(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)
Here goes...
Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to speak at the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) convention. Prior to the convention, I saw this question on the event FB page: What advice would you give to a new conference attendee to help make his/her experience better? Several people chimed in with great tips. But I also saw one tip repeated by a few commenters that was a bit frustrating.
A few folks were encouraging newbies to go to the vendor hall to look around but NOT buy. Instead, to head home and order from online retailers who would essentially give them a better price. The advice was well-intentioned. These conference veterans were wanting to help newer homeschooling parents not be overwhelmed by all the choices in order that they wouldn't make a hasty shopping decision under pressure.
Later after the conference, on the same event page, someone asked why the vendor hall was so empty. Apparently, several of the big names were NO SHOWS this year.
Later after the conference, on the same event page, someone asked why the vendor hall was so empty. Apparently, several of the big names were NO SHOWS this year.
Here's the thing you need to know about conference vendors: Most of them are just homeschooling families like yours. They travel around the country pulling trailers full of stuff. They rent booth space, book hotel rooms, and eat out for days at a time in order to give the rest of us a chance to physically look at the items we're thinking of purchasing and to ask questions of them and others. These retailers are not out to make millions. They do it mostly for ministry and to be able to afford home education themselves.
If you plan to attend a conference this year, would you do me a favor? Would you buy something AT the conference? I understand if you can't buy all-the-somethings. I'm on a tight budget too. But if at all possible, thank the vendors for their time and financial investment into homeschooling and encourage them to keep coming back by opening your wallet to them instead of the big box online stores.
And now for my shopping finds. (When possible, I've linked to the actual mom-and-pop shop that I bought each from.)
Please note: These are only the "fun" extras I purchased. I'll share the more curriculum-y (Curriculum-y? Is that even a word?) things I bought in a few months when I unveil my 2019-2020 homeschool plan.
Books
One-Dog Canoe- I've been on the hunt for a hardback edition of this one and its sequel One-Dog Sleigh for quite awhile. The author is somewhat local and the stories feature the Northwoods lifestyle and wildlife that my kids are used to.
Guts & Glory World War II- This is a middle-grade, non-fiction with a very fun format. It includes lots of photos, illustrations, and interesting tidbits of WWII.
The Case for Christ Student Edition- I plan to use this during our Morning Time next year. It is the student version of the well-known Case for Christ, a book detailing the results of the fact-finding mission of an atheist.
No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet and No Fear Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors- No Fear Shakespeare books are a great resource for introducing kids to the basics of Shakespeare. On the left side of each 2-page spread are the actual words from Shakespeare and on the right side are the same words simplified into modern English.
Billy Graham: America's Pastor and Brother Andrew: God's Secret Agent- These two books will be the missionary biography components in our Morning Time basket next year.
No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet and No Fear Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors- No Fear Shakespeare books are a great resource for introducing kids to the basics of Shakespeare. On the left side of each 2-page spread are the actual words from Shakespeare and on the right side are the same words simplified into modern English.
Billy Graham: America's Pastor and Brother Andrew: God's Secret Agent- These two books will be the missionary biography components in our Morning Time basket next year.
Passion Projects
Grade 4 Vertical Penmanship Pad- I love having several graduated levels of these tear-off pads of penmanship paper. We rarely use them for penmanship practice, but instead, use them for creative and expository writing projects.
Small & Medium Bright Blank Books- These blank books get used for all sorts of things around my house. A few of my kids like to use them for creating their own homemade books while others use them for pretend play. My daughter plans to use a few to make storyboards for her upcoming movie making projects.
Owl Pellet- My husband loves to pick these inexpensive owl pellets up whenever he sees them. They make for a cheep-and-easy family night project.
Nature Log- My nature-loving son has several nature logs. He uses them each in different ways.
Extracurriculars
Melissa & Doug USA Erasable Learning Mat- I think this will make for the perfect sized map to whip out during our American History study which just happens to take place during our mid-morning snack time. And because it is washable, I'll never have to worry about accidentally spilling food or drink on it.
Solitaire Frenzy- This game is a cross between Dutch Blitz and Solitaire.
Wildlife Hidden Pictures coloring book- My kids love using Dover coloring books for handwork during read aloud time.
18 Count Watercolors- We have been spending the art time portion of our year learning the basics of watercolor painting and have begun to run out of certain colors. I thought it was time to replenish our stash.
All in all, I spent far less on fun extras than I have in the past, not because I'm cheap but because my kids are almost all to the age when interests and gifts begin to grow deep roots. They no longer have to sample and survey a lot of different things. Most have homed in on what they enjoy most, limiting my shopping choices to only those things that would enhance their personal passions.
I so agree with your statements here. We need to keep these small businesses afloat.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Dawn
Thank you for weighing in. These small businesses need our help. But in reality, we need them just as much as they need us.
DeleteI absolutely agree!! It is so important to support each other. I am a pretty frugal person, but I would rather pay a few extra dollars and know that my full support goes to another homeschooling family!
ReplyDeleteYes! Some things are worth spending a few extras dollars for.
DeleteSo, sad that the vendors are not showing up. I have always purchased at conferences. In fact it is my main reason for going. I have great sympathy for the small guys not making a living, but I am very frustrated with the fact the Rainbow Resource is not going to be at my local convention this week. This is a large company, and from what I can see, they do quit well at convention. I have waited 20 minutes in a line to pay for my purchases at their booth. I believe they should be there as a service to the community. Can it really be that they are suffering? If it is true that "people are going home and ordering on line, and if their prices are fair, they would still be ordering from them. Sorry for sounding ungrateful, but could it be they have just figures out there is a greater profit margin with on line sales? Disappointed!
ReplyDeleteRainbow was not at MACHE this year either. I'm not sure what led to that decision. Someone did mention that their at-convention sales was not bringing in as much as it used to. But I've not personally heard that from anyone at RR.
DeleteMaybe their absence was due to the uncertain severe winter weather this year.
DeleteThat was definitely a factor for a handful of the vendors. But a several more had declined the invitation to come because of the profit/loss component.
Delete