Revision of EventsAndOpportunities from January 27, 2010 - 10:51pm

So much to do… do… do…

An incredible variety of events and opportunities are available to the homeschooling community. Do you know of one? Post it below, with new posts on top.

Another way to stay informed about homeschooling events is MHA’s E&O Elist. Find out more.

Please date your entry. Out of date events will be removed.

1/25/10

Homeschool Second Tuesday at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary

Join our naturalists at the Garden every second Tuesday of the month for a nature themed lesson! Each month will offer a different topic geared toward students ages 6 to 12 (or grades Kindergarten to 6th).

Each student is to bring his or her own notebook or field journal as each program will include sketching and note taking. All other materials are provided. Dress for the weather as every program will have an outdoor component and some may not be inside at all. Wear appropriate footwear for hiking woodchipped trails.

The fee for the program is $6.00 per student or $15.00 per student for the series. Sign up for just one class or the whole spring series at a discount!

All programs meet at the front gate of the Garden unless otherwise specified.

Register your child or children online at http://www.minneapolisparks.org (look for Eloise Butler under Gardens and Historical Sites), or call the Program Coordinator at 612-313-4722. Registration is limited to ensure small group sizes and the best possible learning environment so please register ahead of time!

Homeschool Second Tuesday Spring Series

April 13th 1:00pm to 3:00pm – “Buds, Bark, and Twigs – Looking for Signs of Spring”

Younger students (K – 2nd grade) will look for signs of spring throughout the Garden, will take a close look at tree twigs and learn where new leaves come from, and learn what seeds need to grow.

Older students (3rd – 6th grade) will learn how to identify some common MN trees by their bark and their twigs. They will examine twigs closely and learn the stages of bud development. Make up date April 20th if needed.

May 11th 1:00pm to 3:00pm – “Botany 101 – Woodland Wildflowers”

Future botanists will be introduced to the different parts of plants including the flower parts. Younger students (K-2nd grade) will learn the parts through sketching and word play. Older students (3rd-6th grade) will learn what key characteristics to look for when identifying wildflowers and how plants are grouped. Everyone will have a chance to look at flowers and other plant parts up close under microscopes and magnifiers.

June 8th 1:00pm to 3:00pm – “Quaking Bog Explorations”

What is a bog? Why are bogs special? Young wetland ecologists will find out the answers by taking a plant and animal survey within our very own Quaking Bog. Younger students (K-2nd grade) will discover the special relationship plants and animals within the bog ecosystem. Older students (3rd-6th grade) will compare and contrast the bog habitat to the woodland habitat that surrounds the Quaking Bog. Students will learn how bogs form and they will learn about some of the unique adaptations plants have to live within the bog. Meet at the Quaking Bog Parking Lot off of Theodore Wirth Parkway.

1/25/10

Exercise is essential!

Everyone has gym credits they need to meet. How about Karate?

Karate is an excellent aerobic exercise. It has also been proven to help with mind body connection and focus.

JK Martial Arts helps each student reach their highest potential in Karate. Along that journey each student will learn valuable lessons that they can take with them for the rest of their lives!

We offer classes for students starting at age 4-adults. Private lessons and group lessons are available. Please call 763 253-9016 for more information or go to JKMA web site http://www.jk-martial-arts.com

1/21/10

Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth

Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth offers academic enrichment for bright and motivated students in grades one through 12. Diverse students are given the opportunity to expand their knowledge, challenge their perspective and inspire their future. If you are eager to discover, you will thrive at MITY. Imagine studying with passionate teachers in exceptional experiences - best of all, alongside other students who also love to learn and will become lifelong friends.

MITY offers three academic enrichment programs for bright and motivated students: YES for students in grades 1-4, ExplorSchool for students in grades 4-6, and EYM for students in grades 7-12. Learn more for an experience like none other in Minnesota. Visit our website at http://www.mity.org to challenge and inspire your future.

1/15/10

New Curriculum from No Impact Project

Have you been looking for ways to integrate responsible, “green” lessons into your family’s life and learning? The No Impact Project, inspired by Colin Beavan, (aka “No Impact Man”), has just released a free secondary-school curriculum focused on earth-friendly living. Download it here

When Beavan and his family decided to try living for a year in New York City without doing any harm to the environment (the “No Impact Experiment”) they attracted worldwide media attention. Beavan wrote about his experience in No Impact Man (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), and a Sundance-selected film of the same title recently was released in theaters nationwide. Why all the fuss? Because the Beavans traded their old habits for more environmentally-friendly ones—and figured out that doing so actually made their lives happier, healthier and more abundant. People around the world started talking about these discoveries, and thousands have since tried their own No Impact Experiment.

Divided into five individual lessons, each co-authored by environmental nonprofit leaders, the No Impact Curriculum focuses on:

    * Consumption
    * Energy
    * Food
    * Transportation
    * Water

Each multi-media lesson incorporates Beavan’s book and the “No Impact Man” film to encourage middle and high school students to explore the effects that their everyday behavior has on the environment, as well as their health and well-being. The lessons also will challenge students to think about how the systems in our present society influence our lifestyle choices in ways that often are detrimental to the environment. Ultimately, this curriculum will guide students to take action both individually and with others to bring about positive change.

For more information or to download the free No Impact Project Curriculum, Click here!

This was posted by a former Minnesota Homeschooled student, now in college in New York City and working with Beavan’s No Impact Project.

1/13/10

Music Association of Minnetonka

The Music Association of Minnetonka presents concerts throughout the Twin-Cities suburb and provides youth and adults the opportunity to participate by singing or playing in one of our nine ensembles. For more information call 952-401-5954, email us at mamoffice@musicassociation.org or check us out at http://www.musicassociation.org. Concerts dates, times and locations are subject to change. Visit our website to confirm.

28th Annual Young People’s Concert Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra Featuring MAM’s Young Artist Competition Winner

Sunday, February 21 at 3:30 p.m. Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church 9920 Normandale Blvd, Bloomington Free-will donation

Sunday, February 28 at 3:30 p.m. Minnetonka United Methodist Church 17611 Lake Street Extension, Minnetonka Free-will donation

Minnetonka Civic Orchestra Concert Monday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. St. Barnabas Center for the Arts St. Barnabas Lutheran Church 15600 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth Free-will donation

Minnetonka Youth Choirs’ Spring Gala Benefit Minnetonka Youth Chamber, Concert and Cappella Choirs with special guest performers: the nationally renowned professional male vocal ensemble:CANTUS Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Arts Center on 7, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka

Call 952-401-5954 for reserved tickets Adults: $20 Students: $15 At the Door: $25

Springtime Concert Minnetonka Civic Orchestra and the St. Paul Jewish Community Center Orchestra Sunday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. Arts Center on 7, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka Free-will donation

Music to Lift Your Spirits Minnetonka Concert Band under the direction of Dan Geldert Sunday, March 21 at 3:00 p.m. Arts Center on 7, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka Free-will donation

1/12/10

Play Piano – Breakthrough approach goes straight to the fun stuff!

Simply Music is an Australian-developed piano method that has you playing great-sounding blues, contemporary & classical – immediately – from your very first lessons!

Children * Teens * Adults * Seniors

Call to attend a Free Introductory Session

Shanta R. Hejmadi

Licensed Simply Music Teacher

5244 40th Avenue S, Minneapolis 612-729-1314

hejmadis@yahoo.com

12/30/09

Homeschool Programs at the Maplewood Community Center

The Maplewood Community Center is now taking enrollments in our Homeschool Programs including Red Cross Swim lessons and CPR Training, Karate, Basketball, Kids Club and much more!

Check out our Winter and Spring Homeschool Program Brochure for more details at http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=995

12/16/09

Copywriter Job Opportunity at Alpha Omega Publications!

Since 1977, Alpha Omega Publications has been a leader in the Christian education movement. For over 30 years, Alpha Omega Publications has been developing innovative Christian curricula and providing outstanding service and support. Founded by curriculum developers and writers, Alpha Omega Publications was born from a vision to provide homeschooling families, Christian schools, and book distributors with exceptional educational products and resources. Our vision grew and transformed into a winning formula for educational success and our customer base quickly began to grow.

We are currently looking to hire an onsite, full-time copywriter for our Rock Rapids, Iowa location. For more details and to apply please visit us at http://www.aop.com.

12/9/09

Family Volunteer Opportunity

More people than ever before need help this holiday season. The Community Thread Holiday Bureau (located in Stillwater, MN) currently has 60 families in need of holiday sponsors. Please consider sponsoring a low-income family, senior citizen or adult with disabilities. The suggested donation value is $25 per person. All gifts must be new, and ‘wish’ lists will be provided from your matched individual or family. In addition to purchasing gifts for your sponsored family, we ask that you provide a holiday meal, the makings for a holiday meal or a grocery gift card. The suggested value is $10 per family member. We also accept donations of gifts, toys, gift cards, and financial contributions so that we can meet the demand.

Check the Community Thread Holiday Bureau website for more information and to sign up:

http://www.communitythreadmn.org/index.php?page=sponsor-a-family

12/1/09

Total Control Driving Academy, LLC

Now Offering: Daytime Classes & Behind-the-Wheel lessons for homeschool students!

Monthly Classes, Call or Email for more information

763.219.9300 or totalcontroldrivingacademy@hotmail.com

11/30/09

Homeschool Meets Rockclimbing

Vertical Endeavors is offering Homeschool Days to homeschool students and families! Indoor rock climbing is a great way to introduce your students to a unique experience in a controlled, professional environment. 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. The benefits of indoor rock climbing include promoting mental and physical health, improving self-esteem and self-confidence, encouraging teamwork and leadership, and developing problem-solving and goal-setting skills.

$10 per person, harness rental included!

1:00pm - 3:30pm

Dates:

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Vertical Endeavors 855 Phalen Blvd St. Paul, MN 55106

Contact Jeff Nelson for more information at 651.776.1430 or Jeff@verticalendeavors.com

For directions and additional information got to: http://www.verticalendeavors.com

See you on the wall!

11/27/09

Exclusive Invitation to Our Biggest Warehouse Sale of the Season

Visit http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/warehouse to find an event near you Up to 80% of the cover price of thousands of books.

11/24/09

Southwest Minnesota State University - Home of the SMSU Mustangs!

Our four-year public university is a liberal arts college located in Marshall, Minnesota. At Southwest, we focus on small class sizes and personalized attention with faculty and staff. Currently, we have 2,600 degree-seeking undergraduate students with an 18:1 student to faculty ratio. We believe that Southwest has many opportunities for students that are homeschooled because of our personal attention and genuine concern for their success. We involve parents throughout the whole process, from admission to graduation. Because our average class size is usually twenty-five students or less, the hands-on personalized curriculum that one receives when homeschooled would continue here. Our small class sizes and supportive student services on campus would be a great fit for them to help ease their transition into a college setting.

Would you like to schedule a visit or request information to be sent? Please feel free to visit our website at www.SMSU.edu or contact me via phone/email: Brittany.Krull@SMSU.edu or 1.800.642.0684 ext 6286. I look forward to hearing from you!

11/17/09

Turning Pointe Dance Studio

Dance…is it in you?? COME FIND OUT through classes offered at TPDS.

PHILOSOPHY: Our philosophy at TPDS is to provide guidance and attention to students of all ages and levels through stability, love, equality, devotion and understanding. TPDS is committed to a strong value system and family atmosphere that has been established in our founding studio for the past 37 years. Our students have fun, feel confident and continue to receive some of the most complete dance instruction in the south metro area. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS BUILDING STUDENTS TO HAVE STRONG DANCE TECHNIQUE, PERFORMANCE ABILITIES, CONFIDENCE AND POISE.

MISSION: TPDS seeks to create positive activities for youth in dance and theater through motor skill development,physical fitness and a foundation for social interaction.

SCHEDULE: Multi-age Home School Dance Classes are offered during the hours of 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both performance and non-performance based. Non-competitive dance instruction in BALLET, JAZZ, TAP, MUSICAL THEATER, and HIP-HOP(adult classes to) are offered through selection of classes depending on your interests.

CONTACT US: TPDS is located in Eagan at 4101 Nicols Road, one block east of Cedar(hwy 77)and Diffley, 6 minutes south of Mall of America. For further information regarding class times, fees, schedule and registration, please contact us at 651-454-6864///612-210-4845, or visted us at www.turningpointestudio.com.

11/4/09

Children’s Theatre Company

Winter Class Enrollment Now Open

Enroll now at http://www.childrenstheatre.org/education/tat.html

Check out our class offerings for tons of new opportunities Mon - Sat in both the AM and PM!

10/26/09

Ordway Center Education Season

Tickets Still Available!

$3 tickets for all!

The Ordway is excited to present our 2009-2010 Education series of performances, workshops, professional development and opportunities 2010 Flint Hills International Children’s Festival! Tickets orders can be placed by Phone and Fax!

There is still availability for many Performing Arts Classroom Series performances that went on sale in May. Performances sell out early so be sure that you have alternate choices selected.

Performing Arts Classrooms at a Glance

Date	Performance	Suggested Grades
FEB 16 & 17	WITNESS	4-12 Limited seating
FEB 18 & 19	DanceBrazil	2-8 Limited seating
FEB 22	Dreaming the Duke	6-12
FEB 24 & 25	Shidara	K-6 Limited seating
MAR 25 & 26	Diavolo	2-8 Limited seating
MAY 18 & 19	dre.dance	6-12

2010 Flint Hills International Children’s Festival

Date	Performance	Suggested Grades
JUNE 1-4	Shangilia, Mtoto Wa Africa	K-8
JUNE 1-4	Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny	PK-2
JUNE 2-4	Hugo & Ines in Short Stories	K-4

For more information on specific performances or to request a brochure visit http://www.ordway.org/education

9/9/09

Be a Part of the PetSet Youth Club!

Animal-loving kids are invited to join the PetSet Youth Club at the Animal Humane Society. Groups for grades 5-8 and 9-12 meet twice a month at our Golden Valley and Woodbury locations, beginning in September.

Activities are centered around four key areas: learning, community service, advocacy & public education, and volunteer skills training. The PetSet is a service learning program, so kids will play a significant role in choosing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the projects they complete as part of the group.

9/9/09

Animal Related Education Programs from the Animal Humane Society

Bring an educator from the Animal Humane Society to your homeschool group! We offer a variety of animal-related education programs for grades K-12. Topics include Pet Responsibility, Urban Wildlife, Animal Classification, and more.

Education programs can also be combined with guided tours of Animal Humane Society shelters, which are available for groups of students ages 6+.

For more information, please visit http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/services/youth.

9/2/09

Looking for An Easy Way to Find Enrichment Activities?//

ActivityTree.com

ActivityTree.com provides a single web site to help you find and register for your children’s activities. Easily find activities that are close to your home and meet fit your schedule and budget.

So how easy is it to find activities through ActivityTree.com? Just create a custom profile during the free sign up process. ActivityTree.com will automatically filter all activities by the selected child’s age and gender and show you the activities closest to your home. By selecting the activity type, day, and time from drop down menus, you can further narrow the search results to find just the right activities. Click the activity you are interested in and all the details about the provider, where they are located on a map, a description of the activity, special instructions or equipment requirements, price, discounts and policies are clearly displayed on one page. No more hunting through several pages of several provider web sites for information that may not even be there.

After selecting your activities, you can register for all activities in one secure online transaction. All the registration information is automatically communicated to the activity provider reducing or eliminating the need to fill out forms for each provider.

Visit ActivityTree.com today and register WITHOUT FEES! Just enter FREE in the promo code box when checking out.

8/24/09

French Classes for Homeschoolers with trained French teachers!

The Alliance Française of Minneapolis/St. Paul provides students from all learning backgrounds with quality French language instruction. The AFMSP supports families educating their children independently and now offers a special option to help better meet the needs of home-school students who want to include French on their high school transcript.

The Home School Package is an affordable way for home school students to obtain foreign language requirements for graduation and college admission while discovering French language and French-speaking cultures around the world.

At the Alliance Française, our instructors are all native speakers of French, trained in teaching French as a foreign language. No other center offers home school students an authentic French language program designed for their needs.

We believe an immersion setting allows students to best develop comprehension and expression on all levels and we speak French as much as possible in the class room and in our cultural center.

AFMSP classes are limited to 10 participants, which allows us to give each student individualized attention and ensures their progress.

Alliance Française classes and its Home School Package can give your child the tools necessary to test out of French courses at universities, saving your family thousands of dollars in tuition.

What does the Home School Package entail?

Home school students register for one of our language classes from the class schedule, determined by age and ability, and in addition complete 25 hours of additional classes, homework assignments and participation at selected events to meet state requirements. Our instructors will assign grades for your child based on your preference for either the A-F or pass/fail scales.

How much does the package cost?

The cost for the Home School Package is $50 in addition to course tuition. This fee covers additional class hours, assignment correction and administrative costs. Families with two or more children enrolled in the package receive a 10% discount for each additional child.

The AFMSP strongly encourages home school students to apply for its High School Scholarship Program. Please visit the Scholarship page of our website.

How do I enroll my child in the Home School Package?

First, select one of our language classes from the class schedule. Our children’s courses are destined for students age 14 and under. Students age 15 and older can register for our Adult courses. If you child has taken French before, completion of the placement test is required prior to registration.

Please contact our office to sign you child up or with any questions you may have: bonjour@afmsp.org or 612 332 0436.

8/13/09

Chinese Language Immersion Classes for Children

Chinese is spoken by a quarter of the world’s population, making it one of the world’s most widely used languages. Learning the Chinese language would be a positive step in your child’s future education and career. Recent scientific research confirms the ideal time to learn a foreign language is as a child, so now is the perfect time to start!

The Minnesota Yucai Chinese School is a non-profit educational organization that offers Mandarin language instruction to children (age 4 - 12) in a variety of different formats. Highly qualified native Chinese instructors will teach Chinese naturally through language immersion. In addition, your child will learn about Chinese culture and customs through hands-on activities, stories, and songs. For more information about the programs, please see the links or email/call the contacts listed below. Currently, the programs are offered in Plymouth, MN with hopes of expanding to additional locations soon. Click on these links to learn more:

Weekday Afternoon Classes (Sign your child up for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days a week.) Saturday Afternoon Classes

For Questions or Additional Information:
Email: yucaittx@yahoo.com Call: 952-225-0458 evening hours (Sue Zhuang) 612-280-6318 daytime hours (Susan Hass) 763-449-0638 evening hours (Feng Li)

8/3/09

Homeschooling Opportunities in Three Rivers Park District

Do you have a group of homeschoolers in need of a field trip that can also meet curriculum goals? No problem. Three Rivers Park District can help. Capture their immagination with a nature program at one of our nature centers. Get up close to animals at Gale Woods Farm, take a wagon ride, or taste fresh produce. Or, go back in time and experience life along the rivers in the 1800s at The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park. How about an outing for fun? Introduce your homeschoolers to golf or catch their wild side with canoeing, kayaking, skiing, or snowboarding. Three Rivers Park District also offers service learning opportunities. For more information on how you can arrange an outing for your homeschool group, call Dan Newbauer at 763-694-7641.

7/28/09

Have a student that loves horses. Sign them up for Horse Course. We at Bunker Park Stable have a program for the student that loves horse. Our Horse Course 101 program is a 2 hour program that involves both classroom learning and hands on learning. The course is designed for students ages 7 and older. The student will spend two hours with us and our wonderful horses for 4 weeks. The first hour of each week will consist of classroom work that will cover safety, horse care, anatomy, and breeds. The second hour will be spent on the horse in a structured riding lesson covering safety, control,communication between horse and rider, proper position and rhythm. This a great program for any student that is interested in horses. For more information or to sign up you can go to our website http://www.bunkerparkstable.com or call (763) 757-9445.

Also, if you have a group of students that you are interested in setting up a program for, give us a call and we will work with you to set up a program that will fit your group.

Sincerely,

The Staff of Bunker Park Stable

7/24/2009

Give your child the gift of music with PIANO LESSONS

Hollie Grabitske offers piano lessons for children and adults in her home in Mendota Heights.

Learn to play the piano…

from a teacher with a Master of Music in Piano Performace and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education
in a convenient location 3 miles from downtown St. Paul near the intersection of Smith Avenue and Dodd Road in a safe, quiet neighborhood within walking distance of Cherokee and Ivy Hills Parks
on a vintage grand piano with ivory keys and in a home with hardwood floors for an optimal sound experience

Objective - Develop an appreciation for playing and listening to music by:

Learning to read and play music, including hymns and favorite songs
Sharing music with others in a spring recital
Improving technique with scales and other exercises
Studying music theory and creating musical compositions

Calendar - Three 10-week sessions with 30-minute lessons:

Fall session - October 5-December 19
Winter session - January 4-March 13
Spring session - March 15-May 29
Spring recital - Date and time to be announced

Tuition Rate for the 2009-2010 School Year

$675 ($225 per 10-week session)

Contact Hollie Grabitske 651-457-6158 or hollie.grabitske@gmail.com for more information and to request a registration form.

7/15/09

Writing Foundations is now taking registrations for 2009 Writing Classes!

Writing Foundations is a tutor-lead writing program designed to build a solid foundation of powerful writing skills for students ages ten through adult. Using pre-written models as inspiration, students experience and practice the structure and style of quality written work through stylistic exercises, outlines, drafts, revisions, grammar lessons, games, and much more. Classes meet once a week with veteran teacher and home school parent, Patsy Brekke. Ms. B’s heart’s desire is to come alongside parents and students and take the mystery and misery out of learning to write well!

Writing Foundations offers classes for elementary, junior high, and senior high students on Mondays and Tuesdays in Roseville and on Wednesdays in St. Michael.

For more information and registration, go to http://www.writingfoundations.com or contact Ms. B. at ms.b@writingfoundations.com.

7/14/09

Piano Lessons and Music Classes

Moyer Music Studio in Roseville offers private and group piano lessons for all ages, and Musikgarten music and movement classes for early childhood.

Piano students also have opportunities for development through performance and theory exams, multiple performance opportunities, ensemble playing and state contests.

Enrollment/registration is now open for the Fall Semester which begins September 10th. There are also a limited number of summer piano times available for the month of August.

Visit http://www.wendyspiano.com or call 651-484-4986 for more information.

7/13/09

Homeschool Meets Rock Climbing

$10 per person, harness rental included!

1 pm. to 3:30 p.m. Dates are:

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Location: Vertical Endeavors 855 Phalen Blvd St. Paul, MN 55106

Contact Jeff Nelson for more information at 651.776.1430 or Jeff@verticalendeavors.com

For directions and additional information got to: http://www.verticalendeavors.com

See you on the wall!

4/29/09

NEW Online Academy Offers Another Option to home schoolers

Recently ran across this information on St. Mark’s Academy and being a home school family, I thought I would share since this really caught my eye. We are considering it as an option for one our children. There are elements that they are including in the curriculum that I have not seen with other online opportunities. The instructional staff is HIGHLY qualified, and students are able to tailor their classes to their specific needs and talents. Just another option for parents and kids. I encourage you to check it out. http://www.stmarksacademy.net/befree/ I was impressed - all you need is a laptop and internet connection. Technology these days!

3/13/09

Life Time Fitness

Looking for a way to engage your children in a fun and entertaining environment while teaching them the importance of health and fitness? Life Time Fitness in Eagan offers a variety of options to give both you and your children the experience you have been waiting for. From facility rentals to our FIT Academy program, we have what you are looking for. We are offering special group rates to both members and non-members. Call and speak with one of our Activity Center Specialists and we can help you create a program that fits your specific needs.

Life Time Fitness Eagan -651-688-2370

3/13/09

Openings in Mari Carlson’s South Minneapolis Violin Studio!

I have 9 years experience teaching Suzuki violin and fiddle to students ages 4 - adult and all ages in between. I play with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and with various chamber and fiddler groups. Please call or e mail: Mari Carlson 612 874 9312 or mlcarlson1@usfamily.net

12/19/2008

The Little Gym

The Little Gym offers non-competitive gymnastics classes for children between the ages of 4 months -12 years old. The Little Gym uses gymnastics as the tool to grow motor skills. Part of the philosophy at The Little Gym is to provide an outlet for children to build their self confidence and accept all of the different learning styles that exist. The Little Gym has been voted the “#1 children’s fitness” for the past 2 years. Every week is a different theme and every week The Little Gym works on children’s perceptual, emotional, physical, cognitive and social skills. Motor skill development can be thought of as cross-training for the mind.

Researchers have taken images of the brain to learn what parts of it are activated when children are learning motor skills and what parts are activated during cognitive or thinking tasks. They learned that both activities caused the same section of the brain – the cerebellum – and similar neurons to activate.

This means that teaching children skills such as balance and controlled movement can enhance the complexity of their brain structure. Repeated experiences that teach new and increasingly challenging motor skills actually help strengthen the brain’s neurological pathways. The more developed the brain becomes, the higher a child’s cognitive functioning is likely to be.

Can motor skill development help kids do better in school?

The answer is yes, according to several studies. Scientists have looked at the physical activity, motor ability and school readiness of 6-year-olds and found that those with more highly developed motor skills demonstrated a greater level of school-readiness2 and fared better in kindergarten than those with less developed motor skills3. Academic success extends well beyond kindergarten; scientists have found correlations linked to motor skill development through second grade4.

If this sounds like the perfect missing element to your homeschool experience call and request more information or schedule a FREE TRIAL class.

http://www.thelittlegym.com

The Little Gym of Woodbury, 651-501-5822

The Little Gym of Edina/St. Louis Park 952-924-0083

12/12/08

Consignment Deals

Great Deals to SAVE you money. A wonderful new consignment shop has opened in Anoka. Make money and save money as you reuse and recycle clothes for your kids.

Fashion Cents for Kids 2665 4th Ave N. Suite 104 Anoka MN 55303 Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm 763-323-6881

9/26/08

HARMONY Theatre Co. & School

invites you to join our program for homeschoolers:

Acting classes: Acting Skills for the Stage and Everyday Life
Dance lessons
Private music lessons: piano, guitar

All students will have multiple opportunities to participate in public theatre productions and other performances.

We offer an individual approach to each student and

a unique supportive atmosphere,

which will help your child discover in-depth his or her creative potential

and different ways to use it in everyday life.

Visit our website http://www.centerharmony.org

and call at 763-442-1628 or email info@centerharmony.org

9/16/08

New Brownie Girl Scout Troop

To Parents and Caregivers of Girls entering the Second and Third Grade:

I’m writing to tell you about a new opportunity for girls to participate in Girl Scouting. A new Brownie Girl Scout troop is being formed for the fall which will be especially welcoming to girls with special needs and girls who are not likely to have the opportunity to otherwise participate in scouting. This troop will be open to those girls who have special learning needs, physical needs, and/or communication needs. The troop will also be open to those girls who may be home schooled, attend private schools, be new to the community or lack the financial resources to participate. It will be open to everyone.

As a parent of two special needs kids, I’ve noticed that many times our kids are over looked when it comes to participating in some of the childhood activities we all take for granted such as scouting. Sometimes the volunteers are ill informed about the needs of our children and lack the skills and desire to learn about what works with our children resulting in a reluctance to welcome all girls into a troop. I’ve volunteered to be a leader for this troop because I love scouting and desire to try to give all girls the opportunity to participate and to have fun and learn with their peers. I will do my best to try to accommodate everyone’s special circumstance and will ask for support from parents and other professionals to find out what works with each child. I’m not a teacher and have no special training to work with these kids other than what I’ve picked up in working with my autistic son and very smart (could be gifted, not sure yet) daughter.

I’m working on finding a place and time to meet and have contacted the Girl Scouts of the Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys Council for their support. I will keep everyone informed as to what develops. My preference is to meet on Monday evenings from 6 to 7:30 or 7:45 p.m. on days when school is in session. I’ve just started looking for a place to meet so nothing is etched in stone. There are many Girl Scout events that occur on the weekends or during breaks from school. I’m willing to participate in those if there are girls that are interested.

I realize that this group will present some challenges, but I think in the end everyone from the girls to the leader/volunteers to our community will benefit. Diversity in membership just makes the scouting experience more rewarding and beneficial.

Please complete and return to me the attached interest form. If you are interested in registering a girl for this troop, helping with the troop or have questions about this troop or Girl Scouting, please contact me at 952-368-0054 or send an e-mail to me at dmwold@comcast.net. The Girl Scouts will also be holding their normal membership drive in the community and are always willing to accept new members. For the troop to be a go, we’ll need at least five girls and a co-leader. Depending on the needs of the girls, the assistance of parents and/or PCA’s may be needed. There is financial assistance available for girls who may not otherwise be able to participate in scouting through our Council.

I’m very excited to be a part of this and look forward to hearing from you. I truly hope that there is a way we can make this troop a fantastic experience for everyone.

Sincerely,

Darlene Wold

8-25-08

Writing Foundations

Posted by Patsy Brekke

Are you looking for a solid writing class that will challenge your child’s abilities, motivate them to improve their writing skills, AND is conveniently located in the Plymouth area?

Patsy Brekke with Writing Foundations is considering offering a Friday AM class in the Plymouth area. She has taught writing classes to elementary through high school students since 2001. Currently she is teaching at YEAH in Roseville but is willing to offer a Level 1 and Level 2 class right on the west side of the Cities as well (the exact location is being determined).

She makes writing fun with her zany and interactive approach to learning. Patsy encourages parents to sit in on her class; siblings (quiet ones) are welcome too. You too will learn her method and be better able to assist your child with their writing assignments.

All new students must start in Level I which is recommended for grades 3-6. Level 2 is recommended for 5-7 grade students who have completed Level I. The class costs $200 per semester (Sept.-Dec./Jan.-April)

Because this is a very last minute development (classes would start on Friday AM September 12), email Ms. B. ms.b@writingfoundations.com ASAP if you are interested or have any questions.

Here is a brief description of Ms. B’s teaching philosophy taken from her website (which you may check for more information):

http://writingfoundations.com

Writing Foundations reduces writing to simple building blocks that empower young writers to master written language where they may have struggled hopelessly before. Using pre-written models as inspiration, students experience and practice the structure and style of quality written work. Naturally and purposefully, participants also gain strength in basic skills such as organization, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation and grammar.

5-22-08

4-H Club Just For Homeschoolers In Wright County MN

I just ran across your website and wanted to let you all know about a new 4-H club that is starting up in Wright County MN in case any of your members are interested. The club, Wright Explorers, was started by a parent of homeschooled children, and will be meeting during daytime hours (year round). This club offers all the benifits of a regular 4-H club: montly meetings, access to 4-H project materials and workshops, camps, and a multitude of fun activities and chances to get together with other youth throughout the year. The exact meeting location has not been decided upon yet, but a conveinient Wright County location will be chosen once more members enroll. The cost to join 4-H is minimal - about $9/year for club dues. If anyone is interested please call the Wright County Extension Office at 763-682-7394 for the club leader’s contact information.