Tag: chicagoland area

Kevin Swanson coming to Chicago area

Received this via email:

We are members of the Christian Home Educators of the South Suburbs
(C.H.E.S.S.) in Orland, Park. Most of our events are for members only, but
Christian Heritage Church is opening up this event FREE to ALL who are
interested in some inspiring and encouraging words from Kevin Swanson! This
is an exciting opportunity! If you’ve heard him before, you know it will be
good. If you’ve never heard him before, you don’t want to miss it! Please
spread the word to all your Home School friends!
Hope to see you then!

Who: Kevin Swanson, Generations with Vision

When: Tuesday, March 6th, 7pm

Where: Grace Fellowship Church 15150 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest, IL

He is also in town for the family economics conference that weekend in Wheaton (this second event is not free, but looks packed full of great info, too).

Kevin Swanson is a speaker I enjoy each time I hear him. His energetic speaking style keeps you engaged constantly. And, you walk away with practical tips to apply what he shares from his heart.

Homeschool jump time

Homeschool Trampoline Jump Time
When: Monday February 27, 2012
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
(This event repeats every week.)

Where:
2244 Corporate Lane, Naperville, IL 60563

Be sure to call to confirm and for more details.
Phone: 630.717.JUMP(5867)

Home School Day occurs every week on Monday

Homeschoolers jump from 1pm-2pm for only $7!
We are also open to the public at regular rates.

*This is a walk-in price only*
*Not valid on holidays or school days off.*
*No reservations can be made in advance for this price.*
*Groups and Online Purchases will be at standard rates.*

*Liability waiver required for each participant*

Other info like this as well as some great conversation can be found by joining the Naperville Home Educators Yahoo group.

Free Educator Screening!

You and one (1) guest are invited to a Free Educator Screening of SEA REX 3D: JOURNEY TO A PREHISTORIC WORLD. Additional guests will be charged $7.00 per person.

Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Time: 5:30pm – (please arrive a half hour prior to showtime to check-in and register)

Place: Randall 15 IMAX – 550 N. Randall Road, Batavia, IL 60510  Get Map

RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Tuesday February 28th. 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.
Through the power of IMAX 3D, experience a wondrous adventure from the dinosaur age. Join Julie, an imaginative young woman, in a unique voyage through time and space. Explore an amazing underwater universe inhabited by larger-than-life creatures which were ruling the seas before dinosaurs conquered the earth. See science come alive in an entertaining manner and get ready for a face-to-face encounter with the T-Rex of the seas!
Website & Trailer Educator Guide Classroom Guide
SciTech Hands-On Museum is bringing hands-on exhibits & novelties to purchase

Paleontologist Rob Sula is bringing fossils of prehistoric sea creatures & dinosaurs, and hand-drawn dinosaur artwork.
Teachers!  Book your Group Today! Call 630-659-6762 or email
MOVIES BELOW ARE AVAILABLE FOR GROUP RESERVATIONS!
Visit our website for more information on IMAX and Teacher Resources at www.GQTI.com/IMAX

Used Homeschool Curriculum sale

One of my favorite times of year — Homeschool book sale time!

This is one of the more popular ones coming in May. If you want to sell be sure to get there early to set up and get the best spots.

When: Saturday May 5, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Where: Christian Liberty Academy
502 West Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

What:

Come, join us! Bring your own used books to sell and buy new or used books
for the next school year. This event offers a wide variety of books at
bargain prices. Plus Christian Liberty Press will be selling new books at
25% off. There will be books by other publishers available for purchase,
but will not be discounted.

There will be a limited number of tables available on a first come first
served basis. However, you are welcome to bring your own table. Registering
will not guarantee you will get a table. It is simply to guarantee that you
will get another invitation next year and for us to know how many are
coming.

Please feel free to share this event with your friends.

The doors will be opened at 7:00 a.m. for set up.

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=efmivzbab&oeidk=a07e5ix84wa1e776d57

***Just a note: the email I got said 7:00, the site it links to says 7:30, so not sure which is correct. If anyone knows, please feel free to comment or email me.*** ~Thank you!

Pass it around and come ready to shop!

InHome Conference coming soon

If you are looking for a Chicago area homeschool convention, this is the first of many to come this year. Find more information and registration info on their website:

Online registration is now open for the 2012 InHome Conference!

You are invited to participate in a truly unique experience that embraces the non-sectarian homeschooling community. The 15th InHome Conference is scheduled for March 15th to 17th, 2012, at the luxurious Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, Illinois.

Whether you’ve been homeschooling for years or are just starting out, you do not want to miss this event! This year’s InHome Conference features new workshops, along with popular ones from the past, for all ages. Children will love the wide variety of interests that will be explored from theatre to nature to LEGOs (and much more). Teens will enjoy reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Adults will appreciate the learning seminars, the sharing of information, and the support as they engage with other like-minded homeschooling parents.

This year, Ac•Rock will bring a rockin’ opening to the conference. Performing everyone’s favorite classic rock hits, this a cappella quartet sings the doo-wop standards audiences expect and more recent rock hits you might not expect to be performed by an a cappella group. Their shows are an engaging mix of tightly-crafted music and freewheeling humor that appeals to audiences of all ages.

And don’t miss out on all the other “extras”. From the opening night Meet & Greet to dancing the night away with both a family and teen dance to watching the kids strut their stuff in the talent shows, there is fun to be had by everyone.

Don’t delay, log in and go to the registration link today to sign up for the best homeschooling conference in the Midwest!

Remember to bookmark InHome Conference | Illinois Non-Sectarian Homeschooling Options for a Meaningful Education at www.homeeducatorsconference.org as a favorite so you may check in periodically for the latest news. Also, join our Yahoo Group and find us on Facebook.

Don’t forget to make your hotel reservations at http://homeeducatorsconference.org/general-info/hotel-reservations.Syndicate content

Farm tours available

I enjoyed a CSA from this farm quite a few years ago now, and here they are with tours of their facilities. Great way to kick of the outdoor growing season and add a unique field trip to your schedule.

From Erewhon Farm:

Visit Our Farm – Learn How to Garden Organically

Edible Farm Tours — 2012 Schedule

February/ March, 2012, Maple Sugaring Tour! (Dates will depend on the weather)

See how we tap the maple trees, collect the sap, and boil it down to make the most delicious, all natural maple syrup!  Also, we’re planting and transplanting spring crops in our hoop houses!  We’ll show you how to start seedlings for your home garden.

April 28, 2012 @1:30

Early spring crops are growing in our hoop houses and you can taste anything you like.  We’ll show you how we grow seedlings indoors, how we fertilize them, and how we transplant them into our garden beds.  We’ll show you how to make a low-cost cover for your garden crops so you can start earlier in the spring.  Robin Migalla will demonstrate easy ways to cook kale and Swiss chard. Yum!

May 26, 2012 @1:30

We’ll show you how we prepare our growing beds and some techniques for minimizing weeds in the garden.  What’s growing in our raised beds and how we make them. Guess how hot is our compost pile.  Is anything blossoming in our edible forest garden?  We’ll taste a variety of salad greens and share a garden salad. Robin Migalla will demonstrate easy ways to cook kale and Swiss chard. Yum!

Please let Gayle Riley know you’re coming:  (630)776-1700 Cost: $10.00 per person, children under 12 are free! CSA subscribers $5.00.

Private Farm Events

Especially designed tours for school field trips, boy and girl scout troops, and individuals from clubs or organizations. This one hour tour will be themed for the specific time of year and your interests.  Vegetable tasting encouraged.

Cost per person $7.50 with a minimum of $50.00

Please contact Gayle Riley to plan your event.  (630)776-1700.

We can also organize more in-depth farm visits.  Contact Tim Fuller (timf7@yahoo.com or 630-485-9963) for more info.

Farm Location:

40W248 Hughes Rd. Elburn, IL 60119

Mailing address:  Tim Fuller, 968 Pattee Av., Elburn, IL 60119

www.erehwonfarm.com

Learning Vine Open House

If you are interested in The Learning Vine Academic Program for homeschoolers, you are invited to attend their Information Meeting this Friday, February 10,  at 1:30 PM in room 2A/B (lower level) of Community Christian Church on Emerson Lane in Naperville.

They will be presenting an overview of what their academic program offers and have time for Q and A. This meeting is meant mainly for families who have not enrolled previously in the program.

To learn more about the program online, please see their website:
http://www.thelearningvine.org/academic.html

Events at Midwest Museum of Natural History

Got this information via email, and looks like some intriguing events! Note that with this first one if you mention that you heard it here, at the Chicagoland Homeschool Network, they will let one adult attend for free! Be sure to tell them thanks from all us homeschoolers.

“Hoo’s” for Dinner: Owl Pellet Dissection

Thursday, February 23, 7-8:00 pm

$7/person, Members: $5/person (adults and kids)

Space is limited, call to register: 815-895-9777

It’s almost time for owlets to begin appearing! And we’re celebrating by dissecting owl pellets. Owl pellets are balls of fur and bones that the bird cannot digest and coughs up. We’ll walk through the dissection of pellets and identification of the remains found inside. Each person gets their own pellet. Designed for ages 6+. Special offer: Mention this blog and get one free adult!

Jack Hanna: Into the Wild Live

Sunday, March 11, 2:00 pm

$20 adults, $15 children and students, premium seats available

Show will be held at the Egyptian Theater in DeKalb: 135 North Second Street, Dekalb, IL 60115

Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. Everyone from the youngest child to the oldest adult will be entertained and inspired. Tickets on sale now: http://www.egyptiantheatre.org/

The Natural History of Coffee

a lecture by Gene Powers

Thursday, March 15, 7-8:00 pm

$4/person, members free, ages high school to adult

Big Run Wolf Ranch

Saturday, March 31, 1-2:30 pm

Ages 8 and up

$10/person (kids and adults), fee includes Museum admission for the day

Member rate: $8/person

Space is limited, reservations required: 815-895-9777

Big Run Wolf Ranch is a non-profit, federally licensed, educational program which specializes in education and conservation of North American wildlife. During their presentation you’ll meet a live coyote, skunk, groundhog, porcupine, and wolf. Space is limited and reservations are required: 815-895-9777. Ages 8+ by request of the presenter.

Safari Sprouts

Wednesday, March 28, 10:15-11:15 am

4th Wednesdya of every month

Ages 3-5

$8/child (or purchase a 4-class card for $28), adults free

Call 815-895-9777 to register (walk-ins welcome too)

Spend a morning discovering nature at the Museum through games, crafts, stories, and songs, plus a live animal visit each month! Designed for ages 3-5 with an adult.

For more information:

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

DuPage Engineers Week

Last year I heard about an event geared toward K-8th grade students that would help them understand and explore the various worlds of engineering. I had no idea how much we would enjoy this event.

Here’s the info on the event for this year:

Join us for a fun, free, family interactive event with displays and presentations that will excite children about science and engineering. The DuPage Engineers Week Expo includes cryogenic freezing with a few controlled explosions, model airplanes and a wind tunnel exhibit, robots, bicycle power, load testing and destruction, static electricity, levers and pulleys, building molecules and hands-on activities with ZOOM®, Design Squad, LEGO® Robotics, and the DuPage Children’s Museum. See a list the free public events.

You do not have to be an engineer to enjoy the 28th Annual DuPage Area Engineers Week Expo. The Expo is geared toward children in K-8th Grade, however, all ages will enjoy this event!

Details:
When: Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Illinois Institute of Technology: 201 East Loop Road, Wheaton, IL (Directions)
Cost: Free, and open to the public

Lunch and snack items will be available for purchase as a fundraiser from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

IIT Alumni – Call for information on a special Alumni-only Breakfast!

If you are free and looking for something to keep your kids engaged, I would encourage you to check this out. It was packed last year, but we still managed to navigate our stroller through the hallways somehow. Our whole family enjoyed the event immensely, although our then 8 month old did not like Mr. Freeze’s explosions. If you have seen his show there or elsewhere, you can probably understand why.

Expect parking to be a nightmare, and the building to be crowded, but also prepare for your kids to enjoy themselves and not want to leave. We all learned a lot of new information.  Some displays have kids helping out, but many are staffed by engineers eager to share about their background, their education, the career choice, and their displays. They want to engage your student and help them learn about engineering and the various fields it encompasses.

The program for the event is now available online, so check that out to get a good idea of what to expect from the displays.

Free science classes

I received the following information via email. Please contact the teacher at the bottom of the invitation for more information.

A Special Invitation!!!

Dear Parents of Home School Students:

I am an instructor in the Teacher Education Department at Judson University
and would like a pre-service teacher that I am instructing to have an
opportunity to work with a multi-age group of students. I would like to invite
you and your second through sixth grade home-school students to come to
four special science/math learning experiences.

Mr. Matt Langston and I will be preparing four hands-on integrated science,
mathematics, and language arts experiences. There would be no charge for
the lessons but parents must attend with their students. (Please do not bring
children who are younger than second grade.)

Where: Judson Teacher Education Building – (Creekside)
Located at the bottom of the hill on Jerusha Street, Elgin, IL

When: 8:30 – 10:30 Monday, February 13

8:30 – 10:30 Monday, February 27
8:30 – 10:30 Monday, March 19
8:30 – 10:30 Monday, March 26

Thinking Like a Scientist – Process Skills
Ramps and Rollers – Physical Science
Fractions and Geometry
Height and Hands – Life Science

Please RSVP at lfiggins@quixnet.net. I need to know the dates you can attend
and the number and grade levels of the children who will be attending with
you. It is not necessary to attend all sessions but I think the experiences would
be very beneficial for all learners. (Please include the names of all participants
as well as a phone number.)

Feel free to call me with any questions of clarification.

Dr. Linda Figgins
630-319-7913