Till Next Time,
Monique
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Sunday Inspiration~ March 28, 2021
Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Sunday Inspirations~ March 21 ,2021
Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
Till Next Time,
Monique
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Sunday Inspirations~ March 14, 2021
Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
Till Next Time,
Monique
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Review~ Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers from Everyday Education
Disclaimer~ I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Good Morning and welcome back. Thank you for stopping in! Today, I get to share with you a valuable resource for writers. In order for students to excel in school and life, they need to know how to write well. The Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers from Everyday Education is a must have resource for any student!
Everyday Education is a valuable resource for families that are just starting on their homeschooling journey or have been on the journey for a few years already. The site offers advice and resources for learning how to homeschool, how to teach the classics, and how to use living books in your homeschooling curriculum. The site also provides families with a wonderful selection of books in their bookstore. The bookstore contains books to help teach literature and how to become strong writers. There are resources for parents, like Transcripts Made Easy, to help them along their homeschooling journey.
"The decline in literature indicates the decline of a nation."
~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
For this review, we received a free copy of Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers in eBook form. The book can be purchased in physical form on the website too.
The Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers was created for use by middle and high school students and beyond to the college and adult years. It is a writer's handbook that takes them from high school to college. This valuable resource is a refence guidebook that answers questions about grammar, writing, punctuation, and more. Every college bound student should have a copy to take with them, so they will have a quick reference guide to help them succeed in their college classes.
Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers is based on two useful reference books, one that is focused on essays and arguments, and the second one that is focused on elements of usage and style. This reference handbook would be a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.
The Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers is broken up into 2 parts.
~Part 1~
Essays and Arguments
Sections 1- Introduction to Essays and Arguments
Section 2- Simple First Principles of Arguments
Section 3- Setting Up the Argument
Section 4- Definitions: Defining Key Terms
Section 5- Deduction and Induction
Section 6- Organizing the Main Body of an Argument part 1
Section 7- Organizing the Main Body of an Argument part 2
Section 8- Paragraph Structure
Section 9- Paragraph Functions
Section 10- Writing Arguments About Literary Works
Samples of Outlines for Essays and Research Papers
Critical Approaches to Shakespeare
Criteria for Making Literary Evaluations
~Part 2~
Usage and Style
Section 1- Phrases, Clauses, and Sentences
Section 2- Words
Section 3- Basic Punctuation
Section 4- Pronouns
Section 5- Parallelism or Parallel Structure
Section 6- Modifiers, Gerunds, and Infinitives
Section 7- Clarity, Logic, and Structure
Section 8- References and Bibliographies
Section 9- Basic Format for Essays and Research Papers
At the back of the handbook, there are three additional sections: the six sections of an approach paper, eleven things a paragraph can do, and the rubric for writing evaluation.
The handbook is over 400 pages and provides students with a wealth of information they can use as they write papers for their various classes.
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."
~ Frederick Douglass
What Will the Students Learn Using the Excellence in Literature Handbook?
Honestly, a better question to ask would be what they will not learn in regards to writing. When students use the handbook, they will learn how to write and construct logical arguments for their essays, debate projects, and research papers. Students will learn to use deductive and inductive reasoning. Learning how to use these forms of reasoning allows students to form hypotheses, theories, and know how to apply them to specific situations. Students learn to dig deeper into the great classics, short stories, poetry, and plays. By digging deeper into these works, they will learn how to apply their thoughts and write insightful papers on works of literature. When students know how to form and structure paragraphs correctly, it will lead to papers and essays that are strong and interesting to read. The essays and papers will be clear and concisely present the student's point of view.
Reading great literature and being able to discuss it or write about it allows students to become educated, well-rounded, and productive citizens in society.
"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it.
It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become."
~ C.S. Lewis
How To Use the Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers?
This handbook is a wonderful resource for students as they work through other courses. It is a necessary addition to any language art curriculum. It will help students with their grammar, punctuation, outlines, sentence structure, and writing style. The samples provided in the handbook are amazing and a wonderful reference for students. English papers, research papers, history reports, and term papers will become easier to complete with this valuable resource sitting on your student's desk.
What Did We Think About the Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers?
I found this book to be a great resource for my two high school students. They both have multiple papers to work on in their American Literature class and their history class. Research papers, persuasive essays, book analysis papers, and a term paper have all been writing assignments they have worked on this year or will work on this year.
This handbook is a wonderful resource for them to know what is expected, what must be done, and how to execute it. I want both my teens to be strong writers. I have seen firsthand too many students struggle when they head off to college because they have no clue on how to begin the writing process or how to actual do it. This handbook solves that! It truly is a outstanding reference book for high school students heading off to college.
Over the past few months, they have looked over various sections and applied it to the essays they have worked on. Now, as they begin their work on their term papers, I will be printing a copy out for each one. I will place the printed pages in a binder and that way they will have easy access to the book. I know both will be using the handbook quite frequently as they work on their term papers, especially the section about references and bibliographies!
Both Michael and Therese have the book extremely helpful as a reference to use when they are writing. Therese asked to have it printed out, so that she could easily mark important sections she needed.
" A writer, I think, is someone who pays attention to the world."
~ Susan Sontag
Learn more about Everyday Education and all the wonderful books they have to offer.
Stop by and see what the rest of the crew had to say about The Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers.
Till Next Time,
Monique
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Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Review~ The Reading Game, 2nd Edition from Allsaid & Duun, LC
Disclaimer~ I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
It was not that long ago that I was teaching my two kids how to read. It feels like it was forever ago, but in reality, it was only 10 years ago. O.K. that is a little longer that I would like to admit, but time flies by. I remember the struggles and the stress of this process, so when I was asked to review The Reading Game, 2nd Edition from Allsaid & Duun, LC, I was more than willing to share my opinion.
The Reading Game was developed by author, Kenneth Hodkinson, who wrote the first few books in the Wordly Wise Series of vocabulary builders. This series is well known and has been revised and updated. Parents with kids in grades from K-12th have probably heard of this amazing series or even used it. I know we have in the past!
The idea behind The Reading Game, 2nd Edition is that your child will be reading their first book in a week. That is a pretty impressive claim. I know plenty of parents that would find that extremely helpful.
For this review, I received a physical box set that contained storybooks, picture flashcards, and six staged sets of memory games.
Stage 1~ Skunk
Stage 2~ Snake
Stage 3~ Bear
Stage 4~ Penguins
Stage 5~ Unicorn
Stage 6~ Zebra
How do you use The Reading Game?
Each game is played in six stages. Each stage teaches five words. The card game requires two players, the student and the tutor. The tutor must be able to read the words on the cards. To start using The Reading Game, children start with a simple memory match game. The tutor begins the game by taking the ten playing cards for the skunk series. The skunk set is the first stage.
The two players take turns flipping over any two cards. If the cards match, the player that flipped them, takes the cards and says the words out loud several times. In the beginning, the player can be prompted by the tutor. If the two cards do not match, the game continues on. Once all the cards have been matched, the cards are shuffled and placed face down again for another round. Students will play with the same cards until they can read them without any hesitation at all.
Once the tutor feels the student can easily read all ten words from games 1 and 2, the student will then be tested by using the captioned picture flashcards that relates to the cards that were just played.
If the student can read the captioned picture cards without any problems, the tutor can move the student on to games 3 and 4. The process continues until the student completes games 5 and 6. Once the student has successfully read all the picture cards, they are ready to read the storybook.
After the student reads the first stage set, they move onto the next stage set. They will continue in this pattern until they read the last stage of 6. Each new stage will contain words from the previous stages to help with reinforcement.
Once the student competes all 6 stages, they will have a vocabulary of 180 words. Most of these words are used frequently and are Dolch words. This helps build a strong starting vocabulary for any young reader.
What did I think about The Reading Game?
After looking over the game, I thought it was extremely well done. The game is easy to follow and set up is quick. It requires very little preparation from the parent. Older children can easily help play the game with younger children. I think the game is a fun way to help students learn to read.
Since I did not actually play the game with a child learning to read, I can't say whether the claim of your child reading in a week is accurate.
Having two kids myself, who learned to read very differently, I have to say it would depend on the child. Michael picked up on reading very early and actually started reading at the age of two. He was quick to memorize words. I honestly think if he had played this game he would have been reading in a week.
Therese, on the other hand, was a different story. We tried numerous programs, books, and games to help her learn to read. She struggled with them all. When it was here time for it all to click it finally did. There was no rushing the process.
My honest belief is if your child is ready to learn to read, this game could help them read in a week. If your child is not quite there yet, they will learn some but probably will not be reading within the week.
Every child is different and one thing I have learned over the years is they will read when they are ready. My child that struggled to read until she was nine, now has her nose in a book all the time. My child that read at two, only reads books assigned for school.
Learning to read is a huge step in any child's life and it will come. Just have patience.
I do think The Reading Game would be a fun way to engage and encourage young children learning to read. Learning to read should be fun and stress free. The Reading Game would be a wonderful addition to helping your child learn to read.
Want to learn more about The Reading Game?
Discover more about them
What a chance to win your own Reading Game?
Five random winners will be selected.
Giveaway opens March 8th and closes at midnight on March 15th.
Find out what the rest of the Review Crew had to say about The Reading Game!
Till Next Time,
Monique
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Sunday, March 7, 2021
Sunday Inspiration~ March 7, 2021
Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
Till Next Time,
Monique
Friday, March 5, 2021
Review~ Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers from Byron's Games
Disclaimer~ I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Recently, we were given the opportunity to review Maestro Master- Explore the Composers from Byron's Games. This is a fun card game to help kids and adults learn about and discover 52 classical composers from the Medieval to Contemporary time period.
Byron's Games is on a mission to help children learn something new and discover a few new passions while having fun playing some games. It all started when young Byron was six years old. During a month long stay at the hospital, after enjoying a game with a friend of keeping track of all the Olympic medals during the 2016 Olympics, Byron created a game about flags and continents. He wanted to share this new game with his fellow patients at the hospital. He wanted to help children, like himself, have fun during their hospital stay, but also learn a few things along the way.
For this review, we received a physical copy of the game Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers from Byron Games. It's a fun, educational game and sells for about $25. Who doesn't love a game that helps children learn too?
The game is geared for children 5 and up. All you need is two players to play the game, but of course the more the merrier! The playing time of the game is about 30 minutes. This is a great time frame, little ones will not lose interest and if they want to play another round there is plenty of time to do that too!
The game comes with 104 matching composer cards that feature 52 composers, one music timeline card, one fold-out poster to continue the fun learning about composers, and instructions so you know how to play. They are kind of important, wouldn't you say?
What is Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers?
Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers is a game that is so much more than a simple matching game. Players will not only learn about composers, but their countries of origin, eras of music, and their life spans. As you play the game, players will learn more than just matching composers. They will grow their memorization skills, increase their concentration and cognitive functions, learn to pay close attention to details, and have fun all while learning!
How do you play Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers?
The game is fairly simple. Think about those early matching games we all played as children, with our children, or are currently playing with our children. One player takes one deck of cards and places them face down in rows and columns. Players then take turns (clockwise) around the table, turning over 2 cards only. The players then read the card aloud: composer's name, years they lived, country they were from, era of music, and the text description. Older players may need to help younger ones with this task. The player than places the pair down face up, in front of them, grouping their matching by era. The cards are colored by era, making this easy for younger players to do.
Once all the cards have been matched, players will then count their matches. The player with the most matches wins the game!
For an optional way to play, include the music. Players can go to the Byron's Game website and enjoy listening to the masterful creations of each composer presented in the game.
For an even greater challenge, players can change up the game a little. Players can listen to a sample of the various composer's works and try to guess which composer it is and what era the music is from.
What did we think of Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers?
Maestro Mastery- Explore the Composers is a fantastic way to help children (and adults) learn about great composers. It would be a wonderful addition to any family's music curriculum.
When Michael and Therese were little, we listened and learned about various composers. I created my own lesson plans, bought CD's to listen to their music, found coloring pages and worksheets to help them learn. I always believed it was important for children to learn about great artists and composers.
After playing this game, we realized we remembered a lot, but also realized that we missed a few great composers along the way. I love the added bonus of listening to the composer's music.
I would highly recommend this fantastic game to any family! I promise your family will have a tremendous amount of fun and learn a few things as they play!
Learn more about Byron's Games!
The Review Crew was given the option of reviewing two products from Byron's Games. To learn more about Explore the Composers or The Family Journal, click the image below and learn all about these two amazing products!
Till Next Time,
Monique
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Review~ Hamelin Stoop Series~ The Ring of Truth from 12 Gates Publishing
Disclaimer~ I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in
exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I
compensated in any other way.
I was thrilled when we were given the opportunity to review the 3rd book, The Ring of Truth, from Robert B.
Sloan in the well-loved Hamelin Stoop Series from 12 Gates Publishing
Since we were new to this series, we were gifted the first
2 books in this series as well. What a generous gift from this amazing company. If you have enjoyed the first two books
in the series, then you will love the third one as well. The best part is there
are more books coming in this series, so stay tuned for future updates.
The Hamelin Stoop Series is a wonderful collection
of books classified as young adult fantasy. There series is geared for middle
schoolers and high schoolers. Of course, adults can read this series as well. Don’t
worry if you have younger kids, these books make a great family read aloud!
Since I’m a stickler for reading books in order, I’m
currently still reading the first book in this series, The Eagle, The Cave, and
The Footbridge. I hate reading books out of order, and it drives me crazy if I
do.
In the first book, we are introduced to Hamelin when he is only a few weeks
old. His parents, in danger and fleeing trackers, come up with a plan that
places Hamelin in an orphanage. As he grows, we get to see how Hamelin deals
with coming of age, making friends, dealing with bullies, and the hard lesson
on figuring out why those that love him always must leave him.
When he turns
eight, Hamelin decides to run away and a whole new adventure begins. He’s faced
with battles between good versus evil, kingdoms and rulers, and a journey of a
lifetime. I can’t wait to finish the book and dive into the next one!
In the new book, the 3rd in the series,
Hamelin returns from a battle of good versus evil in the Land Gloaming to the orphanage
in Texas where he grew up. He is looking for the lost princess to bring her
back to the Land of Gloaming. He suspects that his friend Layla is the lost princess
he is searching for. Layla admits that she has had dreams of another land, but
she’s not sure if they are memories. Things don’t go as he has planned,
something we all can relate to. A friend disappears, mystical creatures appear,
magical objects come into play, and mysterious twist and turns lead Hamelin and
his friends on a new adventure. While Hamelin searches for his family and the
truth, Chimera has his agents looking for the lost princess too. She is not to
return home at any cost.
I am about halfway through the first book. I find myself reading at night
once everything has settled down. I haven’t been disappointed in the book so
far. My daughter is looking forward to starting the series, once I
complete the first book and she finishes a book she is currently reading for history.
The characters in the series engaging and relatable.
The plot is interesting and keeps the reader involved. It’s a book you want to
keep reading to see what happens next. I love of book with lots of twists and
turns that keeps the reader guessing. I can’t
wait for the next book in the series! I’m enjoying my adventure with Hamelin
and his friends.
Learn all about the Hamelin Stoop Series
Want to know more about this adventurous series?
You
can find out more over at the Schoolhouse Review Crew!
Till Next Time,
Monique
Monday, March 1, 2021
Happy Homemaker Monday~ March 8, 2021
Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
Good morning! I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday! The weekend flew by way too quickly. Therese spent the night with some friends and then went to the mall. Saturday, we continued working on the laundry room. On Sunday, I subbed for the 2nd grade teacher again at church. The kids were great and asked some amazing questions. I'm always amazed at how insightful they are. They are such deep thinkers! After class, I went to the store to pick up some groceries we needed for the week.
Let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday. Let's join our beautiful host, Sandra over at A Diary of Stay at Home.
❀❀~The Weather~❀❀
On my goodness, it's going to be such a beautiful week here. Temps are getting into the 60's/70's and I'm thrilled! Now it just needs to get warm and stay warm!
Monday~ Sunny, 55*
Tuesday~ Partly Cloudy, 65*
Wednesday~ Mostly Sunny, 68*
Thursday~ Partly Cloudy, 71*
Friday~ Cloudy, 67*
Saturday~ Showers, 54*
Sunday~ Sunny, 49* 😞
❀❀~How I'm feeling this morning~❀❀
Physically, I'm feeling better. My fever finally went away. I still am a little congested and I still get a little winded if I try to do too much, but overall I feel good.
❀❀~What I'm wearing~❀❀
My standard uniform....leggings, t-shirt, sweater, and uggs.
❀❀~What I'm doing right now~❀❀
Laundry...the room is not completed, but the washer and dryer are hooked up. I'm writing this post and then 2 reviews that are due while I am gone!
❀❀~ What's on my mind~❀❀
I'm not looking forward to this week. I'm heading back home to attend the funeral of an amazing women. My childhood bestfriend lost her mother last week. I'm saddened and devastated for her. I wish I could take her pain away, but I know realistically that there is nothing I can do except be there for her. We met when we were 12 and have been friends ever since. She's my children's godmother and their 2nd "aunt". I have so many wonderful memories of her mother and her family. My teen years wouldn't have been the same without them. I spent numerous weekends at their house and even went on vacation with them. They were my second family.
I know as we age, our parents age, but somehow we always think that they will be there. I still picture my parents as they were when I left home at 18. Sure, I see that they have aged, but my mind doesn't process it. They're your parents and they'll always be there or so it seems. Over the past few years, I've watched as my friends have had to say goodbye to one of their parents. How did we get here? I swear it feels like we were just 12 years old living carefree. It saddens me to know my parents won't be here forever, even if I don't quite want to admit it. Watching my friends go through this makes me think about how are days are numbered and that we need to take full advantage of the days we have. We never know when God will call on of loved ones home or call us home.
❀❀~What they kids are up to~❀❀
They are off school this week, since we'll be heading out of town. Today they are running a few errands. Tomorrow, they'll work on a few lessons that they need to finish and then we head out of town.
❀❀~What's for breakfast~❀❀
Coffee and a protein shake
❀❀~My current reading pile~❀❀
I have two books that I'm currently reading. The Awaking by Nora Roberts and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
❀❀~What the Kids are Reading~❀❀
They are still worked through Animal Farm by George Orwell. They read a chapter and they have to work through the Animal Farm Study guide from Progeny Press.
❀❀~Music I'm listening to~❀❀
Honestly, I haven't been listening to any music lately.
Right now, I'm oddly listening to the dog's stomach growl. I'm not sure why she just doesn't go eat her breakfast. Silly dog.
❀❀~What I'm working on~❀❀
Nothing at the moment. We've just been to busy with other things going on.
❀❀~Looking around the house~❀❀
I need to organize and do a deep spring cleaning, but I'll do that before Easter.
❀❀~This weeks to do list~❀❀
Not much of a list this week since I won't be here.
Clean chicken coop before I go
Finish up laundry
❀❀~Funny Quote/Meme for the Week~❀❀
❀~What's for dinner this week~❀❀
Monday~ Lasagna
Tuesday~ Beef roast and potatoes
Wednesday~ ??
Thursday~ ??
Friday~ ??
Saturday~ ??
Sunday~ ??
❀❀~ From the camera~❀❀
❀❀~What I'm praying for~❀❀
My dear friend and her family
The repose soul of Mrs. B
Our country
A friend who is pregnant with her first baby
My little second graders as they prepare for their First Holy Communion (only 7 weeks away)
❀❀~Inspirational thought for the week~❀❀
Wishing y'all a wonderful week.
Stay happy, healthy, and safe!
Till Next Time,
Monique
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