Other State Education and Homeschooling Organizations
Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE)
www.mache.org
MACHE is a statewide homeschooling support organization. Although MACHE is a Christian organization they support and encourage all homeschoolers.
Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance (MHA)
http://www.homeschoolers.org/
MHA is a statewide homeschooling support organization. MHA is committed to fulfilling its mission without discrimination based on race, religion, or educational philosophy.
Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT)
www.mcgt.net
Not specifically a homeschool organization, MCGT offers support to families with gifted and talented children. They have an active Homeschooling Chapter in the Twin Cities.
Maple River Education Coalition (MrEdCo)
http://www.edwatch.org/
MrEdCo is a political organization working to increase the quality of education in Minnesota and the United States. They also have a strong commitment educational choice including homeschooling.
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
Main website: http://education.state.mn.us/html/mde_home.htm
School Choice page: http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_school_choice.htm
Homeschooling page: http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_homeschool.htm
Copy of the Minnesota Compulsory Education Statutes: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/120A/22.html
(MDE is the regulating body for education issues in the State of Minnesota.)
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National Homeschooling Organizations
National Home Education Network (NHEN)
P.O. Box 41067
Long Beach, CA 90853
info@nhen.org or http://www.nhen.org
Homefires®-The Journal of Homeschooling
Homefires®-The Journal of Homeschooling offers resources and support for homeschooling families. You can find ideas for children of all ages as well as get advice from respected homeschooling experts.
http://www.homefires.com/index.html
Jewish Home Educators Network
2122 Houser
Holly, MI 48442
http://www.snj.com/jhen/
Catholic Homeschool Network of America
P.O. Box 6343
River Forest, IL 60305-6343
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8579/chsna.html
ArabesQ.com
Islamic Homeschooling and Arabic Resources
http://www.arabesq.com/
Muslim Homeschooling Resources
http://www.yemenlinks.com/Islamic_Resources.htm
Native Americans for Home Education
http://www.geocities.com/nuwahti/NAHE.html
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Homeschooling Publications
Home Education Magazine (HEM)
http://www.homeedmag.com/
Homeschooling Today
http://www.homeschooltoday.com
The Link
http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com/
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MN Homeschool Testing Resources
Testing
Homeschoolers in Minnesota have a choice in what standardized test to use for their children. The law requires that children take a standardized, norm-referenced achievement test the school years that children are 7-15. There are many resources for testing. Additional testing resources are welcome to add to this file. The following describes some testing resources available:
The Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT)
The PIAT or "Peabody" is a standardized, nationally norm-referenced achievement test that is individually administered by a trained examiner. Assessment is completed in the following areas: Reading, Math, Spelling, Science, Social Studies and Humanities. The subtests and composite scores are calculated immediately, so there is no waiting for results. The test is non-bracketed which means the results will indicate a child's grade level from K-12 in the different subtests, rather than only providing achievement level for the child's grade. The test is oral in format and almost conversational in tone. The testing experience is casual and unintimidating for the child, making it a popular test among homeschoolers. It takes 60-90 minutes to administer and score the test, but the exams are not timed. Testing is available year round and wlll assess K-12 grade levels.
Testing sessions may be arranged with the following testers in your home, the tester's home or other agreed upon location. Testers may have different preferences for test location and availability. Each tester sets their fees for testing and travel costs. Be sure to discuss these matters specifically when setting your child's appointment with an Independent Peabody Tester.
Ann Mathews-Lingen, MSW, LGSW, (651) 698-1244,
a.mathewslingen@comcast.net
St. Paul, metro area and outstate by arrangement, evening & Saturday
appts. available
Kim Jaworski, (651) 552-0044
HsRSpecialist@yahoo.com
metro area & outstate by arrangement
Barb Windholz, (651) 554-3042
metro area and outstate by arrangement
Beth Skwira, (651) 306-9623
carkim@earthlink.net
metro area
Helen Dougherty-Wakeman, (651) 770-1223
metro area
Judy Vermeulen, (651) 786-4040
testingbyjudy@aol.com
Twin Cities area
Julie Ritter, (651) 631-1443
djritterclan@usfamily.net
New Brighton & other metro locations by arrangement
Lisa Paschen, (952) 236-4038
lisa@paschencommunications.net
metro area
Wendy & Jonathan Friesen, (763) 229-5897
friesenpeabody@yahoo.com
metro area and outstate by arrangement
Michelle Sullivan, (651) 257-6719
Forest Lake area
Kim Doerfler, (952) 891-1628
kim4cm@frontiernet.net
South Suburbs, Farmington & Northfield area
Sara Floerke, (218) 624-7421
sarafloerke@charter.net
Duluth area
Betsy Trout, (320) 203-4478
betsyjim@charter.net
St. Cloud, Detroit Lakes and Central MN area
Testers listed above: Please contact us if there are any changes to your contact
information, or if you would like to be removed from this list.
echo-mn@earthlink.net
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Resources for Homeschooling Approaches
Following are descriptions of some common methods of teaching. Resources are listed where applicable.
Traditional
Often referred to as School-at-Home this approach attempts to replicate the school model in the home setting. Textbooks are used and a schedule is followed.
- The Educated Child
William Bennett
ISBN: 0684833492
- What your nth Grader Should Know
E.D. Hirsh
ISBN Varies
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Find it online...
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Classical
In
the Classical Approach children are taught tools of learning collectively
known as The Trivium. The Trivium has three parts: the
Grammar stage, the Dialectic stage and the Rhetoric Stage, each part
corresponding to a childhood developmental stage.
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Find it online...
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Unit Studies
A unit study takes a topic or theme and delves into it deeply over a period of time, integrating language arts, science, social studies, math and fine arts as they apply. Instead of studying subjects as unrelated, all subjects are blended together and studied around a common theme or project.
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Five in a Row
Literature-based unit study for children ages 2-12.
http://www.fiarhq.com/
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The Unit Study [Idea] Book
Valerie Bendt
ISBN: 1-880892-43-X
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How to Create your own Unit Study
Valerie Bendt
ISBN: 1880892421
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Find it online...
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Unschooling
Unschooling has many definitions. The main thread connecting these definitions is the idea that a less structured learning approach allows children to pursue their own interests and find personal meaning and purpose in learning. Children are surrounded with a rich learning environment and adults who model a lifestyle of learning.
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The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom
Mary Griffith
ISBN: 0761512764
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The Relaxed Home School
Mary Hood
ISBN: 0963974009
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Unschooling.Com
An unschooling resource and information sharing site.
www.unschooling.com
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Family Unschoolers Network
www.unschooling.org
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Find it online...
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Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason was a turn of the century British educator. She believed in treating children as persons, involving them in real life situations and allowing them to read living books, well written books that bring events to life. This method includes a strong emphasis on nature.
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FInd it online...
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Waldorf
This method is based on the philosophies of an Austrian educator named Rudolf Steiner. He felt that concepts should not be taught to young children. Instead, emphasis should be on creative play, imagination, imitation, games, crafts and artistic activities.
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Montessori
The Montessori method is based on the philosophies of Italian doctor/educator Maria Montessori. She believed that children should have freedom to develop their own physical, mental and spiritual growth. Self-motivation and self-education are stressed. Emphasis is placed on the proper use of tools and materials as opposed to fantasy and imaginative free play.
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Montessori at Home: a complete guide to teaching your preschooler at home using the Montessori method
Heidi Anne Spietz
ISBN: 0-929487-37-0
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Modern Montessori at Home: a creative teaching guide for parents of children six through nine years of age
Heidi Anne Spietz
ISBN: 0-929487-02-8
- Montessori Educational Products
www.michaelolaf.com
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Find it online...
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Eclectic
Most homeschoolers fall into this category. A blend of different approaches is used to create a homeschooling method that works best for your child and family. For example, one may use a traditional curriculum for math,unit studies to cover history, language arts, art and science and take music classes.
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Homeschool Adventures is your source for planning and joining in homeschooling field trips, classes, and events in Minnesota.
