Thrift Schooling

These Thirteen Colonies Fact Cards were created for my kids as we studied early American history. What a pivotal time in our history! Puritans seeking religious freedom, adventurers setting out for a new land, and those in debt hoping for a fresh start—a new life. From the first colony in Virginia, until all thirteen stars on the first American flag were represented, these cards are a perfect review for your homeschoolers. Use them to drill the first thirteen colonies so your child can recite them with ease, and have them dictate the information on the cards to help them remember a small fact about each colony. Feel free to print these out and have your children write facts that they learn about each colony on the back. Go ahead and laminate them, too!    Simply right-click, save, and print to use this resource in your homeschool as you study about the original thirteen colonies in America. Use the facts for dictation, copy work, or discussion in your home. Disclaimer: All co...

  It's Leap Year! That means we will be able to enjoy February 29 again this year. I love the educational aspect of this day. Why does it exist? Well, we all know that it takes 365 for the earth to orbit the sun—or does it? It actually takes slightly longer, so to compensate, we need to add in an extra day every four years.  It sure makes the  “ 30 Days Has September Song ”  much more clunky with the addition of  “ Except 29 Days in a Leap Year, ”  but I imagine it is entertaining for those who have a birthday that fall on that date.  My son's due date was a week before February 29 several years back and we thought for sure he would be born on Leap Day. He wasn't but it has been a running joke that if he was, he would technically only be four years old this year. rather than sixteen.  If you are looking to add Leap Day activities into your homeschool this year for younger learners, feel free to print out the worksheet below to add some fun into yo...

The Action Bible has been around and has been available to millions of kids throughout the  world and is now available with even more interactive content. Using the graphic novel approach, this book shares stories from both the Old and New Testament in comic strip form. Now, the Faith in Action Edition is an enhanced version of the bestselling Expanded  Edition.  Vivid illustrations and short strong stories present stories from a Bible in illustration. Rather than presenting stories to mirror Genesis to Revelation, stories are in chronological order to pull everything together chronologically. In addition to the stories, Spiritual Growth Resources include over 200 devotionals, prayers, character stories, teaching videos timelines, maps, and Bible facts.  This teaching tool allows kids and parents to access digital resources by scanning QR codes throughout the book. Major themes of the Bible are highlighted throughout with icons. Themes of the Bible ...

  Every child is different when it comes to teaching reading in your homeschool. In our home, some kids picked up reading as young as four. Some have been late bloomers. When it comes to teaching the children who need the extra phonics practice, the All About Reading program has been a life saver. My one child who has only expressed an interest in reading recently, has been thriving with All About Reading 2 . The hands on activities are what seem to draw him in. When you purchase this set, you receive everything you need to teach your typical or struggling learner how to read. As pictured above, you receive a Teacher's Manual, Workbook, two Reading Books, and a Flashcard set complete with a box and reward stickers. I learned with Level One  that the hands on activities can easily get lost around the house with little hands so with this level I have been quickly placing the materials into a binder to keep all of the pieces together. This works great when I find that my son need...

  Over the years we have tried to create our own plant labels but when starting seeds on a seed table, a significant amount of watering is involved. Nothing seemed to last the constant blasts of water. In some cases, it is necessary to water several times a day since the soil in the small soil blocks can dry out pretty quickly.  Of course, this would cause the names of the plants to wash away, which is frustrating. It is not always that big of a deal. Some plants are obvious, and we know what they are as soon as they begin to emerge, but when you begin working with different varieties of the same type of plant, proper labeling is essential.  Sure, you can head to your local dollar store and pick up a pack of garden tags to label your seed starts this season, but that can add up—fast.  Read more in the OUR HOMESTEAD tab.

It's   February! Can you believe it? My kids are getting ready for their annual Valentine's Day party. It's a big deal. Even my TEENS are into it. It's tradition with extravagant gumball machine and basketball hoop boxes complete with prizes for the winners. Homeschoolers from surrounding counties travel in for the fun. It's been hosted at skating rinks, bowling alleys, and even an arcade. The kids love it. But what about school? While helping the little ones prepare their Valentine's and boxes  NO PREP  is essential. In My Teaching Library's  Valentine Math Review packet is everything you’ll need for Math review for SECOND and THIRD GRADES—an entire month's worth! This Valentine’s Day themed resource is jam packed with a  variety of activities  to get your students  practicing  and  reinforcing  important  Math skills :                  Looking for activities for different ages? Check o...

  Cats & Boxes   is another incredible game available from Timberdoodle that is perfect for your homeschool. One player games are great to have on hand when homeschooling multiple children. This year is the most intense (and wonderful) homeschool year yet. I have a senior in high school that will be graduating this spring  plus I have a first grader that is in the beginning stages of his home education journey. All I can say is, it is intense and lovely at the same time. Our family has been doing this since the beginning so you would think it would be a breeze but there is always so much to learn.  One thing that has never changed in all the years of homeschooling is the fact that games are at the top of our list of boredom busters. My kids have never really been huge fans of video games, though they do play them occasionally. Rather, board games are a huge hit—for them and for me.  I personally am a fan of Cats & Boxes because having single player ...