Printable Binder Covers

I have 3 kids in school this coming year (7th, 9th and 11th grade). Let me just tell you that they have used A LOT of binders over the years.

Here's a quick tip, check your local thrift stores year round and pick up any binders in good condition. Shopping at your local office supply store gets real pricey when you need to buy multiple 2-3" binders.

When shopping in your local second hand/thrift store make sure they are in good shape and will last. They can't be ripping at the sides and they must close well.  My kids prefer that they have a clear front pocket to add their own cover to make it personalized.

Since there were so many cute designs out there, I thought I would share a few that you can print out and use from sites all over their web. There are so many more. This is just a sampling. Enjoy!

TheCutestBlogOnTheBlock.com

Template.net/design-templates/print/binder-cover-template/

SweetSweetSecondGrade.blogspot.com/2013/07/binder-covers-anyone.html

ClassroomDoodles.com/binder-covers.html

DIY.MyFeed.info/binder-cover-coloring-pages/

HowDoesShe.com/printable-binder-covers-to-color/

Stage-Presents.com/tag/back-to-school-binder-covers/

Dealing with First Day of School Jitters

Now is the time of year for schools across the country to start up for the fall. My kids started back to school this week.

Like many kids, my oldest always gets a bit nervous with new situations. The first day of school, field trips, and family vacations, are really stressful for her.

This year she started ninth grade. Her freshman year of high school. 

It's her 3rd day and she still had a bad case of nerves.  Here are a few things I've tried so far. 

Tour of the School

The Friday before school started we got her class schedule and took a self guided  tour of the school. We found each classroom and met a couple teachers.

Friends on Bus and In Class

Turns out she does have friends in a few classes, at lunch and on the bus. Great for Moral support.

Limited Upperclassmen in Classes

Not that this is controllable, but she doesn't have many upperclassmen in her classes despite being advanced classes.  That is at least a little less intimidating.

Foods/Drinks

We've tried saltine crackers, ginger ale and peppermint hard candy. She really doesn't want to eat for fear of being sick.

She's been this way her whole like and I have to admit she gets it honest. Both myself and her father were the same way.

What are some ways you've help settle your nerves or the nerves of your children?

Social Media In Schools

The other day my two middle school kids brought home a paper that really concerned me. 

It was a letter from their school system's Early Childhood Office asking for permission for my kids (and all kids in middle/high school) to access social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to enhance the curriculum covered in class. In a nut shell, the schools want to know if the students can access social media during school time.

My kids are 13 and 12, and they aren't allowed to access these sites at home, so I don't want my kids setting up an account at school without my supervision.

I am definitely not giving them my permission to access these sites at school, but I'm really wondering what the schools plan to use the sites for to begin with?

There have been lots of news stories about kids getting targeted online by bullies, especially the teens and pre-teens. Why would the schools want more kids on these sites - when they offer no educational value?

Their school system is quite high tech. However, they already have a website that allows parents and students to check grades, get important info and more. They also use https://www.edmodo.com/ so kids and parents can contact teachers, homework reminders, project details, etc.  They even offer text and phone messages for important information, so there are tons of ways for parents and staff to get in touch with each other.

So my big question is would you approve your kids setting up and using social media during the school day?

Would you be more likely to let them use it if they were 17 or 18 years old as opposed to 11 or 12?

Help You Child Get Organized for Middle School Success

The school year is under way and you may notice your middle schooler needs some help getting and staying organized. They probably have more teachers, more homework, projects and crazy schedules than they did in elementary school. 

Kids entering middle school can easily become overwhelmed with all the changes. They went from one main teacher to 6+ teachers.  Kids being the oldest in the school back to being the youngest and sometimes smallest.  Plus

Here are a few ways to help you middle school child get organized.

Use a Planner
Many schools require the students to use a planner but if yours does not than find a calendar that your child likes to use. In the planner, make sure they write down their homework every day for each class along with any projects and their due dates.

Many times kids think they can remember whether or not they have homework. Kids may be good at remembering the fact that they do have homework - they just can't remember whether it was numbers 1-21 or 1-31, only odd or even problems, or even when it's due. It's the important details that slip their memory most of the time.


Homework Time
Preferably have them do homework as soon as they get home while all the info is still somewhat fresh in their mind.  Have a small snack while working if they are hungry, but get it done right after school. This helps them avoid being up late into the night working on a project that is due the next day.

Homework Space
Create a space for your child to do their homework and have all the supplies they need. A kitchen table, a desk in their room, etc.  Almost any place will work as long as it's fairly quiet, has room for them to write, and allows them to concentrate.

Another suggestion is to have a box filled with pencils, a calculator, hole punch, dictionary, eraser and anything else they use to do their homework. This box should be close by so the kids aren't getting up constantly to go find the stuff they need.

Also consider having a space for important papers, library books, and class folders.

Calendar
Many middle schools have ABC days or alternating days. Meaning they offer different classes on different days. You child may have Gym on A days, Music on B days and a World Language on C days. Help you child remember which day it is by placing a calendar up where they can see it. Also have them put all the folders and stuff they need for the next day in their back pack the night before. 

I have two kids in middle school and so I write down on the school's ABC calendar my kid's name and which class they have on each day. It's easier than trying to remember A day is gym for my son and chorus for my daughter.

Avoid Over Scheduling
One last thing, as parents you want your kids to be well rounded, but school work should always come first. If they are excelling at school then add one or two extra curricular activities per season. Many kids nowadays rush home from school, head to practice a couple nights a week, squeezing in dinner on the road and then have to stay up late doing homework only to repeat it all the next day.

Face it most adults don't like having to work all day, come home to rush around, eat on the run and than do it all the next day. You get burned out, need some time to relax and so do the kids. Scale back the after school activities.

Having a planner to write their homework in, a set time and place to do homework and a calendar to prepare for the day will help your child be organized for their day at school.

Back to School Printables

Since most schools have already started back for the fall semester I thought I would share a couple really cute printables I've found while I was searching the web. Enjoy!

Homeschool Planner, Inserts, and Lunchbox Notes by Simply Graphic Design

Back to School Memories by Teach Me Genealogy

Printable Lunchbox Notes by Honey Jumble

Printable MASH Game

School Days Memory Keeping by Confessions of A Homeschooler

My Goals for the 2013-14 School Year

I'm a stay at home mom with all my kids in school. To be honest, I find it hard to get my home deep cleaned while my kids are home all day during the summer. Some little maintenance projects get put on the back burner, so the kids can get my undivided attention. Plus things like my crafts and blog projects get left by the wayside.

Now that the kids are in school it's time to get back to work "so to speak".

This year I decided to list my goals to accomplish while the kids are in school instead of just winging it. Call it my goals, a honey do list or whatever you want. I just want to get them done. :)

Family
1. Help my youngest master her math facts - 15 min a day Monday - Friday
2. Plan one fun thing to do as a family each quarter. (Sept. - June)
3. Schedule a trip as a family.
4. Reinstate pizza and a movie night once a month.

Home
5. Paint the dining room.
6. Recover my hope chest and stool
7. Clean all the kitchen cabinets fronts or refinish them.

Blog/Business
8. Strive to post every Monday - Friday
9. Create at least one new printable every month
10. Write and publish my first e-book

Personal
11. Exercise every day 20 minutes minimum (dance, walk, yard work, etc.)
12. Read at least one book every month (Sept. - June)
13. Journal everyday
14. Create one thing every month (craft, sew, quilt, etc.)

Financial
15. Fully fund oil for this winter ahead of time
16. Fully fund Christmas ahead of time.
17. Pay off the truck loan
18. Save up for and purchase a new laptop.

These are some of my goals for the school year, but I may probably will add or change them as needed.

I encourage everyone to create goals for themselves. It helps you focus on what you really want in life.  Each of us gets one life - do what you really love. Make sure your time is used most efficiently to make this your and your family's best possible life.

Do you have any goals for this school year? Share them below.

First Day of School 2013-14

Today was the first day of school for two of my kids. My youngest child is now a 4th grader. Next I have a 6th grader, and my oldest is entering 8th grade.  The younger two were excited to go back to school mostly to see their friends again.

I love when all my kids are back in school except for the fact that I'm the only one with homework on the first day of school.  The kids all bring home papers for me to read and sign.

In my area only kids in 1st-5th, 6th and 9th started today. The rest start tomorrow or are staggered days (Kindergarten). Since my oldest daughter is entering 8th grade, she had the day off and came to the bus stop say "bye" to her little sis. 

So tomorrow starts "Mom Time" for me. It's what I do during the day while they are all in school. It's my time to work on my home, my crafts, my blog, etc. Tune in tomorrow for my "Goals for 2013-14".

Meet the Teacher Event

Today was my younger daughter's "Meet the Teacher" event at school. It's a 2 hour period where families can come and see where their child's class is located. Most importantly they can meet the teacher. They can also bring in their school supplies, so they don't have to haul everything on the bus.

I wish every elementary school would do this. It allows kids to get familiar with their classroom and not feel so nervous the first day of school. Plus they get to see which of their friends will be in their class with them.

One trick I learned last year was when I visited my child's classroom is to look for their daily schedule. I just used my iPhone camera  to take a photo - quick and easy. Now I know when she goes to lunch, specials, etc. in case I need to schedule a doctor or dentist appointment during the school.

Another trick I've learned is to take a photo of her in front of her locker, so she can remember her locker number on the first day of school.

If you have any tips or tricks to share for the first week of school feel free to leave a message. Thanks!

Back to School and Separation Anxiety

It's almost that time again. Time for kids to head back to school.

We've all see it. Kids crying their eyes out because they don't want to be left at school. Moms making it even harder on the kids by getting teary eyed, saying lots of good-bye and giving way too many hugs. Poor little ones think they are being left someplace really terrible or worse they aren't going to see their parents ever again.

Let's make it easy on the kids by following a few simple tips.


Get to Know Their School
Most schools will allow you to bring your kids on a tour (at some point) prior to the start of the school year. Your child will see where their classroom will be, where the lunchroom is, and most importantly where they will be having recess.

If possible, arrange a play date with other kids that will be attending school with your child. That way they will already have someone they know on the first day of school.



Keep Your Emotions In Check
It's fine to miss your children while they are away at school, but don't let them see you get all misty eyed. Wait till the kids are gone otherwise they will think there is something wrong with going to school.

Be consistent
Kids feel safer when they know what to expect. Each school day they go to school to see the same teachers, students and staff. They know that the same person will pick them up after school. They know mom or dad will fix dinner around 6 and bedtime is at 8:30.  Change is fine, but not everyday. Be as consistent as possible. Even if it means dinner is sometime between 4-6 and bedtime is always before 9:30 p.m. 

Create a Good-bye Ritual
A simple hug and kiss or a wave with a quick "See you later" can help kids know you love them and will see them later.

When my son started preschool he didn't want to leave his favorite security blanket. For the first couple weeks of preschool he carried around a small piece of the blanket, so he could always reach into his pocket and feel the blanket without anyone seeing.

My youngest just didn't want to go to school. The guidance counselor recommended reading "The Kissing Hand" with her. It an adorable story about a little raccoon going off to school who misses his mother.

Help you child ease back to school by preparing them ahead of time by letting them know what to expect. Create a routine, so they know what to expect to happen. Plus a quick and simple good-bye lets kids know there is nothing to worry about and that you will see them later. These simple things can make your child's back to school experience that much better.

Must Have Supplies for Back To School

With all the stores having their Back to School sales I thought I would share my must have supplies for back to school. My family has used (and still does) all these products.

Source

Backpack/Bookbag
Choose one that is sturdy and will fit all their notebooks, binders and supplies. Make sure you know what type of backpacks your child's school allows. Some schools do not allow bags with wheels, some require them to be clear, while other schools only allow drawstring bags.

My kids' middle school only allow drawstring bags carried around the school and the one pictured above was the sturdiest one I've found. We've tried many different ones over the years and this hasn't ripped or tore after using it daily for 6 months (so far).  Plus, it was $7 at Walmart. 

Planner
If your child's school doesn't require one, I recommend you purchase a student planner. In it your child should record all his homework as it's assigned. Each night check their planner to insure all their homework and any projects are completed.  This is also a wonderful place to leave messages for their teacher and for them to respond back.

All my kids' schools require planner similar to the ones sold here. Ours are purchased directly from the school for $5 each.

Homework Folder
This works great for elementary schoolers, but it is used in higher grades as well. Basically, you designate one folder for all homework. That way your child only has to check one place for all their homework - not individual binders/folders.

I highly recommend using a 2 pocket poly folder like the one above. They last a whole lot longer than the paper ones that rip pretty quick with daily use. They even come in a variety of colors and only cost $1 or less.

Source

Pencils
This one is obvious - keeping a supply of pencils on hand. I try to make sure each of my kids has at least 3 pencils in their backpack each morning. There really is no excuse to lose 3 pencils.

I also want to suggest skipping the pretty designed pencils because they usually are harder to sharpen. After working with many teachers over the year most recommend using Dixon Ticonderoga brand pencils because they are easy to sharpen and good quality. I realize they do cost a bit more, but I've found them to be worth the cost.

These are obviously the basics and there are plenty more supplies that would help your child be even more prepared for school. These are the brands/products that have worked for our family for quite a while and I know they can help your family too.

Really Cool School Supplies

As I mentioned before I love school supplies, so today I thought I would share a couple really cool school supplies I have found in my travels over the web.


1. Disguise Your Lunch.
Adorable sandwich bags are sure to be a hit with almost any kid.

2. DCI Yummy Pocket Taco
This cute pouch is the perfect place to store lunch money, house key, cell phone, etc. Hamburgers, cookies, sushi, hot dogs and more are also available.

3. Teddy Bear USB Drive
This is perfect for little kids or older ones with a slightly twisted sense of humor.

4. Pencil Knee High Socks
These are too cute. Great for teachers or your favorite teacher's pet.

5. A Magnetic Chandelier for Your Locker
Brighten up all the dark spaces of your locker with this neat light.

* All the Amazon.com links in this post are affiliate links. All other links are not affiliate links and I am not compensated in any way if you visit or purchase from them.

Back To School Shopping on a Budget

It's my absolute favorite time of the year? Yes I am that mom from the Staples commercial (not really), but in spirit.

I love, love, love school supplies! I could easily go overboard spending on supplies each year, but I don't and you don't have to either.

Shopping for back to school isn't meant the "break the bank".  Unless, of course, you listen to all the television commercials and sales ads. The ones that say your child needs a whole new wardrobe, new backpack, lunchbox, folders, and more every school year.

Start off by creating a budget and be sure to add in for unexpected fees (planners, magazine fees, etc.).  Include school supplies, clothes, shoes, and anything else your school requires. Then go through the list and assign a dollar amount to each item. If you don't know how much it costs - then estimate it (over estimate it actually).

Yes, I know this post is called Back to School Shopping on a Budget, but the whole point is to make your money stretch as far as possible. It's not always about finding the cheapest price, because sometimes the cheapest priced item doesn't last very long. So here's how to buy the things your children need for school without having to replace them over and over again throughout the year.

Quality
One thing I really want to stress is purchase quality products. Believe me we went the other way for a while and it didn't work out well. Last year we purchased a good, quality backpack for each of my kids and they are able to use them again this year. The same with their lunchboxes and a couple folders.

Plastic pocket folders instead of regular pocket folders can last for years without a rip unlike the regular folders that rip in a couple months.

Clothing
To start the school year off right I purchase a new outfit or two for each child. Notice I said outfit not wardrobe. I also purchase new shoes because most of the summer they wear flip flops and they usually have outgrown their old ones. Again these should be a good quality, but not necessarily expensive.  

I try to replace my children's clothes as they outgrow them. For example, if my son has a growth spurt and shoots up 2" causing all his jeans to be too short, I buy a couple pairs. I don't recommend buying a lot in advance because you can't predict how your kid will grow.

Stock Up on Sale Prices
However, while things are on sale I try to stock up on the basics such as pencils, paper, erasers, pens, glue sticks, etc.  The stuff that gets used up throughout the year and that costs more later.

Once you set a budget, then find the best quality merchandise you can find for that price.

Organize Your Kid's School Papers

If you have kids in school than you know all about the mountains of papers they can bring home each week.

I happen to have 3 in school and they bring home lots of papers each week. Some are important like field trip permission slips, fundraisers, graded tests, but some are just classwork, already checked homework assignments and flyers.

First: Sort
Each weekday as soon as my kids come home I sort through their take home folders while they are working on their homework.

Second: Trash
I immediately throw away any papers that we don't need to save. This includes: already checked homework, classwork, doodles, etc. I also throw away graded tests that don't need to be saved. The only exception is the middle school asks the kids keep all paperwork in their binder until the semester exams.

Third: Add to Calendar
Next I add any important information to my calendar and file the paper in my planner. I make a note of any special dress days (school spirit days, etc.), days when the kids are supposed to send in special items (cereal boxes for art, completed reports, and projects) and field trip days.

Fourth: File
The other type of paperwork we routinely get is papers asking for money. Either field trip permission slips, school photo order forms, donations or money for project supplies. Unfortunately we get a fair amount of these forms. We make a note of them on our monthly budget worksheet and then file them with our bills to be paid. On one income we've learned to budget everything!

We also receive items we want to file away for future reference. These items include: school directories, parent/student handbooks, course syllabus and other similar items.

These simple steps save us time dealing with their paperwork and we can find what we need quickly. Please feel free to share how your family organizes school paperwork.

Target Deals - Back to School Shopping

I ventured out to my local Target Store on Friday and found a great deal on my favorite pens.

 They were on sale for $.60 a pack. That right there was awesome! Two packs of pens for $1.20, but I had a coupon for $1 off 2/Bic products.  That brings to total for 2 packs of pens down to $0.20  Yeah  :-) Here's the proof:

 
In addition to my great find on pens. I bought my kiddies lunch boxes. I bought 2 really cute boxes - one was a frog and one a ladybug.  Here's the frog isn't it cute?!!

Well inside the boxes were a postcard saying with the purchase of the lunchbox I received a 6 month membership to Parents Magazine plus coupons. Then, if you don't want the membership you can fill out the postcard, send a copy of your receipt and get a refund for $4.97. Limit 1 per household.

Yeah, buy the lunchbox for $9 on sale and get $4.97 back.

Find more great deals at Target by clicking below :-)

Target's Printable Coupons

Back To School Shopping

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” as per the Staples commercial.

If you’re like me you love back to school and if not now is just a really good time to get great deals.

This is the time of year when retailers set up their school supplies displays. More importantly, now is the time to shop to get the best selection and to get the best price.

How Do I Get Best Deal and Selection?
With retailers offering a box of 24 crayons for 4/$1 and notebooks for $.15 each, you will be hard pressed to find a better deal. To get the best deal you need to shop early because once they’re gone-they’re gone!

Some kids only want a notebook, lunchbox or folder with their favorite character on it. Well, to get that all important character, you really should shop early especially if it is popular this season. This becomes less of an issue as kids get older because there are less characters geared to middle school and high school aged kids.

No School-Aged Kids?
If your kids are in preschool or younger don’t let these deals pass you by. Most toddlers and preschoolers love to color and with crayons, markers, and paper so inexpensive you could easily stock up for the year. Don’t forget the storage containers to hold all their toys, coloring supplies, and games.

What about parents of kids entering college? Now is the perfect time for you to furnish their dorm room or apartment. Bedding and decor are also on sale, so comforters, sheets, bed frames, chairs, trash cans, and storage containers are nicely discounted. Many stores also have microwaves, mini refrigerators, laptops and computers on sale now. Everything you need to help your student be organized and prepared for college life.

Not Just for School
You don’t need to have kids to rake in the great deals. Folders are wonderful for keeping track of bills, home improvement projects and grocery shopping by holding coupons & lists. Blank spiral notebooks are perfect for keeping phone messages, running to-do lists, keeping track of expenses, or even journaling.

Home-based business owners can use this time to stock up on pens, pencils, staples, paper clips, and folders for presentations. It’s also a perfect time to upgrade their computer while they are on sale.

There’s more to back to school shopping than just preparing for September. Think about the entire year, stock up and save big.

New School Year = A Fresh Start for At Home Moms

September signals back to school for most of the children in the U.S.A. What will us moms do with all our free time? LOL

Whether your kids are in preschool a couple times a week, 1/2 day kindergarten, or are full-time in grades 1-12, you now have some time to yourself without children or at least less children. Use that time wisely because a new school year can mean a new start for moms also.

Make a List
Start by writing a list of everything you want to accomplish during your lifetime. Do you dream of going back to school for a degree, start your own business, or simply work on craft projects you've been putting off. Maybe your goal is to finish reading a book or perhaps write one of your own. Do you want to learn a new skill like photography, computer programming, knitting, gardening, or scrapbooking? It's completely up to you!

Break out your calendar
Set aside time each week to work toward your goal, just like you would for a doctor's appointment or meeting with your child's principal. By taking small consistent steps toward your goals you will build momentum and ultimately reach your goal quicker than you thought possible. Consistency is key!

Don't Make Excuses
If you dream is to take courses toward your degree consider distance learning through online courses. These allow you to do the coursework when it's convenient for you (during naps, bedtime, etc.)

If you want to learn a new skill check out some books from your local library or try a correspondence course. Many offer affordable monthly payment plans and it doesn't matter where you live.

If you plan to return to the workforce once your kids are in school full-time; practice your skills and keep up on the trends in your chosen field. Perhaps you want to train for a new career. There are other options to taking college courses. Try reading and learning the skills from books, videos, online, etc.

With your little ones in school now is your chance. Schedule some time, even if it's only 10 minutes, to work toward the life of your dreams. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" -- Tao Te Ching