• Nov. 21, 2009
HP TouchSmart 600 PC Giveaway!!!

Michelle over at Scribbit has the grand-daddy of all give aways going on right now!!  Just by entering (no strings attached) you can win this incredible HP TouchSmart 600 PC!!   In case you have no clue what that means (like me for example)...here are some of the features.

The HP TouchSmart 600-1055 is a desktop PC where you can touch the screen to manipulate information. It comes with all the features you normally get, with the bonus of being able to pinch, rotate and drag things anywhere you want with your own  fingers.

• built-in adjustable webcam, wireless modem, microphone and premium speakers
• wireless keyboard and mouse
• HDMI gaming console so you can play your Playstation, X-box or Wii in HD
  23" HD 16:9 screen plus HDTV tuner with a remote
• capabilities for viewing Blu-ray discs plus viewing or burning DVDs
• 750 GB hard drive
• TouchSmart Live TV, Windows Media Center and Windows 7 software
  

For your chance to win, simply head over to Scribbit and enter.  You may do so by clicking HERE!

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• Nov. 20, 2009
Pilgrim Wrap Up

We spent the week being Pilgrims; doing things the old fashioned way and learning some new ways of doing stuff (or in some instances, attempting to do new things).

On Monday we made a drop spindle from a cd, pencil and paper clip.  I was told by a spinner that you could make this contraption and then spin dryer lint into thread/yarn.  Yeah...well ours kept bunching up, tearing, falling apart etc.  I finally added some shredded cotton balls to give some longer fiber to the lint and that seemed to help a wee bit.  

I taught the girls how to make homemade yeast bread as well.  We attempted this last year, and the girls worked OH.SO.HARD on it, only to find that my yeast was a dud and the bread didn't rise.  So this year I bought fresh yeast, and set them to work.

We also made homemade butter by using heavy whipping cream.  The process is simple, if you'ld like to give it a try.  First set the cream out and let it come to room temperature.  Pour the cream into a glass jar (with a proper fitting lid) and then shake like crazy for 15-20 minutes.  It seems as though nothing is happening and then suddenly POOF a large lump of butter forms and the excess water begins to swish around. 

Books we read:

Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation, by Diane Stanley
Sarah Morton's Day, by Kate Waters
Stories of the Pilgrims, by Margaret B. Pumphrey
A Great and Godly Adventure, by Godfrey Hodgson

Thursday was our monthly homeschool activity day.  In my Native American class we studied the Iroquois.  We studied on the "Three Sisters" (this was the only tribe in the book that I could remotely tie to Thanksgiving!)   We made our own string of wampum beads for trading.  We also completed three more pages in our Native American Dictionary and marked our maps to show the areas that the Iroquois lived in. 

This is our last week of Co-op until January; freeing up that extra day a week is going to help me to push further ahead during the next month.  Monday will be the last day of ballet until January as well (as they go into full rehearsal mode for the Nutcracker).

Head on over to Weird Unscocialized Homeschoolers to read about everyone else's Weekly Wrap Up.

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• Nov. 16, 2009
Eploramania Gymathtics (Review)

Gymathtics is a fun fitness learning experience that kids will enjoy, and most likely they will want to do it again and again.  The exercise program is great for kids of all ages.  The math facts are geared towards 2nd to 5th grade levels.

Included in the DVD are:

• Shape Stretches Warm Up - Stretch your mind and body with line, circle and polygon stretches.
• Counting Calisthenics - Aerobic movements work your heart as fun counting concepts work your brain.
• Pattern Power - Growing and repeating patter exercise combinations challenge minds and strengthen muscles.
• Well Being Wind Down - Relaxing stretches cook down the boy and open the mind to think about healthy lifestyle choices including the "Nice Wave Stretch" and the "Big Dream Stretch"

Olivia (6) and Lindsey (4) were really excited about getting this DVD.  I mean, seriously ,they get to watch tv during  school!   The program boasts that it is the "Ultimate Brain and Body workout teaching math and healthy lifestyle concepts during a complete 30-minute exercise routine."   I'd say that claim is a bit of a stretch, no pun intended.   The stretching, calisthenics and other exercises were fun and the girls enjoyed doing (or attempting to do) the workout.  

Quite honestly, if you're trying to keep up with the exercise routine, its hard to pay attention to the congruent circles and various other diagrams that are displayed during the exercise time.  Again, my kids are only 6 and 4, so older kids may more easily multitask while exercising.  However, the new mantra around here is "we're growing strong and healthy", which they DID pick up from the DVD.  The girls have become more aware of the fact that being healthy is a choice and a good one!

When the weather is bad (rainy, snowy, too hot or too cold) this will be used to replace out daily walks.  I actually did the video along with the girls a couple of times (but you have to watch that little one when she's doing windmills, she'll whack you!).

The Exploracise GyMathtics  DVD sells for $24.99 and you can get your copy by going to the Exploramania site.  There is also a GyMathtics 2.0 that moves up to the algebra level and to a more intense exercise level. 

To read more Crew reviews, click here.

Disclosure: This product was provided to our family for free as members of the 2009-2010 Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are our own.

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• Nov. 15, 2009
Pure Foundations Books (Review)

The "birds and the bees".... Yes sir, this is the topic that can strike fear into the heart of almost any parent!    Author Jim Burns has written two age appropriate books to help parents to teach this important topic from a scriptural vantage point!

Pure Foundations: God Made Your Body is written for children ages 3-5 years of age.  This book has color photos of children showing the differences in skin, hair and eye colors.   The focus is on how God created each of us as alike in some ways, yet different in other ways.  The differences leads into the differences between boys and girls. These differences are explained in very simple terminology, using proper names and vague drawings that have the detail needed, without crossing the line of "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" for little ones to digest.   The author wraps up the book with Psalm 139:13-16 to reinforce the point that God created us.

Pure Foundation: How God Makes Babies is written for 6-9 year olds.  The book focuses on marriage, and His plan for the creation of babies.  Again, the author uses proper terminology and slightly more detailed drawings of the differences between boys and girls.  As the book progresses it walks a child through the various stages of pregnancy, labor and delivery, again with simple drawings, nothing graphic or too intense.  Labor and delivery are explained in simple terms, no photos here folks! 

Here is a direct quote from the book, that gives you a direct insight into the heart of the writer, and the heart of God.

"Sharing your private parts is something to save for your husband or wife when you are grown and married.  That is God's wonderful plan."

Author Jim Burns does a wonderful job of covering this topic in a tasteful, educational and Godly way.  Scripture is added throughout both books.  The overall emphasis is that God created us and that we are wonderfully made.

Disclosure: This product was provided to our family for free by Bethany House. Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are my own and I have not received any compensation for this review.

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• Nov. 15, 2009
Giveaway Pop-Up Nativity and Talking Jesus Doll!

The Crafty Classroom  has a WONDERFUL Christmas giveaway.   Two winners will each receive a Pop-Up Nativity and Talking Jesus Doll!   Winners will be drawn on Tuesday November 24th.  So click here to get all the details and enter to win!  

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• Nov. 13, 2009
Squanto Wrap Up

My husband had abdominal surgery on Monday, so it was ruled a no school day.  I spent most of the day at the hospital.  My mother-in-law spent the night with us Sunday so that she could watch the girls for us on Monday.  There was some learning involved (she says with a tone).  Olivia learned that her grandmother doesn't know how to start a gas cookstove; and grandma learned that Olivia was willing to do it for her.  THANKFULLY the MIL had enough common sense to boycott this idea and use the microwave when needed.  (In my defense, I attempted to show her how to use the stove and she declined.)  

We spent most of this week learning about Squanto.  Squanto was Patuxet; however Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag invited him to join them after his entire village died of disease.   The girls created a very  large timeline of  important events of Squanto's life.

Squanto was kidnapped several times.  The photo below depicts him being taken captive and taken to England.  The details in the photo are a bit fuzzy, but in the upper left corner, Squanto is on the left, with his hands tied.   In the bottom right corner of the boat is a VERY dejected looking Squanto as he travels to England (which is the very small area to the right of the boat...I guess if you're looking at it from a distance, it could be very small....)

After returning to North America in 1614, you'd think Squanto would have avoided the newcomers.  But noooooooo!  Later that same year he was kidnapped and taken to Spain and sold as a slave.   This lovely group of colorful Monks helped him.

Squanto returned to North America in 1619, to find all of his people had died.  Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag's invited Squanto to live with them.   In Spring of 1621, Squanto met the Pilgrims (to be honest, there is no way in the world I'd have gotten anywhere NEAR a white person after all that kidnapping!)    Maybe he was attracted by the colorful garb of William Bradford below?

In the fall of 1621 the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims had a three day feast to celebrate the harvest and having survived another year.   Here you'll see several Wampanoag brave's carrying a deer in for the feast.  (Please note, the deer has it's legs tied to a pole and is upside down.  The deer's head/antlers are at the bottom of the drawing.)

Books we used:

Squanto's Journey, by Joseph Bruchac
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving, by Eric Metaxasz
Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims, by Clyde Robert Bulla

Movies we used:

Squanto, A Warriors Tale, by Walt Disney

We also worked on the usual, reading, writing, Latin, math and Bible.   This was a three day week for us.  Monday, as I stated was a hospital kind of day.  Friday we're playing hooky from co-op and heading out of town to hear Kenneth and Gloria Copeland preach.

I hope everyone's week went well.  Special thanks to Krsi at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers for posting my Weekly Wrap Up while I was away.

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• Nov. 10, 2009
Free Holiday Idea Book

This is the perfect “idea book” to get your family ready for the upcoming holidays!

And it’s yours at no charge—no strings attached.

This 180-page Digital Holiday Magazine is not your typical E-Book. Created with the same high-quality format that’s used in the digital version of our print magazine, you can even “turn” the lavishly illustrated, full-color pages of this supplement. And we hope you will enjoy this timeless, practical, and beautiful resource for years to come—all at no charge.

There’s so much included in this exciting supplement! Make this the gift that keeps on giving—link your friends and family up to receive their own fantastic copies!

Click here to get your free copy. Again, no strings attached.

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• Nov. 10, 2009
Blog Awards Voting

Voting for the 2009 Homeschool Blog Awards is underway.  Learning Curve was nominated in the Best New Blog catergory.    The polls are open for voting, and there are lots of categories to look at.   There are some awesome blogs to check out!

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• Nov. 6, 2009
Wampanoag Wrap Up

This week in our Thanksgiving unit study, we've focused on the Wampanoag's.  Because of where they lived, the Wampanoag were one of the first people to see the sun rise in the east every morning.  The word Wampanoag means "People of the First Light".

The Wampanoag didn't live in tee-pee's, but instead they lived in a wetu (pronounced wee-too).  The girls and I made a miniature version of one.  My original plan was to use dried pine needles glued onto torn brown grocery bags to give the appearance of woven cattail mats...yeah well, that wasn't working so well...so we went with the bag being deer hides, as would be the case in winter months.  Although we did complete the door covering out of pine needles.

 This is what it SHOULD look like.

Here is our infrastructure:

Olivia helped me to build the infrastructure.  Both Lindsey and Olivia worked hard on the pine needles...I somehow failed to get a photo of Olivia.

Here is the finished product, with some very colorful Wampanoag folks.

Books we used:

Wampanoag, by Barbara A. Gray-Kanatiiosh
The Wampanoag, The People of the First Light, by Janet Riehecky
People of the Breaking Day, by Marcia Sewall

We also learned about the "three sisters", beans-corn-squash.  The girls completed pumpkin life cycle cards, and as a science project we started some pumpkin seeds to see how long it takes them to sprout.

As I've mentioned before, we use Awana as our main Bible curriculum during the school year.  I totally love the program, however I'm super frustrated with Olivia's class right now.  She's in her second year of Sparks, and we're having issues with the leaders not giving children the time to recite all their memory verses each week.  Olivia currently has 6 verses that she's needing to recite and get signed off on so that we can move on.  I had a discussion with her leader this week and am hoping that it's resolved.  If not I'll have to speak with the club commander next week. 

There is no co-op this week, woohooo!!  Olivia had ballet from 4:30 - 5:30 and then we headed to the local children's museum for a field trip with the girls Prims class from church. 

I hope everyone else had a great week.  Skip gleefully over to WUS for the Weekly Wrap Up to see how everyone  got along this week. 

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• Nov. 5, 2009
Mid Year Review

I had hoped to be further along in our year by now, but alas tis not so!   Although, to be the first full week of November and to be halfway through isn't bad.  I'm finding that being part of the TOS Crew has slowed our progress down considerably.  Not that I'm complaining!  The free products we're getting to review are wonderful (with the exception of a few here and there)!  And, it's helpful to see what other "things" are out there that I knew nothing about!  However, working all those lovely things into my schedule has knocked us off course somewhat.  Oh well.

As of right now, we're about 8 weeks into co-op.  To be truthful, I feel like it was a waste of $80.  We go every Friday of the month (except the first Friday) from 9am until 2:45pm.  Each child has 5 class periods, lunch and recess.  Lindsey, being in preschool has mostly "crafty" classes; but she's a VERY bright child for her age, and I'd really hoped she'd learn something other than finger painting and play-doh....like, oh say ALPHABET?  COUNTING?  (ok, she's reading short words and can do subtraction and addition problems in her head, but I know that's not the norm. Shouldn't there be some LEARNING??) I know, I know "it's good socialization skills".

Olivia has world geography, science, storytime, Around the World in 80 Games and, Contenders of the Faith.  Now I will say that she has learned about the continents and oceans in geography; and she did bring home some caterpillars from science class that did in fact turn into butterflies. Aside from geography, she can't tell me anything she's done all day as we drive home.

So, at this point, I'm thinking this is our first and last year at co-op.  Maybe when they are older and their classes are...well...EDUCATIONAL we'll try it again.  I think the $80 in registration and class fees would go nicely towards something more productive.

As far as curriculum, I'm pretty certain I'll be making some changes there next year as well.  We're currently using Abeka for the phonics, writing, spelling and math part of our day.   I've already purchased all the 2nd grade Abeka teachers materials and readers (used not new) at quite a savings.  But now that we're halfway through 1st grade and I've reviewed some other products...I'm just not sure we're staying the course.

Overall I'm really happy with Olivia and Lindsey thus far in the year.  Lindsey struggled with writing early on, mostly because of her tiny hands, but now she's doing great. Her natural gifting for math is overwhelming some days.   Olivia is moving more quickly through math concepts now, and is really excelling with Latin.

Things I see that need work are critical thinking skills for Olivia and Lindsey needs more challenging activities.  And for me, I need to be able to enjoy the trip more, instead of looking for the destination all the time!

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• Nov. 2, 2009
AVKO (Review)

As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I recently was given a one year free membership to the AVKO site for review.   Here is a direct quote from  AVKO,  describing who they are and what their goals are.

"AVKO is a non-profit, 501(C)3 membership organization that focuses on the development and production of materials and especially techniques to teach reading and spelling, handwriting (manuscript and cursive), and keyboarding.  AVKO is dedicated to the teaching everyone how to read and spell, regardless of their mild to moderate learning disabilities, dyslexia, poverty, or opportunity.  Visit The History of AVKO for more information."

Benefits of AVKO Individual Membership
$25 per year

• Discounts on AVKO printed materials
• Hundreds of dollars worth of FREE e-books (PDF)
  • The Patterns of English Spelling (All 10 Volumes) with Word Families in Sentence Context
  • To Teach a Dyslexic
  • Starting at Square One
  • The Teaching of Reading & Spelling: a Continuum from Kindergarten through College.
  • The Reading Teacher's List of Over 5,500 Basic Spelling Words
• Access to the Member Only section
• AVKO Newsletter with freebies, discounts, resources, and promotions
• Access to Don McCabe's most popular workshop recordings in MP3 format.
• Supplemental Curriculum Materials including word games, worksheets, activities, and more!
• Access to Pretests and Placement Tests
• Access to the Answer Keys for the Unscramblers and Family Reunion exercises of the Engaging Language Kits

Personally, since neither of my children are dyslexic or have other learning disabilities, this particular site isn't of great benefit to us.  We also already have a spelling and writing program that works well for us.  However, for families with children who are struggling in these areas, you very well may find that this is just the thing you need to help your child to achieve their educational goals.

To read the reviews of other  Crew members click here.

Disclosure: This product was provided to our family for free as members of the 2009-2010 Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are our own.

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• Oct. 30, 2009
All-in-One Bible Fun (Review)

The folks over at United Methodist Publishing House contacted me back in early August about reviewing their Sunday School curriculum.   I received my free copy on August 26 and then it got lost in my pile of things to do.  So my most sincere apologies for taking so long to get to it!

All-in-One Bible Fun boasts that it "includes everything but the cookies", and quite honestly, that is a pretty accurate description!  I received the "Stories of Jesus" curriculum for elementary aged children.  Each of the 13  lessons is laid out in an easy to understand way.  The reproducibles and crafts are simple enough that even a "craft challenged" teacher can enjoy craft time without being overwhelmed; but not so simple as to be boring to the kids.  For example, Lesson 1 (In the Stable)  has reproducibles to color and cut out; and then using a shoe box or other small box, each student can produce their own Christmas creche.  (My kids will SO be doing this in December!)

In the front of the teacher book is a comprehensive supplies list if you choose to do all the activities.   There is also a suggestion of how to break the book up if you'd like to  do short term unit studies.

Each lesson includes a central truth that is mentioned throughout the lesson.   Songs are a big part of the curriculum as well.  Not to worry if you're not a gifted singer, the songs are simple and are sung to familiar tunes like "Old McDonald" and "Three Blind Mice".  

My favorite part of the program is that prayer is a scheduled part of the learning experience each week!  There are also wonderful narrations, and opportunities for children to do small plays during class time.  There's a little something for all the learning styles!  

All-in-One Bible Fun was created to respond to the needs of churches:

The following curriculum choices are currently available, or soon to be released, both in preschool and elementary school versions.

Stories of Jesus
Favorite Bible Stories (available December 2009)
Fruits of the Spirit (available December 2009)
Heroes of the Bible (avalialble Spring 2010)

Disclosure: This product was provided to me for free . Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are my own.

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• Oct. 28, 2009
Journey of the Mayflower and the Mayflower Compact

Since everyone does their Thanksgiving studies in November, I decided to start early on ours so that  we could make sure that the library books we needed are available.  I wanted to cover more information about the Pilgrims and Wampanoag this year.  To start our studies we read about the Separatists as they left England and moved to Holland; and then later made their journey across the Atlantic.

Books we used:
William Bradford, Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim by Gary. D. Schmidt
P is for Pilgrim by Carol Crane
Giving Thanks The 1621 Harvest Feast, by Kate Waters
Beauty and the Beaks, A Turkey's Cautionary Tale, by Mary Jane and Herm Auch (truthfully I didn't want the book, only the huge turkey puppet that came with it...but it was an interesting read).  Isn't this a great puppet?

Movies we used:
Colonial Life for Children, Plimoth Plantation, by Schlessinger Media
William Bradford the First Thanksgiving, by Living History Productions, Inc.

Enchanted Learning has a lovely Crossing of the Mayflower map and question/answer sheet that we printed out and worked on to memorize the facts of the trip. The girls are fascinated with Oceanus Hopkins, the baby that was born aboard the Mayflower.  They like the name Oceanus I guess.  We also printed a circular  Pilgrim book from Enchanted Learning.

We spent time learning about the Mayflower Compact.  I printed out copies of the Compact and then the girls used some of my Tim Holtz Distressing Ink to "antique" the paper.  The concept of "go lightly" wasn't grasped well...so the appearance is a bit harsher (and dare I say, gross looking) than intended.

We've also spent time this week working on more life skills.  Olivia has been helping in the kitchen a lot more, and Lindsey is quite the little laundress!

We have started going on daily walks around our neighborhood first thing in the mornings.  The girls were thrilled when we stumbled on a new home being built.  The first day we went by, the lumber was just being delivered, so we watched that tedious process.   By the following day the entire sub floor was complete. Today they have three of the four exterior walls up.  The kids look forward to going by each day on our walk.  The construction crew always waves and smiles as we stop to point out what's being done.

We have a bookfair in our area that opens up for two weeks at a time, several times a year. I finally made it over this past week and was really happy to find some great Christmas gifts, project packs and a Wonderboard Magnetic Geometric Shapes kit.  The kids have been having lots of fun with it, and they're being very creative.  They also had a house building magnetic board set that I wish I'd bought, now that we've found this lovely home being built nearby!  However, the girls are doing ok designing their own houses.

We're moving right along in Latin.  We're only on lesson 7, because that's typically the subject that gets cut if we're running out of time.  In my defense, I also do a review week about once per month where I spend the entire week going over all the words and phrases we've learned.  Olivia is really doing a great job.  I'm  thrilled to see how quickly she's taking to it.

I had planned on doing crafty type things today, but we had unexpected company for the entire day.  We spent the majority of the day outside,  making leaf piles to jump in...and no, I didn't think to take photos.

Tomorrow is the typical co-op and ballet day.  Although, it is pizza day at co-op, so I'm looking forward to having that for lunch instead of my standard PB&J.

 Head over to the Weekly Wrap Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers to check out everyone else's week.

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• Oct. 25, 2009
Changes

Change is one of those words that can make or break you.  Some people are so fearful of change that they'll gladly suffer through a known misery, rather than to risk a potential unknown misery.  Change can bring new life into a situation, or kill it if implemented incorrectly.

So for the next little while, I'm plunging head first into the world of change.  I'm putting our curriculum aside for now.  I'll get back to it I'm certain.  But for now, I don't want to look at boring worksheets.  I don't want to be stuck inside all day during my favorite time of the year.  We're going to get out and do things and spend time together learning and having fun.   There will be plenty of time for worksheets and indoors when winter hits and the temperatures fall.

Please note that I am  slightly OCD (she says mockingly).  So I cannot say this will last for an extended period.  Quite honestly, the fact that we won't be clicking off numbered lesson plans will tweak me greatly.  Maybe, just maybe it's my turn to learn some things from my kids, or at least enjoy their exuberance!

This my friends will be an interesting week, one way or the other!

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• Oct. 22, 2009
Pennsylvania Week Five Wrap Up

Woohhooo!  Another state completed! Only 48 to go!   We're really enjoying using Cantering the Country as we work our way through the 50 states.    Although, in hindsight, I could have saved  the money for the curriculum by just using the library and internet.  I'm really changing my entire mindset about prepackaged products...but that's another post all together!

In our Pennsylvania studies this week, we focused on the state bird (Ruffed Grouse), state flower (mountain laurel) the state quarter and our pages in our United States Coloring Book.   We also completed our state report and then used the maps/brochures we had to create our lovely state collages.  Saturday we'll have our Pennsylvania meal of chicken paprika, carrot fritters and pumpkin nut cake (it'll just be a pumpkin cake, because I forgot to buy nuts).    I believe I've mentioned before that the recipes come from the Eat Your Way Through the USA book; but here it is again in case you're curious.

Olivia's math program started working with liquid measurements this week.  Although, I have to admit I wasn't really thrilled with the way it was covered in one day and then not mentioned anymore.  So I took the liberty (oh how I love having liberty in our teaching) to create this handy dandy "activity center" for the week. 

The tub holds a funnel, 1 cup measuring cup, 2 pint milk containers, 1 quart jar and a 1 gallon plastic jug (and an unrelated egg carton for working with dozen).  So we spent some time each day working with measuring 2 cups into the pint; and then 2 pints into the quart and of course 4 quarts into a gallon.  Then we switched around to see how many cups and pints are in a gallon and how to find the sum of  any of the measurements based on our knowledge base  By the end of the week, Olivia had a strong grasp of the amounts, and pruney finger from playing in the water.  The handy dandy tub not only stored everything, but kept my kitchen floor relatively dry during all the pouring with the gallon jug.

Lindsey is doing well with math, she's counting great and can add and subtract in her head (pretty impressive for a 4 year old) but she's been having issues with recognizing the  numbers 7, 8 and 9.  So I made some "puzzles" for her to work with all week.  The seven was simple, a #7 with 7 green hearts to place properly.  The 8 was fun, because I used two "cookies" for the circles and used the wording of "the number 8 ate two cookies"  which helped her greatly.  Her curriculum describes nine as "a ball on a stick"...k..whatever, so I made a ball, and a stick for her to match.  So by the end of the week, she knew the names of each and was allowed to glue the parts onto the patterns and place them in her notebook.

Tuesday we worked on life skills.  The girls helped with sorting, folding and putting away laundry.  They also helped me to work in the garden and flower beds pulling up all the dead vegetation (we had a HEAVY frost this week and everything was killed for the most part).   Our compost bin is completely full, and I had to start another pile in the corner of the garden!

Both girls finished memorizing the books of the Old Testament this week.  Now we're moving on to the New Testament, with daily recitation of the OT, so as not to lose it.

Oh, and we had our first official Crazy Hat Day!   Lindsey's hat kept sliding completely over her face, which made for some interesting handwriting assignments.

Tomorrow we're back to co-op and ballet, so that wraps up our week.  Head over toWeird Unsocialized Homeschoolers to check out everyone else's Weekly Wrap Up.

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• Oct. 21, 2009
Sarah's Wish Specials

For those of you who read my review of Sarah's Wish, I have exciting news!!   The author has given my readers an incredible deal on his book series.

Sarah's Wish ~ $8.50 {retail: $10.00 ~ save $2.49}
Sarah's Promise ~ $10.50 {retail: $14.99 ~ save $4.49}
Sarah's Escape ~ $15.50 {retail: $21.99 ~ save $6.49}

Extra special offer: Purchase all of the items above and add an extra copy of Sarah's Wish for $4.00. You can give it to a friend for Christimas!

In addition you also get FREE SHIPPING!

The only "catch" is in order to get these special prices, you have to use mail order only, using the specific order form that I have.  These prices are NOT available on the website.  So if you would like to take advantage of this great price on these great books, leave a message with your email address in it, or email me and I'll  send you the order form!  (Look on my left sidebar and click on the contact me button.)

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• Oct. 19, 2009
Homeschool Blog Awards Accepting Nominations

The Homeschool Blog Awards are now accepting nominations for the 2009 contest!

Here are a few guidelines:

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• Oct. 17, 2009
ABC Teach (Review)

Anytime you google "free printables" of the educational kind, you can pretty much count on abcteach being on or near the top of the list!   abcteach boasts over 5000 FREE printables!  In addition to the free items, paid members have access to over 35,0000 items!

Here is a sampling of some of the teaching aides you'll find at your fingertips.

• Flashcards
• Theme Units
• Learning Center Activities
• PowerPoint
• Clip Art
• Languages/ESL
• Prek/Early Learning

is another fabulous feature that allows you to create your own customized worksheets using the worksheet generator templates.

While reviewing my free 30 day membership for review, I took the opportunity to create several unit studies using the abcteach site.  The first unit study is on Thanksgiving (no big surprise there I'm sure).  I was happy to see that items pertaining to the Wampanoag tribe were included in their resources!  We'll be starting this unit the last week of October.

The other unit study I created based on lots of abcteach printables is the solar system, to go along with the lovely model set I bought for $3 at a discount store!   I was pleased to find printables that are appropriate for both my 1st grader and my preschooler.    I won't be using this unit until after the fist of the year, but lets be honest folks...my free membership expires next week and I do not currently have the funds to purchase a membership...so I made good use of my time!

I realize that not every homeschooling family loves and/or uses worksheets, and that's ok!  There are other resources available at abcteach that may enhance your learning experience.  If you are a worksheet family, you'll definitely be able to get your money's worth out of your membership.   I've outlined the cost for you below:

$40 per user per year / $70 two years — individuals/groups 2-9
$35 per user per year — groups of 10-29
$25 per user per year — groups of 30 or more. **SUPER SITE LICENSE pricing available for groups of 100 or more. Contact support@abcteach.com for details.

To read more TOS Crew reviews of this product, visit the Crew Blog.

Disclosure: This product was provided to our family for free as members of the 2009-2010 Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are our own.

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• Oct. 16, 2009
Free Autumn Unit Study and Lapbook

There are so many wonderful things going on in fall!  If you're trying to figure out a way to work this wonderful season into your school day, you're in luck!  The Old Schoolhouse and Amanda Bennet have worked together to provide this wonderful and  free Autumn Treasures Unit Study and Lapbook.

This unit study is loaded with activities for every age group in your homeschool.  If you're new to unit study or lapbook projects, this is just the thing to help you get started on the right foot.  If you're an old pro, then sit back and enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor.  You can get your free download, by clicking the link above, or by going here.

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• Oct. 15, 2009
Pennsylvania Week Four

This was a relatively uneventful unproductive week.  Monday we ditched our books and went on a hike most of the day.  You can read more about our outing by going here.  Then in the evening we just did some easy reading and puzzles.   Ballet was cancelled, so we didn't even have that going on!

Tuesday and Wednesday were just typical days.   The girls had Awana at night.  During the day we focused on our core subjects and then finished up reading about Ben Franklin and did a biography on both Ben and William Penn. 

Books we used:

William Penn Founder of Pennsylvania, by Steven Kroll
Let Freedom Ring Benjamin Franklin, by Susan R. Gregson
The Ben Franklin Book of Easy & Incredible Experiments

Today, (Thursday) was a short day.  We only did 2 hours of classes at home this morning, again covering core subjects (rather quickly).  Then we loaded up to go to our monthly activity day get together.  Olivia's art class made some crazy pumpkin patch thingy.  Each child received a half sheet of poster board and then used various things to  complete the project.  A large, crumpled piece of tinfoil painted orange was the main pumpkin.  Some crushed eggshells, also painted orange, was another pumpkinish type thing.  Yarn was used to make the vines and then green sponge painting for the leaves.  It was very...interesting.   Sadly the paints were all watercolors that hadn't dried nearly enough.  Did I also mention that the monsoons have set in and it's been pouring rain for two days.   Needless to say, that craft literally dissolved walking across the parking lot.

Lindsey's class focused on apples.  They read several books about apples, played some games involving apples and had a snack (you'll never guess what they had).   Her craft was pretty cute.  It was a mosaic apple made out of colored tissue paper, glue and construction paper.  Did I mention the heavy RAIN??

I'm teaching a class on Native Americans for 9-11 year olds.  I'm using the Evan-Moor Native American  History Pockets for the class.  We're building a 9 pocket portfolio over the school year.  This month we studied the Seminoles and made a headdress for everyone to wear home.  We as a family don't celebrate Halloween, but I figured since this was October and this was the only tribe that had something to wear as an activity, we'd do it now.  I also made homemade popcorn balls for a snack....ok, so other than the popcorn it's not an authentic Native American food...but humor me here.

Friday is our weekly co-op followed by ballet for Olivia.   Next week I'm hoping to finish up with Pennsylvania so we can do a 4 week or so study about Thanksgiving, Squanto and the Pilgrims.

 Visit Kris at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers to see this weeks version of the Weekly Wrap Up.

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