Thrift Schooling

Lonestar Learning  is an online company providing educators with a variety of math, reading and science materials for the classroom or home-use. You can choose from creative flash cards, charts, educational card games or computer games, and the list goes on! I had the privilege to review their  Target the Question  Math product which is an online program based off of their successful bulletin product. In simply 10 to 15 minutes a day, students are presented with a weekly scenario and encouraged to use problem solving strategies to conquer a separate problem with that scenario each day. I personally used the first grade program which includes downloadable problem solving mats that you can choose to use if your child needs the additional hands-on learning. My son honestly did not need the extra materials. Although I could see this working well for students who need to physically touch items to make the connection.  Cost of Online Program: $59.99 Access ...

              I reviewed the book   Abraham's Journey: A Celebration of the American Dream   brought to you by Robert and Kathleen Basmadjian over at Inspiring the American Dream .                             The Great Recession took place in America from December 2007 - June 2009. Although not as horrific as the Great Depression of 1929 that many of our grandparents or great-grandparents experienced, it has affected a majority of our  population in one way or another. I'm sure most of us know at least one family or business that had to file for bankruptcy on their home or downsize their business at this time. Many major chains in our community, have had to close their doors to the public, even ones that have served us for decades. As a country, we still are experiencing the effects of this financial tragedy, even though some are convinced we are on our w...

What defines a cult?  Wikipedia simply puts it as,  "a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society." If that is all that a cult means, then maybe I am in one. Or a few. The homeschooling cult, home birthing cult, refuse to use margarine over butter cult. I mean lets face it, we ALL do things that are considered abnormal by the masses. And now with social media networking if you are involved in some "bizarre" activity you can easily find a group of like minded friends online. But let's dig a little deeper into the religious definition of cult. When we usually hear the word cult, there are certain religious beliefs or events that come to mind. We think of certain locations such as Waco Texas or Hill Cumorah.  But maybe the cultic concepts reaches deeper than that. Maybe there are just certain people that are drawn to a cultic lifestyle without even realizing it. Maybe it is even possible that there are those who j...

Looking to teach your kids art? Here's an awesome deal if you want to stock up on art resources....... Buy One ART DVD Set Get One FREE                     Simply purchase Volume 1 set and we will send you Volume 2 Set for FREE! No coupon necessary ~ while supplies last.                   Mike's              Inspiration Station: Volumes 1-6 DVD Set $39.95 $31.96 Save             20%!             Mike's Inspiration Station: Volumes 1-6 engages homeschool children             with 13 fun projects in drawing, painting, sculpting, and a variety             of other arts and crafts. Appropriate for children and teens from             ages 8-16, these hands-on DVDs allow kids to draw cartoon...

Can you believe it? Less than a month away and SPRING will be upon us! Here are some tips of some quick and easy thing you can do NOW to prepare for Spring so it doesn't catch you off guard... 1- Plant Seeds Indoors In Small Pots - Buy small trays, or take newspapers and fill with dirt to place directly in the ground, you can even use egg cartons for this. - Planting seeds early allow you to plant the actual plant, rather than seeds in your outdoor gardens once Spring arrives. 2- Collect Compost For Good Soil - You may need to invest some money in the Spring for decent topsoil, but to get your garden area ready now, simply find an area on your property or a friend's that has old leaves and rake like crazy! Get several loads and dump in your garden for some FREE compost material! - Call up some friends with horses or cows. They may let you get some manure for free. 3-  Make a Garden Chart and Labels - Study up on which plants grow well together. Make a ch...

Our local Aldi had an awesome sale on fruit this week!!!! Monday 2/18 Breakfast :  Sausage Links and Orange Slices Lunch:  Tuna Sandwiches and Strawberries Dinner:  Fried Chicken Thighs, Salad, Fresh Pineapple Tuesday 2/19 Breakfast:   Scrambled Eggs and Toast Lunch:   Turkey Sandwiches and Melon Dinner:   Shepherd's Pie, Spinach and Salad Wednesday 2/20 Breakfast:  Oatmeal and Blueberries Lunch:   PB & J and Apples Dinner : Stuffed Potatoes and Fried Eggplant Thursday 2/21 Breakfast:   Waffles Lunch:   Tuna Melts and Honeydew Slices Dinner: Meatloaf, Kale and Salad Friday 2/22 Breakfast:  Eggs and Toast Lunch:   Turkey and Ham Hoagies Dinner:   Flounder, Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Salad

When I taught preschool, we were encouraged in our classes to give the children unruled paper to write letters and their names without any boundaries or restrictions. We taught them using a white board, and showed them the correct formation, but then allowed them the opportunity to produce letters on their own through trial and error. I liked this approach because it gave the children freedom to learn and grow without the fear of making mistakes. Needless to say, I took this same approach when teaching my first child to write. You know how it is with the first child, so excited to see them excel. He could write his name and knew all his letters right around his third birthday. He still loves to learn and tends to favor math and science related schoolwork. But when it comes to favorite subjects, handwriting is not on the top of his list! When I found out I was chosen to review Handwriting Without Tears I knew immediately I was going to use this program with my First Grader! A f...