's Three Rules of Work

• A Thirty Minute Plan
• A Good Summer Read: Preparing for the SAT/ACT
• A Strong Body Helps Build A Strong Mind
• Summer Activities
• Jaunty July Links

President’s Message

This has been a month of travel for us.  We have been out on the road to conferences and workshops.  There has been much to learn and we are anxious to put some of the best practices about which we have heard into place.  In addition, we have had the privilege of sharing with others about what Knowledge Headquarters is doing in the online education arena.  We have learned that e-Tutor is recognized by educators from around the country for quality and  service.  Although it is time consuming we find these meetings beneficial to all of us.   We come away inspired by others while proud of what we have created for you.  

During our travels we had an opportunity to view families in action, not only our own, but many others who work hard to create a loving, learning environment for their children.  We saw how communities can create safe and fun activities that provide opportunities for both teaching and playing for the entire family.  Those communities that embrace the child are where families have chosen to live.  We heard many times, 'we wanted a better life for our family.'

What we learned from these child centric communities can be created in any town, city or neighborhood.  It's parents who make the difference, in play, in learning, in living.  We applaud the efforts parents striving to make a better world for their children. 

Thank goodness for technology that keeps us connected wherever we are. In spite of being away from the office, we have heard from many of your through phone and email.  Our phone messages have been transferred and email has been easy to keep up with.  Thank you for keeping in touch.  We enjoy hearing from you.     

Registration for 2006 - 2007 Begins!

Registration is taking place now for the next school year. Be assured of placement in the e-Tutor Virtual Learning Program.  Slots fill up quickly at this time of year, especially for the Guided Program.   Subscribe by going to:  

http://www.e-tutor.com/enroll.php

    Or call: 

     877-687-7200. 

Only those who experience, truly live.

Scott Hershey 

      
 Learning with e-Tutor:

Studying the e-Tutor Way

This summer we have been focusing on Mathematics.  When we think of Math....we often think it separate from subjects like Algebra and Geometry.  In the e-Tutor program these and other subjects are included in the general Mathematics curricular area.  Below are the Math subjects with the objectives for each lesson module in the particular subject.  

<sup>Computation
Students will be able to perform the computations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals.

Objectives</sup>

• ^{Read, write and name numbers in several different ways.}
• ^{Perform operations with numbers with and without a calculator.}
• ^{Translate word problem situations to mathematical expressions or sentences and solve.}
• ^{Order numbers.}
• ^{Apply computational and problem-solving skills to common life situations.}

^{Ratios and Percentages
Students will be able to understand and use ratios and percentages.}

^Objectives

• ^{Interpret ratios.}
• ^{Construct and solve proportions.}
• ^{Apply ratios and proportions in real-life situations.}
• ^{Interpret percents in various settings.}
• ^{Apply percents in real-life situations.}

^{Measurement
Students will be able to make and use measurements, including those of area and volume.}

^Objectives

• ^{Measure in a variety of contexts using appropriate units.}
• ^{Estimate measurements.}
• ^{Relate lengths, areas, and volumes in common geometric figures.}
• ^{Convert measurements within one system and from one system to another.}
• ^{Apply selected measurement systems, instruments and techniques.}

^{Algebra
Students will be able to identify, analyze and solve problems using algebraic equations, inequalities, functions and their graphs.}

^Objectives

• ^{Describe general patterns with expressions, equations, or inequalities.}
• ^{Solve simple equations and inequalities and interpret the solutions.}
• ^{Translate verbal descriptions into algebraic expressions, equations, or inequalities and vice versa.}
• ^{Evaluate, solve, and apply formulas with and without calculators.}
• ^{Perform operations with algebraic expressions.}

^{Geometry
Students will be able to understand and apply geometric concepts and relations in a variety of forms.}

^Objectives

• ^{Understand simple geometric figures and patterns of relationships in two and three dimensions.}
• ^{Apply symmetry and transformations.}
• ^{Apply the concepts or congruence and similarity.}
• ^{Apply formulas and construct arguments and proofs to solve geometric problems.}
• ^{Define common geometric figures and use deductive reasoning to relate properties of those figures.}

^{Data Analysis
Students will be able to understand and use methods of data collections and analysis, including tables, charts and comparisons.}

^Objectives

• ^{Interpret data from an experiment.}
• ^{Interpret tables, graphs, charts, arrays, schedules, experiments, and surveys reported in media sources.}
• ^{Construct tables and graphs to indicate selected trends or relationships.}
• ^{Understand commonly used summary statistics.}
• ^{Design and conduct an experiment or survey using sampling.}

^{Estimation
Students will be able to use mathematics skills to estimate, approximate, and predict and to judge reasonableness of results.}

^Objectives

• ^{Round numbers.}
• ^{Estimate present and future values from graphs or numerical information.}
• ^{Apply intervals as estimates.}
• ^{Apply problem-solving procedures to solve or suggest a solution to a given problem.}
• ^{Use mental arithmetic to estimate results of computations.}

Thirty new lessons were added to e-Tutor again this month.

Join the e-Tutor world of learning today to view the Lesson Library.  

www.e-tutor.com

Beginning is halfway to winning.  

The ABC's of Life

This month I had an opportunity to stay at the home of a friend.  She had this in a windowsill over her sink.  It was something I read over and over as I cleaned up.  You might find it as thought provoking as I have.

Accept differences  Be Kind  Count Your Blessings  Dream  Express Thanks  Forgive  Give Freely  Harm no one  imagine more   jettison anger  keep confidences  love truly  master something  nurture hope  open your mind  pack lightly  quell rumors  reciprocate  seek wisdom  touch hearts  understand  value truth  win graciously  xeriscape  yearn for peace  zealously support a worthy cause 

R. Stewart  2005

Make your life a mission, not an intermission. 

Using Summer Break To Learn

Summer can often be a void of intellectual grown.  Researchers have found that over a course of a normal summer, children lose about one month of their previous year's studies.  In other words, without intellectual stimulation, the mind is dulled.  However, children do not have to lose academic skills during the summer.  Instead the summer months can be used to increase academic skills. 

• Traveling. Have your child participate in the planning.  How many miles from home will you be traveling?  What states lie between your home state and your final destination.  Older children can plot ideal routes.  They can compile a list of attractions that lie between home and the final destination.

• Calendars.  Your child can count the number of days of summer vacation or the number of days before visitors arrive.  It can be exciting to count backwards while awaiting an upcoming event.  Add seven to today's date to determine what date it will be next week.  Count by multiples of 7.  Older children can learn about fractions. (If every day is one-seventh of a week, 3 and 3/7th weeks equal how many days?)  

• Lists.  What does the child need to pack?  A more detailed list can be created by older children, ie., "green shirt," "four pairs of socks," noting that 'shirt' and 'socks' are nouns and 'green' and 'white' are adjectives.  

• Movies.  Ask questions like, "Which part did you like best?  During which part did you feel happy?  During which part did you feel frightened?"  Older students can answer questions such as, "Who were the main characters?  How believable was the plot?  Was there a lesson learned?"

• Shadows.  Measure the shadow of a short object, such as a cereal box.  Older students might measure the shadow of a tall bush or a tree.  Begin early in the morning and record the length of the shadow and the time of the measurement.  Every hour or so, measure again.  Notice how the shadow increases or decreases in length. 

• Journals.  Young children can draw a picture illustrating the day's activities or interesting new sights.  Older children can write a few sentences or paragraphs recording events, thoughts and questions as they arise.  

• Time.  Discuss the anticipated number of hours before the time of departure to an outing, trip or a visit.  Or, calculate the number of minutes or even the number of seconds!  Have your child record the time of various events.  

• Multiplication.  Ask questions like, "If you eat one breakfast every day, how many breakfasts will you eat in three days?  In six days? If each of us is wearing two shoes how many shoes are on all of our feet?  Older children can solve puzzlers involving miles per hour.  "If we are traveling 55 miles per hour, how far will we travel in one hour? In an hour and a half?  

When children include learning skills with their summer activities, they begin to experience the fun of learning!  There is no need for our children to lose a month of skills this summer.  

Adapted from Boulder County Kids

Albert Einstein’s Three Rules Of Work:

1. Out of clutter, find simplicity. 2. From discord, find harmony. 3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Adapted from The Pryor Report

A Thirty Minute Plan

Experts say that you need only 30 minutes to plan your week. How to do it? Follow the OATS formula:

O. Objectives. What results do you want to see by the end of the week? Write them down, then rank them.

A. Activities. What do you have to do to achieve your objectives? List the necessary activities and put them in sequence.

T. Time. How much time will each activity require? To plan realistically, allow yourself more time than you think you will actually need. This gives you flexibility if unexpected problems develop.

S. Schedule. Look at your calendar and decide when you can perform each activity. Most people underestimate the power of a schedule, but you won’t get anything accomplished if you don’t schedule the time to do it.

Quill Newsletter

No one tests a river with both feet.  

A Good Summer Read:  
Preparing for the SAT and ACT

Picture yourself sprawled in a hammock, book in hand.  Can you really prepare for the college admission tests like this?  Yes!

The College Board doesn't recommend specific literature.  Reading passages on the test are evenly divided among the humanities, social science, natural science and literary fiction and so, reading widely is good preparation for the SAT.  Particular works of literature, such as authors, time periods and comparisons are not part of the test.  The one-hour exam merely tests one's ability to read and comprehend English literature.  The SAT II literature test, includes an equal amount of prose and poetry in addition to some drama, all ranging from pre-18th Century to current-day literature. 

The Princeton Review suggests reading these books before taking the SAT or ACT. 

• A Man in Full, Tom Wolfe

• A Prayer for Owen Meaney,  John Irving

• Beloved, Toni Morrison

• Godforsaken Sea,  Derek Lundy

• House of the Spirits,  Isabelle Allende

• Jitterbug Perfume, Tom Robbins

• Microserfs,  Douglas Coupland

• Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer,  Lynne Cox

• Thank You for Smoking, Christopher Buckley

• The Bell Jar,  Sylvia Plath

• The Chosen, Chaim Potok

• The Handmaid's Tale,  Margaret Atwood

• The Joy Luck Club,  Amy Tan

• The Perfect Storm,  Sebastian Junger

• Time and Again,  Jack Finney

• Undaunted Courage,  Stephen Ambrose

Adapted from Next Step Magazine

A Strong Body Helps Build a Strong Mind

Exercise is important to me and I try to walk every day, as well as use my free weights while watching the news. While I enjoy walking with a neighbor, most of my friends enjoy the companionship they find at a community center or sports facility. If you are considering joining a health club of some sort, here are some tips:

Pick one close to home. If you have to drive more than 20 minutes to exercise, the time cost will be too high, and you will end up not going.

Purchase a family membership. That way, you can take the kids, too. Many clubs have a children’s play area that they can use while you step on the StairMaster or make the rounds of the Nautilus machines.

Make sure the club has a swimming pool. Children love to swim, and there’s nothing better than having the whole family around the pool on a hot day. In the summer months, pack a picnic dinner and take the kids for a twilight swim....a cool way to cool off.

Ask other members if the club is "kid friendly." Some clubs are havens for the social set who believe that kids should be seen and not heard. You want to join a club where kids are welcome.

Finally, if a club is beyond your budget, use municipal facilities. Many towns and cities have a public pool and parks with fantastic facilities. Use them.....after all, you are paying for their upkeep, too.

Summer Activities

	Encourage your children to join a community youth group
	Visit the library with your child
	Get your child a library card. It is a great gift
	Check telephone listings for agencies and community groups that offer free parent and child materials. Don’t forget to check the Internet for these resources.
	Take advantage of public recreation
	Take nature hikes
	Visit museums, zoos, and parks
	Take your child to plays and concerts
	When traveling with your children in a car or bus, discuss the sights you see along the way.

He who wants the rose must respect the thorn. 

Jaunty July Links:

FBI Kids Page:  There are two sections on this site.  One is for grades K-5 and is set up in a Field trip format.  Fairly extensive overview of fingerprinting, DNA and ends with a cross word puzzle review.  The second section, for 6-12 students, follows various cases through a variety of scenarios.  Special Agent Challenge requires answering factual questions about the FBI.  Working dogs describe jobs dogs play in bomb sniffing, etc.  There are games as well. http://www.fbi.gov/fbikids.htm

Chesapeake and Coastal Bay Life:  This site produced with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources includes broad topical headings such as: Restoration and Protection, Bay Grasses, Harmful Algae, Bay Monitoring, Bay Life Guide and Bay education.  Dropdown menus for each topic may lead to programs, scientific descriptions, drawings, photos and more.  Within the articles, hyperlinks exist to a glossary of scientific terms.  Cool stuff, kid friendly and meaningful to more than a Maryland audience! http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cblife/

My Life As An Elk:  In this interactive game the user takes on the identity of a newborn elk calf and has many adventures.  In each adventure the user must decide what to do.  Users learn about the life cycle of the Rocky Mountain elk as well as about choices and consequences.  For younger students.  Requires Flash.  Sound can be turned off. 
http://www.wildlifeart.org/ElkStory/index.html

Plagiarism Workshop:  This lesson on plagiarism is designed to give high school students an introduction to the issue of plagiarism, an overview of copyright laws and fair-use provisions and a demonstration of the use of paraphrasing and quoting as methods of avoiding it.  Accessing a wide variety of the Internet sites on plagiarism and copyright, the focus of this workshop is to encourage students to empathize with artists and authors whose work is "stolen" when it is plagiarized. 
http://mail.nvnet.org/~cooper_j/plagiarism/

Animaland.org:  Provided as a public service by ASPCA, this colorful Web site is designed to serve as a source of information about pets and other animals for young people.  The site is divided into several main areas, including pet care, animal encyclopedia, book recommendations, career info, current issues, humane education and "Ask Azula"....where young people can write in with their questions about animals. 
http://www.animaland.org/

Nation Master:  The Nation Master is an excellent resource for finding out any number of current details about just about any country in the world.  For easy reference, the main Web page features the most frequently requested stats, such as televisions and military expenditures per capita.  Nation Master also allows visitors the option of creating their own graphs in order to effectively compare different nations.  The site also has links to national profiles.  Additionally, the site has a search engine, and a place where visitors can read short facts on the different countries.  Apart from being interesting to browse through, the site will be helpful to students looking for basic statistics on the world's different countries.  
http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php

Stay Cool This Month!
From the Staff at Knowledge HQ

6713 No. Oliphant Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
P. 773-467-9640
F. 773-467-9740

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