Drive Thru History Adventures in Bible History {CurriculumReview}

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History. We love it. Video history. We love it. When we had the chance to review Drive Thru History Adventures--an online video history course--I hoped that it would be right up our alley and something the whole family would enjoy. We decided to explore their Bible History curriculum and learn more about the Gospels!

About Drive Thru History Adventures

Drive Thru History Adventures is an online homeschool video course designed to make history more relevant and fun through on location filming but also is Christ centered and fact filled.

Adventures in Crochet: FibreShare, Crochet-A-Long, and WIPS

I must say that I have enjoyed my continued dive back into the world of crochet. I am totally in love with yarn and different fibers. I have learned about these lovely things called "indie dyers" which lead me to a whole world of absolutely delightful colors and textures! So let me catch you up on how my year long Craft-A-Long is going, the delightful package I received from my Fibreshare partner, and some current Work-In-Progress (WIP).

Crochet-A-Long Update

Moogly's Crochet-a-Long is progressing nicely! I have made the third block and boy it offered some challenges. I learned some new stitches

Teach Your Family How To Type with UltraKey Online Family Subscription {Product Review}

While I am a firm believer in my children learning cursive and handwriting, I can't deny the necessity to also be skilled in typing. There are many different programs out there, and I have tried several of them. I *know* what style works best for my children: a program that is online, has lots of practice, provides encouragement, focuses on actual typing, and doesn't have lots of bells and whistles. Thus far, I haven't found the "perfect" program, but when our family was given the opportunity to review the UltraKey Online Family Subscription from Bytes of Learning, I was hopeful that this one would be what we needed.

About UltraKey Online

UltraKey Online Family Subscription is a typing program designed by Bytes of Learning. The program provides clear voice instructed lessons with animation and videos. The Family subscription lets a parent or mentor oversee the use of the program while family members use the program. This is ideal for homeschoolers, or for just additional practice for schoolchildren in general. The ideal age

Live the Adventure with Wulf the Saxon {Product Review}

We were thrilled to kick off the 2018 Schoolhouse Review Crew season with the latest audiodrama production from Heirloom Audio Productions, Wolf the Saxon! We have been so thankful to have received all the previous audiodramas over the last few years, and were hopeful that this latest release would be just as good as the others!

About Wulf the Saxon

Wolf the Saxon (a 2 CD set) is the latest in the line of quality audio dramas from Heirloom Audio Productions. Based on one of the beloved works from G. A. Henty, this story takes the listener back to the era of the Normans and Saxon’s—when the French and English were bitter foes. The year is 1065 and Edward the Confessor is King of England. There is a tenuous peace with France—as long as each party stays on their own land. But things don’t always go as planned. Through the course of the story, a simple boat party with the King’s intended heir, unfortunately leads to capture by the Normans, time in a French dungeon, a daring escape, trickery from a supposed friend, and a desperate struggle for the throne of England. Wulf is a young Saxon landholder who serves a Christian friend Harold—who happens to be in line for the throne. Wulf and Harold become close because they share common beliefs in regards to duty and honor. But when their boat capsizes off the coast of France and they are captured by the Normans, their friendship takes on new levels as Wulf works hard to get his friend—the future King—out of harms way! They serve in battle together and each encourages the other in their life’s journey. Wulf is even there when Harold is tricked by William the Conqueror (a Norman) to swear allegiance to him—a problem since both Harold and William expect to be the future King of England! Through it all, Wulf continues to serve England with duty, courage, and honor even when it seems all hope is lost.

Our Thoughts on the Product

As always, we enjoyed Wulf the Saxon. It is a treat to listen to during our road trips and our lunch breaks. The boys prefer to listen when they are a “captive audience” so they can follow along better. While they didn’t dislike the story at all and loved the battles, of all the ones we have listened too, this one didn’t end up a favorite. But the story was new to them and they wanted to learn more about William the Conqueror and the time of the 1000’s AD. After listening to the story, I too wanted to learn more, so I did some more research myself into William the Conqueror, King Edward, the Battle of Hastings, and the Bayeux Tapestry. I also wanted to learn more about the attacks on England by the Welsh. I loved the comments by the Saxon soldiers about how crazy the Welsh were. LOL

Anything that gets people interested in history is always a win—which is why these historical fiction audiodramas are such great resources to add to our collection. These audiodramas also feature fantastic soundtracks and stellar voice casting. This particular audiodrama featured the voice talents of Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear), Chris Larkin (Master and Commander, Valkyrie), Helen George (Call the Midwife), Jack Farthing (Poldark), Patrick Godfrey (Les Miserable, Ever After), and more!

As an extra aside, the Bayeux Tapestry is discussed at the beginning of the audiodrama. It is a tapestry thought to date back to the 11th century and is the Norman view of the Norman conquest of England concerning William the Conqueror and Harold, Earl of Wessex. The release of Wulf the Saxon which tells the tale of William the Conqueror and Harold, Earl of Wessex and the Battle of Hastings goes perfect with some news from France. I just read yesterday that on 18 January 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the Bayeux Tapestry would be loaned to Britain for public display. It is expected to be exhibited at the British Museum in London from 2022. It will be the first time that the Tapestry has left France in 950 years. (Bayeux Tapestry, Wikipedia). Pretty cool huh how the timing worked out!

Want To Learn More?

We have enjoyed listening to Wulf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions. I encourage you to check out the Live the Adventure club to get the inside scoop on all the latest news from Heirloom Audio Productions! By joining the club you will get three 2-CD audiodrama sets shipped to you each year, have access to hundreds of fun activities and games, stream over 500 old-time radio shows, and much more! 

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I am happy to add this audiodrama to our collection and will be looking forward to using it as a resource when we are studying the early 1000's in world history in the future. I encourage you check out Heirloom Audio Productions for yourself--you will be glad you did! 

I will Give You Rest

It was one of those days. 
The kind of day when you feel it boiling inside of you.
The bad attitude.
I felt it simmering. I don't know really where it came from. Probably an inconvenience of some kind aggravated me. And then *pop* just like that the bad attitude emerged. 

Upcoming Reviews for February/March: What are we checking out right now?

It's that time of year again...when my stint with the Homeschool Review Crew kicks into high gear and awesome new products start arriving at my house. Would you believe that my husband even bought us a new mailbox that is big enough to accommodate all my boxes? LOL. True Story! Yes, it's true. I am starting to get HaPpY MaIl each week! So let's take a moment to see what I have coming up for reviews that will be shared for the month of February and March 2018!

Upcoming Reviews for February

1. Bytes of Learning from UltraKey Online
This is one that I am especially tickled with. This is an online keyboarding/typing program. Everything is online, so you don't have to download any software! Although I requested this primarily for my 11 (almost 12) year old, it appears that my younger son (Age 7) is enthralled with the idea of learning how to type and asks to use the program. And if you have stayed up with me on Facebook (you follow me there, right?) you will have seen that I have been using it myself to strengthen my own skills! I look forward to sharing a full review with you the week of February 19th, 2018.

2. Wolf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions
We have been blessed to have reviewed every single one of the Heirloom Audio Productions audiodramas that have been part of our Homeschool Review Crew--and we were given the latest audiodrama in the line up to listen to and review as well! Our review will go LIVE the week of February 19th, 2018

3. Drive Thru History Adventures: Biblical History~ The Gospels
A video based family bible study that takes us on location to the areas the events in the Bible took place? Yes please! We have been working through this 18 episode curriculum as a family and I am looking forward to sharing our review the week of February 27th, 2018

Some additional companies being reviewed in February by my fellow crew members include: Starfall Education Foundation

UPCOMING REVIEWS FOR MARCH

4. Magic Stix from The Pencil Grip, Co.
A 24 pack of markers that are non-toxic and won't dry out even if uncapped for 7 days? Um, yes please! My boys are enjoying using these over the course of our review. Review will go LIVE the week of March 5th, 2018

5. A la Carte Projects File Folder Games from Home School In the Woods
We just received our items to review for our ala carte file folder games from Home School in the Woods! I picked games that I was pretty sure my boys would enjoy--Trip to Town and Name that State! Both will be a great addition to our social studies curriculum! This review will go LIVE the week of March 19, 2018

Some additional reviews being completed by other members on my review crew include: CursiveLogic, Parenting Made Practical, and NatureGlo's eScience.

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Tis the season when I start getting pretty busy again! I just filled out the forms for three MORE review products (and I will add them to this list as they are assigned), so it's definitely going to start getting pretty busy around here! But I get awfully excited when the products to review start popping up in my mailbox, on my front porch, or in my email! I always share about them on my Instagram account FIRST, so to stay up to date with what's going on daily, make sure you follow me over there! 

Three Tips to Get Started with Nature Study {Nature Study Series~Part 2}

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

In my first installment of my series on Nature Study, I wrote about 5 Reasons to Add Nature Study to Your Classroom. We love Nature Study and our family feels strongly about making sure it's a part of each homeschool week. I know there are many out there who desire to add it to their lessons, but really just don’t know how to begin. It is for these people that I would like to dedicate this post which I've simply titled: Three Tips for Getting Started With Nature Study.

1. Don’t over think it.

Nature Study isn’t something that has to be planned out. You don’t need a lesson plan (although there are some you can have) to do it.