Tag: deals

Conventional offer

On Thursday I enjoyed a day of shopping and encouragement at the Illinois homeschool convention. Great speakers, vital topics, and almost limitless shopping venues.

A couple years ago I took advantage of the option to buy all of the workshops in MP3 format and I am so glad that I did. I have enjoyed listening to various speakers again and again — when I needed to hear it (not in June, when life seems a bit sun-shinier and smooth anyway). This was a purchase definitely worth the investment and I did the same this year.

Even at the regular price of $88 I would consider this a worthwhile purchase, but during the convention it is available for $57. Now I received an email from ICHE that you can order the set at convention prices for this whole weekend, whether you attended or not. If you are looking for some encouragement, or want some weapons to tuck away for “those” days you know we will all face in September, this might be something you would want to consider as well.

Some of the highlights: Tedd Tripp’s workshops on child rearing, Jeannie Fulbright on science, Stacey McDonald on motherhood and passionate housewives, and Vicki Bentley on home organization. Check out the full list here.

Here is the email from ICHE:


Thank you to all those who attended the convention this weekend!
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we wanted to make sure you were aware of the opportunity to purchase the Entire Convention on MP3.

Buy the entire ICHE Convention on MP3 at a special price of $57 including Tedd Tripp’s workshops – this weekend only!

Order before midnight on Sunday June 7th!

( after this weekend the price will be $88 and Tedd Tripp’s workshops will no longer be available)
Order on line at:
Blessings,
Your Convention Committee
(847) 603-1259

Chuck E Cheese reading incentive

Even Chuck E. Cheese is getting in on the action when it comes to encouraging kids to read.

Simply print out these reading reward calendars, have your child read every day for two weeks, and bring it in for 10 free tokens per child with a food purchase. You can get one for each child without needing seperate food purchases for each one (we have 5 children, buy 1 pizza and redeem 5 calendars, plus report cards if it is the end of a grading period).

These are great calendars, and they have a number of other ones on their site as well. If you want some extra encouragement while instilling good habits in your child, check out their other reward calendars (clean room, getting dressed, sleeping all night, manners, etc.) You can only redeem one calendar per child each time you go to Chuck E Cheese, and you must make a food purchase at that time as well, but these are great boredom busters and motivators all year round!

Don’t forget to bring your child’s report card with as well.

They earn tokens for good grades. Need some help putting together your end of the year grades? Check out Donna Young’s site for report cards that you can use for this important record keeping step.

HSLDA sponsored webinar tomorrow, June 2

HSLDA: Don’t miss tomorrow’s FREE @home e-vent: What Wives Wish Their
Husbands Knew About Homeschooling

How can a homeschooling dad play an active, involved role in his
children’s education without neglecting other essential
responsibilities? What ought to be his highest priorities?

Some homeschooling husbands feel they have a nearly impossible role to
play–as the provider, protector, and primary educator of the family.
Scott Somerville offers his wisdom and advice from years of experience
as a homeschooling father as he explains the hierarchy of priorities
that ensure a thriving home education.  Scott helps husbands realize
that most moms’ desire for practical help, bigger budgets, and time to
plan curriculum come far down on that list of priorities. When
husbands understand that wives want a principal and pastor more than
they need a teacher’s aide or assistant janitor, they can provide the
necessary assurance, godly leadership, and involvement that their
families need.

Learn how to balance and strengthen your family’s homeschool by
listening to Scott Somerville’s helpful and encouraging webinar
tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2, at 3 p.m. (ET). Gain a clearer
understanding of how to provide the education, encouragement, and
leadership needed to make your home the best learning environment
possible.

There is still space in tomorrow’s free e-vent! Don’t miss this
important and helpful session–register now at
http://www.hslda.org/athome .

This webinar is free to both members and non-members. If you are not
an HSLDA member, we invite you to join today for future webinar
discounts and other benefits at www.hslda.org/join.

If you have any questions, please contact the @home e-vent coordinator
at webinars@hslda.org

->  Have you ever yelled into the wind, only to hear the sound of your
voice blown back at you?

It’s hard to be heard in the midst of a storm. Trying to influence
federal legislation is much like yelling to be heard while
standing in a fierce wind. Yet when 80,000 voices join together,
they become a powerful force that cannot be drowned out.
Join HSLDA to be heard above the tempests that threaten homeschool
freedoms.

More reasons to join HSLDA…
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1939

Doorposts coupon!

Doorposts

Dear Friends,

Doorposts will be exhibiting at the Illinois Christian Home Educators’ Convention in Naperville, IL next week. If you are attending, we invite you to stop by our booth in the exhibit hall. And don’t forget to print out this coupon and bring it with you for $5.00 off your purchase. Feel free to share copies of this coupon with friends who might use it as well!

To browse our Biblical character training materials, visit www.doorposts.com. We will have most of these materials available for viewing and for sale at the convention, including our new “Put On Chart.”

For more details about this event, visit http://www.iche.org/. For a complete list of the conventions we’re attending in 2009, visithttp://www.doorposts.com/conventions.aspx.

Thanks and God bless,

Daniel Forster

Doorposts, 5905 SW Lookingglass Drive, Gaston, OR 97119
orders@doorposts.com (888) 433-4749
www.doorposts.com

Free or cheap movies

Many Theaters offer free or very inexpensive movies through the summer months. While I have listed the locations and available movies for Illinois, many of these are available in other states, simply click through to their sites to find a location convenient for you.

As part of the Kerasotes Theatres the following Illinois theaters offer movies through the summer:

  • Bolingbrook – ShowPlace 12
  • Chicago – City North 14
  • Chicago – ShowPlace 14 Galewood
  • Cicero – ShowPlace 14
  • Edwardsville – ShowPlace 12
  • Glenview – Glen 10
  • Lake-in-the-Hills – Lake-in-the-Hills 12
  • Machesney Park – ShowPlace 14
  • New Lenox – ShowPlace 14
  • Niles – ShowPlace 12
  • Rockford – ShowPlace 16
  • Skokie – Village Crossing 18
  • Springfi eld – ShowPlace East 8

They should all be showing these films:

  • June 24 and June 25 – Igor
  • July 1 and July 2 – Madagascar Escape 2 Africa
  • July 8 and July 9 – Kung Fu Panda
  • July 15 and July 16 – Mall Cop
  • July 22 and July 23 – The Tale of Despereaux
  • July 29 and July 30 – Hotel for Dogs
  • August 5 and August 6 – Coraline

Cinnemark Movie Theaters offer films $1 at the door or $5 for all 10 showings (they don’t list specific movies or times, so check with individual theaters):

Participating Classic Cinemas also offer movies on Wednesdays from June 17th through August 12th. All Movies begin at 10AM and cost $1. The movie showing varies by location.

  • Charlestowne 18 – St. Charles, Illinois
  • Cinema 12 – Carpentersville, Illinois
  • Elk Grove Theatre – Elk Grove Village, Illinois
  • Fox Lake Theatre – Fox Lake, Illinois
  • Lake Theatre – Oak Park, Illinois
  • Lindo Theatre – Freeport, Illinois
  • Meadowview Theatre – Kankakee, Illinois
  • Paramount Theatre – Kankakee, Illinois
  • North Rivierside Mall Theatre – North Riverside, Illinois
  • Ogden 6 – Naperville, Illinois
  • Tivoli Theatre – Downers Grove, Illinois
  • Woodstock Theatre – Woodstock, Illinois
  • York Theatre – Elmhurst, Illinois

Featured Movies:
The Tale of Despereaux
Hotel For Dogs
Kung Fu Panda
Space Chimps
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Inkheart
Madagascar 2: Escape From Africa
Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Goodrich Quality Theaters offer movies Monday through Friday at 10:30 for $1 per seat. These include:

  • Kendall 10
  • Randall 15
  • Savoy 16
  • Willow Knolls 14

Movies they will feature:

Caroline
Mall Cop
Flushed Away
Jumanji
Daddy Day Care
Over the Hedge
Shrek the Third
Surf’s Up
Bee Movie
Spiderwick Chronicles

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

July 17 – August 28 on Tuesday Nights in Grant Park. Butler Field in Grant Park features a free outdoor film festival. The big outdoor movie screen features free classic movies at sunset. The lineup of classic movies offers an impressive variety of movies that have been enjoyed over the ages. Enjoy balmy summer nights in Grant Park, relaxing with friends and watching classic films.
Read more: “Summer Events Chicago Illinois: Soccer, Movies. Venetian Night, Air & Water Show, Jazz Festival | Suite101.com” – http://illinois-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/summer_events_chicago_illinois#ixzz0GZkdolEj&A

These can make great Frugal ideas, and help beat the heat and break up the monotony.

Free days at Museums

Many museums offer free days at various times throughout each week, month, or year. Target stores have stepped up to offer a number of these opportunities making it possible for families to enjoy these local treasures without spending a small fortune of their own. I know with five kids of my own to pay admission for, we love to take advantage of these special offers which enable us to do so much more than we would otherwise!

Even though these are posted it is always a good idea to double check websites or even make a phone call before heading out to enjoy one of these great field trip opportunities.

Chicago Children’s Museum – Target Free First Mondays

Free admission for kids 15 and under. First Monday of every month, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
700 East Grand Avenue, Navy Pier
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Chicago IL, 60611
312-527-1000

Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago – Target Free Tuesdays

Free every Tuesday
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL, 60611
312-280-2660

Congo Square Theatre, Chicago – Target Saturday Matinees

2-for-1 Tickets, Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Various locations
Chicago, IL 60657
312-587-2292

Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago – Target Saturday Matinees

Buy One, Get One Free, Saturday performances at 3 p.m.
821 North Michigan Avenue
Water Tower Water Works
Chicago IL, 60611
312-337-0665

Art Institute of Chicago – Target Free Evenings

Free General Admission every Thursday, 5-9 p.m.
Free General Admission every Friday from Memorial Day until Labor Day, 5-9 p.m.
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago IL, 60603-6110
312-443-3600

The Field Museum – Target Free Second Mondays

Free admission every second Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
1400 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312-922-9410

National Museum of Mexican Art – Target Free Admission at the NMMA

Free admission every day during museum hours, 10 a.m-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
312-738-1503

Millennium Park Family Fun Festival Presented by Target

June 3-September 1, 2008 Daily, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Summer-long free festival of music, performances and family activities for all ages, seven days a week in the Millennium Park Family Fun Activity Tent and on the Jay Pritzker Pavillion Performance Stage.

Chicago Children’s Choir – Target Free Family Concert in Millennium Park

Thursday, June 12, 6:30 p.m.

Information from Insider’s Passport.

Lego Learning Opportunity!

Just came across a fun opportunity for educators from the Lego company:

Now through August 2009, LEGO® Education is hosting an activity challenge for educators of all grades and subject areas!

The LEGO® Smart™ Creativity Contest begins with your imagination and ends with great prizes, online recognition, and the chance to share your activity with thousands of students across the nation!

The task is simple.

Create an activity using only the
bricks included in a LEGO Smart Kit

Educators are being challenged to use the kits’ contents to develop a hands-on activity for their students. This can range from a simple build to a more advanced mathematical problem. You’re the creator, so let your imagination lead you!

Check out Lego’s site to request your own kit, submit your idea, and enter for your chance to win!

Thanks to Money Saving Mom for sharing this news.

Book It Pizza Hut program

If free tickets to Great America weren’t already enough, don’t miss out on the FREE PIZZA for your readers and pre-readers as well.

Again, for kids in K-6, this program motivates your child to read by rewarding them with a free personal pan pizza once a month for the six month duration of the program (October through March). And, you must sign up individually rather than through your homeschool group.


Book It! provides a great opportunity for each child to set their own goals and encourages them to get their nose in a book on a regular basis. The certificates are then redeemable for each month they meet their goal and have been great for treats (and convenience!) when we find ourselves schooling while out somewhere during the month.

As one of the commenters mentioned, there is also a program for preschool. This is not open to homeschoolers at this point and runs on a different schedule than the traditional Book It program.

This simple program motivates readers and gives a tasty reward. It has definitely worked for us!

Now is the time to register for this program for the coming school year. Don’t wait!

Looking for more great Frugal ideas?

Six Flags Reading Club Open for 2009-2010 School Year

Want a free ticket for Six Flags, Great America? Now is the time to sign up! Individuals cannot sign up for this program on their own. However, your homeschooling co-op or support group can send in a group registration. If they are not already participating contact your group leader about taking advantage of this beneficial program for kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade.

Here’s the scoop:
Read to Succeed and Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club
Are homeschool organizations eligible to participate?
“Yes, homeschool organizations that include grades K through 6 are eligible to participate. Please contact 1-866-308-1362 for information about eligibility. Due to limited supplies, we can only send one kit to an association to be shared with all its members.”

For all the details check out this link: http://www.rtsregistration.com/

This is open to all schools within 150 miles of a Six Flags park and is a great incentive to get kids into reading more. A simple 6 hour goal and they earn a free ticket.

We have definitely enjoyed these tickets for our kids that have fallen into the appropriate age category in recent years. They grow fast, so make the most of this opportunity while you can!

Free Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago

The new Modern Wing of the Art Institute has opened its doors today, May 16th. For this coming week admission to the museum is completely free of charge to all visitors.  See the Art Institute’s website for more information.

The even better news for homeschoolers . . . Children under 14 are ALWAYS admitted free. And, Illinois teachers (which you qualify for as a homeschool teacher) are also welcome without charge at the museum on any day they are open. Be sure to bring some type of homeschool identification, and call for details ahead of your visit — (312) 443-3600.

Here’s what their site says about teachers, “Teacher Admission – All Illinois teachers receive free general admission to the Art Institute with proof of teacher certification. When educators visit the Teacher Resource Center, they will receive a free educator’s pass. This pass gives the bearer unlimited general admission to the Art Institute and admission to the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries until September 1, 2009.”

The Institute is also free on Thursday nights from 5-8 as well, whether a homeschooler, teacher, student, or not. Don’t miss out on this great resource to your homeschooling studies.

Check out their links:

– to other art sources online

– resources especially for teachers

– lesson plans

– Scheduling student tours