Old School Monday TOMORROW! Come and bring your STUFF!

Lisa here, all excited about homeschooling these days!

Well, this posting is about one week late, BUT we have been busy, busy, busy here at the Redwood Academy. Loads of homeschool fun! Since Gwynneth is in the 4th grade, we are following the public school criteria of learning California history. So weekend before last we took a long weekend up in Gold Rush country, focusing on the living history at Columbia State Historic Park. Then this weekend we took another long weekend and went up to Sacramento for more Gold Rush learning, and Sutter's Fort. (And there is so much more we want to see--hopefully Doug can continue to flex his hours and take off the occassional Friday so we can continue the family history adventures.)

ANYWAY, I am hoping that this posting reaches as many of you as possible before you have made your plans for tomorrow, in case you have forgotten tomorrow is the 4th Monday of the month, which means Old School Monday! I hope you can come! We will have another mini-Latin lesson, and will do some easy art **I will bring watercolors for the older kids or for Littles whose mothers want to help them, but we will keep a tight reign on the paints, since some of them are old and I am not sure they are washable or toddler-safe.

BUT the most fun part will be the

STUFF SWAP!

So please bring any curriculum, books, art/craft materials, etc. that you don't want anymore and we will set up the stuff in the room adjoining the room we normally use, and we will make sure every mom gets a chance to look while her children are entertained.

As always, 10-1 there at Vintage. Bring your Monday box and lunch if you want. Hope to see you there!

The Great Sunflower Project

Hi everybody! Just received this email from another homeschooling family and thought it may be of interest here.

Enjoy!

Sarah

Recommended Website:
The Great Sunflower Project

The Great Sunflower Project is on for 2010! Join this nationwide endeavor to help biologists reach their goal of documenting bee pollination in the US and developing strategies to protect and restore native bees where they are threatened. To participate you simply:

1. Sign up at the website.
2. Get and plant "Lemon Queen" sunflower seeds.
3. Once your plants have flowered, count the number of flowers on your plant with pollen.
4. Use the instructions and data sheets provided at the website to record the number of bees that visit your sunflower over a period of 15 minutes.
5. Enter your data online at the website.

The parameters have changed slightly for 2010, and the folks at The Great Sunflower Project are in the process of modifying the data entry form on the website to reflect the changes. It isn’t quite finished, however, that shouldn't stop you from getting your seeds in preparation to plant as soon as night temperatures stay above 55 degrees in the area where you live.

Last year, The Great Sunflower Project distributed free Lemon Queen sunflower seeds. Due to increased costs, they are asking people to get their own Lemon Queen sunflower seeds at a local nursery or store, or pay $3.00 (covers padded mailers and shipping) to order them directly from The Great Sunflower project.

That said, you can still get FREE SEEDS for children in kids' programs and school groups who participate in the project. I contacted the "Queen Bee" (who goes by the name of Gretchen LeBuhn) and asked if homeschoolers qualify for free seeds. She wrote:

I love having homeschooling families participate. The real issue is the cost of mailing. So, if they can group together [i.e., request on behalf of a homeschool support group], I'd be happy to send free seeds. Individual homeschool families can also send a business sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope (with first class postage stamp on it) to:

Gretchen LeBuhn
The Great Sunflower
Department of Biology
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

Include a note that explains you are a homeschooler who wants to participate in The Great Sunflower Project, and Gretchen will put seeds in the envelope and mail it back to you. You STILL have to sign up to participate online at the website, where you'll also find instructions for planting the seeds and caring for your sunflowers.

You'll also receive the free eNewsletter with updates on what the researchers are learning about bees.

Valentine's--the Old School Way

Those of you who could not come, we missed you! : )

Time for a Book/Curriculum Swap!

I am thinking it is time to lug out all the books, workbooks, materials, etc. that we know we don't need and bring them to one of our gatherings to see if anyone else wants to use them. I have loads of awesome stuff, esp. a box of new Abeka (?) books that were given to me and I know I will not use. So I propose we do the following:

1) bring our things and swap at the next Old School Monday--March 22.

2) lay them out in one of the adjacent classrooms, so moms can go look but the kids are not getting into them

3) invite other homeschool area moms to come participate!!!!

This could be one of the fun opportunities we have to share who we are and what we are doing with moms outside of Vintage--and maybe God will bless them as He has blessed us. : )

What do you think? Please leave comments here or email Lisa C!

never too late, right?

I have been meaning to post this photo for a loooooong time. Like since before Christmas, when it might have been helpful to you. (Whoops!)

Remember those wreaths we made from autumn leaves we had collected way back at one of the Fall OSM days? I hope you enjoyed that project--we enjoyed ours until it was time to get out the Christmas decorations, and then my oldest daughter G had a great idea--she took off the autumn-hued ribbon, pulled as much leaf as she could from the cardboard forms, then gathered redwood leaves and cones from our backyard, glued them on, put on a more Christmassy ribbon, and voila!

It looked fantastic there against the wood wall, don't you think?

So this was just an idea in case any of you still have those cardboard forms we used, or if you liked the idea to try again for a different season of the year. : )

OH! what if the kids did this with jelly beans for Easter??!!! how cute would THAT be?!

Ahem.

Clearly you can let your imagination run wild with this idea. : ) If any of you had pics from the wreaths we made together that you want to share, please upload and post them if you are an author, or email them to me.

Old School Monday--TOMORROW!

Hello moms!

Sorry I did not post about this sooner! But just a reminder that tomorrow is our Old School Monday for the month of February. And we are going to have a belated Valentine's party! So please bring a snack to share, and have your child bring Valentines (or we will make them all together at a couple of art stations). : )

We will be doing some easy schoolish things, but mainly this one is going to be a fun day. Hope to see you there! As always, 10-1 there at Vintage Faith.

The Worldwide Adventures of the Flat Sisters!

Hi Vintage Moms!

Remember way back when we had our "kick off" for the Old School Monday 2009-10 homeschool year? It was at the end of the summer, and some families brought displays of what they had done that summer? (hint: we will do this next year too!) And do you remember we started doing some geography at OSM and I was introducing the idea of "Flat Stanley" and suggesting we all consider doing them to help our kids continue the whole travel/adventure/geography thing?

WELL! I never did. I wanted to do it, and just kept putting it off. Until now! A few weeks back a new cousin by marriage sent us HER flat stanley, and that was the impetus I needed to get us underway! So, without further ado. . .

THE TRAVELING FLAT SISTERS!

I am posting this in the hopes that it may be inspiring to you all as well. Look at the fun things you can do with this project! The Flat Sisters have their own travel blog!!! Not only will I be posting pics of the Flat Sisters on their worldwide adventures--I am hoping the blog will encourage people to send pics to us!--but I will also be encouraging the girls to write stories about adventures the Flat Sisters are having, and post them on the site too. (Had the idea last night when we were in the car for several hours and G told us a story about the Flat Sisters going to Haiti!) I also might have the girls make little reports about the different places the Flat Sisters visit, and then post them there too. The idea is just to make it fun and interactive!

So, this is your opportunity to jump in on the fun! Please consider starting some travelling flat people with your kids this Spring--it is not too late!

If you want to share the Flat Stanley books with your kids, I am sure the library has them, or we were just given the whole set and can share!

Here is a great website to read before you make your Flatties.

And if you want any help making a blog (free!) for your Flatties, I would be glad to walk through it at some OSM.

Jump on into the adventure!

Volunteer for FREE Disney Tickets!

This sounds AWESOME! I am SO going to do it--since we will be traveling all over the state this Spring finishing learning about CA and its history, and we thought it would be fun to end up at Disneyland--if they get events that fit our family that we can sign up for ASAP, since I am sure the million tickets will go more quickly than we think!

So, tell your friends about it! But don't, like, tell strangers on the street or anything. ; )

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!

hello sweet mommas!!

hello girls -- hope you are all doing great, and staying encouraged along the journey! Lisa asked me to post something (while I can) and let you know how we are doing with our home-schooling adventure. Many of you may not know - but our internet was shut down in early July 2009, after some violent riots in our province. Everything is peaceful now, but we still do not have access to the lovely internet. Without the internet - we have to get even more creative, since I can't google ideas, or find information at my fingertips. I am very thankful for the curriculum we purchased, and that everything is included for the entire year!! (I am in Thailand right now, so I am able to post)

Asia (age 6) began first grade this year, but we opted for the 2nd grade advanced readers. I am so glad - because she is soaring when it comes to reading. She will read an entire chapter book in one sitting, sometimes over 150 pages. She is not so fond of math or handwriting though. Eden (age 4) also began a Pre-K schedule, which is very flexible and fun!! She loves it, and is pushing me to learn letters and even sound out words. She has the benefit of watching her older sister learn ahead of her too. Sydney (age 3) wants to write letters, and loves being read to. I can say with assurance that they all love books!! I wish we had more exposure to sports, outdoor activities and libraries....so I encourage you to make the most of the blessings of living in Santa Cruz!

We also began a Co-op for the other 6-year-olds in our area (all 4 of them). It consists of Andrew, Linus, Emma & Asia. I team up with another mom, and we teach reading/writing, and science, and then one of the dad's teaches Physical Education (games & coordination). This is our 2nd year doing this, and it has been so motivating for the kids to see others their age, and have exposure to others teaching them. I also love that we can do hands-on experiments together and see a variety of outcomes, instead of just one!

Here is a picture of the kids playing some PE games outside. The guy in the middle is Raj, our business partner too!
As for some things I am learning:

• don't be so rigid in scheduling school time, but stay predictable.
  
• find an area they excel in - and encourage her along
• using history as a background (with a timeline, events & people)
• read my own books in front of my girls (family reading time)
• ask lots of questions, encourage curiosity & wonder!!
• cherish this time with my girls...

I hope you are having fun too!! We will try to come visit next winter (Dec 2010?).
Love you heaps, Ali

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!