A new service is being offered to homeschooled children thanks to the efforts of Ozark Acres resident Krisellen Lang.
Lang, who holds a multitude of degrees from Eastern Illinois University including: botany, zoology, environmental biology, education and chemistry, volunteers her time one day a week at the Williford Library to hold free classes.
“I just know that a lot of students here are homeschooled. A lot of the parents don’t have any kind of real science background, and I think it’s important, especially in our current global climate that we need to help our kids learn about science.” Lang said. “So, I offered the homeschool groups the opportunity to have me, do basic science classes with their kids.”
The classes, which are held each Tuesday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m at the Williford Library have covered a plethora of topics.
When asked for examples, Lang said she is offering building blocks in common sense ways.
“So far, we started with cells, how all living things are made of cells and how plant cells all have cell walls that allow them to be more structurally strong. So one of the examples I gave the kids was that a redwood tree in California can grow to be 400 feet tall. But, a giraffe is the tallest animal that we have, and you’d have to stack 20 of them on top of each other in order to hit the same height as a tree, Lang said. “That’s because trees have cell walls and animals don’t. We just don’t have that much structural support. We also talked about how a whole bunch of different cells come together to make individuals and then a bunch of individuals come together to make communities and ecosystems.”
They have covered plant science and are currently learning about animal science. Invertebrates, vertebrates, characteristics and classification were discussed during the most recent class, and future plans include basics of physical, chemical, astronomical and earth sciences.
Lang, who has four adult children of her own explained she misses educating children and enjoys sharing the knowledge she has gained over the years with others.
“I love teaching and I love kids. I love to tell people things that they didn’t know before, in simple ways that make more sense than perhaps they hear in regular school” Lang said. “I taught my four every day, all day. Everything we did was educational. Most people would consider it unconventional, the way of educating my kids, but it was just a constant unobtrusive every day thing. They’re adults now and they can tell you that they appreciate it, understand it and are grateful for it.”
When asked why she chose the Williford Library as her location for education, Lang explained libraries are a place of learning and the librarian Bernadine Hull was highly receptive to the idea.
“Miss Bernardine (Hull) has graciously allowed us to come in and be a little loud on Tuesdays. Some mild apologies to the library patrons who used to come in on that day, but education is valuable and we have a great partnership and place to hold class.”
At this time, classes are open to children ages five and above, but some exceptions can be made depending on a child’s maturity level.
“Originally I had said five and up, but I do right now have several four year olds. I ask them to follow common courtesy and etiquette as they would in a school situation. I want them to have the experience of interacting with kids that they don’t usually interact with, interacting with adults that they don’t usually interact with,” Lang said. “I also ask that the parents stay out of sight during our class time because children tend to act differently when they can see their parents. If the parents want to stay at the library, that’s fine, but they need to be out of sight.”
The classes are free to the public. For more information or to make a donation for class materials please contact Krisellen Lang at moc.oohay@gnalnellesirk, or arrive prior to class time.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
