Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Homeschool Mother's Journal 10-15-13


In our homeschool the past few weeks…   

I am behind on posting a couple weeks since we were out of town so here's my makeup post.  ;)  Funny Bunny completed Units 8 and 9 in Heart of Dakota's Creation to Christ.
 

History Notebook Pages 


History Projects 

Ark of the Covenant traveling through the Jordan River

A Philistine Helmet

Science {Horse Gaits}



Books I am reading aloud to Funny Bunny...


Books Funny Bunny is reading independently...


In our lives last week…    

We took a trip to visit our family in North Carolina.  It was such a fun trip and they were so welcoming!  Can't wait to visit again soon!



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Monday, October 14, 2013

Chess House Review

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Funny Bunny has wanted to learn how to play chess for a while now, so she was excited to receive the Starter Chess Learning Kit from Chess House!!
The kit is really nice and everything fits inside a zip-up case!  The kit includes:

* Elliott's Chess School DVD 1 - Pawn Level
* Solid plastic chess pieces with 3 3/4" regulation size king
* Roll-up chess board
* Chess bag that holds all 32 pieces, roll-up chess board, and DVD 


The chess bag comes in black, green, navy, green camo, and tan camo.  We received tan camo.  Doesn't it go nicely with Funny Bunny's decor?  ;)


Once opened you can see there are compartments for the chess pieces, DVD, and rolled up chess board. 


The board was easy to take out and unroll and laid nicely on the table.

At this point, the DVD was essential!!  The only person in our home who knows how to play chess is hubby, and he is far from an expert.  We found the DVD to be wonderful and easy to follow.  

It features an introduction of the chess board and of each piece, strategies for each piece, and a booklet with practice positions and exercises for every topic on the DVD.  This was really the best part!

Topics include:
  • Intro to Chess (board, names of pieces, values)
  • Pawns
  • Rooks
  • Bishops
  • The Queen
  • The King
  • Knight
  • Castling
  • Pawn shields and when to break it
  • Development
This video series is designed to lay a solid foundation, building the basics of playing a great chess.  If interested, there are three more levels in the Elliot's Chess School Series.  Elliot does a great job of introducing the viewer to the game and explaining in simple terms how to move pieces.


The DVD is not made to watch straight through and then play a game of chess.  After each topic, you open the booklet and play the described exercise.

For example, after learning the pieces and their values, you play a game where you race to see who can set up their pieces on the board first.  Then you play a game where one person calls out a number and each player gathers their pieces in any combination to equal that value.

After mastering one topic, you then move the to next.  I like this concept.  Below is a sample of the video.


Thoughts of a 10-Year Old:  I have been enjoying Chess House.  A couple of years ago we borrowed a chess program from a friend, and ever since I have wanted to play chess.  And I think this really helped me learn how to play, step-by-step, and now I'm a pretty good chess player!  It gives lots of tutorials and it has a few mini games for each piece until you master the game of chess.  There are six levels: Pawns, Rooks, Bishops, Queen, King, and Knight.  I like this product so much and it has helped me to become a better player!   

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Chess House.  The Starter Chess Learning Kit retails for $49.95 but right now is on sale for $39.95.  It is ideal for all ages, and would make a great gift!

My Crewmates are also reviewing Chess House, so you can check out what they think HERE.




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©2010-2013 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Back Home!

We arrived back yesterday from a week in the mountains of GA, NC, and TN.  It was a relaxing and fun week spent with family!!

I obviously neglected my blog while we were away.  Sorry about that...but here's a few pictures from our trip.


 

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Friday, October 4, 2013

YWAM Publishing Review

YWAM Logo photo YWAMLogo_zpse2d5593a.jpg

We were given the opportunity to review a YWAM Publishing ebook, Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose, from the Christian Heroes: Then and Now series.

For those of you who weren't aware {like me}, YWAM, which was founded in 1960, stands for Youth With A Mission.  They are a large interdenominational Christian ministry with 17,000 volunteer staff based in nearly 900 locations in over 140 countries.

I not only received the ebook, Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose, but also received the Unit Study Curriculum Guide to go along with the book.


So Funny Bunny and I snuggled up and I read aloud from my iPad.  We had both heard of Jim Elliot's story but not in any detail.  We were immediately drawn in and could hardly put it down. It was exciting to read about his adventure and his determination.

From their website:

Jim and Pete turned to see the Auca men, their deadly spears raised, running toward Nate, Ed, and Roger. Jim stood in the river, his hand on his pistol. Should he defend himself? He already knew the answer. Each man had promised the others that he would not save himself by killing those they had sought out in Jesus' name.

Jim Elliot and his coworkers surrendered their lives in Ecuador's jungle, trusting that their sacrifice would not be in vain. Decades later, this dramatic event has challenged countless Christians to live with one great purpose: to bring the gospel to those who have never heard. (1927-1956).

This best-selling, missionary biography series - Christian Heroes: Then & Now - chronicles the exciting, challenging, and deeply touching true stories of ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory.


We used the Unit Study Curriculum Guide along the way, which covers many areas including geography, social studies, history, and world missions.


The Unit Study Curriculum Guide includes and lot of great information and ideas...much more than any person could use, which is nice because you can pick and choose what you want!

We mainly focused on the scripture memorization, chapter questions, vocabulary terms, and geography, but there is so much more.  Enough in fact, that I think you could take a whole 9 weeks exploring all the topics.  Wouldn't it be a great idea to study several Christian Heroes through the year and still be able to touch on so many school subjects?! 

Thoughts of a 10-Year Old:  The Jim Elliot book was extremely exciting and full of suspense.  We could hardly stop reading!  The Unit Study was fun to do and it had us look up words in the story that we didn't know the meaning of!  The Jim Elliot study was really fun and it made me want to know about other missionaries! 

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at YWAM Publishing.  Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose is just $6.99 and available in paperback, Nook edition or Kindle edition.   The Unit Study Curriculum Guide is only $7.49.  This book is recommended for ages 10 and up.

My Crewmates are also reviewing YWAM Publishing, so you can check out what they think HERE.




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©2010-2013 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Classroom Friendly Supplies: Best Pencil Sharpener EVER!


Are you like me and buy a new, cheap pencil sharpener just about every year?  It may work some of the time, but for the most part, it just doesn't sharpen well at all.

Our previous electric pencil sharpener only worked when I held it a certain way and if we grabbed it from the wrong end, all the shavings would go everywhere.  What a mess!!

So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the sharpener that all the teachers are talking about at Classroom Friendly Supplies!!


This amazing pencil sharpener was invented by a elementary school teacher, who along with his co-workers, was fed up with the loud and inefficient pencil sharpeners that they had in their classrooms. 

And not only does it sharpen every pencil perfectly every time, it's been named the quietest classroom pencil sharpener! 


So what do we think?  We LOVE IT!!  It is a little different from other pencil sharpeners, so we did have to look online at their helpful user video to learn how to use it. But once we got the hang of it, sharpening pencils became a breeze!

Edited on 3-11-14 -  This pencil sharpener is still going strong and we love it!

Here's a little video we made to show you how easy it is to use.  :)



And look at our pencils!!  Every one sharpened the same way, each time.


Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Classroom Friendly Supplies.  Sharpeners are $24.99 and come in Cool Blue, Fire Engine Red, Groovy Green, Midnight Black, and Precious Pink.  Buy 3 or more for just $17.99 each or 36 for $13.99 each.  Each sharpener comes with free shipping and a 90 day money back guarantee.  Blade replacements are also available.  Go here to view more Photos and How To Videos.




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Wordless Wednesday: A Night Out


A rare picture of hubby at a wedding over the weekend {it was very windy}.



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Monday, September 30, 2013

Homeschool Mother's Journal 9-30-13


In our homeschool this week…   

Funny Bunny completed Unit 7: God's Chosen People Rebel in Heart of Dakota's Creation to Christ.
 

History Notebook Page


History Project {She made a breastplate like the High Priest Aaron wore}  


Poetry/Art {She studied the poem "Gathering Leaves" by Robert Frost}
 

In our lives last week…   

we went to Disney!!  We stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside for the first time and *somehow* ended up in the newly redecorated Royal Rooms!  We also got to eat at the new Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom!  Fun times!!









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Friday, September 27, 2013

Freebie Friday


Here are the FRIDAY FREEBIE deals today! ENJOY!!

FREE - Genesis 5 Bible Lesson @ Future.Flying.Saucers

FREE - Printable Around the World Resource Pack @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

FREE - Ancient World Timeline @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

FREE - Cloud Resources @ Homeschool Giveaways and Freebies

FREE - Printable Number Concept Flashcards @  Imperfect Homemaker

FREE - Addition and Subtraction Basic Facts Games Lapbook @ Currclick

FREE - 35 Alphabet Teaching Activities & Games @ Homeschool Freebie of the Day

FREE - Alphabet Printables @ 1+1+1=1

FREE - Moses Bible Coloring Pages @ Mama's Learning Corner

FREE - Printable "It Just Makes Cents" Book @ So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler

FREE - Science Experiment Guide {$25 Value} @ Supercharged Science

FREE - Science Activity Manual and Video Collection {$30 Value} @  Supercharged Science


I hope you enjoy some of these FREEBIES!  If you know of any others, please leave a comment below.




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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Disney - Guess Where?


We took a quick trip to Disney this weekend!  Can you guess where we ate this yummy cupcake?



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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Love Your Neighbor


It's been on my heart this week to challenge myself {and others} to step out of our comfort zone and show Jesus' love to a "neighbor".

The people around us, even those who are close to us, may be going through so much more than we can ever imagine.  The cashier having a bad day, the driver who just lost a spouse, the person waiting in line with an addiction.

There are people all around us who need encouragement.  Let's try to show some this week.

Bake some cookies or bread and include a Bible verse, pay it forward in the drive thru, help someone in need, share kind words, or just sit and listen. 

What are some other ways you can share Jesus' love?



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©2010-2013 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/