Christmas Plans: Jesse Tree & Advent

Many of my blogging-homeschooling friends are sharing what they are doing with their children over the Christmas Holidays.  So I thought I would briefly share a few things we are doing this month.

Other years we have done the Advent Calendar and activities that go along with it.  This year we are going to study the Jesse Tree along with Advent stories.

Here’s a sample of our daily Jesse Tree bible references and symbols.  I downloaded them from here.  Here is the link for the tree symbols.  I will have more photos on our progress next week. I’m running a week behind schedule so we’ll be trying to catch up this week.

Our Read-Alouds:

I ordered these books from Amazon to read throughout the month of December: The Jesse Tree and Tabitha’s Travels: A Family Story for Advent

 

This blog has a Free Jesse Tree Advent Devotional book. 

Check out what others are doing over the holidays in their homeschools:

1 plus 1 plus 1 equals 1

Baby Gator University

Reflections from a Homeschool Mom

Simply At Home

Enjoy the holidays and remember our Savior!

MFW Adventures: Wrap Up for Week 15

History: We continued our walk around the United States in Adventures this week: New Hampshire, Virginia, New York and North Carolina.  I added this State Factsheet from Homeschool Creations to A7’s state study.   You can download them on Jolanthe’s blog here.

Bible: Our Bible time is focused on two different Bible curriculums that I am currently reviewing for Apologia and Positive Action.  Check back Friday for the Apologia book review on Good Morning, God

Book Basket: Here’s a few of our favorite Book Basket items this week!

Math: A7 is completing Math U See Alpha next week and moving into Beta.  She’s so excited.  I switched her curriculum in May and she worked throughout the summer.  The switch from Saxon Math to MUS has been a positive change in our homeschool.  The single concept and review MUS offers each week has been a great fit for her learning style.

Check out what my friends are doing in MFW this week:

Jennifer @ Training Them Up and Gator Mom @ Baby Gator University  and Kattie @ 2 Ladybugs and a Lizard

Wordless Wednesday: Holiday Family Fun

We took two weeks off school for the holidays, family, friends and fun!  I think we were due for a little break, as we were in our 14th week of school.  Here’s a few of our fun moments … enjoy!

Play dough fun  and sporting a new big-girl hair cut!

Bowling with friends for Homeschool Bowl Day

Dressing up with friends and family fun!

Pancakes for … dinner (forget the turkey)

Pumpkin Pie .. a surprise for daddy!

… and dressing up the puppies…!

  … and a Christmas dress with bows !

  She doesn’t look like she signed up for this so mom had to come to the rescue. 

See what 2 Ladybugs and A Lizard had to say about Wordless Wednesday.

Don’t forget to drop by Our Homeschool Reviews.

Enjoy!

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Pandia Press

Designed for the non-science parent in mind!

I have had the opportunity to review an excellent science curriculum by Pandia Press called R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (ROS) LIFE.  It is specifically written for the home school or small group setting. 

What does R.E.A.L. stand for? 

Read, Explore, Absorb, and Learn.   

And your kids will do just that!  Each lesson has hands-on fun and experiments.  We have really enjoyed ROS.

 

Features:  Sample pages here and more below

1. Used 2 to 3 times a week the curriculum is a complete, rigorous, vocabulary rich life science that needs no supplement for the year.
2. Designed for the non-science parent who can use household items for the labs
3. ROS is about experimentation and hands-on fun
4. Each lesson contains a page for your child’s notebook
5. The lessons are in black and white – no color ink used!
6. Level one is intended for grades 2nd – 5th (my 5 year old even joins in all the fun)
7. Story-like format for the lesson and hands-on fun for the labs – believe me you will not regret purchasing this curriculum!

ROS has everything you need to teach:

Story page – Read this page with your child, underline vocabulary words, review, and place it in your child’s science notebook.

Instructions page – Written for the teacher/parent but the procedure is written as if for the student.  Sample below

Lab pages – These are from the Skeletal and Circulatory systems

 

These lab pages are from the Arachnid and Bird studies.

The curriculum also has other teacher / parent helps like:

1. What’s the Big Idea and Small Stuff – the main idea and little details for each lesson depending on the age of your student. This curriculum is very adaptable for a variety of age groups.  My girls are 5 and 7 years and they absolutely LOVE science this year.
2. Material list – by unit – most are common household items
3. Website suggestions and library book list
4. Science journal and notebooking instructions – your child will add to their notebook, journal and ‘body book’ all year!

This is a sample page from our human body book.  We are going through the body systems!

My thoughts:

ROS Life science is such a fun curriculum for the girls.  We are working through the body systems this month.  It is so packed full of learning and experiments that I am going to put it on the shelf until summer – for “Summer Science”.  It is such a thorough program that I have had a hard time completing it along with MFW Adventures science (our core curriculum).

Are you excited about doing R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey with your kids? 

You should be ~ because for a years worth of fun it only costs $38.99 for an E-book version from Pandia Press (instant delivery both teacher and student pages).  Also available from Rainbow Resource is the printed version: $45.95 teacher book and $29.95 for the student pages.

ROS is also available in Earth and Space and Chemistry – view sample on their website by clicking the links above. 

Check out their History Odyssey curriculum.

Do you want to try if before you buy it?  Click Here

See what others have said about Pandia Press products here.  See what Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers had to say about Life Science and History.

Disclaimer:  This product was given to me for review purposes free of charge, not to be returned to the vendor. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

 

 

KB Teachers: Worksheets & Printable Pages

“KBTeachers brings the best the web can deliver to you and your students -- It is the one-stop destination for teachers and parents who are always on the lookout for new and engaging 21st century teaching tools and materials.”

If you were to look at the resources I use in our homeschool, you would see LOTS of living books and hands-on fun!  I have learned of the past few years that my oldest daughter, 7, does not enjoy worksheets or workbooks but living books.   But my younger daughter, who’s 5, absolutely LOVES worksheets and activity pages.

What is my point?  Well, I have had the opportunity to review a web-based program called KB Teachers.  KB offers excellent resources for both my girls who have two totally different learning styles.

What is KB Teachers?  It is a site for Teachers and Parents that offers over 10,000 worksheets and printable pages for students in ALL grades (even high school).   KB stands for Knowledge Bears and they are celebrating their 10th year in service. 

What does it cost?  KB Teachers does not charge per download or workbook, but only $29 per year or $49 for two years.  They offer a free trial too on their website. 

KB premium members will receive a weekly email listing new resources added to the website, holiday pages, suggested lessons, and webquest links.

Here’s a few of my favorite worksheets:  These are worksheets that I typed in the text and my daughters drew the pictures.  They begged for more!!  They copied the text below the typed text too (it’s hard to see).

KB Teachers offers over 10,000 resources, on tons of subjects and all grade levels! (even high school)

Geography, Alphabet pages, Holiday, Handwriting, Grammar, Math, Money, Time, History, Story Writing, Puzzles, Crafts, Human Body, Botany, and much more! 

ONLY $29

$2.40 per month

Check out a few samples below (primarily early elementary because of the age of my girls):

Math worksheets

Science Worksheets 

Language Arts (I primarily used early elementary)

Summary of what KB Teachers has to offer YOU and your students:

* One click worksheet generators and alphabet factory
* Create an unlimited number of engaging printable activities - For all ages and grade levels – the resources are unlimited!
* Exclusive graphics and clipart - Decorate your website, Blog, activity sheets!
* Diverse educational resources - From simple ABC worksheets, to 20 pages exams
* Free 24/7 Support - If we don't have it, we'll create it - or help you find it
* Answer Keys - Proofed and checked quality materials you can trust
* Updated regularly - New features and member created content added every week
* Nothing to download, instant access - From any internet connection

Visit their website here -  KB Teachers! 

My review summary … buy it! It’s so worth the money at only $2.40 per month.  It’s a great resource for all teachers and parents.

See what other members of This Old Schoolhouse Crew  have to say about KB TEACHERS click here.

 

 

Disclaimer:  This product was given to me for review purposes free of charge, not to be returned to the vendor. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

Wordless Wednesday: Barbie & Snow White

Who gets to do school in Barbie pajamas? .. .. I do!

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs…..

  

… sitting in Origami chairs!  (made by Cousin Max)