#MemorialTPTSale

It's a hashtag sale.  Just pop #memorialtptsale into the search bar on TPT to find lots of great products at $1 (UK readers - that's around 75p)

Hurry, though - they're only available Sunday - Tuesday

Catalina and the King's Wall Blog Tour

I love to bring you news of new books, and here is one of my favourites.It's by new author Patti Costello - check her out below. We wish her the very best of luck with her book.

Title: Catalina and the King's Wall

Author: : Patty Costello 

Illustrator: Diane Cojocaru

Publisher: Eifrig Publishing 

Publication date: May 5, 2018 

Genre: Children's Book 

Number of pages: 32

The blurb One day Catalina overhears the king planning to build a wall and fears her family will never be able to visit. Catalina tricks the king into building walls that droop, drip, swirl, and swoosh away. But now the king demands a wall that will outlast even a Twinkie. Luckily, Catalina has the perfect ingredients to bake up a family reunion!

Take peek inside the book...

Amazon ~ Eifrig Publishing

About the Author

Patty Costello lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, a crazy awesome toddler, a dog named Pippa, and a dog named Spencer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of St Thomas and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. She currently works in higher education. Catalina and the King’s Wall is her first book. At all hours of the day (and night) she can be found standing at her desk, helping her university run smoothly and working on her next story.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram 

Cathy Duffy Recommended Reads for Homeschoolers - Reading and Writing

Today I tackled my cupboard under the stairs. It's a real treasure trove of stationery, craft supplies and educational books. At the last count it held 5 full sized bookcases (all crammed to bursting) and numerous heavy duty crates. Until today I had no idea what was in my catalogue but was aghast to find I had duplicates of many books, classroom packs of coloured pencils, glue sticks and sticky notes. And I haven't started on the reading books yet! Thinking back what I really needed was a spirit guide or at least less choice, or some recommendations as a starting point. 

This is where Cathy Duffy comes in. Cathy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool resources to help educators like me and you make an informed decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it.

In my last post I brought you a selection of  Cathy-approved maths and science picks available at Educents.com. Today's selection is related to reading and writing. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool curriculum.Elementary Reading & Writing

Grammaropolis

 

I can't say enough about story-based learning. It's one of the oldest ways we've learned from each other - starting with fables that teach us to be good to one another. Grammaropolis is a great tool for K-3rd grade learners on their quest for perfect English grammar, which isn't always straight forward! This set comes with animated shorts, music videos, books, and quizzes, so you've got a lot of learning styles covered.

  

A Reason for Handwriting

 

A Reason For Handwriting provides your students with a truly meaningful way to develop their handwriting! Lessons are each built upon a Bible verse which is chosen for encouragement as well as letter combinations. It's been proven that when kids enjoy a subject, they retain more and learn more effectively. A Reason for Handwriting brings enjoyment to the task of learning to write well.

  

Spelling Workout

 Want to build your child's foundation in spelling? Spelling Workout will help create a solid building block of phonics principles. But don't worry, these lessons are not dull! There are puzzles, riddles, and activities that will keep your student's interest. Each bundle includes a Teacher Edition, Student Edition, and Parent Guide.

  

Cathy Duffy Recommended Reads for Homeschoolers - Maths and Science

Sometimes having too many choices isn't actually the most helpful. I remember a time when I was at Thornton's chocolate shop looking for a gift. There was so much to choose from! I just couldn't make up my mind whether to go for milk, dark or white, lemon meringue, blackberry parfait, chocolate mousse or strawberry delight... What's a girl to do? I just bought the shop! That was a time when I wished I'd had less choice, or at least some recommendations as a starting point. 

The same approach applies to educational resources. I have so many books, schemes of work, work plans, assessment packs etc that I could easily open my own library! I wished I'd had someone to guide me. 

This is where Cathy Duffy comes in. Cathy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool resources to help educators like me and you make an informed decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it.

Here’s a handful of Cathy-approved educational picks available at Educents.com. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool curriculum.

Elementary Math & Science

Life of Fred Elementary Math

 

 If you haven't heard of Life of Fred, you're in for a real treat. Dr. Stanley F Schmitt is a maths teacher who developed this story-based maths learning series that has taken homeschooling by storm! Forget rote learning that doesn't resonate; learners follow Fred and his pals through life and learn maths concepts along the way. Kids sometimes don't even know they're learning maths until they're told! Each book has a topic, like Apples, Butterflies, and Cats. I recommend supplementing maths learning with science or social studies on the same topic!

   

Math Lessons for a Living Education

 

 Math Lessons for a Living Education is based on the premise that "content, story, and the ability to show maths in real life" is what makes a great maths curriculum! In everyday life, there aren’t barriers between “subjects.” For example, when cooking or baking, we use the skills of reading, logical thinking, and measuring. This "living" maths series is committed to teaching maths in the same organic way!

 

Math Mammoth Light Blue Series

 

 This homeschooling favourite series constitutes a full elementary mathematics curriculum for grades 1-7! Homeschool parents love Math Mammoth because kids can learn on their own with the comprehensive student books, it focuses on conceptual learning, it is visually engaging, and chapters are organised by topics and themes. But don't just take our word for it! Here's what one very happy homeschool parent had to say: "We have tried three different maths curriculum programs but this one seems the best for the teacher and student."

 

A+ Interactive Math (by A+ TutorSoft, Inc.)

Make your homeschool maths journey EASY! This interactive maths curriculum does it all for you--teaching, grading, and tracking! A+ allows you to personalise the lesson plans to target exactly what your student needs. And you have the option to choose whichever format works the best for you: online, on CD, or eBooks.

 

 

Mathematical Reasoning Level A

Do your kids dread maths lessons and drill sheets? This fun and colourful book engages kids with easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and charts. Your kindergartner will learn foundational concepts through these delightful lessons.

     

enVision Math

This visually rich curriculum centres on a topic at a time, allowing your child to master a concept before moving on to the next. Build a strong maths foundation using fun worksheets and activities! Each enVision Math Homeschool Bundle includes a Student Edition Worktext and a Teacher Edition CD-ROM.

     

Middle School Math

Life of Fred Intro to Algebra

 

I really can't say enough about the Life of Fred series! Kids learning algebra and beyond will enjoy the stories and learn the concepts through holistic learning. If your learner is new to Fred but at a more advanced level, it has been recommended that they start from the beginning. That said, re-learning a few known concepts in the Life of Fred framework will help them get up to speed with story and succeed with the series.

 

Life of Fred Financial Choices

 

 As your kiddos get older you may also want to instil strong financial decision-making. The Life of Fred Financial Choices book is a great intro. And if we're being honest, there's never a bad time for parents to brush up on this either!

 

 

Science for the Family

Magic School Bus Nature Bundle

Summer is a great time to get the whole family involved with experiments to foster learning and family bonding! This set comes with four science kits and covers topics like:

• Weather - learn about rainbows, tornadoes, the greenhouse effect, and more.
• Going Green - learn about recycling, compost, and making new paper out of old!
• Solar Energy - watch solar energy inflate balloons and spin a top.
• Wonders of Nature - build an ant hill, dissolve an egg shell, do an animal tracks exercise.

A Reason for Science

"A Reason For Science® is designed to teach basic Life, Earth, and Physical Science concepts through fun, hands-on activities. Its focus is to make learning both fun and meaningful." This interactive science series can involve the entire family as students and parents engage in group discussions and problem-solving. Students can talk through higher-level cognitive questions with this inquiry-based series that gets both minds and hands involved!

   

Science Detective A1

Help your kids be science detectives while engaging them in mind-building exercises! Science Detective will prepare your students for more advanced science courses and give them opportunities to stretch their reading comprehension and reasoning skills.

Magic School Bus Science Club Kits

SPECIAL OFFER: Save 50% on a year’s subscription through Educents. This deal is amazing!

If you have children (ages 5-12) who enjoy the Magic School Bus books or videos–and if you like doing science experiments with them–then you'll LOVE The Magic School Bus Science Club! Developed by a team of Harvard graduates, scientists, and educators, the award-winning Magic School Bus Science Kits are delivered monthly right to your doorstep. Children will explore science through experiments that will spark an interest and curiosity in science. Each kit includes a colourful manual based on The Magic School Bus characters, as well as everything you need to complete at least seven experiments related to that month’s theme.
 

What's in the Magic School Bus Science Club?

1 year subscription includes 12 Magic School Bus kits! Each kit includes:

• Detailed 12-page colourful manual that is full of experiments and topic information, based on the popular Magic School Bus books and TV series
• An adult section so that those with no science background will find the kits easy to use
• Materials and information necessary for a range of interactive experiments
• Online Clubhouse for further exploration on each kit topic
• Certificate of Completion

Kit Topics:  

 Here's what one parent had to say about the kits:

"These are just plain awesome for a child! These kits stimulate the mind in a fun way, They are well put together, and if you like helping with the kit you will have a ball. Anyone with a child who loves the stars or anything else, this is for you. Go ahead take a ride on the Magic School Bus... well worth it. Thanks!"

If you know your family would have great fun with this, now’s a great time to sign up!

Through the end of the week, you can receive 50% OFF a year’s subscription through Educents! This is an incredible deal! You can even create and print off your own gift cards to let your children know about the surprise. Enjoy your exploration alongside Ms. Frizzle!