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HEAV's Virginia Homeschool Update
 
September 15, 2009
 
Above the Fold
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Prefer a text-only version? Click here!

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling IdeasSEPTEMBER'S TOP PICK - FREE SHIPPING - SAVE $4.50!
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas
By Linda Dobson
Reviewed by Jan Surface, a veteran homeschool mom of two graduates, who is now teaching her two primary-age children.
"Are your children excited about the start of school or are they hoping to put it off another month? Or maybe forget about it altogether? Linda Dobson's book The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas can help. This book has more than 500 fun and creative learning activities that can stand alone or be easily dovetailed into your curriculum to bring a breath of fresh air to your homeschool...
 
"...With more than 16 years of homeschooling behind me, I've done a lot, but as I read this book, I was continually amazed as each page presented an idea or activity that made me think, "Wow, what a fun idea" or "I need to mark this one and be sure to incorporate it into my lesson plans" or "I'm marking this one for family night." If you are new to homeschooling or, like me, you have been around the block a few times, this book is a must have!"

Read the rest of the review and take advantage of free shipping (a $4.50 savings)!

Save BIG during SCIENCE Month at the Homeschool Buyers Co-op!Save BIG during SCIENCE Month at the Homeschool Buyers Co-op!
This month the Co-op has lined up the BEST DEALS ON THE PLANET for these popular science learning products:
- Discovery Education Science: Save 76%
- Aha!Science: Save 67%
- CyberEd: Save 63%
- Adaptive Curriculum: Only $49
Click here for more information.
Change Your Life Today By Earning Your Degree Change Your Life Today By Earning Your Degree 
With outstanding on-campus and online* programs to help you achieve your goals and leadership potential, Regent University's undergraduate degrees provide students like you the opportunity to learn in an engaging academic and Christian environment. Choose from 30 associate's and bachelor's programs:
www.regent.edu/undergrad. 
 
*Ranked 2nd nationally for online education (OEDb).
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Kathy KuhlTHIS THURSDAY!
Homeschooling a Struggling Learner? Don't Miss This!
This Thursday, September 17, Kathy Kuhl will be offering a Homeschool Success Seminar specifically for parents of struggling learners at the HEAV office in Richmond, Virginia.

Kathy Kuhl, the author of Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner, has a wealth of information to share that can help you successfully deal with the challenges you face. This is a wonderful opportunity to get the encouragement, support, and practical ideas you need in a small-group, friendly setting.

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: HEAV Office and Resource Center, 2248-G Dabney Road, Richmond. Get directions.
Cost: $20/HEAV members; $25/non-members; spouses are free, as always.
Childcare: Not available.

Pre-register today and let us know you're coming by calling the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or using our online system. Be sure to let other parents of struggling learners know!

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It's Time to Get Your Box Tops Ready!
Turn those empty boxes and cans into much-needed funding for HEAV and your local homeschool support group! Now's the time to get your labels ready! The next submission deadline is September 30. View details and resources online.
 
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State Fair WE STILL HAVE SOME TICKETS!
 Homeschool Day at the State Fair
Get ready for a fun day at the State Fair! HEAV has partnered with the State Fair of Virginia to bring you special discounted admission tickets to the Fair on Monday, September 28, 2009.

While the deadline has past, we will continue to offer tickets as long as supplies last. You can find out all the details and download an order form on the HEAV website. If you have any questions about the homeschool tickets, please contact the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or statefair@heav.org; please do NOT contact the State Fair directly. Learn more about Homeschool Day at the State Fair of Virginia.

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Homeschool Appreciation Day at the Virginia Air & Space Center SPECIAL $1 ADMISSION - RSVP BY SPETEMBER 30!
Homeschool Appreciation Day at the Virginia Air & Space Center
 
RSVP by September 30 for event on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Explore new frontiers at the Virginia Air & Space Center! Explore hands-on exhibits and discover educational programming that meets your curriculum needs! Learn about homeschool workshop opportunities and the NASA Langley Educator Resource Center.
 
Admission tickets, normally $7.50-$9.50, are just $1, and IMAX tickets are discounted to $5. Visit www.vasc.org for more information. RSVP by September 30 to shart@vasc.org.
 
Driving directions are available at www.vasc.org/visitvasc/directions.html.
 
HEAV has worked in conjunction with the Virginia Air & Space Center to make this day possible. We hope you enjoy this special opportunity to learn about air and space at a significantly discounted rate!

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ParentalRights.org Phone Call Campaign
In celebration of Constitution Week, ParentalRights.org has scheduled a major call-in blitz to Congress. They're requesting people check to see if their representative or senator is cosponsoring the bill, and if not, call them this week and ask them to sign on to cosponsor H.J. Res. 42 (house) or S.J. Res. 16 (senate), the Parental Rights Amendment. You can find detailed instructions here.

For more information about the Parental Rights Amendment and the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which threatens to take away important rights from parents, visit www.parentalrights.org.

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Help Wanted!Help Wanted - Update and Web Layout Assistant
HEAV is looking for an individual to assist for an average of 2 to 5 hours each week in laying out the Update and online content. Experience with HTML and Dreamweaver or equivalent program a plus. Applicants should have a basic sense of what looks good graphically. Hours are flexible, but a few hours of layout work needs to be done each weekend. Workload will vary by season, typically being heavier leading up to the convention. Small monthly stipend. A great opportunity for a mature teen interested in website design to get experience and earn a little in the process. If interested, please contact Katherine Loop at kloop@heav.org.

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1) Homeschool Items
View All Homeschool Items
1.1 French Lessons/Quebec Trip - Louisa - Underway!
1.2 Spirit Fast-Pitch Varsity Homeschool Tryouts - Chester - September 18
1.3 Henricus Historical Park Special Educational Tours - Chester - Register by September 18
1.4 Safe Sitter Basic Class - Annandale - Register by September 19
1.5 TCHE Support Group Meeting - Colonial Heights - September 21
1.6 Homeschool Day: National D-Day Memorial - Bedford - Register by September 25
1.7 Ken Ham Addresses Liberty Chapel - Lynchburg - September 25
1.8 Homeschool Bowling Classes - Glen Allen - Begins September 28-October 1
1.9 Family Foundation Seeks Volunteers - Richmond and Elsewhere - Through November 13
1.10 German-American ePal Program
1.11 Seeking Input: What Would You Include in a College Prep Guide?

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2) General Interest Items
View All General Interest Items
2.1 Children's Consignment Sale - Williamsburg - October 1-3
2.2 1857 Sunday School Fair at New Market Battlefield - New Market - September 19
2.3 Free Publick Days and Godspeed Visit - Chester - September 19 and 20
2.4 Father and Daughter Alliance Contest - Deadline Is September 30
2.5 Old Virginia Harvest Ball - Great Falls - Reserve by October 9
2.6 Christian Childbirth Classes - Strasburg - October 19-December 14
2.7 Maidens by His Design Workshop - Strasburg - November 14

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3) Cool Sites for Homeschoolers
View All Cool Sites for Homeschoolers
3.1 Character Journal
3.2 Free Rocketry CD
3.3 Fun Learning Activities for Children Blog
3.4 Free Ludwig von Mises Institute "University" Media
3.5 Musical Spelling Rules - Plus More
3.6 Magnified: The Constitution and the Bill of Rights - Constitution Day - September 17
3.7 Celebrate National Dictionary Day - October 16
3.8 Tell Time Without a Clock
3.9 ThinkQuest Student-Written Library

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4) Parting Thought - Quick Thinking
 
David's wife was mad at him, because he forgot her birthday. Quick-witted, David said, "But how do you expect me to remember your birthday when you never look any older?"
 
- Author Unknown

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5) Worth Repeating
"The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles, which enjoins humility, piety, and benevolence; which acknowledges in every person a brother, or a sister, and a citizen with equal rights. This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free Constitutions of Government."
- Noah Webster (1758-1843), American lexicographer and textbook author. His views on the importance of Christianity can be seen from this quote. The first lesson in his speller began with a verse of scripture; all his texts and dictionary are full of the Word of God. See item 3.7 to celebrate Dictionary Day and learn more.

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6) Verse of the Week
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
- Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)        

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7) Homeschool Laugh of the Week
 

Laugh of the Week
 
Taken from The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons (www.familymanweb.com). Reprinted with permission.
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Submit an Item
Know of an event, contest, or resource that would interest fellow homeschoolers? Please submit it using our online form at www.heav.org/resources/update/submit-event.html.
 
Note: We compile information for publication at least two weeks prior to the send-out date, so please submit items as early as possible (preferably one month in advance). HEAV reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted.
 
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Disclaimer
The Virginia Homeschool Update is produced by Kathleen Dillie (copy editor), Chris (editor), Sarah Kohrs (manager), Katherine Loop (assistant director of publications & marketing), and Anne Miller (director of publications & marketing).
 
HEAV does not necessarily endorse the above-mentioned resources, nor guarantee the accuracy of information found on any external resource we may mention. If you find anything wrong on our website, please let us know so we can correct it.
 
HEAV diligently researches each link prior to publication. However, we recommend you, the parent, fully examine websites before allowing your children to surf them without supervision.
 
Copyright © 2009 by the Home Educators Association of Virginia. All rights reserved. You are free to pass along all or part of this Update, but please include the following credit line when you do: "Taken from HEAV's Virginia Homeschool Update, a free newsletter for Virginia homeschoolers. You can sign up at www.heav.org." You may modify this credit line if needed, but please credit HEAV and link to the HEAV website (www.heav.org).


Home Educators Association of Virginia
e-mail: update@heav.org
phone: 804-278-9200
web: http://www.heav.org