Tuesday, October 27, 2009

EON Homeschool Teens Event

EON (Expand Our Networks) Homeschool Teens has scheduled our first event!
http://www.eonteens.blogspot.com

We will be going out to Panera Bread in Arlington Heights, IL. There is also a Starbucks in this group of businesses.

This Panera is conveniently located right by the Arlington Heights Metra Station.

The scheduled time is 1:00 - 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 7th. However, people are welcome to leave early/late at their own convenience. Anyone who is interested is welcome to walk over to Arlington Theater (right by Panera) to see a movie. You can go to http://www.Arlingtontheater.com for movie times.

If you have any questions or concern, feel free to contact Derek or Maya at EONTeens@gmail.com.

Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering

UWWG Early Bird Deadline is only One Week Away!

The Early Bird Deadline to Register for the UWWG
is only ONE WEEK away!

Register by Oct. 31st and receive a $20 Kalahari gift card, good toward anywhere in the resort or your hotel room registration!

Remember - Our Conference has NO Registration or Conference Fees!

That means all you pay for is your room at the Kalahari and you'll receive all our amazing conference events at no additional charge! AND, your waterpark wristbands are included with your hotel room registration! That's right – wristbands are NOT extra.

The Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio is America's largest indoor waterpark! Check it out at
http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/waterparks/!

This year's speaking line-up includes some of the most knowledgeable voices in the unschooling community today:

John Taylor Gatto – Keynote

Ben & Kelly Lovejoy of Live and Learn Conference fame
Broc & Gail Higgins

Dayna Martin, author of Radical Unschooling; A Revolution Has Begun
Heather Burditt & T. J. Phillips

Hurry Now to www.ugo.unschoolgathering.com/ to register before the October 31st Early Bird Deadline!

And don't forget to sign up for our Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/join to connect with others and get all the latest information.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Turkey Skate in Rockford

SPECIAL NOVEMBER ICE SKATING EVENT

Enjoy some exercise with the family while having a "gobblin' good time" at the annual Turkey Skate special ice skating session, Sunday, November 22, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Rockford Park District's Carlson Ice Arena.

Enjoy live DJ music while skating, taking a free lesson, and having pictures taken with "Mr. Turkey" ($2.00 per photo).

Admission is just $5.00, which includes skate rental; ages two and younger admitted free. (No discount coupons accepted for this event.)

Carlson Ice Arena is located at 4150 N. Perryville Rd. (at E. Riverside Blvd.) in Loves Park.

For more information, visit www.rockfordparkdistrict.org or call 815-969-4069. For information on accessibility and adapted skating equipment for people with disabilities, call 815-987-8800.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Academic Associates Reading Clinic



Homeschoolers Discover Way to Help Struggling Readers!

If your child is behind in reading skills it’s not your fault! Most reading programs leave out large blocks of crucial information that students need to become proficient readers. Let us show you how we are different! We offer a highly effective reading course which simplifies and accelerates the process of acquiring decoding, fluency and comprehension skills.

We are former homeschoolers and know how dedicated homeschooling families are to excellence in education. We have been able to dramatically help public, private, and homeschooled children at every stage of reading ability, whether beginning, advanced or remedial. Academic Associates Reading Clinic is well into its fourth year in Roselle, although the Academic Associates Reading Program has been in existence for twenty-three years. The Academic Associates Course is an intensive, systematic phonics program. Last year our students gained an average of 3.8 grade levels upon completing the course with full comprehension at least as high as their appropriate school grade levels. Typically the course can be completed in 30-60 hours depending on the age and ability of the child.

We offer a free reading assessment with no obligation to enroll. Our clinic is in our home and students are taught one-on-one. Small classes can be arranged for students of similar age and capability. Parents are encouraged to be a part of classes so they can help their son/daughter implement lessons at home.

Please feel free to visit our website or call us at the number below to schedule your free assessment and consultation.

Academic Associates Reading Clinic

Steve and Robin Blaha
630-307-0777

www.everychildcanread.com

Educational Therapy Program

As a home schooling veteran of 17+ years, it has been my observation that when it comes to home students with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, or special needs, home schoolers often feel stranded, helpless, and alone. Home schools do not have access to special education departments or on-staff specialists to pinpoint the needs of non-traditional learners. I have always found this frustrating.

About a year ago I was introduced to "educational therapy" through the Home School Legal Defense Alliance. Educational therapy is a supplementary program designed to help students with learning difficulties who have experienced frustration and/or failure in their school work. Educational therapy uses intervention techniques in one-on-one, twice weekly, educational sessions with the student. The focus of the intense individual therapy sessions is on continual stimulation and development of the deficit areas of perception, basic skills, and critical thinking skills.

I was so impressed with the distinctives of this therapy and the benefits for students, particularly for home school and private school students who seldom have access to professional help, that I decided to pursue training as an educational therapist.

Please note that educational therapy is not tutoring. Tutoring attempts to re-teach classroom material that a student did not master in class without addressing the underlying causes of the student's inability to master the material in the first place. Educational therapy, on the other hand, addresses the underlying causes of the student's inability. There is a big difference.

In contrast to many special education programs which simply teach a child how to "cope" with their learning difficulties, educational therapists work with students to actually "overcome" their disabilities. Of course, each student's learning challenges must be evaluated individually, but for many, overcoming these learning challenges is a reachable goal.

For parents of children who struggle to learn, finding effective intervention can be a challenge. As an educational therapist, I implement techniques for learning that offer hope. My goal is to equip students with learning difficulties and disabilities to succeed academically, and in life, as independent learners.

For a free consultation, please contact:

Lorri Wilke
Educational Therapist
Joliet, IL
815-744-7759
815-744-7759
lorriwilke@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, October 24, 2009

EON Teens

EON TEENS
http://www.EONTeens.blogspot.com

Based out of Northern Illinois, EON is our place to “Expand Our Networks” for Homeschool Teens, ages 13 – 18. Use EON to connect and meet with other teens, within or outside your area. Do you want to plan or participate in a field trip? An event? We offer an assortment of field trips and events in a wide variety of areas.

NEW: Weekly chats!
We will be having weekly chats every Monday night 8:00 - 11:00PM Central Time. At the bottom of the page, there is a link labeled "Live Chat". Click on it, and enter your name (don't worry about the "profile"). Then click, "CHAT!" and you're on.
This chat is a great way to connect with other teens in your area prior to meeting them. Please review the Chat and Website Guidelines.

Follow Us on Facebook!
Join EON on Facebook! Just sign in, go to
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=174557582717
...and send us a request to join!

Contact Us!
Planning an event? Have a question? Contact us!
Email: eonteens@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Ice Skating

Ice Skating

Sponsored by Beacon Homeschool Group (formerly H.E.L.P.)
www.BeaconHomeschool.org

Friday, October 16
9:40 am - 11:40 am

Hoffman Estates Ice Arena
1685 W. Higgins Rd.
Hoffman Estates

$2 per person; $1 for skates

Friday, October 9, 2009

Vertical Endeavors




Vertical Endeavors Indoor Rock-Climbing Facility
is hosting Illinois Homeschool Days!

Vertical Endeavors in Warrenville, IL would like to invite home school parents and children out for an afternoon of climbing, networking, and information!
The program will run from 1:00 - 3:00pm and includes an orientation and safety instruction, a brief information presentation for parents, and of course plenty of climbing!

For parents, Vertical Endeavors offers a variety of experiential education opportunities where students can
broaden their horizons, try a new activity, and step out of their comfort zones all in a unique, controlled, and professional environment.

The benefits of indoor rock climbing include:
*Mental and Physical Health
*Improving Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
*Encouraging Teamwork and Leadership
*Developing Problem-Solving and Goal-Setting Skills


HOMESCHOOL DATES

October 14, 2009
November 18, 2009
December 16, 2009
January 13, 2010

The price is $10/climber including harnesses. Space is limited to the first 100 for each event, so call 630-836-0122 to sign up today! Events may be added on needed basis.


RESERVATIONS, WAIVER, and ADVANCE PAYMENT REQUIRED!


Check us out on the web at www.verticalendeavors.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

Kline Creek Farm

Kline Creek Farm
1N600 County Farm Road
West Chicago, IL 60185

Step back in time and experience what life was like on a DuPage County Farm in the 1890s. Stroll through restored farmstead structures and meet the historically-costumed interpreters operating this living-history farm using the tools and techniques of the past. Activities and events at the farm re-create the seasonal rhythms that have governed farm life for centuries. There is always something to see, do and learn at Kline Creek Farm.

Corn Harvest
Kline Creek Farm
Oct. 10, 11, 12 2009 | 10:30 am - 3:30 pm

Help to pick, shock, shuck, shell and store the corn that will feed the farm’s cows and sheep over winter. Activities ongoing. Free. No registration required. Call (630) 876-5900.

Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Kline Creek Farm
Oct. 10, 2009 | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Call (630) 876-5900.

Gingerbread
Kline Creek Farm
Nov. 7, 8, 2009 | 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Learn about different flavors, varieties and uses of gingerbread as you help make gingerbread cookies; then, take home recipes. Free. Sessions begin on the half hour. No registration required. Call (630) 876-5900.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Regency Ball




REGENCY BALL

Regency Ball in St. Charles, IL on November 13th

The "family discount" registration has been extended to October 13th.

Don't forget to check out the blog at www.regencyball.blogspot.com

Any questions call Andrea Denner at (630) 588-0261 or email at jdenner@ameritech.net

Fall for the Arts

Fall for the Arts

Elgin Community College
Culinary Arts Center
Visual and Performing Arts Center
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin
elgin.edu/arts

Saturday, October 24, 2009
12 pm to 5 pm

Free Admission

Unleash your creativity!

Hands-on projects, behind-the-scenes tours, art, food, performances, prizes and more await you and your family at Fall for the Arts, a free event for the community in celebration of Elgin Community College's 60th Anniversary.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Kids Microscope



A number of families made inquiries about the microscope they used at Bartlett Nature Center's Homeschool Open House.

It is a fun and educational resource. It is called "Jakks EyeClops Bionic Eye." It plugs into your TV set so that objects can magnified on the TV enabling you to show the magnified objects to your children in larger scale. You can also have more than one student viewing an object at the same time.

At the Open House the kids had fun magnifying: a tiny spider, feathers, hands, crystals and much more.

It is available for purchase from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Jakks-Pacific-60956-EyeClops-Bionic/dp/B000PGRBGA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1254537352&sr=8-1

I would also recommend the "EyeClops Activity Kit." It's a wonderful resource that uses the EyeClops to locate hundreds of tiny items hidden throughout eight different posters.

It is also available for purchase from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Jakks-Pacific-61066-EyeClops-Activity/dp/B0010TA0J6/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_b

Have fun playing and learning together.