Domino Math on Teachers Pay Teachers

I am now on Teachers Pay Teachers.  With the help of my fabulous colleague, I hope to add many more items...some for purchase, some for free.  14-page item.


Domino-Math-Get-Ready-to-Play-with-Dominoes

Download for free.

Toy-Hauler Dreams at the Houston RV Show

We had ventured to the Houston RV Show for two reasons; one was to check out the selection of Toy Haulers, and the other was to see some great, new, innovative RV products!   

Now, since we full-time, we didn't look at any Lite models.  We need to have a cargo weight limit of around 3300 lbs and these rigs just don't hold that much.  They also aren't built for full-time living and usage.   

In our search, we did find a really great set-up in a particular fifth-wheel; the Montana 3900 FB. Not a bunk-house, but if you like a large bathroom and closet, this has it.  You walk up the steps like a regular fifth-wheel into a king-bedroom, then through into the huge master bath.   A large closet fills up the forward end cap space.

  One cannot turn away from the Tiffin Class As, especially loaded to the hilt with granite, porcelain, leather, walk-in-closets, dual bathroom sinks, led lighting, and electronics galore.

We narrowed in on one toy hauler that we liked, except for one feature...the bathroom door opened up so that to get out of the bathroom you had to teeter on the steps up to the bedroom in order to close the door.  The bathroom itself is a little small but boasts a large, blue-led-lighted, shower with seat. This rig is the XLR Thunderbolt by Forest River.  Now, for those who know us well, no, we are not actively looking to buy, but we like the research.

For those of you just thinking of full-timing, especially with kids, the toy-haulers are something to look into.  We dismissed them when we first started searching for our full-time rig back in 2010.  But, after seeing them first-hand and having lived in a bunk-house fifth-wheel for over a year, we tend to see these as a better option.

This particular rig has a great kitchen slide with large island, lots of Corian counter space, a full fridge, and LOADS of pantry and drawer space.

The master bath is, like mentioned, a little tight.

One of the benefits of a toy hauler is the rear "garage."  This is what turned us off originally, but after reviewing its options, it makes a good deal of sense for a family.  Most toy-haulers have two motorized bunks in the rear.  Sometimes there's a third.  Other models have 2 in the rear, and a loft bed in the living area.  Those without the loft bed usually have storage up high in the rear.

What is appealing about this set-up is that you can raise the upper bed during the day, and turn the lower bunk unto a bench and table set.  Here, the kids can play, or homeschool.  Many models boast a sliding screen door that walks out onto a railed deck.  Some have screen rooms, some have awnings.  Here you see a carpet. All toy-haulers have a metal floor (this is if you are going to actually use the garage as a garage for toys). Most come with a carpet that fits the room.  

This is the view from the bench seats.  This particular model has a full-bath (most have a half bath if one at all).  This bath is an entire shower...great for a day after the beach.  A TV and fireplace also fill the space.  (Some models come equipped with washer/dryer hookups and mini fridges.)  Up above the tv and doors are sliding-door storage compartments.

What we would need to do to the room is add a touch more storage options for clothing and toys.

Stevie dreams.

Double-paned windows put this rig at the top of our dream list.
And, even with three axles,  our 1-ton truck can pull it.

A place for Max and enjoying fresh air.

And, now for the great, innovative vendor products....

goose egg

Very disappointing.

Educational Websites Are Right at Your Fingertips

Today you can find hundreds of quality, trustworthy, educational websites to help compliment or create your homeschool curriculum, or to further support your child with the work they do in school.    We have used most of the sites listed below, some more than others.  We'd love to hear about other sites you use, or how you feel about those listed below.  Hopefully, you find something new here.

Click the titles to visit the websites.

Free sites
These sites are totally free.

Magic Tree House (This site has quizzes and games based on the Magic Tree House books.)

Have Fun Teaching (Thousands of free worksheets and activities for elementary grades.)

PBS Kids (Learning and fun games based on kids' PBS TV shows.)

Sheppard Software (Loads of free online games in all subject areas.)

US History (Lessons and stories about our Country's history.)

Khan Academy (Loads of videos and readable lessons in all subject areas, for lower elementary to adult.)

Mr. Nussbaum Learning & Fun  (Site contains hundreds of games, activities, worksheets, videos, etc for many grades and many subject-areas.)

Math Play (Free online math games from grades 1 through 8.)

Houghton Mifflin Math (The publishing company provides online activities and printable worksheets in math for grades K -6.)

Reading Units  (Teacher-created comprehension questions (online and printable) with activities that go to several popular chapter books.  {There used to be many more but she sells them now on TPT.})

National Geographic Kids  (Games, videos, photos, and more on many topics.)

Pay Sites
These sites require subscriptions.

Discovery Education (Homework help, Video clips and full-length episodes, digital texts.)

Reading A-Z (see also all of Learning A-Z's sites:  Writing A-Z, Raz-Kids, Vocabulary A-Z, Science A-Z, ReadingTutors.  For pay site with some free items.  Hundreds of printable and projectable leveled readers, running records, comprehension tests, and activities.)

IXL (Online timed math practice correlated to each state's standards, and the Common Core, for grades K through 8.  Students receive awards for success. Language Arts is coming soon. Free use for a short period of time to get to see what it offers.)

Brightstorm (Quick, explanatory videos on topics in all subjects.)

Time 4 Writing  (Writing courses with some free lessons embedded)

Tumblebooks  (Many libraries have a link for Tumblebooks where you can access it for free.)

Mango (Many libraries have a link for Mango where you can access it for free.)

Animated Atlas (Using animated maps and narration, US History is explained. Growth of a Nation is a free movie.)

Free with some Pay parts
These sites are free, but also have parts that require subscriptions.

Spelling City  (Parents and teachers can create spelling lists that children can practice using quizzes, teaching lessons, and games.  Subscription adds vocabulary and more game options.)

Starfall (Phonics, rhyming, and reading with colorful animations and enjoyable voices.  Subscription adds math activities.)

Brain Pop (Animated subject-oriented videos provide information and fun.  Subscription provides for all content.  Free allows selected videos.)

Curr Click (A large website with hundreds of homeschool and educational resources.  Online classes and courses are also available.  Some free items and classes, including Lego Club.)

What to Do for Free or on the Cheap in the Houston Area

When you travel full-time, and homeschool three children, you spend a great deal of bandwidth researching free, cheap, and interesting, educational, memorable places to visit. I hope to provide a resource of these places so you can spend your time on better things.  If I get to them, I'll tell you about them.

We are spending some time outside of Houston in the Galveston, TX area.  It's gorgeous and, so far, chock full of lots of great things to do for the kids.

Being the frugal family that we are, we try to find educational opportunities that won't warp the wallet.  We've located a few freebies or reduced-fee choices for family and educational fun. 

Visit the...

Houston Zoo
Free on the First Tuesday of every month: 2pm - close
or
if you possess a Bank of America account
Sat 10am - 7pm or Sun 10am - 7pm

Houston Children's Museum
Free Thursdays 5pm - 8pm
or
if you possess a Bank of America account
Say 10 - 6pm or Sun 12 - 6pm (FIRST weekend of the month only: only the account holder gets in for free)

The Museum of Fine Arts; Houston
Free Thursdays 10am - 9pm
or
if you possess a Bank of America account
Sat 10 - 7pm or Sun 12:15 - 7pm

Houston Museum of Natural History
Free Thursdays 2pm - 5pm

Houston Health Museum
Free Thursdays 2pm - 5pm 
or 
with Ecotarium Card, Free entry anytime.

Weather Museum
Free Thursdays 12pm - 4pm

Buffalo Soldiers Museum
Free Mondays 10am - 5pm


Free Tours:
Mrs. Baird's Bakery
St. Arnold Brewing Company


All the beaches in Galveston have free parking and access to the beaches.  Visit the beach right across from Fort Crockett Seawall Park to see the rock sculptures created by visitors...and create your own.

If books are your thing, get a temporary library card at Rosenberg Library in Galveston and check out their free programs while checking-out a great book.

Take a free ferry ride from Galveston Island to Port Bolivar!  It is a 2.7 mile, 18 minute trip to miles of beaches and small shops.

Visit The Strand in Galveston for shoppes and people watching.   The port of Galveston is there and you may see a cruise ship or two.  Check out La King's Confectionary, Taffy and Fudge Making shop...stand outside the shoppe to watch confections being made from scratch.  You may even get a sample or two!  

Are you a chess fan?  Grab a coffee or daiquiri and play life-size chess in Saengerfest Park, right on The Strand.  

If you are a Bank of America customer, you can gain free access to many museums across the country on the weekends....Museum Visits.

Stay tuned for more things to do in the Houston/Galveston area, as we have only been here a week and a half.


I will be checking in to see if you can get free passes from the library.

You can take the teacher out of the classroom...

but, well, you know the rest.  So, to fulfill my need to constantly provide educational information and tools, please click this link to check out this awesome website.  I don't remember who first introduced this site to me, or if I found it by chance, but I go to it very often for great materials and products.  Take some time to search the site and check out the great products they sell.  Teachers and Homeschoolers will find many things to get excited about!

The Have Fun Teaching Shop is filled with Educational CD's, DVD's, Phonics Packages, Counting Packages, Teacher Shirts and Bags and so much more! If you are a teacher, parent, or homeschooler, the Have Fun Teaching Shop is the place you need to visit. Teachers all over the world are using Have Fun Teaching's highly effective Music CD's in their classrooms to teach Phonics, Math, Counting, Science, Character Education, Reading, Grammar, and even Fitness!

Visit the Have Fun Teaching Shop - Click Here

The Have Fun Teaching Shop has lots of teaching supplies and resources for teachers:

• Alphabet Songs CD
• Counting Songs CD
• Character Songs CD
• Fitness Songs CD
• Science Songs CD
• Songs for Kids CD
• Alphabet DVD
• Counting DVD
• Phonics Packages
• Counting Packages
• Teacher Shirts
• Teacher Bags
• Sale Items