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Education :: Studying the 13 Colonies
I started homeschooling my first grader this year and I heard a lot of good things about unit studies. A unit study is picking a topic and including lessons or activities that span multiple subject areas. I researched a few different styles and ended up plotting my own unit study path. You can download my checklist below: Unit Study Development Checklist PDF Filling out the Checklist I use the checklist as a guide – it isn’t necessarily the definitive course, but it helps me plan and, if something else comes up, I’ll add it in. Here’s what my list looks like for the 13 Colonies Unit Study: Topic…
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Make Your Own Cosmetics: A New and Natural Alternative
There is a new product on the market that is so fun and fresh, your makeup will never be the same again. Make Your Own Cosmetics offers kits that allow you to create your own eye shadow using their specially formulated all-natural, cruelty-free ingredients. Do you ever see an amazing eye shadow color in the store and get home to find it just doesn’t fit you? Now you can completely customize your colors to get just the right shade. The paraben- and gluten-free mineral makeup is perfect for sensitive skin. The Colour Crush Eye Shadow Kit includes 9 eye shadow pigments plus a base, and everything you need to get…
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Education :: Improving Spelling Skills with All About Spelling
Image courtesy of Flickr If you are a parent looking for a better way to help your child learn to spell, I’m here to share something great with you! I homeschool, and was on the lookout for new material to add to our language arts curriculum. At the beginning of the year we purchased some language arts workbooks from Houghton Mifflin, but they ended up just being “busy work” worksheets for my son. I didn’t feel like he was learning anything new, and the workbooks didn’t give me any tools to help teach him. I found a company online called All About Learning Press. Created by…
- Awareness, Culture, Laugh, Parenting, Plan, Play, Relationships, Slideshow, Southern California, Travel
SoCal Getaway for Family Fun: Big Bear
I love the Great Outdoors, and I love giving my children the chance to play in and explore the great gifts Mother Nature has given us. I was born in the mid-west and spent the first six years of my life running barefooted through fields, picking berries from the bushes along the dirt road near my grandparents’ farm, and dipping my toes in the lake. Some of my fondest childhood memories include punching holes in the lids of mason jars and chasing fireflies. Here in Southern California, there are no lightning bugs. And the opportunities for real, natural play are harder to find. There are opportunities, thanks to…
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Food :: Krusteaz’s New Flat Bread Mixes are Perfect for Dinner
I like cooking with my kids. I especially like cooking things that are fun and easy and don’t require a lot of preparation. So, I was happy to be given the chance to try out the new baking mixes by Krusteaz. I was given a kit that included three new varieties of the Krusteaz Flat Bread mixes – Whole Wheat, Italian Herb and Garlic & Onion. The new flat bread mixes are perfect for sandwiches, pizza crusts or dipping. On our first try we used the Italian Herb. We threw together a quick pot of spaghetti and I realized this would be a good addition to the meal and…
- Awareness, Culture, Kids, Laugh, Money, Parenting, Plan, Play, Slideshow, Southern California, Travel
What’s Hot In Southern California: Camp Spooky at Knott’s Berry Farm
Image courtesy of Knott’s Berry Farm. Southern California has no shortage of entertainment venues. But when we decide to treat our kids to an amusement park, we head to Knott’s Berry Farm. As America’s First Theme Park, Knott’s is rich in both fun and history. You can wander through Ghost Town, take a trip back in time at the Western Trails Museum, climb on board a stagecoach, or hitch a ride on the Calico Railroad for a ride around the park (with an appearance by the friendliest train robbers you’ll ever meet). Knott’s features seasonal events, and with Halloween approaching, they have transformed the park accordingly. At night, the…
