Homeschool HUB News Update--November 26

Homeschool HUB News Update--November 26 Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org Editor: Andrea Bikfalvy   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com ON THE CALENDAR: Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub December 3--Bowling at Strikes and Spares, 1:00-3:00, $5/pp HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) Attachment correction 2) New Home School Co-op in Elkhart 3) Free geography materials 4) Softball Expo 5) 5th Grade Natural Resource Day 2011 6) Scripp's Spelling Bee 7) Little Women 8) Volunteer Opportunities 9) Christmas Cookie/Treat Exchange and PARTY 1) Please disregard the attachment "Advertisement2" from last week.  It was inadvertently sent in rough draft form.  It was not intended to be distributed in that form.  Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused. 2) New Home School Co-op in Elkhart We are excited to announce that FLAME (For the Lord And My Education) Home School Co-op will be starting in January 2011. Our vision is to encourage, enrich, equip, and empower all participants to be servants of God. We hope to provide an atmosphere to learn, build friendships, and offer support. We will meet first, third, and fifth Friday mornings thru May at 9:50am-12pm at Elkhart Church of God located at 28082 CR 4, Elkhart, IN. The classes we are offering are as follows: K/1/ 2 grades- *Cooking/Arts and Crafts- Students will be making an apron the first week so they won't get as messy when they do simple cooking, and arts and craft projects each week. *Discovering Disabilities- Students will discover what it's like to be blind for an hour, or to have no use of you your legs for an hour. This class will help children  better understand those who deal with disabilities on a daily basis. 3rd grade and up- *Intro to Guitar- This class is for those who have not had much experience, but want to learn basics of the guitar. You will need the appropriate size guitar to participate. 3/4/5 grades- *Beginning Sign Language- Students will learn vocabulary each week and do activities and play games to reinforce what they learn. They will learn the very basics in this course. *Learning Games- Students will play games to reinforce what they are learning at home. Bible trivia, Math Bingo, Speed Scrabble, etc. Jr/Sr High- *Public Speaking- This class will give students an opportunity to become more comfortable speaking in group situations. They will have small assignments each week. *Adventure Education- Students will learn team building skills as they work through fun situations to help them communicate and trust those they around them. Nursery/preschool is offered to support teachers and siblings of school-aged students participating in FLAME classes. Open house registration will be on Thursday, December 9, 2010, from 3-7pm at Elkhart Church of God. Membership fee is $10 per family per semester. Class fees are $5-$15 per class. Fees will be collected at registration. Come and find out where classes will be held, and get to know other home school families. Teachers will be on sight to answer any questions. Children are welcome. If you have any questions please contact Lisa Gregory at preciouspampering@yahoo.com or call her at 574-264-4389. Hope to see you there! 3) Free geography materials The HUB doesn't post the many things people send us about their new book, curriculum, online lessons, etc. that they tell us will benefit homeschoolers and want us to help them market to you.  We don't think our job is to advertise for people.  This one though, has many free items on their site, including free e-books about Canada, the U.S., China, and Europe that look particularly good, and 100% of the profit from the things they do sell goes to charities. E-book donation Posted by: "Ellen Weisberg" ellenweis1966@yahoo.com ellenweis1966   I am donating the e-book version of my and my husband's newest published book, "Fruit of the Vine" (Chipmunkapublishing, 2010) to homeschoolers. This book, which can be downloaded for free through our authors' website, www.weisberg-yoffe.org, is an illustrated children's fantasy based on bullying that is meant for the 8-12 age range. It is an adaptation of my first published story- in the Feb/Mar 2007 issue of the literary journal, PKA's Advocate. Also available as complimentary e-books through www.weisberg-yoffe.org are "All Across Europe" (print book in press, Chipmunkapublishing) and "Making Emmie Smile" (print book in press, Chipmunkapublishing). Several of our other Chipmunkapublishing books, including "All Across Canada" (2008) and "All Across China" (2009) are available as free e-books through our site. In addition, U.S. map quizzes and posters associated with "Friends and Mates in Fifty States" (Galde Press, 2008) are provided for free on the site. Just so you know, a French translation of "All Across Canada" (favorably reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries) is in the works, a Chinese translation of "All Across China" will soon be available through Beijing University and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies, and Scholastic Book Clubs is (still) considering licensing the rights to market "Friends and Mates in Fifty States." The interest and support that we have received from homeschoolers over the past few years has encouraged us to continue to write and illustrate new books, as well as support charities through personal royalties generated by book sales. These royalties have helped us to be able to donate $3,380 to foundations supporting heart disease and breast cancer research and awareness over the past several years. Please feel free to e-mail me at ellenweis1966@yahoo.com if you have any questions about our books. Best wishes, Ellen Weisberg 4) Softball Expo The Softball Expo will be held March 18, 19, 20, 2011. In the midwest there are: 83 local associations, 250,000 teams, with more than 4 million members, 365,677 high school players, 15,906 NCAA players and countless pick up games. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL. For more information call 708-240-8004 or visit thesoftballexpo.com 5) 5th Grade Natural Resource Day 2011 5th Grade Natural Resource Day 2011 will take place Wednesday, April 27th at the Youth Fair Grounds in Berrien Springs. A Registration Form can be found at the Berrien County Web Site, berriencounty.org/recycle, click on "5th Grade Natural Resource Day" on the left side of the screen. What: Natural Resource Day (NR Day) is a ½ day program where p;articipants attend sessions titled Soil & Water Conservation, Plant Science, Turning Trash Into Treasure, The Wonders of Wildlife, and The Great Outdoors. Each session is lead by environmental professionals. Unfortunately, we missed the deadline to register but you may be able to get in as they have room for 450 5th graders and may not have filled the event. Questions about this event should be directed to: Jill Adams, 269-983-7111, ext. 8234 6) Scripp's Spelling Bee It's not too late to sign up for the areas Scripp's Cloverleaf Spelling Bee! Word lists are available now! Contact Diane Day 269-445-1900 details to come. 7) Little Women Homeschool Performing Arts is presenting "Little Women" in Kalamazoo December 7, 9-11. All shows are nightly at 7 pm with a matinee at 1 pm on Saturday, December 11. Tickets are $8. Visit their website to order tickets hpmi.org. 8) Volunteer Opportunities This time of year the Volunteer Center office begins to receive phone calls from individuals or families that would like to volunteer to serve food on the holiday.  The Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor has a team of volunteers that does it each year - so they are all set.  But the challenge is: people will continue to come to the Soup Kitchen after the holidays for a warm meal and fellowship, a place to connect with folks and receive some nourishment of body and soul. The Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor is looking for an on going volunteer to help out on a regular basis.  Martin's grocery store in St. Joseph donates their day old bread, so they are looking for a volunteer to do the weekly bread pickup.  Their scheduled time is Monday morning.  It might work best if you have a van or truck to do the pick up, since it is often 5-7 large boxes.  It helps to have boxes or one volunteer just puts the bread in loose, in their vehicle, and they rack the bread on the storage shelves at the Soup Kitchen, when they drop it off.  If you are interested in taking on this task or perhaps sharing this task on a team of volunteers - contact the Volunteer Center for additional details.   The Salvation Army in Niles depends on the funds they raise in their Red Buckets during the holiday season to serve individuals and families through out the year.  The calls to them continue to increase with families needing assistance with utility bills - so they can stay in their homes.  Or help with food or a clothing need, an item to begin a new job, like work boots.  Each day is different as they receive calls from people.  What can you do to help your neighbor have a roof over their head or food in their stomach?  Ring a bell, smile and say thank you.  Choose a time that works for your schedule.  Bring a friend and smile together.  This is a great family opportunity to teach your children about service.  Even the smallest child can take a turn ringing the bell.  If you enjoy singing or have an instrument you could play - dust off the Christmas music and share your favorites.  A few hours can make a big difference as the phone will continue to ring at the Salvation Army, even after the holidays are over. To schedule your time to ring, call Captain Walters, on his cell phone at: 574-229-4247. He has the schedule with him and will handle the arrangements.   If you would like to consider other options - take a look at our web site: www.volunteerswmi.org and link to 1-800volunteer.org. Debra Panozzo Adult and family volunteer coordinator Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan 269-983-0912 ext 303 St. Joseph 269-683-5464 ext 322 Niles www.volunteerswmi.org 9) Christmas Cookie/Treat Exchange and PARTY Get your mixing bowls ready!  The Homeschool HUB is having a Christmas treat exchange and a PAR-TAY!   WHO: All homeschool families and friends WHAT: Christmas Treat Exchange WHERE: The Niles Police Complex WHEN: 7 pm-midnight on Friday Dec 10 OR Saturday Dec 11 (TBD) WHY: Fun and Fellowship with other homeschool families HOW: Bring snacks to share, games to play, and (if you want to participate in the treat exchange) at least two dozen treats packaged in groups of six.  Take as many packages of the other treats home as you bring of yours. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINKS TO SHARE: Art Lessons for All Grades http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/lessons.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLASSIFIEDS Looking for a group?  Join the HUB! There are several benefits of membership including a travel club and a resource library. Members receive first chance at events and classes when availability is limited.  The cost of membership is only $24/year.  Information about becoming a member is on the website www.hshub.org   YOUNG ACTOR'S CAMP This year, young actor's camp needs 5 children aged 10-12 years for their movie.  More info can be found at their website: http://www.youngactorscamp.com/app.htm   GUITAR LESSONS Strum Strum Strum (Imagine your child doing this.) Strum Strum Strum (Contact homeschooling dad Hugh Duncan for guitar lessons in Buchanan or Saint Joseph.) Strum Strum Strum (269-983-2888) Strum Strum Strum. SAXON MATH SALE As a fellow homeschooler I want to share that Classical Conversations is holding a 3-day sale on Saxon Math books. For the sake of blessing others, Classical Conversations is providing this savings as a thank you to their own program members and to the extended homeschooling community. For 3 days only, from 8:00 a.m. EDT November 19th through 9:00 p.m. EDT November 21st Saxon Books are 30% off at www.classicalconversationsbooks.com.  I invite you to pass this sale along to your members so that they may be blessed by it! Serving Christ through Home Centered Education, Crystal Pfeifer Michigan State Manager CCScribbleCCC-transparent cpfeifer@classicalconversations.com www.classicalconversations.com www.classicalconversationsbooks.com Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! Homeschool groups are welcome to advertise their group, too.  It's free! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is collecting used textbooks.  Contact Diane Day:  joharding_20@yahoo.com or 269-445-1900. The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on many products. Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS: While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.