Chicagoland Homeschool Network» family

DuPage Engineers Week

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:26:32 +0000

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.

Steve Demme coming to the area

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:29:47 +0000

Next week! This ICHE sponsored event is coming soon, and if you can’t attend in person you can register to attend online. Steve Demme is an incredible speaker and well worth taking the time out of your weekend to give a listen.

Please join ICHE and CHOSEN, the Freeport area support group, in welcoming
Steve Demme to the greater Rockford area!

Steve will be sharing his unique and encouraging insights on family life. Steve and his wife have raised four sons by God’s grace. He has worked as a math teacher and a pastor, but many know him as the author and founder of Math-U-See.

The desire of Steve’s heart is to see a balanced bilblical view of the family restored. We are very excited to hear from a man who has seen first hand how our homes and families can be impacted by the love and grace of our Savior.

Check out their website for all of the details about this family discipleship seminar.

This event is an exciting first for ICHE.
If you cannot attend in person, we are offering a live webstream of the event!

To view the live webstream, register online and check the box that says live stream at the end of the registration form. You will receive an email shortly before the event with instructions on accessing the website and video stream.

Movie Review: The Mighty Macs

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:14:23 +0000

It’s 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time … and she’s about to embark on an adventure for the ages. A new era is dawning in the country and in collegiate athletics, where a national champion will be crowned for the first time in women’s basketball.

In the lead up to this historical season, major universities are preparing their game plans to win that first title. Meanwhile a tiny all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia has a more modest goal: find a coach before the season begins. Providentially, Cathy Rush is about to find Immaculata College.

Recently married, Cathy is dealing with the aftermath of a truncated playing career. While cultural norms would have her staying at home, she’s willing to do the hard work necessary to help her new team reach their goals—or perhaps she’s just trying to achieve her unfulfilled dreams through them.

From the beginning, her challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams Immaculata will face on the court. Cathy learns there is no gymnasium on campus, she receives little support from the school’s Mother Superior, and the school is in dire financial straits. To top it off, she may not even have enough players to field a team!

While it appears the Macs don’t have a prayer, all hope is not lost. With the help of Sister Sunday—a spunky assistant coach—and the support of a booster club of elderly nuns, Coach Rush creates a new game plan that just might bring the team—and the school—together.

Will this pioneer buck cultural norms and spur her rag-tag team to unexpected heights? Or will her hard-driving ways create a wedge between the coach and everyone around her? One thing’s for certain: there’s never been anyone like Cathy Rush at Immaculata!

LOVED it!

A movie you can watch with your preschooler in the room and your teenager across the couch and all enjoy it, and not have to fast forward any parts. I highly recommend this film for its fast paced story line and family friendliness.

It lays out the importance of family values and keeping faith alive. Even when struggles and obstacles pile up, this team pulls together and works toward their goal from day one: We will be #1.

It is in theaters starting today, and you will want to jump at this chance to see a movie that is rated ‘G’ and isn’t just a light-hearted kids’ movie. This is a true family film that adults will enjoy, will keep kids’ attention, provide a few laughs, and will offer some great talking points on the ride home.

Don’t miss it!

More info on the film:

Website: http://www.themightymacs.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/themightymacs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MightyMacsMovie

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/MightyMacs1

Disclaimer: I received an opportunity to view this movie prior to its release in exchange for my honest review.

ICHE Young Adult Conference

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:42:07 +0000

Join us at ICHE’s

Young Adult Conference!

November 12, 2011

9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Fellowship Church of Carol Stream

Young Adults 18 years and older

Featuring Dr. Emir Caner

Don’t miss this opportunity! Dr. Caner is a captivating speaker with a relevant message to tell!

His topics are:

- When God Drew Near: A Muslim’s Story of God’s Grace (Isaiah 9:2-6).

- 10 Things Every Christian Needs to Know about Islam

- Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor

This conference is just $30.00 per family.

Those 18 and up are invited to attend.

In addition to challenging sessions, the day includes times for ……..

games, fellowship, and volleyball.

Bring a sack lunch, and stay for the delicious lasagna dinner which is available for only $7.00 per person.

After dinner, the evening is full of fun opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Each year we have to shoo people out the door because they don’t want to leave.

You’ll be glad you did!

Location -

Fellowship Church of Carol Stream

130 Shawnee Drive

Carol Stream, IL 60188

Questions?

info@iche.org

(847) 603-1259

Location

Fellowship Church of Carol Stream

130 Shawnee Dr

Carol Stream, IL

Homeschool days at Walt Disney World

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:01:31 +0000

Check out Disney’s site for more information and to register for the event coming in January. Their ticket prices are phenomenal . . . here’s the link to the ticket package page as well. They range from a three day pass including the program for $139.01 per person to a 5 day park hopper pass (with the program) for $187.01. These are special homeschool prices. You can also add on other classes that they have available on that day and other surrounding days for $28 per class. Not cheap, but if you have a kid interested in physics, animation, marine science, or other related fields this could be a great opportunity to build on that interest.

So, here’s the scoop, straight from Disney:

Disney Homeschool Days Presents: A Conversation with Author Ridley Pearson
Celebrate Literacy Week at Walt Disney World® Resort

Date & Time: Thursday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Premiere Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Grade: All age groups of 10 or more students

Ridley Pearson, author of Kingdom Keepers and Peter and the Starcatchers book series, will share with students his inspirations and experiences as an author in this special presentation in honor of Literacy Week. Offering insights on his inspirations, writing process and literary career, students will learn to look at narratives with a new point of view and may even be inspired to become an author themselves.

Following the one-hour presentation, Mr. Pearson will participate in a question and answer session with the students.

Meeting Location: Premiere Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

SPECIAL VALUE! For this event only, you will receive the newly released Kingdom Keepers Quest* self-guided educational adventure through the Magic Kingdom® Park with the purchase of your multi-day ticket package. As students search for clues to help the Keepers save the magic from the Overtakers, they will practice reading, math, critical thinking, and teamwork.

*Families will receive one (1) Kingdom Keepers Quest themed map per student, one (1) Kingdom Keepers Quest Student Guide per family, and one (1) leader guide family. Materials will be distributed at the Conversation session check-in. (Please note Kingdom Keepers Quest is available year-round at the Magic Kingdom® Park for groups of ten (10) or more students)

Swap Shop coming to Elburn

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:57:45 +0000

This is an amazing opportunity that I heard about kind of late in the game last time around. It is coming again in two weeks, so no excuses! You’ve got extra stuff, grown out of stuff, unneeded stuff to pass on to another family. And, you need bigger stuff, new stuff, different stuff for the new season, growing kids, and yourself. This is the event for you!

It’s the Back to
School Moms’ Swap Shop!

Open to the public August 19th and 20th

What is a Swap Shop you may be wondering? It is an opportunity for
moms to swap out their clothing as well as their children’s gently used
clothing, shoes, books, and toys for other sizes and items. Children’s
and adult accessories as well as furniture will be accepted. The event
is hosted by Authentic Moms, a local Christian mom’s group. Whose
desire is to follow 1 John 3:16-18 and to love with actions and truth,
not just words and speech. The Elburn Community Center will host
this year’s event in their gym. This event is free. The Swap Shop begins
Friday, August 19th with drop-offs taken from 10am till 7pm. The
swapping starts Saturday August 20th, 9am till 2pm.

All items remaining will be donated to Wayside Cross Ministries.
More Swap Shop events to follow, with a Christmas Swap
December 9th and 10th.

For more information feel free to email authenticmoms@gmail.com

In case you are wondering — yes, this is the real deal. This is a great volunteer run quarterly event to help us manage our homes and our finances better. You donate what you don’t need on Friday. They organize it and Saturday everyone is welcome to come pick out new stuff. I walked out with a few bags of new-to-us clothes for my whole family last time. I cannot tell you what a blessing this was. So, take advantage of this easy way to bless others and be blessed yourself!

Taste of Tall Ships

admin — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:41:40 +0000

A fun family event coming once again to Chicago. If you haven’t heard . . . the tall ships are returning.

At Navy Pier you can enjoy these spectacular boats at the Taste of Tall Ships, August 11-14, from 10 am to 9 pm most days. That page will take you to info on each of the ships and some of the scheduled events. Some are just for looking at and some you can get on, and some you can enjoy a ride on.

You can board the Pride of Baltimore II & Flagship Niagara.

Adult Boarding $9

Child Boarding $6

Group rates available as well if you get a group of 20 or more. That will knock a buck of each pass.

While on the subject of tall ships . . .

Today Groupon has a special deal as well for a ride on Chicago’s own tall ship, Windy. THE GROUPON IS NOT VALID DURING TASTE OF TALL SHIPS. But, you can enjoy this ride some other day and avoid the crowds of the tall ships. Or, you can do a unit on tall ships and start and end it with two different tall ship events.

50% off at Tall Ship Adventures of Chicago

Before the invention of sails, armadas relied on outmoded ship designs such as the Vikings’ 30-man paddleboat and the languorous, elegant war gondola. Sail on a ship as swift as the wind with today’s Groupon: for $15, you get a…

ICHE Mother Daughter Conference

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:13:46 +0000

A wonderful opportunity for building memories and passing on a legacy of faith between mothers and daughters:

Time Schedule

8:00 - 9:00 Doors open for check in and fellowship.

9:00 - 9:15 Welcome

9:15 - 9:30 Hymns and prayer

9:30 - 10:30 The House that Mom Built - Stacy McDonald

10:30 – 11:15 Coffee break and fellowship

11:15 – 12:15 The Heart of Chastity - Stacy McDonald

12:15 - 1:45 Lunch and fellowship

1:45 - 2:00 Hymn and prayer

2:00 - 3:00 Christianity: The Real Women’s Liberation Movement (discusses the history and error of feminism) - Stacy McDonald

3:00 – 3:10 Break

3:10 - 3:40 Q & A with Stacy McDonald

3:40 - Hymns, prayer, and closing

$1 movies!

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:06:39 +0000

$1 Kids Summer Movies Start on June 14 and runs 9 Weeks!

A Different Fun Film Each Week!

$1 per ticket, all ages! Each week, Monday through Friday at 10:00am we offer an entertaining PG movie for only $1.

Playing at the following theaters: Bay City 8, Canton Cinema, Capital 8, Forum 8, Grand Haven 9, Hamilton 16 IMAX, Holland 7, Jackson 10, Kalamazoo 10, Kendall 10, Krafft 8, Lafayette 7, Lansing Mall Cinema, Oxford 7, Portage 16 IMAX, Quality 16, Randall 15 IMAX, Saginaw 12, Savoy 16, W. Columbia 7, Wabash Landing 9, Willow Knolls 14

Click here for movie lineup

Chicagoland Kids Expo

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:19:05 +0000

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.