The Tiziano Project is an incredible initiative focused on training journalists in conflict, post-conflict, and underreported areas around the globe. The project trains citizen journalists to contribute quality news stories to local and international news outlets. As part of the initiative, the Tiziano Project website hosts a number of simple but useful tutorials on basic [...]
Archive for the ‘Language Arts’ Category
Tiziano Project Shares Free Journalism Resources
Posted by ginac on November 14th, 2011
Posted in Language Arts, News, Online Tools, social change, Writing 
Tags: Citizen Journalism, Journalism, Tiziano Project, tutorial 
Comments OffThe iPod Touch Improves Literacy
Posted by ginac on September 12th, 2011
The iPod touch is an amazingly powerful device that can do more than play games and music. Recently, Apple has highlighted an elementary school in California that uses iPod touch devices to help children improve literacy. Using the iPod touch lessons, students’ reading fluency increased six times the normal rate after six weeks. The teachers use [...]
Posted in Language Arts, Learning Methods, technology Tags: Apple, IPod, IPod Touch, Learning, literacy, technology Comments OffTen Unusual Ways to Explore Literature
Posted by ginac on August 10th, 2011
Literature is such a powerful learning tool, especially for project-based, child-led learning. However, many of us approach learning assessment through quizzes and discussions. What if we found unusual, more creative ways to engage learners with literature? Christina Pilkington of the fabulous Interest-Led learning blog, shares some great but non-traditional techniques and resources for exploring literature. [...]
Posted in Activities, Books, Language Arts, Reading Tags: child-led learning, Eclectic Homeschooling, Literature, Unit Study, Unschooling 2 Comments »Project-Based Curriculum Transforms Students Lives
Posted by ginac on August 3rd, 2011
Chrissy Bevens’ compelling article about how an artist’s work and a teacher’s vision transformed the lives of elementary school children is a fantastic story of how powerfully project-based learning can engage children. In the Humane Education newsletter, Chrissy’s article recounts how elementary school teacher, Michele Hemenway, connected with an artist and used his works to inspire [...]
Posted in Language Arts, Learning Methods, News, Online Tools, social change Tags: American History, Art, Chrissy Bevens, Curriculum, Michelle Hemenway, Project-based learning, Robert Shetterly Comments OffWriteGuide: Expert Personalized Writing Coaches Embrace Learner-Led Writing
Posted by ginac on October 8th, 2010
Writing, to me, is the single most important skill a person can craft. Master the art of writing and one can solve world problems, inspire others, stir emotions, call others to action, entertain, enlighten, and inform. The list goes on and on, but only for those with effective techniques and style. Learning is fun, so [...]
Posted in Eclectic Homeschooling, Language Arts, Online Tools, Writing Tags: creative writing, Home Schooling, Writers Resources Comments OffEragon Book Series Unit Study Helpers
Posted by ginac on February 4th, 2010
Eragon is the first in a series of epic fantasy books about a teenage boy and his dragon. Homeschoolers who enjoy reading about dragons, or who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, may enjoy a unit study built around this series. We gathered a few resources we found helpful for developing your own unit [...]
Posted in Activities, Games, Language Arts, Unit Study Tags: Eragon, homeschool, Unit Study 1 Comment »Project-Based Learning Meets ‘Student Becomes Teacher’
Posted by ginac on September 29th, 2009
We combined two of our favorite learning techniques together to create a really fun mini unit study. First, we chose our topic – dinosaurs. Then, we challenged our homeschooler to create a short video that teaches something about dinosaurs. The project involved research, writing, narration, music performance and original art work. We practiced using lots [...]
Posted in Art, Eclectic Homeschooling, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Library, Music, Writing Comments OffHomeschool Learning Strategy: Learn by Helping Others Learn
Posted by ginac on September 9th, 2009
Sometimes the best way to learn about something is to try to explain it to others. A very successful strategy for us is to have our homeschooler learn about something and then help others learn about it, too. We don’t worry about every detail, the idea is to get him thinking about what the important [...]
Free Unit Study: The Case of the Missing Rumbleometer
Posted by ginac on October 4th, 2008
Although this isn’t the usual weekly homeschool language arts lesson, it is interesting enough as a unit study that you should adapt it to include more language arts activities. For example, choose from the extensive glossary of terms to create a vocabulary list, stressing definitions, spelling, etc. Also, have your homeschooler do some additional research [...]
Posted in Biology, Chemistry, Eclectic Homeschooling, Interdisciplinary, Language Arts, Physics, Science, Teaching methods, Unit Study Comments OffFree Language Arts Lesson For Star Wars Fans
Posted by ginac on September 28th, 2008
Every once in a while, we enjoy reading something that isn’t a literary classic, an award winner or critically acclaimed. When a child is passionate about a topic, he/she is apt to be more interested in learning about that topic, including READING about it. The Little Blue School blog author, Lydia, has created a really [...]
Posted in Eclectic Homeschooling, Just for Fun, Language Arts, Library, Teaching methods Comments Off
