We believe that the parent has the best interests of their children at heart. We believe that the parent is the first and only teacher that a child needs. In keeping with this philosophy, we wish to be a very hands-off cover school and allow the parent to lead and guide their children in the direction and at the pace they feel is best suited to their children. We ask only for what the law requires while offering support along with quality resources to aid families in their efforts. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:42:00 -0600 Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:42:00 -0600 High School Free Curriculum Multiple Subjects APTPLUS and Discovery Education– FREE Discovery Channel Streaming -  In Alabama, the PBS stations have paid for a subscription to Discovery Channel streaming, and all you have to do is sign up and have access to TONS OF educational videos for the kids TOTALLY FREE.  It is something homeschoolers in most states are paying over $250 for.  I just signed up here http://www.aptv.org/aptplus/.  BrainPop  Math, technology, science, health. You have limited usage free on a daily basis or you can subscribe for unlimited usage. The OpenCourseWare Consortium is a collaboration of more than 200 higher-education institutions that provide free access to high-quality educational materials via the Web.  Economics The Crash Course Ready to learn everything you need to know about the economy in the shortest amount of time? The Crash Course seeks to provide you with a baseline understanding of the economy so that you can better appreciate the risks that we all face. The Stock Market Game gives students the chance to practice hands on real-world math.  Each student gets the chance to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in an on-line portfolio.  While playing the game, students learn economic and financial concepts that they will use the rest of their lives.    PowerPay is a system designed to help you eliminate debt in the fastest possible way. Escape from Knab Scholastic.com Money in Motion These 12 lessons cover budgeting, the importance of saving, understanding the cost of credit and how to use it, and more.  There are lessons here for elementary, middle school, and high school aged children.  Download all 12 lessons here Math  Coolmath.com - math lessons, math games, math puzzles - An amusement park of mathematics... and more! Math.com Homework Help Geometry NLVM 6 - 8 - Geometry Manipulatives Geometry WickED - QuizIt - Maths Browse the Gizmo Collection ExploreLearning Geometry from the Land of the Incas Problems, theorems, proofs, quizzes, with animations and sounds. Euclidean Geometry. StudyWorks! Online Sum of Three Segments Native American Geometry TeacherSource . Math . Middle . Geometry and Spatial Sense PBS Hippo Campus - Algebra and Calculus help is here!!!  Illuminations Resources for Teaching Math is a gold mine of interactive activities for the math classroom. Uncle Dan’s Algebra – Uncle Dan has prepared a series of videos (DVD) that teach ALGEBRA and is specifically designed for homeschooling.  Science Live Monarch - Raise Your Online Butterfly!  This 30 day program will give you professional insight and knowledge into all aspects of the lifecycle of a Monarch.  Welcome to BrainsRule! Learn about your Brain Inside Grossology COURTTV.COM - FORENSICS CURRICULUM The Comic Book Periodic Table of the Elements MEDtropolis - Virtual Body Communicating at an unknown rate Anatomy CHEMystery An Interactive Guide to Chemistry Timberlake's Chemistry Archive of Questions Browse the Gizmo Collection ExploreLearning Unit How the Earth Works Toxic Town - Want to learn about the toxic chemicals and environmental health risks you might encounter in everyday life, in everyday places?   Howstuffworks Auto Channel The Periodic Table of Videos Hippo Campus - This website has Biology, Environmental Science, and Physics.  Virtual Volcano is a Discovery Channel interactive where students learn about and test out volcanoes.  Birth of a Giraffe Environmental Footprint - So, Americans are always being blamed for consuming more than we should. We package things in too much packaging, throw things away without bothering to recycle, and clearly eat too much (or at least, too much of the wrong thing). Are you better than the average American when it comes to how many resources you do use? Well, now's your chance to find out what your environmental footprint is.  Anatomy Arcade makes basic human anatomy come ALIVE through awesome free flash games, interactives and videos.  Anatomy Arcade is perfect for the novice teenager in the classroom, right through to students and professionals of health care looking for a fun way to revise. The Smartkit site was founded by a (M.D.) and has many fun and educational games in several categories. Every once in a while, the founding Neurologist will add an educational post about brain health and enhancement. Health BAM In order to stay healthy, we really need to make sure to get enough exercise. Most kids these days aren't active enough. Here's an innovative website from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Geography Globalmania eBook - From Knowledge Quest, this eBook promises to teach world geography in just 7 months. Globalmania makes use of an organized plan and online resources to help students master world geography. It also includes several quality world maps. History & Social Studies 2009 The Year of Alabama History Etched in the cornerstone of our American heritage, you will discover Native American, Civil War and Civil Rights history, as well as a proud heritage in music, sports and aviation in Alabama. Jamestown features colorful artwork, animated maps and drawings, primary source documents, and insights from historical experts.  Hippo Campus - Great site for Government, History, and Religion. The American Form of Government People of Influence   Virtual tour of the White House has current and historical floor plans of each floor and section of the building as well as ground layouts. Grammar High School English .   Holidays The Holiday Spot - This website features Christmas Celebrations around the world.  A lesson plan for a Colonial Christmas.  The Real Story of Christmas from the History Channel. The History of Christmas Plimoth - Great information on the first Thanksgiving. Arbor Day for Kids Cooking Kids Cooking Art The Artist Toolkit - This site demonstrates different elements of art, has an art encyclopedia, and much more.  Jan Brett's "How To Draw" is by the famous author Jan Brett and offers 11 instructional videos on drawing.  Talent Teacher -  If you think you don't have talent, just start practicing now and soon you will. Chunky Monkey's Cartoon Lessons - So, what would you like to learn to draw today?  Animals, birds, plants,  or perhaps even insects? 500 Years of Female Portraits in Western Art -  watch video. Famous Painting - Art Appreciation/Lessons For Kids Mark Kistler's Online Drawing Academy  Typing & Computers FreshBrain  - The "Technology Exploration Platform for Teens" Stretch Break is designed to help prevent computer related strain injuries by reminding students to take breaks while using the computer.  Every 30 minutes the software asks students if they would like to stretch.  Full animated figures lead students through simple stretches.  Then the software returns students to the task they were working on.  Teachers can designate how long to wait between stretch sessions and how many stretches to lead students through in a session. Music Classics for Kids -  This looks like a very interesting site to teach about classical music.  It introduces a new lessons weekly.  New York Philharmonic -  Learn about composers, instruments, and more. Play games associated with concert music. Piano Nanny   Go Piano -  “Learn to play the piano with online keyboard lessons and free piano instruction online. FREE piano lessons online from basic to advanced.” Free Guitar Lessons Bible ChristianCourses.com Free Creation Videos - Educational documentaries may be the best witnessing tool available to combat evolution indoctrination. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/742806/ Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/742806/ Legacy EnviroBowl Competition What: Legacy EnviroBowl Competition Who:  Everest Academy High School Team Grades 9 - 12 consiting of five team members When:  January 19, 2010 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa and possible March 12, 2010 State Competition at McWane Center Cost:  $10 per team member Deadline:  Deadline for sign up, payment, and refund is December 1, 2009.  Please remember, the quicker the students sign up, the quicker they can start working together.  Contact:  Please contact Deb Spradlin at everestacademy1@gmail.com if interested.  Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education, is proud to host its Seventeenth Annual EnviroBowl Competition with six regional competitions and a statewide final and has invited Everest Academy to participate.  EnviroBowl is a double-elimination question and answer competition played between two high school teams consisting of four students each.  The top three teams at each regional competition will be eligible to advance to the state competition March 12, 2010 at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham.  Each game is played in two rounds. The first round directs two questions worth ten points each to pairs of teammates. The second round consists of twenty toss-up questions, worth ten points each, and ten point bonus questions, all within a twenty-minute time limit. Questions for the competition are taken from Legacy materials, websites, textbooks, and other sources. The questions are designed to test the students’ knowledge of the environment and related fields, such as forestry, wildlife, chemistry, waste management, ecology, geology and pollution.    Everest Academy has been invited to send a High School Team (grades 9-12) consisting of five members to compete in the January 19, 2010 Tuscaloosa Regional EnviroBowl competition to be held at the Auburn Montgomery Campus. Four team members will compete in each round, with one alternate having the opportunity to substitute within each round or game. Legacy will provide lunch for up to five team members and two sponsors. (Additional guests are responsible for their own lunch.) Each team member will receive a t-shirt for participating in the EnviroBowl Competition. One senior participant from each regional competition will be selected to receive a $1,000 college scholarship. These scholarships will be selected by a team of Legacy volunteers and will be awarded at the state competition on March 12, 2010 at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham.  At the state competition, the first, second and third place teams will receive individual prizes as well as a trophy to display at their school. In the event that Everest Academy has more than five team members sign up, we will conduct an Everest Academy "EnviroBowl" to narrow down the team to five team members with the remaining team members being on the back-up team.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/739180/ Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/739180/ Read All About It!!! Hot off the Press!!! Everest Academy has been at work for you!  We now have the following items exclusively for Everest Academy families!  If any of these awesome resources look like they would benefit your family, contact Deb Spradlin for your exclusive license code or link!  Write And Print Your Own Music! FREE!!! Everest Academy has applied and received 300 coupons for free educational licenses to the music writing software called Pizzicato.  This is for the Light version of the software, and the regular price is $21.95. The software also includes step by step music and composition lessons for those without a musical background.  Many thanks to Ginger Duncan for hanging in there and getting these for our group! Please contact Deb Spradlin for your free license! Just as you use a word processor to write your mail, you can write, play, record, print and publish your music with Pizzicato, a music notation software. Yes, your notes, your music on paper with a professional quality. At home.   You do not know anything about music? Learn And Master Music! Before going further: remove any idea related to music being difficult or composition being impossible to learn without 10 years of study, because…if you follow it step by step, the Pizzicato music course will show you exactly the opposite!   And if you feel creative and have inspiration...? Compose And arrange Your Own Music! Composing music is not only the privilege of the great music masters. You too can compose your music, songs and arrangements. Pizzicato includes several lessons about music composition and has tools to help you discover or practice composition. Both beginners and professionals will find advantages in using Pizzicato. Please contact Deb Spradlin for your free license! Sylvan Dell Learning License Expires Dec. 15, 2009 Everest Academy has applied for and been awarded a free license for Sylvan Dell.  Sylvan Dell is a young company on a serious mission to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular, and have educational value.  All of our books start with fun, warm stories, generally fiction with math, science, or nature themes and are brought to life by art. We have 57 wonderful authors and illustrators on our team. We then add a 3-5 page “For Creative Minds” section that includes fun facts, crafts, vocabulary and games to reinforce the educational value and to support National Science and Math Standards. Finally, each book is carefully vetted by experts in the field including scientists and educators from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo and various nature centers and aviaries.  The books are wonderful in themselves but what we are really about is our online presence and providing online cross-curricular resources for each title. For families with computer access, our eBooks and free resources are amazing. These are not textbooks in the traditional sense but rather fun picture books that a child will want to read over and over again. Our science and math learning objectives are there for the taking but the child’s reading pleasure is primary. We think having a child excited about a book and its subject enhances the opportunity for parents and teachers to build on that interest and to strike while the learning iron is hot! Please contact Deb Spradlin to receive the Sylvan Dell Everest Academy link.  Microsoft's DreamSpark Program for Everest Academy High Schoolers So you're a high school student and you want to get your hands on several thousand dollars worth of developer software for free, but you're not a big fan of piracy? Today's your lucky day!  Microsoft's DreamSpark program, which has been providing a veritable truckload of awesome (and extremely expensive) software to college students for some time, has been expanded so that students in grade 9 through 12 can now take advantage of it as well.  Everest Academy has applied for and received 30 access keys to the DreamSpark program. Access keys will be assigned to the first 30 Everest Academy students, grades 9 through 12, who request them.   This program enables students, like you, to download professional-level Microsoft developer tools to advance your learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities.  Microsoft DreamSpark is available to all students whose studies touch on technology, design, math, science and engineering. Students of today are more technical in their everyday lives than ever — representing both their personal interests and what is expected of them when they arrive in the workplace for the first time.  The following cutting-edge software will be available to empower students to unlock their ingenuity by building critical skills: Microsoft developer tools. Visual Studio is the Swiss Army knife of computer programming. These professional-grade products provide a security-enhanced and reliable environment, enabling students to program everything from a cell phone to a robot or to create their own Web page. Students will also be able to invent compelling new gaming content and make their dream game a reality by porting their creations to their Xbox 360 console.   Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition XNA Game Studio 2.0 12-month free Academic membership in the XNA Creators Club Microsoft designer tools. This ultra-versatile suite of tools will enable students to vividly bring their creative visions to life in vibrant new Web site designs and more effective digital content, including animation, imagery and photography. Expression Studio, including Expression Web Expression Blend Expression Design Expression Media Microsoft platform resources. The foundation for development and design platforms, these products deliver a security-enhanced, reliable and manageable environment for students to more quickly turn ideas into reality. SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition Windows Server, Standard Edition Please contact Deb Spradlin for your free license! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/738066/ Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/738066/ Welcome to Everest Academy Congratulations!  You have made the life-changing decision to homeschool!  ...and...  There's no place like home!  There's no place like home!  There's no place like home!!!  (Sorry!  I couldn't resist!)  What now?  1.  Send in your Enrollment Packet to Everest Academy 2.  When you receive your packet back in the mail, don't forget to file a copy (in your home) of the CSEF (one per child) and forward a copy (one per child) to your local Board of Education (addresses found at the bottom of the page here). New to homeschooling? Curriculum and testing and grading... Oh My!!!   Start here: Thoughts on Curriculum Curricula Resources FREE Curricula Educational Resources Getting Started Grade Level Info How to Award Grades Homeschooling a High Schooler? Start here: Diploma Information Awarding Credits Please note:  I return EVERY email that I receive.  If you do not get a return email from me, please take the following steps: 1.  Check your spam file 2.  Email me again and include your phone number I look forward to having you be a part of Everest Academy and meeting your family soon! The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught as that every child should be given the wish to learn.  ~ John Lubbock ~ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/733250/ Sun, 4 Oct 2009 20:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/733250/ Explorer Programs on Click on any of the balloons below, and you will get type of post and contact information. For a list of Explorer Programs and locations, click here, and you will get an interactive map of all the posts in the Greater Alabama Council.  Explorer Program Awesome news!  Everest Academy has joined forces with the Explorer Program to provide information and opportunities for career exploration programs to high schoolers age 15 and up.  Exploring is an informative, hands-on program that will allow you to experience for yourself a variety of career possibilities in a multitude of industries. Listed below you will find some of the programs that are currently open.  More programs can be found on the map above.  Please make sure to respond to the contact information listed for each program and not Everest Academy. Please note that these are ongoing programs.  If you cannot make it to the meeting listed below, you can still get in on the program. Cost for the Explorer Program is $10 per year (per Explorer Post). Aviation & Aerospace Explorer Program The Southern Museum of Flight would like to invite you to be a part of our Exploring program for young people who are interested in these career areas.  Exploring is an informative, hands-on program that will allow you to experience for yourself a variety of career possibilities in the aviation and aerospace industries.  As a member of our post, you will take part in hands-on activities that include helping restore/build an airplane to flight-ready condition! For more information, please contact Michael W. den Hartog at 913-219-1370, or e-mail us at ae@birminghameaa.org. Healthcare Trinity Hospital would like to invite you to be a part of our Exploring program for young people who are interested in careers in healthcare.  For more information, please contact Melvin Grindberg at melvin.grindberg@trinitymedicalonline.com or 592-1771, Darryl Hinson at 592-1260, or April McCarl at 592-5100.  Engineering ACIPCO Engineering post is a great unit,with a very active schedule.  Their contact person is Robbie Laney - rklaney@acipco.com. Oct. 13 - Alacare First Nighter at 2970 Lorna Road, Hoover 35216. at 6:30 p.m.  Most people know Alacare in relation to its Hospice care services, but this will have a general Healthcare Careers focus. Hospitality & Culinary Careers Exploring Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. - Hospitality & Culinary Careers Exploring at Jefferson State Community College Shelby Campus for juniors or seniors who are interested in pursuing a hospitality or culinary career.  The purpose of this program is to provide experiences to help young people explore career fields, assist in character development, and help them develop leadership and life skills.  Twice a month throughout the year, students will meet with professors at Jeff State to get hands-on experience and exposure to their area of interest.  Jeff State will match their employees and resources to the interests of the students.  There will be a $10 fee for each student.  (The fee will be paid at the first meeting if you choose to participate.)  The meeting should last about an hour, and parents are welcome to attend.  We will meet on the ground floor of the Health Sciences building of our Shelby Campus, located at the corner of Valleydale Road and Jaguar Drive.  If you have any questions, please e-mail Libby Holmes at lholmes@jeffstateonline.com, or you can call (205) 983-5230 for more information. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/731821/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/731821/ Drama Club Tuesdays 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The River Church in Irondale (old Food World Shopping Center) FREE All ages welcome!!! Need an outlet for your artistic talents?  Want to meet other kids with a dramatic flair?  Then come join our homeschool drama club!!! The first hour or so, we will learn dramatic skills and working on plays, then we will let the younger ones play together and the older ones have a sort of "open mic" session where they can play their guitar, do a comedy act, sing, or act showing off their talents and just hanging out.  For more information, please contact Terri LaPoint at 680-3678 or vcfmama@yahoo.com or Nicole Junkin at 902-0488.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/731820/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/731820/ National Spelling Bee   "Learning At Home" is a group that has been created solely to give Alabama Homeschoolers the opportunity to participate in the National Spelling Bee.  There is a $10 fee per family which will give you access to non-public spelling bee lists on the national spelling bee website and eligibility to participate in the district homeschool bee of your choice.  The top three spellers from each bee will then compete for a chance to compete in the Alabama Spelling Bee. In addition, all families joining "Learning At Home" will be entered in a drawing to win a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Student Edition (a $69.95 value).  For more information, please contact Elaine Brown at homeschoolbee@aol.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/726940/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:28:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/726940/ Family Scouts September 24th Meet & Greet 2:00 p.m. at the Graysville Library All homeschoolers regardless of age, gender, or church school are welcome!!!  Please bring a snack/drink to share. Are you interested in fostering the family relationship?  Would you like your children to spend time together and to be part of something that includes both boys and girls?  Do you think it is important that your  children be involved in a meaningful group of kids that focuses on values, beliefs, and community? Would you like your  kids to have fun, adventure, educational activities, outdoor appreciation, leadership qualities, and exercise?  If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then come join us on September 24th  to learn about our "Family Scouting" Program.  Come join us as we focus on interesting, family-friendly activities including crafts, games, going green, sports, outdoor activities, and community service.  We are open to all suggestions, ideas, and help!!! Family Scouts will meet from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. the 4th Thursday of  each month  at Graysville Library with the exception of  Nov & Dec which will be held on the 2nd Thursday due to the holidays.  There may be some exceptions or additions to this if there is something ultra cool going on around town that we want to participate in! For more information, please contact Angie Roddy at dod_goferdis@hotmail.com This scouting program is not affiliated with Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/726632/ Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:12:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/726632/ Career Club We are starting a Career Club for our youth age 14 and up. Some of the things we will cover will be career choices, educational requirements, resume writing, interview process, and life skills such as checking/savings accounts, credit cards, loans, cost of living, etc.  During the course of the year, we will research and meet several people from different careers. September 24th Meet & Greet 11:00 a.m. at the Graysville Library Please bring a snack to share. Please let me know of any suggestions or ideas that you have! Career Club will meet the 4th Thursday of  each month with the exception of  Nov & Dec which will be held on the 2nd Thursday due to the holidays. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Ages 14 and up Cost is $10 per family for the year. Please RSVP to Denise Roddy at rottenroddys@yahoo.com  or 390-9340 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/724810/ Mon, 7 Sep 2009 19:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/724810/ Everest Academy 4H Club Graysville Library Last Tuesday of each Month 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. FREE!!! September 29 Meet & Greet Please bring a snack and/or drink to share with the group! Look here for more information on 4H!! 4-H Pledge I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.  If interested, please contact Toni Langston http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/724808/ Mon, 7 Sep 2009 19:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Everest/724808/