Jimmie -- About Me and My Lenses

THE Lapbooking Lens 

Lapbooking

Lapbooking can be done by any learner-- from preschoolers to adults. With this educational method, you make mini-books covering details that you've studied. After making a variety of mini-books about a larger topic, all the books are put together in...

More Lapbooking Helps 

A Super Easy Way To Begin Lapbooking : The Simplest Lapbook Ever

So you've heard about lapbooking and seen pictures or videos of other people's finished lapbooks all over homeschooling blogs. You're intrigued and want to make a lapbook with your own children. But where to start? How can you transform that plain, b...

Lapbooking -- Frequently Asked Questions

Most any topic comes with its own set of FAQ --frequently asked questions. Lapbooking is no exception. These questions seem to be asked by most new lapbookers. The fortunate thing is that there are lots of other lapbookers who've already come up with...

Lapbooking Versus Notebooking

Lapbooking and notebooking are both popular among homeschoolers now. I will take you through some basic characteristics of each and hopefully answer these questions: What are these learning methods? How are they similar? How are they different? Whic...

Lapbooking and Unit Study Themes

This page is guide to all my other pages of lapbooking, notebooking, or unit study themes. An entire list of all my pages here at Squidoo can be found on my profile page.

How to Create an Animal Lapbook

Planning your own lapbook is quite do-able because of the wealth of free and instant resources available on the Internet. This lens will point you in the right directions for a free DIY animal lapbook. Once you understand the process, you can use the...

How to Make a Tabbed Book

Making a tabbed book is quite easy! So you don't really need a template. You simply need instructions. Do you have scissors (or a paper cutter), a ruler, a stapler, and some paper? Okay. Follow these step by step directions and you can make this min...

How to Make a Three Fourths Book

A three fourths minibook is a simple fold for your lapbook that offers plenty of space inside for writing text or drawing pictures.

How to Make a Wheel Book

Grab some cardstock and a paper fastener! We're going to make a wheel book today! This minibook is especially popular with the little ones because of the motion of the book. The wheel book is especially good for steps in a process or listing several...

How to Make a Matchbook

Called a matchbook because it's folded like a book of matches, this minibook is just a few folds away. Generally a small book, it is perfect for vocabulary words or other snippets of information. Make several and arrange them in a group inside your...

How to Make a Four Corner Minibook

Have a square of paper? Then you can easily make this minibook. Because of how it's folded, the four corner minibook is also often called an envelope book. Make it large or make it small depending on how much content you want to include in the book....

How to Plan a Lapbook

Once you understand the basics of lapbooking, you can easily plan your own lapbook to match whatever topic you are studying. You don't need to buy a kit, so you save money. And you can custom design the lapbook to reflect your children's interests a...

The Best Lapbooking Blogs

Want a regular supply of lapbooking inspriation? Subscribe to the feeds of the best lapbooking blogs. Each day you'll see some brilliant ideas and lots of links to explore.

Lapbook Video Showcase

Wouldn't it be great if another homeschooling mom could come over with a lapbook in hand and simply show you what lapbooking is all about? If she could let you see an actual lapbook and explain how it works, how it's made, and what her children lear...

Minibook Gallery

Whether you're new to lapbooking and are trying to get an idea of what minibooks are or whether you're an old hand at lapbooking and want some fresh ideas, welcome to the minibook gallery! Browse the images for some creative inspiration. Follow the...

How to Make a Trifold Minibook

A trifold is one of the simplest and most versatile minibook out there. It's called a trifold because it's folded in thirds just like you fold a letter to put into an envelope. This lapbook option can be large or small. With lots of empty space ins...

How to Make a Flag Book

A flag book looks tricky, but it's not really hard. These step by step photo instructions will teach you how to make a flag book that you can fill with whatever you want. It's sure to impress! Use it as a minibook for lapbooking something you learne...

How to Make a Three Square Unfolding Book

This is a tiny book that opens up BIG. In fact, it's so big that some people call it an explosion book or a squash book! Okay, I'm not going to lie. This minibook is a bit difficult to make because it involves some origami folds. BUT it's really coo...

What Do I Need to Get Started With Lapbooking?

If you're ready to take the plunge to use lapbooks in your curriculum, you should evaluate your resources. Do you have what you need to do it well? Where do you store your craft and art supplies? Do you have the essentials for lapbooking? Do you know...

Lapbooking Specialties 

Space Lapbook

Take advantage of a child's natural fascination with outer space and space travel with this science unit study!  What child doesn't like to pretend he's an astronaut, flying a spaceship to a distant planet or yet to be discovered galaxy? Channel...

Human Body Lapbook

We all have one! We use it every moment of every day-- your incredible human body! What a personal and relevant topic of study for any child! For the younger students, your study may focus primarily on anatomy, so you will explore the body's organs...

Penguin Lapbook

The penguin makes a great unit study and topic for a lapbook. There is the biology involved in the study of the animal itself. You can also add the earth science and geography of the penguin's habitat.  Then there are great living books about pe...

Chemistry Lapbook

Finally we are studying chemistry for homeschool science! This year is going to be really fun! We will study the elements, learn about subatomic particles, read biographies of famous chemists, and the best part -- make lots of messy experiments! Besi...

Physics Lapbook

Think physics is only for college geeks? Think again! Physics is a fascinating facet of science that is especially relevant to children -- pushing and pulling, falling and leaping are all components of this science. Even elementary students can benef...

Classical Music Lapbook

Music is one of those topics that we homeschool moms know we should teach our children. But whether it's because of our own lack of knowledge, a tight homeschool budget, or just a crowded schedule, music study often gets pushed to the back burner. Th...

Ancient Egypt Lapbook

Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating of world cultures! What child isn't intrigued with mummies, pyramids, and the complicated religion of this ancient civilization? Create an interdisciplinary study by including subjects besides just histor...

Rainforest Lapbook

The tropical rainforest is a fascinating topic for a homeschool unit study! Just the botany and zoology alone could take weeks to cover. There are also the history of the rainforest, the indigenous peoples of the rainforest, and the economy of the ra...

Thanksgiving Lapbook

Take a break from your regular homeschool curriculum and have a Thanksgiving unit study! History, culture, and food all come together in this topic! Create a lapbook to record what you learn. This page will direct you to great books to read and free...

President Barack Obama Lapbook

Celebrate President's Day or Black History Month (or both!) with a study of our current president -- Barack Obama! Read about our 44th president and make a lapbook to record what you learn.

Mini Offices

A mini office is a particular application of lapbooks. Each child can make his own mini-office -- a lapbook filled with reference pages for his own learning. The sky is the limit on what you can include. Fill the mini office with the charts that your...

Celebrate the Peanut -- A Unit Study

The average American consumes more than six pounds of peanuts and peanut butter products each year. WOW! Americans love to snack on peanuts. In fact, four of the top 10 candy bars manufactured in the USA contain peanuts or peanut butter. Because of...

A Lens Just For Sprite 

Sprite's Websites to Explore

This lens is primarily a place for me to list links I want my daughter to explore as part of her homeschool studies for 2008-2009. You're welcome to poke around and see what she's learning.

Homeschool Lenses for Everyone 

Greek Classics for Children

Any study of ancient history would be incomplete without a stop in Ancient Greece. The Greeks gave Western Civilization incomparable contributions -- the seeds of democracy, mathematics, philosophy, theater, and art.

Timelines for Homeschool

Timelines are an important complement to any homeschool history curriculum. They are especially good for visual learners because they offer a view of historical events in a pictoral way. Even very young children can use a timeline to see the span of...

Shakespeare Animated Tales Video Showcase

Shakespeare: The Animated Tales is a BBC television program of 12 episodes, each episode showing an animated half-hour adaptation of one of Shakespeare's plays. These shows are a great way for children to experience Shakespeare's stories and become...

Best Homeschooling Blogs

Here are the best homeschooling blogs! These favorites are the ones that I seem to click on first in my feed reader because they have consistently good articles. I've chosen blogs that are authored by a group of writers rather than an individual bec...

Spelling

Spelling -- didn't you dread it in school: the pages and pages full of your words written "ten times each," cramming for a test each Thursday night, and the deadly dull Spelling Bee each year? It doesn't have to be boring! Make spelling fun with gam...

A Homeschool Gallery

Every homeschool is unique. Ours is no exception! I welcome you to step into our homeschool gallery and browse the examples of my daughter Sprite's projects, crafts, and fieldtrips. Each photo is linked back to Flickr where even more homeschooling im...

Flat Travelers

Trading flat travelers through the mail is an engaging way learn about geography and even other cultures! Simply create a flat traveler -- a paper or cardstock character that can fit into an envelope. Arrange a host family, and mail your flat to them...

Flickr for Homeschool

Flickr is a photo hosting site with a lot of fun extras that are quite useful for homeschoolers! Let me show you all Flickr can do for you! Icon credit

Audio Homeschool

We all have our own preferred learning style whether it be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. But did you know that learning is always enhanced when more than one learning style is used?Adding audio books and stories to your home offers many learning...

Catalogs for Homeschoolers

Looking for free homeschool catalogs? Scan this page for all the best catalogs out there -- most are just a few clicks away. Then watch your mailbox because the fun will start pouring in! image credit

Celebrate National Dictionary Day!

October 16, the birthday of Noah Webster, is Dictionary Day in America. Show your appreciation for this most useful of reference books by celebrating Dictionary Day with your children --learn some new words, learn how dictionaries came to be, spruce...

Grammar for Homeschool

Although teaching grammar has become slightly old fashioned, most home educators still want to incorporate at least the very basics of the parts of speech into their language arts curriculum. Here is a collection of some of the best resources availab...

Top Ten Cures for the Homeschool Blahs

Despite the joy we homeschool moms find in educating our children at home, there can be boring days where it feels that we're just going through the motions. We feel it, and the children feel it too! If we don't address that boredom, lethargy can se...

Math Lenses 

Living Math

In a child's early years, math is actually play. Counting, stacking, sorting, and balancing are all fun activities that develop mathematical reasoning. Don't separate math from fun. Don't kill a child's natural love of mathematical play by insisting...

Tangrams

Tangrams are geometry made into 3D, creative fun! Print off some paper tangrams or make your own from craft foam. Then put on your visual-spatial thinking cap as you discover how to arrange the tiles to make animals, people, or objects. Put away the...

Transitioning to Living Math

Yes, it's hard. Very, very hard to set aside the workbook and orderly math progression through an outlined curriculum and shift to what seems to be a messy, random bunch of games and hands-on activities. You love the concept of living math. You know...

Hands-on Fractions

Understanding fractions is a critical foundation of math learning. But despite their daily frequency in our lives, math with fractions can be difficult to grasp. Not surprisingly, research shows that to master fractions, students need multiple opport...

Charts and Graphs for Learning

We were studying the instruments of the orchestra, and my daughter had an idea to make a poll of people's favorite composers to add to her lapbook . I asked her a few questions, and she said, "Wait a minute. I know just what I want. Let me go ge...

Learning and Teaching Math Headquarters

Learning and Teaching Math -- Math is FUN! Math is all around us, used in our daily lives. And math is actually fun! Come find out all the ways to learn math in a way that motivates and fascinates. Games, hands-on activities, crafts, experiments,...

Printables for Mathematicians Are People Too

Biographies are a mainstay of a living books curriculum. Therefore biographies of mathematicians are a key part of living approach to math. In my transition to living math, I bought the book, Mathematicians Are People, Too. It is composed of 15 chap...

Teaching Writing 

Teaching Writing without (BUYING) a Writing Curriculum

Finding a writing curriculum can be difficult and expensive. But it doesn't have to be. Actually, as long as you have an English usage manual or two, you don't need a writing curriculum at all. You simply need to practice writing! Repeated experienc...

Sentence Patterns

Sentences are the first goal in writing, and although they may be compared to baby steps, they are not just for the young grades. Even adult authors need to know the different ways to craft sentences and to combine sentences. There are rules that go...

China Related Lenses & Groups 

Mid-Autumn Festival

Most cultures have a harvest festival. China is no exception. The Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 (Zhong Qiu Jie) is one of the three most important, traditional Chinese holidays. (The other two are Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat Festi...

Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month. But that's not May 5th. This holiday is calculated according to the lunar calendar. The next Dragon Boat Festival is June 16, 2010. You still have time to plan some fun activities f...

Ancient China: A Homeschool Unit Study

When teaching our children ancient history, we are sure to include Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Unfortunately we sometimes omit another great ancient civilization on the other side of the globe-- Ancient China...

Learn About China Headquarters

Here you will find a potpourri of lenses all highlighting the Middle Kingdom-- China. Come learn about China! Each lens here teaches something about China -- the land, the culture, the language, the food, the people, the history, and so on. All lens...

Chinese New Year

新年快乐 Happy Chinese New Year! Take your children on a fascinating cultural experience -- celebrate Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year is the celebration of a new lunar year. It is a fifteen day holiday that starts on the e...

Still China Related, But On the Lighter Side 

Crazy English

I call it Crazy English. Others call it Chinglish or Engrish. Whatever you call it, it's hilarious! When people in China try to use English, disastrous errors often result. Enjoy a chuckle at my collection of crazy English, most of which was capture...

A Trip to a Chinese Wet Market

Although there are modern supermarkets in China, the absolutely freshest meat and vegetables are to be found at the open air wet markets. I'm going to take you on a virtual field trip to some wet markets in ordinary Chinese towns. Put on some sturdy...

The Squatty Potty

When traveling internationally, there are two main areas of dread for many people -- food and toilets! You're on your own with the food, but I'm here to help you with how to use the "squatty potty" found all over Asia. This is a delicate topic, and n...

Dragon in the Sky Shadow Puppet Theater in Beijing

In 2009, we took a family vacation to Beijing. Our ten year old daughter "Sprite" is old enough to enjoy the architecture and to appreciate the history of the typical Beijing sites, but we also wanted some kid-friendly activities especially...

Asia in General 

Asian Foods Headquarters

This group is dedicated to showcasing the amazing flavors that Asia has to offer. Here you can find the very best information on the most delicious cuisine from this exotic corner of the world. In the 1970s, Asian food meant chop suey and fortune coo...

General Kid Fun Lenses 

from preschool and beyond

Mother Goose Rhymes

Not only are Mother Goose rhymes a part of our western cultural heritage, but Mother Goose has her own special holiday. May 1 is Mother Goose Day! Of course, these classic rhymes can be celebrated  any day of the year! How well do you know your...

Making a Shoebox Diorama

The classic shoebox diorama is a childhood rite of passage. Although it can be used for school work, your children may enjoy making them just for fun. Make a diorama alongside your child today with this step by step tutorial.

How to Make a Shadow Puppet Theater

Making shadow puppets with your hands has been a pastime since the earliest of times as men sat around an open fire. Dress it up a bit by designing a small puppet theater and cardboard shadow puppets. Then dim the lights and treat your family and fri...

Playdough

Besides a freshly baked loaf of bread, I can't think of a better use of a few cups of flour besides a batch of velvety soft playdough! The simple toys are the best, and playdough has to rank up at the top of simple toys. A handful of playdough, a pla...

Salt Dough Maps

How can a little flour, water, and paint become a fantastic hands-on geography project? With salt dough maps, that's how! Get messy and make a 3D relief map of a country or state with these directions and pictures.

Charlotte Mason Lenses & Groups 

The Best Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Blogs

I enjoy reading blogs. That peek into another mom's daily life offers inspiration and focus. Yes, in fact, I am doing enough in our homeschool. Or perhaps, no, I'm not doing enough in this area, but this blog gives me some great ideas for how to get...

Charlotte Mason: The Simplest Homeschool Ever

At first glance, Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy seems complicated. But in fact, that misconception is only because CM is so vastly different from the textbook driven education many of us received in public schools. As you read more and mor...

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Headquarters

Welcome to Charlotte Mason Homeschooling! This group features lenses that help homeschoolers implement Charlotte Mason's philosophy in all areas including narration, living books, poetry, Shakespeare, timelines, living math, composer study, art...

Charlotte Mason on Math

Although modern CM practitioners use the term "living math," you will see that it is not in her original writings.She did talk repeatedly about "living books," and obviously the term living has been carried over to the learning of math. Charlotte Ma...

Charlotte Mason Basics

The homeschool movement is gaining momentum all over the world, and many home educators are looking back to the ideas of Charlotte Mason as a compass for teaching their own children. Charlotte Mason was an educator who lived in England from 1841-192...

Charlotte Mason in Her Own Words 

Quotation Lenses

Charlotte Mason Quotes About Nature

Charlotte Mason loved nature and felt that children should be outdoors among nature as much as possible each day, directly observing plants, animals, weather, and seasons. Many homeschoolers follow a Charlotte Mason style of education and incorporate...

Charlotte Mason Quotes

Charlotte Mason was an educator in England who lived from 1842 to 1923. Her educational philosophy, called the Charlotte Mason method, is used by many modern homeschoolers. Here is a collection of quotes by Miss Mason on these topics: How Children...

Charlotte Mason on the Bible

Charlotte Mason had a lot to say about educating children. What did she think of the Bible? Was it important to her that children read the Bible? In fact, she had high regard for Scripture and thought that all children should be familiar with its sto...

Charlotte Mason Applied to Various Areas 

Narration Helps

Narration is a cornerstone of a Charlotte Mason homeschool. Forget workbooks, expensive craft kits, and complicated busy work. Narration is a learning method that can be used for any age and for any subject. And it requires no purchases or special tr...

Shakespeare for Children

When should students first be exposed to the world famous works of William Shakespeare? Should it be during high school or college years? Isn't it true that Shakespeare is inaccessible for most modern readers and certainly for all children? No, not...

Opera for Children

Opera connotes a high brow artistic entertainment. But to put it simply, opera is a musical drama. Don't be intimidated. Plunge in and learn about an opera today! Taking children (and yourself!) to the opera is the best experience! But before you in...

Poetry in Homeschool

April is National Poetry Month. Does your homeschool language arts curriculum include the study of poetry? Whether you're striving to incorporate more poetry into your curriculum or whether you are looking for a poetry unit study, this webpage should...

Charlotte Mason Artist Study 

Artist Study -- Charlotte Mason Style

With most things CM (Charlotte Mason), once you get accustomed to her methods and they become a habit, you realize just how easy they are. Artist study is no exception. Charlotte Mason's way of studying artists is inexpensive, simple, and enjoyable. ...

Charlotte Mason Artists 

Monet Artist Study

Claude Monet is sure to be at the top of your homeschool artist study list! His paintings are everywhere and his contribution to art history is unparalleled. It is his own painting Impression-- Sunrise that gave Impressionism its name! Monet's subje...

Picasso Artist Study

Study the artwork of a modern artist whose very name has come to mean a masterpiece of art-- "a Picasso." If your children have been studying more traditional artists, the works of Picasso may be a most welcome change of style. Dabble into the arti...

Vermeer Artist Study

Vermeer is a rather mysterious artist. We have no portraits to tell us what he looked like. Even the facts of his life are few. We do know that he left only thirty-five paintings, and his creation of a few of them is still disputed. With little back...

Cassatt Artist Study

Mary Cassatt is an excellent choice for your homeschool artist study. She is one of the few women Impressionists, and commonly portrays domestic scenes of women and children. She was American by birth, but lived for much of her life in France, surro...

John James Audubon Artist Study

Was John James Audubon a sketching naturalist or a nature loving artist? Actually, his bird drawings were intended to be scientific sketches instead of art. But most people would agree that his careful observation of birds brought a realism and deta...

Charlotte Mason Art 

Teaching Art Headquarters

Welcome to Teaching Art -- a collection of excellent resources to inspire and guide you as you educate children in the arts. Whether you want to teach sketching or to design a unit study about a specific artist, this page will guide you in the right...

Using Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes

Here is the record of our homeschool journey into drawing, using Mona Brookes' Drawing with Children as our main resource. My daughter Sprite is nine years old. She is a motivated artist who wants to hone her skills. I do the activities right alongsi...

Preparing for a Trip to an Art Museum

No amount of studying art from books or computer screens can substitute for seeing actual pieces in a museum. So visiting an art museum is a wonderful complement to a Charlotte Mason styled artist study regardless of which artist you are currently st...

Charlotte Mason Composer Study 

Composer Study -- Charlotte Mason Style

A rich and full homeschool education is sure to include some study of classical music and the famous composers who write its music. The Charlotte Mason style of studying composers is an easy and inexpensive way to expose your children to the masters...

Bach Composer Study

Anyone using Charlotte Mason styled composer study is sure to encounter Johann Sebastian Bach at some point. Although more famous in his lifetime as an organist than as a composer, Bach is considered today to be one of the primary Baroque composers o...

Mozart Composer Study

Mozart is often one of the first composers chosen for a Charlotte Mason styled composer study. He is considered one of the best known and best loved composers of all time. And the fact that he began performing and writing music at such a young age is...

Tchaikovsky Composer Study

Remember the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies? Even if you think you don't, I'm positive that you do! Listen to this midi file and you'll instantly recognize the tune. That famous piece was written by Tchaikovsky as part of The Nutcracker...

Charlotte Mason Nature Study 

Nature Study -- Charlotte Mason Style

Charlotte Mason's educational philosohpy is a great fit for homeschool families who love great books, simple methods, and academic excellence. One component of a Charlotte Mason education is the regular study of nature. Nature Study has just two pa...

Nature Tales

Of course, the best way to learn about nature is through first hand experiences. Nothing can substitute for a nature walk. But a living book with nature themes makes for a great read when you're not out exploring the woods or the beach. Fortunately f...

Nature Study at the Beach

Charlotte Mason considered it ridiculous that a child would study about the rainforest but not recognize the plants and animals in his own back yard. But she certainly didn't limit nature study only to a family's immediate surroundings. Nature study...

Last Child In The Woods

People need nature - really need nature, not merely enjoy nature or benefit from nature. Children need experiences with nature just as they need sleep or healthy food. Why? Richard Louv spends much of his book Last Child in the Woods explaining exact...

Notebooking Related Lenses 

Make Your Own Notebooking Pages

So, you've done a bit of notebooking using the freebies online. Maybe you've even bought a kit or two. But now your creativity is kicking in and you want to do it yourself! Yes, you can make your own notebooking pages, even if you're not terribly co...

Science Notebooking

If you're new to notebooking, you'll discover that science is a great topic to begin with. Because science is so broad and lends itself to a variety of methods of expression such as charts, diagrams, paragraphs, and photos, it's perfect for notebooki...

Notebooking Exhibit

You've heard about notebooking. You know it's a flexible tool that can be used with most any curriculum or homeschooling style. You've read a bit about it, but you're still not quite sure. What is notebooking? What does it actually look like, and ho...

50 States Notebook

The Fifty States of America is a popular notebooking topic. It can be the basis of a unit study, or it can be a supplement to your American history curriculum. When you're finished, you have a wonderful, homemade reference book.

Math Notebooking

Whether you call them math notebooks or math journals, writing about math and documenting math activities are a great way to cement mathematical understanding. And along the way, you're creating a wonderful record of your math studies that can be use...

Bible Notebooking

Notebooking can be applied to any subject of study, including the Bible! Enrich your Bible study times by recording what you learn and documenting it in notebooks. The notebook is not the same as a personal prayer or devotional journal although a Bi...

Curriculum Focused Lenses 

Curriculum I've Used

Here's an overview of what we've done for homeschool from kindergarten until now (currently wrapping up 4th grade). You can see our curriculum choices, philosophy changes, favorite books, and a good dose of crafts and fun. I even include some possibl...

BF History of the Horse Unit Study

Welcome to my curriculum review of The History of the Horse. Buying homeschool curriculum is a huge decision. Not only is it a large investment in money, but the responsibility of choosing the best materials for your child is huge! The more feedback...

Winter Promise Versus Sonlight

If you want a literature rich homeschool approach, you will want to evaluate these two excellent options -- Sonlight and Winter Promise.

Winter Promise American Story 1 Extras

Winter Promise's first year American history curriculum is fabulous! It is very thorough on its own, especially with the added Native American focus resources. BUT who can't resist adding a few extras here and there? We are finished with our WP jour...

Cooking Lenses 

Homemade Chicken Croquettes

Croquettes are small rounded foods usually made of minced meat, fish, or vegetable coated with egg and bread crumbs and deep-fried. They are commonly served with a cream or tomato sauce, but they are equally good plain. Do you know how to say "croqu...

Miscellaneous 

Chacos are the Best Sport Sandals

I love sandals. When the weather gets warm, all other shoes are neglected. I want my feet to stay cool and free. And I love to show off painted toe nails! But I'm also on my feet a lot, walking on uneven ground and hiking outdoors. So "pretty" strap...

Frugal Coffee Delight

You love coffee, right? Maybe would even say that you need coffee on a daily basis. But flavored coffees and fancy creamers can really put a gash in the food budget. Have your coffee and drink it too with these frugal coffee add-ins. photo credit

Junie B. Jones

The first Junie B. Jones book was published in July 1992. Since that time, Barbara Park has written a total of twenty-seven Junie B. books and sold more than 43 million copies! Ms. Park is considered one of today’s funniest children's authors....

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Scott O'Dell created The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 1982 with the purpose of encouraging writers of historical fiction. His hope was to engage young readers in history through fantastic living books that bring the past alive. Scott...

100 Strangers: a Photography Project

Photography is an art. However, there are skill sets that can be learned and honed as you strive to improve your photography. And of course, like any skill or talent, practice is crucial. The 100 Strangers Project offers a great way to motivate yours...

Animal Lenses 

Oreo the Homeschool Cat

Meet Oreo, one of our homeschooled cats. My daughter "Sprite" is educated at home and since the cats like to get in the middle of everything we do, I figure that these are some very educated cats! Look at the photos for the evidence. And join in the...

Panda Fascination

The Panda Bear is most certainly one of the most famous and beloved of the world's endangered animals. Personally, I never was a huge fan of the panda until I saw them in person at a research center in China. They are amazingly beautiful animals -- g...

Pig Pics

Snout nose and curly pink tail... pigs are adorable! If you share my admiration of the humble pig, come enjoy some images and vote on your favorites. Or add some of your own! photo credit

Squidoo Specific Lenses 

I've Been Blessed by a Squid Angel! (or hoping to be)

Have you been blessed by a Squid Angel? Or are you wishing for an angel blessing? Are you wondering what the blessing actually DOES? This is the right place to be! I'll try to unveil the mystery of the Angels program. My time as an angel is over....

A Homeschool Mom's Squidoo Tips & Tricks

Just starting out making your first lens or polishing off number 20, you're probably still on the lookout for ways to make better lenses and improve the ones you've got. What's a lens, anyway? It's just Squidoo's word for a webpage. It's your lens o...