Thrift Schooling

This is the year of science in my homeschool. Let. Me. Tell. You. I am just floored. My two youngest kiddos, in first and third grade are just loving all of the science aspects of learning this year—they just cannot get enough. My older kids were slightly similar, but these kids are more into the hands-on, let's get dirty and messy approach—which is great (most of the time.) From make-shift catapults to bottle rockets, they are just also doing, making, and exploring. I cannot seem to have enough materials on hand for them, or the ideas to keep their little minds stimulated. Enter Stepping Into Science , available from Timberdoodle. I could not have asked for a more perfect answer for our homeschool. The box came in the mail with dozen of science activities ready to go.  From hovercrafts to sundials my kids have been kept busy for weeks. I let them pick out an activity each school day and they always want to do more and more. With instructions for each experiment, complete with pict...

  Need back to school clipart to spice up your classroom or homeschool space? Click, save, and print the beautiful bird graphic above to brighten up your learning area. Cut, clip, enlarge and have fun with these adorable pieces of back to school clipart.  Looking for back to school curriculum? Grab your SchoolhouseTeachers.com membership for only $189 and have access to classroom, homeschool, and educational materials all year long—not just at back to school time!  I hope you enjoy this back to school clipart and come back later this week for amphibians, fish, mammals, and more cute back to school clipart downloads.

  Homeschool teacher? You can take advantage of Dollar General's teacher savings, too—and you don't even need to upload your Teacher ID card! Most of us have a card from our state homeschool org or HSLDA but to snag this deal, just register your homeschool name and you are good to go. The digital coupons work through the DG app and you need to type in your phone number at checkout. When you do, 30% off will be applied to select school supplies only. Where I live, this is only happening this week, but dates may vary depending on where you live. They did away with the tax-free weekend for school supplies this year in my state so this is a welcome alternative. Sign up today !

  When my daughter saw  Mose's Detective Agency  in this year's Timberdoodle catalog, it quickly made it to the top of her list. I don't know if you have fond memories of getting the Christmas edition of the Sear's or JC Penny's catalog as a kid, but I do. As soon as it would come in the mail (or sometimes my mom would pick it up in person at the store first!) I would have it in hand with a thick marker ready to circle what I wanted for Christmas—if my sister didn't get to it first. I don't ever remember if I actually received anything from those chicken scratches I made in the catalogs, unless it happened to be sheets or socks, but it was memorable nonetheless. This may actually have been the first time my daughter received what she circled in one of our homeschool catalogs (our modern tradition). She was so thrilled when this came in the mail. Do any of you have children that are outgrowing their toys but they aren't quite sure what to ask for as gifts...

  Is it time to pull your kids out of public school? Do you feel the tug to keep them home? Making the decision to homeschool is an important decision for your family, but you don’t have to do this alone. Join The Old Schoolhouse® family as we bring you the information and encouragement you need to take those first steps on your homeschooling journey. Get answers to your questions and more by joining us August 8–10 at 1–3 p.m. ET each day. RSVP here .

"Corrie Ten Boom was a terrible, terrible person." The voice echoed on the other end of the phone line. I sat down. What was going to come next? Was this Christian hero who so diligently worked in the Dutch Resistance freeing hundreds of Jews not who she portrayed herself in her writings?  Here I was, hearing from a relative who heard a firsthand account from my great-aunt the truth about Corrie Ten Boom. I had just found out on this phone call, while researching my family's involvement with the Dutch Resistance, that my great-aunt had bunked with Ms. Ten Boom in Ravensbruk concentration camp. Was this hero of faith going to be exposed?  " All she did was proselytize. All she did was talk about Jesus ." This was the response I heard causing a huge sigh of relief on my end of the call. In a dark and horrifying situation how would I respond? Would I focus on the darkness or the Word of God? Corrie clearly focused on the Word, but that doesn't mean she didn...

  Got littles? Be sure to add the  Kumon: My Book of Cutting  book to your morning routine. Whether you use a morning basket, bins, folders, or crates, this book is perfect for little hands eager to work and learn. Designed for children ages three through five, this book is essential for providing the basic skills needed for using scissors. Children can often become frustrated when they see you or older siblings cutting things out yet when they try it is an epic fail. In their mind it shouldn't be that hard! They see you do it, why can't they cut as smoothly and easily as you or their older sibling? What a perfect opportunity to teach our children that practice makes perfect. And not just practice, but stepping stones are key. They are able to learn the importance of starting small, achieving that skill and moving on to the next, building their skills and confidence step by step. These skills are important for math, writing, reading, and so many other disciplines. ...