Homeschool Freebie of the Day

Probably many homeschoolers are aware of Homeschool Freebie of the Day, but if you aren't, this is a wonderful resource to get lots of free materials. Each day there is something new to download. It is not available after that day so make sure you go and get it. If you sign up for their newsletter, they will send an email giving you a heads up for the week. Today there are some great living books you can listen to from HomeschoolRadioShows.com. Be sure to check this out if you never have. You will find yourself going to the site often to download and save some great materials for future use.

Here's The Story

Ever wonder how Fortunately For You Books came to be? Well, here's the story, but you must sing this to the tune of the Brady Bunch theme song.

(Shannon, Kelly, and Heidi)

Here's the story
of three lovely ladies
who were bringing up some children in their home
there were 9 of them
these precious bundles
and they were all alone

'cuz they were hands on
vis-u-al learners
and they needed some paper for their files
so the moms planned
and made together
resources all their own

The moms then tried out
their hands-on ideas
on the children who thought learning was a bore
they started learning,
scho-oo-l prospered
they must share with all the
moms out in the world

so skimming started
of grocery money
blogs and websites, taxes, licenses were bought,
hard work, late nights, laughs, oopsies lived out
we then picked a business name to call our own

success was granted
the Lord has blessed them
they help the children who learn differently than some
they touch and feel it,
commit to memory
now scho-ol is not suffered anymore!

the FFYB (say quickly) bunch, The FFYB bunch,
That's the way we became the FFYB bunch!

Okay, that was fun and maybe, just maybe I had a lot of coffee tonight! That was the quick look at Fortunately For You Books. While the song diddy makes it sound like it was all fun and easy, let me assure you it wasn't. It was a mission that we worked hard and diligently on. We do this for those little ones who snuggle up with mommy on the couch and listen to a story. Those same little ones who have a hard time comprehending and remembering what they just heard. Sometimes the little visual helps, sometimes they need to handle the time cards and put them in order as they hear the events. These students aren't slow, they just don't have the right tools. I can't tell you how many times we have been written to and told by a mommy that the child now enjoys story time- because they are not dreading the coming assessment!

We have just finished up with our vacations and are now refreshed and ready to buckle down again and work hard to provide inexpensive and quality products that have a foundation in literature. We will be making some business meeting trips to Starbucks (YEAH!!!!) to plan our holiday ideas. So many books, so little time!

Okay, how many of you actually sang that song anyways?

~Shannon

Civil War Mini Lapbook has been created!

We have created a mini lapbook for kids who teter between liking and hating lapbooking. Sometimes the hands-on concept of a lapbook is appealing but all the written work required to complete it is not. In this 10 page file you will find an abundance of learning about the highlights of the American Civil War all done in a creative way your child is sure to love. And using ONE page of cardstock instead of three file folders, your child will have created a project to show off the knowledge he has learned about The War Between the States. Be sure to check this out on our Dollar Menu!

IV- A Story About Sacrificial Love

It's not what you think....you will be reading quite a few chapters...hoping it is not what it seems. It isn't. Ted Dekker has woven a tale of sensuality, seduction and redemption into one thriller. I read this book in two settings. I didn't get anything else done. It is Ted's fault!

Dark characters, depravity.....honor and a valiant man. Death...eyes willing to be blinded in exchange for pleasure.....sisters, friends, separated by lust and desire.

While referencing the Song of Solomon, this story will make you want to reread this Bible lesson and see the parallels. It took a genius to take such a story that leaves so many questions and recreate it to see why the lovers are grieving and sorrowing, why they are separated and yearning, and how this love becomes so strong that the bond of love is worth dying for.

What is sacrificial love? It may be easier to say what it is not...it is not selfish, it is not self promoting, it is not vain, it is not hurtful, it is not a love that leaves you feeling worse. Sacrificial love is the love Christ has for his bride, the love Solomon reflects in his Song of Songs, it is the love of the man in this book for his beloved.

I would highly recommend this book for adults and high school students. A follow up of the book of Song of Solomon will add new insight and reflection to this Biblical love story. It is a dark love story...no butterflies, unicorns, rainbows, or happy endings for everyone!

Post a comment about any of Ted Dekker's works or anything related and your name will go in for a drawing for a Spread the Love T-shirt given away free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Cast of Characters Book Review

Cast of Characters is a wonderful book that really shows how God has used the common, every day person to do great things. It shows that we don't need to be perfect in order to do His work. If we are just willing, He will mold us into the type of person He needs us to be. Max Lucado uses 22 different characters from the Bible to show just how ordinary the great men and women of the Bible were and how they impacted so many others, were given second chances, or became a model for others to follow.

This book is a very inspiring read and really helps a person to realize we all can make a difference. It also could be used as a devotional because the chapters are fairly short, making it possible to read one each day.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.