Lunar Eclipse

There is a lunar eclipse tonight (or early tomorrow morning depending on your time zone) that will be best viewed in North America. The eclipse will begin at 5:29 UT (12:29 a.m. EST on 12/21 and 9:29 p.m. PST on 12/20).

Here are some links:

Holiday Treat: December's Total Lunar Eclipse Is Best One Until 2014


December 21 Lunar Eclipse at Mr.Eclipse.com - includes diagrams of the eclipse for each time zone

Technical Information at NASA

Lunar Eclipses for Beginners at Mr.Eclipse.com

Observe a Lunar Eclipse (animation)

Lunar Eclipse (another animation)

Enjoy!

Free Online PSAT Test Prep!

This fall's PSAT is in a couple of weeks, but this definitely looks like a worthwhile resource, even if it is "last-minute."

Kaplan is offering a "Free last-minute SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT Prep" section of their website that includes a code to access their Online PSAT Prep for free! It is regularly $99 and includes evaluation for customized practice, video explanations for all of the test topics, over 900 practice problems, and more. Go to this website and look under the PSAT column (center column).

There are also several websites with free practice helps and lessons for the SAT, PSAT, and ACT.

Enjoy! I already signed up my eleventh-grade son.

Summer Reading Contests and Programs

Yes, she really was reading and stirring!

When I began preparing this post on summer reading contests, I came across an article about the potential negative effects of incentive-based reading programs: A Closer Look at Reading Incentive Programs (click the link to read the article).

I think the article brings up some points that are worth considering. I am still going to post the links to summer reading programs because my children will read this summer regardless of incentives, and I think there are many children who love to read and would have fun with these programs.

As always, use your discretion as to the types of websites you allow your children to visit, the programs themselves, book choices, and whether you think an incentive-based program might be detrimental for your reader(s).

• Scholastic Summer Challenge: Kids ages 7 and up sign up for their school and log their reading minutes. Schools that log the most minutes will be published in the 2011 edition Scholastic Book of World Records. There is a check box for homeschoolers. This is an interactive site, although there are strict privacy rules in place. Kids are placed in groups by book genre interest and can make a profile and interact on message boards, take polls, etc.


• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading: Children in grades 1-6 download a Passport to Summer Reading to keep track of the books they read and record their favorite parts. Return the completed form (8 books) to a local Barnes & Noble for a free book by 9/7/10 (books are pre-selected by age and based on local availability).


• Homeschool Buyer's Co-op: You must be a member (free) for your children to participate in this summer reading contest for homeschoolers. Parents log their kids' reading hours, book titles, and optional reviews every day at the Daily Reading Record. The Reading Champions page lists everyone's reading hours, book titles, and reviews, which is nice for kids who are looking for book ideas. Every Tuesday starting on June 8, they will do a drawing for a $15 Amazon gift certificate. In September, they will do a drawing for an Apple iPad. Homeschooled children ages 1 through 18 may participate.


• Book It! Summer Break Reading Challenge Sweepstakes: Children who were in grades K-6 during the 2009-2010 school year may fill out an entry form and mail it in after reading 5 books for a chance to win a prize package. Homeschooled students are eligible to participate (I checked via e-mail). Entries must be received by 8/23/10.

Don't forget to check your local libraries, stores, and restaurants. Most libraries offer summer reading programs, and it can't hurt to keep an eye open at other public places you frequent.

Resurrection Day Activities

Photo Credit: Rob Elliott

As followers of Christ, our family believes that it is valuable to spend some extra time to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. We try to live for Jesus every day, remembering His sacrifice and victory, but this gives us a chance to refocus and meditate anew on His love and saving grace.

There are many wonderful family activities on the web for this time of year.

Holy Experience has a few family Easter activities that I would like to do this year:

• Easter Garden
• Easter Tree (how to make one, devotionals and artwork - parents should check the image for Day 1 before showing your children)
• Box of Repentance

My post from last year includes several links to Resurrection Day activities:

• Resurrection Day Links (I made sure the links were working and updated some)

Easy Fun School has a Passover unit study that looks great:

• Celebrating Easter: A Passover Unit Study

Biblical Holidays has information on Passover and instructions for a Messianic Passover Seder:

• Passover Overview
• Messiah in Passover
• Messianic Passover Seder
• Passover Recipes

 Enjoy this season of celebration and hope with your family!