Encouraging Moms Who Homeschool

The Real Way to Keep On Keeping On

2012-01-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

January days tend to be bleak, dreary, and L-O-N-G for homeschool families. And the homeschooling mother usually bears the burden of keeping the household positive and upbeat during January (and February, into March...). But moms need a dose of encouragement in order to keep being a source of encouragement to their families. Today's post is about finding that encouragement in the Lord.

Hebrews 11:33-34 says, "By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight."

How did they do what they did? They did it BY FAITH. Due to their faith, God made their weakness to be strength (something that happens only in God's economy). They stared down the toughest of times, scariest trials, tremendous obstacles, worst case scenarios - all BY FAITH. And that same faith is available to us as homeschooling moms, right now, today. If faith enabled them to face their giants, then I can certainly rely on the Lord through faith to gift me with the ability to be a source of encouragement to my family during the long winter months of homeschooling!

Be sure to make time with the Lord a priority as a mom. He is the source of your strength, and He take the time you give Him and multiply it back to you in infinite measure. He's always ready and waiting to spend time with you; an awesome thought, really - the God of the universe waits to spend time with you! We should race to spend time with Him; rush to be in His presence. It's a privilege and a right unique to us as His children, but we gain none of the promised blessing if we fail to meet with Him. You cannot enjoy a gift that you fail to open!

Ephesians 3:20 reads, "Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

Why not take advantage of His mighty power at work within you today? Spend time with the King of kings and Lord of lords, and prepare to be amazed at what He will accomplish through you! Your family will be blessed and those long, dreary winter homeschool days will be filled to overflowing with more than you could ever ask, dream, or imagine!

Keep on keeping on by keeping Jesus first in your heart!

Day 150 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Follow That Voice!

2012-01-19T10:22:00.000-08:00

How do you know when to do one thing versus another thing? When do you stop moving in a certain direction and begin down a new path? Is there ever a time we should shoot from the hip; and if not, where is the room in our lives for spontaneity?

I think the answer is found clearly and concisely in the Word of God. And if you've been reading my blog for very long, you already knew I'd say the answer could be found amidst the pages of my Bible!

John 10:4b-5 says, "The sheep follow Him because they recognize His voice. They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from Him, because they don't recognize the voice of strangers." (HCSB)

This is the answer to the question, "What now, Lord?". It isn't the answer once in a while, when it's a REALLY BIG problem. It isn't the answer only when we feel as if we can't come up with the answer on our own (because the Bible says NO WHERE that God helps those that help themselves). It is the correct answer to every "Who? What? When? Where? Why? How much?" question we ask in life. And the reason we know it's the right answer is because He is always the right answer ~ to every question, every problem, every need, every ache in your heart, every minute of every day.

And if you're unsure how to be sure that you are most assuredly following the voice of Jesus, who is our Good Shepherd, then simply pray and ask the Lord to teach you how to follow the voice of Jesus. Ask Him to teach you how to discern what "voices" you are following and give you the strength, wisdom, and ability not to follow the voice of another. Pray it daily, all throughout the day if you need to, until you are confident that you are following the only voice you should truly recognize in your heart - the voice of Jesus. The Holy Spirit was given to you for this very purpose, and He will not fail to fulfill His calling. If you are willing to hear, He is more than willing to speak. If you are happy to follow, He is more than happy to lead. If you want only to do His good and perfect and pleasing will, He is more than willing to reveal it to you.

This includes homeschooling. Every day, with regard to each of your children, seek to hear His voice. Commit not to follow the voice of another, because you simply will not recognize it. In the middle of the meltdown your 4th grader has over long division, ask Him to speak to you and show you how best to teach long division. When your teenager is unsure about his or her future (go to college? enter the mission field?) ask Him to lead and guide you with His voice, and teach your teen to do the same.

I promise you, this is the way to live a Spirit led life. You can take the check of God's Word to the bank over and over, and He'll make good. But don't take my word for it ~ take Him at His Word, and try it for yourself.

And why not commit to memorize John 10:4-5 while you're at it? I can't think of a better use of your time than to hide His Word in your heart!

Have a blessed homeschool day!

Day 149 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

A Few Verses to Encourage You Today!

2012-01-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Today's post will be short and to the point. I'm sharing some verses from God's Word to encourage you on your journey as a homeschooling mother :)

Micah 7:7 _ "But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."

Proverbs 10:22 - "The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it."

1 John 5:14 - "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

Psalm 119:18 - "Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions."

Amos 5:14 - "Do what is good and run from evil - that you may live! Then the Lord God Almighty will truly be your helper, just as you have claimed He is.

Philippians 4:4 - "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice!"

Take comfort and draw strength from God's Word today. Share His great love and unending grace with your husband and children today. Be encouraged as you face the giants in your life today, and trust fully in Him and His promises to you today!

Lord bless you in rich and abundant ways as you set your heart on His will for your life!

Day 148 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

www.SavanasClayCreations.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Z-Guide to the Movies - My Side of the Mountain

2012-01-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

Zeezok Publishing has a variety of curriculum that work wonderfully in the homeschool setting, particularly if unit studies are your primary learning method. The product I received (free of charge for review purposes) is the Z-Guide to the Movies, My Side of the Mountain e-book.

My Side of the Mountain (by Jean Craighead George) is one of my family's favorite books; and while the 1969 movie differs quite a bit from the book, we were excited about utilizing this Z-Guide.

Basically, the way a Z-Guide works is it takes a particular film (often the movies are based on good books) and draws lessons from the movie. First the student watches the movie in it's entirety; then they follow the Z-Guide's instructions, complete the activities, and learn a whole lot. And yes, all this stems from watching a movie. What homeschooler wouldn't like that?!

Z-Guide, My Side of the Mountain follows the 1969 film version of "My Side of the Mountain". This movie is available for purchase at the Zeezok website (www.Zeezok.com), for purchase at Amazon.com (www.Amazon.com) where it can be viewed as a digital download right on your PC, or rented from places like Netflix or Blockbuster. Most of the other films that correspond with Z-Guides can be found easily - so don't let the idea of a snipe-like movie hunt deter you from considering using Z-Guides!

The Z-Guide, My Side of the Mountain e-book is 32 pages long and covers topics such as Natural Science, Henry David Thoreau, and Survival Skills. Activities include Worldview, Hands-On Activities, Review Questions, Filmmaker's Art, and a How To Use section. This Z-Guide is organized into an Overview, 10 Activities (and a Bonus Activity), Family Discussion, Additional Resources, and the Answer Key.

The Day 1 - Day 5 Activity Breakdown allows the student to complete the unit in one school week. You can pick and choose certain activities or alter the lesson plans to fit the student's course objectives, areas of interest, or time schedule. As an e-book, this resource is non-consumable. Just print out the pages you'll need for each day's work and next time you want to use a Z-Guide, simply open that file on your computer and print what you need!

One thing I'd like to make mention of is that the 1969 film is different than the book, and while that's not a bad thing, it does mean students need to pay close attention to the film so as not to confuse the book with the movie.

The cost of this Z-Guide is $12.99 (which seems to be the cost of all the Z-Guides)

Feel free to check out their website for more information, and if you have a particular movie you simply love, why not use a Z-Guide to the Movies as a springboard for learning? Sharing things you enjoy with your children, and turning those moments into learning experiences is something only homeschool families can do. Make the most of the time you have with your children. It really does pass by in the blink of an eye!

To read what my fellow Crew Mates had to say, click HERE. (By the way, we didn't all review the same Z-Guide, so check out their reviews to see what movie guides they reviewed.)

And don't forget to visit the website ~ www.Zeezok.com

Day 147 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Welcome to a Brand-Spankin'-New Year!!!

2012-01-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Isn't it great to be starting a brand new year, with the Lord to guide our paths? And isn't it terrific to end each year by celebrating our Lord's birth?

It's always interesting to wonder at what a new year might hold. When we look back over 2011, I doubt any of us could have predicted what things would come to pass. God always does more than we can imagine, and living a life sold out to Him is guaranteed to never lack excitement! It's the grandest of adventures, better than exploring the final frontier, filled with surprises and blessings galore. It is good to walk with Jesus; very, very good.

What are some things you plan to focus on in 2012? Do you have any homeschool dreams that you are praying the Lord will bring to pass? Keep asking Him to make those dreams come true - and ask Him to change those dreams to better ones if that's His good and perfect and pleasing will.

Some of the things I'm hoping will come to pass in 2012 include more blog posts to encourage homeschooling mothers, a new and improved website for the Bible study I wrote several years ago (see www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com to check out my "lacking" website as it currently stands...), perhaps composing a book of encouraging devotions or short articles for homeschooling mothers, improving our church youth group as we seek to disciple young believers, and maybe write some blog posts or a short book regarding my fight against diabetes (a fight I won, by the way - losing 45 lbs and keeping the weight off and regulating my blood glucose numbers).

Let's jump into this new year feet first, give our all to the Lord, our husbands, and our homeschools, and expect to look back on 2012 with amazement at what the Lord has done!

Philippians 1:6 says, "He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Take that promise from God's Word to heart and watch Him work out His good plans for your life.

Day 146 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.SavanasClayCreations.com
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ R.E.A.L. Homeschool Spanish

2011-12-30T08:24:00.000-08:00

Relax. Enjoy. Aspire. Learn Spanish.

This is the motto behind REAL Homeschool Spanish. And yes indeed, they do live up to that motto!

The philosophy behind REAL Homeschool Spanish is that Spanish is best learned through conversation. All new vocabulary is taught first by speaking back and forth with others. This curriculum doesn't focus primarily on exact pronunciation or rules of grammar; rather, it's focus is on actually being able to converse in Spanish. That makes it unique among other Spanish language curriculum. It also makes it necessary for mom (or dad, or older siblings) to participate in the lessons!

The material used in REAL Homeschool Spanish is relevant to a homeschooling environment and is meant to be applied all throughout the day. You can (and should) use Spanish words as you and your child talk - during dinner, saying good-night, etc. It's not typical for Spanish programs to be created specifically for the needs of homeschooling families. That's one more big reason that REAL Homeschool Spanish stands apart from other foreign language curriculum.

The ideas and games in the activity book are excellent. My kids not only enjoy the activities, but they feel this aspect of REAL Homeschool Spanish cements their grasp of the language. It "completes the loop" of learning in their brains, so to speak :)

The planning guide makes it easy to plan (and thus to complete) the Spanish lessons. There are no excuses with this curriculum - planning is all laid out, lessons are easy to implement, and conversational Spanish is achieved. And they do it all with an emphasis on a relaxed learning environment, which is also a plus for my busy family.

Included in the download I received from REAL Homeschool Spanish (free of charge for review purposes) were the 179 page Activity Book, the Activity Book Audio (contained in a zip file), a 45 page Answer Key, a 105 page Student Book (in color), and an additional 105 page Student Book (in black and white for easier printing), and a 50 page Daily Curriculum Guide.

The components of the program work together to make for a solid and fun learning experience that does more than simply meet your state's foreign language requirements for high school graduation. Here is my description of each part of the curriculum:

The Activity Book is a terrific resource. It is broken into units that go along with the vocabulary and audio tracks as the student progresses through the lessons. The Audio Book files correspond with each lesson and have corresponding page numbers listed - super easy to use! The Answer Key makes grading the activity pages a breeze. And we all know how I feel about tedious grading with hard-to-use answer keys! I've even chosen not to purchase curriculum based solely on the answer key! Having the Student Book available in color or b&w saves a lot on printer ink costs. And we've found that the color book isn't at all difficult to read on the laptop, so we only print certain portions of the lessons. The Student Book is divided into logical sections which make the most sense for actually conversing in Spanish (i.e. Greetings, Telling Time, Foods, Family, Adjectives, Weather & Seasons, Months of the Year, Transportation, Animals, Sports, etc.). The layout of the lessons is real-world applicable. My kids travel to Mexico every other year for missions work - and believe me, having the ability to really communicate with the children there is priceless. The way REAL Homeschool Spanish is taught will enable them to better minister to and communicate with the children of Ensenada. The Daily Curriculum Guide explains how to "do" this program. The Weekly Prep portion makes my job easier and helps me not to forget any vital steps in the learning process. It is divided by Unit and by weeks, so you can easily adapt it to suit your individual family needs. There are 48 weeks worth of lessons, so it qualifies as a 2-year-program if you'd like to take a little more time to study Spanish.

You can learn more about REAL Homeschool Spanish at their website: www.REALHomeschoolSpanish.com

Their products can be purchased in hard copy form or as a download. I used the download, and it ran beautifully on my laptop so don't hesitate to consider that option! The Book Bundle contains the Book, Activity Book, Answer Book, and Audio Files as a download for $49.95, or $59.95 with the Daily Curriculum Guide. A hard copy bundle sells for $89.95 and $99.95, respective to the order listed previously.

Also available at their website are samples, culture links (these are awesome!), giveaways and even a place to help fight illiteracy.

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about REAL Homeschool Spanish, click HERE.

And just for fun, here are a couple of pictures from my kid's most recent trip to Mexico :)

Lord bless you and your family as you continue to faithfully homeschool for His glory!

Day 145 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

It's Almost the End of 2011

2011-12-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Today is the 29th of December. WOW!! A year ago I could not have dreamed all that would happen in 2011. It's a good time to take pause and reflect on what I hoped would be, what actually came to be, and what wasn't meant to be.

Our homeschool met many of my expectations, and failed at others (pretty much like every single year!). My marriage has improved and is stronger than ever after 20 years, and that is a wonderful gift from the Lord! Our finances have taken a hit this year; yet we take comfort in the fact that we are walking a path laid out for us by the Lord Almighty, and obedience is our job - the results are His. I've sent a son off to college and no longer have any kids in elementary grades. We still lead the youth group at our church, and the blessings we receive from our co-workers and the students cannot be counted. Even our pets have had a good year - they are aging well and remain healthy and a blessing to our family. Old friendships have deepened and new ones are developing. My oldest and my youngest both had orthopaedic surgery and have recovered well, praise the Lord. My pre-diabetes have remained under control and I live a daily lifestyle that is better than ever before. Our family vacation was filled with fun, friends, family and memories that will never fade. I could go on, but I really don't need to. In a nutshell, I'm so very thankful to the Lord for all He has done in my life over the past year. God is good, all of the time.

And while January marks the mid-point of our homeschool year, I am planning on imparting some "brand new year" techniques. We tend to kick it into high gear in January, February, March and into April. This year will be no different. But in order to keep going full-speed ahead, I need to begin each day with a positive attitude and find creative ways to keep my children focused, dedicated and "non-weary" (okay, that's not actually a word, but you get my drift...). I can't give my children what I myself do not posses, and so I begin in December to make a spiritual study plan for myself come January. Yes, it's redundant for me to tell you that being in God's Word daily is the key to a successful homeschool. Redundant or not, I just have to keep saying it because it's just the flat out truth.

My plan does not need to be your plan. God does not have a giant cookie cutter for stamping out His children. And He doesn't have cookie cutter plans for His children's lives, either. His specific spiritual plan for you is not the same as mine. And the only way to find out what He has planned for you is to listen to Him. Spend time in the Word, in prayer, and sitting quietly before Him listening to His leading. He may guide you to a small group or Sunday school class, a Bible study you can do on your own at home or perhaps with your husband, an online group or a local support group - but wherever He leads, be willing to follow. And take my advice sagely, remembering Isaiah 41; He will gently lead those that are with young. If you are feeling pushed or pulled, if you feel anything other than gentle leading, you need to stop right where you are and pray, pray, pray some more. He won't do anything contrary to His Word, and He won't lead you any way other than gently when you are a mother of young children. (I also think mother's of older children who homeschool need to be gently led by the Lord - it's too easy to be led by the voice of another but Jesus told us to follow His voice alone.)

So finish your year well, make the most of the time you have with your family, and seek His good and perfect and pleasing will at all times. He loves you dearly and will make a way for you that is filled with blessing, even if those blessings are part of a long, hard road.

Happy end of 2011 ~ may your 2012 be a fantastic year!

Day 144 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God by John I. Snyder

2011-12-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

This book by John I. Snyder is a guided 100 day journey into a deeper prayer life. Each day's reading is concise but engaging, and the book is solidly based on the Word of God. It's easy to use ~ you can and should dive right in as soon as you buy this book! ~ and it truly does grow your faith as you face tough circumstances.

It's a book I thoroughly used and really, strongly, heartily recommend. I did receive this book (in e-book form) free of charge from BookSneeze.com for review purposes, but I am in no way obligated to give a favorable review. With all sincerity, I can say this book is one I will refer to for years to come. As a guide to praying through the hard stuff we all face in life, Your 100 Day Prayer: The Power of Actively Waiting on God was meant to be used again and again.

If you are looking for a book to encourage you in your walk with the Lord as you face any type of difficulty, this is the book for you. And since I'm writing this review in late December, I might also recommend Your 100 Day Prayer as a great book to read starting January 1st.

On my "Page Turner Scale" of 1 to 5, I have to give this book a solid 5. I have been using this book daily since I received it and will be reading and re-reading it for years to come.

(Disclaimer ~ I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for review purposes.)

Day 143 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Homeschooling at Christmastime

2011-12-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

How terrific is it to be a homeschool family during the month of December?!

I'll tell ya how terrific it is - fantastically, amazingly, superbly TERRIFIC!!

I love homeschooling. There's not much about it that I don't genuinely love - except grading... And homeschooling at Christmas is just icing on the cake. We end each year together, as a family, focusing on the Advent of our Lord Jesus - and we get to say good-bye to the old year, remember Jesus' coming, and ring in the new year all together as a family for the entire month of December.

So did I mention that I love homeschooling in December??

In December we decorate our house, do lots of baking, choose and wrap presents for friends and family, go caroling at a local nursing home with our church family, have a blast at our youth group's annual Christmas party, celebrate Advent nightly, decorate our yard with lights and blow-ups, enjoy our church dinner and talent show, spend time with family, and new this December is greeting our oldest child at the train station at 3am and then grabbing doughnuts at an all-night bakery.

We still "do school" during December. And we still have lots of normal, day-to-day things that have to take care of. My husband goes to work each day, the regular household chores still get done, life goes on. It just goes on with a whole lot more fun as we celebrate Jesus birth all month long.

So, what do you do to make the month of December special? Are you enjoying homeschooling as much as I am?

Enjoy this special time of year with your family and Lord bless you as you remember His choice to come to earth with the intention of giving His life on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins. How blessed we are that God has lavished His love on us so richly!

Day 142 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ The World's Greatest Stories Volume 1 (The Prophets)

2011-12-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

I have often stated that teaching my children God's Word is the most important subject in our homeschool. It is always the first subject assigned in their planners, and every curriculum choice I make revolves around the Bible. So having the opportunity to review The World's Greatest Stories on CD (as told by George W. Sarris) was a perfect fit for my family.

I received Volume 1, The Prophets in the New International Version (free of charge for review purposes) along with a sample CD of Mr. Sarris' other dramatic readings from the Bible. Readings included in this volume are: The Blazing Furnace (Daniel 3), The Handwriting on the Wall (Daniel 5), Daniel in the Lions' Den (Daniel 6), Elijah and the Prophets of Balls (I Kings 17-18), & The Prophecy of Jonah (Jonah 1-4).

George Sarris, a Northwestern graduate who also holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, does an excellent job of narrating the Biblical text on this CD. And the best thing about his work is that he reads straight from the Bible, word for word. He doesn't add to or detract from the actual Biblical text. I LOVE that!!

Each volume is about one hour in length, and Volume 1 has five stories on the CD. It was very easy for me to plan this as a part of my daughter's daily homeschool. It would also be easy to listen to these CD's when traveling in the car. My 6th grade daughter enjoyed listening to the narrative (so did I!) and she thought younger children would really enjoy these CDs. They open the world of the Bible to young listeners in a way that is engaging and interesting, but without any added fluff. It's just God's Word, and let's be honest - when studying the Bible, nothing more is needed :)

Each CD sells for $7.95 (cassette tapes are also available at the same price) and shipping is free if an entire set is purchased. That is quite an exceptional value!

Other volumes include:

Volume 2 - The Life of Christ
Volume 3 - Beginnings
Volume 4 - Joshua and Esther
Volume 5 - Joseph and His Brothers
Volume 6 - Defeating Giants

Each volume is available in either NIV or KJV.

To learn more, visit the website at www.WorldsGreatestStories.com or call 1-888-STORIES.

To see what my fellow TOS Crew mates had to say about The World's Greatest Stories, click HERE.

If you are looking for a "new" way to learn about the greatest Book ever written, then The World's Greatest Stories is something you should seriously consider. It's an excellent product that sells for a very reasonable price.

Lord bless you as you homeschool for God's glory!

Day 141 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

2 Timothy 1:12 Says...

2011-12-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever believed someone, or believed in someone, and had it turn out poorly? On the converse, have you ever believed someone and had it turn out better than you had dared hope? And have you ever had someone believe in you? Did their belief turn out to be well-founded?

Everyone needs something to believe in; whether or not we want to admit it, that's the truth. Some of us believe in ourselves. Others believe in our spouses. Many people believe in their careers. And a lot of homeschooling mothers believe in - ahem, no flames please! - homeschooling. But in the end, and I mean the literal end, the only thing worth believing fully in is Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.

Homeschooling won't save me, my husband, or my children. It can be an excellent vessel to teach my children from God's Word - but only Jesus can save them. And if we begin homeschooling with the incorrect idea that it can save us, if we place all our hope in our family homeschool, if we believe in homeschooling in place of believing in Jesus, then we misplace our faith. I can believe any number of things, but if my belief is incorrect than it does me no good.

I'm totally preaching to the choir with this post. Most homeschool moms I know really want their children to know and love the Lord above all else, and their family's homeschool is a means to worship the King of kings (as compared to the incorrect belief that says homeschool is king). Since the purpose of my blog is to encourage moms who homeschool, let me give you some kudos for working to impart God's truth to your children daily. It's a tough job, homeschooling is, and not everyone recognizes that. You may not have heard "way to go!!" in quite some time, so let me say it again: "Way to go!!!" You're doing a great job. Don't forget it, either. Because your labor for the Lord is never in vain.

2 Timothy 1:12 starts off with, "I know whom I have believed..."

What a great reminder that we can trust God fully when our belief is placed solely in Him. He'll keep it safe for us with Him, and He'll present it to us when we step into eternity. And it's going to be worth every bit of struggle and toil. Keep reminding yourself that you know Whom you have believed - and even better, keep reminding yourself that He whom you have believed knows YOU! And He is keeping you for that day.

What a blessing to say, "Jesus knows me, this I love."

Lord bless you today!

Day 140 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Heroes & Villains Of The Bible - Real Stories, Actual Bible Text (Tommy Nelson)

2011-12-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

Heroes & Villains of the Bible - Real Stories, Actual Bible Text (from Tommy Nelson publishing) is a children's book of 50 Bible stories from both the Old and New Testament. The text is taken directly from the Bible (International Children's Bible version). It is a 244 page hard cover book, with an introduction, Old Testament section, New Testament section, and a final "Note to Heroes".

This book holds up well with use and has enough artwork to keep younger readers interested. The text is straight from the Bible, which I absolutely love, and the stories are short enough that children can easily read one each day; they can also keep on reading if they so choose. The unique focus on heroes and villains from God's Word sets the book apart. Each story has a brief introduction about the characters involved, and ends with a wrap up that encourages the reader to be a hero (and not a villain).

On my "Page Turner Scale" of 1 to 5, I am giving this book a 4. It's different than many books on the market, my children and I enjoyed reading it, and it's God's Word (what's not to love about that?!).

(Disclaimer ~ I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for review purposes.)

Day 139 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Our Dog Can Talk!

2011-12-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

My daughter's Pug, Mimi, does this when she hears us calling for her "girl" Alexandra (Alex for short). Listen carefully to see if you can hear Mimi try to say "Alex" ~ it sounds something like "Oww-Wes" and a couple of times she seems to say "Ow-Wes-An-Dra". What's hilarious is that Mimi ONLY does this when she hears the name of her owner, Alex.

Happy Pug Watching!

Day 138 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Our Family Just Created Our Own TShirt on Zazzle.com

2011-12-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, so our family is forever cracking jokes, spouting one-liners, quoting movies, and in general laughing hysterically at one another. Seriously, we do this ALL THE TIME!

Last night at dinner something struck my daughter's as funny; strike that, it struck them as beyond funny and they could not stop laughing. They decided they wanted to keep this humorous state going and wanted to find a t-shirt to give away as a Christmas gift in honor of this superbly funny event. Since they didn't have much luck finding a shirt that suited them, they decided to make one at Zazzle.com. (Which is a great place to create custom shirts, mugs, mouse pads, etc.) After making their shirt, they decided to create a "store" at Zazzle.com where they could sell their newly created t-shirt.

And next thing ya know - VIOLA!! - they're off and running in yet another creative venture in the true spirit of homeschooling!

To check out their store - called BurtsShirts - click HERE. Keep in mind they only have one product available right now, but they will come up with more witticisms with great rapidity.

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Have a humor-filled homeschool day & be sure to pause and take advantage of moments like these, because these are the kind of interruptions that you will remember for years to come!

Day 137 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com
www.Zazzle.com/BurtsShirts

TOS Crew Product Review ~ The Easy Spanish Level I from Great Commission Languages

2011-11-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

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.The Easy Spanish Level I (from Great Commission Languages) is a whopper of a book at 414 pages and 2 Cd's. Using this foreign language program for 36 lessons, following each portion of each lesson, WILL give your student the tools they need to speak Spanish (and by that I mean they can actually communicate with those whose native tongue is Spanish).

This curriculum can be parent led, or can be done individually - which is the ideal option for homeschooling parents because it makes it easy to adapt to younger children or easy to "hand off" to older children. I'm using The Easy Spanish with my junior in high school and my 8th grader. Using The Easy Spanish through completion counts as 2 years of high school foreign language. I should also note that this curriculum has a STRONG Christian emphasis (hence the publisher's name Great Commission Languages!) and the end aim of the product is at making and equipping missionaries. Can I just say, very loudly, HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!

For the most part, everything you need is included with this curriculum, but some of the activities may require a trip to the library. And I would also suggest laminating the phonogram flash cards to help them last longer through lots of use.

The lessons in The Easy Spanish are divided into sections as follows:

~ Story ~ (told in a Spanish weave) ~ Students listen to the Story daily
~ Vocabulary ~ Students listen to vocabulary daily
~ Activity ~ (primarily for younger students) ~ many Activities have a corresponding activity sheet
~ Narration ~ (follows Charlotte Mason's theories for foreign language) ~ this section is not intended for use with independent learners
~ ¡Soy Yo! It’s Me! ~ a special activity for those using the Charlotte Mason method that makes a nice keepsake upon completion
~ CM Activity ~ primarily for the independent learner
~ Teacher Helps ~ written for the parent or the independent learner
~ Scripture Memory Work ~ suggested for use every 2 lessons
~ Cultural Note ~ provides a deeper understanding of the culture
~ Trivia ~ interesting facts about the culture
~ Notebook ~ all student work goes into the student notebook
~ Front Cover Work ~ this is only for the younger child

Well, I know that the above list may look like a whole lot of work, but take it to someone who has taught foreign language using a variety of different curriculum - this method is not at all overwhelming and it works really well. It's easy to implement once you read through the introduction and create each student notebook. And I love hearing my daughter's speak in complete Spanish conversations. As a matter of fact, just this evening my 13-year-old translated a commercial that was all in Spanish and she was kind of in shock that she completely understood everything they said!

High school students keep a journal written entirely in Spanish (my 17-year-old balked at this, but now she really enjoys it). They write about everyday life, and since it's a no-pressure assignment in regard to the quality of the writing it's a very doable activity.

Some other awesome features of The Easy Spanish are the checklists for younger and older students, the lesson planner templates, and sample CLEP tests to help students prepare to "test out" of Spanish. My girl's favorite part of the program is the Scripture memory activity. Being able to quote the Bible in Spanish means the most to them, as they take a mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico every 2 years. What a fantastic gift to give my daughters, which they in turn can "re-gift" again and again and again!

To learn about The Easy Spanish for yourself, visit their website at www.TheEasySpanish.com.

The product I received (free of charge for review purposes) is priced at $139.95. Individual portions of the curriculum are available for prices ranging from $10 to $69.95. Great Commission Press also sells The Easy French ($139.95).

To read what other members of the TOS Crew had to say about The Easy Spanish, click HERE.

Seriously consider this product if you have an older student who needs a foreign language credit, or a younger student who would like to learn Spanish (or French). It's an excellent product with a Christian perspective and I'm so blessed to have been able to review The Easy Spanish from Great Commission Languages.

Lord bless you and your family this Christmas season!

Day 136 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Advent Begins Tomorrow

2011-11-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

Acts 15:31 (New Living Translation) reads ~ "And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message."

Since the purpose behind this blog is to encourage moms who homeschool, the above verse from Acts is fitting to post today. And since tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent, I thought it was fitting to blog about something truly encouraging - the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I'm often encouraged by articles in homeschool magazines, blog posts from my fellow homeschooling moms, Sunday morning sermons, and weekly small groups. But the most encouraging thing that has ever happened for the whole of mankind was the birth of a tiny baby in a dirty stable, surrounded by animals and wrapped in swaddling clothes.

My prayer for you this Christmas season is that your homeschool days, and every moment you spend with family and friends, will be filled to the brim with understanding of the Lord's great love. The encouraging message, that Christ was born to save us from our sins, is indeed cause for great joy. It's not a gift you'll find in any store, and it cannot be wrapped and placed beneath the tree. But it is the only gift that really matters, and it's the greatest gift mankind has ever received.

Remember to celebrate Advent tomorrow, and praise the Lord for His willingness to born among the lowly to bring salvation to all mankind. He is the One True God, and He alone is worthy of our praise.

Day 135 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com
www.SavanasClayCreations.com

Living Life as the Body of Christ

2011-11-22T09:19:00.000-08:00

I've been reading in Ezra, and the Lord has been speaking to my heart about being open not only before Him but also before my brothers and sisters in the local church. I know you may be wondering how I got that from the book of Ezra..hang on, I'll connect the dots.

I think there might be a "trend" in the church today, and maybe it's primarily a trend within the church in America, but the tendency toward "handling things on our own" seems to be increasing.

Now, I'm in total agreement with the practice of total reliance upon God as a demonstration of His faithfulness (as demonstrated in the lives of George and Mary Mueller). I hope I can phrase this in a way that doesn't sound as if I don't believe in total reliance upon God alone. Here goes nothing...

In the Old Testament book of Ezra, we read about the Israelites returning to to Jerusalem following a terrible time of exile. They began the work of rebuilding the Temple, and faced strong opposition while they went about their work. It took a long time, and a lot of prayer and patience, to complete the task. But they would not have gotten much done if they had each worked on their own, gone solo, done their own thing, kept their burdens and their work load private and to themselves. They needed each other as a community, as God's children, to accomplish God's will in the rebuilding of His Temple.

Today we often keep too much to ourselves - although some people share too much, too often, with too many. (That's another blog post altogether!). And maybe this isn't a problem women face as much as men, being they are hard wired to man up and lead the charge. But it is an honest-to-goodness problem within the church today. For example, it can be hard to ask a couple of other believers, who are mature in their faith, to pray for you regarding a specific situation. Yet that may be what needs to happen for God to do His work in that situation. It requires humility and interdependence in the church to pray in this way. Some of us are just too proud to ask for this type of prayer. We may not want anyone to speak into our lives, or we may wish to handle things privately.

Some people, some families, live in a constant state of spiritual defeat. One reason may be because they fail to have others pray for them in an open and honest manner. God is glorified when His church functions as a healthy Body, and Jesus taught us to gather in groups of two or more when we pray, giving us the promise that what we ask will be done. Lone Rangers and Armies of one cannot coexist within the Body of Christ.

In the end, Ezra recorded the completion of the Temple. What will the end of our record say? Will we be able to say the work was completed, we were united with our brethren in the Lord, we humbled ourselves before others and allowed them to pray for us in an open and honest way? Do others speak into your life, or do you live your life as a Lone Ranger Christian?

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, and be sure to tell the Lord how thankful you are for His blessings on you as a homeschooling mother!

Day 134 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Read Naturally - Read Live!

2011-11-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

Read Live (from Read Naturally) is a comprehensive set of research-based programs that assess reading while engaging students. It is a motivating curriculum that supports fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics.

The above words can be found online at Read Naturally's description of Read Live, and I must say, the above words are accurate and true. Read Live is a web based reading program that improves students reading ability along with their self-confidence. Yes, it's hard work, but most anything worth doing is.

When I first logged onto the Read Naturally website to set up our family's Read Live account, I thought the set-up process to be a little confusing. It is a multi-step process that is probably better suited to an administrator in a public or private school setting than the average homeschool mom. But I understand why Read Live operates the way that it does; it allows for multiple teachers and students to access the program, and keeps cheating at a low and accountability at a high. And overall, the set up process isn't that difficult - just a bit more time consuming than I'm used to.

The program itself is very thorough. VERY thorough. The placement method is solid and works well, but the option is given to place the student in any chosen level by bypassing the placement testing.

Each lesson is, again, VERY thorough. At first it seemed a bit repetitive to me (listening to the piece being read as many as 10 times!)but the continual improvement the student makes is worth the time spent on each lesson. And the beauty of the repetition is that the student is able to see instant progress. It's very encouraging for the reader, which in turn encourages the homeschool mom, which makes me smile because I'm all about encouraging moms who homeschool!

The vocabulary games are really good and the subject matter for each reading piece is interesting and engaging. Many topics we read could be considered cross-curricular, covering history or science in addition to language arts.

Overall Read Live is an excellent program. It's value is tremendous. The program is not likely to work wonders for your child if you don't use it regularly (just like any other curriculum), but if you and your reader(s) will take the time to complete the lessons you will see results. Second to teaching our children God's Word, their reading ability is the hinge on which the door of all future educational success hangs. Read Live will increase your child's reading ability and comprehension, along with their fluency and self-confidence. It's worth the financial and time investment. A top-notch, five-star program in my book.

As it is an online program, users need to have regular access to a computer. And as a disclaimer to Christian homeschoolers, much of the reading material that is scientifically related mentions evolution. The child is being timed while they read, and each piece is read multiple times, so they will hear evolutionary spiels over and over again. We have some set methods in place when it comes to evolutionary content in our home, and it has worked fine to discuss content from a Biblical perspective with this program. However, each family is cautioned to make the best choice for their family and I would be remiss to fail to mention this aspect of the program.

At the website www.ReadNaturally.com you can learn more about all the products available. You can also find a tab for a free 60-day trial of Read Live on the main page.

A 12-month subscription to Read Live costs $149.00. The recommended ages for students is 1st through 8th grade, although it can be used as an intervention program from 1st grade through adulthood. For more information, you can email them at info@readnaturally.com

Since it is an administrator controlled program, the primary homeschooling parent (usually mom!) needs to set aside time to work with the child as they complete their Read Live lessons. This is probably given, since it would be nearly impossible to assess reading progress if you aren't actually there to hear the student read...but I thought I'd mention it anyway :)

As always, I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

To read what other TOS Crew members had to say about Read Live and other Read Naturally products, click HERE.

Thank you for taking the time to read this product review and may the Lord richly bless you as you homeschool!

Day 133 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Don't Over Do It This Thanksgiving

2011-11-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

My advice for all homeschooling moms this Thanksgiving is simple: DO NOT FALL INTO THE DO-IT-ALL TRAP!!

It is a trap lying in wait for all homeschoolers. We set our sights too high, plan too much, work ourselves to the point of exhaustion, get snippy with our husbands and children, and end up frustrated and worn out. Wondering how I know this? Or have you already figured out I am a born over-achiever and I've had to learn a few things the hard way?!

This Thanksgiving, take it easy. Slow down and make time for what really matters. Instead of adding an enormous unit study on Thanksgiving to your typical homeschool schedule, why not set aside your current history program and study about the history of this holiday in America? Swap out handwriting workbooks for Bible verses about thankfulness. Keep your Thanksgiving Day menu as simple as possible, and do some of your baking a little early as part of homeschool Home Ec. Don't try and do everything you normally do and host the perfect Thanksgiving dinner and add a ton more work to your family's homeschool agenda. I'm not saying that you should do nothing - that would be as bad as doing too much. Just don't do too much. I have a feeling each of you knows what "too much" is for your particular family.

It's hard to be thankful when we're stressed out, worn out, and put out. It's hard to enjoy the family we're blessed to be a part of. It's hard to relax if our to-do lists are several pages long. It defeats the purpose of the holiday - and how much sense does that make??

So, what am I doing to keep my Thanksgiving simple this year? Well, we aren't traveling anywhere because that would be pretty tough to manage since our son only has a short amount of time home from college. I'm cleaning the house pretty thoroughly, but I'm not going to deep clean the areas that aren't "vital" (i.e. the basement, the garage, the closets...). I'm only baking the desserts my family really loves - and I'm not trying any new recipes this year. And we're doing our normal Black Friday traditions ~ shopping just for the fun of it (it's a fun time for my family as they goof off in line and have a relaxed attitude as they shop) and play some serious paintball in the afternoon with our church youth group (a lot of adult church members join us - it has become a fabulous tradition!).

Other than that, we'll be hanging out while my son is home. We'll eat family dinners that are "non-cafeteria-style" but easy for me to prepare. Our homeschool schedule will be adjusted so that we aren't stressed to the nines next week. On Monday evening, we will watch the Patriots vs. Chiefs game just for fun (my son's a huge Pats fan and the NFL season hasn't been the same with him away from home). Simple stuff, relaxing stuff, fun stuff. Plenty of time to make memories and a relaxed attitude in keeping with a thankful heart. Sounds like a great Thanksgiving to me.

I encourage you to evaluate why you do what you do, keep in step with the Holy Spirit, and enjoy your blessings this Thanksgiving. And if you're brave enough, join in an intense 4-hour paintball session on Black Friday!!

I'll leave you with a few words from the Greatest Book ever written, and my hope that you are blessed beyond measure this Thanksgiving.

Psalm 62:1,5 ~ "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him...Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him."

Day 132 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ College Prep Genius

2011-11-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

Here I sit, typing away, drinking coffee from a bright orange mug with the words "Wheaton College MOM" emblazoned on the side. With my oldest in an excellent college, I must say I feel pretty confident about the future of my four younger children. During my son's last two years of high school, I thought I'd learned pretty much all there was to know about the college testing process. As a homeschooler, there are often extra hoops to jump through when filling out college applications - and since my son chose to apply at academically strong schools that don't accept a high number of homeschooled students, I found myself working over time in the position of guidance counselor.

I know a lot about standardized tests and understand the application process pretty well. And it's all fresh in my mind, since Gage graduated in May of this year. But I must say, I have learned a TON from College Prep Genius and I truly wish I'd discovered this product earlier. There are a few things in the life of a homeschooler that are worth their weight in gold; College Prep Genius is one of them. (The items I received free of charge for review purposes weigh about 16 oz and gold is currently valued at $1782/troy ounce - College Prep Genius is worth $28,512...)

I received the DVD set, which includes 4 DVDs with a total of 12 video lessons, a 326-page textbook, and an 80-page workbook. My 11th grade daughter and I have been using the program together over the last several weeks and I can honestly tell you that she is NOT a standardized test-taking fanatic! But she has grown in her confidence and skill level by using the textbook and workbook and watching the DVD lessons (presented by the author, Jean Burk).

We began with the "How to Use This Book" section, which lays out a clear plan of action for the student. Step one is for the student to take a practice SAT or PSAT. There are many options available, but the best ones can be found online at The College Board website (www.CollegeBoard.com). (As a side note, each high school student in your family's homeschool needs to have their own College Board account. This site has more tools and resources available than I can make mention of here, but if your child is "thinkin' 'bout college", you need to be a user on this site!) Jean Burk's wise advice to set up an account at The College Board is a key component in your child's college application process.

After finding your student a good practice test and registering at The College Board, jump right in with this curriculum. The "Motivational Trait Evaluation" is a good next step, and it's actually a whole lot of fun! My 17-year-old daughter thought it was very informative and helped her nail down some of her strengths and weaknesses. In homeschooling families, it's important to identify each child's individual gifting so that they don't live in the shadow of older siblings. She was very comfortable using this curriculum, and recently had a lengthy phone conversation with her older brother about preparing for college. Her attitude has improved and her fears have diminished as she has used College Prep Genius. It's clearly laid out plan to help her achieve a higher SAT score has given her the boost in confidence she needed to chart her path toward higher learning.

Information contained in College Prep Genius about standardized tests - from general test info, to how to register for the tests, how to cancel your test scores should you be displeased with them, to accurate websites and thorough explanations of the purposes and benefits of these tests- is simply terrific and invaluable. Is the process overwhelming? Sure, it can be. But it doesn't have to be. College Prep Genius is one way to keep the process manageable.

3 Key Ingredients to a Successful & Low-Stress Path to College:

1. Start Early
2. Work Steadily
3. Keep a Calendar Just for the High School Student's College Application Process

If you do the three things mentioned above, and use College Prep Genius as your guide, you and your student can have a positive experience.

College Prep Genius offers a 100% money-back guarantee for 30 days after purchase. You really don't have anything to lose! To purchase College Prep Genius, or to learn more about the college admissions process, visit www.CollegePrepGenius.com.

The DVD set I reviewed sells for $99.95 (but would cost $129.85 if each item were purchased separately). The books without the DVDs sell for $69.90 (but there is a current Co-Op special for $50). Additional student workbooks cost $19.95. They also have an e-book titled "15 Secrets to FREE College" available for $9.95. Their VocabCafe series of books sells for $38.95.

To see what other TOS Crew members had to say, click HERE.

To sum up my feelings about College Prep Genius, I would say that it seems to answer the age-old question of how to eat an elephant. (One bite at a time.)

God bless you on your homeschool journey and may you be encouraged today as you fulfill your high calling as a mother!

Day 131 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

11-11-11 = A Day to Be Thankful

2011-11-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

Today is Veteran's Day; it was previously known as Armistice Day. On November 11th, 1918 at 11am a cease fire fell into place, thus ending the First World War. One year later, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the federal holiday of Armistice Day, and all business commerce stopped for 2 minutes at 11am. In later years, following World War II, the federal holiday became known as Veteran's Day. It's an excellent thing for a country to honor those who have died to ensure freedom for it's citizens. It's also a good thing to remember the origin of this national holiday. By all means, as the wife of an Army officer, I am thankful that his service is remembered on this day. But as a homeschool mom who loves history, it's also important to me that we remember those who fought in the Great War, and who most immediately benefited at 11am on November 11, 1918.

All who have served in the defense of our country, since the days preceding the Revolutionary War through the long days and nights spent in the mountains of Afghanistan as of late, are to be honored today above all other days. They are heroes, and we are a grateful nation.

Having experienced the unique circumstances a family endures during a deployment, and having dealt first-hand with the negligent treatment wounded soldiers often receive when they sustain injuries, I would also like to say a few words about some other people who serve their country. Those who go are often unrecognized, and usually not thought of. The spouses and the children of deployed soldiers. (Let me add that I am sure siblings, fathers and mothers are probably also left feeling "unsupported" during deployments, but I have not been in the position of being mother to a soldier - I can't say exactly what that experience entails and so I've chosen not to talk about it in this post).

If my children could share one piece of wisdom with the "civilian world", it would be this: don't just ask them how their deployed parent is doing. Ask them how they are doing! In my husband's case, he received care packages, letters and emails almost daily that encouraged him while he was away. He knew he was being prayed for, and trust me, that is an invaluable ministry that means more than I could ever say. However, my children endured the lack of their father in our home (for the most part) from March 2005 until November 2007. (Due to a rear det job, followed by a 40 day deployment post Katrina, followed by a deployment as part of OIF/OEF, followed by a non-combat injury that nearly claimed my husband's life). During all that time, they were regularly asked how their dad was doing - and I don't think they can recall ever being asked if they were doing okay or if they would like someone to pray for them. Their advice is simple - if you know kids who have a deployed parent, please ask them how they are doing. Take an interest in their lives, too, and let them know that you understand it is a very difficult time for them.

The family of a soldier serves their country right along with the service member. But they do it in a much quieter, often forgotten manner. This Veteran's Day, thank a vet for serving our country. And thank their family, too - because when a soldier is deployed, the entire family is deployed.

And my personal thanks go out to my husband for his service (22+ years in the Army) - to all our dear friends who have served and continue to serve - to my grandfather for his service - and to my father for his time spent in the U.S. Army (he is buried at Black Hills National Memorial Cemetery, located near Sturgis, South Dakota).

Celebrate freedom today & remember our greatest freedom is in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

Day 130 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ First Form Latin from Memoria Press

2011-11-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

First impression upon opening the package I received from Memoria Press: WOW!! They sent me the whole shebang!

Second impression upon opening the package I received from Memoria Press: WOW!! They must not know how un-confident I feel about teaching - gulp - Latin!

The set I received from Memoria Press was First Form Latin Plus DVDs and Flashcards (sent to me free of charge for review purposes). This set contains the Teacher Manual, Student Text, Student Workbook, Quizzes & Tests, Pronunciation CD, Flashcards and DVDs. It is a very thorough set, and it does it's job of allowing moms like me to teach Latin to their children :) It's a quality program and provided me with the tools I needed to conquer a foreign language that I did not feel confident about teaching. The only items I needed in addition to the materials included with First Form Latin were a student notebook and a dictionary containing word etymology. (And just in case you happen to be a whiz when it comes to Latin, no worries - it's designed for teachers with or without a Latin background.)

Memoria Press encourages the study of Latin grammar to take place using four books (First, Second, Third, and Fourth Forms). Each text is a small book of about 100 pages with 30-35 concise two-page lessons. Each text has a corresponding workbook (4-6 pages of exercises per lesson). First Form Latin provides plenty of resources to aid in student success, which makes it a favorite subject for my daughter. This curriculum can be used from 3rd through 12th grades (and remember, any time you spend a year teaching a foreign language counts as one year of foreign language on your child's high school transcript, no matter what year the material is taught).

The "Teaching Guidelines" are very thorough, and I truly appreciated that I did not feel like I was drowning under the weight of them. Clearly broken into numbered segments, it's easy to go back and review any portion as needed. Once we dug into the program, it became pretty easy to use and the time investment isn't as great as I expected.

The more we use First Form Latin, the less intimidating Latin becomes. This really is a user-friendly program that anyone can use with no prior exposure to Latin. Teaching a foreign language seems overwhelming at times, and it can seem simpler to hand the entire process over to someone more skilled. But as homeschoolers, we must daily rise to the challenge of teaching subject matter that seems intimidating. Latin is really no different, and if you've considered it but been afraid to teach it, First Form Latin from Memoria Press - combined with your own dedication - is a great place to begin!

My daughter, who previously disliked any foreign language assignment, said this, "There are multiple ways to learn each part of a lesson. A variety of different ways to incorporate learning made me feel like I could 'get it', if not one way than another. First Form Latin explains it well, even in the confusing moments. When I do feel confused, I just keep looking and I always find the answer I need somewhere in the curriculum. The vocabulary is probably my favorite portion of Latin. And I really like the way each lesson builds upon the last. If you want to learn Latin, Memoria Press is the way to go!"

To explore First Form Latin for yourself, visit www.MemoriaPress.com.

To read what other reviewers had to say about products offered by Memoria Press, click HERE.

Other items available from Memoria Press include K-6 curriculum packages, an Online Academy, Logic & Rhetoric materials, Geography, Christian Studies, Greek plus a whole lot more.

First Form Latin sells for $55 for the basic set, and $115 for the complete set that I received.

Thanks for reading my review of First Form Latin from Memoria Press - and remember, don't be afraid to jump in with both feet to teach foreign language. You can do it!

Day 129 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Will I REALLY Be Able to Homeschool Through High School?!

2011-11-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Today's post is simply a dose of encouragement for homeschooling mothers considering the looming future idea of homeschooling "all the way through". (Key creepy music and girly shrieks and screams)

Yea, it's a scary concept. But if you take a moment and remember when you first began to considering homeschooling, you'll recognize the same emotions. Remember how you felt about teaching your child to read? Or teaching them to write in cursive? How to form a complete sentence or perhaps a paragraph? The scientific method? How to type and use the Dewey decimal system and the history of Ancient Egypt? All those concepts seemed pretty daunting, and yet you were able to keep your head and teach your children. High school is much the same - I promise!

My oldest graduated last May and is now in college (yes, your homeschooled child can actually get accepted to a college ~ but that's another post altogether!). I have two daughters in high school this year (9th and 11th grades) and two daughters in middle school (6th and 8th grades). These are busy years and the school day tends to be l-o-n-g. However, it isn't really any more challenging than it was to teach a couple of my kids to read and write and all that jazz with a baby, toddler and preschooler to care for.

My first piece of advice to any mom wondering if she can homeschool through high school would be to seek the Lord. He is able to provide all the grace and wisdom you need for this endeavor, and only He can bless you with an abundance of peace.

My second piece of advice would be to plan ahead and start planning well in advance. Before you reach the middle school years, consider which subjects you will teach during 6th - 8th grade that can count as high school credit. For example, if your child is advanced in math you might consider placing them a grade or so higher in math. They might complete Algebra I in 8th grade, and Algebra I is Algebra I no matter what year it's taught - so it counts as on year's credit in higher math on the student's transcript. If your child is a history buff, maybe you could search amazon or The Great Courses for curriculum that is a little more difficult than the typical middle school coursework. Upon completion of the text, the student receives credit for high school level work on their transcript. And remember, according to the public school model "completion" is reached when 80% of the text has been finished.

And my last piece of advice would be to stay relaxed and remember that homeschooling through high school is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't try and cover too much subject matter during the child's freshman year or they will end up overwhelmed and you will end up irritated and weary. Pace yourself. Use resources that show you what a typical 9th grade academic year looks like. Pray and pray some more. And let your child choose one subject they want to study that isn't on your "must do before graduation" list. Believe me, that makes a huge impact on the student's attitude during the high school years. And a good attitude in your teenager is a very good thing!!

Trust in the Lord and rely on Him alone, and you will find that homeschooling your high schooler is no more difficult than teaching your 5-year-old to read.

Happy homeschooling!

Day 128 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Excellence in Literature - English 1, Introduction to Literature

2011-10-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Reviewing the product "English 1 - Introduction to Literature" from the Excellence in Literature series by Janice Campbell has been an absolute delight for me. Having used her products and subscribed to her e-zine for several years, I can attest to the fact that her products are quality curriculum and her wisdom is invaluable to homeschooling families - particularly those with students in high school.

Excellence in Literature is a college preparatory literature program, an it's important to keep this in the forefront of your mind when using this curriculum. It's not some "easy-cheesy" workbook that demands little from the student and even less from the teacher. On the contrary, "English 1 - Introduction to Literature" is a first-rate product that draws excellence from the student provided said student pours hard work into the assignments. If you're wondering whatever happened to the lady writing this weblog who dislikes grading and favors curriculum that is user-friendly, don't worry, I still feel that way. But a big part of why I feel that way is because of my core belief that in order to give my children a quality, college prep education demands that I "cut the fat" from our homeschool. Otherwise I won't be able to get the big rocks into the jar first.

Janice Campbell lays out some clear objectives for "English 1":

~ Introduce students to great western literature
~ Teach students to read with discernment
~ Train independent, self-motivated learners
~ Provide tools to strengthen their writing skills
~ Introduce them to sources for high-quality online and offline research
~Prepare students for college classes by expecting carefully-researched, well-thought-out material to be presented in standard format with preliminary proofreading completed

She delivers on these objectives, provided the student does the work. What the course work looks like can differ slightly from family to family (as each family has their own standard for reading material and may choose not to read every book suggested). And of course younger students may need their course work altered; or perhaps your child prefers the Honors course laid out in English 1. However, I feel that you gain the most from this curriculum by completing it in it's entirety. The approach papers and essay writing that are unique to Excellence in Literature make up the spine of the program and bring great literature to life in a new way for the reader. After all, what would be the point of a literature program that failed to include writing assignments? And what could be the point of reading great books if the reader never bothers to ponder what's been read?

The instructions for writing the approach papers are clearly laid out in the book, and they really do bring out your child's understanding of what was read. An approach paper should be written when the student has finished a book. The essays are each assigned using an essay prompt, which challenges the student without overwhelming them. Since it is a college preparatory course, the student is simply assigned a book to read without being told how many pages to read daily, etc. They will not have the luxury of being spoon-fed in college, and Excellence in Literature gives them ample preparation for read world college courses. It also gives some read world practice for type-A homeschool moms like myself to let go and let the student "own" their lessons! I would also like to add that the book "Write for College" is suggested for use with "English 1". We have used "Write for College" with our high school children, and it lays an excellent foundation for college writing.

My 8th grade daughter had this to say about "English 1 - Introduction to Literature": "I'm not a huge fan of poetry, so that section was the most difficult for me. The short stories were interesting and I don't think I would have read them without having English 1 point them out to me. Writing an approach paper helps me understand what I just read. I can't get away with being a lazy reader! The book choices are good - a nice variety from all walks of life and different writing styles. It's a good program and I'm glad to have been able to use it."

To see what other TOS Crew mates had to say about Excellence in Literature, click HERE.

For more information about the literature curriculum available from Excellence in Literature, go to www.Everyday-Education.com/Literature

To see other products (like Transcripts Made Easy, Grammar Made Easy, Spelling Made Easy and Get a Jump Start on College) visit www.Everyday-Education.com. While there, take some time to see the other things Janice Campbell has on her site, like a GPA Calculator, Home Business info, A Beat the Clock Essay Workshop, and much more.

"English 1 - Introduction to Literature" is available in print form for $29 (plus $4.95 shipping) or in e-book form for $27 (132 pages). Payment can be made via Pay Pal.

As always, I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

Thanks for taking the time to read my product review & have a fantastic fall weekend!

Day 127 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ George Washington Carver DVD from Marshall Publihing

2011-10-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

George Washington Carver was a man of such character that his life is studied as an example some 68 years after his death. Yes, he was a brilliant scientist. Yes, he was also a wonderful teacher. But the reason we, as human beings made in the image of our Creator, are drawn to George Washington Carver is truly due to his character. And the character of Mr. Carver cannot be separated from his concept of God Almighty.

I say all that to tell you about a product I received (free of charge for review purposes) from Marshall Publishing ~ a DVD entitled "George Washington Carver - His Life and His Work". This 30 minute DVD gives viewers a overview of the unique and fascinating life of George W. Carver beginning in his childhood and continuing until his death in 1943. Of course, 30 minutes is not sufficient to examine all of his life - but 30 minutes is enough to pique a student's interest and is a terrific place to start a study on the life of George Washington Carver.

The DVD itself was filled with George's quotes and even has a recorded segment of him speaking. My kids were shocked at the sound of his voice - it was nothing like they imagined! It contains images of his laboratory and the museum in his honor at Iowa State University (which was not the only college he attended, by the way - a remarkable feat for a man born into slavery!). His great accomplishments for farmers in the south are explored and of course his work with peanuts is discussed!

Marshall Publishing is offering a 15% discount for TOS Product Review Readers - simply use the coupon code TOSC1 to receive the discount. The item # for "George Washington Carver - His Life and His Work" is KVFD-106 and you can visit their website at www.MarshallPub.com.

The DVD "George Washington Carver - His Life and His Work" retails for $19.95 (but would cost $16.95 after applying the 15% discount). Of course, Marshall Publishing has a wide variety of products available for purchase at www.MarshallPub.com, including an excellent selection of curriculum options about fire safety, which many of my fellow Crew mates were able to review. To read what they had to say, click HERE. Some other DVD's that caught my eye include "Lincoln at Gettysburg - The Battle & The Address" ($19.95, 60 mins.) and "The Historic Expedition of Lewis & Clark" ($19.95, 35 mins).

As a historical figure, George Washington Carver has left an impression on me that stands with the likes of Amos Fortune, the Wright Brothers, John and Samuel Adams, and General John J. Pershing. A thorough study of his life will be a blessing to you and your children, and will influence and encourage you for many years to come. Taking the time to study people of solid character is something homeschool parents understand; the benefits that come from virtuous living are some of the most important lessons we will ever teach.

Be blessed in your homeschool adventure and thank you for taking the time to read my review!

Day 126 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

It's the Weekend, and I Was Wondering (part 2) ...

2011-10-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

Here it is, another weekend filled with errands, youth group events, yard work, church and small groups, and of course homeschool preparation for the coming week.

The response I received to a question I posed in my first "It's the Weekend, and I Was Wondering..." blog post was fabulous! I loved hearing what you all shared about spelling programs, and I've been able to implement some of those things in our family's homeschool. (To read that post, click HERE.)

The question I'm asking this weekend has to do with penmanship. How important is it in your homeschool? What programs, curriculum, or methods do you use? Are some of your children simply neater than others, or have you been able to obtain a standard measure of neatness from all your children?

Let me hear what you have to say about penmanship by leaving a comment. I can hardly wait to read your advice!

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to enjoy your family in the midst of your busy preparation for next week's school.

Day 125 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Always IceCream

2011-10-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Gee, as a homeschooling mom who now has all girls at home after sending our only son off to college, I was shocked when receiving a girls only product to review!
In all seriousness, I was very happy to see a safe, educational website specifically designed with young ladies ,ages 7-12, in mind.

Always Icecream is appealing to me as a homeschooler because of the diverse educational content (language arts, basic & advanced math, geography, history, music, art, foreign languages, computer skills and religious eduction). Using games and videos, Always Icecream is a great supplemental curriculum option. As a mom Always Icecream is appealing to me because it's safe, free of advertising, and blocked to search engines. The site is certified by Privo and is subject to moderation, and user information is never sold; my daughter's safety is taken seriously and that is very important to me as a homeschooling mother.

My 6th grade daughter has been using Always Icecream since we received a membership in early September (free of charge for review purposes). She has made new friends, "hatched" loads of pets, watched educational videos and played learning games, earned a "Gold Medal" in Bible Trivia, created her own house, designed furniture and art work and a whole lot more ~ all while earning money (known as $coops) that can be used to "buy" a wide variety of things.

When she logs into Always Icecream on any given day she might take care of her pets in Pet World, learn how to make homemade icecream in the Videos, custom decorate a room in her house at Mini World, play a math game in Learn & Play, or send a friend a message at Mail. As she does different things in each area of Always Icecream, she is earning $coops, which she can then spend on things like clothes for her pets or a shopping spree in Mini World. She can even buy items created by other Always Icecream members! And she likes earning $coops instead of money - somehow it's just more fun that way!

She has this to share ~ "You can earn $coops while learning. It's educational, but still really fun. Pet World is probably my favorite part of Always Icecream because you have to take care of the pets you hatch. In Mini World I can have as many rooms in my house as I want. There's no limit, and some other websites do have a limit on how many rooms you can have. I don't think there is anything about Always Icecream that I don't like. It's pretty great!"

As a parent who homeschools, Always Icecream provides a site that is fun and educational - it allows my daughter to have all the fun available at other sites (which shall remain unnamed) but in a way that draws her to learning in an environment that is safe and supports our family's Christian beliefs. To see for yourself what Always Icecream has to offer, check out their Overview Page HERE.

Without going into excessive details (which I am prone to do), I'd like to add that we use the Videos to supplement our learning in several subjects (like Language Arts and Foreign Language) and I love the fact that I can easily check my daughter's activity by clicking "Parent Summary" in the top right-hand corner of the web page. The "Parent Summary" is a great feature, allowing me to see progress made in learning games, communication with other members, which videos were viewed, and any artwork my daughter created ~ all in one quick glance. Parents can choose to make a Parent Account at any time, free of charge. And parents can customize the educational content available to their daughters, as well as awarding $coops for tasks done at home (like piano practice or household chores). How cool is that?!

The only thing my daughter didn't do too much of was the typing assignments - and that's because she fell off her scooter and broke her arm in mid-September. The break continued to worsen despite her cast and she had surgery last week. So typing has been a little bit of a challenge for her the last several weeks. (And in case you're thinking, "Wait, I thought it was her son who had surgery..." - yes, he had surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon on September 1st. In a strange irony, he had an appointment with his orthopaedic doctor in the Chicago area the same day and time that my daughter had an appointment with her orthopaedic doctor here in Wichita!) I plan to have her utilize the typing assignments once she has both hands available for use.

The cost for an Always Icecream subscription is $4.99/month ~ $29.99/year ~ $99.99/lifetime membership. They offer a money back guarantee and you can try it for free at their website - www.AlwaysIcecream.com

To read what other members of this year's TOS Crew had to say about Always Icecream, click HERE.

Lord bless you and your family as you continue on your homeschool journey!

Day 124 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Has He Proven It to You?

2011-10-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

God makes us a spectacular promise when He says that all His promises prove true (see Psalm 18:30, Romans 3:4, and 2 Samuel 22:31). This isn't a promise made only to the Israelites, or one that is found only in the Old Testament. It is a promise that encompasses all of the Bible and all believers, and as such it is one we can take the spiritual bank to cash with full expectation that it will "clear"!

Yes, I realize that in essence I'm claiming that God promises that His promises will prove true. And I get that you may think that's an odd concept, or maybe that I'm talking in circles or have put my thought processes in a blender and what came out what this blog post. But I really do believe that God's amazing promise to us that each and every one of His promises is true and can be counted on is one of the most important spiritual truths we can grasp.

Think of a verse you consider dear to your heart ~ maybe you have prayed it over your children daily, or perhaps you have laid claim to a specific portion of God's Word in regard to your marriage. How have you seen God answer those prayers? How has He acted on your behalf in response to the promises you believed from His Word?

Are there other promises in the Bible that you avoid because you're afraid they might not apply to you? Or because they seem too big to believe in light of present circumstances? You don't see any light at the end of the tunnel (maybe you feel trapped in that tunnel!) and there doesn't seem to be any point in pestering the God of the universe about your troubles.

I'll say it again because it's worth repeating: ALL God's promises prove true, and His answer is Yes and Amen through Christ Jesus our Lord! How would your daily life change if you really believed that, with every fiber of your being?

When the road gets rocky, why not try out some of His promises rather than worry and fret (and remember, the Bible says not to fret as it only leads to evil in Psalm 37:8) and see what happens? I am certain you'll be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful result that comes from trusting that all God's promises to you will prove absolutely true.

And if you have trusted Him and seen that He is faithful to His Word and always acts in loving kindness toward His children, leave a comment and share what great things He has done for you! I'd love to hear about His good will toward you and His care over your concerns, and it is always wonderful to recount the great things He has done for us.

Be encouraged today as you choose to take God at His Word and believe in faith that He has good plans for you and your family!

Day 123 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Pershing - Commander of the Great War by John Perry (from the Generals series)

2011-10-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing was a one-of-a-kind leader who saved Europe in a one-of-a-kind war. The book "Pershing ~ Commander of the Great War" explores the entirety of Pershing's, culminating in an understandable review of his leadership during the First World War. For a man who never intended to become a soldier, it is a great irony that he became the only U.S. General awarded the rank of General of the Armies during his lifetime - the only U.S. General to ever own the rank of 6 stars (though in humility he never wore 6, only 4 gold stars in an adaptation the traditional 4 silver stars of a full general).

I have always felt an understanding of World War II begins with a study of World War I. Mechanized warfare, chemical advances, aircraft and improved weaponry began in the Great War. Those who fought in the Second World War are known as "the Greatest Generation", and there is no doubt they nobly earned said title. I only wish those who served in the First World War were equally recognized for their bravery and valor. This book honors not only General Pershing, but all those who served under him.

From humble beginnings and small town aspirations to enormous tragedy and tremendous triumph, John J. Pershing was a man for the ages. While not a lengthy piece of work (224 pages) this book is an excellent narrative on the life of Pershing and is more than able to hold the reader's interest. John Perry has done a terrific job with this book, and I'm sure you won't be sorry if you take the time to read it.

On my "Page Turner Scale" of 1 to 5, I have to give this book a solid 5. It's a wonderful historical account and I didn't want to put it down once I began reading.

(Disclaimer ~ I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for review purposes.)

Day 122 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Scruble Cube

2011-10-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Right about now you might be wondering, "What's a Scruble Cube?". Don't worry, I wondered the same thing when I received one (free of charge for review purposes). Turns out, a Scruble Cube is a fun educational game that is something like Scrabble combined with a Rubix Cube.

The cube itself is 4 inches by 4 inches, and has 16 squares per side. Each square has a sticker representing a letter or other game play information on it (like 2x word score or 4x letter score).

Along with the game cube itself, I received a score pad and a sand timer. And lesson plans encompassing science, language arts, mathematics, English and spelling for grades 3-10 are available at the company website, www.ScrubleCube.com.

When you visit the website, check out "Getting Started Tips & Tricks" - it's a great way to learn all about the Scruble Cube. And should you run out of score sheets, there are more online in a printable pdf format along with replacement directions.

A variety of games can be played using a Scruble Cube, including one that helps older students learn about the Periodic Table of Elements and another that teaches younger students about vowel awareness (I thought older siblings could help younger ones spell words with the Scruble Cube - what a nice change of pace from spelling lists to a hands-on learning tool!).

I liked the Scruble Points Game - it requires students to build a word on the cube and find definitions in the dictionary. This game is easy to adapt in a variety of ways to "spice up" traditional spelling and dictionary work and a printable pdf worksheet that accompanies this game is available at the website.

Another fun game is Scruble Make a Sentence. This is a multi student game but homeschoolers are keen at adapting curriculum to suit of family's needs. This game could be used with two siblings; one creates a sentence on the cube while the other works on penmanship and writes the sentence down.

The game I like the best is Scruble Word Math. Spelling becomes more of a challenge when the timer is set and the player with the cube is challenged to make as many 3-letter words as they can before the sand runs out on the timer. You can continue to up the ante - next are 4-letter words, then 5-letter words and so on. It's great for hands-on spelling practice and the challenge the occurs among siblings actually leads to some pretty creative spelling contests!

The Scruble Cube retails for $24.95 and is available online at www.ScrubleCube.com.
Suggested age range is 8 and above, but it can be enjoyed by younger children. And replacement labels (the stickers that go on each individual square) are available for $4.95 at the company website. The website itself is easy to navigate - I really appreciate that!

To read what my fellow members of the TOS Crew had to say about Scruble Cube, click HERE.

Lord bless you as you continue on this amazing journey known as homeschooling!

Day 121 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Welcome to October!

2011-10-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

Today's calendar reads "Monday, October 3rd, 2011". Umm, what?!?! It's already October?? Anyone else a little surprised by the rapidity of this year's passing?

Beginning a new month often leads me to think about what has taken place in the previous month. For our family, September was pretty eventful! And praise the Lord, He was faithful to bless us and sustain us through each and every moment of September.

My son had just begun his freshman year of college when we received a text message telling us he had ruptured his Achilles tendon on his left leg. OUCH!! Since he was in a brand new community 12 hours from home, and is on a campus that doesn't allow freshmen to have cars, I loaded up a rental car and my youngest daughter's homeschool work and headed northeast for Gage's surgery. He did fine and has been making a terrific recovery, praise the Lord. Soon I returned home to Wichita, Kansas and to life as "normal" (whatever that means).

Shortly thereafter, my youngest daughter took a tumble off the scooter and broke her arm. Weekly trips to the orthopod to monitor the progress of the bone regrowth have followed and she has adapted to life in a cast and sling. To her dismay, my expectations for her penmanship to steadily improve have not waned with the addition of the cast. After all, it's her left arm that's broken and she is a righty - progressively neater handwriting is still the requirement!

My husband received an unexpected promotion at work, and it has come with much longer work days as he "learns" how to do his new job while on-the-job. He has even faced some issues that have not occured in 35 years! Nothing like hitting a problem head-on your first week on the job, but there is REALLY nothing like it when the problem is a once-in-a-few-decades type of problem! He is walking in God's grace daily, and is grateful the Lord blessed him with this new position.

We decided to kill off the Bermuda grass that took over our fescue lawn during our record-setting hot summer, and that has been a pretty large scale project. After finishing our daily school work (which has been full academically this fall) the girls and I would head outdoors to work on the yard. Spraying, raking, pulling Bermuda "vines" by hand...and then into the house to shower and have a late dinner. Day after day of this continued through the entire month of September, and finally on the 1st of October, we were ready to reseed! Now we're watering watering watering, and anxiously awaiting lovely green sprouts.

Of course, my family life in September contained some wonderful blessings. Our youth group ended a terrific study on the Book of John, my oldest daughter celebrated her 17th birthday, and some dear friends announced they will be moving back to Kansas in the near future! The Lord is indeed very good, and it's good for me to recount His faithfulness during the more difficult moments in life as well as His goodness to us as He blesses us daily.

Some verses I wrote down in my journal during the month of September include:

Psalm 94:18 ~ When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me.

Romans 8:6b ~ But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ~ Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain,

Joshua 3:10 ~ Today you will know that the Living God is among you.

Lamentations 3:25 ~ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.

My prayer for you is that this October will be a month full of rich blessing and God's comfort in whatever you may face. Continually draw near to Him, and wait expectantly to see how He works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength every single day!

Day 120 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Aletheia Writing Magazine

2011-09-26T16:39:00.000-07:00

Aletheia Writing Magazine is quarterly publication aimed at 13 to 19 year old Christian teenagers that is "committed to offering readers a quality literary and artistic publication that nurtures spiritually minded creativity from Christian teens."

As a member of the TOS Crew, I received a copy of the Fall 2011 edition along with a digital copy of the Summer 2011 issue. Having two editions gave me a broader overview of the magazine, revealing a nice variety of content. (These products were provided to me at no charge for review purposes.)

Aletheia Writing Magazine has a Featured Contributor in every issue, along with a Writer's Challenge and a Book Review. One of their newest features is a blog where Christian teens can share their thoughts and experiences on many different topics.

I'd like to share what 3 of my teen daughters had to say about Aletheia:

Oldest daughter ~ "It's a good magazine overall. It features talent from young people in a much more positive way than the typical 'junk' found in most magazines for teen girls. The writing challenges me as a teen writer and I feel I could learn quite a bit from this magazine, things that will enhance my skills as a writer."

Second oldest daughter ~ "It's neat to see what other teenagers have done, and I am impressed by their stories. The artwork and photos are impressive, too. I usually don't enjoy reading magazines, but Aletheia was the opposite for me. I enjoyed it."

Third oldest daughter ~ "Bottom line, I like the fictional stories. It's fun to read what other kids have written. This is the first magazine I've seen that does that. And the tips for artists are great. I enjoyed it and I felt like I learned some things."

Before I share my thoughts about the magazine, I'd like to provide a disclaimer. ** Some of the subject matter is controversial, even though it is presented from a Christian perspective. Parents should certainly read the magazine prior to allowing their children to read it. **

I found the nature photos to be pretty fantastic. It's really great to see the talent of young people within the Christian community. And the interviews with the artists section (called Into the Artists Studio) segment is full of valuable information that my artistically inclined teenagers absorbed like sponges. If you have a child with an artistic bent, Aletheia Writing Magazine could be a real blessing to them. The same is true of your budding author or photographer.

The website www.AletheiaWritingMagazine.com has plenty of information available about the magazine, including upcoming issues, reviews and testimonials, writing tips and subscription information.

Subscriptions cost $26 in the United States and $29 in Canada for four annual 40-page issues (no additional charge for shipping & handling). To subscribe, click HERE.

To read what my fellow TOS Crew reviewers had to say about Aletheia, just click HERE.

Thank you for taking the time to read this product review - Lord bless you as you seek to bring God glory in your family's homeschool!

Day 119 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

It's the Weekend, and I Was Wondering...

2011-09-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

Ya know how they say New York is the city that never sleeps? I think something similar could be said of homeschooling mothers ~ we never stop homeschooling, even on the weekends.

Today is Saturday, and I've been up and at it since 6:30am. I've read the Bible (seeking His wisdom about the upcoming week's homeschool), prayed (asking Him to bless my homeschool efforts next week), thought about how the day's activities can be a time of learning (we're reseeding our yard and there are plenty of teaching opportunities involved), and made a purchase on Amazon (every item I bought is for use in our homeschool).

Since I spend a good portion of my weekend "homeschooling", I'm sure many of you do, too. That got me thinking...

Why not ask what other moms homeschool related questions? I'm sure that all of you have tons of wisdom gleaned over your time homeschooling that you'd just love to share with me!

This weekend, I am wondering what spelling programs do you use? Give me as little or as much detail as you like. I'll be watching to see what you have to say!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Day 118 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Tri-Cross board game (by Games for Competitors)

2011-09-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

Reviewing the board game Tri-Cross (from Games for Competitors) sure didn't seem like work for me and my family. It just seemed like good old-fashioned fun. And the fun was doubled, since Games for Competitors sent us the boxed version and the Tri-Cross Eco-Edition!
How awesome is that?!

Tri-Cross can be played with two to four players, ages 10 to adult, and the instructions explain both traditional play and optional variations that increase the challenge level. Both the boxed game and the Eco-Edition are played the same way; the difference is the eco-friendly packaging of Tri-Cross Eco-Edition (which is ideal for traveling - all the pieces fit neatly in a small cinch-sac).

The object of the game is to win by occupying the Tri-Cross square located in the center of the game board with any one of your pieces, OR to jump and remove all your opponent's game pieces. My 9th grade daughter says it reminds her of checkers, but it takes a lot of strategy. No two rounds play out in the same way, and it's easy to keep playing in the hope that "one more round" will deem one player the Tri-Cross champion.

The game becomes more challenging with 3 or 4 players versus 2 players, but that's not to say Tri-Cross isn't fun with 2 people competing. It's a fun game no matter how many players are involved, and the fun builds as the strategy unfolds. I think a truly entertaining game should be engaging, competitive, yet simple to understand ~ Tri-Cross is all three.

In the words of my 11th grade daughter, "It's easy to play but challenging. You have to think in order to play. And it's kind of addicting; you want to play again and again."

Some optional game variations include "Face Up","Guts", "Reverse Guts", & "Team Play" - all fun ways to mix it up a little and intensify the challenge of the game. You could consider having a family game night in which Tri-Cross is played in all it's variations, with a "prize" for the family member who scores the most wins. (Prize ideas could be a movie rental, dinner out with just mom or dad, or a trip to the local bookstore.)

Tri-Cross has been awarded "Dr. Toy's 100 Best Products Winner", "The National Parenting Center's 2008 Seal of Approval", and the "Creative Child Magazine Creative Toy Awards 2008 Game of the Year Award". If I had an award for games it would be called the "Burt Family Smart Games = Fun Games Award" and Tri-Cross would be a recipient :)

Homeschool families have the option of incorporating learning games into their daily academic schedule. Not sure how to use a game as a "lesson"? Well, in the case of Tri-Cross, younger students will be using basic math and counting practice when they play. And the more older kids can practice logic and thinking skills when they play, especially the more challenging versions of the game.

Games like Tri-Cross are also a good way to begin (or end) a field trip day that doesn't take up an entire school day. Say your field trip starts around lunch time and you know you won't be able to complete any full math or language arts lessons before it's time to jump in the car. Educational games can fill in this gap and count as learning, too. They're also easy to implement, no grading is required, and it keeps the kids all in one place working together while you get everything ready for the field trip. Reverse the scenario if your field trip takes place in the morning, and have the children play educational games in the afternoon to fill up the school day and allow you time to clean up after the day's activities. Thinking games are a win/win!

Visit the Games for Competitors website to find out more, to order online, or to find local retailers who sell Tri-Cross (these are listed by state).

www.GamesForCompetitors.com

Available for purchase at the website are Tri-Cross shirts in adult and youth sizes ($12) ~ Tri-Cross Standard Edition ($24.95) ~ Tri-Cross Wood Edition ($35.95) ~ Tri-Cross Eco-Edition ($19.95).

Consider making educational games a part of your family's homeschool.

To see other reviews from the TOS Crew click HERE.

Day 117 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Trust Him and Obey Him

2011-09-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

Today's blog post is just to encourage you as a mother. Your job is world-changing and of the utmost importance. The day-to-day mundane tasks make a difference that cannot be calculated. You matter more than you may realize.

Do you believe what I just shared? If you have trouble believing it about yourself, do you readily believe about motherhood as a whole? Of course you do - if you didn't believe motherhood mattered, you wouldn't be a homeschooling mom.

In essence, you do what you do as a mom who homeschools because you believe it matters, to God and to your family. You trust God enough to do what He has called you to do; because you trust Him, you also obey Him. This is the secret to success in this life. (Note I didn't say worldly success ~ I'm talking about success in God's economy.)

Obedience in the small stuff leads to faithfulness in the big stuff. And some day you will look back over the annals of your lifetime to discover the small stuff truly was the big stuff. So make the most of today, because what you do matters to your family and to your Lord. You were saved and set apart for His good purposes, and if you are a Christian woman who homeschools then a big part of His call on your life will be done at your kitchen table teaching Geometry and the history of the Civil War.

George MacDonald said, "I find the doing of the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans."

I think he's 100% correct - when I am doing what God has called me to do, I have no time to argue with Him about His will for my life.

Trust Him and obey Him & leave the results in His capable hands!

Day 116 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

One Call Away by Brenda Warner

2011-09-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

We all come from somewhere, and where we've been defines who we are now. The book "One Call Away ~ A Memoir ~ Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith" lays out the details of Brenda Warner's life from childhood through the present day. Reading this book is like traveling through Brenda's life, during all the ups and downs. From small town girl to wife of a Super Bowl winning NFL quarterback, a relationship with the Living God has been key for Brenda as she faced life's challenges head on.

I must say, this book was not at all what I expected it to be. I was surprised by some of the choices Brenda made over the years, and even more surprised by her candid way of laying it all out there for the world to see. Many of her life stories were heartbreaking, and I found myself wanting to hold her hand and tell her it would be okay, God hadn't forgotten her. And some of her circumstances reminded me of things I've encountered in my own life; the way she would "cowboy up" and muddle through the darkest of days is the way I've often dealt with hard times.

No matter how strong Brenda Warner is, I found myself more impressed by her choice to be still and let God handle circumstances that were beyond her control. It's a sign or Christian growth when we move aside and resign ourselves to His will, in His way, according to His time table. I have to say, my favorite parts of the book were those in which Brenda allowed God to have total control, no matter the outcome.

On my "Page Turner Scale" of 1 to 5, I would have to give this book a 3. It's an interesting read, held my attention, and moved along at a nice pace.

(Disclaimer ~ I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for review purposes)

Day 115 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Review of Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles, & Trapezoids (from AIMS Educational Foundation)

2011-09-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

AIMS Educational Foundation is a non-profit foundation begun in 1981 by a group of 80 elementary and middle school teachers who desired to provide students with a solid conceptual understanding of math and science. Through a wide variety of ever-expanding books and activities, research and conferences, AIMS is making an impact in the math and science world for the betterment of students in all learning environments.

AIMS Educational Foundation made several different products available to members of the TOS Crew to review - I received a book entitled "Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles, & Trapezoids". It's an 80-page softcover book the comes with a CD containing printable student pages, videos, and the comics & animations that set this book apart as a unique way to learn some basic Geometry. It is aimed at grades 6-8, but I think it could be adapted for use with younger or older children. I encourage you to be sure and check it all the reviews posted by TOS Crew members ~ you can find those HERE.

I used the book "Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles, & Trapezoids" with my daughters who are in 6th and 8th grade. Using the book's 5 components for teaching each unit, my girls explored basic geometry with Investigations, Comics, Animation & Video, Problem Solving, and Assessments. Each of these components is explained on the book's Welcome page. I found the Investigations to be very useful for kinesthetic learners, providing a hands-on aspect that they need. The Comics were fun and educational at the same time. I would say I'm torn on my opinion of the Animation & Video component - this is my 14th year of homeschooling, and I'm a little biased about how I teach certain topics. I like my method of finding area over the AIMS method, but I will admit that may be my own stick-in-the-mud mentality rather than an issue with the curriculum itself. Problem Solving was my favorite part of each unit - the chance to put into practice what was learned! Finally, the Assessments are key for math and science learning; we must assess on some level or we don't really know if the student has grasped the concept.

Each unit opens with a "Big Idea" ( I LOVE this - seeing the entire unit's purpose explained on one page) and the work for each day is clearly laid out. All the teacher needs to do is follow each day's directions and the lessons fall neatly into place. Students work to develop formulas for areas of parallelograms, triangles and trapezoids by cutting out shapes and manipulating them, using geoboards and geobands for "hands-on" learning, and in general trying to discover what will work when finding the area of a given shape. It's a unique way of learning, I must admit. I am the type who teaches a formula, and then expects the student to use said formula to find the area of each shape. The idea of "playing around" with shapes to find the reason behind the formula is not my preferred teaching style, but I can see how it would be a huge help to certain students.

Since my kids have never really practiced math using the "experimental" method, I think they were a little unsure about this curriculum. They wanted to get right to work using the formulas, so we actually did a week's worth of lessons at one time. That way they were able to apply what they had learned right away, and they could see the direct result of the experimenting they had just done. It wasn't difficult to adapt the lessons to suit our homeschool needs, so I am going to label "Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles, & Trapezoids" as Highly Homeschool Friendly . Of course, that might not work for all students but that is one of the things that makes this a quality resource ~ you really can adapt it to your child's needs.

My husband chimed in to offer his opinion of the AIMS resource our family reviewed. He felt the "big picture first" to "small picture" method of teaching used in this book was right up his alley. He is the youth pastor at our church, and often utilizes this method in his teaching. He is also in management within the aircraft industry and his ability to have a "big picture" view of the Quality Assurance process helps him keep his team moving in the same direction day in and day out. He really liked this product based on it's ability to not throw out specific details and information prior to revealing the purpose behind the specifics.

AIMS grants permission to the purchaser of "Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles, & Trapezoids" to photocopy up to 220 copies of any portion of the text for educational use, or for use in an educator workshop.

At the website you can download free math puzzles, sign up for monthly E-Activities (for a nominal fee), shop for science and math materials, and explore their literature links. Don't forget to check out their Clearance section, too! Visit www.AIMSedu.org to see for yourself!

The book "Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles, & Trapezoids" is available for $9.95, and this is the current price for all their math curriculum books. Other subject matter is available at a variety of prices, all of them within reason.

As always, I received this product at no cost to myself for review purposes.

Thanks for reading this TOS Crew product review!

Day 114 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Clarifying Our Ministry as Moms

2011-09-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel pushed and pulled and filled with uncertainty about your ministry as a mom who homeschools? Should you say yes to that small group Bible study, or should you say no? Can you take time out for an evening walk with your husband, or do you need to spend that time prepping for the following day's school? Maybe you stuggle with caring for aging parents while fulfilling your call to homeschool. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the daily stuggle to find balance in our lives, God's Word does provide us with all the wisdom and counsel we need for our daily dilemmas.

It's natural for us to take a grass-is-greener approach to life, and often we do it without recognizing it (but remember, the sinful man lives according to his natural lusts and we are called to live according to the Spirit). For example, that small group for women may be something you really, really want to do and it seems like the perfect way to take a short break each week - and when we are busy homeschooling our older children with little our little tikes hanging off our lower limbs all day long, that break sounds pretty good. But what if, when we felt that longing for a break or some time with other adults, we stopped to consider whether that small group might be God's best for us at some point in the future instead of right now? We may think we need to go to Bible study in order to grow in God's Word so that we can be better wives and mothers (and sometimes that is what He wants us to do) - but what if, just what if, He wants to grow us right in our own homes, doing what He has called us to do in this season of our lives? Small groups are wonderful, and sometimes they are what God has planned for us; other times, He wants us to submit to His will for our life and stop looking for a "break" or "time away". Growth happens when we obey Him, so the key is to find out what He wants us to do and then to actually do it (whether or not we feel like doing it)!

Say you're trying to figure out if you should take that evening stroll with your hubby, or stay home and plan tomorrow's homeschool day to the nth degree. Now, I cannot tell you exactly what's right and what's wrong in this situation - but I can tell you that many homeschooling mamas are Type A, strong-willed, stubborn work-a-holics! And those mamas are the ones who really do need to put away the curriculum and take that walk with their husband! For the moms who want to take a walk or watch a movie or read a novel every single night of the week, perhaps a little more time spent planning is in order. In reality, what we want to do (in our flesh) can be a red flag as to what we ought to do instead. But I'm sure you already know that...homeschooling has a way of revealing the truth about human nature unlike any other endeavor we might undertake!

Caring for elderly parents and still trying to complete your homeschool lessons each day is a daunting task that really is overwhelming. But the God who called you to homeschool, the God who desires for you to honor your parents, is the God who will help you one day at a time to fulfill both of those ministries to His glory. You might be exhausted, stretched too thin, and uncertain about how each day will unfold but you will receive strength from the Holy Spirit and blessings untold as you submit your time to the God who holds all time in His hands. In the end, you will be glad you persevered.

And lastly, let me just remind you that one of your most vital roles as a mom is that of a comforter to your children. Please don't fall into the trap of encouragaing and comforting your friends, neighbors, and extended family members while failing to comfort and encourage the children who share your home. Seriously, listen up ladies! We cannot possibly be in the center of God's will for our lives as homeschoolers if we only correct and reprimand our children (and don't tell me it's part of educating them - God teaches best with love and compassion and He is our example in all things).

As always, don't take my word for it, but do take His Word ~

Jeremiah 29:13 "If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you," says the Lord.
*This verse reminds me to seek Him right where I am, in the midst of teaching a proof in Geometry or in my decision about signing up for a small group.

Isaiah 66:3 "As a mother comforts her children, so I will comfort you."
*In this verse God clearly tells me to comfort my children, and to treat them in the kind manner in which He treats me.

Psalm 118:7 "The Lord is with me; He is my helper."
*Here I find God's promise to be with me and help me through each and every moment of each and every day; I cannot do it on my own, but I cannot fail when I allow Him to help me.

Lord bless you as you continue in your ministry today!

Day 113 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Time 4 Learning

2011-09-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

In my attempt to do justice to what I believe to be an excellent educational resource for homeschoolers, let me preface this TOS Crew product review with these words: My review may not fully convey how terrific I believe Time 4 Learning is, so I encourage you to check it out for yourself!

So what is this great resource known as Time 4 Learning? According to the description provided on the FAQ page, "Time4Learning is a technology-based online educational program that teaches preschool to eighth grade curriculum using a combination of animated lessons, interactive activities and reinforcing worksheets." That is the description in a nutshell, but I hope to show you that it's a whole lot more than you might think!

The first place to start as you learn about Time 4 Learning is at their website's FAQ page ~ click HERE to access that page directly. You will find answers to questions such as "Can I use it as a homeschool program?", "What does the math curriculum cover?", and "Can Time 4 Learning run on an IPad?". You will also find a curriculum level overview for each grade level (Pre-K through 8th grade) in the sidebar. Subject included with a Time 4 Learning membership include Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. This encompasses the following:

•Online curriculum for grades Pre-K through 8th
•More than 1,000 interactive animated lessons
•Self paced lessons that kids will enjoy working on
•Math & algebra tutorials & printable worksheets
•Language arts, phonics & grammar lessons
•Interactive, project-based reading activities
•Science (grades 1st - 6th) & social studies (grades 2nd - 7th)
•Detailed reporting for easy record keeping
•Extensive lesson plans & teaching tools for parents
•and much more...

When I received my membership information from Time 4 Learning (free of charge for review purposes) I was able to set up 2 separate accounts for each of my middle-school daughters, and I have access to my own Parent's Account. My 6th grader and my 8th grader both did assignments from each subject category, and they both found that what they were learning was very thorough and aligned itself well with their other homeschool curriculum. For example, when my 8th grade daughter wanted to see how specific the Social Studies lessons were in relation to what she had learned about the Roaring Twenties, she was pleasantly surprised to find that it was as complete as her textbook had been, yet was done in a fun and interactive way. The same proved true of my 6th grader when she explored Time 4 Learning's method of teaching about improper fractions. She felt the visual aspect of the online program would have helped her when she initially studied this topic.

Some online educational websites can be, well, less fun than others. And plenty sites provide ample fun, with little educational depth. I was pleasantly surprised by the balance provided by Time 4 Learning. As implied in the previous paragraph, our family has not been using Time 4 Learning as a stand-alone curriculum; instead, we have incorporated it into our daily lesson plans. This works well for us, as I typically use about triple the resources many of my fellow homeschool moms use (that's according to them, not me - I don't like to think of myself as an overachiever!) However, if you are the more laid back homeschool mom, you might be comfortable using it as your sole curriculum for certain subjects. It's thorough, to a extent not always found among online learning resources. It also compliments other curriculum nicely. You can choose how best to use Time 4 Learning with your students - it's flexible enough for either option.

But it's not boring, and that's important to note. Remember the movie "What About Bob?" - if so, you might recall the scene in which Dr. Leo Marvin is talking with his daughter Anna about his bizarre patient Bob Wiley. Dr. Marvin is trying to persuade his daughter that hanging out with Bob is not a good idea. Anna says, "But he's FUN!!" To which Dr. Marvin replies, "Well, I'm sort of fun..." Some homeschool products can be categorized as "sort of fun...". Time 4 Learning, however, falls squarely under the heading "FUN!!" (I know it's an odd analogy, but I think you get my point.)

Here's what my 6th grade daughter had to say: "I really like their Science and Math a lot. It helps me to learn, but in a fun way. I love that I'm not bored when I do my assignments!"

And my 8th grade daughter shared these thoughts: "I like that it has a lot of variety. The Language Arts writing uses a format similar to Word and I really love using it. I have great tools to use when I write at Time 4 Learning. Having separate levels for older kids and younger kids is a good idea, because at other sites the activities can seem a little babyish when all ages are lumped together. Also, it's neat that students can submit their artwork and have it displayed on the website. They also have a good selection of games to play, and they're fun games, too. If I had to say there was something I don't like about Time 4 Learning, it would be that I can only earn 15 minutes of game time no matter how many assignments I complete. I'd like to be able to earn more game time. Other than that, it's great!"

Here is a screen shot of math topics:

The Parent Admin area has a terrific Student Records option that allows me to view my girl's work by day, month, or year. It provides "scores" (a percentage grade when available) for each assignment, so I can see at a glance how they're doing. From here I am able to give specific assignments, generate attendance charts, print out score sheets by subject or by student (available as a PDF), see the Language Arts Reading Lists (which provide extra reading ideas - the required reading is all provided online), see the Science lesson supply lists, and more. They also have a Refer a Friend deal that you can check out at their website, and the Hints and Helps section has some great information.

You can check it out here ~ www.Time4Learning.com

As an aside about the middle-school Science programs available at Time 4 Learning, I'd like to remind you that science labs completed during 6th through 8th grade can be rolled over to your child's high school transcript. Check your state's graduation requirements, but many require at least one lab in order to complete high school. If you were to use Time 4 Learning and actually do all the science experiments, it would count as one lab credit for each level of Science your child completes. Trust me, fulfilling those lab requirements can be time consuming and tricky at times, so having it all laid out for you in easy to follow step-by-step instructions is pretty valuable.

The cost of Time 4 Learning is $19.95 for the first student and $14.95 for each additional student, billed every 30 days. A 100% money back guarantee is offered for the first 14 days of use, so you can try it out and see if it's a good fit for your family's homeschool.

To see what other TOS Crew members have to say about Time 4 Learning, click THIS LINK.

Thanks for taking the time to read this review - have a terrific homeschool day!

Day 112 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Learning from Romans

2011-09-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted in a while - sorry about that! Between the travel to and from Wheaton for my son's surgery and all the "catching up" I did, I neglected to post :(

This school year has already had some unexpected bumps in the road that could have led to delays in my 4 daughter's learning. But I have been working hard to keep them moving forward in spite of said bumps. I'm feeling a little bit tired,but other than that I'm pretty happy with the results of our efforts so far.

Daughters require a lot of training, and it's quite different than the training given to sons. I want my girls to understand the real value available to them as women of God. Their "job" as a wives and mothers may often be exhausting, thankless, and routine but it will also be the most rewarding "job" they could ever hold. In today's society, even as a conservative Christian homeschooling family, young ladies are still considered odd ducks if they choose the Biblical role of wife/mother. Now, that's not always the case and we are blessed to have friends and family that are all for stay-at-home-moms. For those people in our lives, I give thanks. And I work at encouraging them to learn to persevere when others are not as understanding and supportive.

In order to be equipped to encourage my girls, I must spend time in the Word on a daily basis. As of late, I've found myself drawn to Romans and boy oh boy is there a lot going on in this New Testament book! I'm no theologian, and I will be the first to say Romans is so jam-packed full that I realize I'm no theologian each time I study it! But I come away from my time in Romans feeling as if I've had my heart opened and God's grace was poured straight in. I'd like to share a couple of verses from Romans.

Romans 12:12 (partial) - "Be joyful in hope."

Romans 5:2b - "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Romans 15:13 - "The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Those are just three little snippets of encouragement gleaned from the book of Romans and I pray they bring you encouragement today.

Make this school year one that builds upon the Lord each and every day!

Day 112 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ "How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids" by Rachael Carman (Apologia Press)

2011-08-28T18:02:00.001-07:00

This is my first product review for this year's TOS Crew, and I cannot think of a better way to start the year off than with a fabulous little book by Rachael Carman entitled, "How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids" (published by Apologia Press, copyright 2011).

I began reading this book the day I received it and I have been gleaning powerful nuggets of truth and encouragement from it ever since. It very quickly joined the ranks of my "must-read" homeschool books and is one that I will keep close at hand throughout the rest of my days as a homeschooling mother. I don't say that lightly - the book really is that good.

The author, Rachael Carman, is a seasoned homeschool mother of seven, and she openly shares about her struggles even as she pours out great wisdom. The book is written with such a sense of genuineness that it's hard not to feel as if you know her personally. And while she relates so well on a personal level, she also spurs her readers on in their walk with the Lord in ways that challenge but don't intimidate.

The book itself is a 205 page hardcover and consists of an introduction, five chapters, an epilogue, and acknowledgements. Rachael turned the word "HEART" into an acronym for a talk she gave before a homeschool group several years ago, and that talk formed the basis for this book. The acronym is:

H ~ Have a heart for the things of God.
E ~ Enrich your marriage.
A ~ Accept your kids.
R ~ Release them to God.
T ~ Teach them the truth.

Without giving away any of the treasures you will discover for yourself upon reading "How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids", I'd like to share a little about this book. Rachael opens with the "true story" of her family, and her honesty is refreshing - it allows any mom reading the book to see that ups and downs, failures and successes, are as much a part of life as breathing oxygen. She shares about her journey to becoming a homeschooling mother, and her frankness is rare withing the homeschool community. The bread-baking, dress-sewing, I-knew_I-was-going-to-homeschool-before-my-kids-were-born stories are much easier to find, and while there isn't a thing in the world wrong with baking your own bread or knowing you would homeschool the day you first experienced morning sickness, the reality is that homeschooling is hard work. And anything that is just plain hard work can be just plain hard to commit to. Many homeschooling moms need to know they aren't failures because God had to do some convincing and convicting as He drew them toward homeschooling. On page 22, Rachael bravely shares her reaction to her husband's suggestion to homeschool. What a relief it is to see her in all her "realness" I just have to say, "Thank you, Rachael!" for opening wide the door for those of us who, ahem, do not have it all together. I see Jesus in her words - His power made perfect in her weakness.

I could not choose which chapter touched me the most, as they all made an impact on my heart as a mom. But the specific focus of Chapter 2 (E. for Enrich Your Marriage) reminds me that before I was my children's mother, I was their father's wife. And once they leave home and have families of their own, I will still be his wife. It was my calling first and it will be my calling until death separates my husband and myself. Enriching my marriage blesses every aspect of our home life, including our homeschool. It is far too easy for us to allow homeschooling, and thereby our children, to become our priority. But we cannot let our kids, our homes, our schooling to push our husbands out of the way. Rachael's words are wise and women who hope to grow in God's grace as wives and as mothers will heed what she has to share.

If you only buy one book for you as the "mom" in your homeschool this year, make it this book. "How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids" by Rachael Carman will change the way you think about your kids, your homeschool, and possibly even yourself. You can purchase it for $13 at www.Apologia.com (this is a direct link to the product page).

While at the website, you can learn more about their excellent college prep science curriculum, sign up for their free newsletter, see their event schedule, enjoy free webinars to seminars, and much more. (www.Apologia.com - this links to their home page)

Thanks for taking the time to read my first TOS Crew product review for the 2011-2012 cruise & may the Lord bless you and your family today in a multitude of ways!

To see more TOS Crew reviews, visit www.HomeschoolCrew.com

Day 111 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Short Post - Two Announcements & a Prayer Request

2011-08-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

Today's post is short - just want to announce that I will be reviewing Christian books for BookSneeze. Watch for my first review sometime in the next 10 days or so. Here's a link to the BookSneeze website if you'd like to learn more about them:

The second announcement is on behalf of my 13-year-old daughter Savanna. Some of you may remember me mentioning her polymer clay pieces in previous blog posts. She has taken her craft to the next level and has created her own YouTube account. Her videos show the things she has crafted and she hopes to expand to teaching videos. To see what she has to offer, go to YouTube and search for SavanasClayCreations (yes, her name is misspelled but it is intentional in order to fit the title of her channel in the limited character space!).

Here is a direct link to her YouTube channel:

www.YouTube.com/SavanasClayCreations

My prayer request is on behalf of my son Gage. We just moved him to Wheaton College outside of Chicago, and he is doing great and loves the campus. However, a few days ago his Achilles tendon ruptured very suddenly and now he needs surgery. If you think of him during the next couple of weeks, would you mind praying for a quick recovery, ease getting around campus on crutches for the next 6 weeks, financial provision for our family as we travel from Kansas to the Chicago area more frequently than we had planned on, and for Gage to have rides to and from his ortho and physical therapy appointments (freshman can't have cars and taxis are expensive for a kid in college)? Thanks for praying - watch for an update on Gage's condition next week. (His surgery is on Thursday, September 1st at 11am).

That's my blog post for today - enjoy your Sunday as you worship the Lord!

I'll be posting a TOS review tomorrow on a terrific book that is a MUST HAVE for every homeschool mom.

Day 110 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolMothersBibleStudy.com

Burt Family Christian Academy Classes Resume ToMoRRoW!!

2011-08-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow marks the official start of our family's fourteenth year of homeschooling. Can I just say "WOW" about the fact that it's been that long and that we're still going strong?! Not that I actually have much to do with our successes (but I will take full credit for our many failures!). It's all God, all the time; I'm just along for the ride.

The girls have examined their planners to see what the first few days of school will bring - three of them are ready to go and one of them is, well, less enthusiastic about the resumption of her academic duties. This year is unique in that our homeschool is no longer co-ed, so to speak. My husband arrives home from work after the school day is done and our son is now at college. It's an all-girl homeschool, and I am sure that will bring some challenges right along with it's many blessings.

We plan on having home-ec classes that are lengthier (think high school classes organized in blocks - perhaps Tuesdays and Thursdays will be home ec days with 90 minutes for cooking). A primary focus this year will be for them to learn in great detail what Titus 2 and 1 Timothy living look like in the life of a wife and mother. I have a great opportunity to pour into my daughters things that will be of huge significance all the days of their lives. And I'll be doing it all at the Lord's leading, since my own leading tends to lead everyone following me right into a ditch.

Of course, we will still be doing all the traditional school subjects. There is no need to neglect one aspect of an education in order to achieve excellence in another area. It can all be taught with excellence, and the busy homeschool mom can become a wife who is happy to see her husband each evening. One thing I do to help ensure that my role as wife is not superseded by my role as a homeschooler is to NOT over plan/over schedule/over-anything. In order to teach my girls how to be content as "keepers at home" I need to be at home. We don't need to do every activity that presents itself - that is something of a lie that has been pawned off as a deserved part of the American dream. And what on earth ever made us think that our daughters would look forward to motherhood when they see us continually stressed and grumbling due to our jam-packed schedules and overwhelmed lifestyles?? Okay, I'll get off my soap box now...

And for those times when I feel ill-equipped for the task God has called me to, I rely on His Word. It never fails to return to Him void, but accomplishes all that He means for it to accomplish.

Isaiah 46:4 ~ "I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Now that's a pretty terrific promise to lean on when I'm feeling inadequate!

Hebrews 13:8 ~ "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Whatever new challenges might arise on any given day, I can remember all the ways Jesus has cared for me through thick and thin. Knowing that He never changes reminds me that He will continue to care for me, come what may.

Proverbs 29:25 ~ "Whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."

What a vivid reminder that He promises to keep me safe as I trust in Him!

So what verses are you studying as you begin a new year of homeschooling? What is the Lord God Almighty teaching you about Him even while you are teaching your children? Prepare yourself for good things this year, because He has good things in mind for you and has a great plan to fulfill His purposes for you!

Happy back-to-homeschool!

Day 109 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Homeschool Help from Proverbs

2011-08-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

Homeschooling moms have the unique challenge of blending two roles into one: that of educator and parent. Some seem to do it seamlessly, while others among us draw distinct lines in the sand (teacher until 3pm - mom after 3pm). No matter how you go about the daily task of teaching while mothering, remember to put God's Word at the center of both roles and you'll be blessed.

Proverbs 16:1 in the New Living Translation reads, "We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer."

I find this verse enormously comforting as I embark upon our fourteenth year of home education. To be honest, I also find this verse enormously challenging. Sad as it is to admit, there are times when I don't even bother to gather my thoughts before I blurt out something to my children. Other times I do attempt to gather my thoughts in order to give a sound and wise answer, and once in a while the answer I provide is the one God would have me to give :)

But I need to always be willing to yield fully to the Lord, allowing His answer to be the one I convey. This short sentence made up of twelve words packs a powerful punch. If I will heed what the Lord says in these twelve little words, my roles as mom and teacher will be impacted positively. My children will learn more (because they will receive the right answer - no matter the question they're asking!) and my parenting will accomplish more (because I will receive the right answer - no matter the problem I'm facing!).

My prayer for you at the start of the 2011-2012 homeschool year is that you will yield to the Lord and allow His answer to be the only one you need in any and every situation.

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we will leave Wichita, Kansas and head northeast to move our firstborn to Wheaton College in the Chicago area. Watch for a post with pictures following the big move; our son Gage is very excited to begin the next step on God's chosen path for his life!

Day 108 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

What a Summer Break is Meant to Do

2011-08-08T16:28:00.000-07:00

Way back when I was young, I believed summer break was about sleeping in, swimming and reading lots and lots of books. Of course, when we lived in Arizona we were able to swim year round, and as an avid reader books were high on my list of priorities year round. So I guess sleeping in was the only real advantage summer held over the other four seasons!

These days, summer break is about homeschool planning, youth group mission trips, sorting and organizing as much of the house as I am able, taking a family vacation, and brand new this year ~ moving our firstborn to college. (Go ahead, feel sorry for me and remind me that I've done a good job and he's meant to leave home at this stage in his life...I need to hear that over and over again, it seems!). Since the inevitable move to Wheaton, Illinois is just around the corner (10 days away, to be exact) I think I'll focus on our family vacation for this blog post.

Some of you may recall that we took our vacation in late May and were blessed to enjoy 2 1/2 weeks of leisure time in sunny Florida. And you may also be thinking that May was a while ago - isn't it time for me to stop thinking about that long-since-over vacation?? And my answer would be, NO! I think the end goal of a family vacation is to make great memories - and memories are no good if we don't actually recall them. So remembering a great vacation is a huge part of what makes it so, well, memorable :)

While in Florida, we visited the Disney World parks with two of our greatest friends in the whole wide world (known as J & J on my blog). You see them in the photo that heads up this blog. (Yes, it says there should be 9 of us in the picture but my hubby was taking the picture - but he's still a part of the equation because he was on vacation with us!) J & J have done Disney 15 years in a row. They know those parks inside and out! Not to mention they totally "get" our family's quirky sense of humor and are also healthy enough to tell us to "buzz off" for a while when they needed some time for themselves. (Healthy friendships only happen when your friends are emotionally healthy - just thought I'd throw that in for no extra charge!)

Hands down the best day of the trip was "STAR WARS Weekend" at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We had an idea about what we needed to do in order to take full advantage of this unique event, but leave it to our fantastic friends J & J to spend their afternoon finding out all the specific details to ensure our family got the full effect, so to speak. After all, Disney is full of princesses 365 days of the year - and that's pretty cool for our 4 lovely daughters! (Okay, our youngest likes toy guns more than toy dolls, but humor me here!). Our 18-year-old son could have been a little overwhelmed by princess-o'rama. He's a good kid, so he wouldn't complain even if he were in a catatonic state due to an excess of pink ruffles and tiaras. But the fact that STAR WARS Weekend landed on our trip made it a super fun time for him, too.

So around 1:30 a.m. my son, our 16-year-old daughter and my husband left our resort to secure their place in line, which would ensure they received the necessary arm band to meet my son's favorite STAR WARS actor (he's really more of a stunt man than an actor, I guess). And when it was time for my husband to return to the resort and pick up the rest of us for our day at Hollywood Studios, none other than J & J were there to hang out with our two oldest as they rushed to get the correct FAST PASSES needed to meet Ray Park. And they probably rode a few rides while waiting on us, too.

My words and the few pictures I'll share won't suffice to how much fun we had that day. There were Storm Troopers referring to my husband as "rebel scum", Darth Vader "choked" my 13-year-old daughter (it sounds creepy, but it was actually pretty cool), I was asked why I had on a Jedi Training Academy shirt but wasn't in proper academy attire when out in public, and my two oldest teens had multiple incidents with Storm Troopers. Here is a picture of my son Gage being "arrested" by a Trooper:

Isn't that a great picture?

And here is my daughter Alexandra going head-to-head with a Storm Trooper:

Another great photo op moment:

The point of this is to remember how much fun we had on this vacation, and to encourage you to make memories with your family this summer. You still have plenty of time to choose the things that you will remember for years to come, whether it's a night at the drive-in or a trip to Orlando.

In fact, why not try to make a memory every single day? Sounds like a pretty good way to live to me!

Day 107 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Some Encouragement for August

2011-08-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it's officially August and here in Kansas that equates to very warm weather. This year, however, has been unseasonably hot and I would be okay with a few days in August that registered under 100 on the mercury!

August is the month when I finalize my homeschool prep for the upcoming year. And this August is the month we will move our son to Wheaton, Il. for his freshman year of college. My homeschool planning has been combined with college planning. For the first time in my history as a mom, I've found myself buying items for his dorm room along with homeschool supplies.

And yes, it has made me consider how quickly the time has gone by. It really wasn't that long ago that my husband and I were choosing a name for our soon-to-be-born son. We had no idea he would be our only son, and that we would have four daughters by the time our first born was seven. We did not know we would be a homeschool family. I could not have imagined all the twists and turns our lives would take during our first 20 years of marriage. But God knew, and that is enormously comforting to me. (BTW, we did end up with a name for our son - Gage Kennedy Burt - Gage means "strong, true and brave" and Kennedy is an Irish name that embraces my heritage; both names fit him perfectly).

I've shared before that part of my summer routine is to seek the Lord's will for the upcoming academic year and ask Him to lead me to some Bible verses that will sustain me over the next 9 or 10 months. Some summers I only find one or two verses, but this summer I have been blessed with a whole lot of them! What a gift from the Lord - during this time of great transition in our homeschool, and a time of happiness mingled with sadness for me as a mother, He has graciously given me an abundance of comfort from His Word. I'd like to share a few of those verses with my fellow homeschooling moms.

Colossians 3:15 - "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

Proverbs 15:15 - "But the cheerful heart has a continual feast."

Hebrews 6:10 - "For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other Christians, as you still do."

Ezekiel 37:14 - "I will put my spirit in you, and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. You will see that I have done everything just as I promised. I, the Lord, have spoken."

1 John 3:19 (in part) - "...we set our hearts at rest in His presence."

John 1:14b - "He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness."

Philippians 3:1a - "Whatever happens...may the Lord give you joy."

Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.

Hosea 6:3 - "Let us acknowledge the Lord, let us press on to acknowledge Him."

Nehemiah 8:10 - "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Hebrews 6:15 - "Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised."
These verses are just a sampling of ways the Lord has used His Word to comfort, encourage and prepare me this summer. So while it has been stiflingly hot outside, I have been more refreshed in the Lord's presence than if I were sitting near a stream enjoying a cool breeze. His Word is Living and Active and I am so thankful for it!

Be blessed this warm August and may the Lord encourage and bless you in your homeschool preparations!

Day 106 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Summer Reading for Homeschool Moms

2011-07-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today's post is dedicated to something most every homeschooling mother loves - BOOKS!!! Come on, you know you love books - so why not admit it and embrace your inner book-a-holic :)

Well, maybe not every homeschooling mom loves books the way I love books. I love tattered books that have been read over and over again, brand new Apologia science books with their "new book smell", paperback or hardcover, taped up binding, written in and highlighted, pages folded to mark a page or bookmarks hidden deep within the pages, even e-books...I love them all!

One of my favorite pastimes is reading (who knew?!). And during the summer months I have some books that have become staple in my homeschool preparations for the upcoming academic year. I'll list the titles and authors of those books and hopefully some of you will share some of your favorites with me!

Number 1 ~ "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe" by Todd Wilson

Number 2 ~ "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Number 3 ~ "Wisdom from Proverbs: Devotions for Homeschooling Moms" by Barbara Coyle

Number 4 ~ "Things We Wish We'd Known" compiled and edited by Bill & Diana Waring

Number 5 ~ "Welcome Home, Daddy" by Lorrie Flem

Number 6 ~ "Reaping the Harvest" by Diana Waring

and finally, my latest addition to my favorite summer reads to encourage and inspire me as I prepare for the new school year....

Number 7 ~ "How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids" by Rachael Carman

While I have many more titles I could share, the first six books on my list are the ones I read yearly, the ones I find myself thumbing through when writing lesson plans, the ones I keep on the bookshelf in my bedroom for immediate access when I have a homeschool emergency and need to read something that will provide some wisdom. Of course, the Bible is my number one read each and every day, and no other book will take the place of God's Living and Active Word - without Jesus as my Lord and Savior, our family's homeschool would still be stuck at 1 + 1 + 2. All the credit goes to God, that's for certain!

The last book on this list is a product I received to review as a member of this years TOS Crew. I don't want to give away too much prior to posting my review next month, but I can tell you that this book is a keeper and has secured it's place on my list of annual must-reads.

Now, if anyone would like to share some of their must-reads, I'd love to hear from you!

Happy summer reading, my fellow homeschool moms!

Day 105 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Responses to Comments (Organizing Books, Caught in a Funk, & Diabetes Prevention)

2011-07-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Today I am playing catch-up. This post is dedicated solely to answering comments and questions left in response to previous posts. Lucky reader, today you get a nice break from my non-stop commentary on all-things homeschool!

First off - "What Should I Do With All These Books??" replies:

Vickie said: I do keep a bookshelf that is the current year's books. I have a basket that I keep by my chair with the current books in use. I rotate them out as needed from the year's bookshelf. I like this much better. I do have my other bookshelves that I put the books when they are not in use for the year. I took half our entry coat closet and made it a supply closet. Shelves floor to ceiling and when I hit the back to school sales in August....they get plenty stocked. Everything in its place (or should be) and I can tell a kid to go get whatever that is on shelf #??. IF they put the item back in its original spot, it can be found again. Now, I need to purge my regular bookshelves for books that others have given me and I think I'd like to want to use them but in reality find that they don't fit in my schedule of classes. These books need to go.

Great post! Thanks for sharing some great ideas.

My reply:

Vickie, I LOVE your idea of keeping a basket by your chair with the current books you are using. Not only is it functional, and the books are kept in a location where they are convenient and easy to access, but books in a basket look good too! An organizational tip that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing?? That's a keeper in my book :) Thanks so much for sharing!

Martha said: Thank you for sharing some ideas here. I am going to see if I can make them work for my family.

Visiting you from TOS Crew and following you know.

My reply:

Martha, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and "AHOY" from one Crew Mate to another! Your comment made my day :)

I would also like to share tips on where I store items I receive for review purposes as a part of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I really work hard at using the products as extensively as I am able with my family prior to my reviews. As soon as I am listed as a reviewer for a product, the product name and review due date are written in my homeschool planner and on my family calendar (highlighted in both places so they can't be missed!). Once I receive the item, I start a page for it in my review notebook. Basic info is noted first, and then as I peruse the curriculum I add further details. I also am careful to obtain as much information as I can from my children who have been using said item. All of my review items that are physical products are kept on the top shelf of a bookcase that is across the room from my primary homeschool bookcase. My primary bookcase has doors, and looks more like an armour than a bookcase. Once school is done for the day, the doors are shut and I can be a "mom" for the evening (the "homeschooler" will reappear the following morning). The bookcase that houses my review products is more traditional in style, with open shelving. My wireless printer is located on this bookshelf, and my son's college textbooks and supplies for Friends University were stored there last year. Things I need weekly for our youth group and all of my son's Wheaton College information are stored there now. The top shelf is reserved for my TOS products (the non-physical products I receive are stored in a file on the desktop of my laptop and a USB removable drive is used to back this file up). My one overarching piece of advice for keeping track of the products I'm reviewing would be location - keep things in their rightful place and you'll find them when you need them. Not to mention that if they are kept in plain sight, I tend to "handle" them a lot more than I would if they were kept in the homeschool cabinet with it's closed doors. Don't have an extra bookshelf? Neither did I, until I picked up a wood shop book on Amazon.com and set my son to work. I must say, he did a fantastic job and spent hours sanding and sanding - there isn't a splinter to be found and it's as smooth as a piece of glass. Oh, and of course I counted it as a half credit toward a wood shop elective on his high school transcript :)

Next I will reply to a comment left about my post "Out of Sorts or Caught in a Funk??"

Martha said: Hope your week of Bible School went well, even better than you expected!

Is your son headed to Wheaton Collegein Wheaton, IL? I worked there for the food service company years ago.

Visiting from the HS Crew.

Martha

My reply:

Martha, he sure is headed up north to Wheaton College in Illinios! So neat to hear from a member of the Crew who knows about Wheaton! Made my day :)

Lastly, I will reply to comments left in response to my blog post about Diabetes Prevention.

Very Blessed Mana said: Such great advice. Would you be willing to go into more detail of what you gave up, what you added, what helped the most, etc...?
Thanks.

Lisa said: Thanks for these tips. And I would 2nd what Very Blessed Mama said about going into more detail! My dad was diagnosed with Type 2 a few years ago, and it runs elsewhere in my family too, so I want to do what I can NOW before I fall into the same pattern!

My reply:

Very Blessed Mama & Lisa, I am more than happy to give some additional info! As for what I gave up - that's a long list but it can best be summed up in 2 words: Sugar and Carbs. Does it contain sugar (or the dreaded high-fructose corn syrup!)? Then I don't eat it. Is it a food that is primarily a carbohydrate (which turns into sugar in the bloodstream)? I don't eat it. Now, I can't avoid ALL sugar and EVERY carb - so I am as choosy as possible. I read the labels on the Greek Yogurt I buy and I purchase the brand that has the least sugar. I eat flat bread (very popular and easy to find right now) and that eliminates a whole lotta carbs! Peanut butter is my best friend, and there are several natural options available that are more expensive than sugar-laden peanut butter but far cheaper than the long-term cost of diabetes. Bananas seem to be fine for me, but some people have a little trouble with their blood sugar when they eat them. Watch how you feel and don't be afraid to check your blood glucose with a monitor. Many companies will send you a kit free of charge - but read the fine print, some of them don't come with test strips (they can get expensive!) and others require you to do "coding" (which isn't terrible, but it takes a bit more time). Your doctor may even give you a free glucose monitor; my physician was so happy to have a patient working to prevent diabetes, she was willing to help me with almost every request I had. Veggies are always okay - spinach salads are a win-win (healthy greens and iron to keep my chronic anemia at bay). Try toasting some flat bread, add sliced tomato with salt and pepper (a little olive oil based mayo can add extra flavor) and viola! you have an easy lunch idea. Strong mozzarella cheese is fast and full of protein. Oatmeal is typically a good option for those working to avoid Type 2 diabetes, but it actually raises my blood sugar to an unacceptable level whenever I eat it. Try it for yourself - the odds are that it will work well for you (but don't eat the sugar filled kiddie flavors). Drink plenty of water (by plenty I pretty much mean TONS!). Weigh yourself about once a week to see if you are losing, gaining or maintaining. Walking is great exercise, doesn't require a gym membership, and most everyone can do it! Walk with your hubby a couple of evenings each week and think of it as a "mini-date". Or rotate walking with your kids, one at a time. They will cherish the time they have with you, and you'll be doing something great for your health while making terrific memories. Above all, commit your plans to the Lord and seek His wisdom each day. He knit you together and knows exactly what you need in order to stay healthy. Ask Him, be willing to obey Him, and be prepared to hold on while you enjoy the ride!

For my friend Janette, let me say "Thanks!!" for reading my blog and leaving such encouraging comments. Your migraine meds have wreaked havoc on you, but the Lord knows what His plans and purposes are for you and I know He doesn't want you to stress too much over it but to try and relax and let Him take care of the details. Probably sounds like trite advice, but I really do mean it. He's got your back for certain!

Thanks for reading this post of "replies" and Lord bless you today!

Day 104 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Me? Like the Israelites in Ezekial chapter 8?

2011-07-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

In the Eighth chapter of Ezekiel we read an ever-lengthening list of Israel's sins and God's response to said sins. The sins listed are really just different versions of one primary sin - idol worship.

It's pretty easy to read a book like Ezekiel and feel as if we're living light-years ahead of the Israelites. After all, we could reason, we don't have Asherah poles in our front yards and pagan altars on our back porches. There are no "high places" in our garages or basements - are there??

What the Old Testament often refers to as "high places" may not still exist in exactly the same form, but we do have plenty of false idols in our midst. Oh and don't think we're exempt just because we're homeschooling moms. If God's chosen people didn't get a free pass for being the children of Abraham, we don't get one either. (Let me clarify - I am in no way disputing the fact that as Christians we are subject to the New Covenant and live under grace rather than the law. I believe that with every fiber of my being. I'm saying that abusing God's grace through idol worship is just plain wrong.)

We have plenty of "high places" scattered across our country - the massive sports stadiums built just for us to worship the team of our choosing prove it. Our ability to satisfy the false idol of "stuff" with a few clicks of a mouse via the world wide web is another case in point. What about our ridiculous worship of food in the United States? How many drive-thru options do we really need? (I'll give you a hint - we don't need any; we only have fast-food on every corner because we want it on every corner). Sounds a lot like Old Testament Israel and Judah as described in Ezekiel, doesn't it? God's lists of their sins continued to grow as they kept feeding their need for more and more idol worship.

That's the thing about false idols - those who worship them have to keep upping the ante. Like potato chips, enough is never enough.

Homeschoolers can fall into the trap of worshipping a certain method of curriculum. We can succumb to the temptation to believe we're the "only ones left" who are doing things God's way (check out the life of Elijah to see what God says to us when we think we're the only ones left...). What will the future of America be if we don't raise the next generation the right way? Umm, well if God's way of doing things teaches us who He will use, then we might want to check our motives and our heart condition, because He uses guys like Peter and Saul of Tarsus. Women like Rahab (the harlot) and Ruth (the Moabite) are mentioned in Jesus' family tree, and they were not well mannered homeschool girls.

I say this all to remind myself (more than anyone else reading this post) that I do not have it all figured out, and I am not given a guarantee that all things will turn out just like I hope as long as I follow a certain homeschooling formula. I say this in the hope that I will continue to homeschool to God's glory without letting my homeschool become an idol. I say this with the intention of having any and all misconceptions about Who God is and how He works washed away by knowing Jesus better and better one day at a time.

Keep Jesus the focus of your homeschool, keep your heart open and accountable to your husband and to friends who will give you honest council, and be sure your children don't usurp your husband's place in your life and you will be well on your way to keeping the false homeschooling idols at bay.

May you be blessed beyond measure by the Lord, and may His grace cover your family and your homeschool!

Day 103 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Watch for a post tomorrow that answers the questions I've received about organizing your homeschool and preventing diabetes!

Some Diabetes Prevention Tips

2011-07-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today's post doesn't exactly have much, if anything, to do with homeschooling ... however, the tips I'll share could easily be incorporated in your homeschool's health lesson plans :)

Just to update any of my blog followers who may not know about my struggle with diabetes - about 18 months ago I had some blood work done to confirm my suspicion that my blood sugar was out-of-whack. Sure enough, I was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic. One more fasting glucose number over 126 and I would have been confirmed as a Type 2 diabetic.

Having an older sister who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a toddler, and knowing how much she has been through over the years convicted me that I could not, in good conscience, allow myself to succumb to a preventable form of diabetes when my sister has had to live with a non-preventable version of the same disease most of her life. So what did I do, exactly? In a nutshell, I did whatever my physician told me to do!

My eating habits changed overnight, dramatically. I check my glucose to ensure I'm not making any costly mistakes in my eating. I make sure my A1c is checked every 3 to 6 months, and if it isn't steadily going down then I make adjustments to my lifestyle. I'm careful to pay attention to symptoms that didn't use to phase me at all - things like my vision, numbness or tingling in my feet, headaches, fatigue, and even my temperament. The result? I've lost 45 pounds (and am keeping it off without any extra effort). My blood sugar numbers are consistently low, just where my doctor would like them to be. My A1c has continued to decrease, and my goal is to hit 4.5% within the next year (at my last test it was 5.3%). My vision has improved, headaches that were chronic are now an extreme rarity. I don't get tired at mid-afternoon anymore. The heat poses no threat and doesn't bug me at all - and I used to fall apart if the temp rose above 90, haha! I could go on and on, but I'd better get busy blogging about my diabetes prevention tips!

These tips all come from reputable sources, and can be verified by doing a little research of your own. I have plenty of things that work well for me, but today I'm sharing things that work well in preventing diabetes across the board.

Tip # 1 -Eat greens, like raw Spinach (my favorite leafy green choice!). It makes a delicious salad, and it's pretty good eaten straight out of the package. If you eat potato chips for a snack, switch to Spinach and prepare to be amazed at the difference in your health. One serving a day has been shown to decrease diabetes risk by nearly 10%. Yea, that's a powerful snack!

Tip # 2 - Remember to make a fat-free choice as often as you can. Take yogurt, for example. Eat Greek for the high protein content, and eat non-fat for your pancreas. Fat-free foods improve the pancreas' ability to function optimally. And since the pancreas' main job is to produce insulin, a healthy pancreas means a lowered risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Tip # 3 - Grab a handful of walnuts and sprinkle on the flax seed. These two healthy nuts have proven themselves worth their weight in gold when it comes to diabetes prevention. Consuming them on a regular basis lowers the risk of diabetes in middle-aged adults by 20%. So snack on walnuts, add flax seed to your oatmeal at breakfast and toss it in your home-made baked goods. You won't be sorry and you probably won't even know it's in there!

Need more reasons to eat better? How about this reason - DIABETES KILLS! We all know that death is the ultimate statistic - one out of every one dies. The Bible tells us that it is appointed to man once to die and then to face the judgement. It's going to happen to each and every one of us. But it doesn't have to happen as a result of complications due to diabetes! High blood pressure, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, stroke, blindness, amputations, kidney disease - the list goes on and on. Sound scary? Good - it is scary. And what's even scarier? 25 million Americans have diabetes. Some estimates say that number will double, possibly triple, over the next 2 decades.

Diabetes prevention is possible - I'm living proof. If I can do it, anyone can do it. The Lord helped me once I was willing to admit I needed His help, and He is no respecter of men. He will help you, too.

Have a Spinach eating, fat-free yogurt enjoying, walnut munching, anti-diabetes kind of day!!

Day 102 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Out of Sorts or Caught in a Funk??

2011-07-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

The idea behind this post comes from a good friend of mine who has been encouraging me recently as I've struggled with something that normally comes easy to me. You'll never guess what that "something" is I've been struggling with...

Since my first child was born 18 1/2 years ago, I've been a "teaching mom". My son entered the world with a collection of books and classical music that surpassed those of many full-grown adults. Truth be told, I was reading to him before he was even born! Preschool? I was his teacher (and the teacher of my 4 daughters). Elementary? Me again. Middle school? Yup, that was me. High school? Uh-huh, me once more. College? Well, I didn't teach him during his time at Friends University and I certainly won't compare myself to the professors he'll have at Wheaton College this fall, but I'll just be a text message away should he have, say, a grammar related question.

I've taught Vacation Bible School for 16 or so years, Sunday School for 17 years, written lessons for our youth group, did the same for a Wednesday night children's program, and am about to begin my 14th year of homeschooling. I have probably used or examined curriculum from all the major Children's Ministry publishers, and am becoming pretty familiar with Youth Ministry curriculum. For a whole lot of years I've been tweaking and adapting Bible lessons, studying and compiling notes, setting aside articles and gathering resources, and generally working to make sure each child I come in contact with feels as if they are valued and loved. And yet the last few weeks as I have prepared for this year's VBS, I have been feeling just plain out-of-sorts. Last night as I worked to calm myself down and teach the lessons to each of the 4 age-divided classes, my jitters multiplied and I felt like, well, a failure.

There, I said it - FAILURE. Homeschooling mothers wear many hats, and for the most part we do all of our jobs well. Maybe every task isn't achieved with excellence, but many of them are! Perhaps we don't have a gourmet dinner each evening, and maybe the laundry waits a couple of days to be folded, and (in my case) those precious photos of the kids may never make it into the scrapbooks! But those things don't make me a failure, do they? Don't I know that I'm only meant to do the things God has called me to do, and He has no unrealistic expectations? Yeah, I do know that. And I need to remember that more often.

What about you? Are there things in your life that set you up to think you're a failure? If you viewed those things in the light of God's great love and His lack of unrealistic expectations, could you change the way you feel and maybe even the way you live your daily life?

Today as you go about your business, remember that all God's promises prove true. Take the time to open your Bible and find out what some of those promises are. And don't tell yourself you're a failure - because you're not :)

As for me, I'm going to have a fun and blessed evening teaching some cool kiddos about Jesus!

Day 101 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

What Should I Do With All These Books?? ~ Part 3

2011-07-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is the third post in my series on the topic of what to do with all your homeschool books and supplies once the academic year has ended. Here's a recap of the first two posts:

~ Sort Books As You Finish Them

~ Update Your Older Student's Transcripts Right Away

~ Make a List of Books You Have and Books You Want/Need

~ Shop the Spring & Summer Sales and Conventions

~ Choose to Honestly Evaluate Your Math And Science Programs NOW!

~ Get Rid of the "Junk"

The Fourth of July has come and gone, 100 degree temps are the norm, central air is my very best friend - yes indeed, summer is in full swing! It's the time of year when I get to enjoy relaxing days with my family and don't spend too much time working on homeschool "stuff". While it's nice to enjoy the downtime with my family, it can also be a little bit risky. I am perfectly able to enjoy my summer so thoroughly that I neglect planning for the upcoming school year. Since this fall marks the beginning of my 14th year as a homeschooling mother, I've learned how to make the most of my summer and get ready for what's just around the corner!

Here are 3 more tips that will (hopefully) help you enjoy these lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer and make your homeschool preparations a breeze!

~ Clean & Organize Your Homeschool Bookshelves
Okay, this probably sounds redundant; you may be thinking "I already did that when I got rid of the 'junk!" But tossing the dried out markers and the notebook that's 97% used up really isn't the same as cleaning and organizing your homeschool bookcase. I'm not talking about a quick tidy here. I'm talking about removing every single book from the shelves, cleaning each shelf thoroughly, checking each book for bent pages, pencil markings that need to be erased, taping torn pages, putting Cd's back in their cases, emptying pencil sharpeners, etc. Once everything has been cleaned and repaired, then and only then you can begin to put books back on the shelves. If you take the time to clean the shelves and check the status of all the books and supplies that were stored on said shelves, you are much less likely to throw any and every book you come across back on those shelves. Only put the books you are 100% certain will be used in the coming school year. And while you're at it, put them away by subject (one shelf for Bible, one for math, one for Language Arts, etc.)

~ Make a Place for Homeschool Books You Want to Use Next Year
Once again, I'm sure some of you are rolling your eyes and thinking, "Huh? I thought we just put organize all our books in our bookcase? Why would I do that if I still need to make a place for them?" No, I haven't spent too much time in the sun. The only books you should have put on your bookshelf are the ones you are 100% certain you will use next year. Not HOPE to use, not DREAM about using, but know with total certainty you WILL use. Those are the only books that belong on your day-to-day homeschool bookshelf, along with all your supplies. Books that you hope to use next year, books you want your kids to read in addition to their daily assignments, books you have been hoping to get to the last few years - those are the books that belong on the "WANT TO USE" bookshelf. You may be thinking, "That won't work for me. I'll never get around to using those books if I put them on a shelf where I can't see them every day." But I can tell you from honest experience, having learned by trial and error, this method works pretty well. By keeping my primary homeschool bookcase tidy and relatively uncluttered, containing only the books I know I will be using, I am able to focus on my kid's schoolwork without feeling guilty about those books I really want to use by simply don't have time to use. And each time we finish one book, I put it in it's spot on one of the other bookshelves (in our basement). Then I choose which of the "WANT TO USE" books from that bookcase and put it on the WILL use bookcase. Using this method, I have found I accomplish far more than I ever did when I kept all my "WANT TO USE" books side by side with my WILL use books.
** As an aside, if you are a member of the TOS Crew and would like to know how I organize the products I receive for review purposes feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP :)

~ Plan Ahead In More Ways Than One
Every homeschool mom knows there is more than meets the eye when it comes to a managing a successful homeschool. Here are some things I do during the summer that make the coming school year run like a well-oiled machine. This is a good time to freeze meals; make a double portion, serve one for dinner and put the other in the freezer. By doing this once a week during my summer break, I can have 12 meals prepared for the coming school year. I also try and stock up on things we use everyday, like toilet paper and laundry soap. This is a benefit to my homeschool by preventing last minute trips to the store that cause me to "rush" through school subjects, and is a benefit to our bank account as we rarely leave the store with just the one or two items we needed. I comb through the upcoming year's science books and keep a list of needed supplies in my purse - by adding an item or two each time I shop over the summer I ensure that I'll have on hand everything we need to complete the experiments. One of the best tips I can share would be to start using next year's planner over the summer. Take note of important appointments, take notes about curriculum choices and books to help you on your homeschool journey, keep your daily calendar with your planner to help you make the best use of your time as you choose to use your time in ways that bless your homeschool efforts - my planner is one of my "closest friends" during the homeschool year. If I use it to my advantage, it contains a thorough record of all our school work for the year, holds a plethora of family memories, and keeps me focused on God's will for our homeschool. Each summer I spend time praying that the Lord would lead me to several Bible verses that will be my focus for the coming year. By writing them in the front of my planner, and reading over them over the summer and all throughout the year, I have been blessed beyond measure year after year. And I can tell you that He who has promised is faithful, and all the Lord's promises prove true.

Enjoy your summer, start planning for this fall, and seek the Lord's will for your home and family.

Day 100 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

OOPS - Did I Forget to Blog??

2011-06-23T09:19:00.001-07:00

It's hard for me to believe I haven't posted in such a long while. I guess I must have been busy the last, well...the last couple of...the last two decades. Yes, I've been busy for quite some time, and exceptionally busy the last several weeks.

Since the purpose of this blog is to encourage mom's who homeschool, I don't want to be a cause for discouragement by moaning and groaning about how busy I've been as a result of my "mom duties". I'd much rather boast in the Lord's amazing grace to me as I enjoy the blessings He has given me in my 5 children, wonderful husband, and fantastic friends. So, I've been busy, but my busy-busy-busy life has all been because of God's rich blessings.

May was a whirlwind - finishing the homeschool year, prepping for the youth group's mission trip to Mexico, planning for our family vacation with two of our very best friends (see the new photo at the header of my blog!), and my oldest child's graduation from high school.

We left for our fabulous Florida vacation near the end of May and arrived home in mid-June, with 3 whole days to spare before 4 of our children headed out on the trip to Mexico. (They are leaving Mexico and re-entering the United States sometime this afternoon.) They will be back home in Kansas in a few short days, and I am anxious to hear all the Lord has done in their lives during this trip.

May and June could have been much busier for me than they were. I could have said "yes" to every single opportunity that presented itself. May and June could have been less busy for me, as I could have said "no" to many of the available options. Neither one of those would have been the right choice for my family at this time. Yes, I've been busy, and yes, I've heard the arguments within the homeschool community about being too busy. For the most part, I agree with those arguments. As moms, it's far too easy to become so busy that our days blur together and we miss the moments that matter. How many parents have lamented the years spent being busy after their children were grown and they realized all they had missed? That's the kind of chronic busy-ness that I pray against. However, the kind of busy May and June were was the good kind, and our entire family worked together as we prepared for Gage's graduation, our vacation, and the trip to Mexico. There is a TON of work that goes into each of those ventures, and we did it together. The graduation weekend was a wonderful time, our vacation was the best we've ever had, and I am confident the trip to Mexico will yield great spiritual fruit.

My words of encouragement to my fellow homeschoolers today is to make the most of every opportunity. Pray and seek the Lord's will for your family for each season of life. Clearly, I would not have been able to do all of this when my children were young (see Isaiah 41 for God's Word on the pace of life when your children are young). For this brief season, however, our family was able to accomplish much and make wonderful memories in the process. And lest you think I shirked my homekeeping responsibilities in the process, let me say that all the laundry is done, not a dirty dish is anywhere to be found, my son's college preparations are well in hand, the floors have been mopped and vacuumed (sometimes more than once a day), my youngest daughter and I have enjoyed hours together playing board games and reading books, and my husband and I have quality time together each evening. God truly strengthens our hands for our work when we are fully yielded to him - I give Him the credit for things done in a fitting and orderly fashion, for apart from Him I can do no good thing.

When you are busy, make sure you are busy at the Lord's pace and not the world's pace. And when He gives you seasons of rest, be sure to enjoy that rest and thank Him for it.

As for my laundry, I'm pretty sure they will bring me a whole lot of it when they return from Mexico...

Day 99 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Homeschool Crew Product Review ~ "Read For the Heart" by Sarah Clarkson (Apologia/WholeHeart Ministries)

2011-05-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

Many of you have heard of Whole Heart Ministries, the homeschool ministry founded by Clay and Sally Clarkson. Whole Heart Ministries has joined with Apologia Ministries, and the book "Read For the Heart" by Sarah Clarkson (the daughter of Clay and Sally Clarkson) is a product of the combination of these two wonderful ministries.

For a book lover like me, it doesn't get much better than reading a book all about books. It's even better than a list-maker's dream (which would be a book of lists)! It is a delight to review Sally's wonderful compilation of recommended reading - and this is an exceptional first book from this young author. I look forward to her future work (Sarah is working on a children's novel and a collection of essays).

"Read For the Heart" contains 12 chapters and a whopping 6 appendices! Chapter 1 is filled with examples of "memories" and character traits established by reading large volumes of quality literature. Chapter 2 focuses on literacy in America today. According to a 2004 report, less than half of the adult population now reads literature. Wow! What a tragic statistic! Sarah includes a fascinating description of what occurs in the brain while we are reading (page 36). Chapter 3 explains how to develop a more "reader-friendly" home. Chapter 4 lays out how to use the book "Read For the Heart" ~ how the book is organized, etc. Different types of books are discussed in this chapter,too (audio books, living books, textbooks, books of literary excellence, out of print books, etc). he next few chapters divide books into categories, such as Poetry, Classics, and Biography. Each chapter opens with a lovely quote regarding books. Overall, this is a very inspiring book!

Here are some ideas of how to use this resource in your family's homeschool:

~ In Chapter 4, the History & Biography section divides the reading lists by time period beginning with Creation. You can find the era you are currently studying and choose books that suit your family's needs from the lists provided in Sarah's book. Add them to your daily schedule or, better yet, make those books a part of your family read-aloud time!

~ Consider assigning a chapter of this book to one of your older children. Have that child study the chapter and research a few of the suggested titles. After checking in with mom and dad to ensure the chosen books meet their approval, the older child could start a family book club with one or more younger siblings. Pick up a few copies of the book or books (try Amazon.com for affordable used books). Have the older child choose set the pace for reading and pick the dates and times for the "book club" to meet and discuss the book. Viola! You have a family book club :)

~ Take advantage of anniversaries! On April 12th of this year our country remembered that 150 years ago the Civil War began. What better time to read about the Civil War? Sarah's book provides ample ideas for books you can read as a part of your homeschool. For Civil War books, grab a copy of "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt or "Go Free or Die" by Jeri Ferris. (Our family has read books relating to the Lewis & Clark Expedition, the Wright Brothers first flight, Kansas State history, and more)

To see a sample chapter, or to purchase this 384 page book for $17, visit www.Apologia.com
I cannot encourage families enough to read, read, and read some more! Mom, make sure you are reading (first your Bible, and then other quality works of fiction and non-fiction). Let your children SEE you reading. Take them to the library. Read aloud to them. Have them read aloud to you. Buy them books for birthday and Christmas gifts. And read aloud as a family. Our family just finished the book "True Grit" aloud, and have started on "The Scarlett Pimpernel". When we travel, we typically have a book or two that we read while we drive (one of our favorites is "Holes"). My husband and I almost always have a book that we read together in the evenings; we are currently reading "The Retreat", a World War II book which delves into the German Army's retreat from Russia (specifically their attempt to take Moscow). It compares their defeat to that of Napoleon Bonaparte so many years before. Reading ought to be a way of life for homeschool families, and not just during the school day.

The book "Read For the Heart" by Sarah Clarkson will become a treasured resource in the home of any book-loving family and I am so pleased to finish my product reviews for the 2010-11 academic year with such a fantastic book!

Lord bless you and your family as your read for your hearts!

Day 98 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ "Considering God's Creation" by Eagle's Wings

2011-05-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

What a pleasant surprise when I was chosen to review this science product from a company that is very dear to my heart - Eagle's Wings! My fondness of Eagle's Wings products stems back nearly 14 years to a time when I was a young mom seeking the "perfect" phonics curriculum to use with my 5 year old son. Now that son is 18 years old and graduated from high school a few weeks ago. In the fall he will attend Wheaton College (a fantastic Christian school - you can learn more about it at Wikipedia). Eagle's Wings phonics curriculum (Alphabet Island) laid a solid foundation for my son's education. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about this company's product line!

Eagle's Wings natural science curriculum, Considering God's Creation, is the subject of this product review. Included in this set are the student workbook, teacher's manual, and audio CD of 23 songs. The teacher's manual lays out each lesson with clear instruction, so mom is ready to teach even if she is hesitant about her ability to teach science. The student workbook contains pages that correspond with each of the 36 lessons; the workbook enables one student to create a memorable notebook (you will need to purchase additional workbooks if you plan to teach mor than one child). The audion CD contains songs that make the memorization of information much easier than traditional rote memorization.

Considering God's Creation is meant to be easily adapted for multi-level teaching. It can be used with students from 2nd grade through high school, and the thorough teacher's guide provided plenty to ways to adjust each lesson to fit your individual homeschool. The introduction provides an excellent explanation of multi-level teaching, and even has suggestions for using the curriculum with children in preschool! Another option with Considering God's Creation is that it can easily be used with whatever science curriculum you might currently be using; you can simply use what fits to enhance the program you are currently using. Not many product offer such flexibilty for only $29.95 ~ it is an excellent value!

If you choose to use Considering God's Creation as a stand-alone science program, it fits perfectly into one academic year. At the rate of one lesson per week, you would finish in 36 weeks. Many of the lessons contain several different parts, so the work can easily be divided over a few days during the week. For the industrious mom, or if you choose to teach using "block" method, each lesson could be finished in one longer sitting. It's such flexible curriculum, you can just adapt it as you need to!

Topics covered within Considering God's Creation include "Creation", "The Universe", "The Earth", "Non-Living Things", "Weather", "The Plant Kingdom", "The Animal Kingdom", "Animal Anatomy & Physiology", "Man", and a miscellaneous section. Having such a broad scope and sequence makes for an exciting year of science. I can tell you from first-hand experience, your children will retain what they learn from Eagle's Wings products. Considering God's Creation is a solid study of the natural sciences from a Biblical worldview. I cannot recommend this company's products strongly enough; they are top-notch.

An example of the content in Lesson 1 includes vocabulary words, songs and poems, Bible reading, notebook assignments, a wonderful feature called "Evolution Stumpers", review questions and a "Digging Deeper" section that has ideas for activities and projects that build upon the lesson and is ideal for older students.

Other products created by Eagle's Wings include their fantastic phonics program, Alphabet Island (sold in different levels or as a complete set priced from $9.95 to $119.95), Kinder-Math ($14.95), Capital Game (for learning state capitals - $8.95), and a wonderful selection of Bible History curriculum ($35 per set). You can learn more about any of these products by visiting the Eagle's Wings website at www.EaglesWingsED.com

Lord bless you as you seek to homeschool for His glory!

Day 97 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Wordy Qwerty by Talking Fingers

2011-05-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

Talking Fingers has a program that combines phonics with typing skills called "Wordy Qwerty". Before I tell you about Word Qwerty, let me say that I am a firm believer in phonics and the ability to type with speed and accuracy is only going to grow in importance in the coming years. Wordy Qwerty provides what I believe to be 2 key components in a complete and thorough education.

Wordy Qwerty is targeted for children in 2nd through 4th grade - keep in mind that my children are older than the targeted audience, so my review is written from a perspective of "looking back" through the years. It might be possible to use Word Qwerty with a child in 1st grade if they were ready for it, and it could be used for 5th grade students (the primary user in my family was my 5th grade daughter).

Wordy Qwerty builds on early reading and basic phonics skills, and teaches 20 important spelling rules. Each rule has an accompanying song that aids with memory retention. Not everything can be learned to a sing-song tune, but I have found that teaching key rules and principals with music helps younger students retain the information and recall it more easily, no matter what subject is being taught.

Moms, when using the online edition of Wordy Qwerty, you will have your own log on where you can track the progress of your children at a glance, no matter how many of your children are using the program. It enables you so see all of your student's percentile grades listed on one page. You can also click on individual student's names to view a graph that shows specific progress in each lesson.

The Wordy Qwerty Home Edition has 20 lessons, and each lesson is broken down into 6 activities. The typing games have "hints" when a word is misspelled, which may or may not be your preferred method of teaching spelling but it really does work. I like the fact that spelling/phonics are combined with typing skills. This just plain makes sense to me; after all, what good is it to type at 90 WPM if your accuracy (i.e. spelling) is 30%? Or vice verse? (And yes, I realize you could not type 90 WPM with 30% accuracy - I'm just making an exaggerated point LOL).There are also catchy songs that help with phonetic recall. There are a variety of games, and they aren't overly repetitive (which is a plus for most kids).

Wordy Qwerty's page for students allows them to see how much progress they have made, which seems to be important in a typing program, at least in my family! The lessons are very "doable" and students can easily work through several activities in one sitting. For example, if you assign 30 minutes on Wordy Qwerty the student could work all the way through all 6 activities (or one entire lesson). I'm not saying that is the way you should assign Wordy Qwerty - it's just an example of the flexibility of the program.

At the website - www.TalkingFingers.com - there is a free demo available (using the free demo gives you access to a 20% discount on your purchase!). You can also have your child use an assessment module to ensure proper placement and use of the program. Of course there is an FAQ page that answers questions about the entire Talking Fingers product line, and at the website you can find updates, resources, product videos, and more.

Their products include Wordy Qwerty Home Edition (contains program CD, program guide in 3-ring binder, & audio CD of all the songs) and sells for $35; other Home Software products (5 year subscription) from $35-$100 depending on the number of students; CD products (not compatible with Windows 7 or Mac); School Software and CD products; the book "Making Speech Visible" for $18; the book "Our Big Blue Schoolhouse" for $10. Visit their website by clicking here: www.TalkingFingers.com

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Day 96 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Mad Dog Math

2011-05-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Today I am reviewing the math program Mad Dog Math. It is a program aimed at developing mastery of all the math facts in students of all ages. By "all the math facts" I mean addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; by "all ages" I mean Kindergarten through high school. It's an all-encompassing program!

The PC version of this program is very easy to install and setting up accounts for each child using Mad Dog Math is a breeze. It's nice to use a computer-based program that is quick and easy to set up, as most homeschool moms don't have a lot of extra time to spend following confusing instructions! Ease of use is pretty high up on my requirement list when choosing curriculum and I am very pleased with Mad Dog Math is this category.

Right away I liked the fact that with Mad Dog Math, I can choose which level I want my children to work on. For example, when working on lesson plans, it's very easy to assign an older child a timed lesson focusing on the most challenging multiplication facts while also assigning a non-timed lesson on early addition to a younger child. The student is able to choose their own level, too. It's rare to have both options available with PC based math programs, and I have found that kids like the ability to "take charge" of certain portions of their studies. Math fact practice is an excellent way for homeschool students to learn how to take responsibility for their own learning. (Lest you think I am a homeschooling mom who watches TV all day while my kids try and do school all by their lonesome, let me assure you that's not me at all! I do, however, advocate young people gradually taking on more responsibility for their education in order that they be well prepared for college.)

Mad Dog Math is not a stand-alone math curriculum; rather it is a supplement to whatever math program you are currently using. It is created for use with K-5th grade, middle school, and even high school. The daily time commitment for Mad Dog Math is about 10 minutes - I think most every homeschool mom can fit in an extra 10 minutes for math fact mastery!

One of the aims of this program is to keep the "mass" of math facts from seeming so overwhelming to students. A young student can feel as if they will NEVER be able to learn all those facts, while an older student who has struggled with their math facts can be intimidated by how little they feel they have learned. Having the facts broken into manageable amounts provides relief for the younger and older child.

When setting up each account, you can choose English or Spanish (and yes, the homeschool mom in me immediately thought it would be great to have my children choose Spanish so they could practice using the foreign language they are learning!). I mentioned previously that you can choose the level each student works on. You are also able to make selections for time limits, fact families, and with the PC version you can easily see just how much progress each student has made.

At the website www.MadDogMath.com you can watch an informational video, look at their full product line, read testimonials, contact them with any questions you might have, and see how Mad Dog Math is best used in the homeschool setting (see the tab titled "Home Use"). They have shared a couple of educational links, too, and they have plans for a online version (coming soon - so check back often!).

Their products include the "Mad Dog Math - At Home" download (a Windows PC app) priced from $19.99 - $39.99; the "Homeschool Mastery Binder" for $69.99 (or as a CD-Rom for the same price); the "Middle / High School Binder" for $89.99; flash cards are available for $14.99; they also sell a cute little timer and some other items online at www.MadDogMath.com

This would be a great summer supplement to help ensure none of the hard work you and your children have done during the academic year is lost while taking a break from daily school work. And since it only takes 10 minutes a day, the kids won't feel like they are giving up any of their summer play time :)

Thanks for taking a few moments to read this review - have a blessed homeschool day!

Day 95 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Review ~ GoTRYBE

2011-05-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

GoTRYBE is an online health and fitness program that encompasses a broad spectrum of health and wellness: fitness, nutrition, motivation & wellness. The program is divided into 3 levels (known as "trybes")based on the student's grade level. The trybes are Zoodoos (K-5th), Trybe 180 (6-8th), and Nextrybe (9th-12th). The focus of my review is Nextrybe and my 10th grade daughter has been using the online program.

As this is an online program, a computer with Internet access is a requirement (probably not an issue if you are reading this blog post via the world wide web!). It is very easy to set up a student account at the website (www.GoTRYBE.com). Within a matter of minutes your child can begin building their own avatar and designing their own workouts. There are a couple of options for the workouts - the student (or parent) can customize each workout by dragging and dropping thumbnails in any order they choose. If you aren't computer friendly, don't worry - it really is a piece of cake to do this (just click on the thumbnail of the video you like, drag it to the place you'd like to do that part of the workout, and you're ready to exercise!). Once the workout has been built, the student clicks on the "start workout" button to begin exercising. When the student is finished with the workout, they click the "Escape" button. Simple :)

There are also full length workouts available at the website (www.GoTRYBE.com) if you opt not to create your own. Each has a theme, such as Hip-Hop or Sports. Plenty of options available, so everyone should be able to find several appealing ways to stay in shape!

Beyond exercise videos, GoTRYBE offers informational videos, reading assignments, and questions to make this a well-rounded physical education course that can also count as a health credit for high school students. If you are uncertain as to how to assign high school credit for things like P.E. and Health, don't worry; high school credit can be given based on the time spent working on the course. If your student uses GoTRYBE 3 days per week for the exercise videos for the entire year, you can assign 1 credit for the year. Say they also use GoTRYBE 2 days per week as a health curriculum for half the academic year (reading the articles and answering the questions and watching the videos about nutrition, etc) you would assign 1/2 credit. On your transcript you would list the full credit given for doing the exercise videos under "Physical Education" and you would list the 1/2 credit under "Health".

This truly is an excellent program, and my 10th grade daughter has emerged from her GoTRYBE workouts sweaty and smiling! She is a runner and a figure skater, so work outs are an important part of her lifestyle. She is at the ice rink and the YMCA several times each week, in addition to her time spent running each week. She has even done P90X. In other words, she's knows a good workout from a shoddy one and she was thoroughly "worked out" via GoTRYBE! It provides her with the level of intensity she prefers from an exercise program. Being able to customize the workouts was an extra bonus for her.

She also liked the avatar and said it was a pleasant surprise to discover that it wasn't at all "baby-ish". While she really doesn't need much motivation to keep up with her workouts, she felt the avatar could be a useful motivator for some people. As the student logs in and works out, points are earned that can be used to "upgrade" the student's avatar. The items you can purchase are "actually pretty neat, not cheesy" (in the words of my 10th grade daughter!). She also liked the fact that you can do the workouts anyplace, even where you have limited space. GoTRYBE has provided her with many new exercises that have broadened the scope of her workout routine. She is applying what she has learned from GoTRYBE to her time spent at the gym and she really likes the warm ups. The nutrition videos have information that has been helpful to her as she learns about making wise decisions for her long-term health.

As a busy homeschooling mom, I have found some health programs tricky to teach and incorporating P.E. into the daily schedule can be tough to fit into my family's schedule. GoTRYBE provides a thorough program that can be done right at home, even in limited space. It's easy to set up your account, simple to use, and the unique avatars are a plus. GoTRYBE makes physical fitness easy.

If you are considering a fitness program to use during the summer months, or are starting to plan next year's curriculum I encourage you to take a look at what GoTRYBE has to offer. Visit their website at www.GoTRYBE.com

Lord bless you and your family today!

Day 94 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ "Andi's Indian Summer" by Susan K. Marlow (from Kregel/Circle C Books)

2011-05-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

Most of the homeschool families I know are full of avid readers. Most of the homeschool moms I know could be called "book-a-holics". The typical homeschool family's home has books in every nook and cranny. Sure, plenty of those books are textbooks or curriculum. But a big part of most homeschool family book collections are works of fiction and interesting biographies. Today I get to tell you about a book that falls into the category "fiction adventure book".

The book "Andi's Indian Summer" by Susan K. Marlow (from the Circle C Beginnings series, published by Kregel Publications)is the second book in a series of six. Aimed at young independent readers, this adventure tale draws children into the wild west era of American history. The primary theme of the book is a scary old dime store novel that causes the book's main character (a young girl named Andi) to consider what it might be like to be captured by American Indians. Set in the 1800's "wild west" days, this book gives young readers a glimpse into that wonderful and unique period of time that was short-lived yet will never "die".

While you could read this series of books just for the fun of it, Kregel Publications has added some "extras" that make it easy to make these books are part of your language arts curriculum. The chapters are short enough that the book could easily be assigned over the course of several weeks, one chapter at a time. (The book is 76 pages long). There is a "New Word List" (page 7) which is nice for terms your child may not be familiar with, such as "Yokut", "ohum", and "jim-dandy". You could use these as spelling words, too.

You can visit their website to learn more about this series of books - here is a direct link to the Circle C Beginnings Series: www.Kregel.com/CircleC These books retail for $4.99 each, but can be purchased for $3.49 each through August 31, 2011 with the coupon code HOME11. There are book excerpts and supplemental materials available at the website as well.

Kregel Publications sells a variety of products that are ideal for the homeschooling family. Available at their website are Bible history books and guides, the Andrea Carter books (also written by Susan K. Marlow for older readers), and a whole lot more. You can browse around their website here: www.Kregel.com

As you prepare for your lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer, consider choosing some quality reading material to keep your kiddos learning. In a future post I will share some ways you can easily count your summer activities as a part of the coming school year!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend everyone - take time to enjoy your families and do something you truly enjoy! As for me, I get to see my oldest son graduate tomorrow and we will enjoy a reception in his honor on Sunday. It will be a great weekend for the Burt family :)

Day 93 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

What Should I Do With All These Books?? ~ Part 2

2011-05-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

If you read "Part 1" of this blog series, then you might remember my first 3 tips:

~ Sort Books As You Finish Them

~ Update Your Older Student's Transcripts Right Away

~ Make a List of Books You Have and Books You Want/Need

As you move closer and closer to the end of this academic year, and as spring begins to become summer, it becomes increasingly difficult to focus on planning for next year. Now, maybe I am the only homeschool mom who has this problem, and all the rest of you amazing women are able to plan for next year while folding laundry and cooking a gourmet dinner and the sounds of spring outside the kitchen window don't create a distraction for you. If that's the case, I'm probably blogging to myself today :)

Since spring is here and summer is right on it's heels, I really do have to force myself to focus on wrapping things up in a tidy fashion so that I'm not in a panic when August arrives. Okay, I am Type A, I admit it. I do like all things to be done in a fitting and orderly fashion. I don't do well in the midst of chaos and if it weren't for my amazing husband, I would live a life void of spontenaity. But I STILL have to force myself to focus on the big picture at the tail end of each school year. Type A or not, I am just plain tired by the time May rolls around. Here are my next 3 tips for finishing well in preparation for next year:

Shop the Spring Sales and Conventions
You know that list of books you've been working on? Now is the perfect time to use it! Many curriculum companies have fantastic sales during the spring months. And homeschool convention season is in full swing! Take your list with you as you walk through the vendor hall at your state convention. Reference your list as you shop online or browse catalogs - see what's new and what fits your "Want/Need" list. I have 2 simple rules when it comes to curriculum shopping: #1 ~ When shopping online, look around for the best price OVERALL (consider shipping fees, and buy as much as you can from each website). #2 ~ When shopping at a homeschool convention, buy directly from the vendor whenever possible (homeschoolers work hard creating products that work well for homeschooling families - it's kind of tacky to look over their product & then walk 3 yards away to buy it for $3 less...)

Choose to Honestly Evaluate Your Science and Math Programs Now!
Okay, you may be wondering why I feel you need to honestly evaluate math and science curriculum now. We tend to look back and remember things a bit differently than they really were (ever heard the phrase "grandma's cookies"?). By honestly evaluating your math and science programs at the end of each school year, you give your children the best possible learning advantage come next fall. What did you love about science this year? What did your kids love? And what did you NOT love? Ask your kids what they disliked. Do the same with your math curriculum. If you use different programs with each child, then honestly evaluate each one. Write down your honest opinion (and that of your children), set it aside, pray about it for a few days, and then read over it again. Let the Lord speak to you about your curriculum choices (if you are willing to listen, He is willing to guide you). Then move forward - sell what you no longer want to use, update your "Want/Need" curriculum list, and put away any books you will keep for future use. Remember, this truly is the ideal time for an honest evaluation!

Get Rid of the "Junk"
Rather than putting all the eraser-less pencils and dried out glue sticks into the school supply drawer and leaving it for the fall, go ahead and toss the "junk" right now. If you know for a fact that you are not going to use the last bit of tacky glue in the bottle, throw it out. That notebook with 4 pages left in it? Go ahead and toss it. It's a simple but profound truth that you will have a better start to your school year if you have a clean work space & a few new supplies (like notebooks, pencils, and crayons). Take a few minutes now to get rid of the "junk" and you will save yourself the headache of doing it later on when you are ready to begin the new school year.

Those are my 3 tips for today - I'm not certain how many "parts" this series will contain when it's all said and done, but I am pretty sure I have a few more tips to share before I'm out of words :)

Make the most of this season in your homeschool because by doing that, you are paving the way for an excellent new school year come fall!

Day 92 done :)

Jan L. Burt

www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Homeschool Crew Product Review ~ Nutrition 101 from Growing Healthy Homes

2011-04-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

For this product review, I received an e-book edition of "Nutrition 101" from Growing Healthy Homes. I was surprised by the sheer volume of this resource (yes, even in a digital format, it's a big book!). This book is a wealth of 400+ pages of usable nutrition information.

I was very impressed by the content of "Nutrition 101" right from the start. In light of the "health crisis" I faced last spring (I was on the verge of Type 2 diabetes in addition to my hypothyroidism), this book struck a chord deep within me. Facing my health issues head on and making dramatic lifestyle changes has given me a whole new appreciation for the study of nutrition. Over the past year, I have read quite a bit about diabetes, and what I read in "Nutrition 101" about diabetes prevention is as good as anything else I have come across. "Nutrition 101" is filled with information I can use on a daily basis and it has become a key component in our family's health studies.

My daughters have also been impressed with the substance of this resource. It really is top-notch! Even when some of the wording was difficult for my youngest daughter, I found it pretty easy to adapt the book to fit her level of understanding. This has allowed me to lay a solid foundation in the study of nutrition that she can build upon for the rest of her life.

The segments on "Brain Foods and Healthy Fats" was a real eye-opener for my girls. They discovered so many things they never knew before, and the ways healthy fats work within the brain was fascinating to them. The complexity of this one topic speaks loudly of our Creator (curriculum that brings glory to the Lord are a favorite with me). The depth with which the subject matter is explained allows the student, and the teacher, to grasp the "why" behind the nutrition facts.

If you visit the website at www.GrowingHealthyHomes.com you will find information on webinars and seminars, upcoming events, and product info. In addition to "Nutrition 101", Growing Healthy Homes has baby products (called Gentle Babies) and products relating to Raw Foods. "Nutrition 101" is available in three formats - the book sells for $99.95, the CDrom sells for $79.95, and the book/CDrom combo sells for $129.95. (I received the book as a download free of charge for review purposes).

My 7th grader had this to say about Growing Healthy Home's "Nutrition 101" - "It's more thorough than some other health programs I've used. I was sometimes confused with other books I read, but Nutrition 101 makes sense to me. The information was complex but understandable. It's pretty interesting to learn how food impacts my body's systems. I have learned a lot."

My 10th grader added this - "This book is very thorough. It's not boring or overwhelming, however. It's set up in a way that keeps me learning and wanting to learn more. It can be hard to retain textbook health info - but this book has been ideal for me. It doesn't feel like a tedious health book, and I like that."

If you are considering a health program for your homeschool or your co-op, "Nutrition 101" from Growing Healthy Homes would be an excellent choice.

May the Lord bless you today as you homeschool for His glory!

Day 91 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

What Should I Do With All These Books?? ~ Part 1

2011-04-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

So here you are, busy homeschooling mother, smack dab in the middle of the month of April. Pat yourself on the back, treat yourself to a latte, buy yourself a new pair of shoes - in some way celebrate the fact that you're nearing the end of the school year!!

It's a milestone, and it's important to recognize milestone moments in our lives. April is the month when we really begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The kids are finishing up some of their work, and moms are able to look back over the year and see how far everyone has come. By May, many homeschool families have put away all things "homeschool" and are moving full-speed-ahead into summer.

But hold up there for a moment...um, what about all those books?

Should you put them in plastic storage tubs or cardboard boxes and shove them in the attic? Load the bookshelves to their maximum capacity? Stack them in tall, teetering piles near your nightstand? Or simply walk out of the homeschool room (if you have a room for homeschooling - many of us use the kitchen table!) and shut the door behind you?

For many a homeschooling mom, the very last thing we want to do in April and May is organize the mountain of homeschooling "stuff" we have acquired over the course of the academic year. It's a lot of work, and we're ready for a much deserved break. Some of us may not even want to look at another book until August or September of 2012 rolls around!!

I get all that, really I do. There have been school years that went on so long, I was pretty sure my family was stuck in some kind of time warp. I've pushed the "easy button" and ran head long into the I-don't-have-to-write-lesson-plans-or-grade-math-worksheets-or-teach-cursive-'cuz-it's-SUMMER month of May. It's very tempting, but trust me, it's not the wisest course of action for the homeschooling mother to take.

Next fall I will begin my 14th year of homeschooling. If I have learned anything over the years, I have learned that what I do at the end of the current school year can make or break the next school year. I may truly believe that I will be able to remember how to categorize and sort each of the papers in the ginormous "paper pile", and that I will clearly remember every book my kids read, and that assigning credit for coursework and updating high school transcripts will be breeze come fall. Yup, I may truly believe all of the above, and I am truly wrong in my beliefs. It will not happen that way, ladies.

So here is Part 1 in this series of posts on this topic - take what is helpful and apply it to your homeschool and toss out what isn't helpful. I'm all about encouraging moms who homeschool, not discouraging them by loading them up with lists of Yea's and Nay's. If these tips help, that's terrific! If they don't help, don't sweat the small stuff. But do take some time to document your children's learning and look ahead to next year's curriculum needs before you close the book on this school year :)

Sort Books As You Finish Them
Don't put this off until later - do it now!! As soon as your kiddo finishes that science book, put it where it belongs. (i.e. back on the shelf with other science books to be used in the future, listed on amazon.com if it's no longer needed in your homeschool, in the Goodwill box if it's too worn to resell, given to your friend at support group who could use it for her kid's next year)

Update Your Older Student's Transcripts Right Away
Use your planner and your student's planners to document any coursework that can count toward high school credit starting in middle school (any high school level work done from 6th grade on can count toward high school credit). Don't have any idea how to create a transcript? No problem, just pick up a nice hardbound notebook (Barnes and Noble often has these on sale). Create a page for each of your children and write down information about the books they've used or read that fit into high school categories like "American Lit" or "Foreign Language" or "Composition". Write down book titles, whether the work was done for one semester or all year, and the grade they earned. And if your kiddo didn't quite finish the book, keep in mind that public high schools assign full credit when books are 80% complete. That's all you need to do for now :)

Make A List of Books You Have and Books You Want/Need
Keep this list in a handy place; in your purse perhaps or tucked inside your Bible. Make sure you look at it regularly and add to it as needed. The list can be simple, but you probably need to have it sorted by subject. As you find a science book you'd like to buy, add it to the list. When you are preparing for a garage sale and find a couple of science books, add them to the list. When your friend mentions a book she has but doesn't need to use next year, check your needs and wants & borrow it if need be (but don't forget to return it as soon as you are finished with it!). Let her look over your list to see if anything you have could be a blessing to her. Refer to your list frequently and you will be amazed at how your homeschool planning "comes together" in a much easier fashion than when you try and figure it all our from memory or worse yet, on the last day of August!

Those are my 3 tips for today, but I will continue this in Part 2. If you have any specific questions, I'd be glad to try and answer them - leave a comment and I'll get back to you and include your questions Part 2.

Lord bless your homeschool & have a wonderful Easter this weekend! He is risen indeed!!

Day 90 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Kinderbach

2011-04-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

Have you been looking for a fun and easy way for your little one to learn how to play the piano? Maybe you would like to expose your tyke to music but aren't sure where to begin. Do you live in a rural setting and just can't find a way to fit in long drives for piano lessons? These are just a few examples of reasons busy homeschooling families might find Kinderbach a perfect fit!

At the Kinderbach website (www.Kinderbach.com) you will find online piano lessons for younger children. The lessons are divided into 6 levels and each level contains 10 weeks of instruction. Each weekly lesson has an introduction video lesson followed by 3 video lessons. That may sound a bit confusing, so let me simplify:

6 Levels
Level 1 = week 1 thru 10
Level 2 = week 11 thru 20
Level 3 = week 21 thru 30 (and so on for 60 weeks of instruction)
Week 1 = Introduction, Session 1, Session 2, Session 3

Each session may have other options to reinforce what the student has learned, such as printable coloring pages. There are cute icons on the screen just below the video that will show the student which options are available with each session.

Kinderbach teaches children where the notes are (on any piano). They don't use colors or stickers or "tricks" as part of their teaching method. But they also make sure it isn't confusing (part of why many programs use stickers or colors is to try and lesson confusion for the young pianist). As a mom who has purchased several books and DVDs to teach beginning piano, I really wish I'd found Kinderbach early on. I think it would have been a perfect fit for my daughter in her younger years.

In addition to the online lessons, Kinderbach also has books available in pdf format. The books help to "cement" what the student has learned, and Kinderbach incorporates fun characters into the lessons. As a mom in her 13th year of homeschooling, I can tell you that any subject that is taught using a variety of learning styles will be better retained. This is a large factor for me when I am considering a curriculum purchase. I truly appreciate that Kinderbach has created a learning program with such variety, and the pdf books are a huge selling point in my opinion.

How much does this wonderful product cost, you are wondering? Online piano lessons start at $7.99. DVD and CD packages begin at $40.45. You can also purchase songbooks and other "extras" here: www.Kinderbach.com/Shopping

Kinderbach has plans to add games and songs (kind of like pinao karaoke) online in the near future, so be sure to keep an eye out for those fun additions to this already fun program!

Let me also add that, as always, I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

Have a blessed homeschool day & be sure to incorporate music into your homeschool!

Day 90 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolMothersBibleStudy.com

Job's Word on Wisdom

2011-04-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

In the 28th chapter of the book of Job, we can read what Job has to say about wisdom. I find it very encouraging that even in the midst of such terrible circumstances, Job was able to retain his proper view of God and share that proper view with others. WOW! I mean, how often do I wake up on the wrong side of the bed and for the rest of the day, everyone around me gets to experience my bad mood first hand? And here we have Job, enduring more grief than I can begin to comprehend - and he's teaching his not-such-wise friends about God's true and unchanging character. I read Job's words, look in the mirror, and humbly ask the Lord to create in me a heart that loves Him as Job loved Him.

Here are a couple of verses from the book of Job, New Living Translation:

Job 28:12 - "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?"

Job 28:15-17 - "It cannot be bought for gold or silver. Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx stone or sapphires. Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold."

Job 28:20 - "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?"

Job 28:28 - "And this is what he says to all humanity; 'The fear of the LORD is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' "

Job was truly a wise and God-fearing man, wasn't he? We see him drawing the listener in as he speaks of wisdom's great value and repeatedly asks where people can find wisdom and understanding. He ends the chapter by quoting God Himself - if we have ears to hear we can "hear" God telling us that "The fear of the LORD is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding."

I am going to take God at His Word today, and choose to heed Job's wise words. This day I choose to serve the Lord, to fear Him and revere Him in all His holiness, and seek His guidance as I homeschool my children.

Lord bless your homeschool day as you seek wisdom and understanding

Day 89 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review - Zeezok Publishing (z-guide for "12 Angry Men")

2011-04-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

The product I am reviewing today fits nicely into a unique corner of the homeschooler's curriculum bookshelf (or, if you are like me, a series of bookcases!). Zeezok Publishing market a variety of products for homeschooling families, including American Government, Literature, Character Building, Great Musicians, Penmanship and their z-guides to the Movies. The z-guide I am reviewing today corresponds with the movie "12 Angry Men" (1957) starring Henry Fonda (which is a fantastic movie, if you've never seen had the pleasure of viewing it).

Each z-guide contains a topic overview, movie synopsis, and 10 additional learning activities. The films are carefully chosen for their historical context, so you need not worry that you are watching movies instead of "doing school"! The topic overview helps set the film in it's historical context and provides background information to enhance your student's study. The movie synopsis is simply a brief, detailed explanation of the movie's storyline. And the 10 learning activities are tailored to the subject matter from each film.

The student(s) watch the film the first time through and answer some movie review questions - this assignment could be divided over several days if need be; however, it probably works best when the film is viewed in one sitting and the questions are answered shortly thereafter. After this initial viewing of the film, the assignments vary from one z-guide to another, but in the case of "12 Angry Men" the learning activities focused primarily on judicial procedures and moral societal issues such as capital punishment, social justice and U.S government. There was also plenty of focus on the movie making process, which my 10th grade daughter appreciated as much of the character development can be applied to her aspirations as a novelist. Some of the activities required the use of outside resources, such as the Internet or a visit to the library ~ however, I don't know many homeschool moms who fail stop by their local library on a regular basis and as for Internet access, well, anyone reading this review has the Internet available to them, right?!

There were some memorization activities included in the z-guide for "12 Angry Men" - and I must say, the quotes they found for student's to memorize were fantastic! My personal favorites were a quote by Atticus Finch of "To Kill A Mockingbird" fame and Portia from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". If you have not read "To Kill A Mockingbird" (the only novel ever penned by "Nell" Harper Lee) or "The Merchant of Venice" I recommend you grab a copy of Miss Lee's book at the library (moms read this book first - some of the subject matter may not be suitable for younger children) and start your children on Shakespeare by reading "Charles and Mary Lamb's Book of Shakespeare".
You might also want to look at Zeezok Publishing's website for their z-guide that corresponds with the film version of "To Kill A Mockingbird" (starring Gregory Peck). Visit them online here: www.ZeezokPublishing.com

When visiting their website, you can find a complete listing of all available z-guides to the Movies in the "Product" section on the left-hand side of the home page. Some of the z-guides I hope to acquire include "A Man For All Seasons", "Guess Who's Coming to Diner?", "Kit Kittredge" (for my younger students!), "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "Sergeant York", and of course "To Kill A Mockingbird". Each of the DVDs is available at their website, which makes for easy one-stop shopping. The z-guide for "12 Angry Men" sells for $12.99 and the DVD costs $15.98. (As always, I received this product free of charge for review purposes).

I can't say there was much about this resource that I didn't like, and my 10th grade daughter likes the movie "12 Angry Men" very much; doing these assignments was enjoyable for her and it was a unique way to learn about our judicial system.

Check out Zeezok Publishing's website (www.ZeezokPublishing.com) and see if they have something unique and educational for your homeschool needs!

Day 88 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Homeschool Crew Product Review ~ BIG IQ Kids

2011-03-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Big IQ Kids can best be described as an educational website aimed at helping students achieve excellence in spelling, math, vocabulary and United States geography. That's a very broad overview, of course ~ I will explore a few aspects of the program in-depth while leaving plenty of room for you to dig into Big IQ Kids for yourself!

The first thing I noticed about Big IQ Kids was how easy it was to set up user accounts. Not all websites have taken the time to ensure that the initial process is reasonably simple. As a busy mother of five, I appreciate that the website designers took care of that important detail. Ease of use = amount of use in our homeschool!

After setting up user accounts, my daughters chose characters to use in the games. It gave a personalized feel to each of their accounts, and added a "fun" aspect to the academic aspect of Big IQ Kids. Then they were ready to begin lessons in one of 4
categories: Spelling Math U.S. States Vocab

Each subject category has multiple lessons that the students progress through. For example, in the States category there are 50 levels (one level for each of our 50 states). Within each of the 50 levels, students can work on different topics (State Location, State Spelling, State Capital, State Abbreviations, or a State Fun Facts Game). As they learn, they earn coins that can be redeemed to play games on the Big IQ Kids website (www.BigIQKids.com) The games really are fun and engaging; while I don't believe in bribing my children to do their school work, I will admit that fun games are a nice incentive for completing the lessons. Everyone enjoys a reward for a job well done, and I feel Big IQ Kids gives fair rewards for the work done. Coins are earned, not handed out like candy. Their reward system gets a stamp of approval from this homeschool mom!!

Parents receive emails when students have completed an assignment. The emails are wonderful, and give specific details such as which spelling words were spelled correctly and which ones need more work. Grades for tests and math assignments are included in the emails (which makes grading simple for mom - a bonus for me since you all know that grading is my most dreaded homeschool chore!!). I like that I'm not required to log into each child's account in order to see their progress. However, I can log in and see at a glance how they are progressing in any of the categories. This at-a-glance feature is another plus for busy moms of many siblings.

I was drawn to the Spelling and Vocab categories right away. I found online chapter books (which can also be printed) for kids with the ability to double-click on a word if they need help pronouncing it, vocab lessons (you can do the prepared lessons or modify them and add your own words), participate in a spelling bee or do a spelling lesson (again with the option to add your own words to the word list) - and a whole lot more. They have a "Reading Should Be Fun" motto and their books can be read with a Kindle. And there are "Tutors" at each level of each subject to help the student through each lesson.

My girls had this to say about Big IQ Kids ~

Daughter 1 - "I like that it helps me learn how to spell instead of just expecting me to spell. I can review the words if I need to. And I earn coins to play the games, which are pretty fun. I really like the game 'Icicle'! My favorite part of Big IQ Kids is the spelling program."

Daughter 2 - "I use the spelling program the most on Big IQ Kids. I have to learn before I earn coins to play the games. Some websites let you play the games to learn, but I think Big IQ Kids has a better method of making the game the reward for doing well. It's challenging; I have to work hard on mastering my spelling words and some of them are really hard (like heterogeneous). I definitely feel more confident about my spelling after using Big IQ Kids."

Feel free to look visit their website at www.BigIQKids.com and explore their free options to get a feel for what they offer. You can also take advantage of their free one week trial. The cost for using Big IQ Kids beyond the free trial is $19.99/month OR $99.99/12 months. (They also have a classroom account available for the price of $299.99/12 months).

This product was received at no cost for review purposes.

Thanks for reading this product review & may your homeschool day be blessed!

Day 87 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

To Quote Spurgeon...

2011-03-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

In his classic devotionals "Morning by Morning", Charles Haddon Spurgeon's penned words have been a source of spiritual growth and encouragement for about a century. The mere mention of his name evokes a mental image of a "spiritual superstar" the likes of which most of us would never dream of becoming. Yet at the same time, C.H. Spurgeon's writings are easy for us to relate to; for while he truly was a spiritual giant of a man, he was also a man of the people. When I read Spurgeon, I come away comforted by the knowledge that here was a man who would have been able to relate to my life.

Below is a quot4e taken from the March 22nd daily devotion, based on Matthew 26:39 (when Jesus was praying in Gethsemane).

~ "His (Jesus') prayer also was a 'filial prayer', prayer befitting a son or a child of the Father. He prayed, 'Abba, Father,' (Mark 14:36). By pleading your adoption as His child, you will find a fortress of protection through your times of trial. If you were simply a subject of His, all your rights would long ago have been forfeited due to your treason, but nothing can forfeit a child's right to his father's protection. So do not be afraid to say, 'My Father' (Matthew 26:39), 'hear my cry ... listen to my prayer' (Psalm 61:1)" ~

I am no Spurgeon, and I am most certainly not a theologian. Most of what I know I have "gleaned" from those who have gone before me or from sitting under good teaching with an open heart to hear from the Lord. There truly is nothing I can add to the above quote that would do anything but muddy the waters. So let me end this post by saying ...

Be Encouraged, Homeschooling Mother! The Lord Himself is your Abba Father, and He will hear your cry, listening to your prayer!

Day 86 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

TOS Review ~ ARTistic Pursuits Senior High Book One (the Elements of Art and Composition)

2011-03-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

The first book for senior high art instruction by ARTistic Pursuits (written by Brenda Ellis) is an 88-page art resource that teaches application, techniques, art appreciation, art history and a "visual vocabulary" (my favorite aspect of this curriculum - more about that later in the review). By teaching twice weekly, homeschoolers can complete the book in 32 weeks (an average school year). This schedule can easily be modified, however; I have used ARTistic Pursuits more than twice in a week and found it very easy to adapt to my family's homeschool schedule. All of the books in this series sell for $42.95 each at www.ARTisticPursuits.com, whether you are looking for an early or mid-elementary, middle school or high school art curriculum.

The table of contents page has a list of art supplies needed for each semester. Art supplies are also available at the website www.ARTisticPursuits.com, with cute tote bags to hold the supplies in. (Most everyone who knows me knows I really like tote bags ... really, really like them!) Having the option to purchase all the needed supplies for the entire year's course (with a tote bag!!) is a plus for the busy homeschool mom who doesn't want to search out each item on the supply list. (The price of the Senior High Book One Supply Kit is $57) However, the handy supply list in the book also allows for mom's to buy only the exact items they need, as many of us have loads of "school stuff" lying around from our many years of homeschooling (hmmm, can you tell I'm describing myself?!).

This is a two-semester course and can count as one credit of art for the year; OR it can count as 1/2 a credit in art and 1/2 a credit in art history/art appreciation. Some of you reading this may not be homeschooling any high school students yet (or you may be afraid to homeschool through high school - let me say to those of you with that fear, YOU CAN DO IT!!) For those of you who are homeschooling high school age students, I am sure you already know all about credits and credit hours and Carnegie units, etc. Not every curriculum clearly tells you how to give credit for the completed course (BTW, in the traditional high school, once a textbook is 80% finished it is considered "complete" and full credit can be given). And oftentimes, one child might be "heavy" in art credits - in which case, it's nice to know that the credit can be given as art history or art appreciation. Let me also add this ~ DO NOT let any of the above intimidate you about homeschooling through high school. If I can do it, anyone can do it - really!! My oldest child was just accepted to Wheaton College (in Wheaton, Illinois, not the one in Mass.) which is one of the best schools in the nation, often classed with Duke, Cambridge, Brown, and the like. It's hard but rewarding work, and you really can homeschool all the way through high school.

The "Getting Started" section of the book explains how to schedule and teach each lesson. Students also learn to build a "Visual Vocabulary", which basically means they read a paragraph or so in the beginning of each lesson and then are given an assignment ~ the end result is a piece of work based on what they read, not what they saw drawn out for them in the book. My words do not do this aspect of ARTistic Pursuits justice; believe me when I say it is a unique and wonderful feature!! Art appreciation and art history are also studied, along with techniques and application in every lesson. The assignments (labeled "To Do" or "Try This") are in red print, making it easy to see what the student actually needs to do for each lesson. The elements of art students work with in Senior High Book One are Space, Line, Texture, Shape, Form and Value. This is a thorough curriculum and I appreciate the attention to detail the author put into this book.

Student work is featured throughout the book; I find this to be very encouraging! The homeschooled child can see what other teens have drawn and realize this is something they can do, too. It also helps them to understand that their finished assignment doesn't have to look just like the European pieces featured in each lesson.

Each unit contains 4 lessons. Some of the assignments are relatively easy, especially for the high schooler who has taken are courses before. The more challenging assignments take more time but they really do "grow" the student as an artist. Many art curriculums fail to truly challenge and improve the budding artist. ARTistic Pursuits is truly an excellent art program.

I had my 7th grade daughter and 10th grade daughter use ARTistic Pursuits Senior High Book One in order to give a thorough review. Below are their comments.

7th grade daughter: "This curriculum expects me to draw without giving me really simple step-by-step instructions. It has great extra features that have taught me a lot. I feel like I am learning new information with ARTistic Pursuits. The projects are challenging but they're also fun. Art is one of my favorite subjects, so I've enjoyed using this book."

10th grade daughter: "This is a good art program. It stretches beyond art books I've used in the past, many of which can be described as the 'same old, same old'. ARTistic Pursuits gives you a passage; you read it and then draw what you get out of the reading. It's self-taught, but in a good way (kids who've been homeschooled for a while know what I mean by this!). It has solid information about art itself, much of which I didn't know. The art history is also interesting, and it isn't written in a boring manner. I really like this curriculum."

So there you have it from my girls' point of view. If you are looking for an art curriculum for high school, check out ARTistic Pursuits.

Have an artistic homeschool day!!

Day 85 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

Genesis Chapter 45

2011-03-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

When we read about Joseph in Genesis 45, I think most of us are struck by his ability to forgive his brothers and the emotion he shows as he is reunited with them. His ability to forgive (and forget and move on!) is so much bigger than we glean from quickly reading through this chapter. It's not simply something that Joseph does; rather, it's WHO Joseph is. In other words, Joseph doesn't forgive because it's the right thing to do in order to be reconciled to his family. Joseph forgives because it isn't his nature to do anything but forgive. And this is a complete forgiveness - a foreshadowing of the type of forgiveness we receive from Christ.

Verse 5 (New Living Translation) reads: "But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives."

And then in verse 6 it says: "These two years of famine will grow to seven, during which there will be neither plowing nor harvest."

As the old saying says, the proof is in the pudding (or the proof of the pudding is in the eating). Verse 5 shows a measure of Joseph's forgiveness. But verse 6 is the proof - Joseph doesn't talk about his long, hard years in Egypt as a slave and a prisoner who was falsely accused. Nor does he mention his success as second-in-command, answering to no one save Pharaoh. Nope, none of that is even hinted at. Instead, Joseph clearly states what will happen next. In other words, he has moved on. That is the proof of true forgiveness, isn't it? The ability to actually move on; get over it; take the next step.

Verses 7 through 28 continue with the wonderful story of Joseph's reunion with his father, a very touching scene that would make modern Hollywood-ized movie moments seem, well, lame. Only God Himself could write such a perfect ending to a life story that had so much heartbreak.

The same God Who watched over Joseph as he toiled in Egypt is the God Who watches as you toil in homeschooling your children. The God Who graced Joseph with the amazing ability to fully forgive and move on with his life is the God Who will grace you will all you need to fulfill His calling for you.

Don't fear the future; don't let your past keep you locked in the prison of unforgiveness.

Be encouraged today!

Day 84 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

TOS Crew Review ~ "Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him?" (book 1 in the "What We Believe" series) ~ from Apologia Educational Ministries

2011-03-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

You could describe my title for today's post with the word "thorough". You could also use the word "thorough" to describe the product this product review is about.

For those of you who may not have heard of Apologia Educational Ministries, I'll share more about the company and their products later in this review. And for those of you who have heard of Apologia, rest assured that their worldview curriculum is just as good as their science curriculums are! The book "Who is God? And Can I Really Know Him?" (written by John Hay and David Webb) is the first volume in Apologia's "What We Believe" series. This is a hardbound, 8 1/2 by 11 inch book that is 252 pages in length. Like Apologia's other hardbound books, it is designed to hold up with long term use over the course many years of homeschooling. As you may have guessed, the intent of the "What We Believe" series is to help the reader establish a Biblical worldview.

Not sure exactly what a worldview is? Or why it's a topic worth studying in your homeschool? Don't worry, you're not alone. Let's define the words "apologia" and "worldview" to broaden our understanding.

apologia ~ noun
1. an apology, as in defense or justification of a belief, idea, etc.
2. Literature . a work written as an explanation or justification of one's motives, convictions, or acts.

worldview ~ noun
1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.

So our worldview is the way we see and interpret the world as individuals, and a Biblical worldview in one in which God's inerrant Word is the lens through which we view all of life. The above definition of the word apologia broadens our understanding of the purpose of a Biblical worldview curriculum, such as "Who Is God?" from Apologia Educational Ministries.

There are 10 lessons in this book, and each lesson can be covered in about 2 week's time. Older students can work through each lesson's reading and activities on their own, while younger children may need to work with a parent. My 7th grade daughter has been using the book on her own, and she often shares what she has learned with her dad in the evening after dinner. We have had some engaging family discussion's as a result! It's a good thing for our children to know why they believe what they believe, and to have a faith that they can fully own. Riding on mom and dad's coattails will not gain them entrance to heaven, as God has no grandchildren!

The text of the book is written directly to the student, and the intent is for the child to learn at their own pace with this resource. The New International Version of the Bible is used primarily, with some verses quoted from the ICB and the NLT. The author's tried to reference translations that kept the vocabulary child-friendly. It is suggested that memory work be done in the family's chosen translation.

"Who Is God?" incorporated notebooking in each lesson. (If you have never done any notebooking, don't let that stop you from trying this curriculum; it's a fun way to add a new dimension to any curriculum and is used wisely in this book.) Notebooking generates better student retention than fill-in-the-blank worksheets. Each student can customize and personalize their work and makes a nice keepsake when the book is finished. There are formatted pages available online at the Apologia website ~ www.Apologia.com

Some of the elements included in the lessons are 'Big Idea' (an introduction to the lesson's main topic), 'What You Will Do' (learning objectives), 'Short Story' (seeing a worldview in action), 'Think About It' (questions to deepened student's understanding and life-application), 'What You Need to Know' (vocab words), 'Hide It in Your Heart' (two specific verses per lesson), 'Integrated Learning' (articles based in art, math, science, history, etc to broaden student understanding), 'What Should I Do?' (focus on a certain character trait), 'Prayer' (self-explanatory), 'Worldview Study' (how student's perceive the world around them), 'House of Truth' (a visual model that is built upon lesson by lesson to aid in long-term retention). Again, this is a very "thorough" curriculum!

Lesson planning tips are included in the introduction of "Who Is God?"
along with an explanation for teaching worldview. I should also note that the suggested ages for this resource are 6 to 14. However, if you have children younger or older than those parameters and are interested in this curriculum, you might consider taking a look at it. After all, homeschooling moms are pretty good at adapting books to fit our family's needs!

At the end of Lesson 1 ("Where Am I Building My Life?") there are several thought provoking questions, such as: "Do I have a responsibility to God?". Other questions include, "Where did the universe come from?", "Why do we have to die?", "How can I know if something is true or not?", and "Are there solutions to all the problems in the world?" For a young person to be able to ask and answer such questions is truly one of the best educational gifts we can provide. How many teenagers leave home unable to answer these types of questions? And the reality is, the world we live in is not going to become less complicated; our children need to be equipped with a Biblical worldview in order build upon the Rock of Jesus Christ as they move into adulthood. Apologia's "Who Is God?" and the subsequent books in the "What We Believe" series provide that equipping.

To learn more about this series, visit their website at www.Apologia.com and click on the link on the right-hand side of the page entitled "Apologia Press". This book sells for $39, as do the other books in the series. Volume 2, "Who Am I? And Why Am I Here?", is available for purchase now. Volume 3, "Who Is My Brother? And Why Do We Need Each Other?" will be finished sometime in 2011. The final book in the series, Volume 4, will bear the title "What On Earth Can I Do?" and will be available for purchase in the near future.

You can also browse Apologia's website to learn more about their science curriculums (which are some of the best available to homeschool families - I've used them for years and highly recommend them), their support of missionaries, look into their homeschool conventions, sign up to receive their free newsletter, and much more.

This truly is an excellent product, but you don't have to take my word for it. Here is what my 7th grade daughter has to say:

"I like the detailed information in this book. It makes you actually think about the questions asked, not just answer questions that are too simple. It also has a unique way of making me think about bigger things in life, like the recent earthquake in Japan, and I feel like I can apply the Bible's truths to all parts of life. This book seems way better for me right now than just reading my Bible - I can live what I am learning and answer questions about my faith better than I could before."

As always, this product was received at no cost to me for review purposes.

Keep Christ in the center of your homeschool today so that your children keep Christ in the center of their lives tomorrow!

Day 83 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.HomeschoolingMothersBibleStudy.com

What Does Isaiah Have to Say About It?

2011-03-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

This morning I was reading in Isaiah (chap. 55 - 60). I thought I might share some of what I read in the hopes that it would encourage some homeschooling mom today. After all, the intent of this blog is to encourage moms who homeschool and there's no better source of encouragement than the Bible, right?

(FYI - all verses are quoted from the New Living Translation)

"Come to me with your ears wide open." ~ Isaiah 55:3a
When we come to Him ready to listen, ready to be taught by Him, He will teach us. One of the keys to a successful day of homeschooling is for mom to come to the Lord with a teachable spirit, yielded fully to His leading.

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9
God is never idle and He cannot be removed from the equation; whatever you might think He is up to, don't become so sure of your own ideas about Him that you fail to be amazed when He does things in ways that are totally different than you expected.

"The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem," says the LORD, "to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins. And this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!" ~ Isaiah 59:20-21
Be to sure to praise the Lord all throughout your busy homeschool day; by setting that example for your children, you honor the Lord and teach them to honor Him.

"I, the Lord, will bring it all to pass at the right time." ~ Isaiah 60:c
While this portion of this verse is referring to the end of days here on earth and the Lord's eternal plan, it is an excellent reminder that He will bring things to pass at the right time. That means all things, including those things in your family's homeschool that cause you to lose sleep at night. He has not forgotten you or your children; keep trusting in Him and seeking Him and He will bring it all to pass at the right time.

Lord bless you today as you homeschool for His glory!

Day 82 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

An Oldie but a Goodie

2011-03-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a youtube video from a few years back. This is a skit done to a Lifehouse song in which my oldest daughter played a role. She is the blond girl in center stage around whom the whole "skit" takes place.

This has been done many times in many churches and has a great impact every single time.

Click on the link to watch the video:

www.LifeHouseSkit.com

Have a blessed weekend!

Day 81 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ Math Rider

2011-02-25T08:36:00.000-08:00

Math Rider is a computer math game aimed at helping children of all ages master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts with ease. Math Rider is compatible with Windows, MAC, and Linux operating systems (it uses Adobe AIR runtime). The game can be played by several users on the same computer, with each user creating their own rider and completing their own adventures. Math Rider is not a multi player game, however. Each student works on his or her own, one rider at a time. When the student is actually playing the game, Math Rider uses it's "intelligence" to determine what the student needs to work on and adjust the facts accordingly. Mastery is the end goal with this program, and this is one of the ways they ensure mastery actually happens for every student.

The game takes place in the imaginary land of "Ray". As the student rides the horse (named Shadow) on quests throughout the land, they can find gems and rescue princesses, etc. The story line contains some mystical/magical content, and each family should examine the program to ensure it fits with their worldview. A student could complete a quest in one sitting,or take several days to work through a quest. It's totally up to the child and the parents. I felt that the visible progress on the map was a creative and unique motivator for student's using Math Rider. (See map image below):

Parents can choose addition, subtraction, multiplication or division for their child to work on. This allows younger students to use the Math Rider program; many math facts programs only focus on division and I appreciate that Math Rider covers all 4 fact groups. Student's can practice their "problem areas" and since the game is very easy to use, a busy homeschool Mom can assign Math Rider, go on to do schoolwork with her other children, and check student progress with a mere glance. Easy grading - very, very important to me!

I had 3 of my daughters use this program in order to obtain a thorough understanding of Math Rider for this review. Here is what my 8th grade daughter thought had to say:

"I really like the quests. As your progress to harder levels, the map zooms out and gets larger. They aren't short quests and it isn't a boring game to play, like some math games can be. It stops you when you miss a problem and it is good to know which facts you need to work on. It also lets you know the percentage of problems you have finished, so you always know how much you've learned and how much more you need to learn."

My 7th grade daughter said:

"My favorite part of this game is the story that goes along with learning the facts. The levels are laid out nicely and being able to choose my own difficulty level was awesome! I wish I had used Math Rider when I was younger, it would have kept me very interested in working hard so that I could finish the quest."

The primary user of this software in our family has been my 5th grade daughter. She likes the quests very much and the challenge presented by the timing of the horse's "jumps" when solving math facts. And she like the option to choose which problems to practice. This is a very nice feature, especially for homeschool families with younger children who need plenty of facts practice.

She also said:

"Some other math programs just give me the facts to drill. This one has a story along with the problems. I like working on my quest better than just answering math problems. It's like the characters are part of a story and I get to learn more about the story when I work on my math facts. It's one of my favorite things to do for school."

As you can tell, I didn't have any complaints from my kids about using Math Rider! I have been very happy with this program and recommend it for any family desiring to strengthen their children's math fact proficiency.

If you would like to learn more about Math Rider, please visit their website at www.MathRider.com. The cost of the game is $37 - quite a value considering all the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts are covered. It's simple to order online at their website, and you get instant access to the program.

As always, let me state that I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

Happy Questing Everyone!

Day 80 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

KID SCOOP Review ~ TOS Crew

2011-02-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a fun yet educational product to use in your homeschool that is also cross-curricular, KID SCOOP could be just what you need! KID SCOOP consists of an online program and a "hands-on" product called "The Reluctant Reader Solution". And while I can't say I have any reluctant readers, I can tell you that this product contains all the necessary ingredients to help a non-reader become an avid reader. (I think of the process in Star Wars terms ~ the reluctant reader begins to enjoy reading and turns from the Dark Side...)

There are 3 key components offered by KID SCOOP:

1. FREE ~ By visiting the website www.KIDSCOOP.com you can sign up for 30 days of "Make Reading Fun" and a tip-of-the-day.
2. "The Reluctant Reader Solution Download" ~ This product is basically a series of e-books contained in a zip drive (takes up minimal room on your PC or laptop). You receive and email link to download the product and a link with instructions; the link expires 48 hours after purchase and each purchaser receives a new link.
3. "The Reluctant Reader Solution Online" ~ This is best described as an online newspaper for kids.

Our family especially enjoyed reviewing KID SCOOP since our 5th grade daughter has recently become fascinated with creating her own daily paper. She enjoys exploring the website (www.KidScoop.com) and reading the online newspapers. Overall it has enhanced her interest in the newspaper business, and as a homeschooling mother I LOVE products that increase interest (since an increase in interest = an increase in learning).

The downloads are down right terrific. I have incorporated several of them in our daily lesson plans (with ease, might I say). And I fully intend to continue using "The Reluctant Reader Solution" e-books. They contain enough "fun-n-games" to keep my 5th grader intrigued, but they are jam-packed with information. I consider the e-books to be an all-around excellent product for a homeschool family.

A sampling of the subject matter covered includes: Orca whales, teasing, immunizations, working with clay, nutrition labels, Valentine's Day, and Tom Sawyer. As you can see, KID SCOOP offers a wide variety of reading material. If you happen to have a reluctant reader in your home, and you were looking for a curriculum that would inspire said student while enhancing your current studies, you just found it. There is enough content in each volume of KID SCOOP to generate reading interest and expand the student's understanding of the given topic, but not so much as to seem filled with "busy work". (I've said it before and it bears repeating - I am NOT a fan of busy work...why take the time to create a curriculum and then fill it with twaddle?)

Not only can homeschool families utilize this curriculum throughout the course of the school year, they can also be printed out and taken along on long car rides during summer vacations. They contain puzzles and activity sheets that are educational but also fun. I know we will take some along when we drive to Florida this coming May :)

I've written quite a bit about the downloadable portion of what KID SCOOP has to offer, but don't think for a minute that the website doesn't have just as much to offer the homeschooling family! There are themed weekly topics, a weekly writing corner, instant lessons, ways to incorporate your local newspaper into your daily learning, a lesson library, and a nifty feature known as the "Webliography". (Is your interest piqued?? Go to www.KIDSCOOP.com to see more!)

While I received this product free of charge for review purposes, it's a quality product that I would be pleased to spend my homeschool dollars on. Prices vary depending on what is purchased, but you can buy individual download editions for $2.99 and entire e-books sell for $14.99. They accept PayPal and major credit cards via PayPal and once your purchase is complete you receive and email containing the link to your product.

Below is an image to give you an idea of how the e-books look on your PC:

I recommend this company's curriculum if you happen to have a reluctant reader who needs his or her interest sparked. You are sure to find topics to draw your child in, and who knows, your reluctant reader could quickly become your bookworm!

Happy reading everyone :)

Day 79 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

Can I Take A Sick Day if I Claim to Have Spring Fever??

2011-02-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

I've realized that my life has been so busy as of late that I haven't had any time at all to do one of my favorite things ~ ~ ~ which is attempting to encourage other homeschooling mothers via this little blog!!

And while I haven't suddenly unearthed an unfathomable amount of the precious commodity TIME I have discovered that giving myself a short break in order to blog is allowed even in the midst of my busy busy busy life.

So this post isn't typical for me. It's probably not meant to encouraging anyone else as much as it is to give myself a little boost! After all, I have begun to feel a bit weary and God's Word says not to grow weary in well-doing so that I might reap a harvest in due time if I don't give up. One of the ways I keep myself from caving into weariness is by reminding myself of God's promises from His Word. And one of the best places I've found declare God's Truth is right here in Blogger-Land.

I am ready for spring; I am ready for spring break; I am ready for our family vacation; I am ready for the busy-busy-busy pace of life to s-l-o-w w-a-y d-o-w-n. Of all the things I am ready for right now, above all I am ready to know my Savior better. Spring is powerful and emotional for us as human beings because we experience winter. The springtime of our souls is longed for because winter takes places spiritually, not just seasonally. Spring will reveal what grew in me over the winter months. I am ready to see what the Lord would like to reveal to me as spring approaches. And remembering that spring is on it's way spurs me on toward love and good deeds, even as winter tries to hang on just a little longer.

I guess I don't need to take a sick day, even if spring fever has taken a hold of me. I think I just need to hold on to what I know best, as it is revealed to me in God's sixty-six beautiful books. The only thing I really only need to be ready to depend more on Jesus. The rest is all just fluff anyway, and what I need as a homeschool mom is what's real. Forget the fluff - in essence, that's the same as gathering lint from the dryer in the hopes it will make me a millionaire. It's not valuable; it's highly flammable, just like anything I long for that doesn't advance God's purposes and bring Him glory.

As I get ready to say good-bye to winter and prepare to move into spring, may I remember to spend even my busiest of days loving Jesus more than I did the day before.

Day 78 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ 300 Most Common SAT* Words by VocabAhead

2011-02-07T05:11:00.000-08:00

VocabAhead's softcover book entitled "SAT* Vocabulary: Cartoons, Videos & MP3S" claims to be "the entertaining and effortless vocabulary building solution" on it's cover. I'd say that description is pretty accurate.

The book has an appealing layout - a nice flow from start to finish. Sometimes a book can be intimidating to use based solely on it's layout. VocabAhead has created a product that is fun and easy to use. My 16-year-old daughter says the book is "not at all overwhelming". Visual learners are provided plenty of pictures, which help with vocabulary recall. The humor incorporated throughout the book also makes it easier to remember the vocabulary words.

The authors haven't given users an exact lesson plan for using "SAT* Vocabulary" per se; rather they have laid out the words in groupings of ten (called "Units") and each Unit is followed by a "Review" that tests the student's retention of the vocabulary words from that Unit. My 10th grade and 8th grade daughters have been using this book simulataneously, each of them working at their own pace. Often one will learn an entire Unit (10 vocab words) in one day and take the Review quiz the next day to check retention. The other daughter might work on a different Unit at the same time, spreading the words out over two days and completing the Review on the third day. This resource lends itself well to either method and could be adapted for use in many other ways.

While neither of my daughters has completed the book, they have both consistently scored 100% on their Reviews. My 10th grader was especially pleased with her level of retention; she is an aspiring writer and enjoys expanding her vocabulary to further that end more than for future SAT scores! This is a good book for writers and if you have a child who truly enjoys the creative writing process, I would recommend "SAT* Vocabulary: Cartoons, Videos & MP3S" as a handbook of sorts. I have also found it useful as a challenging list of spelling words. Two of my children have some difficulty with spelling and phonics rules have not helped them much. Their spelling is improved primarily by the see-say-spell method. While this book is not intended to be a spelling program, I have been using it to broaden spelling skills in our homeschool.

My 8th grade daughter really likes the example sentences that use each word in a grammatically correct fashion. She feels as if this aids her with her grammar assignments. She also commented that each Review uses both Fill-in-the-Blank and Matching sections; she feels more certain that she has really learned the words' meanings when she does well on both portions of the Review.

An answer key for the Reviews is in the back of the book, along with an Index, so don't worry that you will have to learn all the words in order to grade the Reviews! And here's a nice "bonus" - the purchase of the book entitles you to free downloads of vocabulary videos and MP3S of the SAT level words in the book. This is a real plus! A student can use their IPod to listen to the MP3S or watch the videos. A great resource of multi-faceted learning that truly accommodates all learning styles.

And one of the coolest features of VocabAhead's "SAT Vocabulary" ~ 10% of all profits from book sales are donated to non-profits providing educational helps in under-developed countries. That is a very appealing sales draw to me personally! I LOVE soliciting companies that have a "give-back" attitude :)

If you would like to see for yourself how "SAT* Vocabulary" works, visit their website www.VocabAhead.com to watch sample videos and to subscribe to their "Word of the Day" email to have a vocabulary video delivered to your inbox daily. At the website you can also check out the "Study Room" - a free feature that aids in mastering vocabulary words used in the most common standardized tests.

While I received this product free of charge for review purposes, you can purchase it at Amazon.com for $12.95. See the "Product" page at www.VocabAhead.com to find a direct link to this product at Amazon.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review of "SAT* Vocabulary: Cartoons, Videos & MP3S". Lord bless your homeschool!

Day 77 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

*SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board.

TOS Review ~ Roman Town by Dig It! Games

2011-02-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today's review is of a computer learning game that focuses on archaeology and ancient Roman life. It was developed by a professional archaeologist in an attempt to make the study of archaeology fun. Judging by my 7th grade daughter's reaction to Roman Town, I'd say the goal was achieved!

My daughter is fascinated with ancient history - primarily that of Ancient Egypt. The reason she enjoys learning about Ancient Egypt is because she loves archaeology. So much so that when she hears of a new archaeologcial find she laments that it wasn't her doing the finding! Having access to Roman Town by Dig It! Games has been more fun than school work for her!

The game Roman Town comes with a downloadable Educator's Manual, which makes use of the game easy for moms and kids. While the game is fun, it's also very educational. We learned quite a bit about archaeology, which is impressive when you consider that it's a topic we're well acquainted with in our homeschool. It was also a nice change for me to discuss some of Ancient Rome's history in lieu of Ancient Egypt! Sometimes too much of a good thing can be just plain too much, if you get my drift :)

The geographic location of Roman Town is a site in southern Italy somewhere around Naples, with the historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum close by. I like the use of a modern day map combined with historical geographical sites because it ties the present day with ancient history. It also cements the location in the student's mind to see it on a map - we've all met people who can't locate parts of Europe or Asia on a map and the reality is our world is a whole lot bigger than North America. To rightly relate to the world we live in at this time in history, we need to know where we fit into the whole world and where each part of that world fits into God's plan of redemption. In the Christian homeschool, there is always more being taught than academics and I appreciate that Dig It! Games lends itself easily to our family's bigger educational goals.

The player (or should I say learner?) is an excavator at a dig site. There are 6 dig sites in Roman Town and each site is like it's own mini-game. The player can choose the type of tool they would like to use at the dig site. Using 2D and 3D reconstruction, memory games, modern versus ancient comparisons and much more, Roman Town teaches Roman history along with archaeology.

Language and spelling skills are strengthened as new vocabulary words are learned - this is by no means a language arts program but a mom could easily incorporate the vocabulary from Roman Town in writing and spelling assignments.

Now lest you think that only my 7th grade daughter who has a keen interest in archaeology enjoyed this computer program, my 8th grade daughter and 5th grade daughter also played Roman Town. They liked the dig sites and the challenge of completing each level and learned more about Ancient Rome than they knew previously. It's truly a fun learning game for children of all ages.

The layout is very thorough and it is evident that a whole lot of consideration, attention to detail, and hard work went into the creation of this product. The creator's passion for her subject matter is clearly seen in the game itself as well as in the end result. And homeschool moms know that a passionate teacher makes the subject matter come alive - which is exactly what occurs when learners play on Roman Town.

To learn more about Dig It! Games visit their website at www.Dig-ItGames.com . Roman Town is available for purchase at the company website in CD form for $39.95. The Educator's Manual is available for $19.95. There is also a Teacher's Edition - feel free to suggest it to any public or private school educators you might know who could use this resource in their classroom.

As an aside, let me mention that I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

As a special bonus Dig It! Games has made Roman Town available to blog readers at a 20% discount. To take advantage of this offer use the coupon code BLOG20.

Happy Digging!

Day 76 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

Senseney Music of Wichita, KS

2011-02-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take the time to do a "shout-out" about Senseney Music, where my daughter Lindsay takes piano lessons.

To see Lindsay and her classmate playing at the Wichita Art Museum at Christmastime, see the link below.

www.Lindsay'sWAMPerformance.com

We could not be more pleased with Lindsay's progress since she began lessons at Senseney. Her teacher Megan
(http://web.mac.com/megan.decker/Megans_Piano_Lessons/Home.html)
is absolutely terrific and the staff at Senseney are wonderful to work with. The price is the best deal you will find in the Wichita area (trust me, I've shopped around!). And the personal service we receive from Kathy Fehrmann (music education department manager) is fabulous!

To learn more about Senseney Music, visit their website here:

www.SenseneyMusic.com

Or contact Kathy personally at 316/262-1487.

Many of my blog followers don't reside in the Wichita area, but for those of you who are locals, I strongly encourage you to check out Senseney Music for your family's musical education needs.

Enjoy watching Lindsay play via the world wide web!

Day 75 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review - Times Alive by City Creek Press

2011-01-31T07:51:00.000-08:00

Learning times tables can be tedious, frustrating and even boring...for homeschooling moms! Who knows, even your children might struggle as they memorize their math facts.

Every child learns a little bit differently and while many children pick up the facts quickly and easily, many others struggle to memorize them. Times Alive! (from City Creek Press) is a simple to use program designed to help students of all ages master all of their multiplication facts with ease. It uses a variety of methods which incorporate different learning styles in order to help each student achieve complete mastery of the times tables.

City Creek Press offers this curriculum in different formats, but the product I received was a download for use on my personal computer. It was quick and easy to install and simple enough to begin using right away. The company website offers a variety of products for use in different settings, and they have a specific program for homeschool use. Prices vary for the products offered; the cost of the Times Deluxe Kit 808 (recommended for homeschool families) is $96.48 and includes several books, student workbooks, sets of flashcards, audio CDs and a magnetic story board. It is a pretty thorough program. If you are interested in seeing all they have to offer, you can browse their site by clicking here: www.CityCreek.com

The product I used for this review allowed each student their own login. After logging into their account, the student sees a "lesson list". Each lesson has multiple learning options which may include "Movie", "Song", "Paint", "Quiz", or "Test". A small circle next to each lesson component shows the child (or parent) at a glance what they have been working on (or not working on!). When a circle is halfway filled in with the color yellow, it means the student has viewed that portion of the lesson. A completely yellow circle with a check mark next to it shows that lesson has been completed. As I've said before, I like grading to be simple so you can imagine how much I loved this at-a-glance system of checking my children's work!

Tabs are located at the bottom of the screen with "Teacher's Directions" marked by a blue button. It's easy to spot and eliminates any time-wasting hunting around for mom. Times Alive! has done an excellent job of making their program simple to utilize for busy homeschooling mothers.

There are a total of 18 lessons for your child to work through as they master their multiplication facts. Each set of facts has unique stories that aim at helping the child use memory techniques to recall the answers to certain math facts. I found this method to be helpful for my 5th grade daughter; although she has, of course, already spent plenty of time working on her math facts, she liked the stories (especially the ones that covered the "oddball" facts).

The times practice sheets are one of my favorite aspects of the curriculum. Each one is graded instantly and the amount of time it took the student to complete the practice sheet is displayed along with their grade. This is WAY more fun than a worksheet! And a lot easier for mom than worksheets, too.

The first time my 5th grader sat down to try out Times Alive!, she worked through about 1/3 of the lessons. Again, she has already mastered her facts so she worked quickly through the lessons as they were more like review for her. However, for children just learning their facts, this program is very appealing. Each aspect of the lesson reinforces the facts being learned and I appreciate the way every learning style is taken advantage of. Some kids don't learn well via flashcards; Times Alive! makes certain each child has the chance to learn in whatever way works best for them.

And on a final note, I must add that I never heard one complaint from my daughter about working on her math facts with this program. After homeschooling for 13 years, I can tell you that's not always the case! Working on math facts is usually dreaded by moms and kids alike. This program really does eliminate the stress of math fact mastery.

Mastery = 100%

Complaints = 0%

What more could a homeschool mom ask for?!?!

Check out Times Alive! today by visiting www.CityCreek.com

Have a blessed homeschool day!

Day 74 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

TOS Crew Product Review ~ TenMarks Math!

2011-01-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

TenMarks is an online math program for students in grades 3 through high school. It's able to used by homeschoolers, as well as educators, parents and public or private school students. It's a breeze to use; each student works at their own pace doing the weekly assignments. The tutorial video makes using TenMarks very "underwhelming" but the long and short of it is that it's simple, it's self-grading, and it works.

From the very first time I looked at the website, I liked TenMarks. The login process is easy. The workspace for the worksheet assignments is "clear". As I mentioned previously, student's work is instantly graded and incorrect problems can be reworked right away while the concept is fresh in the child's mind. The entire layout of this website is uncluttered and tidy. I just plain like the way TenMarks does things!

My 10th grade daughter and my 7th grade daughter both tried TenMarks for this review. While my 7th grader loves the program, my 10th grader had a little trouble understanding the teacher's accent. It took her a little more time to grasp what he was teaching when she watched the lessons. (By the way, the videos are not mandatory; if your child understands a worksheets concepts, they can simply answer the 10 assigned questions w/o watching the video lessons.) I think my older daughter's ADD/ADHD tendancies made the fast-talking teacher hard to follow. This might not be an issue for other children.

The curriculum teaches concepts in groups while working to cover all major branches of mathematics. For instance, my 7th grade daughter might have two worksheets focused on geometry and two worksheets about decimals. Each math topic is given a "character shape" which can be found at the bottom of the student's home page; the "character shapes" are filled in with the color red & once the student has mastered a topic, that "character shape" is filled in completely. It's nice to see what each child is learning at a glance and my daughter loved being able to see her progress. Several times she worked ahead in order to finish an entire week's worksheets so that she could see her progress.

TenMarks also has a reward system that allows parents to give the child rewards upon milestone achievements. This can be as simple or as complex as Mom and Dad feel like making it. Of course, parents can also use the rewards provided by TenMarks. When students complete a given number or assignments, they unlock games. And the games are fun! Children and parents can easily see how many assignments must be completed in order to unlock the next game. Even if you aren't a parent who normally uses rewards, many of the games provided at www.TenMarks.com are math based and increase the child's knowledge.

Parents receive email reminders about assignments and grades. I really liked the fact that my daughter's weekly worksheet info was sent to me. I didn't have to create a lesson plan or decide how much she needed to do each week - I just checked my inbox and TenMarks did the rest. She did an average of 40 problems a week, and could also take tests at the website. Often, however, she did more than that. And she really has learned a lot using the program.

I liked the fact that my 13-year-old was challenged by this math program. There were worksheets that were pretty easy for her; but honestly, she had to stretch her brain and really think in order to complete her "homework". She is very motivated by the instant grading; as soon as she submits her 10th answer, the worksheet is graded and she has the opportunity to correct her mistakes. And don't forget the "character shapes", which are basically little people drawn in different positions that fill up with the color red as concepts are mastered. She is pretty proud of what she has accomplished using TenMarks. But I would have to say she is even more pleased with the stiff challenges this program presents. When she works to grasp a new concept and masters it without blood, sweat and tears, that's something that makes her day.

My 10th grade daughter already uses a very thorough math program and she wasn't really able to simply stop using it to jump feet first into TenMarks (my 7th grader did stop using her other math program and switched solely to TenMarks for the review period). Due to the current workload of her math program, it became stressful for my oldest daughter to try and keep up with both math programs. While her use of TenMarks was limited, I can tell you that she found it challenging and truly enjoyed it. If I were choosing a math curriculum for the elementary, middle or high school years, I would lean pretty heavily toward TenMarks. And if you happen to be looking for a solid high school program that is college preparatory, this fits the bill. Of course, if you NEED to make a change in your child's math curriculum, whether it's a change you plan to implement right away or at the beginning of the next school year, TenMarks is one I would change to.

I am very, very likely to use it in the future, for the long term, with my 7th grade daughter. I can see her growing in leaps and bounds with TenMarks and this subject which she typically dreads hs become one of her favorites. In case you need me to spell it out for you, that, my friends, is a hearty product endorsement.

Now for the specifics: you can visit their website (www.TenMarks.com) to see an explanatory video and sign up for a free trial. There is plenty of information for homeschoolers at the website, as well as information for teachers and parents within the public education sector. The price per student is $10/month OR $49/6 months OR $89/12 months. They offer family discounts when 3 or more members use the program. (I received a trial subscription to TenMarks for review purposes).

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Day 73 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

TOS Review ~ Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids from Lifeway Christian Stores

2011-01-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

My first impression of the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids was that it is much larger than I expected it to be. I have no idea why, but I assumed it would be about the size of a Bible. It's actually closer to 8 inches by 11 inches. The more I used the book, the more I like the size Holman made it; it lies flat when it's open, no matter what segment of the book you are using. The binding is well done - I don't foresee this book falling apart as we continue to use it. And the slightly larger size allows it to sit well on the bookshelf without tipping over.

The youth in our church have used Holman products in the past, primarily when we participated in Bible Drill. I have always been very impressed with their products and their commitment to advancing young people's knowledge and understanding of God's Word. So I was not at all surprised by the quality of the content in the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids.

In addition to being a homeschooling mother, and partnering with my husband in leading the youth group in our church, I also teach J-Kids on Sunday mornings (something like Sunday School) and for the past few years have been the sole teacher for our annual VBS. (Each class is taken from center to center, and at my center each class hears an age appropriate Bible lesson.) That means I work with young people from age 2 through 18. And in the summer months, our youth group grows as the college students home on break join us; for 3 months of the year I work with young adults in addition to children. I say all that to make the point that this product is one I will use for years to come as I teach children from all age groups. I have already used it in planning lessons for the youth group and in my homeschool. There is no age limit on the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids. Yes, it says "Kids" in the title, but this is a great resource even for adults (especially adults who work with kids!).

The colorful cover is appealing to kids; it looks like a book they will want to pick up and flip through. It isn't intimidating and "grown-up" looking, which makes kids much more likely to use it as a resource. Holman has done a great job in making it aesthetically pleasing. For children, pleasant to look at = more likely to be perused!

The Holman Illustrated Bible for Kids seems to have a goal of making the Bible more understandable to younger readers. This book can easily be used with any version or translation of the Bible. It contains charts, reconstructions, photographs, and much more.

This is a very thorough book. For example, on the second page of "A's" there is a map of the migration of Abraham. Recently in our youth group we have taught on Genesis and had some trouble finding maps to use with our lessons. This would have been the PERFECT map for our time spent studying Abraham.

The page on the Apostles (page 8) is one of my favorite parts of the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. All of the disciples on the same page with individual descriptions. What a great teaching tool!

Being a student of the Bible, I do not like to see inaccurate renderings pertaining to God's Word or His chosen people. I am pleased to say this book is as accurate as most any I have seen. Noah's Ark is shown as it most likely was; the Ark of the Covenant is drawn per the Bible's description rather than to man's interpretation; Jesus is not shown with blond hair and bright blue eyes. Biblical accuracy was a priority when Holman put this resource together.

My husband was out of town when I received this product in the mail. I have had to keep it "hidden" from him while working on it's review. Now that the review is posted on my blog, I am certain I will have to track this book down when I need it because he will "steal" it! It's really THAT GOOD.

Of course, if you don't know your Bible well enough to understand the full value of this resource, or you aren't studying your Bible as you use this book, it won't be of nearly as much value. It's a text to accompany your Bible reading and to enhance your child's Bible literacy. Open your Bible - and then open your copy of the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids!

I'm not the only one enjoying this product. When my 8th grade daughter finished her Bible curriculum she strongly urged me to let her use this for her next curriculum. She's my middle child, which means she isn't my most vocal child; when she says she likes something, she really likes it! Homeschool moms, don't hesitate to buy this book if you're concerned it won't work for older children.

Lifeway Christian Stores sell this product and you can take a look around their website here ~ www.lifewaystores.com

Click on this link to be taken directly to the product page for the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids ~ www.lifewaystores.com/holmanbibledictionary It is available for purchase online or in LifeWay Christian Stores and sells for $14.99.

A final word from me about this resource ~ the more I use it, the more I love it. This is a keeper and will remain on my homeschool bookshelf ready for me to grab at any moment (that is, if I can keep it away from my husband!) I received this product free of charge for review purposes.

Have a wonderful homeschool day & don't forget to take time to get into your Bible today!

Day 72 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com