Posts by Crystal Javier

What Social Emotional Learning Skills Can Be Developed From The Game Of Chess?

Posted on by Crystal Javier

Guest:

Marc Jong

Topic:

Marc Jong talks about the value of using chess as a tool to teach social emotional learning skills. He started the Chess Club with IDEA in the Anchorage office after having success with it as a class in the building-based school system. Find out how you can incorporate this game into your homeschool routine or start a club in your region.

Guest Biography:

Marc Jong is a contact teacher with IDEA Homeschool in Anchorage. He is a recreational chess enthusiast and enjoys supporting families with their homeschool journeys. He loves reading, writing, placer mining for gold, teaching chess and financial literacy. He has used chess in a variety of educational settings to support and teach social emotional learning, planning, flexible thinking, managing resources, balancing emotional, creative, and logical thinking.

Resource Links:

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-playing-chess https://news.cehd.umn.edu/why-you-should-consider-learning-chess-online/

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/26/rediscovering-chess-and-its-positive-effects-on-mental-healt

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/11/harvard-researcher-turns-to-chess-for-insights-on-brain-health/

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:34 — 18.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

How Can Homeschooling Facilitate A Growth Mindset?

Posted on by Crystal Javier

Dan Kullander shares his passion for teaching kids how to use a growth mindset in the academic setting. From a young child to adolescence and adulthood, the language of a growth mindset can be a powerful tool for everyone. Lindsay discloses a tragic accident she experienced and how having a growth mindset has been crucial for her mental health. There are many resources discussed that parents can take away and not only cultivate them in the homeschool setting, but also in life.

Guest Bio:
Dan Kullander is Lead Teacher at the IDEA Eagle River office.  He grew up in Juneau, Alaska, and has worked with children in preschool, private school, public school, and church ministry settings.  Dan and his wife began homeschooling their 4 boys through IDEA more than 12 years ago and have seen firsthand the amazing opportunities homeschool has to offer.  In 2019, Dan and his family moved to the Anchorage area, where he joined the IDEA staff as a Contact Teacher.  Growth Mindset has been a particular area of interest for Dan during his educational studies. He continues to explore it through discussions with colleagues, homeschooling families, and his own children.

Resource Links:

Books:
—Growth Mindset, by Carol Dweck
—What’s Math Got to Do with it; & Mathematical Mindsets, by Jo Boaler
—Do Hard Things, by Alex & Brett Harris (faith-based resource)

Online Resources:
ClassDojo – YouTube  (Search “Growth Mindset” for a 5-part series.)     
https://www.mindsetworks.com/default
https://www.perts.net/
http://learningandtheadolescentmind.org/home.html

Videos:
Carol Dweck TED Talk: The power of believing that you can improve | Carol Dweck – YouTube
BBC Clip on Learning and the Brain: Resources (learningandtheadolescentmind.org)
Carol Dweck: The Effect of Praise on Mindsets: Carol Dweck: The Effect of Praise on Mindsets – YouTube

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:45 — 12.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

What Homeschooling Insights Can Be Derived From IDEA’s History?

Posted on by Crystal Javier

In this episode, we learn about IDEA’s origin and foundation of our mission and values. Lindsay talks with Carol Simpson, a homeschooling parent who was one of the first employees that has been instrumental in creating and maintaining IDEA’s focus on homeschooling parents being the expert educators. Carol discusses the importance of mentors as well as the creation and importance of Parent Advisory Committees (PAC).

Guest Biography:
Carol Simpson started homeschooling her first-born in 1986. She and her husband were attending Bible school and had few funds for homeschool materials, so she relied heavily on the library, bought and borrowed used materials, and made her own learning games. The IDEA homeschool program began in 1997 with two hired homeschool parents including Carol, to help create a program that honored homeschooling parents as their students first and best teachers. She homeschooled all seven over 31 years while continuing to help build IDEA from the ground up. One of her impactful roles with IDEA is organizing the annual Curriculum Fair. Carol’s favorite thing about homeschooling was all the things that she got to learn alongside her children each year, and her favorite thing about her job is helping other parents experience that same delight!

Resource Links:
https://www.ideafamilies.org/why-enroll-with-idea/
https://www.ideafamilies.org/tips-for-new-homeschoolers/

Related Resources for Enrolled Families:
https://www.ideafamilies.org/fair/
https://www.ideafamilies.org/first-steps/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:23 — 12.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS