Homeschool Nations - Arizona - Homeschool Blogger

Help the Homeless - and get 2 FREE e-books!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:06:00 -0600

What: Collection of new shoes and socks to benefit the homeless
When: Nov. 16-25
Where: Collection boxes at PVCC Main Campus and Holland Community Center
next to PVCC Black Mountain Campus

This holiday season, five students from Paradise Valley Community College (two of whom are homeschool graduates) are teaming up to help the Phoenix Valley homeless. Due to the economic downturn, the Arizona homeless population has exploded while at the same time overall giving to aid organizations has plummeted. As a service project the students have decided to make a difference in the lives of some of the Valley’s homeless. Their goal is to collect 200 pairs of new shoes and 1000 pairs of new socks by Thanksgiving to benefit members of our community in homeless and domestic violence shelters.

The students will take the donated items to Shoebox Ministry, an organization dedicated to meeting the personal hygiene needs of Arizona’s homeless. Please help out! Collection boxes for new shoes and socks will be located at PVCC in the Main Campus Building (KSC Building) at 18401 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, and the Holland Community Center next to the PVCC Black Mountain Campus at 34250 N. 60th Street, Bldg. B. Scottsdale.

The boxes will be out Nov. 16 through Nov. 25. For more information or to donate online visit soles.xboltz.net.

P.S. Knowledge House is giving away two FREE e-books to anyone who makes an online donation of $10 or more! Just in time for the holidays, the 22-page "Gifts for All Occasions" and 40-page "Easy Money Gifts" ($10 total value) are jam-packed with gift ideas for everyone on your list. Donate online now.

Happy Veterans Day

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:13:00 -0600

Most people probably know someone - a grandfather, uncle, father, brother, friend - who fought in a war or otherwise served in the armed forces in order to defend the freedoms that we so often take for granted. Be sure to take a few minutes out of your day to personally thank them for keeping your country and your family safe. In addition, the modern patriots actively serving in our armed services today surely deserve our appreciation, support, and recognition. We can best pay tribute by recognizing what they have achieved and joining them in their resolve to keep America strong and free.

For Veterans Day activity ideas, and to learn about the history and traditions of this holiday, see: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkveterans.html

Celebrate Constitution Day & Week

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:50:00 -0500

Thursday, September 17th is the 222nd BIRTHDAY OF THE CONSTITUTION!

The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the Founding Fathers of the United States (18 of whom were homeschooled). The signing of the Constitution was one of the most important and influential events in American history, establishing the many rights and freedoms “We the People” enjoy today. Today, exactly 222 years later, we celebrate “Constitution Day” in recognition of the importance of the Constitution to our country, our form of government, and all who were born or have become American citizens.

In honor of Constitution Week which is September 17-23, have your kids memorize the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. I’ve put together a decorative copy of The Preamble, a memory activity, memorization tips, vocabulary, and Constitutional Quotations for Copywork (4 pages total). Click here to download and print: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/ConstitutionMemorization.pdf

See also: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkconstitution.html for Constitution Day resources, lesson plans, activities, and more.

FREE Educator Event at Arizona Science Center!

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:12:00 -0500

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

FREE APS Back to School
Resource Fair & Reception

Presented in partnership with the ASU College of Teacher Education and Leadership.

Sponsored by:

Saturday, September 26, 2009
10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Educators - don't miss this action-packed day, full of professional development opportunities, fun and food!

You will:

Receive a FREE Educator Membership, underwritten by APS.
Earn professional development hours, receive lesson plans and gain valuable instructional ideas at a variety of exciting, hands-on sessions.
Receive TONS of FREE teaching material from exhibitors.
Explore new Arizona Science Center galleries and attend interactive demonstrations.
Enjoy a delicious dinner!
Please note: This event is for educators only (classroom, home school and student teachers); please do not bring guests or children. Be sure to bring your event confirmation and school or district I.D., or home school affidavit, with you to the event. Thank you!

Tentative Schedule*
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.         Registration
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.         Exhibit Hall
10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.    Professional Development Sessions
5:15 p.m.                  Dinner
7:30 p.m.                  Event concludes

*A final schedule and description of professional development sessions will be emailed to you shortly so that you may plan your day.

Parking
While this is a free event, parking is not included.

We recommend you park in the Heritage & Science Park garage, located at the corner of 5th Street & Monroe streets. Please bring in your parking ticket for a discount validation; however, you will still pay up to $8 cash for parking at this garage.

We cannot provide parking validation discounts at other garages. If you park in the garage located on the corner of Washington & 7th streets, you will have to prepay $12 cash due to the D-Backs game.

Registration
Registration opens Friday, Aug. 21 at 8 a.m. Advanced registration is required for this FREE event. There will be no pre-registration of sessions. Please register by visiting http://bts2009.eventbrite.com.

Homeschoolers Chess Grand Opening in North Phoenix

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:39:00 -0500

New Homeschoolers Chess Grand Opening in North Phoenix –
Grand Opening Festivities to Take Place in North Phoenix on Wednesday August 26, 2009

Phoenix, AZ (August 18, 2009) — Jeffrey Flynn homeschooling chess instructor, is officially opening the doors of the new North Phoenix homeschoolers chess club.The Grand Opening day is set to take place from 12p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on August 26 at Northgate Church 34835 N.7th Street,Phoenix.
The session consists of 10 weeks with kids meeting weekly for ninety minutes. Programming will include weekly lectures teaching children how to improve strategy.Kids will play in tournaments with prizes.Pizza day and potlucks will be scheduled.Fun games like speed chess(using clocks) and bughouse(team chess)will be planned.
Flynn has been facilitating a homeschoolers chess club in Tempe for the past 4 years.His brand has become synonomous with creating a learning evironment where kids have fun,parents are involved,and his teaching produces results.
Flynn says that "A recent study showed that children who played chess for 1 year:
-demonstrated 15% improvement in Math and Science
-twice improvement in Reading and Math
-increased standardized scores (11.2% Reading) (18.6% Math)".
Events scheduled for the Grand Opening Wednesday, August 26 include FREE Pizza and the wildly anticipated simultaneous exhibition given by Flynn. Flynn will play up to 50 challengers at the same time!Prizes will be given to anyone that can survive up to 30 moves against Flynn.
A one-time-only promotional Grand Opening membership rate will also be available.
Flynn has taught chess to children in the Phoenix metropolitan area for the past 6 years.He currently works with over 250 kids weekly.
-------------------------
Parent Testimonial:Unsolicited

"Meaghan has really enjoyed your class this year,and she is planning
on being in it next year.She started the year with some interest in
chess,and has ended up extremely well-versed in the game and in
complete possession of concepts her Dad and I don't understand!
Thank you for such a great learning opportunity for her.I know that
it will serve her in everything she does.Also,I didn't realize until
just a few weeks ago that Meaghan is the ONLY girl in your group!
I'm not surprised that she's not intimidated by that....she is
massively confident,as I am sure you noticed.But,you also made it a
safe and welcoming place for her,especially that time you helped her
with that difficulty she had with some of the boys.So, thanks for
that too.
I'm trying to encourage her brother to be part of chess next year
when he is in Kindergarten (can they join that young?) but he seems
to think he needs to do everything totally separate from his sister.
I'm working on him though....
See you next fall."
---------------------------
Parent Testimonial:Unsolicited

Jeff- "We will enroll Brock for another 10 week session. Just an
encouragement for you- Brock really enjoys the class- I think that
you have a unique ability to communicate to many age levels".
By Grace,
Kelley R. Hand
Pastor, Desert Palms Church, PCA
------------------------------
Parent Testimonial-Unsolicited

"I just wanted to let you know that my boys, Dino & Dante, had a
great time at the class yesterday.They have been quoting you and
showing me different moves on the board!"
--------------------------------------------
For Immediate Release
WHAT:Homeschoolers Chess North Phoenix Grand Opening
WHERE:Northgate Church 34835 N.7th Street Phoenix
(602) 435-0464
http://www.intelligentrecreation.com
WHEN:Wednesday, August 26 from 12-1:30p.m.
Simultaneous Chess Exhibition,Prizes,Free Pizza
PRICE:First Visit Free then $79 and 25% discount each additional child
FREE first day

Jeffrey Flynn
Scholastic Chess Clubs

Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering Classes

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:47:00 -0500

Coming Soon to North Phoenix!

Science Enrichment Classes 7-12^th grade

Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

Extract Your Own DNA

Grow Genetically Modified Plants

Debate at a Mock City Council Meeting

Graphing & Data Analysis

Subject: I am very excited to bring to the home school community a unit study in the field of biotechnology. These classes will be conducted with a Christian perceptive and respect for Our Lord’s beautiful creations. Grades 7 on through 12. High Schoolers can use this for lab science credit.

Teacher: Kim Lindvig, M.A. in Education plus a former Toxicologist Research Scientist with publication

Location: NorthGate Church 7^th Street and Carefree Highway . Directions- go along Carefree Highway to 7^th Street. Turn north. Less than an 1/8 of a mile, on the East side of the 7^th Street is NorthGate church. Wednesday’s (right after chess) @ 2:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $25 per month with a $10 lab fee and paper copying fee. No books required!

Contact: Kim Lindvig king-lindvig{at}msn{dot}com

Start date: Sept 2^nd Wednesday Meet every Wednesday - will furnish a calendar ASAP.

Class instruction Time includes this plus much more . . .

*Finding out what is DNA and doing an extraction lab on strawberries/ kiwi fruit

*Extract your own DNA!

*Find out what is biotechnology and genetic engineering

*Learn how genes can be altered and gene transfer techniques

* Grow genetically modified cotton plants & wild type plants and observe the difference

*Record and observe the effect of the herbicide Roundup on genetically modified plants vs. wild-type plants

*Understand the transition of agriculture farmland to housing/commercial/industry & how it has impacted Maricopa County

*Learn Parliamentary Procedure

*Experience a mock City Council meeting by debating a selected topic and coming up with a resolution.

* Much more!

Please pass on to other home schooling groups who might be interested in this. Let's make this happen!!

ASU Mars Fall Conference - REGISTRATION OPEN!

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:27:00 -0500

Home Educators can attend this and get lesson plans to bring home for teaching your kids.

TO THE MOON, MARS AND BEYOND: TAKE YOUR CLASS INTO SPACE

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 from 9 am - 4:30 pm at Arizona State University

We will feature top NASA scientists and amazing resources!

All conference attendees will receive Standards-aligned, ready-to-use classroom materials and learn about unique student and teacher opportunities.

All teachers are invited!

7.0 Professional Development hours will be awarded.

Tell your colleagues!

Visit our website to register online:
http://marsed.asu.edu/conference/fallconference2009

Please contact us at (480) 965-1788 if you have questions or concerns.

We look forward to seeing you on September 26!

Mars Education Program
School of Earth and Space Exploration
Arizona State University
http://marsed.asu.edu

Emergency Prayer Request for Jessica Hulcey

Tue, 19 May 2009 14:00:00 -0500

FYI…

Jessica Hulcy, author of the popular KONOS homeschool curriculum, was hit by a fire truck loaded with water yesterday. She suffered numerous broken bones, collapsed lungs, brain trauma, and a multitude of other injuries. Her son reported today that she’s awake and can lift two fingers when asked to.

There is now a website with updates and a guest book for greetings:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessicahulcy/journal

Also, an address is on their website if you want to send cards: http://www.KONOS.com

Please check the website above for updated news on her condition.

Home School event for children 11 and up

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:57:00 -0500

Home school families - we may have an exciting, FREE opportunity to offer you!

I have applied for a small grant that, if awarded, will train your children (ages 11 and up only) to create telescope generated pictures of space, enhance them, and create a display for the public to view here at the Arizona Science Center. I will know if the grant is awarded by August 10, 2009, and the training must be concluded by the end of August.

While the training is free, in order to participate, you must agree to:

1) attend all three sessions – August 17, 19, and 21 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

2) have access to a computer with internet capabilities, and a color printer

3) create a computer generated picture of an object in space and enhance it or create a model of it for display at Arizona Science Center

Note: if possible, please bring a laptop with wireless internet capabilities with you to all the three classes.

On Monday, August 3 at 10 a.m., I will begin taking reservations for students (maximum 20) interested in the project and willing to make the commitments outlined above. Please call Mary Campbell at 602-716-2000 ext 2556 to make your reservation.

Please understand that if this grant is not funded, we will be unable to offer this training. Keep your fingers crossed!

Thanks!

Mary Catherine Campbell

Sr. Educational Services Coordinator

PHONE: 602-716-2000 ext 2556

Dress Like a Cow - Get Free Chicken!

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:49:00 -0500

If you dress like a cow this Friday, July 10, and go to any Chick-Fil-A restaurant they will give you free food for Cow Appreciation Day! Go to their website and get some tips for making your very own cow costume: http://www.cowappreciationday.com/