A new site has started up offering daily free downloads M-F.  To get the freebie you do usually have to enter your name and e-mail address to subscribe to the participating vendors' newsletter AND the download if available for just one day.  To take full advantage you have to check the site daily. 

Here's the website:

http://homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

Seriously- I just read about this company in the Wall Street Journal.  The company is called ChaCha and it provides answers to cell phone users via text message.  According to the WSJ article, guides are paid $.20 per answer.  Here's the company's link if you want to investigate this opportunity further:

http://info.chacha.com/Careers/BecomeaGuide/tabid/74/Default.aspx

I was going to mention how much fun we were having with Click N Read phonics, but hesitated because I bought it for a really low price and didn't think that price was still available.  There's a big difference (to me anyway) between recommending a $30 learning game and suggesting one that costs closer to $70.

The previous offer that I took advantage of through Homeschool Buyers Co-op had closed out on April 1st and that's when my online access activated so I couldn't review the product before the deadline.  But, (here's the purchase tip) the offer has been reopened and now you have until May 31st to place your order. 

Here's a sample lesson from the Click N Read website, if you'd like to take a look.  The first 10 lessons, which I'll say more about in a moment cover the letter sounds.  The information on the website recommends that you skip these if your child already knows the letter sounds.  Thus, the sample lesson number 15 thus is actually not very far into the program.  So it should give you a pretty good idea of how the lessons progress. 

I initially purchased this program for my 7 year old who knows his letter sounds and phonics rules, but just has no zest for reading yet.  I was able to acquire Study Dog when it was free a few years ago so we had been using that program, but I thought the rocket ships of Click N Read might appeal more to my son.  Also, the introductions to each lesson in Study Dog (where the "story" is set up) tend to get a bit tedious after awhile.  Click N Read tends to get to the lesson quickly, whereas Study Dog lesson needed to be set up with a story explaining why you were performing a certain task (i.e. sort the pillows to clean the room, match the words to unlock the code...).  

Anyway, it was my 4 year old who first took an interest in trying the program, so I reset my starting point to Lesson 1 and began.  Lessons 1-10 introduce the letter sounds and also do some ear training exercises.  In addition, these lessons also teach your child to locate the letter for each sound on the keyboard.  We have only completed 3 lessons so keep in mind that my observations are limited.  The lessons start with an introduction to the primary sound the letter makes.  The dog character hosting the lesson "says" the sound for each letter and then the child is taken through a series of review steps where she is asked to click on the correct letter after hearing the sound. 

Next an image of a keyboard is displayed and the location of the letter is pointed out to the child.  The child is asked to locate the letter on the keyboard (either by clicking on the vitual keyboard displayed or typing on the real keyboard), identifying the letter by it's sound. 

For ear training, the "dog" says a word slowly, separating each sound, and then speeds up the word to blend the sounds.  Once a few letter sounds have been learned, the child is asked to listen to each word the dog says and identify the starting letter.  For instance, the dog may say "am" and the child must then select between an "a," "m," or "s" as the starting sound. 

Within the first three lessons the program was already taking the next step and teaching the child to put those letter sounds together to locate a word or read a word.  The first words taught were "am" and "Sam."  In Lesson 3 the student is taken to a virtual reading room where these words and others using additional letter sounnds are put together into a short sentence that the child is encouraged to read aloud. 

I think even these initial lessons will be great for my 7 year old (if I can get him to read the words aloud) but it was over my 4 year old's ability to do comfortably.  She knows many of her letter sounds and the program is a good introduction for her to demonstrate what to do with those letter sounds, but she was not always able to accurately select the correct words by initial letter sound or read the sentence.  Study Dog in comparison teaches all the letter sounds and names first, then moves to identify initial sounds, then rhymes before moving to distinguishing between two non-rhyming words.

Fortunately, my 4 year old doesn't realize that the program actually keeps track of how many answers she gets "wrong" and I am choosing to work with her and provide "hints" rather than use the program as a stand alone lesson for her.  She really enjoys the program though and asks to do the lessons.  So for whatever reasons, she seems to like the program.  I'm not sure how she will fare on the more advanced lessons but hopefully I can convince her to just watch while her big brother works on those. 

The purchase I made through the co-op provides me with a "lifetime" subscription for one student.  That means that one student's progress may be tracked at any given time.  But once that student has completed the program, their records can be deleted and a new name added.  You will also have the option to add extra students for an additional fee.  One negative for the program is that it is internet-based, I don't have a CD of the software.  So if the company goes out of business or offline or I lose my internet connection- no Click N Read.  Also, I have a fast internet connection so I'm not sure how a dial-up connection would handle the interactivity.  But, in comparison to what our household spends in any given year on non-educational (or marginally educational) computer games, I consider this to be a pretty good deal.  I'll consider it to be a great deal if I can get my 7 year old to take an interest in it.  But even if he passes on it, I've still got a 2 year old that can make use of that lifetime subscription.  Besides, if it really does last a lifetime, there's always the grandkids. 

Hmmm.... I wonder what the internet and computers will be like for our grandkids. 

If you've not made a decision yet on a phonics program, the Homeschool Buyers Co-op newsletter announed that a deal may be forthcoming for access to Explode the Code online.  So, keep your eyes open if you are still in search of that "perfect" phonics curriculum. 

First, April 28th through May 3rd is the 2008 Ultimate Homeschool Expo. You can visit the site now to participate in free preview chats.

Second, Hobby Lobby has their T-shirts on sale this week.  You can get adult and children's sizes for less than a few dollars each.  I usually pick up a set in matching colors for the whole family. I also like to use these shirts for craft projects. To make my daughter's shirts more "girly" I sometimes ask my mom (she knows how to sew) to add lace or other details to the plain T's. 

Edit: Arghhh!  Reporting back early- I just go the download finished.  Not only do you have to go ahead and set up an account but the free trial is only 5 days after which your credit card will be charged if you don't "unsubscribe."  Bummer!  Not a way to win subscribers.  Since I was thinking about making a purchase anyway, I will probably go ahead and do the trial but I don't know... I hate to have a 5 day clock ticking down on me.

So, I'm just a little slow on the uptake...

I was looking at my list of vendors today and realized that I might like this software for my children.  But I couldn't decide if I wanted K or 1st grade (DD is 4 but has learned a lot from her older brother).  So I start looking for more details and discover that you can download a free trial of the game!  I'm downloading my free trial of Jumpstart World K right now and will report back in a few days. 

If you can't wait, you can download a trial copy for any of the grades from the Knowledge Adventure website or call the 1-800 number and receive a trial CD in the mail- FREE! 

 To get this freebie click the link above and underneath the red "Add to Cart" button their is a link that says to "Click here" to purchase, subscribe or make changes.  Click there.  Then, on the next page, near the bottom of the log in screen it will offer you the chance to go "here" to get a free trial copy. The links that you are looking for are blue.   

1-800 Flowers is hiring teleservice personnel (copied from the 1800Flowers' site):

but my DH is just so clever, I can't help it!
 

We have an old standard microscope from my younger years.  It's a good microscope- manification is find, but it's really hard to look at thing through the tiny viewing lens.  I wear glasses, so that complicates matters as well.

Well, my DH was messing with his new telescope and trying to work out a way to take digital pictures with it.  I can't even begin to give you the details of that. He says "It's so easy!"  But when he tries to explain it to me, my eyes glaze over.  Anyway, as he thought about these things he suddenly realized that converting our microscope into a digital one would be even easier! 

So here's the trick.  We have a little webcam and cable and we have a computer (of course) and a microscope.  He takes the cover off the webcam so it can be placed flat on top of the microscope viewer.  He then takes the top lens off the microscope.  He attaches the webcam to the top of the microscope, connects the webcam to the PC, and whatever the webcam "sees" shows up on our computer screen.  He so rocks! 

Slides that were so boring an difficult to see before now pop up right before our eyes.  No more kids jostling for position, no more seeing nothing but my own eyelashes blocking the view! 

I know what you are thinking- "Why not just buy a new microscope?"  Yeah, that would work too.  But it wouldn't be nearly as cool. 

for playing board games!

Check out this website:

http://www.millionminute.com/index.asp

Julie of TOS offered an invitation to join her Yahoo group to recipients of the Homeschool Minute a few weeks ago and I gladly took her up on her offer.  I am glad I did!

Believe it or not, despite all my links on my own website, the group members have shared lots of new freebie links that I didn't know about.  So, if you've not joined yet and want to keep up to date on what's "out there" for the homeschooling mom visit here and get signed up!

Here's the details: 

Discount Home School Supplies is giving away a MSK-O1 microscope!

It sells for $129.99 on our website.  It is appropriate for use with children as young as ten (with adult supervision), and it is also appropriate for use with a high school biology course. 

To enter, copy the paragraph above and share it with 5 of your friends or on your blog then report back to Tami's blog.  You can get all the "rules" there too.  The drawing for the microscope will be held on July 4, 2007. 

Kennedy Center Magicicada:  A Life Cycle

Since so many mentions have been made recently that the 17-year cicadas are back I thought this might be a timely study. 

Also, Enchanted Learning has several printables about cicadas.  Have fun!

This link was shared by Eclectic Education- it's instructions for backing up your blog.

I just picked up 4 Abeka books over at Paperback Swap.  If you select the browse option, you can choose to search under the special "Homeschool" topic.  I browsed through and found several items that would make a nice complement to my hs library.  But I stopped at 4- spending almost all my credits.

In the non-homeschooling area, just searching Children's Books will give you lots of living books on history and science.  I've collected quite a few of these over the past few months too.  I also have been very blessed to find great kids' devotionals at Paperback Swap.  I've not looked for adult ones, since I find so many of those at my local library sale but I'm sure there are many listed.

Anyway, since I found so many homeschooling books when I was browsing, I thought I'd remind everyone of this option.  Click the banner to get to the PBSwap site:

If you are new to Paperback Swap, just post 9 books that you are willing to trade and you'll get 3 free credits.  You are responsible for paying postage whenever anyone requests a books- this will cost you between $2.13 and $3.00 depending on the size of the book (most are in the $2.13 range). 

To make things easier on myself, I bought a package of manilla envelopes and some packaging tape and keep stamps on hand in various denominations to ship my books.  I also use a small scale to check the weight.  If the book weighs less than 6 oz. it's cheaper to ship first class.  My Post Office also has a 24 hour kiosk that allows me to weigh books and then purchase postage.  It doesn't do media mail specifically, but if I know the correct postage I can purchase a plain stamp in that amount and still send my book media mail. 

Be sure to check under the Community listing to access the Discussion Boards.  There's a forum called Book Bazaar where people often post 2 for 1 or better deals.  I been able to get 4 children's books for 1 credit on occasion.  The Abeka books costs me a full credit though. 

 You can visit Annie's Home Page for lots of great resources to help you celebrate.  Annie also has a great selection of links for Memorial Day.  For more resources for May you can visit Get it Together @HWTK.

Here's an inspiring Tribute you can view online (keep a tissue handy).

For more ways to support our troops check the "Support Our Troops" links here.

For more links to educational resources, visit the "War and Peace" section here.

 Homeschool e-store has lots of resources for Memorial Day and since you can download them right away- they'll get to you in time!   Here's one. 

You can visit the store to find lots of other great offerings.  

For more e-book options, click on the Teacher Created Resources button --->, just scroll down the column on the right side and look for the teddy bear.

This came to me as I was preparing to "row" Storm in the Night and of course, reading about the resurrection this week:

The Resurrection in Five Senses

Jesus came to Earth and gave His followers this glorious opportunity to sense Him with their physical beings.  We can experience a reflection of these physical sensations in the world around us, but our experience is limited as our God has ascended.  We do however have an even greater sense by which we can know Him- our faith. 

As you read through the Gospel’s report of Jesus life here on Earth and His resurrection, contemplate the ways in which God allows us to use our 5 senses to know Him. 

Sight- The disciples were able to see and witness Jesus’ good works.  Following the resurrection, they saw Jesus in physical form and witnessed his ascension. (Luke 24)

We can see Jesus’ good works in the efforts of those who follow him. We can show others His love through our good works.  We can see a reflection of His great majesty, and a glimmer of the light of His being in the glow of a sunrise. We can imagine the glory of His ascension looking upon the clouds of an approaching thunderstorm.

Sound- The disciples heard His words both before and after his resurrection.  The sound of His voice brought recognition to Mary as she sought him at the tomb. (John 20:16)

We hear the joy that Jesus brings in the song of a bird, the singing of a hymn of praise, in the music of our world.  We can speak the Good News to others and sing His praises so that they may hear.

Taste- The disciples ate with Jesus both before and after his resurrection.  The sharing of food and its taste in their mouths made real His presence.  (Luke 24:30, 24:42-43))  They also ate of the fish that He directed them to net after His return from the grave. (John 21:12-13)

We are reminded of God’s goodness in the tastes of the foods He provides for us.  The taste of the bread and the wine taken during Holy Communion remind of us His body and blood and His great sacrifice for us.  (Luke 22:14)

Scent- Prior to His death, Jesus was anointed with sweet smelling perfumes.  (Matthew 26:6)  The women who followed him carried similarly scented perfumes and spices with them when they came to find His body and were greeted by an empty tomb.  (Luke 24:1) Remember too that His birth was heralded by scented gifts by the visiting wise men.  (Matthew 2:11)

God brings us the scents of spring, strong and fragrant to remind us of Jesus’ anointing.  Smell the strong scent of the tiny hyacinth or lilac and reflect on the scents the women experienced as they walked toward Jesus’ tomb that first Easter day. 

Touch- The disciples were treated to the physical presence of Christ.  Those who sought His aid were often healed by His touch. (Matthew 8:3, 8:15, 9:29…)  Thomas felt the holes that had been made in Jesus’ body by the crucifixion with his own hands and believed.  (John 20:27) 

We cannot touch Christ’s scarred body or feel His healing hands.  But we can feel the touch of our fellow Christian laying hands upon us in healing or wrapping arms around us in comfort and love. 

Above all we can feel His gift of the Holy Spirit working within us each day.  God has given us great gifts to sense His presence all around us and within us.

 See also: Psalm 19:1-2, Colossians 1:23, Roman 1:20, Romans 10:18 for ways in which God's presences is made know to all peoples through their senses.