Top 10 Reasons We Love Our Library

Have you ever seen the questions on Facebook, Twitter or other homeschool blogs asking "what is your favorite homeschool curriculum?" Or "what is one resource you couldn't live without in your homeschool?" Well my answer (s) are always the same...the library and internet!!!! I am sure you have seen my FreeBEE Friday posts!! The internet is such a valuable resource and you can literally homeschool for FREE using resources found online. The other resource though that I use weekly is our public library. Do you think the library and internet classify as curriculum? My answer is you betcha both cover every single subject!!!

Here are my top 10 reasons why we love our library...

1) It's FREE (unless of course you rack up lots of fines or loose books). We do pretty good though. We have 3 cards (mine is an educators card) so we can check out up to 100 books at a time (and yes we do). We can have our books out for 4 weeks and can easily renew them online up to 2 times. So very rarely do we have late books when we do it's only 5 cents or so per book. And we have strict rules on the books NOT leaving the living room so they don't get misplaced.
2) Awesome FREE events! Our library offers things like story time, book clubs, foreign language classes, Lego club, homeschool science classes, puppet shows, petting zoos, author meet and greets, etc.
3) The librarians are amazing. My 5 1/2 yr old son actually has a huge crush on one of the children's center librarian's and gets very upset when she is not there. He always gives her a big hug and tells her all about what we are learning in our homeschool.
4) It's a great place to make new friends.
5) FREE DVDs.
6) Awesome used book sales. I can always pick up some great books for around 25 cents - $2.00 each. I went to a sale one time and got over 30 books for less than $15.00.
7) Our library is organized wonderfully and if they don't have the book I need I can easily have it sent in from another library!
8) FREE books that need a good home. Our library will put out a cart of books about once a month with unrevised review books that authors send the library. Since they cannot sell or put them on the shelves after they review them they give them away to good homes.
9) FREE Kindle book rentals.
10) They allow you to use the computers and internet for FREE. We are blessed to have computers and super fast internet at home so I don't really use these services at the library much but it is awesome they offer the service for those that aren't able to utilize them in their homes.

Be sure to browse through all of our other Top 10 Posts!

So how often do you visit your library? And what is the most in fines you have ever owed?

*Disclaimer - Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. Please note that prices indicated in the post are subject to change. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.

Linking up with: Top Ten Tuesday

A week in the life of homeschoolers - July 22nd - 28th

We had a slow week I do really mean slow. Due to some financial constraints again we had to stay home most of the week. I am getting this post up a little later than I normally like to (I have been getting them up late all Summer) but hopefully with our NEW homeschool year starting TODAY I will get back on some sort of schedule.

July 22nd - July 28th

Sunday we enjoyed a family day at home. I got some much needed preparation done for the next month. Monday we had lots of fun making Tie Dye Tshirts using tissue paper (click the link to read more). Another item checked off our Summer Fun Bucket List! Tuesday we took a class from Founders Academy on the Olympics. Wednesday the kids made some sun catchers that we picked up at Dollar Tree then we took another GREAT online class form Founders Academy. The kids learned all about the Bill of Rights while lounging on the sofa in their PJs. Thursday we visited the library where we got to see a great magic show put on by Arthur Atsma. Afterwards we headed to the pool where we had a great time swimming, making a new friends and finding treasures. The BIG brown truck dropped off a package with some awesome board games (review coming next month) so we just had to play 1 before bedtime. Friday the kids and I went to our 3rd homeschool conference of the year, The Southeast Homeschool Expo. We had a great time as always. The kids got lots of FREE goodies and got to play with some cool things. And I made some blogging connections. I also got to see and talk with some great friends. I was so super proud at how well behaved the kids were. They kept themselves busy with coloring books, the Rose Art travel art case and my phone which is loaded with apps. Saturday the kids hung out with daddy at the pool while I headed to The Southeast Homeschool Expo for day 2.

How was your week? 

A week in the life of homeschoolers - July 15th - July 21st

Wow I cannot believe we will be starting our 2nd year of homeschool in a week. I am super excited to start a new year since I now have a better understanding about my children's learning styles, interests etc. We had a great Summer and enjoyed spending time together having fun! This week we spent most of our time at home or at the library. And I was able to get caught up on several things on my very long To-Do-List. 

July 15th - July 21st

Sunday morning Gwyn helped me bake some delicious cornbread muffins. Later in the afternoon went to the Lowes Build and Grow clinic where the kids built a Kick Spinning Po. Afterwards we headed to Barnes and Nobles so the kids could get their FREE books for participating in the Summer Reading program. While we were there they had fun building on the Lego table and playing with the puppets. Monday we spent most of the day at home but did take a quick outing to our favorite place - the library. Tuesday we also stayed home most of the day but did venture out for speech therapy and another trip to the library. At the library we got to hear a great story teller tell us some stories about Ancient Greece. He used the kids and puppets to tell the stories and we learned 4 Greek myths. Wednesday the kids played a game with daddy before he left for work. Later some friends from North GA came to visit us. The kids had a great time playing with their friends. After our friends left Rowyn decided to fix our broken rocker all by himself. It was completely his idea. He first tried to use his plastic screwdriver and when he realized that wasn't working he went into my tool box and got a real screw driver. Thursday we headed back to the library to see the Dr. Dino puppet show.  It was a great show and the kids learned all sorts of cool facts about Dinosaurs. After the puppet show we went to the pool where we spent about 4 hrs swimming and making friends. We also made some yummy solar smores. Friday we spent the day at our friends house celebrating our friends birthday. The kids had a great time playing with friends, eating yummy sugary stuff and hitting a pinata. Rowyn and I also got a much needed haircut thanks to our friend. Gwyn slept-over at her friends so Rowyn got some one on one time with mommy and daddy which made him very happy. He got to stay up waayyy past bedtime. Saturday Rowyn continued to get some one on one time before his sister came home. We played mouse trap and snuggled while watching Wallace and Gromit. Gwyn finally arrived home in the afternoon and our friends hung out for a little bit to play. Later that evening some of my homeschool mom friends dragged me out for moms night out.

How was your week? 

FREE Summer Reading Programs - Children Can Earn Prizes

I wanted to start compiling a list of summer reading programs for my readers. I am sure this will be getting updated over the next few weeks so keep checking back. All of these programs offer children some great incentives so its a great way to encourage reading over the next few months. And if your anything like us you read a lot.

I am sure with as much as we read we will be able to log enough reading hours to participate in most if not all of them.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge - In Summer 2011, students around the world logged 64,213,141 reading minutes. Can you help set a new world record for summer reading? Sign up your children. Then all your children need to do is read books, log minutes and earn prizes.

Book It Reading Sweepstakes - Starting June 15th children K-6 who read five books will be eligible to enter for a chance to win a "Diary of a Wimpy Kids" summer fun prize package. Fill out the entry form here.

*Don't forget to also register for the BOOK IT program for 2012-2013. Your children can earn FREE personal pan pizzas through this program.

Book Adventure - Sylvan offers a reading incentive program. Children will read books and then take a simple comprehension quiz to make sure they understood what they read. There are hundreds of books to choose from in all reading levels.

BJU Press - There are 3 different age groups. Each group has age-appropriate reading requirements and a suggested summer reading list. Have your child meet their reading goal 5 days a week for an eight-week period between May 15 and August 15. Then submit the completion form (available July 16) here on the Summer Reading program website. Once you submit your children's completion form, they will receive a free flying disc and are eligible for the Grand Prize drawing! The Grand Prize drawing is for a Kindle Fire.

National Amusements Theaters Bookworm Wednesdays - Your child can earn a FREE movie ticket from National Amusements Theaters when they read a book and complete a book report. Not available in all cities.

PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge – This challenge kicks off on June 6th and will run for six weeks. Children have the chance to win daily prizes for their participation.

Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination - This is probably one of our favorite reading programs. We did it last year and Gwyn was super excited when she earned her prize. Children will log the books they read on the provided log. After they meet the requirement they can take it into a Barnes and Nobles to receive a FREE book. *Please note at the time of this posting the log was not updated yet for 2012 so please check back.

Barnes and Noble also offers free storytime. You can enter your zip code here to see a list of events at your store.

Local Public Library - Check your library for reading programs. Ours has one starting at the beginning of June. Our library also offers weekly story times.

TD Bank Summer Reading Program – Read and keep track of 10 books this summer and your child will get $10 added to their Young Saver Account FREE! Not available in all cities.

Chuck E. Cheese – Children earn 10 FREE tokens every time they read 2 weeks in a row.  Just fill out the form and take it into your local Chuck E. Cheese to claim your free tokens.

Pottery Barn Kids - Free storytime for children of all ages on Tuesdays at 11am. Your child will receive a passport and once they attend 5 storytimes, they get a FREE gift.

Zane Grey Summer Reading Challenge - Children who read 10 books this summer and record them in the downloadable Reading Log and also write a book review or design an illustration for one of the books,will earn a free book! Hand deliver or mail the completed log and review/illustration to the Zane Grey Museum before September 3, 2012 to be eligible. You can pick up your free book or it will be sent to you.

H.E.Buddy Summer Reading Program - (To join, visit hebudding.com and click on Clubs and Contests). Children  read any 10 books and log them on the downloadable Reading Club Form.  Parents initial each book read and mail the completed form to H.E.Buddy by October 1, 2012. Kids will receive cool prizes in the mail. (I updated the link on this one recently because the previous link was to an old form)

Half Price Books - (ages 14 and under) Children can earn a $5 gift card when they read at least 15 minutes a day. Once they reach 300 minutes they just turn in the completed reading log and they will receive the $5 HPB Back-to-School Bucks reading reward for the month. Not available in all cities.

As Dr. Seuss said, :The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Have a great summer and happy reading. If you know of any other programs please share them in the comments below so I can add them to the list.

Dr. Seuss And The Lorax Are Taking Over Our Homeschool In March

As many of you may already know The Lorax comes out on March 2nd. Doesn't it look amazing? And since it is also Dr. Seuss's birthday on the 2nd there are a lot of really cool events going on (at least here in GA). So my wheels started turning and I decided why not do a  Dr. Seuss and The Lorax unit study for March? Since The Lorax was written by Dr Seuss as a warning against mindless progress and the danger it poses to the earth's natural beauty we will also be incorporating lessons and activities about saving the trees, planet and animals. I have also started gathering our Dr. Seuss reading materials  as well, I will share those in my next post since I am waiting for a few of them to arrive at the library still.

FreeBEE resources:
-Listen to Tim Tebow read Green Eggs and Ham - I think the link will only be active until February 22nd (if you miss this let me know I am going to try to record it).
-The Lorax unit study ideas on Homeschoolshare.com
-Dr. Seuss Biography for Kids
-Interview with Dr. Seuss's wife Audrey Geisel
-The Secret Alchemy of Dr Seuss - some fun interesting reading for parents
-Seussville.com lots of fun activities, coloring pages, games, etc.
-Dr. Seuss activity book
-The Art of Dr Seuss
-Dr. Seuss iPhone apps
-The Lorax lesson plan ideas
-The Lorax movie website -lots of activities, coloring pages, games. etc.
-Sign up to get FREE a free seed pack from YoKids and also play a fun game while your there
-Scholastic The Lorax lesson plans
-Make Green Eggs and Ham for breakfast
-Dr. Seuss activities and lesson plans
-Dr. Seuss Lapbook on CurrClick - $2.25
-Cartoon Unit Study by Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett - $7.95

Even I have been taken over by The Lorax. As well as my laptop desktop!

 Events:
-Visit your local Target on February 25th for NEA's Read Across America - FREE event is from 9 am-11am we went last year and it was really cool. An employee reads to the kids, they give the kids some goodies and they have the books on sale for a great price.

- If you live in GA you can check out the Dr Seuss Gallery Exhibition at Ann Jackson Gallery in Roswell GA. The exhibition will be on March 3rd 12 noon to 5pm and is FREE. They will be emailing me an invite soon which I will post here as well as on my Facebook page. Visit the Dr Seuss's Oh The Places You'll Go Event Page for more details as well and to order your FREE tickets.

-Simon Malls are having a Mulberry Street Mall Parade. Some events have already occurred but there are still a bunch that are coming up so check to see if there is a mall in your area participating. If you live in GA Gwinett Mall is offering the event this Saturday. This is a FREE event.

-If you live in GA the Chattahoochee Nature center is also getting taken over by the Seuss with Truffala Forest - February 22- March 11 - A Truffala Forest is springing up in the Nature Exchange. Just in time for the release of the new feature film The Lorax, visit the beloved Seuss character, try on a thneed and learn how you can speak for the trees. Exhibit made possible in part by the Ann Jackson Gallery. And on February 29th Roswell, GA residents get in FREE to the nature center.

-If you live in or near SC Hickory Knob State park is having a Dr Seuss Event March 2nd-3rd - its $69.95 for two adults kids are free check out the flyer for more details.

-Many Barnes and Nobles are having events so be sure to check the location near you.

Don't forget to check out my Dr. Seuss Pinterest board for craft ideas, learning packs and more"




Check out some of the videos we will be using in March on my March Learning Channel:

I will be doing a link up each week in March so if you decide to also have fun with  Dr. Seuss next month remember to stop back and link up your posts. I will also be sharing more resources as I come across them!