Kickin' off another year...Seuss Style!

The first week of September brings change...with a crisp, coolness in the morning air and the promise of fall coming soon, it is the time I like to kick off our new year! We do not have a set start and stop to our learning, but the fun and excitement of starting a new 'school' year is worth celebrating, so we make it a fun day. This year I decided to celebrate...

Why, you ask? Simply to appease a 5-year-olds wishes!  In  March, 2011 I went all out on Dr. Seuss' birthday and we had a fun celebration. The littles [and bigs] loved it and asked often when it was going to be 'Dr. Seuss Day' again? Well, as life goes, I forgot to do it last spring and sweet Chloe has asked almost every day, "When is it going to be Dr. Seuss' birthday?" I did not have the heart to tell her it had passed, so I decided to turn it into our first day of school celebration! Why not? Another wonderful homeschool perk...flexibility! It was a huge surprise and they loved it! This year begins our 10th year of homeschooling! What a blessed adventure it has been and I look forward to 20+ more years! This year marks three monumental years~ Katelyn starts High School, Cason starts Jr. High, and Chloe starts Kindergarten! I'm teaching 9th, 6th, 3rd, K, & baby this year~ crazy, chaotic, FUN! I LOVE my job! 

Yes...that's a Dr. Seuss t-shirt! I don't have the nickname 'Ms. Frizzle' for nothing! 

Praying you have a great start to a great new year!
Celebrate the big and the little things!

Grapevine Studies ~TOS Crew Review!

"Stick Figuring Through The Bible"...peek your interest? Did, mine! I recently had the delightful opportunity to review Grapevine Studies Bible curriculum and I like it...a lot!! Grapevine Studies is an easy-to-teach, FUN Bible curriculum that incorporates visualnesthetic learning into Bible study by 'drawing' your way through the Bible. They offer multiple studies, ages 5-adult, that cover the Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Feasts & Holy Days and Bible geography. I chose to review the Old Testament Overview (Level 2) and the Catechism course: Old Testament Basics. All of the studies are available in ebook or hardcopy form. I received both the teacher books and the student books in the 'ebook' format...I could not wait to get started! :)

The Old Testament Overview has 50 lessons that cover characters and events from Adam to Nehemiah. Each lesson takes a week to complete [4-day schedule], so this will last approximately 175 days. Each lesson begins with a review of the Old Testament timeline [taught in Lesson 1] and then 'dives in' to that week's topic. For example...Lesson 2 covers Creation. Each lesson has four parts: Bible Reading, Drawing, Lesson Review & Memory Verse. After reading the Scripture from your Bible [the translation you desire], you 'stick figure' the Scripture on a white board and your children draw in their student books [they can copy what you draw or be as creative as they want]. My VERY creative 10-year old Kate takes a lot of time to draw her figures. My 7-year old Cason copied my drawings at first, but now is becoming more creative as well. Each lesson ends with a set of questions to check comprehension and review the learned material. One of my favorite questions that the author includes in each review is “What do we learn about God from these verses?"...the answers are priceless.



I'm using the Old Testament Basics [Catechism] in conjunction with the Old Testament Overview. The two studies compliment one another and I like that it adds a little extra review to our study. The teacher book includes 225 questions, Bible verses and answers. It is flexible and easy! You ask a question, read Scripture, and 'stick figure' the answer. We are doing one lesson a week. All questions deal with biblical facts (not doctrinal issues) and compliments any of the studies.

In graduate school, I learned quite a bit about 'visual learning'. The statistics are fascinating... written information is 70% more memorable when combined with visuals and actions. The brain processes images 60,000 times faster than words alone. Retention & comprehension soar when information is learned both verbally and visually! As a public school teacher, I had my students 'draw' their vocabulary words for better understanding...it was both fun & effective. Grapevine Studies values this approach as well...

"Grapevine Studies believes that students who are taught using reading, hearing, and drawing will have a higher retention rate than those who are just lectured"

The proof is in the pudding...I'm seeing very positive results in my kids! They LOVE the lessons [beg to do more each day] and they are retaining the information! About a week after we studied 'God' [OT Basics, Lesson 2], we were eating dinner and my 7-year-old boy held up his triangle shaped tortilla chip and announced, "Look! It's the 'God sign'!" My husband gave me an odd look... "The 'God sign' is a triangle shape", I explained, joyfully. :) This is a definite 'keeper' in my curriculum line-up. You will LOVE it, too!

For my readers, Grapevine Studies is kindly offering a 30% discount for a limited time on ALL of their studies! Use this code: crews when ordering. Good until September 15th!

The author of the studies, Dianna Wiebe (also a homeschool mom!) was very helpful in assisting me with deciding which studies would work with the ages of my children and she would be happy to help you as well...just send her an email or call.

If you want to read reviews on one of the other studies offered...Go here!

EnJOY!

My FIRST TOS Crew Review! ~ Let's Plan!

By nature, I am NOT a planner! I'm a very laid-back, 'go with the flow' type person, but homeschooling requires planning! And the Lord has graciously helped me grow in this area. Each year [this will be my 6th year to homeschool] He leads me to great resources that help me tremendously! This year is no different, as I began to pray about the 2009-2010 school year, I once again asked the Lord for help in the area of planning...it's time to 'tweak' my routine/schedule and plan out the year. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw my first review assignment... The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner! Wow, wow, wow...this is one huge planner! Every page [all 374 of them!] will help you become a well-organized home/school manager...no fluff here!

The planner truly has it all...from 'Must Know' lists (Common Latin and Greek Roots, Cloud Types, Letter Writing Tips, & much more) to every form for home & school that you can imagine [almost 200 of them!] to Alphabet Writing Charts & Preschool Planning...this is a 'one stop' organization spot! The layout is very user-friendly! The E-Book format allows you instantly download it to your computer and print pages as needed [I created a desktop shortcut, so it is easy to find!]. AND it is an interactive pdf file!! ~ that means you are able to type in the pdf file, *personalize* your forms and save your information...yippee!

I especially like the first part of the planner...it is divided into 12 months [July 2009-June 2010] and each month has it's own 'month at a glance' view that includes 2 FULL pages with nice, large daily boxes for writing in assignments, appointments, etc.... And each month has a special 'mini-lesson' that allows you to explore new information with your children. Each topic is covered through a detailed article written by a well-known, well-loved homeschool author, like Michelle Miller [Truthquest History], Amanda Bennett[http://www.unitstudy.com/], Karen Mohs [Greek ‘n’ Stuff], Tammy Duby [Tobin’s Lab Hands-On Science For Families], & Terri Johnson [Knowledge Quest], to name a few.

In addition to the mini-lessons, each month has a page titled 'The Schoolhouse Store Resource' that has live links for products that correspond with that month’s topic. It's a great way to check out all that the Schoolhouse Store has to offer! Each month concludes with 2 wonderful, easy recipes, 24 in all, from REAL~life homeshool mommas!

Can you tell I'm excited!? My plan is to create one monstrous 'Home/School Organization Notebook'! I will personalize and print ALL the pages needed (from the planner): the calendar pages (both the 'month at a glance' & 'week at a glance'), mini-lessons, 'Must Know' pages, recipes, useful homeschool forms [Annual Plans, Yearly Goals, 12-Year Planning Pages, Daily Schedules, Weekly Schedules, Bible Memorization Record, Memory Work Record, Books Read This Year, Field Trip Log, Extracurricular Activities Log, Nature Journal Pages, Science Lab Sheet] and useful household forms [Important Phone Numbers & Contacts, Information for Babysitter, Monthly Homekeeping Reminders, Homekeeping Weekly Schedule, Grocery List, Weekly Menu Planner, Weekly Menu Planner, Food Inventory Log, Chore Charts, Dates to Remember] and organize them using a 3-ring binder and some month tabs. Yes, ALL of those forms are included in the Planner...and many more! My notebook will be BIG and I will be organized...ready for my best year ever! Want to join me?

Get your 2009 Planner TODAY!

The price is $39.00 ~a small price for peace! +If you order between June 11, 2009 and July 12th, 2009 you will receive the 2008 planner excerpts FREE!

And check out the 'Monthly Modules'...a supplement to the Planner. You can get the Planner and Planner Module Membership for $99.99! When you sign up for Module Membership, you'll receive supplemental monthly modules packed with great ideas and information [& lapbooking activities!]. You can also purchase the Modules separately.

Want to read more reviews? See what my Crewmates have to say...HERE!

EnJOY, Kristi

I want to be LIGHT!

“The light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.” John 1:5

Did you know that the word light is used in the Old Testament 168 times and is used in the New Testament 76 times? ~Donna Rees

When you think of ‘LIGHT’, what comes to your mind? I think of joy, forgiveness, a new beginning, peace, restoration, salvation…Jesus! It is my deepest desire to be LIGHT in this dark world…to point others to our Lord, but I can only do that by following ‘the light of the world’ ~Christ Jesus [John 8:12].

In the summer of 1989, I stood at this very place [Pat Neff Hall], looked up at the words inscribed on the building [“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm112:4] and asked the Lord to ‘light my path’ and show me direction for my life. It was a time in my life when I was desperately searching for, and needing God’s light! Soon after, I transferred from Texas Tech University (talk about from ‘darkness to light ’~hee!) and began my wonderful life-chapter at Baylor University!

I believe it was this simple prayer [desiring God’s light in my life] that led to my personal relationship with Christ and set my ‘faith journey’ in motion! So it is no wonder that I like ‘LIGHT’! That is why I jumped at the opportunity to read and review A Light Unto My Path by Donna Rees.

Wow...another super Wee-Book from TOS! It'a a short, easy read that outlines a simple, effective way to meditate on God’s word, do a word study, & become enlightened…all through a wonderful study of ‘LIGHT’ in the bible! Do the study to strengthen your relationship with the Lord, or use it to enhance your science curriculum by studying light with your children and seeing what God’s word has to say about it!

Donna includes many ‘light’ verses to get you started on your study, internet links [for deeper study], & 9 wonderful copywork pages! This Wee-Book is a huge blessing!


EnJOY!

JOYful, Kristi

Universal Pre-K...good idea?

Today’s Wee~Book review covers the controversial issue of 'Universal Pre-k'. It's a hot topic that needs to be addressed...with TRUTH! The Wee-Book, titled Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education, is a must-have for ALL parents who are concerned about the NEA’s push for universal Pre-K!


Universal pre-K was one of President Obama's campaign promises, and most Americans agree with him [due to media hype and distortion of the facts!]. Sixty-seven percent of Americans think the government should pay for every child to go to preschool, [according to a June 2008 poll by Peter D. Hart Research Associates/American Viewpoint], but is it a good idea? Take a look at the [TRUE] facts in this book!

Amelia Harper, outlines the 4 myths that the NEA wants parents to believe. She does an excellent job of backing each statement with sound research, including internet links for further study [for stat lovers like myself!].

She goes on to outline the fact that YOU, the parent, are the MOST important factor in the academic success of your child…parent-child relationships greatly affect school readiness and it is important to build that relationship while the child is young [0-5] and at HOME!

Many people who “try” homeschooling in the preschool and kindergarten years become committed, long-term home educators. Parents are necessary to preschool education. In fact, you are the most important part.~Amelia Harper

She completes the book with 10 good things to teach your preschoolers…a simple, fun preschool program that any parent can follow! The Appendix includes 10 preschool worksheet pages that will help you teach the alphabet, numbers, and early reading skills.

This is another itty, bitty [13 pages] e-book that is packed with facts, research, practical tips, & resources to help you navigate the important preschool years! And it will prepare you with a ready answer when you are asked, "Do you support Universal Pre-K?"

EnJOY!

JOYful, Kristi

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!"~ I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Wow, Wee! I like Wee~Books!

Do you love E-Books (electronic books)? I do…they are easy to read [I like to print a few pages at a time], easy to store, and immediately downloadable [no shipping fees and no waiting on the mail]! TOS Magazine’s Schoolhouse Store has a HUGE selection of E-Books in every {homeschool} category, from Art to Foreign Language! And an E-Freebie each month…I do love FREE stuff!

They also have WEE-Books...an itty, bitty E-book at a an itty, bitty price [$1.95!] with a LARGE amount of information! And you’ll love the large selection, too! Check it out here.


This week I read three awesome Wee-Books! The first was an incredible book that reaffirmed my decision to keep my kids home! It is titled, 10 Big Reasons Not to Send Christian Kids to Public School [by David d’Escoto] and it outlines the main reasons why Christian parents should not send their children to secular-humanistic public schools. His facts are well documented and backed with alarming statistics.

Okay, here are The Big 10 reasons [with a short summary of each]:

1. A Cookie Cutter Approach: This approach does not nurture the child’s individual gifts, talents, future calling, & learning needs.

2. Anemic Academics: Can you believe we pay $9000/ per student/ per year?!? When year after year, our literacy rates continue to decline and overall academic standards are lower than they have ever been!

3. Misplaced Authority: Parents have no say in how or what their children are learning...scary!

4. Family Fragmentation: With the average child spending 1,000 hours a year in school...families are not as close as God designed them to be and peer relationships take over.

5. Peer Dependency: 180 days a year, 5 days a week, 7 hours a day with 25-30 other kids the same age…remember “a companion of fools”? (Proverbs 13:20b).

6. Bad Company: Schools (even ‘good’ schools) are rampant with poor attitudes, low self-esteem, hostility toward teachers, vandalism, bullying, drug use, gun threats, fear, and chaos…need I say more? *Side note: I was in a public school recently and posted on all the doors, in the halls, and in the bathrooms were signs that outlined the school’s ‘No Bullying Policy’…did that really cut down on the bullying? Come on…how many bully’s really stop to read those signs ~what a joke!

7. Propagating Promiscuity: Roughly one-quarter of the nation’s sexually active teens have been infected by a sexually transmitted disease and according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 8,000 teenagers in the United States become infected by a sexually transmitted disease EVERY day! The public schools answer? Free condoms!.. [our government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence]!

8. Bye-Bye Bible: The bible has been successively removed and now many schools are down right hostile toward Christianity.

9. Perishing Generation: 80% of children from Christian homes are walking away from the Church by the time they reach college age and this is greatly due to the the intensive secular-humanistic indoctrination occurring in the public schools.

And #10…did you really think I was going to give you all 10? Nope, sorry…you’ll have to read the book! Buy it and keep it...this is a great book that will encourage your commitment, if you do homeschool [and give you a ready answer as to WHY? you homeshool!].

Also, if you do not homeschool, but God has laid the idea on your heart, this book will challenge you to bring your kids home [where they belong]!

It is a very easy read (8 pages) full of well-documented statements, facts, & stats! The author [David d’Escoto] is a homeschool dad. He and his wife, Kim, have homeschooled their five children for over ten years. Enjoy!


Tomorrow’s Wee-Book review is on a topic that is special to my heart…preschoolers (I have 2 in my home!). The book is titled: Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education. Another great, 'eye-opening' book!


Joyful,
Kristi