Cat IQ?

A young friend is working on a research project to create and norm an IQ test for cats and would appreciate help from any humans who have been adopted by cats.

http://www.catiqtest.org/

Thank you for considering this.

January 6-17 "Nearly Lear" buy tickets through New Victory Theatre (Manhattan) but at the Duke on 42nd Street, 65 minutes. Grades 9-12 / Ages 12 & up: Susanna Hamnett plays the Fool – and every other character – to tell the story of King Lear in an original, mischievous and poignant adaptation of the Shakespeare.

I enjoy going to shows where there is a question period with the actors afterward - or a related workshop, especially if I have to travel far for the event. Workshops for "Reinventing Shakespeare's Nearly Lear" at New Victory Theatre on January 15th, at noon or 4:30pm ($17). For ages 11 & up. Since it has become so difficult as homeschoolers to attend New Victory's "one school time" shows. that may be the way to go.

new HS Nature educator at Schiff

"Hi Homeschooling Families:

Greetings from the Schiff Nature Preserve! My name is Angela Gorczyca and I am the new environmental educator. I would like to invite you to participate in the Homeschool environmental education program we are offering at the Schiff Nature Preserve in Mendham. The program begins this September and will run in three semesters through May. We will offer monthly classes that relate to a seasonal topic and we will repeat the curriculum on a four year rotation. Each two hour class will focus on a specific theme and include a combination of hikes, games, crafts, and outdoor and indoor activities.

The classes will be offered once per month on Fridays. Lessons will offered from 9:30 to 11:30 am for grades K- 6th and from 1:00 - 3:00 pm for grades 7th through 12th.

These are dates and topics for the upcoming Fall semester on Meadow Ecosystem are as follows:

• September 23rd: Butterflies
• October 14th: Flowering Plants and Seeds
• November 18th: Deer

The classes will run rain or shine with indoor activities provided in the event of extreme inclement weather.

Our pricing schedule will be $40 per child per semester for members and $55 per child per semester for nonmembers. If you would like to try a class, the cost will be $15 for members and $17 for nonmembers. There is no fee for parents to attend classes but we expect that parents act as “additional hands” to assist with shepherding and policing during class times. We ask families to call to register beforehand and pay by check.

Cancellation Policy: If a group cancels within the week preceding the program, they will lose a $5 registration fee per child. Once the semester begins, there will be no refunds given for cancellations.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please email us. Thanks!

Angela Gorczyca
Environmental Educator
email: angela@schiffnaturepreserve.org
phone: 973-543-6004

Congratulations My "Back to the Books" Winners

The winners were selecting randomly - old slips pulled out of a hat technique.

Jennifer
Kimy
Marjorie
Mona

Round one above won what they requested.
For round 2, half of what they requested is ready for:
Anita, Joannie and Nayif

The winners have been notified. Three packages have been shipped already.
Thanks to all who entered.

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

I am a satisfied member of Homeschool Buyer's Co-op. You should be able to get a lot out of being a member too. (it's free) The more members they have, the more they can offer everyone.

Working on new student IDs for my kids.

Get a FREE Homeschool ID Card!

Free Magic Treehouse Books!

My first give-away: the blog giveaway hop sponsored by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Buried In Books. With over 300 blogs participating, there are literally TONS of book related things being given away.

Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Buried in Books. Find the rest of the giveaways at the main hop site page.

Hope I am doing this right - I will choose at least 2 winners will be chosen after the contest closes.

Comments or emails to me count as entries. Giveaway is open to US/Canadian Residents only. The giveaway will run until September 7, 2011 at midnight EST.

I just found a whole bunch of Magic Treehouse books and someone must be interested. Leave me a comment with your email so I can respond & also mention which 2 you would like. I will media mail a pair to at least 2 US or Canadian respondents.

So what Magic Treehouse books would your house or schoolroom use?

• Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House, No 1)
• The Knight at Dawn (Magic Tree House, Bk 2)
• Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House, No 3)
• Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House, No 4)
• Night of the Ninjas (Magic Tree House, No 5)
• 
  
• Sunset of the Sabertooth (Magic Tree House, No 7)
• Midnight on the Moon (Magic Tree House, Bk 8)
• Dolphins at Daybreak (Magic Tree House, No 9)
• 
  
• Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House, No 16)
• Tonight on the Titanic ( Magic Tree House No 17)
• Buffalo Before Breakfast (Magic Tree House, No 18)
• Tigers at Twilight (Magic Tree House, No 19)
  

Here is the linky list for SOME of the other hops! (edited severely after the Hop was over on 9/8)



---

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (Int)

2. Buried in Books (Int)

3. jennifersmusings (Int)

4. mymcbooks (US)

5. Rachael Renee Anderson (US)

271. The Choice of Giving (Int)

272. Sugarbeats Books (US/Can)

273. True to Type (Int)

274. My Bookish Obsessions (Int)

275. Babies, Books and Signs (US & UK)

276. Cedar Fort Books (US)

SPLASH 2011

SPLASH at MIT - Do you want to take a class about...

- Design and Analysis of Roller Coasters
- Paradoxes of Democracy
- Fun with Fractals
- Aircraft Jet Engines
- How to Make a Pixar Movie
- The French Revolution
- Stage Fighting
...or any of 400 other awesome topics(*)?

Then you should come to MIT ESP's SPLASH! SPLASH offers a series of short classes and workshops like the ones listed above, and you can take up to 20 hours of classes. SPLASH takes place on November 19th and 20th at MIT in Cambridge, MA, and costs $30 for the entire program. Student lottery registration will open in late October; after the lottery is run, a first-come, first-served round of registration will open to fill any remaining empty spots. For middle & high school students. Homeschoolers must be at least 11 years old. It is always the weekend *before* Thanksgiving.

* - for more ideas about courses, check last year's online catalog.

You can find out more at http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/index.html, or email them at splash@mit.edu.

Boston College Splash
This November, Boston College will also be opening its doors for its own Splash program. With a concentration on liberal arts, course topics will range from music to math, political science to computer science. BC Splash is a no-fee program designed to instill a sense of excitement in students about academia and have fun doing it! For more information, visit their website, https://bcsplash.learningu.org/. Registration will begin in early October.

(Madison's) Shakepeare Theatre Schedule

Shakespeare Theatre, NJ Fall 2011 - selected shows:

1) (7pm Monday evening) Play readings in the fall. Readings (not stagings) of plays, followed by discussion with the director. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults.

• Sept 19, Eves of Ides (see above, although of course you can buy on your own!!)
• November 14th, The Winslow Boy

2) Something Wicked This Way Comes -- Monday, 10/24, 7:30 p.m.
$32/ticket. Readings from classic ghost and horror stories, accompanied by a theremin artist. Sold-out last year, buy tickets early.

3) Something Merry This Way Comes -- Monday, 12/12, 7:30 p.m.,
$32/ticket. Holiday readings, new this year on the heels of last year's successful Halloween event.

4) Student matinees. 10:30 a.m.on the following dates, $17/ticket. (2-3 hours, expect one intermission). (Optional) Q&A session with director and actors after the show.

Othello, September 21, 22(* above), 27 - 29
To Kill A Mockingbird, October 19 and 26; November 1-3, 8-10, 15-18
A Christmas Carol, December 7, 14, 15, 20(* above)

Shakespeare at Community Theatre of Randolph

*has anyone heard of this place before? I know we have Shakespeare fans...
Community Theatre of Randolph

"The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI, Part I" at Brundage Park Playhouse,
Sept. 30 through Oct. 9.* Talk about ambitious! This adaptation by The
Shakespeare Initiative combines "Henry VI Part I" with the first three
acts of "Part II." The Initiative promises drama on par with "Game of
Thrones" in this story of power, battles and politics as Henry tries to
maintain the power achieved by his father.

BrundageParkPlayhouse.org

Biology - middle & high school - week 1

We are looking at Quirks and Quarks Biology curriculum and McLeod Biology Assignments and some other things too. Real need to list the "other things". Again, a blog is not the right place for this!

Primary Texts:

• Exploring the Way Life Works: The Science of Biology (Mahlon Hoagland, Bert Dodson, Judy Hauck, 2001) (We started with The Way Life Works by Hoagland, Mahlon B.(1995) from the library -- but that is a different book and NOT just a different edition!)
  
• Biology: Concepts and Connections (Campbell, Mitchell, Reece)
• D.I.V.E. Biology (from the DIVE into Math folks)
• syllabus to use DIVE with Campbell & Reeves (online from DIVE)
  

Websites on "Scale" - add to the "week one" websites

• Gravity Wells (neat graphics - sense of scale, not directly related to biology!)
• Universe Scale (Extremeties of Space)
• Scale of the Universe
  
• Cell Size and Scale
• Not assigned: 20 minute video "How large is the universe?"
  

Parental assignment: Find microscope & clear space to call "lab table"
Then assign/do "microscope lab" from MacLeod's Biology: Week 1

ad: More from Horrible Ray

For books from these British children's educational series: Horrible Books, Del Sol Books, Galore Park Books, or the new Horrible Science magazines, Horrible Ray (a homeschooling dad who works for a bookseller) does at least quarterly orders. (He also sells Life of Fred book s- but check on the LOF website & see if there is a price difference it's a USA book)

Email Horrible Ray by midnight Sunday, August 28, 2011, for Late-September Delivery to you.

• Future Horrible Order Dates :
  November 13, 2011 for Mid-December delivery
  January 22, 2012 for Late-February delivery
  March 25, 2012 for Late-April delivery
  June 10, 2012 for Mid-July delivery
  August 26, 2012 for Late-September delivery
  November 11, 2012 for Mid-December delivery
  January 20, 2013 for Late-February delivery
  March 31, 2013 for Late-April delivery
  June 9, 2013 for Mid-July delivery
  August 25, 2013 for Late-September delivery
  November 10, 2013 for Mid-December delivery
  January 19, 2014 for Late-February delivery
  March 30, 2014 for Late-April delivery
  June 8, 2014 for Mid-July delivery
  August 24, 2014 for Late-September delivery
  November 9, 2014 for Mid-December delivery
  January 25, 2015 for Late-February delivery
  Dates subject to change Horribly.

• and books in stock too - so you might not have to wait!

He'll be accepting orders until midnight those days. You can see all of the gory details at : www.horriblebooks.com

20%-Off a 1.60 Exchange Rate 20%-Off Discount off the British Pound to US$ Exchange Rate of 1.60. So, if a Horrible Book is 5.99 British Pounds, the US$ price will be : $7.67 (5.99 x 1.6 x .8).

---

Free Shipping Free US Media Mail Shipping with Tracking to any of the 50 US States in approximately 1 Week. To reduce your Horrible Anticipation Time, you're welcome to pick up your Horrible Books in San Diego.

---

No Sales Tax There's No Sales Tax for anyone, ever. If you're in California, I'll cover your Sales Tax.

We have not tried any Galore Park books (as far as I know) but Horrible Histories, Horrible Science and Murderous Maths books and magazines(!) have been gobbled up with joy in our house.

Dates subject to change Horribly.

My only relationship with Ray is as a happy customer.

Estimated Time of Your Horrible Arrival All of the Horrible Books and Magazines, Galore Park Books and the Life of Fred Books that are marked in yellow (In Stock) will be mailed to you immediately and you will receive them in about 1 Week. For everything else, I will be placing our Horrible UK Order the morning after our Sunday, August 28, 2011 Horrible UK Order, so Scholastic UK and Galore Park Books can begin packing up their respective books for the Saturday, September 10, 2011 Titanic Trip to the US. Then, barring any unforeseen events, I should have all of the Horrible Books in my hot little hands on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 and in the mail by Thursday, September 15, 2011 for Late-September Delivery to you.

A Field Trip List

I am no longer putting annual events in this list - check this month in the "annual" list below.

September 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 , Othello, 10:30am. Shakespeare Theatre, Madison, NJ . Education Associate: Shayna Cooper, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. expect study guide. Recommended for grades 7 and up. Running time: 3 hours (approximate). Tickets $17 (one free adult ticket per 10 paid students) Reservations: call 973-408-3980 or e-mail

October 19 and 26, November 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18, To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, Adapted by Christopher Sergel , 10:30am. Shakespeare Theatre, Madison, NJ. Education Associate: Shayna Cooper, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. expect study guide. Recommended for grades 6 and up. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (approximate). Tickets $17 (one free adult ticket per 10 paid students) Reservations: call 973-408-3980 or e-mail

December 7, 14, 15 and 20, 2011 A Christmas Carol Adapted for the stage by Neil Bartlett, 10:30am. Shakespeare Theatre, Madison, NJ . Education Associate: Shayna Cooper, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. expect study guide, $17?, Reservations: call 973-408-3980 or e-mail

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 10 am /12:15 pm: Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. For pricing and to reserve seats for Explorations programs, call Michael Dundon, Group Sales, at 973-539-0345 X 6517 or mdundon@mayoarts.org.

Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10 am: The Magic School Bus -- Live!, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ

Tue., March 20, 2012 at 10 am/12:15 pm; Wed., March 21 at 10 am: Mathemagic, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. March 20 10am and 12:15pm is for grades 4-7. March 21 10am is for K-3. For pricing and to reserve seats for Explorations programs, call Michael Dundon, Group Sales, at 973-539-0345 X 6517 or mdundon@mayoarts.org

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10 am: Stolen Moments: The First 100 Years of Jazz, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. For pricing and to reserve seats for Explorations programs, call Michael Dundon, Group Sales, at 973-539-0345 X 6517 or mdundon@mayoarts.org.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 10 am: Butterfly: The Story of the Lifecycle, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. For pricing and to reserve seats for Explorations programs, call Michael Dundon, Group Sales, at 973-539-0345 X 6517 or mdundon@mayoarts.org.

Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 10 am: The House on Pooh Corner, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. For pricing and to reserve seats for Explorations programs, call Michael Dundon, Group Sales, at 973-539-0345 X 6517 or mdundon@mayoarts.org.

Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10 am: Of Mice and Men, expect low price & study guide. "on school time" at Mayo Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ. For pricing and to reserve seats for Explorations programs, call Michael Dundon, Group Sales, at 973-539-0345 X 6517 or mdundon@mayoarts.org.

During the year / annual events:

Monthly:

• Montclair Art Museum Homeschool days - check dates, RSVP to bbalsimelli@montclairartmuseum.org, 973-259-5136
• during the school year: Montclair Homeschool meetings at the public library moved to Thursdays.

1. Jan
2. Feb - late Feb into early march - Colonial Williamsburgh (VA) Home Educator Days / Homeschooler Experience. Fall focus is on government & politics & ... For more info, visit their site or read the flyer.
   
3. March
4. April - mid-April: National Park Week - free entrance at selected National Parks, plan your visit from here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm )
5. May
6. June - June 21 -First day of summer - free entrance at selected National Parks, plan your visit from here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm )
7. July
8. August
9. Sept -
   
• Colonial Williamsburgh (VA) Home Educator Days / Homeschooler Experience. Fall focus is on government & politics & ... For more info, visit their site or read the flyer. Next dates: September 10 - 25, 2011.
• September 24 -Public Lands Day - free entrance at selected National Parks, plan your visit from here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm )
10. Oct
11. Nov -
    

• Veterans Day weekend - free entrance at selected National Parks, plan your visit from here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm )
• SPLASH, weekend before Thanksgiving at MIT

1. Dec -
• first weekend usually has lots of events in Morristown & Museums open and maybe a bus between locations
• Historic Landing - "Geo Washington Reenactment" Christmas crossing & also an earlier in Dec. "dress rehearsal"
• Trenton’s Patriots’ Week celebration of Trenton’s role in the American Revolution (about December 26 - 31), tours, lectures, exhibits, all week. some free & some $. INcludes events like: At the Barrack's Museum, Trenton: Old Barracks Museum. Special Events "Patriot's Week" Located in downtown Trenton, next to the New Jersey State House, and is easily accessible. Parking information is provided by Trenton Downtown Association.

writing camp?

Druidawn! summer day camp - in Reistertown, Maryland. 5 days, 9am - 3pm, $250/child. for ages 7 - 17 years old! Summer Fantasy Camp in Reisterstown, Maryland in July 2011. Think that we could get enough kids to do it here sometime?

Biology - middle & high school - week 2

Based on Quirks and Quarks Biology curriculum and McLeod Biology Assignments and DIVE Biology. A blog might not be the right place for this!

Readings: Exploring the Way Life Works, Ch. 2, Sections 1-7

Websites: http://biology.hippocampus.org/ Watch all three animated videos under "Cell Structure and Membranes"

Assignments:

• Answer the questions at the end of Chapter 1 in "Exploring the Way Life Works" in complete sentences.
• Study cell structure using those videos or pages in Biology Coloring Workbook (I. Edward Alcamo, PhD.) pages. Please learn the parts of the cell and their functions.
• Complete Surface Area Lab (http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=49) Each family should get their own SAS login - they were free when I got ours.
  

Lab to do together:

http://www.ekcsk12.org/faculty/jbuckley/lelab/protistalab.html Euglena lab. Do in class, turn in report next week.

online schools

online homeschools:

• Lone Pine (at least Latin...)
  
• Lukeion Latin (Latin, Greek, Ancient history, Grammar)
• Scholars Online (full line of courses including: American History, Natural Science, )

other's list of what they did for curriculum:
- a K & 5th grade plan

6/9: "The Journey of Energy and the Power Down Challenge"

The Free Union Homeschoolers present the Journey of Energy present "The Journey of Energy and the Power Down Challenge"

An evening of presentations, skits, energy and money saving ideas and "The Journey of Energy" movie. We also have a number of displays by those involved with our project including a green architect and the local watershed ambassador. The children's work, including our scrapbook, artwork including T-shirt designs and their science fair projects, will be on display during the course of the evening.

Thursday June 9th 2011

Liberty Township Municipal Building, 349 Mountain Lake Road, 07838

Presentation starts at 7pm, doors open at 6.30pm

Light Refreshments available

Contact Phil or Lorna at 908 637 8275 for more details

Our host for the evening is the Liberty Township Environmental Commission. The study was made possible by a grant from PPL.

The Free Union Homeschoolers will have a booth at the Liberty Township Community Day on Saturday June 11th from 12-4pm (raindate Sunday June 12th-same time) and will be explaining to visitors how to read your electric meter, use a Kill-A-Watt meter and a thermal leak detector in order to save energy and money. They will also be giving away free CF light bulbs as part of Project Porchlight.

Further details of both events including a chance to view our movie "The Journey of Energy" can be viewed by taking this link.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/energy_story/

Speaking of American History

Problems with "History of US"
http://www.textbookleague.org/121hakm.htm

Student questions for "History of US"
http://www.sonlight.com/120-02H.html

I'm enjoying now

all the songs so far on http://www.symphonyofscience.com/

Plan to look at these strathmore(sp?) journal & art "courses" online before they disappear in August. free, just register.

http://www.thriftbooks.com used bookseller

Summer class for Parents at Rutgers

Did you know... this summer, internationally-recognized expert Dr. Joyce

VanTassel-Baska will teach the following classes for parents at Rutgers:
http://summer.rutgers.edu/classesforparents

The Gifted Child Instructor: Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska*

This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of gifted
education and address the core cognitive characteristics of gifted
children in general and domain-specific areas, their educational needs
in respect to programs, services, and curricula, the support structures
necessary to facilitate their talent development from families to
mentors to personality variables and the foundations of the field of
gifted education itself, ranging from its theoretical and research base
to its grounding in legislation and administration of programs.

*The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children Instructor:
Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska*
This course is designed to provide a strong background in the theory and
research related to working with gifted children on affective
development. It will feature core affective characteristics and needs,
and demonstrate the connections to students' cognitive make-up. Emphasis
will be on affective approaches to use in the classroom as well as more
formalized programs and services in guidance and counseling deemed
essential for their talent development. Case studies used throughout the
course will highlight the special issues and concerns for addressing the
social and emotional needs of this population of learners, culminating
in a case study done by participants. Special emphasis will be placed in
this course on special populations of gifted learners--twice exceptional
learners, students from poverty and minority groups, and underachievers.

Get a FREE Id Card

Consider joining Homeschool buyers coop. The more members they have the better deals they can get for us all.

Get a FREE Homeschool ID Card! Print it & laminate it yourself.

Plants of China - free tour

Plants of China: A Friendship and Peace Exhibit and Cell Phone Tour

40.821409

-74.478709

primary

Plants of China: A Friendship and Peace Exhibit and Cell Phone Tour

Daily, 9:00am

53 E Hanover Ave, Morris Plains, NJ

/events/plants-of-china-a-friendship-and-peace-exhibit-and-cell-phone-tour

/locations/4331057

Posted in Parsippany Patch by Frank Giasone

• Where: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 E Hanover Ave, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
• Date: Daily
• Time: 9:00am
• Next on: Tomorrow, May 26, 2011

• The Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum are pleased to join UPS, Provident Bank Foundation and the Morris County Parks Commission in sponsoring the second part of "Plants of China: A Friendship and Peace Exhibit and Cell Phone Tour". This is one of many such programs at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum that provides visitors with extensive cultural and horticultural background of many of the Chinese transplants growing in all our gardens. The exhibit guide provides background horticultural information, as well as tour directions. Take the tour anytime throughout April and May of this year.

• Website: http://www.arboretumfriends.org/node/3

Cast Your Vote: Logo for Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area

Vote for the logo for Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
I know which ones I like best. Winner to be announced July 4th.

"Our state of New Jersey has more than 500 farmlands, hillsides and homesteads that played some part, saw some action in the American Revolution. Our Revolutionary War heritage - perhaps more significant than that of any other state - has been federally recognized by the designation of the Crossroads of the American Revolution Nation Heritage Area in New Jersey - one of America's 40 congressional delegation, two New Jersey governors, and the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association (Crossroads). "

There's newsletter and a free online guide.

Early Aegean Links

worth checking out the sculpture/picture:
http://www.asian-center.net/ancienthistory/ch4.html


18 high resolution photographs of Early Aegean Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, includes the Neolithic Era and the Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean cultures. Within modern scholarship, these are loosely considered the precursors to Classical Greece.


http://multimedialearning.org/presentations/203_AegeanCivilization.php

Do the Dig: The Neolithic Aegean

There are places left in the archaeology dig led by professional archaeologist "Big Dog" Geof Purcell that Mary Ann O'Rourke is hosting at their farm in Califon, NJ (near where 287 & 78 cross in NJ).

June 28-July 1, Tuesday - Friday, 10am - 3pm

The theme this year is "The Neolithic Aegean".

(It's a brand new scenario, for those of you who have attended previous digs...!) If you have not heard of The Archaeological Perspective's digs it is a week camp where students get to do real archaeology in a kid way. These are real scenarios, real artifacts, and real thinking to figure it out. Dig in the morning & see slides & play games (like "Settlers of Catan" to reinforce the concepts in the afternoon. Friday is a "museum", students telling the story & a themed potluck.) This one is timed so that homeschoolers & "brick & mortar" students can both attend. You can make it be as big a part of the your kid's education as you want.

Download registration forms from:
http://www.thinktank-nj.com/archaeology-in-tewksbury.html

Best site I have found for recipes is http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/chalain/en/recet_acc.htm "Some recipes are quite familiar to modern palates, such as meat cooked on hot stones, smoked filet of trout and grilled frogs." and "... the far less appetizing category of gruels and hotpots."

• Acorns, anyone?
• Bear's garlic salad?
• Flattened cakes of bread?
• elder berries?
  
• Filet of trout?
• honey?
• Dig groups have always been very forgiving - if you want to bring more modern beautiful fish stew, or Aegean shrimp salad or other Greek recipes I am sure it would be eaten! There are usually at least one vegetarian and some food allergy, so check during the week, and please label food ingredients. If you are camping out to attend the dig (real camping or at a local friend/relative/hotel) we will also need drinks, etc. so just be the one to sign up early for those things. (or, if you found a local bakery with baklava, I'm sure that everyone would love you.)
  

2011 Junior Fencing Camp (Madison, NJ)in

August 7 through Saturday, 13.

For 13 – 17 year olds with at least one full year of fencing experience. All 3 weapons offered. RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUTER OPTIONS. (MEALS included.)

Outstanding Experienced Professional Coaches include:

• DAVID MICAHNIK, Fencing Master o PROGRAM DIRECTOR, HEADCOACH
• DAYN DEROSE, PREVOT D’ARMES o CAMP DIRECTOR, HOSTCOACH
• YAKOV DANILENKO, Fencing Master
• DR. RONALD MILLER, Fencing Master
• JAMES MURRAY, Fencing Master
• BENJAMIN WIEDER, Fencing Master

Air Conditioned Gym! Swimming Pool! Daily Skill drills, Lessons, tactics, sparring, competitive bouts, lectures, discussions…

FOR MORE INFO AND A DOWNLOADABLE CAMP APPLICATION GO TO WWW.FENCINGCAMPATDREW.COM

CONTACT COACH MICAHNIK AT 267-408-3581 OR FENCINGCAMPATDREW@YAHOO.COM

Citizen Writer Contest (Deadline: April 30)

Reading Rockets and AdLit.org's new writing contest, Citizen Writer, offers writing prompts with connections to civics, citizenship, and our communities. We want students to think and learn more about America's people, places, and ideals as they write. Prize winners will have their work published on ReadingRockets.org and AdLit.org and will receive a gift basket of age-appropriate books and a personalized certificate.

State Farm Youth Advisor Grants (Deadline: May 2)

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is providing $5 million in service-learning grants to youth across the United States and Canada in an effort to create projects that bring about sustainable, positive change in local communities. Youth in public schools, or youth associated with a 501(c)3 organization have the opportunity to apply for grants ranging from $25,000-$100,000 to help their implementation of a school-based service-learning program that ties into an existing K-12 curriculum, and relates to one of the following focus areas: Driver Safety, Environmental Responsibility, Financial Literacy, Access to Higher Education, and Natural or Societal Disaster Preparedness.

Spring HS Nature Classes

NATURE’S CLASSROOM

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville Twp is offering science programs for home school children ages six to twelve years. Each session consists of four two-hour classes that are hands on and suited for experiential learners. To register or for more information on the programs listed: call Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area: 973-334-3130 or e-mail Douglas at dvorolieff@morrisparks.net RSVPs needed ASAP to confirm classes will run!

Classes are:

Tuesdays, 1:30-4pm for 6-8 year olds on April 5, 12, 19, & 26 (topics: Water Cycle, Birds, Reptiles, & Wildflower Hike)

Thursdays: 1:30-4pm for 9-12 year olds on April 7, 14, 21, & May 5 (topics: Leave No Trace Principles, Mapping, Tracking, & Navigation Hike)

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - 472A Boonton Ave - Montville Township

The 4-week sessions are $45 or $12 per class/ non-refundable payable upon registration. Each session is limited to 12 students.

FAMILY HOMESCHOOL WALKS

At Pyramid Mtn on the following Wednesdays from 1pm to 2:30pm

April 13: Dirt Made my Lunch: Explore soils and their importance to life on Earth with activities and a guided walk.

May 18: Stream Ecology: Put on your water shoes and get into the stream to study this habitat and its critters.

Walks are for all ages; cost $8 per child age 3 and older.

To register or for more information on the programs listed: call Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area: 973-334-3130 or e-mail Douglas at dvorolieff@morrisparks.net

Civil War Student challenge - prcatice or register now

HISTORY® and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt invite high school students to compete for scholarships in the National Civil War Student Challenge as part of the commemoration of the Civil War's Sesquicentennial this April.
The National Civil War Student Challenge is a timed online competition that will test a student's knowledge of this pivotal chapter of American history—over $30,000 in college scholarships will be awarded to the top-scorers. The Challenge takes place online from April 7-9; students can register today.

VANISHED: Smithsonian's online mystery starts April 4

Students can spend 8 weeks solving an online mystery

http://vanished.mit.edu/

A mystery is brewing at the Smithsonian Institution, and the scientists there want the help of the nation’s middle schoolers to solve it. Children and teens aged 11–14 can get involved in uncovering the mystery in Vanished, an online science-fiction interactive mystery event that starts April 4.

Students can sign up for the event, conducted by the Smithsonian and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at The Education Arcade. The mystery, which is unveiled during the course of the eight-week event, involves a fictitious environmental disaster. Each week, participants will get clues online that will allow them to come up with hypotheses about the cause that can be tested, debated and refined.

As part of the event, players get an assist from real-world Smithsonian scientists in areas such as forensic anthropology, paleobiology, and entomology. Scientists will have videoconferences online, and participants can send them questions that will be answered in real time. Students will be asked to collect real data, such as documenting a species in their neighborhood. They can upload pictures to the Web site and compare their finds with field guides. Some players near 20 or so Smithsonian-affiliated museums can find clues inside.

Clues can also be gathered from several games that will be available on the site. As players participate, they will gain achievement points, just as in video games.

Shakespeare LVIE! Spring 2011

Shakespeare LIVE! at the Kirby  student matinees this spring:

A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare  
* March 9, 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM

Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare  
* March 11, 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
* April 15, 10:00 AM

If you are interested in attending, you can organize a group and/or contact the theater yourself.  The theater staff is excellent and homeschool-friendly. You will just need a "name" for your school/group.

Montclair Art Homeschool Days 2011

All Montclair Art Museum Homeschool days (ages 4 - 13) are Thursdays, noon-2 p.m.

HOMESCHOOL DAY, 12 – 2 pm (different days for Ages 4 - 8 & 9– 13)
$6 per child. Adults $12. (FREE for ADULT members)

The Montclair Art Museum invites you and other Homeschooling families for a fun and educational afternoon. These two-hour programs will include a gallery tour and studio art project led by a Museum educator.

Ages 4 - 8

• March 16 - Portrait Painting I
• April 14 – Portrait Painting II
• May 18- Landscape Watercolor
• June 15 - 3D Design
  

Ages 9 - 13

• March 2 - Portrait Painting I
• April 6 – Portrait Painting I
• May 5 – Landscape Watercolor
• June 9 – 3D Design

Please RSVP to bbalsimelli@montclairartmuseum.org or (973) 259-5167.
(Note: if you are a member of channel 13, you might get a discount on admission)

To see this yourself or check for more dates, go to MAM's Family Program Page or call 973-746-5555 for more details.

HD Operas and close to home

The Met has come up with an interesting series of "behind the scenes" movies of opera, and it is probably close to you! They have study guides online too.

Live in HD 2010-11 schedule:
Adams’s Nixon in China. Click for study guide.
New Production February 12, 2011 at 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride
February 26, 2011 at 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time

Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor
March 19, 2011 at 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time
Canada Encore: Saturday, April 2, 2011, 1 p.m. ET

Rossini’s Le Comte Ory
April 9, 2011 at 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time

Strauss’s Capriccio
April 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time

Verdi’s Il Trovatore
April 30, 2011 at 1:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time

Wagner’s Die Walküre
May 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm ET
U.S. Encore: Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 6:30 p.m. local time

Theatres offering this in NJ include:

• Parsippany Cinema 12, 3165 US Highway 46, PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054
  
• AMC Rockaway 16, 363 Mount Hope Ave, ROCKAWAY, NJ 07866, 973-328-4255
  
• AMC Clifton Commons 16, 405 State Route 3, CLIFTON, NJ 07014,973-614-0966
• AMC Garden State 16, 1 Garden State Plz, PARAMUS, NJ 07652, 201-291-8414
• Showplace Theatre, 650 Plaza Drive, SECAUCUS, NJ 07094, 201-210-5364
  
• Hoboken Cinemas, 409 14th Street, HOBOKEN, NJ 07030,
• Edgewater 16 Multiple Cinemas, 339 River Road, EDGEWATER, NJ 07020, 201-840-6665

Smugglers Notch Feb HS ski trip

Where else could you possibly get both lift tickets and lodging for as little as $30/day/person!

but with homeschool group rate at Smugglers' Notch, Vermont "America's Family Resort" The best value for family fun... anywhere!

Smugglers' Notch Homeschool Group Ski/Snowboard Trips:
*January 9-14, 2011 (was totally awesome - fresh powder every day)*
*February 13-18, 2011*
*March 6-11, 2011*

The incredible rates they are offering our group include:

Accommodation and lift tickets for everyone in your condo for the length of your reservation, including day or arrival and departure

• 34 km of cross-country trails
• 24 km of snowshoe trails
• guided winter walks (often with snowshoes, which are included free)
• teen center
• nightly family entertainment
• outdoor ice skating rink
• indoor pool and hot tubs
• fun zone family entertainment center
• tube sliding
• discounted group lessons (ages 6+) $22 per 90-minute lesson
• discounted equipment rental - adult $25/day first day $21 additional days;
• youth (up to age 18) $20 first day, $15 additional days
• discounted kids' club (ski or snowboard camp, ages 3 and over - must be out of diapers) $69/day
• discounted daycare (six weeks to 3 years) $75/day
  

*New options = even more amazing deal for our group!*

They are now allowing our three-night option a *flexible* start day (Sunday,
Monday, or Tuesday); the five-night stay still requires the Sunday check-in
to stay entirely mid-week. This means that the arrival day can be a
mid-week day (with fewer people on the slopes and short to no lift lines).

Best Deal Examples listed below - remember that lift tickets are included for day of arrival (before 6:00 pm check-in) and day of departure (after 10:00 am check-out) *and* that they are allowing our group to exceed the max occupancy listed on their website, including the extra lift tickets (which means *much* better pricing, but also that the extra people might need to
sleep on a couch, floor, or cot), *and* that the rates they are giving us include taxes, fees, and gratuities (so no extra surprise fees such as 14% extra added to any rate you see listed on their website). *The rates they are giving us range from about 20% - 80% less than their web pricing!*

*The following prices include accommodations and lift tickets; the per person breakdown of lodging/lift ticket cost is for comparison only. Other size units available - check http://bluegreen.us/skitrip/ Notice that these rates are cheaper than lift tickets alone, yet include lodging and lots more (listed below)*

*Five nights (six days of skiing, Sun - Fri)*
1-bedroom (occupancy 4) allowing us up to 6, lift tickets included is $1648
total

with 4 people = $68,67 per person per day
with 6 people = $45.78 per person per day

2-bedroom (occupancy 6) allowing us up to 10, lift tickets included is $1854
total

with 6 people = $51.50 per person per day
with 10 people = $30.90 per person per day

*Three nights (four days of skiing, starting on either Sun, Mon, or Tue,
with checkout on Wed, Thu, or Fri):*
*1-bedroom (occupancy 4) allowing us up to 6, lift tickets included is $978
total
*with 4 people = $61.13 per person per day
*with 6 people = $49,75 per person per day
*2-bedroom (occupancy 6) allowing us up to 10, lift tickets included is $1133
total
*with 6 people = $47.21 per person per day
*with 10 people = $28.33 per person per day

More info and registration form at http://bluegreen.us/skitrip/ It's not my group - but someone I trust told me.

George Washing Carver resources & more from USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture has quite the collection of coloring & activity bvooks covering a wide variety of nutritional, agriculture, science and nature topics. Use them for homeschool / educational busy work for young hands. Click to visit USDA's educational coloring & activity e-books page

George Washington Carver Resouces are on the same site: ebooks and resources for biographical study resource!  Click here to to to their George Washington Carver resources page.

Heard about it from Homeschool FREEBIE of the day. You may want to visit them daily, Monday to Friday.  This resource is always free, but many of their resources are just up for one day.

Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering 2011 (in Ohio)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

America's Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*

(Of course, many of our 394 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit! here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm )

Mark your calendar for these fee-free days in 2011:

April 16-24 -National Park Week
June 21 -First day of summer
September 24 -Public Lands Day
November 11-13 -Veterans Day weekend
(was January 15-17 - MLK's birthday

Making the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors with their own special offers.

participating National Parks include:
Thomas Edison National Historical Park (NJ)
Morristown National Historical Park (NJ)

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (NY)
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (NY)
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (NY)
Saratoga National Historical Park (NY)
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site (NY)

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (PA)
Fort Necessity National Battlefield (PA)
Johnstown Flood National Memorial (PA)
Steamtown National Historic Site (PA)

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation
entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and
fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Bugging Artist Contes (thru Feb. 8th)

Insectropolis is accepting entries for its Bugging Artist Competition.

Contest is open to all artists ages 5 - 12 and there is no fee to enter. Entries must be original, flat artwork inspired by bugs and received by Feb 8, 2011. All entrants will receive a free visitors pass to visit the bug museum.

First prizewinners in all age categories will win a Bug Bash at Insectropolis valued at $225.
All winning artwork will be displayed during March 2011 in celebration of Youth Art Month.
For details and official rules and conditions, please email diane@insectropolis.com

or call 732-349-7090. Insectropolis :: 1761 Route 9 :: Toms River, New Jersey 08755

Six Flags Homeschool Day 2011

Thursday, May 5 - Homeschoolers, their family and friends are invited to a Six Flags EXCLUSIVE EDUCATION DAY where the theme park is open only to students.

Homeschoolers will enjoy EXCLUSIVE time in the Wild Safari, at a Special Dolphin Discovery presentation and in a private catering area for the all-you-can-eat buffet! Homeschoolers may also participate in Business & Marketing Education Day.

Download an ORDER FORM today! http://www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/assets/pdf/2011_Homeschool_OF.pdf

(NJ) Planetariums

Found a new list of NJ planetariums!

Some are:

1. Longo PLanetarium at CCM, Randolph, public shows once a month on weekends, make reservations, $10/adult and $5/child. Or arrnage for a how of your own - $3/each for 35 people.
   
   
2. Fridays at Sperry Observatory . (Fridays, Oct - June) , for Young People at 7:30, for the public at 8:30 pm — Sperry Observatory, Union County Community College, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ. Amateur Astronomers, Inc. (AAI) presents free lectures on Fridays at the Sperry Observatory. These programs review different astronomical topics covering a wide variety of subjects. The presenters are usually members of AAI who have a special interest in these topics, and they may present in slide, overhead, or computer graphic formats. See website for a listing of upcoming lecture topics. From 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, whenever weather conditions permit, the public is invited to view the night skies through the 24-inch reflector and the 10-inch refractor telescopes. Trained observers are on hand to operate this equipment and to answer your questions. Please note that AAI hold general meetings on the 3rd Friday of each month, rather than a public program. See website for a schedule of upcoming programs.
   
   
3. Boonton Observatory Astronomy Club - 3rd Friday of the month (~9pm)
   
   
4. 2nd & 4th Thursdays, (~7:30?) Free: Public Observing at the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory. One Hour after Sunset — Roof of the Serin Physics Laboratories, corner of Frelinghuysen Rd. and Allison Rd., Busch Campus of Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ. Members of the Rutgers University community and the general public are invited to observe the skies through the 20-inch optical telescope of the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, weather permitting. The observatory is open for two hours starting about one hour after sunset. Observing will be canceled for that night if the skies are cloudy at the beginning of the observing session. Please check the website for the most up-to-date information. If you have any questions, please call 732-735-5483 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.

last update: 2/2011