Drum Lessons

Well, I finally found a new tutor for Misha’s lessons. At R380 per term for half an hour a week, this is a very reasonable price. I haven’t seen him this excited in a long time. He had his first lesson this morning. This time we needed to get him his own drum sticks, so we stopped at Marshal Music on our way to get those. I was pleasantly surprised at how much he remembered since he hasn’t been able to play since September.

Coming back, the car dashboard seemed to make a good drum for him & whilst we waited outside Edward’s home for Valerie to fetch the boys for Junior Engineering, he used the car seats for some more practise. That kept him entertained for half an hour.

This of course means that we now really need to make a plan to get him a drum set sooner rather than later. Fortunately he has changed his mind about the practice drum set and agreed that we can get him a “all crash with no bash” set in the interim until he can play and then replace it with a proper drum set. I just hope that practice set that could have got in September is still available.

He spent the night with his best friend, Matthew and when he got home he asked me to build him a drum set so for now he’s practising on a make-shift set, complete with a pedal to serve as a bass-drum pedal, we’ve put together in the classroom. He’s been at it on an off all day today since we’ve build it. Thankfully it’s not as noisy as a real set, so we won’t be needing any ear plugs or soundproofing for the room as yet.

Misha enjoyed his lesson so much that he’s been asking when his next lesson is & was quite disappointed to have to wait until next Friday.

Extra Murals

Junior Engineering for Africa (JEFA/LabratZ)

Courses covered are:

• Foundations 1-3 (Ages 5-7)
• Junior Technician 1 & 2 (Ages 6-8)
• Challenger 1 & 2 (Ages 6-9)
• Builder 1 – 4 (Ages 7-9)
• Technical Machines 1 & 2 (Ages 7-9)
• Inventor 1 -4 (Ages 9-15)
• Junior Mechanic 1 & 2 (Ages 7-15)
• Technical Models 1 & 2 (Ages 10-16)
• Pneumatics 1 & 2 (Ages 11-15)
• Mechanical Systems 1 – 4 (Ages 10-15)
• Mechanical Engineer 1 & 2 (Ages 12-16)
• Designer 1 & 2 (Ages 12-16)
• Robotics & Programming (Ages 11 – 16)

For more information email or contact Brenda Windram on 072 345-1192.

Art

• Little Picasso Holiday
• Art Boxes ~ Keep your kids busy with an awesome Art Box consisting of 8 art projects suitable for ages 5-12. ALL materials included. Step-by-step age-related instructions. These art boxes are available all year round & come in various themes. They are packaged in a great storage box with lid, that can be used to store all special artwork and supplies.
• Classes ~ Art classes, ceramic & pottery classes, picture framing & holiday clubs are also offered. For more information email or contact Kathy Bigham on 082 899-5087.

• Learn & Master by Legacy Learning Systems will enhance your creativity and provide the foundational painting techniques you need to create beautiful artwork. The course consists of 20 professionally produced DVDs, 3 Music CDs (to listen to while you paint), a thorough Lesson Book with supplemental information, and access to a free online student support site.

Music

• Learn & Master Homeschool Editions by Legacy Learning Systems offers a  complete 2-year curriculum for homeschool families.
• Learn & Master Guitar consists of 20 professionally produced DVDs filmed in HD with over 40 hours of instruction. 5 Jam-Along CDs. 100+ page lesson book. Unlimited access to our online student support site. 68-Page Teacher’s Guide. 2-DVD Teacher’s Resource to help with guided study. (We are using this one for our boys & it’s absolutely awesome)
• Learn & Master  Piano has been widely recognized as the best home instruction course for learning piano available anywhere. It consists of 14 professionally produced DVDs, 5 Play-Along CDs, a 100+ page lesson book, and a free online student support site.
• Learn & Master Drums is by far the world’s most complete video instruction course for learning to play the drums. Designed to guide you from the very basics of setting up the drumset to expert playing techniques, it is the only instructional tool you’ll need — even if you’re sitting down to the drumset for the very first time. It is designed primarily for young adults on. Unlike some courses or private instruction, you’ll begin playing popular songs right away and then develop your skills with a simple step-by-step progression. It consists of 12 DVDs, 5 play-along CDs and a 100+ page lesson book, all crammed with in-depth instruction, clear demonstrations, and popular songs you already know.
• Drums/Guitar and Piano lessons in Discovery, Florida - close to the Discovery Hospital and Discovery Methodist Church, on the West Rand. Individual drum, guitar and Piano lessons as well as group guitar and keyboard lessons. Lessons are a half an hour once a week, Monday to Friday from 14h00 to 18h00 at very reasonable prices for ages 5 and up. Email Louise dos Santos (Nat. Dip. Light Music '97- Pretoria Tech) or contact 082 301 4797 or 011 674 3022
• Melody/ie Makers Home School Choir @ Christ Church Horison – Cnr of Cutten & Raath streets in Horison, Roodepoort. For more information email or contact Magda Pieterse on 082 546 8555.
• 4 – 6 Year Olds – Music appreciation and singing group
• 7 – 12 Year Olds – Melody/ie Makers Home School Choir
• Over 12′s – Senior Choir

Drama

• Drama Buzz The Drama Buzz Group is putting on Alice in Wonderland this year for children over the age of 8. All members of the group from previous years should already be registered with Felicity. Old members may register by going to the website,  www.dramabuzz.co.za, login and register. The group meets in Roodepoort (Horison area) at a church to practice every Wednesday from 11:00 – 13:00. For more info email contact Felicity.

Chess

• Lessons offered at Valley Vineyard Church, Northriding. For more information email or contact Brenda Windram on 072 345-1192.
• ChessKid.com is the #1 Site for Kids under 13. Dedicated to being a safe place for kids to learn and play chess!

• Chess.com Play chess for FREE at the #1 Chess Site! Unlimited chess games and free tournaments. Challenge your friends and meet new players. Improve your rating with training videos.

Safety No contact with strangers. Parents manage their kids’ access and friendships online and can monitor their activity.

Learn & Improve Discover the rules and strategies of chess! Improve your game, memorization skills, patience, and sportsmanship!

Play & Have Fun Free online games with other kids from around the world! Enjoy tournaments & club matches too!

Ice Skating

Once a month there’s ice skating at Northgate Ice Rink for homeschoolers at reduced rates.. Scheduled dates for 2013 are 11/1; 8/2; 8/3; 12/4; 10/5; 14/6; 19/7; 16/8; 13/9; 11/10; 8/11 & 6/12 at R40 per person which includes skate hire.

Ballroom Dancing

• Learn & Master Homeschool Editions by Legacy Learning Systems. All of the dances covered in the course — Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing — are tailored for the beginning dancer. It consists of 13 DVDs full of beautiful choreography and easily learned dance figures, 6 CDs of music to dance to, a 75+ page workbook outlining each dance, and an online community to encourage and support you.
  
  

• Every 2nd Wednesday there’s Ballroom Dancing from 13h30 – 14h30 for homeschoolers at the Dance Palace in Roodepoort. 336 Ontdekkers Rd, Discovery, Roodepoort,1724
  Phone 011 672 2288 or email goldenbay@telkomsa.net

Sport

• Active Education Home School coaching is non-competitive and provides regular activity and social interaction for home-schooled children, who all too often lack exercise and the opportunity to play team sports.

Camps

• Mooikrans Equus Horse Camp is a horse riding centre and holiday farm, situated on the escarpment of the Mpumalanga Highveld, 27km from Morgenzon on the R35 route to Amersfoort. Our boys have attended these camps for the past 3 years and with every camp we’ve seen some awesome personal growth.
• A variety of educational, psychotherapy and social programs are available.
• A broad spectrum of programs is compiled for schools, groups and individual youth- or child to choose from. Programs include leadership development and training, educational programs, a series courses which also include all aspects of natural horsemanship (Western/cowboy) and DIY programs for youth/children groups.
• The goals of all the programs are to build the character of each visitor through the development of self-image and self-confidence simultaneously enjoying a holiday. Here the horse and horse riding plays a significant role. The horse is used, as the horse needs the rider’s attention during all times: brain and body work together to achieve success. Mastering the horse during this process leads to a healthy self-image.

• HomeSchool Kamp or follow them on Facebook

Courses Offered Include:

• Music Instruments
• Dance
• Drama
• MicroBotics

E-mail them for more information on courses available.

Please visit this page frequently as I will be posting regular updates as I find more resources.

Tutors, Co-ops & Other Group Activities

• Brightsparkz Tutors offer high quality private tuition for all subjects, grades 1 – 12.  The Tutors travel to you!

  • Johannesburg Tutors email or contact 073 145 7572
  • Cape Town Tutors email or contact 084 404 4006
  • Pretoria Tutors email or contact 073 145 7572
  • Port Elizabeth Tutors email or contact 084 404 4006

• Online Tutoring At Tutor.com, you get a professional online tutor whenever you need help. You work one-to-one with your tutor in our online classroom on your specific homework problem until it’s done.

Science

is a family orientated education support organization offering educational courses, outings and other educational services to parents and their children. Offering hands on practical work in: Earth Science, Astronomy, Model Making, Basic science, Outings + tours, Taylor made request, Atmospheric science, Working with maps, History, Photography & Family outings. Email Barry Bryant or contact +27 (11) 022-9791 or +27 (82) 331-8194

at the Science department of the The University of Pretoria. It was formerly known as the Exploratorium. They have regular science shows per grade and take around 50 kids. Email or contact Yvette on +27 (12) 420 3767

Technology

• Design & Technology Tutor in Discovery, West Rand near  the Discovery Hospital and the Discovery Methodist Church. Group classes offered at R100 per class, by an Interior Designer/ Draughtsman able to tutor in the following areas:

  • Graphic Design – Designing logo’s, fonts, graphic layouts etc…

  • Draughting – Computer draughting (Auto Cad, 3D Max) as well as sketching on paper.  Architectural structures, machines, organic structures…

  • 3D Modelling
  • 2D and 3D Animation
  • Technology today and how it applies to our world
  • How Stuff Works

For more information email or contact Edward dos Santos on +27 72 778 6563 or +27 11 674 3022 (Nat. Dip. Interior Design ’98- Wits Tech)

• Woodworking at Milty’s Training Academy, 121 Mainreef Road Technikon, Roodepoort. Contact Rose Sauerman on +27 (73) 113-6922 for info/bookings

Music

Individual as well as group lessons in Discovery – near the Discovery Hospital and Discovery Methodist Church, on the West Rand. Lessons are a half an hour once a week, Monday to Friday from 14h00 to 18h00 at very reasonable prices for ages 5 and up.

Email or contact Louise dos Santos +27 82 301 4797 or +27 11 674 3022 (Nat. Dip. Light Music ’97- Pretoria Tech)

Please email me if you know of any tutors or group activities worth recommending. Please include contact details, area as well as subject & comments.

Please visit this page frequently as I will be posting regular updates as I find more resources.