Homeschool Roller Skating at CoachLite

What: Roller Skating – Coachlite in Roselle

When: Monday, March 15, 2010 12:30 PM

Where:
Coachlite Skate Center
1291 W Bryn Mawr Ave
Roselle, IL 60172
630-893-4480

Finish up your school work in the morning and head to Coachlite Roller Rink in Roselle, the #1 place for Roller skating in the Midwest. This is a private event for Homeschool Village, but is open to all home-schoolers. So, feel free to spread the word!!
We have the rink for 2 hours with a special rate of $6 per skater, including regular skate rental!!. If your child would prefer in line skates, there is an additional $5 charge.

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/homeschoolvillage/calendar/12733879/

Presidential Fitness Challenge

The President's Challenge

You may recall from your PE days gone by the Presidential Fitness program. You can use this program with your own students today as well.

The challenge is designed to motivate kids to get in the habit of regular exercise. The President’s Fitness Challenge website has lots of information available.  They even have patches and certificates for you to order that you can use as rewards for your child as they set and achieve their goals.

If you are not familiar with this program, here is a little information from their site:

The Physical Fitness Test recognizes students for their level of physical fitness in 5 events: curl-ups or partial curl-ups, shuttle run, endurance run/walk, pull-ups or right angle push-ups, and V-sit or sit and reach.

The Physical Fitness Test offers three awards for students who meet the program qualifications:

The Presidential Physical Fitness Award
This award recognizes students who achieve an outstanding level of physical fitness. Boys and girls who score at or above the 85th percentile (based on the 1985 School Population Fitness Survey) on all five events are eligible for this award.

The National Physical Fitness Award
Students who score above the 50th percentile on all five events – demonstrating a basic, yet challenging, level of physical fitness – are eligible for this award.

The Participant Physical Fitness Award
Students whose scores fall below the 50th percentile on one or more events receive this award for taking part in all five events of the Physical Fitness Test.

For competitive kids they might enjoy seeing how they rank in the national standings. For your non-competitive kids, or those just setting health goals, you might like them to just work to improve their own scores over the course of the program. Most of these activities you could conduct in your living room, basement or back yard.

Physical Education is often an area that homeschoolers struggle to consistently incorporate into their school day. This might be an easy way to add some structure to your activity and with some effort your kids can make some progress in their own health and fitness. Might not be bad for the teacher to join right in either . . .

Homeschool swim classes!

Two swim classes coming up just for homeschoolers:

Norris Center Swim Club:

St. Charles, IL

*Ages 4 and below classes are 30 to 45 minutes + playtime

$72.00 for 8 week sessions

*Ages 5 and over classes are 45 minutes to 1 hour + playtime

$88.00 for 8 week sessions

Class time is Thursdays from 1:15 to 2:15, they can add classes as the program grows.

Starting March 4, 2010

Elk Grove Park District:

Beginning April 6th and 8th for 8 weeks.

The cost is $46 per child.

Tues April 6 – May 25
12:40 – 1:20pm #67949
1:30 – 2:10pm #67950

Thurs April 8 – May 27
1:00-1:40pm #67951
You can register by phone (847.437.9494) or in person at the Pavilion (1000 Wellington Ave. Elk Grove, IL 60007)

Music — opportunity for listening and participating

Saturdays from 11:00 am to Noon on 98.7WFMT Introductions is WFMT’s newest radio series that celebrates the Chicago region’s most talented pre-collegiate classical musicians. Saturday mornings from 11:00 am to noon, soloists and small ensembles perform live, while larger bands, orchestras and choruses are recorded at their home locations.

Visit the Introductions page on Ning to join our social network.  There, you can create your own blog about your experiences in music, upload photos or videos of your ensemble, and learn all about the show.

To apply to participate go to The WFMT website or call 773-279-2019

Another homeschool convention

Received from Margaret Ryan of the Pere Marquette Home School and Parent Conference:

Hello Group Leaders and fellow Home Schoolers,

Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, 2010

North Central College
30 North Brainard Street
Naperville, IL 60540
Directions

All ticket prices are for pre-registration, prices will be $5 more at the door.
Register Here

2nd Annual Pere Marquette Home School and Parent Conference.
For all conference details, please visit www.NICHEJMJ.com
(Network of Illinois Catholic Home Educators Jesus Mary Joseph).

~ Conference Committee

Institute for Excellence in Writing

If you already use the Institute for Excellence in Writing, are interested in learning more about this much sought after writing curriculum, or if you just want some general help in teaching writing to your children, there are a couple Webinars coming up that you might be interested in.

IEW has announced that they will host webinars twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Monday. You must register for these in order to participate, but they are free to registered participants.

The rest of the details came straight from IEW:

Monthly Webinars on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 7:30-8:30 PM CST:

  • Monday, March 1: Assessing Student Writing for Experienced IEW Families
    Click here to register.
    Join Andrew Pudewa as he shares some salient points on this important topic and answers your questions on writing, thinking, and speaking.
  • Monday, March 15: Experience Excellence in Writing
    (Registration will open soon)
    Join Laura House as she shares on the value of incorporating IEW methods and materials into your home school

We have a winner!

The time has come to choose a winner of the This Little Prayer of Mine book . . .

{insert drum roll here}

Courtesy of Random.org:

Commenter #6 —

Faith
February 18th, 2010 at 00:01 | #6

She said, “Looks to be a fabulous resource in helping children value and get the most out of prayer!”

Congrats, and be sure to get in touch with me so I can get this wonderful book in your hands.

If you want a second chance to win, I will also be giving away a copy on Delighting In His Richness in the week ahead, so feel free to head over there as well.

Hands of a Child Lapbooking Event

Check out the following information from Hands of a Child co-owner Katie Kubesh:

Lapbooking LIVE on February 23rd!

With Katie Kubesh

Co-Owner of In the Hands of a Child

In Conjunction with Heart of the Matter Online

As a co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child, the Premier Provider of Ready-to-Assemble Lapbooks, I am asked a lot of questions about lapbooking. Many people have heard the term “lapbooking” but have no idea what it is or are overwhelmed by the entire concept of hands-on activities and unit studies. Since lapbooks are such a great way to include hands-on activities in your student’s curriculum, I will be answering the top questions asked about lapbooking and explaining the following concepts:

1. What is a lapbook?
2. How are lapbooks made?
3. What supplies are needed to lapbook?
4. I have all the supplies, now what?
5. How do I find information and activities to complete lapbook?
6. How does my student complete a lapbook?
7. How do you fold the file folder to make a lapbook?
8. How do I incorporate lapbooking into my existing curriculum?
9. What are the benefits of lapbooking?

Please join me,  LIVE… at the Heart of the Matter Annual Online Conference this year!

Have you ever wondered what a lapbook really is? Or maybe you have heard of it, but the mere thought of unit studies and hands-on activities makes you want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head. Don’t let your lack of understanding scare you away from this great way of enhancing your child’s curriculum! In fact, you can bring your questions to a bona fide lapbooking expert… LIVE, y’all! Katie Kubesh will be speaking LIVE and will host a Q&A session Tuesday, February 23rd at 10:00 CST.

Click here to purchase tickets and read the post in its entirety.

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats. Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

©2010 Katie Kubesh

Also, for those that miss out on the great deals at conventions, they have put together a deal available now:

Through our online poll we’ve learned that many of you do not attend a homeschool convention. That is why we’re declaring Feb 15th-Feb 28th as

In YOUR Childs Hands Season!

What does this mean for you?

Savings of course!

We want all of you to have access to our great products and we know that right now times are tough!

So, every day during In YOUR Childs Hands Season

we will post AT LEAST one unit up for discount.

Discounts only apply for that particular product (or products) for that particular day.

So be sure to check back each and every day!

This will be an excellent way to add some great

Lapbook Project Packs to your school shelves!

REMEMBER!!!  Check back each day at this link:

In YOUR Child’s Hands Season

Here you will see the unit(s) on special and find the daily coupon code.  You will also find a list of units that will be featured during this special so you can make your

wish list and plan accordingly!

Sale ends February 28, 2010

Cannot be combined with any other offer,
special, discount, coupon or sale.
Tax & Shipping not included in calculating discount price.
Not valid toward prior purchases.
No rainchecks.

World Math Day coming — Register by March 2

world math day logo 2010

Registration for World Math Day 2010 has opened and this year is going to be bigger and better than ever. Apart from an exciting NEW format, World Math Day 2010 is registered to set a Guinness World Record.

You are invited to share with your friends and family this free and fun event. For the first time parents can also participate in World Math Day.

Register free at www.worldmathday.com

REGISTERED TO SET A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD in 2010

World Math Day is free and lots of FUN!

Join in a celebration of numbers as students from around the globe unite in their quest to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD – the largest online math competition in answering mental arithmetic questions. Be a part of this Guinness World Record and global education event involving more than 2.5 million students from over 200 countries.

It’s Free and Fun!

• Brand NEW format.

• World Math Day is the education event for the world!

• Your students will love it! Be part of setting a Guinness World Record

• It will create an amazing buzz around Math

• Designed for all ages and ability levels.

• Simple to register and participate. All you need is internet access.

• Great prizes

• And it’s absolutely free!!

HURRY, registration closes March 2nd 2010

www.worldmathday.com

Information received from:

Peter Walters

CEO  – 3P Learning USA

37 West 26th Street

Suite 201

New York, NY 10010

Tel +1 866 387 9139

www.mathletics.com

www.worldmathday.com

“Freedom to Learn”

Chicagoland Kids Expo

This weekend in Schaumburg you can attend the Chicagoland Kids Expo. A brief description about this event taken from their website, Chicago Kids Expo:

Kids with energy to burn after the long Chicago winter will have plenty of jumping, bouncing, and sliding fun with inflatable rides, games, and fun activities. Visitors will find a colorful collection of balloon artists, magicians, face painters, clowns, costumed characters, and other talented children’s entertainers who’ll be creating fun and excitement all weekend long. Micro-reality stock car racing, petting zoo, interactive play areas, miniature golf, table top games, and many other hands-on attractions make the Chicagoland Kids Expo an outstanding family entertainment value.

Practical and Informative Exhibits!
In addition to all of the entertainment and hands-on fun, parents will find an abundance of useful information on a wide range of products and services for families with kids. The exhibitor roster is packed with quality organizations that have come together to help make all the fun and excitement of the 2010 Chicagoland Kids Expo possible.

You’ll find companies showcasing everything from educational products to apparel, health care, schools, food, gifts, sports, music, entertainment and much more – PLUS informative presentations and hands-on product demonstrations from knowledgeable professionals. This large and diverse group of quality vendors can be found on-line at the official Web site of the Chicagoland Kids Expo, www.ChicagoKidsExpo.com.

Some more details about the event:

Admission, Parking and Food

  • Adults: $10
  • Children (Ages 3 to 12): $5, under age 3 FREE
  • Parking: FREE PARKING
  • Food & Beverages: The large food court has a wide selection of lunch and dinner meals, snacks, desserts, and drinks.

Dates, Times and Place

  • Saturday & Sunday, February 20th & 21st, 2010
  • Saturday – 9am to 6pm
    Sunday – 10am to 5pm
  • INDOORS All weekend!
    Renaissance Convention Center
    1551 Thoreau Dr.
    Schaumburg, IL

There is also a coupon for a dollar off admission on their website that you will want to print off before you go.