May 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
“We have to create for ourselves a body of compassion in which our fellow-beings will be cells”
– From Gifts of the Lotus
May Day Celebration - Tuesday, May 4
A May Day celebration is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, May 4. Dance the Maypole dance on two Maypoles! There will be flower garlands for the children. If you can please bring some flowers from your garden, so we can insure everyone gets a garland, stems should be at least an inch long. There will be dairy-free cupcakes available, but please feel free to bring a healthy snack to share! E-mail Giovanna at giovannamealer@yahoo.com for more information, or if you can help out!
Men’s Coffee Night - Wednesday, May 5
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 coffee, tea, good company and conversation. This casual meeting starts around 7:30 PM. For more information contact Jeff O. or Brian M.
Spring Recital - Thursday, May 6
Just a reminder that the Spring Music/Dance Recital at Washburn Piano Company is May 6, 2004 at 3:00 PM. There is a stage with room enough for dancing or playing an instrument. There is also a full size grand piano! There is a lot of seating; so even if your child doesn’t want to perform you can come and watch the other children do so. Please contact Victoria M. between 5:00 and 8:00 PM to sign up. Thank you.
Homeschoolers’ Ice Skating Party - Friday, May 7
Citywide Homeschoolers' Ice Skating Party
Gateway Ice Center
7333 Rosewood St., Tucson
(near the SE corner of Kolb and Speedway, behind Wal-Mart)
9:30 - 11:30 AM
$6.50 includes skates / same price for all ages
All ages welcome!
Event arranged by CHET SW
May Adult Book Discussion - Thursday, May 13
What We're Reading: Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Something Sweet 5319 E. Speedway
Please contact Erin S. at cericon@theriver.com if you have any questions.
Parents' Planning Meeting - Wednesday, May 19
May 19, 7:00 to 9:00 PM at St. Francis in the Foothills, 4625 E. River Rd. (NW corner of River and Swan), Room #50. The purpose of this meeting is to come up with a schedule of events for the year and to make sure that we have volunteers for the jobs in our group. If you have any other planning items for the year, please let me (Eileen D.) know so that I can add it to the agenda before the meeting. Thanks!
1. Dates to set:
First park meeting August 2004 is August 17 (already decided last August)Summer pool partyWelcome back potluckMonthly evening parents’ meetingsCurriculum exchangeFall clothing exchangeTalent showWinter park meeting schedule switchHalloween partyNovember eventMusic recitalDecember eventLast park meeting in DecemberFirst park meeting in JanuaryWelcome back potluckValentine exchangeGroup photoParents’ Planning Meeting cont:Spring eventSpring clothing exchangeSpring park meeting schedule switchMusic recitalLast scheduled park meeting in MaySummer curriculum exchangeSummer activitiesGroup summer activityParent’s meeting May 2005First park meeting August 2005 2. Jobs List
a. Go through Who’s Who list and determine which jobs need new volunteers or who will continue doing the job.b. Add or remove jobs from list. Suggest we add parent’s planning meeting facilitator.c. Suggest each calendar event have someone who is responsible for making sure it is organized and announced in the newsletter.CHET NW Used Curriculum Sale - Tuesday, May 25
Riverfront Park (in Oro Valley on Lambert just SW of First Ave.)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
This curriculum sale is open to everyone for purchasing, but only CHET-NW members will be permitted to sell their curricula.
Moms' Coffee Night (formerly Crafty Ladies) - Wednesday, May 26
The moms' night out has changed location! We are now meeting at Something Sweet, located at 5319 E. Speedway, Tucson. That's at the NE corner of Speedway and Beverly (the Office Depot store is on the intersection's NW corner), and Live Theater Workshop is in the same plaza. We get together at 7:30 PM on the last Wednesday of every month. Don't worry if you can't make it at 7:30, many of us stay until midnight! We chat, laugh, and generally have a great time. 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.
SDH Summer Tuesdays
Summer Tuesday’s a group will meet for activities from 10:30 - 1, then adjourn to Ft. Lowell swimming pool (bring shade). Everyone is welcome to participate, but this is not a drop-off program, and everyone who participates in the activities is also expected to participate in set-up and clean-up. Some activities list supplies to bring - don’t feel like you have to buy these. Bring what you have, and what you are willing to share. Plan to bring your lunch, too. If you have any questions, please contact Erin S. at cericon@theriver.com.
Location: St. Francis UMC 4625 E. River Rd. Room #50 (Northwest corner of River Rd. and Swan)The activities listed were planned with children 5'ish to 12'ish in mind. However, they can be made easier or harder depending on the child’s skills. If someone wishes to lead activities for under-5's, or teens, we have space available. June 1
Reader’s Groups Group 1: Nate the Great and the Sticky Case by Marjorie SharmatGroup 2: Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clue by Donald SobolGroup 3: Edwina Victorious by Susan BonnersDrawing Fun Supplies to bring: A black fine point pen and a variety of drawing paper.Alka-seltzer rockets Supplies to bring: film canisters June 8
Water Chemistry and PlayExperiments1. Propelling a Toy Boat2. Rooting for Sink and Float3. Warm Water Rising4. Ice CubesGames1. Pool with stones2. Water balloon baseball3. Water balloon toss4. Water relaySupplies to bring: buckets, liquid food coloring June 15
Puppets and Charades Basic paper bag to marionette to puppets of other cultures.Supplies to bring: puppet-making *stuff* - yarn, popsicle sticks, construction paper, glue, etc.Math DayEstimation StationsFamily Math Activities1. Cut-a-card puzzle2. Palindromes3. 36" squareSupplies to bring: a container with something in it (be sure you know how many items are in it - shhh! Don’t tell anyone!) June 22
Outing - to be determined June 29
Artist DayLearn about M.C. Escher, then create a Tesselation Design.Supplies to bring: scissors, glue, drawing supplies July 6
Reader’s Groups Group 1: Busy Buzzy Bee by Karen WallaceGroup 2: Tut, Tut by Jon ScieszkaGroup 3: Eight Cousins by Louisa May AlcottSoda Pop Science1. Sour Power2. How Sweet It Is3. Pasta with PepSupplies to bring: measuring spoons, measuring cup, bucket, plastic cups July 13
Swimming only - 1 p.m. at Ft. Lowell July 20
Homemade Musical InstrumentsMaracasMouth HarpChilean RainsticksSupplies to bring: aluminum foil, juice can, markersMulticultural Art DayLearn about, and make, Chilean RainsticksTalk about how modern culture, and African tribal cultures, express group identity through their appearance, especially hair arrangements. Then, creat a coil portrait/sculpture.Supplies to bring: colored pencils, scissors, glue, paints July 27
Game DayBring any game your family enjoys, and share. Supplies will be available for people to create their own games, too.Supplies to bring: Bring a variety of craft supplies for people to create their own games. August 3
Reader’s Groups Group 1: Sammy the Seal by Syd HoffGroup 2: The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly ClearyGroup 3: Gypsy Rizka by Lloyd AlexanderFun Food Day Fruit sculptures Grossology foodsIce Cream in a BagSupplies to bring: Ziploc freezer bags, toothpicks, skewers, fruit, ice cream toppingsAIT Information - Mondays 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Athletes in Training (AIT) will continue to offer SDH P.E. classes starting in September 2004 but will now offer two choices for class. Monday class is at Himmel park from 9:00 to 10:00 AM or Tuesday class is at Ft. Lowell park and will start at 9:00 AM from September to October 2004 and April to May 2005. The Tuesday class will then start at 11:00 AM from October 2004 to April 2005.
The program is for children ages 5 and up and AIT provides all the equipment. They transition to a new sport each month and offer kickball, soccer, flag football, basketball, baseball/whiffle ball, relay games, Capture the Flag, Presidential Fitness Testing, and other games. A typical program begins with a 5 -
10 minute warm up of stretching and light cardiovascular. Then they teach the sport (rules and fundamentals), practice the skills, and play a game.
The cost is $15/month for one child, $15+ $12 for two children, $15+ $12+ $6 for three children, etc. There are discounts for paying in annual or multiple month payments. Monday, August 30 is a free trial day for the Monday class and August 31 is a free trial day for the Tuesday class.
If you have any questions, contact Eileen D.
UApresents next season
I do not have next season's information yet, but I usually get it after the group takes off for the summer. To find out about the 2004/2005 season, you must have access to the internet. I will post on SDH-discuss, SDH-newsletter, and on the discussion board. Those who sign up in the summer get all of the shows they want, the second sign-up in August usually cannot get into one or two of the shows. I am insisting that people are or become SDH members, I had a problem this year with getting a hold of people who were not members of SDH. Alica M.
SDH Web Site Updates
Two sections of the SDH web site are regularly updated - Homeschooling News and This Month's Featured Sites. The Homeschooling News pages hold links to articles from around the country: inspirational "it works for our family" types of stories, critical analyses of homeschooling, discussions of virtual charter schools, and stories about Homeschooled children/adults themselves. Find these and more at http://hozho.homestead.com/homeschoolingnews.html.
This Month's Featured Sites is a collection of links to worldwide web sites suggested by SDH members. Virtual museum tours, games, crafts and more can be found in this section. Take a look at http://hozho.homestead.com/ThisMonthsFeaturedSites.html, and remember to also visit the section's archive page for past month's collections, at http://hozho.homestead.com/FeaturedSitesArchive.html.
Two SDH Jobs Open for Coming Year
SDH E-mail Contact
Responsibilities:1. Answer queries sent to the SDH e-mail account within 5 days 2. Represent SDH professionally and courteously 3. Determine whether further action is necessary in regard to solicitations 4. Answer basic homeschooling questionsRequirements:1. Access to an Internet-connected computer 2. Good writing skills 3. Commitment to check the SDH e-mail account daily 4. Good working knowledge of SDH 5. Some homeschooling experience 6. Knowledge of Arizona homeschooling regulations SDH Web Message Board Administrator
Responsibilities:1. Maintain the SDH account with Boardhost (free account) 2. Make sure that no offensive postings are kept on the message board 3. Answer posts that ask for information if there are no repliesRequirements:1. Access to a computer 2. Basic knowledge of computers 3. Able to daily check own e-mail account for notification of new message board postsIf you have questions about either of these jobs, please contact Debbie at debbiegubernick@yahoo.com, or talk with her at the park.
SDH Votes - A Refresher Course
Following is an excerpt from the April 1999 SDH Newsletter, recapping an organizational meeting held on April 13, 1999 to establish guidlines for the group's operation:
"It was accepted that a 2/3 majority of SDH members present for a vote would be required for a vote to be carried. If someone is interested in a particular matter, that person is responsible for showing up to vote, or arranging a proxy or phone vote.
"It was accepted that Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers will assume that all members are reasonable people who will behave reasonably.
"It was accepted that 'If you want to do it, do it,' will determine how activities, events, or special interest groups will be implemented within SDH. Don't wait for someone else to do it. If something is important to you, then make it happen.
"It was accepted that SDH will be an open group that welcomes the diversity of its membership. The concept of openness encompasses religion and homeschooling style."
The only additions to these guidelines were made in February 2001. A limit of $75.00 was set for any given expense without a vote being taken, and a two-week notification period was established prior to any vote.
A couple of proposals are being made in this newsletter (they will also be announced at the Tuesday park meetings) and voting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, at Fort Lowell Park. If you want to vote but will be unable to attend the May 18 meeting, please arrange for someone to vote for you by proxy.
If you have questions about the voting process, or about this article, please contact Debbie at debbiegubernick@yahoo.com, or talk with her at the park.
SDH Proposal - A proposal to change the SDH Tuesday meeting time to 10:30 AM year-round
I propose that the Tuesday Fort Lowell Park meeting start time be changed to 10:30 AM year-round. This one set time will make it easier for families to plan around the park meeting, and will reduce the confusion of both new and existing SDH members about just when the meeting time is. (As it stands now, the Tuesday meetings start at 9:30 AM in the early fall, then change to noon at the end of October, and then revert back to 9:30 AM in mid-April.)
A vote will be taken on this proposal at the May 18 SDH park meeting. If you have questions, please contact me at debbiegubernick@yahoo.com. Thank you!
SDH Proposal - Pool Party this summer
I would like to propose having a pool party for SDH this summer. Generally speaking the summer is a time we see less of each other and this would be a great way to "stay connected". Of course it is also just plain fun!
Frances A. has generously agreed to try to reserve her community pool again. This is the same place we used 2 years ago and it is an excellent setting: a large enough pool, a building for having food/drinks inside, BBQ, tennis court, swings, large lawn and shade are all available. There would be no cost to using the pool. The only (insurance) requirement is that we use a lifeguard. A lifeguard may have a maximum number of kids he/she can watch, so we may need two of them. It would be fun to have some Eegee's and other drinks. The food would be a somewhat coordinated potluck,
so we don't end up with just chips and dessert. The party would be held preferably on a day of the week that most parents would not have to work, so this could be a get-together for families.
The April treasurer's report shows that we have $1102.41 available. On May 18th, at park, we will have a vote for payment of the cost of a pool party for the group, estimated at the most at $250 (I expect it to be less, but if we okay less and need more we have no mechanism to vote again over
the summer). If you cannot make park on the 18th, remember that you can vote by proxy also.
If you have questions or suggestions, please direct them at Sybelle V. (not Frances) at asib@escapees.com (or call).
SDH Treasury Report for April 2004
Our treasury balance on March 23, 2004 : $1102.41.
Our income since then totaled: $10.00.
Various Authorized expenses* were: $65.97.
Our balance April 27, 2004: 1046.44.
*( More Medieval Day supplies, yellow T-shirts, newsletters, envelopes, stamps)
Citywide Used Curriculum Sale - Saturday, June 5
Every year CHET-SE tries to make a facility available for CHET-SE and other homeschoolers to sell their used curriculum. This is a great opportunity to check out different curricula and ask questions from the seasoned veterans who may have used what you are considering. Even better is the chance to sell your used curriculum and make room for some new books! Mark your calendars; you won't want to miss this opportunity!
When: June 5, 2004
Where: River of Life Baptist (formerly Golf Links Baptist)
6902 E Golf Links Rd.
Time: Sellers set up at 8:30 AM; buying from 9:00 AM - 12noon
To register to sell, or if you have any questions, please contact Rachel N. at nesbitts5@cox.net.
There will be a limited number of reservations accepted, so sign up quickly. This facility does not have many tables available, so if you bring your own table, registration will be less than if you need us to provide you one.
Registration Deadlines:
HS w/o table HS w/table Business w/o table Business w/table
May 7 $3.00 $10.00 $6.00 $20.00
May 8 - 14 $4.00 $12.00 $8.00 $24.00
May 15 - June 5 $6.00 $14.00 $12.00 $28.00
Riverdance Enrichment Services
Riverdance Family Enrichment Services continues to offer a variety of activities for children and parents. There is no membership to join in on the fun!. Check our website at www.riverdancecenter.com for information.
Some highlights for May:
Friday, May 7th: Road Scholar is returning to Riverdance. We will get quality information from Kitty (from CRIZMAC) on travelling with your family and getting the most out of each trip. The appropriate age: parents and children 9+, younger ones can come play, though. It begins at 6pm. $15.
Saturday, May 15th: CRIZMAC and Riverdance will hold a KIDDING AROUND THE WORLD activity from 2-4pm. This is a monthly activity that children and parents and will include culture, art, language, music and food from Samoa. $15.
Later on Saturday, the 15th (6pm), we will have a huge Luau! We hope to see many of you and please tell your friends! We'd love to have you join us! The whole family is welcome! $8.
We are also having SUMMER CAMP activities beginning on May 24th. They are week-long day camps, from 10-5pm. Call for details.
These are just a few of the activities we offer in May. For more information, please contact Anna C. at 322-4483 or email SCOL880990@aol.com.
Yoga for Kids
Yoga classes for kids (and their parents)! Kids (and their parents) can practice yoga in two ongoing classes at the Providence Institute! On Wednesdays 2:30 - 3:30 PM, or Saturdays 2:00 - 3:00 PM. Classes are fun and playful, incorporating games, storytelling and imagination. Parents are welcome to participate if the choose. Cost is $5.00 per class per student, or $4.00 per class if purchased in groups or 10 or more. The Providence Institute is located at 1126 N. Jones Blvd., north of Speedway between Country Club and Alvernon, across from Wild Oats shopping center. Call 323-0203 for more information.
Kid’s Poety Corner
This has been my favorite part of the newsletter since I have been editor. I love to see what the kids come up with. Thank you all who have taken the time to submit poems, book reports, and what not over these last 10 months! Great work, kids!
These next poems are written by Aodhan, Ezra and Orson L. after listening to Humpback whale “song”…
By Aodhan L.
The Humpback whale is very, very sad
and sometimes he says come on, let's go
and sometimes he says, what is that.
By Ezra L.
I'm sorry Humpback whale
that you're feeling so, so bad.
I think you have a stomach ache
But I don't know what you have.
by Orson L.
The Humpback whale is sad.
Because he is.
The last poem is by Ingo V.
OLD KING CAT, by Ingo V.
Old king cat had a very big rat
And used dogs for his horses
The castle was big
And his foes were mean
His soldiers were rats and mice
His villagers were mice with very many lice
There was no king who was as mean
As old king cat in his castle
5-Paragraph Template, by Colin E.
A template is an easy way to remember and create an essay when you have to write one. The 5 paragraph essay is a one page report and here is one way to do it!
1. Pick or accept TOPIC from your teacher.
2. Do RESEARCH about your TOPIC.
3. Take NOTES and get the reference material information.
4. After you have done your research, start on the Introductory Paragraph. This contains the main idea and this paragraph should get the readers interest.
5. You need 3 subtopics which will be the next 3 paragraphs. The subtopics relate to the main idea using a TOPIC SENTENCE.
6. The CONCLUSION paragraph should wrap up the whole report. Remember to use TRANSITION PHRASES to easily switch from paragraph to paragraph so you don’t confuse the reader or write poorly.
I don’t like to write, but I am forced to do it so a template helps me write. Writing is a big hairy ball unless you figure out how to untangle it! Good luck.
New Newsletter Editors
Starting in May, Erin S. and Eileen D. will co-edit the SDH Newsletter. There are many activities planned for SDH this summer, and we want everyone to know about them, so we will publish the newsletter throughout the summer.
As our first co-editing venture, we announce the SDH Name-the-Newsletter Contest. SDH is a diverse, dynamic educational community and we’d like the title of the newsletter to reflect our collective spirit. Send your suggestions to sdhnewsletter@yahoo.com, or give them to one of us, by May 25th. All entries will be listed in the June newsletter and you may vote (one per family please) for the name you like best. The winner will be announced in the July newsletter, and the new name will be used. Best of all, the winner of the SDH Name-the-Newsletter Contest will receive a $25 gift certificate for Michaels.
Please send everything related to the newsletter, and the SDH Name-the-Newsletter Contest, to sdhnewsletter@yahoo.com, not to our personal email addresses. The deadline for the next month’s newsletter will always be the 25th of the month. When you send your submission, we will send you a reply that we received it.
We want to hear about what you are doing, especially what your children are doing. As a community our wealth lies in our varied experiences. We all benefit by sharing our learning experiences. Please share with us any exciting places you have visited, as well as any neat things you have done or will be doing. For example, what awards have your children won, and how did they do it? We have SDH members who are science fair winners, athletes, 4H members, singers, artists, poets, writers and more. Most of all there are children and parents doing what they love to do. Ask your children to write or dictate stories and send them to us. Your contributions provide a way for parents and children to find connections and support within SDH. That’s the whole idea, right?
Erin S. and Eileen D.
Co-Editors
Thank you
Being editor of the newsletter has been a rich and rewarding experience for me. Thank you! Heather H.
Have a wonderful May
