3's and 4's Sunday School (Go and Tell Others About Jesus)

     Unfortunately, this morning during Sunday School when I started to take pictures of our activities, I realized I had left the chip out of my camera.  So....I'll just share with you what we did last Sunday morning.  Our Bible Story was about how Paul (a missionary) went lots of places to tell people about Jesus.  One day, he found some ladies by the river and taught them about Jesus.  One of the ladies was Lydia, a seller of purple cloth.  Thus, the Purple Art~~~

Preschoolers LOVE to tape things!  They believe in getting them taped down REALLY well!  :)

They also love getting pictures taken of their art work! 

In the block center, we built a river.  (Where Paul taught the ladies and Lydia about Jesus.)  We can talk to people about Jesus anywhere!

justpitchingmytent,

(in a world that’s not my home)

Letha





TOS Review: Math Essentials~No Nonsense Algebra

     Math Essentials is a company that supplies teachers and parents with workbooks, DVDs, and online instruction with the goal of greatly improving student's math knowledge and test scores. My son and I were glad to have the opportunity to try out and review one of their newer math books, "No-nonsense Algebra". 

Basic Facts about No-nonsense Algebra:

• Cost: $27.95 per workbook.  This includes free online access to instructional videos.
• If you purchase 11 or more workbooks, the cost goes down to $25.95 per book.
• Owner/Author: Richard Fisher, Math Essentials, P.O. Box 1723, Los Gatos, CA, 95031
• email: mathessentials@verizon.net
• Phone: 866-444-MATH
• Speak to the author: 408-358-6586
• Unconditional Guarantee (see details on their homepage)
• Richard W. Fisher (Owner/Author/Teacher) is the winner of Intel Innovations in Teaching Award.

Our Homeschool's Experience No-nonsense Algebra:

    As my son worked through the integer section of chapter 1 in No-nonsense Algebra, I couldn't help but remember his first encounter with negative numbers years ago.  My husband and I were returning from a night out, when we were greeted by the babysitter, "I taught your oldest son negative numbers tonight."  He wasn't any older than 2nd grade.  We got a big kick out of that.  He was able to do very simple computations, and of course we were very proud!  We never really tried to teach negative numbers again...until No-nonsense Algebra. 

    We received a No-nonsense Algebra workbook and access to online instruction.  This algebra curriculum is complete.  This is not a review or a practice workbook.  Even though this is a complete algebra program, it is definitely not daunting.  The workbook itself is under 300 pages, and the lessons a relatively short time to complete.  (My son was able to complete the video and his seat work in about 30 minutes.)  The solutions to the problems are located in the back of the book.  The only thing I wish this program included would be explanations to the answers, either via video or a seperate teacher's guide.

I like how each lesson is broken down into four parts: Introduction, Examples, Exercises and Review.
There seems to be enough room to write the answers in the workbook, but my son chose to write his answers on notebook paper.

     The "No-nonsense" in the name is well-deserved.  We found this math curriculum to have all the necessities, but none of the "fluff".  When accessing the videos online, it is very easy to select the chapter you are on in order to watch the next "video".  There is "just enough" time given on the video and the independent work in the workbook.  The review each day is also not overkill. 
     The "video" consists of a white board, where the teacher (Mr. Fisher) writes as he teaches.  You never see the teacher, just hear his voice.  His voice, by the way, is very pleasant and personable.  You can tell he loves math, and that makes a big difference.  You feel as if you are really sitting in a class hearing your teacher or professor teaching you.  He asks students to do things like take out a piece of paper and write out the problem as he works it out.  Mr. Fisher also reviews past concepts as he goes. 

            My 14-year-old (entering 8th grade) son has had nothing but good things to say about this algebra curriculum.  Some of his quotes about the program:

"I liked it, it was very easy to follow."

"I was impressed with him."  (The teacher on the online videos.)

"He teaches you things you wouldn't normally think of--very thorough."

"I like how he asks me to do things with him so I don't loose focus."

     **I still cannot get over how inexpensive this program is.  $27.95 is such a great deal!**
    

Check out what others on the TOS Crew have to say about Math Essentials here.

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.

Reading my Book in the Orthodontist's Office

     Yesterday I took along the book, Radical by David Platt to read while waiting for my son at the orthodontist's office.  (I get such great reading done during appointments!)  I noticed a lady kept looking at me as I was reading, and smiling a bit.  As we were getting ready to leave, she asked if I liked the book.  She said she had heard it was good---but that she was scared to read it.  I said, "Don't be scared."  But then I thought about that for a few seconds. With tongue in cheek, I said, "Well, maybe you should be a little scared." I told her it was a very convicting and challenging book---but one I highly recommended.  I told her (and others) that this is a book you cannot just sit down and take in one sitting.  (Maybe some people can, but not me.)  It takes time to digest and to contemplate. 

     Many times I cannot help but to just verbally respond to what I'm reading...even if I'm in a waiting room full of people.  Yesterday, as I read page159, I just couldn't help but gasp a little.  Platt was sharing about a friend of his who had been on mission to reach villagers in remote areas of Southeast Asia.  They knew nothing of the gospel.  The people there were very friendly, they even invited the man to share a drink with them.  And get this....one of the men went into his little shop and came out with a classic red Coke can.  "A soft drink company in Atlanta has done a better job getting brown sugar water to these people than the church of Jesus Christ has done in getting the gospel to them."   Yikes.

    

justpitchingmytent,

(in a world that’s not my home)

Letha

Find of the Day: "Holiness in a Hook-up Culture"

     My preacher husband passed along this great article and I just had to share.  It was written by Candi Finch, an assistant professor of Theology in Women's Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I love the honesty in this piece.  A must read for anyone who has a daughter still living at home...or a son for that matter. 

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=38290

VBS Collage 2012

     Last Night we wrapped up our "Amazing Wonders Aviation" VBS for 2012.  This was my 3rd year directing VBS for our church.  It feels a little weird this morning to be finished.  I have had VBS on the brain since January.  I wanted to share a few "snapshots" from the week.  God really blessed the efforts of those that served Him this week.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity to serve God in this way, and so thankful for the MANY who worked alongside me to make it all possible! 

This was a geodome made in the preschool department.  My oldest son served in this room as a helper. (This was his first year to get to be a helper...he had SUCH a great time.)
This dome was used each evening, but changed its looks according to the Bible story.  What a great focal point!

Waterfalls!  An example of God's Awesome Power!!

1st and 2nd Grade Bible Study: Victoria Falls

Love this idea one of our 4th Grade teachers had!  Painted on the window with acyrlic paint. 
(Comes off with glass cleaner...who knew?)

My drama teacher goes all out....even covered the white bookcase with woodgrain contact paper so it would look like a camp store at the Matterhorn.

The Worship Ralley Airplan Hangar.  We borrowed the plane from a gentleman in our association. 

Here is the geodome again, but changed slightly for the Bible story about the birth of Jesus.  My son and his friend had fun with the 4-year-olds creating this.

My youngest son is in the middle...acting in the 5th grade drama. 

De Plane! De Plane!  We had a special treat Monday night...a pilot in our church did a flyover for the children.

A tradition in our church...boys vs. girls compete in missions giving.  Guess who won this year...the GIRLS!  Yeah, I got to "pie" my husband!!  (Thanks to all the boys who put $$ in the girls' plate!)

We said "Y-E-S" to VBS!



Preschool Sunday School~A Church Helped

     I usually like to post about my Sunday School Class on Sunday or Monday...but, I've been very busy with VBS this week.  It's a little late, but here it is....


     Our Bible Story was taken from Acts 11:27-30.  We learned about how one church (in Antioch)  helped another church (in Jerusalem) by giving them food and money when they were in need.

The boys and girls really enjoyed matching the magnetic letters to spell out "I Can Help".  We then looked at the pictures and talked about several ways that we could help people.  (The paper was inside of a cookie sheet.)

This was a very popular activity!  I've been wanting to make a rice table for some time now.  As the children poured and scooped  the rice, we talked about how one church in the Bible shared food with another church.  After we were finished playing, I put the lid on the rice to save it for another day.






"Give to others."  Matthew 5:42

Wise Words from Dave Ramsey

Came across this great article written by Dave Ramsey and just had to share!  (That man makes a whole lot of sense.)  The article is: "Characteristics of Debt Free People". 

http://www.daveramsey.com/article/characteristics-of-debt-free-people/lifeandmoney_debt?ectid=bitlyified070920121320