A Front Row Seat to See God Work!

My son and I are going to India this fall on a mission trip.  We need to raise our financial support.  We know we are being called to go, and we know our God is able to provide for all our needs. 

Shortly after announcing our plans to go, a couple of dear friends OFFERED to help us with our fundraising efforts.  The Curious Kids Consignment Sale was born!  I have long thought that the "consignment" model for children's clothing would work with well with homeschool curriculum too.

 

My dear friends - amazingly talented, dedicated and giving SUPER WOMEN,  helped take my tiny seed of an idea and turn it into a fundraising event.

We began planning about 10 weeks ago.  Curious Kids Consignment Sale was held last week.  We had 39 consignors, over $13,000 worth of merchandise.  We also had 12 wonderful Vendors to shop from (things like custom jewelry, family counseling, cosmetics, food and more!). 

God was with us every step of the way - even providing for the details like the teal tablecloths (to match the logo)  and donated  custom-decorated shopping bags for the customers. (check out Givebagz.com to get your own).  We each used the gifts we had been given... and the result was more than we could have imagined on our own.

 

The night before the sale opened, we held a "Girl's Night Out Preshop Event" as a way to reward our volunteers.  We had live music, appetizers and snacks, and door prizes.  Our children caught our excitement, and were a HUGE part of making the event a success! 

 

 

My daughter created "mug rugs" and bookmarks to sell.  Another dear friend, who dreams of going to India someday herself,  was our official donation station with her "Give your Change to Make a Change" message.  To see their hearts, and hands, so eager was a blessing for everyone near them!

 

Satan did his best attack our efforts (a sure sign something great is waiting for us in India!)  We actually had to spend the end of the evening in our church's hallway until the tornado warning was lifted.  Praise God - everyone was safe.  It certainly made for a memorable kick-off...

The two days of our sale could not have had worse weather - tornado warnings, flash flooding, torrential downpours.  BUT,  God is greater than all of this! 

Our tiny seed of an idea grew into a way to bless our community, and beyond.  We were able to match the supply with the demand for affordable homeschooling curriculum.  We made new friends.  We donated boxes of unsold curriculum to those devastated by the OK tornados (both for homeschoolers and schools in the area)  And, we raised above and beyond what we had hoped for the India Mission Team!

I love having a front row seat to watch what God is doing.  We took what we had, brought it to God, and he multiplied and blessed it.  Miracles are happening all around.  Please be encouraged to take that seed of an idea to God, and he will GROW it.

I'm already looking forward to next year!! 

Math Mammoth: A TOS Crew Review

Math Mammoth - Blue Series -

 

From their website:

"Math Mammoth Blue Series books are worktexts or units on specific topics. "Worktext" means that the books contain both explanations of the concepts and lots of varied problems. It is like a textbook and workbook combined.

 

Each of the Blue Series units concentrates on a few topics only, such as addition & subtraction, place value, clock, measuring, money, multiplication, division, geometry, fractions, decimals, ratios, percent, integers, and so on. This topical arrangement makes the books suitable for many kinds of situations, such as:

• To supplement any other math curriculum;
• As a remedial material for students who are behind;
• As a review material on specific topics."

Check the table of contents of the various books on that topic to find the best match. Or, check this table that lists the approximate study order and grade levels for the Blue Series books. 

 

The Bentz Test Laboratory plans on doing math all.summer.long.  Can I get any "amens" out there?!  It's not really because we got behind finishing our books, it's just that we are...how shall I say it... behind.

 

We were able to review 4 different titles in the Math Mammoth Blue Series:

Math Mammoth Clock is a 78 page worktext that covers telling time and reading the clock, telling time intervals, and understanding the calendar. It is suitable for grades 1 - 3. - Cost:$4.00

The lessons are divided to the grade-levels: reading the clock to the half-hour is first grade material; reading the clock to the five-minute intervals is second grade; and reading the clock to the minute is third grade level.

 

 

Math Mammoth Measuring 1 is a 74 page worktext that covers measuring length, weight, and volume for grades 1-3- Cost: $4.50 (want to see a sample?)

 

The lessons concentrate on hands-on exercises where the student actually measures things. Using items like rulers, bathroom scales, jars and measuring cups - experience is the best teacher!

 

 

 

Math Mammoth Multiplication 1 is a 99 page self-teaching worktext to learn multiplication concept and the times tables. It lets children first learn well the multiplication concept itself, tying it in with number lines, rows and columns, multiplying by zero, some word problems, and order of operations.

 

Then the second part practices all the the times tables. The ebook also includes a guide for effective oral drilling.  For grades - Multiplication 1 book is excellent for remedial teaching.  Cost: $5.00

 

 

 

Math Mammoth Percent  is 68 page PDF version is enabled for annotation. It teaches students the concept of percent, percentage of a number, discounts, sales tax, percent of change, circle graphs, and percent of comparison. For grades 6-8. (you get access to online videos too!) Cost: $3.50

 

Here's a sample video you can check out.

I'm very impressed with the quality of Math Mammoth.  It was easy to choose a topic we needed extra work on,  download the PDF and get right to work.  The workpages are well designed, with the annotation, you can even have your students type right on the computer!  We printed them out and worked on specific areas as needed.

A benefit I notice right away,  having a new "perspective" on the math concepts that they had studied seem to give them a much higher comprehension.  Even though we had practice multiplication all year, seeing it presented in a new way brought new understanding!  I think we're onto something here...

Another thing I really appreciated - the PRICE!  Oftentimes you get what you pay for, well not is this case...with Math Mammoth you get way more than you paid for!  The PDF's are full of instruction, practice and even hands-on activities.  You can get package pricing of the 39 different Blue Series titles at an even lower price! 

 

  Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew    

Paper Jungle by See the Light: A TOS Crew Review

 

 

Paper Jungle  by See the Light

 

From their website:

"Create a paper collage in the style of French artist Henri Rousseau! Watch and Produce Your Own Masterpiece in 4 Step-By-Step Lessons with Master Artist Pat Knepley!
PAPER JUNGLE is the fourth in a series of ART PROJECTS that advance skills and learning as students complete wonderful works of art in the style of a variety of famous artists.

It includes an in-depth Art History focus on the style of Henri Rousseau, explores related Art Elements and Art Principles, and uses a variety of media. Biblical integration is woven into every single lesson. Geared for ages 10 +. The 4 lesson DVD runs approximately 1 ½ hours, but the student should allow approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete this fabulous work of art!"

 

Cost: $14.99

 

Time for a confession...  I can teach history, science, even reading.  But, I'm a failure at teaching art.  I want to be artistic, truly, I do.  I've come to realize that while I may "want" to be artistic - I'm not.  Time to call for some help!

 

See the Light has come to my rescue!!  The Bentz Test Laboratory was a lucky recipient of their Paper Jungle DVD.  This fabulous instruction video introduced my testers to the works of Henri Rousseau, taught them basic elements of art, and gently guided them to a completed an art project. (and there was no yelling or crying...from me this time!).

 

I am IMPRESSED with this product.  I can teach art... well, actually Ms. Pat is doing the teaching.  Ok, really - all I had to do was assemble the readily available materials:  i.e. paper  (a great way to use up that long forgotten scrapbooking paper), scissors, glue, and a sharpie.  The DVD did the rest!

 

This DVD featured 4 lessons, each section guiding them to complete a component of the finished project while teaching an important art history lesson.  Ms. Pat is so NICE!  My testers loved getting to see her actually do each step.  We could easily pause the DVD anytime to follow along.

 

 

 

Here's some pictures to show our progress:

 

 

1. Background: Cutting Trees (22 minutes) -

 

 

2. Foreground: Grass and Leaf Shapes (27 minutes) & 3. Focal Points: Flora and Fauna (26 minutes)

 

 

4. The Final Step: Overlapping and Gluing (25 minutes) -

 

I have to stop and say - I LOVE that she prayed before glue!  I can't tell you how many disasters could have been prevented doing art if only we had remembered this vital step...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Pat wove bits and pieces of Scripture and plenty of encouragement throughout her lesson.  This is the kind of art teacher I wish I could be!.   Since I'm not, Bentz Test Laboratory will be getting to See the Light from now on!!

 

Other members of the TOS Review Crew took a peek at these titles - check them out :  Cartooning (5+),God's Special Surprise , Shipwrecked , God's Runaway (6+),  Dreams of Joseph ,Tiffany Window,  Repeated Sweets ,Pointillism Fruit, Poppy Collage (10+)

  Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew        

 

 

Simplified Pantry: A Molly Crew Review

Simplified Pantry

From their website:
"Simplified Pantry is all about encouraging homestyle cooking with basic ingredients. It is possible to cook good, healthy food without a pantry full of specialized ingredients, and it is possible to make easy dinners without shortcut, preprepared products. This EBook, Simplified Dinners (and the gluten- and dairy-free edition!), enables anyone to transition toward home-prepared, real, whole foods cooking—even those less confident in the kitchen."

Cost: 12.99 (downloadable ebook) - What to see a sample?


Listen to the author:







Yippee!!  I am the Bentz Test Laboratory Tester!!  Actually, I think the entire family gets the benefit of this one...

Simplified Dinners is a downloadable ebook .  It's really more than just a recipe book, it's the kind of book that actually teaches you how to cook!  It is filled with menus that are both simple and wholesome.  You can eat healthy - without spending a fortune!

The "Master Pantry List" is a useful tool to help you know what to stock up on.  The rest of the book shows you how to take your well stocked pantry and turn it into a delicious, healthy meal in no time! 

 Several options are given for each category.  For example, "Slow Cooker Roasts" explains the preparation process step by step, then offers 8 different ways to take your average Pork or Beef roast and jazz it up. Gluen-Free and Dairy-Free editions are available as well.

Friday Night is "Pizza Night" at the Bentz Test Laboratory.   We made the pizza dough and got really fancy (for us) with a White sauce and Veggie toppings. (I told you this was for me!)  We also made a "boy pizza" with nothing but meat.  Making our own pizza crust was not as time consuming as I had assumed...it was explained step by step.  This could save us a small fortune right here!   Plus, it was WAY better than even the expensive, deli pizza from the store. 

This is exactly what I needed!  I can tend to get in a rut, making the same thing over and over again.  We love variety, but - time constraints with a large family make meal planning a difficult endeavor.  Simplified Dinners offered me plenty of choices, with all of them being simple enough to just create quickly when the dreaded 4 pm Question..."What are we having for dinner?" hits!

Other members of the TOS Crew took a peek at these - Simplified Dinners Gluten Free/Dairy Free & Paperless Home Organization - check them out!  Now that I've got my kitchen under control...it's time to tackle the home organization!

** Don't miss this! 30% off  through June 3rd when you enter TOS2013 at checkout**

Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

 

 

Schoolhouse Library!

"Help!  I'm running out of bookshelf space!"  Sound familiar?  I have a little secret to share...  you don't need more bookshelves.  No, really I mean it!  I've found a way to build my library without having to beg my dear hubby for another bookshelf. Plus, it's clutter-free.

 

The Schoolhouse Library! from the Old Schoolhouse. 

It's a mega resource library, over 175 E-books and audios, just for you.  Bes of all, it doesn't clutter up your bookshelves, and you can take it with you on the go!

You get homeschool encouragement and support for over 25 different topics, all in this one easy download for just $25.

 

 

Come check it out at www.SchoolhouseLibrary.net today!

Surprise Getaway!

My wonderful hubby of 18 years loves to plan getaways!  I'm blessed, I know...  For our anniversary this year, he outdid himself!

First, he told me we need to "borrow a truck" because a car couldn't reach our destination.  Then, he sprung the news - "no cell phone coverage or internet".   He knows I'm not the "roughing it" type - what was he thinking?

 

Our "road" to the cabin... really?

As you can see... the path led us to a magnificent spot!  Deep down in a valley, surrounded by God's beautiful handiwork - the "Bushmaster".   So amazingly built, the cabin blends into the forest.  It's actually built on top of a small creek bed, resting on top of gigantic boulders as the creek runs under it.  The inside wall of the bathroom is the same boulder that the upper level deck rests on. 

It had recently rained, so the creek and private waterfall were running well.  We opened all the windows and fell asleep to the music of the running water...

 

We had absolutely NOTHING to do!  No phone, no internet, no restaurants to visit...  Just a hike or two, and a campfire.  Lot's of vacation conversation and a good book! (and no "roughing it" - I had a full kitchen and bathroom!)

 

Our only visitor - a very friendly raccoon.  He didn't like hamburgers, but did come for the s'mores!

The Longbow Resort in the middle of nowhere  (aka Prim, AR)... I suggest you getaway and go!  Mr. Pearson is an amazing host, and the history of his place is fascinating.

It was the perfect un-plug, un-wind and re-charge! 

I love my husband...

American Girl: Kirsten Quilts

Kirsten has taught us so many wonderful lessons!  The girls have all learned how to thread a needle, and sew a couple of simple stitches.  We've explored the reality of pioneer life.  Kirsten has encouraged us to be frugal and creative at the same time.

This meeting I got to show them how to quilt!!  I love quilts,  they feel like a blanket filled with love to me.  I have made a quilt for each of my children (actually, I'm still working on that...I have a couple of UFO's around - unfinished objects!)

I was able to share my passion, and the girls made a quilted potholder.  I hope they'll be inspired to make their own quilts someday.

 

Our potholders were made with a simple square.  The girls practiced their back stitching to hand sew around the outside.  Then, they did a whip stitch to bind the edges.  Finally, they were able to do a running stitch to quilt a simple design.

 

These are more decorative than useful - we didn't use a heat-resistant batting.  The girls also thought they'd make great doll quilts.

 

 

 



 I didn't keep track of what our Littles, 1/2 Pints &  MCA were up to... teaching 13 girls to quilt was plenty enough for me!