Webresource: News from the Homeschool Buyers Co-op

In this issue:
Member Exclusives
Group Buy Roundup
In the Pipeline
Deal of the Month - MadCap Logic
Field trips for Ontario - New
More Free Curriculum Discoveries by Diane Flynn Keith
Just For Fun
Dear Co-op Member,
--- Member Exclusives ---------------------------------------------------
We are pleased to present a new co-op supplier with an exclusive offer for members:
GreenOfficeStore.com - Free eco-friendly school supply w/any purchase
Please browse the Exclusives section of our site to find discounts from over 100 other participating Co-op suppliers.
--- Group Buy Roundup ----------------------------------------------------
We are pleased to report that, as of today, our Group Buy program has saved members, collectively, $231,133.01!
Last week we launched several new Group Buys. Here's the roundup:
TELL ME MORE Foreign Language Curriculum by Auralog. Our friends at Auralog are back within another opportunity to save up to 50% on their award-winning foreign language curriculum. And here's the unique aspect of this program - several of the packages (Spanish, English, French, German, & Italian) have FOUR LEVELS of instruction! This means you will be paying less than $32 PER YEAR when we hit the deepest discount! That's a GREAT deal!
ExploreLearning Gizmos. As promised, this week we launched a very special Group Buy for Gizmos -- interactive math and science simulations -- from ExploreLearning. Ordinarily, this award-winning curriculum costs $149 per student. However, if the Co-op can sign up 300 subscribers, we can all get this curriculum for as little as $67. What's more, by special arrangement with the Co-op, ExploreLearning will produce a special Homeschool Edition just for us! This edition will have accounts for 1 teacher and up to 3 students. This brings the per student cost to just $23 for a full year of access. Go to ExploreLearning today and sign up for a free trial subscription. Then, if you are interested, place your order at the Co-op next week and spread the word!
SmartDraw Homeschool Edition: We're back with a new Group Buy for SmartDraw, the world's most popular graphics software for business and education. We are very excited about this Group Buy for a number of reasons:
SmartDraw Homeschool Edition is the result of a close collaboration between the Co-op and SmartDraw, Inc. Virtually every homeschool mom on our staff submitted her ideas to SmartDraw, and they then developed templates based on our input. How many other leading software publishers do you know have adapted their product specifically for the needs of homeschoolers?
Many of the products you purchase for your homeschool have a limited shelf-life. This is world-class, award-winning software that will provide value for ALL of your homeschooling years.
This is truly an AWESOME DEAL. SmartDraw retails for $299. If, as a group, we order 100+ copies, we will all get the Homeschool Edition for only $49 -- that's 84% off! This is the best price IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM for SmartDraw.
SmartDraw Homeschool Edition is available exclusively through the Co-op, and only to Co-op members. In fact, under the terms or our agreement with SmartDraw, you must have been a member of the Co-op for at least four days before we can even make it available to you!
You can use it to create virtually every kind of document needed for your homeschool, including:
Lesson plans
Calendars
Maps
Timelines
Worksheets
Tests & Quizzes
Reference Charts
Certificates
Diagrams
Mind Maps
Star Charts
Scientific Illustrations
Tables & Charts
Venn Diagrams
Get the picture? Download the 7-day trial version of the business edition and see for yourself. The Homeschool Edition has exactly the same functionality, including templates designed specifically for homeschooolers. Then, if you as impressed as we are, jump on board!
Remember: you can place a conditional order to buy the software at the $49 price only. If we don't get the needed 100 orders to get the $49 price, you won't have to buy. However, consider carefully. Even at our current price points, this is a terrific value.
ATTENTION PARENTS OF BRIGHT KIDS!! The PrepMe SAT – ACT Group Buy is a special SAT/ACT prep program designed specifically for bright, highly-motivated 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Students who get certain SAT and ACT scores become eligible to participate in special online summer programs at leading universities. Participation in these prestigious programs, in turn, can clear your child's path to full scholarships at leading universities.
GOOD NEWS! Last month Co-op members met the minimum for a special school subscription to Pokemon Learning League and reached the 50% discount level. We paused the Group Buy to process those subscribers, and have reopened it to sell out the remaining 140 or so seats at the 50% off price. If you buy before we run out, you'll have access to your new account within minutes of placing your order, plus save 50%.
--- In the Pipeline ------------------------------------------------------
It's official! Next week we launch Group Buys for two very special programs:
Earth Aid Enterprises will join the Co-op's network of suppliers with a fantastic offer to help the planet and learn about environmental issues in the process. Earth Aid sells a variety of kits including various energy saving -- and hence, carbon reducing -- products for regular households. At the Co-op's request, Earth Aid Enterprises prepared a study guide to help students measure and appreciate the impact that these devices can have on energy consumption, and on the larger issue of global warming. These kits will be available to members with Group Buy discounts and free study guides in the next few days.
Digital Frog. We know that many of you are looking for labs to supplement your natural science curriculum. Digital Frog International made a name for itself with its award-winning virtual frog dissection software, then branched out to create its popular Digital Field Trip series and ScienceMatrix. Check out their website and be ready to jump on board for great savings when this group buy launches on the Co-op website in the next 3 days.
Also this month, look for new Group Buys for:
CyberEd Online Science Curriculum
Discovery Education streaming
LeapFrog
and more, some of whom we haven't told you about!
--- Deal of the Month -----------------------------------------------------
GeeGuides LLC, the award-winning animated curriculum company, has changed their name to Madcap Logic LLC and developed a CD-ROM version of their popular GeeArt 16 art curriculum program, renamed to Creativity Express. To celebrate their new name and product, Madcap Logic has made the new CD-ROM version available to Co-op members at a special low price of $24.95! If you are looking for art curriculum, this is a must-see. But hurry – this low price goes away in February! Click here to check it out.
--- Field Trips -------------------------------------------------------------
We are pleased to announce field trips for the great province of Ontario.
Ontario
Other states & provinces
When you get to your state or province, the first thing to do is enter your zip code and click the Go button. Then let our software do all the work. Did we miss your favorite field trip? Click the Add A Field Trip button and let us know about it.
TIP: Did you know that you can grab the map of your state and move it around, as well zoom in and out, and pull up a satellite view of your home, all within the Field Trips database?
--- Free Curriculum -------------------------------------------------------
This week we have more free curriculum discoveries and ClickSchooling reviews by Diane Flynn Keith
FREE Games and Songs in Spanish, French, German, and More
Make Your Own Math Worksheets with Answers
AMAZING Free Science Videos, Slide Shows, and More
Free Classic Audiobooks
Fun Geography IQ Challenge
Virtual Field Trip to See Polar Bears
Please let us know if YOU find any great educational websites!
--- Just For Fun -----------------------------------------------------------
Here's another one for your funny bone:
Why you need to learn math
Regards,
Brett Walter
President
Homeschool Buyers co-op
Contact Information
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email: news@homeschoolbuyersco-op.org
phone: 650-648-0808
web: http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org
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