Dec 28, 2010

RSA: Changing education paradigms

This is an amazing video by Sir Ken Robinson about our global efforts to change education today.  Take the time.  It is worth it.  I promise.

Dec 25, 2010

History for Music Lovers!

This is an amazing collection of music videos for those interested in history or who need to learn about an event and simply remember things better when they are put to music! 

They take popular tunes and insert their own lyrics. Each song is about a specific event or period in history.

The graphics are based on fine art and, for those of us who remember the old Clutch Cargo cartoons, will  bring a certain smile to the face. 

Enjoy! 

Dec 23, 2010

The InHome Conference is coming March 24 - 26th!

I'm excited to be a returning speaker at the InHome Conference again this year (on March 26th). 

Even more exciting, David Albert, Cindy Gaddis and Patrick Farenga will be returning as well!


Patrick Farenga, President of Holt Associates, Inc, worked closely with author, teacher, and school reformer-turned-homeschooling advocate John Holt until Holt's death in 1985. Farenga is a popular and charismatic speaker, and has also written widely about homeschooling on his blog and for many publications. Check him out at http://patfarenga.squarespace.com/about-pat-farenga/.
Be sure to tell your friends about the InHome Conference, the Midwest's largest non-sectarian whole-family homeschooling conference! 
(Non-sectarian does not mean anti-religious - it means all religions are welcome!)

For more information about the InHome Conference, please visit
http://homeeducatorsconference.org/

Dec 18, 2010

Google Explores the Human Body in 3-D

This has amazing images! 

Google has just soft-launched its latest browser experiment, the Google Body Browser, which is basically Google Earth for the human body.
Think of it as a three-dimensional, multi-layered browser version of those Visible Man/Woman model kits. Or a virtualized version of Slim Goodbody, if you will.

Dec 17, 2010

I Love Lunar Eclipses!

NASA Science News for Dec. 17, 2010


Northern winter is beginning in a special way. On Dec. 21st, the winter solstice, a lunar eclipse will be visible across all of North America.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/17dec_solsticeeclipse/

Dec 15, 2010

Try Figment!

Do you have a teen writer who would like to share his or her writing with other teens?

Try Figment!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/books/06figment.html?_r=2&ref=global-home

Nov 23, 2010

FYI: The Kid's Science Challenge is open for submissions now!

The Kids' Science Challenge is open to all legal U.S. residents who are students enrolled in 3rd through 6th grade at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. For a student to officially enter he/she must be registered with the Kids' Science Challenge and his/her submission must be uploaded, faxed or postmarked between October 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011. Limit one entry per student or group per science topic. You may submit an entry for each of the 3 science topics.


Click "Submit Your Entry!" to complete the Kids' Science Challenge entry submission process. A parent or guardian may register their child online and then complete the entry form via the Kids' Science Challenge website. Alternatively, you can download the Entry Form [PDF: 2.71] to be completed, and faxed or mailed to the Kids' Science Challenge office.

Oct 31, 2010

My 2010 Halloween Costume

A friend asked me to work at her church's annual Road Rally at their Pi Day booth.  As Pi Day (March 14th) is also Einstein's birthday...  this is the result!

Oct 25, 2010

I love this math site!

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives out of Utah State University
I have been telling folks about this site for years now, but the address is hard enough to find I think the resource is difficult to find again a month later.  Be sure to bookmark it! 

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

There are so many excellent manipulatives here - have fun exploring! 

Crystal Lake Park District late fall classes start this week!

The second session of Crystal Lake Park District homeschool classes are now open for registration.

* 10:00 - 11:30 Nature Study taught by Jess Day at the Nature Center. In this totally interactive class, the children will be exploring plant and animal life at the park, seasonal changes and much more. Ages 6-10, cost $36. Contact: leah.mikkelson@gmail.com to register.

* 10:00 - 11:00 Pen and Mouse Drawing with Julie Kukreja. Children will learn 3D drawing techniques to pop their drawings off of the page. Each session covers new ideas and concepts and artists of all abilities will be challenged and inspired! Ages 6 and up.Cost:$75 in district / $90 out of district. Class code: 4243-4

11:30 - 12:30 Pre-Algebra - Cure for the Math Curse taught by the always popular Kathy Wentz. This series of classes uses a visual and hands-on system for learning basic Algebraic concepts. This fall session will introduce variables, positive and negative integers and the basic steps needed to solve linear equations. Ages 8 and up. Cost: $51 in district / $66 out of district. Class code: 4243-5 *I am aware that this description does not match the one in the catalog that was published last summer. I was asked to offer this class instead. The description here is the correct description.

12:00 - 1:00 Karate taught by Patric Murphy of Kon Jo Karate Club in Fox River Grove. Mr. Murphy is a third degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and is a wonderful, warm instructor who encourages each of his students to do their best. Ages 3-16yrs. Cost: $50 in district / $65 out of district. Class code: 4243-1 *The time listed here is new and has been moved forward one hour from the one in the catalog to accomodate the wishes of the attendees. The time listed here will be the one followed.

1:00 - 2:00 Math and Science Club with Kathy Wentz. This is the same class which filled up with a filled wait list at the GIFT co-op! Each week students will explore a math or science topic with hands-on games and activities designed to spark interest, improve memorization skills, and increase vocabulary. Class will also include hand outs offering ways to further explore the topics at home. Ages 6-11. Cost: $51 in district / $66 out of district. Class code: 4243-3

2:00 - 3:00 Independent Homeschool Girl Scouts Group This group will be an opportunity for girls ages 6 and up who are registered as a "Juliette" or independent scout to get together for projects, outings and other activities. We are still in the planning phase of this group so please contact me if you would like to get involved. Contact: leah.mikkelson@gmail.com for more information.

All classes are on Thursdays at the park and run for 6 weeks starting October 28th. Registration is happening now at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/

Registration for the Nature Study class will be done privately by contacting: leah.mikkelson@gmail.com

Oct 8, 2010

Next Tuesday! "Homeschooling 101" at the Lake Villa Library!

Lake Villa District Library is offering an event for new and existing homeschool families on the evening of October 12, 2010. The program is at 7pm and will end at 8:30pm.  If you know of families that are considering homeschooling, please pass this information along to them. This will be a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and get real answers!
Date: 10/12/2010

Start Time: 7:00 PM

End Time: 8:30 PM

Location: Lake Villa District Library
1001 East Grand Avenue, Lake Villa, Illinois 60046
847-356-7711

Do you have questions such as: How do we homeschool within the law? How does my child learn best?

What about college? What curriculum is the best? What about testing? How can I find a lot of resources for only a little money? What does my child need to learn at each grade level? My child has special needs; can I still homeschool him/her?
If these questions are familiar, this is the workshop for you!

Here is the link for direct registration:
http://tinyurl.com/2cgk3uu

Sep 27, 2010

The Great Ground Bee Disaster of 2010


  Day 1
A nice sized hole!  But who dug it up?

Day 1
A close up shot of the lovely honey filled combs.

Day 2
Scat.  Racoon scat.  I guess we know who dunit now.

Day 2
The comb, broken and sucked dry. Poor bees. 

Sep 1, 2010

A good deal on a great Constitution resource!

I very rarely do this, so I hope I am forgiven. This is an offer for a good deal (from a very nice man) on an excellent movie about the Constitution. Many of the speeches in the movie were actually taken pretty much word for word from the minutes taken by James Madison during the Constitutional Convention. It is an amazing find and a great way of introducing first-person accounts to your visual students.

Plus - here it is for a pretty good deal. Seeing as the copy that is in the Johnsburg Library's Homeschool Resource Center is out most of the time I thought I would pass on this deal.

The study guide can be downloaded for fre at:

http://www.nccs.net/constitution-week/teacher_guide_book.pdf

U.S. History Question of the Day!

History teacher Greg Feldmeth's 2010-11 U.S. history "question of the day"
began this week. You can sign up to receive the question by e-mail every
day or you can go to his website, where the questions are archived.

To sign up for the question of the day, find the archived questions, or see
the rest of Mr. Feldmeth's teaching website, go to
http://faculty.polytechnic.org//gfeldmeth/USHistory.html

This is a terrific resource for anyone 'into' history or studying for the A.P. History exam!

Jul 29, 2010

Wednesday Classes in Cary

High School Chemistry
Based on Apologia's Exploring Creation with Chemistry, 2nd edition, this class will cover the topics covered in the text using discussion, problem sets and experimentation. Algebra 1 is a required prerequisite as Algebra is used throughout this course and we will spend a fair amount of time covering and explaining the problems. Homework will be assigned but we will not take up class time administering and correcting tests. If a family wants those given I encourage you to administer them at home. Please note: Some of the experiments listed in the book will differ from those offered through this class. Also, students need to provide their own safety glasses/goggles as I can not properly sterilize them weekly between students. Care will be taken throughout to discuss current scientific theories and methods from a Christian perspective.

Prerequisites: Students must have had Algebra I or be concurrently taking Algebra, be able to understand a high school level text, be willing to commit to several hours of homework each week, and be able to work cooperatively and safely in a lab situation with other students.

Classes will be on Wednesday afternoons from 10:30-12:00 beginning Sept. 15th, 2010.

Cost: The cost of the entire year (30 class dates) will be $375 plus $25 for lab supplies. The cost will be payable in three installments. If you need to make special payment arrangements (such as paying by credit card or making smaller, but more frequent payments) please contact Kathy Wentz directly.

Certificate: Students who successfully compete the entire year will receive a certificate indicating that they have earned one high school credit in a laboratory science at this McHenry County High School program. Grades will be given for those families who want grades. Grades will not be given for families who do not want a grade.


The Cure for the Math Curse: Algebra
Kathy Wentz will introduce her visual and hands-on teaching system for learning beginning algebraic concepts using building blocks and dice and follow these concepts through Algebra I concepts. We will cover Pre-Algebra, graphing linear equations and parabolas, multiplying polynomials and factoring polynomials and algebraic fractions. Students need to be comfortable with both multiplication and division. Homework will be assigned.

Classes will be on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:20 beginning Sept. 15th, 2010.
Cost: The cost of the entire year (30 class dates) will be $300. The cost will be payable in three installments. If you need to make special payment arrangements (such as paying by credit card or making smaller, but more frequent payments) please contact Kathy Wentz directly.


General Science

Designed for students in grades 6-8, this course will cover Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science (either 1st or 2nd edition). We will spend 1-3 weeks per chapter and cover concepts covered in the text through discussion and experimentation. Homework will be assigned but we will not take up class time administering and correcting tests. If a family wants those given I encourage you to administer them at home. Please note: Some of the experiments listed in the book will differ from those offered through this class.

Classes will be on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30-4:00 beginning Sept. 15th, 2010.
Cost: The cost of the entire year (30 class dates) will be $300 plus $25 for lab supplies. The cost will be payable in three installments. If you need to make special payment arrangements (such as paying by credit card or making smaller, but more frequent payments) please contact Kathy Wentz directly.



Please contact Kathy for questions and Lori Anne at loriannestanger @ comcast.net (please remove the spaces - I am trying to protect her from spammers!) to register for one or more of these classes.

Jul 6, 2010

JPL Homeschool Resource Center Open House and Used Curriculum Flea Market

Well, the countdown has begun! The Open House is this Saturday. Is everyone ready???

http://sites.google.com/site/hrcopenhouse/

There are a dozen folks on the wait list for sale spaces. Be sure to cancel with me if you find you can't sell after all.

Also, there are loads of us staying for the lunch and wonderful guest speakers. Let us know if you will be joining us!

Jun 26, 2010

The Cure for the Math Curse Workshops

The Cure for the Math Curse

Math, the subject most of us freak out about the fastest. How can we ensure our children LOVE math and are good at it when we don't like it ourselves? Learn how to break the mold of math anxiety by breaking the bad teaching habits that create it, and learn new ways of approaching math to replace the old fear-inducing habits.
(Note: Because of it's length, the workshop packet for this is distributed as a .pdf file unless requested otherwise.)

Math Classes!

The Cure for the Math Curse: Intro to Algebra


(for grades 4 and up)

This series of classes will introduce a fun way (using LEGOs and dice) to learn beginning algebraic concepts from 2x = 8 and ending with -4(5 - x) = 3x - 12. Students need a foundation in both multiplication and division, but do not need to have memorized all their math facts.

There are two additional levels: "Polynomials" and "Factors and More". These three levels combined comprise the majority of Algebra 1.



The Cure for the Math Curse: Math Club

These are sets of four - 90 minute classes on a specific topic. Each class begins with quality math literature and a wide variety of games that all reinforce the topic. Each class is designed to help your student enjoy math, gain a stronger conceptual understanding of the topic, as well as introduce memorization skills. Club topics to choose from are:

Charts and Graphs

Addition and Subtraction

Logic and Strategy

Geometry

Multiplication

Division's Many Faces

Consumer Math

Mathematical Mystery Tour

**Arithmetic Review (8 classes that include a bit of all of the above))

Jun 9, 2010

Wednesday classes

I will once again be teaching for BAHE on Wednesdays in Cary! I will be teaching Algebra 1(beginning with linear algebra), High School Chemistry using Apologia's "Exploring Creation with Chemistry", and a Junior High general science class with a proposed spine of Beginnings Publishing's, "Rainbow".

For specific details please contact Lori Anne at and get on the mailing list!

Jun 1, 2010

GIFT Registration for 2010-2011 has begun

GIFT registration is now open!

I will be teaching the following classes:

Math & Science Club (for ages 6-11):

Each week we will explore a math or science topic with a hands-on game or activity deigned to help students explore a wide variety of topics in a fun way while improving vocabulary and memorization skills. Math topics will include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percents, charts and graphs, and geometry. Science topics will include a wide variety of physical science topics including the properties of matter, Newtonian mechanics, electricity and magnetism, the physics of fluids and air, the periodic table, chromatography, and more. There will be weekly hand outs offering suggestions of activities, books to read, documentaries to watch, or games to play at home provided.

The Cure for the Math Curse: Intro to Algebra (for ages 11 and up):

This series of classes introduces a visual and hands-on system for learning beginning algebraic concepts using building blocks and dice and follows these concepts through Algebra I concepts. We will cover pre-algebra, linear equations including both positive and negative integers and variables, continue on through graphing linear equations, graphing parabolas and multiplying polynomials. Homework is both assigned and is required and should be expected to take 15 minutes a day.

Prerequisite: Students need to be comfortable with both multiplication and division, but do not need to have memorized all their math facts. If they are not comfortable with both multiplication and division a calculator will be required.

Biology (for ages 12 and up):

We will explore the beauty and complexities of life through a variety of laboratory and hands-on activities as well as related discussions stressing vocabulary and comprehension of higher concepts. Four units will be covered: microscopic life, genetics, organ systems, and the diversity of life. Students who have access to a microscope with at least 100X are encouraged to bring their microscopes in throughout the fall months. Homework (in the form of vocabulary words and questions to research and discuss) will be assigned.

Please Note: Dissections will be included only if all the students agree that they want to do them. If dissections are to be included there will be an additional supplies fee.

Physical Sciences (for ages 12 and up):

Physics and Chemistry are the foundation of all other sciences and are vital to understanding all others. This course consists of introductory lab work that will include lessons in metric measurements, properties of matter, density, Newtonian motion, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, periodic table, elements and compounds, acids and bases, precipitates, chromatography, balancing equations and more. Many labs during the fall and spring will be done outside so topics will vary somewhat depending on the weather. Homework (in the form of vocabulary words and questions to research and discuss) will be assigned.

Please visit www.gifthomeschool.org and download both registration and enrollment forms.

May 22, 2010

Johnsburg Library Open House and Used Curriculum Flea Market

July 10th from 10:00 - 4:00


(set-up for the Flea Market begins at 8:30 when the library opens!

10:00 - 12:00 Used Curriculum Flea Market
Sell some stuff, buy some stuff, ask lots of questions!

A limited number of tables and parking spaces are available by advance reservation only.
Those who do not register in advance may bring a blanket and use the lawn to sell.
Each seller is responsible for pricing and selling his/her own materials.

To reserve a space (free!) to sell at the used curriculum flea market please fill out the form below.
Answers to all questions are REQUIRED.


12:00 - 1:00 Eat, Meet and Greet

Bring a lunch or purchase a boxed lunch ($10 each) and join us!
You must reserve boxed lunches in advance (see below).


1:00 - 4:00 Open Forum Panel Discussion Q&A

Ask questions and hear real answers about the different homeschooling styles, curriculum choices, what has worked (and what hasn't!), legal information, where to find resources, and much more!

This year's featured panel members are:

Barbara Frank,

author of The Imperfect Homeschooler's Guide to Homeschooling and LifePrep for Homeschool Teenagers

&

Alison McKee,

author of From Homeschool to College and Work: Turning Your Homeschooled Experiences into College and Job Portfolios and Homeschooling Ourselves, Unschooling our Children.


This event is FREE.


Children are, of course, invited to attend but we do not have room for child care and any noise must be kept to a minimum in the library.

Homeschool Resource Center at the Johnsburg Public Library
3000 N Johnsburg Rd, Johnsburg, IL 60051

(located on Johnsburg/Wilmot Rd. - 2 blocks north of Chapel Hill Rd.)


To register, please visit: http://sites.google.com/site/hrcopenhouse/

Apr 19, 2010

Summer Science Classes

June 14 - 18th - Environmental Science

Learn about the biomes and environmental health of the Chicago area by hiking 2 unique locations in our area as well as conducting a variety of hands-on lab projects designed to help students understand how our environment effects us and how we effect our environment.

Please plan on packing a ‘picnic’ lunch and plenty of water each day. Good hiking shoes and jeans/long pants are highly recommended each day. Plan on getting dirty! Families are welcome to join us when appropriate.

Who: students aged 10-16

When: 10-3:00 June 14 - 18th

Where: the primary location will be 5004 N Westwood Dr., Johnsburg, IL but we will also visit at Volo Bog, State Natural Area and Glacial Park in Ringwood.

Cost: $80.00 per student


Boy Scouts - Yes, this is an Eagle required merit badge. You will NOT finish this in one week because your observations should be further apart. The reports can be done during the week or afterward. We need to get blue cards filled out and signed before the first day of class.

 

June 21 - 25th - Field Geology

Learn about the geologic past, present and future of the Chicago area by actually hiking 3 unique geological locations in our area and seeing the wonderful moraines, kettles, bogs and unique drainage systems (lakes and streams) of our area. We will meet at a variety of sites so that we can hike and experience a whole new terrain, as well as learn to appreciate how the local geologic features directly influence the biologic health and diversity of the area. A list of recommended resources will be provided the first day of class.

Please plan on packing a ‘picnic’ lunch and plenty of water each day. Good hiking shoes and jeans/long pants are highly recommended each day. Plan on getting dirty!

Families are welcome to join us when appropriate. Most of the sites have nature centers and areas for younger children to play.

Who: students aged 10-16

When: 10-3:00 each day - June 21 - 25th

Where: locations will including Volo Bog (Ingleside), Moraine Hills State Park (McHenry), and Glacial Park (Ringwood). and my home at 5004 N Westwood Dr., Johnsburg IL

Cost: $80.00 per student

Boy Scouts - You will finish this in one week. We will create your collection during the week if you do not have one already. We need to get blue cards filled out and signed before the first day of class.




July 12 - 16 - Fresh Water Ecology (Limnology)

Join us as we learn about the geological, biological, chemical and physical features we take for granted here in the ‘lakes’ region of Illinois. Weather permitting we will meet to make field collections at several locations in the lakes region and bring some of these collections back to Mrs. Wentz’s home to analyze the variety of microscopic life and the chemical composition of the water and compare and contrast our findings from location to location. A list of recommended resources will be provided the first day of class.

Please plan on packing a ‘picnic’ lunch and water each day. Good hiking shoes and jeans/long pants are highly recommended each day. Plan on getting dirty!

Families are welcome to join us when appropriate. Most of the sites we will be visiting have areas for children to play. Bowling and playgrounds are a short drive away from the Wentz’s home.

Who: students aged 10 - 16

When: from 10 - 3:00 July 12 - 16th

Where: Locations include Volo Bog (Ingleside), McHenry Dam (McHenry), Nippersink Creek (Ringwood), and Lake Defiance (inside Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry)

Afternoon lab work will be completed at 5004 N Westwood Dr., Johnsburg

(2 miles north of the Johnsburg Library)


Cost: $80.00 per student

Apr 4, 2010

Consumer Math Class

The Cure for the Math Curse: Consumer Math


(designed to meet the needs of junior high and high school students)





When: Wednesdays 10:30-noon from April 21st - May 19th


Where: a private home in Cary (please contact me for the address.... due to privacy concerns I don't want to publish it here for obvious reasons!)



We tend to worry a lot about what our student's ACT or SAT scores will be, but the only score that will matter in their lives after they are 21 is their FICO score. Let's make sure they have the knowledge they need to not ruin it early on! Using a variety of materials and activities, learn the basics necessary to understand the ins and outs of:


opening bank accounts (savings, checking, what is a NOW account? ROTH vs a traditional IRAs, etc),


borrowing money (including credit cards and mortgages),


insurance (the different types of insurance, home, car, whole life vs term life, how to pick the right plan),


utility bills and household expenses (how much is your family paying? budget plans and more),


and taxes (do I really need to file? Who pays quarterly? Who gets money back?).


Students will need a calculator in class and will be assigned homework that will include using some of the amortization calculators on bankrate.com.




Cost: The cost of this 5 week class will be $50 and is payable to Kathy Wentz the first day of class.


Credit card payments through paypal are accepted in advance.

Mar 8, 2010

The Cure for the Algebra Curse: Pre-Algebra

Is your student prepared for Algebra? This series of classes is designed to help your student understand many of the basic concepts needed for Algebra and provide you with a wide variety of games that will reinforce the topics without boring work book pages. Topics to be covered include positive and negative integers, fractions, order of operations, graphing, and single variables.



Where: The Johnsburg Public Library, 3000 N Johnsburg Rd., Johnsburg

When: Tuesdays 1:00 - 2:30 April 6 - May 18th

Cost: $45.00 total



Parents are strongly encouraged to attend for free.



Students should be comfortable with adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing but do not need to have memorized all their facts.



Please register in advance with the library at 815-344-0077.

Mar 1, 2010

World Math Day is March 3rd!

Celebrate World Math Day by playing with math! Visit the link and get plenty of ideas including the chance to play a totally free and safe online math contest on March 3rd?



Students play at home and at school against other students around the world in live games of mental arithmetic. Each game lasts for 60 seconds and students can play up to 500 games during the official event, earning points for each correct question.




(Don't forget that Pi Day is 3.14, er, March 14th either!)



http://blog.worldmathsday.com/?p=32

Feb 16, 2010

Time to renew that Nature Journal!

For those of you who keep a nature journal and... well.... kind of dropped it when it got COLD....



it is time to pick it up again! This is also the perfect time of the year - the beginning of the year - to start one!



The squirrels, for those of you that were watching, are done with their annual courtship chasing and chittering and have gone back to sleep for a week or two. Baby hawks are about to hatch and soon the skies will again fill with circling mom and dad hawks looking for a tasty meal for their hungry babies. Buds on trees are beginning to swell (measuring the buds on the same 'adopted' tree each week is a great exercise!). Which birds wil visit your bird feeder this month and which will visit next month are different!



For those new to journaling in winter, I highly recommend the book "Guide to Nature in Winter" by Stokes. http://tinyurl.com/yj2o6zv Stokes will help you learn to identify trees by their bark and bud patterns, identify animal tracks, learn about the many different kinds of snow, and much, much more. He also does a great job of showing what a great journal can look like, with loads of sketches and captions and observations doodled here and there among the text.

Feb 14, 2010

Environmental Chemistry and Anatomical Survey classes!

Environmental Chemistry Lab II



This course consists of 7 high school level Chemistry laborarotory exercises and related discussions while stressing the Chemistry of Earth's environment. Students are expected to have had prior Chemistry laboratory experience including titrations and chromatography, possibly by having taken Environmental Chemistry I from Mrs. Wentz. Students should be currently studying Chemistry or be prepared to do some reading in between classes.



NKC S05-005, 10:00-11:50, Fridays April 9-May 21st A224, $87 (for seven sessions)




Register with credit card by calling 815-455-8588. Questions? Marie 815-479-7559.








Biology Lab II – Anatomical Survey




This course consists of 7 high school level Biology laboratory exercises and related discussions. Work will
include lessons in lab safety, as well as dissections and experiments designed to encourage a study of the structures, organization, and function of various organisms and how they relate to the human body.
Students should be currently studying Biology or Health or be prepared to do some reading in between classes.



NKC S05-006, 1:00-2:50, Fridays April 9-May 21, A224, $87 (for seven sessions)


Register with credit card by calling 815-455-8588. Questions? Marie 815-479-7559.

Feb 5, 2010

Johnsburg Public Library's April Food for Fines Program

I have had several requests for info about the annual 'Food for Fines" at the Johnsburg Public Library (and, of course, their Homeschool Resource Center!). I can't imagine why - as homeschoolers would NEVER bring an item back late or lose a book........ but here is the information:





JPL's Food For Fines program is celebrated on National Library Week each year. This year that is April 11-17th.





Donate one non-perishable food item for each separate fine (as in each item). (Food cannot be used to pay for lost or damaged items, or for collection agency fees.)





More Answers: Let's face it - the reality is that the library just wants their stuff back. If you bring it back NOW you CAN pay the fine with food later. If you have already been taken to collection - return the item NOW and during food for fines you can pay the $10 agency collection fee and bring in a can of food to pay off the rest. Obviously, the best thing is to avoid the collection agency in the first place because once you are sent to them you can't get away from that $10 fee





Lastly, the donated food will all be given to the F.I.S.H. Food Pantry which assists McHenry area families in need. Yes, extra donations are always very cheerfully accepted.

Feb 2, 2010

Charts and Graphs Math Class in Cary

The Cure for the Math Curse: Charts & Graphs Math Club



Wednesdays from March 3rd through to March 24th, 2010 10:30-12:0 am



This series of four classes will concentrate on getting a better working knowledge and conceptual understanding of how to structure and organize data. Learning how to read charts and graphs is a vital tool to understand consumer economics, statistics and almost every science - and is used extensively on the science portion of the ACT and on the SAT. We will use quality math literature and a wide variety of games and activities to encourage your child to play their way to a love of math.



Cost: $40 Final day for registration is March 1st, 2010.



These classes will be held in a private home in Cary. If you are interested please contact me for further information.

Jan 31, 2010

Summer Plans

A few important dates you might be interested in are on my calendar:



June 3-5th will be the Friends of the Johnsburg Public Library's Used Book Sale.



July 10th will be the Homeschool Resource Center Open House and Used Curriculum Flea Market. I already have two wonderful guest speakers lined up:


Alison McKee, author of From Homeschool to College and Work: Turning Your Homeschooled Experiences into College and Job Portfolios and
Homeschooling Our Children:Unschooling Ourselves and


Barbara Frank, author of The Imperfect Homeschooler's Guide to Homeschooling and

Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers.




I am still working on what classes to offer this summer. I'm afraid it is harder to plan out classes for the summer when it is still January but I am planning on my Fresh Water Ecology and Field Geology classes again. Please let me know if you would like the Fruit Fly Genetics class offered!

Jan 30, 2010

CLPD The Cure for the Algebra Curse: Intro to Algebra

(for grades 4 and up)
This series of classes will introduce a fun way (using LEGOs and dice) to learn beginning algebraic concepts from 2x = 8 and ending with -4(5 - x) = 3x - 12. Students need a foundation in both multiplication and division, but do not need to have memorized all their math facts.



These classes began in January. While I don't recomend students new to Algebra's principles join the class once started, students who are somewhat familiar with Algebra or who have taken my Algebra class before and want a refresher ate certainly welcome to join us in the middle.



Classes are held Thursdays from noon - 1:00 p.m. in Crystal Lake, IL.
For registration information, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/ya7zekb

CLPD Science Club: Chemistry!

Together, we will explore what matter is and how it forms the world as we know it. Topics to be covered will include elements, mixtures, compounds, density, chromatography, acids and bases, exothermic and endothermic reactions and plastics. Weather permitting we will visit the lake and do some fresh water testing. Students should be prepared to use measuring and graphing skills to perform experiments.




These classes will be held at the Crystal Lake Park District's Rotary Building on Thursdays from 1-2:30 from March 4th - April 15th.
You can find registration information here: http://tinyurl.com/ya7zekb

Jan 13, 2010

Last call for Friday Science classes!

Conceptual Physics Lab

9th-12th grade
The perfect first high school lab course! This course consists of 8 introductory high school level Physics labroratory exercises and related discussions. Lab work will include lesssons in lab safety, properties of matter, Newtonian motion, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, and even some quantum theory. Students will need a working knowledge of linear algebra and should be currently studying Physics or be prepared to do some reading in between classes.
Instructor: Wentz
Register with credit card and class ID by calling 815-455-8588.
Problems or Questions? Please call Marie at 815-479-7559
Time: 10:00 - 11:50
Dates: Jan. 14th - March 4
Cost: $99
Course ID# - NKC SO5-001
Genetics Lab
9th-12th grades
This course consists of 8 introductory high school level Genetics laboratory exercises and related discussions. Lab work will include lessons in classical (Mendelian) genetics beginning with meiosis, punnett squares, DNA extraction, DNA fingerprinting, bacterial mutation, and modern discoveries of molecular biology and epigenetics and their application in today's world. Students should be currently studying Biology or be prepared to do some reading in between classes.
Instructor: Wentz
Register with credit card and class ID by calling 815-455-8588.
Problems or Questions? Please call Marie at 815-479-7559
Time: 1:00 - 2:50
Dates: Jan. 14th - March 4
Cost: $99
Course ID# - NKC SO5-002

Jan 3, 2010

Science Club: Work and Simple Machines

The complicated mechanical devices we use daily have their origins in the simple machines whose principals we will explore together. A simple machine has no energy of its own and cannot do work by itself. Hammers, screws, and knives are classic examples of simple machines we use every day. But how exactly do they work most efficiently? These classes will combine Joy Hakim's text “The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way” with an additional study of the ancient study of work and simple machines. Students should be prepared to use measuring and graphing skills to perform experiments and see for themselves how clever the designs of these simple machines actually are.



These classes will be held at the Crystal Lake Park District's Rotary Building on Thursdays from 1-2:30.


You can find a full description and registration information here: http://tinyurl.com/ya7zekb