Now is the time for fall sports to start picking up speed.
Based in Big Rock, Crusaders have a number of sports available to homeschoolers including basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and a PE class.
See their website (Crossroads Youth Center) for additional information or to register your child(ren) for some fall activities.
Barnes and Noble has a free ebook reader available right now. Also, when you download it and create an account you also get six free ebooks including Little Women and Pride and Prejudice.
Just looking over the E-Reader quickly, I am excited about using this tool to read and organize the many ebooks that I have come to acquire. The program gives you a way to organize your books on various “bookshelves” and while reading you may jump to certain pages and chapters as you desire. Also, you can take notes as you read for future reference.
For free, there is not much to complain about in this handy device which you can download to your phone or computer. And, since Little Women was on our list to read this year, that comes as an added bonus.
Another great edition of Homeschool Showcase is up over at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. As we gear up for another school year, check out some of the great posts for ideas to get your school year off with a bang.
One post that I noted includes 100 links to sites where you can buy, sell, trade, and even write books. So, if you are looking to expand (or clear out) your book inventory, you’ll want to check that out.
There’s lots more to enjoy so be sure to meander through the links.
Looking for some curriculum ideas for the upcoming school year?
Need some inspiration to get started (or finished) on your planning?
Kris over at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers hosted a great weekly wrap up that included a number of people sharing their curriculum plans for the year ahead. Many of the posts include links to helpful websites and lots of fleshed out plans for a variety of ages and homeschooling styles.
Feel free to check it out, and be prepared to spend some serious time following the links, so much great stuff there!
And, if you are interested, here are some of our plans for the upcoming school year, over at my blog Delighting in His Richness.
Office Max has crayons for a penny!
Yep, just one cent and you can get yourself a pack of 24 crayons.
Also, scissors for 20 cents.
And, for 25 cents you can get a pack of erasers and pencil grips. These deals are good all week.
CVS
More Free after Extra bucks items (Only through TUESDAY):
100 Sheet Composition Notebook
99 cents, and comes with a 99 cent extra buck reward
Tot stapler or sticky notes
99 cents, and comes with a 99 cent extra buck reward
Easy Touch pen 2 pack
99 cents, and comes with a 99 cent extra buck reward
Quarter deals:
That’s the only deals I see this week, but I’m sure we’ll see more again next week.
Stocking up? Or, are you still in denial? It is almost August, ya’ know. 🙂
Came across this at Five J’s blog.
If you are looking for some information to supplement your science lessons, or to stimulate your own thinking on the topic of Creation vs. Evolution here is what you can expect to find in these pages:
This book describes Dr. Martin’s personal journey from an evolution-trained scientist to a Bible-believing creationist. Dr. Martin examines many of the claims and theories of prominent evolutionists, comparing their often incredible, inconsistent, pseudo-scientific explanations of origins to the clear and simple description of the Creation as depicted in the Bible.
This book is available for a free ebook download, or for purchase of a paperback book.
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.
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
Andrews 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.
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!
The following came from the Home Scholar (a website with lots of great helps for the homeschooler, especially those looking at homeschooling high school):
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