All About Reading, Level 2 {Review}

in a nutshell: Product:   All About Reading, Level 2 Published by:  All About Learning Press Cost:  $99.95 per set Teacher Prep:  Minimal Homeschool Method:  Any Purpose:  To teach reading using an multi-sensory approach.  Excellent tool for learning to read and struggling readers. Teaches:  Decoding Phonics, Decoding Structural Analysis, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension Extras:  Visit All About Learning Press for PDF downloads for placement tests and curriculum samples from all All About Reading Levels. Included in the Level 2 Set:   Level 2 Teacher’s Manual Level 2 Student Packet (includes Leap into Reading activity book) What am I?, decodable reader Queen Bee, … Continue reading

Insurance Blog Week in Review – June 3-9, 2012

Every week, the Insurance Blog Week in Review gives you a quick and easy way to “ketchup” on all the blogs that appeared here in the past week. There can be anywhere between twelve and fourteen blogs that go up. What did you miss? What You Could Lose if the Supreme Court Overturns ACA The Supreme Court is going to reveal its ruling regarding the court case about the Affordable Care Act. Here is a quick list of some of the things you will lose if the Supreme Court overturns the ACA. The Insurance Podcast Roundup went up on June … Continue reading

Under the Greenwood Tree Movie Review

Set in the Dorset village of Mellstock during the 1840s, Under the Greenwood Tree focuses on a new arrival to the village, Miss Fancy Day. Miss Day, an educated beauty who has travelled to the village to take care of her ailing father and to be the new schoolmistress, is met with a lot of curiosity. She becomes the talk of the square, and three suitors step forward to ask for her hand in marriage. There is the wealthy landowner who promises silk dresses and live in maid service, the intelligent and educated Vicar who promises her the world, literally, … Continue reading

“John Carter”: The Review

I went to see “John Carter,” figuring that after my disdainful consideration of how Disney handled marketing the movie, I ought to actually go see it for myself. I’ve not read the book upon which the film was based, but now I wish to, and especially to continue the series. I want to find out what happens; the film concluded on a perfect open-ended note, leaving viewers hanging but in that good, can’t-wait-to-find-out-what-happens-next way. Only now that Disney has to swallow $20 million over “John Carter,” I doubt that any more will be made. And that’s a shame, because “John … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – Week of February 12 – 18, 2012

The Special Needs Blog Week in Review is a great way to quickly catch up on everything that appeared in the Special Needs Blog in the past week. It is a good way to make sure that you haven’t missed anything. You can scan through this list to search for blogs about whatever particular special needs your child happens to have. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup for the week went up on February 13, 2012. I would like to point out an episode done by The Coffee Klatch that is titled “NY Times Op Ed Gone Wrong – Ritalin Gone … Continue reading

Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockette and published by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam is one of those mirroring novels where you just know that the author put a little piece of her soul into every chapter. Skeeter Phelan lives her somewhat comfortable life with her uncomfortable friends in the deep south of Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s. All around her the times are a changing, and she is the only one that seems to notice that maybe there is something a little more important out there than whether or not the Junior League of mean girls get their way. Skeeter wants … Continue reading

20 Diet Plans Reviewed by U.S. News and World Report

This month “U.S. News and World Report” put out a review on 20 diet plans. The diet found to be the best overall, which is not a very well known one, is the “Dash Diet.” It is especially good for heart health but has a lot of other benefits as well. After the “Dash Diet” comes: Mediterranean Diet TLC Diet Weight Watchers Mayo Clinic Diet Volumetrics Diet Jenny Craig Ornish Diet Vegetarian Diet Slim-Fast Nutrisystem Vegan Diet South Beach Diet Eco-Atkins Diet Zone Diet Glycemic-Index Diet Medifast Diet Raw Food Diet Atkins Paleo Diet They also ranked the top 5 … Continue reading

Home Study Interviews Part 1

When the application is complete, the references are in; the safety check is complete so now what? Now the fun begins! You will have a couple’s interview and an individual interview. When you process the application you will be asked to write letters individually about your spouse, your marriage, your extended family. In the letter they want to know about your spouse’s good features, and their bad ones. When the couple’s interview starts you will be asked about items that are in your letter. They will want to know who manages the money, which one makes the hard choices, who … Continue reading

Is Your Bank Failing? Interview with a Banker

We’ve all been watching the news with some trepidation, I’m sure. It seems that banks are failing right and left. How do we know if our bank is safe, and what should we do if we hear a rumor that our bank is hitting the skids? I sent these questions to a friend of mine, who is the manager of a major bank. He willingly answered them for me, but he asked that I not share his name. It’s not a very popular time to be a banker. I asked him, “What are the signs that my bank is struggling?” … Continue reading

A Review of “Made to Crave” by Lysa TerKeurst

I was so excited about three weeks ago when I received in the mail two free copies of “Made to Crave” by Lysa TerKeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. I was eager to read the book and provide a review since Lysa TerKeurst also happens to be one of my favorite authors. Notice that I said “two” free books. Yes, one is to give away. To change things up a bit instead of giving the book to the first person who emails me, I am going to be giving it to the 5th person who emails me. Just drop me … Continue reading