Old School Monday--our first of 2010!

Welcome moms, to a new year of Homeschooling! Thanks to all of you who have been joining us for Old School Mondays and holiday parties the past year and a half--I hope you can all come this NEXT MONDAY January 25th to our first Old School Monday of the new year!

**If you are new to Vintage Homeschool Days and specifically Old School Mondays, please go quickly read through the original OSM posts--scroll to the bottom to start with the oldest--so you know roughly what it is all about before you read the specifics for this month.**

We have some fun activities planned for you and your kids, including:
--a short Latin lesson on parts of the body
--continuing memorizing the U.S. States via goofy songs
--some hands on learning--TBA
--some kind of get-em-movin' game in the gym

But mainly this first OSM will be for us moms, so we will give the kids lots of independent play time this month so that us moms can discuss:
--One brief aspect of the Charlotte Mason approach to education (I am hoping we can take turns this year, each mom sharing some homeschool approach that is working well for her or some education theory that is inspiring her. So I will start us off this month with something that is inspiring me.)

--What you are all hoping to see in our time together during OSM this year! So come prepared to talk about ideas and visions for what fun learning things we might do together. In particular, please consider "hosting" an activity or lesson during any OSM--the more you moms jump in as you can, the more interesting and fun OSM will be, since all of you combined are WAY more creative than just me by myself! ; ) I suggest we bring our calendars and get some moms to volunteer for the Feb and March OSM gatherings, and then you volunteers can *just plan an activity/lesson that goes along with whatever you are already learning about with your family.* It is as simple as that. : )

So, here are a few things I would like to throw out for you all to think about:
--How we might be able to break up our group during part of OSM so that the bigger kids can have a lesson/activity geared for their abilities, and the littles can have a lesson/activity geared for their energy and attention span. ; )

--I LOVE the idea of having monthly "spell downs" to give our kids incentive to be learning their spelling words, and think I have worked out the kinks of how to do it in such a large, multi-age level group. But you all need to tell me if YOU like this activity--if you would like it once a month, only occassionally, or not at all.

-- What special events do we want to have this year? I'm thinking back to last year and how much fun the Valentine's Party was--let's do another? Does anyone else have any special event ideas for the next couple of months, so we can get them on the calendar?

--What do we want to do with this website to make it most helpful and usable for everyone?

Ok, that should be plenty to get us started! We had so much fun in 2009, and this year I look forward to seeing some new faces, and more moms hosting the lessons/activities, and us doing more for the various age groups represented. Can't wait to see you all!

Remember, bring lunch for you and your kiddies, if you want. And the Abbey will be open! ; )

Please post comments to this post if you have questions, and I will gladly respond!

Baby hummingbirds!

Moms, you do not want to miss this:

http://cam.dellwo.com/

This is a live streaming of a hummingbird on her nest down in Orange County. She laid two tiny eggs and one hatched Tues morning and the second hatched this morning. It is awesome to watch! The morning the first chick hatched we got to see the mother hummingbird feed it--so cool. This is a great thing to have on for 30 minutes while you are working nearby, since you never know when she will leave the nest and you can get a glimpse of the babies.

If you are talking to your kids about Haiti

I just found this excellent, easy-to-understand "presentation" on the BBC News online website about how earthquakes happen. This news site has also been a great one for photos, videos, and news stories about Haiti that were appropriate for sharing with the kids.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4126809.stm

And on the right hand sidebar, you can see that there are other animated presentations on other kinds of natural disasters, like tornadoes. This is a site I have bookmarked for coming back to when we are studying these things!

Boomeria--a MUST DO!

All homeschool moms--please check out the following and GO!


http://www.bonny-doon.info/

http://home.comcast.net/~pqboom/tour/tour.html

A possible Christmas Love project for Vintage Moms

I just wanted to let you all know about something I am doing this week, in case any of you are moved to be a part of it. For about a month I have been following a blog called Sarah's Covenant Homes that is truly inspiring, challenging, and convicting. If you have a moment to go visit, you will quickly see what I mean.

I'll give you the quick background that I have learned: this woman, Sarah, is an American Christian, married to an Indian Christian man, who has devoted her life to caring for special needs children who have been abandoned by their parents. In India, when a couple give birth to a child with birth defects or other issues, their culture often tells them that they must have angered the gods, and the child's "deformity" is their punishment. Often the mother gets the most abuse for "her role" in the "sin" that angered the gods. So parents can be quick to abandon such children, to avoid the social stigma. Even if they keep the child, they will most likely not have the resources to meet the child's medical needs.

So these children are put into state-run hospitals and institutions, where they are often completely ignored, mistreated, and malnourished.

Sarah started 2 "family style" homes for these abandoned, special needs children--which benefit abandoned or widowed women too, as these are the women hired as caregivers for the children. But just a week ago Sarah was "given" 39 new children (they previously had 44) from a state institution, and felt that God was making an opportunity that she needed to act upon immediately, before the state changed its mind. So all of a sudden, there are twice as many children, many of them little ones, with many different needs, but all of them most impoverished of love.

Sarah has been posting needs on the website, and after seeing the face (pictured above--the darling!) of one of the new orphans she has just rescued from the state institution, I pledged to send a box of clothing to help meet their needs. If any of you moms would like to contribute, I will be collecting the following things on Sunday morning and at Old School Monday:

--fleece pants and hoodies for children ages 24 mo to 6 yrs.
--tights and baby legs and leg warmers for all sizes girls
--cardigans, sweaters, fleece vests for children ages 24 mo to 6 years.
--baby sleepers for sizes 12 mo to 24 mo.

I will also be accepting spare change to help with the shipping costs.

Absolutely no one should feel obligated to help with this! But I must say, looking at the website with my girls and talking about the children and their needs was quite the educational experience, (my 4 year old crept closer and closer to me as we looked at more children--she was clearly aware of their pain and how lucky she was to have parents!) and they have really enjoyed gathering some things to send. So if any of you are looking for a meaningful way to love on "the least of these" in the name of Jesus this Christmas season, please consider these kids.

If you can, please also consider visiting the website to read about Jaron, pictured below:


Sarah's writing about him alone sums up so well the value in what she is doing there, and what it means for these kids to be given a chance at new life.

Thanks for considering this!

Old School Monday--THIS Monday, Dec. 14!

Hello Vintage Moms!

Looking at our calendar, things are getting pretty full. I don't know if you are feeling the same, but I am thinking we should have our December Old School Monday ASAP--or it might not happen!

SO! Please come this next Monday to the church from 10-1. As always, bring a snack if you or your kids will want to eat lunch. Please also bring the following:

--A Christmassy snack/treat to share!
--Jingle bells! (or any bell you have)
--a favorite Christmas story, song, or poem to share!

The plan is simple: this OSM will be part fun, part party! (kinda like last time!)

We will start with some schoolin':
--practicing our states by song, so we keep on learning those
--cut out snowflake ornaments (moms be prepared to help your kids)
--possibly "candy cane" ornaments
--fun snowflake facts
--circle time, where each child can share whatever Christmas story, song or poem they brought

And then get to the partyin':
--charades
--food

ideas? please comment or email me!

Old School Monday--Nov. 23rd!

Hello Vintage Moms!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our little October costume party--which I now realize I never posted news about here on the site. Whoops!

Our November Old School Monday is upon us, and do we have fun planned! We are going to:
--practice memorizing our United States via song

--take a quiz on symbols of America

--play some get-em-movin' game in the gym

--circle time.
*Please prepare your child to share something about either 1) the history of Thanksgiving, and/or 2) your own family's Thanksgiving traditions. They are welcome to bring an object to show that illustrates what they want to share about.

--take a nature walk looking at trees and collecting leaves

--do a fantastic Fall craft. Check it out here.
For this craft, please bring: cardboard, sharp scissors or knife (or you can cut your cardboard at home), craft glue, a paper bag (for leaf collecting), pretty ribbon (am I forgetting anything?)

Do you have another fun idea for us to do together? Bring it!

Do you have a homeschool project you are working on or have completed that you are really proud of? Please bring it to share!

We will begin ON TIME this week, so please come, and don't worry if you are running late, but we want to make the most of our time together, so we will start our activities right away.

Monday, in the Vintage Faith gym/classroom from 10-1. Bring lunch for your kids, if you want. If you are already in the spirit of Thanksgiving, you are of course welcome to bring something to share! ; )

So please come! Please invite your homeschool/preschool friends!

*your child's participation is optional, as always--but let's encourage them to stretch their comfort zones and minds!

Loma Prieta 20 Year Anniversary

On October 17, 1989 at 5:04 pm, the Loma Prieta Earthquake shattered
Santa Cruz and the Greater Bay Area. Twenty years later, you are
invited to come together with other local residents to commemorate
this historic event, celebrate our recovery, and look to the future.

Here is a fun site to visit to see where earthquakes are happening at:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/



This local lesson may interest some of you, so I thought I'd share.

COMMUNITY COMMEMORATION CEREMONY

> 20th Anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake

> Saturday, October 17th at 4:30 pm

> Downtown Post Office and Front Street (closed to traffic)

> Cost: FREE



> Join us as we gather to acknowledge the impact of the Loma Prieta

> Earthquake on the lives of local residents, the unprecedented response

> of emergency personnel and community members, and the contributions of

> all those involved in the rebuilding of a vibrant downtown. Remarks by

> special guests, photo display, ringing of Town Clock bells at 5:04 pm.

> Sponsored by the City of Santa Cruz; free.



> Please share this information with others who might be interested.

The Old School Monday Welcome Back to School Party!

Moms, please get this date on your calendars!!!!!

We are starting back up with Old School Mondays this month, and our first one will be a party! Sept. 28, 10-1 there at Vintage--we will meet in the gym and then move into a classroom for the party and our main event, the "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" displays made by YOU!

Don't get scared--this is going to be fun and as easy as you want it to be! Every family (or child) who wants to participate in the event should make a colorful display representing your summer learning and adventures. I am going all out--think posterboard and cardboard booths, like at a science fair! But you can make it much simpler if you want--anything goes!

Ideas for your display:
--postcards, souveniers from travel
--photos, photo books
--hands-on objects (things gathered at the beach this summer, a necklace won at the state fair, etc. Just make sure they are objects that can be touched by the other kids who are coming and will be interested in handling them.
--Drawings, artwork

The one things I am requiring* is that your child must write something to be included in the display.

For our family display, we are making a book about visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo while in Colorado. If we are really on top of things, we will also make a scrapbook about our first roadtrip! And we will have photo displays of a wedding we were in. We will also display a pioneer journal that is in process, some postcards, some descriptions the girls wrote (or narrated to me) about what we saw and did, and some hands-on fun things to show and tell, like the rope they made at the Laura Ingalls Homestead living museum, and their prairie girl outfits.

So here is a breakdown of what our first Old School Monday will look like:
10-10:30 families meet at the gym, say hello, go set up their displays in the classroom, come back and hang out until time to start.
10:30ish welcome and introductions in the gym
then we can all head over to the classroom and look at the displays. Each child will get a turn to talk about his/her display to the group.
And then we will break out the food and party!

I am hoping that everyone brings at least one food item to share. I think, because of the carpets, that we will just have water to drink (although grown-ups are welcome to get a drink from the Abbey, which is NOW OPEN on MONDAYS! Whoo-hoo!) but let's make it a true party with food!

I also hope that everyone invites whatever homeschool families you know to participate or just show up for the party! Oh, and Ocean Grove families, please invite your ES's too!

AND I hope that during the hang-out time, we can brainstorm about other fun activities/lessons we can do in future OSMs. (See my other posting) So think about it, and come with ideas!

I will try to get there a little early to set up some tables and get some decorations up. Anyone who wants to help, or bring decorations (I am thinking easy, like balloons) please do! : )


Questions, comments, ideas--please post them to the "comments"! And PLEASE RSVP so we know how many tables to get set up! : )

I hope you all had fantastic summers, and I can't wait to see you!


*like I can really make you do anything! but this is a strong encouragement to add to the educational benefit of this fun event

Ranger Programs and 1909 at Wilder

Here are a couple school-worthy events...

For FREE all summer long at Natural Bridges State Park they run a nature program that meets weekly covering different environmental topics and some local history. See dates and list of topics below

Little Ranger program (ages 3-6yrs.) MONDAYS 10:30- 11:15AM
June 15: Life on the Natural Bridge
June 22: Life of a Tree
June 29: Tidepool Life
July 6: Animal Tracking Treasures
July 13: Critter Search
July 20: Explore for Algae
July 27: Birds Around Us
August 3: Amazing Art of Natural Bridges
August 10: Super Seeds
August 17: Secrets of Sand
August 24: Hands of Habitat Restoration



Jr. Ranger program (ages 7-12 yrs.)THURSDAYS 11AM- 12:15PM
June 18: Fire!
June 25: Hands-on Adobe: comparing Ohlone vs. Spanish style
July 2: Ohlone Games
July 9: Gardens of Times
July 16: Corn-y Activities
July 23: Basket Making
July 30 Gourd Craft
Aug. 6 Roundup: Vaqueros' art of roping
Aug. 13 Papel and Pinatas



“Independence Day 1909 Celebration” at
Wilder Ranch State Park
Saturday, July 4, 2009
11:00 AM-4:00 PM

Travel back in time at Wilder Ranch State Park on Wednesday, July 4, to experience an old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration 1909 style with patriotic exercises, a parade, music, and games. Festivities run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

At 11:45 meet at the apple orchard in front of the Highway 1 tunnel and join in the parade. Bring a musical instrument or noisemaker, dress in 1909 costume, or pull a decorated wagon. Suffragettes are sure to be there. Parade walks through the complex to front lawn for flag raising, speeches, and patriotic music. After the parade, watch the flag being raised, and listen to the Declaration of Independence, patriotic music and speeches.

Try the cake walk, historic lawn games, draft horse wagon rides, ice cream cranking, crafts to make, and listen to live 1909 music. There is food and drink for sale; strawberry shortcake, dill pickles, watermelon, root beer and hand squeezed lemon aide, or bring your own picnic to spread out on the lawn. Bratwurst USA will be selling BBQ chicken dinners and other cuisine at family prices. Lily’s Roasted Corn and baked potatoes also available. Bank will exchange your 2009 dollars into 1909 tokens, good for most things except concessionaire food and wagon rides.

Wilder Ranch docents will be demonstrating 1909 dairy-ranch work, including woodstove baking, blacksmithing, and vegetable gardening. Walk through the newly renovated historic Meder Ranch house and visit the Ranch animals. Musicians include the Society Orchestra, and our own home grown “5 Ms Band” performing popular 1909 songs.

Wilder Ranch State Park is located 2 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. The event is free; parking is $8.00 per car. For more event information, call (831) 426-0505.

Co-sponsored by California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

$1 Movie Mornings

Here is some cheap fun for the summer. Sorry if this is not in line with "homeschooling." I just figured we all are looking for things to fill the summer with on a budget. Check out the $1 movies over the hill every Wednesday morning at 10am...