Book Storage Cart and Managing Book Collections

Things here are much less organized than they used to be. My daughter is a high energy crafter and hands-on learner. Things are constantly cluttered, but learning is happening, so I roll with it.

I've cleared the house of extra furniture, and there are open spaces for play and crafting and art projects. Clean up is much easier this way. Books have never gotten put back into the bookshelves, so I gave up, and stacked them.

Lately, it has been getting out of hand...too many books. Bookshelves weren't working for us. The books fell out or over, and it was a hassle squishing them inbetween each other. Titles were hard to read, and often books that did make their way back were put in backwards, so the title couldn't be read.

I saw this library cart on Amazon and thought it would be easier to load up the cart with books by category. It rolls out of the way and to and from rooms for quick pick up, and it's angled back, so books stay and don't fall out. It was pricey, but I think it will be the perfect solution.

I'll get more in the future, but this is a good start to reaching sanity with the book situation. We try to use the library and ebooks to cut down on storage as much as possible, but there is nothing like the feel of a real book and long term access. Some books we keep for reference and because they are favorites.

Seeds Have Sprouted!

A mix of wildflowers and vegetables - cucumber and green peppers. I used this bed as a kitchen compost heap and added used grounds from Starbucks in the winter, then  covered it with straw and leaves in late winter. Once spring came, new soil was added on top.  There are numerous of worms in there...good nutrient soil for plants.

Spring in my Garden: Perennial Mayapples and Dutchman's Breeches

Illustrated Storymaking in Elementary School - Blank Hardcover Story Books

White Blank Books with Hardcovers 6"W x 8"H (6 Books / Pack)

My daughter(third grade) asked for a hardcover blank page book to make her own illustrated storybook. I found these(pictured and linked) on Amazon. They've got 16 bank pages and a blank hardcover. She has since asked for more, and I got a set of six. Short stories with illustrations can be done easily in this 6 x 8 hardback.

I've been collecting art supplies from the thrift for years, so we have a huge stash. I also noticed you can purchase supplies in "lots" off ebay. This is so much less expensive than building your art center with new items that tend to be overpriced.

Thrift Store Curriculum Finds for Third Grader

I've been finding very inexpensive items at one of our local thrift store for my children's education. Thankfully, the "pickers" pass by the children's education books and activity kits. Thrift stores, yardsales, and church sales all potentially have things you can use for science, English, math, geography, home economics, you name it.

A few items I picked up this week for my third grader:

I think I got this for under dollar.

Ancient Egypt Mummies; More by Creativity For Kids (1153)

And we watched this video on Queen Nefertiti on YouTube while putting this together. She loved it!

The other day I found a covered wagon kit. I found this for a quarter in the bargain bins. We worked on it today and  listened to this read aloud book, Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails on YouTube.

Covered Wagon Wood Craft Kit 

Etsy Store

I opened my Etsy store again. I'm clearing out some children's books and our attic. Take a peak. I will be trying to list a few every day.

Bridges to Adventure

Still Here!

Well, not here specifically, but I am still posting to Pinterest, YouTube, and adding things to GooglePlus circles. Please see the sidebar for my links.

Learn Science With Songs

Found this on Youtube! See here for free science videos .

1912 Eighth Grade Exam

Donated to a Kentucky museum. List of possible answers and exam here.

Hypothetical Unreal Statements: Was or Were

Sometimes I think I'm old fashioned because I follow the "were " rule when using "If" statements! Does anyone say "If I were you" or "If they were... " anymore? I keep seeing "If I was you" or "If money was no object". I see this in places without formal editors, like blogs, self published educational items, and low budget publications.

The rule is to use "were" with hypothetical unreal statements regardless of the subject tense.  See here, and here for full explanation of subjunctive.

I wonder if this rule is fading into oblivion?

Eggshells in the Garden

I crush up eggshells every morning and toss them into my garden to add calcium to the soil and deter slugs and snails.
Here are seven other things you can do with eggshells.

Vertical Garden Using Recycled Plastic Bottles

Directions are here. I am going to try this inside my the kitchen!

DIY Honey Bear Liquid Soap

Easy and so clever. See here for recipe.

Vertical Garden: Over the Door Wire Rack Kitchen Garden

So clever! See here.

DIY Covered Raised Bed Greenhouse - Extend the Garden Season

Source

Frugal and Small Footprint: Shipping Container Cabin

Strawberry Rhubard Pie Recipe

We had this in Amish country recently....soooo good: