The HISTORY® Channel is running a contest for students ages 7-13 called the Kid Pickers Pick and Tell National Student Contest, based on their program, American Pickers, in which Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz search for interesting historical items at flea markets, estate sales, old barns, and other such places.
Elementary and middle school students are invited to go on their own quest to find t unique historical items, collectibles, or other memorabilia in their community. Students then write short essays of 500 words or less describing their historical item they have picked and its significance.
The Grand Prize, First Place, and Second Place winners will receive $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000 scholarships respectively, and will travel to Mike Wolfe's Antique Archaeology story in Nashville, TN.
Download the rules and entry forms at www.history.com/shows/american-pickers/pages/pick-and-tell. The essays must be submitted by May 17, 2013.
It sounds like a fun way to make local history personal and to practice those essay-writing skills. Good luck to all
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Win $50,000 in the Google Science Fair
Do you know any teenagers (13-18) working on an awesome science project of their own design? If so, you may want to encourage them to enter it in the Google Science Fair, an international online science competition sponsored by Google in partnership with CERN, LEGO, National Geographic, and Scientific America.
The Google Science Fair follows the same basic rules and procedures as a physical science fair, but students must go the extra step of presenting their work through videos and other digital means (another good skill to be developing). Students from public, private, or home schools around the world can compete in the three age categories of 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. There will be 15 global finalists who will be flown to a physical competition event at Google headquarters in July. The finalist winners in each age category are awarded a $25,000 scholarship and the opportunity to engage in a high level science research experience, while the Grand Prize winner will get a $50,000 and a National Geographic scientific expedition to the Galapagos. There is also a $50,000 prize for the Science in Action winner, the project that best addresses a social, environmental, or health issue in a way that makes a difference in the lives of a group or community.
For more information or to sign up, visit the Google Science Fair website. However, projects are due by April 1, 2012, so your student scientists will have to submit their work soon.
For an inspirational video Google produced encouraging student science, click below:
And to hear more about the rules of the competition, watch the following video:
The Google Science Fair follows the same basic rules and procedures as a physical science fair, but students must go the extra step of presenting their work through videos and other digital means (another good skill to be developing). Students from public, private, or home schools around the world can compete in the three age categories of 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. There will be 15 global finalists who will be flown to a physical competition event at Google headquarters in July. The finalist winners in each age category are awarded a $25,000 scholarship and the opportunity to engage in a high level science research experience, while the Grand Prize winner will get a $50,000 and a National Geographic scientific expedition to the Galapagos. There is also a $50,000 prize for the Science in Action winner, the project that best addresses a social, environmental, or health issue in a way that makes a difference in the lives of a group or community.
For more information or to sign up, visit the Google Science Fair website. However, projects are due by April 1, 2012, so your student scientists will have to submit their work soon.
For an inspirational video Google produced encouraging student science, click below:
And to hear more about the rules of the competition, watch the following video:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Please Vote in the Great Sea Slug Beauty Contest
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| Photography by Steve Childs used under Creative Commons license |
These are just some of the contestants in The Great Sea Slug Beauty Contest. This competition is an online poll being held by my son's environmental education and awareness group, Healing Oceans Together (H2O).
The goal of the The Great Sea Slug Beauty Contest is to raise awareness about this fascinating and often overlooked inhabitants of seas all around the world. The middle school-aged students who make up H2O believe that as people learn more about some of the more numerous but less publicized underwater creatures and come to appreciate them, they will be more willing to take action to help protect our global oceans.
Because they love sea slugs (the common name for the animal classification known as nudibranchs), they are holding The Great Sea Slug Beauty Contest in honor of Valentines Day. So between now and Sunday, February 12, they are asking people of all ages to
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| Glaucus atlanticus © Taro Taylor, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic |
The winner will be announced on Valentines Day, February 14, 2012.
They also have a map of visitors, and are hoping to get responses from all the different areas in the world where sea slugs live. Since sea slugs live in almost all oceans and seas, that means pretty much from everywhere!
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| Photography by Patrick Krug used under Creative Commons license |
It is free and anonymous, and participating in the poll will not put you on any mailing list or anything like that (although if you are interested in keeping up with what is going on with this middle school-aged coop, you can sign up on their mailing list here).
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| Photo by: John Albers-Mead by Creative Commons license |
Let's help these middle schoolers, who believe they can make a difference in the world, by generating some world-wide love for these under-appreciated wonders in our waters!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Contest Helps Students Develop Reflective Writing Skills
Now that NaNoWriMo is over, it's time for us to refocus our writing classes on non-fiction writing. There is a national contest on a wonderful topic that may be just the thing to help us!
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores, is running a reading-writing competition called Letters About Literature. In it, students write a personal letter to an author of one of their favorite books to tell them why that book changed the way they think about themselves or the world. The book can be fiction or nonfiction, even poetry, speeches, short stories, or graphic novels, but it can not be a comic strip or song lyric (even if published in a book). Also, the author can be living or dead.
The competition is divided into three levels. Level 1 is for 4th-6th grade (students must be at least nine in order to participate) and letters are expected to be 100-400 words long. Level 2 is 7th-8th grade, with letters that are 300-600 words. Level 3 is for high schoolers (9th-12th grade) with a recommended 500-800 page length. Students can enter through their schools or as individuals, and homeschoolers are specifically encouraged to enter (apparently a number of winners have been homeschooled).
While the exercise is worthy just in itself, there are some great prizes for the winner. Two national winners for each level will get to choose a favorite library (school or community library) to receive a $10,000 grant from Target. Those winners will also each get a personal Target gift card for $500. There will also be four national honors awards for each level; the national honor awards come with a $1,000 grant to a favorite library and a personal $50 Target gift card.
The website also has a great 36-page Teacher's Guide with lesson plans and worksheets to help students write an appropriate reflective essay on their chosen book. The worksheets not only develop generic essay writing skills, such as crafting an engaging opening paragraph, but lead students to see the difference between a reflective essay and other types of writing, such as book reports, literary analysis, or a simple fan letter.
All in all, this looks like a wonderful project to me. I've already discussed it with my son, and we definitely plan to be working on it this month to be ready to submit something by the deadline, which is January 6, 2012. It combine something we love (books) with something we need to develop (nonfiction writing) with a focus on appreciation, which is a virtue that we trying to expand on during this holiday season.
We hope lots of you will join us in this competition. If you do, please enter the book that you (or your child/ren or student/s) choose to write about in the comments below.
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores, is running a reading-writing competition called Letters About Literature. In it, students write a personal letter to an author of one of their favorite books to tell them why that book changed the way they think about themselves or the world. The book can be fiction or nonfiction, even poetry, speeches, short stories, or graphic novels, but it can not be a comic strip or song lyric (even if published in a book). Also, the author can be living or dead.
The competition is divided into three levels. Level 1 is for 4th-6th grade (students must be at least nine in order to participate) and letters are expected to be 100-400 words long. Level 2 is 7th-8th grade, with letters that are 300-600 words. Level 3 is for high schoolers (9th-12th grade) with a recommended 500-800 page length. Students can enter through their schools or as individuals, and homeschoolers are specifically encouraged to enter (apparently a number of winners have been homeschooled).
While the exercise is worthy just in itself, there are some great prizes for the winner. Two national winners for each level will get to choose a favorite library (school or community library) to receive a $10,000 grant from Target. Those winners will also each get a personal Target gift card for $500. There will also be four national honors awards for each level; the national honor awards come with a $1,000 grant to a favorite library and a personal $50 Target gift card.
The website also has a great 36-page Teacher's Guide with lesson plans and worksheets to help students write an appropriate reflective essay on their chosen book. The worksheets not only develop generic essay writing skills, such as crafting an engaging opening paragraph, but lead students to see the difference between a reflective essay and other types of writing, such as book reports, literary analysis, or a simple fan letter.
All in all, this looks like a wonderful project to me. I've already discussed it with my son, and we definitely plan to be working on it this month to be ready to submit something by the deadline, which is January 6, 2012. It combine something we love (books) with something we need to develop (nonfiction writing) with a focus on appreciation, which is a virtue that we trying to expand on during this holiday season.
We hope lots of you will join us in this competition. If you do, please enter the book that you (or your child/ren or student/s) choose to write about in the comments below.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Contest on US Constitution for Middle Schoolers
If your middle schooler studied the US Constitution this year, he or she might want to put that knowledge to work and enter the "We the People 9.17" contest being sponsored by ConstitutingAmerica.org. Constituting America is a non-profit organization created by Janine Turner, perhaps best known for her role as Maggie on Northern Exposure. The mission of the organization is "to reach, educate and inform America's youth and her citizens about the importance of the U.S. Constitution and the foundation it sets forth regarding our freedoms and rights."
As part of that goal, Constituting America is running a contest in which middle schoolers can express their support for the US Constitution. Students can submit either a 850 words (or less) essay on the topic "Why the United State Constitution is Relevant Today," or an original 3:20 (or shorter) song on "What the United States Constitution Means to Me." The winner in each category will receive a $200 gift card, will have her or his work promoted on the Constituting America website, and will be featured in some Constitution Day activities on 9/17/2011. The deadline is June 14, 2011, and the rules and process for entering can be found on this webpage.
I have to say that this brings me back to my own, perhaps not middle school, but high school days. I had a joint US History and English class, and the teachers used to encourage me to enter contests like this. I entered a number of contests like this, and won quite a few! So if you have a child with an interest in American History and some talent in writing either essays or songs, why not give it a try?
As part of that goal, Constituting America is running a contest in which middle schoolers can express their support for the US Constitution. Students can submit either a 850 words (or less) essay on the topic "Why the United State Constitution is Relevant Today," or an original 3:20 (or shorter) song on "What the United States Constitution Means to Me." The winner in each category will receive a $200 gift card, will have her or his work promoted on the Constituting America website, and will be featured in some Constitution Day activities on 9/17/2011. The deadline is June 14, 2011, and the rules and process for entering can be found on this webpage.
I have to say that this brings me back to my own, perhaps not middle school, but high school days. I had a joint US History and English class, and the teachers used to encourage me to enter contests like this. I entered a number of contests like this, and won quite a few! So if you have a child with an interest in American History and some talent in writing either essays or songs, why not give it a try?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Doodle 4 Google Contest Winner
Several months ago, I had a post about the contest that Google holds to have school-aged children design a Google Doodle. The winner not only gets a $15,000 college scholarship, laptop, and digital drawing tablet, but he or she gets the winning design on the Google home page for a day (meaning it will be seen by millions of people).
Today is the day that they are displaying the winning design. Here it is:
The winning artist is Matteo Lopez from Monte Verde Elementary School in South San Francisco, CA. Matteo is only 7 years old--can you believe it? It's kind of scary that a second grade student can already draw better already that I ever have been able to do.
Matteo is not the only one, though--check out this set of 2011 Regional Finalists, or this other set of 2011 State Finalists. They are an incredibly talented and creative bunch of artists!
Matteo's entry, entitled Space Life, is his answer to the Google contest prompt of "What I would like to do someday...." Matteo's response is: "is become an astronaut and explore space life. I want to wear a space suit, fly in space, walk on the moon, and make friends with aliens in other planets." That is a beautiful sentiment to go along with a beautiful picture.
There was a middle school student who was one of three National Finalists: Justas Varpucanskis, a seventh grader from Mokena Junior High School in Mokena, Illinois. Justas' picture, called The Majestic Sea, is a beautifully painted sea scene. He writes about his dream that:
Congratulations to Matteo and Justin, the other two National Finalists, and all the other State and Regional winners. Their artwork and their dreams are both inspiring.
Today is the day that they are displaying the winning design. Here it is:
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| Doodle 4 Google 2011 Winning Design by Matteo Lopez |
The winning artist is Matteo Lopez from Monte Verde Elementary School in South San Francisco, CA. Matteo is only 7 years old--can you believe it? It's kind of scary that a second grade student can already draw better already that I ever have been able to do.
Matteo is not the only one, though--check out this set of 2011 Regional Finalists, or this other set of 2011 State Finalists. They are an incredibly talented and creative bunch of artists!
Matteo's entry, entitled Space Life, is his answer to the Google contest prompt of "What I would like to do someday...." Matteo's response is: "is become an astronaut and explore space life. I want to wear a space suit, fly in space, walk on the moon, and make friends with aliens in other planets." That is a beautiful sentiment to go along with a beautiful picture.
There was a middle school student who was one of three National Finalists: Justas Varpucanskis, a seventh grader from Mokena Junior High School in Mokena, Illinois. Justas' picture, called The Majestic Sea, is a beautifully painted sea scene. He writes about his dream that:
"What I'd like to do someday..." is to take part in the conservation of our underwater universe. There is no doubt the last decades were an environmental catastrophe. The underwater world is a have for many sea creatures, thus being crucial to our existence. We need to preserve our underwater ecosystem.Here is his fabulous piece of art:
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| 2011 Doodle 4 Google Middle School National Finalist, Justin Varpucanskis |
Congratulations to Matteo and Justin, the other two National Finalists, and all the other State and Regional winners. Their artwork and their dreams are both inspiring.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Engineering Contest: PBS Asks Students to Build Big
Design Squad Nation, an educational TV show produced by PBS to support middle school STEM education, particularly engineering, is asking American students to "Build Big." In the DSN Build Big contest, students are encouraged to create teams, take one of the engineering projects features on the Design Squad Nation website, build a giant version of it, and submit a YouTube video on that creation. The winning project, which must be submitted by August 1, 2011, will win a Flip Camera and will be featured on the DSN website. Full contest details can be found here.
For an example of the kind of project they have in mind, watch the following video:
Even if you don't win, it looks like a fun challenge--to build a supersized engineering project and make an effective YouTube video about it (maximum length of 5 minutes).
If you end up entering, let us know in the comments so we can support your entry by viewing it and adding favorable comments in YouTube.
For an example of the kind of project they have in mind, watch the following video:
Even if you don't win, it looks like a fun challenge--to build a supersized engineering project and make an effective YouTube video about it (maximum length of 5 minutes).
If you end up entering, let us know in the comments so we can support your entry by viewing it and adding favorable comments in YouTube.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Writing Contest Encourages Intergeneration Connections
Next month will mark the 11 year anniversary of my organizing monthly visits to a local assisted living facility. Ever since my son was one year old, he and his peers have been going every month to bring some joy and to create some bonds with some seniors. We have done so many different things with the residents of this assisted living community--played games, done old fashioned dances (Charleston, anyone?), watched educational films, made ice cream in a bag, read Christmas stories, carved Halloween pumpkins, and done many, many crafts together. We've benefitted a lot from the regular contact with older citizens, although I also consider it to be one of our community service projects.
This year, however, the assisted living facility is having our students interview the residents about their lives and opinions. Each month, one or two students ask a resident one question on what advice they would give young people about....one month, it was education, another month, it was being married or having a mate or partner. At the end of the year, the company will compile all the responses and publish them as a book. It has been really interesting, because we are learning more about the lives of the residents, and I hope our children are listening to some of their wise advice.
So I can recommend entering a writing contest I discovered lately. The "Listen To A Life Contest" being sponsored by the Legacy Project seeks to connect young writers with people over 50 (parents not included). The elder tells the student or students (ages 8-18) true stories about his or her life, and the student(s) turn it into a 300 word (maximum) essay. There is one grand prize of a computer and iPod nano, $800 in learning software, and an additional $25,000 of software for the school, and 20 runner up prizes of an MP3 player and $400 in software. However, the deadline is March 31, 2011, so writers will have to get started soon (click here for a full set of rules).
Of course, I think everyone can be a winner with this contest, because I think anything that encourages our kids to learn from these wise, seasoned elders is a great gift than any piece of technology.
This year, however, the assisted living facility is having our students interview the residents about their lives and opinions. Each month, one or two students ask a resident one question on what advice they would give young people about....one month, it was education, another month, it was being married or having a mate or partner. At the end of the year, the company will compile all the responses and publish them as a book. It has been really interesting, because we are learning more about the lives of the residents, and I hope our children are listening to some of their wise advice.
So I can recommend entering a writing contest I discovered lately. The "Listen To A Life Contest" being sponsored by the Legacy Project seeks to connect young writers with people over 50 (parents not included). The elder tells the student or students (ages 8-18) true stories about his or her life, and the student(s) turn it into a 300 word (maximum) essay. There is one grand prize of a computer and iPod nano, $800 in learning software, and an additional $25,000 of software for the school, and 20 runner up prizes of an MP3 player and $400 in software. However, the deadline is March 31, 2011, so writers will have to get started soon (click here for a full set of rules).
Of course, I think everyone can be a winner with this contest, because I think anything that encourages our kids to learn from these wise, seasoned elders is a great gift than any piece of technology.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Curriculum Resource: Kid's Science Challenge
The deadline is fast approaching for entering the third year of the Kid's Science Challenge sponsored by Pulse of the Planet, an environmental educational radio program. US students in grades 3-6 have until February 28, 2011 to submit their ideas for innovative experiments in three different categories: Sensational Sounds (invent a musical instrument with a completely different sound), Super Stuff for Sports (invent a new material to improve your favorite sport), and Magical Microbes (find a new use for microscopic organisms). The grand winner in each category gets to travel (most expenses paid) to somewhere like New York City, New Orleans, or Point Reyes, CA to working with a working scientist in the field actually trying to make that idea work. (While not as flashy as winning a iPad or something like that, this could be a life-changing prize; working with a real science mentor could really cement a student's interest in a science career.) Finalists can win a variety of science-related tools and toys. For more information on the contest, see the website at this link.
Even if you aren't going to enter the contest, the site is worth checking out. They have background information on each of the contest topics, along with some videos to watch, experiments to do, and games to play. There are also lesson plans available on the sponsor site; click here to register to receive them.
This is a good site because it allows students to use their imaginations and potentially create their own experiments or new science activities, rather than treating science as a static field where the teaching is just trying to convey all that is known to the student. But there is enough solid science content to keep it from just being a bunch of bells and whistle to get students excited about science without really teaching them anything. For some hands-on learning, check out their Activities Page where they have instructions for making a battery from mud, growing a fungus garden, or creating some of everyone's favorite material--Oobleck!
Even if you aren't going to enter the contest, the site is worth checking out. They have background information on each of the contest topics, along with some videos to watch, experiments to do, and games to play. There are also lesson plans available on the sponsor site; click here to register to receive them.
This is a good site because it allows students to use their imaginations and potentially create their own experiments or new science activities, rather than treating science as a static field where the teaching is just trying to convey all that is known to the student. But there is enough solid science content to keep it from just being a bunch of bells and whistle to get students excited about science without really teaching them anything. For some hands-on learning, check out their Activities Page where they have instructions for making a battery from mud, growing a fungus garden, or creating some of everyone's favorite material--Oobleck!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Art Competition: Doodle 4 Google
Google is running an art competition that will result in some K-12 student having his or her design as the logo for the Google home page for one entire day! Entitled "Doodle 4 Google" ("Doodle" being the name Google gives for the specialized adaptations of its corporate logo that are displayed for special days on its home page), a panel of celebrity judges will select up to two designs from each of four age groups from each state (with Washington DC students competing with the Maryland students). The four age groups are Grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12, so middle schoolers are definitely invited to participate. Also, the contest rules specifically state that homeschooled students are eligible to compete. The design should illustrate the theme, "What I'd like to do someday...."
Besides having her/his work displayed on the Google home page for a day, the National Winner will receive a $15,000 college scholarship, a laptop and digital drawing tablet, and a tee shirt printed with the winning design. The three National Finalists (one of whom came from North Carolina last year) each get a $5,000 college scholarship, a digital drawing tablet, and a tee shirt of their design. There will be 40 Regional Finalists who will all be sent to New York to participate in an event to honor their artwork.
To enter, students must register by March 2, 2011, and have their artwork postmarked by March 16, 2011. There will be an online vote by the public on May 4-13, so even if you don't enter, you can help select the ultimate winner.
For complete details, see the contest web page here.
As I've stated in earlier contest announcements, let us know if any of our reader families enters, especially if you end up as a finalist. We would love to see, and maybe even get to vote for, your artwork!
Besides having her/his work displayed on the Google home page for a day, the National Winner will receive a $15,000 college scholarship, a laptop and digital drawing tablet, and a tee shirt printed with the winning design. The three National Finalists (one of whom came from North Carolina last year) each get a $5,000 college scholarship, a digital drawing tablet, and a tee shirt of their design. There will be 40 Regional Finalists who will all be sent to New York to participate in an event to honor their artwork.
To enter, students must register by March 2, 2011, and have their artwork postmarked by March 16, 2011. There will be an online vote by the public on May 4-13, so even if you don't enter, you can help select the ultimate winner.
For complete details, see the contest web page here.
As I've stated in earlier contest announcements, let us know if any of our reader families enters, especially if you end up as a finalist. We would love to see, and maybe even get to vote for, your artwork!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Win a FREE Summer Camp from Museum of Life and Science in Durham
The Museum of Life and Science in Durham has announced its 2011 summer camp schedule, and it has several great options for middle school students. Even better, the Museum is running a giveway where one family will win a week-long camp at the Museum, and another will win a week-long camp at the Museum's new Chapel Hill camp location at Rashkis Elemetary School (which isn't running middle school programs, but may still be good if you have younger children as well).
To enter for the free camp, you need to submit your name on a form on the website that you can find here. Complete your form by April 30, 2011 in order to be eligible. If you have already enrolled in the camp (JUST in case you didn't win), they will reimburse your tuition.
Or you can sign up the old-fashioned way--by paying. They begin accepting camp registrations from Museum members on February 1, and from the general public on February 22.
Here are the descriptions of the middle school camps:
I've never done any of their camps, but their general education programs are excellent, so I'm sure these are fun and valuable learning opportunities.
To enter for the free camp, you need to submit your name on a form on the website that you can find here. Complete your form by April 30, 2011 in order to be eligible. If you have already enrolled in the camp (JUST in case you didn't win), they will reimburse your tuition.
Or you can sign up the old-fashioned way--by paying. They begin accepting camp registrations from Museum members on February 1, and from the general public on February 22.
Here are the descriptions of the middle school camps:
Animal Husbandry
Thinking of becoming a veterinarian, or just like working with animals? Join us for an abbreviated version of Vet School and learn about animal anatomy, physiology, nutrition and behavior. Find out how the Museum designs habitats, prepares meals and otherwise cares for our animals, and meet some of them up-close!Grades 6–8
June 13, July 25, Aug. 15
LEGO® Robotics
Spend a week using LEGO® building elements, motors, and sensors to build robots and program them to complete a challenge. Go head to head with other groups to see what your robot can really do!Grades 6–8
June 27
July 11
August 8
Congo Conservation
Do you know what Bongos and Bonobos are? Learn about many of the unique plants, animals and people that live in the Congo. We’ll explore some of the threats facing the Congo today as well as the efforts to conserve it.Grades 6–8
June 20
July 4
Wayfinding and Geocaching
Using the outdoor classroom at the Museum as base camp, we’ll use longitudinal and latitudinal directions to figure out where we are and where we are going. We’ll even create a “cache” or treasure box at the Museum for visitors to find while geocaching!Grades 6–8
July 18, August 1
Monday, December 20, 2010
Christmas 2010 Blog: Win a Free Curriculum Package!
While, of course, I always try to emphasize the spiritual qualities of Hanukkah and Christmas, I have to admit that I like the presents as well. And now I have the opportunity to pass on a present to one lucky reader to this blog, thanks to a blogging giveaway program being offered by In the Hands of a Child, a renowned lapbook curriculum developer. HOAC will give a free bundle pack* (which includes a printed project pack, kit pack, and answer key if available, and is valued at $40) to a randomly-selected person who enters their HOAC wish list below.
In the Hands of a Child is a partnership between a few homeschooling families who have turned unit studies they developed for their own children or homeschooling communities into complete lapbook curriculum packages. If you are not familiar with lapbooks, they are a hands-on way to record information on any topic. Students complete "mini-books" on various aspects of that topic and paste them all into a framework made by pasting two or more file folders together. It usually depicts information in a visual way, with space for students to write relevant information, in small chunks on papers that fold or flap or open up or are enclosed in a small envelope, etc. This makes it a great tool for visual and/or kinesthetic learners, as well as for students who get overwhelmed by a large topic and prefer working on manageable bits within the larger subject matter.
I have used a number of their packages, and can attest to their high quality. To be honest, we usually don't do the entire lapbook, but I often use some of their mini-books for a hands-on activity to accompany a topic we are studying. So while they are designed to be stand-alone studies, they can also be useful for supplemental materials to accompany another curriculum you might be using. And, particularly for older students, they also offer much of their curriculum in a notebooking (that is, doing a lot of guided writing on designated notebook pages for specific items within the topic) format as well as for creating a lapbook. Finally, their prices are reasonable, their customer service is good, and they are generous to the educational community. They are often giving things away (like this promotion), and always have at least one unit on their site available for free download (right now it is "Study Any Great Painter") at: http://dev.handsofachild.com/index.phpoption=com_jdownloads&Itemid=3&task=viewcategory&catid=3 Finally, their materials cover the gamut of disciplines and age ranges. While they have hundreds of units at the elementary level, they have 250 items that are suitable for middle schoolers, 128 for early high school, and 80 for upper high school.
So for a chance to win a free printed lapbook/notebook package* (NOT just a downloadable ebook, which is what I usually get), what you have to do is to visit the website of In the Hands of a Child and/or to download their 2010 catalog at http://dev.handsofa
Then chose five HOAC units for your wishlist and enter them using the link below by December 31, 2010. I will randomly select one name and forward it to HOAC, who will mail that person their bundle pack* the first week of January.
HOAC is having this giveway in honor of the fast-approaching release of their 400th curriculum package in early 2011. There will be even more prizes during that event, so you might want to get on their email list to catch all the buzz at that time.
Enter your wishlist and contact information below by December 31, 2010, and good luck to all contestants!
*Fine print--Due to the high postage costs, if my randomly-selected winner lives outside the United States, HOAC will instead give them a free download of one of their ebook packages (which is still a good deal, because that is what I usually buy). But I love my many international readers, so please enter as well, and I'm sure you will enjoy the ebook if you win.
Also, entering your contact information is only for the purpose of contacting the winner. I will not be giving the other email addresses to HOAC, nor will I be using them. So entering the contest will not get you on any email list or anything else that will be generating even more spam for you to deal with.
In the Hands of a Child is a partnership between a few homeschooling families who have turned unit studies they developed for their own children or homeschooling communities into complete lapbook curriculum packages. If you are not familiar with lapbooks, they are a hands-on way to record information on any topic. Students complete "mini-books" on various aspects of that topic and paste them all into a framework made by pasting two or more file folders together. It usually depicts information in a visual way, with space for students to write relevant information, in small chunks on papers that fold or flap or open up or are enclosed in a small envelope, etc. This makes it a great tool for visual and/or kinesthetic learners, as well as for students who get overwhelmed by a large topic and prefer working on manageable bits within the larger subject matter.
I have used a number of their packages, and can attest to their high quality. To be honest, we usually don't do the entire lapbook, but I often use some of their mini-books for a hands-on activity to accompany a topic we are studying. So while they are designed to be stand-alone studies, they can also be useful for supplemental materials to accompany another curriculum you might be using. And, particularly for older students, they also offer much of their curriculum in a notebooking (that is, doing a lot of guided writing on designated notebook pages for specific items within the topic) format as well as for creating a lapbook. Finally, their prices are reasonable, their customer service is good, and they are generous to the educational community. They are often giving things away (like this promotion), and always have at least one unit on their site available for free download (right now it is "Study Any Great Painter") at: http://dev.handsofachild.com/index.phpoption=com_jdownloads&Itemid=3&task=viewcategory&catid=3 Finally, their materials cover the gamut of disciplines and age ranges. While they have hundreds of units at the elementary level, they have 250 items that are suitable for middle schoolers, 128 for early high school, and 80 for upper high school.
So for a chance to win a free printed lapbook/notebook package* (NOT just a downloadable ebook, which is what I usually get), what you have to do is to visit the website of In the Hands of a Child and/or to download their 2010 catalog at http://dev.handsofa
Then chose five HOAC units for your wishlist and enter them using the link below by December 31, 2010. I will randomly select one name and forward it to HOAC, who will mail that person their bundle pack* the first week of January.
HOAC is having this giveway in honor of the fast-approaching release of their 400th curriculum package in early 2011. There will be even more prizes during that event, so you might want to get on their email list to catch all the buzz at that time.
Enter your wishlist and contact information below by December 31, 2010, and good luck to all contestants!
*Fine print--Due to the high postage costs, if my randomly-selected winner lives outside the United States, HOAC will instead give them a free download of one of their ebook packages (which is still a good deal, because that is what I usually buy). But I love my many international readers, so please enter as well, and I'm sure you will enjoy the ebook if you win.
Also, entering your contact information is only for the purpose of contacting the winner. I will not be giving the other email addresses to HOAC, nor will I be using them. So entering the contest will not get you on any email list or anything else that will be generating even more spam for you to deal with.
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