Accidentally Homeschooling...and beyond

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Homeschool Confession Time:


I am not always organized in the area of science. In fact, one of my children spent a month waiting for me to buy the ingredients for his science experiment. Because we do not belong to a co-op, science experiments have always fallen on me, so they don't always happen in a timely manner. Today's product is fantastic to ease the mother guilt of skipping the experiments. In the early years, a membership to the Boston Museum of Science, blocked out those guilty pangs. Now, I have the ability to expose my kids to 23 great experiments with a rocket scientist from NASA. 


As a member of the TOS Homeschool crew, this year I am reviewing many homeschooling products that I have received for free. I am not paid to say nice things about the products, but I am obligated to use the products with my boys and share my honest opinions with you. I had the pleasure of Sharing Amazing Science with Little Guy and his friends.



What did we like about it?

1. Jason Gibson presents the experiment in a simple clear manner. There is nothing distracting, each experiment is in the same place with the same format.
2. He performs the experiment and then slowly reviews it while giving the scientific explanation for the reactions in basic terms. The material was above the 4 to 7 year olds, but they hung onto his every word.
3. I love his accent and gentle voice, I could listen all day to his lessons.
4. Little Guy could not get enough of this. He was thrilled when he realized there were two DVD's.
5. When we watched it with his friends, he kept saying "Watch this, it's so cool." I loved hearing his excitement for the science.
6. We can do the experiments if I choose or just watch the movie. I don't feel bad for forgetting the items at the store.
7. The price. For under $20, I can teach chemistry, physics, electricity and magnetism. For $17.99, you can download all of the experiments to your computer. If you are someone who likes having the DVD, it is currently on sale for $19.99 plus shipping.

As always, don't take my word for it, see what other crew members thought of this mom friendly product here.

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As a member of the TOS Homeschool crew, this year I am reviewing many homeschooling products that I have received for free. I am not paid to say nice things about the products, but I am obligated to use the products with my boys and share my honest opinions with you. Little Guy was the fortunate participant this time.

The second book in the What We Believe series, Who Am I? (And What Am I Doing Here?) helps children understand what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of the Most High God. 

How did we use it?

Apologia generously sent us the Student Book, audio mp3, coloring book and a beautiful companion journal. Since Little Guy and I are reading the book together, we're using it as a bible study each night in place of a bedtime story. I pop the mp3 cd in my laptop and he turns the pages. Some nights he colors or draws a picture related to the lesson while listening. Little Guy does not journal his answers, perhaps when he is a little older, but he answers the questions orally. We are currently in chapter 7. We're not following one of the great schedules provided, but going longer or shorter depending on our evening's time crunch.

What did Little Guy think about it?

I know it's a hit because he literally runs up to bed looking forward to the lessons. He has never been one that loves read alouds or story time like my other guys. The content in this book is what grabs him. He is learning about different children all over the world. He is amazed at the diversity. The author creatively ties in the other belief systems and cultures while comparing them to the word of God. Although the questions at the end of each lesson are deep, Little Guy, at 7, can easily grasp them. He really enjoys the variety of examples used in each lesson.


What do I think about it?

This is meat, heavy spiritual food organized and cut up in small bites that are incredibly convicting. I did not come across any doctrines I disagreed with. The principles taught are things we should and could be teaching our children throughout their growing up years. Apologia has skillfully created a curriculum that helps parents to mind the gaps. The discussions that flow after the readings are so beneficial to our children's faith. I feel like I have grown spiritually while using this study.

The Gman has enjoyed this curriculum also. We listened to the mp3 together (I did not tire of hearing it multiple times) and he enjoyed the content, the scripture and the variety in each lesson. Now I want to buy the mp3 at $19 to their previous book Who Is God? that Random reviewed last year. I am looking forward to sharing it with the Gman and Little Guy. Using the mp3 has been a treat on my voice as I often tire in the evenings when reading out loud.
I love the journal, it makes a wonderful keepsake for your children to look back on. They have mini book activities in the back of the book which appeal to those who enjoy lapbooking. I think it is worth the $24, you will want one for each child. The coloring book at $8 is perfect for little ones who are not ready for the journal.

The main text at $39 is a large hardback that reminds me of a coffee table book.  Apologia Ministries web site offers extras for the those who own the book and want to enhance the lessons. They have a comprehensive teacher's guide available for free online which includes some of the activities from the journal to print on your own. These cannot compare to the quality spiral bound journal, but would work wonderfully in a co-op or large family.

I am thankful for this opportunity to try this resource. But don't take my word for it, see what other Crew member thought about this great curriculum here.


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When a child begins to think outside the box, it is a blessing when mother can take time to observe it.

Little Guy has compelled me to slow down. Although, I was cleaning because I wanted to bless my family of company coming, I forced myself to stop and play checkers. Now, I can't help but stop and write his words. I know if I don't, I will forget this moment in our life. No, it is not the great achievements, I will write about. It is the preciousness of discovery and thoughts, deep thoughts. Funny thoughts. Thoughts of a future archaeologist. Thoughts of a child discovering this world through reading and photos. Thoughts of the child who once announced, I hate books.

I am so grateful to come downstairs in the morning to find him on the recliner with a book in his hand.

I praise God as his eyes light up while he retells 'My Father's Dragon'.

He anxiously awaits the opening of the library on Monday, I give thanks for that.

On Thursday, when my week had gone on too long, I let everyone know. "I keep thinking this is Friday." Little guy who appeared to be engrossed in a video game looked up and gave me some sage advice. "Go to sleep now, wake up at midnight and for the next 24 hours you will be right."

I was tempted to do just that.


I laughed a deep belly laugh when he announced he was King Kong after getting his pajamas on.

I told him I was Fay Wray. When he learned who she was, he belly laughed and still wanted to be King Kong.


The daily questions continue...

I always stop to answer questions. The day will arrive when they don't ask as many.

I soak them in.

"Which one would win ankylosaurus or a komodo dragon?" Oh, you have stumped me. I need more information, son. Of course, I have never really thought about that. Besides, I have never seen and ankylosaurus operate. "Can you give me some more information?"

"The komodo dragon has a secret weapon, a poison, that can kill in 30 minutes."

"The ankylosaurus has an armored body and has a club tail. It is even safe from a tyrannosaurus rex."

I guess the ankylosauruas. "Wrong!" he says. "It would be a tie."

You can learn much from little ones.

I may not have my lizard and dinosaur facts strait, but I am fascinated by my little instructor.

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 As a member of the TOS Homeschool crew, this year I am reviewing many homeschooling products that I have received for free. I am not paid to say nice things about the products, but I am obligated to use the product and share my honest opinions with you. In today's review, Little Guy, my nieces, my nephew and I were the product testers...

What is it?


Pig Pile is a fast moving card game that requires 3 to 6 players. The recommended age range is 7 and up. Little Guy had no problem mastering this game.The first time the kids played while I supervised. It was a challenge for them to catch on, but once they did, they were hooked. They loved winning the little rubber pigs at the end of each round. This game is highly competitive, in order to win each round, the players must be planning ahead. Even with great planning, the new card that is drawn can change all of your planning.


SSSHHH Don't tell the kids.


A little math, probability and logic mixed with a little luck and your child is secretly growing their mind. Plus, there is potential for character growth. My family had to forgive, offer help and work on their sportsmanship for this fast moving game. This game is definitely educational in my book. Just learning the rules took a little patience and skill, but was well worth it. 


The Party


My nieces were so hooked on playing, they planned a little pig party two days in a row. The morning of the first party, Joannie showed up with pigs in the blanket for all of the players.  They were quickly able to bring me up to speed with the rules and we had a fantastic time. One thing about this game, is it can be rather long. Amazingly, Little Guy had no problem sticking with it for two whole games. 




I was one of many crew members who tried Pig Pile. Some members reviewed another game by R and R Games called Flea Circus. You can read their reviews here.

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Wordy Qwerty Online Edition by Talking Fingers This product is suited for students in grades 2 through 4. Little Guy is actually is only in first grade, but he was able to challenge himself with it. Even though at times the lessons were over his head, with a little help, he was able to succeed and pass to the next level. I could see his moments of frustration turn into light bulb moments.  I liked the way they repeated the rules, used songs and games to reinforce the spelling rules. Little Guy is just not one for the jingles. He wanted to skip over them. The jingles lined up nicely with his phonics program. This will make a great supplement for those who want to add computer games to their phonics lessons. The 20 lessons, with 6 different activities appeal to many different learning styles. While I considered Word Querty a little advanced for my six year old, I believe it will be an excellent fit for next year.

As a member of the TOS Homeschool crew, this year I am reviewing many homeschooling products that I have received for free. I am not paid to say nice things about the products, but I am obligated to use the product and share my honest opinions with you. In today's review, Little Guy was our product tester...


Because I am the mother to only boys, when I received this book with a little girl and a lamb on the cover, I wasn't sure what I would encounter. Andi's Fair Surprise by Susan K. Marlow reminded me of my past experience with Laura Ingalls Wilder books. This gave me hope that Little Guy would enjoy this 'girl' book. 


What is it?


Andi's Fair Surprise is a short chapter book about a little girl who lives on a cattle farm with her family in 1874. She has an adventure traveling on a train with her family to the California State Fair. This Christian fiction story is told from a six-year old's point of view. It is a 74 page paperback that is part of the Circle C Series. I recommend it for new readers between 6 and 8.  


How did we use it?


We chose to enjoy it as a read aloud and discuss it each night before bed.  When Little Guy wanted a second chapter, we took turns reading each page. I felt the author had great insights into the behavior and feelings of a six year old. Little Guy and I enjoyed some giggles as we shared the book. There was even foreshadowing, I took the opportunity to ask Little Guy to predict the next chapters. This book was similar in setting to The Little House Series, but intended for younger readers. Online, there are great activity pages to complement it, the math problems were our favorites. They even have Lapbook resources available for the first 4 books. A unit study mom could really fly with these books.


The things I loved about this book:





These adorable books usually retail for $4.99 each, but can be purchased for $3.49 each through August 31, 2011 with the coupon code HOME11 at the Kregel Publishing web site.. There are book excerpts and supplemental materials available on the site as well.


Things I didn't like about this book.


We only had a chance to review one!

Don't take my word for it, see what other crew members thought of Circle C books here.

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