Review on iShine Bible NLT

This bible is for the Tween age and its very appealing to the eye(I think very pretty)! This bible is the New Living Translation of the Bible, makes it very easy to read and understand. I compared several verses to make myself aware if this bible was fit for my children - after review yes it is! It just helps not to get confused by the words, you still get the whole understanding even in this translation.

 

 

Full-color pages inside focus on one of the central themes of iShine: V.I.P. –Value, Identity, and Purpose. Tweens will see how they are valued by God, how their identity is found in Jesus, and the purpose that they have because of this. The iShine Bible answers questions relating to many of the issues that tweens face with a tween-friendly index. It also features articles on having a relationship with Jesus and growing in faith.

This bible will be released in February 2011! The retail price is $19.99 and the size is a great handheld size 4 1/8 x 6 1/8. I love the leather binding, very pretty and will be very durable. The isbn# of this book is 978-1-4143-4814-8 - this is the boy edition. They also have an iShine for girls. 

iShine is a tween brand that combines music (CD, and the iShine Live touring event), TV (iShine Connect Available on DVD through Provident/Sony), a web community (http://www.ishinelive.com/), and other media, including DVDs of the iShine Live concerts and “Sermonettes” by one of the hosts of the TV and concert tour, Paige Armstrong.

 

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

Small & Simple Challenge Week 8

This week wasn't as hard as the others. I done very good with eating healthy foods and lots of water. I didn't even make a mistake at night! I do however have to say I am still struggling big time with exercises! I don't think it would be that hard of a problem if I didn't work from home the way I do, I think honestly that's what is holding me back. The 6 hours I work everyday in front of my computer I could be up and doing things with the kids more but its just not how my life operates right now with Kevin in school full time. I am not going to give up on exercising just yet... I am going to try to start going to the local track again. In the Spring and Summer last year my husband and I went almost daily, we would walk 2 miles and then go play tennis... This is something the kids loved!!!!!! I have to admit so did I. I can't wait for the weather to change, I think that has a ton to do with it too. All the snow makes it hard to go outside and I can't exercise inside, Ive tried the last several weeks and just can't do it. Spring hurry up!!!!!

Go on over and lets see how Tristan and the other girls done this week! Girls I have faith in ya!! Let's bring on some healthy changes!!

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Don't forget our wonderful blog hop today:

Weekly Wrap Up Week 20

Our week was wonderful! This week was once again full of snow and I can't wait for spring!! Glad my printer is fixed and going!! Makes the week go so much better when I am able to print the items that I need for the babes!! Kevin wasn't out of town this week which was a great surprise - it comforts me when he is close to home! Next week however is the week I need your prayers, he will be gone for school tons and also starts working at the hospital!  New hamster is doing wonderful, spoiled already!!

Sorry for the late post, I normally post on Friday however I wasn't feeling all that wonderful yesterday and just spent time with my babies! This weekend Kyle has 2 basketball games, hopefully they will win and rank 1st in the playoffs!! Church Sunday and just a lazy weekend other than those activities! Its warm today in the 49/50 range and the kids are loving the outside playin' time!

Kyle ~ This week we had a small melt down because I changed him from Easy Grammar 5/6 down to 3/4 and I did so the first of the year just to make sure he was getting all the review items he needed. However he figured it out this week and was very upset with me. So this is what we decided. 1) Doesn't matter grade level 2) we are going to discontinue at this time using Easy Grammar, We are going to focus on writing and things in a different approach. He is loving his Lewis & Clark study we found a wonderful movie on the Lewis & Clark expedition that he is watching this weekend!

Lexi ~ This week Lexi done wonderful! We worked a little more on writing this week than normal. She loves to write but the formation of it is well horrible, so we worked on sentences and this helped a lot this week!! She also had tons of time for Kayle our neighbor because with all the snow this week they didn't have to go to public school and they love coming to my house! They are great friends and as you can see they enjoy playing babies! Lexi is doing good with math after a long review a few weeks ago!

Zachary ~ He feels better this week!!!! Finally better! He had fun with his letter of the week M for M&M or Monkey!! He enjoyed the patterns that he could make with them too! Zachary has made huge progress this week with recognizing his numbers! I made flash cards from 0 - 100 and he has really worked hard this week on knowing them! He knows how to count to them but not pick them out or so to say "read" them. I am very proud of his hard work this week.

This week we met with our friend Gina out our home, same as last week. This week was her turn to teach and she did wonderfully! Last week I taught about Chickens,  This week she picked Bears. We learned a lot of neat facts that I never even knew! We all learned a ton!! My turn this week again however I am going to break the cycle of animals! Hope they don't get angry! 

♥ Hope you all had a wonderful week learning ♥

Sue Patricks Workbox System & Me

Since the TOS Expo last year I have wanted to weigh in on a few things so first… I looked so forward to learning about Sue Patricks Workbox System because I had heard a little about it and thought, well I need to know more, and I was so right, I LOVE IT….. She is one of the smartest women I know!! LOL, this is going to be perfect for my children, I already have the items bought and just have to implement this system this school year…… GOING TO BE WONDERFUL, I already have the kids all excited and I think they understand it so much clearer…. I am going to be posting more on this and what we do with the workboxes and whats inside them, and so forth, when school starts!! After the Expo I purchased her book from her site, and it was money very well spent, If you would like to maximize your current curriculum you need to read her book, Its $19.00 or I bought the TOS Special and got extras…. Here is what her site says and again I love it… Look for more info to come on her system!!!

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Update 1/26/11: That post was at the beginning of our school year. So lets see if this is still so wonderful half way threw........ YES!! This system helps me stay focused as well as the kids. The system is helping us stay on task on every subject and I couldn't be happier with our progress! The children don't really understand my reasons behind this system but they enjoy the way they see the work that needs to be completed. They help my homeschool be all it can truly be! I prayed so hard for God to send me something to help me out on work load and my sanity! He did just that, The workboxes have been a blessing to me. I share with all I meet! I am including some pics of our workbox system at the end.

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Sue Patrick’s Workbox SystemSM

An effective teaching system to reduce your organizational time and increase your child’s self-control, independence and learning. Specialized for: Autism, ADD ADHD, and Large Home School Families

This system will compliment your existing curriculum!

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System has two very important components. The first component teaches you how to optimize the benefits of homeschooling. One of the reasons we home school is to provide the best teaching and learning environment for our children. I will show you how to present your child’s work with purpose and fun, and allow you to be more systematic with appropriate materials. I will explain how to make your current curriculum and work “make sense” to your child. Often a child’s ability to succeed simply depends on having the material presented in smaller pieces that are especially tailored to him. Also, presenting his material throughout the day with variety and enhanced teaching “angles” will make sure he truly learns. While this is great for all children, I can address teaching low functioning children as well as gifted and distractible ones.

The second component is the physical structure of Sue Patrick’s Workbox System(sm) which will allow you to teach your child more effectively, and at the same time help you to better organize your school day. Children using this system stay more focused and are more successful in learning and completing their school work independently. With as little as one day’s work in restructuring your classroom, you will provide better organization for you and your child. It will then be easier to set up a school day of curriculum, variety and fun, while steering your child toward independence and greater focus.

Here are some pics with our workboxes, You may notice the tags are different - that's because I change them out depending on holidays! Makes it fun!

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Blog Hops for Thursday

       

Small and Simple Changes Week 7

So week 7... This week I done half and half --- if that's possible! I done well on eating great and drank lots of water and very little soda!! I however didn't exercise any this week :( sorry but I am just saying!! I have to report the good, bad and ugly!! That's gonna be the one thing that holds me back! I can't find time, I am to tired once I do find time or the kids need me for something or I want some quite time.... I could go on and on here. I am really having a hard time with this!! Kevin told me he would sign me up for Curves if I would go, I am thinking that might be a good idea, however here are my thoughts. I takes money away from family, time away from family, BUT I do think I would be more motivated to go, the kids could go with me I called and spoke to the lady. So I am left with that decision over the next few weeks. Pray for me to make the right decision.

Go on over to Our Busy Homeschool and check on Tristan! She is the wonderful lady that started this challenge! She had a hard week so please go give her some love!

Wordless Wednesday Week 20

I love Lexi's face!

Our new addition to the family came home with us Friday, poor little Lightin' will be missed but our new friend for Lexi will be loved so much! Her name is Pudge. She has settled right in already loves Lexi to death, she just reaches right in the cage and Pudge will craw up in her palm! Animals know when they are loved!

Don't Forget These Wonderful Blog Hops!! 

  

Freebies!!! Only 8 more days!!

Their are 2 wonderful freebies for the month of January but they do end in a week so HURRY and take advantage of them!! They are HUGE money savers!!

Deal #1)
     All Home Schoolers Granted One Year Free Access To Library Of 900 Interactive Children's Books For Ages 2-13

     Houston , Texas - January 10, 2011 - "We saw a story about a company called Tom's Shoes where for every pair of shoes purchased they give away a pair to a child in need. We thought that was a pretty great idea so we decided to give away free subscriptions to our entire catalog of books to home schoolers across the country with the hope that they will see why thousands of teachers subscribe to our theory that learning to read should be fun," says president Cliff Dew.
     All home schoolers are being given a one year free subscription to their catalog of 900 animated books, lesson plans, quizzes, story songs, games and puzzles that inspire early childhood literacy for ages 2-13 free of charge now through 12/31/2011.
It¹s an award winning safe and secure “Kid's Friendly” website that helps kids discover the joys of learning to read. MightyBookjr.com is ideal for English as a Second Language and English Immersion. There's even a whole library of books for kids with special needs.
     Simply log on to their home page at
http://www.facebook.com/l/aff7a0cE2KUON0Wv0Vz0g22yHxQ;www.mightybookjr.com
and click on, "SUBSCRIBE NOW" and use this as your COUPON CODE: learntoread (lower case letters)

Deal #2)     
     During the month of January, the Funnix Reading Program will be FREE--no strings, no hidden costs. The Funnix sequence teaches 2 years worth of reading skills and is regularly priced at $249.
     The program is designed by the world's most successful creator of instructional materials, Siegfried (Zig) Engelmann, a maverick professor of Education who has authored many books, including Give Your Child a Superior Mind, and highly successful reading programs like Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.
     Engelmann says of Funnix,"Teaching the lessons requires a lot less effort, and the lessons are more entertaining. Also, the program consists of 220 daily lessons, so it takes kids farther than most beginning-reading programs-- from being non readers to reading on the third-grade level."
     The free version of Funnix is electronic. You download the entire package of 220 lessons and other material onto your computer, and you have everything you need to teach the program. The steps of what you do and how you do it are spelled out in Teacher’s Guide, which you review before presenting the program. Workbook and textbook activities accompany the lessons. You print these.
     When you teach Funnix, you and you child sit next to each other and watch the computer screen. A narrator presents a series fast-paced exercises in each 30-minute lesson. The narrator asks questions, and your child responds--out loud. Your job is to reinforce correct responses and correct any mistakes by following simple rules for "navigating" through the material.
     In schools, the program works the same way, except that there's usually a small group of children being taught, and the person who leads the group is a teacher or an aide.
     The program has been very successful with a large range of children from ages 4 through 7 who enter the program knowing nothing about reading, including children who have been written off by schools.
     What is Zig Engelmann's reason for providing this amazing give-away? He indicated, "We've been trying for years to do things that make schools successful, particularly with young kids and lower performers. We figured that we're in a position to offer schools and parents a stimulus package that could be worth a lot for every kid who otherwise would not be accelerated or who would be a reading failure. Why not make the electronic package available to anybody who needs it? It doesn't cost us much to do it, and it could help in a small way to counteract the effects of bankrupt schools and dismal times."
 http://www.funnix.com/

I have downloaded both and my children and I are enjoying both of these wonderful free deals!!! Hurry it ends the end of January!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Don't forget Blog Hop Tuesday!!!
   

Week 20

This week we will be trying to stay on pace! Last 2 weeks have been a little hard but this is the first time all year that we have struggles so I am actually alright with it. Homeschooling is hard! It's not an easy task that us mothers take on. Pray for me this week & I for you! This week I did get my printer fixed!! WOOHOO, a homeschool mother without a printer is like a bee without a hive! Kyle done wonderful on his ball games over the weekend his team is 5/6. Over the weekend we found some wonderful pen pals!! Very excited about this. Kyle has therapy this week for CAPD, which is going wonderful, we have been going for almost 8 months and I do see some improvements however there is still much to learn about this and much to heal. Alexis hopefully will have Gymnastics if it doesn't snow/ice this week, this would be week 4 of no gymnastics due to bad weather.We have 4 more weeks until break for our 2 weeks off school. Kevin will be gone a lot this week as well, so I pray that I will be strong and have no melt downs because the children and I miss him greatly when he is gone. Although its doing us some good for him to once again be away. However its been 2 years he has been home and going back to school and work this week will be a challenge for him and us as well. I pray that he will keep up his great grades in school with once again having a job. When he started to school a little over 2 years ago it was hard but soon after lost his job so he has drew unemployment benefits until next week, so of course he had to go back to work, he has found something so I am thankful! This weekend was also Zac's Birthday Party, we had a blast. He enjoyed all his presents and quality time with friends and family. He is also finally feeling some better from that nasty cold he has had.

Together:
Space Unit Study/Lapbook
Writing ~ This week we will be writing to our Pen pals one day, then normal writing prompts for the other 4 days.
1) January is National Soup Month, what is your favorite soup and why?
2)What summer sport would be fun to play in the winter? How would it change?
3)Some Animals fur changes in the winter to white so they can become camouflage in the snow. If you could hide yourself, where would you hide and why?
4)Plan a menu for a winter picnic.

Draw Write Now ~ Rabbit (finished book one)
History Stories
Read Aloud is still ~ Mr.Poppers Penguins
Tuesday if no bad weather, Its our friends turn to host our study together.

Kyle
Day 3 of DNG Lewis & Clark
MUS 25 f & T, 26 a b c d e f & T
Verb Review & Test
AAS Level 2 ~ 21, 22 & 23
MOH ~ Lessons 26 & 27 then quarter review!
Kyle completed Sacajawea over the weekend. Will start another book for Lewis & Clark for independent reading.
Working on cursive.

Lexi
MUS 22F & T, 23 A B C D E F
Synonyms
Reading Comprehension
Writing Sentences
Main Ideas
ABC Order
AAS Level 2 ~ 15, 16 & 17 (along with reader)
Different independent reading daily.

Zac
Letter of the week is Mm
Color of the week is Yellow
Number of the week is 18
Shape of the week is Rectangle
Working on numbers from 0 - 100
AAS Level 1 ~ Step 1
Working on Sounds (has beginning sounds ws)
Rhyming

** Remember all the items we have go into our wonderful workbox system! We love this system with all our hearts, if you don't know much about it please visit Sue Patricks Workbox System website or look for my post this week on the subject! **

Weekly Wrap Up Week 19

This week didn't go that well to be totally honest with ya! My printer messed up and researching which one to buy, so I couldn't print off all the things I needed to so we didn't complete the Curious George Lapbook and I was upset because I didn't get alot of Kyle's grammar/english scanned off before it went down! However it was still a blessed week! I am thankful for my babies and the ability to homeschool once again. I did survive Kevin being out of town this week on his clinicals dates, I didn't like it and neither did the kids but we handled it ;) The first day Kev was gone our last hamster died. This one was Kyle's and it was a sad day for little Lightin'. The animals in our family are very loved no matter what they are for! Pet or food it doesn't matter - we love our animals and it was so sad to see him go. This weekend we have 2 ball games for Kyle. Zac's birthday party on Saturday and Church on Sunday.

Kyle ~ This week Kyle struggled with math a little, however I think we got it fixed today! Just some missing steps and you can always make mistakes! Just needed more practice I think. He is still loving his Lewis and Clark study, he is taking his time and he is reading some wonderful books. I am not going to rush even thought I am so inclined to make him!

Lexi ~ She done wonderful on her work this week. I see her writing appearance slowly becoming more neat and I have a waited this day! She is doing a lot better at her sentences with punctuation and capitalization. She has read again this week like normal -- every minute she is awake! I love having her around the house! She has carried her Pinkie(rabbit) around all week with her doing everything she does! Its so cute. She really helped so much with chores this week I just have to brag!

Zac ~ He has been a little under the weather this week, so he hasn't been his normal happy self. He has been a good boy and that's all I ask from them all. He has had some trouble with Rr this week so we may have to come back to this letter in a few weeks or so, we will see but its not going on his Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree which is not setting good on him! I think he is getting the hang of counting by 5's finally so we will still be practicing this task. We are also going to work on number recognition a lot next week up to 100. This may take a few weeks but its something I need him to work on.

Food Groups Mini Study

During week 18 we had a mini unit study on food groups/food pyramid however you would like to classify it. This study was one that I put together myself. I used several different resources such as enchanted learning, homeschool share and a health website. I went threw several book list and searched at the library for books to go with our theme. Our favorite book was Showdown at the Food Pyramid! It was so cute, funny and keeps the kids attention. If you haven't read this book it would be great read!

Here are the books we read that week:

We also used our collection of Melissa & Doug foods to sort threw which food belonged to what group.

I found a file folder game at freefilefolders.com that was about the food groups and we played with it, not as a file folder game but as a sorting/classifying game together. I gave each of them cards and then I would allow them to lay 3 down at a time in the right food group. They had a lot of fun with this!

They also completed a Food Group Book from Enchanted Learning.

Today is Thursday!!! Go on over to some of these wonderful blog hops!!