Friday, May 3, 2013

The 20th Century in America-Lap-Pak Review

Home School in the Woods has provided me with the downloadable 20th Century in America-Lap-Pak suggested for grades 3-8.  Emma (grade 4) and I have spent the last six weeks or so working on this study.  Though not part of this review, we have also used History through the Ages Timeline Figures, Time Travelers: The Early 19th Century and most recently I purchased Composers. I have been very impressed with all of the above.

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The Lap-Pak consists of 22 projects to be completed and made into a lapbook.  It covers everything from wars/conflicts, food, fashion, sports, presidents, disasters and so much more.  These are the most professionally done lapbooks I have ever used.  Every project is of excellent quality.

20th Century in America-Lap-Pak is available on CD or as a download.  I decided to print out the entire study before we started.  It was a lot of printing, but I like to have everything at my fingertips ready to go at a moment's notice.  To complete this project you will need white printer paper, colored paper and cardstock.  There are some other items you will need as well such as scissors (lots of cutting), an exacto knife, colored pencils, a variety of adhesives and a few other supplies.

 Everything is detailed for you in the introduction so you will know what you need including detailed directions for how to put each project together along with diagrams and directions for assembling the lap-pack as well.  Except for one of the projects, I didn't have to reprint anything....even the two sided projects which usually seem so confusing to me.

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This is the booklet. I am amazed that I was able to easily print
 this booklet on both sides of the paper without an issue.  
I decided that rather than do each project in order as they are listed in the booklet we would use the timeline and work through the century chronologically.  Though we are enjoying studying this way, I think it might have been a better idea to just work our way through the book since we started this so late in the school year (chronologically would have worked better if we were spending a year or an entire semester on this.)  However, this is actually one of the things I love about this lap-pack.  You can make it what YOU want it and have it be as in depth or as "light" as you and/or your children want it to be.



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I love this timeline book. You can pull the end out from the flap and
pull out the entire timeline as one long  piece.  It then folds back up easily.
The white squares can be colored by your student (or not) and added to the timeline.
The cover of the booklet is shown above the timeline.

A suggested resource list (mostly books) is also included.  We have taken some of the suggested books out of the library and also just took books out that we found on the topics I chose from the timeline.

As I mentioned there are 22 projects to complete.  They cover World Wars and other conflicts, political events, movements that made a mark in history, missionaries, disasters, architecture, music, art, authors and literature  food, fashion and much more.

What we have done is worked on projects as we have read the printed booklet as well as LOTS of books we have taken out of the library from The Wizard of Oz to books about Admiral Peary (I'd never heard of him before), George Washington Carver, The Wright Brothers, The Titanic, The Lusitania....and lots more.

I thought I'd include some pictures of some of the projects. Some of the projects the students write and draw on and others are just put together.  I will show samples of both types.

World Wars:

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This is the first project covering WWI, WWII and the Cold War.
Each flap lifts up for the student to write something about each war.


Disasters:
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This project has tabs the open on either side to reveal information about each disaster.

People of Interest:
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This is a fun project.  Each card is lined on one side for the student to write on and the other side
has a space for a drawing.  The cards fit into a TV holder.  
Transportation:

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This project tells about transportation by land, sea and sky.
You can pull the strip out  to read about each.
Extra strips are included for students to make their own.
Slang Terminology:
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Cards with slang from each decade (the decade and meaning of each phrase is on the opposite side).
You also have the option of printing them on separate cards to make a matching game.
Medical Advancements:

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The plunger on this "syringe" moves up and down.
As it moves, you can read about different medical advances in the window.
Both sides of the plunger have advances printed on them.


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Here are a few more of the projects.  I LOVE the record player.  You can spin the record
and little windows reveal the different types of music from the decades.  The
project standing in the back is Fashion Through the Decades.  I love this one.  It even has acetate windows!
There is a menu, space exploration, authors and literature, sports figures and missionaries



We are not even close to being finished with this study, but I can't wait to see it all put together.  You can view completed samples on the webpage.  I highly recommend this study for anyone who enjoys learning history and doing projects.  I happen to love cutting, pasting, coloring etc so this has been a lot of fun.  We're really enjoying learning and the completed lap-pack will serve as a wonderful reminder of everything that we have learned.  You would probably not like this lap-pack if you don't enjoy projects and/or like lesson plans all laid out for you.


You can purchase The 20th Century in America-Lap-Pak for $21.95 (downloadable) or $22.95(CD).


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See what others are saying about Homeschool in the Woods  on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.


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Three different titles are being reviewed; The 20th Century in America-Lap-Pak, The Composer Activity Pak and The Great Empires Activity Pak.


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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Trim Healthy Mama- Week 11


This is my 11th week of Trim Healthy Mama and it was an exciting one!  I have lost over 100 lbs now. I blogged about it and posted a before and "now" picture too.

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Friday

Totally Transverse, Multiple Kegels for Physical Therapy and some stretches from Aligned and Well "Down There" for Women app

Breakfast- (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes with 1/2 cup Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's Berry syrup (5 Points Plus)
Lunch- (S) Tossed Salad with Broiled Salmon, 1 T. EVOO, 1 T. balsamic vinegar (5 Points Plus) with Coffee Tummy Tucking Ice Cream made with 1 T. cream (2 Points Plus)
Supper-(S) 4 oz Grilled Chicken, Broccoli, 2 tsp. grass fed butter (6 Points Plus), 1 cup Greek Yogurt and blueberries (3 Points Plus)
Snack-(S) Kale Chips (3 Points Plus), Coffee Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (2 Points Plus), Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus)

Total Points: 30  Weekly Points Remaining: 39

Saturday
No workout

Breakfast-(FP) Cookie Bowl Oatmeal (4 Points Plus)
Snack-(S)Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus)
Lunch-(S) 3 Oz Grilled Chicken and Broccoli with 2 tsp. Grass Fed Butter (5 Points Plus)
Supper- Portobello Mushroom Pizza with 1/4 cup cottage cheese and 1 oz lowfat pepper jack (3 Points Plus) Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus)
Snack-Coffee Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (2 Points Plus), Muffin in a Bowl with 1/2 cup 0% Greek Yogurt and Gwen's Berry Syrup (3 Points Plus)

Total Points: 26  Weekly Points Remaining: 39


Sunday-
No workout.  I had hoped to run, but didn't end up having the time.

Today is the day that I surpassed the 100 lbs lost mark.

Breakfast-(FP)Cookie Bowl Oatmeal (4 Points Plus)
Snack-(S)Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus)
Lunch-(C)Slice of Pizza and Salad (12 Points)
Supper-(S) Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus), French Toast Wraps with 1/2 cup Greek 0% yogurt and strawberries (1 Point Plus)
Snack-Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (2 Points Plus)

I didn't use many of my weekly points this week.    I never have figured out exactly how many of those weekly points to use.  I might try eating more of them this week for more fat in my diet.  (My WW counting week begins tomorrow.)

Late night snack:  I was hungry before bed tonight so I decided on Skinny Chocolate and a Strawberry Shortcake.  (5 Points Plus)

Total Points: 32  Weekly Points Remaining: 33 (end of week)

Monday-
Workout: Jeff Galloway 5K training Week 3 Day 1

Breakfast-(E) Trim Healthy Blueberry Pancakes with Ali's maple syrup and 1 tsp. grass fed butter, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with strawberries. (6 Points Plus)
Lunch-(S) Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus), Salad with Broiled Salmon and 1 T. each of EVOO and balsamic vinegar (5 Points Plus)
Supper-(E) Chicken, Green Beans, Acorn Squash with 1 tsp. VCO (6 Points Plus), Choco-Orange Pudding 1/3 batch (1 Point Plus)
Snack-(S) Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (orange creamsicle!) (2 Points Plus), Strawberry Shortcake (1 Point Plus)

Total Points: 25 Points     Weekly Points Remaining: 49 (new week started)

I have a point leftover, but I'm not hungry so I'm not going to eat any more.

Tuesday-
Jumped on the rebounder...300 + jumps (as well as my PT exercises and stretches)

Breakfast-(FP) Cookie Bowl Oatmeal (4 Points Plus)
Snack-(S) Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus)
Lunch-(FP) 4 oz grilled chicken, 1 T. light mayo, 1/2 batch egg white wraps, peppers (5 Points Plus) 1/3 batch Choco-Pudding (1 Point Plus)
Supper-(S) Zucchini Noodles, 2 tsp. Grassfed Butter, 4 oz Chicken, 2 T. Parm cheese (7 Points Plus), Strawberry Shortcake (1 Point Plus)
Snack-(S) Tummy Tucking Coffee Ice Cream with 1 square Lindt 85% dark chocolate (4 Points Plus)

Total Points: 26     Weekly Points Remaining: 49

Wednesday-
Workout: 5K app Week 3 Day 2

Breakfast-(FP) Greek Yogurt with Protein Powder and Berries (5 Points Plus)
Lunch-(S) Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus), 4 oz Chicken with Vegetable Soup (4 Points Plus), Choco-Orange Pudding (1 Point Plus)
Snack- (S) Strawberry Lemon Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (2 Points Plus)
Supper-(S) Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus), Zucchini Noodles with 1 tsp. butter, 3 oz chicken (4 Points Plus), 1/2 cup strawberries
Snack-(S) Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (2 Points Plus) and a 37 calorie brownie (also 2 Points Plus and probably not worth it...LOL)

Total Points: 28    Weekly Points Remaining: 47

Thursday-
No workout

Breakfast-(FP) Cookie Bowl Oatmeal (4 Points Plus)
Lunch-(FP) 1/2 cup strawberries, Veggie soup, 3 Oz Chicken (4 Points Plus), Choco-Pudding (1 Point Plus), Brownie (2 Points Plus)
Supper-Lobster Salad (8 Points Plus..totally a guess, we were at a restaurant...it would probably be weird to bring my food scale along, right?  LOL), Strawberry Shortcake (1 Point Plus)
Snack- Tummy Tucking Ice Cream (2 Points Plus), Skinny Chocolate (4 Points Plus)

Total Points: 26    Weekly Points Remaining: 47


I forgot to weigh myself this morning but yesterday I was down another .2 bringing me to 100.6 lbs lost.  I really feel like I am finding my groove with THM (and keeping myself in check by counting WW points).



Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Read Aloud Challenge

Since I posted my Read Aloud Challenge post late last week, it really hasn't been very long, so we haven't accomplished too much.

I read this book during school time yesterday.  Young Teddy Roosevelt by Cheryl Harness is an excellent book about the life of Teddy Roosevelt from birth until he became president.  We really enjoyed it.

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We finally finished reading the The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum. I can say that I really enjoyed the book.  I didn't know if I would because the movie always terrified me.

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We are almost finished reading 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve with Science.  This is a great book.  I'll be posting a review of it very soon.

That's all so far this week but I am planning to start reading Dear America: Survival in the Storm The Dust Bowl Diary of Grace Edwards and finish reading America's First World War: General Pershing and the Yanks by Henry Castor that I started a few weeks ago but dropped for other things.

Want some reading inspiration? Visit Footprints in the Butter for this week's challenge to see what others are reading. (will update this week's when it goes up)




Goal Planning "Monday"


Once again it has been 2 weeks since I posted for Goal Planning Monday by Mama Manuscripts.   I meant to...I just never did.  Here's what I accomplished in the last 2 weeks.




1. Keep up to date with my scripture memory group. (Yes!)

2. Write in my Journible. (Yes, but not every day.)

3. Make sink skirt for church nursery. (UGH...not yet)

4. Finish and post Progeny Press review. (Done!)

5. Finish and post Math Rider review. (Yes!)

6. Work on other reviews. (Yes!)

7. Do more cleaning in the closet. (Hardly any)

8. Catch up on ironing. (Yes and I didn't even have to do it myself.)

9. Go through the kids shoes, coats and clothes-bring out spring/summer clothes. (Yes, what a HUGE accomplishment!)

10. Start running again. (Yes!)


This week I want to:


1. Keep up to date with my scripture memory group.

2. Write in my Journible.

3. Make sink skirt for church nursery.

4. Finish and post Home School in the Woods review

5. Write Science Naturally Review.

6. Other blogging

7. Read to the kids.

8. Order HP tests for Emma and Ryan.


Monday, April 29, 2013

Menu Plan Monday

Nothing too fancy this week.  Plain meals, but it's still helpful to have it all written down at the beginning of the week! I have recently lost 100 lbs and am still working on losing more.  I eat using a combination of Trim Healthy Mama and Weight Watchers.





Monday: Grilled Chicken, Baked Potato (kids), Acorn Squash (me), Green Beans

Tuesday: Tilapia, Broccoli and Homemade Sourdough Bread

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread (kids)-Spaghetti Squash for me

Thursday: Kid Friendly meal (Date night)

Friday: Chicken in Crockpot, Veggies, Noodles or Rice for the kids

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Leftovers/Sandwiches


Breakfast: Trim Healthy Pancakes, French Toast Wonder Wraps, Greek 0% Yogurt with Protein Powder and Berries, Omega 3 Egg with 3 Whites and Vegetables, Cookie Bowl Oatmeal

Lunch: Salad with Salmon or Chicken, WW Vegetable Soup with a lean protein source, Tuna Sandwich on Muffin in a Bowl bread or in Joseph's lavash

Snacks: Fat Stripping Frappa, Muffin in a Bowl, Kale Chips, Tummy Tucking Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake with sweetened oat fiber bread, Skinny Chocolate

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.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

The Long Awaited Announcement

As of today I have lost just over 100 lbs!  This has been a long process and it is so exciting to hit such a big milestone.

Two and a half years ago I started this weight loss journey when I was inspired by my good friend Amanda to start losing weight.  I have written two previous posts about this and I don't want to re-hash it all here so you can read:

How I Lost 50 Pounds and Obese No More: How I Lost 85 Lbs

I wrote the latter post in October of 2012.  I continued to lose a few pounds more until the end of the year.  When 2013 rolled around, I stalled.  I had no new weight loss.  I was tired of paying Weight Watchers especially when I wasn't losing.  Around this time, I kept hearing about Trim Healthy Mama.  I decided to buy the book and leave Weight Watchers.

Though some people think there is a pretty large learning curve with Trim Healthy Mama, I really didn't.  I jumped right in...however, still had no new weight loss.  I even gained a couple of pounds.  It was so frustrating to me to just be stuck.  After about 8 weeks, I finally decided that I would still follow the THM plan, but also count WW points (which is not part of the plan) and the scale began to move.  I post a weekly summary of what I've eaten, how many points, workouts etc on Thursday nights so you can search this blog if you are interested in seeing exactly what I am doing.

I am pleased that I am finally losing weight again.  Since starting Trim Healthy Mama, I am eating a very healthy diet free from artificial sweeteners and free from processed food!

So here is a before and now picture....it's very difficult to post a before picture.

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  I hate even looking at it.  It is worth it though if it inspires anyone to lose weight.  Morbid obesity is a horrible place to be...and I know I felt stuck there for many years.  If I can do this...anyone can!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Stick with it Saturday


This has been a pretty good week.  I am running again which I love.  I have also been working on healing my diastatis recti and some pelvic floor issues I have with an online video and the app mentioned below.  I also visited a URO-GYN physical therapist yesterday and I have some exercises to do every day for that.  I am concerned that I might not be able to continue running which makes me sad because I really enjoy it.  My shoulder is starting to hurt again just from the running I have done this week.  Not sure what I will end up doing if I can't run.


Sunday-
 Week 2 Day 1 of 5K app

Monday-none

Tuesday- Week 2 Day 1 of my 5K app (did this again accidentally).  I will probably skip day 2 and go on to Day 3. Also Totally Transverse and the exercise/stretches in Aligned and Well (app)

Wednesday-
Totally Transverse and the exercise/stretches in Aligned and Well (app)

Thursday-
Jeff Galloway 5K app-Week 2 Day 3 and the exercise/stretches in Aligned and Well (app)

Friday-
Totally Transverse and the exercise/stretches in Aligned and Well.

Saturday-
Nothing today....I was at a youth conference at church all day.  I'm exhausted.


My goals this week are to continue with my healthy eating plan combining Trim Healthy Mama with Weight Watchers and exercise as much as I am able.



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








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