Directory
|
For information on the following
topics, please visit the Home Educators
Association of Virginia at www.heav.org/howtobegin.htm
Curriculum |
Curricula
Concepts |
Curriculum
Resources |
Buying
Used Curriculum Wisely |
Used
Book and Curriculum
Dealers |
|
|
You'll find us
at the Yahoo email group, TOOCONNECTION
(Teaching Our Own Connection). To
subscribe, click here ![](letter.gif)
|
|
|
Adult Learning Styles
Type
A - Actual Spontaneous Learner
Has
trouble organizing and following through
Would
rather play and have fun than work
Tends
to do things impulsively
Probably
did poorly in school (often due to lack of
interest or boredom)
Looks
for creative and efficient solutions to tasks
Dislikes
paperwork and record keeping
Prefers
to teach the fine arts, physical education, and
activity-oriented classes
Type
B - Actual Routine Learner
Likes
everything neatly planned ahead of time
Likes
to follow a schedule
is
not very good at coming up with creative ideas
Is
comfortable with memorization and drill
Gets
upset easily when children don't cooperate
Worries
about meeting requirements
Often
prefers to work under an umbrella program for
home educators
Prefers
to teach with pre-planned curricula
Is
more comfortable with "cut and dry"
subjects than those which require exploration
with no clear answers
Type
C - Conceptual Specific Learner
Likes
to be in control
Thinks
and acts logically
Likes
to understand reasoning and logic behind ideas
Is
a good organizer (at least in selected areas)
Likes
to work alone and be independent
Is
impatient with those who are slow to grasp
concepts and those who are disorganized
Is
often uncomfortable in social situations and has
trouble understanding others' feelings and
emotions
Tends
to avoid difficult social situations
Likes
to make long-term plans
Usuallyis
organized
Prefers
to teach math, science, and other logic related
subjects rather than language arts and social
studies
Type
D - Conceptual Global Learner
Enjoys
social interaction
Likes
to belong to groups, especially for activities
Worries
about what other people think
Tends
to be insecure about how well he/she is doing
with home education
Is
idealistic about expectations and goals
May
or may not be organized, depending upon
accountability
Is
more interested in general concepts than details
Prefers
to teach subjects related to language arts,
social studies, and, possibly, the fine arts
Children's
Learning Styles
(The
names assigned to the four learning styles do not reflect
an exclusivity of each learning style to either girls or
boys).
Type A = Wiggly Willy
Wiggly
Willys are those children who learn best by doing
- the hands-on learners. These children are
usually not interested in deep thinking or
analysis. They like to be free to act
spontaneously, without restraint; and they
dislike planning and organizing. However, they
often do very well with hands-on projects. These
are carefree children who live for the moment.
They have short attention spans (unless doing a
task of their choosing), are difficult to
motivate, and can be disruptive in groups.
Sometimes these children are labeled as having
attention deficit disorder, although the real
problem is that, because of their age and
temperament, they really need to be moving around
more than is allowed in a typical classroom.
Prefers:
|
Does not like:
- long
range goal setting
- complicated
projects
- planning
- paper
and pencil tasks
- workbooks
|
Needs Help Developing:
- study
habits
- self-discipline
to persevere
|
Language
Arts:
- language
games
- application
of concepts as they are learned
- writing
stories and poetry
- an
active approach to learning
grammar
- incorporating
writing with preferred subjects
(e.g., art, P.E., music)
- using
a computer rather than writing
neatly by hand
- needs
help and encouragement to tackle
reports and research-related
writing, and to review what he
writes, learning to spot his
mistakes.
|
Math:
- math
games
- short,
varied tasks
- practical
application of concepts
- manipulatives
- incentives
- needs
help to do pencil and paper work,
to develop a longer attention
span, and to do long word
problems
|
|
Type B = Perfect Paula
I
call our second type of learner Perfect Paula.
This is the responsible child who likes to see
that everything is done correctly. She likes
things to be clearly structured, planned, and
organized. Perfect Paulas seldom act
spontaneously and are uncomfortable with creative
activities that lack specific guidelines. They
follow rules and respect authoritity. They like
to follow a typical school curriculum and feel
that they are accomplishing the same things as
other children their age. They prefer to be part
of groups, and they need approval and affirmation
to let them know that they are doing what is
proper.
Prefers:
- workbooks
- consistent
structure
- routine
- lecture
following an outline
- repetition
and memorization
- drill
and review
- time
to prepare for any discussion
|
Does not like:
- creative
activities such as role playing,
dramatization, or imaginative
writing
- changes
in a planned schedule
- constant
changes in the curriculum
|
Needs Help Developing:
- creativity
- thinking
skills that stretch beyond the
obvious
|
Language
Arts:
- grammar
drill
- worksheets
or workbook approach
- well
spelled-out assignments
- assigned
writing topics
- needs
help and encouragement to write
creatively
|
Math:
- workbooks
- consistent
format
- drill
- needs
help to apply arithmetic to word
problems that require imaginative
thinking.
|
|
Type C = Competent Carl
Competent
Carl likes to be in control of himself and his
surroundings. He tends to be analytical,
constantly trying to understand, explain, and
predict. Problem solving is something he enjoys.
Competent Carls are self-motivated and enjoy
long-term, independent projects. They value
wisdom and intelligence. Subject areas that tend
to be strong are math and science. On the other
hand, social skills tend to be a weak area. Often
they have difficulty understand and relating to
their peers. Because of this, and sometimes
simply by choice, they enjoy solitary activity.
|
|