Recycled Plastic Bottle Planters Using the Sub-irrigation Planter(SIPS) Method

Tutorial and many images for plastic bottle inspirations here.

Image source here.

This is super for young science students learning capillary action.

"How Sub-irrigation and Automatic Indoor Self Watering Containers Work

Water is added to a reservoir; the plant pulls moisture upward through the entire root ball through capillary action, like a sponge. The amount and evenness of the water movement from the sub-irrigation reservoir to the growing medium depends on the growing medium mix and its degree of compaction and/or breakdown."

A simple way to do this with house plants is to put a potted plant with drainage holes within a larger pot with no holes; raise it a bit off the bottom with some random stones or an upside down bowl(anything that lifts it up), and add water to the outer pot only. The water should be higher than the potted plant within, about 1/4 of the way up. You can add more water, but I've found that the water stays fresher if you fill it more often, and not let it sit for long periods as it would with a higher level of water. I've done this successfully with an African Violet.

More on garden SIPS here.

Recycled Plastic Toy Planters

Such a cute idea!

Image from the Plaid Pigeon shop at Etsy.

The Decline of the Paper Road Map

Image source

Mapmaking in Decline:

As a result of public reliance on digital navigation systems, traditional cartography jobs are being downsized, and in many cases eliminated. For example, the California State Automobile Association (CSAA) produced its last paper map of highways in 2008. Since 1909, the had created their own maps and distributed them free to members. A near century later, CSAA had eliminated their cartography team and produce maps only through the AAA national headquarters in Florida. For organizations like the CSAA, mapmaking is now seen as an unnecessary expense. Although the CSAA is no longer investing in traditional cartography, they realize the importance of providing paper maps, and will continue to do so. According to their spokesperson Jenny Mack, “free maps are one of our most popular member benefits”.

Some Downsides:

A downside to the outsourcing of cartographic skill is the lack of regional knowledge. In the case of the CSAA, their original cartographic team personally surveyed local roads and intersections. The accuracy of survey and cartography from thousands of miles away is questionable. In fact, studies show that paper maps are more accurate than GPS navigation systems. In an experiment done at the University of Tokyo, participants traveled on foot using either a paper map or GPS device. Those using the GPS paused frequently, traveled greater distances, and took longer to get to their destination. Paper map users were more successful.

While digital maps are helpful in getting from "Point A" to "Point B," they lack topographic details and cultural landmarks, among other details. Paper maps show “the big picture”, whereas navigation systems only show direct routes and immediate surroundings. These shortages can lead to geographic illiteracy and dissipate our sense of direction.

~ What is the Future of Paper Maps?

More map information here: "What is a Map?"

Free Blank Outline Printable World Maps of the Countries and Continents of the World

Vintage May Children's Calendar(Blackboard Calendar)

From a 1910 Primary Education teacher's periodical:

Click to enlarge and save, if desired. Dates are the same as 2011.

DIY Scrap Wood Pallet Toy Shelf

We made this out of some remaining scrap wood pieces which were leftovers from another project. The wood was found free at a big box home improvement store in cans, discarded near the wood cutting and lumber area. They are a type of shipping pallet - end pieces. We've been taking these with permission for various projects. The wood is usually weathered and interesting looking. Some of them have stamps on them making them look extra rustic. A few have grooves down the middle making them an excellent ball run. I plan to put together a maze with these pieces soon.

This modified A-frame shelf holds a good number of baskets and wooden boxed toy sets. We used the wood pieces that extend from the top to display and store puppets, and toy laces and ribbons. It would be handy for draping costumes and dress-up items as well.

The entire thing is screwed together with long deck screws. There are no rules here - just make a shape and screw it together. We didn't even bother to cut the shelves into even lengths. I puzzled it together on the floor, marked with pencil, and my husband screwed it all together. The pallet pieces came pre-sanded, so there were no rough areas which might cause splinters.

Click on picture to enlarge.

The Spring Garden

May flowers - tall white iris(ebay) in our backyard


Carrots(over-wintered)







Radish(Dollar General seed)






Tomato (Dollar General seed) and sage(over-wintered)


DIY silver plated spoon garden markers.




DIY spring wreath - lily of the valley.

Better Home and Gardens: Free Admission to Botanical Gardens 5/6/11

Nice freebie! I guess Friday will be field trip day. These printed out easily from a PDF download. See here for link to coupon and list of participating botanical gardens(nationwide)

Printable History of May Festivals for Children(Vintage)

From Our Boys and Girls children's magazine, Oliver Optic editor, Lee and Shepard, 1870:

Have any of our readers been "a-May-ing," as the common expression is? Have they found any of those sweet-scented May-flowers that are among the first of Nature's harbingers of green leaves and bright blossoms? But kings and princes went "a-May-ing" many generations ago, and with them went, as the old poet Chaucer says, "all the court, both most and least, to fetch the flowers fresh." In those early years, when Henry VIII. of England and Catharine of Arragon rode from their palace in Greenwich into the country to meet the people, and join with them in their festivities, there were jolly times on May-day, and, in fact, the whole month was joyful. Our May is colder and more disagreeable than that of England, and therefore our celebrations of May-day are usually very uncomfortable; but our ancestors brought the custom with them across the ocean; and, ever since, we have tried to have a good time with paper flowers, blue arms and noses, chilly processions, and bad colds.

Entire page here. To save and/or print, right click on the image of the page at the link. Free and in public domain.

Take a peak at the Table of Contents.

2011 Entertainment Coupon Books Now $15.00

I just purchased an "Entertainment" coupon book for South Jersey(vacation) and one for my area. The first book was only $15.00(retails for as much as $40.00), and the second book was only $10.00 with free shipping. Depending upon your area, these usually have some very usable coupons to local stores, entertainment, and dining.

The books probably have the best coupons in larger metropolitan areas and/or in tourist areas. I know for South Jersey there are some great discounts for museums, historical sites, fun parks, and family restaurants. These are all places we usually go, so the discounts will be worth the price of the book. This is the first time that I've purchased a book for my area. I'm hopeful that the coupons will at the very least cover the cost($10.00). We don't dine out much at all, but there are quite a few attractions and family fun activities near us where a discount would be a help.

I noticed that once you sign-up, they offer online coupons, a membership card for more discounts, and phone apps.

I'll update this post after I receive the booklets.

Printable Royal Tudor Family Paper Dolls

See more here. Click on images to enlarge and save.

A Few Children's Newspapers Online

New York Times Learning Network(We use this one - middle school and up)

The Learning Network provides teaching and learning materials and ideas based on New York Times content.

Teachers can use or adapt our lessons across subject areas and levels. Students can respond to our Opinion questions, take our News Quizzes, learn the Word of the Day, try our Test Yourself questions, complete a Fill-In or read our Poetry Pairings.

Weekly Reader(brief coverage) See top tabs for news by grades pre-K - grade six, and teens.

Scholastic News(elementary)

National Geographic for Kids(science: elementary-middle school)

Time Magazine for Kids/Classroom(K-6)

Amazon's Trade-in Program

I recently noticed that Amazon has a trade-in option! My son had been cleaning out his media, and I thought I'd check to see if I could list them on Amazon. The items were too common and selling for pennies; however, they were offering trade-ins for no less than a dollar each. So, I printed out the pre-paid label they provided, mailed the books and DVDs, and very soon had about $6.00 deposited into my Amazon account.

To find trade-in items simply enter your item in the Amazon search box and look for the "More Buying Options" window on the right. In that box, you'll see a button labeled "Trade in Here" with a price. It is located under the "Sell Yours Here" button.

Hereis an example listing.

I used my last balance to purchase a non-Amazon gift card.

Waning Interest in Cursive Writing

Students nationwide are still taught cursive, but many school districts are spending far less time teaching it and handwriting in general than they were years ago, said Steve Graham, a professor of education at Vanderbilt University. Most schools start teaching cursive in third grade, Professor Graham said. In the past, most would continue the study until the fifth or sixth grades — and some to the eighth grade — but many districts now teach cursive only in third grade, with fewer lessons.

“Schools today, we say we’re preparing our kids for the 21st century,” said Jacqueline DeChiaro, the principal of Van Schaick Elementary School in Cohoes, N.Y., who is debating whether to cut cursive. “Is cursive really a 21st-century skill?” Read more here.

I gave up on cursive with my son. He prefers print, and we didn't pursue cursive past fifth grade. I was the same way in giving it up in middle school for print. I do miss seeing it, but not enough to pursue it in our homeschool. My parents and older sister still write letters in cursive. Sometimes it's difficult for my son to read the letters. We just don't see it enough in our everyday life to keep it as a practiced skill.

Family Circus Classic

More here.

How To Use A Sewing Machine

An easy free series here.

Swimming Weather and Our DIY Stock Tank Pool

It has been warm enough on a few days to swim, so we put out our stock tank pool. We have too many trees to have a regular pool, and the area that is free is quite unlevel for an above ground pool. This rigid 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank can take the water pressure from the uneven rough ground. This is our second year with this pool. It was stored outside during the winter with no ill effects. The drain is a big plastic screw bolt which is replaceable if broken or lost.

In the summer, I put up an inexpensive netted lawn tent around the pool to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Dollar Tree T-Shirts and DIY Decals

Picked up a few children's t-shirts at the Dollar Tree for my DIY decals. The shirt I made in March has washed well, so I thought I'd make more. Super deal! These are thick and without any noticeable flaws.

A few decals I'd like to add to t-shirts: