Trusting in the Shepherd Songs and Stories from Really Woolly Kids

If you’re looking for kid-friendly stories with strong Biblical messages, the Really Woolly Kids DVD series is right up your alley.

This particular DVD, Trusting in the Shepherd, showcases two episodes, both focusing on little kids (well, little sheep, to be exact) who are dealing with things that scare them. The first episode seems to be more geared toward girls, as it centers around a Girl Scouts-esque camping trip. The second is about bullying fears, which is something most kids will be able to relate to.

As you might expect, Trusting in the Shepherd is about giving your fears to God and believing that He’ll carry you through. But there are more good messages contained in these stories. The children talk to their parents/grandmother when they have problems. Their friendships appear to be healthy and supportive. The Bible is used as a trusted guide. These episodes show that the children (er…sheep) aren’t perfect, but they are trying their best to follow and trust “the Shepherd,” which makes them good  role models for youngsters.

Trusting in the Shepherd also includes a variety of bonus features, including funny outtakes, trivia, and a beautifully-animated sing-along. This catchy sing-along also appears right after the first episode, but I think it would’ve been better if it had been shown at the very end of the DVD, since it contains references to the second episode and it would’ve tied up everything rather nicely. It also would’ve been better if they’d gotten a singer without such a nasally voice, but this is a minor gripe for an otherwise satisfactory DVD. Recommended for families with young children.

Visit:

• Really Woolly Kids
• Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Way Home Movie

The Way Home movie (starring Dean Cain as the husband Randy Simpkins) is based on the true events surrounding a family’s missing child.

The movie has so many scenes depict either the search party combing the area or the search party spreading the word that a boy has gone missing. This gets old fast, and the narrative seems to drag on and on.

In the beginning, the father (Randy) is shown to be a workaholic who spends more time on the job than with his family. His wife is very vocal with her disapproval of this, to the point that she comes off as unsupportive and ungrateful for his hard work. You would think a situation like losing their young son would perhaps bring them together and strengthen their bonds, but for the duration of his disappearance, the couple is rarely seen interacting. When the end comes and they’re one big happy family again.

The film is not without its redeeming moments, however. One that sticks out in my mind is when a reporter comes to the Simpkins’ home and, looking around, sees so many people from the community helping out. Whether it’s organizing search parties, gathering in prayer circles, or comforting the parents, a lot of supportive people have united during this time of crisis.

In this movie, Randy has a powerful spiritual journey back to love, faith and a godly understanding of what must always take first priority in a man’s life—his family. The Way Home is a family-friendly movie.

Visit:

• The Way Home Movie
• Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Upside Movie Review

When a head injury turns Solomon White’s vision upside down, he’s forced to see things from a different perspective.

A talented high school lacrosse player, Soli has an enviable life: a nice car he nonchalantly deems a “toy,” a beautiful ex-girlfriend who wants to rekindle the flames of romance, and almost-guaranteed scholarships to top universities. Then, at a lacrosse match, Soli lets his temper get the best of him and he purposely crashes into an opposing player. His rival gets him back, though, causing damage to Soli’s brain that flips his vision. Suddenly, his entire life is turned upside down.

With themes of optimism, healing, and romance, Upside is the inspiring journey of a young man as he navigates a confusing world with the help of God and Wren, a new friend who has been blind since birth. As Soli starts to fall for Wren, he wants to know more about her and her trust in God. Wren’s openness with her faith and Soli’s receptiveness serve as good models to both Christians who want to witness and to unbelievers who are curious about Christ.

Soli, a high-school senior who was being seriously considered for scholarships at leading colleges, finds that his injury badly disrupts his plans as the school of his choice turns him down. His controlling mother pressures him to go to the school of her choice. Meanwhile, Soli is having enough trouble in English class, where he’s been caught cheating and must write a 5,000-word paper about seeing the world through new eyes. Soli’s handling of all these day-to-day predicaments makes Upside an excellent movie for teenagers, especially seniors who are going through the same things.

Though Upside is an inspiring watch with an original premise, many of the characters fall flat. Together, Soli and Wren are likeable; their teasing banter is amusing and their unusual romance is refreshing. However, on their own they proved to be quite forgettable. Soli seems to have all of two facial expressions: pained and confused. In the beginning of the movie, his coach lectures him about his notoriously bad temper, but this character flaw is never explored; throughout the rest of the film Soli shows himself to be good-tempered even to the point of boredom. Meanwhile, Wren comes off as snooty and overreacts at the slightest provocation. The English teacher was the most likeable character, with her passion for her job and her bravery for telling Soli about Jesus at school.

Some plot points in Upside were resolved too hastily and others were just plain confusing (what is with that dream sequence?), but on the whole it’s a very unique film about adjusting to life’s little (and big) surprises.

Bringing Up Bobby Movie Review

Teenage punk Bobby Wyler is trying to figure out who he is and how to get the new girl to notice him. His friend Eric is dealing with an alcoholic mother. Bobby’s older sister Andrea has a craving for cash, and their brother just wants the anarchists to leave him alone. Meanwhile, the eldest Wyler brother, who was given the responsibility of caring for his siblings when their parents died, wishes for a nice date and maybe some family peace. But with the Wylers, peace may be too much to ask for…

The family-friendly Bringing Up Bobby explores greed, friendship, honesty, faith, and – most of all – family issues. James, the eldest Wyler, is a responsible Christian who has served as role model and parental figure to his brothers and sister since the deaths of their parents. Though he encourages Bobby to “own his faith,” James struggles at times as well, acknowledging that since he needs forgiveness as well, he is the perfect person to share Jesus’ love and mercy. Andrea and Dennis are grown and have moved out, but as the reading of their parents’ will draws near, they return home hoping for a big share of the money. The Wylers are a spot-on depiction of a dysfunctional family, and viewers can easily see that the cause of their conflicts is that each older sibling is selfishly looking out only for themselves.

The titular Bobby is about to turn sixteen, and at the stage in life where he’s trying to figure himself out. Decked out in goth attire, Bobby is not your typical Christian young man, but he really wants to know who God is and what plans God has for his life. He also wants Liz, the new girl at school, to return his feelings and go out with him. Awkward but good-natured, emotional but open-minded, Bobby is someone many teens can relate to and sympathize with.

Though some of the humor in Bringing Up Bobby is so over-the-top it becomes distinctly unfunny, overall it was an entertaining watch. The hodge-podge of offbeat characters truly brought the movie to life – each one had comical little quirks that made them feel so real. For a film that deals with a variety of challenging issues, Bringing Up Bobby is surprisingly light-hearted and manages to get the lessons across without sounding too preachy. Recommended for any family – dysfunctional or not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) 2010 – Grades 3 -12 Packages Info

Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum 2010

Here are the product description for Grades 3rd -- 12th. Find also below the computer system requirements to make sure the Switched-on Schoolhouse software will work and be useful for your home schooling needs.

If you are interested to use the Switched-on Schoolhouse 2010 curriculum and would like to see the demo you can view here the videos → Switched-on Schoolhouse 2010 Curriculum Demo

You need to check your State’s requirements for home schooling. Visit your local school district to find out the State’s home schooling requirement. Our local school district in Janesville, WI had assisted us.

The Wisconsin State has required us to have 6 subjects for 6th grade: Reading, Math, Science, Language Arts, History & Geography, and Health. We are also required to have 875 hours for the school term.

To comply the Wisconsin State’s requirements I used the SOS Bible subject as Reading, and later I purchased the SOS Health Quest (elective subject). For 1st semester the kids had PE and in 2nd Semester we used the Health Quest -- elective subject.

Captivate students! SOS 2010 is the perfect learning medium for a plugged-in generation just at home on the computer as in front of a book.

• This multi-subject program has everything you need for a comprehensive, flexible school year.
  When you receive your order you will receive 6 softwares: 1 SOS curriculum installation (Teacher and Students); and 5 primary subjects:
  • Bible
  • History & Geography
  • Language Arts
  • Math and
  • Science
• There are 9 topics per subject and include quizzes, tests and projects/experiments.
• Biblically-based, interactive, and with a host of new features for 2010, you’ll get an up-to-date program that ensures your students receive a quality education tailored to their learning style!

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 3 Complete Subject Set

Third-grade students will get:

• an introduction to the Bible, and
• study U.S. Communities,
• Reading and Sentence Building,
• Symbols, Multiples, Fractions, Addition & Subtraction, Carrying and Borrowing,
• Plants, Animals, and Energy

SOS 2010 3rd Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 4 Complete Subject Set

Fourth-grade students will study:

• Christian Discipleship,
• World Geography,
• Word Study, Grammar Skills, Composition,
• Multiplication and Division, Sequencing, Rounding, Estimation, Charts, Graphs,
• Changes in Matter, Solar System and Planet Earth

SOS 2010 4th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 5 Complete Subject Set

Fifth-grade students will study:

• Christian Basics I,
• History of the Western Hemisphere,
• Literature, Poetry, and Reports,
• Plane and Solid Shapes, Perimeter, Area, Fractions, Decimals, Probabilities
• Life Cycles: Balance in Nature

SOS 2010 5th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 6 Complete Subject Set

Sixth-grade students will study:

• Bible Survey,
• World History and Culture,
• Reading for Purpose: Sentences and Poetry,
• Multiplication and Division, Fractions and Decimals, Lines, Shapes, Formulas,
• Plant & Animal Behavior, Molecular Genetics, and Chemical Structures

SOS 2010 6th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 7 Complete Subject Set

Seventh-grade students will study:

• Christian Basics II and Life of Christ,
• Social Science Survey,
• Composition and Literature,
• Pre-Algebra and Pre-Geometry,
• Earth Science

SOS 2010 7th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 8 Complete Subject Set

Eighth-grade students will study:

• Practical Christianity and Church History,
• U.S. History,
• Speaking and Writing Skills,
• Pre-Algebra and Pre-Geometry, and
• Physical Science I

SOS 2010 8th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 9 Complete Subject Set

Ninth-grade students will study:

• New Testament Survey,
• Civics and World Geography,
• Elements of Literature Structure and Language,
• Algebra I,
• Physical Science II

SOS 2010 9th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 10 Complete Subject Set

Tenth-grade students will study:

• Old Testament Survey,
• World History,
• Literary Genres: Effective Writing,
• Geometry, and
• Biology

SOS 2010 10th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 11 Complete Subject Set

Eleventh-grade students will study:

• Doctrine and Application,
• U.S. History,
• American Literature: Research and Reports,
• Algebra II,
• Chemistry

SOS 2010 11th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010: Grade 12 Complete Subject Set

Twelfth-grade students will study the:

• Essentials of Christian Service,
• Government and Economics,
• British Literature: Structure of Language and Poetry,
• Advanced Math and Trigonometry,
• Physics

SOS 2010 12th Grade -- Click Here for Complete Details . . .

Switched-On Schoolhouse© 2010 Home Edition Minimum Requirements

Note: Only English language versions of Microsoft® Windows are supported.

Attention XP Users:

You must have Service Pack 3 installed prior to installing Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010 Home Edition.

System Requirements for XP Service Pack 3:

Minimum Requirements:
Microsoft IE 7 or higher
500 MHz or higher processor
512 MB Memory (RAM)
600 MB hard drive space
1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 16-bit color
CD-ROM drive
Adobe Reader*
Printer recommended

Optimal Performance:
Microsoft IE 7 or higher
1 GHz or higher processor
1 GB Memory (RAM)
1 GB hard drive space
1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 32-bit color
CD-ROM drive
Adobe Reader*
Printer recommended

System Requirements for Vista (all versions):

Minimum Requirements:
Microsoft IE 7 or higher
1 GHz or higher processor
1 GB Memory (RAM)
600 MB hard drive space
1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 16-bit color
CD-ROM drive
Adobe Reader
Printer recommended

Optimal Performance:
Microsoft IE 7 or higher
1.5 GHz or higher processor
2 GB Memory (RAM)
1 GB hard drive space
1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 32-bit color
CD-ROM drive
Adobe Reader*
Printer recommended

System Requirements for Windows 7:

Minimum Requirements:
Microsoft IE 7 or higher
1 GHz or higher processor
1 GB Memory (RAM) (2 GB for 64-bit)
600 MB hard drive space
1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 16-bit color
CD-ROM drive
Adobe Reader*
Printer recommended

Optimal Performance:
Microsoft IE 7 or higher
1.5 GHz or higher processor
2 GB Memory (RAM)
1 GB hard drive space
1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 32-bit color
CD-ROM drive
Adobe Reader*
Printer recommended

Switched-on Schoolhouse Demo Overview

Save 12% On The New 2010 Version of
Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS)
Use Coupon Code “SAVEBIG” during checkout!

Visit www.AOPhomeschooling.com here.

Watch more Switched-on Schoolhouse video demos here

The Mysterious Islands DVD Review

A few months ago I received The Mysterious Islands (DVD) to review.

One night my family watched the whole movie. This movie is showing a story of a dad and his 16-year-old son (Joshua Phillips) and with a team of researchers went to Galapagos Island to prove God’s creation.

When I saw the animals (such as marine iguanas and turtles) came so near to Joshua and his dad—I thought  the Galapagos is like a Creator’s sanctuary: The animals are not afraid of humans!

The movie is also showing Darwin’s life story. His theory that the living creatures evolve because of the animals’ behavior down in Galapagos is different from the same kind of animals in other regions.

The iguanas in other regions can’t swim. The iguanas in Galapagos can swim because they need food under the water to survive. Joshua’s dad explains that God put a built-in system in the animals’ body so that they can adapt the environment.

It would be good if everyone could see the other side of the scientific story as revealed in the Mysterious Islands movie. True science looks at all possibilities and weighs the evidence of each.

The Mysterious Islands movie gives the other viewpoint of a Creator’s creation with common sense, while showing the fallabilities of evolution’s supposed science. This is an excellent resource for homeschooling kids.

The Mysterious Islands movie is beautifully documented with superb photography. Well worth watching and considering.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Switched-on Schoolhouse Demo – 2010 Home School Curriculum

Why I Love Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum

Watch the Switched-on Schoolhouse demo below and you’ll find out why we love the Switched-on Schoolhouse home school curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications.

Like Linda (in the video demo below) whose family loves using the Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) curriculum, my family also never regretted of using the SOS home school curriculum. Before I used the SOS curriculum I was completely clueless as to where and how to start home schooling.

When I started using this curriculum (2009) I never had  a school calendar and a lesson plan. Actually I never knew that we need a school calendar and a lesson plan until a few weeks ago after I read a few home schooling books at the library.  With Switched-on Schoolhouse you have the option to create them but I just have the default setting to do the work.

After the software installation the kids started their school work right away. The main thing why I like Switched-on Schoolhouse as a home school mom is — 95% of the kid’s school work is graded automatically. Also I don’t need to tell the students what subjects or lessons that they are going to work on. After they log in and click the link that says “Click to see your schoolwork” the today’s  lessons will pop up.

I know what it’s like grading kid’s school work. A few years ago I worked as a teacher’s aide and grading their school work was a pain. The school hired me just to do the grading.

Home schooling is a job so Switched-on Schoolhouse curriculum is really a Godsend home school program.

Watch the Switched-on Schoolhouse demo below and see what’s inside the Teacher and Student’s Homepage on 2010 Alpha Omega’s Home School curriculum.

If you need to enlarge the video, at the bottom edge of the video screen click this button → After watching the enlarged view, click the Esc key of your computer to go back to this page.

I hope this home school resource — the Switched-on Schoolhouse demo — will help you in your decision making on what curriculum to use for your home schooling.

Switched-on Schoolhouse Demo Overview

Save 12% On The New 2010 Version of
Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS)
Use Coupon Code “SAVEBIG” during checkout!

Visit www.AOPhomeschooling.com here.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Teacher Homepage

More Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS 2010 Edition) Curriculum -- Teacher’s Section Demo

• Video 1: Teacher Homepage
• Video 2: Administrative Overview
• Video 3: Admin Assignments Overview
• Video 4: Quiz and Test Settings
• Video 5: Student Setup
• Video 6: Admin Curriculum Setup
• Video 7: Lesson Plan
• Video 8: Lessons and Assignments

Switched-On Schoolhouse Student Homepage

More Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS 2010 Edition ) Curriculum -- Student’s Section Demo

• Video 1: Student Homepage
• Video 2: Student Workpage
• Video 3: Student Lessons

Click here to visit www.aophomeschooling.com

Related Posts

• Home Schooling Information for the Clueless
• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum Review: Home Schooling Product Information
• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum – What’s in Teacher’s Section

New Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) Curriculum, Alpha Omega 2010 Demo – Teacher’s Section

You can find the Switched-on Schoolhouse video demos below and see the new 2010 features.

To give you an overview of the SOS features here’s the breakdown of the Switch-on Schoolhouse Teacher’s Homepage – Administration:

I. Administrative Functions:

1. School Setup

a. Assignment Settings
b. Quiz/Test Settings
c. Grades Settings
d. Term Settings
e. Homepage Settings

2. Student Setup

3. Curriculum Setup

II. Lesson Book – Assignments

III. Lesson Plan

To enlarge the video, at the bottom edge of the video screen click this button → After watching the enlarged view, click the Esc key of your computer to go back to this page.

In my previous post I had mentioned that I would be giving you further details on both Switched-on Schoolhouse Teacher and Student’s sections. I have decided of not doing it because I was using the 2009. It will be better if I’ll just have you watched the videos with the latest edition of the Switched-on Schoolhouse curriculum (2010).

Video 1: Switched-On Schoolhouse Teacher Homepage

Video 2: Switched-On Schoolhouse Administrative Overview

Video 3: Switched-On Schoolhouse Admin Assignments Overview

Video 4: Switched-On Schoolhouse Quiz and Test Settings

Video 5: Switched-On Schoolhouse Student Setup

Video 6: Switched-On Schoolhouse Admin Curriculum Setup

Video 7: Switched-On Schoolhouse Lesson Plan

Video 8: Switched-On Schoolhouse Lessons and Assignments

Click here to visit www.aophomeschooling.com

2010 Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) Curriculum – Student’s Section Demo

• Video 1: Student Homepage
• Video 2: Student Workpage
• Video 3: Student Lessons

Related Posts

• Home Schooling Information for the Clueless
• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum Review: Home Schooling Product Information
• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum – What’s in Teacher’s Section
• New Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) Home School Curriculum 2010 Demo – Student’s Section

New Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) Home School Curriculum 2010 Demo – Student’s Section

Video 1: Switched-On Schoolhouse Student Homepage

Video 2: Switched-On Schoolhouse Student Workpage

Video 3: Switched-On Schoolhouse Student Lessons

Click here to visit www.aophomeschooling.com

2010 Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) Curriculum – Teacher’s Section Demo

• Video 1: Teacher Homepage
• Video 2: Administrative Overview
• Video 3: Admin Assignments Overview
• Video 4: Quiz and Test Settings
• Video 5: Student Setup
• Video 6: Admin Curriculum Setup
• Video 7: Lesson Plan
• Video 8: Lessons and Assignments

Related Posts

• Home Schooling Information for the Clueless
• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum Review: Home Schooling Product Information
• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum – What’s in Teacher’s Section
• New Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS) Curriculum, Alpha Omega 2010 Demo – Teacher’s Section

Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum – What’s in Teacher’s Section

Previous Post:

• Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum Review: Home Schooling Product Information

In the Teacher’s Application there are various categories. Here are the main categories in the Switched-on Schoolhouse (SOS 2009 Edition) Teacher’s Area. In my next post I will show you the new  2010 Switched-on Schoolhouse features. Read more

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