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.)

This multifaceted event brings a diverse range of activities and programs suited for everyone in the community. Originally formed as a celebration of Earth Day the event has expanded to encompass all things outdoor about Lapeer County, including (but not limited to) environmental issues, outdoor recreation, and locally grown foods.

This year’s programs include:

For more information visit www.WildLapeer.com

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