Marie graduates from Liberty University

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So proud of our oldest, Marie, on graduating Magna Cum Laude from Liberty University today! She is our first homeschool and college graduate so it's an extra special time to reflect. It's been a long and blessed day that I will write more about this week. 

© 2008 - 2019 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.   

http://astablebeginning.com

Elementary Math Games from The Critical Thinking Co. ~ a TOS review

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Do you have a favorite homeschool company that you always seem to navigate back to? I am a huge fan of The Critical Thinking Co. so I was thrilled when we were picked to receive Elementary Math Games to use with my youngest daughter, McKenzie. We have been playing fun math games with this book for weeks now, let me tell you a little more about it.

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. The Elementary Math Games book is available in either book form or Windows PC download.

I specifically requested a digital copy of the book that includes over a 150 pages! I find that this format works best for our family because I have a younger son behind McKenzie who will eventually use this book too. I especially appreciate the generous copy write The Critical Thinking Co. provides in letting the purchaser make as many copies of the pages within the eBook as necessary for their family. This is extremely helpful to me as I try to provide quality learning materials for my family. This product is also available as a paperback, and carries the same “family” copy write provisions if you have multiple children to use this book. This is something that as a large family homeschooler I appreciate.

Elementary Math Games is written for children in 3rd through 5th grade and features twenty different math games on number sense, problem-solving, and operational fluency. Each of the games is classroom tested and many only require a pencil and paper and a set of dice or spinner. Many of the games come with different variations of the same game. For example there are several types of BINGO to cover decimals, fractions, etc. Plus all the games come with clear directions so you can get started having fun right from day one.

The concepts taught for the target grades include: 

- Number Sense 

- Operational Skills 

- Place Value - Decimals 

- Fractions 

- Characteristics of Numbers: Multiples and Factors, Prime and Composite Numbers, Perfect Squares - Math Vocabulary and Symbols Formulating Math Problem-Solving Strategies

We played these games on Sunday afternoons after church in preparation for the week. Sometimes I wrangled in my older girls into play when we needed more people. It made it all the more fun when we did this because let’s just say we are a competitive family. Everyone wants to win so it made game play more fast paced and exciting. Our favorite games to play were Top Ten with a Twist and Math In A Circle.

I really enjoyed playing these games with McKenzie and how they reinforced math concepts that she is learning now and ones she has already learned. She likes hands-on learning and these games provided that needed learning style for her. My plan is to keep incorporating these games into her learning each week and to purchase the middle school edition for my middle schooler, Montana.

But don’t just take my word for it about how great these games are! Check out what my CrewMates think by clicking the banner below and reading their reviews. Some of my CrewMates reviewed the Middle School games and others reviewed different products like:

 Pattern Explorer Beginning, Grades 3-4 

Critical Thinking Detective - Vocabulary Book 2, Grades 5-12+ 

Dare to Compare: Math Level 2, Grades 6-7 

Middle School Math Games, Grades 6-8 

Building Writing Skills - Essential Tips & Techniques , Grades 6-12+ 

Vocabulary Virtuoso PSAT-SAT Book 1, Grades 8-12+ 

Vocabulary Virtuoso PSAT-SAT Book 2, Grades 8-12+

Plus, The Critical Thinking Co. is so great that they are offering a special promotion and coupon code just for you! From now until 12/31/2019 you can get 15% off any size order, plus fee shipping! That makes this eBook just $13.59!

Company ~ The Critical Thinking Co. 

 Product ~ Elementary Math Games 

 Format ~ eBook, but also available as a book 

 Price ~ $15.99 

 Ages ~ 3rd - 5th graders

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 © 2008 - 2019 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.   

http://astablebeginning.com

Wordless Wednesday

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© 2008 - 2019 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

 http://astablebeginning.com

Pathway to Liberty's Homeschool Curriculum: Pathway to Liberty's US History ~ a TOS review

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History is a favorite subject of mine. I love to dig deep into the past and discover new insights we might have missed. We have come to a cross roads so to speak in our current history program so I was especially happy to get our hands on a new fresh look at history with Pathway to Liberty's US History, part of Pathway to Liberty's History Curriculum, from Pathway to Liberty Homeschool Curriculum.

Since we are currently in the beginning of American history I chose to begin with the US History course. The program has 4 levels of study with each going just a little bit deeper into the material. The levels are broken down like:

 Level 1: K-3rd, early elementary 

Level 2: 4th-6th, research skills are taught with age appropriate reading selections 

Level 3: 7th-9th, in-depth reasoning and writing skills are taught. 

Level 4; 10-12th, college prep material. Course will earn 1 credit in History, 1/2 credit in Bible, and 1-1.5 credit of English 

We received the student and teacher’s manual’s necessary for teaching Level 1-4 of the US History course which focuses on the founding principles of the United States. We also received the Chain of Liberty reader and study guide that was written by the course author. This reader and includes historical studies for the older levels as a required reader. I ended up purchasing or borrowing the books from the library that we needed for reading.

For this review my main focus was for McKenzie, my 3rd grader. Sometimes it has been hard to incorporate her into our normal history program this year. Not any fault of her own. With Pathways to Liberty we were able to use the program 3 days a week. I really like that the curriculum is scheduled out for us busy Mama’s. It provided me with just a little bit more extra hand holding during this busy season for me. I also, liked that McKenzie could see at a glance just what needed to be completed each day by looking at the provided schedule.

I love that this is such a comprehensive curriculum! We are in transition mode right now as we try to find a fit for all of our history studies for next school year and beyond. This curriculum has jumped to the top of the list as a contender! I highly recommend that if you are looking for a history curriculum with a Biblical worldview then you should check out the Pathway to Liberty's History Curriculum, from Pathway to Liberty Homeschool Curriculum.
But don’t just take my word for it! Check out what my CrewMates think of this curriculum by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ Pathway to Liberty Homeschool Curriculum

 Product ~ Pathway to Liberty's US History 

 Format ~ spiral bound 

 Ages ~ elementary - high school

Social Media Links:

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Study.com: CLEP Exam Prep and DSST Exam Prep ~ a TOS review

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Happy Friday friends! 

It’s been a busy week here at A Stable Beginning as we wind down our school year and prepare for two graduations, University and High School. Did you know there are many ways to cut down on college costs now while your children are in high school through CLEP and DSST programs.

For this review we received a 3-month subscription to Study.com to check out their CLEP {College Level Examination Program) and DSST {Dantes Subject Standardized Tests} prep materials. I will say I was hesitant at the start of this review because I just was not sure. You see, my soon to be 2nd homeschool graduate was knee deep in applying for a highly selective service academy and they do not accept CLEP tests. My next oldest student just did not have to time to add anything into her busy schedule, so I thought.

Yep, when I got access to our Study.com account I realized that they had over 30 different CLEP and DSST courses available to study subjects such as business, math, composition and literature, foreign language, history and social science, as well as standardized testing prep. There literally is something for everyone on Study.com!

 Since this program is so user friendly getting started is quite simple. Just set up an account and decide which student plan you want to pay for. Choices are Basic Edition, Premium Edition, and College Accelerator and prices range from $39.99 to $199.99 a month. You can save 10% if you pay annually.

Once your account is set up simply chose from over the 4100 video courses and get started learning. Typically a course is comprised of videos and quizzes. The videos are similar to videos you would find on YouTube as far as format goes. Sometimes courses even have supplemental materials like flashcards or worksheets that need to be studied as well. CLEP Courses generally have about 15-20 hours worth of lesson material so you can expect to cover a course with dedicated 1.5 hours of weekly study in about 3 months.

After I did some examining of the site I discovered that Study.com has a SAT Prep: Practice & Study Guide course that I knew would be just perfect for Mikayla, my 10th grader. We are in the process of her studying for her very first SAT exam in July. {As a side note, TODAY is the last day to register for the June 1st SAT.} We take our standardized testing studying really serious here at A Stable Beginning. Why? Because raising your score by a few points means more scholarship money. And if you have done the time studying why not reward yourself with a few thousand dollars more in Merit scholarship money.

Mikayla is progressing through this online studying quite nicely. She studies 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, taking off on our Wednesday coop day and Sunday. The SAT course has 36 chapters and she has been working through a chapter a day, with the exception of the chapters on the SAT writing. We are not focusing on that section because June will be her first testing and I just want a baseline of where she is act in the Math and English/Reading portions. Also, the schools that she is looking at do not require the writing portion of the test.

I have to say that I really enjoy the Study.com offerings! It has fit our needs for her studying for the SAT and we are praying for great scores. I will say that some nights Mikayla was up pretty late, i.e. after 10PM, to get her hour in because I am a stickler for making sure study time gets done each day. But, she is progressing through the course nicely.
 
I definitely recommend you check out Study.com if you have a high schooler looking to test out of courses in preparation for University or for standardized testing. Study.com has met our needs and I am so glad that we were chosen to be apart of this review! But don’t just take my word for it! Check out what 25 of my CrewMate friends have been doing with Study.com by clicking the banner below.

                                   

 Company ~ Study.com 

Product ~ 3 month subscription to the CLEP and DSST prep materials 

 Format ~ online learning 

 Price ~ Basic Edition, Premium Edition, and College Accelerator and prices range from $39.99 to $199.99 a month 

 Ages ~ high schoolers and up

Social Media Links: 

 Facebook ~ Twitter

© 2008 - 2019 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

 http://astablebeginning.com

Hamelin Stoop Series ~ a TOS review

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Happy Thursday friends! It’s been a busy week here at A Stable Beginning but I am excited to share a great new book series for your middle schoolers today. My middle schooler, Montana (12) has been reading the first two books in the brand new Hamelin Stoop Series from 12 Gates Publishing. We received both Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, The Cave, and the Footbridge (Book 1) and Hamelin Stoop: The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna (Book 2) for her to read. Let me tell you a little more!

The books of the Hamelin Stoop are penned by Robert B. Sloan who is widely known for his public speaking engagements, higher education leadership, and nonfiction writings. Mr. Sloan’s passion for telling a great story shines through the pages of these books.

“I think stories are powerful. They shape us and they influence us in ways that abstract philosophies and ideologies cannot.”

The target audience for these fantasy genre books are for children for the middle school children 6th grade and up to young adult readers. With just over 300 pages each they are perfect for kids and families looking for a clean fantasy series. The books in this series are written with a biblical worldview.

Our time with Hamelin Stoop, the main character begins in his infancy when he is dropped off on the porch of a children’s home. His mother fears being caught by wicked trackers and does the most daring thing by leaving her new baby inside a tomato box inside the screened porch.

Hameline’s life is not an easy path of a normal little boy. He grows up not belonging to anyone, yet to everyone. To make matters worse the people he grows closet to at the children’s home seem to keep leaving him left and right. Everything comes to a head when the children’s home forgets his eighth birthday and Hamelin decides to run away from his caregivers hoping to find his parents.

While on the run he discovers a mysterious cave near a footbridge with a Great Eagle. The Eagle tells Hamelin of a secret mission to help save a girl. In order to begin the mission he must first cross a shaky footbridge that leads across an enormous chasm. But is Hamelin brave enough?

In the second book of the series, The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna, we greet Hamelin as he has finally made it across the footbridge. Still on his quest to find his parents we find Hamelin joining the cause to help a young man recover a stolen jewel as well as a princess looking for her lost sister. As the Great Eagle leads Hamelin through the dangerous Waters of Death and Life and into the Land of Gloaming, Hamelin finds himself caught up in a bitter war between good, a mysterious Ancient One and an evil fire-breathing dragon, Chimera.

 “Hamelin Stoop’s story will capture minds, inspire hearts, and leave its readers eagerly awaiting the next volume.” 

Montana is a strong reader who is just finishing up her 6th grade year and she has enjoyed reading these books. She is just now starting the second book and has picked up on the biblical allegory inside them. We have been able to have some lively discussions because of this which has been great. The entire series will have a total of six or seven books in the complete series and we are excited to read more!

If you are looking for a new book series for your middle schooler this is definitely a series you should check out! I am nothing but pleased with it and have already recommended it to my friends with middle schoolers. But don’t just take my word for it! Check out what 49 of my CrewMates thought of this series by clicking the banner below and reading their reviews.

Company ~ 12 Gates Publishing 

 Product ~ Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, The Cave, and the Footbridge (Book 1) AND Hamelin Stoop: The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna (Book 2) 

 Format ~ paperback book 

 Price ~ $23.98 plus shipping 

 Ages ~ middle schoolers to young adults

Social Media Links: 

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© 2008 - 2019 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

 http://astablebeginning.com