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Homeschooling Through The Winter: Tips & Tricks to Make it Through

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Winter is here and the homeschool year is beginning to drag on. With the colder temperatures and shorter days, homeschooling through winter can be a challenge. This is the perfect time to have some fun, experience new things, and build precious memories. Here are some tips and tricks for making it through winter this year.

Winter Field Trips for Homeschooling

Leave the classroom behind! It is easy to focus on “doing school” and forget one of the best benefits of homeschooling–educating on your terms. Homeschooling shouldn’t be about plowing through checklists. It is really more about home than school! 

Take some field trips (see below), participate in a service project or visit family. Give your children so hands-on, real life experience. These memories will stick with them for years to come. Plus, they will have a chance to practice everything they are learning during school hours.

Schedule a Reading Week

Sometimes you just need a break. However, you don’t want to lose momentum and have to regroup everyone, especially after the holiday season. Reading week to the rescue!  For reading week, everyone has to read during school hours. It could be something specific or just anything they choose. You can mix assigned readings with free choice. 

Have everyone put together a pile of books, and then take a reading vacation. This maintains the rhythm of school without the burden of lessons. Make sure mom and dad get in on the act.  Print these FREE Reading Bookmarks, Charts and More for your Homeschool Reading Week!

Have a Snow Day

Every public school kid looks forward to snow days. Sometimes, homeschoolers just need to do the same. Close your school for the day, light a fire, mix up some hot chocolate, and let the kids just play in the snow. This will help burn off some steam in the middle of winter. Plus, they will be exploring nature, every moment is a learning opportunity.

Don’t get snow?  You can still take a day off.  Try whipping up a batch of this Super Soft & Sparkly Wintermint Playdough! Schools take off for all kinds of reasons. Pick your own and enjoy hours of play. Homeschool life is not meant to be all work and no fun! Try these fun Fine Motor Snow Man activity pages for some hands-on fun!

Mix It Up with Some Delicious Winter Cooking Lessons

Cook up some fun and tasty treats this winter. The kitchen is the best place to learn about science, math, geography, history, and nutrition. So, put down the books and notebooks, and take out the pots and pans.

Here are a few Kid-Friendly Winter Recipes to get you started:

You don’t have to be a master chef to teach through cooking. There are plenty of YouTube channels and cookbooks to guide you. Start where you feel comfortable and grow from there…or take on a challenge and learn together.

Winter Field Trip Ideas for homeschooling in winter

Winter is a great time for field trips, here are some ideas:

  • Museums
  • Art Gallery
  • Underground Mine Tour
  • Aquarium
  • Winter Nature Walk
  • Ice Skating
  • Factory tour
  • Town Hall
  • Fire Station
  • Tour of Your Town or County
  • A New Library
  • Skiing
  • Snow Tubing
  • Craft Studio
  • Train trip (near or far)

Homeschool Encouragement for Mom

Homeschooling through the winter can be hardest for mom. The excitement of the new year has worn off, the holidays are over, and summer feels very far away. It’s important to realize that homeschooling in winter is hard on every homeschool mom. You are not alone. Let’s look at some other self-care tips and tricks to make it through for mom. Here are some encouraging homeschool mom ideas:

  • Take care of your health. Get plenty of sleep and eat well. Sometimes getting sick is impossible to avoid. However, do what you can to keep yourself healthy and avoid the added pressure of homeschooling while sick.
  • Be willing to take time out and catch your breath. Sometimes, you just need 30 seconds to take a deep breath and move on. Giving yourself space and a bit of time is healthy and useful.
  • Get moving. Even if exercise is just a walk around your house or a quick workout on your stairs, getting your body moving will help you deal with the added stress.
  • Find a bit of comfort. Homeschool moms don’t have much time for pampering. However, make a routine of doing something nice for yourself each day. Enjoy a cup of tea. Use a nice body butter to smooth rough winter skin. Listen to a podcast. It doesn’t have to be big to have a big impact.
  • Connect with other moms. Whether it is online or in real life, having other moms on your side is therapeutic. Everyone has difficult homeschool days. And every homeschool mom is just trying to make it through the long winter. Get inspired by others, vent if you have to, and know that you are doing an amazing job!

Back to Homeschool Signs

While you are gearing up to start your homeschool year, don’t forget to take back to school photos of your kiddos! Even though you children are not in traditional classrooms, you still might want to have some record of your student’s growth at the start of each school year. Today I have some free printable back to homeschool signs you can use for your photos!

Free Back to School Signs

Don’t worry if you don’t homeschool! I’ve made signs that work for both traditional classrooms and homeschooling classrooms! Simply print the one that applies to you and you’ll be good to go!

First Day of Preschool Sign

I’ve designed this set of back to school signs to start at the Preschool year! I know you’ve probably been “tot-schooling” for the past year or two, but I had to start somewhere and the First Day of Preschool sign sounded like a good beginning. This first day of school sign will look adorable when placed inside a frame and used as a photo prop for your first day of school pictures.

Editable First Day of School Signs

I’ve left plenty of room at the top of the sign for you to add your child’s name, and there is room near the bottom to add the year. You can use a white chalk paint marker, or even your NOYO crayons work too! This makes the set super-versatile because you can edit what goes on each sign. If your handwriting is anything like mine, you might want to use alphabet stickers or something across the top instead. How cute would it be with a 3-D glitter name across the top?!

Back to School Photo Signs

Anyway, with so many different grade levels and options, this set is sure to last you through the year and with multiple children! Simply print what you need below (or save a copy to your computer just so you have one).

First Day of School Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos.

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First Day of Preschool Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of Preschool," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Kindergarten Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of Kindergarten," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of First Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 1st Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Second Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 2nd Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Third Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 3rd Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Fourth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 4th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Fifth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 5th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Sixth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 6th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Seventh Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 7th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Eighth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 8th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Ninth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 9th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Tenth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 10th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Eleventh Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 11th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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First Day of Twelfth Grade Sign

This is a free printable back to school sign you can use for your back to school photos. This sign reads, "First day of 12th Grade," and has room to write your child's name.

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Free Homeschool Portfolio

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Homschool Planner

Print our Free Student Portfolio!

Homeschool record keeping is an important part of a successful homeschool. There are many systems for record keeping available. One of the most popular and flexible systems is a portfolio. This quick start guide will show you how to easily build a portfolio successfully for each of your children. Here are our favorite tips and tricks for keeping a homeschool portfolio. Our Homeschool Portfolio is a limited time Subscriber Freebie Available Here

What is a Homeschool Portfolio?

A portfolio is a means of record keeping and assessment. It demonstrates what has been learned by a child in a specific area of study or over a particular time period. The portfolio is more than just a collection of grades or transcripts. Portfolios show a student’s ability and experiences. It is a living collection that grows and changes over time

Portfolios eliminate the stress of completing an end of year assessment. Instead of expecting students to demonstrate everything they have learned in a large test, portfolios allow them to show how their learning has progressed. It also allows for creativity and personalization, something that can never happen on a paper and pencil test.

Why are Portfolios Important?

Portfolios are important for many reasons. Some states require families to maintain homeschool portfolios. Other states give the option of creating a portfolio or taking a standardized test. The portfolio is a concise way to show everything that was accomplished over the year. Knowing your state homeschool laws should be the first step in planning a portfolio. Check out Understanding Your Homeschool Requirements by State to learn more about what your state requires.

In addition to state homeschool requirements, there are other reasons to keep portfolios. Some homeschool charter schools require student portfolios. Also, portfolios are a perfect option for high school. Since portfolios are highly personalized, they are a perfect choice for demonstrating high school credit earned. Even if you are not required to keep a portfolio, it is a very useful record keeping system.

What are the Daily Logistics of Maintaining a Portfolio?

The portfolio is a yearly assessment but has to be maintained daily. The single binder portfolio is the most popular, and required by some states. Other options include an accordion file portfolio and digital portfolio. It is important to make daily maintenance simple. Keep one binder for each subject. Also have a binder for additional logs and sheets. (see below) Each day add completed work to the subject binder. Also. record grades, attendance, etc in appropriate logs. Keep all binders in a central location. (Students can help maintain binders, too!). At the end of the year, you can pull what you need from these binders. That will make year-end assessments quick and easy to complete.

What Should Be Included?

Every portfolio is unique. There are as many different styles as families who keep them! Always include whatever is required by your state. You can then get creative with the rest. Remember that less is more! A portfolio is a snapshot of the homeschool year. It should not include EVERYTHING! Include just enough to meet state requirements and demonstrate growth. Here is a sample list of what to include:

  • Colorful Cover Sheet: This should include the title “Homeschool Portfolio” and space to write Student’s Name and School Year
  • Student Profile Sheet: This contains all pertinent information about the student. It will include strengths, weaknesses, course of study, and other personal details.
  • Monthly Tracking Log: The log sheet shows how many days each subject has met. There is a log for each month of the school year. The page is a grid with subjects across top, room for 31 Days on left side, and totals on bottom
  • Weekly Tracking Log: Similar to the monthly tracking log but it breaks the records into weeks. This is set up with subjects on left side, days on top, and totals on right.
  • Quiz & Test Scores: This is a record of all quiz and test grades received for each subject.
  • Field Trips Log: Include where you went, the date, and what was learned.
  • Exemplary Examples of Work: Show off student progress. Include a collection of the best work from the year in various subjects.
  • All State Requirements: Make sure that all requirements are met and included.
  • Physical Education Log: Keep a log of what activities/sports were counted as physical education and time spent on each.
  • Extra Curricular Log: This is a place to record what is done outside the classroom. Include clubs, activities, and performances. Be sure to also note any special awards or recognitions earned.
  • Volunteer Hours Log: Volunteering is real work learning. It is also a requirement for graduation in some states. Record all volunteer activities, dates, and how long was spent on each event.

Subscriber Freebie!!

For a limited time, our Student Portfolio is available to our newsletter subscribers for FREE! All you have to do is claim your free download by confirming your subscriber email address. If you’d like to join our subscriber list, we would LOVE to have you! It’s free to join and all the details are here.

Also…..Dont’ Miss our FREE Homeschool Planning Pack

Simple homeschool planning resources you will actually use!  Less is more when it comes to organizing and planning out your homeschool year.  These resources will help you set goals, keep track of curriculum decisions and orders, and teach your student to keep an independent weekly calendar.

  • Homeschool Goals
  • Homeschool Curriculum Planning
  • Independent Student Calendar

10 Places to SELL Your Used Homeschooling Curriculum

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What do you do with your used homeschooling curriculum after the semester is done? Each time you need to purchase new homeschooling curriculum, you also have old curriculum you need to get rid of. One of the best things you can do is to sell your used homeschooling curriculum, helping fund the next set you need to buy.

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Dollar Bin Homeschool Deals… Are They Really Worth It?

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These days, homeschooling on a budget means you look for every deal or discount you can. If something is free – you grab it. If something is a great deal – you stock up. So what about those dollar bin homeschool deals? You know – the little school supplies, notepads, and other trinkets you often find at the front of large megastores? Are they really worth it?…

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Printable Early Readers for Kindergarten

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If you have little ones learning to read, you don’t want to miss this opportunity! Last year, we released our 36-week, R.E.A.D. Curriculum Notebook and it’s been an amazing success.  Parents and teachers all over the world have told us how easy, engaging and most of all…FUN our curriculum is for their students.  We’ve been inundated with requests to follow up the series (an idea we are excited to explore) and today we are releasing the very first extension titled, “R.E.A.D. Review Pack.”

 

Our R.E.A.D. Review Pack contains 28 early reader booklets, each designed to compliment our R.E.A.D. Curriculum Notebook.  This new set covers 30+ Word Families and 70 sight words.  With a structured and progressive design, each book contains a controlled list of words, making them excellent for review and building fluency.
When should you use the R.E.A.D. Review Pack?
We suggest using the review weeks outlined in our R.E.A.D. Curriculum Notebook (which cycle every 5 weeks in the curriculum) to introduce the new books. However, this set can be used at the end of the year to promote reading fluency. Additionally, the R.E.A.D. Review Pack can be used on it’s own if your child already has a basic understanding of phonetic sounds, blends and sight words.
 
My own Kindergartner is already near the end of the R.E.A.D. Curriculum Notebook and he is using this set of review books to build reading confidence and fluency. There is also a fun Book Box activity for students to make. Children can store their books and keep them all together for easy access.  My son loves bringing out his ‘Book Box’ to show me all the stories he knows how to read.

How do you assemble the early reader books?
One aspect of these books that we are really excited about, is how easy they are to assemble.  Believe me, with all the years of teaching we collectively have under our belts, we’ve experienced our share of struggles with mini-book assembly.   When designing this series of early readers we wanted to make sure we streamlined the process to save paper, save time and save the headache.  Check out this fun video we made to show you how easy it really is!
How much does the R.E.A.D. Review Pack cost?
As teachers and homeschoolers ourselves, we know how to stick to a budget.  That is precisely why we’ve always priced our curriculum affordably.  We want the majority of families across the world to be able to access and enjoy our teaching resources.
R.E.A.D. Review Pack
$15.00

Homeschool Tools: Binding Machine Giveaway!

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BindingMachine
I have such an amazing giveaway to share with you today!  I know you’ve probably been stocking up on eBooks and printable resources for the upcoming year, so I really want to bless another homeschool family with one of my favorite homeschool tools.
BindingMachinelogo

If you’ve never heard of a binding machine, or if you wonder how they work, come check out our step-by-step tutorial for how to bind your eBooks here. One benefit of eBooks is that you can print out what you need for multiple children and a binding machine makes it super simple to build your own workbooks.
 
Where to buy eBooks?The Crafty Classroom eStore

I also personally like CurrClick, Education.com, and  Evan Moor

Ready to Win? I’m giving away a Fellows Star+ 150 Comb Binding Machine to one lucky winner.  This is a $99 retail value, and you can enter to win below:

Please note that due to shipping costs  this giveaway is open to USA and Canada addresses only.

 

Simple Daily Homeschool Journal

Homeschool writing curriculum doesn’t have to be expensive.  We offer many affordable writing guides for children in our eStore, most of them under $5.00, but you can also put together a custom writing journal without breaking your homeschool budget.  Using three different notebooks, you can provide children with simple writing opportunities they can use to build important independent writing skills.  Purchase an inexpensive set of lined notebooks with the appropriate spacing for your child.   Use the printable schedules and title pages below to build and customize your writing journals.  (Alternatively, you can use these to create one single writing binder by using our printables as dividers in each section.)

DailyJournals

Print these four daily journal printables then read below for complete assembly and tips.

DailyVocab

How to Set up a Daily Vocabulary Journal

Step 1:
Paste the title of the journal on the outside of the notebook. On the inside cover paste the instructions.  Additionally you can customize these with your own instructions by writing them in.

Step 2:
Make two pockets to hold your spelling words.  Glue the first pocket to the front and write NEW on it.  Glue the second pocket to the back and write OLD on it.  Then cut index cards in half and write the words you want your child to work on.  Do an online search of grade specific vocabulary words (or choose from the list you’ll be making with your Daily Helper Journal.) 

Step 3:
Place a paper clip at the top of the first page and your ready to go!  At the end of the week have your child place the word into the OLD pocket in the back.  Every so often you can use these index cards as flashcards, for review purposes or to create additional learning opportunities.  (i.e. play an alphabetical order game, or match cards by number of syllables….etc.)

 

DailySpelling

 

How to set up you Daily Spelling Notebook:

Step 1:
Paste the title of the journal on the outside of the notebook. On the inside cover paste the instructions, filling in the blanks according to your child’s ability level. Alternatively you can write in your own custom weekly instructions as well.  You might also consider adding in some fun spelling websites or games on Friday for children to practice typing their words.

Step 2:
Make two pockets to hold your words.  Glue the first pocket to the front and write NEW on it.  Glue the second pocket to the back and write OLD on it.  Then cut index cards in half and write the words you want your child to work on.

Step 3:
Place a paper clip at the top of the first page for your child to store the current word list. At the end of the week have your child place the word into the OLD pocket in the back of the book to keep for later review.  You might consider providing children with additional hands on spelling ideas such as our alphabetical order train or letter tiles, making one day a week for games or review.

DailyWriting

How to set up your Daily Writing Journal

Step 1:
Paste the title of the journal on the outside of the notebook.  On the inside cover paste the instructions, filling in the blanks accordingly.  For my young daughter I decided to have her write five sentences or for at least 10 minutes.  This seemed to encourage her to write a bit faster :) Older children can easily  write more so you can choose what is best for your child.  

Step 2:
Setting up a daily journal is very simple!  Print a list of Story Starters, ( a quick internet search will pull up a ton, you can find age/theme appropriate for your child) and cut them into strips. Store them in a pocket in the front of your notebook.  Provide a paper clip for your child to place the story strip at the top of their sheet of paper.

DailyHelper

How to set up your Daily Helper Journal

Step 1:
Paste the title of the journal on the outside of the notebook.  On the inside cover paste the instructions.

Step 2:

Provide children with tabs, paperclips or bookmarks to organize this journal into different sections.  Label the sections with the suggested titles above or with your own as you see fit.  This journal can be used as a reference for newly learned words, grammar rules, and for keeping track of future words to add to spelling and vocabulary lists.

 

WritingGuidesHorizontal

 

Step-by-Step Writing Guides are now available in our eStore

Come Check them out today!

Word Ending Block Game

WordEndingPinThis game is great for children who are learning basic phonics and early reading skills.  Children match up letter blocks to word-ending blocks to create new words.  Keeping score for each assembled word makes this a fun and engaging activity for multiple children.  Find free Word Family Printables on our sister site KindergartenMom.com

Materials:
1.5″Wooden Craft Blocks
Craft Paint
Sharpie Marker or Paint Pen

 

41291goTFmL._SL250_1.5″ Unfinished Hardwood Blocks

  • Perfect for crafts, artistic purposes, and other uses
  • 1.5″ wooden cubes are made of natural, kiln-dried hardwoods
  • Set of 10 packaged in a convenient zip-top bag

TIP:Shop around for your wooden blocks, there are discount craft stores that might have them much cheaper!  Or consider purchasing the 1″ size blocks.  They are smaller but you get 32 of them for a better price and children can still read the words without difficulty.

 

Choosing Blocks

We are using 1.5inch wooden blocks but you can easily use smaller (see the link above). Each block has six sides so plan accordingly for how many word endings and first letters you want for your game.

Step 1

Choose how many blocks you want for your game. We are using 6 word ending blocks, and 3 letter blocks.

Step 2

Choose colored paints which are complementary to black marker showing through. (We also used a paint pen)

Step 3

Since we have three different colors we're going to paint each color on the two sides opposite each other.

Step 4

You can use a hairdryer to speed the drying process. Here is a photo of how were are painting the sides.

Step 5

Using a black sharpie marker or a paint pen, write a different word ending on each face of the cube.

Step 6

Write different consonants on each of the blocks. It took three blocks to get most (18) of the letters but you could do 4 blocks to get 24 of the letters.

Step 7

Ready, Set, Roll a Word!

How to Play:

Have children shake the cubes and roll for their turn. Then have them arrange the blocks to make as many words as they can. As children form the words, let them add up their score. If they miss a word you can help them too!

Extra:

Children can write their word on a piece of paper, this is a great way to sneak in a little extra copywork and handwriting practice.

Storage

We found these great boards at the Dollar Tree that work perfectly for a storage container.

 WordFamilyMakingWordsPinWordFamilyHandwritingPinWordFamilyGamesPin

Word Family Printables
Word Families are a group of words with the same ending.  For example cat, rat, mat, hat, bat are all part of the “at” word family.  Learning about word families is a key part of learning to read. Children can pick up on patterns and rhyming sounds very quickly which in turn lends to reading  confidence and success.

Making Words
Making words is a great way to teach phonics and spelling. In these lessons, students incorporate cutting skills, writing skills and manipulation of letters, a total work-out if you will.

First Grade Mini Office

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MiniOfficeExpansionFirstGrade

 

Today I have a fantastic expansion set to add to our Mini Office Printables!

Our Mini office has been an amazing resource for my son’s Preschool and Kindergarten years, and I wanted to make sure I added in a few First Grade items for his upcoming year.

I decided to offer this as a First Grade Expansion Pack and it’s full of helpful resources you can use with your students

So What is a Mini Office?

A Mini Office is basically a custom built learning resource for your student.  The goal of a mini-office is to serve as a self led reference chart for children, freeing up time for teacher to work with other students and encouraging children to find answers to their own questions. The benefit of making a mini office is also in the size and the minimal supply list. All you’ll need is a couple of file folders, scissors, glue, and your printable pages.

Print Your Free First Grade Expansion Pack Here

(It’s near the bottom as I’ve got assembly instructions and other expansions available there as well)

What’s Included in this Expansion Pack:

 

Math:

  • Telling Time  (clock with moveable hour and minute hands, 5 minute intervals around)
  • Place Value Blocks (written word, number form and place value up to 1000)
  • Shape Symmetry (visual depiction of a line of symmetry)
  • Skip Counting (numbers 2-12, up to 12 numbers. First Grade Use: 2, 5, 10, and maybe 3)
  • Rounding Numbers (Visual Rounding Clown to help children round and estimate)

Language:

  • Writer’s Glove (The 5 W’s: Who, What, Where, When, and Why for writing sentences)

Geography:

  • USA State Map & Compass (State Names as well as Directional Compass for daily practice)

Social:

  • My Address/My Phone (Use as Reference and Practice)

 

My son won’t be starting his First Grade year until this September, so I might add a few more updates to this pack by then.  Be sure you are subscribed to our newsletter if you’d like updates on available resources!

Find More Mini Office Printables Here

 

Free Homeschool eBook

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FreeeBook

If you are looking for encouragment during your homeschool journey, my friend Jamerill Stewart has an amazing resource to share with you today.

Hope for the Heart of the Homeschoom Mom  (Kindle Edition) is Free Today and Tomorrow (2/24/15-2/25/15)

“The pages of Hope for the Heart of the Homeschool Mom is a collection of encouragement to prayerfully strengthen your soul for this God-given journey. A journey that’s beyond stretching and beyond worth it.”

“Hope. Encouragement. Sanity. On any number of homeschooling days, I’ve needed all three. It’s not that homeschooling is an unwanted chore. Homeschooling my children is one of my greatest joys. It’s a privilege. I’m so incredibly blessed by this undertaking.

And I’m challenged. I’m pulled. I’m stretched. I’m growing. I’m finding my reheated coffee in the microwave at 2 p.m. wondering where the morning went. Trying hard to soak up the sweet and sacred moments with these souls and miss stepping on the Lego pile in the process.

Friend, I’m sure you’ve felt the same.”

Grab your free Kindle eBook here!

 

 

 

$100 Homeschool Giveaway

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The first ever “Build Your Bundle” – Homeschool Edition sale is almost here!
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!
You can enter to win $100 towards your purchase to use when the sale goes live on 7-21-14! Enter now through 11:59PM EST on 7-20-14. The winner will be announced the day the sale starts!

Be sure to look for the special coupon code you will get when you pin the giveaway on Pinterest!

Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks! Enter to win $100 towards your purchase!
For one week only (July 21-28) save up to 92% on bestselling homeschooling products, including MANY on Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 list!
Not interested in entering the giveaway, but you want to be reminded
when the sale goes live? They will send you a reminder email! Click
here and enter your email address and click “Remind Me!”

Take a Sneek Peek at Our Bundles:

 

 

 

Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!Tots & Preschoolers BundleThis Bundle includes products for little ones:

  • Character Training Resources
  • Handwriting Curriculum
  • Preschool & Toddler Activities
  • Bible Curriculum
  • Full Preschool Curriculum
  • & More!
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade BundleThe K-3 Bundle includes products in the following subjects:

  • Reading
  • Math
  • Science
  • History
  • Handwriting
  • Character Training
  • Bible Resources
  • Full Kindergarten Curriculum
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!Elementary: 4th-6th BundleThe 4th-6th Bundle includes products in the following subjects:

  • History
  • Language Arts
  • Geography
  • Art
  • Math
  • Bible
  • Keyboarding
  • Writing Guides
  • Handwriting and Copywork Resources
  • Timeline Cards & Notebooking Pages
  • Customizable Homeschool Planner
Middle School BundleThis bundle features a full language arts curriculum from Cathy Duffy’s
Top 100 picks and two science curricula, one of which is also from Cathy
Duffy’s Top 100 picks, as well as:

  • A Complete Geography and History Curriculum
  • History Timeline/Book of Centuries
  • Renaissance and Reformation Notebooking Pages
  • Classical Music Curriculum
  • Creative Writing Course
  • Math Materials
  • Keyboarding Course
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!Bundle for High SchoolersThis bundle features:

  • New Testament Bible Curriculum
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • A full year of math curriculum
  • Resources for World History and Geography
  • Philosophy
  • Home Economics
  • College Prep Tools
  • Grammar
  • Creative Writing Course
  • Anatomy Science Unit study from Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 picks,
    and more!

You will receive enough materials for a full year of high school!

Charlotte Mason BundleThis bundle features a complete curriculum using the Charlotte Mason
Methods for:

  • Language Arts
  • Handwriting, and Reading
  • Geography
  • Nature Study
  • Artists Study
  • Poetry
  • And a variety of “extras” just for mom!Learn all about Charlotte Mason and enjoy a special bonus (a $90 value all by itself) of great, classic audio books!
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!
Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!Bundle Just for Moms!Save money, strengthen your marriage, and streamline your schedule using
our Mom Bundle. Find the encouragement you need and the insight to speak to your child’s heart (even that difficult child!). Whip your home into
shape and train your children to do their chores effectively using a popular book “chores program”.This bundle brims with useful tools to help you bring
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“Build Your Own” BundlesOur “Build Your Own” bundles offer you the opportunity to select a certain number of products with a retail price of $19.99 or less for up to 80% off! We have MANY items to choose from, including Cathy Duffy Top 100 Picks!

When you purchase a combination of any 2 “Build Your Own” bundles, you will get the 3rd one at 50% off!

Build Your Bundle - Homeschool Edition Sale: July 21-28 Save up to 92% on Popular Homeschooling Curriculum, Many from Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks!

Writing a Biography Printables

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writing notebook printables

With all the back to school mayhem going on at our house,
I haven’t had much time to tackle my “to-do” list.

One thing I really wanted to work on was posting more of our Writing Guides.
(I get emails about these all the time)

So I did scramble an extra evening to add in some more resources for writing a biography:

writing a biography for kids

Here is what this set includes:

Purpose and Description of a Written Biography
5 Step Instructions for Writing a Biography
Brainstorming Subject Sheet
Three Fact Finding Worksheets
Writing Tools Guide for a Biography
Fact Organization Sheet (First Draft Guide)
Self Editing Sheet
Final Draft Decorative Paper

You can print this entire set FREE here.

I’ve also posted some more helpful printables for your aspiring writers:

citing sources printable kids

Citing Sources
A simple guide for children that you can print and keep inside your writing binder.

transitions worksheet printable

Transitions:
This is a list of helpful words children can refer to when the right words just won’t come.

Both of these would be great to use alongside any research report, not just a biography.

Just as a side note here, I was up extra late last night finishing these,
so if you notice a typo please do let me know and I’ll fix it ASAP!
I am NEVER offended by the extra help!

If you don’t already, be sure to subscribe for updates!

The Homeschool Budget

By 8 Comments

Do you have a homeschool budget?

Do you know what’s going out and what’s coming in?

Yeah.

Me neither.

And between all the Back-to-school supplies, Used-Curriculum sales and crazed Online ordering,
I am at a loss for what I actually spent on our Homeschool this year.

So in an effort to regain my sanity,
and in classic, “I should have done this FIRST” mode,
I have created a simple (and pretty) homeschool budget tracker.

Homeschool Budget Tracker

Nothing fancy.

Just a few places to keep track of what I spent for the year,
to help me plan for the following years.

It may look extra simple,
but over the past few years I’ve found that simple is good.

I even gave myself some simple rules for using this budget sheet.


Dear Self:

Rule #1: Don’t write down each and every individual item. Seriously, you have other things to do. You don’t want to give yourself a case of Budget Burnout like last year.

Rule #2: Don’t even separate things by subject, or child. Just keep your receipt and write down the dollar amount. Go for a general budget idea. Trust me, I know you.

Rule #3: Be proactive, write out a best guess at what you’ll spend beforehand. Come back and see how close to target you were. Give yourself a little incentive……Extra Homeschool dollars can be spent on coffee.

Rule #4 Tell the Truth. You know the difference between homeschool NEEDS and WANTS. You’ve got ZILLIONS of half used pencils. Reuse last years notebooks. Seriously. Get real girl and remember….coffee.

Rule #5: When you’re all done, look up the price of Private Education and pat yourself on the back. Job well done Momma!

What about you?
What Budget methods work for you?

How to Bind your Notebooks…

By 5 Comments

This week I made a big purchase.

There has been something on my homeschool “wishlist” for quite some time.

I’ve spent the last year rationalizing away the cost.

Quietly planning all the different projects that I would use it for.

Promising myself that I would get my monies worth.

Do you know what it is yet?

It’s a binding machine!

It does things to my e-books that a stapler NEVER could.

(Oh sweet notebooking heaven)

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to get one!

So wondering how it works?

Here’s the deal:

Step 1: Print up your e-book.

Make sure to use cardstock for a cover page, and a back page.
(note: you can get special coverpages at the store if you want)

Step 2: Load your weapon:

This means you put your curly binding comb between the prongs,
pull the special lever to open it

Step 3: Poke all your holes:

For my machine that means entering the paper like so

And pulling down the big handle.

Crunch.

All the papers are stored in a drawer inside the machine. No mess.
(note: my particular machine can handle up to 10 sheets at a time)

Step 4: Start assembling your book.
Slide your freshly punched papers onto the open prongs of your binding comb.
(the black curly thing you opened in step 2)

Step 5: Continue until you have all the pages you want included.

Step 6: Release side lever and the binding comb closes back up.

Step 7: Enjoy your fancy looking notebook!


If your interested here is the machine that I purchased.
It’s called Fellowes Star Manual Comb Binding Machine
I also picked up some different sized combs:

Fellowes Plastic Comb Bindings
Note: Combs come in different capacity…
Some do up to 55 pages, some up to 150 pages.
You want to get a variety, but I use the 55page and 90pages the most!

Pssst: Like my garden notebook?
STAY TUNED!!

Kindle Fire: Can you Feel the Heat?

By 11 Comments

Hey.
Look closely for a moment.
See that little red book in the back of
my newly sewn purse?

Ha! Tricked Ya.
That’s not really a book at all.

Oh wait….actually it is a book!
It’s thousands of books….and so much more!

It’s the Kindle Fire,
And let me tell ya,

This thing is HOT!

Not “Hot” as in stolen,
I assure you that I paid for my kindle,
but the price was so good that I almost FEEL guilty.

You see, I’ve wanted a tablet FOREVER.
But I could never get over the crazy price tags,
or the monthly subscription prices for web service.

So, when I first learned about the kindle,
the first question that came to mind was:

How does it work?:
(read: how much more am I going to pay in monthly fees?)

Cynical I know, but every penny counts.

Now I’ve only had this baby for a week or so,
but I’ll tell ya what I know:

Kindle Fire uses a Wifi connection to access most content.

(i.e. No additional monthly charges)

However, that means that to connect to the internet
you will need you’re own Wifi, or to be at a Wifi hotspot.

Now wait. I know what you’re thinking.

Oh darn. I was hoping that I could take my content with me.
I mean come on, I need to be able to hand this thing to the kids
to keep them quiet to let them play around while we’re
in the car, or grocery shopping or doing anything else in which I need
a few peaceful seconds to collect my thoughts.

Well, let me tell ya, You can!

Here’s How:

There are two ways to store your content with the Kindle Fire:

You can store your content on the CLOUD,
(which is free with your Kindle Fire purchase)

OR

You can store your content on your actual Kindle device.
(it comes with 8GB of data storage btw)

Anything that you STORE on your Kindle is accessible without a Wifi connection,

Anything that you leave in the Cloud is only accessible with a Wifi connection.

You decide what content you want to actually STORE on your Kindle,
and what content you only want available in the CLOUD.

Make sense? Are you following here?

It was a little confusing for me at first too.

But Here’s What I DO:
Anything I want to access on the road, I put on the device
Anything I want to access when I have WiFi I keep in the Cloud.

Pretty Simple right?

Here’s the breakdown for some of the features:

Books:

Pro: All my e-books in one spot, syncs with my kindle reader on my iPhone.

Con: The kindle fire screen isn’t like the original screen. Since it is a color screen there is a little bit of glare.
You can change the brightness of the screen depending on the enviornment you’re in.
I haven’t had any problems reading it , just wanted to point that out.

Apps:

Pro: Apps usually work without the wifi connection

Con: Not as many apps available in the Amazon Android market.
Check out some of the Top Apps here

Music:

Pro: I Love the interface for my music.
Nice and large, easy to connect to my car stereo.
I can FIND a song without crashing my car. Bonus!
(btw: I’m listening in my car with a simple tape deck–> mp3 adapter.)

Con: None

PDF Documents:

Pro: The kindle comes with a Document reader, it’s very simple to use.
You email yourself any files that you want to access on the kindle.

Con: PDF links are not clickable. However, there is a APP that I downloaded
that makes the PDF links clickable! Score.

Movies/TV:

Pro: Hulu, and Netflix work on Kindle.
You can purchase or rent additional movies using Amazon Prime.
AND You can upload movies you already own to the CLOUD.

Con: If you want to take movies on the go, you have to make sure you download
them to your kindle first. You can download your own movies or ones that you rent or
purchase from the Kindle Video library.

You can’t download videos from hulu or netflix, they are streaming (wifi connected) only.

Web Browsing:

Pro: FAST, FAST, FAST. I have fast WiFi though so that may be part of the deal.
Our favorite websites are accessible!

Cons: No Web Browsing outside a Wifi connection.
(this is where you would pay the monthly service fee)
Sometimes certain platforms don’t work.
For example when viewing the 3-D panorama of King Khufu’s tomb the connection slowed a bit.

Size/Shape:

Pro: Fits in one hand, not to heavy…and did I mention it fits in my purse!
Con: Nothing, I love the smaller handheld size. It’s just right for what I need.

Overall: LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
I know that it’s not as amazing as a higher end tablet
but it does the job for what I’ll be using it for!

And in CASE you’re wondering,
This is the case I purchased, which I also love:

M-Edge Incline Jacket
It has a magnetic closure, and will prop up my kindle
legnth or width ways.

Additionally I’d recommend getting this amazing screen protector:

ZAGG Shield for Kindle Fire
I know they sell a similar version for cheaper,
but I’ve had some experience with protective screens,
and this baby is AMAZING. There are no bubbles or fingerprints or smug marks
and I actually prefer the texture to the touch screen.

The trick with installing the screen is to really get the sticky side wet with the solution they provide.
BEST protective screen experience EVER!

I hope that helps you decide about the Kindle Fire!
You can learn so much more by reading about it on Amazon.

All I can say is This Homeschool Mama is Super Happy with it:

And if you have a question feel free to ask,
I’m not an expert but I’ll do my best to see what I can tell ya!

We Choose Virtues: A Review & Giveaway

By 637 Comments


Today I’m SUPER, SUPER excited to share this post with you.
(Not just because there is a giveaway at the end)
But because I know you’re going to LOVE what I have to show you.

But first. Let me tell you a story.
It’s a story about a little boy.
A little boy who is bigger then two other little boys.
(I’m not naming any names here)

Well this little boy is a genius.
He is such a smart little boy.
He is WAY ahead in every subject,
He wants to know everything about anything,
He will talk non-stop for hours on end,
and his sense of adventure is unmatched.

However, this little boy is emotional.
and aren’t we all?

And this little boy has daily struggles.
He struggles with fairness,
He struggles with jealousy,
He struggles with honesty.
He whimpers and whines
at the thought of doing his chores,

And this little boy got lost at Walmart last week.
You can be sure that he was TOLD to follow.
But the boy just wandered off to the toy aisle instead.

This little boy is Five.
And the battle for his spirit is waging hard.
It is a long, hard, road to travel.
But it’s a fight that can be won.
One that is surely worth fighting for.

“Preach the word. Be ready to serve God in good times and bad. Correct people’s mistakes. Warn them. Cheer them up with words of hope. Be very patient as you do these things. Teach them carefully.” (2 Timothy 4:2 NIrV) -We Choose Virtues Teacher Memory Verse.

From Caterpillar…….to Butterfly!
We Choose Virtues is a character based education program
designed to help you build up biblical virtues in your child.

Using I am statements, simple catchphrases, and countering antonyms
We Choose Virtues takes children through 12 different biblical character traits.

Each virtue has it’s own catchphrases, bible verse, and corresponding activities.

The Teacher Cards are the “meat” of this program.
The front of the card is shown to the children, while
the back of the card provides you with everything you need
to teach the virtue.

Here is the Teacher Card for the virtue of Diligence:

I am statement:
“I am Diligent”

Catchphrase:
“I start fast, work hard and finish strong.”

I am NOT Statement:
“I am NOT slow to get started or lazy, and I don’t quit early!”

Virtue Verse:
All hard work pays off. But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.
Proverbs 14:23 NIrV

(Note: Be sure and get the “Faith” versions of
these cards for the scripture references)

On the back of the teacher cards:

Virtue Verse
Virtue Catchphrase ( I am….I am not….)
Bible Hero with Scripture Reference
Teaching Tip
Kids of VirtueVille Story
Virtue User Challenge
Fun Demonstrations
What to Say After I’m Sorry

These are large (8″x10″) and perfect for large classroom settings.
(There are smaller Homeschool versions of these too)

You can see how handy this is, These are ready to go right out of the box!
You really can just pick up a card and start teaching.

The Teacher Cards come on heavy cardstock with a slick surface.
I considered laminating them,
but they were so pretty I just decided to put them
into page protectors and that way I could store them
in a three-ring binder.

I’m totally loving that decision!

We Choose Virtues has a wide variety of products.
In fact, we were sent a Teacher Starter Kit
which not only came with the Teacher cards, but
also included Virtue Flashcards and a Virtue Poster as well.

The Virtue Flashcards are just as beautiful!
They are vibrant and engaging, and come with game play ideas.
The front of each card features the Virtue and Virtue Character,
and the back includes the catchphrase and bible verse.

The Virtue Poster contains each of the 12 virtues,
virtue characters, catchphrases, and bible verse.
It makes a fantastic reference chart that you can return to
through out the day….again and again as needed.

There are so many other products you can use alongside these Teaching Cards!
There are sticker charts, wall posters, checklists, self-review sheets,
and even a coloring book!

we choose virtues

In Fact, everyones a winner today because We Choose Virtues is giving
YOU a FREE downloadable Coloring book featuring the
children of VirtueVille!

But before you go snag that, write down this coupon code: BTS2011
That will save you 25% off any product until September 9th.

Oh, and while your busy clicking things go LIKE We Choose Virtues on Facebook
because they are very likeable…..and because someday out of the blue, you just might get facebook only coupons and freebies! This is also a great place to ask questions about the
different products to make sure you get the exact program you’re looking for!

And here are all my thoughts wrapped up in PRO’s and CON’s:

Pros:

  • I love the “I am” and “I am not” statements.
    Children are being taught that they have the power to choose their behavior,
    and even when it’s a reaction to another child’s behavior they are still responsible for that choice.
  • The VirtueVille Characters are unique, colorful, and memorable, helping children to really learn the catchphrases and corresponding bible verses.
  • I found the free character assessment to be helpful when trying to figure out the different areas that we needed to work on with each child.
    Not only keeping it organized, but we can look back later and see that we’re making progress.
  • There are so many different options to purchase. You can get just one product, or you can buy an entire kit.
  • There are also products for youth ages 12-18, if you are struggling with an older child.

    • Cons:

  • Before I realized the quality of these products, I was a bit concerned about the pricing. Once our kit came in the mail it was clear that the price was a direct reflection of the quality of these cards.I can’t stress enough about the vibrant colors, and even the feel of the cards. For example, on the flashcards you can actually “Feel” the lettering…it’s slightly raised. As an adict lover of all things “teacher” I totally appreciate these tiny details. As a Mom of four on a homeschool budget, I would make sure I had a good coupon first.
  • And really the only other CON I have is that I want more!
    Is it a CON to want more? I don’t know. These characters are super adorable, and modern!! And I’ll be patiently praying for little storybooks about each of them!

    • In Sum, I adore this program. We Choose Virtues is a quality based company with products you’re sure to use in your classroom or homeschool for a long time.
    And if you’re on a budget remember your coupon code: BTS2011 takes 25% off this week only. If you only bought one thing I’d recommend the Homeschool Teacher Cards, you can snag them for $26.25 with your discount.

     

    We Choose Virtues is graciously offering a Teacher Starter Kit
    to one lucky winner here on The Crafty Classroom.!

    The Teacher Starter Kit is what we were sent to review,
    so if you’re the winner you’ll be getting:

    The Virtue Poster
    13 Teacher Cards
    12 Flash Cards and game ideas

    Disclaimer: I was provided this product free of charge, one to review and one to give away to my readers. Opinions expressed in this post are my own honest thoughts about the product.

     

    Writing Notebook Printables

    By 4 Comments

    Oh, golly.

    This is one of those posts that has been sitting in my “draft” box,
    patiently waiting to be published.

    It was meant for May.
    (of 2011….so not too bad, but still)

    Do you ever do that?
    Get a post half finished then forget about it.
    For months.

    I do.
    (obviously.)

    However this time I think I lucked out,
    because there is nothing Seasonal (i.e. Christmas in July)
    about this post.

    And it happens to be perfect timing for “Back to School”
    so perhaps it was just meant to be.

    I suppose I COULD delete this introduction and PRETEND that I planned it this way…..

    But I guess what’s done is done, so without any further ado,
    I present to you May’s post: TODAY~

    writing notebook printables

    Writing Notebook Printables:

    I’ve been working (behind the scenes) on a writing notebook for Sissy.

    Sissy is going into the 3rd grade this year, and writing is NOT her favorite subject.
    (I’m sure she would say it a bit more eloquently, but you get the picture)

    So to trick inspire my dear daughter into working on those NECESSARY
    (and not something you’d want to cut from your school curriculum) skills, I came up with this Writing Notebook idea.

    writting guide printables

    And I know, I’m re-inventing the wheel here,
    but sometimes having just the right method for just the right child
    can work AMAZING miracles.

    printable writing guides

    The front of the notebook has a custom cover page,
    (I made a boy or girl version you can snag too)

    writing guide printable worksheets

    The back of the notebook has an editing marks sheet for reference.

    Please know that these might not be PERFECT printables.
    There might be a spelling error.
    The font is kinda funny and
    my grammar might be incorrect.
    (I’m sure the police will point that out to me shortly)

    But they are what they are and I’ll be using them to inspire my little girl this year,
    (I’ve got high hopes!)

    Instructional Paper guide

    So far I’ve uploaded a printable writing guide that will take children through the
    steps needed to write an Instructional Paper.

    And if you jump over to the main website, you might notice
    quite a few more titles that I’ve got in the works.
    (please read that to mean: Whenever I get a spare second)
    (and please read Spare Second to mean: When pigs fly)

    Oh the plans of a homeschooler…….

    Our REAL Homeschool Classroom

    By 24 Comments

     

    Over the years we’ve had many different methods to our madness,
    we’ve actually moved three times in the past 5 years so with each
    move, came an entirely different setup.

    But we’ve NEVER had an actual ClassROOM.

    It’s always been school in our Kitchen and Living Room
    which isn’t exactly ideal,
    but with a few tips and tricks it’s definitely doable!

    First let me say that while I’m thoroughly jealous
    impressed with all the amazing photographs of homeschool classrooms I see online,
    I simply cannot do that to our Living Room.
    (I want to. I DO. but I think in the long run I’d go insane)

    So, since our living room cannot LOOK like a classroom 24 hours a day,
    I try to keep things tucked away, or disguised, or even integrated
    into our living space.

    And it took me a while to find a method that I liked,
    with things hidden but not so tucked away that it takes a ridiculous
    amount of time to get through the day.

    So our setup is a bit different then what you might expect,
    but it works for us!

    Oh! And as I take you through our classroom,
    I also thought I’d include a few TIPS to share with you.
    Small, Handy little things to keep in mind as you’re planning
    out your own school space. Nothing magical….take em’ or leave em’.
    (Feel free to leave me your Living Room School tips too, I love new ideas!)

    So anyway, without any further ado,
    Here is where it all goes down:

    The kitchen table.

    I put One big kid on each side.
    with Mom and Monkey in the middle :)
    Baby is on my lap, in a walker, or just maybe even napping!
    TIP: Keep kid who needs the most help to the right side. Left if you’re left handed

    And here is how I hide organize all of our different resources

    Current workbooks and projects are stored in this amazing “Apprentice” desk organizer. I first saw this over on Educating Layton and Delightful Learning and I rushed right out to buy one. (Note: Staples as since discontinued this product).

    It was well worth the money. This thing holds everything Sissy and Bubba are doing for the day, as well as basic supplies and tools. It Spins, and has handles on the sides so you can pick it up and throw it in your closet when you’re having people over.
    Which is exactly where I put it:

    TIP: Spend a few moments during the first week of school teaching children where to put their new things back. Do NOT clean up for them…..teach a man to fish is a much better concept. Break time doesn’t start, Lunch isn’t served, and the school day isn’t over until every last paper and pen is put in it’s PROPER place. Eventually it becomes second nature.
    (Okay, that’s a TIP for me….wonder how long my house will stay this clean…hmmmm)

    Okay on to the school closet:

    This is the closet that I recently cleaned out, remember the before pictures? Yup, still clean….Yea me!! And Yea children!!

    Our school closet has quite a bit to it:

    The bottom levels are dedicated to Monkey (2) who has lots of themed “Big Boy Boxes” I suppose these are like Workbokes, except they have LIDS. Do workboxes have LIDS? I dunno. But these are not really workboxes. They are FUN boxes! These are boxes he can pull out (one at a time of course) and work on while the kids are busy with their school work. Monkey LOVES his Big Boy Boxes, and he is being taught to clean up before he “trades” for another. Yes. A Two-year old boy can be taught to clean up after himself. I didn’t believe it at first, but it’s true.

    Some of the different themes I have for him are:

    Puff balls w/Ice Cube Tray
    Alphabet Magnets
    File Folder Games
    Blocks
    Animals
    See & Spell
    Board Books
    Counting Bears & Cups
    Matchbox cars
    Education Cubes
    Alphabet Matching Game
    Wooden Puzzle Pieces

    TIP: One trick I only recently learned was to keep his wooden puzzle pieces all together in one box. Then I can easily just slide the boards into the side spaces and not have to worry about the pieces falling out or getting lost or causing mass confusing in the closet area.

    Above all of Monkey’s Big Boy Boxes are Sissy and Bubba’s boxes. Some of the different resources I have in those are:

    Leveled File Folder Games
    Base 10 blocks
    Flashcards
    Math Manipulitives
    Unifex Cubes
    Geo Shapes
    Rocks and Minerals
    Science Tools
    Tangrams
    Dry Erase Cards
    Crayons/Markers/Pencils
    Table Top Pocket Chart

    TIP: When organizing buy enough containers that you can all of the same color/size. They fit together better, the look nicer, it will give you peace. Got mine from Walmart, $1 each, big ones were $3. $30 makeover.

    And let me just say that I love having things organized this way.
    It makes it SO simple to grab the necessary tools as we need them.
    I labeled each container with laminated flashcards
    (Using my awesome new laminator)
    and it takes me all of two seconds to find just what I’m looking for.

    Okay, that’s all nice and pretty, but now
    I’m sure you’re wondering a few things:

    Where does she keep all her Teacher Supply books?

    Isn’t this THE CRAFTY CLASSROOM….Where are all the craft supplies?

    What about all the resources that will be used later in the year?

    Where do the children do their online activities?

    Where are all the children’s BIG projects, ones that don’t fit into anything.

    And for the Love of Peanut Butter what about blogging?

    And Here’s the short answer to all of the above: In the Living Room

    Okay, that’s sort of a cop out eh?
    So Here’s the long answer:

    This is my desk. MINE.
    Don’t sit in my chair, Don’t mess with my papers,
    Don’t put your toys, your books, your trash or your sippy cups
    anywhere near my computer and NEVER EVER NEVER play hide and seek
    anywhere near this entire corner of the living room.

    My desk is not only where I work, but it’s also where I keep upcoming
    projects and resources for our homeschool.

    It’s also where I blog.
    Picture me ignoring that my desk is a mess,
    Picture me paying no attention to the gigantic pile of books
    that have accumulated across the top
    Picture me sipping a homemade Iced Vanilla Latte,
    and conjuring up all sorts of funny, inspirational things to tell you about.

    Picture me Rollin’
    (Sorry, that was a Shout Out to my Bomb-Diggity friend Erica ;)

    Sometimes I just can’t help myself.
    Ahem.

    Moving on…
    My children also have their own desk. To share.
    (that makes two desks in our living room are you keeping track here?
    I swear we have regular furniture too)

    This is a smaller desk where the kiddos can do all things on the computer.
    Their own computer. (i.e. Not Mine)
    They’re happy, I’m happy, Happy computer using family.

    TIP: Having a second workstation can do wonders for quieting down your classroom and keeping people happy.

    Next to the desk is a junk drawer file cabnient which has become my “catch all” for things
    that don’t exactly have a place yet. I repeat this is a “Catch all”, and NOT a Junk Drawer.
    Catch – ALL

    Come along now…

    Most of the current Teacher books that I have are piled on my desk or hidden in this handy little cupboard next the the kitchen table.
    TIP: When shopping for furniture, look for things that can double as hidden school storage!

    Next to the cupboard is our Kitchen hutch. When my kids do good work on a lesson, I display it on a shelf inside, which has plenty of room for all their craft projects.

    They LOVE having their projects displayed this way, like cherished keepsakes….and whenever Grandma comes she knows where to look to see what her little stinkers have been up too.
    Me?
    I love that my fridge looks like a fridge.

    I cannot stand watching art projects slowly slide down the fridge door with each successive slam.
    Like nails on a chalkboard.

    Is that OCD?
    Do you think I’m crazy?
    Hmmm….Maybe I should delete that last paragraph before I publish.

    (TIP: Keep past projects in a rubbermaid, great to revisit for upcoming lessons…but only keep a few choice items. YOU Seriously don’t need to keep every little dried up corn kernel your kid glued to a empty yogurt container. You’ve got to chuck some of that stuff….lest your neighbor submit your homeschool classroom to A&E’s Hoarders or something.

    (I do not speak from experience.)

    And finally on to the Crafts. Craft Resources are strategically kept out of the house. I’m so over trusting my children NOT to get into the finger paint, glitter, glue, colored sand, fill-in-the blank with any other craft material you don’t want logged in your carpet, toilet, pillowcase fill-in-the blank with anything that belongs to you and was expensive.

    This method ensures harmony and an overall feeling that Life is good.

    Okay so that is our entire classroom this year folks!
    Hope you found these tips helpful,
    or easy to ignore if you didn’t.

    Not-Back-to-School: Curriculum Week

    By 21 Comments


    Not Back to School Blog Hop

    Today I’m joining up with the Not-Back-to-School Blog Hop
    in order to share what we’ll be using in our classroom for the upcoming
    2011-2012 school year.

    I will be homeschooling a 3rd Grader, and a First Grader next year,
    and I’m going to do my best to OVERLAP learning where ever possible.

    In order to prepare for our school year I’ve come up with a basic
    outline of the different tasks I want my children to complete.

    This here outline will pretty much serve as our
    entire schedule for the WHOLE year.

    Once it’s finished I’m just going to make myself
    a weekly calendar and then I plan to
    simply fly by the seat of my pants.
    (I think that’s a type of homeschooling…right?)

    Also….as a disclaimer:
    This isn’t complete
    Yet.
    So if there are blanks or spaces in my outline it’s not a mistake
    I just haven’t gotten there yet,
    but I really, really wanted to join up in the blog hop,
    so I’m posting now even though
    there is still work to be done.

    And really is a homeschool Mom’s work ever finished…?

    Okay, disclaimer over
    On to the fun stuff:

    Bible Study


    Goals:
    • Identify biblical character qualities
    • Memorize Scripture: 36 verses
    • Memorize Entire Awana book

    Resources:
    • Seeds Family Worship Music w/Bible Printables
    • We Choose Virtues (Review Coming Soon!)
    • Awana Program
    • Homeschool Creations Printables
    • Printable Memory Chart
    • Lessons in Righteousness

    In Action: (Listen to Song each day, Virtue Stickers each day)
    Day 1: Seeds Full Verse, Awana Verse, New Virtue
    Day 2: Seeds Minibooks, Discuss trait/promise, Awana Verse, Virtue Game
    Day 3: Seeds Copywork, Children say Awana Verse to Leader, Virtue
    Day 4: New Awana Verse, Look up in Bible, Virtue
    Day 5: Memory Chart Day, Sticker, bonus for last week

    Reading/Language Arts


    Goals:
    • Expand Vocabulary
    • Expand Comprehension
    • Expand Spelling List
    Resources:
    • Christian Light Reader Grade 1 & Workbook
    • Christian Light Reader Grade 3 & Workbook
    • Dynamic Literacy

    In Action: Children will have 1 week to complete each CL lesson. They can work at their own pace and will be responsible for making sure their work is completed by Friday.
    Day 1: DL
    Day 2: DL
    Day 3: DL
    Day 4: DL
    Day 5: DL

    Writing


    Goals:
    • Write at Third Grade Level
    • Expand Vocabulary
    • Learn Self-Check Methods
    • Produce variety of papers
    • Keep a basic daily writing journal

    Resources:
    • Write Source
    • Writing Guides (I’ll be posting these as I make and use them)
    • Hmmmm….Should I purchase an actual Writing Program?

    In Action:
    Each week Sissy will complete one paper, Each week Bubba will complete a writing project.
    Day 1: Topic Choice, Brainstorming
    Day 2: Details, Outline
    Day 3: Rough Draft
    Day 4: Revision
    Day 5: Final Draft, Written or Typed.

    Math


    Goals:
    • Proficiency with Multiplication & Skip Counting Facts 1-12.
    • Prepare for 3rd Grade State Math Test, Meet all marks.

    Resources:
    • Math-U-See (Beta & Delta)
    • Various Math Workbooks (Singapore Mental Math, Coordinate Graphing,
    • Multiplication Pocket Folder (I might make a Division one too!)

    In Action: Hmmm….better get to planning!
    Day 1:
    Day 2:
    Day 3:
    Day 4:
    Day 5:

    Foreign Language


    Goals:
    • Successfully complete 1 year in Spanish

    Resources:
    • Speekee Spanish w/Homeschool Curriculum
    • Spanish Co-op 1x/week
    • Spanish Workbook Level 1 & Level 2
    • Library w/Spanish reading material

    In Action:
    Day 1: Speekee, Workbook
    Day 2: Workbook
    Day 3: Speekee, Workbook
    Day 4: Workbook
    Day 5: Co-op

    Geography


    Goals:
    • 50 States w/Capitals and Locations
    • Oregon State History, Industry, General Statistics

    Resources:
    • States Song (Both my children have almost got this song down!!)
    • Sequence States & Capitols
    • Scrambled States Game (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this game!)
    • Road Trip USA from Confessions of a Homeschooler
    • USA File Folder Game
    • USA Atlas
    • USA Map
    • Stack the States iPhone Ap
    • Oregon State Mini-Lapbook

    In Action: (New State every week)
    Day 1: Song, Map State, Nickname
    Day 2: Song, State Flashcard, State Facts
    Day 3: Song, Coloring Page, State Abbreviation
    Day 4: Song, Map State on own, w/Capitol
    Day 5: Song, State Flag added to “Passport”

    Technology


    Goals:
    • Increase WPM typing skills
    • Learn basics of MS Word, Type up Writing Project
    • Learn basics of Power Point, Create Presentation
    • Learn basics of Photoshop, Create Custom Graphic
    • Demonstrate Online Skills in Researching Topics
    • Navigate Online Library
    • Use CPU for Reference tools (dictionary, calculator)
    • Understand Online safety rules.

    Resources:
    • Typing Instructor for Kids
    • Photoshop
    • Power Point/MS Word & Online Tutorials for Kids
    • Library

    In Action:
    Day 1: Typing
    Day 2: Software (PP, Word, PS, or….)
    Day 3: Typing
    Day 4: Software (PP, Word, PS, or….)
    Day 5: Typing

    History


    Goals:
    • Begin to Learn Biblical History
    • Create Visual Timeline book
    • Expand American History (Unit Study Native Americans)
    • Learn State History
    Resources:
    • Mystery of History (36 weeks)
    • Blank Timeline Printables
    • Library System

    In Action:
    Day 1: Lesson & Activity
    Day 2: Lesson & Activity
    Day 3: Lesson & Activity
    Day 4: Review & Timeline
    Day 5: Review & Quiz

    Science


    Goals:
    • Learn the scientific method
    • Complete Science Projects (Hands on)
    • End Year with Science Presentation w/Oral Report

    Resources:
    • Hmmmm….You’re thoughts? I’m trying to decide between Truth in Science & Apologia!

    In Action:
    Day 1:
    Day 2:
    Day 3:
    Day 4:
    Day 5:

    Physical Education / Health


    Goals:
    • Play one team sport per season.
    • Show and understand sportsmanship

    Resources
    • P.E. Co-Op
    • Community Sports
    • P.E. Co-Op

    In Action:
    Day 1: Nutrition Lesson, Team Sport Activity
    Day 2: P.E. Co-op
    Day 3: Nutrition Lesson, Team Sport Activity
    Day 4: P.E Co-op
    Day 5: Free Play

    Homemaking for Sissy


    Goals:
    • Learn to cook 3 different meals
    • Learn 5 different embroidery stitches
    • Expand knitting, sewing, skills (Sissy)
    • Earn 5 badges in Club

    Resources:
    • Club
    • Sewing for Kids
    • Recipes for Kids

    In Action:
    Day 1:
    Day 2:
    Day 3:
    Day 4:
    Day 5: Project Free Time

    Leadership for Bubba


    Goals:
    • Learn to cook 3 different meals
    • Identify 10 different tools and their use
    • Learn to hammer, screw, sand, and bond wood.
    • Complete Little Contenders of the Faith Workbook

    Resources:
    • Little Contenders of Faith

    In Action:
    Day 1:
    Day 2:
    Day 3: Contender Project
    Day 4:
    Day 5: Skills Project followed by Free Time

    Okay, so there it all is!
    Now I’m off to explore all the other great Week One entries at the blog hop,
    I’m sure I’ll have my blanks filled in in no time!