Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Audiobook Benefits and Resources


When I was growing up, I was led to believe those who listened to audiobooks were taking the "easy way out"--they didn't have to actually flip pages and read through the story. However, the more I investigate audiobooks, the more my eyes are opened to the benefits of providing these for your children. Here are just some of the benefits I can see:


  1. Ear training--helps students listen, focus, and hear the details of the stories.

  2. Fluency--if providing high quality audiobooks, students will learn how words connect within sentences and sentences connect within paragraphs and how paragraphs connect within a story.

  3. Pronunciation and grammar skills--students will learn the correct way to pronounce words.

  4. Vocabulary--Broadens student vocabulary.

  5. Critical Thinking Skills--go ahead, discuss the audiobooks after you listen to them with your children.

  6. Time Saver--Let's face it; we always seem to have less and less time. Instead of feeling guilty for not reading as much to your children as you would like, read to them as much as you can and play an audiobook when you need to get other things finished.

When can you listen to audiobooks?



  • When you're doing chores, such as the laundry, or making dinner.

  • While running errands.

  • While planning school activities.

  • While the kids are doing chores.

  • While gardening.

  • Road trips!

Here are some great FREE audiobook links:


Storynory.com


Audiobookscorner.com


Kids Learn Out Loud


Free Audiobooks


Librivox (my favorite!)


My daughters listened to part of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on satellite radio today in the car when we were on a long drive. I didn't tell them it was on, but after a few minutes, Lovely started asking me questions about it. Then... it became silent in the backseat for the rest of the drive! You can only imagine how excited I was!

You can also check out lots of audiobooks at local libraries, and some libraries have audiobooks on their websites. Remember to help your children select an appropriate audiobook and try to listen to it before your child listens to it. Then, you can listen to it together and discuss it afterward, perhaps notebooking about it!

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Freebies 4 The Week


With all of the blogs and websites I try to keep up with, I thought I'd share some of the deals with you:



  1. Food, Inc.--watch for free on PBS tonight at 9 p.m., Eastern. I was able to find it on the internet for free, but since my DSL isn't the greatest, it took about 3 hours to watch! If you do watch it, it will change your views on what you buy and where you buy it.



  2. $10 off $30 Purchase at World Market.


  3. Free Presidents of the United States poster from C-SPAN Classroom. Poster is 6' and lists service careers of presidents, including important historical events. This is for teachers only, but they include the option of signing up as an elementary or secondary 'home school'.


  4. Lego Smart Kit. For teachers who wish to see if their students are "Lego Smart." Kits will be sent to the first 10,000 registrants. Must register by July 30, 2010.

Hope some of you will find this helpful!


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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Homeschool Curriculum Clean-Out

Gotta love giveaways! I just entered to win Teach Your Children to Read in 100 Easy Lessons from the blog Along the Way . Wonder what other deals I may find!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Freebies and Fun

My addiction has led me out of the realm of homeschool blogs into the realm of the freebie/deals/cheap options blogs, and I just can't contain my excitement! Here are some of the cool things I've found for Easter:

Meijer: 11-2 p.m. April 3, includes kid's activities and giveaways, eggs and prizes, and Easter food samples.

Michaels: 10-1 p.m. April 3, free workshop decorating Easter pails.

Home Depot:
9-12 p.m. April 3, free workshop geared toward kids ages 5-7 making butterfly houses.

Bass Pro Shop: 2-3 p.m. April 3-4, Easter egg hunt, 4x6 photo with Easter Bunny, or you can come at 12 to make Easter decorations.

Also, remember April 17-25 is National Park Week, which means FREE admission to all 392 national parks, including Mammoth Cave and Big South Fork.