We are an art family.  Well, all the boys in the family, that is.  My idea of art is shading in a stick figure, but I digress.  My boys, however, have desks fraught with professional grade drawing pencils, pit pens, sketch pads and pastels.  You know your kids love art when they get $10 and scream, “Let’s go to Hobby Lobby!”  Well, that is what you get when you are married to an artsy-fartsy stud-muffin like my hubby.  So, when we received Artistic Pursuits to review for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, I knew this would be fun.

This is a basic introduction to the visual arts, and while my boys may be a little advanced in the art world, I found it a good place to start.  Besides, the introduction was for MY sake, give me a break!  The book came bound and covered with a clear plastic cover.  The book includes 32 lessons with projects divided into three main sections:

1.  What Artists Do

2.  What Artists See

3.  Exploring Ancient Art

These lessons are laid out so that you cover one lesson per week.  Each lesson starts out with a short history of that subject that is informative and holds the child’s attention well.  An Exercise and Project follow.  This is just the direction I needed to do a more formal “art study,” something we have not fit in this school year until now.  This is a special treat during the day for the kids and they love utilizing some of those art tools they don’t use on a regular basis.  Some of the supplies you will need to go along with this year’s study are:

• Ebony pencil
• Vinyl or Pink Pearl eraser
• Small set of soft pastels
• Small set of oil pastels
• Sketch pad or drawing paper
• Watercolor crayons
• Watercolor brush
• Watercolor paper pad
• Heavy weight construction paper in assorted colors
• Tissue paper in assorted colors
• Scissors
• Gray self hardening clay

Well, that is a lot of supplies.  Thankfully we already had many of these, but this does require us to purchase some of the missing items, such as watercolor crayons. Not cheap either!  However, this has proved to be a worthy endeavor. Also, I was very thrilled that this book explores ancient art, since we are patterning our history studies classical education style.  This year my 1st, 3rd and 5th graders are studying the ancients in history, so this gives some awesome project lessons that tie in perfectly.  A great addition to our studies!

To view samples pages of the book, click here.  This page also allows you to order this book online for $42.95.

I was given a free copy of this material in exchange for my honest opinion only.  No compensation was given.

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Another free membership site!  Homeschool Library Builder is a literature-based resource center for new and gently used books.  When you become a free member, you have access to greatly reduced resources that correspond with different curriculum, such as Ambleside, Beautiful Feet, Five in a Row, Heart of Dakota, Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace and Veritas Press.  You can search by title or category.  Other member benefits include a book point earned for every dollar you spend (15 book points = $1 towards future purchases).  You also get 15 points for referring a friend.  Just enter my name in the referral section when you sign up and have your friends do the same for you.  Great way to save up some dollars towards new books for your kids!

I would like to see more variety to the books available, such as adding more discounted curriculum and not just corresponding books.  Maybe that is something coming down the road…?

Check out their website now and become a member!

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This has been a fun TOS Crew review for our family.  Family Mint is a membership site for kids that allows parents to act as the children’s “bank.”  This idea intrigued me, especially since my two boys tend to lose their money frequently or spend it frivolously.  To be honest, I was not sure they would be interested in an online banking system since they usually enjoy physically having the money.  I could not have been more wrong!

As soon as I logged on and set up my three children on the site (we selected story names for our kids to make it more fun, and chose icons to describe their personality type), they wanted to set up goals for themselves.  The child can select goals for items they want to save up and purchase, such as sports equipment, games, electronics, clothes, college, entertainment, music, and the list goes on.  They enter in the amount the item will cost and a goal is set!  This has been so powerful for my 8-year-old, who wants to purchase a laptop and electronic sketchpad to work on Illustrator.  He researched the cost, entered it in and immediately began hounding me for ways he can make money. This was quite shocking as he is my least motivated child to earn money (he has earned $22 towards it so far).  This was great timing because that very day we had a snow storm and he earned $10 for shoveling the driveway.  Unfortunately it snowed for two more days and he “assumed the sale” by shoveling the two additional days (without asking).  What kind of parent would I be to not pay some additional bucks for such motivation? He has been Family Mint’s most faithful in our family, logging in money he has earned through weekly chores and special chores (which he does frequently now). What is nice is he can view his progress when he opens his account because his goal account graphically charts how much of his goal he has accomplished so far. Very cool.

While each child has their own account, the parent serves as the administrator, so all deposits, withdrawals and account activity must be approved by the parent.  This is not time consuming or difficult and requires a simple click of “Accept” or “Reject.”  You can also set up interest rates (I’m not this generous) for your child’s savings.

The main issues we have had to work out is how does the child get to spend the money?  We solved this problem by simply giving them the cash when they need it for purchases and deducting it from their account when we get home.  I have even heard some of my teammates say they are using this as a learning tool with their young children as pretend money.  That is a pretty neat idea, too, although we are already past that stage.  No more lost money and no more tears at the store because “I forgot my wallet, mommy!.”

There is one aspect that I really do not like.  Once you log in a transaction it totals up your entire balance, but I cannot find a way to go back and see a breakdown of the transactions once they have been approved.  This is very frustrating because sometimes I forget if I logged something or not, and I have no way of looking through individual transactions to see if I covered everything or not (like weekly allowances).  If this function is available I have not been able to find it, and this would DEFINITELY be something I recommend they add to their service.

We also plan on allotting each child a budget for shoes and clothing so they can purchase their own clothes and learn to budget these items (if you buy those $50 shoes, you will not have money for jeans,” is a great lesson to have before they leave home.  Family Mint makes doing this very simple.

Oh yeah!  Did I mention that Family Mint is FREE??  Need I say more?  Sign up now and try it out.  You will love it!

I was given a free membership in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated for this review.

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This is my second review for All About Spelling (now known as All About Reading) this school year, through the TOS Crew.  There are a few companies that seem to really STAND OUT in terms of their professionalism, customer service, product preparation and quality.  This company is one of them.  They have spared no expense to produce quality materials that our whole family has used and enjoyed.

The Beehive Reader goes right along with the All About Spelling Level 1 reading program and has won the silver medal in the prestigious Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards! It is a great beginning reader for your child who is in their first stages of reading.  The book has a hard cover (one of the nicest bindings I have seen on a children’s books).  The pictures in the book are lovely, however, the pictures do not “trigger” the child to guess the word on the page.  They truly have to read the words, which is helped by a soft underline under the words, which helps the child to follow along and track as they read.  The font size is large but not overwhelming and the font easy to read.  The stories use letters in a sequential fashion so your child is reading words using the letters he has already studied and mastered, so this cuts down on the frustration level.

My 6-year-old is still struggling with learning to read, so we have suspended the All About Spelling program while we incorporate a reading program highly recommended to me by a dear friend, “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.”  Once he has mastered 50 lessons of this book I will begin the All About Spelling program once again and incorporate these readers into the lesson plans.  Note:  The Beehive Reader is also a stand-alone reader, so you do not have to be using the All About Spelling program.

My older kids enjoy reading this to their little brother, and of all the readers we currently have, this one is his favorite.  The Beehive Reader can be purchased online for $19.95.  I normally would not pay this price for a reader, however, if you have several children, this book will easily last through several children and could even be passed on because the quality is so good.

If you would like to read my review on the All About Spelling program, click here.  The The Beehive Reader 1 book is part of the new All About Reading program. By the end of 2010, there will be four more readers and a teacher’s manual. In fact, the books are being illustrated right now!  We will have more news on this later in the spring.

Note:  I was given this product in exchange for my honest opinion only.  No compensation was received for this review.

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CBH Ministries (formerly Children’s Bible Hour) is a media ministry targeting kids age 6-12 with Bible-based materials.  They provide web based programs and materials, books and media for the purpose of reaching children with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I received their Seasons of Faith book series, much to the great delight of my three children.  Each book comes with a CD recording of “Uncle Charlie” reading the story.  Remember the old story books we used to read that came with a record in the back of the book?  The little bells tinkle when it is time to turn the page.  I used to sit on the floor in my room and listen to these for hours.  Boy did this series take me back!  With this same format your children can listen to a delightful story and follow along in the book, all while having their faith development enhanced.
The first book was “Seventy Times Seven”, a story about Brad, a young boy who seems to be wronged by everyone around him.  Never mind his own hurtful actions toward others.  The story takes the child through the process of forgiveness and seeing your own wrongs, not just the wrongs committed against you.  Forgiveness, seventy times seven, is a beautiful principle we want our children to learn (heck, I need to learn it myself!).  Delightful pictures, entertaining story telling, and the end of each book ends with an invitation to accept Jesus Christ into your heart.

In “Braving the Storm”, Thomas experiences loneliness after a move.  Thankfully, Thomas has a Grandpa to help him work through his disappointments, including loss of friendship, a suffering brother, and a move away from a nice home due to financial hardship.  Don’t we all long for a Grandpa to help us see the good in all things and encourage us in the faith?  This is a wonderful explanation for children of how God walks with us through our storms of life and our roots of faith help us to continue to stand.  Even when things don’t turn out the way we want them to, He is in control of our lives.  What a concept!

“Race with Midnight” is a story about Becky, who went to her cousin’s ranch on Spring Break.  Her relatives were not believers and Sarah prayed for a way to reach her family.  This book has beautiful pictures illustrating the countryside as Sarah and her cousin spend the week riding horses and enjoying the great outdoors.  As the girls get lost on a horseback ride, Becky finds the right moment to share her faith in God with her cousin and lead her to the realization that trusting God is the right decision.

“You Can’t Come In” is a story about Zack, a young boy who has moved to a new area of the country.  He meets Adam and together they build a fort.  Adam shares his faith with Zack and explains why it is important to be saved, explaining God does not want heaven being dirtied up by sin.  After Zack’s mother would not allow him to enter the house because he was so dirty, Zack sees the connection.  Zack’s whole family was affected by the testimony of Adam.  Great encouragement to our little disciples!

Our whole family LOVED this series!  We have already listened and read these several times and find these stories entertaining, but also the message is vital!   The entire set can be purchased for $40.00 online, or you can purchase the books individually for $10 each.  The stories are ideal for young children, and enjoyed especially by my 6 and 8 year olds.

CBH Ministries is also extending an offer to my readers (for a limited time) to get FREE STANDARD SHIPPING when you purchase the Seasons of Faith book set (between March 17 – April 15, 2010).  Just use the code FREESHIPAPR15 when you check out.

CBH has many other wonderful products.  My daughter and I used to listen to “Down Gilead Lane” online at Focus on the Family, and this series is also sold here.  It is a wonderful audio series targeting older youth, middle to high school age.  Check it out!

I received this complimentary storybook set in exchange for my honest opinion only.  I was not compensated for this review.

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I received a full year first grade math curriculum.  Math Mammoth interested me in that it focuses on mastery of topics studied, not just introduction and review.  The first grade goals are as follows:

1.  Addition

2.  Subtraction

3.  Connecting addition and subtraction

4.  Place values

5.  Measuring shapes

6.  Counting coins

Our family currently uses Saxon Math, which is different in that it introduces a new concept, has 6 practice questions to drive the new concept home, and the rest of the math lesson is review of previous math facts learned.  While this works fine for our 3rd grader, my 1st and 5th find this absolutely tortuous.  The constant repetition of skills already mastered makes them crazy, and often they are not getting enough drill on new concepts to remember them the next day.

That key issue is what draws me to Math Mammoth.  Admittedly, Saxon is the easier curriculum choice in terms of preparation, but I’m not sure it is worth the hour of whining I have to endure more often than not.  Math Mammoth uses worksheets and works the lessons into the worksheet so that the child could do the worksheets on their own if they are driven to do so.  My kids or not, so I go over the lesson with them, work some of the problems with them one-on-one (as instructed), and then they are ready to dive into the rest of the worksheet themselves.  The lessons are not broken up into specific days, but rather are a continuous lesson based on that specific concept, so one concept may be broken up into a week, or can be done faster if the child is conceptually ready.

Also, because the material was provided to me via PDF download, I am able to print out only what I will need for that day and can also go back and print additional copies to use later with my other children, or if I want to do some review.  Unfortunately I have only a black and white printer so I don’t get the nice colors, so that is a drawback to the PDF if you don’t have a color printer.

Also included in the material for the year are game ideas, optional tests, multiple website links for additional helps, as well as review worksheets so you can make sure they do not “lose” the material.  This is important because Math Mammoth does not work in continual review of previous concepts, so this requires preparation on my part to remember to review concepts regularly, so this is the biggest drawback I have seen so far.

For the price, this is a great math program that is working very well with my 1st grader.  I am interested in trying out MM Grade 5 for my daughter, who absolutely abhors Saxon.  Maybe this will be a better fit.  Cost is $29.70 for both A and B downloadable work texts for first grade.  Check out their website for this or other grade level curriculum choices.  Recommended items you will need are:

1.  Abacus

2.  Old fashioned clock

3.  Ruler (measuring cm and in)

I was given this product in exchange for  my honest opinion only.

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I had the good fortune of receiving a supplemental handwriting skills program called Presidential Penmanship program CD.  This program is designed for grades one through senior high.  The basic premise is using famous quotes of our former presidents and founding fathers as well as reinforcing good character in our kids while they practice this much needed skill.  It makes sense to me.  If they are going to be practicing their handwriting, why not infuse them with some good common sense in the process?

I started out using this with my first and third graders, as they both need handwriting practice.  The practice is broken down into five days a week and can be done quickly and without any preparation (other than printing out the pages from the CD).

On Day One they practice writing the words tracing inside the letter bubbles.  Tiny dots trigger where to begin each letter, which is helpful for my first grader but also for my third grader who struggles with dyslexia.

Days Two, Three and Four traces the actual letters that are in faded print.

On Day Five you write the quote yourself on the printed lines.  Simple.  Just like I like it.

The main things I enjoyed about this are:

1.  The CD makes it simple for me to print just what I need and as many times as I need it.  Unlike workbook programs that only one child can use, this can be adapted for multiple children.

2.  The print is large so it is easier for my younger writers.

3.  My children are being indoctrinated with good sound principles while they are doing their work (always a plus).  By the end of each week your child can easily have these sound, famous quotes memorized!

Items needed to work the program:

1.  Computer, printer and copy paper

2.  Pencil and a child.

The program is priced at $39.99 for the entire CD system, which covers all grades.  I definitely think this is a good value, although I probably would never have thought to purchase a program like this for myself.  However, having received it, I can say it is DEFINITELY something I will be utilizing with my children every day, especially since they can do this work independently.

Note:  I received this free product in exchange for my honest opinion only.

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Firstfirst is an online math program by the famous Saxon Math (which is what we currently use with two of our children).  We have used Saxon because they are proven to be very thorough and focus on mastery and repetition (although this program was not designed specifically to accompany Saxon users).  While I have had the privilege of viewing several supplemental math programs online, this one so far is my favorite, especially for the elementary age.  As you can see, the program is colorful and engaging.  Each child can have their own separate account that is specific to them.

Once logged on you begin by designing your own miniature “you”, which all the kids greatly enjoyed.  Some of the options are quite humorous, so this really drew them in to the program.

Once in you can choose from the following topics:

*  Addition

*  Subtraction

*  Division

*  Multiplication

Once you make your selection you begin with a Welcome Lesson, and you  have designed your miniature “you,” you can begin practicing Math Facts, which will score you based on accuracy and speed.  The nice thing about this is that the system senses if you have trouble with a particular area and will generate simpler problems if needed.  Conversely, if it senses the problems are too easy, it will prompt you to skip ahead if necessary.  After your drills, there is a quiz and ends with a display of your overall scores.  Parents can even log in to check scores as well as adjust time it gives for student to answer the drill questions.  The chart displays areas of mastery as well as areas that need work, so it is a nice checkpoint for parents.

I like the fact that this program is very colorful, not just boring black and white drills like you typically see with these types of programs.  There is a human element to this, with designing your own person, as well as many word problem type questions incorporated into many of the quizzes.  More than 360 activities accompany this to help children master the concepts, and you cannot move on to the next unit until you have achieved that mastery of skills in the current unit.

Factsfirst can be purchased for $49.99 for one year, which includes up to four student profiles.  Try a demo today here.

I was given access to this membership site in exchange for my honest opinion.

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As part of the TOS Crew I received the above mentioned ebook for review.  I have to be honest:  Upon first glance I felt irritated .  After all, a written book?  Aren’t there like hundreds of virtual typing courses available that are more fun?  I remembered my own elementary days, zipping through the typing computer games at school and achieving the highest scores for speed in the class.

Then I began scrolling through the pages and it all came back to me.  My high school keyboarding classes, the teacher in the front of the room going through the typing drills.  Oh yeah!  Those computer games did not teach me to type, they taught me to peck type quickly.  So I ate humble pie and have to say – this is a great keyboarding book.  I enjoyed its simplicity and directness.  No frills or distractions, just good practical explanation and drill.  The book is broken up into 32 quick and easy lessons that can teach even young children to develop proper keyboarding techniques.  The ebook downloads for $12.95.  They also have a high school version available, or a combination special of both.  Check out their website here.

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion only.

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I received a copy of Bertie’s War, a novel written by Barbara Tifft Blakey.  In the fall of 1962, the world went crazy – and took a young girl with it…This is a story about a 12-year-old girl who is basically afraid of EVERYTHING.  She kind of seems pathetic after awhile, having so much fear about so many things in her world.  However, I enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing style.  She captures well the plight of many “tween” girls who are struggling between growing up and staying a little girl.  This is something we are currently experiencing in our own home, so could readily identify with this.

Most of the book is painful as you go through experience after experience of Bertie’s fear and keen ability to run into trouble.  However, the book ends on a great note, with Bertie discovering important truths about herself, so I encourage you to read all the way through the book if you choose to start it.  Although I probably would not have purchased this book on my own, it is  a nice historical fiction book focusing on the days of the “Cold War”.  It seems a little strange that this is historical fiction, since I was born in this era!   The book sells for $7.99 at www.kregel.com.

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