Classical Conversations

Classical Conversations

Just added a Classical Conversations class in Chicago to the listing on this site, but also wanted to make you all aware of upcoming local events for Classical Conversations Co-ops in the area.

This is the time of year when everyone starts meeting and planning for the coming school year.

Please check the Classical Conversations site for a full listing of informational meetings and open houses coming up in the next weeks.

Here is just a snippet:

January 25 — Sugar Grove

February 1 — Minooka

February 3 — Wheaton and Oswego

And more to follow in Bolingbrook, Rockford, DeKalb, etc. Check it out if you would like more information!

Astronaut to speak at Waubonsee

From the Waubonsee Community College site:

Former Astronaut to Speak March 27

Sugar Grove – Former astronaut Captain Jon McBride will present “To Outer Space and Back” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, in the Auditorium at Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive. The event is free but reservations are requested. To reserve your spot, please call the college’s Community Education department at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2360.

McBride will discuss his life as an astronaut and experience as the pilot for Shuttle Mission STS-41G in October 1984. STS-41G marked the 13th flight of a space shuttle and the sixth flight of Challenger. It was the first shuttle mission to carry seven crewmembers and to have an IMAX camera on board. Film from the mission appeared in the movie “The Dream is Alive.”

Homeschool Resource Fair in Elk Grove Village

The BEACON Homeschool Group is hosting their 4th annual Resource Fair .

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Where: Elk Grove Village Public Library

When: 7:00-9:00pm

The public is invited to come and browse and talk to the leaders of various organizations about the many different opportunities available to the homeschool community. Representatives will be on hand from various co-ops, enrichment programs, horseback riding programs, field trip opportunities, art classes, roller skating, park district programs, academic programs and much more.

The first 75 attendees will receive a resource booklet to take home with additional information.

For more information, check out their website: www.beaconhomeschool.org

Curriculum sale – May 10th

The following was received from CHOICE homeschool in Wheaton. I have heard that this is a great sale for both buying and selling. Also, check out the details about their new information exchange that is new this year. Looks like a great place to gather resources!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.   Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

C.H.O.I.C.E. 2010

Curriculum ReSale & Kids’ Sale

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Sale: 4:00-7:00 p.m.

College Church, Commons Hall, Wheaton, IL

* * * We need 15 volunteers in order to host this event! * * *
Please contact Debbie Johnson for information on selling

Monday, May 3, is the deadline to reserve your spots

Any educational material is acceptable
(curriculum, supplementary materials, books, games, etc.).
Kids may sell anything (no nuts or red drinks allowed in the church).

Schedule for Monday, May 10, 2010:


3:00 — 4:00 p.m.

Sellers can drop off and sort their pre-tagged items. Volunteers are available to help

4:00 —7:00  p.m. SALE

SHOP  buyers, bring your own bags, boxes for transporting purchased items

7:00 — 8:00 p.m.

All sellers return to sort books.

NEW: 2010-2011 Activity Flyers

Advertise your homeschooling activity, co-op, service project,
or field trip for this summer, next fall, or next winter.
Create a flyer (81/2 x 11) with your ideas, dates,
rules, and contact information.
Contact all of the places or organizations that you participate in
as a homeschooling family, and have someone create a flyer
(band, math team, dance, music studios, gym classes,
art classes, science co-ops, etc).
Bring 50 copies!
We hope this will help your planing and organization
over the summer.
Links:

For more information see the full flyer online.

Chicagoland Kids Expo

This weekend in Schaumburg you can attend the Chicagoland Kids Expo. A brief description about this event taken from their website, Chicago Kids Expo:

Kids with energy to burn after the long Chicago winter will have plenty of jumping, bouncing, and sliding fun with inflatable rides, games, and fun activities. Visitors will find a colorful collection of balloon artists, magicians, face painters, clowns, costumed characters, and other talented children’s entertainers who’ll be creating fun and excitement all weekend long. Micro-reality stock car racing, petting zoo, interactive play areas, miniature golf, table top games, and many other hands-on attractions make the Chicagoland Kids Expo an outstanding family entertainment value.

Practical and Informative Exhibits!
In addition to all of the entertainment and hands-on fun, parents will find an abundance of useful information on a wide range of products and services for families with kids. The exhibitor roster is packed with quality organizations that have come together to help make all the fun and excitement of the 2010 Chicagoland Kids Expo possible.

You’ll find companies showcasing everything from educational products to apparel, health care, schools, food, gifts, sports, music, entertainment and much more – PLUS informative presentations and hands-on product demonstrations from knowledgeable professionals. This large and diverse group of quality vendors can be found on-line at the official Web site of the Chicagoland Kids Expo, www.ChicagoKidsExpo.com.

Some more details about the event:

Admission, Parking and Food

  • Adults: $10
  • Children (Ages 3 to 12): $5, under age 3 FREE
  • Parking: FREE PARKING
  • Food & Beverages: The large food court has a wide selection of lunch and dinner meals, snacks, desserts, and drinks.

Dates, Times and Place

  • Saturday & Sunday, February 20th & 21st, 2010
  • Saturday – 9am to 6pm
    Sunday – 10am to 5pm
  • INDOORS All weekend!
    Renaissance Convention Center
    1551 Thoreau Dr.
    Schaumburg, IL

There is also a coupon for a dollar off admission on their website that you will want to print off before you go.

Election Day

As homeschoolers, we often have an extra interest in our elected officials as we hold our freedoms a little dearer than the average American might.

You most likely already know that this coming Tuesday, February 2nd, is election day in Illinois.us flag

You may also have spent some time researching who to vote for, you may have even already voted! Either way, the electoral process is an important one for our kids to understand.

Here are some links to help in talking to or teaching your child about elections and the road to a political seat in our state and country:

– Illinois board of elections

Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government offers some lesson ideas for various ages about elections and a variety of other government related topics.

Education World has some election day ideas. Many of these center around the presidential election, but some are applicable to any election.

Also, if you are still researching, some conservative organizations publish survey and voting results for various candidates to help you in this important decision.

– A general listing of who is running along with basic background information from Congress.org
Illinois Federation for Right to Life

Illinois Family Institute

Field Trips to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Two homeschool field trips have been set up to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The organizer has arranged for 50 seats for each.

The first performance is on Friday, February26, 2010, at noon. Tickets are $8.50 each. This is a special school day performance of the Mozart Experience.
The second event is on Friday, April 30, 2010, at noon. The cost is  $7 per seat. This is also a special school day performance of a family tailored event, the Firebird.

Money is due by December 14, 2009.

To confirm details or for more information contact Julie by phone at 708-484-5014

Note: This field trip is not connected with the Chicagoland Homeschool Network, and is posted here as a service to area homeschoolers looking to connect and benefit from organized group activities.

Alpacas!


Interested in seeing Alpacas up close?

Want to learn more about this friendly animal? Come join in Alpaca Farm Days this coming weekend. September 26th and 27th in Elgin.

Four farms will be participating in this hands on event.
There will be alpacas, demonstrations, and farm stores to experience.
Make plans to attend and share the news!
When: Sat and Sun  10:00 – 4:00

Hosted by: Rivendell Alpacas and Jill & Gordon Muirhead
9N942 Dittman Road
Elgin, IL  60124
Phone:  847-464-1098

Last call, Six Flags Homeschool Day

If you did not already make arrangements to enjoy the Six Flags homeschool day on Thursday, September 10, you can still do so, just minus the early registration discounts.

A reader found out this information today (Thanks, Janet!).  You can still get in at the gate for $38.00 (rather than the $32.00 advance rate). However, you cannot order the buffet.

If you want more details, feel free to check out my earlier post on this great event or give them a call today or tomorrow
at (847) 249-4636.

Edit: Note the comment left at this post as well, for information on the buffet picnic!