tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81008882345852388272024-03-05T22:49:28.650-05:00The Wellspring of LifeAbove all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.comBlogger483125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-40956773932134541322013-11-11T12:06:00.000-05:002013-11-21T12:07:09.712-05:00Stories of the Pilgrims Audio Book (Review & Giveaway)<a href="http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/"><strong>Jim Hodges Audio Books</strong></a><strong> </strong>is the place to turn when looking for recorded historical literature. You will find classics for ages 5 through adult. Also, this vendor is well-known as having the largest collection of unabridged recordings of the G.A. Henty historical novels available. <br />
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<span class="body_text">As a member of the <strong><a href="http://www.bowofbronze.com/">Bow of Bronze</a></strong> Launch Team, I was able to review the recording of the <a href="http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/yesterdaysclassic_stories_of_the_pilgrims.html"><strong>Stories of the Pilgrims</strong></a><strong> </strong>from Yesterday's Classics with my family. This title actually has sat on our bookshelf for years as it is used in a number of popular history curriculum. However, I can say cracking the book was much more enjoyable for my kiddos when listening to the Jim Hodges recording. His telling of the stories truly made them come alive.</span><br />
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<span class="body_text">With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, you may want to add this <strong>4 hours and 10 minutes </strong>of listening pleasure to your celebration. The stories are broken into 43 chapters. The average chapter is 4-6 minutes in length. Perfect for shorter attention spans! In fact only 3 of the chapters exceed the 10 minute mark. This makes these stories the perfect break between homeschool subjects. A treat to listen to while eating lunch, waiting a turn to do something, etc. Needless to say, it wasn't hard for us to find time to squeeze this product into our busy days. </span><br />
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<span class="body_text">Your family will get a very clear picture and overview of the pilgrims Mayflower journey, daily life, and New World adventures. Even better, since the main characters are the Brewster children your own kiddos will be completely engulfed and engaged. It definitely strikes a cord and makes the pilgrims more realistic and less holiday fluff when the kids are hearing the stories from the children's perspective. </span><br />
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<span class="body_text">The <a href="http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/yesterdaysclassic_stories_of_the_pilgrims.html"><strong>Stories of the Pilgrims Study Guide</strong> </a>is also available. This 31 page PDF file allows you to print copies for all your family members to study together. It contains 11 assignments and an answer key. Within the assignments, you will find vocabulary study, comprehension questions, map activities, Bible study, recipes, crafts and more. There is even a link to a virtual tour of the Mayflower.</span><br />
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You can actually download the <strong><a href="http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/yesterdaysclassic_stories_of_the_pilgrims.html">first chapter</a></strong> for free. Warning - you'll be hooked! So, I want to make sure you know about the <a href="http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/yesterdaysclassic_stories_of_the_pilgrims_sale.html"><strong>November Sale!!!</strong></a><strong> </strong>You can purchase <strong><a href="http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/yesterdaysclassic_stories_of_the_pilgrims.html">Stories of the Pilgrims</a></strong> for $15 until the end of November and the Study Guide is $5. Only $20 to add both to your library. What a great addition to your Thanksgiving Unit Studies and a supplement to history curriculum!!!!<br />
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If the sale isn't fabulous enough, you don't want to miss the <strong><a href="http://www.bowofbronze.com/2013/10/27/ultimate-audio-book-homeschool-giveaway-from-jim-hodges-audio-books/">Ultimate Audio Book Homeschool Giveaway</a></strong> from Jim Hodges Audio Books. An amazing value worth over $700!!! Hours upon hours of listening enjoyment for the whole family. Enter today!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7b01ed83/" id="rc-7b01ed83" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-67302799936991744462013-11-08T23:44:00.002-05:002013-11-08T23:45:00.290-05:00IXL.com (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/?action=view&current=ixllogofixed.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/ixllogofixed.png" /></a><a href="http://ixl.com/"><strong>IXL.com</strong></a> is internationally known as an online math program covering Pre-K through Algebra II/Geometry curriculum. In fact, Pre-Calculus will be added soon. It is all inclusive so your child is able to work systematically through the content without gaps. However, you should know that <a href="http://ixl.com/"><strong>IXL.com</strong></a> is no longer just a math program. An <strong><a href="http://www.ixl.com/ela/">Online Language Arts Membership (2nd-4th)</a></strong> is now available. <br />
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Our family had the opportunity to review the <a href="http://www.ixl.com/math/"><strong>Online Math Membership (PreK-12)</strong></a>. In working with <strong><a href="http://ixl.com/">IXL.com</a></strong>, I decided to use the program purely as a review. In the Math section, I had all three of my kids begin a grade level below, so Rachel worked through the Kindergarten questions and Jeremiah and Caleb the 2nd grade. My idea was to give them early success with the program and identify any gaps or weaknesses. <br />
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<strong><a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/?action=view&current=ixlscreensamples.png" target="_blank"><img alt="IXL Screen Samples" border="0" height="135" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/ixlscreensamples.png" width="400" /></a></strong></div>
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Our use of <a href="http://ixl.com/"><strong>IXL.com</strong></a> did exactly as I hoped. The kids performed well from the beginning, were able to revisit and refine subjects we had studied previously. The program offers immediate positive reinforcement by identifying the answer is correct. I have a couple kiddos who truly thrive upon and need this constant boost in confidence. They would get excited when they would answer a whole series of questions correctly. <br />
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A visit to the rewards board was always a treat for my kids. They really seemed oblivious to the wording on the right explaining what the number of questions answered, what concepts were practiced, and what had been mastered, instead they were all about clicking the squares to reveal what reward they earned. Then, as siblings do, they had to compare, "I got a seahorse, did you?" "I got a teddy bear." Also, don't fear that your child will be left out of the rewards if he or she is struggling to master a concept. Awards are also earned based on the amount of time the child has practiced. Everyone is a winner with a little effort.<br />
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/?action=view&current=ixlawards.png" target="_blank"><img alt="IXL Awards and Games" border="0" height="400" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/ixlawards.png" width="374" /></a></div>
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I definitely want to note some fabulous components within the framework of the <strong><a href="http://ixl.com/">IXL.com</a></strong> program. First, the inclusion of a speaker icon in the Pre-K through 1st grade sections is incredibly helpful. This allowed my emerging reader, Rachel, to work more autonomously. She is still slow using the numeric keypad and needed to ask some clarifying questions about the tasks at times, but overall, worked with independence. <br />
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Mom and Dad are kept in the loop. Email updates contain progress reports. At a glance, I could easily identify the kids strengths and weaknesses. I knew what skills were mastered and knew where to really hone in and work through trouble spots. <br />
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The log-in process is simple and kid-friendly. Each child was represented by their own icon, so no one accidentally worked in another's program. If you have siblings, you know how important their personal space can be. Plus, as a parent, I knew I was receiving reports on each child's individual work opposed to a collective family effort. <br />
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/?action=view&current=ixlreports.png" target="_blank"><img alt="IXL Family Reports" border="0" height="320" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Math/IXL/ixlreports.png" width="301" /></a></div>
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<strong> Membership Costs:</strong><br />
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<li><strong>Math only - $9.95 per month</strong></li>
<li><strong>Language Arts only - $9.95 per month</strong></li>
<li><strong>Both - $15.95 per month</strong></li>
<li><strong><u>Either</u> Math <u>or</u> Language Arts - $79.00 per year</strong></li>
<li><strong>Both - $129.00 per year</strong></li>
<li><strong>Each additional child - $2 per month or $20 per year</strong></li>
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I encourage you to read the experience of other homeschooling families with the iXL program. You'll see that some families used only Math, others Language Arts, and some both. As always, you can count on the crew members to share their honest opinions.<br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-19076322025957226182013-11-01T21:06:00.002-04:002013-11-01T21:14:25.261-04:00My Beloved and My Friend (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<em>He said with this ring I promise, and with I do she said forever<br />
But right now if they're being honest they don't know if they'll stay together<br />
Let's fast forward to the future after struggling on their own<br />
They finally figured out they needed Jesus in the middle<br />
Now I'm watching God rebuild their home</em><br />
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<em>I know you're feeling like it’s falling apart and it can't go on anymore<br />
But God is a God who knows how to heal so just give it up to the Lord<br />
And He will restore</em><br />
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The words above are song lyrics from Christian artist, Chris August's song, <em>Restore.</em> The kids can be heard singing every word whenever the song comes on the radio. It has a catchy tune and is beautifully written, so I understand why they sing along. However, as a parent, it is my prayer that in their future marriages that they are never in a position where they are singing lyrics from the first verse: <br />
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<em>Nobody's growing old together, we've made it easy just to quit<br />
Love has become a negative percentage, why do we bother to commit</em><br />
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While ultimately who they grow up and marry is their choice, I'm setting the stage now. I'm training them and even better modeling for them. Therefore, it is ever important for me to take stock in, gage, and invest in my marriage. Within the roles of minister and wife, Jon and I have attended conferences and seminars, have a library of DVD's and books, and are always on the lookout for resources that we can share with couples in our church. Still it is important to remember, that these materials are equally imperative to us as those we teach.<br />
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Therefore, I was so excited to get my hands on Hal & Melanie Young's latest book, <a href="http://mybelovedandmyfriend.com/2013/10/preorder-my-beloved-and-my-friend/"><strong>My Beloved and My Friend: How to be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses</strong></a>. I first became acquainted with the authors at a homeschool convention a few years back. They presented a seminar with "ballistic" and "boy" in the description, and I was hooked. Following the conference, I read their book, <strong><a href="http://www.raisingrealmen.com/orders/">Raising Real Men</a></strong>, and truly became convicted and altered some of my opinions and actions in raising my sons. I was certain that Hal and Melanie wouldn't disappoint when addressing such an important topic as marriage. <br />
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From the authors: <br />
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<strong> </strong><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Hal was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, it was a huge comfort to us to realize that whatever happened, we’d just written down what their Daddy thought it meant to be a man (Raising Real Men) and our boys would have that. As we talked about that, we asked, “Well, what else would we want to leave behind for our children?” and we realized we’d want our children to know how to have a terrific, Christ-centered, best friend kind of marriage just like we had – so we began to write My Beloved and My Friend.<br />
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As we’ve traveled the country speaking in the last few years, we’ve seen how so many of us are being stressed by the economy, and worn out by the business of life so that we forget to focus on our marriages. For other, their marriages are already struggling or broken, even Christian, homeschool families. They needed to know how to…<br />
Have a more peaceful marriage, by learning to fight so you both win<br />
Get along with your families, because leaving and cleaving is important<br />
Be not just one flesh, but one wallet<br />
Survive and thrive in trials, even when they’re over<br />
Be married to your best friend without changing spouses<br />
And lots more!</span></em><br />
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As I read the book, I heard Hal and Melanie's voices, their sincerity, even the quirky way they complete each other's sentences... listen to one of their presentations and you'll know what I mean :) They are REAL, authentic, and genuine. They don't mince words, but they don't come from a position of judgment. Instead, they offer encouragement, hope, even healing. They speak Biblical truth.<br />
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Just a taste of the wisdom within from some quotes I liked...<br />
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God created us as eternal souls, personalities which go on forever. In the early days of the world, a couple might live together as husband and wife for centuries. They didn't die of boredom. (p. 28)</blockquote>
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Be a safe haven where they can talk through their concerns without fear of judgment. Let them know you are on their side - always. That's extremely powerful and your mate will never forget it when you are there for them, a safe harbor, when they feel attacked or let down by the world. (p. 46)</blockquote>
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Faithfulness gives peace and security, loyalty gives joy. (p. 89)</blockquote>
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If you live in the garden where God planted you, you find there is a lot more inside that hedge than you ever expected looking in at the gate. It's all good. (p.139) </blockquote>
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If a lady believes her husband is on his way to becoming a great man, he will be. If she has confidence in him, he'll have confidence in himself. If she respects him, he'll have self-respect. If she believes in him, he will do everything in his power to live up to her expectations. (p. 93)</blockquote>
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We are generally busy, easily distracted, often tired, and frankly lazy. Yet without making the effort, we risk hearts which grow cold and distant toward the One who died in our place and now claims our love and obedience. That in turn will make our love toward our mate and family more fragile as well. (p. 204) </blockquote>
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I'm truly blessed to be married to my best friend. The past year has reiterated just how close our bond is, how deeply we share even the most mundane in life, how we delight in one another, and enjoy times both good and bad. It saddens me when I see others who aren't enjoying the same relationship with their spouse. Aside from praying for them and serving as an example, providing Biblical resources and wise council is priority. I'm thankful that there are such materials available. <br />
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The book will retail for $15 and releases in time for Valentine's Day. However, you can <a href="http://mybelovedandmyfriend.com/2013/10/preorder-my-beloved-and-my-friend/"><strong>Pre-Order for only $12</strong></a> and have it in time to drop in a loved one's Christmas stocking or read for yourself over the holiday. In the meantime, I encourage you to connect with this wonderful couple. Read their <strong><a href="http://www.raisingrealmen.com/">blog</a></strong>. Connect on <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/halandmelanie">Facebook</a></strong> and <a href="https://twitter.com/raisingrealmen"><strong>Twitter</strong></a>.<br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-10143346967855130572013-11-01T02:11:00.000-04:002013-11-01T02:11:17.205-04:00No-Soda-November!<div style="text-align: center;">
I have self-proclaimed this month... </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>No-Soda-November!</em></span></strong> </div>
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In college before a big recital, I'd forgo the fizz for months with no problem. So periodically, I like to go off the cola just to prove I can still do it. Although, it may be more difficult this time around. The past few months I've been consuming a ridiculously large amount of pop. If it is in the house, it is all I drink. Therefore, it must go!!! <br />
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I decided to have my last HURRAH tonight, and I plastered a good portion of a two-liter of Dr. Pepper. The repercussions... baby Eden was a spaz for 3 hours and didn't get to sleep until 10:30 p.m. Also, it is 2:09 a.m., and I'm blogging and making to-do-lists in my head.<br />
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Hmmm... it could be a rough morning (remember no caffeine bubbles to kick-start my day) and a LONG day!<br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-41400654754759269862013-10-28T10:45:00.000-04:002013-10-28T10:45:07.943-04:00Bridgeway Academy - Magic Treehouse - The Middle Ages (Review)<br />
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<a href="http://www.homeschoolacademy.com/" rel="nofollow" target=""><strong>Bridgeway Academy</strong></a> affords homeschooling families the opportunity to interact with a certified instructor and classmates from around the world in a virtual classroom setting. One way this is accomplished is through <strong><a href="http://www.homeschoolacademy.com/homeschool-learning-programs/online-homeschool-coop-classes/">Learning Labs - Online Homeschool Co-ops</a></strong>. The learning labs are conducted in a 9-week term and retail for $145. The class offerings are cross-curricular and include a number of elective choices for elementary through high school students. <br />
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We were able to review an elementary learning lab designed for students in grades 1-5. Our selection was <strong><em>Magic Tree House Social Studies - The Middle Ages</em></strong>. The second book from the popular Magic Tree House series, <u>Knight at Dawn</u> was the catalyst and foundation for the more in depth study of this time period. Already a fan of Jack and Annie's adventures, re-reading this title was an easy sell to Caleb. He gladly completed that homework assignment!<br />
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The syllabus for the course covered the following topics:<br />
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<li>Overview of the Middle Ages</li>
<li>Life on a Medieval Manor</li>
<li>Lifestyle of the Wealthy and Nobility</li>
<li>Life in a Medieval City</li>
<li>Religion's Impact in Medieval Europe</li>
<li>Knights and the Crusades</li>
<li>Castles</li>
<li>The End of the Middle Ages</li>
<li>Art and Music</li>
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During the weekly 45 minute to an hour class sessions, kings, queens, knights, squires, and townspeople came alive! Caleb learned about the entire social system and life during the Middle Ages in Medieval Europe. He learned the geography and lay of the land - be it farms or village fair. Also, discussed was the local cuisine, important music, art, and literature contributions, the climate surrounding war, and the structure of castles. All of the information presented was age appropriate and tailored to the make-up and abilities of the student body. Caleb was both informed and entertained. <br />
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The classes were presented through the Jigsaw Meeting platform. An open house was held prior to the beginning of the term to allow parents and students to familiarize themselves with the format. Likewise, an invitation for each class session comes via email. Again, you are able to test your computer prior to the lesson. High speed Internet, a webcam, and microphone are used. Updated Java and Flash are needed as well. <br />
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Once in Jigsaw, the screen is divided into quadrants. One area is the teacher via webcam, there is a space for presentations, another serves as a whiteboard for notes, and there are links to videos, PowerPoints, and assignments. Icons are available for the students to raise their hands, communicate with others, and provide feedback to the teacher. <br />
The course's certified instructor was Kathi Thomas. Honestly, I know I have been neglectful in sharing with Ms. Thomas just how appreciative I am of her preparedness, efforts, and attention to detail. Her weekly email including a recap of what was covered in class and a preview of what would take place in upcoming classes, homework PDFs, powerpoint presentations, and videos links were key to Caleb having a pleasant experience.<br />
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Due to life circumstances (an out of state move and unforeseen computer issues), Caleb was unable to participate as fully as I would have liked. I hate that he missed out on interaction between students and with his instructor. However, because of the class recordings and resources made available, he doesn't really feel cheated at all. He has learned so very much about the Middle Ages, knights, and castles. (You can always tell when he's excited by new information for it is reflected in his play. Yes, I heard he and Jeremiah playing as Medieval knights on several occasions :-) Yay!)<br />
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Since we are a bit behind, he has yet to complete his culminating activity - a castle project. However, with all the moving boxes in our garage, he has a lot of materials to work with. He's even willingly unpacking more boxes, so he can add ones of certain shapes/sizes to his castle creation. I can't wait to see the finished project!!!<br />
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I recommend you click below to read other's experiences with <strong><a href="http://www.homeschoolacademy.com/">Bridgeway Academy</a></strong>. Schoolhouse Review Crew members reviewed several learning labs/classes. Some had the opportunity to use physical products as well. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-51903537137470882562013-10-24T23:35:00.001-04:002013-10-24T23:35:08.467-04:00Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story (Review)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.barbourbooks.com/catalog/CategoryInfo.aspx?cid=152"><strong>Barbour Publishing</strong></a><strong> </strong>has been in existence since the early 1980's. The company's Christian books share the message of Christ. It is able to proudly say it has shipped over 100 million books to date and releases over 150 titles per year. Our family had the opportunity to review one such book, <a href="http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/Diary-of-a-Real-Payne-Book-1-True-Story,10107.aspx?Tab=Books&sj=794"><strong>Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story</strong></a>.</div>
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As a Mom, I try to seek out and choose books with which my children can relate. In the case of this review item, <a href="http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/Diary-of-a-Real-Payne-Book-1-True-Story,10107.aspx?Tab=Books&sj=794"><strong>Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story</strong></a>, it was I who could truly relate. Having grown up in small towns, the setting of little Spooner, Wisconsin sounded all too familiar. I recall dreaming often of growing up to finally find "bigger" and "better." I wanted "more" and craved the experiences that my hometown could never offer. For this reason, I identified with the main character, 10 year old Emma Jean Payne. <br />
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Within the 192 page paperback, EJ dreams up some wild and crazy adventures including: being a queen, professional racecar driver, astronaut, circus performer, and a salon owner. She also references book characters (think <u>Anne of Green Gables</u> - yay!) frequently. This wild imagination often leaves her misunderstood and in a bit of trouble. Well, that paired with her dealings with her brother... referred to as The Space Invader. Ha! I grew up with one of those :-)<br />
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By the book's end, EJ comes to the realization that you can "bloom where you are planted"... even in small, boring Spooner. She's encouraged not to constantly live in her dreams for she will miss out on opportunities to love, serve, and care for those in need around her. These are absolutely ideas I want my children to embrace. <br />
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I love that EJ's parents, her father a minister and mother a teacher, play an active role in the book. We also see other caring adults invest in and guide her. They speak truth and encourage her. Biblical ideas and themes are key factors in the development of the story, but it never feels contrived. Instead, there is a very natural retelling of the story of Esther, the Christmas story, nativity scene, etc.<br />
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Since this book is recommended for ages 8-12, I chose to use it as a family read-aloud. My 7 year old daughter and 8 year old boys all enjoyed the story. They were attentive, engaged, and quite entertained by EJ and her antics. We were all even known to get a case of the silly giggles on a few pages. In addition, the kids were touched by the spiritual life lessons EJ learned and embraced the real life application. Based on their reactions, I'd say it is safe to say they will desire to read this series in its entirety. The second book in the series, <em>Church Camp Chaos</em>, releases in March 2014. Our family will be on the lookout!<br />
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In my opinion, for <strong><a href="http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/Diary-of-a-Real-Payne-Book-1-True-Story,10107.aspx?Tab=Books&sj=794">$5.99</a></strong>, this book is definitely one to add to your home library. Even better... Barbour Publishing's books are all currently 25% off sale, so you can snag it at a discounted price. WooHoo! <br />
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Curious what other homeschooling families have to say about <a href="http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/Diary-of-a-Real-Payne-Book-1-True-Story,10107.aspx?Tab=Books&sj=794"><strong>Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story</strong></a>? Be sure and click the button below. Then, you will be able to read the reviews of other Schoolhouse Review Crew members. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-12763234647747993032013-10-11T10:52:00.004-04:002013-10-11T10:52:51.119-04:00YWAM - Heroes of History - George Washington: True Patriot (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/YWAM%20Publishing/YWAMLogo_zpse2d5593a.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="YWAM Logo photo YWAMLogo_zpse2d5593a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/YWAM%20Publishing/YWAMLogo_zpse2d5593a.jpg" /></a><br />
Earlier this spring, while attending the Teach Them Diligently conference, I was introduced to <strong><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/default.aspx?">YWAM Publishing</a></strong>. I was aware of YWAM's involvement in missions worldwide, but unfamiliar with the publishing arm of this organization. It exists to provide evangelistic, educational and discipleship materials. <br />
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Needless to say, I was WOW-ed and spent a lot of time perusing the resources in their booth. In fact, I left with a 10 book set from the Christian Heroes Then & Now series. Our family has enjoyed reading missionary stories together before bed ever since. <br />
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When I learned that I had the opportunity to review a YWAM title as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I was quick to volunteer. Having already read the title offered from the Christian Heroes Then & Now series, the only choice was Heroes of History <strong><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-403-heroes-of-historybrgeorge-washington-true-patriot.aspx">George Washington: True Patriot</a></strong>. Additionally, I was able to review the corresponding <strong><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-457-heroes-of-historybrunit-study-curriculum-guidebrgeorge-washington.aspx">George Washington Unit Study Curriculum Guide</a>. </strong>As expected, the title from the <strong><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/t-chronorderHH.aspx">Heroes of History series</a></strong> did not disappoint. <br />
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Because the target audience for this title is 10 years and older, my family used this book as a read-aloud. The content was not over the heads of my 6, 7, and 8 year olds. However, there were some vocabulary words that needed further explanation... rich text is never a bad thing in my book! <br />
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As expected, we found it to be engaging, interesting, and even humorous in spots. The living book format always appeals to us. Even more so, I'm a fan whenever character and faith are highlighted as they were in the story of George Washington's life. <br />
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In 224 pages, 19 chapters, authors Janet & Geoff Benge, recount the life of George Washington beginning to end. The reader is first introduced to Washington as a young boy with his brothers during his formative years Virginia. The kids learned he was a surveyor and all that the job entailed. His military involvement in the French, Indian, and Revolutionary Wars was chronicled. Then, the reader follows his marriage and children, his political career, his presidency, and his life after leading our country. The final chapter shares Washington's last days and death. No doubt, the book was comprehensive. <br />
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Both physical and digital copies of the book are available for <strong><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-403-heroes-of-historybrgeorge-washington-true-patriot.aspx">$6.99</a></strong>.<br />
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Treasures I had only recently been made aware of (through the offerings from the Schoolhouse Library) are the corresponding unit studies that are available for the YWAM titles. My family does not have any of these to go along with our Christian Heroes Now & Then selections, but after seeing all they entail I'm likely to be purchasing them. For only <a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-457-heroes-of-historybrunit-study-curriculum-guidebrgeorge-washington.aspx"><strong>$7.49</strong></a>, the 64 page <a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-457-heroes-of-historybrunit-study-curriculum-guidebrgeorge-washington.aspx"><strong>George Washington Unit Study Curriculum Guide</strong></a> is a steal. View <strong><a href="http://george%20washington%20unit%20study%20curriculum%20guide/">sample pages</a></strong>. </div>
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The Unit Study guide makes the book more accessible for all ages because it offers activities for children PreK through high school. The activities are cross-curricular and appeal to the varied multiple intelligences and learning styles. They include: key quotes, chapter questions, essay questions, writing prompts, vocabulary, mapping exercises, crafts, hands-on projects, audio/visual projects, timelines, geography skills, field trip ideas, and even a culminating event. </div>
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You definitely have the freedom to pick and choose the components that are most beneficial for your family and circumstances. Due to the fact that we were in the process of an out of state move during the review period, time constraints and the fact that materials were packed in boxes prevented us from doing some of the field trip and hands-on, craft suggestions. However, I did select a couple quotes for the kids to memorize, and we did use the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. This helped me as a parent to gage the children's understanding and allowed them to ask clarifying questions all the while generating additional conversation and new questions to be answered. Some Google searches followed many of these discussions to provide even more answers. </div>
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One thing to make note of regarding the Q&A - answers are included in the appendix. Since we completed the book as a read aloud, they weren't necessary for us. However, if you were considering this book as an independent study for an older child. You could definitely utilize the provided answers in order to check for comprehension. </div>
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Another feature I appreciated... the EXTENSIVE suggested resource list. Pages of great selections I may otherwise never have known about. We had a few books on our shelves that I was able to set aside. Then, I grabbed a great Amazon deal on a video suggestion. It's nice to have these lists handy when surfing the web!</div>
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I recommend you become familiar with YWAM Publishing and all they have to offer. We've been nothing but impressed by their products. Don't just take my word for it. Be sure to click below to read the review of other homeschooling families. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-29883824527177544822013-10-06T23:15:00.002-04:002013-10-06T23:15:29.973-04:00Fundanoodle (Review)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Carolina Pad has introduced a new line of writing tablets and learning kits especially for early education students. Young learners will love <strong><a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/">Fundanoodle</a></strong>! The activities included are perfect for beginning students because the tasks are short, to-the-point, and fun. Kids associate the pages more with play and are often oblivious to the fact that they are obtaining reading readiness and math skills. All the while, the children are fine-tuning their motor skills, developing hand-eye coordination, and are problem-solving. <br />
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<a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/"><strong>Fundanoodle</strong></a> offers products for grades preschool through 2nd grade. As a Schoolhouse Review Crew Member, I had the opportunity to review <a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/learning-systems/product-detail.cfm/ID/99770261-5056-0F04-3A476F7C50D6663D"><strong>I Can Do Math Level 3</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/learning-systems/product-detail.cfm/ID/12DCC447-5056-B828-C760D736E6BAA885"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Max &Alphie's Adventures Level 3</span></strong></a>. My first grader, Rachel, worked through these activity books. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyqtGzrmL02EXDNdAUKK5zXS8yxZk301f_26ZZuXYARYhH5zV3XNFpUhksc0oT0hAE0omcjTyOJSHFxsiO1JTp5mKwPCiVQAuC0aYcRDZsT1WrqkAho8HV0fgI967gTcgVAQAXPI3JLQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyqtGzrmL02EXDNdAUKK5zXS8yxZk301f_26ZZuXYARYhH5zV3XNFpUhksc0oT0hAE0omcjTyOJSHFxsiO1JTp5mKwPCiVQAuC0aYcRDZsT1WrqkAho8HV0fgI967gTcgVAQAXPI3JLQ/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/Fundanoodle/icandomath3_zps3a56132a.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo icandomath3_zps3a56132a.jpg" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/Fundanoodle/icandomath3_zps3a56132a.jpg" width="169" /></a><br />
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<span class="bbc_size"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="bbc_color" style="color: #334466;"><strong><a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/learning-systems/product-detail.cfm/ID/99770261-5056-0F04-3A476F7C50D6663D"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I Can Do Math Level 3</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> ($5.99) for ages 5/6 - K/1st</span></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="bbc_size"><span class="bbc_font"><span class="bbc_color" style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;"><em>Skills Included: </em></span></span></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;">*patterns</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;">*numerical order</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;">*skip counting</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;">*time</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;">*shapes</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #334466; font-family: inherit;">*basic addition & subtraction</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/Fundanoodle/maxandalphie3_zps59e2e3c1.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo maxandalphie3_zps59e2e3c1.jpg" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/Fundanoodle/maxandalphie3_zps59e2e3c1.jpg" width="169" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="bbc_size"><span class="bbc_font"><span class="bbc_color" style="color: #334466;"><strong><a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/learning-systems/product-detail.cfm/ID/12DCC447-5056-B828-C760D736E6BAA885">Max & Alphie's Adventures Level 3</a> ($5.99) Ages 5/6 - K/1st</strong></span></span></span></strong></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Skills Included:</span></em></div>
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<em>*basic handwriting</em></div>
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<em>*letter & number recognition</em></div>
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<em>*reading readiness activities</em></div>
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<em>*sequencing</em></div>
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<em>*mazes</em></div>
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<em>*symmetry</em></div>
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<em>*patterns</em></div>
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The <strong><a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/">Fundanoodle</a></strong> products are intended to be relaxed and enjoyable, and Rachel was definitely at ease working through the writing tablets. Some activities were quite easy and simply review of prior knowledge such as: letter recognition, shapes, etc. However, other activities had her thinking out of the box and trying new things. She had a little trouble when given a half-drawn picture and was asked to complete the other side across a line of symmetry. She got the concept, but the spacing and inclusion of all aspects of the drawing proved to be a bit tricky for her. <br />
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The tablets are well-designed. The spiral comb and cardboard covers are sturdy and can withstand the typical handling of a young child. The pages are easy to turn, and by being a flip-top, it is comfortable for both left and right-handed children.<br />
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<a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/meet-max-alphie/"><strong>Max the Monkey and Alphie the Adventurer</strong></a><strong> </strong>love letters and numbers. These cute little characters are spotted throughout the pages. There are also motivational stickers included in the tablets to be added to the completed pages as a symbol of a job well done. Rachel was proud to have her activity books filled with stickers. <br />
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If you have young ones, I'd recommend these activity books. They are affordable and are a nice break from typical workbook pages and rigid curriculum. They are perfect for school readiness and as supplemental or review material. Don't just take my word for it. Click below and be sure to read the reviews of other homeschool families who had the opportunity to use various <a href="http://www.fundanoodle.com/"><strong>Fundanoodle</strong></a> products.</div>
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-16286347558087381792013-09-16T11:31:00.001-04:002013-09-16T11:31:15.625-04:00PeopleKeys - DISC Personality Style Assessment (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/People%20Keys/peoplekeys-logo_zpse1faa0a6.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo peoplekeys-logo_zpse1faa0a6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/People%20Keys/peoplekeys-logo_zpse1faa0a6.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.peoplekeys.com/"><strong>PeopleKeys</strong></a> is a worldwide leader in behavioral analysis. The company offers a variety of tools that assist in answering the question, "Who are you?" As a homeschooling parent, you are also most likely interested in having that question answered for each of your children. You desire to understand their unique personalities, their motivators, and their struggles. With such information in hand, you can better tailor your teaching to fit their individual needs. <br />
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While several crew members reviewed items directly related to their children, I used a product that was outside the age range of the kiddos in my home. So... it was Momma's turn to try something out! Designed for students ages 13-Adult, I used the <a href="https://www.discinsights.com/education-solutions/online-products/personality-style-online-report.html"><strong>StudentKeys Online Personality Style Report</strong></a> (retails for $12). <br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><em>Who are you? </em></strong></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Discover who you are, what motivates you, how you communicate and what your strengths and limitations are.</span><br />
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The online assessment only entailed 15 questions. For each question, four answers were provided. I then had to order the responses from most likely to least likely. At the conclusion of the assessment, a report was generated for my immediate perusal and study. In addition, the report was also sent to my personal email address.<br />
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Because the product is online, there is no wait for product shipping or turn-around time for report generation. Therefore, strategies and a plan can be put in place almost instantaneously. In a fast-paced, need-to-know world, this is a huge draw for many people! Unfortunately, based on the report, I received, I have to say the quick response time paled into comparison with the disappointment in the quality of the results. <br />
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On the cover page of the report is my name and my personality style listed as REFORMER. That's great! I expected to scroll to the next page and immediately learn what a "reformer" is. WRONG! Actually, I didn't find that word mentioned again in the report. <br />
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Pages 1-3 answered what are personality styles and why understanding them is important. On page 4, under the title Your Personality Style, I read: <strong>Angela's style is identified by the name "Communicator".</strong> The remainder of this page proved to be the most helpful of the whole report. It included paragraphs describing the personality of a communicator. It touched on emotions, value to a team, and greatest fears. It also identified things such as: motivating goals, areas of influence, and areas for improvement. <br />
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Pages 5-15 of the report are generic pages explaining the DISC Personality System. Aside from a small sentence in the sidebar which said, <strong>"You are a primary "I" personality style." </strong>there was no other personalized information in the report. While it did give a good overview of the DISC system, it was expected that the individual would decipher which information was pertinent to his/her own personality style.<br />
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In good conscience, I can't recommend this product. Possibly, if you were utilizing the entire system offered, the results would be different because the DISC solution carries throughout. However, as an individual piece, I did not find the personality styles aspect to be a strong product compared with the other tools available on the market. In the past, I've taken much more detailed and thorough personality style assessments and have walked away with a better understanding of how I operate day to day and under stress as well as know my strengths and weaknesses. The small time investment and quick return of the <a href="https://www.discinsights.com/education-solutions/online-products/personality-style-online-report.html"><strong>StudentKeys Online Personality Style Report</strong></a> are appealing, but the quality of the report is greatly lacking. <br />
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Of course, experiences differ, so I encourage you to click below and read what other Schoolhouse Review Crew members are saying. You will also be able to read reviews of the other products PeopleKeys has to offer. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-25698409583221521242013-09-06T23:25:00.001-04:002013-09-06T23:25:07.335-04:00A Child's Geography Vol. 3 (Review, Giveaway, & MEGA-GIVEAWAY!)Maps, timelines, biographies, apps, history and geography texts - <a href="http://knowledgequestmaps.com/"><strong>Knowledge Quest</strong></a> is a one stop shop! This wonderful company is well-known for quality materials. Most recently, my family was blessed to review <a href="http://knowledgequestmaps.com/A-Childs-Geography-Explore-the-Classical-World.html"><strong>A Child's Geography Volume III: Explore the Classical World</strong></a>.<br />
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<strong><img align="left" border="0" hspace="10" src="http://knowledgequestmaps.com/images/ACG3-Cover-Front.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); display: inline; height: 375px; width: 250px;" /></strong><strong>Author: Terri Johnson</strong></div>
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<strong>Price of Physical Product: $34.95</strong></div>
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<strong>Price of e-book: $24.95<br />
Age Range: Grades 1-<em>6</em></strong></div>
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Within the book's 224 pages, your family will embark on an amazing journey through The Classical World. There are 15 chapters loaded with interesting text and stunning photographs. Readers explore 12 countries all located around the Mediterranean Sea: Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Servia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, San Marino, the Vatican, and Malta. </div>
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If this is unfamiliar territory, fear not. You will not have to play tour guide or expert historian for your children. Author, Terri Johnson, writes in a wonderful, conversational voice and speaks directly to the elementary student. This truly is a LIVING book! Literally, it is as if she is holding your children's hands and leading them through the country. She is kind enough to make note of the terrain, introduce the local people, share important history, make cultural connections, and show the traveler a good time. </div>
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While the reading is entertaining, there are measures to ensure that children are learning and retaining the new information. New terminology is boldfaced and have pronunciations. Full definitions can be found in the extensive glossary. Throughout the text, there are suggestions for narration. This allows Mom & Dad to check for understanding. There are also opportunities to respond to questions and prompts in a field guide/journal. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; text-decoration: none;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: small;">Additionally, there are extra activities are located on the CD-ROM in the back of your book or separate files if using the e-book format. These goodies include: chapter timelines, suggestions for map labeling, hands-on activities, crafts, and recipes, recommended reading lists, and a prayer guide. </span></span><br />
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Being that we had not started our formal school year at the beginning of our review period, I opted for us to use this resource in a very relaxed manner. We read the text together and discussed our reading. We've been doing a lot of traveling as of late, so the ease of the e-book format proved to be a tremendous help to us. After working through the first few chapters, we each have our favorite features:</div>
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Jeremiah - pictures of the houses and buildings</div>
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Caleb - the frequent mentions and pictures of native wildlife</div>
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Rachel - even though we didn't tackle any recipes on our own, my little "foodie" loves learning about the various cuisine</div>
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Mom - the prayer guide</div>
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Honestly, I've been dubbed "geographically challenged" and history was never my favorite subject in school. However, even I found this study interesting. I appreciated that the material was presented from a Christian worldview, and the inclusion of the optional prayer guide was by far my favorite thing. After reading the chapters together in the book, I could then reference the prayer guide and share with the children specific ways we could pray for the now familiar people and places. </div>
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Our family has enjoyed our journey through the Classical World together as we <strike>turned</strike> finger swiped each digital page. I anticipate more great times of exploration as we complete this curriculum. As the busy summer comes to a close and we look to get settled after another move, I look forward to digging deeper into the remaining chapters and many "extras" included with this book. </div>
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Are you now considering some geography study/world travel for your homeschool family? As always, before purchasing, I encourage you to try the product with your family to ensure it will fit your homeschool style and needs. Knowledge Quest commendably allows you to <strong><a href="http://knowledgequestmaps.com/ACG3-052013-Ch1-3.pdf">download chapters 1-3 completely free</a></strong>. This is a wonderful sampling, and you will get a good feel for the layout and tone of the entire book. </div>
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Knowledge Quest is generously offering a free digital edition of <a href="http://knowledgequestmaps.com/A-Childs-Geography-Explore-the-Classical-World.html"><strong>A Child's Geography Volume III: Explore the Classical World</strong></a> to one of my readers! Yippee!!! Enter below and you can enjoy this wonderful resource with your family.<br />
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As if the <a href="http://knowledgequestmaps.com/A-Childs-Geography-Explore-the-Classical-World.html"><strong>A Child's Geography Volume III: Explore the Classical World</strong></a> giveaway wasn't fabulous enough, Knowledge Quest is hosting a MEGA-Homeschool Giveaway valued at $650+. You don't want to miss out on the opportunity to win. Enter below!<br />
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<br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-89393660982918283962013-09-03T23:36:00.000-04:002013-09-03T23:36:31.949-04:00Homeschool Spanish Academy (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/homeschool%20spanish%20academy/shield120x160_zps644d7b08.png.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo shield120x160_zps644d7b08.png" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/homeschool%20spanish%20academy/shield120x160_zps644d7b08.png" /></a><strong><a href="http://homeschoolspanishacademy.com/">Homeschool Spanish Academy</a></strong> is a one-on-one program. With siblings around, even in homeschool, this type of instruction is a luxury. You definitely can't beat that student/teacher ratio!!! <br />
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With the aide of a high speed internet connection, web cam, and Skype, the student and native-Spanish speaking teacher are able to connect. During the review period, Caleb participated in the <a href="http://homeschoolspanishacademy.com/early"><strong>Early Language Program</strong></a><strong> </strong>designed for students as young as 5 through 12 years of age. The recommended starting age just happens to be 7, so Caleb fit the bill perfectly for this review. <br />
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I was a bit nervous about this review product, because we have never utilized such a program in our homeschool. Prior to Caleb's first class session, a technician called to ensure that our operating system, Internet speed, and technology were all set up properly. I appreciated this service because once completed I had no fear that Caleb's sessions would run smoothly on the techie side of things. Other services that impressed me were the reminders sent 24 hours prior to the scheduled lessons, and the ease in scheduling classes. <br />
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Classes can be scheduled to be taken either once or twice a week. Based on our busy summer schedule, we opted to have classes once a week. It was easy for me to schedule Caleb's classes online. On one occasion, I ended up needing to cancel a scheduled class. Again, the process was very simple.<br />
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The Middle School, High School and Adult class sessions last 50 minutes. On the contrary the Early Language Program classes are only 25 minutes in duration. In my opinion, the shorter class period is wise. It is definitely more age and developmentally appropriate. If the class was any longer, Caleb would lose focus. He also couldn't input and retain any more information than the 25 minutes allows. The shorter class period is definitely optimal for the younger age group. It makes language learning meaningful and manageable.<br />
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To begin each lesson, Caleb's instructor would message via Skype to see if we were ready to begin. When I would reply and give her the go ahead, she would video call. Caleb worked primarily with Luisa who was actually located in Antigua, Guatemala. (Seriously - how cool is that!) Caleb was pretty impressed that he was speaking with someone in Guatemala because Papaw and Daddy have both been there on mission trips. He made sure to wear his latest souvenir Guatemala t-shirt during one of his class sessions.<br />
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Not only is Luisa a native Spanish speaker, but she is an experienced teacher. From the very first class, she always spent the first few minutes chatting with him to make him feel comfortable. She asked questions about his favorite things, what he had been doing, etc. She would ask him questions from prior weeks and review. When presenting new material, she would actually turn her video feed off and she would use illustrated visuals on the screen. This is a great combination that works well for audio and visual learners. <br />
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The Homeschool Spanish Academy teachers move at the pace of the individual learner. For example, Caleb seemed to move quickly through the first couple lessons learning the Spanish vowels and alphabet. Spelling his name and the names of others was something he grasped quickly. A little funny... Luisa asked him to spell his Mom's name in Spanish... he rattled off the Spanish letters for M-O-M. Possibly confused, she asked him to spell it in English. Again, M-O-M. Ha! It took some explanation on her part and awhile for him to grasp that she wanted him to spell my first name. It was cute! I'm glad I'll always be M-O-M to my little guy.<br />
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Caleb struggled some and needed more time when he began working on formal greetings and conversation. The good morning, good afternoon, and good evening phrases really seemed to throw him for some reason. To reinforce the Spanish learned during his classes, review homework was emailed to be studied between class sessions. This sheet made it much easier for me to assist Caleb and practice with him - especially the trickier phrases that caused him the most trouble.<br />
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My only complaint regarding the Homeschool Spanish Academy class sessions was the sound. Because the teachers are operating out of a call center, there was a lot of background noise at times. Other teachers (probably sitting in the neighboring cubicle) could be heard conducting classes. Most of the time, the conversations were faint, but other times they were rather loud and distracting. For an easily distracted 7 year old boy, this did prove to be a challenge on occasion. I sat in the floor beside Caleb, so often, I'd be repeating the teacher in a whisper to help him out. <br />
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With the onset of the new school year, scheduling Caleb's remaining classes became difficult. It seems that Homeschool Spanish Academy is booming! When questioned about the scheduling issues, HSA responded with two encouraging tidbits. 1) More teachers are being hired. Yay! 2) Trying other instructors is actual highly encouraged (up to 3 instructors). <br />
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I was very interested to learn that HSA recommends using various teachers because the students can benefit from experiencing varied teaching styles and different accents. This is all possible because of the very detailed notes that the teachers keep regarding each session. These notes are always reviewed prior to the student's next class whether it is by the regular teacher or another. If for some reason there are questions regarding the notes or the student, the instructors operate from the same call center and can quickly share information with one another.<br />
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Because Homeschool Spanish Academy offers programs for early learners, middle and high school students and adults, the prices vary. For the Early Learner course that Caleb used, it costs $59.99 for half a semester (7 weeks/1 time a week). See other pricing options below.<br />
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If considering <strong><a href="http://homeschoolspanishacademy.com/">Homeschool Spanish Academy</a></strong>, I encourage you to consider a free trial session for your child. Also, be sure and read the reviews of other Schoolhouse Review Crew members by clicking the button below. You'll find information about all of the Spanish programs HSA offers. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-66057212556170469862013-08-19T08:48:00.001-04:002013-08-19T08:50:51.064-04:00Reading Kingdom (TOS Review)<br />
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According to the Department of Education, <strong><em>2 out of 3 children fail to become proficient readers. </em></strong>What??? How is this the status quo? I'm sure reasons such as this contribute to why many of us choose to homeschool. We want a different outcome for our children and are always on the lookout for resources, tools, and programs that will aide us in this endeavor. Let me introduce you to one.<br />
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Dr. Marion Blank, a reading expert known worldwide, has created an online program designed to teach 4-10 year olds how to read and write to a third grade level. Unlike other programs, <a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/"><strong><span style="color: purple;">Reading Kingdom</span></strong></a> incorporates elements of both phonics and whole language while teaching additional skills needed to achieve reading and writing success. Rather than requiring kids to learn numerous complicated rules, it utilizes the six skills method for reading which teaches the rules implicitly. Sequencing, motor skills, phonemic awareness, meaning, grammar, and reading comprehension are all areas of focus within the program. Using this unique model, the online program can support any and all reading/writing curriculum available. For this reason, it is being used successfully in homeschools, preschool - 3rd grade classrooms, ESL programs, and special education classes. <br />
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<span style="color: black;">I was generously given accounts for all three of my children. Each one has used the program. From just our short review period, I can see the benefits and am looking forward to continuing to use this program in our homeschool. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When beginning the <a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/"><strong>Reading Kingdom</strong></a> program, parents are given the direction to allow the kids to complete this program on their own. With the exception of answering basic operating questions (mouse/keyboard), the parents are to take a backseat. Hard for a helicopter Momma not to be more hands on, rephrase, or give additional directions, but by design, this program is meant for the child to complete on his own at his pace. </span><br />
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To begin, the kids took a placement survey. The first part evaluates reading readiness by testing the student's ability to sequence. Then, typing skills are evaluated. </div>
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The best reader of my three had the worst typing skills. To his frustration, he had to spend some time improving upon his hunting and pecking tactics before getting into the reading aspect of the program. During this time he was quoted, "Mom, is Reading Kingdom suppose to be fun?" He was wanting more of a video game atmosphere. However, he moved quickly through the typing portion, and soon landed at the appropriate reading level (much farther along than the other two). Then, he wasn't quite as disturbed about using the program. The bonus... he now has knowledge of and familiarity with the order of letters on the keyboard, the space bar, punctuation marks, CAPS LOCK, and the shift function. <br />
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/Reading%20Kingdom%202/readingkingdom2screenshot_zps523e6256.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Reading Kingdom screenshot photo readingkingdom2screenshot_zps523e6256.jpg" border="0" height="149" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20Kingdom%202/readingkingdom2screenshot_zps523e6256.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20Kingdom/?action=view&current=Progress_Check_reading.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="149" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20Kingdom/Progress_Check_reading.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Time is not wasted continually reviewing prior knowledge but constantly offers new challenges. <strong><a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/">Reading Kingdom</a></strong> will customize to match each child's ability. Therefore, the student can work autonomously and the program will continue to adjust throughout to align with the child's skill level. The program is designed to minimize error. If and when error occurs, specific techniques are offered to overcome the problem. </span><br />
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For my daughter, who is fearful of making mistakes, the continual positive reinforcement was very motivating. The applause and kudos heard from the computer were encouraging to her. She sat in front of the screen with a huge grin on her face. <br />
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On average, the lessons take 15-30 minutes to complete. If the child needs to pause or stop the program, there are buttons located at the top of the screen. Upon returning, the kid student will return to where he left off. The pause feature was especially helpful for my fidgety kiddo who inevitably had to go to the bathroom in the middle of each lesson. So fear not... even a case of the wiggles won't interfere :)<br />
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The program is intended to be used 4-5 times per week. At this pace, the entire program can be finished in a 12-15 month time span. That is pretty impressive since the program goes through a third grade level! Of course, an important reminder for us all: There is never a rush and children should be allowed to progress naturally at their own pace!!!<br />
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On the <strong><a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/">Reading Kingdom</a></strong> website there is a tab I don't want you to miss! Be sure and view all the available <strong><a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/reading-strategies/">Resources</a></strong>. In this section, you will find videos, tutorials, and answers to your questions. Holiday-themed worksheets, interactive games to practice comprehension, sight-word study, activities, and recommended books are all included. There are even weekly learning tips available. This section could easily be missed, but it offers so much!<br />
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20Kingdom/?action=view&current=311561_449181028440362_2088237344_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20Kingdom/311561_449181028440362_2088237344_n.jpg" /></a>A risk-free <strong><a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/">Reading Kingdom</a></strong> account can be created and used free of charge for 30 days. As always, I suggest you start with FREE before investing any money. You want to make sure the program is a good fit for you child. Afterwards, a <strong><a href="https://www.readingkingdom.com/store/">subscription</a></strong> can be purchased for $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr for your first reader. Additional readers are $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr. You can also purchase books, kits, and other supporting resources in the <strong><a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/store/">Reading Kingdom Store</a></strong>. <br />
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Having reviewed this program before, I only had one child working through it. This time I used it with all three. Even with their various learning styles and abilities, I saw that this program was beneficial to each of them. We will continue to use this program in our homeschool. Why don't you click the button below and see what other Schoolhouse Review Crew members are saying about <strong><a href="http://www.readingkingdom.com/">Reading Kingdom</a></strong>?<br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-803706532578089792013-08-15T07:49:00.000-04:002013-08-15T07:49:59.305-04:00All About Spelling Level 1 Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This giveaway is part of the Ultimate Homeschool Giveaway Hop hosted by <a href="http://wp.me/p2NyO9-9rJ" target="_blank">Intoxicated on Life</a>. <strong>Be sure to visit each of the blogs on the linky below for a chance to win many more amazing homeschool curricula, resources, and accessories.</strong></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">**This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support!***</span></em></div>
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<img alt="" height="320" src="http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5900/e3bf3/products/32/images/467/AAS_Level1_LowRes__26562.1351715999.1280.1280.jpg" width="236" /><img alt="Deluxe Spelling Interactive Kit" height="320" src="http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5900/e3bf3/products/111/images/344/AAS_BasicKit__44831__58528.1338929468.280.385.jpg" title="Deluxe Spelling Interactive Kit" width="236" /></div>
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Here, at <strong><a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/">The Wellspring of Life</a></strong>, I'm giving away one of our tried and true, favorite homeschool curriculums. The boys have both used <a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=775&url=1175"><strong>All About Spelling Level 1</strong></a>, and Rachel will be using it this year. It is a fantastic program! So wonderful in fact, that I want YOU to win it! <br />
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Enter now to win the <strong><a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=775&url=1174">All About Spelling Level 1 Teacher's Manual and Student Packet</a></strong> ($29.95) and the <strong><a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=775&url=1176">Level 1 Spelling Basic Interactive Kit</a></strong> ($29.95) Almost $60 value - WOW!!!!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/10366b6/" id="rc-10366b6" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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Our host, <a href="http://wp.me/p2NyO9-9rJ" target="_blank">Intoxicated On Life</a>, has put together a grand prize worth nearly $1,000. This package includes art, music, history, science, Bible resources, writing, and more from these fantastic companies:<br />
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<li><a href="http://apologia.com/index.asp?proc=pg&pg=1" target="_blank">Apologia</a></li>
<li><a href="http://essentialskillsadvantage.com/" target="_blank">Essential Skills Advantage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/" target="_blank">How to Homeschool My Child</a><strong> </strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.compassclassroom.com/" target="_blank">Compass Classroom</a></li>
<li><a href="http://seethelightshine.com/" target="_blank">See the Light</a></li>
<li><a href="http://brimwoodpress.com/" target="_blank">Brimwood Press</a></li>
<li><a href="http://videotext.com/" target="_blank">VideoText Interactive</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mrscienceteacher.com/" target="_blank">Mr. Science Teacher</a></li>
<li><a href="http://homeschoolinthewoods.com/">Home School in the Woods</a></li>
<li><a href="http://intoxicatedonlife.com/shop/" target="blank">Write Through the Bible</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dariamusic.com/" target="_blank">Daria</a></li>
<li><a href="http://heartsathomestore.com/" target="_blank">Hearts at Home Curriculum</a></li>
</ul>
<em>(Disclosure: Intoxicated on Life and participating bloggers are not responsible for companies who do not fulfill their prize obligations)</em><br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script --><br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-16248899431266286572013-08-14T10:44:00.002-04:002013-08-14T10:44:31.373-04:00Draw to Learn (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/Notgrass/notgrass_logo_zps18b23376.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo notgrass_logo_zps18b23376.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/Notgrass/notgrass_logo_zps18b23376.jpg" /></a><br />
Veteran homeschoolers, Ray and Charlene Notgrass, began publishing homeschool curriculum in 1999. The desire of the <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/"><b>Notgrass Company</b></a> is to educate<b> </b>the "heart, soul, and mind" of all ages. This mission is accomplished by providing many curriculum choices covering art, history, economics, civics, government, literature, and the Bible. They have K-8 resources and high school products available.<br />
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Our family was able to review the entire Draw to Learn series: <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-the-Life-of-Jesus.html"><b>Draw to Learn the Life of Jesus</b></a>, <b><a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-Acts.html">Draw to Learn Acts </a></b>, <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-the-Letters-of-Paul.html"><b>Draw to Learn the Letters of Paul</b></a>, <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-Psalms.html"><b>Draw to Learn Psalms </b></a>, and <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-Proverbs.html"><b><br /></b></a>
<a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-Proverbs.html"><b>Draw to Learn Proverbs</b></a>. We received them all in e-book format and also received a physical copy of <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-Proverbs.html"><b>Draw to Learn Proverbs</b></a>. The physical copies of The Draw to Learn series retail for $14.95. All of the <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/"><b>Notgrass Company</b></a>'s consumable workbooks are now available in <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Ebooks/"><b>e-book</b></a> format as well. Each of the titles in the Draw to Learn series can be purchased for <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Ebooks/"><b>$9.95</b></a>.
When you purchase one of the e-books, the Notgrass Company grants you
permission to print copies of the pages for use with your own
household. This is wonderful for my family. It is definitely a cost-efficient option if you are using
the curriculum with multiple students.<br />
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This series leads children through Scripture reading, makes a summary statement of the passage, and prompts the student to respond through drawing. Some of the tasks are basic recall, but others are thought-provoking and provide real-life application. We found that the series would really be appropriate for all ages. The bulk of the work is obviously drawing, but a parent could help with the minimal writing required if the product is used with younger students.<br />
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I admit that when I first opened the product I was a bit underwhelmed. I thought to myself, "Really? I could do this!" Read Scripture, hand the kids a piece of paper, and have them draw. Actually, a lot of us could probably pull this off, but have you? or how often have you? While the concept is simple, I came to the realization that this is a phenomenal product for a number of reasons. 1.) I have and never would have/find the time to tackle such a task. 2.) I wouldn't have it all organized and ready on hand for ease of use. 3.) I probably would lose steam and be unable to come up with that many original prompts.<br />
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After using the product with my children, I see how it encourages them to truly absorb and interact with Scripture. It is teaching them to find the meat and meaning even in the shortest of verses. They are applying the words to their lives and hiding them in their hearts. It really is a joy to see.<br />
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Throughout the summer, I selected a variety of individual pages from the 5 different e-books and printed them for the children's use. Now, that our school year is back in full swing. I have decided to begin each school day with a Draw to Learn lesson. We are working through the 150 lessons in <a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/Draw-to-Learn-Proverbs.html"><b>Draw to Learn Proverbs</b></a>. We are learning about wisdom, understanding, speech, and daily Christian living. Currently, I have Rachel working in the spiral-bound physical book. I print off the pages from the e-book for the boys. However, my intent is to have the finished product bound as well. I think these will make beautiful keepsakes for the children for years to come.<br />
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In my opinion, the Draw to Learn series is really a precursor to journaling through the Bible. It is establishing good habits now that will carry my children throughout their lives. It reinforces that the Bible is absolutely alive and well and the place to turn for answers to questions, encouragement, and strength. I recommend clicking below to see what other Schoolhouse Crew members are saying about their experiences with the Notgrass Company. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-67878852560397132362013-08-13T11:39:00.003-04:002013-08-13T11:39:55.077-04:00Schoolhouse EXPO Ticket GIVEAWAY - ENDS 8/14!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An Outstanding Homeschool Event!</div>
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TOS Presents: </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">THE SCHOOLHOUSE EXPO</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A week-long event!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">August 19-23, 2013</span></strong></center>
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<strong>1:00pm-8:00pm (Eastern) / 10:00am-5:00pm (Pacific)</strong></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>All in the comfort of your own home!</em></strong></span></center>
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Yes, this event is LIVE, but it is all online. </center>
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<a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/august_2013_expo_schedule/"><strong>Click Here for the SCHEDULE.</strong></a></center>
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Times not good for you? Not a problem. </center>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">All sessions are recorded!</span></em></strong> </center>
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All registrants will receive a link to the recordings when the expo week is complete. </center>
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For <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Only $24</a></span></strong> you can listen to the most sought after homeschool speakers again and again. </center>
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There are 30 incredible speakers!</center>
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Check out some of my faves below. I can't wait to here them again!</center>
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<a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/andrew_pudewa/" title="Andrew Pudewa"><img alt="AndrewPudewa-Final" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241" height="202" scale="0" src="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AndrewPudewa-Final.png" width="152" /></a> <a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/hal__melanie_young/" title="Hal & Melanie Young"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="201" scale="0" src="http://www.schoolhousefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/HalAndMelanie-Final.png" width="151" /></a> <a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/kim_kautzer_-_writeshop/" title="Kim Kautzer"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="201" scale="0" src="http://www.schoolhousefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/KimKautzer-Final.png" width="151" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/todd_wilson_-_the_familyman/" title="Todd Wilson - The Familyman"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="201" scale="0" src="http://www.schoolhousefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ToddWilson-Final.png" width="151" /></a> <a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/marie_rippel/" title="Marie Rippel"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="202" scale="0" src="http://www.schoolhousefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MarieRippel-Final.png" width="152" /></a> <a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/davis_carman/"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="202" scale="0" src="http://www.schoolhousefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DAVIS-CARMAN-Final.png" width="152" /></a></center>
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-4239915645173857292013-08-12T11:00:00.001-04:002013-08-12T11:00:47.285-04:00Bible Study for All Ages (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/BibleStudyGuideAllAges/logo_zpsd228aed3.png.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo logo_zpsd228aed3.png" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/BibleStudyGuideAllAges/logo_zpsd228aed3.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When deciding whether or not to reapply to be a Schoolhouse Review Crew member for 2013, there was the possibility of reviewing one product that swayed me more than any other... </span></span><a href="http://biblestudyguide.com/"><b>Bible Study Guide for All Ages</b></a>. This is a curriculum that can be used in homeschools, Christian schools, Christian education programs, churches, family Bible studies, etc. All ages (3 through adult) can use the curriculum to simultaneously study through the Bible. The same Biblical accounts and passages of Scripture are taught to all through lessons tailored specifically to the needs of each individual age group.<br />
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My parents' church uses <a href="http://biblestudyguide.com/"><b>Bible Study Guide for All Ages</b></a> in their Sunday School program, and my kids have always loved it when visiting with them. I was thrilled that our family was chosen to review the <a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/primary-student-pages.php"><b>Primary Level Student Pages and Teacher's Guide</b></a>, <a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/childrens-songs-cd.php"><b>Children's Songs CD Set</b></a><b> </b>and <a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/bible-book-summary-cards.php"><b>Bible Book Summary Cards</b></a>. The primary level is targeted for 1st-2nd graders. This is perfect since Rachel is a 1st grader now, and even though my boys are 3rd graders, I had them work at the same level mainly for management ease on my part. All three of my kids worked well in this program and enjoyed the studies thoroughly. In fact, we have all been so pleased, that it is my intent to continue using this curriculum throughout our school year. Time to order the next unit!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://biblestudyguide.com/"><b>Bible Study Guide for All Ages</b></a> is comprised of 416 lessons, but they are purchased in 26 lesson units. At a suggested pace of 2 lessons per week, the curriculum will take 4 years to complete. Since we averaged 20 minutes for each lesson, we are actually planning to incorporate the Bible studies into each homeschool day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The </span><b><a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/primary-student-pages.php">Primary Teacher's Guide</a> </b>($9.95) <span style="font-family: inherit;">leads the teacher through the 6 parts of the lesson. The parts are labeled using A-F on the student pages. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A: Review</b> - pretty self-explanatory. In this section, the children have activities that allow them to draw on prior knowledge and review people, places, etc. they have already learned.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>B: Memory Work</b> - Naturally, we assume this would be Scripture verses, but it includes more. Students memorize facts about people in the Bible, focus on the happenings in individual books of the Bible, etc. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>C: Things to Know/Get Active</b> - Object lesson time! In this section, kids learn new terminology, cultural aspects, and historical background. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>D: Today's Bible Text</b> - This section introduces the Bible account for the day. The story is told through comic like pictures on the student pages. The comic boxes are numbered to correspond with the Teacher instructions. As the story is read, the teacher will guide the students to circle, trace, color items in the boxes. All of these tasks help the students to remain engaged and connected to the story. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>E: Timeline/Map Work</b> - The student pages contain both timelines and maps for the kids to color and label. This allows the students to get a grasp of the chronology of the Bible and the area in which events took place in relationship to where we live. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>F: Apply It!</b> - How does the Bible lesson relate to everyday life? The lesson concludes with an example that kids can relate to. </span></li>
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<b><a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/primary-student-pages.php">Primary Student Pages</a> </b>are consumable, so you will need to order for each student. These are very affordable at only $5.95 for each 26 lesson unit. In my opinion, a great value!<br />
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/BibleStudyGuideAllAges/childrens-songs-cd_zps6d5f5503.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo childrens-songs-cd_zps6d5f5503.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/BibleStudyGuideAllAges/childrens-songs-cd_zps6d5f5503.jpg" /></a><br />
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While it is possible to use only the teacher's guide and student pages, the experience will be much richer if you add the optional <b><a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/childrens-songs-cd.php">Children's Songs CD Set</a> </b>($19.95) and the <b><a href="http://www.biblestudyguide.com/bible-book-summary-cards.php">Bible Book Summary Cards</a></b><br />
($24.95). Both of these items are often used in the Memory Work session of the lesson plan. We found the songs enjoyable and easy to remember. Still, the summary cards were my favorite because I see how they can be used again and again and in such a wide variety of settings. They are a tremendous tool for learning and review. <b> </b><br />
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Reasons I LOVE <a href="http://biblestudyguide.com/"><b>Bible Study Guide for All Ages</b></a>:<br />
<ul>
<li>So often children's Biblical curriculum is taught as isolated stories, and kids lack the BIG PICTURE of the Bible. Not so with this choice! Students of all ages learn the links between the Old and New Testaments and come away understanding God's story of redemption and great love for His children. </li>
<li>In every unit, there are lessons taken from both the Old and New Testaments. Students are introduced to Jesus early on.</li>
<li>The lessons use the NIV translation which is what my children are most familiar with.</li>
<li>It is affordable! When talking about consumables for 3 children, costs often add up quickly. At only $5.95 per child/per 26 lesson unit, ordering for all 3 won't break the bank. For that I am very thankful since we plan to continue using this curriculum.</li>
<li>The lessons offer a variety of activities. Therefore, the kids are never bored. God's Word is not stale or mundane but ALIVE and WELL!</li>
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You can obviously tell I'm a big fan, but I encourage you to read the review of others. See how other families used the Primary level in their homes. In addition, some crew members used the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels of the curriculum. Check them all out by clicking below. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-8249532312942262692013-08-09T09:34:00.004-04:002013-08-09T09:34:58.636-04:00The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder DVD (Review)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Growing up, I enjoyed watching <em>Little House on the Prairie</em>. In fact, I still do because if I want a warm fuzzy feeling or need a good cry Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert always deliver. I'm a horrible mother though because I have deprived my children of this wonderful TV series. Now confession time, while I rocked some braids that could rival little miss Half-Pint's, even worse I have never read the original series of books authored by Laura Ingalls Wilder. (GASP!) Ok... so I guess I'm the deprived one. <br />
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In efforts to redeem my childhood, I added the books to our family read-aloud list. Shortly after, the Schoolhouse Review Crew had the opportunity to review either <a href="http://www.legacydocsshop.com/shop/almanzo-wilder-dvd.html"><strong>Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura</strong></a><strong> </strong>or<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.lauraingallswilderhome.com/?product=little-house-on-the-prairie-the-legacy-of-laura-ingalls-wilder-dvd"><strong>Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder</strong></a>. I jumped on the latter!<br />
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The mission of <a href="http://legacydocumentaries.com/"><strong>Legacy Documentaries</strong></a> is to create and deliver content so compelling it entertains, informs and shapes the lives of our viewers. Who is the man behind the production of these documentaries? None other than Almanzo Wilder... well, Dean Butler, the actor who portrayed Almanzo in the tv series. <br />
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<strong><em>$24.95</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Length: 1 hour</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Format: DVD</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Recommended for all ages</em></strong></div>
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Captivating cinematography, historic photographs, classic paintings, reenactments, interviews, and narration combine to create an hour long documentary that defies the common misconception that documentaries equal BORING. The viewer both young and old, Laura fan or Little House novice, will be drawn in by the beautiful scenery, compelling music, and iconic story. Laura Ingalls Wilder had much to share through her books, but we all have much to learn from her life.</div>
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We are reminded that life on the prairie didn't actually take place in hour long increments with a spattering of commercial breaks before a happy ending. Instead, we're guided to think of the struggles of living off the land, facing the harsh elements, surviving crop failure, and dealing with poverty. This is a reminder of the American past. </div>
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While this documentary gives attention to the childhood and formative years of Laura Ingalls Wilder, it goes far beyond the stories chronicled in her books. The viewer will come to know Laura - the wife, the mother, and the author. We learn of the relationship between Laura and Almanzo, the heart-wrenching experience of losing a baby boy, an often strained relationship with her daughter Rose, and the constant financial hardships. </div>
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In the DVD, each of Laura's books are described. The actual happenings in Laura's life and family are discussed. Having not read the books, I found these "insider clues" particularly interesting. Now when reading the books, I'll have a better idea of what is factual and what is fiction. For example, the notorious antagonist I know from the show, Nellie, is actually based on not one but three girls Laura knew as a child. The use of composite characters was interesting. </div>
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My thoughts:<br />
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Permanently ingrained in my brain are pictures of the actors and actresses from the television series, so I enjoyed the actual photographs of Laura and her family. It removed the fiction element of the stories I love and reminded me that this is history. Laura was a real person who accomplished great things... even when faced with adversity. <br />
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Also, being a music geek, I must say that the original score was well-crafted. The rise and fall of the melody followed the storyline and the chosen instrumentation set the tone beautifully. Overall, it was pleasing to the ear and accompanied the telling of Laura's story perfectly. <br />
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My kids:<br />
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Prior to the documentary, they were unfamiliar with Laura Ingalls Wilder. Now, they find her to be an interesting lady. After seeing the DVD, they are ready to read the book series together. <br />
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Members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew reviewed <a href="http://www.legacydocsshop.com/shop/almanzo-wilder-dvd.html"><strong>Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura</strong></a><strong> </strong>or<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.lauraingallswilderhome.com/?product=little-house-on-the-prairie-the-legacy-of-laura-ingalls-wilder-dvd"><strong>Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder</strong></a>. Click below to read the thoughts and experiences of other homeschooling families. It is always great to get multiple opinions. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-20633937583332758632013-08-08T22:14:00.000-04:002013-08-09T22:15:08.131-04:00Being His Hands & Feet in the Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In December, it seems our communities become inundated with hands and feet.
Charitable giving is at all-time highs. Maybe because tis' the season for love,
peace, and joy? Maybe to ease guilty consciences who spent way to much at the
mall on ME & MINE? or Maybe to ensure a tax right off just in the St. Nick
of time? <br /><br />Whatever the motivation, as followers of Christ, we need to be
mindful of the needs always around us... every month, every day! If we desire to share God's love and
point others to Him, we must model for and teach our children to serve all year
long. Within our communities, there are so many opportunities to get involved.
Just a few suggestions...<br /><br />1) Volunteer to serve meals<br />
Does your community have a soup kitchen or shelter? Group home? Usually families can serve together in these venues. Whether dishing out food, clearing dishes, or chatting with the people everyone can be involved.<br />
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Volunteer to serve at clothes closets, food panties, pregnancy resource centers, etc.<br />
Can your family volunteer time to sort and organize donations? Could you help those in need shop for necessary items? I know my kiddos have loved being able to help their grandparents stock canned goods at a local food pantry.<br /><br />3)
Have a drive and collect items for local charities<br />
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<li>canned goods/non-perishables</li>
<li>school supplies</li>
<li>toiletries and personal items</li>
<li>baby care items</li>
<li>fans/air conditioners in the summer</li>
<li>hats, scarves, gloves, and warm socks in the winter</li>
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One group of people that my kiddos have become keenly aware of are the homeless. A couple years back, as a Sunday School project, we put together bags to keep in our vehicles to give to the homeless men and women we'd pass along the road. The plastic bags contained bottled water, snack crackers, canned tuna, slim jims, small toiletries, $5 McDonald's gift cards, etc. In our rural area, we actually didn't have a lot of opportunities to share these bags, but as we traveled into the more populated cities we always found those in need.</div>
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Since moving right outside of Nashville, our experiences with homeless people have greatly increased. The kids are quick to point out anyone they see with a cardboard sign. Whether we pass a bag or a few bucks out the window or purchase one of the $1 news publications being sold, we are able to ask the person's name and pray that God blesses them. Our children are learning to look all people in the eyes and know that each and everyone is a cherished, loved child of God. </div>
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In what ways do you serve your community as a family? How are you modeling and teaching your children to be His hands and feet?</div>
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<i>I'm blogging 5 Days of Being His Hands & Feet as a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew's 5 Days Blog Hop. Be sure and check out my previous posts in this series <b><a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-through-sponsorship.html">Being His Hands & Feet Through Sponsorship</a></b> , <a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-globally-from.html"><b>Being His Hands & Feet Globally (from right where you are)</b>.</a> and <strong><a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-in-times-of-tragedy.html">Being His Hands & Feet in Times of Tragedy</a></strong>. There are some phenomenal bloggers participating in this blog hop and so many fabulous topics. I guarantee you will find something of interest to read. Click below!</i><br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-23721395470228476672013-08-07T12:33:00.001-04:002013-08-07T12:33:47.200-04:00Being His Hands & Feet In Times of Tragedy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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School shootings, bombs, war, natural disasters.... the daily news bombards us with tragedy after tragedy. In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, a quote from Fred Rogers went viral: <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.</span></i><br />
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I loved these words. They offer comfort and hope to all of us... especially our children. A step further, because of the knowledge and love of Jesus, I want my children to know that they too can be helpers and minister to other in times of need. <br />
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Because we have forgone cable this year, my kids really hadn't seen or heard
about the tornadoes in Oklahoma. Then, an opportunity to help arose within one
of our homeschool groups, so I explained to the kids the situation. The group
was collecting items to send. When rattling off suggestions, the kids stopped
me at baby supplies. With a baby in our home, they knew how important these
things were, so we gathered diapers, wipes, disposable diaper bags, and paper
towels. <br />
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With our donations, the kids also created cards with messages
of hope and encouragement. Some spelling help from Mom, but the words were from
their hearts. As a proud Momma, I took these pictures. Little did I know that I
would share the kids' own words with them later as a reminder of hope in our own
trying situation. <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">God knew!</span></i></b><br />
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Tragedies can be on a grand scale... as the
tornadoes. Tragedy can affect one family or an individual. Either way, for
anyone in the midst of trials and struggles, we can extend generosity, love, and
God's kindness. <br />
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When a fire took the home and all the belongings of a
family in our community, we gathered items in our home to donate... a set of
dishes from the cupboards, clothes from the closet, etc. It was the kids who
went to their bookshelves and toy bins to find items to give away. They did so
with cheerful hearts.<br />
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When a neighbor's family was going through a
divorce and having a hard time, we opened our home. The kids loved having lots
of extra play dates with their friends. While they didn't understand the situation, they knew their buddies were hurting
and were glad to offer a time of fun and distraction. They invited their pals
along to church camp as well, and they all has a great time.<br />
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When tragedy
strikes, how can your children be the hands and feet of Jesus? When someone
experiences a death in the family, we often take a meal. Let your kids help
prepare it or make some cookies to take along. When an elderly neighbor becomes
ill or is no longer able to get out and about, have your kids grab her mail, mow
his yard, pick her flowers, or go over for a chat. There are so many
opportunities for our families to serve. Please share your experiences in the
comments!<br />
<br />
<i>I'm blogging 5 Days of Being His Hands & Feet as a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew's 5 Days Blog Hop. Be sure and check out my two previous posts in this series <b><a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-through-sponsorship.html">Being His Hands & Feet Through Sponsorship</a></b> and <a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-globally-from.html"><b>Being His Hands & Feet Globally (from right where you are)</b>.</a> There are some phenomenal bloggers participating in this blog hop and so many fabulous topics. I guarantee you will find something of interest to read. Click below!</i><br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-52790935316474028792013-08-07T01:00:00.000-04:002013-08-07T01:00:31.207-04:00BrainFood Learning: The Fascinating World of Mammals (Review)<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/BrainFood%20Learning/31477_411332758959489_253604783_n_zps2cd64016.png.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 31477_411332758959489_253604783_n_zps2cd64016.png" border="0" height="172" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/BrainFood%20Learning/31477_411332758959489_253604783_n_zps2cd64016.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/">BrainFood Learning</a></strong> developed out of Bryce and Jennifer Moodey's inability to find both entertaining and educational videos for their young children. What makes these products unique is the teaching of content and facts that other videos shy away from or simplify believing such information to beyond small children's comprehension. However, a stickler for using correct terminology and vocabulary, I truly appreciate that when teaching a subject the products don't "dumb-it-down"! The mind of a child truly is a sponge. If given the opportunity to learn, they will blow you away with what they can grasp and conceptualize. <br />
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I'm pleased that our family had the opportunity to review the <a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-mammals-dvd/"><strong>Fascinating World of Mammals</strong></a> DVD.<br />
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<a href="http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/TOSCrew2011/media/2013TOSCrew/BrainFood%20Learning/mammals_front_500__556451320384055300400_zps4f7f14fe.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo mammals_front_500__556451320384055300400_zps4f7f14fe.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2013TOSCrew/BrainFood%20Learning/mammals_front_500__556451320384055300400_zps4f7f14fe.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>$14.99 </strong></div>
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<strong>52 minutes</strong></div>
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<strong>Recommended for All Ages</strong></div>
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The animals introduced within the video include: the beaver, kangaroo, moose, dolphin, lion, giraffe, elephant, bat, chimpanzee, and bear. Each one is shown in its natural habitat and explained in detail. Children learn about the animal's surroundings, behavior, diet, lifespan, and identifying characteristics. <br />
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<a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-mammals-dvd/"><strong>Fascinating World of Mammals</strong></a> is a mix of still pictures and live video narrated by an adult female. The voicing is easy to understand and pitched in a pleasant range for comfortable listening. On some of the pictures and in the review section, text appears on the screen. Words are in a font and size that is also viewer friendly.</div>
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I found the organization of the DVD to be a strength. A segment was dedicated to each animal. Therefore, it is easy to go back and view an animal in isolation without having to rewind and fast forward. Also, the review portion was divided into 5 sections. For younger students, the flash cards may suffice while more advanced students could benefit from the fact or big word (vocabulary) reviews. <br />
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Watch a short preview of The <a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-mammals-dvd/"><strong>Fascinating World of Mammals</strong></a> below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Gco-4VJL5TI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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A recent addition, <strong><a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/">BrainFood Learning</a></strong> has developed curriculum to use in conjunction with their videos. The <strong><a href="https://www.brainfoodlearning.com/content/mammals_lesson_plan.pdf">Mammals Lesson Plans</a></strong> are available for free download. You will find 16 pages of games, vocabulary review, questions/answers, quizzes, and writing activities.<br />
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Now to get the real review, I polled the experts... Jeremiah, Caleb, and Rachel :-) First, I asked if they could tell me what makes an animal a mammal. Their responses were right on the money: <br />
<ul>
<li>They have hair.</li>
<li>They are warm-blooded.</li>
<li>They breathe with lungs.</li>
<li>They have live babies... don't hatch from eggs.</li>
</ul>
Happy that they grasped the main idea. I asked each of them to share what they learned and their favorite parts of the <a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-mammals-dvd/"><strong>Fascinating World of Mammals</strong></a>. <br />
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Jeremiah: The dolphins are my favorite. Dolphins use echolocation... bats and whales too. Oh, and fruit bats eat avocados.<br />
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Caleb: My favorite part was the questions at the end. I learned that herbivores eat leaves and carnivores eat meat. The beaver was my favorite animal or the kangaroo. The end of the beavers teeth is made for chomping. Kangaroos balance on their tails to kick. When a beaver is scared, it slaps its tail on the water.<br />
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Rachel: I like the monkeys (chimpanzees), bats, and bears. I know the monkeys (chimpanzees) can eat everything. <br />
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Success! They learned new information and enjoyed it in the process. Click below to read other Schoolhouse Review Crew members' reviews. While we reviewed the <strong><a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-mammals-dvd/">Fascinating World of Mammals</a></strong>, other families reviewed the <strong><a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-insects/">Fascinating World of Insects</a></strong> and the <a href="http://www.brainfoodlearning.com/animal-videos/fascinating-world-of-birds-dvd/"><strong>Fascinating World of Birds</strong></a>. <br />
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-32136936004301192512013-08-06T11:39:00.004-04:002013-08-07T09:49:09.350-04:00Being His Hands & Feet Globally (from right where you are)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjynNKsh7JUxG2CbYUQEYGQWLnU76mDUVnwPDJ96qfL8Ow1MoSE_mP7zh0TbkWr2xU6WjjQYiTFei-TnvNjz_NUJfzuIV_zEIF5bIUaI-cxgWBvOHPPZW94iMUc_L2p2OSVC38am1qpaQ/s1600/bloghop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjynNKsh7JUxG2CbYUQEYGQWLnU76mDUVnwPDJ96qfL8Ow1MoSE_mP7zh0TbkWr2xU6WjjQYiTFei-TnvNjz_NUJfzuIV_zEIF5bIUaI-cxgWBvOHPPZW94iMUc_L2p2OSVC38am1qpaQ/s320/bloghop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_163050817"></span><span id="goog_163050818"><strong><a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-through-sponsorship.html">Yesterday's blog post</a></strong> definitely had a global perspective, but as I feel so passionately about child sponsorship it morphed into an entire post of its own. Still there are sooooo many ways that we can get our children involved in serving the world and sharing the love of Jesus even when they may be to young to travel to far off lands and places. I'm just going to hit some highlights and offer suggestions based on things we have done in the past and are planning to do in the future.</span><br />
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<strong>Operation Christmas Child</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/?&utm_source=OCC_WebResources&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=A" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="Operation Christmas Child" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.samaritanspurse.org/images/graphic_resources/2012Banners/Ads_OCC_120x90.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor; height: 90px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 120px;" /> </a>One of our favorite ways to serve is through packing <strong><a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/">Operation Christmas Child</a></strong> boxes. The kids each pack at least one box for a child the same age and gender as they are. This personalizes the experience, and it is as if they are shopping for a friend. They also draw pictures and write letters to be included in their box, and last year we were able to track our box and knew its final destination.<br />
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All year long, we are able to pick up trinkets and treasures, save happy meal toys, and hold on to travel size toiletries. Actually, with back to school sales, now is a great time to grab small items for your shoeboxes. Don't forget end of season clearance racks as well. T-shirts are fairly cheap right now. <br />
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<strong>Meal Packing</strong><br />
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Often our kiddos take the fully stocked pantry and fridge for granted and forget that hunger and starvation are very real problems in our world. Two of my kiddos still recall a time in their early lives where they lacked food to eat, so meal packing is very meaningful to them. Knowing they are helping other children have nutritious food brings an immediate smile to their faces. <br />
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There are a number of organizations that are involved with meal packing. Often, a church serves as a host site and volunteers from the congregation and community work together to pack a large number of meals. With our church, we packed a million meals for Haiti. We're looking forward to another meal packing session this fall. Possibly there is a meal packing event near you... or maybe your church can host one soon!<br />
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<strong>Supply Drives </strong><br />
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There are always needs. Some are great and some are small, but we can all do something to tackle a need. We have partnered with various organizations and ministries over the years. Last summer, we volunteered to host an Anti-Fungal Cream drive for AHOPE in Ethiopia. We have worked with UniKids to collect school supplies for children in Ethiopia. The possibilities are endless. Connect with a group that you believe in and are passionate about their work. Identify and/or ask them about a need. Then, grab the kids and hit the pavement. Mom - don't forget you social media circles too.<br />
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<strong>Fundraising</strong><br />
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Malaria nets, mattresses, HIV/AIDS medication, goats, chickens, Bibles, etc. At one point or another, we have financially contributed to and/or purchased these items for things in need. Often we have involved the children in making the decision as to what to purchase, but moving forward, we'd like them to also be involved in the act of purchasing. Thus, there will be some fundraising on their parts.<br />
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They already earn an allowance, and each week they are supposed to designate some of their earnings as "GIVE" money. Absolutely, they are welcome to use these funds, but we're going to encourage them to do more. How will that look? Possibly...<br />
<ul>
<li>do extra chores/odd jobs for family and friends to earn more money</li>
<li>have a yard sale, lemonade stand, bake sale, etc.</li>
<li>have an ____-a-thon to earn money (walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon, read-a-thon)</li>
<li>write a letter to friends/family and ask them to support whatever project they are working towards</li>
</ul>
Are you teaching your children that they can be the hands and feet of Jesus throughout the world? Yes, even from right where you are!!! In what ways are you serving together? Please share in the comments.<br />
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<em>I'm blogging 5 Days of Being His Hands & Feet as a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew's 5 Days Blog Hop. Be sure and check out my <strong><a href="http://thewellsspring.blogspot.com/2013/08/being-his-hands-feet-through-sponsorship.html">Day 1 post</a></strong>. There are some phenomenal bloggers and many fabulous topics. I guarantee you will find something of interest to read. Click below!</em><br />
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<br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-85650866601554905502013-08-06T11:14:00.000-04:002013-08-13T11:55:06.420-04:00Schoolhouse Expo Coming to a Home Near You.... YOUR HOME!<center>
<a href="http://schoolhouseexpo.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Schoolhouse Expo" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Totally%20TOS/Expo2013SpecialEvent_zps1e2a5a46.jpg" /></a><strong> </strong></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>A week-long Schoolhouse Expo Event</strong></span></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>August 19-23, 2013</strong></span></center>
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<strong>1:00pm-8:00pm (Eastern) / 10:00am-5:00pm (Pacific)</strong></center>
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<strong>WHERE'S THE VENUE??? </strong></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>YOUR HOME!!!!</strong></span></center>
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Yes, this event is LIVE, but it is all online. </center>
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Times not good for you? Not a problem. </center>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">All sessions are recorded!</span></em></strong> </center>
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All registrants will receive a link to the recordings when the expo week is complete. </center>
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For <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Only $24</a></span></strong> you can listen to the most sought after homeschool speakers again and again. </center>
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In your P.J.'s...</center>
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With your midnight snack...</center>
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Feeding the baby in the wee hours of the morning...</center>
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While on your treadmill...</center>
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Afternoon break...</center>
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The choice is yours! </center>
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While comfortable and relaxed in your own home, you can enjoy a wonderful homeschool event. </div>
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I'm excited to attend the expo without the distractions of crowds, vendors, blogger meet-ups, and curriculum to browse and buy. I can actually take time to really soak in and absorb the messages of the speakers. Not to mention I can hit rewind any time I want! No need to whisper to the momma beside me to ask, "What did he say?" WooHOO!!!</div>
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-49064446796744053922013-08-05T08:46:00.003-04:002013-08-06T11:48:23.500-04:00Being His Hands & Feet Through Sponsorship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In September of 2011, while at an Ethiopian New Year celebration, we had the opportunity to hear the director of the <strong><a href="http://www.hopechest.org/community/kebron/about/">Kebron Carepoint</a></strong> speak. Yewbi shared her heart, vision, and incredible ministry. Already a huge fan of the work of Tom Davis and <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/"><b>Children's Hope Chest</b></a>, it was a no brainer for my hubby and I to decide for our family to sponsor a child.<br />
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While I mingled among the guests and helped my team clean up after the event, Jon took the kiddos over to the table to choose a child from the display of pictures. They selected one of the sweet little ones that would be served at <strong><a href="http://www.hopechest.org/kebron-orphanage-may-2013/">Kebron</a></strong>. Thus, Eliham became an extension of our family.<br />
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<a border="0" href="http://aheartforhis.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/beckyburk/kprbutton-1.png" /></a><br />
Yewbi shared with us that this precious girl was not one of the children that resided at the orphanage but instead was still with her family. She would visit the <strong><a href="http://aheartforhis.blogspot.com/p/about-kebron.html">Kebron Carepoint</a></strong> daily to have her physical and spiritual needs met, but in her case, her family was still intact. Praise God! They are impoverished and also of the Muslim faith. Thankfully, by visiting Kebron each day Eliham would be able to thrive and grow, and most importantly she'd have the opportunity to learn of Jesus and God's saving grace.<br />
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Being that adoption is something we live day-in-and-day-out and is always a topic of conversation, the kids immediately asked if we were going to adopt Eliham. Jon and I were able to explain that Eliham would be an extension of our family, but because of our contributions she'd be able to remain with her family. We would send money to ensure that she had food to eat, clothes to wear, received medical care, got an education, and would be able to hear about Jesus. The kids were excited to be a part of the ministry to Eliham and her family.<br />
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Now it would have been extremely easy for our family to have gone home after the event, put our munchkins to bed, wake up the next morning, and them never think another thing about beautiful Eliham again. We could write a check or have $34 electronically drafted from our bank account each month and our children would never know the difference. Instead, we were determined to make this sponsorship a family committment. It was and continues to be our desire to teach our children that they can be God's hands and feet through sponsorship.<br />
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Ask me HOW?<br />
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1.) PRAY <br />
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When we got home, Eliham's precious face was clipped to the refrigerator. The idea was to combat the "out of sight - out of mind" theory. Because she was placed in a central location that we each come in contact with multiple times a day, we are constantly reminded to pray. Guess what? Yep, you got it! Eliham's picture still hangs on my fridge today! Actually, we just received an updated information card. I'm thrilled to say that Eliham's status was updated and changed from extremely vulnerable to vulnerable... our sponsorship is making a difference!<br />
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2.) COMMUNICATION<br />
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We receive updates from Eliham including pictures and correspondence from her translated in English. In response, my kiddos are able to color her pictures, write to her, and answer her questions. While some of this is done by snail mail, <b><a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">Children's Hope Chest </a></b>makes this so easy to do as you can send your sponsor child <strong><a href="http://www.hopechest.org/write-your-child/">correspondence via email</a></strong> at any time.<br />
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3.) CARE PACKAGES<br />
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Several times a year, we have the opportunity to extend our love to Eliham through gifts. Whenever an individual or team is traveling to Ethiopia and will be visiting Kebron, we can send a care package. It would be simple for me to hit the store and select items to fill a gallon zip lock bag all on my own. However, it is much more meaningful when my kids are the ones roaming the aisles to find trinkets and treasures to give Eliham. They also choose a new outfit or two they think she'd like. Then, once home, they help me carefully package everything. They so look forward to the updates and pictures of Eliham with her new things.<br />
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(Eliham wearing one new outfit and holding her care package. June 2013)</div>
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4.) GO<br />
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My friend, <strong><a href="http://aheartforhis.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html">Kristin Roach</a></strong>, the Kebron Carepoint Coordinator, is able to take a yearly trip to visit the kids at Kebron and she often takes one of her teenagers along. While my kiddos are a bit small to serve on an international missions trip, they can be very much involved in my preparations to go. (3rd time is a charm right... I have high hopes to join Kristin this summer!) We are already brainstorming items we could collect to donate and fundraising efforts we can participate in to tackle one of the capital projects. Then, when they are older, they too can travel to Kebron.<br />
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Would your family consider being the Hands & Feet of Jesus through sponsorship? There are many organizations that offer sponsorship opportunities. I have the utmost respect for Children's Hope Chest. They operate with integrity and your money truly goes to create life change for the children sponsored. In the short time that Eliham has been an extended part of our family, we have absolutely seen her flourish. We love the reports of how she has come out of her shell and is engaging with others. She is healthy and learning about Jesus. Oh how we LOVE sponsorship!<br />
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Several of Eliham's friends are without sponsors. <strong>Maybe you are who they are waiting for!!!</strong><br />
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Visit the <strong><a href="http://www.hopechest.org/community/kebron/sponsor/">Kebron Community Page</a></strong>. Select one of the children marked unsponsored, and make them part of your family today!!!! SPONSOR!<br />
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<em>I'm blogging 5 Days of Being His Hands & Feet as a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew's 5 Days Blog Hop. There are some phenomenal bloggers and many fabulous topics. Homeschooling, everyday living, being frugal, faith... the topics vary so much. Click below. I'm sure you'll find many great reads of interest especially to you!</em><br />
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<br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-781597961162941502013-08-02T08:42:00.003-04:002013-08-02T08:42:46.457-04:00Gryphon House - Global Art (Review)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Educator? Parent? Caregiver? Do any of these titles fit? If so and you aren't already, you should become familiar with <a href="http://gryphonhouse.com/"><strong>Gryphon House</strong></a>. This company publishes and distributes high quality, award winning books and resources children. Ready to check them out? There are <a href="http://www.gryphonhouse.com/activities/index.asp"><strong>hundreds of free activities</strong></a><strong> </strong>on their website that you can view and use today with your children. Believe it or not, these freebies are just a sampling of the gems this company has to offer.<br />
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<em>190 pages, paperback</em><br />
<em>PreK-5th grade</em></div>
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<strong><em>$16.95</em></strong></div>
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Our family had the opportunity to review <a href="http://www.gryphonhouse.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?BookID=18827"><strong>Global Art</strong></a> by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter. We found this book unique in comparison to other art books we have used in the past. Mainly because of the global perspective being at the forefront. The Table of Contents has the projects organized by continent and therein by either country or people group. Thus, it makes it easy to find an art project that would make a great pairing for your current history or geography studies. On each project page, there is a globe with a star on it notating the location of the project and a "Kid you know?" paragraph providing small blurbs and cultural factoids. <br />
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The <a href="http://www.gryphonhouse.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?BookID=18827"><strong>Global Art</strong></a> projects include collage, painting, drawing, printing, sculpting, and constructing. With over 135 projects to choose from, you could find yourself lost as to where to begin. Not so thanks to the fabulous organization of this book. I greatly appreciated the "Using the Icons" page at the beginning of the book. Yes, there are self-explanatory paintrbrush, scissors, construction, etc. icons to illustrate the techniques being used, but of most interest to me were the experience level and planning and preparation icons. Using a star system, I was able at a glance to see if a project was for a beginner, a child with limited experience, or someone who was more experienced. The numerals 1-3 denoted whether the materials used were common household items, familiar items that may need to be purchased, or unfamiliar items that could still easily be found.<br />
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Knowing the hustle and bustle of summer and the amount of traveling we would be doing, I specifically sought out projects for beginners that required little planning and utilized items already in our home. These projects became filler and great boredom busters and rainy day activities. As we move in to our formal school year, we'll try some of the more challenging, time consuming projects. Even better, we can match our art studies with our upcoming geography and history studies.<br />
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Some of our favorite projects included... a Tangram Design Game from China. The boys each cut out their tangrams and then did one of the book's recommended variations. They laid the pieces out in a design, traced an outline, then had their brother attempt to fit the pieces back into the pattern outline. Rachel didn't participate in this project because she was more interested in making a decorative necklace (out of a paper plate) from Central Africa. <br />
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All of the kids created their own Hands Across America Paper Dolls. I can remember making these as a child. AND... just as I had trouble cutting the paper to keep the dolls hands linked, my children did as well. A little trial and error was a part of this project, but the end project was cute.<br />
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Another fun project was the Soft Coral Watercolor from Fiji. My kids LOVE to paint, and I'm the Mommy who usually encourages them to use it sparingly. They loved this project because they were supposed to paint very wet so the colors could blend. <br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm having issues uploading pics of these masterpieces... grumble, grumble, grumble. UGHHH! I'll have to edit this post in the near future when I can get the camera & computer to play nice!)</span></em><br />
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Be sure to read the reviews of other Schoolhouse Review Crew members to see how they used <a href="http://www.gryphonhouse.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?BookID=18827"><strong>Global Art</strong></a> in their homes. Likewise, some crew members reviewed <a href="http://www.gryphonhouse.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?BookID=10322"><strong>The Homegrown Preschooler</strong></a>. If you have a wee one, you will want to pay attention to their insightful posts.</div>
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<br />Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100888234585238827.post-41210397606867902952013-07-30T21:32:00.002-04:002013-07-30T21:32:51.262-04:00Together4Adoption - Oct. 4-5, Louisville, KY - Early Bird Registration<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?page_id=16867">Register Now!!!</a></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Early Bird - Discount $20 - ends July 31st!!!!</span></strong></div>
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Jon and I had the opportunity to attend a <strong><a href="http://www.togetherforadoption.org/">Together for Adoption</a></strong> conference several years ago while still in the "waiting" process of our adoption. We had such a tremendous experience. I so appreciated that the conference wasn't a lot of fluff. The speakers in the main sessions really dug deep into God's Word, and the breakout sessions were both informational and encouraging.</div>
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<strong>The Story that Changes EVERYTHING</strong></div>
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<strong>for US and the FATHERLESS</strong></div>
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<strong>Six</strong> <em>rich</em> <strong>general sessions</strong>. <strong>Fifty</strong> <em>tool-gathering</em> <strong>workshops</strong>. <strong>One</strong> <em>breathtaking</em> <strong>Story</strong>.</div>
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General Session Topics</h3>
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<li><em>The Story Gone Wrong</em> (Mike Reeves, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Delighting-Trinity-Introduction-Christian-ebook/dp/B009G00GYU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369481983&sr=1-1&keywords=Mike+Reeves"><em>Delighting in the Trinity</em></a>)</li>
<li><em>Stories of the Fatherless</em> (Dr. Sharen Ford, Manager of Colorado State’s Permanency Services Unit)</li>
<li><em>The Story Re-Written</em> (Dan Cruver)</li>
<li><em>Our Lives Re-Written</em> (Mike Reeves)</li>
<li><em>Stories of the Fatherless Re-Written</em> (<a href="http://rooseveltchurch.org/about/pastoral-staff/vermon-pierre">Vermon Pierre</a>)</li>
<li><em>When Everything Sad Comes Untrue</em> (<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/">Scotty Smith</a>)</li>
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8 Breakout Session Tracks</h3>
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<li>Stories about Beginning the Adoption Journey (Pre-Adoption)</li>
<li>Stories from Experienced Adoptive Families (Post-Adoption)</li>
<li>Stories from Experienced Adoptive Families with Special Needs</li>
<li>Stories about Foster Care within Families</li>
<li>Stories about the Orphan Crisis from Experienced Organizations</li>
<li>Stories about Financing your Adoption Journey</li>
<li>Stories about Developing Ministries for Adoption/Orphan Care Movement</li>
<li>Stories about God’s Work through the Theology of Adoption</li>
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Adoptive and foster parents, ministers, church leadership, orphan care ministry teams, anyone who cares for the fatherless... this conference is for you! Don't miss Early Registration - it ends tomorrow! I'd LOVE to meet you there!</div>
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Angela W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03489964709819707154noreply@blogger.com0