Get Ready For The Homeschool Family Day Camp At Deer Run!

HOMESCHOOL FAMILY DAY CAMP at DEER RUN: Friday, April 28

By Liz Gibson, Communications Director and Cofounder of Deer Run Camps & Retreats, Thompson’s Station, Tenn.

Spending planned recreational time outdoors as a family is not only a way to have fun, but a great way to build deeper relationships with each other. You will find yourself laughing, cheering each other on, and creating memories that last a life-time.

The staff at Deer Run Camps & Retreats have a passion to come alongside you to

9th-12th Graders Can Enter to Win $1,000 in the Century Farm Video Competition

CENTURY FARM VIDEO COMPETITION A Contest Sponsored by the  Williamson County Fair

Ever wanted to be a filmmaker, script writer, videographer, or all of these? Here’s your chance to tell a story on film and possibly win a cash prize. Your work will also contribute to the recorded history of Williamson County, and you and others, because of your research and video, will learn about the vital importance of farmers and farms to our county and state.

The Williamson County Fair (WCF) is sponsoring a new competition. $1000.00 in cash and other prizes will be awarded to

3 Great Summer Art Programs at Firstlight Arts Academy

Photo Source: Firstlight Arts Academy

It's time to register for summer activities. Start with these fun art programs at Firstlight Arts Academy:

CAMP-Classes

We mashed together two great ideas. We took the week-long summer camp idea, and combined it with a fantastic art class. We have 10-12 students per CAMP-Class with 2 instructors in the younger age groups. The fun is like a camp, yet the instruction is very personalized! Our CAMP-classes teach kids real art concepts while having a blast.

Come for art from 9 am to 3:30 pm all week. Bring a sack lunch and watch animation shorts or play games for the break from 12-1. Combine your morning CAMP-Class with the afternoon Summer ART Buffet to have a full day of art all week long – with a discount! Price is $135 to add the Summer ART Buffet to your CAMP-Class for all 5 days (savings of $15). Reservations are encouraged to ensure a spot.

• Art Garden – age 4 & 5
• Art Bugs – age 6 – 8
• Color Camp – age 8 – 12
• Toon Camp – age 9 – 14

The Summer ART Buffet 2017 AFTERNOONS

Our popular daily art classes begin on Tuesday, May 30. This is a customized

The WCPL Has Learning and Fun for Your Teenager by Jennifer Smeltser

When it comes to cool places for a teenager to “hang out”, a library is probably the last place a teenager would suggest. Well, many libraries, including the Williamson County Public Library (WCPL - Main Branch) are making changes to encourage teens to turn to the library for learning and fun. 

Many children are introduced to the library when they are elementary age or younger. Ask any toddler or preschooler what they think about library story time and - as best they can - they will tell you how much fun they have during that time. The spirit they have as a child usually diminishes by the time they

Off The Square's PETER PAN is FLYING back to Franklin for a second run!

OFF THE SQUARE THEATRE COMPANY, a new student-run company, is the very first theatrical production for Williamson County's brand new Academy Park Performing Arts Center. After months of renovation, the new theater is nearly complete, and we are blessed to join in the celebration as it finally opens to the public.

The Kindoll Adademy by Kristen Kindoll

I'm a maverick, a rebel with a cause, and a plain-old prospector. These flags fly proud, though a bit tattered at times. It is in the tradition of self-publishing and home-schooling, some of my alternative endeavors, that I wanted to expand my reach and create a learning academy.

Kindoll Academy has been in the works for over ten years. I initially conducted classes for my children and their friends. While homeschooling has many benefits, due to its construct of a one-on-one tutoring methodology, this positive has some innate

How to Teach Your Child the Value of a Thank You

I bet your children had a wonderful time this past Christmas opening all of their gifts. The wrapping paper was flying, decorative ribbons were tossed and eyes sparkled when they were set upon an “unexpected” gift just for them. It is always nice to receive gifts. As a gift giver, it is also nice to receive thank you notes. As we progress through the digital era, a hand-written thank you note is probably something you will continue to see less of in your life. Only a homeschool parent could turn that around and bring hand-written thank you notes back into popularity.

 

I do not know what it is about homeschool parents, but we have to turn everything into a learning experience. As a homeschooling

Barnes & Noble Cool Springs Educator Appreciation Days

To celebrate pre-K-12 educators, Barnes & Noble Cool Springs will kick off the second half of the school year and celebrate Educator Appreciation Days from Saturday, January 7, through Sunday, January 15, 2017. During Educator Appreciation Days, Barnes & Noble will offer Educators special discounts* including 25% off most merchandise like books, toys and games, various events including free workshops and educator receptions**, limited-time giveaways, while supplies last***, and the chance to win a selection of books from Sterling Publishing perfect for the classroom, valued at approximately $4, 000.

The number and type of books selected by Sterling Publishing will be in accordance with the

Homeschooling Artists and Crafters Spotlight: Sally's Retro Christmas Wreaths

Homeschool mom Sally of Shabby Shimmer Christmas first saw a glass ornament wreath tutorial at Retro Renovation and decided to give it a try. Fast forward a couple of years later and she's made over a hundred Christmas ornament wreaths and has also ventured into making putz houses (also known as little glitter houses).

Homeschooling Artists and Crafters Spolight: Annalise Joy's Carved Art

Homeschool mom and wood carving artist Annalise Joy creates hand carved ornaments, wall hangings, and hard bound books. Her carved art is available for purchase from her website.

Annalise learned chip carving by apprenticing with a Los Angeles based artist in the early 2000s. Her carved art was recently featured at West Elm in Green Hills. Be sure to visit annalisejoy.com to view the many options for unique and exquisite Christmas gifts. Here are a few of her beautiful creations: