I am one of the cheapest people I know. I hate spending money!!!! Free is the best, and most of my personal software is shareware or borrowed-ware (don't ask). Anyway... my copy of Microsoft Office was a trial version that ended, and so I went comparison-shopping (eeek! Those things are $$$$$$$$). Lo and behold, I found a great deal (comparitively speaking) on Microsoft Office 2007 titles (Professional, and Home and Student versions in particular).
Did you know that there are Academic Editions available? You can't buy them everywhere--- only certain resellers have permission from Microsoft, but you can find out who in your area carries them. Check the Microsoft site HERE for more information. Homeschoolers are indeed eligible-- as long as you can show proof, such as a letter from your school district, or from a recognized homeschooling organization. Your local reseller can let you know exactly what they will accept. This is far from free, but the pricing is a considerable savings (you wind up paying about 1/3 the going price). So, if you are in the market for some new software, this might be just what you need.
While you're checking out the above site, mosey around looking at their educational offerings. You might find a freebie that fits in with something you're already doing.
Here we are at the end of 2007, and most of us are taking a bit of a break from homeschooling. With the new year approaching, it's likely that many of us are also taking stock of what we've accomplished so far in the school year, and re-evaluating decisions as we get ready to start back in, in a week or two. There's also the possibility that some of us have overspent for our respective holidays, and despite desperately wanting to try something new, we simply cannot afford more curriculum. Take heart!!! There are freebies out there just waiting for you!!!
The following are some things I've found (and may have posted about them before, so forgive me if I'm repeating myself)... if anyone has other gems they've found and want to share, please comment below or e-mail me directly.
~ Homeschool E-store (soon to be renamed something else, but I can't remember what)
Lisa, from down the road (a homeschool mom I know and love!) clued me in to a great free resource she found on Miss Maggie's Old Fashioned Education site... it's printable workbooks for grammar and writing, for grades 1-6, from Scott Foresman Reading. CLICK HERE to go there now. I looked through a few of them last night and I'm liking what I see... not just because they're free, although that's a plus. I like books that get to the point and show kids right away how to use what they're learning. This might be a good option for those who do better taking things in small bites.... nice, concise lessons without a lot of busywork.
On Monday, May 14th, Homeschool E-store (see button on sidebar for clicky-link... aren't I so technical? lol) is having a Mothers' Day Special-- lots of free downloads, all day long. Over $200 worth of resources, all for NOTHING!!!! Gotta like that.
So, have a Happy Mothers' Day on Sunday, all you moms! Enjoy the homemade cards, and the flowers, or whatever your crew does for you. Personally, I'm hoping my newest addition decides to make an appearance! That would be a cool gift.
Are you a new homeschooler and have no idea where to start looking for books?
Are you a veteran homeschooler, and the company you usually deal with just doesn't have something that suits your needs for a particular subject?
Grab a cup of tea and get ready to browse a bit... (not that it's easy to lose track of time researching curriculum choices!!!) Here are a few places to bookmark, and maybe to find that certain something that'll work for your family better than anything you've tried so far!
Canadian Academic Supply -- "High-tech academic supplies for the student of the 21st century" -- mostly science kits, but globes, software, and a limited variety of curricula.
For those of you who have either been undecided on choosing a language program, or too cheap here's a good resource... it requires no money, or commitment! lol Seriously, we didn't have a workable French program in our homeschool up until this year (and we're in our 10th year hs'ing) because I couldn't justify spending a lot of money on something I wasn't sure if I'd like. Plus, I'm just plain cheap, and I kept hoping that living in southeast NB, the kids would just somehow pick up the French they needed. This year, we dug deep and bought Rosetta Stone. We're quite happy with it, and I can justify the $250 since it's spread over 5 kids, and it's a 2-year program (works out to $25 a year per child, so thinking of it that way is less scary). The only problem is my oldest daughter is wanting to learn Spanish as well, and it looked like I was just no going to be able to take advantage of a desire to learn something (and as a hs'er, we all want to do that as much as possible-- makes it so much easier on everyone involved!). Well, I found the solution!
I found out through the CHB (link on the sidebar) that there is a Rosetta Stone traveller version being offered for FREE. It's not the full program, but it will give someone a start in learning a language, and a better idea if it's something they want to pursue further. Offered are French, ESL, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Greek, and German. You just click the link above, and follow the instructions.
Jeannie Fulbright is offering a spelling program for FREE!!!! Yes, that's right, FREE, and who doesn't like FREE?!?!?!?!?!?!
For those of you who aren't familiar with her, she has authored several books-- the "Exploring Creation with...." Apologia elementary science series (my son is doing the Exploring Creation with Zoology 1-- Flying Creatures of the 5th Day this year).
You can find out all about her new spelling program (did I mention it is FREE???) right here.
I found the coolest thing tonight at the Great Canadian Dollar Store: a map of the world for $3.00!!!! It's not exactly laminated, but it's shiny on the map side, and it's hung between two poles (top and bottom edges). About 28" x 42" including the poles, which stick out a little on either side.
At the moment I have this thing hung on my kitchen/ dining room wall, and it goes so well with my decor.... "Early Homeschool Clutter"... I'll have to get a pic and post it. *sigh*..... what's better than getting a really good deal on something you need? I am happy.
I want to tell you all about a cool FREE educational package I got through Veterans Affairs Canada, but I've just posted about it on my other blog. So you have a choice.... you can follow the above link and read about it there, or scroll a teeny bit further and read the shamelessly lazy cut-and-paste of the exact same thing. Your choice. Aren't I thoughtful?
Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when the Canada Post truck stopped at my driveway with a parcel for me. I thought, Cool! My HSB t-shirt is here! or maybe my TOS magazines that are WAY LATE.... lol nope-- none of the above. It was an "educational package" from Veterans Affairs Canada about WWI. It's called Canada and the Great War 1914-1918: A Nation Born and I ordered it back in September. I'd completely forgotten about it and the other one, on WWII-- Sacrifice, Achievement, Legacy: Canadians and the Second World War 1939-1945 (still backordered, apparently), I ordered online. This one on WWI, though, is really cool. It's in a big binder, with 2 videotapes (about 20 min. each), and sections withdividers!!!! lol... doesn't take much to make me happy.... Gives a complete overview of WWI and its background, why Canada got involved, a section with newspaper ads from the era, soldiers' diaries, artwork, medals (and what it took to earn them), songs and poetry (including a CD with 3 selections, and the internet link to many more), and lots of other resources (even stuff about the Halifax Explosion, which happened at that time). I am impressed. It's very well done, and it'll be a big help when I get to that part of Canadian/ world history. Can't wait to get the one on WWII! There are others as well, which can be looked over at the Veterans Affairs Canada website. They're all free too, which is a bonus. Click here for some more links to educational stuff, most if not all of it free. I also vaguely remember ordering something about the elections process but maybe that's backordered too??? Oh well. You can find lots of freebies from the government, if you poke around. Free stuff just makes my day, ya know?
1. Put cup of chocolate chips in Ziploc bag. Give the children the spoon and allow them to hit the bag and smoosh the chips. Read John 19:1-3. Explain how the Roman soldiers beat Jesus after He was arrested.
2. Let each child smell & taste the vinegar. Put in mixing bowl. Read John 19:28-30. Explain how they gave Jesus the vinegar to drink. Read John 10:10-11.
3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Explain how the egg represents His life. Jesus gave His life for us.
4. Spinkle a little salt in each child's hand. Read Luke 23:27. Explain how this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus followers.
5. Add a cup of sugar to the mixture. Read Psalm 34:8 & John 3:16. Explainthe sweetest part, how Jesus died because He loves us.
6. Beat on high with mixer 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Read Isaiah 1:18 & 1 John 1:9. Explain color white represents those whose sins are forgiven.
7. Mix in chocolate chips. Place small scoops on cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Explain each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was placed.
8. Put cookies in oven. Close the door and shut off oven. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door with tape. Read Matthew 27:57-60 & 57:65-66. Explain how this represents the tomb being sealed.
9. Go to bed. The kids may be sad to have to leave the cookies in the oven
overnight. Read John 16:19-20. Explain how Jesus followers were sad to have to leave Jesus sealed in the tomb.
10. Easter morning open oven. Give each child a cookie. When they take a bite they will notice that the cookie is hollow and empty in the middle. Read Luke 24:1-8. Explain how they found the tomb open and empty.
What a wonderful way to help your child understand the real and exciting truth of
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here's a good resource... it requires no money, or commitment! lol Seriously, we didn't have a workable French program in our homeschool up until this year (and we're in our 10th year hs'ing) because I couldn't justify spending a lot of money on something I wasn't sure if I'd like. Plus, I'm just plain cheap, and I kept hoping that living in southeast NB, the kids would just somehow pick up the French they needed. This year, we dug deep and bought Rosetta Stone. We're quite happy with it, and I can justify the $250 since it's spread over 5 kids, and it's a 2-year program (works out to $25 a year per child, so thinking of it that way is less scary). The only problem is my oldest daughter is wanting to learn Spanish as well, and it looked like I was just no going to be able to take advantage of a desire to learn something (and as a hs'er, we all want to do that as much as possible-- makes it so much easier on everyone involved!). Well, I found the solution!
