“Letters to God” shares hope and redemption

We communicate through e-mail, texts, tweets and Facebook messages, but sometimes a handwritten letter says it best.

The movie “Letters to God” is the story of a young boy’s prayers, in the form of letters, sent to God through the mail. Tyler (Tanner Maguire) has spent too much time in hospitals fighting to live, but his faith is strong. He spills out his heartfelt prayers word after word, expecting God to answer.

And when a letter carrier in desperate need of redemption gets assigned to Tyler’s neighborhood? Well, sometimes God uses unconventional means to bring communities together and speak to people where they are – even when they are struggling to erase the past, save their child or carry on in the face of devastation.

Writer Patrick Doughtie lost his young son, Tyler, to cancer. His passion shines through in the film as it becomes its own letter to God, in a very real sense. The casting is ideal – Ralph Waite has the same sparkle as he did decades ago on “The Waltons.”

“Letters to God” is sweet and poignant. Though the ending is somewhat predictable, that doesn’t detract from the journey. The movie is ultimately a story of redemption and faith.

Let it inspire you and your children to write your own letters. You never know where they will end up.

“Letters to God” is rated PG for thematic material. It is available on DVD Aug. 10. Watch the trailer and write your own letter to God at www.letterstogodthemovie.com.

This is not a film for very young children. Spoiler alert!! The movie deals with alcohol, domestic situations and death. Though the Christian message comes through loud and clear, young children may be disturbed by some of the themes explored in the story.

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (16) and Nolan (11) and will soon celebrate 21 years of marriage to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com.

Section topics include:

• Is homeschooling right for you?
• Choosing a curriculum
• Organization and planning
• Preventing burnout
• What to teach-when and how
• Homeschooling teens
• Computers in the homeschool
• Creative solutions for toddlers and other blessed challenges
• Measuring your success

Also included is a resource guide with homeschooling organizations and publications, recommended suppliers and products, and Academic/Athletic contests and competitions.

My only criticism would be chapter 21, Subject by Subject Guidelines, which is a very generalized chapter (understandably, since it could actually be the subject of an entire book). Be prepared to do more research on your own after reading this chapter, although Debra does point you in a few directions.

I read this book with a highlighter and appreciated Debra’s clean writing style, large font and well organized content. Its not often that you run across a book that is useful to homeschoolers of varied levels of experience, however I think this book has more than a few useful nuggets for everyone.

Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com

Steady Days is divided into forty readings, presented in short digestible chapters.

We live in a world that places a high value on organization and many of us were picture perfect examples of what that looked like before we had kids. So what happens after we have kids? Organization is a blessing to our family. So why is it so hard to get motivated? Why are simple things, such as getting dressed and looking presentable put to the back burner after we become mothers? You know the joke about the mothers who live in their pajamas or sweat pants with their hair piled on top of their head in a messy bun or ratty ponytail. Is this really the image we want to project about motherhood?

A prepared mother looks professional. Why are we walking through life doing the most important job in the world while looking the least professional?

Steady Days is about sharpening your skills and parenting with purpose and intention. If you’ve never been organized, you owe it to yourself and your children to question everything and begin to make small changes toward greater good.

It is possible to develop a plan for your day that allows you to juggle the many hats that you wear as a mother and homemaker, while still spending creative and flexibly structured time with your children.

Jamie Martin offers practical ideas for busy mothers that are thoughtfully challenging but not overwhelming. Her book offers encouragement and helpful tips for those struggling with organization and implementing manageable routines in their home.

Steady Days is a quick read that will get you on the path towards professional parenting and less harried days.

Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com

I first learned about Wordly Wise while I was standing in an enormous line at our state’s annual homeschool convention. I felt like I was the only one in the line not holding a Wordly Wise workbook and even worse, I had never heard of it. What kind of Review Specialist did I think I was? Out of curiosity I purchased a workbook and I’ve been hooked on the program ever since!

What is Wordly Wise?
In a nutshell it is a systematic, sequential vocabulary program that develops the critical link between vocabulary and reading comprehension. Flexible lesson plans allow for lessons to be completed in 20-25 minutes, 3-4 times per week.

In books K–1 students are introduced to vocabulary through a carefully sequenced
progression of exercises that develop sophisticated oral vocabulary. Books 2–6
incorporate the use of context clues, word study (Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes), reading comprehension, and writing. Students in grades K–6 will significantly build the vocabulary they need in order to successfully comprehend content area texts.

Why start a vocabulary program so soon?
We all know that toddlers understand more words than they can say. Children can also understand a greater vocabulary orally than they can read or spell independently.

There are 120 key vocabulary words selected for instruction in the Kindergarten book and 150 in the first grade book.

How does it work?
-Children are taught each word directly and then shown how it works in a meaningful context.

-It focuses on connections between words and concepts, as well as prior knowledge, instead of just memorization of meaning.

-Children interact with words in a variety of ways to gain fluency.

- The word lists are developed by literacy experts and are age appropriate. The words are carefully chosen to be challenging but are still developmentally appropriate.

Although the program is written to be used in a traditional classroom, I find it is easily implemented in the home.

Program Components and Features:

Colorful student books provide a variety of vocabulary building activities that reinforce key vocabularly concepts.

A section called, “My Word Lists” at the back of each student book provides a place for children to collect and categorize vocabulary words they have mastered. Words can be words that were learned through stories in the book or words they already know or read elsewhere. There is also a page for them to write any words they wish.

Concept cards and picture cards help introduce key concepts and vocabulary words for each lesson and help show words in different contexts.

The Teacher’s Resource book provides lesson plans and a script for introducing each lesson and vocabulary word, as well as ideas for extending the lesson. The lesson plans are clearly outlined and easily adaptable into shorter or longer lessons. The back of the book contain reproducible black line masters that can be used for review.

At Heart of the Matter we evaluate curriculum programs in their entirety, in the manner they are developed to be used, with the understanding that each family should and will adapt them to fit their own individual needs. With the Wordly Wise program I have noticed that some homeschoolers only use the workbooks without the teacher’s guide or other supplemental materials. I really feel that all of the components are valuable to the program and should be strongly considered.

While I’m not usually a fan of “instruction scripts” in Teacher’s Guides, I gladly follow the scripts in Wordly Wise and my children are none the wiser.

Here are a few sample scripts:

Picture Card 27: decay Say: Decay means rot. You know it’s important to brush your teeth so they don’t decay, but sometimes, decaying is useful. When dead leaves and other plants decay, they turn into soil. Then new plants grow in the soil. Look at these pictures. The y show how dead leaves and grass slowly decay and become soil. Let’s say decay together.

Picture Card 29: skeleton Say: What do you see in this picture? Yes, it’s the skeleton of a dinosaur. A skeleton is made up of all the bones that support the body of a person or an animal. Let’s say skeleton together.

Wordly Wise provides vocabulary programs for grades K-12 and are available from a variety of resources, including Rainbow Resource.

Downloads:
K-6 program overview
Grades 6-12 program overview
K-12 Vocabulary word list

Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com

Sonya Haskins, author of The Homeschoolers book of lists, has written a new book that will show you how your one-of-a-kind family can make homeschooling and real life work.
Homeschooling for the rest of us (Bethany House, 2010) is an easy and informative read for new homeschoolers. Exactly the type of book anyone seriously considering homeschooling for the first time should read. Offering no “right” or “wrong” way, Sonya takes the reader on a contemplative journey through the major facets and concerns with homeschooling. Sonya shatters the cultural myths surrounding homeschooling, sharing practical wisdom and insight on homeschooling and parenting along the way without offering a one-size-fits-all solution.

The flexible strategies for dealing with common homeschooling concerns or problems are both useful and refreshing. This is a great book for anyone dipping a toe into the homeschooling pond cautiously.

Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com

Do you have an animal lover (or two or three) in your midst? Why not use your child’s love of animals to teach them to love and understand the Lord more deeply? The Big Book of Animal Devotions has 250 daily readings about God’s amazing creation developed right from God’s own imagination. No mattter where, when or how, animals can be great teachers on everything from caring for ourselves and our families, to surviving even the worst conditions.

When Jesus Christ taught, He used fish, lilies, sparrows, and foxes to help us remember. When Paul wrote about anger he reminded us of the sun. Ezekiel called the Pharaoh a bubbling crocodile. In this book we use the Bible and nature to teach about God, ourselves, our feelings, and our friends.
William L. Coleman
The Big Book of Animals Devotions

This gentle devotional combines biblical truth and scripture with fun, factual and fascinating facts about God’s awesome creation. If you or your children are ready for fresh new devotional for children that doesn’t water down the lesson or influence of God, this should be your next purchase.

Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com

You know what I mean. You write in your best handwriting the copywork or editing for your child to take down, you step back…and there is your perfect line starting a not-so-beautiful decline. EXPO now has a  two-sided white board that is lined on one side for sentences, math problems, and lists and traditionally blank on the other side for child drawing fun.

Welcome the Expo® 9″ x 12″ Double-Sided Learning Board!

That’s right…I didn’t mention that it was lap-sized. Now they can copy from a board their size that has the mobility to work anywhere in the house. One of the biggest problems I have found in homeschooling children without an actual homeschool ‘room’ is that children need to be separated at times.

With the Double-Sided Learning Board I can:

• List assignments.
• Write out copywork.
• Write math problems.

And they can take it with them!

Expo® Bright Sticks Wet-Erase Fluorescent Markers, Assorted Colors, Pack Of 5

These markers were by far the most fun my family has had with markers in a long time.

According to the package..and true!:

• Provides clear, bright images on non-porous surfaces.
• Extra-bright, wet-erase fluorescent markers really stand out against black marker boards, fluorescent light boards or glass.
• Ink looks neon under ultraviolet “black light” or fluorescent lamps.

Some of the things that you can use these BrightSticks for around the house:

I seriously wish we’d had window markers when my babies were small! Of course, now that the kids are older they love having these wet-erase markers around, especially on the sliding glass door. Tic-Tac-Toe & Hangman are the current fluorescent faves. I like how easy it is to clean off the window. You can use the cleanser, but a damp rag and a willing child will do the job fairly well.

Have you ever walked into a coffee shop or cafe and seen the blackboard menu with fluorescent writing on it? It used to be chalk. Guess what isn’t as dusty?

So, it is perfect for signs on the windows, reminders on the bathroom mirrors (To my children: BRUSH YOUR TEETH!) and a For-Sale sign on the car–without the paper. I know we will find more uses in the future.

Expo® Click Retractable Low-Odor Chisel Tip Dry Erase Markers

The first retractable dry erase marker from America’s favorite dry erase brand, Expo®.

The Unique Safety Seal valve design prevents dry out, and there is no cap to remove or lose. Low odor formula for the smallest of classrooms.

**Let me issue a warning for those who are overzealous (me), do not use these markers on porous surfaces because should you decide a grocery list on the front of the fridge is a cool idea (me) it will not come off. No matter how hard I try.

Use the Double-Sided Learning Board, m’kay? Or one of their cool magnetic boards paired with one of these:

Expo® Precision Point Pad Eraser

I really like this eraser because it comes with disposable pads so that you don’t find yourself having to replace traditional erasers constantly. I really hate it when after a few weeks of use a regular eraser is gummy. It literally makes it impossible to completely erase your whiteboard, even with a cleanser.

The other beautiful thing about this particular eraser is that it has a wall mount. You can use this mount on either magnetic or non-magnetic surfaces. We use our eraser in it’s magnetic form, directly attached to the whiteboard for easy use.

This eraser comes with a precision point allows you to accurately erase small amounts of information from the whiteboard.

In addition, for every package of EXPO markers sold in the U.S. this November and December, EXPO will donate one marker to the Kids In Need Foundation up to a maximum of 100,000 EXPO markers.  The Foundation operates 23 resource centers across the country where teachers from Title 1 schools are encouraged to shop for free supplies.

Angela DeRossett is military wife, homeschooling mother, and an advocate for autism research. She also serves as the Heart of the Matter Review Coordinator. Angela can be found blogging at Homeschooling the Chaotic Family and Memoirs of a Chaotic Mommy.

Learning Christmas carols and the true stories of the songwriters that wrote them has never been more fun! Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart will teach you twelve classic carols. There is piano and guitar music accompanying the words for the inclined musicians of the family. Also included is a CD of the carols, sung by children, to listen to or sing along with. My younger children listen to this CD as background music, but my older children prefer that we sing without the CD.

Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart is the 3rd volume of Hymns for a Kid’s Heart. We use the other volumes for hymn study, focusing on one hymn a week. Christmas is a time for making memories. During December, I pick 4 Christmas carols to focus on using this book as a devotional and song book. It also provides inspiration for discussions based on the stories that are written about the hymn writers. There is also a short verse to memorize and a prayer to meditate on.

If you are looking for a way to incorporate hymn study in your homeschool, you may want to start by learning about Christmas carols during December. It’s an easy introduction and is enjoyable by the whole family.

Brenda is a homeschooling mother of 5, who has a wonderful husband encouraging her to be the best woman that God has created her to be. Together they are very intentional about spending time together as a family. She considers her daily life with her children as her ministry and has found many avenues to encourage others to live a lifestyle of learning. She is the founder of an online homeschool community, Our Lifestyle of Learning and a curriculum review site authored by a group of well-known homeschool bloggers, Curriculum Choice. She blogs about their homeschool journey and family traditions at Tie That Binds Us.

Same Kind of Different as Me is a heartwarming tale of two men, one rich and another poor, and how their lives intertwine because of a woman called by God to serve in a homeless mission. The story is well-written, humorous, touching, and inspiring. The two men alternate telling their tales, a chapter or two at a time.

We meet a dirt-poor sharecropper named Denver who worked the land by picking cotton for ‘the Man’ but earned no money. In his 20s, Denver hopped a train which led him to Fort Worth, Texas, where he lived on the streets, a step up from where he began.

We also meet Ron, an international art dealer with humble beginnings, married to Deborah, a woman who would lead him to a homeless shelter and encourage him to befriend a homeless man she saw in her dream.

Through its language and imagery, Same Kind of Different as Me has the flavor of To Kill a Mockingbird. This book explores the themes of true friendship, being different, suffering, and homelessness. In fishing terms, some people practice “catch and release.” This term can be applied to friendship as well. While some friendships are “catch and release,” others are forever. This book is a story of faith, courage, fear, and forgiveness.

Deborah was an incredible woman of faith, from the way she handled her husband’s infidelity to her treatment of the homeless. What was Deborah afraid of? Not the homeless, but that she’d miss her calling in life. Are you afraid of missing your calling, of wasting your life? How can we combat this fear, which can keep us from fulfilling our purpose in life? Are we willing to take that risk to reach out to others, to make a difference in their lives, to show them the way of eternal life?

This book had me in tears, as the two men finally meet and as Deborah faced the biggest challenge of her life—cancer. The cancer was not only a physical battle, but a spiritual journey for Deborah and those who prayed for her day and night.

Deborah’s legacy lives on in the lives of those she touched—her family, friends, and the homeless she befriended and served so faithfully. Can we care about people the way Deborah did?

I read more of Ron and Denver’s story in their follow-up book, What Difference Do It Make? The sequel expands on Ron’s relationship with his father, Denver’s time in prison, and the impact that Deborah’s story has made on ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference in our world today. Let’s join them in making that difference.

Lisa (aka Morning Rose) has been teaching her two elementary-aged sons for four years and incorporating study, work, service, and play into their homeschooling days. She enjoys reading, writing, and photography and blogs publicly at Pockets of Time and privately at Scooter and B.

Lemon the Duck is a heartwarming story that will win many hearts. Lemon is a duckling born with physical disabilities. Together with her human classmates she will deal with not only her special needs, but the separation with her family and overcoming obstacles that stop her from functioning as a normal duckling.

Author Laura Backman takes the subject of special needs and brings it to a kid’s level of understanding. This book is a great way to introduce your child to this topic. The caring and compassion of Mrs. Lakes’ class will inspire the whole family to reconsider how they view others. And if you are a family with a special needs child and looking for a book to explain these needs to a sibling, this is the book for you. From the moment you open the book, your child will engage in the needs of this duckling and the role Mrs. Lakes’ class partakes in it. Lemon the Duck is an inspiring story to share with all.

You can meet Lemon on her blog, “The Chronicles of Quack“.

To purchase this wonderful resource you may find it on Currclick for only $4.98.

Amy Fleeker is a part of a great family that includes a husband of 12 years, 3 children, a dog and a cat. Her homeschooling style is eclectic with a emphasis on classical teaching. When with her family, you can find her watching movies, playing board games, and living life with a great sense of humor and knowing that God is all around. In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking, tatting, crocheting and doing a little family history. You can visit Amy at her blog, Counting Change Again, or at the HOTM forum, where she is the Lead Moderator.