It's been a few months, and it is past time to update what we have been up to!

As most of you know, we belong to a homeschool cooperative, where we get the chance to interact with several other families, and to partake in activities we might otherwise not have the opportunity to.  This past session, Madison took a class in making gingerbread houses for the purpose of competing at the Grove Park Inn, as well as a class geared towards creating a team to participate in the Odyssey of the Mind competitions.  Both classes were well-received, and we have several children interested in competing.  As for the gingerbread competition, her class entered 4 houses in the contest.  Although none won, it was a wonderful experience for all.  Pictures will be posted in the gallery soon.

At home, we are using the Saxon Math curriculum to teach math concepts.  Singapore Math is a great program, but we found that it simply no longer worked for us.  We are using Saxon in conjunction with a program called Primary Grade Challenge Math.  The idea is that math is often taught in a very dry, disconnected way.  What the Challenge Math series does is encourage children to really think about math in a more holistic and organic way-the way math is actually used!

We have completely abandoned any formal study of French, and are concentrating on Spanish.  We will be ordering the Rosetta Stone Spanish Workbook in Spanish tonight, and will begin reinforcing class information at home.  Unfortunately, I don't speak a word of it!  Guess who's learning Spanish?

We are using Handwriting Without Tears, as we like the methods used for teaching penmanship.  She is also learning some grammar and composition, and I encourage her to use cursive for writing projects.  Also, we are actually doing assigned literature reading.  We have been using What Your Third Grader Needs to Know, as well as various reading-level appropriate fiction selections.  Currently, she is reading Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech.

In Social Studies, we are studying American History.  We are using the Joy Hakim series, A History of US, as well as Oak Meadow's integrated curriculum for English and Social Studies.  We really like that Oak Meadow uses historical fiction to reinforce ideas and events.  Right now, she is reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond to learn about 17th century New England.

She is learning to cook, and enjoys making recipes that she finds in her Emeril cookbook (she has There's a Chef in my Soup!), or on Emeril's website.  She has enjoyed making corn muffins most of all, and does it really well with little or no supervision!

Finally, in science, she is studying Chemistry.  She developed an interest in the periodic chart, and we have been getting together with some friends and studying chemistry once a week.  We have been using Noeo Science.  Also, we have a subscription to CyberEd Plato.  This is an online science curriculum, offering Physical Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry and Earth and Space Science.  Normally, it is not available to homeschoolers, but we belong to a group (see paragraph below) that allows us to buy access to loads of resources.  In addition, she wants me to teach a basic chemistry class for the co-op next session, and I think I will. 

Homeschool Buyers Co-op is a free homeschooling organization for both new and veteran homeschoolers. Co-op membership is free and confidential, and entitles homeschooling families to discounts from hundreds of educational suppliers. The Co-op also sponsors "Group Buys" for curriculum packages that can save homeschooling families lots of money. On the site you'll find lots of free information, such as databases of free curriculum, field trips, and educational contests and scholarships.

Now, not to sound like a commercial or anything, but we joined the Homeschool Buyers Co-op, and it has been a wonderful resource!  As a group, we can do group buys, allowing us access to great resources at a discounted price.  In addition, they have been able to procure some choice group buys of services that are not normally available to homeschool families (usually due to the cost or hassle of managing that many individual memberships-see above.)

A Group Buy is a time-limited offer where, by purchasing as a group, members can earn exceptionally deep discounts on selected educational products for their homeschools.  Some of the Group Buys going on right now include:

LEGO Education MOTORIZED Engineering Packages. Just in time for gift giving! Open up the world of Engineering this year.

SAVE UP TO 52% on Guitar, DVD, & Software Bundles at deep discounts from iPlayMusic. iPlayMusic offers something for everyone!!! FREE Bonus Gift w/ every bundle purchase...

SAVE UP TO 50% on an annual subscription to www.WorldandIHomeschool.com, with extensive resources in the areas of social studies, language arts, arts, and more.

SAVE UP TO 30% on books and atlases from National Geographic! Something for every family member and every age group!

Discovery Education unitedstreaming™! Your Annual License gives you access to the SAME digital resources used by more than half the schools across the United States!

SkillsTutor Online Subscription - Enjoy access 24/7! It's like having a personal tutor at your beck and call!

SAVE UP TO 40% on Robots, Software, and Books from Terrapin Software! Learning FUN for EVERYONE!

SAVE UP TO 60% on CyberEd® PLATO Online Science Subscriptions! Don't miss out - full year subscriptions as low as $20!

And many, many more!  It is well worth your time to join the co-op, it doesn't cost a thing, and can save you tons if you use any of these resources.

So, in short (or not so short!)-good reasons to join the Homeschool Buyers Co-op are:

• Group Buys for deep discounts on educational curriculum like Discovery Channel UnitedStreaming, CyberEd Plato science courses and more
• Exclusive member discounts from over 100 educational suppliers like Dell Computers
• Free Homeschool ID cards
• Our free curriculum database
• Our free educational contests & scholarships database
• Our free educational field trips database
• Our free local discounts database for educators, as well as access to the Entertainment book for your region
• The fact the membership qualifies you for discounts at Academic Superstore, which sells loads of supplies, including educational versions of top software packages
• The fact that membership is free and confidential

Don't forget to visit our CafePress store to see some of her artwork on t-shirts, mousepads, etc.  The items will be updated from time to time as she has more artwork to use on items.  We will be uploading some new images, and you may find some fun items to give as gifts.