Hosting hackerspaces in libraries might seem odd, but libraries are and have always been central to all sorts of learning. Hackerspaces are becoming increasing popular, so it makes sense that a respected institution such as public libraries bring maker tools to everyone. Everything from mold injection machines to 3D printers are taking up residence in [...]
Archive for the ‘Library’ Category
Public Libraries Experimenting with Hackerspaces
Posted by ginac on December 13th, 2011
Posted in Library, Make, technology 
Tags: Fabulous Laboratory, Fayetteville Free Library, Hackerspaces, Public Libraries 
Comments OffProject-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 OffThe Public Library as a School?
Posted by ginac on April 7th, 2009
Using the public library as a school (in some form) has crossed my mind, and when I came across this video, I was amazed to hear similar sentiments from a student! If he had been home schooled, maybe he could actually have spent ‘school’ time reading what he liked in the public library! This bright [...]
My Wish List for Public Libraries
Posted by ginac on March 29th, 2009
Maura was nice enough to post a thoughtful comment on my post Public Libraries and Education. Maura asked me to share some of the items on my wish list so that she can share them with her public library system. My overall vision for public libraries goes beyond homeschoolers — libraries should capture lost patrons [...]
Free 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 OffThe British Library
Posted by ginac on May 23rd, 2008
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s greatest libraries. We recently discovered the amazing ‘Turning the Pages’ section of their website thanks to a fellow homeschool parent. The British Library website enables anyone with an internet connection to literally turn the pages of old and ancient [...]
What is an Eclectic Homeschool?
Posted by ginac on May 21st, 2008
We like to think of our eclectic approach to homeschool as a favorite family recipe. You know, the kind that doesn’t have exact measurements of anything, just general ingredients with vague terms like a ‘dash of salt’ and a pinch of sugar, to taste. And just as these recipes are shared with the next generation, [...]
Posted in Eclectic Homeschooling, Interdisciplinary, Library, Teaching methods Tags: Eclectic Homeschool Comments OffThree Online Tools to Manage Your Online Resources
Posted by ginac on February 26th, 2008
There are so many useful homeschool resources online and so many ways to keep track of them. Here are our favorites! Bookmarks We use del.icio.us, a robust online bookmarking tool, to ‘tag’ websites of particular interest. Set up a free account to start keeping track of your favorite online resources. You can assign ‘tags’ to [...]
