Curriculum Reviews

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 5 update

By KristinN, on October 8th, 2011

Ok, I realized I need to purchase a thesaurus for the phrase" We had a great week" I keep saying that each week and I am sure my readers are getting tired of that same line. Anyway, I have realized that the Early American History that I learned as a child was very watered down as

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 5 update

Art

Heart of Dakota Week 4 update

By KristinN, on September 29th, 2011

Ok, so this week was not as exciting and good as last week, BUT, it had nothing to do with our curriculum. We were just having an off week. Everyday seemed to start later then we wanted. I was having a hard time sleeping at night all week, I could not pull my behind out

Continue reading Heart of Dakota Week 4 update

Heart of Dakota Week 3 Update

By KristinN, on September 23rd, 2011

Well, this week was pretty good. Our hick up was Math for my son. You see my son hates math. Probably somehow my fault in the earlier years, but none the less, he hates it and therefore is about 6 months behind his "grade" or "age".

(Just FYI, I figured out how to do a

Continue reading Heart of Dakota Week 3 Update

Heart Of Dakota Week 2 Update

By KristinN, on September 16th, 2011

As suspected, we had another wonderful week. Currently we are learning about things on the sea shores and I finally thought to myself on Monday after school. "Self,' I said, "You live in Sunny Southern California, why the heck are you sitting in the house to learn about the sea shore. Take the book, a

Continue reading Heart Of Dakota Week 2 Update

Trying a New Curriculum: Heart of Dakota Week 1

By KristinN, on September 9th, 2011

This year I am trying a whole new curriculum for History, Geography, Timeline, Notebooking, Poetry, Bible and Science etc. Heart of Dakota. A friend showed me this curriculum at the beginning of last year and after a ton of research and the fact I LOVE the Charlotte Mason approach, I fell in love

Continue reading Trying a New Curriculum: Heart of Dakota Week 1

K12 curriculum

By KristinN, on June 11th, 2011

I have been seeing the commercials on TV for the K-12 homeschool curriculum lately. There is this part of me that says…YEA…they are advertising to homeschool kids. What a fantastic opportunity for all of us who homeschool. TV says it OK! LOL! But there is that part of me that thinks, well maybe this is

Continue reading K12 curriculum

CHEA Convention is Here

By KristinN, on June 3rd, 2011

OK, so you are thinking, Kristin, what is the big deal about going to a homeschool convention? Well, let me tell you, as a homeschool Mom, we need to re-evaluate what we are doing all the time. We need to make sure that we are using the right curriculum or Method. Remember that we can

Continue reading CHEA Convention is Here

Crafts

Free Easter LapBook

By KristinN, on April 16th, 2011

I know some of you have no idea what a lapbook is and others of you just absolutely love the thought of lapbooks. So lets start with what is a Lapbook fr those of you who have no idea what I am talking about.

A lapbook, simply put, is an interesting way of notebooking with

Continue reading Free Easter LapBook

Lewis and Clark Download-N-Go Series

By KristinN, on September 20th, 2010

I have to tell you that this Lewis and Clark Download N Go Series By Amanda Bennett could not be more comprehensible. And like always, the Download N Go Series has a generous amount of resources for you to use which is one of the things that keeps me coming back for more of

Continue reading Lewis and Clark Download-N-Go Series

Biblical

Copying the Hymns: All Things Bright and Beautiful

By KristinN, on July 27th, 2010

Copywork is one of those essential parts of homeschooling. We know that it not only helps with the child’s handwriting, but also with their vocabulary, their grammar as well as spelling and much more. Copying the Hymns: All Things Bright and Beautiful by Bogart Family Resources has done a beautiful job of putting together

Continue reading Copying the Hymns: All Things Bright and Beautiful

Let’s Learn About Sea Mammals

By KristinN, on July 16th, 2010

Now this is my kind of unit study. I like it when people write a course and put in everything you need. Another words you open the pdf and print it out and just go to town. This is what Ann Huss has done with her Let’s Learn About Sea Mammals unit study.

Continue reading Let’s Learn About Sea Mammals

All Chocolate, A Fun Study

By KristinN, on May 22nd, 2010

You know I love chocolate. I am kind of weird and never liked it as a child, but my kids do. When I got the chance to do a study on chocolate for only a $1.00 I figured I could not loose. I have now found my favorite mini unit studies to do with my

Continue reading All Chocolate, A Fun Study

All Owsl; A Fun Study

By KristinN, on May 15th, 2010

Growing up my father loved owls. That was his favorite animal. When he died I inherited several of his statues and knick-knacks of owls and they are all around my home. Now that my kids are older I think it may be time to explain exactly what these wonderful creations that my Dad was so

Continue reading All Owsl; A Fun Study

Map Trek: Ancient World Atlas and Outline Maps of World History

By KristinN, on April 19th, 2010

When we study history it should not ever be overlooked that geography should exist right along side it. The problem is finding the right tools to do the job. Terri Johnson from Bramley Books and Knowledge Quest has put together a wonderful compilation of maps. If you have never seen her maps you are in

Continue reading Map Trek: Ancient World Atlas and Outline Maps of World History

Flash Cards

By KristinN, on March 23rd, 2010

So how many of us print out all sorts of flash cards so we can play games like go fish or old maid to help make math or phonics more fun? Or how many curriculum's come with flash cards. The problem is how to keep them neat. I usually put a rubber band around them

Continue reading Flash Cards

Continue reading Apologia Science

Apologia Science

By KristinN, on March 13th, 2010

I have been longing to find a good science curriculum that would cover science from beginning to end and would be hands on and would also guide me, the non-science person, all the way through each subject. I have found that curriculum. I was given Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth

Exploring God’s Creation – The Butterfly Theme Study

By KristinN, on January 27th, 2010

Spring has sprung. Ok, well maybe not quite yet, but before you know it, it will be upon us. The bees will be buzzing and the flowers will be growing and the butterflies will be fluttering. Right now is a great time to get your curriculum together for spring. And as you may have guessed I

Continue reading Exploring God’s Creation – The Butterfly Theme Study

George Washington Unit Study with Lapbook

By KristinN, on January 24th, 2010

Children can learn so much from people in history, and George Washington is one of the best examples. George Washington is a great American soldier and President that your children will want to dive into and learn all about. Each day your child will explore and investigate with their Continue reading George Washington Unit Study with Lapbook

Raining Numbers Math Addition File Folder Game

By KristinN, on October 30th, 2009

I have a fond fancy for file folder games. They are very inexpensive compared with traditional board games you can buy, effortless to put together and engaging for all ages.

There are many types of the file folder games that I have come across over the years and I have at least 30 of those

Continue reading Raining Numbers Math Addition File Folder Game

Asia Lapbook by Hands of a Child

By KristinN, on October 13th, 2009

You know what I love the most about Hands of a Child lapbooks? They are completely done for you. And when I say completely, I mean 100%. In the Continent of Asia Study they give you 23 pages of information so that you can complete this lapbook without ever having to do research. Now

Continue reading Asia Lapbook by Hands of a Child

Crafts

Even Boys Can Use Paper Dolls

By KristinN, on September 1st, 2009

If you have been with me since the beginning of NutBugs, you know I did a review on using puppets in homeschooling. We have, on and off, used the idea and loved it. My kids get a kick out of it and they enjoy my silly voices as well as correct me when I switch

Continue reading Even Boys Can Use Paper Dolls

Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers

By KristinN, on June 4th, 2009

You know as I grew up I was taught some of the basic things to do to be a homemaker. However, looking back today I really wished my mom would have taught me a bit more. Like how to bake bread. How to make a menu for a week etc. Who knows maybe she taught

Continue reading Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers

I Wanna Be A Chef Unit Study

By KristinN, on June 1st, 2009

I found out one of my friends older kids who happens to be in public school was going to have a career day. So, I was thinking to myself…as a Homeschooler, how do I go about having a so called career day for my children later on as they get older. I want them to

Continue reading I Wanna Be A Chef Unit Study

Latina Christiana: Memoria Press

By KristinN, on April 28th, 2009

I have wanted to start teaching a foreign language to my kids for some time now. I bought a Spanish set last year, but it was so detailed it was just TOOOOOOO much for him. So when I decided that I really wanted to start with Latin because of it’s help with learning all other

Continue reading Latina Christiana: Memoria Press

Tapestry of Grace

By KristinN, on April 22nd, 2009

You know I have found over the years that there is no right or wrong way to teach your children. In every homeschool there are many different methods used and many different curriculums out there that say they are the best or better then the next. What makes a curriculum work for me is the

Continue reading Tapestry of Grace

Critical Thinking

By KristinN, on March 23rd, 2009

Critical Thining is a company who has so many parent, teacher in addition to other educational awards as well as they should. First let me say that I actually have been using Critical Thinking Language Arts for my son for a year now and we love it. But then I got so lucky as

Continue reading Critical Thinking

Homeschooling in the Woods

By KristinN, on March 14th, 2009

If you love to lapbook, you will LOVE this product.

Homeschool in the Woods sent to me the New Testament Lapbook. I already had purchased the Old Testament and loved it, but then to be so lucky as to get to review the New Testament one too. WOW! Lucky me!

Amy Pak is the creator

Continue reading Homeschooling in the Woods

Art

Artistic Pursuits: the Art curriculum for Creativity

By KristinN, on March 5th, 2009

Artistic Pursuits: the Art curriculum for Creativity. That is their title. You know what? It fits perfectly. I received Grades K-3 Book One. An Introduction to Visual Arts. After just 2 lessons I realized that this was a wonderfully gentle introduction not only to art but famous art pieces and artists.

I have been

Continue reading Artistic Pursuits: the Art curriculum for Creativity

Five in a Row

By KristinN, on March 2nd, 2009

Last year my son and I learned a little bit about Early American History. Just mainly the Indians. We used a well know literature based curriculum. To this day my son can recite the information he learned from those books. Now you may be asking why do I bring that up when I am reviewing

Continue reading Five in a Row

Math Tudor

By KristinN, on February 24th, 2009

I was never did well in school at math and the teachers I had either did not want to, did not have the time or could not take the time to slow it down for me. So I fell behind. When High School came around it got even worst. Math has never been a strong

Continue reading Math Tudor

SpellQuizzer

By KristinN, on February 23rd, 2009

So let me tell you about SpellQuizzer. This is a computer-based program where you enter the child’s spelling list and make audio recordings of the words. Then it quizzes the child, playing each word back to him one at a time, checking his spelling as he types in the words. Or you can type

Continue reading SpellQuizzer

Heads Up! Reading Strips

By KristinN, on January 28th, 2009

I received some reading strips for review From Heads Up!. These are for the student who has a little trouble keeping his place while reading. They place the strip over the text as they read which in turn would help them to focus in on their place and to follow through to the next

Continue reading Heads Up! Reading Strips

Write Shop

By KristinN, on January 27th, 2009

I had a chance to look over a product by Writeshop. WriteShop is designed to teach composition skills in a step-by-step manner. Through a series of engaging lessons, students learn the four most common kinds of writing—descriptive, informative, narrative, and persuasive (essays)—by means of the following basic building blocks: Brainstorming, Editing, Writing and

Continue reading Write Shop

All About Homophones

By KristinN, on January 8th, 2009

Wow Mary Rippel did it again! Here is another great program from All About Spelling. It’s All About Homophones. Teaching homophones can be really hard! Just in case you forgot, these are words that sound the same, but they aren’t spelled the same, and they, to top it off, don’t mean the same.

Continue reading All About Homophones

Kinderbach

By KristinN, on December 29th, 2008

I was really excited to review Kinderbach since I am a singer and teach the children’s choir at my church. First let me say that this program is geared towards the very young child who does not have any type of music training. My son, 6, did like the program, however he was quit

Continue reading Kinderbach

Math Mammoth

By KristinN, on December 27th, 2008

Maria Miller is the author of the Math Mammoth, which is a series of math workbooks that are available in e-book format. Now first let me say that I am in no way a math genius nor do I know how to teach math well without some help from a good core curriculum. With

Continue reading Math Mammoth

Lets Make A Web Page eBook

By KristinN, on December 16th, 2008

Phyllis Wheeler is the author of Let’s Make a Web Page! eBook which she wrote to help 8-12 year old children learn to create a web page of their own. Phyllis really knows how to portray the building of a web page in a very easy plan to follow. Younger children will need a

Continue reading Lets Make A Web Page eBook

Time4Learning

By KristinN, on December 7th, 2008

Well, this review was a little tough for me. Why you ask? Because I already have a preset idea about computer based schools. I am not extremely happy with a child spending their school day on the computer. I also prefer to be a little more hands on with assigning my children’s schoolwork and choice

Continue reading Time4Learning

Trigger Memory System

By KristinN, on November 24th, 2008

Trigger Memory System, has fantastic tool for your children. Clean n’ Flip Charts. Now what are these charts you ask. They are flip charts for your children that explain how to clean their room, bathroom, kitchen and do their laundry. I have been lookig at these for some time now and I was

Continue reading Trigger Memory System

All About Spelling

By KristinN, on November 18th, 2008

I did it! I found the best spelling program ever! The program name is All About Spelling. The program is so versatile. It can start at preschool aged children (my daughter) all the way to High School level (Level 6) because they are not specified to grade levels but they are arranged by concepts

Continue reading All About Spelling

Art

Spears Art Studio, inc.

By KristinN, on November 15th, 2008

Art can be a touchy subject to teach I think. Why you ask? Because at a young age, say 3-8 years old or so, you want to keep it fun, but still get some basic art concepts taught and some art appreciation too. Yet you have to be careful not to bore the heck out

Continue reading Spears Art Studio, inc.

Rime to Read Review

By KristinN, on November 10th, 2008

What is a Rimes you ask? They are words that sound and look alike. Such as Hat, Cat, Mat, Sat etc. So what is a Rhyme? Rhymes are words that sound alike but usually do not look alike.

Lynn Klaiman and Dr. Sara Hines, PhD, at Rime to Read developed an interactive, educational,

Continue reading Rime to Read Review

File Folder Games

By KristinN, on November 4th, 2008

Oh boy oh boy! I just found a great site. File Folder Games I love file folder games and I have spent many a day and night trying to find some free ones on the Internet. Now this site pops up. I guess I am not the only one out there wanting this too.

Continue reading File Folder Games