Blog Archives

Catapults and Chess

10/22/2014

One of the very best reviews we ever did was for Chess House. My son takes that chess game all over the place. To Gramma's, Oma's, cadets, friends house, on vacation. It's become a part of our lives. (good thing we like playing it too). :)

Anyways, the other day he set out to build himself a catapult. Well what does one do with a catapult when it's all set up? You hit the wall a few times, you chase the cat (as long as it's not set hard), and then you go huh.. built a catapult.

NOT my lad. :)

He now plays catapult chess. :)

It's a wee bit complicated at times...he normally plays with a team (usually white) and it means his side always wins, but sometimes the teams gang up on the catapult..and then WATCH OUT! It's all out war! :)

Players will fly....that's all I'm saying. :)

What games do your children make up?

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Review: Why Dogs Are...

10/21/2014

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Yesterday we reviewed (my son and I) a book called "Why Dogs Are...." We received this book from Bookcrash in order to give our fair and honest review, no other compensation given.

Dogs, children, in a book...what more could you ask for?

Well I have to admit it's a cute book and an easy read for one nine year old lad.   He thought the dog footprints on the end papers of the book funny. "oh mom, look at the paw prints here!"   It's a visually appealing book.    Filled with full colour pictures and a cute story about dogs and why they came to earth. The story centers around a blind/deaf child and how God can show love for him.

I DO have to admit to struggling with the theology of the book and this was something that my lad commented on as well.    Why asked what he thought of the book his first comment was "Mom, they don't really tell the truth in there about how dogs came to earth.   They got that part wrong."

And they do.

Lines like this cause me concern
"God was sure Brian knew how much his family loved his because they took such good care of him".   This line just bothered me and I can't put my finger on exactly why... probably because it makes God seem so human...looking at the outward behaviour instead of at the heart.
"God also loved Brian very much, but how could He let him know?,,,,, God could not touch Brian"    God would seriously have to ask this question????   God KNOWS us full well and knows exactly what we need.
And so God called a meeting of everything that lived in heaven and asked them what he he do. Everyone wanted to be the ones that God sent.   But then God saw this nameless beast and called it Dog.. (as that's God backwards) and so dog was sent to earth to be God's love exemplified for that blind/deaf child.   (seriously... God would have to call a meeting to figure out what is best for this boy child?)

And God told the dog that if he a good job he'd send more dogs to earth. (and dog obviously did a good job as there's lots of dogs around).   Dogs' Job was simply to
teach Brian two things: to love without expecting anything in return and to forgive those who hurt him - then to forget the hurt and love them even more.   Dogs' job was to teach and show what love was.

GOD is NOT human. He would know all these answers already.

So I struggle with the theology while enjoying a book that opens up ideas and thoughts and colourful pictures to look at.   It's a good book to show how dogs do an excellent job at helping people who have a variety of people with physical needs of care.     So if you can separate the poor theology from the "dogs are really helpful to people and great at being good pack animals that act like they love you" then get this book.   It really is a good book about dogs being very useful and a huge benefit to many folks who struggle with different disabilities.

It really does have potential depending on how one uses it, but in this household, the poor theology puts it in the do not read again pile.

Product Details.
Received: hardcover picture book, Why Dogs Are...
Publisher: Kendall Neff Publishing
Author: Tana Thompson
Illustrator: Marita Gentry
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 3 and up.
Price: $9.99 (Kindle)

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Review: Standard Deviants Accelerate

10/20/2014

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Humour, math, short snipperts of learning, science, learning tested.. and this and more found through Standard Deviants Accelerate. Come walk with us and we tell you about this program we just reviewed for the Schoolhouse Crew. We had a chance to review some of the differenthomeschool courses they have available.

Let me tell you first a bit about Standard Deviants Accelerate. They offer online courses to homeschool students, starting with grade three math up to grade 11. Not all courses for all grade levels or even all grades, but the basics of what you need for much of those years. Their goal is to help students understand everything they need to know about a particular subject. Short study sessions, containing all the basic facts about a given area of study. Supplemental e-learning for your students, enabling them to learn in a multi-media format.

How did we use this homeschool e-learning course?
Allow me to walk you through using their on-line program. We given access to all their courses for one year. Of the fourteen courses available, we chose four to look at. Grade three math, Nutrition (grade six) Fundamental math (grade four) and earth science (grade six). I set up my parent account and then with a separate email, set up my son's account. Each student needs their own account with separate email. My student would be grade four.

We looked at grade three math first, just to get the feel for how they set things up by doing some review Gave us a chance to see how the program worked without having to (in my son's case), stress over learning a bunch of new things at the same same time. This worked really well and gave us our bearings. Off then to check out nutrition and Fundamental math. My son quickly decided that nutrition was one he would do later and enjoyed listening to the lessons in math. Earth sciences though... this course sparked my son's interest and so we divided out time between earth sciences and Fundamental Math.

When you open each category you will see a list of all the videos/topics in that subject area. You can take them in whatever order you wish, but they do build upon each other so taking them in order is what I would recommend.

After you click on one of the underlined topics, you are brought to a screen like this. One side is the video, on the other a transcript of the video. You can read and listen at the same, choose to listen only or just read through the transcript. Whatever choice, its all good. :) The transcript can be printed off as well for putting in a binder or just reading away from the computer. In the white box below can be used for taking notes. I very much appreciated that the lessons can be backed up, paused, played again as many times as we wanted. This was very helpful in helping my boy finally get a handle on what division is all about.

The lessons employ a number of ways to keep the students interested. A variety of actors, diagrams, and images to help teach the lesson. The actors have different ways to present themselves from sitting , standing to walking around and are of both genders.

Once you have watched the video, you can then go one of four pages. Vocab, Diagram, Quiz and Written Answers. You'll also notice a SOS button on the side where if you you need you can press on it. A sliding window will open up that says

"Adrift upon an endless sea of questions? Perhaps you’re having an “OMG this stuff it TOTALLY over my head” moment? Or maybe you’re just a little too shy to raise your hand and ask a question.

Fear not! Send a note to your teacher right now and ask a question about the topic.

Now about being too shy to raise your hand in class… try working on that skill. It gets easier every time you do it."

Here is an example of one of the diagram questions. When you are finished it will tell you how many tries it took you to complete it. if your number of tries equals the amount of items you needed to move you got it right first try.

We both liked how when doing the quiz, if you got an answer wrong it showed the correct answer and where you could go back for the teaching on it.

So what did we think?
it's a good program, well worth investing in, and using as supplementary material. If you have a child struggling in a certain area, this program will help to ensure that they have the basics of the subject area nailed. They havea low key way of teaching that removes the stress of learning. The variety of methods help to ensure that ll child can learn that material regardless of their preferred method of learning (other than the tactile must have hands on learners). Most child should be able to learn using Standard Deviants Accelerate quite nicely.

Product Details:
Vendor: Standard Deviants Accelerate
Program: Standard Deviants Accelerate Homeschool Courses
Age Range: Grade three to grade eleven plus
Price: Ranges for each class from $99.99 to $249.99 (for teacher use unlimited students). This might work well for a co-op situation.

For homeschool use courses for one student would range from $14.95(AP courses) to $24.95 per month, or $99/year. But look! They have a six months free trial period. So check it out!

Crew members reviewed different courses. here is the list of the courses available.

Arithmetic- Grades 3+
Fundamental Math- Grades 4+
Earth Science- Grades 6+
Nutrition- Grades 6+
Algebra- Grades 7+
Biology- Grades 7+
Chemistry- Grades 9+
English Composition- Grades 9+
U.S. History- Grades 9+
A.P. Biology- Grades 11+
A.P. Chemistry- Grades 11+
A.P. U.S. Government and Politics- Grades 11+
A.P. U.S. History- Grades 11+
A.P. English Composition- Grades 11+

To check out their reviews click here or on the banner below.

You can find Standard Deviants Accelerate on social media.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDAccelerate
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SDAccelerate
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/SDAccelerate/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Sdaccelerate

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Review and Giveaway: Glen Campbell I'll be Me

10/19/2014

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Glen Campbell, well-known songwriter and singer. Inflicted in his older years with Alzheimer's. Willing to let the world know of his struggles and wanting to bring greater understanding and awareness to this disease. This video is a good memorial to this moan, remembering the good as well as the hard things in life. Much loved by his wife and children is evidenced throughout this movie..

From the Press release:
In 2011, when Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he joined forces with his family to fight the biggest battle of his life. Glen and his wife, Kim, made history by going public with the diagnosis – the first time a major American celebrity would share this experience with the world. The Campbell family then embarked on a short “Goodbye Tour,” but the three-week engagement turned into an emotional and triumphant 151-show nationwide tour de force.

This epic human drama about the undying bond between Glen and Kim, and their unwavering caring for each other, chronicles a story of love, resilience and the power of song. .....

The film features those who know and love Glen, including Bruce Springsteen, Bill Clinton, The Edge, Paul McCartney, Jay Leno, Vince Gill, Jimmy Webb, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Steve Martin, Chad Smith and Taylor Swift among many others. Rare vintage footage and extraordinary new performances of Glen’s most beloved hits immerse this moving cinematic account in the overwhelming talent of this humble family man. With joy and a tireless sense of humor, Glen and his family live each moment in the present while preparing for the future, .....

My Review:
I watched this movie this afternoon.   It's a decent show that shows the joys and the struggles of living with a person with Alzheimer's.   I don't know that I would pay to see it in the theatre, but for viewing at home or at a private venue with others, I would not be disappointed.    They did an excellent job of providing balance, they showed the good things.. like really does it matter if Glen wants to play a song twice?    Does it matter if he doesn't always remember things?    They also talked about the hard things...like getting fixated on something so much so he could harm himself, and getting confused about door bells and elevator buttons, struggles with anger and confusion. Through it all though, you see the love that is shown to Glen by his wife and family, and the love he shows back to them.    Humour is evident throughout.

This movie mde me more aware of the struggles people face everyday with loved ones failing in their memory and capabilities.   It's a hard road.

Anyways,.. I have a giveaway for you.   It is for a 5 song EP soundtrack from the film.   It's just the soundtrack, not the movie.

How to enter? Do any or all of the following:

1. Like my facebook page. (leave a comment saying so)
2. follow me on twitter (leave a comment saying so)
3. Leave a comment on this blog post... tell me what you like about Glen Campbell .. a song that you remember. Just make a meaningful comment. :)
4. Follow my blog (I have linky's on the side just let you know you did).

CONTEST CLOSES on the 27th of October. Thanks eh! :)

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

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Building a fire

10/18/2014

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"Mom!"
"yes lad".
"Can we have a fire tonight?      And can I build it?"
"Well sure, you can try. The wood is wet though because we've had rain."

Undaunted my lad ran off to get some tinder and his flint and steel.   We rummaged through our wood pile to see if we could find any dry wood, and got ourselves all set.   My son has recently learned how to start a fire using a flint and steel.and was excited at the opportunity to try his hand at it.

The wood was damp and it was difficult to get it going well, but he did manage to get the fire started twice with the flint and steel, it would burn for a while, and then start to go out. He decided to give himself an edge up by using some newspaper and before you know it..one fire to be had!

He tended it carefully. Before we knew it we had a nice fire to sit around and enjoy.

Which of course, since we live in town so are required to have a fire ONLY for cooking with... YEAH for marshmallows!!!! :)

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Five Minute Friday: Long

10/17/2014

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The rules are simple. Visit Kate's blog. Find out what the word is for the day. Write for FIVE minutes only. And then visit the blog who links up before you. Easy peasy eh? If you haven't done so before, do join us. :)

Today the word is Long.

Ready Set God 110p.m.Long... this is work that can go all kinds of places.
Long... "Mom, how long till we get there?"
Long.....how I long to be ____________ (with a person, at a place, with God)
Long....How far it is from one place to another.

This week has felt long. I've been sick for most of it.
It has made me long to be better.
My son has longed to be able to get out and do things.
Everywhere we have gone (as there where things we needed to do regardless of how I felt) has seemed to take such a long time to get there, or been such a long way to go.

BUT you know what one does when one longs to better or be someplace or be with someone?

One is patient.
One is persistent.
One is at peace with where one is at.
At least that's what one should aim for.

It's what God calls us to.

Be patient and persistent and at prayer at all times and in all situations.

He calls to us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs and to the needs of others.

And through it all to find joy.

I have to admit.. .Joy is NOT where I've been at this week.
I've been working at just being patient and at peace as I struggled with not feeling well and with a hubby who is starting to not feel well too.

BUT God is good and he brings us through it all.
And he will provide healing to these bodies of ours.

And in that... I can find joy.   Indeed I can. :)

So let us, as we long... find that joy.

End 115 pm

click image below to go to the link up. Thanks!

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Goderich Historic Gaol

10/16/2014

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Yesterday I had a burning desire to get out of the house, my headache was gone though my body was feeling a bit rough yet so off we went to the historic gaol in Goderich.   We were impressed enough I'll be planning a field trip with our homeschool group in the spring. :)   Should be fun.

Anyways, while we were there we met this delightful lady who kept coming over and helping our lad better understand what he was seeing. She was one of the tour guides but was off-duty as they generally don't do tours unless they are booked.   You could tell she loved her work and enjoyed helping children learn history.    She kept challenging the lad to think it through, why might there be different things that children would have to deal with in the past.

One of the things we learned was the children could be sentenced to jail for four days for using bad language.   That was surprising to all of us. Anyways, pictures are always worth a 1000 words... so allow me to be wordy. :)

What would a picture to a jail be without a vision of someone behind bars?

They had a audio tour along with, so we were able to listen to various points as we went along. One lady was sent to jail who couldn't walk and died in jail. The doctor's report was that she should never have been sent to jail. But there wasn't at the time a lot of options for helping people who needed care. If a single parent went to jail, all their children would share their cell with them until they were adults.

One child was sent to gaol for using bad language and was sentenced to four days of hard labour. He would have to clean the toilets, carry water, move coal and more. The work was hard.

It was a great visit. One I would happily do again as part of a guided tour.

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Dr. Ida Scudder

10/14/2014

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This morning our missionary Story was on Dr. Ida Scudder.

The lad was fascinated how God kept sending people to Ida, showing her the need for a woman doctor in India. "Mom, he was persistent wasn't he? Do you think God was happy that she listened finally?"

So I thought I would take a moment to talk abit about Ida Scudder for a moment. A young lady who DIDN'T want to live in India.. a dirty bug-infested hot country. She'd rather live in clean comfortable North America. Yet God called her from that into a life of service as a doctor. :)

Click on image to go to source: Glory of his cross Ida Scudder

Born in India, schooled in the United States, Ida loved living in North America. As she was finishing college she was called back to India in order to care for her ill mother, but planned to return to the States as soon as her mother was well enough. She had no plans to be a missionary and definitely no plans to live in India. God chose to work in her life through three Indian men who wanted a doctor for their wives. All those women died as a result of lack of care. This so moved Ida's heart that she decided to become a doctor.

Once she became a doctor she worked with her father. Many of the people who came to their clinic wouldn't let the "missy" treat them, They only wanted the "doctor man" to treat them so Ida started to feel a bit lost. After her father's death that feeling continued until one day she decided to start a dispensary and slowly she started having people come to her for treatment.

Over time she developed many clinics and hospitals and helped many many Indian people with their health issues. She cared for the people of India greatly.

"By 2003, the Vellore Christian Medical Center was the largest Christian hospital in the world, with 2000 beds, and its medical school is one of the premier medical schools in India." (Link)

Ida answered the call of God upon her life, and lives in India were changed. :)

Links:
My Lord Katie.
Women Missionaries.
Christianity.com.
Glory of his Cross.

Resources:
YWAM Publishing.
Christianbook.com.

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When You Are Sick... how do you homeschool?

10/14/2014

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So just what does one do for teaching when you are sick?   Does one persevere? Does one take the day off?   Or just what does a homeschooling parent do when they are under the weather?

For the last couple of days I've been battling some headachy, stomach bug, intestinal buggy thing.   I am hoping it's not contagious but time will tell. :)    Therefore, since this subject is relevant to my life in the here and now I thought I'd speak to what I do. :)

Yesterday was the Monday of Canadian thanksgiving.   Since I tend to ignore most holidays (schooling wise) and still make my lad do SOME work (math and english) Monday was a treat for my lad. NO schooling at all. :) Woot woot!   He's a sweet lad and didn't much care for the reason I was giving him a complete day off,yet he was still delighted that no schooling was going to happen (what child wouldn't be?) :)

Today though I wanted him to be productive somehow .. doing some thing... so over breakfast (since I wasn't eating) I read through our missionary story of the day.   I'm glad it was a short story, but the lad found it to be quite interesting. We learned about Dr. Ida Scudder (If I"m up to it I'll do a post on her later). :)

I had him do UberSmart math (he's working on the 6x's tables).   He did some math with IXL (some division which surprised him that he knew the answers to as we've hardly even looked at division beyond teaching him the concept).

He tried to do Essential Skills but the lesson was being glitchy so we set that aside as my brain simply wasn't coping with him not coping.   He did some later after he played with the cat (a completely different lesson).   The cat had fun, the lad had fun and there was no more angst in the house. :)    Sometimes taking a break is the best thing you can do.

I wanted to do a craft for Newfoundland but found I just didn't have the gumption in me to do so, so instead we watched this history video on Newfoundland (do ignore the first couple of minutes of advertising). I found it quite interesting and the lad asked a question or two as it went on which showed he was paying attention as well. I have to admit.. I did nod off once or twice as it played.

When the video was over the lad politely asked if we were done for the day (you're looking tired mom, are we done then?). "Yes lad".. go play. So off he went and down I went. :)

It's good to be able to be good to each other when you're not feeling well.

Our day started late and ended early but learning still occurred and that to me is a good thing no?

So tell me.. how do you manage days when YOU are not feeling well?

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Review: Rebels, a Safelands book

10/13/2014

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Ever since I read the first book in this series i wanted to know what would happen, and even having finished this third book in the series I think.. hmm.. I wonder if there will be a fourth. :) I am reviewing this book on behalf of BookLookBloggers.

Love and forgiveness... that seems to be the theme of this book. Thee is much more in this book, like dealing with the affects of drug use, needing to face who you are as a person, but the over arching theme is love and forgiveness and how we portray that to others.

Zane, Mason, Omar, Jemma, Shaylinn continue to be central characters in this series. These characters were well-developed. Watching them as they learn to deal with the world in which they now find themselves. Making enemies, creating friends, and sometimes finding allies in unexpected places.

This book will keep you reading, wanting to know what happens next. Will the Safelands end up rebellion? What is the truth about Liberation? Will the truth come out? Who are the ancients? Will things turn out well with Shaylinn's pregnancy? What is up with the lowlands? Will Scorpion succeed? Is the medic friend or really foe? Who can be trusted? Just so you know.. all these questions are answered. :)

The book finishes with question geared toward making you think.

My verdict? A book well worth reading. :) An interesting read with solid writing.

Product Details.
Received: Rebels
Author: Jill Williamson
Publisher: BlinkYAbooks.
Series: The Safe Lands
Pages:392
Price: $8.99 kindle verson Amazon.ca
Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers.