Feb. 27, Bham: McWane Challenger Mission

CHALLENGER HOME SCHOOL LAB

February 27, 2012

Take charge as a vital crew member, working from mission control and aboard a space shuttle to help your team complete an exciting simulated space mission.

Team work and problem solving have never been more fun! In this class students will work with peers to build essential skills while working on math, science, physics, and reading. 

Micronauts (1st-3rd) will learn about our solar system and take part in an investigative mini-mission. 

Members of the Mars Mission (4th-12th) will work together to build and launch a probe, keep the crew safe and healthy, navigate to Mars and repair the ship. But be ready for anything—it’s rarely smooth sailing around the Red planet. 

There will be two missions offered. 

Micronauts for grades 1st-3rd

Mars for grades 4th-12th

Monday, February 27th 

1st-3rd 12:30-1:30 pm

4th– 12th 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Cost: 

$8.00 per student (member); $10.00 per student (non member)

Space is Limited! 

Reservations required: 205-714-8414

Deadline to register is Monday, February 20th

Jan. 21, Bham: Southeastern Outings Hike at Ruffner Mountain

10:00 a.m.

Details: Join SEO for a moderate 4-mile hike on the lovely, well-maintained trails in the 1000+-acre Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, one of the largest in-city nature preserves in the country. We’ll pass remnants of old iron mining and limestone quarrying operations which took place on the mountain, and we’ll have splendid views from the overlook where you can see all the way to the Miller Steam Plant on the Locust Fork River on a clear day.

Bring picnic lunch and drink. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 10 and up welcome.

Depart 10:00 a.m. from the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center.

Info: Steve Manhart, 785/817-7074 

Merry Christmas

....from my family to your's!!!  I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

Leeds Art Classes

Dear Home School Administrators,

I would like to offer art to your children with a two-fold purpose. It will give your students an opportunity to paint a picture to take home and it would help the library as well. I would like for you to poll your parents to see if art classes would be something your students would participate in. Each picture painted would cost $20.00. All materials would be supplied and everyone can take their work of art home.

I already hold once/month sessions for middle school through adult students in an effort to raise money for the library building fund. I would like to offer this for students during the week or perhaps on Saturday but I would like to know if I'll have any takers. I show participants how to do the painting step by step, but do not profess to being either an artist or an art teacher. You are welcome to come by the library to see the paintings that have already been done by adults if you are interested.

Please let me know what you would like to do.

Thank you,

Karen Carroll

Leeds Jane Culbreth Library

699-5962

kcarroll@bham.lib.al.us

Interested in Starting a Football Team?

I have coached Christian homeschool football in the past and I have also coached high school football in public school in Georgia.

I will be helping my brother-in-law organize and coach a team in the Oxford Area but I can provide information to anyone regarding organizing a team and coaching methods needed to safely coach football that needs help.

If anyone with your homeschool academy, or others, is interested in starting a middle/high school contact football team and needs guidance -I will gladly assist them.

My cell number is 770-895-4779 or they can email me at bwaldrep@bellsouth.net

Thanks,

Bobby Waldrep

Please note, this info is being provided FYI only.  Please research this company for yourself.  

Dear Everest Academy,

I am trying to make contact with parents of home-schoolers and introduce an amazing outreach program that we currently offer.  Project Mercy (www.projectmercy.com) has been in operation for 12 years, and we provide medical, education, and food supplies to families in 3rd-World countries.  

Specifically, we offer a "Goats For Families" program in which families here in the USA can supply a pair of goats (1 male, 1 female) to a needy family in South America.  In turn, the receiving family gives back its first male and female goat to Project Mercy so that we can give them to another family...and this process simply continues on.  

Families/groups can experience the sense of accomplishment together as they raise the needed $75 to purchase a pair of goats in South America.  In return, Project Mercy sends a special certificate to each student who played a role in making this happen.  Can you help us reach the leaders of various home-school groups via the power of your website and/or personal contacts? 

Thanks so much in advance for your kind help,

- Billy Newell
  Director, Project Mercy

Jan. 20 Deadline: 2012 "Living in the Ocean Planet" Video Contest

2012 “Living on the Ocean Planet” Video Contest

Attention high school students and teachers!

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®), in partnership with the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) and the Ocean Today Kiosk, is sponsoring the 2012 Living on the Ocean Planet video contest.

Any students currently enrolled in high school are eligible to submit a 2 minute video on this year’s contest theme “A Sea of Change: Development and Evolution,” which includes not only biological evolution, but also the adaptations of humans to a changing ocean. Prizes will be awarded to the top submissions at both the regional and national level. The 1^st national place video team will receive a Kodak Playsport waterproof video camera. The 1^st place team’s video will also premiere on the Ocean Today Kiosk!

For more information on this exciting and fun competition, please download the following information:

• Submission Rules & Requirements (includes entry form & contest rubric)
• NOSB Video Splash clip (16:9 Widescreen Format)
• NOSB Video Splash clip (4:3 Standard Format)
• Living on the Ocean Planet Video Contest Flyer

Jan. 2 Deadline: Win a Montana Adventure

Full Details Here

Do you love to explore? Find out how you could win a trip to Montana!

January & February, Guntersville: Eagle Awareness 2012

Eagle Awareness 2012

Lake Guntersville State Park invites you to participate in an Eagle Awarenessweekend to learn about the majestic bald eagle. The event takes place every weekend in January and the first two weekends in February.

 

The bald eagle is a regular visitor and attraction to Lake Guntersville and the Tennessee Valley. They usually begin to arrive in November and spend the winter months in and around the park, soaring in the skies, fishing the reservoir and roosting in the tall pines along the mountain tops.

 

The weekends include an orientation and social on Friday night, field trips on Saturday and Sunday, with special guest speakers on Saturday. Participants may also choose to take a tour of nearby Cathedral Caverns. Lodging packages are available. Call 1-800-548-4553 for details.

2013: Senior Trip to Eastern Costa Rica Opportunity

Camino de las Tortugas - San José, Tortuguero and Arenal National Parks

Experience a land that is as exciting as it is colorful. Zipline above the treetops of a rainforest teeming with exotic wildlife, race down white water rapids and explore the lush Caribbean coast - home to Costa Rica's largest green sea turtle population.

We will be taking a Senior High trip to Eastern Costa Rica. Families are welcomed!!! However, the minimum age is 4 years old, but recommended 6 years old. I will be going with my two girls, which will be 9 and 12 at the time. It will be for 7days/6nights.

The tour group, Adventures by Disney (click here for a brochure), is working on their 2013 dates and will get us an exact date and price as soon as possible...hopefully by mid-January. We will be getting a group rate, which makes this a really great deal! So here are the details...

Space is limited to 40 people, so there are only 37 spots left available. There is a $300 per person deposit required, with the remaining amount due 90 days prior to the trip.

Date: Late February to Early March 2013 (exact dates to come)

Cost: Approximately $3000-$3400 per person, which will include:

• All activities (white water rafting, zip line, tours, and more)
• Special Junior Adventure Programs for our younger travelers
• Hotel accommodations
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities
• Tour Guides
• Most meals: 6 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners (you will have some free time to explore relax and eat on your own)
• Travel to and from airport

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Jeanie at jeanie@seasonsofadventure.com or 205-937-2505.

For more information about this opportunity, visit our website at http://www.seasonsofadventure.com/

This information is being shared as an opportunity only and is not an Everest Academy event. Since Everest Academy is not affiliated in any way, please be sure to direct all correspondence to the contact listed above. Thanks! 

Calhoun County: Middle & High School Football Teams

Calhoun County Homeschool Football Team

Middle & High School Students

Do you have a middle or high school student in the Calhoun County area who is interested in playing contact football? If there is enough interest in homeschool students playing contact football in middle and high school, both programs will be started next school year. The contact person in Calhoun County is: Bobby Mayne, 256-835-5991. Please no calls after 7:00 P.M. Also, anyone interested in starting a homeschool middle and/or high school contact football team in Alabama email: Bobby Waldrep at bwaldrep@bellsouth.net for information and assistance.

Please note that this info is FYI only and not affiliated with Everest Academy.  Posted on Dec. 15, 2011.

Details TBA, Bham: Everest Academy Christmas Party

Details TBA

Please come and join the Everest Family in our yearly Christmas Celebration!  This is a great time to spend time with old friends and meet new ones! We hope you will join us!  This event is open to all homeschoolers!  Bring a friend!

Things to Bring:

• Potluck dish & drink - Think hungry children.  If you have a traditional holiday or ethnic food you would like to share, we would LOVE for you to bring it.  
• Cooler of ice - I need one or two people to bring a cooler of ice.  If you can do that, please contact me and let me know so that we don't have 15 coolers of ice.  
• Items for Sale (such as used curriculum - not vendor items)
• Freecycle
• Crafts and games  

Volunteers Needed:  

• A couple of folks to bring a cooler of ice
• Two or three folks to help organize the food table - Volunteers don't have to do this entire time.  If we have two or three folks, they can take turns.  
• Crafts and games - If you would like to organize a craft or game, please let me know.  That would be AWESOME! 

Note to Everyone:  I need you help!!!  After every party, I spend over an hour cleaning up.  Please remember to clean up after your family.  If you see trash on the ground or unattended plates/cups, please, please, please, pick them up and throw them in the trash.  Please take any items home with you that you bring with you.  This includes any leftover Freecycle items, dishes from the potluck, etc.  Any items left at the party will be discarded.   

Questions?  Please contact Deb Spradlin at everestacademy1@gmail.com.  

Zoo Whiz: Elementary

Review originated at ilearntechnology.com

Zoo Whiz is a new education site that encourages kids to be “whizzes” in math, reading and word development.  There are levels and content for students from 5 to 15 years old.  There are over 11,200 interactive activities to help unleash the whiz in every child.  The games and activities go beyond simple drill and skill to build higher order thinking skills and problem solving strategies.  The activities build fluency in math, reading and word development.  Zoo Whiz has kids practice math, reading and word skills through a series of activities and games that gets progressively difficult.  As students play games, they earn Zoo Whiz “money” that will allow them to purchase animals to build up their zoo.  Young students will really enjoy this aspect of Zoo Whiz! In the math sections, students will learn: Numeration: integers, operations, money Addition & subtraction Multiplication & division Fractions & decimals: ratio, percentages Patterns & algebra: patterns, relationships Data: recording, displaying and interpreting data Measurement: length, area, volume/capacity, mass, time Space & geometry: 2D, 3D, position, angle, transformations, symmetry Currently Zoo Whiz is in public beta.  There are still some areas that are being developed and released.  There are two versions of Zoo Whiz: a free account and a premium account that provides students with additional content and abilities within the game.  In the public beta, both versions are free.  While the site may have curricular material for students up to age 15+, I’m not sure a 15 year old student would spend any amount of time on this site.  It is definitely more geared for the under 10 crowd.

Homeschooling Statistics

Naysayers - One who frequently engages in excessive complaining, negative banter and/or a genuinely poor and downbeat attitude.  Now you can shut up those uninformed, annoying homeschooling naysayers.  


Have you ever been in a situation where you know what you are talking about, but you just don't know how to put it in words?  Do any of you have an annoying family member or friend who gives you grief about your decision to homeschool?  Now you can arm yourself with researched homeschooling statistics!

The National Home Education Research Institute's mission is to:

• Produce high-quality research (e.g., statistics, facts, findings) on home-based education (homeschooling).
  
• Serve as a clearinghouse of research for the public, researchers, homeschoolers, the media, and policy makers.
  
• Educate the public concerning the findings of all research on home education.
  

Explorer Program

Explorer Programs

Awesome news!  Everest Academy has joined forces with the Explorer Program to provide information and opportunities for career exploration programs to high schoolers age 15 and up.  Exploring is an informative, hands-on program that will allow you to experience for yourself a variety of career possibilities in a multitude of industries.  Interested in learning about aviation, being a fire fighter, photographer, medical occupations, engineering, or working as a zoo keeper?  These are just a few of the vocations that the Explorer Program offers.  This is a super cool program being offered to our teens.  Click on any of the balloons below, and you will get type of post and contact information. For a list of Explorer Programs and locations, click here, and you will get an interactive map of all the posts in the Greater Alabama Council.  


Please make sure to respond to the contact information listed for each program and not Everest Academy.


Please note that these are ongoing programs.  If you cannot make it to the meeting listed below, you can still get in on the program.



Cost for the Explorer Program is $10 per year (per Explorer Post).

Deadline Feb. 15: 2012 Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest

2012 Waterfowl

Stamp Art Contest

Alabama artists are invited to enter the 2012 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest, which opens January 1, 2012. The winning artwork will be used as the design of the 2013-2014 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp, which is required to be purchased when hunting migratory waterfowl in Alabama. Entries will be accepted from Jan. 1 - Feb. 15, 2012. The competition is open to resident Alabama artists only. More

(Deadline Jan. 27) March 3, Bham: Central Alabama Regional Science & Engineering Fair

The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the UAB Center for Community OutReach Development are excited to host the Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair scheduled for March 3, 2012. 

The fair will be a single-day event held at the UAB Campus Recreation Center located at 1501 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294. Middle and high school students will set up their projects beginning at 7:30 am. Judging of projects will occur from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. 

The following counties will be eligible to participate in the 2012 UAB-CORD Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dekalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Randolph, Saint Clair, Shelby, Talladega and Walker County.

Please visit our website at www.uab.edu/carsef for additional information. Also note that the Deadline for all Applications to the UAB Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (CARSEF) is January 27, 2012. If the application deadlines pose an issue with the date of your fair please call the CARSEF office for other arrangements. 

Please feel free to contact us at (205) 934-5125 (CARSEF Office) or (205) 934-5171(CORD main office) or you can reach us by email at kjarrett@uab.edu;ccord@uab.edu; or sginwrig@uab.edu.

Kevin A. Jarrett, M.S.

CARSEF Coordinator

UAB Center for Community Outreach Development (CORD)

5th Floor CHSB, 933 19th Street South

Birmingham, AL 35294-2041

Office: (205) 934-5125 or (205)714-8479

Email: Kjarrett@uab.edu

Holidays

Holidays 

Please note that all links were good when posted; however, things change. If you find a dead link, please contact us at everestacademy1@gmail.com so that we can correct or remove the link. 

• The Holiday Spot - This website features Christmas Celebrations around the world. 
• A lesson plan for a Colonial Christmas. 
• The History of Christmas - Each year, during the month of December, millions of homes across America are decorated with Christmas trees and fairy lights. But how much do you really know about this festive holiday? Start: The Real Story of Christmas from the History Channel. 
• The History of Christmas
• Northpole.com - Write to Santa, read stories, enjoy Karaoke, send e-cards, find recipes, play games and puzzles, print stories to color—even put you or your child in a personalized story! 
• Plimoth - Great information on the first Thanksgiving. 
• Arbor Day for Kids - Don't forget that Arbor Day is coming up at the end of this month. This looks like a great site and offers lesson plans, games, and much more. 
• FREE Holiday Call!!! - Make the season magical with a free, personalized call. Surprise your friends or family with a call from Santa Claus, Sammy the Snowman, or Coca-Cola Racing Family member Tony Stewart. Click HERE to schedule your free phone call! 
• What it is: It is December! This means the beginning of Advent along with the anticipation and excitement that it brings. The Internet is full of interactive advent calendars that you can use to teach about how the Christmas season is celebrated all around the world. These advent calendars reveal fun facts, interactive activities, and stories.
• Santa’s House Advent Calendar- This advent calendar tells a fun story. Each day reveals another secret about what goes on inside Santa’s home on the 24 days leading up to Christmas. In each picture, there is a little mouse hiding. When students click on his ears, he jumps out.
• Christmas Around the World Advent Calendar- Each day students click on the date to reveal a fun fact about how countries around the world celebrate Christmas. The facts are accompanied by great illustrations and pictures. This site shows up very small inside my Internet browser (Firefox). To remedy this problem, click on “view” in your menu bar and choose “zoom”. You may need to zoom in several times. 
• Christmas Mice Advent Calendar- This calendar tells the story about a mouse family who celebrates Christmas. Each day a little more of the story is revealed. Each picture includes some animation. 
• Santa’s Advent Calendar- On this advent calendar, each day reveals a new song or activity for students to complete. There are some fun Christmas themed mysteries to solve, stories to read, and activities to work through. 
• French Carols Advent Calendar- This is a French advent calendar. Each day contains a new French Christmas carol sung by children. This advent calendar would be a fun one to include in a study of Christmas around the world. 
• Christmas Around the World Advent Calendar Quiz- This advent calendar tests students knowledge about how other cultures celebrate Christmas. Each day students are asked a question and given hints to help them answer. When the answer is revealed, students can click on links to learn more about the Christmas celebrations in that country. This site also includes great activities and teaching resources for Christmas. 
• Christmas Advent Calendar- Follow the adventures of Zac the elf as he tries to find a Christmas present for Santa. Each day a little more of the story is revealed. 
• Christmas Activity Advent Calendar- This advent calendar has fun little games and activities to play each day. The games and activities are quick and easy to complete, building mouse and keyboard skills. This advent calendar would be a good one for the classroom computers as a center activity. 
• Christmas Lesson Ideas from A to Z Home's Cool - Check out this awesome list!!! Families who incorporate the holiday spirit into their December curriculum find they reduce the stress of trying to do it all and be it all to everyone. So how do you squeeze in all those required subjects and still get all the decorating, shopping and baking done? 
• 12 Days of Christmas Lapbook
• History of Christmas - Here is a link to the History Channel's page on the history of Christmas and related traditions. I have not reviewed any of these, except for the video "Christmas Unwrapped..." that we got through NetFlix. You may consider some of these videos to be secular in nature as they may cover everything from the pagan roots of the holiday to the present Christian celebration--the one we watched did this. 

Groundhog's Day

• Offical Ground Hog's Day Website - If you missed the celebration this morning, you can watch the webcast from Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania, as the celebrated groundhog, Punxatawney Phil, predicts 6 more weeks of Winter.

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Nine Ways to Learn More about ACT

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