Target School Supplies...$1 bin

I'm sure you've all been to Target and rummaged through all the $1 bins. They usually have lots of school supplies! I've gotten all my flashcards there. Lots of stickers, stamps, file folders, magazine holders, etc...
I just felt like sharing all my treasures!!

i think i have a slight pencil fetish

or even a pen/marker...I'll admit it!

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I also frequent the Dollar Tree. I've gotten several workbooks there as well. Along with bulletin board decorations, stickers, pens/pencils, etc...

These are card games

Most of the other items I have purchased, came from The Parent Teach Store or The MTHEA Curriculum Fair.

Fire Department Field Trip

As most of you know...my husband is on the local Volunteer Fire Department. And this week and last, we have been learning about our community helpers. And since today just happened to be a rainy day here in TN, my husband was hanging out at the Fire Dept. So as we were doing school this morning, he called and I was in the middle of our lesson and I said "hey! how long you gonna be at the Fire Hall?" (yes, I do talk like that. Scary isn't it...that I'm now teaching my children)

So I loaded the children in the car and we headed off on a field trip. Now, keep in mind that this is not the first time they've been to the Fire Hall. My son is there almost every weekend. But this is the first time we've actually taken the time to go over the trucks and talk about all their equipment!!

 he loves to sit in the trucks!

 this is a different view for daddy...usually he's driving!

 trying on the turn-out gear!

 We love that daddy is a firefighter!!

 
Then we talked about fire and what it needs to keep burning...and what happens when you take those things away...

I'd say that brightened our rainy day!

2012-2013 Curriculum

This is my first year homeschooling. My son is in Kindergarten.
My mother-in-law (who's a professional, after homeschooling seven) took me to our local home school curriculum fair and helped me weed through all the different curriculum's. After perusing through one. after. another., I decided to use BJU (Bob Jones University) for our Reading, Writing and Phonics.

I decided this one would be the best for me, for a couple of reasons. It is a private school based curriculum, so I felt it would suite me a little better, since I attended public school and was use to that type of "routine". I felt and hoped that would help me settle into this new adventure. It IS my first year and I was feeling a little overwhelmed. And two, I felt this curriculum offered everything in one package. I liked that it also offered a mix of Social Studies and Science into each lesson. Although, I've found that to get everything out of it, it takes quite a bit of planning and preparation. That, I'm not so good at, yet. But as a whole, it's been great.

                                                                  I wasn't to impressed with BJU's Math curriculum, so I chose to go with Horizons. It's very colorful and my son really enjoys it! Math was/is my favorite subject, so I wanted to make sure our curriculum would be fun and exciting, so my son would also love Math. And it doesn't take a lot of planning. It's been very helpful with the use of manipulatives.

I also picked up a Money workbook and a Time workbook from our local Parent Teacher Store. We've already completed both K & 1st grade in both of those. That makes me happy.

Then I ordered a couple of books (Zoo Guide & Aquarium Guide) from Answers In Genesis.
Then, to help round out my curriculum, I also picked up a couple of maps/posters and a Dr. Seuss book. I mean, you must have Dr. Seuss, right?!
I still pick up things every time I'm out and about. Target's $1 bins are one of my favorites. You can read about that here! I also like the Dollar Tree. I've gotten a lot of school room decorating items from there. And it's all, ONE DOLLAR!

Our First Year Curriculum

Like I said in my earlier post, I'm new to the home-school world. This will be our first "official" year as home schoolers. My son will be in Kindergarten. I've been working thru "pre-school" with him over the past couple of months. I've been using the Rod and Staff pre-school curriculum that I got a couple of years ago at the local Home School Curriculum Fair

I attended that same MTHEA Curriculum Fair just a few weeks ago. My wonderful mother-in-law helped me choose the curriculum that was best for my son. I chose Alpha Omega, Horizons, for our Math curriculum. I went with BJU (Bob Jones University) for our Reading & Phonics curriculum. For everything else, I'll use supplements. 

And just like I did for my sons pre-school, I chose Rod & Staff for my daughter (she's just 3) as well.