I can’t tell you how many foreign language products I have used temporarily over the years. A workbook here, an old cassette tape there, a full program, an online resource. I’ve tried a lot! Some highly recommended, some just cheap alternatives.

The reason I have tried so many is because I really want to learn Spanish and teach my kids to speak Spanish, but I can’t do it on my own. Foreign language is not a skill you can pick up casually. I need to have a curriculum to help me in this area. So, when Debbie Annett approached me about her brand new curriculum, still in the works at the time, I could not resist.

She comes with years of experience in Spanish and teaching in the homeschool community in particular. She has created her curriculum with homeschoolers specifically in mind. I find this a huge benefit as you are not trying to tailor a program geared toward a traditional classroom or the business traveler (the two main targets of language programs, it seems). She made this for you to use at home with your children, or possibly in a co-op setting.

Product: Spanish for You!

Details: (excerpts from their site) Spanish for You! is a flexible, unique self-study curriculum for grades 3 through 8 that establishes the foundations for learning Spanish with just a short lesson each day. The set includes the Spanish for You! Estaciones Book (teaching the seasons — another set teaching fiestas should be out summer of 2012), 24-27 Week Lesson Guides for grades 3-8 (PDF), Self-Checking Worksheets for grades 3-8 (PDF), and Audio Download of entire book (MP3 format)

Cost: $65 for the whole set

Some of what we liked:
- The diversity of target ages. This is an all in one curriculum that someone with minimal Spanish knowledge could pick up and use with all of their school age kids. Even though the target range starts with 3rd grade, my 1st and 2nd graders were right in there picking up basic vocabulary as well. (I think 3rd grade is a good starting place, I just generally include all of my kids when teaching if possible).
- Abundance of materials. Worksheets, audio files, teacher’s guide, lesson plans, activity ideas, visuals, pronunciation guides, etc. This program is well fleshed out with lots of built in resources. The lessons include pictures in the book, audio files to hear the vocabulary properly pronounced, worksheets for individuals to do on their own, activities to do together, and ideas for review and further teaching.
- Lots of built in review. Without becoming redundant, the lessons review, reteach, and repeat the words the kids need to learn. They do not get bored since it is always presented in a new way and language study is such an interactive discipline that everyone stays involved and learning. The lessons are also on the shorter side so they won’t take up a lot of your day, but they will get the job done efficiently.
- The audio is at a great pace for learning. It is not rushed through. The words are clear and  easy to understand. I do like my kids to hear a more conversational (fast!) pace as they get more comfortable, but for beginners this is a non-intimidating step into the language. Anyone can learn these words with Mrs. Annett’s gentle teaching.
- Adaptable and reasonable time commitment. This program is a gentle introduction to Spanish for younger kids, and a more focused beginners’ course for older kids. While foreign language is better done frequently throughout each day (the lesson plans are mapped out for use 4 days each week), you could easily condense the lessons to 2 times each week, and then try to pepper it in throughout the day as well. You will find you are both quickly learning a new language.

Some considerations for potential buyers
- While the curriculum is for multiple grades, it teaches the grades differently. So, beyond the first few days, you would likely go through the material more quickly and to greater depth and mastery with older kids, so you wouldn’t actually teach the class the same way to a 3rd grader and an 8th grader. Just take that into consideration when determining how much time is needed to teach each lesson. Review could still be done together, and kids of different ages could study together, but the teaching times would most likely be separate, or at least branch off after starting together.
- Some of the audio, especially early on, seems to be a little light on the Spanish accent. I think especially of “calendario” and “martes” among others in the first lesson. Later lessons do not have this issue, but as students get used to pronouncing these foreign words, they might notice that some sounded a little American at first. This actually seems like another way to gently transition kids into the Spanish language.  You might want to be aware of it, and even point it out, but also be sure to encourage a stronger accent along with the audios as you and your students gain confidence in your new found language.
This curriculum is very user friendly and can be used by someone comfortable with Spanish or someone who really needs a solid Spanish teacher to rely on. You can do this! As a poster in my high school classroom said, “Stamp out foreign languages — learn one!” This program will start you on the road to doing just that.

Disclaimer: This product was given to me in exchange for my personal,  honest review.

CHARIS (formerly Kane County Christian Homeschoolers) is having their annual used curriculum sale this week.

I have been to their sale in the past and it is usually pretty well attended and has a decent variety of materials available for purchase. If you’re a used curriculum sale addict like me, you won’t miss it.

What: The Used Curriculum Sale

When: Friday, May 18 from 9-11:00 am

Where: Sugar Grove Community Center. 141 S. Main St. Sugar Grove.

HOME SCHOOLING PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering a Home Schooling time block.  This will be on Wednesdays from 1:30pm – 3:00pm, beginning Wednesday, May 2nd.  The cost will be $8.00 per jumper.  Families larger than 4 kids, there will be a $2 discount for additional siblings (not cousins, or nieces or nephews or grandkids or friends…).  Each jumper must have a signed waiver by their parent or legal guardian.  No exceptions, just like in any other case.

847.608.0600 office

http://www.epicairpark.com

http://www.facebook.com/epicair

“You Ready To Jump!?”

Dodgeball, Trampoline Arena, Foam Pit, Long Tracks, Basketball, Parties, Events

Their registration fee is only $35 per family, and classes are only $5 per hour!!

Visit the website, view the course offerings, print out a registration form, and mail it in to Laura. Be sure to call ahead to check on class availability as classes are filling to capacity already.

They would still love to hear from you if you are interested in Biology, ACT Prep, or the possibility of other high school classes in the future.

They have a new art teacher offering 2 drawings classes and also offer private violin, guitar, and possibly piano.

*An exciting addition to the Fall semester will be Expert Night. Students will have the chance to be the expert on any topic of their choice, and like a science fair, will have the opportunity to show off their projects and displays in late fall. This event will be for all their students, Pre-K through high school!

Website: www.mosaicenrichment.com

Where: MOSAIC meets at St. John Lutheran Church in Joliet off of Rte. 30 & Hennepin by the Louis Joliet Mall

Contact: Laura at 815-603-5434 or laura@mosaicenrichment.com

Received this from Amanda Davey, the Dean of Students at Science & Arts Academy:

Summer Program for Homeschoolers

We are a private, independent day school for gifted learners Preschool – 8th grade located in Des Plaines, IL just two blocks off of I294.

Over the 20 years we have been in existence, we have had many homeschooling families attend our gifted Summer Program.  The class sizes are small, the teachers are trained to work with advanced learners and passionate about the unique classroom subject matter, and the kids all have a love for learning.

This affordable, interesting option for in-depth learning has always resonated with parents of our homeschool constituents.

The best way to take a look at our summer program is to visit our website.

Science & Arts Academy – 847-827-7880
For the brochure: http://www.scienceandartsacademy.org/summer

The big event of the year!!! Our annual used (and some new) curriculum sale!

Tuesday, April 24
Elk Grove Village Library (google for directions)
7-9pm

We have a full house planned.
This promises to be one of our largest curriculum sales in years. Lots to choose
from!! Bring cash in SMALL denominations to make purchases. Doors open at
7:00pm. Admission is free!

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.

Beaconhomeschool.net

This begins what will hopefully be a new feature here. Not every week, but a couple times a month on Friday I will share some of our experiences with field trips in the Chicago area with tips on setting up your own.

To kick it off, lets start with a place that we just visited recently, Cantigny in Wheaton (but I always think of it as in Winfield . . .)

What you will find there:

Cantigny offers two museums including a house open for touring and a museum centered around the First Division. They also have beautiful grounds that are beginning to bloom. They are beautiful in each season, especially if you have nature lovers in your group.

We are currently studying the American Revolution and they had a great sample of a revolutionary soldier and various artifacts on display to help my kids really visualize all of what we have been learning, reading about, and discussing lately. If you are studying more recent American history you will find even more to complement your studies, but even going back to the beginning of our nation you will find something.

The Tanks! It’s what I remember from childhood visits, and it’s what my kids look forward to on each return trip as well. Whether they are imagining they are a soldier on a mission of their own, or pretending it is a hideout, or just climbing for the sake of climbing, the tanks are a big draw for kids of all ages. Of course, climb at your own risk, and be careful. These are real tanks. You will want to pick a day with decent weather so you can get a good climb in.

Classes and tours. You are free to roam the grounds and enjoy the signs, information, and displays on your own time and with your own focus, or you can sign up for a field trip or one of their many classes. They offer homeschool classes periodically (look for these to start up again in the fall) for additional fees. They cover various subjects including art, science, nature study, and history. See their calendar of events on their website for more details.

If you are going:

The grounds do have a per vehicle fee, but if you go to your library you can use your card to get a Museum Adventure Pass and get in for free. We chose this option and it was quick and easy and saved us $5.

There are often school groups touring as well. However, we found them fairly easy to avoid so we could enjoy the museums, tanks, and walkways without a crowd.

Cantigny offers a great field trip destination for a mixed age group. Lots of run around space and climbing action, and then opportunities to settle in and really learn from the informative and high quality displays throughout the facilities. My younger kids were a little scared at first of the First Division Museum displays. It is dark and has war sounds in the background. They are really well done though, and you learn so much on your walk through. If you need to split your group to enjoy it, do so, but kids of all ages can really learn quite a bit from the walk through.

And, be sure to bring your picnic lunch to enjoy at their tables near the parking area. We had a full, fun morning packed with new learning opportunities and conversation prompts. Definitely a field trip destination for every couple years or so.

The 2012-2013 schedule for CHAMPs homeschooll co-op is available online
at www.champshomeschool.com Course descriptions will soon be posted.
Registration for NEW members will begin on May 7; registration for
CURRENT members will begin on April 16.

We meet on Mondays during the school year in Mount Prospect.

You can contact us at champs-board@yahoogroups.com

Please contact them for additional information.

You are invited to our second annual National Rifle Association Youth Hunter Education Challenge for homeschooling families.  YHEC is a great opportunity to learn more about hunting methods and safety and game species as well as improve upon your skills.  YHEC is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18.  Its success is due to the numerous volunteers who want to pass on their experience, skills, and knowledge to the next generation of hunters and outdoorsmen.

Our YHEC day will include the disciplines of rifling, archery and shotguns.  We will also have three responsibility classes: Orienteering, Hunter Safety Trail and Wildlife ID.  We are thrilled to inform you that we have teamed up with Action Shooting Sports and Vintage Arms to make this year’s event even better!  Thesepeople volunteer their time to teach firearm and archery safety and responsibility, but even more importantlysportsmanship, commitment, and ethics.

Our event is on Friday, June 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Richmond Hunting Club.  RHC has graciously opened their door to us again because they are committed to educating our youth and they were impressed with the YHEC program.  We are able to offer this day without cost to you because of the generous funding from the NRA and RHC as well as the numerous volunteers who give their time.  We would ask that you buy your lunch from RHC as a special thank you to them but it is not required.  They will have hotdogs and hamburgers with chips and drinks for $5.00 as well as their regular menu available.  Please plan to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45for registration.  We need registration and waivers for every person participating.  We will have a mandatory safety meeting at 9:00. Parents, because of the nature of this event your presence is required for the entire day.  We will need your help to make the day run smoothly and you will be given a volunteer position. We do need a firm headcount.  Please R.S.V.P. to either Laurie Studer or Melissa Martin by June 8th.

To honor our men and women in uniform, we are teaming up with the Veteran’s Network Committee and accepting donations for our troops.  We want to express our thanks to them for the sacrifices they make toprotect and preserve our freedom.  Veteran’s Network Committee will be sending care packages to Illinois troops.  Please see the attached list for suggested items they need.  Sample or travel sizes are great!

You are welcome to bring your personal firearms and eye/ear protection.  We will be shooting .22 rifles and 410 and 12 gauge shotguns.  Please do not bring any other firearms.

Laurie Studer

(704)628-6985

Studer5@att.net

Richmond Hunting Club

5016 IL Route 173

Richmond, IL 60071

815-678-3271

www.actionshootingsports.com

www.vintagearmsonline.com

www.veteransnetworkcommittee.com

Welcome to the second year of the National Homeschool Book Award!
We are very excited to announce the 2012 nominees following a very
successful inaugural year!

www.nationalhomeschoolbookaward.com

It is free to participate, we announce the nominees November 2011, you
read the four nominated books and the voting will take place October
2012.

Beginning in January 2012, we will dedicate a month to each of the
four titles. Posting activities, snacks, links, and games that you can
use with your own kids or a book club. Sign up at the link below.

http://www.nationalhomeschoolbookaward.com/getinvolved.aspx

2012 Nominees are;

My Name is Mina by David Almond, Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, The
Candymakers by Wendy Mass, and Selling Hope by Kristin O’Donnell
Tubb.

Looking forward to a great year of reading & fun!

Blair Loder
National Homeschool Book Award

More info by email: contact@nationalhomeschoolbookaward.com