Educational Freebies from Little Learning Lovies

Little Learning Lovies is offering some great educational freebies right now.

Two of my favorites are:

pre-writing fun for my eager "K-2" student

fun addition practice for my rising 2nd grader

Download these and more -- totally free -- at Little Learning Lovies! (On the home page, go to "Free" in the left column.)

 

Don’t forget to enter the $50 giveaway, ending tonight, March 29, at midnight! Click here for complete details.

Little Learning Lovies: April Packs over 70% off!

Beginning in April, Little Learning Lovies will be introducing a new set of monthly packs, each centered on a particular theme. All products contained in each “Lovie Pack” will be brand new, never-before-released games and activities. You’ll be able to purchase each pack for only $14 – but their retail value will always be $20 or more and contain at least eight different games and activities!

 

Here’s the exciting news for all us Bargain Hunters: To start off this project with a bang, Little Learning Lovies is offering the option for you to pre-purchase the April Pack(s) for over 60% off!

 

 

I’m personally very excited about April’s “Farm Time” theme in both the “PreK to Grade 1” and “Grades 1 to 3” Packs. Click on the farm picture above to get a sneak-peek of some of the games and activities included in the April Pack.

 

Now through March 31, you can pre-purchase the packs for only $8.50 each. Or do as I did and buy both the Little Lovies and Tiny Lovies Packs for only $12 – i.e. only $6.00 each!

 

Plus, I’m especially excited to offer coupon code b1g1 (all lowercase) to the readers of this blog, so you all can get an extra 10% discount! But don’t wait – these offers are valid only through March 31.

 

Happy shopping – and learning!

 

And don’t forget to enter the $50 giveaway, ending on March 29. Click here for complete details!

Intro to "Little Learning Lovies" & Giveaway!

Very recently, I learned about Little Learning Lovies, and I'm excited about the wealth of material available on the site, especially for pre-K through 3rd grade!

Little Learning Lovies (an online store with its accompanying blog) is run by a mother, teacher, and homeschooler to four daughters who (in her own words) "do a great job of keeping her creatively inspired."

 

Often, products are offered for free in downloadable form. (Downloadable, instead of printed, material in my opinion is especially helpful for those living overseas!) And you can keep up with special offers and other news via the Little Learning Lovies Blog.

 

New material is constantly being added, so you'll want to check often. You can even request that material on specific subjects be created! How's that for service?

 

Learn more by visiting the blog.

 

I'm very excited to tell you about a great giveaway today: Enter via the Rafflecopter form (below) for an opportunity to win $50 to spend at Little Learning Lovies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The giveaway ends at midnight on 03/29.

DIY: A Simple Resurrection Object Lesson

Resurrection Sunday is just around the corner!

 

 

Three years ago, I posted A Simple Resurrection Object Lesson – a truly simple, Do-It-Yourself project that can help make the true meaning of Easter come alive for little ones as they participate in telling the story of Jesus’ Resurrection!

 



Click on this link to read all the details!

Blessings!

“Story Time” at Barnes & Noble

Entries on this blog have ranged from bargains and money-saving tips to product reviews and educational ideas. Because our current life of travel involves what I like to refer to as “road-schooling” I plan from time to time to post about adventures we enjoy along the way – especially when those experiences involve bargains and freebies!

 

This past summer our Little Lady participated in a reading program sponsored by Barnes & Noble – and she was very pleased to choose Fancy Nancy: Fancy Day in Room 1-A as her reward!

She quickly became a Fancy Nancy fan!

When we went to our local store to redeem the book, we discovered that B&N has “story time” – several times per week! As our travel schedule allows we’ve been participating on Thursdays (our day to concentrate on reading in our “road-school” program) and now and then on Tuesdays as well.

 

The B&N staff members are enthusiastic and energetic in encouraging the children in attendance, making reading fun – and often including a hands-on activity that complements the books read that morning. Crafts have ranged from a simple coloring page to creating a fuzzy sock puppet!

 

 

Some of the other excitement we’ve enjoyed has included:

 

decorating a mask

 

a surprise visit by Curious George

 

decorating with autumn themed beads



We also learned about and subsequently signed up for the Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club. It’s free, and there are some nice perks, too:

 

• As a “warm welcome to the club” when you join, you get a coupon for 30% off the list price on any one kids’ book or toy.
• You also get a $5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores.
• Your children get coupons for a free cupcake or cookie from the B&N café that can be claimed anytime during birthday weeks.
• You can sign up for monthly email newsletters, featuring even more savings. (So far, I’ve received coupons ranging from an extra 15% to 30% off one item. These can be handy when shopping for books for birthdays!)

You can join the club in store or online.

A Simple Resurrection Object Lesson

We did this for the first time last year, and our toddler enjoyed it thoroughly – and learned the true story of Easter!

Materials needed:

• Printed script (See below.)
• Small basket. (A bowl or small shoe box works well, too.)
• Five (large) brightly-colored plastic eggs (You can get these for about $1.00 at Target, etc.)
• A clip-art picture of a donkey (I printed it in black and white, colored it with pencils, and then “laminated” it with clear tape before cutting it out.)
• Crackers (Saltines or oyster crackers work well.)
• Two nails
• A rock
 

Instructions:

Print the following script and keep it in the basket to read as you open the eggs. The script is targeted toward pre-school children; older children can be involved by looking up the Bible passages and reading them aloud.

Let the child open the blue egg and hold the donkey.

(Matthew 21:1-9)

Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Some people cut branches from trees and spread them in the road. Many people laid their coats in the road like a carpet. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. “Hosanna!” the people cheered as they waved palm branches. Some people cheered, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus rode into the city on a donkey because a king riding on a donkey meant he would bring peace. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to set us free from our sins and bring us peace.

Let the child open the purple egg and eat the cracker.

(Matthew 26:17-19, 26-30)

Jesus and His disciples (the twelve men He was training to tell others about God) celebrated Passover together. They went to an upstairs room in a house in Jerusalem. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to remind them that they should serve others. Then Jesus and the disciples shared a special meal. Jesus knew it would be His last meal with His friends; He knew He had to follow God’s plan for His life and die for our sins.

Let the child open the yellow egg and hold the two nails; show him how to make the nails into a cross.

(Matthew 27:33-56)

Jesus had to be nailed to the cross to die for our sins because it was God’s plan for salvation. The people who loved Jesus were very sad. Jesus did not deserve to be punished; He had not done anything wrong. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven. The Bible says in John 3:16:

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Let the child open the green egg and hold the rock.

(Matthew 27:57-60)

After Jesus died, one of his followers wrapped Jesus’ body in cloth and put it in a tomb. The tomb was a special tomb cut into the rock on a hillside. A big stone was rolled in front of the tomb to close the entrance. Soldiers were posted to guard the tomb. Jesus followers were very sad that Jesus had died.

Let the child open the orange egg. It is empty!

(Matthew 28:1-10)

Early the next morning two ladies named Mary went to visit the tomb. When they came to it, they saw that the big rock had been rolled away. The tomb was empty! The angel that had rolled away the stone said: “Jesus…is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead.” Good news! Jesus was alive again! And He is alive today! He took the punishment that we deserve for our sins so that we can be forgiven – and so that we can know and serve God. And one day we will go to heaven to live forever with God!

(This script has been adapted from a script shared at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.)

My biggest bargaining deal yet!

When I first started couponing and bargain-hunting in earnest about a year and a half ago, I never dreamed that it would lead among other things to my finally being able to get the 13-volume book set that I dearly loved as a child!

The big box arrived right before Christmas! The price tag was $195 for a gently used set, listed by a third party seller on Amazon.com. Thanks to Swagbucks* and yard sales, I had paid only $3.99 out of pocket for the set – and that was for shipping!

This afternoon I sat down with my daughter to read two stories from Volume 2, the book that is on her level. What a joy!

Most of all, I'm thankful to God for teaching me much patience and perseverance...

*If you haven't signed up yet for Swagbucks, I hope this post will help to persuade you. What exactly are Swagbucks? Read details here and here – and then sign up here.

Book Review: The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers

The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers 2, by Carla Barnhill, uses the (cute!) Little Blessings characters (Kaitlyn, Zoe, Parker, and Jack) to help children through easy-to-understand devotions. Each reading pairs a Little Blessings illustration with a short Bible verse and devotional thought that gets you and your child talking about the simple truths of Scripture. A fun, rhyming prayer or application completes each devotional. This book is a great way to get young children interacting with Scripture daily – to learn about God’s wonderful promises and timeless truths. Put out by Tyndale House Publishers, it was previously published as Blessings Every Day.

The back cover of the book states that the idea is “do-able, daily devotions” for preschoolers:

• Do-able: You and your child can just pick up the book and start on today’s date.
• Daily: Kids can learn about God and what’s really important, a little bit each day.
• Devotions: Kids can experience firsthand how to connect with God.

The book is intended for three to six year olds, but my initial impression was that it is too simplistic for that age range. The more I read, however, the more I realize that there is a mix. Some entries are very simple, illustrating one verse or principle for very young minds; others are more developed, requiring more thoughtful application.

After perusing the book on my own, I started at the beginning with my toddler, reading through most of January in two sittings – for the sake of this review, of course! We then jumped right into the middle of the book, reading at random.

The lesson from Psalm 139 is definitely a favorite; because we have an avid little “painter” and “builder” at our house, I love the connection made between activities she understands and loves – communicating in terms she can grasp the wonder of the Creator’s delight in making her:

“When God made you, He picked out all your parts and put them together. So He knows and loves everything about you. You are His special creation.”

Another favorite is A Solid Rock, in which the qualities and uses of rocks are explained in terms little ones can appreciate:

“[Rocks are] really strong. Big rocks are great to stand on when you want to see higher or to sit on when you need to rest… God is incredibly strong, and He’s always there when we need Him.”

I do find myself fleshing out the more simple entries, sometimes substituting stronger vocabulary and more often adding in the message of salvation through Christ. For example, the entry on King David states: “He knew God loved him, even when he made bad choices and big mistakes.” I added: “Because God loved David and because He loves you and me, He sent Jesus to die for David’s sins and for your sins and my sins, too – so we can be forgiven!”

The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers 2 can be a good tool in the hands of discerning parents who desire to teach God’s truths diligently to their children. (See Deuteronomy 6:5-7.) And it might help to make a noble New Year's Resolution a reality. Measuring 5.75 x 7.25 inches, the book has 384 beautifully laid out and illustrated pages in a hardcover binding. Because it is a book that will be used every day, all year, the list price of $14.99 seems very fair.

My almost four year old is delighted with the endearing artwork by Care Bears artist, Elena Kucharik. The cute Little Blessings characters at work and at play illustrate beautifully the principles being communicated and provide opportunity to discuss those truths further. We're looking forward to reading together!

Disclosure:

A complimentary copy of the book was provided to me, as a reviewer for Mama Bzz, by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for today’s blog tour.

A big “Thank-you!” to the folks at Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to review and enjoy this wonderful book!

Inspiration & Encouragement: Sing Joy to the World – The LORD Is Come!

Behold, I bring you good news of great JOY which will be for all the people!
(Luke 2)

JOY to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

JOY the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding JOY,
Repeat the sounding JOY,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding JOY.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid, 1719.
Music: An­ti­och (believed to have originated with Handel) arranged by Low­ell Ma­son, 1836

Did you know that Watts based the words of "Joy to the World" on Psalm 98 and wrote it as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than as a Christmas song celebrating his first coming as a babe born in a stable?

The LORD has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.
(Psalm 98)

Meditate on those truths. Make them personal. Rejoice in your Savior!

Once again, I'm joining "Just for the JOY of It" – and sharing the Savior, the Best Reason to REJOICE on Christmas Eve!

Inspiration & Encouragement: Messiah!

I absolutely love Christmas music! I could listen to it all year – and sometimes try to do so!

We've had a ("kind of") family tradition of adding to our collection of Christmas CDs every year. Several years ago at a Christmas sale, we picked up a 2-CD copy of George Frideric Handel's Messiah. To my joy (I like history!), the CD jacket states that this recording was done in 1996 by the Trinity Church Choir and Orchestra at Trinity Church, the church where the oratorio was premiered in the New World in 1770, twenty-eight years after it was written. (What a great tid-bit of history!)

Messiah has been a long-time favorite because it is based on exact words of Scripture. Listening to the oratorio helps me memorize (or review) specific Bible passages that tell about the Savior – prophecies in the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament. It's a great educational tool and memory aid!

And here's another history tid-bit: Messiah was not originally a Christmas piece; it was performed at Easter. Therefore, this is one "Christmas" CD that can be (and probably should be) listened to all year!

My extended family is right now feeling very keenly our need to renew our minds with God's truth as our dear fifteen-year-old nephew fights a rare bone cancer. We are also experiencing God's abundant grace. We have so much to be thankful for and rejoice in!

So, I'm joining "Just for the JOY of It" and sharing reasons to rejoice – and focus on Christ, the real reason for celebrating Christmas (and Easter)!

Book Review: Christmas Cheer

My almost four-year-old and I have had opportunity to review Christmas Cheer, a Custom Designed Project Pack from Hands of a Child, a premiere lapbook provider since 2002. This was our first experience with the idea of lapbooks, and I enjoyed exploring the concept. I have a vested interest since we’re planning a four-month trip for next summer – and I’m intensely interested in projects that can be done in a car seat!

The philosophy behind the idea of Project Packs (and lapbooks) is that student learning improves when lessons incorporate hands-on projects or crafts. Children learn by doing, and Project Packs put learning into their hands!

The possibilities are endless when a student begins a lapbook with a Project Pack from Hands of a Child. There are no age or skill limits, and any topic or subject can be worked into a Project Pack. All the work is done for the parent/teacher, but not for the student. In addition, Project Packs are easy to store and are an instant review tool, scrapbook, and ready-made portfolio of all the student’s studies.

The Christmas Cheer Project Pack includes instructions and reproducibles for 15 hands-on activities for a Pre-K through 1st grader to work on over a 5-day period. Each day has a different theme including snow, Santa Claus, reindeer, and various decorations. My one complaint is that a book about “Christmas Cheer” does not include the main Reason for the Season – the birth of Jesus, the Savior. (In the publisher’s defense, I must add that other Christmas Project Packs do include HIM.)

The 51-page Christmas Cheer e-book contains:

• Poem: “Christmas Cheer”
• Supply List (comprehensive, for all 15 activities)
• Day 1 Activities
• Day 2 Activities
• Day 3 Activities
• Day 4 Activities
• Day 5 Activities
• Recommended Reading (to supplement hands-on activities)
• Folder Instructions (to make a lapbook from a file folder)

I like the e-book format because pages can be easily printed instead of photocopied.

Although we did not complete all the activities, our favorites so far are:

• Mini Book: Decorating the Tree
• Puppets: Snow People
• Shapes: Santa Claus

My little one and I enjoyed some real quality time, working on the projects together, looking forward more than ever to the joy of the Christmas Season.

The price depends on whether an e-book, printed book, CD, or combo, is purchased. The cost for Christmas Cheer (Pre-K through 1st grade) is $12.00 for the e-book. In my opinion, the price seems a bit steep for a pre-school packet that has no research included. Having taught in various settings for over fifteen years, I’m accustomed to making my own worksheets. However, because doing so can be time-consuming (and time is a most precious commodity to a teacher-parent), I can also appreciate the value of having reinforcement activities pre-made and ready to go!

Because of the hands-on educational value it represents, I think the Christmas Cheer Project Pack would be a great addition to a young family’s Christmas library. It can also be a tool for teaching little ones the much-needed lesson of giving at Christmas (instead of just getting) by having them make the projects for others – grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbors, etc.

Disclosure:
A complimentary e-book was provided to me, as a reviewer for Mama Bzz, by Hands of a Child in exchange for today’s blog tour.

A big “Thank-you!” to the folks at Hands of a Child for the opportunity to enjoy and review this fun Project Pack!

Our (homemade) Advent Calendar

I have fond memories of taking turns with my siblings, opening little windows on a paper and cardboard Advent Calendar when I was a child… How we looked forward to it every year!

We’re now compiling ingredients for our first Advent Calendar – a prize “after Christmas clearance” find from last year! Our main idea is to emphasize the Savior – the true meaning of Christmas. Therefore, in the little compartments on our Advent Calendar, I’m placing little objects that emphasize specific truths followed by the Bible verses that state those truths.

The plan is to start simply, using objects already on hand and making the rest out of clip-art on paper and cardboard (with the Bible verses, copied and pasted from BibleGateway [links included below], rolled up as little scrolls and tied with ribbons) – and then improve year by year…

Here’s the plan:

1. a heart
2. John 3:16
3. a little candle
4. John 8:12
5. a Christmas Star
6. Revelation 22:16
7. Mother and Child
8. Isaiah 7:14
9. a crown
10. Isaiah 9:6-7
11. Bethlehem skyline
12. Micah 5:2
13. the letters J-E-S-U-S
14. Matthew 1:21
15. a snowflake
16. Isaiah 1:18
17. a cross
18. Romans 5:8
19. a sheep
20. John 1:29
21. a shepherd
22. John 10:11
23. a small candy cane
    (reminiscent of “J” for Jesus and of a shepherd’s crook)
24. John 10:14
25. the nativity scene

Our almost four-year-old’s excitement is contagious! We opened Window #1 last night…

Thanksgiving Freebies!

Visit Homeschool Freebies by Jamin to get some great freebies to help you have a correct focus with your family and in your homeschool this Thanksgiving.

Included are:

• Thanksgiving lapbook
• Thanksgiving unit study
• Native American unit study
• Historical background for the holiday, including all the Presidential proclamations

Thanks to Diane at Strength for Today for drawing my attention to these!

Review of the Rapelli Game

Using a giant piece of bamboo as the game board, Rapelli – manufactured by HaPe International – works on color matching, counting, and even rudimentary logic! It’s terrific for the youngest budding mathematicians (aged 3+). The list price is $29.99, but the game is currently on sale for $21.50 (a savings of almost 30%) on the Timberdoodle website.

The game comes in a sturdy cardboard box – complete with a bamboo handle for easy carrying. Included are: one large bamboo tube (the “game board”), eighteen caterpillars in six colors, one action die, and one color die. The Rapelli “game board” and pieces are made of eco-friendly bamboo with water-based paints. (Specific materials are listed in detail on the Timberdoodle website.)

My three and a half year old was immediately drawn to the colorful caterpillars. “They’re so cute!” Not until after we had placed the caterpillars in the bamboo tube and started playing, did I realize that this was Elizabeth’s first real opportunity to play a board game that involved rolling dice – and taking turns! She’s an avid little learner and caught on quickly.

When she saw the game box the very next day, she begged to play it again. Later that same evening, she was eager to show it to her Tío Matías and Tía Tini, who were visiting for the evening. She has asked to play it every day, and we’ve been enjoying it as our schedules allow.

Basically, depending on the number of players (from two to six), each one chooses one to three colors of caterpillars which start out with only their cute little smiling faces showing on the outside of the bamboo tube. The first player rolls both the color die and the action die to determine which color of caterpillar and how many sections of that caterpillar he will move either forward or backward. There is also a “wild card” allowing the lucky player to pull out the specified color of caterpillar completely! The winner is the first to collect all his caterpillars. We did end up making some additional rules as we went along. For example, if the color die specified a color not currently in play, that player got to roll again to try for another color option.

Basic addition skills can be developed as the youngest players realize that when the action die has three forward arrows, it means that three segments of the caterpillar must be advanced – in addition to however many segments of that caterpillar have already been emerged from the tube. For us, this new game is reinforcing basic mathematics Elizabeth is learning in K-3. “What do two and three make?” and so on. She’s enjoying the new learning adventure!

The Timberdoodle website states: “While Rapelli is a great game to review and reinforce colors and counting, the element of strategy makes it an engaging game for all ages.” And I agree. It quickly becomes apparent that the choice of color to advance will very probably not be your own! Consequently, if you get opportunity to move an opponent’s caterpillar backward, you’ll want to choose the one that has emerged the farthest from the tube. If you have to advance an opponent’s caterpillar, you’ll want to choose one that is just beginning to show rather than the one that is almost out of the tube, etc.

I think an added bonus is the fact that the instructions are in five languages, including Spanish and French – of great interest to our family! Here’s a tip for those learning and teaching foreign languages to children: Say the colors and numbers in the target language(s) as another way to reinforce that vocabulary!

We like educational games at our house – games that teach critical thinking skills to little ones – and we are pleased that Rapelli fits that bill. With Christmas less than two months away, I heartily recommend Rapelli as a great addition to any young family’s wish list. While I personally would not pay the list price for this game, I think the sale price (a savings of almost 30%) is a fair one, given the game’s high quality and educational value.

Disclosure:
A complimentary game was provided by Timberdoodle to Mama Bzz reviewers in exchange for today’s blog tour.

I was very happy when I received the email stating that I had been selected by Timberdoodle to review Rapelli! My 3½ year old is an avid little learner who loves games, building things, and learning in general. Thank-you to the folks at Timberdoodle for the opportunity to review this great product!

Frugal Fall Fun!

Take an afternoon drive (or walk) and enjoy the wonderful colors of autumn.

Every year, I'm awed by the beauty of God's creation!

When you stop for photo opps, collect some of the leaves to use in frugal decorating. You could do something simple, like this (from last year's Thanksgiving table):

Or, arrange leaves on a sheet of wax paper and cover with another sheet of wax paper, like this:

Then, use a hot iron to press the leaves between the two sheets. (Be sure to put a dishtowel on the ironing board and on the top sheet of wax paper!) After ironing, peel off the wax paper; the leaves will have a light wax finish that will help to preserve the colors and keep them from curling.

Here are some of our finished products:

We'll probably tape some leaves to a window or indoor mirror and use others to decorate the table. Use your imagination! And check out a post by MoneySavingMom to read about using leaves in homeschool lessons, too.

Pizza Hut Offer for Homeschool Students

Pizza Hut is offering a reading incentive program for homeschoolers. Children (from K-5 to Grade 6) can earn a free Personal Pan Pizza every month when they reach reading goals.

For more information, go here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible for the BOOK IT! Program for homeschools?

Any student in grades K through 6 (5 years old by September of current school year) that is homeschooled and does not attend any other educational facility.

What are the program dates for 2009-2010?

October 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010

When will the 2009-2010 materials be shipped to enrolled homeschools?

Materials will arrive by early to mid-September.

To enroll, go here.

I'll have to remember this when my little one becomes eligible!