Curriculum giveaway

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Got some curriculum you would like to bless another homeschool family with?

Would you like to win some gently used, new-to-you homeschool books?

Then, I have found the bl0g event for you . . .

Jolanthe, over at Homeschool Creations (a fellow CREW member), is hosting a Curriculum Cleanout Giveaway the beginning of August.

Read her site for all the details, but basically she is asking homeschoolers to look through their shelves and come up with a new or gently used item to give away the first couple weeks of August (the second through fifteenth). You can post about it on your blog or just leave a comment with an email address for people to enter to win your giveaway.

You are responsible for shipping costs on any books you give away.

Any one can enter to win, so be sure to check out her site in a couple weeks and see if someone might be giving away something you have been wanting to own. You just might get it for free!

Head on over and check it out. Get your goodies together to giveaway, and get ready for entering some drawings for homeschool books and curriculum.

IEW seminars coming up in the Chicago area

A Reminder…

Institute for Excellence in Writing
Announces events with Andrew Pudewa:

Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Area): August 4-6, 2009 – IEW Seminars
Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago Area): 6, 2009 – Evening Event
Chicago, IL: August 7-8, 2009 – Chicago Homeschool Expo

Details and links below – Please forward this to friends and colleagues!

Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Area): August 4-6, 2009 – IEW Seminars
Details below, to register: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/events
Tues., 8/4: High School Essay Intensive
Wed. & Thurs., 8/5-6: Teaching Writing: Structure & Style

Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church
155 W. Brush Hill Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago Area): August 6, 2009 – Evening Event
6:00pm-8:30pm No Registration Necessary!
Andrew Pudewa: Conquering Corrupt Culture by Raising Christian Communicators
& Classical Conversations’ Kim Cromer:
Going Beyond the Books–Practical Application for Classical Education

Korean Church of Chicago
1500 W Algonquin Rd
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Chicago, IL: August 7-8, 2009 – Chicago Homeschool Expo
http://www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com
Andrew’s Talks: ”Freedomship” Education Paradigm, Reaching the Reluctant Writer, Spelling and the Brain, Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Be Making Forts All Day, Instant Improvement in Writing
Seminar Descriptions:

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
A Two-Day Seminar for Teachers, Parents, Tutors, College Students
Cost: $89.00/participant (2nd family member ½ price)

The structure and style syllabus teaches models and techniques for English composition which logically build upon each other, allowing students to become familiar and competent with a variety of writing formats and styles. As opposed to many “creative” writing approaches, this more classical system stresses modeling and builds a firm foundation of specific skills.

Students first make a “key word outline” and then rewrite from their notes, thus being freed from the problem of what to write about, so they are able to clearly focus on how to write well. As they master each structural model and stylistic technique, they develop great confidence, and consequently great creativity. The syllabus then gradually moves the student from dictated content toward “the blank page” using:

Eight different structural models, including:
* Note making and summarizing from notes; limiting skills.
* Summarizing narrative stories with the story sequence chart.
* Summarizing references (without copying the encyclopedia).
* Library research reports using multiple references and fused outlines.
* Topic – clincher paragraph format, techniques for titling.
* Creative writing, letters and writing from pictures.
* Formal essays and critique formats.

The Syllabus in Style introduces specific techniques to help students:
* “Dress-up” each paragraph with six different tools.
* Use a variety of sentence “openers.”
* Judiciously choose literary “decorations.”
* Learn English grammar in the context of USING it, rather than just memorizing terms and identifying parts of speech.
High School Essay Intensive
A One-Day Seminar for High School age students and teachers
Cost: $50.00/participant (parents $25 if attending with student*)

The High School Essay Prep class is an excellent way to get immediate experience and inside tips on how to do your best on the timed, 25 minute response to a prompt required on the new SAT test. Participants will actually write two full essays, carefully study and then apply the College Board evaluation criteria to sample essays, while receiving a detailed booklet of resources and suggestions for continued practice.

Additionally, students will learn special structure and style tools for use in composing the college application “personal essay”an entirely different type of writing task. The complete process will be presented: choosing the question, creating the outline, and polishing a final version. Participants will leave with a clear concept of the task, their own outline for an actual personal essay, and several new tricks and techniques to add to their repertoire.

Although this seminar is specifically designed for those who will be taking the SAT or submitting college applications within the next 1-2 years (and especially those teaching such students), it is also useful for general writing practice, tools and tips. It is open to all students, regardless of their experience with IEW courses or materials. A lot of actual writing is done during this six-hour class.

*Parents who wish only to observe are welcome to do so, space available. Paying participants will receive a space at a table and a handout.

Pray for Chris Klicka

From and email from ICHE

Dear Friends,
 
  We have recently received word that Chris Klicka, Senior Counsel for HSLDA and 2009 ICHE Convention keynote speaker, will be receiving an intensive 3 week hyperbaric oxygen treatment for MS at Miracle Mountain Center, Creston, NC. He and the family certainly covet our prayers.
 
Please pray that the Lord would:
·         Permit all the needed preparations for travel and treatment to be completed smoothly and on-time.
·         Enable Chris’s temporary personal caregiver, Joseph, to learn his many new tasks and responsibilities quickly and easily.
·         Surround Chris and Tracy with His peace through these stressful days from July 19 through Aug. 10.
·         Use this treatment to bring physical relief from the rapid progression of MS since March and to promote healing.
·         Give insight and wisdom to Chris and Tracy for many decisions yet to be made.
 
You may read Chris’s updates at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ChrisKlicka.

 

Thank you for praying!

Website and offers from the Home Scholar

The following came from the Home Scholar (a website with lots of great helps for the homeschooler, especially those looking at homeschooling high school):

New Products and Free Resources! July 2009
Improved Website and New Free E-book!

We have just completed a MAJOR upgrade to our website and we’d like you to help us celebrate!  We have some free gifts and prizes to give away as well as some improved products and services to announce!  I hope you will check them out!

Free Special Report
Free Special Report E-book
“7 Secrets to Homeschooling Through a Financial Storm”
Free tickets to Heart of the Matter Online Conference
Every purchase this week gets a chance to win!
New edition of “Preparing to Homeschool High School”
Just in time for back-to-school, more info at a lower price!
New HomeScholar Website Design
Easy navigation with a search function for fast help!

“7 Secrets to Homeschooling Through a Financial Storm”
Free Special Report E-book

Free Special Report

  • The First Secret will beckon you back to the olden days of homeschooling, before all the expensive and unnecessary add-ons.
  • The Second Secret will help you streeeetch your homeschooling dollar!
  • The Third Secret will point you toward homeschool treasure: abundant resources all available for FREE!
  • The Fourth Secret will help you bridge the financial deficit by adding some income.
  • The Fifth Secret was the one we used extensively, and we soon had colleges THROWING money at us!
  • The Sixth Secret will help you cover the college-prep basics, without breaking your budget!
  • The Seventh Secret may be the most important one of all. It will take away the guilt associated with investing in your homeschool.

Our Price: FREE!
Click here to receive “7 Secrets to Homeschooling Though a Financial Storm”

My mission is to help parents homeschool high school
and many of my services are free!

“Preparing to Homeschool High School” 2nd Edition DVD

Preparing to Homeschool High School 2nd Edition DVD Learn to Homeschool High School with Excellence! Turn Your Humble Homeschool into a Supercharged, High Octane,
College Prep, Homeschool Academy – with LESS STRESS.  After much research, my husband discovered how to include MUCH more material on a single DVD! Since there is one disc, we were able to lower the price by 20%!!  This completely updated DVD is 90 minutes longer than the first edition.  That’s nearly 4 HOURS of instructional material, with much more information on every topic.  It even includes information for parents who have never before homeschooled, so it’s perfect for every family facing high school.
More information, lower price! Buy Now

Our Price: $60.00
Introductory Price: $45.00
Buy Now

Heart of the Matter Online Home Education Conference

Heart of the Matter 2009 Convention Join us online for the second annual Heart of the Matter Online Parenting and Home Education conference. In addition to participating in sessions with fabulous speakers and having a chance to ask them questions directly you will also receive hundreds of dollars worth of free downloads, a chance to win wonderful prizes, MP3s of the sessions (after the event), and lots of fun and fellowship with other parents like yourself.  I will be speaking on “Finding a College” and “How to Afford Christian College.”

Regular Price: $12.95
Our Price:
Free if you win!

Every single item purchased this week give you one chance to win free admission to the Heart of the Matter Online Parenting and Home Education Conference.  Purchase more, and you have more chances to win!  Winners will be drawn at random.  I have three tickets to give away!

New and Improved Website!
TheHomeScholar.com
After a lot of hard work (mostly by my beloved husband) we are finally able to unveil our new and improved website!  Besides looking clean and new, there are benefits that go beyond the colors.  There is a search function that will allow you to quickly and easily find answers to the problems you are facing.  It has clearly labeled sections for easy navigation, including a great box filled with my free resources.  There is also a dedicated member’s area to make it easier for our members to access the Gold Care Club and bonuses that came with their purchase!

Have I mentioned that my mission is to help parents homeschool high school, and that many of my services are free?  The new website highlights our recent articles and blog posts, so that you stay in-the-know.  There is a new welcome video, and I have made it easy for you to connect with me on social networking sites like Facebook.  And my favorite part is the testimonials section, with photos of families I have worked with. I love seeing their smiling faces!



I can’t tell you how excited I am about these changes!  My vision is that all families feel empowered and equipped about homeschooling high school.  I believe the products and support available on our website can make a real difference for you and your family.  Please check out my new website TheHomeScholar.com! I hope it will bless you in your job as a homeschool parent.

Blessings,

Lee Binz
The HomeScholar

If you want to win tickets to Heart of the Matter Online Conference, here is how it works.  I’ll put each item you purchase on my list with your name.  On July 25th, I’ll select three winners using a random number.  My selections are final, and I will contact winners by email.

Parental Rights Amendment

Dear Illinois Supporter,
It’s time to get more cosponsors for the Parental Rights Amendment! In order to pass the Parental Rights Amendment we need bipartisan support from those in Congress, and we are planning a Cosponsor Drive for Tuesday, July 21, through Thursday, July 23. In this nationwide effort to get support for the Parental Rights Amendment we will be calling all members of the U.S. House and Senate who are not already cosponsors. If your U.S. Representative and Senators are not cosponsors, we need you to call them during our three-day Cosponsor Drive.
U.S. Representatives who are not cosponsors of the Parental Rights Amendment:
Representative Bobby L. Rush (IL-1) – 202-225-4372
Representative Jesse L. Jackson (IL-2) – 202-225-0773
Representative Dan Lipinski (IL-3) – 202-225-5701
Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4) – 202-225-8203
Representative Mike Quigley (IL-5) – 202-225-4061
Representative Peter Roskam (IL-6) – 202-225-4561
Representative Danny Davis (IL-7) – 202-225-5006
Representative Melissa Bean (IL-8) Blue Dog Coalition – 202-225-3711
Representative Janice Schakowsky (IL-9) – 202-225-2111
Representative Mark S. Kirk (IL-10) – 202-225-4835
Representative Deborah Halvorson (IL-11) – 202-225-3635
Representative Jerry F. Costello (IL-12) – 202-225-5661
Representative Judy Biggert (IL-13) – 202-225-3515
Representative Bill Foster (IL-14) Blue Dog Coalition – 202-225-2976
Representative Timothy V. Johnson (IL-15) – 202-225-2371
Representative Phil Harep (IL-17) – 202-225-5905
Representative Aaron Schock (IL-18) – 202-225-6201
If any of these is your Representative, we need you to call their office sometime during our three-day Cosponsor Drive and urge them to cosponsor H.J.Res. 42, the Parental Rights Amendment, in the House (find your Representative by typing your zip code into the box here.) We are especially targeting Congressmen in the Congressional Blue Dog Coalition. Securing this group of Democrats will make the Parental Rights Amendment a truly bi-partisan issue in the House, as it already is among the voters.
If your Representative is not listed above, please send an email thanking them for cosponsoring the Parental Rights Amendment. Thanking those who cosponsor lets them know we appreciate their support. To view the list of current cosponsors, click here.
The Parental Rights Amendment was also introduced in the U.S. Senate this past May by Senator DeMint, and it’s time to get Senate cosponsors! Call your Senators and urge them to cosponsor S.J.Res.16, the Parental Rights Amendment, in the Senate.
Senator Richard J. Durbin – 202-224-2152
Senator Roland Burris- 202-224-2854
Thank you for your participation in this important Congressional Phone Campaign right before Congress adjourns for the summer. Senators and Representatives will soon return to their home districts for the August summer work period. ParentalRights.Org is organizing visits to local Congressional offices by 20 constituents with 1,000 activist signatures, to be scheduled during that time. A face-to-face group meeting with your Congressman is an extremely powerful and effective way to communicate clearly the message of the Parental Rights Amendment. If you would like to participate in these local meetings please contact Region 3 Grassroots Coordinator Jason Heki (jason@parentalrights.org).

For more information about the Parental Rights Amendment, visit ParentalRights.org

Sonlight upcoming 20th anniversary

The following came in an email from Sonlight:

Sonlight’s 20th Anniversary Celebration …

Sonlight Curriculum is turning 20 in 2010! We plan to make our 20th anniversary a special year for our company staff, vendors, friends and our beloved customers. Twenty years of offering the best of the best curriculum while getting to know and serve you–that’s worth a lot! You are invited to celebrate with us.

You’re Invited …
I’d be honored if you would join us for a 20th Anniversary Virtual Meetup Celebration in June of 2010, with John and Sarita Holzmann, Sonlight’s founders, hosting you. Expect lots of fun surprises with this webinar event to commemorate Sonlight’s beginnings, celebrate its customers and look forward to the future.

Stay Up-to-Date
Look for special events throughout the year–from money-saving special offers and charitable opportunities to customer contests and featured alumni. If you haven’t already, sign up for updates regarding the 20th anniversary celebration and events at www.sonlight.com/meetup2010. That’s how I plan to communicate further news about this celebration.

We originally planned a 20th Anniversary Meetup on site here in Colorado and shared that expectation in last year’s catalog and on our website. As we actually began to plan for that, we realized too many Sonlighters could be left out of a celebration like this. So, we began looking at ways to engage as many friends of Sonlight in more electronic ways.

Tour of Sonlight
Still, if you plan on being in Colorado in 2010, we would be delighted to open Sonlight for tours each Thursday in June from 1-3pm. I’ll let you know how to RSVP so we can ensure our tours will accommodate you.

No matter where you are, I hope you’ll take advantage of our main event: Sonlight’s 20th Anniversary Virtual Meetup Celebration. Hey, it’s one of the few Sonlight Meetups where you can actually wear your pajamas the whole time! (New haircut not required–but if you need a good excuse for one, you have my permission.)

Don’t forget to sign up for updates so you stay in the know about what’s happening regarding Sonlight’s big anniversary year!

Sincerely,
Tim Heil
Chairman, 2010 Anniversary Celebration
Sonlight Curriculum
www.sonlight.com
Empowering parents to raise life-long learners who
fervently pursue whatever God calls them to do.

P.S. As you look forward to the year ahead, have you already chosen your Core curriculum for the school year? If you’d like help with your choices or want to talk through your homeschool goals, please contact a Sonlight Advisor–potentially even chat live while you’re browsing Sonlight’s website!


Become a fan of Sonlight on Facebook.

© 2009 Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd. 8042 S. Grant Way, Littleton, CO 80122 – (303) 730-6292

Have you heard of Currclick?

If you are not familiar with their weekly freebies, you will at least want to check out their site and sign up for their email updates. They also offer a variety of virtual classes for homeschoolers. To find out more, read on in this excerpt taken from an email:

Planning your 2009-2010 School Year?

There are still spots available in our July 15th open house and kids activity. Get enrollment discounts and have fun. Don’t miss out!

Sign up for CurrClick Live’s Meet and Greet Open House from 7-9 PM CST including a FREE, totally live kids activity presented by Heart of the Matter Online: Amy Bayliss and her son will be leading a Flat Stanley, pen pal activity for kids of all ages!
Teachers will be answering questions, giving presentations about their classes and “handing out” enrollment discounts!

You can register here, right now!

Once you register at CurrClick, go here to register with GoToMeeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining our open house. Please note that you are not required to show up to every single session during the 2 hour period. Please see the itinerary below to determine which sessions you would
like to attend.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE:
7:00-7:15

Wieck Math and Science LC: Melinda Wieck discusses the Beginning and Advanced, Live Algebra classes she’ll be offering in the fall. Melinda is a highschool Math and Science teacher.

7:15-7:30

Bright and Blessed: Susan Bertrang is a Georgia Certified Teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. Find out about her wide variety of fun, self-paced classes such as, “Getting to Know Shakespeare” and ‘Writing Well.”

7:30-7:45

Lessons Worth Learning: Loretta Rhodes, homeschool Mom of 4 and a teacher of 20 years talks about her very popular live History, Geography and Literature classes and answers questions.

7:45-8:00

Triple G Academy:Angie Marcum talks about her popular Art and Nature classes as well as her academic Saxon-based Algebra I and II classes. Mrs. Marcum is a homeschool Mom with her BS in Secondary Mathmatics.

8:00-8:15

Become a CurrClick Live Teacher Q&A:Interested in teaching for CurrClick Live? Attend this discussion, find out more and get your questions answered. Staley Krause, one of the CurrClick/CurrClick Live founders discusses the ins and outs of teaching for CurrClick Live.

8:15-8:30

MathTools: Patrick Martin, homeschool Dad and Math teacher and tutor, will discuss his live math lab, where he helps students with math problems they may be having, and his 1 on 1 live tutoring option.

8:30-9:00

Heart of the Matter Online:Night time activity for kids courtesy of Amy Bayliss and her son from Heart of the Matter Online.

We look forward to “seeing” you there.  And, don’t forget to bring a friend!

Great America Read to Succeed

If you and your kids earned tickets to Six Flags through their Read to Succeed Program, now is the time to redeem them!

Six Flags

They expire August 9th, just a few weeks away, and the closer we get to that date, the more crowded the park becomes. I just took my girls yesterday and we had a perfect day for it! The crowds did swell a bit in the afternoon, but most of the day we enjoyed short to non-existent lines.

The employees said it was a typical Monday.

Tips for enjoying your day:

  • Don’t forget the sunscreen so you don’t regret your trip the following day(s)
  • Stay hydrated. We actually were there from the time they opened until they closed and my girls still weren’t done! Keeping plenty of water on hand helps them enjoy the day.
  • Bring healthy snacks (but, of course, they need to stay in the car). Rather than filling up on fried food, pop, and sweets, we enjoyed dinner in the parking lot. Whole wheat sandwiches, carrots, fruit, and lots of water. Nothing holding us back from having a lot of fun the whole day at Great America
  • Go soon, and preferably earlier in the week. It will never be completely empty, but you have a better chance of fighting fewer crowds this way. We whipped through countless lines before 11:30.
  • Take the express lane up 294! If you are taking 94/294 up to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee get in the middle/express lane if at all possible. We crawled through the construction induced congestion that whole stretch while watching cars whiz past us. There is an exit from the express lanes at Grand (where you need to get off for Great America), so you don’t need to worry about missing it. If you stay in the local lanes you could easily count on an hour drive from 90 to the park.

If you do have the free tickets, try not to let them go to waste. We enjoyed a full day of fun for around $20 (including parking). Not bad at all, and the kids deserved it for the great job they did reading this past year.

More flags! More fun! 🙂

. . . More Works for Me Wednesday!

Mini-homeschool expo

The CHESS homeschool support group is planning a small scale Homeschool Expo on August 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church (15150 Oak Park Ave. in Oak Forest).  They are asking those who assist and support homeschoolers in the community to come out and share information regarding their areas of support.  A “New to Homeschool” seminar to assist new homeschoolers will also be available. The evening will also provide an opportunity to register for the CHESS support group.
If you would like more information or would like to reserve a table at this event, please e-mail Sandi Grutzius (sgrutzius@ymail.com).

Penny pencils and more!

Tis the season for back to school deals.

Grateful that I don’t have a school mandated supply list to follow, still I gleefully take advantage of the incredible deals on school supplies this time of year. I joked to my kids that we have enough paper and pencils for me to homeschool their children.

Some of the deals you don’t want to miss:

Staples :

  • Penny pencils (8 pack, yellow — limit two) only through Wednesday this week
  • Copy paper costs $3.69 and can be submitted for $3.68 rebate online (500 sheets per pack, limit two) also through Wednesday only
  • Lots of other dollar items, and a $5 off a $20 in store purchase coupon, but if you  don’t need any of these dollar items you might be better off waiting, because sometimes even better deals are just a week away.
  • More details and scenarios at Money Saving Mom.

CVS (**These deals are only good through Tuesday** In order to enjoy their deals you must get an Extra Care card and the coupons will print out at the bottom of your receipt, good towards your next CVS purchase. More on that here if needed):

  • Items that give you Extra Bucks equal to their purchase price (essentially making them free): glue, scissors, ruler, one subject notebook, and pens. (see store or ad for more limitations and details)
  • 3 subject notebooks are $3.99 with $3 Extra bucks.
  • Folders are on sale for a nickle

I’m sure there will be many more deals in the weeks ahead, but these you will need to jump on in the next couple days.

If you want to make sure that you don’t miss information about short term deals like these, or special events, don’t forget to subscribe to Chicagoland Homeschool Network.