All Categories

The Covenant of Subtitles

8/23/2017

My son was angry.

Reading was so stressful
it turned his stomach into knots,
his eyes to tears,
and his emotions to rage.

When I decided to homeschool I made the commitment to do whatever it took to encourage my children to fall in love with learning.

On July 1st, I told Matthew that he no longer had to read anything.

Not. one. word.

I would do all of the reading until he decided he wanted to read.

No matter when that would be he was given full freedom to never read again unless it was his choice. He only needed to agree to following along when I read.

We had an accord.

A covenant was made.

In September we began our homeschooling journey.

Matthew’s grade 3 year started with that covenant in place. I read everything. He watched the words as I read.

He started to relax and enjoy stories, magazine and newspaper articles, even advertisements.

In mid-November it happened. Matthew wanted to read!

It had taken four and a half months of liberty for him to fall in love with the written word and to want to read again.

Years later, Matthew declared a secret;

“You know how I got good at reading?”

He beamed as he answered his own question,

photo credit: Prologue, Lego Lord of the Rings for Xbox 360

“I watched the subtitles on movies and video games.

I learned to read better by listening to the narrator tell me the story while I followed along with the words.”

It was then I realized, in those early months of our homeschooling journey,

"I had given Matthew the Covenant of Subtitles."

Do you have a disheartened and reluctant reader?

Offer them the Covenant of Subtitles ... it might be exactly what they need.

What strategies do you use to encourage your reluctant reader to read?

Let's get the conversation started...

0 Comments

The Benefits of Homeschooling and Why Parents Should NEVER Consider it

8/1/2017

0 Comments

Talk to a group of parents who have homeschooled their children and you’ll find those who LOVE it and those who HATE it. There won’t seem to be any grey area in between. It will be a black-and-white topic with which they will all agree ...

"Homeschooling is a commitment that isn’t for every parent"

... or is it?

Those who have tried homeschooling and HATE it realize the structure and time required to home educate is considerable; the process was overwhelming and caused stress, frustration, and feelings of isolation. Their child wasn’t eager to step outside-the-box to learn at home consequently it was a recipe for disaster and resignation.

Those who have tried homeschooling and LOVE it realize the structure and time required to home educate is considerable; the process was challenging but was met head-on with enthusiasm, determination, and a sense of community. Their child was willing to step outside-the-box to learn at home consequently it was a recipe for success and development.

The FACTS:

DO NOT consider homeschooling your child if you don't ...

delight in the opportunity to spend time guiding your child through academic, social, and life lessons,
feel energized when spending one-to-one time with your child, and
enjoy discovering their strengths and struggles with the intent to use that knowledge to direct your child in the way they should go.

The TRUTH:

Every parent is an educator.
Every parent has strengths which makes them well suited to homeschooling their child.
Every parent can successfully homeschool their child.

"The path to success may be uncomfortable at the start but,
when homeschooling is the best choice for the child,
the benefits are life-changing for everyone."

Have you ever considered homeschooling? Why or why not?

0 Comments

No Prep Required

7/26/2017

0 Comments

No Prep Required... what an enticing concept!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if No Prep Required was attainable in life?

"We live in a No Prep Required world. We want it flavourful, convenient, and instantaneous."

We want to pick something up and begin without investing any time or energy. After all, life is busy and preparation takes time we don’t have.

It has occurred to me lately that there is no such thing as No Prep Required. It is actually a sales tactic, a gimmick, a multi-tasking trend.

Everything in life requires some amount of preparation no matter what it is you’re about to experience.

"Let’s go to the beach!"

No Prep Required? Not likely, especially if you have children who will accompany you. I’m not sure about you but when my children were younger it could easily take us two hours to get prepped and ready for the beach. The list of items to bring was extensive and the time it took to get it organized was often ridiculous. But our best days at the beach were a result of all of that strategic planning and mindful preparation.

photo credit Healthy Women www.healthywomen.org http://www.healthywomen.org/sites/default/files/78630887.jpg

"Let’s sit outside on the patio!"

No Prep Required? A lot of prep went into the luxury of sitting outside to relax in your tranquil backyard. Who mowed the lawn and maintained the flowers? Who set out the furniture? Who prepared that delicious beverage with which you intend to indulge? Without those preparations you would not enjoy the experience at all.

photo credit Pinterest "California Backyard" https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/56/67/0d/56670d63696ab937eb153be08315d464.jpg

"Let’s paint or sew or bake or build a bird house!"

No Prep Required? Not even possible! A plan needs to be formulated, the materials need to be purchased and brought to the work space, and the items need to be organized and laid out in usable fashion, all before the fun can even begin.

photo credit https://i1.read01.com/uploads/08oh0y00.jpg

"And then I realized No Prep Required would actually cheat us of a very important step in any process."

Preparation of materials and surroundings brings a sense of accomplishment, builds up the anticipation to experiencing the project or activity, and provides a deeper sense of enjoyment and satisfaction throughout. A lot of valuable learning takes place in addition to the opportunity to plan our intentions of how we will navigate through the process and the privilege of having time to look forward to the final outcome.

"No Prep Required is a myth and I’m actually glad for that!"

How much prep is actually required in your life?
Do you find enjoyment in preparing for your favourite activity?

0 Comments

LETTERS© Dip

7/24/2017

1 Comment

LETTERS© has been quiet since we occupied space at a homeschool convention in 2016. Most of our customers have been silent. We have filled our time with endeavours and pursuits that required more energy than resources. Many of my days have been devoted to health and healing, recovery and rejuvenation. Momentum has all but ceased …

... LETTERS© has been in a Dip.

It has been very difficult for me to admit but LETTERS© hasn’t been serving struggling learners in the way we intended or in how I envisioned. I have been discouraged, disappointed, and I have often wondered if I should pack it all away, put it on a shelf, and quit as the costs have seemingly been far greater than the rewards. Moving forward appeared even more painful and truthfully, impossible.

But after diving into Seth Godin’s book, The Dip, I realized LETTERS© is not something to quit. I recognize there are too many learners struggling to persevere through their Dip; struggling to move forward into their full potential. Too many of them are submitting to the strain and contemplating quitting at school, at work, and at life. For this reason I must persist to make LETTERS© their best path to literacy. Their world depends on it!

And therefore … I choose to stick. To stick with the calling that is too loud to ignore. To stick with my commitment to those who have lost hope. To stick with them so they conquer their Dip. And to encourage them to emerge as successful participants of language and society.

“Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff.
Have the guts to do one or the other.” ~Seth Godin

What are you choosing to stick with and why?

Have you read Seth Godin’s book, The Dip?
What did you love about it?

If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend digging in. It might be just what you need to get you through your Dip!

1 Comment

Let your light shine... even in the face of adversity.

7/25/2016

0 Comments

"The world of possibilities opens wide for those who let their light shine."

Everyone struggles with something. Sometimes the struggle is visible for the world to see immediately. Sometimes the challenge is not so obvious. It’s a silent companion which simply gives clues to being present. It is not loud and is not easily discovered. Sometimes it's a combination of both.

When we rise to our challenge, dig deep and draw from that place of strength inside us, it is then that we make more of ourselves than anyone thought possible. It is then that we inspire others and prove that with courage and determination we are capable of more than even we can imagine.

0 Comments

Today the rain...

6/10/2016

1 Comment

photo courtesy of Em Rose Photography

Today the rain falls silently on the earth.
The sun’s splendor is hidden from my eyes.
I cannot feel the warmth of its radiance,
but my heart remembers its beauty.

My mind’s eye can change the rain to rays of sun
making each equal and warm to my skin.
I can change the clouds into the blue skies it replaces.

If I close my eyes,
I can see it all there before me,
as if there is no rain at all.

When I open my eyes, I am pleased for I know that today the sun is warming other souls, sharing its beauty with them, leaving its lasting impression upon their hearts.

Maybe tomorrow blue skies will appear and the splendor of faith will send me to great heights, because the sun is there, just like I expect it to be.

~Michelle (van Houttum) Kapelle
Written in 1984

1 Comment

Calling All Dreamers...

5/14/2016

1 Comment

Calling all dreamers and optimistic fools,
Don't let go of your dream make it now, make it all come true,
If you believe in a brighter day, I know we can find our way.
~The Nylons, This Island Earth

I have always been a dreamer.

Some would even say I am an optimistic fool.

But I have a dream that I can’t let go of... or more appropriately,

“I have a calling that won’t let go of me.”

From LETTERS© Calendar Expansion Pack, Artist ~Emily Duncan

I believe in a brighter day.

As a matter of fact that is what fuels my passion to design and create.

From LETTERS© Module 1 Curriculum 1.1, Artist ~Emily Duncan

I think about the struggling learner who is ready to give up because reading is just too hard. Their angst and agony of failed attempts at reading is too painful to accept. They realize they are different from their peers and they hate themselves for it. They are on a downward spiral and they want to quit learning completely. Their outlook is bleak and they see nothing positive in their future.

From LETTERS© The Printing House Expansion Pack, Artist ~Emily Duncan

But we can give those learners a new future.

We have the resources to provide exceptional opportunities so they can discover their strengths. We can give positive learning experiences to help them confidently navigate their way on this island earth.

From LETTERS© Calendar Expansion Pack, Artist ~Emily Duncan

My dream is to make a difference in the lives of struggling learners.

To show them a brighter future through interactive, innovative, and inspiring curriculum and resources.

My dream is to provide meaningful work for those who have talent and skills beyond measure.

From LETTERS© The Printing House Expansion Pack, Artist ~Emily Duncan

And so...
I will continue to answer the call
to make a brighter future for all.

Michelle Kapelle, LETTERS; Artist ~ Emily Duncan; Revised by ~Stephanie Kapelle

Discover. Educate. Inspire.

A Brighter Future for All

1 Comment

BC CHEC April 29-30 2016

5/4/2016

0 Comments

Stephanie Kapelle, Michelle Kapelle

BC CHEC 2016 was a tremendous success for LETTERS©.

LETTERS© designs curriculum and resources for early literacy and provides differentiated learning for struggling students.

Thank you to Shandra Weibe, Erin Duncan, and the team of HCOS teachers and volunteers who worked long hours to put BC CHEC together!

Thank you to all those who supported us in preparing for the tradeshow!
Reinhard, Matthew, Emily & Cal, Karen Autio, Rosemary van Houttum, Bonnie Derksen, Jenn McKay, the ladies of Evening Edition, our small group, Julian and Jessica (Creative Trophies & Gifts), Ursula and her team at UBR Printing Services, and the many others who have been cheering us on!

Michelle Kapelle, Rosemary van Houttum, Stephanie Kapelle, Karen Autio

BC CHEC gave us opportunities to connect with the educators and families who are looking for something new to use with their students.

In addition we were excited to be able to showcase new and updated products.

We were privileged to meet with Cynthia Duncalfe of Cornerstone Learning Resources who offered suggestions on pricing and product enhancement.

Thank you to those who visited our booth! It was a pleasure to meet you.
Your suggestions and ideas will be used to serve you and your students better.

Check out the changes we've already made by clicking the button below...

Discover. Educate. Inspire.

0 Comments

Guest Post by Karen Autio

1/28/2016

0 Comments

Imagine you cannot read this sentence.

All you see is a row of jumbled symbols.

Yet everyone around you CAN read. Imagine the frustration, the embarrassment. There are many reasons why people struggle to learn to read.

I know someone who is passionate about helping struggling readers. I have the privilege of editing Michelle Kapelle's LETTERS© educational materials, to see firsthand the thoughtful design of the structured teaching that is presented in an interesting, fun format suitable for any age. Her curriculum and hands-on discovery kits are working, transforming struggling individuals into eager learners.

But Michelle and LETTERS© need help to take the next step.
Please join me in giving what you can to ensure she and LETTERS© can move forward in developing their unique educational resources.

Thank you so much!
Karen Autio

Karen Autio

0 Comments

Thank You for the New LETTERS Products!

1/27/2016

0 Comments

Julian & Jessica of Creative Trophies & Gifts
have been hard at work manufacturing LETTERS© products.
We are so thankful for their time and talents!

Featured: wooden letters from LETTERS© Uppercase and Lowercase Puzzle Boards, LETTERS© The Printing House Animals, and LETTERS© Dry-Erase Sheet Protector manufactured by Creative Trophies & Gifts in Kelowna;
LETTERS© The Printing House Journal Booklet printed at UBR Printing Services;
LETTERS© The Printing House Animals were hand-drawn using a Wacom tablet by illustrator Emily Duncan.

Creative Trophies & Gifts

Featured: a look-inside LETTERS© The Printing House Journal Booklet and the closed-cover LETTERS© The Printing House Practise Booklet printed by UBR Printing Services in Lake Country;
wooden letters from LETTERS© Uppercase and Lowercase Puzzle Boards, LETTERS© The Printing House Animals, and LETTERS© Dry-Erase Sheet Protector manufactured by Creative Trophies & Gifts.

UBR Printing Services

 Discover. Educate. Inspire.

0 Comments

<<Previous

Author

I am Michelle Kapelle. I have been an educator for over 29 years.

I have learned a lot through my experiences in tutoring, parenting, and observing; I look forward to sharing what I have learned with the hope that you will find helpful information and encouragement within these posts.

You are welcome here!

Author

Archives

Categories