The Critical Thinking Co.: Editor In Chief, Level 2 ~ a TOS review

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Recently, Mikayla, my 6th grader, and I have had the chance to review Editor in Chief Level 2 from The Critical Thinking Co.

The Critical Thinking Co. is a family-owned business that has been “empowering the mind” for more than 50 years. They sell critical thinking products/supplements that cover reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history. Instead of rote drilling and memorization, students are encouraged to “carefully analyze what they are learning.” The Critical Thinking Co. is on a mission to develop the critical thinking skills in all children. They currently have 5 books in the series for Editor in a Chief along with a host of other software options.

The Editor in Chief, Level 2 book contains 12 easy-to-follow lessons on the mechanics of grammar and also includes 69 activity pages. The lessons include instruction on the following topics:

• content
• capitalization
• punctuation
• spellings
• adjectives, adverbs, and articles
• conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections
• pronouns
• verbs
• clauses and phases agreement
• confused word pairs
• negative words
• run-on sentences
• sentence fragments

Using this book is quite easy and each lesson only takes 10-20 minutes to complete. Once the lesson is introduced, Mikayla was able to set off and hunt for the specific errors. The passage tells you beforehand what type of error you are looking for and how many of each you need to find on the top right hand corner of each lesson. I especially liked this feature so that you know right off hand what you are looking for. As a bonus, Detailed answers are also included for each lesson.

 

We were able to complete one to two lessons of Editor in Chief each week depending on our travel schedule. Mikayla choose to edit her passage sections with a colored pencil to make it easier to see the corrections against the black and white page. As an optional exercise, you can rewrite the corrected passage on a separate sheet of paper. I choose to have Mikayla complete this task as a way of finishing the final edit. Plus, she got to work on penmanship at the same time! I wish there were more books in this series to span wider grade levels, however, that does not detract from this product at all!

I get nervous during meet season because we travel so much that sometimes it feels like Mikayla does not get much "done" in school. I know we do accomplish a lot each day and using this book over the last six weeks has helped me feel secure in knowing that Mikayla is getting the grammar instruction she needs to succeed as a student athlete.

I love this book and all it has to offer our family! We will definitely continue to use this product in our homeschool each week as well as adding a few more selections to our line up next school year. Head on over to The Critical Thinking Co.’s website and see all of their Award Winning Core Curriculums, Pre-School Academics, and National Award winning products that have been helping students for over 50 years.

Also, don’t forget to check out what my Crewmates thought of this book and the other products that were up for review, Alphabet Song Game, Math Analogies Beginning, Math Analogies Level 1, Math Analogies Level 2, Editor in Chief Level 1, Pattern Explorer, and World History Detective Book 1 by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ The Critical Thinking Co.

Product ~ Editor in Chief Level 2

Price ~ $19.99

Ages ~ 6th – 8th grader

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FreedomProject Education: Mother, Should I Trust the Government ?~ a TOS Review

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So do you remember when I posted that my two oldest girls and I were going to be taking an online class about the government? Well, the class was offered through FreedomProject Education has come to an end and I want to tell you a little bit about the class we took, Mother, Should I Trust the Government?

FreedomProject Education is an accredited classical academy firmly based upon Judeo-Christian values and free from Common Core teachings. Classes are provided online in a live, interactive format for students in grades K through 12. With individual classes for students, as well as family courses on a variety of topics, be sure to check out the courses being offered for 2015.

 Mother, Should I Trust the Government is taught once a year by Dr. Jake Jacobs, PhD over the course of 8 weeks and is intended for children 13 years and up. The class met on Monday evenings from 7-9 PM EST. Each Monday I would receive a helpful reminder about the class and easy to follow instructions to access the course. The latest version of Adobe Flash Player is necessary for participation. There is also a handy mobile app so you can connect to the class on your favorite mobile device.

 In addition to access to the online course, I received a softcover book of the same name as the course name written by Dr. Jacobs, a mini book version of the US Constitution, plus two bonus CDs from FreedomProject Education: "Who Owns Your Children?" and "Common Core".
During the class, Dr. Jacobs would lecture about the books 8 chapters. There was plenty of opportunity for questions if they came up. While the class was a lecture style with mostly the teacher talking, it was not dry and boring thanks to Dr. Jacobs funny sense of humor and his love for the Packers. Homework was kept at a minimal and we were only tasked to read chapters from the book to be prepared to discuss in class the following week.

  “Unlike anarchists, America’s Founders realistically concluded that since men were not angels, government comprised of men must be: LIMITED, checked, balanced, separated; a federal republic and watched like a hawk forever.” ~ Dr. Jacobs 

 Marie and Madison also sat in on the lectures with me. Marie has just finished her government class before this class began, while Madison is taking American History. Overall, I thought the class was fantastic and I learned a lot that I had forgotten or just did not know to begin with. My girls loved to listen in and we often gathered around the laptop and listened for the 2 hours without complaint. I especially enjoyed the fact that I could listen on my phone through the Adobe connect app because I had to leave at 815PM to go and get Mikayla from the gym. Because we were right in the heat of the lecture I loved that I would not miss any of it while driving to and from. I can't wait to take another class!

 Be sure to check out any and all of the classes offered by FPE and click on the banner below to read the reviews of my CrewMates.

Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

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Koru Naturals: Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin Lip Balm ~ a TOS review

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I have a gem of a product to share with you today. While I mostly spend time doing reviews of educational products and books I was blessed to be able to review two natural products over the last few weeks, Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin Lip Balms from Koru Naturals.

Koru is the Maori word from the New Zealand aboriginal culture that means "new, unfurled fern frond". This frond symbolizes the new growth, life, strength and peace within the aboriginal community. Since 2002, Koru Naturals has been producing products to promote health to the body and to the skin.

The Pure Lanolin Lip Balm comes in a handy four pack for just $8.90. In our family that is not enough for each girl to have their own tube, so I picked myself, Montana and McKenzie to get tubes because our lips have been so chapped lately. I reserved the last tube for later use.

This lip balm comes in the exact same tube as you would expect from a lip balm and contains no added fragrances or additives. Upon opening the tube you may be thrown off by the color but rest assured it is just fine and all natural. It is thicker than most products sold over the counter and a little goes a long way! It feels heavenly on your lips especially since we have been having such a cold and blustery winter.

In addition to the lip balm we also received a      2 oz bottle of Premium Grade Emu Oil ($9.85). Emu Oil is hypoallergenic (doesn’t cause reactions) and contains vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  Emu oil can be used on your hair or skin as it quickly penetrates for a moisturizing treatment, however, it doesn’t clog pores. It should be noted that the oil should only be used on unbroken skin. This oil is also available in 4 oz and 8 oz bottles.

before

after

I used the Emu Oil on myself on my face for my dry skin with fabulous results. I loved the way that it did not clog my pores and that it was a light oil without causing any excess oil build up. I also used the oil on Mikayla's hands and wrists which get so dry from the chalk at the gymnastics gym. I was so pleased with her results. Not only did the Emu Oil take away the dryness it helped to coat/protect her skin from the chalk during practice.

I also wanted to use the oil on Madison's hands because they get so dry and cracked but I didn't want to chance it with her cracked skin. I am hopeful that once warmer weather comes to be able to use the oil with her and get a jump start on protecting her hands before the cold weather sets in again.

Overall, I love these two products that we received! They each have helped my family tremendously and I know we will continue to use them even after our supply runs out. I am especially looking forward to trying out some of the other products that Koru Naturals sells.

Be sure to check out what my CrewMates thought of these two products and the other products being offered for review including, Koolpurrie Restoring Balm, New Zealand Pure and Simple Lanolin Cream, and Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ Koru Naturals

Product ~ Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin Lip Balms

Price ~  oil $9.85, lip balm $8.90

Ages ~ all

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In Freedom's Cause ~ a TOS review

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Some days I feel I should just paint my van yellow because I spend a great deal of time driving to and from the gym and to the ball field in the spring and fall. Thankfully, I have found a new passion to keep me busy while driving, Audio books. Audio books and audio theater are my new favorite things to listen to while I am out and about. A few weeks ago we were asked to review the new audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions called In Freedom's Cause.

We received In Freedom's Cause Single Package which includes:

In Freedom's Cause (CD Set - Physical Copy)

In Freedom's Cause Study Guide (Digital Download)

In Freedom's Cause Soundtrack (MP3 download)

Printable copy of The Prayer Of William Wallace. (Digital Download)

The two CD set of this high energy and fast pace story focused on building character for the next generation while bringing history lessons to life within the chapters. With the extremely high quality audio reenactment of this story it is perfect for ages 6 years old to adult. My youngest daughter who is 5 years old has also enjoyed this radio drama too!

The two disk story comes in a handy fold out CD case and includes a study guide booklet. The study guide is broken up into three sections for each chapter:

Listening Well ~ includes comprehension questions to make sure you are understanding the story

Thinking Further ~ have your child think a little bit with these questions to increase understanding of the characters actions or intentions.

Defining Words ~ enhance the understanding of the story by knowing what selected vocabulary words mean prior to listening.

As part of this review, I also received a PDF copy of the study guide which is just an expanded edition of the one included in the CD set. The study guide also includes three brief Bible study suggestions to help you and your child gain a clearer understanding of godly character.

There are several purchasing options to order In Freedoms Cause directly from Heirloom Audio Productions  including:

$20.00 for an audio MP3 download that gives you instant access and includes bonuses like the Study Guide and printable copy of The Prayer Of William Wallace (Psalm 23 in the Latin Vulgate).

$29.95 plus $6.95 shipping gets you the two CD set plus the two bonuses above and the MP3 download.

$99.97 plus $9.95 shipping gets you the Family Four Pack this gets you 4 CD sets, all of the bonuses mentioned above, plus 5 additional bonuses: 30-minute video documentary download titled, "Behind The Scenes In London". Free unlimited access to the In Freedom's Cause Membership Website. G.A. Henty's original In Freedom's Cause E-Book with all new colorful graphics. A professionally designed, printable promotion poster featuring the star-studded cast of In Freedom's Cause.

$249.97 gets you the "Patriot's Freedom Package” which includes 25 CD sets to give away to friends and family. This set is great for churches, community groups or to give to extended family members.

All of the prices listed above come with a 90 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

Since we are on the go almost every day of the week we strictly listened to this while traveling. The girls were silent as the story played, eagerly listening for each detail. Sometimes we would stay in the van until a chapter had ended just so we could hear the end of the story. I really like the fact that the stories where numbered so we could find our spot quickly.

So, what’s the bottom line?! I was so excited when this new audio CD arrived in the mail!  We love this CD and the values that are represented. I would recommend this product to any and all looking to add a bit of family friendly audio / radio drama into the home. The girls and I are especially excited to hear that another installment from Heirloom Audio Productions, With Lee in Virginia, will be released soon. Cant wait to check it out and add it to our collection too!

Be sure to see what my Crewmates thought of In Freedoms Cause by clicking on the banner below.

Company ~ Heirloom Audio Productions Product ~ In Freedom's Cause Price ~ see different pricing option above Ages~ 6 years old to adult