Our curriculum plans and link to more

Not Back to School Blog Hop

The new year!
We have a couple weeks yet before we begin. August 22 is our official start date at this point, but at least we know where we are headed.

I made myself a master list like the following but just with the generic subjects listed and then a box for each day of the week. Then I won’t forget what they should be doing each day. And, I can use it to record their grades for each assignment in each subject which will make record keeping so much easier.

In the past I would pull out their individual notebooks and pull their grades off the top of each graded assignment. Now, I will just record it all onto my master sheet throughout the week and just have one paper of info to put into the computer on the weekend. That will make my weekend job a 15 minute one rather than an hour long one.

Lots of the same. We know what works for us and what we love, but some new stuff, too. Of course, since we don’t really follow the regular school calendar, many of these books and subjects they are already in the midst of.

I am streamlining a bit this year and doing history all together. Obviously their homework and their interaction with the material will be quite different over the 8 year age span, but we will all be in the same time period and it will tie into our Bible time as well. Science for all 2-8th will be the same as well. My 8th grader already finished Physical science and General Science so she gets to have fun with us this year as she isn’t really ready for high school science yet.

I am mixing up grammar this year. We love Rod & Staff, but it gets a little repetitive year after year. So, I am going to switch every other year and pepper in Shurley and Easy Grammar. We gave both of these an introductory run during our summer school and they seem to fill the need well.

High School continues to stretch us, but mostly in a good way. This year we will tackle Spanish and Advanced Mathematics (including pre-calc) together.

Nathan — 2nd grade
First Language Lessons (mostly oral)
Saxon Math 3 (already half way through)
Handwriting without tears — big focus!! Trying to improve his pencil grip and penmanship this year
All About Spelling level 3 (almost done)
Truth quest History (Beginnings — ties into Bible)
Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology
PE — baseball, gym and swim, PE at co-op
Brooke – 3rd grade
Rod & Staff English 3 (half way through)
Saxon Math 5/4 (half way through)
All About Spelling level 3 (almost done)
Truth quest History
Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology
A Reason for Handwriting T (half way through)
PE — soccer, gym and swim, PE at co-op
Faith – 6th grade
Easy Grammar Level 1
Saxon Math 8/7 (half way through)
All About Spelling level 4
Truth quest History
Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology
PE — soccer, gym and swim, PE at co-op
Paige – 8th grade
Shurley English 7
Algebra 1 (half way through)
Puppetry (Co-op)
IEW Level B (Co-op, I’m teaching)
All About Spelling level 4
Truth quest History
Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology
PE — soccer, gym and swim
Blake – 10th grade
Apologia Chemistry (Co-op)
PE — baseball, gym and swim, PE at co-op
Bible
Spanish 1
Advance Mathematics (Saxon)
IEW Level C (Co-op, I’m teaching)
Truth quest History
Full days, but wonderfully full. I look forward to another year of exploring life and our amazing world with my kids. In between it all we continue to enjoy the antics of a two year old who breathes new life into everything. Thankful to God for another opportunity to live life in the midst of my family each day.

Tri-Cities Enrichment enrollment still open

Received via email:

Attention Home school families –

Looking for excellent teaching from a Christian worldview and a community to connect and grow with?

Check out TEC – Tri-Cities Enrichment Co-op meeting on Tuesdays at Lord of Life church!

We still have openings in the following classes:

·            The Arts:

o   2-3            Ballet I (ages 4-6)

o   3-4            Inspired By Art (Grades 3 & up)

o   3-4            Ballet II (ages 7-10)

o   3-4:30       Sewing (Ages 8 & up)

o   3:30-4:30 Choral Techniques (Grades 7 & up for 30 weeks)

o   1-2            Story Time Art (Grades K-2)

·            Grades K-6:

o   8:15-10     Classical Connections classes (grades 1-6)

o   11-12        Geography Adventures (grades K-2)

o   2-3            American Girl History (grades 1-4)

·            Foreign Languages:

o   9-10          High School Spanish III

o   10-11        High School Spanish I

o   10-11        Latin (grades 3-5)

o   1-2            Latin (grades 5th & up)

·            Science:

o   9-10          Apologia General Science (Grades 6 & up)

o   11-12        Science (Grades 5-6)

o   1-2            Science (Grades 3-4)

o   4:30-5:30 Introduction to Computers (Grades 7 & up for 15 weeks)

Classes begin September 11th and are 24 weeks long.

Other classes may have limited space available, as well.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact:

·         Leeann Acosta (leeannacosta@att.net) or 630.587.8045

·         Kim Jimenez (kimjimenez@comcast.net) or 630.406.9529

Teacher appreciation days

1

Teacher appreciation days coming up, check out the Office Max site for more locations and be sure to get to one for some goodies this weekend.

Otter Creek Shopping Center
202 South Randall Road
Elgin, Il 60123
Phone (847) 695-0761
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Spring Hill Fashion Court
370 North 8th Street
West Dundee, IL 60118
Phone (847) 836-0140
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Windpoint Center
321 North Randall Road
Batavia, IL 60510
Phone (630) 761-3920
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Algonquin Commons
1806 South Randall Road
Algonquin, IL 60102
Phone (847) 854-1088
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Poplar Creek Crossing
2570 Sutton Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
Phone (847) 645-9076
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Bloomingdale Court Center
368 West Army Trail Road
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Phone (630) 307-6400
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Holiday Plaza
4747 North Harlem Avenue
Harwood Heights, IL 60706
Phone (708) 867-0123
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012
Willow Creek Retail Center
2211 Willow Road
Glenview, IL 60025
Phone (847) 657-6221
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012

ICHE Father/Son camp

Reminder:  Reservations for camp and your accommodations in Illinois  are separateand require 2 registration forms, please go to www.fathersoncamp.org to print your camp registration form,  and send in by the October 15th deadline for the Illinois camp.  Links for accommodation recommendations are also available at the camp website

FATHER AND SON CAMP

October 25th – 28th, 2012

Speakers:  Norm Wakefield ( www.spiritofelijah.com )         and Ken Bevel ( www.courageousthemovie.com)

WALNUT POINT STATE PARK  ILLINOIS

Capture a moment with your son

Now in its sixteenth year, this camp combines outdoor adventures and inspiring ministry for the purpose of seeing the hearts of fathers and sons turned towards each other and towards Jesus Christ.

We give all glory to God as He uses this weekend event to influence the lives of hundreds of future men.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

-Jeremiah 29:11-

Application deadlines:   September 15th (FSC East/PA)            October 15th (Illinois)

Reminder:  Reservations for camp and your accommodations in Illinois  are separate and require 2 registration forms, please go to www.fathersoncamp.org to print your camp registration form,  and send in by the October 15th deadline for the Illinois camp.  Links for accommodation recommendations are also available at the camp website

The camp is a not-for-profit event and is run by donations. Our expenses are great, so if God has given you the resources, you may send a donation with your application or contribute to the donation box at the camp.

Each year, our total expenses for the weekend range from $20,000 to $25,000.

P.O. Box 307
Russell, Illinois 60075
Illinois Christian Home Educators

Homeschool classes in West Dundee

Received this via email:

The Dundee Township Park District offers special hands-on animals classes for Homeschoolers at the Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee.  All of the details are available at our website www.dtpd.org The programs require pre-registration and fees are below.  Here are our special Homeschool educational classes available in the fall…

Animal Caretakers Club for grades 2-6

Join this club and take care of the Randall Oaks Zoo animals.  Brush the donkeys, make enrichment toys for the birds, socialize the reptiles, visit with the goats and much more!

Program # 428317-01
Wednesdays / 10-11 am

August 22 – October 10
$50 Dundee Township resident / $70 non resident

Program # 428317-02
Wednesdays / 10-11 am
October 17 – December 5
$50 Dundee Township resident / $70 non resident


Digestive Journey for grades 1-6

Take a wild tour through animal’s digestive systems.  We will learn about ungulates, gastric juices in reptiles, the function of a cecum, and much more.  Afterward we will have a snack and see how we break down food.  YUM!

Program # 428311-01
Friday / 10-11:30 am
September 14
$8 Dundee Township resident / $11 non resident

Zoo Math for grades 1-6

What does math have to do with running a zoo?  Plenty!  Come along for a journey of fractions, ratios, geometry, shapes, word problems, estimation, and plenty of mental math.  Math applications “in real life,” will be presented.

Program # 428311-02
Friday / 10-11:30 am
September 21
$8 Dundee Township resident / $11 non resident

Jumping Geography for grades 1-6

Where in the world are these animals from?  Australia, the desert of northern Africa, Thailand…the list goes on.  We will learn how the animals are specially adapted to, and are an expression of the environments that they are from.

Program # 428311-03
Friday / 10-11:30 am
September 28
$8 Dundee Township resident / $11 non resident

Veritable Vocabulary for grades 1-6

Come and see words in action!  Do donkeys see dichromatically?  Are deer crepuscular?  How does a cow’s eructation impact the ozone layer?  Is a duck nidifugous?  How does a ruminant ruminate exactly?  Enjoy the wonderful world of words!

Program # 428311-04
Friday / 10-11:30 am
October 5
$8 Dundee Township resident / $11 non resident

Hands-on History grades 1-6

How did donkeys impact the gold rush?  How did goats change the history of Neolithic farmers 11,000 years ago?  What did pigs have to do with the founding of England’s town, Bath?  Enjoy stories of how humans and animal history are intertwined in some pretty odd ways!

Program # 428311-05
Friday / 10-11:30 am
October 12
$8 Dundee Township resident / $11 non resident


For more information please call me at (847) 551-4310.   Thank you!

Katherine Ellinghausen

Natural Areas/Program Supervisor

Dundee Township Park District

750 N Randall Road, West Dundee, IL  60118

Office  (847) 551-4310

Cell  (847) 997-8894

Classical Conversations meeting in Bolingbrook

Some info from the Naperville Home Educators Yahoo group on an upcoming informational meeting:

What: Classical Conversations Challenge A Info Meeting
When: Tuesday July 24, 2012
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Fountaindale Library, Meeting Room B, 300 W. Briarcliff Rd, Bolingbrook, 60440
Challenge A is coming to Bolingbrook! If you would like more information, join us for this informational meeting. Challenge A uses the tools of memorization and discussion to help kids develop their skills in six different areas: logic, grammar, debate, research, exposition and rhetoric.

Homeschool workshop in Oak Lawn

Sponsored by: Christian Home Educators of SW Chicago

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church
9701 Brandt Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL


When: Sat., Aug. 4, 2012, 10:30 am – Noon

In this free informational workshop we will discuss
the many aspects of homeschooling:

  • Why homeschool?
  • Illinois Homeschooling law
  • Learning styles
  • Teaching methods
  • Questions and Answers with veteran homeschooling parents and teens

Please RSVP by July 31st to Patty at 815-534-0913
to reserve your spot and workshop packet.

Light refreshments will be served.

West Suburban Home School Band

From: The Patriots

West Suburban Home School Band

Summer is the best time (albeit not the only time) to think about
joining the award winning West Suburban Home School Band. We always need
new students to learn and develop, replacing those who graduate or move
away.

Membership has grown from 46 students/26 families in 2001, to 160+
students/100+ families in 2011-2012. Students are home schoolers,
elementary through high school age. There are four band levels to
accommodate those with NO MUSICAL TRAINING whatsoever to those with
advanced experience and abilities. We also accept both experienced and
beginner parents. Auditions are required for all levels but Cadets.

Those who wish to audition for Concert Junior, Concert Senior or
Symphonic level as part of the WSHSB Annual Summer Chair Competition
must submit an audition video by August 9, 2012. AUDITIONING FOR A
PARTICULAR BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE IN THAT BAND. There may
also be limits in instrument sections within each band level. The
Concert Season roster is set by the end of August. However, once the
audition video deadline has past you are still able to join by
submitting an audition video with the following understanding. You will
be placed in the band where we feel you fit best and you will be at the
end of the roster for your instrument. THOSE WHO DO NOT SUBMIT AN
AUDITION VIDEO WILL NOT RECEIVE MUSIC AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A
MEMBER OF THE BAND. Supplemental Senior and Symphonic audition materials
were released on July 11, 2012. However, it is still not too late to act
to give those who will need to audition, time to prepare.

AS SOON AS you consider joining contact the director, Karen Borow,
630-231-6155, and visit our website, www.wshsb.com
<http://www.wshsb.com/> .

Getting involved in the political process

This past year my son took a class on elections at our co-op and as part of the class they helped out in an local campaign headquarters and stuffed bags, put together signs, and in the process became more informed about politics and the political process.

The following is from an email I received seeking homeschoolers who would like to get involved with the Republican party as they try to identify and register voters. If this is something you would be interested in for yourself or your older student read on:
In 2010, the Illinois Victory Program was one of the largest voter identification and get out the vote campaigns in the country.  It directly led to the election of Senator Mark Kirk, State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford and 5 new Republican Congressman.
This year, we have brought back the Illinois Victory Program to once again defend Republican incumbents and win competitive races across the state.  The body of work created and foundation of knowledge that will be gained through Victory will benefit not just Republican candidates in this election cycle, but will be part of the long-term process of turned Illinois around for future Republican candidates for many years to come.
You can help here in Chicago by volunteering at the Victory Center in Lincoln Park. Our victory office is located at 2768 N. Lincoln Ave at Lincoln and Diversey.  Join Fellow Republicans Monday through Saturday and help call voters statewide to ensure Republicans claim victory in November.
There is a phone from home option if that is too far of a drive. Check their website for more details, Illinois Victory Program.

Midwest Museum of Natural History

The Midwest Museum of Natural History has some upcoming events that may appeal to you. If you mention that you heard about it here when you register, you can get the member price (except for Nature Down and Dirty). Details and registration info can be found at www.mmnh.org.

Safari Sprouts, ages 3-5, siblings are welcome

Every Wednesday 10:15-11:15 am

$8/child, adults free, no registration required

Fee includes Museum admission for the day

Games, crafts, stories, and live animal visits!

Storytime, ages 2-5, siblings are welcome

Every Friday, 11:00 am, no registration required

Free with Museum admission

Fossil Workshop: Micro-Fossils, ages 8+

Thursday, July 19, 7-8:30 pm

Thursday, August 16, 7-8:30 pm

Non-members: $12

Members: $10, 1 adult free per family ($5 extra adult)

Learn about the fossils beneath our feet and the clues they give us to Illinois’ past. Find and identify micro-fossils and take home whatever you find! Registration required.

Live Reptile Care, ages 10+
Saturday, July 21, 10:30 am-12:30 pm

Fri, August 17, 1-3:00

Non-members: $18/child

Members: $15/child, 1 adult free per family ($5 extra adult)

Fee includes Museum admission for the day

Learn how to properly feed and handle live snakes, turtles, and lizards. Registration required, class fills quickly.

Jewelry Making, ages 8+
Saturday, July 28, 3-4:15 pm
Thursday, August 2, 10:30-11:45 am
Fee includes Museum admission for the day
Non-members: $12/child, 1 adult free per family ($5 extra adult)

Members: $10/child, 1 adult free per family ($5 extra adult)

Learn about jewelry from around the world and make three pieces to take home. Registration required.

Nature: Down and Dirty

Saturday, August 4, 1-3:30 pm, Ages 7-13

Meet at Sycamore Park

Sycamore Resident: $15/child

Non-resident: $20/child

Registration required through the Sycamore Park District: http://www.sycamoreparkdistrict.com/

The woods are bursting with life – if you know where to look. Learn how to spot animal tracks, nests, and other signs of life. Identify plants, insects, and birds. Dig in and uncover what’s happening underground, and get your feet wet (literally) investigating the river.

Fossil Dig, ages 6-adult

Saturday, August 11, 9:30-11:00 am

Saturday, September 29, 9:30-11:00 am

Dig for fossils at Vulcan Quarry, keep what you find. Registration required, class fills quickly!

Non-members: $20/person or $55 for a family of 3-4

Members: $18/person or $50 for a family of 3-4

Midwest Museum of Natural History

425 West State St, Sycamore IL 60178

815-895-9777 www.mmnh.org

Tues-Sat, 10-5:00

Sunday 12-5:00

closed Mondays