Homeschooling Intelligence
Lydia Netzer is a cool-watcher for local educators. Tune in for eye-witness reports on local experiences for kids, news and events for and about homeschoolers in Hampton Roads and beyond. Keep your finger on the pulse of free-range learning with a daily dose of Homeschooling Intelligence!
Category: Homeschooling
Subscribe to this blog
Subscribe to this blog
■ 15 November 2009 | 11:46 PM
Hands On Science with E-Science Labs
Lots of homeschoolers think that when their kids get to high school level science, they have to go to traditional school so that they won't be missing out on labs. I have to admit that I've said stuff like this myself! It's hard to get over the idea that standing in an "official" laboratory with a teacher in a white coat and goggles, among 25 other children who are each holding the same test tube and distilling the same compound, is a necessary experience for a teenager doing science. Fortunately, the people at eScienceLabs have created hands-on science kits for homeschool science students.
The picture below shows one of their high school biology kids. I have a few observations: 1. Everything is divided up meticulously into separate little baggies and boxes, so the experiments and materials are clearly distinguishable and identifiable. This would be on my mind, if I were ordering one of these kits, because I as a homeschool teacher am not necessarily familiar with all the little pieces and parts, and having them separately packaged and labelled is a big relief. 2. They've really thought of everything. From the little connecting beads to make molecule models to the slides and test tubes and little bottles of different chemicals, it looks like all you have to add is the child's brain. Real test tubes, lots of measuring stuff, pipettes, goggles, latex gloves -- it's all in there.
All packed into the box
3. This would actually be a neat present for a kid who's into science. I mean, this is so neat and gadgety and interesting and just looks like something that a child would *love* to dig into and unpack -- I bet for the right kid it would make a great birthday present! Definitely a curriculum that would bring out squeaks of joy and excitement rather than groans and moans. For a science gift or a homeschool science curriculum, eSciencelabs.com has a great selection of hands on kits that will make science fun for your students and make you feel better about creating a real "lab" experience right at home.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 15 November 2009 | 11:41 PM
Backpack Program at the Mariner's Museum
Recently a friend was telling me about this awesome backpack experience at the British Museum. How it made the exhibit so much more interesting for her children, to have these hands-on experiences and carry a backpack that collected all kinds of ancillary materials and objects for them to use while at the museum. Come to find out, our own Mariner's Museum in Hampton has a backpack program, and even a sea bag program. From the Mariner's Museum web site:
The Mariners' Museum Backpack Program contains all you need for a self-guided walk of the Noland Trail, from information on the history of the park, plants and animals, and environmental concerns. Families, homeschoolers, and small student groups (such as Girl and Boy Scout troops, and youth groups) can test Lake Maury's water for pollutants and record their findings, learn about the migratory birds that frequent the lake and about Virginia's native trees. Information on preventing urban water pollution is available to take home.
Backpacks can be checked out from the Museum's admissions desk from 10 A.M. until 3 P.M. daily (except on days the Museum is closed), and must be returned by 4:45 P.M. the same day. The responsible party must be 18 years old or older and provide a pictured ID to be held while the backpack is in use. Users must provide their own pencils and any items they require to walk a 5-½ mile hiking trail. For more information call (757) 591-7745.
Use of the backpack is free of charge thanks to the generous support from The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
Seabag Tour is a hands-on scavenger hunt through the USS Monitor Center. Using objects in the sea bag, visitors will be able to explore the story of the creation, battle, life aboard, sinking, rediscovery, and conservation of the USS Monitor. They will discover why the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia made history and are still celebrated today. The scavenger hunt will last about 2 hours and is appropriate for children ages 6-12.
Adults may check out the sea bag at the admissions desk between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. The sea bag is free with Museum admission. The responsible party (18 or older) will be required to leave a driver's licenses or credit card to check the sea bag out. For questions on the sea bag program call (757) 591-7744.
In addition to these cool programs, the Mariner's Museum has a very robust homeschool education program. They've just wrapped up a series on the Age of Exploration, and their spring series is going to be about the civil war. If you're looking for homeschool history enrichment programs, you need look no further than the Mariner's Museum. When you visit the Mariner's Museum, please thank them for their kind sponsorship of the G.U.E.S.S. Homeschool Science Fair!
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 23 October 2009 | 10:54 AM
Halloween Bash at the Virginia Air and Space Center
Guess what? You don't have to wait until next Saturday to get your costume dusted off and your treat bag ready to fill. The Virginia Air and Space Center has an amazing program tomorrow from 4 to 7pm, including a costume contest where you can win and Ipod Shuffle! How awesome! We always have fun at VASC, one of the area's most interesting learning centers. This is *not* just for homeschoolers -- all kids are welcome! Here's the info from VASC:
Safe trick-or-treating! • Make-n-take activities!
• Hampton Sheriff’s Department Child ID Program
• Wizard’s Castle with creepy feely stations!
• Skeleton crew of a ghost plane! • Scavenger hunt!
• Meet Pirates from Blackbeard’s crew and some of your favorite characters from Star Wars!
• Explore the search for life on other planets with the new exhibit Alien Earths
• Costume Contest for all ages!
- Great prizes including iPod Shuffles! (contest starts at 5:15 p.m.)
• Plus, take a ride through the Haunted Mine with our motion simulator for just $1!
What a fantastic event, and at only $5 in advance or $7 at the door, it's a spooky deal. Plus, when you get done, you can trick-or-treat around downtown Hampton one week early! I love it.
Click here for more info on this awesome Halloween party. Have fun!
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 21 October 2009 | 2:50 PM
Book Arts Bash: A Writing Contest for Homeschoolers
The 2010 Book Arts Bash is underway! Visit the Book Arts Bash web site for all the details.
The Bash is an amazing opportunity for budding homeschool novelists to showcase their writing. Last year over 300 entries came in, in five age groups and twenty categories, and judges like Lois Lowry (The Giver) and Robert Pinsky (former US Poet Laureate) judged and critiqued these homeschooled writers. Homeschooled teens got feedback from literary agents, short story writers had critiques from working editors in New York, and bookstore owners gave encouragement to young poets.
It was exciting! But our most exciting category was the novel excerpt, which was surprisingly the most popular by far. How inspiring that all these homeschooled kids were willing to commit the time, the mental anguish and the emotional investment it takes to write a novel! This year, novels are what we are all about.
What's new for the Book Arts Bash this year?
1. All digital. 2. All novels. 3. All free.
Thanks to our incredibly awesome sponsors, we are able to offer a free contest with prizes of $100 for each winner in ten age divisions. This year our ten judges will all be best-sellers such as Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants) and Juliana Baggott (Prince of Fenway Park). Our top three in each division will receive critiques on their synopses by working literary agents in NYC and LA. Fabulous! Because all our entries are digital this year, we will be able to show a digital gallery of all winning work that the students agree to have excerpted on our web site.
What else can I tell you about this awesome contest?
We will begin accepting entries on November 1, 2009. The deadline for novels is January 1, 2010. The finalists will be annouced on February 14, 2010. The winners will be announced on April 1, 2010.
Good luck to all and get writing! Don't forget to check the web site for updates and information: http://www.bookartsbash.com.
Who are the sponsors?
Classical Academic Press, publishers of the popular Latin for Children series. Dreambox.com, online math learning curriculum and entertaining adventure for K-2. Teacherfilebox.com, invaluable teaching tool for homeschoolers and classroom teachers from Evan Moor P.
Who are the organizers?
The annual Book Arts Bash is organized by two veteran homeschooling moms, Lydia Netzer and Sherene Silverberg . Lydia and Sherene believe in creating opportunities for homeschooled children to compete and shine. They also organize the annual G.U.E.S.S. Homeschool Science Fair in Virginia. These projects are purely a labor of love for the two friends.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 17 October 2009 | 10:15 AM
Free Art as Activism Class at ODU for Children Grades 5-12
This country saw so much "activist art" during the last election cycle; this class is very timely! I wish my son were old enough to attend, because it looks like a fabulous program! Here's the notice I received:
My name is Richard Nickel. I am the Art Education Program Director at ODU. Each year we offer free art classes at ODU for grades 5-12. This year our theme is Shout It Out! Art as Activism. If you are interested at looking at the list of classes or to register ONLINE:Please follow the link below: http://freesaturdaymorningartclassesatodu-efbevent.eventbrite.com
SHOUT IT OUT! Art As Activism: Saturday Morning Art Classes at Old Dominion University - Free Art Classes for students in grades 5-12; November 7th, 14th, 21st
Art as Activism classes have been created by ODU Art Education Students to educate the public on the impact artists can have on ecology, personal points of view, freedom of speech and expression.
For a list of classes or to register ONLINE follow any of these links or download the Microsoft Word document to mail. If you have any questions you can call- 757-377-4214 or e-mail rnickel@odu.edu
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 11 September 2009 | 9:27 AM
Equestrian Vaulting in Suffolk
Is your child looking for a P.E. activity that is great exercise, strength-building, and involves beautiful horses? Nicole D’Auriol at Blue Star Farm has offered to put together a one day per week, home school, equestrian vaulting class at her farm in Suffolk. She offers gymnastic training and time on the horse during the 1.5 hour class.
Monday, Wednesday afternoon or Fridays are the days she has available but she is open to discussion as to which day and what time. The classes will be $100 per month.
I know two homeschooling families who have wonderful things to say about Nicole and her program. The picture at the right is not from Blue Star Farms, but you absolutely must go to the Blue Star Farm web site and check out the photos in the slide show at the bottom of the page. Amazing what children can do on the back of a horse while the horse is in motion!
If you're interested in the homeschool vaulting class, please contact Nicole with your information.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 17 June 2009 | 12:01 PM
The Beach, the Swamp, and the South This Weekend!
Today our family is off to the Chrysler to see the Art of Glass exhibit I've been hearing so much about, and then if the weather holds we're going to the Botanical Gardens for bike night.
What are you doing this weekend?
If you're looking for entertainment, check out these options:.jpg)
On Friday, First Landing State Park has all kinds of interesting activities for kids, including a Beach Safari, a "What's in the net?" program, and more. The programs are free, so you just pay admission to the park ($4). Show up around noon for all the fun. Find out more about the Beach Safari here.
Take a narrated tour of the Great Dismal Swamp on a bear-proof tour bus! We're going on Saturday, but I believe there are tours all weekend, starting tomorrow. There is some walking, a lot of flora and fauna, and maybe even a bear *in the distance*. Wear long sleeves! And bear repellent! I will be!
On Friday at Bluebird Gap Farm, experience storytelling, magic, puppets and more with "Storytelling in the Park." Where? 60 Pine Chapel Hill Road in Hampton. When? 2pm Friday.
The Shirley Plantation is having its first homeschool week, or really weekend, over this weekend: June 18-22. Experience Southern history, magnolia trees, and a stately southern manor. Homeschool week means demos, activities, and lessons daily from 10-3. Read more about the Shirley Plantation Homeschool Week.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
■ 16 May 2009 | 11:07 AM
Play Chess Today at MacArthur Mall
Lisa Suhay is a local legend. She wrote "There Goes a Mermaid," the picture book about Norfolk mermaids that has become a standard purchase for lots of us locals when we have guests come in from out of town. Lisa Suhay is a generous person -- she was there at the downtown Red Cross reading stories to kids who had been displaced from their homes, after Katrina. She helped us with our homeschool Book Arts Bash as a picture book judge.
Lisa Suhay is also a teacher, at a small private school. Lisa uses chess, Hip Hop Chess to be specific, as a teaching tool. She includes it across the curriculum, teaching kids to think strategically, consider all moves logically before acting, create narratives, be bold, be smart, etc. This year almost half of the graduating class at her school will not be allowed to walk at graduation because their tuition payments aren't current. Lisa set about trying to raise money for these families, all affected by a flagging economy -- restaurant owners, realtors, contractors, etc -- and all wanting their kids to graduate with their class. What can they do to raise these funds? They can play chess.
Today between noon and three, at Barnes and Noble at MacArthur Center, you can play chess with these students. They'll show you blitz chess, they'll teach you the elephant and the hawk (non-traditional pieces you may not know about!), they'll instruct you, play against you, demonstrate for you, whatever you like! The demo is free, but donations to the graduation fund are welcome. Come out to MacArthur Center today and support these kids.
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.
HamptonRoads.comPilotOnline.comHamptonRoads.tv
|
Calendar
Restaurants
Movies
Attractions
Community Blogs
Photo Sharing
Latest local and national news
Search archives
Search Videos
Upload Your Video
Video Feeds- » Month later, Norfolk mall remains devoid of teens in evenings
- » Some see racial overtones in Norfolk's pet-adoption event
- » N.C. eye doctor before board for telling patient she was fat
- » Virginia Beach boutique Beverly’s Fine Fashions closing
- » Driver killed when Miley Cyrus bus overturns near Richmond
