Surviving Sub-zero Temps.

 It sounds like this cold weather is going to last a while, so I thought I would look for a few fun ideas to keep the kids (and myself) occupied for the next week.  I thought I'd share!  Here are some links I found with some great (amid some not so great) ideas. 

http://innerchildfun.com/2011/08/10-rainy-day-activities-for-kids.html

http://spoonful.com/family-fun/rainy-day-activities

http://familyfitness.about.com/od/waystoplay/tp/rainy_day_activities.htm

http://poppyjuice-poppy.blogspot.com/2012/12/homemade-play-dough-easy-christmas-gift.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FeJZek+%28Poppyjuice+%28Tips+on+Stretching+Your+Household+Dollars+%26amp%3B+Other+Stuff%29%29

http://www.lilsugar.com/Rainy-Day-Activities-Kids-23437274


Here are a few ideas we've tried:

Learn some Native American sign language, and dress up

Let the kids decorate cupcakes

Have a puppet show

Have a tea party and invite some furry friends

Let the kids do something fun with the baby.  Here's a shopper ready for the mall.

She's pretty excited about shopping!

Let dad lay down on the couch and watch the romping begin.

 Have a wonderful time surviving the cold! :)

Logging Field Trip and Share and Tell

***UPDATE***
There are no changes for the Johnson Brothers Logging field trip. All will be as scheduled. Hope to see you there! :)

Our next field trip will be on April 13th at 10:30 A.M. We will be taking a look at a logging operation (Johnson Brothers Logging) and the equipment loggers use. It should be pretty exciting, and I've been told it might involve a ride in a skidder.

To get to the site, turn off the Gunflint Trail onto Trout Lake Road. Take the first right and you will see them.
The Johnson Brothers have asked that I confirm all of this with them a couple of days before April 13, to make sure no plans have changed and that they're still working at the same spot. Please keep this in mind and check the blog or your email for any changes.

I want to add a huge thank you to Joel and Renee for the work they did planning the share and tell day. It was a blast, and I hope it can be repeated a few times next school year.

The topics covered at the share and tell were:

diabetes monitoring and treating
chickens
riding a bicycle
sharks
millitary gear
sewing and cooking
drawing and art supplies
painting
one awesome Lone Ranger outfit
a sticker collection

Colonial Sugar on Snow

Colonial Sugar on Snow was an absolutely wonderful experience, very well worth the drive. I would definitely recommend keeping it in mind for next year. The list of learning opportunities was extensive:
-soap making
-dipping candles
-making chocolate
-making brooms
-a foot operated lathe
-carving
-throwing pots on a wheel
-colonial eyeglasses
-making flax into linen
-basket weaving
-butter making and the colonial kitchen
-colonial games
-trying on colonial clothing
-colonial domestic medicine
-fiber dying
-spinning wool
-spoon carving

I'm sure I've forgotten some things. It was a wonderful experience, and my children are still talking about the kids whom they met, and seeing them next year.


cross cut saw contest



throwing a pot



trying on dresses



spending time in "gaol"

Updated Info. for Sugar on Snow This Weekend

Here's a link to the official poster for Colonial Sugar on Snow, which will be held in Finland, not Beaver Bay.

Colonial Sugar on Snow

Colonial Sugar on Snow

Natasha and Renee have informed me of this wonderful opportunity to "explore" colonial history in a hands on way. This sounds like a great living history experience.

Colonial Sugar on Snow

Cost: Free - This event is free to the public, though donations are always welcome.
This event is a hands-on 1700's Colonial Trades weekend. We have 25 demonstrators--everything from blacksmith to colonial kitchen. Everything is hands-on and free to the public. The children make candles, work with colonial dyes, weave, spin, make soap and stir together a colonial pudding, Last year we had a colonial printer, miller with a hand-powered stone mill, wood worker, weaver, constable, town crier, tanner, apothecary and potter plus many more. Hours are Friday, noon to 6 pm and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm We also serve (for a fee) Sugar on Snow...maple syrup warmed to the candy stage, poured over snow where it turns to a taffy, served with a dill pickle, donut and hot apple cider in the New England tradition Hot soup and fresh baked bread and pie are also available.

Hours:
Friday, 2/24: 12PM - 6PM
Saturday, 2/25: 10AM - 4PM


Where: Beaver Bay Community Center

I hope to see some of you there, as we'll definitely be taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Do You Have a Favorite Curriculum?

I'm finally posting! I'm adding a "curricula resources" tab with favorite curricula and stores. If you have a favorite to share with us all, please let me know (comment, email or phone) and I'll add it to the page.

I've been having lots of computer trouble here, so posting anything usually takes too long right now. I'm sorry I really haven't been keeping up on things lately. I'll try (but no guarantees) to do better. :)

Please keep in mind our next field trip!

Microscope Fun

Wow! Am I ever impressed! I never would have thought that I could get a microscope this solidly built and beautifully working for such a price. If anyone you know is interested in getting a microscope for their homeschool (or just because they're really fun), this one is great. I got this here.
I was actually able to put my camera up to the eyepiece of the microscope and take pictures of what we were seeing.



Here we have frog blood cells,



pollen,


and protozoa.

This has been so much fun for my family.

Snowmobile Safety Class

The following is a note from Andrea Lilienthal, Cook County Community Education Assistant

We are offering a Snowmobile Safety class in December. A pdf registration forms is on our web site to print (I've added a link to the site at the bottom of this post) and mail in or drop off. www.cookcountyschools.org/cookcounty/cmed. Here is a class description of it.


Snowmobile Safety Class

The annual Snowmobile Safety Training Course will be offered to students between the ages 11-15. The certificate becomes valid at age 12. The course be offered Monday & Wednesdays, Nov. 28 – Dec. 10. The class will be held in CCMS Room #110. Students who are between the ages of 11-15 are required by law to pass this training course before operating snow­mobiles on public roads and trails. The certificate becomes valid at age 12. The course covers; parts of the machine, maintenance and repair, pre-start checks, emergencies, safety and rules of the road. A registration form and fee of $5 must be paid to the Community Education Office prior to the first class. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, November 23.

Classroom:
• Monday, November 28 3:15 - 5:15 pm
• Wednesday, November 30 3:15 - 5:15 pm
• Monday, December 5 3:15 - 5:15 pm
• Wednesday, December 7 3:15 – 5:15 pm
Field Test:
• Saturday, December 10 10 am at the Old Airport

I also attached a registration form for you if you would like to pass on. If you have questions, please feel free to call.

Thanks so very much!

Andra


Andra Lilienthal, Community Education Assistant
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Cook County Community Education

101 West 5th Street
Grand Marais, MN 55604
(218) 387-2000 x 616
fax: (218) 387-1327
www.cookcountyschools.org/cookcounty/cmed

NOTE
If you're interested in this class, click on Snowmobile Safety Registration Form
on the page found here.
-Patty

Field Trip For Friday, November 18

Hey everyone-
Here's a message from Renee. This sounds like it will be a great time for all!
-Patty

Hi All!

Our field trip to the Care Center and Hospital was great. The kids and parents were led through the Care Center, the Hospital, seeing the inside of an ambulance, and finished up downstairs visiting Physical Therapy. It was fun learning where all the different hallways went to. It was encouraging to see the elderly so well taken care of- there are events everyday for these folks to do and look forward to.

Our Next Field Trip is open to all ages: we will be heading NE to Grand Portage National Monument for some historical education. This place has many things to look at, read and watch. They have a Junior Ranger activity for kids 8-14. You can read more here: http://www.nps.gov/grpo/index.htm

Friday November 18th at 10:30am we will be meeting at the Heritage Center.

Driving Directions for Heritage Center: From Grand Marais: Go North on Hwy 61. Turn Right on road just before Trading Post. Turn Left on Cty Rd 17/Mile Creek Rd (before Casino). Heritage Center will be on Left hand side.

Afterwards we will be heading over to the Community Center Pool to eat lunch (bring your own bag lunch) and do some swimming. There is a cost for the Pool of $20 for a group of 10-20 people. The Community Center will be providing tables for us to eat our lunches and I've heard that the pool is nice and warm!

Driving Directions for GP Community Center: Continue on Mile Creek Road. Turn Left on Upper Road. Community Center (and school) will be on your left.

This will be the last Field Trip for the year 2011. Next year, 2012, is going to be an exciting one. Your ideas are very helpful, so thank you for your suggestions!

Have a great week!

Renee

Hedstrom's Lumber Field Trip

Here are a couple of videos of the mill that Molly took. She has some more that I might add if I get some time. It looks like it was really interesting.

I had written down some of the things the kids learned on the field trip, but I can't find that at the moment (total chaos right now). I'll try to add more to this in future. Enjoy!

Reporting to the School District

Just a reminder, report forms to ISD 166 are due by October 1. Report to the district if you are home educating a child/children aged 7 (on or before October 1) through 15. You can find report forms that allow you to report what is legally required HERE.

These forms completely take the place of those from the Department of Education that you may have received from the school district. Please take advantage of these forms as they have been created by MACHE to report all required information, and nothing else. They are very simple to fill out. It takes only a couple of minutes to do.

If you haven't filed a report before, use the form entitled Initial Report to Superintendent . If you sent in your report to the district last year, please use the form entitled Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling.

It is fine to use forms created by other state groups or organizations as well, such as Home School Legal Defense Association, Minnesota Catholic Home Educators, Minnesota Homeschoolers' Alliance or any others that I don't know about.

If you really want to, and you're aware that you're reporting more information than you have to, you can also use the forms from the Department of Education. This will result in more work on your part as you assess and document progress, as these forms still ask the parent/instructor to file quarterly report cards with the district as well as report the names of assessments you will use to assess your students' progress in areas not covered by standardized tests.

You can find a legal analysis of Minnesota Homeschool Law HERE, if you are interested in reading it.

As always, please feel free to email or call me with any concerns or questions you may have.
I wish you all the very best year of homeschooling!

Educational Opportunities In Our Community

Andra Lilienthal, the Community Education Assistant, recently sent me an e-mail asking if I would post some information about community education events. There are a lot of great opportunities being offered through Community Education this fall. Click here to check it out!

***Please check the Field Trip page for information on the field trip to Ocontoe***
- I will be bringing some of the new report forms and letter of intent forms to hand out at Ocontoe, and will be available to answer any questions about the new law that you may have. If you aren't attending the Ocontoe field trip, but have a question or want a copy of the new forms, please call or email and I'll get you the information that you need.

Minnesota Homeschool Law Changes

The Homeschool Mandate Reduction Bill has passed, and Minnesota now has new, simpler reporting laws. Please see the following link for a summary of those laws.
Summary of Homeschool Law Changes
I will be attending a webinar on these changes to our homeschool laws and what it means for us next week. I will try to post again if/when I have more information. If you have any specific questions you would like answered, please add a comment here or call/email me and I'll try to make sure I get an answer to your questions.

Best wishes to you all as you prepare for the 2011/2012 school year!

Apology

I apologize to whomever may have gone to the campground playground yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon and found that I didn't show up. I completely forgot to go! I will try hard to remember to show up next Tuesday at 12:15. I hope to get the chance to visit with some of you there.

Summer Kid's Camp

Hi all!
I hope you all are having wonderful summers, and feeling refreshed and energized for the school year ahead.
Christine Kunze has informed me of an opportunity for the kids to be involved in some great field trips through this Summer Kid's Camp program. If you're interested, explore this link for more information.

Christine will be attending the next two field trips (which will be the next two Thursdays) as a chaperone. The first will be to Wolf Ridge E.L.C. and the next to Fort William.

If you're interested in having your children participate in the Wolf Ridge trip you will have to register by Monday. You can call Christine at 387-2338 if you have any questions that aren't answered by following the above link.

As an aside, I apologize for not rescheduling our picnic, but hope to do so in the future. Until then, would anyone be interested in having a playground afternoon once a week? I'll plan to be at the campground playground next Tuesday at 12:15 (right after swimming lessons). I'm going to bring a picnic lunch for my kids. Anyone who wants to is welcome to join us. If there's interest, I'll be planning to be there every Tuesday at the same time. We hope to see some of you. :)
Have a GREAT weekend!

A Quote For the Day

"There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." -Jill Churchill

I read that and just loved it. It's true! We as mothers so often are focused on all of our short comings. That's too bad when we could pull some good mothering out of our hat and use it any time. When I read, "...a million ways to be a good one" some wonderful thoughts came to mind instantly. Too bad up to that point I was wasting useless time and emotional energy feeling like such an "imperfect" mother. Please excuse me; I've got some wonderful kids who could use a good mother right now! Happy Fourth of July weekend, everyone!

Homeschool Picnic Cancelled

I regret to say that the homeschool picnic scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled. My youngest has pink eye, and we'd hate to spread that to everyone else. Dan and I are going to put our heads together and choose a new date as soon as we can. We hope it can still work for most of you later in June of early in July. Have a great weekend everyone!

Swimming Lessons

The swimming lessons schedule is now listed on the events page.

I hope everyone's having a great summer so far. If it's like mine, it's probably filled with sand, bugs and butterflies, and...


lots of vases full of wilting love bouquets. :)

Enjoy!

More of a Question than a Post

Has anyone researched swimming lessons yet? Wondering about dates for the summer sessions. If anyone already has the info, could you fill me in? If not, I'll be researching that and getting it up here soon. Thanks!

Homeschool Picnic and "Farm" Day

Homeschool Family Picnic

Friday, June 17
5:00 P.M. (Feel free to come later if you can't make it at 5:00. We'll probably be eating between 6:00 and 6:30.)

Directions:

5081 E. Hwy 61
Hovland

We are on the upper side of the highway just past the Hovland Volunteer Fire Department. We have a red house with a green roof.

We'll be supplying hot dogs (Applegate Farms beef, **gluten free**) and lemonade. Please bring a dish to share. We look forward to sharing your company!

Questions?: E-mail me, leave a comment on the blog, or call 475-2343.