From the Coast & Valley newsletter:
KIDS’ BALLROOM DANCING
OPEN HOUSE
May 18- May 21
FREE KIDS CLASSES @ The SKylight Ballroom
4652 Scotts Valley Dr
Ages 6-13- Boys and Girls
Tues- May 18- ballroom
Thur- May 20- salsa
Fri- May 21- Swing
Time 3:30PM
5 Weeks Summer Camp June 1- July 2 2010
only $115 per child
add a Sibling/ Friend- $65
Call today 408-761-7921
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Author's Fair preview!
I just had to share some of these pages we made yesterday--so cute!
This week I will assemble the book and get it all ready for showing.
Thank you moms so much for your help yesterday! (and for chai. . . ahhhhhhh. . . thanks, Laura!)
And moms, since we did not finalize a time to meet at the Author's Fair on Saturday, how about we do that here? It sounded like 11 a.m. was good for some moms--if you want to come with your kids to present the book at the Fair, let us all know in the comments section for this post if that time works for you. If not, suggest a different time we can consider.
And we need help hosting the book table! Anyone who can help by signing up for a one hour shift, please also post a comment to say what hour-long slot you can help with. Thank you!
Times for hosting:
9-10 settting up (decorate the table, lay out the books)
10-11
11-12
12-1
1-2
2-3
3-4 (includes packing up the books and clearing the table at the end)
If you prefer to come on the half-hour (i.e. 1:30 - 2:30) that is fine too--just be specific about the times you can be there in your comment.
None of you are obligated to show up, and I completely understand if you cannot come help--but I promise you will enjoy the experience and will be inspired by the books you see on display at the other tables. Your kids will have fun too, and last year there was even a table where they could make a book. : )
See you there!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Ok Go "This Too Shall Pass"
This is an amazing, fun youtube video of the band Ok Go and a Rube Goldberg machine. A great way to show kids the idea of a chain reaction and introduce basic aspects (and applications for) physics!
(I highly recommend you double-click on the video below to go watch it on youtube instead of here--you can bump up the resolution and make it full screen for maximum viewing pleasure!)
And I really like their "marching band" version of this song too--it is just so positive:
(this one would not let me embed, so you will just have to follow the link if you are interested :)
(I highly recommend you double-click on the video below to go watch it on youtube instead of here--you can bump up the resolution and make it full screen for maximum viewing pleasure!)
And I really like their "marching band" version of this song too--it is just so positive:
(this one would not let me embed, so you will just have to follow the link if you are interested :)
OLD SCHOOL MONDAY TODAY at 2:00!
Just a reminder, Moms, that we have a new time today! Please check out the previous posting I made about our V.I.P. project for today!
*All you need to bring today will be your V.I.P. "Facts" and your Monday box!
Please come!
P.S. Anyone who has kids at least 5 yrs who wants to try out our martial arts classes, which a bunch of us will be doing afterwards, just ask! Some of us have free passes for you!
*All you need to bring today will be your V.I.P. "Facts" and your Monday box!
Please come!
P.S. Anyone who has kids at least 5 yrs who wants to try out our martial arts classes, which a bunch of us will be doing afterwards, just ask! Some of us have free passes for you!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
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!
Official Notice of Ucoming Author's Fair
Author's Fair
Are your students writing? Then encourage them to illustrate their stories, create a cover, and share their books with the world!
This year Ocean Grove students may participate in the Student Author’s Fair at the Capitola Mall on Saturday, May 1. The Fair is sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Reading Association and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. Ocean Grove will have a table where we will display the books, and children may also choose to read and show their books while sitting in the Author's Chair.
All grade levels may participate and each entrant will receive an Award Certificate. The books may be as simple as a page of poems with an illustration and cover, or have many pages. Lapbooks would be a great addition to our display.
There are wonderful websites that will give you some ideas on making books, and many are listed on this site:
http://www.fascinate-educate.com/2008/10/25/books-to-make-with-children/
If your students would like to display a book at the Author’s Fair, please email Terry Cleary at tcleary@ieminc.org or Kim Evans at kevans@ieminc.org or tell your ES the student’s name, grade, number of books, and approximate size of the books. Books should be brought to the Mall between 9 and 10 am on May 1, or you may make arrangements to get them to Terry or Kim before that day.
We are looking forward to having a wonderful display of our students’ creativity. Come and see all the great books even if you don’t enter a book this year. You will be inspired!
-------------------------------------
Lisa C. here:
and YES all the students who want to may read his/her story or page from our Important People in American History book! Please come to participate in the reading, to help "woman" the table and to check out all the awesome books on display to get your own creative homeschool juices flowing. Please email me or comment below if you can help with the table!
Are your students writing? Then encourage them to illustrate their stories, create a cover, and share their books with the world!
This year Ocean Grove students may participate in the Student Author’s Fair at the Capitola Mall on Saturday, May 1. The Fair is sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Reading Association and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. Ocean Grove will have a table where we will display the books, and children may also choose to read and show their books while sitting in the Author's Chair.
All grade levels may participate and each entrant will receive an Award Certificate. The books may be as simple as a page of poems with an illustration and cover, or have many pages. Lapbooks would be a great addition to our display.
There are wonderful websites that will give you some ideas on making books, and many are listed on this site:
http://www.fascinate-educate.com/2008/10/25/books-to-make-with-children/
If your students would like to display a book at the Author’s Fair, please email Terry Cleary at tcleary@ieminc.org or Kim Evans at kevans@ieminc.org or tell your ES the student’s name, grade, number of books, and approximate size of the books. Books should be brought to the Mall between 9 and 10 am on May 1, or you may make arrangements to get them to Terry or Kim before that day.
We are looking forward to having a wonderful display of our students’ creativity. Come and see all the great books even if you don’t enter a book this year. You will be inspired!
-------------------------------------
Lisa C. here:
and YES all the students who want to may read his/her story or page from our Important People in American History book! Please come to participate in the reading, to help "woman" the table and to check out all the awesome books on display to get your own creative homeschool juices flowing. Please email me or comment below if you can help with the table!
FREE FOR ALL April 30
LIsa C. here: in case you did not get to the last Free for all, here is another one comin up! I LOVE these, for getting rid of whatever is cluttering up my spaces that we do not need. And you never know what you are going to find, either! Last time I picked up a like new plastic see through storage bin full of glass measuring beakers, test tubes, etc. for chemistry experiments at home! Clearly another homeschool family did not need them any more--yay for us!
______________________________________________________________
Free for all at the Watsonville Farmers' Market on Friday, April 30 from 3-6 pm! (Look for the Free for all signs.)We are hoping to hold a Free for all on the last Friday of each month at this location.
Please come support our second event! Bring items in good used condition to give away - no junk, illegal items, or items not suitable for a family audience. Toys and children's books especially encouraged. Stay and find other treasures to take home!
We ask that people who bring things return to check if they were taken before going home as we cannot store unclaimed items. Plan to drop your items, visit the Farmers' market, and check back with us before heading home.
Please bring bags or boxes for your own use and extra for others if you have them.
Feel free to invite friends, colleagues, charities.
Remember that since everything is free, you need to remove items you want so no one else takes them.
We would love to have more volunteers join us at this event to help talk about joining the Freecycle network and to keep stuff neat and organized.
The Farmers' market is located in downtown Watsonville around the Plaza. Parking is available nearby on the street or in lots on Union St. where the old library was located.
This event organized by Nancy and Cecile. Email Nancy at nanflitch@yahoo.com if questions.
______________________________________________________________
Free for all at the Watsonville Farmers' Market on Friday, April 30 from 3-6 pm! (Look for the Free for all signs.)We are hoping to hold a Free for all on the last Friday of each month at this location.
Please come support our second event! Bring items in good used condition to give away - no junk, illegal items, or items not suitable for a family audience. Toys and children's books especially encouraged. Stay and find other treasures to take home!
We ask that people who bring things return to check if they were taken before going home as we cannot store unclaimed items. Plan to drop your items, visit the Farmers' market, and check back with us before heading home.
Please bring bags or boxes for your own use and extra for others if you have them.
Feel free to invite friends, colleagues, charities.
Remember that since everything is free, you need to remove items you want so no one else takes them.
We would love to have more volunteers join us at this event to help talk about joining the Freecycle network and to keep stuff neat and organized.
The Farmers' market is located in downtown Watsonville around the Plaza. Parking is available nearby on the street or in lots on Union St. where the old library was located.
This event organized by Nancy and Cecile. Email Nancy at nanflitch@yahoo.com if questions.
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)
*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)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Khan Academy--Good, FREE math help
Lisa C. here--if any of you have not yet seen the Khan academy videos on youtube, you really should go look just to see what is available for when you need it down the road. This is an email I just received from one of the local homeschooling groups, and thought it was good information you all might want to know, even (esp.?) if your kids are just starting out in math.
----------------------------------
Hi everybody,
I just had the thrill of interviewing Sal Khan of http://khanacademy.org . He's really cool and I'll be writing about his summer camp. In the course of our conversation, he pointed out something about his site that I hadn't noticed: he is working on an interactive tool that will let students assess what their proficiency is in all levels of math. It's really interesting and I'm sure he'd be interested in having as many people use it as possible, as he is just developing it. It's at http://khanexercises.appspot.com/ -- Each person using it will need a distinct Google account to use it correctly.
He said something that I am planning to take to heart: He said that if a kid doesn't learn the foundation skills solidly, then he'll have problems later that will seem like, for example, not understanding Trigonometry, but the core of the problem is actually in earlier skills that they didn't learn. My daughter hates, hates, hates to work on foundation skills. I just have to figure out a way to be more creative about it so that she enjoys it…
Suki
Susana (Suki) Wessling
Blog: sukiwessling.parentclickblogs.com
Examiner.com: Santa-Cruz-Parenting and Gifted-Children
Suki's Parenting and Education Facebook Page on Facebook
----------------------------------
Hi everybody,
I just had the thrill of interviewing Sal Khan of http://khanacademy.org . He's really cool and I'll be writing about his summer camp. In the course of our conversation, he pointed out something about his site that I hadn't noticed: he is working on an interactive tool that will let students assess what their proficiency is in all levels of math. It's really interesting and I'm sure he'd be interested in having as many people use it as possible, as he is just developing it. It's at http://khanexercises.appspot.com/ -- Each person using it will need a distinct Google account to use it correctly.
He said something that I am planning to take to heart: He said that if a kid doesn't learn the foundation skills solidly, then he'll have problems later that will seem like, for example, not understanding Trigonometry, but the core of the problem is actually in earlier skills that they didn't learn. My daughter hates, hates, hates to work on foundation skills. I just have to figure out a way to be more creative about it so that she enjoys it…
Suki
Susana (Suki) Wessling
Blog: sukiwessling.parentclickblogs.com
Examiner.com: Santa-Cruz-Parenting and Gifted-Children
Suki's Parenting and Education Facebook Page on Facebook
Monday, April 12, 2010
FREE admission to "Day in the Sky" April 17
(Sorry moms, when I copy text it erases the hyperlinks--so you will just have to type the web addresses into your browser)
Greetings Magnificent Friends of Day in the Sky
Wow, Shared Adventures Day in the Sky is only EIGHT DAYS AWAY, Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Watsonville Municipal Airport.
Long range weather report looks like clear skies and 63degrees. PERFECT for the fun-est airport event on the California Central Coast. If the weather holds, we expect to see 2000 expected festival attendees to join us for the coolest airport open house on the Central Coast. We look forward to your joining us.
Please sign up online for FREE admission to the festival. Spread the word as well. The more the merrier
http://www.dayinthesky.org/attend.htm
First the BAD NEWS. As you might have heard, EAA Young Eagles flights will NOT be offered at the April 17, 2010 Watsonville Day in the Sky. So we are VERY sorry but we will not be flying young people this year. We have run free flights for young people with disabilities for 5 straight years, and at least 2000 people have flown with us through the years. But in our 6th year, liability hassles forced us to take a breather from offering free flights this year. But we are working to straighten out liability hassles, and we expect to resume Young Eagles flights next year.
BUT here's the GOOD NEWS... The festival still goes on, actually bigger and better than ever, even without Young Eagles flights. In fact, pilots are flying in from all over Northern California to park their aircraft and load kids into cockpits for pictures etc. In fact, since we don't have to worry about too many kids showing up and overwhelming our pilots for free flights, we are pulling out the stops to reach out to every school on the Central Coast and invite kids from every source we can think of.
So we hope you will join us for this year's amazing event.
Free tethered HOT AIR BALLOON Rides all day!! Even though airplanes aren't flying, BALLOONS will be!
Free BBQ at lunchtime.
LIVE MUSIC from some of the most interesting bands in Northern California
Exotic animals.
Games, rides, flight simulators, you name it.
Plus 100+ exhibitors of cool aviation-related and science fun stuff.
In fact check out this list of exhibitors already signed up:
AbleCloset, Access Options Inc., Adventist World Aviation- California (AWA-Ca), American Red Cross, American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter, ATG Rehab Specialist, Autism Parents Club of San Benito County, Bill Wilson Center, Brass Lantern Resort and Airpark, Breathe California Central Coast, Building for Generations, California Dictionary Project, CAMP kREM/CAMPING UNLIMITED, Center Coast Center for Independent Living, Center for Special Needs Planning - MetLife, Central Coast Kids & Families, Civil Air Patrol, Civil Air Patrol - Group 2, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Corralitos Woman's Club, Dragon Slayers, Easter Seals Central California, Electric Auto Association - Silicon Valley Chapter, ELEMENTAL ART STUDIO, EMQ Families First, FACES OF HOPE CHARITABLE FUND, FLEISHMAN & WEISMAN P.C., Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast, Grupo De Apoyo Padres Con Partiendo, Henna On You, Home Depot, Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services, LANDMARK DESIGNS, Latinas Contra Cancer, Lighthouse project, Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center, NAMI Santa Cruz County, Ninety Nines International Organization of Women Pilots (Bay Cities Chapter), Ocean Air Flight Services Inc., PVUSD Migrant & Seasonal Head Start, Relay For Life of Watsonville, Sabrina's creations, Santa Cruz Flying Club, Schmahl Science Workshops, Seascape Sports Club, Shared Adventures, Stanford Solar Center, The Children's Hope Foundation of California, The Great Blindini- Magician, The Santa Cruz Indian Council, TopSoccer Stars, Train 4 Autism San Jose Chapter, Trinity CHANGE Inc Non Profit, Tucci Learning Solutions Inc., Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville Fly-In & Air Show, Watsonville knitters, Well4life
We hope you can join us for the FREE festival at the airport. Believe me; it'll be worth your while to attend. There is PLENTY of free space at the festival, so please spread the word to all of your friends and family to sign up online for the festival and we’ll get them in for free (including FREE BBQ at noon)
http://www.dayinthesky.org/attend.htm
Also we need LOTS of volunteers. Photographers, loaders to get kids into static displays and stationary aircraft, food service, booth management, you name it, we need the help. If you know of volunteers, please have them sign up online asap:
http://www.dayinthesky.org/volunteer.htm
Thanks for your ongoing support. Again, we are bummed about no Young Eagles flights in this our 6th straight year. But we expect the festival to be bigger and fun-er than ever, and we look forward to your joining us.
See you April 17. Please don’t forget to sign up online for free admission
Blue Skies
Dean McCully
Greetings Magnificent Friends of Day in the Sky
Wow, Shared Adventures Day in the Sky is only EIGHT DAYS AWAY, Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Watsonville Municipal Airport.
Long range weather report looks like clear skies and 63degrees. PERFECT for the fun-est airport event on the California Central Coast. If the weather holds, we expect to see 2000 expected festival attendees to join us for the coolest airport open house on the Central Coast. We look forward to your joining us.
Please sign up online for FREE admission to the festival. Spread the word as well. The more the merrier
http://www.dayinthesky.org/attend.htm
First the BAD NEWS. As you might have heard, EAA Young Eagles flights will NOT be offered at the April 17, 2010 Watsonville Day in the Sky. So we are VERY sorry but we will not be flying young people this year. We have run free flights for young people with disabilities for 5 straight years, and at least 2000 people have flown with us through the years. But in our 6th year, liability hassles forced us to take a breather from offering free flights this year. But we are working to straighten out liability hassles, and we expect to resume Young Eagles flights next year.
BUT here's the GOOD NEWS... The festival still goes on, actually bigger and better than ever, even without Young Eagles flights. In fact, pilots are flying in from all over Northern California to park their aircraft and load kids into cockpits for pictures etc. In fact, since we don't have to worry about too many kids showing up and overwhelming our pilots for free flights, we are pulling out the stops to reach out to every school on the Central Coast and invite kids from every source we can think of.
So we hope you will join us for this year's amazing event.
Free tethered HOT AIR BALLOON Rides all day!! Even though airplanes aren't flying, BALLOONS will be!
Free BBQ at lunchtime.
LIVE MUSIC from some of the most interesting bands in Northern California
Exotic animals.
Games, rides, flight simulators, you name it.
Plus 100+ exhibitors of cool aviation-related and science fun stuff.
In fact check out this list of exhibitors already signed up:
AbleCloset, Access Options Inc., Adventist World Aviation- California (AWA-Ca), American Red Cross, American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter, ATG Rehab Specialist, Autism Parents Club of San Benito County, Bill Wilson Center, Brass Lantern Resort and Airpark, Breathe California Central Coast, Building for Generations, California Dictionary Project, CAMP kREM/CAMPING UNLIMITED, Center Coast Center for Independent Living, Center for Special Needs Planning - MetLife, Central Coast Kids & Families, Civil Air Patrol, Civil Air Patrol - Group 2, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Corralitos Woman's Club, Dragon Slayers, Easter Seals Central California, Electric Auto Association - Silicon Valley Chapter, ELEMENTAL ART STUDIO, EMQ Families First, FACES OF HOPE CHARITABLE FUND, FLEISHMAN & WEISMAN P.C., Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast, Grupo De Apoyo Padres Con Partiendo, Henna On You, Home Depot, Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services, LANDMARK DESIGNS, Latinas Contra Cancer, Lighthouse project, Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center, NAMI Santa Cruz County, Ninety Nines International Organization of Women Pilots (Bay Cities Chapter), Ocean Air Flight Services Inc., PVUSD Migrant & Seasonal Head Start, Relay For Life of Watsonville, Sabrina's creations, Santa Cruz Flying Club, Schmahl Science Workshops, Seascape Sports Club, Shared Adventures, Stanford Solar Center, The Children's Hope Foundation of California, The Great Blindini- Magician, The Santa Cruz Indian Council, TopSoccer Stars, Train 4 Autism San Jose Chapter, Trinity CHANGE Inc Non Profit, Tucci Learning Solutions Inc., Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville Fly-In & Air Show, Watsonville knitters, Well4life
We hope you can join us for the FREE festival at the airport. Believe me; it'll be worth your while to attend. There is PLENTY of free space at the festival, so please spread the word to all of your friends and family to sign up online for the festival and we’ll get them in for free (including FREE BBQ at noon)
http://www.dayinthesky.org/attend.htm
Also we need LOTS of volunteers. Photographers, loaders to get kids into static displays and stationary aircraft, food service, booth management, you name it, we need the help. If you know of volunteers, please have them sign up online asap:
http://www.dayinthesky.org/volunteer.htm
Thanks for your ongoing support. Again, we are bummed about no Young Eagles flights in this our 6th straight year. But we expect the festival to be bigger and fun-er than ever, and we look forward to your joining us.
See you April 17. Please don’t forget to sign up online for free admission
Blue Skies
Dean McCully
April is Poetry Month--anyone want to join us in a project?
Hi Vintage Moms!
Lisa C. here. Are you getting sick of me this week? There is just so much cool stuff to tell you about at the moment. . . including an invitation I would like to extend to anyone interested. Since this is National Poetry month and I have been meaning to start my girls on writing some poetry, and since the Author's Fair is coming up and my E.S. wants us to have lots of books to show, and since I have been wanting to get creative with tactile art--the girls and I are going to make poetry books "illustrated" with art of all kinds!
The theme is Spring. Each page will have a poem about some aspect of Spring--today it might be RAIN!--of a different style written by the child, and facing it will be a page of art--watercolor, paper mosiac, fabric layers, stuff glued to the page, a mixture of all of these, whatever! I will be using card stock or paperboard or something of that weight for at least some of the pages so they can support potentially heavy stuff glued on. When done, the pages will all be hole punched (might be a good idea to punch the holes before gluing stuff on. . . ) and will go into a big blank 3 ring binder that the girls will make a cover for.
If anyone is interested in doing this with us, I will make it easy for you: I will email you the poetry assignments and corresponding art page assignments! It will be based upon stuff you are likely to have already in your house--nothing special needed for the art. The only thing you will need to get yourself is the paper/paperboard for pages, and a binder when it is all done.
Anyone interested? For once, a fun school project that you can just oversee, and won't have to come up with ideas for! : ) I think the books should have at least 8 pages, so this is something siblings could work on together if you want each child to write less, or conversely, if you want more pages in your book.
If you are interested in doing one or two pages but not a whole book: I have one extra binder, and we can compile the art and poetry from all of the interested families into one book. Please let me know if you are interested in this version of the project, and we will make it happen!
Remember, the goals of the project are: poetry, art, fun, Author's Fair!
Please leave a comment or email me and let me know: Family participation or Group participation!
I hope some of you want to join in the fun--I just wish I had come up with this idea sooner!
*Non-local moms are welcome to join in the fun too!
Lisa C. here. Are you getting sick of me this week? There is just so much cool stuff to tell you about at the moment. . . including an invitation I would like to extend to anyone interested. Since this is National Poetry month and I have been meaning to start my girls on writing some poetry, and since the Author's Fair is coming up and my E.S. wants us to have lots of books to show, and since I have been wanting to get creative with tactile art--the girls and I are going to make poetry books "illustrated" with art of all kinds!
The theme is Spring. Each page will have a poem about some aspect of Spring--today it might be RAIN!--of a different style written by the child, and facing it will be a page of art--watercolor, paper mosiac, fabric layers, stuff glued to the page, a mixture of all of these, whatever! I will be using card stock or paperboard or something of that weight for at least some of the pages so they can support potentially heavy stuff glued on. When done, the pages will all be hole punched (might be a good idea to punch the holes before gluing stuff on. . . ) and will go into a big blank 3 ring binder that the girls will make a cover for.
If anyone is interested in doing this with us, I will make it easy for you: I will email you the poetry assignments and corresponding art page assignments! It will be based upon stuff you are likely to have already in your house--nothing special needed for the art. The only thing you will need to get yourself is the paper/paperboard for pages, and a binder when it is all done.
Anyone interested? For once, a fun school project that you can just oversee, and won't have to come up with ideas for! : ) I think the books should have at least 8 pages, so this is something siblings could work on together if you want each child to write less, or conversely, if you want more pages in your book.
If you are interested in doing one or two pages but not a whole book: I have one extra binder, and we can compile the art and poetry from all of the interested families into one book. Please let me know if you are interested in this version of the project, and we will make it happen!
Remember, the goals of the project are: poetry, art, fun, Author's Fair!
Please leave a comment or email me and let me know: Family participation or Group participation!
I hope some of you want to join in the fun--I just wish I had come up with this idea sooner!
*Non-local moms are welcome to join in the fun too!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Old School Monday BIG book about Important People in American History!
Hello Vintage Moms!
Lisa C. here. OK, so FINALLY I am feeling head-clear enough to write this post. (Darn cold)
I am very excited about this project, as you all may know from the intro I gave it last week. I got the idea from checking out the blogs of strangers who are "following" this blog. (Aren't YOU curious who these people are?) Seems like most of them are fellow homeschool moms in other states who must like what we do and check this blog for ideas and inspiration. ; ) So it was awesome to randomly visit a mom's blog and follow the link to her daughter's blog, and find this adorable project, which was the inspiration for this book idea!
The theme is Important People in American History! So each of your kids can select one (or more!) Important People whom you have studied in your family schooling this year. It can be an American who was/is important to America, or to the world, like Carrie Nation, Barak Obama, Henry Ford. It can be a non-American, like Christopher Columbus or Sacagawea, who were instrumental to the shaping of our country. Let the kids choose, and that will help them be excited about the project--give them some possibilities (great way to review the people you have learned about this year) and then ask them "Who do they want to be?" in this book.
Then each child--your family can do one page all together if you prefer--should gather facts about this Important Person:
MY NAME IS:
IT IS THE YEAR: (choose a date important to this person's role in history)
I LIVE: (say if the person is not from America, but also give the location(s) important to this person's role in history)
I AM: (here is where you briefly tell the person's role, or job, or what was going on around him/her at this place/time in history, and/or what he/she was doing about it)
I AM CHANGING AMERICA (or the world) BY:
ONE IDEA I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IS: (talk with your kids about the beliefs and values of this person in relation to their role in history. Choose either a direct quotation of this person, or help your child summarize a belief or value that has come through in your studies.
Older kids can write more--that is up to you, Mom, but every American at least needs a completed facts sheet. *Don't make this part beautiful--we will be re-writing it on the book pages we make together--just get the facts, ma'am. ; )
Make sure you and your kids look at a picture of your chosen Important Person(s) before we meet to make the books.
Then when we come together, each child/family will get a big piece of paper for each Important Person they have prepared for. Moms, you will be responsible for cutting out a face hole in the upper center of the page, suitable for your child's face. (I will do my best to remember to bring a box cutter/utility knife, but if anyone else has one please bring it so this goes as quickly as possible.) Then your child/ren can draw/color/paint/glue stuff, etc. around the face hole to make it look like a portait of your Important Person that is just missing its face. We will put your "facts" about the Important Person on this side, probably at the bottom of the page, but how is completely up to you and your child/ren!
When all the pages are finished, we will punch holes in one side and use ring clips to hold all of them together in a book. The idea is that when we read the book, each child can open the book to her page, insert her own face in the hole, and narrate her page as if she were that Important Person!
But wait, there's MORE!
On the BACK side of your child's Important Person, we are going to do the same thing--except now the page features YOUR child!!!! Your child will illustrate that side as a portrait of him/herself--and complete "the facts" for him/herself! Do you see the message this sends, that Every one of us is/can choose to be Important to America, and the world? (those of you who are doing this project as a family. . . well, you figure out how to make it work. ; )
Is this not going to be cute or WHAT? And can you SEE the kids getting to all show their book together at the Author's Fair? Please everyone, let's!!!
We will all make the book together at the next OSM, which will be April 26, at our new time of 2:00 p.m.
Please bring the following:
1) your facts sheet for each Important American you would like to add to the book (and even better if you get the "facts" for your child too, for his/her side!)
2) your Monday box, including whatever medium your child will want to illustrate his/her page with. This is important, since we don't want to waste time with kids waiting to use supplies others are using.
*Moms, you can be as creative with this part as you want! Do you want to use buttons, fabric, yarn, etc? Bring it! Just be sure to bring your glue, too! ; )
*I will bring the big paper.* We will illustrate and assemble our pages while we are all together, and hopefully if we start right at 2:00 there will be time for glue to dry enough to do both sides.
Are you excited? (Ok, somebody please pretend to be!)
Questions? Please post them as a comment here, so others can benefit from it and my response.
Lisa C. here. OK, so FINALLY I am feeling head-clear enough to write this post. (Darn cold)
I am very excited about this project, as you all may know from the intro I gave it last week. I got the idea from checking out the blogs of strangers who are "following" this blog. (Aren't YOU curious who these people are?) Seems like most of them are fellow homeschool moms in other states who must like what we do and check this blog for ideas and inspiration. ; ) So it was awesome to randomly visit a mom's blog and follow the link to her daughter's blog, and find this adorable project, which was the inspiration for this book idea!
The theme is Important People in American History! So each of your kids can select one (or more!) Important People whom you have studied in your family schooling this year. It can be an American who was/is important to America, or to the world, like Carrie Nation, Barak Obama, Henry Ford. It can be a non-American, like Christopher Columbus or Sacagawea, who were instrumental to the shaping of our country. Let the kids choose, and that will help them be excited about the project--give them some possibilities (great way to review the people you have learned about this year) and then ask them "Who do they want to be?" in this book.
Then each child--your family can do one page all together if you prefer--should gather facts about this Important Person:
MY NAME IS:
IT IS THE YEAR: (choose a date important to this person's role in history)
I LIVE: (say if the person is not from America, but also give the location(s) important to this person's role in history)
I AM: (here is where you briefly tell the person's role, or job, or what was going on around him/her at this place/time in history, and/or what he/she was doing about it)
I AM CHANGING AMERICA (or the world) BY:
ONE IDEA I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IS: (talk with your kids about the beliefs and values of this person in relation to their role in history. Choose either a direct quotation of this person, or help your child summarize a belief or value that has come through in your studies.
Older kids can write more--that is up to you, Mom, but every American at least needs a completed facts sheet. *Don't make this part beautiful--we will be re-writing it on the book pages we make together--just get the facts, ma'am. ; )
Make sure you and your kids look at a picture of your chosen Important Person(s) before we meet to make the books.
Then when we come together, each child/family will get a big piece of paper for each Important Person they have prepared for. Moms, you will be responsible for cutting out a face hole in the upper center of the page, suitable for your child's face. (I will do my best to remember to bring a box cutter/utility knife, but if anyone else has one please bring it so this goes as quickly as possible.) Then your child/ren can draw/color/paint/glue stuff, etc. around the face hole to make it look like a portait of your Important Person that is just missing its face. We will put your "facts" about the Important Person on this side, probably at the bottom of the page, but how is completely up to you and your child/ren!
When all the pages are finished, we will punch holes in one side and use ring clips to hold all of them together in a book. The idea is that when we read the book, each child can open the book to her page, insert her own face in the hole, and narrate her page as if she were that Important Person!
But wait, there's MORE!
On the BACK side of your child's Important Person, we are going to do the same thing--except now the page features YOUR child!!!! Your child will illustrate that side as a portrait of him/herself--and complete "the facts" for him/herself! Do you see the message this sends, that Every one of us is/can choose to be Important to America, and the world? (those of you who are doing this project as a family. . . well, you figure out how to make it work. ; )
Is this not going to be cute or WHAT? And can you SEE the kids getting to all show their book together at the Author's Fair? Please everyone, let's!!!
We will all make the book together at the next OSM, which will be April 26, at our new time of 2:00 p.m.
Please bring the following:
1) your facts sheet for each Important American you would like to add to the book (and even better if you get the "facts" for your child too, for his/her side!)
2) your Monday box, including whatever medium your child will want to illustrate his/her page with. This is important, since we don't want to waste time with kids waiting to use supplies others are using.
*Moms, you can be as creative with this part as you want! Do you want to use buttons, fabric, yarn, etc? Bring it! Just be sure to bring your glue, too! ; )
*I will bring the big paper.* We will illustrate and assemble our pages while we are all together, and hopefully if we start right at 2:00 there will be time for glue to dry enough to do both sides.
Are you excited? (Ok, somebody please pretend to be!)
Questions? Please post them as a comment here, so others can benefit from it and my response.
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
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
Friday, April 2, 2010
FREE Science Show!
Some of you may have already seen this on the Coast and Valley Homeschool Newsletter, but it is SO AWESOME that I wanted to post it here too, just in case:LET’S GO SCIENCE SHOW – May 24th
We currently have some complimentary tickets available for an upcoming science performance at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, Let’s Go Science, Monday, May 24, at 9:30 am. Please email Nancy Mueller for Study Guides for Grades K-3 and Grades 4-8 or a ticket order form if you are interested in bringing your children. The tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Please let me know if you have any questions.
LET’S GO SCIENCE
The wacky and talented Professor Smart and Dr. Knowitall join forces for an educational, entertaining, exciting and
experiential extravaganza. Professor Smart shrinks his head, has toilet paper flying, juggles and has peoples’ hair
standing on end all while demonstrating principals of physics. Researcher and comedic sidekick Dr. Knowitall keeps
the facts straight.
During the Let's Go Science Show you and your kids will learn science concepts through impressive and memorable
demonstrations. They will learn about air pressure, figure out flight, see awesome optical illusions, be shocked by
static electricity, see experiments with falling masses, grasp gyroscopic properties and get a handle on the scientific
method.
60 minutes long for families and students K-8 (core audience grades 2-6). Older students grades 7-8 will understand more complicated concepts and younger ones grades K-1 will see it more as a magic show relating to science.
Thank you, Nancy
Nancy Mueller Marketing Director
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
www.livermoreperformingarts.org
( 925.583.2306 fax 925.373.6097
8 nmueller@livermoreperformingarts.org
* 2400 First Street Livermore, CA 94550
**While Ms. Mueller only mentions the 9:30 a.m. show, when I emailed to inquire, she said there was also an 11 a.m. show. So if you are going to try to go, ask her if there are still seats available at that later showing, to allow for the drive. Google Maps said it would take about 1 hr and 20 minutes from Aptos to get there. So I have requested free tickets for me and my two older girls, and also for Becky and her two girls. (I will find someone to watch my younger two that day, since I don't think they are old enough to appreciate the show)
And I am going to come up with something we can see on the way home, to make the drive worthwhile! Since we are studying CA history this year, it should not be a problem! : )
Exciting Stuff Happening!
Hello Vintage Moms!
Lisa here. SO SO SO much I want to tell you all, so I will just give a couple quick blurbs, then off to finish packing for visiting family this weekend.
First, a VERY VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
After polling the mommies present at the last OSM, and two mommies who would have liked to be, we have decided to move the time of Old School Monday from morning to afternoon. This will help some of our far-away familes to make it to OSM, and will open us up to inviting school-age friends and siblings too. : ) And will help those of us who are trying to be sticklers about official morning school time.
So this means that on April 26, our next OSM, we will be meeting at 2:00 p.m. and will go until 4:3o.
Those of us who attend Laird's Academy of Martial Arts can then go to the 5:00 class, making the most of driving time around town.
OK, THEN! THE NEXT IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT:
At the next OSM, we are all going to be making a book together, which we will then show at the upcoming Author's Fair held at the Capitola Mall on May 1! I will write out the book project in detail after this weekend, but will say now it will be EASY, EDUCATIONAL, ADAPTABLE to your own current family studies, and SO CUTE! I hope everyone decides to participate! Here are the ways to be involved:
1) Prepare with your child before OSM so you are ready to illustrate and assemble the final work while we are together that afternoon. (very easy--don't worry, just say you'll do it!)
2) Come to OSM so we can "make" the book!
3) Help play hostess at the Ocean Grove book table at the Author's Fair, Saturday, May 1. I think my E.S. Terry Cleary is in charge of this, so I will ask her at what shifts they will need people to help. I did it with Gwynneth last year, and it was great! She and I got to hang out at the Ocean Grove table and talk to people who wanted to look at the books, and then we had plenty of time to walk around and look at all the other creative and inspiring books (click on the hyperlink to see the post I made about it last year).
4) I will try to find out a specific time when our kids could officially read their book to the audience at the Author's Fair! So even if you don't help with the table for an hour, you should come when we might be able to have the kids "present" their book to the world. : )
So, please plan now to be a part of this experience with your homeschool kids.
Oh--and if you have already made a book as part of your studies this year, ask your E.S. about showing it too! We made one in the Fall of 2009 about a visit to a zoo--you might remember it from our first "Back to School" Old School Monday last Fall--and it is not much, just colorful construction paper and photos and drawings and descriptions all bound with yarn. But I think it turned out well, and so will plan on showing it, if Terry says I can. (I just don't know if there is an official approval process--hopefully the E.S's will know, and if I find out, I will post the info here for you all.)
I think you are going to be as excited about the book project as I am--so stay tuned for those details next week!
Lisa here. SO SO SO much I want to tell you all, so I will just give a couple quick blurbs, then off to finish packing for visiting family this weekend.
First, a VERY VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
After polling the mommies present at the last OSM, and two mommies who would have liked to be, we have decided to move the time of Old School Monday from morning to afternoon. This will help some of our far-away familes to make it to OSM, and will open us up to inviting school-age friends and siblings too. : ) And will help those of us who are trying to be sticklers about official morning school time.
So this means that on April 26, our next OSM, we will be meeting at 2:00 p.m. and will go until 4:3o.
Those of us who attend Laird's Academy of Martial Arts can then go to the 5:00 class, making the most of driving time around town.
OK, THEN! THE NEXT IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT:
At the next OSM, we are all going to be making a book together, which we will then show at the upcoming Author's Fair held at the Capitola Mall on May 1! I will write out the book project in detail after this weekend, but will say now it will be EASY, EDUCATIONAL, ADAPTABLE to your own current family studies, and SO CUTE! I hope everyone decides to participate! Here are the ways to be involved:
1) Prepare with your child before OSM so you are ready to illustrate and assemble the final work while we are together that afternoon. (very easy--don't worry, just say you'll do it!)
2) Come to OSM so we can "make" the book!
3) Help play hostess at the Ocean Grove book table at the Author's Fair, Saturday, May 1. I think my E.S. Terry Cleary is in charge of this, so I will ask her at what shifts they will need people to help. I did it with Gwynneth last year, and it was great! She and I got to hang out at the Ocean Grove table and talk to people who wanted to look at the books, and then we had plenty of time to walk around and look at all the other creative and inspiring books (click on the hyperlink to see the post I made about it last year).
4) I will try to find out a specific time when our kids could officially read their book to the audience at the Author's Fair! So even if you don't help with the table for an hour, you should come when we might be able to have the kids "present" their book to the world. : )
So, please plan now to be a part of this experience with your homeschool kids.
Oh--and if you have already made a book as part of your studies this year, ask your E.S. about showing it too! We made one in the Fall of 2009 about a visit to a zoo--you might remember it from our first "Back to School" Old School Monday last Fall--and it is not much, just colorful construction paper and photos and drawings and descriptions all bound with yarn. But I think it turned out well, and so will plan on showing it, if Terry says I can. (I just don't know if there is an official approval process--hopefully the E.S's will know, and if I find out, I will post the info here for you all.)
I think you are going to be as excited about the book project as I am--so stay tuned for those details next week!
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