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Homeschooling Methods
For many people, homeschooling may call to mind the picture of two
or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in
their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not
entirely true. There are different methods of homeschooling,
and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your
style of teaching. Given below are some of the most influential
and popular homeschooling methods.
The Charlotte Mason method:
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling
movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal
to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete
homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same
time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis
placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music
and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical
literature, which she called ‘Living Books’. Since this method
encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read
to daily from the ‘Living Books’. After this, the child is asked
to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of
six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in
her book. Mason also advocated the use of ‘Nature Diaries’. After
each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to
Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also
gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that
development of good character and behavior was essential to the
complete development of the child’s personality.
The Eclectic Homeschooling:
This is a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the
innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the
topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents
continuously look out for the best products that will meet the
needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling
curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum
is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to
accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children.
The child’s gifts, temperament, learning style and interests
dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the
museum, libraries and factories.
Unschooling:
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the
unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when
they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided
by their own interests. His message was to ‘unschool’ the child.
This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent
takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite
curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most
unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.
The Montessori Method:
This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children
have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of
intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an
activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The
Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate
learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to
satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child.
The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather
expensive.
These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the
method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest
in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child’s
desire for knowledge to further his education.
A Career From Anywhere
An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The east coast of New Zealand. What do these locations have in common? A recent call for assistance from freelance writers elicited replies from every one of these locations. In each of these and in many other remote places, I know of writers who are freelancing with a fair degree of success.
Indeed it is possible for freelance writers to work from anywhere.
Consider my own recent experience. As the editor of the Worldwide Freelance Writer web site, I publish a newsletter that goes out to thousands of freelance writers around the world. I can recall one particular issue in the middle of 2002. I started planning the newsletter in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong. When the first draft came together I was in Indianapolis, in the United States. And by the time I completed the final copy and pushed the send button I was at a lakeside cottage in Ontario, Canada, with snow lightly falling outside.
Maybe you are interested in a freelance writing career but you worry about whether you live in a suitable location. Well, think again. Freelance writing is a job you can do from anywhere. It is true that if your home is near New York’s editorial offices you may be able to use your proximity to some advantage. But many, many freelance writers are working successfully from more distant locations, and in many cases enjoying a better lifestyle in the places where they live.
Take Ron Irwin, for example. An American, Ron freelances from a small house on the beach in Cape Town, South Africa. The majority of his work is still for North American markets. Consider Vella Corinne, a native of Malta in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. From this island steeped in history – the Order of St John was based here and the temples are thought to be older than the pyramids – she writes travel and lifestyle features.
Writers in locations such as these, far from being at a serious disadvantage, can actually enjoy a number of benefits. For a start, these writers are in an excellent position to write about their own locations, the people and the culture. Also, the living costs are often less expensive than for writers in major cities. And if that is not enough, how about fresh, clean air?
Writers working from remote locations usually live in a cleaner, more peaceful environment, and may live closer to outdoor and recreational activities. Vella reveals how she enjoys the warmer days: “Once I pack up my computer, I just head to the beach. Distances are short and, the island being small, I’m always close to the center of whatever’s happening here. I can control my own time in a way that I could not if I lived in a busy city.”
Twenty years ago writers in remote locations were often frustrated by the slowness of communicating with editors on the other side of the world. It would always take months to receive a reply from an editor. Waiting for a response to a query was about as exciting as watching grass grow!
In recent years the availability of the Internet has made it easier than ever before for freelancers to communicate almost instantly with anyone, anywhere in the world. In my own example above I traveled through a few countries over a three-week period and managed to conduct my freelance work at the same time. Many of my clients didn’t even know I was ‘on the move’. Little did they know that between receiving and replying to their messages, I was fishing in the lake and hiking through the woods. I could easily keep in touch with important contacts, as well as write and send out my newsletter.
But do you know what was even more exciting? While I was traveling my web site was hard at work, the entire time, ‘day and night’. Even while I was flying at thirty thousand feet, taking a nap, I was effectively selling a bunch of writing-related books and products. Now if that isn’t a freelancer’s dream becoming reality, I don’t know what is! Such accomplishments were definitely not so attainable before the advent of email and the World Wide Web.
Kathy Crockett freelances from Gisborne, New Zealand, on the east coast of the North Island. She commented to me on the difference technology makes when working from such a location. “It’s a city of 35,000″, she explains, “the closest to the international dateline, and the first city in the world to see the sun each day. Its closest city-size neighbors are three hours drive on windy roads…the internet, mobile phones…technology lets me be wherever I want to be… and fool others into thinking I’m where they’d like me to be!”
Of course working remotely is not always easy and there are a number of challenges that writers typically face. Isolation is a common issue. Vella explained to me she has a way of dealing with it. “At times it feels like I have a totally atomized existence. I balance that by scheduling some ‘face time’ each day”, she explains. I agree with her. Sometimes you must make a conscious effort to spend time with family, friends, or other writers.
Another challenge may be difficulties with technology. Finding a PC repair shop may be next to impossible. Internet access may be unavailable or unreliable. There are many, many places in the world that don’t even have telephone lines yet, not to mention email access. You can still work as a freelance writer from these locations, but it will not be as convenient. If you have any choice where you live, always try to choose a town that has telephone lines with reliable Internet access.
And that goes for working while you are on holiday too. Check the available technology in advance. In the example of my trip above, I received a surprise. There was no telephone line or email access in the cottage. My initial panic subsided when I discovered a telephone not too far away. In freezing temperatures, I trudged up the road. When I pushed the button to send out my newsletter my notebook computer was plugged into a payphone.
Are writers in remote locations at a serious disadvantage? No way! I am sold on the concept that you can work as a freelance writer from anywhere. And while you will face some challenges, none of them will be insurmountable.
So if you’re looking for a career you can do from anywhere, look no further. The writers I referred to and many others are working successfully right where they are. And so can you. Open up your notebook. Start writing. You can begin to build a rewarding career as a freelance writer today.
When Your Auto Parts Fail You
There are some very crucial auto parts that sit in the engine of your car and there are a whole host of problems that could go wrong with them. Fortunately, it is up to you in order to decide which auto parts need to be repaired, but most likely you will need to take the advice of a mechanic after they have given it a once-over. Nevertheless, though, there are some major choices that one needs to make in the lifetime of the car that they own. Some choices are easy, while other choices like putting it to sleep (or sending it to a junk yard) are much more difficult. On the other hand, making decisions, like buying new auto parts for your car, could be the best thing since sliced bread and your car definitely will be grateful for it. All in all, though, here are some things that one may want to consider if some of their auto parts, or their whole car for that matter, has failed them.
Consider Borrowing
One of the ways that you could overcome this dilemma that you’re facing is by borrowing an automobile for the time that you need it. Of course, if you have no trusted friends or family members living near you then it may not be possible to borrow a car. But if you do have someone nearby that would help out, a suggestion would be to borrow their car until you wait for the new auto parts to come in for yourself or the mechanic to fix your ride. Even though it is rarely ever fun borrowing an automobile that isn’t yours, it just may be necessary for a short period of time.
Consider Renting
Another option that many people have when waiting on new auto parts to be put in their automobiles is to rent a car from a car dealership or a car rental business. There are usually plenty of these businesses in virtually every town or large city across America and they may have reasonable rates for just a week or two. On the other hand, the car insurance that you may have may allow for a car rental to take place at the expense of the insurance company. There are car insurance companies that do allow for this, and it may be worthwhile to check into while waiting for the auto parts to fix your automobile.
Do-It-Yourself Jobs
Another option that many people take advantage of is to fix the cars that they have themselves. Instead of relying car repair shops to fix their car, many people take it upon themselves to buy the new auto parts that are failing them. Considering that many auto repair shops may take a week or two to get automobiles fixed because they are so backed up with work, it may not even be worth it to leave your car sitting for a week or longer. Indeed, a good option is to buy the new auto parts yourself and repair the car by yourself or with a trusted friend that can help.
All of these are excellent options when it comes to your auto parts failing. Hardly anybody that has ever had a failing automobile has seen it as a blessing, rather a problem that just must be worked through. Renting or borrowing a car, though, or fixing the auto parts yourself, are all great ways to deal with the problem at hand!
Finding inexpensive lodging in Europe
Many first time travelers make the incorrect assumption that a European vacation is beyond their means, but this is often not the case. One of the biggest costs associated with any vacation, including travel to countries in Europe, is lodging, but it is possible to fund budget accommodations that are clean, safe and centrally located.
One of the secrets to finding affordable budget accommodations when traveling to Europe is to check out the many bed and breakfast hotels that are common in Europe. The average bed and breakfast in Europe is much different than its American counterpart. Whereas many bed and breakfast’s in the United States are luxurious, and expensive destinations, Europeans generally regard bed and breakfast hotels as inexpensive places to stay, and they can be much more affordable than hotels in similar locations.
Most bed and breakfast hotels in European destinations are small, family run hotels. In many cases, the family has their living quarters right on the premises, and the hotel generally provides free breakfast with the price of the room.
There are many places to look for European bed and breakfast hotels, including the Internet, destination travel guides, Internet news groups and travel review web sites. While some of the larger bed and breakfast hotels have their own web sites, many do not, and word of mouth is often the best way to find them.
There are also booking services that will book the bed and breakfast hotel for you for a small fee (usually around 10%). These booking services can be very valuable, especially if you do not speak the local language.
Even if you did not plan ahead, chances are you will still be able to find an affordable bed and breakfast hotel when you arrive. The arrivals area of most European airports has at least one booking desk to help travelers without reservations find affordable accommodations. Just be sure you have a local map handy so you don’t get stuck with a hotel in the middle of nowhere.
There are some important things to keep in mind when booking a bed and breakfast or similar budget accommodations in European destinations. There are important differences in lodgings between Europe and the United States, and first time travelers to Europe are often caught unawares. Below is a list of items to consider when booking lodging for your European vacation.
- Your budget accommodations will likely be clean, but basic. In most cases the surroundings will not be fancy or luxurious, but they will be functional and clean.
- The rooms at a budget hotel or bed and breakfast will probably be small, and closet space may be limited or even non-existent.
- The least expensive rooms will have bathroom and shower facilities located down the hall, while more expensive rooms may have an in room bathroom and tub.
- A room that has only a shower will usually be less costly than one that includes a bathtub as well. If this is an important consideration, be sure to ask about the bathroom facilities when making your reservation.
- Rooms equipped with a double bed are generally less costly than those with twin beds.
- If you are driving, there is almost always an extra charge for parking. Be sure to ask about the parking charge when making your reservation.
- Be sure to buy a good map of the city you will be visiting, and make sure the hotel or bed and breakfast you choose is centrally located. It is often better to choose lodging that it within walking distance of several attractions you will be visiting, even if the room is slightly more expensive. Choosing a centrally located hotel or bed and breakfast will save you both time and money for transportation.
- When booking your lodging, be sure the price you are quoted includes all local taxes and applicable fees.
A Look into Boeing’s Corporate Sponsorship
Boeing is the leading aerospace company in the world, and by far the largest manufacturer of jetliners for commercial use, and also military aircrafts. They are the forefront runners in aerospace innovation and leadership, continuously creating new and more efficient products.
As it is a large corporation, Boeing gives out corporate sponsorships to those in need of support in funding. Organizations are welcomed by the company to give unsolicited sponsorship proposals since they seek to proactively create partnerships with strategic and appropriate partners.
Evaluation Process
Building long-term partnerships is the goal that Boeing aims to attain in sponsorship. They support a select number of events and activities which have similar interests and values. In order for this to possible, an evaluation process is conducted by Boeing to see whether an outside organization is an ideal sponsorship partner.
All sponsorship proposals given to Boeing go through the following processes:
• Unsolicited and solicited proposals are received by Boeing Corporate Communications.
• Boeing Corporate Communications then performs a preliminary overview that is based on their evaluation criteria.
• If the sponsorship proposal has potential, it is shared with a team of managers responsible for sponsorship program development projects.
• The sharing is evaluations of the sponsorship proposal – taking into account the proposal’s location, subject and scope – seeing if it fits with Boeing’s brand and strategy on sponsorship.
Evaluation Criteria
There are six general criteria developed by Boeing in evaluating sponsorship proposals. These measures ensure that the benefit garnered is for both parties – sponsor and sponsee.
Sponsorship proposals are subject to evaluation based on the following:
• The tangible benefits involved if a partnership is pursued.
• The longevity the proposal offers if a partnership between the organization and Boeing is established.
• The capability of the proposal to target necessary audiences and build the right kind of relationships.
• How Boeing will be exposed through such a sponsorship – will it be a positive venture, will it bring in more customers and good feedback, etc.
• What kind of additional resource is the proposal going to generate.
• Will a long term relationship prove to be sustainable and overall beneficial to both parties?
There are specific ineligible activities that Boeing has no interest of pursuit. Some of these activities are mentioned below:
• Little leagues and other local sports organizations
• Charities that hold fundraising events
• Individual or family sponsorship requests
• Daredevil stunts and sports
• Events that do not have any Boeing facility, product or technology
• Religious activities
• Sponsoring travel expenses
Current Sponsorships
There are currently a number of organizations that are sponsored by Boeing. These companies are also large business that have passed the evaluation process and fit the evaluation criteria that Boeing stands by,
Some of the current sponsorships include the following below:
• Chicago Bears – This team is contracted by Boeing under a five-year sponsorship agreement.
• Museum of Flight – This organization, relevant to the nature of Boeing, provides a detailed and extensive look into Boeing’s history and bright future.
• The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts – The events held by this institution are sponsored by Boeing. These events are Kennedy Center’s Annual Gala Weekend in April, 2004 – 2008; and Kennedy Center’s Annual Honors Week in December, 2004 – 2008.
How to Sell Outsourced Articles
Are you looking to make money with the reselling of outsourced articles? If so, you have so many options to choose from. In fact, you may be wondering where and how you can get started.
Are you an established website owner who has experience with creating professional websites? Are you familiar with HTML? Do you have experience marketing websites to ensure that they aren’t lost in the millions of other websites already available online? If so, create your own online marketplace. This is where you will list your outsourced articles for sale
The first step in doing so is choosing a domain name and web hosting plan. When examining your options, be sure to read all rules and restrictions. Some companies require you to have a business account to sell, but others do not have this restriction. Next, look for affordable web hosting plans. If you are selling outsourced articles, you paid to have these articles written. To increase your profits, keep your business expenses low.
Most importantly, you need to decide how you want to sell the outsourced articles. This is another choice that may be difficult for you. If you are looking to make money right away, list each article for sale individually on your site. Sell it with exclusive rights. By giving up full rights to the article, you can reasonably set a higher asking price. This is because you will remove the article from your website and transfer selling rights to the buyer.
If you want to earn the most money, but don’t mind waiting for that money to arrive, consider selling your articles in PLR packages. PLR packages are a series of articles that are offered for one low price. As an example, 10 articles for $10. When selling PLR articles, buyers know that you will sell the article more than once. That is why they are willing to pay such a low price. The money the saved will likely be spent on an article rewriter, which charges less money. Since you can sell an unlimited number of PLR article packages, there is potential to earn a significant amount of money overtime.
As previously stated, creating your own online marketplace is recommended if you have a large number of articles to sell, if you are familiar with internet marketing, and if you know how to build a website. If you do not meet these recommended qualifications, you can still make money reselling outsourced articles. Instead of creating your own online marketplace, you will want to turn to existing websites.
When selling your outsourced articles on an existing marketplace website, you should be able to set your own terms. This means that you can sell your article with exclusive rights or with usage rights. The approach you take should depend on how much money you want to make. As a reminder, you paid to have these articles written by a professional. To profit form their resale, you need to charge more money than what you paid. But, since many third party websites charge you fees, these fees should be factored into your selling price.
What is nice about using third party websites to sell your outsourced articles is that you can gauge your success. Creating your own online marketplace is recommended only if you have a large collection of articles available for sale, twenty at the very least. Before you spend a lot of money buying outsourced articles to resell, you should first test the waters to make sure that you can profit from doing so.
As for hiring writers to compose the articles for you, use your best judgment. To retain the largest profit, choose a quality article writer, but one that has reasonable rates. You do not have to disclose your intent with the articles, but state your expectations. To resell outsourced articles, you must retain the rights to them. Let the writer in question know that they turn over full ownership of the articles to you once paid.
Relaxing Guided Tours of Ireland
For families interested in traveling to Europe, consider one of the guided tours offered by several outfits that will take
you and show you the best sights and sounds of Ireland. Such vacations are often not very expensive when compared to the
rest of Europe and family members of all ages will enjoy the scenery and attractions.
Most guided tours of Ireland will have you fly into Shannon. This is a small airport on the western side of the island and
it’s close to many attractions you’ll see. Your first stop will be to the village of Adare, famous for its thatched roof
cottages and quaint charm. This is your first stop along the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland’s most beautiful natural area.
You’ll see dramatic mountains, green fields and many archeological sites.
As for your next stop, guided tours of Ireland may take you to some of the sites or to a pub in the Dingle Peninsula. You
may choose to go dolphin-watching at specified places along the Peninsula road. Soak up the beautiful scenery and eat some
of the hearty local dishes. After that, you’ll travel to Killarney and visit the Gap of Dunloe, a four mile gulch carved
out by glaciers.
Guided tours of Ireland would be remiss if they didn’t take you to the infamous Blarney Castle. While much of the castle
is in ruins and it doesn’t have a roof, visitors will be amazed by the ancient architecture and will be given a chance to
kiss the Blarney Stone—a feat which is done while lying on your back. Afterward, you’ll likely go to the picturesque town
of Kinsdale, within County Cork. Visit one of their gourmet restaurants and walk along the cobblestone streets.
The next logical stop for guided tours of Ireland is the town of Cobh, the departure point for many emigrants to the US and
the last port of call for the Titanic.
Visit the local graveyard where many of the Titanic’s passengers are buried. From there, travel to the medieval town of Kilkenny,
famous for its cathedrals and its history of witchcraft.
Often, guided tours of Ireland will then bring you into Dublin where there are numerous sites to see, including the site of
Ireland’s first Parliament and the famous Guinness Brewery. Taste some of Ireland’s finest beer and stay at the Cabra
Castle, complete with a golf course, gardens and beautiful walking paths.
To get the most out of guided tours of Ireland, you’ll continue on to visit Carrick-on-Shannon, a scenic boating haven and
Boyle, the site of some lovely abbey ruins. After touring this area, you’ll likely move on to the County Mayo. In Mayo,
you’ll walk the streets of Westport and see its seashore, dotted with a number of tiny islands. Shop along the traditional
Irish shops and take in the quaint nature of this lovely town.
Guided tours of Ireland rarely miss Galway, the cultural capital of Ireland. Take in some traditional Irish music by
visiting one of the town’s several pubs. After that, you’ll visit the Aran Islands, the place where the famous Irish Aran
sweaters originally came from. These islands will take you back in time as little has changed over the years.
Most guided tours of Ireland will let you see and taste and listen to Ireland at every possible chance. It’s a beautiful
country with lovely people and it will be an experience you’ll never forget.
Big Savings on Gas While you Travel
Gas prices are soaring! This has resulted in elevated travel expenses. If you travel by car, YOU have some control over the costs.
Here are some ways to save money on gas:
* Switch to synthetic motor oil. It reduces engine friction and may make your car a little less ravenous at the gas station. (There are brands available claiming 5%-20% increases in fuel economy.)
* Use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil. Manufacturer specs are based on what is best for your specific vehicle.
* Buy gas with the recommended octane rating. Premium can actually be detrimental to many engines.
* Fill up during the coolest times of day. You get more gas in each gallon, because liquids expand in the heat. The pumps are measuring gallons, not weight.
* Make sure that the gas cap is tight after you fill up. Gas evaporates easily – you can lose an appreciable amount through an improperly seated cap.
* Check your tires before your holiday and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Underinflated tires create drag and increase gas consumption. Always carry a tire gauge in your glove compartment.
* Never drive on bald tires! Besides being unsafe, they also increase fuel consumption.
* Don’t leave your engine idling for long periods of time. This includes pre-warming – one minute is all you need. Start off slowly, then use normal speeds after a couple of minutes.
* Don’t continually start and stop your engine. Each start burns about the same amount of gas as one minute of idle time.
* Drive the speed limit on highways – speeding devours gas. Activate your cruise control whenever possible, and when cruise is not engaged remember the ‘egg’ trick: drive like you have a raw egg between the floorboards and the gas pedal.
* Stop lights in cities are usually set to synchronize with the posted speed limit. Drive the speed limit and you are more likely to hit a long series of green lights. Stopping at red lights increases idle time and gas consumption.
* Drive in a way that entails minimal use of the brakes.
* Don’t pack more than you need. The more weight you carry, the more gas you use.
* Decrease wind resistance. A car caked with mud, snow, or ice will cause drag and burn more gas than a sleek, clean vehicle.
* Don’t use the air conditioner unless necessary. Vehicle air conditioners increase fuel consumption.
* Pamper your vehicle by ensuring that it goes in for regular tune-ups and maintenance. Slight adjustments can mean dramatic fuel savings. Ask the maintenance people to add fuel injector cleaner whenever the oil is changed.
* Some communities have websites that post fuel prices at local gas stations. Do your research before you leave to find out where the cheapest stations are. Use common sense: driving too far out of your way will gobble up more gas than you save. Try gasbuddy.com (USA and Canada) and your favorite search engines.
* If you own a gas guzzler, try trading with a relative or neighbor for a smaller vehicle while you vacation. (Make sure that insurance policies on both vehicles are in order first.)
* Use your feet! Once you get to your destination, walk whenever possible. Walking is how you really get to know an area.
Save money, save the environment – and have more cash to spend on your vacation!
