8x10 Plaque Print & AmazingName Print Activity Sheets from CrossTimber: A TOS Crew Review

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

8x10 Plaque Print & AmazingName Print Activity Sheets from CrossTimber

Looking for a great, personalized gift this year?  Well, look no further - the 8x10 Plaque Print & AmazingName Print Activity Sheets from CrossTimber make the perfect, personalized gifts for everyone on your list!

I was super excited to see what CrossTimber  has to offer... I've been delighted with our past products and you can read our previous reviews here and here.

CrossTimber  has been researching names to find the most encouraging meanings for over 15 years.  They offer dozens of fun designs and products like plaques, cards, bookmarks, coffee mugs and even music boxes to feature that very special part of you, your name. My children have loved having these personal treasures!

The ordering process is easy... the hardest part is choosing from the wide variety of designs!  Simply visit the online ordering page, browse through the many options, and pick one that fits your style.

For our 8x10 Plaque Print  I chose the "Couples Sunset"  - this multi-name plaque arrives as a beautiful 8x10 print, ready to frame with multiple names and their meanings printed in full color.  

I chose this special gift to commemorate my recent marriage.  It's easy to order, just follow the prompts and enter the names.  My print arrived carefully packaged with sturdy cardboard to keep it wrinkle free and ready to frame.

This print features a the ocean (my favorite place!)  with your names in the sunlight, and reflected in the water. The meanings of the names are translucent and hovering above the sandy shore.

I love it!

We also got to see the new - AmazingName Print Activity Sheets.  For this one, I knew exactly which one of my kiddos to choose... our princess, Esther.

Once again, ordering is very easy, all you need to do is enter their name and select how many sets you want. 

This set is great for ages 3-12 and comes printed in color with over 25 pages of fun activities.  When you order by mail, they also email you a printable PDF that you can use over and over.

The activities are a variety of fun and educational.  From simple handwriting practice to complex word searches and detailed coloring, there something for all ages.  After Covid leaves, this would make an excellent travel activity to keep them occupied!

When our package arrived, she got right to work. These are a great way to give them something new to keep busy with, and they get to see their name displayed over 80 times throughout the set!

The pages were a great mix of just-for-fun activities like coloring (her favorite!) and some fun ways to practice skills, like math crosswords and handwriting practice (both in print and cursive styles).

Several different levels of word searches - these got most of the family stopping by to search as well as fun mazes and crossword puzzles.

These were a huge hit, with the holidays right around the corner, they would make excellent stocking stuffers and gifts!

Be sure to check out the the bookmarks and name cards that the Crew has been reviewing!

Find CrossTimber  on Social Media:

Facebook: www.fb.com/meaning.name
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/crosstimber

Hashtags: #hsreviews #personalizedgifts #namemeaninggifts #amazingname #crosstimber #meaningfulgifts

See what other members of the Crew thought here

 

Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Romans & Phillipians Bundles from Julie Naturally: A TOS Crew Review

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Romans bundle & Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Philippians  from Julie Naturally

I have been exploring the Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Romans bundle & Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Philippians  from Julie Naturally  as part of my daily quiet times.

Both of these studies come as digital downloads that you can print.  Each of them are appropriate for older teens and moms to work on separately, or together.

The studies include:

• Short scripture reading assignments
• 3-5 Questions to discuss or think about
• Bible Verse Cards to Print
• Coloring Pages
• Audio/Video components to access online

 Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Philippians  is a 4 week long study.  Each week includes 6 daily assignments that are expected to take about 15-20 minutes, making it a great way to jumpstart your day.

Instead of printing off the pages, I used them digitally.  I love having a guided approach to my Bible reading and this study provided a great outline to follow.

Here's a quick peek:

I felt that the questions were broad enough to make good discussion topics, rather that personal journaling questions.

In addition to the daily reading and questions, this study has some printable memory cards that you can cut and hang to help aid you in memorizing scriptures (one of my favorites!) and coloring pages that you can print as well.  My girls loved the coloring pages!

 

Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Romans bundle  is an 8 week study that follows the same general outline but focuses on Paul's letter to the Romans but also includes access to online videos from your Member Dashboard.  The videos are short and feature Julie, the author.  They are more of an add-on than an essential part of the study and could use some professional touch ups. 

 

These are easy ways to bring some structure to your quiet time, I enjoyed having a reading "assignment" each day, and the memory cards and coloring pages are a nice touch.  My older teen daughters enjoyed them alongside me and the questions made great discussion starters.  

If you are looking for an easy-to-use study, check them out.

Find Julie Naturally on Social Media:

Facebook: facebook.com/julienaturally
Instagram: instagram.com/successful.unschooler
Pinterest: pinterest.com/julienaturally
YouTube: youtube.com/c/julienaturally

Hashtags: #hsreviews #julienaturally, #juliepolanco, #faithjourneys

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Economics Online Course Bundle from Boundary Stone: A TOS Crew Review

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

Economics Online Course Bundle from Boundary Stone

We have discovered a great course for your high schoolers (and you!) It's Economics Online Course Bundle from Boundary Stone.

This one semester, online course includes:

• A physical textbook - Basic Economics, A Natural Law Approach to Economics, fourth edition
• 12 months online access to the course
• A 128-page downloadable PDF Teacher’s Guide
• And a Budget Mini Course

The interactive, self-paced course uses: 

• Videos
• Printable study guides & textbook reading assignments
• Interactive, online review exercises
• Online chapter quizzes and tests
• Additional texts  of The Law by Frederic Bastiat (available in print (for a fee) or free in PDF format from fee.org, and Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, by Richard Maybury available from bluestockingpress.com are recommended.
  

This is a well-planned course for your high school students.  It is taught from a Christian worldview, and incorporates scriptural principles throughout. It's easy to use and simple to get started, just set-up and login.  Everything your student needs is found on the Dashboard.

Let me show you how we used it...

This course is broken down into 4 Units with each unit having multiple lesson with short, online quizzes. The units cover everything from the history of economics and basic principles to different economic systems around the world.

Each lesson clearly outlines the assignments the students are to complete.  They are a variety of reading, textbook, exercises and quizzes to really help students master this topic.

A key component that makes this course so different, is their use of videos.  The online videos are very engaging!  My tester really enjoyed the variety and their use of popular movies/culture to convey the economic principles being studied.  The program requires students to view the entire video before being able to mark the lesson complete (something I liked!)

After reading the textbook and watching the video, students have the opportunity to complete online review exercises to prepare them for the quiz.  This program has done a WONDERFUL job creating these!  They vary in fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, true/false styles, vocabulary cards  - all of which, are highly engaging, and much better than just a textbook.  

Feedback and answers are given automatically, and students can retry until they master the information.  This is a great way to get them actively studying the material.

PDF of the textbook and printed study guides are accessible to the student in each lesson.

The quizzes are usually 5-10 questions and timed.  The results automatically graded, and students can retake the quiz as many times as they need to in order to get the 70% mastery needed to move to the next lessons. 

At the end of each module is a Comprehensive Quiz (students can only take this once) and 4 Unit Tests are included as well.  

A full 128 page Teacher Guide is included.  This contains lesson plans and schedules, answers to the study guides, and full answer keys for all the tests.  You also get access to a handy, downloadable excel grading worksheet you can use to track your student's grade.

A Budget Project Mini Course is included.  It's a wonderful way to introduce your students to the practical implications of economics.  They use the tools and resources provided to create working budgets - one on minimum wage, and another on the salary of a career they are interested in.

This was completely fascinating to us!  The section on college loans and budgeting was something I think every college bound high school student should watch.

I think this is the most engaging and well-done economics course I have ever seen!  It's a fresh approach that brings economics to life and makes it relevant for today's students.

Don't miss this one!

Find Boundary Stone on Social Media:


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrPaulCleveland
Twitter:https://twitter.com/DrPaulCleveland
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf4qWz28QJO80oB-aanH9Sw

Hashtags: #hsreviews #boundarystone #basiceconomics

 

See what other members of the Crew thought here

 

Python for Beginners: Learn Coding at Home from Homeschool Code Academy: A TOS Crew Review

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

Python for Beginners: Learn Coding at Home from Homeschool Code Academy

Python for Beginners: Learn Coding at Home from Homeschool Code Academy is a great way to introduce your students to the wonderful world of computer coding.

This is an online program designed by homeschool graduate - parent - and software engineer: Matt Bohn.  We have been using a 10 month access to the full, self-paced study program that will teach your middle to high school students the basics of Python coding language so that they will be able to create 2D graphics and simple games.

The 13 sections are broken down into 158 self-paced lessons designed to be a hands-on coding lesson.  Sections include:

• 
  Introduction
• Hardware and Software
• Working with Output
• Working with Variables and Keyboard Input
• Doing Math with Python
• List and Tuples
• Turtle Graphics
• Writing Programs that Make Decisions
• Loops-Writing Code that Repeats and Counts
• Re-using Code with Functions
• Getting Unpredictable with Random Numbers
• Space Game Code Along Project
• Conclusion

Students must download a free program called Thonny to complete lessons. Python is a computer coding language.  Easy to follow instructions are included, and it works well on Mac or PC.

Short video lessons walk the student through step-by-step as they practice the skills they are learning at the same time.  I love that students can pause and rewind as many times as they want.  Once a lesson is marked complete, they are automatically taken to the the next lesson.  Lessons do need to be completed in order, since the skills keep building on themselves.  

Downloadable PDF of the lessons are also included.

Students complete Programming Challenges  that begin with "Hello World" and making their computer speak to them and progress to creating their own space-themed game complete with animated lasers and sound effects!  

This is a well-designed program that does not require any prior coding knowledge. My tester found it very easy to follow along, and is super excited about what he is learning!

We are excited to keep working through this program.  It's an excellent elective for your high school students, one that will give them valuable skills in today's world.

I'm always interested in learning more in-depth computer skills, and this was a great introduction to coding for both of us!

Find Homeschool Code Academy on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Homeschool-Code-Academy-101938698336115
Twitter:https://twitter.com/HomeschoolCode
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj42zQn_pQVaeWCpWAVzbAg

Hashtags:  #hsreviews #codingforkids #teachkidstocode #homeschool #pythonprogramming 

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Bible Unearthed from Drive Thru History® Adventures: A TOS Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

Bible Unearthed from Drive Thru History® Adventures

We are HUGE fans of Drive Thru History® Adventures!  We have had the chance to go exploring with an early access pass to their newest addition - Bible Unearthed.  I get to share a "sneak peek" with you!

This subscription grants lifetime access to a new 12 part series that will take your family on an archeological adventure of the ancient world.  Using the tools and tricks of archaeology experts, you will learn the history, importance and impact the Bible has had on history. 

Each of the 12 sections include: 

• A Video Episode
• Full Written Exposition & Breakout
• Downloadable PDF Worksheets with full Answer Guides
• “Dig Deeper” Articles
•  Fun Activities
• An exclusive Facebook Community just for other Adventurers

The Video Episodes explore the world of archaeology and the Bible:

1. 
   What is Archaeology?
2. The Impact of Archaeology
3. Locating Archaeological Sites
4. The Life of an Archaeologist
5. What's Being Discovered Today?
6. Archaeological Mysteries
7. Top Discoveries in Bible Archaeology
8. Getting Involved with Archaeology
9. Trends in Archaeology
10. Weird Archaeology
11. Accidental Discoveries in Archaeology
12. What's Left to Be Discovered?

Dave Stotts and Randall Niles (both from Drive Thru History® Adventures) along with Dr. Titus Kennedy, a PhD Archeologist, host each episode. We have been long time fans - check out our reviews on The Gospels and Acts to Revelation, which would make excellent additions to this study!

 Each episode is a fascinating discussion that takes place in the studio.  We enjoy Dave Stott's sense of humor, and the friendly banter of the hosts.  The short videos (about 15 minutes each) are filled with full color pictures, slides, video clips on location (our favorite), maps, and artifacts detailing the world of archaeology and its importance to understanding the Bible and the ancient world.

Downloadable and printable PDF Worksheets are included for students to follow along.  Each worksheet contains a written section summarizing the video episode, Scripture readings, discussion questions, and suggested optional activities. Answer Keys are provided as well.  

Each online episode includes the video and an online summary with full color pictures discussing the impacts, technical aspects and more to uncover the world of archaeology.  

Following the Video Episode, "Dig Deeper" Articles are included for further investigation and research. These are internet linked to articles on the Drive Thru History® Adventures website and make a great addition to the study.

A downloadable poster of the Top 25 Bible Archaeology Discoveries is included. The discussion of these important finds is an excellent tool for helping defend the Bible with physical evidence.

This is a fascinating course, designed for students ages 10 and up.  A suggested schedule is included that shows how to use each episode for a week of study.  It would make an excellent supplement to your history studies, or even an addition to your family Bible study.

My son has always wanted to be an archaeologist and I have frequently said, "If I could redo my career... I would want to be a Biblical Archaeologist" - so, this was the perfect way for us to explore our interest together.

This course is very professionally produced, and packed with information that will both intrigue you and prepare you to defend your faith with evidence from archaeology.  

It's not released quite yet... so be sure to stay tuned! 

Find Drive Thru History® Adventures on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivethruhistory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivethruhistory/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/drivethruhistory

Hashtags: #hsreviews #bibleunearthed

See what other members of the Crew thought here

MathandAlgebra.com: A TOS Crew Review

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

MathandAlgebra.com 

We have been checking out MathandAlgebra.com with the one-year family subscription that includes four complete math courses. Elementary, Intermediate, PreAlgebra, and Algebra 1.

This online program is a great for multiple levels with 4 full courses that you can access. Within each course, 44-90 specific topics are covered.  This makes it easy to use this curriculum for a complete math course, or as a supplement to target specific math topics that your student needs more work on.

 The curriculum follows an easy 4 step process: online videos, printable worksheets, quiz, and badges.

The short online videos are taught by Rick Fisher in a whiteboard fashion.  The solutions are worked out step-by-step with narration, but no distractions.  Students can easily pause, or rewatch problem solutions as they need to.

The worksheets, and answer keys are in PDF format that you can download and print.  We really like having this component that uses pencil and paper.

The quizzes are online and automatically graded. Solutions are immediately shown.  If you need to re-take the quiz, the program generates new questions.  The goal is for complete mastery of concepts before moving on.  There is also a final quiz at the end of each program.

Badges are rewards earned for completion and can be printed.  

I really like that this program includes multiple levels and appeals to multiple learning styles. It's easy-to-use and an effective way to teach math skills.

Be sure to check out what the other Crew members thought!


Find MathandAlgebra.com on Social Media:

Hashtags: #hsreviews #mathandalgebra, #mathonline, #algebraonline, #algebralms, #mathlms

See what other members of the Crew thought here