Homeschool Nations - Rhode Island

Nov. 26, 2008

TOS Black Friday Sale!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Black Friday Sale

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is having an amazing sale on subscriptions during their annual Black Friday Sale November 26 – 30. For those 5 days only, they are actually lowering their new one-year U.S. subscription price to $7.95! That's the price you would usually pay for just one issue at a bookstore!

This is their lowest price ever on the magazine and they want all of you to take advantage of this offer and share the info with your friends.

Please don't miss out. Your one-year subscription will pay for itself time and time again as you receive practical tips and Biblical encouragement to keep going strong in your commitment to homeschooling and to the Lord. Since it's a quarterly magazine, they even have a monthly subscriber's only E-Newsletter called Teacher's Toolbox that will give you seasonal teaching ideas and a free E-Book download! It's like joining a unit study of the month club! The free E-Books alone are valued at almost $250/year. It's really perfect for people who are homeschooling on a shoestring or just wanting to add in some little extras to your teaching.

Plus during the Black Friday Sale, they have all kind of bonus gifts when you spend $50, $75, $100, or $150. Some are electronic downloads that you can download immediately, while other are physical products mailed from various vendors directly to your home.

Visit The Old Schoolhouse store at: www.TheOldSchoolhouseStore.com

Order Yours Today! And don’t miss out on this great price!!!

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Nov. 12, 2008

Ocean State Children's Choir

Several homeschool students are participating in the Children's Choir. Here is a schedule of their upcoming concerts:

Ocean State Children's Choir

CONCERT – November 16 @ 3pm (free concert)
Orchard Church, 180 Oaklawn Ave, Cranston
Retired Music Ed. Assoc. Sch.

CONCERT - November 30 @ 3pm (free concert – freewill offering)
Asbury Methodist Church, 143 Ann Mary Brown Drive, Warwick

CONCERT - December 7 @ 4:30 p.m.   (free concert)
South Kingstown Neighborhood Guild, 325 Columbia St, Wakefield

CONCERT December 13   (fundraiser)
The Orchard Church, 180 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston
Dinner 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.   Adults $10 Children $5
Concert 7:00-8:00 p.m. Adults $10 Children $5

CONCERT -December 31 Bright Night @ 6p.m.
Grace Church, Providence

(All locations are RI.)

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Nov. 8, 2008

National Geographic Bee

If you are a homeschooler and would like to participate in the Geobee, we would love to have your child participate! Please register with me, Amy Brock 294-3977 / webmaster@rihomeschool.com, with your and your child's name, age and grade. Also a phone # in case I have any email problems and need to contact you. Details are below.

GEOBEE
This year's National Geographic Geobee will be held on a Friday, November 14th from 1:30 - 3:30 PM at the Warwick Public Library. This fun and entertaining test of geographic knowledge is open to all homeschooled students in grades 4 through 8. The winner will be given a qualifying test (either right after the bee or at a convenient later time) to advance to the state competition.
For sample questions and daily quizzes see:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/study_corner.html

Pre-registration is required and open to the first 30 students who register.

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Oct. 30, 2008

A Book Review: Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally

A friend just lent me this book and I thought that I would write a short review of it. Having read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy Meets Girl" by Josh Harris, I thought this was a nice addition to my arsenal of relational alternatives for pre-marital Christians (ie: my up and coming teens).

This book addresses many of those struggles unique to single women. It addresses very young women caught up in the culture creation of elementary school dating, as well as, those women who are much further into marriageable age. Not only that, Sarah Mally addresses the calling of perhaps not ever being married. Her focus is on doing the Lord's work as a single person and trusting Him to provide a spouse, if that is His calling for you.

The Author does talk about the pitfalls of dating and the unBiblical nature of the practice. Her convictions are very much in line with those of Josh Harris. I also think that this is a wonderful supplementary reading for the "Passport to Purity" tapes (via parent/child weekend together). It really reinforces the concepts there, ie: resisting peer-pressure, waiting to date, submitting to parental discernment, and maintaining your purity for marriage. The thing I like about this book is that it is written as a single person to another single person (female), sharing her own convictions regarding these issues and encouraging the reader to formulate and embrace their own convictions.

Also, this is a "safe" book if your child is generally innocent regarding sexual promiscuity. Miss Mally does not go into any sordid details about sexual activity, but rather addresses the lack of commitment in dating and the dangers and selfishness inherent in American dating. She also talks about saving "firsts" for marriage, but never mentions sex! I think this book would be great to give the 12 year old believer who comes home depressed because she doesn't have a boyfriend! There are definitely dangers to address regarding promiscuity, but I think Miss Mally handles the dangers without the details very well.

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Oct. 28, 2008

Reading Through the Bible at the RI State House

From an email from coordinator, Cheryl Russell:

God’s people are invited to gather at the state house for the purpose of reading the bible from Genesis to Revelation starting Wednesday, October 29th – Tuesday, November 4th, which is Election Day.

Reading will be done from 9am-9pm and will take place on the back stairs of the state house overlooking the city. We are praying for 350 volunteers to read for a time period of 15 minutes. You will not need to be there from 9-9, only the15 minute time slot you volunteered for. If you feel more comfortable, you can read in your native language.

I ask that you would share this email with everyone on your mailing lists to help get the word out. What a great opportunity to involve your Church, Youth Groups, Christian Schools, Home Schooling Networks, Prayer Ministries, Men’s Groups, and Women’s Groups. You can sign up for a larger slot of time as a group.

To sign up for a time slot you simply need to go to www.prayri.org click the bible reading marathon link, use marathon as your password and sort by NAME then select the day and time block you would like.

If you have any questions about signing up, please email Cheryl Russell at prayri@cox.net.

I pray you will be blessed as you participate in this time of reading the word over our City and State.

“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”
Psalm 138:2

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Oct. 21, 2008

Free Food on the Highway

I was walking with a friend this morning and she told me that her church's property was covered with Autumn Olives. We have Autumn Olive trees all over our property and I thought they were "weed trees". I didn't know you could EAT THEM!

Turns out these are invasive! and did I mention you can EAT THEM! When we returned to my friends home, she let me try out some Russian Olive Jam that her father-in-law made for her. It was great! A little like strawberry rhubarb, or even, dare I say, the flavor of a Fruit-roll-up.

They are also high in Lycopene, that tomato nutrient everyone has been touting of late and you can get it for free on the side of the highway. (Not that you should stop on the highway, but they are everywhere!)

Now be sure that you have identified the correct plant because there are a lot of red berries out this time of year and you don't want to get the wrong one. Thankfully, this is not difficult to identify. It is also insanely easy to pick. On branches where the leaves have died, clusters of berries form and you can just run your hand over the cluster and the berries fall off (into your bucket.) I spent 15 minutes out at our trees and probably collected about 10 cups.

So in these times of frugality, remember where you can find free food!

Here is a site describing its benefits (and a good picture of what it looks like.)
http://www.psa-rising.com/eatingwell/wild-foods/autumnolive.htm

Here is a recipe for Jam.

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Oct. 11, 2008

Stamp Farms

There is a wonderful (FREE!) hayride at Stamp Farms, Rt. 2, Exeter, RI. The Stamps are a homeschool family with 8 children. They grow native sweet corn and sell it in local markets.

This time of year can really get you in the pocketbook with harvest activities. Apple picking can get really expensive (the orchard we go to charges more per pound than the grocery store) and paying for a hayride and corn maze can be an expensive family trip! The thing I like about Stamp Farms is that it is a) free and b) it's not gimicky. Mr. Stamp takes you around the fields on a wagon pulled by his ancient John Deere tractor and tells you about the farm, irrigation, what is in each field.....real farm stuff, you know? They, of course, have pumpkins for sale out at the front of the field, mums, indian corn, gourds, etc.

Stamp Farms has free hayrides every weekend in October.

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Oct. 2, 2008

It's Shakespeare time!

I wanted to share with you this great opportunity to participate in a Shakespeare competition. If you are interested in participating in a local homeschool qualifying competition, please email me: Amy Brock webmaster@rihomeschool.com and I will put you in touch with someone who is hoping to put that together!

Season's Greetings! It's Shakespeare time! I am sending this letter to all the teachers who have held Shakespeare competitions in recent years. It's time to begin planning. This year's finals are Sunday, February 8th and once again we will be at Laurelmead.

Instead of my sending cumbersome packets through the mail, please simply go to the E-SU website; www.esuus.org. There you will find everything you need, including a list of suggested monologues. However, for your convenience, I am attaching the two forms that I need back from you: the School Participation Form and the Branch Competition Entry Form. I will need the former as soon as you decide you will compete. Then send me the latter when your school has selected its winner. I have stated that Friday, January 23 is my deadline for everything.

Note that 9th graders are now eligible. Your winner must have been selected from among a minimum of 3 participants, but I urge you to make the Shakespeare Competition a class assignment, thus giving students who do not think they can do this an opportunity to discover that they can. Monologues must be no more than 20 lines and remember that the judges consider the sonnet just as significant as the monologue.

If you have trouble downloading the forms or have any questions, feel free to contact me. I will again be advising your principal of the competition and will continue my efforts to attract representation from schools which have not yet participated.

Thanks for your loyalty to Shakespeare in the past. Of all my extra-curricular activities I think this E-SU Shakespeare contest is my favorite. I hope your school year has begun well.

Sincerely, David Burnham

Tel: (508) 252-3442 Fax: (508) 252-8047

Cell: (401) 965-9472 email: awburnham@aol.com

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Sep. 12, 2008

Pondering Liberty

As the school year starts there are always little skirmishes across the state that flare up. A new superintendent with a resolve to regulate. An old policy revisited.... Ironically, a new required subject in RI this year (well, really last year) is Civics. What I have to say is, "if you want us to study it, don't get mad at us when we start practicing it!"

Of late, I have reread Chris Klicka's article referencing the Supreme Court rulings that support our constitutional right to direct and control the education of our children. It causes me to ponder why nationally we cannot do away with all regulation regarding homeschooling. Once a parent has absolved the state of its responsibility to educate their children (the parent's children!) then why is there any more involvement by the state on any level?

It seems to me that we don't need to regulate what has already been proven, already recognized as good and necessary. For instance, in RI, Science is not a required subject. I do not know any homeschooler who does not teach science! Nor any private school! (although I seem to recall one public school had no funding for it one year.) I used to wonder, "why isn't Science required? That's just odd." but really it isn't odd. We don't need a law to tell us to teach Science (or any of the other subjects listed in our law for that matter). It's a given that Science is a good and necessary subject that is part of a well-rounded education. Similarly, No law tells parents to feed, clothe and shelter their children. It is the good and necessary thing to do. Also, it is a given (or should be!) that parents love their children and desire a good education for them. Why is it necessary to regulate us and make sure that we are giving our children an effective education? If anyone cares that kids get a good education, it's their parents! It's a given.

It seems that daily there are newspaper articles regarding the success and effectiveness of homeschooling. If it is the state's compelling interest to educate its citizens, it should be vigorously embraced when a parent takes it upon themselves to do this themselves. Parental involvement is one of the keys to classroom success even!

As society has provided education, parents have gradually given away their responsibilities and lost their rights. First the schools started feeding them at lunch, now they feed them breakfast too...what next? Will they keep them for dinner too? First they taught them to read, to write and with their figures....now sex education, now required classes in health and physical education. As children have been taken out of real life with parents, they need to teach it in school!

As far as I can tell, we don't need an amendment, we need to reference the ones we have that have been used in SC rulings already to support parental rights in general and in regard to education. It seems that even with the battles we are winning, we aren't quite fighting a war yet.......I think we need to fight a war.

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Sep. 6, 2008

Garden Finale

Well, I thought I would do one last seasonal post about my garden.

Corn - did "okay". We didn't realize we had planted two different breeds and so harvested one too late and it was too mature. Also, a bunch of ears had worms, so next year we need to keep a closer eye on them and treat for worms.

Squash - still coming. I had a bumper crop of yellow this year. I don't know why. They were filling the zucchini cliche' that the zucchini was failing at. I did have an attack in the beginning by the "cucumber beetle" but put Sevin on my plants and that solved the problem. I should have done the same with my cucumbers.

Cucumbers - not very prolific. Probably due to wilt from cucumber beetles. I didn't dust because the flowers were blooming and I didn't want to harm the bees.

Tomatoes - still coming. Lots of tomatoes but they also got wilt. It carries over from the soil each year. Husband bought some spray but I think I applied it too late. I can't complain, there is still a lot of fruit. So far, 8 pints of salsa, the same of stewed tomatoes, and more to come.

Peppers - green. Doing good.

Jalapenos - doing very good. I used for salsa and also have pickled several 1/2 pints for my husband's nachos.

Apple trees - coming in well with healthy leaves and new growth. My son's orchard (if you read earlier) that he has been faithfully watering. I hope he gets apples next year, then he will really feel like he accomplished something.

Worms! - a new batch! Thanks to Julie, a friend who read my post, I have new vermicomposting worms. They are doing well in a well-drained bucket in the garden with holes in the bottom if they want to escape to soil for winter.

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Aug. 25, 2008

Homeschooling in RI - 101

Homeschooling in RI - 101

RI is an “approval” state, meaning that our law states that the local school committee needs to approve our course of instruction. That is not to say that we need their approval in order to homeschool or that they are approving our right to homeschool. It is just a matter of our “course” meeting the requirements of RI law. What are those requirements? For the full law go to: http://www.rihomeschool.com/homeschooling-legal-information
but in a nutshell, we must cover the required subjects for the right # of days.

What do I send to the school district?

This is where things get tricky. For detailed info about what your school district requires, please contact your chapter leader or a fellow-homeschooler in your district.

In general in the state of RI it is expected that you:

•Send a Letter of Intent (LOI) - the LOI should simply state that you intend to homeschool your child for the 2008-2009 school year. You should state that attendance will be substantially equal to that required by law in public schools (180 days) and that RI law will be followed with regard to required subjects. You may want to list the subjects in your letter to demonstrate that you know the law. They are reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, English (from RI 16-19-2); civics (16-22-2); health and physical education (16-22-4).

• Ideally that should be it, and that is where I would start. If they want something else, they will ask for it. If you know from the counsel of other homeschoolers or the district’s official policy that the school requires curriculum, you can attach a list of books or resources covering the subjects required above. It seems that if a book is listed for each subject, most school districts feel that your course is sufficient.

• If the school policy asks for an end-of-the-year report of progress, you may want to state in the LOI how you plan to do that. Some schools have asked for portfolios, testing, etc. but Commissioner of Education rulings support the parents’ method of measurement.

What shouldn’t I send?

There are some things that we feel are beyond what is necessary to comply with RI law, among them are:

• Signing forms provided by the school dept. Some are harmless and some are contractual. You do not want to sign a form that will limit you making changes to your curriculum or making other adjustments throughout the year.

• Giving lesson plans or time indications for each subject. This is not necessary information for approval and negates the freedom of homeschooling to children’s interests and adjusting schedules and times to children’s needs and/or giftedness.

• Reporting more often than once a year. We have argued many times before school committees that homeschoolers should not be required to report more than once a year. There are policies that ask for quarterly or biannual reports from homeschoolers but private schools, governed by the same law, only report to the DOE once a year. This is up to your discretion.

• There is also some debate as to whether it is necessary to include age, grade, or date of birth in the LOI.

• Medical or vaccination information. This is private information and is not required for homeschool students in RI.

We suggest giving the least amount of information possible to retain parental and homeschool rights for all RI families while still obeying RI statutes.

Where do I send it?

In most (possibly all) school districts in RI, the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or the Curriculum Director has been delegated by the School Committee for managing homeschool LOI. In some cases, there is another individual who has been given this responsibility. It is safe to say that sending your LOI to the Superintendent will get it into the proper hands. You should, however, send it certified, or have a copy stamped “received” so that you don’t run into truancy issues later, should they misplace your letter.

Happy Homeschooling! Feel free to email me with any questions!

Amy Brock
RIGHT State Coordinator
webmaster@rihomeschool.com

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Aug. 4, 2008

Museum of Natural History, Roger Williams Park, RI

MNH Monthly Homeschool Adventures are back!
Homeschool Adventure Days are programs held at the Museum of Natural History, Roger Williams Park, for local homeschool families. Programs run the first Monday of each month, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and each month is organized around a different theme or topic. Special scavenger hunts, crafts, and activity tables are available throughout the day to engage families. In addition, scheduled tours, planetarium shows, and workshops are held throughout the day; pre-registration is required for these scheduled programs.

Registration
Advance registration is required for each session. To make a reservation, contact the Museum Education Department at (401) 785-9457 x247 or education@musnathist.com. Space is limited, so register early.

Fee per session
$12.00 per family
Register for ANY two or more: $10.00 per family
Payment is due on the day of each program.

Monday, September 8, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Museum Miscellany
Discover the Museum! Find out what wild and wonderful marvels the Museum has to offer, from rocks and fossils to birds and bones.
    •     Planetarium Show – 11:00am: Sky Views shows
Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the planetarium.
    •     Vault Tours - Offered at 10:00am, 11:00am, and 12:00pm. View the underground collections storage and the other 98% of the Museum’s collections that are not on display. Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the vaults.
    •     Mad Mike’s Museum Miscellany Table
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts and activities available all day!

Monday, October 6, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Amazing Animals
From the tiniest insect to the largest whale, the animal kingdom is filled with captivating creatures. Explore what makes each species unique with some weird and wacky animal investigations.
    •     Family Workshop – 11:00 am: Bird Beaks and Camouflage– discover why birds have different shaped beaks and why camouflage helps animals survive, then create an animal with its own unique adaptations. Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Nature Tours of the Park - Offered at 10:00am and 12:00pm. Pre-registration required.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts and activities available all day!

Monday, November 3, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Space Exploration
Blast off into the awesome world of space exploration. Gear up for space with our new exhibit featuring the art and technology of solar system exploration.
    •     Planetarium Show – 11:00 am: Our Place in Space. Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the planetarium.
    •     Family Workshop – 12:00 pm: Rockin’ Rockets! Learn about how rockets fly and test different types of rocket fuels, then build your own rocket to take home! Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, December 1, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Genius Geology
Investigate 4 billion years of geological history and discover how the Earth is still changing today. Why does geology rock? You’ll find out!
    •     Planetarium Show – 11:00 am: Majestic Moonscapes show. Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the planetarium.
    •     Family Workshop – 12:00 pm: Crazy Crystals - examine the crystal structure of different minerals, then create your own crystals to take home! Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Mad Mike’s Rock Table – Bring in your own rocks to have them identified by our resident geologist.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, January 5, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Archaeology Adventures
What secrets are buried deep underground and what mysteries are yet to be unearthed? Find out the fascinating histories of curious cultures and ancient artifacts.
    •     Family Workshop – 11:00 am: Archaeological dig – can you piece together the mysteries of the ancient civilization using buried clues? Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Vault Tours - Offered at 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm. View the underground collections storage and the other 98% of the Museum’s collections that are not on display. Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the vaults.
    •     Mad Mike’s Awesome Artifact Table – With select artifacts from the collections.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, February 2, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Fossil Frenzy
What can fossils teach us about the history of life on Earth? Meet the strange and alien creatures that crawled, swam, and slithered around our ancient Earth.
    •     Family Workshop – 11:00 am: Fantastic Fossils – Can you match the fossil with a picture of the organism that made it? Learn how fossils form and make your own fossil to take home. Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Mad Mike’s Fossil Table – With select fossils from the museum’s collections.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, March 2, 10:00am – 1:00pm: People and Places
So many diverse and interesting people live together on our planet. Discover the special connections between people and their environments in this anthropological tour of the cultures of Earth.
    •     Planetarium Show – 11:00 am: New! Spirit of Africa show. Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the planetarium.
    •     Family Workshop – 12:00 pm: Magical Masks - Take a closer look at the awesome art of Africa and the stories behind it. Then, make your own African mask to take home. Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Special Guided Tours of Africa: Many places, many faces Exhibit - offered at 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm. Pre-registration required.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, April 6, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Spectacular Star-gazing
What mind-blowing marvels await discovery in our vast universe? Explore galaxies, nebulae, and other fantastic phenomena. Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy (2009) by learning to read the stars and becoming a night-sky navigator.
    •     Planetarium Show – 11:00 am: Sky Views Show: Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the planetarium.
    •     Family Workshop – 12:00 pm: Cool Constellations! Make and learn to use your own star finders and star clocks. Learn some of the fascinating myths behind the figures in the constellations.
Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, May 4, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Plant-tastic!
The park is blooming! Discover why trees and plants are important to us as you explore the park’s botanical beauties.
    •     Family Workshop – 11:00 am: Totally Trees! Learn about the different parts of trees and how they work together to make trees grow. Then, plant your own seedling to take home! Pre-registration required. No one under 4.
    •     Tree Identification Tours of the Park – offered at 10:00am and 12:00pm.
Pre-registration required.
    •     Vault Tours of the Museum’s herbarium and plant fossil collections – offered at 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm. Pre-registration required. No one under 4 allowed in the vaults.
    •     Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Monday, June 1, 10:00am – 1:00pm: Incredible Insects
There’s more to these tiny creatures than meets the eye! Get an up-close look at the incredible insects and amazing arthropods than crawl, fly and swarm over our Earth.

Family Workshop – 11:00 am: Bugged out! Investigate some amazing abilities of insects and create your own insect to take home. Pre-registration required. No one under 4.

Insect Tours of the Park – offered at 10:00am and 12:00pm. Pre-registration required.

Plus scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities available all day!

Renée Gamba, Museum Director
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
1000 Elmwood Ave
Providence RI 02907
401.785.9457
401.461.5146 fax
www.providenceri.com/museum

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Aug. 1, 2008

Ocean State Children's Choir and the Ocean State Teen Choir

AUDITIONS for the 2008-2009 Season of the Ocean State Children's Choir and the Ocean State Teen Choir are scheduled for September 13, 20, and 27, 2008 by calling 401 556 3883 (Mr. Paul M. Mancini, Sr.) for an appointment. The Children's Choir presently rehearses Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:55 at the Orchard Church, 180 Oaklawn Ave. in Cranston and Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:55 at the Neighborhood Guild in South Kingstown. Singers in grade 3 - 6, grade 7-12 are eligible.

The Children's Choir new concert season will start on Saturday- September 6 @ 9:30 a.m. at THE ORCHARD CHURCH - Oaklawn Ave. Cranston and Tuesay-September 9 @ 4:00p.m. at the SOUTH KINGSTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD GUILD in Peace Dale. Additional information about auditions and membership can be found on the website at www.OceanStateChildrensChoir.com or by calling 401 556 3883

Paul M. Mancini, Sr.
Music Director
401 943 5825

--
OCEAN STATE CHILDREN'S and TEEN CHOIR(s}
"Awakening the artistry in every child!"

www.OceanStateChildrensChoir.com
401 556 3883

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Jul. 3, 2008

Kids are FREE Mondays in July at Mystic Seaport! (with adult admission.)

FREE admission for kids (17 and under) every Monday in July.

Kids will love climbing aboard tall ships, making their own maritime masterpiece, exploring exhibits, riding in a horse-drawn carriage, and getting out on the water. Plus, they can star in an interactive play, discover stars in the planetarium, and take part in Hands-On-History. But that’s not all, they can captain the playscape fleet, learn to tie seaman’s knots in the Discovery Barn and so much more…

Then when its time to eat, the Galley Restaurant has a full menu of kids’ favorites.

With nearly 20 acres of fun things to see and do,
why not make Mondays this July Mystic Seaport days with FREE Kids Admission.

Mystic Seaport where kids can be kids - running, jumping, exploring and learning all while having fun.

Buy Your Adult Admission Tickets Now!

Limit four children (17 and under) per paying adult. Fees apply to special activities.

888.973.2767 | MysticSeaport.org | 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT

Become a Mystic Seaport Member and your admission is ALWAYS FREE – Join Now!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Jun. 25, 2008

The Schoolhouse Planner

We are 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!

Have a friend who likes an organized home and school? Let them know about the Schoolhouse Planner.

________________

We want to say a very special "thank you" to those of you who pre-purchased the planner.

If you pre-ordered the TOS Planner, you will receive download instructions within the next 48 hours. Watch your inbox! If you haven't ordered your Shoolhouse Planner, now is the time to order your copy. The new school year is quickly approaching!

ORDER HERE!

We are so excited and hope that you are, too.

Sincerely,

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

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Jun. 17, 2008

RI Wild Plant Society SUMMER WALKS AND PROGRAMS

RI Wild Plant Society SUMMER WALKS AND PROGRAMS

For immediate release June 9, 2008

Contact: Jackie Dawley, Office Manager – (401)789-7497 or office@riwps.org or the walk leader where indicated.

TOUR PULASKI STATE PARK
Chepachet, RI
Saturday, June 21, 2008 10 am - 12 noon
This tour will highlight one of the jewels in the state forest system. Until the 1930’s Pulaski Park was heavily used for forest products. The government bought the land to help forestland owners get back on their feet after the depression. Pulaski is a wonderful example of how a forest can recover and be restored as a vital habitat. The hike will tour thru the hemlock trail, and see some of the results of state management release of beetles in battling Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. There is also Lightning Hill, where trees meet the elements in large thunderstorms. Leader: Paul Dolan, Assistant State Forester
Fee: $5 members, $7 nonmembers. Register with Jackie at the RIWPS office 401-789-7497

CARNIVOROUS PLANT WALK- Co-sponsored with the New England Carnivorous Plant Society
Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area, West Kingston, RI
Saturday, July 19, 2008 Noon – 3 pm
            Rhode Island is home to several species of flesh-eating plants. While most other plants are dependent on the soil for providing essential nutrients, carnivorous plants can get what they need from decaying insects. This allows them to survive in some nutrient-poor conditions such as sphagnum bogs, fens, wet gravel, or just floating in the water. The Great Swamp is a great place to see some of them. We should find pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts, and with luck, most will be in bloom. The Great Swamp has a lot to offer botanically, from the stately American Holly Tree, to the beautiful White Fringed Orchid.
Easy walk - No Fee. To register and for information and directions contact walk Leaders: Doug McGrady, 401-248-2967 (RIWPS) and John Phillip, 401-741-7825 (NECPS)

FERNS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE
Tiverton, RI
Sunday, July 27, 2008 10:00 am
Nothing evokes serenity and “naturalizes” a landscape like a glade of ferns. They are easy to grow and provide season-long greenery and wonderful texture. This program will get you started in appreciating and identifying common native ferns with their appropriate soil and light conditions. After reviewing fern species, their interesting life cycle and propagation techniques, we’ll tour the property where a variety of native ferns add to its natural diversity and aesthetic quality.

Leader: Garry Plunkett, naturalist and NEWFS Certificate Program graduate.
Fee: $5 for members, $7 nonmembers. Register with Jackie at RIWPS office 401-789-7497

QUEEN RIVER PRESERVE
Exeter, RI
Saturday, August 9, 2008 8:30 -10:30 am
Let's try to beat the heat while exploring a little known area. The Nature Conservancy's Queen River Preserve is an easy stroll along forested pathways to a pristine stream. An unusual pine barren community, wetlands and woods can be explored, and together we can uncover its secrets. Bring an interest, or expertise, in mosses, ferns, lichens, flowering plants and trees and see why this area is an important area to protect.

Leader: Frances Topping, a nature generalist interested in the interactions of plants and animals, including humans.
Fee: $5 for members, $7 nonmembers. Register with Jackie at RIWPS office 401-789-7497

WEED IDENTIFICATION
URI Agricultural Experiment Station, URI Kingston
Saturday, August 23, 2008 9:00 am -12:00 noon, rain or shine
            Got weeds? Don’t know what they are? The first step in weed management is proper identification. Come and join Carl Sawyer, Research Associate at the URI Agricultural Experiment Station, and learn how to key out weeds using Weeds of the Northeast by Uva, Neal, and DiTomasso. We will key out specimens brought in by participants, look at weed communities at the Station and talk about management strategies. A hand lens would be helpful. Limited to 15 participants.
Leader: Carl Sawyer M.S. in plant physiology and research associate at URI Agricultural Experiment Station.
Fee: $5 for members, $7 nonmembers. Register with Jackie at RIWPS office 401-789-7497

NORTH KINGSTOWN
Saturday, September 6, 2008   time to be announced
Easy paddle
           Bring your canoe or kayak to venture a view of Bidens laevis (tickseed) in bloom. By paddling around Secret Lake we will get up close to this flower in the Asteraceae family. It will feel like being in a meadow of sunflowers except we will be in the water.
Leader: Sindy Hempstead
Fee: $5 for members, $7 nonmembers. Register with Jackie at RIWPS office 401-789-7497

MUSHROOM WALK
Nettie Jones Preserve, West Greenwich
Tuesday, Sept 16, 2008 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
           Fungus is everywhere but mostly we only notice it when it decides to send out its spore producing fruit, the mushroom. At Nettie Jones Preserve in West Greenwich, the variety of habitats from the mixed hardwood forest, streams and old fields should give us a diversity of mushrooms to look for.
            We will pick one of each type to try and identify it to a major group. There is no collecting on this foray. You are advised never to eat a wild mushroom unless you are positive of its species. Many mushrooms look alike, but some are deadly.
  Leader: Noel Rowe, an amateur mushroom enthusiast [but is by no means an expert).
Fee: $5 for members, $7 nonmembers. Register with Jackie at RIWPS office 401-789-7497

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Jun. 12, 2008

Gaspee Days

Gaspee Days Colonial Encampment & Fireworks
(Jun 13 - Jun 15, 2008)
Encampment - Friday evening, all day Sat., Sun. morning

http://gaspee.com/GaspeeDaysEvents.htm

Fireworks are at dusk on Friday night only, 9 pm
Gaspee Days
Pawtuxet Park, Narragansett Parkway,
Warwick, RI

Description: A recreation, of sorts, of the fireworks that went off when the
ship's powder magazine blew up after we burned the Gaspee in 1772. The
Encampment gives visitors a feel for colonial military life. Dozens of
Militia camp out for the weekend in authentic Revolutionary style.

Hosted by the Pawtuxet Rangers, RIM.

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Jun. 10, 2008

IEW

RIGHT is hosting classes in Warwick again this year. See below for details and sign up information for IEW with Marty O'Reilly. (If you are interested in other classes offered by RIGHT, please email me privately - webmaster@rihomeschool.com.)

Warwick IEW classes will be held at Greenwood Community Church, 805 Main Ave. , Warwick. We hope to also be offering an upper high school literature class (see RIGHT newsletter June/July) from 9- 10am as well as a high school apologetics class during IEW level one from 10 - 11:30.

IEW Classes:

Having trouble teaching well- rounded and essential writing skills to your home schooler? Do you hate the program you've purchased, or is it just not working?

Marty O'Reilly, a home schooling mom of 12 years, will be offering the Level 1 and Level 2 Institute for Writing Excellence Course this year as well as an SAT Writing Prep and College Admission Essays Course in RI and in MA. She has been teaching these classes for the past 12 years.
      Level 1 skills to be taught include; Writing Style and Techniques, Note Making and Outlines, Summarizing from Notes, Summarizing Narrative Stories and References, Library Reports, Creative and Essay Writing, and Critiques.
      Level 2 skills include; Level 1 Review, Editing, Creative Writing, Expanded Stylistic Techniques , Biographical Research, Essays, Interviews, Imitation of Styles and Personal Style Development, Critiques, and Persuasive Essays
      SAT Writing Prep and College Admissions Essay Prep includes a review of all of IEW's structure and style skills in the context of these important preparations as well as essential pointers to increase scores and acceptances. (10 week class for 10-12th graders)

Classes are 20 weeks in duration; 10 weeks in the Fall and 10 weeks in the Spring, starting the second week in September. Classes are 1 _ hours a week and will be offered to students grades 6 – 12. The cost is $160 per semester. This fee will include all required materials.
Classes offered:

Warwick, RI
Thursdays beginning Sept. 11
Level 1 10-11:30
Level 2 12-1:30

Bellingham, MA
Tuesdays beginning Sept. 9
Level 1 9:30-11:00
Level 2   11:00-12:30
SAT Prep 1:00-2:30

North Andover, MA
Wednesdays beginning Sept 10
Level 1 10:00-11:30
Level 2 11:00-12:30
SAT Prep 1:00-2:30

To register, or if you have any questions please email Marty at familiaoreilly@comcast.net or call (508) 883-0073. Please register by July 15 to ensure availability.

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Jun. 10, 2008

Summertime!

Well, I haven't written in a while. Things slow down in the summer, although the organization that I head up, RI Guild of Home Teachers, has some major events in June. This Saturday we have a Family Fun Day and then on the 21st we have our Used Curriculum Sale (which is open to all homeschoolers. Details in one of my former posts.)

I had a play day at my house today, but only 2 families came! It's funny how things go in waves. One day there will be 50 kids at my house and on another day only 6. It was very HOT today, so maybe that is why people stayed home.

I have put in my tomato plants and peppers and just harvested a little lettuce. The corn, beans and squash are just starting to come up. I hope it rains tonight. My son's orchard is looking good.

I will peruse my data for events and activities to post!

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May. 22, 2008

RIGHT Used Curriculum Sale

RIGHT Used Curriculum Sale
Saturday, June 21, 2008
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
Exeter Chapel, in Exeter, RI.

Plan on selling any curriculum you no longer need and/or shopping for new curriculum, games, books and supplies.

You can register to sell by going to the RIGHT website (www.rihomeschool.com) and clicking on the Used Curriculum Sale Link. If you do not have online access, please ask a friend or use your local library to register. If you do these things and still have difficulties signing up, please contact Laura Giorgianni by e-mail lauragii@cox.net or by phone (401) 397-4302. The registration deadline is June 6th and You MUST pre-register to sell.

Please spread the word about this sale. It is not limited exclusively to RIGHT members. Fellow homeschoolers, friends, and the public are welcome to be part of the sale. If you are not sure what to do between shopping and picking up your books there are many fun things to do with in a several miles of the Exeter Chapel. Closest is the Exeter Library. Also consider strolling through Wickford or relaxing in Wilson Park. Need to do some other shopping? Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Stop & Shop are all nearby as well.

We are anticipating another great sale this year. Hope to see you there!

The Used Curriculum Sale Board
Beth Goff-Bode, Christine Link, Denise Flint, and Laura Giorgianni

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