Which Way USA from Highlights +FREE guidebooks and maps!

We have been having so much fun this year using Which Way USA from Highlights magazine.  It is like a fun tour of each state.  If you have ever seen any Highlight puzzle books, you will see that this is similar, but each puzzle visits a different part of the state and there is a contest going on between these 2 kids and several other team opponents.  The puzzles are fun, sometimes challenging, informative and something that my son and I look forward to doing.  Sometimes we work together and sometimes he does it alone. 

Some of the puzzles need you to consult the state map.  So usually when we start the book I read through all the information on the map while he flips through the book and FREE guidebook that I get in the mail (see at the bottom of this blog post).  It's a lot of information, but in the book we need to use the map again and I teach him how to search for information.  Sometimes I have a real map and we find the places that are mentioned by using the grid on the map.  We also utilize Google and look up images of cities, landmarks, and other interesting facts.  It's SO much fun!

And we are also learning the state capitals.  I bet you can tell I enjoy this as much as my son.

 

Every month we get about 4 books, but we usually only get through 1 or 2 a month.

What comes with this resource?

*Large United States Map (we laminated and put on the wall)

*Which Way USA book that you record information for each state you "visit"

*A key chain with a license plate from each state (you can use the code to access online games, but we don't really use that)

*A book for each state

*A large map of each state

*And lots of knowledge!

 

My 7 year old son says he loves to learn about each new state.  It makes him excited to go and visit them some day.

He's holding the key chain, but you can't see the license plate tags on it.

 

We practice our map skills with real maps that we get FREE (see below).

 

I can't tell you how much my son looks forward to our Which Way USA times.  We do the puzzle book about twice a week.  He has a lot of interest in travel and I do hope we can visit some of these places someday. 

 

Have you used this resource?

What do you think?

 

Here is a link to get a bunch of guide books and maps for FREE:
http://www.heyitsfree.net/free-state-maps/

 

Morning Time

 

 

I started something new this year called Morning Time.

It may not be new to some of you and actually it's something that I used to do when I taught Kindergarten, but I called it Circle Time.

 

However, I think Morning Time in homeschool has much more to it.

 

I probably started off doing too much so we are doing much less now, but basically we learn Bible verses, poems, and our character value (Character Concepts).

 

 

 

I also read a devotion, a Bible story or our science book (Come and See).

 

We light a candle, sing (and dance), pray and try to cultivate what Pam Barnhill has modeled in her podcast and ebook- Truth, Goodness and Beauty.

 

I first heard about Morning Time from Sarah at Read Aloud Revival.

Pam Barnhill from Ed Snapshots has expounded on this idea with an ebook with a short video course on how to set up a notebook and also an excellent podcast with inspirational guests and free printables.

 

Here are a few videos of the poems my kids memorized this year:

 

My 7 year old son learned My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson

 

My 4 year old learned Abraham Lincoln (Traditional)

So, we are enjoying adding this as part of our day. 
I will add things each year and I look forward to continuing on with our Morning Time.

There are so many ideas that I have gleaned to how I want to craft our Morning Time, but I'm taking it slowly.

Do you do Morning Time?
Tell me about it!

 

Grapevine Bible Studies Review, FREE elesson + Giveaway!!

 

I am newly affiliated with Grapevine Bible Studies! 

I am so excited to start sharing the good news of God's Word with my kids through the power of ...stick figures!  When children engage in learning by thinking, listening and drawing, they will deposit more of what God's Word teaches into their hearts.


I was given the opportunity to review the Resurrection study. 

 

We are using the Beginner series which is for preschool and Kindergarten age.

My son has a blank area for drawing and my daughter has the traceable drawings.

 

Each teacher lesson is very simple. 

There is a title and a memory verse at the top of the teacher page.

There are 4 sections for 1 lesson.

Each section has a title, read aloud (from the Bible), discussion and what the students need to draw.

There are also words to look up in a Bible dictionary and lesson review questions.

 

The students have a title and 2 boxes on one page and 2 boxes on the second page along with the review questions.

 

We did 2 sections one day and 2 sections the next day and the review.

 

What we liked about the lesson was it was simple both in content and drawing.

What is needed for this study:
Bible
Bible dictionary
Grapevine study book (teacher and 1 for each student)
colored pencils
dry erase board
dry erase markers

My kids really enjoyed these lessons.  They asked lots of questions and were very interested in the story that was being told.  They were very intent when they were drawing and they were able to remember things during our lesson review and were quick to go back to their drawings to explain their answers.

I thought the lesson plans were simple and easy to follow and were very appropriate for this age level.  My kids have been excited each day to do our study so I know this will be something that we will be "sticking" with! 

*I was given this product from Grapevine Studies for review.  All opinions are my own.*

Get a FREE elesson from The Resurrection for The Last Supper!



GIVEAWAY:
I am giving away one teacher and student ebook set of the Resurrection lesson!
You get to choose the level: There are 6 levels- Traceable, Beginner, Level 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Please see this link for more information: LEVELS

To enter: Fill out THIS FORM below.

Giveaway ends Friday, March 18.



 

 

 

"Every Day's Your Birthday" by Miss Nina and the Jumping Jacks CD Review

 

One of our FAVORITE music artists in Miss Nina!  We have watched her weekly videos since my kids were very little and they still love her.  She is personal, talented and funny.  She has a wide range of songs with motions, special guests and her trademark cotton candy pink Daisy rock acoustic guitar. 

 

We fell in love with Miss Nina and one of her previous album's  Sha Doo Be Doop (which I reviewed on my blog).  Her lively songs are super fun to listen to and dance to.

 

Her new album Every Day's Your Birthday is set to release on May 6 (my daughter's 5 year birthday).    This album is a great mix styles from pop rock of the 60's and 70's, some rap, jazz and country.  Who can pull off all these different musical interests and create a spectacular album for kids (and parents too)?  Miss Nina, of course! 

 

Every Day's Your Birthday is all about music and movement.  And Miss Nina says, "Why not make every day a great day?"  I agree!  When you listen to Miss Nina you will agree too.  Our favorites songs are My Freeze Dance (doo wop pop dance), Up and Down and Silly Wheels on the Bus.  The dynamics between the instrumental band and Nina's friendly singing voice is a sure crowd pleaser. 

 

You can find more information about Miss Nina:

 

Visit the Miss Nina's website HERE.

  Miss Nina on Facebook.

  Miss Nina on Twitter.

  Miss Nina on YouTube.
 

Check out Colors of You on Youtube:

*I was given the opportunity to review this album from Waldmania.  All opinions are my own.*