World's Greatest Stories-- TOS Review

 

Anything that helps me is a worth-while commodity.  Wholesome things that make my 'Mom-job' easier are almost as precious to me as chocolate...ok, well maybe.  I do hold chocolate in the highest esteem.  And coffee.  And things that make me laugh.  ANYWAY...

We received the NIV audio version of The World's Greatest Stories.  Since we travel up north (a lot!) to visit family, this was a perfect addition to our travel necessities.  Along with chocolate.  And my travel mug full of coffee.  :)

  The World’s Greatest Stories are dramatized tellings of the Biblical narrative. The text is straight from your choice of the NIV (New International Version) or KJV (King James Version) with nothing added or taken away. They are read by George W. Sarris who desired to increase Biblical literacy in children. He saw the need to produce an auditory Bible that was true to the words of the text, didn’t add characters or remove any of the actual events from the telling but still keep it captivating for children to listen to.

 

 There are six volumes in The World’s Greatest Stories Collection. We reviewed Volume 1 The Prophets; which included tellings of The Blazing Furnace, The Handwriting on the Wall, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Elijah and the Prophets of Baal and The Prophecy of Jonah.

Other Volumes include:
2. The Life of Christ
3. Beginnings
4. Joshua and Esther
5. Joseph and His Brothers
6. Defeating Giants

Each CD is about an hour long so they are great for car trips, to have playing during chore time or to have in as the children are going to bed at night. And at just $7.95 a CD (or cassette tape) they are reasonably priced for just about any budget. If you order six or more items in one transaction, shipping is even free!

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about World's Greatest Stories, visit the Homeschool Crew Blog to read more.

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.

Vintage Remedies--TOS Review

I was totally excited to get this review material- this subject matter is of my own heart.  'Remedy' should be my middle name...and Vintage...well that just screams 'wealth of knowledge' to me.  :)

Over the years I've learned (and dabbled in) herbs, tinctures and simplistic cooking/living.  I received Vintage Remedies for Kids to review- and how appropriate- did you know I have a multitude of kiddos?  I admit, they tend to be my test-subjects.  Anyway...onward to the good stuff!

This book is geared for young learners ages 2-6, both boys and girls.  Kiddos learn how to identify healthy foods and have a hand in creating healthy snacks for their families.  Each of the 18 chapters has a brief introduction for the parents, a section to read to the children, followed by hands-on activities perfect for littles (that's what I call my younger crowd).  There are also sample schedules included for use at home or in a playgroup setting (and convenient shopping lists).

This new workbook is packed with projects covering every aspect of natural living including wellness, nutrition, immunity, natural body care, and the conservative use of valuable natural resources - in terms they will understand and remember!  The workbook is flexible and can be used also as a fun family project. Children at this age learn best with active lessons, so this isn't a sit and read style picture book! It's a guide for parents that is packed with hands on activities that are perfect for little hands, but fun for all ages. You can pick up a copy of this book for $25, here.

To learn more about Vintage Remedies and the large selection of health and wellness books and curriculum they offer, be sure to stop by their website.  Their story is quite fascinating as well, so have a look at their About Us page!

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Vintage Remedies, visit the Homeschool Crew Blog to read more.

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.

I See Cards--TOS Review

 

When children play Fractazmic, they know they're having fun, and you know that they're learning!

Fractazmic is an interactive & fun lesson in fractions that gives your child (unlimited) practice at their individual level.

Each brightly colored card displays fractions, along with eye catching graphics, to reinforce what your child is learning. Players will quickly identify the fractions on their cards and calculate their way to fun and learning! Fractazmic teaches fractions, numbers and measurement, students from 1st-8th grade can benefit from this learning game.

Fractazmic Decks Include:

• 60 Math Learning Cards
• Each card clearly numbered
• Each card clearly labeled with the fraction and reinforcing graphic.
  

What makes Fractazmic Decks Special:

• Quickly learn to convert and add fractions.
• Reinforces relationship between fractions and measurements.
• Shows real world use of fractions.

 

The Rules:

The cards can be used in various ways to fit best with where your child / student is at from using the individual sets of cards to first familiarize the child with the different fractions to playing the different games. Fractazmic can be played by 2-4 players, but also be used individually by the student.

The aim of the game is to combine the different cards in a suit to make 1(a hand). The player with the most ‘hands’ wins.  

 

These are fun, educational card games which retail for US$6.95 per deck of cards.

Fractazmic’s amazing creators can be contacted for support or advice through their contact page HERE.

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Fractazmics, visit the Homeschool Crew Blog to read more.

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.

Artistic Pursuits Books--TOS Review

We were sent ARTistic Pursuits, Grade 4-6, Book 1: The Elements of Art & Composition for review.

4-6 Graders can learn technical skills while creating original works of art. Book one provides an overview of drawing, covering the elements of art and composition. These books are 'non-consumable' so they can be used for the entire family! I was very pleased to receive this product for review because art always seems to fall to the way-side in our homeschool.  We do seasonal type projects and special things for the holidays but I can safely say we've never had a curriculum for art.  NOW WE DO!  What an awesome and user-friendly (or should I say mom-friendly?) curriculum!  At first glance, I observed that this book gives students their first in-depth look at the elements of art (in an easy-to-understand text)with illustrations in pencil, marker, and scratch art, the media they will be using. The 'elements of art' and composition are explored through American art.


Here's a breakdown of what you will find in this book:

Unit 2, Lesson 1

ILLUSTRATED VOCABULARY: A definition is given in both words and pictures at the top of the page.  OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the 'Explore your World!' section are listed and color coded to clarify the purpose of the creative assignment and for easy grading using a grading system on page 87.

 Unit 2, Lesson 2

ART APPRECIATION PAGE: Students see how the topic of the unit is used in a work by a master artist. When they see a concept in artists' works, they are more able to use it in their own work. Illustrations accompany the work, helping students see what is being discussed in the text. Arrows point to the places in the artwork that are discussed in the text so students can't miss seeing it. 

 ART HISTORY PAGE: Students gain a larger context to view art in as they learn about the artists and the times in which the art was made. 

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: A biography of the master artist familiarizes students with major artists and their works. Students learn about painters of the American Revolution, the first painters of the Native Americans, Wilderness Explorers, Cowboy Painters, Quakers, miniatures, American Impressionists, Realists, and Regionalists. 

THE TIMES: Students learn about American history. They will see what Americans were doing, thinking, and discovering during the artist's lifetime. 

MAKE AN OBSERVATION DRAWING: Students gain skill in working from observation, memory, or imagination.

Unit 2, Lesson 3

TECHNIQUES PAGE HOW TO: Students learn technical information. How to use a medium such as pencil or pen and a variety of ways for using each medium are introduced. Techniques for drawing and exploring certain subject matter are shown. This page introduces some basic ideas about seeing to help the student begin to observe more closely. 

SOMETHING TO TRY: Students practice with the techniques shown, completing a project.

 Unit 2, Lesson 4

FINAL PROJECT PAGE: Instructions are given for a final project in which students assimilate the information from the unit and do a work reflecting their interests or particular interpretations. 

YOU WILL NEED: A materials list is given in the right column. 

REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WHEN DRAWING: Suggestions for what to use as a reference is given in the right column. Once students go through the book they will have used all the references available: photographs, direct observation, their imagination, etc. 

STUDENT GALLERY: Students see how others their own age interpreted and successfully used the element of art. A range of skill levels is shown to encourage different approaches to art. 

LOOK BACK: Students evaluate the success of the finished work by answering the questions. Parents can use the color-coded stated objective for easy grading.

Media Introduced: Ebony pencil, white pencil, black markers with point and wide tip, scratch art paper and silhouette.

Contents: 1. Space 2. Line and Shape 3. Texture 4. Value 5. Form 6. Form using Value 7. Local Value 8. Contrast 9. The Shapes of Natural Forms 10. Edges 11. Balance 12. Rhythm 13. Overlap 14. Depth 15. Proportion, The Face 16. Movement

4-6 Book One (ISBN 978-0-9815982-4-6), made in the USA, Price: $42.95 

  To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Artistic Pursuits Books, visit the Homeschool Crew Blog to read more.

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.