What To Do With Lapbook Scraps

Although lapbooking is a great educational tool, it does create an abundance of scrap paper waste. This is a major turn off for some who are considering this method of education, and a source of guilt for many avid lapbookers.

But good stewardship and lapbooking can go hand in hand. There are many ways to recycle lapbook scraps, and some are as fun and educational as the lapbooking itself. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Scrap waste is a major drawback of lapbooking, but good stewardship and lapbooking can go hand in hand!

1. Get Crafty

Just because your scraps are small doesn't mean they are useless. Let your creativity loose and you will be amazed by what you can create.

Why not glue together a paper quilt? Paper quilts are much easier to make than the sewn variety and are perfect for decorating greeting cards and bookmarks. 

Tiny bits of paper can be used to make beautiful mosaics. These can also be used on greeting cards, as bookmarks, laminated to make placemats or coasters,  or framed to hang on the wall. 

Paper scraps can also be used to create beads and papier mache objects. Or they can be used to make a diorama. 

2. Got scraps? Make a Scrapbook!

If your lapbooks are made from acid free paper, the leftover paper is perfect for decorating scrapbook pages and notebooks . Take pictures as the kids complete their lapbooks and use the scraps to create color coordinated album pages. Use larger scraps to frame the pictures and smaller ones to make decorations.

Scraps are also great for adding color and variety to notebook pages. Try drawing shapes or pictures to cut out and attach to your pages.

3. Got Paper? Make Paper!

The easiest way to use up all those little bits of paper is to make them into new paper. Recycling paper is easy and fun. Homemade papers are beautiful and made great stationary or cards. You could even use them in your lapbooks! 

I hope these ideas have shown you that lapbooking doesn't need to be wasteful and maybe these ideas have sparked your imagination. If you have any additional suggestions for recycling paper, please share them by leaving a comment.

FREE! Lesson Plans, E-books, & Online Classes

Living on a limited budget AND finding funds for curriculum can sometimes be a struggle. There isn't always much left for extras. But that doesn't mean your children have to miss out. The internet is overflowing with free resources, available at the click of a mouse. Let me show you where to look!  

 

 

 

An Old-Fashioned Education

You'll find here a directory of free homeschool curricula, literature and text books organized for the use of homeschooling families.

 

Ambleside Online

The Ambleside Online curriculum is a free homeschooling curriculum designed to be a modern equivalent to the curriculum that Charlotte Mason (CM) used in her own PNEU schools.

 

Easy Peasy -- All In One Homeschool

A complete, free online homeschool curricula.

 

CK-12 Foundation: Kindle Store

CK-12 Foundation provides a library of free online textbooks, videos, exercises, flashcards, and real world applications for over 5000 concepts from arithmetic to history.

 

Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg offers 40,000 free ebooks to download.

 

The Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project

The Baldwin Project seeks to make available online a comprehensive collection of literature for children that is in the public domain in the United States. This includes all works first published before 1923. These resources are offered at no charge and permission is granted to individuals to print copies for personal and educational uses.

 

ManyBooks.net

Thousands of free ebooks, pre-formatted for reading on your computer, smartphone..., iPod, or e-reading device - ePUB, Kindle, eReader, PDF, Plucker, iSilo, Doc, RTF, Mobipocket, Newton Paperback, and zTXT ebooks ready to go!

 

Internet Archive

Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library offering free universal access to books, movies & music, as well as 292 billion archived web pages.

 

Online Books- Answers In Genesis

The following resources have been made freely available to read online. You may purchase physical copies of these books from our online store.

 

Khan Academy

With a library of over 3,000 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and hundreds of skills to practice, they're on a mission to help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.

 

Crash Course

Six awesome courses in one awesome channel: John Green teaches you US History and Hank Green teaches you Chemistry. Check out the playlists for past courses in World History, Biology, Literature, and Ecology.

 

Covenant Theological Seminary Resources

Free Online Lectures and Courses in Apologetics, Theology, Church History, Archaeology, Literature, Art, and more.

 

Free High School Resources You Won’t Want to Miss

This is a blog post with more free homeschool and educational resources.

 

Freely Educate

A blog where high quality and free educational offers are posted every week day. Free homeschooling resources are the primary focus. Giveaways and educational product reviews are also posted frequently.

Don't Bite The Hands That Bless You!

I have a confession to make. I'm  angry. 

I just finished reading a post on the Homeschool Share blog explaining why they have decided to remove all their FIAR resources, as a matter of concience, and I am totally stunned by many of the comments that post recieved.

For those of you who do not know, the Homeschool Share website is a labor of love produced by Ami Brainerd. Every one of the resources offered on the site is available FREE to users because Ami and a limited number of other volunteers are willing to sacrificed large amounts of their time to create them.

You would think that a woman who gives so generously to help others would be the subject of undying gratitude from the hoards who have done nothing but recieved free gifts from her hands. Yet, there is a number of people out there who feel it right to censure her because she made the decision to stop sharing a few of those resources. And that makes me mad. 

I've posted on this topic before, and I don't see how I can say it any better, so I am re-posting a blog article I wrote four years. Perhaps it will be a reminder to others out there to be more grateful for what they are given.

There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
If you have studied economics you are probably familiar with the expression "There’s No Such Thing As A Free Lunch." As homeschool moms who face an abundance of teaching resources, avaiable at the click of a mouse, with no cost to us personally, it is easy to forget this fact. But the truth is, none of those "free" resources are really free. Each and every one of them has cost somebody something to create them or host them and it is by their generosity that these resources are available to us. In return, we ought to consider it our duty to show gratitude for the benefits we receive.

Here are three easy ways to demonstrate your appreciation to these "silent heroes" of the curriculum world:

1. Don’t forget to say "thank-you". This ought to be obvious, but how often do we really send out notes of thanks for the freebies we receive? Most of these individuals ask for nothing more than to know that they have made a difference in someone’s life. Be dilligent to encourage those who otherwise receive no recompence for their labors and they will feel that all their time and effort was well spent.

2. Be fair in your critiques. Have you ever downloaded something and thought, "What a waste of my time! I could have done a better job than this!" or "This isn’t what I was hoping for!" Yet, the fact that you have no need of that item doesn’t make it less valuable to others that might download it, or make its creator any less generous for offering it.

As both a reviewer and a publisher on the Currclick website, I like to keep up with the comments posted there. Over the past several months I have noticed some very bad reviews being given to products which are offered as freebies. People download a file because it costs them nothing, then give a review based on how the product fit their needs, rather than on the quality and merits of the product. They do this without stopping to think what it cost that publisher to offer it in the first place or to consider what their review will do to the overall reputation of that publisher. I wonder how many of these publishers, after making such a sacrifice and receiving such a poor thanks, will have the desire to make that mistake again?

3. Respect copyrights. It is easy to assume that because a publisher is willing to give his product away, he has given up all rights to it. Yet this is not the case. Many publishers use free promotions to draw traffic to their websites and generate income to support themselves. Others offer freebies solely for the gratification that comes from helping others. No matter the reason, and no matter the price, these items are still under copyright. It is up to the publisher to decide where they are posted and who receives them. And it is also up to the publisher whether or not these items should remain free.

Too often I’ve seen examples of files being copied from various websites and posted on Yahoo Groups or on file sharing sites without the permission of the original creator. I ‘ve also witnessed conversations concerning limited time freebies. Someone who has missed out on the opportunity to download a previously posted freebie will request that the item be forwarded to her and someone else will send it. We may see these as harmless acts, but if intellectual property rights are not respected, more and more publishers will decide that these "free" products are not worth the cost.

I’ll end with a quote from Jessica Feliciano of Notebooking2Learn. I believe she voiced the thoughts of all our "silent heroes" when she wrote:

"For those of you who have been blessed by the free resources that you find here and elsewhere among generous homeschooling mom’s, please don’t take them for granted. They truly are labors of love and many times cost their creators much more than time. What some may not realize is the that the cost of clip art, printer ink and paper to make these resources and to make sure that they "work" before they are shared can really add up. If you are blessed by a free resource, consider taking the time to say thank you. It is a little gesture that goes a long way. Be considerate of the creators and make sure you link others back to their work and don’t just share a resource because it was free. Be grateful for the resources that are available and don’t make a habit of expecting more."

More posts on this topic:

• When Frugal Is Illegal by Kim Kautzer
• Thank You to all of my Loyal Readers by Erica of Confessions of a Homeschooler

How To Bag Groceries

Although I have never worked in a grocery store, I am pretty certain that these stores have no program for training their employees to bag groceries. And if they do, it isn't working. I cannot count the number of times I have arrived home with ruined groceries, or the times I have had to rebag items at the store to avoid impending disasters.

When all the children were home, there were eleven people in our household and I would spend an average of eight hours a month in the grocery store shopping for them. I spent another two hours a month driving to and from the store, and about three or four hours each month putting away the groceries I bought. Usually I shopped twice a month, and I filled two carts to over flowing each time. So, I think it is fair to say I have invested a good deal of time, as well as money, in grocery shopping.

{My dream is for a world where every loaf of bread would arrive home unsquished and no one would ever find a package of butter in a bag of clothing three days after it was purchased. In order to facilitate that dream, I am offering this guide to bagging groceries without charge to stores world wide. Please feel free to print copies and distribute them to your employees.}


Don't Mash The Merchandise!

Obviously common sense dictates that bread should be placed on top of the other groceries in the cart. However, there are other ways to mangle this delicate item that aren't quite as obvious. First, and most annoying, is when the loaves are placed into the bag horizontally so that they close up like an accordion when the weight of the bag causes the sides to pull in. Similarly, placing too many loaves into the same bag can cause this mashing when the bag is picked up. Heavier types of bread, such as bagels, should never be put in the same bag as lighter ones. The same rule applies to tomatoes and other heavy items which may be prone to squishing. Put them on top of the other items, but don't put them on top of the bread. You're bagging groceries, not building a sandwich.

Eggs, though slightly sturdier and better packaged, should also be treated with care. Although you technically can fit three or four boxes in the same bag, you must remember that the customer is going to have to pick that bag up and carry it. If it is too full, it will either break or it will just be extremely hard to maneuver. Trust me, it is not a timesaver to have your eggs scrambled ahead of time.

Other squishy items that you might want to protect: chips, taco shells, bananas, avacados, and other soft fruits.


Keep Similar Items Together

Let's face it, bagging groceries is an art. However, there's more to this art than just creating an aesthetically pleasing arrangment of cans and boxes. Though it may be tempting to add a splash of orange to that bag of white T-shirts, a block of cheese will look much better a week from now if it is in your customers refrigerator and not sitting on their bedroom floor. And while it might be a good idea to group "bathroom items" together, you may need to break things down a little further. Toothpaste should NEVER share a bag with toilet bowl cleaner. Frozen foods will travel better and stay frozen longer if they are placed together. Lettuce, on the other hand, does not belong anywhere near ice cream. Not even if you're pregnant.

Raw Foods Are Not All Equal

There's been a lot of talk in recent years about the benefits of a raw foods diet. However, I'm sure that most of us would still agree that eating raw meat is a bad idea. Along those same lines, packing raw meat in a bag with groceries which are intended to be eaten raw is also a bad idea. This would include foods such as cheese, luchmeat (yes, I know they're both meat. that isn't the point.), and snack foods, as well as pretty much anything from the produce section. Raw meat should only be bagged with other raw meat. Just remember that meat can be heavy. Don't put too much in one bag, and double bag if you have any doubts.


Too Much and Too Little

Moderation in all things, especially when it comes to bagging groceries. While conserving resources may save time and money in the short run, you might end up with a lawsuit on your hands when those twenty pounds of canned goods you packed in that one tissue thin bag end up on your customer's foot. On the other side of the spectrum, there really isn't much point in bagging every *s* i* n* g* l* e* item in its own bag, now is there? Remember, once your customer leaves your register, they will have to move those groceries two more times before they are done- once from the cart to their car and again from their car to the house. Over bagging and under bagging both make this process harder than it needs to be.


Other Tips

The most important thing to remember about bagging groceries is to pay attention to the cues of your customer. If they just throw everything on the conveyor belt hap-hazardly, you are probably safe bagging that way. But if they have taken the time to place the groceries on the belt in a meticulously organized fashion, know that this is a test and you will be graded. Happy bagging to you!

What's Your Grocery Shopping Grumble?

Share your story about your worst supermarket experience.

Tips For Writing Your Child's Homeschool Transcript

One of the biggest points of concern for homeschoolers who continue to home school through the high school years is how to write a transcript. The first step in writing a home school transcript comes in planning the courses which will be recorded on that transcript. Once you know what is needed to make a transcript that will cause colleges to take notice, it is mostly a matter of keeping good records.

Start planning early. [Free High School Planning Sheet] I know I heard this advice, but didn't really pay it much attention. Then my son was suddenly in high school and I realized I should have taken a closer look at this transcript thing before I planned his first year of classes. As I was planning out his final year, I realized why it is useful to plan all four years from the beginning. After three very heavy years, there wasn't much left to study. (An easy senior year is a big transcript "no-no", but my son has opted to go directly into the workforce so I get a free pass this time.)

Find out what your state requires.  [VA High School Planning Sheet] (Do a search for your state's department of education website.) Our state has a religious exemption which allows parents to home school using their own choice of curriculum and to set their own requirements for graduation. However, knowing that colleges are more than likely going to compare my children's transcripts to those of other children from our state, I have used our state's graduation requirements as an outline for our high school program. (Homeschoolers who live in states with stricter laws will also need to research what their legal requirements are for graduation.) But keep in mind that, though you want your child's transcript to be noticed by colleges, your most important role is to equip your son or daughter for life. Make sure you are giving them the education that is right for them, not just one that looks good on paper.

Remember to write everything down. Don't assume that you will remember everything you have studied when the time finally comes to fill out the transcript. Also keep track of the extra activities and learning your children do outside of the "classroom." Check out the course descriptions of classes being offered at local high schools. This will give you an idea of things your children may already be doing which could be used for credit as electives. I don't believe in making up classes just to fill a transcript. However, I do think it is proper to give my students the credits they have earned.

Here are a  couple links to get you started writing your child's home school transcript:

•  Homeschool Highschool Transcript Template and Tips
• Homeschool High School Transcript Template

Bible Verses For Thanksgiving

Need something to keep the kids busy while you finish up in the kitchen? Here are some Bible verse pages that they can color. I plan to hang these around the house after the kids are done with them.

Bible Verses For Thanksgiving

Save Time In the Kitchen, The Easy Way

It seems like everywhere I look lately, I see directions for make-ahead crockpot cooking and meals for the freezer. These directions come with the promise that they only take "one afternoon" or "a couple of hours" to prep. But seriously, what homeschooling mother has an entire afternoon to set aside for meal preparation? How often can we even find a couple of extra hours in our schedule?

Actually, if I could prep several weeks worth of meals in one afternoon, I might be tempted to try it. But with a family the size of my family, those massive amounts of food you see artistically displayed in stacks of filled freezer bags don't last nearly long enough to make it worth it.

So, I don't follow any handy-dandy freezer cooking plans. And yet, I still manage to prepare from scratch meals, seven nights a week, without stressing. I even have a couple of meals ready in the freezer at any given time. How do I do it?!

No, I'm not superwoman. (Really, ask my kids.) But over the years I've discovered that taking a few extra minutes here and there eventually adds up to hours saved. None of these tips are very revolutionary. Most will probably seem elementary to experienced homemakers. But since they came to me in "duh!" moments after years of cooking for my family, I hope I can shorten the learning curve for someone by posting them here.

3 Tips For Saving Time In the Kitchen

1. Prep Once, Clean Once

It takes less time to make twice as much of anything as it does to prepare, cook, and clean up on two separate occasions. While you may not have the time or resources to double a complete recipe, you can still save time by doubling parts of the recipe each time you cook.

When you are browning ground meat, it only takes a little extra effort to throw an extra pound or two into the pan. Drain, cool, place in freezer bags- you've just saved yourself both cooking and cleaning time. If you are making a meatloaf, mix up enough for two and stick the second batch (uncooked) in a freezer bag. Add some vegetables on the side and you now have a freezer meal to use on a busy day. The same is true when making meatballs, though they will involve more time to prep and should be cooked before freezing. If you are cooking chicken, cook twice as much. Next time you need to add precooked meat to a recipe, you will be prepared.

When chopping vegetables, chop a little bit extra (or a lot depending on how much time you have) and toss in a freezer bag. There is nothing to say that you must fill the bag all at one time. Celery, carrots, green peppers, and onions are especially good candidates for this technique. It is soooo convienient to have some of these kitchen staples already chopped when you are in a rush and need to throw a meal together quickly. Just take out the amount you need and throw it into the recipe.

And on those days when you do have enough time, go ahead and double a whole meal. Place it in the freezer (cooked or uncooked depending on the recipe) and you not only have your first "freezer meal", but you also have a convience food you know your family will love.

2. Let Your "Servants" Cook For You

 I once sat under the teaching of a wise woman who explained that, though modern women may not have "maidservants" like the Proverbs 31 woman, we do have appliances that we ought to be using to their full advantage.

Crockpots are great for creating meals out of a few ingredients hastily added to them in the morning, but they are also a useful tool for precooking ingredients for multiple future meals. Dried legumes take hours to cook from scratch. It is much easier to open a can of beans than it is to stand over the stove stirring a pot while they cook. However, I don't do either of those things because my servant cooks them for me. I just pour a bag of dried beans, lentils, or chickpeas into my crockpot, fill it with water, and leave it cooking on high until the beans are soft. Then I rinse them with cold water and bag them in quart size freezer bags. It only takes me about 10 minutes of my time to prepare 4 to 6 quarts of cooked legumes.

An outdoor grill can be a wonderful help "in" the kitchen by reducing the number of greasy dishes that need to be washed. In addition to meats, you can grill foil wrapped veggies for a complete "mess-less" meal. Grilled chicken breasts freeze well and are a handy convienience food to have on hand. (If you'd prefer to grill "as needed", at least mix up an extra batch of marinade and  pour it into a zipper bag along with some meat for next time. Store in the freezer and thaw the night before you wish to use it.) 

The oven is often under-used when it comes to cooking helpers. Many foods that are prepared on the stove top can also be baked in the oven, saving energy and reducing messes. For instance, bacon can be spread on cookie sheets and baked at 350 degrees. (Egg casseroles like Chili Cheese Egg Puff are some of my favorite Sunday morning meals because, unlike fried or scrambled eggs,  I can take care of other things while they are cooking.)

My rice cooker is another "servant" whose help I rely heavily on. Just pour in the rice, add twice as much water, place the lid on it, push the button, and you're done! Other kitchen helpers include blenders, hand mixers, and food choppers.

3. Clean Up As You Go

I know this doesn't seem like much of a time saver, but anyone who has ever tried to scrub pans which have been left to sit overnight will know the truth of this saying. Food which splatters out of the pan will burn onto your stovetop if it is not wiped up immediately. And it takes more time to work around a stack of dirty dishes than to work in a clean, organized kitchen.

If you are doing a lot of cooking at one time, keep a dishpan filled with warm soapy water so you can do a quick wash up of utensils and mixing bowls as you finish using them. It seems so much easier when you only have a few dishes to wash at a time, rather than having to face a mountain of them all at once. And by the time you finish cooking, you might be too tired to take care of them anyway.

By following these three time saving tips, you will accumulate hours of "free" kitchen time. Without taking an entire day to prep freezer meals, you will have on hand some quick-fix meals and home made convienience foods for days when you have no time to spend cooking. And you'll still have your sanity.

What are your tips for saving time in the kitchen?