Wednesday, November 28, 2012

And the Tropical Traditions Winner Is...

Comment #59: Jesse M said...I follow TT on twitter

I used Random.org to pick the winner and I have already notified her via email.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway via Our Homeschool Reviews and thanks again to Tropical Traditions for allowing me to offer this great product! 

Wordless Wednesday: Star Wars

Someone was going through their stash...and it wasn't the 9-year old.  And this is just one bin...



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Share Your Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals


What was the best deal you were able to snatch up this weekend?  

I found a great coupon code and was able to make our Christmas cards online yesterday.  I picked up a couple other things here and there, but to be honest, nothing really spectacular.

This is really the first Christmas since Funny Bunny has been born that we are not buying a ton of toys.  She is 9 1/2 so she's a little harder to buy for.

This is also the first Christmas where we don't need/want any electronics.  Unless of course, there is a surprise Vita Mix under the tree...but I don't see that happening.  ;)

Sooooo...we saved a ton of money by not buying a ton of stuff!!!

How about you?  What deals did you score??

Monday, November 26, 2012

Dial Complete Foaming Hand Wash

Dial Complete Foaming Hand Wash is all dressed up in limited edition holiday designs.  Get in the festive spirit and decorate your home for the season!

The Holiday collection features four cheerful designs: Santa, Snowman, Candy Cane, and Holiday Scene.  Each design will help brighten up your sink with a bit of holiday cheer, both in your kitchen and the bathroom.

These decorative bottles contain Dial Complete's #1 doctor recommended antibacterial foaming hand wash.  This formula kills 99.99% of germs encountered in the household setting while still being gentle on skin.

We received both the Santa and Holiday Scene and have them in our bathrooms.



Funny Bunny especially likes the foam!


Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Dial or on Facebook.

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

TRISMS History's Masterminds

Do you have a middle school aged student?  Are you looking for a curriculum that covers multiple subjects that they can work on independently?  If so, listen up!

TRISMS History's Masterminds is an award-winning middle school curriculum that covers World History, Language Arts, Geography, Literature, IEW, and more, from 3500 BC to Present.

Why is this curriculum unique?  TRISMS uses a format of integrated study where all subjects focus on a point in time.  It focuses on the people involved in important historical events and discoveries rather than just focusing on events or dates. 

Here is what is included:

Teacher's Manual and Answer Key - includes the orientation, research guide, literature helps, reading list, research timelines, lesson plans, science assignments, worksheets, quizzes, and tests.

Student Assignment Book - includes the research guide, literature helps, research timelines, lesson plans, science assignments, language assignments, poetry selections, and IEW assignments.

Student Pack/Test Packet - includes all research questionnaires, worksheets, maps, quizzes, and tests.

Here is how it works:

The lessons are presented on a two-page spread.  Below you can see a Lesson Plan Explanation Page.  It seems a little confusing at first, and to be honest, it was.  I spent quite a bit of time studying this explanation page and using it to understand the lesson plans in the book.  For further help, their website offers a Lesson Walk-Through.


The key portion of both the student book and teacher's manual, in my opinion, is the Research Guide.  The student will be doing a lot of independent research and the guide is a short lesson to help prepare and develop their research skills.

For instance, the lesson plan may list an invention or explorer and then refer the student to the Questionnaire in their Student Pack.  They would then do the research on their own and answer the questions.  Below are a few sample questionnaires.


The Lesson Plans are organized so the student is working on different things each day of the week.  One day they may be defining words, the next they are researching an explorer, and another day they could be drawing a flag or locating places on a map.

History's Masterminds includes 38 lessons which can be completed in either one or two years.  Many students find it more enjoyable when extending it over a two year period, which allows more time for them to focus on their favorite subjects. 

My Thoughts:  History's Masterminds is a meaty curriculum!  It did take me some time to understand the format of the lessons, but once I did, I could see how this could be a wonderful curriculum.  I love how it teaches the students to become independent self-directed learners!  That may be the aspect of this curriculum that I like the most.  I also find it interesting that the focus is on people rather than events.  Lastly, I like that it incorporates World History with Language Arts, Geography, Literature, and IEW.  

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at TRISMS Curriculum.  History's Masterminds is geared for middle school students (grades 4-8).  History's Masterminds 2012 Edition includes the Teacher's Manual & Answer Key, Student Book, and Student Pack for $235.  Go here for the Scope and Sequence.  If you would like to learn more, you can order a FREE History's Masterminds Demo Book

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Black Friday Deals

There are so many deals happening on Black Friday, I thought I would list a few of my favorites right here.  And while you're browsing, don't forget to enter my giveaway for Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil!


I'm having a Thirty-One Gifts BLACK FRIDAY SALE starting at 12:01am on Friday, Nov 23rd, and running the entire day! 

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Click Here to Checkout Hearts at Home Curriculum's LOW Prices!
You have to check out Hearts at Home Curriculum!  Mike's Inspiration Station Art DVDs are still BOGO, the Picture Smart Bible OT & NT on CD is on sale for 20% off plus FREE shipping, and they STILL have over 6,000 products at 30% off!

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Truth in the Tinsel is offering their printable ornaments FREE {a $3.99 value} with the purchase of Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience For Little Hands!  Getting the ornaments for free is like getting the book at half price!  Note: Do not add the ornaments to your cart.  You will receive a thank you email with the link to the free printable ornaments.

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Tiny Prints is offering $10 off Holiday Cards with no minimum.  Use promo code DOD1123

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FREE Child Training Bible Chart Set with every purchase from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.

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Use code BLACK25 for an additional 25% off everything in The Compass Store Friday through Monday (except live classes, which are already a great deal). Lots of their products are always on sale for 10-30% off, so this goes on top of those standing sales.  I recommend the Visual Latin downloads!

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Kidorable is offering Free Ground Shipping on all orders you place between now and next Wednesday, November 28. (Not valid with other offers).  Use coupon code GRATEFUL55 at checkout to get free shipping on any order, big or small.  

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ABC Distributing LLC
Make sure to catch the Black Friday deals at abcdistributing.com.  You can shop 'til you drop from November 22-26!


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thirty-One Gifts Black Friday Sale!

Just a reminder that I'm having a BLACK FRIDAY SALE starting at 12:01am on Friday, Nov 23rd, and running the entire day!  

All orders have to be emailed to me so I can apply the applicable discount.  See the attached flier for details!!  


Happy Thanksgiving!


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thirty-One Gifts Black Friday Sale!

For those who are still looking for that perfect gift I'm having a BLACK FRIDAY SALE starting at 12:01am on Friday, Nov 23rd, and running the entire day!

All orders have to be emailed to me so I can apply the applicable discount.  See the attached flier for details!!  

And have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! 

A New Online Store: Funny Bunny Designs

Funny Bunny created her own online store about a year ago on Zazzle called Funny Bunny Designs.  She creates her own designs, loads them on to Zazzle merchandise, and makes a small percentage of sales.  She has actually done quite well.  Her most popular items by far are the products with her Drama Llama design.  Aren't they cute?!



Also popular is her Hedgehog design.

Hedgehog Tee

And I especially love her Christmas Tree 

Christmas Tree

Of course I love them all and think it is a great way for her to be creative and to also learn how to earn money.  So if you are still looking for that unique gift, please stop by Funny Bunny Designs and take a look. 


Thirty-One Gifts Black Friday Sale!


If you love Thirty-One Gifts, be on the lookout for my Black Friday Sale starting at 12:01am on Friday, November 23rd!  I'll be posting all the details shortly!


Wordless Wednesday: Happy Thanksgiving!

Back from the groomer and ready for Thanksgiving!


10 seconds later...


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

FREE Card for Everyone!

Greeting Cards at Treat

Treat is offering a FREE Card for everyone TODAY ONLY!  Use promo code TREATDOD.  Deal starts at 8am Pacific Time.


Friday, November 16, 2012

Teaching Kids to Sing Review

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Chris & Carole Beatty, creators and founders of Vocal Coach, have taught and coached thousands of singers, young and old for over 40 years.

Vocal Coach has many wonderful products for adults, but we received one of their DVD sets for children, Teaching Kids to Sing

Teaching Kids to Sing is a 3 Disc DVD/CD set geared for ages 5-13, which includes the following:

* Building Foundations That Last DVD {Posture, Breathing, Tone, Warm Ups, and more}

* Essential Skills For Growing Voices DVD {Rhythm, Diction, Dynamics, Vocal Health and more}

* Accompaniment Tracks CD
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Throughout the Teaching Kids to Sing series, children will learn proper posture and vocal habits as well as the necessary vocal techniques for developing their speaking and singing voices.

I was excited to receive this because Funny Bunny plays the piano and singing lessons are something that we would like her to take in the future, so I thought this would be a good place to start.

The Vocal Coach website has a whole section devoted to Homeschoolers and assists with scheduling the material on the DVDs.  They suggest doing the DVDs in order, one topic at a time, and reinforcing that topic with the Accompaniment Tracks CD.  They have even created an exam and answer key for both DVDs, which are available on their website for free.

My Thoughts:  To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think at first.  The video was made in 1999 and the children's clothing reflects that time period, so that was a little distracting.  It also took me some time to get use to the techniques they were using.  I've never taken singing lessons so I think I was expecting something different.

By the second CD though, I understood why they were teaching these skills.  I think the schedule they recommend of completing one topic at a time and reinforcing that topic with the Accompaniment Tracks CD is a great idea.  We watched both DVDs in order one right after another but it's probably best to follow the schedule.

She enjoyed the DVDs and practiced the techniques right along with the children.  She also enjoyed singing the songs.  The one that stands out to me is "I'm An Upright Child of the King." 

Although this wasn't the best fit for our family, I think many can benefit from it.

Thoughts of a 9-Year Old:  I like Teaching Kids to Sing.  It has great lessons, songs, and warm-ups.  My favorite songs are Loud, Soft, Fast, Slow and I'm A Vocal Athlete.  It had some great warm-ups, too.

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at The Vocal Coach.  The Teaching Kids to Sing DVD/CD Set is $44.99 and is for children ages 5-13. 

My Crewmates are also talking about The Vocal Coach, so you can check out what they think about it HERE.

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Disclaimer:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience For Little Hands

Have you heard of Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience For Little Hands?  I have read great reviews on it for the past couple years and am thinking about getting it this year to work on with Funny Bunny.

From their site:  

Spend December impressing God’s Word on your kids’ heart!  You’ll get 24 days of Scripture reading, ornament crafts, talking points and extension activities.  Plus fun printables and templates!

And now you can get the printable Truth in the Tinsel ornaments! Use these on days you’re too busy to do a big craft, for toddlers, while you’re at Grandma’s or if you just want to save a little money on supplies!

The book comes as an ebook and is only $7.99 and the printable ornaments are only $3.99!

If you have used this book in the past, I would love to hear your thoughts!

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