2011 Graduation Pictures

Everest Academy

2011 Graduating Class Pictures

Pictures on Facebook

Please add your pictures to the Everest Academy Shutterfly Album here.

Cyberkidz: Games for Math, Literacy, Geography, Creativity and Science

What it is: Cyberkidz is a great new website packed full of great learning practice games for kids age 4 to 11.  The games reinforce skills in a variety of disciplines including math, literacy, geography, creativity and science. Math- amounts, pattern, scale, number recognition, counting, scale, sums to 10, sums to 20, weights, multiplication, telling time, money, measurement, calendar, volume, percentage, distance, division, mathmix, area Literacy- letter recognition, alphabetical order, hangman, crosswords, typing, singular and plural words, sayings and quotes, learning Spanish, learning Dutch Geography- America, state capitals, countries of the world, Asia, Africa, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, South Africa, Ireland, flags Creative- painting, music, coloring, maze Science- food for animals, skeletal system, body parts, animals, solar system, mammals, the eye The games in each category are great for practice and skill building. Website review found on www.ilearntechnology.com .

FREE Teacher's Guide for "Front of the Class"

Celebrate Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month May 15th-June 15th! "Front of the Class" is the made for TV movie about the life of Brad Cohen and how he overcame the challenges of living with Tourette syndrome. The movie highlights the same character education traits studied in the schools. It is our hope that "Front of the Class" will inspire those with Tourette's and create awareness and educate teachers and students in the community. A Teacher's Guide to go along with the movie is also available by clicking on this link:  ** You can download the Teacher's Guide for Front of the Class free here.

Spotlight: Bailey Warren

Check out this newspaper article about Bailey Warren, Everest Academy student. 

Trek Birmingham

I wanted to share with homeschoolers in the Birmingham region an exciting new website called Trek Birmingham (www.trekbirmingham.com). This website is perfect for planning an outdoor learning-adventure with your children. The site features six key destinations in the B’ham area for environmental education. Each site offers authoritative information on ecology, geology, biodiversity and watersheds in a style that is easy to read and a format that is fun to use.

Trek Birmingham suggests following “treks” that link the destinations with a common theme. There are three: the Iron Age, Nature Center, and Urban Wilderness Treks. For instance, on the Iron Age trek you might visit Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark to learn how pig iron was produced, then visit Ruffner Mountain Nature Center to see the mining ruins and the mountain from which the iron ore was extracted.

The program is sponsored by Birmingham-Southern College’s Urban Environmental Studies program. We will be adding more sites soon. Our goal is to help Birmingham’s residents and visitors appreciate and understand the wealth of natural resources that are hidden within our city and greatly enhance our quality of life.

Here is a link to the press release about the program: http://www.bsc.edu/communications/news/2011/20110510-trekbham.cfm

Space Links

Did you watch the shuttle launch yesterday morning?  What a great way to start a Monday!  Seeing a launch never gets old for me, there is always a sense of wonder and anticipation during count down and launch.  To celebrate the launch of Endeavour, I thought I would share some of my favorite space websites.  In no particular order:

1. We Choose the Moon- An interactive that drops students right into history where they get to witness, and take part in, the Apollo 11 launch and mission.

2. NASA Clickable Spacesuit- An interactive for students to learn about the parts of a spacesuit.

3. Planet Quest: Alien Safari- An interactive exploration adventure that encourages students to find bizarre and extreme organisms that live on Earth.

4. Eyes on Earth 3D- Lets students track missions as they are happening with the satellites that are collecting information about Earth from space.

5. Moon Zoo- Gives students the chance to study the lunar surface while contributing to real science.

6. NASA @ Home and City- Students explore 3D environments where they discover common household and city items that have roots in space exploration.

7. Solar System Scope- A 3D real-time look at celestial positions with planets and constellations in the night sky.

8. NASA’s 50th Anniversary Flash Feature- Best. Website. Ever. An incredible interactive timeline that highlights each decade in the United States space program from 1950 to 2000.

9. European Space Agency- Kid-friendly information about the universe, life in space, lift off, useful space, earth, and more.

10. NASA’s Be a Martian- Students virtually explore and learn about the human-robotic partnership that makes virtual exploration of Mars possible.

11. NASA Space Place- Fun online games, animations, projects, and fun facts about Earth, space and technology.

12. NASA Interactive Timeline-  A multimedia timeline that begins in 500BC and follows the search for extrasolar planets to modern discoveries.

13. Moon in Google Earth-  Take tours of landing sites narrated by Apollo astronauts, view 3D models of landed spacecraft, zoom into 360* photos of astronaut footprints and watch rate footage of the Apollo missions.

14. NASA Images- Find amazing images of the universe, solar system, earth, aeronautics and astronauts.

15. Google Sky- Students get up close and personal with the solar system, constellations, the Hubble Telescope, backyard astronomy, Chandra X-ray Showcase, GALEX Ultraviolet Showcase and the Spitzer infrared Showcase.

16. Buzz Lightyear in Orbit- Teaches students about the next space mission with Atlantis.

17. Station Spacewalk Game- Play the role of an astronaut and repair the ISS.

18. NASA 101- Learn about what NASA does.

19. NASA Anatomy: How Space Technology Improves Human Health- Students learn about how NASA impacts daily life and health.

20. Apollo 11 Launch- Step into the moonshoes of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong while discovering the lunar landing.

21. Spooky Space Sounds- Listen to real sounds from space.

22. Hubble Celebrates 20 years- View imagery from the Hubble Telescope and learn about history of the Hubble.

23. Galaxy Zoo- Explore the universe and really help scientists.

24. Climate Time Machine- Take an interactive tour through Earth’s climate history.

25. NASA Edge- Students look behind the scenes at NASA with entertaining and informative videos.

26. NASA 360*- Learn about NASA’s past, present and future and how NASA has improved life on earth with these videos.

27. NASA e-clips- Learn about innovative applications of science, technology, , engineering and math through short NASA videos.

28. TEDx NASA- Inspiring talks from TEDx NASA.

29. NASA @ Twitter- Students can follow NASA on Twitter to get up-to-date information on space exploration and discovery.

30. Your Age on Other Worlds- Students can find out how old they would be on other planets.

31. iWas Wondering Astro Game- A scavenger hunt in outer space.

32. Study Jams Solar System- Students view a video and slide show about the solar system.

33. Pipo Club- Travel through the Universe with Pipo.

This post was written by www.ilearntechnology.com.

2011 Summer Bible Reading Charts

2011 Summer Reading Charts are Here!

Get excited about reading the Bible this summer. Take the Scripture Adventures' Summer Reading Challenge with your children. Just print off a reading chart for each child. Have the child color the chart and hang it where they will see it often. It will remind them to read their Bible every day this summer! Have your child mark off each day that he reads the Bible (even reading for a short time counts!). You'll soon develop the habit of reading the Bible together.

Post your success on our facebook page to encourage other families! We want to know that families are reading the Bible together! Enjoy!

» Download your FREE Summer Reading Charts

May 17, Bham: John Lennon Talk

John Lennon Talk  Tuesday // May 17 // 11AM FREE In anticipation of our upcoming exhibition Who Shot Rock & Roll, and as part of the the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus' visit to Birmingham, the Birmingham Museum of Art will host an open lecture/presentation by Tyler Winick, Creative Coordinator of the Lennon Bus, on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Museum's Steiner Auditorium. Tyler Winick will discuss the legacy of John Lennon, the role that the Lennon Bus plays in fullfilling what Yoko Ono has envisioned would be John Lennon's dreams, and the incredible technology for music and film recording that exists on the Lennon Bus. Who Shot Rock & Roll will include several photographs of John Lennon, including a particularly moving portrait of John and Yoko, just weeks before his death. The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus will spend three days in Birmingham with a series of lectures, tours, and concerts, including stops at UAB's Alys Stephens Center, the Birmingham Railroad Park, and Birmingham City Hall. The concert scheduled for Monday, May 16 at the Birmingham Railroad Park is now a benefit concert for victims of the recent tornadoes. The concert will be broadcast live on Fox 6 and viewers will be able to call in and make donations to the American Red Cross. For more information about all of the events associated with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus' Alabama Tour, click here.

Bham: Teen Volunteers for Bham Zoo

May 2011

Greetings! With Summer Camps quickly approaching, and the busy summer season upon us, the Birmingham Zoo is recruiting volunteers for our Teen Volunteer Program!  Teen volunteers will gain valuable skills and experience, while at the same time assisting the Zoo in many ways!  Our Teen Volunteers work with our Summer Camps, help out at interactive exhibits (such as the Lorikeet Aviary, Contact Yard and Butterfly Aviary) and gain knowledge about our animals that they can share with campers and visitors through biofact demonstrations.  Interested teens can even earn the chance to take an Animal Handling course or work with the animals in the Children's Zoo!  If you (or someone you know) might be interested, please check out the information below, and fill out an online application! Sincerely, Brooke Estes Volunteer Manager volunteers@birminghamzoo.com Office (205) 879-0409 Ext. 278 Birmingham Zoo 2630 Cahaba Road Birmingham, AL 35223 "Inspiring Passion for the Natural World..." We are an AZA accredited zoo Teen Volunteer Opportunities! Interpretation - From the lorikeet and butterfly aviaries to our cool pelts and skulls, the Zoo has a number of ways for you to share your love of animals and wildlife conservation with the public. We even have a large collection of biofacts (pelts, skulls, horns, etc.) that are perfect for giving our visitors a unique hands-on experience. Education - Assist with summer and school break camps, year-round classes, animal programs, and much more as you educate and entertain some of the tens of thousands of students who visit the Zoo annually. Special Events - Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari,  Party for the Planet and the ZooRun are just a few of the incredibly fun special events at the Birmingham Zoo. Volunteers may assist with planning, managing, and staffing the many aspects of the special events that occur throughout the year. Operations - The Zoo needs YOU to help with our popular birthday parties that occur year-round. Zoofari Teen Program- Teen volunteers who have volunteered at least 48 hours with the Zoo, completed a one day Teen Training course, and have proven themselves to be mature, responsible, and reliable, may be chosen as a Zoofari Teen. Zoofari volunteers are often called upon to perform more difficult tasks that may include, supervising other volunteers, assisting animal keepers with special tasks, and more. Teen Leadership Academy -A select group of teens will be chosen to join this rewarding program. Volunteers within this program will be involved in the supervision of volunteers at major activities such as Summer Camp, Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari, and more. These volunteers will be provided with the opportunity to develop specific managerial skills enabling them to become well prepared for college and the job market. Teens that complete the program may be rewarded with a scholarship and the opportunity to receive college credit through local universities. Animal Husbandry - Work side-by-side with zookeepers within a unique program called "Barn Crew". Barn Crew volunteers help care for many of the animals and exhibits in the Barn and Alabama Wilds areas. This is a great way for you to gain the skills required for a job in wildlife conservation and put you one big step closer toward your goals. Animal Handlers - You will have the opportunity to become a certified handler on animals that may include chinchillas, macaws, armadillos, and even a young alligator. Animal handlers are taught how to use animal knowledge learned through training, and the animals themselves, to provide our visitors with an experience that only the Birmingham Zoo could offer. Explorer Program- Exploring is Learning for Life's (a division within the Boy Scouts of America) career education program for young girls and boys. Exploring's purpose is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Birmingham Zoo Teen Volunteer Explorers have special member only privileges such as quarterly trips that may include activities such as river rafting and unique activities focused on career development. Steps to Becoming a Zoo Volunteer *Applications are accepted year round* Teens (13 to 18 years of age) Fill out an online application at www.birminghamzoo.com Basic Requirements: School Year Program (September 1 to April 30) - Must be able to offer a minimum of 50 volunteer hours during the school year. Summer Program (May 1 - August 31) - Must be able to offer a minimum of 60 volunteer hours during the summer (not including the Teen Training Day). Year-round Program - Volunteers that complete 60 volunteer hours during the summer and are in good standing with the Birmingham Zoo are automatically accepted into the school year program. Volunteers that complete 50 volunteer hours during the school year and are in good standing with the Birmingham Zoo are automatically accepted into the summer program. Application Process - Applications are accepted year round Submit an online application. No one under 13 years of age may apply. You will receive a response email if your application is accepted. Please follow the directions provided within the email to schedule your orientation. An orientation must be completed before you may become an official volunteer. Orientations are offered throughout the year. Questions? Please Contact: Brooke Estes, Volunteer Manager volunteers@birminghamzoo.com or 205-397-3863   More information about our Teen Volunteer Program is available on our website: www.birminghamzoo.com/support-the-zoo/volunteer

Deadline May 31, Memphis: FREE Pink Palace Membership

Memphis' Pink Palace family museum is offering it's free summer membership trail again this year.

 

The Pink Palace Family of Museums' free trial membership package for the summer.

You and your immediate family can sign up and get great benefits including unlimited admission.

GO HERE TO READ THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

YOU HAVE TO REGISTER BEFORE MAY 31.

Click here to get started.

If you are a senior you can list grandchildren (the number) and they'll be included once you print your tickets.  You'll get a confirmation email with a url link.  The link will provide you with your confirmation and welcome package.

This is what you'll get:
Unlimited Museum Admission
Unlimited Planetarium Admission
Unlimited Lichterman Nature Center Admission

GET THIS --- EVEN PARKING IS FREE--- ZING!

FREE Homeschooling Advice for Moms From Kids!!!

There are many books written by adults and homeschool veteran parents about homeschooling. But don’t people need to know what kids think? We believe so! In this fantastic, inspiring and informative collection of short stories written by homeschool kids, you'll find all sorts of amazing homeschool tips and advice from the real experts ... the kids!

Click here to download both volumes for free!

May 10, Trussville: DUI Experience

Field trip is full.  This is just a reminder. 
May 10

The DUI Experience
12:00 p.m.

Let's prevent this from ever happening to our children!

DUI Experience

$7 per child
12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Age 12 & up to participate in the DUI Experience (no exceptions)


Trussville Playstation is offering the "DUI Experience" to teach new drivers about the horrible repercussions of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Participants will attend an orientation, be given a workbook, and then go through a field sobriety test. They will then be asked to wear a pair of goggles that simulates the effects of consuming four beers or one joint of marijuana and be allowed to drive a go-kart on an environmentally controlled course and with electronic controls. This is done in a completely safe environment. The lessons learned cannot be equaled anywhere without the deadly consequences of experiencing this for real.

Groups of eight drivers at a time will go to the kart area.  The rest of the drivers can choose to either play laser tag or skate until it is their turn. (no extra charge)

Younger siblings are invited to come and skate during the DUI Experience for a fee of $2 (which includes regular or in-line skates).

Contact for this field trip is Deb Spradlin at everestacademy1@gmail.com .  Deadline for signup has already passed.

Fraboom

What it is: Oh. My. Word. I have just stumbled on gold my friends, gold!  Fraboom is an online children’s museum packed full of games, interactive books, creativity, learning and-are you ready for this-LIVE online teachers!  On Fraboom students can learn about US presidents while they play games, watch Fraboom TV cartoons to learn vocabulary, read interactive books that encourage creativity and join live online classes with real flesh and blood teachers!  Fraboom TV has a variety of cartoons that will teach students content area vocabulary words. Each cartoon on Fabroom TV lists all associated vocabulary words so teachers can quickly find a video that will support learning.  Cartoons can be searched by keyword or category.  The very best part of Fraboom (in my humble opinion) is the live online teachers.  Drawing classes start every hour on the hour.  Students can drop into a class and learn how to draw cartoons.  There is a new challenge every day so content is always fresh!  Students can interact with teachers through the chat feature; students type a message and the teacher responds to them by name.  Fraboom cartoon characters introduce the activity for the day and the teachers interact with the cartoon on the screen- very fun!  Students learn how to draw step by step guided by the teacher and follow along on their own whiteboard space.  When students are finished, they can share their pictures with the class.  After drawing, the class completes a mad lib together.  The teacher explains a part of speech and requests words for that part of speech from the class.  Students can contribute words to the story by typing them into the chat area. Throughout the class, the teacher shares submitted pictures with the whole class.  I attended two live classes and was really impressed with the teachers in both sessions. They are upbeat, engaging and fun.  Fraboom was created for students six to twelve years old.  Content is being added regularly and fresh challenges in the live classes every day.  Plenty to keep kids creating and learning!

Sep. 1 Deadline: Pizza Hut Book-It Program

Sign up now for Pizza Hut's FREE Book-It Program. Enrollment is now through the September 1st, for next school year (2011-2012).

 www.bookitprogram.com

K-6 (Ages 5-12) Program Runs October-March & is a great way to motivate children to read. Kids get a free personal pan pizza each month they reach their reading goals. I have found it easy to call in personal pan pizzas & pick up in drive through with coupons for free. That way we are not tempted to order or buy more.