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!

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

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

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

Winter Math Classes at the Johnsburg Library

The Cure for the Math Curse:
Multiplication Math Club


Tuesdays from January 12 to February 9, 2010 1:00-2:30 pm
This series of four classes will encourage your child to play their
way to a love of multiplication through quality math literature and
a wide variety of games and manipulatives. We will be concentrating
on getting better conceptual knowledge of multiplication and
working on memorization skills. Cost: $25.00
Final day for registration is January 10, 2010.




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


Tuesdays from February 16 to March 9, 2010 1:00-2:30 pm
This series of four classes will concentrate on getting a better
working knowledge and conceptual understanding of how to
structure and organize data. We’ll use quality math literature and
a wide variety of games and manipulatives to encourage your
child to play their way to a love of arithmetic. Cost: $25
Final day for registration is February 14, 2010.





Algebra: Polynomials, Graphing & More!


Tuesdays from January 12 to March 9, 2010 3:00-4:30 pm
This series of eight classes is a continuation of Mrs. Wentz’s
“Introduction of Algebra” classes. We will stress understanding the
concepts of algebra including exponents and roots, solving equations
with multiple variables, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
polynomials, and graphing. Homework will be assigned.
Prerequisite: Students must be able to solve equations with one
variable, such as:
-2(-x + 5) + 2x = x - 1 and x - 3(2x + 5) = 20 + 2x
Final day for registration is January 10, 2010. Cost: $50




All classes will be held at the Johnsburg Public Library.
(No classes will be held on February 2 due to elections.)
Parents are encouraged to attend for free.
Please make checks payable to Kathy Wentz.
Johnsburg Public Library 3000 N Johnsburg Rd Johnsburg, IL 60051
815-344-0077 www.johnsburglibrary.org

Fremont Public Library!

We know this time of the year is a bit crazy (not to mention expensive!), but what better way to enjoy the holidays than to get a great deal? How about an entire (free!) morning of sharing, support and encouragement? How about loads of ideas designed to save you stress and money?





Please join us on Saturday Dec. 12th for two of my most popular workshops:





From 9:30-10:30 a.m. "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.




From 11:00 - noon "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!





Yes, of course, handouts aplenty will be provided!





I look forward to seeing you at the Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein, IL

http://www.fremontlibrary.org

Science Club in Crystal Lake

Do to a significant 'wait list' for a full Science Club class in Cary and with the speedy cooperation of both the Fun School Co-op and the Crystal Lake Park District, there is now a second chance to join us!




We will spend this 4 week session covering Unit 1 of a multidisciplinary spine which includes activities and topics in science, history, math, and language arts: Joy Hakim's The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way. This text covers scientific discoveries, knowledge, and processes from the beginning of the Universe to the mid 1500s and offers our group the chance to blend science with the rest of their history based curriculum.




Each family can decide how much they want to use, or not use, the chosen text. There are 30 chapters in the text and each week we will cover one or two chapters so that those families who wish to join us for the year can complete the entire text by the end of May. Students do not need to read the text in order to participate, but the class projects and discussions will be based on the chapter. It is recommended that each family purchase a copy.




Classes will be Thursdays from 1 - 2:30 on Oct.1, 8th, 15th and 29th. There will be NO CLASS on Oct. 22nd.




Cost: This 4 week session will cost $55 for residents of Crystal Lake Park District and $70 for non-residents.




(Note: all other sessions will be 6 weeks long)




You can find a full description and registration information here:
http://tinyurl.com/y9bvrsl

Science and Math Mondays

Are you interested in joining a small group of other teens on Mondays for semi-private tutoring, small group projects and field trips designed to meet your math and science needs? All activities and instruction will be planned according to individual student needs




The students this is aimed at have already taken most of my science lab classes through the Homeschool Fridays program at McHenry County College or through other, similar, programs and have basic science lab techniques down. This program is a way for them to have time to hone their techniques and skills before college even though they already have the basics down.




Days will usually be from 10:00 to 4:00. On days when the weather is good we will take a few hours and head out to do field work at Volo Bog, Glacial Park, Moraine Hills State Park or any one of the other amazing natural areas in the Chain O'Lakes area. On days when the weather is poor we will stay in and work on individual or small group projects, vocabulary, and math skills (Algebra with fractions and Geometry are currently planned).




We will also have a field trip approximately once a month and it can be assumed that the hours of those days will be longer than on other Mondays. As each trip is planned an announcement of the dates and times will be made and individual students can then decide if that trip is something they want to participate in. Student input into the field trips will be highly encouraged.




Students are asked to commit to an entire season (fall, winter, spring). Students that complete three full seasons (one year) will be given a certificate indicating 1 full credit of high school science and 1 full credit of high school math completed in McHenry County, IL. The exact course names of the credits will be determined by the student because the exact topic and level of study is determined by the student.




Homework will be assigned. Homework will vary from student to student and will be based on their projects and goals.




Cost: $30 a week plus any additional costs for supplies or field trip expenses Supplies will vary from student to student and might include anything from bacteria cultures to advanced dissection specimens and can be split whenever two or more students want to do a group project. Field trip expenses might include train fare downtown or museum admission where I am unable to gain us free entry. (Note: I am very frugal and do promise to keep all additional expenses as low as I can! As many of you know, I already own a lot of science equipment!) All additional project costs will be cleared with the parent first!




If interested, please contact me directly and we will set up a time to get together and discuss your needs and goals.

Science for grades 4-8

We will spend the year using a multidisciplinary spine which includes activities and topics in science, history, math, and language arts: Joy Hakim's The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way. This text covers scientific discoveries, knowledge, and processes from the beginning of the Universe to the mid 1500s and offers our group the chance to blend science with the rest of their history based curriculum. (There are four subsequent texts in the series each covering a specific time frame.)





Each family can decide how much they want to use, or not use, the chosen text. There are 30 chapters in the text and each week we will cover one chapter so that we can complete the entire text by the end of May. Students do not need to read the text in order to participate, but the class projects and discussions will be based on the chapter. It is recommended that each family purchase a copy.





When/Where: Classes will be on Wednesday afternoons in Cary from 1:00-2:15 beginning Sept. 16th, 2009.





Cost: The cost of the entire year (30 class dates) will be $300. This averages out to be $10 a week. The cost will be payable in three installments – the first at registration, the second on Nov. 11th, and the third on February 10th, 2010. 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.




If interested: Email me loriannestanger@comcast.net your child(ren)'s name, age and your contact information.





To register: Mail a check to Lori Anne Stanger at 267 Deerpath Road, Algonquin 60102. Make check payable to Kathy Wentz for the $100 first installment.