AJCW has a 6 week spring semester of co-op classes listed now for kids ages 4 and up. Looks like tons of fun offerings, like Japanese, comic drawing, history, soccer, tween club, you name it! The prices look reasonable too. Visit Amy’s blog for information on how to sign up.

This listing is from Gene Booth of Day One:

DAY ONE HOMESCHOOL CLASSES

I am offering two unique and highly engaging classes for homeschooled students this Spring.

1  (NEW) WORLD STUDIES I

Based on current thinking in teaching world history, the approach here is to focus on themes rather than historical periods and specific regions, and to stress the interconnectedness of different places rather than studying them in isolation. Relevance to current sociopolitical issues is stressed; critical categories such as race, gender, class and generation are challenged. the themes covered are: debates in World History; politics of maps; problems with “origins” and Ancient History; Islam; bio-cultural exchange.

This class runs for ten weeks, on Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30 PM, April 24 through June 26. Cost is $190, payable in advance.  Ages 14-19

2  POEMLAB PUBLIC

Students will write, revise and perform original poems, using a format that exposes them to elements of poetry and contemporary American poets, and asks them to incorporate parts of each into their work. Students will have several opportunities (some evenings or weekends are possible) to perform their work live at open mics throughout the city. The best of each students’ work will be compiled and published in an anthology this Summer.

This class runs for ten weeks, on Tuesdays from 1:40-2:40 PM, April 24 through June 26.  Cost is $220 (including printing costs), payable in                 advance.Ages 14-19

Registration

Classes meet at Multikulti, 1000 N. Milwaukee Avenue, ten minutes south of the Division Blue Line stop.

Please contact me with the names and ages of your kids by April 17 to reserve spots; make checks out to Gene Booth.

New refund policy: If you drop a class within the first three sessions, you will be refunded 50% of the prorated cost of the remaining classes.

Background

I have been an educator for ten years, half in public and alternative schools as a Social Studies teacher, the other half doing arts curriculum for After School Matters and Youth Leadership Development for the Alternative Schools Network. I’m convinced that for students to learn the material must begin with an investigation of what the students care about, and that the goal of education must be to foster an ability to critically question and assess the real world.

Contact

Feel free to call or email me with questions: (312) 493-9736, gene.booth@gmail.com.

Here is some information from the folks over at the Community Co-op in Oak Park:

The Community Co-op is a family-oriented resource for homeschool families located in Oak Park, Illinois, serving Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.  We are a non-profit organization officially founded as the “Community Organization for Near West Homeschoolers”, but affectionately known as the “The Community Co-op” or “Co-op” for short.  Our group offers homeschool enrichment activities for homeschooling families once a week, for a day of friends, fun and learning. Our mission is to create an environment for educational enrichment where homeschooling families can work co-operatively in an atmosphere of mutual respect and interest-driven exploration, while maintaining our personal learning styles and sharing them with the group at large.

We are proud to share our blog and website with the online community of homeschoolers worldwide, which incorporates all of the visionary foundations of the original founders while forging a new direction as our group continues to grow and adapt.  Homeschooling is a journey which not only touches our respective families, but also our larger community, and indeed, our world.   It is our hope that this site will help to foster an enriching environment wherein we contribute to the world around us in a way that puts big ideas, in little hands.

We have launched a new website, the new site can be found at http://nearwesthomeschoolers.org

“I would love to offer my services to the homeschooling community here in Chicago, both in piano as well as in academics beginning this summer and next fall.  I have 24 years of experience teaching piano, and will be teaching piano privately full-time at my studio at The Catherine Cook School. I have 28 years of classroom teaching experience in lower elementary grades…all in private schools, but mostly in first grade.

The feading/spelling program I currently use has revolutionized the way my students are able to read, spell, and write, and I have many references to back that up.  I know of no other teacher or school in Chicago using the program I use, and I would love to share my program with any parents who may be interested in learning about it and using it with their children.  It is applicable to children from SK through third or fourth grade…and possibly beyond.  It is taught through music, which I feel is always a great way to teach anything.   I was trained in how to teach this program when I took a class in CA about ten years ago called “First Focus Phonics.”

Feel free to contact me at Lbender@ccookschool.org or firefly531Qcomcast.net if you are interested in piano or in learning more about my reading program.

Thank you!
Laurie”

Homeschool Dance Class at Demaira Dance Studios, Inc.

This active class for kids ages 6-9 incorporates several different dance forms (ballet, jazz, musical theater, modern, hip hop) to introduce students to dance. Kids (boys and girls are welcome) will get moving, use their imaginations, and dance, dance, dance!  Taught by “grown-up homeschooler” Megan Donahue, the class is ideal for first time dancers. This class will participate in our June recital.

Oak Park, Tuesdays 11am.
Chicago, Thursdays 11am.

For more info, check out: www.demaira-dance.com

AJ Collective Workshops (AJCW) Thursdays! – All NEW Classes for this Winter 2012!
Inspired by the creativity of our children, we facilitate workshops with an emphasis on child-led learning.

All classes held at the Ethical Humanist Society at 7574 N. Lincoln Ave, Skokie on Thursdays, January 12^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th.).

ASL
Thursdays, January 12^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 10:00a-11:00p:
We will learn conversational ASL vocabulary as well as developing  ASL grammatical skills using things like facial grammar and classifiers to open up a whole new world of communication possibilities! We will also discuss Deaf Culture and learn to create traditional hand-shape and ABC stories. This will be a fun, interactive class with lots of games and language play! Classes are taught by Amy Eaton who learned ASL in 1988 working with National Technical Institute for the Deaf’s “Sunshine Too”, an outreach company made up of 3 hearing and 3 Deaf actors. Based in Rochester, NY, they toured most of the US, performing for all kinds of audiences in all kinds of situations. In 1990, she moved to Chicago with comrade Peter Cook, an internationally recognized Deaf Poet. Together they taught a mix of ASL and creative drama under the auspices of Urban Gateways from 1991-1995. In 1993 Amy co-founded Nature of the Beast and directed their original “ASL Opera” adaptation of “Medea.”
Class minimum: 5 people, ages 8 and up, parents welcome to take the class as well. $100 per student for the full 10 week session (family rate available). Questions, information or to register contact Amy Eaton: amyceaton@gmail.com

Little’s Art
Thursdays, January 12^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 10:30a-1:30p:
Little’s Art is geared towards children 3 years of age on up to 7 years with one main guided take-home project each week, exploring self-portraits, mosaics, origami and more! The room is set up for three fun-filled hours of exploration (in addition to the main project) with sensory stations to work on fine motor skills though beading, drawing, painting, collage construction, stamping, play dough, stickers and much more! Parents are welcome to attend, or drop off. Stay for the whole three hours or come and go as your schedule sees fit. Class is taught by art enthusiasts extraordinaire, homeschooling moms Jen Kafizov and Amy Jarjusey.
Class minimum: 5 children. $80 per child for the full 10 week session. Drop in fee $12. Questions, information or to register contact Amy Jarjusey and Jen Kafizov: tikistanford@yahoo.com

Teeny Tiny Miniatures, Oh My!
Thursdays, January 12^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 11:00a-12:00p:
The sky is truly the limits in this art adventure class. Come with an idea to miniaturize a fabulous creation! Could be a dollhouse, a doctor’s office, a theater, park or more! Your child comes with an idea, and we can help them think way outside the box to create an amazing miniature with intricate details all around. Not only will they create a structure, but all of the people and the accessories that come along with that special place. Recommended for children ages 9 years and up, or children with required skills: use of glue gun, tweezers, detailed cutting with either scissors or crafting knives, and detailed painting. Class is taught by homeschooling mom and art enthusiast Amy Jarjusey, with the fabulous and very talented unschooled teen artist Emily Souers who has been making art since her earliest days and loves working with kids. She has been teaching children’s art classes in her basement art studio for a little over a year, works as an intern at the Family Programs at the Art Institute of Chicago, and is applying to art colleges so that she can earn her BFA. Her artistic proficiencies include painting and drawing, recycled sculpture, miniatures, and fiber arts.
Class minimum: 6 children. $120 per child for the full 10 week session. Questions, information or to register contact Amy Jarjusey and Jen Kafizov: tikistanford@yahoo.com

French
Thursdays, January 12th – March 29th (no class Jan. 26th or March 15th) 11:00a-12:00p:

This fun-filled foreign language session is geared towards students ranging from ages 7-12 (or any age beginning French speakers) and will focus on introducing students to spoken French. There will be lots of opportunities to practice speaking and active learning, through songs and other activities. Children will be exposed to vocabulary related to colors, numbers, clothes, animals, foods and other basic ideas. Most of all, students will learn how to meet others and speak about themselves in French, be introduced to some writing and written vocabulary, as well as engage in cultural games and activities to strengthen language skills. Classes are taught by Andrea Parkins who is a homeschooling mother with approximately 15 years of experience as an educator. Andrea earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in Romance Languages and speaks, reads, and writes French fluently.  She has experience teaching Kindergarten, 3rd grade, primary French language, as well as 5th and 6th grades.
Class minimum: 6 students. $100 per child for 10 weeks.   Questions, information or to register contact Andrea Parkins: parkinschi@comcast.net

Ancient World History
Thursdays, January 12^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 12:30p-1:30p:
Typically, the study of ancient civilizations involves an examination of early man, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient China, Ancient Greece,  Ancient Rome, and other civilizations. This class, most suitable for 9-12 year olds, will hopefully be the first in a series. The focus will be on early man and civilizations and Mesopotamia. This storied land, known today as Iraq, was home to some of the greatest early civilizations, including the Hittities, the Babylonians, the Assyrians and others.  Students will actively explore cultural aspects of these civilizations, including religious beliefs, foods, etc.  Drama, art, and other mediums will be incorporated and students will be able to shape how this study unfolds.  Classes are taught by Andrea Parkins who is a homeschooling mother with approximately 15 years of experience as an educator. Andrea earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Political Science.  She has experience teaching Kindergarten, 3rd grade, primary French language, as well as 5th and 6th grades. Her passion was subjects such as Ancient World History and United States History. After leaving her teaching position, she worked on a team which provided support to teachers with respect to interventions for struggling students.
Class minimum: 6 students. $110 per child for 10 weeks.   Questions, information or to register contact Andrea Parkins: parkinschi@comcast.net

Hands-On Science Exploration
Thursdays, January 12^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 1:45p-2:45p:
This is a diverse exploration into various science disciplines including biological and physical sciences, astronomy, electricity, chemistry and more. A bi-weekly adventure into each of these topics will include instruction, group discussions, hands-on activities in each given branch of learning, group and independent work, and resources for your child to bring home and explore further. This class is designed to encourage independent discovery and build on current skills, geared towards children ages 8-9 years and up. Classes are taught by homeschooling parents, Jen Kafizov and Amy Jarjusey.
Class minimum: 6 children. $145 per child for the full 10 week session. Drop in fee: $15. Questions, information or to register contact Amy Jarjusey and Jen Kafizov: tikistanford@yahoo.com

Kindermusik Family Time
Thursdays, January 19^th – March 29^th (no class Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 2:15p-3:00p: (NOTE: This class starts 1 week later than the others and runs for 9 weeks.)
A music and movement class for the whole family!  During each 45 minute class parents and their children will sing, dance, and move their way through an exploration of several elements of music: beat and rhythm, concepts and contrasts (such as staccato and legato, high and low, the major scale, and arpeggios), the human voice, instrument families, and ensemble. They’ll engage in activities that the whole family can enjoy together, including finger plays, songs, circle dances, story time, and family jam.  Each family will receive a set of home materials including CDs, books and instruments to further your music making at home.  Class is taught by Julie Friend, homeschooling mom, who is a licensed Kindermusik educator.  She has been teaching all levels of Kindermusik in and around Chicago for the past 9 years.  Prior to teaching Kindermusik she taught elementary general music for four years.
Class minimum: 6 children. Tuition will be $140 (parent/child) and will include the home materials. Questions, information or to register contact Julie Friend: jfriend22@comcast.net

Tween Club
Thursdays, January 19^th – March 29^th (no gathering Jan. 26^th or March 15^th) 2:45p-4:15p:
Have tweens will gather! This is a fun social gathering for children ages 9 years up to 12 years of age. Each week is “hosted” by one tween/parent volunteer. To host simply means to plan that week of activities for the tweens. Gatherings will primarily happen at EHS, however there could certainly be some off-site field trips planned as well. There is a yahoo group for Tween Club, please take the time to join it: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChiTweenClub2/. This is a casual gathering of kids, no class minimum required to have it run. The rental fee donation is $15 per child for the 10 week schedule. Hosts may request up to $5 per child on any given week to cover the costs of supplies for their planned activity, but free activities highly encouraged. (Max. paid per child for 10 weeks would be $65) Off-site field trips planned should not cost a child more than $10. To register for this gathering (pay your child’s $15 donation fee) or any questions contact Amy Jarjusey and Jen Kafizov: tikistanford@yahoo.com

The Skokie Heritage Museum has one more Historical Adventure for Homeschoolers scheduled this fall.

Historical Adventures for Homeschoolers: Intro to Architecture

Deadline to register is 12/8.

Register at www.skokieparks.org or call (847) 677-6672.

More programs to come this winter!

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving,

Amanda Hanson, CPRP
Facility Manager
Skokie Heritage Museum
8031 Floral Ave.
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 674-1500 ext. 3020

Another amazing all homeschooled cast!

WHO: Pigeons with Teeth presents “One if By Mamet, Two if by Guare: 3
short one acts” and Daddy G presents improv teams “Household
Appliances” and “Those Darn Kids”

WHAT: an extravaganza of short one acts and short and long form improv
performed by homeschoolers

WHERE: PROP THTR, 3502-04 N Elston (south of Kedzie/Addison/Elston
intersection)

WHEN: Two shows only! Thursday, November 17th at 7:30 and Saturday,
November 19th at 2 pm

HOW MUCH: 2 bucks at the door

We’re looking forward to a great show by some great kids! Hope to see
you there!

Amy and Greg

Please join us Monday

Join us for the Northside Unschoolers Group Parents Meeting. We will be discussing and creating Family Mission Statements.
Monday evening November 14, 2011
7:00pm-9:00pm
Irving Park United Methodist Church
3801 N. Keeler (at Grace St.)
Just off the Irving Park stop on the Blue Line and Irving Park, Kennedy exit.
There is plenty of street parking.