Journal of a Busy Mom

living one day at a time

2012 Annual Freebie Directory from The Old School House Magazine

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I wanted to share this opportunity to try before you buy. Brought to you by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, here is your chance to look at some potential curriculum.

2012 Annual Freebie Directory

There are two on the list that I have been curious about so I went ahead and downloaded their freebies today.

My choices were: Video Text Interactive and WriteShop.

I have been thinking of switching math programs for my daughter and writing for my son, so this is an excellent time to check them out.

I hope you find something too.

Ligia

 

Favorite Money Saving Apps

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I have many favorite applications for my iPhone, but these three apps help save money! Now that is worth sharing.

The first application is called GeoQpns.

Use it to find money saving coupons

GeoQpons has saved me a lot of money. Just this weekend I went into Jamba Juice to get drinks for the kids. I ordered the drinks and remembered to check my app. I went on and found a Buy One Get One Free Coupon! I was not expecting that, so I was thrilled to only spend $4.95 on two drinks. This app has coupons for national stores and local stores. So if your local taqueria is running a coupon somewhere, it might just appear on GeoQpons. It is an amazing money saving app!

The second application is called Apps Gone Free.

Free apps for your iPhone or iPad

I just recently downloaded this one and I have gotten many free apps. Each day, this app shows you all the applications you can get for free! Some days it’s only 4 or 5, but on some days there are up to 10!

The last one is called My Data Manager. 

Helps track your data

This application helps to keep track of the data usage on your phone. I have been going over my data plan 3 months in a row so I am determined to figure out what I am doing wrong. This app tells you how much data you are using. I set alarms to tell me when I go over my own personal daily limit and when I’ve reached my half point. I just downloaded it on Friday and already I am seeing little things I can do so decrease my data usage!

I am so excited to share these apps, I hope they help you save money too! By the way, all three are FREE!

Our 2012-2013 Homeschool Curriculum

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We started our school year this past Monday. KD started 7th and Buddy started 4th. I always like seeing what others are using so I thought I would share what we will be using this school year.

I did want to also share the Old Schoolhouse Magazines 2012 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. They earn the  2012 Excellence in Education Award. I am happy to see some of our picks on the list. I have marked our curriculum with an asterisk if it’s on the list:

Together:
Bible/History/Music: My Father’s World*-Rome to Reformation
Vocabulary: English from the Roots Up and Vocabulary Cartoons
Art: Art Class DVD by See the Light
Bible: CBS (Community Bible Study)- Divided Kingdoms and the Prophets

Miscellaneous: Both doing it but separate
Typing: Mavis Beacon or Typing Instructor
Math: Timez Attack (an online math program)
Spanish: Rosetta Stone*

7th grade

Math: Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
Science: Apologia General Science*
Reading: Progeny Press Study Guides for-the Giver, The Eagle of the Ninth, Redwall, and Crispin.
Writing & Grammar: IEW*-Medieval Theme Based Lessons
Spelling: Spelling Power*
Bible: she will be doing an assorted number of Bible Studies on her own

4th Grade:
Math: Teaching Textbooks 4
Science: Apologia, Zoology 2*
Language Arts: Learning Literature through Language Arts, All About Spelling*, and IEW* Fun & Fascinating Theme Based Lessons.
I also am having him read different novels. My goal is to focus on comprehension skills, story elements, and book reports.  Here is my list:
August-The Box Car Children
September- Detective in Togas
October- Detective in Togas
November- The Wright Brothers
December-The Sword in the Tree
January- Dragon’s Hoard
February Benjamin Franklin
March-Whipping Boy
April The Sign of the Beaver
May-The Minstrel in the Tower

Bible– Awanas

We will also be doing some of Dianne Craft’s program*. She focuses on learning difficulties especially for Right Brained children. Hopefully I will get to share more on that. To learn more about her program visit Dianne’s website.

That’s it for us! I am excited about our 2012-13 school year.

Ligia