Clever Title TBA

I was recently given the opportunity to review “The Woodcarver,” a new movie from Faith & Family Films.

About the movie: (from here)

Matthew Stevenson is a troubled kid from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Ernest has become something of a hermit, but reluctantly comes out of reclusion to help repair the church. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church’s beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.

What we thought:

Wonderful! There is a lot to this movie, much more than just vandalism and family troubles. There is mystery, humor, excitement, hard work, surprise, forgiveness, and even a little bit of homeschooling(!).

I started watching it on my own one morning on my laptop before the kids woke up. They missed maybe 20 minutes of it. As soon as it was over, they took it from me and watched it all over again on the TV! Even Princess was glued to the set (her favorite part was “when the bad guy admitted what he did”).

I think this movie was a great way to spend a little “tube time” together. There is a lot packed into that 90 minutes that we can discuss and learn from: family tensions, losing loved ones, how to deal with stress, anger, grief, forgiveness, second chances, the importance of faith, and more. The only thing that seemed a bit out of place to me was the pastor of the “First Baptist Church” wearing a clerical collar (maybe I just haven’t been a Baptist long enough to have seen that in person though).

WIN A COPY!!!

Someone will WIN a copy of this great family-friendly movie! Just post a comment on this post saying you want to win!! I will choose a winner on April 6.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I was excited to have the opportunity to review one of A Journey Through Learning’s new Veggie Tales lapbooks. Princess (of course) chose “Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen.” She and I had fun working on it.

For those not familiar with A Journey Through Learning’s lapbooks, they are easy to use. The “how to do it” and “where to put it” directions are on the page with each mini-book. There is even a photo sample of the completed lapbook!

This lapbook contains 14 mini-books that go in 2 folders. Some require writing or drawing, others have answers pre-printed that you can glue in. There are also 7 additional optional activities (including a recipe) and a re-telling of Esther’s story included.

We took several days to work on this lapbook, starting with a watching of the video. It was a fun way to discuss some issues we hadn’t really had intentional discussions on (like bravery and what to do when we see someone steal). I got to see little bits of her thought processes and emotional growth in those little moments, since we were working alone and weren’t having a group discussion with the boys. I think we may need to do a few more things like this.

Princess will now talk about some of the parts of the lapbook, starting with a couple of the “draw your answer” parts:

It may be a while before we get all the purple glitter out of the carpet.

Disclosure: I received a downloadable copy of this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

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YOU CAN WIN!!!

I’m allowed to have up to FIVE winners of the downloadable version of the “Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen” lapbook!

MANDATORY ENTRY (one per person):

Post a comment saying you want to win!

OPTIONAL ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for EACH entry):

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Five entries each:  Post about this giveaway on your blog (one post per day, leave link in comments)

Two entries each: Tweet about this giveaway (once per day, leave link in comments)

Two entries each: Post about this giveaway on Facebook (once per day)

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I will choose a winner on Monday, March 12 at noon Eastern.

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UPDATE: We have a winner!!!

Congratulations McMama, you’ve won! (I’m not sure what I’ve done to get my comments posting in backwards order here, but yours is the 21st that was posted!)  I will be sending your email address to A Journey Through Learning so they can send you your prize!!!

Turtle has been taking ocarina lessons since September. He had his first recital Sunday.

That’s Musician playing guitar with him on the first piece. The second two are Turtle and his instructor playing recorders.

You may be wondering, “what’s an ocarina?” It’s an ancient porcelain flute-like instrument. Here’s what Wikipedia says about them.

This is the one he’s playing in the video:

He also has a smaller, Soprano one in the same color.

We’re so proud of him. I think he did a fantastic job!

1 I am thankful for how big God is. Some of the things I’ve been reading lately remind me that no matter how big or bad or scary or insurmountable they seem, He is soooooo much bigger and can handle it ALL! Actually, he already HAS handled it all!

2 I am thankful for my father. I’ve learned lots from him, from how to use a log splitter, to what kinds of music are the best (oldies! beach music!), to the importance of owning every. tool. in. the. catalog. (because you just DO, that’s why!), to how important it is to keep learning (even if it’s only from TV shows because you can’t read the books anymore because they’re printed too small nowadays). He’s in the hospital right now, and the kids and I are itching for him to get out soon so they (we) can go hang out with him and he can teach the boys more good things, like how chocolate milk comes from chocolate cows.

3  I am thankful for my car. It gets us where we need to go, and it does so in a more fuel-efficient and snazzy way than the old station wagon did. I am thankful that we were able to get it. And next week, I’ll be thankful for how pretty it will look again after the damage it sustained before Christmas is repaired!

Finally made it to Thursday morning for a Thankful Thursday! It only took me three tries! Hooray!

1 I am thankful for how God has protected me spiritually. I can recall two specific times when I was very close to being drawn into cults (once through a book, once through a “Bible Study” that wasn’t), and He protected me by keeping me away from those influences. I shudder to think of how my life would be had I fallen victim to either.

2 I am thankful for my mother. I have learned so many things from her, only a few of which she intentionally tried to teach me. Thinking of how much I “caught” from her as opposed to being “taught” by her reminds me that my children are learning from me in the exact same way.

3  I am thankful for my washing machine. This TED Talk by Hans Rosling explains the “magic” of the washing machine: “you load the laundry, and what do you get out of the machine? You get books out of the machines, children’s books. And mother got time to read for me” (jump to 7:50 to hear him talk about it).  That is why I am thankful for my washing machine.

Being thankful is fun!

Week 2, and I’m already a day behind! Anyhow, here are three more things I’m thankful for:

My (current) plan is to list things I’m thankful for in three categories each week: (1) Who God is and What He has Given Me, (2) Family, and (3) Other Awesome Stuff I’m Thankful For.

1. I am thankful for my God’s grace. He pours it over me so much, I could drown in it. I can’t imagine where I’d be without it.
2. I am thankful for my children. They constantly amaze me. They are growing up way too fast.
3. I am thankful for hospitals. Dad has been there since last Thursday, and hearing about how hospitals work in the Philippines makes me very thankful for the way they are run here.

It’s almost Friday, but I’m going to start my Thankful Thursday list now. Ann Voskamp has asked her readers to join her in counting one thousand gifts of thanks. I don’t know how many I’ll add, but it seems like a good way to start out the new year!

My (current) plan is to list things I’m thankful for in three categories each week: (1) Who God is and What He has Given Me, (2) Family, and (3) Other Awesome Stuff I’m Thankful For.

1. I am thankful for my salvation. I am completely undeserving of it.
2. I am thankful for my husband. He is completely awesome. (More about this in the weeks to come)
3. I am thankful for a warm house when it’s cold outside. Honestly, it’s not nearly as cold here as it is in lots of places, but no matter how cold or un-cold it is here compared to elsewhere, it’s still nice to be able to come inside and be warm and cozy.

I think I’m going to like being thankful for what I have.

Here’s another installment of books that need to leave my house. Again, these are in no particular order. I’m not going to post pictures of everything (there’s too much), but I can send you a picture of something if you’d like one.

I’m more than happy to combine items for postage.

Here’s part one of the list, in case you missed it.

$2 each plus postage:

Singapore Primary Mathematics 3A textbook:
http://www.sonlight.com/3M2US.html

Singapore Primary Mathematics 3A Home Instructor’s Guide:
http://www.sonlight.com/3M2US.html

Ten Kings and the Worlds they Ruled (hardcover):
http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Kings-Worlds-They-Rule/dp/0439312930/ref=sr_1_1s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321412731&sr=1-1

Ten Queens: Portraits of Women of Power (paperback):
http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Queens-Portraits-Women-Power/dp/0525471588/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321412773&sr=1-1

$1 each plus postage:

Flavored with Love: http://www.fwlcookbook.com/

FREE, you pay postage:

Ancient Civilizations and the Bible Volume 1 Book A: http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Civilizations-Bible-1-Book/dp/1930514050

Quick Pick Activities for Critical Thinking Level 1: http://www.mindware.com/p/Quick-Pick-Activities-for-Critical-Thinking-Level-1/38022

The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin: http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Life-Benjamin-Franklin/dp/0439810655/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321413157&sr=1-1

Don’t Know Much About the 50 States: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Know-Much-About-States/dp/0064462277/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321413205&sr=1-1

Printing workbook grade 1: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/printing-grade-1-with-stickers-learning-horizons-staff/1015464320

Cursive workbook grade 2-3 (different color cover): http://www.amazon.com/Cursive-Writing-Grades-Sticker-Workbook/dp/1562939157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321413749&sr=8-1

Backyard Scientist Series One (comb binding): http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Scientist-One-Experiments-Perform/dp/0961866306/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319512047&sr=1-2

Usborne Science with Magnets (paperback, was part of a “Kid Kit,” all I have now is the book, you’ll need to use your own magnets): http://www.amazon.com/Science-Magnets-Activities-Helen-Edom/dp/0746012594/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319512329&sr=1-1

Fabulous Fractions (paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Fractions-Games-Puzzles-Activities/dp/0471369810/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319512401&sr=1-1

Measurement Mania (paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Measurement-Mania-Games-Activities-that/dp/0471369802/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319512462&sr=1-1

The Right Choice – Homeschooling by Christopher J Klicka (1992 version with white cover): http://www.amazon.com/Right-Choice-Incredible-Education-Schooling/dp/0923463836

School-Proof: http://www.home-school.com/catalog/detail.php3?idn=144

Time Out for Mom… Ahhh Moments: http://www.amazon.com/Time-Ahhh-Moments-Little-books/dp/0310235138

Timelines: Explorers – Expeditions & Pioneers (looks kinda like an Usborne book, but you can’t tell from the Amazon pic): http://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Expeditions-Timelines-Fiona-MacDonald/dp/0531157180

National Geographic Student Atlas of the World (2001): http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Student-Atlas-World/dp/0792272218/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322108602&sr=1-2

Meet the Presidents (I have the 2001 edition, this is the 2009 edition): http://books.google.com/books?id=u6ZgNxtTgLMC&pg=PR4&lpg=PR4&dq=meet+the+presidents+barden&source=bl&ots=26su0Lu9ak&sig=zf2SqsI2Xv-Q4bd12_bW6brndnY&hl=en&ei=H7bNTsuVCITLgQfWl4zSDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=meet%20the%20presidents%20barden&f=false

Presidents Time Line: http://books.google.com/books?id=bj3bVPDyVLgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=presidents+time+line&hl=en&ei=orbNTojnC8OtgQeUlK26DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

The Complete Book of Presidents and States (2000 printing, lists GWB as president 2001-?, but at least the states info is complete): http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Presidents-States/dp/1561895474

American History 2 QuickStudy laminated chart (folds to fit in a notebook, I have the 2002 printing, so it looks a little different and is missing the most recent stuff): http://www.barcharts.com/Inventory/Navision/9781423208488

Edupress Rocks & Minerals Photo Activity Cards: http://www.highsmith.com/edupress/searchNav/science%20photo%20activity%20cards/Rocks-Minerals-Photo-Activity-Cards-c_21710524/EP085/

I am cleaning out our bookcases and boxes and shelves and book piles! This is just the tip of the iceberg, I’ve got way more than this that I haven’t typed up yet. I’ll be posting more as I get it sorted and typed up. They are in no particular order. I’m not going to post pictures of everything (there’s too much), but I can send you a picture of something if you’d like one.

I’m more than happy to combine items for postage.
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$30 plus postage:

Spelling Power: http://spellingpower.com/

This includes the book, the Activity Task Cards, and the CD (2004 version) of forms and activities.
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$10 plus postage:

Discovering Earth’s Landforms and Surface Features: http://www.commonsensepress.com/greatscience/product.htm

I removed and created all the mini-books when we studied this, they’re all there.
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$2 each plus postage:

Easy Homeschooling Techinques: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Homeschooling-Techniques-How–Guide/dp/0970996527/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321411605&sr=8-1 (paperback, Amazon also has it in Kindle format)
(pretty good sized preview here)

Easy Homeschooling Companion:
http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Homeschooling-Companion-Exhortation-Encouragement/dp/0970996519/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321411818&sr=1-1 (paperback, Amazon also has it in Kindle format) (preview here)

Fields with God: http://www.amazon.com/Fields-God-Lorraine-Curry/dp/0970996551/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1321411922&sr=8-9

Usborne Timelines of World History: http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Timelines-World-History-Chisholm/dp/0746041039

The Kingfisher Student Atlas: http://www.amazon.com/Kingfisher-Student-Atlas-Philip-Wilkinson/dp/0753455897/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321413056&sr=1-1
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$1 each plus postage:

101 Great Science Experiments (hardcover): http://www.amazon.com/Great-Science-Experiments-Neil-Ardley/dp/0756619181/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319507538&sr=8-1

Janice Van Cleave’s Physics for Every Kid (paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Janice-VanCleaves-Physics-Every-Kid/dp/0471525057/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319507605&sr=1-1

365 More Simple Science Experiments with Everyday Materials (paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Science-Experiments-Everyday-Materials/dp/1579120350/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319507670&sr=1-1

100 Amazing Make-it-Yourself Science Fair Projects (paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Make—Yourself-Science-Projects/dp/0806903678/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319507897&sr=1-1

Janice VanCleave’s 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky and Wonderful Experiments (paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Janice-VanCleaves-Sticky-Wonderful-Experiments/dp/0471331015/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319508098&sr=1-1

Fandex 50 States: http://www.amazon.com/States-Fandex-Family-Field-Guides/dp/0761113991
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FREE, you pay postage:

Bobbsey Twins books (greeen, hardcover “Book of the Month Club” editions):
The Bobbsey Twins
The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore
The Bobbsey Twins in the Country

Beagles: http://www.amazon.com/Beagles-Kw-080-Beverly-Pisano/dp/0793810558/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320197784&sr=1-1

The Birds’ Christmas Carol (1988 printing): http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Christmas-Carol-Douglas-Wiggin/dp/1153781646/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320197000&sr=1-1

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, adapted by Lillian Nordlicht: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-000-Leagues-Under-Sea-adptd-Lillian-Nordlicht-/300503095464

Sidetracked Home Executives: From Pigpen to Paradise: http://www.amazon.com/Sidetracked-Home-Executives-TM-Paradise/dp/0446677671/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320195171&sr=1-1

Little Daisy and the Swearing Class (different cover): http://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/little-daisy-and-the-swearing-class/

Zoli’s Legacy: Inheritance: http://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Zolis-Legacy-Dawn-Watkins/dp/0890845964

The Two Collars: http://www.amazon.com/Two-Collars-Bracken-Trilogy-Book/dp/0890844410/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320196446&sr=1-1

More Help! Another absolutely indispensable guide to life for girls (American Girls): http://www.amazon.com/More-Help-Absolutely-Indispensable-American/dp/1562474812/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320195067&sr=1-6

Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia of Science Special Projects book – it’s actually volume 22 in an encyclopedia set, but it’s the only one I have, has science projects that would go with the entries in the encyclopedia, but you don’t need the other books to do the experiments. Also has a bibliography: http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Science-Special-Projects-Bibliography/dp/B000M0CI1C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320194574&sr=1-1

Alphabet Crafts by Monday Morning Books – just what it says, a book of crafts for every letter of the alphabet. (copyright 1985, Amazon doesn’t have it): http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9780912107325

The Choice Is Yours: Highlighting the Art and Life of Jacob Lawrence (An Art Activity Handbook for Young Artists): http://www.amazon.com/Choice-Yours-Highlighting-Lawrence-Activity/dp/0943044308/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321413838&sr=1-1

Science and Social Studies Fun Flash Cards (Presidents set stops with GWB): http://www.amazon.com/Science-Social-Studies-Flash-Cards/dp/158845567X

US Presidents Pocket Flash Cards (stops with GWB): http://www.amazon.com/US-Presidents-Pocket-Flash-Cards/dp/B000C18QVM/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321412639&sr=1-1-catcorr

Macmillan Instant Activities Program (partial, 1981 edition):
This is the closest thing to a picture I can find:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Macmillan-Instant-Activities-Program-Reading-/370516904067#ht_500wt_1204
The parts I have are Bulletin Boards, Math, and Spelling/Grammar. It’s all reproducible stuff for teachers. I’m not sure what grades it was originally designed for. It’s all 3-hole punched.
The Bulletin Boards section has 112 pages (it says) divided into 4 sections: Borders, Calendar Ideas, Seasons and Holidays, and Skill Builders. The math has (it says) 112 pages ranging from the addition table to division of fractions. Spelling/Grammar has (it says) 112 pages with 3 grammar units (Parts of Speech, Sentence Construction, and Punctuation) and 3 spelling units (Basic Rules, Applied Spelling, and Dictionary Use). I can’t say for sure that all the pages are there, because I don’t feel like going through and checking, but I’m pretty sure that each section is either totally complete or almost, because they’re all about the same size and pretty big.

Part two is here!

Like many people, I like Christmas music. If I didn’t, I would never have survived the summer I worked in a Christmas store (what an adventure that was!). There’s just something about it that is more fun than a lot of other music.

The Dove Award-nominated group FFH has recently released their first ever Christmas album, and it’s a goodie! I received a download copy to review.

One Silent Night is a combination of beautiful new songs like “Glorious Impossible,” “One Silent Night,” and “Birthday of a King,” and long-time favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

However, the song “Baby it’s Cold Outside” has been going through my head more than any of the other songs from this album as kind of some weird mental-joke-on-myself the past two weeks, usually while I’m outside (in shorts and a t-shirt) hanging laundry on the line. I suppose I’m trying to remind myself that Christmas really is coming!

We’ve enjoyed listening to this album for a few weeks now, and I’m sure it’ll keep a good place in our Christmas music rotation for years to come.

You can learn more about FFH and this album here:

• Website: http://ffh.net/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FFHmusic
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/FFHMusic
• iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-silent-night/id474548207

YOU CAN WIN A COPY!!!

If you’d like to win a downloadable copy of this album, post a comment telling what your favorite Christmas song is! A winner will be chosen Friday, December 2 at 10 PM Eastern.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: ”Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

Congratulations, Nikki!

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting – the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

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(During a water balloon fight)

We’ve gotta move away from the house, we’re gonna get the house soaking wet!!

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Yesterday, we went to visit some family in a small town not too far from home. On our way in, we saw a sign that said “Homecoming Parade 5:30.” Sounded good – the kids had never been to a homecoming parade, and it was less than a block from the house.

We went and sat directly across from the announcer’s stand.

This is why I love this town. The mayor is the high school’s athletic director and head football coach. The crowd along the 5-block route probably had as many people as the parade itself. In addition to the school’s Homecoming Queen and her court, the Homecoming Queen from the high school in a nearby town was in the parade too (they weren’t playing each other).

When I was in high school, we were required to take a class in World Geography to graduate. I learned two “geographical” things in that class:

1. South Africa has awesome waves for surfing.
2. We shouldn’t surf in South Africa because of Apartheid (I was in high school in the 80′s).

I have hoped that my children would learn more in the subject than I did. So I was thrilled when Timberdoodle offered me the opportunity to review WonderMaps, a super-neat program for discovering geography from Bright Ideas Press.

WonderMaps is a collection of over 350 customizable maps. All kinds of maps – historical, thematic, political, topographical, you name it, it’s probably in there! Of course there are other map collections out there, but none are like this – you can add or subtract so many different features on these maps – colors, names, locations, boundaries, rivers, and more – it’s incredible!

Where do friends and family live?

I had seen other reviews that said the possible number of maps you could create was “nearly limitless,” and that bothered me a bit (I want to know EXACTLY how many maps I’m getting). So I decided to try to count. I started with the 50 state maps. Each one has seven items (cities, rivers, colors, and so on) that can be viewed or not (turned “on” or “off”). That means that each of those 50 maps could be customized in 128 different ways. That’s 6400 maps right there, and we haven’t finished the US Maps section! Some of the other maps had even more features that could be turned on or off. I decided that “nearly limitless” was a close enough approximation for me. I can create maps based on what we’re studying or where we’ve been.

Also included are all the maps that go along with All American History and The Mystery of History titles. Anyone using either of those curricula would only have to click on the correct title, go to the “how many do I print?” page, and click “Print” to have all the maps needed for the year printed out and ready to go all at once. (You can also print them out one at a time.)

The thematic maps were something fairly new to me. I really like being able to see, for example, which European countries claimed which parts of the New World all in one map, or a color-coded map of “who’s on whose side in this war,” which I can then remove the country names from and have the boys fill in to see if they can remember (heads up, boys, we’ll be studying WWII this year, and I see just such a map in your future!!).

Like this one!

In addition to all the maps, WonderMaps includes two .mp3′s (“Loving Geography” and “Packing a Punch with Timelines and Maps”) and a neat group of other resources including the five themes of geography, sixteen easy mapping projects, fifty ideas for using outline maps, a sample unit using a historical map, and more.

There is a great introductory video to the program here. If you’re interested in an easy way to add maps to your geography studies, WonderMaps is a fantastic tool to have!

As a member of Timberdoodle’s Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of WonderMaps in exchange for a frank and unbiased review. I received no further compensation.

You can see what others think about WonderMaps here.

Today is Elephant Appreciation Day, aka Elephant day!  What a fantastic way to start off (or finish off, or add some fun to) an Elephant unit, or an Animals unit, or a Thursday!

Here are some resources to help get you started celebrating elephants:

Elephant Day Official Home Page

World Wildlife Federation Elephant page

Free Elephant Unit and Lapbook from Homeschool Share

San Diego Zoo Elephant Cam

The Elephant Sanctuary

Elephants at EnchantedLearning.com

Elephant Appreciation Day links from About.com

African Elephant Coloring Page from ABCTeach.com

We’re always looking for new ways to help us teach our children and the children we work with at church. So when I was given the opportunity to review Introducing THEO: Teaching Children God’s Word, I was very excited.

Theo is a little old Englishman who is a student of God’s word. He teaches systematic theology with the help of a “Shoebox Bible Theatre.” Two mice, Luther and Belfry, help demonstrate the concepts Theo discusses. Theo introduces the doctrines of God’s character, the Bible, sin, salvation, and more.

The animation in these videos is second-to-none. The video segments are short and to the point. Michael Joens, the creator, has worked with some big-name cartoons (“Adventures in Odyssey” and “McGee and Me”), and had wanted to produce a cartoon to teach the Word for a long time. He hopes to be able to present the Gospel to children and adults all over the world with his work. The lessons are designed to be used in a variety of settings – Christian schools, Sunday schools, missions, evangelism, anywhere there are people who need to hear about God’s word. The DVDs with lesson plans and parent pages are available at Lifeway Christian Stores.

I showed Princess the sample DVD we received. She thought the cartoon was great, but she did have a couple of questions. The episodes we saw had a lot of “fancy church words” in them (like righteous, salvation, “Lord and Savior,” and a few others) without explaining them. The teacher guides might have help for teachers in doing that, but I didn’t get a copy of that so I can’t say for sure.

Theo’s website also has coloring pages, sample parent guides, and episode clips you can watch.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Two people will win a copy of the new THEO DVD! Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment saying you want to win.
2. Follow Theo on Facebook and leave a comment here saying so.
3. Tell others about Theo on your blog or Facebook and leave a comment here saying so.
4. Leave a comment saying which mouse wears glasses.

Two winners will be selected on September 16 at 6PM Eastern. Make sure I can contact you to let me know you’ve won!

Linking up with Hip Homeschool Moms Giveaway Day!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Congratulations to the winners – Julie and Lori! I’ll be contacting you to get your address!