Hands-on teaching finds at the homeschool fair

June 5, 3:28 PMInformal Education ExaminerLisa Jo Rudy

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Tangrams help promote mathematical thinking

I just love hands-on teaching materials.  But typically, they cost a fortune.  Try buying simple building toys, looms, science kits or math manipulatives in an ordinary store and you'll see what I mean.

That's why homeschoolers shop at used curriculum fairs.  Homeschoolers like me!

Last year, I came away from our little local fair with a big box of KONOS hands-on curricula - including real owl pellets, a hand-loom, several novels, four unit studies, and several tools useful for all kinds of science activities.  I also garnered a big box of scientific equipment (slides, beakers, petri dishes, tweezers, graduated cylinder), several fun curriculum books loaded with ideas, and a full scale cuisinaire rod set - all for about $100.

This year, another jackpot!  For an investment of $81.50, I walked away with:

• Four "Jumpstart" computer programs, including one on math, one on spelling, and two general prep programs for older kids (good both for Tom and for Sara)
• A huge box of K'nex with motors, wheels, and how-to instruction guides
• A set of base-ten manipulatives to supplement our cuisinaire rods
• A set of tangrams with diagrams to match
• A set of "geoboards" with instructions (a tool for hands-on geometry)
• A book of writing exercises and ideas
• An Usborne "History of the World"
• A Scholastic video ("The Snowy Day")

You may have noticed that I collected only two books.  There's a reason!  Our local library, each year, has a HUGE used book sale that lasts for days.  I'd hate to blow my book budget until I have a chance to dig through the possibilities!