Family Mint

Let me just start by saying…FREE! Who doesn’t love free? Family Mint is a FREE website where you can teach your kids about money. Think Quicken for Kids. It is a way you can give your kids allowance, and teach them how to deal properly with it. They can deposit money, save money, give to charity and many other things all virtually through this website and you as the parent can monitor it all.



You can set it up totally virtually, so no money actually changes hands. This would make a great personal finance unit study! Or you can have the money on the website represent real money, an allowance perhaps, that your child will actually get. Either way it’s a good learning experience.



When my sons each got their own checking account there was a bit of a learning curve but I can see that If we make Family Mint a part of our school, my girls will be ahead of the game when it comes to their turn to get a bank account.



The Family Mint website is a top notch site. It has a very nice user interface, but it is simple and straightforward enough for children to understand and use.

You can go here to see what others on The Crew had to say about Family Mint and you can go here to sign up and start your Family Bank!

Happy Homeschooling!

Math Galaxy

It seems this year has been The Year of The Math on the TOS Crew. We’ve been sent quite a bit of math related materials to review. Some I have liked more than others.

Math Galaxy was one that when I first checked it out, I was somewhat underwhelmed. It’s not really all that flashy and the graphics seem a bit dated. Imagine my surprise when we tried it out and it became one of my children’s favorites! Honestly I’m not even sure why. They just said it was cool. Also, and this is big, they didn’t grumble and complain when I asked them to do it!



Math Galaxy offers several topical studies to choose from. Listed below are the topics they offer.


• Whole Numbers
• Fractions
• Decimals
• Ratio’s, Proportions and percents
• Shapes and Measurement
• Data Analysis
• Algebra
• Word Problem Fun
• Math Riddles
• Labyrinth
• Printable Worksheets
• Printable Riddles


This is not a stand alone, complete curriculum but a reinforcement tool. You can go here to see what others on The Crew had to say about Math Galaxy and you can go here (click on 'order' tab) to find out more about the programs offered and prices.

Happy Homeschooling!

Children's Bible Hour Ministries

I received four soft cover books from Children’s Bible Hour Ministries. The Season’s of Faith series. These books contain stories about the seasons of our lives; new life in Christ, growing in our faith, God being with us during struggles and temptations and death.

I was impressed with these books. They were good quality and had a good message. Sometimes those two seem mutually exclusive, but not in these books. These books are a little young for my children and I wish I’d known about them when my kids were little.

They come with a CD where the book is read aloud. Having two dyslexic children, I would have absolutely loved this when my kids were younger! Finding quality books and audio versions is hard to do.

The Children’s Bible Hour Website says this about the book series "The Seasons of Faith illustrated books encourage children to learn about their faith in God. Based on CBH Ministries’ treasure trove of radio scripts, these stories teach core truths of the Bible so that kids can easily apply them to their lives. Each book focuses on a season of faith-developing topics. Teachers and Parents: see the website for Discussion Questions which reflect on the seasons of faith in your lives."

The books each retails for $10. If you use the code FREESHIPAPR15 between March 17 and April 15, 2010, you’ll get free standard shipping with the purchase of the 4 book set.

You can go here to see what else Children’s Bible Hour has to offer and you can click on the icon below to see what others had to say.

Happy Homeschooling!

The Old World Style United States and World Maps Set

I was sent to review for you…MAPS from Homeschool in the Woods. Homeschool in the Woods sent some wonderful lap books last year to review so I had high expectations where these maps were concerned and they were definitely met!



The Old World Style United States Maps includes maps of each state and are presented in three way; labeled, unlabeled and in outline form. Also included are various historical maps pertaining to the growth and changes of the Nation.

The World maps are offered in ancient and modern styles. They are offered in a variety of ways such as labeled, unlabeled, including no borders and political borders. There are various tiles for your student to write information, which is very helpful for notebooking.

I am very happy to be in possession of this set of maps. I can see this coming in very handy next year as we study American History and in during this year as we finish up our Ancient History study. This would even make a great stand alone Geography study!

The download for each set is priced at $18.95. The CD versions are priced at $19.95. A Combo-Pak is also available at $28.95 for the download and $29.95 for the CD. You can click on the icon below to see what others had to say about this product and you can click here to order and check out their sample pages.

Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Expo!

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® Speaker's 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.

Homeschool Library Book Builders (2)

Homeschool Library Book Builder is a company we on The Crew were able to review last year. This is a company run by homeschoolers for homeschoolers and they sell…books! What’s not to love!

Here’s some info from Homeschool Library Book Builder’s website…

Our Purpose: Although we happen to be homeschoolers, please do not be misled! Our books are excellent choices for anyone, regardless of age or chosen educational path. Our desire and delight is to assist you by offering selections to enrich your child’s education, from preschool through high school, and beyond. In addition to books recommended by highly-respected and widely used homeschool curriculums, we offer titles specifically chosen to supplement unit studies, promote sound moral character, and provide knowledge of truths for curious youngsters. We want to help you build your own excellent library and create memorable reading experiences for your family!

What we sell: We stock new and used, hardcover and softcover titles. Most of our new titles are publisher’s remainders and overstocks. Our used books are rated by condition and priced accordingly. Most of our used titles are in very good or better condition. Additionally, we are always on the lookout for hard-to-find or out-of-print titles.

These two ladies know their stuff and they’re willing to help you find what you need to educate your children at home, or just to have a great read alound for summer break. And by buying from Library Book Builders you get the added satisfaction of knowing you’re buying from a homegrown mom and pop, or in this case mom and mom (and NOT in that way!) shop.

You can go here to learn more about what services Library Book Builder provides and you can click on the icon below to see what others had to say about Library Book Builders.

Happy Homeschooling

Graphics Toolbox

Graphics Toolbox is a graphics program that was created by a team of software designers with over 20 years experience in graphics programming. I was sent this program to review for you all. I’m not going to lie to you. I got the cold shivers when I downloaded this program. Let me start by saying I’ve been using some Print Shop type program I bought at Walmart about 10 years ago for $5. That is what I use when I want to make a greeting card or do something silly to a photo or create address stickers. It is simple and basic and easy. Granted, it can't do this...



I do not like complicated when it comes to computers. I am a BIG fan of the easy, intuitive, drop down, drag and drop type programs. Graphics Toolbox is most definitely NOT easy and intuitive. The thing is, it’s really cool. You can change colors on pictures with this thing, you can create amazing photos and documents and posters and projects. I think it will even link up and control the international space station if you work it right! That was kind of the whole problem for me though. It was too much. I watched the first two training session videos and got it a little bit more, but honestly it’s a really complicated program. I think if I could figure it out, I would love it, but it’s a lot to figure out.


Here are the pro’s

There is nothing quite like it on the market, so specific to graphics (not just photos).

It can do just about anything you can think of as far as graphics goes.

The creators have spent much time and effort creating detailed tutorials to help their customers use their product.

The Con’s

Honestly, it was just really complicated. I’m not sure how many regular Jane Homeschool Mom’s are going to want to spend so much time learning something so detailed and complicated, and then teach something so detailed and complicated to their kids. But maybe that’s just me. And really, what do I know? My graphics program is from 1999 (did we even have internet back then?)



If you have someone who is ‘into’ computers and programs and graphics and speaks that language Graphics Toolbox is your thing. If you’re looking to make a greeting card or two, try going back to 1999 and head to Walmart.

You can go here to read more about Graphics Toolbox and check basic FAQ’s like price and minimum system requirements, and you can click on the icon below to find out what others had to say about this program.

Happy Homeschooling!