If He Had Not Come from David Nicholson (Schoolhouse Crew Review review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: If He Had Not Come

Vendor Information Link: David Nicholson

Age Appeal: Best for ages six and up

Format: Hardback book, with 40 pages

Price: $18.95

Are you looking for an original Christmas book?  Look no further than If He Had Not Come, by David Nicholson.  This story was originally in an anthology by Cynthia Pearl Maus in 1938 and was written by Nan F. Weeks.

This story is about a boy named Bobby and what happened to him on Christmas Day.  The story begins with Bobby reading the Bible with his father on Christmas Eve.  They read John 15:22 and five words from the verse keep running through his mind, “If I had not come.”  Bobby goes to bed and wakes up very excited for Christmas.  When he goes downstairs there is no evidence of Christmas, he goes outside where he finds no evidence of Christmas or that people even know anything about Christmas or Christ.  He goes to his church, the Children’s Home, hospital, homeless shelter, and to his Bible at home.  He finds no evidence of Jesus, just the words, “If I had not come.”  As he looks at his Bible that has only the Old Testament, he hears bells.  He jumps out of bed and it is Christmas.  He kneels and prays to Jesus.

The rest of the book contains study questions and information about the Gospel message.

All proceeds of sales from the book go to the National Christian Foundation.

Our Experience: 

Christmas is an important time of year to many people and this book shows how important it truly is.  I have always enjoyed Christmas.  When I was little it was about the presents and also about Jesus.  Now that I am a parent I do try to make sure that the focus is more on Jesus.  I thought this book was the perfect opportunity to show B and C how important Jesus’s birth was to all of us.

I was excited when the book arrived, so I had the children sit down with me and we read the book.  We have read the book several times since then and Dad read the book to the children too.  As a family we spent time discussing the questions at the end of the book.  I thought it was important, because the questions helped us think even more about how important the birth of Jesus is to us.

I plan on keeping If He Had Not Come where we can easily see it and read it.   

Mama’s Thoughts:

• The feel of the book is very silky and it makes it fun to hold the book.  The book cover makes it fun for any child to hold and enjoy.
• One of my favorite parts of this book is the questions at the end of the book.  The questions and the time we spent together as a family answering them, really helped complete the book.  It helped us draw nearer to Jesus.
• This book would be perfect in Sabbath School classes and for every family to read.  It would also be great for Christian elementary schools and public libraries.  This book will help those families focus on the true reason for Christmas.
• I liked Charles Jaskiewicz’s classic illustrations.  I could spend a lot of time studying the illustrations while reading the text. 

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I liked the feel of the front and back covers.  In the book it did not make sense why in his dream, the church had a sign saying, “’If I had not come’ John 15:22.” I loved the illustrations, they were so nice.  I liked the question section at the end of the book.

Overall I would recommend this book.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

I liked the illustrations, they were nice.  It is good for people of all ages.  I did not like thinking about a world without Jesus, so I did not really like the book.

Dad’s Thoughts:

If He Had Not Come by Nan F. Weeks and reintroduced by David Nicholson gives us a question to consider.  If Jesus had not come into this world how what would it be like?  How would people act and react?  We should all take some time to ponder this.  And there is a study plan in the back of the book to go further in depth.  The illustrations by Charles Jaskiewicz are nicely done.

Mama highly recommends this!

Social Media Links!

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/If-He-Had-Not-Come/1543755249189773?ref=tn_tnmn

 

Student Planner from My Student Logbook (Schoolhouse Review Crew review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: My Student Logbook

Vendor Information Link: My Student Logbook

Age Appeal: 2nd grade and up

Format: Dated My Student Logbooks for the current school year (August 1 – July 31) or Dated My Student Logbooks for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31) or Undated My Student Logbooks, PDF or physical copy, there are also different cover choices available

Price: $15 per physical book or $20 per family use license PDF or $10 per single use license PDF

Does your state require you to record what your children do for school or do you and your children like to keep track of what is happening?

The Student Logbook could be just what your family needs.  This system involves writing a checklist of tasks, how much time it should take to complete the task, and then checking it off each day when each task is done.  This checklist can be used week after week for as long as needed or it can be done as often as needed.

In the back of the logbook there is an All About me page, Prays and Goals page, Bible Verses Memorized page, Books Read pages, Events, Projects, Field Trips, Presentations, Activities pages, Test Records pages, and Year Highlights: My Favorite Memories from this Year page.

Our Experience: 

B was very excited when I told him about the chance to be able to review My Student Logbook.  He wanted to be able to make a list of things to do, so he made sure he had gotten them done daily.  B was very excited when we were chosen and when it came in the mail.  It had a wonderful plastic cover, which protected the Freedom cover he had chosen.

When we got the package he opened it right away, started looking at it, and started setting it up.  He tore out the needed page, glued it in, and began to write down his schoolwork and other tasks that he needed to work do daily.  Every day he would look at the list, then check off what he successfully finished.  He also worked on filling out the special sections in the back of the book.

As I saw him work on his logbook I saw that it was something that would benefit C as well.  I plan on having B continue filling his out.  I plan on purchasing one for C.   

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I really like this student planner.  It means that either B or I can write down everything that B needs to do for school and how much time it should take him.  It gives him the chance to take control of when he does his work.  All I need to do is require that it be done by the end of the day.  The fact that the schedule can be changed  when we need it to be or not at all is great too.
• I think this is the perfect lesson planner for homeschoolers, because each child can have their own book.  When they have their own book they can take control of their lives and lead an organized future.  It can work perfectly for a keepsake for the future or to show the state what has been done for the year.
• The extras at the back of the book were an added bonus.  B had a lot of fun filling out the All About Me section.  I learned more about him when I read it.  He was super excited about making a list of books he had read.
• I liked having the instructions in the front of the book.  They were very clear and B knew exactly how to set it up.
• While this product is good for elementary school age children, I think it is perfect for people in high school.  It would be a great way to keep track of everything that was done during the school year.  According to the instructions it can also be used to help create transcripts.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I think this would be fun if it was an app.  I liked the “All About Me” page.  I liked the space where you could put down your favorite holiday.  I liked that I could list the books I read.  I liked the Year Highlights.  I thought it was super cool that you could do the whole year on one checklist.

I think this would be good for kids my age and older.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

C did not participate in this review.

Dad’s Thoughts:

The Student Planner provides a needed means to recording your student’s courses, the time spent on each course, and any necessary comments that pertain to those courses.

The design of the planner was made with the intention of keeping costs down for the homeschooling family. I think however, that instead of tearing out sheets, folding them over and then taping it to the back of a weekly chart the design could have been made more efficient by printing the Course List, the Comments section, and the Daily Schedule (by the week) in landscape so as to get all three on one page. This does mean that the courses would be re-written every week and that exercise could be used as part of a writing course. The main benefit is that you have all the documentation on one sheet.

I’m glad that the My Student Logbook was created to assist students and teachers track their homeschool lesson plans. It’s definitely worth looking at.

Mama highly recommends!

Social Media Links:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MyStudentLogbook
You Tube -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMxzpy91vov8a8nDpyp2ihQ

 

Organize Your Life with The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner (Schoolhouse Review Crew review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: The 7 Minute Life™ Daily Planner

Vendor Information Link: The 7 Minute Life

Age Appeal: adult

Format: This is a 7.3" by 8.5" physical planner with 270 pages for ninety days. 

Price: $24.95

Did you know that the average adult has an attention span of only seven minutes?  That is what The 7 Minute Life and The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner is based upon.  Using seven minutes to prioritize, organize, and simplify your life.

This 7.3” by 8.5” planner is contains many ways to help you prioritize, organize, and simplify.

You will:

• Prioritize your top ten values
• Discover your purpose
• Establish 90 day goals (for work and home)
• List all of the unfinished tasks you have (for work and home)
• List things that are cluttering you mentally
• List home repairs needing to be completed
• List people you need to stay connected with
• List annual projects and tasks
• And most importantly the daily report with, 5 before 11, “7 Minute Life” Connections, daily expenses, etc.

There is even more in this 270 page planner.

This twelve minute Video explain how The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner works.

Our Experience: 

I was excited when I learned about this daily planner, because I thought it would help me become more organized and reach my life goals.  I felt very blessed when I was chosen.

When it arrived in the mail, I sat right down and started reading and studying it.  I thought it was really nice that there were ten pages of instructions and ideas to help me fill out the important parts of my planner.  Allyson Lewis (the person who developed the planner) has filmed sixteen videos that are available at The 7 Minute Life website, which had some information that was not in the book.  I thought it was nice having the option to either read the instructions or watch the videos.

I spent a few days reading the instructions filling out the goals, unfinished tasks, lists of connections, and learning what my purpose is.  It was easy for me to select what values were important to me, but I was not sure what my purpose was or how to develop it.  I finally decided that currently my purpose in life deals with my family.  My children and their education (since we homeschool) and my husband is currently a large part of my purpose in life.  My gifts and talents are to be focused on them until they are grown.  It helped me realize that I need to cut back on some things that I have been doing on the internet.

I had fun with the daily progress reports.  I tried to do my best to always complete my 5 before 11, unfinished tasks, and connecting with my “7 Minute Life” Connections.  The daily progress reports helped me decide what was important and needed to get done.

I plan on continuing this program.  I really want to be successful with my life as a wife, mom, and reviewer and I think the The 7 Minute Life™ Daily Planner will help and guide me to success.     

Mama’s Thoughts:

• Since I do not work outside the house I had a difficult time deciding what was work and what was home when it came to unfinished tasks and goals.  I decided that my blog, reviews, and homeschooling was work and everything else was home.  Once I decided that out, it was much easier to fill out the pages.
• I thought some of the lines were close together and it was hard to write in them.  I had to find a pen that had a fine point.
• I loved that it was a spiral notebook and laid flat.  It was nice to have it laying out on the desk, so I knew what I needed to do during the day.
• I started off my 5 before 11 with simple tasks like taking care of the dogs, Bible study, and fixing fence.  I found that when we had to do chores at seven then go chase cows and fix fence, I had a very difficult time finishing the 5 tasks if they took a long time.  I had to make sure it was something I could easily do.  That is one of the reasons why I added fixing fence to my list.
• It was initially hard for me to discover my purpose in life, but then I realized that I could have my purpose change.  I can always a major focus, like pastoring, but who it focuses on could change.  Right now my focus is on my children and husband, but after my children grow up, I can focus on others.
• I know that there is the monthly progress report, but I would have benefited from a weekly progress report, because then I could see if I on track with my plans.  Sometimes I have need all the extra help I can get.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

Since this was for adults, B did not take part in this review.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

Since this was for adults, C did not take part in this review.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama highly recommends!

Social Media Links:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/The7MinuteLife
Twitter - https://twitter.com/allyson7minutes
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/the7minutelife/
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+AllysonLewis7/posts
You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/AllysonLewis (There are a lot of good videos)

 

Review of Heirloom Audio Productions’ Under Drake’s Flag by G.A. Henty (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: Under Drake's Flag

Vendor Information Link: Heirloom Audio Productions

Age Appeal: six through adult

Format: two CD set with physical study guide and a more complete downloadable PDF study guide available through the internet for free

Price: $29.95 for the physical copy ($20 for an audio download)

Under Drake’s Flag was recorded in London, England, for Heirloom Audio Productions.  This recording was recorded in a movie-quality audio theater and features different actors such as Brian Blessed, Hugo Docking, and Andrew Williams.

Ned Hawkshaw has been asked to sail with Francis Drake.  He meets another young man, Gerald.  Ned and Gerald sail on the Atlantic Ocean with Drake, who is a privateer under Queen Elizabeth I.  He teaches them Biblical morals and values while they are together.  Ned and Gerald are become separated from Drake, but they show his morals and values while they are with the Africans and the Spanish they meet. 

Our Experience: 

I was really excited when we were selected for this review.  I personally like audio dramas and I have been interested in reading or listening to G. A. Henty’s books.  I was a little concerned though, because we tried listening to an audio drama three years ago and neither B nor C enjoyed listening to it.  I do not even think we finished it.

I was met with some negativity from the beginning, but we managed to listen to the first disk and part of the second disk.  We had to stop when the fighting between the Africans and the Spanish became to much for the children.

I waited a few weeks and decided to try listening to the story with the children again.  They were still reluctant, but they were a little bit more excited this time.  This time we listened to it on the computer outside instead of in the pickup driving down the road.  They were more receptive to the story and eagerly answered the questions from the study guide.

I thought this was an excellent audio drama, but it was not for B and C, because they were more sensitive to the live action.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought the music was wonderful and I enjoyed having every character in the story being portrayed by a person.  B and C do better with one person doing the talking I have learned.
• Both the study guide included with the disks and the downloadable PDF were very complete.  A family could really use Under Drake’s Flag for both a history lesson and a Bible study.  I liked that there were three different section, “Listening Well”, “Thinking Further”, and “Defining Words.”  It helped B, C, and myself understand what we listened to and think about why they did what they did.  There was also a section dedicated to Bible study.
• The Charlotte Mason Method of living books works perfectly with Under Drake’s Flag.  While we did not learn a lot about Drake himself, we did learn about what life was like during the late 1500’s. 
• B and C did not like the violence and drama, so if you have young children you may want to listen to the story first.  It might scare them.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I did not really like Under Drake’s Flag.  I did not like the drama involved. 

I did like the music and the voices.  I thought there was good acting.  I did like that Donna Anna and Ned got married at the end of the story.

I wish there had been answers to the study guide, other than that I liked the study guide.   

I do not think this would be good for children who are six to ten years-old.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

It would not be good for kids who are six years-old.  The audio drama was not my thing.

I only liked the beginning and the end, because those times were happy.  There was not any killing or anything like that.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama recommends!   

 

Math Practice Fun from UberSmart Math Facts (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: UberSmart Math Facts

Vendor Information Link: UberSmart Software

Age Appeal: Primarily for grades K-6, but great for any age that needs to practice

Format: Downloadable Software that works on Windows 7, 8, XP, and Vista (It can be used by eight or more students) 

Price: $24.95

Do your children need to learn their math facts or increase their speed?  UberSmart Math Facts might be what your family needs.  No longer will you need to find the flashcards, especially the ones that are missing, they are all right here on the computer.

This math program includes:

• Dot Cards (like adding dominoes)
• Keyboard Entry
• Flashcards (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

Students will learn, practice and then test.  They will learn the facts one group at a time, like all the ones then all the twos.  If there are problems they are unable to do, there is a special function called focus so they can practice them until they learn them.   During tests they will be able to see the previous problem and the one coming up.  They can also skip the problem and come back to it.  When the students master the skills a certificate will be available to print.

Our Experience: 

I am always looking for fun ways for B and C to practice their math facts.  I was excited for us to try UberSmart Math Facts.  We kept our practice to 10 minutes three times a week.  Since it is still summer time I thought that it was important for them to practice regularly, but not make it a chore.  Both of them were usually excited and willing to do their ten minutes.  It was only a problem when they became frustrated with trying to answer the problems.  Keeping it to the ten minutes helped to alleviate any negativity.

I have done some practicing on this program too.  I do it, because it is fun and I need to be able to answer math problems when B and C ask me.

This is a program that I plan on having B and C continue during the school year.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• The Math Facts PDF has a lot of good information.  I highly recommend that you glance through it before your family begins, because you can learn about all of the functions that you may not realize are there.
• I thought the dot cards were hard.  My brain must not think that way.  I do know it would be good for some people.
• I am glad that the number of problems to learn can be expanded, like being able to multiply up to 20x20.  It would be nice to include it up to 12 for addition and subtraction.  B and C still have problems solving those facts. 
• I really liked the focus part and the encouragement it gave when the task was done.  I think one of the favorite parts of the program was that we could make the screen size larger.  It is really nice when the wallpaper and icons can be hidden from view.  It is much less distracting.
• I love all of the different functions that can be done as the administrator.  I plan on printing reports for B and C when we are back with our printer.  I want them to have a copy of how well they are working and what they need to improve. 
• I forgot what my password is, so I am glad I can go on the internet and change it.  As the administrator I need to be able to look at things and change it. 
• I would like it there was a separate name and password for each person.  The kids have accidently worked on each other’s accounts.  It would be nice to keep them separate. 
• I liked the keyboard entry feature.  It would have been nice if the program would teach the children how to use the number keys in the most efficient way.  I had to show them how to correctly do it. 
• The program is more than just learning the problems it also includes really enforcing them and learning the ones that they miss.  That is most important when learning math facts.
• I really liked looking at the all of the parts of the program.
• I thought the price was excellent, because more than eight children can use the program with one license.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I liked UberSmart Math Facts.  I liked that it had where you could learn, practice, and test.  I also liked that it had the report section.  I wish it had the option to login, because then you would definitely know you were doing it under your own name.  In the compete section it would be nice to do have addition separate from subtraction and multiplication separate from division.  It would be nice to have addition higher than nine.

It would be good for children my age.       

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

It was fun doing UberSmart Math Facts.  I liked practicing my addition facts.  I mastered from the 0s to the 9’s.  Keyboard Entry was fun.  The Dot Cards were tricky.

It is good for people of all ages. 

Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama recommends!   

 

Happy Kids Songs by Dr. Mac & Friends (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links:

Happy Kids Songs Workbook: Hands-on Activities to Build Character, Social & Emotional Skills (Physical Book)

Friends & Sharing (Volume 1)
Happiness & Attitude (Volume 5)
Manners & Character (Volume 6)

Vendor Information Link: Happy Kids Songs

Age Appeal: geared towards 3-8 year-olds

Format: Download from either iTunes or Amazon, the book is a physical copy

Price: $4.95 for each volume, $13.95 for the workbook

Do you worry about the music that your young children are listening to?  I know I do.

Happy Kids Songs by Dr. Mac and Friends contains kid friendly songs that discuss matters such as friends, bullying, happiness, manners, attitude, respect, and responsibility.  Each volume contains five downloadable songs in different genres.  There is also a corresponding workbook with activities for the kids to do by themselves and activities for the parents to do with the kids.

Friends & Sharing (Volume 1)

• Sailing on the Seven C’s
• Everybody Wants to Find a Friend
• Sharing Friends
• Happy and Happy Can B
• Together

Happiness & Attitude (Volume 5)

• Shake it Out and Dance
• Who Knows What’s a Kudo?
• I Don’t Understand
• Be Good to Yourself
• Better Together

Manners & Character (Volume 6)

• H-o-n-e-s-t-y
• The Magic Word
• Quirks
• The Golden Rule
• Six Little Kids

Our Experience: 

Our family occasionally needs help with all of the topics included in the Happy Kids Songs, which is why I was happy we were selected. 

C really enjoyed listening to the different songs.  I kept them on the computer, so I would have them play while we were working on chores or she would just want to listen to the music.  We also worked on the workbook together.  We had a good time working on it.

I had a hard time getting B interested in the songs and the workbook.  I think he was beyond these songs.  I think he would have enjoyed them last year or the year before. 

I thought all of these songs were very good.  And I am very interested in purchasing the other volumes for C to listen to and learn from.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought words to these songs were very good, but I did not like some of the music.  I am more into classical music and country, so the rap turned me off. 
• These songs would be perfect for anyone who works with young children.  They would work in preschool, Sabbath school, and even public school.  I highly recommend it to anyone working in these fields.
• It was a lot of fun for me to work with C in developing better character.
• I did have trouble understanding the words sometimes, so I was glad we had the workbook.  I was able to follow along, then do the activities with C. 
• It was fun having all of the songs in the different volumes in the same workbook, so I could see what the other songs were about.  I know C would enjoy learning from the other songs.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I liked Happy Kids Songs.  One thing I did not like was that there was a separate workbook for each volume.  I think that would have been easier. 

I think it would be good for children younger than me.    

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

It was fun listening to the songs.  They were really good.  I did not have a favorite.  I listened to them at the library, while helping Mama, and whenever I wanted to.

The workbook was nice.  I liked working on it.

The songs are good for people of all ages.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama recommends! 

Social Media Links!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happykidssongs
Twitter: @howsyourfam
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/4DrMacMusic

 

Wizzy Gizmo and Who Created Everything (A bedtime Bible Drama for Children) (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: Audio Drama One: Who Created Everything?

Vendor Information Link: Wizzy Gizmo

Age Appeal: ages 4-12

Format: audio CD, around sixty minutes

Price: $14.99

Have you been looking for a fun way to explore the Bible with your children?  Audio Drama One: Who Created Everything? from Wizzy Gizmo could be exactly what you are looking for.

This thirty-six minute audio CD discusses creation from Genesis chapter one.  Professor Wizzy Gizmo has just invented Gizmovision.  Gizmovision is a machine that will transport you where you wish to go, anywhere in space or time.  The children are really excited for Gizmovision and want to go to different places, Wizzy decides to take them to the creation of the earth.  The children learn and ask questions about creation.  Pepe and Qwacky add some fun and humor to the story.

There is also twenty-four minutes of songs during and after the story. 

Our Experience: 

I was excited when I learned about Wizzy Gizmo and how the CD was a Bible adventure, not just a story with a biblical theme.

B, C, and I have had so much fun listening to the CD when we go somewhere in the pickup.  C was so excited when it came that we had to go out to the camper, put it in the CD player and listen to it while we played a game of cards.

We have also had different discussions each time we listened.  This CD was perfect for having further discussions about what we believe and what was discussed between Wizzy and the children.

I am planning on getting the next CD about Genesis two.  I cannot wait to see what we can discuss as a family.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I really enjoyed this CD.  I thought the characters were well developed and the music added a lot to the story.  I thought Pepe and Qwacky were wonderful characters.  They were funny and I think it helped the children realize what was true and not true when they talked.
• I was glad that the company’s passion is to help parents put Deuteronomy 6:5-6 into their daily lives.  I sometimes have a hard time think of ideas on how to teach B and C about God.  The audio drama was a fun way for them to learn more about an individual chapter in the Bible.
• The songs were a fun addition to the story.  I also liked how the characters sang the songs.  It was nice to have complete versions of the instrumental music at the end of the CD. 
• The story was narrated from the Bible and the children observed what was happening.  They did not interact with anything.  They did discuss what was happening with Wizzy and he clarified it for them.  I found nothing to disagree with and I would not hesitate to share this CD with others.
• The website has excerpts from some of the tracks.  Listening to the tracks is what made me so interested in this CD.  I highly recommend that you go to the website and listen.  

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I liked Wizzy Gizmo’s Audio Drama One: Who Created Everything?.  My favorite character was Qwacky.  I thought Qwacky added a lot of excitement and fun. 

I liked the Giz Quiz.  I liked the answers Qwacky and Pepe gave, because they were funny. 

I liked the Wizzy Gizmo theme song.  I liked the bonus.

I this would be good for ages four to twelve.  I would recommend this for people of all ages.     

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

It was fun to listen to.  It had a lot of excitement.  It was exciting that they got to see creation.  My favorite character was Qwacky, because he was funny.

I really liked the songs.  They were really good.

It is good for people of all ages.  I liked it all. 

Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama highly recommends!  Your family will want to listen and learn many times.

Social Media Links for Wizzy Gizmo!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wizzygizmo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wizzygizmo
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/wizzygizmo/
Google+: http://www.plus.google.com/+wizzygizmo
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/wizzygizmo

 

Chronicles of…A State History Notebook from Hewitt Homeschooling (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: Chronicles of . . . A State History Notebook  (in binder)

Vendor Information Link: Hewitt Homeschooling

Age Appeal: Ideal for grades 3-8

Format: In a three-ring binder, 100 pages, printed on heavy stock paper

Price: $19.95

Have you been looking for a fun way for your family to learn more about your state or any other state? 

Chronicles of…A State History Notebook from Hewitt Homeschooling is a notebook filled with space to fill out information about your state.  Since it has been placed in a three-ring binder there are pockets on the inside to put maps, brochures, and extra items.  The outside of the notebook has space to fill out the cover or to slide pictures of your own.

The inside of this book has:

• An Introduction
• Student’s Title Page
• Facts, Symbols, Emblems
• Geography, Population
• Industries, Jobs
• History, Government
• Miscellaneous, Field Trips, Photographs

Some of the activities include mapping, tourism, state government, and writing a poem.  Many fun filled hours of learning about the chosen state.

Our Experience: 

We were excited when we had the opportunity to review Chronicles of . . . A State History Notebook.  It was a notebook where we would fill out current and historical information about our state.  We live in two states during the year, Wyoming and Iowa.  We chose Wyoming, because we are currently in Wyoming.

During the review period we worked on filling out the notebook three to four times during the week.  We had started out by working on it a certain number of minutes per day, but we had to change.  It often took us more than our designated time to work on one page.

B, C, and I took turns writing the information we learned from the various state books we checked out of the library.  We also used the computer and the World Almanac.

As we continue to work on this book I know we will learn more and more about the state we love.  This notebook will be something we will enjoy looking at and studying for years to come. 

I think we will have to work on one for Iowa next. 

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought the layout of this book was a lot of fun and I liked how it was divided into sections.  The layout was neat, because each page had photo corners.  I liked being able to go to the section I wanted and then having all of the information at my fingertips. 
• The only thing I did not like was that there were no page numbers.  It would have been very helpful to have the page numbers, so we would not have to flip through so many pages to find the page we wanted.  I understand though if people added more pages it would not work, so tabs to divide the sections would work out very well since there are no page numbers.
• My favorite part of this book was the section for photographs and reports.  They had fun selecting and print out pictures to glue into the section.
• I was really glad that our state had just a few counties and most of them had straight edges and corners.  It would have been very difficult to draw the 99 counties of Iowa.
• I really liked how geography was included.  It is great to learn more about a state’s geography.  I liked the sections for the forest, wildlife, and water.  B and C had a lot of fun drawing the different wildlife.  I thought it was especially exciting to learn the different water resources in Wyoming.  There were more rivers lakes and reservoirs that I thought there were.  That is especially important in such a dry state. 
• I am grateful for the introduction for the parent/teacher.  It gave me some good ideas on how to use this notebook.  

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I liked Chronicles of…A State History Notebook. 

I thought it would be very helpful if there were page numbers, so then we could look it up in the table of contents.  For example if you wanted, “My Favorite Place in the State,” you could just flip to the desired page. 

My favorite part was the “Photograph Album,” because I got to put in my own photos.

We got to go on a field trip to Fort Caspar.  It was a lot of fun and we wrote a report about it.

I really liked drawing the different wildlife of Wyoming.  Drawing a moose was my favorite thing.  I also drew an elk, bighorn sheep, and bear.  This was my favorite part.

 

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

I liked Chronicles of…A State History Notebook.  It was fun to do.  My favorite thing was “Natural Resources- Wildlife.”  My other favorite thing was the “Photograph Album.”  It was fun drawing some of the counties for the map. 

It is good for people of all ages.  I recommend it.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama highly recommends!

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Ben Roy’s Go Science Science Videos from Library and Educational Services (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: NEW (Series 2) Go Science DVDs

Vendor Information Link:  Library and Educational Services

Age Appeal: 4-12

Format: DVD

Price: each DVD costs $8.97 (List price is $14.95)

Do your children enjoy watching videos?  Do you have trouble finding good quality programs for them to watch?  Go Science: Science for Kids with Ben Roy might be just what you are looking for.  These DVDs last around an hour and are filled with different experiments done by Roy and his three helpers. (The three helpers are different for each experiment.)

Roy teaches methods of science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  He has made science lessons for a Christian satellite broadcasting network, the Weather Channel, and About.com.

There are currently seven volumes in series two:

• Volume One: Sound, Gravity, Space
• Volume Two: Life Science, Weather
• Volume Three: Air 1, Air 2
• Volume Four: Motion, Friction, Electricity, Light
• Volume Five: States of Matter, Water
• Volume Six: Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2
• Volume Seven: Engineering, Design, Flight

Our Experience:

B and C were super excited when we were chosen for the Go Science DVD review.  They really enjoy science and were excited to be able to watch experiments that they would probably not be able to do at home.  B chose Volume Six: Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2.  C chose Volume Two: Life Science, Weather.

When the DVDs arrived in the mail they were eager to watch them.  They agreed to watch the one about chemistry first.  They had a fun time watching it, because there were some experiments we had done in the past year.  Some of the chemistry experiments were exciting, because they caused explosions.  C wanted to watch Volume Two: Life Science, Weather by herself.  I think she enjoyed it, because she was glued to the screen when B and I watched it.

I am looking forward to the next rainy day when we can have their cousins over and they can have fun watching these experiments.

Mama’s Thoughts:

These DVDs are perfect for children who learn by watching.  It would be nice to have a greater description about the science behind each experiment.  I would have enjoyed learning more.  I think B would have as well.

In some of these DVDs there were experiments that would be perfect to do at home.  It would have been nice to have some of the measurements of the ingredients.  There was an experiment which included water, glue, and borax.  It makes a substance like silly putty.  I know all children would enjoy making and playing with it.

Ben Roy was the perfect host.  He was upbeat, friendly, and involved the audience.  In each episode he would interview three children about various topics, then he would invite them to come up and help him.  I thought those interviews were fun, because we learned more about the children.  I thought the wide variety of ages of children was nice too, because it showed B and C that all ages could watch the experiments.

I enjoyed Roy’s ending phrase, “Every time we learn more about science we learn more about our Creator God!”  It was great to see someone who emphasized that we can see God in science experiments.  I am used to seeing scientists really separate God and science, so the Go Science DVDs were very refreshing.  I liked his references to God in the different experiments.  He said God insulates us and Jesus’s love is a secret agent.

I especially liked the episode, “Eating Metal for Breakfast,” because I did not know that there were bits of iron in cereal.  Roy liquefied the cereal and used a powerful magnet to pull out the iron.  I also thought the episode about the fire tornado was interesting since we have seen real ones on television and we have experience with forest fires.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

My favorite experiment was on Volume Two: Life Science, Weather.  I thought it was the most interesting experiment.  I liked it because even when you are cut out a square in a garbage can it still came out in a circle.   I liked the videos a lot.  I think these DVDs would be best for ages eight and up.  I even think grownups would enjoy these DVDs. 

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade):

I liked both DVDs.  I liked the experiment that involved bobby pins and testing it on a person’s arm.  That person had to have their eyes closed.  A person put the bobby pin on another person’s arm to see if they could tell if one point or two was touching their arm. 

I think it would be good for people of all ages.

Mama highly recommends!

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