Extreme Dot to Dot: Around the World Review {Timberdoodle's Customized Curriculum Kit}

D has been using her customized Timberdoodle kit for her 8th grade year.  I want to share with you today one of the fun items included in her math component, Extreme Dot to Dot: Around the World.  If you are not familiar with Dot to Dot books we are huge fans and our family has completed a variety of them.  They are so great for increasing mental focus and we find them fun and relaxing as well.  I am so thankful for the variety and selection that Timberdoodle offers!

 D's book!

 

This particular book is geared for students ages 8+ or 3rd grade and up.  The 32 puzzles range from 400 dots to 2200 dots so the time frame and difficulty vary from puzzle to puzzle.  In this book, you connect the dots to reveal buildings, landscapes and memorable sights from all around the world, hence the name.  I really appreciate that the puzzles do not give away the ending from the beginning, they are a mystery until complete.  And there is a handy dandy key in the back of the book that identifies each puzzle along with fun details and facts.

Above you can see D with her completed Taj Mahal

While I don't want to give away all the featured buildings, landscapes and memorable sights in this book (some mystery is nice), I did want to show you what a few completed puzzles look like so you have an idea of what the book contains.

 

D working on the 2nd dot-to-dot

It's Big Ben!

And remember, these books aren't just for kids!  I have enjoyed them over the years as well (see my review on Dot-to-Dot Philadelphia for proof).  These books are inexpensive, fun and make a great addition to any homeschool curriculum!

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I will be refunded the purchase price of our curriculum kit in exchange for my honest reviews of our kit.  All opinions are my own.

Timberdoodle's 7th Grade Customized Curriculum Kit Unboxing {D's 8th Grade Year}

 

In the last few months I have been school planning like mad preparing for this upcoming school year that is now upon us.  I'm super excited that I was able to customize Timberdoodle's 7th grade curriculum kit to use with D for her 8th grade year!  I love how easy it was to customize the various subjects online when I ordered our kit.

 

Above is Timberdoodle's typical 7th grade Elite kit

 

When I ordered my kit, I just selected the customization feature.  It was great because I could select the kit I wanted to start with (7th grade) for my customization.  I really like that it has options suggested for replacements.

Our Kit

What I kept the same:

 

 

I kept most of the language arts components: Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Red Bundle, Wordsmith Bundle, and Word Roots Level 1.

 

 

I kept the Extreme Dot to Dot: Around the World book for D to use with her math program.

 

I kept most of the Thinking Skills the same: The Basics of Critical Thinking, Diamond Quest, and Laser Chess.  I plan on using The Thinking Toolbox but I took it off my kit order because I already own it so I didn't need to purchase it again!  Everyone likes the looks of Laser Chess!

I kept The Mystery of History Volume 1 for History and Social Studies and Bear Grylls Survival Camp for History and Geography as well.

 

I kept the Art program:  Simply Draw with Bob Parsons, My Year of Art and Succulents Needle Felting Kit.

 

I kept the Mixed By Me - Holographic Thinking Putty Kit and Test Prep: Grade 7 book.

What I changed and why:

• I took out the Mosdos Press Literature as we will be using a different literature program that I already own and D will be taking a World Literature class in our CoOp.

• I took out Math-U-See as we use Teaching Textbooks.

• I kept the Thinking Skills the same except I didn't need to purchase The Thinking Toolbox because I already own it.
  

• I changed the Science program from Science in the Atomic Age to Apologia's Exploring Creation with Physical Science.  D will be using this program in CoOp this year.

• I kept the Art program but I did add the Chinese Brush Painting featured in their 8th grade kit because I think D will really enjoy it.
  

• While I kept Test Prep: Grade 7, I also added Test Prep: Grade 8.  I thought it would be good for D to do both of these.  D would be in 7th grade if she were in public school (her age); however, we have had her a grade up her whole life as she was advanced from the start.  I like the idea of her working through both these books to make sure we cover all the bases.
  

• While I kept The Mystery of History Volume 1, I added the companion guide to have a more complete program.

• I changed the STEM components to Photography 4 Teens and Mini Bricks - The White House because I thought these would suit D's interests more.

And there you have it!  I'm excited about this curriculum.  Stay tuned to hear more about D's journey through 8th grade with more reviews!  And be sure to check out Timberdoodle's 7th Grade curriculum kit for yourself.

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I will be refunded the purchase price of our curriculum kit in exchange for my honest reviews.  All opinions are my own.

YWAM Publishing Christian Heroes Then and Now Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels' Den Review

Disclosure:  I received this complimentary product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW.

YWAM Publishing offered us several choices from their Christian Heroes Then and Now Series of books and we chose to review Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels' Den.  YWAM Publishing also sent us a digital Study Guide to go along with our book.  Our paperback book contains 15 chapters (~ 200 pages) and is recommended for ages 10+.

 

The Christian Heroes Then and Now biography series brings to life remarkable true stories of fascinating men and women who trusted in God and accomplished amazing feats for His glory!  This series covers Christian Heroes from 1700-1960.  I love reading about the powerful lives of missionaries who have shaped history and it shows us time and time again how God can use anyone who follows Him.

 

The older kids are reading this book on their own while the younger kids and I are discussing it and working our way through it.

 

If you don't know much about Corrie ten Boom, she was a Dutch watchmaker who (with her family) helped many Jewish people during the Holocaust.  Her family was caught and she was imprisoned in a concentration camp.  This books shows her faith, determination and even her forgiveness in the unimaginable of situations.

Our study guide contains guides for using this book in small groups, classroom and homeschool environments.

I want you to know that this study guide is chock-full of ideas for using this book in various curriculum areas including history, geography, essay writing, creative writing, reading comprehension, public speaking, drama, and art.  The hands-on project ideas are super fun!  I also appreciate that the guide reflects a wide range of learning styles.

One of the ideas suggested in the guide is to create a display corner of objects and items related to or representative of Corrie ten Boom and her life and the time she lived.  We have done this for other Heroes of History books and it's always fun.  The guide gives ideas and suggestions on things you might want to include.  You can see the one that the kids and I have been working on below.

 

Our Corrie ten Boom Display Corner

 

We have some library books on the Netherlands and the Holocaust.  I found some fun Dutch food at World Market that the kids have enjoyed trying.  We have a picture of the inside of a watch and on the wall you can see various Star of David badges that Jews were made to wear to separate them from others.

I like the worksheets included - fact sheet for the Netherlands as well as a few maps.

There are currently 50 biographies in the Christian Heroes Then and Now Complete set including Nate Saint, Cameron Townsend, and Hudson Taylor.  I'm super interested in reading their book about C.S. Lewis, hopefully soon!  YWAM books do not disappoint!  My family enjoys them and we highly recommend them.

Want to know more?  Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read even more reviews of YWAM Publishing.

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YWAM Publishing Heroes of History Milton Hershey: More Than Chocolate Review

Disclosure:  I received this complimentary product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW.

YWAM Publishing offered us several choices from their Heroes of History series of books and we chose to review Heroes of History Milton Hershey: More Than Chocolate.  YWAM Publishing also sent us a digital Study Guide to go along with our book. 

The Heroes of History biography series brings to life remarkable true stories of fascinating men and women who shaped and changed the course of history!  You may remember our review of YWAM Publishing Heroes of History - Alan Shepard or our review of YWAM Publishing Heroes of History - Ben Carson.

If you don't know much about Milton Hershey, he was born in 1857 to a hard working mother and wandering father.  Even at a young age, he was able to discern the different work ethic between the two of his parents.  He was often compared to his father, especially when faced with failure.  When his now famous Hershey bar debuted in 1905 not many people knew of the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that Milton had endured.  Milton never lost hope and showed true grit and perseverance.  Learning as he went along, Milton spent a lifetime creating and crafting sweet things to eat.  As his company grew, Milton's heart for others really showed!  He used his wealth and success to found a town for his Hershey workers.  He also founded a school for children in need.  I would highly recommend this book if you are wanting to learn more about Milton Hershey.

The Milton Hershey study guide contains guides for using this book in small groups, classroom and homeschool environments.

I want you to know that this study guide is chock-full of ideas for using this book in various curriculum areas including history, geography, essay writing, creative writing, reading comprehension, public speaking, drama, and art.  The hands-on project ideas are super fun!  I also appreciate that the guide reflects a wide range of learning styles.

One of the ideas suggested in the guide is to create a display corner of objects and items related to or representative of Milton Hershey and his life.  We have done this for other Heroes of History books and it's always fun.  The guide gives ideas and suggestions on things you might want to include.  You can see the one that the kids and I have been working on below.

 

Milton Hershey Display Corner

We have several books from the library on Pennsylvania, chocolate, candy and even one on Henry Ford.  We have a photo of the flag of Pennsylvania as well as photos of what the town of Hershey, PA looked like at the beginning of its founding and today.  And of course, we have candy!

And one of the hands-on project ideas is to make your own chocolate or caramels.  The kids enjoyed watching a video on the chocolate making process.

 

Watching how chocolate is made.  This activity is now on our list of things to do soon, probably this summer.

 

We also talked about different candies and had to try them too 😉.  Above are the caramels.

 

And salt water taffy

 

And of course some Hershey options!

 

I also like the worksheets included - fact sheet for Milton Hershey, timeline of the important events from history and Milton's life as well as a few maps.

There are currently 29 biographies in the Heroes of History Complete set including Billy Graham, Clara Barton, and Orville Wright.  I'm super interested in reading their book about Billy Graham or Laura Ingalls Wilder next.

Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read even more reviews of YWAM Publishing.

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Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership from SchoolhouseTeachers.com 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.  This post contains affiliate links.}

We are loving the variety of Elementary Homeschool Courses, Middle School Homeschool Courses and High School Homeschool Courses available with our Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership from SchoolhouseTeachers.com.  This is not our first time to review our membership but for those that don't know, this is an online membership that includes downloadable, printable elements as well as online classes and video components!  There is a lot to choose from and this site is an amazing resource.  I really appreciate that SchoolhouseTeachers offers a full curriculum for every grade starting with preschool all the way through high school, including electives.  I think it is important to note that every course is designed with a Christian worldview, which is great for us!  With our Ultimate membership, we have access to all the site's content which works well for large families like ours.  I really appreciate that we can customize classes and courses for each of our children as we desire.  While SchoolhouseTeachers can be used a a primary curriculum, we mainly use it to supplement as needed in our own homeschool.

 

Video Library

I definitely want to mention the video library.  With our membership we have access to hundreds of streaming videos that span multiple academic areas along with entertainment, marriage, parenting, Bible study, music and so much more!

Some of these videos of parts of the courses that SchoolhouseTeachers offers.  The video library rounds up all the videos in one convenient location so that you can watch them for fun as well.  I really like the looks of the Digital Art and Product Design for Small Business video.

 

Literacy Center

The Literacy Center is another fabulous resource.  It is designed to help you figure out where to begin reading instruction with your student.  Are they are pre-reader, emerging reader, early reader, growing reader, or fluent reader.  It also has a section on comprehension skills which are essential skills to have in order to understand passage content.  And if you can't get to a library, you will find downloadable books to enjoy.

 

 

D has been using SchoolhouseTeachers for her Science program this year.  She is taking the course Exploring God's World with Sixth Grade Science Lessons by Deana Pittman.

 

 This course is divided into 36 lessons within multiple units.

D has been learning about life science, plants, animals, anatomy, Earth science and more.  I made a folder for her with her syllabus, schedule, and class materials that I printed out and she has a corresponding science notebook as well.

 

D with her science folder.

 

This class uses a lot of online resources such as World Book.  She is enjoying the course and I look forward to hearing her thoughts when she completes it.

Want to know more?  Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read even more reviews of SchoolhouseTeachers.  I hope that you will see just how valuable this tool can be for your own homeschooling needs.

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