Canon Copier on Sale!

You can either read through my love for my copier machine,

Or skip toward the bottom where the link is located.

Either way, it's a good deal.

For those of you who know me, you know I love my copier!

If you don't know how much I love my copier machine, click here.

I bought my copier (Canon Image Class D320) six years ago.

I got it on sale for $150. (At the time it was $100 off the original price)

I have used it OFTEN for the last six years. 

(yes that word was worth cap-locking & bolding & underlining) =)

My copier only keeps track of every time the Copy button is pushed or the print button is pushed on my laptop - not actually how many copies I'm making.

That number says 2400 copies,

But in all actuality, you could multiply that number by at least 3 and it still would underestimate the number of copies I have made.

I go through 1 toner cartridge every two years...

(Buying a store version of the toner lasts just as long as Canon's and is MUCH cheaper.)

Oh, and the copier comes equipped with a full toner cartridge (at least mine did), so I didn't have to buy a cartridge for 2 years.

I not only use my copier for making copies, but I connect it to my laptop and print things off the internet too.

I figured that even 2,400 copies costing $0.20 a pop would cost $480.

 I buy store brand white paper in reams so it's cheaper - My last ream was $17.00.

Even factoring in the paper that you use + toner, it's still cheaper than taking it your library or post office and making copies, not to mention more time effective.

The only downside of the copier is that it is black toner only.

Sometimes I would like color copies...

But that's what my printer is for. =)

Ok, enough about my love affair with a copier machine...

I was browsing the Staples flyer

(and no, I'm not affiliated with Staples...We just have one real close to us, so that's the flyer I look at.)

And they have a Canon Image Class D420 on sale for $100 (Savings of $100).

If you were interested,

you might want to check it out here!

It has 4 1/2 stars out of 5 rating with over 100 reviews.

If you're planning on schooling for a while,

I think it's a good investment.

Oh, and have I mentioned, mine hasn't needed serviced in the six years I've had it.

(If I was superstitious, I'd knock on wood here.) ;)

Brother Label Maker 50% Off

I have never used this label maker before, but it has 4 stars out of 5 with 300-some reviews.  I had it shipped to the store so delivery was free (Staples is 2 miles from my house).  It usually cost $30, but was dropped down to $15 via the internet (not in store!)  You pay your State's sales tax.  Mine came out to $16.20. 

They came out with a newer version, so I think that's why it went on sale.  I'm not planning on doing great things with the label maker, just organizing my school room, and hopefully making things a little easier to find.  I also was thinking about making labels for my timeline.  I'm sure there are many more uses.

I felt that $16 was worth trying to organize my school things and making things easier to find.  If it doesn't live up to the hype, well I figure I wasted more than $16 on other things I could've lived without! Ha!

You can check it out here.

Book Report Flops & Geography Boredom

I don't know about you,

but I've been struggling with book reports.

I tried to do them last year (and the year before that),

but the whole thing just flopped.

Part of the reason is because my kids hate writing.

Even my daughter who loves to make up stories of her own.

As soon as the words, 'book report' are mentioned,

She shuts down.

My oldest son just hates writing and creative writing in general.

Many times with him, a Story Starter will end up as a few nonsense words on paper.

I've been debating what to do all Summer.

I knew I needed to have them do it.

Just in case I would send them to public school one day - not likely though!

Or If they decide to go to college,

Or for a future job.

Not only that, but it helps with comprehension skills.

 

 I came up with the idea of writing a model book report,

because one of their biggest complaints was

"I don't know what to write or how to do it!"

I recently talked to a friend.

She used to teach 3rd & 4th grade.

She gave me suggestions.

I combined her suggestions with what was already rattling around in my brain.

And this is what I came up with...

#1

The Living Book Report (for Biographies)

For this book report, the student dresses up like the person they read about and tells the other students of their life.  Toward the beginning of the year I will have them fill in the blanks.  By the end of the year, I'm hoping they get the idea and are able to come up with their own report.

#2

A Bubble Book Report

This simple report requires facts.  Complete sentences are not necessary.  I will most likely use this one at the beginning of the school year to get them started.

#3

A Fill in the Blank Book Report

A fill in the blank report.  Like the biography one, I'm hoping they get the idea and are able to do it on their own come the end of the year.  That's my goal!

#4

A Critic's Report

Writing as if you were a book critic.  This report also helps figure out cataloging in the library.

#5

A Book Summary

A simpler one of just writing the facts.

#6

(There is no picture for this one)

A Librarian's Summary

Pretty much, pretend you are a librarian and explain the book to the students.

Who doesn't like to pretend??

#7

Book Cover

This isn't really a report,

but the idea is to make a book cover according to what you know about the story.

# 8

(More for Biographies or Science Projects)

Museum exhibit

I thought this would be fun.  Making an exhibit (whether it be a person or a thing) and drawing a picture of it with captioning and some fun facts.  For example if the exhibit is on Volcanoes then that would be the title.  The picture could be of Mt. Vesuvius and the date would be when it last erupted . . . etc. etc.

*   *   *

Now onto Geography

Last year we did the same workbook and coloring sheet for every state that we studied.

We got through 16 states . . .

barely.

I don't blame them for protesting.

The workbook had the same kind of activity for each state.

The coloring sheets were the same old, same old.

I tried to throw in a Make Your Own Poster here and there to break up the monotony,

And it did some,

but not enough to keep their interest.

So I made up some sheets of my own to help mix things up and keep it interesting.

(Again, with ideas thrown in from my friend Amanda)

#1

State Bubble

A lot like the bubble for the book report.  Just simple facts.  A beginning.

#2

State License Plate

From everything we have learned about a State, I thought it would be fun to make up what we think that State's license plate should look like.

#3

State Tri-Fold Brochure

This was Amanda's awesome idea!  A brochure telling about the State.

#4

Rest Area State Attractions

When you stop off at a Rest Area, there are many pamphlets and flyers on attractions in that state.  So the idea here is to come up with three attractions that the state actually has and draw a picture and briefly describe each one making the visitor want to visit that attraction.

#5

Make the State Flag

(no pic)

#6

Make State Map

(no pic)

#7

Make a State Poster

(no pic)

Between this and me ordering new State Workbooks to do,

I'm hoping these ideas capture their attention and keep it.

*   *   *

I just wanted to share some ideas.

Who knows if they'll work,

Only the school year will tell.

Here's hoping I accomplish my goal of 

Having my older children make at least one book report all on their own by the end of the year . . .

And, My kids not growing absolutely dreadfully bored with a monotonous Geography class.

=)

CBD Free Shipping for Homeschoolers

CBD is having a free shipping discount for every subject and every grade on orders of $35 or more when you order by Monday, July 23rd 11:59 ET!  

The discount code is 386225.

Choose Standard Shipping.

From CBD's website:

Terms and conditions: Cannot be combined with any other offers. Applies to U.S. delivery addresses only. Applies to standard shipping only. Cannot be used on orders already placed, or on backorders. Order must total at least $35.00, excluding shipping fees or taxes, in order to qualify for this offer. Offer expires at 11:59 PM ET on 7/23/12.

 I'm taking advantage of this!!  I have over $100 of homeschooling merchandise just sitting in my CBD shopping cart.  This discount will save me over $10 in shipping costs.  Every penny counts!

Speaking of online discounts, a friend of mine gave me a great website where you get discount codes to many online retailers.  

The site is:

 www.retailmenot.com

CBD coupon codes can be found on here too.  Last time I checked (two days ago, there were only free shipping codes).

Happy Shopping! 

School Is Right Around the Corner!

It's that time again!  

We are just 19 days away from our first school day of the 2012-2013 school year.  

I can't believe it!

Our start date is Wednesday, August 1st.

Why are we starting so early?
1.  In Alabama schools regularly start around Aug 10-17.  I'm not so sure about this year though.  They've been talking about starting later in the year.
2.  I want to give us the opportunity to take the time off that we need during the school year so that I don't feel rushed come the end of the year.  It never fails, in April and May I am jam-packing days in so that we can end on the day we set at the beginning of the year.
3.  As a homeschool family we usually take days off when we have a lot of errands, or want to take a family day, or want to take a last minute mini-vacation to visit the beach or family or whatever.  So I want to allow for those things if they come into fruition.
4.  I don't like taking too long of a summer break.  It is such a drag to have to reteach skills for the first couple months.  My husband and I feel that 2 months is plenty of time off for the kids and for me.  We usually teach casual lessons throughout the summer anyway, nothing structured.  In fact my kids have been begging to work in their workbooks this summer.  So, I'm letting them. =)

The Plan for the Year:
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am doing school totally different than I ever have.  I'm fairly certain that this new approach will be for the better. I have made my own history, science & geography curricula. (Which I've never done before!)  We are doing unit studies. (Again, never did before.)  And we will only study one of those subjects at a time, so we won't become overwhelmed and will be able to better concentrate on what we are learning.

This year is History we will study:
The start of the U.S.A. through the Civil War

In Science we will be studying:
Space/Astronomy
Microscopy
Electricity
Magnetism
Light & Color
Volcanoes
Gardening

And in Geography:
We will continue to learn about individual states from last year.

*For Science and Geography we will be doing a grab bag method for our topic in our unit study.  In History we will do one section at a time in chronological order.

Math, All aspects of Language Arts & Electives will be taught separately since all my children are in different grades and are at different levels.

For Read-A-Louds we are just going to pick a book out of our own library or go to the public library and read at our own leisure.

For Bible we are going to do Keys for Kids.  Read the Bible starting at the beginning and going as far as we can go by the end of the year.  And memorize verses.

As an added subject that I really hadn't planned on until a couple weeks ago, I am going to begin to teach my children Sign Language again.  I had done it when my two older kids were in Kindergarten and 1st.  Like with any language, when you stop using it regularly, it fades away.  We are at that point.  The reason I picked Sign Language as a second language is:
1) It uses motor skills, memory, and visual.
2) Our family knows of a few deaf people and I think it is important to communicate in their language.
3) I had been introduced to Sign Language when I was fifteen.  Our church had some deaf people attending, so they taught a class on it.  I really enjoyed it and one of my desires was to become an interpreter someday.  I never did that, but I'd love to give my children the opportunity to do that if they wish.
4) I personally think it is socially important.  Sign Language is one of those languages that it is obvious that the person has a disability. Instead of my children staring and gawking, I'd love for them to understand the language and not be intimidated by it and be able to communicate and interact.
5) Not only does a job interpreting pay well, but it will give my children an opportunity to serve in church if an interpreter is needed.

Okay, I'm done on that subject. ;)

Something new that I'm doing this year is teaching First Language Lessons to three of my kids.  I hear great things about it, so I'm very excited.

I've also been considering a home-ec time on Fridays.  I would be teaching my kids how to cook, sew, do laundry, etc.  Any of those life skills that they will/could use in their future.  As I type this, I kinda think it's crazy that I don't do that already without making a class out of it.  But, I'm one busy mama.  I find that on my own, I don't take the time to show them.  If I plan to do it in my curriculum, I'm more likely to do it than if I were to say to myself, "One day I should show them how to_____."  Do you know what I mean?

So there you have it.

That pretty much sums up the school year.

It should be an interesting, fun year!