I’m always looking for something fun to add to our homeschooling experience, whether it be cool art supplies, a new game, or a microscope. I wonder how I have been homeschooling for 10 years, and we have never tried anything with animation? When I saw we had an opportunity to review a Stop Motion Animation Kit from Stopmotion Explosion, I was eager to try something totally new to us! I am at the point in my life where both my kids surpass me when it comes to technology. When our animation kit arrived, and all I really had to do was check the box to ensure everything was there, and say “have at it”!
Ready or not, my first born is nearing the end of ninth grade! I have always loved homeschooling and all that goes with it – except the paperwork. I’ll admit that I’m not the most organized in that department. I knew when an opportunity came by to review Transcripts Made Easy: The Homeschooler’s Guide to High-School Paperwork from Everyday Education that I needed to sign up!
How do you choose which book to read when given a lengthy list of fantastic titles by YWAM Publishing? Easy. Pick the one that not only can you read the amazing story but go to the place where such history was made! YWAM Publishing offered us on the Review Crew several choices from their Heroes of History and Christian Heroes: Then & Now series of books. When I saw Heroes of History- Orville Wright on the list, my choice was obvious. I am fortunate to live only a few hours from Kitty Hawk, so you can easily see why I chose that one.
Happy Spring! We are in what I call the “short rows” of our school year. While we we continue our normal studies until Memorial Day, this time of year I like to do more games, unit studies, and field trips. Speaking of field trips – we just visited the Outer Banks of NC last weekend. Not that we needed an excuse for a get-away, my main purpose was to visit the Wright Brothers Memorial and museum for a book review I am writing next week. It’s awesome to see places where history was made and walk where such pioneers in history walked -and flew! We also visited two lighthouses in my endeavor to visit all the NC Lighthouses this year. I am looking forward to sharing a detailed post with you soon, in case you are ever planning a trip to the OBX.
What if I told you that you can cover grammar, vocabulary, and handwriting practice in less than 15 minutes a day? You can! Before I became a member of the Review Crew, I chose Fix It! Grammar from Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) as part of our language arts curriculum for the current school year. We are nearing the end of Book 1, so naturally I was excited to review Book 2, (Robin Hood) of the Fix It! Grammar program.
According to the frequent posts I’ve been seeing on Facebook, it’s almost time to register for kindergarten. The fear of this unknown territory can be overwhelming to a mother. I remember this time of year very well. Over ten years later, I’d never dream I would be writing a blog post about it.
It seems like a lifetime, but it was only a little over a decade ago that my daughter was in preschool. She had been attending preschool at our church three half-days a week. It was a great experience for her and myself. Her days at preschool were spent with plenty of play, art, Bible stories, learning, and a favorite among many preschoolers – snack time. My days were filled with trying to get all I could done in that small window of time!
With only two months remaining of her time at preschool, I started getting forms and flyers about kindergarten registration sent home in her backpack. I vividly remember the feelings I had as I looked over the enclosed paperwork. The thought about her being away at school five full days a week made me nervous. I remember thinking, “she’s too small to go to big school”. Little did I know that there were more options than just what was tucked in her little backpack.
This post contains an affiliate link. I was not compensated for my review. I can highly recommend you watch the linked documentary, and gain as much insight as I did.
For the past few weeks, our home has had cards all over the floor, balloons floating everywhere, and jellybeans all over the table! I won’t mention chasing the cats around to try on a hat – well, maybe I will. We have once again been able to review a great product. It is from Tied 2 Teaching and our afternoons have been rather entertaining with their STEM Activities, Full Year of Challenges with Close Reading.
When I come to the actual places and walk where the actual people in the Bible walk, it gives me an entirely new appreciation……”
-Dave Stotts
Dave Stotts does a phenomenal job of bringing the Books of Acts-Revelation to life! His likable personality, quirky sense of humor, and zeal shine in each episode. When your teenagers are eager to watch them, that tells you they must be good! I have viewed other videos in the Drive Thru History® series, and all of them are fantastic! The information, presentation, and cinematography are all top-notch.
Math can be a struggle for many. Pi Day is a great day to take a break from the norm, have some math fun, and eat pie!
We have been celebrating Pi for three years now with a small group of friends. We normally play games, make art, and of course eat pie! It’s always a treat to do something different from our regular math routine. I have scoured Pinterest and Google for fun things with a mixed group (we have elementary-teens), and I have found a few things we have tried and that have been enjoyed by all ages.
This post may contain affiliate links. It cost no extra to you, and any purchases are greatly appreciated!
I can’t believe we are well into March! I would say the biggest thing going on now is my daughter is driving! She is my oldest, so this is something brand new for our family. I’ve learned that I am a horrible passenger, despite that she has shown to be a really good driver so far. For those that have gone before me, I’d love some tips in this unfamiliar territory!
At least my son is not the one making me as nervous these days! Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to a great parkour coach last week. He has learned some fantastic skills under him over the past few years. What began as what I thought was an active class for kids to “get their energy out” is really in fact a learned skill that requires much practice, coordination and strength.
Other fun things this month include a Pi Day celebration – a tradition we enjoy with other homeschool friends. I hope to be able to squeeze out a post about that next week. We also have a scheduled field trip with our co-op to Bath – North Carolina’s oldest town. At the end of the month I am planning a weekend family trip. It will involve sand dunes, wind, and maybe a lighthouse or two! Be sure to stay tuned for that!
What I’m Reading in March
In addition to my year long Bible reading plan, and year long Organized Homeschool Life book club, I am still reading a couple of books I started in January. To add to my stack, I joined an online book club hosted by my friend over at Schoolin’ Swag. We just started Girl’s Club by Sally Clarkson and her daughters. It is about the importance of cultivating deep friendships with other women. I’m excited about this one, because it’s often a lonely world out there! If you’ve never been part of an online book study, this one would be great to start with.
Our read-aloud for this month happens to be a book I am reviewing for the Review Crew. It’s from YWAM’s Heroes of History series, Orville Wright. That may be a big hint as to where our weekend family trip will be.
Not Review Crew related, but I will also be taking another look a DVD that I own and have seen several times, and sharing what I gather from it with you. Divided is a documentary by a young filmmaker who notices that the youth of his generation are abandoning the faith. His findings tell a lot about modern youth ministry. It is something I have struggled with in the past, but is now clear to me. It is an eye-opener! Hopefully it will provide some insight and discussion.
Crew Review News
I have so enjoyed my first month on The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. They have been sending quite a few goodies this month to review and share with you. Victus Study Systems review was posted last week on the blog. My next review is Drive Thru History Acts-Revelation. We’ve have viewed some of the Drive Thru DVD’s before, and they are pretty awesome. We have also been doing some STEM activities that have been a fun addition to our learning. At the end of the month is an online math review that we are still testing.
Usborne Books & More Favorite of the Month
This is Not a Math Book shows how math can be beautiful and art can be numerical. We have used several of the activities in the book, and had great results! It was such a hit, This is Not Another Math Book was recently created with even more math art activities! These are just $14.99, and are great for tweens and teens – math-minded or artsy!
How is your month shaping up? Do you have any holiday traditions in spring, or a favorite Pie recipe for Pi Day? I love to hear from other homeschoolers! Tell me about your spring plans!
