A Stable Beginning

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Christian HomeSchool Hub Download Club ~ a TOS review

I am always on the lookout for quality resource materials to enrich our homeschool day. I am really excited to tell you about the CHSH Download Club from CHSH-Teach.com.

CHSH Download Club stands for the Christian Homeschool Hub Download Club and it was created in 2010 by Lynda Ackert, a veteran educator of 20+ years. Mrs. Ackert has a passion for teaching and creating educational material for teachers and homeschoolers alike. She pours her heart into her online community as a way of giving back.

The CHSH Download Club gives subscribers access to over 50,000 downloadable pages of quality educational material on an easy to navigate website. With products on everything from Preschoolers to High Schoolers, this club has you covered. And if you like creating products, you can upload your items to the site too and share with the community.

Since CHSH is also a community, you can connect with other members through the self-contained forum and receive helpful information and newsletters too. Membership to the CHSH community is free. A subscription to the Download Club affords you access to all the member benefits plus access to all 50,000+ downloadable products. There are two subscription levels, Annual for $25.00 or Lifetime membership for just $99.00. One of the best features, in my opinion, is that since the founder creates and sells hundreds of educational products on sites such as Teachers Pay Teachers {my favorite go to site}, I now have access to all the products she creates, SCRORE!

Finding the download you need is as easy as clicking in the “search for downloads” box. You can also view the downloads by category, subject, or grade by looking at the handy download catalog.

This year we are concentrating on character building within the walls of our Academy. I found the perfect companion in the Character Traits, Volume 1 and Volume 2 to help guide us. Getting started was super easy. I just clicked on the link and the download started right up. This character curriculum is literature based and included 2 volumes which teach 40 character traits. The curriculum helps students to start thinking about both positive and negative character traits. It helps children see and start discussing how to make the right connections within their own lives. A suggested book list is included which is super helpful.

Volume 1 teaches the following traits through characters in literature:

~ Grateful

~ Greedy

~ Confident

~ Sincere

~ Diligent

~ Hopeless

~ Courageous

~ Optimistic

~ Pessimistic

~ Compassionate

~ Fearless

~ Persistent

~ Impatient

~ Ambitious

~ Stubborn

~ Forgiving

~ Loyal

~ Arrogant

~ Wise

~ Generous

To begin, I printed both Volume 1 and 2 and put the posters inside sheet protectors. The corresponding weekly papers are included in each week. My favorite part of the worksheets is the little box that includes a quote from a famous person or just a helpful saying corresponding to the specific trait being covered. So far we have loved this set and incorporating it into our Morning Time routine.

I also have been using the worksheets in the preschool category for my 2 year old son who loves to do school. Printing pages for him to work on is super easy and it makes him feel special to be apart of the group learning with his own papers.

Overall, I give this product two thumbs up! Having access to all of this quality material is really priceless because of the sheer amount of products available to download. Be sure to check out what my CrewMates think of this product by clicking the banner below!

Company ~ CHSH-Teach.com

Product ~ CHSH Download Club

Format ~ digital

Price ~ Annual for $25.00 or Lifetime membership for just $99.00.

Ages ~ Mom’s and preschool – high school

Social Media Links:

Hashtags: #hsreviews #CHSH #homeschool #homeschoolresources

http://astablebeginning.com

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Wordless Wednesday

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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd edition ~ a TOS review

It’s no secret that we love science here at A Stable Beginning! So much so, that 3 of my 4 daughters are doing extra science this year. We love the science curriculum offered from Apologia Educational Ministries. My youngest two daughters, Montana (4^th) and McKenzie (1^st) have been having a blast working through Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition during our Morning Time.

I am sure you have heard of Apologia Educational Ministries if you are a homeschooler. If you are not, let me tell you a little about them. Apologia is one of those companies that everybody talks about and for good reason too! Apologia publishes K-12 Creation-based science and worldview curriculum for
children K-12, inspirational books about homeschooling, and hosts online classes through Apologia Academy.

Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition is the latest elementary release from Apologia Educational Ministries and is geared for grades K-6. Jeannie Fulbright has authored this book and the other 6 books in the elementary series which all follow the Charlotte Mason methodology, however, you can adapt the program into your homeschooling style very easily. Like the other books, this book also includes big, beautiful color photos wrapped inside a hardcover binding.

Apologia: Exploring Creation with Astronomy Review

For this review we were blessed to be able to receive the hardcover book and a copy of the Junior Notebooking Journal along with the a regular Notebooking Journal and the Audio CD to use with the girls. The notebooking journals offer a suggested weekly schedule for completing the lessons each week. Since my girls are such science fanatics we went full steam ahead and aimed to complete the weekly science lessons suggested two days a week and we added in some living books and other hands-on activities for extra enrichment. I will say you do not have to add anything to this program, it is meaty enough, but my girls really crave science so I am trying to keep up with their interests.

The Astronomy book is filled with numerous hands-on experiments that reinforce the lesson along with opportunities for journaling, coloring pictures, completing mini-books and/or matchbooks, and narrations. The 14 lessons include everything an elementary student would need to know about Astronomy including detailed chapters on:

~ What is Astronomy

~ The Sun

~ Mecury

~ Venus

~ Earth

~The Moon

~ Mars

~ Space Rocks

~ Inner Planets

~ Jupiter

~Saturn

~ Uranus

~ Neptune

~ Outer Planets

~ The Kuiper Belt and Dwarf Planets

~ Stars, Galaxies, and Space Travel

The books in the Elementary series are designed especially for kids in Kindergarten through Sixth grade. I love that I can use these books with more than one child and they each individually can take away something from the lesson on their own level. McKenzie is astill in the beginning reader stage so I would let utilize the audio CD we received and let the author, read the text. We would all gather around the text and listen as the text was being read. This worked best for us, since it helps to save my read-aloud voice for the other selections I am reading aloud daily.

My girls especially enjoyed completing the hands-on experiments. Many of the supplies needed for these projects can be found around the house or you can opt to purchase the newly released science kit. A listing of lab supplies needed is also conveniently provided in the book appendix so that you can be fully prepared to teach the lessons each week.

I want to mention a special coursesite that Apologia offers for each course. It took me a few years to learn about the special website so I don’t want you to miss out! The special website link can be found in the front of the book. This link gives you access to information and extra multimedia to enhance your Astronomy studies. Definitely check this out there is valuable extras included.

Montana and McKenzie are digging into Astronomy during our Morning Time 4

days a week. This is my second time through the course since I used it when Madison and Mikayla were younger too. As you have probably figured out by now, we are not strangers to the Apologia world. My oldest at home, Madison (10th), is currently using the Apologia Chemistry, 2^nd edition book while Mikayla (8th) is currently studying General Science, 2^nd edition, and Montana (4th) is concurrently studying Zoology 3: Land Animals along with Astronomy.

Do I recommend Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition for homeschool science ? Absolutely, positively, hands down!!! Be sure to check out this and the other science products Apologia offers if you want a truly God honoring, scientifically sound, and user friendly program for your kids.

Be sure to check out what my fellow CrewMates have said about their own experiences with Apologia by clicking the banner below. I am confident that with Apologia’s comprehensive programs my girls, and son, will be prepared for any science they encounter in college or life. I love that I have figured out what works for our family and I plan to stick it out for the long haul. Which with a comprehensive program such that Apologia offers that is not hard to do!

Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition Review

Company ~ Apologia Educational Ministries

Product ~ Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition

Format ~ hard back textbook, spiral bound notebooking journals, audio CD

Price ~ $29.00- $39.00

Ages ~ K - 6th graders

Social Media Links:

Facebook

Twitter @apologiaworld

Instagram

#hsreviews #apologia #astronomy #homeschoolscience

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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Weekly Wrap Up ~ Week FOUR, the end of summer

We had a pretty normal week, I like normal. Somehow my baby girl, McKenzie, turned 7! Not sure how that happened because it feels like I just had her. But she is 7,nonetheless, and overly thrilled about it.

"High standards yield high results"

~Thomas Preparatory School

That's the motto we are going with for the rest of the school year. I got it from a Facebook friend who just dropped off her 3rd homeschooled graduate to University with a $125K 4- year scholarship. Another motto of Thomas family is "We don't pay for college"! Tauleece is a wealth of information and I like reading about their family adventures. If you are in the Houston area she and her husband have founded the Homeschool Resource Network.

So, I know there will be days when my best or the girls best, is good enough, and I am okay with that, really! However, what I am not okay with is laziness and/or lack of applying oneself. Does that mean everything is checked off on the weekly schedule? NO! It means that you did your best effort every day to get your assignments done with minimal complaining and/or whining. I remember that I am training hearts within these walls of A Stable Beginning Christian Academy and if our hearts are focused in the right direction then the rest will come easy and be a breeze.

Our school week was overall uneventful, yet exciting at the same time! Marie started her first day of sophomore year on Monday. So far she loves her roommates and her classes. She has even made a few new friends. It's strange not having her home but we are all adjusting.

Mikayla started her online Tapestry of Grace Virtual Co-Op on Tuesday morning. We had a bit of technical issues on our end with our microphone going in and out but overall it was great. She has five other students in her Dialectic discussion group and they covered weeks 1&2 in year 4. This is a huge stretch for Mikayla. The amount of detail and work in history she is not quite used to at the Dialectic level, but it is a great thing for her as she prepares for high school. We are blessed to be apart of this Co-Op. I have my first teaching class in early October. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Speaking of online classes, Madison begins Spanish next week with Homeschool Spanish Academy. She will be doing lessons twice a week via Skype with her Professora. We hope to get Profe Nora, the same Profe Marie had because she is a gem!

Mikayla, Montana, and McKenzie start Latin this month. Honestly, I have been kind of dreading starting Latin with Mikayla. Why, I don't know??? I have been through the material before but it was weighing heavily on me. On Thursday I found out that we were selected for a review that included a full semester course of Latin at Carmenta Online Latin School! Praise the Lord, this is an awesome opportunity and just what I needed. The anxiety of starting Latin immediately went away knowing that Mikayla would be enrolled in the Latin 1A course. The class runs from Sept 7- Jan 30th and uses Wheelock Latin as a text. Class meets three nights a week via Skype and starts Wednesday.

Montana and McKenzie will both continue with their perspective Latin programs from Classical Academic Press. Madison no longer studies Latin because it is not accepted at any of the Service Academies. Instead she spends the time studying vocabulary and preparing for her standardized testing.

Micah has been plugging away during his Preschool Prep time. He loves to use his binder and he already knows most of his colors! He gets blue and purple mixed up, but I think GREEN is his favorite. He loves to tell us what color shirts we are wearing. He has also started counting to 10 out of the blue. I was only teaching him to 5 but he can go to 10.

This was the last week of summer practice for Mikayla and McKenzie. I like summer practice because, well, it's summer, but trying to school around the hours is tough. In fact, I questioned my sanity of why we started school this month. I am glad we did but I look forward to school practice schedule even though we will now have no Saturday. Between both girls gym time, someone will be at the gym from 8am-4pm on Saturday. Both girls will train in the morning during the school week, and Mikayla will have one evening practice because of her TOG online class and Girl Scouts. We will be able to have family dinner most every night!

With the start of our new week next week I have decided to have focus days for each child. 5 days a week, 5 children in school. It works out perfect. At least in my mind it does, LOL. I want to have one day for each child to really focus in on what they are struggling with or a fun sensory activity or game in McKenzie and Micah's case.

Micah insists on jumping out of Gibby now. He normally lands on his feet.

That's our week. We have two more weeks left in our first 6 weeks of schooling. We also have two birthdays coming up and a weekend getaway planned. The State Fair is at the end of the month and we are all looking forward to going for the first time since we have lived here! Bacon on a stick anyone!?

How was your week?

Reviews this week:

Way Comes Home Kit

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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

WAY Comes Home Kit from Homeschool Scholastics ~ a TOS review

We've added a homeschool health program, WAY Comes Home Kit, from HomeSchool Scholastics, an i4 Learning Company to our weekly schedule. It’s and is a nationally recognized health program especially designed for homeschooling families just like ours.

WAY, stands for Wellness, Academics & You. This homeschool health program is a multidisciplinary curriculum that models health, wellness, and nutrition while utilizing math, science, language arts, visual arts and reading. Many studies have shown that students learn better this way, rather than just learning a single subject. Instead children learn how to use everyday life skills and how to make better, informed decisions. HomeSchool Scholastics sent us their WAY Comes Home Kit to review.

Inside this box of goodies was:

~ Teacher's Book

~ Activity DVD

~ Kindergarten to First grade consumable journal

~ Second through Third grade consumable journal

~ Fourth through Fifth grade consumable journal

~ A packet of WAY vocabulary cards and illustrations that are consumable. *includes the cards for each level

~ Hands-on items including an ink pad, stethoscope, trays, a plastic scale, 2 foam balls, plastic eggs, and fun manipulatives

~ MyPyramid Poster and guide

The interactive lessons are laid out in an easy to follow plan to get your family moving. The three different levels of consumable student journals is the perfect way for the children to keep the information they are learning in. It is recommended for each student to have their own journal and they are sold in three different learning levels. Best part is that the levels all tie into one another so multi-level teaching is a breeze. The entire WAY Comes Home kit retails for $39.95 and includes everything you need for the entire program.

We have been working our way through this program using a lesson spread over a two-week time frame. I have enjoyed helping my children see that making the best food choices help fuel their bodies, especially since I have athletes that train anywhere between 16-28 hours a week. This has been the perfect program turn to when we need a much needed brain break. We have enjoyed all the funny jokes built into the program to reinforce learning.

Will we keep using this program after the journals are finished? You bet we will! The exercise videos on the DVD will have us coming back for more. Want to know what my CrewMates thought of this product? Be sure to click the banner below and read the reviews of my 39 CrewMates too!

Company ~ HomeSchool Scholastics, an i4 Learning Company

Product ~ WAY Comes Home Kit

Format ~ physical kit

Price ~ $39.95

Ages ~ K-5th grade

Social Media Links:

Facebook

Twitter @WAYComesHome

#hsreviews #WAYComesHome #HomeschoolNutrition #HomeschoolHealth

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Sunday, August 28, 2016

Happy 7th Birthday McKenzie!

Today McKenzie you are 7!
What more can I say,
You're becoming more special
Each and every day,
So blow out your candles
One by one
Enjoy your birthday
Have lots of fun!

~birthday poems online