Vive la France!

Can you smell that beautiful scent? I’m learning about the perfume industry in France today, visiting Grasse, France, and learning all about the science of perfume. Mmmm . . . Next, I’m off to Provence, to visit the Gorges du Verdon and enjoy the spectacular views while learning more about the Roman ruins in this part of France. Tonight, steak frites are on the menu, and they smell delicious. This has been a great week of learning adventures with Passport France. Vive la France!

Good Morning From Lyon, France!

Good morning from the hidden passageways of Lyon, France! These are fascinating, and they are called traboules. There is so much to learn about this country, and Roman structures still standing on Fourviere Hill have captured my attention and imagination. I didn’t know that the Romans had so much to do with the history of France! Of course, Passport France takes me to my favorite artist’s home and gardens next—Monet’s Giverny Gardens, and they are stunning! I hope that you are joining me on this tour. It is unforgettable!

Bonjour From France!

Bonjour! I’m off to France this week, and what a place! Rich in history, art, culture, fantastic food, and much more—it’s going to be a busy week. Today I’m starting off in Paris at the foot of the Eiffel Tower—look up! It was built for the World Exhibit in 1889 as a temporary structure. Who knew it would become one of the most recognizable structures in the world? Gustave Eiffel engineered it, and the interactive video tours and links make me feel like I’m right there inside of it. Next, I’m heading to the Louvre to spend the rest of the day. There is so much to see via the Passport study. Tonight, I’m cooking a dinner of crepes, a fun French food that the whole family will enjoy making and eating! Have you tried crepes?

A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels EBook Bundle Giveaway!

Tricia from Southern Hodgepodge has generously offered to give away 5 copies of A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels EBook Bundle! If you aren’t familiar with this book, it is AMAZING and can be used by all ages. AND, many of the tutorials correspond nicely with our unit studies!

In this book, Nana walks you through the steps of creating beautiful artwork.  She also provides tips on which colors to use for each picture.

In a Simple Start in Chalk Pastels, you will find:

• A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels ebook, 100 pages of lessons and tips
• 45 tutorials in all — one lesson a week for an entire school year
• Bluebird video pastel lesson — Nana shows you how to draw the bluebird
• Sky Vista video pastel lesson — Nana walks you through a scenic vista

Enter today!
Or, if you can't wait, use the discount code FRANCE
for $5 off your purchase now! This offer is good through 6/1/13.

This giveaway is now closed.

Congratulations to our winners:

Tammy L.

Alana P.

Angie D.

Ashley H.

Heather N. 

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Passport France Resource Book Giveaway

Join us this week on our whirlwind tour of delightful and lovely France—no passport required!

We’re off on our exciting adventure to France!

Of course we’ll visit: 

• Nice
• Bordeaux
• Rouen
• The Gorges du Verdo

Check out some more fun things we’ll do on this trip:

• Meet the brothers who made the first hot-air balloon, and their interesting first passengers.
• Sample crepes and pain au chocolat, baguettes and steak frites.
• Explore the hidden passageways of Lyon and cruise down the Seine.
• See the highest aqueduct bridge built by the Romans, and stroll through the walled city of Carcassone.

There is so much to squeeze into our one-week tour—let’s get started! Come join the adventure and scroll down for our amazing giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.

A big congratulations goes out to our winner, Beth P.!

If you are excited to study Passport France, you won't want to miss this giveaway. Amanda is clearing out her bookshelves! This week, one lucky person will win nine of the resource books Amanda used while writing Passport France. Check out the titles in this fantastic prize package:

1. Fodor's Around Paris with Kids (Travel Guide)
2. France (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
3. France: A Question and Answer Book (Fact Finders: Questions and Answers: Countries)
4. France (Country Explorers)
5. Look What Came From France
6. France (Destination Detectives)
7. Getting to Know France and French
8. France (A to Z)
9. Sandi Toksvig's Guide to France

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Join Me in Pisa!

Winding up my week in Italy today with a visit to Pisa—the Leaning Tower is fascinating! :) As an engineer, the background of this tower is amazing, and what a photo opportunity! Did you know that the spice saffron is one of Italy’s important agricultural products? Well, setting off for a fun day, and tonight, more Italian food with recipes from the study—panini and cannoli. Arrivederci!

Ciao from My Gondola in the Canals of Venice!

Ciao from my gondola in the canals of Venice! I think that visiting Venice virtually is a wise decision—no life jacket required! :) The views are beautiful, and my first stop is St. Mark’s Square. Then, the Ferrari factory is calling me. While floating along the Grand Canal, I’m learning about Marco Polo, an Italian you don’t want to miss! Tonight, we’ll be having minestrone soup, a favorite Italian food. And of course, we’ll top it off with gelato—Italian ice cream! Have you ever tasted gelato?

Buongiorno from Rome, Italy!

Buongiorno from Rome, Italy! This week, I’m in this beautiful country for a visit to learn more about the land, the people, the history, and the food. This morning, I’m taking in the Colosseum first, and then moving on to the Sistine Chapel. There’s so much to see, and the interactive videos and tours in this Passport study keep me totally immersed in these places. When in Rome, I’m going to try some authentic Italian pizza, and the pizza recipe links in Passport Italy are easy and fun to make. What’s your favorite Italian food?

Passport Italy Resource Book Giveaway

Join us this week on our whirlwind tour of gorgeous and historic Italy—no passport required!

We’re off on our exciting adventure to Italy!

From online gondola rides through Venice to touring ancient Roman structures, you will visit historic and unique sites and marvelous places that span the nation that is officially called the Italian Republic.

Some of the places you will visit include:

• Po River Valley
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Amalfi Coast
• Italian Alps

You will see and hear the sights and sounds of cities and villages, people, daily life, tourist spots, and historical places, all from the comfort of home—no passport required! 

Some of the fun spots you will be visiting include:

• Roman Colosseum
• Pompeii
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Mark's Square 
• Ferrari Factory

And so much more! 

This week, get Passport Italy Scout (K-6) for just $6 and Passport Italy Explorer for just $6 through 5/25/13!

Come join the adventure and scroll down for our amazing giveaway!

If you are excited to study Passport Italy, you won't want to miss this giveaway. Amanda is clearing out her bookshelves! This week, one lucky person will win nine of the resource books Amanda used while writing Passport Italy. Check out the titles in this fantastic prize package:

1. Europe (Seven Continents)
2. Europe's Most Amazing Animals (Animal Top Tens)
3. Italy (Destination Detectives/Freestyle Express)
4. Getting to Know Italy and Italian
5. Italy (A to Z)
6. National Geographic Countries of the World: Italy
7. Italy in Pictures (Visual Geography (Twenty-First Century))
8. Italy ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Italy (Country ABCs)
9. Atlas of Europe (Atlases of the World)

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Memorial Day - Two Days Only!

For most of us, the school year is almost over, but the learning continues 24/7. Curiosity and wonder don't pay attention to the calendar, and the first summer patriotic holiday, Memorial Day, gives us a perfect opportunity to feed their minds and build character.

Great news! The one-week Memorial Day Unit Study is only $2.95 for a limited time. Take advantage of the savings, and don't miss our Pinterest board for patriotic ideas and recipes!

Blessings,
Amanda B.


Memorial Day---a day when we take time to remember all the people who have given their lives for America's freedom. They gave up promising futures, families, hopes, and dreams---for all of us. Let's use this day as an opportunity to honor them, remember them, and learn more about their sacrifices.

Our one-week Memorial Day unit is structured with lesson plans in two levels for each day of the study, one for Lower Level (elementary grades), and one for Upper Level (Jr/Sr High grades).

This wonderful study is non-consumable and can be used year after year. Includes notebooking pages too!

This is a Limited Time Release offer of $2.95 and through 5/18/13.

Guid Mornin From Scotland!

Guid mornin from Scotland, homeland of my ancestors and the place of stories that I heard at my great-grandmother’s knee! Even on a virtual visit, the interactive videos and links make me feel like I am right in the middle of Edinburgh, walking the top of Hadrian’s Wall, touring Edinburgh Castle, and strolling the Royal Mile. Teatime is at 3, and I’ve got shortbread in the oven! Any Scots blood in your history?

Top O’ the Mornin’ to You!

Top o’ the mornin’ to you from Northern Ireland! I’m heading out of Belfast today, getting ready to walk the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge—YIKES! It’s a swaying rope bridge that extends 65 feet across a 100-foot deep chasm between a rocky island and the cliffs of the mainland, and the Passport videos of it make me aware of my fear of heights. :) Next, I’m heading to see the Giant’s Causeway, an unbelievably beautiful formation that captures the imagination of kids of all ages. Come join in the fun! See you around!

Good Morning from London!

Good morning from London! I’ve been riding around (virtually) on a red, double-decker bus and having a fantastic time exploring this beautiful town. The London Eye and Big Ben have been my favorites so far, thanks to the fantastic, interactive videos! Come on and join me for tea this afternoon—the smell of the fresh scones is delicious! Have you ever had afternoon tea with your family?

Passport UK Resource Book Giveaway

Join us this week on our whirlwind tour of the beautiful United Kingdom—no passport required!

This week, when you buy any Passport United Kingdom study, you'll also get a $6 coupon code to give to a friend. (Coupon codes will be emailed within 24 hours of qualifying purchases.)

Have double the fun traveling the world—bring a friend along for FREE!

We’re off on our exciting adventure to the United Kingdom!

Of course we’ll: 

• see the famous changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
• explore the Roman Baths (and discover the ingenious way they heated the water)
• meet the native wildlife
• have a proper tea

Check out some more fun things we’ll do on this trip:

• Hear a Scottish bagpipe band and learn how bagpipes are played.
• Take a cruise on the Thames right under London Bridge!
• Visit a beach made of . . . rocks?
• Make our way across the 98-foot-high Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

And so much more! It’s a feast for the senses that will be even more fun when you share it with a friend!

This week, get Passport United Kingdom Scout (K-6) for just $6 and Passport United Kingdom Explorer for just $6 through 5/18/13!

Come join the adventure and scroll down for our amazing giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.

A big congratulations goes out to our winner, Carol Z.!

If you are excited to study Passport United Kingdom, you won't want to miss this giveaway. Amanda is clearing out her bookshelves! This week, one lucky person will win eight of the resource books Amanda used while writing Passport United Kingdom. Check out the titles in this fantastic prize package:

1. Fodor's Around London with Kids, 2nd Edition (Around the City with Kids)
2. Once Upon a Time in Great Britain: A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of Your Favorite Children's Stories
3. The Rough Guide First-Time Europe 8 (Rough Guide to First-Time Europe)
4. The New York Public Library Amazing World Geography: A Book of Answers for Kids
5. Europe (True Books: Continents)
6. Endangered Animals of Europe (Save Earth's Animals!)
7. Through Time: London
8. Children Just Like Me: A Unique Celebration of Children Around the World 

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Join Me in Munich!

Wie geht's? I’ve been having a fantastic time here in Munich via my virtual Passport Germany visit!

During this visit, I’m going to be checking out the BMW factory and the Marienplatz Glockenspiel! What would you like to see in Munich?

Guten Tag From the Black Forest of Germany!

Guten Tag from the Black Forest of Germany! I am loving the virtual visit, and the cuckoo clocks are captivating. My husband collects cuckoo clocks so he would be right at home here, and the video visit to the world’s largest cuckoo clock is amazing! The Triberg Waterfalls here in the forest have stolen my heart. Germany is such a beautiful country. We’ve got several Black Forest cuckoo clocks at our house, and the kids have always been fascinated with them. How about your house—any cuckoo clocks?

Guten Morgen From the Brandenburg Gate!

Guten Morgen from the Brandenburg Gate! Well, from my virtual visit to the Brandenburg Gate.

People come from all over the world to walk through this gate in Berlin, strolling along the boulevard of linden trees, and soaking up the sight of it as well as the history! At 65 feet tall, it is an astounding structure, and our videos in Passport Germany make me feel like I am really here! Where would you like to go in Berlin?