Spring heralds the delights of outdoor learning and fun as well as that exciting time when we wrap up the school year and begin to plan for the next year.  Here are some notes with deadlines and reminders to help you plan.

1.    Portfolios are due to be turned in to the portfolio evaluator by May 1

2.    Testing for your own information can be completed at any time.  Now is a good time to plan and test.

3.    Test taking practice sessions are another way to help your student gain useful skills and give you a picture of their progress too.  These are something we can offer INSTEAD of standardized tests.

4.    Think about tutoring for the summer.

5.    Schedule any remaining visits or consultations needed to complete the year.

We’ve had a successful and interesting year of writing classes at two locations in Iowa.  These classes, specifically provided for home schooling families, are drawing to a close with the school year.  The final classes will be held in May.  Students enrolled in the Writing Class for upper grade levels are currently completing their final projects which exemplify the skills they have honed throughout the year.  Writing is Fun students are also preparing projects to reflect their learning and youngsters in the I Can Write class will be preparing something special for their grand finale.  The last class will be a celebration of writing!

We encourage feedback and requests for classes of interest to consider for next year.

 

 

 

Monthly writing classes for Pre-K through high school home schooled students are currently being held in two locations near Des Moines, IA.  The classes met in September for the first session.  They were well attended and well received.  The second sessions will be held in mid-October (16th East/South location; 23rd North location).  There are limited spots available for new enrollees in October.  After October, new enrollment will be closed because students will be well into the curriculum and it would be difficult for someone new to catch up after that point.

Art classes have been put on hold for the present time.  There were, however, a few interested responses.  We are working on putting together a short term art class series which would take place in early 2010.  Mid-winter might be an ideal time to have something special to do indoors! Please let us know if you would be interested.

 

 

 

Check out our new Classes/Workshops/Events page for schedules and details.

The home school writing classes have been scheduled as monthly “workshop” classes on Friday afternoons. Friday seemed to be the best day for the majority of home schooling families who responded and a monthly class fit the busy schedules better at this time.

Currently, we are planning to hold classes at the Huxley Library and the Altoona Library.  An afternoon session with 3 classes back to back will serve 3 different age groups so all the kids can participate in their own grade level writing class within the two hour time span.  We chose libraries to make it easy for moms to read or study with the other kids during each class.  To keep the cost minimal, we will need students to provide some of their own materials and we will need good attendance numbers at each class.

From 1-2 PM, the Writing Class (for approx. 6-8 graders) will meet to work on a focused approach to learn the much needed basic elements of good writing that are often missing in standard writing curriculum.  Interesting games and exercises will help students learn what it really means to use good description, understand your reader’s point of view, create outstanding characters, develop plots and plans, edit/refine their work, and identify a variety of writing forms and styles.  Homework assignments will be necessary to provide enough practice with each topic, but all assignments will be short and targeted to build confidence.  Skills will be honed with precise words, sentences, and paragraphs instead of lengthy essays.  Students will create a portfolio and a finished piece of good writing by the end of the year.  The skills they learn in this course will help them with all sorts of writing experiences in the future.  Some materials will be provided but students will need their own binder, paper, writing materials, and a quality thesaurus.

 From 2:00-2:20 PM I will meet with the I CAN WRITE group of PK-2nd graders.  This will be a short lesson time with exposure to a different kind of writing each month.  Each child will get a copy of a little book to keep and materials needed for trying out their new skill at home.

From 2:20- 3:00 PM, the WRITING IS FUN class (approx. 3-5 graders) will meet to learn the 6+1 Traits of good writing, including how to identify these traits in books as well as how to use them when they write.  They will keep a portfolio and complete a special project.  All materials are provided except for their personal binder, paper, pencils, etc.  They will have homework assignments too.

PLEASE SIGN UP ASAP.  SPACE IS LIMITED SO WE NEED TO KNOW IF IT NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED.

CALL OR EMAIL ANY INQUIRIES OR ENROLLMENTS

 

Please let me know today if you have suggestions or preferences regarding the class offerings for this year.  PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL since our contact page is being worked on this week and may not function correctly.

I will be posting the final details for classes by Friday, Aug. 15.  Enrollment deadlines will be Sept. 1.  Classes will begin after Labor Day.

Remember: Competent Private Instruction Reports and Plans of Instruction are to be filed with your school district by Wed., August 26, 2009 this year.  This is a new rule passed last spring by the Iowa Department of Education to create a consistent deadline dispelling some of the previous confusion among families and districts.  (I suggest that you have them in before school starts in your district if possible so they will know of your plans, but the deadline is August 26.)

Tips to remember when you file these reports:

1.  File a CPI report (Form A) and a Plan of Instruction for each child of compulsory attendance age - age 6 by Sept. 15 through age 16 by Sept. 15.  You DO need to file a CPI for a student who is 15 and will not turn 16 until after Sept. 15.

2.  Make copies of the reports — duplicate (2) copies go to your school district, keep one for your consulting teacher, and keep one copy for yourself.

3.  Include your teacher’s name and folder # under item 6 ONLY IF THAT TEACHER IS GOING TO BE YOUR SUPERVISING TEACHER.  For teachers who are helping you with portfolios or testing options, names and folder numbers should appear on an attached sheet for identifying assessment options selected and arrangements you have made for assistance with them.

4. Get a receipt.  If you deliver your forms in person, ask the school personnel who receives them to sign and date a slip of paper (which you can make up in advance to save time) stating that your CPIs were delivered that day.  If you mail your forms, I recommend that you send them by certified mail with a return receipt requested so you will get a postcard receipt back signed by the person accepting delivery.

5.  Unless you know your district’s home school contact or office, send the form to your superintendent.

Deliver or mail CPI and Plan of Instruction forms in duplicate (with necessary attachments for FERPA, immunization records, Assessment Option, etc) so that they will arrive at your school district NO LATER THAN AUG. 26, 2009.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or needs for this process or your home school plans for 2009/2010.  Email me directly at eduem@aol.com if possible.  I’m not sure the comment portion of this site is working properly at this time but we are working on it.

This is a complete list of the classes and events currently being explored for interest for the 09-10 school year.  Please submit your interest and comments by August 10 for consideration especially regarding your preferences:

 

bi-weekly classes (2/month) or monthly class/workshop

Altoona location acceptable or more central location (i.e. northside Des Moines, etc.)

 

 

 

CLASSES

meet bi-weekly for school year

WRITING CLASS – for grades 6-8

by popular demand – learn and experience writing

WRITING IS FUN – for grades 3-5

get them turned on to writing

ART FOR KIDS – for grades 1-6

older kids and parents welcome too

 

EVENTS

One day events but some require prep time

RENAISSANCE DAY – September

PUMPKIN PARADE – October

COLLAGE OF CHARACTER – November

GINGERBREAD VILLAGE – December

ARCTIC ADVENTURES – January

PLAY THE PART – February

COME FLY WITH ME – March

TREES TO TREASURE – April

ZOO-MANIA - May

 

We also offer individualized reading instruction

A number of families have responded with inquiries about our classes for this year.   There have been some questions about location and also a suggestion for monthly workshops instead of bi-weekly.  I’m anxious to get the details nailed down so we can make plans for dates, times, locations, etc.  Please respond or email with your interest or preferences by August 10, 2009. Final details for the classes will be posted by August 15, 2009.

Special Art Class Designed for Kids

 

 

      Learn the 7 elements of art and put them to use creatively.  It will take all year to explore and experience all 7 elements through this basic course that is rich in art technique with cross-curricular learning enrichment.

 

      Classes are being considered for homeschoolers on Friday mornings.

 

      Biweekly – for one hour – 16 week school year

 

      Appropriate for grades 1-6

 

      Parents and older children welcome with conditions

 

      Tuition: $8.00/class or $128.00/year. Payment options available.

 

      Materials included: many art supplies will be provided

 

      Materials needed: set of crayons, set of markers in classic colors

 

      Enrollment is based on a full school year

 

      Class size: minimum of 8 students

 

      Location: not yet determined.  DSM area

 

      Please contact Mary Lynn Carvour for information or to inquire about forming a group for an art class near you.

 

 

 

WRITING CLASS

Ø      Grades 6-8

Ø      Biweekly - Friday afternoon (or discuss options) - 1hour - 16 week school year.

Ø      Homework assignments will be given to complete between classes.

Ø      Counts as a full year course for writing/language arts.

Ø      Curriculum – teacher created curriculum will focus on the elements most commonly lacking in writing programs. Students will learn to effectively use description, a reader-in-mind focus, characterization, plot development, and editing. They will also experience a variety of writing styles.

Ø      Enrollment is based on a full year of classes.

Ø      Class size: minimum of 8 students

Ø      Tuition: $8.00/class or $128.00/year with payment options available.

Ø      Materials provided:  photocopies will be provided within cost of course and some special materials will be provided.

Ø      Materials needed: three-ring binder (1” or more), a flip-cover portfolio, paper & writing materials, and a quality thesaurus will be needed for each student.

Ø      Location: yet to be determined.  DSM area. Classes may be offered in more than one location if there is enough interest.

Ø      Please contact Mary Lynn Carvour for more details and enrollment material.

 

 WRITING IS FUN

Ø      Grades 3-5

Ø      Biweekly – Friday afternoon (or discuss options) – 1 hour - 16 week school year.

Ø      Grade level homework assignments to complete between classes

Ø      Curriculum – teacher created curriculum centers around the 6+1 Traits of good writing.  Students will explore a variety of writing strategies and have fun writing.

Ø      Enrollment is based on a full year of classes

Ø      Class size: minimum of 8 students

Ø      Tuition: $8.00/class or $128.00/ year with payment options available.

Ø      Materials provided: photocopies and some materials will be provided.

Ø      Materials needed: three ring binder (1”), writing paper and pencils

Ø      Location: yet to be determined.  DSM area.  Classes may be offered in more than one location of there is enough interest.

Ø      Please contact Mary Lynn Carvour for more details and enrollment material.

 

 

Mid July!  Now we are focusing on plans for the upcoming school year.  Schools across Iowa will be starting in 5-6 weeks.  We are excited to report that plans are being made to serve educational needs in fun, new ways.

Home School Packets - Packets went out today to all of the home schooling families we serve - including all the goodies, information, and forms you will need to get the ball rolling.  Remember:  The new date to have CPIs and Plan of Instruction reports in is August 26th - for every district across Iowa. I’m also including a flier announcing classes and events we are planning for this year. 

Classes and Events - The writing classes and art classes have been requested for a number of years — now they are finally available.  They will run throughout the year.  At this time, I am planning to hold weekly class sessions.  Please give me your feedback on this - would sessions every two weeks work better? Watch for the details to be posted on the website soon.

Monthly events will also be offered.  Most are one day workshop events with very little preparation. Some will require early sign up and preparation time with the likelyhood of at least one extra meeting - i.e. the Collage of Character which is a type of night of the notables performance.  Watch for details on the website for these events as well.

These classes and events are planned with home schoolers in mind.  However, they will be open to other families who would like to participate if time schedules permit.

 

 

The Iowa Department of Education reviewed and revised the rules in Chapter 31 for Competent Private Instruction recently.  There are a number of changes that affect home schooling but they are overall very positive changes.  We will have to do a little bit of reorganizing, however, to comply with these changes.

Some of the changes to take note of immediately are:

1. ALL Competent Private Instruction Reports are due (in duplicate) at your school district office by August 26th.  This date has been set to provide a consistent date across the state in all districts and consistent expectations.
2. Baseline requirements for annual assessment now allow for a baseline that matches the assessment choice.  i.e. testing baseline for testing option; portfolio baseline for portfolio option; correspondence school baseline for correspondence school option.
3. Portfolios and tests must be completed before May 1 and results of evaluations sent to school district by June 30.   A portfolio is to be presented to the portfolio evaluator by May 1.  Testing should actually be completed in about March in order to have the results back before June 30.
4. Portfolios and Testing Results are to be turned in by the parents (not the evaulator or tester) and are to be sent ONLY to the school district (no longer need to send to Department of Education).
5. Porfolios no longer REQUIRE the inclusion of a read aloud sample.  However, an evaluator may request or you may include a sample to help with the process of determining adequate progress.
6. Test results may be submitted in photocopy form and parent may block out test results other than the basic subject and core or composite scores required by law. Also, acceptable standardized tests will be listed and updated by the Department of Education.
7. Special Education students no longer require assessment or approval by the AEA director.
8. A quarter is defined as 45 days of instruction for purposes of supervising teacher visits, etc.
9. Supervising teachers no longer have a specific list of criteria to provide. They are expected to offer consulting services based upon the needs and desires of the home schooling family.
10. A substitute teaching LICENSE provides the holder with the ability to supervise for all grade levels. A substitute AUTHORIZATION (which can be obtained with a 4 year degree) allows for supervision for grades 5 and up.  Apparently, a regular teaching license must be held for portfolio evaluations and only for the grade levels that the teaching license covers. (We are checking on this point for clarification.)
11. Parents who move into a new district or into the state of Iowa mid-school year have 14 days to file a draft (notice of arrival and intent to home school) and 30 days to file the completed CPI forms.
12. Guardians are now defined in the rules with permission to home school. The new wording now specifically allows permission where it was not clearly defined in the former rules.

These are exciting changes to review and digest!  These changes were suggested by home schoolers and their legislative liasons and the Department of Education was very open to discussion and implementation of changes.

 

 

 

 

It’s SPRING!  What a wonderful time of year.  We feel refreshed and renewed and we set out to wrap up an outgoing school year and make plans for the summer and the future. 

Home schoolers - turn in your portfolios and schedule your final supervising conference visits.  Testing should be completed by now and results arriving.   Assess your year and plan for summer learning reinforcement and new curriculum for the coming year.  Don’t forget the big NICHE conference in June where you can explore curriculum and gather new ideas and resources.  Make contact with the teacher you’d like to work with for next year.  If you have questions about anything, call Mary Lynn for a consultation.

Public and Private Schoolers: Assess your year with information from your child’s teacher and your own instincts and observations.  Concerns or questions?  Contact Mary Lynn for a consultation.

If your child had a difficult year or just feels stressed, consider activities this summer to rekindle the enjoyment of learning and help to prepare them with greater confidence and skill for next fall. 

Maybe you just want something interesting and meaningful for your child to do this summer.

Mary Lynn’s Learning Center will offer Summer Tutoring and Activities. 

Our tutoring is different!  Our classes are interactive and creative! We strive to inspire children and families, to unlock their potential, to bring adventure to learning.  We don’t try to “repair” children - but rather to “restore” the spirit of learning.

One-on-one tutoring: includes basic, painless assessment and a series of interactive lessons to restore confidence and enjoyment.

Small group activities: enrichment classes in art, literature, history, science, and drama.