Creative and Fun Challenges for Your Students

Do you have children who love spending hours upon hours outdoors enjoying the wonders God has created? Do you have children who love everything LEGO? Do you have sketch artists who write on anything that is blank? Well, whether you answered yes or no to those questions, one or all three of these blogs may interest your children and provide a fun and new addition to your curriculum for the school year. These opportunities are FREE to participate, can be done from the comfort of home, and are fun for all ages; toddlers on up to adults.

Outdoor Nature Hour
Barb, a homechool mother of four, started the Handbook of Nature Study blog to record and share the nature studies she and her children did using the book Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock. What started as a simple way to archive their studies has grown into a wonderful resource for homeschool families as they pursue a nature study in their classrooms. Through what she calls “nature challenges,” Barb has created a FREE study using the book Handbook of Nature Study as a resource, that you can go through with your children to learn about the great outdoors during anytime of the year. There are already 52 challenges available. Although they are designed to use in any order you choose because of the different climates participants live in, you may want to at least start here and follow through in order with the first couple of challenges just to have a sense of how everything flows.

LEGO Quest
I’m sure Ole Kirk Christiansen had absolutely no idea more than 60 years ago how much his innovative idea would take over the world. Well, LEGOs are here to stay and parents must continue stepping on them, finding them in the dryer, and buying more because kids just can’t seem to get enough.

Sam, an unschooling mother of two, came up with the idea of LEGO Quest which is a non-competitive, fun, and educational monthly challenge for home educated kids who love playing and creating “things” with LEGOs. Each month, a creative challenge is presented and children are given one week to complete the assignment is they choose to participate. Some of the previous quests include the following:

Playground: What would a playground look like if you built it? Would it be simple and full of trees and rocks to climb, connecting you with nature or would it be an ultra modern urban design and feel more like you’re going to the fair? See the submissions.

Favorite Song – What is your favorite song or piece of music? Can you create something out of LEGO that reminds you of this song? See the submissions

30 Pieces – For this challenge, everyone will be using the exact same LEGO pieces; 30 of them to be exact and color does not matter. Build whatever you like out of these bricks. See the submissions.

If your child is up for the challenge, then the first quest of the school year has already been set and is due Monday, September 12 – Design a custom made aircraft. This can be simple or extremely complex, it’s up to you.

Parents, if you need some LEGO storage suggestions, then take a look at these ideas.

Sketch Tuesday
Calling all sketchers, children and adults. Yes adults may participate too in this weekly art assignment which gives you the opportunity to create through drawing. Sketch Tuesday is another creative idea from Barb (Outdoor Nature Hour) who is also known as Harmony Art Mom and from her Web siteHarmony Fine Arts where she offers art and music appreciation curriculum.

The assignment this week to be completed by Monday, September 12 is to sketch something that glows. Read more here to participate. View slide show of previous Sketch Tuesday submissions.

Awana Clubs

It is about that time for a new session of Awana Clubs to begin at a church near you. Have you heard of Awana? If not, then let us fill you in a bit. Awana is a Chicago-based evangelism and discipleship program that was created by Senior Pastor Lance Latham for children ages 2-18 that has been ministering to children domestically for more than 70 years and internationally for more than 35 years. Their goal is to “lead kids worldwide to know, love and serve Christ” and they work with parents and churches from about 100 denominations to accomplish that goal. The name Awana stands for “Approved workman are not ashamed” from using the first letter in each word of that phrase which is taken form a verse that can be found in 2 Timothy 2:15.

There are four different ministries that include 24 Ministries (for middle and high school students), Awana Lifelife (for children of prisoners), Awana International (for children globally), and Awana Clubs (for children ages 2-18).

The Awana Club is a program that meets weekly at churches and has Bible study (Bible lessons, verse study, song, fellowship, etc.) for children from pre-K all the way through high school. The six programs that are offered are the following:

• Puggles (ages 2-3)
• Cubbies (preschool)
• Sparks (grades K-2)
• Truth & Training (grades 3-6)
• Trek (Middle School)
• Journey (high school)

If you are interested in your child participating in an Awana Club, then find an Awana Club in your area. A few tips are that all churches that offer Awana Club do not have all programs so be sure to check to see that your child’s age/grade level is supported before attending. Also, some churches provide supplies (vests, books, materials, etc.) free of charge while other churches do charge a fee. Be sure to inquire.

Remembering 9/11

Do you remember where you were on Tuesday, September 11, 2001? Nearly ten years ago, the world was still reeling from the devastation of the 9/11 attacks on the United States that occurred. Even after almost ten years, it sometimes still seems so unreal, but we all know that it did happen. Today, whether or not you were directly affected on that day, we all now live in a post-9/11 world – one of cautiousness and introspection, but also one of hope.

9/11 Memorial
On Sunday, September 11, the 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated in a private ceremony for the families of victims’ of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and February 26, 1993. The following day, the 9/11 Memorial will be open to the public for viewing and allow everyone to gather in honor of the people who lost their lives during both attacks. One of the places that will draw many is the twin memorial pools on which the names of victims are inscribed.

102 Minutes that Changed America
On Sunday, September 11, the HISTORY channel and A+E Networks will air the Emmy-Award winning movie which documents the 102 minutes that passed between the impact of the first plane into One World Trade Center, then the second plane’s crash into Two World Trade Center, and then to the final collapse of both buildings. This documentary is a compilation of video footage recorded by witnesses in and around New York City on the day of the attacks. The showing will start at 8:46AM ET. A teacher’s guide is available to use with your students to promote discussion and further studying of the subject.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum Webcasts
The attacks of 9/11 – causes, questions, ramifications, etc. – is a subject that will forever provoke conversation whether agreeable or argumentative. Clifford Chanin, Senior Program Advisor at the Memorial Museum, hosts a webcast series that was created for further discussion on issues that surround the 9/11 attacks and the post 9/11 world we live in today. A group of scholars and experts gather each month for a “round-table” discussion of the affects of the attacks. You can watch the webcasts to hear their perspectives and promote more conversation within your own classroom. A teacher’s guide and study is also available for the webcasts. See the current webcasts offered now.

Bloody Ground, Our Ground

Tennessee History for Kids has just released its new print edition, “Bloody Ground, Our Ground,” for students and teachers which targets 4th and 8th graders. It covers the period of pre-history through pre-Civil War in a colorful and well written fashion that you are accustomed to reading on the Tennessee History Web site. Some of the chapter titles you will find in the booklet include the following:

• The First Europeans
• Tennessee’s Wild West Era
• Trail of Tears

and more along with tidbits about Pinson Mounds, Randolph (Ghost Town on the Mississippi), and other topics giving students a glimpse into the early history of Tennessee.

“Bloody Ground, Our Ground” booklets are only $2 (+ shipping and handling) and can be easily ordered by completing the order form. Order your copy today!

Also available are the new 5th grade booklets that cover the Civil War through our present day with topics that include the Reconstruction, the Civil War and more Tennessee history. Take advantage of this affordable teaching tool for your students and order your copy today for only $2 each.

Book It! Reading Program

If you are looking for a creative way to encourage your student(s) to read this school year, then Pizza Hut just may have the answer for you. For more than 25 years, the Book It! reading program has been a unique tool in motivating young people to pick up a book and read by recognizing their reading accomplishments with a pizza.

The teacher establishes monthly reading goals for each student that can be tailored to his reading ability. If a student is not yet reading independently, then a parent or other reader can read to the child to help him achieve his goal. Once the student has achieved his reading goal at the end of the month, then he is rewarded with a Reading Award Certificate that can be redeemed at any participating Pizza Hut restaurant for a personal pan pizza.

Participation is easy for teachers who can enroll their students through their school. All materials (ex: Reading Reward Certificates) for the program are provided for FREE to schools. The Book IT! program begins October 1 and ends March 31. Eligible students must be grades K-6 and all participating kindergartners must be age five (5) by September 1st to participate. The program is only open to schools and not clubs or organizations.

Enrollments are still being accepted through September 1st. Register your homeschool today.