Brief Overview:
This is a 448-page full-color book on the study of nutrition: how we eat, what we eat, how the body works and how these foods affect the body. This book intends to assist families in understanding the real relationship food has on our "fearfully and wonderfully made" bodies (Psalm 139:14).
In-Depth Look:
For years, I didn't think much about nutrition. I ate what I wanted when I wanted. Then along came my daughters, the "picky eaters". For the longest time, I humored them...figuring it was a phase that they would grow out of. Well, they didn't. So I began gradually trying to make changes in our food choices. Then last year, I was blessed with the pregnancy of our 3rd daughter. This time around, I ended up with gestational diabetes. This increased my chances of getting diabetes again in the future. This was a wake-up call. So I began thinking even more about our food choices. Well after so many years of being stuck in a rut, it was very difficult for me to make any substantial changes for any significant amount of time. But I still wanted to and was still trying. Well along comes my latest product to review for the TOS Crew - Nutrition 101.
I was eager to read through the program and see what it was all about and what we could learn from it. The program isn't about dieting or about a bunch of low-fat, cardboard-tasting recipes. It is an in-depth study of biology and nutrition, of how are body works and how the foods that we eat affect our body (for better of worse).
Of course, one of my first thoughts was "Sure this is all fine and good for the authors of this book. But it will never work for my family of finicky eaters."
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog was published in 1983 by the author, John Erickson. Since then, the company has grown by leaps and bounds. They now have 54 stories, all available in paperback, hardback, CD and audiotape. Also available are a wide assortment of clothing, games, music CDS and stuffed animals.
In-Depth Look:
I had heard of Hank the Cowdog, briefly. But I knew very little about the company and had not seen any of the products first-hand. So when I learned that I would be receiving a sample of products, I was curious to have a look at it.
We received a paperback book (The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse – Book #8), a CD (“Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog”), and a board game (Hank’s Tornado Game).
The book:
Hank, the cowdog, is a self-appointed Head of Ranch Security in the Texas Panhandle. His sidekick is Drover, a not-so-capable “little white mutt”. Together, they patrol and “protect” the ranch. Hank has his fair share of escapades in this adventure, from causing Sally May to break her ankle to fighting Tuerto the Killer Stud Horse. He also has some special times with his human family, from playing dress-up with Amy and Ashley to “almost” having a bonding moment with Sally May.
I read this book to my 10 and 7 year old daughters. They had never heard of Hank and knew nothing of his adventures. So, it took us a while to get a feel for who the characters were. We also weren’t use to reading from an animal’s point-of-view. At times, especially when several animals were speaking, my daughters had trouble keeping track of who was talking when. After some confusion, I began using voices to distinguish between Hank and Drover...
Brief Overview: GrapeVine Studies is an innovative Bible study program. The company has several different products to choose from, both from the Old and the New Testament, for ages 5 - Adult. I chose the Old Testament Basics. It is easy to teach, easy to learn, and easy to remember…using a catechism style of questions and answers. And it adds a bit of fun and creativity into the mix by adding stick figure drawing.
In-Depth Look: I had been struggling for over a year, wanting a Bible study program for my daughters with more “meat” to it. I had tried several children devotionals over the years. But lately I felt like it just wasn’t enough. It seemed we were putting more emphasis on the cute little stories and not enough emphasis on learning the facts of the Bible. So when the opportunity came along to review a new program, I was very eager to give it a try. I chose the Old Testament Basics because of its catechism style. The question/answer style was completely focused on the facts. 225 facts, to be more exact. Dianna of Grapevine sent a Teacher’s handbook for me and a Student’s handbook for both of my school-age daughters (10 and 7).
Each lesson contains a question, a Bible passage (for most), an answer, and a stick figure drawing. At the beginning of the lesson, we have chosen to have a sort of review…I go through all the previous questions and let my girls take turns answering the questions. Of course, there are 225 questions, so I haven’t decided how we will handle our reviews once we get farther into the book. But for now, it is working great for us. And my daughters take great pride in recalling the answers. Then we start the lesson for that day, usually doing 2 questions. I read the question and any applicable Bible verses. Then I write the answer on the marker board for my girls to copy. My 10 year old doesn’t need this, but it helps my 7 year old. This study is recommended for ages 7 and up. Some of the longer answers frustrate my 7yo since it is difficult for her to copy them and keep the writing tiny enough to fit into the provided space. But this is rarely the case, as most answers so far have been just a few words in length. Then I draw the stick figure on the marker board to give them an idea of what to draw. My 7 year old likes to draw the one suggested. But my 10 year old enjoys adding a “creative touch” to the drawings...
Brief Overview: A math practice/drill program that motivates students to solve math problems as fast as they possibly can. Topics cover kindergarten to 9th grade. The Quarter Mile Math topics correlate to all state math standards and to the NCTM standards. Students race cars or wild horses (no jockeys) to compete against their own 5 best times.
In-Depth Look: I received the Quarter Mile Math Levels 1, 2 and 3 Bundle Deluxe Version. This version covers grades K-9 with 323 topics and 70,000+ problems. Up to 12 family members can use it. These members can play simultaneously on different computers, even competing in real-time tournaments.
The CD is simple to install. Once installed, the parent adds the students’ names, assigning each a password and appropriate grade level. A student then logs in and picks the subject/topic that they wish to practice. (Here is a list of the topics covered.) The student can also choose if they want to race dragsters or wild horses (no jockeys). The computer shows a question based on the topic selected and the child enters the answer. If the answer is correct, the car/horse accelerates. If the answer is wrong, the car/horse maintains its speed. A student gets 3 chances to get the correct answer...
Brief Overview:A fundamental DVD, geared towards children ages 8 and up, with instruction on learning basic HTML (hyper text markup language) to create web pages and websites, using Notepad and Internet Explorer.
In-Depth Look:
This DVD is geared towards kids, more specifically, middle-school aged children.It will be helpful for an elementary-aged child, who feels comfortable with the basics of the computer and keyboarding.It is also great for an adult, who knows absolutely nothing about html (like me).
The DVD was produced in 2007.It is approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes, with 7 chapters.
Ten Basic Lines of Code
Sandwiches and Colors
Make Subject Stand Out
Stand Alone Tags
Designing Backgrounds
Fonts and Paragraphs
Pictures
It includes a bonus segment on File and Folder Management.It is a quick basic crash-course for those who are not yet familiar or comfortable with using files or folders on their pc.
Brian Richardson, a middle school computer literacy teacher, is the creator and the host.His demeanor is friendly, down-to-earth, and funny.He speaks on an elementary level, avoiding the big, scary terms that might scare a beginner away.He invites two middle-school aged children to “come along for the ride”...
Brief Overview: A 375-page e-book containing forms, lists, recipes, calendars and additional resources to help you organize both your home and your homeschool.
In-Depth Look: A gigantic e-book containing most every form feasible for homeschooling and homekeeping.You may decide to print out the entire 375 pages to keep in a binder or may pick and choose the pages you need right then or on a regular basis.The e-book allows you to fill in the forms before you print them, which is a very nice feature.
The first few pages are calendars.The boxes are large enough to write sufficient notes.
This is followed by a monthly breakdown, each month containing a unit study idea with an overview, fact sheet, and resource list, plus 2 recipes.For example, here is September’s information: Unit study idea – brief weather lesson by Jay Wiles, PhD, Fact sheet – cloud types, Resource list – A thorough listing of all items sold by Old Schoolhouse Magazine pertaining to the weather, a recipe for Mexican Tortilla Stack-ups and one for Chicken Cheese Enchilada...
A parent’s right to raise their children as they see fit is a time-honored American tradition, but today it is being threatened. The Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville decision in 2000 undermined a 75-year heritage of Constitutionally-protected, fundamental parental rights, which 8 of the 9 justices abandoned. At the same time, a growing body of international law fuels activist judges to legislate foreign standards from the American bench, while treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child would subject parental decisions to government oversight and international review.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (MI-2) has proposed HJR-42, the Parental Rights Amendment, to stop the erosion of parental rights in American courts while simultaneously defending our laws from international invasion. Please, visit Parental Rights to learn more about the Amendment, and to join their email network by signing the petition to protect parental rights.
Homework: Juggling Home, Work and School Without Losing Your Balance is an e-book about the balancing act of being a wife, mom, homeschool teacher and a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) all at the same time.It is about keeping a balance, setting priorities and asking for help from others and from God.
Are you a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling your children?Do you ever consider starting a home business, either for the income or to further a dream or to give your children a hands-on business course?Maybe you can’t decide what you would enjoy doing.Or maybe you have decided on the business, but have no idea how to start.Well then, this e-book is for you.
This 95 page e-book is jam-packed with helpful information for homeschooling moms considering starting a home business.Many of the practical tips and wise advice will also help those of you who are already working from home.More than a dozen moms share their stories.These moms are very open and honest.They share the good and the bad, the success and the failure.They share the things they learned along the way and the things they wish they knew before they started.
Many give testimony to God’s hand in their lives and in their business.The way that things fell into place (some quickly and some over time) can only be explained by God’s grace.For some of the moms, the business is their calling…a way to serve God and minister to other moms from their home.
Several moms discuss the benefits that a home business has for their children.They learned the skills of the trade, but also other things just as important…time management, team work, finances, God’s timing.Some discovered a passion for the trade that followed them into adulthood.
The ladies in the e-book give an amazing number of resources.They discuss how they picked the business, give tips to those interested in that field, and provide their contact information and additional website links for further research.
After all the ladies share their inspiring stories, the next few chapters discuss the ins and outs of running a home business:business licenses, bookkeeping, taxes, organization, business plans, and marketing.The appendix is overflowing with additional resources for the most common types of home businesses, possibly even a few that you have never thought of.
In the past, I have read several articles about running a home business.I usually find them lacking; rarely do I glean anything above common knowledge from them.So when I heard about this e-book, I was skeptical.I figured, “Well, that is all great and good for them, but how is it going to help me.”But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it could help me.This 95 page e-book is stuffed full of wonderful first hand accounts and helpful wisdom.The most important thing I took away from it is this: If it is my heart’s desire to work from home while educating my little blessings, then I need to pray.But I must also be ready, willing, and available when God opens the door.
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has offered many wonderful e-books for years.This past year, they unveiled a new line of products called the WeE-book.These e-books are designed to be read in one sitting and are available at the fraction of the cost of most full-length e-books.They cover a wide spectrum of topics including parenting, teaching methods, learning styles, unit study ideas, and helpful articles for those considering homeschooling.Since the authors are Christians, readers needn’t worry about coming across something offensive or contradictory to their faith.A WeE-book will offer you a little bit of encouragement and information for a reasonable price, then provide additional resources, websites, etc. for those wishing to delve deeper and learn more.
Things I like:
The price is awesome at $1.95 each.The WeE-books are short enough to read in one sitting, so that I can get to the information right away.There is an amazing variety of topics already available.The Old Schoolhouse Magazine offers a money-back guarantee, in case you are not satisfied with your purchase.The author usually lists additional resources.Every WeE-book ends with a helpful dose of information for those new to or considering homeschooling.Most importantly, I walked away from these articles feeling encouraged, inspired and ready to give the author’s ideas a try.
Things I didn’t like as much:
Well, the only comment I have is that the WeE-books are just that, they are wee…short.I was sad to see the articles end, because I was left with a feeling of wanting more.But the encouraging part is that most of the authors do include links to get more information and some of them have written full size e-books on similar topics.These longer versions are also available at www.theoldschoolhousestore.com .
HSLDA founded the Homeschool Foundation to provide assistance to homeschooling families in need, preserve parental freedoms, promote homeschooling, and support like-minded organizations. One of the ways that the Homeschool Foundation is working to preserve parental freedoms is through ParentalRights.org. Their campaign exists to secure a constitutional amendment that defends the rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
As part of the campaign, they have begun a grassroots effort called 10-and-2. The goal is to get 10 people to sign the petition, donate $1 and send a postcard to each of his legislators. And to also find 2 other people to become a 10-and-2 representative.
It is simple. Once you sign up, you get 10 people to sign the petition, donate $1 and bring home 3 postcards to mail to their legislators. The goal is 4.5 million signatures (10,000 from each congressional district).
Please look into this. It could be crucial in protecting our rights to homeschool. There are 56 congressmen co-sponsoring this bill which is scheduled to be introduced on March 31st.
The Shelby Kennedy Foundation is launching the first-of-its-kind, world-class National Bible Bee Competition. The competition will begin with local contests in communities nationwide on September 12, 2009. The top 100 finalists from each age group will advance to the National Contest in Washington D.C. to compete on November 5-6, 2009.
Thanks to Lillian from the South Carolina HSN blog for getting the word out about this contest.
2008-2009 is the 72nd year of the American Legion National High School
Oratorical Competition. This competition is designed for all contestants to
discover a deeper understanding of the US Constitution.
The competition is a prepared oration on these 4 topics from the US
Constitution:
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.
Amendment 3
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without
the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment 4
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Art 3, Sec 3
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War
against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person
shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt
Act, or on Confession in open Court. Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to
declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work
Corruption of Blood, or forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
The 6-8 minute oration is delivered without written notes before the
Legion's selected judges. The first level begins in December 2008 and then moves into
local and regional competitions. The national finals are in Indianapolis in the early
spring of 2009. State winners earn $1,000 scholarships. National winners receive $18,000.
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