WonderMaps

BrightIdeasPress.com
877-492-8081
$49.95





WonderMaps is an easy to use software program which allows you to create customized maps for lessons, worksheets, quizzes or tests. The program is divided into four sections. The first area has maps of the World, Continents, Regions and Nations. This section also includes an alphabetized index for easy use. The second section has numerous maps of the United States of America and also has an alphabetical index. Third section includes historical maps, with a chronological index that includes dates and scriptures. The fourth section contains thematic maps, which encompasses Biblical maps, Chinese Dynasties, Native Americans, Explorers, American History, World Wars and 20th Century Treaties.

The WonderMaps program has a teacher's guide which has a tutorial video and user manual.Another great feature is the inclusion of two bonus MP3 workshops. These workshops were recording live at a home school convention. They are entitled, "Loving Geography" and "Packing a Punch with Timelines and Maps". Some of the other resources included in the program are: 16 Easy Mapping Projects, How to make a Salt Dough Map and a sample unit on Joseph's Journey.

The WonderMap software is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. You will need to have Adobe Reader 9.1 or higher installed on your computer to run the program. Adobe reader is available as a free download from Adobe.com.

I received a free copy of WonderMaps from Bright Ideas Press in exchange for my honest review of their program. I have used numerous black line master map programs over the years and none of them have come close to the standard of WonderMaps. WonderMaps allows for creating customized maps in some many areas of teaching. You have the freedom to highlight regions, rivers, cities or print a blank map for your students to fill in. WonderMaps added an element of fun and excitement to our history and Bible lessons. It is also extremely easy to use.

WonderMaps is designed with easy-to-use layers that allow you to enjoy great customizable features with just a click.

Select:
historical or modern-day maps
outline, reference, political, or topographical maps
black-and-white or color maps
features including: names, borders, rivers, cities, and physical features.

WonderMaps includes:

60+ maps of the world
60+ maps of the USA
125+ historical maps, including 25 biblical maps
The complete map sets from The Mystery of History vols. I–III and All American History vols. I & II

Click the banner below to see what others have to say about WonderMaps

Freebie Friday

It's Like Having a Money Tree in Your Back Yard!

This week I have two websites full of resources and a free e-book!



America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty is a tested lesson plan resource and supplement for Kindergarten-12th grade teachers of social studies, U. S. history, U. S. government, political science, economics, geography, speech, and/or related subjects. Written by fellow teachers, the resource consists of age-appropriate and modifiable lesson plans grouped into three separate books according to level: elementary, middle, and high school. Each elementary school lesson plan correlates practically with the nationally applicable Core Knowledge Skills (grades K-6) (national edition). Each middle and high school lesson plan correlates with the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards (national edition). All lessons emphasize one or more themes of freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. The resource aims not simply to present historical facts but to provide opportunities for students to explore and understand the factual and philosophical significance and meaning behind events, causes, and effects—the whys—relating to and influencing the early history of the United States.
Click below to check out this great resource.
Tip: The links to download all the PDF lessons and resources (grouped by Elementary School, Middle School and High School) is at the bottom of the page… or it looks like you can order it all on CD for free using the link at the top of their page.

http://www.americanheritage.org/k-12_lessons.htm


THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS'
CLASSROOM MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS Site

Today we feature this huge library of resource materials on all sorts of American history topics, created by teachers for teachers, incorporating the Library of Congress' primary sources into student instruction. There are loads and loads of resources and subjects here. To search the collections, just click on each category listed on their page:

Lesson Plans

Themed Resources

Primary Source Sets

Presentations & Activities

Collection Connections

Each of these sections will take you to dozens and dozens of great downloadable and online resources to enhance your history studies. Your tax dollars actually providing some wonderful resources for you. Have fun!


Click below to go to the site!
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/

How Flat is Your Homeschool World?

By Phyllis Wheeler


Learn about the revolution in the regular classroom that is boosting test scores and pointing former dropouts toward college. How might YOU be able to use some of these ideas in your homeschool?


Download now . . . the free E-Book is only
available for a limited time!



http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/teachers_toolbox/wp-content/uploads/hflatr21.pdf

Have a wonderful week!

Lauren

Bring An Art Teacher Into Your Home

http://www.seethelightshine.com/

See the Light's Art Class is a wonderful art curriculum that is designed for children ages 6-10 years old. However, I found that it worked rather well with older students. Pat Knepley is the master artist and teacher in this 9 volume DVD set of art classes. Pat is a graduate of Penn State with a degree in Art Education. She brings her expertise in art right into the home. Each of the DVDs includes four 15 minute lessons. The easy to follow lessons require only basic art supplies (copy paper, pencils, crayons, colored chalk and a good eraser). Mrs Knepley integrates Art History with Biblical principles as she provides step-by-step tutoring. The complete 9 volume set provides a school years worth of art lessons.

Volume 1 ( Lessons 1-4) introduces the basics. Also on the volume 1 DVD is a bonus lesson entitled Chalk-it-Easy with master chalk artist Gloria Kohlmann.

Volume 2 (Lessons 5-8) covers shapes and space, with a bonus lesson on creative lettering by Heidi Shorts.

Volume 3 (Lessons 9-12) teaches values and color and has a bonus lesson entitled The Joy of Art with master artist Jim Pence.

Volume 4 (Lessons 13-16) introduces color blending techniques.

Volume 5 (Lessons 17-20) teaches proportions for composition.

Volume 6 (Lessons 21-24) covers texture and form.

Volume 7 (Lessons 25-28) with a focus on perspective for landscape.

Volume 8 (Lessons 29-32) introduces balance and foreshortening

Volume 9 (Lessons 33-36) works on portraits.

The 9 volume set can be purchased at http://www.seethelightshine.com/ for $99.99 or a monthly online subscription is available for $10.00 per month. Visit their website for a free Volume 1 DVD.

I received a free copy of Volume 1: The Basics in exchange for posting this review on my blog.

Click the banner below to see what others have to say about See the Light Art Class

Nutrition 101: Choose Life!

A Family Nutrition and Health Program



By Debra Rayber, ND
Sera Johnson
Laura Hopkins
Karen Hopkins
http://www.growinghealthyhomes.com/



Nutrition 101:Choose Life is an in depth nutrition program that integrates the study of the 12 main body systems. It is designed to examine how the foods we eat effect our bodies and helps to aid in making better food choices. This unit study was written by four mothers whose goal is to have a positive, effective, long term, healthy, life style change.

I received a free copy of the Nutrition 101: Choose Life e-book in exchange for my honest review of their product. The e-book was an easy to down load PDF file that included over 400 pages of information. The program is divided into 6 units, covering the brain, the nervous, respiratory, digestive, olfactory, auditory, visual, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine
systems. The six units can be completed in a school year if one chapter is completed each week. Each chapter focuses on a specific body system and how different foods effect it. Discussion questions, activities, additional resources, and power recipes are included in each lesson. There is also an Activity Guide and an appendix full of charts, tables and articles to enhance you study.The book is written for families to use as a unit study, and is geared towards the whole family, toddlers to adults.

Our family used the Nutrition 101 program over the past few weeks. The curriculum is really an anatomy and physiology,health,and a nutrition course all roll up into one very eye opening course. So often, we look at each of these areas independently. However, as pointed out in this program,all of these areas are dependent on one another. How we eat and what we eat has a tremendous impact on our body.

This book contains healthy recipes that are great for families to prepare together. The text includes colorful, labeled diagrams and interesting facts about various body systems. The program also includes biblical principles and scriptures to enhance your study. One feature I particularly liked was that the activity guide had a variety of activities for different age groups. This is a perfect addition to any family's education during this age of processed and fast foods.

The Homeschool Blogger is hosting a free webinar featuring the author's of Nutrition 101: Choose Life! Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EDT Click below to register:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/287516654%3E

You may purchase Nutrition 101: Choose Life at http://www.growinghealthyhomes.com/

CD Rom- $79.95,

Book- $99.95

Combination (CD and Printed book) -$129.95

You can receive a 15% discount coupon from Growing Healthy Homes using the code TOScrew11

Click the banner below to see what others have to say about Nutrition 101.

Freebie Friday

It's Like Having a Money Tree in Your Back Yard!

The fist freebie this week is a wonder research tool for high school level students.

Using Primary Resources Analyzing primary resources can be difficult if you are not sure what you are looking for. This site has 17 analysis resources for kids to use when they are analyzing different types of primary resources. They include: an introduction, breakdown worksheet, artifact analysis, cartoon analysis, map analysis, motion picture analysis, photo analysis, poster analysis, reading maps, sound recording analysis, written document analysis, wills and inventories, interviews, and reading newspapers: advertisements, editorial and opinion pieces, factual reporting, and reader contributions http://www.learnnc.org/search?ed_type=learner


The New York Times: Learning Network brings world news to your school room with The New York Times Learning Network. There are links to lessons, student opinions, tips, and more. http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/


For Today's Christian Family: Crosswalk.com's homeschooling channel offers free homeschooling resources and the latest homeschooling news, updates, advice, and encouragement. You're invited to sign up now for FREE weekly Homeschool Newsletters from Crosswalk.com! Join the Crosswalk community and connect with other homeschoolers and families around the world. http://www.salememail.com/specialoffers/crosswalkhomeschoolnewsletters/


Freebie Friday will be on Spring Break for the next two Fridays. Check back on May 6th for the next Freebie Friday.
Happy Easter
Lauren

Sentence to Paragraph Writing Instructions

The Write Foundation

By Rebecca Celsor

http://www.thewritefoundation.org/

This past fall, I was blessed by The Write Foundation, when they sent me a copy of their Level One: Sentence to Paragraph Writing Instructions to review. After completing the first half of the program with my son, Kwan, I was blessed again when the company sent the second half of the program in exchange for my honest review of their curriculum.

The second part of Level One, includes lessons 16-30 and picks up right where lesson 15 left off. At this point in the program the student is working on writing one descriptive paragraph. An emphasis is placed on organization and each lesson reviews a specific aspect of grammar. For example, in lesson 16 the student reviews the correct use of the conjunctions: and, but, or, and so. Much like part one of Sentences to Paragraphs, each weekly lesson includes a poetry writing lesson. This fun addition to the program is great for vocabulary building and working with descriptive language. Overall, The Write Foundation’s Level One: Sentences to Paragraph was a great fit for my son who is a reluctant writer. The creative lessons have helped him to move away from using over used words and shown him gow to spice up his writing with adjectives, adverbs and verbs. One of Kwan’s favorite components of the program was completing the weekly Mind Benders’ puzzle. We plan on continuing with Level Two: Paragraph Writing with Kwan and starting Level One, with my youngest daughter next year.

Below find my first review of The Write Foundation’s Sentences to Paragraph to Writing Instructions:

Teaching my children to write well has always been a challenge. Over the years, I have tried numerous writing curriculums and have never found one that my children and I love. Well, that was until The Write Foundation sent me a copy of their Level One: Sentence to Paragraph Writing Instructions to review. As a member of the TOS Review Crew, I received a free copy of this writing program to use with my children in exchange for my honest opinion.

The program includes three components; Spiral bound Instruction Manual, Student Worksheets and The Sentence to Paragraph Additional Resources CD. Materials not included are the optional Mind Benders Books A1, A2, A3, and A4, which are available at ttp://www.criticalthinking.com/ and a three ring binder with 8 dividers.

The Level One program is geared to students ages 11-14 or students who exhibit any of the following issues: If your student has any run-ons or incomplete sentences when he writes on his own; If your student hates writing; or If your student primarily writes simple sentences. Based on my son's age and his dislike for writing, I chose to use The Write Foundation Level One Program. At first, I found the directions in the instruction manual a little confusing. However, once I read through the manual a second time and actually began to use the program, I found the format to be very appealing. Although the objectives of the curriculum are the same as most writing programs, the method used to obtain the goal is quite different. Here the emphasis is on writing detailed sentences with the use of descriptive verbs, adjectives and adverbs. The students also write a variety of poems to reinforce the use of descriptive vocabulary. The student is gently led through the writing process, slowly building up from simple to more interesting sentences and then writing paragraphs. In conjunction with the items included, they suggest the use of Mind Benders as an important part of the program. We have enjoyed using the Mind Benders and I can see how these exercises help with developing organizational skills.

I have been very pleased with the progress my son has made using The Write Foundation Level One program. He is using more descriptive language and he is not complaining as much about having to write. The one aspect of the program that I am still struggling with is the notebook that is required as part of the first lesson. They ask that you set up a binder with 8 dividers, however, I haven't figured out their organization system yet. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this writing program. I plan to complete all of the 30 lessons in Level One. Next year we will continue with Level Two: Paragraph Writing and then Level Three: Essay Writing the following year. Sentence to Paragraph Writing Curriculum is available in 3 different packages: Curriculum Package 1: Sentence to Paragraph Complete Lessons 1-30 which cost $100 Curriculum Package 2: Sentence to Paragraph Lessons 1-15 is $65 Curriculum Package 3: Sentence to Paragraph Lessons 16-30 is also $65 The Sentence to Paragraph instruction manuals are also available separately for $75 for Lessons 1-30 or $40 each for Lessons 1-15 or 16-30

Put a Little Science in Your Week

http://www.scienceweekly.com/

(1.800.493.3559)

Science Weekly is a bi-monthly newsletter designed to spark an interest in science. The colorful newsletters are available for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Each issue introduces a scientific concept in the areas of earth science, life science, physical science or technology. Science Weekly integrates vocabulary, writing, math and critical reasoning skills. The newsletters are interactive and each issue has a hands on experiment designed to teach the scientific process.


I received 5 issues of Science Weekly in exchange for my honest review of the newsletter. The package included one copy of each grade levels. Grade level Pre-A is for kindergarten, level A for grade 1, level B for grade 2, level C for grade 3, level D for grade 4 and level E is geared for grades 5-6. The theme of the Science Weekly I received was The Flu.. Each of the newsletters were four pages of age appropriate information. For example, the Level A Science Weekly's front page had large colorful pictures and introduced five vocabulary words, while the Level D issue's cover is mostly text and introduces seventeen vocabulary words. All of the issues were colorful and included fun hands-on experiments. The issues are designed with enough material to use over a week of study.


I shared the issues with several children at our co-op. Overall, the kids loved the issues, especially the puzzles and the level E isshe enjoyed all the activities. I especially liked the teaching notes that come with each issue. The teaching notes include background information, questions to initiate discussions and an answer key. Science Weekly does not take the place of a science curriculum, but it is a great supplement for children 5-12. Science Weekly is available for 19.95 per year. You will receive 15 issues and teaching notes from September to April. This year's topics were:

• Pulleys


• Cats


• The Flu


• Glass


• Fractions


• Composting


• The Science of the Movies


• The Science of Money


• Scuba Diving


• Poisonous Animals


• Caves


• Teeth


• Deserts


• Green Buildings


• The Moon

Click the banner below to see what others have to say about Science Weekly.