TOS Review: We Choose Virtues

Today I am reviewing the Youth Virtue Journal from We Choose Virtues.

Character training is so very important.  It is something that I know every parent is concerned about, especially with the culture in which we live.  There are a lot of good character training materials available for younger children, but when I was given the chance to review materials for high schoolers, I was thrilled, because they need something to address virtues to their age group and in a way that makes sense and is relevant to them.

I received the Youth Virtue Journal, a 100-page paperback book intended for teens, along with PDF files entitled:  Mentor's Handbook, a Youth Character Assessment, a list of Scripture verses that correspond to the virtues in the book and a Mentor Meeting Report Form.  These are all part of the package that is available for only $17.

Because I was using the materials in a home-based environment and not a teen group, I didn't use the Mentor Meeting Report Form.

How did we use this?  Kiddos 1, 2 and I would sit down with the journal.  We would read the section, discuss the virtue that was being covered.  We would read the associated Scripture verses from the supplemental material (mentioned above) and then talk about how we could work to be a good example of that virtue in our lives.  We would also do the assessments to see where we were before and after reading the section.  It is wonderful to see that the results of the assessment change after they learn more about each virtue.

Each chapter had the following in it: "Take a Moment to Dream," "Take a look at me now," "Take a look around," "Take some good advice," "Take a moment to reflect," "Take some time to respond" and "Take a stand for what is right."  In each of those sections, there are things to think about and questions to answer.  By the end of each, the student is making the decision to add the virtue to who and what they are and eliminate the habits that are keeping them from changing for the better.

What are the virtues covered in the book?  They are as follows: I am Attentive, I am Content, I am Forgiving, I am Gentle, I am Helpful, I am Honest, I am Obedient, I am Perseverant and I am Respectful.  All good and honorable character traits that I know we all try to instill in our children.

There is a second section in the book entitled "My Dream Journal."  After each virtue is covered, discussed, etc., the student turns to the corresponding section in the Dream Journal.  There they describe a dream that they have, what obstacles they will need to overcome and what virtues they will need to make that dream become a reality.  It is definitely a soul-searching way to make it real for the student to see how these virtues can help them succeed and just aren't something to read in a book because Mom said they should.  It shows them how they can put what they learned into practice.

Here are a few of the "Take a Look at Me Now Questions" that really stood out while we were reading the book:

"Do I respond with a good attitude when asked to do something?"

"Am I cheerful when asked to help or do I mope, sulk or complain?"

"Do I find satisfaction in working harder than I thought I could?"

"Do I work hard to show others that they are worthy of my respect by using good manners?"

The complete Youth Virtue Journal package is $17 but We Choose Virtues is offering a summer sale.

* May-June: Use Promo Code BIG50 for 50% off a set of 12 11x17 Kids of Virtue Ville Posters.  These are suitable for a church classroom, bedroom or homeschool room.

*June-August: use Promo Code BTS20 for 20% off anything in the We Choose Virtues Store.  This includes any product for kids or youth, including the program I reviewed above.

You can find We Choose Virtues online at the following:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wechoosevirtues

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/WeChooseVirtues/

Blog: http://www.wechoosevirtuesblog.com/

They also make wonderful products for younger children, as well.  To see the reviews on those products, as well as additional reviews for the teen program I descrbed above, click on the graphic below:

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Hearts for Home Blog Hop- June 5

Welcome to another week of sharing your posts about all things home!  Happy June!  :-)

Last week's most viewed post was:

Fiction for Boys 7 and Up- Get Ready for Summer! from First Comes Love

Are you ready to share your posts this week?  Let's go!  Use the form below to enter your links.  Posts can be anything that shows your heart is for your home: homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, etc.  Please just kindly link back to this blog or display our Hearts for Home button in your post or on your sidebar.

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An InLinkz Link-up

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TOS Review- A Life in Balance

Today I am reviewing the book A Life in Balance from Learning Breakthrough Program.

When I was given the chance to review this book about how Frank Belgau developed the Learning Breakthrough program, I jumped at the chance.  You see, his program is an alternative treatment for those with dyslexia and those with ADHD.  As those of you who read my blog know, I have a kiddo with dyslexia and I am always trying to find new ways to help him succeed.

But, this book isn't just for parents of dyslexics or those with ADHD, but for parents of ALL children. All children learn differently and it is so important to find out how they learn and how to help them utilize their strengths for success.

The book is Frank's story.  it brought me to tears many times.  He didn't excel in school.  He was bullied and made to feel stupid.  Reading was a mystery to him.  It wasn't until one summer, when he ran, played, and ran some more that his coordination imporved.  With that improvement, he noticed that he was understanding the written word more and more!

I loved when Frank's dad realized that he indeed could think and solve problems and was an intelligent boy.  He assured his son that he was NOT dumb.  Reading and learning in the school setting was just frustrating for him.  They didn't understand how he learned.

Fast forward a bit, Frank began to do better in school the more he worked on his physical coordination.  He did a stint in the Air Force and upon being honorably discharged, received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees.  So much for being dumb.  He wanted to be a teacher and help those that the schools and others had deemed unable to be helped, those that were labeled not "normal" such as those who were educably mentally retarded or had minimal brain injury.

From working with these children, he realized that they had so much more potential than anyone could imagine.  He, and some like-minded colleagues developed sensory and physical programs to help these, and all children.

In 1975, Frank, his wife, and some colleagues founded Learning Breakthrough with the idea that balance and coordination had a direct relationship to learning disabilities.

It is uplifting to see someone who truly cares about helping children who society has "labeled" and already predetermined as not being capable of very much.  He has proven and continues to prove that these arguments are wrong.

Because some of the book gets into the technical and scientific reasoning behind Frank's work, the recommended age of the book is for adults.  I would also say that upper teens would be fine.  It is available for $16.94 right now on Amazon.

To find them online follow these links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearningBreakthrough
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LearningBreak
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LearningBreakthrough

To read what my colleages on the Crew had to say about the book, click the image below:

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Try a New Recipe Tuesday- June 3

Happy June!  :-)

There was a three-way tie for the most viewed post last week.  They are:

Saturday Morning Cinnamon Rolls from Satisfaction Through Christ

Best Ever Broccoli Cheese Soup from Feeding Big

Sweet & Sour Meatballs from Jonesin' For Taste

An InLinkz Link-up

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Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up- May 31

We are reaching the end of this year's homeschool year.  One more week to go!  

Last Friday, Kiddos 1 and 2 continued with their Air Pistol class with 4-H

(they are learning both one handed and two handed shooting)

Memorial Day was Monday.  If you haven't already read it, please click here to read a very touching poem that truly brings home what the day is all about.

We had a nice BBQ with some dear friends.  It was a fun afternoon.

This week, Kiddos 1 and 2 finished up reading the book "Red Badge of Courage" and got to watch the film version.

Kiddos 3 and 4 worked on decimals and Kiddo 3 made a poster on whales.

They also both passed their first Taekwando test-- breaking a board with their hands in order to get their first belt. (white). Needless to say, they both are very proud.

Kiddo #1 learned a pretty cool science trick from a video we recieved (review coming soon).  He showed us nails and asked us to balance 10 on top of 1.  Of course, it seemed absolutely impossible.  How could you possibly fit 10 on the small top of the nail?  Well, he showed us how it can be done.

Friday was hubby's birthday

Kiddo #1 made his sister a bed for one of her dolls.  After he was done constructing it, he showed her how he was painting it and gave her a try. (she even picked out the color)

Wow, what a packed and fun week.  Phew!  :-)  How was your week?  Hope it was beautiful and blessed!  Have a great weekend.  

My posts this week were:

TOS Review: What on Earth Can I Do?

Hearts for Home Blog Hop- May 29

Family Movie Night Ideas

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- May 27

Happy Memorial Day- 2014

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week

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TOS Review: Apologia Educational Ministries: What on Earth Can I Do?

Today I am reviewing What on Earth Can I Do? from Apologia Educational Ministries.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love Apologia's science curriculum.  We have used so many of the science books over the years and we continue to enjoy their hands-on, real approach to learning.  I had never used any other of Apologia's materials, so I was very pleased that I was chosen for this review.

What on Earth Can I Do is the 4th book in Apologia's series on worldview training.  My children and I received the following materials:

• What on Earth Can I Do? (hardback book- $39- grades 1-6)
• What on Earth Can I Do? (notebooking journal- $24)
• What on Earth Can I Do? (junior notebooking journal-$24- for those who have not mastered cursive handwriting)
• What on Earth Can I Do? (coloring book- $8)

All of the materials work together-- as we covered a chapter in the book, each of the kiddos could do the corresponding work in their journals.  The journals are wonderful.  As with the science curriculum, these journals include crossword puzzles, coloring pages (in the junior version), word finds, book suggestions, copywork and more.  I just love that they are so hands-on.  It really helps the kids stay focused and they learn when they are "doing."  It makes the material something they have owned, rather than just something they have listened to.  My teenagers were in the room when I was reading this with their younger siblings and they really enjoyed the stories, as well!

The main focus of What on Earth Can I Do? is stewardship with a Biblical worldview.  In each lesson, the students are presented with how to care for God's creation, perseverance, managing their time, faithfulness, their part in God's plan and more.  

The hardback book contained all of the readings.  There are sections that explain the "big idea."  There are short stories, vocabulary words, Bible verses, prayers, parables, Godly character traits and more. Each section is a treasure and there is so much to do and read and see!  It is written in an easy to understand conversational manner.  Even though my children probably could have read it themselves, we read it aloud together and were able to discuss and talk about what we were reading.

The notebooking journal, as I mentioned above, has them doing- writing (limited in the junior version), making mini-books (we love lapbooking here!), composing their own prayers, listing gratitudes, etc. It brings to life everything they have been reading and they apply it to their own lives.

The coloring book is just beautiful!  It has 64 pages with a verse from Scripture or label on each.

We used What on Earth Can I Do? as a supplement in our homeschool, but it could easily be used as a history, geography, civics, literature and Bible curriculum all in one.  

Why do I say this?  How about if I tell you we learned about how the Jews were mistreated by the Nazis or how Maria von Trapp was a shining example of how to follow God's plan for your life. There is so much brought into this book that encouraged discussion and validated our beliefs and morals.  It allowed my kids to see how we can put those beliefs and morals into action and how they define who and what we are.

There are lesson plans included in the book that tell you which pages in the journals, for example, correspond to which lessons in the book and give you a suggested scope and sequence.  They suggest about 48 days to complete the book.  We may take a bit longer as we are not rushing.  I want to take our time to read, discuss and enjoy and learn how to put the lessons we have learned into practice in our lives.

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Hearts for Home Blog Hop- May 29

Sorry I have been MIA with the hop the past couple of weeks.  We are getting toward the end of our homeschool year, so things have been a bit busy.  In addition, we had Kiddo #1's surprise party and birthday, so that hasn't left a whole lot of time for blogging.  With summer coming, hopefully I will be better able to keep up!  :-)

The most viewed post from last week was:

Are You Ready To Suit Up?  The History of Swimsuits from Children are a Blessing

Are you ready to share your posts this week?  Let's go!  Use the form below to enter your links.  Posts can be anything that shows your heart is for your home: homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, etc.  Please just kindly link back to this blog or display our Hearts for Home button in your post or on your sidebar.

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An InLinkz Link-up

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