Fresh perspectives

I have been telling my family this past year (and it’s been a doozy!) that there are always “jewels & treasures along the path” if you are willing to notice them.

During our "confinement" we  took a long hike around the outside of our suburban neighborhood and discovered many “jewels & treasures” we had never had the time to notice before.

I love bluebonnets!

 Wildflowers and dirt paths... all of this only blocks away from us, and we never knew it!

We'll look back and realize what a gift this extra time together was! 

 God is good!

Apps & Ebooks from Math Galaxy: A TOS Crew Review

Math Galaxy

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

Math Galaxy makes mastering math concepts more fun!  We've been using the Apps for 5th Grade Math & 6th Grade Math, along with 30 different Math Riddles Ebooks to liven up our math review.

Let me start with the Apps. Math Galaxy has so many to choose from!  They offer a full range of apps for every level from Prek to Algebra and SAT Math.  We decided to explore with the grade level apps for 5th and 6th grade.  Math is not a universal love language at Bentz Academy, so any tools I can find to make it more enjoyable are welcome!

The apps are available through the App Store for iPad and iPhone.  The apps appear basic - no dancing characters or endless games, just solid math concepts and individualized review for concept mastery.

  

You can choose what topic to work on.  

Then, it's practice and review the concept.  The screens are intuitive, my testers could understand immediately.   

Using it on my iPhone XS - we still sometimes had issues making sure we hit the correct number button when answering. I'm sure it's much easier on a larger screen, like an iPad.  I think this could be improved to be more user friendly for the iPhones.

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Immediate feedback is given, if your answer is correct it flashes "correct".  If you answer incorrectly, you get another try.  After 2 misses - the correct answer is shown and explained.

In addition, the apps contain video that you can watch to help explain concepts - in a very straightforward, whiteboard style.

And simple games - like Labyrinth.

Overall, having solid math review on my phone is a really great tool to pull out during our down times while waiting, or in the car.  

We also had the chance to review the Math Riddle eBooks.  They offer collections for Whole Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, Proportions, Percents, Algebra.  

This are 30 different PDF ebooks that you can download and print (I don't recommend using color ink!) to practice math facts by solving riddles.  Each ebook is a PDF with around 40-50 pages of riddles and answers.

These are a fun way to liven up the worksheet genre of math!  Instead of just working a page of problems, they get to answer the problem to find a letter that they can insert into the riddle.  These were a big hit around here!

You can use Google to make them into interactive worksheets (that don't need to be printed!)

Overall, we found Math Galaxy was a great way to expand our math learning, and make it more fun!

Find Math Galaxy on Pinterest

Hashtags: #hsreviews #mathgalaxy #riddles #mathriddles #fractionsriddles #mathworksheets

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Heroes of History - Harriet Tubman: Freedombound from YWAM Publishing: 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

Heroes of History - Harriet Tubman: Freedombound from YWAM Publishing

I've been homeschooling for the past 17 years, and one resource I would never do with out has been  YWAM Publishing!  For this review - we are privileged to introduce you to Heroes of History - Harriet Tubman: Freedombound and the Digital Unit Study companion.

At our first homeschool conference...way, way back, someone gave us a free copy of Gladys Aylward: Life of Adventure. We took it home and we were hooked! The very next year, I went straight to YWAM Publishing and purchased their entire set of both Christian Heroes: Then & Now and Heroes of History My dear husband never recovered from the shock that I bought "one of everything on the table." It is the one of my best purchases!

These stories have been LIFE CHANGING. All 8 of my children have grown up reading and listening to amazing stories of how God used ordinary people to change the world! One of our family sayings is "Someday, you will have a YWAM book".

Heroes of History - Harriet Tubman: Freedombound is an excellent addition to your American History study.  These books are great for independent reading for ages 10 and up, but we love them as family read alouds.  All the titles are available in paperback or e-book format, or as well-done audio books on CD or MP3 download.

Harriet Tubman: Freedombound follows the life of a truly inspiring woman in history.  Harriet is born a slave but, later escapes and becomes the "Moses" of her people, leading many to freedom along the Underground Railroad.  Her courage and refusal to give up are great lessons for our children today.  

Her story is captivating, we could not put it down.  That's what I love most about these books - they introduce ordinary men and women that God uses to do extraordinary things.  The books have never failed to show us how God can use even just one person to change the world.  Children need heroes to look up to, and YWAM Publishing has provided an entire series of them!

The Unity Study that goes along with this book is fantastic as well!  It comes as a digital download full of great ideas that can help you use these books across your curriculum.  It combines science, history, geography and more that will help you expand the reading into more learning.

 The Unit Study is very easy to use - you can pick and choose what you want to include.  We love to use the Chapter Questions for vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Printing out the maps that are included makes a great geography review.  When I teach geography in my Coop classes - I always give each student a  Christian Heroes: Then & Now book to read and report on.

We especially love the quotes!  They make great handwriting practice.

I HIGHLY recommend the Christian Heroes: Then & Now & Heroes of History series. One quick warning...don't let your family read these if you want them to live an ordinary life!

Check out the other Christian Heroes: Then & Now & Heroes of History titles we have reviewed:

• CS Lewis
• Betty Green
• Louis Zamperini
• Gladys Aylward
• John Adams

Social Media Links:


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YWAM-Publishing-482973445102/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/YWAMpublishing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ywampublishing/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/YWAMpublishing

Hashtags: #hsreviews #christianheroesthenandnow #christianheroes #christianbiographies #americanhistory #truebiographies #americanheroes #historicalbiography #homeschooling #homeschoolingcurriculum #heroesofhistory

See what other members of the Crew thought here

The Action Bible Anytime Devotions from David C Cook: A TOS Crew Review

The Action Bible Anytime Devotions from David C Cook

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

The Action Bible Anytime Devotions from David C Cook is a great resource to show your 8-12 year old's how to turn to God's word.

This 195 page, softcover devotional is designed to help your children learn to apply God's word to their daily lives.  It contains 90 different 2 page devotionals that cover a variety of topics including -courage, love, trust, hope, faith, kindness, service, and strength.  Just the things we need most.

Each devotion features a 2 page spread, illustrated in a colorful graphic novel fashion. Each page begins with a Action Verse  This is the main focus of the devotional and helps train your child to turn to scripture first.

 The Table of Contents shows the Title - Topic - Scripture passage.  I love that this makes it easy to find a particular topic they may be struggling with, or wanting to learn more about.

The purpose is to get your children studying God's word on their own, with the focus to help them apply and relate to scripture.

The devotions are written in an easy, direct fashion.  The focus is on real-life situations that children find themselves in, and how they can use God's word to help them.  The author offers practical advice - like how to refocus thoughts, how to pray specifically, a project to do or tips to try.  My testers loved that it was "real life".

Each devotion contains a "Take it Further" section that shows them another scripture passage they can read and learn from.

These devotions were well written, and really encouraged my children to think and apply the Bible to their daily life.


Find David C Cook on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCCookPublic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/David_C_Cook
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david.c.cook/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/davidccook/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DavidCCookVideos

Hashtags: #hsreviews #actionbible #theactionbible #davidccook #tabanytimedevo

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Connections Stationary Kit from Byron's Games: 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

Connections Stationary Kit from Byron's Games

It's a great time to get into letter writing with Connections Stationary Kit from Byron's Games!

Our world has changed, we find ourselves with plenty of time at home lately.  Our Connections Stationary Kit has been a God-send.

This letter writing kit contains everything your child needs to get started with the art of handwriting letters.  It includes:

• 25 sheets of stationery paper (6" x 8.5")
• 25 envelopes (6.5” x 4.5”)
• 36 vintage-style envelope-seal stickers
• 2 color ink pads
• 1 rubber ‘Thank You’ stamp
• 1 fine line blue pen

Check this short video out:

Since we have moved states several times over the years, my girls have loved becoming pen pals with friends all over.  This kit is a great tool for helping them stay connected.

The paper is really high quality. Right away, they exclaimed, "This is NICE!"  I love the watermark style map decoration on the stationary and coordinating envelopes.

 The kit also includes several pages of stickers, ink pads in 2 colors - blue and pink, and a "Thank You" stamp for those final finishing touches that make a letter look perfect.

My sweet testers were enthralled with the fine-tip pen as well.  It's super smooth and fun to write with.

I love that letter writing gives them the opportunity for so much undercover learning (my favorite kind!).  They are able to practice their handwriting, spelling, grammar and punctuation - and it all looks like fun.  Not to mention the excitement of getting to check the mailbox daily for a reply.

My family has treasured handwritten letters for as long as I can remember. I still have a box filled with hand-written letters from my grandmother, mother and my late husband. These letters are pieces of history. This kit makes it easy to introduce this life long skill to the next generation.

Other members of the Crew reviewed  the Continent Race - be sure to check them out!


Find Byron's Games on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByronsGames
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ByronsGames
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronsgames/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #ByronsGames #ContinentRace #boardgames #familygamenight #learnandexplore #Connections #Familyconnections #Letterwriting #Stationerykit #Kidsstationery #Writingkitforkids #Kidtrailblazers

See what other members of the Crew thought here

A new Adventure!

I'm so excited!!  I've started my new adventure - CrossWired Education - a Facebook page where I can encourage homeschooling families with Rich Concepts and Great Experiences!

I've been wanting a place I can share what I've learned along the journey...

Can you help me spread the word?

Venturing with God in Congo from Conjurske Publications: 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

Venturing with God in Congo from Conjurske Publications

Are you ready to be inspired? We loved Venturing with God in Congo from Conjurske Publications!


This beautiful, 290 page hardcover book is an adventure. The book is the written journey of Darrell & Louise Champlin and their family as they serve God as missionaries in the hard world of the jungles of the Congo.

I have to comment on how well done this book is - it has a captivating cover and quality pages.  I love a great hardcover book, it makes it a treasure right away (please tell me I'm not the only one...) It It has short, easy to read chapters that make it perfect for your children to read to themselves, or even better as a family read aloud.

I love showing my children REAL people that God uses to do EXTRAORDINARY things.  Darrell Champlin is one of those!  He obediently follows the call of God and goes to one of the hardest places on earth - the remote jungles of the Congo.

Each chapter is another memoir, written in first person, that shows us the reality and challenges of jungle living.  

We were fascinated by his accounts of encounters with animals.  From killing a rogue elephant to skinning a 16 foot python with an undigested antelope still in it...Darrell will inspire your young men with his tales of adventure.

Woven throughout this book is scripture making it not only just an adventure story, but a great devotional story to point us to God as well. 

As Darrell recounts their experiences, a entirely new culture is revealed to us as well.  We learn about what his beloved Nkole NKema natives eat, how they hunt, their social structure, how they give birth and even how they initiate boys into manhood (wow...).

One of our favorite stories was how Darrell accepted the challenge from the local witch doctor concerning what he and his family were willing to eat, telling Darrell that white men had "taboos" (foods with spiritual powers) too.  Darrell got the witch doctor to agree to eat the civet cat, which the natives considered taboo, if he and his family ate snake.  Of course, the point was to break through the spiritual darkness.  Darrell's family did eat the snake to prove God's power and goodness.  My sweet children's eyes were wide as we read this chapter, praying I wouldn't decide to make them learn this lesson firsthand. This book has inspired many great conversations!  

In addition, a Photo Gallery give us a peek at the real people behind these incredible stories.

We enjoyed this modern missionary story immensely. Darrell's courage and devotion to God will inspire you!

Find Conjurske Publications on Facebook

Hashtags: #hsreviews #homeschoolbooks #missionary

See what other members of the Crew thought here