Teaching kids to manage money.

As a 2nd year member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the next several months. The only compensation that I receive for my review is the free product. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this review group and I'm looking forward to trying out more products and giving you my honest opinion.

I have a feeling that you are really going to like this educational tool that I am about to tell you about. Really.

What's the tool?
Family Mint.

What is it?
It's online virtual bank where kids can learn to manage their own money and where the parents are the bank.

Still don't understand?
Let me break it down for you...

Family Mint offers a totally secure website where you , the parent, can log on and create your own virtual family bank. What do I mean by virtual?...no real money is involved here. You can decide if you want this to be a "pretend" bank, used just as a leaning tool for your children or if you want this account to be a reflection of real money that your child has earned. In this case, it would eliminate the need for you to keep cash on hand to pay your children for completing odd jobs around the house or to give them allowance. Just log it in to their Family Mint bank account.

You will create a bank account for each of your children. You can decide how much money to put in the account and when to deposit more money. Do you give a weekly allowance to your children? Just use the automated allowance tool and each week your children's accounts will reflect the deposit. You can even teach your children about earning interest, by setting a set interest percentage. Any deposits or withdrawals that your children want to make will have to be approved by you, their banker.

In the meantime, your child can log onto their account and mange their money. They can allot a certain amount of their money to give, to save, and to spend. They can set savings goals and enter in transactions.

Getting the picture? ...This is an AWESOME tool to teach your children to manage money.

And the best part is that teaching your kids about money through Family Mint is totally economical.

How economical?

Well, it's free!

Yes. completely and totally free. You can visit the Family Mint site right now and within 10 minutes have your family bank up and running. What are you waiting for?

For more reviews of this product, visit the TOS Crew Blog.

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Math Galaxy

As a 2nd year member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the next several months. The only compensation that I receive for my review is the free product. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this review group and I'm looking forward to trying out more products and giving you my honest opinion.

What can I say? Math and computers just go together, so I'm here to tell you about yet another computer math program.

Math Galaxy is a math tutoring program guiding students through the world of math at their own pace. Choose from several different programs including

Whole Numbers Fun
Fractions Fun
Decimals, Proportions, % Fun
Word Problems Fun
and Pre-Algebra Fun

Each of these are separate downloadable programs with step-by-step problems and games. Each program can be purchased for $29.95. Math Galaxy also offers worksheet generators and ebooks for purchase.

We chose to try Math Galaxy Whole Numbers Fun. From the Math Galaxy website:

Math Galaxy Whole Numbers Fun is a comprehensive math tutorial that covers all of whole number operations plus Time, Money, and the sections of Length, Area, Volume, Pictographs, Bar Graphs and Probability appropriate for grades 1 to 4.
It also includes the whole number sections of the Word Jumbles, Riddles, and Bridge the Swamp games and the Labyrinth mazes.

Above you can see all the different categories to choose from.


This program is not a highly animated one...sort of a throwback to the the late 80's computer games I use to play as a kid. I always like to steer my kids towards computer games that will help them to review subjects that they are already learning so Math Galaxy is a good fit for that...in theory.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get my kids interested in playing these games. It seems that the Math Galaxy Whole Numbers Fun was a little lacking in the "Fun" department. And I didn't feel a need to substitute their regular math curriculum as they are already doing just fine with their math studies.

Nevertheless, I'll be the first to admit that what doesn't work for one family is always going to be the perfect fit for another, so don't just take my word for it. Check out Math Galaxy for yourself and read other reviews of this product at the TOS Crew blog.

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Children's Bible Hour

As a 2nd year member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the next several months. The only compensation that I receive for my review is the free product. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this review group and I'm looking forward to trying out more products and giving you my honest opinion.

CBH Ministries has been providing radio programs, print materials, and web-based media for 65 years, teaching kids of all ages about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was recently sent four books that make up their Seasons of Faith series.

I'm including the titles and descriptions as listed on the CBH website:

Race with Midnight
Becky spends spring break on her cousin Sarah's horse farm in Montana. Taking horse rides amidst the beautiful mountains and valleys, Becky tries to share her faith with Sarah as she talks about God's creation. Will Sarah listen?

You Can't Come In
Adam and his new friend Zack decide to build a tree fort one warm summer day. After zooming down a hill and falling into a muddy pond, Zack asks Adam about going to church and salvation. Will Adam be able to explain his faith to Zack?

Seventy Times Seven
Batter up! When Brad accidentally breaks the ice cream shop’s sign, the owner forgives Brad. But when his best friend Doug ruins Brad’s favorite baseball cap, will he be able to forgive Doug?

Braving the Storm
When Thomás moves away from his neighborhood and into a mobile home in his grandparents’ backyard, he misses his friends. There’s nothing to do around the apple orchard with no friends, his dad works a lot, and his little brother was hurt in an accident. All his sister wants to do is play with her dolls. Will Thomás be able to rely on God to get through the difficult times?

My first impression of these books was that I loved the beautiful full-color illustrations. And as I lifted the books out of the box they came in, I noticed a CD falling out of the back cover of one...Yep, each book includes an audio CD of the book. My kids were so excited!

We popped in the CDs and each of the kids took turns holding the books up to show the pictures to their siblings and turn the pages when signaled. The stories were entertaining and beautifully illustrated some hard truths like forgiveness, trusting in God during hard times, and having the courage to share your faith.

The Seasons of Faith books (including audio CDs) sell for just $10 each. You can even receive free standard shipping between now and April 15th when you use the code FREESHIPAPR15 with the purchase of a four book set.

You'll definitely want to check out the CBH website, because there is so much there including a free audio devotion for kids posted each day. And don't forget about the TOS Crew blog, where you'll find more reviews of these products and more. Pin It Now!

Just a little left to save...

**Please see below for a message from The Old Schoolhouse Store, plus see below for info about their online homeschool conference...I'm really excited about it!**

It's the final hours to save up to 80% on over 230 items in the Schoolhouse Store!You'll discover over 230 quality items on sale in the Schoolhouse Store. It's the start of convention and buying season; why not start with some BIG savings in the Schoolhouse Store?From preschool to high school, you'll find a wide variety of learning resources at discounts up to 80%.Check out the entire selection of sale items!Below are a few examples of items our customers have enjoyed purchasing during March Madness. There is something for every learning style and every subject!

Plus, Win Big is in progress! We're just about 175 customers away from the second winner--there will be three winners in all. Customer #139,000 has already won. Customers #139,500 and #140,000 will win $380 in free gifts. Click here to see the gifts and read the details
Remember, there is always free shipping in the Schoolhouse Store!

Schoolhouse Expo
Preregister through March 31 and save $5!

Homeschool teachers-what do you need to learn? More about teaching multiple grades? All about different homeschool methods? Transcripts? Are you ready for college prep or alternative college options? How are you doing teaching elementary grades? Could you use some help with reading, language arts, math, and more? Are you intimidated by the idea of teaching middle school and high school-those dreaded, advanced courses? Would some encouraging words and motivational Scripture help you on your way? Get answers when you attend The Schoolhouse Expo, presented by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse® Speaker's Bureau. Preregister today for only $19.99, or register April 1 or later for $24.99. But DO register. You do not want to miss this unbelievable, virtual homeschool convention!
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Give Mapping a Try!

As a 2nd year member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the next several months. The only compensation that I receive for my review is the free product. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this review group and I'm looking forward to trying out more products and giving you my honest opinion.

I think we have all discovered the usefulness of timelines in history. Recording each historical event we study on one great timeline really helps the mind to better grasp world history as a whole and how it fits together. So, have you ever heard of mapping?

Just like using a timeline, mapping each historical event is just as useful. Mark events on a map or series of maps for an awesome visual of not just when, but where history happened. Pretty cool, right?

Homeschool in the Woods is the company that has introduced the concept of mapping to me with their beautiful, hand-illustrated, Old World Style Maps. They offer both a set of United States Maps and World Maps by download or on CD and I am certain that you will find many uses for these maps in your homeschool.


The United States Map set contains over 180 maps including a map of each state. Actually, there are three maps of each state: one with labels, one without labels, and an outline map. Are you beginning to imagine all the possibilities? Put them all together in one notebook, including them in lapbooks, on project displays, as individual worksheets...

Also included are over 30 additional maps that show how the United States grew as a country. I found it quite interesting to view a map of the 13 colonies, then a US map of 1800, 1810, 1820, 1850, 1880, and finally 1959. There are maps labeling the Native American tribes and the Union and Confederate States and more.




But apparently that wasn't enough for Homeschool in the Woods! They've also included facts sheets of each state for students to fill in and color, as well as the completed Teacher Key versions. Full color pictures of the state flags are on each fact sheet as well.



The World Map Set has over 130 maps in both ancient and modern styles.

You'll find ancient maps of China, Greece, Israel, Rome, and more. You'll also find maps to enhance Biblical studies such as Palestine at the time of Christ, Paul's Missionary Journeys, and more. Modern maps from all over come in a variety of different ways: with labels, without, etc.


Once again, they've included over 40 additional notebooking pages! Fact sheets, full color flags, report forms...some of my favorites are the brochure template and recipe cards which make recording information about a newly learned country fun and creative.

I have to be honest, I'm as surprised as you are at how excited I am about a set of maps...but Homeschool in the Woods have really outdone themselves! These are excellent resources for every homeschool.

The Old World Style maps can be purchased together as a downloadable set for $28.95 or on Cd for $29.95. Individually, the US Set and World Map set sell for $18.95 each as a download or $19.95 each on CD. You can also download free samples of the maps at Homeschool in the Woods. And remember, I'm not the only one with an opinion...more reviews of this product can be found at the TOS Crew blog. Pin It Now!

Graphics-Toolbox

As a 2nd year member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the next several months. The only compensation that I receive for my review is the free product. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this review group and I'm looking forward to trying out more products and giving you my honest opinion.

Graphics-Toolbox is a graphic designing software that was created by a team of software designers to be used by the average computer owner.

I'm guessing that many of you might think that you have no need for a graphic designing software, but I would argue with you that you are quite wrong. Some of the things you could create using Graphics-Toolbox are:

custom blog headers and banners
custom Christmas cards and invitations
Scrapbook pages
business/ 'for sale' signs and fliers
project displays for homeschool
custom worksheets
and more

Also Graphics-Toolbox has wonderful photo editing capabilities. I learned how to edit and restore my photos a couple of years ago and I am so glad that I did. I've restored family photos that were almost 80 years old and nearly destroyed.

Here's an example... (Please note: I restored this photo before I had Graphics-Toolbox, so this was done with a different program. I'm only showing you this example to emphasize the importance of having a good photo-editing software. Graphics-Toolbox does have the necessary capabilities to restore a photo like this.)

This is a family photo taken in about 1920. It was being stored in a 'magnetic' album and the sticky residue that attaches the photos to the album was eating a hole right through the picture. It was torn in several places, was yellowed and brittle, and someone had written all over it blue ink! It was also our only copy of the picture.


As you can see, I was able to save this picture (and the memory and legacy that went along with it) using a photo editing software.

Thankfully, Graphics-Toolbox offers many free video tutorials to walk you through using their program. You can view them here, which will also give you a good idea of all the fun things you can do with their program.

I have to say, that even though the tutorials were very helpful, they were also a tad bit lengthy and I still felt like this program was hard to use after viewing them. I try not to compare products too much, but I found myself lacking motivation to use this software. This is because I already own software that can do all that Graphics-Toolbox can do and I feel that the software I own, is much more user-friendly. To be fair, though, the software that I own is actually two programs: a photo-editing software and a digital scrapbooking software. Nevertheless, they are easier to use, compatible with one another, and the two programs together are actually less expensive than Graphics-Toolbox.

Graphics-Toolbox can be purchased for $149. Their site is full of information about their product and I encourage you to check it out as well as all the other reviews at the TOS Crew Blog.

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BIG news from TOS!

If you're looking for homeschool encouragement, resources, and fun, check out all that is going on at The Old Schoolhouse!

Right now March Madness and Win Big are going on in the Schoolhouse Store. During March Madness, over 240 items are 10 to 40 percent off! Click here to read the details.

Then, if you're customer 139,000, 139,500, or 140,000, you will win over $348 in prizes. Prizes include a 5 year subscription to TOS (U.S. only), Scripture Sleuth literature series, guitar lessons on CD, and more! Hurry, they are just past customer #137,818.

The BIGGEST news of all--The Schoolhouse Expo is coming in May! Pre-register now and save $5!

As homeschool teachers what do you need to learn? More about teaching multiple grades? All about different homeschool methods? Transcripts? Could you use some help with reading, language arts, math, and more? Are you intimidated by the idea of teaching middle school and high school? Those dreaded, advanced courses? Would some encouraging words and motivational Scripture help you on your way? Get answers when you attend The Schoolhouse Expo, an 3-day, online conference, presented by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse® Speakers Bureau.

Pre-register today for only $19.99 through March 31.You do not want to miss this unbelievable, virtual homeschool convention! PLUS, you'll receive over $300 in free gifts when you register.

Get the details and preregister here http://www.schoolhouseexpo.com/

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