Mark Your Calendars, You Won’t Want to Miss this Giveaway!

I was recently asked to offer a review of  Earn It, Learn It: Teach Your Child the Value of Money, Work, and Time Well Spent by Alisa T. Weinsteins’s. My first thought was no. I’m trying to integrate more travel topics to my blog and this book just didn’t fit the description. But I was intrigued, so I continued reading. The more I read, the more excited I became, so I emailed Alisa and told her that I’d love to receive a review copy. 

My copy arrived within days and I have to tell you that I’m LOVING it! But you’ll have to wait a bit to hear WHY I enjoy it so much. However, I did want to give you a heads up. Not only did I get a copy of this book, Alisha has graciously agreed to bless one of my blog readers with a copy too! How fun is that? So, stay tuned, you’ll see my review and here more about the giveaway next week. You won’t want to miss it!

The A to Z Guide to Home School Field Trips: A Review

The A to Z Guide to Home School Field Trips is a book that has been a staple on our shelf off and on since we started homeschooling 12 years ago. There were times that I’d trade it off or pass it on thinking we’d finally finished with it, only to regret my decision and purchase a copy once again. Since one of my favorite subjects is field trips, I decided to share some of the resources that I use that I really love and this book is high on that list.

Edited by Gregg Harris, pioneer in the homeschooling movement, The A to Z Guide to Home School Field Trips is a comprehensive resource with 70+ field trip ideas ranging from common post office, police department or grocery store outings to less common visits with plumbers, butchers or even to a funeral. This book is designed to literally turn any outing into an educational adventure.

Each topic or field trip idea is broken down in five categories.

• Background Information
• Questions that you might ask
• Activities for follow-up
• Vocabulary Words that are helpful to know
• Tips from Barnabas, or Biblical application

There is also a small box at the top of each topic page that allows you to record contact information, hours of operation, the address and best time to visit for each possible field trip which you may choose to use. In addition to this small box, there is also a Field Trip Planner page in the back of the book that can be reproduced for your own families use that is more detailed.

At times I’ve thought my children may have outgrown this valuable resource and yet each time I pick it up I continue to learn something new which leads me to believe that though it would be better geared towards families with children in Jr. High down, it is appropriate for all ages.

What resource have you found valuable when it comes to planning your own homeschool field trips?

Foundlings: A Book You Won’t Want to Put Down

When I found out that I’d be reviewing a book for Zoe and Sozo Publishing, I have to admit I was less than thrilled. I hate to admit that when it comes to reading for pleasure, I tend to stick to blogs and homeschool-how-to books but when the book arrived and I read the cover and introduction, I knew it would be something my 17-year old son would love. So I did what every great homeschooling mom would do, I passed my work off on my son who was all too eager to thumb through the pages. What happened next surprised me, he disappeared for a couple hours, finally reappearing from his room exclaiming that I MUST read this book! In fact, not only should I read it, it should also be chosen as our next family read aloud AND it should be turned into a movie because it would be great on the big screen!

So, what book was able to capture his attention? Allow me to introduce Foundlings, the first book in The Chronicles of Peleg series written by Matthew Christian Harding. Written for ages ten and up, this book is a work of historical fiction that contains NO magic, NO evolution, NO humanism and NO romance. 

Here is a summary of the book from the publisher:

Foundlings, book one of The Peleg Chronicles is Historical Fiction that takes place in the time period of Peleg, soon after the tower of Babel dispersion. In its pages we meet dragons, giants, false priests, the death hunt, an under-city of the Dwarven Brotherhood, and many memorable characters.

The story begins with Lord McDougal and his faithful shield-bearer, Fergus Leatherhead, departing their lands with giants at their backs, while before them lie in wait denizens of the bog-land and forest. Ever ready to protect and serve others, they gather in tow an assortment of displaced adventurers and find themselves embroiled in a mysterious search for the foundlings: orphaned Thiery with his companion Horatio the white wolf, and Suzie who has been deceitfully retained by the thieves Elvodug and Flemup.

Others also seek the foundlings, and their purposes are most sinister - Dragon Priests
who practice cozen sacrifices, and their leader Count Rosencross who is torn by his God given conscience and his pursuit of personal glory.

Onward toward the city of Hradcanny they travel, meeting with treachery, beast attacks, camaraderie and psalms of praise with an eye toward the gospel. Though their battles are at times fierce and the outcomes uncertain, the author maintains the integrity of these noble characters, who through weakness are made
strong by Him in whom they trust.

Foundlings weaves together the Biblical principles of chivalry, truth, courage, duty,
faith and love within the framework of Genesis, and a bold adherence to its historicity. It's an exciting page turner that leaves you wanting more, but more importantly it leaves the reader with Godly heroes to think on and
emulate, and a young earth creationist view of  history that conforms to the Word of God.

What we think:

In my son’s words, “The storyline is good, the book is well written, it sort of reminds me of The Lord of the Rings, the characters are funny, inspiring and realistic,  and unlike other books, the fight scenes don’t drag out forever and are easy to follow.”

I can’t wait to begin reading this as a special family read aloud and my son can’t wait to begin reading Paladins, the second book in The Chronicles of Peleg series, which I won’t hesitate to order.

Are you ready to read a great work of Christian literature? You can order an autographed copy of Foundlings through the publisher for $11.95 with FREE shipping as well as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and various local bookstores. 

You can read what other reviewers had to say about Foundlings at the TOS Review Blog.

Disclosure: I received this product from Zoe and Sozo Publishing free of charge in exchange for offering my honest opinion to my readers.    

Love You Forever

The Homeschool Village is having a blog hop today. Their question was “What is your child’s favorite book and why would they recommend it to a friend?”   So, I asked my kids sure that I would know the answer. My daughter has been on a Jane Austin kick so I thought for sure it would be Pride and Prejudice. Nope. My son loves all things Lord of the Rings but he also loves the Chronicles of Narnia as well so I thought it could be a close tie between the two series. My other son is a history buff so I wasn’t sure which book it would be but I just knew it would be battle related. I was wrong. On all counts.

My daughter prefers the Left Behind series and thinks everyone should read them just because. Sounds like the answer a 13-year-old would give if she were busy playing on the computer and didn’t want to make a well thought out answer right?   

What really surprised me was the book my boys both agreed on. Though they say Narnia is a close second, they both agree that Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is their absolute all time favorite. Mine too. 

 

Why? Because from the time I began reading books to the kids, which has been ever since they were born, we’ve read that book. We’ve cuddled on the couch, at first with one little blond haired toddler on my lap, then another and finally a third. We’ve read the book. I’ve sang the book to them. I’ve choked up reading the book and almost can’t finish it to this day without getting teary eyed. We’ve worn the book out, lost the book and bought new copies of the book. They love it because to them it signifies the love of a family and the bond between mother and child, child and mother.

I’ll love you forever,

I’ll love you for always,

As long as I’m living,

My baby you’ll be….

Want to share your child’s favorite book or see what other families recommend? Stop by The Homeschool Village today. 

Can You Keep a Secret?

Are you concerned with the clothing styles that are available for young girls today? Do you find it a constant struggle to find clothes that you deem ‘appropriate’ for your preteen daughter? Do you find yourself explaining time and time again to your daughter why she can’t dress like all her friends? Do you long to spend more time with your daughter one on one? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, I urge you to take a look at Secret Keeper Girl: Eight Great Dates for You and Your Daughter Kit 1: Beauty.

This incredible bible study, written specifically for mothers of daughters between the ages of 8-12 and teaches the truth of God’s word in a fun and memorable way. Designed to teach young girls the importance of purity, by focusing on modesty this study teaches each participant that they are a masterpiece created by God! Oh how I wish I could have learned these important truths when I was a young girl!

SKG is set up to be a series of 8 dates for you to embark on with your daughter. These ‘dates’ include special treats like facials, manicures, a tea party, shopping and a trip to a local art museum while sharing a key scripture on each date and incorporating important biblical truths each step of the way. Each date is written exclusively to moms and daughters, except the final date which is a special father/daughter date that is sure to be a highlight of the study.

I hope I've gotten your attention. You'll find the rest of the article at The Curriculum Choice.

Are you ready to homeschool through High School?

Reasons to homeschool are many and varied. Maybe you’ve chosen to keep your children home to teach them the values, believes and convictions that you hold dear, to tailor an academic program to their abilities, because you’re unhappy with the current educational system that is in place, or one of the many other reasons why a parent would choose to educate their child at home. Whatever your reason would be, I’m convinced that it boils down to one thing; you simply want what is best for your child.

Once you get past teaching your child how to read, the next BIG fear that homeschooling parents seem to face is the high school hurdle. We wonder if we really have what it takes to continue the journey. How can we teach the higher level classes like algebra, geometry, or biology from home? Are we really equipped to prepare our children for college? What if we mess up? If you are considering homeschooling with older children, you may wonder if it’s even possible to begin this late in the game.

If you’ve experienced fears as the high school years approach or if you are already homeschooling a high school age child but doubt your abilities, then like me, you’ll be encouraged by reading this e-book. Recently published by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Help, Lord, I’m getting ready to Start Homeschooling my High Schooler! is a collection of articles and stories submitted by over a dozen very different homeschooling families.

In this e-book, you’ll find that each family has their own method of homeschooling with varied goals and methods to attain those goals, but like you, they also desire what is best for their individual children. This e-book will show you that there is no right or wrong way to get there. You’ll find helpful tips, encouragement and examples of what homeschooling high school looks like an over a dozen different homes and as an added bonus, there’s also several pages of helpful resources listed in the back.

If you’re looking for stories from perfect homeschooling families, you won’t find it here. This e-book is a compilation of stories written by real homeschool moms. They have shared openly and honestly regarding their heartfelt struggles and successes as they’ve endeavored to do what are best for their children, while following the path that they feel the Lord has lain before them.

Though this book is written for those with high schooled aged children, I’m sure you’ll find this encouraging wherever you may be in your homeschooling journey and the best part? It’s available instantly as an automatic download for only $12.45 at The Old Schoolhouse Store; encouragement is only a click away.

Just so you know, I received this e-book for free in exchange for offering my honest review. I don't receive any compensation if you choose to purchase it as a result of reading this post.