Carole Joy Seid Seminar

If your homeschool day could use a little less stress and a little more joy, check out this upcoming seminar:

Carole Joy Seid’s “heartfelt desire is to make your home schooling experience simple, enjoyable and affordable. At the core of her philosophy is the secret to educational success — great books, great books, and more great books.”

What: A Literature Based Approach to Education

When: November 5th 2011 Elmhurst, IL 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Where: West Suburban Community Church
825 N. Van Auken
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Cost: $45.00 online registration by October 25th
$45.00 mail-in postmarked by October 21st
$55.00 at the door

Directions:
West Suburban Community Church is located approximately three blocks south of Grand Avenue, five blocks north of the Eisenhower Expressway (290), and five blocks east of York Road in Elmhurst, IL.

Exit 290 at York Road. Take York Road north approximately five blocks to North End. Go east on North End to Van Auken. Turn north on Van Auken. You will see the church on your right.

Contact:
Michelle 630-748-1242; mlpollard7@gmail.com
Karen 630-279-2647; k.semrau@att.net

More info online: www.carolejoyseid.com

Homeschool support group meeting in Elk Grove

Received this via email:

Join Beacon on Tuesday, September 27, 7pm-9pm

We will be joined this evening by Israel Wayne. Israel is a homeschool graduate and father of six who is leading his generation in defending the Christian faith and developing a Biblical worldview. He is a popular conference speaker who desires to see God’s people learn to think and live Biblically. His topic will be Homeschooling From A Biblical Worldview. Join us and invite your spouse and friends!!

Admission is free. Children are welcome if they sit quietly by their parents.

Beacon is a Christian support group for parents who home educate their children. Our membership is open to any home schooling family for support. Our vision is to help homeschool families achieve their vision. What we offer is a DREAM – Discussion, Resources, Education, Activities, Mentoring. We meet on the 4th Tuesday evening of every month August thru May (except December).

Find us at the Elk Grove Village Public Library at 7pm. www.beaconhomeschool.net

National Geography Bee

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!

Homeschool days at Walt Disney World

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)

Speaker coming to Batavia next month

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.

Free teacher screening



Reminder: You and one (1) guest are invited to a Free Educator Screening of Mysteries 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. Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Time: 4:30pm – Mysteries of the Great Lakes and at 5:30pm see Born to be Wild 3D (please arrive a half hour prior to showtime to check-in and register) 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. Website Educator 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! Website Educator Guide 1-3, Educator Guide 4-6 Educator Guide 7-8
Teachers! Book your Group Today! Call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email

Wanted: Archeologists, no experience necessary

Their blurb:

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

More Information: 630 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org

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.

Launch your year right

Cantigny Catapult Contest

Saturday, October 22, 11am

Overview

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.
All participants must register in advance by filling out this registration form by October 15, 2011.

Specifications

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.

Sign Up Now

If you’d like to register for the contest, click here to download the entry form. After filling out the form, save it and email it to mtyer@firstdivisionmuseum.org. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Tyer at 630 260 8274.
Please click this link for a printable flyer for your classroom:
http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/events/schedule/catapult.pdf

Kane County Forest Preserve happenings for homeschoolers

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

Gym and Swim

Gym and Swim classes are enrolling around the Chicagoland area in preparation for the upcoming semester.

Please share if you know of one that is not listed here:

Naperville: YMCA

Meets on Fridays from 1-3:15

Age: 6-16
In the pool, children will be split up according to age and ability level which can range from beginner to competitive. We will cover the five components of YMCA swim lessons, which are personal safety, personal growth, water sports & games, and rescue to give your children a well-rounded aquatic lesson.

In the gym, children will be split up according to age. The younger group will be given a more traditional gym class that will teach the fundamentals of basketball, soccer and other group sports. The older group will be more focused on fitness, stationary cycling and group fitness.

Session: 11SEP (Sep 6-Oct 22) 1 day a week for 7 weeks

Session: 11OCT* (Oct 23-Dec 17) 1 day a week for 7 weeks

Elgin: The Centre

These classes are available Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 1-3. They have been known to fill up, so register soon!

If you’re home schooled, come out to The Centre and have some fun!! Our Gym and Swim program features a one hour swim lesson and a one hour physical education class each week. A variety of sports including basketball, soccer, and floor hockey will be played in our gym and kids will get some free time to swim in our awesome Adventure Island at the end of their swim lesson. The program is for all home schooled 5-15 year olds, and there are sessions offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Children may be registered for multiple sessions. Each session is ten weeks long, the first beginning on Tuesday, September 13. Come to The Centre to register today!! $54/R $64/NR

The Centre Front Desk is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please call Brett Lind, Youth and Teen Coordinator, at 847-531-7017.

I know there used to be one in Schaumburg, but could not find any current info on it, but I did come across this about homeschool programs at Spring Valley.

There’s got to be more gym and swim classes, but that’s all I can come up with right now. If you know of one or participate in one, please share!