Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer from Peggy Consolver - Author: A TOS Crew Review

Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer from Peggy Consolver - Author
"Just one more chapter...please!"  If you want to hear this, you need to read Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer from Peggy Consolver - Author to your children!
This page-turning, 375 page softcover book tells the story of Joshua 9 & 10 from an entirely untold side of the story - the Gibeonites!  The Bentz Test Laboratory enjoyed this one from the top down (ages 40-something to age 7).
I love it when we can read a book that really brings the Bible to life for us.  This is just that type of book.  The author - Peggy Consolver is a true student of history and archaeology, as well as, a talented author. Check out this fascinating article of her experiences.  She has done plenty of research into this culture and time period, and it really shines in her story.  She brings the people, places and times of the Bible to life on each page.  It's one of the best written books I've read in quite awhile.
The story follows a young Gibeonite shepherd named Keshub as he lives and learns about the true God - the "Star Namer" and meets Joshua of the Bible.
Keshub is such a real character that we all found ways to identify with him.  His questions, his trials, and his triumphs all made us cheer! This story is woven with character lessons that will stick with you and your children.   The 24 chapter book includes a list of "Characters and Relationships" in the beginning that really helps to get them straight.  We went back once in awhile for help.   The story alternates between the Gibeonites and the Hebrew camp, so it is very helpful. The book includes some discussion questions in the back that are perfect for small group discussion. They make great conversation starters at the dinner table too :-)
The author has also written - Digging Deeper into HIStory ' which is a 13 unit  study guide of related information to delve into the story even more. 
 From downloadable maps to videos of how to use a sling (just like Keshub) you will find plenty to ignite your imagination as you read!  
Gibeon today This is a great story.  Be sure to check it out! Find Peggy Consolver - Author on Facebook

Hashtags: #hsreviews #siblingrivalry #geography #Bible #survival

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Convention Bound - 2017

This is my first year attending a homeschool convention...with ONLY my teenagers!  No family, no mom friends, just us.  We took a quick getaway to the Great Homeschool Convention in Ft. Worth, TX.

I remember carrying them around in the Baby Bjorn at conventions, and now...they buy me Starbucks.  LIFE IS GOOD!!

We had a wonderful time hanging out with our favorite teachers... Mr. S from One Year Adventure Novel, and THE David Stotts of Drive Thru History® (review coming soon!)

We went exploring the history of Fort Worth.  We stayed in the hotel where John F. Kennedy spent his final night on earth.

Best of all - we got to stop by UMHB and see the missing member of the family, and of course, take him and his friends out to lunch at our favorite Belton BBQ joint.

Last but not least,  I didn't even have to drive!

Iliad & Odyssey Complete Set from Memoria Press: A TOS Crew Review

Iliad & Odyssey Complete Set from Memoria Press

The Bentz Test Laboratory has been transported to the ancient world with Iliad & Odyssey Complete Set from Memoria Press.   This amazing resource contains everything you need to unlock the secrets of some of the greatest literature in the history of the world!
This set contains:

The Iliad by Homer

• Text (translation by Samuel Butler)
• Teacher Guide 
• Student Guide 
• 5 instructional DVDs 

The Odyssey by Homer

• Text (translation by Samuel Butler)
• Teacher Guide 
• Student Guide 
• 6 instructional DVDs by Sean Brooks

This set is recommended for grades 7-12, and can be used for a full year course. You can see a sample here.  My tester was a 8th grader.  She was delighted to get a chance to  We were blessed to get the entire set, we chose to start with the Iliad since it happens first.

Homer can be a bit daunting to teach...but, Memoria Press, who is a  favorite provider for our classical studies, has made it painless.  This set is wonderful! 

 The Text is broken down into 24 readable "books" (or chapters).   Each book can be completed in approximately an hour and half (depending on your child).  It has been translated into easily understood text  and they recommend that Homer is "best when read aloud".   The Text  begins with a handy chart of the "Friends and Foes of Homer's Iliad".  My tester loved having this at the very beginning of the book to get the characters straight right away..

The Student Guide contains a 2 page written lesson for each book of  the Text.  Several activities are included to help make sure your student is understanding their reading.

• Identify Places & Characters - key people and places in the book
• Comprehension Questions - key questions from their reading
• Quotations - great quotes
• Discussion Questions - oral (or written) discussion questions to encourage deeper thinking

The Appendix contains tons of useful information.  Genealogies, explanations of names, descriptions of weaponry and armor, ship terminology and character references.  This appendix really helps unravel all the mysteries in Homer's Illiad.

 

The Teacher Guide is an absolute treasure!  It contains answers for all of the pages in the Student Guide as well as:

• Background and Drill - the "insider" info about the Iliad to prep you for teaching it.
• Discussion Help - notes for discussion.
• Questions to Mark for Test - the questions your student will be tested on.
• Teacher Notes - helpful tips for preparing your student
• Essays & Assignments - mapping, writing, memorization, performances, and more to round out the study

In addition, 2 tests and a Final test are included in the Teacher Guide.  The tests are a combination of fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, short answer and quotation.  These are excellent resources for your high school student to assess grades for their transcript.

The Instructional DVD's were our FAVORITE part of the program!  Each Book is explained by Sean Brooks, teacher of classical studies and Latin at Highlands Latin School in Louisville, Kentucky.  The videos are engaging and well done, with excellent picture and sound quality. 

 Mr. Brooks is reviewing and commenting on each book's key points.  Behind him is classical art, which makes it more visually interesting as well.   The student should read first, then watch the DVD.

The Odyssey set contains the same well-done resources to follow the exciting adventure story of Odysseus as he returns from the war. We can't wait to unlock it next.

This set can be used independently, or worked on together.  Best of all, you can teach Homer - even if you've never read it before :-)

This set is a wonderful way to introduce some of the greatest books ever written, and Memoria Press has made it easy to teach too!

Other Reviewers have been testing several products you will want to check out as well:

• First Form Greek Complete Set
• The Story of the Thirteen Colonies & the Great Republic Set
• 200 Questions About American History Set

Find Memoria Press on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/memoriapress/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/memoriapress/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MemoriaPress  @MemoriaPress

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

Hashtags: #hsreviews #memoriapress #classicalchristianeducation #classicalyhomeschooling #PRODUCTNAME #classicalchristianhomeschooling

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A Trip Around the World - Africa

We made it to Africa!

Country: Nigeria
Missionary: David Livingstone

Activity:  Fried Plantains, plastic bag soccer balls and games kids play.


This was one of my favorite class periods... they GOT it!  David Livingstone captured their interest and they had so much fun playing (without expensive toys).

We drew our hands on a piece paper - then I introduced them to the acronym THUMB - Tribal, Hindu, Unreligious, Muslim, and Buddhist.  Of course, I made it more memorable with color coding M'M's...

Fried plantains - I thought they were delicious.  Guess it's a "love or hate".  The class was about half and half.

We played several different games that didn't need a thing except our minds and bodies.  This was fun and eye opening to them! 

 After collecting HUNDREDS of plastic shopping bags, we made our own soccer balls.  Kids around the world play ball with these.

Manhood Journey Father's Starter Kit from Manhood Journey & City on a Hill Studio: A TOS Crew Review

Manhood Journey Father's Starter Kit from Manhood Journey & City on a Hill Studio


The Bentz Test Laboratory has been exploring something for the men this time.  They have been working through the Manhood Journey Father's Starter Kit from Manhood Journey & City on a Hill Studio together.


The Manhood Journey Father’s Starter Kit comes with everything you need to start creating intentional father/son time and discussions.  It is recommended for ages 8-17 and includes:

•  1 on 1 Guide 
•  Group Guide 
• 10 Maprochures
• DVD
• Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You written by Kent Evans with Rob Suggs

This kit is designed to be used by fathers and sons or small groups of committed male role models.  My testers were my husband and his four sons... ages 11-17 (a small group!)  

The Embarking program is the first of 6 modules. The 1 on 1 Guide is a notebook style guide for dad to use to facilitate the discussion.  It includes instructions for dad,  reviews, discussion questions, scripture and helpful tips. It is  divided into six sessions:

Week 1: Preparing for the Journey
Week 2: Setting Out on the Journey
Week 3: Relying on the Compass
Week 4: Seeking Guidance Along the Way
Week 5: Encountering Others Along the Journey
Week 6: We Have Embarked – Where to Next?

The Group Guide gives a plan to use this study in a group, along with demonstrations, activities and discussion questions.  In this module - the "Five Rocks of a Godly Man" are introduced and used to provide valuable lessons and discussion times for fathers and sons.  The Five Rocks are:

• Trusts God
• Knows His Word
• Prays Fervently
• Builds Relationships
• Serves Others

The DVD features introductory videos for each of the other modules:  

• Clean Hearts
• Working Well
• Standing Strong
• Manhood Myths
• Leading Lessons

The Maprochure is used as a visual of your journey, a way to "chart your course".

This was exactly the tool my husband needed to get them started with some Father/Son time.  Having it all together in one place, made it easy for them to jump in.

Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You is included in this module as well.  It's a 17 chapter softcover book.  The chapters are short and focus on lessons the author has learned from the men in his life.  It's a very easy to pick up book, and each chapter includes questions that can be used for group discussion.  My husband and older sons are planning to read it together.

My testers really enjoyed the intentional and directed conversations they were having as they worked through this module.  They sometimes found the structure a bit confusing...and they didn't do some of the activities, like painting the names of the five rocks out in the yard (one teenage son asked me if this was "written by a girl" because of that..)  However, once they started talking, it was all good, and that is the main point!

Find Manhood Journey & City on a Hill Studio  on Social Media:

Manhood Journey
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/manhoodjourney
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/manhoodjourney  @manhoodjourney

City on a Hill
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FollowCityOnAHill
Twitter: https://twitter.com/COAHStudio


Hashtags: #hsreviews #mentoringsons #manhoodjourney #biblestudyforboys

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Bessie's Pillow from Strong Learning, Inc.: A TOS Crew Review

Bessie's Pillow from Strong Learning, Inc.
We have been enjoying a glimpse into real-life history with Bessie's Pillow from Strong Learning, Inc..  This excellent book is based on the true story of immigrant, Boshka  "Bessie" Markman.  Set in 1906, Bessie comes to America from Vilna, Lithuania to escape persecution.  The author, Linda Bress Silbert is her granddaughter.

My tester for this book is my 13 year old daughter.  She was hooked from page one!   The story follows young Bessie's journey to America.  Her experiences during immigrant inspections immediately brought history to life for my daughter.  I love to learn history by reading about REAL people's experiences.  Bessie's introduction to Ellis Island is much more impacting than reading a dusty textbook account!

Through each obstacle Bessie faces, we get to see her grow and persevere.  Great character lessons are woven throughout this story.  Her life isn't glamorous, in fact, at times it's depressing.  The pillow is a gift sent to America with Bessie to deliver.  Ultimately, the pillow leads her to her future husband.  Their story is filled with joy and tragedy.  We get to share her story.  It is an unforgettable story of overcoming and survival.  My tester shed tears during several parts.  But, it gives you a very realistic account of what life was like during this time and Bessie becomes a friend.
The afterword in the book is filled with photographs of the characters from the book. Seeing these pictures really made the story real.  My tester was amazed that this was a true story.  She has been inspired to learn more about her OWN story by talking with her grandparents about their early lives and creating a journal.     In addition to the book, readers can explore more online at  Bessiespillow.com.  The site includes many multimedia extras that you can use to really understand the time period.  Topics include: 

•  European Immigration
• Famous People
• Foods & Recipes
• Health
• Housework
• Movies, Music & Dancing
• News
• US Presidents
• Radio

 The site is fascinating to explore!  It's a peek into live in the early 1900s.   Bessie's Pillow Teacher Guide is a downloadable, 16 page PDF that you can access to create a full literature study to go with the book.  It includes discussion questions, timelines, vocabulary, research topics and additional reading suggestions.

My tester really enjoyed this book.  We plan to enjoy it as a family read aloud as well.  (Did I mention,our oldest son is traveling to Lithuania in May... perfect timing!)

Find Strong Learning, Inc. on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BessiesPillow
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BessiesPillow  @BessiesPillow

Hashtags: #hsreviews #historicalfiction #BessiesPillow
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Historical Conquests: A PERSONAL Review

Welcome - Noah Bentz!  Today, I have a Guest Reviewer to my blog, my 15 year old son, Noah.  He has discovered a new game he loves, and in true Bentz fashion...can't wait to share it with you!  All comments are his own, he did not receive any merchandise for this review.  He purchased the game on his own, and purely wants to share his experience.  Thanks for reading! 

   Historical Conquest  is a unique and educational, strategy-based card game where multiple players construct teams of famous historical heroes villains, armies, events and more and battle each other.

In each Starter Deck there are 50 cards each card is wonderfully illustrated, and has a historical background biography. There are six starter decks to pick from and each player will need one. Each starter deck has a wide variety of cards throughout history so you may be battling with Black Beard and Abraham Lincoln on the same team.

There are also Booster Packs that come with 20 cards from a specific time period such as World War I, The Roman Era, World War II, The American Revolution, American Civil War, The Crusades, and the Wild West. The game is for all ages and can have pretty much as many players as you want, although it is best with 2-4 players.


Play Mats are available in different designs.  While not essential, they are very useful in keeping score and organizing/protecting your cards during play.  Plus, they're fun.  Here's a couple of examples: D-Day and the American Revolution.  They have a variety of designs to choose from.

 If you can read you can play. You can pick your favorite cards from each deck to make a custom deck and the game is never the same because of the variety of cards that you can customize your decks with. 

The actual game play is similar to a mix of the popular card trading games.  Best of all,  Historical Conquest has no magic which makes it much more family friendly! While your kids (or you) are engaging in mortal combat,  you are also learning history from the biography on each card. 

 Historical Conquest has a wonderful website where you can order their products, and they will answer any questions you have. The staff is amazing and they were wonderfully capable and willing to answer my many questions. 

Zack Edwards (the founder/maker of the game) made the game in college and has worked on perfecting it for ten years just to get everything right and was more than helpful answering my questions personally. Not to mention, Historical Conquest offers free contests for fans to create their own cards and submit them and winner's cards are made into rare cards that people may acquire. 

They offer writing projects that customers may participate in order to acquire the Rare Card of the month by writing a short essay about the subject of the card. This encourages kids (and adults) to not just read about history but to actively think and write about it as well. 

      How to play: 

• Each player is trying to win buying taking all their opponents land or gaining 3000 morale points. They do this buy playing character down on each of their lands to protect it or playing cards to boost their morale. 
• There are six land cards in each deck one for each continent (not including Antarctica) that the player will use to build their own unique historical civilization. 
• The game itself can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes usually. 
• There are also tournaments held locally in some places where you can go test your skills with other people who play in your area. Not to mention win prizes and see your rankings go up on their national bracketing system. 

     My personal experience with Historical Conquest has been AMAZING! I have had it since February and have played it over twenty times!  New favorite game! And trust me I have a lot of games.  From my 9 year-old sister to my 19 year old brother everybody loves to play. It is not difficult to learn especially with all their YouTube tutorials, so it's something everybody can and will enjoy playing. 

     This is a very well done game, it's not hard to play, every age enjoys it, and it really makes learning history much more fun and entertaining. Historical Conquest is definitely something that you should buy! 

Thanks for reading,   

Noah 


PS - Check out this video to learn more...