TOS Review: Vintage Remedies For Kids

I first heard of Vintage Remedies a year ago, when a friend of mine excitedly showed me some of the new materials she had recently gotten for homeschooling.  She had several books, all written by Jessie Hawkins, founder of Vintage Remedies.  One of those books was Vintage Remedies For Kids, which she planned to use as a health curriculum for her children.  Imagine my delight when one of the items I was asked to review through The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew was this very same book!

I have enjoyed going through this book very much.  Each chapter has a couple of instructional sections for parents, a "Read to Me" section for children, discussion questions, and several hands-on projects to reinforce what the child has learned.  While it is geared toward ages 2-6, I feel that it is a little advanced still as a whole for Little Miss, who is almost 2 1/2.  She enjoyed the activities I did with her based on the second chapter, "Natural Candy - Fruit", but I felt the "Read to Me" section was a bit too much for her.  I feel like, as it is written, that it is better suited toward ages 4 and up.  In my experience with children, the lessons need quite a bit of simplifying in order to be used in their entirety with children any younger.  However, I do feel that parents of 2 and 3 year olds can use this material to guide conversations with their little ones while doing some of the suggested activities.  Most of the hands-on projects are things that little ones can easily participate in and would absolutely love doing.  This is one book I really look forward to digging into in a year or so, when Little Miss is a bit older.


Vintage Remedies began as a distance-learning program for those interested in holistic medicine.  They have several different levels of instruction available - I am very interested in the Family Herbalist course.  They also have books for the homemaker and older children, as well as essential oil blends for sale.  Vintage Remedies For Kids is available for the price of $25 at www.vintageremedies.com.  I look forward to trying out the book for older kids, which includes recipes for natural skin care, among other things!


***Note:  I received a copy of Vintage Remedies For Kids in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew.  All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Medieval Machines Pack from Pitsco Education

I do believe that when I saw the offer to review the Medieval Machine Pack, I actually said, "OOH, ME!", out loud.  Wonder Boy loves all things military, past and present, and I knew that he'd have a blast with it.  I also thought it would be something that Mr. Man would enjoy doing with him.  When the box came, I did a happy dance!

The Medieval Machines Pack includes a catapult model kit, trebuchet model kit, and a Siege Machines activity book, as well as a package of Klean Klay (sold separately)  to use for projectiles.  It did not include super glue, which was necessary to assemble the light-weight wooden models.  Enter snaffu #1:  It took Mr. Man two hours to assemble the trebuchet kit.  He didn't want to let Wonder Boy help, what with the likelihood of WB having some sort of mishap with the glue.  Mr. Man finished the trebuchet after WB went to bed, and left it in the living room overnight.  Enter snaffu #2:  In his extreme eagerness and excitement about said trebuchet, WB tried to use it on his own - and it broke the first time he fired it.  Both guys were rather disappointed and frustrated.  It may have partly been the glue we used, as the model actually came apart, rather than breaking.  Mr. Man said that it seemed like the base needed something to weigh it down, and plans to do so once he reassembles it.

The catapult model was more successful for them.  It went together in about an hour, with Mr. Man again doing the work.  Wonder Boy was delighted when the catapult launched the ball of clay across the room on the first try.  It was surprising how far the catapult fires, especially considering how small it is - it would fit inside a square tissue box.  He carried it around the rest of the day, launching clay around the room.

We did not get to try out any of the activities in the included Siege Machines book, as we were in the middle of moving and I did not realize all the materials that would be required.  However, now that we are in our new place, we look forward to exploring math and science through military weaponry!

The Medieval Machines Pack is available through Pitsco Education, and can be found at shop.pitsco.com.  It retails for $21.95.  Other products by Pitsco that I find interesting are the hot air balloon activities and the Homes Across America Big Book.

***Note:  I received the Medieval Machines Pack in exchange for my honest review through TOS Homeschool Crew.  All opinions are those of myself and my family members. 

TOS Review: Artistic Pursuits

We recently had the chance to review an art curriculum from Artistic Pursuits.  I chose to look over Junior High Book Two, as the website stated that drawing skills were covered in Book One.  My children are not Rembrandts, but they have already completed another drawing course, so I chose to skip past that.  I chose the junior high level because, being in 6th grade, I wanted it to last a little while for them, and not be something that was already too young.

First off, I like this curriculum a lot.  The book part of each lesson is short, and geared toward the student.  The book I chose covers color and composition, and so gives a bit of color theory in each lesson, as well as a bit of art history or a quick biography on an artist.  The lessons move quickly into the hands-on creative part, which my kids loved.  They loved trying out pastels, though we had to alter the first lesson a bit - they were supposed to sit outside for an hour, observing and becoming one with nature, and then they were supposed to draw what they observed.  This is not my son.  Also, being December, they were not going to sit outside for an hour.  We just moved, however, so they had plenty of new things to observe from the windows.  Wonder Boy and Super Girl were thrilled with the drawings they created, and are eager to do more of the lessons - they've already informed me several times how much they liked it!

The one thing I didn't like about Artistic Pursuits was the cost of the additional materials.  I chose to shop locally and support a small business, which may not have been the best idea for my pocket book.  I spent $45, and that was just for the initial materials - for one child.  My children are experiencing the joy of sharing at that price!  The introduction of the book gives a convenient list of required materials, and I foresee spending at least that much more to finish out the book if I choose that route again.  There is also the option to purchase the supplies from Artistic Pursuits, which is much less expensive.

Artistic Pursuits produces art curriculum for children ages preschool through high school.  The books can be purchased at www.artisticpursuits.com, and are $42.95 per book.  There is one book at the preschool level, three at the early elementary level, and two each at the additional levels.  The packs of art materials vary based on which one you choose.  Artistic Pursuits is definitely one curriculum that I'm glad to have tried, and I plan to continue using it in the future!

***Note:  I received a copy of the Artistic Pursuits Junior High Book Two in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew.  All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Great Commission Languages' "The Easy French"

French is a language I have wanted to learn for a while.  Ever since I discovered that part of my family tree goes back to France via Quebec, I have been interested.  Besides, it seemed like it would be easier than, oh, say.... German, which is another language in my family tree.

Enter Great Commission Languages' "The Easy French"!  This program is scripture-based, which I love!  It is written from the basis that much of the world speaks French - 75% of Africa! - and that in order to reach the people of the world, we need to speak their language.  Therefore, the curriculum has you memorize key portions of scripture, such as John 3:16, in French.  Scripture memorization and foreign language at the same time?  Count me in!



Reading through the introduction to the curriculum, I was impressed.  It was written by Marie Filion, a homeschooling mother who has also taught French in public schools.  It seems as though a lot of thought has been put into this program.  The recordings for the first semester are all in female voices, as language is supposedly learned better when hearing it from a woman's voice first.  Also, the accent used is an international French accent, which is also supposed to be easier to learn.  As you progress in the program, the accent varies to allow you to become accustom to the way French is spoken in different places.  I also love that there is a little section about French culture and some trivia in each lesson.  There is also a support forum for those using the curriculum.


This bit from The Easy French's website also intrigued me:

"As a homeschooling family of 6, so are we! Le Français Facile! is nearly 400 pages of non-consumable textbook plus 2 audio CD's. CD #1 is also an enhanced audio CD-ROM. Place it in your computer and you can print (for FREE) over 200 activity sheets, which you then keep in a 3 ring binder as your students consumable workbook. This is great for families with multiple children - simply print as many copies as you require! As an added bonus, because the program is non-consumable, you can send it to our friends at Wycliffe Bible Translators (see page 1 in the curriculum for details) when you are finished with it to receive a credit towards the purchase of the next level, saving you even more money!"

I received Level 1A.  It says "Grade 7" in the photo above, but it does not say that on my book.  Working through the first lesson, I believe it could easily be done by students in upper elementary grades on through adults.  I loved the ease of the lesson, and felt like I retained a lot.  I plan to continue on with the curriculum after I finish this level, and hope that at least one of my children will be interested.


The Easy French can be ordered from www.theeasyfrench.com.  The new format, which is what I received, is $84.95 per level, and includes an audio cd and data cd in each book.  Test and answer books are separate.  


***Note:  I received my copy of The Easy French Level 1A in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew.  All opinions are my own.