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This year was my year to take the time to scope out the internet for all of it’s FREE resources for schooling your child.

Last year we did some allinonehomeschool.com  as well as my own online kindergarten classes, but my children wanted more.  They WANTED to do worksheets and papers and I didn’t want to have to take turns using the laptop between 3 children.  Thus it put me on a path of printing off all of their schooling for the year and ensuring that they would be busy with some sort of paperwork each day.

Here I start with my kindergarten and first grader—we have 1 that is more of an end of the year kindergarten and one that is about first or second grade.  I don’t like labeling grade levels but I have to have a general guideline.

Here is what we did for

Math

This is a hard one, as there are many individual lessons available online, but it is hard to find a complete FREE printable resource online.  I actually found one for the UK and think it will fit us fine. Click here for it.  The only flaw is that some of the problems use pounds instead of dollars and metric instead of standard.  But I am ready to change that when we come to those pages.

I used the level “1” for kindergarten and the level “2” for first grade.

I printed out all of the pages and found that they need to complete 1 page per day to finish in a 180 day school year.

 

Writing

I made writing journals for my children  and you can view those here.

They are to do 1 page per day.

Spelling/ Reading Comprehension

Found this great FREE printable resources here at K12reader.

Look on the left hand sidebar for the different grade levels of spelling.

I will have them do:

Monday–copy the spelling words

Tuesday do the corresponding reading comprehension page—available on the site for FREE

Wednesday I will dictate the words in a sentence–that they provide

Thursday will give them a final test and have them copy words they missed

English

Scott Foresman had these workbooks for FREE to download.  They are complete Grammar books.

Here is the link to the site.

I am having them do 1 page per day.

Reading

I will have each girl pick out some books from the library and read for about 1/2 hour each day.  They are doing better and can do simple reading on their own.  Makes it easier.

Thinking Skills/Lapbooks

For my next part it is more of a mix of different resources that I found online.  I wanted some busy work to keep them occupied plus learn some things.  I basically did searches online for different free printables.  I won’t include them all because they are all scattered but you can get the idea of what I searched for.

Here is the schedule I made to help me keep track of what I am to do.  I filed all of their work in the order that we will be doing it.

[gview file=”https://plainandnotsoplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/younger-half-yearly-schedule.pdf”]

To help explain what I we will be doing–I have us reading a devotional story of some sort each day and we will be doing the following:

Leading little ones to God—finishing up from last year

Prudence and the Millers–along with the accompaniment workbook pages

Wisdom and the Millers

School Days and the Millers

A Hive of Busy Bees

They will then do 2-3 pages of miscellaneous stuff I found online, here is some of it:

critical thinking worksheets

all about me FREE lapbook

lots of free worksheets here–various topics

These next ones are from teacherspayteachers.com—you have to create an account–its FREE then it will allow you to download, worth your time they have many free resources.

jelly bean math

presidents day

poetry collection

fall math freebie

winter freebie

veterens day free

money booklets

money flip book

butterfly color page

lots of free worksheets here

I also have them making stepbooks at various times throughout the year.  I purchased these from Oriental Trading years ago and just did nothing with them–included in my schedule.

I know there are many more FREE resources, I just didn’t document all of them, I suggest sitting by your printer and just searching one night for different free worksheets and then printing.  Cover a variety of topics.

Lapbooks

This was the last resource I came across and it helped fill my day perfectly.  This link to these FREE lapbooks is numerous.

I decided to do Little House on the Prairie series with my 2 girls. I chose to read 1 chapter per day.  That way when life gets crazy—because you know it will–it won’t be too overwhelming.  After we read each chapter, there will be a lapbook page for my daughters to complete.  Thought it would be fun to do.  Plus we get to read these books aloud.  I will be doing the following:

Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Prairie

On the banks of Plum Creek

Little Town on the Prairie

The Long Winter

 

For my 4th /5th grader I did similar things:

Math

I did the same math from the UK as I did for my 2 younger ones, I will adjust pages according to needs.  Click here  and choose level that is appropriate for your child.

We will be doing 1 page per day.

Math Drills

I loved xtramath last year as my child was able to do math facts and I got an email each week letting me know how they were doing.  It is FREE and is a resource we will be using.

This takes about 7 minutes per day.

Spelling/Read Comprehension

I used the same K12 reader for my older elementary child.  Choose appropriate level, and then get the corresponding reading comprehension papers.

Each day will be done this way:

Monday–copy spelling words

Tuesday–read comprehension page

Wednesday–dictation with spelling words–provided on site

Thursday–test

Writing/Journal

I made my own writing journal for boys. You can click  here to see what I did.

They are required to complete 2 pages each day. One for penmanship and one for journaling.

Grammar

Scott Foresman offers a complete FREE download book that you can print off.  Click here for the different levels.

One page per day

Critical Thinking

I did a search for this one as I did the girls.  I found numerous pages, puzzles, games, etc.  Just sit down and print a bunch off.  You need 180—1 for each day.

Here is a start for a free 81 page book 

Lapbooks

My son really enjoyed doing lapbooks last year and is looking forward to them this year.  I found this great site that lists them FREE.   Check it out.

I just went through the list and asked my son which ones he would want to do.  I figured out roughly how many pages were to be completed and figured 2 per day was sufficient.  We then printed off enough to do for the entire year.

Some he chose were:

chickens

ducks

detectives

Beavers

Wolves

Christmas around the world

Reading

I will also be having him read a book for 1/2 hour each day.

I did multiple searches for great pre teen boy books.  Pioneer Women had a good listing of some of them.  I have my list and will just order them and let him find which ones are interesting.

[gview file=”https://plainandnotsoplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Evan-booklist.pdf”]

 

I am finished!!!!  This was my total cost for all of this:  includes 4 packages of printer paper–$10, 2 ink cartridges–$10 and 3 journals–$10.  If you divide that out, it is $10 per person.

Definitely took me some time, but that time saved our family hundreds of dollars on curriculum.

Do you have any FREE resources to share??

Okay, I will admit, I sometimes get lazy.  I get lazy when it comes to shopping.  It sometimes seems easier to just buy cans of beans or to buy pizza sauce already made. Plus the fact that I love when my pantry is full or at least looks like it is full.

But the reality is that my “full” pantry was just a bunch of cans and boxes of store bought items.  Not much of it was homemade and good for my family.

For many years, when I had lots of little ones, building my pantry with wholesome, homemade, not filled with preservatives or additives foods, was not something I was able to do.  But now, it is something I MAKE time to do, because I can.  Plus we have the resources, it helps to have a large freezer to freeze things in, otherwise I would have to can them.

One of my goals this summer was to cut down on our grocery bill by making items that I could and usually do buy.  I also wanted to improve the nourishment that I was feeding to my children.  I had to start somewhere.

I started the summer by making our own popsicles and frozen treats.  Were they all totally healthy???  No, some were not, but it sure made our needs to go to our local ice cream shop disappear.

It was also nice when we had guests over this summer to be able to share a frozen snack.  At the beginning of summer we made enough to last us 2 months worth, well worth my time.  Plus with a family of 12 it saved a bundle in frozen treats this summer!!

You can click here to see all that we made.

I have been saving my Parmesan cheese containers and have been wanting to fill them with some staples that I buy at the store.

I purchased all of my spices at a Bulk Food store rather inexpensively.  Don’t buy them from Walmart they will cost much.  Look at buying them online in bulk, to save a bunch.

Here I made my own Taco Seasoning—which my family loves because it is super spicy–don’t worry you can tone it down.

I made this 2 months ago and have not bought another packet of taco seasoning.  Click here for my recipe.

Ok my other HUGE weakness when it came to preparing food was chicken bouillon.  I added chicken bouillon to everything to make it taste better.  Put some in my macaroni and cheese, added it to black beans and rice, I am afraid to even look through all my recipes because they all probably say to add 1-2 Tablespoons of chicken bouillon!!!  It just makes it taste better.  Well I know that the stuff I was buying was loaded with salt, and many additives, it was one of the first things to go.  I made a batch of this up and I honestly LOVE it!!!  I sprinkle it on everything and don’t feel guilty at all!!  The cost is relatively about the same as the chicken bouillon base I was buying, but you are getting a much better healthy alternative.

Try this, you won’t go back to the other additive loaded stuff!!!

Ok next we made our own baking powder WITHOUT aluminum.  I know everything is bad for us in some sort of way.  Aluminum is something I would like to avoid feeding to my children.  And  if I know that there is an easier alternative I will try it.  We have been using this and it works great.

I also have replaced our iodized salt with sea salts. The internet is full of information of why you should switch.  Decide for yourself.

I have also been busy this week cooking dry beans and then freezing them for later use.

These are the kinds that we use in our family:

black beans–for Haitian rice and beans

garbanzo beans–for hummus

pinto beans–for taco soup and chili

kidney beans–for red beans and rice

northern beans—for baked beans

red beans–made into chili beans–for lots of recipes

pinto beans pureed into refried beans

 

How I cooked them  was in my big roaster oven and crockpot.  I would pour bags of beans into the oven and crockpot and cover with water.  I made sure that the beans could double in size and still have plenty of water.  I turned them on high to boil and then down to a simmer and let them run.  I would test the beans every few hours until they were done.  Very simple to do and when finished, I scooped them out and put them into plastic containers and froze them.

This saves a bunch of money on canned beans.  Plus it helps me to be prepared for my days otherwise I have frozen beans when I need to make a meal.

 

I also buy lots of tomato products.  I will buy tomato juice, tomato paste, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, and diced tomatoes, pureed tomatoes, salsa, tomatoes and green chills.  I know pathetic right????

Well I decided to just buy a large can of tomato paste.  I can get the super size 10 pound can for about $4.  With this I separate the can into smaller pint sized plastic containers and freeze.  If I need to make tomato soup and need tomato juice, I just get out my tomato paste and add water to it. I do the same thing if a recipe calls for tomato sauce, just add less water.

This week, I have been busy making my own pizza sauce and then freezing it.

This is so simple to make, I don’t know why I was WASTING the money buying jarred sauce.  Here is the recipe that we use.  It has sauce and paste in this recipe, but I have just been using paste and adding enough water to a consistency that is suitable for my family.

We like to have our pizza buffet nights and this recipe goes great with that.

I also get canning tomatoes and puree them.  I use them in our spaghetti sauce and sausage red beans and rice recipe.

Did I mention my weakness of chicken bouillon?? Well my children’s weakness is ranch dressing!!!

 

They could put ranch on everything.  We have to limit this much.  I know the dressing is not good for them when after the little ones eat it, they are messier and it leaves a red rash on their face.  I started buying the ranch packets and mixing it with sour cream, thinking I was being a “better Mom” by making it “homemade.”  Silly lady, well I decided to just make a mix of it and then  make it as we need it.  It is much harder to use it, if it is not readily available in the refrigerator:)

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Here are some other ideas that I am going to make this month as I rid my pantry of foods that I can make from scratch:

cream soups–I use this when I make Salisbury steak

pita bread–every month we goto the bread store, I grab all the packages of pita bread.  This is great for quick sandwiches, pizzas, or cut up to eat with hummus.  But I know that I can make it and am excited to do so.

homemade salsa–click here for an easy version to make anytime of year.  We decided to do away with jarred salsa, and as soon as we are out this month, will be making this one.

We are going back to making yogurt each month again.  I make it with powdered milk—cheaper and we like to make it into a smoothie drink.  I can make enough for 2-3 weeks at one time.

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These are some items that we are going to eliminate from our food rotation, starting this month.  Will we bring any back?? Maybe,but for now, I am going to see what we can use as a “better” alternative.  Will keep you posted over this month.

canned vegetables—replacing them with fresh produce—I realized my little ones do like salad when offered.

white saltine crackers—my go-to when I am rushed–crackers and peanut butter—no more, we will replace with some other snacks—will keep you posted–I am thinking of making my own again like I have done in the past.

garbage bag snack mix-—oh my children love this, I do too!!!  But I am refusing to make this at least for a few months to see how we can do without another one of our favorite snacks.

No more canola or vegetable oil—-I would get lax and buy it for making boxed brownies or cupcakes for birthdays —meanwhile it takes only a few moments to melt my coconut oil that I have when I make my breads.  Just need to take the time, after doing some reading on how they make that stuff—yikes!!! Not good at all–something about Drano?!?!?

No more margarines– only butter.  I would buy it for making cookies and things—well than if you have a little bit in the refrigerator it will get used for other things as well, this goes along the lines of the bad rap for canola/vegetable oils and drano?!?!?  Need to avoid, even if it means more money.

No more weekly chips and pop.  My husband and I enjoy a favorite snack on the weekend—well everyone does but this is mainly for us.  He would get Doritoes and I would get those wonderful Kettle cooked salt and pepper chips—oh so good and I can eat an entire bag!!!! So bad.  We are skipping out on that and going with fresh fruit and vegetables.  We said if we were craving and needed something salty, we would go back to our favorite of winter time—air popped popcorn.  Super inexpensive–I still have 25 lbs in my basement.  Why am I wasting?!?!?!?

bacon bits—some might think this is weird, but we buy many of these and used them in breakfast burritos, or just to top our eggs off in small portions.  But the reality of it, is that this stuff is NOT good.  My alternative—-I bought turkey bacon and will be baking it in the oven and then food processing it and putting it into small containers to freeze for use.

We will also be buying less ground chuck each month and making Bulgar burger–something I will post on soon.  I did it before, I must do it again!

Okay, did I write a novel or what?!?!!?   I promise not to be away so long, I feel like I have to get it all in.  If I have more that we are replacing, I will be sure to write about it this month.

Do you have any store bought foods that you have replaced with your own homemade ingredients??