About the Homeschool Resource Center (HRC)
Questions, Answers and other Helpful Information about the
Homeschool Resource Center (HRC)
In 2001 the Johnsburg Public Library received a $55,000 grant to establish a Homeschool Resource Center, which today is located in the library's former Study Room. Funding for this grant was provided by the Illinois State Library, a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using federal LSTA funding.
With the HRC's materials you can 'try before you buy' a wide variety of curriculum materials including Sonlight, Alpha Omega, Rosetta Stone, Singapore Math or Five in a Row and see if they are right for your family's unique needs before you start spending a lot of money on things that may or may not work.
Q: What exactly is in the HRC?
- books and magazines about homeschooling
- curriculum materials for all grade levels and in many formats including book, video, and computer-based materials
- science equipment such as glassware, microscopes and telescopes and kits for learning about everything from DNA to optics
- math manipulatives
- educational board games, software and music
- catalogs from homeschool suppliers
Q: Who can use the HRC?
A: Anyone at all! You do not need to homeschool. We do require children to be accompanied by an adult, however, because of the many small pieces and fragile items.
Q: May I check things out?
A. Anyone with a valid, full service, Illinois public library card may check out items. If you live out of state, you may purchase a Johnsburg Public Library card that is valid in Illinois only at the Johnsburg Library. Contact the library director for cost information.
We do remind you though that while book items may be returned to any Illinois library, they should be returned at least 2 weeks before they are due to allow for transit time. All non-book items need to be returned directly to the Johnsburg Library.
It is also very important that you understand you are responsible for all of the pieces of any item you check out. Please count everything before you leave and again before you return it.
Q: How long may I keep the items?
A: All items in the HRC can be checked out for 6 weeks. You may renew the items for an additional 6 weeks as long as there are no holds on the item.
Q: How is the HRC collection arranged?
A: The materials are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System. We cannot arrange books by grade level because too many materials are for multiple grade levels. Here is a quick guide:
000 Generalities
020 Library & information sciences
100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
320 Political science
330 Economics
340 Law
370 Education
390 Customs, etiquette, folklore
400 Languages
425 English grammar
500 Natural sciences & math
510 Mathematics
512 Algebra
513 Arithmetic
516 Geometry
530 Physics
540 Chemistry & allied sciences
550 Earth sciences
570 Life sciences
600 Technology (Applied sciences)
700 The arts
800 Literature & rhetoric
810 American literature in English
811 Poetry
812 Drama
815 Speeches
900 Geography & history
Other Helpful Information
Children's Historical Fiction and Math Literature Lists
The library purchased a large number of Historical Fiction titles for children with grant funds. All of these books are shelved in the regular juvenile and young adult fiction collections. They have been marked with a green "Historical Fiction" label on the spine. Check the listing of Historical Fiction for Children (note: this item takes a while to load) for titles and time periods.
Also available is a listing of the Math Literature located in the library. Be sure to check out these wonderful resources!
Bulletin Board
There is a bulletin board in the HRC for anyone to post information about local homeschooling events or offers on. The Johnsburg Public Library in no way endorses or checks the information posted on the bulletin board, so please use the information on it with discretion.
Need Personal Assistance?
We have an educational consultant who is available for FREE one-on-one consultations at the library on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Although she is there most Tuesday mornings for drop ins, if you have a long drive and you have not already made an appointment with her please call the library at 815-344-0077 before you leave just to make sure she is available that day.
Homeschool Internet Resources
How To Begin Homeschooling
If you are looking for information on how to begin homeschooling, background information and legal information is available at the following sites:
National
Ann Zeise has created this wonderful, informative and very well maintained site. No matter where you live or what your personal philosophies toward homeschooling are, you will find useful information here.
Provides support and resources to those who favor "learner-centered" education, including certain types of homeschooling.
Comprehensive resources for the home educator.
Advocates for the rights of homeschoolers and the right of parents to direct their children's education. Though a Christian organization, it works on behalf of both secular and religious homeschoolers.
This information network for state and local homeschoolers has become very well respected in its short existence. NHEN is known for keeping accurate information on their web site and for their support of all faiths and styles of homeschooling.
This Christian non-profit organization has done a great deal of research on and about homeschooling over the past decade or so. Some information is available on line.
Illinois Specific Information
Statewide non-denominational site has very accurate state legal information (including samples of form letters and procedures), a field trip page of ideas of what to see and where to go near you, and the best homeschool supplier list I have seen on any state or national list to date.
Good information about how to contact your state and national legislators, Illinois law, our annual legislative day and much more.
Information about IL law, conventions, support groups and more.
This independent site has a wealth of information on everything from removing a child from an Illinois school in the middle of the year to driver's education classes and graduation requirements.
Information Useful for Librarians
Some pages for you to look at if you are considering adding a Homeschool Resource Center to your library.
Eight Styles of Homeschooling
School-at-Home -
This is the most familiar style to those of us who attended schools ourselves. Generally it involves four or more subjects a day, taught during specific time periods. Generally this style uses prepackaged purchased curricula, but certainly not always.
Classical (Trivium) -
Classical Education organizes education into three Biblical categories. These three categories are Grammar, Logic & Rhetoric, otherwise known as knowledge (learning the facts), understanding (organizes the facts into rational order), and wisdom (taking that knowledge and understanding and uses it in practical ways). This is the original liberal arts education. Memorization, dialogue, writing and languages are stressed.
Charlotte Mason -
A Christian-based philosophy of education that stresses good literature (rather than textbooks), copying of relevant materials, and dictation. Nature walks are stressed throughout. Structure is crucial and training of good habits begins in infancy.
Waldorf -
is a non-Christian spiritually based program featuring delayed academics and a rich variety of music, arts and literature. The aim of Waldorf education is to educate the whole child -- head, heart and hands. The curriculum is geared to the child's stages of development and brings together all elements -- intellectual, artistic, spiritual and movement. The goal is to produce individuals who are able, in and of themselves, to impart meaning to their lives. Rituals of daily and seasonal life are strongly emphasized.
Montessori -
The original works of Maria Montessori have been gravely distorted here in America by a lack of copyrights on her name, but the original concept was to respect the child's inner desire to learn and allow him/her to make spontaneous and free choices within a carefully prepared environment (structure the environment, not the child). The role of the adult is to observe and use brief teachable moments to introduce new concepts (usually by doing the activity quietly herself and waiting for a child to ask a question about it).
Unit Study Approach -
Unit studies can be as flexible or structured as a family wants. They allow for a great deal of individual choice in both the choice of units to be done and in the materials used. It is usually an in-depth study of one specific topic (baseball, the planets, trees, puffins) that takes into account many areas of the topic, such as geography, science, history, art, etc. It is a complete immersion into the topic so that the student will see things as a "whole" instead as isolated subject areas.
Unschooling -
Unschooling is not how something is done, but why. Unschooling is the belief that all people, no matter how old or young, have a built in desire to learn (unless that desire has been crushed by outside forces). It is a belief that if you allow a person of any age to pursue their own interests throughout life they will end up gaining the knowledge they will need in order to pursue the life they want. Unschoolers use textbooks, movies, classrooms and correspondence courses, museums and magazines, jobs and volunteer positions (and the rest of the world) to learn. Unschooling is not, however, never saying no and letting the wolves raise your children.
Eclectic -
A unique to each family combination of several of the styles listed above. This is really what most homeschooling families are. Home school educators tend to, after the first year or so, pick and choose from a wide variety of philosophies and curriculum that meet the unique needs of their children.
Who are Homeschoolers and What do They Want?
To Feel Welcomed: Homeschoolers want to be welcome to use the library during school hours. Many complain of librarians who frown at them and ask them why they are there during school hours. Yet, what better place to learn?
Late readers: There are many different educational philosophies, some of which encourage delaying teaching reading until after the age of 8 or 10. Some homeschooled children also have difficulty with reading skills, just as some traditionally schooled children may. They are coming to the library looking for help. Please do not judge the parents to be neglectful or the children to be 'behind' for this.
Grade Levels: Many home school children are at several different grade levels of curriculum. They may be in 4th grade math and 2nd grade grammar. The question "What grade are you in?" is often not an easy one or a comfortable one. Please ask instead what grade level book they are looking for.
Special Needs: Many homeschoolers have children that have special educational needs. In fact, many have left the school systems because of special needs and they are struggling to meet them at home instead.
The need could be for age appropriate yet high school level reading material for an 8 year old - or for books that don't look childish but are of a low level for an older student. Educators for decades have long sought such materials, and homeschoolers are no different. Knowing the books in your collection that fit these unique needs is a terrific boon to homeschoolers.
Confidentiality: Many homeschoolers fear losing their right to homeschool. They fear that they will be harassed or that laws will change and if they are known in the community they will lose their right to homeschool.
Please be aware that many homeschoolers will worry that if they give a library their name and phone number on a homeschool contact list that that information might be given to another governmental agency. Some even fear coming forth as a homeschooler for fear that the library staff will report them as truant. Trust is hard won in many cases, and takes time.
McHenry County Homeschooling Groups
MCHENRY COUNTY HOMESCHOOL
GROUPS CONTACT LIST
This contact list is for the exclusive purpose of helping homeschoolers to find the support group right for their family. This list is not to be used to promote sales, events, or any religious or political causes. Anyone found to use this list for a purpose other than intended will be publicly named and homeschoolers throughout the state will be asked to boycott your cause, service or other promotion.
If you have an event or service the specifically relates to homeschooling you may promote it by 1) sending it to the Johnsburg Library and 2) asking the list owner of: MCHENRY CO HOMESCHOOL HAPPENINGS to post it on her site.
List owner: McHenry_Co_Homeschool_Happenings-owner@yahoogroups.com
The list here is getting long, so we are now dividing it into three categories.
SUPPORT GROUPS
(where families get together for social time, activities and field trips),
COOPERATIVES
(where parents teach each other's students and volunteer hours are typically required) and
SUPPLIERS OF HOMESCHOOLING CLASSES
are each listed in their own categories.
SUPPORT GROUPS:
BARRINGTON AREA HOMESCHOOLERS
For membership information, call:
Sherry Bennett, at 815-444-8183 or
Barb Olsson, at 847-658-0229
CHEER
A Christian support group with monthly Mom's meetings, they meet at the Crystal Lake EV Free Church with occasional family oriented field trips and park days over the summer. A Statement of Faith is only required for board members.
Madeline Becker
815-459-3043
GENESIS
Genesis is a non-denominational Christian parent support group that meets in Marengo.
Patty Vlahakis
815-568-1667
HARVEST HOMESCHOOLERS
We have been asked to keep all information about this Christian CL group private.
HERITAGE HOMESCHOOL GROUP
HHG is a Christian mother's support group that meets once a month in Harvard. A children's enrichment group is also available and meets once a week. They offer occasional field trips for member's children. Statement of Faith required.
Karen Savino
815-943-1934
HOPE
We have been asked to keep all information about this Christian Woodstock group private.
HUNTLEY AREA HOMESCHOOLERS
This group is an on-line group with occasional in real life gatherings.
Kate Eeg
847-669-5569
MCHENRY CO HOMESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
The homeschooling community of McHenry County, IL is widespread and diverse. This e-group is designed to help all of us in McHenry County stay in touch with one another, share our group events with one another, and help each other find the local resources we need to succeed beyond
our wildest dreams. This group is for all McHenry County homeschoolers no matter your educational philosophy, curriculum, or religious background and is not intended to discuss those issues. Respect for all is mandatory.
Web Page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/McHenry_Co_Homeschool_Happenings/
List owner: McHenry_Co_Homeschool_Happenings-owner@yahoogroups.com
MCHENRY CO H.O.U.S.E.
McHenry Co. H.O.U.S.E. is a chapter of Illinois H.O.U.S.E., a non-sectarian and all-inclusive group for child and parent peer support. They meet throughout the year in Crystal Lake and Woodstock. Please call for meeting's current time and location.
Lorri Kunz
815-568-4548
MC UNSCHOOLING
This is an on-line and in real life support group dedicated to the unschooling lifestyle.
Carla Gibson
815-459-5012
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
OTBP is an inclusive support network of unschooling families based in Lake & McHenry Counties, Illinois.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OffTheBeatenPath/
Michelle Chelap
OffTheBeatenPath-owner @ yahoogroups.com
OPEN H.O.U.S.E.
Open H.O.U.S.E. is a chapter of Illinois H.O.U.S.E., a non-sectarian and all-inclusive group for child and parent peer support. Open H.O.U.S.E. meets in various locations throughout SE McHenry Co. and includes field trips, and more.
Carla Gibson
815-459-5012
SOCIETY OF ST. SCHOLASTICA HOMESCHOOLERS
This Catholic support group offers mom’s meetings the third Friday of the month in private homes throughout the region. Support for the entire family in the form of field trips and activities such as spelling bees, recitals, rosary making sessions, and May Crowning ceremonies help to immerse the children in their Catholic culture.
Cindy Lesniewski
815-675-9402
COOPERATIVES:
APPLE TREE NORTH
A Biblically based cooperative learning enrichment program for homeschoolers pre-K - 12th grade. Provide hands-on supplements to your home curriculum including PE, drama, art, sports, music, accountability, fellowship and fun. Registration is full for the 2006-2007 school year. They meet once a week in Fox Lake, IL.
Iris Bowman
847-566-2018
APPLE TREE SOUTH
A Christian educational support group and teaching cooperative for pre-K through High School. They meet three times monthly + one monthly field trip throughout the school year and have a monthly mom’s night out as well as other activities. During the summer they meet at Veteran's Acres Park in Crystal Lake the first and third Fridays of each month, starting at 11:00 a.m. To join, there is an interview process and statement of faith. They meet in Cary. Registration by August for upcoming year. Call about visiting day.
Dorothy Robin
815-337-7125
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC HOMESCHOOLING CO-OP
We are a group of families that get together twice a month to share teaching time, fellowship and fun. We meet every other Friday at Holy Apostles Catholic Church. As indicated by our name, we celebrate the traditions of the Roman Catholic Faith, but we welcome members from all faiths. All parents are asked to participate either by teaching a class (subjects are determined by the members at the beginning of the year) or by acting in a support capacity. We are currently accepting new members.
Jennifer Aleksiun
(815) 653-1443
Petkkat @ aol.com (mush together to get it to work)
H.E.A.R.T. (Homeschool Enrichment Achieved Respectfully Together)
is a nine-month, weekly program for homeschooled children that
supplements the teaching they receive at home through qualified instruction in the areas
of art, science, Spanish, music and physical education. In addition, students are exposed to a wide variety of other subjects during month-long unit studies taught by parent volunteers. The program is on Thursdays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at The Village Church of Barrington. No Statement of Faith required. Tuition is $810 a year per student with a volunteer hour comittment. They are full for the 2006-2007 school year but there is a waiting list.
Jennifer Burns
847-713-2674
CLASSES:
THE ARK
Christian group offering a wide variety of services including workshops, classes, and tutoring for all ages. Their Harvard based facilities offer a Resource Library, Discovery Center and more. For details please visit http://www.educaremissions.org or contact:
Laura
815-258-6821
info @ educaremissions.org
CLASSICAL CONSORTIUM
New classical education academic program designed for 3rd through 12th grades meets on Mondays and gives the curriculum for the rest of the week at home. Village Church of Barrington. Tuition is $1200 for the year with no volunteer hour comittments. No SOF required for student families.
Jennifer Burns
847-713-2674
HOMESCHOOL P.E. - BECAUSE KIDS COUNT!
Classes are at the Regional Sports Center in Crystal Lake and are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m. for 7-12th grades or 10-11 a.m. for K-6th grades. Sessions are Sept. 5th-Oct. 26th, Nov. 2nd-Jan. 11th, Jan. 16th-Mar. 8th, and Mar. 13th-May 10th.
Please contact Mike at 815-385-4804 or Courtney at 815-477-9436
MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE HOMESCHOOL FRIDAYS
These are non-credit/no grade two hour classes offered at McHenry County College on eight consecutive Fridays for home schooled students. Three eight week sessions are scheduled during the academic year, fall, winter and spring. A certificate with class hours is given to each student at the last day of classes.
Marie Frostman
(815) 479-7559
mfrostma @ mchenry.edu
HEARTLAND HOME SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
The purpose of the workshops is to provide high quality, academically challenging, spiritually uplifting classes to supplement, support, encourage, but not to replace, what is being learned at home. Our workshops are a unique educational experience in that we combine a high level of commitment from parents, students, and teachers. Interview and SOF required.
Karen Forst
815-337-1508
forst2 @ sbcglobal.net
This list was designed for McHenry County Libraries and their patrons. If you know of any additions or changes, please contact Kathy Wentz at 847-497-4407 or through the Johnsburg Public Library. Page last updated 8/10/2006.
