Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Lego Camp

A vehicle using the new pieces without studs.

I thought I’d share a great opportunity for any of your children who like Legos. Lizz is a fellow homeschooler and I do her portfolio reviews. :) What a great way to kick off the summer!

Bricks 4 Kidz, a small LEGO education business, is running a pre-summer camp for homeschoolers on May 20-23 at The River Church in Liberty Township, Ohio.  The theme this year is “Brick Olympics” and will include learning about the history of the Olympic Games dating back to the ancient world; sports themed models including a gymnast, swim races, skier; and building games and challenges. Most of the models are motorized “machines” using LEGO Technic pieces.

The cost is $100 per student ($10 discount for siblings).  This includes a camp shirt and custom mini-figure that the kids will use during the week and take home.   On Monday and Tuesday the camp classes will meet from 9:30-2:30 and  on Wednesday and Thursday they’ll meet from 9:30-12:30.  The last day will include a showcase of all the models built during the week that your student will proudly show off to you!

If you would like to participate, please email the following information:

Student’s Name:

Student’s Birthday:

Your Name:

Email Address:

Contact Phone:

Payment will not be due until the first day of camp.

Lizz Mele

Bricks 4 Kidz of North Cincinnati

513-716-KIDZ (5439)

lmele@bricks4kidz.com

Are you concerned about creating a transcript? It’s not as difficult as it seems since there is this wonderful piece of technology called the internet. :) You may begin preparing a transcript for your scholar as early as junior high since the state of Ohio says you can count some classes toward high school.

Prepare a transcript. Keep track of courses and grades. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, and it is, but it bears me making a point. Do you want to keep semester grades or year-long grades? I chose to keep year-long grades.

Here are some programs that you can purchase if you want help with this process.

EduTrack This is not only for high school, but can be used throughout your child’s academic career. It has report cards, transcripts, assignment sheets, teacher’s journals, lesson plans, and other categories. Several of the moms who I review their family’s work have used this program and have been pleased with it.

Another service is called College Ticket. It is:

  • a program that helps you map out the high school years.
  • a documentation service that will generate a transcript that will make admissions officials want your child at their college.
  • a tool to help you find out how to get your child into a great college with scholarship money.
  • a way to, along with your transcript, generate a portfolio with a reading list, activities resume, life experiences, course descriptions, and more.

If you’d like to make your own transcript check out this website to see examples and get direction on how to do it. Donna Young’s website is a valuable resource that not only helps with transcripts, but also how to figure GPA’s. donnayoung.org

Jazzy Music

Jazzy Music

One of the areas that we are to teach when homeschooling is fine arts, which includes music. I found some apps from The Melody Book that look like so much fun for young students to learn musical instruments.

A Jazzy Day (4.99) is an award-winning ebook that:

  • can be played to be read aloud (great for non-readers or beginning readers)
  • can be read independently
  • learn about different instruments
  • a child can play different instruments

Jazzy ABC (1.99) is a music app that teaches children the alphabet and musical instruments. Children can play each of the instruments too!

Jazzy 123:  Learn to Count Music (1.99) How about not only learning how to count time, but also counting in 10 different languages!

If you want to learn more about the jazzy adventures of this cat duo, click here

imagesTwo weeks ago I mentioned preparing for college in the freshman year of high school. Besides planning the academic year there are two more areas you can prepare your student by first,  beginning a reading list and second, planning volunteer opportunities. Universities like to see books students have read that provide background for composition, literature, and history. Admissions counselors are interested in what type of volunteering your scholar has done throughout their high school years and homeschooling provides a great opportunity to do that.

Begin a reading list. Many colleges have a list of books they recommend for high school students to read. Check several colleges that your student is interested in attending or look at various websites. Be discriminating and read summaries of the books. If you are unfamiliar with high school level books or where to begin here are a few websites to help you:

The Great Books This site has several categories to choose from: Ancients, Medieval, Reformation, and Modernity, all from a Christian worldview. There are over 70 free discussion guides and schedules to go along with the recommended books.

Literature recommendations for high school There are more books on this list than your student has time to read. :)

pinkmonkey is a website that I have used frequently when teaching junior and senior high school students. Not only does it provide a summary of each chapter, but also has quizzes and essay questions.

Decide on volunteer opportunities. Colleges are looking to see that a student is able to handle more than just schoolwork. Now is the time to investigate areas your student is considering majoring in college. Do you have a budding teacher? How about volunteering as a Sunday School teacher for the younger students or helping with child care during church? Are they interested in a medical field? Contact a hospital about being a hospital volunteer (candy striper). Do you have a student curious in being a vet tech? There are animal shelters that need volunteers to walk dogs and play with cats.

Remember, enjoy the journey! If you have any questions, please ask and I will be glad to help.  I have successfully graduated two young men. One is a college grad and has a degree in the field in which he majored. My other son chose to go in missions for almost three years and successfully helped with the majority of the work in opening a coffee shop.

NEXT WEEK: TRANSCRIPTS

English: Path to Callaughton. This footpath le...

photo: Michael Patterson

I was going to post more information about preparing for college, but I wanted to spend this week encouraging us all to enjoy the journey that we are on. This past week was difficult after the reports came in about the occurrence at the Boston Marathon. How many people were affected by this tragic event? How many will never walk again or live life to its fullest?  How extremely sad!

It’s odd how events all mesh together to give you a different perspective; a better appreciation for what you have as you watch others go through difficult times. I am doing the bible study of One Thousand Gifts and this week we talked about slowing down, not rushing through things and seeing what God has for us. I also talked with Dale last week about enjoying the journey of life as we travel together on this path of life. How thankful I am to have a husband who loves me, two great sons who are figuring out life, amazing students who bring exuberance and laughter to their studies, and friends to laugh and cry with as they move along their road too.

Ecclesiastes 3 says it best.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and  a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Remember to enjoy the moments you have been given. Enjoy your  journey and encourage someone along the way.

~Lisa

 

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 63 other followers