MTHEA is pleased to sponsor a Fall Formal Gala on October 20!  We encourage tutorials, co ops, and individuals to purchase tickets at $15 and support the gathering of homeschool students in a classical music venue--the Spring Hill Community Orchestra at 7:30 pm at Columbia State Community College, Columbia campus, Hickman Building, Cherry Theater.  After the concert, join the other students in a dessert gala gathering for elegant desserts and special activities.  Tickets are on sale, individually or in groups, and can be purchased by contacting pazkingma@gmail.com.
 

New for 2017-2018!Upcoming Hermitage Homeschool DaysAugust 17, 2017 – Get Back to Nature!   
Did you know Jackson’s name for his home, “hermitage,” means “retreat?” Explore the over 1,100 acres of land, nature trail, and formal garden and see why this name remains perfect to describe the Hermitage landscape! When selecting his land Jackson wasn’t only looking at the beauty of it, but how abundant the resources were on the property. Is water nearby? Will the soil produce crops? Is the game plentiful? Spend time with Hermitage educators learning about how plants were used in the home, conduct your own soil test, and have an up close encounter with feathered friends who call Middle Tennessee home. All activities will take place at the Cabin by the Spring.
November 10, 2017 – Crop to Cloth: Fiber Arts at the Hermitage
With its towering trees, fragrant flowers, and manicured lawn the Hermitage today looks like a park! But when Jackson purchased the farm in 1804 his focus was on carving out a life from the land. The Hermitage farm was devoted to producing cotton, Jackson’s cash crop, along with corn and other garden crops to sustain the Hermitage family, enslaved and livestock. Today the Hermitage still maintains a cotton patch for guests to see and examine. Enjoy a hands-on approach to learning how cotton was cultivated and transformed from crop to cloth in the 19thcentury. Activities will take place at the Cotton Patch and Cabin by the Spring.
March 16, 2018 – Creating A Home: Decorative Arts
From farmhouse to mansion the Jackson’s relied on decorative arts and architectural details to embellish their home on the frontier. French wallpaper and faux finishes on wood trim were just a few of the many artistics touches found in both of their residences. Discover the designer in you by creating your own decorative art similar to those found at the Hermitage and used in early American life. Activities will take place at the First Hermitage farmhouse and the Education Building.
June 1, 2018 – Statehood!
On June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state to join the Union. Celebrate the state’s 222 birthday with Hermitage educators! Hear about Jackson’s role in forming the state and his political leadership in its beginnings. Practice your skills as a lawmaker and campaigner. Learn about our state symbols and see if you can find them among the Hermitage grounds. We may even fine tune our dancing skills to the Tennessee Waltz! Activities will take place at the Education Building.
Admission
Admission to Homeschool Days is $40 per family. This price includes five family members, including those under the age of six. Additional admissions may be added for the discounted rate of $16/adult and $9/student. Additional children under five are free.
Advanced ticket purchase recommended. Preorder your tickets here.
Admission includes Homeschool Days program, an interpreter-led tour of the mansion, self-guided tour of the Hermitage grounds, exhibit galleries, and film.  Pack a picnic lunch and eat at the tables available on the property, or eat onsite in The Kitchen Cabinet Café.
The Hermitage also offers Hands on History programs for homeschool groups of 15 or more students. For more information on Homeschool Days or Hands on History programs please email education@thehermitage.com.

​Dear Members of MTHEA,

First of all, we here at MTHEA would like you to know how much we have appreciated your support over the years by attending and supporting our annual Curriculum Fair Expo. We have so enjoyed getting to know you on a personal basis, and have really looked forward to this event every year!

That, in and of itself, has made this decision that much harder to come to. Due to financial constraints, lack of vendor interest, and declining attendance numbers, the MTHEA Board has made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2017 Middle Tennessee Homeschool Expo this year. This has come after much prayer and discussion within our board and was not a decision come to lightly. We are not ready to say we will NEVER have our event again, but for this year, we need to cancel.

We are excited to announce however, that we will be partnering with the Nashville “Teach Them Diligently” event, to be held on March 30 - April 1, 2017, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel! We know that many of you have attended this event before and we are also excited to announce that MTHEA members will receive a$20 discount upon registration! If you are currently a member, you will receive this savings code in the Feb/March 2017 issue of Jonathan’s Arrow. You can register for this conference by going to https://teachthemdiligently.net/homeschool-conventions/nashville-tn/. If you are not a member of MTHEA, we encourage you to join by clicking HERE, and we will send you your code to save and join us at Teach Them Diligently Nashville! This is a very well attended, organized and exciting event…so we encourage you to check it out and hope to see you there!
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Thank you again, for all of your support to MTHEA over the years! Our mission to reach out to new, seasoned and struggling homeschoolers has not, nor will ever change, but we do recognize we must cater to the ever-changing needs of those homeschoolers. After all… some change does present GREAT opportunity!!
If you have any further questions or concerns, you can contact Kelly Murray in the MTHEA office at office@mthea.org. 

Continued Blessings,
The Board of MTHEA