Fun Summer Math Reading

So after starting that last post about our book project for the 2015 Author's Fair, I did some research, and found that our local library seems to have quite a good selection of funny and creative easy-reader and picture books to inspire our young authors. Here are some I found:

Conned Again, Watson! Cautionary Tales of Logic, Math, and Probability

Minnie's Diner

The Great Divide

Divide and Ride

Grandfather Tang's Story

The Warlord's Puzzle

Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar

Math Curse

Inch by Inch

The Wishing Club: A Story About Fractions

Lemonade for Sale

The Doorbell Rang

17 Kings and 42 Elephants

One Grain of Rice

Arthur's Funny Money

Measuring Penny

The library also has a lot of these well-rated "Sir Cumference" books--I'll definitely be checking some out!

I've read this one before--and it is a fun read: Spaghetti and Meatballs for All

Some of the books available at the library may not tell math stories, per se, but sound like really good additions (ha!) to a summer reading math unit:

Mathematicians Are People Too

G is for Googol

Millions to Measure

The Boy Who Loved Math

The library also has many of the Encyclopedia Brown books, which do not specifically deal with math but still require logical thinking for solving their mysteries--plenty of good inspiration there for the kids' own math mystery writing.

Then I have a few books here at home that anyone may borrow:

100 Pounds of Popcorn

The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat

Math Talk

Once Upon a Company


If you have any math tales of your own to recommend, please share the titles in the comments!

our very own Becky is offering (amazing sounding) classes!

Hi local homeschool Moms--

Becky Kimball and her sister Jenny have started a new venture together: LitWits!  Please check out their beautiful website to see what I am SO excited about.  The fall semester workshops are on such great but often overlooked classics--we are really looking forward to seeing how Becky and Jenny bring them alive.  (Knowing Becky, it will be magical. ; )

And best of all, LitWits Workshops is an Ocean Grove vendor-whoo-hoo!!!! 

The workshops begin Sept 29, so don't wait to look at what they are offering--esp. because they are doing The Secret Garden first!

FREE teacher membership at the San Jse Tech Museum!

Lisa C. here!  I am still trying to figure out what this means, exacly--what the concrete benefits would be for our family and our homeschool studies--but look what I just came across on the Tech Museum of San Jose website:

Free Teacher Membership Program for California Educators!



Use us as your year-round 2nd Classroom!

Teacher memberships are available to all K-12 public, private, home school teachers, principals, district and county certificated employees, currently working in a California school district.


We invite you to become a member of our learning community and find a professional "home" here at The Tech Museum. Ultimately, we hope you join us in promoting learning through design and innovation as part of your professional practice.


Here is the page that gives the details.  Does anyone else already know about this?  Please comment if you have any insight or experience with this program!

Free Open House at Discovery Learning Center in S.C.

From their website:

Open HouseSeptember 8th 1-4pm. Come celebrate the Discovery Learning Center at our Open House. We'll be offering games and crafts for the kids while parents learn about our lending library, classes, clubs and parent activities. Come find out how your family will benefit from this new community resource.

Address, etc. on website too.  Also at the site you can sign up for their newsletter, which I assume will give info on classes to be held, etc.

If any of you were familiar with the recently closed Educational Resource Center, this is where its inventory has relocated.

New local science vendors!

My Ocan Grove E.S. just sent out a list of new approved vendors, and on it are two I have been hoping for:

1) The Mad Molecule science store here in Aptos, in the Rio Del Mar shopping center (where Safeway is).

2) Science classes at Quail Hollow Ranch!  Whoo-hoo!

And speaking of Quail Hollow, I just now realized that they offer FREE field trips, if we schedule them in advance!  Check out this brochure for the possibilities--I think this year we are going to have to schedule a few for Vintage Homeschool Adventures. : )

reminder--teacher discount at Palace Arts

From one of the homeschool networks I am on:

Hi everybody,



I just did this for the first time this year, and it was easy! If you go to the register at Palace Arts in Capitola and tell them you're a teacher (they're fine with homeschoolers), they sign you up for a discount card, give you a bag of free goodies, and sell you an enormous quantity of pencils for dirt cheap. And not only are they OK with homeschoolers, but the discount always applies for all teachers, even if they're buying something personal. So no need to feel like you're cheating anyone by buying a gift there as well.

And Ocean Grove moms, I am almost positive Palace Arts is an OG vendor, too! 

Act quickly--FREE entrance to the Impressionist Exhibit in SF

Hi everybody: I set up a free fieldtrip to the Impressionists exhibit at the deYoung in San Francisco for next week for Ocean Alternative families, and we still have 4 or 5 tickets available. (I'm waiting to hear on one person's headcount.) If you would like to come, please e-mail me directly. First come, first served. Let me know how many people. Here's the info:
Thursday, August 12
Promptly at 10:30 (if you're not there you don't get in!)


There are oodles of don'ts and don'ts for this exhibit (what you can bring in, wear, etc.) so make sure to look that up if you're going (with us or separately). No backpacks, pencils, food, strollers………………………


Suki
Susana (Suki) Wessling
Blog: sukiwessling.parentclickblogs.com
Suki's Parenting and Education Facebook Page on Facebook

CA Academy of Sciences Homeschool Day!

Join us for the next Homeschool Day!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Join us on this special day of presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on programs, when we invite homeschooling families to explore the Academy at reduced admission prices.

Download and print the FAQ and Registration Guide, which includes everything you need for planning your experience and reserving a spot for your family.

The information in this packet is also published in the Teachers' Lounge, where you can post comments or questions helpful to anyone in the homeschool community.

Registration by phone begins Tuesday, August 10, 2010.

Don't hesitate to forward this message along to others!

Admission for homeschool families within San Francisco:
Two adults and their children aged 4-17 may attend for free.

Admission for homeschool families outside San Francisco:
Two adults and their children aged 4-17 may attend for only $4.95 per person.

Note: Children aged 0-3 always receive free admission to the museum. Tickets for additional adult chaperones may be reserved at general admission prices ($24.95 for adults; $19.95 for college students and seniors).

As always, the price of admission includes access to all of our exhibits!
*Rainforest Dome
*Living Roof
*Kimball Natural History Museum
*Steinhart Aquarium


Program Schedule

Planetarium Shows:
Every hour on the half-hour, visitors will leave our planet to take a Journey to the Stars. Just pick up free passes from the Planetarium kiosk for the show time of your choosing.

Public Presentations:
Watch a penguin feeding, meet our albino alligator, get up close with live raptors, dive into the coral reef, and explore extreme life. Question and answer sessions follow many presentations.

Docent-led Discovery:
Depart on an impromptu tour, touch real specimens, watch as comets and volcanoes are constructed, touch a tidepool creature, and be on the lookout for live animal ambassadors.

Hands-on Programs:
Dissect an owl pellet, build a dollhouse using sustainable design principles, learn about the process of natural selection with real specimens, or challenge yourself with waste and water relays.

At the Naturalist Center:
Receive one-on-one help from Academy naturalists, visit with other families, or attend a Specimen Spotlight talk. Also, come here to collect a prize for completing a scavenger hunt!

Scavenger Hunts:
Print a museum worksheet at home and complete it with your family within the exhibits. See the FAQ for a helpful list, or browse the activity database.

.................................................................

Meet your relatives in Extreme Mammals

Exhibition ends September 12, 2010, so we scheduled Homeschool Day accordingly!

Featuring spectacular fossils and other specimens from the Museum’s collections, vivid reconstructions, and live animals, this exhibition examines the ancestry and evolution of numerous species, ranging from huge to tiny, from speedy to sloth-like, and displays animals with oversized claws, fangs, snouts, and horns.

Through the use of dynamic media displays, hands-on activities, touchable fossils, taxidermy specimens, and live tree shrews, the exhibition will highlight distinctive mammalian qualities and illuminate the shared ancestry that unites these diverse creatures.

Extreme Mammals is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada; and Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Photo: © AMNH/D. Finnin

Visit the exhibit website here.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Home School Days for 2010--Sign up in July!

Lisa C. here:

Just got this email with the dates for this progream for this next Fall. It is free (at least it has been in the past), it is fun and it is totally awesome! So if you are interested, be sure to sign up in July so you reserve spaces for your family.




DEAR HOME EDUCATOR,

Thank you for your continued support for our Home School Day program. We are writing to inform you of some important information regarding the reservation process for Home School Days 2010.

THERE IS A NEW RESERVATION PROCESS FOR HOME SCHOOL DAYS 2010
Reservations for Home School Days this fall will open on Tuesday, July 6th, and must be made online at this School Programs page. In order to make a reservation for your family, please be sure to choose one of the five Home School Day dates listed below and an entry time for your arrival. You will receive an email confirmation after completing the reservation process; that email confirmation is the entry ticket for everyone in your party. Please print the confirmation and bring it with you on your scheduled Home School Day visit.

PLEASE NOTE: We are no longer accepting group reservations. Families are welcome to make individual reservations for up to 20 participants (combined total of youth and adults). Youth are children between the ages of 3-17 years and adults are 18 years and older. Children 2 years and under are admitted free of charge and should not be included in your reservations.
This year's Home School Days theme is "To Eat or Be Eaten: Diving into Ocean Foot Webs" and the schedule of dates is as follows:
Monday, October 18th
Monday, October 25th
Monday, November 1st
Monday, November 8th
Monday, November 15th
If you have any questions about our new online reservation process, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at schoolprograms@mbayaq.org or by phone at (831) 644-7538.

Best regards,
Rachael VanderWalde Cohen & Cyndi Fox

Education Programs
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Email: schoolprograms@mbayaq.org
Phone: 831-644-7538
Web: http://www.mbayaq.org

BAY AREA FREE OR REDUCED ADMISSIONS TO MUSEUMS, ETC.

My E.S. just sent this to me:

FREE ADMISSION – ANYDAY

1. Tilden Regional Park Botanic Garden, Nature Study Area & Little Farm, Berkeley
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden

2. Museum of Children's Art, Oakland http://www.mocha.org

3. Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/community-services/ac-generalinfo.html

4. Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley http://www.berkeleyartcenter.org

5. Nasa Ames Research Center, Mountain View http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/exploration.html

6. Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton http://www.ucolick.org/public/visitors.html

7. Jelly Belly Factory Tour, Fairfield http://jellybelly.com

8. Cable Car Museum, San Francisco http://www.cablecarmuseum.org

9. Chinese Cultural Center Gallery, San Francisco http://www.c-c-c.org

10. Museo ItaloAmericano, San Francisco http://www.museoitaloamericano.org

11. San Francisco Fire Department Museum, San Francisco http://www.sffiremuseum.org/index.html

12. Cantor Arts Center, Stanford http://museum.stanford.edu

13. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, Berkeley http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu

14. San Francisco Botanical Garden www.sfbotanicalgarden.org

FREE ADMISSION – FIRST SUNDAYS

1. Oakland Museum of California— (not including special exhibitions) http://www.museumca.org/visit/index.html

2. Asian Art Museum, San Francisco http://www.asianart.org/hoursandadmission.html

FREE ADMISSION -- FIRST TUESDAYS

1. De Young Museum, San Francisco (except special exhibitions) http://www.famsf.org/deyoung/visiting/index.asp

2. Legion Of Honor, San Francisco (except special exhibitions) http://www.famsf.org/legion/visiting/index.asp

3. Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco ("pay what you wish" day) http://www.cartoonart.org/directions.html

4. Museum of Craft & Folk Art (Yerba Buena), San Francisco in 2008 http://www.mocfa.org/visit/index.html

5. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco http://www.ybca.org/visit/gallery.aspx

6. Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/visit/hours

7. Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), San Francisco http://www.sfmoma.org/visit/visitinfo_ hours.asp


FREE ADMISSION – FIRST WEDNESDAY

1. San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco—For residents of San Francisco only http://www.sfzoo.org

2. Exploratorium, San Francisco http://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/hours_admission.html

3. Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. http://www.badm.org

FREE ADMISSION – THIRD WEDNESDAY

1. California Academy of Sciences & Steinhart Aquarium, San Francisco (first come, first served) http://www.calacade my.org


FREE ADMISSION – FIRST THURSDAY

1. Burlingame Pez Museum, Burlingame http://www.burlingamepezmuseum.com

2. Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive www.bampfa.berkeley.edu

ALMOST FREE or REDUCED FEES

1. Tilden Park Steam Train ($1.75) or Merry-Go-Round ($1) http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden

2. Los Gatos Billy Jones Railroad Train or Carousel ($2) http://www.bjwrr.org

3. Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory and Museum Tour ($3) http://www.mrsgrossmans.com

4. Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose SJ— Open Access Policy http://www.thetech.org/about/open_access

5. Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose— Open Door Policy http://www.cdm.org/info

6. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey County Public libraries has a "book" that residents of Monterey County can check out for free admission for up to 6 people. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org

7. A List of Free Things to Do in San Jose http://www.sanjose.com/free-guide

8. 25 Sacramento Museums that are Free or Nominal Fee http://www.sacmuseums.org/findamuseum.html

Just an FYI: The Mad Molecule Science Store

There is a new science shop in Aptos, that was just written about by a local homeschool mom in an article here. They will be offering science classes that sound pretty cool--I am going to see if the store will become an Ocean Grove vendor and if they will teach classes--namely chemistry!--that I really want my girls to take but don't want to teach. ; ) And if it could be done with OG funds. . . I'll do my best to make it possible!

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK – BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ

We're celebrating teachers and everything you do for your students and for our community with Teacher Appreciation Week. From Monday, April 19th through Sunday, April 25th, all teachers will receive 20% OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE!* Pick up books, magazines, cards, or gift items for your classroom or for much-deserved personal enjoyment--all discounted 20%. Just bring proof of educator status to the register to receive the discount. Members of our Teacher's Club receive an additional 5% rebate (after every 20 items) for a total savings of 25%. And all teachers are welcome to join the club at no cost.


*discount applies to new hardbacks and paperbacks, used and sale books, and all non-book items. Offer applies to in-stock items only and does not apply to Selects Subscriptions, Bookshop Santa Cruz Outdoors registration, or purchase orders. Offer does not combine with already discounted bestsellers or other offered discounts.


Bookshop Santa Cruz, your local independent bookstore since 1966, offers:
a wide selection of books & magazines
outstanding children's books
great customer service
a Teachers' Club with benefits that include a year-round 10% discount on books your students use in the classroom

(I don't know how we prove we are educators, so if anyone calls to find out, please post a comment here and let the rest of us know)

TOMORROW Freecycle FREE FOR ALL

Hello moms!

As many of you know, I LOVE freecycle! What is not to love? Getting stuff I need, for FREE? Giving away stuff I don't need to people who want it--stuff that can't go to Goodwill because it is broken, stained, weird, etc. *Esp. baby beds, toys--did you know Goodwill cannot take those? I hate throwing away perfectly good stuff--and with freecycle, there is usually a taker! Yay--less waste, less room taken in the landfill!

So TOMORROW, Saturday, there is a FREE FOR ALL happening in Scotts Valley, in a very convenient location. I am taking stuff in the morning to leave, and then will go back at the end of the event and pick up whatever does not get taken (last time almost every single thing I took was taken).

Here is the info:

The idea behind this is that many don't want to bother
with offering items and going through the responses,
then dealing with no-shows... Also, they don't want to
have a garage sale or don't have enough to make it
worthwhile. So, you can get rid of the stuff at the
Santa Cruz County Free-for-All (Scotts Valley location).

Where: 1282 Conference Drive, Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
This is literally the corner of Conference and Mt Hermon. Across from Heavenly Cafe.
When: April 10 and 11 Saturday, 2010
Time SAT: 10am - 3pm
Time SUN: 10am - 1pm

Note that there is a small playground there for the kids to play at, so you can bring your kids.
But we're not responsible for them so please watch them.

Note that items will arrive all day long. This means that being an
early bird has no benefit.
Staying all day does have a benefit as you can see things brought in
all day long.

Rules:
1. Bring something, take something away.
All you HAVE to bring is your friendly self, good attitude, an
affinity for Freecycle, and maybe something to place items in that
you want. Like a box or a bag. But do look around your house or apartment and see what you aren't using and don't need.
Bring that along. Someone will be very happy you did.

***************
***************
If you get something at the Free-for-All, you will want to take it to
your car or mark it in some way to make sure that no one else takes
it. Since everything is free, people will not know it has been
claimed already.
****************
****************

2. If you bring something that is not taken, you MUST take it away
with you. We are not the dump. We will happily give you our cell number and you can call at the end to see if you should pick up your items.

You do not have to get there at 10 or leave at 3. You may arrive any
time you wish and leave whenever you wish. We just ask that you take
your items with you when you do leave, or come back at the end to collect your items.

3. The person offering an item may chose whomever they want to
receive it. They do not have to give it to the first person asking
for it. That can be disappointing, but remember your manners.

You may invite friends, charities, whoever you want. You are welcome to tell all you want about this event.

So, time to clean out your basement, spare room, garage, whatever you
want.

If you have any questions just email
us (the Santa Cruz and SLV moderators) at:
SantaCruzCountyFreecycle-owner@yahoogroups.com

Kerri, Lisa, Laura and Maria
your Santa Cruz County and SLV moderators

Free Old Sacramento history events!

Excerpt from an Ocean Grove vendor email:

March 19th - FREE -150th Celebration of the Pony Express
Bruce will be hosting several events this year for the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express. If you didn't know, the Pony Express ran from St. Joseph Mo. to Sacramento. You can be a part of the event as Bruce (in costume) tells the history of the Pony Express. He will be right on the very streets where if happened, 150 years ago. This is one of Bruce's free events for 2010. Plan to learn much about the Pony Express and about the little 11 year old boy, who became a Pony Express rider. He lived right here in Sacramento, and in 1860 became the youngest rider of the company. He lived to be the oldest surviving member of the Pony Express. So don't miss this chance to learn about these legendary riders.
Free Scavenger Hunt - Get those kids out of the house and take part in a scavenger hunt. Come on, homeschool kids have been inside over the holidays, right? It's time to bring them to Old Sacramento. This is sponsored by TrailMix.net. They have a wonderful store in Old Town (across from the Railroad Museum) and have developed a great hunt. You will have a great time looking for the answers to this historical study. They even have prizes at the end. They have been awarded one of the best free things to do in Sacramento by Mix 96 and Sacramento Magazine. The Old Sacramento Scavenger hunt is a working example of how families can tap into the enormous educational potential.
Dates - February 18th 2010 - March 19th 2010
Time - 10:00 & 1:00 - (two times for you to choose from)
Meeting Place - TrailMix.Net Store 116B I Street - Sacramento (they have a classroom inside the store for us to use. If it rains, we are inside) PLEASE SEND RANGER BRUCE AN EMAIL AND REGISTER. SPACE IS LIMITED AND WILL FILL FAST. DON"T JUST SHOW UP, REGISTER! SEND AN EMAIL.
Cost - Free event - love offering will be taken for Bruce
Resources available to purchase - Pony Express books from the 1950's / Mint U.S. Postage stamp from the 1960's commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Pony Express. Bruce's book on the "True History of the Pony Express" $12.00 (he will autograph your copy)

Sequoia Nature Classes
Presents
March Classes
Nature, Science & Historical Adventures

Classes & Tours are hosted by Bruce Larson. I teach classes, and speak at homeschool conventions throughout the state. Classes or tours can be done in your area. I can come and bring my costumes with me, to your city. Sometimes homeschool families come to Sacramento for a historical tour. Bruce's contact information - 916-725-3630 or sparky3777@msn.com to sign up and register for classes. Be sure to contact your ES for a PO

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The Craddock family is planning on attending! (we are also going to attend the one the Fri before, on CA native americans (ocean grove will pay the student cost), and then head on to Sutters Fort!