From the Publishers:
For Instruction in Righteousness is a valuable tool that will help you, in specific ways, to fulfill each of these duties God has given us. Most chapters include each of the following sections:

• What the Bible says will, or should, happen to a person who sins in this way, with ideas for discipline that parallel these Biblical consequences.
• Instructions the Bible gives for repenting of this sin (newly added in this edition!)
• What the Bible likens a person to when he indulges in this sin, and ideas for practical object lessons using these examples.
• How God blesses the person who resists temptations to this sort of sin, with parallel ideas for “rewards” and encouragement when children show progress in overcoming this sin.
• Stories and people in the Bible that illustrate obedience and disobedience in this area.
• Fully quoted memory verses.

How we use it in our home/what we like about this curriculum:

It was in obedience to my mentor, and not confidence in the results, that first day I opened the shiny spiral bound inch-thick Topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child Training. My boys were ages two and five. So far, I had focused on disciplining their outward behavior, demanding obedience, “Because Mom Said”.  I didn’t realize it at the time but I was raising children to look good to others in public. However, I spent little time training them to think of what God wanted them to be like. They were tiny, they didn’t know, boys would be boys, they were young, they were. . . well, I was filled with a zillion excuses.

The day I opened For Instruction in Righteousness, our parenting was changed forever. I can’t remember that first topic we looked into but I can imagine it might have been Complaining/Ingratitude. What I do remember was the response.

• As we read Hosea 13:6 and wondered if we were forgetting about God when we complain, or 2 Timothy 3:2 when we talked of being lovers of ourselves which leads to not being thankful.
• When we read the instruction of Philippians 2:14 and learned that we should do all without murmuring or disputing.
• I could physically see the eyes shift from rebellion, to receiving instruction, to a change in awareness. The surprising thing, was that the transformation was almost instant – in my two-year-old son.
• We talked through the “What happens or should happen to the complainer” and came up with a few consequences that would be established in the home to help them remember. We also read through “What Should the Complainer Do?” to give the children ways to overcome. Simple examples, like singing and giving thanks.
• Throughout the week we read stories of those in the Bible that had dealt with complaining and ingratitude, and we emphasized the “Blessings of Gratefulness”.

I was astounded. I didn’t point fingers, raise my voice, threaten discipline, belittle, or heap on guilt and shame. It was just a wonderfully quiet time in the Word. The two-year-old got it – and I was hooked.

For Instructions in Righteousness is available at Doorposts – Bible-based parenting and character training material.

• A Topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child-Training
• Author: Pam Forster
• Age: All ages
• Spiral bound, 3rd edition
• ISBN: 9781891206290
• Pages: 376
• Price: $36.00

You may

• View a PDF Sample Chapter: Arguing / Contention and
• View a  PDF Sample: Table Of Contents and Introduction

In summary: We have used this product for eight years, and continue to find it helpful on a regular basis. Join me, Angie Wright, at Petra School as we discuss how we looked at Laziness in the home using this resource.

A Wise Woman Builds
Author: Meredith Curtis
Format: ebook
Pages: 365
Cost: $30.00

A Wise Woman Builds by Meredith Curtis is a massive Bible Study tool weighing in at 365 pages. Yes, you read that correctly…3.6.5. pages. WOW! This puppy covers IT ALL – at least when it comes to growing the house of God. Unlike most studies with this title, this study is about growing to enable building the church, not so much the home.

Here is a quote directly from Meredith’s site that describes this study better than I ever could:

Proverbs 14:1 tells us that wise women build and foolish women tear down. The passion of my heart is to build my family, my home, my local church and the Kingdom of God! I long to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission, making disciples and teaching them EVERYTHING Jesus commanded! All 25 lessons talk about the process of building others up for the glory of God. We look at Jesus model of making disciples, wisdom, spiritual gifts, motherhood, hospitality, leading a Bible study, counseling, and passing the baton! This workbook takes you to the Scripture passages that set the direction of my life, mothering, worship leading and homeschooling. I live my live by these principles and stand firmly behind them with all of my heart! Prepare to be challenged by this Bible study to go deeper and live passionately for the purposes of God!

This study is not for the faint of heart and will not be “a quick read”. If you try to sit down and “flip through it” you will totally miss the point. (Ask me how I know. LOL) This study is meant to cover all aspects of the life of a Christian woman as she relates to the building of the Church – and that is a lot (hence the whopping 365 pages!).

Personally, I cannot read nor do a Bible study while looking at the computer – so I had my copy printed. Check it out!

To show you the actual size, I placed a normal roll of tape next to the binder:

YOWZA! Threatening? Probably. Worth it? Yep!

This study walks you through topics like:

• The Great Commission
• A Servant’s Building Tools
• Speaking Truth in Love with Wisdom
• Evangelistic Lifestyle

The entire study uses a lot of scripture as the base, which I love. After the scripture study portion of each lesson, the author gives her particular thoughts on what was just studied. There are several pages of both scripture study and opinion for each lesson.

So far, in my study of A Wise Woman Builds, these are some of the things that stuck out to me:

The unique thing about the Body of Christ is that those being repaired are also repairing. It is as if Mrs. Hammer drives Miss Nail into Mr. Wall who then later cleans Mrs. Hammer with paint remover spilled on her by Mr. and Mrs. Paint while they were redecorating the Bedroom family. (pg. 23)

A Titus 2 woman exudes reverence for God that permeates every aspect of her life: marriage, ministry, mothering, job, physical appearance, and conversation. Everyone in her life knows that she loves and obeys God. She is modest in her dress, respectful of her husband, diligent in her job, and faithful in her ministry. (pg. 57)

God’s Kingdom is an upside-down kingdom with those who rule and lead, bending low and serving more than anyone else. Serving is never something that you do to get to a higher place. A higher place in Jesus is marked always by greater servitude. It’s the only Kingdom where you will hear: “The Pastor is taking out the trash!” “The worship leader is cleaning the toilet!” (pg. 69) 

As you can see, there is plenty of humor mixed in too.

You can view the Table of Contents along with a sample chapter: The Great Commission.

If you would like more information on where to purchase a copy of your own, click HERE.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Come visit Dawn over at her blog, Guiding Light Homeschool, on Facebook and on Twitter…friends are ALWAYS welcome!

This wonderful family devotional guide by Clay Clarkson teaches character in five lessons a week for 24 weeks.

The layout is simple – each day your family follows the “ARTS” system to learn that particular trait:

Ask A Question

Read The Bible

Talk About It and

Speak To God

Each weekly character quality also has a commentary, definition and a modern day application. Your family will also memorize a Scripture weekly with three different translations given right in the book for you to choose from: NIV, NASB and NKJV.

Something we have just discovered in our homeschool is that our children listen better and retain more, when they are coloring or drawing while listening to me read to them. This updated devotional also has coloring pages in the back, which you may copy for your family’s use.

This was written for family devotional time, led by the father but would also be perfect for homeschool Bible time. We do a morning and evening Bible time, one during school first thing in the morning and then one in the evening with dad.

Mr. Clarkson encourages you and your family to make any changes needed to make the devotional fit you and your needs: switch a Scripture, choose a different question, make the lesson work for you. The most important thing is to be in the Bible. Teach your children to love the Bible – and that you love it too.

I can’t believe I have gone so long without finding this fabulous devotional! It is really what we had been looking for. A curriculum that is not full of someone else’s opinion but one that keeps you searching in God’s word while  giving you the tools to succeed in the most important area we can teach our children.

The only other resource you will need is a Bible for each family member. Plus a desire to grow closer to God yourself and as a family.

You can purchase your own copy of Our 24 Family Ways, at the Whole Heart Ministries website for $15.95 By following this link, you can also see each of the 24 Family Ways that you will be learning.

This is a must-have tool for any Christian home. I don’t have any cons for you. I am so happy to have found it!

I was given a copy of this devotional for review purposes. All opinions are my own. 

Some are already dressed for the day. Two at the kitchen table lean over cereal bowls. I carefully place the laptop on the counter, away from anything that could spill and out of reach of little hands.

I click over to Daily Audio Bible for Kids. This resource we first learned about from Ann Voskamp’s Everyday Learning Links: How to Feed a Brain Every Day. I find the online recording for today and announce I’m about to click it. I turn the laptop towards the table and turn the volume up as far as it goes.

China or Max read to us a passage from the Bible. Children themselves, reading to my children. I turn and quietly begin to unload the dishwasher, trying not to clang dishes so everyone can hear.

That’s the picture of the Daily Audio Bible listening from our house. On a regular sort of morning. The movie at top, DAB in 2 minutes, explains the how and the why of this resource. Even how easy it is to listen to podcasts wherever you are. You don’t have to be unloading the dishwasher. We’ve even clicked over to listen during lunch or right before bedtime.

But this year it is even easier. Not only is the Daily Audio Bible is a free podcast available online, it is also available for:

• iPhone or iPad in the iTunes store for .99
• Android in the Android Marketplace for .99

You can get the new app by searching for DAILY AUDIO BIBLE at iTunes or in the Android Marketplace. Or click over for more details on the Daily Audio Bible site.

We can listen to it in the car. We click it on my phone while we wait for sister during her piano lesson. We can turn it on while we do an art project.

Generally, we listen together to the Daily Audio Bible for Kids. But there are many versions available to fit every need. And now it’s even easier to read or listen to the Bible in a year.

Wherever we are. Whenever.

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting, frugal living and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

What an exciting new product! As a home-schooling family, this has just taken it’s place in our standard curriculum! Want to address those tougher questions about biblical vs scientific subjects typically taught in schools? This is fantastic for that, too! The book is easy to read, geared for all ages as it is well written, and has fantastic pictures to captivate.

It Just Couldn’t Happen outlines the points of view in easy to digest segments, providing not only “facts” but a means for you to discover and understand how science comes to its conclusions as well. They encourage learning more, seeking your own answers and going further. (perfect for library visits or building further for older children). The “Just for Fun” area is a fantastic addition to the book as well. At the end of each chapter they place fun, fanciful questions (such as: if you could live on any plant, what would it be an why?) and hands-on experiments. These engage minds and hands, bringing the subjects to a new level of imagination and interaction; a perfect way to retain knowledge and fuel further passions for learning!

I also love that the book takes both science and bible verses to guide you on the learning journey; something so other books so often fail to do. It’s a delight to see that science CAN be merged with Biblical wisdom and rather seamlessly as well. Overall, the book was a delight. I received this as an e-book to review from Book Sneeze, but honestly, I may go out and buy the tangible paper version – I see this being a beloved portion of our curriculum for years to come.

PROS:

• Beautifully written, easy to read and understand concepts
• Stunning pictures that really captivate the mind and the imagination
• Fun experiments and questions to further enrich concepts

CONS:

• For us, it was only that the book ended too soon; we had a blast with this book!

Pictures of Table of Contents and an except from inside the book.

We’ve been using the Grapevine Bible Curriculum, New Testament, & loving it! The idea is that your children draws the stories & lessons from the Bible as they learn the lessons. The drawings are simple little stick figures, but if your children are like mine they’ll enjoy embellishing them with a few extra details!

They will also write and memorize verses & have weekly reviews. All of which combines together to help your child remember the lessons. In fact, my children’s retention using this curriculum is huge!

This curriculum is made so you can get as much or as little out of it as you want. The Teacher’s Manual comes with information about each lesson so you can pre-study it if you so desire. It’s also suggested you keep a dictionary and concordance at hand incase you need it, but with websites like Dictionary.com & Biblos.com you wouldn’t need to pay for either of those items if you didn’t want to.

You’ll also want to provide your child with a wide range of coloured pencils. The manual also calls for a white board so you can draw the stick figure pictures first, then the students copy them down. They are all very simple to draw and the TM actually shows them so you don’t have to think up what/how to draw on your own. Can I confess that I don’t always draw the pictures thought?

How we use it:

I read the story to them, both from the Bible and telling parts in my own words. I point to the picture in the TM and have them draw each one as I come to that part of the story. Doing it this way means we can take this Bible curriculum anywhere and not have to worry about hauling a whiteboard with us.

Each lesson is very simple, and it’s up to you how much of it you do in a day. The reason this curriculum has lasted us so long is because we started out doing one lesson a week. In the TM it explains that you can do one lesson per week or one per day depending on your needs and desires.

To do one lesson each week we broke it down like this: Monday: Review of previous lesson. Tuesday: Timeline Review. Wednesday: Read new lesson & do page one. Thursday: Do page two of new lesson. Friday: None, OR start the rotation again.

However, we decided to pick up the pace and start doing more lessons in a week so we could move on to the Old Testament. Now we do one lesson per day, but we still save the review of that lesson for the next day to help reinforce what we previously did. This means our schedule now looks like this: M-F: Review previous lesson, timeline review, new lessons.

The Break Down:

• Let’s take a look at the Student Workbook and how it all breaks down! The book begins with a New Testament blank Timeline. This is basically an overview lesson. They discuss each “story” or event in only a few basic sentences while your child sketches everything on the timeline. The idea being that the children get an idea of what they’ll be learning.

• Next you have lessons. Each lesson has a Biblical reference, you can choose to read the summarized version from the Teacher’s Manual or you can grab your Bible and read it from there. I’ve been known to do both if I feel like a specific part of the story I want my children to know was missing from the summarized version. I even summarize it in my own words at times.

• Each lesson is a two page spread, with generally about 8 pictures to draw. The pictures are always based on the lesson, and, as previously mentioned, are always pre-drawn in the TM. At the end of each lesson comes the Lesson Review.

• Lesson Reviews have a few questions {4-8 generally} about the lesson you just learned. I like saving these for the next day to make sure the kids still remember the previous lesson. After the Lesson Review is a Memory Verse to go with each lesson.

• We add all memory verses to our Memory Box to work on memorizing them through that simple method. We also say them at lesson times to help enforce why we chose to memorize this verse.

• Next up you’ll find a page with Character/Event Cards & a space to write out your memory verse. I will confess that we haven’t filled out the cards. The idea is that you write down the key factors from the person or event so that you can use them as quick reference points. My children retain the events and stories well enough that we’ve chosen to skip this part of each lesson. I’ll also confess we don’t always write our our memory verse as we might be working on something else for copywork.

• Then you come to the Timeline Review. This is where you’re meant to remember the three previous lessons you learned before jumping into the next one. You simply draw your stick figures on the timeline and jot under it what they are. There’s also a space for writing out the two previous memory verses. We always do the timeline reviews, but sometimes I’ll just have the children tell me the verse rather then write it.

• Last, but not least, every 6 lessons is a Big Review. When we come to a Big Review it’s the only thing we do that day for Bible. My kids love Big Review Days. We turn them into trivia style games.

What We Love:

• My kids love everything about this curriculum. Anytime I move away from using this as our main Bible there are cries of, “When do we get to do drawing Bible again?”

• I love that it’s simple to teach! It did take a little bit of time to “figure it out”, but once I found my groove we were set!

• It’s non denominational. It was not written from the view point of any one religion. You can read any story/event from your own personal Bible getting that view point.

• I also really love that my kids adore this Bible Programme. Let’s be honest, anything that gets my kids excited about the Bible is usually top notch in my book!

• I was also really excited that I could buy this programme as a download from either Grapevine directly or from Currclick.com. This is a big factor for international homeschoolers. It completely eliminated the need to pay for shipping! It’s also nice if you have more then one student using the student book.

• If you just want to “try” this programme you can even get one of their smaller studies like The Birth Of Christ, The Life of Ruth, or The Resurrection of Jesus.

What we don’t love:

• While I love that I can buy this product as a download it’s big. I’m talking 200+ pages for students & the same for the Teacher’s Manual. Now, the downside there is the amount of paper and ink you’re going to use when you print it out. For US based homeschoolers, I suspect buying the hardcopy would be a wiser and more economical choice. This is not the fault of the programme, as they do offer hard copies of their books.

• I’m also going to give a few thoughts that might be factors for some people.

• It did take a little bit to find my feet with this curriculum. I don’t fault the programme, you are encouraged to contact them if you need any help. I don’t think it’s a difficult programme to use, but, like most curriculums, it took me a bit to find my feet.

• If your children do not like to draw they probably won’t enjoy this programme.

• If you’re nervous about drawing for your kids you might feel turned off by Grapevine Bible, but may I just say that you do not have to draw! Stick figures are really simple, and if you don’t have the confidence to draw them, just show your children the pictures directly located in the Teacher’s Manual. We do this like when we school outside, at the library, or in the park.

Bottom Line:

We love this programme. My kids retain so much information that I know we’ll be sticking with this programme for quite a while!

Kendra lives in Tasmania Australia with her husband, the Man From Down Under, two curious boys, a dog, & a bird that constantly talks back. Creator, and avid user, of the Homeschool Book Of Days & The Nature Game she can be found retelling tales from The Land Down Under over at the Aussie Pumpkin Patch.

What immediately drew me to My Father’s World is that the curriculum is the fact that it is fairly stand alone. You purchase either the basic set or their deluxe set, and you are ready to go!  I adore this as our little library in this rural community really doesn’t have the variety or selection of books that we were used to in San Diego. This means filling in blanks or filling out a curriculum is a challenge now so a curriculum with most of the absolutely necessary books included was a huge plus to us.

However, like the true bibliophiles that we are, I wanted the option of having more, should we be able to find them. True to the Charlotte Mason element, the curriculum is surrounded by the “living books” concept so the usage of books is completely up to you.  I love that they include this in every year.

About My Father’s World 

My Father’s World isn’t just a Charlotte Mason style offering but rather a unique fusion of sorts, merging both “the best of Charlotte Mason, classical education, and unit studies with a Biblical worldview and international focus.”

My Father’s World offers grades K-2nd grade as a more independent, semi-stand alone element and then moves into a family 5 year cycle that works around a central theme. The 5 year cycle is specifically geared for multiple ages, for grades 2nd-8th so there is savings to be found as families with more than one child use the same program to teach all children in 2nd – 8th grade.

They also offer a bridge year called Adventures in My Father’s World, which is geared for families 2nd or 3rd graders who have no siblings in 4th – 8th grade.(We will be doing this program next year as I have a 4year old and a 7 year old.)

Our Adventure

Currently we are working our way though My Father’s World, 1st grade.  I adore this program as it is laid out in an easy to follow, daily workbook fashion.  It’s easy for me to combine the integrated social studies, science, art and Bible elements with both kids, while focusing independently on the phonics and math.  My boys love that they are learning together, doing the same things, despite their age and grade differences.

The curriculum does include a 1st grade phonics-based reading program that focuses on the Bible and more fun, hands-on math activities.  We include our own K4 phonics and and additional math program (Math U See) for both boys as I found their math not as intensive as I think it needs to be for the grade.

One major element we always seemed to miss with our previous years curriculum was the arts; we simply didn’t always make time for them.

With My Father’s World, art, music, crafts,hands-on learning is a major part of the curriculum. Everything is planned out and outlined for you to see the day before so you can prep easily, using common household items most of the time.  My boys have enjoyed this more consistent addition to our learning and I have found they have better attitudes and have better lesson retention.

The only cons that I have experience thus far is that the 1st grade teachers book is only formatted with a daily lesson plan. It lacks the easy, one glace, weekly grid that their latter versions offer.  I also felt the math that is included is a bit weak for the age group so we needed to supplement an additional math program. Ultimately, minor things that we easily rectified.

For a full curriculum, It’s fairly affordable, especially when you compare it to larger, more known companies. For the 1st grade curriculum, you can elect to get their basic package for only $136.oo or their deluxe package for $239.00.  As the years grow in complexity, so does the number of books included which will contribute to a steady raise in the overall costs. However, remaining competitive and within reach for most families.

Overall, My Father’s World, or MFW, has been a blessing to our household. It’s affordable, fun, engaging and the children really do learn.

Our family sponsors two children with Compassion International.

It isn’t exactly a curriculum, but my family is receiving an education through it.

The educational benefits are numerous:

1. Geography becomes a real, living subject rather than a flat, oddly shaped spot on a globe. Someone lives there! Someone who writes you letters! You send letters back! Geography lives.

2. The study of geography extends to cultural study, based on a real person, a child, just like your child. Although this picture may emerge slowly, it is, at its base, more real than any book could portray.

3. Financial stewardship and generous giving become a reality in your family. This giving is not just for adults. Children must see giving in action to understand it. Sponsorship allows for that. Beyond sending the money, writing letters and daily praying for the child(ren) that you sponsor teaches a true concern for the welfare of those that you serve with your finances. Giving becomes a family affair, one that is more than lip service or check-writing.

4. Writing skills are honed through the exchange of letters between children. Even if the adult acts as an intermediary, parent and child can write the sponsored child together. In sharing details of life through writing, children learn how to share themselves in their writing.

5. Humility and discipline are brought to the forefront when sponsored children share their experiences. The kids that we sponsor are poor, poorer than we can really understand, but their gratitude, humility, and commitment to disciplined living shine a light into our lives.

6.  Family prayer has an outward focus.  We pray daily for our sponsored children.  Do you think that I remember to pray for them every day?  Hardly. My eight, six, and four-year old are on the ball, though.  It is a beautiful thing when children pray for each other.

7.  The fabric of the body of Christ is woven in a tangible way.  Even my youngsters can understand that through our prayers, service, and love we are connected to people on other continents.  This is the kingdom of God and it is alive.

There are so many reasons to use our wealth to sponsor children of poverty. In light of the extreme circumstances of the children served through programs like Compassion International, it seems selfish to list the ways that sponsorship benefits me. In my experience, though, God is a God of double blessing: He uses relationships to bless those who receive and those who give. The reasons listed above may not be the primary reasons to become a giver, but they are a part of the blessing of sharing with others and a sign of God’s goodness and love for all.

Perhaps sponsorship seems insufficient, even paltry, due to the distance between your money and the very real difficulties of the children. A few minutes spent perusing the websites of organizations that create child sponsorships quickly reveal that the help is as real as the need. Compassion and groups like them have become adept at creating a cycle of giving that truly helps children and families.

Sponsorship makes a life for children of poverty in a way that empowers families. It is real and lovely.

And as an added bonus for the homeschooling family, it is an education.

Susan is a homeschooling mom of three—a preschooler, a first grader, and a third grader. They spend their days reading on the couch, playing with numbers, and making big, fun messes in a Spirit-led, Well-Trained Mind-inspired classical-Charlotte Mason-traditional model of home education.

Epi Kardia.

In Greek, it means “at the heart.”

To me, this curriculum gets right to the heart of what we want homeschooling to be in our family – a Christ-centered relationship and discipleship between parents and their children.

My Family’s Story

I’m continuously searching for the “best” curriculum for our needs, which are ever-changing.  Unfortunately, my small town leaves a lot desired when it comes to curriculum availability.  And, because I’m an incredibly visual and hands-on person, it’s hard for me to commit to buying things that I can’t thumb through.

I was recently given the chance to take a sneak peak at the Epi Kardia curriculum by the company.  It, along with a few others, had been bookmarked in my “check out later” file – so when the chance came along, I was giddy.  No lie.

Epi Kardia is a literature based Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling.  What does that mean?  Well, Epi Kardia uses the Bible to take your student through history.  But, wait.  If you think your student is just going to be memorizing passages, you are so wrong.  The folks at Epi Kardia have broken down a structured learning plan for each grade.  For example, if you choose the first set in the 1st Grade plan, you’re child will be learning about:  The Ancients, Middle Ages, Renaissance & Reformation.

With each topic, the Bible along with a variety of other christian and non-christian (but approved by Epi Kardia) books are used to help teach your child more about the subject he or she is supposed to be learning.  Because of it’s Charlotte Mason approach, Epi Kardia also includes a lot of copy-work and handwriting exercises.  It’s so impressive to see how they’ve really brought a myriad of important subjects (Bible, History/Reading, Science, English/Phonics, Arts) together in a wonderful education plan.

Quick Breakdown

The Pros-

• Teaches Bible, History/Reading, Science, English/Phonics, Arts (some programs similar to this one do not teach science)
• Included is a book list, complete with ISBN numbers
• The plans leave plenty of time for “projects”
• Costs about the same as its competitors’ programs ($250 for printed, $200 for CD)
• Requires little planning as it’s all done for you!

The Cons-

• It’s a Charlotte Mason approach, so if your child doesn’t learn well with this method, it may not be right for them.  (Although, if you’ve never tried it, I’d recommend it!)
• It didn’t have quite as many projects as I’d like – I’m VERY hands on and project-oriented, as is my oldest.  But, this is easily remedied, and an extra project or two can be added to our schedule.  However, for those of you who aren’t insane about crafting and projects the way I am, they have the perfect amount.  Enough to teach a point without being overbearing for your schedule.
• You’re actually going to have to go to the library or amazon.com to get the books.  Everything you need is not included in these plans (meaning, you’ll have to buy or borrow books from their book-lists).
• The website can be a little confusing (navigation and figuring out which package entails what).

Would I use it?

Yes, yes I would.

Learn More:

To learn more, you can visit their website, check out their scope and sequence, or view a sample.

Written by Ashley.  Find more of Ashley’s writings and reflections on motherhood, marriage and life on her blog.

I don’t know if you do this, but I have occasionally bought a curriculum with every intention of using it to it’s maximum potential, only to shelve after a few weeks because of time and energy constraints.  Shortly after beginning to home school six years ago, we moved my in-laws up from FL, moved everyone to a new house and then proceeded to help with a church plant and have 2 more babies in the space of a few years. Needless to say, I quickly found myself in survival mode, focusing on reading, writing and math.  Other peripheral subjects like science and history fell by the wayside and were sporadic at best.  The sad thing is, I love those subjects and enjoy teaching them!  I also believe they are important and often help foster a child’s love of learning.

The Mystery of History by Linda Lacour Hobar was one of those things I bought, started and petered out on.  Not because it wasn’t great, but because I just didn’t know where to fit it in.

This year when I was trying to decide on a history curriculum, I was debating several, when I remembered MOH and thought, hmmp, why not try it again.

I needed something that was:

Cheap: check!  I already owned the book (1st edition). Even if I hadn’t, it is quite affordable for a year of curriculum.

Multi-level: check!  There are three levels which work perfectly for my 3rd, 5th and 7th graders. The levels are broken down as younger (k-3rd), middle (4th-8th), and older (high school).  You can adjust it according to your child’s abilities and interests.

Taught with a biblical worldview: check!  MOH incorporates Bible history with secular history seamlessly, while addressing a worldview, so that students are prepared for varying viewpoints they might encounter.

Linear timeline: check!  MOH starts with creation and progresses all the way to modern day over 4 volumes.  We have covered various historical periods, including a year-long unit on states and US history last year.  I really wanted the kids to get an overall view of history.

Audio CD’s for listening in the car: check! I was looking at using Story of the World’s audio CD’s to listen to in the car when we are picking up the oldest twice a week.  I was thrilled to find out MOH had added it’s own, which follows the book exactly.  It’s available for purchase of the whole year or there’s MP3 downloads for a quarter at a time, which was easier on the budget for us.

Visual time line: check!  At the end of each week, the author gives you a list of figures that you and the kids can draw and place on the time line.  We actually have most of the figures from our KONOS curriculum and we just add as needed.    Or you can purchase a set on the MOH site.  The author has a great tip for making a time line that can be hung on the wall and then folded and put away using a sewing board.  We never hung our KONOS time line because it required so much wall space, but it was something I always wanted to do because it’s such a great visual of where people fit in history.

Since MOH ticked all the boxes, it was a no-brainer.  After visiting their site to find the audio material, I stumbled on some bonuses they had added since I originally purchased mine:

Folderbook material : Available to purchase a quarter at a time is everything you need to make a fabulous folderbook (lapbook) perfect for older kids.  I had intended to use this for the 3rd and 5th graders only, but the 7th grader loves artistic activities so much, she does it as well. It’s great for reinforcing material and gives the kids a visual of all they have learned.

Coloring pages: These may sound a little young for my age groups, but these are actually beautifully drawn illustrations for each week of the curriculum.  We use these in the car and the kids color them while listening to the lessons.   Then we display them in art frames for the next week.  At the end of the year, I’ll bind them all together to make a finished book for each child.  Even the 2 and 4-year-olds join in the coloring.

Companion CD with printables: All of the maps, pretests, quizzes, etc. are available on the companion CD for easy printing.

There’s several other add-ons available in the MOH store.  You can tailor the resources to your home school’s needs and only purchase what you want.

How it works for us: Twice a week when we pick up my high-schooler from classes we listen to all three lessons for the week in the van. We keep a bag with folders, colored pencils and the current week’s picture ready for action. The lessons are only about 5-7 minutes a piece, and by listening to them twice a week, they retain more.  They color the illustrations while listening and then we talk about the material.  During the week, I put folderbook items and any worksheets in their workboxes. I also check out related books from the library and pull out books from our collection for them to read during the week.  On Friday, when we have a break from afternoon science, we’ll do any of the extra activities, like maps and timeline figures together, as well as any quizzes.   To this point, it has worked beautifully and we are all enjoying it, so it’s no mystery why I love this curriculum!

Kerri always longed for a life of adventure with the man of her dreams. What she never dreamed was that it would be with seven kids in tow! In between welcoming a new one into the world and preparing one to go out in it, she occasionally manages to string together a few complete sentences on Sonflower and also Habits for a Happy Home.

Stop, drop and roll; numbers, matching, science, music, math, cutting and pasting, coloring, calendar and pattern practice, weather and seasons, holidays, physical education, Bible verse memory work and Biblical world view. Definitely a “Complete multi-subject curriculum for preschoolers” ~ Answers in Genesis

And, look! Right at the top of each page – plenty of practice in name writing.

Here’s an example of a quick Answers for Preschoolers science lesson my preschooler enjoyed when she was four:

She was to take the magnifying glass and find some dust. To go to the spot where the most dust collected in the house.

Well, I directed her to the corner of the foyer where there was plenty of dust at the time. But she remembered that her favorite stuffed animals harbor dust mites. So she wanted to take a peek up close. Of course, she couldn’t actually see the dust mites but she had fun finding plenty of dusty specimens around the house. Then drawing the dust samples afterwards.

Features:

• Biblically-based: Starting at the beginning, in Genesis, children learn Biblical truths with God at the beginning of all things.
• Soft bound: (easy to tote around the house. Easy for a preschooler to run and fetch from the shelf!)
• 180 lessons: 90 lessons per volume
• Colorful: full color pages and illustrations throughout.

• What is preschool without music and singing? Accompanying CD – 17 fun songs. Perfect for morning room time or to pop on in the car. See the list of songs and hear samples by clicking over to the Answers in Genesis site.

• For the teacher: For an additional cost, teacher Guides are available for both volumes. Minimal preparation. Any supplies needed can be gathered from household items. However, an accompanying resource packet is also available: “It contains 284 pages of full-color teaching aids to help teach letters, colors, shapes, numbers, seasons, time, Bible memory verses, and more!” ~ AiG site
  

• In our family: we bought one volume of Answers for Preschoolers and used it a few days a week. Two volumes are available. We mix things up. Some days we enjoy an activity from Answers for Preschoolers, another day maybe an idea from Slow and Steady Get Me Ready (skills, large and small motor) or a Five in a Row selection (wonderful list of books!) and an accompanying activity. Some days our preschoolers join in a Tapestry of Grace (classical history unit study) family activity. It just depends. But being purposeful in my preschool planning and having these resources on hand sure helps with the age range.
• It is fun! Which is, of course, the main criteria for your preschooler. We’ve really had fun with Answers for Preschoolers.

• It was easily adaptable for the youngest children: Little brother, age 2 at the time of this photo. He liked to be included in the cutting and pasting.

Available as a kit or as individual purchases: To view both volumes, the teacher guide, the resource packet and the accompanying CD, see the curriculum section of the Answers in Genesis (AiG) site.

We love all the AiG curriculum in our house. We use Answers for Kids for morning quiet time. And, after lunch, we push back the dishes and enjoy a science lesson with God’s Design for Science. Preschoolers are always part of the action!

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

I’m always looking for new and different resources to use for our morning Bible time around the breakfast table. I first heard about My ABC Bible Verses on a Christian radio broadcast and placed it on my wishlist. I recently purchased it and am so glad that I did. We are almost to the end of it now and have been incredibly blessed by it. Not only does this book provide morning devotional material for us, but it is also a valuable tool for memorizing Scripture.

The author, Susan Hunt, has chosen one Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet. Accompanying each verse is a short story that demonstrates how the Scripture is applicable in daily, real life situations that are common to children. Each of these twenty-six stories follows the everyday childhood joys and trials of Missy and Bill, a brother and sister whose parents continually show them how God wants to use His Word to make them more like Jesus.

Here is the layout of each day’s reading:

• the verse for the day
• a short (two or three sentence) explanation of the verse
• the story
• a “Let’s Talk” section with two or three questions you can discuss with your child, which help to cement the truth and application of that day’s Scripture
• a prompt to say the day’s verse three times in order to memorize it
• a built-in review of a few of the verses that have already been memorized (This has helped us to retain so much Scripture!)
• a “Let’s Pray” section that serves as a reminder to ask God for help in applying the day’s verse to your life

Although this book is said to be written for children ages three to seven, my nine-year old looks forward to and thoroughly enjoys each day’s story, as do his five and seven-year old sisters. When we finish this book, we will have twenty-six Bible verses hidden in our hearts, and we will have learned how to apply these Scriptures in our daily lives.

If you try out My ABC Bible Verses, I pray that you will be as blessed by it as our family has been!

Written by Shannon, who can be found blogging about her family’s homeschool adventures at Song of My Heart.

I love to use really good devotionals with my children.  But, to take this prestigious place of Bible time, they have to be really good.  If they’re too fluffy, I don’t hesitate to send them sailing across the room to the nearest garbage can.  I simply don’t have time enough with my children to waste on fluffy times learning about God.

Karen Andreola recently sent me a review gift of two devotionals that have passed the test and made it to the hard-earned spots on my bookshelf.

Both books, written by Bob Schultz, are meant to be read with boys.  Best case scenario, dad and son(s) go through these together.  However, I read through them with my son (and oftentimes my teenage daughter was hanging out with us, too) simply because this is what I wanted to use for morning devo time, which happens to be when Dad is at work.

They are recommended for boys from about 10-18, but I found Boyhood and Beyond to be a little easier than Created for Work. Both follow the same general layout of  3-4 pages that  include a real-life story tied into a character trait or Bible story, with practical examples tied-in.  There are always a Bible verse and quote to consider, as well as 4-5 thought-provoking discussion questions.

I love that the topics are so geared to keep the attention of boys!  Hunting, hiking and hot air balloon trips really connect with preteen and teenage boys.  Each book contains more than 30 devotions that are time well-spent!

I count it a benefit of homeschooling when one of the masters can step in and teach my children. Thomas Kinkade has led my children in Drawing Basics several times already. That is with the Alpha Omega DVD Lifepac. An Alpha Omega Lifepac is a full subject of study “built upon the principle of mastery learning.” Drawing Basics is an elective Lifepac.

Our two eldest children went through all the lessons with the accompanying workbooks. We just added drawing tablets, pencils and erasers. Drawing Basics is truly the basics. The study begins with line and shape and leads all the way to art history.

The five units each include three sections. Thomas Kinkade teaches the concept at the beginning of each section, encouraging students to sketch along in their drawing tablets.

Next the student is directed to pause the DVD and to “return to your workbook” for practice in the concept.

Also included:

• 18 weeks of study
• extra enrichment activities
• review questions
• tests
• teacher guide
• 5 unit workbooks
• instructional DVD

Unit workbooks and instructional DVD can be purchased separately. Alpha Omega Publications offers the DVD for purchase by itself for $13.95 here.

Intended for:

Grades 3 to 5 but can be adapted for up to grade 8. (Guess what? My 5-year-old, 3^rd grader and two middle schoolers all enjoy it).

Plus:

Thomas Kinkade teaches from a Biblical worldview and includes a Bible lesson in each section.

This resource is great to use as an elective, a unit study and/or to compliment history studies. Plus when you’ve already enjoyed his lessons several times, the DVD is so nice to pull out on a sick day. There is always something new we didn’t notice before. And that day, not long ago, when I was on the couch, it was sure fun to tell my fellow homeschoolers, “Oh Thomas Kinkade taught school today!”

For more information on all Alpha Omega Lifepac Curriculum, visit their site.

View a video sample on the AOP website by creating an account here.

How about you? Wouldn’t you like the ‘Painter of Light’ to teach your children?

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

Did Adam and Eve have bellybuttons? – Kimberly W., age 7, Georgia

When God created the earth, were the trees fully grown, or were they baby trees? If they were full grown, did they have growth rings? – Chris J., age 11, California

How did all the dinosaurs fit on the ark? – Abby G., age 6, New Mexico

If you are like me, you are asked these sorts of questions by your children. And, maybe like me, you are still learning too? You want to be intentional in building a Biblical foundation and worldview. Enter The Answers Book for Kids, Volumes 1-4.

These question and answer books are aimed at an age six to 12 year-old-audience. Volume titles include:

• Volume 1: 22 Questions from Kids on Creation and the Fall
• Volume 2: 22 Questions from Kids on Dinosaurs and the Flood of Noah
• Volume 3: 22 Questions from Kids on God and the Bible
• Volume 4: 22 Questions from Kids on Sin, Salvation, and the Christian Life

Biblical references back up each answer. The volumes are available individually or as a set.

From the Answers in Genesis site: “Answers are important. If children aren’t given answers to their questions about the Bible and the history it reveals, they cannot defend their faith against a fallen world. The Answers Book for Kids series is a unique collection of question-answer books from Ken Ham and the creative team at Answers in Genesis that meet this need.”

How we use these in our home:

• as morning quiet time study
• to answer that bedtime question
• to build Biblical knowledge

Ken Ham, is not only President/CEO of Answers in Genesis, he is also a popular keynote speaker at homeschool conventions. He tells parents in the introduction of the volumes that, “Charles Spurgeon once said, ‘The only way to keep chaff out of the child’s cup is to fill it brimful with good wheat.’ We need to be consistent and intentional as we fill the “cups” of children with the “good wheat” of God’s precious, holy Word.”

“I pray that all the children who will be influenced by this book, will one day turn to the Bible to find the most important answer – the life-giving answer – that eternal life comes through belief, trust, and faith in Jesus Christ alone.”

Looking for answers aimed at teens and adults? See The Answers Book 1, Answers Book 2, Answers Book 3 and the new Answers DVDs (for ages 12 and up). Middle and high schoolers will also enjoy a course in Answers Academy.

There is even an answers set available for the littlest ones: Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers.

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

Reviewed Item: Positive Action for Christ—The Life of Christ

School Level: Middle School–High School

Product by: Positive Action for Christ

Product Description:

To many people Christ is merely a historical fact, rather than a living, personal reality. We know that Christ lived, and we know much about what He did; however, even we as Christians seldom experience His presence as we should.

The purpose of The Life of Christ from the Gospel of John is to make Jesus Christ real to your students. Our hope as you journey through this material is that your students will not only know Jesus more, but also love Him more.

—From the site, Positive Action for Christ

My Thoughts:

I was thrilled to get this study in the mail for review. I have been looking for an in-depth bible study which embodies historical and spiritual aspects for my family. I feel Positive Action for Christ managed to provide such a study. Not only are given ample historical and geographical information you are taken on a journey to truly meet Christ. I felt this study enhanced our love for the Lord and appreciation for the Word. The study is well organized and very interesting. The student text is beautiful in appearance on the inside and out. Each lesson is well written with exercises which challenge the student to seek truth from the Word. The teacher’s manual will give any parent regardless of biblical knowledge the confidence to teach and learn from the course. The teacher’s manual comes in a high quality three ring binder with information on each lesson along with a DVD with transparencies to enhance the lessons.

It has been my experience that either a study is based in historical fact and lacks the spiritual or based in the spiritual but lacks in history. This lesson encompasses both aspects so supplementation is not needed. The study fits nicely into any homeschool style. The doctrine is sound and not slanted toward any particular religion, denomination or school of thought.

I love sharing great authors with you – authors that you can almost always assume will provide a wonderful living literature experience for you and your children.  Patricia St. John is one of these authors.

Ms. St. John (1919-1993) was first an English missionary in Morocco where she worked in a medical mission trying to win the hearts of Muslim people for Christ.  Second, she was the author of many books for children and young adults.  Each book is not only a wonderful story, often filled with adventure, but interweaves Christian truths seamlessly as well.

No matter the book, each main character has at least one character issue to work through, whether that be selfishness, hatred, or loneliness, among others.  The point of finding our Savior, the only One who can help us defeat our character flaws and lead us to a life everlasting is always the main point of the story, but is never the pounding point.  In other words, the message is gentle and beautiful.  And the characters always come out having learned that their lives are all about choices and how to choose the better part.

One of the books stands out as slightly different than the others because it’s a piece of Biblical historical fiction.  Twice Freed is the story of Onesimus, the slave of Philemon, who learns throughout the story what real freedom means – freedom in Christ rather than freedom from slavery. Since it’s historical fiction, there are liberties taken in the storyline, but this is a very interesting viewpoint about a section of the Bible that we might otherwise not consider.

Her picture books (of which we’ve only read A Home for Virginia) are appropriate for children from 5-10, while the chapter books seem to be most appropriate for ages 8-14.

Patricia St. John’s books are currently in print through Kingsley Press.  By clicking on the link, you will be able to see two pages full of Ms. St. John’s books available.  All the books I have personally read and recommend are included as linked graphics in this post.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS OF LIVING LITERATURE?

-Written by Cindy, an eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of three in Central KY.  You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and find her nature study curricula at Shining Dawn Books.

Our family uses the Bible itself as our main Bible curriculum.  Every few years, however, we pull out the Illustrated Family Bible.  With its stunning, historically accurate illustrations and informative side panels, it always gives us a fresh view of all those familiar stories.

Currently we are going through this Bible for the third or fourth time as a family.  (We’ve had it for almost a decade and a half, so we can’t quite remember.)  Each time we read through it, we learn more about the background of the stories, and that helps us understand them more clearly.  The children clearly find this Bible fascinating, and they are learning much about Biblical times, customs, and geography.

Most of the stories cover a two-page spread, complete with lavish, annotated illustrations.  The words used are actually from the Bible, with chapter and verse marked, but only the ‘exciting bits’ are included.  The illustrated side panels often include relevant photos of places, artwork, or archeological finds as well as cultural information.  Seeing photos of a Jewish well gives extra meaning to the story of Jesus at the well, for example.

Not only are each of the stories illustrated, but each section begins with a few pages of background commentary, cultural explanations, and illustrations. These can be helpful, and we usually look at the pictures, but the children asked me not to read them this time.  Other years I’ve read these pages out loud as well.

The Illustrated Family Bible approaches the Bible respectfully and takes it seriously.  Nevertheless, there are a few things I don’t like.  Occasionally the verses left out in this version of the Bible contain crucial information, subtly altering the meaning.  That, I think, is inherent in the nature of such a book and is to be expected.  Furthermore, some of the pictures are gory, although I can usually cover them discretely with my hand while I read the story.  Finally, I do not appreciate the pictures used for Revelation; who are we to try to draw ‘the Son of Man’ in all his glory?  And how can anyone even begin to portray the amazing events and symbolism of Revelation without unwittingly ‘adding to or subtracting from’ this book?

Even with these flaws, the Illustrated Family Bible has been a blessing to our family.

Disclosure:  We have owned the Illustrated Family Bible for many years.  I receive no compensation for my reviews and the opinions expressed are my own.

-Written by Annie Kate, a Christian homeschooling mom of five, who reviews and blogs at Tea Time with Annie Kate.

It’s easy.

It’s done for you.

Those two criteria really appeal to me as a homeschool mother.

Julie Lavender has done all the work. Pull out her 365 Days of Celebration and Praise to start the day. It’s appropriate for all ages. A full year of family devotionals.

We all need an easy, stress-free way to add some fun to our homeschool day. We sometimes start with these Daily Devotions and Activities written by a homeschooler for homeschooling families. Or maybe we read it together at lunch time. Other times children pull it out on their own.

We celebrate birthdays, holidays. Why not every day? Included for each day:

1. Questions to discuss
2. Related activity – a craft, recipe or other simple, hands-on project
3. Curriculum Connection – suggested activity related to a school subject (e.g., for National Backyard Games Week – “What interjections did you use when you played your game outside? What is an interjection? Can you think of more interjections?”)
4. Verse to memorize
5. Prayer suggestion

Did you know March 1 is National Pig Day? Read Luke 15: 11-32 and discuss why you think the younger son took all he had and left… Who forgave the young man? Then make a pig bookmark if you like. All the instructions are included. Next, see how many baby animal names you know. Memorize Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Pray, asking God to help you forgive. Thank God for his forgiveness of sins.

National Fragrance Week? Clergy Appreciation Day? National Dessert Month? Basketball Season? Holy Humor Month? Golden Rule Week? Epiphany? Drinking Straw Day?

So take a bit of advice from December 30, Make-Up-Your-Mind Day, check out Julie Lavender’s resource. It’s available for $16.99 here. Learn, discuss, memorize and pray together as a family this year.

May God bless you as you make each day a holiday! ~ Julie Lavender

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

We started out this year with the intent to use a different curriculum for handwriting but, of course, life happens! 

We ended up moving across country, leaving behind the majority of our home to be shipped at a later date.  That means we left most of our curriculum as well!  Basically starting from scratch, I stumbled across “A Reason for Handwriting”. I am so glad that I did!

We chose “A Reason for Handwriting, manuscript B”, which offers slightly smaller text than the traditional first grade books, technically book “B” is a second grade level book.  I love that feature because it helps my son to really concentrate on what he is doing and it helps him develop better hand-eye coordination.

The book starts out with a review section to remind and reconnect, if necessary; then it jumps right into lesson plans.  The lesson plans are easy to follow and already setup for each day’s worth of work. The lessons are short and the pages are colorful.

What I love the most is that the curriculum is primarily focused around Bible verses.  The kids practice letters as well as whole words, which all tie into a bible verse.  It reinforces neat, tidy penmanship, light reading along with easy memorizing of scripture!

A Reason for Handwriting is available as a set with a teachers guide and consumable student workbook, or as a single student workbook. We opted to just get the workbook which we are doing fine as a stand alone product.  The set retails for $34.95; the individual workbook retails for $15.95.  However, I have found the curriculum at discount on a few sites for a low $26.21 for the set and $11.96 individual.

Overall, I am really happy with the curriculum. My son loves to do the work and looks forward to learning new scripture verses as his lessons progress.

While browsing the Christian Home Educators of Kentucky Convention last year, I came across a booth with several games that looked exciting.  The company, HL Games Limited, allowed me the opportunity to review three of those games.

All of them are appropriate for middle elementary children and older.

Amuse Amaze happens to be our favorite of the three, although all of them are fun.  Your job is to meander your way through the game board collecting three of four target cards and reach the finish line before your opponents.  In order to make a move, you have to go from space to space spelling words.

Even my slightly spelling challenged child enjoyed the game because being able to spell long words doesn’t necessarily get you any farther than steadily spelling smaller words.

The game is different every time you play since the board comes in squares that are put together in different orders each time you set up.  Couple that with the removable white tiles (in the picture) changing each new game and you’ll never experience the same words twice.  We love this game!

My 13 year old daughter and I have really enjoyed Beadecked.  My son, although entirely capable of playing, feels like it’s too “girly” since beads are the topic.  I disagree and don’t find it to be “girly” at all, but I can’t convince him otherwise.

There are six different ways to use the deck of cards, all of which enhance logical/mathematical thinking.  Essentially, each of the game options require you to make bead matches of some type from card to card.  That sounds easy, but the beads each have varying characteristics of shape, color and pattern – and you usually have to match two or more of the characteristics in order to complete the play.

For those of you who have played SET, this game is similar in that you have to really think through corresponding characteristics.  Critical thinking can be very fun!

And finally, Go Mental SacraMental is a trivia game for learning and reviewing Bible knowledge.

Players take turns reading game cards to one another.  On each game card there are four phrases having to do with something from the Bible.  One of the phrases doesn’t belong.  The player whose turn it is gets to move one space on the board if they can tell which phrase doesn’t belong.  They get to move three more spaces if they can tell how the other three phrases are connected.

There is a Bible reference on the answer card if you wish to give your child an opportunity to answer the question with help from the Bible.  Players can also give and take questions to move their playing piece ahead or send opponents backward on the board.

With 1,ooo questions, we won’t be repeating cards for quite some time!

What games are you playing?

-Written by Cindy, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of 3.  You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and learn about her nature study curriculum at Shining Dawn Books.

I picked up The “Put On” Chart from Doorposts at a homeschool convention one spring. It caught my eye because we enjoy so many of the Doorposts products in our home. Plus, I had been looking for a little something to help end the school year on a positive note. Now, I pull it out again.
This statement, in the lesson book’s introductory material, caught my attention:

“While we train our children to “take off” sinful behaviors, we must also lead them in “putting on” godly attitudes and actions. If we just focus on the “don’ts, they will most likely grow up to be adults who do not live a life of joy in Christ or truly glorify God. While setting an example with our own joyful obedience, we should pray that our chilren, like David, will say, “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8, NKJV)”

We’ve been learning the chart’s focal Bible verse, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-12

What is included? The “Put On” Chart kit comes with a laminated chart, a lesson book full of ideas and a boy and girl paper doll. The children get to dress the paper doll while learning each piece of the verse.

For example, we dressed the paper doll with the “gloves” of compassion (put yourself in someone else’s place. How do they feel? Can you help them feel better? Do it!) and the shoes of kindness (make yourself useful. What can you do to bless someone? Go and do it!)

The study focuses on what the Bible says about the following:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Meekness
• Patience
• Forbearance
• Forgiveness
• Love

What does it cost? $11.50 for the entire kit – laminated chart, study book and paper dolls.

From their site, “Does anyone in your household ever have trouble being patient? How about compassionate? Or forgiving? As much as we love the members of our own family, it seems like home is where our ability to truly love is put to the greatest test.” Read all about it, view sample pdf pages: Put On Chart from Doorposts.

And above all these put on love…

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

“Don’t Make Me Count to Three!” by Ginger Plowman is not only a very humorous book, but full of wise and practical advice about Biblical discipline.

As a mom of three children, I still have much to learn about patient, loving discipline that reaches the hearts of my children.  And this book fits the bill!  Not only that, but it’s fast moving and easy-to-read.  You won’t find yourself grasping at philosophical ideas and trying to make sense of them since the tone and suggestions are very much down to earth – oh, and based on the Word of the Lord, too!

As I was reading, I noticed many similarities between this book and Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp.  Although maybe not quite as “deep” as Tripp’s, this book is probably a tad more practical.

Just what is it about? In a nutshell – reaching the hearts of your children through discipline.  Or, put another way, making sure discipline relates to the “why” and “why not” of the issue rather than just “because I said so.”  How many times have you found yourself doling out discipline (in any form) with no discussion or understanding about why your children chose to act a certain way and explaining to them why we, as Christians, should act differently.  It’s much easier most of the time to simply dole out the discipline and think our children will magically get the why part.  Ginger’s book paints a clear picture of the importance of reaching into our children’s heart and molding them for the Lord through our times of discipline.  And with wonderful word pictures and real-life examples!

To go along with the book as a wonderful reminder about appropriate discipline techniques, I highly recommend Wise Words for Moms, too.  It’s a quick-reference to Scriptures that help address 22 common behavior issues.  And best of all, you can hang it on the wall or the refrigerator for easy access!  It’s a great tool to help you actually stick to the resolutions you’ll make about discipline after reading the book!

-Written by Cindy, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of 3.  You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and find her nature study curriculum at Shining Dawn Books.