Christianity Cove : Bible Memory & Lord’s Prayer ~ a TOS review

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Helping my children know and love the Lord is my primary purpose in our school days. We have daily lessons in reading, writing and arithmetic but that comes secondary to teaching my girls to hiding the Word of God in their hearts. With the help of Christianity Cove and there Bible Memory Games and Lord’s Prayer Pack we have been working diligently on our memory work.

Christianity Cove is your one-stop-shop for web-based resources for Sunday School lessons as well as other Bible resources including crafts, games and skits. 

“With over 700 free Sunday School lesson articles on our blog, and 26 best-selling resources in our library of products, we’ve helped thousands of teachers around the world revitalize their Children’s Ministry programs and fill their classrooms with eager students.” ~from website

Bible Memory Games ($29.00) is a downloadable eBook featuring 42 Bible Games with 7 different variations or themes. With games like:

~ scripture bounce

~ Beatle mania

~ Index card dash

~ Follow the path of Jesus

~ scripture jump rope

~ unscramble the words

Each scripture is presented in 2 audible, 2 visual, and 2 hands-on games that targets a different learning style and helps the child cement the verse to heart. With preset scripture verses included the process is quite easy to implement. You can choose your own verses to memorize if you have a memory program already like AWANA.

We also were able to try out the Lord’s Prayer Pack during this review period. My older girls already know this verse by heart so I focused primarily with Montana & McKenzie. This downloadable 35 page eBook comes with activities, snacks, games, worksheets and crafts to make memory time more enjoyable. The crafts are quick and easy to complete in no time at all with most supplies coming from things already around your house. Normally this eBook package costs $39.99 but right now it is one sale for $19.99. While we are still working on hiding the full prayer into Montana & McKenzie’s hearts the snack portion was  their favorite part.

Overall I think the concept of these programs are fantastic! However, I am a bit concerned over the pricing and I am not sure that I would spend quite as much on these items. I do think you should check out the programs for yourself and see if it would be a good fit for your family. Also, be sure to check out what my Crewmates thought of these products and the other items offered from Christianity Cove by clicking on the banner below.

 

Company ~ Christianity Cove

Products ~ Bible Memory Games

                     Lord's Prayer Lesson Pack

Pricing ~ $29.00 for Bible Memory Games and $39.99 Lord’s Prayer Pack *currently on sale for $19.99

Ages ~ preschool through adult

 

 

 

 

Homeschool Helper ~ a review & giveaway

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I have been searching high and low for the perfect planner for our family. With so many options in print or online versions one can get bogged down in choosing. Normally, you can't buy too many quality things for less than $5.00; However, tonight I am telling you you can!

  

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to review the Homeschool Helper which is an amazing app created by a homeschooling family. This app lets you track and create lesson plans for an unlimited number of students in up to 14 subjects. Track attendance with the tap of your finger while keeping track of reading lists, subject lists, field trips and more!  There is also a handy report card summary that even lists the calculated GPA. I found this especially helpful for computing Marie’s high school grades this school year.

Homeschool Helper includes several lesson planning management features including the the use of bumping lessons to another day / week,  copy and paste functions as well as a mass delete option for when things get a little sticky. One of the best features that I enjoy is emailing reports to myself for back up safe keeping. You can also use this feature to print your customized lesson plans.

This app is currently available on iPad from iTunes store, Android Nook and Kindle Fire devices. Your purchase includes free upgrades and tech support for life, YES! With a built in short tutorial you will be up and running this app in no time. I thought that the app was pretty easy to navigate after installation and I was on my way adding classes and tracking attendance within a matter of minutes.

There are so many features to this app that I have only touched the surface with it by using Marie has my test subject. Currently I am  in the process of planning out the girls next 6 weeks of "summer" school which starts on Monday with the help of the Homeschool Helper. I would love it if the developers could somehow make this a program for PC's that would somehow communicate with the iPad, but it is easy enough to use and navigate on my iPad that is not a huge deterrent for me. The one time payment of $4.99 will be well spent with this app purchase. You will wonder how you ever got along without the Homeschool Helper.

Now for the best part. I get to give one of my lucky readers a chance to win your own copy of the Homeschool Helper (giveaway code available for the iPad only)! It's simple to enter:

• Leave a comment about what your favorite subject to teach is (1 entry) Mandatory
• For two (2) extra entries follow my blog through Google Friend Connect. {If you are already a follower just leave a SEPARATE comment saying you already follow}.
• For four (4) extra entries follow Homeschool Helper App on Facebook and leave a SEPARATE comment with your FB name.

Giveaway will close on Friday, June 14th at 12 noon (eastern time) and I will pick and announce a winner on Saturday afternoon, June 15th.

Company / Product ~ Homeschool Helper

Price ~ $4.99 lifetime purchase with free upgrades

Platform ~ iPad, Android, Nook & Kindle Fire

 

 

 Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the Homeschool Helper in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Math Mammoth: Blue series ~ a TOS review

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Math is a subject that we have a main curriculum for that we love. However, it is always fun to supplement and that is what we did when the opportunity to review the Blue Series from Math Mammoth was offered.

Math Mammoth was created by Maria Miller, a homeschooling mom with a degree in mathematics. Her company offers multiple products that help parents teach math to their kids. Worktexts are individual  units that focus on a specific topic only. These make a good supplement to any math program and can also be used for review. I choose the Blue Series  with the following worktexts:

~ Add & Subtract 2A:

• adding and subtracting within 0-20. Memorizing the basic addition and subtraction facts of single-digit numbers. For grades 1st - 2nd

~ Multiplication Division 3:

• multiplication and division topics, including multiplication algorithm, long division, estimation, divisibility, factoring, and ratios. This book helps to develop students' algebraic thinking. For grades 4th – 5th.

~ The Four Operations:

• The main topics studied in this worktext  are simple equations, the order of operations, expressions that involve a variable, long multiplication and division, and graphing simple linear functions. For grades 5th - 6th.

~ U.S. Money:

• This worktext starts with first grade topics including counting pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. For grades 1st – 2nd.

I used each of the these worktexts with Madison, Mikayla & Montana as a supplement to our main math program. I loved the in-depth look that the girls got on individual topics that they needed just a little extra help with. These materials are just the right amount of material without being too overwhelming. I love that the worktext files come as a PDF download. With children of multiple ages and stages this is a wonderful option for me to just print off what pages I need when I need it.

With so many topics to choose from in the Blue series including: place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, money, measurements, geometry, and fractions, you are sure to find a worktext for your child. Look at the samples online to find the perfect starting spot for your child. The Blue series retails for $2.00 to $7.00.

Be sure to read what my Crewmates thought by clicking the banner below.

 

Company ~ Math Mammoth

Product ~ Blue Series

Price ~ $2.00 - $7.00 each

Ages ~ 1st – 12th

 

 

See the Light: Repeated Sweets ~ a TOS review

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The girls LOVE to create little art projects and they especially love to paint! We were so excited when we were given the opportunity to review See the Light’s Art Projects Repeated Sweets DVD.

Repeated Sweets is a video based DVD that teaches you how to create a masterpiece in four easy and concise steps. Your master teacher, Pat Knepley, guides you through each step from choosing your treat to the finished final product.

See the Light is a Christian company that focuses on several different areas of art including music and fine art. The Repeated Sweets DVD is about 1.5 hours long but it is recommended that you allow 3 to 4 hours to fully complete your project. The DVD is divided into 4 step-by-step lessons and include:

1. Selecting your motif and drawing (23 min.)

2. Two types of Watercolor: wash flat and graded (24 min.)

3. Paint the details (31 min.)

4. Finish up with shade and shadow (27 min.)

This DVD is recommended for ages 10 and up and retails for $14.99. A box set is available for $99.99 and includes 9 Art Project DVDs on Tiffany Window, Repeated Sweets, Paper Jungle, Poppy Collage, Pointillism Fruit, Dreams of Joseph, Horsing Around, Peaceful Seas, and Sunflowers.

The girls had a blast watching this DVD and painting. Marie and Madison were my primary reviewers but Montana and McKenzie tried their hands at their own watercolor treats too. Mikayla, was not able to take part in this review because she was at practice when the lessons were done. However, we have enjoyed this DVD so much that I plan on purchasing the box set and working through them with Mikayla during next school year. Because these DVD’s are so economically priced anyone can purchase them and provide there children with quality art instruction without breaking the bank and still bring out the little Picasso in every child.

 

Be sure to click the banner below to read my Crewmates reviews on all the different Art Project DVD’s offered.

Company ~ See the Light

Product ~ Repeated Sweets

Price ~ $14.99 each

Ages ~ 10 and up

 

 

 

2013 – 2014 Plan of Study

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I am so happy to say that we are heading into year 5 of our homeschooling journey! Last school year we transitioned back to Sonlight as a whole family attempting to complete 4 Cores in one year. I have heard of other families completing this task so I thought I would give it a shot. 
We school 6 weeks on / 1 week off and during one of our week long breaks I decided to make a change and drop Montana's Core B altogether and to combine Madison & Mikayla (loosely for Mikayla) into Core G. We were able to complete lots of hands on projects including a Medieval Unit Study, which they both loved. With Marie being independent that made it a bit easier with just a daily check in and discussion of her readings. This seemed to fit the bill for the rest of the 2012-2013 school year. I am truly amazed by my children each and every day.
While planning for the 2013-2014 school year I was determined to make Sonlight work for my younger set and stick it out. I ordered our new Cores and upgraded IG's for Cores I already owned. Our "Box Day" arrived in early April and I was so excited for the fresh start come August. I inventoried the books and then packed them all back into the boxes until i was ready to dot them and shelve them on the bookshelves. And then it started to happen, sleepless nights and that uneasy feeling that something was just not right.
I tried to push it away and pray. I bought books, I listened to podcasts, I researched into the wee hours of the night. Our State homeschool convention is coming up this weekend and until this past Saturday I was not even sure I was going to go even though I had already registered and paid. All the while, the answer was right in front of my face. On our last day of school, May 31st, I took the girls to our weekly library visit and out for ice cream. As I was sitting at the light waiting to turn I received an email from Lampstand Press and in that instant I knew I had my answer and what I had to do, send back my Sonlight Cores.
Immediately, my mind started racing and thinking; I could not get home fast enough. Once the girls were settled inside I had 35 minutes to get on the computer before it was time to take Mikayla to her weekly private lesson. It was like I was on auto pilot and I found exactly what I was looking for with lightening fast Internet speeds, which we all know never happens when you are trying to look up something quickly. :) I bought the digital copy of Yr 2 Unit 3 from Tapestry of Grace and read through it before leaving the house. I prayed the whole 30 minute drive to the gym and as I sat and watched Mikayla practice I had this overwhelming sense of calmness and assurance. The fire that was dimmed was burning again. I am excited for what is to come for our homeschool journey next school year.
While Sonlight does not work at this time for my younger girls it is a perfect match for Marie. She will continue to use Sonlight for the rest of her schooling years. As for Madison, Mikayla, & Montana and eventually McKenzie I am hoping to spend a few years enjoying Tapestry of Grace and what it's program has to offer.

Without further ado here is our 2013-2014 Plan of Study:

Marie ~11th

Bible History, 1 cr

~ Sonlight Bible Apologetics 310
English & Composition 3, 1cr
~ 20th Century Literature 330

~ IEW SWI-C & Elegant Essay (* co-op)

20th Century World History, 1cr      

~ Sonlight Core 300   

Math, 2 cr       

~ Chalk Dust Algebra 2        

~ Personal Finance & Economics (*co-op)
Science (Honors), 1.5 cr
~ Honors Apologia Anatomy & Physiology with Red Wagon Tutorials
Foreign Language, 1 cr 
~ Homeschool Spanish Academy                                            

Home Ec, .50 cr (1st semester)
~ Christian Light Press Home Economics I, books 6-10

Graphic Design course, .5cr

~ Practical Graphic Design
PE, .5 cr
~ Competitive cheerleading ECA Lv.4, 3X’s a week

~ Wii Fit, 3X's a week
Extras                                                                                   

~PSAT/SAT/ACT prep 1 hour/day  

~ Mapping the World With Art, 1cr

~ Introduction to Speech, .5cr (1st semester)

~ Highschool Art, .5cr (2nd semester)

 

* At Co-op: IEW Compostion & Elegant Essay, Introduction to Speech, Art, Personal Finance & Economics, Introduction to Survival.

Total credits: 10.5 credits

Madison ~7th

Bible

~ Sonlight Bible

Language Arts

~ Rod & Staff 7   

~ IEW Narnia   

~ Spelling 8

~ Vocabulary lists                            

~ Sonlight Core H Reading lists         

~ Unjournaling

Math

~ Chalk Dust Pre-Algebra                                                                         

~ Life of Fred Fridays (starting with Fractions)

History/Geography

~ Sonlight Core H

Science

~ Apologia General Science with Red Wagon Tutorials

 Logic

~ BrainBogglers

~ Private Eye School

Foreign Language

~ Spanish for Children, A (finish)

Art / Composer Study

~ Composer study (2 X’s a month)

~ Art (* co-op)

~ Mapping the World with Art *co-op

PE

~ Wii Fit 3X's a week

* At Co-op: Art,Rocketry, IEW Narnia, Introduction to Survival, and Mapping the World with Art

Mikayla ~5th

Bible

~ Bible Study Guide for All Ages, Vol.1                                             

Language Arts

~ Rod & Staff 5     

~ Essentials in Writing, Level 5      

~ Rod & Staff Spelling 6                                                                             

~ Vocabulary lists                    

~ Sonlight Core E Reading lists                                                                      

~ Memoria Press Cursive 3

~ Unjournaling

Math

~ Saxon 6/5                                                                                 

~ Life of Fred Fridays (starting with Farming)

History/Geography

~ Homeschool in the Woods: Time Travelers History Studies ~ The Civil War, Industrial Revolution, and World War II

Science

~ Apologia Young Explorers Chemistry & Physics

Health

~Health for the Glory of God

Logic

~ BrainBogglers                                                                                             

~ Detective Club Mysteries

Foreign Language

~ Latin for Children A (finish)

Art / Composer Study

~ Composer study (2 X’s a month)                                                         

~ Mapping the World with Art *co-op 

PE                 

~Level 8 competitive gymnastics team 26+ hrs week, plus TOPs/HOPEs training 2-4 hours a week

* At Co-op: Art, U.S. Geography, Bible Memory, Little House on the Prairie Unit Study, Mapping the World with Art

Montana ~1st

Bible

~ Bible Study Guide for All Ages, Vol.1                                                             

Language Arts

~ Memoria Press Story Time Treasures                                                

~Memoria Press Spelling Lists                                                                    

~ Good books reading lists                                                                                       

Writing / Phonics               

~Memoria Press Cursive 1   

~ Ready2Read Level 3                                                           

~Unjournaling

Math

~Saxon 2                    

~ Life of Fred Fridays (Apples)

History/Geography

Homeschool in the Woods: Time Travelers History Studies ~ The Civil War, Industrial Revolution, and World War II

Science 

~ Apologia Young Explorers Chemistry & Physics

 

* At Co-op: Science, Art, PE, Bible, Team Building Challenge

McKenzie ~PreK4

~ Bible Study Guide for All Ages, Vol.1

~ Memoria Press Jr. Kindergarten recitations/literature

~ selections from COHS K4 program

~ Saxon K

~ Advanced Tumble Bunnies, 1 hour a week

* At Co-op: Preschool classes

***Plus any products we get the chance to review with The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew!***

Join me next week as I tell you how our schedule will work. What are your plans for next school year? I would love to see them! Leave a link in the comments section.

Scaredy Cat Reading System Express ~ a TOS review

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The last few weeks I have been using a new supplemental reading curriculum with Montana and McKenzie called Scaredy Cat Reading System Express (SCRS Express) by Dr. Joyce Herzog.  Dr. Joyce Herzog is an accomplished educator since the 1980’s with  public schoolers, homeschoolers, and students with learning disabilities.

We received the SCRS Express, which is a reading curriculum for multi-aged children. The program is mastery based and includes:

~ Teacher materials

~ 2 game boards

~ CD of the Scaredy Cat Reading System Rule Songs

~ Story of Letter Master

~ Using Letter Master as a Teaching Tool mini book

This versatile, hands'-on learning tool includes a long list of suggestions for activities and games to encourage learning the rules of phonics. This product retails for $30.00 and it is worth the price fully. Because this is the Express level, SCRS Express includes the words and sentences from all previous levels of the Scaredy Cat Reading curriculum. While the SCRS Express curriculum is not scripted and contains no lesson plans, there are plenty of ideas for practice and implementation of the 15 main rules through story or song. 

I used this product with Montana (6) who is reading well and with McKenzie (3) who is mastering her letter sounds. This was a perfect fit for the both of them. We were able to use SCRS as a supplement to our current reading and phonics program 2-3 days a week.  The girls especially enjoyed playing the games. I loved this too, because they were actually learning while having fun!

I was also pleasantly surprised to have the UPS man deliver the book, Choosing & Using Curriculum which retails for $15.00. Written with a biblical worldview this 100+ book contains 28 short chapters on a variety of homeschool topics about choosing curriculum. Topics include information on curriculum types, educational styles and how to choose programs for math, reading, language arts and more! Additional resources are listed for children with special needs such as autism, ADHD & dyslexia. I really enjoyed this little gem of a book. It has given me quite a few ideas to tailor the subjects the girls need for the next school year.

Overall, I am pleased with both of these products and recommend them wholeheartedly. Definitely check out Dr. Joyce Herzog either through her website or at a homeschooling convention. I know I am looking forward to meeting her at our local convention in June. Be sure to read all of the reviews of all of different curriculum choices from Dr. Joyce Herzog by clicking the banner below.

 

Company ~ Joyce Herzog

Product ~ Scaredy Cat Reading System Express

Author ~ Dr. Joyce Herzog, MA, PhD

Price ~ SCRS Express ~ $30.00, Choosing & Using Curriculum ~ $15.00

Ages ~ preschool – elementary