Nov. 10, 2008 - 2nd Anniversary Sale-A-Bration
Homeschool With Index Cards is celebrating its 2nd Anniversary during the month of November. Throughout the month, all of the products are on sale. Everything! There are also extra Freebies and additional specials if you join the newsletter mailing list.
So come on by and join the
I would love to see you there.
http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com/2ndAnniversarySaleABration.html
Many Blessings,
Molly
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Oct. 18, 2008 - Flags Around the World
My 10 year old son loves flags. He looks them up in some of his children's world almanacs, asks me questions about them, and loves to see all the different flags as we watch television. During the Olympics, there was, of course, a boat load of flags...or should I say a world load? Then I started thinking of all the different things you can learn about a country via it's flag.
Flags usually tell a story. There can be meaning in the color choices, meaning in the design, and there is always meaning in the symbols that they use. Just take, for instance, the American flag. You know the 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies. You know the 50 stars represent our current 50 states.
Throughout our country's history, we have used many flags and even our national flag has changed as our country has changed over the years.
Back to the Olympics...this is when I began to think about making him a Flags Around the World set of index cards. I thought it would be a great way to do a quick study of a country when he sees a flag, so we can learn more about them. So I then decided to make a "quick fact" card, so once we print the flag card, he can then fill in the quick info on the back of the card. This would give him a great basic start with the countries.
After much deliberation on my part, I also decided to create notebooking forms to go along with each country. Not only could he have his flag cards, I could also add a map to the notebooking form, as well as have a little more space which we could fill in for his history notebook, as well as my 12 yo daughter's.
Flags are so much a part of who a country is, that I am more exicted than ever for us to begin using this set. I could be raising a future diplomat or missionary, who has a global focus and knowledge. Well, those may be far off crazy dreams, but this will be a great study into the history and geography of this great big world!
**You could, of course, create your own study on Flags Around the World, however, if you are interested, I have made my set available on my website. You can see it at http://www.homeschoolwithindexcards.com/Flags_Around_the_World.html
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Nov. 14, 2007 - Index Cards--Just one more new thing to try????
Have you ever really considered the value of using index cards in your homeschool? Now let me start by saying that a homeschool is really 2 things in one place--your home life and your school life. Now in a perfect world, the 2 would blend together. But, even in this imperfect world, index cards can be an integral part to both areas.
As a homeschool mom, I struggle with creating the perfect balance between home and school. However, index cards have always been a part of my life in home and in school. Homeschool With Index Cards was created out of a love for organizing these areas with index cards.
I am sure at one time or another, you have used index cards to write down and store recipes. It is really that easy to use index cards in your homeschool.
There are many benefits of using index cards in your home, whether it be for home or for your "school". I personally like index cards because they can be used in a variety of ways, all making my life more organized and simplified. I love our Kid Chore Organizer made with index cards, file folders, pockets, and some "o"rings. This is the perfect melding of school and home. It is an easy way to teach my kids responsibility. It also helps them with self-discipline, because most folks in my house would much rather spend time playing than doing chores. But we all know chores must come first. Actually, we start every morning with the Chore Organizer. The kiddos wake up and know to go directly to the front of the fridge since that is where the Organizer hangs.
I also love that we can have a quick and easy Weather Center with index cards. This is the perfect size to be stored on a wall, or on some magnetic hooks on the fridge. If you're not careful, your entire fridge may be overrun with index cards! Hey, but at least you will be organized. :O)
Seriously, though, index cards are easily stored in small file boxes, small index card binders, on "o" rings, or even in zipper bags. The best way I have found to keep track of all these little sets in our house is to designate a basket for the card binders and sets. It doesn't take up much room at all and really stays organized. You could even pick up an inexpensive plastic bin from Wal-Mart or the dollar store to house your cards.
I really love the idea of the Handbooks. They are such a great help in our daily studies. I just wish everyone knew how wonderful of a tool these are for your students/children. They are a fantastic resource that you can use over the years. Add to them each year all the new information you are learning in each subject area. Once you print out the basic cards, you want to personalize them with your examples or additional information to really keep the "hands on" feeling to the cards. When the kids need a quick reference, they will be able to grab their Handbook out of the basket and look up the topic they are covering. If it is something you have covered previously, they will be able to look at their examples, then the light will click on and the wheels will start turning--they will better remember that concept because they had a hand in creating the card. These are similar to notebooking concepts or topics, but the cards and binders take up a lot less space and can carry over from year to year. When the kiddos go off to college, they should have a nice, personalized Handbook to take with them on each subject.
The Handbook cards are also nice, as you can take out individual cards for studying purposes. Clip several of them together with an "o" ring and take them in the car while you run errands. The kids will be learning about fractions as you are shopping for more index card supplies! :O)
I hope I have been able to share with you some of the benefits of using index cards in your homeschool. If you are interested, Homeschool With Index Cards is currently running a week long Sale~A~Bration to celebrate its 1st Anniversary. You will be able to not only get your hands on all the products available from Homeschool With Index Cards, but also from companies like The Old Schoolhouse, Homeschool Radio Shows, NotebookingPages.com, and The Urban Homemaker. The package is fantastic and priced very affordably, even with the holidays around the corner. Actually, you can't afford to miss this fantastic sale. If it's not for you, maybe you have a homeschool friend or two who would benefit from the sale. Pass along the link! :O)
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Jul. 23, 2007 - I'm Bored!
Have you ever heard these 2 words from your kids? They so easily forget the multitude of toys in their rooms or the abundance of outside toys in the garage.
A great way to take care of "I'm Bored-itis" is to make an I'm Bored Card Set. Simply use index cards to write activities you will allow them to do on index cards--one per card. These can be simple ideas from reading a book up to ride your bike. The next time you hear "I'm bored!"--have the kids pick a card!
One way to organize the cards is to have the inside activities on one color and the outside activities on another. You can get them outside at the pick of a card. There are some activities that could be either, so you can mark those in a special way. Use the backs to designate any boundaries your kids may need.
What a quick and easy cure for common boredness! :O)
NOTE: Homeschool With Index Cards has a predesigned "I'm Bored!" Card Set available for $2.00. Simply load your index cards into your printer and go! (Check at the bottom of the flashcards product page.) http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com
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May. 3, 2007 - Make Chore Time a Breeze
Seriously! I am not exaggerating. At least in our house, chore time has been a breeze for close to 2 years now.
Ok, so if you read my last post, you know I am not a very good homemaker. I have had to learn the hard way the past 12 years of marriage. So I have determined that I will better prepare my children to be ready to take care of their daily duties.
I have tried many things, including the check off sheets with the boxes and such. They worked well for a little while, but honestly, it was too much Mom follow-up. Several years ago, the Lord laid on my heart an idea for creating a chore organizer with index cards. This was before Homeschool With Index Cards was even a thought. Each child has a chore organizer with pockets made from envelope halves and index cards with chores listed on each one.
If you want to make your own, here's what you need: envelopes, tape, card stock or construction paper or half a file folder, markers, index cards.
Cut the envelopes in half so they are more like squares. Theses will be your pockets. You can also use those old pockets from the back of library books. I asked for a handful at my local library and they were happy to give them to me. (I also use those for something else--more another time.) Tape the pockets on the paper. Label the pockets--Morning, Afternoon, and Done. Now comes the fun part! :O) Labeling those index cards. You will want to think through all of the chores your kids need to do. These chores should be daily, weekly, monthly, etc. Make up your cards, these will be stored in the Done pocket. Each night before you go to bed, sort through the set of cards and put them in order for the next day. Any leftovers stay in the Done pocket.
When the kiddos wake up, they know to go right to the chore organizers. Ours hang on the fridge, but you can put them in any convenient location. Of course, at first this wasn't a breeze, but it became a routine quite quickly.
I hope you enjoy this tip. It has really revolutionized our chore times around here.
Also, if you want to make quick work of those chore cards, you can find a set available for purchase on my website for $2.50. Rather than writing all those cards out by hand, you can just print the ones you need. http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com
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Feb. 27, 2007 - Proverbs Verse set
I am very excited to mention a new file set I have just finished. It is a set of 31 Proverbs--one from each chapter, one for each day. This set is very near and dear to my heart as I have wanted to create verse cards for some time, but found that life has gotten in the way!
The cards can be used to create a Bible verse memory book for either you or your children. The verses can be read one per day, or however you choose. They are a great size, so they can be taken in the car on errands, to doctor's appointments, etc. Have your child hide God's Word in their hearts even while you are on the go!
You can find a sample of the first 5 cards, as well as the cover, on my website. http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com Just follow the Products tab, the cards are with the Flashcards, toward the bottom. You will also be able to access a free set of Spelling Rules cards on that page also.
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Feb. 19, 2007 - Add Index Cards into Your Homeschool
As you plan and prepare for next year's school supplies and curriculum, I would love to give you a few ideas and tips on adding index cards into your homeschool. You can count these supplies right into your homeschool budget. We have homeschooled for 6 years and index cards have always been part of our school.
First, you will want to get the right supplies: index cards--white & colored, blank & lined; high quality markers; ink for your printer; storage solutions--index card binders, index card file boxes, "O" rings; tabbed dividers; hole punch.
You can use index cards in a variety of ways. Flashcards are usually the most thought of option. Index cards are more economical than store bought flashcards. You can pick up index cards very cheaply, so they are inexpensive to make. But the best benefit is that index card flashcards are cheap to REPLACE. If one card from a set gets lost or torn, it is very easy and cheap to replace that one card.
You can use index cards to teach your children new concepts. For instance, if you are teaching your child phonics, you can write the different phonics sounds on your cards.
Index cards are portable. You can throw these cards in a bag or your purse to have school on the go. You won't have to fret about missed time. While you are waiting for the doctor or dentist at an appointment, pull out those index cards.
If you are interested in adding index cards into your homeschool, I have written a guide titled Homeschooling With Index Cards: A Quick Guide to Incorporate Index Cards Into Your Homeschool. Since I wrote that guide, I have created a Beginner Book for Early Learners which mirrors the book I made with my children when they were in PreSchool and Kindergarten. This is a relaxed way to teach colors, shapes, letters, numbers, etc. I also offer several sets of flashcard sets. All of these products are in electronic format, so you can save the files to your computer and print them when you need them. You will be able to print the card sets directly to your own index cards. http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com
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Feb. 8, 2007 - Handbook Card Files
I am so excited I finished my Handbook Card Files today! If you have ever seen the Homeschooling With Index Cards Guide: A Quick Guide to Incorporating Index Cards Into Your Homeschool, these files have all the terms, concepts, and properties listed throughout the guide.
There are 3 file sets: Math Handbook, Language Handbook, and Art and Music Handbook. There are a total of 31 files between the 3 sets. You can see more info at my website: http://homeschoolwithindexcards.com
I would be honored if you take a look!
You can also check out the Freebies section and Notebooking Forms on the site!
Thanks! Molly
