Sheltering in Place

Ok, these are weird times. Who could have guessed that the year 2020 would start off with such trepidation? I'm not a fan of winter, and every year, my mental goal is to reach March 1st, because at that point, spring is within sight. This year, oh man. Can we skip the next two months, and just get over this awful plague?!

This past week has been surreal. It started with the closings of various stores and businesses. Social distancing is the new buzz word. Stores are stripped bare of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, bread, and pretty much anything else people can hoard. Friday afternoon saw our governor mandate a "Shelter in Place" order, allowing residents essential travel only.

As homeschoolers, our lives aren't too radically changed. School is still on for us, although the  extracurriculars are cancelled for now. There won't be any trips to the library, or most anywhere, save a solo trip by me to the grocery store if necessary. We can take walks around the neighborhood, so that will have to do.

On one hand, the slower pace is nice, but once in awhile, as I scan the endless coverage of covid-19, my anxiety kicks in. Every cough or sneeze has you wondering if you're coming down with something. Lord willing, we'll be through this quickly. How are you coping?

Byron's Games - A Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Does your family like board games? We do! They're great, aren't they? What would Family Game Night be without the games? Rainy days are another time when a good board game helps pass the time. Games are also a great way to teach and reinforce various concepts. Geography is a great example. Maybe your kids find learning about continents and countries of the world boring. Or maybe you're just looking for ways to enhance and stretch a lesson. Speaking for my kids, this used to be a subject that they didn't find very appealing. If you have children with similar opinions about Geography, this review is for you. We were given the game Continent Race by the company Byron's Games to check out, and I'm happy to share our thoughts with you.

The story behind this game's creation is pretty neat. Byron was 6 years old when he had a lengthy stay at Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. During that time, with the help of Mrs. Ellen Donovan of the Family Life Center, he kept track of the amount of medals that various countries won during the 2016 Olympics. After they were over, Byron accepted a challenge to create a game that featured flags from the world. He determined to make this a game that children in hospitals might use while they recovered in the hospital. Thus, a game, "Created by a Kid for a Kid" was born. What an inspiring story!

The game board.

Front side of the Continent cards.

Back side of the Continent cards.

Continent Race includes:

1 World Map

5 Continent Lists with Maps

205 Country Cards

3 Antarctica Wild Cards

The playing cards- there are a lot!

Ages: 7+

Players: 2 or more

Average time of game: 30 minutes

Object of the Game: Be the first player to collect the most countries from each continent.

How to Play:

Each player gets 7 cards, and puts them face down at first. On your turn, take a card from the "draw" pile, and put one of your cards face up on the "general" pile. Players always maintain 7 cards at one time. So when you take a card, you decide if you want to keep it, because it matches one of your continents, or you can just put it on the pile. If you complete your continent set, you place your group of cards face up and recite the names of the countries in that group. Then, you'll take the amount of cards you need from the draw pile to get back to 7. Every player follows in the same way. The winner is the first one to collect your amount of cards for each continent group, and then recites the countries, and finds them on the map. 

*The instructions also provide instructions for a more basic level, as well as an advanced level.

That look when you have the card your sister wants.

Game in progress.

All of the components of this game are sturdy and well made. The game board and larger continent list cards are a glossy cardboard, and could be wiped off if something spilled on them. They are bright and colorful, visually very pretty.

We like this game, and had a lot of laughs as we played! I didn't expect my 16 year old to have as much fun with it as she did, but she really got into it, and the competition was heavy between both of my daughters!  This has a long list of places where it can be played and enjoyed, whether in or out of the classroom. Homeschools, public schools, youth groups, family game nights, parties, churches...name your spot :) You're in for a fun time, and you may learn a few more Geography facts while you're at it.

Click on the links for more information.

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Conjurske Publications - Venturing With God in Congo by Darrell Champlin - A Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

This month, we, that is, my daughter and I, have been reading and reviewing a memoir from Conjurske Publications called Venturing With God in Congo by Darrell Champlin. I wasn't far into the book, and certainly nowhere near finishing, when the proverbial lightbulb went on in my head, and I kept saying to myself, we Christians, we in most of the western world even, have no idea how comfortable and easy our lives are! Then, a song popped into my head, from the 1990's I believe, by Christian artist Scott Wesley Brown, called "Please Don't Send Me to Africa". It was a whimsical parody, sung from the perspective of a guy that is pleading with the Lord not to "make" him move to the jungle and minister. Here are a few of the lines:

"Please don't send me to Africa, I don't think I've got what it takes
I'm just a man, I'm not a Tarzan,
Don't like lions, gorillas, or snakes
I'll serve you here in suburbia
In my comfortable middle class life"

It's a funny song, but accurate for the majority of Christians. We live a pampered life, plain and simple. I'm confident that none of you reading this right now had to secure your young children in a bed that was basically a box with a latched netted cover, to protect them from snakes, scorpions, or spiders last night. You probably also didn't need to grab a rifle and head out into the jungle to hunt a monkey(?!) to eat (!) for dinner. Are you of a mind to have your faith challenged, and encouraged? Grab a cup of something and pull up a chair, and let me share this book with you.

This is an account of Darrell and Louise Champlin, who spent the better part of their lives bringing the gospel to the darkest places, first in Africa, later in South America. Before you even open to the first page, the cover will catch your eye. It is a sturdy, attractive hardback book, 290 pages long. There are fifty chapters, as well as an introduction, timeline, map of Congo, and pronunciation tips.

Included in the book is the family tree of the Champlins.

Help for correctly pronouncing sounds in Lingala, the language they spoke in Congo.

The chapters are individual stories of the Champlin's experiences in the mission field. The book begins with the backgrounds of Darrell and Louise. Both grew up in God fearing, Christian homes. Darrell grew up in a modest home in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A, while Louise grew up in the Belgian Congo of Africa with her missionary parents. They met and married in the early 1950's. Even with such different experiences in the way they grew up, they both loved God, and had an "undivided determination to follow him to the ends of the earth, wherever that might be." They sailed for the Belgian Congo in 1954, where they served for ten years, until the revolution forced them to evacuate. After a brief return to the U.S.A., they were called to South America to continue their missionary work, now with their children and their families. Darrell Champlin passed away in 2015, but Louise continues to serve.

What an incredible legacy.

The stories are incredible, and often harrowing. There are tales of angry hippos attacking their boats as they crossed the river. They dealt with termites that they could feel through a reed mat that covered the dirt floor in their mud and stick hut. Darrell had brushes with angry elephants, buffalo, and boars. And snakes. Oh my, the snakes. I have to be honest, more than one chapter had me a little repulsed at the hygiene, cuisine, and living conditions. To say that it was a difficult life is putting it mildly. Their faith was constantly tested, and God provided in amazing ways.

I was happy to see that a few photos were included in the book.

Here in the comforts of my modern neighborhood, I might be concerned for an unsaved acquaintance, and consider their lifestyle immoral because of their language, where they hang out, who they associate with, etc. Generally, their life doesn't affect the quality of mine, and it's easy for me to move on with my own cares. Then I compare that with the Champlins', where they were confronted by witchdoctors who were engulfed in satanic practices, and on occasion, threatened the lives of the Christians with spears. I'm humbled. The Champlins sought God in everything, and watched as He worked in supernatural ways, which included radically saving those witchdoctors.

Did you know that missionaries were responsible for most of the progress in these third world countries?

I'm finished with the book, yet the stories are etched in my mind. This book is a wonderful read for teens and adults. We've enjoyed it as an individual read, but you might also use this as a family read aloud for devotions. It would also be a great resource to use in Sunday schools and Bible studies. No matter where you read this, it will be a book that hopefully not only stays with you, but spurs your faith in such a way that you determine to serve the Lord yourself, wherever He leads you.






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Carole P. Roman - A Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. 

Carole P. Roman has taken many a student on trips to various countries and cultures, through a series of engaging books that she has penned. This award winning author has over fifty books under her belt. Our family has enjoyed her stories in the past, and we were pleased to have another opportunity to visit a few more countries through her writing. She kindly provided us with a choice of several books from her Carole P. Roman's assorted series to read and review. We chose the following titles from the If You Were Me and Lived in...series :

if you were me and lived in...Colonial America  (No typos here, the title is written in lower case)

If You Were Me and Lived In...Australia

If You Were Me and Lived In...South Korea

If You Were Me and Lived In...Israel


I suppose that it's obvious, but the theme of these books presents cultures from around the world. These are written for a younger audience. I would say kindergarten to early elementary would be the perfect range, although those younger will enjoy the colorful photos and illustrations, while older ones (even adults like me) will appreciate learning new words, popular foods, and interesting traditions. 

All of the books we received are thin, glossy paperbacks. They range from approximately 25 pages, to 50+ pages. The print is larger, perfect for younger eyes, and my ever aging eyes, to be honest. Each book provides a convenient pronunciation guide in the back, allowing you to practice your new words and phrases. Let me show you a little bit from each of the books that we've been enjoying.

if you were me and lived in...Colonial America (Again, the lower case is intentional)

This first paperback is the longest, with over 50 pages. It starts with an overview of historical England, the religious views, and why the pilgrims left for America. The book then picks up with a look at what life was like as a Colonial. What did they eat? Where did they live? Did they play games, or have any fun at all?
Out of the four books we received, this packs in the most information, and would probably be better with the older readers. It isn't graphic at all, but does mention the death of some of the pilgrims that first winter, so if you have sensitive students, there's your heads up. Also, for those of you that are, well, teetotalers, there is a page that talks about the fact that a big thing that the pilgrim's missed was beer, as the water could be dangerous to drink. If this offends you, you could skip the page, or select a different title. This would be a good title to include in American History studies, or a Thanksgiving unit.

Signing the Mayflower Compact.

Henry VIII created The Church of England, declaring himself as the head.

A section at the end features people of interest during this time, including William Penn, Pocahontas, and Captain John Smith.

If You Were Me and Lived In... Australia

This is one of two of the titles that we received that is a good fit for the younger ages. The print is very large, and there are 24 pages. One of the first things little readers will  learn, is that Australia is not only a country, but also a continent. They will learn what a typical boy or girl might be named, and how they would address their mother and father. The book touches on the Great Barrier Reef, Australian currency, and what types of foods they would enjoy (Vegemite sandwich anyone?). What types of sports are played "down under", as the country is called? I thought Why is it even called the "down under" ? The pronunciation guide in the back provides extra help in reinforcing the text. 

Did you know that Australia is both a country and a continent?

Popular names in Australia might include Jack, Oliver, Charlotte, or Ruby.

In Australia, a Barbie is not a doll, but what they call the grill!

If You Were Me and Lived In...South Korea

This book was the choice of my oldest teen, as she is a fan of K pop. I don't know if I spelled that correctly, since I am now the uncool mom, lol. She has been dabbling in learning the Korean language, and enjoys learning about the culture. We no sooner had received the book in the mail, and she stole away with it. I told you that even older ages would enjoy learning about the various cultures in this series, hee hee. But I digress. This is also one of the four that we were given, that is well suited for the younger ones. Here again, the print is large, with fewer paragraphs per page. It is 27 pages long. Children will learn that South Korea is located in East Asia, where people have lived for over 2000 years. They will learn that a common name for a boy is Minjoon, or Jihoo, while a girl might be called Soobin, or Yeeun. It's always interesting to discover what a country's food is like, and here, we learn about bulgogi, or Korean barbecue, as well as kimchee and rice. Young readers might also find it fun to learn that chopsticks are the utensil of choice, rather than the forks that we use. Other facts include schools, holidays, and pasttimes. As with the others, the pronunciation guide in the back is helpful.

South Korea's Lunar Holiday is a favorite tradition.

School is called haggyo in South Korea.

The pronunciation guides are so helpful!

If You WereMe and Lived In... Israel

This is the last of the four books in our collection here. With 31 pages, and a slightly smaller print than the last two books, this is a good choice for children further along in their reading. This selection takes us on a literary trip to the Middle East, where the State of Israel or Medinat Israel is located. It is considered the Holy Land by Judaism, Christianity,  Islam, and Baha'i faiths. In this book, you'll learn about one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem. It draws millions of visitors every year. Everyone, no matter where you live, needs to shop, and a possible place to do so in Israel is the shouk, an open air market with everything from food to clothes. Make sure you have enough shekels to pay for your halav and lechem, that is, milk and bread. You'll make a stop at the Dead Sea, which is so salty that nothing can survive in it. Then you'll visit Tel Aviv, where you'll learn about more of the foods you might eat there. How about some falafel, made with ground chick peas and fried into balls ( I do love good falafel!), pita bread, grilled meat called shwarma, and fresh salads. I am now hungry, ha. Football is a popular sport, also known as  soccer, to those of us in the U.S.A.. Did you know that in Israel, you read from right to left, instead of left to right, as we do in our part of the world? This book packs a lot of fascinating information in its pages. 

I love how some of the illustrations in these books feature drawings over actual photos.

The Dead Sea is visited by many people who believe that the salt is healing.

The word for school in Israel, is biet safer, meaning "house of books". I like that.

How can you use these books? They would be a helpful resource to enhance Unit Studies, History lessons, Geography lessons, Co-Ops, Enrichment classes, to name a few possibilities. You might also simply enjoy them as a great educational read aloud. Which title will you choose? As for me, it's a tough choice, because they're all wonderful. Check them out!




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I’m feeling like I’m in the minority when I say that I love when the clocks move forward for Spring. I   love the longer days. The daffodils are blooming, and the promise of warmer weather is here. My favorite sign of the season made a comeback this morning. As I stood in the kitchen, I heard that sweet, familiar sound, the song of my robin friends! Are you ready for the new season?

March!

Hurray for March! I’m not a huge fan of Winter , so I always keep March 1st as the date to get to, because it means that Spring is almost here. And it’s here! Now, if we can just get through the cold and flu season...