Old School MATH Party! This MONDAY, Jan 28

Old School Monday Math Party

Monday, January 28, 2013

11-2

Vintage Preschool classrooms

Hello everyone!

My girls all finished their math programs before Christmas, and I am so proud of them.  Per our tradition, we are going to have a Math Party to celebrate, and we want to celebrate the math accomplishments of all your kids too.

So part of our next Vintage Homeschool gathering will be all about math!  Please have your kids come with something to share (if they want) to show something they are doing in math, or something they completed in math of which they are proud.  We will have share time so everyone who wishes to share gets a turn.

We will have the gym that time too, so does anyone know of a good physical game that involves any math?  I would love it if someone knew/would lead such a game!  Send me an email or leave a comment if you are game. (Ba dum dum!)

As always, you are welcome to bring your lunch for your family.  This party you do not have to bring food to share (unless you want)--my kids will each make something to bring that represents the colors of their math book covers!  (But if your kids want to do the same, of course they are welcome to--we don't want to hinder their creativity!)

Hope to see you there!

Vintage Homeschool Party! THIS Monday

Hello Vintage Homeschool Moms!

Wow, looking at the last post makes me realize how busy we have all been this Fall semester. 

Well, it's time for another party!

I tried to get official permission for us to use the usual classrooms for a Christmas party, and never heard back from the person who schedules the rooms, so that is why I am posting this at the very last minute.  We're down to the last week before Christmas, and I really want to have a party, by gum!  So let's go ahead and have the party and pretend they said we could. ; ) 

(You know they likely meant to say yes and just got busy and forgot. So I am sure it's fine.)

But we're not going to make this a big production this year.  No cookie exchange, no ornament craft, no announcing on any other homeschool groups.  Let's just get together and celebrate Christmas!

WHERE: usual classroom at Vintage
WHEN: THIS MONDAY from 11-2
WHAT TO BRING:  a festive food item to share

We will sing some carols, read a story or two, and eat yummy food and chat and play.  Very low key!

Hope to see you all there!

It's the Old School Monday FALL PARTY!

Photo credit

What:     Homeschool Families Fall Party
When:    Next Monday, October 22, 11-2
Where:   Vintage Faith Church, our usual classrooms and the gym

We will start out with lunch, so please bring lunch for your families* and also one food item to share with everyone. 

Then there are two special events planned:

--Share Displays.  12-12:30.  Each child or family is welcome to create a display of something they want to share with the rest of us.  It might be what they did over the summer, or something they have been learning about that excites them.  All displays should have a writing element (which can be as simple as the child writing captions for photos, or as elaborate as descriptive paragraphs) and displays that utilize a math element (graph or chart, calculations, even simple addition that fits their topic) will receive special acknowledgement.  Prizes will be given to all participating children!  Children may set up their displays as they arrive, so families may look around and admire the kids' handiwork at any time, but we will set aside a half-hour starting at noon for the children to talk about their displays, if they wish.

--Fall Book Projects.  12:30-1:30.  I will share our next book project for the 2013 Author's Fair so anyone interested can get a head start on it with your kids, and then I will lead the kids in a guided book project on the Bill of Rights.  Any kids who are interested and who are school age are welcome to participate.

Throughout our time there, we will have plenty of time for chatting, catching up, sharing ideas, and letting the kids play!  If any parent wants to lead a game in the gym before or after our other activities, please let me know!

This is all free, and any homeschool families are welcome to join us and participate.  Please invite your friends too!


*Please remember to bring your own cups, plates, utensils, etc. We would like to make these events as waste-free as possible. Thank you!

another video re: education

Here's another video that is fascinating, which details how our current education system began, and why its current problems are the logical outcome of its original purpose.

Video--Changing Education Paradigms

Double-click to see full screen.

Some really good thoughts here--although it seems cut off. I want to hear more!

Prayer for the Beginning of the Day

Every morning we are now having table time, at breakfast, and it is one of our favorite times of the school day.

One of the things in our table time is prayer--trying to get our hearts and minds centered on what really matters in this world before we even start our school day.  My dear friend Terry said she used to do the same with her daughter when they were homeschooling, and gave me this prayer they used.  I like it so much, and thought some of you might like to hear it too:

Prayer for the Beginning of the Day

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.

Musical Mondays

In the past my kids and I have participated in the Musical Mondays program--10 weeks (well, 9 starting next week) of class 3-5 in which kids learn a musical and perform it at the end.  This semester the musical is Peter Pan, and they have added a dance element in addition to the play and singing.  I know some of you families have tried the program, but anyone who hasn't and wants to know more can leave a comment here. 

I know there are several theatre groups out there for homeschool kids now.  Here is why I like this one:

--very child friendly
--all kids are on the stage all the time, so even though some kids will have more lines, all the kids equally share the stage.
--all kids sing all the songs, so again even the kids in the background feel like they are fully involved and equally "stars."
--the kids choose what kind of role they want, the casting is based upon what the kids want, and the script is re-written as necessary so that every kid who wants to speak gets to.
--it is very reasonably priced, and you can pay for it with Ocean Grove funds.
--this is not a "theatre" program, so it is not at all stressful for the kids or parents--it's just pure enjoyment.  There is no pressure to perform a certain way.  Kids are allowed to be kids and not have to be evaluated for their skills.
--It is a very reasonable schedule, for us busy homeschool families.  Some of the other more serious theatre programs have appropriately intentive rehersal schedules; this program is just Mondays 3-5 until the performance days, at which time they have rehersal before the performances. There is one Monday performance and one weekend performance, to accommodate working parents.

Now I have heard very good things about some of the other local children's theater programs, esp. CYT.  I just wanted to let you all know about this one in case you are looking for something a little simpler, less intimidating (no auditions), less formal.  This is about the same caliber as a church Christmas play--and for me that is part of its charm. : )

And I knew some of you might want to know if your kids would have friends there--so for at least this semester, we will be there! 

P.S. We are building upon the activity by reading the original Peter Pan, and we might try to "LitWit" it a little. ; )  Becky, that's another book you and Jenny need to add some year!

how one mom got into homeschooling

This is a blog I read regularly--LOVE this family and their hearts.  So this post today caught my attention, and had me laughing--it is SO God.  : )

I have things upcoming to share with you all here, as soon as I find the time!  But in the meantime, please remember you are welcome to post whatever homeschool stuff you think is appropriate for everyone, and I hope the start of your school year has been fairly smooth!

lisa

dangers of homeschooling

a little humor!




(Double-click on the video to watch full-screen on youtube)

early readers

Hi Ladies,

Just wondering if any of you have some of these books that you would consider loaning.  I was interested in:
Books to Remember" series by Laura Appleton-Smith.  There are series 1-3.

Or, "Little Books, and "Little Owl Books" ---A Beka Books
 
Thanks so much,
Lucy

Author's Fair Details! Please RSVP

Ok, Moms, this is the moment your kids have been waiting for--the Author's Fair itself!

Just a couple of quick things:

1) They think they have LOTS of room available at the table, so please bring whatever books, lapbooks, writing projects, even first drafts you might have to share.  A writing project in process is fine, just label it as such!

2) They need help staffing the Ocean Grove table, so please consider signing up for an hour.  (My dear ES Terry, who is one of the teachers responsible for the fair, is very enviromentally sensitive, so the mall air is really bad for her--she and the other teachers really do appreciate parents volunteering, so they don't have to be there all day.) In past years my girls have loved walking around and looking at the books at other nearby tables, and the time went quickly.  They also really liked reading the other OG books, and using sticky notes to leave encouraging comments. : )  I think the OG teachers might even have a little book-making activity at the table, which would make it fun for the kids to hang out.  So, please think if you can help out in this way, and then let the teachers know.

3) The Vintage Homeschool kids will be presenting their book at the Author's Chair at 11:00, so everyone please be there a few minutes early.  And please let us know you are coming--so we don't start without you--by leaving a comment below.

Ah, one of the highlights of my kids' school year!  I can't wait to see what all your families contribute.

Here is the original email announcement from OG, just in case you missed it:

Hi All,
STAR has kept your Authors’ Fair Coordinators very busy, but now we are finished with STAR and can concentrate on something fun: The Student Authors’ Fair!

It is only 6 more days until The Student Author’s Fair! If you haven’t started yet, there is still time to make a simple book to demonstrate your child’s creativity at the Fair.

Step 1:  Check out these sites:
1.http://www.bookmakingwithkids.com/?p=1351 (the grandmother of bookmaking for kids sites, filled with great ideas)
2.http://www.makingbooks.com/freeprojects.shtml (easy for kids)
3.http://www.instructables.com/id/Book-Making-for-Kids/ (just a few ideas here but they have great pictures of each step)
4.http://www.vickiblackwell.com/makingbooks.html (really easy and fun instructions for many different kinds of books)
5.http://familycrafts.about.com/od/homemadebooks/tp/Old-Book-Crafts.htm (re-using a book to create a new book)

Step 2: Email us the name and grade of your student(s)who will be participating. tcleary@ieminc.org

Step 3: Arrange to get the books to the Fair:
1.    Bring or send it to one of us: Kim near UCSC, Terry in Aptos, Barb in San Lorenzo Valley (email for addresses).
2.   Bring it to the Fair at the Capitola Mall on Saturday morning. We start setting up at 9am, and the Fair opens at 10.

Step 4: We would so appreciate your help during the Fair.During the following time slots we need an adult to sit at our table.  Please let us know if you can help: the time you can help and your cell number so we can reach you on Saturday.


9:00 – 10:00 (Set Up)
                                         10:00 – 11:00
       10:30 – 11:30
                                         11:00 – 12:00  
       11:30 – 12:30
                                         12:00 - 1:00
       12:30 – 1:30
                                         1:00 – 2:00
       1:30 – 2:30
                                         2:00 – 3:00
       2:30 – 3:30
                                         3:00 – 4:00
       3:30 – 4:30 (Includes Packing Up)


We do hope you will participate in the Fair. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to share their writing and see what other children have created.

Terry, Kim, and Barb
Authors’ Fair Coordinators for OGCS