Autumn Learning & Crockpot Applesauce

Many of you are now at least a week or two into the new school year, and your days are transitioning from summer social calendars to autumn events and scheduling school hours. I know how that feels, with plenty of changes in the works, and the responsibility of teaching your children weighing heavily as you begin this new year. In the midst of it all, if you're like me, you are beginning to pull out the autumn-scented candles, decorations, and a sweatshirt or two. It's molasses cookie and apple pie season, along with time for Crockpot cooking of applesauce and banana bread baking. Busy times, and so many memories to be made!

One of the first things that I learned as a homeschool mom was the importance of connecting learning to the seasons that were going on just outside the window. While I could immerse them in all kinds of learning that was strictly focused on books, memorization, and test-taking, that wasn't what grabbed their attention and left them wanting to know more. Their interest was focused on the outdoors with each change of the season, and that is natural and a great springboard for learning. Captivate them, encourage their curiosity, build up creativity., and connect it all to things that are happening in this season of their lives.

Remember this, please. Work with what is right in front of you, and you'll capture their interest. With topics like autumn, trees, baseball, football, soccer, and digital photography, you won't have to look far to find one topic that they are interested in. Build on that interest. Simple learning simply lasts. Enjoy these days, and go on Autumn Treasures' nature walks each day with your child. So much to see out there, and to see it through the eyes of your child is such a gift!

Blessings,
Amanda B.

P.S. - Wish you could be here in the kitchen with me to smell this delicious applesauce that is simmering in my slow cooker! Here's the recipe I'm using, if you want to try it out at your house: Crock Pot Applesauce (I add a pinch of ground cloves to give it a bit more sparkle!).

April Surprises and Priorities

Rain + kids = so much fun!

I don’t know about you, but some of our favorite memories of raising our kids come from those rainy days when there was no lightning, just tons of big, fat, juicy raindrops and three kids with umbrellas and rain boots.

Living in Florida, we had surprise afternoons of rain that were perfect for these kinds of adventures. They would play on the sidewalk, building dams and splashing through any and all puddles that they could find–my fearless explorers.

That these times were so memorable had something to do with the element of surprise and spur of the moment freedom. They involved no electronics or planning–they could just go outside and play. I have learned so much from our kids, and one of the most important lessons was the importance of going with the flow and living with a bit of spontaneity, seizing the day for all it is worth.

As much comfort as we gain from plans and planners, don’t lose site of the goal. One of my favorite quotes about raising kids and having fun came from the famous baseball player, Harmon Killebrew:

“My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard.
Mother would come out and say, ‘You're tearing up the grass.’
‘We're not raising grass,’ Dad would reply. ‘We're raising boys.’”

The cure for cabin fever....unit study-style!

I don't know about you, but I'm already counting down the days to spring.  For many of us, it's cold and snowy, and aside from some sledding and snowman-building, time spent outside has been limited! Cabin fever has set in!

We have the cure for your cabin fever......fun titles your students are sure to enjoy and that will take everyone's minds off the cold weather.

Regularly $10.95
Now $5
Sale ends 1/31/11

From Unit Study Adventures, take off with our 4-week Space unit study. 

This unit study will help your children begin to see just how vast the universe is and how amazing God's creations are. From studying the early astronomers to the men and women who have traveled into space, learning about our solar system and galaxies, and so much more -- the study of space opens up a child's world as well as their imagination and curiosity about everything that is in the night sky. 

Regularly $10.95
Now $5
Sale ends 1/31/11

Also from Unit Study Adventures, the Scrapbooking unit study will inspire creativity for you and your students.  Scrapbook your unit studies, or spend some time scrapbooking photos from Christmas, that last birthday party, or last summer's vacation. If you're like me, all of those pictures remain on your hard drive, loosely organized.  Are you  surprised to find out that there were famous scrapbookers, like Mark Twain and President Grover Cleveland? Learn the history of scrapbooking while preserving your precious memories with this 4-week unit study!

Regularly $10.95

Now $5

Sale ends 1/31/11

We have one more Unit Study Adventures title that will really have your crew looking forward to spring....spring traing, that is! Our 4-week unit study, Baseball, will not only excite the sports-lover in your house, it will also teach them more geography, history, and science that you can imagine. So, batter up, you're sure to score with this one!

Regularly $28
Now $20
Sale ends 1/31/11

From Download N Go, our Cabin Fever Fun Pack is sure to keep everyone busy learning, creating, and having fun!  With 4-one week unit studies, this fun pack will just about get you to spring! Titles in this bundle include:

Winter Wonders

Expedition Canada

Magnificent Moon

Hoppin' Popcorn

From winter nature walks, to phases of the moon, the arctic tundra to cornfield mazes, there's so much to do and see with this engaging fun pack!


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New Release: Tremendous Trees!

Our latest release, Tremendous Trees, is ready for you in the Schoolhouse Store, at an introductory price of 20% off!  As the leaves change colors and fall, autumn is the perfect time to study trees!

Many childhood dreams are found amid dirt, roots, leaves, seeds, and branches. Remember berry picking, tire swings, “maple seed” helicopters, tree forts, and wildflower bouquets? Trees bring out the kid in us and hold many treasures—from the tallest to the smallest!

Unfold a canopy of delightful learning and adventure within the pages of this newest title from the Download N Go™ Series . . .

Tremendous Trees

One week of hands-on learning adventures for kids from K – 4th grade and up.

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

There’s a thoughtful reason to celebrate the season at this beautiful time of year! Embark on a fun living and learning opportunity right now in your own home and neighborhood! You’ll find this information simply amazing! From roots to leaves to tree rings, children will research fascinating facts and encounter scientific incentives to learn about trees, keeping them encouraged to learn more.

Wouldn’t it be fun to hop on the Internet Express and take a tour of the amazing world of trees? Trees happen to be one of the most useful things in the world that God created, and they can be amusing too! Take a close look at these diverse and marvelous gifts to us while traveling through some beautiful countries around the world!

The daily journey is filled with high-interest fun in an interactive format:

• Day 1: Trees—What Are They?
• Day 2: Getting to Know Trees
• Day 3: Trees Provide Many Gifts
• Day 4: The Science of Trees
• Day 5: Cool Things About Trees

With this unit study/lapbook, your child will learn all about the Tree of the Day and Trees in the Bible while investigating many interesting facets of trees! There are games, map work, crafts, and a plethora of teacher-recommended Internet links, resources, and information! Learn about the tree life cycle, major parts, different types, and even dendrochronology (that’s the process of dating trees through their rings)! Join in the fun and learn about trees, from the smallest species to the giant redwood, investigating both common and uncommon trees.

Many children dream of having their own tree house haven, and they’ll love investigating that fun area of this study. There’s even the opportunity to design their own dream tree house!

Your young nature enthusiasts will seek to answer thought-provoking questions like these:

• What’s the view like from the tallest treetop?
• How do leaves change colors?
• What do trees provide for us?
• What are the most unusual trees in the world?
• How can grafting produce magnificently shaped trees?
• What is the most important tree found in the Bible?
• What would happen if there were no trees?
• What is the most accurate way to measure a tree’s height?
• And so many more!

Each day, your child will explore and investigate the world of trees, creating and adding more learning components to his Tremendous Trees lapbook, building a wonderful reminder of all that he is learning, to be treasured for years to come. Enjoy your choice of Fun Family Ideasplus additional Learning Links and all lapbook components—ready to go! As a special reward, students will earn the Tremendous Trees Certificate of Completion at the end of the study!



For a limited time, you can purchase Tremendous Trees for the discounted price of  20% off!  Enjoy!

Chocolate Challenge is now available!!

Chocolate Challenge is ready in the store! AND....for 24 hours only (beginning right now until midnight Monday, August 2!), every 20th DNG purchaser will get their choice of another Download N Go or Amanda Bennett unit study (from www.unitstudy.com) absolutely FREE!!!

AND don't forget, that you can also save 20% on every bundle purchase AND get Summer Sensations for FREE until August 15!

AND Autumn Treasures is currently 50% off!

Back to Homeschool time has never been better!  Enjoy the savings!

Next Up...Chocolate Challenge!

It’s mouth-watering fun for everyone!

Delve into science discoveries, such as learning about
how chocolate comes from a bean pod–that makes it a vegetable, right?

Develop an understanding of the basics of how chocolate
is made and where it comes from.

Learn about rainforests and the ancient Maya and
Aztec uses of chocolate.

Research the amazing stories of some of the
world’s foremost chocolatiers!

Day 1: Chocolate – What is it?
Day 2: Chocolate – The Story
Day 3: Chocolate – The Types of Chocolate
Day 4: Chocolate – The Science of Chocolate
Day 5: Chocolate – Have a Chocolate Party!

There are lots of curious chocolate-loving kids out there waiting to shift into gear and dash into  Download N Go™ action! Take the  Chocolate Challenge, igniting their love of learning for a wonderful start to the new school year!




Available Soon!

Beat the Monday blues...

Ready to break the winter slush slump? :-)

JUST released - Whale Tales - the newest Download N Go title, and here's the link - check out some of the reviews:

http://downloadngo.com/WhaleTales.htm