Review: Britfield & The Lost Crown

We may have mentioned a time or two that our family loves books. Not just a little. A lot. There is always room for one more great read, and this month we added to our growing library with the first book in a spectacular new series, Britfield & The Lost Crown.

“Tom continued to think about the day as he stared at the peeling paint on the ceiling. He thought about Mr. Grievous’s threat, the file about his parents locked in the office, six more years at this miserable place and his friend Sarah. It was a long night, but Tom knew at that moment it was time to leave Weatherly.”

~ Britfield & The Lost Crown

Britfield & The Lost Crown is the first book in a new series by C.R.Stewart released by Devonfield Publishing. Britfield & The Lost Crown is an adventurous story taking readers through a discovery of prominent English landmarks as they uncover the mystery of young Tom’s past. Aided by his best friend, Sarah, and a slew of amazingly helpful acquaintances, Tom will do everything in his power to uncover who he really is and remain free of their hateful orphanage forever.

Already the winner of several awards, our family was eager to review the first book in the new series and excited to explore the multitude of learning possibilities. Our family received a signed paperback copy of the book, access to the Britfield website, and a link to download the Britfield Study Guide.

As I prefer previewing reads before passing them off to our children, I made sure I was the first to sit down with the book. Being a quick reader and given the reading level of the story, I found I was able to complete the book within one evening; finishing in approximately four hours. Afterwards, I made the book available to my children and took time to explore the possibilities of the Britfield study guide and website.

I found the Britfield Study Guide to be well thought out and thorough. Available for free to teachers and homeschoolers, the study guide includes learning opportunities focusing on vocabulary, comprehension and “Going Deeper” exercises which encourage learners to think beyond the story. Portions of the study guide also include “Learn More with Technology” which assists learners in becoming familiar with online research.
For our family’s purposes we chose to focus our attention on the “Going Deeper” portions of the study guide, preferring to approach the questions openly in group discussion. We found this worked best for our family as the other sections of the guide would have been a review of skills already learned by my students and I wanted to spend a greater amount of our time on the Britfield website.

Upon visiting the Britfield website, we were immediately impressed by the amount of options available to us. Readers can learn more about not only the series itself, but the author, various awards, opportunities for teachers to explore the Britfield Classroom Creativity Experience, and the upcoming Explorer’s Club.
For those ready to jump into a learning adventure inspired by the book, a series of seven options are also available for exploration: Yorkshire, The Midlands, Oxford, Windsor, Richmond, London and Canterbury. Selecting any of these subcategories will immediately launch you into a fresh study of this English landmark. Depending on which landmark you choose to focus on, readers have the option to examine maps, peruse beautiful photographs of the given area, learn a bit of history and geography, and more.
We explored every aspect of the website. We found the resource too good to pass up, and eagerly studied each landscape thoroughly.

We found Britfield & The Lost Crown to be a wonderful book. The story was clean, well-paced, had beautifully developed characters, was filled with adventure, and encouraged a desire for deeper study. We found the book to be enjoyable for even our adults readers, while easily manageable for younger listeners. The book would be a perfect Morning Basket read for families to explore together, giving plenty of opportunity to incorporate both the Study Guide and website learning adventures.
If the front cover – beautifully illustrated and incredibly soft to the touch – doesn’t immediately grab you, within minutes the story will pull you in and have you wanting more.

From what we are told, movies for each of the books in this fantastic series are in the works! No news yet as to when they will be released, but we’ll definitely be keeping our ears open for any new developments. Until then, there is still plenty to explore while we wait for the next installment in the series.
I am so glad we took the time to review Britfield & The Lost Crown and add yet another amazing read to our home library. Don’t you just love a good book?

If you’d like to learn more about Britfield & The Lost Crown please visit them at their website and on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

To read additional reviews like this one, and gain more insight into this fantastic read, please visit The Homeschool Review Crew.

We’d love to know… Do you have a favorite historical fiction series you enjoy?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, & Pinterest!

Review: Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason

“To demonstrate the veracity of Scripture, this book will address every alleged Bible contradiction that I have seen posted on the Internet. Whereas there may be a few obscure claims of contradictions that I have not seen, this list covers the most often used examples…”
~ Jason Lisle

We’re coming to the end of another school year in a few short weeks. While half of me is wondering where in the world the time has gone, the other half is already gearing up for another fun learning adventure. As we prepare our routine and curriculum, the first area of study which occupies my attention is Bible and logic. We’ve spent this year laying a solid foundation in fallacy detecting. With the help of Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason from Jason Lisle and Master Books, it looks like our studies will just keep on getting better.

Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason is a thorough study of over four hundred alleged Bible contradictions circling the world-wide web, and solid answers to each claim. Backed by Scripture reference, Mr. Lisle does an outstanding job of helping the reader define terms, understand common fallacies, and delve deeper into the Word of God. Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason is broken down into helpful categories including: Quantitative Differences; Names, Places, and Genealogies; Timing of Events; Cause and Effect; Differences in Details; and Yes or No?. While readers are welcome to read through each section in order, the beauty of this resource is that there is no wrong way to study these claims. There is no priority of one claim over another, nor a specific order in which they must be read; readers are encouraged to prioritize each selection according to their needs and still gain a great deal of wisdom.

As I launch into planning the upcoming school year, this resource will definitely be playing a key role in our daily Bible lessons. While no age is specified for this particular resource, having giving the book a thorough read, I believe Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason will be best appreciated and beneficial to those above elementary levels of education. Our plan is to have our three girls – in high school and junior high – join me in reading through a short set of claims with open Bibles at the ready. The goal will be to methodically work through two to three ‘contradictions’ daily; spending approximately twenty to thirty minutes during our time together.

Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason is exactly what I was looking for in the next step of our learning adventure. I appreciate Mr. Lisle’s introduction to common fallacies. It’s as if this book picks right up from where we are leaving off this learning year. I like that each claim stands on its own – allowing us the freedom to move within the text at our own discretion. I love that each claim lists only Bible references; encouraging our children to not take anyone’s claims as truth, but to seek out Scripture for themselves. Keeping Faith in the Age of Reason is incredible! While, in truth, we have other resources of this nature which lay out alleged Bible contradictions, my husband and I both agree this book exceeds them all.

Building on our foundation of fallacy detecting, this fantastic resource will help my children better understand Scripture, strengthen their faith, and arm them with the answers they need. I am excited to be adding Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason to our learning routine next year, and know we will be blessed by this thorough study of God’s Word. With our most important lessons ready to go, I am now able to better focus attention on the remainder of our learning adventure. As always, this coming year is going to be amazing!

If you’d like to learn more about Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason and Master Books please visit them at their website – where you can download a preview or place your order for this incredible resource – and on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube!

Your Turn!: How do logic, apologetics, and catechism play a role in your family’s learning routine?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Review: The Electric Pickle

I love reading other people’s blogs, don’t you? I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the loveliest people and being introduced to a world of possibility. On occasion, I also benefit from exposure to choice resources which change the course of our learning year. The Electric Pickle: 50 Experiments from the Periodic Table, from Aluminum to Zinc by Joey Green and Chicago Review Press is changing the face of our chemistry lessons, and we couldn’t be more pleased!

The Electric Pickle by Joey Green is a unique learning resource. With each fun experiment we are reminded science does not require a fancy lab or expensive equipment in order to accomplish serious learning. The Electric Pickle seeks to bring chemistry to life through amazing reactions and stimulating activities. This resourceful handbook is perfect for learners of all ages, organized so even younger students are able to participate and enjoy. Written by Joey Green, author of more than 50 books, The Electric Pickle is a fascinating guide to the world of periodic elements.

While perusing our online friends’ blogs and their incredible homeschooling adventures, we happened upon a review of this fantastic resource. Imagine our surprise when publisher, Chicago Review Press, kindly offered us our own copy for review! We were excited to add The Electric Pickle to our weekly chemistry lessons and put the handbook to the test. Twice a week we delved in our lessons; all four children present and excited to learn. We progressed through experiments on elements such as Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, and more. Each lesson included a quick safety reminder, a list of necessary materials, and instructions. Lessons were followed by a quick explanation of what is happening during the experiment, why the experiment works and a few wacky facts about the particular element being studied.

From the start, our experience with The Electric Pickle was fruitful. Unlike previous attempts with experiments, we found the included list of materials easy to locate. (Most could be found within our home, others purchased at a local hardware store.) Several of the periodic elements included more than one experiment, giving us more options and added fun. Each experiment included a full-color image of all materials needed which was especially helpful when making purchases, and the easy to understand instructions made experiments simple to work through. Each element was enjoyable to explore, with experiments which livened up our learning and engaged our students.

The Electric Pickle to be an incredibly fun and educational resource. All our learners have enjoyed exploring, from our oldest in high school to our youngest in fifth grade. While our favorite experiments include explosive reactions, even the more subtle adventures prove engaging. Experiments are easy to prep and simple to follow. All are fun. Thus far, The Electric Pickle has proven to be the best chemistry exploration we’ve experienced. The included experiments far exceed any we’ve attempted in any other resource, and “Wacky Facts” keep us actively digging deeper. The Electric Pickle has become one of our favorite resources for science exploration and one we anticipate recommending to all our friends.

We’ve always appreciated perusing other homeschooling and parenting blogs, but when our reading leads to the discovery of a fantastic resource for our family we’re overjoyed. The Electric Pickle: 50 Experiments from the Periodic Table, from Aluminum to Zinc has definitely changed the face of our chemistry lessons, and we’re excited to continue exploring the wonderful world of science.

If you’d like to learn more about The Electric Pickle: 50 Experiments from the Periodic Table, from Aluminum to Zinc or Chicago Review Press please visit them at their website, and on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Your Turn!: I feel foolish saying this, but until I was an adult I didn’t know Krypton was a genuine element. Did you?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Review: The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by Worthy Kids/Ideals

This month God seems to be wanting to remind our little family of something vital. He is in control. All He asks is that we trust Him. The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by Worthy Kids/Ideals came at a perfect time to remind us of these truths and encourage our children to dig deeper into their Bibles.

Worthy Publishing Group is an established book company whose mission is, “To help people experience the heart of God.” Of their five distinct imprints and vast selection of titles, Worthy Kids/Ideals creates vibrant children’s literature including The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls. The series has only begun with the following incredible reads:

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Beginning (Book #1) Peter, Mary, and their dog, Hank, find themselves spending a month with their Great-Uncle Solomon while their parents are off on a mission trip to Africa. After discovering their great-uncle is an archeologist, the kids begin to explore the house hoping to find something fun to occupy their time, and learn of the Legend of the Secret Scrolls hidden in Solomon’s home. According to Great-Uncle Solomon, only the chosen will hear “the lion” call and be allowed to open the scrolls, being transported back in time to discover amazing truths from God.
Sometime during their first night, the children hear a lion and rush off in hopes of excitement. What happens next is a tale of adventure, discovery, and Biblical lessons as the two children and their faithful pet find themselves experiencing creation first hand, all while attempting to discover the secret of their first scroll and steering clear of Satan. In this first incredible tale, Peter and Mary learn the valuable lesson that, “God Created Everything”.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark (Book #2) It’s been three days since Peter and Mary experienced creation first hand, and they are impatient for another adventure to begin. As rain pours down, the children begin to wonder if they will ever be allowed to open another scroll. When a game of fetch with their dog, Hank, sends them scrambling through the house, the trio discover a journal written by their Great-Uncle Solomon detailing his adventures as an archeologist. Just as Solomon is about to share his stories with the children, they all hear “the lion” roar!
The trio’s second scroll takes them back to the time of Noah. The children learn Noah has been building the Ark for over 100 years, but time is running short. In just seven days the world will be flooded, and Noah needs help finishing the Ark and gathering the last of the animals into cages. This seems a simple task until the children learn Satan will do anything he can to stop Noah from finishing. It doesn’t help that he also wishes to prevent the children from discovering the newest scroll’s secret. In this amazing second tale, Peter, Mary, and Hank learn to, “Trust God. He Will Rescue You!”

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls are paperback books, suggested for children ages 6-9 with reading levels between first to third grades. While all of my children are out of this age range, I very much wished to explore these reads given the history of the publishing company itself and the lovely illustrations gracing the front covers. Thus, I was willing to overlook the suggested age range and read the books for myself. I read through quickly, finishing both in a little less than an hour. Afterwards, I passed the books off to my ten-year-old son. He finished each book in approximately an hour. We believe the suggested age range is fitting, while the story itself is enjoyable even for older readers. At the end of each story, you’ll find a section which offers helpful information to those who wish to read more. Each book details where you can find passages in Scripture relating to the story.

While we often find judging a book by its cover to be unwise, we are happy to announce The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series is as lovely as it looks! Both stories were enjoyable from beginning to end. The characters were well thought-out and relatable. The stories well-written and entertaining. Honestly, we can’t say enough good things about these books. Our only complaint… When will there be more?!

The Lord definitely wanted to use this month to remind us of His wonderful creation and our need to trust in Him. This is the second story of Noah’s Ark we’ve read, and we’re encouraged that God is in control. The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls were fantastic reads and a blessing to our family.

If you’d like to learn more about The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas or WorthyKids/Ideals please visit them at their website and on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! To read helpful reviews like this one, and gain more insight into what The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas has to offer, please visit The Homeschool Review Crew!

Your Turn!: In The Beginning, Peter and Mary are able to ride dangerous animals as if they were ponies. If you could ride on the back of any wild animal, which would it be?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Review: By the Way Book Series, Washington ~ Here We Come!

We’ve never visited the state of Washington. Have you? For those of us who live too far away or extended vacations aren’t currently an option, we’ve got the next best thing. Our recent review of By the Way Book Series, Washington ~ Here We Come revealed you don’t have to leave home to explore God’s creation and learn about a fabulous US state.

By the Way Book Series is an informative collection of reads sharing fun facts about several US states and encouraging discovery of Biblical truth in everyday life. We had the opportunity to review Washington ~ Here We Come, our son’s first book choice. (Closely followed by Florida’s Treasure Coast ~ Here We Come, which we’ll have to visit soon!)

After perusing our choice of books, we anxiously watched our mailbox for our read to arrive. Our son was excited to receive his package and when it showed was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the book. The illustrations and images are well laid out, with plenty to learn amongst its pages.

Washington ~ Here We Come follows Alex, Lexi, Miss Cindy (their bus driver), and other team members as they discover the state of Washington and the heritage of that region. Together we explore such sights as Washington’s firsts, Olympia National Park, Ruby Beach, Quinault Rain Forest, and more. At each stop, we learn about the flora, fauna, and history of the area.

Our goal was to use Washington ~ Here We Come as our bedtime read, a quiet moment together where we read one-on-one. We started immediately, reading several pages aloud each night. We were not in a hurry to rush through the pages, instead choosing to fully absorb the text and open discussion before moving forward.

Washington ~ Here We Come was a fun read. We enjoyed learning about creatures such as the Banana slug which can reach lengths of up to twelve inches. (Imagine me shivering while my son giggles uproariously.) We read about Sitka trees used to make airplane frames in WWI. Native American history was explored, reminding us forty-two tribes still live in Washington today. As a parent, I truly appreciated By the Way subtly pointing my son to God. Each section spotlights God’s creation, His provision throughout history, and His goodness without losing focus of the immediate lesson.

There was much to cover. So much so, we will more than like be re-reading By the Way several times more before fully absorbing its contents. In fact, we could see how each By the Way adventure could easily be adapted into smaller studies in both science and history, prompting a world of discovery.

If you’d like to learn more about By the Way Book Series, please visit them at their website and on Facebook. To read helpful reviews like this one, and gain more insight into what By the Way Book Series has to offer, please visit The Homeschool Review Crew!

Your Turn!: Which state would you most be interested in learning about?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Book Review: Beyond the Tiger Mom

“This book’s thesis is that Western and Eastern parenting philosophies have vastly different strengths and weaknesses; therefore, parents on either side of the world can learn from each other…”
(Maya Thiagarajan, Beyond the Tiger Mom)

Beyond the Tiger Mom by Maya Thiagarajan is an intriguing, thoughtful book. Ms. Thiagarajan invites us into her world, giving us glimpses of her global experiences in education and parenting. She shares with us lessons learned both academically and experientially, sharing tips for putting the best of both worlds into practice.

Beyond the Tiger Mom consists of three sections: Academics, Achieving Balance, and Myth, Media & Metaphor. Chapters cover topics such as “Why Are All the Asian Kids on the Math Team?”, “Raising Readers”, “Memorization, Practice, Exams, and Other Things Asians Love”, and more. Each chapter closes with a handy “Tips for Parents” section, to help families apply concepts covered in the previous pages.

We found Beyond the Tiger Mom interesting and informative. We appreciated reading of Ms. Thiagarajan’s personal experiences and her interviews with Asian parents. Each chapter covered key concepts of learning, giving insight into methods both Western and Eastern parents use regarding this area of development. Ms. Thiagarajan does a wonderful job of clearly identifying strengths and weakness in both cultures while continually encouraging parents to seek the good of the student.

A thoughtful point Ms. Thiagarajan brings forth is the notion of finding balance. As parents/educators, we do not wish to over-stress our students with study so intense our children never have play time, but neither should we take our children’s education so lightly they do not take study seriously.

While learning disabilities were briefly mentioned, and confirmed, in her book, we would enjoy reading more on this topic. It would be nice to have a better understanding of how other cultures acknowledge and work through these challenges in education.

We were encouraged by reading Beyond the Tiger Mom! Whenever we take on a book specifically relating to education, it’s possible to find areas of study we’ve glossed over. Instead, we found much to confirm we’re not only on the right track, but already implementing the ideals put forth.

This was an enjoyable read with much to ponder. We appreciated learning about Eastern culture and their parental perspective on child rearing, and discovering their viewpoint on Westerners. The “Tips for Parents” portion of each chapter are a great check for those looking to fill in any gaps in their child’s development.

As Ms. Thiagarajan pointed out, childhood should have balance. May we be inspired and encouraged to seek the Lord to find the right fit for our children. Only in Him will balance be found, enabling us to not only reach our littles academically, but in leading them to Christ.

Your Turn!: Consider this statistic… “The well-publicized study titled ‘Early Warning Confirmed‘ by the Annie E. Casey Foundation,… third grade as a particularly important year. If a child is strong in reading and math in third grade, then he will do well throughout school.” We’d love to hear your thoughts on training up children early!

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Book Review: The Kingdom of Oceana

I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a free copy for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

…..

Every once in a while, we discover a book filled not only with exciting adventures, but something new to be learned. This month, we had the privilege of receiving one such read and we’re excited to share it with you.

A fictional story set in Hawaii, The Kingdom of Oceana, tells about 16-year-old Prince Ailani and his brother Nahoa who trespass on a forbidden burial ground and uncover an ancient tiki mask, unleashing a thousand-year-old curse that threatens to destroy their tropical paradise. With the help of his ancestral spirit animals, his shape shifting sidekick, and a beautiful princess, Prince Ailani must overcome his own insecurities, a lifetime of sibling rivalry, and a plague of cursed sea creatures brought forth by the tiki’s spell.

What We Liked… The Kingdom of Oceana is a lovely read. The story is intriguing, the characters charming, and we learned a great deal about Hawaii. We found ourselves unable to put the book down; reading it in one afternoon.

What We Loved… The beautifully illustrated front cover is not to be missed. Also highly appreciated were the study guides which accompany The Kingdom of Oceana. This is obviously a work of the heart and it shows.

And What We’d Change… Nothing! This was a work of art from beginning to end. We look forward to reading more Mitchell Charles in the near future.

To learn more about The Kingdom of Oceana, and Hawaii, visit the WEBSITE filled with helpful learning pages and guides. You can also read the first chapter of The Kingdom of Oceana, or listen to the audio chapter.

One day we hope to visit Hawaii for ourselves. What a blessing it would be to see all the places mentioned in the book and give God the glory for His wonderful creation. Until then, we’re blessed to enjoy exciting books which take us to another place and encourage imagination.

📢 Chime In!: Surfing or SCUBA diving, which would you prefer?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Book Review(s): Questions…

During the course of my walk with Christ, I have asked Him many questions. I’ve pondered my purpose, whether I’m failing in my parenting, how I can be a better wife, and how much worse things can get before He finally calls us home. But did you know the Bible is filled with questions God has for us?

Why would God have questions? I assure you, it is not because He doesn’t have the answers. Rather, He desires to guide us into deeper understanding and wisdom. In Questions God Asks and Questions Jesus Asks, Mr. Israel Wayne once again seeks to edify and encourage readers with each unique chapter. We are taken through a series of questions meant to engage us and bring us closer to God.

In Questions God Asks, Mr. Wayne discusses important topics such as “Where Were You?”, “Why Are You Angry?”, “Is anything Too Difficult for the Lord?”, and several more.

In Questions Jesus Asks, Mr. Wayne continues with such chapters as “Who Do People Say That I Am?”, “What Will It Profit a Man?”, “Do You Want to Get Well?”, “What Were You Arguing About?”, and more.

Both books are brilliant. We enjoyed each tremendously. We found them to be easy reading. But don’t let that fool you, the questions themselves are deeply moving and demand answers.

How We’re Using Them… In lieu of a boxed Bible curriculum, our family chose these reads to start off our homeschool day and Our Morning Basket for the entire first semester. We slowly went through each book, chapter by chapter, breaking down the message God shared through Mr. Wayne and searching the Scripture references provided.

And Why… The Lord blessed my heart when reading through these books and I wanted to share the blessing with my children. Each of these questions encouraged our children to understand more of God’s character, Jesus’ divinity, and our relationship with each.

While these books were not specifically designed with children in mind, there was no chapter which did not minister to my family as a whole. Each question presented met each of us in a special way. I would especially recommend these books for students in junior and senior high, although younger children could easily benefit from following along with parents.

Yet again, the Lord has used Mr. Wayne in a mighty way. Both Questions God Asks and Questions Jesus Asks bring our hearts before the Almighty with grace and love. Read them. You’ll be blessed.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
~ John 17:3

📢 Chime In!: Which Biblical question has God (or Christ) asked which has spoken the most to your heart?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest!

Book Review: The High School Handbook

Sometimes you come across a resource so good you just can’t stop recommending it. That is exactly how we feel about The High School Handbook. This one book contains so much helpful information regarding those all too important years, you just might not need another.

In The High School Handbook, Ms. Schofield does an excellent job of laying the groundwork for Jr. and Sr. High. She provides a helpful, step-by-step process to organizing your students’ workload, as well as ideas on how each can be implemented to their fullest. She explains, with clear reasoning, why each step is taken and how it benefits both your student and yourself. To further assist you with each step, Ms. Schofield has graciously placed helpful sample forms throughout the book, showing how her family has organized each area. She has also included blank forms for you to copy and use at your own disposal, making your job even easier.

Ms. Schofield covers every area of Jr. and Sr. High that you could possibly imagine. If you are unsure of how to organize your classes, this book will help. If you are unsure which classes are needed to attend a university, this book will help. Need tips on grading, courses standards, transcripts, and college? This book is definitely the one for you. From Language Arts and Arithmetic, to Driver’s Ed and Work Permits, this book has something for everyone.

On a personal level, I am extremely grateful I chose to read the book before our children started junior and senior high. Our children were still in elementary school (we are not including sixth grade as part of “middle school”). Had I waited until the summer before junior high, I might have stressed myself out with the amount of paperwork and organizing needing to be done. However, having read the book a full year in advance, I had plenty of time to prepare whatever forms were necessary. I very much appreciated the sections on Missionary Opportunities, Apprenticeship, and College at Home, as each of these areas are of particular interest to our family.

Once again, I find myself cracking open the pages to dig even deeper; hoping to find new sources of information or perhaps little facets I might have missed the first few go-rounds. High school is here in full force, with graduation a few short years away.

I highly recommend The High School Handbook for everyone with a child going into Jr. and/or Sr. High. Even if you don’t homeschool, it will help you to better understand what classes your child should be taking in their studies. It will help you prepare them for ACT and SAT exams, College Applications, and other areas common to upper grades. I greatly encourage you to read this book. Don’t wait until your child is about to start their higher education, help them now. You won’t regret it!

 Chime In!: For those of you with children already in Junior or Senior High, was there a particular book(s) that you found helpful in organizing the chaos?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, &  Pinterest!

Book Review: Full-Time Parenting

I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a free copy for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

…..

“Full-time parents look for every opportunity to teach and train their children in the ways of the Lord… They don’t want to let a single opportunity slip by without being able to impart important eternal truths to their child.”
~Israel Wayne, Full-Time Parenting

How much of our day is spent parenting our children? Perhaps not enough. If we want to have lasting relationships with our children, and provide them with a solid, Biblical foundation for adult life, it’s time to embrace full-time parenting.

In Full-Time Parenting, Israel Wayne clearly and simply lays a Biblical foundation for parenthood. He gently encourages each of us to take our roles seriously, asking what God wants for His children. Full-Time Parenting addresses such topics as the father’s role in parenting, child training, the “Perfect Family” Syndrome, techno parenting, and more.

We found Full-Time Parenting, to be honest, spectacular! Israel Wayne does an incredible job of laying Biblical groundwork for every chapter covered. He constantly seeks to edify the reader; always encouraging parents to seek God’s will. Full-Time Parenting is engaging, thought-provoking, and to the point. Every chapter a blessing from beginning to end.

There were a few sections which especially caught our attention. “Hospitality: It’s Not Just for Women Anymore” was an interesting chapter and sparked quite a bit of conversation. “A Christian Education Manifesto” was amazing. Scripture, Scripture, and more Scripture encouraging parents to carefully consider their children’s education. “Why Some Children Leave The Faith” was an apt warning in today’s society.

Don’t be fooled. While Mr. Wayne does an excellent job of presenting God’s view of full-time parenting, there is nothing easy about what God is calling us to. In fact, being a full-time parent is going to be the toughest job you will ever have. But, God is good. He doesn’t expect perfection. He only expects us to give it our all.

Join us in the incredible adventure of full-time parenting. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you what He wants of your family, spend dedicated time in the Word seeking His face, read Full-Time Parenting, and allow the Lord to do a mighty work in your home.

“Whether you are a single parent or a faithful Bible-teaching, patriarchal leader of your home, it isn’t ultimately about you. It’s all about God and His marvelous grace. Throw yourself on the merits of Christ and watch in amazement what He can do in and through you and your family.”
~ Israel Wayne, Full-Time Parenting

 Chime In!: What do you find most pulls your focus away from being a full-time parent?

Want to stay connected & up to date with A Homeschool Mom? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, &  Pinterest!