Wentz Educational Services

Mar 31, 2011

McHenry County College has "put on hold" future Homeschool Friday classes.

McHenry County College has, for now, decided to put the Homechool Friday program on hold.

The school has experienced huge growth in both the number of students and the number of credit classes it needs to offer to keep up with this growth. The coordinator of the classes is moving departments in the near future, the support staff situation is complicated, and they barely have a free classroom anywhere.

I do hope that they choose to offer these wonderful 'transition to college' classes again in the near future. In the meantime, I understand that both Rockford and College of Lake County offer classes for homeschoolers looking for that 'on campus' experience and I will continue to offer similar classes throughout the area. I hope you find what you are looking for!

Mar 14, 2011

See Mercury at Sunset!? Cool!

NASA Science News for March 14, 2011

This week, sky watchers have a rare opportunity to see Mercury at its best as NASA's MESSENGER probe prepares to enter orbit around the innermost plant.

Mar 5, 2011

Spring Science Classes at MCC start April 1st!

Environmental Chemistry Lab - part 2

This course, a third in the series of Physical Science classes, continues covering high school level Chemistry laboratory exercises and related discussions that will cover nutritional testing, distillations, solubility curves, and more - with an emphasis on biological and environmental testing when the weather permits. Students are expected to have had prior Chemistry laboratory experience and have already covered titrations and chromatography, possibly by having taken Environmental Chemistry I with Ms. Wentz. Students should be currently studying high school level Chemistry.
NKC S05003, 10:00-11:50, Fridays April 1-May 20st, $99
Register with credit card by calling 815-455-8588. Questions? Marie 815-479-7559.

Biology Lab - Anatomical Survey
This course continues our year long high school level Biology laboratory series with additional exercises and related discussions. This session's work will include lessons in lab safety and dissections designed to encourage a study of the structures, organization, and function of various organisms and how they relate to the human body. We will be dissecting the earthworm, crayfish, grasshopper, frog, and fetal pig with special attention to the brain and heart. Students should be currently studying high school Biology or Health.

NKC S05004, 1:00-2:50, Fridays April 1-May 20, $99
Register with credit card by calling 815-455-8588. Questions? Marie 815-479-7559.

Mar 2, 2011

NWU Center for Talent Development spring class registation is ongoing

Open to students with proven academic giftedness, these classes offer enrichment opportunities that are often hard to find elsewhere. Check them out!

Mar 1, 2011

CLP Annual Homeschool Used Books Sale

Date: Saturday May 7, 2011
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Christian Liberty Academy, 502 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL

Buy, Sell, Trade!
There are a limited number of free tables available or bring your own table.

Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m.

For information call (847) 259-4444

Feb 28, 2011

Dogs + Basic Chemistry = Cute!

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

Feb 26, 2011

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

Feb 25, 2011

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.

Feb 19, 2011

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/

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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.