Thrift Schooling

When I first began homeschooling I asked a friend how to do it all. Her response? “Hire a maid!” At first I thought she was joking until I realized she did in fact have hired help. Just imagine, long nature walks with READ MORE AT OUR HOMESCHOOL FORUM

  I've been sharing with you recently about how we've begun to integrate electronics into our homeschool using EEME . So far we've completed  two of six sets. We are about to get started with the thrid and my oldest son keeps asking me when we are going to work on it. Soon, very soon! So check back often for the review coming up! So far we have worked with smaller projects but now EMME has developed a larger project with over 100 components that, when complete, can be used by the entire family!  INTRODUCING PROJECT AMP Integrated Circuits Amplifier circuits How capacitors filter sound How capacitors store supplemental power How volume controls work What is sound How speakers generate sound Direct versus alternating current - See more at: http://blog.eeme.co/post/127503171154/project-amp-to-teach-kids-about-amplifier-speakers#sthash.qbtqCSgY.dpuf In creating an amplifier system, you and your child will learn about integrated circuits, amplifie...

Homeschooling and bug catching go hand in hand. At least in our world it does! I used to have a section in my pantry devoted to storing empty oatmeal and bread crumb containers for this very purpose. If the kids found a grasshopper, butterfly, snail, or other entertaining creature they would run in the house frantic for a container. I would then have to figure out a way to make holes in the lid, quickly, so they could enjoy their new find. Of course, none of these containers were ever see through and so the kids would catch the bugs and have to open the lid ever so carefully and peek in. We've tried Mason Jars but then there is the issue of the lid!  Well, after two years of diligent research and design the reCap Explore is ready for bug enthusiasts all over the world to enjoy. Perfect for kids of all ages, this product is great for homeschoolers and kids who love to explore outdoors. What intrigues me about this cap is not only that it fits Mason Jars but the lid has both bre...

        Welcome to the        Thrift Schooling      Fall Frenzy       Homeschool Materials       Giveaway           brought to you by 3 Weeks 3 Giveaways Bushels of Fun! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIVEAWAY #1 Adventures in Odessey's Imagination Station 3-Pack  If you are familiar with the beloved Adventures in Odyssey audio series then you will quickly become a fan of  The Imagination Station Book Series. Join cousins Patrick and Beth as they travel through time visiting the Holy Land in 1000 BC in Showdown with the Shepherd . Or go with them to medieval times and learn about English knights and jousting in Revenge of the Red Knight.  Just in time for Thanksgiving, you can brush up on your Pilgrim history in Problems in Plymouth. This ...

2015 Franklin County Agricultural Fair Admission $5.00  Ages 12 and Up $2.00  Ages 5-11 FREE   Ages 4 & Under Rides Require a Separate $10 Wristband             Still considering which day you want to come? Take advantage of these special deals! Wednesday: $3 off Admission Price for  Senior Citizens Thursday: FREE Admission for Students Come visit the following attractions anytime running for the duration of the fair: MIDWAY RIDES LITTLE CRITTERS PETTING ZOO  PONY RIDES EXHIBITS COMMUNITY EXPO FANCY PIGEONS OF WIRTZ   Check the schedule below to view special events for each day of the fair:   WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 4:45 PM GRAND OPENING CEREMONY (FRONT GATE) 5:00 PM FAIR OPENS 5:30 PM DOG SHOW (LARGE SHELT...

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones by Jan and Mike Berenstain is a sweet padded board book perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. As a parent I have mixed feelings about the Berenstain bears series because oftentimes Papa bear is made out to be a goon. If you read the vintage, classic stories you will find this to be true. Overall though, the older stories always seemed to have a positive moral that it was trying to teach. Now, more recently, since the original authors son has taken over the stories I haven't seen this as an issue so much. An interesting note that my kids pointed out about this particular storybook Bible is that Mama bear isn't even pictured on the cover! It is wonderful though seeing the father is the one reading to his children, that alone sends a powerful message to children. When you open the book you will notice that the cover is the only place you will see Papa bear and his cubs. The book consists of several popular child-friendly ...

We have an overabundance of mason jars in our home. Fortunately, last year, we were able to fill some of them! It was the first year that we actually had enough extra produce to do some canning ! Believe it or not, we still have some cans that have yet to be opened from last season. When they are, I am excited to use my new reCap lids!  It sure can be annoying when you open a can and you have to keep messing with the thin lids and rings every time you want to use it's contents. reCap makes it easy to access your salsa, sauces, pickles, and, well, basically anything you have stored. I received two caps recently, the flip cap and the pour cap pictured above. I am presently using the flip cap to store candy and plan on using the pour cap with our homemade maple syrup. I even received accessories for the flip cap that can turn your mason jar into a shaker, how fun!  Beginning this week, on September 15th, reCap will be launching a Kickstarter Campagin to raise funding ...

Like many parents, I went full force when it came to homeschooling my first child. When the second one came into the picture, the challenge was learning how to properly divide my attention READ MORE AT OUR HOMESCHOOL FORUM

Enter the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win FOUR (4) Free Ride Passes to the Franklin County, VA Agricultural Fair 2015!  The Winner has Been Chosen!  Congratulations to Laurie L. Last year was the first time in over forty years that Franklin County held a community fair. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect.  My husband was a vendor and we had no clue what the crowds were going to be like. We quickly learned that the community was not about to stay home while there was fun to be had in their own backyard! Sandwiched between a clown show, bouncy house and other vendors, we had a perfect view of friends and fair goers as they passed by. Each day, it seemed, the crowds picked up. Whether it was a child being treated to their first funnel cake or a group of college students taking a break from the books, I enjoyed watching members of the community come together at the fair. We ran into friends and acquaintances that we haven't seen in a while and we...

  Paper airplanes, origami, and pizza box solar ovens; this is what our summer break looked like. My kids sure can become extremely creative when left alone with some Elmer's glue, loose leaf paper and used shipping boxes! It amazes me what they come up or what they try to recreate. My oldest, when given an instruction book with a craft, can figure it out within minutes! Specifically, he loves creating origami creations. Using the simple art of paper folding, he not only creates what is pictured in his book but comes up with his own designs. As a mother, I thrive off of when my child hands me, with pride, a piece of their artwork!  Even though my children enjoy art of many forms, there still needs to be instruction, even if minimal. This way, they are taught not only the basics of a technique but how to grow and expand in their artistic skills.  I have compiled a list of different forms of art that we have incorporated into our home and homeschool recently: ...