Commissioned by Chara Games: A Homeschool Crew Review

Commissioned by Chara Games
Hands down...our family loves to play board games!  Especially cooperative, strategy games like a new family- favorite - Commissioned by Chara Games.
This NEW game (don't you love discovering a new game...just in time for Christmas?) is designed for 2-6 players, best for ages 14 and up.  It is a cooperative game, which means plenty of working together to win.  
Can I pause a moment to get on my "soapbox"... cooperative games have been a wonderful training tool for my teens!  These types of games teach them to work together, to sacrifice for the greater good, and many other character lessons.  If you haven't discovered this game genre, now is the time.
Commissioned is a game of strategy - the goal is to spread Christianity throughout the ancient world with the apostles.  I love this game is about spreading the gospel, kind of a reverse of another cooperative game my boys like that focuses on containing viruses.  
The game can be played in around 1 hour.  Our first game took longer as we learned the rules.  Strategy games have various levels of complexity - my boys figured this one out very quickly. The Rules are clearly explained in the "Rulebook",  It can be hard to figure out the complexity at first, so you can even watch a "how to play" video online.  The game has 5 scenarios you can pick from, so you can play this game over and over without getting tired of it.  
This is a beautifully done game board.  The pieces are the high-quality type.  Heavy, full color and built to last. The games includes 6 unique "player boards" which form the basis of each player's game play.

In addition "faith cards" and "trial cards" are played during each round.  This is where players start to work together toward the goal of spreading the "churches" throughout every region on the board.  My high school and college sons are masters at the strategy part of the game.  My daughter and I really enjoyed playing as well (even if we just did what they told us was the best move).
In addition to spreading churches, you are also collecting books of the New Testament and attempting to keep your candles (the church) still lit.  The game ends when your candles are out, or your goal is met.  
Each turn a different player is the "Elder" and makes decisions, with the help of the others, to advance the game. 

The variety of scenarios appealed to my serious gamer sons.  They love to play, and get quickly disappointed when a game gets easy to beat.  This will not be the case with Commissioned!  I predict this will be a family favorite for a long time to come.
 

 We were delighted to win our first game, but it came down to our final card!



This is a beautiful game, with an even better message - spreading the Church.  The theme appendix that comes with the game is treasure of historical background on the real people, places and events of the game.  It makes this "educational" too... It's a win-win :-)
You will definitely want to wrap this up this Christmas!
PS - I'm scheduled to get a chance to play 3 Seeds a new game in production at Chara Games.  This is a card game style game about using your resources to mange your time, money, and labor.  I can't wait to tell you about it!

Find Chara Games on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharaGames/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CharaGames/ @Charagames

Hashtags: #hsreviews #ChristianBoardGames #StrategyGames
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Language Smarts™ Level E from The Critical Thinking Co.™: A Homeschool Crew Review

Language Smarts™ Level E from The Critical Thinking Co.™

Language Arts always leaves me questioning, "What's Missing?"  Well, not anymore! Language Smarts™ Level E from The Critical Thinking Co.™ is making sure we are covering all areas! This full curriculum comes in a colorful, 392 page softcover book.  The level we received is for Grade 4.  It is available in levels B-F (grades 1-4).  It contains 258 assignments - about 2 lessons a day for a full year of language arts, all in one place!  This curriculum is very comprehensive, it includes a  wide variety of content area, including:

Level E (Grade 4) Content

• Capitalization	• Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots
• Critical Thinking	• Silent E
• Compare/Contrast	• Singular/Plural
• Imply/Infer	• Syllables
• Inference	• Usage
• Opinion	• Homographs
• Prediction	• Homophones
• Adjectives	• Metaphors
• Adverbs	• Sequencing
• Antonyms	• Similes
• Conjunctions	• Writing
• Interjections	• Characters
• Nouns	• Comparing
• Prepositions	• Conflict
• Pronouns	• Context Clues
• Sentences	• Drama
• Subject and Predicate	• Editing
• Subject-Verb Agreement	• Fiction and Nonfiction
• Synonyms	• Idioms
• Verbs	• Parts of a Book
• Grammar	• Plot
• Punctuation	• Poems
• Colons	• Proverbs
• Commas	• Reference Materials
• Exclamation Marks	• Setting
• Periods	• Story Maps
• Question Marks	• Table of Contents
• Quotation Marks	• Titles
• Semicolons	• Topic and Main Idea
• Spelling	• Using a Dictionary
• Compound Words

 My tester is actually in third grade right now but, this was a perfect fit for her.  Right off, I added some colored tabs to our book for each section.  This way, my tester can work on a variety of exercises by doing a lesson in each of two sections each day.

I really like the wide variety of exercises.  Word Searches, Crossword Puzzles, and fill in the blanks.  The color is very helpful for my daughter.  It highlights directions, word banks, etc. and makes it a visually appealing program too.

 Language Smarts™ Level E  contains exercises from The Critical Thinking Co.™ popular series - Editor in Chief and Writing Detective (both programs we use!)  These exercises focus on getting the student's to analyze what they are reading and spot errors.  My tester loved the reading selections. 

The writing section walks the student through the complete writing process - from pre-writing (with graphic organizers) to editing and publishing.  

This is a very easy-to-use and comprehensive language arts curriculum - the parent doesn't need to prepare anything, and the answers are all included in the back of the book, so you don't need to buy a teacher guide.

What a find! We have found that using The Critical Thinking Co.™ curriculum has helped our children be well-prepared for any standardized testing, and it's fun too!   Check out the sample pages and see for yourself!

Be sure to check out some of their Software the Crew is reviewing as well... makes me wish I had another Preschooler (almost!)   "Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic Before Kindergarten!™" program  and the "Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic Before Kindergarten!™"   If you need help with Sentence Diagramming: Beginning is for grades 3-12.  

Find The Critical Thinking Co.™ on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Critical-Thinking-Co/46128092293

Google+: https://plus.google.com/114500823774999703181

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/criticalthinking.com/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #criticalthinking #languagearts

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Christmas Comes to America from Homeschool Legacy: A Homeschool Crew Review

Christmas Comes to America   from Homeschool Legacy The holiday season is right around the corner, and that means it's time for a break from "regular school" and time for UNIT STUDY at Bentz Test Laboratory.  This year, our focus is Christmas Comes to America   from Homeschool Legacy.   This study is one of the "Once-a-Week" unit studies.  These  2nd grade-12th grade studies are Biblically centered, noprep (perfect for the all ready packed holdiay season!), easy to incorporate into your current study, cross curricular studies that you spend one day a week with. The study also contains information for Boy Scout and American Heritage Girls badges (we don't do these, but it is a nice feature) Each study includes:

• BIBLE
• QUALITY LITERATURE
• LANGUAGE
• HISTORY
• SCIENCE
• GEOGRAPHY
• RESEARCH
• ARTS & CRAFTS
• ART APPRECIATION
• MUSIC APPRECIATION
• LIFE SKILLS
• FIELD TRIP SUGGESTIONS
• FAMILY GAME & MOVIE NIGHTS

I love that the entire family can be learning together!

Christmas Comes to America   is a 45 page, downloadable PDF.  It's focus is on 4 weeks of learning about Christmas traditions that came to America from other countries. 

• Week 1: The Dutch
• Week 2: The English
• Week 3: The Germans
• Week 4: An American Christmas

Extra Activities include: 

• A list of suggested Read Alouds and Videos
• An “After Christmas Tree for the Birds”
• Christmas Trivia Game
• More Christmas Ideas

Each weekly lesson can be done in one sitting, or spread out.  You can combine this unit study with what you are already doing, or just use it as a refreshing break.  Unit studies are our favorite way to learn!

Each week includes a variety of activities to choose from.  You  DO NOT have to do them all! Simply pick and choose the ones that have the most interest to you and your family. 

One of our favorite ideas was making wassail and hosting a party for our neighbors.  Since we are doing this study now, we are already booking dates in December with our neighbors. (December calendars fill up quickly) Starting a Christmas study now has given us a jump start on holiday cheer. So many great ideas are included, and by starting early - you will have a chance to use them 

Each week contains interesting facts about Christmas traditions, where they came from, and how they are celebrated.  Did you know Christmas was once outlawed in America?  We didn't either!

My testers favorite activity was the "After Christmas Tree for the Birds" - they are planning all the goodies they can use to decorate a tree in the yard as a special treat for our feathered friends... cranberries, popcorn, oranges, peanut butter.  Then, we are going to participate in the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count.

The Christmas Trivia is perfect for your Co-op or Small group activity.  We stumped dad with many of them!

I love how easy Homeschool Legacy makes unit study learning.  All you need to do is download, and take a trip to the library.  I promise... you and your family are going to love it!

Be sure to check out the other studies the Crew has been reviewing:

• Pirates or Privateers: You Decide 
• Cooking up History with the Founding Presidents
• Victoria and Her World
• Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims  
• Many Nations

Find Homeschool Legacy on Facebook 

Hashtags: #hsreviews #unitstudies #historyunitstudies 

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Family Plan from Accountable2You: A Homeschool Crew Review

Family Plan from Accountable2You Let's face it, the internet - with all the good and bad, is part of our daily lives.  Even our children's lives.  We have been exploring the Family Plan from Accountable2You for the past month.  Accountable2You is NOT a filtering program, but rather offers you an extra pair of eyes, so to speak.  The Family Plan gives you the option to download it to twenty devices and it works with multiple family members, including those who don't live at your address.  It is a quick download for your computer, or an app for your mobile device.  It works on both IOS and Android devices. 

In addition, Accountable2You offers other plan options including the Individual Plan (up to 6 devices), Group Plan (great for a homeschool group or a youth group), and the Small Business Plan (for your own buisness). It's easy to set up your account, and you can also create accounts for family members.  We focused on my husband's iPhone (thanks for setting a good example!), our family iPad and my laptop.  Once accounts are created, you determine your accountability partner.  This person receives a daily email of your usage. 

I really like all the features you can customize.  You can set time limits, activate GPS tracking and screen for objectionable words that you select.  You can easily see the usage in the Reports - even with a graph of hours and programs used.  On my husband's phone, it just shows the AU App usage, you do have to disable Safari - and use the App to log activity.  It cannot monitor all app usage on the iPhone.

On my laptop, the Reports break it down to the program usage.  One thing I didn't like was that the Operating System usage appears as well.  The chart on the bottom lets you see when the device is being used, and you can set time limits for your children, or be alerted if the device is being used after specific hours.

The daily emails sent to the accountability partner allow you to see what sites have been accessed.  This was an eye-opener to how much "surfing" and mindless time we have been spending on our devices!  We have had great family discussions on just how much time we spend online, and what we are missing.  Accountable2You has been a great tool!

Overall, the concept of having someone watching over your activity is WAY better than installing filters that diminish your computer's ability.  Personally, I would rather teach my family about monitoring themselves now and maintaining accountability than hope that that when unfiltered internet is available, they will be responsible.  Eventually, we all encounter the ability to do use the internet in ways that are not healthy.  Accountable2You helps you teach them early responsibility.

I highly recommend this easy-to-use program.  Our devices worked perfectly with it installed.  It gave us tools and information to keep our family safe online, and teach good habits. Find Accountable2You on Social Media:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/accountable2you
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/accountable2youllc

Hashtags:  #hsreviews #internetaccountability #internetsafety See what other members of the Crew thought here

CrossTimber: A Homeschool Crew Review

CrossTimber
Christmas is around the cornerr...I am delighted to introduce you to the one-of-a-kind, perfect gift for everyone on your list!  CrossTimber is the creator of beautiful, personalized name gifts.  They rearch names and their meanings, write name stories and create unique one-of-a-kind gifts. Some that they offer include:

• Framed Plaques 5 x 7 or 8 x 10
• Coffee Mugs
• Music Boxes
• The Names of God plaques

I was so excited to begin.  Their website is easy to use, and their customer service can NOT be beat! I decided to get a framed plaque for my daughter named Selah.  She has a unique name, and it isn't usually one I see.  But,  CrossTimber had a sample with her exact name - Selah Marie! 

I was trying to decide, and noticed the "chat box" for help.  John, the owner, immediately responded and even provided a link right away.  When my gift came, it was carefully packaged, and a card with MY name and meaning was included!  (Renita is another unusual name!!)  Even their customer service is personal :-)

I love the names of my children, all carefully chosen for what and who they represent.  But more importantly is our name to GOD.  This reminder card was tucked into my package as well.  I love it.

John has a great story about Driver's Ed class and how his company and  the name meaning cards got started - be sure to read John's experience.

But, truly - LOOK AT THIS!  It is beautiful, and meaningful.  The perfect Christmas present, if I can keep it secret that long... It fits my daughter exactly.

Each name gift includes  the origin, cultural meaning, Life meaning, and a hand-picked Bible verse that connects with the meaning.   You can add extras to your order as well - items like bookmarks, greeting cards or even a PDF you can print.

This family owned company is budget friendly as well. You can mix and match, and the discounts are great.  These deals will let me buy for the whole family.

CrossTimber is giving you the chance to win your own personalized name gift (personalized mug, name plaque, or 8X10 name plaque or one of nine (9) to win a $10 gift certificate).  Be sure to head on over and enter at: CrossTimber Name Meaning Giveaway.  (Ends December 4th 2016)

 a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Find  CrossTimber on Social Media:   
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/meaning.name/
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/crosstimber


Hashtags:

#hsreviews #name #namemeaning #CrossTimber #gift #personalizedgift      See what other members of the Crew thought here

High School Spanish I from : A Homeschool Crew Review

High School Spanish I  from Middlebury Interactive Languages

High school means learning foreign languages (at least 2 years for most college admissions...).  We have been enjoying a new approach this year - High School Spanish I  from Middlebury Interactive Languages.
This is an online program for grades 9-12 that targets four key language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students are introduced via an immersion approach to vocabulary themes, grammar concepts, sentence structure and even culture through detailed online instruction, guided learning and progressing at their own pace. 

There are 36 units in Spanish I.  Each unit is further divided into 5 lessons.  This is an easy-to-use program, it even keeps track of progress and begins where your student left off.  They can access lessons via the Table of Contents or a Calendar screen.  The program also automatically grades all their exercises/quizzes and creates a printable record for you.  So easy!
The program is designed for your student to work completely independently,  a very good thing for our high school students.  Best of all, there is NO PREP for mom!  Your student does NOT need any previous Spanish to jump right in and begin learning.  Online access is available 24/7 to learn at their own pace.
My tester is in 10th grade.  He was a bit skeptical at first... but, after just a few lessons, he was hooked.  One of his favorite parts of this program is the variety and repetition. 
Lessons involve all areas of learning a new language.  Lessons that require listening, reading, writing and even speaking  (you do need a microphone for this) include: 

• matching exercises
• fill-in-the blanks
• listening to an audio and answering the questions
• typing sentences
• reading passages, and more.

 The exercises help with correct pronunciation, and my tester is getting a chance to practice his accent by speaking into the microphone.  (He claims the program advances, no matter what he says...)
The culture sections are very informative, and interesting.  This area uses multimedia, and video presentations.  He has been learning about Mexico - food, landmarks, and even the quincenera (15th birthday celebration).  One of our issues was with accents and tildes (Spanish punctuation) our keyboard didn't have the correct options, so he would get those incorrect.  
By accessing the "Gradebook" I can see his progress and grades on all his exercises and quizzes. This has been our most user friendly approach to high school foreign languages.  
Middlebury offers K-12 language courses in 4 languages.  Be sure to check out the 

• Spanish Courses
•  French Courses
• German Courses
•  Chinese Courses

Find Middlebury Interactive Languages on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Middlebury-Interactive-Languages-141015515949753/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiddInteractive   @middinteractive

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/middinteractive/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #foreignlanguage #bilingualism #languagestudy

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