Archive for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
It’s a Wrap!
Posted by: | CommentsAt our house, a school day might begin something like this…
A Younger Child: “Hey, Momma, did you know that all of the Anderson’s have the flu?”
ME: “I didn’t. When you talk to Katie, find out if they need anything.”
Younger Child: “Okay.”
An Older Sibling: “Did you know that our great-great-grandmother died from the flu? Nana was born in 1912, so she was only six when her mom and her little brother died in 1918.”
ME: “The worst plague in America was the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. More people died from the flu in that year than died in all of World War I.”
Younger Child: “She was younger than me.”
ME: “She was. Then, her dad died when she was just 12. She was your sister’s ages living through The Great Depression.”
Older Child: “1929-1939 or 41, or something?”
Younger Child: “What’s The Depression?”
ME: “I’ll tell you what, after breakfast, I’ll show you some pictures of kids during The Great Depression. I’ve got a book, someplace. I’ll find it. It’s called Children of the Great Depression. Just the photographs will give you a good idea of what The Great Depression was, but we’ll talk about it, too.”
At this point, my brain is charging ahead with plans for today and tomorrow, and beyond.
THINKING: “I’ll make breakfast a little hardier than I initially planned, so I can just give them bread & water for lunch. Seriously, hunger was real during The Depression. Maybe we’ll follow a bare-bones-potato-soup recipe for dinner and eat by the light of an oil lamp.”
I know my older ones read The Great Depression, America 1929-1941, by Robert S. McElvaine, but the mids haven’t, yet.
THINKING: “I’ll pull that out and we can read excerpts from it, to everyone, but they can work on reading the whole thing, themselves, over the next week. They’ll definitely need to start a vocabulary/spelling list. I have some Penmanship/Copywork pages I can add for the younger ones and an essay assignment for the oldest.”
DANCING INSIDE MY HEAD: I can download an instant e-Book from Zeezok Publishing! One of their Z-Guides to the Movies for the Depression era. I’m pretty sure they have one for Kit Kittredge, and since we already own the movie we could actually work on it this week. They love that movie, but with the Z-Guide they’ll see it in a whole new light.”
Books, movies, the internet. The library, Netflix, museums. I use them all. Anything and everything that I can get my hands on and afford, that will stimulate my children’s desire to learn and successfully educate them.
Zeezok Publishing has been providing materials for the homeschooling community since 1993. They’ve published government and history texts, and sixteen classic biographies on the great composers. In 2010 they introduced us to Z-Guides to the Movies.
Each Z-Guide is developed for a specific movie. We’ve found many of the movies at our local library; most are available for rent on Netflix, Zeezok sells a few and some you may already own. There are more than 30 Z-Guides available, now, and another 25 are due to be released in the spring.
$12.99 gives you access to an instant e-Book download, of your choice, or you can have a CD shipped. Many topics and time-periods are covered -
16th, 17th, 18th & 19th Century Europe
American and French Revolution
The Roaring Twenties and The Great Depression
World Wars 1 & 2 and Post-WW2
and the Vietnam War
You’ll get a topic, time-period overview; a movie synopsis, giving you an understanding of the relationship between characters, events and situations. A list of review questions to be discussed and answered as the movie is being watched, and additional activities prompting research and writing. My favorite section of every Z-Guide is the Filmaker’s Art and Dramatic License Activity. I do not have the ready knowledge that I find in this section. Even as my children are learning, so am I.
“The Filmmaker’s Art activity helps the student recognize the tools being used to influence the viewer.” Without the Z-Guide, I don’t always discern these as clearly. “The various guides discuss how filming techniques, music, lighting, humor, character development, irony, foreshadowing, and even character names are used by the director and producer to influence the viewer to get their agenda across.” Z-Guides to the Movies has changed the way we see a movie and that’s their goal. They “want the student to be able to discern not only the agenda of the movie, but also how they are being influenced by it. The goal is that when the student goes to the theatre and watches a movie, he walks out not thinking it was an entertaining movie, but understanding the bigger message behind each film.”
My children are enhancing their critical thinking skills. Besides movies, they now look at reading material differently, and also examine the influence and impact they may have on others with what they personally write or visually and musically produce.
I think Z-Guides are impressively thorough. In 2011, I used one with The Hiding Place. Click the link to read my review.
Recently, we did, indeed, use the Z-Guide for Kit Kittredge. Written for elementary and middle school, it was easily adaptable to include our K5 through high school and adult.
Topics and Activities covered ~
The Great Depression
Journalism
Prejudice
Family Unity
and Hobo Life
It was a perfect wrap to an interesting study!
The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew has had the opportunity to review several different Z-Guides. Click on the banner below to read what my crew mates thought of each one.
Comments or Questions?
Contact Zeezok Publishing
email -
info@zeezok.com
write -
P.O. Box 1960
Elyria, OH 44036
call -
800.749.1681
or
440.782.1193
and
The next time you study, tie everything together with a Z-Guide and a family movie night!
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
I am not affiliated with Netflix and I receive no compensation for references.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks for your comments. PK
For Girls Only!
Posted by: | CommentsFinding one’s place in a big family can sometimes be difficult. Having something that belongs just to you or that didn’t belong to a sibling before you doesn’t happen often, but sometimes it’s nice. It’s a little affirmation that you are one-of-a-kind and not just part of the group. I look for ways to let my children know that I see them as individuals.
Our youngest daughter is the youngest of 11. She loves her position, but we’ve made it a point to let her know that she wasn’t an afterthought. She was/is wanted and she is an important part of our family. It would be easy for everything she owns – clothes, toys, books & games – to be a hand-me-down, much is, but not all. Truly, she probably wouldn’t even mind, but I would; so, when I recently had the opportunity to review an ad-free learning website, for girls only, I was just a wee-bit excited about the possibilities! I wasn’t disappointed.
Always Icecream is geared for girls, ages 7-12, and it looks like it was created just for them. It’s pink and fun, and frufru and fun, and cute & sweet and fun! Much to my youngest son’s dismay, the website for boys only hasn’t been completed, yet, but I hear it is in the works. If I’d allow it, he’d learn & play right alongside his sister, but since I haven’t, he can not wait for his site! Why have a site, for girls only? My guys and girls get along very well together. My guys are a little more sensitive, considerate and compassionate and my girls are comfortable catching bugs and fishing, because of their interaction with each other, but it’s not that way in every home or classroom.
- “Online games for girls are games that have been specifically designed to meet the interests and curiosity of girls. This gender-focus makes it possible that “girls can be girls” without the fear of being bothered by boys who tend to make fun of everything that girls consider “cute.”
- “Within the target age group of 7-12 years, children’s preferences and ways in which they can be motivated tend to be influenced by gender. Collaborative play (girls) versus competitive play (boys) and girls tend to be attracted by virtual goods that are “decorative”, such as clothes, versus “useful”, such as machines or armor.”
“Notwithstanding the differences in brain development and socialization, Always Icecream is adamantly opposed to stereotypes such as “girls are not interested in science or math.” The site challenges its young members to engage in learning activities across a broad spectrum of subjects:
Language Arts
Math (basic and advanced)
Science
Computer Skills
Geography
History
Foreign Languages
Music & Arts
and Religious Education
I asked my daughter for her opinion of Always Icecream. She said, and I quote:
“I love it! You get to make your own house and you get your own pet. It’s fun! The learning is still fun, too. I am learning, you know. There are so many activities, I can’t even tell you! I’m practicing typing and I’m learning my states. Want me to show you? I’m getting higher and higher in my math and I got all of the Bible questions right, last time, because we had just learned about two of them in Children’s Church! The pet world thingy-place is my favorite! The pets can play games and do stuff. You can buy them accessories, (yes, that’s her word. We are big Fancy Nancy fans, but I’ll save that for another time) like a necklace or a bow. You use your $coops to buy stuff. ($coops is the earned currency in the Always Icecream world.) You buy them food and feed them, like carrots for the rabbit, not bacon or dog bones, of course. You give them cuddles and love and their hearts go up! I already said it, I just love it!“
School time. Learning time.
Play time. Reward time.
Parental participation, behind the scenes, is encouraged. Parents sign-up to receive a progress report, once a week, and may choose a number of $coops to be rewarded for special in-real-life projects, chores or accomplishments. My kids are on a rotation to clean the cat’s litter box. Our youngest was rewarded $coops for doing it without having to be reminded. Granted, she would like to go to Dairy Queen in the future for real-world ice cream in exchange for a real-world chore, but since she usually only gets a “thank you” she thought getting $coops was actually “pretty cool.”
The girls earn $coops currency for completing their learning tasks, challenges, games & videos. They create a mini-me avatar and can switch her clothes, buy rooms for the house and purchase furniture, pets and more. My girl loved this!
There is also a social feature available, set up by the parent, that enables or not, the girls to “make friends” and communicate with one another safely through Always Icecream. Although we didn’t choose to activate this feature, I do appreciate the excellent safety measures that are in place for the girls. Click the graphic below for more information.
* $4.99 per month * $29.99 per year * $99.99 for a lifetime membership *Take a quick tour of the site and try out FREE GAMES before you buy. “Satisfaction guaranteed: Your daughter will have fun and learn relevant skills – or you get your money back!”
You’ll want to read more reviews by my crew mates and their girls. Click the TOS banner below to get the full $coop!
Contact:
email – feedback@always-icecream.com
or visit
Blessings to you and your girls,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Hooked on Latin!
Posted by: | CommentsMy husband’s parents were devout Catholic’s. He grew up attending Mass each week, even while on camping vacations in another state and was sent to cracked-across-the-knuckles parochial school until high school. To hear him tell about it, attending church was like going to the same boring, stage play every single week and not being able to understand a word they were saying. He was an altar boy and can actually quote a few Latin phrases; yet, he has no idea how they translate. He’s sure he heard enough Latin to last a lifetime!
I had no such education. I went to a very small country school while growing up and the only foreign language credit offered for high school college prep was Latin. I took the required two years and actually loved it! I learned very little, though. Looking back, I know our Latin teacher was a dear person and, I think she enjoyed her knowledge of the language, but she didn’t teach it well. That was more than 30 years ago.
I home educate my children, but I do not profess to teach every subject well. Often, I supply curriculum, teachers and resources. I also have a significant role as the enforcer and the encourager. =) I love it when I find just the right combination that works for my child. *Drum roll, please…
Thanks to The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew, I have discovered Visual Latin. You might wonder why I would even look at a Latin program for my children. Why learn Latin? My main reason:
fundamental Latin = foundational English
I also happen to know that if you are able to learn Latin, the leap to learning many other languages is not nearly as far. Latin is a solid core.
Visual Latin was started by two dads whose wives homeschool their children.
Having now met Dwane Thomas, through this video series, I can tell you that he is an outstanding teacher of Latin and an instigator of laughter!
Thomas Purifoy, Jr. is a producer, writer, director and editor for his company, Compass Cinema, and the curriculum creator of Visual Latin, and Modern Parables, among others.
Visual Latin is a self-paced study, generally for students ages 9 and up, with a good grip on reading. It is comprised of 30 lessons. Entire DVD set is $80.00 or (3) groups of 10 @ $30.00 each or download lesson groups of 10 for $25.00 each. Stay with me and keep reading, because even with my crew and our budget, it is worth it! Mr. Thomas is just that good!
Visual Latin | A Quick Explanation from Compass Cinema on Vimeo.
Dwane Thomas has an infectious love for learning language! His “Hear it! See it! Speak it! design” and his quick wit, blending the natural method with the traditional method of learning Latin, is key. Each lesson consists of three parts: grammar, sentence structure and reading, with each part divided into a short, less than 10 minutes, video viewing and a printable, PDF worksheet. Click the graphic below for a sample of the entire first lesson, on verbs.
Latin phrases, passages are read from the Latin Vulgate Bible.
We are hooked on Latin! Even when the busyness of every day sidetracks me sometimes, inevitably someone says, “Can we do our Laughing Latin?” Feel free to check in with me over the next few months, to see if we are still on course, but I fully expect us (yes, me, too) to know a bit of Latin by then. Discover Visual Latin for yourself.
Try 6 FREE lessons! and find numerous FREE resources available on the website:
Visual Latin Vocabulary Reference Sheets
Visual Latin Flashcards on Quizlet
I’ve provided many direct links, throughout this post, to other reviews and comments, as well as more in depth explanations and details of this notable program. You can also read additional reviews by my sea-worthy crew mates, just click the TOS banner below.
Comments or Questions?
The Compass Store
609 West Iris Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
or facebook
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
I appreciate each of your comments. Thank you.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
A Hope of Publication
Posted by: | CommentsIn our home it wouldn’t be difficult to find a writer or composer, a photographer or three, or a designer, an engineer, an architect or a young inventor. I could show you stories and poetry, music and lyrics, photographs, sketches, drawings and paintings, structures and gadgets built out of Legos, or Lincoln Logs, tin cans and wooden pallets. Presently, there are few copy righted, less recorded and none published. It’s difficult enough for adults to break into their field, but often it is even harder for a teenager to find a respectable outlet for their work.
We’ve made a recent discovery, though, and it’s one that gives us hope. Aletheia Writing Magazine is a Christian magazine for teens, by youth, ages 13-19 years old. Pronounced Ah-Lay-thei-uh, it is the Greek word for “truth” or “unveiling.”
Click graphic to read FAQs
A one year subscription, published quarterly, costs just $26 when delivered to an address in the United States. That’s four issues, 40 color pages, including shipping and handling. My children found it interesting that many of the writers and artists, contributing to the magazine, have been homeschooled. They were also pleased that they did not find this publication full of cookie-cutter stories and articles. Yes, faith and hope are evident throughout, and the publishers state that they “will not accept work that contains profanity, tasteless violence, or inappropriate sexual content,” but you can see the individual author in his writing or art.
You’ll find – stories, poetry, articles, reviews, photographs and contests. Every issue features: a Writer’s Challenge, the Featured Contributor, a book review, Glory to God for the beauty of nature, Ancient Ink, and an interview. Aletheia Writing Magazine has made their entire Spring 2011 issue available for you to preview, for free. It is full of energy, creativity and a bold freedom of expression.
Content page from the current issue – Fall 2011
Comments or Questions?
writealetheia@gmail.com
or
Aletheia Writing Magazine
P.O. Box 1602
Lansdale, PA 19446
facebook
You can also read other reviews of Aletheia on The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Blog.
Although, we hope that a submission will be accepted for publication in Aletheia Writing Magazine, the opinions expressed in this review are my own, and were not coerced in any way.
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.
Blessings,
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
FREE! Today Only!
Posted by: | Comments
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is giving away a wonderful ebook, crock-pot cookbook, today only!
Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Suppers includes 140 quick and easy recipes! It’s normally $7.95 and even then it’s a bargain, but today, it’s FREE! Just enter code FBCPMOLLY at check out and you won’t pay a dime.
Click this graphic to view a 16 page Sample, pdf.
Stay up-to-date on all things happening at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Store, by following (like) their facebook page. Exciting events planned as they celebrate their 10th anniversary!
facebook
Blessings,
Niether, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, nor any affiliate, asked me to write this post. I wrote it for YOU, because it’s a great deal and I think you should hurry and take advantage of it! PK
Time for Learning!
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“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3
Time to wake up!
image credit – Alice Lucchin
Time to sleep!
image credit – ToniVC
Time to prepare a meal and time to eat. Time for Bible Study and a bubble bath. Time for a picnic. Time to visit the library. Time for date night, family game night, movie & popcorn. Time to do the dishes, mop the floor and walk the dog. Time to sort, wash, dry, fold and put away mountains of laundry! Time to multi-task and make the most of every moment. Time to be all I can be!
image credit – fdecomite
Time for teaching and Time for Learning.
Time4Learning is an online learning program. It’s web-based, which means there is no software to download, no CD’s to buy, and access is always available (from any PC with an internet connection.) Therefore, it is most convenient. Designed for grades Pre-K through 8th, as a complete curriculum or supplemental. Using animation, interactive activities and printable worksheets, Time4Learning builds a foundation in language arts, math, science (1st – 6th grade) and history (2nd – 7th grade.)
This is a comprehensive curriculum. Additional features include:
- 1,000+ multimedia lessons
- State standards-based
- Independent grade level settings for each subject
- Access to the grade above and below
- Time-stamping feature on lessons (for attendance)
- Online playground which rewards and motivates
- Automated grading and reporting for portfolio use
- …and much more!
Lessons are individually paced with the student’s ability, whether gifted, special needs, homeschool, test prep, summer bridge or remedial. Three grade levels, for each subject, are available at once, enabling the parent to customize the program according to the child’s needs. Unit assessments/progress reports are sent to a parent account and parents can personally change a child’s grade level, as they see fit.
My children are excited about using this program! The graphics are engaging and the content, while uncompromisingly educational, is entertaining! We do monitor the time spent on the playground games, and we have skipped over lesson content that we have found counter to our home teaching: lessons and activities that speak of gods, goddesses, idols, Halloween, mythical beings and aliens, wizards and witches, and more, according to the relevance to the lesson. “To each his own,” but if one has an awareness of what is being presented, one can make informed personal choices.
I found this simple to set up and I’ve appreciated the extras available to parents/teachers on the Time4Learning website:
- Parent’s Forum – support and discussion
- Lesson Plan’s – for download & print
- Hints & Help – to make the most of the program
- FAQ’s – questions and answers
A month of access to this program will cost you $19.95 for the first child you enroll and $14.95 for each additional child. *So much less expensive than paying for tutoring, but presently too expensive for our budget. I hope to see multiple-children-family-pricing in the future, to make this excellent program affordable to more homeschooling families.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Still not sure if this is right for your family? Try a FREE, interactive lesson demo. Want 30 days FREE? Apply to review the Time 4 Learning program.
Questions or Comments:
Call – 954-771-0914
or
Email – support@Time4Learning.com
Time4Learning.com, facebook page
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Click graphic to find more Homeschool Crew Reviews.
*Contents and photographs of this blog are copyrighted; unless otherwise indicated, they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Thank you for your comments! I appreciate each one of them. PK
Let the Games Begin!
Posted by: | Comments
According to their website, Griddly Games is committed to “bringing innovative and engaging games to people ‘across the grid.” They’ve consistently gained recognition for their ingenuity and creativity in designing games that are fun and educational. Many of their games have won the Teacher’s Choice Award for the Classroom and the Dr. Toy Winner award, among others.
We like board games at our house. I buy them new and second-hand. Some have been given to us as gifts and some as hand-me-downs from children or families that out grew them. We’ve even been known to create a few of our own over the years. I have boxes with the games intact and then I have boxes or bags of pieces, to replace pieces that inevitably get lost. The family that plays together gets to know one another better! Chess, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Sorry, games of memory and concentration, Wits & Wagers, card games like War, Go! Fish and Golf, Yahtzee!, Boggle, Chutes and Ladders and Pictionary come to mind with ease. Several have been played by all eleven of our children, at one time or another, while others are special editions or upgrades. Griddly Games are new to our house, but Wise Alec has become a fast favorite.
Wise Alec is an educational trivia game “covering topics in History, Science and Spelling.” Nature Nuts is a stand alone, nature trivia, travel game, and a Wise Alec expansion set.
The box has a magnetic lip on the lid that is excellent! This is a no game board = play anywhere kind of game. Slips into the beach bag. Travels well to doctor’s and dentist’s offices. Rides well on long car trips and suffers no ill effects when played sitting Indian-style on the bed.
Designed for 2 – 6 players, ages 8 and up. In my opinion, it easily accommodates more players because in it’s simplest game the die is rolled, questions are asked & answered and points are tallied. Plenty of questions for everyone! Each card, Animal, Plant, and Earth has two levels of questions, novice and expert. (The cards are a little thin and gloss-coated on the graphic side only; so, not quite as durable as I like.) The Wise Alec cards pose challenges that may cost the player points or add bonus points.
- Brain Teaser ~ Name 3 mammals + 3 points
- Action! ~ Make your best fish face + 3 points
- Yoga Time! ~ Do the tree pose. Hold your arms above your head with palms pressed together. Lift one leg off the ground so that your foot rests by your other knee. Hold for 30 seconds. + 7 points
- Tongue Twister ~ Real rock wall. Repeat 5 times. + 5 points
- Yes! ~ You do your 3 r’s: you recycle, reuse and reduce! + 2 points
- Study Break! ~ Hop from side to side 15 times. +3 points
- Oops! ~ You put old cheese into the composting bin! - 2 points (We threw out one Oops! card ~ Your horse passed gas! – 2 points - It seemed like unnecessary coarse jesting and we didn’t want to encourage it.)
- plus, Double Chance!, Roll Again!, and Still My Turn! cards.
We’ve learned something new every time we’ve played this game! You’ll find the Wise Alec Family Trivia Game, Wise Alec: Nature Nuts, retailing for $14.99, Wise Alec: Civilize This and Wise Alec: Sports Buffs, along with other Griddly Games, at your local toy/game stores and at various online retailers. Discover the fun at Amazon.com!
This graphic is from Kidz Zone. A place for kids to play interactive online games and print coloring sheets! A Griddly FREEBIE!
~
Contact:
Griddly Games, Inc.
633 – 5960 No. 6 Road
Richmond, BC V6V 1Z1
~
604.249.5020
and
This little cutie is the profile pic for Griddly Games facebook page.
Stop by and tell them Knee Deep In Grace sent you!
~
The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew, my mates, have points of view to share with you.
Check ‘em out and let the games begin!
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
*Contents and photographs of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Thank you for your time and your comments. I appreciate you! PK
Hog Wild!
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Several years ago, my nearly-city-born husband worked on a pig farm. What an experience! The smell permeated everything – your hair, your skin, clothing, the dog and the car. But, being the positive force that he is, each time we pulled into the driveway he would say, “Ah, smells like money!” Nothing else needed said, because we were quickly reminded that this was how our bills were being paid and groceries were bought. I can say that we learned a lot about pigs and I’m extremely thankful that it was just for a season.
Pig Pen – an enclosure where pigs are kept.
Pig-headed – stubborn or obstinate.
Piglet – a young pig. Little pink friend of “Winnie-the-Pooh.”
image by Disney
Pig Lard – the rendered fat from a pig.
Pig Latin – a version of language formed from English by transferring the initial consonant of each word to the end of the word and adding a vocalic syllable, usually /a/; so, Penny becomes ennyPay.
~ And our newest favorite ~
Pig Pile – “The Hog Wild Card Game” by R & R Games
This card game is designed for children ages 7 and up, but it was fun for the whole family. The game box is thick and sturdy, the cards are high-gloss and my youngest daughter says, “The 40 plastic pigs are fun all by themselves! Especially if we build Lego pens and fences.” Created for 3 – 6 players, but adaptable to more, by adding another set of number cards and a Hog Wild card for each player after the sixth. It takes a few rounds of play to accumulate the most pigs and win the game! Along the way, the young players are reinforcing their number value; less than/greater than.
Pig Pile retails for $15.95 and is one of many great games by R & R Games. You’ll want to check out:
Pants on Fire, where “Stretchin’ the Truth can be Hot Stuff!” for ages 13 and up.
And, new this year, Ticked Off. “The game that gives you the opportunity to crush (and impress) your friends with your vast knowledge. Beat the clock and beat your friends!”
Card Games
Family Games
Party Games
Kids Games
Strategy Games
and more.
You can find other reviews on Pig Pile
and
Flea Circus, a crazy game of cats & dogs, for ages 6 and up,
when you visit The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew Blog. R & R Games is offering a 20% discount to anyone purchasing Pig Pile or Flea Circus after reading a TOS Crew review. Use coupon code CREW20 at checkout, now through December 31, 2011.
Find family fun and entertainment at www.rnrgames.com
Send comments, questions or ideas to: Info@RnRGames.com
Write to -
R & R Games, Inc.
P.O. Box 130195
Tampa, FL 33681
or Call -
1-888-8-Riddle
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Blessings,
*Contents and photographs of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Thank you, much.
Blue Diamond and Hope
Posted by: | CommentsMy older children grew up going on adventures with Ms. Valerie Frizzle and The Magic School Bus and they are sure she would think that Professor Ana Lyze (Expert in Outlandish Oddities) is a long lost cousin, or in the least, a forever friend with a kindred spirit. They both delight in exploring, learning and teaching children, but there is a significant difference in the heart of Professor Ana Lyze. Here’s an excerpt from a letter of introduction, from the professor:
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Professor Ana Lyze… My research team and I specialize in the obscure, the abnormal, and bizarre.
Outlandish insects, rare diseases, unique gems, and more. There are things in God’s creation that you’ve never seen before!
…read, learn and research The Curiosity Files.
(signed)
Professor Ana Lyze
She acknowledges God and gives Him the glory!
We first “met” Professor Ana Lyze, when we were given The Curiosity Files: Blue Diamond, to read and review. This is an 88 page eBook, from The Old Schoolhouse (R) Magazine.
click the cover to view sample pages
Because of the professor, my children found it appealing from the first page. It is presented in an easy-conversation style. The Curiosity Files are ideal for ages 8 – 13, but there are enough internet resources, video links and options for older learners included, that it wasn’t difficult to stretch the age below or beyond and still keep everyone interested.
Currently, there are 9 curious unit studies available from TOS -
- Blue Diamond
- Blue-footed Booby
- Cicada Killing Wasp
- Dung Beetle
- MRSA
- Puffer Fish
- Quicksand
- Red Tides
- Zombie Fire Ants
But, there are others in development, already. If you have an oddity you’d like Professor Ana Lyze to sort out for you, she’s a contributor to The Curiosity Files facebook page, and I know she’d like to hear from you.
Blue Diamond is a thorough study of… you guessed it, diamonds. Especially, those rare diamonds that are formed when boron mixes with the carbon, the blue diamond. “It is estimated that for every 10,000 clear diamonds, the earth produces one colored one.” One of the most famous blue diamonds, The Hope Diamond, is highlighted in history. Bible scripture is referenced and adroitly woven throughout the unit. The subjects tie into one another, seamlessly.
Diamond –> Blue Diamond –> the Hope Diamond –> our greatest Hope/Jesus Christ
photo courtesy Smithsonian Institution
There are puzzles, maps, quizzes, worksheets, games; crafts and experiments – with Notebook and Lapbook instruction, covering writing, math, vocabulary and spelling, history, geology and Bible study.
More than 20 websites are listed for more fact finding. My older children researched the conflict/war diamonds of Sierra Leone and Angola.
Blue Diamond was especially interesting to us, because my children’s grandfather was a gemstone cutter for 5 years and then a diamond tool cutter for another 30 years. “Diamonds are extremely hard and focus light well, therefore everyone from computer manufacturers to military contractors are interested in them.” This gave my children the why to go with the what they knew their grandfather had done. We have a couple of old, uncut and unpolished diamonds and one, small round cut, set in a shank, that we studied under a magnifying glass.
Between the academics, reinforcement activities and the discussions on Biblical grace and hope; our family heritage and work ethics, and the true cost of blood diamonds, this was an exceptional unit study.
All eBooks published by The Old Schoolhouse (R) Magazine have a 7-day money back guarantee. The Curiosity Files are available in 9-pack CD-Rom ($49.) and 9-pack instant download ($46.); they are also sold separately. Check TOS store for individual pricing though, because every time I turn around they’re having a sale or promotion on something and the prices are cut. Sweet deals!
Go to The Homeschool Crew Blog to read reviews of the other Curiosity Files.
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Virtual Nerd
Posted by: | CommentsAs many of you know, we have homeschooled our children for years. Teaching higher math has always been a challenge. Usually, it’s the only subject I want to ship them out for or at least hire someone to come in and tutor them. If I thoroughly understand something, I tend to be able to break it down and teach it. Notice that “thoroughly understand” and “higher math” are not in the same sentence. The cavalry has arrived though and this challenge can now be conquered at www.virtualnerd.com.
Virtual Nerd is an interactive video tutorial with over a thousand videos. Presently covering Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Intro Physics. Searching by keyword, topic or textbook, questions are asked and answered. Students learn at their own pace, gaining a clear understanding of science and math concepts as they study. A private tutor, available on your schedule, for a fraction of the cost.
Use the 2 hours FREE to see if this program works for you and read more reviews on the Homeschool Crew blog
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Will this be your new conquering hero? Let me know.
What other challenges do you face and who do you call when you need the cavalry?
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
