TOS reviews

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Looking for an opinion on a certain homeschool product? I have listed all the reviews that I have completed as part of the TOS Crew below.

March 2010 ~ May 2011 Reviews

~ Download n’ Go: Expedition Australia
~ WannaBe
~ Travel the World (June 2010 Module)
~ Travel Kits
~ Peterson Direct Handwriting
~ Time 4 Learning
~ PyraMath
~ Salem Ridge Press
~ Schleich
~ Vocabulary Cartoons
~ LanSchool
~ Read, Write & Type
~ Brill Kids Little Reader
~ 2010-2011 Middle School Planner
~ Yuck
~ Corps of Re-Discovery
~ Apologia Press: Good Morning, God
~ ALEKS
~ Tiny Planets
~ Positive Action, 4th Grade
~ Math Facts Now
~ See -N-Read
~ Easy Classical
~ Maestro Classics - Peter and the Wolf
~ Speekee
~ The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids
~ TenMarks
~ Times Alive!
~ Dig it! Games ~ Roman Town
~ VocabAhead: SAT Vocabulary Cartoons, Videos, & MP3s
~ Curiosity Files: Zombie Fire Ants
~ Kid Scoop’s Reluctant Reader Solution
~ Apologia- Who is God?
~ Brill Kids – Aesop’s Fables
~ Big IQ Kids
~ Classical Academic Press, Latin for Children
~ GoGo Kabongo
~ KinderBach
~ Science Weekly
~ Yesterday’s Classics
~ MonkieSee
~ GoTrybe
~ Mad Dog Math
~ Wordy Qwerty
~ Reading Street
~ Eagle’s Wings: Considering God’s Creation
~ Read for the Heart

June 2011 – December 2011 Reviews

~ How to Have a H.E.A.R.T for your Kids
~ Wise Alec ~ Nature Nut
~ Before Five in a Row
~ AIMS- Solve It! 3rd Problem-Solving Strategies
~ Aletheia Writing Magazine
~ Visual Latin
~ Always Icecream
~ E-mealz
~ Apologia - Educating the WholeHearted Child
~ Wits & Wagers Family
~ Excellence in Literature, English 1
~ Memoria Press – Classical Phonics
~ Ooka Island Adventure
~ Keyboard Town PALS
~ College Prep Genius
~ Read Naturally
~ The Reading Game
~ Artistic Pursuits, Book 1
~ The World's Greatest Stories

 January 2012 – May 2012 Reviews
~ Zeezok Z-Guide: The Red Badge of Courage
~ We Choose Virtues
~ KinderBach
~ Math Rider
~ See-N-Spell
~ Apologia: Who Am I? {And What Am I Doing Here?}
~ All About Reading, Level 1
~ Reading Eggs
~ The Art of Argument
~ Progeny Press Literature Guides
~ Action Alert
~ Amazing Animals by Design
~TruthQuest History: Middle Ages
~ Write with World
~ Christian Kids Explore: Biology
~ God’s GREAT Covenant: New Testament 1
~ Amazing Science, Vol. 1
~ Mathematical Reasoning, Level F
~ The Homeschool Library Builder
~ Judah Bible Curriculum
~ Library and Educational Services: GO Science
~ CapJaxMathFax
~ Write ShopJunior D
~ Heritage History: Young Readers
~ What Makes a Fish, a Fish?

June 2012 – November 2012 Reviews
*abbreviated year as new schedule is put into place

~ Rainbow Sentences

~ myWorld Social Studies: Building Our Country

~ Creation Illustrated

~ Homeschool Spanish Academy
~ Professor B Math
~ Apologia: Who is my Neighbor?
~ Keyboarding for the Christian School
~ MapTrek
~ No-Nonsense Algebra
~ Zane Education
~ Create Better Writers
~ Math Made Easy: Addition
~ A Thomas Jefferson Education
~ Vocab Videos
~ Vocabulary Spelling CITY
~ Christian Liberty Press
~ Ten Girls from History
~ Everyday Cooking *Molly Crew*
~ Reading Kingdom
~ Math911
~ Lots & Lots of Penguins
~ Family Time Fitness *a published review*
~ Children in Church: Nurturing Hearts of Worship
~ Homeschool Legacy: Early Settlers in America
~ Music Together: Family Favorites
~ BOX of I.D.E.As
~ Beeyoutiful
~ Kinderbach
~ Dayspring Christian Academy: The Pilgrim Story
~ Crossbow Education: Eye Level Reading Rulers
~ Samson’s Classroom
~ Beloved Books: Sugar Creek Gang
~ Recon
~ Activity Bags: Science & Preschool bags
~ Apologia: Journeys to Faithfulness
~ Modesty Matters *Molly Crew*
~ Institute for Excellence in Writing: Primary Arts of Language
~ Vocal Coach Singer


2013 Reviews

Apologia Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day
Flowering Baby
A+ Tutorsoft Interactive Math
Going to college and paying for it
READS - Parent - Child reading
TouchMath - Pre-K
Essentials in Writing, Grade 10 
Supercharged Science 
Leadership Garden Legacy 
Knowledge Quest Timeline Builder 
Progeny Press - Hobbit & Treasure Island 
Math Rider 
The Power in Your Hands Writing 
Home School in the Woods - Hands on History
LiteracySoft Phonics and Reading
Papa's Pearls 
Spanish For You 
High School Prep Genius Academic Guide
Scaredy Cat Reading System express 
Memoria Press Geography I 
Baker Publishing Group 
Moving Beyond the Page - Wrinkle in Time 
IEW 
Classical Conversations - Prescripts 
Dig-It Games - Mayan Mysteries 
Picaboo Yearbooks 
Homeschool Programming 
Circle Time - Plan the Best Time of your Day 
Gryphon House - Homegrown Preschooler 
Brainfood Learning 
Bible Study Guide for All Ages 
Notgrass - Draw to Learn Reading Kingdom 
The Family Hope Center 
In the Hands of a Child _ Its All Matter 
Doorpost - beauty in the heart 
Homeschool Spanish Academy 
Greene Bank Press 
Time For Learning 
Presidential Game 
Fundanoodle 
Zondervan - Homeschool Moms Bible 
YWAM Publishing - Jim Elliot 
Chess House Gods World News 
Barbour Publishing - Diary of a Real Payne
Rosies Doll Clothes Patterns
EEME - Project Genius Light 
Carole P Roman - If you were Me and Lived In... 
IXL- online math 
Apologia 
At Home in Dogwood Mudhole

2014 Reviews

Science4Us.com
Motivated Mom's 
Talking Shapes App
Egglo Entertainment 
Mango Language 
Supercharged Science 
What Are You Curious About 
Memorizing Philippians in 28 Weeks 
Artistic Pursuits - Sculpture Technique
Maestro Classics - Casey at Bat and Mike Mulligan 
FIND NAme 
Trident Kraken Case 
Apologia - What We Believe
Progeny Press - Frog and Toad Together
Kinder Cottage Publishing - Peter Rabbit
LearningPallete.com 
We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards 
Veritas Press Self Paced History 
Moving Beyond the Page 
Homeschool Piano
Write Shop Jr- book E 
Hewitt Homeschooling 
Roman Roads Media - Old Western Culture 
Under Drakes Flag 
The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner 
My Student Logbook 
IEW-Fix It Grammar
Preschoolers and Peace Homeschooling 
Apologia 
Standard Deviants Accelerate
Anthem for a Nation 
Clued in Kids - Halloween
Jim Hodges Audio Books - With Lee in Virginia 
If He had Not Come
IXL 

2015 Reviews

Great Commission Films - Indoctrination 
FreedomProject Education - Mother Should I Trust the Government 
The Critical Thinking Co. - Editor in Chief
Great Parents Academy
Ready to Teach - Greek Morphemes 
Memoria Press - First Start Reading
Star Toaster - Orphs of the Woodlands 
Artistic Pursuits - Elementary Book
LaLa Logic A+ Interactive Math
Real Life Press 
Successful Homeschooling Made Easy
S is for Smiling Sunshine 
Homeschool Legacy - Birds of Feather 
Torchlighters - John Wesley Story 
Memoria Press - Latin Christiana I 
IEW
Dynamic Literacy Wordbuild Foundations
CTC Math
Smartkidz Media 
Homeschool Buyers Co-op
Home School in the Woods - Project Passport: Ancient Egypt
SimplyFun - Shape Whiz 
Unlock Math - Unlock Pre-Algebra 
Heirloom Audio Productions - With Lee in Virginia
Funtastic Unit Studies - Science Unit 
Classical Conversations - Conversation 
Stinky Kid Math 
Fascinating Biology 
YWAM Publishing - George Washington
Reading Kingdom 
Progeny Press - Stone Fox 
">FishFlix - Do you Believe 
Koru Naturals 
Brookdale House - Drawing Around the World
Apologia - Ultimate Planner
Maestro Classics - The Nutcracker
Standard Deviants Accelerate - Homeschool courses 
The Critical Thinking Co. - Fun Time Phonics 
Grapevine Studies - Birth of Jesus, multi level

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

My family

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Hi there! Today I wanted to share a little bit about each of the kids in my family who you read about on this blog. Mr. M and I are blessed to be the parents of 6 awesome kids, here's a little more about them.



Marie is the one who made us parents. She is a typical first born child and has a great work ethic. Marie is our first graduate of A Stable Beginning Christian Academy and is currently a Freshman attending Liberty University on partial academic scholarship. She is majoring in Graphic Design, not quite sure what her focus will be yet though. She enjoys drawing and the arts so this is the perfect major for her. Her first semester of school she earned a spot on the Dean's List and received 5 A's and 1 B {which technically is an A, but we won't go there, LOL}.

Madison is our quiet, laid back second born. She is kind of a "go with the flow" girl, always has been. She enjoys everything space and has her sights on being an Air Force Space Officer. Currently she is in the 9th grade and working on publishing her novel she wrote last year, The Last Drifters. Madison loves being outside and in nature. Some of her favorite past times include collecting marbles, learning about new science theories, stargazing and reading EVERYTHING she can get her hands on. In her free time she enjoys playing softball and has her hopes on making the Varsity team at one of the local private schools this spring.

Mikayla is our resident gymnast who is very competitive at all things. She is currently in the 7th grade and is apart of the homeschool training group with her gym. This child loves everything gymnastics, period. She dreams of competing in college as a gymnast, yet she has not narrowed down a school of choice. Personally her dad and I would love to see her go on to compete with the US Air Force team, but we will see. She tells me her favorite subject is lunch {LOL} yet she excels in math and science, but does not really enjoy doing those subjects, if that makes sense. Even though she just turned an official teenager, she still loves to just play with her siblings or by herself. I love that she is still a kid at heart.

Montana our fourth daughter who is a joy to have around is in the 3rd grade. She is always saying something witty or telling us facts about lions, cheetahs and jaguars. She dreams of being a big cat vet when she is older. I think she has a pretty good jump start since her brain is filled with all sorts of facts about each animal. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES everything and anything Lion King. Like she has watched the movie so many times she could probably recite the lines herself. She is also a softball player who normally plays right field. During the off season she has been practicing hard to have a shot at pitching a few games.

McKenzie girl is our youngest daughter. She is a spit fire and even though she is tiny she will speak her mind and stand up for herself. This year she is in her official Kindergarten year and is excelling with reading and math. She loves to learn and really enjoys her Explode the Code books. As a member of the Pre-Team gymnastics team and Pre-Tops team she has her sights on being a competitive gymnast next year just like big sister Mikayla. I frequently have to tell her to keep her feet on the floor as she seems to not be able to get enough gymnastics. Her sense of fashion is something to see now that I have allowed her to pick out her own clothes during the week. 

Micah holds the official title of baby boy in this house. With five older sisters to dote on him, all of his needs are met swiftly. At 20 months he has just started talking in two word sentences. He can now says all of his sisters names and loudly. During school hours he loves to sit at his desk and work on coloring pages, looking at books, or building with blocks. Micah is all boy and keeps us all on our toes. He loves to throw his balls and swing his bat. In fact, he just started making contact with the ball when it is tossed to him. I think we may have another ball player on our hands. Daddy wants him to wrestle and play football like he did, so we will see.

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Homeschooling

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Why we homeschool

Our Schoolroom{s}


2020 ~ 2021 Plan of Study

2020 ~ 2021 MTR

2019 ~ 2020 Plan of Study

2018 ~ 2019 Plan of Study

2017 ~ 2018 Weekly Check Ups

2017 ~ 2018 Morning Time Recitations

2017 ~ 2018 Plan of Study

2016 -2017 Plan of Study

2015-2016 Plan of Study

2014-2015 Plan of Study

2013-2014 Plan of Study

2012-2013 Plan of Study

2011-2012 Plan of Study

2010-2011 Plan of Study

2009-2010 Plan of Study

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us...{019/366}

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Oh, happy day! Today I was able to confirm that I am truly in Ketosis. YAY! I started the Whole30 on January 4th and switched to a more Ketogenic WOE {way of eating} on January 13th because I knew it was a better fit for what I wanted long term.

I am so happy that my Keto testing sticks arrived today so I could know for sure. I have lost 8.5 pounds so far and I feel great! My restless leg syndrome is completely gone, my skin issues are healing, sleep is amazing! I wake up hours before the alarm is supposed to go off, eyes wide open and ready to start the day.

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us...{009-018/366}

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©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us...{008/366}

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Sweet birthday blessings for my Mikayla. I can't believe she is officially a teenager and the big 1-3, where did the time go! In 5 short years she will be flying the coup and heading off to college. 

Even though Mr. M is away on business he was able to be apart of the birthday celebrations tonight. I love that aspect of technology!  I know Mr. M and I will savor each day we have with all of our kids.

Happy birthday sweet girl, keep on smiling!

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us...{007/366}

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Tonight as I was sitting at the bowling alley waiting for a friend and her daughter to arrive, I realized that tomorrow morning I will be the mother of 3 teenagers because Mikayla turns 13! I am so glad that I get to mother and guide these children and my little crowd too.

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us...{006/366}

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This little man loves his cookies! 

 

 

 

Snapshot ~ 365 days of us...{005/366}

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Baby boy is fast! It's my fault, really. Monday night I left the binder down on the chair before giving he and McKenzie a bath. Before I could grab it this morning, Micah had ripped off the bottom of the page. I was able to line up the words and tape the sections he ripped off back on. It could have been worse, so I am thankful I caught to him in time.

And now that the cat's out of the bag so to speak, yes, we have switched our history program for Mikayla, Montana, and McKenzie from Sonlight to Tapestry of Grace. I will post more about our switch later this month.

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us...{004/366}

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We started back to school this morning. The day went pretty well considering we have been off for 2 + weeks. This is a photo of my correcting inbox at 9:26AM. It was filled with work to be corrected already. This semester I am trying to be diligent and stay on top of grading and correcting work. Do you have any tips to pass along?

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us... {003/66}

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I am pretty excited to be starting my Whole30 tomorrow with my Aunt Janice! Last time I attempted this by myself and I only lasted 12 days, This time I am determined to make the complete cycle of 30 days and look forward to the added health benefits that come with this lifestyle change. I seriously considered doing a juicing fast before starting the Whole30, but I figured if I was going to start now is the perfect time.

Here's to better health in 2016!

 

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us... {002/366}

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McKenzie is quite the fashionista these days. It's always a pleasant surprise when she comes down for breakfast to see what outfit she has put together for the day. Last night she decided she was wearing these Kelly green bows even before she had her clothes picked out for the day. When I came home from a gym run this is the outfit that she had picked out. The socks are day-glow yellow that she got in her Pre-Team Christmas party white elephant gift.

Quite the fashionista indeed, Love her!

 

 

 

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

Snapshots ~ 365 days of us... {001/365}

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So, I  am trying this again. Its a new year and I am determined to make a dent in this photo a day for 2016. Last year I was doing so well at taking pictures and using my big camera, I just got tied up at night to get it posted each day that I got discouraged. This year if I find that happening, I am just going to post a batch of photos. While this is not my goal, it will help me out when things get busy in a few weeks with travel season. There is just one of me so please bear with me! Today's picture corresponds with My Word for the year.

 

Here’s to capturing 365 Snapshots!

 

 

 

 

 

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com

My Word ~ 2016

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Happy New Year!

Two Thousand and Sixteen, WOWZERS!!! I have spent the last week and a half thinking of what my word should be for this year.
The people over at OneWord365 state the concept as:

Forget New Year’s Resolutions. Scrap that long list of goals you won’t remember three weeks from now anyway.

Choose just one word.

One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. One word that you can focus on every day, all year long.
It will take intentionality and commitment, but if you let it, your one word will shape not only your year, but also you. It will become the compass that directs your decisions and guides your steps.
Discover the big impact one word can make.

One word. 365 days. A changed life.

~ website

One night I woke up in the middle of the night with a word on my heart. It is a familiar word but I just had to look up the definition to be sure. Since that night I have been evaluating and planning how to incorporate my word for this new year.
So far I have used the following words:

2011 & 2012 ~ LOVE

2013 ~ Moxie ~ Grace

2014 ~ Focus

2016 will be the year of  DILIGENCE. Diligent to my God, my husband & children, my home, my homeschooling duties, my photography, and myself.

Diligence is defined as an effort he or she puts towards balanced and holistic development in mental, physical, social and spiritual dimensions. ~source

These are the things that have been on my heart and where I need to focus my energy. I hope to do monthly updates to keep myself accountable and so that I will be able to look back and see my progress.
So, do you pick a word for the year? If so, I would love to hear what it is. Drop me a line in the comments and let’s have a conversation.

 

©2008 - 2016 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

http://astablebeginning.com