Archive for May 25, 2007

Sneaking Around in New York City

May 25, 2007 at 11:52 am · Filed under American Ballet Theatre, Museum of Natural History, children, family, family fun, family values, fun in New York City, homeschooling, homeschooling field trips, moms, parenting, summer fun, the Cloisters, the sneaky mama, tips & tricks

This is the first of what I hope will be a series every Friday.  If you live in New York City and you have kids–you HAVE to read this.  If you don’t live in New York City–send this to an online friend who does.   

American Museum of Natural History

This is the must see destination this summer.   Why?   Starting May 26th, the frogs are back!  What am I talking about?  The Chorus of Colors of course!  This is an awesome, awesome exhibit.  Over 200 live frogs in the Museum of Natural History.  I almost guarantee–you’ve never seen anything like it.  But while you’re at the AMNH, go check out Mythic Creatures:  Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids.  I haven’t personally been, but I’m sure that once my kids find out there’s a whole museum wing designated for their favorite fairy tale lore–they’ll be dying to go.  (Hey, what a great opportunity to ’sneak’ in some mythology!)

The Cloisters Family Festival

I am seriously convinced that the Cloisters is one of the great hidden gems of New York city.  If you haven’t visited, you need to, and this weekend is a great time to go because they’re having their annual family festival.  (For all of you homeschoolers, this is a great tie in to the Middle Ages.)

American Ballet Theatre

The ABT is hosting three very family friendly ballets between now and July 7.   Check out:  Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, Swan Lake or The Dream (based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream). 

Do you have a great event in New York City (or nearby) that kids will be dying to go to or that has some redeeming educational value?  Let me know! 

Sneaking lots of field trips into our homeschooling schedule this month,

The Sneaky Mama

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3 Ways to Use Blogging in Your Homeschool

May 25, 2007 at 3:21 am · Filed under blogging, children, family, family fun, homeschooling, moms, parenting, the sneaky mama, tips & tricks

I have come to a recent conclusion:  my daughter needs her own blog.  She’s only 8. . .but hear me out. 

Besides the fact that I like blogging (it’s kind of fun and addictive–isn’t it?),  homeschoolers can use it as a nifty way to teach some necessary skills. 

#1.  Use blogging to teach writing skills.

This seems obvious.  Kids get excited when their work is published for the world to see.  Blogging gives them an immediate outlet to publish their thoughts.

#2.  Blogging teaches computer skills and typing.

I don’t care what anyone says, learning things like html and typing are valuable skills to have in this day and age.  To give you a little food for thought–when I was in college–e-mail was just sort of on the horizon.  I remember one of my professors saying, “I have a hunch this internet thing is going to change the world as we know it.”  A good knowledge of the computer is just plain common sense.

#3.  Use blogging to record the years.

Letting your child have a blog, helps you keep a record of what was done during the school year.  You can even use it as an electronic yearbook!

As with anything, the internet requires adult supervision.  Please make a point to teach your kids how to stay safe online.  Then by all means–help them get blogging!

  

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