C’s Musings- About Snow and Summer

Snow, snow, come again some other time.
I said that, because we have a lot of snow.  We also have cold temperatures. 
Summer, summer, please come.
I want summer to come so we can play outside without our snow clothes.

Science4Us.com: a Science Curriculum for Kindergarten to Second Grade (Review for the Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received Science4Us.com for review purposes!

Product Links: Science4Us.com Online Subscription

Vendor Contact Information: Science4Us.com

Age Appeal: Kindergarten- Second Grade

Format: Online Subscription for computer, will be available for iPad in 2014

Price: $7.95 per child per month

Are you looking for a fun science program that gives both online instruction and hands-on activities? 

Science4Us.com provides over 350 online lessons, hands-on activities, and worksheets.  It uses the 5E Inquiry-Based Instructional Model of engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.  It also integrates math and literacy with the online and offline activities.

Our Experience: 

B and C were really excited when we got the e-mail with the usernames and passwords.  They wanted to login and get to work! 

They have had quite a bit of experience in the past with science, so I thought the offline activities might not add much for them.  I found that I was right.  I decided to let them just jump right in and explore and absorb all of the great information that was being presented.

B started with physical science and C with inquiry.  They had so much fun the first day learning about the different activities, such as explore and engage, and meeting the different characters that it was difficult to get them to stop.  I was so glad to see that they were having fun and learning a lot.

On some days I would give them assignments and we would do some of the second grade science worksheets, if I felt it would add to the online activities.  They would typically work for around 30 minutes on activities five days a week.  During the time we have worked on Science4Us.com, B and C were able to explore and learn about physical science, life science, inquiry (what tools do what job), and earth/space science. 

I learned more about science when I explored my teacher’s account.  I was able to watch the videos and fill out the notecards like the children did.   On my teacher’s account I was also able to keep track of what and how the children were doing on their activities and tests.  I was even able to look at their notecards and make suggestions to them.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought Science4Us.com was an excellent review for B.  It was very good second grade science curriculum for C.  When it wasn’t even school time C asked if she could work on her assignments.
• The second grade science lesson plans were well written and planned out.  They would work perfectly for someone who didn’t have a lot of time to make their own lesson plans.
• I liked the wide variety of subjects taught.  The children could pick from physical, life, or earth/space science.
• The notecards were very helpful, because I was able to see how well the children were learning and if they needed extra help.  The children are excited to print them out, so they can keep them as a record of what they accomplished.
• As I look back on the time the children have spent with Science4Us.com, I think they have learned more from the online activities than the offline second grade worksheets and activities.
• It would be helpful for me if the program would lock after the assignments were done.  C would always move on after she had finished the assignments.
• The teacher’s account was very informative.  It had all the lessons that the children were working on, the offline activities and worksheets, and information on how I could teach the lesson.

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

I really liked Science4Us.com.  My favorite book was Physical Science.  I learned a lot about Physics, like electricity, energy transformations, and simple machines.

I really liked being able to use the notebook.  I was able to make a really funny bird.  I made a Venn Diagram about cats and dogs.  The notebook pages can be printed.  I’m going to have my mom print out the notebook pages so I can look at them when I want to. 

The Glossary was also nice, because I could look up words if  I didn’t know them. 

I didn’t really like “SillyBulls.”  It was too easy for me.

I would recommend this product for all ages.

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

I think Science4Us.com would be good for people of all ages. 

I really liked the “Brainy Bots” activity.  It was fun answering the questions that were given to me.  I like “Shade and Shine” in the Physical Science book under the module Energy Sources.

My favorite book was Life Science.  I learned about eco awareness, living and nonliving, and habitats.  

I didn’t like “SillyBulls,” because it was too easy for me.  Most of the words were under four syllables, so it was easy to put them together.

Dad’s Thoughts:

I like the layout of the Sience4Us.com webpage. It's easy to navigate and pleasant on the eyes. The lessons are well presented with just the right amount of information and activity to keep kids interested. The notebook is a good means of journaling for the kids and provides the teacher/parents a means of tracking the lesson progression and activity completion. I also like that feedback can be given through the notebook to students.

Overall I enjoyed exploring Science4Us.com and my children enjoyed it as well. I recommend this to parents wanting to boost a science education for their children.

Mama highly recommends Science4Us.com!

 

Picture of the Week!- Oh, Could We See Green?- February 23, 2014

I thought today I would post a picture of some pretty trees.  I am really looking forward to seeing green.  We have had a winter filled with no more snow than usual, but it hasn’t been warm enough to melt it.  We have been seeing the snow since December.  I am glad it will help fill the aquifers though.
Have a wonderful week!

ReCreatable by Kevin Scott

ReCreatable:

How God Heals the Brokenness of Life

By Kevin Scott

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Spiritual Growth

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 272

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $15.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4211-7

In ReCreatable, by Kevin Scott, you will learn how to be recreated in Christ.

When we accept Jesus our brokenness is not healed right away.  We can be healed though, and it is part of God’s plan.  There are different ways in which it may work.  We could have Bible study, worship in church,  or it could be something different.  We could also do it with living a life sustainable in faith, love, and hope.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Kevin Scott is a pastor who currently lives in Indiana.  He has written many devotions and frequently speaks at conferences and workshops.  His website is www.kevinscottwrites.com. 

My thoughts-

When I read ReCreatable, by Kevin Scott, I was drawn to his thoughts and ideas.  It was a part of my life that I had not thought of before.  I had not thought of how I was still broken and how God would use it and heal me. 

One of the most interesting parts to me, was early in the book when he discussed what is means to be human.  To be a human doesn’t mean dealing with broken relationships, it means to trust God and have a relationship with him.  As I thought, I found that I need to focus on God and not on the human relationships I have.

I thought the questions at the end of each chapter were thought provoking and helped me focus on what I need to do.  I have always wanted to know how to have a mature life in Christ.  This book has helped me to pursue it in a way that is honorable toward God and myself.

I highly recommend that everyone read and study ReCreatable, by Kevin Scott.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received ReCreatable: How God Heals the Brokenness of Life, by Kevin Scott, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

B’s Musings- Winter (A Poem)

Winter

By B

Winter time of ice and snow
Winter cold wind blow
Winter snowball fight
Winter owl hooting in the night
Winter drift
Winter gift
Winter Christmas, bring presents
Winter Christmas feast, Grandma’s cooking up the pheasants
The End!

Picture of the Week! Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

We are ready to have a party!

Candle Bedtime Bible by Karen Williamson and illustrated by Christine Tappin (Review)

Candle Bedtime Bible:

Three, Five and Ten-Minute Stories

By Karen Williamson

Illustrated by Christine Tappin

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Christian / Children / Bible Stories

Published by- Candle Books

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 160

Age Group- Young Children

Description of book- hardback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-1-85985-955-1

With over forty stories, the Candle Bedtime Bible, by Karen Williamson, and illustrated by Christine Tappin is perfect for parents and grandparents to read to young children.

One of the most interesting features of this book is the different lengths of the stories.  There are three, five, and ten minute stories.  If the reader has a shorter amount of time, read one of the three minute stories.  If the reader has more time, read a ten minute story.

There are stories from both the Old and New Testament.  Children will learn about Samuel, Joseph, Jesus, and other important people from the Bible.

About the Author-

Karen Williamson has three children and specializes in Bible stories for young readers.  She has worked as a publisher’s editor and a London primary school teacher.

About the Illustrator-

Christine Tappin currently lives in Canterbury, Kent, England and is a children’s illustrator.  She has always wanted to be an artist.

My thoughts-

I thought the Candle Bedtime Bible, by Karen Williamson, and illustrated by Christine Tappin, would be a perfect bedtime book for young children.  My children are eight and ten and they really enjoyed listening to the stories and looking at the illustrations. 

I especially liked how there were stories of different time lengths.  Since the stories were either three, five, or ten minutes, I could read the story that worked best for the amount of time we had.  I do wish there were more ten minute stories, because the children enjoy learning more.

I enjoyed the variety of stories and the best ones were about Jesus.  It was good for the children to learn about specific stories about Jesus and the parables he told.

I highly recommend the Candle Bedtime Bible to all people who have dealings with young children.

My daughter who is eight said, “I liked the illustrations.  I liked the stories we read.  I think this book would be good for kids my age to read to themselves.”

My son who is ten said, “I really liked the Candle Bedtime Bible.  I liked how there were three, five, and ten minute stories.  The different lengths of time are nice when you only have a certain amount of time to read.  The illustrations were nice.  I think this book would be good for people of all ages.”

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Candle Bedtime Bible, by Karen Williamson and illustrated by Christine Tappin, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Picture of the Week! (Train Crossing)- February 9, 2014

My children enjoy playing with their wooden trains.  This past weekend they built a track around the house.  This crossing was part of their city.
Do your children like to play with wooden trains?

The Vicar’s Wife by Katharine Swartz (Review)

The Vicar’s Wife

By Katharine Swartz

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 334

Age Group- Adult (women)

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-070-7

The Vicar’s Wife, by Katharine Swartz, focuses on two women.  Jane has recently moved to the old vicarage from New York City and Alice James who lived in there in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

Jane’s husband wanted to move back to his home country, Britain, and the move has upset Jane and the three children.  The children adjust and become quite happy with their new life in the small village.  Jane does not.

She finds a shopping list which belonged to Alice James.  Jane becomes intent on learning more about Alice.

Will Jane become content in her new life?  How was Alice James able to adjust to becoming a vicar’s wife?

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Katharine Swartz currently lives in the Lake District with her husband and children.  She writes contemporary romance as Kate Hewitt.

My thoughts-

The Vicar’s Wife, by Katharine Swartz, was an emotional, but inspiring book. 

Swartz made the characters and their relationships into a novel which was easy to read and captivating.  I found myself drawn to Jane and Alice as they lived their lives in different eras, but in the same house.

I could empathize with Jane and the big changes she had to go through, moving from New York City to a small village in England and from a busy executive to a stay-at-home mom. 

She could have adjusted more quickly, but then there may not have been the interest in Alice James’s life.  This was where the story became interesting, because she was the wife of the vicar of that vicarage.  There was not a lot about Alice’s husband’s occupation, but more about the way she felt as a woman.

I would read another book about these Jane and Alice, if there was one written.  I recommend The Vicar’s Wife to all women.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Vicar’s Wife, by Katharine Swartz, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Picture of the Week! (Chalkboard Art by B)- February 2, 2014

B enjoys drawing with chalk on his chalkboard.  This is his latest creation.