TOS CREW Review- Apologia's Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics

Wouldn't you know it that my second to last review this year for TOS Crew would be my hardest to write.  There is so much I want to say and so much to show you and I do not want to lose you halfway through! There are a lot of GREAT things to share with you so hang in with me 'til the end!  I promise it will be worth it!

Remember Apologia Educational Ministries?  I have had the pleasure of reviewing their What We Believe series, Journeys of Faithfulness Bible Study, and the book I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. Love them all!

So when offered the chance to review their newest book in their Exploring Creation series, I asked if I could give it a try.  OK, I begged!  We have used the other six in this science series written for elementary age students (ideally K-6th), and I would not want to break up a set, you know!

This is what we received-

Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics-$39.00

Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics Notebooking Journal-$24.00

Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics Junior Notebooking Journal-$24.00

Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics is a 288 page, 14 lesson, hard bound book designed to teach your elementary age children the basics of Chemistry and Physics.  Each chapter is full of colorful pictures to engage the interests of younger children and has a ton of hand on experiments! TONS! Throughout each chapter you will find little blue boxes that say Try This!  Each Try This is a mini experiment to help further explain the concept being taught. There are 10 Try This! activities in Chapter 1 alone.  Each chapter ends with an additional project and/or experiment that seems to be a slightly more time consuming assignment.  Each chapter also ends with a What Do You Remember section for review.  The answers to these questions are at the back of the book for ease of the teacher!  Lastly, there is a Notebooking section. This section gives an additional project for your child to do, from just writing down notes of what you learned to making comic strips!

That brings me to the Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics Notebooking Journal!

To make life easier, Apologia has created Notebooks to correspond with each of  their books and recently added the Junior Notebooks for even younger kids.  If your family is use to notebooking, this will be right up your alley.  If you have never done notebooking before, this is a great way to learn how.  There are pages for your child to take notes on with spaces for pictures as well, places to do any of  the activities listed in the textbook, crossword puzzles, scripture memory work (manuscript and cursive), and mini books to assemble.  You will also find a place to journal about all the experiments you do, lists of additional projects and recommended books and a What Do You Remember Section.  If you wish to further test your child, there is a 50 question review at the end of the journal reviewing the entire coursework.   The junior notebooks are quite similar, just on an easier level with not so many things to do.  The line spacing is somewhat bigger for beginning writers as well.

What did we think?

I am so glad you asked!  No surprise, we love this book!  Present tense, because we are still using it about four days a week.  (Yes, we ditched our initial science we had planned for the year.  I can do that- I am a homeschooling momma!) One of the bonuses for having the notebooking journals is that Apologia has a 28 week schedule in the front for your convenience.  That schedule allows for science two days a week, but we have found with all of  the experiments we usually work an extra day or two.  I was initially concerned about the subject matter- I mean, who teaches younger kids Chemistry and Physics, but this is by far our favorite book in the Exploring Creation series.   It is written so that your child can read it on their own, which is helpful when you are schooling several kids at the same time.  We do a lot of reading together around here and sometimes it is just nice to have a subject they can do on their own if needed.  I was also concerned about the experiments.  If you have followed me for any length of time you KNOW I do not particularly like experiments.  But, I am trying hard to be a good science teacher and must admit these experiments have been worth the minimal mess.  Apologia has a supply list on their website as well as in the back of the book.  You might as well start gathering supplies because your children are going to want to do every.single.experiment.  I know, because we have about done them all so far.  In no particular order, we have made bouncy balls-

Studied salt crystals-

Studied expanding gases and blown up balloons without our own breathe-

Made sorbet-

Learned about buoyancy-

And talked about Volume and density!

As you can see from the pictures, the fun and learning went beyond my 6th grader doing the course and often included the 1st grader and 10th grader, who happens to be doing Apologia's High School Chemistry this year as well.  I had planned to have my 1st grader do all of the lessons with us but the reading was over his head and he lost interest early on.  That of course, did not stop him from doing just about every experiment with us.  No one wants to miss the fun parts!  I am going to hang on to the junior notebook to use with him in another year of so.  There are so many other really fun experiments to try, so if for no other reason than that, make sure you check out my other Crew members posts by clicking on the banner below.

We did the lava lamp one and did not have great success, but I have seen some others' whose pictures are fantastic!

Why do we love it?

My husband suggested I do a top ten list for you, so here it is-

So if you are one of those people who skips down to the bottom- here is the bottom line - you NEED this program!  We love it and I know you will too!

Potatoes, Pumpkins and Your New Pioneer Woman

OK, fine, I am not the new pioneer woman yet, but I am getting closer ya'll.  I can just feel it.  Even my oldest wanted to know why we had so much fun learning new things AFTER she left for college.  Yes, she wanted to butcher the cow with us and unlike me the wimp, SHE would have stayed around for the whole thing!

Anyway, next up in my training...canning.  Now, just so you know, I have canned.  Well, mostly I have watched my daughter can.  I am a good cleaner-upper though!  In the past our knowledge has been small and involved a water bath canner only.  I am moving up and purchased a pressure canner.  (Thanks honey!)  Don't worry, our farming friends have assured me I will not blow myself up easily nor poison my family accidentally.  Regardless, I may or may not have asked them a million questions before, after and DURING the process, just to make sure.  Having jam and peaches on hand has been great, but for true food storage, "survival" storage and money saving, you really need a pressure canner.

Potatoes!  Yes, I bought 100 pounds of those things.  Do you even know how many potatoes that really is? Let me just make it simple for ya- A LOT!  I love potatoes more than most, but honestly I got tired of dealing with potatoes after two days of canning.  In the end I think I canned about 80 pounds and then gave up. Some of the remaining we have eaten already and some are in the cold garage waiting!  Since we transitioned to as natural eating as possible, we use potatoes for french fries, hash browns, homemade mashed potatoes as well as roasting and boiling them.  Potatoes are actually a cheap way to do a lot of side dishes as even a 5 pound bag can go a long way!  When the fresh potatoes are gone in a few weeks we will eat from the canned ones, hopefully until this time next year rolls around and we start over.  Not bad for $35.00 of potatoes!

Pumpkins!  Can there be a better thing than pumpkin?  I think not.  This family loves everything pumpkin. Maybe that is why fall is my favorite season. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pies, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pancakes and waffles, and on and on and on!  You get  the idea.  But, have you bought a can of that stuff lately?   Wow, it has gotten expensive and last year you were hard pressed to find it on the shelves.  I almost had a panic attack.  Luckily, during October you can find pumpkins in abundance.  I stocked up!  Just one $3.00 pumpkin will yield more than several cups of pumpkin, saving you money AND is healthier for you at that.  I cheat and do it the easy way...just slice the pumpkin in half, clean out the yuck and then pop it in the crock pot for 3-4 hours with a little water on the bottom so it won't scorch.  Once it is soft you just scoop out the meat, blend in a food processor and freeze in 2 cup portions.  Again, I freeze enough to use pumpkin at least twice a week until this time next year.  Yay me!

Last year we did the same thing with apples, freezing apple pie filling and applesauce and canning apple slices, but this year it just did not happen.  I waited for prices to fall like they did in Virginia and they just did not.  Well, they did one week, but I missed  that one week and right back up the prices went.  Lesson learned- when living in a new place ask around about the prices of things and when you should expect to see the low price and WHAT that price will be so you will recognize it.

So, while we are still limited on the garden prospects and chickens in the yard thanks to continual moving and rental houses, we are slowly making our way to self sufficiency, one potato and pumpkin at a time! How about you?  Do you dream of a little cabin in the woods like me?

Blessings,



Linking up with Hearts For Home today at Upsidedown Schooling!  You will want to take a peek at all the great posts there!

Blessings of Being Close

One of my greatest joys and blessings this year is being closer to our oldest daughter in college.  Yes, I know according to the world she must grow up and out, but according to our family, that is a real bummer.  Thankfully, our recent move took us from being 24 plus hours away to only 7 1/2 hours away.   It is the little things that make all the difference.  Last year we dropped her off in August and did not see her until Thanksgiving.  This year we have been to see her twice already, this past weekend being one of those times.  Oh, how this momma's heart is full!

Many of you know my oldest is a seamstress.  I do not know where she got the passion for it, but boy did she.  She loves to sew.  It is kind of a hard passion to have while one is in college.  Dorm rooms do not lend themselves to sewing machines, fabrics and sergers.  This year, however, she was blessed to be able to get a job working on her campus at The Costume Cottage.  Not only can she sew 'til her heart is content, but she is learning so many new skills..

She was also recently blessed by a friend of hers by being asked to be the costume manager for a senior play.  For months she has chosen costumes, sewed and organized for the Dickens play Nickolas Nickleby.  And this weekend we got to go see the play and all of her costuming.  So much fun!  Wanna peek? 

She even got to help with the makeup and hair!

At the end of the play, which was spectacular by the way, they thanked their "Queen of the needle."  SO super sweet!  I love her dear friends, to see the memories they have created together and for the blessing of being able to share in her weekend.

Those same dear friends also included our 15 year old by letting her hang out back stage and usher the play which of course, thrilled her to no end.  Have I mentioned she is a theater junkie?  She may also may now be a college junkie, as I had to practically drag her back home!  She'd rather be with her sister I am pretty sure! 

So would I!

Feeling pretty blessed!

TOS CREW Review- If You Were Me

For the past few weeks we have visited France, Norway, Mexico and South Korea!  Too bad it was only with the help of books, but it has been fun none the less!

We received four books in the If You Were Me And Lived In... series...South Korea, Mexico, France and Norway, the newest book in the series.   All were written by children's author Carole P. Roman from Away We Go Media to expose children to different countries and their cultures.

Each 20- 26 page book is filled with facts about the country in a fun, conversational tone.  By introducing things like what you might be named if you lived there to places you would see and what you would eat, your child can learn a lot about these remarkable places. 

Also covered are family names, types of money used, popular foods and games and special holidays celebrated.  Each book starts with a map to show the location of  the particular country and ends the same way- "So now you see, if you were me, how life in ....could really be"  While the rest of the book is not written in rhyme, I love the way it wraps up that way.


One of the things that makes these books extra special is the pronunciation guide at the end of each book.  We had fun trying to see if we could figure out how to say certain words and it pleased my son that we could now "speak more than just English and Spanish!"  ;)   Of course, our favorite book in the series was the one about Mexico.  We enjoyed seeing how many words we already knew since we are studying Spanish and my youngest son, who was adopted from Guatemala, was excited to recognize other similarities between the two places.

These books are targeted for ages Pre K to 8 years old and with some help my 6 year old was able to read them.  Because each one goes through the same topics he was able to pick up on the themes quickly and then had fun reading them by himself.    

For us reading is always fun, but when we can incorporate a book into our studies they are even more valuable.  These little readers would make a perfect addition to a basic geography lesson as well as world history.  They cover just enough to be educational without being a boring read for younger students.  Carole blessed us with a blow up ball with the earth on it and these books sparked an interest in Geography anew here.  The kids, yes even the 15 year old, had fun throwing the ball to each other while calling out a country's name.  The person that caught the ball then had to tell the capital of that country and pick a new one to call out.  Who said learning cannot be fun?!  My intention had been to eventually put these books away with our school curriculum, but my son quickly squirreled them away with his own books in his room- guess that is a sure sign that he likes them!

You can purchase the If You Were Me and Lived In... series for $8.99 each except for the newest release of Norway which is listed for $8.62.  These paperbacks are also available in Kindle format.

Week 10 of Fun Fridays Giveaways- Spa anyone?

Congratulations to Nicole F, who won the beautiful Flexiclip from Lilla Rose and thank you to all who entered!  We have a few more weeks of fun, so here we go!

Today I want to tell you about a company called Lemongrass Spa and my dear friend who sells it.

Lemongrass Spa offers bath and body care for the whole family, as well as relaxing spa treats.  Their products are naturally handmade in the Colorado Rockies with ingredients that are not only safe, but beneficial to your skin.

I was first introduced to Lemongrass Spa by Arlana, yes the same friend with the amazing pizza dough recipe, at a Spa party!  Who would ever say no to having your feet pampered?  It was such a fun time and I loved the wonderful scents and fun products.  As with all of you, I am sure, sometimes this busy mom forgets to pamper herself once in a while.  It is a rare treat to do so, and so much appreciated when I get the chance.

That is not what sold my daughter on Lemongrass Spa though.  She loved that their products were natural...no harsh chemicals and other things you cannot pronounce.

Same thing for Arlana and the reason she started selling these wonderful products-

I received my first Lemongrass Spa products as a birthday gift from a special friend who knew I was looking for natural body care products for my family.  I loved being able to read the label and recognize the names of the ingredients.  I am committed to using bodycare products without harsh chemicals for my family; Lemongrass Spa produces the best products I have used.

Thus began our love of the shampoo, conditioner and body scrubs, and lately their makeup and hairspray.   And while I am known for getting many of those items for free in drugstores, my oldest has slowly convinced me of the value of putting safe products on our bodies.  I know, sad that my college kid is a little smarter than me! ;)

Anyway, we are sold on this company!  In addition to that, we are sold on helping this dear friend and her family adopt!  While they wait for a beautiful addition to their family by means of adoption, the J family is busy fundraising so everything extra they bring in is set aside for that purpose.  As a fellow adoptive family we know how expensive adoption can be and we love to help others in any way possible.  Ordering from Arlana is a win win situation in my book!  I would love for you to bless them by visiting their Facebook page, Growing a Lily and offer them a note of encouragement or check out her business site and do some shopping for yourself or for the holidays!

In the meantime, we want to bless TWO people with the same foot spa kit I was first introduced to!  In it you will find an Herbal Foot Soak, Walnut Foot Scrub and Peppermint Foot Balm.  You will love it! Just fill out the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blessings,