Welcome

Free Back Cover Pages 7 Step Homeschool Planner

January 13, 2015 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Last year when I was bringing over all my lapbooks from the old Dynamic 2 Moms lapbook site and started my blog here on WordPress, it consumed by time.

I had way more forms I wanted to create and share with you as I build the free 7 Step Homeschool Planner each year for us. It’s hard to control the itch because I love planners and planning so much.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

So today, I have four free back cover pages to add to the growing number of planner pages to make our curriculum planner pretty, pretty, pretty and not to mention unique.

These pages are going to eventually make their way to the permanent page which is Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover but you can grab them below too underneath each thumbnail.

The way I created the pages, you can either use them as an insert or divider or even to fill in the back of a blank page or as a back cover page to your planner.

Too, I chose a few homeschool quotes because you know I love them and because they are so inspirational when we look at it each day.

It was hard to control myself with the color by not adding too much.

I want you to know I tried, but I get the creative itch and can get carried away with color because I love it and am such a visual person.

I think these came out without too much color to them.

Download this page here.

Download this page here.

Download this page here.

Download this page here.

Hope you love them and they’ll be here for both of us when we need them.

Hugs and love ya

Check out this other post which has the 7 Step Homeschool Planner – Top 10 Favorites

If you are ready to get started building your free curriculum planner, check out my over 200 free downloads and growing! Let me help you STEP by STEP.

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

Free Marco Polo Unit Study Notebooking Pages

January 12, 2015 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have the first set of free Marco Polo Notebooking Pages ready to go with my free Marco Polo lapbook and unit study.

The first notebooking page is a place to write about Marco Polo’s childhood as he grew up in Venice and contemplated visiting far off places that were not discovered.

Free Marco Polo Unit Study Notebooking Pages

The second notebooking page, your child can add a bit of geography about the Persian desert and there is space for your child to either describe the travels of Marco Polo across the Persian desert or to tell about animal or plant life on the desert.

And then lastly, I have a page that can be used to give an overview of the Mongol Empire.

The Mongolian Empire was such a huge empire at that time that it is taken us a while when reading to wrap our minds around the large amount of land that was conquered by Genghis Khan.

Also, look at these fun books about Marco Polo.

Books About Marco Polo For Kids

10 Marco Polo Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these fun books about Marco Polo to your home library or use them in your unit studies.

Marco Polo

The amazing story of a Venetian trader who becomes an aide to the great Kublai Khan comes to life in this retelling for students by Manuel Komroff. Follow along as Marco Polo travels through deserts littered with bones, encounters animals previously unknown to Europeans, and comes to serve in the court of one of the greatest kingdoms ever known.Included is a gorgeous new map tracing his journey, and 29 full page illustrations from an early edition written for adults.The text in this edition is a reprint of the original Messner Biography, a series that was created for students. "Well told and with engaging narratives, they unknowingly flow nicely from story to fact. You will find a plethora of information packed between these pages, not only about the title’s subject, but the subject's time and the world they lived in."

The Adventures of Marco Polo

Was Marco Polo the world's greatest explorer -- or the world's greatest liar? Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman turns his eagle eye on the enigmatic Marco Polo in his most exciting biography yet.

He claimed to have seen rocks burn, bandits command sandstorms, lions tamed with a look, and sorcerers charm sharks while divers gathered pearls on the ocean floor. Marco Polo shook Europe with descriptions of the world he'd seen on his epic journey to the court of Kublai Khan.

But was Marco Polo the world's most accomplished explorer? Had he really seen the "Roof of the World" in Central Asia, and the "City of Heaven" in far-off China? Or was he a charlatan who saw nothing more than the conjurings of his inventive mind? Join Russell Freedman as he tackles a centuries-old mystery.

The Story of Marco Polo

This is volume number 22 in the Signature Books series for young readers. This series, under the general editorship of Enid Lamonte Meadowcroft, provides easy to read, exciting stories based upon the lives of historical figures. A vivid story of the life and adventures of perhaps the most romantic traveler of all time, a man who returned from the East with tales so fantastic that no one believed him until he was vindicated by later travelers.

Animals Marco Polo Saw (Explorer Series)

A continuation of the Explorers series by award-winning author Sandra Markle, Animals Marco Polo Saw brings to life the amazing, exotic animals Marco Polo encountered during his explorations in Asia, how the animals sometimes affected the outcome of the journey, and even helped the explorer survive!

Marco Polo (Junior World Explorers)

Examines the political forces and personal ambition that drove Marco Polo in his explorations.

The Travels of Marco Polo

Marco Polo was the most famous traveller of his time. His voyages began in 1271 with a visit to China, after which he served the Kubilai Khan on numerous diplomatic missions. On his return to the West, he was made a prisoner of war and met Rustichello of Pisa, with whom he collaborated on this book. The accounts of his travels provide a fascinating glimpse of the different societies he encountered: their religions, customs, ceremonies and way of life; on the spices and silks of the East; on precious gems, exotic vegetation and wild beasts. He tells the story of the holy shoemaker, the wicked caliph and the three kings, among a great many others, evoking a remote and long-vanished world with colour and immediacy. He found himself traversing the most exotic lands-from the dazzling Mongol empire to Tibet and Burma. This fascinating chronicle still serves as the most vivid depiction of the mysterious East in the Middle Ages.

He Went With Marco Polo

Cathay is a long way from his home in Venice, but when 14-year-old gondolier, Tonio Tumba receives the chance of a lifetime, he doesn’t say no. Leaving behind his only possession, a shabby green gondola, Tonio eagerly joins Marco Polo on his adventure.

As Tonio and the Polo family travel the dangerous silk road to modern-day China, they encounter many fascinating people and dangerous perils. When Tonio rides into Cathay on one of the Khan’s elephants, he says to his friend, Pietro: “Elephants are grand… but give me a horse any time – unless I could have a gondola. When we get back to Venice, I’ll take you out in mine.”

There are many wonderful sights, amazing inventions and great riches to discover, though Tonio looks forward to getting back home - but many years will pass before his chance to see the canals of Venice again. When so much has changed, will Tonio find anything worth returning for?

Louise Andrews Kent is a master storyteller, weaving historical accuracy and immersive adventure into one epic voyage of discovery.

This new edition features all the original illustrations and clean, readable text. It is a fantastic living book teaching about history and geography, recommended for ages 10 and up.

Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde (World Landmark Books)

Excellent, historic story well told by Harold Lamb and beautifully illustrated by Elton Fax. Originally published in 1954, this paperback edition was released in 1982.

Marco Polo: Overland to China (In the Footsteps of Explorers)

Relive Italian voyager Marco Polo's adventures in China in1275, including his legendary meeting with Kublai Khan, emperor of the powerful Mongol Empire. This exciting new book separates fact from myth using excerpts from Polo's actual journals and vivid illustrations and photographs to portray Polo himself and his impressions of the unique traditions and customs of the Mongols. A recipe from the period is also included. Topics include - what the Medieval period meant to Europe and exploration - the Silk Road - Marco Polo's service in Kublai Khan's court - life at sea and in the Mongol Empire - Marco Polo's influence on later explorers Teacher's guide available.

Marco Polo: his travels and adventures.

This edition is presented complete and unabridged, with larger text for easier reading by younger readers, and all the original illustrations and decorations.“I have attempted to transform the somewhat dry and monotonous translation of this narrative into an entertaining story, that may engage the attention and the interest of my young readers; for which it certainly presents ample opportunities. If the task is properly done, no one can fail to follow Marco Polo from his Venetian home, across the entire continent of Asia to the court of Kublai Khan, and in his various adventures and journeys while in the far-off Orient, without eager curiosity and ever-deepening interest. The central figure of the story is heroic, for Marco Polo was in all things manly, brave, persevering, intelligent, and chivalrous; and the scenes and incidents in which he was the leading actor were in the highest degree thrilling and dramatic.”-From the Preface by the Author.

MARCO POLO NOTEBOOKING PAGES

Also you’ll love the hands-on ideas from Home School In the Woods.

Here are a few websites we have been reading that might help you too.

The printables on the Marco Polo Unit Study are special ones because I love to hold back printables to share only with my loyal email readers.

Go here to grab the free Marco Polo lapbook.

Marco Polo Unit Study Hands-on Activities

How to Get the Free Notebooking Pages

Now, how to grab the free notebooking pages. It’s a subscriber freebie.

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie AND you’re now a follower of me by getting emails in in your inbox.

1) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the printable.
3) Last, look for my emails in your inbox as a follower. Glad to have you.

Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas

Check out these other activities on our Marco Polo Unit Study.

Hugs and love ya,

Free Marco Polo Notebooking Pages for a homeschool unit study.

Accreditation Removing the Shroud of Mystery

January 11, 2015 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Let’s get a bit technical today. My legal brain loves to go to details like this, but more than anything because I get a lot of questions about accreditation, I wanted to share a basic overview of what is accreditation and if it’s important to you.

Homeschoolers throw this word out and then stop to take a deep breath because they are not sure if they should be shopping for something that says accredited, running from it or just standing in place freaking out.

GETTING SMART WITH ACCREDITATION

Since I love layman’s language too and simple is always better let’s break down accreditation removing the shroud of mystery that seems to loom over it.

The first step in understanding whether or not you need to investigate more about accreditation is to grasp a basic meaning of it.

Accreditation. A voluntary process by schools to an agency that certifies that the school has met certain requirements and is an official school.

In the United States, accreditation is an entirely voluntary process.

Can you see that right away the term official becomes a problem? Why? Because if you are legally going to need an accredited school, the next logical question is accredited by whom. I’ll get to that in a minute. Let’s soak in this definition a bit more.

Homeschooling and Accreditation

In layman’s language, an accredited agency establishes guidelines saying that your child attended a real or legal school.

Now don’t get your hairs bristled yet because I am right there with you, but key to understanding this is to understand it from a legal point of view.

It is a way of one educational institutional assuring another educational institution, usually an institute of higher education, like a four year college that the diploma meets certain qualifications or standards.

It is about establishing guidelines or standards.

Too, when accredited becomes a topic for discussion, it is normally during the high school years, but not always. More on that in a minute too.

If you live in a state or country that requires an accredited program, then understanding the big players recognized by the government is key to being selectively picky about a school that voluntarily goes through the accrediting process.

Goodness sakes, there is no need to memorize them, we have enough on our plates. Just be familiar with the agencies.

As you can see, if you need an accredited school, it’s just as important to be sure it’s accredited by one of these six regional bodies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and Colleges

There are good accrediting agencies and bad ones, recognized ones and unrecognized ones, legitimate ones and phony ones.

I don’t want to completely make your eyes pop out, because there are other accrediting agencies that I have seen through the years that are excellent, but the key is to understanding whether or not a majority of high learning institutes will recognize them.

Let’s separate the legal information now from what works for giving a child a superior education.

A fine detail, but huge point homeschoolers over look when they get anxious about accreditation is understanding that accreditation has nothing to with the value of an education or the curriculum.

WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT ACCREDITATION

The two terms accreditation and superior education are not synonymous.

Schools throw out that term as if attending one of those schools gives your child an edge in learning. It does not.

Helping new homeschoolers, I have seen some of the worst private schools accredited and I have seen some very small private school not accredited that offer an excellent educational program.

Accreditation may become important for these 3 reasons:

1. It may be important in the elementary years, if you don’t plan to school longer than a year. After putting your child back into school, your local school may require proof that your child used an accredited school before they advance them to the next grade.
2. Normally accredited is used more when your teen approaches high school and is deciding what path to take for their post high school years. Helping homeschoolers whose children went on to the military is where an accredited diploma is important. This though could be a whole article on its own, but to keep it simple, please be sure you look into this if your child is planning a route that way.
3. The next area where you need to know if your child has to have an accredited diploma is either if you live in a state that requires it or if your child is wanting to pursue a career that specifically asks for a diploma from an accredited school.

As you can see, thousands and thousands of homeschoolers have gone on to elite colleges with a mommy degree and without the need for an accredited school.

Homeschoolers may still be the minority in colleges, but it’s not the minority that understand how driven our homeschooled kids are and the superior value of their high school education without an accreditation agency can’t be denied.

Understanding that accreditation is not a mystery, but fulfills legal requirements and is used mostly when your child approaches the teen years helps you to understand whether or not an accredited school is something you need for your family.

What’s your answer when somebody asks you if your children attend an accredited school?

Hugs and love ya

Did you miss these posts?

Free Extend a Timeline Book Marco Polo Unit Study

January 9, 2015 | 17 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free extend a timeline book Marco Pol, which is the next interactive minibook we did on our Marco Polo Unit Study.

And well, we found it kind of fun and yes, easy. The printables are a subscriber only freebie and I would love for you to follow and grab it.

Free Extend a Timeline Book Marco Polo Unit Study

Look at the steps below on how to do this free extend a timeline book.

First, it’s easier to have your child write on a full size page instead of the smaller strip. So fill in the timeline first on the full size page before you cut the strips.

Extend a Timeline Book – Hands-On History

I have some information on the downloadable to help you fill out the timeline and then as I go along I will add a more comprehensive timeline on this unit study.

Too, here in Ecuador I haven’t been able to find cardstock yet, but I had photo paper and since it’s more stiff, I used that for the cover page or 3 masted ship, which by the way is the kind of ship Marco Polo would have traveled in.

You want to print out the cover page on stiffer paper or cardstock and print out the timeline on regular paper so the strip is easier to fold.

Fold the cover sheet in half and cut down the middle.

Then cut out the timeline strips after they are filled in and fold back the part on the strip (gray part) where the two strips glue together.

Timeline Book – Hands-On History

After you download the printables, you will see that there are two strips that need to be glued together to form one long strip or timeline that will extend across both halves of the cover page.

I have instructions on the printables or tabs to show you where you are suppose to glue it in case this sounds all jibberish.

Here is the picture below after gluing the two strips together. Fold the crease and let it dry for a while. And then crease both ends of the strip where they will attach to the cover page.

Next work on folding it accordion style.

You can see the front of the timeline faintly when you turn the strip on the back to start folding.

So we just folded it naturally dividing the time periods with the faint lines showing through from the front.

The picture below on the left shows us folding it accordion style and the picture on the right shows how it looked before we glued it on but after we messed with folding it.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, just accordion like and it will work.

Then, flatten out the end pieces of the strip before you glue then onto the cover.

Glue the strips onto the bottom of the cover page and not in the middle or higher so that the book will stand somewhat on it’s own.

Then taaa daaa, look at our interactive extend a timeline book.

But, we have one more secret and that is where we will placing this book, but I can’t tell you yet.

Okay, one clue and that is Tiny is working on a project for Marco Polo and this is one piece to it.

I can’t wait till he’s finished to show it to you. Here is how the printables look below.

Marco Polo Lapbook and Unit Study

First, look at these minibooks that are included in this download.

Extend a Timeline Book Printable
Along the Journey
Lapbook Cover
Soldier, Merchant, Prisoner
Places outside of China
About the Mongols
Early Life of Marco Polo
Did You Know this
Travels
Great Khan

Next, look at these books about Marco Polo.

Books About Marco Polo

10 Marco Polo Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these fun books about Marco Polo to your home library or use them in your unit studies.

Marco Polo

The Adventures of Marco Polo

Was Marco Polo the world's greatest explorer -- or the world's greatest liar? Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman turns his eagle eye on the enigmatic Marco Polo in his most exciting biography yet.

The Story of Marco Polo

Animals Marco Polo Saw (Explorer Series)

Marco Polo (Junior World Explorers)

Examines the political forces and personal ambition that drove Marco Polo in his explorations.

The Travels of Marco Polo

He Went With Marco Polo

Louise Andrews Kent is a master storyteller, weaving historical accuracy and immersive adventure into one epic voyage of discovery.

This new edition features all the original illustrations and clean, readable text. It is a fantastic living book teaching about history and geography, recommended for ages 10 and up.

Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde (World Landmark Books)

Excellent, historic story well told by Harold Lamb and beautifully illustrated by Elton Fax. Originally published in 1954, this paperback edition was released in 1982.

Marco Polo: Overland to China (In the Footsteps of Explorers)

Marco Polo: his travels and adventures.

Moreover, look at more ideas for your unit study.

Marco Polo Unit Study Hands-on Activities

How to Get the Free Marco Polo Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free printable. It’s a subscriber freebie.

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the printable.
3) Last, look for my emails in your inbox as a follower. Glad to have you.

Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas

Check out the other hands-on activities so far for our Marco Polo Unit Study.

Persian Mosaic Craft Marco Polo Unit Study

Create a Mythological Map – Marco Polo Unit Study

And then check out some of the Marco Polo books we are using and loving!

2 Pages Per Month At A Glance Academic Calendar {2015 – 2016} Sea Crystals Color

January 8, 2015 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The first of the 2 page per month at a glance academic calendar for the 2015-2016 school year is ready! And I am loving it. I already printed my copy and have it in my planner.

2 Pages Per Month At A Glance Academic Calendar

Just a heads up, remember I luv color so the calendar is a color calendar. It is a two page spread calendar that gives you plenty of room to write in.

At the top right side, I have a place on the first month, which is July for you to jot down projected dates for school to begin and end. After that month, the box at the top right on the other pages are for you to track what is priority whether it’s dates to remember, projects or record keeping.

Remember too though I say it’s an academic calendar, it is 12 months so that you can either use it for year around homeschooling or just to note dates for the full year.

Bottom line, you get a full year to help track like we live life, year around and not just for a nine month school year. Too, when you download the digital 2 pages per month at a glance calendar, you can print off as many copies as you like for your personal use.

If you use my Forever Blog Planner, you may want to add it to that planner, or your Curriculum Planner or Home Management Binder.

Guess what? You can get it for only $.99 cents. Instant Download.

Important: READ THIS FIRST.

Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
Links are TIME SENSITIVE, meaning you need to download right then AND save to your computer. Please do not email me a week, two weeks or a month later telling me the “link is not working” because it has expired or because you did not save it to your device. I will not respond to those emails.
If a link is not “clickable” when you get your product download email, then copy/paste the link in your browser and your digital product will open.
Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer.

Hugs and love ya,