Wordsmith~Review

I love to write!  I’ve always loved to write.  When I was younger I looked forward to writing in my journal everyday. For fun, my girlfriends and I would spend hours writing each other stories to read.  Sadly, I don’t have time to write as often as I like too, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to encourage my children to write for pleasure!  Enter Wordsmith Apprentice.

Wordsmith Apprentice is a self-directed writing program for children in grades 4-6.  I’ve reviewed writing material before but I have to whole-heartedly agree with this description, it truly is self-directed.

Initially I had to help by reading the directions orally to Blue-Raspberry, he tends to skim and miss many important bits of information.  Now that he’s been using it for a month I have to say that I don’t do much but encourage him and cheer him on.

There are only three parts to the book, but each part is broken down into small assignments.  I let Blue-Raspberry decide how many he wants to do.  He usually choses one, but some day's he choses two.  At the end of each assignment is a spot for him to date his work.

This is the first book he pulls out each morning when we start homeschooling!  His spelling is atrocious, but he enjoys the topics covered in the assignments and NEVER feels like he is being asked to do something he can’t do.  He’s hooked by the topics and enjoys using his imagination to write. This book has never made him cry!  As I mentioned before, I have reviewed other writing curriculum and hand’s down this is my favorite because of the ease of teaching.  It lines up well with my goals to nurture independent learners and I love the enthusiasm that Blue-Raspberry has about the program!

           

Now, besides the Wordsmith Apprentice for my 4th grader, I was also given Wordsmith for my 10th grader.  Wordsmith is a creative writing course for 7-9th graders.  This program wasn’t a good fit for my budding authoress Strawberry.  She loves to write, but felt that this book was too easy.  I guess that’s not a bad problem to have. It didn’t hold her attention or challenge her enough.  One good thing about all of the books that Timberdoodle sells in this same series is the cost.  They are low-cost books!  So the risk is minimal if you want to try them out.  I won’t hesitate to use the next book for Blue-Raspberry, he LOVES the assignments and looks forward to writing every day now!

I can’t say enough good things about Timberdoodle, they are top-notch and I always trust their recommendations.  If you haven’t checked them out, I encourage you to do so!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclosure-I was given a copy of Wordsmith Apprentice and Wordsmith for the sole purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own and I was not paid.

Truth Quest History: Ancient Greece

Do I have a treasure to share with you!  I have here a very affordable and very precious history study guide.  I honestly don’t have the words to describe how this study guide makes me feel, because I’ve never encountered a history curriculum like this.  Just read some of the phrases I highlighted from the introduction:

As Christian adults, though, we must hold every definition up to His blazing light.  Is history indeed the story of mankind?  Could the secular minds that birthed our history textbooks also have had a secular definition of history itself?  Is it possible?

Please think about history in a brand new way, for it is not first the story of mankind, but of the One who made mankind.

God’s initiation and our response…that’s history.

I’ve never even considered that before!  Sure I’ve used “Christian” history curriculum in the past, but still, they would be classified under the old definition:  the story of mankind.  But to be able to study history through the new definition: God’s initiation and our response…it’s profound to me!

History has always been boring to me, boring to teach and boring to learn. I went to public school after all and everything I learned was a dry account of man’s activities.  Who cares!?  (Well, I’m sure somebody did, but not me!)  But if history can be this:

…a personal encounter with the King of the Universe, the Maker of our souls!  It should be one of the most inspiring, personal, real and intimate topics because it hooks us up with the truths that make life work!

Now that’s the kind of History I could get into!!  And get into we will be!  Truth Quest History Guides are written for Grades 5-12, but can be used for younger children too.  This is a non-consumable History Curriculum that will typically take a year to complete.  You can view a sample schedule here.  Many of the books that are suggested to read while using Truth Quest Ancient Greece are available at the library, trust me, I checked!  And the best part is, besides the amazing world view, is that these guides are inexpensive!  You can purchase the PDF download for $19.95.  There are other things available for purchase as well, but they are not necessary for a wonderful experience.  The tone of the study guide is a real gem.  You can feel the passion of the author, Michelle Miller, her writing style will definitely get you fired up about the Lord and His influence on history! 

Here’s what’s included in your study guide, this is from the website.

TruthQuest History guides have four components:

1) vivid commentary introduces each and every topic;

2) individual reading lists organized by grade level flesh out each and every topic;

3) ThinkWrite™ exercises are strategically placed throughout the guide to help students incrementally internalize and express various facets of key truths (whether through writing or discussion), until significant and synthesized wisdom is achieved at the end of a guide; and,

4) an appendix at the rear of the guide offers sample answers to the ThinkWrite™ exercises (useful in evaluating the student's writings for depth of comprehension, or for engendering rich oral discussions), while another appendix offers a cumulative list of all resources cited in the guide. Remember, the student's profound learning comes in such small steps that it seems almost effortless! Parents often tell us they don't see the full depth of a TruthQuest History guide until they've read or watched their students work through it a while. It does all come together, but the veil is lifted very slowly as the great truths of God and people's responses to them are seen step-by-step through the chronology. It's an exciting odyssey!

I’m pretty well sold on the whole program and will definitely be using these in our homeschool for years to come!  I’ve included many links throughout this post, hopefully you will get all of your questions answered.  There are also samples of the different guides on the website.

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

To read what my crew mates thought about this and other study guides from Truth Quest, visit the Crew Blog.

Disclaimer-I was given the PDF form of Truth Quest History-Ancient Greece, in exchange for my honest review.  I was not paid.

Who Am I? Apologia Review

Does Apologia ever make a substandard product?  Not that I’ve found!!  What a blessing to be able to review the second book in the What We Believe Series. 

Who Am I ? And What am I Doing Here?  Is a world view curriculum focusing on who we are in God, who God has made us to be and how that effects everything we do and should be doing!  This is just a great book, especially if you or your children have struggled with who you are in God. 

Lessons Include:

What are we doing here?

What will you make today?

What’s on your mind?

Can you trust your feelings?

Will you choose wisely? (Click to view lesson)

How will you run the race?

What kind of fruit are you growing?  (LOVE THIS!!)

Who do you think you are?

There are only 8 Lessons, but they are big with many subsections.  The book includes a lesson plan to help you plan your time.  This book can be completed anywhere from 4-9 months.  We read this during lunch time, all the children have enjoyed listening to it though it is especially designed for children ages 6-14.  Clearly some of the wording is written for younger children, but not in a way that the older children felt was demeaning or silly.

Not only does Apologia sell this gorgeous hard-cover book ($39.00), it also sells an audio CD for your auditory learners ($19.00), a gorgeous notebooking journal ($24.00 click here for a sample page) and a fun coloring book to keep little hands busy while they listen ($8.00)!!  Wow!  Now that’s a curriculum!

Thanks Apologia for another high-quality product that helps us to pass on our faith on to our children and build our faith in the process!

To see what other Crew Member thought, visit the Crew Blog!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclaimer-I was given these materials for purpose of this review.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid.

Nearing Home by Billy Graham Giveaway

My husband is giving away Billy Graham’s newest book on his blog.  To enter click here.

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Tintin for young readers~Review

As part of the Timberdoodle Blogger Review Team I was given a copy of this fascinating Young Reader’s Edition of The Adventures of Tin-Tin:  Red Rackham’s Treasure.

Just look at that tongue…apparently Tintin requires a lot of concentration!

Written for children 9 and up. Let me just say that there wasn’t one child in my family NOT interested in this book.  In fact, my oldest two were so excited to see it, they snatched it up and took it hunting with them!  They both gave the book positive reviews and Banana Taffy really enjoyed the end of the book, where the REAL adventure along with actual photographs and descriptions is shared.  Here’s what Timberdoodle says about it:

New historical photos, original sketches, timelines, and more!
Now some of the most beloved titles are available in a popular, easy to pack standard paperback size. What makes this especially appealing is that there are now character biographies at the start of each book, so new Tintin readers can get to know the players in each episode. Even more exciting are the additional twenty-five pages of back-story. Parents who want more than a gutsy tale will be thrilled to find the global history of Tintin, with character and story inspirations, historical photos, original sketches, actual diagrams upon which the vehicles in the books were based, timelines, and more included in these newer reprints!

Sweet Strawberry Taffy has been so sick…this book was a great distraction for her!

I never realized that Tintin’s adventure’s were based on actual events!  The children all really love to read books comic style and to have them learning something at the same time makes for a happy Momma!

Finally!  He was the LAST one to get his hand’s on the book!

I even found myself laughing at some of the funny antics of the different character’s in Tintin’s adventure!  My only complaint, and this is just the result of my age more than anything…the words were a little small and I had to wearing my “granny glasses” in order to read the story.  The children didn’t complain though!  lol

Timberdoodle sells several different Tintin Adventures in this Young Reader version, which includes the historical information at the end of the book.  They sell for $7.99.  If this sounds like something you would love to get for your budding historian/adventurer, visit Timberdoodle! 

Tis the Season!!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Legal Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of Red Rackham's Treasure Young Readers Edition in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

The Grace Effect~Book Review & Giveaway!

Just Seconds ago I finished reading The Grace Effect.  To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement.  I fear I will not be able to give this book the review it deserves.  My heart is swollen with joy!  Mr. Taunton has effectively and passionately given words to the mystery of grace as believed by the Christian, through the account of adopting his daughter from the Ukraine. 

About The Grace Effect:

"Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues?  Not much, according to the secular Left.  The world, they say, would be a better place without it. 

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace. 

Through the narrative of Sasha’s redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source of grace.  We see, in short, the kind of world the atheists would give us: a world without Christianity—cold, pitiless, and graceless.

And yet, as Sasha shows us, it is a world that is not beyond the healing power of “the grace effect.”  Occasionally infuriating, often amusing, but always inspiring, The Grace Effect will have you cheering for the courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day. (from the Publisher)

I finish this book feeling inspired and even empowered to continue living out my faith and sharing the Grace that I have so undeservedly been given.

If you are looking to be inspired, if you are looking for “proof” that Grace is still alive and flourishing today and if you want read a heartfelt account of an adoption that is so beautiful it leaves you breathless, you must read The Grace Effect.  You can find a copy here and read more about the author and the interesting ministry/career he has here.

What a GREAT book!  Highly recommended!

I almost forgot!!  I get to giveaway a copy too!  Yay!  Think FREE Christmas gift!!  To enter, please just leave a comment telling me something that you are thankful for (since it’s almost Thanksgiving) and include a way to for me to contact you should you win! 

I’ll draw the winner on 11-18-11 at 9pm.

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Excellence in Literature~TOS Review

As part of the Old Schoolhouse Crew, I’ve recently been given the opportunity to review a “new to me” product called Excellence in Literature.

• Self-Directed, Week-by-Week Lesson Plans

• Classic Literature-Based

• College Preparatory, with Optional Honors Track

• High-School English for Home Schools, Private Schools, and Charter Schools

I received the e-book to review ($27.00), it is also available in a hard copy for $29.00 + shipping.  I have so many things to say about this great curriculum, I don’t really know where to start! 

First off let me say that this is more student directed than parent taught, which I love.  Also it’s written in a way that I didn’t have any trouble understanding and neither did Strawberry.

The awesome thing about getting the ebook is that there are live links in the ebook.  As your child is working their way through the lessons, they can click the different links to either read the books/short stories or get more information about the author, etc. 

We started with the first Unit on Short Stories. I chose to get the books from the library as apposed to having her read them on-line.  Though there was one short story that we couldn’t find in a book so the on-line version was perfect!

Here’s the table of contents for the book we reviewed:

Introduction
Overview and Objectives for Excellence in Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Read A Book
Discerning Worldview Through Literary Periods
***Units 1-9 compose the bulk of the book, providing guidance for weekly lessons.
Honors
Formats and Models
Approach Paper Format
Historical Approach Paper Format
Author Profile Format
Literature Summary Format
Sample Poetry Analysis
What an MLA Formatted Essay Looks Like
Excellence in Literature Evaluation Rubric
Excellence in Literature Evaluation Rubric for IEW Students
Glossary
Selected Resources

Strawberry loved the Format and Models section of the book, each type of paper is clearly explained with examples to follow.  Her first short story response paper was alarming in it’s beauty and accurateness!

Here is what she wrote for the essay question portion of the response paper-

1.  In Sylvia’s unknown loneliness, she almost succumbs to the stranger’s friendly ways.  But in the end she stood up for the heron.  Do you approve of her choice?  Why or why not?

2.  Why was the offered money so special to Sylvia?  Is there a difference in the things ten dollars could have bought in 1886 compared to 2011?  Research this and write down your answer.

3.  In the end Sylvia gives up the ten dollars for the white heron.  What would you have done?  Explain why.

My daughter wants to be a writer, what better training than to be reading some of greatest writers of history?!  I honestly didn’t know what to use to help her in her dreams of writing, but I can see clearly that Excellence in Literature will be on her school list for the rest of her high school career.  And the price…it’s so reasonable!

Another amazing thing about this program is the Honors Option!  Strawberry has decided to do the honors track in hopes of CLEPing out of Literature.  I can’t recommend this product enough, especially if you are like me and desire to equip your children with the ability to learn independently. 

Here is a more complete description of the program.  Here is sample unit.  And here is list of books that are used throughout the entire program.  If my big boys weren’t doing PSEO I would have them doing this program also, as a matter of fact, when Chocolate Taffy saw the books that Strawberry gets to read he immediately said, “Hey, can I do that too?”  Need I say more?

Too see what my other Crew-mates thought, visit the Crew Blog!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclaimer-I was given a copy of this ebook for the purpose of this review, I was not paid.

Educating the WholeHearted Child~TOS Review

Once again I’ve had the privilege to review a recently revised book published by Apologia. Educating the WholeHearted Child, by Clay and Sally Clarkson, is basically an enormous manual revealing the heart of homeschooling and the heart of your child. 

With a whopping 375 pages, you’ll get more than just curriculum recommendations, what you’re getting is a guidebook leading you down a path to create an environment of nurturing and growth.

Chapter 1 is called The Christian Home:  Learning to Be at Home with Christ.  If all you read was this first chapter, you would be well on your way to setting the proper foundation in your home.

“In the same way that we seek after God until we find him, children will seek after the kind of home and family life they instinctively desire, even though they are too young to do anything about it.  Every child bears the image of God, their Creator, in their soul.  Since the ideal of a godly home and family was part of God’s original creation before the Fall and an expression of his creative nature, we believe it is etched in every child’s heart.  Your child is made for and naturally longs for the home that you can provide.  If a child finds that kind of home, the vacuum will be filled and they will be more likely to find contentment and fulfillment that will shape the rest of their lives; if they do not find it, they will be more likely to seek to fill that vacuum with substitutes and counterfeits, and that futile search will shape the rest of their restless lives.”

I found myself repeatedly reading snippets of this book out loud to my husband, I was just so excited to read so much truth and passion in one place!  I highlighted so many things to share with you, but fear you will grow weary of reading them on this blog!  So you’ll just have to trust me when I say it’s amazing!

Divided into 3 sections:  Home, Learning and Methods, you could be revisit this book for years to come and still benefit from it’s wisdom.

I loved how the Clarkson’s included “In our Home” snippets, to let the reader experience how they  personally did things.  The resource section in the back is loaded with ideas and worksheets to help you in planning and implementing the things you’ve learned.

Selling for $22.00 from Apologia, this book should be on your curriculum list, under the section: For Teacher!  If you are new to homeschooling and you can catch the vision of what the Clarkson’s are teaching, you’ll be way ahead of the rest of us!

To see what my other Crew Mates thought, visit the Crew Blog.

Joyfully,

Mrs.Taffy

Disclosure-I was given a copy of this book for free, in exchange for my opinion, I was not paid.

Raising Real Men~Book Review

 

As a member of the Timberdoodle Blogger Review Team I was given the opportunity to read and review the fantastic new book by Hal and Melanie Young called Raising Real Men.

This was such a Divinely timed review!  I have 4 sons, not as many as some, but more than most. And while for the most part I don’t find this to be an area of struggle, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things about boys that baffle and confuse me.

The Young’s have 6 sons and they aren’t just little boys, they have grown sons too so they have actually lived through (and survived) getting some of those sons into adulthood.  Nobody can argue with their testimony!

One of the areas that I have been concerned about is when to be the loving, tender-hearted, understanding mother, when to be the cheerleader mother and when to be the bossy drill sergeant, suck-it-up mother.  Obviously my son’s have a father who gives them plenty of masculine discipleship, but they are home with me for the most part and I do realize my influence over them.  In the chapter called Is There Not a Cause?  Hal and Melanie address this question.  I love their answer, “If he hasn’t faced the trail yet, or he’s in the midst of it—encourage him.  If he’s been to the wars and is limping home wounded—comfort him.  Once the wounds are bound up, encourage him to rise and face the fight again.”  Such good advice!

I also really appreciated the chapter on weapons, called Taking Up Arms.  It’s so true when they say boys turn everything into a weapon, even if they aren’t “allowed” to play with them!  They have such a healthy and biblical concept of play.  The whole chapter just really encouraged me and helped me to fine tune our own attitudes towards weapons and imaginary play in little boys. 

“Based on our standing principles, toys that encourage the imagination toward nobility and honorable service to others are probably acceptable; those which glorify brutality, evil spirituality, or ugliness in general, aren’t.”

Having sons, we have experienced something I call, “trying to dominate Mom.”  I have always understood that God made our boys to lead, but I don’t necessarily appreciate when they try to lead me, especially if they are little, like 3…So the chapter called Who’s in Charge Here, really resonated with me and made me appreciate it all the more when my husband talks to the boys and calls me “his wife” so they understand the lines of authority.  If you haven’t had much experience in this area, this chapter is really a blessing and could solve a lot of potential problems you may have with your sons.

“Remember the chain of command—seeking to overthrow the parents’ authority is an attack on God’s authority which He delegated to them.  We owe it to God to take action against insurrection.”

The chapter called “Your own School for Boys” made me laugh aloud!  So relatable in my own life of teaching boys.

When I finished this book I was left with the overall feeling of peace.  I didn’t finish feeling like I was failing my sons, or more importantly disappointing God in how we are raising them.  I felt encouraged to fine tune the things we have been doing and felt energized to keep on the path to raise these men and mini-men.  Hal and Melanie have a kind-hearted and encouraging tone, always addressing the truth head-on (including matters of sexuality), but never leaving me feel condemned.  Too many times I read things that make me feel like the task before me is IMPOSSIBLE.  You won’t get that here!

I highly recommend this book if you have sons, or even only 1 son, the sooner you read it, the better off you’ll be at parenting and understanding that complex blessing the Lord put in your care!

Don’t forget to visit Timberdoodle to see more great Boy-Friendly Outdoor Learning products!!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Legal Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of Raising Real Men in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

Before Five in a Row~Review

 

From the makers of Five in a Row, is a delightful book for children ages 2-4.  It’s a literature approach to learning, which I love!

The first half of the book is dedicated to specific books, books like:  Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, If Jesus Came to my House and Corduroy.  There are a total of 25 stories with corresponding activities.  The idea of Before 5 in a Row is to read which ever book you chose, each day, for as many days as your child wants.  Most children LOVE hearing the same story over and over again, I know mine do!  Then each day you can do an activity or two that relates to the book.  Before 5 in a Row is full of ideas that cover areas such as:  Bible, Language Arts, Loving Relationships, Art, etc.  You can spend a long time (weeks) on one book, or you can spend a day or two.  It’s parent and child directed learning.

The second half of the book is called “Parent’s Treasury of Creative Ideas for Learning Readiness”  and is packed full of ideas to get preschoolers ready for learning. 

I love the gentleness and the tone of this book.  I wouldn’t hesitate to give it to somebody who had young children who they are considering homeschooling.  This book isn’t a curriculum but could easily be all you use for your child’s earliest learning years.

Before 5 in Row sells for $35.00 and can be purchased from Rainbow Resources. 

To see what other reviewers for the Old Schoolhouse had to say, visit the crew blog!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclaimer-As a member of the Old Schoolhouse Crew I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review!  I was not paid.

Read for the Heart~Review

My final review for the 2010/2011 school year is this gem of a book called Read for the Heart, written by a homeschooler-Sarah Clarkson, published by the favored Apologia.

I call this book a gem because it’s filled with so much rare wisdom, it’s been written with so much care by a young lady that loves the Lord and truly loves to read. 

I didn’t grow up homeschooled and frankly going to the library scares me a little bit.  There’s so much garbage in there, you really have to get dirty to find the books that are worth reading.  This book takes the dirty work out of going to the library, she recommends hundreds of good quality literature that is non-offensive to most homeschoolers.

She begins the book explaining how her parents encouraged a love of reading in her own life, and encourages you to do the same with your children.

I especially love how she breaks the books down by categories, so if you are looking  for a specific genre of book, you can go to that section and see her recommendations.  I started out in the picture book section.  I had a few of her recommendations, but several I had never heard of.  So I went on my library website to see what I could find.  You know what?  I found all the books I was looking for!

We’ve had so much fun reading through these books. 

I’m also encouraged because as my children have gotten older, it’s been harder to figure out what to give them to read that stretches their brain a little but also engages them.  Her book is full of suggestions for older children and boys in particular too.  If there is a particular book she has recommended and the author has other books that she has read and approved of, she also includes those titles.  It will take us a good long time to get through all the titles that she recommends.

Every homeschooler should have a book like this on their book shelf, especially if they are little clueless, like me, as to where the hidden jewels of literature are found.

Apologia sells the book for $17.00, you can also find it on Amazon for a little cheaper.

Highly Recommended!

To see what others from the Homeschool Crew thought, visit the Crew Blog.

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclaimer-As a member of the Old Schoolhouse Crew, I was given a copy of Read for the Heart to review in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not paid.

Eagle’s Wings-Considering God’s Creation~Review

      

As part of the Old Schoolhouse Crew I was given the opportunity to review a lovely creation science curriculum called Considering God’s Creation.

This is a multi-grade life science curriculum, geared toward children between the 2nd and 7th grades.  Considering God’s Creation covers:

Written by homeschoolers for homeschoolers with a  “desire to introduce our own children to the Creator through His creation.”

Here are some highlights about the curriculum that I  love:

• Teach one lesson per week for a whole school year-36 Lessons Total-this science won’t bog you down or create dread when you think about teaching it.
• Entirely God-Centered
• Copying within a family is okay and encouraged!
• Teacher’s guide includes ways to integrate multiple ages of children. 
• Small list of basic supplies-Crayons, scissors, glue, etc.
• Can be used in conjunction with other science curriculums.  Did you know that this is the science book recommended to be used with Galloping the Globe?
• Teacher’s Manual includes teaching instructions including what to specifically say to teach the subject.
• Teacher’s Manual also clearly list the basic supplies you need before the lesson begins, so mom friendly!

Here is a sample of what the workbook pages look like.

Here’s an example of the what the Teacher’s Manual looks like.

Another great component of this science curriculum is the price!  Only $29.95 for both the workbook/notebook and the teacher’s manual—free music CD included!  Extra workbooks (if you don’t want to hassle with copying, are only $13.95. 

I can not wait to use this science with Blue-Raspberry and Bubble Gum come fall!

To see what other crew members thought visit the crew blog.

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclaimer-As a member of the Old Schoolhouse Crew, I was given Considering God’s Creation to review in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not paid.

Circle C Beginnings~Book Review

“Andi wants a horse of her own more than anything in the world, but her mother says she's too young. Stuck with riding Coco, the hand-me-down pony, Andi sets out to show her family that she's ready for a horse of her own.”

This delightful little beginner chapter book is the first book in a series of 4.  The story takes place during the 1800’s.  Join Andi in the Wild Wild West as she goes from being a little girl with only a “pokey old pony,” to a little girl with her very own horse!

Written for children between the ages of 6 and 8, designed for either independent reading or read aloud time.   Each book in the series sells for $4.99 from the Circle C Beginnings Website.  Both Blue-Raspberry and Bubble Gum enjoyed this book immensely!  The illustrations are adorable and they loved reading about Andi’s excitement with Henry the Eighth! 

Probably the best part of this little book is the great on-line resources that accompany it.  You can check out the extras here.  Not only are there free coloring pages and puzzles, there are also free printable worksheets that correlate with the different books and lapbooks available for purchase!  Using the 4 books in the Circle C Beginnings Series and the available on-line resources, this would be a great mini unit study for life during the 1800’s.

To see what other members of the Review Crew thought, check out the crew blog!

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Disclaimer:  As a member of the Old Schoolhouse Crew I was given this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not paid.

Beginning Geography~Review

As part of the Timberdoodle’s Blogger Review Team I was given a copy of Evan-Moors, Beginning Geography to review.

We are having so much fun with this book!  It’s a really simple and gentle introduction to Geography, aimed at children from Kindergarten thru 2nd grade.

This is my kindergartener and she is probably getting the most out of the book.  She is learning direction, both left and right and North, South, East and West.  She is learning to read a map and to use it’s key to find things.  She is learning what a compass is and what it’s for. 

You can see that some of the fully reproducible pages require cutting and gluing, which only adds to the fun!

We do two pages each day, it only takes about 10 minutes and it’s a favorite subject with my younger three.

This is my 2nd grader and while I think this book is too easy for him, he’s still enjoying it and proclaims daily, “I love Geography!”

As an added bonus my 3 year old has been able to participate in some of the activities.  Especially where it’s not required for him write something, but to locate something or follow directions. 

We have yet to cover major landforms and continents, but they are in there as are two fully colored maps that the children will love to see hanging on the wall!

Timberdoodle sells Beginning Geography for $10.75.  You can get your copy here!  I’m pretty excited because I’ve already purchased the next book for my 2nd grader to use when he starts 3rd grade and I’ll be interested to see how much of it my newly turned 1st grader will be able to understand and participate with!

Timberdoodle loves to give out catalogs, to get one mailed to you, click here.

Joyfully,

Mrs. Taffy

Legal Disclosure:
As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of these books in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.