Field Trips – Page 23 – Chicagoland Homeschool Network

Esther’s Place Class information

About a year ago we took a field trip to a charming little shop called Esther’s Place in Big Rock. Many of you know how homeschooling and that entrepreneurial spirit go hand in hand and Esther’s Place provides another thriving example of this.


Natasha and Donna Lehrer, Esther’s Place, happy customers in front of drying dyed yarn, resident felted gnomes

Inside this shop we discovered far more than an abundant supply of wool and felting craft materials. We found a passion for tradition and wool as well as a faith and patriotism that gives them greater purpose in their work and craft. Natasha and Donna have lots of knowledge to share.

Browse their website for more details and background, and information on retreats and classes, or arranging for them to come to you to share with your group.

Just some of their upcoming highlights:

Sat. November 14th 10-4pm
Christmas at Esther’s
Join us as we celebrate the holidays with music, refreshments and lots of great fiber gifts…including our holiday boutique. We’d love to see you and celebrate the season!

Knitting 101
Cost: $45+ materials $15
Sat. Oct. 10th 4-6 pm
Come learn with us as we teach to cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and more as you start on a beautiful scarf.

Thrummed Mittens
Cost: $45 ; materials extra
Sat. Oct. 10, 24th 2-4 pm
Skill Level: Beginning knitter
Create the coziest pair of mittens you may ever have- they are lined in tufts of the fluffy roving. Pick out your colors of yarn and roving at the class.

Drop Spindling 101
Cost: $25 + materials: $20
Tues. Oct. 20th 2-4 pm
Get introduced to the wonderful art of spinning with a drop spindle. We make it fun to learn to make your own yarns! This is a great way to start.

Jump Start- 2 Day Workshop
$95 + materials $35
5 pm Fri. Oct. 30 – 4 pm Sat. Oct. 31st
Have you been wanting to learn to spin? This intensive two day workshop will cover basics, from drop spindling to wheels, fiber differences, and technique. Class fee includes overnight accommodations& meals for2 days.

Call for more information about upcoming Friends of Esther Classes and meetings — Goats Milk Soap, bath gifts, and more.

Holiday Classes (many of these are great for kids and homeschool families):

Felted Nativity Scene
$24
Sat. Nov 28th 9-noon OR Wed. Dec. 2nd 9-noon or Dec. 19th 9-noon
Make Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a star and three sheep with needle felting techniques.

Santa’s Workshop for Kids!
$22
Fri. Nov. 28th 10-3
Ages: 5-13
Kids – come enjoy the holiday season and make and wrap special gifts for your family! Moms – take advantage of this for day-after-Thanksgiving shopping!

Cookie Cutter Ornaments
$8
Sat. Nov. 14th 1 pm OR Dec. 12th 1 pm OR Wed. Dec. 23rd 10 am
Create an array of cute little wool ornaments with needle felting.

Esther’s Place offers far more if you are interested in learning about spinning, felting, wool, or other related topics. They love to share and inspire others. Even I, who have very little natural craftiness, appreciated their great talent and creativity on display throughout the store. Feel free to give them a call with any questions or inquiries: 630-556-WOOL

Educator screening

Now Playing

Directions

What is IMAX®?

You and one (1) guest are invited to the Free Educator Screening of LEWIS & CLARK: THE GREAT JOURNEY WEST, plus see exclusive footage for upcoming IMAX movies, A Christmas Carol and Hubble 3D. Additional guests will be charged $5.00 for each for Lewis and Clark.

Date: Tuesday October 13, 2009

Time: 4:30pm – 20 minutes of footage from Hubble 3D and A Christmas Caro l
5:15pm – Lewis and Clark (please arrive a half hour prior to check-in and register)

Place: Randall 15 IMAX® 550 N. Randall Rd. Batavia, IL 60510

RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Monday Oct, 12th. Please leave us your first and last name, school name, theater, and number of people attending. If registering via email, you will receive an email confirmation. If registering via phone, you will not receive a phone call to confirm your space.

Lewis and Clark: The film chronicles a group of explorers — the Corps of Discovery — led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark into uncharted territory to find a water passageway to the Pacific Ocean and describe for science the wonders of the west. The expedition encountered and conquered an endless series of physical challenges as they traveled through raging rivers, buffalo-filled prairies, sub-zero temperatures and rugged mountains on their 8,000-mile journey to the Pacific Ocean and back. The generosity of Native Americans in helping the explorers is detailed, including the story of Sacagawea, a teen-aged, Native American girl who accompanied the group and whose contributions were invaluable to the success of the expedition.Website Teacher’s Guide

Upcoming IMAX Moives:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE: November 6, 2009 – Disney’s A Chrstmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized filed of view, IMAX provides the world’s most immersive movie experience. Starring Jim Carey. Website Activity Sheet

HUBBLE 3D: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE: Spring 2010 – Experience the gripping story — full of hope, crushing disappointment, dazzling ingenuity, bravery, and triumph – in HUBBLE 3D, the seventh awe-inspiring film from the award-winning IMAX Space Team. Vividly captured in IMAX 3D, HUBBLE 3D recounts the amazing journey of the most important scientific instrument since Galileo’s original telescope and the greatest success in space since the Moon Landing — the Hubble Space Telescope. Audiences will accompany the space walking astronauts as they attempt some of the most difficult tasks ever undertaken in NASA’s history, and will experience up close the awesome power of the launches, the heartbreaking setbacks, and the dramatic rescues of this most powerful story, all in amazing IMAX 3D. Website Activity Sheet

Group Rates: For groups of 10 or more, $5.00 per person (Traditional 45 minute films) or $7.50 per person for IMAX DMR (Hollywood Feature Length). Groups of 20 or more receive one free admission for a teacher or chaperone.

Book a group and call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email jsmith@gqti.com

www.GQTIMAX.comLearning to the MAX online brochure

Our current IMAX Library: Click here

NOW PLAYING IN IMAX

LEWIS AND CLARK

Star Trek

COMING SOON IN IMAX

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

AVATAR

HUBBLE 3D

AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS

Dinosaurs

SPACE STATION 3D

BUGS 3D Bugs

LEWIS AND CLARK

Opportunity to meet local candidate at campaign kick-off

A Chicago area homeschool dad is running for a seat in the US House of Representatives. He currently fills a seat in the State Senate. If you would be interested in learning more or supporting Randy Hultgren in this process here is the information on a gathering this coming week:

Please come to the campaign announcement
and kickoff of

Randy Hultgren

on Monday, September 28

He is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 14

We are eager to show the media a good turnout and following, so, please bring your friends and family between 1:00 and 1:30pm to

Peck Farm Park 4038 Kaneville Road Geneva IL 60134
Located west of Randall Road on the corner
of Kaneville Road and Peck Road

All of the buildings have been reserved so families can enjoy themselves. The only request is that from 2-2:20 you stand with Randy as he gives his speech and answers questions. There will be signs, stickers and treats.

Please RSVP (requested, not required) by 4:00 on Sunday to:

Rose at rgust@pobox.com
OR
630.406.1178

(Click here for Peck Farm info and map)

Borders Educator Appreciation week.

Check out this great opportunity for educators and it says it includes home educators as well. It might be good to bring some kind of card verifying your homeschool status if you have one:

Interested in Local History?

If you would like more information on local history including events, museums, background information and resources, you may like to subscribe to a FREE quarterly magazine put out by the Illinois State Museum.

This colorful publication, entitled The Living Museum, packs information on the many historical monuments, museums, and sites available to you around our state. It also includes information on current exhibits at various museums so you can plan them into your schedule.

Living Museum Cover

For more information about this publication, or to subscribe, check out the Illinois State Museum website, or email them at: subscriptions@museum.state.il.us

A River Thru History

Another opportunity to see Illinois history come alive:

A River Thru History is a living history reenactment of early American life, as it was on the Illinois frontier prior to 1848, with emphasis on local history from the fur trade era to the canal era. The goal of this rendezvous is to be the premier event of this type in this area by creating an exciting, entertaining and educational experience for all ages. To this end, we strive to create a better understanding and appreciation of our history by allowing the public and the reenactors to mingle, both as witnesses and participants, in our event. Finally, we seek to have the most authentic and highest quality reenactors and trade goods to represent our vision of the rendezvous. This is consistent with the overall goal of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority, which is to promote and enhance the historic, recreational and economic development of this new style National Park.

When: October 10,11 — also a “school day” available on Friday the 9th for $3 per person

Where: Columbia Woods, Willow Springs, IL

What: Early American food, Music, crafts, canoe races, and more

Cost: Children under 6 — FREE
Children 6-12   $3
Senior over 62 $4
Youths 12-18    $4
Adults                  $8
Family pass        $18

See their website for full details, A River Thru History.

Alpacas!

Interested in seeing Alpacas up close?

Want to learn more about this friendly animal? Come join in Alpaca Farm Days this coming weekend. September 26th and 27th in Elgin.

Four farms will be participating in this hands on event.
There will be alpacas, demonstrations, and farm stores to experience.
Make plans to attend and share the news!
When: Sat and Sun 10:00 – 4:00

Hosted by: Rivendell Alpacas and Jill & Gordon Muirhead
9N942 Dittman Road
Elgin, IL 60124
Phone: 847-464-1098

Children’s Clothing and Toy Resale Season

You may already know, but as garage sale season winds down, a whole new type of sale begins to dot the landscape. The clothing resale.

I first learned about these sales over twelve years ago and have haunted them ever since.

Basically, children’s clothing and toy resales provide families a place to sell their outgrown items and buy other people’s outgrown items all in one place.

If you want more details about how to buy and sell successfully at these sales, I wrote about that a while back on my blog:

– Buying from used clothing sales

– Selling at used clothing sales

It may be too late in the game to jump in as a seller, but the buyers have lots of opportunities. Here are the ones that I know of so far (click on links for more details regarding locations and times):

September 12th — Dupage County Fairgrounds —Step by Step, Mothers and More, and Mothers of Multiples

September 11th and 12 — Batavia — Alice Gustafson School

September 12th — Lemont — Church of Nazarene

September 19th — Mooseheart (Thanks, Raelyn!)– Tri-City Mother of Twins and Triplets

September 26th — Kaneland — http://www.kaneland.org/d302/news/?id=967

September 25th and 26th — Geneva — Western Avenue School

September 26th — Elmhurst — Timothy Christian School

September 26 — Lilly Lake — Lily Lake School (THIS ONE WAS CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF SELLERS!)

September 26 — Oak Park — Mothers of Multiples

September 26 — Round Lake Beach — Lake County Mother of Twins Club

Do you know of any that I missed? Please leave a comment with the location and times if you know so we can share this information around.

Free Educator’s Screening

Some great information from a Chicagoland area theater. Check with your local theater for the availability of educator screenings.

They offer a free screening for you and one guest. They often have snacks available as well, and lots of information on planning an outing for your homeschool group to the IMAX. Even if you cannot attend, they have some fun tips and educational activities to use with your kids.

Now Playing

Directions

What is IMAX®?

You and one (1) guest are Invited to the Free Educator Screening of Under the Sea 3D and Bugs 3D. Additional guests will be charged $5.00 for each or $9.00 for both.

Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15 & 16

Time: 4:00 pm–Bugs 3D , 5:15 pm–Under the Sea 3D (please arrive a half hour prior to check-in and register)

Place: Randall 15 IMAX® 550 N. Randall Rd. Batavia, IL 60510

RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Monday Sept. 14th. Please leave us your first and last name, school name, date, theater, and number of people attending. If registering via email, you will receive an email confirmation. If registering via phone, you will not receive a phone call to confirm your space.

Under the Sea 3D: Under the Sea 3D, a new IMAX® 3D adventure, transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change. In IMAX 3D, the images will literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience in the movie. Narrated by Jim Carrey, Under the Sea 3D is directed by Howard Hall, produced by Toni Myers, produced for Howard Hall Productions by Michele Hall and executive produced by Graeme Ferguson. This Warner Bros. film is produced and distributed by IMAX Corporation. Website Teacher’s Guide 3-5 Teacher’s Guide 3-5

Bugs 3D: Bugs are bizarre, beautiful, and an endless source of fascination. BUGS! will magnify the miniscule world of insects and explore the miracle of their success. From metamorphosis to mastery, predator to prey and community to concealment, extraordinary large-format 3D images will bring audiences face-to-face with this amazing universe of creatures. Website Teacher’s Guide

Group Rates: For groups of 10 or more, $5.00 per person (Traditional 45 minute films) or $7.50 per person for IMAX DMR. Groups of 20 or more receive one free admission for a teacher or chaperone.

Book a group and call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email jsmith@gqti.com

www.GQTIMAX.comLearning to the MAX online brochure

Library Film: We offer a collection of IMAX films to enhance your curriculum. From space to the prehistoric times of dinosaurs and the sea. All films have teacher guides available. Click here

NOW PLAYING IN IMAX

Under the Sea

Star Trek

COMING SOON IN IMAX

Last call, Six Flags Homeschool Day

If you did not already make arrangements to enjoy the Six Flags homeschool day on Thursday, September 10, you can still do so, just minus the early registration discounts.

A reader found out this information today (Thanks, Janet!). You can still get in at the gate for $38.00 (rather than the $32.00 advance rate). However, you cannot order the buffet.

If you want more details, feel free to check out my earlier post on this great event or give them a call today or tomorrow
at (847) 249-4636.

Edit: Note the comment left at this post as well, for information on the buffet picnic!