Monday
Science Lab at the La Granage Public Library
Ages: all ages
When: (M) 11:00 to 12:00
Where: The Library is located at the corner of Cossitt Avenue and La Grange Road in La Grange. The Dierkes Community Room is on the lower level.
Parent Participation: none
Fee: free. Please make a donation to the La Grange Public Library in lieu of a class fee.
The class is a hands-on activity, participation is necessary from all the children.
Contact/Additonal Info: The lab is currently full, contact Elizabeth if you want to be on a waiting list.
Westside House Activity Group - WHAG - at the La Grange Public Library
Ages: all ages
When: (M) 12:30 to 2
Where: The Library is located at the corner of Cossitt Avenue and La Grange Road in La Grange. The Dierkes Community Room is on the lower level.
Parent Participation: depends on the ability of the child.
Fee: None, unless you want to contribute to copying fees.
Math on the first Monday. Stations are set up in groups.
Pre-computation math: games or activities centering on sorting, counting, patterns and logic.
Computation practice: games and puzzles covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals, time, money, measurement and geomitry.
Advanced practice: games like Equate and Muggins, more challenging logic puzzles, card and dice games.
Writer's Workshop on the second Monday. We have an opening activity, which the kids can choose to work on, or they can chose to write something else. Stations will include the mailbox, writing prompts, and an illustration activity like stamping or picture cutting. The session will end with a sharing time.
Westside House parents support meeting on the third Monday. The kids can play board games or electronic games in one part of the room while we meet in the other.
Book Club on the fourth Monday. Again we are set up in groups:
Pre and beginning readers: a traditional story time with a related craft.
Independent readers: a story time, but for older kids, reading selections from chapter books and activities surrounding a specific topic.
Advanced readers: a book club discussion group based on reading selections made by the kids.
Wednesday
Noon Skate
Ages: all
Time : 11:30 to 12:30
Where: Ridgeland Commons at the corner of Ridgeland and Lake in Oak Park
Fee: $5 including skate rental
This is an activity sponsored by the Park Districk of Oak Park. Some our our members put a shout out on the yahoo group when they are available to skate on Wednesday.
Thursday
The Community Co-op
Ages: 2-12 (babies and teens welcome)
When: (Th)
Where:
Parent Participation: full, parents lead or assist in classes throughout the day
Fee: $130 / session (3 sessions available per year) (Reduced fee available for families in need.)
Description: This is a day of classes in creative writing, art, hands-on science, and PE. –Special activities for toddlers too.
For more information go to their website at http://www.homeschoolcommunitycoop.org
YMCA Sports of All Sorts
Ages/times: (Th) ages 3-5 and 6- 9,
Where: PVA YMCA,
Fee: $25 for members, $29 for non-members ($20/$24 for ages 3-5)
Parent Participation: none (parents required for optional open swim)
Description: This is a popular gym class for homeschoolers.
Contact /Additional Info: See the listings at the PAV YMCA website www.pavymca.
Teen Club
Ages: teens
When:
1st Thursday of the month field trip
2nd Thursday of the month book club
3rd Thursday of the month writer's workshop
Where: varies
Parent participation: none except as needed
Fee: maybe some for field trips
Description: One of the ideas behind the teen club is to foster community among Chicagoland's homeschooled and unschooled teens. Another idea is to give teens an opportunity to direct their own activities, expand their social lives and to explore all the city has to offer in a setting that is safe and supported by us.
Friday
Westside Roots & Shoots
Ages: 7 and up, boys The group is currently closed to new members under the age of 10.
When: 1st & 3rd Friday of the month,
Where: Various locations
Parent Participation: parents take turns assisting at field trips when needed
Fee: $3 for the year, unless there is a fee for activities and events
Description: This is a club
Regular Monthly Westside HOUSE Activities
Molly Malone's: 4th Thursday
Teen Get-together: 4th Friday
Monthly support meeting: 2nd Friday
In the works: A project club, likely to be on Wednesday or Friday for all ages. Contact Kathy G.
Field Trips
None are currently planned. We went to the College of DuPage's MacAnninch theater several time in the fall.