Shelburn Form-Passport to Learning

Passport to Learning is an exciting series of ten interactive workshops for students in grades K-8 that meet educational standards from Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Grade Expectations/Common Core State Standards and introduces students to concepts and themes in art, language arts, math, science, and social studies through a facilitated exploration of Shelburne Museum.



  • Workshops run concurrently from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The last workshop session of the day begins at 1:30 p.m.
  • Workshops begin promptly on the half hour.
  • Each workshop closes for a 30-minute break during the day.
  • Workshops run on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Workshops can accommodate between 10 and 20 students at a time. 
  • You may choose to complete as few or as many workshops as you would like. We recommend that students in grades K-2 attend 2-3 workshops and students in grades 3-8 attend 3-5 workshops in a visit.
  • Every student receives a passport upon arrival. At the completion of a workshop each student receives a stamp in his or her passport.
  • Every student receives a pass to return to the Museum for free with one paid adult.

http://shelburnemuseum.org/learn/schools-and-teachers/passport-to-learning/

  $5 per child, first adult free, $5 all other adults.

REGISTRATION
To register your classroom or your homeschooling family for Passport to Learning, please use our online registration form at http://shelburnemuseum.org/passport-to-learning-registration/.

INFORMATIONPlease contact the Academic Programs Coordinator at (802) 985-3346 x3395 or schoolprograms@shelburnemuseum.org for more information.

\

Plattsburgh State Art Museum

Plattsburgh State Art Museum is holding a special FREE  homeschool day this spring: Monday, May 12th.

The program corresponds with our annual Expand The World program.  Participants will:

         - explore cultures from around the world
         - discover legends from the ancient and modern world,
         - learn with the objects on display.

Our group will be booked for a tour sometime between 9:30 am - 11:15 am, once we RSVP to them with our group details (size, ages, etc).  If there are enough kids who attend, we will break into 2 tours.  One for older kids, and one for younger kids, so the museum can provide activities & information at each group's level.

To attend this event please RSVP to Holly at northcountryhomeschooling@gmail.com by Friday, April 11th, 2014.   Please include the number of students attending, as well as their ages/grades.

Living History Book and Science Unit Studies for Review at CO-OP

The North Country Homeschool Co-op was recently contacted by homeschooling mom & author Susan Kilbride about reviewing one of her living history books and also her science unit study book.   She has donated our community a copy of Our America...A Pilgrim Adventure, the first in her living history book series, as well as a copy of her book Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers.

Both books will be available for families to look over at the next co-op meeting on 3/19/14. Also, an upcoming co-op science class will be taught using her science book!

Additionally, she is offering a discount on any of her books, to celebrate her new history book about the Revolutionary War, which is coming out this month!  Full details on that below.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

The next book in my Our America series is published! The Revolutionary War Adventure continues Finn and Ginny’s search for their lost parents. To celebrate I'm having both a 40% and a 25% off SALE that your readers might be interested in learning about.

 
On March 11th and 12th, the Kindle versions of the last three books in the Our America series will be on sale for 40% off.

 
Links to the Amazon books that will be on sale on March 11th & 12th:

 
The King Philip’s War Adventure
http://www.amazon.com/America-The-King-Philips-Adventure-Volume/dp/1477537228/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339789245&sr=8-2&keywords=the+king+philip%27s+war+adventure


The Salem Adventure
http://www.amazon.com/The-Salem-Adventure-America-Volume/dp/1483989798/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1366217207&sr=8-4&keywords=susan+kilbride


The Revolutionary War Adventure

http://www.amazon.com/The-Revolutionary-Adventure-America-Volume/dp/1494353431/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389054582&sr=8-3&keywords=susan+kilbride


Also, I'm having a 25% off SALE!!!

To celebrate the publication of The Revolutionary War Adventure, on March 11th & 12th all of Sue’s paperback books (including The Hawai'iana Project) will be on sale for 25% off! Just go to the Special Orders page of her website and type in the code: HAVY4KRQ at checkout to receive the discount. Orders will be placed through CreateSpace, a division of Amazon.

Link to the special orders page where all Sue's paperbacks will be on sale March 11th & 12th:

http://funtasticunitstudies.com/special-orders/

Mother's Day Card Art Contest

Dear home schooling families,

Birthright invites you to participate in an art contest to design the Mother's Day Card we offer to our donors and friends.  The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 14th.  

The prize is $50 to the student whose work is chosen and a $25 gratuity to the parent or teacher eliciting the effort.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Birthright invites you to participate in our
2nd Annual Mother’s Day Card Art Contest
We are holding a Mother’s Day art contest to promote the dignity of motherhood and the blessing of children.
We are looking for a painting or drawing of a mother and baby that we can offer as a card for our donors to use in honoring their own mother and for us to use in promoting the work of Birthright.
  1. There should be no words used in the artwork.
  2. The artist’s full name, teacher’s name and name of school should be clearly printed on the back of the submitted artwork.
  3. The artwork can be done in any digitally scannable medium, i.e.: acrylic paint, watercolor paint, colored pencil, markers, crayon, etc. Students should color thoroughly so no pencil sketch marks show.
  4. The submitted artwork should measure 9x12” and may be done on drawing paper, Bristol Board or canvas board.
  5. Entries must be received by March 14th to be eligible. They may be mailed or delivered to:
Birthright
66 Clinton St.
Plattsburgh, NY 12901.
Office hours are Monday through Friday: 10am-2pm.
  1. The artwork chosen will become the property of Birthright to be displayed in our office and used for printing cards. Artwork not used will be available to be reclaimed at the Birthright office.
  2. The artist whose work is chosen will be recognized in our April newsletter. They will also be given a prize of $50. The winner’s teacher will be given a gratuity of $25 for encouraging their students to participate in the contest.
Picture books and art masterpieces can be used as studies in composition. Ideally, we hope to see a picture that shows joy and bonding between mother and baby.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Birthright, the world’s first crisis pregnancy center, was founded in 1971 by Louise Summerhill in Toronto. It is now an international organization with hundreds of centers where women can find respect, emotional support and practical assistance. Birthright services are free, confidential and available to any woman regardless of age, race, religion, marital status or financial situation.
We offer:
  • free pregnancy testing
  • maternity and baby clothes
  • referrals to other agencies as needed for medical and legal help, housing, etc.
  • information on pregnancy and childbirth, parenting skills, adoption, etc.
  • baby food and formula as available

Birthright of Plattsburgh is a chartered chapter of Birthright International. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by private donations and charitable grants. We receive no government funds, nor are we affiliated with any denomination, government agency or political group.
Birthright is not just another voice telling a woman what she should or shouldn’t do. Our volunteers are here to listen to each woman’s assessment of her situation and help her to identify resources among her family and friends, in the community and in herself.
Our office at 66 Clinton Street is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am-4:00pm and by appointment. Birthright also maintains a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-550-4900. If you would like to receive our newsletter, e-mail us at plattsburgh@birthright.org.



Homeschool Day at The WILD Center in Tupper Lake

Thursday, May 8th, 2014
10:00am - 3:30pm


Naturalist Programs Offered:
10:30 am - 11:00 am - Live Animal Encounter - All Ages - Theater

11:30 am - 12:00 pm - Owl Moon - PreK - 4th grade  - Planet Adirondack
Meet a live owl and experience Science on a Sphere in this interactive program that walks students through the popular book Owl Moon.

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm - What In The World?  - 5th grade and up - Planet Adirondack
Stop by and join a naturalist on a fascinating journey around the world and through the far reaches of space.

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Otter Enrichment - All Ages  - Otter Falls
Explore how river otters live at the museum and in the Adirondacks.

A series of films in the Flammer Theater:
Flight of the Butterflies…………………………………….11:00, 2:00Experience the most incredible journey on Earth…and one man’s search to unravel its mystery. (44 minutes)
A Matter of Degrees…………6
th grade and up……….12:00
Travel back to the age of mastodons and ice to see the difference a few degrees can make. (25 minutes)…………………………………..


Ride of the Mergansers………… Pre K-4th gr ………….12:30
Watch merganser chicks make their way into the world. (11 minutes)

Wild Adirondacks……………… All Ages ………………….3:00


All inclusive cost is $6 per student, 1 teacher per family free, other adults $8.  Please bring a bag lunch as the museum cafe will be closed that day.   However, the museum store will be open.

Please RSVP 518-359-7800 x 116 or email sgross@wildcenter.org

Home-school Science Fair

The following announcement is from Sunita of the Saranac Lake Homeschoolers:

The official date of the Homeschool Science Fair is Thursday, May 22 from 2-4 pm in the Cantwell Room (basement) of the Saranac Lake Free Library. This is a non-competitive event. Kids, and even parents, of any age can show off one or more project on any topic, even topics only peripherally related to science. This is all about fun and sharing what we're having fun learning about. If kids don't have an interest in preparing a project, they should still come and visit the displays! Set up 1-2pm, event from 2-4pm.

Please RSVP to Sunita (sunitahalasz@gmail.com) by May 10 (or sooner!!!) with what kind of a presentation you are bringing, and if you have any needs like access to an electrical outlet.

Homeschool Co-op Schedule for March 5, 2014

Please come join us at the Wesleyan Church on Rt 3 in the village of Cadyville.

Set-up for those teaching will begin at 10:30am.  Classes start at 11:00am, and conclude around 3:30p when French classes finish. Feel free to come for the whole time or just for the portion your family wants to participate in. Bring a lunch or participate in the community potluck! Full details, fees & RSVP information available for everything below.

If the weather is fair please bring winter clothing for your kids so they can play outside at the playground next door too!

Community Service Activities for March:

1) We will be collecting items for local animal shelters, and are working on arranging a field trip once the weather is warmer to the Elmore SPCA. A full "wish list" for supplies the shelter needs can be found on the Elmore SPCA website at: http://www.elmorespca.org/wishlist.html . A box will be available at the sign-in table for donations to be dropped off at. 2) Tables will be set up to make St Patrick's Day cards in March for local shut-ins and nursing home residents.

Free Play Room: Gear sets & Magnatiles

11:00a - 12:00p
Preschool --The Rainbow Fish
Circle time reading of The Rainbow Fish. Students will then make their own rainbow fish & participate in a painting project.
Teacher: Shawna BlairFee: $1 per studentRSVP: Shawna Blair, scblair@yahoo.com or Facebook Shawna Blair

Elementary --
Let's Explore the Ocean!
Come explore the ocean, make little shell gardens using grass seed, an ocean sensory box, window oceans, & ocean placemats.  Check out a surprise live ocean creature, and experiment with how the salinity of water affects buoyancy.

Teacher: Kerri Lamarche
Fee: $2 per child
RSVP: Kerri Lamarche, turtle4u234@yahoo.com, or Facebook Kerri Lamarche

Upper Elementary/Middle School --
Kinex Engineering: Build a Kinex Roller CoasterStudents will work as a team to assemble a Kinex roller coaster. Should take approx 60-90 min to assemble. See a short YouTube video of the coaster being built here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0asC9RVkiU

Teacher: TJ & Holly Warren Fee: FREE RSVP: Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com or Facebook Holly Warren

12:00p - 1:00p
Potluck or bag lunch period.  If your family has special dietary needs (vegan, gluten free, etc), please consider bringing a dish to share that you family can also eat!   Everyone, even families who choose to bring their own lunches, are encouraged to join in the community lunch time up in the Fellowship Hall. If you’d like to participate in a potluck lunch please email Holly Warren at hollyjwarren@gmail.com or on Facebook at Holly Warren.  

12:45p - 1:00p
Children’s Chorus --
This class is open to all the children.  The only requirements are they must be able to participate without distracting the other kids!   We will continue practicing a number of songs to be sung at Meadowbrook, and possibly another local nursing home (suggestions, anyone?), sometime in April or May. This class will meet upstairs in the sanctuary.
Fee: $2.00.  This is a one time fee to cover folders & print music for the children to use at practice, home & when we sing in public. If you paid this fee at last week's class please do NOT pay it again! We will take a few moments at the start of chorus to label each student's folder.


1:00p - 2:00p
American Girl Club -- The American Girl we are learning about for this class is Kirsten, a pioneer girl from 1854. For this meeting, we will be upstairs in the fellowship hall, discussing the book, working on the Kirsten lapbooking page, and also in the adjoining kitchen candle dipping. New students & those who have not read the book yet are still welcome to participate. Extra copies of the lapbooking page for our January AG, Josephina, will be available for those students who missed the January class as well.

Teachers: Amanda Bokus & Holly Warren Fee: $5 per child to cover candle dipping supplies RSVP: Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com or Facebook Holly Warren

Boys Book Club -- Come join in a discussion & activities for Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis.
Teacher: Tammy Neureuther

Fee: $1 per student RSVP: Tammy, tamneureuther@yahoo.com, or Facebook Tammy Neureuther

1:00p - 3:30p
Board Games & Afternoon Free play --
Board games for the preschool & elementary age children will be set up in the preschool room downstairs. There will also be building blocks, basic art supplies, and other items to help keep our youngest co-op members entertained throughout the afternoon.
Board games for older kids (ages 9+) will be set up in the board room for the afternoon. Bring your favorite game to share!

2:00p - 3:30p
French classes will continue for the winter/spring semester, taught by Carole Dubois. It is not to late to sign-up, so please email Carole or come to co-op this week if you are interested. There will be two 45 min classes offered classes offered. One from 2:00 - 2:45 for younger kids (ages 5-8), and one from 2:45-3:30 for older kids (ages 9+). All classes will be offered at the beginner level, but two classes will allow Carole to offer more advanced projects for the older kids and keep a good student/teacher ratio.

The rate is $10 per lessons. She is willing to do a multiple child rate of 50% for second child. (If there's more in your family you can discuss with her.)


You can also contact her directly with other questions at her email: Duboiscarole8@aol.com

Local Homeschooler Will Be Performing in Peru HS Musical

Local Homeschooler Reece Bernard will be performing with the  Peru Drama Club's in their upcoming performance


Bye, Bye Birdie   

When: March 6 & 7 at 7:30pm and March 8 at 3pm & 8pm
Where: Peru High School Auditorium
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child
Length: Approximately 2 1/2 hours

Lake Placid Center for the Arts: SCHOOL OF BALLET & DANCE RECITAL

LAKE PLACID SCHOOL OF BALLET & DANCE RECITAL

Mon, June 2  | 9:30 AM | $2  | All Ages

The Lake Placid School of Ballet presents their annual spring concert highlighting some of the best in local talent.

WEIBRECHT FOR SCHOOLS ONLY SERIES  
The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is pleased to announce our Winter/Spring 2014 Weibrecht For Schools Only Series. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and seating is limited. Call Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Reservations are required and seats are $2.00 per person.

School Reservations Are Currently Being Accepted for All Programs. Call 518.523.25132 to Book Today!

   

Lake Placid Center for the Arts: FIREBIRD!

Thurs, May 29  | 10 AM | $2  | Rec Grades 2 to 12
Inspired by the Russian folktale and popular ballet of The Firebird, watch as even the impossible is possible. When the mythical firebird comes to life, Ivan and Princess Yelena team up to break the enchantment placed over their kingdom. This 50 minute magical puppet fantasy features beautifully handcrafted marionettes, lavish costumes, vivid sets, and a large body puppet; masterly accompanied by Stravinsky's musical score from the ballet of The Firebird.

WEIBRECHT FOR SCHOOLS ONLY SERIES  
The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is pleased to announce our Winter/Spring 2014 Weibrecht For Schools Only Series. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and seating is limited. Call Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Reservations are required and seats are $2.00 per person.

  School Reservations Are Currently Being Accepted for All Programs. Call 518.523.25132 to Book Today!

Lake Placid Center for the Arts: The Little Prince

Wed, May 21  10 AM
 $2
All Ages

The Little Prince is the story of a young boy's visit to the planet Earth. He comes upon a stranded aviator and befriends him by telling stories of his escapades on other planets, ultimately bringing out the child in him. Adapted by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's novella, The Little Prince is the most read and most translated French book.

WEIBRECHT FOR SCHOOLS ONLY SERIES  
The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is pleased to announce our Winter/Spring 2014 Weibrecht For Schools Only Series. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and seating is limited. Call Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Reservations are required and seats are $2.00 per person.
School Reservations Are Currently Being Accepted for All Programs. Call 518.523.25132 to Book Today!

Lake Placid Center for the Arts: ELISA MONTE DANCE

Thurs, Mar 29  
9 AM or 11 AM $2  
All Ages

Bridging cultural barriers through the universal language of dance, the troupe is widely recognized for its highly athletic style as well as its technical and physical acuity. The company celebrates diversity through its work, artists and staff. Its dancers hail from all corners of the globe, including the Bahamas, US, Cuba, Guadalupe & South Africa.


WEIBRECHT FOR SCHOOLS ONLY SERIES  
The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is pleased to announce our Winter/Spring 2014 Weibrecht For Schools Only Series. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and seating is limited. Call Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Reservations are required and seats are $2.00 per person.

School Reservations Are Currently Being Accepted for All Programs. Call 518.523.25132 to Book Today!

Lake Placid Center for the Arts: DINO-LIGHT

Tues, Feb 25  9:30 AM $2 Rec Grades 3 to 12
Lightwire Theater presents DiNO-Light as created by Corbian Visual Arts and Dance where electroluminescent creatures light up the darkness in a heart-rending original tale. Truly unique and visually dazzling, DiNO (formally known as Darwin) has been praised for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance entrancing and captivating audiences all over the world.


WEIBRECHT FOR SCHOOLS ONLY SERIES  
The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is pleased to announce our Winter/Spring 2014 Weibrecht For Schools Only Series. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and seating is limited. Call Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Reservations are required and seats are $2.00 per person.

School Reservations Are Currently Being Accepted for All Programs. Call 518.523.25132 to Book Today!


Homeschool Swim

Event: Homeschool Swim Date:  TUESDAY, 2/25/14
Time: 12:30 - 2:30
Place:  Comfort Inn kiddie pool & water slides.  Changing rooms & lockers are available on site.   Cost: $3 per child swimming.  Non swimming siblings & parents (swimming or non swimming) are free.  Please pay at the front desk in the lobby as you enter the building.

There was sufficient interest to add a 2nd day of homeschool swim during the 4th week of each month! This upcoming week swim will be on Tuesday, hopefully this will allow families who could not make the Thursday swim on the 2nd week of the month a chance to participate.    Please contact Lisa Bergmann at  Ljddragon@juno.com  with any questions.

BIOLOGY DISSECTION CLASS AT CO-OP -- GRADE 5+

BIOLOGY DISSECTION CLASS AT CO-OP -- GRADE 5+ -- 3/19, 4/16, 4/30 & 5/7

Co-op will be offering a biology dissection lab for students in grade 5 & up. Students will have the chance to dissect 4 specimens (1 per class period) -- earthworm, frog, crayfish, yellow perch. Classes will focus on students learning about the various body systems through the dissection & observation process. This class is not intended to be a full biology course, and families are encouraged to provide additional, in depth, instruction at home on each specimen to be dissected.

Class size will be limited to 8 students. Classes will be meeting during the 11a-12p class period so, if needed, they can run over into the afternoon a bit. Up to 2 students may share a specimen kit, taking turns working on the specimens (this is to help reduce the class cost for families with multiple older students).

Fee: $50 to purchase the dissection kit. These are the kits we will be purchasing: http://www.sonlight.com/250-30.html . Because I (Holly) receive a 10% discount & free shipping from Sonlight the kits will only be $50. Money needs to be into Holly by March 5th, so kits have time to arrive prior to the 3/19 class. Payments can be made through Paypal to janerose13@gmail.com or email hollyjwarren@gmail.com to make other arrangements for payment.

Teachers: Ken Boire, (pharmacist); TJ Warren (MS Natural Sciences); Amanda Bokus (BS Biology) will all be working together to teach this course.

RSVP: If you are interested in having your student participate in this class please email Holly at hollyjwarren@gmail.com, or on Facebook at Holly Warren

Co-op For 19 Feb

Set-up for those teaching will begin at 10:30am.  Classes start at 11:00am, and conclude around 3:30p when French classes finish. Feel free to come for the whole time or just for the portion your family wants to participate in. Bring a lunch or participate in the community potluck! Full details, fees & RSVP information available for everything below.

If the weather is fair please bring winter clothing for your kids so they can play outside at the playground next door too!

Community Service Activities for February & March:

1) We will be collecting items for local animal shelters, and are working on arranging a field trip once the weather is warmer to the Elmore SPCA.  A full "wish list" for supplies the shelter needs can be found on the Elmore SPCA website at:  http://www.elmorespca.org/wishlist.html .  A box will be available at the sign-in table for donations to be dropped off at.  Please note that at this time the SPCA does NOT need donations of blankets or pet bedding.

2) Tables will be set up to make Valentine's cards in February & St Patrick's Day cards in March for local shut-ins and nursing home residents.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Free Play Room:  Waterbead play
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


All day long…...

Valentine's Day Crafts & (optional) Card Exchange
**  The Valentine’s Day Crafts will be set-up in the basement classrooms throughout the whole day for students to work on as time allows. **

Activities will include making Butterfly Pencil Valentines, Painted Heart Doily Buntings, Beaded Valentine's Mobiles, T-Shirt Necklaces, & Tissue Paper Heart Suncatchers, making Valentine's cards for local nursing home residents.

Samples of these projects (and the snow projects from this last week) can be seen on the co-op's Pinterest board at: http://www.pinterest.com/bradleypond/homeschooling-co-op-ideas/

Students who choose will also be able to exchange Valentine's with their friends.  There will be a separate table set up for the card exchange. Students will be able to decorate a paper bag & label it with their name during class. At the end of class, students participating in the Valentine exchange will have the chance to put their Valentine's in each other's bags.  Valentine's cards do NOT have to be handmade!  Store bought ones are just fine.  $1 Store near Price Chopper had a good selection.  Students should come with about 25 Valentine's to share (based off our average attendance).  We recommend that most of them just be signed by the student, but not addressed to anyone in particular.  This makes handing them out much easier!

Teacher: Holly Warren
Fee: $2 per child, or a maximum of $5 per family.
RSVP: Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com or Facebook Holly Warren

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
11:00a - 12:00p


Preschool Class --
A Day With Dr Suess

We will read a favorite Dr. Suess book and do a craft relating to the author's books.
I will have a matching game and sensory tub with ABC's.
For anyone that has any Dr Suess Books, please bring them, particularly "The Fox In Sock" and "The Foot Book".

Fee: $1 per child
RSVP: Lynn Bushey, busheylm@gmail.com or Lynn Bushey on Facebook


Elementary --
Folktale Storyteller
This class will primarily be for elementary age kids (4’ish - 10’ish).   Older & younger kids are welcome to participate though!
            A retired elementary teacher and librarian, Mary Jo TenEyck grew up listening to personal and family stories from her father.  That experience, combined with an early love of reading folk and fairy tales led to her passion for storytelling.  She was fortunate to study under several master storytellers in the early nineteen eighties, and has enjoyed sharing stories both professionally and personally in her teaching career, and also in libraries and for community groups.

           Mary Jo plans to share three folktales with the Plattsburgh Home-school Community and to involve her listeners in a few related activities if time allows.  The stories come from Japan, the American Appalachian Mountain region, and Russia.  Folktales typically feature repetition, opposites, strong characters and plot, and usually point towards a message or value that a culture holds.  Often, the hero or heroine sets out to put right something that is out of balance either in the individual life or in the community.   Similar themes and types are found all over the world.  With universal themes, they are particularly fun to tell, and serve as wonderful models for story creation.
(Many thanks to Lizzie Girard for helping set this up!  Mary Jo is Lizzie’s mom & we are super excited to welcome her to co-op this week.)
Teacher: Mary Jo TenEyck
Fee: FREE
RSVP:  Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com or Holly Warren on Facebook

Upper Elementary/Middle School --
Board games for older kids (ages 9+) will be set up in the board room for the morning session.   Bring your favorite game to share!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

12:00p - 1:00p

Potluck or bag lunch period.  If your family has special dietary needs (vegan, gluten free, etc), please consider bringing a dish to share that you family can also eat!   Everyone, even families who choose to bring their own lunches, are encouraged to join in the community lunch time up in the Fellowship Hall.

If you’d like to participate in a potluck lunch please email Cathy Morin at woodchop2011@hotmail.com or on Facebook at Cathy Morin.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

12:45p - 1:00p

Children’s Chorus --

This class is open to all the children.  The only requirements are they must be able to participate without distracting the other kids!   We will continue practicing a number of songs to be sung at Meadowbrook, and possibly another local nursing home (suggestions, anyone?), sometime in April or May. This class will meet upstairs in the sanctuary.

Fee: $2.00.  This is a one time fee to cover folders & print music for the children to use at practice, home & when we sing in public.  If you paid this fee at last week's class please do NOT pay it again!  We will take a few moments at the start of chorus to label each student's folder.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

1:00p - 2:30p

Upper Elementary/Middle School --

Ground Water & Drinking Water Quality

Chris Lafountain, Lab Director at Endyne in Plattsburgh, will be giving a presentation to the upper elementary & older kids on drinking water quality.  She will have a Power Point presentation to illustrate a number of different tests that Endyne does on local drinking water, and why each one is important.  She will also have hands-on displays that show what different water problems look like, as well as how their most common test -- Total coliform/e.coli. -- works.
Teacher: Chris Lafountain
Fee: FREE
RSVP: Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com or Holly Warren on Facebook


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

1:00p - 3:30p
Board Games --

Board games for the preschool & elementary age children will be set up in the preschool room downstairs. There will also be building blocks, basic art supplies, and other items to help keep our youngest co-op members entertained throughout the afternoon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

2:00p - 3:30p
French classes will continue for the winter/spring semester, taught by Carole Dubois. It is not to late to sign-up, so please email Carole or come to co-op this week if you are interested. There will be two 45 min classes offered classes offered. One from 2:00 - 2:45 for younger kids (ages 5-8), and one from 2:45-3:30 for older kids (ages 9+). All classes will be offered at the beginner level, but  two classes will allow Carole to offer more advanced projects for the older kids and keep a good student/teacher ratio.


The rate is $10 per lessons. She is willing to do a multiple child rate of 50% for second child. (If there's more in your family you can discuss with her.)


You can also contact her directly with other questions at her email: Duboiscarole8@aol.com

Homeschool Swim-2nd Thursday of the Month

Event: Homeschool Swim
Date:  THURSDAY, 2/13/14
Time: 12:30 - 2:30
Place:  Comfort Inn kiddie pool & water slides.  Changing rooms & lockers are available on site.
Cost: $3 per child swimming.  Non swimming siblings & parents (swimming or non swimming) are free.

Due to lifeguard availability, this session homeschool swim will be on the 2nd THURSDAY of each month.  If you would be interested in attending another monthly swim date on the 4th TUESDAY of each month, please contact Lisa Bergmann at  Ljddragon@juno.com 

NATIONAL MATH COMPETITION

Are you 14 or under? Do You like Math? Do you like games? Do you like to compete?

A national Under 14 math competition will be held in Orlando, Florida on Friday, March 28th, 2014. The winner will receive $10,000. This competition is called National Number Knockout (N2K) because we want to knock out innumeracy by improving calculating speed and accuracy. At the moment, N2K is accepting scouting videos of students playing the game. Videos are due by  February 20, 2014. After we review the videos, we will choose the 32 best and brightest students to compete for the grand prize.

All expenses to Orlando will be paid—covered for the 32 finalists and one parent each!

Learn about the contest!
1) How to play the game: http://nationalnumberknockout.com/how-to-play/
2) About the N2K: http://nationalnumberknockout.com/

Register for FREE, receive the PDF rulebook, and upload the scouting video of your student. 
Register: http://nationalnumberknockout.com/registration/
Video upload: http://nationalnumberknockout.com/video-upload/

Thank you,

Leigh Bortins
Co-Founder, National Number Knockout
Founder, Classical Conversations

Battle Of Plattsburgh Bicentennial Essay Contest

The Battle of Plattsburgh Association and Adirondack Bank, in cooperation with the North Country Teacher Resource Center, are sponsoring an essay contest to explore local history and this critical battle of the War of 1812. The contest is open to students in grades 4-12. Prizes will be awarded in each of three grade levels: 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each grade level will be awarded three prizes as follows:

1st prize - $200 2nd prize - $100 3rd prize - $50

How to enter:

All entries must be submitted to the Battle of Plattsburgh Association between March 3, 2014 and May 16, 2014. They can be dropped off or mailed to:

Battle of Plattsburgh Association or NCTRC
31 Washington Rd Room 320 Sibley Hall
Plattsburgh NY 12903 101 Broad St
Plattsburgh NY 12901

Please retain a copy for yourself, entries will not be returned. The following guidelines should be used for your entry:

  • Do not put your name, grade, or school on the essay. Identifying information should only be on the submission form. This allows for impartial judging.
  • Submissions should be easily read. It is strongly recommended that you type your entry using a 12-point font, single spaced. Hand written entries are accepted.
  • Adhere to the contest directions. Entries not following the directions will not be
considered for prizes.


Winners will be notified by June 7, 2014 and the awards reception is scheduled for June 14, 2014. The scoring scale used by the judges is based on the New York State Standards and will reflect the scoring rubrics used for Social Studies and ELA assessments.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For grades 4-8: Using the genre of an essay or a journal entry, assume the role of someone living during the War or 1812.

Historical Context:

In September of 1814, the largest invasion in our nation’s history took place. It started when Sir George Prevost crossed the Canadian border into the town of Champlain, NY, with several thousand British troops and would end when the United States forces won the Battle of Plattsburgh on September 11, 1814.

Task:

Discuss how a young person living at the time might have reacted to the events of the day. You can also assume the role of a young person living in the Champlain Valley or with the British invasion force and write as though you yourself were living through it. Your essay needs to show evidence of some historical research. Some suggested topics and ideas:

  • Drummer boy in the American militia
  • Member of Aiken’s volunteers
  • Daughter or son of a family living in Plattsburgh or a surrounding village
  • Powder monkey for the British Navy
  • Wife, mother, or daughter marching with the army
  • Farmer living along the routes taken by the British and American forces

Guidelines:
  • Incorporate historically accurate information
  • Support your theme with relevant facts and examples

  • Use a logical and clear progression of events
  • Introduce your theme creatively, do more than just restate the topic
  • Incorporate appropriate language
  • Be attentive to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar usage.
  • Conclude your essay or journal entry with a summation of your theme

Essays should not exceed 2 pages of 12-point font, single space, or 3 pages handwritten.
Questions should be directed to:
Mal Cutaiar at (518) 570-7877 or malanne.cutaiar@verizon.net
David Deno at (518) 566 - 1814 or manager@battleofplattsburgh.org

++++++++++++++++++++++++
For grades 9-12: Write a research-based essay or a series of journal entries describing events surrounding or assuming the role of someone living during the War of 1812.

Historical Context:

In September of 1814, after over 2 years of war, the largest invasion in our nation’s history took place. It started when Sir George Prevost crossed the Canadian border into the town of Champlain, NY, with several thousand British troops and would end when the United States forces won the Battle of Plattsburgh on September 11, 1814.

Task:

Discuss how a young person living in the Champlain Valley or with the British invasion force at the time might have reacted to the events of the day. You can also assume the role of a young person living at that time and write as though you yourself were living through it. Some suggested topics and ideas:

  • African Americans in the Champlain valley during the War of 1812
  • The life of an officer from either side and the events they took part in
  • Living conditions at Pike’s Cantonment
  • Murray’s Raid
  • A soldier’s life or camp life
  • What Plattsburgh and the surrounding area was like in 1812
  • The history of a ship involved in the battle in Cumberland Bay
  • Women’s roles at this time in history and how they might have affected events

Guidelines:

  • Incorporate historically accurate information and cite the sources
  • Support your thesis with relevant facts and examples
  • Use a logical and clear progression of events
  • Introduce your thesis creatively, do more than just restate the topic
  • Incorporate appropriate language
  • Be attentive to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar usage.
  • Conclude your essay or journal entry with a summation of your theme


Essays should not exceed 3-5 pages of 12-point font, double-spaced using accepted documentation styles with a minimum of 3-5 sources for research papers.

Questions should be directed to:
Mal Cutaiar at (518) 570-7877 or malanne.cutaiar@verizon.net
David Deno at (518) 566 - 1814 or mamager@battleofplattsburgh.org

Winter Beach Blast at the Imaginarium

Blast away your winter blues with our
Winter Beach Blast!
Join us on Saturday, January 25
from 
12pm to 3pm. 

We'll build sandcastles, play luau limbo and create seashell monsters! 
Admission:
$6 per person, non-members
$4 per person, members 
No pre-sale tickets. Admission paid upon entry.
Click HERE to view our Facebook event.
Support our official event sponsor:
Days Inn Plattsburgh
Click on the photo to view their website.
Win a free nights stay at Days Inn by purchasing a raffle ticket!
Winner to be drawn at the Winter Beach Blast!
Winner need not be present to win.