Review: A Journey Through Learning

Do you enjoy lapbooking?  Have you ever even heard of lapbooking?  I discovered it many years ago and I've always thought it was a great way to learn.  A Journey Through Learning offers a multitude of lapbooks that you can use with your students.  I was given 4 lapbooks for this review and expected to complete just one, but we've actually finished two so I will share both.  We did Letters, Numbers and Shapes ,which is for ages 3-5 and The Earth, for grades 1-4.

A Journey Through Learning was created by two homeschooling moms, Nancy and Paula.  Take a moment to read their touching story.  If you are not familiar with lapbooking you may wish to watch these how to videos.

Letters, Numbers and Shapes is a 51 page pdf document with printable mini-books and activities to do with your younger children.  There are several booklets for tracing letters on the outside then copying the same letter under a flap on the inside, there is an ice cream cone triangle book, a firetruck rectangle book, number writing, a one-to-one correspondence activity with cards for matching numbers to objects, a booklet for matching capital and lowercase letters and more.

covers of the lapbooks Ellie and Connor made

You could choose to complete a booklet each day and have enough for about 4 school weeks.  We chose to just keep working on several books at a time and had this completed in about a week.  The end of the e-book contains 9 pages of finger plays, letter activities, poems, things to do with letters, learning about shapes with food.  There are lots of fun ideas in here to keep you busy for much longer.

a completed lapbook with the idea sheets that are also included

Connor matching capital and lowercase letters

cards to math numbers with objects

One of the things I really love about A Journey Through Learning is they provide you with an exact placement guide for each booklet in your lapbook.  You don't have to try to figure out what fits where! 

Here is a clip of part of the placement guide for this lapbook:

Add caption

The Earth lapbook is designed for your first to fourth grader.  It is an excellent introduction to Earth Science or would make a great go along for whatever Earth Science curriculum you are using.

The Earth is a 42 page e-book with directions for completing the lapbook, then each lapbook mini-book is accompanied by a page of text. No outside sources are needed to complete the lapbook.  There are 14 mini-books, a book list along with some songs, poems and crafts are included as well. 

The cover of Emma's lapbook

This is the cover of a layers of the earth booklet

and the inside of the same booklet

Part of the completed lapbook shown with the placement diagram that is included.

The Earth lapbook covers layers of the earth, types of rocks, landforms, seasons, mountains, volcanoes and more.

One thing I wanted to mention is that in the poem section there is a poem by Jane Yolen called Earth Day that starts out, "I am the earth, the earth is me." It's a little pantheistic for me, but it's not really a part of the study and you certainly wouldn't have to read it.  This would not prevent me from purchasing the study, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Overall, we had a good time with these lapbooks and will likely complete more in the future.  These lapbooks are especially fun for kids who enjoy crafts and making projects.

You can purchase Letters, Numbers and Shapes for $13 (as a download...see the link for more options) and The Earth is also available for $13 as a download and $21 printed.

A Journey Through Learning offers lapbooks to go along with Jeannie Fulbright's Apologia Titles, Classical Conversations and many more! They also have Express Lapbooks for only $1!

See what others are saying about A Journey Through Learning on the crew blog.

Stick with it Saturday

This was not a good workout week.  It was a busy week, my back hurt, I had a heavy cycle...just really needed a bit of a break I think.  I did start wearing my pedometer again and I want to try getting 10,000 steps in every day like I used to.  I also sit on a stability ball all the time now.  Although it's not the same as running or doing Jillian Michaels I do think little things help.

The scale isn't moving and I'm trying not to stress about it.  Sometimes it is easier than others.


Sunday-
No workout.  It's really hard for me to find time to workout on Sundays.


Monday-

I did some push-ups (girl style...some on my knees and some on my stability ball)
A friend let me borrow her rebounder and I did over 10 minutes (not all at once on that)


Tuesday-

Rebounding- 15 minutes


Wednesday-
Another day...no workout


Thursday-
No workout...didn't mean to not do one.  Oops

Friday-
I didn't do an official workout but I jumped on the trampoline some, did some push ups and some squats.




Goals for the upcoming week: Eat the Trim Healthy Mama Way and exercise at least 4 times this week.  I really hope to get back to it this week...hopefully my back will cooperate.

Link up your own diet/exercise post over at Sam's Noggin. 

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 6

This is my 6th week of Trim Healthy Mama.  Still not really seeing any results on the scale, but I have a few new ideas for upcoming weeks.  Well, I can't say that I'm not seeing results for sure since I am trying to stay off the scale.  Not weighing scares me....it will be OK, it will be OK. :)  I am trying to focus on the changes I am making that are for my health and not panicking over not losing anything right now.  I really want to be losing though...

Friday
Workout: Sprint Intervals

Breakfast- (FP) Cinnamon Muffin in a Bowl, 3/4 cup Greek O% yogurt
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (S) Tossed Salad with Poached Salmon, Romano Cheese, 1 T. nuts, 1 1/2 T. EVOO and balsamic vinegar (my new favorite lunch) and some pudding (PB Gluccomannan)
Snack- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl- Dollop of 0% Greek Yogurt and Gwen's Berry Syrup
Supper- (FP maybe to S)  I made a stir fry of shiritake noodles, broccoli, a 3 oz piece of steak, egg whites, a little butter and oil and seasonings.  Quite Yummy!  Next time I will add some peanut flour.
Snack- Muffin in a Bowl (yes another one...I have to stop that, but it's really good.)  Also ate some pudding.

Saturday
No workout

Breakfast- (S) Coconut Porridge, Dollop of Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Lunch- (S) Salad with 2 Steamed Eggs (in a bit of grass fed butter), Romano, 1.5 tsp. EVOO, balsamic (Look Pearl NO NUTS!)
Snack-Greek 0% yogurt with 1 tsp. each of cocoa and pb flour, sweetener and Reddi Whip
Supper-I went to a bridal shower...didn't eat before I left and the only thing there on plan was peppers and tomatoes...I also had a few blueberries and strawberries.

I came home STARVING.

I made (S) zucchini noodles which I cooked in a tiny bit of coconut oil then put some lowfat cottage cheese (not too much), some fresh Romano and a little sugar free sauce on it.  YUM!  Then I had a (S) Volcano Mudslide Muffin in a Mug with a large spoonful of Greek yogurt and some berry syrup.
Snack- (FP) Gluccie Pudding

I really don't feel that I ate enough today....or not enough healthy food...needed more protein I think.  I don't feel very satisfied.  The evening thing was my fault for not planning ahead well enough.  It was very disappointing that EVERY single dish that was at the potluck bridal shower I went to was a crossover. Most had pasta in them!  I "could" have brought something I could eat (either to share or just to eat) but due to lack of planning I just didn't.  I ate my lunch really late so I wasn't hungry when I left and the shower lasted 2 and 1/2 hours.

Really needed something to much so finished the day with Kale chips with light oil.  I then made myself a small amount a skinny chocolate.  I definitely have PMS...ugh

And I've totally changed my mind...ate way too much tonight for sure.  Note to self: plan better!


Sunday-
No workout.  It's really hard for me to find time to workout on Sundays.

Breakfast- (FP) Greek 0% Yogurt, protein powder and Stevia sweetened maple syrup
Snack- (S) a handful of nuts and string cheese
Lunch- (S) Pot Roast, Green Beans, Roasted Radishes
Supper-(S) Tossed Salad with 2 Eggs, EVOO, balsamic vinegar, Romano cheese
Snack- Square of dark chocolate (85%), Nighty Night Custard with a bit of Gwen's Berry syrup
I had a muffin in a bowl later before bed because I was hungry...oh and few meringues after they came out of the oven.

Monday-
Workout
I did some push-ups (girl style...some on my knees and some on my stability ball)
A friend let me borrow her rebounder and I did over 10 minutes (not all at once on that)

Breakfast- (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes, Greek 0% Yogurt and Gwen's Berry Syrup
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (S but very light...almost FP) Tossed Salad with 1 tsp. EVOO, balsamic vinegar, 1 T. parm cheese, greens, cucumber, tomato and Salmon then I had a (FP) Muffin in a Bowl with a spoonful of yogurt and Gwen's Berry syrup
Supper-(S) Chicken, Broccoli with Butter, (FP) Muffin in a Bowl for dessert and a (S) Square of Dark Chocolate
Snack-(FP) Nighty Night Custard with Raspberry Compote

Feeling dissatisfied today with what I'm eating.  I want to munch.

Tuesday-

Rebounding- 15 minutes

Breakfast- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl made in waffle iron, Greek 0% yogurt, Gwen's Berry Syrup
Lunch-(S) Salmon Salad with lots of S goodies and Skinny Chocolate
Supper- (FP) Creamy Vegetable Soup with some poached chicken and (S)Skinny Chocolate
Snack- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl and (FP)Joseph's Crackers with a Light Laughing Cow Cheese


I can't have a full batch of Skinny Chocolate on hand, especially when it's the first day of my cycle....I eat it.


Wednesday- Making this an FP day

Breakfast- (FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Snack-(FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch-(FP) Creamy Vegetable Soup with 3 oz chicken
Snack-(FP) Gluccie Pudding
Supper- (FP)Konjac Noodles with egg whites and cabbage
Dessert-(FP) Muffin in a Bowl with Greek yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Snack- (FP) Joseph's Crackers with Laughing Cow Cheese and cucumber...some pudding too



Thursday-
No workout...didn't mean to not do one.  Oops

Breakfast- (S) Serene's Steamed Eggs, 1 Brazil Nut and 1 tiny piece of skinny chocolate that I didn't scarf down the other day
Lunch- (E) 1/2 Sweet Potato with 1 tsp. coconut oil, broiled salmon, Reese's whip for dessert because I was still hungry
Supper-(S) Large Tossed Salad with a sprinkle of nuts,EVOO, and Parmesan and a Joseph's Pita Pizza
Dessert-(FP) Muffin in a Bowl with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Snack- (S) Strawberries with Skinny Chocolate

Low-Carb Red "Potato" Salad

Did you know that you can cook radishes?  Many years ago I once tried a recipe for sauteed radishes that were pretty good, but I kind of forgot about them.  Since starting Trim Healthy Mama I have been looking for low-carb dishes.  Someone on the THM Facebook mentioned using radishes in place of potatoes in recipes...specifically adding them to crockpot recipes like a roast.  I tried this on Sunday but I didn't put the radishes in soon enough and they were still hard, but definitely had potential.

So, I was thinking of making a mock potato salad for Easter.  Yesterday I followed this recipe for boiled radishes and made my the salad the way I normally would.  It's pretty good though I wish I had cooked the radishes a bit longer.  If you are craving potato salad, but you don't want to eat potatoes, I highly suggest you give this a try.

Menu Plan Monday

This is my sixth week of Trim Healthy Mama. I am listing my supper meals by day and ideas for breakfast, lunch and snacks below.  I'm kind of in a rut right now. I will probably tweak this a bit with some E meals since I didn't really plan too many.

Monday: (S) Chicken, Broccoli

Tuesday: (S) Basic Quiche and Salad

Wednesday: (S) Tilapia, Vegetables, Potatoes (for the kids)

Thursday: Spaghetti for the family (Zucchini Noodles for me)

Friday: Homemade Pizza (kids)- FP( Joseph's Pita Pizza for me)

Saturday: (S) Tacos (I'll probably have some taco meat in a salad or a wonder wrap.)

Sunday: Easter Dinner


Breakfast: (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes (2), (S) Serene's Steamed Omega Sensations, (FP) Cookie Bowl Oatmeal, (FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps

Lunch: (S) Salad with Salmon or Eggs, (FP) Konjac Noodles and Cabbage, (FP) WW Vegetable Soup with a lean protein source, (FP) Wonder Wraps with Salmon or Chicken and Light Laughing Cow Cheese

Snacks: (FP) Pudding, (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa,(S) Skinny Chocolate, (FP) Muffin in a Bowl,  (FP) Nighty Night Custard, (FP) Meringues

Link up your own menu plan at orgjunkie.com.  (Or just find great ideas from other bloggers that share their menus.) This week is found here.

Stick with it Saturday

I've now been eating the Trim Healthy Mama way for 5 weeks. The scale isn't budging and I'm not back down to my lowest weight (I'm about 4 lbs from my lowest...sigh.)  But, I am committed to keeping on trying.....

Workouts for the week:

Sunday: No official workout but I had nursery duty in church last night so I had the kids doing jumping jacks and hopping on one foot with me...and some other exercises.  Couldn't hurt. :)

Monday:

Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Did Level 1 with 5 lb weights (when I first did it I used 3 lb weights....5 lbs seems so much heavier!)  But this workout was so much easier than when I started it. I could hardly finish the first set of jumping jacks...now the cardio part is all pretty easy on this level. (LOVE seeing progress)

I also did 50 Jumping Jacks while Katie was practicing the organ in the afternoon.  Every little bit helps!

Oh, and on a side note.  I have been seeing a chiropractor for about the last month of so and my lower back is SO much better.  I couldn't lie on the floor before without a folded blanket under me...now?  no problem!

Tuesday:

Totally Transverse workout (core strengthening) and some squats throughout the day.


Wednesday:

Totally Transverse workout, some jump rope (not much), using a small ball to squeeze between the knees and Stability Ball Squats

Thursday: No workout

Friday: Sprint Intervals (outside with my 18 year old daughter...I felt old and slow!)

Today: No workout....got up late and had a busy day.



Goals for the upcoming week: Eat the Trim Healthy Mama Way and exercise at least 4 times this week.

Link up your own diet/exercise post over at Sam's Noggin. 

(There isn't one posted so this links to last week.)

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 5

This is my 5th week of Trim Healthy Mama. Still enjoying it though I wish I was seeing more results on the scale.

Friday

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Level 3-Day 2

Breakfast-(FP) Chia Tapioca
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (FP) Wonder Wraps with turkey, lettuce, tomato and laughing cow cheese, half a cucumber, Reese's Whip turned S by adding skinny chocolate and nuts
Supper-  (S) Pepper Crusted Salmon, Mashed Cauliflower
Snack- (S) Reese's Whip turned S by adding skinny chocolate and nuts

I was so hungry when I was trying to fall asleep that I got up and ate a Joseph's pita with leftover Cheeseburger Casserole...and a tiny bit of nuts.

Saturday

Woke up and weighed myself today.  I am extremely discouraged that the scale is going up.  I am trying to relax about it, but I am freaking out.


Breakfast- (E) Sweet Cinnamon Quinoa
Lunch- (S) Pepper Crusted Salmon, Mashed Cauliflower, Cucumber- Reese's Whip with nuts and Skinny Chocolate
Supper- (S) Corned Beef, Cabbage
Snack- (S) Reese's Whip with nuts and Skinny Chocolate


Sunday-

No official workout but I had church nursery duty on Sunday night so I had the kids doing jumping jacks and other exercises with me.

Breakfast- (FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps stuffed with Greek 0 % Yogurt and Berries
Snack-(FP) about 1/2 of a Chia Pudding
Lunch- (FP) Egg White Wraps with Laughing Cow Cheese and Salmon (yum)
Supper- (S) Greek 0% Yogurt with cocoa, peanut flour, sweetener, FF Reddi Whip, Skinny Chocolate and 1 T. peanuts (I measured because I want to make sure I am not overdoing it with nuts.  I'm not going to be eating any nuts at night any more either.)
Snack-(FP) Joseph's Crackers with 1 Light Laughing Cow Cheese and Nighty Night Hot Custard

Monday-

50 jumping jacks while Katie practiced the organ

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Level 1- WOW have I improved since I first started on this.  I upped it to 5 lbs weights.

Breakfast- (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Lunch- (light S) Poached Salmon on a salad lightly dressed with EVOO, balsamic vinegar, a little fresh grated Romano
Snack-(FP) Glucomannan Pudding Parfait (PB banana and Chocolate) with FF Reddi Whip
Supper-(FP) Sweet and Spicy Asian Stir Fry over Shirataki Noodles ended dinner with (S) skinny chocolate and a bit of Butterscotch Gluccie Pudding
Snack-(FP) Nighty Night Hot Custard with Lemon Compote and more pudding....


Tuesday-

Totally Transverse  and some squats also using a small exercise ball to squeeze between the knees...3 sets of 10

Today is my 45th birthday.  I plan to be good...but not that good. :)  I am celebrating the fact that I am thinner and healthier than I've been in over 20 years! This day will be all S!

Breakfast- Serene's Steamed Omega 3's in grass fed butter and yes some skinny chocolate too. (It's my birthday!)
Lunch- Poached Salmon over salad greens, cucumbers, tomato, EVOO, balsamic, a handful of nuts and Romano cheese- Gluccie Pudding parfait
Supper- Lobster Salad over Green salad with EVOO and vinegar.  Skinny Chocolate
Snack- Cake in a Mug ,Skinny Chocolate (and a few bites of chicken that I had cooked for the fridge.

I ate entirely too much Skinny Chocolate today, but considering it was my birthday I don't think I did that bad.  At least I didn't eat this.

Wednesday-

Totally Transverse, small exercise ball to squeeze between the knees...3 sets of 10, did a bit of jump roping today and Stability Ball Squats


Breakfast- (FP) Chia Tapioca
Lunch- (S) Large Tossed Salad with Baked Chicken, EVOO, balsamic and Romano Cheese and a handful of nuts, Skinny Chocolate and some Gluccie Pudding
Supper- (E) All Day Lentil Soup and an apple...first one I've had since THM!
Snack- (S) Skinny Chocolate, Lemon Pudding and Muffin in a Bowl

WAY too much food for a snack....so full I feel sick. Why did I do this??

Thursday-

No workout

Breakfast- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl-0% Greek Yogurt with Gwen's Berry Syrup (Healthy and Yummy!)
Lunch- (S) Salad with Salmon, EVOO, balsamic and Romano cheese, 1 T. nuts and some butterscotch gluccie pudding
Supper-(S) Went out to eat for my birthday with my BFF...got the salad bar at a local steak house. It was an S meal.  I "think" everything I had was OK.
Snack-(FP) Joseph's crackers with a Light Laughing Cow cheese and some Gluccie pudding


I haven't weighed myself in a couple of days but the last time I got on the scale it had gone down some so I was happy to see that.  I am trying not to obsess over the scale, so I'm not weighing every day.  I've made some tweaks to the way I am eating based on some suggestions Pearl gave me...more salads for lunch (which I am loving) and eating FP snacks and laying off the nuts and heavier snacks at night.

This was not an intense workout week.  Feeling kind of bad about that...I "think" it's OK though.

Read Aloud Challenge

Well, I haven't posted one of these in a while....because there really was nothing to say.  For the past couple of weeks we started up with Five in a Row again and doing unit studies....so I am reading to the younger kids.


This week we are doing Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco with a unit study guide from Homeschool Share.  I love Homeschool Share.  If you are looking for something fun to do with your elementary kids check them out.  Everything is FREE!

Besides Rechenka's Eggs we've read, Count Your Way Through Russia, Chicken Sunday (another Patricia Polacco book and a book about Russia.  I have some other books out of the library about chickens and eggs that we will be reading this week too. (I just picked them up at the library tonight.)

Tonight I started reading Grammar Land by M. L. Nesbitt.  This is free on Google and so far I like it.  (Also using these free worksheets to go along)

I also read some picture books to my youngest children this morning, Goodnight Gorilla, Hippos Go Berserk, and Goodnight Moon.

I wish I had more hours in my day to read to the kids.  I am happy that we are at least reading something though.  Sorry there are no pictures....too tired to take any pictures or clip any from the internet!


Want some reading inspiration?  Visit Footprints in the Butter for this week's challenge to see what others are reading.

100 Bible Verses in 2013: Weeks 11 & 12

I am all caught up on my verses in 100 Bible Verses in 2013 using Robert Morgan's book 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart which I am doing along with a Facebook group started by Shanna at Learning at His Feet.  I didn't do a blog post this week for my verses so I decided to combine 2 weeks into one post.  Three of the 4 verses are consecutive so I am putting them in one picture even though they were spread over 2 weeks of learning...so it actually worked out good that I waited.

Scripture Memory Resources:

LOVE Scripture Typer online (free) and the app ($5.99)

Well Versed Bible Memory Assistant 

scripture memory system box

Bible Truth Music
A Holy Experience blog

photo courtesy of Laura Shrek at rgbstock.com

Goal Planning Monday

Here is this week's Goal Planning Monday post at Mama Manuscripts. I haven't posted in 2 weeks but here is how I did:

Goals from last time:

1. Taxes!!!  (Finally done!)

2. Exercise 4-5 times this week. (YES!)

3. Work on my blog (Did some this week. I hadn't felt much like blogging.)

4. Continue with my Journible and Scripture Memory verses. (YES!)

That was all I set out to do 2 weeks ago.

Goals for this week:

1. Exercise 4-5 times this week.

2. Pre-write my upcoming reviews.

3. Continue with my Journible and Scripture Memory verses.

4. Hem curtains for church nursery.

5. Sew sink skirt for church nursery.

6. Spend some time cleaning my closet.

7. Maybe get back to some Fly Lady.

8. Have fun with the kids doing lots of projects etc. for school.

I think I'll be happy if I get this stuff done.

Menu Plan Monday

This is my fifth week of Trim Healthy Mama. I am listing my supper meals by day and ideas for breakfast, lunch and snacks below.

Monday: (FP) Sweet and Spicy Asian Stir Fry with Shiratake noodles (Rice for everyone else)

Tuesday: My Birthday...going out to eat.  I'll probably get steak or lobster....

Wednesday: (S) Basic Quiche and Salad

Thursday: Spaghetti or Soup (My BFF is taking me out for my b-day)

Friday: (S) Pot Roast, Roasted Radishes, Green Fries

Saturday: (E) Balsamic Chicken, Quinoa and Broccoli

Sunday: leftovers


Breakfast: (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes (2), (S) Serene's Steamed Omega Sensations(2), (S) Coconut Porridge,(E) Savory Skillet Quinoa, (FP) Cookie Bowl Oatmeal

Lunch: (S) Salad with Salmon or Eggs, (FP) Konjac Noodles and Cabbage, (FP) WW Vegetable Soup with a lean protein source, (FP) Wonder Wraps with Salmon or Chicken and Light Laughing Cow Cheese

Snacks: (FP) Choco Pudding, (FP), Fat Stripping Frappa,(S) Skinny Chocolate, (S) Cake in a Mug,  (FP) Nighty Night Custard

Link up your own menu plan at orgjunkie.com.  (Or just find great ideas from other bloggers that share their menus.) This week is found here.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

Seems like life has been a little too crazy.  There are not enough hours in the day to do everything I have to do and do some things I want to do too.  I find myself frequently overwhelmed.  I got caught up on some blogging stuff AND finally got my taxes done. This was a huge relief.

In our homeschool this week…

This was our second week back with Five in a Row.  I just love Five in a Row.  This week we "rowed" Madeline.  We used the FIAR manual and the Madeline unit from Homeschool Share.

Lots of fun and learning going on here this week:

Connor and Sadie working on Touch Math

Ellie coloring Madeline pages

Some of the pages from our Madeline study

I also bought this fun magnet kit this week.
The kids love it.

I’m cooking…

This isn't exactly cooking, but my favorite snack right now is this "Reese's Whip".  I take Greek 0% yogurt and add about a tsp. each of cocoa and peanut flour with some sweetener (I like Xylitol and Truvia)...mix it together...give it a squirt of Fat Free Reddi Whip, a few peanuts and some "skinny chocolate" (a recipe from Trim Healthy Mama)....and YUM!!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

I just love this picture of Connor.  He is so proud of himself and the work he has done. (and he should be!)

Don't mind the messy face. :)

Link up your own Homeschoool Mother's Journal post.

Touch Math for Pre-K

For the past few weeks my younger children have been using the Pre-K level of Touch Math.

Touch Math generously provided me with all 6 pre-school units and 3 different fun manipulatives; Touch Shapes,  3-D Numerals, and Texture Cards.

Touch Math Texture Cards and 3-D Numerals

Touch Math Pre-K includes:

• 90 Student Activity Sheets
• Implementation guide
• Six module guides complete with strategies and answer keys
• Pre-and Post tests for each module

Touch Math uses a multi-sensory approach.  Students see, say, hear and touch manipulatives and do paper and pencil activities.  This was very easy to prepare (just print out) and everything is laid out step by step.  There are pre-activities for each worksheet (or group of worksheets) and instructions in the teacher pages for each worksheet.  I printed out the worksheets as we went but I think in the future I am going to print out an entire module at a time and put them in a notebook since I tend to misplace things.

Sadie (3) completing a sorting activity with the Touch Shapes

Connor doing a Touch Shapes activity

This has been a wonderful curriculum not only for my 2 pre-school age children but for my son with Down syndrome who is older and hasn't really been able to grasp math yet.  He is making slow progress with this and I am THRILLED. This is the first time he seems to be grasping the idea of one to one correspondence.  YAY!

Connor...so proud of his work!

The 230 page pdf curriculum is divided into 6 modules. Each module has 15 workmats (worksheets that you print, but they refer to them as workmats.)  I really like these.  They are not only great for activities, but the kids enjoy coloring them too. They are all black and white which is nice for saving on ink.

Each workmat is aligned to a Common Core Standard if that matters to you.  (It doesn't to me.)  Answer keys are also found in the same module for each workmat.   A progress monitoring sheet is included if you like that sort of thing for record keeping.

I really like how the teacher pages (Instructional Strategies) lay out everything including scripted dialogue, pre-activities and instructions for each worksheet.

Here are a couple of clips from the Instructional Strategies:

The six modules include:
Counting and Number Sense
Comparing and Classifying
Sorting, Classifying, Graphing and Patterning
Identifying, Sorting and Classifying 2-D Shapes
Identifying, Sorting and Classifying 3-D Shapes and Coins
Representing Quantities and Numbers


Touch Math recommends you spend 2 to 2 1/2 times the learner's developmental age per day.  So a young child is only going to be spending less than 10-15 minutes each day building skills.  (love this!)

The Touch Shapes are definitely needed to start with this program.  Several of the workmats and activities require the use of the shapes.  (I guess you "could" make your own shapes with paper but if you're like me you never will.  Just go ahead and order them...that is my advice!)

The Texture Cards and 3-D Numerals are not needed early on, but would make a wonderful addition to the workmats (and are used in later modules.)  The 3-D Numeral set comes with the plastic numbers and a CD-ROM of printable worksheets to go along with them.  The worksheets also match the Texture Cards.

One last picture of Connor after completing a workmat.

I guess I've never really thought about purchasing a Pre-K math curriculum but now that we are using one I can see the value in it and I really like Touch Math and will consider continuing on with it when we finish the 6 modules of the Pre-K program.

View sample pages.

Purchase:
Touch Math Pre-K $59.95
Touch Shapes $30.00
3-D Numerals $79.00
Texture Cards $99.00




See what others are saying about Touch Math (various levels) on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

Stick with it Saturday

I've now been eating the Trim Healthy Mama way for 4 weeks. Unfortunately, I am not seeing results on the scale but I have seen some changes with the measuring tape (2.5" off my abdomen in the last 2 months). So, I'll take it.  If you read the post I wrote yesterday about Trim Healthy Mama you can read an article I linked there about BMI and fat vs. muscle.

Workouts for the week:

Sunday: None

Monday:   Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Day 1 of Level 3

Tuesday: Sprint Intervals (I run and walk in about 70 yard intervals)

Wednesday: Sprint Intervals

Thursday: The Spew (from THM book) this involves squats, lunges, jumping lunges and jump squats

Friday: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Day 2 of Level 3

Today: Not sure...might take the day off...



Goals for the upcoming week: Eat the Trim Healthy Mama Way and exercise 4-5 times this week.

Link up your own diet/exercise post over at Sam's Noggin. 

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 4

This is my 4th week of Trim Healthy Mama. I am happy eating the THM way....scale isn't moving but I have lost some inches so I think a combination of working out and eating a new way has the scale stuck but changes are happening so I will try to be content with that. I read an interesting article, Your BMI- is it fat or muscle? this week (with pictures) about this very thing.

Friday

Sprint intervals as described in the book (in the snow!)

Breakfast-(E) Trim Healthy Pancakes with (FP) Gwen's berry syrup
Lunch- (E) Sweet Potato and Poached Salmon and (FP) Choco Pudding for dessert
Snack- (FP)1/2 of a Fat Stripping Frappa made with 1/2 scoop of whey (strawberry-I definitely prefer chocolate)
Supper-(S) Fooled Ya Pizza
Snack- a few meringues, skinny chocolate

Saturday

No workout (not feeling very good today)

Breakfast- (FP) Sweetened Egg Wraps-stuffed with Greek yogurt and berries (heavenly)
Lunch- (S) Iceberg wedge salad with bacon and bleu cheese dressing (out to eat)
Snack-(S) Skinny Chocolate and some Mouth Watering Meringues
Supper-(FP) Loaded Fotato Soup, Mint Choco-Pudding (delicious!!)
Snack-(S) Almonds (FP) leftover breakfast...just before bed I was hungry so I had some 0% Greek yogurt, blueberries and Gwen's berry syrup


Sunday- (all FP)

No workout (very busy day at church)

Breakfast- Wonder Wraps (see yesterday's breakfast)
Snack- Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- Konjac noodles with cabbage, chicken, Laughing Cow cheese and a bit of egg white
Snack- Mint Choco pudding
Supper-2 Wonder Wraps with turkey, lettuce and tomato
Snack- meringues, Lemon mousse with blueberries, Joseph's crackers with a Laughing Cow Cheese and some mint choco-pudding (sounds like a lot but I was hungry....)

 Even after all of this I felt hungry in when I went to bed.

Monday-

30 Day Shred (Day 1 of Level 3)

Breakfast- (S) Serene's Steamed Omega 3s (3 eggs in coconut oil) and about 5 Almonds
Lunch- (S) Exotic Green Curry and Mint Skinny Chocolate (the best batch yet)
Snack- (FP) Earth Milk with Whey Protein and 1 T Chia seeds
Supper- (S) Creamy Crockpot Chicken, Zucchini "Noodles" and Broccoli, Skinny Chocolate, Choco-pudding
Snack-Joseph's Crackers, Laughing Cow Cheese and a tiny bit of Skinny Chocolate
Handful of nuts


Tuesday-

Sprint Intervals

Breakfast- Serene's Omega 3's and a slice of turkey bacon
Lunch- Pepper Crusted Salmon, Cauli-Rice
Supper-Cheeseburger Pie and cauli-rice
Snack- Cake in a Mug, Skinny Chocolate



Wednesday-

Sprint Intervals

Breakfast- Chocolate Decadence Kefir Whey Smoothie (accidental crossover)
Lunch-Wonder Wraps with turkey, lettuce and tomato and 1/2 cucumber
Snack- Mint-Choco pudding
Supper-Cheeseburger Pie and cauli-rice
Snack- 3 Brazil nuts, a few almonds, a handful of kale chips (no oil), 0% yogurt and berries

I've had some skinny chocolate throughout the day as well.


Thursday-

The Spew...a workout in the book...I am SORE!

Breakfast- TH pancakes with yogurt, berry syrup and blueberries
Lunch- Poached Salmon, Joseph's Pita with LCC, cucumber...then Greek 0% yogurt with cocoa and peanut flour...sweetened
Snack- a handful of nuts
Supper- Turkey burger in lettuce wrap, mashed cauliflower, roasted spaghetti squash (at Ruby Tuesday)
Snack-Another Reese's Whip...this time I added chopped skinny chocolate and a few peanuts


I needed more E this week.  Not sure why that didn't happen.

No Motivation

I haven't blogged in days and just haven't felt like it.  I think if I had an easier way to do pictures I would blog more.  I am hoping to be back next week with meal plans, goals for the week, a review or two and some pictures of what we are working on in school right now.

Have a great week!

Stick with it Saturday

I've now been eating the Trim Healthy Mama way for 3 weeks and I still love it. The food is so good.

Workouts for the week:

Sunday: None

Monday:   Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Day 8 of Level 2

Tuesday: None.  I had too much to do and never squeezed it in.  I hate that.  Poor planning more than anything!

Wednesday: Did my workout first thing.   Day 9 of Level 2  My lower back is bothering me a lot.

Thursday: Finished Level 2 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred

Friday: Sprint intervals (70 yards running and walking 8 times) in the snow....as described in the Trim Healthy Mama book.

Today: I think I'm taking a rest day today.  I'm tired and not feeling too great at the moment.  I'll do something later if I feel up to it, but no guilt if I don't.



Goals for the upcoming week: Eat the Trim Healthy Mama Way and exercise 4-5 times this week.

Link up your own diet/exercise post over at Sam's Noggin. 

100 Bible Verses in 2013-Week 10

I am once again caught up on all of my verses in 100 Bible Verses in 2013 using Robert Morgan's book 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart which I am doing along with a Facebook group started by Shanna at Learning at His Feet.  Last week I got a bit behind, but using Scripture Typer I was able to catch up again.  I love Scripture Typer so much I started a group with my church too.  I am pretty sure I would not be doing as well with the verses without it.

This week's verses:

Scripture Memory Resources:

Still enjoying Scripture Typer online (free) and the app ($5.99)

Well Versed Bible Memory Assistant 

scripture memory system box

Bible Truth Music
A Holy Experience blog

photo courtesy of Laura Shrek at rgbstock.com

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 3

This is my third week of Trim Healthy Mama.  I am starting to feel like eating this way is second nature.  It's not hard to do.  I can eat lots of yummy things (including chocolate) and I'm not hungry.  (I don't have to pay someone..and go get weighed in either!)

Friday

I couldn't find my 30 Day Shred DVD so I made up my own 20 minute workout in the same circuit style.

Breakfast-(FP) Chia Tapioca Pudding
Snack-(FP) Greek Yogurt 0% with about 1/4 cup blueberries
Lunch- (S) Exotic Green Curry Soup (WOW so healthy and delicious!) and
               (S) Easy Peasy Ginger Muffin (as a dessert)

I originally planned to have a Frappa in the afternoon.  I was going to be out for the afternoon/evening so I planned to have the Frappa on the road and pack food for later.  I was making up a batch of the chocolate nut slab and ate a handful of nuts and had NO appetite at all.  So I packed my food and didn't have my Frappa.  By the time 6:00 rolled around I really wasn't hungry but it had been 4 hours since I had eaten so I ate some of my soup (not much) and had some lemon mousse and a small ziplock bag of Kale chips. On the ride home I ate 2 small pb. cookies.

Supper- (S) Hearty Red Soup (see note above)
Snack- (S) Chocolate Nut Slab

Saturday

30 Day Shred Level 2

Breakfast-(FP) Chia Tapioca Pudding and later (E) Sprouted French Toast
Lunch- (E) Poached Salmon, Sweet Potato, Broccoli with Transformer Cheese Sauce
Snack-(FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Supper-Easy Peasy Muffin and a couple of bites of Hearty Red soup when Rob wanted to go out so I got an S salad.  Ate a couple of pieces of Chocolate Nut Slab when I got home.
Snack-Greek yogurt 0% with 1/2 cup blueberries and Truvia (Can I just say this is so different for me.  I really wanted this healthy snack and not cake or candy or something super sweet like I always do.)


Sunday-
no workout

Breakfast-(S) 3 Fried Eggs in coconut oil
Snack-(FP)Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (S)Pepper Crusted Salmon and Mashed Cauliflower (a piece of choc. nut slab for dessert)
Supper- (S)1 1/2 Easy Peasy Ginger Muffins, a Cup of Hearty Red soup and a Green Tea Frappa
Snack- (S)a couple of pb cookies (recipe in the book) and a chocolate muffin a mug

Monday-

30 Day Shred- Level 2 (Day 8 at this level)

Breakfast-(FP) Greek 0% yogurt with blueberries and Truvia
Lunch-(S) Pepper Crusted Salmon, Mashed Cauliflower and 1 small piece of chocolate slab
Snack- (FP) Choco pudding and (S) PB cookies (3 I think...)
Supper- (S) Five Guys little bacon cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce with some peanuts
Snack-(FP/S)Some Choco pudding/Lemon mousse with a sprinkling of cheesecake berry crunch


Tuesday-

no workout (BOO)

Breakfast-(E) Trim Healthy Pancakes
Lunch-(E) Tuscany in a Bowl, Joseph's crackers with 1 Light Laughing Cow Cheese
Supper-(S) Fried Fish and Green Fries, a couple of macaroons
Snack- (S) Skinny Chocolate, Joseph's crackers with salsa and transformer cheese sauce



Wednesday-

30 Day Shred (Day 9 of level 2)

Breakfast-(FP) Lemon Chia Pudding (didn't set so I drank it..it wasn't a whole one), 0% Greek yogurt and blueberries
Lunch- (S) Joseph's Lavash with tuna and lettuce, 5 Brazil nuts and 2 macaroons, OK and then I had 2 small pieces of skinny chocolate and a cup of Chai Green tea
Supper-Konjac noodles and Reese's Whip (yogurt, cocoa and peanut flour)
Snack-Joseph's crackers with 1 Laughing Cow Cheese, 1 macaroon, skinny chocolate and a cake in a mug



Thursday-

30 Day Shred (Day 10 of Level 2-time to move to level 3)

Breakfast-(S) Serene's Steamed Omega Sensations
Snack- (S) 5 Brazil nuts
Lunch- (S) Baked Kale chips, 2 macaroons and choco pudding
Supper-(S) dinner out-salad with ranch, prime rib and broccoli with a little butter
Snack-(S) secret agent brownie cake with Pearl's frosting (didn't like this too much) had some more choco-pudding (I've finally tweaked that into a very likeable snack!)

It's Friday morning now and I just weighed and I'm up a bit.  Frustrating for sure.  I think I'll add more FP in next week and try to cut back on my evening snacks which is always a struggle for me!