Howdy, we are busy building a great resource for you. We hope to have great information if you are moving to Texas, if you are doing a study on Texas, or if you are homeschooing in Texas. So get your tea ready and enjoy this site http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0500 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0500 Hi, this is a post to help homeschool parents make an informed decision regarding theConnections Academy  This is a virtual school that was started by the Houston Independent School District.  It has obtained a new charter and permitted to expand to the entire state of Texas.  But it is still a public school! You will be required to take the state normed tests, and provide shot records.  You may receive free items for study.  But you will be considered to be a public schooler at home, not a homeschooler. in the purest sense.  Also, if you are an HSLDA member, you will no longer qualify for that membership, as they require that at least half of the child's instruction be accomplished in the home with the parent. I know that some folks will flinch with that opinion.  However, I want you to be informed.  I understand if you need to do this because of finances.  However, having known families who have continued to homeschool through extreme financial challenges, I would have you ask yourself if the decision is one of convenience or of conviction.  So when you see this *academy* discussed on boards and lists, please say to yourself, this is a public school academy. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/711738/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/711738/ Arlington Book Fair May 8-9 FEAST 19th Annual Home School Convention & Curriculum Fair San Antonio May 15-16 Gulf Coast Home Education Conference 2009 Houston June 5-6 CHEACT Convention and Book Fair Austin June 26-27 CSI Homeschooling Creative Special Needs Interventions Arlington July 10-11 HEART Annual Leadership Conference Euless July 18-19 THSC State Convention & Family Conference The Woodlands August 6-8 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/684623/ Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/684623/ About National Pancake DayFebruary 24, 2009Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products…hence the name Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly two million dollars to support charities in the communities in which it operates. With your help, we hope to raise $1,000,000 for Children’s Miracle Network in 2009!Find an IHOP in TX:http://ihop.know-where.com/ihop/region/US/TX.htmlhttp://www.ihoppancakeday.com/Join IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., we’ll give you one free short stack (three) of our famous buttermilk pancakes.* All we ask is that you consider making a donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network, or other local charities. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/660551/ Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/660551/ Officials with the Consumer Product Safety Commission initially said that thrift stores couldn’t sell any clothes, toys or other merchandise for children younger than 12 that had not been tested for lead starting Feb. 10, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act passed by Congress last year. Outraged thrift store owners blitzed the commission with objections, and on Tuesday the two-member panel gave preliminary approval of several measures to exempt products made from natural materials, such as cotton and wood, from the rules. (snip) On Thursday the agency backed away even more, issuing a statement saying that “sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits . . . or new toy standards.” more at: http://tinyurl.com/9phrm4 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/646696/ Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:55:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/646696/ This recall includes products made since July, 2008, so if you have purchased any of this stuff since that time, take it back to the store.Hi everyone,Just in case anyone hasn't heard about this I decided to post it. http://tinyurl.com/8gwvpoJust to be safe for awhile, we're not eating anything that contains peanutbutter unless it came from our own jars that we bought, hope that remainsokay. So far they think this salmonella problem that's been going on formonths is due to King Nut:http://tinyurl.com/7ro239and Peanut Corporation of America:http://tinyurl.com/753pze http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/646691/ Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:48:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/646691/ This year the DFW regional and the Houston regional will be having mini-workshops at the various homeschool stores in the area.  Speaks, prizes, all kinds of neat stuff.  If you need a quick break and some inspiration, check out these great events. HEART of Texas Winter Mini-Conference Date: Saturday, January 10th Time: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Cost: $5 Per Family HEART of Texas member families with valid ID can attend FREE (but must register). For Member information click here. HEART of Texas and our Homeschool Bookstore Partners are coordinating a special conference to give families an opportunity to get a fresh start on the new year, listen to encouraging speakers, and get a special savings on their materials! You can visit one store, two stores, or all three with just ONE registration fee! You will receive a punch card that will identify you as a conference attendee. Use the card to get your discounts and attend workshops at any store you wish to visit. PLUS the FIRST 50 families to register will get a FREE Gift bag! Each bookstore will have different discounts, speakers, vendors, and activities planned. HEART of Texas Member Discounts do not apply during the conference. To Pre-Register Online: Fill out the online form here. Pay $5 at the HEART of Texas table located at each store. You will receive a punch card that will identify you as a conference attendee. Use the card to get your discounts and attend workshops at any store you wish to visit. Registration at the Door: $5 -- Register at the HEART of Texas table located at the store To help speed up registration please bring an index card with the following information: Last Name, First Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Email CONFERENCE LOCATIONS & SCHEDULE CREATIVE ARTS IN ACTION 5733 Watauga Road Watauga, TX 76148 817-281-2296 Creative Arts is offering a 15% discount on anything in the store. Speaking Schedule: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: "Making Sense at Home" -- Doug & Patsy Arnold, Texas Special Kids 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: "Running the Race Set Before You" -- Rosie Watson 1 p.m - 2p.m: "Any Child Can Write" -- Rosie Watson 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.: "Ignite the Fire" -- Terri Camp 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.: "New to Homeschooling" -- Rosie Watson Time TBA: Team Family: Professor Brainius Time TBA: Hannah Farver Vendors: Math-U-See CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS RESOURCE CENTER (CERC) 4501 Rowlett Road, Suite 105 Rowlett, TX 75088 927-475-4138 CERC is offering a 20% discount on anything in the store and 15% off new orders. Speaking Schedule: 10 a.m.: "The Role of Public Speaking in the Home School" -- Bonnie Horn 11 a.m.: "How RUDE" -- Bonnie Horn 11 a.m.: (For Kids) "Cooking Fun" -- Kimberly Chancellor 1 p.m. - 2p.m.: "Empowering Parents to Make a Difference - Unlocking Learning Potential" -- Alysa Bedell 1 p.m.: (For Kids) "Manners on the Menu" -- Bonnie Horn 2 p.m.: "Child Development Helath & Safety and Babysitting - The Making of an Entrepreneur" -- Bonnie Horn 3 p.m.: "Homeschooling? How?"-- Shari Nelson 3 p.m.: (For Kids) "Speak Before You Think" -- Bonnie Horn 4 p.m.: Serious Play...Encouraging Your Child in Creative Writing" -- Kim Wiese 5 p.m.: (For Kids) "So, You Want to Be a Babysitter?" -- Bonnie Horn Vendors: TBA HOME EDUCATORS RESOURCE (HER) Visit their new location at: 410 E. Church St. Lewisville, TX 75057 972-956-8320 HER is offering a 15% discount on everything. Speaking Schedule: TBA Vendors: TBA MORE DETAILS FORTHCOMING!!! ********************************************* SETHSA HOMESCHOOL WORKSHOPS ON JANUARY 10TH It’s almost the end of the year and for many that means withdrawing from public school. Many families are deciding to not return to school after the Christmas break. There are a variety of reasons and each one is important to that family. Our goal is to help those who are looking for the next step after the New Year begins. On January 10, 2009, SETHSA is excited to have the homeschool stores participate together in offering help to new homeschoolers. Each of the stores will be offering a mini-workshop to introduce families to homeschool and help them with all of the details for getting started. There will be staff at the stores during the day to counsel with and provide necessary information to those seeking to homeschool. Please keep this event in mind for someone you know who is considering homeschooling in the New Year. You may run across someone in your church, neighborhood, or even your very own family. You can give them our web address www.sethsa.org for all the details. The stores that will be participating in 2009 are: HEP Bookstore - located I-45 South Date: Saturday, January 10 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Store Location: 11665 Fuqua Suite A-100, Houston, TX, 77034 Phone: (281)922-0472 Saturday Schedule:    Workshop, "Getting Started Homeschooling", for beginners (10:00 a.m.)    Workshop, "Choosing Curriculum", for beginners (11:00 a.m.)    Workshop, "Creating the High School Four Year Plan & Transcript", for parents of older students (1:30 p.m.) Ladybug Children’s Books and Homeschool Supplies – in the Kingwood area Date: Saturday, January 10 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Store Location: 23854 Highway 59 N, Kingwood, TX 77339 Phone: (281)358-0286 Saturday Schedule:    Workshop, "Homeschool Successfully", for beginners with Hank Tate,    Workshop for parents with resistant learners by Tina Robertson from New Beginnings,    Workshops for kids by Artz in Action and Ladybug Science The Curious Mind Store – in the Katy area Date: Friday, January 9 & Saturday, January 10 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Store Location: 515 Pin Oak Katy, TX 77493 Phone: (281)392-4477 Friday Schedule:    "Understanding and Appreciating your Child's Personality Type" (6:00-8:00 p.m.) Saturday Schedule:    "Getting Started with Homeschooling" (10:00-10:45 a.m.),    "Fresh Ideas for Planning Your School Year" (11:00-11:45a.m.),    "Teaching your Child to Read: a Balanced Approach" (12:00-12:45 p.m.) The Homeschool Store – 610 North Loop (north of downtown) Date: Saturday, January 10 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Store Location: 1355 Judiway, Houston, TX 77018 Phone: (713)683-8894 Saturday Schedule:    Individualized consultation throughout the day for new homeschoolers. Most stores will be offering special discounts, snacks/refreshments, & specials. Be sure to RSVP & visit the store nearest you. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/639601/ Sat, 3 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/639601/ THANKSGIVING DAY 1789 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. GO. WASHINGTON. 1789 President's Radio Address THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, Americans gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday season is a time of fellowship and peace. And it is a time to give thanks for our many blessings. During this holiday season, we give thanks for generations of Americans who overcame hardships to create and sustain a free Nation. When the Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving nearly four centuries ago, they had already suffered through a harsh and bitter winter. But they were willing to endure that adversity to live in a land where they could worship the Almighty without persecution. When President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, the United States was in the midst of a terrible civil war. But in that hour of trial he gave thanks -- because he believed America would weather the storm and emerge into a new era of liberty. During this holiday season, we give thanks for those who defend our freedom. America's men and women in uniform deserve our highest respect -- and so do the families who love and support them. Lately, I have been asked what I will miss about the presidency. And my answer is that I will miss being the Commander-in-Chief of these brave warriors. In this special time of year, when many of them are serving in distant lands, they are in the thoughts and prayers of all Americans. During this holiday season, we give thanks for the kindness of citizens throughout our Nation. It is a testament to the goodness of our people that on Thanksgiving, millions of Americans reach out to those who have little. The true spirit of the holidays can be seen in the generous volunteers who bring comfort to the poor and the sick and the elderly. These men and women are selfless members of our Nation's armies of compassion -- and they make our country a better place, one heart and one soul at a time. Finally, I have a special note of thanks to the American people. On this, my last Thanksgiving as your President, I am thankful for the good will, kind words, and heartfelt prayers that so many of you have offered me during the past eight years. I have been blessed to represent such decent, brave, and caring people. For that, I will always be grateful, and I will always be honored. Thank you for listening. From Me: May you be surrounded with family, friends, food and the spirit of the Lord as we give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/624766/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/624766/ With the upcoming space shuttle missions continuing construction on the International Space Station and to provide maintenance to the Hubble Space Telescope, the importance of spacewalks and the reliance on spacesuits are taking center stage. To help educators share these topics with their students, NASA Education has unveiled a new Web site.   The NASA Education Spacesuits and Spacewalks Web site brings a wealth of educational resources together in one place.   Visitors to the Web site can:   --Check out the Clickable Spacesuit and learn about the different parts of a spacesuit. --Take a look at videos about the spacesuits of the future. --Watch Brain Bites videos and learn about hard-to-do moves in a spacesuit. --Take a step back in time and visit the Spacesuit History Gallery. --Explore the Educational Activities. --Read about spacesuit designers and engineers who create and test spacesuits. --Discover other NASA Web sites with information about spacesuits and spacewalks.   www.nasa.gov/education/spacesuits http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/619146/ Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:19:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/619146/ College Fair 2008Saturday December 6, 20089:30 AM - 11:30 AMCrestview Baptist Church7600 Woodrow Avenue5 blocks south of Anderson Lane - between Burnet and LamarAnyone who is interested in attending college is welcome to attend.No registration fee will be charged - no reservation will be required.Growing list of colleges both in and out of state will have representatives there.They held this last year and has great turnout for their event.Science and Art FairSaturday, January 17, 20099am - 12pmCrestview Baptist Church7600 Woodrow Avenue5 blocks south of Anderson Lanebetween Burnet and LamarFor further information contact p.ashley@onedayacademy.comand visit the One Day Academy website.http://onedayacademy.com/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/619142/ Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/619142/ Educator Day at the Zoo! Saturday, November 15, 2008 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Discover how the Zoo can help you and your students learn about the natural world.  We will offer a variety of professional development workshops, chats with the animal keepers, and a number of amazing stage shows.  Local conservation education organizations will also be here to talk to you about what they too have to offer you and your students.  You will receive 3 or 6 SBEC hours for attending. All of this—as well as the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Houston Zoo—will be FREE to all educators who register by November 13 or present their school ID at the event. If you register on-line, your name will be automatically entered into the drawing for fabulous door prizes! Workshops are on a first-come, first-served basis. Concurrent workshops will take place at 10:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. A box lunch will be provided to the first 500 educators from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Brown Education Center with time to talk to other educators. For more information please call 713.533.6557. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/619141/ Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:14:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TEXAS/619141/