Belinda Moore

“From the earliest times attempts have been made to classify individuals according to types, and so bring order to the chaos.” Carl Jung

Part Two – Left or Right Brained?

Continuing with my discussion on exploring labels in regard to learning, I will give a brief explanation of the left brained/right brained theory of neurological development. This concept was first popular in the 1970s when it was accepted that the left hemisphere of the brain controlled analysis and accuracy, while the right side was responsible for aesthetics and feeling. Of course, we use both hemispheres of our brains all the time. They interact with each other in complex ways and cooperate with other parts of the brain as well. The theory suggests though, that we all have a preference for one or the other hemisphere’s apparent functions.

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Tinaroo camp is on this weekend.  Details here, or email Grace.

After re-reading an article I wrote about our schedule in 2003, I was inspired to write about how we’re living and learning differently in 2007. (more…)

This was originally published in The Homeschool Sampler in 2003.

When asked about a typical week, I ponder over what to share… While our children all have a weekly routine of chores and “schoolwork”, what happens in reality often differs from what’s on paper. Sometimes we miss things, other times we exchange another activity, and occasionally we add in extra items. Simply looking at the children’s daily list of lessons doesn’t give a true example of our activities together and alone. I keep records of other learning that happens. (more…)

An article orginally written for Stepping Stones Magazine several years ago.

“Children are being freed to learn as nature intended” – just one comment I love from my recent research into why Australian parents are homeschooling their children. I have asked friends and mailing list members, read comments from studies on the subject, and gathered some reasons as to why so many are taking the plunge into home based learning in Australia. (more…)

The first known book published in Australia on the subject of homeschooling was: A Mother’s Offering to her Children by Mrs Charlotte Barton in 1841. It contained 13 chapters of true instructive and moral stories. It found widespread use among homeschooling mothers of the time. Homeschooling in Australia has a long history! (more…)

Seed Savers has just published a ninety page book, Seed to Seed Food Gardens in Schools.

Click on the title to download.  Enjoy!

It was quite surreal to hear John Taylor Gatto speak at the NHED Conference in Brisbane in May. Having read articles and books of his over a period of a few years, it all sounded so familiar but far more real. It has been good to see John Taylor Gatto in the Aussie media whilst he was in Australia. A little radical for some, but perhaps a real wake-up for those still debating classroom control, homework and class sizes…

Check out this interview on Radio National. Scroll about five-sixths of the way across the Breakfast Show to find the education section.

Also, this article in The Age.

And a couple of years ago I wrote this for Stepping Stones magazine.

While it is still very fresh in my mind, I thought I’d share some of what I experienced at the NHED Conference in Brisbane this past weekend.

The keynote speakers were fantastic - passionate John Taylor Gatto with his anti-establishment pearls of wisdom, Dr Alan Thomas who is so encouraging with his wealth of knowledge, research and observation, and Eleanor Sparks, the editor of Education Choices and respected Queensland homeschool advocate. There were dozens of workshops, tens of trade fair displays, snippets of time to connect with others…

As a volunteer I was very impressed with the willingness of other attendees to help out. A call over the microphone for some extra hands was met with enthusastic helpers and lightened the load incredibly. Thank you all!

At the Trade Fair I did a little shopping! I bought Nuri Mass’ The Wonderland of Nature from Downunder Literature, some Magnetic Poetry products from Abacus Teaching Aids and some Wacky But True magazines. I was rapt to meet up with Ilja Grawert, who had a lot to share and some fantastic ideas for future events. I learned a lot about (and joined) the HEA. I have a pile of brochures here so I can follow up on some other resources which caught my eye.