Free Home School Activity!!

As you can probably imagine, we go through a lot of food here in my house, which means a lot of boxes. So, I decided to save all of those boxes for a couple of weeks. I stacked them in the laundry room, and as crazy as this may sound, there is a reason to my madness.

I have two little boys who love to build with everything, so I thought this would be a good, fun way to let them be creative in school time.

So yesterday, everyone got their chance to build whatever they wanted. We had all kinds of creations, from robot suits to battle ships. It really is amazing to see what they can come up with with something as simple as a few boxes!!

Here are some pictures of the fun, and it went on for a while, until the boxes started to break down.  You will notice that some of the children have their PJ's on, sometimes we stay in the for a while, (I know, shame shame).

Homeschool Money Saving Tip!!

Okay, so when you are trying to homeschool on a budget, how do you afford all of the curriculum?

Buy secondhand!! Just like clothes and toys, there is also secondhand curriculum out there. I know for all of you experienced homeschool parents, this is old news, but for all of the relatively new homeschool parents, this can be a super money saver.

Curriculum can be very expensive, and if you try to buy all of the extras that go along with the curriculum, it can become overwhelming. So, shop for used curriculum. I know that some of you think used curriculum must mean stuff that is all used up and written in, but that is not the case.

There are tons of homeschool parents out there who take great care of the items they purchase and even make copies of the worksheets, so they can resale the curriculum.

If you have a local homeschool group, check with them. They probably have a curriculum swap or sale at least once every year. If you do not have a local group, check the web. There are several sites that have listings for used curriculum.

Another place to check, believe it or not, is at yardsales.  You would be surprised at what you can find.  I know people who have been lucky enough to find entire curriculum sets.  However, you are probably more likely to find a piece here and there.  You can almost always find books though, and every homeschooler knows the importance of books, when you have young readers!!

So, if you are looking to save big money on your curriculum, try to find a used version.

Cleaning Out Homeschool Stuff!!

Okay, all of my homeschool friends, I am cleaning out my homeschool closet, and I have these items for sale:

Minds in Motion, A Kinesthetic Approach to Teaching Elementary Curriculum, Susan Griss, 1998 $4.00

Social Studies Made Simple, Grade 1, Frank Schaffer Publications, Written by Beth Alley Wise, 1997 $4.00

Phonics Make-and-take Manipulatives, Scholastic, Grade =s K-2, Joan Novelli, 1998 $3.00

Science Experiments, Volume 1, Grade 1-3, Joan Bentley and Linda Hobbs, 1991 $3.00

Cooperative Learning Activities for Language Arts, Intermediate, Teacher Certified Materials, Inc., 1995 $3.00

Home Community Connections, Houghton Mifflin Reading, Grade 1 $3.00

Horizons Phonics and Reading 1, Student Book One, April 2001 Printing $4.00

A Beka Book HomeSChool Phonics and Reading 1, Curriculum/Lesson Plans, Includes Language, Spelling, Poetry, and Activity Time, 2003 (This book has some wear, but is still usable). $5.00

Health, Safety and Manners 2, Teachers Edition, A Beka Publications, 1991 Printing $4.00

Health, Safety and Manners 2, Student Book, A Beka Publications, 1992 Printing $4.00

God’s Gift of Language A, Teacher Edition, A Beka Book, Writing and Grammar Work-Text, printed in 2001. $5.00

God’s Gift of Language A, Writing and Grammar A Beka Book, Test Key, 2001 printing. $5.00

Grammar and Composition 1, Teacher Key, A Beka Book Language Series, Printed 2000. $10.00

Foundations for Christian Schools, K4 for four year olds, Home Teacher Packet, Bob Jones University Press, 1991. And Home Teacher’s Edition. $12.00.

Shurley English Homeschooling, Grammar and Composition, Level 1, Teachers Manual, 2002. (Like New) $25.00

Shurley English Homeschooling, Grammar and Composition, Level 1, Student Workbook, 2002 (Like New) $10.00

Horizons Math 1, Teacher Guide part one and two. $20.00

Sends me an email or leave a comment if you are interested, prices do not include shipping. bkwatts3 at gmail dot com.

Great Free Homeschool Resource!!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that I am a homeschooler and I love to share good homeschool resources with you all. I found a great site for math worksheets. We have been using the first grade ones and I think they are great, and best of all they are FREE. So, if you are in need of some extra math work check out SoftSchools.com.
photo source: cobrasoft

Dollar Tree Homeschool Supplies!!

I love taking a walk through the Dollar Tree to see what I can find. Recently I was in looking around, and found some of the neatest stuff. I guess it is their spring items, but they have the huge magnifying glass with bug tweezers. They have bug catching kits, butterfly nets, and containers. There are tons of projects that you could incorporate into your homeschool plans with these items!!

I was super excited, because things don't last very long around our house. There are several children who get joy out of destructing anything they can get their hands on!! However disturbing that may sound, that is how it is!!

For $1.00 I can afford to grab several and keep the extra on hand for when one is broken!!

So, the next time you are out and about, swing into the Dollar Tree and stock up on your spring time school items!!

Great Homeschool Math Resource!!

Okay all my homeschooling readers, what do you do when you run out of practice problems in the math book?? Well, if you are like I used to be you buy extra practice workbooks, right?? I used to do that, until I found this little site http://www.math-drills.com/.

It has tons of practice math pages that are totally free for you to print out. We have done several of the addition sheets and some of the St. Patricks day sheets.

I love resources that are free, and this is a great one.

Trash or Teaching Aid??

When you look at this picture, what do you see?

Is it just a pile of trash, caps that need to be recycled, or is it a super frugal teaching aid??  If you guessed the second choice, you are right.  This is not just a pile of discarded drink caps, this is a pile of math and color manipulative's for my preschooler and kindergartner.

**NOTE:  Your child should be old enough to not place these in their mouth!!  I do not want anyone choking on me!!**  I am pretty sure most of you knew that, but I just had to add it in!!

These are great for learning colors and numbers.  I can ask my child to get 2 green, and see if she knows the color and the number.  I was shocked when we first started homeschooling at the price of everything, math manipulative's are Expensive when you buy them at an Education store.  They do not HAVE to be expensive if you use what you have in a creative way. 

Okay, so there is my frugal homeschool tip of the day, do you have one to share.  I always love learning new ways to save money, especially on homeschooling, we have five children after all!!

Homeschool Freebie, 2010 Worksheets Directory!!

If you are a homeschooler like me, you have probably realized the value of homeschool freebies. Well, wholesomechildhood.com has some awesome homeschool freebies. By signing up for their email, here, you will get access to the 2010 Worksheets Directory, as well as an email when they release new freebies.

If you have not checked them out yet, I strongly recommend it. They have some really great resources for homeschool families.

Neat and fun fall activities!!

I don't know about you all, but Fall is one of my favorite seasons.  I love to see the leaves changing colors, and so do my children.  I have found several different ways to incorporate the Fall season with our homeschool.

Take a nature walk, we like to look at all of the different colors and talk about what happens after the leaves turn all of their pretty colors.

Pick up some of the different size and color leaves.  When you get back home you can press them, or color over them with crayons.

The leaves are great for tons of arts and crafts projects.

These are just a few of the ways that we incorporate fall into our school.  What about you all, what do you do during the Fall season?

photo source:  holten105

What should you save??

We all know how expensive it can be to homeschool, or even entertain preschoolers, right?? Well, there are some everyday items that you can save around your house that can make it a little easier on your wallet.

Paper towel and toilet tissue tubes: these can be used for sooo many art projects, and can keep kids busy for hours. Just think how much more fun your child will have on a nature walk with a pair of binoculars (made from TP rolls).

Cereal boxes: These can be used for art project, organization, games, and storage in your school area.

Newspaper: If you have it anyway, why not use it to make paper mache things?

Lids from milk jugs and drink bottles: These are great to use for OLDER children who are not at risk of choking on them. They make great manipulative's, and I have also seen some really creative crafts with these.

Kleenex boxes: The longer boxes work great as monster shoes, just make the opening a little bigger. Preschoolers love playing with them, especially when you decorate them.

This is only a short list of useful items that can probably be found in your home right now. So, before you toss it next time, think about what else you can use it for!!

photo source: branox

Great Homeschool tools for younger students!!

My daughter is in the first grade, and I have recently (with-in the past two weeks) found the need to add something extra to our math program. She is doing a great job, but I felt like our curriculum was not offering enough practice on certain areas, so I started looking for other options.

I was really happy with what I found on File Folder Fun. This site is packed with file folder games that you can print out and assemble. I was a little skeptical about the whole concept of the file folder game to start with, but I have to say that my daughter loves it, and is doing very well.

So far I have made the Chick-N-Place, and another one for number recognition, but can not find it on there right now. However, there are tons to pick from.

Once I print out my sheets, I grab my scissors and cut everything out. Then I grab my file folder and glue stick and attach the proper pieces to the folder. Next, I grab my contact paper, and do a little DIY lamination. (I do not have my own laminating machine yet). Once I am done with that, I grab a regular envelope, and seal the flap down. Then I cut off the end of the envelope, and use it to hold my other pieces to the game. When I am storing the game, I place the envelope inside of the file folder, and use a binder clip to keep everything together.

This has been working for us so far, and I look forward to making more. My daughter really thinks they are fun.

Do you have any great tips on making school fun for your children?

Learning Tools (low cost)!!

If you have ever had the need to purchase any type of learning tool, you know how expensive it can be. Especially when you are looking for something specific.

I recently found the need for flash cards, but I needed the type that had pictures of common things like a cup, or bread on them. I needed these for my youngest daughter who is currently having communication delays.

I was shocked to see how much a set of cards like this costs, anywhere from $10.00 to $60.00. I found several places that you could order them online, but I just could not bring myself to do it. So, I set out on a mission to find a more cost effective solution.

I have tons of magazines around the house, so I started scanning them for pictures that I could use. I found several in a matter of minutes that would be perfect for my flash cards. So, I cut out the pictures and grabbed a stack of index cards and my glue stick.

Next, I simply glued my picture onto the card and used a little contact paper to make it water proof.

So for basically no money, because I had everything that I used just laying around the house, I made my own set of communication flash cards that are customized to my daughters exact needs.

My next step is to purchase some of the magnet strips and turn my cards into magnets that can be placed on the fridge, to further help with our communication process.

First week of school was a success!!

Well, we started our homeschool this week, and it went shockingly well. I have one first grade student, and two preschool students. I also have two smaller children, but they are too young to start anything big.

So, This is what I have decided to use:
First Grade:

Math- HOrizons 1
English- Writing with Ease
Spelling- Spelling Workout A
Vocabulary- First Language Lessons of the Well Trained Mind
Science- Gods Design for Science
History-The Story of the World
Preschool:
Answers for Preschoolers

Leap Frog Letter Factory
Leap Frog Word Factory

I am using the Well Planned Day planner, by Rebecca Scarlata Keliher, and I love it.  There are spaces to plan for four children.  It also has a place to write down chores and grocery lists.  I have used tons of planners in the past, but this is by far my favorite.

So, anyway, that is how our first week of homeschool went.  What about you, are you a homeschooler??  When will you begin your school??

photo source: whiter78

Homeschool Planning Time!!

Well, it is that time again. Time to plan out the homeschool year. I will have a 1st grade student, and two pre-school students. Our family has decided to take the Classical approach, and we will be using the following curriculum:

First Grade
Spelling: Spelling Workout A
Language: First Language Lessons of the Well Trained Mind, Level One.
Shurley Grammar Level One
Composition: The Complete Writer, Writing With Ease.
History: The History of the World
Math: Horizons Math, Grade 1
Science: Gods Design for Life

I am still working on the Pre-school plans, but will update you when I have it figured out.

Are you a homeschool mother? What are your plans for the year?

How can you build a home library for pennies??

Well, as you all know, I LOVE to shop at yardsales. I know that some people may not get the whole "yardsale" concept, but it is a great way to find certain items for only pennies. Books are probably one of the best examples. My family homeschools and books are like gold in the homeschool world.

When we started homeschooling I had a few childrens books, but not nearly enough. I know that the library is a great option for books, but there are certain books that I could not find at my local library that I wanted, and there are certain books that I wanted to own rather than borrow from the library. With this in mind I set out on a mission, to build my very own home library.

I truly was amazed at the number and variety of books that I was able to find for around $0.25 each. I have found tons and tons of books, and my children love them. I only have one child that is old enough to read on their own, but the others love it when I read to them.

Another great option for finding cheap books is to check out your local thrift stores. I have had great luck at the Salvation Army, and some other small thrift stores in my area, and the books are priced around $0.25 each at these stores as well.

Although my books are not "new" they are in great shape, and we are never without "reading material". So, if you really look you can find great books at super low prices to help you build your own home library.

photo source: bethany actually

Free Download from CurrClick!!

You can download a copy of "Important Constitutional Documents" from Currclick here.

Free Issue of Home Educating Family magazine!!

To request your free sample issue of Home Educating Magazine, go here, and click on Special Offers.  From there fill out the form and get your free issue.  I really like this magazine, it seems to have some really great articles.

Free Printables!!

If you are a homeschooler, or even a teacher you might find this site helpful. It is full of free printables. You can check out their free printable certificates here.

Homeschool 101!!

As all of you know, it is time for the kids to start school. We have decided to homeschool our daughter who is in Kindergarten. This has been an exciting and interesting decision. I had no idea that there were so many different choices when it comes to materials and curriculum.

Are any of you other moms out there on the homeschool journey? So far we are doing well, but we have only been at it for three weeks. These are the curriculum I decided to start with:

Horizons Math
Shurley Grammar
Fun-Faith Builders, Memory Verse Mysteries
The Bob Books
I also bought one of the "Everything For Early Learning", workbooks. I feel that this goes along nicely with our lessons.

I do have other small children to contend with, so I try to homeschool while the others are napping. This has worked well for us, but I know I will need to find a new routine once the lessons become a little longer.

If you want some company on your homeschool journey, check out The Homeschool Lounge, they are currently having the 2009 Homeschool Open House.


There are tons of great prizes at the Homeschool Open house, so of my favorite include:

• The Itty Bitty Bookworm
• Homeschool Boutique
• The Old School House Magazine planner module
• Door Posts, the put out chart
• CurClick
• The Rainbow Resource
  
• Blast Off On A Writing Adventure

There are also some freebies available there, so stop by and check them out.