I’m often asked how do I find all the cool homeschool programs, deals and tips; and my answer is always “by networking”.We are very active members in all the groups and organizations listed below, and recommend that you sign up for each one of them. Even if you don’t live in one particular region, the resources often shared in each of the groups are invaluable information that’s not geographically-specific. Also, the support network is great to have. I will continue to stay listed in each of these groups if and when we relocate out of CT because the friendships and resources gained are on-going and lifelong.

Active CT Homeschool Groups and Organizations

Great Ways to Home Educate – A monthly newsletter for over 150 families statewide. Typically 10+ pages each month for $10/year membership that includes, Annual Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Science Fair, Math clubs, Coops statewide and regional, homeschooler-specific team sports and much more. For more information, email me and I’ll forward your email to the membership coordinator.

CT Homeschool Network – Great organization often has annual conferences. We participated in one and it was a great family event, with special focus on getting the grandparents involved.

CT Homeschoolers Inclusive – Most active, largest online/offline group of Homeschoolers in CT with nearly 1000 members statewide.

GNHH – Greater New Haven Hamden, weekly park or socials year-round. Families travel up to 45 mins. away just to hook up once a week for fun.

F-C-H Fairfield County Homeschoolers great for resources in and around NYC too. Love the discussions.

Western CT homeschool co-op Waterbury weekly homeschool coop. By invitation only. Just email the moderator, Sandy Ho, and tell her I said “hi”!

The Valley Central Homeschool Group – Valley Central CT Homeschoolers (Middletown, Meriden, and surrounding towns).

Homeschool Muslim CT – Muslim Homeschoolers in CT (mostly non-homeschoolers), many who do not CT residents. I help moderate, as time allows. We give as much resourceful Islamic homeschooling tips, since most families teach Islamic studies and Qur’an at home alongside their public or private school secular education.

CT Homeschoolers Community Cupboard – A place to find homeschool books and supplies to buy and sell.

Non-active CT homeschool groups

I stay listed just in case they get active again sometime in the future.

Between Counties

Our Homeschooled Children

Now, I never claim to know it all; so if I’ve missed any awesome homeschool groups throughout CT, please share the links or resources in the comments section below.

List of Connecticut Homeschool Groups & Organizations is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Deadline to Complete Registration: Monday, March 8, 2010 7:00pm EST.

We apologize for the late notice. All families who registered via phone and email during the fall 2009 with me are all registered. This post is made as a courtesy by opening it up to all members of the many CT homeschool groups we belong too, as well as any CT homeschooler who follows American Muslim Mom.

/sixflagsread

2009-2010 Read to Succeed and Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club program

How it works:

Free admissions tickers are given to all children in Grades K – 6 who complete six hours of reading since the inception of the program this past fall. Each participating Teacher/Parent will also receive one free admission ticket.

Tickets are valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 through August 8, 2010 only. (Note: Valid dates for The Great Escape ONLY: June 28 through August 15, 2010.) Lost, stolen, or damaged tickets cannot be replaced.

What To Do:

Parent Educators must fill our the following form completely by 7:00pm EST tomorrow, March 8, 2010.*

• Parent Educator Form

Additional downloads:

• Parent’s letter
• Reading Log
• Certificate

If you have any questions or concerns, comment below or email contact<at>americanmuslimmom.com

CT Homeschool Group SixFlags Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

UPDATE:Art work is due this Friday, February 15, 2010! for the Creations from the Hands and Minds of Children: An Art Gala!

Where: Levi E. Coe Library at 414 Main Street in Middlefield, CT.

When: February 20, 2010 from 5:00 -8:00pm.

Homeschool Art Gala Mission

To provide homeschooled children the opportunity

1. to present their art work to the community;
2. to learn to critique their own work by determining the worth of their art work within the given parameters; and
3. to give back to the community through the donation of art work to benefit a local non-profit organization.

Who may participate

• We are looking for interested young artists to donate their art work to be sold for a small fee or those who wish to display art can pay a small fee. Our youngest participant has been 18 months and our oldest has been 17. Art work has been of every description and medium imaginable. We only ask that the art work be appropriate for a family venue.

What to do

• Each artist prices their work for $1, $2, $3, $4 or $5. If they are donating it, the piece will be on display in the upper level of the library for the public to purchase for the donation price. If being pre-bought & only to be displayed for viewing pleasure then it will be placed downstairs in the Children’s Room & must be pre-bought by a parent. Some artists are reluctant to part with their artwork so parents have opted to pre-buy artwork for a dollar or two per piece. Pre-bought work is designed for budding artist to display their prized creations while having their parents/guardians support the cause monetarily.

The money raised allows the Levi Coe Library to purchase additional materials for The Children’s Room & Young Adult Department of the library.

• Each piece of artwork needs an artist information card which has the child’s name (first & last), age, Title of the artwork, price & if it is pre-bought or not. The cards are available at the Levi E. Coe Library (available at time of drop-off) or from Regenia Allen or Candy Hayden (Mueller).

• The artwork can be of any medium which you can conceive. If your child can imagine it and make it happen then we can find a place to display it. We have had sculptures, etchings, drawings, paintings, cards, sculpey creations, quilts & other fiber arts, recycled art and so many more submitted in years past. We do ask you group small items together, ie a set of 2 or 3 mini light bulbs.

• Drawings, paintings, etc. need to be framed or suitable for hanging. Some people buy frames from the Dollar store & others opt to back with poster board or foam board. Since the organizers try to hang as much of the artwork as is possible, it is important is be in hangable condition when we receive it.

How to make this a successful event

• We need at least 300 pieces of art work to make this a successful event. Each participant is asked to donate/show at least 4 pieces and can donate/show up to 15 pieces. We are beginning to collect art pieces now and will be accepting donations until February 15th. You can call Regenia Allan at (860)349-1577 or drop off donations at the Levi E. Coe library during their business hours M-Th 10am-7pm & Sat. 10am-1pm.

Parental obligations

• Pre-Gala Meeting: We will have a meeting on Feb 19, 2010 @ 3pm to go over the expectations for the the night of the Gala & to familiarize everyone with the library and where everything will be found and to answer any questions.
• Mandatory refreshments: On the night of the Gala, we ask families with participating artists to bring 2 clear drinks (water, 7up, white grape juice) and a plate of finger foods.

How to sign up

If you are interested in signing up your child(ren), you can do so when you drop off your artwork at Levi E. Coe or you can email me with their name(s), age(s), parents name, email address & phone number. If you attend GreenSchool, you can also find Regenia or Candy and sign up, get artist information card & drop off art work for the Gala.

Organizer’s Contact information:

Regenia Allan (860)349-1577

Candy Hayden (Mueller) at themueller<at> mac.com.

Newcomer Tips:

• Created some practical art pieces. Since I did not know what to expect the first year and was very nervous that no one would buy their art pieces–or worse, I’d be stuck buying all their pieces, while this art gala is my attempt to clean out my house filled with art pieces in the first place…I decided to direct them towards so practical, usable, creative pieces, such as motivational bookmarks, very creative pencil holders, and fancy decorative jewelry. A number of my girls’ work were purchased by people we didn’t know. So, the intrigue and excited that my girls felt, knowing that “someone else” “really interested” in purchasing their work did!
• Display the art pieces “for sale”. Our oldest daughter, then 7 yo, created quite the ‘talk’ that evening, when we arrived and Papa tried to purchase his favorite piece she painted. Only to find out that it was already sold and he was the fourth person to ‘try’ and buy it. While it was a beautiful piece, it was one of her quickest paintings, but with the help of the organizers, because we found a gorgeous dollar store frame that fit it perfectly, it looked very professional.
• Price the art work based on time spent, ability, and saleability. We priced our daughter’s painting based on time for $3, but we didn’t take into account that it was very professionally displayed and truly worthy of being hung on someone’s wall. Do not underestimate your child/ren’s ability. I learned the hard way..because…next tip:
• Have your kids look forward to being designated as an “Artist” for the night. Since our daughter had her name tag prominently pinned, one of the four people wanting to purchase her painting, “commissioned” her to paint one for her, and offered to pay her more than $3 as long as she used the colors she requested. All her friends were so proud and excited for our daughter. Since I lost her contact information, and we agreed to have her pay only when my daughter completed the painting, I let this great opportunity slip. Rest assured, my daughter is going to make it again, and create similar appealing pieces this year.
• Expect an enchanted, elegant, fun, educational evening for the entire extended family and friends. While people dressed from jeans to black-ties since some of our daughters’ girl-friends were even getting their hair done, my girls decked out in their formal Eid gowns. My parents joined my entire family, and we had such a great time, that it was SO hard to drag them away early–since me and one of our daughter’s was nursing the end of a flu. The ambiance, entertainment, organization and lay-out of this evening has caused this night to never be erased from our memories. Since grandma, may God have mercy with her, won’t be joining us, we’re working hard to have my sister come all the way from NJ this month.
• Designate a fair “allowance” for each child to spend & set some rules. The night is a great math and economics lesson too. Kids walk around and weigh her needs and desires along with new-found or old homeschool buddies. Our rule was, don’t spend so quickly–take your time, and they were not allowed to purchase their own or their sisters’ work
• If you’re not sure if you want to participate–at least attend! This is the one most unusual experience in my 10 years of homeschooling, that I’ve ever witnessed homeschool kids and families, babies to grandparents, sipping drinks elegantly, kids walking confidently and proudly eager to satisfy their friends and guests, lessons in all subjects like art, math, and networking among all ages with no havoc or chaos. It’s truly a night to remember a time to mark on your calendar to attend!

Creations from the Hands and Minds of Children: An Art Gala is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog