How Family Game Night Makes Kids into Better Students

Most of you know I have a real passion for using board games to teach and to reinforce skills in math. There is a tremendous amount of research on the topic. Here is an excellent "main stream" article on it as well. Take the time to read it!

Matching up cards and planning the next chess move can help develop a child’s executive function—a set of skills that may be more important for success than IQ points.

The author’s sons learn the value of strategic thinking and impulse control during a backyard game of Swish. (Jessica Lahey/The Atlantic)

There has been a lot of recent attention focused on the importance of executive function for successful learning. Many researchers and educators believe that this group of skills, which enable a child to formulate and pursue goals, are more important to learning and educational success than IQ or inherent academic talent.

(Please click on the link for the rest of the article.)  

Everything You Ever Wished You Knew About Homeschooling in Northern Illinois But Were Afraid to Ask

Come visit me for: 

Everything You Ever Wished You Knew About Homeschooling in Northern Illinois But Were Afraid to Ask
with Kathy Wentz

As an educational consultant I hear (and give practical answers to) many of the same questions over and over: How do I homeschool within the law? What about socialization? What curriculum is best? What does my child need to learn at each grade level? What about testing? My child has special needs. Can I still homeschool him/her?  How can I get a lot of resources for only a little money? I don't have a college degree, so how can I homeschool high school?  What does my child need to graduate high school?  What about college?  If  you would like answers to these questions (and more!), this is the workshop for you!  

August 19th at 6pm

Huntley Area Public Library

11000 Ruth Road

Huntley, IL 60142

Johnsburg Library HRC Used Curriculum Flea Market and Open House

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

Got Fines? The Johnsburg Library's annual "Food for Fines" starts NOW!

Love the Johnsburg Library's Homeschool Resource Center?

Love the wide variety of curricula, science supplies and hands-on manipulatives?

Loved them just a little too long at least once this year so have a library fine? This is your week!

Here are the rules:

Donate one non-perishable food item for each separate fine. Food cannot be used to pay for lost or damaged items, or for collection agency fees. You can check the status of your account online at johnsburglibrary.org or call the library at 815-344-0077. 

All food will be given to the F.I.S.H. Food Pantry which assists McHenry area families in need. (Please make sure your donated items are not past their expiration dates.)

Food will be accepted during National Library Week April 13-19, 2014.

State of Homeschooling Event!!! Come one, Come all!

STATE OF HOMESCHOOLING

Monday, March 31 | 6:00-8:30PM

Johnsburg Public Library

3000 N. Johnsburg Rd., Johnsburg, IL 60051

Come meet Rep. Hultgren for a discussion and update on the state of homeschooling at the Johnsburg Public Library's Homeschool Resource Center. 

The event is open to the public.

For any additional questions,

please contact Susan Russell

in Rep. Hultgren’s Geneva Office at

susan.russell@mail.house.gov or

630-232-7104

American History Anyone?

We loved studying history using movies and I know many other families that do this as well. For those of you with hands-on / experiential learners or dyslexics movies can make history come alive.

If you are interested in a fantastic list for American history movies take a look at this wonderful blog!

http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/learning-american-history-through-movies-free-timeline/

Register before the 20th!

Crystal Lake Park District Home School Programs 02/05/14 Home School Classes Next Session Karate Level I and II Pen and Mouse Club House Artist Home School Art Home School Dance Home School Sports Home School Cheerleading The Cure for the Math Curse: Pre-Algebra Home School Math & Science Club Quick Links Register Now Contact Us Visit our Website Register for Western Hoedown Register for Super Hero Mother/Son Dance Crystal Lake Park District Special Events Be sure to pre-register for these special events by the registration deadline. Spots will fill quickly and no onsite registration will be accepted. Register for the Western Family Hoedown   (Registration Deadline Feb. 21)    Register for the Super Hero Mother/Son Dance   (Registration Deadline Feb. 26)   Enroll Now for the Next Session of Home School Enrichment Programs The next session of Crystal Lake Park District Home School Enrichment Programs begin on February 27. All classes require pre-registration. Classes that do not meet minimum registration requirements byFebruary 20 may be cancelled-register now so that your favorite classes take place. We have 4 convenient registration options: Register Online www.crystallakeparks.org Register In Person Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 24 Hour Drop Box Drop off your completed registration form with payment in a sealed envelope marked "Crystal Lake Park District." The drop box is located on the east side of the Park District Administrative Office, next to the drop off window. Register by Fax Submit a completed and signed registration form and waiver to (815) 477-5005 Program Location Grand Oaks Recreation Center 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, IL     Home School Enrichment Karate Level I and II Ages 3 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) Noon-1 pm (ages 3-7), Code #4542-1 1-2 pm (ages 8 and up), Code #4542-5 Grand Oaks Gym Program Fee: $57 Resident Discount Fee: $50 Click here for complete program description and online registration Pen & Mouse Club House Artist Ages 6 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) Noon-1 pm, Code #4542-4 Grand Oaks Program Room Program Fee: $60 Resident Discount Fee: $57 New Student Program Fee: $82** New Student Resident Discount Fee: $72 **New student fee includes one-time material cost. Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School Art Ages 3 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) 10-11 am (ages 3-7), Code #4540-2 11 am-Noon (ages 8 and up), Code #4540-3 Grand Oaks Program Room, Program Fee: $41 Resident Discount Fee: $35 Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School Dance Ages 4 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) 2-3 pm (ages 4-7), Code #4540-5 1-2 pm (ages 8 and up), Code #4540-4 Grand Oaks Program Room Program Fee: $51 Resident Discount Fee: $45 Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School Sports Class Ages 3 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) 11 am-Noon (ages 3-6), Code #4540-6 10-11 am (ages 7 and up), Code #4540-7 Grand Oaks Gym Program Fee: $51 Resident Discount Fee: $45 Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School Cheerleading Ages 8 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) 2-3 pm, Code #4540-1 Grand Oaks Gym Program Fee: $36 Resident Discount Fee: $30 Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School-The Cure for the Math Curse: Pre-Algebra Grades 4 and Up Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) 2-3 pm, Code #4540-8 Grand Oaks Program Room Program Fee: $51 Resident Discount Fee: $45 Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School Math & Science Club Ages 8-11 Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program Mar. 27) 3-4 pm, Code #4542-3 Grand Oaks Program Room Program Fee: $51 Resident Discount Fee: $45 Click here for complete program description and online registration Home School Program Session Dates: Session #2: Thursday, February 27-April 10 (no program March 27) Session #3: Thursday, April 24-May 22 Registration deadline: 1 week prior to first program.

Forward this email

Last Call! CLPD classes start Thursday!

Class registrations are ongoing for the new series of classes that begin Thursday in the new location at Grand Oaks Recreation Center! 

Check out the many offerings (including Karate and sports classes, art, dance, and cheer leading classes, math & science club, pre-algebra) 
at: http://tinyurl.com/l89szo8

Early bird Registration for UWG

Early bird registration for the Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering 2014 is only $35 per family until December 31st! We're confirming more speakers and will have that information for you soon! We also have some new teen activities planned including a Sunday night pizza party, Mad Hatter Tea Party, an Interest Fair and a special Teen Fine Arts Show. Plus our usual fun evening events like Henna fun night, movie night, family dance and talent show. And our days are packed with speakers and funshops. You can get more information about registration, events, speakers and funshops on our website.http://www.unschoolerswaterparkgathering.com/

The event will be held May 19 - 22nd in Ohio. 

When Less Is More: The Case For Teaching LESS Math in School

Author Peter Grey has written yet another wonderful article I highly recommend you take the time to read.

In 1929, the superintendent of schools in Ithaca, New York, sent out a challenge to his colleagues in other cities. "What," he asked, "can we drop from the elementary school curriculum?" He complained that over the years new subjects were continuously being added and nothing was being subtracted, with the result that the school day was packed with too many subjects and there was little time to reflect seriously on anything. This was back in the days when people believed that children shouldn't have to spend all of their time at school work--that they needed some time to play, to do chores at home, and to be with their families--so there was reason back then to believe that whenever something new is added to the curriculum something else should be dropped.