January 2004 Newsletter
Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers
Tucson, Arizona
Mission Statement
Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers is an open, not-for-profit home education network, providing social and creative outlets for homeschooling families. We are not devoted to any one homeschooling approach, political platform, religious outlook, or philosophical ideal. Our homeschooling community supports all families, regardless of their personal lifestyle or educational choices in the area of home education. Our motto is “hozho,” a Navajo word meaning “harmony” or “walking in beauty or friendship.”
Quote of the Month
“Learning emerges from our individual and collective abilities to tap existing human capabilities and transform the forces that interfere with their expression.”
-- Maya Angelou
Men’s Coffee Night - Wednesday, January 7
The men’s coffee night is held the first Wednesday of each month. This is an opportunity for us fathers to discuss homeschooling issues as well as other topics. Please join us at the Borders on Oracle, for tea, coffee, good company and conversation. This casual meeting starts around 7:30 PM. For more information contact Jeff O. or Brian M.
Crafty Ladies - Wednesday, January 28
Crafty Ladies meets the last Wednesday of each month. Join us for a parent’s night out. We will be meeting at Ike’s on Speedway (3400 E. Speedway Blvd.). We get together from 7:30 PM on. We chat, laugh, and a few of us bring a project to work on. It is a great way to get to know others better and there is always a mix of parents with younger or older children, so you can ask lots of questions. Contact Kim B. for more information.
Teen Book Club - Tuesday, January 20
The next meeting is on January 20, 2004 at 11:00 AM at the Wilmot Library. The book is “Riptide” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; a rip roaring high tech mystery involving lost pirate treasure. Wendy B. will be leading the discussion. Multiple copies of the book are in the public library system. Newcomers welcome. Call Wendy or Brian with questions.
SDH P.E. - Monday mornings
SDH has scheduled PE classes with AIT on Mondays from 9 AM to 10 AM at Himmel Park. This activity is open to all homeschoolers.
The program is for children ages 5 and up. AIT provides all the equipment. Each month a new sport is taught: the rules and fundamentals, skill practice and they play a game.
The cost is $15/month for one child, $15+$12/month for two children, $15+$12+$6/month for three children, and so on. If you have any questions please contact Eileen D.
Treasury report for December 2003
Our balance on November 22nd 2003: $1163.21
Our income since then totaled: $30.00
Various authorized expenses* were: $34.15
Our balance on December 31st 2003: $1159.06
*(SDH I.D. cards, newsletter)
Mock Excavation - Friday, March 19
Old Pueblo Archaeology center offers all kinds of interesting site tours and excavation opportunities. On Friday, March 19, 2004 from 1-3 PM, I have scheduled a “mock excavation”. Students are introduced to the basics of archaeological study by learning how to dig (as an archaeologist does!), recognizing artifacts, keeping records, taking measurements etc. The fee is approximately $10.00 per child and must be paid by February 15, 2004. I will have some information and a sign up sheet in the Announcement Book at park day. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. Victoria M.
Winter Recital
We had eighteen (!) very talented performers and many guests attend our winter recital. The performances were beautiful and inspiring, demonstrating the fruits of much patience and dedication. Thank you to all of you who attended - both to our talented young performers and our supportive guests.
The next recital will be the first Thursday in May at 3 PM at Washburn Piano Company. All homeschoolers are invited so tell your friends.
Home Educators Science Fair 2004 Saturday, February 7
The Home Educators Science Fair is a community-wide opportunity for home educated students to engage in a public showing of their research and study projects, as well as other science-related projects, similar to that done for thousands of students across southern Arizona region in public, private, and charter school organizations. Our Science Fair is also a first step for students who wish to attend the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF) held each year on March 15 - 20 at TCC.
Students create their own science project or experiment and then create their own display explaining their work. They have the opportunity to answer questions and to explain their project to an appropriate judge who evaluates their work in a comprehensive and caring manner.
Any home-educated student from K-12 is invited to participate. Projects are done individually or in-groups. The younger grades, K-3, also includes a family group category to assist younger children in learning about the scientific process along with their families in a fun and encouraging way.
Our Science Fair is less restrictive than SARSEF, so if a student wishes to enter SARSEF, please see their project guidelines by referring to the SARSEF web site at www.sarsef.com.
All our information sheets, registration forms and research oriented web site’s are available online at elsberry@comcast.net. Cost is $3.00 per student entry to cover general operating expenses, ribbons and certificates.
Science Fair Schedule: Our 2004 Science Fair will be on a Saturday, February 7, 2004 at the Sentinel Building, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop, Tucson, AZ.
8:30 to 9:30 - project drop-off/set-up
9:30 to 12:00 - Project judging (just judges, no participants)
12:00 to 1:30 - Students present for personal interviews on their projects and public viewing
~1:30 - Ribbon presentations and recognitions. Take down projects and clean up the room.
Dance Southwest Special Performance
Dance Southwest presents: Brooms of Mexico.
Brooms of Mexico is a 30-minute folk ballet with a musical score based on traditional Mexican folkloric. A narrator reads the poems from the book Brooms of Mexico by Alvin Gordon illustrated by Ted De Grazia, while colorful ballet and folklorico dancers and live mariachi bring the words to life on stage.
In the ballet an old woman, a young girl and several workers in a rural Mexican village explain how they work with a broom, the swish of which the author describes as the sound of Mexico.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience a live theatre performance, learn about music, dance and the culture of Mexico, it also brings to life Mexican units and enhances a Spanish language course.
It is Friday, January 23, 2004 at 10:00 AM at PCC Proscenium Theatre. Cost is $5.00/student with teacher/chaperons being free.
To reserve seats please contact Lori at 790-9226 or Maria at 749-0650 or 444-7737, or contact Dance Southwest Voice mail: 690-7260.
Dance Southwest is committed to bringing the arts to our community and our youth.
Dance Festival 2004
Dance Southwest is featuring a collaboration featuring: Arizona Ballet Theatre, Ballet Folklorico Tapatio, Dance Magnificat, Gotta Dance! The Hot Flashes, Starrline and Dance Southwest’s Brooms of Mexico.
Pima Community College Proscenium Theatre: $15, $12, and $10 tickets available.
Dates: Friday, January 23 at 7 PM, and Saturday, January 24 at 2 PM: Ballet Folklorico Tapatio, Dance Magnificat, Starrline and Brooms of Mexico.
Dates: Saturday, January 24 at 7 PM and Sunday, January 25 at 2 PM: Arizona Ballet theatre, Gotta Dance!, The Hot Flashes and Brooms of Mexico.
For tickets, please contact PCC Box office at 206-6986.
Education Conference May 28 - 31
“Do What You Love, Love What You Do” - the 8th National Conference on Rethinking Education in Irving, Texas on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 - 31, 2004. Speakers include Jan Fortune-Wood, John O. Anderson, John Breeding, Alison McKee, Lynn Stoddard, Taber Shadburne, Vicki Johnston, Laurence Becker, Quinn Eaker, Peter Kowalke, Mae Kowalke, John Glass, Ron Thompson and Michael Mendizza.
Here is a quote from the Rethinking Education web site:
“Join us and hundreds of families from around the globe as we rethink the meaning and practical applications of education, nurture one another, learn and share a wealth of new ideas. As one conference participant told us:’This is the leading conference for thinkers-on-the-edge. I love being with people who live in balance with nature, with themselves and those around them- with children who have been lovingly nurtured and adults who follow their hearts with passionate devotion. Rethinking Education is THE conference that brings families together to celebrate education as LIFE!' “
There are many discounts available, from early registration discounts (if registration is received by January 30, 2004, the cost is $65.00 per person, a discount of almost 50%) to volunteer discounts. Please visit the Rethinking Education web site at http://www.rethinkingeducation.com for more information.
A book review for young readers by Colin E.
Book: Indian in the Cupboard
By: Lynne Reid Banks
Main Characters: Omri - Hero; Patrick - Omri’s friend; Omri’s family; Little Bear - Bossy troublemaker and the Indian in the book title; Boone - friend of Little Bear
Setting: In modern England, in Omri’s home and neighborhood.
What was the problem or struggle in the story? The problem was how Omri could take care of Little Bear and Boone while they were in his world and get them back to their own time.
Summary: This story is about a boy who gets a cupboard, a key and a plastic Indian for his birthday and the Indian comes to life with the magic of the cupboard. Omri becomes a parent figure to Little Bear and Boone and tries to satisfy them in his world while keeping them secret.
Information: Fiction; Number of pages: 227; British book
The passage that tells the most about the book: “It was not that Omri didn’t appreciate Patrick’s birthday present to him. Far from it. He was very grateful sort-of. It was without a doubt very kind of Patrick to give Omri anything at all, let alone a second-hand plastic Indian that he himself had finished with.”
Rating: 4 Hats up!
Young Writers Section
I would like to continue to offer this space to any and all young writers, poets, story tellers, essayists, or songwriters who wish to have a piece of work printed for the Homeschool families to read. Please have your pieces submitted by the newsletter dead line, and PLEASE keep pieces to 150 words or less. You can send your work to SDHnewsletter@yahoo.com orgreenfreaks@earthlink.net.
Unfortunately, I received NO pieces this month… but keep working on them! I look forward to reading those beautiful pieces of literature!
Newsletter Deadline for February 2004
January 25th at midnight!
Happy New Year everyone!
Have a wonderful January!
