Bible Study for All Ages- TOS Review

 

Bible Study Guide For All Ages is a family owned company that produces non-doctrinally based Bible Study for all Ages. We reviewed the Advanced Level, suitable for Grades 5-6. Flower is a rising 6th grader and this was a perfect study for her.

Advanced Student Pages

Bible Book Summary Cards 

   

The "workbook" consists of 2 pages per study  (sample pages). The first side of the double paged lesson is the Scripture verse to read, a series of questions about the passage read, a Memory portion, a "guess what" that might be a matching game, a genealogy or some other critical thinking activity, a map, activity suggestions and an application section, plus great visuals of maps, time lines and genealogies.

 

Page 2 of this action packed study is a number of questions with a cartoon. The kids answer the questions in order to complete the cartoon, which are generally between 4-8 panels long.

 

As if that wasn't enough, this program came with Bible Summer Memory Cards. Ohlala. You know I'm loving these! These are 8 1/2 x 11" cards printed in tri-color on card stock. Each card represents a book of the Bible and  contains visual mnemonics on the front side, with tons of information printed on the back side. It gives basic information about the book , along with a quote and discussion questions. I love these. And look, I have a Master's degree from a seminary, and honestly, I got a few areas of confusion cleared up for me by these cards (i.e. which kingdom was captured by what Empire and when). I'm solidly visual and I LOVE, love, love these cards! 

 

We've done and do a LOT of Bible Study in our home. We believe it's foundational to  quality education as well as to good spiritual, mental and physical health. I did this study with Flower (rising 6th grader) and Cub (rising 8th grader).  Cub got all of the answers to every question correct. Flower had to think about them a bit. The cards were great for both of them. While they have a general knowledge of the major books (i.e. Genesis is about "beginnings") this presented some familiar information in new ways- for instance, there are three sections of Genesis (1. Adam, Eve and Noah; 2. the 3 Patriarchs and 3 promises, 3. Joseph's journey). The study cemented information that they have over viewed and were familiar with and prompted them to take it to the next level- mastery! Love that!

 

 

 

 

The Cards gave them an even deeper understanding of the books of the Bible, which, let's be honest, aren't always that easy to figure out. The prophets, for example, are both compelling and a bit difficult to get behind. The cards break it all down so that it's accessible and easily remembered.

 

Do I love this program.

Yes! Yes, I do!
Every family should get it and use it.

 

Flower loved the cartoons and felt totally empowered to get the Bible out and look things up (for a 4th/5th grader, that's a big deal, in my opinion). She embellished the pictures (which are not just kitschy stick figure drawings), having a blast writing in the dialog (asking for help with spelling - a painless spelling lesson for another one of my spelling challenged kids). I really appreciated this truly doctrine-free Bible Study, the visuals, the compelling presentation. This is  a must have for every home. Educated people know the Bible, Christian and otherwise, and this is a beautifully crafted, painless way to learn it.

Perfect for homeschools, co-ops, and Sunday Schools and anyone who wants to ramp up their ability to know and understand the Bible.

 

 Each Student Pages pack come with 26 lessons and is available for $5.95. T
he Memory Cards are available for $26.95.

The Advanced set is perfect for ages 5 -6 and a great overview for any one older who needs a refresher or is just starting out in their quest for Biblical Literacy.

Don't despair if your kids aren't old enough for this one, they offer stuff for ALL AGES ; )!

More cool things available : Children's Song CD Set.; Wall Maps and Time Line Sets

This one's a must have!

Content -excellent
Presentation -excellent
Organization -excellent

 

 

Nitty Gritty Homeschool Let's Get Organized.

  This is the first in a 5 Day Series called Nitty Gritty Homschooling.  Homeschooling is about Educating Your Kids. In order to get things done, you must Organize  Your Self,  Your Students,  Your Space,  Your Stuff,  Your Calendar

1) Organize Your Self - Homeschooling means different things to different people; based on their methodology, pedagogy, #of kids, where and how they live and their beliefs about education. But here's the real deal. If you have undertaken the task of homeschooling, you have made a commitment to your kids and to society to educate them. In other words, you have undertaken a job, and an opportunity. So, first things first. In order to do a job well, you must get yourself organized. What's your plan, and how are you going to implement it?
1) Self Care - working out, drinking water, socialising (socialization for Mom is really the big issue in  homeschooling!), having fun, time with your spouse.

2) Tools - What do you need to do the job at hand? A computer, a library card, a printer, a once a month cooking partner, 2 dryers in the laundry room, better habits?

3) Continuing Ed. - how are you going to fan the flame of enthusiasm in the dead of winter or when little Joey really isn't getting how to do long division and doesn't care, stay jazzed about curriculum for the 120th day in a row, and keep focused on what's important? There are tons of books, conferences, MP3 downloads, on-line conferences. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has an on-line expo coming up! (check this out for the chance to win a free ticket)

2) Organize Your Students - Some kids are born organized and some kids never really learn it. I've had both and what I've found is that in a house with lots of people, lots of books and interests and, in our case, construction, having a centralized spot that is personalized makes every one's homeschooling life easier. We use bins- small Rubbermaid ones with the kids names on the sides- easy peasy. I also help the kids out by making notebooks for outsourced classes, personalizing folders, showing them how to use tabs areas, and how to handle papers that need to stay looking good to turn in at Tutoring Center

End of semester 5x 7" cards. Well loved, eh?

Each semester I make a 5 x7" card for the kids that I leave at my desk. On it I have everything they are doing, coded by method of delivery: text, CD, DVD, MP3, on-line, Tutoring Center, workbook, etc. Lastly, when I am really together, I print a weekly schedule from Donna Young and write down everything for the week by subject area.

3) Organize Your Space.
a) Where are your going to be homeschooling? Some folks have amazing homeschool rooms. We all love our first floor, with it's odd shaped dining room, tons of natural light and open floor plan and that's where we live and school. The buffet in the dining room is chock full of school supplies, the computer is close at hand, and our library cart is full up with good books. We also have 2 non-Internet computers on our second floor, that are heavily used for programs and writing. If your space is beautiful, but no one uses it, it's time to re-evaluate where you do school! If your space isn't beautful, check out Pinterest for some innspiration, and if it's not functional, take a good look at everything and overhaul!
b)  how are you going to manage your house as you homeschool? Cleaning, cooking, shopping? Routines and habits will help, training your kids how to do certain tasks and requiring them to do so will as well. Cooking and laundry seem to be the Achilles heel of any home- find a system that works for you and work the system!

4) Organize Your Stuff and how do you utilize it? We use white boards- large wall sized ones and small lap ones. We also have several large chalkboards throughout the house that we've made ourselves. (have I extolled the virtues of chalkboard paint lately?)

We go through pencils, pens and erasers at the speed of sound so I stock up, and make sure that we have a battery run pencil sharpener, along with a couple of manual ones close at hand.

5) Organize You Calendar -what days and months are you going to be homeschooling during? What will those days and months look like? Will you homeschool year-round, on a 6 week on-1 week off schedule, 4 days a week, or what? Will you do Circle Time  first, Bible, Math? We do skills in the a.m. and content in the afternoon. We school Labor Day through Memorial Day, and for the past couple of years, do large projects and reviews during the summer. We've followed our Tutoring Center and Co-op schedule.

Work Your Plan and Plan Your Work. Homeschooling is a lot about togetherness and creating a life-style of learning; it can include anything you can imagine, travel, nature studies, projects, delight directed learning, unit studies, virtual classes, tutoring, etc. But to really make the most of the opportunity of Homeschooling, and to really get things done, you need a plan. Take a day, or two or a week, schedule some time to think through what this year will look like. As Covey says, everything is created twice, once in your mind, and once in reality. So, do some brainstorming, assess the opportunities YOU have at hand, where you live, within YOUR budget, and come up with the grandest, most amazing plan you can. And then nail down some nitty gritty details.

Resources:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey - a top down way to manage your life

Getting Things Done, Allen - a bottom up way to manage your life

The Simplified Pantry, Winkler - how to manage your pantry

Christi, the Coupon Coach - how to manage shopping

Schoolhouse Teachers web-site (free planners), tons of classes on-line.
Circle Time- how to manage your homeschool day.

Donna Young.org lesson plans

Motivated Moms (I haven't used them myself, but a fellow Crew member said they were amazing!)

FlyLady (a cleaning system)

Once a Month Cooking - a way to manage cooking

House Management, GG post on how to keep your house to a dull roar while homeschooling

How to Keep It All Straight, GG post on how to plan for your school year and work your plan.

Educational Influencers- GG  book list of top-notch educators.

 

I'd love to hear about how you organize your life and what your favorite resources are!

Come back all week long for more Nitty Gritty!
#1 Organize You, Your Stuff, Your Space, Your Students
#2 Show UP
#3 When Sanballet Testifies Against You
#4 The Dangers of Teaching Truth in a Post Modern World
#5 Staying the Course / Finishing Well -when to stop, when to re-asses

 

House Management: Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan



 

One of the biggest stressors for the homeschooling mom is how to manage both home and homeschool. It can be a daunting task. The birth, baby, and toddler years can be particularly physically exhausting, leaving little time to manage things well. I have to admit that managing our home and homeschool has gotten infinitely easier as we’ve had a larger house, less people, and as our people have gotten older and more responsible! Life is seasonal, and it’s important to remember that you won’t always have a toddler wrecking havoc in your life!  That being said, here is what I’ve learned over the years.

Managing Your Home

First rule of thumb: Include your kids in the care and cleaning of your home from a young age. Building work and cleaning habits makes life easier. I’ve also discovered the joy of Norwex products (I’m not a consultant). Easy bathroom cleaning, chemical free! Speaking of which, our kids clean the bathrooms each week-end.

A friend told me years ago that if your bed is made and dishes washed, it counts as a clean home. Making your bed in the morning is a simple task that can bring you peace.

Dishes, however, are ubiquitous. If you don’t have a dishwasher, beg, borrow. or steal to get on!. It will save you hours in the kitchen and give you the ability to have a clean kitchen even if the dishes are not. This said by a woman who has and has not had one. It’s relaxing to wash dishes if you have the choice. It’s a grind if you are washing dishes for 7 people who eat 3 homemade meals a day, 7 days a week.

I shop for food once a week, less if I can get by with it, saving me time and money.  I often make main dishes or cook meat for the week all at once and then freeze in meal size portions. In the past I’ve done once a month cooking, including for breakfasts and lunches.

Laundry: manage it or it will manage you. Find a system that works and use it. In our house, kids over 10 learn how to start a load of laundry, and put it in the dryer, and everyone knows how to sort.  We hang up larger items to air dry, I fold, and everyone helps put clothes away. Even our toddlers have learned how to carry a pile of clothes to a bedroom or the kitchen towel drawer.

Our kids have daily jobs: animal care, trash, loading and unloading dishwasher, etc. We also “pick up” the house together or I will assign kids to “pick up X number of items.” My goal is not a spotless home, but neat and orderly. I personally find clutter and mess to be very distracting and neatness calming.

We limit toys to specific types (Playmobile, legos) and they each go in separate bins. We take things to our local Goodwill regularly, and bless others with extras as well. I also try to cull homeschool material each spring and sell it or give it away, unless I know it’s something we’ll use later.

Managing Homeschool

Work stations (these work for a dedicated school room or all over the house schooling)

Art area and space for drawing pads, art books, supplies

CD playing area for books on tape

Computer workstation (non-internet); downloads, CD’s like ¼ mile math. (Our kids have their own flash drives.)  Computer workstation (internet): classes on-line, internet connected programs such as Adventus or Supercharged science.

Craft supply area (currently a side of our buffet) full of glue sticks, google eyes, paper, cool scissors, etc.

Cupboard for puzzles, games, educational toys

Dining room table or large workspace for seat work

Dress up area for littles

DVD viewing area (Great Courses, Science DVD’s, etc)

Library cart -for library materials that need to be returned.

Map/Globe area

Memory work area- shoebox storage for cards or copies, small white board or larger white board/markers.

Personal library area -books sorted by subject, topic, etc.

Personal reading areas- these are all over the inside and outside of the house- the tramp is a favorite place!

Read aloud area.

Sensory bins/area for littles

Supply station- paper, pens, 3- hole punch, staples, scissors, etc.

Bin It

We’ve tried different systems for the kid’s text/workbooks but the one we always come back to is bins. Each student has their own Rubbermaid bin that holds all of their workbooks and texts for the year. I have a bin too, for stuff we are doing together, Teacher’s Manuals, etc. These are stored at a large desk near our main work area.

Card It

Each semester I make a 5 x 7 note card for each student, with all of the classes they are taking and course work they are responsible for; this is coded with the type of class it is: on-line, CD, DVD, book, hands-on, etc. This is kept in a central location for the kids to refer to.  I’ve also used a weekly to-do sheet that I print off-line. The weekly sheet lists what to do and how much of it. I use mostly open and go material that I very familiar with. I rarely switch to unfamiliar curriculum, and choose curriculum based on methodology and pedagogy from a limited number of curriculum suppliers that I know and love. Choosing curriculum in this way has saved us much time and money.

Daily Organization: – Skills in the morning and content work in the afternoon.

The kids start at the dining room table and do math, English, foreign language, handwriting, spelling, memory work etc. We also use several computer (both on-line and CD) programs so the kids are switching off on computers throughout the day.

In the afternoon, we’ll read history together, watch science via DVD, Bible study or be in the kitchen for a science experiment. I’ve always allowed the kids to draw or play Legos, knit, etc as I read aloud (for history, science, etc) as long as they can narrate back. We take art seriously and have a shelf full of drawing books available for reference.

We have a read-aloud going most, if not all of the time and listen to books on tape during projects, free time and in the car going to town.

Weekly Organization

We organize our school week around our weekly co-op and academic class day- this takes us out of pocket 2 days a week. We try to fit in outside classes as much as possible on those days and then keep the remaining 3 days at home clear to really focus on school. For some this schedule would really be taxing, but we live way out in the country, so the days that we are home we are able to fully focus on school. The days that we are in town we really enjoy people ; ). The key is to find a schedule that works for your personality, your life-style, your family and let it work for you!

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What are your best home/homeschool management tips/ tricks?
This post was originally published by The Homeschool Toolbox

Blessed is He





I say Kaddish today for Narnians who played Cat and mouse with the Truth so much they can no longer speak it, and for the Dwarves, who sit at the entrance of something great; blind, deaf and dumb, clutching their pitiful little, declaring that wrong is right and that unholy is as good as it gets.

Mourners Kaddish

May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified. Amen.

in the world that He created as He willed.

May He give reign to His kingship in your lifetimes and in your days,

and in the lifetimes of the entire Family of Israel,

swiftly and soon.

Amen. May His great Name be blessed forever and ever.

Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled,

mighty, upraised, and lauded be the Name of the Holy One

Blessed is He.

beyond any blessing and song,

praise and consolation that are uttered in the world. Now say:

Amen

May there be abundant peace from Heaven

and life upon us and upon all Israel. Now say:

Amen

He Who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace,
upon us and upon all Israel. Now say:

Amen

TOS EXPO Special Event!

Get Ready! 

Get Set! 

No need to “go”! 

The Old Schoolhouse invites you to attend a week long Expo event from the comfort of your home!  That’s right!  No fuel costs, no travel involved, no need for a sitter, no waiting in lines!  This Expo includes live presentations from some of the biggest names in homeschooling!  All homeschoolers will benefit from the wealth of information and inspiration shared each day.  Don’t have time to commit to an entire week?  No problem!  The Expo will be recorded and you will have access to any and all sessions that you miss.  What a great way to jump start the school year!  Mark it on your calendar and tell your family you will be attending your first Parent/Teacher conference of the year!   Join us August 19-23 from 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Eastern).  For more information and to purchase your ticket, go to www.SchoolhouseExpo.com. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have access to a bunch of “big-name” homeschoolers all in one place?  Just think how refreshing it would be to gain perspective through the eyes of the ones who have years of homeschooling experience and advice to share!  The Old Schoolhouse is about to make this a reality!  You are invited to join us for a week long Expo Extravaganza event August 19-23 from 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM – all from the comfort of your home and through your favorite device.  You’ll hear sessions from special guests including: 

Ray Comfort		Carol Topp
Dean Butler		Adam Andrews
Todd Wilson		Andrew Pudewa
Jessica Hulcy		Ann Dunagan
Diana Waring		Christine Field
Dr. Jay Wile		David C. Gibbs III
Hal & Melanie Young		David Stelzl
Kim Kautzer		Davis Carman
Antony Kolenc		Evonne Mandella
Terri Johnson		Tyler Hogan
Andy Harris		Marie Rippel
Jennifer Courtney		Deborah Wuehler
Joaquin Fernandez		Heather Laurie
Malia Russell		and MORE!

Don’t wait!  Seats are limited!   Go to www.SchoolhouseExpo.com today and get signed up for an event that will leave you equipped, refreshed, encouraged, and ready to tackle a new school year.

I have ONE FREE TOS EXPO TICKET to give away to a Golden Grasses reader. To enter, sign up as a GG follower through Google, email or networked blogs and leave a comment telling me how you are following (or if you already do) and why YOU want to win the FREE TICKET! Contest ends August 12 and I'll announce the winner on the 13th.

Books, Blogs and House Paint

*1* 

Starts Monday.

There are 90 bloggers participating- that's 450 articles on homeschooling on diverse topics like Depression, ADHA, field trips,  delight directed learning, moving and so much more! 

You can get to them all from Golden Grasses. 

Here's my line-up for the week: 

Nitty Gritty Homeshooling

Day 1 Organize You, Your Stuff, Your Space, Your Students, Your Calendar

Day 2 Show UP

Day 3 When Sanballat Testifies Against You: How to Manage Those Who Would Undermine Your Efforts. (Nehemiah 4)

Day 4 The Dangers of Teaching Truth in a Post Modern World

Day 5 Staying the Course / Finishing Well

*2*

Just love this shot.

find it here.

*3*

Reading Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller. Good food for thought about the parable of the Prodigal Son, God's extravagant love for us and the Feast of the Father:

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare

     a feast of rich food for all people, 

     a banquet of aged wine-

     the best of meats and the finest of wines.

On this mountain he will destroy

     the shroud that enfolds all peoples, 

     the sheet that covers all nations;

     he will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces;

     he will remove the disgrace of his people

     from all the earth.

     The Lord has spoken.

Isaiah 25:6-8

*4*

The kids were reading: Dragonology, Redwall on CD, and more Betheleham Books. I also finished 19 Minutes by Piccolt. A sobering look at school shootings, bullying, culture and families. 

*5*

29 gallons of exterior paint later:  The fence has been re-built and painted, the dish from cable that we've never had has been removed from the front of the house and we are down to a few minor things to do and then we are done painting the exterior. This has been one heckuva long project. The house looks amazing.
PSA: Exterior paint adheres. Especially to skin and hair. Regardless of hot water and soap and scrubbing.

*6*

I have one free ticket to give away to a GG reader. 

Just a few of the speakers: 

Ray Comfort

Diana Waring

Dr. Jay Wile

Carol Topp

Jessica Hulcy

If you want to throw your name in the hat, follow Golden Grasses by google, networked blogs or email, leave a comment that you have or already are. It's that easy. The drawing will be August 12. 

*7*

Check out this week's review:

Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura

Coming Up: Bible Study for All Ages, Your Child's Brain Development, Notgrass American History

Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura DVD - TOS Review

Dean Butler with Legacy Documentaries 

Dean Butler, producer of Legacy Documentaries, starred as Almanzo Wilder in the made for television series of Little House on the Prairie. He shares that having played the role of Almanzo Wilder has been a source of "pleasure and pride" to him long after the role ended.  The pleasure and pride of which Dean speaks is well evidenced  in this informative and well crafted film: 

Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura DVD

We are quintessential all things Laura fans. It was the first book series we read in it's entirety 23 years ago during our first year of homeschooling, we own several books about the Ingalls/Wilder families that go beyond the Little House series, have gone to re-enactments and our older daughters have gone to several of Laura's places of residences. In addition, the Ingalls homestead in DeSmet was one of the most memorable homeschooling field trips we've taken. Living and reclaiming a homestead in the Territories just a stones throw from where Laura and Almanzo began their courtship makes the joys and struggles of the Ingalls' and Wilder's very real to us.And did I mention we've read the series out-loud more than once? We've routed out the moves and the miles; Laura and Almanzo passed just 30 miles from our home on their way to Missouri!

From the Almanzo Wilder farm

This documentary, however, is really about Almanzo's life and home before coming to the Territories, and about growing up in upstate New York. The Wilder homestead has been lovingly restored by the community where Almanzo's family resided before their own move west and there are plenty of shots in this 53 minute documentary to really make the books come alive. I was especially interested in how the barns were situated and was not disappointed to see lots of good angle shots and explanations of  how they were used. In addition, there are some re-enactments, along with descriptions of how the homestead is used today. 

From the Almanzo Wilder farm

We all sat down to watch this together, including Dr. Dh, who is just as big a history buff as the rest of us. We found this documentary well done, with clean, crisp photography, a gentle, well moving narrative, and lots of excerpts from the book, Farmer Boy. While it did not present an earth shattering new view of Almanzo, (but who would expect that of someone who is depicted as Mr. Sure and Steady?), it was a good visual and overview of Almanzo Wilder's childhood, and thus, American boyhood on the farm in the 19th century. We did learn some surprising facts about Almanzo's family, but you'll have to buy the DVD and learn about it for yourself!

  

This DVD, and in fact the entire series, including Pa's Fiddle and the Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder, would be a great addition to any history or geography study, a unit on Western expansion, or simply in addition to reading the Little House Books.
To view the the trailers for each of the DVD's, go to Laura's Little House Legacy. The Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura DVD is available for $21.95

Content -excellent
Presentation -excellent
Organization -excellent