yearbook–homeschool style

(Don’t forget to enter my Summer Reading for Mommy give-away!)

I take gobs of pictures all year long.

(Apologia’s Exploring Astronomy – Moon)

(Simcock Farm pumpkin pickin’ field trip)

(confession: my organization of them rots!  I’m open to tips!)

I’ve thought about scrapbooking them into a yearbook.  Which is a great idea, but who has the time anymore?  Not me, that’s for sure!

(the year she learned to read!)

The thing is, I know the kids would love looking back at all the fun and neat-o things we’ve done this year.

(Audubon field trip)

(5th Grade)

Then I thought…why not create a photo(year)book instead?!

Thanks to Woot (and my Woot addicted hubby) I learned about a 20 page 8x8 photobook through Shutterfly for FREE (S&H will apply) by donating just one dollar to cancer research!  Ummmm…that sound like promising yearbook material to me! 

Click here to learn more!

…danielle

create your own postcards for geography round robin

 

(Bonus Hint: don’t  forget to enter my give-away for a great mommy read!)

 

 

 

The kids and I joined a 50 state postcard swap geography project organized by Beth of Living Life Intentionally!

 

 

I was going to just buy some at a gift shop but it’s just SO much more fun that we made our own!

 

 

Staples has a sale running right now that you can create (front and back) and buy 100 postcards for just $9.99 plus S&H!  That’s a great deal!

 

 

…danielle

free iPad apps of the day

At the time of this posting these apps are listed as free.  As always, prices are subject to change.  So hurry up and snag them!

Pepi Play is an OMGosh you NEED this app!  Especially if your little one looooves My Play Home or the Toca Boca apps. 

Four different play scenes include potty, brushing teeth, laundry and bath time.

Rocket Speller is fun for littles that like puzzles!

 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally appisode

Enjoy your Pad!

…danielle

rhyming and phonics and other freebie apps

 

 

Rhyming Words by Grasshopper Apps is free today!  It may remain free but since my crystal ball is broken I’m adding the qualifier today.  This is my attempt to redirect any potential naysayers or critics.   

 

 

 

We’ve already played with it for a couple minutes and I looooove it!  It’s a great app to pair with the All About Reading Pre Level 1 program – which introduces the concept of rhyming.

 

 

Also free today…

 

 

ABC’s with Bingzy Bee: Phonics

 

The song is catchy and cute.  The games are a little advanced for Trevy…but that just means his sister gets to play teacher.  A role that she’s totally digs!

 

 

Our whole family’s  newest fave everybody’s gotta have it freebie app is…

 

 

Disneyland Explorer

 

 

There is nothing to not love about this one!  It’s kept the kiddos entertained for long stretches of minutes in a row! 

 

 

Now Disney just needs to create one for Disney World too!

 

 

…danielle

playing with monster mazes (a review)

 

Your Therapy Source

 

 

gave me the wonderful gift of reviewing the downloadable and printable e-book

 

 

 

 

Monster Mazes

 

 

 

 

Confession – I was so excited to get started with these that I didn’t (ahem)  read the instructions first and was mildly disappointed that printables were so small.

 

 

Silly me. 

 

 

They’re so small so you can slip them right into a clear cd case!

 

 

Which when you think about it – is brilliant!

 

 

 

 

A clear cd case is great for things like:

 

Using dry erase tools (of which I am a HUGE fan)

Keeping the worksheets in one place and organized

Extra fine motor work – by virtue of being smaller & also because curious fingers will learn how to pry it open

For popping into mommy’s purse (or if you have a Trevy too…diaper bag) to keep little ones occupied in waiting rooms, the market or where ever

The smaller case was also a new concept and therefore exciting for Trevy

 

 

 

I popped a few dry erase crayons into a left over valentines heart for a little extra fine motor business.

 

 

I had Trevy match the monsters with his finger first.

 

I love how cutsie the monsters are.  I also love that the worksheets focus on matching the same color monsters too.  Colors are included in every treatment plan we’ve developed recently for Trevy. 

 

 

Ha Ha

 

How cute is that concentration tongue up there?! 

 

 

Distraction alert!

 

Trevy had to finish unwrapping the paper from the crayon before he could concentrate any further.

 

 

Broken crayons make me cringe too.

 

But…

 

at the advice of some stellar therapists I found the courage to snap my Crayola dry erase crayons into smaller chunks.

 

 

 

The smaller chunks force little fingers into a more refined grip.

 

You can clearly see the difference in the picture below with a larger writing tool.

 

 

 

 

One of the best tips I ever had was breaking those crayons!

 

 

 

 

Trevy gives Monster Mazes two thumbs up!

 

 

And so does Trevy’s Mommy. 

 

 

If you have a little one who needs fine motor work I would definitely recommend Monster Mazes.  At just $3.99 plus the luxury of not having the leave your home to purchase or wait for a workbook to arrive in the mail. 

 

 

I think Monster Mazes is the ticket!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

A big fat thank you to Your Therapy Source for this wonderful gift – which by the way was donated with no blog review strings attached.  I am sharing my review because I am impressed with the company and the product!

app(s) of the day

DialSafe Pro

FREE today and works for both the iPad and iPod!  I can’t say enough great things about this app!  I’m working on Bristel and Trevy with learning our phone numbers and this app is just the perfect fit!  One of the best perks is that you can record little messages so they feel like they’re talking to you.  What little one isn’t over the moon for recorded love notes from daddy while he’s at work?!  

Wood Puzzle USA Map

FREE today!  Only iPad.  This is the PERFECT Geography app! 

Color Uncovered

is FREE today!  Only iPad friendly.  A great little app for the science geek or budding artist in your house.  Also, a cool supplement if you’re studying the stars with Apologia as they explore colors a bit too.

LEGO App4+

FREE today!  Compatible with iPad and Pod.  Cause even virtual legos are fun. 

Montessori Counting Board

FREE today!  Works on iPad and Pod.  I’m a sucker for anything Montessori and I have to say this app is SOOOOO great!  Especially, for Trevy who doesn’t catch on to counting things easily.  Counting is Montessori-fied which makes it easier to digest. 

Gube

FREE today.  Works with iPad and Pod.  I have been WAITING for this app for, like, ever!  Trevy is a YouTube-ing fool.  But somehow he always finds disturbing videos.  I mean, seriously, people…do we really need to see Barney killing Dora?!  Sheesh!  Gube solves that!  Only safe YouTube videos are accessible!  The only downside is Trevy loooooves watching videos of himself and they’re not Gube approved.  But other than that…this app is PERFECT! 

Enjoy your Pad!

…danielle

local yokel (spend less on clothes so you can spend more on christmas gifts) shopping tip

Are your kiddos growing like weeds too?

Do you live in my neck of the woods?

Then you might be in love with this

See you there!

…danielle

dollar deals are even better when they’re free!

I’m sure you’ve all heard by now (unless  um that was supposed to say BECAUSE you have a wonderful friend like I do...but today was neuro day and my brain is clearly fried!  Anyway...)  but just in case you’re outta the loop like I was: 

Scholastic is currently running their dollar days plus giving educators (including the home-based kind ) $10 free with the code 10THANKS.

Click here to visit the deal page. 

Hurry though!  It ends tomorrow! 

…danielle

iPad app of the day

 

 

   Pocket Zoo HD ™ with Live Animal Cams – FREE TODAY!  But we’re having so much fun exploring that I might just pop for regular price!  A great addition to Science or Geography class.  And seriously…who doesn’t think Platypuses are super adorable?

 

 

Pocket Zoo goes together nicely with another freebie of the day…

 

 

 

Geo Walk HD – 3D World Fact Book

 

   

 

…danielle

iPad app of the day

Isn’t really an app at all…

…it’s even better!  It’s a daily email with tips for free and discounted apps! 

If you own a child or two and an iPad…you totally need to subscribe to Digital Storytime today! 

…danielle

budget friendly geography buys

Tis’ the season for school supply shopping!  I’m such a goofy sap.  For as long as I can remember I’ve loved the sights and smells of fresh learning gear!  Buying for my kids brings out my nostalgia!  

Which is why I’ve been trolling the school supply aisles everywhere I go.  

The most expensive thing in the picture above is the tray!

Which btw…I use my trays for everything.  You can purchase your own here.  

Target had a flashcard set of the 50 states. Book rings (I found mine at Staples) and flashcards go together like sunshine and the beach!

Perfect match! 

Grams bought the foam puzzle map above for us.  She found it in a dollar bin at Staples. 

Target also had a 1st Grade workbook through all 50 States and a little 50 State quick facts book.  Both in their dollar section!  And just what I needed for our together time.  I’m planning to focus on the States during our morning exercises.     

Here’s hoping you score some great new school supplies too!

…danielle

iPad apps of the day–pre-reading extravaganza

  ABC Magic Spelling 1 – FREE today

Trevy loves anything that has drag n’ drop action going on.  And mommy loves that this app is teaching him pre-reading skills.  Takes gobs of patience, coaching and redirection but with mommy showing him where to place the letters – he can successfully complete two words before wanting to hit the iPad road.  Ex:  Trevy find the letter “m”.  M is a tuffy for him so I’ll usually need to tap it .  Trevy put “m” here.  And I’ll point to M’s home.  I have no idea if this is right or wrong but I always make him spell the word the right way.  My philosophy is to start teaching him now.  Bonus love – Bristel rocks it!  I’m so proud of how well she’s doing with her reading and spelling! 

  ABC Magic 2 – FREE today

Same developer – different flavor!  Still great stuff!

  ABC Magic Reading Short Vowels – FREE today 

Great for beginning readers!

  ABC Magic 3 Line Match – FREE today

Seriously…never buy another workbook again! 

 ABC Magic Phonics – FREE today

A visual match of the letter with the sound which helps reinforce the phonics you’re already teaching!  Good stuff!

I’m sure there are more!

(I say this because inevitably someone will feel compelled to tell me I missed some )

Just search Preschool University in your app store and make sure you install them all! 

…danielle

sneaky (and FREE) math

If you have an iPhone or iPad…the math apps by McGraw Hill are a must have!  Especially when they’re just in time for summer and free!  What’re you waiting for?  Hurry up and download them already! 

:: wink ::

  Name That Number – FREE today!



  Tric-Trac – FREE today!



  Top-it – FREE today!



  Beat the Computer – FREE today!



  Monster Squeeze – FREE today!



  Equivalent Fractions – FREE today!



  Baseball Multiplication – FREE today!

…danielle

click the picture above for more fun math ideas!

iPad app(s) of the day

  AutismXpress – FREE

OMGoodness emotions have never been SO cute!  Adorable little faces representing 16 different emotions from happy to hiccupy complete with sound effects.  Trevy’s faves are “gassy” and “sneezy”. 

  ilearn with Poko: Seasons – FREE

Tanzanian memories!  I think this show might be South African based?  I just remember it was one of the few children’s programs we had access to in The Bush.  And now there’s an adorable iPad app so Trevy can walk down memory lane!  Explores weather conditions, what to wear and activities.  We haven’t played this one yet…but it looks fun!  FYI – I couldn’t find the free version to link in but all you have to do is visit the app store and search for ilearn with Poko and it will pull up for you.   

  Handmade Mother Goose – FREE

Just for funsies app.  Brings snippets of mother goose poems to life.  It’s not super exciting but there are cause and effect-ish things happening.  It’s worth the price.   

  PBS Kids – FREE

Can’t say enough about this app…just go download it already!

  My Underwear – $2.99

I found this app when it was free but I would probably pay for it!  It’s that much fun!  Especially with a kiddo who is addicted to potty humor!  Games include designing your own undies, putting the undies on various animals (Trevy rolls when the go on the head!), helping a monster catch and eat the undies (Trevy amazed me yesterday by actually learning how to maneuver the monster and hold him in place to make the catch!) and of course the always fun undie matching game.  The colors are fantastic and the games are a blast!  Five stars if you ask me! 

  Moody Monster Manor:  Free!

The only emotions more adorable than the app waaaaay up at the tippy top of this post…would be the ones belonging to these monsters!  The graphics are super poppy cute and the sound effects make Trevy giggle.  The games are little over Trevy’s head.  But this is definitely on my must-have-that-app list! 

  Whizzy Kids – Free!

Another must have!  This game was designed and developed by a teacher and she’s totally got her finger on the pulse!  Games include: 

• Body part matching – this is more for Bristel’s age group
• Monster matching – a very simple tap and match game.  Trevy doesn’t “get” it yet…but I have no doubt he’ll catch on soon!
• Letters and Sounds
• Can You Remember – you get 10 seconds to study a group of pictures before another group pops up.  You then have to tap the pictures that don’t belong.  Way over Trevy’s head…but great for Tobes and Bri!
• Puzzles – I love that this one starts with just one piece missing before moving on to more difficult levels!
• And our very fave Finger Mazes – wonderful wonderful fine motor training!  Trevy needs hand over hand to complete this…but it’s just SO fantastic!

  Day Night Black White – .99 cents

Another one I found when it was a freebie.  It’s cute.  Moves through flashcards of opposites.  All touch based and the graphics and voiceover are decent.  I may pay for it?  Maybe?  If I had some mulah burning a hole in my iPad app pocket.   

  Moms with Apps – free! 

Because it’s just awesome when someone else does the work for you! 

See more of my app recommendations by clicking the links below

• 1st edition
• 2nd edition
• 3rd edition
• 4th edition
• 5th edition
• 6th edition

Enjoy your Pab (Trevy Speak: iPad)!  

…danielle

iPad (this can’t really be fun?) math

Math Go 2 HD is FREE right now!  Hurry up…go get it!  Especially if you’ve been looking for a good speed drills to help reinforce foundational math skills.  You child can choose from the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  They are then given 120 seconds to answer as many questions as they can!  Can I just say…I’m addicted to this game! 

Math Merge is FREE today!  Fun for adults and kids alike.  Balls fall from the sky and the player must combine three to equal the sum of 10 or 20 before falling outside the dotted line.  

Math Ninja is FREE today!  Okay…so we haven’t played this one yet.  But really?  Who wouldn’t love using math induced ninja moves to defend their treehouse against and hungry tomato? 

Other games in our math folder include:

Everyday Mathematics Divisibility Dash

Everyday Mathematics Subtraction Top it

Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions

Everyday Mathematics Baseball Multiplication

Everyday Math Name That Number

Submarine Math

I’m a believer in the Ecclesiastes Principle (I just made that term up…but I think I’m gonna keep it).  There’s nothing new under the sun.  Sooooo…by all means feel free to share anything you find on my blog and like enough to think it’s worth sharing on yours.  I ask only that you link my blog in (in your post, your blog roll, grab my cute little button on the side…be creative ) and be kind by following me if you don’t already. 

…danielle

Click the Math Box below for other really cool Math ideas!

exploration audubon

 

 

Groupon offered a family membership to our State’s Audubon recently.

 

$25 bucks for a year…

 

I snapped it right up!

It so happens that the main Audubon Center is in Bristol.  Which so happens to neighbor our pediatrician’s office location.  And since it’s our well-visit time of year…it worked out perfectly for a field trip! 

 

Clearly, they were no in the mood for pictures though. 

I had no idea what to expect. I was thinking it would just be nature trails.  But it was oh so much more!  A little mini nature museum greeted us right through the doors.  All of the exhibits reflect plants, animals, and birds (Tobin is a huge fan of birds) that naturally thrive in our cold, coastal habitat.  I was impressed and the kiddos were thrilled to find little clip boards with prepared scavenger hunts to help get our learning juices flowing.  What is it with kids and loving clipboards?!  And I’m always a fan when someone else does the work for me!     

 

 

I loooooved the life sized Right Whale model.  It was just so cool to feel so close to something so huge and powerful.  And the back side is designed to see the innards!  Bri was totally grossed out by whale heart & lungs.  Tobes and I thought it was awesome. 

The nature trails were AH-mazing too! 

There’s just something about board walks that make walking so much more fun.  Especially board walks that end at the bay!  Which btw…did you catch the jelly fish 5 pictures up?  Toby was like a little photo journalist snapping pics of birds and nests like crazy.  He had his heart set on finding an Oriole (his dad is a Virginia boy which can only mean one thing: they’re Baltimore Orioles fans!  Hence the desire to spot a real, live Oriole birdie).  Maybe next time…

 

We did see gobs of Red Winged Ravens.  Which are pretty cool too.  And Toby spotted that large nest way up high in a tree.  Also cool. 

Best of all were the little Passports we found at the front desk.  10 different Audubon sites in Rhode Island have a symbol hidden on a trail.  Our passports tell us where to find each symbol.  And every Audubon has it’s own page where we can “stamp” our passports with a rubbing of that symbol.  If we hike 6 trails by the end of September we get a great little prize pack!   

I totally give this one two thumbs up!  Well, except the part about finding ticks after.  Ick!  Did you know ticks can drop down from the trees?!  My dad educated me while he did picked two outta Toby’s hair for me.

 

We’re all excited to add another stamp to our passports.  We’ll just make sure to swim in bug spray first next time! 

 

I’m participating in Science Sunday.  For more fun Science-y reads click the image below…

 

danielle