Dogs + Basic Chemistry = Cute!

Okay, so if you are over 8 this isn't very informative, but it is adorable! 

SAT / ACT Prep Software at an amazing discount!

What do you get?  A one-year license for their DVD-based SAT and/or ACT Prep course,
for only $13.84, plus about $7 postage (normally $199.00!). You can also buy
Premium packages, which include more DVD content and books, for a heavily
discounted price. The license is renewable, but it didn't say for how much.

The coupon codes are FEBC79119 and FHKL51344

LAST CALL! Crystal Lake Park District Home School Classes start Thursday!

All classes are on Thursdays from March 3 - April 14

at the Crystal Lake Park District Rotary Building located at
Veteran's Acre Park, 431 N. Walkup, Crystal Lake


PRE-ALGEBRA

This series of classes introduces a visual and kinesthetic
teaching system for learning beginning algebraic concepts
using building blocks and dice and follows these concepts
through Algebra I concepts. Students need to be comfortable
with both multiplication and division, but do not need to
have memorized all their math facts.

Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Cost: $51.00 / $66.00
Class ID#: 4495-2


HOMESCHOOL ART: PEN AND MOUSE CLUB

Come blast off using your imagination and learn how to draw
in 3D! Club House Artists will learn the basic fundamentals
of drawing using "tool box" word such as: horizon
line,shading, shadows, and much more. These 3D drawing
techniques will help pop theirdrawings off the page. By the
end of each session, Club House Artists will have the
enthusiasm to draw anything and will be able to see their
artwork displayed on our virtualart showroom at
http://www.penandmousedesign/. com/clubhouse.htm. Each session
covers new material, so be sure to sign up for multiple
sessions and increase your drawing skills. A one time $12
material fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of
class.

Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Cost: $75.00 / $90.00
Class ID#: 4495-8


HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT KARATE

Homeschoolers are invited to join us in the Rotary Building
for karate lessons. This program is part of our home school
enrichment course offered for the first time in the Crystal
Lake Park District. Come join the fun and excitement with
other area homeschoolers!

Time: 12:00 - 1:00
Cost: $50.00 / $65.00
Class ID#: 4538-0


HOME SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE CLUB

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.

Time: 1:00 - :00
Cost: $51.00 / $66.00
Class ID#: 4539-0

Research Facts on Homeschooling

Brian Ray and the National Home Education Reseach Institute (NHERI) has spent decades studying homeschooling.  For those looking for research and statistics, this is a treasure trove.

Looking for a good book for a young one?

Do you look at the thousands of books in the library and wonder if they are 'safe' for your younger or more sensitive reader?  There are hundreds of books reviewed here for profanity and anti-Christian content among other things.  What a great resource for those of us who can't keep up with eager readers!

Yes, this is basically the book version of the wonderful movie review sites http://www.screenit.com/ (subscribers only) or http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

The Great Backyard Bird Count starts tomorrow!

The 2011 GBBC will take place Friday, February 18, through Monday, February 21.  Are you signed up to be a citizen scientist? 
"The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds."

Home School Registration Bill Hearing

World Maths Day is March 1st!

'World Maths Days' is an online mental arithmetic game. The official day is 1 March 2011, but the site is open to registration and practise games now. To quote them, "World Maths Day has been created for all students aged 4 to 18 years. This year, due to popular demand, there is also an adult's age category, ages 19 to 119. Only students in the 4 to 18 age categories are eligible for prizes. Adults just get to
join in the fun!".

http://www.worldmathsday.com/

Rest in Peace Brian Jacques

For those of us who love proper children's adventure stories, Brain Jacques' Redwall series has been wonderful.  Mr. Jacques came to the U.S. several times on book signing tours to meet his adoring fans fom across the pond, and I even have a wonderful photo of my son with his arm draped around his shoulder.  My library's Young Adult Advisory Board even once held a Redwall Picnic based on his recipes! 

Mr. Jacques, I know many parents have told you this already, but one last time from me, thank you.  The world you created and the books you wrote are wonderful and we thank you for sharing it with us. 

What would happen if you microwaved a ?????

The answer to many of these questions may just be here!  My favorite is the christmas lights. 

Don't try this in your mom's microwave or you may end up replacing it!