August 2007

HEART OF TEXAS
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.


MID-JULY 2007 ISSUE
Home School News and Events
Dear Home School Leaders and Friends,

We are excited to share with you some information about several events that may be of interest to home schoolers in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region. Please feel free to pass along this information to the homeschooling families in your network.

If you would like for us to help you spread the news about an event or activity that your group is doing, or if you know of an event or activity that would benefit other home schoolers, please drop us a line at info@HEARTofTex.org so we can include it in the next issue of our bi-weekly e-newsletter.

Thanks so much!

www.HEARTofTex.org

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Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling community. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, and support, as well as to encourage political participation within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups and families in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region.


This information is provided as a service to our fellow home schoolers. HEART of Texas does not necessarily endorse, warrant, or represent any of the activities, events, or organizations listed, or their content, views, opinions, or recommendations. Please use your own judgment when considering taking part in or attending any of these events or activities or visiting any of the websites or links provided. HEART of Texas assumes no responsibility for the content of any ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered.


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AUGUST 6
AMAZING ARTHROPODS HOMESCHOOL CLASS & TOUR AT FOSSIL RIM

AUGUST 6 – Amazing Arthropods (Insects, Spiders, and Scorpions, Oh My!) Class & Tour
Time: 10:00 - 2:30ish
Learn about insects, spiders, and other arthropods, with a special focus on Texas natives. Picnic lunch at the Overlook at 12:00, followed by a guided tour of Fossil Rim.


For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
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AUGUST 6
BROWN BAG LUNCH EVENT AT HERITAGE FARMSTEAD IN PLANO

Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
Cost: FREE
Details: Bring a lunch and a book to read. A costumed docent will read aloud the books the children bring.

Location: Heritage Farmstead Museum
For Registration and Other Information: 972-881-0140 http://heritagefarmstead.org/events.htm

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AUGUST 14
AUDIO EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING JOHN R. ERICKSON AND JOHNNY HELLER

AUGUST 14
Time: 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Hurst Public Library
901 Precinct Line Road
Hurst, TX 76053

Admission: FREE

Details: Literacy through listening will be the theme of the day, featuring high profile audiobook stars John R. Erickson, author of the Hank the Cowdog series, and Johnny Heller. The event will highlight the Hurst Library's audio resources. There will be displays featuring organizations that benefit from audio formats such as Texas Talking Books, ESL and other community members who have an interest in sharing their passion for recorded books. Librarians will demonstrate how to download eaudiobooks.


Schedule:
5-6 p.m. Information Booths; Librarians will demonstrate how to download eaudiobooks.

6-7 p.m. John R. Erickson will perform from his Hank the Cowdog series (celebrating 25 years of a Texas favorite!)

7-7:30 p.m. Information booths; John Erickson and Johnny Heller will also be autographing

7:30-8:30 p.m. Johnny Heller, reader of Marley and Me and many popular children and young adult titles, will narrate selections from various books representing all age levels.


For More Information: Beverly Kirkendall
817-788-7302

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AUGUST 16-18
STATE HOME SCHOOL CONVENTION AND FAMILY CONFERENCE

Preview and purchase curriculum as you browse the carpeted Exhibit Hall filled with over 170 booths!

Location: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott
1601 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380

Keynote Speakers: Andrew Pudewa
Featured Speakers: Doug and Patsy Arnold
FREE Thursday Evening Sessions!
Come Thursday for a FREE taste of the weekend to come! Have friends interested in homeschooling? Bring them along too! Kick-off your Convention vacation with an evening of inspiration! Don’t want to hassle with Registration Friday morning? Convention registration will be open Thursday evening for your convenience!

Thursday Schedule (FREE)
7 p.m.: Debra Bell --- Recovering Our Vision: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense Now More Than Ever
8 p.m.: Andrew Pudewa --- Conquering Corrupt Culture by Raising Christian Communicators


Friday and Saturday Evening Programs:
John Erickson, creator of Hank the Cowdog, joins us again with an encore performance Friday and Saturday nights! His audiences enjoyed him so much last year that we just had to ask him to come back! Join other “Hank scholars” in listening and watching as John reads some of Hank’s stories and sings some of his songs! Watch and listen as the creator and author of the popular Hank the Cowdog series make his character come alive. You will be able to picture yourself out on the ranch!

Special Fellowships --- Saturday from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Do you ever feel like you are the only one facing unique circumstances? Saturday afternoon, from 3 – 4:30 p.m., there will special fellowships for minority families, support group leaders, families with single parents, families with special needs children, and families with only children. Come be encouraged, build relationships, and share ideas with others facing similar situations.


Quality Programs for Children and Teens Available!!

For Registration and Other Information: www.thsc.org/convention/General_Information.asp - registration

For Listing of Exhibitors: www.thsc.org/convention/exhibitor_default.asp

For Speaker Schedule: http://www.thsc.org/convention/Speaker_sessions.asp

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AUGUST 17-18
NTHEN BOOKFAIR AND CONFERENCE --- PLANO

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days

Location: Plano Centre
2000 East Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX

Featured Speakers: James and Stacy McDonald
Featured keynote speakers are James and Stacy McDonald. Tom and Sherry Bushnell, founders of the Special Needs Children ministry, NAATHAN, will also be presenting special workshops on educating special needs students. And don't forget to sign up your teens for Generation Joshua and your children for the Art-A-Rama art programs.

For Registration and Other Information: 214-495-9600 or http://www.nthen.org

View Newsletter Headers

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AUGUST 17
AMON CARTER REOPENING PARTY

Time: 6 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Details: The museum is reopening! Bring your family and friends for a preview of our beautiful and newly installed galleries.

* Hot dogs, lemonade, and Curly’s Frozen Custard on the plaza
* Fun activities for the kids
* Johnny Guadaramma Jazz Band
* Door prizes
* Connect to the American experience through great works of art
* Premiere of special exhibition Chimneys and Towers: Charles Demuth’s Late Paintings of Lancaster
* Admission is free.

The museum resumes regular operating hours on August 18 at 10 a.m.


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1. North Texas Library Summer Programs --- Summer 2007

2. Ringling Brothers Reading Club --- Through 8/15/07 ---- Participating Texas Libraries

3. Sunkist "Take a Stand" Free Lemonade Stand Program --- Through Sept 4

4. AMC Theatres Summer Movie Camp --- Free Movies --- Wednesdays Through August 15

5. BEST Robotics 2007 Preview: 2021 a Robot Odyssey

6. THEO Offering Summer SAT Classes, Summer Activities, and Classes for 2007-2008

7. Achievement Testing Available at CERC in Rowlett

8. Lewisville Area Homeschool Speech --- Intro to Competitive Speech Classes --- Registration Open

9. Homeschoolers East Co-Op Classes --- East Dallas --- Register August 22

10. Legacy Home School Enrichment Program at First Baptist in Euless --- Registration Open

11. Library Used Book Sales in North Texas --- August

12. Private One-On-One Tuturing in Mathematics--- www.ed2netlearning.com

13. Sharkarosa Open-to-the-Public Days --- August

14. Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater --- August

15. Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature – August

16. Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Programs --- August

17. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater ---Hurst --- August

18. CATS Home School Theatre Classes --- Arlington --- Registration Open for 2007-2008 School Year

19. Plano Children’s Theater --- Plano --- August

20. STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination Exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History --- Through Sept 3

21. Dallas Museum of Art Exhibit --- August

22. Dallas Heritage Village --- at Old City Park --- August

23. Texas Discovery Gardens --- August

24. Day Camps at Camp Tonkawa --- August

25. Discounts 30/80 Percent for Health Care--- www.rrussell.dreambigger.net

26. Heritage Farmstead Museum --- Plano --- August

27. Enjoy Free Ice Cream at Blue Bell Ice Cream's 100th Anniversary Celebration – Various North Texas Cities --- August

28. Book It! Reading Program --- Now Enrolling for 2007-2008

29. Braum’s Book Buddy Reading Program – Now Enrolling for 2007-2008

30. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program --- Earn a Free Book

31. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas --- August

32. Used Curriculum Fair --- Watauga --- To Be Rescheduled

33. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus --- Dallas/Fort Worth

34. Symphonic Saturdays --- Addison --- August 4, 11, 18, 25

35. Amazing Arthropods Class and Tour at Fossil Rim--- August 6

36. Classic Read-Alouds: Gulliver’s Travels –- Rowlett Public Library --- August 6

37. Speak Out North Texas Speech --- New Beginner Debate Camp --- August 9-10

38. PE Fair --- Rowlett – August 11

39. Advanced & Pre-Advanced Placement English and CLEP Classes--- Llambertmark@aol.com

40. Audio Extravaganza Featuring John Erickson and Johnny Heller --- Hurst Public Library --- August 14

41. Performance at Bass Hall – Wizard of Oz --- August 14-19

42. State Convention and Family Conference --- The Woodlands --- August 16-18

43. Amon Carter Re-Opening Party --- FREE --- August 17

44. Master the SAT/PSAT and Get FREE College--- www.collegeprepgenius.com

45. NTHEN Bookfair and Conference --- Plano --- August 17-18

46. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History --- August 18

47. Colors By Nature (Exploring Natural Dyes) Class and Tour at Fossil Rim--- August 20

48. Mobile Dairy Classroom --- Rowlett Public Library --- August 21

49. Home School Art Classes --- Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth --- August 24

50. Effective Communication Course – Dallas --- Aug 27–Sept 1

51. 11th International Conference on Rethinking Education in Irving --- Keynote John Taylor Gatto ---

52. Irving 1^st Annual Home School Showcase --- Lee Park Recreation Center – October 6

53. Registration Under Way at Tarrant County College for Home School Classes --- FREE MATH ASSESSMENT

54. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties --- American Cancer Society

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1. SUMMER PROGRAMS AT NORTH TEXAS LIBRARIES --- SUMMER 2007

Summer Reading Clubs, Story Times, Events, Activities, and more! Libraries in North Texas are gearing up for an action-packed, fun-filled summer that will inspire a love of reading!

To find out what your local libraries are doing, visit the website below. It includes links to public libraries all over Texas, so you and your kids can get in on the adventure of reading this Summer!!

http://www.publiclibraries.com/texas.htm

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2. RINGLING BROTHERS READING CLUB --- PARTICIPATING TEXAS LIBRARIES --- THROUGH AUGUST 15

Who Can Participate: Kids ages 2-12
For Details: Participants receive cool bookmarks, clown noses, and coloring sheets.
List of Participating Libraries: http://www.readingwithringling.com/dfw.html
Clown Appearances at D/FW Libraries: http://www.readingwithringling.com/dfw_clown.html

Reading is a great way to spend your summer! And, it can even take you to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® present Circus of Dreams, which will play at American Airlines Center, August 1-12, and Fort Worth Convention Center, August 15-19.

Available for kids 2-12 years of age, it is easy to join. All you have to do is visit your local participating library and read a few books. Then, you will earn a free ticket to the circus this summer!

Your librarian will give you everything to join Reading with Ringling Bros.!® including cool bookmarks, clown noses, puzzles and coloring sheets.

If your library is not listed, tell them about the circus reading program. It’s not too late to join!


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3. SUNKIST "TAKE A STAND" FREE LEMONADE STAND PROGRAM --- THROUGH SEPT 4

Sunkist is giving away 10,000 lemonade stands (while supplies last) to kids ages 7-12 who want to raise money for a charity of their choice.

Who Can Participate: Ages 7-12
How to Participate: To receive a complimentary stand, young philanthropists and their parents must submit their "Take a Stand" pledges online. Details and order forms are available at the Sunkist website. Stands are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
For Details:
http://www.sunkist.com/takeastand

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4. AMC THEATRES SUMMER MOVIE CAMP --- FREE MOVIES --- SUMMER 2007

WEDNESDAYS THROUGH AUGUST 15
Explore the wild side of AMC. Free Movies. Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. .
Groups can reserve free tickets one week in advance at the box office at participating theaters.

To Find an AMC Theater Near You: http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/

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5. BEST ROBOTICS 2007 PREVIEW: 2021: A ROBOT ODYSSEY


Get the first look at the theme for this year's competition!
Visit: http://www.bestinc.org/MVC/

BEST is a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in a sports-like, science- and engineering-based robotics competition.

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6. THEO IN PLANO OFFERING CLASSES FOR 2007-2008

From their NEW SPACE at 15^th and Custer!!

Plano’s THEO—The Outsourcing Solution for Home Schoolers---was born to fill in the gaps of what is available to North Texas home educated students. We strive to offer classes which require a large pool of students to “make.”
We chose a centrally placed location, one mile north of George Bush Tollway and two miles west of 75, to provide classes for the home educated junior high and high school student who wants something different.
Bursting at the seams with newly added shop and drafting, sign language, chorus, theater and speech and even a writing club for those students (or adults) who love to write and long to be published, THEO has a heart to help families homeschool through high school, without missing out on the highly academic classes or extracurricular classes offered by public and private schools.
After all, you can hardly have a writing club for excellent writers if you are pulling only from a few hundred families….but you can if you are pulling the best writers from all over the metroplex….same goes for chorus and band a/k/a Instrumental Ensemble….
Academic Tutoring Available:
THEO also offers academic tutoring in a classroom setting for math, science, Spanish, writing, Worldview and more. THEO caters to 6-12th grade, but Paula Smith offers science for all grades from our same great location through The Science Resource. www.thescienceresource.com
For more information:
Visit www.THEOsonline.org to learn more,
or visit us at the Plano Book Fair on August 17 or 18 OR
visit us at our new home, 1301 Custer Road, Suite 616, Plano, TX 75075.
Please visit www.THEOsonline.org to learn more. Or visit us at the Plano Book Fair on August 17 or 18.


Location: THEO’s New Location:
1301 Custer Road, Suite 616
Plano, TX 75075

For More Information: www.THEOsonline.org

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7. ACHIEVEMENT TESTING AVAILABLE AT CERC IN ROWLETT

For Registration and Other Information: http://www.cerconline.org/testingindex.html

Location: Christian Educators Resource Center
3810 Industrial, Suite 300
Rowlett, TX 75088

Contact: 972-475-4138

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8. LEWISVILLE AREA HOME SCHOOL SPEECH --- INTRO TO COMPETITIVE SPEECH CLASSES

Registration Open!

Class Dates: August 2007 Through May 2008
Tuesday afternoons

Grade Levels: 6th-8th Grades
Where: Valley Creek Church in Flower Mound
Cost: $40/month

Contact for More Information: Lisa Tetsch
tetsch@juno.com

Class Description: Each semester students will participate in three different Individual Events (IE's). We will concentrate on all aspects of expression-voice inflection, articulation, pace, timing, facial expression, eye contact and physical delivery (blocking, gestures, poise, energy and passion). At the end of each semester the students will participate in a speech competition rated by judges. Students are greatly encouraged and confidence is strengthened. This is a fun class! Even reluctant first-timers will enjoy it.

Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall 2007)
1. Literary Interpretation (children's story)
2. Oratorical Interpretation (famous speech)
3. Expository (self-written) Students will also recite a poem and play impromptu games. These games teach creative, quick thinking and build confidence.

Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring 2008)
1. Oratory (monologue from book/movie)
2. Nomination/Acceptance speech (working in pairs, self-written)
3. Persuasion (self-written) We will cover humor and play more impromptu games. These games begin to prepare students for Limited Preparation speeches.
In addition to speaking, we will be discussing and memorizing scripture regarding our speech. There is a difference between public speaking, as we defend what we believe, and the speech we use in personal relationships (boldness vs. humility).

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9. HOMESCHOOLERS EAST CO-OP CLASSES --- EAST DALLAS

AUGUST 22 --- Registration
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: The Summit Church
4101 East Park Blvd.
Plano, TX 75074


SEPTEMBER 26 --- Classes Start

Classes Offered:
Mock Trial I (Grades 1-3)
Mock Trial II (Grades 4-6)
Model United Nations (Grades 9-12)
Youth and Government I (Grades 6-8)
Youth and Government II (Grades 9-12)
Ballroom Dancing (Grades 4-6)
Readers’ Theater I (Grades 1-3)
Readers’ Theater II (Grades 4-6)

For Class Schedule: http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dzg7xwz_5hcrtr2&pli=1

Application: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/club_expressions/files/Application Materials/

Contact For More Information: Sandra Carey at club_expressions@yahoo.com

To Join Their Yahoo Group: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/clulb_expressions/


We are seeking a passionate and qualified leader for speech and debate and a model UN leader for our 4th-8th graders.

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10. LEGACY HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AT FIRST BAPTIST EULESS

Currently Enrolling for 2007-2008 School Year --- Science, History, and Fine Arts Classes
Grade: K-8
Contact: Laura Lewis at 817-267-3313 ext 267
Email: legacy@discoveryfirst.org

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11. LIBRARY USED BOOK SALES IN NORTH TEXAS --- AUGUST

Looking for inexpensive literature books and other resources to add to your home school library? Library used book sales are excellent opportunities to purchase books at bargain prices. Here are a few sales that we know about in the North Texas area:


WICHITA FALLS – August 4
Time: 12 - 5
Location: Wichita Falls Public Library
600 11^th Street
940-767-0868 ext. 248

Books: 3,000; 100% donated; 85% hardcover; .50 - $2
Half-price sale on most books the 1^st Saturday of each month

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FORT WORTH – August 4 - 5
Time: Sat: 10 – 4:30; Sun: 1 – 4:30
Location: Chapter II Outlet Store
5318 Trail Lake Drive (3 doors from Book Store)
817-346-2255 (Friends Book Store)
Admission: $1 per day; children under 12 free

Books: thousands; includes CDs, videos, audio; .50 - $1
Selected hardback fiction $5 per box; approx 25-30 books per box (boxes are pre-packed)

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HURST – August 17-18
Time: Sat: 10 – 4:30; Sun: 1 – 4:30
Location: Hurst Public Library
901 Precinct Line Rd
817-788-7300

Books: 8,000+; 80% donated; 75% hardcover; sorted; .50 - $1
Not picked over; no buyer restrictions

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CORSICANA – August 18
Time: 10 - 4
Location: Corsicana Public Library
100 N. 12^th Street
903-654-4800
Contact: ref@corsicana.lib.tx.us

Books: 5,025 books; not picked over; no buyer restrictions; .50 paperbacks; $1 hardcover

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FLOWER MOUND – August 18
Time: 11-5
Location: Flower Mound Public Library
3030 Broadmoor La
972-874-6151

Books: not “picked over”; no buyer restrictions; .25 - $3; credit cards accepted

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VAN ALSTYNE – August 24-25
Time: Fri: 9-5; Sat: 9-4
Location: Van Alstyne Community Center
211 North Preston
903-482-5991

Books: 75% hardcover; sorted; not picked over; no buyer restrictions; .10 - $1


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12. PRIVATE, ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING IN MATHEMATICS – DONE ONLINE AT YOUR HOME

Ed2Net Learning offers:

• Done at home — in an environment most conducive to learning
• Free initial diagnosis to assess understanding level
• The assigned tutor conducts regular sessions one on one with your child
• Flexibility to schedule sessions as per your convenience
• One hour session that can be scheduled once, twice or thrice a week
• Supported by multiple online practice sheets , evaluated and explained by tutors
• Quiz after each chapter and regular feedback and reports for your records
• The tutor and the child talk and interact on a common screen
• Offered for Mathematics for grades level 4,5,6 and 7. Grade level 8 to be launched by August, 2007

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13. SHARKAROSA OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC DAYS

AUGUST 4, 11, 25 (closed Aug 18)

Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (last tour begins at 4:30)

Admission: $8 per person; kids 3 and under are free
INCLUDES: - Meet & Greet with our Education Animals (kangaroos, monkeys, lemurs & more) *Animals available for meet and greet vary with the season and off-site events schedule*
- Safari Wagon ride through exotic pastures to see camels, zebra, buffalo & more
- Kids Bucket Train rides thru 22 acres of “wild” trails!
- Use of pavilion for lunch (you may purchase lunch at our concession stand or bring your own)

NOTE: NO OTHER EVENTS(PRIVATE TOURS, FIELD TRIPS, ETC.) WILL BE BOOKED ON OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAYS.
We are currently taking deposits for fall field trip reservations. Please visit the Field Trip page under the "Visiting Section" of our web site for details on booking a field trip for your home school group.

For More Information:
www.sharkarosa.com
940-686-4600(main)
940-686-3715(fax)

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