Saturday, October 27, 2007

Molecular Mania from Zome!


A great introduction to chemical modeling!

Build 28 common molecules with the included Zome components and colorful, sturdy, molecule cards.

Designed by biochemist and science educator Dr. Steve Yoshinaga, Molecular Mania! introduces students 7 years and up to the basic building blocks of our universe.

Molecular Mania! contains:
28 molecule cards, 44 precision Zometool components, including colored balls and improved super short struts, and concise instructions.

Just $19.99

Order Molecular Mania from Zome's Website!

Friday, October 26, 2007

The New Children's Garden is finally open!

Opening Weekend Celebratory Events!
Saturday, October 27 & Sunday, October 28

After more than five years, it is finally here!
The
Indoor Children's Garden at Longwood.

Bring the entire family to enjoy Opening Weekend:

Encounter jugglers, see a bubble artist and rain forest creatures strolling through the conservatory. Enjoy hands-on activities, including a make your own "Dirt" dessert, beneficial insect releases and more!

See the full schedule

Directions

For information call: 610-388-1000

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Homeschool Overnight at Ashland Nature Center!

There is still room, so register now for this awesome overnight program, just for homeschoolers!

October Home School Overnight,
Oct. 30 – 31, 2007

Programs includes:
Skulls & Skeletons,
Spider and Snake Biology,
Owls of Delaware with Owl Pellet Dissection,
Evening Program with a Reptile Quiz Show,
Night Hike, and Campfire!

Price is $35 per student.
One adult per family should accompany their child.
No charge for adults
* Advance registration is required.

For information or to make a reservation contact:
Judy Montgomery,
Overnight and Outreach Coordinator
302-239-2334, ext #127;
judym@delawarenaturesociety.org

Trick or Treat Family Day at the Delaware Art Museum!

When? October 28th
Time? Noon - 3:30

Celebrate Halloween with Spooky Stories and boo-tiful art.
Create art related to All Hallow's Eve.
Listen to Hallowen tales told by Dorothy Stantaitis.

Story Times
1:00 Tales from the Pumpkin Patch
(recommended for grades k-12)
2:00 Halloween Hoots & Howls
(recommended for grades 3-6)

Be sure to dress in costume!


Delaware Art Museum
Kenmere Parkway,
Wilmington, De.
302-571-9590
www.delart.org

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Hunter's Moon

The largest and closest full moon of the year!

On Thursday, October 25th, the full moon will be the closest and therefore biggest of the year. What more is there to say? Step outside and check it out!

The best way for young sky gazers to view the moon is through a good pair of binoculars. You will be amazed at the amount of detail on the moon's surface is vi sable simply through a pair of binoculars. Binoculars are simpler and easier to focus than a telescope and objects in the binoculars are simpler to comprehend. So check it out, with the moon this close, there is sure to be plenty to see!

For more information about the Hunter's Moon check out the Earth & Sky website.

Halloween Harps at the Wilmington Music School!

Brandywine Harps will be Performing
A Very Special Halloween Harps Concert.
Come join the fun!

When:
Wednesday, October 24th
7:30 PM

Where:
Wilmington Music School
4101 Washington Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19802

Tickets:
$10 adult
$5 students & seniors

call 302-762-1132

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Nitty-Gritty Grammar: A Not-So-Serious Guide to Clear Communication

Wow!
I love this book!

Nitty-Gritty Grammar has all the essentials laid out in a clear, easy to understand, and entertaining format. Complete with illustrations using some of the best contemporary comic strips! I really must get my own copy and add it to my collection of necessary reference books and teaching essentials!

Check it out.

Consider supporting "Forgotten Cats" by naming them as your United Way Workplace Giving Campaign contribution recipient.

Forgotten Cats
A United Way "Write In" Agency
#9571.
Forgotten Cats is dedicated to reducing unwanted cat populations and ending the suffering of homeless cats and kittens, without killing.

Forgotten Cats addresses the the problem of unwanted feral cat colonies by trapping, sterilizing and vaccinating, every cat within a colony and then returning all the feral adults to their colony, thereby stabilizing the population. This practice, called “Trap, Neuter, Re-release” or “TNR,” is having enormous success nationwide as a humane alternative for managing feral cat populations. Forgotten Cats also provides necessary medical treatment for sick or injured cats and kittens from these colonies and finds homes for those that are adoptable and also provides education about responsibly spaying/neutering pets and assists other rescue groups with their TNR programs. Forgotten Cats currently sterilizes 500-600 cats per month and finds homes for 90-100 cats each month!

You can support Forgotten Cats' efforts by allocating to them your United Way Workplace Giving Campaign contribution
and thereby assisting in FC's mission of spaying/neutering homeless and abandoned cats and kittens.

To learn more about Forgotten Cats, Inc. visit their website at www.forgottencats.org or contact John at 302-475-3282.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Forgotten Cats, Inc.

PMB 422,
4001 Kennett Pike,
Suite 134,
Greenville, DE 19807, (302) 429-0124
email: info@forgottencats.org
(Non-profit under Section 501©(3))
Member in good standing of the Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies.

The Haunted Orchestra

A Lollipop Family Concert

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra
featuring:
Dan Kamin


Saturday October 20th
2:00 pm at the
Grand Opera House

* Come in costume!
* Free pre-performance instrument petting zoo at 1pm
* Each child receives a goody bag filled with treats and lollipops

The Story:
Nerdy Mr. Kirby (Dan Kamin) doesn't believe in magic. But when conductor David Amado waves his magic baton, strange things begin to happen. Kirby's clothes fall apart! He is transformed into a marionette to accompany the famous Alfred Hitchcock theme music! He's trapped on stage and can't get off! Kids will be delighted by Dan's antics and his amazing movement skills as he is "haunted" by the timeless music of Handel, Grieg, Leroy Anderson and others. Don't miss Dan Kamin's encounter with The Haunted Orchestra.

See a preview at www.dankamin.com.

Call the Grand Opera House Box office for tickets
800-374-7263

Children $10.00
Adults
$20.00

For more information call the Delaware Symphony Orchestra
302-656-7442

PROGRAM:
David Amado, conductor
Dan Kamin Wagner - The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure
Gounod - Funeral March of a Marionette
Handel - Entrance of the Queen of Sheba
Rimsky-Korsakov - Dance of the Tumblers
Rimsky-Korsakov - Flight of the Bumblebee
Strauss - Excerpt from the Emperor Waltz
Anderson - The Syncopated Clock
Anderson - The Typewriter
Ponchielli - Dance of the Hours, final theme
Grieg - In the Hall of the Mountain King

Saturday October 20, 2007
2:00 PM
The Grand Opera House

Children $10.00
Adults
$20.00


Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Winterthur - Celebrate Autumn in an Enchanting Way!

HOWL-oween
October 20, 2007
10 am - 3 pm
Celebrate the upcoming Pets in America exhibition in an enchanting way. Come dressed as your favorite pet! Have your fortune told, trick-or-treat for pet-related items in Enchanted Woods, take a hayride through the garden, and watch experts carve a giant pumpkin. At 11 a.m., a costume parade, led by the Cat in the Hat, travels from Icewell Terrace to Enchanted Woods.

$6, ages 2-11;
$3, Member child.
Free admission to one accompanying adult with every child's ticket purchased.
Adult Members free.

Winterthur
Route 52
(5105 Kennett Pike)
Winterthur DE 19735

Winterthur is on Rte. 52 in Delaware,
6 miles (9.6 km) northwest of Wilmington;
30 miles (48 km) southwest of Philadelphia, Pa.;
and 5 miles (8 km) south of U.S. Rte. 1

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend!

The Orionid meteors are debris left behind by that most famous comet, Halley. Every year, sometime during the month of October we pass through Haley's orbital path. Although not the year's most spectacular shower, you can expect to see about 15 to 20 meteors per hour during its peak this weekend. Orionid meteors are fast and usually on the faint side, but the Orionids can sometimes surprise you with an exceptionally bright meteor that might break up into fragments.

Orionid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Orion the Hunter, hence the name. However, you don’t need to know where Orion is to see these meteors. They radiate out from Orion appearing

All you need to enjoy this weekends sky show is to find a clear, dark, open bit sky. Pull up a law chair or blanket and gaze up at the wonders of the sky!

Earth and Sky

Monday, October 15, 2007

What About Portfolios?


This workshop, offered by Open Connections, is designed for parents who would like guidance in designing a process for organizing a portfolio as required for year-end evaluation for registered home-educated youth. Emphasis is on complying with the law without needing to produce burdensome paperwork that can interfere with true learning. The goal is to help each family identify a portfolio process that best fits their own temperament, routines and capabilities. The cost is $25 for the general public.

For more information, and to register, please contact Barbara at (610) 459-3366.
Open Connections

Rest of the World History Project - Open to all homeschoolers


Join your fellow homeschoolers in creating a history presentation.

Who: Any homeschooler or group of homeschoolers
What: Create a presentation about an aspect of a country or culture outside of Europe (any time period, any subject)
When: Presentation displayed at Homeschool Expo, Late April/Early May. Final date to be announced soon
Where: Brandywine Town Center in N. Wilmington, DE (by Target off of 202 & Naaman's Road)

Why? To help us remember that it is a big world out there!

Homeschoolers can participate as long as they contact Patti with a country & topic by Dec 15.
There is no promise of available space after that date.

How to Register:
Please email Patti with the names of the participants & the project country name.

Here are some focus topics that have been submitted so far:

Personal Stories from Algeria
Mendhi (henna body art) & India's culture
The Changing Dynasty Structures in China Through History
The Use of Shadow Puppets in Japan

Just because you see a country here, don't feel that you are limited. Countries can overlap; topics can't. Exhibits will be clustered by the country (for example: all projects about India will be put together).

For complete information, please click on the link to download a pdf version of the brochure.

http://www.organized-chaos.info/rest.pdf

For more info, please contact Patti Beaumont at pattiobb@yahoo.com

Free Science Class for 7th & 8th graders at Delaware Technical Community College!


Who: 7th & 8th Grade Students
When: October 20th & 27th (Saturdays)
Time: 9am-1pm
Where: Delaware Technical Community College, Wilmington Campus

Cost: Free

Including: Breakfast, Lunch, science activities, and more.
Perks: They will be raffling a Microscope on each Saturday and have plenty of other goodies to give away!

This program is funded by a grant through Delaware EPSCor.

For more information contact Margaret Bello at DTCC
# 302-292-3889

* I spoke with Margaret today (10.15.07)
They plan to continue taking registrations through Friday.
They even anticipate taking some walk in registrations on Saturday, though I would strongly advice calling ahead.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

October is Educator Appreciation Month at Barnes and Noble


Educators Discount
Pre-K to 12 educators, media specialists, and homeschoolers will save 25% in Barnes & Noble stores on most books for personal and classroom use during the week of October 13-21. You'll also save 10% on most CDs and DVDs.

In addition stores will be hosting other special offers and events for educators throughout the month. Visit your local Barnes & Noble store for details. *You will need to present your Barnes and Noble educator's card and a state issued photo id to receive the discounts.

*Barnes and Noble Educator Cards:
Homeschoolers can save 20% year round with B&N's educator's card.
To obtain an educator card you will need a photo id and proof that you are a home educator. I showed them a copy of my homeschooling confirmation letter from the state. I think they also accept the BVHERO membership cards as proof.

October is National Popcorn Popping Month!

Popcorn growers have been unofficially celebrating Popcorn Popping Month for more than 25 years. In 1999, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman made it official, proclaiming October as National Popcorn Popping Month because October is when the popcorn harvest takes place each fall in the Midwest.

Popcorn is one of the oldest American foods. In 1948 archaeologists exploring a cave in west central New Mexico discovered ears of corn dated back roughly 4,000 years! 1,000 year old popcorn kernels found in burial grounds in the coastal deserts of North Chile would still pop!

So maybe it is time to pop a bowl, have fun, and learn more about this favorite American treat!

* Here's a lesson plan from the Education World Website.
* About.com has a number of crafts, games and activities to explore.
* The National Popcorn Board's site contains a whole slew of recipes.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Earth and Sky For Kids!

Why Leaves Change Color?

This is the latest podcast & article you can explore on the Earth and Sky for Kids website.

I first stumbled upon Earth and Sky as an astronomy radio broadcast, years and years ago. Now we use their website and podcasts to enrich our homeschool experience. Their approach to science leaves us with a sense of awe and wonder and an immense sense of stewardship for this unique and frail planet.

This is how they describe themselves:

"Since 1991, Earth & Sky has worked with thousands of scientists to produce more than 5,000 radio spots on night sky astronomy, and on sustainability needs and strategies for the 21st century.

Science is not perfect. It’s a process, not a body of facts. History tells us that some of today’s scientific “truths” will inevitably turn out to be wrong, or only partially true.

Still, science leads to profound insights about the natural world that are as true as anything can be here at the beginning of the 21st century.

Earth & Sky tries to build a bridge between scientists and you.

Earth & Sky is a joint project of Earth & Sky, Inc. and EarthSky Communications, Inc.

...committed to describing humanity’s work to understand itself and its relationship to the Earth."

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Ashland Nature Center: Three Fall Programs Remain!


Don't Miss Out:
Three Fall Home School Workshops Remain!

The cost for each program is $7 per student.

Colonial Farm
Date: October 19th
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Discover farm life as a child in colonial Delaware. Turn cream to butter after learning how cows turn grass to milk. Prepare corn from field to flour and explore the old fashioned refrigerator made of stone! Program meets at the Coverdale Farm.

Stream Ecology
Date: November 2nd
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Determine a stream’s health by examining its biological, chemical, and physical attributes. Catch and classify stream macro-invertebrates, and use test kits to record pH and dissolved oxygen. Discuss how humans and wildlife impact stream health and identify four basic types of stream pollution. Program meets at the Ashland Nature Center.

The Lenni Lenape
Date: November 16th
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Explore the culture and customs of the early inhabitants of Delaware. Take an interpretive walk to discover pre-colonial Delaware history. Learn how Native Americans used nature to meet everyday needs and visit a replica wigwam for a hands-on experience with tools, animal furs and hides, clothing and musical instruments. Program meets at the Ashland Nature Center.

Good News!

If you called before and were disappointed because these programs were full, now is the time to call again! David has brought in a third teacher to meet the demand for these popular programs!

A third teacher means that those older students - 12 and up - will continue to be broken off into their own subgroup. These students will be challenged with age appropriate content and material within the workshop's theme. My son Teddy, who is turning 13, is enrolled in each of the programs and there have been several other students ages 12-16 attending participating along with him. I have been so pleased to see this hard to fit age group getting the attention they deserve!

Ashland Nature Center is located in Hockessin, DE. Their web site: www.delawarenaturesociety.org

Programs are designed to meet state and national standards and are appropriate for students of all ages. If you are a homeshool parent or organizer and are interested in programs for older students or topics that are not covered in our fall offerings, please contact David Pragoff, School Program Coordinator at 302-239-2334, ext.133 or davidp@delawarenaturesociety.org to request a copy of our School Program Brochure.

Advance registration for all programs is required.

A Spook-tacular Overnight Safari at The Academy of Natural Sciences!

It's Philadelphia's Creepiest Camp-In!

October 26th-27th
Sleep over in the murky and mysterious museum next to Mesozoic monsters, a mummy, and marvelous mammals.

Here's some of the many Weird and Wonderful Things Planned:

Creatures of the Night
Nocturnal animals prowl and growl for your pleasure at this special Halloween Live Animal Show.

Eating Habits of the Prehistoric Dead
There's something lurking the Academy and it's been dead for millions of years! Join Dino Dude in a discourse on the prehistoric menu: Herbivores, Omnivores and Carnivores, Oh My!

Spooky Specimens
The mad scientists of the Academy of Un-Natural Sciences will delight ghoulish guests with the best of the beastly, bloodless and batty specimens in the collections. Look forward to seeing the skeletons, skins and skulls that fill the deep dark recesses of the Academy’s collections.

Things to do in the Dark
Watch mouths glow with a strange blue light and faces disappear into the ether as you learn the ways of night vision. Giggly games and terrific tricks make this the most fun you’ll have in the dark!

Screamingly Scary Shirts
Make your own scary, spooky or surprising shirt design and bring it home to show your friends!

A Halloween Parade
Costume contestants could win prizes for Most Creative, Scariest, Best-Overall and Best Group Costumes. Start the night with the costume parade then change out of your costume (or not) and enjoy the fabulous Halloween activities planned.
Time:
6:30 pm to 9:00 am; Check-in is 6:30-7:00 pm.
Ages:
Safari Overnights are appropriate for children ages 7-14.
One adult is required per 3 children.
Fees:
Children: $35/child for members; $40/child for non-members
Adults: $30/adult for members; $35/adult for non-members
Cost includes snack, breakfast and next-day admission.
For more details visit their website

For Information and Reservations Call:
215-299-1060


Extending the Fun:
To get in the mood you might want to check out these:

* Movie: Night at the Museum

* Book: Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc

Friday, October 5, 2007

Sputnik: Zome's October Model of the Month!

Sputnik is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age, with Russia's successful launch of the first human-built satellite on October 4th, 1957. "Sputnik" literally means "one who travels along [with the earth]."

I know my kids are going to build this one!


Zometool is your travelling companion for exploring the structure of space, whether in 1, 2, 3 or higher dimensions! To get just the parts you need to build Sputnik, click here.

More Curriculm Connections:
* Watch the movie The Iron Giant!
* Watch the movie, October Sky.
* Read the book, The Iron Giant.
* Check out Sputnik on Nasa's website.
* All Things Considered Story on NPR: Science Education Legacy.
* NPR: Shock of the Century.
* NPR: Sputnik Deisgners Did Not Fathom Its Impact.
* NPR: Sputnik in Space and Song.
* Read about Laika the First Dog in Space on Space.com

Web English Teacher


Here's another site that links to reading and discussion guides for children's literature. This site lists materials by the author's name: Web English Teacher

The resources offered on this site are not limited to reading discussion guides and not just to fiction. Web English Teacher is the brainchild of teacher Carla Beard who urges visitors to think of her website... "as the faculty library and faculty workroom on a global scale." Carla is based in Indiana and specializes in effective technology integration in education. Her site is truly a gem!

This is how Web English Teacher describes itself: "Web English Teacher presents the best of K-12 English / Language Arts teaching resources: lesson plans, WebQuests, videos, biography, e-texts, criticism, jokes, puzzles, and classroom activities. "

Site Map

Literature Links


I am always searching for good, free, lesson plans and book discussion materials tied to the books the kids are currently reading. During one of my recent searches I came across this web site: Literature Links

This is not the most up to date site, many of the links no longer function, but the site still contains plenty of good resources making it worth bookmarking.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Halloween Events at Delaware State Parks!

No matter where you live, there is a spook-tacular event for you to attend this October at a Delaware State Park!

Brandywine Creek State Park’s
16th Annual Haunted Trail

Friday, October 19, 7 - 10 p.m.
Saturday, October 20, 7 - 10 p.m.
New scenes, amazing scares and top notch creepiness will get your fright meter rising. Glowing jack-o’-lanterns, ghoulish characters, surprises, freaky scenes and mazes are some the new scares happening at Brandywine Creek State Park’s Haunted Trail. Come enjoy some good old-fashioned haunting. This program is recommended for ages 12 and older. No pre-registration is required and walk-ins are welcome. Program fee is $10 per person. Questions? Call 302-655-5740.

Haunted Hayrides
at Bellevue State Park

Saturday, October 27
7 p.m., Families and children under 12
8 p.m., Adults and children 12 and older
Join us for our especially spooky Halloween hayrides! Don’t forget to wear your costume and bring your trick or treat bag! Our family-friendly hayride begins at 7 p.m. and our "Adult" hayride (for ages 12 and up) begins at 8 p.m. We’ll enjoy a campfire with s’mores following the hayride. Program fee is $8 per person. Pre-registration is required no later than 4 p.m. on October 26th by calling (302) 793-3046.

Boo at the Zoo!
at the Brandywine Zoo

Saturday, October 27 & Sunday, October 28: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Celebrate another Halloween at Brandywine Zoo's merry, not scary, event 'Boo at the Zoo 2007!' This event includes fun games, face painting, a "spooky" scavenger hunt, critters that creep, and special treats. Children and their grown-ups are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes! Activities are free with paid admission to the Zoo. For more information visit the zoo’s website at www.brandywinezoo.org.

CAPE HENLOPEN’s
19th ANNUAL CHILDRENS FANTASY TRAIL

Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 28 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Bring the kids, costumes are appreciated, to a bigger and better Fantasy Trail. See your favorite storybook characters and trick-or-treat for candy and toys. Entertainment under the tent each evening will include singing, juggling, bat programs, magic and more. $4.00 per person, adults and children.

Dark Dover with the First State Heritage Park

October 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
7 p.m.
This October, darkness has free reign over the Dover Green. Witness first hand the chilling true stories of gruesome murders, whippings, and spirits that have left their sinister imprint on The Green. The program fee is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required and spaces are limited, so please call 302-739-9194 for reservations. Tours will meet in front of the Delaware Visitor Center.

2nd ANNUAL Killens Pond Fall Festival

Saturday, October 20th
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy a day in the country filled with crafts, activities, petting zoos, straw mazes, hayrides, pumpkin patches, face painting, archery trailer, live performances, magic show, K9 demonstrations, inflatables, and lots of food. Cost is $2 per participant. Entrance fee in effect.

Mystery at the Mansion!

Friday October 26th and Saturday October 27th
Doors open at 7:15pm, Program begins at 7:30pm
At the Judge Morris Estate
White Clay Creek State Park
A new and intriguing mystery filled with deceit and MURDER! Join us after your dinner plans for a fin and thrilling evening, coffee and dessert refreshments.
$18 per person, $35 per couple
Call the Park Office to register (302)368-6900

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Read-Aloud Tours for Preschoolers at the Brandywine River Museum

Thursdays in October and November from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Inspired by the museum's Flights into Fantasy exhibition, the tours will begin with a story time in the galleries followed by a related art activity. These Read-Aloud Tours are designed for children ages 3 to 6, accompanied by an adult.

Date Story Theme Art Activity
October 11 Fairies, Elves and Sprites Elf and fairy creations
October 18 Mother Goose Rhymes Colorful gardens
October 25 Madeline Paper cut-out dolls
November 1 Winnie the Pooh Scratch art drawings
November 8 Noodle (a dog story) Pipe cleaner dogs
November 15 Beatrix Potter Tales Animal collages

The tours are free with museum admission:
$8 for adults,
$5 for senior citizens, students and children 6-12,
Free for children under 6 and Brandywine Conservancy members.

Advanced registration is required.
Families may sign up for one or more programs by contacting the Education Office at 610-388-8382 or education@brandywine.org.

For more information about the museum, location and hours visit their website.

Math at the Zoo!


Homeschool Math at the Zoo!
Tuesday, October 23: 10:00am-12:00pm
Raindate: Thursday, October 25: 10:00am-12:00pm

A morning of Math like you've never experienced before. This program incorporates age-specific activity stops using the Zoo to learn why math is an important part of daily Zoo jobs. Beginning in the Education Building, next to the Monkey House the groups proceeds to the Zoo for exploring.


Everyone must pay the program fee.

Pre-registration required.
Fee: $8 per person;
$6 per person for DZS Members.

Phone: (302) 571-7747

Location:
1001 North Park Drive
Brandywine Park
Wilmington, Delaware

website

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Opera Delaware: Dress Rehearsals Are Free to Students!

OperaDelaware
The following dress rehearsals are free to students
by advanced registration only

Madama Butterfly
by Giacomo Puccini,
NEW DATE Thursday, October 25

The Gondoliers
by Gilbert & Sullivan,
Thursday, February 14, 2008

Little Women
by Mark Adamo,
NEW DATE Thursday, May 1, 2008

All dress rehearsals are free to students!
By advanced registration only!
You must arrive by 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm curtain.

Location:
The Grand Opera House
818 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801

For synopses, visit their website.

Delaware Museum of Natural History: Programs for Homeschoolers

These special programs, just for Homeschoolers, will be offered at Delaware Museum of Natural History from October 2007 to May 2008. Students will explore a variety of natural history topics through the study of museum specimens and exhibits, experiments, live animals, crafts, films, games, and outdoor hikes!

October 19: Microbes- Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies.
This exhibit is an up close and personal look at the smallest, most abundant and oldest life on our planet. Come explore "germs" and learn how everything on Earth depends on these tiny organisms for survival.

November 9: Extreme Earth.
Climb to the peak of the world' s highest mountain and venture into the deepest trenches of the ocean on this quest for "Earth's Most Extreme Environment."

December 14: Under the Sea.
Far below the peaceful ocean surface is a world of extraordinary creatures- some small, some giant and all with faces only a mother could love. With the help of museum experts, observe real specimens and learn all about these fascinating animals and the places they call home.

January 11: Physics for Beginners.
When you throw a snowball at your friend, the laws of the universe are in action all around you and you don> '> t even know it! These laws are called Physics and they help to explain how the world works. Join us to learn all about gravity, speed, momentum and much more.

February 8: Bizarre Beasts Past and Present.
Experience first-hand some of the strangest animals ever to inhabit the Earth! Explore the forces that cause life to change over time and adapt to different environments. See for yourself that fact is often stranger than fiction.

March 14: The Animals of DMNH.
Ever wonder where the animals at the museum came from and how they got here? Learn about animal conservation and take a fascinating trip through the history of the museum to find out the back-story of some of our most famous residents.

April 11: Delmarva Habitats.
In this introduction to forest, marshland, and seashore environments, we will learn about the web of life and the value of wild spaces.

May 9: Natural History of Pizza.
Where does your pizza come from? It's not delivery; it's DMNH! Be a world traveler and discover the origins of pizza, eating your way through the history of one of your favorite foods.


Registration Information
Classes are geared toward elementary school aged children.
The second Friday of every month (except October)
1:00-3:00 PM

$6.00 member
$10.00 non-member per child.
Adult members are free
$6.00 Adult non-members $6.00.

Pre-registration is required.
To register: contact Mariah Romaninsky at the museum no later than the Monday before class.
Space is limited to 15 students
Enroll early to avoid disappointment.

Please call Mariah Romaninsky at the museum with any questions:

Mariah Romaninsky
Community Programs Coordinator
Delaware Museum of Natural History
4840 Kennett Pike
PO Box 3937
Wilmington, DE 19807

T: 302 658 9111 x322
F: 302 658 2610

website.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Philadelphia Zoo: Special Workshops Especially for Homeschoolers!

The Philadelphia Zoo now offers special workshops - especially for homeschool students! Enriching, educational and fun, these workshops are a great way for children to learn about wildlife and how the Zoo runs. Workshops are available for individual families and are offered in series.

And, for groups of 15 or more, the Zoo offers educational lessons to enhance school field trips to the Zoo! Zoo Classes offer exciting, inquiry-based lessons that promote science education. Our live animal demonstrations, artifacts and interactive experiences motivate students to learn about topics that have a direct impact on every-day life. Come share the experience, as only the Philadelphia Zoo can provide! Learn more about Field Trips.

For more information visit their website.

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan


"Find your Joy..." so says Zedediah Applewhite to the troubled youth whose very last, last chance is surviving Creative Academy, a homeschool, and its very eccentric extended family of artists and odd balls and a girl named E.D..

Lesson plans for Surviving the Applewhites:
Harper Collins - pdf file
Author Bio
Web Quest

Synopsis from the Harpers Collins Website:

Surviving the Applewhites
by Stephanie S. Tolan


Jake Semple is a scary kid. Word has it that he burned down his old school and then was kicked out of every other school in his home state. Only weeks into September, the middle school in Traybridge, North Carolina, has thrown him out, too.

Now there's only one place left that will take him -- a home school run by the most outrageous, forgetful, chaotic, quarrelsome family you'll ever meet. Each and every Applewhite is an artist through and through -- except E.D., the smart, scruffy girl with a deep longing for order and predictability. E.D. and Jake, so nearly the same age, are quickly paired in the family's first experiment in "cooperative education."

The two clash immediately, of course. The only thing they have in common is the determination to survive the family's eccentricities.

In Stephanie S. Tolan's hilarious tale, a local production of The Sound of Music directed, stagecrafted, choreographed, and costumed by Apple-whites -- brings the family together and shows E.D. and Jake the value of the special gifts they've had all along.

2003 Newbery Honor Book

BrainPop.com


My family loves this site!

BrainPOP is an educational program providing content spanning 7 main subjects, including: Science, Math, English, Social Studies, Health, Arts and Music, and Technology.

We have watched these movies over and over. The kids take the quizzes offered after each movie. They have subscription packages for families as well as homeschoolers. They offer teacher support and are working on offering lesson plans in the future. You try out BrainPop for days for free, thereafter you need to purchase a subscription.

The only way to really understand what BrainPop is all about is to log on and try it for yourself!

BrainPOP.com


*Just a quick note about Homeschool Happenings! and clicking on the links I provide:
I opt not to receive payment or rewards of any kind for the links that I provide on Homeschool Happenings. For example; I could subscribe as a publisher and receive a commission every time someone clicks through my site and then joins BrainPop. I don't do this because I want my readers to trust the information I recommend and share. I am not doing this for profit but rather to build a better homeschooling community for all our kids...

Harvest Moon Festival at Coverdale Farm

Delaware Nature Society hosts its annual Harvest Moon Festival at Coverdale Farm, Way Road, Greenville, Delaware.

Saturday & Sunday
October 6th &7th
10am to 5pm

• Bring old clothes and stuff a scarecrow
• Play Pumpkin Croquet
• Wander through a corn maze
• Munch on popcorn popped on a steam-operated popper
• Visit Coverdale Farm's livestock: cows, pigs, chickens, sheep
• Ride in a wagon pulled by draft horses
• Compete in corn husking contests
• Milk a cow • Ride a pony
• Watch a sheep sheering demonstration and see how the wool is carded, spun and woven
• Explore an heirloom vegetable garden
• Meet Chief Quiet Thunder and learn about Native American life
• Root for the fastest herp in the international turtle race
• Settle on a hay bale for folk music and wildlife presentations
• Munch on favorite country and festival foods
• Browse among nature-related artwork and crafts
• Design a nature tee-shirt and Harvest Moon necklace
• Join a naturalist for a guided nature walk through our Burrows Run Preserve
• Learn about current environmental efforts at exhibits in the Conservation Corridor

Admission:
Delaware Nature Society Members:
Adults - $5,
Ages 5-17 - $2,
Under age 5 - Free
Non-Members:
Adults - $8,
Ages 5-17 - $4,
Under age 5 - Free


For more information visit their website.