Unit Study News
July 2005
Copyright 2005 Amanda Bennett
Amanda's Corner
Hello from the heat of July in the Tennessee Mountains! Yes, it is hot here, but not as hot as many of you are probably experiencing. I was caught in traffic recently, and the van was hot, and I had to remind myself that those cold days of bringing in firewood across the icy porch would be here before I knew it, and I had to smile. The grass is always greener on the other side, regardless of who has to mow it! :-)
My phone calls and emails have skyrocketed as we approach the start of a new school season. There seems to be more and more people joining us in our homeschooling efforts, and the time that it takes to answer them all. Homeschooling is becoming mainstream in American society today - and that is an amazing feat when looking back over the past thirteen years. We used to keep the kids in until the public schools were let out for the day, and now, homeschool families have the freedom to go and learn and experience life at its fullest! Take advantage of it and learn together - make some memories that will last a lifetime...
Don't forget to take advantage of some of the local store's back-to-school specials - those 10¢ spiral notebooks are perfect for letting the children record their daily writings and drawings for their unit studies. This is the time to stock up on all kinds of fun things! The inexpensive modeling clay is perfect for building replica scenes and towns during read-aloud sessions. I remember that we have created Plymouth Plantation and many other fun scenes over the years -- even fishing poles! We used the brick pack kind of clay, where the clay comes in primary colors in four sticks together in plastic wrap for less than a dollar.
Here at our house, we've got two that are getting ready to go back to college, and one that is almost thirteen and now taller than I am! We are looking forward to a GREAT year of adventure, and I hope you are, too.
Blessings to you and yours,
Amanda B.
Back to Learning Specials
Baseball Unit Study - Wind up the summer and get ready for the Playoffs and the World Series!
The Baseball Unit Study is on special through August 18th for only $9.95
Pioneers Unit Study - What a great way to launch back into the school year by studying pioneers as they
traveled across America and struggled to survive and help our nation grow! The
Pioneers Unit Study is on special through August 18th for only $9.95
Don't forget that Christmas and Thanksgiving are on special for only $9.95 through the end of July!
ALSO - remember that shipping is free in July!
Homeschool Fair this Weekend in Largo, Florida!
Come on and join me if you can this weekend - it should be a blast! I'll be there, along with plenty of others, and we hope that you will join us to share and learn and shop together. The cost of admission is only $1.00 - imagine! Here's the link with all of the information - come join us:
http://homeschoolfair05.tripod.com/
Magazine for Homeschooling Families with VERY Cool Bonuses!
I am frequently asked about my recommendation for a good homeschooling magazine, so I thought I would share my thoughts in this newsletter. After homeschooling now for 13 years, I have seen plenty of homeschool magazines come and go, for many reasons. However, the one magazine that has caught my attention and keeps me reading is The Old Schoolhouse. I can honestly say that they present a broad spectrum of information and reading for all kinds of homeschool families, both novice and veteran alike.
It's never boring, and wow, do they go out of their way to bring us all of the latest! I met several of their writers/editors at the Florida Parent Educator Association conference in May - they were there to be the "eyes" for their readers, finding what was new and asking plenty of questions. I have been nothing but impressed with the magazine, and now they are offering 19 FREE things to help you save money when you subscribe!
Here's the promotional information - join me in the savings!
The Old Schoolhouse Promotional:
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NEW Hero Study from Amanda Bennett!
All new in Amanda's Hero Series! Do you and your family want to know more about the Crusades -- what they were about and who were the heroes of this era of history? This new history title from Amanda is about heroes from the days of knights and chivalry -- wonderful reading with so much interesting history threaded throughout the stories. With so many references in the news these days to the Crusades and past conflicts of Christians and Muslims, this book helps develop an understanding of these topics, along with building a strong background in history for your 8th - 12th grade student. Amanda has worked on this title to shape it into an informative and interesting study for your students to enjoy.
Based on a book written in 1905, Amanda has developed this new book/study on CDROM, updating the language, adding clickable Internet links to help study the people and places in-depth, along with illustrations.
"These brief historical sketches were written primarily for young people, though it is hoped that some older readers may find pleasure in renewing their acquaintance with heroes of chivalry whose names are familiar still, but whose deeds are only vaguely recalled. It is the purpose of the book to enliven the study of history by giving the adventurous details omitted in textbooks, and to enable the readers to form a more vivid and lifelike conception of the great men with whom it deals and the turbulent and picturesque times in which they lived."
The Heroes of this title include:
Roland and Oliver
The Cid Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar
Godfrey and the First Crusade
Richard Cœur-De-Lion (Richard the Lion Heart)
Also included on the CDROM is a FREE BONUS:
The G. A. Henty book Winning His Spurs, an exciting tale about a young man
and his daring adventures on the Third Crusade with Richard the Lion-heart!
Order now to take advantage of the Introductory Sale Price - only $9.95 through August 15th. After this date, the regular price will be $14.95. Don't forget that you will receive your free bonus on the CDROM!
Heroes of Chivalry CDROM $14.95On Sale through 8/15 for only $ 9.95
Learning Links:
Hot Weather Craft for Kids - Refrigerator Magnets -
picture this using ocean animal shapes or rocket ships!
Space Station Resources for Kids
Return to Flight - Space Mission Information
Greatest Pictures from the Hubble Telescope - Picture Gallery
Until next time, enjoy these dog days of summer!
Blessings,
Amanda B.
www.unitstudy.com
– it’s a tradition, you know!” 
very trying times. We still belonged to the family, the family was still strong, and these traditions gave us a sense of security and predictability in a world that had changed very quickly. Traditions became the ties that we needed as we grew and changed – while some things never changed. 
Ask your children about their favorite parts of Independence Day, and listen to their answers -- you might be surprised at just what they remember, as well as what the holiday means to them.
of the concept of having goals and a mission statement. What is my mission statement these days? To help the children discover their own gifts and talents, whether in botany or veterinary science, athletics or orthodontics, who knows what the future holds! Now, as a homeschooling mom, what is my goal? To work myself out of a job by helping them become self-motivated learners – to have them out there, learning and challenging and thriving within the realm of their own very unique gifts and talents.