Category: Special Events

Skiing anyone?

Wilmot Mountain has a great skiing deal for homeschoolers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check out their homeschool flyer for all the details.

For more information or to make reservations for groups of 15 people or more contact Wilmot at:

Email: homeschool@skiwilmot.net

Phone: 262-862-2301

Pricing:

Under 6 years old (includes lift ticket): ski rental $10; snowboard rental $20

7 and over: lift ticket, lesson and ski rental $25 or snowboard rental $35

Helmets are also available for rent for $10

Sad to say that we likely have quite a bit of winter weather left, so you might as well take advantage of it.

Grab some homeschool friends and hit the slopes!

Election Day

As homeschoolers, we often have an extra interest in our elected officials as we hold our freedoms a little dearer than the average American might.

You most likely already know that this coming Tuesday, February 2nd, is election day in Illinois.us flag

You may also have spent some time researching who to vote for, you may have even already voted! Either way, the electoral process is an important one for our kids to understand.

Here are some links to help in talking to or teaching your child about elections and the road to a political seat in our state and country:

– Illinois board of elections

– Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government offers some lesson ideas for various ages about elections and a variety of other government related topics.

– Education World has some election day ideas. Many of these center around the presidential election, but some are applicable to any election.

Also, if you are still researching, some conservative organizations publish survey and voting results for various candidates to help you in this important decision.

– A general listing of who is running along with basic background information from Congress.org
– Illinois Federation for Right to Life

– Illinois Family Institute

Iditarod!

Go Team!

Registration closes on January 31 for the eIditarod.

If you have not followed this amazing race in the past, I would encourage you to do so this year. And, I would encourage you to check out the eIditarod project hosted each year by Walter McKenzie. You simply join  their Yahoo group and follow along at the level that suits you.

They offer projects, lesson ideas, information and encouragement as you mush alongside these amazing men and women in the wilderness of Alaska.

Here are some previous posts of mine, at Delighting In His Richness, about the Iditarod and how we took advantage of the eIditarod project.

Also, be sure to check out the official Iditarod website for more background information on the race, the mushers, and the dogs.

Fermi lab open house coming next month

This is open to all families, but registration is required. Feel free to see their website for more information:

Fermilab Family Open House

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2009 Open House such a great success, by helping, getting the word out, or attending! The 2010 Open House will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Every year we have the Fermilab Family Open House.

Register for the Open House (no charge)

This is a party for children who bring an adult with them to learn about the world of physics. (There’s plenty for the grown-ups, too.)

A tentative schedule of events includes:

The Open House will be most appropriate for children in grades 3 and up (tours restricted to adults and children age 10 and up). The event is free, but registration is required. Be sure to sign up for tours. You should pick up the tickets for the tours in the atrium on the day of the event.

Look at pictures from the 2007 (pdf) and 2008 Open Houses.

Fermilab Education Office

Homeschool Conferences

Did you know that we have four different homeschool conventions or conferences coming to the Chicagoland area this year?

The first one takes place in just a couple months. The InHome Conference (This is a non-religious based group):

March 18 – 20, 2010
Pheasant Run Resort and Spa
4051 East Main St.
St. Charles, Illinois

A little background on this conference taken from their website:

During the 90s, Illinois HOUSE planned and produced conferences for Illinois homeschooling families which grew in size and frequency until it made sense to incorporate them as a separate activity. In 1998, the Home Educators Conference Fund (HECF) was formed as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and a section 501(c)3 tax-exempt charity. In both its volunteer base and its governance, HECF has drawn from a wide selection of committed and talented homeschoolers. Our presenters and volunteers are current or former homeschoolers from all over Illinois, and elsewhere in the US where homeschooling has flourished. HECF’s “InHome” event is a forum for grassroots insights; we enjoy sharing our experiences and recognizing the expertise within our own communities.

Then, in June, the Illinois Christian Home Educators have their annual convention:

June 3-5, 2010
Calvary Church
Naperville,IL

More details yet to come on this convention.

In August, the Chicago Homeschool Expo returns for a second year:

August 5-7, 2010
The Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center
1551 N. Thoreau Dr.
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

From their website:

The Homeschool Expo is a “don’t miss” whole family two day event with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products where parents can review and purchase the latest curriculum, hear great speakers who give practical encouragement, and receive personalized help and answers to any question. Our workshops especially emphasize the practical aspects of working with children in ways that will promote their educational, social and emotional growth.

And, finally, Apologia Live is coming in October:

October 8-9, 2010, in Chicago, IL
Westin NW in Schaumburg, IL

Their website has this to say about this event:

These will be exciting, spiritually refreshing events specifically designed for homeschool moms and those thinking of homeschooling. We have planned these retreats with you in mind. Fellowship with like-minded women will encourage you and foster renewal. All of the speakers are veteran homeschool moms who know the pitfalls, the pressures, and the panicked-times of homeschooling. Yet they also know the joys, blessings, and eternal benefits of homeschooling. All of the messages will focus on different aspects of Standing Strong in Christ.

Plan now to attend one (or more) of these events to help keep your homeschool growing and meeting your family’s needs.



Discovery Center Museum Homeschool Classes

One of my family’s favorite children’s museums in the Chicago area is actually in Rockford. We have enjoyed a membership on and off at the Discovery Center Museum and appreciate that they appeal to a broader range of “kids” than many other children’s museums.

Coming up in the month ahead they have classes designed especially for the homeschooler:

Bring your child to Discovery Center Museum for memorable and exciting learning experiences. We can accommodate small groups as well as individual children, and we offer a wide range of schedules and themes.

Advanced registration and payments are required for participation in all Home School classes.

***Please note that admission to and exploration of Discovery Center Museum itself are separate from the Home School classes.***

Home School Winter/Spring 2010

Preregistration required. To register, call 815-963-6769 or drop by the Discovery Center office during normal business hours. Payment must accompany registration.
Class registration opens December 18 for members,
December 22 for Public.

Class fees: $11 Members / $13 Public; ages 6 and up

High Voltage Science

If you like lightning, then this class is for you! Discover how to build up, store, transfer, and discharge electrical jolts both big and small. Have a hair-raising time with the Van de Graaff generator, discover which materials make the best charges, and get zapped by miniature bolts of lightning!

Wednesday, February 3
Session 1 ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 2 ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 3 ages 10+; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 4 ages 6 & up: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Under Pressure

Explore the amazing science of air and water pressure. Use atmospheric pressure to hold back a flood, discover a barometer in your bathroom, and put on the squeeze to make a diver sink and float. Experiment with Bernoulli’s principal and Pascal’s law and test your own strength against the power of pressure.

Wednesday, March 10
Session 1 ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 2 ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 3 ages 10+; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 4 ages 6 & up: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Simple Machines I

What are simple machines? Where would we be without wedges? How do screws help our lives? Get a feel for mechanical advantage as you lift an incredible mass with a GIANT lever. Build simple machines and measure their effectiveness as we explore forces and more in this class about levers, inclined planes, wedges, screws.

Wednesday, April 14
Session 1 ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 2 ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 3 ages 10+; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 4 ages 6 & up: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Simple Machines II

Build a free-wheeling car, design a pulley-driven message-carrier, calculate the turns on a series of LEGO gears, and much more! We’ll turn the force around in this follow-up class about wheels and axles, pulleys, and gears. Note: While the Simple Machines I is not a prerequisite, this class will build directly on themes from that class.

Wednesday, May 5
Session 1 ages 6-7; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 2 ages 8-9; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 3 ages 10+; 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Session 4 ages 6 & up: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Lots of great classes in the works. Check out their website for more details and to register.

Mid-winter Renewal from ICHE

From the Illinois Christian Home Educators:


I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
~ Jeremiah 31:25

Please join us for the ICHE Ladies’ Midwinter Renewal on January 16, 2010.  The day will be one to look to the Lord.  He has promised to refresh and to satisfy you.  

You will be so blessed by all that is being planned.

Marilyn Boyer is our dear guest speaker. Marilyn delights in raising and teaching her 14 children to walk in the ways of the Lord, and she is looking forward to spending the day with you. A well-known conference speaker and author, Marilyn brings with her over 30 years of home educating experience. Her sessions will include the following titles: Pushing the Reset Button, Holding Their Hearts, and Learning to Delight in Your Children.

This event will be held at Christ Church of Oakbrook located at 501 Oakbrook Road, Oakbrook, Illinois 60523. The doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and the conference will be from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35.00 per person. This includes a delicious luncheon. Beautiful gift certificates are available for husbands to purchase for their wives, or you can purchase one for a friend. Registration information is available at www.iche.org under events.

You’ll be so encouraged and refreshed with the sessions, the worship of our Lord, and the fellowship with like-minded ladies. Come and join us. You’ll be so glad you did!

Sign up now at www.iche.org under events.  The registration deadline is January 8, 2010.

Physics with a BANG!

Check out the following information on an upcoming Physics demonstration and lecture through the University of Chicago:

We would like to invite the Chicagoland Homeschool families to our 3rd annual Physics with a Bang! Holiday Lecture and Open House at the University of Chicago.

Physics professors, Heinrich Jaeger and Sidney Nagel plan to present their favorite physics demonstrations during the Holiday Lectures on December 12th (repeated at 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm). From 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, there will also be an opportunity to talk to University of Chicago scientists and engage in hands-on activities during our Open House.

A website about the event can be found at:
http://mrsec.uchicago.edu/pwab

This location of this event:

Kersten Physics Teaching Center
5720 S. Ellis Ave.
Chicago, IL

For more information contact:

Eileen Sheu
Outreach Director
University of Chicago
Materials Research Center
(773) 834-9916
ecs@uchicago.edu

Philippe Guyot Sionnest is the organizer of the Open House. Sponsored by the James Franck Institute, the Department of Physics, and the Materials Research Science & Engineering Center

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.

about images
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

Randall 15 IMAX

What is IMAX®?

Free Educator Screening

See More Hear More Feel More

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 Carol
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.comTeachers GuideLearning to the MAX online brochure

Our current IMAX Library: Teachers Guide Click here

NOW PLAYING IN IMAX

LEWIS AND CLARKLewis and Clark

Star Trek

COMING SOON IN IMAX

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

AVATARAvatar

HUBBLE 3DHubble 3D

AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS

Dinosaurs

SPACE STATION 3DSpace Station

BUGS 3D Bugs

LEWIS AND CLARKLewis and Clark
Concession Combos available for groups