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

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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

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Carole P. Roman: 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
Carole P. Roman's assorted series from Carole P. Roman

We were excited to get the chance to pick several books from Carole P. Roman's assorted series from Carole P. Roman.

This award-winning author has dozens and dozens of titles to choose from - it was like being in a candy shop of children's literature!

Here are the titles we chose this time around (check out a link for my previous reviews later):

• If you were me and lived in... Australia: A Child's Introduction to Cultures around the World 
• If You Were Me and Lived in... Turkey: A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World
• If You Were Me and Lived in ...Kenya: A Child's Introduction to Cultures around the World

• If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America: An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time

Let me start with our titles from A Child's Introduction to Cultures around the World series.  These softcover, illustrated books are great for your younger children.  Each book introduces your child to a different country and its culture.  The books are brightly illustrated, with simple text.  I love that they also include pronunciation guides.

Each book follows a basic pattern of showing what life is like for a child in this particular country. From where you live and what your name may be to what you would eat and what your parents do for a living, it's an insider peek into a country.  It's a great way to introduce the beautiful diversity of cultures around the world!

Here are a few fun facts we picked up on our "travels" - 

If You Were Me and Lived in ...Kenya - you may go to the National Reserve on a safari with your friends.

If you were me and lived in... Australia - you can try Vegemite or cook on the barbie. Since I love bringing geography to life...I actually had Vegemite for them to try!  Not to be a family favorite anytime soon...

If You Were Me and Lived in... Turkey - you can celebrate April 23rd as Children's Day.  "Finally!" all my children said...they've been wanting Children's Day for years now!

These books interesting and such an easy way to introduce some geography into your day.  

Our other selection came from the An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time series.  Since we are all about American History this year, we decided If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America.

This series is great for 4th-6th grade.  It takes you back in time to visit Colonial America. It is illustrated on one side with text on the other side.  This particular edition has black pages with white text (not my favorite).  The illustrations are bright and engaging.

The book gives a snapshot of what life was like. How your father built your wattle home and your mother cooked in the fireplace.  You learn about what you wore, about what you ate (no more lobster please!), what school was like and what you did for fun with your new native friends.

My kids loved learning the details about early colonial life.  Did you know even children got to drink "healthy" beer instead of milk and dinner was in the afternoon?

Colonial games of leap-frog, marbles and crosses and naughts were fun ways to entertain, when you weren't working with your parents, or being schooled at home! (yes, homeschooling was the "thing" back then...)  

A  gallery of famous people from the colonies is included to help inspire additional research. A full glossary of terms is a helpful tool for understanding this time period.

If you visit Carole's blog - you can find printable worksheets, coloring pages and more to go along with her books.

We really enjoy adding her books to our studies!  Be sure to check out our previous reviews!

Find Carole P. Roman on Social Media:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caroleproman

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6A9PDx7NdBgYUN1giUOp0A?view_as=subscriber

Hashtags:

#hsreviews #caroleproman, #childrensbooks, #bookstagram, #kidsbooks, #illustration, #books, #reading, #kidsbookstagram, #kidlit, #picturebooks, #picturebook, #children, #raisingreaders, #booksforkids, #childrensbookstagram, #author, #childrensbook, #childrensbookillustration, #read, #kidlitart, #childrensliterature, #kids, #kidsbook, #art, #bookworm, #kidslit, #book, #booksforchildren, #bhfyp, #storytime, #kidsbookswelove, ,#best #bookish, #bookshelf, #booklovers #booklover, #instabook, #love, #homeschooling #parenting #bookstore, #cute, #childrensbookstore, #writer

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The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim's Rock, LLC: 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

The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim's Rock, LLC

The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim's Rock, LLC is a great resource for you and your high school students to study Apologetics together!

Why study apologetics?  It's essential for us to be able to answer the questions others have, especially those who are skeptics with confidence and grace. The Unbreakable Faith Course is designed to equip you to do that.

Unbreakable Faith is designed for students ages 15+, and can count for a full high school credit when completed. The course contains 2 paperback "textbooks" as well as a self-paced, 36 week online program.

The books, written by Craig Biehl PhD from Westminster Theological Seminary, provide a foundation for understanding apologetics, theology and why we believe what we do.

The Box - is an easy read.  It's a conversation between "Mr. A" and "Mr. C" that provides a peek into how to converse with an atheist or agnostic.

God the Reason - is a more in-depth look at the characteristics of God.

The Unbreakable Faith Course is broken into 6 parts.  Each part contains multiple short videos, about 10-15 minutes each.  The videos are very well done with excellent images and audio.  I've decided to work through the course myself, and then use the information to help teach apologetics to my students.

The course is well thought out, with a handy syllabus to guide you along the way with the required reading (I'm such a education nerd...I love syllabi!).  Each video must be watched, and the course worked through sequentially.  Subsequent videos "unlock" as you complete the prior.  At the end of each part, there is a timed quiz.  I like the format, it reminds me very much of college courses, and is a great way to introduce your students to this type of online learning. The author even schedules office hours (live video chats) for students to meet with him to answer questions.

The material is meaty and deep - it will definitely make you think and process what you believe.  With the reading and videos, this course also appeals to multiple learning styles.

It's imperative that we give our children tools they can use to understand and defend their faith.  I feel like I have had many years of apologetics, but I am still continuing to learn more about God and how to defend what I believe with this course!

Be sure to check it out!

Find Pilgrim's Rock, LLC  on Social Media:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PilgrimsRockLLC

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWwPS9K7Roo-TdegNHP_Pzg?view_as=subscriber

Hashtags: #hsreviews #ChristianApologetics #ChristianWorldview #GodIsCreator #PresuppositionalApologetics

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I love my Day Job!

Really... I love that I get to homeschool my children (and other children too!)

This year I get the honor of teaching Biology in our homeschool co-op.  It's such a gift to get to introduce these highschoolers to God's amazing creation.

It was Crayfish dissection day - I may be a tad more excited than them... it's my FAVORITE!

Here are the future, world-changing, biologists:

 I can't resist showing you our handiwork (actually, God's handiwork) Simple creatures that are anything but simple... Isn't it amazing??

Seriously, homeschooling has been such a blast... who gets to spend their day doing this??