The World's Story 1 review

 

 

The World's Story 1



 

 

 

 

The first thing I would like to say is I am a huge fan of Masterbooks!  The books give us a solid Biblical World View to teach our children.

 

First off, let me say the pictures and illustration in this book are amazing! This is the one thing that makes this book stand out for me and my bugs (my children). They love looking at all of the pictures in this book. Young and old alike!

 

In this book, each chapter begins with a "Start Here" section. It tells us what will be discussed in the chapter we are about to read and scripture to go along with it. It lets the reader kinda get an idea of what's coming up next!

 

The book also has what is called "Narration Breaks". This gives the reader time to discuss what has been previously talked about. I think this is a fabulous thing to have. I am able to see just how much my bugs are retaining and learning from the reading we are doing. It gives us a time to talk and ask questions. I really like this part of the book.

 

There are also little sections that are labeled "Read" where it gives us scripture to read and discuss. Another nice section is called "Connect". This section gives us a detailed look into history across the ages. All of these sections, in my opinion, are wonderful. I really like having places to stop and discuss things together instead of just reading to the end and not able to take out time to discuss or stop while reading and forgetting where to start back up. Maybe thats just me but it really helps having a designated place to stop and discuss things. I really feel like it helps everyone to learn and understand things better.

 

Lastly, I would highly recommend this book!!! We are still reading this, taking our time enjoying this fabulous book! From what we have read and studied and discussed, we are loving it! This is one of many excelllent resources from Masterbooks and New Leaf Publishing Group.  We have numerous titles and so far, they are all loved.

 

Go check all of the fabulous books, you won't be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer:  I received a digital copy of this book free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Answers Bible Curriculum for Kids

Well, it's that time of the year when everyone is putting out their school supplies and all us homeschool Mom and Dad's are deciding which curriculum we want to order for this upcoming school year! It's so exciting to decide which curriculum we are gonna use in our home each and every year!

Today I want to share with you an amazing company called Masterbooks. They have the most amazing curriculum. I had the pleasure of reviewing Answers for Kids Bible Curriculum and all I can say is WOW!! It's fabulous!!!

I am using this with my 7 and 9 year olds this year for bible. It is such an engaging curriculum and very easy for my bugs to understand. The lesson plans are very easy to use and provide very detailed explanations of each lesson along with scripture, memory verses, visuals and materials to use, Lesson Truths and preparation for your lessons.

It came with a Teacher Resource CD-ROM and also a song cd.

We are not even close to finishing this, so when we are completely through with this wonderful bible curriculum, I will be back for a full review on this including lots of pictures of my bugs learning and having fun with this!!!

I encourage you to go check out Masterbooks. I highly recommend them when deciding on which curriculum you want to use in your homeschool. We love MASTERBOOKS!!!!!

Talk to you later!!!

Big Book of Earth & Sky Review.....

The Big Book of Earth & Sky is a 15 foot chart showing the inner and outer atmosphere, published by Masterbooks, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group. The book is recommended for children ages 7-12, however, I have six children that range from 18 years of age all the way down to 2 years of age and we are enjoying doing this  study all together.

The chart comes out of the book so you can unfold it to experience all the wonderful information to learn and enjoy!

This book is awesome! Each panel is so colorful and inviting. It has such detailed charts and graphs. We are learning so many things. There are all sorts of facts about oceans, mountains, weather, caves, deep-sea diving, the water cycle, just to name a few.

We highly recommend this book. There is also a Teacher Resource Guide for $5.59 that I recommend using when you are teaching out of this book. It has questions, activities and discussions on what you can do for each study. I downloaded a free preview off of their website that looks like this:

Be sure to Like Master Books Facebook page. Right now they are having a Book Clearance Sale going on. You can save up to 75%.



Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for my honest review of this product. No other compensation was given.

The best free ABC Packs ever......

 

I have been looking for a fun ABC learning curriculum for my 5 year old. She knows most of her alphabet but still needs a little practice before I start her in Kindergarten in the fall. I have been following this site for a while but had forgotten about it. The other day, I came across it again and decided to look around a little more than before. I am glad I did. This is the best FREE ABC curriculum I have found. I am really glad I did.

This is something I will be using with my littles for a while. Just wanted to share this awesome site with you!

 

 

Go to: http://www.3dinosaurs.com/printables/abc/abcpacks.php

for these awesome downloads! Enjoy!

 

I plan on sharing our journey with you using these wonderful worksheets!

GOD BLESS!

Review: Christmas Comes To America

HOMESCHOOL LEGACY

 

 

 

Well, the month of December is just around the corner. Everyone knows what that means: Family, Food and the Christmas holiday! Our family loves Christmas. We first want to remember what Christmas is all about, the most important thing, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! There is nothing like the joy of Christmas. During this time of the year, I like to make school fun. A month or so ago, I was contacted by Homeschool Legacy and given the opportunity to review their Once-A-Week Unit Study----Christmas Comes to America. I thought what a perfect opportunity to have tons of fun learning other Christmas traditions.

 

 

 

Once-A-Week Unit Studies are written for homeschool families, in my opinion, to make learning fun. Why Once-A-Week unit studies? There is no prep-time or work, easily incorporated into anyones schedule, very flexible and Biblically-centered, which is a big plus for our family. Once-A-Week means to do your unit study one day each week.

 

Christmas Comes to America focuses on the history of American Christmas traditions. This study shows one common thread among the cultures. Gift-Givers: Sinterklaas, Christkindl, Father Christmas, among others. These symbols represent the True Saint Nicholas.

 

I will give you an example of no prep-time or work. Each once-a-week study comes with a pick & choose read-alouds list for non-readers, optional books, videos and music list. There are books you read to go along with the study. Each week you are to read one of the books independently and one as a family read-aloud. There are four weeks in this study:

 

Week 1: The Dutch

Week 2: The English

Week 3: The Germans

Week 4: An American Christmas

 

Each week we learned the different names of the gift giver for each country. For example, the Germans have Christkindl (where we get Kris Kringle from) - Christ Child. There are so many activities in this unit study. From making and drinking hot cocoa and marshmallows to building a gingerbread house. We are having so much fun with this. I am looking forward to doing some of the activities we were unable to do. This is definitely  a unit study you don't want to miss!

 

This once-a-week study can be purchased at Homeschool Legacy for $17.95. Go get this study and have a fun Christmas Study for the month of December. They also offer other studies like the one our family used here while back entitled Lewis & Clark: From Sea to Shining Sea which we thoroughly enjoyed.

 



Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of the product in exchange for my honest opinion. All my opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations.

TOS Crew Review - Spanish for You!

We are reviewing the Fiestas curriculum from Spanish for You!

This is a really fun curriculum. We have never studied any type of foreign language so this is all new to us.

Spanish for You! is a year long, multi-level curriculum. It is recommended for children in grades 3-8 and is designed for family, self-study and classroom use. The package includes:

     ***a soft-cover guide book or ebook
     ***24-30 weeks of lesson guides (pdf)
     ***self-checking worksheets (pdf)
     ***audio files of the entire book, includes bonus audio of
           native speaker (mp3)
     ***flashcard/activity pictures (pdf)

The cost for all grade levels in a set is $64.95. If you want just certain grades, you can purchase a package just for grades 3-4 or 5-6 or 7-8 for $39.95. Teacher lesson plans are NOT included and can be purchased for $12.95.

We found that, Fiestas, the curriculum we are using, is really easy to use. I appreciated the different level of lessons. This is perfect for our many children. We enjoyed making the flashcards, we love flashcards! This is very helpful for the little ones. I feel, if they can see a picture of something that we are learning about, it make s it easier for them to comprehend and learn.

The audios are also very helpful. Hearing everything spoken in Spanish is an essential element in learning a new language. We are able to listen and say each word correctly.

If you are looking for a language program that is easy to use, fun, and offers a variety in terms of activities, then go and research this wonderful curriculum Spanish For You!

Check out what other crew members had to say about this curriculum.

Review of Progeny Press, Beowulf Study Guide

We reviewed the Interactive Study guide for Beowulf. We received the download for this study. We have used Progeny Press before but this was our first experience with the interactive one. It can be printed for the student to use or they can enter their answers directly into the study guide computer file.
The study guide for Beowulf is recommended for grades 9-12. This study guide is available for $18.99 as a download, $21.99 for the printed booklet and $18.99 for a CD. Included with the guide is an answer key for the teacher.

It is recommended that the student read the entire poem before beginning the guide. We followed the instructions given which were reading first, then working a couple of pages a day in the guide. It was nice using the interactive guide. My 9th grader used this guide and I was glad to see lots of vocabulary and comprehension. At times, it was a little difficult to understand but she made it through it.

Go see what other crew members had to say.

Artistic Pursuits Review

We were so excited when we were told we could review ARTISTIC PURSUITS.

My 11 year old bug is my little artist. We have heard such great things about this company. This curriculum has taught her so many things and she is still enjoying her lessons. This art program not only teaches children how to draw, it also includes art history and appreciation.

We were chosen to review the Elementary 4-5: Book Two, Color and Composition book. It is for ages 9 and up and is just the right fit for my fifth grader.

This thick, comb-bound book is so beautiful. Each unit in this book includes:

    Lesson 1: Vocab and Creative Exercise
    Lesson 2: Art Appreciation and History
    Lesson 3: Techniques
    Lesson 4: Application


The focus of this book is to teach color and composition. It also provides an in-depth look at the color wheel. Units will guide your child through a study of color while covering topics such as primary and secondary color, neutral color and analogous colors. Each unit focuses on one color theory principle at a time.

There is a small list of supplies required. It was fairly easy to find all of them. One was a set of watercolor pencils, something we have never purchased before, so she was quite excited about that.

She used this art program a few times a week. We decided it would be best for her to finish all of her other studies before she started art class so she could take her time and not rush through her lesson for that day. It usually takes her about 30 - 45 minutes to complete a lesson. She is learning so much from Artistic Pursuits. We have not been disappointed by this program.

Here are a few of her art pieces:

I am so proud of her and I just know each time she sits down with this program, she is learning and only getting better!

Artistic Pursuits is available for preschool through high school.

Go here to find out more about Artistic Pursuits. There are 10 books in all and each level, including Elementary 4-5, Book Two: Color and Composition, sells for $47.95.

Go check out more reviews on Artistic Pursuits here.

TOS Review: Lone Star Learning

I was really excited to be able to review the Science Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1 cards from Lone Star Learning. I had kinda got away from vocabulary and spelling in our homeschool for a while now. I have been wanting  to re-incorporate it back into our school routine. When this came up for review, I jumped at the chance.

When I received these cards, I could not believe how nice they were. Each set contains 40 cards and are available in 5.5" X 8.5". full, color-coated cards. They show the word and its meaning in picture form.

We use these cards once a week, sometimes two, if the words are more of the easier ones. I give the bugs, 15, 11 and 10 year olds, two words a week to learn to spell correctly and to learn the meaning. I bought each one of them small notebooks to use with these cards. They are required to write all of their information in their notebooks so they can study them and learn them. When I flash the words to them, I expect them to know how to say the word, spell it and give the correct meaning.

There are so many ways to use these cards. We are using them for spelling, vocabulary and as flashcards. We are really enjoying these cards. Each set comes with a definition sheet. We are using it instead of a dictionary.

Here is a list from the Science Vocabulary Pictures, set 1:

blizzard, carnivore, Celsius, condensation, conductor, conglomerate, conifer, deciduous, evaporation, fall, fern, fibrous root, flood, friction, gear, gravity, herbivore, igneous, inclined plane, inherited, lever, fulcrum, load, magnetic, mammal, metamorphic, moss, permeable, precipitation, pulley, reptile, sedimentary, spring, stretch, summer, symmetry, taproot, turn, wedge, wheel, winter

I also received, by accident, the Target Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1. We haven't started this set yet, but are looking forward to them once we finish the science set. Lone Star Learning was gracious enough to let us keep both sets to review. How nice is that!!!

The Science Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1 is $29.99.

The Target Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1 is $29.99.

I highly recommend these vocabulary cards. They are really nice, high-quality cards that can be used in so many ways. The colors are amazing!

To see what other crew members had to say, click here!

Schoolhouse Review: A+ Tutorsoft

A+ Tutorsoft, Inc. is an interactive, multimedia, multi-sensory math program for grades 1-6, plus Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. A+ Tutorsoft offers both online and CD software math curriculum. For this review, I received the A+ Interactive Math 4th Grade CD Software, Premium Edition.

Don't let the website overwhelm you like it did me. Once you've spent a little time there, you will begin to see all that this program has to offer. Things like free math placement tests, free pdf downloads of grade specific worksheet packs, a free one month online subscription, just to name a few.


Here is a testimonial from their website:

     "A+ Tutorsoft happens to be one of those exceptional and outstanding visual math programs. What initially attracted my visual non-math self to this program was not just the visuals but how many features you get with this program."

     "Give me all the help I want with math and present it to me in a variety of ways. A+ Tutorsoft gets rave reviews from me on that part. You don't get just one way to tackle this program but you can mix and match these features depending on your needs. It is like having both a student curriculum and teacher's guide rolled into one program."

To read more, click:
http://www.newbeehomeschooler.com/apps/blog/show/12923036

There are three options for A+ Interactive Math:

     ~~~   an online subscription
     ~~~   a physical CD standard edition
     ~~~   a physical CD premium edition

A+ Interactive Math is a full math curriculum. My 11 year old daughter is using this program.

 It includes multimedia lessons which are great. I didn't have to sit with her and be the teacher, everything is already there. I can easily monitor her progress. It has a lesson plan which is very helpful, an easy way to keep up with things.

The Interactive Q & A section comes with each lesson and is where she was able to respond with an answer to what she was learning. This section has several multiple  choice questions. She said she really enjoyed this. It would give her immediate feedback on her answers. She had an option at the end of this section to print a certificate.

The curriculum book is a math textbook that can accompany each lesson. There is also a worksheet and exam that can printed out to complete. It also has an answer and solution section.

Over all, my daughter thought the program was good. She is using it as a supplement with her other math program. I asked her if A+ Interactive Math would be something she would like to continue using and her response was "Yes". I think this is something I will be able to pass down to my younger bugs since I chose to review the CD software.

The Premium 4th Grade CD Edition can be purchased for $124.99 and the program works for up to 5 children. The standard edition is available for $99.99.

The online version is $19.95 a month, $49.99 quarterly and $124.99 yearly.

As an added bonus, A+ Tutorsoft, Inc. is offering a 50% off discount through the end of March.

Enter promo code: SPOFFER50 during checkout.

To see what other other crew members had to say about A+ Tutorsoft, click here.

Schoolhouse Review: God's Great Convenant Old Testament, Book 1

We were so excited to start a new bible curriculum from Classic Academic Press.

 This is the first time we have ever used this company, and so far, we love it! They offer Greek, Spanish, Latin, Poetry, Logic, Bible and more.

The product we are reviewing is God's Great Covenant Old Testament, Teacher Edition, and MP3 audio files.

Student Workbook, $22.95

Teacher Edition, $24.95

 

The MP3 audio files are $9.95.

 

Book 1 begins with Genesis and goes through the book of Ruth. It has 32 chapters and 5 unit themes.

 

*Unit 1: In The Beginning...God's Power (Genesis 1-11)

 

*Unit 2: By The Patriarchs...God's Promises (Genesis 12-50)

 

*Unit 3: Out Of Egypt...God's Redemption (Exodus 1-34)

 

*Unit 4: Through The Wilderness...God's Provision (Exodus - Deuteronomy)

 

*Unit 5: In The Promised Land...God's Faithfulness (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Job)

 

In each weekly lesson you will have a memory verse, key facts and vocabulary, among other things. Each chapter has worksheets and a quiz.

 

Here is a sample chapter from their site:

Click Here!

 

The worksheets are wonderful. You have fill in the blank, true or false, circle the answers, finish the sentences and even puzzles. In the back of the student book is a glossary and very nice 3D black and white maps. We are having so much fun with curriculum. The bugs are always looking forward to their bible each day. Learning is so much fun when you have a wonderful curriculum to use like Classic Academic Press.

 

The teacher's book is great also. It has reduced copies of the student workbook which makes it easy for everyone to follow along. It also has an answer key and lots of notes that is very helpful for mom! I really like having a book to reference to so I can explain things more clearly without confusing my bugs. I often have to figure out the answers to questions and hope I'm right. With this teacher's book, the information is provided. I love it!

 

We are using this as a daily bible study.Here is a sample of a weekly schedule from their site.

 

What I liked about this curriculum is that it isn't just a bunch of watered-down bible stories, it's a solid-biblical teaching curriculum that teaches the bible. We are learning so much we didn't even know.

 

I think my favorite part is something called "Things to Remember". Each chapter has this section. For instance, in lesson 1, it tells us that "Ex nihilo" is a latin word that means "out of nothing" and "Elohim" is a plural Hebrew name of God that means "mighty, strong and majestic" or "the mighty God". We are learning so much.

 

I am so impressed with this program that I will be purchasing God's Great Covenant Old Testament, Book 2 which covers 1 Samuel to Malachi, after we finish book 1.

 

See what other crew members had to say.

 

Disclaimer: I received God's Great Covenant OT Book 1 for review, free of charge, in exchange for my honest opinion and review. All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

 

    

 





members

Flowering Baby Review

My first product to review for the crew this year is Flowering Baby, LLC, a whole child developmental approach for birth to five.

We chose to review two volumes, "Three to Four" (Volume 4)  and "Four to Five" (Volume 5).

Each level consists of two parts, a monthly curriculum guide and a theme curriculum guide.

The monthly section covers skills like learning the upper and lower case letters, counting and writing numbers 0 to 10 and several science projects among others.

The theme section is theme oriented. You are encouraged to choose two themes per month. For example, we chose Bugs and Birds.

I received the downloadable product of Flowering Baby, LLc. Some of the members received a CD copy. I really enjoy being able to pick and choose what I want to print and what I don't.

This curriculum is so much fun! The layout of this curriculum is wonderful. It gives you a list of suggested books to use each month.  Some we already had, some we got at our local library and some we replaced with ones in our own library. It is really flexible when it comes to the books. In this curriculum, "Read a book" appears over and over. I realized it is designed for a certain purpose. It develops a solid foundation of language, reading, gross and fine motor skills among other helpful skills. My 3 and 5 year old bugs love it. The books that are suggested with each volume are amazing. All they wanted to do was sit and read, read, read these wonderful books! We are having so much fun with this!

Here is what one of our days looked like:

     *ABC's: Sing the ABC song.
     *Math: Count out loud from 1 to 5. Repeat
     *Read Book: We read Blueberries for Sal
     *Triangles: Using masking tape make a large triangle
       on the floor. Discuss the shape and name things that are shaped
       like a triangle (a slice of pizza, a Christmas tree, etc.)

This day we focused on our book Blueberries for Sal.

 We read our book numerous times, made a stamp out of a potato in the shape of a blueberry and made some yummy blueberry smoothies.

Above you can see our little homemade stamp we made out of a potato and the picture they did using it!

Ready to make and drink some blueberry smoothies!



As you can see the  two little bugs are enjoying Flowering Baby!

This program is very easy to use. Make some fun memories with your children while you can!

The cost is $30 - $38 (download). Purchase the entire 5 volume set for $132. Use this code "BLOG10" and get 10% off!

See what other crew members had to say about Flowering Baby.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary download in exchange for my honest opinion and review. All comments are entirely my own.



Book Review: With the Children on Sundays

With The Children On Sundays , from Grace & Truth Books is a family worship book, published in 1893, as a series of children's sermons and brought back to print in 1995. It is designed to be a weekly study for family worship or a Sunday School curriculum for children ages 5 to 11.

In this book, there is a ten page "Suggestions to Parents" that offers methods to help and make these lessons a success. It gives you 63 tips to play church and contains 52 little sermons.

How we used WITH THE CHILDREN ON SUNDAYS!

As I said before, this book is designed to be a weekly study for family worship but we have been enjoying ours as a daily bible lesson in our homeschool. Our first subject everyday is Bible, so I decided to try this book as our daily bible and it worked like a charm. We are thoroughly enjoying this book. The bugs never want me to stop with just one story.

In each story, the author tells you an object to use along side your lesson.  For example, the second story entitled The Worm In The Apple tells us to use a large perfect apple and a stunted, wormy one. This story teaches children how things on the inside is not always how it looks on the outside and how there is sin in our hearts and how it can eat its way out through our hearts into our lives like the worm in the apple.  In my opinion, using objects to enhance these lessons are a wonderful idea. The children are really interested in how the object fits into the story.

At the end of each chapter, there are questions that you can ask your children and start a discussion about the lesson. Each lesson is about 5 to 6 pages in length. The book is very vintage looking with wonderful pictures throughout. We are enjoying this book so much. It is full of wonderful, character building lessons.


With The Children On Sundays is a large paperback book that retails for $17.50.  Go to www.graceandtruthbooks.com and enjoy free shipping on orders over $49.

To see what other crew members have to say about this book and others reviewed, go here.

Disclaimer: For this review, I received the book With The Children On Sundays, free, in exchange for my honest opinions and review.