Storytelling with Jim Weiss!

Hello Moms!

I am here to sell you on tell you about an amazing upcoming event!  I am sure a lot of you are familiar with  Jim Weiss, who is one of the top story tellers in America today and is the voice behind The Story of the World books.

Well, from what I have learned from my wonderful E.S. Terry Cleary:

Diane Bokulich and Mary Ann Shapiro worked to bring Jim Weiss to Capitola to teach your kids about storytelling!


Here is the info from the database:


Classes will take place on Monday, Nov 8 from 9Am to 3PM. at ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC COMMUNITY- CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA, 435 Monterey Avenue, Capitola CA 95010, 831-475-8211.

There will be no "drop-off" and there is no area for small children to play. Students should bring a sack lunch if they are staying for the whole day. 

I interpret this last part to mean that there must be a parent attending the event with his/her child, and this will not be a good venue for little ones.  But think about it this way--YOU get to attend the event for FREE! ; )

Cost is $95/student. BUT it turns out that the price will drop as more students sign up! If we have 10 students, the cost is $95 each. With 20 students it drops to $47.50.  This event is covered fully by your Ocean Grove funds, BUT let's still see if we can't get enough interested parents/kids to bring the cost down!

Sarah Frank will be taking Hannah while her husband watches the boys.  She has generously offered to "parent" Gwynneth so she can attend and I can be here with my little ones!  I am sure us Vintage Ocean Grove moms can together work out child care help for those of us who could not do it otherwise, so if you are interested, leave a comment below and we will see what we can do! 


And be sure to sign-up for the event with your Ocean Grove E.S.!

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

From their website:

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

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

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

Oh, those of you with girls should consider this. . .

There is a program we have done for 3 years now, called Musical Mondays.  It is basically a musical production every semester, with a free performance open to the community.  The woman in charge, Candace, is AWESOME.  The kids all get pizza and lemonade every week when they first arrive, which is included in the cost. The quality of story and music chosen are excellent.  I love that kids get to choose if they want a speaking role or not, and ALL the kids sing ALL the songs together--no solos--and they all stay on stage the entire production, so they get to really feel like they are all in the production equally. 

This fall the selected musical is. .  Annie!!!  Oh, my girls are in for a treat!

I think the youngest allowed is 7, so Bronwyn will not be participating, but that is ok--I think she is a bit young for it anyway.  But Meredith and Gwynneth are SO going to be in this--and Musical Mondays are an Ocean Grove vendor!!!  AND it is held at a church right near Vintage, so we always go on over to catch the 6 pm martial arts class at Laird's afterwards, and make the most of being on that end of town. . .

Can I sell you any more on this?  boys are of course welcome too, but those of you with older girls--THINK ABOUT IT. : )

Here is the email I received tonight:

Hello Everyone,



Musical Mondays is about to begin. This fall semester we will perform Annie. I chose this play for many reasons first and foremost because I love it! There are so many parts, such fun songs and great chances to show our best acting from the clown, Mrs Hannigan to President Roosevelt. The first class is September 13, 3-5pm. We will meet every Monday from 3-5 and perform our play on Monday, November 15, at 5pm and Sunday, November 21, at 3pm. Please check/reserve these dates now. The fee for the class is $125.00/semester. Invite your friends to join the fun. No need to preregister, just join us for pizza on the 13th.


Candy, Cheryl, and Jenny

Geometry Playground--last chance to play for free!

Hey everyone!  Lisa here again.  Most of you know the Exploratorium in San Francisco is free the first Weds. of each month.  But while researching online today, I realized that they are having what looks like a really cool geometry exhibit that will only be around until the 6th--so Weds. the 1st of Sept. is the last chance to see it for free.  And any exhibit that is considered worth the expense of touring must be pretty cool!  So we are going that day--another good reason is that we try to choose months to attend the free days when there will not be as many school groups attending, as they make the exhibits crowded (although they also tend to leave at lunchtime).   



When Ongoing through Monday, September 6, 2010


Where Exploratorium

Event Type Art Event, Special Program

Museum Area Skylight area - Please note that during this time, the Playlab will be closed and will reopen in the Fall.

Cost Included in the price of general admission

Website www.exploratorium.edu…

Geometry Playground Opens June 25


Through September 6, 2010


And Then Travels Nationally

The word “geometry” might dredge up sweaty-palm memories of classrooms, textbooks, and trying to calculate the volume of a cube. But what if geometry instead meant climbing inside cool, giant 3D shapes, or watching yourself in a big curved mirror as you try to play hopscotch? It turns out that seeing things, moving things, and fitting things together are all ways of exploring geometry. And since we’re talking Exploratorium, this exhibition is one where geometry is based on action! Sometimes you’ll use your hands, other times your entire body. And always your brain. Geometry Playground, developed by the Exploratorium over the past three years, includes over twenty exhibits and specially commissioned artworks. It travels to Minneapolis, San Diego, and to other cities nationally. Geometry Playground is made possible by the National Science Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The exhibition is included in the price of admission.

Discover Your Child's Learning Style--FREE Teleconference!

(Lisa here--Becky just sent this to me, which someone had sent to her. . . and it sounds great, so we are passing it along to you!)

DISCOVER YOUR CHILD's LEARNING STYLE. Authors and Learning Success Coaches Mariaemma Pellulo-Willis & Victoria Kindle Hodson will be featured in a FREE Teleconference on 8/26. Info about how to register and take part is below!

For those of you who are not familiar with Mariaemma Pellulo-Willis and Victoria Kindle-Hodson, their work combines all the learning styles work (Armstrong, Briggs & Myers, Dunn, etc) into one super robust, indespensible and accessible model which you can put to work today -- no matter what your homeschooling philosophy/style. Not only do they dispense with the one-size fits all educational model, but their book and the included assessments will help you to customize an annual plan individualized for you and your child(ren)that will BEST suit the needs of the student(s) and parent.

Hope you find this info helpful ....

_______________________________________________________________________________
Dear ClickScholar,

Please join me THURSDAY, August 26th, for this FREE Teleconference. ..

"DISCOVER YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING STYLE"

with Special Guests...
Mariaemma Pellulo-Willis and Victoria Kindle-Hodson
Authors of Discover Your Child's Learning Style

4-5 PM (PDT), 6-7 PM (central), 7-8 PM (EST)

In this teleconference discover why students (and adults) sometimes just don't "get it" and why a one-size-fits- all model doesn't work.

Find out the 5 aspects of learning - and how knowing what they are can forever change the way you homeschool your child.

Get an understanding of how having a blueprint of your child's unique learning style will ensure success!

The live teleconference is free and registration is required. Once you have registered, please submit your questions for Mariaemma and Victoria by email to: dianeflynnkeith@ homefires. com

Register today at: http://www.homefire%20s.com/Teleconfer%20ence

Diane Flynn Keith
for ClickSchooling

New local science vendors!

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

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

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

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

EDUCATION DAYS AT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR

From the Coast & Valley homeschool newsletter:

As homeschoolers, you can get into the fair free on Wednesday, Sep 15 & Thursday, Sep 16th. You have to apply and get special tickets. See http://www.santacruzcountyfair.com/ for general info about the fair. Go to http://santacruzcountyfair.com/pdf/2010/education_dept/app_education_days.pdf to download the application for your tickets.

Be sure to check out the Harvest Building Youth Department and the Livestock area for the many homeschoolers in 4-H that have projects displayed. Many Coast & Valley members also have items in the Crosetti Building (home arts) as well as the Fine Arts building.

FYI: Free photos!

Just in case any of you have photos from your summer adventures you would like to develop, or any your kids want to use to "illustrate" a homeschool book, Shutterfly is offering a great deal:

We’ve got 101 great reasons for you to come back to Shutterfly: 101 free 4x6 prints.

You’ve got just ONE MORE WEEK to get them.


Promo code: PTSF822
Offer ends August 22, 2010

From my past experience, you just pay for shipping and tax.

reminder--teacher discount at Palace Arts

From one of the homeschool networks I am on:

Hi everybody,



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

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

book reports??

I am not sure if this is really old school, demanding, or anything you gals might be interested in doing - but I made a short book report page for Asia to complete after reading a book. I think it helps her to think thru some of the details, practice writing, and summarize her thoughts too. Anyhow, here's the page in JPG format! Enjoy! Just double click - and it should bring up a new page to print from. If it doesn't work, please let me know - and I can email you the attachment.


Also, if you have any other ideas for book summaries - I would love to hear/see your ideas!!
And while we are talking about books -- does anyone have some recommendations?? We are always craving new good books! love Ali & clan

Eggs recall--FYI

228M eggs recalled following salmonella outbreakBy MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Writer Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Writer Tue Aug 17, 11:55 pm ET

WASHINGTON – An Iowa egg producer is recalling 228 million eggs after being linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said eggs from Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa, were linked to several illnesses in Colorado, California and Minnesota. The CDC said about 200 cases of the strain of salmonella linked to the eggs were reported weekly during June and July, four times the normal number of such occurrences. State health officials say tainted eggs have sickened at least 266 Californians and seven in Minnesota.

The eggs were distributed around the country and packaged under the names Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemp.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating. In a statement, company officials said the FDA is "on-site to review records and inspect our barns." The officials said they began the recall Aug. 13. The most common symptoms of salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight hours to 72 hours of eating a contaminated product. It can be life-threatening, especially to those with weakened immune systems.

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

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


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


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

CA Academy of Sciences Homeschool Day!

Join us for the next Homeschool Day!

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

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

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

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

Registration by phone begins Tuesday, August 10, 2010.

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

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

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

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

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


Program Schedule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet your relatives in Extreme Mammals

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

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

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

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

Visit the exhibit website here.

another science video

At least this one is explained by the experts. But very cool, and an oddity from right here in our backyard! (Well, globally speaking, that is.)

Science!!! I think.

Just found a cache of fascinating videos, including this one.

Go see it! And if you have any clue what is actually taking place (you know, the whole science part) please do enlighten me with a comment.

Simeon and Caleb, are you up to the challenge? ; )