Teacher Discounts

Diane Flynn Keith publishes the rave-reviewed Homefires Ezine . If you're ready to save time and money, ease your anxiety, and learn how to have fun homeschooling, get your FREE subscription now at http://www.Homefires.com.

Save $$$ With FREE Educator Discount Cards!
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piggy bank

One of the best money-saving tools for homeschool parents are "educator discount cards" that typically provide 10% or more off of educational products and supplies.

I have used discount cards at book and craft stores and to cut costs on printing and photo copies. Most of the educator discounts are limited to in-store purchases and the amount of the discount varies from one store to another - but it all adds up to big savings!

Most companies that offer educator discounts require some kind of identification in order for you to qualify for the discount. You may be asked to provide:

* A teacher photo I.D. card
* Proof that you belong to a homeschool program or organization
* A copy of your school letterhead
* A copy of a document that you may file with the state in order to legally homeschool

Once you provide the necessary "proof" you'll receive the discount card entitling you to savings on homeschool supplies and resources. Below, you'll find a list of some of the national companies that provide discounts.

* Apple - Offers up to 15% off their educational product line to homeschoolers. Get the details at the website.

* Barnes and Noble Bookstore - Get 15% off soft cover books and 20% off hard cover books. B&N also offers "Educator Appreciation Weeks" a couple of times throughout the year when they discount many products and provide free refreshments.

* Book Warehouse - Take an additional 15% off on already low prices when you make in-store purchases.

* Borders Books - Receive up to 25% off on in-store purchases of books and some other products. Sponsors semi- annual "Educator Appreciation" events.

* Fed-Ex/Kinkos - Get 15% off on most products and services at participating stores. To receive your National Educators Discount Program discount card, fill out the online application.

* Jo-Ann - Apply for the Teacher Discount Rewards Card at this craft and fabric store by registering online, you will receive 15% off each total purchase (some exclusions apply) all year long.

* Michael's - This craft store offers a "Teacher Appreciation Week" annually. (In 2009, it's taking place August 12-18.) Take 15% off purchases including sales items. Must present Teacher I.D. to get the discount.

* Microsoft Academic Discount Pricing - Get up to 40% off on specific products to home educators who can provide written proof of either belonging to a nationally-recognized homeschooling organization, or is expressly recognized by a local school district as an acceptable alternative to an accredited or state- recognized/approved educational institution.

* Office Depot's Star Teacher Program - Earn rewards on purchases. Receive a 15% instant discount on qualifying design, print & ship services. Office Depot also offers a "Teacher Appreciation Breakfast" in the weeks prior to the opening of school. Teachers get free breakfast, discount, and gift. (Varies by store.)

* Office Max - MaxPerks for Teachers Works program provides "rewards" with each purchase and for recycled toner and ink cartridges that can be applied toward future purchases.

* Staples Teacher Rewards Program - Earn rewards based on select purchases and recycling ink cartridges.

Please remember that the companies listed above offer discounts for educators and may question purchases that don't seem to be "educational." That is their prerogative, so be respectful of their policy guidelines that may change without notice. Not all of the stores in a particular chain will participate in discount programs. It may save time to call and inquire before visiting any given store.

Do you want to find local retailers and other organizations that offer discounts to homeschoolers where you live? Check out the Homeschool Buyers Co-Op database. Just enter your state and zip code in the search engine and see what's available within a select mileage radius of your home.

The Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op also offers free Homeschool I.D. Cards that you can use to secure educator discount cards.

Finally, no matter where you shop, don't forget to ASK if they offer an educator's discount. Your wallet may be pleasantly surprised to find that many stores do.

Copyright 2009, Diane Flynn Keith, All Rights Reserved.

Math-U-See

I bought the primer and the alpha of this series today and it is arriving tomorrow. I love UPS when it is being shipped from your own state!!! SO fast!

So, I'm pretty excited. I think that our kids will love this math curriculum. Go take a look! www.mathusee.com

It's about time...

...we are studying time in math, so I found directions for a sundial. Pretty fun in our great weather, so before the heat of summer gets you, make a fun springtime sundial. :-) Did I say spring? Well, it is 65 degrees outside today. :-) You were wrong little ground hog!

Here's the website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/kids/roofus/sundial.html

Here are the directions if you don't want to go to the link:

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Roofus' Solar and Efficient Home

Build a Sundial

Sundials are the oldest way to tell time. The position of the sun changes during the day. The sun doesn't move; the Earth rotates around the sun, making it seem like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. As the sun goes across the sky, the post in the center of the sundial casts a shadow on a circular plate. Marks on the plate tell you what time it is. It's just like reading a clock!

To make your own sundial, you need:

• A large styrofoam or paper drinking cup with a plastic lid and straw,
• A wristwatch
• A permanent marker
• A pencil
• Tape
• Some small pebbles (enough to fill the cup about half full)
• A compass

Now you are ready to build:

1. Use the pencil to poke a hole in the side of the cup approximately 2 inches below the top.
2. Put the pebbles in the cup so it doesn't tip over.
3. Put the lid on the cup.
4. Put the straw through the hole in the cover and the hole in the side of the cup. Let it stick out about half an inch from the side and tape the straw to the cup.

Finished building—Let's give it a try!

Start using your sundial on the morning of a sunny day when you'll be home all day. Find a spot out in the open that is sunny from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. Look for a good, open view to the South with no trees or buildings in the way. Place the sundial on level ground or on a level table.

Use the compass to find North, and point the straw to the North. Now be careful not to move the sundial. Just in case, you might want to make a mark near the bottom of the cup and on the ground or the table, so you can line them up again if they get moved. Or you can just line up the sundial to the North again using the compass.

At 10 a.m., use the marker to mark where the shadow from the straw falls on the lid of the cup. Repeat this every hour until 3 p.m. Make sure your marks are neat and straight. If you have to leave or if it clouds over, you can always finish doing this a few days later—you don't have to do it all in one day. Once you have marks for all the times, you're ready to use the sundial. Wait until the next day and try reading the time by comparing the shadow to the marks you made. How well can you tell what time it is?