In this issue:
- It's HOLIDAY SAVINGS MONTH at the Co-op!
- GroupBuy Roundup
- Coming Soon
- What Do You Think?
- More Free Curriculum Discoveries by Diane Flynn Keith
- Cathy Duffy Reviews
- Just for Fun
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Please join us in giving a hearty Co-op "Welcome!" to 220 new families in the last week!
This week, we continue with educational gift ideas for Holiday Savings Month,announce our Community contest winners, recap our newest GroupBuys, and issue a bunch of LAST CALLs and more. (Keep reading...) |
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THANKS to the 11,135 members who "Like" us on Facebook. (We like you too!) Here's our community update:
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GIVE THANKS
We're pleased to announce the four winners of our GIVE THANKS contest who each won a $100 cash gift for the charity or needy family of their choice by providing a post to our special GIVE THANKS page: "What you are thankful for, post a scrumptious recipe, share your Thanksgiving grace or blessing or benediction - or whatever suits you in the spirit of the season."
Congrats to Jamie, Lisa, Elisabeth, and Karla! Each of them designated a needy family to whom we sent a $100 check in the mail yesterday!
WINNER OF LEARNING RESOURCE CONTEST
We're pleased to announce our LEARNING RESOURCES MONTH contest winner! Congrats to "pep", who wins a $100 Amazon Gift Card for her response to our question "Do you have any tools, tips or tricks that help you be a better teacher?
"As simple as this might sound... my best teaching tip was for me to accept that during "school time" I was the teacher and I didn't have to get all the other "home duties" done. I have devoted that time to just wear the teacher hat and not all the other hats a mom and wife wears. It has made a world of difference in our school day!"
HOLIDAY CHEER CONTEST Do you have a favorite holiday tradition (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or New Year's), something you especially enjoy doing every year, or one that you'd like to start?
How about a favorite recipe just for this time of year? Or, a favorite activity? Or even a special event that you might attend or organize? Tell us what you do to create holiday cheer, and get a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
Our winner will be randomly drawn early next year from posts that get at least two "Likes" on our Holiday Cheer page so be sure to enter before the end of the month!
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December is
HolidaySavingsMonth
at the Co-op! |
It's HOLIDAYSAVINGSMONTH at the Co-op, and we're excited to bring you great deals for some of our best-selling educational products -- including some that will make great presents under the Christmas tree!
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History Education - Save up to 72% - BEST PRICES EVER!
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to present an exclusive end-of-year-blowout sale for select HISTORY® Multimedia Classroom single titles and 3-4 pack sets!
Created for middle school through Junior College levels, the Multimedia Classroom is a series of interactive lesson plans on CD-ROM that load onto your PC or MAC in minutes; but provide years of valuable teaching tools!
This GroupBuy offers the best prices ever at the Co-op. You choose: American or Global (World) History. With 39 title choices: 34 single titles (each priced at $19.95) and 5 multi-pack sets (each priced at $39.95), you're sure to find something to supplement your History curriculum!
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 We just received notice that the price of Chester Comix will be going up Jan. 1, but we asked author Bentley Boyd for an extension to Feb. 1 and he agreed. We don't know what the new price will be, but it will be higher, so if you are interested in Chester, please put your order in by January 31.
If you are looking for an educational gift that can delight your child, you should take a look at our friend Chester!
Author Bentley Boyd turns traditional history teaching on its head by making the hat-wearing Chester Crab your child's guide on a colorful and witty romp through U.S. history. Bentley uses Chester, other cartoon characters, and large type as a way to draw reluctant readers -- typical of visual learners -- into the study of history.
A wealth of member testimonials speaks to his success. They report the entire family loves Chester Comix! Written for kids of all ages!
Plus, don't forget if you purchase "The League of Homeschool All-Stars"!, it will be personally signed* by the author, Bentley Boyd. "The League of Homeschool All-Stars" is a limited-edition (only 1000 copies were printed) hardcover book that would definitely fit under the Christmas tree!* See ordering instructions on site for providing information to have the book personally signed. Limit one "The League of Homeschool All-Stars" books per household. |
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*Free shipping to the continental U.S. through Monday, midnight on Dec. 12!
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to present another BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET for the award-winning "The American History Series" (10 DVD Set) from Wallbuilders and "History: Our Faith and Foundation DVD Set."
Presented by historian David Barton, The American Heritage Series documentary series includes 26 episodes that retrace America's true Christian foundations, discuss the secularization of history today, and recount how God was the root of America's birth as a free nation. |
NEW SMARTPOINTS BONUS AMOUNT!
Order by 12/16 for Christmas delivery!
We're offering 5,000 Bonus SmartPoints for this HOLIDAY SAVINGS BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET for STEM+ Educator Kit from the award-winning Zometool.
Designed for kids yet praised by scientists and artists alike, Zometool is a 3D modeling system for building and exploring structures from simple to profound. Zometool's color and shape-coded parts can lead to startling discoveries about the nature of space in 2, 3 and even higher dimensions.
The New STEM+ Educator Kit comes with almost 1,900 building parts and all the support materials needed to provide hours of education and discovery. It can be used to build any model from the Zometool Project Kit Series, and much more!
What's more, you will get the Zometool Lesson Plan booklet -- a $19.95 value -- absolutely free with your order, along with 5000 SmartPoints*!
* SmartPoints awarded at time of purchase. 5,000 Bonus SmartPoints offer will expire on 12/31/11.
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 Without a doubt, Mark Kistler's Online Drawing Lesson draws (pun intended!) many member raves telling us that their kids love to use the program, and, how they are amazed at their progress! Mark has offered this program to the Co-op as a 3-year subscription but will be changing this in 2012 to a 1-year subscription -- so, if you want a 3-year subscription, act now!
Over the past three decades, Emmy Award-winner Mark Kistler has taught millions of children how to draw in 3-D at workshops around the world, including Australia, Germany, England, Scotland, Mexico and the United States.
We have met Mark personally and can attest that his personality is every bit as fun and engaging as will be found in his online lessons, which is certainly part of the success of this curriculum.
* The 3-year Subscription GroupBuy will expire on 12/31/11.
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Many of us are ambivalent about our kids playing computer games. Here's an exception as BrainWare Safari is one game you'll love to have them play!
The idea of this product is that 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 boost a child's self-confidence and academic achievement across the board. Members consistently applaud the usefulness of this program which is recommended for kids 6 and up.
There are two versions of the program: a download version or a full package version. If you are looking for something educational that can also be a gift, check out the full package version today!
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Bethlehem Books - Save up to 50%
 Team up with your local homeschool friends to take advantage of great savings on Bethlehem Books -- 10 book minimum order to save 45% or a 15 book order to save 50%!
With over 90 titles for different age groups for boys and girls, you'll be sure to find additional reading material to augment your Language Arts curriculum. Any of these books can make for a wonderful gift -- and, just in time for the gift-giving season! |
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Type To Learn 4: Agents of Information's creators have gone to extraordinary lengths to make typing instruction FUN, as well as pedagogically sound.
Students become "secret agents" who are tasked with saving the world's information (hence the extended product name "Type to Learn 4: Agents of Information"). Students must start their training immediately to move up the 7 ranks from Recruit to accurate, fast-typing Master Agents.
Great testimonials continue to roll in highlighting the versatility of the program and how it can be used for any grade level, from Kindergarten to 12th grade! |
We consider the Discovery Education streaming Plus subscription to be among the crown jewels of our Group Buys. Members tell us time and again that their Discovery Education streaming subscription is one of the best educational purchases they have ever made. (See their testimonials.)
And no wonder! With over 150,000 educational videos and "objects" on virtually every subject under the sun, enhanced with teaching guides, simulations, and much more, Discovery Education streaming Plus can supplement virtually every subject in your homeschool curriculum.
Adding Discovery Education streaming Plus to your homeschool curriculum is much like having the entire DVD selection of your local public library available to you from the convenience of your home, 24/7/365 -- take a look and start getting organized for the start of 2012 today!
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DriversEd.com offers state-approved drivers education for ages 14 and up in all states that certify online drivers education: California, Colorado, Idaho, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.
In all other states (except Utah and Indiana), DriversEd.com offers quality drivers education that teaches teens essential safe-driving information and can provide potential savings on auto insurance.
Check out these helpful member testimonials whose teenagers have successfully used this program! If you have a teenager who might start driving in 2012, take a look at this program today! |
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Jim Hodges Audio Books - Save up to 40%
We are pleased to offer this GroupBuy for Jim Hodges Audio Books. These audio stories from Jim Hodges are available, just in time for Christmas!
There are Twenty-five titles, including American History, World History, G.A. Henty titles, Old Time Radio, and MORE! Members save 40% -- jump in today and spread the word!
Note: These audio stories are in MP3 format and are delivered via your My Subscriptions page!
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 Math practice that's fun? We hear time and again in the member testimonials for IXL Math that kids beg their parents for more time with this popular online program. Kids love it because they get certificates when they meet practice goals. You'll love it because you'll get emails that tell you how much time they've spent in different categories and how well they did, plus a weekly report for every child. The company says it's the most popular math practice site in the world, and we believe it! This program will even align your student's progress to your own state standards, if you so choose. 1000+ topics, 100+ skills, unlimited math questions! We were told that a child can literally use this program for hours and hours and never repeat a single question. That offers a LOT of challenges to keep their math skills sharp! |
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Brave Writer - Save 50%
Created by and for homeschoolers, this popular curriculum provides a comprehensive writing and language arts solution for grades 3-12. By joining this Group Buy, members save 50% on The Writer's Jungle, Help for High School, annual subscriptions to Arrow and Boomerang, as well as bundles of back issues of Arrow, Boomerang and Slingshot.
We are also offering a 10% OFF Coupon Code for Brave Writer's popular online classes, taught by professional writers (who are also homeschoolers!). |
 ~~~ Group Buy Roundup ~~~
Here's our recap of what's happening with Group Buys at the Co-op.
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TELL ME MORE® Homeschool Foreign Language Curriculum by Auralog - Save 40%
Order by 12/19 for Christmas delivery!
The whole family can learn a new language together using Auralog's TELL ME MORE® foreign language curriculum. Best of all, members get the BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET - 40% OFF! Also, no waiting for the GroupBuy to end, as your order ships within 3 days of order placement.
TELL ME MORE offers 9 different languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Dutch. Each language program allows you to create accounts for the whole family and learn reading and writing, listening and speaking, grammar, culture, and vocabulary.
TELL ME MORE also offers unique features for homeschoolers, including an activity guide and student tracking, access to the content of TELL ME MORE with and without the answers, so parents can create their own workbook, and, advanced speech recognition technology to help your homeschooler improve his/her pronunciation.
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Always IceCream and Clever Dragons - Save 62%
The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to present an exclusive GroupBuy for Always IceCream and Clever Dragons.
Developed by homeschool parents, Always Icecream and Clever Dragons -- play and learn websites -- strive to offer fun and relevant drills in core academic subjects embedded in a safe, engaging and rewarding environment.
Always IceCream is created exclusively for girls between the ages of 7 to 12 and Clever Dragons is a new offering designed exclusively for boys of the same age range.
Members save 62% on lifetime memberships for girls, boys, or family. This might be just the treat you're looking for this holiday season! Makes a great gift, too! |
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Ko's Journey - Save 40% - EXTENDED!
We are pleased to announce that Ko's Journey has extended our GroupBuy! Members save 40% on this new BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET and access to the program is automatic once you place your order.
Ko's Journey is an award-winning interactive math game and curriculum supplement from Imagine Education that can help students in grades 5-8 improve their foundational math skills while developing their critical thinking skills.
Ko is a girl separated from her kin in an ancient wilderness who encounters challenges that she must solve with math to rejoin her family. The web-based program supports different learning speeds and provides personalized feedback as the student progresses through the story.
If you missed out on the original GroupBuy, now is the time to take a look!
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Tales2Go - Save 60% -EXTENDED to 12/31!
We are pleased to announced another BEST DEAL on the PLANET for Tales2Go but only through the end of the year! Just in time for the holidays, a one-year subscription to Tales2Go is now $39.99 -- a 60% savings and the deepest discount tier from our original GroupBuy!
Tales2Go is an award-winning audio story subscription service for grades PreK through 6 with access to over 1,600 brand name stories from leading publishers and storytellers to play on Apple iOS devices -- iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches.
Listening to audio stories can be a great way to expose kids to new vocabulary, exercise listening and comprehension skills, and excite kids about literature.
Start taking literature on the road - at home, in the car, or anywhere you might go. If you're planning any holiday trips this year, this might just help pass the time!
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Artes Latinae - Save up to 50% -ENDS 12/11!
It's LAST CALL for our GroupBuy for Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers! There's still time to these savings for the start of the new year or your gift-giving choices!
Choose some fun items like 'The Grinch, in Latin' and 'Cattus Petasatus, The Cat In the Hat, in Latin'. Or, pick something for your avid reader like 'A Novel Intro to Rome' (a 4-pack by author, Benita Kane Jaro) and the 'Follow Your Fates' bundle that allows the reader to choose the ending.
Award-winning Artes Latinae and MANY MORE goodies are also available. Everything up to 50% OFF plus choices as low as $5 -- perfect for a potential Christmas gift!
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Trickomatics - Save up to 62% + Get 200 SmartPoints -ENDS 12/12!
It's LAST CALL for Trickomatics and their new GroupBuy at the Co-op!
Move over, Brainetics, there's a new kid on the block! As with the popular Brainetics learning system, Trickomatics teaches math tricks that help kids solve word problems and perform amazing feats of multiplication, often in their heads. Unlike Brainetics, however, Trickomatics uses high-quality Hollywood animation to accomplish this task.
Along the way, according to Trickomatics, students improve their math and problem-solving skills. Take a look at one of their recent online reviews from a homeschool mom!
We've reached the deepest discount tier so members save 62% on this new BEST DEAL ON THE PLANET but only through December 12!
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Wikki Stix One-of-a-Kind Creatables - Save 40% - NEW HOLIDAY CHOICES - ENDS 12/12!
 It'sLAST CALL forWikki Stix One-Of-A-Kind Creatables and the kits designed exclusively for the Co-op! Members can save 40% as we've reached the deepest discount!
Award-winning Wikki Stix One-of-a-Kind Creatables are called "a fantastic homeschool resource, affordable, and reusable" by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine (read the review here). Wikki Stix are made in the USA from hand-knitting yarn and non-toxic, food-grade wax (they also do not contain latex, peanut or other nut products). No glue, no paste, no preparation, no mess and no cleanup!
Wikki Stix are perfect for quiet, independent play, or interaction with others. They also make a great gift or stocking stuffer so be sure to check them out while this GroupBuy is still available!
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It's LAST CALL for The Happy Scientist GroupBuy! We hope The Happy Scientist will be back again sometime next year, but for now, this hugely popular GroupBuy is set to expire on December 15.
Members rave about how much their kids "love" The Happy Scientist! The Happy Scientist is a popular online science resource created by Robert Krampf, a lifelong science educator.
A 1-year subscription to The Happy Scientist costs only $10, and gives you 24/7/365 access to Robert's library of science resources, including over 190 science videos on everything from bird dissection to making paper to measuring lightening, and over 330 science experiments that can be performed at home with simple, inexpensive materials. It might even make a great stocking stuffer!
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StudyDog - Save 60% -CLEARANCE SALE - ENDS 12/31!
It's LAST CALL for the award-winning StudyDog Adventures in Reading CD-ROM version. StudyDog wants to clear out their inventory of CD-ROM's, so they are offering our members 60% off through the end of December 31!
The CD-ROM version has the same content as the online version, but, unlike the online version, it can be used by up to 30 students (versus 1 with an online subscription), and it's yours to keep forever (versus paying an annual subscription fee)!
StudyDog Adventures in Reading is a validated phonics-based reading program specifically designed to help your Pre-K to 2nd Grade child improve or accelerate their reading skills.
Starting with the results of the National Reading Panel, reviews of major states' reading standards, and the research of the Big Ideas in Beginning Reading, StudyDog is based on proven reading curriculum. Each lesson directly teaches the lesson's reading skill, models the application of the reading skill, and provides the student guided practice in building reading and comprehension skills.
Study Dog is available for $19.95 -- a 60% savings off the original $49.95 retail price -- through December 31 ONLY! If you're looking for a reading program for your child, why not check out Study Dog?
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 ~~~ SmartPoint Rebate Offers ~~~In this section, you'll find products that you can buy on your own AND earn a big SmartPoints bonus that you can then use to purchase other award-winning products at the Co-op.
How does it work? When you begin your shopping trip by clicking the BUY NOW button on our offer pages, the Co-op earns a commission from the supplier and we are pleased to share that commission with you in the form of SmartPoints.
IMPORTANT! You MUST begin your shopping trip by clicking our BUY NOW buttons; otherwise, we don't get a commission, and we can't give you SmartPoints!
If you were thinking of buying these products or purchasing from these suppliers, why not get added value -- exclusively from the Co-op?
*SmartPoints are a special Co-op currency that you can use to purchase any of the curriculum in our SmartPoints Reward Center. |
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Explore the Learning A-Z site and see why Learning A-Z printable books and worksheets, and other mobile teacher resources can make teaching easier and more organized.
Learning A-Z is offering FREE 7-Day Trials to any of their websites, which include: ReadingA-Z.com, Raz-Kids.com, Reading-Tutors.com, VocabularyA-Z.com, WritingA-Z.com, and Science A-Z.com. You can trial any or all of these sites through this offer at the Co-op.
As an added Bonus, when you start your shopping trip at the Co-op, you will be eligible for 10 Bonus SmartPoints for every $1 spent if you do decide to purchase-- just remember to submit your Claim Form the day you make your purchase! |
Little Passports - Save 10% + Get 1200 Bonus SmartPoints! Bring the world to your homeschool classroom -- just in time for the holidays!Every month, Little Passports' fictional characters Sofia and Sam travel to a different country and send your child an exciting package of educational souvenirs that teach your child about a country. Examples items include: music CDs, traditional country toys, arts and crafts projects, puzzles, pencils/erasers, photos, stickers, and postcards.
Based on the number of great member testimonials we received for this product, we are excited to have Little Passports back at the Co-op. In addition to the special offer of 1200 Bonus SmartPoints, Little Passports is offering a 10% discount through the end of the year. Drop by our offer page to get a special coupon code and start your shopping trip.
The 1200 Bonus SmartPoints will be given for any type of subscription purchase -- monthly, 3-month, 6-month or 12-month, when you start your shopping trip at the Co-op -- just remember to submit your Claim Form the day you make your purchase!
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Hooked on Phonics - Save an additional 35% - EXTENDED!
 Order by 12/9 for Christmas Delivery! Plus, FREE Standard Shipping for U.S. orders over $25!
The award-winning Hooked on Phonics is a home school curriculum favorite, but we realize it is a challenge for many homeschool budgets so we have a fantastic Holiday Savings deal for you to save an additional 35%* through the end of year!
Drop by our offer page to get a special coupon code and start your shopping trip to save an additional 35% (even on sale items through the link!) to any Hooked on Phonics program.
As an added Bonus, when you start your shopping trip at the Co-op, you will be eligible for 10 Bonus SmartPoints for every $1 spent -- just remember to submit your Claim Form the day you make your purchase!
* The additional 35% discount cannot be combined with other coupon offers or the 30-Day Trials. |
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BrainPOP - Get 1560 Smartpoints for Homeschool BrainPOP 
Founded in 1999, BrainPOP creates animated, curriculum-based content that engages students, supports educators, and bolsters achievement.
The award-winning Homeschool BrainPOP is recommended for grades 3 and up. Its content is mapped to Common Core and aligned to academic standards for such subjects as Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.
Homeschool BrainPOP is definitely a home school curriculum favorite, but we realize it is a challenge for many homeschool budgets. That's why we give you a SmartPoints bonus of 1,560 when you start your shopping trip at the Co-op and buy a Homeschool BrainPOP multi-user license for $195 - that's 8 SmartPoints for every $1 you spend. Remember to submit your Claim Form the day you make your purchase! |
 ~~~ Coming Soon ~~~These Group Buys and Special Offers 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 in the few weeks. Stay tuned! |
- Cicero: History Beyond the Textbook
IT'S OFFICIAL! We have decided to move forward with a GroupBuy for CICERO, an award-winning K-12 digital resource consisting of lesson plans, primary sources, standards, rubrics, assessments, activities, videos, games, interactive maps, and more. It is billed as "the quintessential teacher's assistant." Please check out the video introduction to CICERO. The company behind CICERO - the American Institute for History Education - went out of their way to meet with us, persuaded us of their support for homeschooling, and have backed up their interest by offering members an outstanding deal for their program - up to 60% savings with sufficient member participation.
Take a look and let us know: What do you think?
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- Bolden Microscopes - Savings for the New Year!
If you recently jumped into the savings for a high-quality microscope and/or the slide sets for Elementary, Intermediate, and High School levels, then you're already aware of the awesome savings Mr. Bolden offered Co-op members. Being that many folks wanted to tuck their scope under the Christmas tree, this GroupBuy ended last week. We know that scopes are a high ticket item so perhaps having a bit more time to plan for purchasing a scope might be helpful. For this reason, we've invited Mr. Bolden to extend his savings, and he has agreed to let us extend the savings at the LOWEST discount tier - 28% for scopes and 40% for slide sets! The only hitch is that we won't have as many scopes available this time. We're working on getting the offer page reopened for you so if you're still interested in a scope, please check the Co-op site and newsletter for more Microscope Savings soon! Let us know: What do you think about extending this GroupBuy?
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 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 your opportunity to see -- and influence -- what Group Buys we bring to our membership. Please take a look, and let us hear from you. What do you think? |
- ReflexMath from the makers of ExploreLearning Gizmos
Great news! We are in conversations with ReflexMath.com from the makers of ExploreLearning Gizmos! Many of our members have been sending in requests for us to invite them for a GroupBuy. The details have not been worked out yet but, as always, we'd like to get your feedback.
We can probably save members up to xx% with sufficient participation, so:
Take a look and 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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Our Field Trips database is bigger and better than ever!
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~ Free Curriculum Reviews from Diane Flynn Keith ~
Please let us know if YOU find any great educational websites! |
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~~~ Cathy Duffy Reviews ~~~
By special arrangement with Cathy Duffy (author of "100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum"), Co-op members are the first to hear about Cathy's latest reviews.
Here is Cathy's newest review: - Smart Moves -- Developing Mathematical Reasoning with Games and Puzzles by Michael Serra
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 | FREEBIES! |  |
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Homeschool ID Card | FREE!
Quick Start Guide to Carschooling | FREE!
Why Homeschooling ROCKS!
by Co-op Members | FREE!
Microsoft developer and design software | | | | | |
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~~~ Just For Fun ~~~
Quote of the week:
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."
- Albert Einstein
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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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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