Homeschool Nations - Arkansas - Homeschool Blogger

Writing Contest

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 22:25:00 -0600

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

Contests

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:28:00 -0500

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.

History Day

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:27:00 -0500

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

Bridge-a-thon

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 13:06:00 -0500

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!

Fantastic Caverns

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:04:00 -0500

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!

Home School Talent Show

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 13:01:00 -0500

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.

Arkansas State Parks make excellent field trips

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:53:00 -0500

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!

Thinking about homeschooling this year?

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:23:00 -0500

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!

Schoolhouse Planner

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:05:00 -0500

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!

Electrical Safety

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 08:32:00 -0500

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.