Write with World- TOS review

Write with WORLD is a two year middle school writing curriculum from the publishers of God's World News and WORLD magazine.  It includes separate teacher and student books and helps you to teach your child to write with purpose.  The program is refreshing in that it employs a thoughtful and meaningful Christian worldview.  The assignments in the book are flexible so your child can build her confidence and skills in using today's new media.  As you know, we cannot always believe what we hear!  We often must probe deeper to get to the truth.

Through Write with World, students are trained to truly think about what they see, read and believe.  One of the first exercises I did with my daughter had to do with advertising.  She was directed to pay attention to magazine ads, billboards, and TV advertisements throughout the day.  Then, she chose one and wrote about what tactics they used to sell their product, why we feel how we do about the product (explains in book), and more.  We had some very thoughtful conversations about the choices we make as consumers that day, let me tell you!

I was given the first year teacher and student book to review and I was quite impressed.  Concepts of comparative and critical reading, writing fundamental, narratives, reporting, reviewing, critique and opinion are all covered.  The assignments were interesting and engaging with pictures (love pictures as I am a visual learner).  They are broken down into easy lessons (always welcome in my book!) in a thoughtful manner.  The teacher's manual is also well written so you can confidently teach your child.  

Write with WORLD is $95 a year (for Book 1) or $165 if you purchase books 1 and 2 at the same time.  This price includes access to the use website that will be coming in the fall of this year.  You can purchase the books here.

See what other members of TOS thought about Write with WORLD here.


Disclaimer: I was given the student and teacher's editions of the first year of Write with World in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.

The Wedding Dress Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Four brides.  One dress.  A century old trunk welded shut "by a girl with a broken heart".  Thus begins The Wedding Dress, by Rachel Hauck.  The book binds four love stories, spanning 100 years, that are tied together in the most unique and mysterious of ways.  

 The Wedding Dress is a dash of mystery, a large slice of romance and a smidgen of history all tied up with a lovely bow!  The main character, Charlotte, is very real and I enjoyed spending time with her as I read the story.  At the beginning, I felt that the history of the dress "belonging" to people and never changing was a bit cheesy but then came to realize that it was symbolic of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Rachel Hauck states, "It never wears out.  It fits everyone who tries it on.  It doesn't need to be altered.  It's always in style."  Beautiful and so true.  

The Wedding Dress is full of romance, mystery and four lovely brides.  I brought it everywhere with me in the hopes that I could sneak in a page or two!  Delightful! 

{More about The Wedding Dress}

One dress. Four women. An amazing destiny. Charlotte Malone is getting married. Yet all is not settled in the heart of Birmingham's chic bridal boutique owner. Charlotte can dress any bride to perfection-except herself. When she discovers a vintage mint-condition wedding gown in a battered old trunk, Charlotte embarks on a passionate journey to discover the women who wore the gown before her. Emily in 1912. Mary in 1939. And Hillary in 1968. Each woman teaches Charlotte something about love in her own unique way. Woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte's heritage, the power of faith, and the beauty of finding true love.

{More about Rachel Hauck}

Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author of Carol Award winner Sweet Caroline, and RITA Finalist Love Starts With Elle, and of the critically acclaimed fiction collaboration with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, The Songbird Novels. She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets.

Rachel earned a degree in Journalism form Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor. Visit her web site at www.rachelhauck.com to reader her blog, and to follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

{More about the True Beauty Giveaway & Author Chat Party}

What is "true" beauty? Join the conversation at Rachel's Author Chat Party Event Page. On the eventing of 4/19 we'll gather to talk about inner and outer beauty and share moments of beauty in our lives.

In the meantime, celebrate with Rachel by entering her True Beauty Giveaway!

One "beautiful" winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Treat yourself to a spa day or weekend get-away!)
• The Wedding Dress (by Rachel Hauck)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 4/18/12. Winner will be announced at Rachel's "True Beauty" Facebook Party on  4/19. Rachel will be hosting an evening of beauty (inner/outer) chat, fun trivia, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Rachel via Skype.) 

So grab a few of your friends and your copy of The Wedding Dress and join Rachel on the evening of April 19th for an evening of fun.


*I was given a copy of The Wedding Dress from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

TruthQuest History- TOS review

TruthQuest History is a program that encourages you to think about history in a new way.  "For it is not first the story of mankind, but of the One who made mankind!"  Dates and places are dull and boring (but often necessary) but TruthQuest offers a more exciting and thoughtful curriculum.  At first look it seems that there are just lists of books but that's just the beginning!  There is a commentary that introduces each topic, ThinkWrite Questions to help students internalize key truths, reading lists, organized by grade level and an appendix which offers sample answers to help evaluate the student's knowledge.  I wish that history had been taught to me in this manner.  I love reading, but memorizing dates puts me to sleep!

Something else I'd like to mention that really meant a lot to me was the amazing customer service that TruthQuest offers it's customers. I had a few questions that needed answers, and when I emailed them they quickly (and very politely) wrote back to me.  They treated me like family instead of a number!  So, before I even opened their book I was already quite impressed.


I was a bit disappointed at the number of books (mentioned in the book lists in the guide) I was able to locate for our studies.  The lists are so extensive that I thought I would struggle with which ones to choose.  I ended up picking some books that were not mentioned and that turned out to be fine.


I am a list maker by nature, a complete type A personality and although I loved the whole idea of TruthQuest I'm doubtful I will continue this program.  I think it would be perfect, absolutely beautiful for an unschooling family!  How I wish I could relax and be that kind of Mom!  Alas, it's just not in me.

I was given TruthQuest's Age of Revolution II (America/Europe, 1800-1865) in a PDF form to review.  The list of book recommendations was extensive and impressive!  This book was created for 5-12th graders but younger children can also participate.   Not only did will you learn about history, but also art, culture and the spiritual truth of history!


See Table of Contents for Age of Revolution here.
See sample of Age of Revolution II here.


The bound books start at $24.95.
The PDF downloads start at $19.95.
They can be purchased here.


Take a peek at what other members of TOS thought about TruthQuest here.

Disclaimer: I was given a PDF version of TruthQuest in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.

Earth Hour 2012

                                           Tonight we had a double sleepover.
                             It was also Earth Hour from 8:30-9:30.
                             You would have thought we were having 
                             a party.
                             We were that excited!

Candles.

Matches.

Board Games.

Flashlights.

Ice Cream.

Camera, of course.

The girls played tag.

In the dark.

Under the stars.

Battery lit candle.

Handy little creations.

K's BFF had a birthday.

They waited to open gifts.

In the dark.

It was precious to watch.

(See their smiles below.:) )

Love.

The girls even listened to my old camp stories.

And I was able to read a bit by candle.

Poor Ruby, our senior Pug, thought it was a snack and kept trying to sniff it.

I want to do Earth Hour every night.

Morning Glories and Moonflowers Pinterest Swap!

Pinterest.

I finally figured it out.

Swoon. 

I'm not at Meg's Craft Weekend,

but I can still be crafty.;)

How many boards do you have?

Are you itching to try some of your favorite pins?

That's a silly question!

Sign up here for my 1st Annual Pinterest Swap!

Plan on spending around $20 (not including postage) to create a lovely package of goodies, created by you!

Inspired by Pinterest, of course.

I'd like for my partner to create that blue pantry door for me.

Pretty please?

Sign up here on this post and then email (toosillysisters@cox.net) me your information:

1) Name and Address

2) Blog Address

3) Likes and Dislikes (to guide your partner)

4) A few sentences about yourself 

Sign Ups will close next Monday, April 7th.

Packages will be shipped out to your partner no later than Monday, May 14th.

That will give you a whole month to create.;)

*As always, please do not sign up if you don't intend to follow through.  I think this is a big reason people have stopped hosting swaps.*

Make it Fun for Everyone.:)

*All gorgeous pictures above are posted from Pinterest.*  No surprises.:)

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms Book Review

It all started with a single cherry tree and a forbidden romance...  The Scent of Cherry Blossoms, by Cindy Woodsmall, is a charming read with a peek into the ways of the Old Order Amish and the Old Order Mennonite.  Annie Martin is Mennonite and Aden Zook is Amish.  They are allowed a friendship but nothing more.  Roman Zook, Aiden's brother, is suffering from a terrible accident and sees no future for himself.  See what happens when love steps in...

I was entranced by the love story of Daadi Moses, Annie's grandfather, and the cherry trees he planted for his sweetheart.  Love stories such as that are rare and pure, indeed.  You will enjoy your visit to Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, where the people live simply, friends and neighbors look after each other, electricity is a rare occurrence and horse and buggies are the rule rather than the exception.  The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is delightful and heartwarming.

Read Chapter 1 of The Scent of Cherry Blossoms here!

*I was given a copy of The Scent of Cherry Blossoms from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Shaking things up?

There comes a time...

when you're ready for a change.

Time to shake things up.

No pressure.  God is in control.  Perhaps He likes us right where we are.

I do have my eye on 3 houses, though.;) 

Realtor coming over tonight.

The house is a mess.

Just keeping it real(ish).

You know there will be some cleaning going on today.