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What's New at the Co-op
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In this issue:
- It's HOLIDAY SAVINGS MONTH -- LEGO IS HERE!
- Group Buys Roundup
- In the Pipeline
- Field Trips
- More Free Curriculum Discoveries by Diane Flynn Keith
- Just for Fun
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Please join us in giving a hearty Co-op "Welcome!" to 338 new families in the last week! Membership now stands at over 53,600 families!
This week we announce a host of new Group Buys, an exciting pipeline of new offers, an almost-decision about our proposed Online Homeschool Science Fair, and more! (Keep reading...) |
~~ IT'S HOLIDAY SAVINGS MONTH! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This month we are shining our spotlight on a new lineup of ways to bring delight to your children and relief to your pocketbooks! |
- LEGO IS BACK! - Save up to 36%
 We are pleased to welcome LEGO Education back to the Co-op just in time for Holiday Savings Month!
Members can save up to 37% on FIVE exclusive bundles with Teacher Guides!
Your children will ignite their imaginations while building space habitats & traveling to distant planets. They can plan, build, and complete communities. They will keep skills sharp with creative learning ideas for gears, pulleys, levers, wheels & axles. Best of all, they will have FUN while learning --- LEGO Fun! These exclusive bundles from LEGO Education are extremely attractive for gift giving this season.
Note: And, just in case you don't find exactly what you want as part of this Group Buy, you can shop he entire LEGO product line and get SmartPoints by starting your shopping trip in the SmartPoints Shopping Mall!
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- The History Channel - Save up to 45%
 The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to present a Group Buy for MODERN MARVELS® and BIOGRAPHY® titles at deep discounts from The History Channel®. Co-op members enjoy this exclusive discount just in time to tuck these titles under the tree!
Here's the best news: We have 650 TOTAL TITLES TO CHOOSE FROM --- with a selection like this, there's surely something for EVERY budding Scientist, Engineer, Techie, and History Buff!
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- I CAN ANIMATE - Save 55%
We are pleased to welcome The KnowledgeTree back to the Co-op with their award-winning I Can Animate software at our deepest discount ever!
Every tech-loving computer whiz on your Christmas list will appreciate the amazing tools to create stunning animated movies using professional stop-motion techniques in the I CAN ANIMATE software! Here's the great news -- it's EASY enough for EVERYBODY to enjoy! This program has SIX EASY STEPS to follow to create your animated masterpiece. Simplicity, ease-of-use, fun for everyone, MAC or Windows compatible, AND training & development in the Science & Technology category in your Homeschool classroom. All ages will enjoy this award-winner!
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MORE FEATURED HOLIDAY SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES: |
- "The League of Homeschool All-Stars" - A NEW Homeschool Classic!
 "The League of Homeschool All Stars" is a new book by Bentley Boyd, author of the hugely popular Chester Comix history series -- written by Bentley specifically at the Co-op's request!
This brand new, hot-off-the-press, limited-edition hardcover book features 1-page illustrated biographies of famous or notable homeschoolers that are sure to inspire your children to be the best they can be! Page after page highlights the stories of homeschooled men and women who have made an indelible mark in history.
This unique, new homeschool classic is now available to members for only $19.95 plus shipping and tax, where applicable.
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- SmartPoints Shopping Mall - Get FREE SmartPoints While You Shop!
 You are going to spend a lot for Christmas and Hanukkah anyway, so why not get FREE SmartPoints while you shop?
It's EASY: Simply click one of the store logos in the SmartPoints Shopping Mall, make a purchase, then file a claim for your free SmartPoints! Dozens of members have already done so!
If we are missing one of your favorite stores, tell us where you want to shop and we'll see about joining their affiliate program so that you too can get SmartPoints while you shop!
STORES IN THE SMARTPOINTS SHOPPING MALL:
- Cabela's -
- Catherines
- Dick's Sporting Goods - NEW!
- Family Christian Stores
- GameStop
- HearthSong
- Jo-Ann.com
- Lane Bryant
- LEGO
- Macy's - NEW!
- Magic Cabin
- Overstock.com
- Target - NEW!
- Zappos.com
- Wal-Mart
- and many more!
Note: A number of you have asked us to add Amazon to our SmartPoints Shopping Mall. No can do! Amazon prohibits affiliates from offering purchase incentives.
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- Alpha Omega's "Daily Focus" Devotional -Save 30% and FREE Shipping!
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to present another "BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET" for Alpha Omega's best-selling devotional, Daily Focus.
All of us appreciate inspiring words of encouragement. Now you can be empowered to continue homeschooling with the Daily Focus devotional book from Alpha Omega Publications. Unlike other Christian daily devotionals, the Daily Focus is filled with 365 real-life homeschooling stories that relate to God's Word. You'll appreciate the heartfelt, encouraging words that rekindle the joy of homeschooling. Plus, now you can even share your thoughts on each devotion online with the newly added Internet link feature.
By purchasing through the Co-op, you can get the Daily Focus for only $8.95 and FREE shipping. But don't delay! This offer expires November 30, 2009 at midnight. Please tell your friends and homeschool groups!
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- Bananas Comedy DVDs - Save 20%
Giggle, chuckle, snicker,
hee-haw! Good times and good laughter have returned to the Co-op JUST IN
TIME FOR GIFT GIVING! We are pleased to welcome back Bananas Comedy for
an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on your choice of FOUR COMEDY BUNDLES ---- just for
members! Bundles start as low as $32! There are two bundle choices with
15 DVD titles available --- this is enough gift supply to satisfy even the
longest Christmas shopping list. PLUS - ALL BUNDLES INCLUDE
A BONUS - "The Best of Bananas Comedy: Bunch Volume 1 audio CD." You can give the gift of JOY & LAUGHTER this
Christmas. Visit this Group Buy page to see which
bundle is for you. While you're there, enjoy a mini-clip of homeschool Dad and
comedian, Tim Hawkins! |
GET SMARTPOINTS WHEN YOU BUY THESE PRODUCTS DURING HOLIDAY SAVINGS MONTH
We want to remind you about some long-running Group Buys for products that we think would make excellent Christmas or Hanukkah gifts. AND, to help you take the plunge, we will give you 200 SmartPoints if you place your order this month! Note: The SmartPoints will be awarded in early December. |
- Descartes' Cove - Save 30% - EXPIRES 11-30
"In a leaky lifeboat, students survive an ocean storm, marooned on a deserted island once inhabited by René Descartes. At each step, they solve increasingly difficult puzzles and math challenges... As they master each math concept, they prepare to tackle the final quest to build a means to escape from the island."
Surprise! When we told the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth that November was HOLIDAY SAVINGS MONTH, they agreed to extend our special offer through the end of the month. Check it out! |
- Simply Music - Save 35%
The ability to play the piano can give one a lifetime of pleasure, but it is one of the most difficult instruments to learn and traditional teaching methods typically require years to gain proficiency. According to the company, students are typically playing, within a few months, music that traditional students would not usually be playing after two or three years of lessons.
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- Piano Wizard - Save 25% - LAST CALL for Academy Family Pack 50
We are pleased to announce this Group
Buy has been reopened with up to $138 dollars in savings! We are also
pleased to announce that we have these low prices locked in until December 13th
---- BUT, we have just been notified that the quantities are limited for
PRODUCT FIVE: Academy Family Pack 50. Because of the limited quantities, we will only be able to offer this
particular product until FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH! This means
that if this is the product on your Christmas wish list, you'll need to get on
this Group Buy order sheet ASAP by visiting the Piano
Wizard Group Buy page. Please note
that we have not been notified of any other product limitations ---- all other
products on the order page will be available for ordering through December 13th. |
- BrainWare Safari - Save 68%
Many of us are ambivalent about our kids playing computer games. Here's the exception! This is one game you'll love to have them play. That's because as they play, they develop the cognitive skills needed to excel academically -attention, visual processing, auditory processing, sensory integration, memory, and thinking -- can be exercised and thereby improved. Most importantly, improved cognitive skills will improve a child's self-confidence and academic achievement across the board.
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COMING SOON DURING HOLIDAY SAVINGS MONTH! |
- I See Me! - COMING SOON!
We are stringing the ribbons in our new I See Me! Member Discount Store and are about to open the doors! Members will get a discount on ALL the famous I See ME high-quality personalized children's gifts, notably their personalized children's story books.
They have a new personalized book called the You & Me Memory book which could be a great project to do with your child and a great gift for Gramps and Grams.
We hope to have this offer live in the next couple of weeks. So please take a look, and let us know: What do you think?
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- Christian Books & Gifts at WHOLESALE PRICES
You heard us right! We are about to unveil our very own online Christian Book & Gift Store with wholesale pricing, exclusively for Co-op members!
In our new store, you'll find over 120,000 products created for the Christian
consumer, including books, movies, music, bibles, bible study, jewelry, apparel,
church supplies and more! In fact, you'll find most of the products you'll find
in your local Christian book store and in other well-known online Christian book
stores.
BEST OF ALL members can register to get a special coupon code that will give them our cost for ALL the items in the store. You'll even find some popular products for as much as 80% off!
Interested? Let us know, and we'll be sure to tell you when the store is open for business, which will be any day now!
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~~ An Online Homeschool Science Fair? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Based on member feedback, we have decided to move forward with the First International Homeschool Online Science Fair but IF AND ONLY IF one or more of our members will step forward to manage the whole enterprise. We believe there are lots of students who will want to submit projects, and we will be able to recruit a stellar panel of judges from among our members, but SOMEONE has to take the lead, with our help, in pulling it all together.
How about you? Have you organized any homeschool science fairs before? Do you have a passion for science education? Are you courteous, dedicated, and detail oriented? If so, we would love to hear from you!
We haven't figured out what the rewards will be, but they will include a generous SmartPoints bonus and the appreciation of Co-op members around the world! If this is a possibility, let us know! |
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~~ Group Buy Roundup ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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- KidzClix - Save 55%
BrainPOP, stand aside! The Co-op is pleased to present exclusive savings for a ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP to AWARD-WINNING
KIDZCLIX.NET! KidzClix is the online creation of the 'Center for
Gifted', an affiliate of National-Louis University located in Chicago,
Illinois. The KidzClix mission is to provide elementary thru middle-school aged
children with activities that strive to inspire critical and creative
thinking, foster originality, and develop imaginations.
KidzClix provides new activities EACH MONTH to engage young minds
and make learning an adventure. This translates into hours of fun for your
homeschool classroom! Watch your children's enthusiasm for Science, Math,
Art, Cooking, Chess, and MORE grow as they engage in exciting projects,
experiments, games and puzzles.
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- God's World News - Save up to 68%
The Co-op is pleased to present a Group Buy for PRINT &
ONLINE magazines that forge a Biblical worldview from God's World
News Publications. There are bi-weekly & monthly publications for
everyone -- from Pre-K to Adult -- including WORLD Magazine!
GREAT NEWS! In the past, God's World Publications offered our members
half year subscriptions around the holiday season. Now, just in time for holiday
gift giving, our members can enjoy a FULL YEAR subscription - January thru
December!
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- Time4Learning - Buy 1 Get 1 Free + 100 SmartPoints!
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to present the BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET for new subscribers to the Time4Learning.com online educational program, a technology-based curriculum that was voted as a top three selection of the Homeschool.com "Top 100 Educational Websites of 2009."
Buy a month of full access to the complete online curriculum (valued at $19.95) and get your second month at no charge! This limited time offer can save you money, time and stress.
Wha'ts more, Time4Learning offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which provides a full refund if you cancel within the first 14 days. So you have nothing to lose by giving it a try!
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- Ginger Software - Save up to 50%
We are very pleased to welcome to the Co-op this
sophisticated real-time assistance software for spelling and grammar, from
Ginger Software! Members SAVE UP TO 50% for a LIFETIME license for the
whole family (up to 3 computers in the same household)! This unique
software operates as an add-on for all major writing platforms,
including MS-Word, MS-Outlook, Internet Explorer, Facebook, and Twitter.
Ginger
offers a 14-day-free trial --- take for a spin and then jump in this Group Buy
before it's gone!
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- Rosetta Stone Homeschool - Save 10% + FREE Shipping + Earn to 4,500 SmartPoints
Rosetta Stone is regarded by many homeschoolers as the finest foreign language curriculum on the market. The latest version, Homeschool Version 3 with Audio Companion, provides students with a rich, interactive, and engaging language learning experience. Now, and exclusively through the Co-op, members get the BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET for this hugely popular foreign language curriculum. Not only do we give you the lowest price anywhere AND free shipping, but we throw in a pile of SmartPoints to boot. |
- Horizons - Save 12% + FREE Shipping* + Earn SmartPoints!
Horizons is a brightly illustrated, engaging workbook curriculum filled with consumable lessons and hands-on activities. Designed with fast-paced lessons, Horizons uses a spiral learning method to help your student master concepts through the process of introduction, review, and reinforcement. This learning method allows students to quickly grasp difficult concepts in a colorful, motivating format. Available in grades PreK-12, Horizons has a precise curriculum structure and six core subjects, plus the preschool course. By purchasing through the Co-op, you get: - The lowest price ANYWHERE
- *FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50
- 10 SmartPoints for every dollar you spend (up to a maximum of 5,000 SmartPoints) that you can use to purchase other award-winning curricula through the Co-op.
If you are going to purchase Horizons curriculum anyway, why not the get added value?
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~~ Group Buy Summary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
View our summary of ALL the Group Buys by subject matter, with a new column showing recommend grade levels.
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~~ In the Pipeline ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's your sneak-peek into our Group Buy pipeline.
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COMING SOON!
These Group Buys are "in the bag", but there are a few more details to be worked out before we can go live. We hope to take these Group Buys live very soon. Stay tuned! |
- National Geographic Maps
It's official! We are moving forward with a Group Buy from National Geographic. We hope to have it live in the next few days, with savings up to 65% on high quality maps, including their leading outdoor recreation TOPO! software!
The terms "National Geographic" and "maps" are virtually synonymous, which is only one reason we are pleased to announce the possibility of a Group Buy for maps from National Geographic.
Please take a look and let us know: What do you think?
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- Defined STEM
Given member response, we have decided to move forward with a Group Buy.
Defined STEM has been created by the original founders of the Discovery Education streaming service. Their first product is designed to support STEM education. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The term "STEM" has come to stand for a wide range of initiatives in both the private and public sectors in support of STEM education.
Most STEM initiatives grow out of a concern that the United Sates is falling behind in these key areas and seek to engage students from an early age with the ultimate goal of steering students into careers in science and technology. Our friends at Defined Learning stress that many of the best (and highest paying) jobs will be in this area.
Defined STEM shows students how their science and technology lessons can be relevant to them personally. It has built over 1,000 video-based learning "connections" using the entire library of science and technology videos from The Futures Channel and other resources. For example, one such "connection" shows students how they can use geometry and algebra in backpack design.
If there is sufficient member interest, we think we can get members a spectacular discount. So please take a look, and let us know: What do you think? |
- Fascinating Education
GOOD NEWS! We have a great deal and are moving ahead with a Group Buy for this new science curriculum!
This may be just the ticket for 6-8th graders who are struggling with boring biology and chemisty textbooks!
Fascinating Education was founded by a neurologist who didn't like the way his kids were being taught science. Instead of using written text with explanatory illustrations, Fascinating Education flips the learning process by using realistic pictures with attached audio files to engage the learner.
We took a look and thought it might be just the thing for our auditory learner who responds much better to works and dynamic images than to his busy and mind-numbing Physical Science textbook. To date, the company has complete segments for Chemistry and Biology, with Medicine and Physics on the way.
They have some sample lessons you can try out on their website, and we can probably get members a decent discount if there is sufficient interest! So please take a look, and let us know: What do you think? |
- StudyDog
GOOD NEWS! We have a great deal and are moving ahead with a Group Buy for StudyDog!
Several member inquiries prompted us to give a call to StudyDog Learning a couple weeks ago, and we're pleased to report we received a warm welcome!
StudyDog's Adventures in Reading series in an individualized reading program for Pre-K through 1st Grade that has won awards and rave reviews from teachers around the country.
Please take a look, and let us know: What do you think? |
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POSSIBLE GROUP BUYS
Negotiating and sponsoring a Group Buy is an expensive and time-consuming proposition, but we love doing it, especially when there is strong member interest. This section of the newsletter is really important to us: it is your opportunity to see -- and influence -- what's on our radar screen. Please take a look, and let us hear from you. What do you think?
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- WriteBrain
We are close to a deal, but not quite there, so we are still seeking member responses.
WriteBrain is a comprehensive writing curriculum solution for Grades 2-8 from Sunburst, the maker of Type To Learn 4, another Co-op favorite. The member price would be around $30 per student.
WriteBrain teaches every stage of writing, including brainstorming, organizing, drafting, editing, assessing and revising in many different genres. It features a recursive process allowing students to easily go back and forth within writing process steps. WriteBrain also enable students to learn critical thinking and assessment skills in addition to writing skills.
Take a FREE demo then let us know: What do you think?
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NOTE: Please understand that Group Buys work best for software or online curriculum with retail values over $100. We would love to do Group Buys for books or computers, as many of you have requested, but our experience is that in most cases these companies can't offer significant discounts. |
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~~ Deal of the Month ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | Welcome back to the Co-op, Digital Frog!
We are pleased to announce that long-time member favorite, Digital Frog, has
just arrived at the Co-op in time for members to tuck a little Science under
the Christmas tree this year! What kind of Science? How about Ecosystems,
Food Webs, Photosynthesis, Geology, Adaptations, Weather, and MORE?! This
exclusive special offer is only for Co-op members and it includes ALL
THREE DIGITAL FIELD TRIPS - The Wetlands, The Rainforest, and The Desert
- all three available at a $50 SAVINGS! Thank you, Digital
Frog! These savings are only here during November, so stop by this
special DEAL-OF-THE-MONTH page before it's gone! |
~~ Field Trips ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have been so overwhelmed with submissions that we are taking a breather and stopping our special 100 SmartPoints bonus program for now. If you already got your submission in, not to worry! Managing Editor Lisa Wilen is gradually working her way through the backlog and will get your SmartPoints awarded ASAP if your submission qualifies!
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~~ Free Curriculum ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week we have more free curriculum discoveries and free curriculum discoveries and ClickSchooling reviews by Diane Flynn Keith
Please let us know if YOU find any great educational websites! |
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~~ Just For Fun ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Video of the Week:
Pun of the Week: - A
woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in
Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they
name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his
birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes
she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If
you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
Do you have any videos, games, jokes, quotes or other light-hearted Internet discoveries that you would like to share with us? Tell us about it. | |
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~~ Quick Links ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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We appreciate you at the Co-op!
Brett Walter
President
Homeschool Buyers Co-op
Contact Information:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: news@homeschoolbuyersco-op.org
phone: 650-648-0808
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