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Biblical Parenting Course Review

I had just finished reading a parenting book on child discipline when an opportunity to review a Building a Strong Foundation: 5 Pillars of Biblical Parenting came up. I was SUPER ecstatic to be a part of this launch team and want to share with you my experience with a fantastic biblical parenting course you won’t want to miss.

Here’s some background on my situation before we get into the specifics. As my children grow into the teenage phase, some techniques we’ve used over the years needed some fine tuning. Since my daughter turned 13 this year, we noticed a change in her behavior.

There was rebelliousness in her attitude and anger was rearing its ugly head. We needed a solution, and fast. We had always used the Bible as our main source but found ourselves craving extra counseling. We discovered our error – we had focused too much on rules instead of focusing on the heart of our child.

Now that I realized my main goal with my children was to keep their hearts, I needed a new game plan.

God’s timing was perfect. This course series focuses on this subject – the heart of a child. He knew I was ready for encouragement and practical tips on how to keep my child’s heart.

BIBLICAL PARENTING COURSE REVIEW

Kathie Morrissey, the owner of the Character Corner, has years of experience raising and disciplining her 8 children. She has a wealth of wisdom, and I’m thankful for her expertise.

As I watched the videos, I felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table, listening to a wise friend! Kathie’s videos were personal yet informative and filled with biblical passages. I’m always looking for worksheets to reinforce what I’ve learned and this course did not disappoint! Each unit contained a worksheet with valuable information.

As the title suggests, if you want to build a strong foundation for your family, this 5-week course is a must! The BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION – 5 PILLARS OF BIBLICAL PARENTING course is a 5-week video/workbook course including practical steps and encouragement. You can begin to apply these new biblical principles right away, regardless of age.

BIBLICAL PARENTING COURSE DETAILS

Here are the details of the course:

  • 18 VIDEOS – Each video averages between 5 and 15 minutes
  • 5 Units
    • Building The Pillar Of Faith
    • Building The Pillar Of Character
    • Building The Pillar Of Discipline
    • Building The Pillar of Relationship
    • Building The Pillar of Prayer
  • A workbook for each unit
  • A bonus video on First Time Obedience
  • A printable prayer journal

With this course you’ll be able to:

  • See what the Bible says about building your child’s faith
  • Learn how  your children develop character
  • See and develop a practical plan for training your kids in Godly character
  • See what the purpose of Biblical discipline is
  • Learn how to train your child’s heart with Scripture
  • See how to take the frustration out of discipline
  • Recognize why it is vital to building a strong relationship with your child
  • Recognize mistakes that hurt the parent/child relationship
  • Put ideas into practice that will win your child’s heart
  • Pray more specifically for your children

Now that we’ve discussed the specs, let’s get to the best part! How to gain access to the course immediately! Plus, you’ll get a freebie as well.

BIBLICAL PARENTING COURSE ACCESS

Here’s how to register for the course. Click the course’s name below and sign up immediately to gain biblical insight on parenting at 50% off this week! You’ll also get The Importance of Winning Your Child’s Heart ebook absolutely FREE! Enroll for the 5-week course today!

Click Here to Register for the Building a Strong Foundation: 5 Pillars of Biblical Parenting Course today!

 

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5 Tips on Establishing Bedtime Routines

Are you struggling to get your kids to bed on time?  Do you lose your temper when one of your children (or all!) are not listening to you the first time you ask them to get ready for bed when its time for bed?  Here are 5 tips on establishing bedtime routines, the easy way!

Our schedule has changed since I last wrote about my daily routines so here is an update on our successes and failures!

The kids and I spend a lot of time together.  My husband gets home pretty late so it’s harder to stay focused on our routines when he pulls in the driveway closer to 8pm.  Thankfully, it’s more of an exception than reality.  We may not always get to eat dinner together with him, so we gather around the table while he eats and we tell him about our day.  

I wake up really early to teach Chinese students online. I have found my energy has waned and struggled by night time to keep up with the kids. Since my husband has a physically strenuous job, night time is downtime for all of us during the weekdays.

SET ASIDE FAMILY TIME WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS

With this fast-paced age of information across social media outlets, devices are making a multitude of sounds several times a day.  It can become a great distraction when connecting with each other after a long, busy day.  

Removing devices temporarily for a short period of time can bring you peace and strength your relationships.  

Part of our routine after dinner is eliminating all distractions (devices, including phones) for 30 minutes.  This is the time to communicate and catch up on our day’s activities.  We sit in the living room and talk about anything that comes to our minds. 

This is also a great time to do a family devotion. Get into the Word. Just start with 5-10 minutes praying and discussing the Lord’s greatness and what you are thankful for.

A read-aloud is also a great way to spark a discussion. We also enjoy trivia questions either on the bible or animals/insects.

DAD TIME ONE DAY A WEEK

Does your husband get home late and you need some to recharge without the fam for a few minutes?   Schedule time for just Dad and the kiddos.  Make it one day a week so there is something to look forward to. Ask your husband to take them for ice cream, something easy and simple after a long, exhausting day.  My family has enjoyed building a bond fire together, watching a funny video or just settling down on the couch and playing a game.   This also allows me to slip off to my room and begin my self-care routine for the next day.  Woo Hoo!

 

ESTABLISH BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR SPOUSE TIME

We decided 9:30 pm is “get ready for bed” time.   Every family is different, so it may be later or earlier for yours.  It gives my husband enough quality time with the kids before bed and us a chance to reconnect for a few minutes before falling asleep. Don’t forget to schedule in time with each other. It’s essential to make time for one another. 

 

INCLUDE STEPS FOR GETTING READY THE NEXT DAY

It’s a great habit to find ways to get prepared for the next day. Have the kids tidy up their room, remind them of any activities for tomorrow and lay out their clothes for the next day. Allow them time for prayer and reading as they wind down from a busy day. 

For you moms, make sure your clothes are laid out for the next day too, including socks and shoes! It makes a huge difference as it helps get you up quickly and keeps you energized for the day.

Then, talk to your spouse. Enjoy this time together — it’s peaceful and quiet!

 

GO TO BED EVERY NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME

When our family has a consistent schedule every night, waking up is SO much easier. Be consistent with going to bed every night and you’ll sleep beautifully! I don’t have issues with falling asleep anymore because I wake up really early and go to bed by midnight since I work a couple of hours at night (in the summer only). 

Wrapping up, establishing bedtime routines for our family is essential for mental, physical and spiritual health.  It also sets up the next day for success.  I am thankful for our daily routines!  It gives me a peace of mind about what’s expected and can plan my day accordingly.  There is a time or season to be spontaneous but, it should be a rare treat.  Routines give families a sense of security and purpose throughout the day.   

I pray this has encouraged you to think about your daily obstacles and determine if you can eliminate them by using routines as a guideline.   It keeps me focused as I tend to get distracted by messes in the house and the dings from my phone.   It’s also healthy for spouses to schedule time alone to reconnect and refresh, thus, ending on a good note before sleep creeps up on us.  

 

 

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The Scavengers eGuide from Progeny Press

We added Progeny Press e-Guides to our summer reading repertoire and excited to review The Scavengers – eGuide!  Honestly, I had never heard of this book or Progeny Press before so this was new to me. I am so glad for this opportunity!

This is my first review for Progeny Press so I didn’t know what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to use, especially the interactive guide.

Scavengers eGuide

WHO IS PROGENY PRESS

Progeny Press designs study guides from a Christian perspective.  The owners, Michael and Rebecca Gilleland, have a mission to teach children to think clearly and understand literature while relying on scripture for the ultimate truth and values.

Progeny Press has grown from 18 study guides in 1993 to over 115 study guides in 2018. The owners still edit and review each study guide to ensure high-quality standards of literary analysis.

You can learn more about them HERE.

INTERACTIVE STUDY GUIDES

So, why would you want to purchase an Interactive Study Guide? First of all, it reinforces a student’s learning. It gets them to think about the story and it’s outcome instead of flying through it without critical thinking.

When you purchase the eGuide, you get two files. The first file is the interactive guide and the second is an answer key. ‘Interactive’ simply means you can edit the guide, or answer the questions directly in the file.  It’s not a static pdf file anymore. How convenient is that?!!! I really loved this feature as it minimizes wasted paper. However, you can still print it if you prefer.

scavenger interactive study guide

THE SCAVENGERS STORY

You can buy The Scavengers book directly on their website HERE.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the book. A girl is living in a dystopian world of OutBubble with her family in uncomfortable and dirty conditions. Maggie (aka Ford Falcon) is a great narrator in First Person as a 12-year-old. She is a bit mature, but that would be expected when surrounded by adults and learning to live in an uncertain time.  When the going gets tough, Maggie has to make difficult choices and take charge of her unique situation.

FINAL ANALYSIS

I had never heard of The Scavengers Story but my son and I both enjoyed it. He is going into 6th grade, so he’s technically not in middle school (according to the state of PA) but this was certainly at his level.  This is a great read for an upper-elementary or middle-school aged daughter as well.

The Scavengers story is quite captivating and a great novel to keep your child’s attention. My son didn’t seem to mind that a girl was the main character. He read the book on his iPad via the Kindle app and then answered the vocabulary and questions on the computer.

We did try to use the interactive feature on the iPad but didn’t have the correct app loaded. It was easy to shift gears and get on the computer to enter the answers. I would suggest if you want your student to answer questions on an iPad, I would suggest confirming you have editable readers such as Adobe Acrobat.

COST AND ADDITIONAL TITLES

The cost to buy The Scavengers – eGuide is $18.99 and you can find more interactive e-Guides below:

The Josefina Story Quilt – eGuide

The Green Book – eGuide

Perelandra – eGuide

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Get to know more about Progeny Press using the Social Media Channels below:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/progenypress
Twitter: https://twitter.com/progenypress
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/progenypress
YouTube: https://youtube.com/progenypress

 

New Study Guides for Literature From a Christian Perspective {Progeny Press Reviews}
 

Crew Disclaimer

6 Tips to Organize your Homeschool Space

Is your homeschool space a bit messy, disorganized, or an eyesore?  Is it time for you to take some tactical steps to improve that mess? There was a time when I had papers, books, and binders all over the place!  Over the years, I’ve found ways to keep our space clean. Below, I’ve laid out 6 tips on organizing your homeschool space.  

organizing your homeschool space

A couple of years ago, our homeschool place was an entire room dedicated to learning. The kids were young and I wanted an exclusive area of teaching. It worked great for a while to keep our focus on learning.

However, the kids are older and more independent and it’s convenient to move to the dining room. I was constantly going back and forth to the bathroom or in search of something I’d forgotten. I like simplicity and convenience and was initially concerned about the mess during meal time. But, with some organizational modifications, we’ve made it work well.

Here are my best tips on how you can keep your homeschool space neat, tidy, and stress-free for years to come.

Add a Bookshelf

Admittedly, I started with containers holding the kids’ books, textbooks and workbooks. However, I found tossing them into the containers damaged the materials. Eventually, it became a dumping ground for pencils and papers. Smaller books got hidden behind larger ones making it difficult to pull them out.

Once I added a bookshelf to our homeschool room, the books were easier to locate and maintain. Since selling our homeschool materials is necessary to help with the next year’s budget, we must keep them in excellent condition.  

We have 5 shelves. Here’s what I place on each shelf:

  • Materials – 2 smaller containers are located on the first shelf. These container hold tape, scissors, stapler with staples, and a 3-hole punch.

  • History/Literature Section – The 2nd shelf contains books we are using for the current year. This includes history, geography, literature and math books. There is also a science kit box to hold up our selection of books. You won’t find any books that are a “maybe” or from a previous school year. All books that we might use later are in another room in a chest.
  • Miscellaneous – The 3rd shelf contains bibles and a rectangular basket of lined and printer paper. You can also find a sturdy utility bag with several pockets to hold pencils.
  • Books – An entire shelf is dedicated to books at my children’s reading level.
  • Reading Books – The last shelf holds library books on one side and owned books for reading pleasure. There is also a black and white laser printer as a backup in case the color laser printer stops working.

Invest in a Drawer Set

Invest in a drawer set like this one below – if you don’t have one, get one! They are wonderful for organizing crafts and construction paper. Crafts tend to be small and its necessary to sort them into smaller compartments. I paid $35 for mine years ago at Michaels.

Organize writing instruments in Pencil Boxes/Utility Organizers

I keep pencil boxes and utensil organizers on one shelf. We have a pencil box for colored pencils and another for pens. You can purchase plastic sturdy pencil containers right at the Dollar Tree.  Or, you can get one online like this one shown here:

 

Large Table for laptops/writing

We use our living room table for our laptops, reading, and writing. One rule is to stay at the table the entire school time. It helps avoid distractions in their bedrooms including the use of phones and tablets.  If you don’t have a large enough table, make a rule that everyone stays within the same location.

At the end of the day, all books must be put away on the shelf. There is nothing more frustrating when dinner is ready and papers are everywhere!

Storage Location for Important Papers

Reduce paper pile up by having a dedicated binder for each child. When the child’s weekly work is complete and reviewed, their work gets moved to the binder. Make sure your 3-hole puncher is handy on the shelf where you keep similar materials.

You can get 1-inch binders at the Dollar Tree or for convenience, you can buy them on Amazon for a decent price and sent right to your door. I’ve bought the binders seen below. These are great because you can design and personalize a front cover for each child and print it to slide directly into the front slip.

 

My favorite tool – Clipboards

Clipboards are located on the same shelf as the books on top of the science kit box. Keeping clipboards upright is probably not a good idea unless you can hang them on the side. Most of them have built-in hanger holes for convenience. If you’ve read my posts before, you know how much I LOVE clipboards.  To learn more about the efficiency of clipboards, go to this post here.

There you have it! I love sharing my organizing tips with you! I have spent a lot of time over the years tweaking and refining. Don’t go through the same struggle I went through to get your homeschool day running smoothly.

What are your struggles with your homeschool space? Maybe you’ve already fixed them and would like to share your idea? I would love to hear your comments so please leave them below. I read all of them!  Until next time, my friend.

 

 

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Biblical Parenting — A Lesson from Hannah

Over the years, I’ve read several parenting books!  Most have been helpful in a practical sense. And, I’m thankful for all of the authors of these books who shared their wisdom and sound advice.

Yet, as parents, it’s also wise to take advice directly from the best parenting book ever written — the bible! This wonderful book contains several books showing us how we can become more godly parents just by reading the actions of good role models.  I’ve gathered several great tips on biblical parenting — a lesson from Hannah.

BIBLICAL PARENTING – A LESSON FROM HANNAH

Who is Hannah you may wonder or need a refresher? Hannah was a woman married with no children as her womb was barren. Her heart heavy, she cried out to the Lord, praying for a child. She desperately wanted one but knew it was in God’s control, not her own.

In my own life, I’ve caught my children copying my bad behavior many times when I’d lose my patience.  This troubled me and wanted to change it.  I started noting the triggers. It seemed to happen most frequently when I was teaching the same math concept or going over another ‘simple’ word.  Or, I was in a hurry and they asked me a question. I’d ask for forgiveness each time but wanted to truly repent, or change.

In the book of 1 Samuel, there are 4 principles we can follow if we meditate on Hannah’s story. It may be time for you to determine whether your focus is on the Lord like Hannah or if you are more like Eli, with a lack of restraint. If you are NOT focused on His ways, you are more like Eli. Yet, there’s good news though, it’s NEVER too late to start making a positive impact on your child’s life!

I talk about these 4 principles in the guest article below. You can find this article as part of a series called “21 Days of Biblical Encouragement” for Annette at https://inallyoudo.net. Take a look and am hopeful this will help guide you as a successful parent!

GO HERE TO FIND MY ARTICLE ON A LESSON FROM HANNAH!

BIBLICAL PARENTING – COURSE LESSONS

If you prefer learning via video or someone with lots of wisdom and experience, check out my review on a wonderful course from Kathie at The Character Corner developed specifically with you in mind! If you are ready to take your parenting skills to the next step, I highly recommend checking this course out. You won’t regret it!

GO HERE TO FIND OUT A WONDERFUL PARENTING COURSE

 

 

 

Simple Tech Tools for Homeschool

I love everything tech. Since I was in my early 20’s, I have spent a HUGE amount of time on the computer fixing problems and researching solutions.

6 simple tech tools for homeschool

Yet there are a lot of homeschoolers who are concerned about too much tech. And, rightly so! Maybe you’re concerned about the communication and creativity skills kids are lacking today.  I’m here to tell you, tech is here to stay. Your students can succeed by using their creativity with these 6 simple tech tools for your teaching toolkit.

It’s our job as parents to monitor all activity with our kids, whether it’s during homeschooling, extracurricular activities, or church.  That’s why homeschooling is so unique and successful.  You define the rules — you are the principal of your homeschool.  The Principal decides how to have a healthy balance of education, play, and faith.

The good news is, with technology, we can combine all three of these elements to further enhance our lives.   Here are 6 simple tech tools to add to your homeschool teaching toolkit.   These tools are easy to implement, enjoyable to use, and encourages a love of learning.

EBOOKS

E-books play an important role in our homeschool.   There are several reasons why we use the e-book format as our Charlotte Mason book collection.  We have used Kindle Fires and iPads as our tablets but there are so many choices to choose from.  You can get an Amazon Kindle Fire for $50!

  • Large storage capability for books on your virtual bookshelf
  • More than one user can read the same book at the same time
  • Audio can be purchased with text highlighting for struggling readers to follow along.
  • Cheaper or free versions than physical
  • Easier to find older books compared to physical

EMAIL

Email is a wonderful system to use as a storage area for communicating documents (ie. lesson plans, pdfs), assignments, and links to valuable websites and online courses.  Both my children have email accounts that are linked to my account.  I downloaded an email app on their tablets and send them any assignments available online.  I note it on their weekly checklist so they know its location.   Here are the benefits:

  • Permanent storage area for school assignments on a daily, weekly or monthly basis
  • Easy access to links for online courses, web-based books, and Youtube videos.
  • Improve typing and grammar skills when sending back assignments or responding to questions
  • Learn how to communicate in an online forum

E-COURSES/VIDEOS

Approximately 25% of our schoolwork is enhanced by using e-courses/videos.   We’ve used many resources online, whether it’s an online class or Youtube Video. After researching their respective topics online, I will send them the appropriate links via email.  This helps enrich their learning experience.   Here are the advantages we enjoy:

  • Creates visual stimulation
  • Allows struggling students to re-watch the same subject several times
  • Use of short video clips allows more efficient processing and memory recall
  • Visual and auditory capabilities allow your student to process information naturally

GOOGLE DRIVE/DOCS/SHEETS/CALENDAR

Anyone with a Google account has immediate access to their own personal email, drive (storage area), and Docs/Sheets.  Docs and Sheets are simply web-based programs where you can create letters, forms as documents and organized data in spreadsheets.   Your homeschooled students can use it to write/type letters,  plays/scripts, create graphs by entering data using spreadsheets and even add activities in their own calendar.   The benefits are huge and here’s some of them:

  • Enhances their typing and organization skills
  • Strengthens their writing and spelling abilities
  • Builds their creativity skill sets in writing plays/scripts
  • Saves paper

VIDEO RECORDING

If you have a smartphone, you already have this teaching tool in your toolkit.  However, did you ever think about using it for practicing oral speeches or narrations?  Part of the Charlotte Mason method is narration.  My kids use video recording to record themselves when narrating a book.  They can watch their “performance” later to improve their oratory skills. Plus, I can review it anytime at my convenience!  Here’s a list of how video recording is helpful for teaching kids:

  • Encourages kids to organize their thoughts orally before speaking
  • Recording can be reviewed to teach improvement on any verbal stalls, such as “um” or “like”
  • Teaches self-control through body language and communication.

SIRI/GOOGLE ASSISTANT

I am a HUGE fan of SIRI!  I used to be an Android user until a few years ago after getting frustrated with the fast bleeding of battery life.  So, I switched and haven’t looked back since.  I use AI (Artificial Intelligence) as much as I can.   You can retrieve Siri simply by holding down the Home button.   Click HERE for a nice list of Siri commands.  For Android phones, “Ok Google” should activate Google Assistant.   Go HERE for a full list of Google Assistant commands.

Plus, it reduces my time looking for apps on my phone and I can get directions to anywhere within a second or two.  But, I digress.  Here are some great ways to use Siri or Hey Google! in an educational manner:

  • Answer questions from your students quickly
  • Students can use it for curiosity questions or an assignment
  • Open an App painlessly on your phone (or if you have an iPad!)
  • Ask how to spell words when writing papers

Well, there you have it!  These are my ‘go to’ 6 simple tech tools for your homeschool teaching toolkit.  These simple teaching technologies will make your life as a mom and teacher SO much easier.  Trust me.  They’re super easy to use (especially with Siri or Google Assistant!), fun to implement, and you’ll notice your kids won’t feel forced to learn.  Before you know it, they’ll be communicating with you all of the creative ways on how they can further use these awesome tech tools!

Simple and Free Ideas for Bonding Time with Kids

As mid-summer comes upon us, are your children getting bored? I really don’t like that word, and my kids know it. I hand them something to do right away when that word spews out of their mouth.

If your children are struggling to entertain themselves or get creative, it may be time to start finding ideas that the family can enjoy together without breaking the budget! Here are some simple and free ideas for bonding time with the kids!

SIMPLE AND FREE IDEAS FOR BONDING TIME WITH KIDS

I write for Homeschooling with Heart Blog and wanted to share with you some ideas we’ve used over the years to intentionally spend quality time with the kids. It’s essential we sit down for a few minutes a day just to talk and find out how our children are doing. Life is too short, and our kids grow up too fast.

Am I right?!!

In a blink of an eye, they will be out of our home. It’s up to us as parents to find ways that encourage bonding time. Sometimes, you have to get a little creative. It’s easy to hand them a tablet or phone and tell them to go play. But, it’s not what’s best for them. They need your attention, mama.

When the kids were younger, I remember giving them their own special days. It helped us keep track of who got the front seat or pick a movie. It also helped me focus my attention on the “child of the day” and give them a little extra love. Tell them stories about you growing up, kids love it!

Here I share my favorite ways of spending quality time with the kids in the summer. Hope you enjoy!

 

Simple and Free Ways to Spend Quality Time with Kids in the Summer

Silverdale Press White House Holidays Unit Study Review

I am excited to share with you a great way to learn more about our wonderful American Holiday History through the White House Holidays Unit Studies from Silverdale Press LLC! These unit studies area unique way to shift gears from your typical history studies and enjoy some awesome facts and figures from our past.  Don’t miss out on my Silverdale Press White House Holidays Unit Study Review, you’ll be glad you did!

Silverdale Press

WHITE HOUSE UNIT STUDIES

First of all, here is a rundown of expectations on these unique and intriguing unit studies. The activities are geared for all ages, with a section specific for K-6 and grades 7-12.  They include 3-5 lessons that can be completed ALL in one day. Yet, you can also spread them out to a lesson a week. We chose the latter. We like to take our time and have a deep discussion over our learning materials.

In this review, I will discuss in depth the unit studies my 11-year old son chose to study: Labor Day and Veteran’s Day. I was thankful he picked the Labor Day Unit Study since our history lessons have included studies on Theodore Roosevelt. Plus, we’ve been reading his biography throughout the school year.

LABOR DAY UNIT STUDY

This Labor Day Unit Study discusses the conditions and facts about our working history over a hundred years ago and how Labor Day became a holiday.

There are three lessons for each level (K-6th grade and 7th-12).  I chose the younger grade level since my son is just getting into 6th grade.  The younger lessons’ reading is shorter and with more hands-on activities.

If you have a middle or high school aged student, you can expect more detail along with extra reading, writing, and thinking prompts.

For the written story, the teacher can read out loud or have their student read independently. I asked my son to read the story online and then I printed out the questions for the lesson. Before beginning, you’ll want to read the brief introduction which includes materials necessary to complete the hands-on activities.

OUR THOUGHTS

My son was surprised at how much work young kids from the age of 4 were expected to be completed on a daily basis!  The chores he gets at home are no comparison to expectations in the 1800’s! I think he has learned to be more grateful since reading about living over 100 years ago! I’ll be sure to gently remind him of these lessons when he is fighting the urge to complain about doing chores!

I was inspired by the real, vivid pictures included in the Labor Day Unit Study. I highly recommend you check this out if your kids complain about chores! It is quite fascinating to see how families lived during this time period.  It brings our history to life and how blessed we are to live in this country today!

For example, one picture shows a family from Italy embroidering together on a dirty floor. My son thought they were washing a blanket. Another image shows a family with really young children from ages 4 to 9 picking out nuts. One child is standing in the bag with her dirty feet and all of the rooms are filthy! No wonder the life expectancy was not high!

With the hands-on activities, be confident that many materials are reasonable and easily accessible in your house!  For example, one activity required a posterboard or printer paper to recreate the First Labor Day posters you may see posted outside in the city. Who doesn’t have crayons, markers, and paper?!!! Easy Peasy.  It’s a teacher’s stress-free activity!  Check out the Labor Day Unit Study here!

VETERANS DAY UNIT STUDY

This unit study is also set up the same way as Labor Day. It’s broken up by age range and stories are shorter with more hands-on activities for the younger ones. The emphasis is placed on our military history including (but not limited to) President Woodrow Wilson and Eisenhower.

Your student will find out how Veteran’s Day started and the history of wars along with their presidents. You’ll even find contemporary facts that include President Barack Obama.

OUR THOUGHTS

Again, as a teacher, the images alone sprinkled throughout the Veteran’s Day Unit Study inspired me and are certainly worth a thousand words.  This unit study was perfect for my son as he’s heard many stories from my husband on his late great grandfather’s military background as a WWII war pilot.

This unit study brought new meaning to Veteran’s Day for our family as we enjoyed reading it together. Our history as a nation is truly remarkable and the stories and pictures brought those distant memories to life.  We are so thankful that homeschooling allows us to peruse these stories and dive deeply into what makes our country so great.

I’ll give you a sneak peek on these pictures.  One picture shows a lot of young men in suits lined up to register for the Great War draft. I’m a bit puzzled why I saw one lady in line but maybe she was registering to be a nurse?  Check out this the Veteran’s Unit Study to find out more!

FINAL THOUGHTS

These unit studies are inspiring and quite enjoyable for students and teachers alike! Homeschool Moms can download and print out the exact pages necessary for your child to use for writing and read online or together as a family!  Or, you can print out the entire set and put into a binder!

They are also perfect for homeschool families who want easy and engaging activities, not dry and boring facts.  Plus, these unit studies can be done all in one day on their respective holidays for a fun treat and activity!

You can find out more about their fascinating and engaging products at a reasonable cost if you go directly to their website under “store” by clicking HERE.  Don’t forget to catch them on social media using the links provided below.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

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Persuasive Writing & Classical Rhetoric: Practicing the Habits of Great Writers & White House Holidays Unit Studies {Silverdale Press LLC Reviews}
 

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MaxScholar Reading Intervention Program Review

We have been working diligently with my daughter who has struggled with reading fluently and spelling for many years. I am thankful for the opportunity to use the Reading Intervention Programs from MaxScholar.  This post is a review on a 12-month online subscription of the MaxScholar Reading Intervention Program.

MaxScholar

INTRODUCTION

MaxScholar utilizes an Orton-Gillingham approach with an emphasis on phonics, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, fluency, and writing to build reading skills. This program is specially designed for struggling readers such as dyslexic students, ESL students, and anyone with gaps in their reading skills.

This online program contains three main modules:  MAXPHONICS, MAXREADING and MAXWORDS. Here is a simple explanation for all of them.

MAXPHONICS helps with mastering phonemes and letter sounds by using a variety of multi-sensory, online lessons that include videos, practice drills, and games.

MAXREADING focuses on building reading comprehension using highlighting, outlining, and summarizing strategies.

MAXWORDS builds vocabulary skills by using prefixes, suffixes, Greek and Latin roots syllabication and spelling rules to improve reading comprehension and fluency.

In addition, you will find supplemental materials for extra practice in developing reading skills.

MAXMUSIC gives your student the ability to read lyrics, play piano games and build reading and auditory skills.

MAXVOCAB is the MaxScholar dictionary including fun definition and vocabulary games for both students and adults.

MAXPLACES  allows your student to go on an adventure around the world to explore 51 different locations as they read and answer comprehension questions.

MAXBIOS introduces biographies of famous personalities on a timeline, enhancing organizational skills.

MaxScholar Reading Intervention Programs

SUMMARY

Here is an overview of our student’s history. My daughter is in middle school and has always struggled with reading and spelling.  I initially thought she’d be too old for this program but was pleasantly surprised they have something for all levels!

My daughter has the phonics rules down well so we did not concentrate on the first module. Since it’s the “rule breakers” that cause confusion for her (ie spelling), we focused on what would help her the most at this stage. We decide the program which would help her the most is MAXWORDS!

Why MAXWORDS? This module concentrates on teaching prefixes and suffixes of root words. This helps her remember how to spell and determine the meaning of a word by learning their Latin roots. Some of the questions were multiple choice, while other challenges asked her to match the words with their appropriate sentences.

Initially, when she took the assessment test for MAXWORDS, she wasn’t pleased with her score. However, as time progressed, her scores progressed higher, which gave her the confidence she needed to move forward. We were both pleased with her results and loved the program.

STUDENTS ANALYSIS

My daughter’s initial reaction to the program was less than desirable. She had gone through several programs for struggling readers and thought it would be similar. However, once she took the assessment test and got through the first set of words, she was determined to get a better score for the next set!

 

So, the next day, I didn’t have a problem with asking her to get started on the next set of MAXWORDS! Woohoo, huge success!

 

PROS/CONS

Here’s why I like the program and would recommend it. First of all, the entire program was SUPER easy to navigate. HUGE bonus in my book! Homeschool Moms are busy and do not have time to navigate through programs that are not well-designed.

In addition, I absolutely LOVE how each MaxScholar program begins with an assessment test! Based on your child’s score, the program directs him/her to the appropriate level.  What an awesome feature!

Also, a suggestion would be to allow an intro video to pop up once explaining to the user or potential customer on where to start. The names of the three main cores do not indicate where to begin. However, I was able to easily determine the best module for my student since she was much older than the average ‘learning to read’ student.

Plus, you can find out more about these three modules by going HERE.

Overall, a great program for those who have struggling students in the reading or spelling department!

Want to learn more? Request a 10-day FREE TRIAL by going to MaxScholar and signing up HERE.  Or, you can get to know MaxScholar by connecting using one or all of the social media channels below.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maxscholarllc?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxScholarLLC/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maxscholar/

 

Reading Intervention Programs {MaxScholar Reviews}
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Memoria Press Classical Composition Fable Set Review

What do you think of when the word ‘classical’ comes to mind? I think of Memoria Press as my go-to for classical educational materials! I choose the Classical Composition I: Fable Set to review with my 13-year old daughter since she enjoys fables.

Memoria Press

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Before digging into the meat of the product, here are some expectations of the Classical Composition I: Fable Set. Each set includes a Student Book, Teacher Guide, and Instructional DVDs. It’s geared for grades 4 to 12.

Your student will read a single story from Aesop’s Fables and then learn how to transform words into a compelling story. Using figures of description, they build upon these structures of ideas to create a narrative. Students are also taught to revamp the same story into another one using facts.

Ancient writers created a disciplined way of teaching writing known as the progymnasmata. Did you know that William Shakespeare and Benjamin Franklin were taught using this method? I had never heard of this method before until this program. Your student will learn how to make their stories intriguing and appealing to any audience!

 

Classical Composition I: Fable Set

 

PRODUCT DETAILS

Classical Composition I: Fable Set is laid out in an easy-to-read format for students and teachers as well.

Here are a few examples of what your child will learn.

First, each lesson begins with a read aloud using one of the Aesop’s Fables. Any difficult words along with their meanings are listed in the Teacher’s Guide. This is a great tool to use once your student has read the material, ensuring they understand it.

Your student will be asked to write down examples of three types of recognition using stories. The first is recognition, or when a familiar situation is brought to mind. The second one is reversal. This occurs when either the mighty are brought low, or the low and humble are elevated. The third and final type is suffering. This happens when a character experiences discomfort physically or emotionally.

In addition, your students will be trained to use two basic levels: words and sentences to change the structure of a story.  Words are simply paraphrased by other familiar words, whereas, sentences will contain words that can be replaced.

Your students will also learn how to write a plot in the form of an outline. My daughter had never been educated this way and I’m happy to report it was easy for her to implement.

Narration is also part of classical teaching. They will be required to retell the story using their outline.

 

 

OUR SYNOPSIS

Here’s some insight into my daughter’s background. My middle school daughter has always struggled with reading and spelling. Concerned this may be a bit over her head, I hesitated to review it. However, she did a great job and am pleased with the results. She had previously used Memoria Press’s Latin program this year and you can read my post all about it here.

My daughter is an auditory learner, so she preferred listening to the DVD over just reading the textbook. I noticed she used it quite often when struggling to find an answer for the workbook. Because of the instructions in the DVD, she was able to write the answers independently with little help from me.

If you do have an auditory learner, don’t hesitate to buy the DVD. It is worth the investment. Consider it as having a tutor right there to guide your student through any difficulties. They can fast forward or go back at any time when struggling to fill out the questions.

The Teacher’s Guide to Classical Composition I: Fable Set does an excellent job of taking parents through the process, step by step. It was easy for me to follow and determine whether my daughter was understanding the questions. As I mentioned, the DVD helped my daughter tremendously when I was unavailable to help her.

COST

You can buy the entire set of Classical Composition I: Fable Set, for $85. Or, you can buy all 3 products separately. The DVD is $45, Teacher’s Guide is $29.95 and Student Book is $19.95. Another option to consider is purchasing editable lesson plans digitally.

Take a look at the second one in the series called Classical Composition II: Narrative Set where students continue to build invention skills. In addition, they’ll learn how to intrigue the imagination of an audience.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Check out Memoria Press socially, by liking or following in one of the social media outlets below!

New American Cursive & Traditional Logic {Memoria Press Reviews}
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My Favorite Perk of Homeschooling

Any homeschool moms out there who have struggled in school but now teach their own children — raise your hand! Anyone?

Oh great, welcome! Welcome to the homeschool mom club of ‘average grades’!  Thanks for joining me and several others (I’m guessing of course!).

In the early years, I did get frustrated with reading and math, so I was an average student at best. My status with friends was far more important than studying as I figured — why bother?!! It would take me too long to figure out a math problem that takes everyone half the time!

Yet, I wised up and discovered later in life when I began my IT career that I was kinesthetic and learned best by touching. It took me 21 years though to figure it out. So, one of my goals with my own children was to instill a love for learning and determine their unique learning styles.

MY FAVORITE PERK OF HOMESCHOOLING

One of my favorite perks of homeschooling is learning right alongside with my children. Thanks to my children, I have learned something new every day in EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT!

I wrote an article for Lara over at Everyday Graces Homeschooling and wanted to share it with you. It gives you details on how Homeschooling is the BEST because I learn with my children. In this article, I break down the what and why its the best to learn right alongside with them. It has given me a new perspective on life and education. Homeschooling affords all of us another second chance to learn, thanks to God’s grace and mercy.

Don’t hesitate to homeschool your children because you were an average student. It can be done and it IS the best way to educate your children and yourself as well! It gives you confidence, patience and a whole new approach to learning.

Hope you enjoy this article and would love to hear what you think about it. What are your stumblingblocks growing up as a struggling learner? How has it helped you in your journey as a homeschool educator? I look forward to hearing from YOU!

 

Homeschooling is the Best Because I Learn with My Children

 

 

Critical Thinking Detective Book 1 Review: Vocabulary

Most of us homeschoolers have heard of the popular The Critical Thinking Co.™. As you can imagine, when I had the opportunity to Critical Thinking Detective: Vocabulary , there was no hesitation! My son could talk when he was very young and hasn’t stopped since then!  Since he is garrulous (talkative) and has an extensive vocabulary, it was a no-brainer to choose a vocabulary book.

The Critical Thinking Co.™

Critical Thinking Detective: Vocabulary  is a 440-page book for students in grades 5 and up.  Each lesson is a detective case, focusing on problem-solving and instilling new vocabulary in their speaking repertoire.   Students are taught to use observation skills, reading comprehension, and deductive/inductive thinking skills to discover the meaning of vocabulary terms.

Critical Thinking Detective™ – Vocabulary Book 1

MY ANALYSIS

First of all, here is some background on my younger student. My son is in fifth grade and is advanced in his speech and vocabulary. You may consider this supercilious (arrogant) or label me a gasconade (bragger), but I’m only setting the stage for your expectations. Since he is in the lower age range, it was a bit challenging for him. However, the workbook was cogent (compelling) with each mystery case and he typically chose the correct one. After he read the case and selected the correct culprit, he moved onto the vocabulary sentences.

The student gets a list of challenging vocabulary words and is required to match them in the appropriate sentence. Honestly, I was a bit flummoxed (confused) with some of them, so it was no surprise that my son was nescient (clueless) at times.  Yet, I feel it’s felicitous (appropriate) for his age and highly welcome the challenge!

However, it’s the exposure to extensive vocabulary words that I appreciated the most. It took a little forbearance (patience), but we worked on the vocabulary words together since he is a younger student. I am hopeful these words will be rapt (absorbed) and subsequently (later) retrieved at another time.

STUDENT’S ANALYSIS

I did ask my son how he liked Critical Thinking Detective: Vocabulary and was commendatory (favorable) to it. He especially enjoyed reading the case and determining who was the guilty suspect. I was thankful he did not give an excoriation (scathing disapproval). We will continue finishing the lessons over the summer and consider other products from The Critical Thinking Co.™ such as Vocabulary Riddles Book 1 and Critical Thinking Detective Book 1.

COST AND DISCOUNT CODE

The Critical Thinking Detective: Vocabulary is available in paperback or ebook format, both at an affordable price of $8.99. Yet, you can save even more money using the coupon code below!

Thanks to Critical Thinking Company, they are offering my readers a coupon code for a discount of 15% off PLUS Free shipping!  Use Coupon Code TOSCREW18. Please note it expires 12/31/2018.

In addition, here is a FREEBIE as a $75 Value! Check out how you can get your freebie by clicking on the link below and then choose the appropriate grades. Sign Up Now!
https://www.criticalthinking.com/toscrew

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

If you are still on the fence about whether this a great product for your homeschool students, check out The Critical Thinking Co.™ on social media and don’t hesitate to ask questions!

 

Critical Thinking, Understanding Math & Vocabulary {The Critical Thinking Co.™ Reviews}
 

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