Posted in Reviews

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About the products:  As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received five different lapbooks from A Journey Through Learning.  A Journey Through Learning was started by homeschooling moms, Nancy and Paula, who also happen to be best friends.  That's BFFs for you young folk.  LOL  Meet them here).  Together, Nancy and Paula have created all kinds of lapbooking kits and unit studies to help make learning in your home fun!  Recommended for gradeschoolers grade 2 and up.

Here is a short description of each lapbook I received, taken from the Journey Through Learning Website:

Amphibians: What is an amphibian?, What defenses do they have in order to survive?, What about the amazing world of tadpoles?, Are there differences between frogs and toads?, What are salamanders?, What are caecilians and do we ever see them?

  

What is a reptile?, What defenses do they have in order to survive?, What do reptiles eat when they get hungry?, Just how strange are chameleons?, Do you want to know about venomous and non-venomous snakes, crocs, turtles, lizards? What is the a food chain and where do reptiles fit on the food chain?

                

Many parables are included in this lapbook. They include: The Fishing Net, The Prodigal Son, The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, The Wise and Foolish Builders, The Good Samaritan, Jesus is the Vine, The Wedding Feast, The Ungrateful Servant and more.

What animals call the desert home? What about insects and people? Does it rain in the desert? Your child will find out the answers to these questions and so much more with this facsinating Desert Lapbook with Study Guide. Includes a study guide that has all of the information needed to complete the mini-booklets. Beautiful, crisp photos of the desert and its inhabitants can be found through-out. Your child will have a stunning lapbook worthy of sharing with friends and family when complete.

Autumn is Awesome with this lapbook! In our Autumn is Awesome Lapbook with Study Guide, your child will learn about the signs of fall, holidays of fall, migration, symbols of fall and much, much more in a fun, hands-on way through lapbooking. Our lapbook comes with an autumn study guide to help you with filling out your booklets. Very bright and colorful. Color-coded instructions make it easy to put lapbook together.

What are the pros of this product?  These lap books are very nicely done with lots of color.  They're great for your hands on learner. 

What's not to like?  Well, you have to like lapbooks or you probably won't be a good fit for this product!  LOL (OK, maybe you don't love lap books, but are particularly fond of a certain topic.  If so, you might just go ahead and do it!) 

I found a few things as I went along that I didn't quite understand as far as putting it together goes.  Most of that, I'm sure, is my own lack of ability when it comes to multi-step projects, coupled with the fact that this was only my second attempt at a lapbook.  Sometimes I also have the tendency to skim over directions.  Soo...I had a few "oops" moments, but nothing too major. 

Lap books are rather forgiving, though, so none of it was a big deal.  Plus I had accidentally printed out two copies, so I had extra pages in case I goofed.  (And if you goof, the great thing about e-products is that you can just print the page you messed up on and start over!)

The Crazy Mom take:  Well, as you might have guessed, I'm just not a lapbook kinda gal.  In this life I have found that I am just a very plain Jane.  I like things simple.  I don't even put condiments on my sandwiches.  I also dress is dark, solid colors, and I actually loved worksheets as a child.  When it comes to projects, I prefer those that I can do in one sitting.  Lapbooks are like lots of mini projects that end up making one big project.  The problem is, for me, I end up losing interest after doing a few of the projects.  So, there, I have outed myself. 

My kids, on the other hand, seem to be having fun with the Autumn lapbook we are (still) making.  Now that I am writing the review, it will be up to them whether we pull it out again to finish it or not.  If it was up to me, I would not be inspired to do so.  Still, I know lots of people who just love lapbooks.  So if you are one of those people, I'm sure you'll love the wonderful assortment of lapbooks that A Journey Through Learning offers.  From what I have seen of lapbooks (and I admit, I am not expert) these look like very nice quality products. 

I admit, I do feel kinda good seeing my kids do all that cutting, coloring, and pasting.  I am such a lamo about hands- on stuff.  I am totally not hands on.  I was always more of a academic type.  Reading, writing, researching, that's my bag. I did like art, but not when I had to follow someone else's idea of what something is supposed to look like.  So, when I have done these lap books for review, it has been a stretch for me.  Still, again,my kids seem to like it, and after all, I'm not homeschooling just to hear myself teach.  It's for them, and if they're having fun, and maybe even learning a thing or two, that's what counts!

What's the bottom line? Downloads $13/CD-Rom $14/Print $21

I am going to give out 3 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://www.ajourneythroughlearning.com

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/718682/

*The Smiley System: 

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!!  I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others.  Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way.  I am in no way obligated to give a positive review.  I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal!  What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive. 

As with all products, you must do the research before buying.  Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying.  I can't guarantee that a product will work for you.  You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s).  I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review.  I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else.  I am simply giving my opinion, only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath.  Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2009 Ramblings from the Crazy House