Home School Foundation - Financial Support for Homeschoolers by Jennifer Smeltser

 For many homeschool families, the school bell signaling the beginning of a new school semester has already sounded. Children are flipping the pages through textbooks and eagerly soaking up the knowledge promised by the continuation of the school year. There are also many families who have prayed to continue homeschooling their children and for various reasons - expense, death of a parent or other reason see that dream slowly fading away. Despite that, they remain committed in prayer to continue educating their children as they believe they have been called by God.
 
The Home School Foundation, created in 1994 by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) as a non-profit 501(c)(3), has stepped up to fulfill the need of "giving...the heart of homeschooling". It carries a vision to

Top 7 Favorite Projects and Easy Labs for Teaching Chemistry Concepts by Julie Gilbert

I’ve been teaching high school chemistry for the past 7+ years. I don’t get to run every project each year because different schools have slightly different curriculums and the timing isn’t always right to allow for doing a project in every unit. Still, they’re designed to be done with household supplies, so they may be fun/useful to homeschool groups. If anybody’s interested in the full sheets, please email devyaschildren at gmail dot com and I can get you a PDF for the full project. Each has a grading rubric, though depending on which year it was run the point values may differ. In my experience, the value’s in creating and building along with the learning.

Sweet Treats – Balancing Chemical Equations 
Starbursts, gummy worms, and M&M’s seem to be favorites here. The most common mistake I’ve seen students make is to demonstrate the general form of a double replacement
reaction wrong. AB + CD --> AD + CB … it’s strange for them to put the C before the B but it has to be this way because

2 More Local Homeschool P.E. Options

Brentwood Jiu-Jitsu Homeschool Program:
The family friendly program teaches children the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to emphasize on exercise, discipline, confidence, respect, and problem solving to children from age 4-14. Led by Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt and Kid’s Program Head Coach Eron Johnsey, the program focuses on positive reinforcement, physical fitness the self-defense aspects of the art, while also teaching the children how to compete in the sport. 
Class Times: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 3:30pm to 4:30pm*
Contact: Coach Eron Johnsey at (731) 499-1364 or ejohnsey15 at gmail dot com

A-Game Homeschool Fitness Class

Pricing:

One Fitness Class Session: $7 (Additional siblings $5)

Unlimited Sessions for the Semester: $120 (Additional siblings $100)

All Tuesday Sessions: $70 (Additional siblings $50)

All Thursday Sessions: $70 (Additional siblings $50)

Contact: Chelsey Smith at csmith at goagame dot com

(615) 771-2444

 

Thanks to Kelly for the info.

Drama Classes with an Eco-Twist at Bowie Nature Park

Drama Classes with an Eco-Twist Offered in February at Bowie Nature Park

Bowie Nature Park is pleased to announce a special 4-week drama program for ages 5-7 and ages 8-12 every Friday starting February 5 and will be taught at the Nature Center by professional actor and teacher, Nichole Hamilton.
Ages 5-7 will stretch their bodies, voices, and imagination with fun acting warm ups and games. Children will be encouraged to bring their favorite animal or nature themed storybooks. Through call and response, children will act out the stories. Parents are welcomed to observe as well as participate in the action!

• Class times are Fridays in February, 12:30-1:30pm
• Prices are $15/class. Total $60.00
• A final performance will be open to children and

2016 MTHEA Local Spelling Bee

The 2016 MTHEA Local Homeschool Spelling Bee will be Friday, January 15, 2016 at 10am at MPact Sports, 121 Seaboard Lane, Suite 1, Franklin, Tennessee.

Participation is open to 1st-8th grade homeschoolers who live in Middle Tennessee (see county list on registration page if you are uncertain.) Cost: $3 per person.

Register online here.

Event updates and links to word lists are posted on this Facebook page. 

Contact the coodinator by emailing 2015mtheabee@gmail.com for more information.

Barnes & Noble Educator Appreciation Days

A few upcoming dates from Robbie at Barnes & Noble Cool Springs that home educators might want to note:

Date: Saturday, January 9 - 17, 2016
Name: Educator Appreciation Days
Description: Calling all pre-K through grade 12 educators! Join us during Educator Appreciation Days for special discounts, giveaways and events. Kick off the second half of the school year with Barnes & Noble and come see what products to add to your classroom that promote tech literacy and spark creativity.

Date: Saturday, January 15, 3:30PM-5:00PM
Name: Educator Appreciation Open House
Description: Calling all pre-K through grade 12 educators! Join us during Educator Appreciation Days for special discounts, giveaways and events. Drop by our Open House to enter drawings, pick up free items for the classroom and see demos of our newest tech products for the classroom!