Oooops! Wrong Book.
In my last post about homeschooling resources I suggested a book by Linda Dobson entitled, “Homeschooling: The Early Years”. I said that this book has a great appendix of resources. It turns out I listed the wrong book. I have several of Linda Dobson’s books out from the library right now, and while I think “The Early Years” book has a lot of good information, it does not have an Appendix. Check out “The Homeschooling Book of Answers” by Linda Dobson instead.
Resources for Teaching Kids
I have begun to explore the option of homeschooling my children and I am finding that there are some wonderful resources created for the homeschooling community that are terrific for encouraging children’s natural love of learning whether or not you plan to homeschool. Many of the web sites and books have great ideas for projects you can do at home, suggestions for excellent books on all kinds of subjects, and even reviews and recommendations for suppliers of educational toys and products for kids of all ages.
Here are a few I have found to be very helpful so far. All of the books , except the one of science experiments, have been readily available at my local library:
“The Homeschooling Book of Answers” by Linda Dobson – This book has a great appendix of resources in the back.
“The Complete Home Learning Sourcebook” by Rebecca Rupp – This book is a catalog (with helpful reviews) of educational products, books, toys and games for subjects ranging from Arithmetic to Zoology.
“Home Learning Year by Year” by Rebecca Rupp – Written to help homeschoolers design a curriculum, this book walks through each grade, from kindergarten through high school offering suggestions for subject matter, questions to investigate, resource material, and books to read.
“730 Easy Science Experiments with Everyday Materials” by E. Richard Churchill, Louis V. Loeschnig, and Muriel Mandell – I just purchase this book at BN.com for less that $10 hardback, but I saw it at Borders for $25 for a paperback, comb-binded version. Go figure. It pays to shop around. Anyway, this book is great for my 4-year old who is very interested in why things happen. The experiments are easy, short, and most aren’t too messy (a plus for me). I think this one will keep us busy for many years.
A friend also recently sent me links to these interesting sites:
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/by-title.shtml
From the University of Missouri, collections of resource links for hundreds of different topics, ranging from Adinkra cloth to Yellowstone National park. Intended for educators but you can access and use the links for free.
http://www.nationalreadingpanel.org/
Has study-based recommendations for teaching kids to read at all levels. Some interesting articles.
http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/
print out your own free handwriting worksheets
(This site is lots of fun as you can print out directions for your child’s name, or other phrases that would get your child’s attention.)
Enjoy and I will add other great resources as I find them. If anyone has some to add, or useful homeschooling advice for me, please let me know!
Birthday Freebies
This great resource was sent in by Julie:
This came from a website called http://www.slickdeals.net/ Not all of the freebies are local, but quite a few are! All deals are up to the specific location. So you can call ahead and see if they do them or not. ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza ALL-AMERICAN CAFÉ - free dessert APPLEBEES - free dessert AUSTIN GRILL - free meal (register first) BAKERS SQUARE - free pie BANDIDO'S [IN] - free entrée BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests BENNIGANS - free dessert + song BJ's - Free Pazookie!! (best dessert) BOB EVANS - Free Kids Meal for kids Under the age of 12 https://kids.bobevans.com/birthday.asp BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream Boston Market also has a free kids B-Day! meal coupon for kids under 12, and coupons online for their various entrees. B-Day meal: http://www.bostonmarket.com/offers/i...dsBirthdayClub Sirloin coupons: http://www.bostonmarket.com/coupons/sirloinCoupons.jsp BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) - free dozen hot wings BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - free kids meal during the month of their birthday (register first) CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash CARROWS - free cake CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero CHILI'S - free song CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert COLDSTONE CREAMERY - Free Creations DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now) EINSTEIN'S - free meal EL CHICOS - free dessert ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup) FIRESTONE SUBS - Sign up and get an email for a free sub http://www.firehousesubs.com/ecrew/signup.cfm FUDDRUCKERS - free burger **apparently its free sundae and NOT free meal** GOLDEN CORRAL - free meal to Birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday GRILLFISH - free meal HARD ROCK CAFÉ - free dessert HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake HOOTERS - free song + tshirt Houlihans - Free Coupon for an entree next visit(up to a week after b-day) IHOP- free meal **apparently its free sundae and NOT free meal** People are reporting getting nothing JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake LOTUS - free meal LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy Birthday" song MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance) MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert MAX AND ERMA [OH] - free $5 dessert Memphis BBQ - coupon good for a free Rack of Ribs & strawberry shortcake (must sign up on website 24 hours in advance) MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal MOONIES DINER - free meal OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal OLIVE GARDEN - cake (some say free, most say $$) OUTBACK - free dessert + song PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS (PAPPADEAUX, PAPPASITO'S, ETC) - free dessert PARADISO'S - free meal PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert RED LOBSTER - free slice of cake + song RED ROBIN - Free Hamburger ( sign up for Eclub) ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza SMOKEY BONES - Free Meal YMMV( up to the location) STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids TACO BELL - free combo meal of your choice TGI FRIDAYS - Free Birthday Dessert THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first) The Pasta House - free dessert THE VINE TAVERN - free meal TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit TONY ROMA'S - free dessert (sign up for Eclub to get coupon) VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP [MD/DC AREA] - free dessert and drink WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members Z' TEJAS - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday (register first) ZIO'S - free dessert BEAR MOUNTAIN OR SNOW SUMMIT - free skiing/riding BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN - free skiing/riding DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit FOOD PAVILION GROCERY STORE - free movie rental Hallmark - 20% off coupon for one item HARKINS - free movie HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - free video rental SAFEWAY GROCERY STORE - free movie rental SCRUB-A-DUB - free car wash VARIOUS TANNING SALONS - free tan WHITEHALL JEWELERS - free $50 gift certificate Claim Jumper - Free Desert + sing Bakers Square - Free Pie Hollywood Video - free rental http://www.texasdebrazil.com/index2.php (sign up for free $40 gc on B-day) OTHERS: Auto Zone - Free oil change (Most Autozones do NOT do oil changes)YMMV DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit FOOD PAVILION GROCERY STORE - free movie rental Hallmark - 20% off coupon for one item HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - free video rental SAFEWAY GROCERY STORE - free movie rental SCRUB-A-DUB - free car wash VARIOUS TANNING SALONS - free tan WHITEHALL JEWELERS - free $50 gift certificate COLDSTONE CREAMERY - Free Creations
Thanks, Julie!
Web sites for kids
For the past months, my parents have been sending an email to my son nearly every day, usually containing a short message and a link to a game or other web site to visit. I have put together a list of many of the ones they have collected. While I think most come from reputable sources, I would advise making sure you are current with your Windows security updates (or have a mac) before turning your children loose. Enjoy!
Boowa and Kwala – My son’s favorite site
http://www.uptoten.com/kids/uptoten-home.html
Scholastic Kids
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/
“Your Big Backyard” Magazine
http://www.nwf.org/kids/kzPage.cfm?siteId=2
Mary Engelbreit Activities
http://www.maryengelbreit.com/mekids/playwithme.shtml
PBS Kids
http://pbskids.org/
BBC Learning Resources for Home and School
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/index.shtml
Bernstein Bears
http://www.berenstainbears.com/
Garfield’s comic creator
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/starslp/missionz/comic.htm
Nick
http://www.nick.com/
Discovery Kids
http://kids.discovery.com/
Time for Kids
http://www.timeforkids.com
Sports Illustrated Kids
http://www.sikids.com/
Indian Child
http://www.indianchild.com/
“Nurture the Genius in your Preschooler”
http://www.ednoland.com/ednolandweb/ednoland_experien.cfm
Animal Sounds
http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/ballc/animals/animals.html
Paper Airplanes
http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/kids/airplanes.html
On-line Etch-a-Sketch
http://www.etch-a-sketch.com/html/onlineetch.htm
Hirshorn Create a Sculpture
http://hirshhorn.si.edu/education/interactive.html
US Mint learn about money
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/flashIndex.cfm
NSA’s Cryptokids
http://www.nsa.gov/kids/home.cfm
Number Games
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/
http://www.geocities.com/enchantedforest/tower/1217/math1.html
Music Games
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/childrens/
Songs, stories, coloring pages about teddy bears
http://www.beartime.com
General sites with games, crafts, activities, reviews & more
http://www.kidscomjr.com/home_flash.html
http://aolsvc.kol.aol.com/kol-jr_mn.adp
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/games/index.htm
http://www.crayola.com/kids/index.cfm?mt=Tab_kids
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/index.html
http://www.gizdic.com/freegames/
http://www.inklesstales.com/games/
http://www.theplanetw.com/WGames.htm
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/
http://www.applejuice.org/fungames.html
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/
http://www.puzzlechoice.com/pc/Kids_Choicex.html
Snake Game
http://www.coolbuddy.com/games/CaraySnake/CaraySnake.htm
Play free trial versions of games
Jigsaw Puzzles
Dot to Dots
http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/kids/dot2dot/index.html#
Printable games, awards, & activities
http://www.preschoolprintables.com/
Magic
http://www.magicalkingdom.co.uk/magic.htm
http://kids.mysterynet.com/magic/
Illusions
http://www.patmedia.net/marklevinson/cool/cool_illusion.html
Illusions, puzzles & games
Crafts & Activites
http://www.flaxart.com/Fancy-Crown
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/
http://www.creativekidsathome.com/
Color by number pictures
http://www.segmation.com/SegPlayChoose.asp?ord=difficult&cat=abs#images
On-line Stories
http://www.magickeys.com/books/
http://www.goodnightstories.com/
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/108b.html
http://wiredforbooks.org/kids.htm
http://www.geocities.com/mystorytime/index.htm
The Dollar Stretcher
I’ve had the Dollar Stretcher on my list of links list for a while, but I thought it was worth specifically pointing out. This site isn’t fancy, but it is a great on-line resource for ideas for frugal living. Don’t neglect to scroll to the bottom of the home page where there is an index of topics for hundreds of articles covering everything from cleaning and home organization to vacations and family activities. Each article usually has a list of tips, some you may have heard before, but others are original and get you thinking about what you can incorporate in your own life.
Source for Books
For our family, the fall leading into winter is jam packed with birthdays followed by the holidays. I am trying to get a head start on gift buying this year. One internet source I have found particularly great for kids books is Bookcloseouts.com. I just bought a stash of great kids book for some of the upcoming birthdays. For instance, my son loves the book, “Little Quack’s Hide and Seek”. A nice hardcover version is $5.99 marked down from a list price of $14.95 (and $10.17 at Amazon). They also have a good selection of softcover books, board books, and coloring/activity books for even less. I bought a box of various books for gifts and got 17 great kids books for $74.83 plus $6.95 shipping. You can also pick up inexpensive books or coloring books here to use in lieu of goody bags at kids parties.
Any other great gift resources in the local area or on-line? I could really use some new suggestions!
Parks and Playgrounds
Okay, so my husband tells me my post yesterday was the most boring, yet. His drive for swim diapers and Leapster cartridges is low. But they were pretty good deals!
It’s such a beautiful day, I thought I’d link to the Our Kids site listing of parks and playgrounds. A picnic lunch and a day at the park sounds like the perfect frugal afternoon. It’s just too nice to sit inside today!
Our Kids Chesapeake
Our Kids, a great resource for things to do with kids in the DC area has started Our Kids Chesapeake, a new web site for the Chesapeake region including Baltimore, Annapolis, and surrounding areas. The site has free activities guide for the area and you can also sign up for their weekly newsletter ($24/year) which lists timely events and activites for each week. Our Kids also has a site for the Richmond area.
Arlington Arts Al Fresco
Arlington County has been presents free outdoor performances throughout Arlington from May through September each year. I am a bit late with this one, but there are still plenty of opportunities to attend events throughout August and Septemeber. Check out the Arlington Arts Al Fresco website for a complete schedule. No tickets or reservations are required for any event. Keep in mind concerts may be cancelled due to excessive heat or inclement weather. For up-to-date information on inclement weather cancellations, call 702-228-1850.
Carrot
I am dangling a carrot:
I have upload a file to the “Files” section of the Stone Soup DC Yahoo group with around 50 ideas for things to do with kids in the DC Area. Since I am in Silver Spring, Maryland, you will find that area of the region favored, but I am more than happy to add any ideas you have for other activites throughout the region. Just post a message to the list!
While many of the activites are free, some have entrance fees. Links are provided so you can investigate entrance requirements.
Join the Yahoo group, check out the “Files” section, and enjoy!
