As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I was sent Classical Academic Press God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1: A Bible Course for Children to review.

From the Classical Academic Press website:

Teaching the Bible to young children can be a large task, and is often divided up into many small stories. However, if you would like to teach your students the truly big picture of the Bible, and show them how God has been at work in his people since before creation, you will find God’s Great Covenant to be a unique, surprising, and excellent Bible curriculum. The Bible, taught chronologically, by means of simple and direct stories, chants, and meditation on God’s character define God’s Great Covenant. Even many adults find themselves learning new facts, making surprising connections, and being blessed by reminder of God’s faithfulness, and how he always keeps his promises. Taught from a covenantal and reformed theological perspective, and rooted in Scripture, you will find this series to be a blessing to your classroom or family.

 

From the Classical Academic Press website:

In God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1: A Bible Course for Children, students will follow the story of Jesus, the Messiah and King, as He is born and fulfills all God’s promises. But Jesus does not arrive as people expected. The people were looking for a mighty warrior to deliver them from the oppressive Roman government. Instead, He came as the suffering Savior, who would die as the sacrifice for sin and death. He was building a kingdom that was not of this world—it was the kingdom of God. He is the Son of Man, God’s Servant, the Messiah, and the Son of God. Each of the four units in this text emphasizes one of these names of Jesus. God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1 teaches the Gospels to students in fourth grade and up, using stories, worksheets, memory verses, devotional guides, quizzes, and a little boy named Simon. In the introductions to the text, students will also learn about the historical, cultural, and geographical setting of the New Testament. This book is a most comprehensive and heartfelt study of the Gospels, and many parents and teachers will find themselves learning along with their students.

The God’s Great Covenant Student Book, pictured above, has everything the student needs. The lessons to read, as well as maps and worksheets. The text is intended to be written in by the student. No permission is given to copy the worksheets. That is the only thing that I didn’t like about this book. I think the $26.95 price is high for a consumable book. I think for that price, the work sheets should be reproducible. I have multiple students, though. You may have only one or two students and think the price works well with your budget.

Here is a sample worksheet:

You can view more samples of the God’s Great Covenant Student text.

God’s Great Covenant is divided into 36 weekly chapters. Each chapter contains a weekly memory verse, a key facts chart, a worksheet, and a quiz. Each lesson also has a “Think About It” question to encourage the student to consider how to relate to God in their own lives.

God’s Great Covenant is written for fourth grade and above. I’ve been using it with my 5th grade, 11 year old son.  He really likes the little boy, Simon. I think having this boy included helps the students to relate to the lessons better. This is not a book of Bible stories, though. I’m finding God’s Great Covenant to be a well-written, in depth Bible curriculum for this age group.

There is also an Audio File available with the lessons read aloud. My son prefers me to do the reading aloud for him, however, it sure would come in handy. Especially on the days when Mom is feeling a little under the weather.

 

The Teachers Edition contains pictures of the student text, with lines for the teacher to write notes. It also provides answer keys and notes for the teacher. It also has additional facts to expand the historical, geographical, cultural, and theological concepts introduced in the student text.

 

Here are a couple of sample pages from the Teacher Edition:

You can view more samples of the God’s Great Covenant Teacher Edition.

 

God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1: A Bible Course for Children is available on the Classical Academic Press website. The Student Text sells for $26.95, with the Teacher Edition selling for $29.95 The Audio Files are $9.95

 

See what other The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Members are saying about God’s Great Covenant.

 

 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book and digital download 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. My opinions are my own. 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.”

As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a copy of Bright Ideas Press Christian Kids Explore Biology and Student Activity digital download to review.

 

 

From the Bright Ideas Website:

Bright Ideas Press publishes curriculum that moms love. We promise to publish Christian-oriented curriculum that will fit into your hectic life, curriculum that is both affordable and easy-to-use with children of different ages at the same time. The team at Bright Ideas Press prays that our products and resources will not only simplify your life but also inspire, encourage, and enable you to effectively educate your children.

 

 

 

From the Bright Ideas Website:

This user-friendly, unabashedly Christian, one-year science curriculum for elementary students includes teaching lessons, gorgeous coloring pages, hands-on time, memorization lists, review sheets, creative writing assignments, and an awesome supplemental book list! Written for 3rd through 6th graders, it can easily be scaled down for younger students, making this an excellent choice for teaching all your elementary-aged kids together. The schedule of 35 weekly lessons calls for teaching twice weekly, allowing a family time for projects, exploration of resource books, field trips, etc. The conversational style gives students the basic information they need, making this an ideal first course in life science; especially useful for those following a classical approach!

 

Since Christian Kids Explore Biology is written for elementary students from 3rd to 6th grade, I’m using this with my son Zach, a 5th grader. I love that this curriculum is Christian and doesn’t hide it. I don’t need to worry about getting into the middle of a lesson and having to do my own lesson to correct what we just read.

This over 290 page book, contains everything that you need for one year. Teacher notes and instructions, text and reproducible pages. Christian Kids Expore Biology is great for using with multiple students on different levels. Two teaching sessions a week is recommended. Each lesson is divided into two sections, Teaching Time and Hands-On Time.

Teaching Time begins with the text to be read. This can be read by the student, or out loud by the parent. My son still likes me to read out loud to him. There is a Daily Reading Sheet for the student to fill out, as well as built in review, flashcards and vocabulary. There is also a supplemental reading list for researching topics of interest.

Hands-On Time, which is recommend to be done on a different day than Teaching Time, is when the kids get to do all the fun hands on activities that they love. The student activity sheets, experiments, and filling in their student science notebooks. The student science notebook is a notebook of your choosing. This is where the student keeps their notes, drawings and activity sheets. At the end of the year, this notebook is an excellent record of what the student has learned.

The book does grant permission to reproduce the student activity sheets and other activity pages. These reproducibles are also available as the Student Activity Book digital download. No more trying to get the big book to lay flat for copying. I love the convience of the digital download. With coloring pages, activity pages, experiment forms and more, the Student Activity Book (or reproduciable sheets from the book) reinforce the lessons in a way that kids love.

 

Christian Kids Explore Biology is available on the Bright Ideas Press website for $34.95 The Student Activity Book digital download is available for $7.95.

 

 

See what other The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Members are saying about Bright Ideas Science books like Christian Kids Explore Biology.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book and digital download 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. My opinions are my own. 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.”

As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a copy of the AIMS Educational Foundation book From Head to Toe. AIMS is a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping teachers give students a solid conceptual understanding of math and science.

Last year, I reviewed the AIMS Earth Book. We are still using that book. In fact, I just posted a picture of the kids doing an experiment in my Our Homeschool Week in Review post.

 

 

From the AIMS website:

This revised edition of From Head to Toe, which includes 25 new activities, will guide students in explorations of the systems and senses of the human body. Students will look at how the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and musculoskeletal systems work together to keep us alive. They will also explore how our sensory organs provide us information about our world.

Students will be engaged as they create models for each system and see firsthand how things really work. In the activity “Breathe In, Breathe Out,” students will use a two-liter bottle, balloons and straws to build their own set of “lungs” and to see what happens as air is inhaled and exhaled. In the activity “The Food Tube,” students will work as a team, creating a life-size tracing of a classmate and calculating the length and location of the digestive tract; they will be amazed as they discover the crepe paper used to represent the small and large intestines measures up to five times the height of the body.

Teachers will enjoy the flexibility that From Head to Toe offers, as they can adjust the depth of each unit to fit the needs of their class. They will also find the rubber band books—small books the students assemble and hold together with a rubber band along the spine—ideal in providing necessary content and relevant information.

Whether building a model heart or acting out the actions of neurons as they transmit messages to and from the brain, From Head to Toe provides a broad, complete look of the human body that will engage students as they learn about their magnificent bodies.

From Head to Toe is written for grades 5-9, with 27 activities in it’s 288 pages. What I love the most about AIMS books are the convenience of the CDs. The CD, included with the book, has all the printable pages on it. It’s so easy to slip the Cd into your computer and print the pages you want. Much easier than trying to copy reproducible pages from the book!

The kids love the rubber band books and fun activities. I love the thorough information in AIMS books. Rubber band books are included in the printable pages. After printing, the students fold the books and put the sections in order. The books are then held together with rubber bands. Not only are the books fun to make, they are full of great information that the kids can refer to over and over.

From Head to Toe sells for $24.95. There is also a PDF version available for 24.95

See what other The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Members are saying about AIMS Education Foundation books like From Head to Toe.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of From Head to Toe 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. My opinions are my own. 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.”

As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a copy of Write with World curriculum. Write with World is a middle school curriculum from the professionals at God’s World News and WORLD Magazine.

 

 

From the Write with World website:

Write with WORLD consists of:

• Separate teacher/student books and online content for first and second years
• Web site (Sept. 2011) for updated examples, writing prompts, published student work, and helpful teacher forum
• Students will need their own notebook/journal to record their work

Teach writing with confidence, with the professionals from God’s World News and WORLD magazine.

Write with WORLD is the middle school writing curriculum developed by education and media professionals. Use it to inspire and train your students to become proficient communicators who can meet educational requirements and navigate today’s growing new media and conflicting worldviews.

Write with WORLD exposes students to:

• reading and critical thinking that develop discernment
• contemporary subjects and professional guidance to pique interest
• flexible exercises to build confidence and skill for using today’s new media
• a thoughtful and meaningful Christian worldview

Your students learn to write with purpose.

Writing skills are commonly deficient among students entering college, but the problem and its fallout begin years earlier. Poor writing skills hurt a student’s performance on exams and in courses requiring composition. For Christian students, poor communication hinders the believer’s voice from influencing their social circle and, ultimately, the broader public square.

Christians in particular should try to be the best communicators. They possess the truth and need to articulate a biblical worldview. Just as important, today’s students must be discriminating media consumers – able to read, hear, and watch what the world is saying and to recognize the truth.

 

 

We have used God’s World News in our homeschool in the past and liked it. We currently have a subscription to World Magazine (our magazine subscription is not associated with this review). I was very interested in seeing what this curriculum had to offer. I was not disappointed. I’ve been using Write with WORLD with my 7th grade daughter for a few weeks now. I have found this curriculum to be very thorough and engaging for the student.

You do not need a separate grammar curriculum when using Write with World. Write with World covers 19 of the top 20 grammar errors made by college students. Such as it’s /its, to, too, two, and apostrophes & ownership. In every unit, the first 3 lessons cover one error each, and with the 4th lesson being a review of the grammar issues in that unit.

One of the tasks asked of the student is describing pictures. This teaches the student to analysis the picture, really paying attention to details. This will lead to them being more descriptive in their writing. I am having my daughter finish Write with World and will be using it with some of my other children as well.

Here’s a quote from my daughter:

“The pictures are really awesome. It helped me be able to describe pictures better. I liked the way it had me look up words in the dictionary.  I liked the way the way it described things and pictures.” – Abby

Note: I wanted to include a sample of my daughters writing that she did using this curriculum, but she said no. She wants to keep her writing private.

 

You can view some Write with World Sample Lessons.

Write with World Year One full curriculum which includes the teacher text, the student text and internet access is available for $95. on the Write with World website. Also available is Write with World Year Two curriculum for $95. You can purchase both years as a combo pack for $165.

See what other The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Members are saying about Write with World.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free Write with World Teacher and Student books (I received no internet access, books were $68. )  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. My opinions are my own. 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.”

As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a PDF version of TruthQuest History Beginnings to review.

From the TruthQuest website:

TruthQuest History is a deep and rich literature-based history study…but with a difference. You will not learn the story of mankind; you will learn the lovestory of mankind. You will not focus on the rise and fall of human civilizations; you will focus on the arrow-straight line of God’s unchanging existence, power, love, truth, and plan for civilization. You will not simply ‘meet the culture’ or ‘get the facts;’ you will probe the truths of history so deeply that your students will be equipped to change their world!

 

TruthQuest History Beginnings covers Creation, Old Testament, Ancients and Egypt and is over 300 pages. Beginnings is perfect for students in grades 5-12, but younger siblings can participate. The guide includes book recommendations for all ages. No other books are needed, however. All you need are the Beginnings Guide and your Bible. Companion resources are also available for purchase, a lapbook, notebook and timeline. You can view the Beginnings Table of Contents.  The first few pages of the book are addressed to the parents. This section offers guidance on how to use the book. There are no lessons plans in TruthQuest History Guides. You set your own schedule. The lessons are numbered and have suggestions for each grade level.

I’m using TruthQuest History Beginnings with my 5th, 7th and 11th graders. There is a lot of reading, excellent discussions and suggestions for activities and projects. I’m finding TruthQuest History to be a great history curriculum the whole family can use together.

Also included are Think Write exercises interspersed throughout the guide to help the students piece together the most important lessons of history. The Appendix has Think Write responses so you can check your students answers.  After each Think Write response in the appendix, there are a couple of paragraphs that can be read and discussed. There are no tests or quizzes included in the guide.

 

From the TruthQuest History website:

TruthQuest History is…

…Always your servant; never your master . TruthQuest History does not presume to tell you what to do each day, because the days of each family, the children in each family, and the callings on each family are different. You simply work your way through the guides at your own pace, scheduling as you desire, feeling free to omit as you see fit. Do not worry, though. Even with this freedom, TruthQuest History offers full support. It provides the secure and steady current impelling you forward, without making you feel defeated if you daily travel a different distance than others

 

TruthQuest History has 9 chronological guides for World History – from Creation to the year 2000. These guides can be used for middle and high school students. There is are American History guides for grades 1-5. All guides are available in print or PDF format. Prices for the print guides range from $24.95 to $34.95. Prices for the PDF guides range from $19.95 to $29.95. The Beginnings Guide PDF I received sells for $23.95. Because there are  two different levels to chose from, they have a How to Choose page to help you.

Here is a sample of the Beginnings Guide I received. You can also view other samples of Truth Quest History.

There are a great deal of Reference books cited in Truth Quest History. That page has a listing of all the books used in all the guides. Here are theReference Books used in the Beginnings Guide. None of these reference books are required. They are suggestions to help you in your studies.

 

See what other The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Members are saying about Truth Quest History Guides.

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free PDF version of Amazing Animals by Design 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.”

As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a PDF version of the new book Amazing Animals by Design.

Amazing Animals by Design is designed for elementary school aged children, Pre-K through 3rd grade.

Why is a giraffe’s neck so tall? Why do zebras have stripes? Did all of these things happen by accident? When John and Sarah visit the zoo, they ask these questions and many more. Their parents and the zookeepers keep using the word design, but what does that mean? With its relevant message and exciting presentation, this is the perfect book to help introduce children to intelligent design. Come find out in Amazing Animals by Design by Debra Haagen!  – from the Amazing Animals by Design website.

 

Amazing Animals by Design introduces young children to Intelligent Design. This is a perfect book to read before a visit to the zoo or other animal habitat. At 24 pages long, it’s also a great daily reading book. You know how kids love to read the same book over and over! Amazing Animals by Design will educate and entertain them. I love the sweet, calm, and peaceful drawings in the book. I have only read the book on my computer, but I imagine the drawings are equally as good in the print book. Amazing Animals by Design would make a great gift as well.

 

 

You can purchase Amazing Animals by Design at Tate Publishing for $8.99. The digital download sells for $7.99. On April 3, Amazing Animals by Design will be available at your favorite book store.

For more information, visit the Amazing Animals by Design website. The Amazing Animals by Design blog, and Amazing Animals by Design on Facebook.

 

See what other The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Members are saying about Amazing Animals by Design

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free PDF version of Amazing Animals by Design 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.”

As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a free download of Action Alert.

 

The internet is a fun, educational, and very interesting place to be. It can also be a very dangerous place to be. Action Alert provides internet safety for your family. It includes these 8 Internet Safety Tools in one convenient download.

I found it easy to download and install Action Alert. There are numerous settings you can customize to protect your children when they are online. You can even set it up to send you alerts on your phone when you child goes to a site you don’t approve of. You can also remotely shut down the computer with your cell phone.

Another feature that I found cool was the Activity Video Recording. It records what the computer screen actually looked like. You can see what your children are doing, who they are talking to, you can also view all instant chat messages. You can set up daily times when the computer can be used. Very helpful if you have to be out of the house and the kids are home. The Search Filter only brings up safe sites in the searches. That will bring you peace of mind that your children aren’t going to see anything you don’t want them to see. I did find that my computer worked slower with Action Alert installed. Every computer is different, and it may not work that way on yours.

 

Action Alert is the only internet safety solution to be endorsed by the Child Safety Network.