By: Evan Britton, ResourceWebs

Business Insider Tools Contributer

Link:  http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-web-can-assist-with-homeschooling-2011-2

This article contains a list of  Internet based home schools, home school curriculum sources and other useful home school websites.

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Letting ‘kids be kids’

by Lauren Rees, The Register-Mail

Read more, and find out how this busy Illinois mother of five gets it done.

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“Evidence suggests that home-schooling in America is a growing trend. In a weeklong web-only series, TODAYshow.com reports on the challenges and creative opportunities presented by this approach to education.”

Read More…

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Today, I noticed that the Hasbro and The Discovery Channel’s new network, The Hub is available On Demand.

To be fair, I am going to review the line-up that they have available to On Demand customers.  Yes, my previous post was less than approving of this venture.  However, I can not be totally biased, and not review it.

Here’s an article concerning the On Demand program listings.  The availability may be different in your area.

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As of October 10, 2010 The Discovery Kids (DK kids) Channel will become a horrendous product latten channel called The Hub.

“In April 2009, Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc., announced a joint venture to create a rebranded U.S. television network, The Hub, dedicated to high-quality children’s and family entertainment.  The Hub will launch in October 2010 on the current Discovery Kids in the U.S.  Discovery Kids will continue to operate under its current brand outside of the U.S.”

Source:  http://corporate.discovery.com/brands/us/discovery-kids/

That’s right Discovery Kids will continue to be available outside of the US.  I am livid.  My daughter cried for an hour, and was sad for days about her favorite channel leaving.  Sure, she likes “Strawberry Shortcake”, but she loves “Growing Up Creepie” and “Tutinstein”.  She loves “Hi-5”, “Wilbur”, “Kenny the Shark”.

Our children are constantly under a barrage of adverts.  Now “the only place on television devoted to helping kids explore the real world – from the depths of the ocean to outer space to self-awareness” is turning into a 50/50 joint venture to reach a broad audience of malleable minds in which to promote Hasbro’s toy line.

“PAWTUCKET, R.I., and SILVER  SPRING, Md. – Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) and Discovery Communications (Nasdaq:  DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today announced an agreement to form a 50/50 joint  venture, including a television network and website, dedicated to high-quality  children’s and family entertainment and educational programming built around  some of the most well-known and beloved brands in the world.   As part of the transaction, the joint  venture also will receive a minority interest in the U.S. version of Hasbro.com.

Both the network and the venture’s  online component will feature content from Hasbro’s rich portfolio of  entertainment and educational properties built over the past 90 years, including  original programming for animation, game shows, and live-action series and  specials.  New programming will be based  on brands such as ROMPER ROOM, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, SCRABBLE, CRANIUM, MY LITTLE  PONY, G.I. JOE, GAME OF LIFE, TONKA and TRANSFORMERS, among many others. The TV  network and online presence also will include content from Discovery’s  extensive library of award-winning children’s educational programming, such as BINDI  THE JUNGLE GIRL, ENDURANCE, TUTENSTEIN, HI-5, FLIGHT 29 DOWN and PEEP AND THE  BIG WIDE WORLD, as well as programming from third-party producers. 

“Hasbro continues to evolve  as a company with an unwavering vision of reimagining the potential of our  incredible portfolio of brands well beyond traditional toys and games,” said  Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s President and CEO.   “Today, consumers are embracing our powerful brands through unique and  immersive entertainment and educational experiences in a number of areas,  including movies and new digital platforms.”

Source:  http://www.hasbro.com/corporate/media/press-releases/hasbro-discovery-joint-venture.cfm

They mention educational programming, yet all of the educational programming will only be available on their website. 

Luckily, DK kids is not really the only educational channel, there is still Sprout and NPT (National Public Television).  But, this really, really, stinks.  Thanks Discovery Channel (serious sarcasm).

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Link:  More black parents turn to home schooling as alternative

By Christopher Nelson4:58 PM on 09/27/2010

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[This link will send you to Whitehouse.gov]

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In addition, I will be trying a different method of instruction – focusing on multiple levels of one topic of study (mostly) for a week – or two, if necessary, before moving on to the next topic. I will also be using unit studies.

Finally, we will use a tad bit of unschooling, or Natural Learning, which is a philosophy of child-led learning.

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