Welcome to our Ohana! My blog will bring you an eclectic spread of interesting topics including homeschool curriculum reviews, daily tidbits and discoveries, recipes, devotions, info on Tourette Syndrome, and other random rants and raves. You never know what I might want to shoot out there! I look forward to reading your comments and I hope you enjoy your time visiting. God Bless!
Yay! It's that time of year again.....Christmas! It's time to gather with family and celebrate with joy, thanksgiving, and memories. Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge, a heartwarming movie about faith, love, traditions, and family.
During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.
Here is a trailer video to get you excited...
My family curled up together to watch this movie last weekend. Midway through the movie I had to pause it because I had an irresistible urge to make myself some gingerbread spice tea. The movie filled my heart with cozy thoughts of Christmas, family, and hope. It's a joy to find a family movie with an uplifting message. You can get your own copy to enjoy just in time for the holidays at different places for about $10....Amazon.com, Walmart, Target, etc.
One winner will receive one copy of Thomas Kinkade's "Christmas Lodge" DVD. Be sure to leave ONE comment for EACH entry and include a way for me to contact you. All entries must be received by midnight EST on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Entrants must be 18 or older to enter and this is only open to US residents. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear back from you then I'll pick another winner, so mark your calendar and keep an eye out! Remember, you can get ONE entry for EACH of the following....
Be a public follower of my blog using GFC
Follow me using Networked Blogs
Share with me one of your family's Christmas traditions
Send me a Facebook friend request. My Facebook name is Doreen Petrucci Gadow
Share this blog post on your Facebook page
Post on your own blog about this giveaway with a link for your readers to come visit it (leave a comment with a link to your own post on your blog)
Find another post on my blog that interests you and leave a comment telling me which one and why (be sure to leave that comment here and not at that other post....or do it in both places if it suits your fancy)
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
First Form Latin from Memoria Press is a curriculum for grades 5-12. It is a Christian based curriculum founded by Cheryl Lowe in 1994. It is a classical approach to the mastery of the subject being taught. Completion of one year of First Form Latin is equivalent to one year of high school credit. Considering there is Second Form Latin and Third Form Latin, this curriculum option makes for an excellent comprehensive choice for meeting prerequisites in foreign language for college entrance.
I started teaching my son Latin last year when he was in 5th grade. Although we enjoyed the curriculum we were using, we are always open to trying new things. We were excited to find we were selected to review First Form Latin. It was a very different approach than what we were used to. Here is a pic of what we received...
Wow, this was much more than I expected. Opening that box was like Christmas morning! It included:
Student Text
Workbook
2 Teacher Manuals
Quizzes and Tests Book
CD
DVD
Flashcards
This is the complete First Form Latin Set for $115.00 The basic First Form Latin Set is $55.00 which does not include the DVD's or Flashcards. When I first visited the website before receiving the curriculum I thought (hmmm) that's a big difference in price. Are the DVD's and Flashcards really that important? Well, let's look at each item you'll receive in the Set a little closer and then you can decide for yourself.
In the Student Text you'll get 34 two-page lessons, broken down into 5 Units of study. Great! Each lesson is only two pages long. I can handle that and so can my 6th grader. Each lesson teaches a conjugation, vocabulary list, and then grammatical application. This soft cover book is smaller than the others (8x8) so it is not intimidating. You can see sample pages for the Student Text by clicking here.
In the Workbook, the student will find ample opportunities to practice and apply what he has learned in each lesson. Each Lesson has 4-6 worksheet pages. We found that doing one per day was a great way to add Latin to our daily routine. For each lesson, you'll find a worksheet in the following areas: word study and grammar, declensions and conjugations, form drills, translation skills, and enrichment/honors review. You can see sample pages for the Workbook by clicking here.
In the Teachers Manuals, the teacher (Me) will find....well, everything you need to guide your child through each lesson. I'm a big fan of teacher manuals for subjects that I am not confident in and Latin is definitely one of those subjects. Please, tell me what to do and when to do it! Thank you, First Form Latin. One of the manuals is to accompany the Student Text. It gives sample/suggested lesson plans and schedules. It walks you through each lesson, tells you what to say, examples to give, games to play, etc. *sigh* This is possible now. The other manual is to accompany the workbook and quizzes/test. This precious spiral bound friend of mine provides all of the answers. You can see sample pages for the Teachers Manual by clicking here.
In the Quizzes and Tests book, you will find frequent opportunities to asses your child's mastery and understanding of the material learned. I like to quiz/test. I realize that some homeschool families run from this concept, but I encourage you to consider it here. Even if a grade is not assigned to the quiz/test, it will help you, the teacher, better evaluate if your child has understood the complexities of this language. Learning a foreign language is like learning math. It requires building blocks of understanding in order to move successfully to the next concept. This book provides a quiz for each lesson, unit reviews and a test for each unit.
On the CD, you will find pronunciations for every thing in every lesson. Pop that into your CD player, laptop or desk top and you can practice Latin anywhere. So, unless you already know how to speak Latin, this is a super valuable item.
On the DVD, you will find your life saver. OK, so here is where the big price difference comes into play between the basic set and the complete set. I say....there is no greater investment if you are going to use First Form Latin. After all, we are talking about a subject that I know nothing about and have no ability to teach. Let Memoria Press teach it for you. Every lesson is featured on the DVD and can be watched over and over again. Watch this sample video lesson and if you feel you can do a better job, then skip the DVD option in your package. If not, then get it....don't think about it....you need it!
On the Flashcards you will find all the work done for you. That's the best way to put it. I have my son do flashcards whenever he has vocabulary in any subject. By purchasing the flashcards they are already done for him (vocabulary, conjugations/declensions) and they are neat and concise.
You can get more details about First Form Latin and the breakdown of the prices by clicking here. I always love a company that provides a great return policy and Memoria Press is not different. They offer a 60 day guarantee. You can read more about it by clicking here. If you are impressed with Memoria Press and are interested in learning more about the other products they offer, just visit their website by clicking here.
Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family. I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.
The name says it all. I could stop right there, but I'm too excited to tell you the details. When I saw this come on deck as a review opportunity I did a back flip. OK, maybe not actually (or I would be laid up in bed for days just for trying), but I imagined a back flip! You can imagine my excitement when I was picked to receive and review this product......yup, cue another back flip!
I'm a planner! My son is in 6th grade and this product is designed for 8-12 grade. But, I'm already planning for next year and 8th grade. I'm also already thinking about his high school years. I want to line up a fabulous selection of courses so that he will be well prepared for SAT's, CLEP, ACT, and whatever other acronym endowed test that will come his way.
Excellence in Literature by Janice Campbell is a 5 Leveled Curriculum that will take you from 8th grade through 12th grade. I was provided with English I: Introduction to Literature which is designed for 8th grade. It has an Honors Option which provides additional literature and lessons for a student that is desiring to be prepared for and AP or CLEP test at the end of the year.
The website describes this curriculum so perfectly:
Introduction to Literature is a college-preparatory literature and composition course. Focus works, including novels, short stories, poems, and drama, have been selected for literary quality, and for their place in the historical development of literature. Context readings provide background information about the author, the historical period, and the literary and artistic context of the focus work. Students will gain an understanding of the development of literature and will practice the skills of close literary analysis through essays, approach papers, and other evaluative writing.
So, now you know why I did a *ahem* back flip when I read this description at the time I applied to be able to review this curriculum. This was exactly what I imagined for a Literature curriculum as my son moved towards high school. Then, I continued reading on the website and found the Objectives and Course Description....
By the end of the course, students will:
Understand the process of writing, including the use of tools such as a writer’s handbook, dictionary, and thesaurus.
Have specific understanding of selected representative texts by major authors of the periods studied.
Have a general understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of the works.
Be able to analyze literary texts and present thoughtfully developed ideas in writing.
Demonstrate competence in essay organization, style, and mechanics.
Unit 1: Short Stories by-
• Sarah Orne Jewett: A White Heron
• Edgar Allen Poe: The Purloined Letter (This one is not scary, if you're concerned about that.)
• Guy de Maupassant: The Diamond Necklace
• O. Henry: The Ransom of Red Chief
• Eudora Welty: A Worn Path
• James Thurber: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Unit 2: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
Honors: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Unit 3: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
Honors: The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
Unit 4: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Honors: Shirley or Villette by Charlotte Brontë
Unit 5: Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
Honors: Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot
Unit 6: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Honors: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
Unit 7: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Honors: 1984 by George Orwell
Unit 8: The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Honors: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Unit 9: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Honors: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Yowza! Stop right there! What a great lineup of classic literature. I'll admit that when I took literature in school it was one of my greatest nightmares. I LOVE to write, but not much of classic literature and poetry made sense to me and the teachers I had were not all that interested in taking the extra time to help me grasp it. So, I'm excited to take this course and the four more that follow along with my son.
You can click here and select any of the levels of Excellence in Literature to see their course objective and description. You'll find that English I and II provide foundational skills; English III and IV offer a chronological survey of American and British literature, and English V focuses on European Literature. You can purchase each level separately for $29.00 + $4.95 Priority Mail shipping, or download an e-book right away for only $27.00
Yes, you read that right.
I thought I read that wrong the first time I saw it because I couldn't believe I could get my son's entire literature curriculum for one year for less than $30. Fabulous! You also have the option to purchase the complete curriculum, I-V, for $139 + shipping or download the e-book version for $135.
I received the e-book version and I was very grateful for it! I know that when I order the additional courses that I will get the print book. I just personally prefer having an actual book in my hand and I don't mind paying the few dollars extra for it. This curriculum is everything I look for....step by step "what to do", comprehensive, challenging, college prep standards, Christian themed, and inexpensive.
As you visit the website to order your own curriculum take the time to check out all the other goodies and nuggets there:
There is so much more, but these were my favorite links to spend time at there. Have fun on your visit!
Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family. I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.
Marshall Publishing is known for its' educational DVD's and books. We love to keep learning interesting and that includes using DVD's and video documentaries to enhance our lessons. So, when I was selected to review the George Washington Carver: His Life and His Work DVD I was very excited.
The DVD tells the story of Carver's life from childhood on up. His life of overcoming obstacles, tireless dedication, education, work, discoveries and contributions is inspiring! Honestly, I had no idea how much Carver impacted our world and contributed to the growth of agriculture and horticulture.
My family sat together to watch this almost 30 minute film. The narration was interesting and the pictures and video were nostalgic. I did feel like I was taken back in time to middle school as the music and videography seemed dated. But, the content of the DVD came across and was a wonderful addition to our days' history lesson. I found that it would be best suited for upper elementary and older.
To top it off, Marshall Publishing provides a Study Guide and Discussion Questions to accompany the video. You can find that at the website also when you order your copy of the DVD. These added features would be best for middle schoolers and older.
You can purchase the George Washington Carver: His Life and His Work by visiting the Marshall Publishing website.Normally the price is $19.95 plus shipping and handling, but I'm happy to extend to you a special discount for my readers that will give you 15% off! That makes your special price only $16.95 plus S&H.Just enter coupon code TOSC1 at checkout.
Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family. I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.
It's time for family game night, so break out North Star Games' newest game, Say Anything Family! For ages 8 and up and for 3-6 people, this game is a great fit for any family's entertainment closet. It is a fun way to bring the family together and hear what they have to say about some really silly questions.
"Which superhero outfit looks the most uncomfortable?"
"What would be the coolest make-believe animal?"
If you're the Judge, all of the other players need to write on their dry erase board what they think your answer to the question would be - or, at least, what answer you think would be the best! Once everyone's answers are written down the Judge will lock in their favorite on the uber cool Select-o-Matic 6000 which is a dial selector to indicate the player's answer you have chosen. All other players place their "bets" on who they think the Judge has chosen and then the answer is revealed! Points are given and recorded on the dry erase score board.
My family liked this game just as much as Wits & Wagers Family, another North Star game I did a review for just a few days ago. Check out the review HERE. You can visit the North Star Games website HERE to find a store near you to buy Say Anything Family, or get it for the great sale price of $13.85 right now on Amazon.
This game gave my family some great laughs. We got a little silly with some of our answers to try to throw each other off. I think I would find the game a little more challenging if we played it with friends. What a fun way to get to know each other better! I wasn't to keen on the dry erase concept simply because I imagine the boards will become stained pretty quickly and I'll also have to buy more dry erase markers....or, what if they get lost (which is a probability in my house). Still, the concept is simple, fun, and interesting. It's a keeper!
Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family. I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.
First Form Latin from Memoria Press is a curriculum for grades 5-12. It is a Christian based curriculum founded by Cheryl Lowe in 1994. It is a classical approach to the mastery of the subject being taught. Completion of one year of First Form Latin is equivalent to one year of high school credit. Considering there is Second Form Latin and Third Form Latin, this curriculum option makes for an excellent comprehensive choice for meeting prerequisites in foreign language for college entrance.
