Month: October 2021

Family Activities

History and Spelling Updates

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Hey loves!

Do you ever wonder why eclectic homeschoolers are called eclectic? Honestly I don’t have the exact answer but I know I am an eclectic homeschooler because it takes a minute to find things that really work for our family and no two children are at the same. 

With that, since the beginning of our year and my last curriculum updates what you can find here, I’ve made some changes to history and spelling for James.

If you recall in this video I already changed our spelling from Spelling You See to a spelling curriculum that I found via Pinterest that was free. With this free curriculum we used manipulatives that we had at home to help him practice spelling words solely from recitation. While the recitation part was improving, I could tell the cognitive function ofused spelling was not increasing across other areas. So, I went back to the drawing board. Thankfully, use curriculum sales are my jam and I was able to find all about spelling, the complete set, for a total of seven dollars. I couldn’t beat that if I tried so I took it as a sign that we could just give it a shot.

Well, this shot changed our entire lives and frankly, I am in love. All about spelling is wet we needed in James’ spelling has improved monumentally in just 10 lessons. Because I am loved by the Most High, I was also able to find a brand new copy of level 2 for a great price locally and grabbed it so we are all set there.

Now, for history, I said at thetime that I was researching I couldn’t find a non-Eurocentric curriculum program that was age-appropriate for James. So, I settled with Story of The World. Well, it wasn’t inaccurate or grossly racist but it wasn’t fun or engaging. Honestly, because of my traditional school upbringing I honestly thought that’s what history was. That is until I found Curiousity Chronicles. This curriculum includes an audiobook that’s so engaging and fun and the activities are crazy easy to implement while letting the child learn and have fun. 

We are studying ancient history now and will soon go into the medieval period. I’ll be using the same curriculum because they are not only accurate and not grossly racist but they are also non- Eurocentric and focus on so many other great ethnic cultures and traditions in their history curriculums.

I rounded both of these out by grabbing two of these notebooks from The School Nest. I’m not sure why she doesn’t have all of the pictures on her website but that’s her business thankfully a friend sent me a full video flipped through and I was sold. For $10 each I am able to have a history timeline that will last us for years any spelling notebook that’s going to do the exact same without having tons of loose papers all around my house that I have to clean up and keep up with. 

That’s all for now. Talk soon!

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All About Wonder Crate Jr.

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Hey Loves!

I am back with another great review for you. Again, while this product, Wonder Crate Jr., was a complimentary received product, the views and thoughts below are all of my own. (Read: I am not here to lie to you!)

OK, here’s the thing, I have been burned several times with subscription kits. That’s the short-end and honestly me telling you all of the details would take far too much time that neither of us have. Just know I was incredibly skeptical about this product.

That means you get a very thorough review. Starting with the customer service and the shipping. I mean, I kind of feel like all companies should provide quality customer service, however Wonder Crate goes above and beyond. I was honestly impressed. Their shipping was very fast and my package was not damaged. If you know anything about USPS you know that is highly unlikely. 

Next the packaging – So part of the reason that I have been burned on subscription crates in the past is because I physically have had to do way too much for a subscription crate that was supposed to be for my children. I just don’t feel like they should require 90% of parent involvement and direction. So, I opened this box fully expecting that. Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

For those of you not familiar with Wonder Crate, they are a kid-based subscription that focus on inspiring change-makers from Civil Rights leaders to Artists and allow kids to learn about them through engaging hands-on learning like completing a couple of quality crafts and a book relating to the said person’s life. The box we received was all about Frida Kahlo and I don’t know why this worked out so well for us, but she is the next artist we’re going to be studying. (Note, I planned this in May of 2021. I didn’t change plans based on this box.) 

Per their website, each box comes with a biography book, hands-on activities, parent guide and reusable tote in the first box. “Wonder Crate Jr. introduces kids ages 5-7 to inspirational role models, sparks curiosity and connects them to their own possibilities. Possible role models include: Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Alan Turing, Greta Thunberg, Maya Angelou, Jane Goodall, and MLK Jr.

I also love that this product was created by a mom who felt defeated after the 2016 Election and turned her pain into passion to make change in the next generation.

I personally am thrilled about this and plan on adding to Christmas and birthday wishlists. You can find out more and purchase it here. Check out what my fellow Melanted Gold Squad Review Member thought about Wonder Crate Jr. here.

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Where’d You Learn That, Purely Preschool Fall Pack Review

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Hey Loves!

I hope all is well with you. I have the pleasure of bringing to you today a review of Where’d You Learn That Purely Preschool Fall Pack. While this product was gifted to me, the review and thoughts below are all my own. (Also, y’all should know I would not lie to you.)

OK, so when this digital product arrived in my inbox I was a little concerned about the page count. Wow, was I wrong and I am so glad that I was! If you know me at all, you know that I love a product that I can use more than once and in multiple ways. Super bonus if I can use it with both of my kids at the same time. This hits all three of those marks! Let me explain how…

For starters, The images depict the actual subject. So if it is a fall animal like a squirrel it is a beautifully black-and-white drawn image of said squirrel, not a cartoon image or a character. I really like this, especially when studying nature because then I feel like my children can really learn about the animal and explore as opposed to just engaging with some random image that may not depict its actual likeness.

Next, the layout: I absolutely adore how the author briefly but thoroughly explains each activity in the pack and provides all the things that you need. Honestly, this is a lesson plan anyone could follow. Seriously, I could give the lesson plan to James and he could implement it. There is no fluff, but it is very full.

Finally, the best part, the content! While this pack is for Fall, the sky’s the limit with all you can do! There is so much in it and while she does provide instructions and guides, you can adapt these for much more. For example, I used the images as instructed with Jude, then together both my children used the images for a scavenger hunt on a walk they took later that day. Jude loved painting fall color leaves and on his own tried to make the color orange. Art then became science!

Lastly, I like how this packs reminds us how t ocare for and appreciate nature. I am so looking forward to using this for many Falls to come with my kids. Check it out here. 

Check out what my fellow Melanted Gold Squad Review Members thought about Where’d You Learn That here!

crafting

2021 Boo Baskets

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Hey loves!

Spooky Season is upon us and I am kicking it off with baskets again this year my little boos!

Can I be honest for a second? I’ve been exhausted… I’m talking about the kind of fatigue that is mental, physical and emotional. It is ever abundant and yes, while I am doing all I can to take care of myself, these boo baskets are a little skimp. However, that made me be really intentional about what is included and the intention I want to set for the upcoming fall season.

You all know how I feel about traditions, holidays, and memories. They are on the top of my list as far as parenting goes for me in my house. Yes, making memories with my family, regardless of what is or what is not in their boo basket, is what will happen. 

Now, to the deets of this year is boo baskets. I’m gonna go ahead right now and give credit to the Dollar Tree, Target Dollar Spot and Gymboree because those three retailers are literally where everything in my kids’ boo basket came from.

From Gymboree, the kids got two pairs of pajamas. Last year they asked me for skeleton jammies so I grabbed a pair of those as well as some super cute mummy ones. As usual, for holiday jammies I size up to make sure they fit and can hopefully wear them the following year.

From Dollar Tree, they got a spooky face sticker book, a wooden craft and cute jack-o’-lantern socks.

Rounding it out with the following items from Target Dollar Spot: window clings, a cute thing holiday book, glow bracelets, themed puzzle, and a little stuffed monster. I couldn’t leave these huge bubble wands there so I grabbed one for each basket.

The finishing touches are these adorable name tags from my favorite small shop, Grace and Grain Studio. 

That’s it!

Keep it spooky, ghouls.