It is time once again for sharing all about your week! I look forward to reading about everyone's adventures.
I hopefully will have my post all written up in the next day or so. Come back and see photos from our family retreat, of the kids painting their pumpkins and more.
I received two pdf Treasure Hunts (fun scavenger hunts) to use with my children. They were 8 pages each with twelve clues, two to a page. Included are a cover page with instructions. The last page is a reminder of where each card is hidden and clues to help your children if they ever get stuck.
Can I say right out how much fun this was? Kiddos 1 and 2 were very excited to cut out the cards and hide them around the house. The first card is handed to those participating in the hunt. On it is a task, riddle, activity or problem, that when solved, leads them to the next card.
The instructions were easy to follow and they eagerly put them where they needed to be. (even inside the dishwasher!) I just had to grab a photo of it before it was found. :-)
There were a variety of activities/questions on the cards-- everything from word scrambles to math problems (guess where this one led them?)
to things to act out (like howling like a wolf at the moon on the Halloween hunt, lol!) Gotta love that I snapped this photo to capture this. Priceless! :-)
The Thanksgiving hunt's clues, just as fun as the Halloween ones, were all about the meaning of the holiday, so it wasn't just entertaining, but they were learning and appreciating, as well.
Kiddos 3 and 4 had so much fun running throughout the house finding their next clue and working on each one to figure out where they had to go next. There was much laughter along with the determination to solve each clue.... (you can see on Kiddo #3's face how interested and eager he was)
And check out the smile on Kiddo #4's face when she found her "treat" at the end of the hunt!
These Treasure Hunts are a fun way to celebrate different holidays (and many other topics including sports and nutrition) and spend time together as a family. As those of you who read my blog know, my kids love hands-on learning and activities. And, this mom loves wholesome entertainment and fun that we can do together (and that doesn't require a computer or television!) :-)
Set up only took about 5-10 minutes, but provided 30 minutes of fun, teamwork, logic, math and social studies. What a slam dunk!
These treasure hunts are for people ages 4-104 and are available for only $5.99 each.
If you sign up for their newsletter here, you will receive a free treasure hunt!
Here is a fun video showing how it works:
Helen Bertelli started the company because she realized that treasure hunts are an "incredible, memorable" way to teach. She believes that healthy children need plenty of opportunities to move, not just sit at a desk or in front of a screen. You can read more about her family's journey to start Clued in Kids here.
To find Clued in Kids on the internet:
Twitter: @cluedinkids
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cluedinkids
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cluedinkids
To read what my colleagues on the Crew had to say about these hunts (and many others!), click on the graphic below:
Anthem for a Nation is an amazing, patriotic film that celebrates America and her founding upon the principles of religious freedom. I was so moved by this film! I also had my two teenaged sons watch it.
Kiddo #2 said almost immediately upon finishing watching it "why doesn't everyone know about all of this?" Kiddo #1 told me how powerful he found it and that he wished everyone could watch it to appreciate what our nation is all about.
Did you know that within a century of our nation's founding that 32 million people immigrated to our shores?
What about the top of the Washington Monument? Did you know that it has a plaque that contains the words "Praise Be to God" and that said plaque is facing the East so it is the very first part of the city to receive the sun in the morning? No building is permitted to be taller. There is also a Bible in the cornerstone of the monument.
Have you seen the Great Seal of the United States? It says "God has smiled upon our undertaking."
If you see the major buildings and monuments in D.C. from the air, they will form a cross. I didn't know that!
The Bible was the number one selling book in America for 200 years.
Did you know that the Jefferson Memorial contains the words "God is the holy author of our religion?"
The U.S. House and Senate start everyday with prayer. Did you know that they have chaplains and rooms reserved for prayer?
This 42-minute documentary that retails for $19.95 and is geared for general audiences, includes breathtaking views of scenery in our beautiful nation, as well as a score of patriotic and historical music.
Something that touched this mother's heart is when the narrator asks the viewer to close their eyes and listen to the BBs being shot. Each BB was a life lost in a war fought for our freedom. It is truly mind-boggling and heart breaking. There were also BBs for the lives of all of the babies who have lost their lives in the war on the unborn. Wow. No one can listen to any of that and not be changed.
As the film progresses, we are told of the events that have taken place in this nation that have removed God from our schools, government and everyday life. The film asserts that our nation has succeeded and prospered like no other because of the principles upon which it was founded and our founders' reliance on God. The film encourages this generation to rise up to the call to be godly men and women and bring our hearts, homes and country back to God.
The extra features include interviews with two individuals who survived Nazi Germany. They speak about how God was removed from their society, how citizens were indoctrinated and how, after emigrating to America, how much they appreciated our nation, one that had depended on the Lord since its founding and people could freely celebrate and practice their faith. Scary things happen when God is removed from society, that's for sure.
The film encourages us all to pray for our nation and to work together to bring our country back to where it began-- a nation that depended on God, worshipped Him in all things, focused on Him, not only in its buildings and monuments, but in its laws and in its citizens' lives.
I would highly recommend this film! Here is a preview:
To see what my colleagues had to say on the many different titles that New Liberty Videos offers, including Anthem for a Nation, click on the banner below:
Wow, it's 10 weeks already! I look forward to reading all about your week! We are going on our church's family retreat this weekend, so my post will be a little late going up, but hopefully will include some wonderful photos and memories!
It is time for another week of recipe sharing! I always enjoy seeing (and trying!) what you all link up! Be sure to spread the word about our little party. I would appreciate it. :-)
There was a THREE way tie for the most viewed post from last week's hop! That has never happened before! :-) The three posts (in no particular order) are:
Do you remember the Standard Deviants videos on VHS tape (or am I showing my age? lol)? I enjoyed watching them and showing them to students when I was a classroom teacher. So, needless to say, I was excited when given the opportunity to review their homeschool program.
They have so many options and courses for grades 3-12, including Advanced Placement. The courses are as follows:
Arithmetic- Grades 3+
Fundamental Math- Grades 4+
Earth Science- Grades 6+
Nutrition- Grades 6+
Algebra- Grades 7+
Biology- Grades 7+
Chemistry- Grades 9+
English Composition- Grades 9+
U.S. History- Grades 9+
A.P. Biology- Grades 11+
A.P. Chemistry- Grades 11+
A.P. U.S. Government and Politics- Grades 11+
A.P. U.S. History- Grades 11+
A.P. English Composition- Grades 11+
Kiddo #3 worked on the Arithmetic during the review period. Kiddo #4 is looking forward to the
Nutrition videos in the future. I'm sure we will dabble in some of the others, as well. :-)
When I first received access to the program, I was on a parent's page where I set up my account. I
chose the course for my son and was given an access coe. When his account was set up (on a separate student screen), that access code was entered. I did this for him. I had to use my hubby's email address for Kiddo, since he doesn't have his own yet and the program requires a separate email address for both parent and child.
Once the code was entered, he was ready to begin. The videos are fast paced and presented by college-aged actors and actresses. They are very catchy with a lot of movement, music and sound. The videos were about 10-15 minutes long. Some even shorter.
After the student views the video, they can go to the tab that has all of the vocabulary that was used in the lesson. The diagram tab brings the student to a grab and drag section with the words from the lesson. If they put the word in the incorrect section, the word will not stay. The quiz section has 5 questions from the video. If the child gets one wrong, it will show the segment of the video that explains the correct answer. I like the instant feedback and explanation! The last tab, written explanation, is one that is graded by the parent. The material in every tab can be printed out for those who like to have a printed record to read and study.
Kiddo found that these videos were a "fun and different" way to do math and certainly a welcome supplement to his current program. It was very fast-paced and sometimes with math, you will need, as we did, to watch something more than once, especially if it is the first time they are being exposed to the particular topic. I like that the program had visual, auditory and tactile components-- something for every learning style!
Here is a closer look at what was covered in the Arithmetic program that Kiddo was using:
1) Whole numbers and the number line
a. whole numbers
b. place value
c. comparing numbers
d. rouding whole numbers
e. the number line
f. decimals
2) Addition and Subtraction
a. addition
b. subtraction
c. estimating
d. problem solving
3) Multiplying Whole Numbers
a. multiplication basics
b. multiplying bigger numbers
c. the distributive property
d. word problems
e. multiplying with a calculator
f. problem-solving
4) Dividing Whole Numbers
a. division basics
b. long division
c. factors
5) Understanding Decimals
a. decimal basics
b. adding and subtracting decimals
c. multiplying and dividing decimals
d. rounding decimals
e. scientific notation
f. problem solving using decimals
6) Understanding Fractions
a. fraction basics
b. mixed numbers and improper fractions
c. common factors and reducing fractions
d. converting fractions to decimals
e. common denominators
7) Ecology
a. diversity of organisms
b. population ecology
c. communities and ecosystems
d. global issues
8) Patterns and Graphs
a. patterns
b. pictographs
c. bar graphs
d. line graphs
e. probability and outcomes
f. prime and composite numbers
Kiddo spent the review period on the fractions section. It was what we were working on at the time the review assignment arrived. :-)
For the regular courses, homeschoolers can purchase a course for use by one student for $99 for a year or $24.95 per month. AP courses are available for one student for $14.95.
Kiddo #4 made a really cute, lined trick or treat bag in sewing class. This week, she tells me she is working on my Christmas present; it is top secret. :-) At home, she continues to sew everynight, making presents (which I can't show, obviously until after Christmas) and some things for herself including these pajama pants. It amazes me that this 10 year old kid can whip these out in a short period of time with pinked and pressed seams and all! Wow! (can you tell I'm a proud Mama?) :-)
There was also a 4-H meeting where the kids participated in a rocketry project, not only making, but launching their rockets.
We picked giant eggplant from our garden (look at the before and after! My parents made some great eggplant parmigiana with them!)
There was a local driving education class that Kiddo #1 attended last Sunday afternoon. It was definitely sobering watching some video footage and hearing from those who lost loved ones, but it really taught the kids a lot. They got to drive golf carts (hubby was supposed to distract him from within the cart. I was texting him from outside the cart AND he was wearing beer googles that distorted his vision). I think the teens really got an idea of what distractions there are while driving and how to avoid them.
In between all of these fun activities, the kiddos have managed to get done their schoolwork, take online classes, play some educational games and welcome the beginning of hockey season!
And there is always the spontaneous fun of seeing a nighttime visitor or doing schoolwork with your My Twinn doll. :-) Gotta love it!
And, for those who are following the videos of Kiddo #2 and 3, here is their latest installment just released today (Friday). :-)
These bright, well-written books, geared for those 11 and
up, present Biblical information in an interesting and enjoyable way. Each book page looks like old documents or
notes. This is not only visually
appealing, but the information is presented in small chunks.
The iWitness Archaeology provides an investigation of
artifacts and Biblical manuscript. Flood
stories from various cultures and civilizations are addressed, as well as the
search for Noah’s Ark. A lot of archaeological
evidence is presented to support the Old and New Testaments. There is also a discussion of the Shroud of
Turin. Although only 64 pages, this
volume, like the other 2, is filled with much information to read, learn and
think about. Archaeological discoveries have revealed that the Bible is incredibly accurate.
The New Testament iWitness takes the reader into the early
church- learning about the Church Fathers, how the canon of Scripture was
developed and information about recovered texts. Included are lists drawn up by various church councils as well as an examination of the criteria used by early Christians to determine canonicity. This highly visual book explains how we know who wrote the books of the New Testament as well as addressing how it was passed down and how we know its original.
Old Testament iWitness covers the writing of the books of
the Bible and answers questions like “is the Old Testament historically
accurate?” The Canon, Torah, Apocrypha
and more are all investigated and explained.
The prophets and Dead Sea Scrolls are also included. Do not be put off because the subject matter is scholarly. It is covered in a way that has you eager to read on. This volume answers many questions-- how the Old Testament differs from the Hebrew Bible and is it really mythology or history?
I read these books myself first before reading and
discussing them with my children—not because I thought there would be anything
that would be inappropriate, but because I wanted to be prepared for any
questions that may arise.
The books are scholarly and contain quite a bit of
information—much like a course in apologetics—but they are presented in such a
way that makes reading and understanding it much easier. They are definitely thought-provoking and give readers a real sense of respect for the richness of our Judeo-Christian history.
Here is an interview with author Dave Powell that gives
insight into his approach and perspective in writing these books.
I have always enjoyed Apologia’s materials and these were no
different. Ok, that is the understatement of the year. I love their materials! Like their science books,
these are written in a conversational tone.
We read them aloud, discussed them, and would then consult our Bible or
the Internet to see photos of what was being addressed or to read a specific
passage.
These gems are available for $14 each. Two new titles are coming soon- Resurrection
and Jesus iWitness. I look forward to
reading those, as well.
So sorry about not having the party last week. We were away for a long weekend and the location where we were staying actually lost internet on Monday and Tuesday!
But, here we are and I can't wait to see all of your wonderful recipes.
