Great reminders to focus on more than barbecues and fireworks this weekend.

Happy Fourth of July!

FREE Download to Celebrate Independence Day Uncle Rick’s Tribute to America no purchase necessary Use Promo Code: TRIBUTE Paul Revere`s Ride, The Declaration of Independence, Concord Hymn, The Mayflower  Compact, The Star Spangled Banner. (All 4 verses!) For You They Signed: $35

Special Offer- All July Revisionist history is exploded as Marilyn chronicles the lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. By reading about one of the 56 Signers per week, you can give your family more than a year`s worth of exciting “family times.” Learn together about the sacrifices made by these great men for our freedom. Inspire your children to become citizens who will reclaim the Christian heritage of America A code inside the book gives you free access to a companion ebook containing coloring pages for little hands to complete and hang on the refrigerator to learn to identify the Signers, character quality definitions and Scripture verses to learn (one per week,) and Family Fun Quizzes to use every other week to review the information and make it stick. All Month Regular Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $35 Buy Now

“More than 2.000 years ago, Nehemiah undertook the rebuilding of his nation. As part of the process, he constructed a “House of Heroes” (Neh. 3:16) by which those in his generation could learn of the courage and sacrifices made by previous ones. Through For You They Signed , Marilyn has created a much-needed inspirational “House of Heroes” for this generation. “ David Barton Wallbuilders

Well, they do. I know we are a long way from Florida here in Chicagoland, but I also know lots of people make trips down to Disney on a regular basis. So, if you are planning a trip, or looking for an idea for your family vacation this year, you will want to consider this offer.

Check their website for all the prices and scheduling info. I found their prices for these days quite competitive compared to regular ticket prices.

This is a promotional e-mail from Disney Destinations at the following locations: Walt Disney World® Resort Attn: E-mail Marketing 1375 Buena Vista Drive P.O. Box 10000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32930

And, even if you can’t make the trip to Disney, your child can get a phone call to bring the magic home. Check out more free stuff in Chicago for this free phone call.

Check out the NASA site for more details.

While homeschoolers keep the wheels turning all year as far as fun activities, field trips, and outings, the summer always gives us some special opportunities to take advantage of.
Thanks to reader Anastasia for this link:

Kids bowl FREE all summer long at Brunswick
http://coupons.bowlbrunswick.com/ballpass/
This is truly free, you just need to register online for the Brunswick Bonus Zone in advance of arriving for your free game of bowling. The program says members will receive one free game each day from June through August.

Presumably no other purchase is required, except for shoe rental if you would need those, but there are not a lot of details in the ad. I would encourage you to call your local Brunswick to find answers to any further questions.

Every Brunswick might not necessarily be participating, but there is a fairly good list that includes more than a dozen in the Chicago area, so you will likely find one not too far from your home. And, it’s free! Perfect for those rainy or too hot days that we are sure to encounter at some point this summer.

Sign up now and take advantage of this special program.

Check out the Free Things to Do in Chicago for more, but here are a couple highlights from recent posts:

**Upcoming Mini Model Build**:

Build a free LEGO Chick: Tuesday, April 6, begins at 5:00pm until supplies last.

Bring your kids to the free monthly LEGO mini-model build at any of the four Chicago area LEGO stores  and take home a free mini-model that your child has constructed! On the first Tuesday of every month, LEGO has this free event and your children can learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! A new model will be available every month and will be specially themed to that month – Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. See store for more details.

The** Chicago History Museum **is free on Mondays so come out in April 5, April 12, April 19 or April 26 2010 with the kids and family to see this Chicago museum devoted to collecting, interpreting, and presenting the rich multicultural history of Chicago and Illinois. Check out the outstanding “Abraham Lincoln Transformed” exhibit which closes on April 12 after a long run.

**Free Audio Download!** Each month Christianaudio.com gives away a premium audiobook download for free. How does it work? Well, they give away one audiobook download (that they have published or that a partner has allowed them to give away) absolutely free; available only during that month and only once, ever.

During April, ChristianAudio.com  is offering a free audiobook download of “Stuff Christians Like” by Jonathan Acuff. To get the deal, use promo code “APR2010”.

Lots more free stuff to be enjoyed. Check it out!

There is also a similar deal for renewing members. Check out all the details at HLSDA.org

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

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 15^th-Feb 28^th 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.