Nadine Slavinski, a long time friend of mine and the author of several books, has just published a new title. Her latest book Lesson Plans Ahoy! is for sailing families who want to undertake educational activities with their children – but the practical, hands-on units she describes can be applied to many other contexts. It’s really about learning outside the classroom and in the real world.

Nadine writes:

Lesson Plans Ahoy! is a resource for sailing families heading out on a short cruise, an ocean crossing, or a year of home schooling. The book includes detailed instructions for six units in Science, Math, History, and Physical Education; all are designed to be fun, practical, and relevant to sailing children. Dissect a fish, graph resource use, and even exercise on board – have fun while learning! What were the consequences of Columbus’ “discovery” of America?  Why isn’t there a lunar eclipse every month? All units include tips on how to adapt the lessons to each child’s own level through a section called Age-Appropriate Adaptations.

My website, www.sailkidsed.net, lists many free resources for families interested in education, including recommended books and educational projects described online, as well as tips from families who home school their children aboard boats. Reviews of my book and links to recently published articles can also be found on the website.

Nadine is a sailor, teacher, and parent. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University and she has been teaching in international schools since 1996. A lifelong sailor, she took a 10,000 mile, year-long sailing sabbatical with her husband and four-year-old son. On their 35-foot sailboat, the family explored the Mediterranean, crossed the Atlantic, cruised the Caribbean, and sailed on to home waters in Maine.

More on Lesson Plans Ahoy!: Hands-on learning for sailing children and home schooling sailors (where a “Look Inside” feature allows browsing) from Amazon.com.

Again this evening, I played Parcheesi for the last five minutes of a lesson. Parcheesi, a classic race-and-chase game has been a favorite for more than 100 years.

Some might find it hard to believe, but this game can be played in or just for five minutes. It can be used in any language lesson, whether one-on-one or a small group. Remember, children do not always have to finish the game (which at times keeps us adults from even starting it).

The game requires only a simple command of language, such as counting numbers, choosing the color, reminders such as Du bist dran! (It’s your turn) etc.

Parcheesi board game (German version)

Capturing the other guy’s man will make any German speaker call out “Mensch!”, hence the name Mensch, ärgere Dich nicht! (Hey, don’t be upset!)

Most foreign students are quite intrigued about learning how to play the game. This game has been on the cover of German dictionaries, is seen at friends’ homes, in shop windows, and just about everywhere.

Being a bit old-fashioned I’d suppose, I am glad to hear when students went ahead to get their own Mensch ärgere Dich nicht to play it with friends and siblings.

Schmidt Spiele 49021 – Mensch ärgere Dich nicht from Amazon.de
Hasbro Parcheesi Royal Edition from Amazon.com

Mensch ärgere dich nicht is a German board game created  by Joseph Friedrich Schmidt.

Posted 03 November 2010

Applications are invited for the following position:

* Temporary elementary .5 position ESL teacher or .5 position learning support effective immediately until the end of the school year.

Applications should be in writing and directed to Peter Baker with copy to Rita De La Cruz within seven working days of this notice.

Ben and Marina have made a super Spanish-packed new video for you, full of useful phrases, with their new trademark analysis section in English at the end, so you don’t miss a thing!

Find out why Ben “está hecho un guarro”, why Marina “tiene una inquietud” (but isn’t “inquieta”!), and discover Ben’s sister’s excellent September Spanish learning trick.

Watch the new ¡A Por Ello! video on their blog.

They’ve listed all the great phrases in the blog post too, so you get to read and listen (just as you would with their podcast worksheets).

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.

-  John Lubbock -

The Pleasures of Life: Volume 2 from Amazon.de