Author: admin

Movie night!

Maybe you are celebrating the end of your official school year, or making it through another week of crazy Chicago weather, or maybe you have a new graduate, or another sport season winding down. Whatever your reason for a special moment with your family, there is a great movie that can help create the backdrop for your family time to do so.

So, throw in the pizza, pop the popcorn, or top those sundaes. However you like watching movies as a family there is a great one for you tomorrow night, Saturday, June 11 starting at 7:00 CT. (Chicago time, right?)

Field of Vision will provide your family with an opportunity to enjoy a film together as a family, something that is not too easy in today’s movie making climate. We got a little sneak peak at the film and it was safe for my little guys to watch, and enjoyable for my 14 year old to watch. Sports, family, bullying, integrity, and making a stand are all key themes that make this movie a crowd pleaser. As homeschoolers our kids might not face struggles from the peers in the locker room, but they more than likely know how it feels to be the brunt of a joke or to be left out or ridiculed. Field of Vision addresses some serious topics in a way that can open conversation and encourage those that may have been on one side or the other of this situation. As one of the main characters takes on the rest of the football team viewers are encouraged to leave a legacy that will not ignore wrongdoing, but will stand up for those that don’t have the courage to stand up for themselves.

Each family will need to determine what is appropriate viewing in their house, but this clean, wholesome film that shows families working together, adults standing behind those that choose to make the right choice (even when it is hard), and kids that go out of their way to show kindness scores a touchdown in our book.

For more info check out these links:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sign Language classes

Information on some upcoming sign camps and classes starting at the end of June!

Website: http://www.alwaysfeelconnected.com/

Hurry to sign up as spaces are filling fast!

Please feel free to pass this on!

Summer Classes:

Early Bird Registration is $25.00

**If you sign up for 2 weeks you will receive $5 off your total price,  or for all 4

weeks then you will receive $10 off your total price!**

A)  June 20th – June 24th   6:00pm – 7:00pm

B)   June 20th – June 24th   7:10pm – 8:10pm

C)   June 27th – July 1st       6:00pm – 7:00pm

D)   June 27th – July 1st        7:10pm – 8:10pm

Summer Camps!!!

Join us this summer for some exciting and fun summer camps at Always Feel Connected!  At these camps you will be enriched in deaf culture and history while learning vocabulary, games and at least one song in sign language!  At the end of the week the kids will perform the song for their parents.  There are many to chose from so chose one or as many as you want!  I hope to see you there!

Time:  9:00am – 12:00pm

Early Bird Registration is $75.00

**If you sign up for all 4 weeks you will receive $20 off your total price**

A)  June 20th – June 24th

B)   June 27th – July 1st

C)   July 11th – July 15th

D)   July 18th – July 22nd

E)   To Be Announced – Deaf Theater

**This will be a week where the kids will learn a play/musical and perform it ALL IN

SIGN LANGUAGE at the end of the week**

Contact:

Stacey Borrego

Always Feel Connected

630-479-9094

www.alwaysfeelconnected.com

alwaysfeelconnected11@comcast.net

Reading assistance

Received information about this helpful resource from Steve and Robin Blaha:

We are former homeschoolers who for the last six
years have been providing one-on-one reading instruction in our
reading clinic.  Children of all ages, abilities or disabilities have
received all the tools they need to become proficient readers.
Parents are encouraged to participate in classes, therefore being
equipped to help their students with reading activities at home.  We
provide a warm relaxed environment and students are never blamed for
difficulties they may have.  They very soon blossom into confident,
capable readers.  We still have a few openings for our Summer Reading
Boost.

The details . . .

Organization Name: Academic Associates Reading Clinic

Contact: Steve or Robin Blaha

Location: 570 Forum Drive, Roselle, IL

Email: academicassociates1@yahoo.com

Website: www.everychildcanread.com

Phone: 630-307-0777

College planning workshop

I received this from a host of a radio show geared toward those headed to college, and their parents:

Over the past year I have had dozens of Home Educators throughout the Midwest contact me requesting information on “How Home Educators Can Send Their Kid’s to College Without Draining Their Life Savings, Raiding Their Retirement or Just Plain Going Broke.”

Until now, I simply have not had the available time to conduct such a specialized workshop.

On Tuesday June 14th, I will be conducting an Online College Planning Workshop for Parents of Home Schooled Junior HS & HS Students.

If you would like to attend this event, click to link below to register.

College Planning Event for Parents of Home Schooled Students

We have reserved 100 spots for this event and we expect them to be taken very quickly so please register now before you are locked out.

College Planning Event for Parents of Home Schooled Students

-All the Best

Ken Schreiber
Host of ‘College Bound’ AM 560 WIND
Premier College Planning Associates
608 S. Washington St. Suite 207
Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: 630-717-4998
Fax: 630-364-5869

P.S. If you have other friends, family members, co-workers or neighbors who Home Educate their children, feel free to forward this invitation to them. They’ll be happy you did!

College Planning Event for Parents of Home Schooled Students


Summer bowling

Great deal for a summer of bowling. You do need to still pay shoe rental, any adult games are not free, and you just get one game per day. However, if you have a Brunswick bowl nearby and your kids enjoy bowling, and you plan to bowl a couple times this summer, it is definitely worth the couple minutes to sign them up.


Join the Brunswick Bonus Zone and save money while you’re having a good time. Membership is free. As a Brunswick Bonus Zone member, you’ll receive exciting discounts and promotions on all the Brunswick fun, from bowling and food, to games, parties and more. Smoke-free times are available at all locations. Once you’re signed up, we’ll send you an e-mail with your first money saving offer!
NOTE: We have total respect for your privacy. We won’t share your information with anyone, and you can always unsubscribe with a single click. View the Brunswick Privacy Policy.
© 2009 Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation. Brunswick Zone is a registered trademark of Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation.

Crossroads offers sports just for homeschoolers

If you are looking for homeschool sports this is the place to begin your search. Excellent program and a variety of sports available. Check out all the details on their website Crossroads Christian Youth Center.

Meet up in Oswego & Fox Valley area

Looking to connect with other homeschoolers face to face? This meet-up might be just the thing.

This is a place where homeschooling families from the Western Suburbs can connect with each other, socialize, make friends, set up events & playdates, ask questions, share ideas, explore resources, network together and have fun!   Most of our Meet-ups are in the Oswego, Naperville, Aurora, Yorkville, Montgomery and Plainfield areas however, anyone from neighboring towns is welcome. Many of our field trips also are in nearby areas. We are looking for active participants to get involved with events. We are a group that welcomes all philosophies on homeschooling.

Name: Fox Valley Homeschoolers

Location: Oswego, Il

Primary Contact Person: Joni Choudhary

Email: joni_choudhary@hotmail.com

Fox Valley Music Camp

The Fox Valley Music Camp at Judson University

This week-long day camp for ages K-12 is held in Elgin, IL, June 27-July 1, 2011.

For K-2nd grade (half day) 9-12:30
Cost: $100

For Grades 3-12 (full day) 9-4:30
Cost: $200-$250

The camp offers private instrumental instruction,IMEA competition prep and both Classical and Contemporary ensembles.

Campers explore music history, theory and composition in addition to making music together. A recital concludes the week.

Where: Judson University, Elgin IL
1151 N. State Street

For more information: foxvalleymusiccamp@gmail.com

Website: www.judsonu.edu

Phone: Cheryl Richardson at 847.458.2729

Or Phone Robert Kania at: 847.628.1115 or email: rkania@judsonu.edu

TOS Crew Review — Read for the Heart

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Reading is an integral part of learning, and more so it is an irremovable part of our family life. Because of this, I am constantly on the lookout for good books. You know the ones. The ones that have withstood the test of time. The ones that both boys and girls can’t wait to hear more of. The ones during which you would never fall asleep. The ones that spark meaningful conversation even after you have closed the cover for the last time.

Sarah Clarkson wrote Read for the Heart to do more than just recommend some good books. She wrote it to help cast a vision for giving reading a place of prominence in your home. By the time you get to the book list you can’t help but be fingering your library card debating which book to put on hold or check out first. I know reading is important, but this book helped reignite my desire to pass my love of reading on to my kids.

Product: Read for the Heart

Details: A 384 page book with encouragement to make family reading and individual reading time a priority. Over 300 of the pages are lists of books that include summaries and background information to help you choose the best reads for your family and your kids.

Price: $17

What I loved . . .

  • Inspiring. I can find oodles of book lists all over the internet. While I appreciate getting a good book recommendation now and then, I really appreciated Sarah’s casting of a vision for reading. I love to read, and yet it is one of the first things I drop from my schedule when time gets tight. She reminded me with a passion how important time spent reading is in our home and school.
  • Personally and statistically supported. Creating beautiful word pictures, the author shares what crafted this love for reading in her heart. And, she shares statistics, quotes, and other encouragement as to the importance of reading. We owe it to the development of our kids’ minds to read early and read often, and this book can be a great catalyst to encourage you in the endeavor and give you the tools (great books!) to enjoy doing so.
  • Lists and more lists. Not just an alphabetical listing of books (although the index does provide that), this book breaks down the lists by popular genres (historical literature, fairy tales, picture books, etc.) Beyond that, each entry includes the author, other books by the author, illustrator, copyright date, and a brief summary of the book. A few quick lists also reference Caldecott winners, Newberry winners, and books especially for boys, girls, and families reading together.
  • Reading tips. Aside from rich motivation and abundant lists, she also gives some tips to making reading time special. From locations to treats she will stir your own imagination in this area.
  • A must have book. This book offers an incredible resource when doing your book shopping. I am always looking at books at a used book sale and trying to figure out by reading a sentence here and there if I or my kids will like the particular book. I will definitely bring this guide along with me now to see what it has to say when purchasing unfamiliar books. Obviously it won’t have all the good books listed either, but it does have many, and many that I am not familiar with as well. I look forward to bringing Sarah with me to all the book sales now and ask her advice before  I buy. 🙂

Some considerations . . .

  • One person’s opinion. You might feel differently. Her glowing opinion will not guarantee that you will like it. For example, she loved Across Five Aprils (which I have also heard many other people rave about), and I had to force myself to trudge through this book with my kids a few years ago. I was not impressed. But, we are all entitled to our own opinions and will love what others didn’t and vice versa.  You will still need to determine what books are a good fit for your family’s interests, values, attention span, academic subject, and personalities.

This book stirred up an incredible amount of enthusiasm within me. I cannot wait to finalize plans for the coming school year and include some of the great books recommended in this resource. I would strongly recommend this book to any homeschooling mom needing encouragement and ideas for making reading come to life in your home. You can check out the table of contents as well as a sample chapter if you would like to see a bit of the book for yourself and accept Sarah Clarkson’s invitation to more than just a “reading list, but to a reading life.”

For more TOS Crew reviews on this product, check out the TOS Crew blog.

Disclaimer: This product was provided to me free of charge through Apologia as part of my participation in The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I received no additional compensation and the opinions expressed here come from my personal experiences and sincere thoughts.



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