Christmas Open House Giveaway #1

Join our Christmas Open House over on Facebook! Let's share our joy together throughout the month with recipes, crafts and new Christmas discoveries. Let's kick off the fun with a $100 Rainbow Resource Gift Card! Enter below:
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Gobble Up the Savings & Don't Miss Amanda's New Giveaway!

Gobble up the savings this week, as we continue our holiday sales! With the titles on sale, you are going to be able to stack up the savings. AND - don't miss the fantastic Christmas book collection that Amanda has handpicked for us to give away (entry box later in this blog post). 

Don't miss these savings:
Christmas Unit Study $6
Sailing Ships Unit Study $6 (remember the Mayflower?)
Veteran's Day $4 (Veteran's Day is a week away, November 11th)
Heroes of America $6 (includes Miles Standish)
Passport Germany $5 (includes Martin Luther)

AND if you buy 5 or more studies, you will get $5 off your total purchase if you use the code 1620Pilgrims at checkout!

Amanda's Christmas Book Collection Giveaway:
We are giving away Amanda's handpicked Holiday Book Collection this week. Enter in the signup box below. Here are the titles in the package:

    Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent
        By Arnold Ytreeide
    The Tale of Three Trees
        By Angela Elwell Hunt 
    One Wintry Night
        By Ruth Graham Bell
    The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
        By Susan Wojciechowski
    Humphrey's First Christmas
        By Carol Heyer

Enter here for a chance to win:

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Building Traditions While They Learn

The first holiday season of our homeschooling years was such a game changer at our house. In previous years, we had stayed busy, rushing from school plays and events to church activities, and the holidays went by in a blur. As a new homeschooling mom, I was determined that we were going to learn about the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the history and meaning of each one, as well as spend time together as a family, building traditions, finding ways to help others, and making memories.

You can do the same thing with your family! Spend time investigating all the wonders of autumn and then get ready for our third annual Thanksgiving Facebook Co-op. Learn more about this co-op here, and then make plans to join us! Connect with other families as we explore this traditional holiday - the history, geography, Pilgrims, and Native Americans! You'll be inspired by the insights and practical ideas of other homeschoolers just like you!

Blessings,
Amanda B.

PS: The Thanksgiving and Christmas unit studies are on sale for only $5 right now (sale ends 10/19), and they each have 4 weeks of lessons for grades K-12. That's 8 weeks of learning adventures and memory-making moments for just $10! Enjoy!

Woody the Camel – The Nature of Tender Holiday Memories

“Mom, where’s Woody?” This is a question that I have heard each Christmas for many years. One of the boys is looking for Woody, the camel they put out with our nativity set each year. They love that camel. It’s brown with a textured surface that looks like a camel’s coat. To boys full of wonder as we studied the wise men, it looked like a piece of carved wood. J  And from that, they named the camel “Woody.” 

He’s been a special part of our Christmas traditions since the first year we read Jotham’s Journey, by Arnold Ytreeide. The whole family enjoyed that book so much, and the boys played with Woody as we moved through the story each night. They’ve got so many memories associated with him that take them back to the heart of Christmas, the focus on the Christ child, and all of the prophecies that were fulfilled. All in one simple, plastic camel that unexpectedly became a part of this tender celebration of our Savior’s birth.

 Woody’s been through the rough and tumble world of boys, so these days he’s got one broken ear and a bell that doesn’t ring, but he’s still standing strong. You never know what they’ll associate with the traditions you are developing. It is my prayer that you’ll someday have your own stories that resemble my tale of Woody—heartwarming and keeping the heartstrings all on the same page, no matter where they go.


“Hey, Mom, did you find Woody yet?”  J

Merry Christmas!

It's almost Christmas, and I wanted to take a minute to say Merry Christmas! This has been a busy season, and we just finished our annual Christmas Unit Study co-op on the USAB Facebook page with 6,000+ friends (twice as many as last year)--one of our most popular events yet! All kinds of learning ideas, crafts, and photos were shared, and encouragement blossomed. Thanks to all who joined the adventure, and keep an eye out for the Easter Unit Study co-op, scheduled to begin March 4, 2013. As you read this, I'm putting the final touches on a very special blog series that begins on December 26th, written to help make your homeschooling journey one that is successful, simple, and captivating for all involved. Don't miss "When It's Time for a Change"--you will find it here on the USAB blog. Homeschooling can be an exciting adventure that helps to reveal the special gifts and talents of each child, and it doesn't have to be complex, dreaded, or complicated! Before I forget, please watch your email on the morning of December 26th for details on our HUGE 12 Days of Christmas sale and a fantastic giveaway that you will NOT want to miss! This event will offer eye-popping, jaw-dropping prices, and the giveaway involves something that many homeschool moms (and kids) have on their wish lists! And now I am heading off to get ready for a very special evening with my family, giving thanks for the clan gathered here this year! Thank you for the most amazing year--for your support and your trust. Merry Christmas to you and your family!   Blessings, Amanda B.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Warm up to Winter!

Warm up to winter, because it’s here! Today is definitely a “hot cocoa weather” day here on the farm, and Christmas mugs are lined up on the counter. I hope that you and your crew are enjoying this holiday season, along with the new weather season. J

 

Today is the last day of our Christmas Facebook Co-op, and it has been a wonderful experience to watch as it unfolded. Last month, we planned, wrote, assembled, photographed, and prayed that the four-week co-op would be a special time for all. What an answer to prayer this has been! From special friends to shared laughter and encouragement, the ripples have traveled quite a distance around the globe as we celebrate the Savior’s birth. Thanks so much for participating!

 

I’ve been writing a new blog series, titled “When It’s Time for a Change,” scheduled to begin right here on December 26. I know exactly what it feels like to be facing the return of drudgery, as well as the overwhelming desire to make homeschooling memorable, meaningful, and fascinating. I am capturing my best tips and ideas for the days ahead in this series, and I hope you will join in the conversation here on the blog.

 

Our next co-op will be here before you know it, so stay tuned to catch the announcement. Sign up for e-mail blog updates over on the right-hand side of this page so you don’t miss anything.

 

Blessings,

 

Amanda B.

Welcome to Week 4!

Good morning, friends! Welcome to our Christmas Facebook Co-op, the final week!

 We 've enjoyed how you have shared your experiences during the Christmas Unit Study Adventure.

 

Thank you for sharing the JOY in this journey with us!

Keep visiting us as we share Week Four of the study together.

 

We'll have more ideas, inspiration and even some BIG news that you do not want to miss later in the week...

 

Blessings,

Amanda B.

 

This Week's Learning Objectives:


Understanding the nature of the relationship between Herod and the wise men

Grasping King David‘s connection to Jesus

Tracing the flight of the new family to safety in Egypt

Following the history of the celebration of Christmas

Christmas Cookies - Let's Share our Favorites!

Here's a family favorite - do you have one to share? Leave your recipe below, and we'll share the Christmas cheer!

 

Candy Cane Cookies

 

½ cup butter, softened

2½ cups flour

½ cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup confectioners sugar

Red food coloring

1 egg

  

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and shortening with an electric mixer. Add confectioners sugar and blend. Add egg, almond extract, and vanilla and mix until well blended. Measure the flour in a separate bowl and mix in salt. Slowly mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, scraping down the bowl as needed. Divide the dough in half in 2 bowls. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one half of thed ough. Mix in the food coloring until well blended and the color you desire. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Here is the part our children like the best, since it’s like rolling play dough: For each cookie, make a rope of plain dough and a rope of red dough; twist the two ropes together and shape into a candy cane.


Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 9 minutes until lightly brown. Allow the cookies to cool on a cooling rack. Sprinkle with red sugar or confectioners sugar.

Thank you Laura Clark, for sharing this family favorite with us!

Welcome to Week 3 of the Christmas Journey!

 

Good morning, friends! Welcome back to our Christmas Facebook Co-op!

We enjoying all your pictures and sharing -  JOY Banners, Search for the Savior Nativity Scenes, Christmas baking, and pictures of your Christmas lapbooks! Keep encouraging us with your discoveries.

Take a peek at the creative canvases of USAB on Pinterest! Amanda shares her inspirations, ideas for crafts and projects, recipes, and favorite places on the Web. Whatever topic your family is studying, you'll find fun ideas to go along with it! It is our prayer that this Facebook Co-op will provide community, caring and creativity for us all!

As this year winds down, there is no time like right NOW to think about the upcoming new year of homeschooling--it doesn't have to be painful or boring or an ongoing battle. If you are ready for a change, we are here to help with savings, ideas, and more. 

This week we're equipping you to start planning your best year of homeschooling.  Our Specials page is packed with great savings opportunities on all USAB planning tools (many of them are FREE) and we also have a fantastic giveaway lined up.  Two families will be selected to win one family pass (including admittance to the "Real Faith for the Real World" teen track) to the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati in April of 2013. Scroll down this post to enter.

Blessings,

Amanda B.

This Week's Learning Objectives:

• Continuing our study of the geography of the Holy Land
• Tracing Mary and Joseph‘s journey to Bethlehem
• Meeting the Shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem
• Recognizing the many names given to Jesus in the Bible

P.S. - Mark your calendars! The time is approaching for 12 days of special pricing, unbeatable sales, and a big giveaway . . . it all begins December 26. More details coming soon.

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Christmas is for Sharing!

 

We hope you are making time for some wonderful opportunites to cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate and your children and share some holiday favorites - both old and new!

Family Interest:

Christ in Christmas: A Family Advent Celebration, by Dr. James Dobson, R.C.Sproul, et al.

Even though there's a lot to do at Christmas, families still need some quiet time together! Here, for each Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve, are devotions by James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, and more, plus plenty of hymns, questions to ponder, and things to make (such as an Advent wreath) that will build family traditions and help you truly celebrate Jesus' coming.

Older Students:


The Christmas Scrapbook, by Philip Gulley. Published by HarperOne

It's Christmastime in Harmony---and Sam Gardner is determined not to be caught unprepared for gift-giving this year! When he enrolls in a scrapbooking class, rumors begin to fly. Then a series of mishaps and accidents culminates in a holiday that nobody will forget---and a deeper understanding of which gifts truly matter.

 

Younger Students:

Silent Night, Holy Night, by Joseph Mohr. Published by North-South Books.

Teach your children the story behind one of the best-loved Christmas carols. Artist Maja Dusikova captures the grace and simplicity of the hymn, taking children on a journey around the world to experience the joy and wonder of Christ's birth. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

.

 

Jacob’s Gift, by Max Lucado. Published by Tommy Nelson.

What a special message this book has for the whole family. Jacob is a young boy with special carpentry talents, and this book helps the whole family gain a better perspective on the meaning of gift-giving.

 

Stop by our Facebook Christmas Co-op and share your favorites with us!

Join the Journey!

 

Good morning, friends! Welcome back to our Christmas Facebook Co-op!

 

We invite you to share your experiences as you use the Christmas Unit Study Adventure. We can't wait to see what you have discovered!

Beginning Week 2 of the study today, we will meet the parents of John the Baptist, and get a closer look at Mary and Joseph and their response to the news from the angels. We will also be investigating the Roman Empire in the days of Christ’s birth, as well as the geography of the Holy Land during this time.

We'll be here to answer your questions and help along the way, as we are using the study, too.

You all were GREAT about posting your questions, finds, and ideas last week – please keep sharing! We love seeing all the ways you are using the study!  Don't miss these great freebies- Search for the Savior activity, JOY Printable, and the NEW Christmas Lapbook Companion!

 

Don't get so caught up in the preparations that you miss the JOY of the season!  Join us on the journey, and be encouraged!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Christmas and Traditions While Homeschooling

The month of December is a very special time at our place! When we began homeschooling, it was a natural thing to spend the entire month of December on a study of the real meaning of Christmas. We spent many hours, gathered around in the living room, reading the Bible and learning about the prophecies of His birth and how they were fulfilled. The whole family worked on projects together – things that would help others, from cookie trays to baby blankets to quilts for the abused children’s shelter, we all created and helped. We learned so much about God’s plan, His love, and how to love and serve others in Decembers here.

 

We also formed some long-lasting family traditions during those Decembers - traditions that we continue to this day, as the kids come home from all over the place, and bring friends along with them. Their dad has always been the best cook in the house, and he began having them help him make all kinds of Christmas goodies back in the early days of our homeschooling. They would all take part in this big messy, totally fun event, creating treats for neighbors and friends near and far. We also had one craft project that we worked on each night, gathered around the kitchen table. I will never forget the year that we painted small plaster of Paris houses to form a Christmas village – great conversations and loads of laughter. Every year had a new project that matched the varying ages and skill levels, and each time we made some fantastic memories of the heart.

 

I hope that you and your crew can have a Christmas season to remember this year. These ARE the good old days for your children!

 

Blessings,

 

Amanda B.

Christmas Memories to Share

As we head for the holidays with our Christmas Unit Study Adventure, we would love to share some Christmas book suggestions for you to enjoy with your family while you are creating memories!

 

 

Family Read Aloud:

 

Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent, by Arnold Ytreeide.
This is an exciting advent story for the whole family about a ten year-old boy, Jotham, and his journey across Israel in search of his family. His adventures are exciting -- this is the first advent book that we read completely through, cover to cover!

General Family Interest:

Stories of the Great Christmas Carols, by Kenon Renfrow and June Montgomery. Published by Alfred Publishing Company.

Ten beloved Christmas carols are included in this engaging book, along with historical information about the origins of each carol. This edition contains an easy-to-read story of the creation of each carol; a simplified arrangement of each carol with text; information on those who wrote the text and the music; plus a fun activity page that reviews the information presented. Songs include: Angels from the Realms of Glory, Away in a Manger, The First Noel, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, Silent Night, What Child Is This, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.

 

Younger Students:

The Jesse Tree, by Geraldine McCaughrean. Published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

  As Mr. Butterfield carves a Jesse Tree in an old dusty church, a curious young boy distracts him, asking about the various symbols on the tree. Against his better judgment, the old man finds himself retelling the familiar Biblical tales that trace the lineage of Christ, from the Garden of Eden to Jesus' birth. Under the carpenter's skilled hands, the Jesse tree grows--and an unlikely friendship begins to take root as well. The Jesse Tree will captivate readers who know and love the Bible stories as well as those who are reading them for the first time. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Older Students:

 

One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham. Published by Baker Books.

This is one of our family favorites for all ages. In this beautifully illustrated book, a young injured boy seeks help from a grandmotherly woman during a snowstorm. While the two wait out the storm in her cabin, the woman lovingly shares the story of the Bible from Creation to the Resurrection, and each chapter ends with a bit of a cliffhanger -- perfect for family reading time during December.

Be sure to visit our Christmas Facebook Co-op, and share your Christmas discoveries, activities and inspirations with us!

Welcome to the Christmas Co-op!

Good morning, friends!  Welcome to our Christmas Facebook Co-op!

 Beginning today, we invite you to share your experiences as you use the USAB  Christmas Unit Study Adventure. We'll be here to answer your questions and help along the way as we are working through the unit study with you!

 

This Christmas Co-op will include a new Search for the Savior printable activity, a daily prophecy that the Lord fulfilled, a counting of joys in this season (and the free JOY printable) , plus a Christmas carol/hymn, and lots of fun Christmas activities and recipes to try! 

Please feel free to post your questions, finds, ideas, and pictures. Throughout the weekdays, we will be posting some tips and treasures, along with our insights and ideas. It is our prayer that this co-op effort will provide community, caring and creativity for us all!

The Christmas study always brings some memorable insights—realizations, ah-ha moments, and precious memories.   Enjoy this time with your families and your friends!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

 

Here are Week One's Learning Objectives: 

• Recognizing the celebration of Christmas and what it means to the student
• Learning more about the story of Christ‘s birth - specifically Mary and the events that occurred prior to Jesus‘ birth
• Becoming familiar with the geography of the Middle East at the time of Jesus‘ birth
• Developing an understanding of the observation of the Advent celebration

 

No Time to Shop....

No time left to shop?  Let us help you - today, we are giving away Two - $25 Amazon Gift Cards!  This giveaway is a little bit different, enter today (until midnight EST) and we'll announce a winner and send it to you tomorrow morning!  You will have an entire day to do that last minute shopping :-).

"Finding the perfect gift for someone isn’t always easy. Amazon.com has an incredible selection of products, but sometimes you just can’t find the right gift for that special someone. Whether it’s a birthday present, holiday gift, employee reward, a gift to celebrate a special occasion, or a simple gesture of appreciation, an Amazon.com Gift Card is the perfect present. Amazon.com Gift Cards are redeemable toward millions of items at Amazon.com and never, ever expire."


PS - More BIG news coming Monday - watch your email inbox!

Christmas JOY

Oh, what fun our first Christmas Facebook co-op has been! We focused on JOY this year, and what an amazing international gathering we have enjoyed over the past four weeks. Follow this link to visit our Facebook page, and take a few minutes to scroll down through our Christmas co-op posts and comments. The daily exchanges have included Scriptures, craft ideas, recipes, daily joy reflections, and wonderful photos from around the world—and it has been AMAZING! Thanks to all who participated in the co-op, and stay tuned . . . we’ll be having another co-op in the months ahead!

I pray that you all have a very blessed Christmas, and that you find time to focus on the JOY of Christ’s birth and God’s faithfulness. I’ll be celebrating His birth here on the mountain, enjoying the company of family and friends, and giving thanks for Emmanuel!

Starting Monday, we begin our gigantic 12 Days of Christmas Sale here at USAB! All I can tell you right now is that you will love the specials AND the very VERY special giveaway—you will NOT want to miss this one!

Merry Christmas,

Amanda B.

Triple Chocolate Delights

Triple Chocolate Delights

3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
¾ cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ½ cups dried canberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped roasted salted macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift first 3 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add both sugars and beat until blended. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla. Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended. Using spatula, stir in cranberries, all chocolate chips, and nuts.

For large cookies, drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheets, spacing 21/2 inches apart. For small cookies, drop dough by level tablespoonfuls onto sheets, spacing 11/2 inches apart.

Bake cookies until just golden, about 18 minutes for large cookies and about 15 minutes for small cookies. Cool on sheets. Do ahead Can be made ahead. Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.

Yield: 36 servings

Thank you Elizabeth Brandt for this award-winning, mouth-watering recipe!

Do you have a recipe to share, leave it in comments section.  Come visit us on Facebook this week for more  Christmas inspiration.

It's Time for Christmas Reading & Listening

It's not too late to spend some time enjoying Christmas reading (and listening) with your family!

Before and After Christmas: Activities and Ideas for Advent and Epiphany, by Debbie Trafton O'Neal. Published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Looking for ways to add meaning to the season---from Advent through Epiphany? Here's an
idea-a-day! Activities, service projects, crafts, recipes, worship plans, stories, and more.

The Step-By-Step Bible: A Panoramic Journey Through God’s Word, by V. Gilbert Beers. Published by Chariot Victor Publishing.

Outstanding illustrations, and a wonderful telling of the events of the Bible in chronological order with scripture references and more. Grades K–3.

Silent Night, Holy Night: The Story Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carol, (Traditions of Faith from Around the World), by Myrna Strasser. Published by Zonderkidz.

Introduce your children to the touching story behind "Silent Night"! Learn how a moonlit visit to a humble woodcutter's cottage inspired the immortal words to the best-loved Christmas carol. Telling how the song quickly spread throughout Germany, this tenderly illustrated tale will be a family favorite year after year. Ages 4 to 8.

From Heaven Above: A Christmas Carol, by Martin Luther. Published by Concordia Publishing House.

The favorite Christmas hymns by Martin Luther, "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come" and "Welcome to Earth, O Noble Guest," serve as the text for this Christmas picture book. You're invited to come to Bethlehem and hear the angel's announcement that the Messiah, the Savior of the world, has been born. A melodic book, it captivates children with the drama and the excitement of this amazing night. Adults, also, will welcome the opportunity to tell of the birth of Christ, the fulfillment of God's Promise to send His people a Savior. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

A Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long--CDs and SongbookCrunching snow and woolen scarves, rosy cheeks and joyful voices---warm your hearts and homes with an old-fashioned caroling party! Ideal for church groups, shut-in visits, and fun family get-togethers, it includes two songbooks and 25 Christmas favorites on two CDs.

Please come and visit us on our Facebook and Pinterest pages for more ideas and inspiration during this blessed Christmas week!

It's Christmas Week!

Good morning, friends! Welcome to our Christmas Unit Study Facebook Co-op, the final week! 

We 've enjoyed how you have shared your experiences during the Christmas Unit Study Adventure. Book suggestions, craft ideas, and even cute dittys... Thank you for sharing the JOY in this journey with us!

Keep visiting us as we share this Christmas week together.  We'll have more ideas, inspiration and even some BIG news that you do not want to miss later in the week...

Blessings,

Amanda B.

 

This Week's Learning Objectives:



Understanding the nature of the relationship between Herod and the wise men


Grasping King David‘s connection to Jesus


Tracing the flight of the new family to safety in Egypt


Following the history of the celebration of Christmas

Looking for the Perfect Gift - We have 3 USAB Coupons for You!

Give them a gift that lasts . . . lasting memories, lasting knowledge, and lasting fun!


Are you still searching for the perfect gift?  Let us help you with this Giveaway - 3 USAB Gift Coupons!  $7.95 - Download N Go Unit, $8.95 - Passport Geography Unit, $10.95 - a 4 Week Unit Study Adventure Unit!

USAB gift coupons are a great gift idea. Please note that they are not gift certificates, which can carry a balance from one purchase to another, but must be used during one checkout process. They can be used to purchase any of the value-packed studies USAB offers.

Some benefits of unit studies:

• Students learn more detailed information with an in-depth study of a topic. Capturing a child's natural curiosity with many exciting themes to choose from opens up the path to deeper understanding and better retention.
• Unit studies encourage the use of imagination, creativity, and thinking skills. The basic subjects are covered while reinforcing other academic abilities.
• The topic studied is perceived as a whole instead of bits and pieces scattered throughout their education. They are not likely to forget what they have learned and experienced!
• It's a fun way to learn and bring the whole family together!

If you have any questions about how USAB gift coupons work, please contact Customer Service.

 

“If we can teach our children with interesting materials, challenging them to think, reason, analyze and dig deeper for further information, we will find them to be well-educated and ready to move on to a lifetime of challenge and questions and adventure.” —Amanda Bennett