Hands on Geography – A Journey of Joy

why I love Bright Ideas Press, a History link-up and a giveaway!!

Every since I started using Bright Ideas Press History and Geography last year, my kids and I have truly fell in love with it. This curriculum works for our family. How does it work? The Mystery of History Volume 1 that we have been using, teaches Ancient Civilizations through the time of Christ. We did start this volume last year, but started it over this year when I found out about their Illuminations program (which I also highly recommend!). I am so glad that we did start over. I am able to use this history book with all three of my children that I am homeschooling this year. They are in the 9th, 2nd and 1st grades. I love the fact that I can use it with all three kids. Each lesson consists of a lesson that can be from 1-3 pages long. Then at the end of the lesson, there are activities and projects for younger, middle and older children. It works out great for us. Also, in the back of the book, they have a book list for extra reading for the lessons. I also have to mention the WonderMaps program. The amount of maps that they have, starting with the ancient civilizations and going through chronological order, up through modern times is amazing! We are also enjoying the Hands-On Geography and the Time-line. It is so fun to see my kids enjoy history coming to life!

Just look at what we did this past week!

Soap Carving talking about Jonah and the Big Fish

Olympic Wreath Making

So as you can tell, we love all that Bright Ideas Press has to offer! That is I am going to host a history link-up for those who are using Bright Ideas Press curriculum. If you use ANY of the history or geography curriculum that they publish, this link-up is for you!

Since it is Thanksgiving weekend and I am late getting this post up, I won’t do a link-up today. However, come back next Wednesday with your posts ready! I will also have a landing page at the top of the blog that you will be able to click on with all the info needed. I will also have a button in the side bar that you will be able to put on your blog as well. (Thank you to Honey at Honeycomb Design Studio for creating the beautiful buttons and banners!)

I also have to let you know that this was my idea and I am doing it all on my own. While Bright Ideas Press does know about the link-up, they do not have anything to do with it. I will be hosting it on my blog . They are supporting me and have even donated $20 in store credit as a first giveaway!

That’s right, the giveaway that Bright Ideas Press is donating, is a $20 store credit. It is just in time for this weekend’s sale!

All you have to do to enter the contest is leave me a comment telling me what you would use the $20 store credit on at Bright Ideas Press! I will choose a winner late Friday night. That will still give you plenty of time to use the store credit!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

**UPDATE** Using Random.org, the winner is Cindy!! Congrats!!

Disclaimer~ “This link-up is not officially affiliated with Bright Ideas Press but is my own project. I am a customer and fan. There are affiliate links in this post. If I do make any money from you using the links, I will in return use it to purchase curriculum for our schooling.”

curriculum changes for the new school year …

A lot has happened since I last posted about what we will be using for our curriculum for this school year. The biggest, we moved. So, as I am getting ready to start school again, there have been a few changes in our curriculum. We will be using Illuminations. They give many suggestions on what to use and even offer an awesome scheduling tool to help you prepare your lessons. We will be using a lot of the suggestions that Illuminations gives. One of the main reasons why I am going with Illuminations this year? All three of my children will be using a lot of the same materials. Especially my younger two. I am hoping this will help scheduling and teaching them slightly easier this year.

So what is Illuminations? Bright Ideas Press says it best in their description.

“Illuminations is an all-inclusive *curriculum, covering Bible, Language Arts (grammar, writing, copywork, spelling and vocabulary), Literature, Science, Humanities (poetry, theatre, music, and art), Geography, History, Life Skills, and Projects. Illuminations is built to compliment our Mystery of History or All American History Series.”

So, what will we be using with Illuminations Year 1? We are still using Mystery of History: Volume I. We finished about a 1/4 of the book last year, so I thought I would save some money and just continue to use it this year. All three of my children will be using this as their History.

For Language Arts, we will be using what they recommend. For the younger kids, Natural Speller (Spelling), WriteShop (Writing), English from the Roots Up (Vocabulary) and Winston Grammar Basic Level AND The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (Grammar). They also give a great list for the Literature section.

I am excited about incorporating the geography that they are recommending; The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide and Hands-On Geography. We will also be using WonderMaps. We have used it in the past and it is one of the best programs that I have seen.

I love Apologia Science curriculum, so we will be continuing on with it this year. The younger two kids have asked to study Astronomy. My oldest daughter, who is now in 9th grade, will be doing Biology from Apologia.

For Math, we are sticking with Bob Jones for Samuel and Claire. Sarah, she will continue with Teaching Textbooks. If it works, I see no need of changing it.

We will also continue to use See The Light for our art curriculum. My younger two have absolutely enjoyed using this and have learned a lot. I love how Pat Knepley teaches the art and then shares a scripture at the end of the lesson. As for Sarah, she will be using Artistic Pursuits. I think she will be challenged by this art curriculum. I am also wanting to add Harmony Fine Arts at Home. We will also be using the Young Guide to Composers curriculum.

The most important book of all we will be using, is the Bible. It is important to me for my children to learn about God and to love Him with all their heart. We will also be using the Who is God? curriculum from Apologia, for a family bible study. I am excited to be able to use this with all three of my children.

While it does seem like a lot, it really does not take long to complete the work that is involved. Illuminations has this amazing scheduling tool that I can use to schedule the curriculum out the way I need to. I am excited about this curriculum and look forward to sharing with you all we learn this year.

I would love for you to share with me some of the curriculum you are using this year. Is it working so far? Have you had to change anything yet? Let me know in the comments!

Tag: Hands on Geography

why I love Bright Ideas Press, a History link-up and a giveaway!!

curriculum changes for the new school year …