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Bright-Kids
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Vol. 5, No. 36 - September 8th, 2008
http://hometown.aol.com/brightkidsrus
mailto: debi@simplemom.com
Copyright 2008 Deborah Taylor-Hough
ISSN: 1536-0466 All Rights Reserved
________________________________

Subscribe: join-bright-kids@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
***: leave-bright-kids@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
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IN THIS ISSUE:
-- "Dear Readers"
-- Quote-able
-- Day-Tripping: The Gift of Time to Your Family
-- Autumn Craft Ideas
-- Reader Tips
-- Assorted Information (resources, archives, etc.)
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< < O U R . S P O N S O R > >

PIANO IS EASY FOR KIDS
Start piano at home with your child
Book and numbered stickers. Free DVD.
Come see all the fun songs you can play.

http://www.pianobynumber.com

________________________________

Dear Readers,

I was recently asked what I saw as the difference between
teaching and facilitating as it applies to helping children learn.
The following explanation is just my personal response to the
question and isn't a reflection on which term is "better" or
which way of imparting information is most effective. It's just
my humble opinion.

I personally I see a facilitator as someone who bridges that
gap between the student and the material -- more of a
discussion leader. I see a teacher as more of a lecturer --
less conversation, more talking to (or "at") the learner.

As a facilitator, I would bring my children in contact with
something and help them to relate to it. I'd converse with
them. Ask questions. Point out interesting things.

As a teacher, I would sit them down and do more of a
lecture-style session with them. Fill their heads with facts
and information rather than giving them direct access to
the materials themselves.

I'm painting the differences with a broad brush and obviously
there are many similarities and cross-over techniques with
both methods.

From personal experience, I know there's a huge difference
between "teaching" at something like a ladies' meeting at
church vs. "facilitating" a discussion group. I've done both
and it's an entirely different dynamic. One method is mainly
information being poured into the hearers (and many times
that's what's needed to impart quantities of information in a
limited amount of time). The facilitating method tends to be
more relational.

Charlotte Mason, an educator in England from the early 20th
Century said, "Education is the science of relationships." The
children need to build relationships with things, not just learn
rote information -- although there's a time and place for rote,
as well.

One of the most important things I've realized over time is that
I can't really force my children to learn anything. Learning is
something that happens within them; it's an act of "their" will,
of "their" mind, of "their" heart. I can teach and/or facilitate until
I'm blue in the face, but only "they" can actually "learn" some-
thing.

And I think usually they want to learn -- unless something
happens to kill their natural curiosity about something. But
I personally feel that my main role as their parent is probably
more of being an inspiration to them than anything else.

If you live in the Seattle/Tacoma area and find yourself intrigued
with the idea of inspiring learning in your children, you might be
interested in attending an all-day workshop in Auburn based on
the teaching methods and philosophies of Charlotte Mason. You
can find more information about the seminar here:

All-Day Educational How-to Workshop in Seattle/Tacoma area
http://snurl.com/3ogoz [whiteriverpres_synodnw_org]


Simply Yours,

--Debi
(Deborah Taylor-Hough)
Editor, Bright-Kids Email Newsletter
--Author of the popular 'Frozen Assets' cookbook series, 'A Simple
Choice,' and 'Frugal Living For Dummies(r)'
--Editor, Simple Times and Bright-Kids email newsletters

http://brightkids.wordpress.com
http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com
http://snurl.com/DebiTupperware
http://dsimple.wordpress.com
________________________________

QUOTABLE

"There are no days in life so memorable as those which
vibrated to some stroke of the imagination."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

________________________________

DAY-TRIPPING: THE GIFT OF TIME TO YOUR FAMILY
Copyright Teri Brown
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
http://www.fieldtripping.com/


I still remember my surprise and delight. "We're going
where?" My mother laughed, "We're going to Burns
for Dinner. The Pine Room."

Now this statement would not have been so surprising
had The Pine Room not been about 125 miles away.
The food was delicious and the drive was lovely. But
the most precious memory was the way my parents
surprised me with unexpected time spent together.


A Gift That Doesn't Take Batteries

Family field trips are gifts we give to our children. No
matter why we do it, because they are fun, or educational
or even because we are looking to break up the routine
a bit, your children will remember the happy togetherness.
As a homeschooling Mom I try to plan a family day with
husband included at least once a month. The children and
I go on field trips far more often.

Family field trips can be as simple as a trip to a park or
as elaborate as a weekend at a bird festival but, most fall
somewhere in between. For many of us one of the main
concerns we have when planning an activity is economical.
Field Trips don't have to be expensive. Some of the most
rewarding field trips we've had were absolutely free. The
trick is know where and when to look.

One of the best places to find information about economical
and unusual family activities is your local library. Not only
do they often offer their own classes and workshops but
they generally have a bulletin board where you can glean
more information. My children and I found a clipping on
the board once and ended up spending the afternoon
with an African storyteller and musician absolutely free.


Tripping Through the Seasons

Seasonal field trips are wonderful, heralding a new beginning.
In the winter we head to the mountains to play in the snow,
finishing with butter horns and hot chocolate, a delicious
tradition.

The first new buds in spring tell us it is time for trips to
the tulip farms. Most areas have some type of gardens to
explore, no matter what the climate. A good place to check
for information on public gardens is at your local nursery. If
they don't know of any they can put you in touch with a
nearby gardening club and believe me they will know!

Summer is a good time to contact your district's parks and
recreation or fish and wild life offices. Both places often
have free kid's activity days. A local fish hatchery puts on
children's fishing days and our parks and recreation has a
bike fair every year.

Autumn is one of our favorite times of the year. Produce
farms often go out of their way to cater to families,
augmenting their income with fall decorations, pumpkin
patches, hay mazes and more. Generally, your local
county extension office will publish a list of farms offering
services or will know where to direct you for more information.


More Sources for Field Trip Ideas

Historical societies are another good place to look for
family friendly activities. Many put on annual events
offering discounts for several different museums in a single
day. You drive to each museum and the price often includes
a coupon for lunch at a local restaurant.

The foremost experts on interesting places and things to
do in your area would be a regional magazine. The price of
the subscription is well worth it, considering the wealth of
information it contains. I promise you will use it frequently.
Some wonderful family days originated from our local
regional magazine.

It has been years since my parents took me to The Pine
Room for dinner, but I tell the story to my kids often,
generally when my husband and I have conspired to
whisk them off to an unusual and exciting destination.
I only hope that they will remember them with as much
fondness and warmth as I remember that night drive
across the desert so long ago.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
--Teri Brown is the mother of two, a freelance writer, and
author of the helpful and popular book, 'Day Tripping; Engaging
Your Child's Mind and Imagination Through Family Field
Trips.' You can order her book online at:

http://snurl.com/3odij [www_sourcebooks_com]
________________________________

< < O U R S P O N S O R > >

--"I Never Should Have Tolerated It!"--

Mary was angry. She was losing her husband to divorce. Why?
Lack of money -- the debt was out of control. Hurtful things
were said. Her relationship with her husband declined and
never recovered. It's sad, really. But not uncommon. Not at
all. Did you know over 70% of marriages that end in divorce
are due to financial difficulties. If your marriage is suffering
because of a high debt load, you need to do something
about it NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week. If you wait any
longer, you may be bankrupt, divorced or both. My name is
Clint Holland. I've developed a system that anyone can use
to pay off all their debt, including the mortgage, in just 3-5
years -- without bankruptcy, debt consolidation, or any
unethical tactics. Will you let me help you? Member BBB.

http://www.debt-free-in-three.com/BrightKids.asp

________________________________

AUTUMN CRAFT IDEAS
Copyright Deborah Taylor-Hough
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
http://hometown.aol.com/dsimple/


I love the changing seasons at this time of year, especially
when the fall colors start to show, there's a nip in the air,
and it's time to break out the sweaters from their summer
storage boxes. If you're looking for some craft ideas to
share with your kids, try one of the following.

Leaf Prints:
--Make your own cards or gift wrap by using nature's bounty
of freshly fallen leaves. Use poster paint for printing on
paper (for cards, gift wrap, etc.), or use acrylic paint if you
decide to decorate an item that needs a waterproof finish
(glassware, clay pots, etc.). Brush a small amount of paint
onto the underside of the leaf where the veins are more
pronounced. Carefully place the leaf where you want the
design printed and cover with a layer of paper towel. Gently
roll a rolling pin over the top (or you can use the side of an
empty bottle). Remove the paper towel and lift the leaf.

Wheat Weaving:
--Soak wheat on the stalk (from craft stores or local farmers)
in a tub of water for an hour or so. Holding three seed heads
together, braid the stems of the wheat stalks. Curve the
ends around to make an oval loop, a circle wreath, or even
bend it a bit to make a heart shape. Tie with brightly colored
ribbon. As the stalks dry, they'll hold their shape. Add to
your autumn decorations.

Baked Pumpkin Seeds:
--After all the pumpkin carving or pie making, don't throw
out the seeds. Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp
(don't rinse or remove every last bit of the pulp -- the pulp
adds flavor). Place the seeds on a cookie sheet, stir in
about 1/4 cup of melted butter or margarine, sprinkle with
a small amount of salt and then bake in a 350 degree oven
for 10 minutes until lightly browned. Enjoy!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
--Deborah Taylor-Hough (free-lance writer and mother of
three) is the author of A Simple Choice: A practical guide
for saving your time, money and sanity, Frugal Living For
Dummies(R), and Frozen Assets: How to cook for a day
and eat for a month. For more of Debi's family-friendly
articles and ideas, visit her website at: simplemom.com
________________________________

Visit our new Nature Study Bookstore online!
http://astore.amazon.com/naturestudy-20/
________________________________

READER TIPS
Submitted by Bright-Kids' readers.


== Category game ==
Our family has invented a game that is a lot of fun to play
in the car, and even works with a wide range of ages. It is
very simple and we call it the Category Game. The person
who starts names a category (eg. a children's book, a food
that begins with 'G', the name of a person at church ...
anything!) and everyone jumps to be the first to name
something in that category. The person who is first then
gets to think up the next category. It is fast moving, fun,
and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
--Janet G.


* * Your Tips? * *
Do you have some great family fun, educational, or parenting
tips/ideas you'd love to share with other parents and caregivers?
Just send your tips and ideas to Debi at Bright-Kids:
DSimple@aol.com
______________________________

READ-ALOUD BOOKS FOR FAMILIES:

http://snurl.com/reading4kids

Recommended books for children and families
(This is a great list to print out and hand to your kids'
grandparents for suggestions at gift-giving times!)
_______________________________

A special thanks to Gary Foreman and the friendly folks at
The Dollar Stretcher for making this mailing list possible! :-)
http://www.stretcher.com/
_______________________________

< < B E . O U R . S P O N S O R > >

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Subject line: bright-kids
Discover the modest rates for reaching this targeted market.
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Feel free to forward this newsletter to your family and friends. :-)
________________________________

BRIGHT-KIDS ARCHIVES

For a list of most back issues of the Bright-Kids Email
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DEBI'S RESOURCES:

Personal Blog: http://dsimple.wordpress.com
Nature Study Books: http://astore.amazon.com/naturestudy-20/
Frugality/Simplicity: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com
Cooking Ahead: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frozen-assets
Bright-Kids: http://brightkids.wordpress.com
Tupperware(r): http://my.tupperware.com/debihough
Personal Webpage: http://simplemom.com
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