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How To Shop For History Curriculum at a Homeschool Convention + Printable Cheat Sheet

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This is a sponsored post and I am proud to be partnering with Great Homeschool Conventions this year because I LOVE their convention philosophy.

Homeschool History How to Shop For Curriculum at a Convention

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Convention season is just around the corner.  I like to plan early so I have time to mull over my choices, but especially my choices for my favorite subjects like history and geography.

Today, I am focusing on giving you a few things that I look for in a history program.  Instead of listing them in importance to me, I just listed them so you can decide which ones are important to you and which ones can take a backseat this next year.

Homeschool History Cheat Sheet

Too, I have prepared a cheat sheet for you by helping to separate the history vendors into different approaches.  This saves valuable time at a convention because you can spend time with the vendors that fit your approach.

choosing a homeschool history program free cheat sheet

You can download the Vendor Cheat Sheet here.

1.) Time Period Covered Quandary.   Before I purchase, I have to have an idea of what time period I want to focus on.  Do I want to cover history chronologically beginning with the ancients or do I want to hone in on one particular time period?  Look at my post here 8 Ways to Teach Homeschool History Other Than Chronologically if you are undecided.  For example if you want to cover one time period then look at the companies like My Father’s World or Knowledge Box Central.

2.) Children’s Abilities Quandary.  Instead of focusing on your children’s age which may be different than their ability, look for history curriculum that will either quench their thirst for history or scale it back into bite size pieces.  Be sure you are looking at levels above and below your child’s level to be sure you are making a good fit.

3.) History & Bible Together. I am always up for covering more than one subject at a time, but I always like choosing my own Bible reference material too.  Some history curriculum is lighter on Bible content, others not.  You decide what works for you this year.  For example, Story of the World at Rainbow Resource would be lighter on Bible content whereas Mystery Of History has more Bible coverage.  The most important thing to me is that I cover Bible along with history.

4.) Hands-on/Hands-off Learner.  If your child is not interested in crafts and wants to pick up and read and be done with it, then look at some of the text book providers or classical approach providers like Classical Conversations or Bob Jones.   If you’re like me and you would prefer that your children didn’t want to do any hands-on things, but that won’t ever happen (just kidding, I love doing these with my boys and NO I am not a crafty person, I just know it works) then look at the unit study approach and some of the books in the Variety category.  Look at BooksBloom, Great Hall Productions and Usborne books that can be used for hands-on ideas and for living books or audios.

5.) Business Matters.  Look over copyright usage for multiple children or how you are suppose to use it for your personal use.  Can you copy the material? Can you use it with more than one child?  Determine the actual price for you.

For example, though a history program that covers several time periods may be more expensive, it may allow usage for multiple children.

Do your math to compare apples to apples.

Look at this sample: If the cost of the history program is $80.00, then divide that by 3 (or number of children you have) = $26.66.

Then, if it can be used for multiple years, then divide that number again by the number of years.   If it’s a 4 year program, then it’s $6.66 per year per child.

Wow, what a deal, what a steal now.  Use both your business mind-set and teacher mind-set when you are shopping.

Shopping for homeschool history and supplements at a homeschool convention is one of my very favorite luvs and one of the best parts about being a home educator.  I love the smell of all the new books in the convention and the frenzy of shopping at each vendor’s booth.  Even at big conventions I always run into somebody I know too and visiting with each other is such a huge part of the fellowship felt when you go in person.

What about you? What is your favorite part about shopping for curriculum?

Have you decided which convention/s you are going to? Remember to register with Great Homeschool Conventions! Click on the graphic above to register.

I have some more posts on how to choose curriculum and some more free printable checklists to add to your arsenal.  Check it out below!

Free Checklists.

Master the Subjects Form – 5 Days Of The Benefits & Challenges of Teaching Mixed Ages Together – Day 4: Embrace Homeschooling Multiple Grades

Teacher’s Manual Checklist – {How To Series} How to Determine if a Teacher’s Manual is Treasure or Trash? + {printable checklist}

Hugs and love ya,

2012Tinasignature Day 1. Unit Studies Define & Redefine the Meaning. 10 Days of Diving into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together.

This is also a blog hop. This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects. Visit us on Pinterest, Twitter and Google Plus. And of course, click the image below to visit all the other blog articles from the homeschool moms of the iHomeschool Network.

hows-whys

Curriculum & Homeschool Conventions –Cures for Cabin Fever

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This is a sponsored post and I am proud to be partnering with Great Homeschool Conventions this year because I LOVE their convention philosophy.

Curriculum & Homeschool Conventions Cures for Cabin Fever

Before Tiny was conceived (okay not a TMI post) and when I only had Mr. Senior 2013 and Mr. Awesome, I started my homeschool journey in a tiny 800 square foot cabin and that included the porch.

Having just two bedrooms and one main living area for both schooling and living was a perfect size as I started my homeschooling journey.  I loved that cabin because not only was it cozy but on the porch I spent countless hours reading and playing with my sons.

As much as I loved it though, I seemed to spend more time at the local teacher store hunting just the right hands on activities for my budding reader.  That is until I found out about homeschool conventions.

Too, because there were times the cabin did feel like cramped quarters, I focused on learning several things as a novice teacher and one was how to navigate a homeschool convention.

Homeschool Convention Tools, Techniques and Tips

Planning in advance with the same passion I planned a family vacation, I was sure to not miss any conventions that were close to me.  Guess what? Even if they weren’t close, I realized soon in my homeschool journey that attending a convention catapulted me ahead in honing my homeschool teaching skills.

Look at some tips I learned when I attended conventions and made an extra effort to attend the bigger ones.

1.  Love them and leave them kids.  When my kids were very young, I would try to leave them at home at least one day with Grandma.  It normally was the second day.  On that day I was more tired but also I had time to look through the booths.   Too, I have had many years of living in the cabin with no family near me so that I could leave my kids.  If it is the same for you, go slow and go the pace of the children.  Do not miss the convention, but take breaks and plan on attending some workshops.  When you attend workshops, you and the kids (hopefully) can sit down, take a break and at the same time still receive some much needed encouragement.

2.  Avoid convention-itis.   Try to give yourself one day to think about what you have looked over and then buy the next day.  However, if there are limited products of the curriculum you want and you already know that you need it, then purchase it and it’s done so you don’t have to go back.

3.  Deploy the Teens.  If you have teens, they can be a great source of help if you put them to work.   My teens enjoyed having a mission.   Let them tour some of the vendors and call you back with prices and information.

4.  Deploy the Gear.  No teens? Grab a super size stroller and it serves as both snack holder and place for the younger ones to sit down.

5.  Money Belt Must.  I always liked having my money belt around my waist so I constantly do not have to bend over.   Some moms I see leave their money on top of the stroller, but in this day and age even at a homeschool convention, we just can’t trust everybody.   By having it around your waist, you can still hold the little ones on your hips too.  My preference only, but I have never liked a backpack because I have seen many folks back into racks and other people.  I do bring a tote though that I can stick papers in that I want to look at later.

6.  Utilize the on-site Storage Room or Services.  Most conventions have free storage rooms for your convention purchases.  Even if they charge you for a space, it really is worth it instead of hauling around all your new purchases.  At the end of the convention, back your car up and load it all up.

7.  Distinguish between Workshops.  Keep in mind there are generally two types of workshops at conventions.  One is a “product workshop” and the other is an “informational workshop”.

A product workshop will be more specific and geared toward selling the product and it generally is hosted by a vendor.  This is not really a negative especially if you are interested in purchasing it for your use.   The product workshops can be so more informative educating you about the use of a product.

Information workshops will be about various homeschooling topics that are of interest to us and are normally put on by a seasoned mom who has had particular success with either a method or is sharing the how-tos of a subject.   Look ahead on the schedule and try to plot out your course of action for the days you are there.

8.  Make Ahead Do Not Forget List.  My packing list normally includes hair clip, phone, extra cell phone, water, lipstick (yes have to be purdyyy), comfortable shoes, tote, credit cards and/or checks, printable list of my curriculum needs and wants and waist belt with cash.  And do not bring all $100.00 bills (I did have a few of them at one time) because not all companies can make change for a $100.00 bill.   Small bills are best.

Get Excited for Great Homeschool Conventions

Homeschool conventions do not have to be a time of wondering around aimlessly with no plan or standing out with a deer in the headlight look.   The first time  attending any homeschool convention can be downright overwhelming, but soon enough the contagious spirit of fellow homeschoolers fills the building.   Walking away with enough zest and vigor to move ahead one more year in my journey, I make it a yearly habit of attending them.

I still love that old cabin with all its charm and character.   It has a special place in my heart because not only was it my first homeschooling area but my craze for curriculum and love for conventions was conceived there.

What about you? Have you decided which convention/s you are going to? Remember to register with Great Homeschool Conventions!

Need some checklists for the convention? Look at the links below:

Master the Subjects Form – 5 Days Of The Benefits & Challenges of Teaching Mixed Ages Together – Day 4: Embrace Homeschooling Multiple Grades

Teacher’s Manual Checklist – {How To Series} How to Determine if a Teacher’s Manual is Treasure or Trash? + {printable checklist}

Hugs and love ya,

2012Tinasignature Day 1. Unit Studies Define & Redefine the Meaning. 10 Days of Diving into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together.

This is also a blog hop. This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.   Visit us on Pinterest, Twitter and Google Plus.   And of course, click the image below to visit all the other blog articles from the homeschool moms of the iHomeschool Network.

reasons-convention

Great Homeschool Convention– Ticket Discounted Until 11/30 + Free History Download

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This is a sponsored post and I am proud to be partnering with Great Homeschool Conventions this year because I LOVE their convention philosophy and because I love freebies.

Homeschool Convention Discount Ticket Price Extended

I am still waiting anxiously as to when more details will be announced about Great Homeschool Convention coming to Texas. Even though I am moving, I can still plan our vacation time around conventions like I always have.

One thing I wanted you to know is that Great Homeschool Conventions has the price of registration discounted through 11/30. If you are going, then you want to take advantage of grabbing your registration now by clicking below or on the picture above.

Great Homeschool Conventions

But that is not all they have for you. They also have a free history download for you by Michael Medved.

Click here to grab the free history download.

Michael Medved will be  a speaker at all 3 Conventions in 2014 and guess what? He will also be in Texas in early 2015.  Michael Medved is a homeschool advocate and has a crazy-popular radio show across the US.

Check out the registration!

Hugs and love ya,

2012Tinasignature 7 Favorite Organization Tools

Hands On History Kit–South America Unit Study

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

SP @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Art In History Kit

When I was planning our hands on activities for our South America unit study, I realized that not so many were fun and age appropriate.  So I was tickled when we got a chance to play with review a fun hands on history kit from Art in History. We chose the Incan empire food vessel kit.

So you know how Tiny got his mom’s lack of art creativity, but it has never hindered us from schooling on the wild side when we set out for an art adventure. The Incan Empire Food Storage Vessel kit helps all novice and expert art adventurers alike because it contains everything you need in one sweet box for each child.

Here is what came in our kit:

  • A replica of a jar from the Incan Empire.
  • Paintbrush, sponge, paint pallet, acrylic paint pods AND
  • FREE lesson plan with background information on the Incan Empire.
World History Ancient Egypt - King Tutankhamun Tomb Frieze (1333- 1324 BC) Middle Eastern Studies - Omani Majmar (100-Present) French Revolution - Limoges Style Tabatiere (1769-1324)
American History Mission of San Antonio De Valero - Alamo Fresco Tiles (1718-1793) American Revolution - Colonial Teapot (1763-1788) English Colonial - Slipware Plate (1650-1800)

 

With so many choices of art projects for world history and American history plus the fact that we can have another excuse to study history longer made us excited about this craft.

We spent several days poring over the lesson plan and tying it in to what we learned so far on our South America unit study.  It is hard to focus on the background information with all the art and craft supplies waiting for Tiny’s itching little hands.

Even though the lesson plan didn’t come with questions and answers or vocabulary words, I am glad because the teacher in me would have been tempted to have him complete all of that before we started.  If you tend to be relaxed on the days you do hands on projects like I am, then you will like the background information provided in the lesson plan and can use it as a read through.

We did an oral narration after we read through it because I wanted our focus to stay on the delight of doing something hands on. After we read it together, I made sure too that Tiny had some kind of idea of how to plan his design which is geometrical for the Incans. Hands on History Kit - Incan Empire South America

The 12 page free lesson plan (wow) has an ample amount of information in it including a color map and color samples (thank you) of how to paint the jar.  Next time when I get a kit, I will hold back the art part of the kit and use the free lesson plan to build our unit study so Tiny doesn’t know about about the art. We stalked our mail man on this one, but I will keep it a secret next time because I didn’t know the free information would be so very helpful in building my unit study.

Discovery Through Creativity

If you wanted to build a more in depth unit study from the free lesson plan received with your kit, you could use the information in several ways:

  • locate the Incan Empire on the map for geography;
  • prepare a vocabulary word puzzle with some of the terms for language arts;
  • create more hands on activities like a quipu (a special knotted string) for art history;
  • focus on understanding the areas like Cuzco and Machu Picchu for history;
  • include some science on understanding the spread of disease like small pox which was introduced to the Incans from the Europeans; and
  • I could see some nature sketches because the Incan people liked to use natural landscapes and simple forms on their pottery.

Regarding the art part of this kit, I loved the fact that the kit comes with the acrylic paint colors that would be used in that time period. Each pod is just the right amount to complete the project and believe me Tiny had to paint it several times or just so until his standard was met.

Warm tones of brown and sepia make up this kit and if you look  at the website, for Art in History you can see that other appropriate colors for that time in history are matched up to to each product.

Of course, you can never go wrong with step by step painting directions too. We need them at our house, but you are probably more artsy than we are.

Hands on History Kit for Unit Study History Kit

I do like the fact that I was not scrambling to locate all of our art products or pulling buckets tubes of paint that have either gone bad or having to buy new ones because I didn’t have the “right” color in the house at the moment. Just a dab will do you on paint as we have learned over the years so the paint pods are just the right amount and size.

Incan Food Storage Incan Food Storage

The tips such as using a rubber band around your jar and sketching your design first on paper, I found very helpful.

Tiny made his own pattern on paper first too, which consisted of diamonds, circles and lines. Then instead of line drawing on the jar, he painted free hand onto his jar. He didn’t want to use the rubber band or pencil lightly on the jar because it “it might mess it up” according to him.

Our children have different standards for their work at different ages.  And, I have found that the delight is in the process of learning, creating and doing it his way.

But isn’t that what counts? When they are delighted with the end project. (Don’t tell anybody, but Tiny actually put some food in there to see if he could get it out.)

Interdisciplinary Learning – What?

I have to let you know one more thing which has the unit study loving teacher in me excited and that is Art in History has expansive teacher’s guides for unit studies. You know unit study providers which has content laid out can be limited at times. It can be daunting to plan and why reinvent the wheel when we can spend our time doing something else we enjoy. So that is why I am tickled about this new company because their unit studies are laid out in a 4 – 5 day lesson format.

Check out the teacher’s guides at Art in History that are for an in-depth unit study.

This project is a big hands on hit in our home.  Here are some of our other hands on projects too.

Negrinho a Dessert From Brazil

Salt Dough Map

How to Make an Easy Roman Shield & Free Set of Wings

Product Facts a Glance

PLEASE NOTE: All historically correct paint colors are included with purchase of
Artifact(s). Paint colors may vary depending on monitor variations.

Product Name: Incan Empire Food Storage Vessel

Website: Art in History

Prices: $9.95. Plus shipping/handling

Type of Product: Physical Art project kit for one child.

Customer Service: I had a question about their products and my question was quickly answered  by customer service.

Social Media Links:

Facebook

Twitter @artinhistory

Pinterest

YouTube

Hugs and love you

2012Tinasignature Should Homeschool History Be Covered in Chronological Order?

 

 

 

Have you Ever Been to a REALLY Big Homeschool Convention? + Giveaway

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This Giveaway is Now Closed. The winner is posted at the end of this post. Please remember to follow me here at the blog too to keep with updates.

 

This is a sponsored post and I am proud to be partnering with Great Homeschool Conventions this year because I LOVE their convention philosophy and because I love freebies.

The first time Kelley and I went to a convention alone in San Antonio, Texas, it was a mini vacation. No kids, no husband, no eating, no sleeping, okay…maybe just a little bit of that because we were ready to look shop ALL day.

I can tell you that an online event though helpful especially if you live in no-where-ville doesn’t even come close to attending an event in person if you get the chance to.

It’s almost like trying to spot another homeschool family when you are out during the day. Am  I on the only that does this? You know how sometimes you can tell that they just look like a homeschool family. Its not just because their kids are with them, but something about how they really enjoy being with each other. That is what attending a convention is like except that you have confirmation that everybody there feels the same way you do about homeschooling.

The loud talking, the passing out in aisles because of the sheer volume of curriculum and books that are waiting for me to put my hands on and the amount of curriculum gurus in one area is almost too much for me to take.

Great Homeschool Conventions has more key speakers and more curriculum in one spot than I have ever seen. They are HUGE.

You don’t want to miss out on going to one. It is well worth planning to attend and make it a family vacation. Only homeschoolers would plan their vacation around a homeschool convention.
GHC Registration

But this is not about me today, it’s ALL about you.

So what do I have for you?
Great Homeschool Convention is giving away a family registration.  Here is what the giveaway includes:

1 Family Registration

(& 2 passes to the Family Comedy Night + 1 pass  to the Teen Track)

You decide which location you want to attend. Click on the graphic above to check out each location.

Yes, for the family!!!!

One new thing on their website is that soon a convention will be coming to Texas! Talk about feeling like passing out, I am SO excited. It says not until 2015, but WOW, I can’t wait.

Don’t think you won’t have a chance to win. It can’t hurt to comment and try.

My RULES. Easy, always easy.

Up to 2 Entries. Giveaway ENDS Wednesday, October 30, 2013 @ 9:00 a.m. CST.

You must comment here on this blog post and I have already linked you to this post here. Remember that though I love you mucho, emails to me don’t count. You must comment on this blog post.

I will select a winner using random.org

(Lastly, because we can’t be a once in a lifetime email reader, the winner has 24 hours to claim his/her prize or I will pick another winner.)

That’s its!

I hope you and your family wins! What a great vacation if you do.  I can’t wait to choose the winner. You have until next week to enter this giveaway, so don’t forget.

Hugs and love you,

2012Tinasignature Woo Worthy Big Calendar by NeuYear

 

Winner is Comment Number 33. Catrina and HER family! Congratulations Catrina!

Catrina
Oct 26, 2013 @ 14:53:28 

Wow! That would really be an awesome blessing to win! We would choose the Cincinnati location. Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to win!

 

Random Org Winner Number 33

Update 11.2.2013. Sadly, I did not hear back from Catrina within the 24 hour time. I even allowed one more day or more for just in case as life happens. However, as per the rules of the contest, I need to select another winner now.

Winner 3 of GHC

My new winner is Comment Number 3. Sonja. Congratulations Sonja!

Sonja
Oct 24, 2013 

I am so excited by this giveaway! I’ve never been to a large homeschooling convention. Our state one is pretty small, and our first year was pretty fun, but the one we went to after that was a little different and we haven’t gone back.