We Choose Virtues

We Choose Virtues was created by a mother that asked herself how can my children succeed in life without the skills that come from good character?   She knows how important character training is.  She has created a curriculum that instill amazing character traits in children (and adults too) in just 10 minutes a day.

There are 12 Virtues in the Early Childhood through Elementary set.  They are…I am Diligent, I am Kind, I am Helpful, I am Obedient, I am Forgiving, I am Perseverant, I am Gentle, I am Patient, I am Self-Controlled, I am Content, I am Honest, and I am Attentive.

What I received was the Virtue Clue Cards

as well as the Teacher’s Handbook, Kids of Virtueville Coloring Book, Kids Memory Verses, Bible Heroes and Truths as well as the Family Character Assessment.

 

 

The way I used these items is first I read through the Teacher’s Handbook.  Which gave me some insight on many of the products We Choose Virtues products as well as how they can be used. 

Next I decided to have a separate meeting with each of my children over the Family Character Assessment.  I had each child take their own, as well as I gave my input to them.  It was truly amazing to me how honest they were about their faults.  I even took an assessment of my own. 

Now I was able to see what each child (and myself) needed to work on the most. 

We had the coloring book, which was great for the younger two.  It really helped Katey to get to know the Kids of Virtueville.

Now for my favorite part, what I did with the cards, is I simply kept them in my purse.  Whenever I noticed a behavior that they were doing great at or needed a reminder to work on, I pulled out the card for that virtue. 

For example we recently went to a funeral and the kids were getting restless.  I pulled out the reminder card and then I pulled out the patience card.  It worked perfectly.

At the grocery store, same thing. One child was wanting, I pulled out the first card as well as the Content card. 

I never even had to say anything to anyone.  They understood as soon as they saw the cards. 

Here is the back of those two cards.  It helps you to learn the names of the kids as well as an enthusiastic statement.

We Choose Virtues offers a multitude of products from individually to kits.  Their homeschool kit is $99.99.  They also offer community school classroom kits.

The Virtue clue cards (which I received) are on sale for $5.99.  You can also get the Family Character Assessment and Kids Memory Verses, Bible Heroes and Truths for FREE while you are there. 

The coloring book is available as a download for just $3.00

The Teacher’s Handbook is $4.99 for the download.

To see what others though of this check out this post. To see a wide variety of reviews check out our crew blog.

As a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew I review products like this, which I receive for free in order to be able to write my review.

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Making a little bit of everything.

 

Emily has been learning about Indians and their dwellings.  She made a version of Adobe houses.  She put vent holes for the smoke from the fire to escape.  She even painted Pictographs on the sides. 

 

 

When the clay comes out all kids want to create!!  Katey created a bowl and a spoon.  She was really upset when I wouldn’t let her eat her cereal out of it.  I had to explain that these were just for decoration. 

Tyler was trying to live up his shirt.  LOL. 

 

 

Well, that’s a day in the life, right? 

 

Patience

It clearly must take some patience on my husbands part to work on his remote control car like this.    Love it.  I am so glad he takes the time to teach the boys.

SERIOUSLY!!!

 

 

I know that everyone gets busy especially around the holidays but I just don’t know this year has been absolutely insane for us.

Before Christmas even began, we had a funeral.  One of my Grandmother-in-Law’s. While it was expected, you are just never ready for these things.

Then all the wrapping of gifts.  Yes, these are my gifts from my Husband.  He used electrical tape to wrap them, how manly of him!!   

There was also the making of Santa’s treats on Christmas Eve.  We made Chocolate and Peanut Butter covered Pretzel Sticks.  YUMMY!!

Then we opened pajamas to sleep in. Tyler was so excited to get Thomas the Train pajamas that is what he wanted me to take a picture of.

We had such a fun with our annual tradition of smashing our gingerbread houses on New Year’s Eve.

Yes, I  know, don’t mind the pumpkins, I can assure you they are in the garbage now.  LOL

 

I know this may not sound busy, but it sure feels busier than it looks.  It has also felt like the last 6 weeks have went by with the blink of an eye.  And as I plan on slowing things way down.  It just doesn’t look like I can just yet. 

To top it off my other Grandmother-in-Law, whom I am close to, is now sick.  I just want to say, it sucks, it is hard, it makes me so sad.  It emotionally drains me.   I know that I want her to be at peace, but what if I am just not ready for it yet?  I know God is in control.  It is still hard!!   

MY TOP TEN POSTS OF 2011!!!

 

 

These are my top ten most read posts of 2011 according to Google Analytics.

Mud is here, Spring is near ~ About a family hiking trip, in the mud!!

Our School Area ~ Our educational area in our new house.

2011-2012 School Year Choices ~ The route we are on this year.

Our Skin, A Preschool Science Experiment ~ A ticklish discovery.

Easiest Way to Keep Your Car Clean ~ Believe it or not this simple trick really works!! 

Handmade Personalized Gifts ~  Make an inexpensive personalized gift, that is unique and will be cherished!!  Great for weddings, hostess gifts, birthdays, Christmas, and any occasion.

Cleaning Playlist ~ A fun upbeat way to clean

Packing in Zip-Loc Bags ~ How I stayed organized on vacation.

Sometimes Homemade is Better ~ Homemade soap and syrup!!

Repurposing Old Clothes ~ My daughters favorite skort (skirt with shorts) that she just wasn’t ready to give up!

Thank you so much for reading my blog.  It really is so encouraging to see how much it is actually read!!

 

Maestro Classics ~ Swan Lake

Maestro Classics has been around since 2004.  Stephen Simon and Bonnie Ward Simon have been involved in the orchestra long before that, directing sold out symphonies. 

Together the Simons created their signature format, alternating music with talking, explanations with musical adventures. The title track is always a work for narrator and orchestra, where the music is just as important as the story. This is followed by background information about the life and times of the work and/or the composer. Then a new musical genre is introduced, taking a theme form the title track and transforming it into jazz, folk, Dixieland, heavy metal, or other style. This is followed by the conductor talking about what to listen for in the music with musical examples. You are then invited to listen again, sometimes with the narration, sometimes without, and people are always astounded at how much more they hear with their new “educated” ears. Finally, each CD ends with a play-along, sing-along, or dance-along track, because participating in the music making is always fun. 

~ from their website.

You can hear a sample from any of the music right here on their website.

Their passion for music and educating others in it shines through in their products.  It really is an amazing thing. 

After listening to the CD once through, our favorite thing to do is act out the symphony with the music and narrator on in the background.

Maestro Classics is more that just music.  They offer many educational materials to go along with their CD’s as well.    Check those out here. 

Swan Lake isn’t all they have. 

They also offer:

• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
• Casey at the Bat
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• The Tortoise and the Hare
• Peter and The Wolf, (which I reviewed previously here.)
• Juanita the Spanish Lobster
• My Name is Handel
• The Soldiers Tale

The CD’s are sold individually at a price of $16.98.  They offer MP3’s also for $9.98.  They have package deals available too. 

With the CD you get a great little booklet with some fun activities to do as well, a rebus story, a crossword puzzle, a coloring page. 

To see what others though of this check out this post. To see a wide variety of reviews check out our crew blog.

As a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew I review products like this, which I receive for free in order to be able to write my review.

Zeezok~ Teaching History through movies

 

Having past experience with Zeezok publishing and their Z Guides, I was ecstatic to be chosen to review another one. 

I chose Kit Kittredge this time.  Emily’s history focus this year has been American History, and I thought that now would be a great time to teach them what the Great Depression was all about.  

Now, I would like to say that I have been extremely busy lately.  The holidays, and we had a funeral, as well as traveling, (we don’t live close to any family).  It was so nice to be able to continue our history, while I was so busy packing and doing laundry and packing and doing laundry. 

This Z guide really had no teacher prep work, none, nada, zilch.  It was perfect. 

 

Ok, Ok, what is a Z-Guide you ask? 

It is a resource that helps you to dig deeper into a movie to learn more about the topic. 

The 10 activities in the Kit Kittredge one range from movie review questions, vocabulary for the times, and researching the Great Depression, to a Depression style fashion show, and an acting game. 

There is also a For Family Discussion section.

Of course the answer key is available in the guide as well. 

Z Guides are really great:

• to switch up the teaching style
• if you are extra busy for a week, and want something super teacher friendly
• to reinforce a time period you have already taught.
• for a fun, educational family night
• you can get laundry done while watching the movie

At a Glance: Company: Zeezok Publishing Product: Z Guide to the movies, Kit Kittredge Cost: $12.99 for the guide only, you will need access to the movie, which they also sell, or you can get it from you own source. Age Range: They have guides for many movies, from Elementary all the way up to High School.  Kit Kittridge is a movie for Elementary through Middle School age.  Do I recommend it?  ABSOLUTLEY!!

I already knew how great their Z Guide for the movie Johnny Tremain is. I reviewed that last year. Check out that review here.

To see what others though of this check out this post. To see a wide variety of reviews check out our crew blog.

As a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew I review products like this, which I receive for free in order to be able to write my review.