• Descartes Cove Math Series
  
  Hooray!  We are live on the site with this long-awaited and much-anticipated Group Buy.  Not only that, but we hit the maximum discount in only 2 days!
  
  Descartes Cove Math Series motivates math students with adventure game themes, levels, rewards, and puzzles.  Vivid 3-D graphics, animations, sound effects and music keep your students engaged and challenged as they use applied mathematics to find a way off the island where they have been marooned by an ocean storm.  Now, THAT'S what we call a video game!
  
  Members 30% off Descartes Cove Math Series.  As this program retails for $150, this is a significant discount.
  
  
• Bill Nye Science Guy - Educational DVD's  - Save up to 40%
  
  We have had such an overwhelming response to the idea of a Group Buy for Bill Nye the Science Guy DVD's that we have decided to move ahead, and this Group Buy is now LIVE on the site.
  
  This Group Buy features all 100 titles in the Bill Nye Science Guy original series, plus 13 titles from the Eyes of Nye series, and the Way Cool Games of Science series.  The original and Eyes of Nye series include the original video, bonus footage, interactive science quizzes, interactive glossary, Teacher's Guide, Lesson Plan, and hands-on classroom experiments. Each DVD retails for $49.95, but we can get members up to 40% off with volumes.
  
  We'll need whopping participation to get to that level (500 DVDs), so we'll keep this offer open for a solid month and rely on our members to spread the word.
  
  
• Alpha Omega Academy - Save up to 60%
  
  We are pleased to offer members up to 60% off on the Registration Fee for the Alpha Omega Academy -- an accredited distance learning academy which provides Christian courses for students in grades K-12. Enrolled students may choose from three award-winning curriculum formats-computer-based Switched-On Schoolhouse (3-12), print-based LIFEPAC (K-12), or Horizons (K-6). Alpha Omega Academy's desire is to teach students strong Christian values while promoting academic excellence.
  
  Members will save 20%-60% on the Student Registration Fee depending on participation!  As the registration fee is non-refundable, this is a big savings!
  
  If you know any homeschoolers who use Alpha Omega curriculum or are looking for a distance learning solution, do them a favor and let them know about this great offer!
  
  
• Virtual College Counseling Center - save up to 69%
  
  The Co-op is pleased to present and host a new, unique, exciting, and MUCH NEEDED program resource for homeschoolers!  This new program provides college counseling services from one of the nation's leading college counselors, Dr. Ken Hartman.  In addition, Dr. Ken is busy inviting Homeschool veterans and icons to join him in conducting TOP QUALITY counseling needs catered specifically to Homeschoolers' needs.  We are excited about this new program, as this is an area that mainstream society just doesn't bother offering the homeschool community.  Folks, this is one of the reasons the Co-op was developed – to provide Homeschoolers with equal time and representation! 
   
  To kick off this new program, everyone is invited to a FREE OPEN HOUSE WEBINAR conducted by Dr. Ken!  Next week's guest is Rebecca Kochenderfer, Co-founder and Senior Editor of Homeschool.com and author of the book, "Homeschooling and Loving It!" Come and join us NEXT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th at 7PM EST / 4PM PST for a real treat.
  
  The VCCC features an award-winning 24/7 online archive of expert articles and video segment, a monthly newsletter on current trends and opportunities, plus a weekly webinar on all aspects of preparing for college, with guest experts on a variety of topics. 
  
  
• Kaplan Online SAT/ACT Prep- save $350 (SAT)
  
  This is not, strictly-speaking, a NEW Group Buy, but it is now on a new footing.  Last week we reached our target of 150 subscribers for the SAT, we placed our order with Kaplan for a district license, and expect to have current subscribers squared away by mid-week.
  
  However, now that we have the license, it is good for a full year, so we will keep this Group Buy open for all members who plan on taking the SAT between now and a year from now.
  
  BTW, we haven't given up on the ACT program, but we need another 100 participants to make this happen.  If you are looking for the THE BEST DEAL IN THE UNIVERSE for Kaplan ACT Online Prep, we aren't giving up, so don't YOU give up!  Get busy!!  Tell your homeschoolers friends, send posts to your homeschool lists!
  
  
• Explode The Code - save up to 50%
  
  For those of you seeking a late September start date for your school year, we are back with Round 4 for Explode The Code Online.
  
  Owing to lack of member interest, we have discontinued our Explode The Code Book Bundle Group Buys.  For those of you who took advantage of that offer, not to worry!  Your order is being processed by the publisher and should be shipping soon.
  

LAST CALL:

• Brainware Safari - save 86%
  
  WOW!  We feel a little sheepish, because we initially cautioned the publisher of Brainware Safari that member response to this Group Buy might be light, only because this product might be seen as ahead of its time.  So far, 334 members have strongly disagreed with us!
  
  We will end this Group Buy as scheduled at midnight Eastern on August 25 so that we can get our initial buyers squared away.  We then expect to re-launch the Group Buy right away, but we don't know whether the publisher will extend the $49 price, or want to start a new round from the top, or adopt an altogether different pricing table -- SO -- if you are interested, we urge you to hope on board while the $49 price is a SURE THING.
  
  BTW, the publisher of Brainware Safari, Learning Enhancement Corporation, has offered to present a FREE webinar on the latest in brain research and what researchers have learned about the way kids learn.  We said, "Sure, provided it's not just a commercial for Brainware Safari."  We note that they have folks on their staff with impressive credentials. 
  
  How about you?  Are you interested?  What do you think?
  
  
• Thinkwell Video Courseware - save up to 75%
  
  Remind us to STOP scheduling Group Buy expirations dates on weekend!Nobody is around to process them until Monday!
  
  In this case, Thinkwell is getting good at turning around our orders, so we should be able to extend this Group Buy until midnight on Monday and still keep our "in-hands" delivery promise.
  
  It's gravy time on this round, folks!  We have hit the maximum discount of 75% so, even though there will be a Round 6 in September, there is no guarantee we'll hit this level of discount again for a long time, so hope on board, while the hopping is good!
  
  
• Drive Thru History - save 50%
  
  As far as we can tell, our deal for Drive Thru's Homeschool Kit PLUS DVD Bundle is the best deal in the solar system -- we're at $72.98 with FREE SHIPPING for this fun and unique history curriculum.  With a deal this good, we're working on getting an extension so that nobody misses out, but don't delay.
  
  
• Digital Frog - save up to 50%
  
  We are going to try to extend this a few days, but if you missed out last time, this is your LAST CHANCE to get a deep discount for this popular natural science curriculum.  Dissection, Anatomy, Cell Structure, Ecology, Deserts, Rain Forest, Wetlands. There's a lot of great stuff to be had in this Group Buy.  PLUS - there's a super savings bundle for the whole kit & caboodle!
  
  
• Headsprout Early Reading - save up to 50%
  
  Don't count on seeing savings like this for a long time to come.  The fact is, when members don't pile on, you can't expect the publisher to be interested in an encore performance.
  
  We have heard from some members that this award-winning program has worked for their kids when other less expensive programs have not. Judging from the reviews, awards, and testimonials, Headsprout is one of the top early-reading programs on the market today. We encourage you to take a hard look and hop on board while the hoppin' is good!
  
  
• ExploreLearning Gizmos - save $52
  
  Gizmos are fun, easy to use, online, interactive simulations in math and science for teachers and students in grades 3-12 AND college levels. 100's of simulations make hard-to-grasp concepts easy to understand.
  

LAST CALL THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1:

• SpellDoctor - save up to 60%, expiring 9/1
  
  Almost gravy time!  We're at 50% off and crowding 60%!
  
  
• Colonial Williamsburg - save up to 90%, expiring 9/1
  
  We are at 84% off and climbing (or is it dropping?) rapidly!  This Group Buy won't go away on September 1, but that's when we'll have to lock in our group price for the rest of the year, so pile on and let's show Colonial Williamsburg that that homeschoolers appreciate Emmy-award winning history as well!
  
  
• SkillsTutor - as low as $49 , expiring 9/2
  
  An award-winning, complete, K-12 curriculum at an outstanding price.
  
  
• Math Fact Fluency - as low as $35, expiring 9/2
  
  Throw your flash cards away!  You'll never want to use them again once you've seen Math Fact Fluency.
  
  
• YourTeacher.com - save up to 50%, expiring 9/3
  
  A complete homeschool math curriculum -- Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra -- with a personal video teacher inside every lesson.
  
  
• CyberEd Science - save up to 58%, expiring 9/3
  
  We're at 42% off and on our way to 58%!

• Discovery Education Science
  
  We are thrilled to announce that Discovery Education's Science program, never before available to homeschoolers, will soon be available to Co-op members at a significant discount.
  
  We spent three hours last week recording demos of this award-winning online science with one of its creators, and, lest you think this is just another selection of really cool Discovery videos, it's not!  DE Science lets students investigate real-life situations through a variety of media, including full-length videos and segmented clips, virtual labs, integrated science simulations, explorations, reading passages and more.  What's more there are assessment (i.e., tests), and recommendations based on responses.  
  
  Take a look and let us know:  What do you think?
  

COMING SOON

These Group Buys are "in the bag."  We are working on the creative, getting approvals, etc.  They should be live in the next 10 days.

• Discovery Education streaming Plus
  
  Co-op members have had access to the Basic edition of Discovery Education's video streaming product at a great discount for over a year, but we have been working hard behind the scenes that time to give homeschoolers access to the Plus version.
  
  We are pleased to announce that our persistence and Discovery's hard work is about to pay off, to the benefit of Homeschool Buyers Co-op's members. (U.S. members only.  Sorry, Canada and other international members - no can do, just yet. We'll keep working on it.)
  
  Plus is the premier video-streaming product, so it will no longer be the case the homeschoolers are 2nd class citizens when it comes to accessing this enormous video library, including best-selling series like Planet Earth and top PBS series like the History of Us.
  
  Check it out and let us know: What do you think?
  
  
• Discovery Education Health
  
  If you are thinking Discovery Education has agreed to open up their entire product line to Co-op members, you are just about right.  (There is one other product -- MediaShare -- which we haven't tackled yet.)
  
  As soon as we get DE Plus and DE Science out, we'll be working hard to give members access to DE Health.
  
  Check it out and let us know:  What do you think?
  
  
• LEGO Education
  
  We don't have any details for you yet, but this one is for sure and coming soon.
  
  Check it out and let us know:  What do you think?
  

• The Theseus Learning System
  
  This software for critical thinking is a Cathy Duffy Top 100 Pick, and has garnered positive reviews from other homeschool organizations.
  
  We would like member feedback!  Check it out and let us know:  What do you think?
  
  
• Quantum Tutors
  
  
  We have been taking a look at Quantum Tutors artificial intelligence tutoring software for chemistry and mathematics, and would like to see if members would be interested in a Group Buy for this cutting-edge online software.
  
  The software is designed to help the novice through more advanced students; however, Quantum's research has found that students having the most difficulty with a subject ultimately benefit the most from using Quantum.
  
  One of the most powerful features of Quantum is the ability to enter any problems from textbooks, teacher assignments or other sources.  For homeschoolers, it is typically the case that a variety of source materials are used (textbooks, Internet resources, etc.) and Quantum provides an excellent supplement to all of them. No matter where your problem sets come from, they can be entered into the topic-appropriate Quantum Tutor and your student can get immediate help on those specific topics.
  
  Take a look and let us know: What do you think?
  
  
• Comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology
  
  A 3D exploration of the human body and how it functions.
  
  This 4-CD ROM set provides thorough, 3D instruction of both anatomy and physiology concepts together in one software program! The Comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology Suite is a comprised of two (2) separate and independent programs: Human 3D and Anatomy Atlas.
  
  Take a look and let us know:  What do you think?
  
  
• A+LearningLink
  
  This package will include math and reading tests -- two of each -- which are administered online at your convenience at the beginning AND end of your school year --or whenever you want -- so that you can see clearly the progress made in that timeframe.  After each test, you'll get a PDF with comprehensive assessment and prescriptive information.  It will probably be priced somewhere around $50.  Pound for pound, we think it may be the best price this caliber of assessment technology anywhere on the market. Take a look and let us know:  What do you think?
  

POSSIBLE GROUP BUYS

• Music Curriculum
  
  We have had several members ask us to put together a Group Buy for music curriculum.  What about the rest of you?  Are you looking for an affordable way to teach an instrument to your child?
  
  Here are some of the companies referred to us by members:
  
  KinderBach
  Simply Music - (watch the video!)
  Stirring the Gift Music Productions
  Ebaru Publishing
  
  Are there any other companies that you want us to take a crack at?  What do you think?
  
  
• WordSmart
  
  WordSmart's English vocabulary building knowledge software claims to be an effective learning systems for boosting academic achievement, critical thinking, and reading comprehension.  WordSmart stresses comprehension rather than repetition. The vocabulary exercises explore a word from every angle to place it in its linguistic context, rather than relying on rote memorization.
  
  Check it out and let us know:  What do you think?
   

LAST CHANCE!

• Grammarlogues
  
  Hey, doesn't anybody teach grammar any more?  This is one of the most comprehensive programs we've seen.  The creator of this CD-ROM and web-based grammar product is absolutely passionate about grammar instruction and has put her money where her mouth is.  We like that the examples are drawn from works of great authors, is very comprehensive. Is your grammar a little rusty? Not to worry! This product is designed for the teacher as much as the student. .
  
  Check it out and let us know:  What do you think?
  

This week we have more free curriculum discoveries and ClickSchooling reviews by Diane Flynn Keith

• Robert Krampf's Science Experiments
• Free, Automated Essay Writing Program
• Secret Presidential Recordings
• The History of Physics - Take A Cosmic Journey
• Virtual Tour of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

• Morse Code versus Text Messaging