Posted in Neat Links

While typing the last post, it occured to me that I haven't posted a link yet to the site where I find some great educational software for a rock bottom price.

They advertise "free" software, and it's listed on their site as such, but they do charge $6.49 for shipping. However, if you buy 2-5 items it goes down to $5.99 per item, 6 or more goes down to $5.49 per item. I have ordered from this place several times and have always been satisfied! The only thing that may matter to some, is that it doesn't come in a nice pretty box like you would buy at the store. I believe these are overstock items. Some come in a cd sleeve, while others will come in a jewel case. It notes which one on the item page.  And, if you order 4, you get to pick from a list of software that they will send you without charge as a free gift. Last time I got Encyclopedia Britanica on CD for free!

Here is a link to the educational software section:

Planet CD-Rom

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Posted in Neat Links

I spent a good part of last night looking for a free software program that helps kids study spelling. Not that I'm not willing to pay for a good one, but all I wanted was something basic where I could enter DS's spelling words for the week and he could practice them on his own with some kind of game.

I found a program called ZERO that homeschoolers might be interested in. It's easy to use and my DS thought it was pretty fun when I loaded it up on his laptop today! When you launch the program, the student enters his name while different fonts fly about spelling it out. You click "Play" and there are 10 levels to play each with 10 different lists to choose from! These are VERY helpful in that they are all high frequency words. The first level will likely be too easy for those above first grade.  My son knows all those sight words already. However, my daughter who is 4 years old will find it very, very useful. You can change the level by scrolling to the right when choosing a list to access the harder words.

The program displays the word, speaks the word and uses it in a sentence. When GO! appears on the screen, the student has 15 seconds to type in the word correctly. He gets points based on how fast he enters the word - so, this is also helping with knowing where the letters are on the keyboard. Fifteen seconds doesn't seem like a lot, but a slow "hunt and peck" typer can even do it. DS is 6 years old and he had no problems. If the student runs out of time, they have to type in the word correctly (it's displayed at this point while he types) before they can continue. After all 10 words in the list are done correctly, the score is displayed and the "high" score for that list is shown on the screen. Also after completion, the student can click on a rocket ship and play a rocket game where he shoots at grey asteroid looking things. My son found that to be a nice reward for studying his list.

Now for the really great part, at least for me.  All of the lists are customizable! And there are also an additional 10 lists without any words if you'd like to keep all of the original lists. When you click play, if you scroll all the way to the right and choose the "Set" button, you can pick a list number and change all the words. So, I made list number 4 his weekly spelling list. Now, all he has to do when I say go play ZERO and study your spelling is get into the program (it remembers his name), click Play and choose list 4. It should be noted that it does not speak or use the word in a sentence when you add your own.

Go Here to Download ZERO


TA DA! I think this is really going to help him.

After last week's spelling disappointment, I decided to change up his lists to go along with his phonics studies. It will be easier to remember and he'll also be studying his words when we do phonics. This week's list is long "a" words - a with silent e, -ay, and ai words.

Crossing my fingers that he'll do better this time on Friday's test!

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Posted in Neat Links

eclecticeducation posted a great freebie on her blog. Sign up for a free newsletter (that's all you have to do!) and you'll get 37 downloadable e-books for free. It looks like a newsletter I might enjoy, too.. Living on a Dime! I love to save money and get free stuff. =) This offer ends September 11.

Her blog post with a link to sign-up is here:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eclecticeducation/387279

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Posted in Neat Links

A few days ago, I signed up for this program. You may or may not be familiar with it - it is used in many schools across the nation. But, every year for the months of October through March, Pizza Hut rewards students who meet a reading goal that they have set with a free personal pan pizza! And, the best part is that homeschooling families can participate, too - not just schools. The materials are free, but they are sending them out NOW. Last year I missed the deadline. :/  So.. HURRY.. if you want to sign up... it can be done online!

Here is a link to learn more about the program:

Book IT! Program Overview

Here is a link to sign up K-6 homeschool kids:

Book IT! K-6 Homeschool Enrollment

They also have a Book IT! Beginners program for preschoolers - it is not quite the same, but the info about it is on the site.

Posted in Neat Links

It's good, too. I downloaded it and it works perfectly for what I need. Very flexible and plenty of tools to make things easy. The teacher in me needed it! Passing along the link for anyone else who might want to give it a go:

Lesson Planning Software

Posted in Neat Links

I found this link in a notebooking group that I belong to and wanted to share it here!  It's a neat site for book swapping. You list books you have that you don't want anymore and it gives you credits for getting other books. You don't pay anything to get books from other people - not even postage!  But, when someone requests one of the books you have listed, you pay the postage to send it. Genius idea! And, it's not just for paperbacks as the name might indicate.

Paperback Book Swap

Posted in Neat Links

...I came across an absolutely hilarious site. If you are a cat lover you will love this! (WARNING: some subject matter of adult nature)

ROFL Cats

Hang with the first page, it gets better. Go there now. Be amused.

Remind me to never drink that much coffee in one day. Sleep, where have you gone?

Posted in Neat Links

Most of you homeschoolers are probably already aware of this resource, but in case you are not, here it is:

http://www.lessonplanspage.com

It just solved my problem from the previous post on Art & Music programs for the little ones!

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtK1.htm

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MusicK1.htm

Posted in Neat Links

I am thinking about using this free site for lesson planning and keeping records:

http://www.home-school-inc.com/

If anyone sees this and has used it, please comment on how it is working for you. It would be nice to have all of my records available no matter what happens to my computer. And, it's free!

There is so much to do right now before I get started for the year - my head is spinning.