FIRST Lego League gives kids ages 9-14 an opportunity to solve real-world challenges in science, engineering, and technology.  Each year brings a new theme and a different challenge to solve.  The theme for 2009 is Smart Move.  You can read all about it here:

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/smartmove1.aspx

The challenge consists of two parts, a research project and a robot game.  The kids have to build a robot with robotic Lego parts and program it to perform missions on a table related to the transportation theme.  Our team, the Nanobots, is a second-year team of 4 kids.  This year we made it to the state tournament and are very excited!  The robot performance rounds are open to the public and are a lot of fun!  It is like a sporting event with a packed auditorium and lots of cheering.  The public are invited to attend, this Sunday, December 6, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Harrisonburg High School at 1001 Garbers Church Road.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=1001+Garbers+Church+Rd&city=Harrisonburg&state=VA&zipcode=22801&country=US&cid=lfddlink

The robot performance rounds will be going on throughout that time, so you can come any time and check it out!  The other portions of the tournament are closed judging.  The kids are evaluated in four areas: robot performance, technical design, research project presentation, and teamwork.

You can get more information about the state FLL organization here:

http://vadcfll.org/

Hope to see you there!

Sonya Shaver

From the Daily News Record  BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Environmental and social activist Annie Leonard’s 20-minute online film, “The Story of Stuff,” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Cole Hall at Bridgewater College.  The film, which questions existing production processes and looks at the life-cycle of goods and services, has generated over 6.5 million views in 200 countries and territories since its launch in December 2007.
Leonard has spent over two decades investigating and organizing environmental health and justice issues. Travelling to 40 countries, she has visited hundreds of factories and dumps where goods are made and disposed of.  Leonard is currently director of The Story of Stuff Project. Prior to this, she coordinated the Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption. She has also worked with Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Health Care Without Harm, Essential Action and Greenpeace International. She serves on the boards of International Forum for Globalization and GAIA. She did undergraduate studies at Barnard College, Columbia University and graduate work in city and regional planning at Cornell University.
The convocation is sponsored by the W. Harold Row Endowed Lecture Series and is open to the public at no charge.

Double your musical intake, double your delight with a joint fall concert by the Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir (SVCC) 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in Lehman Auditorium.

The youth symphony orchestra, part of EMU’s Preparatory Music Program, has 38 members from Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah and Page counties as well as West Virginia.

The auditioned group will perform the “First Symphony” (1st movement) by Beethoven, “In the Steppes of Central Asia” by Borodin and “Bacchanale” from “Samson & Delilah” by Saint-Saens. The ensemble is conducted by Maria Lorcas, violin teacher in the Preparatory Music program.

The SVCC’s intermediate choir, the Treble Choir (ages 10-14), will sing Pergolesi’s “Glory to God,” the Swahili lullaby “Allunde, Alluia” with percussion and the Australian folksong “Kookaburra.”

The Concert Choir (ages 11-17), will perform the medieval processional “Gaudete” with soloists, and “Midwinter,” a Christmas song by Bob Chilcott. They will also sing two songs they presented for former President Jimmy Carter at JMU’s Gandhi award ceremony Sept. 21, including “Celebration Medley” a three-song medley quoting the spirituals “Walk Together Children,” “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” and the African song “Yesu asali awa,” arranged by local composer Celah Pence. They will also sing President Carter’s favorite hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

The Concert Choir will sing two songs they learned for the Pacific Rim Children’s Chorus Festival in Hawaii last summer: “Reel a Bouche,” a Canadian mouth-music song and “Sesere Eeye,” an a capella folksong from the Torres Straight Islands with the Treble Choir joining in.

Dear Friends,

You are invited to join our family (yes..all in 1850’s clothing!) December 5, 2009 for “Christmas on the Farm” at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park.  Come by between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM for crafts, storytelling, music, games, refreshments and much more.  Learn how a Shenandoah Valley family would “keep the day” as you explore Christmas 1859 at the historic Bushong Farm.  This event is free with paid Park admission.  Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.  Free admission for each person bringing a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more for our Toys for Tots collection!  For more information, directions and prices, email nadeausr@vmi.edu or visit our website http://www4.vmi.edu/museum/nm/

Christie Anne

Here’s an e-mail note I received from a local homeschooling mom that I wanted to forward on to you:

“I have been coordinating some activities with the Arboretum, and they are very excited to work with homeschoolers. Many of the activities are free, but they would like to offer a 3 day Art/ Nature camp (approximately 2 1/2 hours each day, parents attend for free). The cost would be $35 per child, and I am asking for a discount for additional children from the same family. The children will receive sketch books and could re-enroll in the program each season to complete a journal of the 4 seasons. My goal is to locate 12-15 homeschoolers to participate. If possible, we may be able to schedule this for 3 consecutive days during Thanksgiving-New Years or perhaps in mid-February when CSG takes a break week. Anyone interested in joining the group? Gina Moore” 

If you are interested, contact Gina at jgjijfam@comcast.net.

VHE (Valley Home Educators) is a Harrisonburg-based support group.  You can find more information about them under the local support tab.  They are inviting local homeschoolers to a Christian skate night at Funky’s Skate Center on Main Street Harrisonburg. (located between Wendy’s and El Charro’s)

 

Friday, November 6th from 2-4

Friday, January 22nd from 2-4

Friday, March 5th from 2-4

 

Admission is $2 per skater.

Skate Rental is $1 roller skater and $3 for inline.

Snack bar is available with reasonably priced personal pan pizza, hot dogs, soda, etc.

 

You may invite other homeschoolers or friends.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

You may e-mail any questions to Linda Bradley at brad2kids@nccwildblue.com or Gina Moore at jgjijfam@comcast.net.

On Sunday afternoon, October 25, the Youth Orchestra will be presenting a short concert, demonstrating many of the instruments. Come to Martin Chapel in the Seminary Building at Eastern Mennonite University at 3:30 pm. The program is intended for families with children of all ages. Come in costume if you like and expect a variety of treats!

October 27th from 6pm to 8pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro (11th and Wayne Ave.) will bring an exciting evening with award-winning storyteller and recording artist Jim Weiss.  He is best known to homeschooling families for his narration of The Story of World books, but has recorded many other story cd’s that my kids have borrowed from our public library.  The evening performance will feature stories from the Old Testament, Egyptian history and Greek myths.  Space is limited and an rsvp is required to Tiffani Fuster at classicalfoundations@gmail.com.  The cost is $5 per family.

Lohr’s U-Pick Pumpnkins & Playland

     They have lots of fun things to do – corn mazes, pedal cars, tumble tubes, weekend hayrides, petting zoo and lots of pumpkins for you to pick yourself!

HOURS:

Mon-Fri 4-6

Sat 9-6

Sun 1-6

The playland costs $6 per adult and $4 for kids 3-12

Our farm is easily located right off Route 11 just 10 miles North of Harrisonburg at the I-81 Mauzy/Broadway exit. If traveling by Interstate, take the #257 exit and get on Route 11 South. Once you pass through the stoplight, our farm is the second mailbox on the right. You will see the signs at our driveway’s entrance.

 

Hess Corn Maze & Family Fun

Big Corn Maze with an all new about Our Town Design – it is tough but fun! Ride the Cow Train, slide down the Big slide, slings hots, pig races and Flashlight Mazes on saturday nights!

Sat 10-10

Sun 12-6

Cost: $8.50 for adults $6 for kids 2-12

We’re minutes from downtown Harrisonburg!  If you’re traveling the interstate, take I 81 exit 245 west or Port Republic Road.  Cross S. Main Street and turn right on Rt. 42 North (Virginia Ave.) Travel four miles – turn left on Willow Run Road and follow the signs!

HAVE FUN!!!

Some friends and I are starting up a new disccussion group for homeschooling mothers who follow the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education (or who want to learn more about it).   We plan to meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p m.  Our location for October 7th is the Organic Grounds Coffee Shop in Harrisonburg and our topic will be “Narration”.  You are welcome to join us!  E-mail Zoe at zshansen@ntelos.net to find out more.