Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology from Apologia: A TOS Crew Review

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology from Apologia

We have had a blast with Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology from Apologia.  This science curriculum, designed for grades K-6th is written by Jeannie Fulbright, Brooke Ryan, M.D.  Without a question, this has been one of our favorites!

We were blessed to get a full family of products - which are sold individually, including:

• Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Text
• Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Junior Notebooking Journal
• Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Notebooking Journal
• Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology MP3 Audio CD

Science is one of our favorite subjects, and there is no better way to study God, than by studying his marvelous creation.  One of the best displays of his handiwork is our very own bodies!

Apologia has been our "go to" science curriculum for years, and for a good reason.  Every course we have used (and I'm pretty sure we've done them all...K-12) has been done with excellence.  Not only good science, but from a Christian worldview that builds your children's faith.

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology text contains 14 lessons covering all the systems in our bodies: skeletal, muscular, digestive/renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous/endocrine and entire lessons on both the blood and health and nutrition.

 By covering one lesson every 2 weeks (giving you plenty of time for hands-on projects) you have an entire year of science study.

One of my favorite parts of this curriculum is how customizable it is to you and your families schedule.

It's filled with activities - you pick and choose what is most engaging, or what you have time for. 

  The text is written directly to the student, and is filled with beautiful full color photographs. Side bars encourage your student to "Try This" - these are activities they can usually do on the spot, without any supplies.  Important words to know are in bold throughout, perfect for your beginning scientist.   All the Projects included in the text use common, every-day items and a handy list is provided at the beginning.

The text works great with the Notebooking Journals.

 They come in two different levels.  The Jr. Notebook is designed for your younger student (grades K-3rd) or for those with developing writing skills..  It contains fun activities like coloring pages, copywork practice and full color mini-books.  There is plenty of space for your student to journal, work on vocabulary, and document their discoveries.

The Notebooking Journal is designed to help your older student (grades 4-6) to begin diving deeper.  It contains excellent crossword puzzles for review, places to document experiments, copywork, mini-books and the "What do you Remember?" lesson reviews.  In addition, each notebook offers suggestions for additional reading and activities (like dissections) that you can choose to expand your study.  We have found that the notebooks are a great way to document what we are learning, and make a keepsake to show off at the end of the year!

The MP3 Audio CD features author, Jeannie Fulbright reading the text to your child.  This is an excellent addition to the program, especially with younger students that have difficulty with the reading.  Or, for busy moms like me that don't always find the time to read!  She is such a wonderful speaker at confrences, I knew my students would love listening to her as much as I do.  They really enjoyed the ability to follow along, and I think it's been helping improve their reading skills along the way.  You can also take it on the go with you, and maximize some of that van time...

As I mentioned, this course is written from a Christian worldview. I love how science is what helps us understand God better!  The best part of this curriculum is the hands-on projects and experiments.

 Reading and listening about science can be fun, notebooking can help you understand better - but, nothing beats getting to DO science!

Here are some snapshots from a few favorites (because, who doesn't love science with candy?)

The Edible Cell - I can never see a Reeses and not think "nucleus" again!

 This curriculum works so well with multiple ages and grades!  I did it with my 2nd grader through my  7th grader.  It's perfect for big families, or for doing in your co-ops.

The Blood Model - using a few items, we were able to get a great visual on the composition and consistency of our blood.  Red hots will forever be "red blood cells" and corn syrup has been renamed "plasma" in our kitchen.

This is the BEST way to do science with your children!  Read, listen, journal and explore.  They will never forget it, and neither will you.

Be sure to check this one out!

Find Apologia on Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/apologiaworld Tag: @apologiaworld 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/apologiaworld Tag: @apologiaworld 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/apologia/ Tag: @apologia 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/apologiaworld Tag: @apologiaworld 

Google+: https://plus.google.com/105053356034237782125

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/apologiaworld

Hashtags:#hsreviews, #homeschool, #homeschooling,#elementaryscience, #youngexplorerseries,

#exploringcreation, #apologiascience, #homeschoolscience

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Princess Cut from Watchman Pictures: A TOS Crew Review

Princess Cut from Watchman Pictures

It's so hard to find well-done movies that the entire family can watch.  We have recently gotten to enjoy a family movie night with Princess Cut from Watchman Pictures.  

This full-length, approx. 90 minutes, film is one the entire family can watch.  It is about a young woman named Grace that is part of a Christian family, and is dreaming about "Mr. Right".  We follow Grace as she discovers that true love is worth waiting for.

My testers were my girls, ages 8-15.  We love to curl up together on our big bed and watch "chick flicks" together.  This movie fit what we were looking for perfectly.

We watched as Grace moved through several relationships - getting surprised by a boyfriend (not the way she wanted...don't want to be a spoiler!), starting a new relationship heading in the wrong way, and eventually finding love in the way God designed.

Throughout this movie, the Biblical perspective on subjects like purity, dating, friendships, family relationships and listening to God are introduced within the context of the story.  This is an excellent way to introduce these topics with your children too!  The movie sparked many good conversations afterward.

We enjoyed watching together.  The movie is well done, and the actors are great.  There are some comedic scenes - my testers could totally relate to irritating brothers!  There are a few more "dramatic" scenes, including a barnyard fight.  Nothing I was uncomfortable with my girls watching.

We loved that it ended on a happy ending, and that God was glorified throughout this film. Check it out for your next movie night!

Find Princess Cut  on Social Media:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PrincessCutMovie 
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/PrincessCutFilm      Tag:   @PrincessCutFilm     
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/princesscutfilm/pins/
• Instagram:  http://instagram.com/paulmungernc          Tag:   @paulmungernc   
• Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+Princesscutmovie   
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PrincessCutMovie/videos   

Hashtags: #hsreviews, #PrincessCut, #romanticdrama, #Christianfilm, #awardwinning


See what other members of the Crew thought here

Date Night

When you introduce your child to musicals... they eventually take YOU to them!

I had a great date night with this one... Dinner on the Riverwalk, and "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" at the Tobin (his treat!)

What a fun show, even better with a great date.  The girls are going to love this guy... I am going to miss him terribly next year!

Personalized Diploma from Homeschool Diploma: A TOS Crew Review

Personalized Diploma from Homeschool Diploma

Here we go again... another graduation is right around the corner!  This is my second graduate, and the second time we have gotten to create a Personalized Diploma from Homeschool Diploma.

Two years ago, we graduated our first son from Bentz Academy, what a beautiful moment to cross the homeschool finish line.  It was quite a privilege to hand him his beautiful diploma!  This June, we will do the same for our 2nd graduate...sniff, sniff.

I get to tell you about the  Personalized Diploma.  This is a wonderful, personal option for creating your diploma - it should be a custom as your education was!  We are part of a Coop, which does a fabulous graduation ceremony, complete with Cap, Gown, Tassel and Diploma.  Each parent of a graduate participates in the duties, I got the honor of ordering our diplomas.

 The Personalized Diploma from Homeschool Diploma is very easy to use!  I ordered 15, individually personalized diplomas online.  It didn't take very long at all!

The diploma is available in 2 different sizes - 8.5x11 or 6x8.  You can also order for multiple grads at a single time.  I did ours individually, since we all wanted a different customization.

After choosing the size, you get taken to the customization options - one at a time.  Simply pick the one you want, and it moves you to the next option.  You get to choose:

• A Seal - a variety of embossed and engraved designs
• Your Graduate and School name - you can choose hand calligraphy, if you'd like
• Four Customization wording options
• A Verse - you can choose a standard option, or use your own for an additional fee.
• Signature Lines
• Paper type - Ivory parchment of cream paper.
• Color and designs for your padded cover - 7 colors are available.
• Other options are available for additional fees:  Honors seals, graduate's name printed on the cover, and archival copies.

The process was very user friendly.  Our order shipped in just a few days (you can add rush shipping if you need to).  It was very exciting when the box arrived!  Let me show you...

 Each diploma arrives carefully packed in a plastic bag, I was so excited to see, I forgot to snap a picture.   These are truly beautiful, high quality diplomas.  After having my "senior moment" - seeing my son's name on a HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA,  I was very pleased with the details.

We choose to upgrade to a custom verse and an Honors Seal.  It means so much to me  to have our guiding verse - Isaiah 54:13 - "All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace."  on our diplomas.  Getting to have what is most meaningful is one reason I loved choosing a Personalized Diploma over a standard version.

 I also appreciate that each diploma includes a tissue paper insert and an instruction sheet for signing the diploma.  It's quite a moment when you get to do this!

We are very impressed with our diplomas!  I highly recommend Homeschool Diploma.  Other members of the crew have reviewed Standard Diploma, 8th Grade Diploma & Cap, Gown, Tassel and Diploma, be sure to check their reviews out!

Find Homeschool Diploma on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeschoolDiploma
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/homeschldiploma Tag: @homeschldiploma 
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/homeschldiploma/

Hashtags: #hsreviews, #HSGraduation, #Diplomas



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Snow Unit Study from Creation Illustrated: A TOS Crew Review

Snow Unit Study from Creation Illustrated

We love getting lost in a good unit study, and these allowed us to experience God's Creation as well!  We recently explored two unit studies from Creation Illustrated -  the Snow Unit Study and another on Pine Trees.

Creation Illustrated has been published for the past 25 years.  It is a beautiful, full color magazine available in print and digital editions.  Its focus is "…share the wonders of God’s creation. By revealing fresh insights of His infinite wisdom, gentle touch, undeniable justice, redeeming love, and flawless design, pure truth shall bring renewed peace…"   The magazines are filled with articles, character lessons, gorgeous pictures, family activities, coloring contests and even recipes.  The unit studies include links to download your own copy of the magazine.

 The Snow Unit Study is found in the Winter '18 Digital Edition.  I know it's hard to believe...after living most of my life in MN, that I would have to actually teach my children about the wonders of snow! (South TX... snow is a rare event!)

This study is designed for your 5th-8th graders, but works for all ages.  It contains 17 pages of activities, all with a focus on the Intricacies of Snow. 

The study includes links to additional resources like videos, additional reading, and even hands-on activities.

The study explores snow in a full cross-curricular style - penmanship, vocabulary, spelling, science, math, geography, art, fun puzzles, and even Bible Study.

I really loved the Bible study! Did you know the Bible mentions snow 24 times?  The study let's you explore the passages and includes a word study as well.

The study incorporates an issue of Creation Illustrated as well.  By using the articles, you can read and answer more in-depth comprehension style questions.  The Magazine is beautiful - it's referred to as the "Christian answer to National Geographic!"

It is designed to take about a week to complete, but you can easily adjust this to your family's schedule... the reason I love unity study!  We decided to use it a little bit at a time in our "all together" morning time.  We had a great time telling our younger family members our snow memories as we learned about God's creation.  We actually had snow in San Antonio in December... first time since 1986!  We think God did it just for us former Minnesotans :-)

The unit study has everything you need to get started, just print the pages you want to use and you are ready to go.  I loved using this well-thought out study.  Answer keys are provided, as well as, suggested books to incorporate.

In addition, we had the chance to preview the unit study on Pine Trees from the Fall '17 Digital Edition.  It was just as beautiful! 

The studies followed a similar design - covering multiple subjects -penmanship, vocabulary, science, math, geography, art, fun puzzles, and even Bible Study. 

We can't wait to explore Pine trees together, my testers are already collecting pine cones every chance the get.  This is the beauty of unity study - it makes the topic really come alive, and connected.  Truly, the best way to learn!

These studies and magazines are the perfect way to focus your eyes on our amazing Creator.  I would highly recommend them!

Find Creation Illustrated  on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreationIllustrated/timeline
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreationMag
Hashtags: #hsreviews, #CreationIllustrated

See what other members of the Crew thought here

The Grand Finale

Our wonderful adventure ended on a God-staged Grand Finale!

With an unexpected flight delay, my MN besties were able to come to church with us!  They got to have another moment "Max Lucado" style...

But, even better - they were there to pray for Matt's healing with us.  Nothing in the amazing weekend beat feeling my long-time, heart friends' hands on my shoulders as we boldly prayed for Matt's healing at the altar.

Isn't God simply amazing how he orchestrates even the small details?