Numbers Area Rug at Costco

I found this numbers area rug at Costco today for $19.99 =D they also had one in an alphabet and the map of the US. It also will work as a really cool activity to practice our number of the week. You have your child hop to the number on the rug =D This is also the area where I moved the "reading nook" with their bears to cuddle up with.

Target Supplies 1.00 for Tot Trays

I was so excited to find more Tot trays to use at Target's dollar section up front. THEN I found these cool finds...1.00 for bag of pom poms, a pocket chart scheduler, a package of  like 10 dice (I have been looking everywhere for these!) and I got several packages of little counting foam shapes =D

Basic Home School Supplies to get Started

An Introduction for Art and Crafts Materials

First things first...safety notes on supplies


ways choose materials designed specifically for children, with labels that clearly indicate they are non-toxic. The Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) is a non-profit trade association of manufacturers of art and craft materials. Since 1940, ACMI has conducted a certification program in which product formulas are analyzed and certified by the ACMI, then labeled appropriately as either non-toxic and safe, or toxic, and potentially harmful.

ACMI certification also ensures compliance with state and federal labeling regulations. Products bearing theAP (Approved Product) seal of the ACMI are certified non-toxic. In cases where a product may be used with young children, AP certified non-toxic products are the safest.

Products bearing the CL (Caution Label) seal of the Art and Creative Materials Institute contain ingredients that are toxic or hazardous. These products are not appropriate for use with young children in childcare programs. Many products have labels that say a product is "non-toxic;" but unless they also have a label showing that they are certified, these can be misleading. They may not pose an immediate risk of poisoning if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by the skin, but there may be dangers associated with long term use.

If you have any questions about a product, contact the manufacturer to find out what substances are used in the products and if they are safe for children.

Choose Products Carefully

Because drawing and painting are common activities in childcare, parents and childcare providers often assume that all art and craft supplies are safe and appropriate for children. But many products can be dangerous. When choosing products for your childcare program, here are some items to avoid and some suggestions for using products that are safe:

• Avoid instant paper mache, which can contain toxic substances that are easily inhaled. Make paper mache using black and white newspaper and library or white paste.
  
• Avoid permanent, felt-tipped markers that may contain toxic solvents. Use water-based markers only.
  
• Avoid adhesives that are not water-based, such as rubber cement or -solvent-based glues. Use polyvinyl acetate (PVA) white glue, which is the safest for children.
  
• Avoid organic solvents or solvent-containing products; aerosol spray cans or air brushes; products that can stain the skin or clothing or cannot be washed out of clothing; and irritants or corrosive chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and bleach.
  
• Parents or local businesses in the community sometimes offer childcare programs art materials they no longer need. However, accepting such donations can be dangerous unless the products are relatively new and all the ingredients are known. The older the material, the more likely it is to contain toxic substances, such as mercury, lead, or even asbestos, which can be present in old paper mache and modeling materials.

Safety Precautions

Art and craft time can be relaxing and encourages children to express themselves in new ways. By following a few simple safety precautions, you and your children can enjoy your creativity safely.

• Do not eat or drink while using art and craft materials.
  
• Always thoroughly clean after use--wash the children's hands, your own hands, and your supplies. The clean-up area should not be used for food preparation.
  
• Never use products for skin painting or food preparation unless the product is specifically indicated for that use.
  
• Do not transfer your art materials to other containers. Always keep them in the original packaging, which includes ingredient and safety information.
  
• Provide appropriate supervision when children are using materials that are sharp or that could be ingested.

Paint Supplies

Paint products can become contaminated with bacteria or mold, which can lead to a strong, offensive, and in some cases, sickening odor. Paints such as poster paints and temperas that are intended for use with children, often contain organic materials that can decay if not stored properly or if stored for a long period of time.

Here are some tips to help you store paint safely and use it for as long as possible:

• Avoid dusts or powders, such as powdered clay or powdered tempera paints that require mixing, which can be inhaled or can get in the children's eyes. Liquid tempera paints and talc-free, premixed clay are better choices. Be sure to wet mop and wipe surfaces after use to remove residue.
  
• Store the product in its original container in a cool, dry place.
  
• Mark the date of purchase on all containers, and use the oldest supplies first.
  
• Thoroughly shake the paint before using. (Make sure the lid is secure!)
  
• Remove only the amount of paint you will need for that day's activity. Discard any unused paint by rinsing it down a drain (away from your food preparation area) or sealing it in a container and putting it in a garbage can or dumpster outside the building. Do not return the unused portions to the original container--they may be spoiled and will contaminate the remaining paint.
  
• If you dilute the paint to use it with your children, do not save or reuse it. Water can dilute preservatives in the paint that guard against bacteria and mold.
  
• Avoid working directly from the original product containers--open them, take what you need, and seal them again. Egg carton sections, yogurt containers, disposable drinking cups, and other items can be cleaned to hold paint during art and craft.
  
• Do not place brushes, hands, or other objects in the container--even stirring the paint with a stick can contaminate it.

Scott G. Allen
Executive Director
Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

RESOURCES

Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI),
1280 Main St., 2nd Floor, PO Box 479, Hanson, MA 02341; 781-293-4100; www.acminet.org/index.htm.

Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC),
Washington, D.C. 20207-0001; 800-638-2772; www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/art.html

InfoTox
www.infotox.com/safety_tips.html


School Supply List:

* Storage bin tower units for work box system (Costco)

* White eraser


* Washable crayons (Walmart)

* construction paper (best deal found is at Costco)

*laminator (purchased for 19.99 at Costco)


* fine-tip dry eraser board pens by Crayola (Walmart)


* #2 pencils and washable color pencils (Walmart)


* The Pencil Grip Claw ($1.60each and can be purchased HERE)

* Elmer's glue bottle


* Glue Sticks (best deal is at Costco)a pack of 24 Elmers Glue Sticks is only $5.99.  That's a whole lot better than the packs of two that you'll get for about $3.00+ in most regular stores.

* Dot paint Daubers in different colors

*Pipe Cleaners in different colors (Michael's craft store has them for .99 each bag/color or Oriental Trading Company) 

* Washable Finger Paint in different colors (Michael's Craft Store)


*Washable paints (Michael's Craft Store)


*Washable watercolor paints (Target sometimes has these on sale for a $1.00 =D)

* painting smock/apron (Target)


* Spray bottle (for water) (dollar store)

*plastic drop cloths (Home Depot)


* Large Coffee filters (Costco, Walmart or Target)

* Brown Paper lunch bags


* Craft popscicle sticks (Michael's craft store)


*Lacing strings (Michael's craft store)


* baby wipes (best deal at Costco)


*Magnetic Board (Costco had this pack for 14.99 that came with the pens, eraser, magnets etc. very GOOD price...I bought 2 one for our magnetic alpha letters and one for drawing on

* Magnetic alpha letters (Target, Walmart and Toys R US) I recommend the Leapfrog letter systems they are GREAT...they are pictured on our magnetic board picture above

* Other than crafty things, you also want some easy dollar store stuff to do hands on things. Things like pompom balls, cheap bowls, buttons, threads, spoons, other random scoops and containers
.
* Paint brushes from small (¼") to large (1")(Michael's craft store and use a 40% coupon)


* Child scissors (see video below on teaching your child to use scissors)


* Googly eyes in different sizes (Michael's craft Store)


* White Cardstock


*Model magic in different colors (Michael's craft store)


*Foam sheets in different colors (Michael's craft store)


*Dried beans (grocery store)


*Glitter


*Masking Tape, scotch tape, clear packing tape


* Styrofoam trays
* Fiberfill 
*Different color felts
*rubber bands, stapler, hole punch, greeting card envelopes
* Yarn in different colors (black and primary colors)
* Bubble wrap
*Aluminum Foil, shrinky dink paper, plastic wrap,wax paper, newspapers
*Red plastic and clear plastic cups (Costco)
*Brown Clothespins (check dollar store)
*Craft feathers in different colors (also find black and brown)
*styrofoam balls in different sizes
*Crayola molding clay in different colors

The Homeschool Area Layout Complete

This is our playroom that I converted half of it for our homeschooling and the other half their play area =D When creating your homeschool space also keep in mind where you will be (your space)...luckily I have my office right where I am taking this picture looking right into the room.

One thing that is important for your space is to have the least distractions as possible so I do not have a tv or game system in our area upstairs. My boys get 1 hour of game time and that is done downstairs in our living room area. 

This is our "Reading Area"

The "play area"

"Work desk area" free from clutter and computer. I feel that the computer should be on a separate table/desk and I have not set that up yet. I think this will also be downstairs in our common area so I can keep an eye on them on-line lol! 

Here you can see the "Alpha border" that I displayed around the room

Here is their little store area and you will find that some of their toys you can incorporate into your learning curriculum. We will be learning about money and this will be a fun and creative activity to use the cash register and store for this.

Here is my office area where  I will be

Create A Reading Space

Having an area set a side for a "Reading Space" is really important for children. It shows that reading is fun and its a special time. Using throw pillows or a soft rug would be great ideas for this space. I found these HUGE bears at Costco for $29.00 each and the body pillow $10.00 the bears are so comfy and snuggly! I have had books on our bookshelves for my boys for a couple of years now and they were never taken out to be looked at. I created this space and I come out of my office and to my amazement there was two little boys READING books in their special area =D Make a reading space...they will come lol!!

Setting up for Homeschooling

Welcome Friends! My first blog post on my adventures in homeschooling. I have two boys who will be pre-k and 1st grade this year that I will be homeschooling. I have spent the last year researching and preparing for this moment and I am so excited about starting this venture. For the past month I have been organizing our "playroom" into a Homeschool classroom and trying to incorporate playing areas separate from the learning stations. Here is what I find is really needed to get started for your homeschooling:


1) A desk for writing, homework and other seat work with no computer
2) Project table
3) Bookshelf
4)File cabinet with hanging folders (ours has this within the desk)
5) Small table or desk with computer
6) Have a reading area
7) workbox system (I will get detailed into this in a separate post)


I will be taking advantage of other areas such as my kitchen at times for cooking with the kids and the tv downstairs for watching educational programs. I will also be taking things outdoors for play doh, painting and other messy but fun activities lol!!


Above our seat work desk there is a calendar, charts for "today, yesterday and tomorrow," chart for weather, poster on what shape we are learning and a chart on seasons. To the right on the wall I found a really neat world map at Costco for only 7.00. The calendar and other charts I spent a total of 2.00 on at Target =D For my workboxes I am going to work with two systems here. I have two stands that have plastic drawers on the left of our seat work desk and this will be for worksheets and other paper assignments. I also have a workbox system with plastic bins on our book shelf and I will be going over what I include in those. 
In my next post I will discuss my plan for the type of homeschooling I would like to do, what our daily schedule will be like. I am so happy you are here to share this adventure with me and I welcome comments and suggestions and talk over coffee if you like. This can be a FUN and EXCITING experience and not so scary when you have someone beside you to offer advice and ideas along the way. So have fun and be sure to name your homeschool...we are the Doodlebugs Homeschool and so when your child is asked where they go to school they will LOVE answering with "Doodlebug Academy" =D teehee! So official sounding. Here is a picture of our seated work desk area:

Here is a close up of the Calendar I made. The Calendar base again was purchased at Target for only 1.00!!! How cool is that? I was going to make one myself using my Scrapbook cutting machine but for the time saved and it was going to cost more in paper...this was a GREAT way to go! I didn't really care for the month charts that were included with it so I made my own =D I made paper piecings from collections that you can find at Little Scraps of Heaven Designs (I am on their design team) so here on this blog you will come across many crafty things that I make with scrapbooking for our homeschooling =D By the way if you are into scrapbooking, I would love for you to visit my scrapbooking blog HERE ...well anyway here is a closer view of the calendar banner I made:

I would love to share our homeschool adventures with you, to encourage you and to help contribute to your own journey in homeschooling...I will be posting more on setting up for homeschooling so come back shortly!