Fill in the Blanks is a nonprofit organization created to address the complete development of homeschooled gifted children. They offer workshops targeting students’ asynchronous development, emotional intensity, and moral compass. While achievement is expected, they do not define it by external performance alone. They recognize the internal abilities that make the external performance possible. Many gifted children have learning disabilities or sensory integration issues. At Fill in the Blanks, they recognize these hurdles and have designed their workshops to accommodate these students. They’re a place where gifted children can explore topics with one another or simply hang out for that much-recommended social time. They’re also a place that focuses on their children holistically; They believe that the entire child needs to be fed, not just the academic part. They offer workshops addressing all the needs of their students — to help keep them in balance. The academics are a part of their education, but so is exercise to feed the brain and the body. So are peer-presented workshops on what it means to be gifted to feed self-esteem. So are so many other areas that are often overlooked or neglected for gifted children.

On Earth Day, they’ll have one-hour workshops exclusively focused on the environment. Their guest instructors will be representatives from the American Chemical Society, the Sierra Club, and the Environmental Interpretive Center of Rochester Hills (they’ll be bringing live animals!). All these instructors, as well as their resident instructors, will be teaching in a fashion to accommodate all of their learners, all ages. So please come and see what Fill in the Blanks is all about by joining them for a day of fun and learning about Mother Earth. their first workshop begins at 9:30 and their last one ends at 4:00. Come as their guest for all day or come for a part of the day. Whatever works for your schedule.

Fill in the Blanks is located in Ferndale at the Zion Lutheran Church (right off of Woodward Avenue, south of Nine Mile Road), 143 Albany Street, Ferndale 48220. Everyone is invited to attend their workshops as their guests (i.e, no charge). Pack a lunch or purchase a lunch at Fill in the Blanks – just come prepared to learn something new and to have a great time with other gifted children. For more information, feel free to contact one of them — either Babette Hotchkiss (babettehotchkiss@yahoo.com) or Kathy Miller (antiquemills@wideopenwest.com).

Also, to help them with planning, if you even THINK you may drop by, PLEASE RSVP BEFORE TUESDAY, APRIL 21. They’d love to be sure they have enough materials for all who come. (But if you decide when you wake up on Wednesday morning you’d like come, please still come. Don’t let not RSVPing deter you from celebrating Earth Day with them.)

These classes are FREE! RSVPs are appreciated so Victoria/Nature Zoo will know how many students to plan for. These classes are generally considered for 1st graders and up, although for families with younger children they are usually welcome to participate with adult help if they are able.

Victoria victoria.sluder@metroparks.com
Phone at Belle Isle Nature Zoo 313-852-4056

Normally Victoria holds classes on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, starting at 1:00. However there will only be ONE class in February.

Please pre-register for programs. For additional information or to register, please contact the Nature Zoo at 313-852-4056. Metropark interpreters offer these programs at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, operated by the Detroit Zoological Society.

• January 08, 2009, 1:00pm, Animal Talk. “Just for Homeschoolers – Say What?” Thursday, January 8, Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Explore the many ways animals get their point across. Pre-registration required.
• January 22, 2009, 1:00pm, Symbiosis and Sharing. “Just for Homeschoolers – Stone Soup,” Thursday, January 22, Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Have fun with a lesson on sharing and enjoy a hot lunch. Pre-registration required.
• February 12, 2009, 1:00pm, Just for Homeschoolers – Winter Bird Identification.

Directions to Belle Isle Nature Zoo

The workshop will be on Saturday, November 22, 2008 from 9-3. Participants will receive the guide and certification from the national PLT office.

Contact Mike Mansour for detailed registration: mmansour@auburnhills.org

Here are the upcoming Homeschool Classes at the Madison Heights Nature Center.  For the Fall season, the classes are all on the third Thursday of the month from 10:00 A.M. until about 11:30 A.M.  These classes are geared for students aged 7-12, but check with Matt (the naturalist) about the ages – as long as they are able to participate.  Parental assistance is welcome.  Also, please dress children for the weather as Matt often plans nature walks as part of the lesson.  The classes cost $3.00 per child (resident of Madison Heights); $4.00 per child (non-resident.)  The code numbers after the class listings are for enrolling/paying online through the Madison Heights Parks & Recreation.  You can also call in the registration and pay at the door.  The staff does appreciate RSVP’s so they know how many to plan for.

Nov  20  10:00  Michigan’s Disappearing Wildlife   6018.103
Ther final Homeschool class of the year is in November. Take a good look at Michigan’s endangered and threatened species. It may not be long before they are gone! Explore different habitats and learn the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind the disappearances. Get some tips on how humans can help keep our wild friends around!

Nature Center phone number: 248-585-0100. Their address is 30300 Hales which is South off of 13 Mile, between Ryan and Dequindre. They are across the street from the Red Oaks WaterPark and Meijer. Just turn in by their sign and drive south. It’s to the back of the parking lot.

Madison Heights Nature Center offers other programs which are not specifically homeschool related.
http://www.madison-heights.org/

Learn how to reduce and balance your carbon footprint.

Earth Day Events & Activities at Flint Children’s Museum. Loads of different activites from April 9 – 30, 2008.

For Earth Day 2008, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency challenges residents and communities around the Great Lakes to collect and recycle electronic waste and
to properly dispose of unwanted medicines.
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/earthday2008/events.html

EnvironmentalHealthNews

This year, take up the “Green Challenge” and receive a free ReUsable Grocery Bag.

Print out a Green Challenge form. fill it out and turn it in at KNC’s Earth Day Celebration on April 19th.

This Earth Day, they’re challenging your family, friends, and neighbors to make green changes at home that will reduce impacts on the environment. Households that adopt at least 12 earth-friendly practices will receive a reusable bag, compliments of Kalamazoo Nature Center and Lee’sAdventure Sports.

Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Phone 269-381-1574