October

October is always a busy time of year. This year has been no exception!  I'm WAY behind on blogging, and have no hopes of blogging in detail about all that we have been up to. But, I've got some photos to share and thought this would be a good way to break the silence! There are a few things I don't have photos of. Like our Homeschool Fall Party where we had a yard full of kids, a hay ride, lots of food, and many friends. And there was our church's Family Camp out, where we pitched tents, watched the kids run and play with wild abandon (and not a single electronic gadget to occupy them), slept on the hard ground, and were blessed with a sunrise service.

What else have we been up to this past month?

Well, we've decorated for the fall...

We've been to WellsFest...

Luci's studied her spelling words...

And formed them with letter tiles....

Ben and Luci attempted to see if they could match wits with a bird when it comes to bird nest building...

They discovered, that no matter how they tried, even with the benefit of opposable thumbs, they couldn't build a nest as good as a bird. 

We've been to the MS State Fair...

We've been silly...

We've been reading (making use of the time sitting in the van waiting on Gavin to finish piano lessons)... 

We've been Pumpkin Pickin...

We've been enjoying the fall season (even if it has felt like summer for most of it!)...

Review: Map Skills

The Product


I was recently sent an E-Book, Map Skills, for my review. This geography unit study is written by Kim Kargbo and is published by Soli Deo Gloria Resources. Soli Deo Gloria Resources, latin for To God Alone the Glory, is owned by a missionary homeschool family and includes a collection of various unit studies available in both print form and electronic downloads. Map Skills was sent to me in electronic form and is a three week unit study written for students in grades K-3 (or older with modification). The purpose of the unit study is to offer students basic instruction in direction and map reading skills.

This three week unit study is divided into daily lesson plans that are easy to teach. The author recommends enhancing this study with a workbook, and has made suggestions on what to purchase, but we did not add anything to this unit study.

Our Experience

This three week unit study is divided into daily lesson plans that are easy to teach. The author recommends enhancing this study with a workbook, and has made suggestions on what to purchase, but we did not add anything to this unit study. I used this with my 1st grader and 4th grader and while it was primarily a review for them, they did enjoy the activities. In particular, they both liked making their own maps of their rooms, yards, and neighborhoods.

Map Skills is well written, easy to implement, and comprehensive. It also includes Bible worksheets and a suggested reading list.

The Bottom Line

Map Skills is priced at $14 for the book, and $11.50 for the electronic download. I personally find this to be a little over-priced for a 3-week unit study. However, some might find value in the fact that three weeks of instruction is basically scripted out for you.

Soli Deo Gloria Resources offers a number of other unit studies that homeschool families might be interested in, including Bible studies, history studies, and other geography studies.

I received this product for free as a member of TOS Homeschool Crew. My opinions are solely my own and are not influenced in any way. I am not being reimbursed in anyway for this review. What I have shared is simply our experience, your mileage may vary.