October Field Trip

Still trying to get us reserved for our field trip this month to Swank Farms. It is 6.95 per participating child. Starting at 10:00am. I think it should be a lot of fun, but in order to register us I need to pay ahead, so I need a head count on who is planning on attending, and how many adults and children. I tried to send out an email, but I didn't get any responses. If you want to let me know via email, kasandrablanton@yahoo.com. Thanks everyone.

Stuff coming up.....

I know we sent emails out, but we'd really like to get away from the mass emails and onto the blog. So here's the info I've received lately:

Friday, September 18th
We're going to be having a "Wacky Races" activity with lots of different types of races from sack races to 3-legged races, maybe wheelbarrow races, etc. So come prepared for physical activity and don't forget to bring some water and snacks if you need them. We will be meeting at the Gloria Jean Tate park in Marina which is right across the street from Denny's. The meeting time will be our regular time of 1:00 pm. Sue Kaupie is in charge of this activity.


Friday, September 24th
Yuki Gillis has arranged a field trip to The Tech Museum in San Jose and the Ghenghis Khan exhibit on the 24th. We are reserved from 10am to 4pm, but need to lock down a time to meet or carpool. Museum visit will be thru the morning/lunch. Please bring a packed lunch or plan to purchase lunch. After lunch is optional for families wanting to stay to see IMAX shows ($4) and the Genghis Khan Exhibit ($10…she has reserved 15 tickets for now)
Yuki has emailed everyone a flyer with the info and a map to the museum (and parking). You might mail her to work out a time to meet there or carpool.

I have a photos of our trip to the CA Academy of Science Museum. I'll try and get them up in the next couple of days. Although the only people I saw there were the Sawyers and the Hardys.

Literature Day

This Friday, September 10th, is Literature Day at the Marina library. The address is 190 Seaside Circle in Marina. If you haven't been there yet, it's behind WalMart. We'll meet at 1:45 in the homework center. We will spend about 15 minutes talking about the Great American award, then Lori, the head librarian, will take us on a tour and show us how the library can be a valuable home school resource. We are the first home school group to tour this new library, so be ready with your questions and comments. Let's represent. Hope to see you all there.


Speaking of reading, at park day last week some of the moms were discussing struggling readers. One website that helped my kids read is starfall.com. It is a great site for preschoolers learning phonics all the way through 2nd or 3rd grade kids who need to work on comprehension.

Great American History Site

Picturing America is a site that takes famous pictures painted by Americans, and other works of art, and teaches history. It is a great site for viewing the pictures and for finding other facts about the characters. It is linked to lesson plans, PBS shorts, and more. Have fun.
http://picturingamerica.neh.gov

Upcoming "Stuff"....

Wednesday, September 1st is Homeschool Day at the Academy of Science Museum in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Entry fee for that day is $4.95, it's usually around $20. You have to preregister by phone....see www.calacademy.org for the phone number, info, etc. It opens at 9:30.

Friday, September 3rd is our day at the park. Windy Hill Park in Marina at 1 pm. If you don't know where that is...um.....ask one of the Heathers, because I have no idea, lol.

Monday, September 6th is Labor Day and a NO SCHOOL day! Have a great holiday weekend!

Visit to KSBW

Yesterday we visited the KSBW television station during the noon news show. Marlo took lots of notes, but I didn't. But I did take pictures.

This is our guide, doing a pretty good job of getting a handle on all those boys.

She took us around to see all the different departments of a television station and explained what they do.

This is us, lined up, waiting to go into the live broadcast of the Noon News.

The anchor, Alisa Becerra, and the meteorologist, Lee Solomon, prepare.

After the broadcast was over, Alisa and Lee answered lots of questions for us and we had our picture taken with them in the studio.

This is one of the producers (forgot her name), who explained how she puts a show together...where she gets the stories and deciding what order to do everything in.

It was a very interesting visit and we enjoyed it! Thanks, Heather H, for putting this trip together!

Thursday, August 26th...Field Trip

Just a reminder...normally our field trip is on the 4th FRIDAY of the month, but because of scheduling issues, this month it will be on Thursday, the 26th. We will be meeting out in front of the KSBW television news station at 11:20 am and will be given a tour of the studio for about an hour from 11:30-12:30. The studio only allows children in the 3rd grade and up in the studio, so those who want to drop off your older kids at the studio and go to a park with the younger ones, feel free to do so and we'll be sure to take good care of them. The address is 238 John Street. For those not familiar with the area please google a map of it and give yourself plenty of time to get parked and to the front doors. Let me know if you have any questions....Heather Hardy