Field Trip Friday - Manatee Festival

If you're in the Orlando area and looking for a great field trip this weekend, check out the Blue Springs Manatee Festival put on by the Central Florida Zoo. On Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 5PM, enjoy food, games, entertainment and more at Valentine Park in Orange City. Admission is $8 for adults and $2 for kids (ages three and under are free) and includes a free shuttle bus to Blue Springs to see the manatees.

We visited Blue Springs with my mom last week, and the kids really enjoyed seeing the manatees and talking about all the different animals that lived in that habitat. This week, we watched some manatee videos on the computer, and next week we're working on a manatee habitat art project. I'm hoping it will get me inspired to get started on our Animals Around the World unit for spring!

Field Trip Friday - Smithsonian Museum Day

No plans for tomorrow? Why not head into town and check out a museum - for free? On Saturday, September 25th, museums across the country will open their doors and offer free admission to those holding a Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day ticket. The ticket is valid for the passholder and one guest, with a limit of one ticket per household.

Tickets can be downloaded from their website, and while you're there, see what museums near you are participating. Here's a rundown of participating museums in Central Florida.

African American Museum of the Arts - DeLand 

Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens - Winter Park  

DeBary Hall Historic Site - DeBary 

Duncan Gallery of Art at Stetson University - Deland 

Florida Museum for Women Artists - Deland 

Gillespie Museum of Minerals at Stetson University - Deland 

Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center at Stetson - DeLand 

Island & Village of Geneva Rural Heritage Center - Geneva  

Maitland Art Center - Maitland

Maitland Historical Museum and Telephone Museum - Maitland
Mount Dora History Museum - Mount Dora
Museum of Arts & Sciences - Daytona Beach
Museum of Florida Art - DeLand

Museum of Geneva - Geneva
Orange County Regional History Center - Orlando
The DeLand House Museum and Conrad Center - DeLand

The DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum - DeLand
The Mennello Museum of American Art - Orlando

Waterhouse Residence Museum - Maitland

 

 

Field Trip Friday - Salute to Homeschool at Kennedy Space Center

Your future astronaut is cordially invited to spend a day exploring Kennedy Space Center, with special activities designed to inspire the next generation of space explorers. Kennedy Space Center will be hosting their annual Salute to Homeschool on Saturday, October 2nd from 9:30AM to 4:30PM.

During this unique homeschool field trip, you'll take a bus tour of KSC, participate in special hands-on activities, learn about the latest NASA accomplishments, strap in to the Shuttle Launch Experience and even come face-to-face with an actual astronaut. The cost of $31.50 includes full-day admission to KSC, as well as a 3-D IMAX space film, a tour of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and a private, interactive briefing about NASA's latest mission.

Registration forms are available online, or you can call 866-737-5235 for additional information.

Field Trip Friday - Homeschool Day at St. Augustine's Old Florida Museum

On Monday, September 27th, the Old Florida Museum in St. Augustine will host the 5th Annual Florida Timeline Home School Experience, a hands-on program designed to expose students to daily living activities of the Timucua Indians, early Spanish settlers and Florida Pioneer children, as well as to the field of archaeology. Old Florida Museum’s newest addition, Fort Menendez, will also be open to guests and will include demonstrations from Spanish era craftspeople.

Tickets cost $13.00 per person ages four and up, and you must book in advance for one of the four scheduled start times: 9AM, 11AM, 1PM and 3PM. You may begin your tour at any time once your session has started and can plan on spending at least two hours to visit the entire museum. Guided presentations are scheduled in each of the museum's four main areas, and students will also make a take-home project in each area.

Additional details and registration information are available on the website.

Oops - Corrected Info for 2010 Young People's Concert

Oops! Major goof on the info I posted for the Orlando Phil's Young People's Concert on Field Trip Friday. My info was 100% accurate . . . for 2009. Thanks to my friend Wendy for catching my mistake. Info on the 2010 event is above and online. As of Friday, tickets to both October dates are still available.

Field Trip Friday - Young People's Concert at Orlando Philharmonic

Wow! I know the Young People's Concerts at the Orlando Philharmonic were popular, but I when I checked the website today, I was stunned to see that both the September and October dates have already sold out. I'll certainly be snapping up some tickets for the November show while they're still available.

Last year was my first attending this event, although Noah had actually been the year before with my mom. This year's program, The Nature of Music, is designed to introduce students to how composers utilize the different elements of music to convey ideas, images and emotions. A teacher's guide, program notes and suggestions for active listening experiences can be downloaded from their website; we used these tools last year, and they definitely added to our experience and the kids' appreciation of the music.

The concerts take place at the Bob Carr Performing Art Center in Orlando, and tickets - buy them now! - cost $5/person.

Thankful Thursday - Learning Vacations

Ever get struck in the middle of a crazy, hectic day by overwhelming wave of gratitude for being able to share a special moment with your kids? Well, that’s what Thankful Thursday is all about. Each week, I’ll aim to share a special moment that I would have missed had my kids been away at school . . . and I’m counting on all of you to share yours, too. It will give us something to reflect on during those other six crazy, hectic days!

 

Our official start to the school year is always a few weeks later than most Florida kids typically head back to school. And even though I'm firmly set on waiting until after Labor Day to start back with our classroom time, I always have at least a little twinge of feeling like I'm slightly behind.

Perhaps I remember my own school days not starting until September, or maybe I'm just protesting the end of summer . . . either way, the timing just feels right for us - especially since we like to take a vacation right around Labor Day when the crowds are lighter and so many are already back in school.

This year, we are visiting my aunt and uncle at their beautiful, peaceful home in Virginia. The kids are enjoying visiting and playing with them, and I am enjoying some much-needed "Mommy time off" before we start back with school next week. Yesterday, we drove into DC and visited the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial . . . and we may venture back there today (thanks to Schoolhouse Rock, the kids were begging to go to Capital Hill!)

Today, I am very thankful for the flexibility that homeschooling allows in our lives - the ability to travel whenever we want, to spend time with family and to experience a place as historic as Washington DC by walking its streets rather than just turning the pages of a textbook . . . all before our official "school" year even starts.

Field Trip Friday - Weather Watchers Class at Orange County Regional History Museum

Somehow, we haven't yet been to the Orange County Regional History Center, but after browsing the list of upcoming homeschool classes on their website, that's likely to change! Each two-hour class engages students and their families in interactive curriculum and hands-on activities, including crafts, museum tours and take-home packets.

First up this year is Weather Watchers (Friday, September 10th) where kids will learn the science behind temperature and weather conditions. Classes start every 30 minutes between the hours of 10AM and 1PM. Classes are free for OCRHC members, and non-members pay just $4 per adult and $6 for students five and up with children four and under being free. Prices include museum admission, and families are encouraged to bring a lunch to enjoy in Heritage Square.

Other classes scheduled for the 2010-11 school year include Conquistadors of La Florida (November 5th), Pint-Sized Pioneers (February 4th) and Mr. & Mrs. President (April 8th).

Field Trip - Sarasota Classic Car Museum

Here I am, I've lost track of how many hours later, still doing my car homework. Amazingly, I feel smarter already! In addition to the material and graphics for my lapbook, I've found some great videos to share with the kids during our unit study . . . and I've also stumbled across some great field trip ideas.

In addition to the aforementioned Ferrari dealership, we're definitely going to check out the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. We're planning another trip to the Tampa area in September, so hopefully we can swing an overnight and see the car museum the next day. Jim also suggested at trip to the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, so we'll probably check that out when we head to the kids' triathlon on Gainesville next month.

I'd be neglectful not to mention that the Daytona 500 Experience makes a great field trip for this unit. Definitely worth a trip if you've never been, but I took Noah a few years ago - and he recently attended a race at Daytona with Jim - so we'll probably pass.

Other than that, I'll be keeping my eyes open for local car shows and events and see if I can talk some car-crazy dads into doing a class. I'm loving how this unit is coming together!!!

Arabian Nights Homeschoolers Springtime Matinee

Just spoke with the folks at Arabian Nights, and their "Homeschoolers Springtime Matinee" on Tuesday, May 11th is almost sold out. They've added a second date on Wednesday, June 16th since they've had so much interest. Here are the details . . .

Lunch will be served while you enjoy Central Florida's most family-friendly dinner attraction. Show time will be at noon. The cost is $15 for students and $20 for adults. For more information, call 407-589-2411.

Buy One, Get One Free Admission at Kennedy Space Center

Back for a limited time, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — the place where dreamers and doers come together — is offering Florida residents a dream come true: one free child admission with the purchase of one adult admission. Save on the adventure of a lifetime.

Strap yourselves into the Shuttle Launch Experience, tour behind the scenes, see actual launch pads and walk beneath a massive moon rocket. Enjoy cosmic IMAX® films and meet a real astronaut, or even train like one, at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. A day of fun. A lifetime of inspiration.

Offer expires March 31, 2010. Valid for children ages 3 - 11.

New Homeschool Classes at Spark Enrichment Center

The new homeschool classes at SPARK! look so great, I wish we had more time and money in our homeschool budget right now (and that we lived closer to the center). Rarely, do I find several classes Noah would love back-to-back like this; they they have some great offerings right now!

SPARK! has been voted #1 art class in Orlando and received a five-star rating from Playground Magazine, along with being chosen best Cool Camp by Fox 35. Classes are being offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at a cost of $10/class.

Monday
10:00-11:30 - General Art
11:30-12:30 - Spanish
12:30-1:15 - Sign Language

Wednesday
9:30-10:30 - French
10:30-11:30 - Drama
11:30-12:30 - Etiquette (5 week series $60.00)
12:30-1:30 - Chess

Friday
10:30-11:30 - Mandarin Chinese
11:30-12:30 - Architectural Exploration
1:00-2:00 - Sewing
2:00-3:00 - Creative Writing

Discounts are available for groups of eight or more students.

SPARK! also offers field trips either in-house or at your location. Field trip options include:

Culinary Arts: Take a trip around the world or travel to another time period through food. The children will have a hands-on experience making and tasting different dishes from other countries, and learning about different traditions and time periods.

Science: We will bring in different science experiments based on your studies. This is action-packed and is adaptable to work with your curriculum.

Story & Crafts: Start with a story and from there design a craft that fits into the plot. The children will enjoy having a special handmade project to bring home.

Others: Etiquette, Cooking, Intro to Equine, Art, Rocketry and more.

SPARK! is conveniently located at the corner of Tuskawilla and Red Bug in the Albertson's shopping center, 2nd floor next to Red Sun Yoga.

2010 ArtsFest

All Arts . . . All Week . . . All Free. United Arts presents ArtsFest - an annual event showcasing local arts and culture to the Central Florida community for free. ArtsFest 2010 will take place February 5th through 14th at venues all around town. For certain events, tickets are limited and will be available starting February 2nd at 10AM on a first-come, first-served basis. Full schedule of events is available on their website.

Chinese New Year in Orlando

For those studying China or celebrating the Chinese New Year this month, the Orlando Chinese Professionals Association will be hosting their annual Chinese New Year Gala Party on Saturday, February 13th at Winter Springs High School. Dinner is at 5:30PM and will be followed at 7:00PM by two hours of performances to include the dragon dance, traditional music & song and modern & traditional folk dances. Noah and I attended last year as part of our unit study on China, and it was a fun, unique experience.

Early bird tickets purchased by February 7th are $15 for adults and $8 for children 4-13. After that date (and at the door), they are $25 for adults and $15 for kids. Discounted rates are available for OCPA members.

Homeschool Day at Marine Discovery Center

The Marine Discovery Center's "hands-on, feet-wet" educational programs for children and adult raise awareness about the critical importance of Florida's coastal ecosystems with a special focus on the Indian River Lagoon. Join us as we present the Indian River Lagoon Experience. This exciting hands-on and feet-wet program offers students a chance to learn about a variety of estuary topics through laboratory experiments, dock activities, estuary explorations and an investigation of the Indian River Lagoon Estuary aboard our 40-foot boat-Discovery.

The cost of the three-hour program is $16.50/person for ages four and up. Upcoming dates include February 19 and March 12.

Arabian Nights "Homeschool Springtime Matinee"

On Tuesday, May 11th, Arabian Nights proudly presents "Homeschoolers Springtime Matinee". Lunch will be served while you enjoy Central Florida's most family-friendly dinner attraction. Show time will be at noon. The cost is $15 for students and $20 for adults. For more information, call Heather Moore at 407-589-2411.

Update on Disney Homeschool Day

A few months ago, I posted with great enthusiasm the January 2010 dates for Disney's homeschool day - only to add a much less enthusiastic note that they would not be honoring annual passes for admission to this event.

After a few attempts to contact them to confirm this, I finally received a reply confirming that you can only attend by purchasing a package that includes park admission.

This was one of the highlights of our fall studies, but needless to say, we won't be attending this time.

Homeschooling in Orlando - Orange County Regional History Center

The Orange County Regional History Center offers programs specially designed for homeschool students. Students can spend the day with their family and other home school students learning in a fun and engaging atmosphere. Participants will spend two hours at the History Center rotating through interactive, educational stations designed for students ages 5-11. Younger and older family members are welcome, but may not be able to participate fully in all activities.

Home School Days feature:
Interactive curriculum
Hands-on activities
Make-and-take crafts
Guided exploration of museum galleries
Take-home packet for follow up

Space and Beyond
Friday, Feburary 19, 2010
"Train" to become an astronaut! See the Out of this World exhibition and learn how the real world both inspires and reflects popular science fiction.

Great Destinations
Friday, April 30, 2010
All aboard for an action-packed ride through the history of tourism and fun in the Sunshine State!

For additional information, contact the Education Department at educationprograms@ocfl.net or (407) 836-8580.

Programs start every half-hour from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Members free; students ages 5 and up $6; adults $4. Children ages 4 and under free. Includes admission to the History Center. Bring lunch to enjoy in Heritage Square.

Travel Lapbook

Today we finished our lapbook for the trip, and it was so great to have such a great way to store both our memories and the knowledge gained along the way. Though I took just a few pictures of the finished project, the brads at the top hold a worksheet for every state we drove through, all the curriculum on Washington DC we completed in advance of the trip and several pages on information we picked up at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing.

Thanksgiving Field Trip - Days 6-8

Is it lame to lump the last three days together like this? I'd envisioned a post per day, but seeing that I'm home and unpacked already . . . well, let's just say that didn't happen. And while the final three days were loads of fun, they weren't exactly packed with educational opportunities.

On Thursday, we enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with about 50 of Jim's family members. They all meet at the same hotel each year to spend Thanksgiving together. A "no cook" Thanksgiving was nice, but I have to admit that after reading about all my friends' vegan Thanksgiving menus on Facebook, I kind of wished I was home and cooking for the holiday! After dinner, the kids went for a dip in the (indoor pool) while the grown-ups talked and played games.

Friday morning was the family breakfast, followed by - what else? - shopping! We hit the mall directly across from the hotel, more out of desire to get out and walk around than anything else. Every other year we make the trip north for Thanksgiving, and it's become a tradition to get a family ornament from the same little kiosk at the mall - so of course, we got one of those.

That evening was one last family dinner before everyone packed up and headed home on Saturday. The drive home was really nice (at least as far as long, boring drives go), and included a stop on the side of the road in West Virginia to throw some snowballs!

We arrived home very late on Saturday night and spent Sunday unpacking. Today, we reviewed some materials from the BEP and finished up our trip lapbook. More on that soon . . . very soon!