February Homeschool Newsletter

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Homeschool Title

MCESA is committed to consistently providing resources, leadership and support for the educational needs of all homeschooling families.

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Homeschool Week at SEA LIFE

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SEA LIFE Arizona will be hosting Homeschool Week

February 6th - February 10th

Homeschool week at SEA LIFE Arizona is back Monday February 6th through Friday February 10th. Dive into filtration with a twist! In this exciting hands on workshop learn about how water is kept clean by and for the animals that live in it! Purchase tickets online to guarantee entry, and pick a time slot for your age group.

Classes will be at the following times: 

  • 11:45
  • 12:30 (Kindergarten - 2nd)
  • 1:15
  • 2:00 (Middle school and High School)
  • 2:45

Tickets for this homeschool event will be sold at a rate of $8.50 +tax per person.

For additional information and to reserve your space, please call us at 480-395-7003 or email ArizonaSEALIFE@merlinentertainments.biz 

Website: https://www2.visitsealife.com/arizona/tickets/homeschool-tickets/

Limited space is available. Spaces must be reserved. The selected time slot represents the time of your lesson. Your ticket is valid for all-day entry into the aquarium.

*Upon arrival please be prepared to show your AFHE Member ID card, homeschool group membership card, affidavit of intent to homeschool, or HSLDA Member ID card

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Check Out This Month's STEM Pro Live

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Introduce students to a telecommunications engineer with February's STEM Pro Live!

Wednesday, Feb. 15 @ 9 AM ! 

In this STEM Pro Live!, you'll hear how Sanjay Srinivasan pursued an engineering degree and has spent his career improving phone quality and efficiency for companies. He'll also share about how persevering in STEM in school provides skills for a lifetime. 

Hear more about Sanjay's story, his work, and his answers to your questions with our next STEM Pro Live! on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 9 a.m. 

REGISTER FOR FREE HERE! https://maricopacountyesa.wildapricot.org/event-2452086

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Arizona Science Center

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Arizona Science Center offers a variety of homeschool opportunities for students from August through May.
Classes are 90 minutes long. There are extended classes, which are two hours long, and noted in the class description. Classes that will be taught by a state certified educator are denoted with an asterisk (*).

Pricing per child

  • Non-members: $50 
  • Members:  $35

Some classes may include additional fees.

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Upcycled Art

Preschool - Kindergarten 

What's so important about the three Rs? Learn what you can and can’t recycle and create your own "upcycled" masterpiece of recycled art to take home.

February 14, 2017     10:00am - 11:30am

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Upcycled Art

Grades 1-2 

What's so important about the three Rs? Learn what you can and can’t recycle and create your own "upcycled" masterpiece of recycled art to take home.

February 7, 2017     10:00am - 11:30am 

Ocean Commotion

Grades 1-2 

We’ll dive right in with a hands-on, sensory exploration of these large bodies of water. Students will explore the movement, sounds, and critters of the ocean. Day includes admission into the new Planet Shark traveling exhibition and general admission to Arizona Science Center

February 17, 2017     10:00am - 1:30am 

PRICING
$55 per child   |   $10 per adult Chaperon

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Recycled Racer

Grades 3-5

Can you make a car that moves out of recycled materials?  Using green engineering, work in groups to engineer a toy racecar out of recycled materials.  Explore the engineering design process as we challenge you to design and redesign your car to be better, stronger, and faster. 

February 7, 2017   10:00am - 11:30am

February 9, 2017   10:00am - 11:30am

Sheep Heart Dissection

Grades 3-5

Work individually or in a small groups to dissect sheep heart specimens and learn about their unique internal and external anatomy, in addition to proper dissection technique and etiquette.  

PRICING
Member Group Specimen: $43 (to work on group specimen)
Member Individual Specimen: $50 (to work on individual specimen)
Nonmember Group Specimen: $58 (to work on group specimen)
Nonmember Individual Specimen: $65 (to work on individual specimen)

February 14, 2017   10:00am - 11:30am

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Engineering Challenge

Grade 6-8

Work together in a team to design and create a contraption that will benefit society. Choose your materials wisely; you’ll be operating on a budget! After the designs have been made, teams will create a marketing plan to promote their product.

February 7, 2017   1:30pm - 3:00pm 

Heart Healthy

Grade 6-8

Learn about the anatomy and physiology of the heart through a series of experiments and activities that measure heart rate. Understand the impact of exercise and diet on your heart health! As part of this class, each of you will receive your own stethoscope!

February 14, 2017   1:30pm - 3:00pm 

Ocean Acidification

Grade 6-8

Why should Arizonans be concerned about the ocean? Learn about the impacts we have on the world's oceans, and how the ocean’s chemistry is changing. Artistic techniques will be incorporated in this lesson as you explore concepts in acid-base chemistry.

February 21, 2017   1:30pm - 3:00pm 

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science fair

Homeschool Science Fair 
May 6, 2017
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Arizona Science Center 

Students will display their experiments and display boards to their peers and other Arizona Science Center Guests. Please plan to arrive at Arizona Science Center by 9 a.m. to set up displays. Students will have approximately one hour to give presentations to each other and/or provide peer review. Arizona Science Center opens to the public at 10 a.m. at which students will be able to present their projects to guests if they choose. The Science Fair will end at 11 a.m. with a "participation" awards ceremony, then displays can be cleaned up and taken back home.

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Conkrite News Report On Homeschooling In Arizona

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Covenant Home School Resource Center Events

Regular Hours:
September-June
We are open Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 4 pm weekly plus usually one Saturday per month.
We are open the following Saturdays:
February 18th; March 18th; April 8th; May  20th and June 17th.
Please note: We are not open any Saturdays in December or January.

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iowa

Spring Iowa testing at CHSRC 
The Iowa Test is a standardized test to help parents gauge what level their child is at or assess progress.  Covenant Home School Resource Center offers this testing for grades 1-8 in March and grades 3-12 in June.  Registration for spring Iowa testing is now open. 

WHEN:   Session One: 3rd-8th grade March 21 and 22Session Two: 1st-8th grade March 23 and 24

9:00 am - 1:00 pm  (1st and 2nd grade will end closer to 11:00 am)  

WHERE:   Covenant Home School Resource Center, 1117 E. Devonshire, Phoenix 85014 

COST:  1st and 2nd grade: $55 per test; 3rd-8th grade: $45 per test (Practice tests are also available for $3.50) 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  February 18.  After that, a late fee of $10/family will apply.  Late registration will be taken up until the day before each session.

CONTACT:  Janet and Mackenzie, 602-277-3497, testing@chsrc.org 

WEBSITE:  www.chsrc.org/iowa-testing

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AFHE NEWS

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AFHE CONVENTION
JULY 7-8, 2017 

Plans are underway for the 34th Annual Arizona Home Education Convention hosted by AFHE. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for a very special weekend! Details will be posted on the website in the next couple of weeks. 

WHEN: Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8, 2017

WHERE:  Phoenix Convention Center, 33 S. Third Street, Phoenix 

REGISTRATION:  Schedule to open March 7 

WEBSITE:  afhe.org/convention  

EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS

The exhibit hall is filling quickly with only about 70 booth spaces remaining (out of 250). Curriculum publishers, homeschool-related businesses, and local family-friendly venues, please review the information in the Exhibitor Registration Packet for more information about applying for booth space at the AFHE Convention. 

A list of registered exhibitors is available on the Exhibit Hall page as well.

YOUNG ENTRPERENEURS
We invite Arizona homeschool students and graduates ages 12-23 who have their own business to apply for a Young Entrepreneurs booth at the AFHE Convention. The Y.E. Registration Packet and application will be posted later this month. 

WEBSITE:  Exhibit Hall - afhe.org/convention/exhibit-hall

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grads

2017 AFHE GRADUATE RECOGNITION CEREMONY FOR
SENIOR HIGH AND JUNIOR HIGH  

Calling all Arizona homeschooled students graduating from senior high and junior high this year! We have a very special ceremony planned to celebrate these important milestones in the homeschool journey. 

WHEN: Friday, May 26, 2017, 7:00 PM 

WHERE:  Dream City Church, Phoenix 

SENIOR HIGH GRADUATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February, 10, 2017 

JUNIOR HIGH GRADUATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  March 31, 2017

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pony

Free Homeschool Activities for Arrival of the Hashknife Pony Express 


Homeschooled students and their families can experience living history! At this event, the Hashknife Pony Express, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world, will thunder into town to deliver the mail to U.S. Postal Service representatives at the front steps of our museum.  After the mail drop at noon, students can meet the two dozen riders (and horses!) and take part in photo ops. Starting at approximately 12:45 p.m., there will be a range of free, family-friendly activities outside on the museum's south plaza. 

Best of all, your student can send a letter that will be included in the pony express journey and received by the U.S. Postal Service at the handoff! Official Hashknife Pony Express mailers can be purchased in advance of the event from the museum store for $1 each. Bring your mailer or any letter with proper postage to the museum store by February 1 to be included in the February 10 event. 

WHEN:  Friday, February 10, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm 

WHERE: Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, A85251 

COST:  Free

WEBSITES: hashknifeponyexpress.com and scottsdalemuseumwest.org

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art classes

Art Classes - Doodlebug Club 

The Doodlebug Club introduces a visual art and visual literacy program to children from kindergarten to 8th grade. Each course focuses on a body of artwork from a famous artist. Using educational stories, your child will learn about the countries, cities, and historical time periods of master artists and their subjects. They will also get a better understanding and appreciation of the art by learning the techniques, media and elements of the artist. Your child will engage in visual-creative thinking as they create their own works of art. 

WHERE:  Private and travel classes offered 

CONTACT:  Angie Nelson, Angie@Doodlebug.Club, 602-620-7356
WEBSITE:  www.Doodlebug.club

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book sale

VNSA Used Book Sale 
The VNSA Book Sale provides a wonderful opportunity for teachers, parents and students to purchase a wide variety of quality used books at very reasonable prices.  The average book sells for $1 - $5.  There will be more than 400,000 gently used fiction and non-fiction books, foreign language books, text books, CDs , DVDs, computer games, music, puzzles, maps, computer manuals and software, and other book related materials.  All books, except for rare and unusual, are half price on Sunday.  Bring your own bag or small wheel-around.

WHEN:  Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 am - 6 pm and Sunday, Feb. 12, 8 am - 4 pm 

WHERE:  Arizona State Fairgrounds - Exhibit Building, 1826 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85007 

COST:  Free admission to the book sale, but the fairgrounds charge for parking. 

WEBSITE:  www.vnsabooksale.org

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id tech

iD Tech Summer Camps


In Tempe & Scottsdale. Code, game, and create at the world's #1 summer tech camp! Students ages 6-18 can learn to code, design video games, mod Minecraft, engineer robots, animate 3D objects, and more. We have both overnight and day camp options too! 

WHEN:  June 5 - July 28, 2017 

WHERE:  ASU Tempe 

CONTACT:  Jason Chavez, jchavez@idtech.com, 1-888-709-TECH 

WEBSITE:  www.idtech.com/locations/arizona-summer-camps

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Pueblo Grande Musuem February Events

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Archaeology for Kids 
Saturday, February 4| 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
Cost: $15; Discounts for Museum Members 

Children ages 7 to 12 can become a Junior Archaeologist and explore the science of archaeology by doing a simulated excavation of a Hohokam pit house. Learn how to identify artifacts in the field, and discover how archaeologists use these artifacts to learn more about past cultures.  Register by February 2.

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Petroglyph Discovery Hike
Saturday, February 18 | 9 to 10 a.m.
Cost : $5, For all ages
Location: Box Canyon / Holbert Trail
Difficulty: Moderate

Bring the whole family for a short one mile Hohokam petroglyph discovery hike at South Mountain for an easy but also petroglyph rich hiking experience. An experienced Museum guide will lead participants on a quick one-mile, one-hour interpretive hike, perfect for all ages and busy schedules. Space is limited.  Cost: $5. Register by February 16. 

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Homeschool Days at Butterfly Wonderland

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Homeschool Days for the 2017 School Year

February 20, 21 and May 22, 23

*Due to large crowds and school bookings, there are no Homeschool Days in March and April.

Our flexibly structured Homeschool Days are designed for families to learn together while exploring Butterfly Wonderland’s exhibits without the crowds of school field trips.

As a homeschool group, a minimum of 10 people is needed to receive special discounted admission. Cost is $9 per student (two and under are free) and $14 per adult plus 7.95% tax. One point person must pay at ticket window on day of tour for group.

The Homeschool Reservation Request Form must be completed; it can be downloaded by visiting the website. Tours last 1.5 to 2 hours and can be scheduled at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.

For more information, contact our Education Department at (480) 800-3000, ext. 207 or email adriane@butterflywonderland.com.

Website:http://butterflywonderland.com/group-events/

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Children's Museum of Phoenix

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The Children's Museum of Phoenix is open to the public FREE of charge from 5:00pm to 9:00pm on the First Friday Night of most months!!!!!

215 N 7th Street

Phoenix AZ  85034

website: Childrensmuseumofphoenix.org 

 

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Usery Mountain Event

HOMESCHOOL FEBRUARY 
USERY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK 
COST: FREE with the $6 per vehicle park entry fee or your Maricopa County Parks Annual Pass!

Don’t miss these fun, nature-based programs every Wednesday in February (and March 1). Explore our desert and discover some amazing things! These programs are suggested for kids ages 7-12 with an adult and last about an hour and a half. Please bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. NO registration - just show up and have some fun! For more information on each program, check out our website at: www.maricopacountyparks.net

DESERT CSI (Critter Scene Investigations) 
Wednesday, February 8, 2017 – 10 AM 
Calling all animal detectives! Join us on a wild search to find out which desert animals have crossed our path. Help investigate the clues that animals leave behind and go home an expert Critter Scene Investigator! Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Meet at Group Picnic C.

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February Events in Phoenix

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2/4: Kids Science Workshop: Dinosaurs

Scott Anderson leads a workshop on dinosaurs appropriate for ages 6 and older. Parents are encouraged to participate.  Registration is recommended because of limited space.

Details: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Ages 6 and up. Gilbert Historical Museum, 10 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. Free. 480-926-1577, www.gilbertmuseum.org.

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2/10-12: Phoenix Chinese Week Culture and Cuisine Festival

Phoenix Chinese Week is celebrating the Year of the Rooster with their Culture and Cuisine Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. The festival will feature Chinese food vendors, traditional Chinese dance, martial arts demonstrations, a lion dance, a Wushu demonstration and children's rides.

Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12. Margaret T. Hance Park (East),  1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. Free. http://www.phoenixchineseweek.org/festival/festival-details/​.

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2/11-12: Discount Tire Free Family Weekend

Discount Tire Company and the Phoenix Art Museum have partnered to bring a themed weekend of playing and learning with hands-on projects, music and dance, and performances that connect with the museum's collection and exhibitions. This weekend's theme is circles.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. Phoenix Art Museum, 625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free. phxart.org.

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2/16-26: Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show

The annual show brings trainers, top breeders and champion horses from around the globe to Scottsdale's WestWorld. Among the events for kids are the free behind-the-scene barn tours, pony rides and petting zoo, meet an Arabian visits, wildlife and animal displays, dog demonstrations, paint-a-ceramic pony and an ice cream social. Check the website for specific event dates and times.

Details: Gate open at 8 a.m. daily Thursday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 26. The ice-cream social is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Free for kids ages 12 and younger. General admission for adults is $10. scottsdaleshow.com.

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2/3-5: Glendale Chocolate Affaire

Calling all chocoholics! The 21st annual Glendale Chocolate Affaire will feature dozens of chocolate makers and a wide variety of treats. Indulge in chocolate-covered strawberries, kettle corn drizzled in chocolate and much more. The three-day sweet event is presented by Cerreta Candy Company.

Details: Feb. 3-5. 5-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 12-5 p.m. Sunday. Murphy Park, 58th and Glendale Avenues, Glendale. Free. glendaleaz.com.

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ASU

NIGHT OF THE OPEN DOOR

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2/3: ASU Night Of The Open Door @ Downtown Phoenix

Families tour the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and the nutrition kitchen, investigate cadavers and create a comic strip.

Details: 4-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. ASU's downtown Phoenix Campus, 411 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free. opendoor.asu.edu/downtown-phoenix.

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2/11: ASU Night Of The Open Door @ West

Interactive activities explore mathematical and natural sciences and more with a Rubik’s Cube competition, a chance to create a board game, working with bio-dots to monitor stress and a Minecraft photo booth.

Details: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. ASU West Campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. Free. opendoor.asu.edu/west.

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2/17: ASU Night Of The Open Door @ Polytechnic

Kids and families can experience flight and air-traffic controller simulations, new-age cars and the amazing world of algae, as well as play classic video games. Dance and theater performances are part of the entertainment.

Details: 4-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. ASU Polytechnic Campus, 7001 E. Williams Field Road, Mesa. Free. opendoor.asu.edu/polytechnic.

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2/25: ASU Night Of The Open Door @ Tempe

Learn about rare and poisonous insects, space exploration, volcanoes, medical breakthroughs and Mayan discoveries during tours of the campus. Children can visit the instrument petting zoo, see how meteorologists predict weather and learn how to street-style dance.

Details: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Arizona State University, 400 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe. Free. opendoor.asu.edu/tempe.

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The Cat In The Hat

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DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT

By Katie Mitchell, Adapted from the Book by Dr. Seuss

AGES 3 AND UP

Weekends Jan. 14 – Feb. 19, 2017: Saturdays (1 & 4pm), Sundays (1pm)

Location: Tempe Center for the Arts Studio

Price: $12 - $26

From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears at their door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the most mischievous cat they will ever meet. Suddenly the rainy afternoon is transformed by the Cat and his antics. Will their house ever be the same? Can the kids clean up before mom comes home? With some tricks (and a fish) and Thing Two and Thing One, with the Cat in The Hat, the fun’s never done! 

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We Make History

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The Phoenix Liberty Festival
Presented by We Make History  

An American Revolution living history experience welcoming homeschoolers. Make plans to join us for this very special educational field trip focused entirely on the American Revolution. 

WHEN: February 9-10, 2017 

WHERE: 16401 N. 43rd Ave, Phoenix  

COST: $10 per person - Passes are good for EITHER Thursday or Friday, your choice. Order passes  

CONTACT:  We Make History, wemakehistory@aol.com 

WEBSITE: americanlibertyfestival.com

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Discouted Educational Products

educents

www.educents.com  

We aspire to provide affordable education to everyone. That’s the idea behind Educents.

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