Having fun being blessed by the Lord and my family here at home... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:46:02 -0600 Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:46:02 -0600 I was enthusiastic to receive the America's Heritage CD-ROM in the mail.  My oldest son is a history phanatic, and he is constantly asking questions about American history.  This cd-rom has already become a huge asset to our homeschool.  There are so many gaps to fill in sometimes with history curriculums, and An American Adventure in Liberty helps to do just that filling in necessary.  I wish that I culd give this CD-ROM to every family who I know. The information presented in the CD-ROM is priceless. If you dont know it already, it is paramount that that everything read be digested and understood.  If you did know, but are in a need of a refresher this is a cd-rom that will serve an enormous purpose. Do not think that because you once learned about the Declartion of Independencethat you are not wanted, really you are,  every American citizen should take the time to know this Informtation. Our freedom, and lbierties depend on us knowing these facts and stories.    The mission statement on the American Heritage Website states that the AHEF is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America's factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among our students and citizens. Oh by the way did I mention that the CD-ROM is free?!!!  Yes, that's right, it doesn't a cost a penny. They do accept donations on their website The American Heritage Foundation. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/743484/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:46:02 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/743484/ I was enthusiastic to receive the America's Heritage CD-ROM in the mail.  My oldest son is a history phanatic, and he is constantly asking questions about American history.  This cd-rom has already become a huge asset to our homeschool.  There are so many gaps to fill in sometimes with history curriculums, and An American Adventure in Liberty helps to do just that filling in necessary.  I wish that I culd give this CD-ROM to every family who I know. The information presented in the CD-ROM is priceless. If you dont know it already, it is paramount that that everything read be digested and understood.  If you did know, but are in a need of a refresher this is a cd-rom that will serve an enormous purpose. Do not think that because you once learned about the Declartion of Independencethat you are not wanted, really you are,  every American citizen should take the time to know this Informtation. Our freedom, and lbierties depend on us knowing these facts and stories.    The mission statement on the American Heritage Website states that the AHEF is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America's factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among our students and citizens. Oh by the way did I mention that the CD-ROM is free?!!!  Yes, that's right, it doesn't a cost a penny. They do accept donations on their website The American Heritage Foundation. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/743483/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:46:02 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/743483/ I was enthusiastic to receive the America's Heritage CD-ROM in the mail.  My oldest son is a history phanatic, and he is constantly asking questions about American history.  This cd-rom has already become a huge asset to our homeschool.  There are so many gaps to fill in sometimes with history curriculums, and An American Adventure in Liberty helps to do just that filling in necessary.  I wish that I culd give this CD-ROM to every family who I know. The information presented in the CD-ROM is priceless. If you dont know it already, it is paramount that that everything read be digested and understood.  If you did know, but are in a need of a refresher this is a cd-rom that will serve an enormous purpose. Do not think that because you once learned about the Declartion of Independencethat you are not wanted, really you are,  every American citizen should take the time to know this Informtation. Our freedom, and lbierties depend on us knowing these facts and stories.    The mission statement on the American Heritage Website states that the AHEF is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America's factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among our students and citizens. Oh by the way did I mention that the CD-ROM is free?!!!  Yes, that's right, it doesn't a cost a peny. They do accept donations on their website The American Heritage Foundation. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/743480/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:46:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/743480/ I cannot start with enough shining accolades about the book Sarah's WIsh by author Jim Baumgardner. Usually, I am a non-fiction reader, but I couldn't put this book down. Immediately, your heart strings will be pulled, and instantly you'll be on little, Sarah's side.  While it is a fictional novel, it is also quite a bit of a living history book as well, as it is set back in the times of slavery in America.  Without giving away too much of the story, you will be introduced to some very touching characters. Jim Baumgardner's warm writing ability allows you to practically be standing with  sweet Sarah as she at the young age of 12 is resolved to stand for whatever is right, whatever is true, and whatever is noble. Her mama left her with a very important secret. She is bound and determined not to let her mother down no matter the cost to herself. Even though  my sons are young, I would actually like to start reading this to them.  We've studied the times of slavery, so they are familiar with the places, and such things that went on in those times.  I believe reading such novels allows us to have compassion for those who went through those experiences. This is also unique as much of the story is through a child's eyes. I would definitely prefer to read this to my sons than allow them to read it at this time. The only reason for this is in order to be true to speech, and the way the slaves spoke, many of the words are spelled the way the were to be pronounced, not necessarily spelled correctly.  As an adult, I do not have any problem with this because it is part what transports you back in time.  For a 9 year old, however, who is still learning proper English grammar, spelling, and pronounciation I believe it would not be a great choice right now. I am very eager to move on to more novels in the Sarahs Books series. Sarah's Wish is very affordable at the selling price of $9.99.  If you purchase from the SarahsBooks website, you receive free shipping and handling. This is an excellent reading choice for parents to read to their children as well for older children to pick up as well. You can be confident in the Christian themes, and clean language used.  Sarah's Wish is also available on audio book in a 4 CD format for only $16.99.  Do not dely, and give Sarah's Wish a try. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/737501/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/737501/  Proper health and nutrition have been a high priority in my life for many years. When I became a mother I knew that I also wanted my children to adopt the principles of healthy eating.  I have searched for a curriculum that teaches God's Word along with proper nutrition, and how the body works.  I was even considering putting one together myself, but I had no idea how to go about it. Growing Healthy Families: Nutrition 101:Choose Life is an answer to prayer.  Nutrition : Choose Life has broken down each part of the body in simplistic terms for parents and children to easily understand and learn together. I knew  alot fo the information, but I wasn't sure how to present it, especially to my 6 yea rold son.  Through this curriculum I was able to present all of the information in a pleasing and fun way along with Scripture to accompany and back up all of the information.  Having a nutrition curriculum be Christ-centered is a rare and precious commodity.  As a Christian homeschooling mother, I strive to show my children that God is in everything because He made everything. Therefore due to the fact that He made everything, he understands best how everything works, and what He has made to pair together with other things to make it all work so to speak.  I think it our fast paced society where we go through the drive thru, and scarf down our burger, fries, and colas right after school and before soccer practice it becomes exceedingly easy to forget our Creator is also involved in what we not only feed our temples spiritually, but physically as well.  When we open the door for the Lord to lead us in every area of our lives, including nutrition we will certainly blessed by our obedience in seeking His will.  It is highly important to understand how the body works, and what the food we eat does to each part of the body.  All of the body parts work together in order to run smoothly, but when one area becomes deficient other parts of the body try to compensate. This curriculum will teach about the brain and nervous system, the digestive system, the musculuar and skeletal systems, the cardiovascular and immune systems, the endocrine system, respiratory system, olfactory system, and the auditory & visual sytems.   The language used in the Nutrition 101: Choose Life is easy to understand. There are fun tips as well as yummy recipes. I highly recommend this curriculum. Concerning  all of the cancer on the rise along with obesity issue that children and adults are currently experiencing, looking to changes in everyday living including diet being high on the list makes Nutrition 101 a necessity for daily living. It  is available to purchase online at www.healthyhomellc.com. The cd is $79.95, the book is $99.95, and both together is $129.95. Make the next step in your family's health and well being by ordering today.    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/730545/ Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:12:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/730545/ Many times I've been sititng at my desk, or kitchen island rather in my case, and I am surrounded by a mountain of homework to check, books to look over, and just a ton of homeschooling paperwork to dig through. One sunny afternoon I went to my mailbox, and to my delight was the StudyPod Book Holder.  I was so elated to receive it.  I had seen simliar products before, but never invested the time or money in one. I just delt with the inconvenience of moving around in my chair, shuffling papers and books, and using objects that were not made to hold my books open such as an old plate display rack. I don't know what I was thinking before, because the investment in a StudyPOD is so minimal compared to the help and convenience it provides. It is fairly easy to operate. You just move the little metal lever in the back, and there you go an instant third hand. The lever turns into a prop in the back. Once you open it up there are two little metal flaps that you push down before you place your book or papers inside.  So after you place you gently push the flaps down, you place your book inside, push the flaps back up to hold your book in place, and presto. It is really quite simple, but that is the beauty in it. I love simple, I tend to shy away from complicated devices, which this is not at all. My 9 year old son finds it works perfectly for him. Before he would try and prop the books up against the napkin holder on the table, yeah, as you could've probably guessed, that method was not extremely effective. It really helped decrease his need to strain for reading since the book is at proper eye level. It also eliminated his back from hurting trying to hold the book himself, and write. I personally was most over joyed for using it for my cookbooks. No longer did I have to keep one hand on the cookbook page to keep it from flipping, another hand stirring, sauteeing, or whatever I was doing at the moment, in addition to trying not to spill or mess up whatever I was doing because my other hand was occupied. I have to admit, I even tried the napkin holder trick, and you know what, it didn't work for me either.  If you are a parent, student, worker, cook, or just an avid reader, you will get  alot of use out of the StudyPod Book Holder.  It comes in three colors black, blue, and pink. There is EVEN a nifty pocket inside to hold pens, six inch rulers, highlighters, or whatever else you might think to stick in there. It is easily ordered online for an affordable $19.95 or if you buy two or more they become $16.95 each. Don't waste anymore time holding the pages down or fussing with objects to hold the pages down. Go to STUDYPOD and get one for yourself and family members today. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/729939/ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/729939/ In our fast paced society, where everything is operated by computers, Web Design for Kids and Curious Grown-Ups is a much needed program. It seems as though everyone is communicating through computers these days.  I have two of my own blogs as a homeschooling parent.  Knowing general web design is as important a commodity today as it is knowing a foreign language. My 9 year old son and myself really enjoyed the Web Design for Kids and Curious Grown-Ups instructional program on DVD. We weren't sure what to expect at first.  My son was a little nervous in the beginning. He thought making a website would be way too difficult. Even though this was something that he had wanted to give a try for quite sometime, he did hesitate.  First I began to go through the program on my own. Eventually my son, out of extreme curiousity, joined me. I really appreciated the simplicity of the instructions. I didn't feel intimidated or embarrassed.  Often times I'll open softwares, tutorials online, or even read paper instructions, and I'll have to walk away for several minutes, or depending on the severity oy confusion, hours or days. I think its just the way I process details. That was really not the case at all for me with this program.  Once I turned it on I was able to continuously flow through the instructions. Neither myself nor my son really needed to stop at all.  I think what made it more life like, or easy to relate to were the students that the instructor was teaching.  My son could relate to other children doing the same thing was attempting to do.  We liked walking through step by step with our computer.  It was so much better this way than searching through a manual or long text book.  Following a person that you can stop at any point in time when needed makes learning a more accessable concept.  I found it very helpful for mistakes on purpose to be made on the dvd so that if I or my son made the same mistake we'd be able to faster zoom in on where he or I had gone wrong in the first place.  So often instructions tell you what to do, but not what not to do. Some learning styles really need detailed, specific instruction, and my son son is one of those. I highly recommend Web Design for Kids and Curious Grown-Ups. Its a simple, comfortable way for a child or adult to go at his or her own pace to learning beginners HTML. This is a positive investment.  Normally the dvd is $40, but for the rest of the summer it is on special for an affordable $19.99 plus shipping and handling. There is a money back guarantee. Click here at webdesignforkids to obtain your own copy.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/721776/ Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/721776/  I will not forgot the day that that the package from Maverick Books arrived, my children were ecstatic. We weren't sure what to expect, or what would be inside the box. The Hank the Cowdog series is written by John R. Erickerson.   We immediately knelt down, opened the game Tornado, and began to read the instructions so that we could play. My children love learning how to play new games. It was a hit! Now when friends come over my sons love to introduce them to Tornado. The characters were unique and fun to look at while playing.  Tornado is played similar to the game Sorry. My children own that particular game so it didn't take too long to catch on to rules of play.  It is an enjoyable game for all, even the younger ages. I love that Hank and the other characters come as a boardgame. When the children are able to hold the game pieces I think it helps them to form a relationship with the story, especially kinestetic learners. As for the story-line, and being a mother, I have to comment that there were certain phrases or situations used that I found  less than favorable.  As a parent who deals with honesty issues, specifically with bed-wetting, on page 2 of The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse when Hank encourages children to lie to their parents and say the roof leaked,  I couldn't help, but be disenchanted. We truly though enjoyed listening to the cd, cassette, and reading the book.  The series has a lot of adventure, which my two boys found rivoting. There are many teaching opportunites in the storyline, which is always valuable to parents.  You can learn more about Maverick Books' Hank the Cowdog, and purchase their products here hankthecowdog.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/721774/ Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/721774/ I was exceedingly excited to receive the Quarter Mile Math software program. Having a son that is constantly challenging me in finding new ways to help him reinforce his math facts this was a welcome trial. Both of my sons, ages 6 and 9, relish playing on the computer and enjoy car races, so the combination was welcome.    My older son who is 9 is truly challenged postively by time clocks and races due to his competitiveness. Children like my son could truly benefit by this aspect of the program. For those children like my second son who is 6 that are intimidated by timers and such can simply dismiss the clock altogether just enjoy the program for what it is being fun. I will admit at first my son, nor myself was sure what to push. So the user-friendliness aspects lack just a bit.  Another aspect that has kept us puzzled is why the outcome was always the same regardless of right or wrong answers. It did not see to matter if my son answered the questions correctly or incorrrectly; his car would always win the race.  Overall our family has enjoyed the program.  I would gladly recommend this program to familes that want to boost their children's mathematic skills. Whether your goal is to challenge your children or just to encourage them that Math really can be fun, Quarter Mile Math would be a welcomed addition.  It is economically priced with different options available. For those of you with children varying in age like me there is a bundle package for grades K-9 selling for $89.95. With a range like that in one program think of all the use to be had by your children. Check out the link here at The Old Schoolhouse for Quarter Mile Math, and get your copy for use at home.         http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/718964/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/718964/  I've read quite a few other homeschooling magazines over the years. While I will admit I enjoyed them, none have compared to The Old Schoolhouse.  Never does it fail that the articles are full of useful information, and I am always ministered to in my heart.  It is such a comfort to have a bunch of homeschooling parents that have been through "it all" sharing their ups, downs, and wisdom attained along the way all in one place.  I find so much encouragement in knowing that I am not the only one going through these experiences, challenges, and blessings as well.  The advertisements are helpful. They allow me to see what is out here and being produced in the homeschool market.   I don't feel bombarded by the advertisements though. There is much more to the magazine  than advertisements. I've received magazines like that before, when there were more ads than articles, and I felt like I had wasted my money. I have never experienced that with the Old Schoolhouse. I've also never seen a magazine that offers their readers so many wonderful freebies, gifts, and promotions.   This summer's promotion is wonderfully generous. They are offering 19 gifts along with brand new 2 year subscription or a 2 year renewal.  You want to order quickly though since you have to be in the first 5000 to subscribe. There is a bonus 20th gift, a packet of sunflower seeds, if you are one of the first 1000 subscribers. Then to top it off there is a contest to boot. Fifty random subscribers will win a free week's membership to Curves!  For $39 you dont just get a magazine subscription and free gifts, you get an indispensible homeschooling tool.  Click on the link below to order yours today :) The Homeschool Magazine Summer Promotion   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/704110/ Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolmommy/704110/