Monday, June 8, 2015

[HUBNEWSLETTER] Homeschool HUB News Update--June 5

 

Homeschool HUB News Update--June 5

Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094
email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org  facebook:  www.facebook.com/HomeschoolHub
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

To subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HUBnewsletter/ OR send an email to the following address: HUBnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  (You can also sign up on the home page of our website hshub.org--just type your email in the box!)  Don't forget to do one of these if you change your email address!

Yes, you are welcome to forward the newsletter to anyone who might be interested!  :-)


GENERAL INTEREST

G1) Brain Warmer Upper
G2) Learn Martial Arts Online
G3) Online Academic Summer Program
G4) What's That Bird? Now Computers Can ID the Bird
G5) 50 State Postcard Exchange
G6)  Free Stuff for Summer


G1) Brain Warmer Upper

This week's puzzle:

Two women and two doctors walk into an ice cream parlor. They each order an ice cream cone. When their ice creams come, there is only 1 strawberry, 1 chocolate and 1 vanilla.
How come they didn't complain?

Answer to last week's puzzle:
Thursday


G2) Learn Martial Arts Online

For anyone wishing for a flexible way to learn martial arts at home, here is a site that might help.

http://www.internetmartialarts.com


G3) Online Academic Summer Program

As summer break begins, you may know of a child who would benefit from an online Christian summer academic program. Our Academic Summer Camp is now open for enrollment and offers a free assessment.

We begin with free assessment of your child's skill level

    Math assessment will target only those areas where mastery has not been achieved.
    A completely individualized curriculum and custom workbook is created to fit your child's unique point of need.

    Reading and Vocabulary/Spelling assessment determines your child's starting point in the reading series and vocabulary/spelling continuum, providing a pathway to accelerate growth in vocabulary and reading level.

Individualized instruction
Based upon assessment results, our academic summer camp creates completely individualized lessons. Your child receives a personalized online learning program.

Students work independently
Our academic summer camp incorporates video instruction with interactive lessons and workbooks, making it possible for children to work independently and grow in self-confidence.
Reinforcement and positive validation are embedded throughout the program.

Student summary reports
Parents can access comprehensive real-time records of their child's progress at any time.
Students receive weekly printable award certificates for accomplishing their goals.

Self-esteem and discipleship lessons
Our mastery system of education focuses on high academic achievement, spiritual growth, and strong character development.

Learn more at https:// kirkwoodeducationonline.com/ summer


G4) What's That Bird? Now Computers Can ID the Bird

In a breakthrough for computer vision and for bird watching, researchers and bird enthusiasts have enabled computers to achieve a task that stumps most humans—identifying hundreds of bird species pictured in photos.

The bird photo identifier, developed by the Visipedia research project in collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is available for free at AllAboutBirds.org/photoID. Results will be presented by researchers from Cornell Tech and the California Institute of Technology at the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) conference in Boston on June 8, 2015.

Called Merlin Bird Photo ID, the identifier is capable of recognizing 400 of the mostly commonly encountered birds in the United States and Canada.

"It gets the bird right in the top three results about 90% of the time, and it's designed to keep improving the more people use it," said Jessie Barry at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "That's truly amazing, considering that the computer vision community started working on the challenge of bird identification only a few years ago."

To see if Merlin can identify the bird in your photo, you upload an image and tell Merlin where and when you took it. To orient Merlin, you draw a box around the bird and click on its bill, eye, and tail. Merlin does the rest. Within seconds, it looks at the pixels and combines powerful artificial intelligence techniques with millions of data points from humans, then presents the most likely species, including photos and sounds.


G5) 50 State Postcard Exchange

Good morning from 50 State Postcard Exchange! We are looking for more families to join our upcoming education postcard exchange that will start September 1st. Our exchange is and will always be FREE to join, the only cost for participants are postcards/postcard materials and stamps. If a families state is filled they can request another state to represent or go onto a waiting list for if someone drops out before the start of the exchange. We would love for you to share us or this message with your followers. I will put a couple links below that will take you and your followers to certain things on our page. Hope you have a great day!

Our page - https://www.facebook.com/50State.PC.EX
FAQ's - https://www.facebook.com/notes/50-state-postcard-exchange/faqs/710868899008025
Current list of openings - https://www.facebook.com/50State.PC.EX/posts/870325493062364


G6)  Free Stuff for Summer

If you are like us, you are ready to give your kids a break for the summer, but you may prefer they do things that are educational as well as fun!  This summer, the Homeschool Buyers Co-op has secured permission from some of our leading publishers to offer their products FREE for the summer. These are products that have received rave reviews from homeschool parents and kids alike. Many of them have won national awards.

Choose any or all of the great products shown below - absolutely FREE!
Enjoy, and please help us spread the word!

Discovery Education Streaming Plus
Featuring thousands of educational videos and more!
Discovery Education Streaming Plus offers an extensive and feature-rich video streaming service to engage and inspire students.
It's much like having the entire DVD selection of your local library in your home, 24/7/365.
Try it FREE for the summer!
Note:  Free from June 1 through August 31, 2015.  Not available to current Discovery Education Streaming Plus subscribers.  Other restrictions may apply.

myON Literacy Program
Online personalized literacy program for PreK-8
myON® is a complete literacy solution that provides anytime, anywhere online access to thousands of award-winning digital books.
It personalizes content to your child's interests and reading level in order to facilitate maximum literacy growth.
Try it FREE for the summer!

MathHelp.com
Online homeschool math curriculum for grades 5-12
MathHelp.com (formerly YourTeacher) is a leading online homeschool math curriculum for middle and high school-level math.
An annual subscription to MathHelp.com features hundreds of online math lessons with your own personal math tutor!
Try it FREE for the summer!

Mark Kistler's Virtual Classroom
Online art workshops for ages 5 and up
Best-selling Author/Illustrator and PBS Emmy award-winning Mark Kistler has taken his live workshops online with Mark Kistler's Virtual Classroom!
Mark Kistler's art lessons have been a member favorite for years and now you can use it FREE for the summer.
Try it FREE for the summer!

Uzinggo®
Math and Science Activities for Grades 6-12
Uzinggo® online math and science helps students discover the wonders of science and the joy of learning math by explaining difficult concepts in clear, easy-to-follow lessons.
Try it FREE for the summer!

Always Icecream and Clever Dragons
Play and learn websites created for girls and boys in grades K-8
These play and learn websites for children in grades K-8 offer fun and relevant drills in core academic subjects embedded in a safe, engaging and rewarding environment.
Always Icecream and Clever Dragons are in our Top 3 list of products that kids love at the Co-op!
Try it FREE through 8/15!

eMedia Music Academy®
Award-winning, step-by-step, interactive music lessons for grades K-Adult
Now anyone can learn piano, guitar, violin, bass guitar, or how to sing in the comfort of their own home with eMedia Music Academy!
A subscription to the online eMedia Music Academy gives you and your family access to over 1,000 award-winning, interactive music lessons for multiple instruments and voice. Watch the video on our offer page for more details.
Try it FREE through 7/31!

Save 40% *OR* Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Award-winning computer programming courses for grades 3-9
Youth Digital is the creator of popular online programming courses, including the homeschool favorite, Mod Design 1, which gives kids everything they need to create their own Mods for Minecraft© from start to finish.
Youth Digital also has courses that teaches kids how to create 3D computer games, make apps for mobile devices, and even how to be a fashion designer!
This month, homeschoolers can save 40% on any Youth Digital course, but if you want two courses, we have an amazing deal for you! Buy any one Youth Digital course at full price by June 10 and get any one additional course for FREE!
Save 40% on any course *OR*  Buy 1, Get 1 Free until 6/10/15!

Homeschool Planet®
The Best Homeschool Planner Ever - Try it for FREE!
At last -- a full-featured, online planner that doesn't require hours to learn to use!
Try it absolutely FREE for 30 days, then subscribe for one year for only $65 or $6.95/month.
Try it today for free!

More info:  www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org



MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

1) Looking For a Great Deal on Homeschool Materials?
2)  Electronics and Wireless Communications Club in Midland
3) Free Math/Science Lessons and Training
4)  Sault Ste. Marie: Agawa Canyon, Historic Rendezvous, The Bridge & More
5)  Chapin Mansion Arts-Crafts & Antiques Fair


1) Looking For a Great Deal on Homeschool Materials?

All homeschoolers are invited to participate in Lakeshore Lifelong Learners Annual Learning Material Sale! 

This Wednesday, June 10th 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Used Learning Materials Sale:  This can include but is not limited to: textbooks, curriculum, science kits & items, manipulative, puzzles, board or card games, books, reference books, videos & computer software. Anything with a learning edge to it is acceptable.

To Purchase Items: It will be helpful if you come with smaller bills.
Location:  St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 East Delaware, Fair Plain

We are very grateful this year for the use of St. Bernard's Catholic Church and would like to be able to give a small donation to feed the poor through Catholic Community Center as a thank you.  Therefore, we are suggesting a small donation of a dollar or two per family in attendance.

Directions:  Take I94 to exit 28 M-139N.   North on M-139, 0.5 mi to Nickerson, Left (west) on Nickerson 0.3 mi to Union.  Right on Union go 0.4 mi to Delaware turn left on Delaware and church will be on your right.


2)  Electronics and Wireless Communications Club in Midland

My name is Dennis Klipa and I lead an Electronics and Wireless Communications club that is open to all high school students in Midland County.  The purpose of the club is to give high school youth the opportunity to learn hands on about electronics and wireless communications, primarily through Amateur Radio.  The club meets one night a week during the school year at Midland High School.

Best Regards,
Dennis Klipa, PhD
989-948-5427


3) Free Math/Science Lessons and Training

MDOT (Michigan Dept of Transportation) has opportunities available for students who use our TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) tools.  The program is free to 6-12th grade math/science/civics educators (public, private and homeschool).  Opportunities include Bridge competitions for 7-12th graders and hands-on activities for 6-12th grade classrooms.  Students who use the materials between 6th-12th grades can even apply for paid summer internships their senior year.

To access these opportunities, MDOT is inviting educators from your school to attend a free, one-day session for educators.  The next training session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, at 5372 S. Ninth Street, Kalamazoo MI 49009 (MDOT TSC) office from 8:00am-3:30pm.  Training covers all seven of our hands-on modules (roughly 30 exercises), which are aligned to educational benchmarks.  Teachers who attend this free training will receive two modules of their choice (shown below).

1.       Environmental (settling and filtering)
2.       Motion (laws of motion, impulse)
3.       Magnetic Levitation (reaction, polarity, aerodynamics, friction, laws of motion, graphing)
4.       Traffic Technology (reaction and perception, velocity/deceleration, braking distance, circuits, traffic dilemma zones, graphing yellow light time, and Excel nested if statements)
5.       Bridge Building (tension, compression, deflection, bridge design/build using 2D, 3D, or CAD design)
6.       Safety (critical thinking, decision making, data reliability)
7.       Road Design and Construction (traffic flow, radius, curvature, calculating land cost, road design)

This program opens the door to our annual Bridge Challenge (like a Science Olympiad with balsa wood combined with interaction with licensed civil engineers), classroom visits by civil engineers, paid summer internships for graduating seniors, hands-on exercises, and replenishment of supplies.  For more info about the program, visit our www.michigan.gov/mdot-trac website.  Preregistration is required to attend.  To register for the training, give me a call (269-337-3913).

Brenda Kragt
MDOT-TRAC
kragtb@michigan.gov
269-337-3913
www.michigan.gov/mdot-trac


4)  Sault Ste. Marie: Agawa Canyon, Historic Rendezvous, The Bridge & More

July 24-26  MUST HAVE PASSPORT, PASSPORT CARD OR ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR THIS TOUR.
 
 The Historic Rendezvous will take place in the Sault and that is special to see the way people lived, dressed and entertained. It happens only on this particular weekend. Our one day train excursion will take us 114 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, over towering bridges, alongside pristine northern lakes and rivers, and through the awesome granite rock formations and mixed forests of the Canadian Shield.  Through the large picture windows of our motor coach, you will experience the same vistas and panoramas that inspired the Group of Seven to create some of Canada's most notable landscape art. Enjoy scenic walks on graveled trails, four waterfalls or a climb to Lookout platform. On the Michigan side, learn about life in colonial days from local and visiting historic re-enactors. Storytellers will captivate you as they weave tales of exciting adventure from days gone by. Musicians will be playing some of the hottest hits of the 17th & 18th centuries. We will explore the Sault Ste. Marie with a church tour, see the Pointe Iroquois Lighthouse and historic areas. Our French Fur Trapper guide will give us the skinny on the area. Walk the beach and hunt shells. Or shop. Or gamble at Kewadin. The choice is yours.  2 lunches, 1 dinner, train ride, overnight stay. $340/person double occupancy or $390/person single room

More info:  www.steponbustours.com


5)  Chapin Mansion Arts-Crafts & Antiques Fair

The first annual Chapin Mansion Arts-Crafts & Antiques Fair will be held on June 20, 2015 from 9:00am to 3:00pm.   The arts & crafts portion of the fair will be located inside the Chapin Mansion while the antiques/vintage collectibles will be located outside on the mansion lawn.  There will be no tours of the Chapin Mansion during the fair.  Over 20 arts, crafts and antiques/vintage collectibles vendors from the southern Michigan and northern Indiana area will be participating in this fair.  Items that will be available include garden art and furniture, paintings, books by a local author, handmade purses and knitted items, hair jewelry, ceramics, wood collage, handmade soaps and lotions, candles, stationery, wooden bowls, boxes & vases, used books, vintage collectibles and antiques.  Sandwiches and snack items will be available from St. Mary's Boy Scout Troop 579.

For more info:  www.nileshistorycenter.org


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LINKS TO SHARE:

Share your favorite link

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CLASSIFIEDS


Looking for a group?  Join the HUB!  We need you.

The HUB is a volunteer organization.  Without the support and participation of homeschool families, we can't function effectively.  There are several benefits of membership including a resource library that includes things like laptops, video cameras and other items to borrow. Members receive first chance at events and classes when availability is limited.  Information about becoming a member is on the website at www.hshub.org


Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here!  (Advertisements stay in for two weeks unless we work out something else in advance)

Homeschool groups are welcome to advertise their group, too.  It's free!


HELP FOR STRUGGLING READERS

My name is Ann Landgraf and I am a reading specialist in Niles, who works with students who struggle to learn to read. I would like to let those in the HUB know that I offer classes through the Niles Homeschool Partnership. I also train teachers to work with this type of learner. All the best, Ann Landgraf  (615) 878-1538  aland422@comcast.net


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LETTING IT RIDE:

Like us on facebook for discussions, announcements, questions, and support:  https://www.facebook.com/HomeschoolHub
Join our yahoo group for discussions, announcements, questions, and support:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolhub/
Check out our website for info (refer your friends, too, if you like!):  http://www.hshub.org/

Amazon.com--Please come to www.hshub.org before you shop at Amazon.  You can either shop the Associate Store listed in the Menu bar or click on the "Help the Homeschool HUB - Purchase at Amazon" link just below the Menu bar. By using this link to Amazon The Homeschool HUB will earn money through Amazon's Associates program on everything you purchase. So whenever you think "Amazon" please remember your purchase can help The Homeschool HUB.


The Homeschool HUB is collecting used textbooks.  Contact Andrea homeschoolhub@yahoo.com or 269-240-6094

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 member or bring them to any functions that we have.  Thank-you!

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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.

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