Wednesday, November 30, 2011

December Meeting Reminder!

December 1st Topic: "Teaching Tips"  7 p.m. - 9 p.m
Meeting at Ellie's home in Marstons Mills. 
In keeping with the season of celebrating the incarnation of Christ our Lord & Savior we are going to have a little gift exchange.
 If you have a book (home school related or just a must read) you would like to exchange bring it wrapped.  
Don't stress out about it, I'll have extras! If you want to bring a goodie to share that would also add to the fun. 

Thank you to all who participated and brought food to November's meeting!!!!

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

October Meeting Venue Announced!

 
Oct. 6th marks the first "formal" meeting of this school year.
We are going to meet at the Presbyterian Church of Cape Cod located at 2391 Iyanough Rd. (Route 132) in West Barnstable, MA  02668 hosted by Chantry La Belle.  
Our topic is "Organizing Your Time/Establishing a Schedule"
Seasoned homeschooling moms please be prepared to share your know how!
We can all use a tip or two in this area so come on out to learn and share!
We will start at 7p.m. sharp and end promptly at 9p.m. 
Put it on your schedules now!!!!!!
 
 Next month's topic is :
"Getting Dinner on the Table ~The same day you homeschool!" 
(Could be subtitled "The CrockPot is Your Friend!!)  Nov. 3rd meeting place in Marstons Mills at Ellie Leone's home. Bring your favorite recipe that is a family pleaser and  easy to prepare.
 
 Hope to see many of you there!!!!

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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Mark Your Calendars!

Formal Hosted Meetings Sept.~ June, 1st Thursday of the Month

X Sept. 8th ~ Back to School kick off Family outing at Seagull beach  Yarmouth 4 p.m. to 6:30
 
October 6th ~ Topic: "Organizing Your Time/Establishing a Schedule"
 
November 3rd~Topic: "Getting Dinner on the Table~ The same day you homeschool!" 
 
December 1st~Topic: "Teaching Tips" 
 
January 5th~ Topic: "Organizing Your Home/Gathering Supplies/Pre- Spring Cleaning"
 
February 2nd~Topic: "Testing & Evaluation" 
 
March 1st~ International  Night for the Whole family details to follow ~ Shirley Murray & Kathy Reggio (Other volunteers?) @ Christ Chapel 
 
April 5th~Topic: "Curriculum Overview/Home Education with Style/Choosing a Curriculum" 
 
April (TBA) SAT testing at Christ Chapel Members fee $3.00/Non-Members $25.00 per family
 
April 27th & 28th MassHOPE in Worcester (Book your room in January for best selection)
 
May 3rd~Topic:"Lessons Learned/Recap of MassHOPE"
 
June (TBA) for curriculum sale set up and  2012-2013 planning renewing of membership @ Christ Chapel.  Members selling fee $3.00 Non-Members $5.00
 
 We have 13 official families in PACE. Thank you for taking the time to sign up. Invite your friends who are considering homeschooling to any or all of the meetings. 
They can join for free by Oct. 6th (postponed from the original cut off of Oct. 1st since we are meeting that night). 

Be sure to renew your HSLDA memberships ASAP so we can maintain our group discount status. All of the above topics titles are taken from the Home Education 101 Mentor's Manual by Vicki Bentley. I will be facilitating the discussions but encourage others to share their experience/expertise in these areas.  This is just a spring board for our "formal meetings". 
I am prayerfully hoping this will be a blessing to all who participate.  
 
The only other thing missing is a meeting place for each of of these nights. A few of you stated on your application that you would be willing to host. 
Pick the topic you want to host and let me know ASAP so we can get the word out!!!! Remember you just provide the meeting place with our without refreshments. It can be a bring your own beverage and share a snack etc.  
Just let me know soon so we can send out the announcements in a timely manner.  Thanks again and welcome back to another school year!!!!!!
 
Grace & Peace,
Lori Chapman

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Thursday, July 21, 2011

FREE!!

Fantastic list of sites to educate yourself (or your older kids) online for free.
From the fantastic blog, Marc and Angel Hack Life, here it is..

12 Dozen Places to Educate Yourself Online for Free

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Important Info

Calendar
Park Day
Crosby Park Playground, Main Street, Centerville. The park is in the hollow across from the General Store.  The address for the store is 555 Main Street for your GPS.
Every Thursday at the Centerville Park from 12:30-2:30 (ish) Now through the fall as weather permits.
Relax and fellowship with other Moms while the kids enjoy this lovely area.  
Kids of all ages are encouraged to come out, not just the little ones! Bring change for the 1856 General Store across the street or enjoy the library  near-by.
Please note:  Like our informal meetings at Barnes and Noble, Park Day is for fun, optional and sometimes lots of folks go and sometimes no one can.  
Sing out on the Yahoo Group if you are going, that is the best way to find out.   Make sure your settings are for individual emails not daily digest or web only.
If you are not on the Yahoo Group, please contact Lizzie at miklizro at comcast dot net and I'd be happy send you an invite.
All are welcome.

Monthly Informal Fellowship Meeting for Adults (and Teens) 
The third Tuesday of the month at.....
These are ongoing as of tonight, Tuesday July 19th.  
Sing out on the Yahoo Group if you are going, be nice to know who might be there to look for.  If you are not on the Yahoo Group and want to be, email me at miklizro@comcast.net and I'll send you an invite.
No hassle, no sign up, no clean up, just come and hang out, fellowship and be refreshed together!
All are welcome!
 
Formal Hosted Meetings Sept.~ June, 1st Thursday of the Month
SO NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER for these
We will meet on the 1st Thursday of the month for a formal topic of interest or Family Program(i.e.History Night/International Night/ Science Night/etc.)
at a member's home or local church (in the Mid-Cape area) TBA

 

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Park Day!

Park Day!
 
Where:
Crosby Park Playground, Main Street, Centerville. The park is in the hollow across from the General Store.  The address for the store is 555 Main Street for your GPS.
When:
Thursday12:00ish-2:30ish
 
Relax and fellowship with other Moms while the kids enjoy this lovely area.  
Kids of all ages are encouraged to come out, not just the little ones!
Bring change for the 1856 General Store across the street or enjoy the library  near-by.
Please note:  Like our informal meetings at Barnes and Noble, Park Day is for fun, optional and sometimes lots of folks go and sometimes no one can.  
Sing out on the Yahoo Group if you are going, that is the best way to find out.   Make sure your settings are for individual emails not daily digest or web only.
If you are not on the Yahoo Group, please contact Lizzie at miklizro at comcast dot net and I'd be happy to add you.

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Monday, June 6, 2011

Mentoring Program

John & Lori Chapman will be leading a mentoring program starting this Sept-April .
This is a coming along side new or those just needing a bit of encouragement & guidance in the early years of homeschooling  
 
Go online and check it out at www.HomeEducation101.com written by Vicki Bentley,the guest speaker at the recent MassHOPE Leadership Retreat.Order your book online. Cost  for the workbook is $27.99  plus shipping. This becomes a reference guide for you and gives you the ability to mentor others as you become a seasoned homeschool parent. 
There is a preview of  each volume available online at www.lulu.com/familyresources so you may look through the table of contents and some sample pages to see what the workbook is like.  
 
We will be spreading it out over 8 weeks,7-9 p.m. meeting on the third Thursday of the month. Meeting place in the central part of the Cape.  
Check your calendars and see if this would work.  Your time will be well spent and all will be blessed for it. 
 
Sign up at the June PACE meeting or email us at raccoon2@comcast.net You will need your book for the first night. Sept. 15th We encourage both husband and wife to come or take turns every other month.
 
Grace & Peace,
John  & Lori

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Park Day

Park Day!
 
Where:
Crosby Park Playground, Main Street, Centerville. The park is in the hollow across from the General Store.  The address for the store is 555 Main Street for your GPS.
 
When:
Thursday12:30ish-2:30ish
 
Relax and fellowship with other Moms while the kids enjoy this lovely area.  
Kids of all ages are encouraged to come out, not just the little ones!
Bring change for the 1856 General Store across the street or enjoy the library and the thrift store near-by.
 
NOTE: The folks at the general store were a little crabby last week when the huge hoard of younger kids went in with only one Mom and 2 teens.  Perhaps we should go in smaller groups with more supervision? 
 

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Reminder for June Meeting

Don't forget folks, this months meeting is TUESDAY, June 7th at Christ Chapel.
Not, as is usual, on the first Thursday which would be this evening.
We will be setting up for the book sale the following day and discussing upcoming events and activities and in general, hanging out and enjoying some fellowship.
Information is here.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Park Day!!

Hey Folks!
It is finally nice out.
Come on out and enjoy the break in the weather!!
 
Crosby Park Playground, Main Street, Centerville
Thursday
12:30ish-2:30ish
Relax and fellowship with other Moms while the kids enjoy this lovely area.  
Kids of all ages are encouraged to come out, not just the little ones!
Bring change for the 1856 General Store across the street or enjoy the library and the thrift store near-by.
 
Get Directions here!
The Park is just across the street from this address.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Book Sale


Cape Cod Pace Used Book and Curricula Sale!!
When: Wednesday, June 8th 9am-1pm
Where: Christ Chapel, Centerville, Ma
Everyone is welcome to sell at this event, the more the merrier.  
If you would like to sell your used books and curriculum, here is what you need to do!
1. Print out this form to price your books, tape 2 labels on each book, one for the cashier and a back-up in case one gets lost.  
2. Drop off is Tuesday, June 7th from 6-9 at Christ Chapel in Centerville.  Our monthly meeting will be held there that night so we will be hanging out and gabbing as will some of our teens.  We will be setting up the tables that evening for the sale.   
You also need to give Lori Chapman $3.00 to help defray the cost of using the building when you drop off your books.
3. If you can't get there that night, call around and see if you can drop them off with someone who is going to the meeting.
4. You need to pick up any unsold books at 1:00, the end of the sale or they will go to PACE who will donate them as needed.

There will be the famous FREE table as well!

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June Meeting Information

  1. June Meeting~Date June 7th 6p.m.-9p.m at Christ Chapel this month so we can set up for the curriculum sale!!  If you are selling books, they need to be dropped off during the meeting or find someone who can drop them for you.
  • We will be doing the set -up for used book/curriculum sale on the following day, Wed. June 8th 9-12
  • You can print out the labels here.  Two labels per book. One inside and one outside. 
  • Cash only (unless individual seller is present and will accept personal checks)
  • Cost to sell:$3.00 for donation to the church. Books/curriculum should be sold in increments of dollars, priced to bless other homeschoolers.
  • Free table will be available.
  • All payments & unsold books to be picked up by 1p.m. or they will be donated to distribute as needed.
  •  
  • We will also be planning for the upcoming year
  • (many ideas including but not limited to: formal support(meetings with a topic at members' homes or a church location)
  • casual support meetings ( at Barnes & Noble including the teens)
  • Writing Co-Op,
  • Shakespeare Class and Club sign up sheet will be available, space is limited and there are specific requirements.
  • Formal Mentoring  Program (workbook and 4-8 week commitment for both parents; for new or families with young children who need someone to come along side); several of our members already mentor.
  • park days, skating days,horseback riding, MassHOPE booksale, etc.
  • If folks can't make this meeting please send ideas/areas you are willing to lead/help to Lizzie & Lori via e-mail A.S.A.P. so we can include them at the June meeting.
   
    3.    Sign-up sheets will be at the meeting for above co-ops and programs plus deposit/payment and any other activities that need    advanced planning/contact lists and collection of money by coordinator.


 

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Announcement

2nd day of spring clothing swap canceled to to conflicts with space

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Thursday, April 7, 2011

In anticipation of the mentoring meeting tonight..

I offer this page to you, it is something I have worked on over the years.  
People often ask why we do what we do.  This page is our answer to the question.  
If you homeschool and blog, I highly recommend working on an "our homeschool" page for yourself and for others.
Blessings, 
Lizzie


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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Spring Clothing Swap!

Happy Spring to Everyone!

PACE  will be hosting a spring clothing swap at Christ Chapel in Centerville, 
Wednesday, April 20th and Thursday, April 21st from 9am-12pm
This is a chance to pass on your outgrown clothes and find some new treasures.
 Details:
DROP OFF ITEMS: Tuesday April 19th, we will be dropping off our clothes between 9:00 a..m and 12:00 Noon.
The swap will be held Wednesday from 9:00 to noon and Thursday from 9:00 to Noon.
PACE is having their annual standardized testing in the building those days, please be mindful of the testing atmosphere, while in the fellowship hall.
Please keep your kids with you so we don't disturb the ones testing. 
We will be using the transept between the fellowship hall and the sanctuary.

How can you help? 

1)Tell other homeschooling families about this.
2)When you arrive you may sort the clothes yourself or drop them off.
3) At the end of the swap, we will be donating all of the extras to the Salvation Army or another organization.

If anyone would like to help at the end, please Terri at chickenlady17 at yahoo dot com

A few reminders:
Clean and items without stains are appreciated.
Books, curriculum and movies may be included.
Grocery bags will be a blessing for the 'shoppers'.

Thank you everyone who participated last time. I just love the shoes I found there. Please email me if you can help with this in any way.

See you in April,
~Terri G.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

For What it's Worth


I have made many a parenting mistake and expect to make many more.  I have read up on discipline, spoken and read about discipline and disciplined in any number of ways.  Most of them were wrong, because it was more about ME.  I so often reacted as if their behavior were a personal attack.  And sometimes, when I am tired or ill or fed up, I still do.

Reaching the heart of our children requires a certain maturity level and confidence I didn't have for many years.  Heck, sometimes I stuggle to find it still.
When my children rebelled,  to my shame, I even sometimes had an attitude of "how dare you behave that way?" and punished accordingly and arbitrarily.
It takes time and effort and patience to see behind the behavior to the root of the problem.
I'm getting better at it over time, hopefully they won't need counseling when they are grown. :)

In any case, I came across a post today that deeply touched me and I am sharing it because I think it's honesty and beauty are worth sharing.   I really hope you get as much out of it as I did and that it is relevant to your life as well as mine.

Here it is:
Blessings
Lizzie


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Monday, January 3, 2011

A Topic Near and Dear to my Heart and One I am Mulling Over

Do Great Homeschools Really Need Socratic Dialog?

Homeschool High SchoolMarch 2010
by Lee Binz
The HomeScholar
The great homeschools have Socratic dialog.  After reading, they enjoy deep and rich conversations about the nuances of great works of literature.  They have meaningful discussions about historical perspective and relevant insights within classical and modern literature.  
Meanwhile, I got comments like “Great book, mom…. What’s next?”  

True confession: I really admire people who do literary analysis, but I simply wasn’t capable.  I used a literature-based curriculum, so it seems strange to say it, but I hate literary analysis.  We read books all the time.  I used Sonlight Curriculum which requires a lot of reading, and I fed my book-hungry children even more literature from The Well Trained Mind, and other reading lists for the college bound.  Much to my chagrin, we didn’t do any “literature analysis” we just enjoyed the books.
 

Feeling Guilty

The truth is I always felt guilty about not doing literary analysis.  Every homeschool mom has her “thing” that keeps her awake at night, and literature analysis was my nemesis.  On tests and worksheets my children seemed to do terrible in reading comprehension, and yet they were reading all the time.  They read all day long and late into the night.  The laughed and cried and gasped when they read silently to themselves.  They begged me to continue when I was reading aloud to them.  How could they do so poorly in reading comprehension questions when they seemed to understand what they were reading?  

Homeschool ReaderHow do you know when you have succeeded in teaching your child English? When I was homeschooling, I was SO stressed out about literature analysis. It seemed like we always failed at reading comprehension and the review questions that were provided. I knew that I wanted my kids to LOVE reading, but I was still stressed about literature analysis.
 
Every year, I spent so much time looking at Progeny Press, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, and other curriculum choices. Why was I failing? Why couldn’t I teach literature analysis?  Every time I asked my kids “how did you like the book?” I never got any insightful dialog about the deeper meanings of the literature.
 

Analyze This

I finally decided that my goal for literature would be the same as my goal for Bible study.  I decided that my goal in teaching the Bible was for the kids to LOVE their Bible, not analyze the Bible.  Therefore I would teach them to LOVE literature instead of analyze it. I didn’t want to “beat the love of books out of them” with analyzing everything.

In retrospect, it all ended up great. Ironically, they both ended up in a “Great Books” honors program, analyzing literature at a college level by their own choice!  They are able to do college literary analysis in their honors class without a problem, getting great grades.  Their only frustration with the class is reading the occasional book synopsis.  “I would rather read the whole thing – they miss the best parts!”

Homeschool Reading

Winning the War

I failed at teaching literary analysis.  I may have lost that battle, but I won the war.  My children LOVE reading.   When the kids came home from college, I felt like I could finally say I had succeeded in my goal. “For fun” they went to the library to get some reading material. My son Alex read the entire Shakespeare collection, my son Kevin read CS Lewis and some Dostoevsky. I may have been stressed out when they were in high school, but I can honestly say that I achieved my goal: they LOVE reading.

 With my wonderful  20/20 hindsight, I look at my college children and feel successful, but at the time I stressed over “reading comprehension” more than almost anything else.  

Keeping the focus on “love of learning” is so hard, though, when you are faced with a kid who may only answer “fine” when you ask them about their reading.  It is the love of reading that matters.  
 

Copyright Lee Binz, 2010
You have permission to reprint this article as long as you don't make any changes and include the bio below.

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, specializes in helping parents homeschool high school. Get Lee's 5 part mini-course, "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make Homeschooling High School." You can find her at http://www.TheHomeScholar.com.
 

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