Physical Education Opportunities

Health and weight-loss resolutions are always popular, but let's not forget the kids! One subject homeschoolers sometimes overlook is that of Physical Education and Health.

Here's an opportunity for them:

Nicole McLaughlin is a personal trainer with Body Weight Health and Fitness in Tallahassee. She offers PE classes designed especially for homeschoolers. These can be arranged for a single family or even an entire co-op!

The website says, 'This 12 week Physical Education Series is designed especially for homeschooling families. We will meet one day a week for 1 hour. Each session is divided into 45 minutes of physical activity (exercise) and 15 minutes of course work in exercise science and health. This course is designed to work on balance, flexibility, agility and overall fitness. Children learn how to make healthy choices and develop habits that will serve them for many years to come. Ages 5-13.'

For those of you in Thomasville, Next Level fitness is run by the Copelands, a homeschooling family. In the past, they have offered fitness camps and tennis classes. 

Next Level Facebook Page

COGI website

Thomasville Crossfit has also been very supportive of the homeschooling community. Mr. Sellers was instrumental in helping us carry out Freedom's Heroes day. 

And don't forget the Y! Fit Kids is another really fun opportunity. 

Opportunities abound! Let's get moving!

Team Lean: Mind Games

The new year has been rung in, so it is now time to get ready for Team Lean.

I am more than a number; I am more than my weight. I want to be healthy, to nourish my body, and take care of it. But I am a goal-oriented person, and if I am going to do this, I need to set my weight-loss goal.

I am 5' 5", so the top end of my healthy BMI is 150 pounds (CALCULATE YOURS HERE). Anything more and I'm overweight (and I'm at 163 now). At a minimum, I need to lose the 13 pounds necessary to be at a healthy weight.

I feel most comfortable with myself when I'm in the 130s. 130 lbs is exactly halfway in the green healthy band of BMIs, but I've found 130 nearly impossible to maintain. 138 is much easier for me—a nice size 12. So, that's my goal: 25 pounds of weight loss.

What's also important is that I KNOW I can do this. And that's critical because weight loss is just as much a mind game as it is physical discipline.

I gained weight with every child I had. My fourth pregnancy and birth were the toughest by far. After I had my fourth child, I lost 40 pounds. As such, my fifth pregnancy was much easier. But after my sixth pregnancy—twins—I was very obese, weighing in at 245 pounds the day I left the hospital.

So I worked. HARD. I ate less and exercised more (that's the only way to do it, by the way, excepting radical measures). And I lost 100 pounds, plus 8 more. It was a big deal to me. I got to wear the clothes I wanted to and didn't have to shop in the plus-sized section any more.

But bad habits are hard to shake, and that scale has crept up again. Phooey.

Just knowing I am capable of this, that I've done it before, is very helpful as I attempt to lose weight again. If you are embarking upon a weight-loss journey, try to think of some difficulty you have overcome: a college degree? pregnancy/birth? There is something in your life you have succeeded at. Draw from that and apply it to this.

I'm a visual person. I want to be able to see what I've done, and that's hard when I'm dealing with weight loss. It's hard to get an accurate perception of yourself.

Here's my system: I take two mason jars and place a marble for each pound I need to lose in one jar, leaving the other empty. As I lose weight, I move marbles into the empty jar. When they are all moved over, I have reached my goal. Simple, visual, and effective.

What mental tools do you use when you try to lose weight?

CQ...CQ...Amateur Radio Classes

CQ...CQ...CQ...This is KI4BIU.

Amateur Radio is a great hobby for children. They learn about electronics, broadcast theory, all the while meeting new people over the airwaves! They can even bounce signals off the moon, around the world, or to astronauts in space. Amateur radio operators also prepare to serve the community's communications needs in the event of a disaster.

In order to operate on amateur radio frequencies, one must have a license. There is no age limit for the license; all you have to do is pass a test.

The Thomasville Amateur Radio Club will be offering classes in February to help people learn more about

radio and prepare for their exam or upgrade.

There are several children in this club—they even have their own kids' radio meeting. I think the youngest member is 7. My eldest son passed the test when he was 12 (making three ham radio operators in the family so far).

AMATEUR RADIO CLASSES
OFFERED BY: Thomasville Amateur Radio Club
DATES: February 15 and 22
TIME: 9-4, both days
Test sessions begin at 4, both days
PRICE: Classes are FREE. Book is $15. Testing is $14. Valid IDs required.

For more information, contact Mike Brown, KE4FGF at ke4fgf@arrl.net or at 229-226-5060

Here's another help: practice tests are available online HERE, courtesy of QRZ.

73s!

YouTube Connections: National Baking Soda Day

This post contains affiliate links. 

Yesterday (December 30) was National Baking Soda Day, so we celebrated by playing with baking soda and vinegar reactions. Here's a look at what we did:

'This is Homeschooling' Challenge

 I work with ESL students in foreign countries. Most of them have never heard of homeschooling. I usually explain it as doing schoolwork at home, but that explanation always seems to fall short.

Even here in America people will ask, 'But what do you DO?' This is usually followed by, 'But what about socialization?'

People just don't get what homeschooling is. 

Let's show them!

Send me your best pictures of what homeschooling means to you, let me know they are for the 'This is Homeschooling' Challenge, and I'll post them onto the Homeschool Connection Flikr Page. The pictures will also show up on the sidebar on the right of this page.

Privacy: Please take into consideration that this is a public Flickr board. 

More Information on CHART Archery

Homeschool Connections reported earlier that the Christian Homeschoolers of Regional Thomasville (CHART) has recently been approved to participate in the National Archery in Schools Program. As of October 2013, they are the only homeschool group to do so.

'We feel blessed indeed to have cleared this hurdle,' says Linda Simms, CHART treasurer and archery instructor. 'We hope that other Georgia homeschool organizations will soon join us in meeting the program's requirements and offering NASP archery to their members.

This program is open to middle and high school students enrolled in Event Day/Skill Builders through CHART (CHART membership is required). Students learn about international-style target archery, focusing on range safety, proper technique, handling and care of equipment, concentration, and self-discipline.

CHART provides the bows, arrow, and targets for the class with a grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. CHART's instructors, Brook Conger, Pat Johnson, Jennie Lewis, Mary Jane McNeill, Linda Simms, Nicole Stanley, and Jenifer Womble, are all NASP certified. They attended a NASP Basic Archery Instruction course, and in December, several of them will pursue advanced training in order to further the program.

There are currently 30 students enrolled in the program, with many more showing interest. Both Georgia DNR and NASP have been very supportive of CHART.

For more information, contact CHART

Dino Diorama and Fossil Cookies

This post contains affiliate links. 

There's just something about studying dinosaurs that inspires the imagination. Huge, lumbering beasts. Enough teeth to crunch a car. And then *boom!* they're gone! We spent some time studying these guys back in Cycle 1 and made a few crafts for the little kids to go along with our schoolwork.

One of the items we made was a diorama. This was pretty simple. A box on its side was covered in paper to show a generic habitat and then the kids put their little plastic dinosaurs inside. Nothing fancy (and nothing very accurate), but it was fun.

Everyone loved the next activity: fossil cookies! I made a gluten-free shortbread base, rolled it into balls, and flattened them. Then we pressed those little plastic dinosaurs into the dough. When I pulled the cookies from the oven, we had cookies with fossil impressions. 

The kids then sat at the table and used pastry brushes to brush cocoa onto the their cookies. Okay, so this part was backwards. Usually
paleontologists brush dirt *off* fossils, but we were brushing the cocoa *on*. However, they understood the concept here of using brushes to be careful with fossils, so I think it all worked out. 

GLUTEN-FREE SHORTBREAD

1 stick of butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

3 cups of brown rice flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and stir. Add flour, salt, and baking soda.

Bake at 350° for 12 minutes

Favorite Card Games

This post contains affiliate links. 

(December 28) Today is National Card Playing Day! I taught my kids how to play rummy. After one round of playing with everyone's cards on the table, they picked up the idea and ran with it.

I have very fond memories of playing cards with my sister and friends while growing up. Games just seem to bring everyone together (even if it gets intense!).

Here are some of our favorite games:

Star Wars Snowflakes

December 27 was National Cut Out Paper Snowflakes Day, so we have decorated our enchanted ceiling, windows, and a garland with snowflakes!

We made Star Wars snowflakes from the patterns found HERE.

THIS SITE has more designs and shows how to fold the paper base.

My children needed help with the folding, and some only cut out the basic outlines, but all had fun. A few even created their own characters!

Homeschooling at My House: Pine Tar Patch

What does homeschooling look like at our house?  It's different everyday.  At a time when most children have already hurriedly eaten their breakfast and shuffled out the door we may be cuddled on the top bunk reading our latest adventure (loving Lloyd Alexander at the moment).  Or perhaps we're watching a few videos on anything from the Mongols to an explanation (and Slow Mo Guys video) of how popcorn pops, while we leisurely eat our breakfast.  Afterwards we have our daily math, reading, writing, etc. but we enjoy our freedom to roll with our interests and learn about something from an angle that's meaningful to my son and not worrying about teaching to a test or having a bell cut our time short when we've just gotten interested.

You learn something new everyday.  My grandmother always used to say that.  My hope for my son is that he grows up to see learning as something inextricably intertwined with life, not something to be compartmentalized and hidden away.  So, that is why you'll find us 'doing school' on the kitchen counter, living room floor, bottom or top bunk, the woods out back and even on the back porch.

~Holly Daughtry

Life Hack: Marker Box

Where has this been all my life?

I used to LOVE it when my kids did markers, and by LOVE I mean I'd rather listen to What Does the Fox Say? for the three millionth time... *twitch*

They would lose the marker tops.

Or the markers.

Or miss the paper and draw on the table

('Mommy, I didn't notice!'
'You can see that your sister has 46 molecules more cake than you,
but you didn't notice drawing on the table?').

Or miss the paper and draw on themselves

('Are you ready to go daddy's office?'
'Yes, Mommy! I'm an Amazonian Warrior Princess! See my tattoos?').


Yes. Markers.

Then I saw this:

A MARKER BOX!

Big Box + Kid + Markers =
Contained Mess + Cool Drawing Surface + No Lost Markers

Sweeeeeeeet.

Ok, so I will still end up with an Amazonian Warrior Princess, but at least the marker tops are safe.

Museum of Fla. History Annual Children's Day

Museum of Florida History

Date(s): 1/25/2014
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Museum of Florida History, 500 South Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32301

The 31st Annual Children’s Day at the Museum of Florida History

Join the fun of Children’s Day at the Museum of Florida History on January 25 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. This popular family event offers a plethora of performers, exhibitors, and history. Visitors can enjoy exciting performances by the African Caribbean Dance Theatre, Young Actors Theatre, Trousdell Gymnastics, and many others. Activities such as face painting, balloon animals, hands-on history, and free bicycle helmets presented by the Pilot Club, ensure a fun-filled day for people of all ages.

Parking and admission are free. Some activities require tickets that can be purchased at the event or in advance at the Museum gift shop. Lunch is available for purchase from The Egg Express Café in the Museum lobby. For more information call 850.245.6400 or go to museumoffloridahistory.com.


Museum of Florida History
850 245 6400
gary.pettit@dos.myflorida.com

Blacksmithing, Basket Making, and Hog Butchering Class

BLACKSMITHING CLASS
Date(s): 1/18/2014
8 a.m
Panhandle Pioneer Settlement 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd Blountstown, FL 32424
The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement will be having a Blacksmithing Class. On Saturday, January 18, 2014, starting at 8 a.m. CST. If you enjoy hands on experience, this is the place to be. Come join us in the art of shaping heated iron and steel (forging) with hand tools such as hammers, tongs and chisels on an anvil. All will enjoy this experience at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement at 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd, Blountstown, Florida 32424.
This will be an all day event so pack your lunch. Required items: Gloves and Safety Glasses.
There are limited slots available so call or email now to reserve your slot. The cost of this class is a $45.00. A $25 deposit fee is required for your reservation which goes toward the cost of the class. For more information, call 674-2777; Or email: ppsmuseum@yahoo.com
Diane Watson
(850) 674-2777
ppsmuseum@yahoo.com




Basket Making Class
Date(s): 1/25/2014
9:00 am
Panhandle Pioneer Settlement 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd Blountstown, FL 32424
On Saturday, January 25, 2014 starting at 9:00 am CDT at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement's Clubhouse you can discover the joy of basket weaving an heirloom Gathering Basket. This sturdy basket is woven on a 1” square hoop and is perfect for taking to the farmer’s market, gathering vegetables or flowers from your garden. Instruction will include basic basket weaving techniques and would be appropriate for both beginner and intermediate weavers. Weave the basket then use your creativity with natural materials to embellish and make it your very own!
All basketry materials will be supplied. Attendees should bring heavy shears and an old bath towel.
Diane Watson
(850) 674-2777
ppsmuseum@yahoo.com




Hog Butchering Class
Date(s): 1/16/2014
8:00 am CDT
Panhandle Pioneer Settlement 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd Blountstown, FL 32424
On Thursday, January 16, 2014 starting at 8:00 am CDT the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement will hold a Hog Butchering Class. The class will teach killing, butchering, and preservation techniques. This is a hands-on class and will give you the knowledge and experience necessary for dressing your own hogs. This class has limited spots available so don't hesitate to sign up. The class is $25.00 per person with a mandatory $10.00 deposit. Please call Diane Watson at (850) 674-2777 or send an email at ppsmuseum@yahoo.com.
Diane Watson
(850) 674-2777
ppsmuseum@yahoo.com

Florida Capitol Explorer Saturday

Explorer Saturdays at the Historic Capitol

10:00AM - 4:00PM

Florida Historic Capitol Museum

Visit the Historic Capitol on any Saturday through the end of December 2013 and participate in a series of special family-friendly activities designed to help you explore the Museum! Explorer Saturday programs include special scavenger hunts, take-home coloring pages, and visits to our treasure chest at the end of every scavenger hunt! All activities are free and open to the public.

Free Admission to U.S. National Wildlife Refuges

Ooo! Free admission to U.S. National Wildlife Refuges on some holidays next year!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President's Day Weekend
National Public Lands Day (October 12)
Veteran's Day




US National Wildlife Refuges in Georgia

US National Wildlife Refuges in Florida