Have any of you heard about this before?
http://sandradodd.com/learnnothingday/
Brilliant! But we missed the official day. Well, I guess it is never too late to "not learn." ; )
Actually, on a more serious note, reading what parents were saying on this page about their families' "failures" in celebrating Learn Nothing Day made me step back and see anew my own schooling approaches as of late. I think I have been too much separating "school" from "non school" and I wonder if that is hindering this overall family value we have of "life-long learning" or "learning as a lifestyle." As a family value, this just makes sense for us. And yet, have I been actually sending the opposite message through how I break down the day into "school" vs "non school" time. . .
I have been processing a lot of ideas like this as I think about how I need to revamp our homeschooling approach/schedule for this upcoming year. Whatever I end up writing about I will share with you all here! : )
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
FYI: Monterey Bay Birding Festival
July 14, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christina Glynn, 831.425.1234 ext.112
Photography available upon request
SEVENTH ANNUAL MONTEREY BAY BIRDING FESTIVAL
TO BE HELD
SEPTEMBER 22-25, 2011
On-line registration now available for events, presentations, outings
WATSONVILLE, CA – Are you ready to join the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the United States? This fall, the Watsonville-based seventh Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival will take place Thursday, September 22nd through Sunday, September 25, 2011.
The festival offers expert-led field trips, specialized birding outings for beginners, “slough safaris” of the Elkhorn Slough via kayak and pontoon boat, a pelagic trip on the Monterey Bay to view sea birds, a trip to Pinnacles National Monument, vagrant chasing at the Carmel River mouth, pelagic trips of the Monterey Bay, excursions to the Ventana Wildlife Society’s Discovery Center at Andrew Molera State Park in scenic Big Sur and other activities. A stellar line-up of expert birders leading day trips as well as evening presenters are sure to please even the most discriminating birders. This year’s theme, The Evolution of Birding - From Field Guides to Hi-Tech will celebrate the bygone days of John James Audubon to the modern days of hi-tech innovations in birding.
On Thursday evening, a special presentation by birder and naturalist Steve Shunk will explore The Names, Namers, and Naming of North America Birds. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the popular Owls of Robinson Canyon excursions will take birders on a search for Great Horned Owls, Spotted Owls, Western Screech-Owls, Northern Pygmy-Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls and other types of this mysterious and nocturnal bird.
The Santa Cruz County Visitors Council’s free Birding and Wildlife Watching guide will be available during the festival. The 44-page guide is designed for use by visitors to communities adjacent to the many birding destinations throughout the county. The guide includes information on a variety of habitats, from sandy beaches to lagoons, wetlands and river mouths, as well as descriptions and photographs of the some of the area’s most commonly seen birds, wildlife and the best times of the year to view them. It also provides maps of birding and wildlife hotspots, points of interest, and itineraries. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 31 percent of Americans engage in wildlife watching as a hobby or recreational activity, an increase of 13 percent from a decade ago.
The free guide is also available at the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council’s main visitor center at 303 Water Street #100 in Santa Cruz, via mail by request throughwww.birding.travel, or by calling 800.833.3494.
Registration can be done on-line at http://www.montereybaybirding.org/ or via mail. Registration is available for the entire festival, individual days or select evening activities. The registration fee for the four-day festival is $40; one-day registration is also available and pricing for a variety of activities starts at $10.
The Birding Festival Web site, http://www.montereybaybirding.org/ provides a registration and ticketing, full festival schedule, description of events, and other information. Visitors can log on towww.birding.travel to help plan their trip.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christina Glynn, 831.425.1234 ext.112
Photography available upon request
SEVENTH ANNUAL MONTEREY BAY BIRDING FESTIVAL
TO BE HELD
SEPTEMBER 22-25, 2011
On-line registration now available for events, presentations, outings
WATSONVILLE, CA – Are you ready to join the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the United States? This fall, the Watsonville-based seventh Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival will take place Thursday, September 22nd through Sunday, September 25, 2011.
The festival offers expert-led field trips, specialized birding outings for beginners, “slough safaris” of the Elkhorn Slough via kayak and pontoon boat, a pelagic trip on the Monterey Bay to view sea birds, a trip to Pinnacles National Monument, vagrant chasing at the Carmel River mouth, pelagic trips of the Monterey Bay, excursions to the Ventana Wildlife Society’s Discovery Center at Andrew Molera State Park in scenic Big Sur and other activities. A stellar line-up of expert birders leading day trips as well as evening presenters are sure to please even the most discriminating birders. This year’s theme, The Evolution of Birding - From Field Guides to Hi-Tech will celebrate the bygone days of John James Audubon to the modern days of hi-tech innovations in birding.
On Thursday evening, a special presentation by birder and naturalist Steve Shunk will explore The Names, Namers, and Naming of North America Birds. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the popular Owls of Robinson Canyon excursions will take birders on a search for Great Horned Owls, Spotted Owls, Western Screech-Owls, Northern Pygmy-Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls and other types of this mysterious and nocturnal bird.
The Santa Cruz County Visitors Council’s free Birding and Wildlife Watching guide will be available during the festival. The 44-page guide is designed for use by visitors to communities adjacent to the many birding destinations throughout the county. The guide includes information on a variety of habitats, from sandy beaches to lagoons, wetlands and river mouths, as well as descriptions and photographs of the some of the area’s most commonly seen birds, wildlife and the best times of the year to view them. It also provides maps of birding and wildlife hotspots, points of interest, and itineraries. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 31 percent of Americans engage in wildlife watching as a hobby or recreational activity, an increase of 13 percent from a decade ago.
The free guide is also available at the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council’s main visitor center at 303 Water Street #100 in Santa Cruz, via mail by request throughwww.birding.travel, or by calling 800.833.3494.
Registration can be done on-line at http://www.montereybaybirding.org/ or via mail. Registration is available for the entire festival, individual days or select evening activities. The registration fee for the four-day festival is $40; one-day registration is also available and pricing for a variety of activities starts at $10.
The Birding Festival Web site, http://www.montereybaybirding.org/ provides a registration and ticketing, full festival schedule, description of events, and other information. Visitors can log on towww.birding.travel to help plan their trip.
FREE online learning styles workshop
For those of you who don't know, Heddi is one of the creators of the local Discovery Learning Center. I have seen the paper version of this, and it is really good!--lisa c.
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Hi, everyone. As you may know, I often do homeschool workshops in the area or at conferences, but I know it often works out that not everyone can attend who wants to attend. I'm currently working on a project to put my workshops in an online format that homeschoolers can access any time! I had five great testers try it out (thank you, testers!) and now I'm ready to share it with all of you!
My first FREE workshop is ready on Learning Styles. It includes online lectures broken down in to manageable bits, interactive forums, links to online resources, and suggested activities.
If you'd like to check it out, go to Homeschool Workshop at:
http://homeschoolworkshop.com/
You will need to create a user account and password using the Login box on the left side of the page. After you login, click on the "What is Your Child's Learning Style?" workshop. You will be asked to enter a one-time key, which is "free" (without the quotations). Then you are ready to start the workshop following the directions provided.
I'm announcing this a little at a time and you all get to be the first!
Feel free to pass this message on to other homeschoolers. If you have any questions or problems, feel free to email me at heddicr@gmail.com.
Hope you find the workshop helpful!
Heddi
--
---------------------------------------------------
Hi, everyone. As you may know, I often do homeschool workshops in the area or at conferences, but I know it often works out that not everyone can attend who wants to attend. I'm currently working on a project to put my workshops in an online format that homeschoolers can access any time! I had five great testers try it out (thank you, testers!) and now I'm ready to share it with all of you!
My first FREE workshop is ready on Learning Styles. It includes online lectures broken down in to manageable bits, interactive forums, links to online resources, and suggested activities.
If you'd like to check it out, go to Homeschool Workshop at:
http://homeschoolworkshop.com/
You will need to create a user account and password using the Login box on the left side of the page. After you login, click on the "What is Your Child's Learning Style?" workshop. You will be asked to enter a one-time key, which is "free" (without the quotations). Then you are ready to start the workshop following the directions provided.
I'm announcing this a little at a time and you all get to be the first!
Feel free to pass this message on to other homeschoolers. If you have any questions or problems, feel free to email me at heddicr@gmail.com.
Hope you find the workshop helpful!
Heddi
--
Thursday, July 7, 2011
FYI: Reading program that gives free tickets to Six Flags
Hello all!
Just heard about this program:
http://readtosucceed.discoveryeducation.com/
Kids can earn a free ticket to Six Flags for 6 hours of pleasure reading. (Sheesh--we do that in one week!)
The program is closed for this year, but of course I would never remember to blog about it when it is starting, so if you are interested just check the website for details about when the next year's program starts up. : )
Just heard about this program:
http://readtosucceed.discoveryeducation.com/
Kids can earn a free ticket to Six Flags for 6 hours of pleasure reading. (Sheesh--we do that in one week!)
The program is closed for this year, but of course I would never remember to blog about it when it is starting, so if you are interested just check the website for details about when the next year's program starts up. : )
Saturday, June 25, 2011
the party is ON! This Monday
This Monday, June 27, in the first floor classroom there at Vintage Faith Church, corner of Mission and Highland in SC, 12:00 noon until 2:30.
Please bring:
1) an eatable to share (if we get a good blend of healthy and decadent, then it's lunch! I'll bring the dark chocolate brownies)
2) something to share with the group that you and/or your child is proud of that you made/accomplished/did this past. Let's inspire and encourage and celebrate with one another!
We had a request for meeting at the church rather than the park, so there you have it! We will meet in the classroom but make sure the kids get plenty of time to run around in the gym. (In fact, I'm thinking we need a couple "party" games. . . let me know if any of you coming have brilliant ideas)
Please bring friends too!
Questions or comments, please leave them in response to this post. : )
Please bring:
1) an eatable to share (if we get a good blend of healthy and decadent, then it's lunch! I'll bring the dark chocolate brownies)
2) something to share with the group that you and/or your child is proud of that you made/accomplished/did this past. Let's inspire and encourage and celebrate with one another!
We had a request for meeting at the church rather than the park, so there you have it! We will meet in the classroom but make sure the kids get plenty of time to run around in the gym. (In fact, I'm thinking we need a couple "party" games. . . let me know if any of you coming have brilliant ideas)
Please bring friends too!
Questions or comments, please leave them in response to this post. : )
Friday, June 17, 2011
Beautiful piece on homeschooling--must read!
This is a link to a wonderful, eloquent blog post about homeschooling, which I think you will all enjoy.
I have to admit, about half-way through my eyes were glazing over her words, with jealousy, because I could not get over the amazing photos of her homeschool space. All those gorgeous retro school aids and tools! Enough wall space for huge maps and art! In fact, such an overabundance of unused wall space that they can line up their books side by side on a rail?!!!!! Oh, I admit, I have big time envy. BIG TIME. Those of you who know my teeny tiny space I'm schooling in. . . this almost makes me want to cry, and I so full of lust. So, I will finish reading the article when my eyes have cleared and God restores my heart. ; )
But still, read the post! Be inspired by a home environment that perfectly incorporates learning and living and style and beauty of what's real. In all senses of the word. : )
lisa
I have to admit, about half-way through my eyes were glazing over her words, with jealousy, because I could not get over the amazing photos of her homeschool space. All those gorgeous retro school aids and tools! Enough wall space for huge maps and art! In fact, such an overabundance of unused wall space that they can line up their books side by side on a rail?!!!!! Oh, I admit, I have big time envy. BIG TIME. Those of you who know my teeny tiny space I'm schooling in. . . this almost makes me want to cry, and I so full of lust. So, I will finish reading the article when my eyes have cleared and God restores my heart. ; )
But still, read the post! Be inspired by a home environment that perfectly incorporates learning and living and style and beauty of what's real. In all senses of the word. : )
lisa
and a wee little tool for remembering a couple of letters
I don't have a rhyme for remembering how to write the letters of the whole alphabet, but most kids don't need it. But some letters, like b and d and p and q are tricky. Usually if my early readers come to a letter and they don't remember what it is, we just pause on that letter and sing the alphabet song while tapping on the letter until we get to the right one. They get to the point where they can do it themselves when they get stuck, and stop when they recognize the correct letter.
It is hard for the little ones to remember which of those four letters face which way, so I did come up with a little mnemonic device to help with remembering b and d:
You have to look at the alphabet in a line to understand this:
a b c d e
You see,
b is for baby
and c is for cookie
and d is for daddy.
The baby and the daddy are sharing the cookie,
and daddy has taken a big bite!
; )
I mean, it's not like a poem or anything, so if you just explain it however you think conveys the idea most clearly to your child.
Any of you moms have little tricks and tools to share? Please do!
lisa
It is hard for the little ones to remember which of those four letters face which way, so I did come up with a little mnemonic device to help with remembering b and d:
You have to look at the alphabet in a line to understand this:
a b c d e
You see,
b is for baby
and c is for cookie
and d is for daddy.
The baby and the daddy are sharing the cookie,
and daddy has taken a big bite!
; )
I mean, it's not like a poem or anything, so if you just explain it however you think conveys the idea most clearly to your child.
Any of you moms have little tricks and tools to share? Please do!
lisa
Number Parade--little tool for learning to write numbers
This is a little thing, but something that I just used this morning with Bronwyn and thought it was worth sharing.
Years ago, when I was helping Gwynneth learn how to write her numbers, she had a hard time remembering which way each number was facing, and would often write them backwards. So I came up with a little poem to help her remember, and it has helped all three girls. It might only work well with kids who are already visual learners, but if your child tends to write letters backwards, it might be worth trying.
Point to the numbers as you read them aloud.
1 2 3 and 4
say "Come on everybody, let's march some more!"
5 and 6
say "We feel sick." (sad voice)
7 and 8
say "We feel great!"
9 and 10
say "Let's march again!"
See, for a visual person, the numbers 1, 8, and 10 look like they are facing the reader. 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 look like they are facing left. 5 and 6 look like they are facing right. So, if we pretend there is a parade and all the numbers are marching to the left, only 5 and 6 look like they are turning in the other direction, like they don't want to march. I show this to my kids and teach them the rhyme, and then they can more easily remember which way to write the number.
Just a little silly thing, but thought it could be useful/fun for some of you. : )
lisa
Years ago, when I was helping Gwynneth learn how to write her numbers, she had a hard time remembering which way each number was facing, and would often write them backwards. So I came up with a little poem to help her remember, and it has helped all three girls. It might only work well with kids who are already visual learners, but if your child tends to write letters backwards, it might be worth trying.
Point to the numbers as you read them aloud.
1 2 3 and 4
say "Come on everybody, let's march some more!"
5 and 6
say "We feel sick." (sad voice)
7 and 8
say "We feel great!"
9 and 10
say "Let's march again!"
See, for a visual person, the numbers 1, 8, and 10 look like they are facing the reader. 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 look like they are facing left. 5 and 6 look like they are facing right. So, if we pretend there is a parade and all the numbers are marching to the left, only 5 and 6 look like they are turning in the other direction, like they don't want to march. I show this to my kids and teach them the rhyme, and then they can more easily remember which way to write the number.
Just a little silly thing, but thought it could be useful/fun for some of you. : )
lisa
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Welcome Summer Party--feedback request
Ok, Moms, since no one responded to the post about the end of the school year party, so let's just plan on having it at our next OSM, which is scheduled for June 27. Let's plan on a fun time of hanging out and playing--have to make sure our kids are properly socialized, right? ; )
Let's each bring a yummy snack to share, and have show and tell, so you and your kids can show off something you did this past year that you are really proud of, or think others would enjoy hearing about.
And let's do it at our normal meeting time--12 noon to 2:30.
Do we want to meet at church, or do we want to meet at a park? Now anyone who wants to join us MUST post a comment! After I picked walking to Harvey West on what turned out to be the hottest day in decades, I don't want the responsibility of choosing.
Ok, ok, if NOBODY makes a comment, I guess I'll pick. ; ) But please comment!
Let's each bring a yummy snack to share, and have show and tell, so you and your kids can show off something you did this past year that you are really proud of, or think others would enjoy hearing about.
And let's do it at our normal meeting time--12 noon to 2:30.
Do we want to meet at church, or do we want to meet at a park? Now anyone who wants to join us MUST post a comment! After I picked walking to Harvey West on what turned out to be the hottest day in decades, I don't want the responsibility of choosing.
Ok, ok, if NOBODY makes a comment, I guess I'll pick. ; ) But please comment!
FYI: geography app
Hello Vintage Moms!
One of the blogs I read just made a post about what sounded like a really fun application for the iPhone. Doug and I don't have iAnything, so this is moot for us, but thought some of you more technologically-savvy homeschool moms might like to know about it. It is called 'Stack the States," and fits in right with our OSM states learning we did this past year! : ) So if you are interested, follow the link.
One of the blogs I read just made a post about what sounded like a really fun application for the iPhone. Doug and I don't have iAnything, so this is moot for us, but thought some of you more technologically-savvy homeschool moms might like to know about it. It is called 'Stack the States," and fits in right with our OSM states learning we did this past year! : ) So if you are interested, follow the link.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
you must be homeschooled if. . .
Found on another email group. : )
You Must Be Homeschooled If...
1. Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.
2. You sometimes go to school in your pajamas.
3. You sleep till 9:00 am on school days, but get up early on Sundays.
4. Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson
(boys).
5. Your birthday is an official school holiday.
6. You don't get to stay home from school when you're sick.
7. Your favorite activity is reading.
8. You know what a unit study is.
9. You have attempted to teach yourself physics.
10. You know the scientific names of dinosaurs from A to Z.
11. Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the
film to the book.
12. You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween.
13. You exchange e-mail Valentines with your homeschool pen pals.
14. You can get science credit for going to the dentist or doctor.
15. You go to the park for P.E.
16. You check out at least ten books every time you visit the library.
17. You get books and science kits for your birthday.
18. Your board games all have names like "Bookworm", "Scrabble",
"S'math", "Game of Knowledge", and "Name The State".
19. Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.
20. Your favorite place to study is outside, under a tree.
21. You memorize math formulas and Latin root words for fun.
22. You never get nervous on the first day of school.
23. The only bully you ever run into is your big brother.
24. You are unaware of the current fads, fashions, and slang terms.
25. You have no idea what rock bands are currently popular.
26. You don't have to worry about forgetting your lunch or your schoolbooks.
27. You don't have to remember a locker combination, just your computer
password.
28. There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are
your brothers and sisters.
29. Your school bus is a nine-passenger van.
30. You can get extra credit for cleaning your room.
-----------------------------------
anyone care to add more? do so in the comments! ; )
You Must Be Homeschooled If...
1. Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.
2. You sometimes go to school in your pajamas.
3. You sleep till 9:00 am on school days, but get up early on Sundays.
4. Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson
(boys).
5. Your birthday is an official school holiday.
6. You don't get to stay home from school when you're sick.
7. Your favorite activity is reading.
8. You know what a unit study is.
9. You have attempted to teach yourself physics.
10. You know the scientific names of dinosaurs from A to Z.
11. Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the
film to the book.
12. You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween.
13. You exchange e-mail Valentines with your homeschool pen pals.
14. You can get science credit for going to the dentist or doctor.
15. You go to the park for P.E.
16. You check out at least ten books every time you visit the library.
17. You get books and science kits for your birthday.
18. Your board games all have names like "Bookworm", "Scrabble",
"S'math", "Game of Knowledge", and "Name The State".
19. Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.
20. Your favorite place to study is outside, under a tree.
21. You memorize math formulas and Latin root words for fun.
22. You never get nervous on the first day of school.
23. The only bully you ever run into is your big brother.
24. You are unaware of the current fads, fashions, and slang terms.
25. You have no idea what rock bands are currently popular.
26. You don't have to worry about forgetting your lunch or your schoolbooks.
27. You don't have to remember a locker combination, just your computer
password.
28. There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are
your brothers and sisters.
29. Your school bus is a nine-passenger van.
30. You can get extra credit for cleaning your room.
-----------------------------------
anyone care to add more? do so in the comments! ; )
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