Home School Workboxes

Mya starts Grade 1 this year!! Hard to believe. She's growing so fast! I am considering using a workbox system so that her schooling will be a little less teacher intensive during the school day. It will require a little more planning from me before school, but that is a good thing!
So, while we are on holiday, I am researching and planning. Don't let me fool you - I love to research!
I thought I would "gather my thoughts" on my blog, and maybe it would help someone else, too.

Right now I am looking for ideas for in the workboxes. We have our basics....

Word of Life Quiet Time
Math U See
Handwriting Without Tears
Teach Your Child to Read in Just 10 Minutes a Day
ABC Memory Verses
Little Footprints
Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day


Here are some other ideas I would like to include (when not already planned for me in Little Footprints):
Calendar/Day of the Week/Weather
Fine Motor Exercises
Gross Motor Exercises
???

I have a long list of fine & gross motor exercises like painting, drawing, cutting, folding, crawling, marching, jumping, etc. I am looking for specific ideas to implement, like what to do with lego blocks, what to make out of playdough - something that she can do with simple or no instruction from me. So, stay tuned! I am going to post those ideas in separate blogs. When I finish them, I will link them up here.

And if you have ideas you'd like to share, I'm all ears! Just leave a comment!

Home School Curriculum Missionary Discounts

I home schooled for a few years before I became aware of the fact that many curriculum providers offer discounts to missionaries (and many are also for those in full time ministry)! I thought I would highlight some of them here. As Steve Demme stated, "This is my way of encouraging those of you on the front lines." I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of. I have decided that it can't hurt to ask, so if you are in full time ministry and there is someone you want to order curriculum from, ask if they have discounts available. The worst that they can do is say no!

There are different policies for each company as to how to go about ordering with their missionary discount. Some of the companies state their policies on how to order on their website, others you may need to email or phone directly.

• Tapestry of Grace - 40% discount
• Math U See - 50% discount (Phone office or email Steve Demme)
• Easy Grammar - Free up to $100
• Apologia - 35% - 40% Discount
• Letter of the Week (Preschool Curriculum) - Free Download - The author states in the sidebar of this link "If you are a missionary, please contact me before buying the LOTW!"
• Sonlight - 25% discount
• Abeka - We do offer a 10% discount for all of our child and parent kits for K4-6th grade. This is already factored in the price for you because you purchase the books as a unit and not individually. We also offer a 5% discount on subject kits for grades 1-6. 
• Rainbow Resource - 15% Discount - Contact them at info@rainbowresource.com
• Heart of Dakota - We are pleased to offer a discount for active military families and for missionary families who raise their own support. Simply contact us by email at carmikeaustin@msn.com or by telephone at 605-428-4068 to receive your discount.
• Institute for Excellence in Writing - 10% discount

Normal shipping charges apply.

If you know of other curriculum suppliers that offer discounts, please post in the comments! This has been such a blessing to my family that I want to pass the information on to others.