Education, Kids, Parenting

Let PJ Library’s Unique, Family-Friendly Ideas Enliven Your Purim Holiday

This year the Purim Holiday falls on March 9-10. The colors and festivities around Purim are so much fun and engaging for kids and PJ Library has tools and family-friendly ideas to make the holiday extra special.

On Purim, it’s customary to listen to the biblical Book of Esther (also known as the Megillah in Hebrew), put on comic productions of the story of Purim called purimspiels (Yiddish for “plays”), dress up in costumes as the famous characters from the story, bake (and eat!) hamantaschen, shake Purim groggers (noisemakers), give gift baskets (mishloach manot) to friends and do tzedakah and other good works to spread joy and help the needy.

PJ Library is here to help with all of that. If you have signed your child up (it’s free) to received mailers from PJ Library you should have the Purim set by now. In this celebration kit I got the book, Brave Girl and a Purim Box to make and decorate.

This Purim, PJ Library has created 18 great ideas sure to spur creativity and togetherness. Whether your children have never dressed for Purim before or baked a classic, delicious hamantaschen– or you’re just tired of the same old routine – check out these enjoyable activities! And, for more, families are welcome to visit PJ Library’s Purim Hub!

Families raising Jewish children may subscribe at PJ Library HERE, tapping in to a wealth of information, parenting resources and community events as well as free books.

Comment: I am proud to partner with PJ Library as a 2020 Ambassador. I am compensated lightly through this partnership and my words and comments are my own

Education, Parenting, STEM Learning

Greg Landry Homeschool Science

This post is sponsored by College Prep Science.

Greg Landry Homeschool Science

If the education you are providing for your child is missing a Christian base, this is for you. If you need another point of view to understand science topics or ACT prep, this is for you. If you are a Homeschool Mom or Dad looking for tools, this is for you.

Greg Landry is a homeschool science pioneer and offers online classes (for science leaning students and “non-science” students, science labs, ACT prep, a podcast for homeschool moms, and homeschool student-produced print publications.

Greg says he is first and foremost grateful. “The Lord has made me very aware of my need for a grateful heart. I’m grateful for a God who knows me and loves me (with all of my faults), for my family, for the thousands of homeschooling families I’ve had the privilege of  working with over the past 20 years, for the magnificence of His Creation, and for the trials in my life (James 1:2-4 ) that shape and mold me, humble me, produce perseverance, and mature me in my faith.”

Greg is a husband to his bride of 30+ years, a homeschool dad, and a former college professor. He and his wife homeschooled their two daughters. Both of them have graduated from college, and Greg says, “most importantly, both of them love Jesus. For that, we are very grateful.”  He grew up in French / Acadian South Louisiana (three of his grandparents were French speakers) and he loves the South Louisiana culture. At age 18 was invited to tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization. He played baseball and football in college and holds a master of science degree from LSU (Louisiana State University).

He has a heart for students and a passion for science… but more specifically a passion for teaching students to see God’s hand in every aspect of His creation that surrounds us. His goal is to help them see that God’s creation didn’t just happen by chance – it wasn’t an accident, a fluke of nature.

Greg has spent the past 20+ years teaching science. He taught at a university, taught thousands of homeschooled students, has mentored students planning to pursue science / pre-med degrees, has designed and directed a university anatomy and physiology/biology cadaver lab, has published and presented scientific research, has academically counseled hundreds of college pre-professional (pre-med, pre-dental, pre-physical therapy, etc.) sophomores and juniors, has designed science labs for homeschooled students, and has written science lab manuals. 

Ten years ago he originated the “pre” classes (Pre-Biology, Pre-Anatomy & Physiology, Pre-Chemistry, and Pre-Physics) as a means of minimizing the intimidation of high school level science and preparing middle school age students for specific high school level classes. As one homeschool mom described it, “Greg has a unique ability to pull out the most important information and present it in a way that’s interesting and easy to understand.”

The thrust of Greg Landry homeschool science is to give homeschooled students access to Christian Worldview science that is focused on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, process reasoning, data collection, and the graphical and written representation of research. Greg says, “we want to prepare competent, confident students for their remaining high school years, their college years, and life. 

Greg and his wife live near Nashville, TN. His desire is to follow the Lord’s leading in teaching students to illuminate the incredible creation the Lord has put all around us. It reveals His glory! ​Homeschool dad, scientist, and former college professor, Greg Landry, offers live, online homeschool science classes, Homeschool ACT Prep Bootcamp, the Homeschool Mom’s Science Podcast, in-person two-day science lab intensives nationwide, freebies for homeschool moms, and student-produced homeschool print publications.

Education, Infant Toddler Products

Teach My Baby Learning Kit – Spend 20 Minutes a Day Learning with Baby

Teach My Baby Learning Kit - Spend 20 Minutes a Day Learning with Baby

Is it Baby Fever around you this season? We know so many families expecting babies right now. Our oldest son sees his friends having babies often this year. When I have to get a gift for a new parent I love gifts that educate like books, learning DVD’s and learning kits. Teach My Learning Kits are always a hit when I gift them.

Teach My says you can do a lot of learning and growing at just 20 minutes a day and I personally believe that is a great number – 20 minutes! Every night since our 11 year old was an infant I take the last 10-20 minutes of our day and read with him. He is in middle school and doesn’t need me tucking him in anymore (sniff, sniff), but I truly credit our small evening time to his excellent reading and learning skills.

Teach My has award winning all-in-one learning kits for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. No need to spend hundreds of dollars going to several stores buying individual teaching tools, Teach My kits provide everything necessary for learning with baby the basics, all in a portable and storable case.

What’s Included in Teach My Baby Learning Kit?

  • 12 One Piece Puzzles
  • 6 Two Piece Puzzles
  • 6 Touch and Feel Flashcards
  • 6 Mirrored Flashcards
  • 6 Nesting Blocks
  • 5 Finger Puppets
  • 4 Board Books
  • 1 Double-Sided Storyboard
  • Teaching Guide
  • Storage case

Connect with Teach My by visiting their website 

Buy Teach My Kits

Education, Kids, Reviews, School, STEM Learning, Tips and Tricks

Learn How To Make Your Own Animation Videos – Online Course

Learn How To Make Your Own Animation Videos - Online Course

This summer I sat our youngest down as we do all our boys through the years and made a summer learning plan. On one hand I do not want to destroy their summer break, yet I know that the summer slide is real and it can take several weeks to get back into learning mode when it has disappeared so many months. In all of my research and own trials, just 20 minutes a day is enough. So, I try to find fun ways to incorporate some learning.

Anthony had asked for some animation tablet accessories for his birthday last spring and has been wanting to learn to use it. We discovered Outschool that has so many online courses for kids from subjects to how-to’s like how to make your own animation videos, how to code, etc. and STEM-inspired. They even have different ‘video game’ related learning. He found a course and we signed up: How To Make Awesome Animated Movies.

Here is a very brief overview of Anthony’s course below:

Anthony logged on every Thursday from 3-3:50 for 4 weeks. Each week they were given a lesson and then for the week had a (fun) assignment to share next class.

Once you register for a course at Outschool or even join their email list you get notified every time new classes start or are added. There are so many! And some classes are just a couple of dollars. You see who teaches the classes and can click on their profiles, options for class times and all you will need before day one such as programs to download or equipment you’ll need, etc. By the time the class starts everyone should be ready to roll so it is seamless.

Being as how my son took a class that mainly consisted of his age group (you can sort classes by age group so younger kids don’t end up in teens classes and vice versa) some kids were setting up solo and needed extra help, but the Teacher was good about allowing a few moments to walk these kids through it and move on for the rest of the class. You always have access to direct message your Teacher too if you have questions you need to ask without the entire class. It was a fun experience and a great way to add some extra learning at home.

Head over to the online courses at Outschool today and find something fun to learn about!

Comment: Samples were sent for feature. Opinions are my own