Date for Old State House Fieldtrip

  January 7, 2011 is the date for the Old State House Field trip

Any questions, contact Kimberly Cashman kcashman3@snet.net

OLD STATE HOUSE FIELD TRIP

Passing this along from Kimberly Cashman........ 
 

OLD STATE HOUSE FIELD TRIP 

9:30-11:00 a.m. (plus museum time) 

800 Main St, Hartford, CT
www.ctosh.org 
park at Constitution Plaza ($5 validated parking)

          

Hannah Watson Portrayal:  Left a widow with 5 young children and a newspaper business to run, Mrs. Watson petitioned the General Assembly for assistance after her paper mill burned.  Hear her news efforts during the Revolutionary War. 

Storytelling/trunk activity; paper making; orientation video, building tour;  CT history museum downstairs; Museum of Curiosities

Geared toward 3rd grade and higher but open to anyone; $5 per student; $3 per adult; $1 for non-participating kids

Please contact Kim Cashman at kcashman3@snet.net or 860-875-0799 no later than January 5th, 2011.

Spelling Bee for Homeschoolers

Passing this along from Maureen Marcucci..........

DEADLINE APPROACHING

 

GWHE Spelling Bee (Middlebury)

 

The spelling bee is for all home-schooled students in fifth to eighth grades living in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties.

 

When:  January 26, 2011 @ 7 PM

Where:  Shepardson Community Center, Middlebury

Cost:  $12 per participant

Registration:  Closes on January 19, 2010

 

Please send your registration payment made out to Fran Morlino,

24 Hilltop Manor

Danbury, CT  06811 

 After you register, Fran will e-mail you a study

booklet.  You can e-mail Fran at franmorlino@aol.com

 

The following information is needed with your registration:

 

name of the speller(s)

grade in school

address

number of family members attending

e-mail address

phone number

 

You can access study hints at www.spellingbee.com

 

The first, second, and third place winners all receive cash prizes.  All participants receive a candy bar and a certificate.  The parents participate in a fun parent spelling bee. The families each bring a food item to contribute to the after-bee social time.  We have had a great night every year!

 

Reminder to pre-register for Fridays at Star Hill

Tuesday January 4, 2011 is the deadline to register your children for the first 6 week session of Homeschool structured Activities at Star Hill Family Athletic Center in Tolland, Ct. The session will start on Friday January 7.

Activities will be planned each week on the turf fields, the basketball/volleyball courts, the indoor track, and group fitness rooms.  Kids will enjoy activities in both smaller age-appropriate groups and larger groups.  This program will run every Friday from 12:30PM until 2:00PM.  You are required to pre-register for this program on their website, or in person at the facility.  The program costs $35/child for this 6-week program.  They have put a $140 family limit on each session.

Star Hill Family Athletic Center

                         100 Gerber Drive                           
Tolland, CT 06084

860-871-8800 
http://www.starhillsports.com/home-school-programs 

No Homeschool Open Swim this Wednesday

There will be No Homeschool Open Swim
this Wednesday, Dec. 29
at Star Hill Family Athletic Center in Tolland, Ct.

Homeschool Open Swim will resume on January 5, 2011.

Star Hill Family Athletic Center

100 Gerber Drive

Tolland, Ct

http://www.starhillsports.com/pool-schedule 

Sign up for the Homeschool Structured Fitness Program at Star Hill Family Athletic Center

 Passing this along from the owners of Star Hill Family Athletic Center..........

Hi Everyone,
We are thrilled to roll-out two exciting programs to the home school community. 

First, we are offering open swim time every Wednesday afternoon from 12:30PM until 2:00PM.  Starting this week we will include both structured games and open swim during this time. There is no pre-registration necessary for this program. Just show up and join in on the fun.  This activity is free to Star Hill members, and costs $5/swimmer for non-members. We have put a $20 weekly family limit on this activity.

Second, beginning Friday, January 7th we will be offering a structured fitness program that will utilize the other amenities at the facility.  Activities will be planned each week on the turf fields, the basketball/volleyball courts, our indoor track, and group fitness rooms.  Kids will enjoy activities in both smaller age-appropriate groups and larger groups.  This program will run every Friday from 12:30PM until 2:00PM.  You are required to pre-register for this program on our website, or in person at the facility.  The program costs $35/child for this 6-week program.  We have put a $140 family limit on each session.

We also have a wonderful cafe at Star Hill.  Please make a fun day of it by joining us for lunch before or after your activity.  We are offering lunch specials for the home school participants.

Please visit our website to view the program brochure, and for our online registration link. From our home page (www.starhillsports.com) choose "Vacation & Home School Activities" tab across the top, then select the "Home School Programs" option.  The registration link and brochure are located on that page.

Please call the facility with any questions you have.  Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at Star Hill throughout the winter.

Thanks.
Mike & Bill

Star Hill Family Athletic Center
860.871.8800

Special Family Rate at Star Hill Family Athletic Center

Star Hill Family Athletic Center

100 Gerber Drive

Tolland, Ct

Star Hill wanted to make their Homeschool Programs affordable for large families, so they now have a family maximum charge for their Home school Programs. For the Wednesday Open Swim they will only charge $20 if your family has more than 4 children swimming that day. Also for the Friday Home School Recreation Group there is a maximum charge of $140 per session for 4 or more children. Here is the link to Star Hill's website for the Homeschool Info: http://www.starhillsports.com/home-school-programs

Also on that page, just above the poster you can click on that link and register online for the Friday Homeschool Recreation Group that will be starting on January 7, 2011. 

 

Engineering with FUNdamentals Lego Class

Passing this along from Karen Cupit.........

Engineering with FUNdamentals Lego Class

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Design and build motorized machines, catapults, pyramids, demolition derby cars, truss and suspension bridges, buildings, and other constructions.  Explore concepts in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture while playing with your favorite creations.  This is a hands-on and minds-on class suitable for LEGO® novices to “maniacs.” This class is not affiliated with the LEGO Group.

WHERE, WHEN, HOW MUCH, ETC.

Starts January 11^th, 2011 and goes to March 15, 2011

• Will be held every Tuesday for 10 weeks
• Classes will be held at the Whiton Library at 100 North Main Street, Manchester, CT 06042-2003
• Class time:  10:30am – 12:00pm
• Min enrollment = 10
• Max enrollment = 16
• Cost is $150 per student, with a 20% discount for siblings.
• Open to boys and girls ages 7-12.

Our project-based programs are designed to teach principles and methods of engineering, to encourage students to work through design challenges using what they have learned, and to allow students to work at their optimal pace.

Projects typically include an introduction and short presentation by the instructor followed by a design/build assignment. Instructors circulate and assist the children in realizing the project goals. Students are expected to learn and use technical and LEGO® terminology while they tackle the projects. When they have satisfied basic requirements of a project they are encouraged to further explore applications of the principle and construction methods by inspecting, testing, modifying, and rebuilding. At the end of each session, it is expected that students will dismantle projects and put away materials. 

OTHER DETAILS

Class size is limited and enrollment is on a first come first served basis.  All materials will be provided.  No refunds will be issued after the first class.  Refunds only issued prior to first class. 

TO REGISTER

Email Andrew Escalera  at Andrew@play-well.org or call him at 860-573-5039.  Information needed:

• Parent(s) First and Last Name(s)
• Parent(s) contact info (email, phone numbers, etc.)
• Child(s) name, age and medical information (allergies, asthma, etc.)
• Make checks out to Play-Well TEKnologies, Attn. Andrew Escalera * Checks will be collected on first day of class

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit www.play-well.org

QUESTIONS?

Feel free to contact Andrew Escalera.

Open Swim starts this Wednesday at Star Hill

Open Swim starts this Wednesday at Star Hill! 

The following days there will be
Homeschool Open Swim at 12:30-2:00 p.m.
December 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2010

 $5 per person

No registration required. 

Children wearing flotation devices must be accompanied by a parent in the water. 

Star Hill Family Athletic Center

100 Gerber Drive
Tolland, Ct

http://www.starhillsports.com/home-school-programs

Homeschool Recreation Programs starting soon at Star Hill Family Athletic Center

Homeschool Recreation Programs starting soon

at Star Hill Family Athletic Center

                         100 Gerber Drive                           
Tolland, CT 06084

860-871-8800 
http://www.starhillsports.com/home-school-programs 

 Every Wednesday and Friday

12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday starting December 1, 2010 
enjoy fun and games in the pool.
$5 per person
Children wearing flotation devices must be accompanied by a parent in the water

Every Friday children ages 4-17 will enjoy a structured activity in the dome or fitness center

$35 per child for 6 week program

Begins on January 7, 2011 

Pre-registration is required and information on how to register will be forth coming.

No membership is required to attend these programs!!

Also, the Star Hill Cafe will be having a homeschool special at 12noon on Wednesdays and Fridays

Hot dog, chips and milk for $4.00

Reminder: Open House at Star Hill Family Athletic Center

***Please RSVP by 11/14/10 to Kristi Sweeney at kristi77swe@cox.net if your family plans on attending.

Star Hill Family Athletic Center
in Tolland Ct.
Free Homeschool Open House
Tuesday, November 16th
12 Noon – 2:00 PM

Open house will include:

12:00 - 1:00 PM    Supervised activities on the turf fields for children ages 4 and up
1:00 – 2:00 PM   Open Swim for the whole family, children wearing flotation devices must be accompanied by a parent in the water

At the Open House, Star Hill will be introducing an on-going program for homeschool families that includes weekly physical education activities and open swims. You will not have to be a member to attend these programs.

100 Gerber Drive                           
(off Rt. 30 on the Vernon/Tolland town line, in the Tolland Business Park)
Tolland, CT 06084
860-871-8800       


**** I am looking into moving the HEAT program here, so come and check it out!             

Star Hill Family Athletic Center Free Homeschool Open House

Star Hill Family Athletic Center
in Tolland Ct.
Free Homeschool Open House

Tuesday, November 16th
12 Noon – 2:00 PM

Open house will include:

12:00 - 1:00 PM    Supervised activities on the turf fields for children ages 4 and up
1:00 – 2:00 PM   Open Swim for the whole family, children wearing flotation devices must be accompanied by a parent in the water

At the Open House, Star Hill will be introducing an on-going program for homeschool families that includes weekly physical education activities and open swims. You will not have to be a member to attend these programs.

100 Gerber Drive                           
(off Rt. 30 on the Vernon/Tolland town line, in the Tolland Business Park)
Tolland, CT 06084
860-871-8800       

***Please RSVP to Kristi Sweeney at kristi77swe@cox.net if your family plans on attending. I'd like an idea of how many people will be there.

**** I am looking into moving the HEAT program here, so come and check it out!

               

Tour of MDC Water Pollution Control Facility

 Passing this along from Karen Cupit............

  Tour of MDC Water Pollution Control Facility

Where:  65 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, Ct.

Directions: http://www.themdc.com/2ehwpcfmap.htm

When:  Tuesday, November 2^nd at 1:00 p.m.

Rain or shine

Cost:  $3 per person to cover liability insurance required for us to tour the plant

RSVP:  As soon as possible; space is limited!

Karen at 860-895-1134 or email her at cupit_kj@sbcglobal.net

WE NEED MORE TEENS FOR THE FITNESS CLASS!

NEW!! Fitness class for 
Homeschool Teens ages 13-17!

Please pass this along to any homeschool teen that you know!
We need more teens to fill the class!!

Is your teen looking for a fun way to exercise? Register for the YMCA's all new Homeschool Teen Fitness Class! The teens will be given a chance to use the brand new wellness facility that includes state of the art cardiovascular equipment as well as a large variety of weight lifting equipment. Work outs will be created and supervised by one of the YMCA's fitness coaches. Other activities MAY include: workouts in the pool and or group exercise activity in the group exercise room (depending on availability of rooms/equipment).

Fridays, October 29 - December 10, 2010
(No class on Friday, Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Vacation)

$35 per teen, Y membership not required 

2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Indian Valley Family YMCA

11 Pinney Street

Ellington, Ct.

PLEASE SIGN UP BY WEDNESDAY, OCT 27 AT

Indian Valley Family YMCA
11 Pinney Street
Ellington, Ct.
860-871-0008

Home School Day at Old Sturbridge Village The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Home School Day at Old Sturbridge Village

 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

November 10, 2010

9:30 AM-4:00 PM

It was in 1820 that Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was first published, thrilling audiences with its mystery, action and horror! The short story tells the tale of a Hessian soldier who comes back to haunt a small rural community while looking for the head he lost during a Revolutionary War battle. On this Home School Day, children and their families will have the opportunity to learn more about this tale and its time through storytelling, demonstrations and hands-on activities.  Register to attend a special shadow puppet performance or shadow puppet workshop by visiting artist, Andrea Caspari.

The recreated community at Old Sturbridge Village portrays a "typical" New England town of the early 19th century. It is divided into three distinct areas: the Center Village, the Countryside, and the Mill Neighborhood. The historical mills, shops, homes, working farm, district school, commercial buildings, and meetinghouses re-create a community where authentically costumed Villagers demonstrate and discuss with visitors the daily life, work, and celebrations of 19th-century New Englanders.

If time permits, consider making a quick craft in the Hands-on Crafts Center; $5-10 per activity - first come, first served; some age and safety restrictions apply. 50-minute hands-on studios will also be offered.


On-line registration for these studios is now open. Click here to register: http://www.osv.org/orders/listprograms.html?ID=14&G=T

NEW FITNESS CLASS FOR HOMESCHOOL TEENS AT INDIAN VALLEY YMCA IN ELLINGTON!!

NEW!! Fitness class for 
Homeschool Teens ages 13-17!

Please pass this along to any homeschool teen that you know!

Is your teen looking for a fun way to exercise? Register for the YMCA's all new Homeschool Teen Fitness Class! The teens will be given a chance to use the brand new wellness facility that includes state of the art cardiovascular equipment as well as a large variety of weight lifting equipment. Work outs will be created and supervised by one of the YMCA's fitness coaches. Other activities MAY include: workouts in the pool and or group exercise activity in the group exercise room (depending on availability of rooms/equipment).

Fridays, October 29 - December 10, 2010
(No class on Friday, Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Vacation)

$35 per teen, Y membership not required 

2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Indian Valley Family YMCA

11 Pinney Street

Ellington, Ct.

Registration ends on October 24, you must register by then.

Register online at: http://www.ghymca.org/schedule.cfm?class=1302&Place=10

If you choose not to register online you can go to the YMCA office at

Indian Valley Family YMCA
11 Pinney Street
Ellington, Ct.
860-871-0008

YMCA/H.E.A.T. Homeschool Indoor Gym Class Fall 2 Session Sign up NOW!

Sign up now for YMCA/H.E.A.T. Homeschool Indoor Gym Class Fall 2 Session

NEW this session! 2 classes in the pool at the
Indian Valley Family YMCA 
11 Pinney Street, Ellington

Program routine is similar to that of a physical education class; including a fitness warm up, skill practice, and using those skills in games at the end of class. The class will not only focus on skills but on teamwork and sportsmanship! The classes in the pool will include time for special water games and free time.

Fridays, October 29 - December 10, 2010
Schedule as follows:
Oct. 26 - Vernon Gym
Nov. 5  - Vernon Gym
Nov. 12 - Ellington Pool
Nov. 19 - Vernon Gym
Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving Vacation No class
Dec. 3  -  Ellington Pool
Dec. 10 - Vernon Gym

If we have to cancel a class the Y will call you that morning.
 Ages 4-6 year olds -  12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Ages 7-9 year olds - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Ages 10 and up -   2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

$35 per child, Y membership not required

Gym classes will be held at the gym in the

Indian Valley Family YMCA Child Care Center

375 Hartford Turnpike

Vernon, CT.

Classes in the pool will be held at
Indian Valley Family YMCA
11 Pinney Street
Ellington, Ct.

 Registration ends on October 24, you must register by then.

Register online at: http://www.ghymca.org/schedule.cfm?class=1302&Place=10

If you choose not to register online you can go to the YMCA office at

Indian Valley Family YMCA
11 Pinney Street
Ellington, Ct.
860-871-0008

You now can only register at Ellington.

SHINE Homeschool Group Hike up Soapstone Mountain

SHINE Homeschool Group  Hike

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

12:00 Noon 

Come and join us at:

Soapstone Mountain 

350 Gulf Road

Somers, Ct.

We will meet at the parking lot that is on the right as you pull in. Then we will proceed up the mountain starting on the blue blazes trail then onto the green interpretive trail and then the blue/green/white trail. The trail gradually climbs up the mountain for about 1 1/2 miles up to the lookout tower where it is a great place to view the foliage. There are picnic tables at the top and to go back down the mountain we can choose to take the steep trail or the paved road(these are shorter:). 
Please arrive a few minutes early as we plan to start hiking on the trail at 12noon sharp.

Cost: FREE 

Raindate: Thursday, October 14

Any questions, you can contact Kristi Sweeney kristi77swe@cox.net


For the map click here: http://ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/shenipsitgis.pdf

SHINE Family Fun Day

SHINE Homeschool Group

Family Fun Day!

Saturday October 9, 2010

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Connor's Place Playground

Field Rd. Somers, CT.

This is for the enitire family. Grab hubby, the kids, water bottles and a snack to share and meet us at Connor's Park. Also bring any outdoor sports equipment that you might want. We have reserved the pavilion for our group. Any questions you can contact Donna Johnson donnateacher@verizon.net or Laurie Fraher elfraher@sbcglobal.net

MDC’s Clean Water Project Fieldtrip

Passing this along from Karen Cupit,
Please email her if you are interested at cupit_kj@sbcglobal.net

MDC’s Clean Water Project

 Monday, October 18^th at 1:30 pm

MDC Training Center

125 Maxim Rd., Hartford, CT, 06114

Learn about MDC’s Clean Water Project, an engaging program on the effort to clean the region’s streams and rivers.  In a nutshell, MDC is doing improvements on the area’s sewage systems, to prevent overflow into rivers during storms.  The project is costing over $1 billion, so it is quite an effort!

The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes, with time for Q and A.

 

Cost:  FREE

This field trip is more of a community- awareness, educational type…MDC asks for the number of children and ages so Karen is putting this out to see who might be interested.  Please email her ASAP is you are interested in attending.
Cupit_kj@sbcglobal.net

Learn more about it at: http://thecleanwaterproject.com/

Homeschool Family having a Tag Sale

 Passing this along from Kathy Hearn.......

I have to be moving in the spring and after this year I will no longer be able to homeschool and therefore we're doing a huge clean sweep of the house. A couple of my neighbors are having tag sales this Saturday September 25 on Sullivan Farms Rd in Broad Brook. So I thought I'd join in the cathartic process of purging stuff. I am going to be selling lots of household stuff and mountains of girls clothing (I have 4!) from size 7 to about 16. Of specific interest to other homeschoolers might be things like a big screen microscope, craft supplies, classroom posters, games, science kits, and many books from beginning story books to classics for HS that I just won't be using in the future.

 Kathy Hearn,
24 Sullivan Farm Road, Broad Brook, CT 
If someone wanted to call in advance to see if I have a particular item my phone is (860)623-7116.

SHINE Homeschool Group Let's Read!

SHINE Homeschool Group

Let's Read!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

12:30p.m.  -  2:30 p.m. 

Kibbe Fuller Building
619 Main Street

Somers, Ct.

Every child will bring a book they have read. It can be a favorite book or a new book. Also please bring 3 different color markers or color pencils to use. Each child can do a small presentation about their book. (a fill in poster will be provided) Participation in presentation portion is not required if you have a shy public speaker. Children may dress-up like a character from their book (optional). Parents can participate too! Bring a snack to share and your water bottles. 

If you have any questions you can contact

Laurie Fraher elfraher@sbcglobal.net

7th Annual Homeschool Science Fair

Passing this along from Kris McCue............

Announcing... 

7th Annual Homeschool Science Fair

sponsored by

Farmington Valley Home Educators Group

Date:  Friday, November 19, 2010

Time:  6:00-7:30.

          (Set up beginning at 5:45)

Location:  The Apple Barn

              60 Old Farms Rd., West Simsbury

Cost:  --$5 per participant

(registration fee covers rental of space, pizza and beverage)

--$3 per visitor if you’d like to have pizza and beverage

--free to any visitor looking but not eating

Who:  Open to all home-schooled kids

To Register:  email Kris McCue at fvhegroupis@hotmail.com

Please provide the following information:

Children’s names and ages or grades

How many projects your family will bring, as sometimes kids will work together on 1 project.  You don’t need to tell her the nature of your project unless you need to make a special request (such as electricity needed, more space needed, etc...)

How many of you will be attending.  She needs to keep a head count on guests as well, as the building has an occupancy limit. 

Your willingness to bring a dish to share on our buffet-counter.  Finger-foods and desserts are welcome additions to the festivities.  

Once you have emailed Kris to register she will respond with where and to whom you should send payment.  Your registration is not complete until you have paid the registration fee.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED:

1 person needed to make certificates of participation for each child.  These can be store-bought or made up on the computer at home. She will give you a list of names close to the date of the fair.

Come join the science fair for an evening of fun and learning!  

Choose any science topic and research it, then make a display to show what you’ve learned.  

Science fair projects should be either experimental or illustrative.  They should show/use the 6 steps of scientific method where possible. 

The 6 steps of scientific method are:  

question - what did you want to know?

hypothesis - your guess at the answer to your question

list materials - what did you use to conduct your experiment?

procedure - how did you conduct your experiment?

observations - what did you see happen?

conclusion - what answer did your experiment give to your original question?

Kids should be prepared to explain or demonstrate their project as guests and family go around and look at the different displays.  Kids will also have time to go around and learn from each other.  (If your child does an experiment, they should plan to spend more time manning their display so as to show it properly, whereas if your child does an illustrative project they just need to make sure there is enough detail in order to be self-explanatory.  Either way, it is nice for the kids to spend some time showing off their hard work.)  Kids will each have 1/2 of a 6 foot table unless otherwise requested.  This is about the space a tri-fold cardboard stand takes up.  There are electrical outlets available on a first-ask, first-receive basis.  We are not allowed to hang anything on the walls.  Each participant should have a small booklet as part of their display, for the family and guests to write comments in.  This makes a fun keepsake, and is great feedback!  

She is not worried about multiples of the same project, so kids don’t need to worry that someone else will claim a topic before them.  She doesn’t want any child to be discouraged from following what interests them.

Please keep in mind the purpose of this evening.  It’s hard to believe anyone could get tired of looking at all the wonderful displays our kids dream up, but sometimes they do.  At the Apple Barn there is a smaller 2nd room with couches/chairs and table/benches in case younger kids want to visit or play cards/do coloring and such. 

She will respond to your emails with details of where/when to send payment for registration, as well as additional details of our using the facility, and the pizza ordering.

If you have any questions feel free to email Kris at fvhegroupis@hotmail.com

Happy inventing!

Kris McCue