This is the time of year to stock up on paper, pencils, notebooks and all the other traditional school supplies. Things are at rock-bottom prices – and are easy to find in most stores. What about other things you might use in your homeschool this year? Have you ever bought supplies from the home improvement store? the grocery store (and I don’t mean your typical school supplies)?
I’ll be sharing some things this week that will be useful for many homeschoolers. I’ll be sharing ideas that might need a little DIY or might be ready to go once you leave the store. These ideas will definitely have you thinking out-of-the-(pencil)box. If it sparks an idea for more, share it with all of us in the comments.
A few years ago (or more), before Pinterest, I had come across an idea on a blog and bookmarked it. Since that time, I have seen it all over Pinterest (and other blogs). I wish I remembered that first place I had seen it, to give credit to that blogger. It’s a wonderful idea for a game playing with word families.
I’m sure you’ve seen it. You need paint chip samples — the ones with a window and the tonal strips. Using a Sharpie, write the common part of your word family beside the window. Using a coordinated strip, write the possible beginnings – one to each section. This is a great game to have in a workbox or tray for your child to access on their own. There are many possible word families. We keep just a small selection to be worked on at a time. I keep the extra pieces in a clear, lidded box.
Moving from language arts to math, the same concept utilizing the windowed paint sample cards and a strip for changeable information lends itself well to place value practice. If you use a card with two windows, you can practice with ones and tens. Have a card with three windows? add in the hundreds place.
If you are not able to find the paint sample cards with a window, make your own. You can easily cut a window with a paper punch made for scrapbooking. You can stick with a square or have fun using a different shape. You could also turn a single window card into a multi-window card for even more place value practice.
Your littler learners can use those paint samples for a fun color matching game. Take those paint samples and cut a strip to fit a clothespin. Glue the strip to a clothespin. Not only will they practice matching colors, but it is great fine motor skills practice, too!
My favorite part? These paint samples are free! If you’ll be taking several, check with the employee at the paint counter first. If they should ask you to pay for them, it should only be a very small amount. You can find paint sample cards at any retailer that mixes custom paint colors. The “big box” stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. I have also seen them at many Wal-Marts and of course, paint stores such as Sherwin-Williams.
Paint sample strips also make great bookmarks — as is or prettied up. You can also fold the strips matchbook style and staple some paper inside for a handy little notepad. There are also many art projects utilizing paint chips should you feel inspired. Little scrapbooks or color books look like fun!
This is just the first day of week full of great posts. There will be something for everyone! To see the other bloggers and their themes for the week, click the graphic below. See you tomorrow!
