Even though this information came to me though one of the homeschool groups I belong to, it also has information public and private school fam ilies might enjoy.

Homeschool Opportunities - Statewide

1. TeenPact. October 31 – November 01, 2005. TeenPact’s new “Christ to the Capitol” program is a motivating 2-day leadership, citizenship, and government experience held at your state capitol. Keeping the focus on Christ, this class will equip students with the skills and passion to impact our nation. Students participating in TeenPact's Christ to the Capitol program will observe state government at work and will get a glimpse of what goes on "behind the marble steps." Christ to the Capitol will train young men and women in citizenship and justice. Morning sessions will begin with praise and worship followed by a devotional. Students will write their own bills and will debate them throughout the 2-day experience. Special speakers, who may include the Governor, Secretary of State, Chief Justice, representatives, or senators, will address the class. Field experiences will focus on specific issues of government such as watching our state legislature at work, observing parliamentary procedure, and learning how a bill becomes a law. This is a hands-on program.



Students will understand the importance of being involved in the political process. Our goal is to inspire students to be knowledgeable, effective, and bold leaders for Christ. To participate, students should be 12 years old or older. Students can register for this $99 event online at www.TeenPact.com by clicking the “Christ to the Capitol” icon. For questions or more information, please call the TeenPact office at 1-888-343-1776.



2. Writing Contest - Statewide. Mimi’s Café of Tulsa and Oklahoma City are hosting their second annual “Write Stuff” essay writing contest. It’s a state wide contest for first through sixth grade students (homeschooled students included) to write a one page essay on what they have to be most thankful for. The winners and their families are invited to Mimi’s Café for a thanksgiving luncheon, the kids read their essays aloud and the top three winners receive savings bonds.



Essays must be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 2 to: THE WRITE STUFF, c/o Waller & Company Public Relations Inc., P.O. Box 521030, Tulsa, OK 74152 or delivered to 2651 E. 21st St., Ste. 500 or emailed to mimis@wallerpr.com. For contest rules and more information, please contact:



Kristy Gross

Account Manager

Waller & Company Public Relations

Email: kristy@wallerpr.com

918.587.1909



3. Barnes & Noble Discount. Educator Appreciation Week is Oct 15 - 23. All educators of PreK-12th grade students receive a special discount of 25% off any purchase for classroom use. You must sign up for the Educator Discount Card and present it at the time of purchase. Take proof that you homeschool - support group membership card, etc.



4. Borders Educator Appreciation Week is Oct 14 - 18. Current and retired educators receive a 25% discount. SPECIAL RECEPTION on Friday, October 14 at Borders stores, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, food, fun & prizes! Take proof that you homeschool - support group membership card, etc.





Homeschool Opportunities - Chickasha

Scout Venture Crew. Young men and women, aged 15-21, are encouraged to come, enjoy free pizza, and learn about an exciting new group in the Chickasha area. The group, called a Venture Crew, will be chartered to the American Legion of Chickasha by the Last Frontier Council, B.S.A. Activities will nearly unlimited and will include rock climbing, SCUBA, low impact camping, backpacking, team confidence and leadership building. The youth members will learn how to organize group activities, gain funding, and run the Crew with minimal adult input. You are invited to come to the Chickasha Pizza Hut at 7pm, October 17th. Registration and insurance for 17 months is $14.25. For more information call Gary McNatt at 405-224-0631.




Homeschool Opportunities - Edmond

1. HOME SCHOOL PHYSICAL ED. This class is guaranteed to give your child a strong start into physical fitness through the participation of games and learning sports skills. Your child will run, hop, skip and jump their way through relays, obstacle courses and games! Start your child out right and enroll them in this class. Fri., Oct. 14-28 & Nov. 4, 11-Noon, Fee: $20/first child; each additional child is $10,Age: 5-7, Where: MAC, Instructor: Anne Loughren. City of Edmond,OK, P.O. Box 2970 Edmond, Oklahoma 73083 405-348-8830



2. Edmond Home Educators Support Group Meeting, Thursday October 6, 2005, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. (This event repeats on the first Thursday of every month.) Event Location: Waterloo Baptist Church, Waterloo Rd, West of I35;East of Coltrane. For more information Contact: Debbie Morris debmorris2222@yahoo.com



3. Art Classes - Edmond. Enrollment is open for the fall classes at the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond. The Fall II session is October 10-December 2. All classes are held at the FAI, 27 E Edwards, Edmond. Classes include a wide variety of artistic classes for children and adults. Full class listings are now available; call 340-4481 or visit http://www.edmondfinearts.com to find out more.



4. Edmond Homeschool Graduating Class of '06 and '07, Combined meeting. There will be a combined meeting of the Edmond junior and senior classes on Saturday, October 29, from 3 to 5 at the Biddy home (address below). Hosted by the seniors, this will be the organizational meeting for the juniors. If you are interested in joining either one of these Edmond graduating groups, please come and/or contact one of the people listed below. Parents are encouraged to attend.



Class of '06 adult contact person:

Kathy Piper, 1009 Olde Waterfront Road, Edmond 73034. Phone: 341-5804. Email: kpiper1@cox.net



Class of '07 adult contact person:

Aleta Biddy, 1301 Pine Oak Circle, Edmond 73034, Phone: 341-0872. Email: teach4@cox.net



5. Coffee Creek Riding Center is looking for teen or adult volunteers to assist with classes. Opportunities are available: Tues, Wed, Thurs or Friday ---1:30 -2:30 Wednesday --- 3:00-4:00. The minimum age for a volunteer assistant is 13 years through all ages of adults. The mission of Coffee Creek Riding Center is to provide free therapeutic riding to children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, offering mental, physical, emotional, and social benefits. Contact: Coffee Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, 17 E. Coffee Creek Road, Edmond, OK 73034, Phone: (405) 340-8377, http://coffeecreek.org



6. Newcomer Tea - Edmond. The Edmond Home Educators is hosting a Newcomer Tea on Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 PM, for those who are new to Edmond or new to homeschooling. We'd like to invite you, so if you would please email your address, we'll get an invite in the mail. Thanks and hope to see you there. Robin Patchen. Contact: robinpatchen@sbcglobal.net



7. Mom's Night Out (Meet Other Moms), Seasoned or Newcomers. Tuesday, October 18, after 7 p.m. at McAlister's Deli - Edmond, 1021 E. 2nd St (Edmond Rd.) next to UCO campus. For directions only, call 405/340-3354. Mom's Night Out is held the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Casual - nursing babies only. For information: contact Ellen Latimer, (h) 285-5355, (c) 326-9482, email: EBL57@yahoo.com.



8. Edmond Homeschool VolunTeens is a group made up of students aged 13-18 who come together for the purpose of community service and fellowship. Our next major project will be Saturday morning, November 3rd. We will be working at the Myriad Gardens helping to put up Christmas lights, followed by lunch in Bricktown. In January, we will most likely return to the Myriad Gardens to help take down the lights, again followed by lunch. This is one of our favorite places to work. We will also be working next spring at Capitol Day which is a special day for homeschoolers to make contact with their legislators. We will be taking care of, setting up for, serving, and cleaning up after lunch at the capitol. This usually happens in February or March. If you think your teen might be interested in this group and would like more information, email me at kkaajj@sbcglobal.net or call me at 330-8621. Kim Stewart, Coordinator, Edmond Homeschool VolunTeens.



9. Financial Fitness for Life. Oct. 15, UCO, Edmond, Grades 3-5, 9:00am to 3:00pm; Oct. 15, UCO Edmond, Grades 6-8, 9:00am to 3:00pm; Oct. 15, UCO Edmond, Grades 9-12, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Financial Fitness for Life is a personal finance curriculum that teaches students how to apply economic reasoning and personal finance decision making skills to the real world of earning and spending money, consumer credit and savings. Workshop participants will receive free PASS-friendly curriculum that complies with national math and economics standards. Curriculum is divided into four age group categories: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. It includes a teacher guide, student workbook, parent guide and a CDROM with all grade levels. Lunch provided. For more info: http://www.ocee-ok.org/workshops.htm.





Homeschool Opportunities - Elk City

1. Gingerbread House Decorating Class for Kids. Elk City Museum Docents to host The First Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Class for Kids Saturday, Novermber 5, 2005. In this fun class kids will create their very own Gingerbread House! Class registration is $15.00. To register call Suzanne Hylton at 225-4905.





Homeschool Opportunities - Norman


1. Friends of the Library Book Sale. Nov 28-31. Friends of the Library Book Sale - Over 50,000 items! Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5. (12-1 mobility impaired), Mon. 3-8. Preview: Friday 6-9, Members only; join at door. Norman Public Library. 225 North Webster Norman, OK 73069. Phone: 405.701.2600. Website: http://www.pls.lib.ok.us/





Homeschool Opportunities - Oklahoma City


1. Oklahoma Railroad Museum - OKC. Take a train ride Saturday, October 15th at the Oklahoma Railroad Museum. Trains run hourly from 10am-2pm and the museum remains open until 4pm. The museum features a collection of railroad equipment and artifacts. Museum open Saturdays: 10am-4pm. Location: 3400 N.E. Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. (405) 424-8222.



2. Omniplex Science Museum Fall Activities - Omniplex, a Smithsonian affiliate, is located in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District at 2100 NE 52nd Street in Oklahoma City. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get more information about what they offer by calling (405) 602-OMNI or visiting www.omniplex.org.



3. Free Admission - Myriad Botanical Gardens - OKC. Friday, Oct. 7 is free admission day at the Myriad Botanical Gardens (adults are normally $6, kids $3) For more information: www.myriadbotanical.com



4. Oklahoma Zoo's Annual Pumpkin Drive. Beginning Sunday, October 2 and continuing through Sunday, October 16 bring a pumpkin larger than your head to the Zoo and receive free admission that day! One discount per person, please. For more info: http://www.okczoo.org



5. Incredible Pizza Homeschool Days - OKC. October 17 from 11am to 1pm. 5833 NW Expressway in Warr Acres. Storytime, Hand's on Activities, Crafts & More. Buffet & Drinks $5 for adults, $4 for kids (12 & under) or $10 for buffet, drinks & $10 of game play. Contact: Duane Brown, Customer Service Director, Warr Acres Incredible Pizza, 5833 NW Expressway, Warr Acres, OK 73132. Phone: (405) 721-0038. Website: www.incrediblepizza.com. Email: info@incrediblepizza.com



6. Free math classes. The classes are for 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th graders. Kids bring whatever materials they are working on (Saxon, Math-U-See, etc.) and they will tutor them on whatever they are having problems with. Classes start Wednesday (Oct 11) at 9am (for 4th and 5th graders) and 10 am (for 6th and 7th graders) at Immanuel Lutheran Church near N.W. 36th & Classen Blvd. Contact: Shawn Sabouri, Teaching Textbooks, Phone: (405) 408-6271



7. ATTENTION ALL HOME SCHOOL JUNIORS! The "Oklahoma City Home School Class of 2007" is beginning! If you are a home schooled Junior, who is not already involved with a graduating class, we encourage you to join. Now is the time to get involved. Our next class meeting will be on November 15th at 6:30pm, at the "CUBE". We encourage you to come and meet the other class members. From now until the end of our senior year we will be organizing a Junior/Senior Banquet (our prom), activities (to get to know one another), and a graduation. These are just some of the fun things that our class will be doing together. For more information, or to get directions to the "CUBE" call: Rita Pedulla, Class President (359-2872) or Addison Martin, VP (789-8937).



8. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art will offer fall break camps for ages 5-10 on Thursday and Friday, October 20-21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children will visit the Museum’s current special exhibition, Artist as Narrator: Nineteenth Century Narrative Art in England and France, and will enjoy creating their own artwork inspired by the art and artists featured in the exhibit. Ages 5-7 will explore a variety of two-dimensional art forms such as painting, drawing, and printmaking, while older students, ages 8-10, will draw, paint, sculpt, and create a three-dimensional paper quilt with clay figurines. The highlight of each camp is the art show for families on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. when children get the chance to show off their artistic creations. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Chandra Boyd at (405) 236-3100, ext. 213, or E-mail cboyd@okcmoa.com. Online registration is also available on the Museum’s Web site, www.okcmoa.com.



9. 4-H Clubs. Youth 9-19 are invited to attend one of the many 4-H clubs that will be holding kick-off meetings. A total of 18 different clubs meet in Oklahoma County, focusing on specific project areas like horse projects or sewing or multi-project clubs that emphasize learning through citizenship, leadership and developing their own interests. Thousands of youth across the state are part of 4-H clubs and special competitions and activities allow them to come together several times every year. For more information about the 4-H clubs meeting in your area, contact the Oklahoma County OSU Extension’s 4-H Department at 713-1125.





Homeschool Opportunities - Shawnee


1. "Homeschooling Simplified" seminar given by Cindy Downes on Nov. 5th at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center, One John C. Bruton Boulevard, in Shawnee, OK. from 9:00 am to noon, in the Seminar Center room. (Directions: http://www.gctech.org/about/drivingdir.htm). Cindy will show you how to simplify your schedule, your curriculum, and your teaching methods so that your children will learn what they need to know without you, the parents, burning out! You'll learn how to set priorities and goals, how to set a reasonable weekly and daily schedule, how to keep records, how to choose a simplified teaching style, and how to adapt curriculum to your child's learning style, goals, interests, and abilities. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. Seating is limited to 300 and is on a first-come, first-serve. Get a babysitter and both parents come or leave one spouse home to watch the kids. No children will be permitted (except infants of nursing mothers). There is no charge for this workshop because of the generous support of Gordon Cooper Technology Center, El Shaddai Church in Seminole, Vicki Mason, and Jerry Johnston.



2. Friends of the Library Book Sale-Shawnee. Oct 13 - 15. Friends of the Library Book Sale. Thu 9-8:30, Fri, Sat 9-4:30. Preview: Wed, Friends; join at door. Shawnee Public Library, 101 North Philadelphia, 405-275-6353. Email: shawnee_library@pls.lib.ok.us. Website: http://www.pls.lib.ok.us/





Homeschool Opportunities - Stillwater


A group of homeschool students meet twice a month (Thursday evenings) for a robotics class. The group is involved in a national competition to build a functional robot. For more info: contact Charlie at: charliemeadows@peoplepc.com





Homeschool Opportunities - Tulsa


1. NOAH Basketball - Tulsa. The Tulsa NOAH Jaguars have 3 spots open for their 14 & under boys basketball team. This team competes in the Diocesan League. In this league, there is required playing time for each player. The team will be coached by Ryan Brock. Coach Brock stresses the fundamentals along with team play. He can be reached via email at ryanpatrickbrock@hotmail.com. For more information on NOAH, check out their website at www.noahjags.org.





2. Brown Bag - it Concerts - Tulsa. Brown Bag It is presented by Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Here are the events for this season:



October 12 - Cooligans Quartet - barbershop quartet

October 19 - Susan Herndon - singer/songwriter

October 26 - Donald Ryan & Barraon Ryan - piano duo

November 2 - Tulsa Clarinet Quartet - clarinet

November 9 - Diane Bucchianeri - cello & piano

November 16 - Leonard Garrison & Lorelei Barton - flute & harp

December 7 - Tulsa Festival Ringers - handbell choir



All these events are free and informal. They are held on Wednesdays from 12:10 pm to 12:50 pm at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Westby Pavilion, 3rd & Cincinnati. For more info: call 596-7122.



3. A Year With Frog & Toad at the Liddy Doenges Theatre of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Oct 14 -22. Based on the award-winning children's book by Arnold Lobel, this is a collection of jazzy, jaunty songs, as well as a few birds, lizards, and a snail with an admirable work ethic. For tickets or more info: www. tulsapac.com.





Homeschool Opportunities - Weatherford


Learning, Earning, and Investing Workshop. Nov. 11, Weatherford, Western Tech Center, 9:00am to 3:00pm. This workshop introduces the new SMG curriculum Learning, Earning, and Investing, a comprehensive investor education program for students in grades fourth through 12th. This curriculum introduces students to the world of investing, its benefits and risks, and the critical role it plays in fostering capital formation and job creation in our free market system. Lessons cover basics such as the language of financial markets, reading the financial pages and financial institutions in the U.S. economy as well as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. For more info: http://www.ocee-ok.org/workshops.htm.

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Homeschool Resources



1. Do you like to Notebook? Check out this blog. It's full of great ideas!: http://www.notebooking.org/



2. Timeline of Art History: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/splash.htm



3. Computer Capers. Fun home/school activities using computers to encourage students to draw, research, calculate and express! http://www.buddyproject.org/capers/default.asp



4. Ag in the Classroom resources for October: http://www.clover.okstate.edu/fourh/...endar/oct.html



5. Inventive Thinking Resources for Kids: http://bkfk.com/teachers/downloads.asp





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Just for Fun



1. Pumpkin Dot-to-Dot: http://www.kidsrcrafty.com/pumpkin_a-z.htm



2. Create a Virtual Pumpkin: http://thepumpkinfarm.com/jack/jackboard.html



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The Norman Homeschool Volleyball Club will be having its first meeting Saturday, August 19th at 10:00 at Classen Blvd. Bapt.Church located at 2373 S. Classen in Norman.
*
Anyone interested in volleyball should try to come to the meeting. We will discuss this next year's program. This is a co-ed program, our club competes against other homeschool clubs from the surrounding areas. All games are played in Norman.
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Are you Ready?
*
It's almost here.
*
Back to School Night
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Monday, August 14, 2006
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Moore Norman Technology Center
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If you saw the ad in the Norman Transcript you may have noticed the time was printed as 7:30-8:30.* NAHE Members may enter at 6:30.* We will have orientation for new homeschoolers at 6:30 and 7:30.* At 7:30 those attending the first orientation session and other Homeschoolers who are not NAHE members will be allowed to enter.*Only NAHE members will be allowed to sign up for NAHE events.
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BTSN will offer express check-in for pre-paid members.* We have many old favorites attending this year and some exciting new opportunities.* Some of the new offerings are Chinese and German language classes, sewing classes, bowling teams for homeschoolers, Civil Air Patrol, Youth & Government, and several new fine arts options.* We also have a new group called Educators for Christian Homeschoolers of Oklahoma (ECHO) who will be offering extension classes for our JR and SR high students.
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BTSN will be a night of fun and fellowship.* Come enjoy an evening with old friends and new ones waiting to be made.*

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SCU will be holding a free brunch for home educated students in the Patrick Cafetorium on SCU campus Saturday, October 7th @10:00 AM. During the brunch you will: *Meet some of the faculty and staff of our university. *Hear about the benefits of attending SCU from current students who were home educated. *Learn about our concurrent program, which allows high school students to obtain college credit. *Have the option to go on a campus tour of the university. Southwestern Christian University 7210 NW 39 th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008 Phone: 405.789.7661 Fax: 405.495.0078 www.swcu.edu. Please call Nathan at 888-418-9272 ext. 3428 and RSVP if you are interested in attending. If you prefer email, you can RSVP by emailing nathan.yemane@swcu.e du.

National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships

The tournament has over 300 teams from nearly 40 states registered to attend this year.
2007 NCHBC


March 12-17, 2007

Here in OKC!! Admission is FREE!

Okahoma Homeschool Convention

4-5 May 2007 Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City

2007 Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Jeff Myers, Ph.D.

Diane Craft, MA CNHP

Convention Registration will begin on March 1, 2007.

For years OCHEC has hosted astatewide home educators convention.

Nationally-known Speakers.
Beneficial & Encouraging Workshops.
Hundreds of Curriculum Exhibitors.


Other Helpful Support Organizations.
Orientation Classes.
Networking Opportunities.