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The Ecology Book ~ review

Written by Joy
The Ecology Book ~ review

The Ecology Book is the newest book in the Wonders Creation series and is written by Tom Hennigan and Jean Lightner.

 What is ecology?  Ecology is the study of intricate relationships between living communities and their nonliving enviroments and I love how the authors have explained it in this amazing book.  The books has 3 different types of levels that you can teach from.  Level 1 is for 5th and 6th graders.  It is the basic level that covers the Who, What, When, Where and How questions and the Building Memories part.  The Level 2 part is for the 7th and 8th graders and delves a little deeper into the ecological issues and also has Words to Know and ways you can apply what yu have learned.  The last level is the high school level.  It covers concepts and theories on all subject matters that is inlcuded in the book.  It also covers interesting information in the Dig Deeper sections.

Sarah reading from the Ecology book.

I have three children that are 7, 8 and 15.  While the book suggests that it is for 5th grade and up, my younger children and I still sat down and read some of the sections in the book.  They also loved the colorful pictures that are included in the book.  It made the book so much more interesting to them, getting to see all of the beautiful pictures.  While they didn’t understand everything, they did pick up a lot of the information that we read.  As you can tell from the picture above, my oldest daughter really enjoyed the book.  She loved the Building Memories section, that gave us ideas of things that we could do together as a family.  Sarah also enjoyed the sections they had that told us about the different Ecologists.

2013, homeschooling, review, , , , ,

FamilyMint ~ review

Written by Joy
1 Comment
FamilyMint ~ review

When I first saw that we had a chance to review FamilyMint, I must say, I got a little excited.  In today’s society, it is a “want it now” environment.  Everywhere you turn, commericals, ads and billboards  are enticing you to go and buy.  As much as I am trying to teach my kids that money doesn’t grow on trees, they think all you have to do is whip out your debit card.  When you explain to them that you have to have money in the bank to be able to use the debit card, they will say, well just charge it.  What they don’t understand is that if you do charge it, you will have to pay it back, with interest.  FamilyMint is an excellent program to help you teach your children how to manage your money.

The Money Management Certification program was developed by two dads, out of their own need of wanting to teach their children better momeny management.  Not just to open their piggy banks to spend money, but to teach them how to invest and give money as well.  FamilyMint gives you all the tools you need to help teach your children how to manage and control the money on their own.  It is a two month program that you really only need to spend a few minutes a day on.  You have a workbook that you can work through, as well as online software that can be used.   The book that you will get has a lot of great forms that you can use with your children; general savings, goals, net worth, checks and deposit slips.  However, all of this info is on their online program and you can keep track of it all electronically.  By the time you finish this program, your kids will be able to keep track of their money, make a budget and create goals.

Sarah making a deposit in her book.

The program is written for kids in grades 5th-8th, however I think kids as young as 6 or 7 can understand the concepts that are being taught, with maybe the exception of interest.  I had originally gotten it for my 15 year old daughter who is in 9th grade.  I figured it would be a great refresher course and I was right!  We have worked through the book and set up her an account online.  While we haven’t used the online account as much (I wanted her to work things out on paper), she is able to make a deposit, see it in her account and then see when money comes out.  I love how she is also able to make goals and a savings plan.  My oldest daughter and I have enjoyed this so much, that my younger two children have asked for me to set them up an account.  This has turned out to be a great program for all of my children.

 

 

 

 

2013, homeschooling, review, , , , , , , ,

A+ TutorSoft Online Pre-Algebra ~ review

Written by Joy
5 Comments
A+ TutorSoft Online Pre-Algebra ~ review

For my oldest daughter, math has always been a challenge and having homeschooled 10 years, we have tried several different math curriculum’s to try and figure out the best one.  Recently, we had the chance to try A+ TutorSoft Online Pre-Algebra.  The first day my daughter worked on it, she turned to me and said, “Mom, I think I can do this!”  For a positive comment to come out of my daughter’s mouth so quickly, truly made me happy.

The first thing you do when you buy the online curriculum, is set up an account for your student.  You will give them a log-in and a password. The student is then able to log-in and begin the work.  The student has problems that they can work out.  They also can listen to someone explain how to the work as well.  If the student needs more help, there are worksheets that you can download for them to work on.

One of the things I like most about this, it is uses audio, computer animated visuals and text to help teach the math.  It also has an interactive review to help not only the student, but the parent as well, so the parent can also help the student.  Go watch this video  that explains just what all A+ TutorSoft offers.

Do you know what else I like about A+ TutorSoft?  The owners of this wonderful program and how committed they are to their product.  When I began looking for another math program, I e-mailed Vinod Agrawal and he responded in  a very timely manner.  Not only did he email me, he also called me so that I could ask him questions regarding the online program.

Are you worried about spending money and the program not working for you?  You don’t have to worry about that!  They will give you a free one month online subscription!  Just sign up here!

Sarah doing a math lesson.

Overall, my oldest daughter and I really like A+ Tutor Soft a lot.  I am excited to see that they have an Algebra course for when we finish Pre-Algebra.  It is really nice to see my daughter not put off doing her math now.  While she still doesn’t care much for the subject math, it is no longer a struggle getting her to do her math.  For that, I am grateful.

 

**disclaimer: I was given a trial subscription of the A+ TutorSoft Online Pre-Algebra.  All opinions expressed are my own.  No other compensation was given.

 

 

 

2013, homeschooling, review, , , ,

Made in Heaven ~ a Mom of Master Books review

Written by Joy
Made in Heaven ~ a Mom of Master Books review

I am so excited to be a part of the Mom of Master Books review team!  This month, we are reviewing Made in Heaven by Ray Comfort and Jeffrey Seto.  I couldn’t wait to get Made in Heaven in the mail.  Ray Comfort and Jeffrey Seto do an amazing job in this book.  They share with us how scientists look at God’s creations and study how they work.

Here are just a few things that scientiest have learned from observing different  things from God’s creation.

  • Body Armor – Strength of Fish Scales
  • Human Eye – A Better Camera Lens
  • Anti Lasers Learn from Bird Feathers
  • Mosquitos Studied for Painless Needles
  • Wasp Nests and Papermaking

Go check out the video about this book!

These are just a few of the topics in this amazing book.  I know my kids and I have enjoyed reading how many things have been discovered just by people watching and learning from things that God has created.

Now for the fun part!  Moms of Master Books is having a Book and Bite Facebook Party and you all are invited!  It will be on March 21st at 9pm (EST).  There will be several prizes, which include:

  • a copy of Made in Heaven
  • a copy of The Defneder’s Guide for Life’s Toughest Questions (a new release of NLPG)
  • and a $25 gift certificate

Will I see you there?

 

disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book for review. I didn’t recieve any other compensation for the review.  All opinions stated are my own.

2013, homeschooling, review, , , , , , , ,

See The Light Van Gogh and Sunflowers Project ~ Review and giveaway!

Written by Joy
25 Comments
See The Light Van Gogh and Sunflowers Project ~ Review and giveaway!


Back in January our family went to see the Van Gogh Exhibition at the Denver Art Museum and loved it. So when I was asked by See The Light if I would review the Van Gogh Sunflowers project, I excitedly said yes!   While I knew that the project dvd by See The light might be a little difficult for my younger two kids (it is recommended for ages 10+), I knew my oldest daughter could do it.   When the dvd arrived, I don’t know who was more excited, me or my daughter!

Sarah tracing out her design

The Sunflowers dvd is divided into 4 lessons.  Each lesson is about 25 minutes long.  The first lesson, Pat Knepley begins talking about Vincent Van Gogh and a little bit of his life and how be began drawing and painting.   Van Gogh had a troubled life, but Pat explained about his life in such a way, that truly just shared about his talent and gift of drawing and painting.

Sarah working on the vase.

She began the picture, by doing a basic composition or drawing lightly the outline of what the picture would be.  Once she did that, they began the task of filling in with color in the short stroke technique that Van Gogh used in some of his paintings.  This was just a basic color to get the outline of the vase, flowers and leaves.

Sarah listening and watch the dvd while filling in some lines.

Once she finished that, she then started adding in more colors to fill the picture out and blending in the colors together.

Sarah working on the leaves.

My daughter truly had a wonderful time with this DVD.  Van Gogh is one of her favorite artists and it just helped her to understand Van Gogh a little more, by attempting  a technique that he used.  When I first suggested her doing this DVD, she didn’t think she could do it.  My daughter is very talented with a pencil and paper, but she has never tried any other art medium like this before.

working on blending in the colors.

Once she started, Pat Kenpley gave my daughter the confidence that she needed to where now, she is looking forward to trying different mediums out.  I also love how in every lesson, Pat brings out her bible and reads scripture from it.  There is always a bible lesson in every art lesson that See The Light does.  I, for one, am very thankful for a company standing firm on the word of God.

Listening to final instructions on the dvd.

I asked my daughter what her thoughts were on the Van Gogh Project and this is what she said:

“What I really enjoyed about the Van Gogh project was the techniques given in the DVD. They were clearly explained, and I understood how to execute the techniques to finish the sunflowers.The information on Van Gogh’s life was also well explained, and I definitely want to look more into his life as a painter. Honestly, I had never used oil pastels before, and I now I prefer to use them over other mediums. The lessons really helped expand my artistic abilities, and I look forward to learning more!”

 

Sarah’s final picture of her interpretation of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting.

As you can tell, my daughter finished and I think did an amazing job.  I am truly proud of her and can’t wait to see the other See The Light Project DVD’s that she does.  We have already ordered 4 more and I do plan on blogging about those as well.  My daughter’s goal is to attend an Art College and we plan on using some of these finished pictures as part of her portfolio.

See The Light has an amazing deal for you all, until March 24th.  You can get the Ultimate Crossmaker Set for only $25.00 (regularly $34.99).  This includes free shipping in the US.   The set includes The Crossmaker DVD, CD of music and audio stories, Black Light with batteries, Fluorescent Chalk and Fluorescent pencils.  Just enter the discount code word, “CROSS”  into the box when you go to check out and hit APPLY!

Now on to some great news!  See The Light art curriculum, has graciously offered to give one of my readers an Ultimate Crossmaker Set!   All you have to do is just leave me a comment, telling me what Easter means to you!  This giveaway will end March 17th, 2013.

**Update** Congrats to Vicki Arnold for being chosen the winner of the Ultimate Crossmaker Set from See The Light!

**Disclosure Policy: I was given this DVD to review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

2013, homeschooling, review, , , , , ,