Farmland Math: Town & Farm Edition Review

I have a fun preschool math program to share with you today from Timberdoodle, Farmland Math (Town & Farm Edition).

What's included in this Bundle?  Our bundle includes a reversible table-top friendly mat, 72 soft rubber vehicle counters, 72 soft rubber barnyard buddy counters and a handbook with a plethora of math activities for your preschooler.  The counters have six different shapes, six different colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple) and two sizes.

 

The barnyard buddy animal counters include horses, ducks, pigs, cows, sheep and bunnies.

Above you can see the different colors and sizes of pigs.

 

The vehicle counters include tugboats, trains, cars, airplanes, buses, and fire engines.

I really like that the mat is durable, foldable and wipes clean easily.  On one side of the mat is a farm scene on which you can use the barnyard counters, while the reversible side is a town scene on which you can use the vehicle counters.

Farmland Math includes 36 weeks of math activities for preschoolers.  It covers various topics including counting from 1-5, colors, patterns, more/fewer, numerals, shapes, logic, comparing, halves, and more!  The math concepts build on each other to help children not forget as they go along.  I have been using this program with G.  I feel like he is really past this in his math ability when looking at the topics above; however, he really enjoys it.  It doesn't take long and it is great at reinforcing early math concepts and solidifying the material.  It really is fun extra practice for him and he absolutely loves the counters.  He enjoys holding them and they are excellent free play items.  Gotta love hands-on resources.  I love watching the younger boys use them in imaginative play and see what they come up with, so fun!

 

Directions for Week 12

Each week has a focused topic and includes both a farm activity and town activity.  You can see above that week 12 is focusing on counting and comparing.  You will also discuss left, right, top and bottom.

Above you can see G following my instructions for the Week 12 Farm Activity.

 

 You can see from above that in week 35, the farm activity involves understanding halves.

And here is G's finished activity after he divided all of the animals between Liam and Annie.

Farmland Math is currently included in Timberdoodle's Preschool curriculum kit.  If you are looking for a fun hands-on math program for your preschooler, this is definitely worth checking out!

 

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received Farmland Math in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Soccer Has Begun {Go Thunder & Pirates}

 

G right before his game.

F and G had their first soccer games last weekend.  F is on Team Thunder again this year, which is so awesome!  This is G's first time to play soccer and he is on the Pirates.  Both of them have bright orange uniforms, which is kind of fun that they match.

 

F right after his game.

G was so excited because he scored 4 goals ⚽.  Enjoy the short video montage I made of G (since it was his first ever game!).  And yes, I'm loud (sorry not sorry).

Exploring Creation with Biology 3rd Edition Book Set Review

Today I want to share with you Apologia's Exploring Creation with Biology 2 book set, 3rd Edition from Timberdoodle.

B used the 2nd edition for Biology last year and C just started using this 3rd edition for Biology this year (at our CoOp).  He is the first one in our family to use this edition!

What's included in this set?  This set includes the Softcover Textbook, the Solutions & Test Manual as well as a consumable Test Packet.  While I generally prefer the hardcover books I do appreciate that Apologia is purposefully trying to keep the cost down on their products; thus, printing a new version in softcover.

This is designed to be a college-prep Biology course and is written specifically for homeschoolers with a Christian worldview (as are all Apologia Science courses).  This course has 16 modules and topics include the science of life, the chemistry of life, ecology, cell structure and function, cellular energy, DNA/Proteins/Cell Cycle, genetics, evolution, prokaryotes and viruses, protists and fungi, plant diversity and reproduction, plant structure and function, and animals: invertebrates and chordates.  You can see that's a lot of material!  It takes ~ 34 weeks to complete.  I appreciate that students are given "on your own questions" within each module to help them check their comprehension and understanding of the material.  The answer to these questions can be found in their book at the end of that particular module.

 

I love that there are some full color illustrations and other illustrations sprinkled throughout the textbook.

There are detailed experiments beginning with an introduction to the microscope.  There are anywhere from 1-5 experiments per module.  Module 8 is the exception with 0 on the topic of Evolution.

The Solutions and Tests booklet is fabulous.

 

I love that it is now organized by modules!

For each module you will find the answers to the study guide, the test, and then the solutions for that test.  It is super organized and makes grading super easy.

I love that you can order the corresponding dissection kit for ultimate convenience.  C will be doing the dissections at our weekly CoOp but I know from experience that dissection kits are super great to have, especially when doing them in your home (like I did with A and B).  While we don't have it, there is a also a companion cd that you can use along with the textbook that is great for auditory learners.  You can also purchase a student notebook and extra test packets.  If you are looking for a high school biology class, we would definitely recommend checking out Apologia.

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received this book set at a discount in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Lots of Prizes at the Arcade

When you go to an arcade with B! She is uncanny with grabber machines 😉. We had a fabulous and much needed family staycation!  Stay tuned for lots of pictures (when I get them downloaded).

Show Me The Father Movie Review & Fandango Giveaway

Remember my post telling you about the upcoming movie, Show Me The Father?  It's the Kendrick Brothers' first documentary and it's full of true stories pointing toward the father heart of God.

I had the privilege of attending a Zoom call a few weeks ago with the Kendrick brothers and it was so fun!  You can see me in the top left corner and you can see the brothers, Stephen and Alex, in the second row middle column.  I really enjoyed hearing from them about how the movie came to being and some of their process in making it.  I so appreciate them taking the time to meet with all of us that were on the call.

David and I were so blessed to watch a prescreening of Show Me The Father together.  I really enjoyed following the different story lines in this film and seeing how each of them played out.  I think there is a reason why so many movies are based on true stories.  It's so great to see 5 true stories in this film.  I know from my Zoom call that the Kendrick Brothers had to narrow it down (they had lots of great stories to share) and I think they choose great ones to include.  I feel pretty confident that one of them (or two, or three) will give you goosebumps.  And while I definitely do not want to spoil anything, I will say that you might be surprised at a few of the twists and turns that happen.  As Chris Tomlin so eloquently put, God is a "good good father" and I think this new documentary helps highlight that for sure.

I want to share the trailer for this movie with you again below.  Keep reading after you watch it for a little giveaway.

Ready for a giveaway?  One of you will win 2 free tickets to see Show Me The Father this opening weekend via Fandango 🙂.  Show Me The Father hits theaters September 10th and you won't want to miss it!  Just enter below and good luck!  This giveaway is limited to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclosure:  Many thanks to Sony Pictures for providing this product and product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I was able to see the movie myself and I will also receive 2 tickets in exchange for this review.

Sunflower Fun

 

 

I love the sunflowers the girls received today from a sweet boy that they babysit.  Sunflowers always make me smile 🌻 😊.

And a close up!

ACT Mom Online Class from ACT Mom Review

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

Did you know that ACT Mom offers test prep with the ACT Mom Online Class?  With more and more colleges accepting the ACT, this is a great way to prepare your high school students for this test.  And now that I have three high schoolers this year, I was super excited to review this course.

 

 

What is the ACT Mom Online Class?  This online, self-paced class is ~ 13 hours in length and helps students learn the ins and outs of the ACT.  It includes materials, streaming videos and practice questions.  Students can watch the videos over and over again as needed.  The goal of this class is to improve a students ACT score; thus, earning college scholarships!  While I feel a little late using this with A (12th grade), I still see benefit.  And I feel great with the timing for B (10th grade) and C (9th grade).

 

The ACT Mom Online Class is divided into four sections - Math, Science, Reading and English. 

 

Our Binder

After signing up for this course, a binder will be sent to your student in the mail.  I love this!  Organization is a big concept discussed and this really helps students start out with it.

Binder contents

Our binder includes graphing paper, pencil pouch with dry erase marker and sticky notes, and ACT practice tests in sheet protectors.  This is everything students will need to begin their class.  Students will be taking these practice tests using their dry erase marker multiple times.  They will learn to use the sticky notes to break down concepts and see patterns to questions that they miss.  I think it is a simple yet very effective strategy.  I also want to note that you can download the materials that are shipped as well.

 

As previously mentioned there are four sections - Math, Science, Reading and English (you can see them above).

 

 

Each subject is divided into multiple sessions with lecture videos, quizzes and additional resources.  Above you can see into the Math section.  Students are expected to take notes from the white board.

 

As you progress through the course, your progress bar will increase.

Remember, this is self-paced so how quickly your student finishes depends on how much time they spend on it in a day/week/etc.  I really love that the instructor (the ACT Mom) encourages each student to understand why they want to take this test or improve their score before they begin - is it to get a scholarship?  Something else?  The ACT Mom is very down to Earth and relatable and her videos are engaging and will keep students interested.  If you currently have high schoolers or will soon, we would definitely recommend the ACT Mom Online Class.

Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of ACT Mom.

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