Speaker: Dr. John D. Morris is the President of the Institute for Creation Research www.icr.org. and serves as a professor of Earth Science and Apologetics at San Diego Christian College. Dr Morris, perhaps best known for leading expeditions to Mt. Ararat in search of Noah’s Ark.

Topics: The Young Earth (Age of the Earth) / Flood, Fossil & Fictitious Ages / The Fossil Record: A Problem for Evolution / What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs (Dinosaurs & the Bible) / Mount St. Helen's / The Search for Noah's Ark / The Flood in Scriptures.

Other Extras: See on display Nathan Volle's 5' 3" HO-scale model of Noah's Ark, with to-scale people and animals. Also, Midwest Creation Fellowship will be joining us with their resource table which carries books, videos, DVD's and audiotapes.

Date: September 25th and 26th, 2009

Place: Fox Lake Community Church, Fox Lake, IL conveniently located 1 to 1 1/2 hrs drive from Chicago, Rockford, Madison, and Milwaukee.

Cost: $15 per individual -$35 per family before Aug. 31st  /  $20 - $45  after Sept. 1st (Seating is limited, send in your registration today!)

Accommodations: Hotels and Campgrounds in the Area (see website)

"As young future American voters, children need to learn about forms of government, laws, and choices we can make in America. The following is a unit my children and I studied this spring to help them make wise decisions in the coming years." Posted by JoyfulPamela on Squidoo

http://www.squidoo.com/constitutionlapbookunit

Want fresh ideas to celebrate the Fourth of July? Heritage House Press is proud to offer a 4th of July Mini Unit Study and Family Guide. This 41 page E-book has four short biographies of some of the most ardent American Patriots for you to read aloud to your family. Compelling primary source documents such as The Declaration of Independence and Patrick Henry’s Famous Speech, “If this be Treason” can be enjoyed as you listen to historic and colonial music from the period. There are some tasty recipes from the colonial table as well as a couple of crafts your little ones will enjoy. Come and discover some of the best kept secrets of our nation’s history! Offer good through the Fourth of July.

Wanda Gibert
Heritage House Press

www.heritagehousepress.net

Friday, September 11, 2009

In an effort to give students a greater understanding of American Indian culture and heritage, the festival grounds are closed to the public during the day on Friday to allow kindergarten through eighth grade students and teachers to spend the day as part of a special educational program. Craft demonstrations, cultural performances, villages with authentic recreations of dwellings, lacrosse demonstrations, and a fine arts area are among the attractions planned for students. The day also includes a mini pow wow. American Indian artwork, crafts, and food are available for purchase. Additionally, for a nominal fee, children can participate in various hands-on craft activities.

Registration Information

For planning purposes, early registration is requested by Friday, September 11, 2009. The cost for education day is $5.00 per ticket for both students and adults . While payment by August 25 expedites entry onto the grounds, payment is also accepted at the Indian Summer office through September 10 (office moves to the festival grounds on Tuesday, September 8, 2009) or upon arrival on the grounds on September 11.

Free Subscription: For a limited time, you can get the HSE Digital Edition completely free - click here to sign up!

What is HSE Digital?

HSE Digital is an online version of Home School Enrichment Magazine. The digital edition is exactly the same as the print edition, except that it's available right here at our website. It also offers a few convenience features, such as searching for specific words or phrases within the magazine. Also, an archive of past issues will be available soon!

Is HSE Digital right for me?

HSE Digital has its advantages, but it's not exactly a substitute for the printed edition. Actually, it's more like a supplement. The digital edition is free for now, so there's no reason not to sign up. However, if you're like most people and prefer to have a physical, come-in-the-mailbox magazine, you may also wish to subscribe to the print edition of Home School Enrichment Magazine.

Tickets are on sale now at the Garden of Readin' bookstore 262-796-5720 located inside Elmbrook Church or at itickets.com

FAMILY FUN ON THE GREEN! Join families in the Elmbrook Church parking lot before the show for a fun time of games, bouncy castle and food for sale. Even a Fish Fry!! (and other kid friendly food too will be for sale) Adults fish fry $6.00. Under 10 yrs $3.50.

Fun starts at 4:00 pm. Concert is at 6:30 pm.

Patty Thompson, who runs the Shiver Academy Blog, has just completed a wonderful, HUGE project -- a Unit Study Companion for the Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett, especially for homeschoolers. Each unit covers 10 of the stories/poems/essays that are included in the Book of Virtues. Each story has worksheets, notebook pages, vocabulary, character study sheets, copywork, 1-2 projects (plus a long-term project) and a Lapbook with an optional unit wrap up activity. And to top it off a full lesson plan for older kids, and a separate one for primary aged children.

The full Study is a whopping 992 pages long (!) and the download is quite large (18.93 MB) - but Patty also has links to individual units available if you just want to download them one at a time. Each unit is roughly 100 pages, but it is not required to DO all those pages. For instance, if you do the worksheets you probably shouldn't worry about the notebook pages. If your children are young, you probably should skip the projects. If they are really young, just do the wrap up after reading the stories. In short, tweak the materials to fit your family's needs.

To get your copy: Click here to go to Patty's download page. You'll find the link(s) to the Book of Virtues Companion on the right hand column of the page, under the heading "Book of Virtues". The complete project is the first link, or individual units may be downloaded separately using their respective links.

At participating Pizza Hut restaurants kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult buffet during lunch (10am-1:30pm) hours, all summer long.

Check out the MetroParent/Milwaukee Moms section on Kid-friendly Eats for more deals: http://www.milwaukeemoms.com/fastfindsandfun/eats/?c=y&catID=259267

But not all parks are created equal. That's where we come in! Our parks directory offers parents ratings and feedback from other Moms, Dads and caregivers on which parks are the best bets for kids under 6 years old. Plus, you'll find full color photos of the playgym equipment discussed in our reviews. That's what makes our directory extra special!

http://www.milwaukeemoms.com/fastfindsandfun/parksandplaces/parks/

Interactive Map: http://www.milwaukeemoms.com/fastfindsandfun/parksandplaces/parks/

Also see the "Beaches & Pools Directory"

This event will feature the B-17 Flying Fortress and a variety of other World War II aircraft, contemporary airplanes, and helicopters, and will also have interactive displays to entertain both kids and adults. Admission is free, so bring the whole family!

Waukesha County Airport June 19-21 from 9am to 6pm

Paying to get into Summerfest every day can get quite pricey, but did you know that the admission price varies depending on when you go? Better yet, did you know that there are specials running every day through which you can get in for free? If you're a Summerfest die-hard, taking advantage of these daily admission deals could save you a lot of money.

Regular Admission

Free & Discount Admission Deals

Learn to swim! Milwaukee County Parks lifeguards teach all levels of swimmers. Adults must accompany children, from 6 months of age through toddlers, for the entire class. Each pool is limited to 100 participants.
 
Sign up at the pool where you or your child will be taking lessons on Sat., June 13 from 9 a.m.-noon.

Lessons:  Saturdays from June 20-Aug. 22 (no July 4) Time: 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Locations:  Grobshcmidt, Hales Corners, Holler, Jackson, McCarty, Pelican Cove,Sheridan, Washington, or Wilson

2009 Fee:
$35 per person per session  Summer Session #1 is FREE, courtesy Northwestern Mutual Life

http://www.milwaukeecounty.org/router.asp?docid=9151

LIBRARY & other book sales in WI:

http://www.booksalefinder.com/WI.html#X317

**Sign up for free email notification of upcoming sales in your area.

Elementary Curriculum

Teacher Manuals - $10 ea

Textbooks - $8 ea

Workbooks & add’l packets - $5 ea

Middle & High School Curriculum

Teacher Manuals - $10 ea

Textbooks - $10 ea

Workbooks - $8 ea

** Cash and check sales only**

PCA typically hosted one class per grade/level with no more than 15-20 students per grade.  This will give you an idea of the sort of inventory we have available.

Special family movies every Wednesday & Thursday at 10am at participating Marcus Cinemas.

All seats $3 includes complimentary size popcorn.

6/17 & 18: Paul Blart Mall Cop

6/24 & 25: Bee Movie

7/8 & 9: Monsters vs Aliens 

7/15 & 16: Surf's Up

7/22 & 23: Marley & Me

7/29 & 30: Kung Fu Panda

8/5 & 6: Hotel for Dogs

8/12 & 13: Tale of Despereaux

http://www.marcustheatres.com/index_sub.cfm?pageid=subpages/kr.cfm

Easy-to-Use, Affordable, Live Classes Taught by Homeschool Moms, Dads and Teachers.

http://www.currclick.com/index.php?filters=0_25000

Mark Your Calendars for Our CurrClick Live Open House, July 15th and 16th from 7-9 CST

Don't miss this opportunity to get special enrollment discounts and find out everything you need to know about CurrClick Live fall classes.

On July 15th and 16th from 7-9, you are invited to attend our virtual CurrClick Live Open House! You'll have the opportunity to meet our teachers, learn about their classes, experience their teaching style, learn about the virtual class environment and even get enrollment discounts. Each teacher will be available to tell you about their classes as well as answer questions.

We will be sending out more information about our open house in the weeks to come. Plus, you'll find out about a special, free children's night time activity that will conclude each night of our open house.

 We meet at the White House of Music which is located at :  2101 North Springdale Road, Waukesha    

                                                       (just south of  Sams,  near Moreland and Springdale)

Class times are on Thursdays as follows:   Band 10:30-11:00 (beginner)

                                                                                                           12:00-12:45 (intermediate)

                                                                                             Orchestra 12:45pm-1:30pm (intermediate)

                                                                                                             10:00-10:30am (beginner)

Our sessions will be:   Summer I :  June 4 -July 16, 2009 (no class July 9^th), 6 weeks

                                    Summer II:  July 23 -August 27 , 2009, 6 weeks

                                        Or

                                     Summer I and II,   June 4 - August 27,  12 weeks

 Tuition is:   for 6 weeks:      $45.00 for the first student             

                                              $42.50 for each additional student or each additional class

                     for  both sessions:  $85 for the first student

                                                    $80 for each additional student or class

Please let me know if you will miss some classes due to vacation and I will adjust the cost.

                    **There is a $5.00 book  fee per student per semester (once in summer). **

Please complete the form(s) below and mail with your check (to Home School Band and Orchestra)

                                                                                                 To : Marcy Flanagan

                                                                                                         S. 32  W. 28153 Wern Way

                                                                                                         Waukesha, WI. 53189-9594

  Please call or e-mail with any questions. 

       262-968-9502 or mflanagan6@wi.rr.com

May16, 2009 Vol. 1, issue 3

Studios that stimulate learning, growth and creativity.

Master Studios is a series of studio offerings for children and young adults in the homeschooling community.

For more information please contact

Betsy Ballmann at (262)524-9694, Julie Reuss at (262)968-2438, mastersstudios@yahoo.com

or visit our website www.geocities.com/mastersstudios

Editor: Julie Reuss mastersstudios@yahoo.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Highlights from Adventures in Music: This was a rather eclectic semester with children creating their own compositions, learning melodies to music by famous classical composers, and internalizing the rhythm of Jazz!

All children (age 7-12) wrote their own composition to the poem “Fog” by Carl Sandburg. To prepare for this, the class acted out the poem and then brainstormed as to how one would musically create “fog”, a “cat”, “walking”, etc. Then, using a five note pentatonic scale, children wrote melodies and created their own harmonic accompaniments. The pieces turned out as unique as the children who wrote them. Some chose to write in 3/4 meter, some chose the more conventional 4/4 meter. Some chose a full range of sounds going from high to low which made these compositions especially interesting as instrumental pieces. Some chose to use a vocal range so that the piece could be sung. The result was a lovely collection of music that was well received at the Evening of Entertainment.

Learning to play the recorder was also a part of the past semester. Recorder sessions were used to reinforce note reading, to learn music theory such as “form”, and to play as an ensemble by using good recorder technique and musicianship skills. The children chose to perform three pieces at the Evening of Entertainment: a two part version of The Gospel Train; a Japanese round, Come Firefly Come, performed in two parts; and a two part arrangement of a 15^th Century French melody.

In their study of jazz, children learned that jazz is highly structured even though there is much spontaneity. They learned to “swing” by emphasizing beats two and four in a measure and what is meant by “swinging eight notes”. The children also learned the importance of syncopation, some history of how jazz came to be an art form, and the rudiments of how to “scat”.

Art Studio: Ms Ballmann choose to have students study Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian-born French Expressionist painter and founding member of The Blue Riders, a Munich group of Expressionist painters so that students could learn proper technique as well as art history. The children were up to the challenge and learned much about drawing, texture, style, and composition. Says Alex, age 10, of his experience, “I learned a lot about perspective.”, and Amelia , age 12, states, “Working with Miss Betsy is lots of fun. We spent a lot of time on our drawings. I learned a lot of new water color techniques from working on our paintings, too.”

In community news, Betsy Ballmann was honored to be selected by the Greater Milwaukee Catholic Home Educators to present an art class to children at the Celebrate the Faith 2009 Catholic Homeschool Conference and Vendor Fair, April 24^th and 25^th at the Tommy Thompson Center in West Allis. Her class consisted of a study of a "Water-Lilies" painting by the Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Participants were also given background information on Monet's painting techniques, compositional considerations, inspiration, and motivation.

Drama Studio: At the Evening of Entertainment, the Master Players performed an original, witty, and contemporary version of "Rapunzel" called,”A Bird, a Prince, and a Gypsy” written and directed by drama instructor, Betsy Ballmann. The play featured music by famous composers set to original lyrics also written by Ms Ballmann and performed by the Adventures in Music Students. In the beginning of the semester students were given many exercises to learn proper acting and stage technique, then parts were assigned to students based on areas where they needed to grow. The result was a wonderful production summed up by Alex, age 10, “It was a great experience. My friends and I had a fun time, too!”

Creative Writing Studio: Guided by Ms Ballmann, students were encouraged to open their minds to new ways of writing. Says Amelia, age 12, “Miss Betsy would have us read our stories out loud. Then she would give us ideas and pointers. Sometimes she would read poems to give good examples of writing style.” A new student, John, age 10 stated, “ I've never written this was before and it was amazing! I was really inspired and learned how to use commas, too!” Elliot, age 9 another first time student to Master Studios states, “I've written very few things and this story I'm writing is the best! It's a great experience!”

Looking to the Future: Master Studios is offering summer programs and well as programs in the Fall. Please visit our website for a complete listing of classes!!