Let's Celebrate Moms and Dads!

Help your children honor the special men and women in their lives. Get to know a few Bible moms and dads, and celebrate God’s gifts of mothers and fathers! This week we are offering our Mother's Day and Father's Day Download N Go unit studies for just $6. This includes both studies!

Here's a sneak peak into Mother's Day:

And here are a few pages from our Father's Day unit study:

Get the Mother's Day and Father's Day combo here through 5/4/13.

The End is Near . . .

Summer celebrations are the perfect time to make wonderful family memories—secret projects for the special people in our lives, barbecues, parades, and fireworks.

God has given us so many things to celebrate—don’t miss the opportunities!

To help you get started we have the following titles on sale this week:

Patriotic Holidays - $6* (Regularly $10.95.)

Mother's Day & Father's Day Combo -$6* for BOTH! (Regularly $8.95 each.)

Independence Day & Flag Day Combo - $6* for BOTH! (Regularly $8.95 each.) 

Get these specials HERE on our specials page.

P.S. Sign up for our newsletter to receive information about new products and sales! 


*Sale goes through 5/4/13.

Interest-Directed Learning – What Is It?

You hear so much about interest-directed learning these days, don’t you? At our house, we used unit studies based on the interests of our children. I started out on my challenge of following their interests to discover their gifts and talents. Since I was fairly new to homeschooling and still learning how each child is so unique, it took a bit of creative thinking to figure out just exactly what their interests were and how I could capture the ideas and help them grow and develop their special gifts and talents.

I learned to be a better observer of their favorite things to do, their curiosity statements, their tendencies to favor different topics in the library, and so on. Try it out. Make a simple chart of ideas based on things you see in the weeks ahead. Here are a few examples:

Area of interest:  Possible life work

Serving others:  Pastor, missionary, service organizations, church service

Protecting others:  Police work, military service

Building things:  Carpenter, builder, architect

Repairing things:  Automotive repair, computer repair, appliance repair

Counting things:  Statistician, banker, accountant

Entertaining others:  Athlete, actor/actress, singer, musician, race car driver

Teaching others:  Homeschooling parent, teacher, church service, college professor, archaeologist

Creating things from ideas:  Engineer, computer scientist, sculptor, artist, author, chef

Growing things:  Farmer, park ranger, forester, nurseryman, botanist

Helping others:  Nurse, doctor, lawyer, orthodontist, coach

Following clues, putting puzzles together:  Detective, food scientist, astrophysicist

History fanatic:  Ambassador, politician, leader, professor

Working with their hands:  Electrician, finish carpenter, orthopedic surgeon

Working with animals:  Zookeeper, veterinarian, zoologist

Working with a camera:  Photographer, biologist, scientist, satellite designer

These are just a few ideas and connections that can be made with some of the interests that

children display. Make a file on your phone or keep a small notebook handy so that you can record their interests that just happen to pop up—a mention of wanting to know how a lawn mower works to wishing she knew how to sew. By keeping track of these, you’ve got some concrete things to pursue, and you know what to watch for at the next library or garage sale. Enjoy the off-road explorations. They are learning ALL the time!

Blessings,
Amanda B.

Win It Wednesday

Name the Mystery Study

Check out the USAB unit study excerpts below. All excerpts are taken from the same, fun-filled study. Can you guess which one?

Of those who submit correct responses, 10 winners will be drawn to receive a FREE Download N Go study of their choice ($8.95 value)!

But don't wait, this contest is open TODAY ONLY!

This contest has closed. The correct answer was - Magnificent Moon! 

Congratulations to all of our winners! :)

Amy M.

Renee C.

Lisa O.

Rachel P.

Kim W.

Julie S. B.

Tara M. A.

Kelly S. S. 

Amy H. B.

Julie K.

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Caution: Noisy Creativity at Work

Music opens doors to creativity in so many ways, usually when you least expect it. While I love listening to music, I never knew much about how it was created or about famous composers. But children change things, don’t they? Music really draws children in and can help them find their passions, whether music or something else.

When our youngest simultaneously discovered his older sister’s keyboard AND Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” the sounds at our house forever changed. He learned how to play “Ode to Joy” on her keyboard, my cell phone, and anything else he could find. Once he discovered that HE could make music, look out world! He created custom ring tones for our phones and began composing music on the computer. All of this discovery resulted in a driving desire to learn more about computers—how they worked, how they made sounds, and so much more. He is now majoring in computer science at college and having the time of his life learning about his passion, computers.

Keep feeding their imagination and creativity. You just never know what can happen!

Blessings,
Amanda B.

Get Ready to Tune In . . .

Creativity and kids—perfect together! This new Download N Go® study, Creative Composers, combines both creativity and music in a way that will capture their curiosity and wonder. The composers included in this study are among the greatest in history, and their stories of trials, challenges, and successes offer unforgettable lessons. These composers are Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin, and their music provides a fantastic base for learning. 

In this study, your child will learn about these composers and their music. Students will see performances of these men’s compositions from all over the world, along with getting a better understanding of how we hear music! Each day, your student will explore and investigate, creating and adding more learning components to his Creative Composers lapbook—building a wonderful reminder of all that he is learning to be enjoyed for years to come. 

Choosing this topic for the next title in the Download N Go® series was fun. This is the first DNG title that focuses on one of the arts, and it opens wide the door of learning to classical music. From the study of music and musical instruments to the workings of the orchestra and the instrument sections—this study is a fun journey through the world of classical music and much more. 

Enjoy a lively toccata with breakfast or a stormy fugue at lunchtime. Meet the instruments of the orchestra, discover some of the musical instruments in the Bible, and let your child use the interactive instruments to compose his own music in Creative Composers!

Creative Composers is on sale this week for just $5!*

P.S. Have you joined us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest yet? We post ideas, trivia, and encouragement each day to go along with our unit studies! Stop by and say hi!

*Sale goes through 4/27/13.

Gardening and Homeschooling – Lessons for Life

There is something so basic and satisfying in the planting and nurturing of a garden. Whether in a planned spot in the yard, in containers on a tiny balcony, or on a bedroom windowsill, gardening offers a priceless opportunity to work together on a fun family project, and share thoughts and ideas as you build your own special place of beauty and memories. From pole bean tepees to sunflower houses, what memories they will build! Use gardening to share lessons about nature and plants with your children. What makes the seeds grow? Why do we grow things? What does a fresh ear of corn taste like? Imagine together what it might have been like in the first garden–the Garden of Eden. 

The joy and excitement on the children’s faces is great motivation as we begin to plan the garden and buy the seeds, whether for the spring, fall, or indoor herb garden. These fun times together are still shared, even as the children grow older, and this is a wonderful blessing to families everywhere. From the first chance to look at how seeds sprout, learn about earthworms, and then on to plant propagation – these are some of the concepts that we share with our students. We adjust and learn with them as they progress with their interests in plants and gardens.

The Unit Study Adventures Gardens study includes the following topics:

1.       Planning and planting your own garden
2.       Plant science
3.       History of gardens
4.       Famous gardens
5.       Famous scientists and gardeners

From developing, planting, and maintaining our own garden and plant experiments through the study of gardens, their history, and gardeners like Thomas Jefferson and Monet – all contribute to an EXCITING gardens study. It is one that we repeated on a regular basis at our house. There are plenty of topics and resources for all ages, and this study can keep your family busy for many seasons to come. We have all kinds of gardens here on the farm, from vegetable gardens to rock gardens, and the knowledge that we have gained from studying gardens has been impressive.

It is so rewarding to see how much our children have learned and how self-sufficient they are becoming. They look forward to planning their own gardens and selecting the plants that they want to experiment with – this is a self-motivated interest that they will probably carry throughout their lives. This is a measurement of true success, according to our way of thinking! 

Get Gardens Unit Study Adventure on sale now for just $6*!

Enjoy the adventure, and get planting!

Blessings,
Amanda B.

*Sale goes through 4/20/13.

Win a FREE Family Pass To HEAV!

Amanda will be speaking at HEAV June 6-8, 2013, and we are so excited that HEAV has given us 2 family passes to give away to YOU! Enter to win below - two winners will be selected and each will receive one family pass. 

This contest has ended. The winners are:

Sherry W., Virginia

Melissa C., Tennessee

Congratulations!  See you at HEAV! :)

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Win It Wednesday!

Name the Mystery Study

Check out the USAB unit study excerpts below. All excerpts are taken from the same, fun-filled study. Can you guess which one?

Of those who submit correct responses, 10 winners will be drawn to receive a FREE Download N Go study of their choice ($8.95 value)!

But don't wait, this contest is open TODAY ONLY!

This contest has ended. 

These excerpts were all taken from Incredible Insects!

Congratulations to all of our winners!  

Jhuana H.

Rachel M.

Cari R.

StephJem P.

Karen J.

Victoria

Melissa S.

Lisa G.

Alison B.

Dianne O.

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Need A Cure for Spring Fever?

Get Outside and Dig In!

This week's special offers will help you get everyone outdoors . . . enjoying the wonders of Creation.

 

 

Learn more at www.UnitStudy.com.

Don't Forget...

Click the photo above to find out more!

Win It Wednesday!

Name the Mystery Study

Check out the USAB unit study excerpts below. All excerpts are taken from the same, fun-filled study. Can you guess which one?

Of those who submit correct responses, 10 winners will be drawn to receive a FREE Passport Geography study of their choice ($8.95 value)!

But don't wait, this contest is open TODAY ONLY!

This contest has ended. 
These excerpts were all taken from Passport Italy!

Congratulations to all of our winners!  

Shannon W.
Kristy T.
Stephanie S.
Connie D.
Laura M.
Suzanne N.
Jodi G.
Nicolene B.
Deb H.
Trisha E.

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Everyone Has One!

Each of us has a birthday, and birthdays are such special times to children—why not use the opportunity to help them learn more about themselves and their own history while preparing for a fun celebration of their very special day?

 When I was a child, my mother put such effort into making all of her children feel so unique and special on their birthdays—and it was truly a labor of love. From the special dinner menu that we each selected to the many other ways that she made us realize just how special we were as individuals and as part of a family, Mom helped us develop self-confidence as well as a better understanding of the importance of each family member.

At our house, birthday celebrations are very special events. On each birthday, the child is made to feel like a celebrity—receiving gifts, breakfast in bed, special treatment, and time off from chores! We take the entire week around each birthday, allowing each child to have “his/her week” to celebrate. Over the years, this tradition has become firmly established and thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family. It has provided fun and renewed confidence at times when it was needed. The anticipation of birthdays is a time-honored tradition now, and one that we all enjoy. From making piñatas to all kinds of zany fun, we have been blessed to create some amazing memories while building up the children and showing them just how special they are to us!



It's my birthday and I want to celebrate with YOU by offering a special deal on Birthday Bonanza! This week only, get Birthday Bonanza for just $5*! Use it for everyone in the family for years to come. 

*Special price goes through 4/13/13.

Come Visit Us!

Will you be at the Midwest Homeschool Convention this weekend? Be sure to stop by and visit us. We'll be at booths 1102 & 1104 . . . and we'll have chocolate! :)

Win It Wednesday!

Name the Mystery Study

Check out the USAB unit study excerpts below. All excerpts are taken from the same, fun-filled study. Can you guess which one?

Of those who submit correct responses, 10 winners will be drawn to receive a FREE Download N Go® study of their choice ($8.95 value)!

But don't wait, this contest is open TODAY ONLY!

This contest has ended. Congratulations to all of our winners!  

Teri S.

Charity H.

Samantha B.

Amy B.

Melissa A.

Lori J.

Roxanna

Katie H.

Meredith B. L.

Sharon D. N.

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Discounted Brains . . . Don't Miss This!?!

It's here! Discover the Brain is now available and getting rave reviews! The second title in DNG's Discover the Human Body series includes fun topics, such as:

• You have more that 50,000 thoughts in ONE day.
• You have almost 45 MILES of nerves.
• Your brain can't feel pain.

On sale now for $5.00. 

Save $3.95 through 4/6/13.

Learn More at http://www.UnitStudy.com/Specials.html