Welcome to February! If you’re ready to add more fun, field trips, or unit studies to your homeschooling this month, here are a few things worth taking a look at. Enjoy!
Online:
Teaching Black History: Resources for All Ages –a nice compilation of resources, links, and lesson plan ideas from GPB/PBS.
GPB/PBS Kids Writing Contest 2020 — GPB invites Georgia students in kindergarten through third grade to create a great story, illustrate it, and enter it in our PBS KIDS Writers Contest. Stories can be fact or fiction, poetry or prose, and will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling, and integration of illustrations. A first, second, and third place will be chosen from each grade level. The deadline for submissions is March 20, 2020.
Valentine’s Day — Check out the history of the holiday, craft ideas, and more!
February 2 — Hot Chocolate at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve; 1-3pm. Part of their monthly Social Sunday program, visitors are invited to come out and enjoy the Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, along with a cup of hot chocolate.$5 per person.
February 3 — Summerly Homeschool Park Day at Thrasher Park; 11am-12:30pm. Members and friends are invited to join us for this casual park day meet up. (If the weather is bad, this park day will be cancelled.)
February 4 — Homeschool Field Trip Day at Zoo Atlanta; all day; Homeschool families and groups of 9 or less are welcome on the first Tuesday of every month. No advanced reservation required. Register as a walk-up at any admission window upon arrival for Homeschool Field Trip Day for $14.99 + tax; Free for members. (Groups of 10 or more can qualify for a group discount, but reservations must be made in advance. See the website for more details.)
February 5 — Homeschool Skate at Skate Along USA; 1-3pm. Join us for this low-key monthly homeschool skate day. Price is $6 per entry, with or without skate rental.
February 5 — Homeschool Day at the High Museum; 1-3pm. This month’s tour and workshop are devoted to the career of artist and fashion designer Virgil Abloh. Prepare to put on your STEAM thinking cap and immerse yourself in the world of contemporary design. $11 per child; regular general admission for chaperones; free for High Museum members.
February 6 — Summerly Homeschool’s 5-week Dungeons & Dragons Club at the LEAD space; 12pm-1:30pm. D&D Club for ages 9-15. $45, includes all materials. This club is full for February/March. If there is enough interest, we will be offering a D&D Summer Camp week again this June.
February 6 — International Frozen Yogurt Day at Yogurtland; 4-7pm. Free 5 oz. cup of frozen yogurt or ice cream. Check the link to find a location near you.
February 7 — Feeding Friday at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve; 4:30pm. Join the Autrey Mills staff for the monthly care and feeding of the nature preserve’s many animal inhabitants. Open to the first 30 visitors. $2 per person.
February 8 — Our Senses: An Immersive Experience at Fernbank Museum of Natural History; Opening day of this new exhibit, that features hands-on activities and games designed to engage all of your senses. Free with admission or membership. Runs through May 3.
February 11 — Homeschool Science Day at Chattahoochee Nature Center; 1:45-3pm. This popular monthly science program is geared towards kids ages 6-13, and features a different topic each month. February’s topic is “Fish.” Free with admission or membership.
February 13 — Summerly Homeschool’s D&D Club at the LEAD space (week two); 12pm-1:30pm. D&D Club for ages 9-15. $45, includes all materials. This club is full for February/March.
February 14 — Summerly Homeschool Valentine Park Day at Lilburn City Park; 11am-12:30pm. Members and friends are invited to join us for this Valentine’s Day-themed park day meet up. Bring lunch, Valentines, and snacks if you’ d like! (If the weather is bad, this park day will be cancelled.)
February 17 — Jimmy Carter Presidential Library; In honor of President’s Day, consider checking out our own local Presidential library. Hours are 9am to 4pm. Docent-led group tours can be reserved, or just lead your family on your own self-guided tour and go at your leisure (a free curriculum download is also available at the link). Admission is $12 for adults and free for students ages 16 and under. For dining, there is a cafeteria onsite, open weekdays 11:30am-2pm.
February 21 — Homeschool Skate at Sparkles Family Fun Center; 12pm-4pm. Monthly Homeschool Skate Day in Lawrenceville. Cost is $5 (includes skate rental and indoor playground); $10 for pizza/pitcher combo.
February 22 — Shout, Sing-Out! at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights; shows at 11:30am and 1:30pm. This stage show is designed as an early primer (for ages 10 & under) in understanding community, personal investment, and famous figures in history. Audiences will be treated to amazing storytelling and rousing singalongs, followed by a fun poster making project designed to echo the themes of the show. This hands-on activity will give parents (and teachers) a unique insight into what the kids take away from the experience and offer a wonderful tool to reinforce learning long after. $9 per person. Get tickets online.
February 28 — Summerly Homeschool Middle Grades Book Club; Ages 10-14; 11am-12:15pm at Waller’s Coffee Shop in Decatur. The book for February is The Friendship War by Andrew Clements. $5 per child. Pre-registration is preferred (so that we know how many to expect).
February 28 — Summerly Homeschool Teen/High School Book Club; Ages 14-17; 12:30-1:30pm at Waller’s Coffee Shop in Decatur. The book for February is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. $5 per teen. Pre-registration is preferred (so that we know how many to expect).
February 29 — Leap Day! It only comes around every four years, making it an interesting topic to learn about, and a fun day to celebrate.
