Dance class in Elgin

Magn Attitude

“O Magnify the LORD with me, and  let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5

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Contact: 847-931-0698 mmartin0698@sbcglobal.net

MagnAttitude Summer Dance Workshop

This workshop is geared for the beginner dance student with little or no dance experience although it is open to the intermediate dancer as well, who may want to improve upon their technique. Ballet being foundational to all other forms of dance, this class will develop basic ballet skills through barre work, center work and simple combinations. We will use what we learn to do a combination modern-jazz-hip-hop type dance set to popular Christian music with modest choreography. Students will learn the joy of dance while learning proper technique and have the satisfaction of using what they have learned all while glorifying God.

Ages 10+     Tues/Thurs a.m. 10:30-noon

4 weeks 2x/ week   — $85

Minimum 5 registered students

Location TBD

Dates TBD

Ages 6-10 Tues or Thurs a.m. 9:15-10:30

4 weeks 1x/ week   — $35

Minimum 5 registered students

Location TBD

Dates TBD

Dates Available to work with

Option #1 – July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29

Option #2 – July 20, 22, 27, 29, August 10, 12, 17, 19

Option #3 – August 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, September 2

Costuming Requirements -contact instructor for more information

-audition costuming w/ the exception of ballet shoes, may be worn for the first workshop attended

If a student registers for a 2nd workshop and/or registers for regularly scheduled classes, the required class costuming will need to be worn:

-pink leather ballet shoes (no split sole) are required (contact instructor BEFORE purchasing)

-hair must be pulled back off of face and neck in a pony tail or bun

-no jewelry with the exception of stud pierced earrings and wedding rings

-students are required to wear street shoes & clothing over their dancewear when arriving or departing from classes.

MELISSA MARTIN began her fine arts training at a young age. She studied piano and later flute at the Chicago Conservatory. Most of her early dance training was with her mother at Valley Dance Center. Advancing rapidly  she continued  to study at many well  known studios in Chicago including the Ruth Page Foundation, Chicago City Ballet, Ellis-Duboulay and Elizabeth Boitsov. Madame Boitsov is a graduate of the State Ballet School and State Bolshoi University in Moscow. Melissa was selected to train for the International Ballet Competition and studied in New York City with Madame Darvash. She has appeared in the full length productions of Cinderella, Coppelia, La Fille Mal Gardee, and the Nutcracker and has performed solo variations from ballets such as Don Quixote. At the age of twelve Melissa held the leading role in a student production of the Wild Swans. She then appeared with Rudolph Nureyev and the Zurich Opera Ballet. She started teaching in 1990 and especially loves imparting excellent technique to her students. As a teenager and after a dramatic transformation that took place in her parents’ lives when they dedicated themselves to God, Melissa accepted Christ as her own personal Savior and Lord. She is married to David Martin and the mother of 11 children.

“Let them praise his name with dancing” Psalm 149:3

Gym classes in Crystal Lake

Regional Sports Center in Crystal Lake offers classes just for homeschoolers!


What: Home School P.E.

Where: All Classes are held at the Regional Sports Center
1310 Ridgefield Rd.
Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Website: www.regionalsportscenter.com

More details:  Various activities include soccer, Bungee Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, Floor Hockey, Kick Ball, and more…

Organization Email Address : info@regionalsportscenter.com

Phone : Ben Curcio at 815-455-6634

Or, email : bcurcio@regionalsportscenter.com

Open Gym in Carol Stream

More proof that it never hurts to ask. This looks like a fantastic, brand-new opportunity in Carol Stream. Designed just for homeschoolers, and very reasonably priced (see DuPage Cheer‘s website for more details). As always, I would encourage you to give them a call before heading out there. But, here is the information as I received it, and as posted on their site:

DuPage Cheer & Power Tumbling

&

DuPage Training Academy

Are coming together to offer a fabulous…

HOMESCHOOL GYM CLASS!

TUMBLING

BASKETBALL

VOLLEYBALL

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

BATTING CAGES

Homeschooled children ages 5-18 can come, workout and have fun in a safe environment with professional coaches available for lots of different sports.

Surely you will find a favorite!

Fridays from 2-3:30 p.m. (starting 4/23/10)

115 Alexandra Way in Carol Stream

(1 block east of Gary Ave and North Ave)

$10/first child

$5 each additional child

$20 Max per family

No need to call or register-just come when you can.

Pass this along to all your friends!

QUESTIONS?  Call Guy 630.588.9000

Kane County Christian Homeschoolers — Used Curriculum Sale

Another great opportunity to pick up some USED CURRICLUM at great prices.

The Kane County Christian Homeschoolers are having their annual used curriculum sale.

Many sellers will be on hand with their no-longer-needed materials. I find these sales a great place to pick up deals and advice on what to buy and why.

When: Friday May 14, 2010

Time: 1:00-4:00 PM

WhereMorning Star Community Church in Aurora, Illinois

Members and non-members are welcome to sell and, of course, everyone can come and shop.

Used curriculum sale in Elk Grove

Big sale coming at the Beacon Homeschool Group.

They have over 20 different families selling their used curriculum. Loads of things to choose from for less than new cost!!!
Bring small bills to making paying easier. 5’s, 1’s, and quarters!!

When: Tuesday, April 27 7:00-9:00pm
Where
: Elk Grove Village Public Library

Everyone is invited to come out and see the great finds!
For more details, check their website. www.beaconhomeschool.org

Beacon is a non-denominational Christian support group for parents who home educate their children. Their membership is open to any home schooling family for support. The goals of Beacon are to provide fellowship, encouragement, field trips, workshops, and resources for our members to benefit from.

Used curriculum sale in West Chicago

The following information came from the Homeschool University in West Chicago:

HomeSchool University

Used Book & Curriculum Sale

Where:
Community Fellowship

28W240 North Ave.
West Chicago


When:

Thursday, April 15th
from 10:30am – 2pm

SHOPPERS: Planning for next year? Looking for the books, curriculum and other educational resources you’ll need? Then don’t miss the HSU Used Book & Curriculum Sale on April 15th!!   Admission is FREE! This is the PERFECT place to find what you need at a fraction of the cost of new materials! We sort the books and provide lots of signs to help you find your way to those special items you’re looking for! Lots of categories to choose from…and even some FREE STUFF! Help us spread the word!!!

Interested in a homeschooling co-op for your kids?

Come visit our OPEN HOUSE Thursday, April 15th from 9am – 4pm

Free admission to Holocaust Museum

The new Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center will celebrate its one year anniversary on April 19th. For this one day you can enjoy free admission to the museum.

The schedule for the day includes:

11:00 – 11:45 Eyewitness to the Holocaust, Goodman Auditorium
Listen to the individual story of someone who experienced history firsthand. 
Q/A will follow.  Space is limited.

12:00 until closing Cake and refreshments, Pritzker Hall of Reflection
1:35 – 2:15 Eyewitness to the Holocaust, Goodman Auditorium
Listen to the individual story of someone who experienced history firsthand.
Q/A will follow.  Space is limited.

4:00 – 5:00 Symbolism in the Design of IHMEC – Stanley Tigerman, Architect
Seating is limited, RSVP required | email architect@ilhmec.org or call 847.967.4814

In the museum you can also enjoy an exhibit that shares the wartime escape of H.A. Rey and his wife from the Nazi invasion of Paris during WWII. Name ring a bell? He is the author of the well loved Curious George series, and as a Jew, had to flee to America in 1940.

Special events begin the day before, so feel free to check out the Illinois Holocaust Museum website for more details.

Also, if the holocaust is a topic of interest for you or your family you might want to check out the new season at the Provision Theater which will feature The Hiding Place, an amazing story of bravery and faith in the midst of persecution and hatred.

Chemistry classes

The following information was received from Trinity International University:

The Chemistry and Education departments of Trinity International University are pleased to be able to invite your student to participate in a unique laboratory program designed to help your son or daughter learn about God’s work through direct investigation and experimentation.Your student will learn about the connections between faith and science; learn about the how to keep a laboratory notebook; how to change the properties of soap; investigate the properties of polymers; work in a college chemistry laboratory to make cold cream, liquid hand soap, rubber bands, window cleaner and more.

If your student is currently in grades 9 through 12, has an interest in science, and can successfully follow both written and oral directions, this program is for him/her! We will be running five classes; meeting (May 24, 26, 28, and June 2, 4) from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. in Trinity’s chemistry laboratory. The cost for the program is $120, which is all-inclusive (There is an additional charge for any breakage).

A staff of experienced instructors will provide close supervision. Instructors will emphasize laboratory safety while communicating fundamental concepts in Chemistry and encouraging students to use their reasoning skills.

If your son or daughter is interested in participating in this program, we need to hear from you now! Space is limited! We need to know of your interest by April 15 in order to provide adequate staffing and materials. Additionally, any student who registers and pays in full by April 15 will receive a $10 discount for early payment! Parents can contact Joan Leifel at 847-548-0336 with their questions or to register. A $50 non-refundable registration fee is needed to hold a place. Space will be filled on a first- come, first-served basis. Checks should be made out to Trinity International University.

Upon receipt of your registration, we will contact you with additional information.

Dr. Dori Karlesky
Chemistry
847-317-7168
ckarlesk@tiu.edu

Ms. Nadeen Rust
Education
847-317-7179
nrust@tiu.edu

Ms. Joan Leifel
Program Registrar
847-548-0336

We are excited about this unique opportunity and look forward to a valuable experience together!

Free admission to the Museum of Science and Industry!

U-505 Submarine

I came across some amazing information at the blog of a Sonlight Rep turned bloggy friend of mine.

This information is taken straight from the Museum of Science and Industry’s website:

Home School Group Reservations

Individuals:
Individual families with fewer than 20 students receive free general admission on Monday through Friday except during holiday periods. Parents receive free general admission as well. No advance reservations are required; you will be asked to fill out a Free Admission slip at the ticket counter. No documentation is needed. Omnimax movies, Learning Labs and special exhibits like Smart Home: Green + Wired have additional fees and are not offered at a discounted rate for individuals. Check out our free day schedule.

Groups:
Illinois home school groups of 20 or more students receive free general admission and regular school group discounts for Omnimax movies and special exhibits. Click here for school group pricing. Advance reservations and payment are required. One chaperone is needed for every 10 students. Reserve your visit online or by calling (773) 684-1414.

Learning Labs

Individual:
Individual home school students can sign up for special Learning Labs. Advance payment of $10 per student is required. Call (773) 684-1414 to reserve a spot. Labs are limited to 20 students on a first-come, first-served basis. The next sessions are:

May 10, 2010 at 2 pm
Museum Crime Lab (ages 8 – 12)
ER/OR Lab (ages 12 – 16)

Group:
Home school groups may register for one of our regular Learning Labs offered during the school year from September to June. Labs have a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 students, and each lab is $100 for the entire group (or $120 for special labs). Reserve a group lab by making a field trip reservation online or by calling (773) 684-1414.

Lab Etiquette:
Meet at the Information Desk on Main Level 2 15 minutes before the start of the lab. Parents and siblings are encouraged to walk around the Museum during the program.

Arrival and Parking

Plan to arrive at the Museum at least 30 minutes before any scheduled program such as Learning Labs, Omnimax movies or ticketed exhibits. An individual or group who is registered for a Learning Lab must meet at the Information Desk on Main Level 2 15 minutes before the start of the lab. Convienient indoor parking is available in the Museum’s underground parking garage.

Home School Policies

Download a PDF of our Home School Policies.

Tips for Your Visit

Make a pre-visit: If possible, visit the Museum before bringing your group to familiarize yourself with the building and the exhibits.

Take part in our live science experiences: From dissecting an eyeball to taking part in a discussion about climate change, our daily live science experiences make students part of the action. These programs are offered at no additional cost.

Make lunch plans: Pre-registered home school groups (of 20 or more) may reserve a lunch time in the student cafeteria. Other groups are invited to eat in the Brain Food Court.

Set expectations: The Museum offers 14 acres of exhibit space to explore. Set realistic expectations for how much your group can accomplish and what you want your group to learn. Our exhibits are designed to spark interest and engage the visitor. Rushing to see the entire Museum in one trip can be a frustrating experience. Use our map or visit planning tool to decide what to see and do, and check out our field trip worksheets and exhibit guides to focus your visit.

Contact Us

For field trips, call (773) 684-1414.  For other education inquiries, email edinfo(at)msichicago.org.

Get outside!

The weather these next few days looks to be absolutely gorgeous, so I shouldn’t have to encourage you twice to get out with your kids! Wherever you live around the Chicago area, find a new forest preserve, a nature trail, or even just a playground and enjoy. This time of year it can still be hit or miss, so grab it while you can.

Beaver eaten tree

Today we enjoyed some time with my parents, sister, and nephew at Spring Valley in Schaumburg. Unfortunately the historical farm and log cabin will not be open until next week, but we still soaked in the sunshine on the beautiful walking trails and spent some time in the nature center there. We checked out the bat boxes, the observation deck, the calves, turtles, ducks, trees chopped down by a beaver, wasp nests, and so much more. It is amazing what kids will find and what will fascinate them when you just get out and walk.

Need ideas? Be sure to check out the field trip listings for other local ideas. Maybe you have already seen all the stuff really close to your house, so try somewhere a little further away. One of the great advantages to living in this great metropolis is all that we have within an hour’s drive. Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village, Independence Grove in Libertyville (check before going, sometimes they charge an admission per vehicle), Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, Millenium Park in Chicago, Bartlett Nature Center at the James “Pate” Philip State Park in Bartlett, Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington,  and on and on. I would guess there is somewhere that you have not explored with your kids.

Lots of nature centers have activity backpacks that you can check out, and the volunteers that often staff the desks are happy to help make the most of your experience. At Spring Valley you can also rent binoculars, so you never know what might be available if you just ask.

Not a big nature enthusiast?

New to the whole idea of nature study? Make a game of it . . .

– See who can find the most birds, maybe even check out a bird field guide from the library and try to identify a bird that is new to you.

– Make a bingo board with nature items and see who can get bingo first.

– Maybe you have a budding artist, bring sketch pads and find a spot to sit and draw. Some homeschoolers love to do this each week (check out Harmony Art Mom’s Sketch Tuesday for inspiration here)

– Even just bring a book and do your silent or oral reading outside. I love the flexibility of homeschooling. We often take our afternoon classes outdoors to mix a little business with pleasure.

If you want some web based help and ideas to make the most of your outing you might enjoy these sites:

– Charlotte Mason was really big on nature study, and this page has a great summary of her thoughts on nature study.

– More thoughts based on Charlotte Mason‘s philosophies of nature study including how to start in your backyard, putting together a notebook, and getting the most of a hike.

Connecting with Nature also offers lots of great ideas starting right in your own backyard and building your nature studies from there.

– Put together an outdoor treasure hunt. This would be a great activity for just your family or even to invite a few friends along with.

Wherever you go, however you plan to enjoy it, don’t put it off. Just do it! Get out there and soak up this spring weather.

Any other ideas for getting started on nature walks or making the most of your time out of doors?