Wentz Educational Services

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

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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.