Books for Homeschoolers Too

When my kid was in public school it seemed like every week he would come home with a new fundraiser. We sold discount cards and trash bags. There were food drives, box tops, money for spirit week (to wear a hat cost $1), walk-a-thons, book drives, book fairs, etc etc. The list goes on and on. Now some of that was for other causes, good causes, other than for the school, but all cost money. School, even when tuition is free, is expensive.

This year we are homeschooling. Whew....I finally feel like I can breathe! The obligations are for things we WANT to do. We also spend our money on things we WANT and need...but we know where our money goes. 

A fellow homeschool mom and I were discussing how we really missed those Scholastic flyers we'd get sent home when our kids were in school. Remember those sweet flyers with all the books your kids would drool over? We missed them and we wanted to have the opportunity to buy the discounted books too. I thought about just contacting a fellow teacher I knew, but I didn't want to intrude and be bothersome so I decided to google. I ran across fiveoclockdanceparty's blog here: http://fiveoclockdanceparty.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/scholastic-book-club-available-to-homeschoolers/

Searching for Scholastic Homeschool didn't point me to their homeschool page but they do have such a thing. You can find it here: http://clubsonline.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5920

Recommended on the listed blog was to create a teacher's account, then call 1-800-497-8291 and confirm you are actually homeschooling. They also will ask for some info and want a school name. This is just whatever name you want but just be ready when you call. The list of the other information is listed on their site: http://clubsonline.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5920

My dilemma is that I already had a parent account and could not create a teacher account because I wanted to use the same email.  When I called, I let them know and they switched my account over to a teacher. Now they told me when I can, log into a teacher account. Basically I am still a parent too, but to order as a teacher, I need to be in teacher space...but I can also order as a parent. Just be careful when you order and make sure you switch your kids teacher to yourself so whatever you do, you still get books :-) and you don't have your child's old teacher listed. 

When you do this and have your own "class site", your class will get a class code. You can send this to family and friends and they can order books for you or for themselves, but you get the points to go towards free books. 

Also you can create a class wish list. This way, when they log in your class code, they can see what you want and 'order for the class'.

Now, we love the library and we use it every week! BUT nothing beats getting your own book to keep and read over and over. 


I also made an Amazon wishlist. Since most catalogs sells through Amazon or Amazon also carries that product, I can register for all the wants there. Not only can I share it with family and friends (for birthdays and Christmas especially) but I like to keep track of books and things I'd like to get for the kids, when have finished curriculum. 

Happy Reading!