I had the great opportunity of meeting Colleen Kessler – author, former teacher, published writer, homeschool mom – at the 2:1 Conference. To be honest … I don’t think I let the woman out of my sight. She is such a neat lady!
When she snuck her book, Free Resources for Elementary Teachers
Before I cracked the cover Colleen informed me, “I wrote this for public school teachers because they have to pay for their own resources, but this is a benefit to homeschool moms too”. Definitely since hey – we pay for our own resources too!
The book is broken down into 11 chapters by subject: Literacy Resources, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health & PE, Art & Music, a list of teacher blogs, and a list of homeschool blogs (which I am not listed, so this is a fair review).
Colleen starts and ends each chapter with intelligent heart to heart advice …
“Be creative as you stock your math supplies. Beans and pasta make great manipulatives and game pieces”.
“Science doesn’t have to be to expensive; it has to be accessible and engaging”.
After each chapter Colleen offers a few pages of Frugal Fun Activities and Games to Promote (subject) without Spending Money. Who can do without a few more practical ideas and fun activities during “down time”, “transitions”, rainy days, or just something new.
A few of Colleen’s ideas I will be implementing in June: Composer of the Month, Invention Questions, Guess the Adjective, Story Jars, and Estimation Jars.
If you’re looking for worksheets, games, lesson plans, kits, math software, writing prompts, reading clubs, maps, posters, etc. this book is boiling over with links directly to everything you need!
I realize the book is written to a classroom teacher, but for this homeschool mom – this book is a must have resource and I recommend it to all my homeschool friends!
The beauty of this book is that it works for any “type” of homeschool style and takes the work out of the late night google searches.
If you are interested in other books Colleen has written or looking for hands on learning fun – definitely check out her blog Raising Life Long Learners.
*I was given this book as a gift and offered a review*
