An opportunity to flex your mental muscles in the geography arena!
What: The Lake County National Geographic Bee
Where: Grayslake Area Public Library
When: Tuesday, December 13 at 10 am
Who: The competition is open to homeschooled students who live in Lake County and are in 4th to 8th grade. This is a great opportunity to test kids on their national and international geography knowledge. The winner will take a test to qualify for the Illinois Bee. Last year the Lake County winner, Annie Ulrich, won the state competition and went on to the National level.
To find out more or to sign up, e-mail Audrey Ringer at dnaringer@yahoo.com.
My kids participated in the local geo bee a few years ago and it provided great incentive to learn their geography facts and really dig into the world around them. Great opportunity!
Did you know that the Poetry Foundation has a home in Chicago? I didn’t either.
They have some interesting events coming up in the near future including this one about postcards from poets:
The Alternative Press Multiple Originals Project
When: Wednesday, September 21, 11:00AM
Where: Poetry Foundation
61 West Superior Street
Free Admission
The Multiple Originals Project is an exhibit of postcards created by poets Robert Creeley, Alice Notley, Ted Berrigan, Joe Brainard, and others in collaboration with Ken and Ann Mikolowski. The exhibit is presented concurrently with a multimedia feature about the press on poetryfoundation.org.
EXHIBIT HOURS:
Monday – Friday, 11AM – 4PM Opens: Wednesday, September 21
Closes: Friday, November 4
Don’t know about age restrictions on this one, but could be a great work project!
17th Annual Day of Caring Breakfast Kickoff
The Day of Caring is fast approaching! With over 30 projects on tap for our volunteers to complete, this is shaping up to be one of our best years ever. Remember, the day begins with our Campaign Kickoff Breakfast, graciously hosted by the Grand Victoria Casino. After the breakfast and program, volunteers will depart to locations around Elgin to paint, clean, plant, mulch, build, and bring smiles to local social service agency staff and clients.
When: Friday, September 9th. Breakfast doors open at 7:30AM.
Where: Fox River Room, Grand Victoria Casino
Please RSVP to ekojzarek@uwelgin.org if you haven’t already! Breakfast space is filling up fast, and we want to make sure you have a seat at our table!
The following information is from the Food Day website:
Back to Nature FOOD DAY Fair Transitioning to a Sustainable Food Way
Movies, Information & Local Organic Food and Drink Tasting 2-Day “Food Day” Kick off & Community Awareness Celebration
Celebrate the first National Food Day in beautiful and historic downtown Elgin.
When: Saturday October 22nd
10:00 – 3:00 pm
and Sunday October 23rd
Noon- 5:00 pm
Hosted by Elgin Green Drinks Where: Simple Balance Holistic Center
221 E Chicago Street
Elgin Illinois, 60123
You’ll also get a chance to meet your local organic farmers and taste their delicious healthy fare.
Elgin Garden Network Display and Information
ECC, Organic Garden and Culinary Display
Erehwon Organic Farms (tasting)
Troggs Hollow Organic Farm (tasting)
Brons Bees Honey (tasting)
Heritage Prairie Farms (tasting)
Limerock Cheese (tasting)
Hasselman Farms Grass fed Beef (tasting)
Tomato Mountain Organic Farm (tasting)
Raw Food Healing Smoothies (tasting with AJ)
Slow Food Usa, display and information
Traditional Nutrition-information
Aquaranch–tasting
Feeding Greater Elgin
Raw Food Cooking display (tasting)
Overcomers Seminar with Skeet Savage (Batavia, IL)
Thursday, October 06, 2011 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (CT)
Batavia, IL
Info on the event:
Are You Longing For CHANGE?
No matter what your situation in life, YOU CAN rise above your circumstances and overcome every obstacle that stands in the way between you and the life you’ve been dreaming of!
Skeet Savage has experienced suffering and hard times — and has emerged as a joyful victor against enormous odds! During this time together, Skeet will share the Biblical keys to access the power of God to redeem your life from disappointment, boredom, hopelessness, failure, and utter devastation — and restore to you the abundant life He has promised to all who believe. As you hear her unforgettable account of God’s mercy poured out on the most hopeless of situations, you will recognize the mighty hand of the Redeemer God who alone is the Mender of broken dreams, the Giver of life and hope, the One who truly can make all things new!
Come, bring a friend and join us for this inspiring event. Your spirit will be revived and your faith renewed as you hear the amazing testimony of God’s miraculous dealings in the lives of common folks. Come expecting to be challenged and CHANGED by this uplifting message! No matter what trial you’re facing, YOU CAN be an overcomer!
Not only is this a wonderful message of hope to those in difficult situations, God has used this series of messages as an effective equipping message for the Church as it gives practical teaching and keen insights on how to reach out to people in difficult situations.
For more information, email sony@wisgate.com
To Learn More About Wisdom’s Gate visit: www.WisdomsGate.org
For more info and to register, check out Eventbrite.
Reminder: You and one (1) guest are invited to a Free Educator Screening ofMysteries of the Great Lakes and Born to be Wild 3D. Additional guests will be charged $5.50 for Mysteries of the Great Lakes, $7.00 for Born to Be Wild 3D, or make both screenings for only $10.75.
Place: Randall 15 IMAX – 550 N. Randall Rd. Batavia, IL 60510 Get Map
RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Friday September 2nd. IMPORTANT – Please leave us your first and last name, school name, theater, email address, 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.
BORN TO BE WILD 3D is an inspired story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them-saving endangered species one life at a time. Stunningly captured in IMAX 3D, Born to be Wild 3D is a heartwarming adventure transporting moviegoers into the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan savannah with celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne Sheldrick, as they and their team rescue, rehabilitate and return these incredible animals back to the wild. Narrated by Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman, Born to be Wild 3D is directed by David Lickley and written and produced by Drew Fellman. WebsiteEducator Guide
MYSTERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES:It takes a drop of water nearly 400 years to travel from the headwaters of Lake Superior to the edge of Lake Ontario. Along the way, the water passes by towering cliffs dotted with early Native American pictographs, caribou and moose grazing on the shores, over giant prehistoric sturgeon lurking among thousands of shipwrecks and past nearly 40 million people who live along the more than 10,000 miles of coastline. It is a dramatic journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Now, you can witness the Mysteries of the Great Lakes on the only screen large enough to reveal them, in IMAX! WebsiteEducator Guide 1-3, Educator Guide 4-6 Educator Guide 7-8
Teachers! Book your Group Today! Call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email
A new year of archaeological excavation begins at Garfield Farm Museum. Directed by Jim Yingst, volunteers are encouraged to sign up to help dig, screen, and wash artifacts. Check the website for dates. No experience necessary, we will train you. Financial contributions are also welcomed.
My 10 year old is chomping at the bit about this one. I hope we can find time to get out and get our hands dirty in a real life archeological dig. Older teens can be dropped off (or drive themselves), but other kids are welcome with an adult if they will be a help and not distraction to the work. You do need to register in advance.
I just called for some more information, and they want each volunteer to commit to at least 8 hours of work to compensate for the initial training and learning curve. These do not all need to be at one time, but need to be done during dig hours of 8-5 Wednesday through Sunday. The dates for the dig are September 21-25, and September 28-October 2.
Looking at the video it says they are trying to track down the original cabin built on the site that was later replaced by the current home structure.
When: September 21-25 and September 28- October 2, 8am- 5pm — contact them for specifics on times and to arrange a time for your family/group to participate
Where: Garfield Farm Museum –on Garfield Road just north of Illinois Route 38 between Geneva and Elburn, Illinois. It is about 3 miles west of Randall Road, which is at the west edge of Geneva and St. Charles. From Illinois Route 38 turn north on Garfield Road and go about 1/4 mile to the Garfield Farm and Inn.
Putting this address into your GPS should get you there: 3N016 Garfield Road Campton Hills, IL 60175
In preparation for the dig I would recommend a book (or internet search) on the topic to help the kids know what they are getting into. A book that we enjoyed a few years back and will probably reread again now is Archaeologists Dig for Clues. Written for early elementary kids this book will give a look into archeological terminology and methods.
I attended this when I lived in St. Charles and found it helpful.
The librarians offer information on what the library offers, perks to being a St. Charles card holder and some of the lesser known resources at the library. In addition to the helpful info you can connect with other St. Charles homeschoolers. Contact them to register:
Greetings,
Our 2011 Homeschool Workshop is scheduled on Tuesday, August 30 from 10-11:15 am. We will be talking about our services and resources: Internet access, Live Homework Help, research strategies, literature programs, and more. Network with other homeschool parents from 11:15-11:45. You may register by contacting the ASK ME Desk at 630-584-9390. Thanks so much. See you in a couple of weeks.
Catapults have a long history in warfare. We want you to build a working version of these war machines. The challenge is to build a catapult which is designed to throw a tennis ball as far as possible. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place distances. Most importantly, contestants get the chance to build a catapult, compete, and possibly earn eternal glory! This project is fun, exciting, and as easy or intricate as you want to make it.
Participants
This contest is open to all catapult enthusiasts; no matter your age!
Teams are allowed (and encouraged). No more than 4 people per team please.
No ready-made kits. Each catapult must be designed, constructed, and launched by contestants.
No part of the catapult can extend over 6 feet high.
All catapults will be launched on a grass field. They must sit on the ground. No tables.
The catapult cannot be staked into the ground.
All catapults will fling tennis balls provided by the First Division Museum at Cantigny.
Your catapult must have a triggering mechanism which will allow you to stand 2 feet away.
No explosions or air pressure may be used to assist the performance of your catapult. In other words, the energy used to power your catapult must be provided by the device itself.
Any type of hurling machine is acceptable: Ballista, Trebuchet, Mangonel, etc.
Scoring
Each group will be allowed three launches. The best launch will be used as your score. The longest launch wins. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place distances.
Thanks to Michele for forwarding this tidbit from the Tree Line publication of the Kane County Forest Preserve:
Homeschool Explorations
Join us for this nature program series designed for homeschool families. Each month, the program focuses on a different topic at a different forest preserve. Activities this fall include searching for insects, identifying trees, and observing squirrels. All ages are welcome, but the activities are designed for ages 5-10.
Insects
Tuesday, Sept. 13; 10-11:30 a.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W370 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $2/person or $8/family of 4 or more
Trees
Monday, Oct. 24; 10-11:30 a.m.
Hannaford Woods Forest Preserve
Merrill Road, 1 mile east of IL Route 47,
Sugar Grove
Fee: $2/person or $8/family of 4 or more
Squirrels
Wednesday, Nov. 16; 10-11:30 a.m.
Jon Duerr Forest Preserve
35W003 IL Rte. 31, South Elgin
Fee: $2/person or $8/family of 4 or more
An opportunity to flex your mental muscles in the geography arena! 
