HomeschoolNYC
HomeschoolNYC Newsletter
Celebrating Child-led LearningVol. IV, issue 6 
November, 2013  
      I am constantly impressed by the power of the word, especially when the words come from the heart.  In my folktales class children are creating their own myths; in my playwriting class they are writing haunting monologues, and in my literature and essay class they are responding to the ideas in words, and to the potential danger or misunderstanding of a single word.  Universal themes resound in stories that are retold throughout the ages: from fables to Shakespeare, to the stories of our own lives.  I hope the reviews and thoughts in this issue bring you back to your own stories, and that you will share them with the ones you love.
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Stories from the Heart
Review of Pay Attention to the Children
Meet Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
Books On Child-Led Learning
Story Activities in NYC
Make a Heart Map
Quote by Ben Okri
 
by Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
Review by Laurie Block Spigel 

 

  In Pay Attention to the Children, Sydney Gurewitz Clemens's careful analysis of Ashton-Warner's life and work, I found details and practical applications that are missing in Teacher.

 

 

The work of Sylvia Ashton-Warner has influenced my life.  My mother spoke to her students about this great woman in such a way that, as a young girl, I imagined her as an anthropologist who enlightened the world, and not as a teacher of children in a classroom.  When I became a homeschooling parent . . .READ MORE . . .


A rare opportunity to meet
early childhood educator  
Sydney Gurewitz Clemens 
 
 
Sydney Gurewitz Clemens will be passing through the NYC area on December 29th.  Join a small group of participants for a talk on early childhood education with Ms. Clemens.  You can download her latest book, 
Seeing Young Children with New Eyes, for free. E-mail Laurie to reserve a space at this special talk, which will be tailored to the group.

 

 

Event Details

 

Meeting with Sydney Gurewitz Clemens

Date: Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013

Time: 11 am - 1 pm

Location: Wyndham Garden Hotel, Newark Airport,

550 Rte. 1, South Newark, NY 07114

Fee: $25.00/person

RSVP to Laurie at [email protected]

  
 
Books on Child-led Learning
 
Here are three more reviews of books that offer inspiration and ideas 
for teaching children of all ages.  

Read about Sylvia Ashton Warner and her book, Teacher.
.
     

Storytelling is the most ancient of leisure activities, designed for the whole family.  Even today timeless classes such as Aesop's Fables, Grimm's Fairytales, and the works of Hans Christian Andersen delight both young and old.  Children's author and story time events are free at many bookstores.  Storytelling events in museums often include history, art, costume, and theater.  All summer long there is free storytelling in Central Park at the Hans Christian Andersen statue, and marionette shows at the Swedish Cottage. 

Here is an extensive list of year-round story events at stores and museums all over NYC, followed by some suggestions of activities you can do at home to deepen your connection with any story. 

 



What things are hidden in your heart? What things lie deep inside?

I asked my students to make heart maps. Some of them drew in the ventricles and surrounded the heart with lines to represent the ribs, placing their beloved ideas afloat within the body.  Others made layers . . .  READ MORE
. . . for instructions to make a heart map and links to more images of heart maps.   

 


Quote by Ben Okri      
    

"Stories can conquer fear, you know.    

They can make the heart bigger."  

~ Ben Okri (1959 -  ), Nigerian poet and author

  

    Education Uncensored

book cover
Here's what people are saying about Laurie's book:

"You made me laugh, you made me cry, and you inspired me. I can literally hear your voice, and love your storytelling and your wisdom and just the whole package. I'm stimulated and filled with ideas for my own teaching."  

~ Dr. Bonnie Shulman, professor of mathematics, Bates College   

 

"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated meeting you and reading your book. It is terrific, and for me, the best part was its New York perspective. I know no other book available to homeschoolers that so overtly references an urban perspective."  
~ David Albert, author of And the Skylark Sings with Me and other books 
 
"Laurie's evolution as a teacher and life-long involvement in the world of education has given her a profound understanding of the problems that plague today's schools. This book offers an insightful look at how an increasingly standardized system is robbing our children of their individuality and passion for learning. Additionally, it provides innovative how-to curriculums for anyone involved or interested in educating children."  
~ Ellen Labiner, homeschooling parent and special educator
 
Available now at HomeschoolNYC.com
Price: $12.95 plus shipping & handling

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