P.S. This is my new twitter account.

Through this educational initiative, Scripps Networks shows are available to teachers and students in more than 81,000 public and private schools.

The air schedule and companion curricula are available online. Download the program guide and educational activity guides in PDF format. These materials will be available to educators one month prior to air dates. Videos of the programs are also available for downloading.

Costco and Sam’s Club have inexpensive books if you want a workbook. I get the Learn At Home book (at Sam’s Club) and supplement it as we like (or I feel a need to). Some might call it a ‘spine’ – basically a starting off point.

Money is better spent on museums, zoos, aquariums (most offer homeschooler discounts or a discount where you get a pass for one place and receive similar discounts at other locations – see the discount page for info on the ASTC Passport Program – if your nearby locations are not listed, you can always call and ask too), etc and if she chooses a favorite animal head back to the library and read about it, search for free craft projects on the net – www.enchantedlearning.com is a cool place to start.

Some people may set up ‘centers’ in their home (as one would find in a preschool). If you’d like to try that and don’t have the room, an idea would be to use a tote or bin of some kind. Example: Say she or he really likes cars – put some toy cars, books about cars, a coloring page of a car, paper model to make of a car, homemade game with a car design (like matching 1 car with the numeral one), etc in a tote (I prefer the clear plastic totes), a tracing sheet spelling the word car, car cookie cutter to use with playdough, and as my kid just told me – a book about mechanics. You could even label the outside with a sticker that says the word Car, and your child could decorate the tote with car stickers.

Homeschooling preschool page on the website: http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/preschool.html

Visit the website for more educator discounts

As a microscope dealer for twelve years and a homeschooler for twenty years, John Lind can tell you there really is no one-size-fits-all microscope for homeschoolers. At GreatScopes they have a microscope to meet the needs of just about any homeschooler.

How do you get the discount? Homeschoolers are invited to use the customer code “HS10″ at checkout, and the discount will immediately be taken off your microscope order of $149 or more.

Quality equipment, great prices. Call toll-free 877-454-6364
Many thanks to John Lind for providing this information.

Be sure to check out their Resources. There’s experiments & labs, a Lab Journal you can print, a microscope parts & glossary (which we’ll be using to make GeoSafari cards!) and a guide on how to buy the right microscope.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter – Find the online version here for Beatrix Potter’s classic children’s tale.

Peter Rabbit’s Activities – Download printable student activities and connect to online learning games to complement your reading of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”.

Math worksheet for Peter Rabbit – How many items did Old Mrs. Rabbit buy? Which weighs more: a loaf of bread or five currant buns? Find these and other math questions related to the classic tale in a printable student worksheet.

Reading Comprehension Worksheets: Reading, True or False and Sequence

During this special Educator Appreciation Week, Home Schoolers can save 25% on both classroom and personal purchases. Don’t forget to bring your Borders Classroom Discount Card with you. There is a special reception Friday, April 4 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm with food, fun & prizes!

Excludes electronics, periodicals, and special orders. See attachment flyer for detailed exclusion info.

For more homeschool discount information, visit the website http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/educatordiscount.html.

File: Borders flyer for Educator Savings April 2-8, 2008

Abstract Flowers View and discuss Georgia O’Keeffe’s flower paintings and then create your own drawings. Flowers Galore Observe the shapes and lines that make up a flower by studying the work of Georgia O’Keeffe. Biography of O’Keeffe that includes quotes from the artist and some of pictures of her work. More about Georgia O’Keeffe with links to examples of her paintings and drawings from the National Gallery of Art. Read Georgia O’Keeffe: Legendary American Painter.

Monet and Impressionism explore negative space using “Waterlilies” and the Bridge or Gardens at Giverny. Monet’s Garden explore the painting “Garden at Sainte-Adresse” and create your own garden by the sea utilizing a similar composition design. Read about Claude Monet biography. He was a seminal figure in the evolution of Impressionism, a pivotal style in the development of modern art. Monet Paintings and Drawings CD-ROM and Book – Monet’s interpretations of light and shifting color revolutionized modern art. Enjoy 187 images of the master’s finest Impressionist works — including Jerusalem Artichokes, Lady with Parasol, Water Lilies, and many more — presented here in full color for easy use in an array of creative projects.

More about artists on the website.

• Home Schooler Affidavit or IHIP approval letter from School District or your state
• Home Schooling Certificate

Please include your name, home phone number, and the address where the card should be mailed. Please also include the name of the school, the school address and phone number, and the name of the school principal. Please mail your information to: A.C. Moore, Attn: Teacher Discount Program, 130 A.C Moore Drive, Berlin, NJ 08009.

I am quite pleased they now offer the discount to homeschoolers. Thanks to reader Heather for letting me know. I had emailed them back in 2003 because their website stated the discount was for Certified Teachers Only. I only wish they had locations in Michigan.

Visit the website for more educator discounts