Grade 3 Lightning Lit Set Review

I have a 3rd grader this year. She loves to read and I thought  Grade 3 Lightning Lit Set from Hewitt Homeschooling might be a perfect fit for her. This set comes with a teacher’s guide and a student book. But you will be required to buy some additional books to use the curriculum. This curriculum requires 8 additional books. I already had a couple of the books on hand since my oldest red them last year. The others I could find on the digital library that our local library offers. This helped to cut cost and we can check them out for 21 days so its plenty of time for her to read them before they must be returned. None of the books are all that expensive so I felt it was still affordable even if I were to have to buy all 8 books for her to read.

I like how the teacher’s guide is set up. It's set up day by day and lays out what chapters or pages your child is to read each day and tells what work pages they are to complete in the student book. It also includes the comprehension questions for the reading and the answers. It has the instructions for the weekly composition assignments and all the answers to the student guide. It even has some extra bonus activities you can you do if you feel you need a little extra. The time it takes to complete each day’s lesson will mostly depend on your child’s reading skills. My daughter spends about an hour on each day’s lesson. This includes the time to read the assignment and do the workbook pages for the day.

The student guide is a consumable book that comes in color. My girls enjoyed that it had color. I consider this a complete language arts course because it includes instruction on grammar as well as reading comp a reading journal, dictionary pages, sentence puzzles etc. It uses sentence diagramming, so if you are not familiar with it you might want to read up on it to see if it is a good fit for you.

Each book that your child reads runs for 2 weeks or more. You can get a full school year out of it doing the daily lessons. The books are all age and grade appropriate. The books used in this program are: Sarah, Plain and Tall, Rickshaw Girl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Ramona and Her Father, Charlotte’s Wed, The Wheel on the School, The Tale of Despereaux, and the Random House book of Poetry for Children. My daughter was excited about all the books in the selection except for the Random House Book of Poetry. So far this is not a big hit with her but she is tolerating it. Mostly because the poetry lessons are shorter than the regular lessons. Poetry is just not her thing and that is ok. Most of you have probably already read some of these books when you were a kid so I won’t waste your time by telling you about each book. I was impressed with the comprehension question that followed each lesson and I felt that they did a great job helping me to see what she understood each time she completed a chapter. The questions gave her pause and she always put some thought into it before she answered each question. 

My daughter did like that this curriculum covered both Lit and grammar. Having everything in one book was a plus for her. She was a little intimidated about the sentence diagramming and so was I. I had to read the teacher’s guide quite a bit to help her with the diagramming. It was just not something I learned how to do when I was in school. All the lines were a little confusing for the both of us. We struggled with it at first but I do think we are getting a better handle on it the more we have worked with diagramming. She liked the explanations given on each grammar page though. It gave a simple explanation of what each part of speech was at the beginning of the assignment. Each lesson built on the next with some great lit lessons thrown in the mix. 

Over all I am satisfied with  Grade 3 Lightning Lit Set it has great books that she is enjoying and the grammar lessons are working for her. Check out the link below if you would like to read about other grade levels and products offered by Hewitt Homeschooling. 

Social Media Links:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HewittHomeschooling    Tag:   @HewittHomeschooling   
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/hewittonline    Tag:   @HewittOnline   
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• Google+:  https://plus.google.com/118179952485411291615

Wordless Wednesday !

Pick up lines o my!

 

Being a homeschool mom this is a first for me. I have never really had to deal with pick up lines. How do you public school parents deal with this every day. This is nuts I tell you. I have to be 30 minutes early or sit out in the road on a curve. This is just a summer camp pick up line, I can only imagine what a school pick up line is like. This is where you will find me every day for the next 4 weeks with the windows down, the radio up and a good book. I am seriously debating the need to bring snacks. 

Dads!

I am a single mom. My Dad is the man in those pictures below. Has always played a huge part in my life. He now plays a huge part in my Daughters lives. He has taught them so many great things. Like shiny side up, and righty tighty lefty loosey. That everything looks good with flames on it. The value of a good ice cream cone and how to read a hot rod magazine. But most of all he is there teaching and showing them what a Good Man is and that they should never settle for anything less.  

Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series Review

We are reading the Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series as our nightly read aloud.

Adventures of Rush Revere #1 New York Times Bestselling Book Series by Rush and Kathryn Adams Limbaugh is a 5 book series that features this cool substitute history teacher that has a crazy talking horse. The horse named Liberty is able to take the Teacher Rush Revere back in time with a few magic words.  In this series your child will get a first hand look at American history. This series is so crazy fun, they couldn't wait to see where Liberty would take them next.

The first book is called Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims. In this book the kids were introduced to Rush and his trusty steed Liberty. My girls couldn't quit giggling when they found that Liberty was a talking horse that could travel back through time with just a few magic words. We loved that he could hold his breath and become invisible to others around him. The first place we traveled back to was the Mayflower to experience what it was like to leave everything and start over in a strange place. My oldest agreed that she would get sea sick and has no desire to sail across the sea and throw up. The girls both agreed that the food served aboard the Mayflower was not something they would enjoy. They were also surprised at the living conditions aboard the ship. They had envisioned big rooms and nice fluffy beds. We were introduced to people like Myles Standish and Squanto. My girls were especially fond of the Squanto adventure.

Book 2 is called Rush Revere and the First Patriots. Once again they Rush and Liberty will take your kids back in time a point in history just before the American Revolution begins. In this book kids get to learn why Americans were so willing to stand up to King George III and fight for the freedom we have today. This was a fun book for us as we studied the American Revolution this last school year.

Book 3 is Rush Revere and the American Revolution. In this book you will Rush Rush Rush into adventures that occurs during the American revolution. Your child will meet George Washington, John Hancock and Paul Revere  and many others. It brings to life Paul Reveres ride and the two historic lanterns that were hung in the Old North Church. We helped Paul Revere avoid capture and witnessed some of the greatest battles of the time. The girls said the most exciting part was Paul Revers ride they were worried he wouldn't make it and cheered when he avoided being captured.

Book 4 is Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner. In this gook students travel back to Washington, D.C. where they learn about Americas government and how it works. The girls wanted me to mention that in this book they got to witness the writing of the our national anthem the Star-Spangled Banner. After this section of the book the girls ran around singing the national anthem for days. The yelled with triumph when Dolly Madison saved an important portrait when the British invaded D.C and set it ablaze. We learned about Betsy Ross sewing the American flag and so much more. But you are going to have to read the book to find out.

The 5th and final book is Rush Revere and the Presidency. This book covers things like how elections work and our early presidents. My oldest has been fascinated with George Washington ever since we went to see the George Washington exhibit at the history museum.  So it was a thrilling moment when Rush and Liberty rode through the portal to find George Washington. The girls also enjoyed meeting John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The book also touches on the Louisiana Purchase which is something we studied this year in history. Having done a short study on the Louisiana Purchase I have to say this book did a much better job of bringing it to life than our previous study did.

This has been one of the best history book sets that we have ever read. I can't say enough good things about this set. Each book brought history alive. These books drew both of my girls into the lesson.  I would find them talking about each trip back to the past. They were always excited to Rush Rush Rush into the next book. I would love for you to click the link below and see what the other Crew Kids thought of the Adventures of Rush Revere Book Series.

Social Media Links:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rushrevere    Tag:   @rushrevere   
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rushrevere    Tag: @rushrevere
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFc9ZP_GpWdARuKAl08Wdw   
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How to HOMESCHOOL with Stunning Confidence, Contagious Joy, and Amazing Focus Review

Me and the girls have been homeschooling for 5 years now. When you first start homeschooling it can all seem overwhelming. I remember feeling a little lost when I made the decision to homeschool the girls. I was filled with questions about where to start, what curriculum to get, homeschooling laws....  Are good friends at Apologia Educational Ministries have come up with a great product to help all you beginning homeschoolers get started. They have just introduced How to HOMESCHOOL with Stunning Confidence, Contagious Joy, and Amazing Focus (DVD & Coursebook). That's  right momma your gonna get some home work from Apologia. Really it's not scary home work and it really is helpful if you are just starting out. The set sells for around $49.00 and includes the course book and 2 DVD's.

The course book has 15 Chapters that will help you get started on your homeschooling adventure. It covers things like how to choose the right curriculum for your family. How to organize your day. Yes your are going to need some organization when you start homeschooling. How to build a support system to get you through your homeschooling years. Setting goals for your home school. Just some basic things to get your homeschooling adventure off the ground. Each chapter has a few pages that you will read then a blank area for your assignment.I found the book to be easy to understand and I actually read through it the first time quite quickly. I then went through it a second time. Taking the time to do the homework at the end of each section. The homework is simple and really doesent take all that long to complete but it does help you to organize your thoughts and really put down on paper how you want to homeschool. It's important to have some of these things down on paper. As time goes on and you have a ad school week you can go back to these assignments and remind your self why you started this homeschooling journey in the first place. It's also a great way to look back and see how your homeschool has evolved over the years. 

Course content:
Introduction: Join Us on the Journey
Chapter 1: How to Get the Most Out of This Course Designing Your Road Map
Chapter 2: Setting Goals for the Journey
Chapter 3: Finding Support
Chapter 4: Choosing Curriculum, Finding Your Way
Chapter 5: Practical How-To's 
Chapter 6: Organizing Your Homeschool Stuff
Chapter 7: Organizing Your Homeschool Day
Chapter 8: Tips from Veterans, Navigating the Detours
Chapter 9: Family Matters-Marriage
Chapter 10: Family Matters- The Rest
Chapter 11:Dealing with Opposition, Arriving at Your Destination
Chapter 12: High School Graduation and College
Chapter 13: If College Is Not the End game
Chapter 14: You Can Make It!
Chapter 15: Continuing Education and Encouragement Opportunity

The dvd is a 2 dvd set and is nicely done. It has a sort of coffee and tea vibe. It's two great homeschooling moms Rachael Carman and Leslie Nunnery sitting down and discussing some of the questions a new homeschooler might have. They talk some about why they chose homeschooling and touch on things like being flexible, organization, building the support system you need to homeschool. All the chapters on the dvds are under 20 minutes. Most seemed to be around 7 min so they are short enough to do while a little is taking a nap or while a bigger child is doing some independent study. 

If you are new to homeschooling and reading my blog because you are looking for some help in getting started How to HOMESCHOOL might be just the thing you are looking for.

Don't forget to click the link and read the other reviews done by the Crew some of us had the chance to review a new product called Internship for High School Credit. 

Social Media Links:

• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/apologiaworld    Tag:   @apologiaworld   
• Twitter:  www.twitter.com/apologiaworld      Tag:   @apologiaworld   
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/apologia/            Tag:   @apologia   
• Instagram:  www.instagram.com/apologiaworld            Tag:   @apologiaworld   
• Google+:  https://plus.google.com/105053356034237782125   
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/apologiaworld   
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MarshMedia Review

 
My oldest will be 10 soon and I have been looking for some health class videos for her that are tastefully done and not crazy old. I remember watching an outdated black and white health video when in school when I was her age. I got the chance to try out MarshMedia and their Health & Puberty Education videos. They have a Homeschool Special just for homeschoolers like us.
My daughter started with the video called Growing Up! For Girls graders 5-7. Run time is about 14 min. This video is modern and it covers self-confidence and information on the reproductive system with some basic anatomy. It also covers emotional and physical transformations that happen during puberty. Along with useful advice on things like nutrition and hygiene.
She was impressed with the video and actually watched it several time. She said it had lots of information that was easy to understand. I liked that it was updated and it covered all the basics a girl of her age needed to know. It was a great conversation starter and I was impressed with how the video was done. I don't consider this a sex education video. As it only covers how a girls body changes as they experience puberty. 

We also watched a video called Let's Just Talk Video for Girls. This video has about a 19 min run time. This video is staged at a sleepover where the girls listen to a radio show that discusses puberty. It covers things like physical and emotional changes, Hygiene and the female reproductive system. I felt like it was a fun informative way to discuss puberty and the changes that come with it. My daughter liked it she said it seemed like a real conversation and I think that makes it easier to relate to. 

Both of my girls watches the You're Not a Little Kid Anymore- Personal Hygiene video. It is geared for grades 3-5 and  runs for about 18 minutes. It covers topics like bathing, hand washing, the importance of having clean clothes etc. This is video is done in a sort of musical message. Both of the girls thought it was fun. I enjoyed that it got the message out in a fun unusual format. I have heard the girls walking around singing the tune several times now. So the information is sticking.

Every video we watched was age appropriate and tastefully done. I love that they are offering a special for homeschool families. Right now you can get access to all 59 videos for $50.00  This price gives you access to all 59 videos until 12-31-2017.  If you wish to take advantage of the opportunity to introduce the MarshMedia curriculum to your homeschooler click on the link below for more information:

https://marshmedia.com/pages/homeschool-offer  

Social Media Links: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshMedia.Educational.Programs/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Marsh_Media    Tag:   @Marsh_Media

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MarshMediaKCMO

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Clar1ssa1