Thursday, October 24, 2013

Throwback Thursday...Apple Crafts!

Last year, the girls worked on a Bible Timeline notebook.  They created these apple crafts while learning about Adam and Eve.

 

 They started out with a painted canvas.  I learned this blending shade technique when my husband and I attended a date night at our local art gallery! 


 I found an apple template that I liked and traced it onto the canvas. 


 Then, using Tacky Glue, the girls outlined the apple with ribbon. 


On to the decorating with buttons and glitter! 



They topped the apples off with some leftover Christmas decorations. 


I love the way each apple turned out! 


In addition, they completed an apple tree page for their Bible Timeline notebook, using pencil erasers and a red stamp pad to make the apples.  



Lastly, they made a paper collage apple for their Bible Timeline notebook. 



Sunday, October 20, 2013

TOS Review: God's World News

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God's World News publishes age-appropriate magazines for children in order to help them grow in their faith and their understanding of the world around them.  There are six levels from Pre-K to highschool.  Each age-level magazine contains world events, science topics, historical events, and information about people and places from around the world in a Christian context.

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  We received a one-year subscription to Early Edition.   

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 Recommended Age: 1st and 2nd grades 

Price: $28

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What's included in the one-year subscription of Early Edition?

God's World News, Early Edition
 
  • 10 full-color issues, one magazine each month, except for December and May. 
God's World News, Early Edition
 
  • Each magazine contains 24 pages of age-appropriate stories that combine the latest news information with a biblical perspective.  Izzie, 7 years old, was intrigued about the Chincoeague wild ponies!  Each year, the ponies swim from the island of Assateague to the shore of Virginia. 
God's World News, Early Edition
 
  • In addition to world events, there are a variety of historical events.  In the October edition, there is an article referencing Columbus Day, which talks about Christopher Columbus and his journey to the new world.
God's World News, Early Edition
 
  •  Izzie really enjoyed learning about the different science topics within each magazine.  She couldn't believe that scientists have figured out how to copy butterfly wings in order to stop people from creating fake money! 
God's World News, Early Edition
 
  • Each magazine also contains a variety of fun and engaging puzzles to encourage alphabet, number, sequence, and other age-appropriate skills.  

 
  • A full-sized (20" x 30") world map was included with the September issue.  
God's World News, World Map

  • The world map can be used with the MAP-IT! locator maps found within each magazine.  Izzie was very interested in learning about the different people and places from around the world.  She was very curious about where the people lived and enjoyed finding their location on the world map.
God's World News, Early Edition
 
  • In addition to the physical magazines, there are on-line biographies and topical lessons available to download and print, including quizzes and answer keys.  
  • I really enjoyed having access to the children's website, which contains additional stories and colorful photos, plus downloadable activity sheets. 
  • Lastly, there is a weekly e-mail newsletter for parents, containing answer keys to the quizzes and puzzles found within the magazines. 

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What did I like about Early Edition?
  •  The monthly issues are in full-color with a lot of visuals, which really captured Izzie's attention.  She loved flipping through each magazine just to look at the pictures!    
  • The magazines are written in a large text which is perfect for beginning readers. 
  • All contents, stories and activities, are age-appropriate.
  • Throughout the magazine, the information was presented with a biblical perspective. 
  • It was convenient to have access to the online content to help enhance discussions about the topics presented. 
  • Izzie really enjoyed locating the featured countries on the included world map.  
  • The enrichment activities were fun and engaging.  

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In conclusion, Early Edition has been a great way to present global news to Izzie.  I really appreciate that the articles are written on her age-level and contain a biblical perspective.

Sail over to read what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with God's World News.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Look How I've Grown!

Lincoln, 6 weeks old

Lincoln, 19 weeks old

Saturday, October 5, 2013

TOS Review: Fundanoodle

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There's a new education readiness brand in town!  Fundanoodle was created with the belief that learning should be educational and fun.  The Fundanoodle Handwriting Program was developed by pediatric occupational therapists and designed to develop and improve the skills needed for handwriting, while
  • helping fine and gross motor coordination,
  • enhancing eye-hand coordination,
  • encouraging touch and visual exploration, and
  • promoting problem-solving, discovery, and self-esteem.

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 Fundanoodle uses a color coordinating system for different age groups to provide developmentally and age-appropriate products for your child(ren).

he activities are developmentally and age-appropriate as well as short in duration – perfect for young attention spans. - See more at: http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/#sthash.gF2Yu3A3.dpuf
he activities are developmentally and age-appropriate as well as short in duration – perfect for young attention spans. - See more at: http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/#sthash.gF2Yu3A3.dpuf
Orange--3 years old, Preschool
Blue--4 to 5 years old, PreK/Kindergarten
Green--5 to 6 years old, Kindergarten/First Grade  

 We were thrilled to have the opportunity to review Blue: I Can Build Upper Case Letters!

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 Recommended Age: 
4-5 years old 
PreK to Kindergarten

Price:  $29.99

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What's included in I Can Build Upper Case Letters?

Fundanoodle, I Can Build Upper Case Letters!

First, I must admit that I was completely shocked by the size of the box!  Mac, 4 years old, was overly excited by just looking at the colorful outside of the box and squealed with excitement when we opened it!

Fundanoodle, I Can Build Upper Case Letters!

The inside of the box was just as colorful!  The bottom of the box had all the components nicely organized and the top lid of the box contained a brightly colorful sheet containing the benefits and instructions.

We quickly dug into the goodie box to discover what was inside! 

Mac went straight for the Muscle Movers Card Game. The brightly colored animals cards quickly grabbed her attention! 

Fundanoodle, Muscle Movers Card Game

The Muscle Movers Card Game consists of 6 durable, double-sided cards and one large number die.  Each game card has a picture of an animal with an action, sound, or gesture to imitate.  The opposite side has a number.

The object of the game is for each player to take turns rolling the die, matching the number rolled to the number on the game card, then imitating the action, sound, or gesture of the animal on the back of the card. 

Fundanoodle, Muscle Movers Card Game

Mac loved playing the Muscle Movers Card Game.  There was a lot of laughter and learning going on, while playing!  It was a great way to review her numbers in a fun way.  The game can even be used as a way to improve her fine motor skills, by practicing writing the numbers.  Dry-erase markers can be used to trace the large numbers on the game cards and easily erased! 

 A large magnetic dry-erase board and marker are also included.  The magnetic board has a green strip at the top, which is a subtle way to remind your child(ren) where to start either writing or building the letters.

Fundanoodle, Magnetic Dry-Erase Board

There are a total of 14 magnetic MagnaStix used to build all 26 capital letters. 

Fundanoodle, MagnaStix


There is no guessing or getting frustrated trying to figure out how to build each letter.  There is a color coded key to use as a guide to form each capital letter. 

Fundanoodle, Color Coded Key

 This was such a fun way for Mac to learn and explore how lines fit together to form letters! 

 

 

The magnetic letters are extremely strong; therefore, Mac needed help removing them from the board.

 

She really enjoyed practicing writing the letters too.  The included marker was easily erased and the board has remained stained free, even with daily writings!

The last component included was the I Can Write Upper Case! writing tablet.

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

Mac enjoyed meeting the cute characters, Max, Alphie, and their jungle pals throughout the spiral bound writing template.  The writing template was developed by occupational therapists to
  • improve strength, control, and endurance with writing tools,
  • promote correct top to bottom formation of strokes,
  • build confidence, and
  • to encourage self-expression and creativity.
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The writing tablet does not introduce the letters in alphabetical order.  Instead, the letters are introduced according to the child's development of visual and motor skills.   Each letter is presented on a colorful page.  While learning to write each letter, the child is taught that the top green line represents "Go" and bottom red line represents "Stop". 

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

Max the Monkey is found at the top of each letter page with instructions on how to write the specific letter.

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

Alphie the explorer is located at the bottom of each letter page with encouragement.   There is a small area to place a reward sticker.

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

There are 26 reward stickers, one for each letter, included in the back of the writing tablet.  

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

In addition, there are a variety of practice pages, multiples of each.

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

Fundanoodle, I Can Write Upper Case! Writing Tablet

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What did I like about I Can Build Upper Case Letters!
  • The colorful, whimsical design and characters really grabbed Mac's attention.  She is always excited to participate! 
  • All components included are extremely durable and I foresee them lasting for years. 
  • I can notice the Handwriting Program helping Mac's fine motor skills.  Her pencil grip and formation of letters have improved during the review period. 
  • The consistency among the products.  The magnetic board and writing tablet both use the green line at the top and red line at the bottom. 
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I would recommend I Can Build Upper Case Letters! for any child learning how to write capital letters!   

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Recommended Age: 
4-5 years old 
PreK to Kindergarten

Price:  $29.99

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Sail over to read what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with a variety of products from Fundanoodle. 

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