A Stable Beginning

Monday, August 17, 2020

The LIFE Plan ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW 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 FTC Regulations.

Morning friends! We are in full swing today in our 2020-2021 school year. It’s great to be back and getting into somewhat of a routine. Today I am excited to tell you about a new homeschool Bible curriculum that we have been using from The LIFE Network. We have been using The LIFE Plan for a few weeks now so I am excited to tell you more about it.

The LIFE Plan is a set of six volumes created by Allen L. Elder, an ordained minister from South Carolina where he put together The LIFE Plan for his home church. LIFE stands for Living Intentionally For Eternity and the LIFE Plan is built around the Bible’s story, structure, and service plan for our lives.

Each of the books in this series contain 36 weeks of lessons with each volume having a central theme that all flows together as a set. The Volumes themes include:
~ The Bible’s Story ~ Abraham and Israel~ The Structure of the Bible ~ The Life of Jesus on Earth ~ The Church ~ Your Personal Ministry

Using this curriculum is really easy and user friendly. Since the lessons within the week plan each follow a similar pattern:

~ the theme/topic

~ The lesson aim

~ Scripture reference

~ Reading selection, typically just 1-3 pages in length

~ Lesson outline

~ More scriptures to broaden your understanding

~ Theological connections

~ Lesson glossary

~ Comprehension questions about the theme passage (don’t worry, the answers are in the back of the book if you need a little help).

Simply complete one lesson a week to build the strong foundation upon Christ.

The best part of this curriculum is that it can be used for homeschoolers throughout the course of your child’s compulsory education, grades 1-12, by using one volume each year. So if you begin in your child’s first grade year you will go through the series twice, digging a little deeper each time through the topics.
Originally I had planned to use this program for all of my children’s Bible curriculum this year, a different volume for each one. However, with shipping delays due to COVID the Volumes 2-6 of the curriculum did not arrive until the end of July and our Volume 1 arrived a few days later. But I didn’t let shipping delays stop me once we got these books in our hands. Instead, I jumped right into Volume 2, which covers Abraham and Israel, because it lines up perfectly with our history studies this year. Typically I read from the volume during the evening at dinner time. I would look up the scripture as well and read that. Afterwards we would discuss the questions that were provided at the end of the lesson. I like that the way keeps us at the table as a family for just a bit longer.

Overall, I can say that this is a comprehensive study of the Bible. I like the way each section is broken down into tiny chunks so that the information is able to be retained and placed within our hearts. I will continue to follow this same plan of reading and discussing over dinner for this year. I highly recommend you taking a look at this curriculum if you are looking for a disciple-making curriculum for your family. But don’t just take my word for it! Nine of my CrewMates also reviewed this homeschool Bible curriculum. Click the banner below and see what they thought too!

The LIFE Plan - Living Intentionally For Eternity {The LIFE Network Reviews}

Company ~ The LIFE Network

Product ~The LIFE Plan

Format ~ softcover books, 6 Volumes

Price ~ $19.95 each

Ages ~1st- 12th graders

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Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Wordless Wednesday

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Thursday, August 6, 2020

Make-A-State Activity-Pak from Home School in the Woods ~ a TOS review

Hey there friends! The summer has flown by for us and we are just about to pack up and bring my University girl back to school. But first I wanted to share with you one of my favorite homeschool curriculum companies. I am excited to tell you {again} how much I love the products from Amy Pak and her team at Home School in the Woods!!! This time we have received the Make-A-State Activity-Pak to review.

If you are a long term reader then you already know how we first discovered HSITW. But if it’s your first time here, let me tell you the quick version. Way back in the summer of 2011 I had the opportunity to attend my very first homeschool convention. I was super excited to attend but a Tropical Storm nearly put the damper on it. We battled the summer stormy weather and made the nearly 2 hour drive to the Convention Center. I tell you it was glorious and still is each year I get to attend! While there I stumbled upon a company called Home School in the Woods as I browsed the Vendor Hall. I hit the jackpot that day with this company and we have been making history fun ever since with their hands-on learning style.

History has always been a favorite subject of mine to teach and re-learn with my girls. I grew up learning history from a boring textbook so I am so happy that now I can teach my children history with awesome hands-on learning. Now that my son is old enough to begin his history journey I want to make it exciting and fun for him. Amy Pak, the talented graphic designer and experienced homeschooler, is the mastermind to everything that Homeschool in the Woods creates. This company has helped transform the way we tackle hands-on history learning ever since.

We have lived in our state of Virginia for eleven years now. It’s the longest spot that we have been in and I am happy to say we will be here for a few more before settling into retirement. To help my 5th grader, McKenzie, learn her states and capitals I was so excited to be sent the Make-A-State Activity-Pak.

We received the digital download of this activity pak and It is compatible with PC and Mac’s. This activity pak is geared towards children in 3rd-8th grade and includes 20 projects to learn all about the particular state you are studying. Projects include:

~ writing ~ coloring ~ research ~ mapping ~ and more

In addition to all the activities included you also get access to the “Name That State! File Folder Game. Students and adults alike are able to test their knowledge of each states shape and position on the map. The game includes everything you need to play.

Overall, I am once again super pleased with this curriculum product! You really can’t go wrong when you are using a product from Home School in the Woods! While we only got to work on the Virginia packet these last few weeks, our plan is to study 5-6 states each month so that by next year McKenzie has them down pack. But don’t just take my word for it, be sure to click the banner below and check out what 59 of my CrewMates thought of this activity pak and the other items being reviewed including, U.S. Elections Lap-Pak , Benjamin Franklin K-2 Lap-Pak, Timeline Collection: A Collection of Historical Timeline Figures , Time Travelers U.S. History Studies .

Hey, and because it is an Election year I highly recommend you check out the U.S. Elections Lap-Pak. It is really good and breaks down the whole process of what it takes to become the President of the United States in 21 projects.

Election Lap-Pak, Benjamin Franklin, Timeline Collection, Time Travelers U.S.History and Make-A-State Activity-Pak {Home School in the Woods Reviews}

Company ~ Home School in the Woods

Product ~ Make-A-State Activity-Pak

Format ~ digital download

Price ~ $18.95

Ages ~ 3rd-8th graders

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Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Wordless Wednesday

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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Homeschool Astronomy from Journey Homeschool Academy ~ a TOS review

Morning friends! It’s crunch time here at A Stable Beginning. Life is full steam ahead as we prepare to return Madison to University, take Mikayla on two recruiting visits, and start our 12th year of homeschooling. All within the same nine day period. To say it’s been busy…well that is a huge understatement. Not to mention how Miss ‘Rona has thrown us a curve ball as I try to navigate it all without our Principal.

One thing that I have been doing is keeping the kiddos actively learning during the summer months. I am trying to minimize the dreadful summer slide so I was super excited to have McKenzie and Micah do some summer learning with Experience Astronomy: Elementary from Journey Homeschool Academy.

Journey Homeschool Academy was created by Luke and Trish Gilkerson in an effort to help students explore the science world of astronomy and biology.Their courses offer video based Christian, homeschool science studies for children in elementary through high school. We received the Experience Astronomy: Elementary that includes 30 lessons all about astronomy. Each lesson is short, approximately 15 minutes. Just enough to grab and engage the attention of your 6-12 year old student.

The 30 lessons include the following topics:

1. Why God Loves Astronomy

2. Who Moved the Sun?

3. Blazing Summers, Freezing Winters

4. Spring Forward, Fall Back

5. Hello, Moon!

6. There are Giants in the Sky

7. From North Star to Southern Cross

8. Stories in the Sky

9. More Stories in the Sky

10. Watch out For Wandering Stars!

11. Around the World

12. Blackout!

13. Bye Bye Moon

14. Falling Rocks and Shooting Stars

15. Galileo's Head Was On The Block

16. Earth- Baby Bear's Porridge

17. Man on the Moon

18. Mr. Golden Sun

19. Mercury - The Swift Messenger

20. Venus - Earth's Fiery Sister

21. Mars - The Red Planet

22. Space Rock and Roll

23. Jupiter - By Jove! It's a Giant!

24. Saturn - Put a Ring on It

25. Uranus - A Topsy Turvy World

26. Neptune - The Blue Giant

27. Ice, Ice, Baby (Too Cold)

28. Planets Galore!

29. The Immeasurable Heavens

30. The Heavens are the Lord's Heavens

Each lesson is chock full of extras including:

Reading List ~ recommended books to read aloud or for independent reading.

Hands-on activities ~ reinforce the lessons with hands-on learning (our favorite way to learn)

Memory work ~ printable flashcards with important facts to remember. These correlate to the memory video.

Copywork ~ available in both manuscript and cursive to help with handwriting practice.

Quizzes ~ one for each lesson to test your knowledge.

The complete year long course retails for just $129.00 and can be used for multiple students within your own family. If you don’t want to do any printing a printed Student Adventure Guide is available to purchase HERE. It’s in full color and ready for you to start your learning journey. There are also student lesson cards available to purchase.

Overall, McKenzie (10) and Micah (6) have enjoyed our summer learning with Journey Homeschool Academy! This if Micah’s first exposure to astronomy and I love that it is so hands-on for him. He learns best using his hands and he has enjoyed learning about the planets. Typically we study two science disciplines starting in 7th grade, but I am so impressed with this astronomy curriculum that I plan to also use it this year in addition to our main curriculum. We will take it slower, but will be able to finish it by next summer.

Be sure to check out what my CrewMates think of the Astronomy, Upper Biology, and elementary Biology programs that were reviewed by clicking the banner below.