Get Out of the House

Get Out of the House!

Express Yourself Through The Color of Music Art Contest

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When listening to music, several pictures may come to mind depending upon the tune, the instruments used in the music and the personal experiences of the listener. The interpretation of a piece of music is not the same from one person to another. Through the annual The Color of Music art contest, students are able to express themselves using artwork as their voice to share their interpretation of a piece of music.

The Color of Music is presented by the Jackson Symphony League for students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. It is in its twenty-second year with the goals of:

• Providing an opportunity for listening to and visually interpreting classical music.
• Increasing awareness of The Jackson Symphony and familiarize students with repertoires presented by The Jackson Symphony.
• Encouraging a lifelong appreciation of symphonic music by young people.

See the 2018-2019 homeschool winners.

See the 2017-2018 homeschool winners.

See the 2016-2017 homeschool winners.

Each year, students across West Tennessee have shared their artistic talent and creativity producing beautiful artwork that has brought to life the number of music selections chosen over the years for the contest. The music selections for this year are “What is Life”, by George Harrison and “Imagine” by John Lennon. Students are to listen to the music and choose one piece to interpret through art.

Students do not have to be skilled or trained artists to participate in the competition. The student is challenged to share his interpretation, which alone is art.

There are a number of categories for which students will be recognized with prizes including cash, T-shirts, art supplies and symphony tickets. Student winners will be presented at the awards ceremony on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. Finalist entries will be on display at the center in the lobby. The winning pieces of The Jackson Symphony League Bravo Award; the Conductor Awards; Blue Ribbon and Honorable Mention Awards will be displayed at the Le Bonheur Hospital in Jackson. All prize-winning artwork will also be available online for viewing.

If your homeschool student would like to participate, please contact Jennifer Smeltser to receive the contest packet. All art submissions must be submitted to Jennifer Smeltser by Wednesday, January 29, 2020. Read the rules, so you may learn how your student may participate. The contest is open to students in Madison County and its surrounding counties (i.e.: Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison, McNairy and Weakley) only.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Learn How to Apply Now for the TN Promise

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The clock is ticking towards the last day to complete the TN Promise scholarship application for students entering college in the fall of 2020. November 1 at 11:59 p.m. are the date and time deadlines. Has your graduating high school senior completed the application? If not, get it done!

The TN Promise scholarship (last-dollar scholarship) provides students with free tuition to attend more than 40 community and technical colleges, and some four-year institutions that offer associates degrees in Tennessee. Thousands of students have taken advantage of this opportunity of “free college” since the scholarship was introduced for the fall class of 2015.

My Child Isn’t Going to College!

If you have a child with plans other than college, still complete the application. Applying does not obligate a student to attend college, but does ensure they do not miss the opportunity for free tuition if they later change their mind and want to attend. College is expensive. Don’t leave money on the table.

Eligibility requirements to apply for the scholarship are the following:

  • TN resident
  • A student graduating from an eligible homeschool, high school or has earned a GED/HISET (prior to their 19th birthday).
  • Complete the TN Promise application by Friday, November 1, 2019.

Eligibility requirements to receive the scholarship are the following:

  • Attend mandatory team meetings (usually two).
  • Complete and report eight community service hours by Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
  • Complete the FAFSA application by Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Apply now for the TN Promise.

Do You Need Help?

Online: Live Chat
Telephone: Call (800) 342-1663
E-mail: write now

College Campus Tours

If college or attending a trade school is a plan for your high school student, join Homeschool Roster on one of its Discovering Your Destiny college campus tours. There are tours planned to several schools in West Tennessee that include Christian Brothers University, Freed-Hardeman University, Jackson State Community College, Lane College, Rhodes College, Southwest Tennessee Community College, TCAT-Jackson and the University of Memphis.

Join the Homeschool Roster – Get Out of the House group for college campus tour updates and to learn about other field trips and events for homeschoolers.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Will Encourage Your Future Author

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National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the organization’s annual writers program will begin on Friday, November 1. Did you know the program is not just for adults? Really, there is a Young Writers Program for children, ages 17 and younger. The program is one that is described as a “fun, seat-of-your-pants” creative writing event where participants attempt to write a novel in 30 days. The event is less of a competition and more of a challenge of one’s ability to accomplish a goal. Can you do it in 30 days (or less)?

 

 

 

The young writers and adult writers participate in two different manners. Young writers set their own word-count goal. They are able to re-evaluate their word-count goal through 20 days of writing. During that time, they may make adjustments to their word-count to accommodate their writing pace. The start date is Friday, November 1 and writers work on their novel through 11:59 p.m. (your local time) on Saturdya, November 30. If you reach your writing goal, you are a “winner”.

There are several free resources for young writers to use during the month that may help them accomplish their goal. NaNoWriMo also has created free workbooks, available as free PDF downloads or to purchase, for elementary, middle and high school children. There were more than 90,000 young writers and educators who participated last year.

Your child does not have to love writing to participate. They just have to write and they get to set their own goal. It does not get any easier. Let your child have fun with this one. Let them write as much or as little as they like. Just get them writing. My daughter loves to write, so I know she will participate.

The established goal for adults is 50,000 words in 30 days. Yes! You can do it! There is absolutely no pressure. More than 300,000 adults participated last year and I would imagine there will be more this year. Hey, you even get trophy badges along the way to mark your progress.

What do you really win for writing? You receive a winner or participant certificate and gain a sense of accomplish just for taking the challenge. Who knows? The novel you start could lead to a later publication (self or paid).

Learn more about how your young writer may participate. If you are game, take the adult challenge. Come back on Saturday, December 1 and let us know how your family did if someone participates in the event.

Learn more about the NaNoWriMo and how to support the non-profit.

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©2015 – 2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

STEM Day at Union University

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Union University is hosting STEM Day for high school students on Friday, November 15, to learn more about the programs it offers. Students will visit different academic departments that include Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. It will be a day of hands-on activities providing your student an excellent opportunity to learn more about studies and careers in STEM.

Some facts about Union University, which was founded in 1823:

  • The Student body is less than 3,500 students.
  • There are more than 100 programs of study.
  • The ratio of student to faculty is 10:1.
  • One hundred percent of the incoming freshmen are financial aid recipients.

Another fact to consider is more than 80 percent of the faculty has earned the highest degree that is possible in their field.

Participants will meet faculty and students in the different departments as well as staff at the school. If your child knows they want to follow a STEM path, meeting faculty and students in each department may help them determine which specific area they would like to pursue.

While on campus, students will attend two breakout sessions in departments of interest. When registering, they may choose their top two areas of STEM. Lunch will be served and a campus tour is available after STEM Day for those who would like to see more of the Union University campus.

STEM Day Schedule

9 a.m.        Check-in begins

9:30 a.m.        Welcome Session

10 a.m.      Breakout 1

11:30 a.m. Lunch

12:15 p.m. Breakout 2

2 p.m.        Dismiss and Optional Campus Tour

The event is free to attend, but you must register.  You may register online, call (800) 33-UNION or e-mail Fran Thomas. Parents and/or guardians are invited to attend too.

If you are unable to attend STEM Day, there are other opportunities like Personal Campus Visits and Day at the U, which will be held on Friday, November 8, Monday, February 17, and Friday, March 13.

Union University is a homeschool friendly campus and just may be the right school for your child.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Write It Right for National Punctuation Day

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On Tuesday, September 24, Jeff Rubin and his wife, Norma, will celebrate National Punctuation Day (NPD), which is an event they created more than 10 years ago. You may wonder why they would create such an event, and the logical explanation is because “Punctuation counts. A misplaced comma can alter the meaning of a message.”

As homeschoolers, we do understand the importance of punctuation and it’s proper use. There is nothing worse than reading a sentence with punctuation gone haywire.

How many of you just cringed while reading the previous paragraph? Believe me; it was just as difficult for me to write as it was for you to read.

Let us try that again.

As homeschoolers, we do understand the importance of punctuation and its proper use. Is that better?


The Rubins, also known as Mr. and Mrs. Punctuation, have gone all out for this event by even creating an official dish, Punctuation Meat Loaf. To further highlight the importance of punctuation, Mr. and Mrs. Punctuation take the fun to schools making guest appearances in classrooms and assemblies sharing through their program Punctuation Playtime. The 45-minute program is geared toward children in first through sixth grades and makes an otherwise boring subject fun and entertaining, and has been a great way to promote literacy in children.

I must admit I never realized brackets [ ] or { } were punctuation marks. I just never thought about it, because I do not use them often unless I am using them for personal work to make notes. They are neat looking symbols on my keyboard that I thought I should use for something. Instead of using them, I have been using the dash – when I should have been using brackets and using a comma , when I should have been using a dash – . Oh my goodness! What did they teach me in that school?

Along with the correct usage for brackets, the Rubins include an explanation of the proper use of 13 of the 14 commonly used punctuation marks. In fact, all of the symbols have a specific purpose. Are you using them correctly?

What are you teaching your children in school about punctuation? Jeff has quite a few valuable resources that may be helpful with teaching punctuation to your children as well as offering a quick refresher for you. If you need a refresher before the annual day of celebration, visit the National Punctuation Day website and brush up on a few punctuation marks, write a few sentences and make the teacher in you proud.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Free Vooks All Year Long

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Homeschoolers love freebies (almost everyone does) and Vooks is offering you, homeschool teacher, a freebie: one free year of Vooks.

You are probably asking yourself, what is Vooks. Well, I did too. Simply put, Vooks is a streaming service that “that brings children’s books to life with animated illustrations, read-a-long text and narrated story.” The books are geared towards children who are ages two through eight years old. Vooks is a pretty good alternative for them during screen time. Reading (or watching a book be read) rather than playing video games. I opt for the former. When you scroll through some of the book selections, you are bound to find some familiar titles that include classics as well a newer published titles.

A subscription is regularly $4.99, but for a limited time, teachers may subscribe for free. It’s Vooks way of saying “thank you to all of the incredible teachers of the world!” Click here to receive your free gift. Don’t delay, because the offer ends on Sunday, September 15, 2019.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Head to Delta Fair for Homeschool Day

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Picture courtesy of Delta Fair.

The Delta Fair & Music Festival returns for another season of good ole’ country fun in Memphis at the Agricenter (7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, 38120). Homeschool, FFA & 4-H Day also returns and will be on Friday, September 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On that day, homeschoolers will receive a special admission price of $5 on tickets for children five years old and older through to adults. This gives them complete access to all of the activities and events on that day. Children four years old and under receive free admission.

If you plan to hang out at the fair after 2 p.m., you may purchase a $15 wristband (regularly $25) for fair entry throughout the evening. In order to take advantage of either discount opportunity, you must purchase the tickets or wristbands by 2 p.m. on that day. So, if you plan to go, be sure to arrive timely enough to allow for lines; 2:01 p.m. is too late! The special prices are available only at Entrance 3, Homeschool, FFA & 4-H check-in booth, which is at the front of the Agricenter. Enter the area off Walnut Grove to be directed to the correct area and where to park, which is $5. There is no re-entry after 7 p.m. and you will have to pay again for parking if you leave the lot.

Along with the many planned events on Homeschool Day at the fair, there are opportunities for your children to participate in a number of competitions as a group (if they are active in DECA, FCCLA, FFA or 4-H) or as an individual.

Poster Contest People’s Choice Award – win a $500 scholarship prize. Entries due Saturday, August 24. Call Jan at (901) 487-3075 or e-mail {info@deltafest.com} for more information.

Queen Pageants – Entries due Monday, August 26, but late entries will be accepted at the door with a fee increase. Early bird registration applies if your application is received by Friday, August 16

Dancing Stars Competition (eight to 21 year-olds) – Entry due Monday, August 26, but late entries will be accepted at the door with a fee increase.

Star of the Fair.

Student Art Contest – Entries due Saturday, August 24.

Photography Contest – Entries due Thursday, August 15.

Individuals – see all competitions

If you are not able to attend Homeschool Day, print and use this coupon for admission on another day. Although it is not valid on Saturdays, you can receive free admission of one child with one paid adult ticket.

It you are not able to make it on Homeschool Day, choose another theme day or just go when you are able. See all of the events planned for the fair.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by iF YOU AREJennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Preview Day at Bryan College

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Bryan College invites prospective students and their families on campus, Monday, September 2, for Preview Day at Bryan College. The college is very homeschool friendly and attending Bryan College is a path many homeschoolers take after high school graduation.

The college accepts the ACT as well as the new CLT college exam, offers great scholarships and gives students the opportunity to earn a masters degree, tuition free. Bryan also has a brand new engineering school! High school students may take affordable dual enrollment classes on campus or online.

From Bryan College
“The preview day will be paired with the All-College Picnic on Labor Day! As an admissions guest, you will have the opportunity to attend classes, mingle with current students and faculty, attend Chapel, and meet with financial aid and admissions counselors. This will be a highly interactive and engaging event, so bring any questions you have and be ready to have a blast learning about what life is like ‘on the hill’.”

Preview Day at Bryan College is free, but you must register to attend.

Event: Preview Day at Bryan College
Time: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (EST)

Location: Bryan College, 721 Bryan Drive , Dayton, 37321
More Information: Pat Wesolowski, Homeschool Specialist (850) 212-1232

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

We’re Headed to JA BizTown

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Homeschool Roster is heading to the Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown in Memphis. Participants (grades fourth through sixth/ages, late 10 through early 13) will learn entrepreneurial skills in an interactive and hands-on town/city that includes positions in government all the way down to small business ownership. This experience is open to Homeschool Roster members and non-members.

FROM JA BIZTOWN

“Elementary school students are not old enough to drive, work, vote or be the boss. But that does not stop them from operating banks, managing restaurants, writing checks, using debit cards, and voting for a mayor at JA BizTown, where students connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.

A trip to JA BizTown is an exhilarating five-hour simulated workday experience for students as they immerse themselves in the role of JA BizTown citizen for the day.  As CEOs, CFOs, ad executives, bank tellers, geologists, graphic designers to name just a few of the exciting job opportunities in JA BizTown. Students take on the role of a business team member in addition to participating in the BizTown economy as a consumer during their lunch and shopping breaks.” ~ JA BizTown

What students learn as members of a business team:

  • To responsibly manage staff, financial resources, inventories and customers.
  • To work as a team.
  • To account for business expenses and still take in enough money to make a profit.
  • To balance their professional and personal responsibilities.

What students learn as consumers or customers:

  • To make wise financial decisions.
  • To write checks, manage a debit card and balance a check book.
  • To make deposits into their bank accounts.
  • To understand their relationship, as consumers, to the economy.

Participants will be required to complete 12 hours of lessons (easily added to your regular school week) before attending the field trip date. The work may be done at home. We will visit on Wednesday, May 13. The price is $30 per student. If you have a high school student (ages 16 – 18) who would like to participate during the JA BizTown day, they may attend as a student volunteer/worker. As a volunteer/worker they may attend for free. Spaces are limited for these positions.

You may register here to receive for more information. Your interest does not commit you and your child is not confirmed to attend until funds are received for their registration. If you have more questions, e-mail Homeschool Roster.

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

August 1 is a New Beginning

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There is something to be said about a new beginning. It is a chance to start from the beginning and do it better than you ever did it before. Of course there will be failures, but there will also be successes. That is pretty much how your homeschool year is going to happen. So realize it, stay encouraged, even when you feel like you are drowning, and push through. August 1 is one of those type of days. It is a new beginning with many exciting opportunities happening for homeschoolers.

Homeschool Roster


We have a lot of cool happenings at Homeschool Roster. You may read about the changes being made, which will make this one of our best field trip seasons. We now have a Homeschool Roster field trip and event website. Join and become a member, so you may see all of the field trips we already have scheduled and make plans to attend. Registration for some of our upcoming field trips are already open. Although August 1 is our first official day of the season, we have already enjoyed three Back-to-Homeschool Splashes this month. We have three more scheduled in August. After that, we continue with a full calendar in August all the way through to May.

Don’t Miss Out!


Catch the news at the Homeschool Roster website, a free online resource for homeschool families, bringing news and information that is of interest to homeschoolers. Although our focus is West Tennessee, we also share homeschool news that has been helpful to all homeschoolers.

Homeschool Registration


For many homeschool families, August 1 is the first day of school. If you have not already registered to homeschool with your local school board or an umbrella school, submit that application. If going the school board route, you must register with your local school board by the first day of school in your county. If going the umbrella school route, be sure to register by July 31. Most umbrella schools increase their fees on or after August 1. Register early, so you do not get penalized with late fees.

Public School Sports


If your child plans to play sports at your local public school, the letter of intent to homeschool is due by August 1. You may e-mail, fax or hand deliver the paperwork to the school board. I suggest you hand deliver and send an e-mail, because you will not be given a “receipt”. The next step is to notify the school principal and coach of the team for which your child would like to play, by August 15. A try out does not guarantee your child will be accepted onto the team, but they do have the right to try out, even as a homeschooler. If you are with an umbrella school, you may also maintain that coverage.

TN Promise


The Tennessee Promise application opens on August 1. What is that you ask? Well, if you have a graduating high school senior, they may apply for the Tennessee Promise scholarship, which provides seniors two years of free tuition at Tennessee community colleges, technical schools and some four-year instituions. Over the two years, students may earn an associate’s degree and, if desired, continue to a four-year institution to further their education. If your senior is graduating this school year, be sure they apply for the TN Promise. Even if they have already decided they will not attend a TN Promise technical school or college, they may change their minds. Believe me, it happens too often and the scholarship opportunity is no longer available to them. With the TN Promise, you do not have to use it, but once the deadline has passed to apply, there is no second chance. Students have only one opportunity to apply for this scholarship, which is during their graduating senior year. The application closes on Friday, November 1, and they ain’t playin’!

FAFSA


Does your child need money for college? Check out FAFSA! The FAFSA application opens for the 2020/2021 school year on October 1, but go ahead and create an account, so you are ready to apply. If you have a child who will be entering college next fall or one who will be returning, be sure to get that FAFSA application completed. The financial aid is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get started on completing those applications and do not wait until the last minute. The submission deadline is February 1

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

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