I was so glad to see a new post in this forum. I have a little one in preschool and right now we are making a lapbook based on Blueberries for Sal. I will absolutely be using my cricut and will post as we go along.

Thanks for posting here ....

Doesn't seem to busy here but I am glad to see a HS thread here!! I homeschool my 3....11,8,4....

A few ideas I had (my kids are too old for some of these right now) I can't remember if these were listed previously - if so, not trying to take over anyone's ideas - just cleaning and meant to post

Banner - love the wisdom with owls or knowledge

Geography - State cartridge - lap book of various states or even make your own book the shape of the US. Cut out US shape in chipboard (twice) and add holes - cut enough papers to go inside = between 25 and 50 sheets (or keep it simple and make square or rectangular covers) . Part of their day could be picking a color to cut their state, have a supply of stars to attach for capital, use our world (or community - I cannot remember which right now) to add important products of the state.

Sciene lap book - use the paper dolls everyday for the test tubes/beakers/clipboards and such - have them put a new one each day they take notes - clipboard to start the section for materials/methods/ etc. Use a magnifier for the results/conclusion section. Get them into the habit of good science notes/methods while they are young.

History - tons of images there - after recording what is needed for that particular day - let the kids cut their own and assemble. If you want to incorporate with art - make stick type puppets and they can do a 'play' of the subject/topic (ex: dolls for Louisiana purchase project - add canoes, money symbols, etc.)

Spelling - the sets of phonetic symbols (ex: silent e, long a, etc. just cut out and assemble on cards for use with spelling lessons - we used spelling power, they would work great there)

Math - if young enough - make charts one with one whatever, etc.. Or matching - basket with numbers you put on top then they take cherries or bananas or whatever to put with the character.

Science - make the project boards - use the cricut for lettering and all. Scrapbook supplies for matting photos/materials/methods/etc.

We used the cricut for science and history as I didn't have one for the spelling and math - just made those things by hand when kids were younger. The cricut would have been wonderful at that point.

There are a lot of other things - signs for drivers ed (we used power points instead), making pieces for fun science stuff (ex: little paper dolls to use when studying blood spatter in forensics), and figures from our world when studying various other countries.

My 3 sons attend public school, where I also substitute teach, but my dream has always been to homeschool. DH says they need the public school experience, and as an obedient wife, I do no argue. However, I have always chosen a few projects for them to work on over the summer. We have delved into wonderful books they either have not read or only get to read excerpts from in their school, learned about our family history, learned about our different nationalities, and even learned Spanish and sign language. As I only got my Cricut this past Christmas, I have not gotten to use it for the units I plan for them, but have started to make some things, and replace old items, with it for our up coming summer project....learning all about the electorial process in our country and what a few other countries do to choose (or not, as the case may be) their leaders. I have made a huge map of the U.S., with all the states on Velcro, from the 50 States cartridge, as well as a globe with other highlighted countries, and a few other items from various cartridges thus far. Even though they are teens, my guys are still excited about this. Especially since we had a small lesson about voting when our state's (Ohio) primary was held on March 6th. I had each son research a few different candidates in different categories and they participated in a mock debate. I made up ballots (due to a chronic illness, I voted absentee this year, so knew everything that would be on it), and then we had our own election. This really hit home with them this year, as our school district had a levy on the ballot, which had failed in November. We were looking at losing our Magnet schools, Gifted and Talented program, music, band, art, sports, as well as some other wonderful programs. It was a hot issue, and my guys particularly enjoyed learning about it. It passed, narrowly, this time, though some programs will still have to be cut. I am so sorry for the length of this post. I am a passionate home school supporter, and truly respect all of you who are blessed enough to be able to undertake such an important task. Bless you all and keep up the wonderful work you are doing!