Field Trips and Tours

Field trips and tours are a fun aspect of homeschooling. Here are some ideas and trips in the works:

*Want to travel overseas with other homeschoolers at a great price? http://masterworkstours.blogspot.com has all the info for you.

*King's Landing Offers Educational Programs in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement Spring Session - 2007
Note:School programs during this time will be conducted in one part of the settlement only as we prepare the remainder of the site for opening day, June 2, 2007.
(Available:March 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2007) 19th Century Sugar Bush Program for Schools (by reservations for all grades)
Kings Landing's Sugar Bush will demonstrate methods of sugaring off in 19th century New Brunswick. Explore who the people are we represent at Kings Landing and discover how they made use of their natural environment as you visit our Sugar Bush. Sample maple sap and maple candy on the snow, and experience the process of sugaring off from beginning to end. Length of Program: 2 hours Fee $6.00 per student

May 9 - June 1, 2007
Grades 1 and 2: Role of a Young Child - Students will explore the role of the young child in the 19th century family. The position of a child in the home will be presented through discussion, exploration and chores. Your activity will include experiencing a typical chore for a child and discovering its importance to family survival.
OR
Grades 3 and 4: Community Members and Lifestyle
Students will explore and discover the community members and their lifestyle. You will identify our Loyalist families, their trades and why they settled along the St. John River Valley. You will discuss responsibilities of young people and experience a typical chore of the 19th century.
OR
Grades 5 and 6: Early Settlement and Resources
Students will explore the geographical features of Kings Landing Historical Settlement and their resources available in early communities. You will examine methods of communication and settlement patterns through a newspaper and maps.
OR
Grade 7 - 12: Students are welcome to visit our site. Please contact us and we will work with you to plan a tour to suit your needs.
(Everyone can pick what groups you want. I will call and see what the minimum amount is to have a group. We'll all go on the same day-if we can. We'll car-pool from Moncton and split gas costs.)
May 26'th (Saturday) is the day set aside for this trip. Please mark it on your calendars. We will bring bag lunches for a picnic. Leave a comment if you are planning to attend, which group your interested in, and how many people are planning to attend from your family.

Story Writing and Inspirational Freebies

This is a subject dear to my heart, of late. Writing. Here are some interesting sites to visit on the topic:

*Fantasy and SF Name Generators (Fantasy Character Name Generators, Fantasy Place Name Generators, Science Fiction Name Generator, Villain Name Generator, SF McGuffin Generator (sort of like the ultimate story item-Flux Capasitors, etc)-find all these links at Where the Map Ends. Very cool and a great way to spark your childs imagination (and yours too). (all-some links off site may need parental guidance)

*CSFF Blog Tour has a list of Christian authors in the fantasy fiction/science fiction genres. Check out there blogs, read some of their writings, see what's available for your kids (and you) to read. especially check out Tessa Edwards, a young budding author with lots of stories to read on her blog.(Note:Many of these blogs have tips on how to write and what to expect as a writer) Also see my writing blog Quest Writer.(teens and adults)

*Dragons, Knights and Angels is an online magazine (Christian fantasy/science/speculative fiction) where you can read or submit writing.(teens and adults) (*Note: They have a contest, open as of the 20th, with a $60 cash first prize, plus publication, plus some software goodies from Jeff Gerke.-Thanks Mirtika for the info)

*Faith Writers is a place to read and exercise your own writing. (all)

*The Copyright Symbol Webpage-find out about copywriting and add a symbol to your writing.(all)

*Critters Workshop- a great place to learn how to critique/edit writing. Anyone can do it here, within their guideline. You can also submit work to be editied-for free. A great site. (Teens and adults)

*Story Starters (kids)

* Neat facts about kid authors http://www.realkids.com/authors.shtml

*Young Writers' Clubhouse- a bit of everything here (kids)

*Index to Children's Book Authors & Illustrators

*Open Directory - Kids and Teens: School Time: English: Writing (ABC's of writing for all ages)

Sooo, check these out and start writing:)

Worksheet Makers and much more

This week we are featuring worksheet makers-from puzzles to writing paper, to scrapbooks, to journal pages!

*Handwriting Worksheet Maker -BASIC PRINT, D'NEALIAN STYLE, CURSIVE

*Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, crossword and math puzzles using your word lists.

*Word Scrambler (puzzle maker)

*Free Online Graph Paper / Grid Paper PDFs(every kind of paper imaginable-including Writing / Penmanship / Note-Taking, etc). Downloadable and printable.

*Can't find what you're looking for? Try this LINK for more

*Or try here for journal pages, scrapbook pages and much more.

Have fun exploring these sites and happy homeschooling!

All Things Medieval

"Fair people of internet land, we welcome thee to our Medieval page of Freebies. Let the games begin!"

Build a medieval castle

Shields, Knights and Heraldry

Heraldry Game

Medieval Demographics Made Easy (Note:Especially for gamers, but I found the info invaluable)

Middle Ages Site (variety of info here)

Middle Ages(another site full of historical info)

Illuminated Manuscripts (not free but free to view)

I'm sure there are many more sights out there. Please feel free to add links to your favorite ones, in the comments.
Enjoy!