Tuesday, October 30, 2012

$15 Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway!!

This week we'll do a different type of giveaway for all the wonderful followers of Susie Homeschooler.  Thank you for all being so supportive since we launched in August.   Everyone has been great and we thank you!!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 29, 2012

DIY Paper Mache Pumpkin


I just had to share the fun paper mache pumpkin Batman and I worked on.  It was so much fun and so easy to do.

What you'll need:
Paper bags
Plastic bag
Newspaper
Flour
Water
Container
Empty toilet paper roll

First Batman and Superman took full sheets of of newspaper and formed it into a ball.    They then wrapped masking tape around the ball to keep the paper intact.   

Next, they inserted an empty toilet paper roll in the top and also taped that too.  Now take a plastic supermarket bag and wrap it tight around the hole pumpkin and tie.  We also took some yarn and wrapped it around the pumpkin to make some grooves in it.

Next I made a batch of the "glue".  I put one cup of flour in a bowl and mixed it with two cups of water.  I then used a whisk to mix it together and make sure all the lumps were out.   Now came the fun part.   Dip strips of newspaper into the wet mixture and and place over your pumpkin.  Keep smoothing.  One coat of mache is enough.

It took about 24 hours for the pumpkins to dry completely.   Once done Batman painted his pumpkin and then took a marker to finish the face.

 

Happy Halloween!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Native Americans History Pocket Review & Giveaway by Evan-Moor

I have been waiting for months to be able to study Native Americans with Batman.   It's the perfect time with Thanksgiving right around the corner.   
I've never done any history pockets before and I was intrigued to say the least.   Check out my review below on this product and enter for a chance to win Native American History Pocket by Evan-Moor (a $15.99 value) for grades 1-3.



The night before we started the project I got our history pockets ready. 
On the front cover you'll see the eight tribes that we'll be learning about including:
The Inuit of the Arctic
The Tlingit of the Northwest
The Nez Perce of the Plateau
The Maidu of California
The Sioux of the Plains
The Navajo of the Southwest
The Iroquois of the Northeast
The Seminole of the Southeast

Each pocket contains:
a reproducible pocket label
three dictionary words and pictures, plus a shelter stamp
a fact sheet of background information for the teacher
a reproducible students booklet complete with illustrations
arts and crafts projects
writing activities

I made an extra pocket inside to hold the picture dictionary, fact sheet, and map.  I really liked the fact sheet because there were stark contrasts in every tribe.  It was really easy for Batman to see these differences and for us to discuss them.   Each tribe had three cards to go into the picture dictionary.  Batman would write something about the picture to help him remember about that specific tribe.  There was also a map piece to glue on that clearly showed where the tribe lived.
 Each tribe had their own pocket.   Day one we studied The Inuits of the Arctic.    Batman loved ice fishing and wrote about what it would be like to be an Inuit living on the tundra.



 On day two we studied The Tlingit of the Northwest.   Batman created a raven clan crayon-resist mask that were normally worn at the potlatch celebration.  He also made a  totem pole layer book.  The Tlingit carved animal symbols on totem poles to help them tell their family histories.


On day three we studied The Nez Perce of the Plateau and learned about Chief Joseph.  Batman wrote down different adjectives to describe a good leader (strong, brave, etc).   He also created an appaloosa ornament.   Horses were greatly valued because they could move swiftly in battle, outrun buffalo, and carry supplies.  To show their importance, beautiful ornaments, harnesses, etc were worn on their foreheads.

 I didn't post pictures for the rest of the tribes since I figured you have the idea already on how the history pockets work.

Things I LOVE about the pockets:
*Everything is so organized!  One pocket for each tribe.  
*I had all of the supplies at home including yarn, watercolor paint, glue, scissors, construction paper, etc.
*The stories were easy to understand.  The crafts related directly to what we learned about in the story.
*BATMAN LOVED IT AND WANTS TO DO MORE HISTORY POCKETS!!!!!

On a side note, I truly enjoyed this booklet.   I caught myself at different times of the day thinking about the lesson that we'd just learned.  Funny enough, I caught my husband studying it too during a late night snack attack.

Now it's your chance to try and win your own copy of Native American History Pockets!  Enter below!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The reviews expressed are those that are entirely mine.  I have been honest in my comments and receive no monetary payment for my reviews.  At times, I do receive promotional products and giveaways from sponsors.   I only support companies that I find to be worthwhile in regards to educating out children.e links. Occasionally I receive products in exchange for a review or giveaway post.

However, all opinions expressed on Confessions of a Homeschooler are solely my own, and I only suggest products or services that I believe will be helpful to my readers
Some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission whenever a product is purchased through these links. Occasionally I receive products in exchange for a review or giveaway post.

However, all opinions expressed on Confessions of a Homeschooler are solely my own, and I only suggest products or services that I believe will be helpful to my

Thursday, October 18, 2012


at Target


My six year old LOVES K'nex and every week he takes a K'nex class in our homeschool co-op.   The kids have done such a great job working together creating some pretty terrific masterpieces.
They've made a dinosaur and a ferris wheel this term and are now working on putting a race car together.  I love seeing kids working together as a team!

 K'nex is great because it's a high quality educational toy.   My son really works intently at building his creations.   Each kit comes with color coded instruction booklet and of course the pieces.   

Are you ready for some great news?
Starting this week, K'nex is going to be in 100 Target stores this holiday season!  Hurry up because K'nex is only at Target until November 18th.

Some of the great products on the end caps include:

The Amusement Park Series


521 Piece Super Value Tub


Robo Battlers


Check out this list to see if your store is going to be carrying K'nex this holiday season.
Target Store No. Name Address City State Zip code Phone No.
2371 Anchorage NE 1200 N Muldoon Rd Anchorage AK 99504 (907) 269-2100
1960 Gilbert SW 3931 S Gilbert Rd Gilbert AZ 85297 (480) 281-0201
2365 Queen Creek 21398 S Ellsworth Loop Rd Queen Creek AZ 85142 (480) 214-4810
184 Alhambra 2120 W Main St Alhambra CA 91801 (626) 308-3290
294 North Hollywood 11051 Victory Blvd North Hollywood CA 91606 (818) 761-3083
320 Colma 5001 Junipero Serra Blvd Colma CA 94014 (650) 992-8433
911 Fresno North 7600 N Blackstone Ave Fresno CA 93720 (559) 431-0104
937 Santa Rosa South 1980 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa CA 95407 (707) 575-0665
949 San Ramon 2610 Bishop Dr San Ramon CA 94583 (925) 277-0202
1029 Encinitas 1010 N El Camino Real Encinitas CA 92024 (760) 633-1406
1054 Tanforan 1150 El Camino Real San Bruno CA 94066 (650) 827-0171
1208 Walnut Creek 1871 N Main St Walnut Creek CA 94596 (925) 979-0083
1293 Costa Mesa 3030 Harbor Blvd Ste A Costa Mesa CA 92626 (714) 979-0372
1304 Turlock 3000 Countryside Dr Turlock CA 95380 (209) 632-0132
1307 Van Nuys 5711 Sepulveda Blvd Van Nuys CA 91411 (818) 779-0163
1362 Burbank 1800 W Empire Ave Burbank CA 91504 (818) 238-0132
1407 Daly City Serramonte 133 Serramonte Ctr Daly City CA 94015 (650) 755-2393
1410 San Diego Mission Valley 1288 Camino Del Rio N San Diego CA 92108 (619) 542-0025
1485 Santee 9846 Mission Gorge Rd Santee CA 92071 (619) 449-9790
1502 Roseville North 10451 Fairway Dr Roseville CA 95678 (916) 780-1020
1869 Redlands 27320 W Lugonia Ave Redlands CA 92374 (909) 307-1602
1884 West Hollywood 7100 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 201 West Hollywood CA 90046 (323) 603-0004
1961 Eastvale 12471 Limonite Ave Eastvale CA 91752 (951) 256-5261
2019 Whittier 15614 Whittwood Ln Whittier CA 90603 (562) 371-9003
2051 Huntington Beach East 9882 Adams Ave Huntington Beach CA 92646 (714) 849-1814
2151 Tustin 2300 Park Ave Tustin CA 92782 (714) 361-2100
2307 Glendale 2195 Glendale Galleria Glendale CA 91210 (818) 334-1400
2319 Signal Hill 950 E 33rd St Signal Hill CA 90755 (562) 427-7751
2329 Granada Hills 11133 Balboa Blvd Granada Hills CA 91344 (818) 360-2999
2470 San Pedro 1701 N Gaffey St San Pedro CA 90731 (310) 507-6289
1501 Colorado Springs East 3810 Bloomington St Colorado Springs CO 80922 (719) 574-4351
1806 Glendale 4301 E Virginia Ave Glendale CO 80246 (303) 209-0182
1976 Aurora Saddle Rock 7400 S Gartrell Rd Aurora CO 80016 (303) 209-2827
2021 Arvada South 5071 Kipling St Wheat Ridge CO 80033 (303) 209-1848
2221 Colorado Springs NE 9670 Prominent Pt Colorado Springs CO 80924 (719) 302-4266
2361 Trumbull West 5065 Main St Ste Target Trumbull CT 6611 (203) 873-2013
1146 Brandywine 1050 Brandywine Pkwy Wilmington DE 19803 (302) 478-2500
815 Sawgrass 12801 W Sunrise Blvd Sunrise FL 33323 (954) 846-2600
1074 Aventura 21265 Biscayne Blvd Aventura FL 33180 (305) 933-4616
1760 Waterford Lakes 325 N Alafaya Trl Orlando FL 32828 (407) 482-8155
1918 Kissimmee West 4795 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee FL 34746 (407) 594-0029
2188 Miami Central 3401 N Miami Ave Ste 100 Miami FL 33127 (786) 437-0164
2056 John's Creek 2625 Peachtree Pkwy Suwanee GA 30024 (678) 513-8013
2410 Oahu-Honolulu West 4380 Lawehana St Honolulu HI 96818 (808) 441-3118
942 Chicago Near North 2656 N Elston Ave Chicago IL 60647 (773) 252-1994
2087 Oak Lawn 4120 W 95th St Oak Lawn IL 60453 (708) 741-4052
1232 Holyoke 50 Holyoke St Holyoke MA 1040 (413) 532-0240
1266 Woburn 101 Commerce Way Woburn MA 1801 (781) 904-0002
1442 Watertown 550 Arsenal St Watertown MA 2472 (617) 924-6574
872 West Livonia 20100 Haggerty Rd Livonia MI 48152 (734) 953-6620
755 Fayetteville 2056 Skibo Rd Fayetteville NC 28314 (910) 860-4400
1932 Apex 1201 Beaver Creek Commons Dr Apex NC 27502 (919) 372-1405
1777 Omaha West 17810 W Center Rd Omaha NE 68130 (402) 697-4930
1822 Clifton 30 Kingsland Rd Clifton NJ 7014 (973) 330-0002
1823 Howell Township 4955 US Highway 9 Howell NJ 7731 (732) 363-4182
2247 Riverdale 94 State Rt 23 Riverdale NJ 7457 (973) 850-2861
2381 Paramus 900 Bergen Town Ctr Paramus NJ 7652 (201) 881-7660
2384 Mantua 675 Woodbury Glassboro Rd Sewell NJ 8080 (856) 415-2380
1207 Las Vegas Boca Park 8750 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas NV 89117 (702) 933-2300
1524 Las Vegas Far SW 4155 S Grand Canyon Dr Las Vegas NV 89147 (702) 251-0330
1108 Commack 98 Veterans Memorial Hwy Commack NY 11725 (631) 462-8969
1139 Westbury 999 Corporate Dr Westbury NY 11590 (516) 222-1003
1150 College Point 13505 20th Ave College Point NY 11356 (718) 661-4346
1191 South Setauket 255 Pond Path Rd South Setauket NY 11720 (631) 580-5356
1264 Levittown 3850 Hempstead Tpke Levittown NY 11756 (516) 731-9392
1401 Gateway 519 Gateway Dr Brooklyn NY 11239 (718) 235-6032
1798 Riverdale 40 W 225th St Bronx NY 10463 (718) 733-7199
1849 Atlantic Terminal 139 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn NY 11217 (718) 290-1109
1885 Hicksville 2003 Broadway Mall Hicksville NY 11801 (516) 806-2096
1948 Medford 2975 Horseblock Rd Medford NY 11763 (631) 286-0287
1954 Mt Kisco 195 N Bedford Rd Ste A Mount Kisco NY 10549 (914) 602-0004
2006 Staten Island 2900 Veterans Rd W Staten Island NY 10309 (718) 701-6205
2061 Midwest City 7305 SE 29th St Midwest City OK 73110 (405) 455-4000
2312 Springfield West 1200 Baltimore Pike Springfield PA 19064 (484) 470-2320
771 SW Military Drive 2810 SW Military Dr San Antonio TX 78224 (210) 977-8552
802 Harlingen 1002 Dixieland Rd Harlingen TX 78552 (956) 421-4900
1061 Austin SW 5300 S Mo Pac Expy Austin TX 78749 (512) 892-5535
1354 San Antonio North 18255 Blanco Rd San Antonio TX 78258 (210) 764-7876
1435 Houston Memorial 984 Gessner Rd Houston TX 77024 (713) 300-0227
1517 Flower Mound 5959 Long Prairie Rd Flower Mound TX 75028 (972) 874-6700
1785 San Antonio West 11311 Bandera Rd San Antonio TX 78250 (210) 682-2253
1786 Sugar Land 16300 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land TX 77479 (281) 340-0550
1797 Austin NW 10900 Lakeline Mall Dr Austin TX 78717 (512) 651-3376
1908 Katy West 23710 Westheimer Pkwy Katy TX 77494 (281) 392-8331
1979 San Antonio Westover 8223 State Highway 151 San Antonio TX 78245 (210) 247-0016
2093 Houston Central 2580 Shearn St Houston TX 77007 (713) 331-0376
2187 La Cantera 17502 La Cantera Pkwy San Antonio TX 78257 (210) 247-0113
2216 El Paso Far East 1874 Joe Battle Blvd El Paso TX 79936 (915) 849-5010
2237 Mission 2427 E Expwy 83 Mission TX 78572 (956) 928-7280
2239 Stone Oak 22832 US Highway 281 N San Antonio TX 78258 (210) 679-2368
2338 Frisco North 4885 Eldorado Pkwy Frisco TX 75034 (972) 464-5745
2516 Allen North 150 E Stacy Rd Allen TX 75002 (469) 342-2004
1754 Orem State Street 175 W Center St Orem UT 84057 (801) 224-6007
2123 South Jordan 11525 Parkway Plaza Dr South Jordan UT 84095 (801) 316-2511
1874 Leesburg 1200 Edwards Ferry Rd Leesburg VA 20176 (703) 777-8730
348 Bellingham 30 Bellis Fair Pkwy Bellingham WA 98226 (360) 734-0220
995 Redmond 17700 NE 76th St Redmond WA 98052 (425) 556-9533
1118 Woodinville 13950 NE 178th Pl Woodinville WA 98072 (425) 482-6410
1284 Northgate 302 NE Northgate Way Seattle WA 98125 (206) 494-0897
2290 Renton 1215 N Landing Way Renton WA 98057 (425) 207-0067