Wentz Educational Services

Jan 2, 2013

Winter Session classes at the Crystal Lake Park District begin soon!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and healthy start to the new year! As we think about the coming year it is time to get registered for upcoming classes!

At the Crystal Lake Park District I am offering a 6 week Junior High and High School Genetics class on Monday afternoons and Math & Science Club classes for the younger set on Thursday afternoons. The winter session's Math and Science Club "over view" topics will be oceanography and decimals.

To register for these classes and many more (including Cooking, Art, and Karate) please visit the Crystal Lake Park District web page.

Oct 21, 2012

Late Fall Crystal Lake Park District classes start this week!

So many classes to choose from!

4243-1	Home School Enrichment Karate	Session 021	34	1	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	12:00pm to 1:00pm	Rotary Building	3-8 years	$ 50.00	$ 57.00	11/22
4243-2	Home School Enrichment Art		33	2	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	11:00am to 12:00pm	Rotary Building	4-7 years	$ 40.00	$ 46.00
4243-3	Home School Math and Science Club	Session 033	8	2	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	2:15pm to 3:15pm	Rotary Building	8-11 years	$ 45.00	$ 51.00	11/22
4243-4	Pen and Mouse Club House Artist	Session 036	9	1	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	2:00pm to 3:00pm	Rotary Building	6-16 years	$ 75.00	$ 85.00	11/22
4243-5	Home School Enrichment Karate II		9	6	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	1:00pm to 2:00pm	Rotary Building	8-99 years	$ 50.00	$ 57.00	11/22
4243-6	Home School Science: Chemistry	Session 037	18	2	0	10/29/12	12/03/12	MO	2:15pm to 4:00pm	Rotary Building	14-18 years	$ 80.00	$ 90.00	11/22
4243-7	Home School-Girls Club	Session 035	15	5	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	3:15pm to 4:30pm	Rotary Building	6-99 years	$ 10.00	$ 15.00	11/22
4243-8	Home School Enrichment Art	Session 030	35	0	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	10:00am to 11:00am	Rotary Building	7-99 years	$ 34.00	$ 40.00
4243-9	Home School Enrichment Cooking	Session 029	33	2	0	10/25/12	12/06/12	TH	11:15am to 12:15pm	Rotary Building	7-12 years	$ 43.00	$ 49.00	11/22
4442-1

http://inet-reg.crystallakeparks.org/

Sep 27, 2012

STEMfest 2012 is October 20th!

STEMfest celebrates innovations in science, technology, engineering, andmathematics (STEM). NIU STEM departments, student groups, regional corporations, museums, educators, and national labs are joining forces to present hundreds of activities that range in complexity to entertain people of all ages. We hope to increase awareness of the critical role science and other STEM fields play in our world every day.

Hands-on activities such as navigating a laser maze
Exhibitors such as NIU's Davis Hall Observatory
Demonstrations of technologies and intriguing science phenomena including our popular Creepy Chemistry and Haunted Physics Labs
Fun for people of all ages!http://www.stemfest.niu.edu/stemfest/

Aug 26, 2012

Crystal Lake classes start next week!

To register, please visit:
http://inet-reg.crystallakeparks.org/wr/wr5234.tbred?page=wrsearch&member=000&householdid=-REVIEWONLY-&action=program&SESSION-ID=734743.85576388BAQZSPOTOZIGVWVUNSK&pcatno=005300&pclsseq=0107

Home School-High School Science
Grades 9-12 6 Weeks
These classes are designed for high school students and advanced junior high students. The schedule is organized like this to take best advantage of the weather and the best conditions for each level. It is also important to be studying Chemistry for a weeks before starting most labs. The instructor will provide
materials and assignments for the students, and will support the choice of textbook.

Biology: Microscopic Life Survey
This course consists of 12 hours (over 6 weeks) of high school level biology microscope exercises and related discussions. Lab work will include lessons in lab safety, microscope work (including
making and staining slides) and microscopic life. Each student will make their own lab notebook of algae, protozoa, and microscopic life forms and learn how to use a biologic key. Students should
be currently studying High School Biology and be prepared to do some reading in between classes. These labs follow every major curriculum requirement for microscopic work. Additional lab fee of $20 for materials will need to be paid to instructor.

Environmental Chemistry Lab
This course consists of 12 hours (over 6 weeks) of high school level chemistry laboratory exercises and related discussions while stressing the chemistry of earth’s environment. Lab work will include lessons in lab safety, metric measurements, density, acids and bases, titration, precipitates, endo and exothermic reactions,
chromatography, and more. Students should be currently studying High School Chemistry and be prepared to do some reading in between classes. These labs will fulfill about half of every major curricula requirement for chemistry lab work. Additional Lab fee of $10 for materials will need to be paid to instructor.

Rotary Building Min. 4/Max. 20
Program Fee: $90 Kathy Wentz
Resident Discount Fee: $80
CODE DAY DATES TIME
Biology
4242-6 M 2:15-4 PM Sep 10-Oct 22*
Chemistry
4243-6 M 2:15-4 PM Oct 29-Dec 3
*No class Oct. 8.

Home School Math & Science Club

Ages 8-11 6 Weeks

Each week, we will explore math and science topics with hands on games or activities designed to help students get a deeper understanding of the topics while supporting vocabulary and memorization skills in a fun and engaging way. Math topics will include multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, consumer math and Roman numerals. Science topics will include the scientific method, chemistry, the environment, oceanography and using a microscope. There will be weekly handouts offering suggestions of activities, books to read, documentaries to watch, and/or games to play at home.

Rotary Building Min. 4/Max. 10

Program Fee: $51 Kathy Wentz

Resident Discount Fee: $45

CODE DAY DATES TIME

4242-3 Th Sep 6-Oct 11 2:15-3:15 PM

4243-3 Th Oct 25-Dec 6* 2:15-3:15 PM

*No class Nov 22.

Aug 1, 2012

Curriculum Free-for-All

I know many of you just came to the Johnsburg Library for the Open House and Used Curriculum Flea Market, but I have another opportunity for you!

The Woodstock Christian School that closed last year still has a lot of material that they want to get into the hands of those who can really use it. While I wish they could have had their materials at the HRC on the 28th, obviously that didn't happen and so we are making other plans. Announcing:

On Wednesday, August 8 from 5:30 - 8:30 there will be a curriculum free-for-all at the Johnsburg Library. A large percentage of the material is Abeka.

This is very improptu, so I will very much appreciate patience and a good sense of humor! Also, if anyone is available to help set-up I will very much appreciate it. Right now I'm not even sure how we are getting the boxes of material
into the meeting room!

Johnsburg Public Library
3000 N Johnsburg Rd.
Johnsburg, IL 60051

815-344-0077

Jul 10, 2012

A Gentle Reminder

Jun 19, 2012

Johnsburg Library

Homeschool Resource Center

Open House and Used Curriculum Flea Market

July 28th, 2012

By request: The sale will last from 10 am to 4 pm.

Discounts may be offered by some sellers between 3 pm and 4 pm.

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

10:00 - 4:00 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. Be sure to click on the link below the form for a confirmation!

12:00 - 1:00 Join us for a brown bag lunch at noon and a great conversation with other homeschoolers!

Throughout the day the Johnsburg Library's Homeschool Parent Liason and Educational Consultant, Kathy Wentz, will be available to answer questions and provide tours of the Homeschool Resource Center. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get real answers!

This entire event is FREE and is offered as a community service.

All proceeds from the sale of materials offered at the Johnsburg Library sale tables are for the benefit of the Homeschool Resource Center.

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.)

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

Jun 15, 2012

Free (downloadable) Math Games!

Here is a wonderful collection of math games sure to please many a family. All you need is a deck of cards and a sense of fun. As you have heard me say many times, math games are the perfect way to review skills in a multi-sensory and social way!

http://pepnonprofit.org/uploads/2/7/7/2/2772238/acing_math.pdf

May 5, 2012

Free audio book classics this summer!

Teens and other readers of Young Adult Literature will have the opportunity to listen to bestselling titles this summer.

TEXT syncya to 25827 and you will get an email alert each time a new pair of free audiobooks is ready to download this summer.

Here is a link to the site to view the full schedule of titles - http://www.audiobooksync.com/free-syn-downloads/schedule-of-free-downloads/

Mar 27, 2012

Survey Concerning the Use of Web Search Sites and Social Media Sites for Evaluating Scholarship Applicants

Think that what you post on Facebook or on a blog is only seen by your friends? Think again.

http://www.finaid.org/educators/20120224scholarshipscreeningsurvey.pdf

Tutoring Services

I believe that every child has the ability to learn well if they are taught in a way that captures their imagination and provides a lot of positive feedback. To this end I bring a wide variety of games and manipulatives to the student in an effort to engage them more than simple, but boring, worksheets.

I specialize in math and science topics through high school and ACT / SAT test prep, but often help with other topics such as vocabulary, spelling and history. I also frequently work as a "I need my child to be accountable to someone other than me on a regular basis" homeschool helper / teacher.

I am available to tutor at a variety of times and locations throughout the year.

Educational Consultation Services

I offer two options for families seeking help:

1) I am available for FREE, but limited, one-on-one educational consultations via Zoom or at the Johnsburg Public Library's Homeschool Resource Center on most Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9 p.m. An appointment is required.

2) I am also available for full service one-on-one consultations including educational evaluations, testing services and high school transcript development on evenings (other than Tuesdays) and weekends for a fee.

During the free Tuesday evening consultations I

*help make sure you understand the law

*solve any concerns you may have about your unique situation,

*help you figure out which educational philosophy you lean toward and

*what learning styles you and your student have so that you can support how your student learns best and then

*match this information with the available curricula so you can hopefully avoid many of the pitfalls of 'trial and error' curriculum choices.

*My biggest goal is to help you develop and maintain a strong and respectful relationship with your student and don't fall into the traps of burning out or switching curricula constantly (and expensively!) trying to find 'the right one'.

If you need help beyond my abilities I will let you know up front and try to help you find someone who can.

Please contact Kathy at
kwentz899261@gmail.com
to make an appointment for either consultation option.

Workshops for Grown Ups

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.

Homeschooling Sciences for the Faint of Heart
How is it possible to teach real sciences at home? Where do I find the best materials and resources? Which sciences does my high school student need to graduate? Here is a guide to help any parent maneuver through all the scientific gobbledy-gook to help their student learn what they need to know.

Why are we Homeschooling? Developing Your Own Educational Philosophy
Did you know the average homeschooling family changes styles and curriculum 7 times in the first 2 years? This can be very expensive, confusing, and frustrating! This workshop is designed to help you cut through the confusion and help you find the philosophy that will help you truly enjoy homeschooling as a lifestyle rather than as a challenge to be overcome.

Homeschooling for Cheapskates
Homeschooling doesn't need to be expensive. In fact, many of us find that homeschooling is virtually free! Join us for a discussion about how to homeschool by using materials and resources available for free on the Internet, at the library, or in your community. Be sure to bring your impossible dreams!

Embracing Your Inner Expert
In this age of experts for everything we still usually find it necessary to be our own expert. We not only think outside the box but in a way that seems out of step with most of society. Skip down "the road less traveled" with us and see how much better life can be when we can avoid re-creating the same traumas we were raised with and provide our children with a far richer life!

Library Resources for Homeschoolers
Learn about how one homeschooler spearheaded the creation of the first Homeschool Resource Center in a public library and learn how you and you library together can build similar resources with or without a lot of funding. This workshop is designed for both librarians and homeschoolers to take together.