Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Iditarod XXXVI

March 1st, 2008 - 10:00am - Anchorage Alaska
It's the Iditarod
!

This is our favorite unit study, we follow the race every year. There are tons of educational material to be found online, both from the official Iditarod Website as well as from posting from enthusiastic educators around the globe!

http://www.iditarod.com
http://www.iditarod.com/teachers/

Friday, February 22, 2008

More Wonderful Weaving Workshops!

Update!
A new session of classes beginning:
Tuesday, Feb. 26th, running for five weeks.

There will also be another session starting the 1st of April.
All details below are the same.


Learn to Weave on a Four Harness Loom!

This is a class for homeschoolers aged 9 and up.
Each series of classes meets for 5 Tuesdays, 1-4 pm.
Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers in Mayayunk .
Fee: $135.

For more information check out the Guild's website at www.pghw.org.
To register call or e-mail the teacher Nancy Shiffrin at 610-649-6209,
nancyshiffrin@comcast.net

Maximum 6 students.
Parents are also welcome to take the class.

Students will get to exercise their creativity and their math skills. They will each learn to prepare a loom for weaving with their own choice of yarns, and complete a project such as a scarf, table runner or placemats.

The Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers,
3705 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
215-487-9690


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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Shakespeare Study and Playwriting Program for Homeschooled Teens

A first time, unique collaborative program between The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival and Philadelphia Young Playwrights is being offered to homeschooled teens in the area. This program will be a combination of the Shakespeare Festival's highly successful residency program and the Young Playwrights' equally successful playwriting program. The two will join forces to work with homeschooled teens for ten weeks this spring.

The program will meet for 1 1/2 hours over a ten week, consecutive period with experienced actor, director and teaching artist Aaron Oster. The teens will start out by examining how comedy works, using examples from Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona. They will spend several interactive sessions looking at the conventions and stock characters employed by Shakespeare. Then.....the students will be guided by Aaron in the writing of their own comedic scenes (and possibly entire plays...time permitting). During the last sessions additional professional actors and actresses will attend to give feedback and the entire program will conclude with performances of the student-created scenes by the professional actors and the students for an audience.

Aaron Oster has been a freelance theater director, performer, dramaturg, designer and educator in the greater Philadelphia area since 2003. He teaches regularly for The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, the Wilma School Studio and Wilmagination programs. Aaron has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Ohio University and he is currently an adjunct faculty member in West Chester University's Department of Theatre and Dance.

Area homeschooled teen groups have participated in the each of the programs offered by the Shakespeare Festival and the Young Playwrights in the past and have had highly rewarding experiences. This will be a groundbreaking and exciting opportunity to work with both highly regarded organizations together.

Program details:

When:
Wednesdays from 2:30-4pm
March 5, 2008 through May 7, 2008


Where:
The Free Library of Haverford Township
1601 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083


Cost:
$125 per participant for the entire ten weeks

To register:
contact Debby Rosan at rosandb@earthlink.net

Payment must be made via check made payable to:
PHILADELPHIA YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS

Mail payment to:
Debby Rosan
217 Trent Road

Wynnewood, PA 19096

Deadline: February 24, 2008

PLEASE CONTACT DEBBY WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Soar into spring at Brandywine Creek State Park!!

Brandywine Creek State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, year round. Park entrance fees are charged daily from March through November. Advance registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for a program, please contact the Nature Center at (302) 655-5740. Want to learn more about other Delaware State Parks? Visit our website www.destateparks.com

Programs at Flint Woods Nature Preserve

Wilderness Survival
Sunday, March 16
1pm-3pm
Be challenged by our fun and safe survival scenarios as you learn how to be better prepared for wilderness survival. We will also make our own trail mix for you to snack on! Ages 8 - Adult. $4 per person. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.

Birding for Beginners
Sunday, April 6
2-4pm
Learn the basics of using binoculars, field guide selection, and identifying wild birds in the field with a park naturalist. Binoculars available to borrow. Ages 7 and up. $4 per person. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.

Arbor Day Celebration
Sunday, April 27
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
In honor of Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, we head out to Brandywine Creek State Park’s exclusive Flint Woods Nature Preserve. Learn to appreciate trees in a whole new way during this guided excursion through the Nature Preserve. Leave with tips on selecting trees for your own backyard that are beneficial to wildlife! Participation is limited to 14 participants. Ages 8 and up. $4 per person. Advance registration is required.
Animal Communication: How did Doctor Doolittle Do It?
Sunday, May 18
2 – 4 p.m.
Learn how animals communicate and what they might be ‘saying.’ We will explore bird song, frog calls, squirrel tails, and more. Ages 5 and up. $4 per person. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.
Extraordinary Events at Brandywine Creek State Park

Kite Day
Saturday, April 19
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at this once-a-year event by trying your hand at making your own kite! Join us for a day of fun and learning and soar to new heights in the great outdoors. The program fee is $2 per kite. All ages.

Special Populations Fishing Derby
Saturday, April 26
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join us for the 28th Annual Special Population Fishing Derby. The derby is presented by the Delaware Trout Association, Brandywine Creek State Park, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Advance registration is required. For further information, please contact the Nature Center at (302) 655-5740.

Annual River Clean-Up for National Trails Day:
Help the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park!
Saturday, June 7
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
You can help the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park clean up the Brandywine River by canoe. Last year, the group managed to remove nearly a half ton of trash from the Brandywine. This year, you too can make a difference. Advance registration is required by calling 302-655-5740. Registration deadline is June 2. Please be aware that shoes and clothes will get wet. Recommended for ages 12 and older. Participants aged 16 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Experience with canoeing is preferred.
No fee for this program.

Beautiful Birding at Brandywine

Bird Walk Series
Saturdays, March 29 and May 31: meet at Nature Center
Saturday, April 26: meet at Thompson’s Bridge
8 a.m.
Birders from the Delmarva Ornithological Society will lead the group through the park in search some spring migrants! A light continental breakfast will be provided thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park. No fee for this program.

Owl Prowl
Saturday, May 24
7:30 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 14
8-9:30pm
Discover the mysteries of these night raptors. Following a presentation about the Owls of northern Delaware, we will move out into the park to search for signs of our resident wild owls. Bring your sense of adventure, but no flashlights please! Ages 7 and up. $4 per person. This program fills up quickly and advance registration is required.

Terrific Toddlers
Nature programs for children ages 2-3 years. Programs are held from 9:30 until 10:15 a.m., and the fee is $5 per child. Pre-registration is encouraged! Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. These programs are limited to 10 children per session.

Shake Your Sillies Out
Friday, April 25
9:30-10:15 a.m.
Jump up and shake to celebrate spring in this action-packed program.

It’s All About Color
Friday, May 23
9:30-10:15 a.m.
We’ll search for new colors of spring that are popping up everywhere in the park, followed by a colorful craft.

1,2,3…Count With Me!
Friday, June 27
9:30-10:15am
How many bugs can we count? We will find out all sorts of nifty things about insects and make an insect we can eat!

Nature Explorers Club
Nature Programs for children ages 4 to 6 years. Programs are held from 1:30 until 2:15 p.m., and the fee is $5 per child. Pre-registration is encouraged! Walk-ins are welcome if space is available. These programs are limited to 12 children per session.

Spring Songs
Friday, March 14
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Nature comes alive in the spring. Join us to find out what it has to say!
Marvelous Moving Mammals
Friday, April 25
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Find out how mammals get from here to there. Then, you’ll be moving like the animals in this fun and active program.

Colorific Signs of Spring
Friday, May 23
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Learn about the colors of spring like you see in the changing trees and blossoming flowers. It’s an adventure in fun as we discover new growth just around the corner.

How Many Bugs Can We Find?
Friday, June 27
1:30-2:15pm
June is a month full of insects! We will learn about bugs and how they help the park and other animals – followed by an insect craft we can eat.

Learn Something New This Spring!
As winter turns to spring, take an opportunity to head outdoors and learn something new about our changing world. Brandywine Creek State Park naturalists will guide you on a fun, exciting adventure and teach you something new and interesting on the way! Pre-registration by calling the Nature Center is required.

Frogs and Toads at Dusk!
Wednesday, March 12
6:30pm – 8pm
We will learn some neat tricks to help you identify our local frogs and toads. Then we’ll head out into the park in search of these wild wonders. Please, no flashlights! This program will last approximately 1 hour. Ages 5 and up. Advance registration required. $4 per person.

Guided Canoe Trips
Each trip offered includes an American Red Cross Canoe Certified trip leader to safely guide you and your friends and family down the tranquil Brandywine from start to finish. Also, included in each trip is a Brandywine Creek State Park naturalist who will help you experience nature on a whole new level by highlighting the exciting things we see along the way. The fee for each trip is $45 per canoe with a maximum of three people per canoe. Some snacks will be provided, but bring plenty of water. These trips have limited participation and advance registration is required. Please contact the Nature Center with questions or to register by calling (302) 655-5740.

Canoeing Basics
Saturday, June 14
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

This spring, learn something new and fun at Brandywine Creek State Park. An American Red Cross Canoe certified instructor will teach you all of the basics to get you started on your first canoe trip on the Brandywine. Get up to speed on safety and basic strokes on dry land before a calm 2 hour paddle down the Brandywine. A park naturalist will also be on hand to help identify the turtles, frogs, birds, and wildflowers we will see along the way! Snacks will be provided, but please bring plenty of water. Please be aware that shoes and clothes may get wet. Meet at the Nature Center. $45 per canoe, maximum of 3 people, 700 lbs per canoe. Participants aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Canoe Trip: Birds of the Brandywine
Saturday, June 28
9am-1pm

Spend a late spring afternoon paddling the calm Brandywine while listening and looking for all the beautiful birds that can be found along the way. We will stop for along the way for a light cookout including hot dogs and s’mores. Then, we will continue on down the Brandywine listening for the sounds of evening birds. Some minimal canoeing experience is recommended (such as attending our canoeing basics program). Meet at the Thompson’s Bridge parking lot. $45 per canoe, maximum of 3 people, 700 lbs per canoe. Participants aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Kung Fu for Homeschoolers


The Chinese Kickboxing Kung Fu Academy would like to open it's doors to homeschoolers. Learn Kung Fu in a positive environment with great teachers. The teachers make the class fun for the kids and they even take time out to teach the smaller ones about stranger danger.

Classes will be for ages 4-6, 7-11, & 12 and over.

Days and times will be determined by number of students signed up. The times will be sometime between 9:30am and 12:30 pm. At least five students are needed in the desired age group to offer the course. The studio also offers classes outside of these times, however these morning sessions will be designed with the homeschool crowd in mind.

The monthly course fee is $99, which is a $26 discount off their usual monthly rate and is offered only to homeschoolers. A down payment is also required, this too will be discounted when you ask for the homeschooler discount. A uniform is included in the price.


Please register by Wednesday February 27th. Contact Angela or Sifu Greg directly for more information at 999-9720.


The Chinese Kickboxing Kung Fu Academy
1718 W. Gilpin Dr.
Wilmington, DE 19805


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(right off of 141)

Monday, February 4, 2008

Art classes at the DCCA


Preschool Art Class
Winter and Spring Preschool
Ages 3-5

Weekends
Saturdays, 2/9, 2/16,2/23, 3/1,
10:30-11:30 am
Sundays, 2/24, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16,
12:30-1:30 pm

Weekdays
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am
2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/4 10:30-11:30
Tuesday, 10:30-11:30am
4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22 10:30-11:30

The young artist and accompanying adult will create two and three dimensional art together. The possibilities for the young imagination are opened by applying and exploring with a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, and collage. Projects will be based on exhibits in the DCCA galleries and basics of art - color, shape, and line.

Each session $40 for DCCA members and $50 for future members
Register Online Now!

Youth Studio Fundamentals
Ages 6-9

Wednesdays 2/13-3/19 3:30-5:00 pm
Wednesdays 4/2-5/7 3:30-5:00 pm

Students will learn studio fundamentals of drawing, painting and sculpture with an emphasis on landscape, the environment, and nature. The exhibitions on view in the DCCA’s galleries, including New Views: Nature Captured and A Distant Call will serve as inspiration.

Each session $75 DCCA members and $90 future members
Register Online Now!

For more information visit their website.

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
200 South Madison Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302.656.6466


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Saturday, February 2, 2008

Science Workshop Series at the Franklin Institute!

Homeschool Days at The Franklin Institute

Implementing quality science instruction into your child's curriculum can be challenging. Why not let The Franklin Institute provide you with the resources of one of America’s premier science museums? During our workshops, children interact with real scientists, utilize The Franklin Institute’s specialized equipment, visit exhibits and explore science through hands-on experimentation.

Exploration of Anatomy and Physiology

  • Explore the systems of the human body
  • Learn basic dissection skills
  • Dissect real animals and organs


February 18th, 10:30-3:30
(7-10 years old)
$72/ student (member)
$80/student (non member)

or

February 28th, 10:30-3:30
(11-14 years old)
$72/ student (member)
$80/student (non member)


Brain Awareness Day

  • Explore the form and function of the brain
  • Examine and dissect real specimens
  • Participate in our annual “Brain Awareness” programming

March 13th, 10:30-3:30
(all ages)
$72/student (member)
$80/student (non member)


Night out at the Observatory
  • Learn about telescope optics
  • Explore our observatory and view the night sky with Derrick Pitts
  • Create tools to explore and understand our galaxy

April 2nd, 4:30pm- 8:00pm
(all ages/ rain or shine)
$72/ student (member)
$80/student (non member)

To Register:
Print, fill out, and fax or mail the Homeschool Registration Form (PDF) to attend the program. If you need further information, call 215.448.1346.

For registration information contact: sjenkins@fi.edu
All other questions contact: cgraham@fi.edu or (215)448-1346

For more information:
call 215-448-1346 or
visit their website


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Mary's Wedding: Specially Priced Student Matinee at the Delaware Theater Company

MARY'S WEDDING

By Stephen Massicotte

March 6 & 13, 2008, 10:30 AM
*Advance Reservations Required*

A SOARING love story told against the epic backdrop of World War I, this lyrically theatrical piece stretches from the wild beauty of rural Canada to the battlegrounds of France. When young Mary meets Charlie, she falls in love but he gets called to serve in the Great War. Mary fights against the forces of time, place, and destiny to keep her love alive. A recent international hit, Mary's Wedding is a stunning drama that will leave your heart aching and your imagination racing.

Great for English, Creative Writing, World History classes & more!

Tickets are $10.50 each
One complimentary chaperone per 20 tickets.
DTC also offers complimentary study guides and preshow classroom visits to help you prepare your group for the performance.

To book your group, call Johanna Schloss at 302-594-1104, ext. 204, or email her at: johannaschloss@delawaretheatre.org

Mary's Wedding is best suited for audiences ages 13 and up (some mild profanity and sobering imagery of war).

More about the play:
Mary's Wedding by Stephen Massicotte at Delaware Theatre Company. Mary's Wedding is both a love story and a history lesson, sharing the story of two characters, Mary Chalmers and Charlie Edwards, who meet and fall in love before Charlie heads from Canada to France to fight in World War I against Mary's wishes.

Told theatrically instead of chronologically, the play consists of Mary's dreaming the night before her wedding about key moments in her relationship with Charlie. Interspersed with her recollections are Charlie's letters to Mary back in Canada from abroad and his conversations with his commanding officer, Lt. Gordon "Flowers" Flowerdew about the action of the Great War.

Mary's Wedding offers a springboard for the study of many elements of World War I, including
--the last use of a cavalry regiment and the first use of industrialized weaponry together in a war
--the story of the real Lt. Gordon Flowerdew and his regiment
--the experiences of North American soldiers traveling for the first time to Europe
--correspondence between the homefront and the soldiers abroad

Yet in addition to the history, Mary's Wedding stands on its own as a simple play about two people who fall in love and the obstacles they face in being together. The three main characters (played by a real-life husband and wife acting team) cross between times and places, wartime and peacetime, gently uncovering the full story of Mary's dream just before her marriage.


Johanna Schloss
Associate Director of Education & Community Engagement
Delaware Theatre Company
johannaschloss@delawaretheatre.org
302-594-1104, ext. 204 phone
302-594-1107 fax
www.delawaretheatre.org

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Mini Session! Glory of Stories for Homeschoolers at the Delaware Art Museum

The Artist’s Expression

Fridays, February 15th – March 7, 2008
9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Age groups: 4-6 years & 7-9 years
$14 per child / Parents and Guardians are free*

The Delaware Art Museum’s Homeschool program offers Homeschool families a wonderful art education experience! Every Friday for 4 weeks, Museum Staff and Docents will present story readings related to the Museum’s collection. A discussion of related works of art and a hands-on art project will follow the reading. Kids will build a foundation for visual arts, as well as hone their observation skills through storytelling and art.

The Artist’s Expression will highlight various artists and art movements in the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions. Kids will learn about a different artist and genre of art each week. Topics will also include information about the artists’ cultural backgrounds and inspirations. Space is limited. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. Participants must register and prepay by mail. No refunds. Parents are required to stay for the entire program.

For more information, contact Saralyn Rosenfield, Family Programs Manager, at 302-351-8504 or srosenfield@delart.org

SCHEDULE

Week 1 - Benjamin West

Week 2 - Frida Kahlo/Nickolas Muray

Week 3 - Howard Pyle

Week 4 - Gene Davis

* Price includes all 4 dates in session, that's only $3.50 per class!
A 20% discount on the total cost will be given to families with 3 or more children registered

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