Wednesday, April 24, 2013

What I Will Be Purchasing At The Teach Them Diligently Convention And a Giveaway

*This post contains affiliate links, full disclaimer located at the bottom of this post.


Last week I shared Top 10 Homeschool Convention Planning Tips with you. Today I am sharing my personal curriculum (or in my case resource) shopping list for the Teach Them Diligently Convention. I love when conventions post the vendor and speaker lists ahead of time...it makes planning for a convention so much easier.
Since we are eclectic, delight-directed, borderline unschooling, unit study homeschoolers (yeah we don't really have a style we just homeschool and learn together) we don't really use a set curriculum. Therefore I don't generally purchase curriculum at conventions. Many of the curriculum's you do see us utilizing we received for review purposes. 
But I do spend money at the conventions and generally set a budget of $50-$100. It is very important to set yourself a budget by the way!!! So what do I buy? Chapter books, journals, games, t-shirts and other fun resources. And if the kids are with me they get to each pick out a goodie. Here is a list of some of the vendors that will be attending the Spartenburg and Nashville Teach Them Diligently Conventions....which are both just a few short weeks away...SQUEAL! Some of them I am unfamiliar with and others I have done reviews for in the past. 
One of my tips last week was, "Find out if any of the vendors you plan on buying from are offering specials." Yes many of them do offer specials but you need to subscribe to their newsletters, follow them on Facebook or Twitter to find out about them. You can also view the recent Teach Them Diligently Convention NEWSLETTER to view some of the great specials that the vendors are offering.
A+ TutorSoft Math has a great 10% off flyer for any of the conventions they will be attending this year. This flyer gets you an additional 10% off on top of any convention specials. If you cannot make the conference you can use my special coupon code KUBSAVE on the website to save a min. of 20% off...this is also good on top of any current specials.
Also right now there is an AMAZING deal on A+ TutorSoft Math over at Educents! Get a 1 yr online subscription for ONLY $40! Choose from grade levels 1st-4th. Hurry this deal only lasts a short time.

Vendors I Will Be Visiting:
I am not sure if I will actually purchase anything from these vendors but I definitely plan to visit their booths during the convention to see what sort of amazing things they are offering. 

Spartanburg:
-YWAM Publishing - I have seen some friends using these books and I get their catelog. I think I will pick up one or two of the biographies to give them a try.Knight's Book Knook - I LOVE the Knight's Book Knook. They have some great science products and we always purchase a few things from their booth.
-KAPLA / Tom's Toys - I first learned about this company at another convention and didn't have time to stop by (because I was working at another booth). They make some amazing building blocks. I cannot wait to learn more about them and have my son try out the demo's they have at the convention.
-WriteShop- I love the WriteShop products and always love seeing what new products they have available.
-Shatterpoint - Do you have a LEGO lover? Then you will love the Jericho DVD from Shatterpoint. I have a copy of this to review...hopefully I will have it written soon.
-Biltmore Estate - I always love learning more about possible field trip destinations.
-Creating a Masterpiece - Gywn is really excited to talk with Sharon again. Did you see our review about Creating a Masterpiece?
-Great Wolf Lodge - Another great field trip!
-Fun Adventure Wildlife Books - I love these books. I bought 1 last year and received 1 to review
-Homeschool Legacy - One of our favorite unit study resources. I am looking forward to seeing what new products they have come out with. Did you see my review?
-Master Books - As you know I am a Master Books Mom. I always love stopping by their booth to say hello.
-Rainbow Resources - Rainbow Resources Carries lots of great products from many different vendors. I normally pick up some chapter books, manipulatives and coloring books at their booth.
-Queen Homeschool Supplies - Another company that carries products from several vendors. I spotted the Life of Fred books at their booth at another conference...I think I will be buying the first book in the series to try out.
-Nature Friend - This is another company I spotted at another convention and wasn't able to speak with. As you know we love exploring nature so a nature magazine sounds like it is right up our alley.

Nashville:
Several of the companies above will also be in Nashville + these other great companies.

-A Journey Through Learning - I LOVE their lapbooks. We have reviewed them a few times read our latest review here.
-Applied Inspirations (Learn by Doing Kits) - As a mom with a tinkering son this company sounded intriguing to me. I cannot wait to learn more.
-Brinkman Adventures - I have heard about Brinkman Adventures a few places and they look like an exciting resource. They offer their great stories for FREE download with request for a donation. I am looking forward to learning more about them.
-JM Cremps - Have a boy (or adventurous girl)? Then you MUST visit JM Cremps. They have cool books, dress up clothes and more bound to make any boy (or adventurous girl) smile!
-Pick and Draw - We won a copy of Pick and Draw and it is a family favorite. I will be sure to stop by to thank them and see what new games they have available.

Now time for the giveaway: A+ TutorSoft has graciously offered to giveaway one 3 month online subscription (choose your grade level from 1st-4th grade). Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winners will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winners must reply within 48 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. A+ TutorSoft will email the prize to the winner.

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So what vendor(s) are on your list?



Linking up with: Teach Them Diligently

3 comments:

marie said...

I never try, but maybee I will do, thanks

Melissa Bragg Sack said...

not yet, but plan to

Katie said...

Have not tried it, but since you can for free there is no reason not to.

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