20 Best Tips

HUGE Black Friday Homeschool Deals (and Cyber Monday too!)

Nov272020
November 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment

There are TONS of great deals for both your homeschool and just plain ol’ fun this weekend. Shopping online and staying away from the crowds is one of my favorite things to do (I honestly hate shopping in general, so these online deals make me happy!).

And if the weather is cold in your parts, like it’s getting here, shopping from the comfort of your home is definitely a way to win all around! 

Here are a few discounts and codes to save up to 60% from companies our family has purchased from, used, and loved. If you know of any, feel free to leave a comment and let us know!

For FREE!!

  • FREE Chistmas pack from All About Learning Press. This pack isn’t available to the general public – you all get a sneak chance at downloading it for free!! 

For Your Classroom

  • Crafty Classroom  is offering 25% off your entire shopping cart – it’s their biggest sale of the year!! (CODE: BLACK25) and will add their MEGA Maze Activity Bundle with any order ($7) value for free (through 11/30/2020). The Crafty Classroom specializes in top-quality, low-prep, hands-on teaching resources for K-5 students.
  • Touch-type to Read and Spell focuses on both typing and phonics based spelling by embedding word groups within the typing lessons. Use the code BFCM2020 to save 35%on Home annual subscriptions.
  • Home Science Tools is offering 10% off on Black Friday (code: Black20) and 12% off on Cyber Monday (code: Monday20). Once Cyber Monday is over, the 12% saving continue through December 6th on orders of $75+ with code XMAS20.
  • Compass Classroom – Up to 40% off and FREE SHIPPING!! – no code needed. Our family has been using several of their programs this year, including Word Up Vocabulary 2 and 3, Introductory Logic, and Visual Latin 2. If you are interested in video-based programs, be sure to check this sale out (last one of the year!).
  • World Watch News has a HUGE 50% off deal – $40 for a one year membership to their weekday news show!! If you currently have a subscription, you can log into your account and use this deal to EXTEND your subscription!! 

Black Friday 2020 at Compass Classroom

  • Productive Homeschool (formerly Notebooking Pages) has a $25 savings on membership through 11/30. Save $25 on ProSchool Memberships. ProSchool Membership $97 $72 and ProSchool Membership PLUS $127 $102. 
  • Masterpiece Society art classes are available at a 30% savings with code MASTERPIECE30 – art classes for Kindergarten through high school. And of course, mixed media workshops for EVERYONE in between!
  • You ARE An Artist is offering  20% off All courses, bundles and ebooks! We truly love their chalk pastel tutorial (so forgiving!!) and this is the perfect time to grab their holiday art lessons (Nutcracker and Christmas art anyone). Only a few items needed to get started: Chalk pastels, construction paper, and a video art lesson!

 

Fun Delivered to Your Mailbox

  • Ivy Kids Kits – New Ivy Kids can subscribe and save 30% Black Friday through Monday with code IVYBLACK30. After Friday, take advantage of their reduced prices on all gift subscriptions and 10% off on all past kits w/code PASTKITS10 through 12/4.
  • Brick Building HUGE Savings – Save 50% on all digital instruction downloads (code Digital50) from PaulBacio.com and 20% on all brick kits (code Kits20) through November 29, 2020. Save 10% after using code HomeschoolCreations. 

For Mom :)

Feel free to leave a comment below if you know of any other deals happening! 

 

{ Leave a Comment }
Filed Under: Coupon Codes and Deals, Deals and Sales Leave a Comment

Educational Freebies, Sales, and Giveaways

Jul302020
July 30, 2020 by 3 Comments

The final piece of our curriculum was ordered yesterday. I’ll admit – I waited until the last moment on this one, but I also knew there was a sale coming up, and let’s face it – every dollar counts!

That said, below I included a few links for reading when you have a minute, both encouragement for moms and fun for kids, as well as are some VERY time-sensitive offers below, so be sure to check them out if you are interested!

“When You Have Time” Reading

$100 Gift Certificate Giveaway!!

All About Learning Press is a company we have loved using over the years. Their spelling and reading programs are truly some of our favorites.

This month they are offering a BIG giveaway for a $100 gift certificate to their online store, and I don’t want you to miss it!

Save Up to 50% at Compass Classroom

From July 29th – August 5th, Compass Classroom is holding their end of summer sale (up to 50% off). We just picked up two programs for the upcoming year: Introductory Logic (for Zachary) and a brand-new release, WordUp 2 (for Kaleb).

Our family has used several of their programs, including Visual Latin, Word Up! Vocabulary, Grammar for Writers, and Grammar of Poetry. We are REALLY excited to see they are coming out with some BRAND NEW high school lectures, including Spanish 1, taught by Dwane Thomas from Visual Latin.

Ultimate Homeschooling Bundle

Until Friday, July 31st, you can grab the Ultimate Homeschooling Bundle with 51 helpful resources for both beginning and seasoned homeschoolers from preschool through high school. Learn more HERE.

60 Day Trial Homeschool History

Notgrass is offering a 60-day free trial (no credit card required) of their Homeschool History program. The program features books, videos, audio and more. Start your free trial HERE.

Additional Freebies, Sales, and Giveaways 

{ Leave a Comment }
Filed Under: Coupon Codes and Deals, Deals and Sales, Giveaways 3 Comments

Fantastically HUGE Homeschool Giveaway (and a FREE Printable)

May62020
May 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Get Ready to Build Your Bundle! Limited Time Only!

In less than a week, the 2020 Build Your Bundle homeschool sale is coming – Monday, May 11 to be exact. We are taking part again this year as a contributor (and also a purchaser) – and there are so many fabulous publishers and products to share.

There are over $5800 in prizes are up for grabs in this year’s giveaway! Plus, if you enter before the sale launches on May 11th, you’ll get a chance to win every single bundle in this years’ sale! It doesn’t get much better than that!

ENTER TO WIN HERE —-> Go do it now!! (I’ll wait.)

The Quick Details

Next week I’ll be sharing more of the full details on what we will be ordering from the sale, but in the meantime, here’s the nutshell version of what to expect: 

  • The giveaway starts May 6th and ends May 10th – Enter now. 
  • Each giveaway entrant receives a FREE Homeschool Mom Journal.
  • The sale runs May 11-May 18, 2020. 
  • There are some GREAT changes to the sale this year – making it so much easier! 
  • Each day there will be additional giveaways!! (YAY!!)

I’m still going through all of the items myself, but am really excited about some of the new publishers and items being offered (and you will be too!), especially since it’s a chance for me to save money on next year’s curriculum and try some products I’ve been eyeing!

The Giveaways & the Freebie!

The main giveaway starts May 6, 2020. All entrants from that point forward are eligible for ANY of the prizes below until they are given out.  

Look at the other giveaways happening throughout the sale:

  • All Build Your Bundle Curated Bundles – $1,935.44
  • (4) CTCMath Family Memberships – $297
  • Techie Homeschool Mom MEGA Bundle – $200
  • (10) Handwriting Patch Books – $12.99
  • (5) Reading Patch Teach First Grade Memberships – $240
  • All About Learning Press $100 Gift Certificate – $100
  • (8) Kerry Beck How to Start Your Own Business for Family & Teens – $97
  • (5) Kerry Beck Christian Leadership Education 12-Week Course – $57
  • (2) The Multi’ Taskin Mom My Character Matters Family Bundle – $55

 

FREE Homeschool Mom Journal

Along with your entry into the main giveaway, each entrant will receive a Homeschool Mom Journal to download. It is beautiful – and FREE! 

 

There’s SO MUCH more to share, but that’s it for today! 

BYB_Giveaway_Poster_2019_All_Prizes

For now, enter the giveaway,

grab your freebie!

 

DON’T FORGET

The 7th Annual Build Your Bundle sale launches on May 11th at 9:00 AM Central!

 

 

{ Leave a Comment }
Filed Under: Coupon Codes and Deals, Deals and Sales Leave a Comment

Back to School Sale – Save up to 50% off Compass Classroom

Jul312019
July 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

 

Maybe being a little behind the curriculum ordering pays off – true confession. We don’t have everything figured out for the upcoming year yet. Or ordered. 

Over the last few years our family has delved into several different programs from Compass Classroom via video: WordUp! The Vocab Show (vocabulary), Visual Latin 1 & 2 (high school latin), and last year The Grammar of Poetry.

The programs we’ve used we have l.o.v.e.d. and until August 7th, their physical AND video-based homeschool curriculum is up to 50% off! 

Compass Classroom has a variety of classes to choose from starting with Biology, History, Logic, Latin, Vocabulary…and so much more. Be sure to visit before the sale ends! 

{ Leave a Comment }
Filed Under: Coupon Codes and Deals, Deals and Sales Leave a Comment

What I Bought from Build Your Bundle 2019

May172019
May 17, 2019 by 1 Comment

Build Your Bundle - The Biggest Homeschool Curriculum Sale of the Year
This last week you’ve likely heard snippets about this “huge homeschool sale” via graphics, giveaways, and social media. The Build Your Bundle sale officially kicked off on Wednesday, May 15th and will end on Wednesday, May 22nd. 

In case you’re uncertain how it all works, I’ll tell you this –  the first year it was held I was so very, very confused. There was a lot to wrap my brain around and by the time the end of the school year rolls around, my head is full of just wanting to be d.o.n.e. with all things school related. 

(Can I get an amen?)

BUT saving money on homeschool curriculum is something I do like, so I jumped in, trying to fully understand, and realized how much the could really benefit our family! Since then it has become one of my favorite homeschool sales of the year. 

In case you are feeling overwhelmed and haven’t quite figured out the ins and outs of the sale, be sure to look at this post for a more in-depth explanation on how the sale works. Definitely take a peek before May 22nd though – because the sale ends at midnight and then you can’t take advantage of the deals you find now! (Scroll down to see what we will be purchasing). 

In case you missed it, here’s the post that goes a little more in detail on the bundles: 

My FAVORITE Homeschool Sale of the Year! (8 Days Only)

The Items That Made My Basket

While I LOVE the pre-assembled bundles that have been put together,  I opted to build my own bundle. This year, the format of building your own has changed to make it even easier. Essentially, the more you buy, the more you save! 

Above is a graphic showing the items I purchased this year. There are several things that I am REALLY excited about: The Arrow book study, Math in the Cards, and the Ultimate US History Cheat Sheets.

Here are the items from my bundle: 

  • Math in the Cards: The Ultimate Math Card Game Collection
  • The Arrow: Literature Guide for Johnny Tremain
  • The Ultimate US History Cheat Sheets
  • Homeschool High School Grading Tool
  • How to Write the Perfect 5-Paragraph Essay
  • The Bronze Bow – Study Guide
  • State Research Project with Bonus Lapbook

Overall the total value of my bundle was $140.93, but with the 75% discount, my cost was $35.24. Here’s a quick look at the discount structure for building your own bundle. Essentially, add WHATEVER you want to your bundle and at each level you save more. 

 

Themed Bundles

Preschool Bundle
There are 15 themed bundles to choose from, ranging in price from $10 to $49 and the above graphic shows what is included in The Planner Bundle (my Weekly Homeschool Planner is included!). Save up to 96% on the pre-assembled bundles that range in topic from Early Learning through High School. 

Most popular Bundles:

  1. Mystery Bundle
  2. Preschool Bundle
  3. STEM Bundle
  4. History Bundle
  5. Kindergarten Bundle

Most popular Courses & Memberships:

  1. Start a Blog and YouTube Channel for Kids
  2. Total Time Makeover for Kids
  3. Spanish for Kids
  4. The Joy of Handwriting Success Course Plus Copywork Bundle
  5. Accounting Fundamentals

Build Your Bundle - The Biggest Homeschool Curriculum Sale of the Year

Really – there is a LOT, and it is easy to get overwhelmed because of the bundle varieties. It took me quite some time to finally decide what to choose, especially because I wanted to make sure I got the best deal for us money-wise.

BUT, all that said, there are some amazing deals to be found! Set aside a little time today and start browsing. 

Just remember, you only have until Wednesday, May 22nd at midnight to purchase. 

If you have any questions about the bundles or the sale, feel free to email and ask too! 

This post may contain affiliate or advertiser links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

{ Leave a Comment }
Filed Under: Coupon Codes and Deals, Curriculum helps, Deals and Sales 1 Comment

5 Reasons to Make the Switch to Teaching Textbooks Online

May82019
May 8, 2019 by 3 Comments

{disclaimer ~ this is a sponsored post in partnership with Teaching Textbooks}

It’s been nine years since our family made the switch to Teaching Textbooks and just over a year since we started using Teaching Textbooks 3.0, the online version of their program. While the academic content is the same, the 3.0 version offers additional perks to the traditional book and CD-rom method we have grown to love. 

Using Teaching Textbooks was a game changer for our family. We went from went from literal tears and frustration with math to happy kids who thought math was fun. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if the online version was going to be a good fit for our family (and I may have balked a little bit at that new-fangled option), because I’m typically a pencil and good-old-fashioned-book kind of girl. 

But after a year using the online subscription-based 3.0 version I can honestly say we are even more in love with this incredible program. We have used Teaching Textbooks from Math 3 all the way through Pre-Calculus – read on to see why the 3.0 version has us hooked!

Access ANYWHERE

We’ve had quite a bit of sports-related travel in the last year with our boys and guess what? Math can be accessed anywhere we go, since most everywhere has wifi now (insert an evil *little* laugh here). No need to bring separate books or disks for anyone. One laptop and we are ready to work on math.

In addition, at home our kids typically work from different computers which means (with the physical disks) each year I had to reload the program onto a different computer. There was also the year one of our kids went through two hard drives on her laptop. With the 3.0 version, all the math levels are stored online and can be accessed from any computer in the house, and no disks need to be loaded or programs transferred from year to year. 

No Disks or Books

In the past, our boys were famous for misplacing their math disks. Or wrecking their textbooks. Teaching Textbooks 3.0 has been a fabulous solution for us because there is nothing to lose – everything is digital. This may seem trivial, but guess what we can never find when we need to flip back to a past lesson to review a concept – our textbook!

The 3.0 online version has an ebook that can be viewed in a different browser window or even printed off if you choose. One thing I love about this: I can pull up a browser on my computer, flip back to a specific lesson, and we can review and work on a problem on one of the kid’s computers. More than one person can be logged into the account at a time – hello, wonderful!

Grade Storage

We won’t talk about how many computer issues we’ve had over the years and how many hard drives I have in a drawer (for real).  With the 3.0 version, Teaching Textbooks stores your grades for you, even after your subscription is over. You don’t have to worry about where that grade book disappeared to – they’ve got you covered. 

As a parent of four, I absolutely love that my parent home page allows me to see all of the kids at a glance, including past levels. There’s not logging in/out of different levels because it’s all conveniently in one location. 

Also, did I mention that Teaching Textbooks does the grading for you? The program grades each question as your child completes it, giving instant feedback, and also provides a digital gradebook which can be printed off at the end of each section or as a whole. 

No Disk Drive Needed

When our oldest started taking classes at the community college, we needed to get her an inexpensive lightweight laptop and opted for a Chromebook without thinking that all the way through. With no disk drive or storage capacity, she was working from two different computers until Teaching Textbooks 3.0 Online was released. 

All of the Teaching Textbooks 3.0 programs work on MAC, Windows, and Chromebooks. Tablets and phones can be used as well with the Puffin browser (3rd party browser, support limited). For our family, the Chromebook aspect has been HUGE this past year. The full Teaching Textbooks 3.0 was one of the few programs we didn’t have any issues with! 

Completed Lesson Notifications

A more recent feature that has been added is the lovely “Completed” notification next to lessons that have been finished 100%. I have to say, this is one of my FAVORITE new features that has been added to the program. Prior to this update, the parent had to do a little more digging in the grade book to see if a lesson was 100% completed, but now – there isn’t any hiding if a kiddo “forgets” to do a problem. I’m going to assume it’s not just one of my boys that likes to try this…and maybe this would be helpful in your home too. 

There are so many other features to love about Teaching Textbooks 3.0 and you can read our full thoughts on it here, but if it’s something that has piqued your interest – keep reading to see how you can try it for free!

Try Teaching Textbooks 3.0 for FREE

If you’d like to test out the 3.0 version, you can start a Free Trial of the complete program, up through Lesson 15. The trial includes lectures, solution, eBook, and grading on each of the products. If you decide to purchase the full version, everything transfers over for you! 

And bonus – you can try ANY and EVERY level. They are that generous! Learn more HERE. 

Not sure where to start? Download and print a placement test online. 

 

{ Leave a Comment }
Filed Under: Coupon Codes and Deals, Curriculum Choices, Math, Mom Helps, Opinions and Reviews 3 Comments