We Love To Homeschool

Ring the Bell DVD - A Review and a Giveaway

2013-05-01T23:41:00.000-04:00

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned below for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

About Ring the Bell:
Ring The Bell shares the story of a slick, big city sports agent Rob Decker who seems to have it all. But on his latest mission to sign a high school baseball superstar, Rob becomes stranded in a small town where the simplicity of life—and the faith of the people—stand in stark contrast to his own fast-paced, win-at-all-costs mindset. Torn between these two worlds, will Rob have the courage to let faith transform his life? This heartwarming story of redemption is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family.
Ring The Bell features a host of well-known Christian music artists, such as Mark Hall along with his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West, all who play a role in this inspirational drama. Several former and current Major League Baseball all-stars are also featured in the film: ESPN analysts John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe (a former Cy Young Award winner), along with Ben Zobrist.
This family-friendly movie was produced by Mark Miller, Beach Street Records' founder and Casting Crowns’ producer. Miller, who is also the lead singer and founder of country music group Sawyer Brown, co-wrote the script with Thomas Weber and Weber directed the production.

Ring the Bell is available on DVD for only $19.99

DVD Special Features:
 The Heart of "Ring the Bell"

Casting Crowns “The Well” Music Video 

On Set with Casting Crowns

Famous Faces 

A Very Special Movie 

Ringing the Bell 

The Artists and Music of "Ring The Bell"

Website: http://ringthebellthemovie.com

Watch the Trailer: http://ringthebellthemovie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RingTheBellTheMovie

Our Thoughts
I am always so excited to preview a new Christian movie. It is such a pleasure to sit down as a family and watch a good, wholesome movie. I never really know what to expect, so it is almost always a surprise as the various movies and plots unfold.

My family sat down to watch this DVD this past weekend. The plot reminds us that life isn't all about work or the next big deal. It is about following the path that God has set out for us, even though it might not always be the most popular path... or the one that will lead to fame and fortune. Others may not always understand or agree with the decisions we make or the paths we choose to walk down; but it isn't about others or even about us. It is about trusting God enough to lead the way.

As an added bonus, there were some big names in this movie, such as Casting Crowns and Steven Curtis Chapman. Casting Crowns performs at a concert in the movie. Yay! I love their music, so watching a mini-concert in the movie was great and their song, "At the Well" is amazing.

A great family movie. A feel-good kind of movie. I cried many happy tears with this show.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this DVD, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions. Just leave a comment on or before May 15, 2013. I will choose one comment at random.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! - A Book Review & a Giveaway

2013-04-30T23:24:00.001-04:00

Written by Troy Schmidt
Illustrated by Cory Jones
$9.99
Release Date is May 1, 2013

Book Trailer

Author's Facebook Page

Author's Twitter

Publisher's Facebook Page

About the Book:
Oh sure, we've all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event?

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.

The "Parent Connection" feature (inside the book) will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened.

About the Author:
Troy Schmidt has writing and video production credits ranging from assignments with Disney (The Mickey Mouse Club) and Nickelodeon to Max Lucado's Hermie franchise. He is currently the lead writer for The American Bible Challenge hosted by Jeff Foxworthy on the Game Show Network. Troy and his wife have three sons.

The Series: This is just the first in a series! Other books available include Hey God, Can You Stop the Rain so I Can Get off Noah's Smelly Ark? and Hey God, I'm Having an Awful Vacation in Egypt Thanks to Moses!

Our Thoughts:

I shared this book with my 4 and 11 year old daughters. The recommended age range is 4 to 8, but my 11 year old daughter was happy to join in on the fun with her little sister. Of course the book was geared more towards my 4 year old, however both girls enjoyed the story... as did I.

The book has delightful illustrations, witty humor, and tells an age-old story with a new twist... from the whale's point-of-view.

The book stays true to the original event and reinforces the moral of the story - when God speaks, we should listen and act upon it. This cute "whale of a tale" reminds us that God only asks us to trust Him. Whatever He asks us to do, He asks that we trust Him.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this book, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions. Just leave a comment on or before May 15, 2013. I will choose one comment at random.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Hold Them Close

2013-04-17T00:15:00.003-04:00

This week, I seem to hear about the tragic loss of a child every time I turn around. A child terminally ill with cancer. A drowning. A car accident. An act of violence. Some losses are from disease, some from accidents, and some... God helps us, were due to intentional acts of hate.

With each loss, the pain bores a little deeper into my soul. With each news report, my hearts breaks a little more. So much sadness, so much loss. I have prayed for their families; I have prayed for mine. I have shed tears for their loss and their grief; I have shed tears because I love my family dearly and life is so fragile.

These tragedies remind me that each day that my family is together safe and sound is a gift. Each night that my family returns home safely and sleeps peacefully under one roof is a blessing. It reminds me to hold my children close. To hug them tight. To keep them near and dear to my heart, where they always have been.

There is no guarantee of tomorrow. So I should live today with all of my heart. God has given me today, and I shouldn't waste it, shouldn't take it for granted. Today isn't just another day... today is God's gift to my family. Yesterday wasn't just another day; it was a gift to my family.

These great losses have also reminded me about what really matters in life. We, or at least I, am guilty of confusing my needs and my wants. Too often we hear people saying, "I need new clothes." - "I need a bigger house." - "I need a vacation." - "I need this.. I need that." But if we were to stop and think really long and hard about it, if we examined our hearts and our motives... would this really be the truth? Do we really need these things? Or are they just wants, and for the most part, very self-centered wants? There are very few things that we truly need. People have lived long, prosperous, productive lives in very small homes, wearing very old clothes, and never leaving their home state to "see the world." The secret? They were content. ("But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:19 KJV)

God doesn't say that we can't wish, hope, and dream. Yet, He does ask that we be content with right where we are and with just what we have. Dream all you want; hope is a powerful thing. Still, if those wishes never come true... if you never accomplish your dreams, will you still be content and happy? Will you still feel blessed? Therein lies the difference. Contentment. ("Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," Philippians 4:11)

Tragic losses remind us to put things in perspective. My family is home safely, clothed and fed, and in good health. We are loved by God and by each other. Our needs are met. Everything else is just a "want." What a blessing. I am content.

This is our Time DVD - A Review and a Giveaway

2013-04-15T23:17:00.002-04:00

This is Our Time DVD

Website

Facebook

Trailer

About the movie:

The movie tells the interwoven stories of Luke (T.J. Dalrymple) and Alé (Erin Bethea), who marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for those afflicted with leprosy and their families; aspiring financier Catherine (Kate Cobb), who joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make an impact on corporate America; Ryder (Matthew Florida), who lands an impressive job in social media and can’t wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good; and Ethan (Shawn-Caulin Young,) seemingly the odd man out, who struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God.

“What they all come to learn is that it never really was their time,” Arnold said. “It always was, always is, God’s time.”

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this DVD, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions. Just leave a comment on or before April 30, 2013. I will choose one comment at random.

Our Thoughts:

I have enjoyed viewing several family-friendly Christian movies over the past few years. It is always a pleasure to be able to sit down as a family and watch a movie without worrying about the content. It also nice to watch movies with a purpose, a lesson... to be reminded of God's promises, our purpose in life, etc.

So of course, when this movie came up for review, I volunteered. This weekend, we sat down as a family to watch the This is Our Time DVD. I can't say it was my favorite movie of all times... some of the acting was a little "off", the scenes jumped around a lot, and some things were a bit difficult to follow. But the message was still there, coming through loud and clear. As the above quote said, "It never really was their time. It always was, always is, God's time." God knows the plans He has for us; He knows what the future holds. He has a plan... a plan we don't always understand, don't even always agree with. The movie reminds us that God never promised it would be easy, and reminds us that for those who God has the greatest plans, it rarely is easy. This movie is definitely a tear-jerker.

The movie also focuses on a real organization called Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for lepers and their families.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Hero Tales from American History by Theodore Roosevelt & Henry Cabot Lodge CD Set - A Review

2013-03-31T22:43:00.002-04:00

Hero Tales from American History
by Theodore Roosevelt & Henry Cabot Lodge

Complete Set for $15
Available at Raising Real Men

President Theodore Roosevelt and Congressman Henry Cabot Lodge wrote a history book for children, "Hero Tales from American History." It came to be, after Roosevelt's wife encouraged Roosevelt and Lodge (good friends) to write about some of their favorite Americans and moments in history. The tales are retellings of some of America's greatest heroes from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, 26 stories in all.

Hal and Melanie Young have taken this treasure and turned it into an audio-tale, complete with sound effects. The set includes 3 CDs, each an hour long. The tales are 7 to 11 minutes long and appropriate for all ages.

Here is a breakdown of the included tales.

Part 1 – 1732-1777
George Washington (Biography)
Daniel Boone (Biography)
George Rogers Clark (Revolutionary War)
The Battle of Trenton (Revolutionary War)
Bennington (Revolutionary War)

Part 2 – 1780-1814
Kings Mountain (Revolutionary War)
Stony Point (Revolutionary War)
Gouveneur Morris (French Revolution)
The Philadelphia (Barbary Pirates)
The Wasp (War of 1812)
The Privateer General Armstrong (War of 1812)

Part 3 – 1814-1865
The Battle of New Orleans (War of 1812)
John Quincy Adams and the Right of Petition
Francis Parkman
“Remember The Alamo!” (Texas Revolution)
Hampton Roads (USS Monitor and CSS Virginia)
The Flag-Bearer (War Between The States)

I was so privileged to receive this audio set for review. I didn't even know that the book, "Hero Tales," existed. I knew several things about Theodore Roosevelt, but I didn't know that he was an author... and a children's author at that. He and Lodge shared the stories of great Americans, such as George Washington and Daniel Boone.

My daughters and I listened to these stories while commuting back and forth to activities. What a great use of our time. We were able to learn about some of America's greatest heroes, to hear about hard-fought victories, to be reminded of what virtue truly is.

To get an idea of the kinds of lessons to be learned from these tales, take a moment to read from the book's dedication: "Thrift, industry, obedience to law, and intellectual cultivation are essential qualities in the makeup of any successful people; but no people can be really great unless they possess also the heroic virtues which are as needful in time of peace as in time of war, and as important in civil as in military life. As a civilized people we desire peace, but the only peace worth having is obtained by instant readiness to fight when wronged—not by unwillingness or inability to fight at all. Intelligent foresight in preparation and known capacity to stand well in battle are the surest safeguards against war. America will cease to be a great nation whenever her young men cease to possess energy, daring, and endurance, as well as the wish and the power to fight the nation's foes."

I love history, especially American history. This Audio CD set is American history at its best. Way more interesting than a dry, boring textbook. I am very thankful to be able to add this set to my homeschool collection. I hope you will consider adding it to your collection, as well.

Disclaimer:

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

VeggieTales: The Little House that Stood - A Giveaway

2013-03-03T00:13:00.000-05:00

VeggieTales: The Little House that Stood DVD

Website: http://veggietales.com/littlehouse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veggietales

Twitter: https://twitter.com/veggietales

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K65sINFgro&list=UUhddokv0fxIN3BS-KZpxFfA&index=2

About The Little House That Stood

When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation - following the wise plans from the Master Builder's Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses - and their lives - on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God's blueprints, they can stand strong when the storms come!

Our Thoughts:

I have loved VeggieTales for years. And so have my children. The characters are cute. The songs are catchy. The stories are interesting. And the lessons are invaluable.

So when I was offered a chance to review the newest VeggieTales movie, I jumped at the chance. And as always, it didn't disappoint.

"The 3 Little Pigs" meets "The Man Who Built His House Upon the Rock" in the latest tale. And children will learn that only houses built upon the strong foundation will stand firm in the times of trials and storms. So build your lives upon the True Rock, the Word of God.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this great DVD, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions. Just leave a comment on or before March 15, 2013. I will choose one name at random.

Abel's Field DVD - A Review and a Giveaway

2013-01-29T09:48:00.000-05:00

Website: http://www.abelsfield.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbelsField

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbelsField

About Abel's Field

Left motherless by tragedy and abandoned by his father, high school senior Seth McArdle (Samuel Davis) faces enormous pressure as he strives to support his little sisters. At school, he endures the daily bullying of the football team. But fighting back only finds him singled out for punishment and assigned to an after-school work detail under the supervision of the reserved groundskeeper, Abel (SOUL SURFER’S Kevin Sorbo). Much to his surprise, Seth discovers that Abel may be the only one who truly understands his struggles. As dark times lure Seth toward desperate measures, the reluctant Abel may be the one person who can point him back toward the light.

My Thoughts

I appreciate that so many family-appropriate movies are coming out lately. Movies that don't use profanity or show questionable content. It is nice to sit down with my children to watch a movie and know that I won't need to cringe. And that fact that so many faith-based movies are coming out makes it that much better. Movies with a moral, a lesson, an encouraging word.

All the above things are what Abel's Field is all about. It is family friendly and it is faith based. And the message is one that Christians need to be reminded about all too often. God is more than willing to forgive a repentant heart; unfortunately, we have so much trouble forgiving ourselves. And why do we too often wait till we hit rock-bottom to cry out to God for help?

My family enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it to others.

Giveaway

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this great DVD, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions. Just leave a comment on or before February 15, 2013. I will choose one name at random.

Living Books vs Textbooks

2012-12-23T00:42:00.000-05:00

"Living Books" is a relatively new term to me. It wasn't a term that I heard growing up. But one that I have learned about over the past few years of homeschooling.

There are textbooks on most any subject. History, science, math, physics, astronomy. This is the way that I learned in school, growing up. I read the chapters and I took the tests. Sure I remembered long enough to take the test, but not much longer than that. Most details went in one ear and out the other.

I have been homeschooling my daughters since preschool, and my oldest is now in 8th grade. For the first few years, we used textbooks for most everything. That is how I was educated; it was what I knew. But over the years, I heard more and more mention of "living books".

Usually, textbooks are written to cover a variety of topics, barely touching the surface of one topic before moving on to another one. But living books are written by someone with a passion for the topic. Typically, the authors write in-depth, with emotion and an amazing amount of knowledge.

Pick most any topic of interest, and you will find a book about that specialty. Pick most any famous person, and you will find a biography about him or her . . . sometimes even an auto-biography is available.

By using living books, I have been able to learn so much, right along-side my daughters. I have loved learning this way. We don't just read a chapter about Pearl Harbor and move on. We read several full-length books and even watch a documentary or two. We don't just read a chapter in a textbook about Abraham Lincoln and move on. We read books about his childhood and books about his adulthood. We read quotes by Mr. Lincoln and quotes from people who knew him personally.

Along the same lines, we have learned much from unit studies, documentaries, hands-on activities, and even online courses. A favorite of mine is Pilgrim Story through Dayspring, online. Forget a passing overview of the Pilgrim's story. This course delves deep, even going back before the "pilgrim" time, explaining how the circumstances came to be in the first place. This is an impressive, interactive, multi-sensory way to learn. (And no, I'm not getting paid to say that. I just really love this course.) I hope that the company comes out with more courses similar to this one in the near future.

Textbooks have their time and place. They are pretty much a necessity for math and English. Well, not really. :) Even these topics can be taught through online courses and DVD tutorials and the likes. It is all about your child's learning style. How do they learn? How do they retain knowledge? For example, over time, I have realized that my two older daughters have very different learning styles. One daughter can sit still and listen and focus, and retain what she learned. My other daughter has trouble retaining auditory information. But give her something to do with her hands, and it makes an amazing difference. So while I read, I offer to allow her to doodle while she listens. She sometimes makes random doodles; sometimes, she draws pictures about the lesson. Either way, using her hands, helps her to listen and retain what she hears better than if she just listened without drawing.

Homeschooling is an adventure and my daughters aren't the only ones learning along the way. I am learning many lessons right alongside them. Some are educational lessons, such as history; others are life lessons, such as my daughters' learning styles.

Homeschooling is a journey, and I'm so thankful to be walking the path with my beautiful children.

God bless,
Kimberly

Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty Giveaway is Back!

2012-12-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

I just love Melissa & Doug. Their products are so unique, awesome, and durable. I hope many of you took the time to enter the Terrific Twenty Giveaway. And I have some great news!

The Terrific Twenty Giveaway is Back!

So what are you waiting for? ENTER NOW!

Disclaimer:
As a "thank you" for hosting this blog post, I will be entered to win a chance at free products from Melissa & Doug.

'Scandalous The Musical' on Broadway Soundtrack Giveaway

2012-11-25T22:41:00.002-05:00

Website: http://www.scandalousonbroadway.com

Interview with Kathie Lee Gifford: http://vimeo.com/serino/review/50083730/b5bb349f9c

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScandalousBway

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scandalousbway

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/scandalousBway

Stream (3) Songs: http://www.scandalousonbroadway.com/music#.UHbxvrTR1Hg

About Scandalous on Broadway

Two-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello stars as Aimee Semple McPherson, the trailblazing media superstar whose passion for saving souls was matched by her passion for making headlines.

Set in 1920s Los Angeles, holiness collides with Hollywood in the extraordinary tale of one woman's charismatic rise to fame. But as her popularity grows, so do her enemies, until her sermons, her celebrity, and her past combine to put everything she believes in on trial. Two-time Tony Award winner George Hearn leads a remarkable cast of 20 in this new musical about one woman's incredible rise to glory...and fall from grace.

My Thoughts:

I was offered a chance to go watch the musical free of charge, to give my opinion and review of the performance. I would have loved to go watch the performance. But, unfortunately, the distance was a hindrance. So, instead, I was offered a soundtrack from the musical.

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the 3 songs that I was able to listen to on my CD. High quality, great music and vocals, entertaining lyrics. From just the 3 songs on the soundtrack, I'm not able to get a complete feel of the musical. But I am intrigued.

I will say that from the songs I listened to, I'm guessing the musical isn't what would be considered "G-Rated". But then again, I think it is assumed that most shows on Broadway are not "G-Rated", but geared towards adult audiences.

I have never heard the story of Aimee Semple McPherson, but after hearing the songs and reading the teasers, I would like to learn more about Aimee and her story.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my readers will receive a free copy of the 'Scandalous the Musical' Soundtrack. To enter, leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, follow my blog and tell me that you do. I will accept entries until December 5, 2012.

Vocal Coach Singer - A Review

2012-11-16T00:58:00.004-05:00

Vocal Coach Singer

CDs - $119.99

MP3s - $99.99

Recommended for youth and adults

From their site -
"Learn to Sing Your Best with the Ultimate Personal at Home Voice Lessons! Vocal Coach Singer includes 7 professionally produced training CDs, 4 workout CDs, and a full-size instructional guidebook so you can quickly gain more power, clarity, and confidence in your singing performance. Plus you will receive 1 CD with printable lead sheets for every vocal exercise and your own singer’s journal.
Vocal Coach Singer is the most complete instructional singing system available with the equivalent of over $2,000 worth of personal coaching time. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, Vocal Coach Singer teaches and builds upon the fundamentals essential to an accomplished singing voice. From posture to performance our tested and proven techniques will help you deliver your songs with consistency and confidence!
With our easy-to-use step-by-step singing lessons, you'll hear AND feel the difference in a matter of days! This is the only course you'll ever need to not only learn to sing your best, but also maintain your singing voice for years to come."

_

Vocal Coach Singer Includes:

7 Training CDs:

Getting Started
Complete Breathing
Complete Warm-Up
Complete Tone
Complete Expanding Your Range
Complete Diction
Complete Performance

4 Workout CDs:

Daily Workout High Voice 1 & 2
Daily Workout Medium/Low Voice 1 & 2

Plus these great educational tools:

Guidebook – Full-size Instructional Guidebook to Ensure Success
Printable Lead Sheets – each exercise in our course, plus track lists
Personal Singer's Journal (Getting Started Journal & Workout Journal) to Track Your Progress
Vocal Coach Song Evaluation – Evaluation form to enable you to make more intelligent song selections

______________________________________________________________

They also offer a "Teaching Kids to Sing" set for ages 5 to 13.

Teaching Kids to Sing 2-DVD/1-CD Set is the perfect way to teach your children and their leaders about the child's voice. All the foundations from Posture, Breathing, Tone, Rhythm, Diction and much, much more is explored and demonstrated. The cast includes Chris & Carole Beatty and a group of children ages 5 to 13. The CD contains all the music used on the two DVD's in two versions: With vocals and track only. This allows your young singers to learn, then perform the songs.

_______________________________________________________________

Presented by VocalCoach.com

The coaches:
Chris and Carole Beatty

"Chris & Carole Beatty, creators and founder of Vocal Coach, have taught and coached thousands of singers, young and old for over 40 years.
Vocal Coach is built on their passion for training the singers of today and tomorrow through their time-tested, million-selling products as well as in the Vocal Coach Voice Studio in Brentwood TN."

______________________________________________________________

FREE RESOURCES

Our Thoughts:

Two of my daughters regularly perform in musical theater productions. As such, singing is a big part of their lives, especially when they are cast for solos. None of us have had any formal training in singing. So, this past year, I have been debating signing my teen up for voice training. I figure that this is something she is very serious about and something she wishes to continue with. So what was holding me back? The expense of a private coach and also the time commitment of having another "must be there" added to my schedule.

So when the Vocal Coach came up for review, I decided to give this a try before signing up for voice lessons. Why? This is something that we can do in our home, on our own schedule. And the expense, although somewhat pricey up front, is a one-time expense. An expense that pays for itself in the first month, based on the fees I have seen advertised for weekly lessons with a voice coach. So it was definitely worth a try.

I received the program as an MP3 download. It downloaded easily and ran well. Given the choice, I would have loved to see this program on DVD or as a video download. I am a very visual person, so it would have helped me immensely to be able to view the instructor and watch exactly how he was standing during a posture lesson or to watch exactly what shape his mouth was in when he made a certain sound, etc. And of course, it would have just made it easier for me to concentrate and focus in general. Maybe this is something they will consider in the future, for us visual learners.

Since we have had no formal voice lessons, most everything in the lessons was new to us. I appreciate how the Beattys start with the basics. You can't expect to sing well unless you have the correct posture. The posture lessons were fun, I thought. It made me feel a little silly, but no one was watching but my daughter. And I have found myself thinking about it and correcting my posture throughout the day.

Next up is voice warm-ups. You know...all those silly sounds that singers make when warming up before a performance. Wow, if I thought I felt silly doing the posture exercises, I felt SUPER silly doing the voice warm-ups. But again, it was just me and my daughter. So I had great fun with it and we were both laughing and having a good time with it. Of course, we found ourselves breaking out in a grand rendition of "Do Re Me".

Chris breaks it all down into bite-size chunks. Just a little at a time. And the benefit of this type of course is that you can rewind and practice as many times as you like. No extra charge for overtime, for causing the instructor to go over his time limit.

If you decide your child would benefit from some private training and feedback, Chris does offer online training.

I found it to be a little awkward at first. It was something new and different. And I wasn't used to the format. But they offer everything you need to get a good overview of the program and to make a plan for getting started. And it didn't take long to catch on.

My daughter says she would still prefer an "in-person" instructor. But for now, I plan to have my daughter continue with the program. Why? I am convinced that she can learn a lot from Chris, in the comfort of our own home and on our own time schedule. And if the time comes, when she takes lessons from an instructor in a studio...well, just think of all the money I will save, when they realize just how much my daughter has already learned from using VOCAL COACH SINGER. Because as I mentioned, this course pays for itself in the first month. Yet it could potentially save me months and months and months of one-on-one coaching .

I think the success of this program will greatly depend on your child. How serious are they about learning to sing well? Do they have the drive and determination to continue with the lessons and take the practices seriously, without an instructor prompting them. Will you remember to have them practice, without an actual weekly appointment scheduled on your calendar? Is your student a visual learner? Does he feel comfortable using computer files? These are all things to ponder in your purchasing decision.

I believe a serious student will greatly improve their singing ability, to not only sing well, but to sing correctly.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

2012-11-08T22:19:00.001-05:00

This week, my alarm has been waking me up with Christmas carols. When I go shopping, I hear Christmas carols playing in the stores. So, I think the season has officially started. So don your Santa hats and your Jingle bells, and have a holly, jolly Christmas this year!

And while you are at it, take a peek at Melissa & Doug's Terrific Twenty Holiday Gifts for 2012. I am a HUGE fan of their products. Their toys are some of my top favorite gift ideas for my preschooler last year. And the plan is the same for this year!

Stop by their Facebook page for a chance to enter. Starting November 6, they are giving away one gift every day for 20 days from the Terrific Twenty List.

As if that isn't exciting enough, you can also enter for a chance to win one of Melissa & Doug's great products right here on my blog, courtesy of Melissa & Doug. One reader will receive SUSPEND: Family Game. Read more about it below.

SUSPEND FAMILY GAME

"A family game of tricky hangs and steady hands! Try this hanging balance game and you'll be hooked! Suspend comes with 24 notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to hang from a tabletop stand. Sound easy? Try adding another piece! Each time a bar is added, the balance shifts, the difficulty changes and the incredible midair sculpture transforms. Can you add all your game pieces without making it fall? This tricky game for 1-4 players is a test of steady nerves and steady hands."

Retail Value - $16.99

The giveaway on my blog will run through November 26, 2012. To enter, leave a comment. For an extra entry, follow my blog and leave a comment telling me that you did.

Several other blogger friends are also having giveaways. So click on the links below for even more chances to win.

Disclaimer: I am blogging about the Melissa & Doug contest and Top Twenty List, and offering this giveaway . In exchange, I will receive a free product from their top 20 list.

Father of Lights DVD - A Giveaway

2012-11-08T01:21:00.003-05:00

Father of Lights DVD

Website: http://fatheroflights.wpfilm.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fatheroflights

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wanderdarren/

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/wanderlustproduction

About Father of Lights

FATHER OF LIGHTS chronicles the journey of filmmaker Darren Wilson and his team as they fearlessly travel the globe, far from the daily existence of the typical evangelical believer in the West. By thoughtfully documenting the stories of extraordinary believers and candidly filming miracles, visions and other supernatural occurrences, Wilson engages viewers in modern day examples of the true nature and character of God.

Wilson gives honest access to his own spiritual questions as he tackles the religious misconceptions he has struggled with throughout his life. “I went into making this film by asking the simple question: who is God? I wanted to know His character, His personality, and who He truly is. To answer this question, we had to peel back the many layers of religious garbage that has been passed onto him through generations. That He is angry. Vengeful. Wrathful. And in general, that He doesn’t like you very much. The truth, as you will see vibrantly in this film, is that He is the most loving, compassionate, and wonderful Father you can imagine.”

About Wanderlust Productions

Wanderlust Productions is a video production company focusing on creating content for various media that highlights, informs, and is designed to spiritually stretch our audience. Created by Darren Wilson, Professor at Judson University, Wanderlust’s focus is on telling stories that inspire and agitate, that are unwavering in their honesty yet are emotionally compelling. While our content will always be Christian in nature, we are not afraid to explore themes, concepts, or areas that may be considered “risky” by the Christian establishment. Wanderlust prides itself on its willingness to put the story above the message. That being said, the message will never waver.

Our Thoughts

This movie endeavors to show just how real God is. It challenges us to believe that with God, anything truly is possible. God has the power. Do we have the faith?

"Father of Lights" inspired me and challenged me and even brought me to tears...tears of sadness and tears of joy.

It is very bold in its presentation, style, and methods. As I mentioned, some parts reminded me just how great our God is. Other parts made me uneasy and uncomfortable. I can't put my finger on it, but my emotions were mixed.

This DVD does have some disturbing scenes and mature themes. I would suggest caution with young children and recommend viewing it on your own first.

Giveaway:

I am able to offer 1 copy of this DVD free to one of my readers. If you would like to receive a free copy of this DVD, please leave a comment below. I will choose one name on or about Friday, November 16, 2012.

Raising Maidens of Virtue - A Review

2012-11-08T00:36:00.000-05:00

publishers of

Raising Maidens of Virtue - A study of
feminine loveliness for mothers and daughters

For mothers and their daughters ages 8 - 15

$18.50

by Stacy McDonald - Stacy is a Presbyterian pastor's wife, mother, grandma, conference speaker, and blogger. She encourages women in their marriages, motherhood, homemaking, chastity, and Christian culture.

Illustrated by Johannah Bluedorn - Johannah has been homeschooled all of her life and is self-taught in art. She is an author and an illustrator.

Foreword by Mrs. Jennie Chancey - Jennie is a wife, mother of ten, and the owner of Sense and Sensibility Patterns.

Be sure to take a peek at all the other wonderful books available at Grace and Truth Books.

About this book (from their website):

"The Revised and Expanded Edition. Contains new, updated content and additional chapters.

Now in its 7th printing, this revised and expanded edition of Stacy McDonald’s popular Bible study for mothers and daughters reflects a mature and seasoned approach to mentoring young women. With many of the original chapters polished and revised, and several new chapters added, readers will find this resource refreshing and even more useful than before.

Godly women are not born, but raised. Raising Maidens of Virtue is a storehouse of tools for mothers to employ to raise up a daughter whose life will honor God. Written in an engaging style, Stacy McDonald conveys the truth through stories, conversations, illustrations, and memory-making projects, to warmly encourage girls to think Biblically about themselves and their world. Offers useful counsels on modesty, feminine beauty, guarding the tongue, idleness, sibling relationships, honoring parents, contentment and more."

Our Thoughts:

Purity and modesty, it isn't about the clothes you wear or how you style your hair. It is about your heart; it is about the reasons behind why you do what you do.

Did you pick your clothes in order to solicit attention? Did you choose your hairstyle in order to look like the latest celebrity? When you go out, are you looking for a quick date, or are you keeping your future husband in mind?

It is a choice. Live for God or live like the world. Dress modestly or dress like Hollywood. Date every guy who asks you out, or live with your future husband always in mind. It is about your heart.

Be a lovely lady. A virtuous woman. A fair maiden. Both inside and out.

This book is in its 7th printing, but somehow this is the first time I've heard of it. The thought of working through this book with my daughters thrilled me. I was so excited to get it and get started. My heart's desire is for my daughters to be maidens of virtue. And I am thrilled to have found this book to help us on that journey.

Stacy McDonald has such a delightful writing style. She uses analogies such as Hannah Hotstuff and Fanny McFrump to depict different attitudes about our attire. And wonderful stories such as "The Fence Dwellers", to show the dangers of spending too much time dwelling on things of this world and becoming desensitized to right vs. wrong. The lessons are very serious and our daughters would be wise to learn them; but Stacy teaches the lessons in ways that are interesting and sometimes, humorous.

The book includes beautiful illustrations, very nostalgic. And heart-touching prayers. Stacy shares her heart and is very open with her readers. The questions at the end of each lesson are thought-provoking and open the doors for heart-to-heart discussions between a mom and her daughters.

Here is an example of one of the included prayers:

Dear Lord, help me to notice

areas of my life that need

changing. Keep me from being

prideful, selfish, or arrogant. Make my

heart chaste, Lord; and, help to ensure

that my "outside" lines up with my

"inside." Help me to present myself to

others in a way that points to you, and

not to me. Amen.

Reading this book with my daughters touches my heart. It reminds me what it feels like to be a young lady, trying to find her way. And it helps me illustrate to my daughters the importance of living a pure life, holy and acceptable unto God. My daughters are enjoying the stories and asking lots of questions. It is reminding me of the importance of searching my own heart on a daily basis. It truly is all about our hearts, having hearts turned towards God.

The recommended age is 8-15, but I suggest using your own discernment as some topics may be a little mature, although all topics are covered in good taste.

If all our daughters could learn lessons such as this at a young age, what a difference it would make. Again, it is all about the heart, purity of heart.

"If a young woman is truly acting in love toward her brother (yes, the guys in your life are your brothers), she won't risk his heart or his purity by seeking to be pursued in a way that is outside of God's will. She won't play with his emotions or (by her actions, words, or dress) tempt him to think of her in an inappropriate way simply to satisfy some sort of fleshly desire inside herself."

What a treasure this book is. How thrilled I am to have found it. How excited I am to continue on this journey with my precious daughters.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Journeys of Faithfulness - A Review

2012-11-06T01:07:00.001-05:00

Presents...

Journeys of Faithfulness: Stories of life and faith for young christian women


$13.00

Recommended for ages 12 and up

By Sarah Clarkson

From the website
"A wonderful gift for mothers and their daughters! Sarah Clarkson challenges young women to reach higher and go deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ by exploring the spiritual journeys of biblical women whose faith moves and inspires us even today. Celebrate the beauty, sacrifice, and courage that made these women the heroines they are with this collection of inspirational stories and devotions. Through the journeys of Ruth, Esther, Mary, and others, learn how God can reach into the life of an ordinary girl who loves Him and bring His beauty and grace to bear in the world through her obedience. Recommended for ages 12 and up."

Sample Chapter

Table of Contents

More wonderful products available from Apologia.

More about the author, Sarah Clarkson.

Our Thoughts:

Sarah's book is full of stories of "life and faith" for young Christian women, but also plenty challenging for more mature women as well. You will walk along side Mary & Martha, Mary (mother of Jesus), Esther, and Ruth. The stories of Esther and Ruth are my favorite stories of the Bible. Stories of women who were willing to do the right thing, no matter the cost. Women who put God first in their lives.

Sarah takes the facts from the Bible, and intertwines them into longer, more detailed stories. Stories that allow us a glimpse into these women's hearts: their struggles and heartbreaks, their dreams and hopes, their deep love for God and for their families. I did stress to my daughters that the stories in this study were based on non-fiction, but that the author had used dramatic license to add details, not portrayed in the Bible.

After each story, Sarah shares a devotional with the reader, using personal stories from her own lives. Then she follows it up with several Bible passages to read and ponder, with questions provided for a deeper study. Sarah wants to challenge young Christian women to "reach higher and go deeper in her relationship with Jesus Christ by choosing well and staying the course in her walk with God." It covers topics such as taking the time to "just be" in the presence of God, to not always be busy, but to take time to just be. She also reminds young ladies of the importance of knowing and believing without a shadow of a doubt, because everything else in your Christian life is based on that foundation.

I found this to be an interesting study. When we read Bible passages, we hear the stories and think, "Wow, they were true heroines. They did the right thing." But when we read these narrations in the study, we take the time to ponder their hearts, and think about their struggles. Maybe they were scared. Maybe they were discouraged. Maybe, at least for a short time, they felt that Jesus had let them down. We see that these heroines were human, with the same struggles that we have, the same emotions we have, but when it came time to make a choice, they chose God.

The topics are challenging and thought-provoking. The stories, about some of the Bible's amazing women, are engaging and endearing. The recommended age is 12 and up. I used this study as a read-aloud with my 10 and 13 year old daughters. I, personally, think the recommended age is a bit low. It felt to me like the book was written at an adult level, and I (as an adult) found some of the Bible Study questions to be challenging. I would recommended about 14-15 years old and up. I liked the idea of using the guide as a mother/daughter devotional study.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Activity Bags - A Review

2012-11-04T00:28:00.001-04:00

Preschool Ebooks by Sherri MacLean and Paula Reetz
Ages 3-6

Science Ebooks by Sherri MacLean
Grades K - 8th grade

Other products available from Activity Bags:
Reading Games
Travel Activities
Math Games
Coordinator Handbook (FREE)
Daily Activity Journal

$15 per Ebook. Some bundle pricing is available

This book provides examples of 25 simple experiments that you can do with your children.

Sample from Science #1

This Ebook has 25 more experiments.

Sample from Science #2

This Ebook also has 25 experiments.

This Ebook features 34 activities that can be independently done and put away by preschoolers.

Sample from Preschool #1.

This Ebook features 33 activities that can be independently done and put away by preschoolers.

Sample from Preschool #2.

Our Thoughts:

I had heard about the Preschool Activity Bags and was intrigued by the idea. I think most homeschool moms with preschoolers have asked the same question over the years. What can I do for my little preschoolers doing our family's homeschool hours? What activities, safe and educational, can they work on independently for short periods of time? What items can we keep in a storage tub to pull out during times when my older children need my attention for tough subjects?

The Preschool Activity Bag sounded like it just might have the answer to all of these questions. But it gets even better! I didn't know they offered even more solutions, like the science experiments activity bags. Science is a topic that doesn't come easily to me. Not so much that I don't understand it or that I don't enjoy learning about it, but that planning and setting up experiments isn't my strong suit. So, we don't do as many experiments as we could. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this company also offers the science experiment ideas.

I am so impressed with the detail that has gone into these Ebooks.

In the preschool Ebooks, you will find an "activity skills chart". You can pick specific kits for color, hand/eye coordination, patterning, and more. The Ebook has an "activities at a glance", which lists each activity along with the skills learned, general supplies needed, and masters needed for the kit. It includes tips, frequently asked questions, and plans for coordinating a swap with other families.

Each activity provides a supply list, detailed instructions on how to assemble the kit, and detailed instructions on how to use the activity.

After you complete the kit, store it in a storage bag. Then store all the bags into a carton, storage tub, etc. This way, all the kits are easily accessible for your little preschooler. It is important to teach your child to clean up one activity before pulling out another, or else you will end up with a jumbled mess of kits all mixed together.

I am so pleased with this concept, the variety of choices, the detailed instructions, and that so many of the supplies are either ones you probably already have on hand or can purchase cheaply. And most importantly, these are the kinds of activities that the little guys and gals LOVE, plus they will learn while they are at it.

Check out this great idea!

There is a spoon for each letter of the alphabet, both upper-case and lower-case. My 13 year old daughter labeled the spoons for me. We thought of several ways to use these, and I'm sure there are more.

Use as intended, and match the upper-case with it's lower-case.

Use to practice alphabetical order.

Or use them to spell words.

In the science experiment Ebook, you will find the same great quality as in the preschool Ebooks. Frequently asked questions, tips, etc. The experiments give detailed instructions for how to make the bag and also for how to perform the experiment. The experiments also provide observation questions and a space for notes.

I appreciate that these are simple experiments which require easily-available supplies. But simple doesn't mean boring. These are creative, fun, and educational.

Check out this experiment, called Can Crusher. We boiled a tiny amount of water in the can, then immediately after removing it from the heat, we used tongs to quickly immerse it upside down into a bowl of ice water. The immediate implosion was so exciting that we did the experiment three times in a row. But the Ebook doesn't just tell you how to perform the experiment. It also asks observation questions, then it includes the explanation about why the result happened. What exactly was taking place inside of that can to cause such an impressive implosion? The Ebook will tell you all about it.

Final Thoughts:
I am so happy to be chosen for this review. The preschool activity bag Ebooks are even better than I dreamed they would be. So many ideas and so simple. Yes they take time, but they aren't difficult. And once they are made, you will have a treasure trove of activities for your little one.

The science experiment Ebooks are a welcome addition to our home. I love the idea of our family doing more experiments on a regular basis. And these are just the key to getting that done, with little expense and little prep, but with GREAT rewards.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Sugar Creek Gang Audio CDs - A Review

2012-10-30T15:19:00.000-04:00

Beloved Books Presents:

Sugar Creek Gang Audio CDs

Each Volume - $54.95

Entire Set of Volumes 1-6 - $279.70

Thanks to the great folks at Beloved Books, we have a...
SPECIAL COUPON CODE for my blog readers: Receive 20% off of your order with this code - "WLTH-20"

From Their Site:

"In 1939, Paul Hutchens began writing a series of wholesome Christian adventure books for boys and girls. Several years ago Paul Ramseyer was inspired to dramatize the book series for radio. Now your family can own and enjoy the complete 36-book audio series... over 100 hours on 72 CDs!

These Sugar Creek Gang "Audio Adventures" are dramatically read straight from the original books. Christian families LOVE this series because the gospel message is presented in such a simple, easy-to-understand style. The whole series is, in fact, a discipleship journey... even parents who listen along witness the Holy Spirit working changes in their own hearts!

Families also enjoy the delightfully interspersed segments of nature study, poetry, hymns, and even science lessons... all skillfully woven into the fabric of the stories."

You may also like to know that Paul Hutchens' autobiography, "My Life and I", has also been put onto an Audio CD.

If you are undecided, you may wish to purchase a sample CD of the 1st story, "Swamp Robber" for $4.95, with FREE shipping.

If you are still undecided, read these wonderful testimonies from listeners. And I don't know what higher recommendation I can give than this. One of my fellow crew members mentioned that her daughter accepted Jesus as Savior, after listening to one of the Sugar Creek Gang audio CDs! Wow, all I can say is, "Wow!"

Beloved Books offers MANY other inspiring books and audio CDs. What an amazing collection!

Our Thoughts:

I like a good story. I love a good story that throws in Christian values and the Salvation story.

I listened to the Audio CD with my entire family: me, hubby, 13 yo daughter, 10 yo daughter, and 3 yo daughter.

I liked the wholesome feel of these stories: love of God, respect of parents, devotion to friends. It has so many built-in values, life lessons, and Christian Values, even mentions of accepting Jesus as Savior. I didn't have to worry that something inappropriate would pop-up in the middle of the story. I felt that my children would be grow in wisdom and deepen their values and faith, by listening to these stories.

The narrator, Paul Ramseyer, did a wonderful job of telling these stories. He puts so much emotion, enthusiasm, and feeling into the telling.

These stories are taken straight from the original storybooks. The story lines and tone of the narration reminded me of the TV show, "Leave it to Beaver". I'm thinking that if you enjoyed that show (the stories, the values, etc.), you will enjoy these stories. I loved that show, and I love these stories.

But, sadly, my daughters did not enjoy the Audio CDs. Why? I'm not sure. For one thing, they don't particularly enjoy listening to Audio CDs. They prefer to read the book, or have me read the book to them. Possibly, a story about a bunch of boys "doing boy-ish things" doesn't particularly appeal to them. Whatever the reason, they just didn't get into it.

BUT, I do like them a lot. I found it entertaining and uplifting. It was like a "breath of fresh air" compared to a lot of the "fluff" out there passing as children's literature. And many of the other crew members have children (boys and girls) who love, love, love the stories. So I encourage you to give it a try. You may wish to purchase a sample CD of the 1st story, "Swamp Robber" for $4.95, with FREE shipping. If your children listen to and enjoy these stories, I truly believe it will have a positive impact on their lives and their relationship with family, friends, and God.

I plan to continue to listen to these stories, even if I listen to them alone. :)

REMEMBER! Thanks to the great folks at Beloved Books, we have a...
SPECIAL COUPON CODE for my blog readers: Receive 20% off of your order with this code - "WLTH-20"

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Samson's Classroom - A Review

2012-10-29T11:29:00.003-04:00

Samson's Classroom

Home Plan for 1 user - $30/year
Family Plan for 4 users - $50/year

Three great programs for one great price:

Sight Words with Samson - For beginning readers

From their site -

Sight Words with Samson is an absolute must for all beginning readers. This software product is the complete package for teachers and administrators looking to give their students the necessary foundation they need to become successful readers. This engaging product is proven to help early readers master the 224 most commonly used words in the English language.

Spelling with Samson - Up to 5th grade

From their site -
With more than 5,000 words and counting, Spelling with Samson is the most comprehensive spelling product on the market. This amazing software package captivates students and provides educators with all the tools they need to improve the spelling ability of their students. Join the thousands of teachers from across the country that have already made Spelling with Samson a part of their classroom.

Reading with Samson - For reading comprehension

From their site -
Reading with Samson combines everything you have come to expect from the Samson product line with a new patented user feedback system. The end result is a cutting edge software product that helps students analyze reading material and learn how to draw conclusions and answer questions based on that material.

Samson's Classroom also includes teacher resources, including some great printable worksheets.

Try out some of the Samson's Classroom DEMOS .

Or check out this 3 minute VIDEO.

Our Thoughts:

An online learning game with something for all 3 of my children for less than $5 a month. Sounds like a winner to me. So what is it all about and how did it work for us?

My youngest turns 4 next month, so I am super excited to start using Sight
Words with Samson with her in the next few months. It looks like a super fun way to introduce her to reading.

My two older daughters spent a good deal of time working their way through Spelling with Samson and Reading with Samson.

In the spelling section, your student can either pick from a spelling list of your creation or from the provided KNOWLEDGE WAND LIST. We chose to work from the provided list. It has tons of choices. You can choose a list based on grade level up to the 5th grade. Or you can choose by a common theme, such as "Days of the Week" or "Farm Animals". Each list is composed of 4 sections.

1. Study Zone - to study and master the words in your list. Each word is click-able. You can hear the word, hear the word in a sentence, and hear the word spelled.

2. Missing Letters - help Samson karate chop his way through the missing letters for each word. It is very cute. If you guess correctly, Samson chops through the blocks of wood. If you guess incorrectly, Samson attempts to chop the wood, fails, and then rubs his hand.

3. Spelling Scramble - watch out for the tarantula, while gathering the letters to turn them into words. (I will point out that my 5th grader found the Spelling Scramble game to be frustrating. It is difficult to navigate Samson around the screen and trying to avoid a spider that you can't see until the last minute was not her idea of fun. But after he catches you, the pressure is off and you can focus on just rounding up the letters. My hint to you would be, just let him catch you and then concentrate on getting the letters.)

4. Crunch Time - try to spell the words correctly, quickly enough to keep from falling off the ice chunks, to avoid the walrus.

I found the words to be challenging enough for my 5th grader. Some of the more complicated, longer words were even helpful for my 8th grader. It was a fun way to learn and it proved to be effective. After just a little practice, they would be scoring 100% on their word lists. And it was great for the parent as well. With just a quick glance, I could see which word lists they had practiced and which ones they had perfect scores on. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, you have the option of making your own word lists.

Crunch Time was their favorite game in the spelling section.

In the reading comprehension section, your student will read a selected passage and then answer questions related to it. There are 4 levels of difficulty to choose from. If you get an answer wrong, it will highlight the relevant passage and give you another chance. I again appreciate how easy it is for me to see my child's progress. At a glance, I can see which passages they read, and also how many questions were right, wrong, needed a hint (highlighting selected passage), or were unanswered.

Reading comprehension is very important to me. It doesn't matter how well you read, if you don't take anything away from it. I found this to be a quick and easy way to improve my daughters' skills, with just a few minutes a few times a week.

My 5th grader's favorite section was the spelling. My 8th grader's favorite section was the reading. Of course, the articles weren't very challenging for her. But it reminded her of the importance of paying attention to details...and not just reading to read.

I am very pleased with this product, as a supplement to our homeschool curriculum. For less than $5/month, it is a quick and easy and fun way for a student to get a regular review of her spelling and reading comp. skills. It is also a great way for a parent to get a nice overview of how their child is doing in these areas. All the printables and resources for the homeschool parent are a definite bonus.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Pilgrim Story from DaySpring - A Review

2012-10-15T23:46:00.000-04:00

Pilgrim Story Online Course from DaySpring Christian Academy
Grades 3 - 6
$99

Other online courses are available.

About the course (from their website):

"The Pilgrim Story teaches children about one of the most important times in our nation’s history. It is America’s foundation. This self-guided, interactive history course teaches students the true history of the Pilgrims from original sources. The Principle Approach method of education is used, which holds a providential view of history. Students are taught the importance of Christian character and other biblical principles, such as self governance, hard work, and perseverance. Students also learn the biblical principles of Christian liberty.

Lessons include: King Henry, Geneva Bible, Liberty of Conscience, Leaving Leiden, Conditions on the Mayflower, Building Christian Character, the Mayflower Compact, and much more. Students witness the providence of God in the lives of the Pilgrims and the founding of America. This interactive, self-paced course consists of five units totaling 17 lessons complete with assessments and ideas for further study. Appropriate for grades 3-6.

Activities in the course include crafts, application, live action, map-making, and much more—all designed to get students involved in the learning process. Principle Approach students are taught to think and reason from biblical principles and apply them to every area of life, so reasoning questions are also included."

About the instructor (from their site):

"Mary Stauffer has taught third grade at Dayspring Christian Academy since 1994. She has led more than 20 guided tours of Plymouth, MA, and uses the words of our forefathers as found in primary sources to teach the Pilgrim story. She also lectures on the subject to the community and is passionate about teaching and preserving the truth of our nation’s past."

What we thought:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this course. What a great way to learn about history. I wish we could take more history courses in this format. It is fun, interesting, interactive, and contains a wealth of information.

First, I love history. Second, I love learning about the Pilgrim time period. Third, I hate using textbooks for history. So...it would stand to reason that this course would be a winner in my book. And well, it is!

The PILGRIM STORY is an online course, self-paced with 6 months to complete the course. So, your student can progress at their own pace, as it is convenient for your family. The course is broken up into manageable bites, covering a different aspect each time such as King Henry or the Geneva Bible. I think it covers each topic very well, and the added touches of pictures and quotes are very nice. Activity sheets are included for each lesson, including the notebooking pages. The answers are underlined in the text of the lessons. So your child gets the really important details three times. Once when they hear it, Again when they read the underlined words. And yet again, when they write down the words on their notebooking pages. I do wish that the underlined phrases would show up AFTER the instructor is finished speaking on that topic. Because I noticed my daughters reading it and beginning to write it down, while the instructor was still talking and expanding on the topics. Which means, that they were already zoning out and moving on to writing down the answer.

We broke the lessons down into more manageable sizes. I am guessing a lesson is intended for one day, but we almost always break it up into two days. I do wish it was easier to find your place when you log back in. I had to pull up the table of contents and search for which topic looked familiar, as our stopping place from the day before.

A nice review is included at the end of a lesson and again at the beginning of the next lesson. At the end of each unit, there is a unit test. You can choose essay or multiple choice style. We chose multiple choice.

I am glad to see a course about the Pilgrims for a Christian perspective. I appreciate that the story starts a ways back before the Pilgrims come onto the scene. It was interesting to see the events that led up to their decision to start over in a new country. They were Christians who were committed to living like Christians, no matter the cost. Their number one priority was to have a clean conscience before God.

The included printables are a nice addition. It is up to you to decide which ones you want to include in your lessons. There are notebooking pages, vocabulary words, lists of important people, interesting charts to fill out, etc. There are "cool" ones like translating a Bible verse from the original text. There are "thought-provoking" ones such as listing our external (clothing, food, etc) and internal property (talents, hopes and dreams, etc.) and thanking God for both.

I am super-excited to see a course like this available. It is thorough, interactive, multi-sensory, interesting, and informative. It is a great way to help share our Christian heritage with our children.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Kinderbach App for IPad - A Review

2012-10-15T00:35:00.001-04:00

Kinderbach: Simply Discover Piano...an App for IPad

$26.99 for full ad-free Classroom Version

Special! Special! Special!

This coupon code gives 30% off any order - homeschool, classroom, online or DVDs.

Coupon Code: TOS_crew2012

Expires: 12/31/2012

Also the KinderBach App is on sale This Friday, Oct. 19th, 2012 ONLY. The app will be discounted over 50%, down to $12.99! No code needed just the link to the Classroom KinderBach app in the App store:

https://itunes.apple.com/app/classroom-kinderbach-school/id534998629?mt=8

An online computer version is also available, if you prefer. Here are some samples.

by the company Kinderbach

Geared towards ages 3-7

Brief description from the website:
KinderBach's App for iPad or iPhone brings the teachings of Karri Gregor to your device. The KB App features Levels 1, 2 & 3 and offers a year's worth of entertaining music education for 3 to 7 year old children through video, interactive coloring pages and games. Miss Karri introduces preschoolers to the keyboard characters with stories and fun tunes. Kids will enjoy playing simple songs, identifying music direction and pitch, learning rhythm notes and their beat value. Levels 1 to 3 cover proper hand and finger position, as well as note reading by pattern for voice, and keyboard.

Instructor: Karri Gregor

Karri began teaching her children piano when they were very young. Gradually she worked her way up to teaching 150 students. After moving, she decided to begin teaching by videos so that students would be able to learn, even if she were to move again. You can read the story in more detail on her website.

The Course Syllabus can be seen here.

Kinderbach provides many on-screen activity sheets. They are a great addition to the program, both to entertain and to reinforce. They were a big hit with my daughter.

Before you know it, your little one will be playing songs.

This is the 3rd time that I have reviewed Kinderbach. The 1st and 2nd times, I reviewed the online program. You may wish to read those reviews as well.

I am a huge fan of Kinderbach. It is such a great way to introduce the little ones to music, piano, and sheet reading. Karri makes it fun, with the cute little characters like Dodi and the neat little correlations like Dodi's house being between the two black keys.

It teaches how to keep rhythm and time, with things such as clapping to a steady walking beat. And Karri reminds us that most anything can be used as a musical instrument, to keep the beat value.

Karri's videos are short and sweet and she is good at keeping a young child's attention. Her voice is pleasant to listen to, which is very important. Each sesction is broken into 5 sections (an intro and 4 short sessions). It also includes a game and printable worksheets, if you have the ability to print.

If your child is just in a playing kind of mood, he can go straight to the game section and choose an activity from there. It includes a cute little game for teaching children the correct finger numbering.

Of course one neat feauture of the I-Pad app is that it has a built-in piano. This simplifies matters, so that you can use the app most anywhere without having to be near a computer. My 3 year old daughter thought this was super cool.

I think the Kinderbach program is a wonderful program. It is geared directly to the preschool set, with the lively videos and songs. My 3 year old enjoyed the lessons and the games. She enjoyed keeping the beat value, preferring to use the built-in keyboard as her instrument of choice. She quickly caught on to the fingering game, even though this was a totally new concept to her. She has already begun learning some very invaluable information, and having fun at the same time.

I think the Kinderbach program is great. Whether you decide to go with the online version or with the Ipad App, I think your prechsooler will not only enjoy it, but benefit and learn from it.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

ZooWhiz - A Review

2012-10-10T00:08:00.000-04:00

ZooWhiz - brought to you by EdAlive
Designed for ages 5 -15
The site offers a Free Keeper Subscription

and also a Premium Zoologist Subscription - currently $14.95/year (This is the subscription I reviewed)

Many children, mine included, love choosing their own avatar for online games

About ZooWhiz, in their words:
"It’s FREE for you to use with your kids at home. Just create a FREE Keeper Account and they’re away!

For even more motivation and learning power upgrade to the very affordable PREMIUM Zoologist Subscription
The educational content is drawn from a bank of over 17,000 carefully-crafted, finely-incremented learning activities
Comprehensive coverage of maths, punctuation, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, word skills, phonics, phonemics and reading
Designed for kids aged 5 to 15 with plenty of scope to assist those finding work hard and opportunity to extend even the most able student."

From the home page, students choose their activities, including "Learn & Earn"

Difficulty levels are customizable by age range. You can go up and down as needed and view activity results within each level.

ZooWhiz makes math more fun and interactive.

What a cute way to practice grammar.

ZooWhiz covers most of the basics, including phonics, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary.

With those hard-earned coins, children can buy animals at the zoo. They can also play games at the arcade.

So the basic premise is this. You choose the grade level you would like your child to learn at; you can always change it later. Your student uses the "Learn and Earn" section to practice math and English skills. After earning money, they can use the money in the "Arcade" to play games and also in the "Biodome" to buy animals for the zoo.

What my daughters and I enjoyed about ZooWhiz:

1. It makes learning more fun. It is interactive and colorful.

2. There is an incentive to learn, earning coins for the other activities.

3. They enjoyed the arcade games very much.

4. Age range levels are adjustable. If you find the questions are all too difficult, you can go down a level. If you find the questions aren't challenging enough, you can go up a level.

5. The price is VERY reasonable at only $14.95 a year for the Zoologist Subscription. This is the subscription level we reviewed, so all my opinions are based on this subscription.

What my daughters and I didn't enjoy as much about ZooWhiz:

1. In the "Learn and Earn" section, you do earn coins for getting questions right. But you also lose coins, for getting questions wrong. This was discouraging to my girls. It made them hesitant to try on questions they weren't sure about.

2. Games are 50 coins each and are timed. I know this is so children will spend more time on the learning and less time on the arcades. But the time just isn't long enough. My daughters would choose the coloring game and not even finishing "painting" the picture before the timer would go off. Then it would cost them another 50 coins to go back into the game and finish. Thankfully, the game does save your progress. You don't have to start over on the game.
3. The animals that you buy for the zoo aren't at all interactive. They are more like trading cards. Just something to look at and read about (habitat, diet, etc.). My daughters expected to be able to do something with the animals. But that isn't the case.
They quickly lost interest in purchasing them and went back to the arcades.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Beeyoutiful Prodcuts - A Review

2012-10-08T00:17:00.000-04:00

Beeyoutiful Presents: Berry Well, Miracle Skin Salve, Ow!-Ease, and Lip B.A.L.M.

Beeyoutiful is a wonderful company. I have reviewed from them in the past and have also purchased from them. They are a Christian company, very serious about customer service and quality products.

The BEAUTIFUL company, BEEYOUTIFUL, sent me an assortment of products to review. I will list them separately and tell you about my experiences.

Berry Well 8oz. - $19.75

From the site - "Never fear the flu when you keep Berry Well on hand. Each ingredient in this pleasantly fruity syrup holds its own against flu, colds, and a swarm of bacterial and viral infections. This organic Elderberry Syrup contains Propolis, Raw Honey, and Echinacea."

I have read rave reviews about Berry Well, so I was eager to try it for myself. When we opened the bottle, my family all smelled it and no one else volunteered to try it. But I did and have taken it over the course of the past few weeks. I find the taste to be strong and it causes me to shiver. But I don't mind. I take medicine to feel better, not because I do or don't like the taste. So anyway, I have been taking it and haven't gotten sick. But neither has the rest of my family, for which I am grateful. So I wasn't sure what I was going to say in my review. But then I watched the included DVD and saw that it can also be used for allergies. Well, soon after that my allergies acted up. My nose drove me nuts for hours. Then I remembered about Berry Well. I took it and noticed a great improvement within 30 minutes. This was after hours of being miserable, and then BAM!, it was so much better.

Miracle Skin Salve 2oz - $15.00 or 4oz - $25.00

From the site - "Don’t be rash! Miracle Skin Salve promotes deep healing and restoration using a soothing blend of organic herbs and oils. From sunburn, chapped lips, and diaper rash to painful wounds and burns, apply salve as often as needed and watch your skin smile!"

I had an allergic reaction on my wrist after weeding in the yard. It remained there for several weeks. Then after weeding again, I had a reaction on my other wrist. Both continued to flare up and itch. Then I received this product. I slathered it on both wrists. And I am not kidding! It has been about 3 weeks now, and the rashes are completely and haven't bothered me since that day.

Ow!-Ease 1oz - $15.00

From the site - "Ease your pain away. Using a proprietary blend of herbs, Ow!-Ease relieves pain associated with sprains, strains and pulled ligaments and muscles, bruises, and contusions. It works quickly and effectively to help reduce swelling and muscle pain, and is excellent as a rub for body builders, construction workers, and gardeners alike. The amazing qualities of these herbs work synergistically to soothe, restore, and actually speed tissue healing."

One of my daughters had her foot stepped on while wearing flip-flops. It was very painful and sore. I put the Ow!-Ease on it and she found it provided relief. Kind of like a numbed tingling feeling.

One of my other daughters had a bad bruise on her leg. I had her apply this a few times. Although she didn't like the greasy feeling, she did find it helpful and soothing.

Lip B.A.L.M. - $3.00

From the site - "Who hasn’t struggled at some point with dry, chapped lips?

Either during the dry winter months, after being outside gardening or during sporting events, or even during a cold. Conventional lip moisturizers can be harsh and even damaging to fragile lip membranes with chemicals and fuel derived bases. Beeyoutiful’s all natural Lip Balms offer you a choice of a soothing, healing lip balm that you can be confident in the ingredients, knowing you are using the very best on your lips!
The convenient size fits in your purse, pocket, diaper bag or gym bag for easy access wherever you may be."

One of my daughters suffers from constant chapped lips. She is constantly hunting for lip moisturizers around the house to provide relief, when her lips are hurting. So, receiving lip moisturizer to review is a big hit around our house. I love that this lip balm is all natural. I don't have to worry about what my daughter is putting on her lips. Or if she were to lick her lips, what she would be putting into her system. No chemicals here.

Beeyoutiful Views DVD - $3.00

From the site - "In this DVD, Stephanie Tallent shares how she uses some of the most popular Beeyoutiful products in her home with her husband Steve and daughter Noelle."

I thought this DVD would just be an ad to try to sell products. But it was more than that. It took us into Stephanie's home and showed us how they used the products in real life situations. I learned some interesting facts and appreciated her candor.

Overall, I am impressed with this company and with their products. I love that their products not only work, but that they are also made up of natural ingredients instead of harmful chemicals.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Box of I.D.E.As - Pearl Harbor - A Review

2012-10-03T23:57:00.000-04:00

World War II - Pearl Harbor
$79.00
Age Range: Approx. 9 - 16 years of age

Presented by

Box of I.D.E.As. offers several other unit studies are available, including salt and quilting.

A little about Box of I.D.E.As. from their site:
"Box of IDEAs are ideal for teaching multi level students, focusing on age 9 to 16. Designed to get kids off the computer and around the table, Box of IDEAS are great to supplement your current curriculum but can also be used for homeschool group activity, summertime learning and as a break from the normal routine"

A little about the Pearl Harbor box from their site:
" World War Two Pearl Harbor is an in depth look into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the events surrounding the United States entry into World War Two, specifically in the Pacific. This box not only deals with the attack itself but everything that came before and after. This detailed exploration of the "date that will live in infamy" will not only expose your kids to a detailed history of events but also to aspects of the big picture that you may have never thought of before. Never before have you seen such a comprehensive overview of this important part of World War Two including all that came before and after."

Our Thoughts:

At the end of the last school year, my family finished up a unit study on Pearl Harbor. So when the Box of I.D.E.As came up for review, of course I picked the unit about Pearl Harbor. I had enjoyed the study and was curious to see what else we could learn about it.

Not only did I like the topic, but I also liked the idea of having all the work done and ready for me. Each topic is bagged up separately, ready for use when you need it. A list of "extras" needed is listed right on the bag's label...things like a ruler or scissors. I am thankful to have received the box edition. I imagine the PDF version would get rather pricey, with all the color printing.

Topics include...
     Before becoming a base
     Beginning of a Naval Presence
     A Week Before the Attack
     Day of Infamy
     Day After the Attack
     Weeks After the Attack
     Six Months After the Attack
     A Year After the Attack
   Victory Over Japan
   Decades After the Attack

There are 10 modules in this box. The site mentions that the modules can be studied in any order, but I recommend that with a history topic, you start at the beginning...Especially if you have a limited knowledge of the subject. The first module starts before the bombings, before Pearl Harbor was a military base.

When you pick up a bagged module, you will notice a list of required items, usually something as simple as a pencil. You will also see a quote. I personally am a sucker for quotes; I LOVE them. This can be used for copy-work or simply to ponder. On the module about journalism, you will find this quote.

"I don't think a reporter should give advice or make predictions, " Peter Jennings

I found it amusing to read about how journalists should be un-biased and neutral, with "just the facts, ma'am." If only! Boy, how far we have strayed from that goal.

Inside the bag, you will find a brief introduction to the topic. The information was interesting and we did learn things we hadn't learned last year during our unit study. I appreciated that the study began before the attack, giving some background, and that it continued on years after the attack. It gave us a nice overall look at the attack on Pearl Harbor. But some lessons were shorter than others, and those left me wanting for more. I would love to see more details. However, the info sheet does include web-links for further study.

Along with the lesson is a worksheet. The worksheet is a nice way to see how much your child learned from the lesson. It gives us a chance to put the lesson into action. For example, in the 1st module titled "Before Becoming a Base," students will measure pictures of pearls. In the 5th module titled "Day After the Attack," students read articles from the day after the attack and note which ones gave opinions and which ones gave just the facts. Then they will do some journalism of their own, again some with just the facts and some including opinions.

Each lesson, or module, also includes an activity. Putting a deck of cards (featuring noteworthy events during the attack) into timeline order was probably my daughters' favorite. There were also activities such as a game similar to "Go Fish" using a deck of cards featuring endangered animals. One activity was using copies of actual newspaper headlines to answer a variety of questions. My girls would have enjoyed this activity and were looking forward to trying it out. But many of the copies had print so tiny and blurry, that we could barely read more than the headlines. Since we couldn't read the articles, we weren't able to answer the questions. But just looking at the print copies from the day after the bombing was a history lesson, in and of itself.

The included materials, such as the newspaper copies, truly are a history lesson. These were some of the most enjoyable parts of the study. Seeing a copy of President Roosevelt's marked-up speech for Congress. Looking over articles from across the nation printed on December 8, 1941. Actual photos from Pearl Harbor on the back of activity cards. I like that the company included so many visual aids, in addition to the included web-links.

My daughters did mention that a lot of the activities seemed very similar, just being variations of card games. Although the cards were colorful and interesting, it kind of seemed repetitive. I don't think this is a big deal. It is just one part of the bigger picture...including worksheets, web-links, and extra research and assignments. But that being said, I do think it would be nice to add a few extra hands-on activities (not card related).

Box of I.D.E.As is an interesting idea and a creative product. It makes history easier to teach and more fun to learn. The worksheets, the web-links, the activities. It is very hands-on and user friendly.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Lewis & Clark by Homeschool Legacy - A Review

2012-09-26T01:15:00.002-04:00

"Lewis & Clark: From Sea to Shining Sea" Once-a-Week Unit Study

by Homeschool Legacy

$19.95

Grades 2 - 12

Several other topics, in both history and science, are also available.

More details from the website:

"Get on board! Join Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery as they explore Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana purchase and expand America's borders from sea to shining sea.

Lewis & Clark: From Sea to Shining Sea is a fascinating 7-week unit study that will take you back in time and introduce you to the explorers of New France, Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as Thomas Jefferson and his Louisiana Purchase, before setting off on an adventure of a lifetime!

(Boy Scouts earn their Nature merit badge/American Heritage Girls earn their Nature & Wildlife badge.)

*Biblically Centered
*Easy No Prep Unit Study
*BSA Nature Merit Badge
*AHG Nature & Wildlife Badge

Our Thoughts:

Wow, I feel like I am saying this a lot lately. But it just keeps coming up. And it is a subject near and dear to me. I don't like textbooks for history. They tend to be dry and boring, and quickly pass from one subject to another without delving into any topic for long.

I prefer to use living books, unit studies, documentaries, etc. So, Homeschool Legacy's products are "right up my alley." I love history and I love living books and I love unit studies. So what is there for me not to like about this program? I think this program is awesome.

I chose the Lewis and Clark unit study because my 13 year old daughter was in a play last year called, "The Westward Movement" and it had a scene about Lewis and Clark. So I figured we would spend some time learning more about it. It was a great choice. This is such an amazing story, full of adventure and hardship, perseverance and God's guiding hand through it all.

Sharon Gibson has done all the prep work for you. You simply read it and use it. It truly is that simple. Your whole family can come together for the unit study, targeting grades 2 - 12. Lists of reading books to choose from are included for each week's topic, ranging from pre-readers to advanced readers. And if you choose to make it more challenging for older students, Sharon suggests using the included Dewey Decimal location to find suitable books in the adult section. Only specially marked books on the list are required reading. The rest are up to you, as the parent, to pick and choose, which also makes it easier to find a suitable substitute if your library doesn't have an exact title. If you decide to substitute, keep in mind that the choices listed in the unit study have already been carefully screened. She even mentions "need-to-knows" like the movie selection of "Bears" having one reference to tens of thousands of years.

This program makes it easy to improvise and adjust to what works for you. But the suggested schedule is to assign the independent and group readings on your "regular" school days. Then work on the "once-a-week" activities on Wednesdays, leaving time on Fridays or Saturdays for Family Game/Movie night and field trips. Ms. Gibson includes a movie each week to go along with the studies, readily available from NetFlix (and possibly your library). This is a very do-able schedule. Wednesday gives a nice break from the text books, while still learning plenty and Fridays give the children something special to look forward to, which is still related to the weekly study.

I love that character training is built into the program. For example, the Corps "persevered" through some very trying times, things that would have sent many of us running. So the family devotion for Week 5 will focus on perseverance. Of course, with the mention of the Fruit of the Spirit in Week 6, my daughters broke into song. They memorized a song about the Fruit of the Spirit several years ago. So any time the Fruit comes up, they burst into song.

Geography studies flow naturally throughout the unit. Seeing an outlined map of how the United States doubled in size over night with the Louisiana Purchase was mind-blowing. Can you imagine? A country doubling in size without a single gun being fired? Without a single life being lost? I kept emphasizing this to my daughters, wanting to make sure they really got it. This is just unheard of. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the President jumped on it.

I also appreciate how Ms. Gibson ties in other events going on at the same time, to help put things into perspective and to help us see how these events were just a small part of the big scheme. Did you realize that Napoleon Bonaparte was ruling during the same time as the Louisiana Purchase? Or that he had intentions of landing at the Port of New Orleans, before incurring a major setback? Did you know that the Corps gave a slave equal voting rights when deciding where to camp for the winter? This was 65 years before slaves had the "official" right to vote in the United States. After learning that Native Americans weren't allowed to vote until 1924, my 13 year old commented that "we" haven't always been very nice. She is so right. We should celebrate our triumphs, like the major feat of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. But also should learn from the mistakes of the past, like prejudice. And that we don't always have to go with the "flow". Lewis and Clark definitely went against the norm of the time by allowing both Sacagawea and Clark's slave an equal vote.

Fort Clatsop - Winter Quarters

Art projects, science experiments, composition assignments, and more. This unit study truly is well rounded and thorough. This unit study covers a variety of subjects, using a variety of learning styles.

Each lesson ends with a "Stump Your Dad" trivia. I haven't met a child yet who isn't thrilled to show up a parent, to proudly know a fact that mom or dad doesn't know. One of my sensitive little girls melted my heart though. She said that she thought the name should be changed to something else, like "Stump an Adult". Because if a child didn't have a dad, she would be sad every time she read the title. Sweet girl.

If you would like to know more about how it all works and how to put it to use, here is a detailed suggested schedule.

I highly recommend this series. It is so easy to use. It uses the Living Book and Unit Study approach which I love. It makes it easy to incorporate my whole family. The books and movies are already selected and pre-screened for me. Art projects and science activities are planned out for me. Research and composition assignments are great for the older children. Younger children can share what they have learned verbally or write just a few lines, depending on their age.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

A Cry From Egypt - A Review

2012-09-23T23:20:00.000-04:00

A Cry From Egypt
- Book One of The Promised Land
- by homeschool graduate, Hope Auer
- illustrated by homeschool graduate, Mike Slaton

- $12.50 for advance-reader copies

- from the publishers, Raising Real Men

Hal and Melanie Young

Recommended for children ages 8 and up

Other wonderful resources are also available from Raising Real Men.

About the book (from the author):

"Jarah was a slave in Egypt. It was a dangerous place to be. Her work was exhausting and her family was torn between the gods of the Egyptians and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And her brother… would his Ada be given in marriage to an Egyptian in the palace? Would they ever be free?

Adventure, excitement, love, and faith come together when Jarah and her family fi nd themselves at the culmination of four hundred years of history."

Our Thoughts:

If you are familiar with my posts, you probably know that I don't like textbooks for history. I find them dry and boring, and they don't spend enough time on one particular topic for a student to truly get a thorough grasp of it. That is why I prefer living books, movies, documentaries, etc. Things that were written or produced by people who have a passion, and thorough knowledge, of the topic they are discussing.

So when any living history books come up for review, I jump at the chance to read it. The fact that this book was written and illustrated by homeschool graduates makes it all the more exciting for me, being a homeschool family.

My children and I are very familiar with the story of Moses and his mission to get the Pharaoh to "let my people go". We know that Moses argues with God and didn't want to be the messenger. And how God sent several plagues to show His power to the Egyptian Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh finally lets the Israelites go, then changes his mind and chases after them.

We know the facts, but this book helps us understand the feelings. Using fictional characters as observers of the events, we get a glimpse into how greatly the Israelites suffered while in slavery. How unbelievable and indescribable the unfolding events with Moses must have been. The great hope they held out that they might one day be truly free, after 400 years in slavery.

This book has added such insight into an amazing time in history, when God worked amazing miracles and signs and wonders. "A Cry from Egypt" gives us insight into the culture of the time also: clothing, food, housing, traditions, climate, etc.

This has been our favorite read-aloud this year. I didn't know what to expect, didn't know if we would enjoy it. But I can tell you now...It is very good.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.