Browngirl Speaks

I am so excited about this variation of a lapbook I’ve recently discovered. First, a lapbook is like a mini book made from file folders usually on a specific topic that aids in mastering facts and whatnot for said topic. When I first showed them to my husband, he thought that every teacher in every school should be using them. But we know better. Yet, another reason on the laundry list as to why we homeschool.

So, I was entering a bloggy giveaway on a homeschool blog when I saw a link to another blogger’s post about mini offices. I had to check it out and was almost immediately running out to get more color file folders. The mini office seems to cover entire subjects more broadly. I knew right away what the first would be–MATH! Fortunately, I already had some sticker project paper that I’d bought on clearance a couple of years ago. But, regular paper and packing tape works just fine.

Supplies needed:
file folders (2-3 depending on how big you want it to be)
glue (i used spray adhesive)
clear packing tape(for the printouts and to reinforce the folds)
paper or sticker paper(for the printouts and the sticker paper comes in full size sheets at any store–Target, WalMart, Michaels)
scissors
printouts
laminator (optional)

Here’s our first mini office, in all its glory…

Resource list:
addition and subtraction charts: www.busyteacherscafe.com
number, ordinal numbers and skip counting charts: www.busyteacherscafe.com
ruler: www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/
months of the year chart: http://www.teachingheart.net/monthsmo.pdf
shapes, coins, order words: http://www.teachingheart.net/mini_office_page1.pdf
paper currency: http://www.scribd.com/doc/3829228/Mini-Office-Worksheets
short ruler: http://www.abcteach.com/free/r/ruler1.pdf (this one has 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 markings)
fraction circles: http://www.lapbooklessons.com/MiniOfficeMath.html
how to tell time: www.busyteacherscafe.com
color chart: http://www.teachingheart.net/minioffice.html

These are some great resources for information on mini offices:
http://abcteach.com/free/m/minioffice_directions.pdf
http://www.squidoo.com/minioffice
http://sheilasjourney-sheila.blogspot.com/2008/04/math-lapbook-mini-office.html

I have begun to outline plans for Bible/Character, Language Arts, U.S. Geography/Civics mini offices. Also, an Earth Day lapbook is planned for April.

Bonus

While I was looking printables for this project, I came across this full sheet for practicing place value. I decided that this would be great to laminate for re-use instead of printing multiples.
I got this one at www.superteacherworksheets.com.

Jasmine’s Naturally Knotty totes are to die for! All of them are on my wishlist now. She’s also a “mompreneur”, so please vote for this fabulous designer in the Leading Moms in Business 2009. I have no personal stake in this. I’m just about supporting mom businesses and quality products.

This is what we had for dinner last night. My pics are not that great and it doesn’t really look like the pics here, but it sure was tasty.

**Note: You’ll see that the recipe calls for ricotta cheese, like most stuffed pasta dishes, but I used low fat cottage cheese instead.

Anyone know how to properly stuff the manicotti? Should I use a pastry filler or bootleg it with a ziploc bag?

By now, we all know that first step in getting the most from our coupons is to shop the sale.  Get out your grocery and drugstore ads and match up those coupons to what’s on sale!

The next step to really getting some great bargains is to stack store coupons with manufacturer coupons.

Yes, this is legit!

For example, those coupons throughout Walgreens’ weekly ad and those in the (ESC) Easy Saver catalog (or rebate book) can be combined with a (MQ) manufacturers coupon.

Here’s how I did this on my 3/5 WAGS trip:

Curel lotion 

clearance price 3.59

ESC -2.00

MQ -1.00

subtotal= 0.59

Is this any extra work?  Not really.  Most stores extra value type books are released monthly and the deals last a whole month.  So, this can be gone through on one of your set weekly coupon days.  Yes, you need to have a set day to coupon and make a plan.  It’s all about planning and organizing.  It pays off, literally!

Go here to enter.  And be sure to check out her site The Good, True and Beautiful while you’re there.  I love my frugal junkies!

This has been the week to shop at Walgreens.  I had to go to two different stores and I still didn’t get my Coffeemate.  Here’s what I got:

1st transaction

2 Glade Lasting Impressions 15.98

-4.00ESC x 2

-4.00MQ x 2

3 Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioners 8.97

-2.00ESC x 3

-1.00MQ x 3

1 Mentos gum 1.69

-1.00MQ

Total = subtotal 0.64 + tax 2.46 = 3.10

2nd transaction

2 Sambucol cold & flu 25.98

-10.00ESC x 2

-4.00IP x 2

PUR faucet filtration 15.00

-5.00 MQ

Total= subtotal 7.98 + tax 3.79 = 11.77

Grand total = 14.87

Shelf price = 79.89

Total savings 65.02 or 81%

You’ve got your coupons.  Now what?  A shoebox?  A purse sized accordion file?  A binder?

The correct answer: Whatever works for you!

I use a binder and LOVE it!

It’s a zippered binder~~nothing fancy.  I got it free from a fellow couponer.  I did have to add a couple things to make it my own.

So, what’s in a coupon binder?

Here are the basics: zippered pocket, baseball card sleeves, divider tabs, small calculator, scissors, scratch paper or notepad.

The inner pocket in the front of my binder holds my calculator and weekly ads. The clear pink folder holds my scrap paper and receipts.  While, the zippered pocket in the back holds overflow coupons or just whatever I decide to stash in there.

The divider tabs are for separating coupons into sections.  I only have three~~food & beverages, HBA and household.  I didn’t need to further divide these as my coupons are in an order that makes sense to me.  Some people divide by aisle or each food/health/beauty aid/household item type.  Again, do what works for you.  This doesn’t have to be complicated and time consuming.  Though initially, you’ll want to invest a solid hour if you’re just starting.  This hour is for putting the binder together and, clipping coupons and planning your weekly trip.

Happy savings!