Acting workshop

The following is from Katie Cheely:

I am offering an Acting workshop with my theater company in the next
couple weeks, and we are also performing “Twelfth Night” and
“Pilgrim’s Progress” in the Chicago area.

“Explore the Spotlight” is a four day Acting workshop for kids, ages
11 – 18. A great workshop for all levels of experience – from
beginning to advanced – and for anyone who wants to have fun:)

Students get to take a variety of classes taught by theater
professionals, perform for friends and family on the final day, and
see two exciting premiere productions!

Classes are Monday – Thursday, June 22-25, from 2 pm – 6:30 pm at
Stage One. Topics include Improvisation, Stage Combat, Scene Study,
Acting Shakespeare, Stage Makeup, and Acting a Song.

Students get to see “Pilgrim’s Progress” Wed, June 24, and “Twelfth
Night” Thurs, June 25, both at 8pm at Stage One.

This is a schedule of our performances:

Our first show is Shakespeare’ s “Twelfth Night.” This high-energy,
6-person adaptation of Shakespeare’ s popular comedy invites you to
the earthy island of Illyria, where impulse and instinct reign, and
the characters search for love despite much mischief and
misunderstandings.

Showtimes and locations for “Twelfth Night” are:

Thurs, June 18 – Grand Crossing Park 12pm
7655 S. Ingleside Ave, Chicago

Thurs, June 18 – Skinner Park 6pm
1331 W. Adams St., Chicago

Fri, June 19 – Ravenswood Manor Park 5:30 pm
4626 N. Manor Ave, Chicago

Sat, June 20 – Portage Park 12pm
4100 N Long Ave, Chicago

Sun, June 21 – St. Odilo’s 3pm
2301 S. Clarence, Berwyn

Thurs, June 25 – Stage One – 8pm
620 Lee Street, Des Plaines

Our second show is “Pilgrim’s Progress: A New Journey,” a modern
musical retelling of the classic allegory of one man’s journey to
“Celestial City.”

Showtimes and locations for “Pilgrim’s” are:

Wed, June 17 – St. Michael’s 7pm
310 S. Wheaton Ave, Wheaton

Wed, June 24 – Stage One 8pm
620 Lee St., Des Plaines

For more information, visit our website: www.uncoveredtheatre.com

Feel free to contact me with any questions, or for any further details!!

-Katie Cheely
UnCovered Theatre Company
kcheely.uncoveredtheatre@gmail.com

SpellQuizzer winner

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the SpellQuizzer giveaway is . . .

Comment #2 — Jen Stanley

Congratulations! You have until  Thursday evening to get back to me and stake your claim.

If you missed my review of this great spelling software, you will find it here.

Thanks for entering, everyone, and check in next week for another exciting giveaway!

Product Review: SpellQuizzer

I have to admit that spelling settles into the category of subjects that draws less than an enthusiastic response from pretty much all of my kids. We do it, check it off,  sometimes groan in the process, and move on with life, or school.

Recently, Dan Hite of SpellQuizzer.com asked me to review his product and I fostered a little glimmer of hope that this would brighten this otherwise dull subject. I am so glad we gave it a go.

Day one —

I input the spelling words, having fun making up my own original sentences like, “poetry — Blake just LOVES {insert extreme sarcasm} poetry — poetry.” The kids get to hear these all week long and smile for each one. I always have fun with spelling sentences, so it added to my fun, to use this recording feature for my own tailor made sentences.

The program is quite easy to use and the process for setting up all three lists (for three different children) took me approximately 10 minutes. Of course, once I get them all in I can reuse them for younger children in subsequent years. The time required of the parent is very manageable.

The first run through I sit with my kids to answer any questions, check their initial progress, and make sure they understand expectations.My seven year old asks me to write out her words because she wants to study and make sure she earns the cheering for a perfect score next time.

Day two —

My daughters come in to my office at 7:00 a.m. to see if my computer is on so they can do their spelling. I guess I can probably take it off the school schedule if they finish it two hours before school even starts.

Days three and four —

Same story. Spelling is done before the day begins. They want more words to study.

Day five —

No doubt, all three have their spelling words down without hesitation. Talk about a painless process. We’re all hooked.

Take a few minutes to check out their website and you can . . .

– Download a free trial of this spelling program

– View some video demonstrations of SpellQuizzer

– Check out their many spelling lists

– Enjoy their special section geared just for homeschoolers

– And, of course, for just $29.95 you can own your own copy of this spelling software

With SpellQuizzer you can import and export spelling lists, compact your lists for long term storage, and use a written hint if you don’t use the audio feature (although, in my opinion, that is the most entertaining part of the process). My second child has routinely struggled with spelling and has little to no desire to study her words each week, but her enthusiasm surpassed all the others. By Wednesday she already could spell all her words correctly. SpellQuizzer had a guaranteed perfect paper waiting for her on Friday.

Now, for the best part . . . One reader will be able to win a copy of this software! Yes, Dan was gracious enough to offer a free copy to one of my readers. If you would like a chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post and you will be entered in the drawing. The contest will close on Friday, June 12. The winner will be posted that afternoon and will have until Monday evening to contact me, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

You can even earn extra entries — blog about this contest and you can be entered yet again (make sure to leave another comment saying you did so);  Subscribe to this website (and comment again) and not only will you receive all these posts delivered right to you, but you will be entered one more time.

Happy Spelling!

I’m sure it’s obvious, but this has definitely worked for us!

Used Curriculum Sale

Title: Used Curriculum Sale
Location: Johnsburg Library
Link out: Click here
Description: 10:00 – 12:00 Used Curriculum Flea Market
Sell some stuff, buy some stuff, ask lots of questions!
A limited number of tables, half tables and parking spaces are available by advanced reservation only. To sell at the used curriculum flea market please contact:
Kathy Wentz or leave a message at 847-497-4407. Please specify a table, half table or parking space when you leave a message.

12:00 – 1:00 Eat, Meet and Greet

1:00 – 4:00 Open Forum Q&A
Ask questions and hear real answers about the different homeschooling styles, curriculum choices, what has worked (and what hasn\’t!), legal information, where to find resources, and much more!
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-07-18
End Time: 16:00

Conventional offer

On Thursday I enjoyed a day of shopping and encouragement at the Illinois homeschool convention. Great speakers, vital topics, and almost limitless shopping venues.

A couple years ago I took advantage of the option to buy all of the workshops in MP3 format and I am so glad that I did. I have enjoyed listening to various speakers again and again — when I needed to hear it (not in June, when life seems a bit sun-shinier and smooth anyway). This was a purchase definitely worth the investment and I did the same this year.

Even at the regular price of $88 I would consider this a worthwhile purchase, but during the convention it is available for $57. Now I received an email from ICHE that you can order the set at convention prices for this whole weekend, whether you attended or not. If you are looking for some encouragement, or want some weapons to tuck away for “those” days you know we will all face in September, this might be something you would want to consider as well.

Some of the highlights: Tedd Tripp’s workshops on child rearing, Jeannie Fulbright on science, Stacey McDonald on motherhood and passionate housewives, and Vicki Bentley on home organization. Check out the full list here.

Here is the email from ICHE:


Thank you to all those who attended the convention this weekend!
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we wanted to make sure you were aware of the opportunity to purchase the Entire Convention on MP3.

Buy the entire ICHE Convention on MP3 at a special price of $57 including Tedd Tripp’s workshops – this weekend only!

Order before midnight on Sunday June 7th!

( after this weekend the price will be $88 and Tedd Tripp’s workshops will no longer be available)
Order on line at:
Blessings,
Your Convention Committee
(847) 603-1259

Parental Rights

A parent’s right to raise their children as they see fit is a time-honored American tradition, but today it is being threatened. The Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville decision in 2000 undermined a 75-year heritage of Constitutionally-protected, fundamental parental rights, which 8 of the 9 justices abandoned. At the same time, a growing body of international law fuels activist judges to legislate foreign standards from the American bench, while treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child would subject parental decisions to government oversight and international review.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (MI-2) has proposed HJR-42, the Parental Rights Amendment, to stop the erosion of parental rights in American courts while simultaneously defending our laws from international invasion. Please, visit parentalrights.org to learn more about the Amendment, and to join their email network by signing the petition to protect parental rights.

WFMW: Keeping students motivated

Earlier this school year I instituted a new reward system in our homeschool that I thought might encourage others as well. As a result we have enjoyed some smooth, productive weeks academically speaking. We have still enjoyed our share of bumps in the road and attitudes here and then, but I just need to rave a bit about our new found secret for these smooth, easy days.

Bribery definitely works.

According to this “experiment,” we often offer a weekly reward for all students completing their school work by a certain time on Friday, and then we can finish our school week with something fun. I have even increased the number of subjects that we cover on a more regular basis because their motivation keeps them trucking along so they can finish the school week a little early.

One afternoon we headed to the local Best Buy. My son requested this to play the video games there. The girls were not quite on board with that idea, but ended up making the most of it. Then we swung by McDonald’s for sundaes for a double reward.

Sweet success!

This addition to our homeschool plan has helped to keep our gears in forward motion each day and create a more positive atmosphere. We constantly encourage each other to get a little more done, and use our time a little more efficiently to continually work closer to the goal. Some days still accomplish more than others, but overall we have gotten far more done each week than we did a while back, with much better attitudes to boot!

We have only scratched the surface of reward ideas . . . ice cream, popcorn balls, snow cones, picnics, donuts, the dollar store, video game time, play dates. Half the fun is choosing the reward at the beginning of the week.

They continue to plot  for the weeks ahead, and this has definitely worked for us, and kept boredom at bay any season of the year.

Book sales

If you missed out on the various book sales around the area the last couple months, here is your opportunity to connect with buyers and sellers of homeschool curriculum around the Chicagoland area:

SPECIAL EDITION:
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOMESCHOOL MONTHLY
USED BOOK SALE
Are you looking for materials for your homeschool?
Or
Are you cleaning out old materials to make room for new materials?
Saturday, 6/13/09, there will be a special edition of Northern Illinois Homeschool Monthly devoted to helping homeschoolers in Northern Illinois buy and sell their used homeschool books, curriculum and items of interested to fellow homeschooling families.
If you have something to sell, please send a list of your items with prices, your first name, your e-mail address and your phone number toN.Il.HomeschoolMonthly@gmail.com by midnight on Friday, 6/12/09.

If you are looking to buy a certain book, curriculum or something your family needs that another homeschooling family might be ready to pass along, send your request with your first name, your e-mail address and your phone number to N.Il.HomeschoolMonthly@gmail.com by midnight on Friday, 06/12/09.

Please note: The editor (Julie Schnepper) is not responsible for typos in your e-mail, money disputes between buyers and sellers or any other problems that might occur as you conduct business with other buyers and sellers.

Remember: The deadline is Friday, 6/12/09 at midnight!

Masterpiece Art classes updates

Masterpiece Art Instruction
411 Locust Street
North Aurora, IL 60542
630-897-9826

Some updates on June art camps – “Exploring the World with Pastels”

1. The June 8-11 camp has been moved from Hobby Lobby in Aurora to Community Christian Church in Naperville (corner of Ogden and Rickert).

2. The June 15-18 camp has been cancelled due to low enrollment.

3. A class has been added at the home of Holly Ramsey in Naperville.  It will run June 22-25. There are some open seats – online registration is available.

You can sign up for the available camps online at:

http://www.teachartathome.com/Classes.html

“Exploring the World” Art Camp (ages 7-12)

Students will depict various scenes from around the world using soft pastels to create beautiful, frame-worthy pieces of art. As always, Karine will draw along with her students and introduce them to drawing and rendering techniques.

Time: 2-4 PM
Ages: 7-12
Fee: $50 per student (due at first class)

————————————–

Other summer art classes:

* Art Careers Worshops (ages 11-18)
* Outdoor Sketching Workshops

Learn more and register online at:

http://www.teachartathome.com/Classes.html

Chuck E Cheese reading incentive

Even Chuck E. Cheese is getting in on the action when it comes to encouraging kids to read.

Simply print out these reading reward calendars, have your child read every day for two weeks, and bring it in for 10 free tokens per child with a food purchase. You can get one for each child without needing seperate food purchases for each one (we have 5 children, buy 1 pizza and redeem 5 calendars, plus report cards if it is the end of a grading period).

These are great calendars, and they have a number of other ones on their site as well. If you want some extra encouragement while instilling good habits in your child, check out their other reward calendars (clean room, getting dressed, sleeping all night, manners, etc.) You can only redeem one calendar per child each time you go to Chuck E Cheese, and you must make a food purchase at that time as well, but these are great boredom busters and motivators all year round!

Don’t forget to bring your child’s report card with as well.

They earn tokens for good grades. Need some help putting together your end of the year grades? Check out Donna Young’s site for report cards that you can use for this important record keeping step.