Critical Thinking Co. Review & Giveaway!

We were blessed with two books from the Critical Thinking Co., Mathematical Reasoning Level E and Balance Benders.

  

We have been using Mathematical Reasoning, since the beginning of the school year.  I actually switched The Lil' Chef over to this book for the year from a different program that she had been using for the last 2 years. She has started off with a spiral type math curriculum from the beginning and then started to struggle when she entered 3rd grade.  After getting some advice from some veteran home school moms I switched her over to mastery program, which worked for a while but really seemed to take away her love for math.  Yes, this child loves math!  Anyway, after two years of dragging thru math we started Mathematical Reasoning and guess what... She likes it, she really likes it!!  The Lil' Chef actually loves math again! 

She is doing great in this book, not because this book is easy for her because it isn't, the book challenges her but also explains new concepts to her in a way that she understands.  This is a spiral curriculum, which I believe works best for her, and it includes critical thinking skills.  With critical thinking skills included it is like getting 2 books in one. 

Here are the skills that are included in Mathematical Reasoning Level E:

• Analyze
• Angle
• Area
• Calendar
• Capacity - customary, metric
• Characteristics
• Congruence
• Coordinate System
• Count
• Data Analysis - bar graph, line graph, survey, table
• Data Collection
• Decimals - concept, add, subtract
• Draw - parallel, perpendicular, by definition
• Equations Expression
• Equivalence
• Estimation - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Factors - form/vocabulary, add, subtract
• Fractions
• Graph/Table/Chart - analyze, represent
• Inequalities
• Length - customary, metric
• Likelihood/Prediction
• Mean
• Median
• Mode
• Money - add, subtract
• Multiple
• Negative Numbers
• Order
• Order of Operations
• Pattern - geometric, numeric
• Perimeter
• Place Value - expanded notation, number form, word form
• Polygon
• Prime/Composite
• Properties
• Reflection, Translation, Rotation
• Rounding
• Shapes - 2D, 3D
• Symmetry
• Temperature - customary, metric
• Time
• Variable as Unknown - in addition, in subtraction, in multiplication, in division
• Weight - customary, metric
• Whole Numbers - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Word Problems

As you can see there are alot of great skills that are included at this level.  I appreciate that she gets to learn real life math, you know math that we everyday.  This series also includes several math skills that are normally not taught until the following grade level.

The Lil' Chef likes that she isn't doing the same thing every day and she enjoys the fun and colorful pages.  Mom likes that the answer key is included with this math book which means no extra money on a teacher's key.  For those of you who are probably wondering if I kept the teacher key in the back of the book, of course not.  I took the easy tear pages out, stapled them together and put them away.  I just pull them out to check her answers. 

The Mathematical Reasoning Series currently goes from PreK to 5th grade and ranges in price from $24.99 to $32.99.  I have to say that I very disappointed when I found out that this was the highest level for Mathematical Reasoning and I thought that I would have to again search for another program but I recently learned that they are working on a level for 5th and 6th grade.  Yippee!  So, providing it is available, I plan on using this curriculum again next year for The Lil' Chef.

Now for the Balance Benders, at first we didn't get it.  It really took a few times of sitting down and trying to figure out what we were supposed to be doing.  Once it clicked and we got it we really enjoyed Balance Benders, they are actually pretty fun.  These are not something that I have required her to do every day, although I probably should because she would be learning very valuable reasoning skills.  Mostly we just do them for fun, and even though I am not a math person I really enjoy them too!

These balance puzzles are not only fun but they help students get accustomed to Pre-Algebra.  Children have clues to use to help them to solve the puzzles.  The Balance Benders workbooks would be a great addition to any child's workboxes, these are great learning tools that kids really enjoy.  They would also be great for stocking stuffers or long car trips.

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The Balance Benders Series has 4 books for children in grades 2nd thru 12th grades.  They are very affordable at only $9.99 each.

We have also used other products from the Critical Thinking Co. in the past and they have never disappointed us!  This company will continue to be one of my favorites!!

The Criticial Thinking Company has offered to do 2 Giveaways for my readers.  One will be for a Beginners Level Balance Benders book and the second giveaway will be for a Balance Math & More Level 1.  Both books are for grades 2-6.  


Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each way that you enter and PLEASE DO NOT FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! The giveaway is going to run until November 24, 2010. Here is how you can enter to win:

• You must be a Follower of LSG to Win! Please leave me a comment and let me that you do.
• If you have just become a new Follower, please tell me how you heard about this giveaway.
• SPREAD THE WORD! If you blog about this giveaway, please come back and leave me a link to your post.
• Please visit the Critical Thinking Company's website, and let me know what other products they have that interest you!  
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know about it.
• Like The Critical Thinking Company on Facebook and let me know about it. 

 These products were given to us free of charge from the Critical Thinking Company  for review purposes.  The opinions in this review are my own and I have not been paid in any other way.

What's in the Bible DVD's

We were given a copy of the first and second episode of the What's in the Bible to review.  The What's in the Bible videos were created by the same creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer.  This video series currently has out 4 DVD's, which each have two 25 minute episodes. 

The first video, In the Beginning starts off in Genesis and explains how the Bible came to be and who wrote it.  We also learned about Adam, Eve and their sin in the garden. 

The second DVD, Let My People Go, explains who choose the books in the Bible and about salvation.  The kids will learn about how the Lord saved the Israelites out of the hands of the Pharaoh. 

The third DVD called Wanderin' in the Desert has such a cute title for the first episode, Don't lie, don't cheat and Don't TRIM YOUR BEARD?  Funny right!  Here we learn about God's rules, why He gave them to us and which ones still apply to us in today's world.  We finish learning about the first five books in the Bible and about Israels time in the desert or Israel's "time out" as they call it. 

The fourth video is called Battle for the Promised Land and it takes you though Joshua, Judges and Ruth.  Although there are only four dvd's available at this point, they have plans to make this a 13 DVD series. 

At first, for some reason, my kids did not seem real excited about watching these videos.  But once they started watching them they really did enjoy them. 

Here are some things that we really enjoyed about the What's in the Bible Videos:

• The kids and I liked the comedy in them, the characters are really cute and funny.   It starts of as a news show with this guy Buck Denver and some of the cartoon characters want it to be their show and, well, you just need to watch it. 
• Lots of great Bible history and facts.  Phil Vischer is in the videos along with the cartoon characters and he gives lots of insight on many bible truths.
• We really enjoyed the fun songs that the different characters would sing.  I especially enjoyed the Bentlly Brothers.

For a limited time, you can purchase What's in the Bible Vol. 1 for ONLY $5!

One thing that I noticed and felt it was worth mentioning was that these videos seem to have more doctrine in them verses just bible stories.  There were a few things that I didn't agree with and was glad that I was watching with my children so that I could explain.  These were not things that would prevent me from letting the kids watch them but I just feel that I would need to preview them with the kids first.

All of the What's in the Bible videos can be purchased directly from What's in the Bible.

We were given this video for review purposes from What's in the Bible.  The opinions stated here are my own.  I was not compensated in any way to sway opinions.   



Menu Plan Monday

I have a menu plan for the week that been loosely hold too.  We are sick AGAIN!!!  So there have been a few meals that we have just kinda winged it.  Like last night for instance, as I lay sick on the couch The Hubs made PB&J's for every and I have cereal.  Real nutritious, right!  This is why I need to take the advice of my friend Joyce and really stock up on those freezer meals.  If for nothing else but to use in a pinch or in I am sick. 

Monday
Rosie's Hot Chicken Chowder with Tortilla's - I am reviewing a few cookbooks and this is one of the recipes.  It is SOOO good!  I will be posting this review very soon.

Tuesday
Chicken Tetrazinni - I am doubling this and sticking one in the freezer.

Wednesday
Beef Stroganoff- in the crocky pot.

Thursday
Mexican Chicken - All I do is throw some chicken (breasts of thighs) in the crock pot with a jar of salsa, a can of black beans (drained), a bag of frozen corn, taco seasoning and cumin.  I cook of low for about 4-6 hours and top with shredded cheddar when there is about 30 minutes left.  You can serve this over chopped romaine lettuce, and top with sour cream and tortilla chips.  You could also cut your chicken into strips and serve this on tortillas like a fajita. 

Friday
Crock Pot Sloppy Joe's - yes, again!  The Hubs bugs me EVERY week now for sloppy joe's and that Homemade Chili Cheeseburger Helper.  Gotta keep my man happy so yes it is sloppy joe's AGAIN!

Saturday
BBQ Chicken (in the you know what), Sweet Potatoes and Greens - Ok, I have never, that I can recall, eaten Greens (collard greens, kale) but oh my goodness they are great!!  My wonderful family of course did NOT like them one bit.  But I loved them!  So much in fact that I would eat them in car, on a train, in a boat in the rain!  I would eat them here or there.  By golly, I would eat them anywhere!   Your probably thinking it must be all that cold medicine she is taking, right!?

Sunday
Taco Bake - my one freezer meal of the week, it sure did come in handy!

TOS Crew: Corps of Re-Discovery

We were given the opportunity to do a craft kit from Corps of Re-Discovery, a company that specializes in crafts and other products from early American history, for the TOS Crew.    The craft kit that we were given to do was the Patchwork Quilt Kit.

At first I was a little concerned, because I am by no means a quilter.  My sewing skills are minimal at best.  Once the kit arrived and I checked it out my fears were very much relieved, and I was excited to get started wit the girls. 

Here are some things we found we really liked about the kit:

• The kit came with great step by step instructions that even I could easily understand.
• The pre-cut quilting squares and fabric took the hard work out of the project.
• Even though the directions explained how to make one large patchwork doll quilt, I felt comfortable enough with the project to make it our own.  We actually made each of the girls a smaller doll quilt and pillow for their doll cradles.
• I loved how I was able to do this together with the girls.  Computer Girl learned how to do a straight stitch by hand and The Little Chef was able to practice what she had already learned.  They both did a fabulous job!
• This kit, as well as the others, are very affordable.  The Patchwork Quilt Kit is only $11.99. 

My children and I love the Pioneer time period, no matter what we are studying for history during the year we always take the week before Thanksgiving to study the pioneers.  Making this patchwork quilt was a great start to our studies.

We really enjoyed making the doll quilts and would love to try some of their other craft kits like the Corn Husk Doll Kit, My First Tatting Kit and the Early American Sampler.

NOTE:  I had some great pictures of our quilts but I can not upload them at this time because my computer that holds all of my pictures will not power up.  The Hubs could fix it tonight but he couldn't.  So, once the computer comes home from the shop I will upload the pictures.  

 

This product was given to us free of charge from Corps of Re-Discovery for review purposes.   The opinions here are my own and I was not compensated in any way. 

You Made Us Your Own

by Steven & Vicki Cook, Bob Kauflin

We were ruined in our sin
We were guilty and undone
When Your love reached down with sovereign hands
And beckoned us to come

You sought out the wanderers
Made the prodigals come home
With a lavish feast You welcomed us
For You made us Your own

Chorus
You have loved us like You love Your Son
We are heirs with Christ, bought by His blood
Oh how great the love that we’ve been shown
We’re Your children now, You made us Your own

We are strangers to the world
But no strangers to Your throne
We draw near You now with confidence
For all our fears are gone

And when Christ our King returns
We’ll meet saints we’ve never known
And forever we will be amazed
That You made us Your own


This is a wonderful picture of what the Lord God has done for the Christian.  I am so very thankful for His love and His sovereign hand.

I am also thankful that when He looks at me, He sees His Son.  I do not boast because of anything that I have done, but because Jesus has done it all!

You can listen to this beautiful song here.