Homeschool Nations

Homeschool Nations - Arkansas

Nov. 2, 2008

Writing Contest

Calling Young Writers
If you love to write and are between the ages of twelve and eighteen, Patrick Henry College's first writing contest, "A Call to Pens", is for you. Students between the ages of twelve and fifteen will create stories exploring the "Pursuit of Purpose". Students between the ages of sixteen and eighteen will pen fiction with the theme "Joy in Pain". The College will award several cash prizes to the top writers nationwide.

PHC Provost, author, and cultural commentator Dr. Gene Edward Veith will serve as one of the judges for the competition, which is organized by the student-run Community Involvement Commission. All proceeds will be donated to the "Finish the Foundation" building fund for the completion of the Barbara Hodel Student Center. The entry deadline is November 30, 2008, with winners to be announced in early January, 2009.

Click here for more information and competition rules.

Information from the Arkansas Education Alliance

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Oct. 27, 2008

History Day

History Day in Arkansas Competition
National History Day program is a great project-based learning competition for students in grades 6-12 (there is also a separate 5th grade poster competition). Students choose to work individually or in groups on research papers, exhibits, documentaries, web sites, or performances, which use primary and secondary sources to research and analyze local, state, national or world history. This year's topic is "The Individual in History".

The Arkansas State Competition is April 19, 2009 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. There are district competitions held in February or March of 2009.

If you would like more information, please contact the state coordinator, Patsy Ramsey, at 501-852-2263 or pramsey@uca.edu or click below for district information.

Click here for District Coordinators and Contest Dates

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Oct. 19, 2008

Contests

A contest is currently underway called "Little Green Places". You are asked to send in photos, artwork or videos of a Little Green Space that is good for birds. Email your entry before October 31 to urbanbirds@cornell.edu and please put "Little Green Spaces Contest" in the subject line.

Click here for more details about the contest and about the Celebrate Urban Birds project.

2008 HSLDA Essay Contest
This year's contest provides an extra challenge. In each age category, students must evaluate the worldly wisdom contained in two international folk proverbs. Students may choose which they want to argue and whether they are for or against. Completed essays will be accepted by mail from October 1 through November 1, 2008.

Click here for contest guidelines and entry forms.

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Oct. 6, 2008

Bridge-a-thon

2008 Home School Bridge-a-thon
Join us for a gathering of home schoolers from all over Arkansas on Little Rock's Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge spanning the Arkansas River at Murray Lock and Dam. The third annual Home School Bridge-a-thon is a five-mile walk for people of all ages to benefit home schooling in Arkansas. The easy five-mile course consists of just four trips back and forth across the bridge. Walkers raising $100 or more will earn prizes. Just get a sponsor sheet from our website, secure sponsors for your child and join us on the bridge October 25th at 1:00 pm!

Download your pledge sheet today!

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Sep. 16, 2008

Fantastic Caverns

News from Arkansas Education Alliance

Home School Days at Fantastic Caverns
The days of October 1-14, 2008, will be Home School Days at Fantastic Caverns. During this time, school group rates will be offered to home school groups regardless of the number attending. These rates are $5.75 for children age 12 and under and $14.50 for age 13 and above. These prices are heavily discounted from the general admission prices of $13.50 and $21.50 respectively.

The all-riding tour addresses geology, history, cave life, karst and groundwater. The trip through the cave takes about 55 minutes and is available from 8 am through 4 pm daily. While a deposit is not required, high demand for the tour is anticipated. So, be sure to call ahead to make reservations.

A free study guide, "Living in Cave Country", and the cave-related magazine, Ozark Adventure, is available on their website. Just click the link below.

If you have questions or would like to make reservations, please call 417-833-2010.

Click here for the study guide!

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Sep. 3, 2008

Home School Talent Show

Home School Talent Show Deadline - Sept. 19

Don't forget to register your child for the second annual Arkansas Home School Talent Show to be held at Harding University in Searcy. The deadline to register is September 19. Please contact the Education Alliance office for more details.

If you do not plan to enter a child, join in for a night of fellowship and support the children who are performing. The show begins at 6:30 in the Administration Auditorium of Harding University in Searcy. Tickets are $5 per adult; $3 for students/seniors; and children 3 and under get in free.

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Aug. 25, 2008

Arkansas State Parks make excellent field trips

Looking for field trip ideas? Arkansas's fascinating history and beautiful natural resources can be found in over 50 state parks and museums. Arkansas State Park staff presents over 30,000 programs annually. This remarkable resource of information and hands-on activities is available to your students in memorable outdoor education experiences.

Arkansas state parks website has free online teacher resources and information to help you plan your next Arkansas school field trip!

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Aug. 25, 2008

Choosing Curriculum

Here's some good information to help choose a curriculum.

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Jul. 31, 2008

Thinking about homeschooling this year?

It's almost time for school to start, and for homeschoolers, that means filling out the intent to homeschool and waiver before August 15th. Mark your calendars now.

But if this is your first year to homeschool you may be wondering what exactly is required by Arkansas law.

Here's some valuable information for first time homeschoolers from the Arkansas Education Alliance website.

First-Time Home Schoolers

Acquire a notice of intent to home school and a waiver form from your local public school superintendent or download and print it by clicking here.

Fill out the notice of intent and waiver form. Click here for instructions.

Sign the notice of intent in the presence of a notary if any of your children enrolled in a home school will be taking the driver test. Click here for more information on how home schoolers obtain a driver license.

Keep a photocopy of the completed notice of intent and waiver form for your records.

Turn the completed notice of intent and waiver forms in to the local public school superintendent by the close of business on August 15 for to home school during the fall semester and by the close of business on December 15 to home school for the spring semester.

First time home schoolers must turn the notice of intent and waiver forms in to the superintendent’s office in person.

And then, begin teaching your kids--the fun part!

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Jun. 25, 2008

Schoolhouse Planner

TOS is so excited to announce that our much-anticipated Schoolhouse Planner is READY!

The Schoolhouse Planner has so many wonderful features. You told us what you wanted in a planner, and we have delivered!

Some of the main features include:

Calendars in various forms - yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily

Planners for your homeschool - in various styles to meet your individual needs

Household planning forms

12 "homeschool must-know" items, one for each month of the year

12 essays from some of our favorite authors in the homeschool community - you absolutely won't want to miss these!

24 easy main-dish recipes from some top homeschoolers around the nation

and so much more!

PLUS, the Schoolhouse Planner is interactive! You can type right into the pdf! If you have Adobe Acrobat, you'll be able to save the changes you make. (Note: If you only have Adobe Reader, you can type in your planner information, print it, but will not be able to save these changes.)

Don't forget, monthly planner add-ons are available for purchase every month. We already have some great holiday related information ready for July's planner supplement!

We're there with you each month to make your home and school planning as easy and fun as possible throughout the year!

ORDER HERE!

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Jun. 3, 2008

Electrical Safety

Scott Davis at Making Accidents Disappear, teaches children about electrical safety in his magic shows. He does shows for free for schools and homeschool groups. Check out his website for more information.

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May. 27, 2008

Around Arkansas

Hands-on Fun

The Fort Smith National Historic Site is offering hands-on workshops for children on June 2, 3, 9, 14 and 28. The program is for children ages 5 and up and will explore the history of early Fort Smith. While designed to be fun for kids, the workshops are also educational and tie into Arkansas’s state curriculum frameworks and standards.

3rd & Rogers

Phone: 479-783-3961

Web site: www.nps.gov/fosm.

Web site: www.Arkansas.com

Heading to Hardy for Homesteaders Day

Step back in time and experience the life of our pioneering forefathers at the 17th Annual Homesteaders Day in Hardy. Held in Loberg Park on June 21, the day includes demonstrations of pioneer skills, buggy rides, music, skits, treasure hunts and a wide variety of other activities for kids. And don’t miss everyone’s favorite – the terrapin races!

Loberg Park

Phone: 870-856-3811

Web site: www.oldhardytown.net

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May. 13, 2008

Silent Auction

From Education Alliance

Look below at all the wonderful items that have been donated for the silent auction at the Searcy Home School Convention! The silent auction will be open from 9-5 on Friday and 9-1 on Saturday.

Here is the list of items up for bid:

1. $50 gift certificate to J Pruitt Shoes/Bo's Birkenstock in Little Rock
2. Four admission tickets to Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs
3. Four $10 gift certificates to any Dixie Cafe restaurant
4. $25 gift certificate to make pottery, ceramics, etc, at Firefly Studio
    in Little Rock
5. Four VIP passes to Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium in Branson, MO
6. Two 1-Day admission tickets for the 2008 season at Silver Dollar City in
    Branson, MO
7. A 1-Night stay in a standard single or double occupancy room at the
    Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock
8. $50 gift certificate for Arbonne International products
9. Two complimentary tickets for the 2008 season at Murry's Dinner
    Playhouse in Little Rock (program included)
10. A Brighton bracelet from Faux Pas in Little Rock
11. Two adult tickets to The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs
12. 3 separate complimentary one-year memberships to Home School Legal
    Defense Association
13. Gift basket from the Secretary of State's Office
14. Two VIP show passes for the 2008 season at Grand Country Music Hall in
    Branson, MO
15. Two roundtrip airline tickets valid on any Southwest Airlines operated
    flight within the Continental U.S. No restrictions; no black out dates.
16. A Ginger Lime candle from Gold Canyon Candles
17. Two separate complete lunches for up to a family of four at Capitol
    Bistro in Little Rock
18. Family Four Pack to Dickey-Stephens Park to watch the Arkansas Travelers
    play baseball - includes 4 reserved tickets, hot dogs, soft drinks and
    peanut/popcorn coupons
19. $20 gift card to Mardel Christian & Educational Supply store
20. Two tickets to any one performance of Pops Live! or Masterworks Series
    for the 2008-2009 season from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little
    Rock
21. $5 gift certificate to The Bible House in Searcy
22. $10 gift certificate to The Bible House in Searcy
23. A 1-Night stay in a premium room at The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in
    Eureka Springs
24. Two regular season passes to Magic Springs and Crystal Falls in Hot
    Springs
25. Two tickets to "Fire on the Mountain" showing May 30-June 14 at The
    Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock
26. Four movie passes good at Rave Motion Pictures in Little Rock
27. Two audio books called "Interviewing Your Daughter's Date" from
    FamilyLife
28. Family devotion book from FamilyLife called "Just Add Family: Easy
    Recipes For Faith Filled Fun" (for children 10 and under)
29. "Simply Romantic Nights: License 4 Creative Intimacy" from FamilyLife.
    Get to know your spouse's needs and enjoy one another with these
    creative ideas for a date night once a month. This book is for parents
    only!
30. Trout fishing trip from White Hole Resort in Flippin - two nights in a 1-
    bedroom unit, one full day of guided trout fishing on the White River
    and breakfast on the day of the guided fishing trip.
31. K-bar knife (pilot survival knife) from TeenPact
32. Black Milestones Picfolio (album) from Creative Memories
33. $25 gift certificate to HobbyTownUSA in Little Rock

This is a wonderful opportunity to get items at a discounted price! You will need to check back frequently to see if someone outbid you and to raise your bid. The silent auction will close at 1:00 on Saturday. At 2:00, winners will be announced and may purchase their items. If the winner is not present, the Education Alliance will contact them to arrange for payment and delivery of the item won. The winner will be responsible for shipping costs if not picked up at the convention.

Hopefully you have seen something above that interests you and we hope you will stop by and bid on something.

See you at the convention!

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May. 13, 2008

Help needed at conventions

From Education Alliance

We still have volunteer positions open and paid positions as well. For the Northwest Arkansas convention, we still need help with registration and the used book sale. To volunteer please contact our office at info@arkansashomeschool.org or by calling 501-978-5503.

We also need men (15+) who would be available on Thursday night (4-9 pm) to help the vendors unload and set-up and we need men on Saturday evenining (5-8) to help the vendors tear down and load their vehicles. The pay is $7.50 per hour. If you or someone you know would be interested in any or all of these positions, please contact our office at info@arkansashomeschool.org or call 501-978-5503.

For the Searcy convention, we still need volunteers to help with registration, the used book sale and the children's conference. To help with registration, please contact Amy Chastain at 501-851-8220. To help with the used book sale, please contact Dana Adams at 501-868-7177.

To help with the children's conference, please contact Brandon Werner at 405-517-5686. I also need some teens to usher at graduation. If you have any teens that would be interested, it would be from 5:15 until 6:30 and/or they are welcome to stay and watch the ceremony. This would be great for high school sophomores or juniors to come check out what it's like! Dress is business casual (slacks and skirts; no jeans).

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Apr. 30, 2008

Contest from THM

U.S. Presidents March CD

We have a fun contest for you this month! If you ever wanted your children to learn the names of the presidents we have the product for you!

U.S. Presidents March CD

From our reviewer:

The three songs in The U.S. Presidents March CD help children memorize U.S. Presidents, First Ladies, and the story of the writing of the U.S. Constitution. "The U.S. Presidents March" contains the full names of all U.S. Presidents in chronological order to the tune of John Phillip Sousa's "Washington Post March". A separate split track and instrumental track are also included. "The First Ladies March" (to the same tune) contains the full names of the First Ladies in chronological order, with a separate split track. The third selection is "The Ballad of the U.S. Constitution", which tells the story of how the U.S. Constitution came to be. Events included in the ballad are the signing of the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and the creation of the Bill of Rights. The Ballad has an additional instrumental track.

It delights me to recommend a product created by a fellow homeschooling family. The Coopers have graduated two sons from their homeschool. Drawing from their many years of homeschooling experience, they create and provide products they believe will serve fellow homeschoolers well. I enjoy supporting a family company that offers high-quality products, especially when the family has successfully traveled the path I am just beginning.

Read the complete review online and enter for a chance to win the U.S. Presidents March CD!

TO ENTER:
Email Deb with your name and mailing address and the subject, "U.S. Presidents March" for a chance to win*.

Also, if you are not already a subscriber to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, now is a great time to start.

I wanted to tell you about a special promotion the magazine for homeschool families is running right now. If you subscribe for just a year, you actually (while supplies last) will receive 25 curriculum-type gifts from various vendors. The value is huge – hundreds of dollars' worth of freebies to you. No strings attached – except that TOS only has about 2000 of these “gift baskets” left in their inventory. First come, first served. Here's the link which explains more, below. You can even view all the gifts and find out how they'll arrive. Hurry, though, they go really fast. Last time the magazine did this they sold out about two months early.

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_60&products_id=1542

The above link will show you the pictures of your free gifts plus give you all the details.

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Apr. 24, 2008

14th Annual Migratory Birding Hike at Lake Leatherwood

Eureka Springs

April 27, 2008, 8:30 - 11

Eureka Springs’ birding authority J. Pat Valentik will conduct the three-hour migratory birding hike, participants are asked to meet at the Bath House at Lake Leatherwood Park. Valentik recommends hikers “bring adequate drinking water, sturdy shoes and binoculars.” He added, “And be prepared to see up to sixty different species of migratory birds on the hike!” Children are welcome. An adult must accompany children under twelve.

For a free bird coloring book here.

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Apr. 18, 2008

Convention Help

Got this from Education Alliance today.

Jim Fuller with Bob Jones University Press is looking for some additional help at both the Springdale and Searcy conventions coming up very soon. What he is seeking is a BJUPress home school parent and teen team that is currently using BJUPress for all there homeschooling needs and that have a Love for BJUP materials. The parent can help out answering homeschooling question as well as take orders and the teen will be just taking orders and helping customers fill out order forms. This is a paid position from Precept Marketing Group of $8.00 per hour each for the parent and for the teen. For more information call Jim Fuller 501-766-1632.

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Apr. 13, 2008

April Events

Predators
April 2 - April 27, 2008
Museum of Discovery
How did the dinosaurs track their prey, and what was their favorite meal? Do common house cats and the big cats of Africa still have common traits? What is the most dangerous animal in the ocean? Join the Museum of Discovery as we take you on an adventurous look into the lives of Predators!
Admission: $8 adults; $7 children and seniors
http://www.amod.org

"Creating Pots for Wood Burning Kilns" Workshop

April 12 - April 15, 2008
http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com
Certain forms, as well as certain clay body formulations, are more conducive to success in a wood firing kiln than others. Learn the difference in this class which precedes our annual wood firing with resident Folk Center potters John Perry and Judi Munn. Lodging and meal packages available. Contact the park to register.
Admission: $200 plus material fees

Step Back Saturdays: At the Forge
April 12 - April 26, 2008
Historic Arkansas Museum
http://www.HistoricArkansas.org
See how they did it in pioneer days. Saturdays March-October bring pioneer life ways to the historic grounds, showing you the how and the why of 1800s living. Each month presents a different theme. The half-hour presentations are open to the public free of charge, or can be seen as part of a historic house tour at no additional cost. Times: 10:45, 11:45, 1:45, 2:45, 3:45.
Admission: Free

Artists Retreat-Creative Expressions
April 18 - April 20, 2008
10 am - 8 pm
Peace Mountain Lodge on More Mountain
http://johntwohawks.com
Whether you are an artist, a writer, an entrepreneur or a college student, creating The Creative Expression Retreat replaces the 'Artist's Retreat' because we see that all people have a need to experience this creative force that is the essence of making life worth living. This retreat is set up to help us to appreciate those things that are sometimes thought of as 'less valuable', but are really the seeds of peace, love and joy. Nature lovers, business visionaries, thought explorers, dream catchers, entrepreneurial spirits, vision dancers and lovers of the wind, you are all invited to explore your creative potential. Bring ideas, dreams, art, jokes.
Admission: $250

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Apr. 4, 2008

Arkansas--Announcing the 2008 Annual Education Alliance Convention

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

The 2008 Annual Education Alliance Convention is coming to your area

May 16-17, 2008. This event will be held at the Harding University

Campus, 915 E. Market Street, Searcy, Arkansas 72143.

We encourage you to attend and take advantage of our special offers

below. Our staff would love to meet you. We count it a privilege to

serve you, and appreciate your partnership with us to defend

homeschool freedoms.

This year, we have two special offers for members:

> If you join or renew your membership at the conference for one year,

you'll receive a $10 coupon that you can use toward your membership

(at the conference only) or for purchasing our materials. Or...

> Renew or join for two years and receive either a $25 coupon that you

can use toward your membership (at the conference only) or the Drive

Thru History America DVD and student workbook, retailed at $50.00,

FREE. Please visit http://www.hslda.org/join/offers.asp for more

information. (This offer does not include the $10 gift certificate.)

If you are not yet an HSLDA member or know someone else who might be

interested in joining, these same offers are available for families

who join at the conference.

Additionally, if you bring someone to our table who joins at the

conference, we'll give you another $10 coupon for your

recommendation--which you can also apply toward membership (at the

conference only) or HSLDA products.

Please note that these offers are only valid at the conference. Early

registration ends of April 30. For more information about the 2008

Annual Education Alliance Convention, please contact TEA at

501-978-5503, info@arkansashomeschool.org, or visit

www.arkansashomeschool.org .

We are keenly aware that our parental and homeschool freedoms are best

preserved when we all stand together to defend them. We look forward

to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith

HSLDA President

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Apr. 2, 2008

Important Dates

If you have a child in grades 3 - 9 the state-mandated testing is coming up. Mark your calendars. Find out more information here.

News from the Arkansas Education Alliance

Homeschool Graduation hosted by the Arkansas Education Alliance
Date & Time of Graduation: Saturday, May 17, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Place for Graduation: Benson Auditorium
Harding University, Searcy, AR

Graduation Deadline Extended
The deadline to register has been extended to April 15. If you or anyone you know has not signed up there's still time! Click the link below to print a copy of the graduation packet.

Click here to view the graduation packet.

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About Me

Welcome to the Arkansas Homeschool Nations website. I'm a homeschooling mom of 3 and have been homeschooling for 5 years now. On this site I will be sharing news about events in Arkansas, specific topics for homeschoolers, information about our state laws and important information we should be paying attention to. I hope you find what you're looking for on this site. If not email me and I'll do my best to help!