I like the shower curtain too Doug…. it is just a bit more expensive than the one I bought from the dollar store. (But the one from the dollar store has no educational value…..)
Bookworm, I’d so love to do that! If I ever get my hubby on board with it, that’s how I would decorate the house. Yep, bookshelves everywhere, maps on the walls, artwork hanging everywhere…. Yeah, I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen…. LOL
I love maps and used to dream of one of those large roll down maps too. We never could figure out where to put one, though.
We ended up buying a US and world map from Walmart and sticking them to each side of a foam core board with spray adhesive. It’s large enough to see details but small enough that we can tuck it out of the way. We also keep a globe handy and our iPad is always around too.
Wait – where do you get foam core board? And about how much does it cost? And what is it? I was imagining something like poster board, but it’s not, is it? I could do several of those for all the maps I want. Double-sided will at least cut down on the amount I would need.
Now you have my brain thinking… I’ll never get to sleep tonight! 🙂
Foam board is located next to the posterboard at Walmart. =) I was thinking about getting the curtain and hanging it over the sliding glass door in the kitchen where we have most of our lesson activities. It could pull double duty – geography and keeping the white curtains behind it safe from toddler spills. LOL
As others have said, foam core board is available at Walmart, office supply stores, and craft stores. It’s basically rigid foam sandwiched between an outer layer of paper or cardboard. The outer surface is sort of like poster board so you can write on it or glue things to it easily. It’s lightweight but rigid so it doesn’t bend. It comes in different thicknesses but 1/4″ is common. Walmart lists a 20″ x 30″ sheet for $1.97.
By the way, if you also want a globe now is the time to get one. Many stores only stock them during the back to school season so they will be getting into short supply soon.
Here’s one more idea for maps. Put large maps on the kitchen table then cover the whole table top with a large sheet of thin plexiglass.
You guys just sparked a new idea! Have you seen the curtain/room divider panels at ikea? I was thinking of buying some to hide bookshelves along one wall in our basement. BUT, I could make my own using a large map….or several different maps. I would just need to buy the hardware. Think of the possibilities!
Even as much as my dh loves maps, I think he’d kill me if I covered the kitchen table in them! LOL It is a great idea, though, even for a schoolroom table!
Treasure House, that is a neat idea! If you do that, take pics and share! I’d love to see how they turn out.
I actually had a glass top made for my kitchen table and sometimes I put big posters underneath for topics being studied. My hubby doesn’t mind it too much, it mainly bothers me if I look at it too long though. I like things cleared out! 🙂
Let us know what you end up doing Sara B. Hope it turns out to your liking!
years ago in our old house we had this on one of our boys bedroom walls…..you can get it in earth tones too….so then it would not look too crazy! It is easy to hang, like wallpaper