Local Art Camp

Leanne Kirksey is a local homeschooling mom that is offering a once a week Art Camp in her home during the summer for children ages 6-12. The camp will run 9-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and will be open to up to 15 kids each week. You may sign up for as little or as many Tuesdays as you would like. She will need a minimum of 5 kids to hold the camp each session to cover costs of materials.

Activities will include 1-2 art projects at each session plus a snack time and art stations as time allows. The pictures included are just a few photos of projects she is working on for the camp.

The cost is $10 per child per session. Children should be ages 6-12 (finished K thru 6) to stay without mom or dad. Children ages 4-5 are welcome with an adult but will need help. Parents are welcome to stay with older children if so desired.

Tentative Schedule for June:

June 2- Paper Mache Lantern

June 9- Bean Mosaic

June 16- Batik Hanging

June 23- Acrylic Painting on Canvas

June 30- Watercolor and Oil Pastel painting

If you are interested in signing up your child for the camp, please contact Leanne at leannekirksey@comcast.net with the names and ages of your children and what sessions you are interested in. She will fill spots on a first-come, first-served basis. If she has enough interest, she may open up a second day each week to accommodate.

Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2009

Cindy Rushton is once again offering her annual Ultimate Homeschool Expo resource library! Actually, she is so "pumped" that she has just shared a sneak peek into her Membership Site.

One of the neat things about the Ultimate Homeschool Expo is that everything is ONLINE. It is more than a convention--it is the ULTIMATE homeschool resource library.

With every online event that Cindy plans, she builds a private, exclusive Membership Site that includes everything from the UHSE in one place--it has audios (from all of the sessions and from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles, printable notebooking pages, cookbooks, on and on. I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $39.95. It is truly ULTIMATE!

Anyway, back to the reason that I am sharing with you...

Cindy just sent me permission to give you a sampler of one of her free gifts that is included on the Membership Site. I am so excited to give it to you! It is a audio and ebook set that she actually sells on her website, but she is giving away on the Membership Site.

A Quick Start for Notebooking Mini-Set!

Need ideas for encouraging your young writers and QUICK? Ready for a FUN way to encourage your most reluctant writer to write AND like it??? This fun-filled, hands-on workshop is one that you simply CANNOT miss!! Cindy Rushton, who has become known through the years as THE BINDER QUEEN, uses Notebooking for EVERYTHING! She will show you how to begin whether your child is a toddler or the most skeptical high schoolers. This workshop is sure to light a fire that will equip YOU to help your children deepen their studies and document learning all along the way! TOPICS FOR THIS WORKSHOP INCLUDE: Hey! Do I Have A Chance At This??; Why On Earth Notebook???; Down to the Nitty Gritty...WHAT Do I Need and HOW Do I Do It?; Step-by-Step Through Notebooking; Scrapbooking! YES! You CAN Have Fun Homeschooling; Hey? What is Legal? What All Goes Into A Notebook???; Developing FUN Studies That Teach and Inspire!!; Copywork...Answers to ALL of Your Questions; Taking the Writer From Reluctant to Researching; Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, There’s Gotta Be One for You; PLUS Much, Much More! PLUS! Cindy doesn't stop with the workshop, she also includes the Q/A Session after the workshop AND her handouts/samples of student notebooks. Awesome!

Let’s Try Notebooking Audio Mp3:
(Cindy's Workshop)
http://www.cindysdesktop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/TALNotebookingPartOne.mp3

(Questions and Answers)
http://www.cindysdesktop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/TALNotebookingPartTwo.mp3

Handouts:
http://www.cindyrushton.com/Ebooks/LetsTryNotebooking!.pdf

Samples of Student Notebooks:
http://www.cindyrushton.com/Ebooks/SamplesofStudentNotebooks.pdf

Isn't that FUN?

You know the saying that a picture captures a thousand words,well...what about a a gift like this??? And, just think...this is only ONE of the awesome gifts included on the Membership Site. There are hundreds more!

Take my word for it, you will WANT a ticket to this event and access to all of the wonderful resources. Grab your ticket here:

http://www.bayhomeschools.com/uhse09.html

Preparing a Portfolio

It's the end of the school year and time for many of us home schoolers to make an appointment with a certified teacher to have our children evaluated. If this is your first time or even if you are a seasoned homeschooler, you can get some tips and ideas about preparing your portfolio on our website. We also have a list of local teachers that will be glad to give you an evaluation.

Summer is a great time to do some lesson planning and goal organizing for the upcoming year. If you are looking for help in organizing your school year, check out the following.

• Donna Young for free printables
• A free computer software program called Homeschool Tracker

Etiquette Classes

Kari Kremin is a certified etiquette instructor. She is offering 3 classes, each lasting 3 weeks, of full etiquette training. The classes will meet one time per week for 2-2 1/2 hours with a snack provided. Class will run from 10-12 or 1-3, depending on the time that is best for those who sign up. Classes will be either on Mondays or Tuesdays. Each course will cost $35 per child. This includes their snack at each meeting. These are complete classes on each subject, split into 3 separate courses outlined below. The children will receive a completion certificate at the end of each course. Please see the courses outlined below along with the dates they will be offered. These will be a held at Kari's house on the beach and are on a first-come basis. Parents are not required to stay during the classes. She lives near Pier Park and Frank Brown Park, so what a great time for Mom to go shopping, have coffee, or just go relax at the park! Email Kari to enroll or with any questions. She is also willing to have a class specifically for teens if there is enough interest. Email if interested.

Class One: First Impressions & Communication June 8-26 (meeting once per week for 2hrs per meeting)
Introducing Yourself to Others; Handshakes; The Art of Conversation; Talking on the Telephone; Email Etiquette; Thank You Notes; Invitations; Courtesy in Public Places

Class Two: Let's Eat June 29-July 17 (meeting once per week for 2hrs per meeting)
How To Properly Set A Table; Use of Each Utensil; How to Eat Certain Foods; Table Manners; Table Talk; Restaurant Ordering; Buffet Dining

Class Three: Visual Poise & Styling and Grooming July 20-Aug 8 (meeting once per week for 2hrs per meeting)
Good Posture; How To Stand; Proper Sitting Positions; The Graceful Walk; Pivoting; Smile Confidence; Skin, Hair and Hand Care; Secrets of Dressing

Teacher Discounts

Being a teacher has many rewards! Some businesses offer discounts to teachers and many of them extend these discounts to homeschooling teachers. If you would like to see a short list of some teacher discounts you can see them here. If you know of any others that would apply to the Florida Panhandle, leave a comment!

Summer Camps

Summer is a great time to add in some fun hands on learning to your homeschool. Whether you are a year round homeschooler or you like to take the summer off, there are some great activities and camps offered in Panama City and the surrounding areas. You can hone your skills in your favorite sport, stay cool inside with arts and crafts, splash around in the water, or a combination of all! Check out the Summer Camps page at for a few options.

If you know of a great summer opportunity, be sure to let us know!

Welcome

Welcome to the Bay Homeschoolers' blog. The purpose of this blog is to make it easy to access updates to the Bay Homeschoolers website. Feel free to subscribe if you would like to know when something new is added to the site.

If you are looking for a way to make friends and add a little extra to your homeschool, check out the local groups in our area. I'm sure you can find one that will be a great fit for your family.

Bay County has a lot to offer when it comes to fun and educations opportunities! Take a look at the current events. If you know of something happening in our area that would benefit other homeschoolers, be sure to let us know!