Spread the Music

I came across a foundation that some homeschoolers may be interested in so I wanted to share.  The name of the foundation is "Spread the Music".  They are based out of Grand Haven, MI.  Spread the Music Foundation, Inc. was established in 2003 to help bring out the music that dwells in everyone's hearts. Their goal is to provide children eighteen years and younger with the opportunity to become involved in music.  They even offer a program to get instrument into the hands of our children at no cost to strapped families.  More information can be found here.

Spread the Music Foundation, Inc. is also set to break record for the most people to play kazoos at the same time.  They want 6000 people.  They will make their attempt at a new world record on July 10th in Grand Haven.  You can see www.spread-the-music.org for more info.

Homeschool Family Day at the Capitol

Please click on picture to see it a little larger. It contains all of the information.

Homeschool Family Day at the Capitol

Sponsored by the Home Education League of Michigan

with Senator Alan Cropsey and Jack Hoogendyk

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Tuesday or Wednesday, May 4 or 5, 2010 Ÿ 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Your homeschool family will have a unique opportunity to observe the legislative process and spend time with elected officials at the State Capitol at Homeschool Family Day at the Capitol co-sponsored by two homeschool dads, Senator Alan Cropsey (33rd District) and former Representative Jack Hoogendyk.



The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with an optional “early-bird” Prayer Walk around the State Capitol. You will learn firsthand how laws are made, attend a committee meeting, visit your Representative and Senator regarding specific education-related issues, observe a Legislative session in progress, attend workshops, and take a guided tour of the Capitol. At a Legislative Luncheon you will hear state legislators and leaders. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox and state legislators have been invited. Activities end at 3:30 p.m. with optional tours following.



$4 per person

Optional catered lunch, add $5 per person or bring your own

Advance Registration Only-Space is limited!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE—May 1

To register—LOGIN: get a user name and password at www.HomeEdMI.net

Information: Paulette Brack  269-353-9515 paulettebrack@aol.com

HPA Presents Titanic

Get your tickets at www.hpami.org!

Friday, April 30 at 7:00pm
Saturday, May 1 at 1:00pm and 7:00pm
Friday, May 7 at 7:00pm
Saturday, May 8 at 1:00pm and 7:00pm

Tickets may be purchased online at www.hpami.org for $7.50 or at the door for $8.50. Please call 269-668-2822 for questions and information.

Titanic is based on the true story of the ultra-luxurious “unsinkable” RMS Titanic's maiden voyage nearly 100 years ago. The show captures the exhilaration surrounding this technological wonder and the hopes and dreams of the many people who were on board. It is both serious and entertaining as it chronicles the actions of the ship's crew and a wide array of passengers, touching on issues such as class, immigration, and mankind's vulnerability in the face of nature. The aspirations of these individuals are brought to light, and their character revealed as they deal with their inevitable fate once the boat strikes an iceberg.

Titanic, the Musical, written by Peter Stone with music by Maury Yeston, opened on Broadway in 1997 and went on to win five Tony A wards including: Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. With a beautiful and moving score full of rich and stirring melodies and theatrically dramatic songs, the soundtrack by RCA Victor became the fastest selling Broadway cast recording in RCA's history and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

The cast of 97 homeschoolers from 27 different communities works together with integrity and zeal to bring this riveting theatrical production to its audience.

Shows are April 30, May 1, May 7, and May 8 at 7 p.m., with two Saturday matinees on May 1 and May 8 at 1 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.hpami.org for $7.50 or at the door for $8.50. Please call 269-668-2822 for questions and information.

Swagbucks Tip!!!

I know this isn't directly homeschooling, but this tip could help with homeschool supplies so I am going to post it here too.  :)  I am going to write this post and post it everywhere!  So don't be surprised if you see this on more than one of my blogs...

Do you use Swagbucks?  If you don't, you need to!  First you might be asking yourself, what are Swagbucks?  In short, you can earn swagbucks for searching using their toolbar.  That is the easiest way to earn them.  So everytime I need to search something (which happens many times a day) I use the Swagbucks toolbar and randomly earn bucks.  It is always a pleasant surprise.  :)

So, the reason I started using Swagbucks was to earn FREE Amazon gift cards.  I love shopping on Amazon!  I use it a lot to buy gluten free food, books, household items, etc.  Basically, Amazon carries just about everything.  But Swagbucks can be used for all sorts of things.  I can get tons of different types of giftcards, including itunes, or I can purchase electronics, books, toys, etc.

Here is the great tip I learned today and I want to pass it on to you!  I have been working towards a $25 dollar Amazon gift card.  I need 3150 swagbucks for a $25 gift card. I just found out that I can buy 5 $5 gift cards for 2250 swagbucks...that is a big savings! For 3150 swagbucks I can actually buy 7 $5 gift cards!

If you would like to check out Swagbucks, click here to learn more. 

Homeschool Fridays at Pirates Island

Have you been to Pirates Island yet?  Every Friday afternoon from 1pm-3pm Pirates Island is open to homeschoolers for a reduced rate of $4 per person (this includes adults).  They do need at least 50 attendees in order to justify running the slides.  For more information, please contact Liz at 269-544-1000.  Pirates Island is located inside SWAT Fitness Club in Oshtemo.  You can also check their website for more information.

I want to Homeschool

Every once in a while I get a call from a parent that is thinking of homeschooling.  Nothing brings back my joy of homeschooling more than helping someone else start homeschooling.  When we decided that we might try homeschooling, I was fortunate to have an aunt that had been homeschooling for years.  She was able to help me find the confidence to get started.

In Michigan there are no rules to homeschooling per say.  I did notify the school district that I was pulling my son to home school him.  He was in the first half of 1st grade and I felt it necessary and considerate to let them know.  I actually asked them to send me a copy of the 1st grade curriculum (basically it was just a run down of what they teach in the 1st grade) and they were happy to send it.  At that time I was only planning to homeschool for a few years.  My son has type 1 diabetes and we were facing daily challenges with the school and his care.  I was planning on him re-entering the system when he would be in a new building with new staff.  I felt it was important to keep him up to speed with the other kids he would be entering the later elementary with.

If you are pulling your child out during the school year, take some time off.  This is usually referred to as "de-schooling".  During this time, you, the parent, can research homeschooling styles or order curriculum.  In our case, I we took off about 2 weeks.  We pulled our son out right before Thanksgiving so we were able to get back to "school" at the first of December.  During those two weeks I went to our local teacher store and picked up a couple of work books to get us by while I waited for the curriculum I had chosen to come in.  We were able to start with that curriculum at the new year which was nice.  I only ordered a half year curriculum which was also nice.

It was so nice to have him home (he was my only child at the time).  I was able to make him a hot lunch everyday.  We would sit at the table and he would do his work.  I noticed with the one on one help, he was picking up reading really quickly.  (He had been struggling in school.)  It was just what I had imagined.  The best part is it only took about an hour!  Definitely never more than two hours.

We made it through that year ok.  I found a local homeschool group and my son and I went to a holiday party as our first event.  We both agreed that we didn't fit in.  I am not shy.  I have zero problem making conversation with total strangers.  I just didn't gel with anyone.  Neither did my son.  It was kind of a disappointment.  I was sure I was never going to fit in with anyone!

I complained about it all summer that first year.  I wanted to find a group of homeschoolers that I felt at home with.  Towards the end of that summer I threw up my hands and decided I was going to start my own group.  Just as I did that I stumbled upon a newer group in the area and decided to give them a try.  My son and I met up with them at a park and I found the group I had been looking for.  I made instant connections.  It was easy.  THAT is the way it should be.

Once I found that group, homeschooling took on a new meaning.  I evolved in my homeschool philosophy.  I decided I wasn't sending my son back to school anytime soon.  This one decision helped me relax and enjoy myself.  I could guide our direction anyway we wanted to go.  I wasn't trying to recreate school at home.  The pressure was off.

So my advice to new homeschoolers:  Find what works for your family and find a support group.  There are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschoolers.  Michigan gives us the freedom to take charge of our child's education.  There are many viable means of doing so.  And don't be surprised at how little time is required in your homeschool day.  It doesn't have to happen at 8 or 9am.  It doesn't have to last until 3pm.  It can be done in the evenings, weekends, or just as an all day, everyday learning from life experiences. 

What exactly did I do?  The half year curriculum I used was LIFEPAC.  It is a set of workbooks.  It was easy to get started with.  I purchased just the subjects I wanted to use.  This was 1st grade.  I spent the money on the teachers guides but that was definitely as waste of money for me.  I really didn't need a guide to teaching 1st grade workbooks.  You, of course can decide for yourself.  I don't remember if they offered additional practice work or not.  

For more information about homeschooling styles, this website has a great rundown. 

For a quick look at homeschool laws, this website does a good job.  

Good luck and relax.  Homeschooling is a way of learning of the entire family.  I get just as much out of it as my children.  Learning never ends.  :)  How did you start homeschooling?  Why are you considering homeschooling?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Homeschool Kalamazoo Wants to Promote your Event

Are you planning an event that is geared towards homeschoolers?

Are you planning an event that homeschoolers would enjoy?

Are you planning an event that homeschoolers can/would participate in?

Leave a comment with your event information and I will consider it for an addition to the Homeschool Kalamazoo site.