You Are Going To Miss Things

One of the troubles of being a mother, especially a homeschool mother, is feeling the pressure of personally covering all the bases.  It's a well-known myth that a homeschool parent has to know all the subjects with letters behind their name in order to provide a well-rounded education to their child.   It's this lie that convinces a lot of really good parents that they couldn't, nay SHOULDN'T homeschool because they would most certainly overlook something important and mess up their kids.  I feel all of that.  But then I still homeschool.  By choice. We're not forced by circumstance or specific educational needs.  I've always wanted to.  But now that I'm in the throws of almost 3 students, I have to admit: It's a lot.  I don't regret it, but I do worry that I'm going to miss something.  And then I'm reminded of a truth that new homeschoolers don't like to here.  

You are going to miss things. 

*gasp* 

Sometimes they will find what they need somewhere else. 

*gasp again*

And that's okay.  It's actually more than okay.  It embodies what homeschooling is all about.  Teaching them a love for learning so that they can learn anything at any time.

My oldest son has always enjoyed drawing and coloring since he was little.  Handwriting wasn't too big of an issue so I never payed too much attention to his pencil grip until around 1st grade.  He would complain that his hand would start hurting if he had to write very much.  I figured he was exaggerating to get out of work, which I still assure you is a thing with him.  However, at that point I started looking at his pencil grip and realized it wasn't quite right.  It was off just enough that it could be making his hand hurt, but he was not interested in making any changes.  We got those rubbery grips that you put on pencils to help re-teach your fingers and of course he hated them.  So, I chose the guilt rather than the fight.  Fast forward to today, an October morning in 4th grade when we hadn't discussed the subject in months.  He picks up his cursive handwriting book first thing and works on it over breakfast.  After a few minutes he informs me that he figured out what he was doing wrong with his grip!  "All I had to do was move this finger around there. See?"  When I asked him where that came from, he showed me a page in the handwriting that talks about it.  Well, what do ya know?  

If we teach them to love learning, they can then get whatever knowledge they might need.  Worrying about small things that you will likely miss, shouldn't hinder you from sharing this time with them.  God is a wonderful partner when it comes to their education, as long as we don't forget to utilize all He has to offer!

New American Cursive 2: A Memoria Press Handwriting Review

Memoria Press is beginning to be a household name around here.  We have gotten the chance to review for them a couple of times before and this time we are trying out one of their cursive handwriting books, New American Cursive 2 (Scripture).   Most people have a love or hate type of a relationship when it comes to cursive handwriting, but we have really embraced it.  Even though J gets tires of it easily (he struggles with tensing up when he tries really hard), he is terribly proud of himself when he writes in cursive.  Either way, it is nice to find high quality curriculum to rely on if/when your students pursue it.

Memoria offers a complete New American Cursive penmanship program for Grade Levels 1-4 and we were given Workbook 2 with Famous Quotations and Scripture.  The book itself is spiral bound at the top so that left or right-handed students can successfully utilize it equally.  Workbook 2 begins with a 7 paged Teaching Guide that covers everything surrounding learning to write in cursive.  They discuss the value of learning cursive, posture and pencil position, testing, how to use the workbook, complementary exercises, and even the best type of music for handwriting practice!  If you don't have a clue about penmanship or teaching it, this teaching guide gives you more than enough to equip you. 



Since this is Workbook 2 in a series, it begins with a review of the entire alphabet in cursive, pencil grip, posture and correct paper placement.  The next section highlights the individual letters, two to a page, along with practice words to trace and copy.  Every few pages there is a fun or open-ended page perhaps with a writing prompt and encouraging the student to illustrate their response.  The next section focuses on the size of their writing, encouraging the correct placement of letters on baseline.  Here several creative writing, scripture and quotations exercises are introduced.  Near the end of the book there is a Handwriting Evaluation Checklist that helps you determine what your student needs to work on.  It would be a handy page to reproduce whenever you need to check on their progress.

What We Thought:
Since J is not brand new to cursive, this level was great for him.  The review reminded him of what was expected out of his handwriting and inched him a little further in refining some of his letters.  The variety of exercises was perfect!  From days of the week, relevant scriptures like obeying your parents and being kind, to the incorporation of journal writing and drawing, there was always something new to distract from the usual weariness of handwriting.  This is a great resource for strengthening  handwriting skills that have already begun, but it is even more useful for building that bond of pencil and paper with journaling, something I strongly believe in.  This program shows a lot of wisdom and forethought for various learning styles as well.

We highly recommend Memoria Press and Workbook 2 with Famous Quotations and Scripture. is worked very well for our needs.  The Crew reviewed other books in the penmanship series as well as Traditional Logic and Classical Composition.  Don't forget to check out what they thought about the rest of the products.

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The Pencil Grip, Inc.: A Magic Stix Review

We are beginning to be spoiled by The Pencil Grip, Inc. and all of their fun and creative products! This time we are reviewing their 24 pack of Magic Stix Washable Markers.  The category of arts and crafts supplies for children is a tricky business.  On the one hand, as a mom/teacher I have no time for stuff that doesn't work or do what I need it too so I need it to be durable and effective.  On the other hand, I don't want to spend a fortune on something that is intended to be consumable and need to be replaced periodically.  There is a plethora of brands and types of markers, paints, etc. so for me to intentionally go out of my way (as in purchase something other than what I find at Walmart or Target) to add something to my supplies, I need a motivating reason be it price or quality, preferably both!

The Magic Stix Washable Markers make some claims right on the package.  One is no odor, which may or may not be a big deal to you.  Some people are really sensitive to smells and chemicals that require them to be picky about things like this.  Also, something I hadn't considered until lately is the role of sensory issues and smell.  If your child is known to have sensory issues, a no odor marker might be a highly coveted thing.  The other guarantee they make is that their markers won't dry out if the cap is left off for up to 7 days.  I know several other reviewers who have really put them to the test by leaving the cap off for over 40 days and the markers barely faded, if at all!  Especially for busy homeschools or classrooms, long-lasting supplies is a big deal.  Caps being left off is a constant problem and this certainly cuts down on the amount of markers you would lose.

With most markers you can buy in the store, the packaging tends to not last very long, especially if you are rough on things like our family is.  Cardboard or the flimsy plastic gets messed up or tossed within a couple of weeks easy around here.  This set of 24 markers and also their set of 12 came in a hard plastic container that has a latch on either side of the handle making it extremely sturdy.  Each marker has a spot so it is obvious when one is missing, cutting down on losing markers. The kids have dragged the box back and forth to church and no evidence of wear so far.  

Between the 4 year old coloring in her coloring books with them to the 7 year old watching 'how to draw...' videos and then using the markers to color his pictures in, they have covered a lot of ground.  Throughout all the different uses, so far, I haven't received any complaints and they are still the preferred marker set.  If you are looking for a higher quality, longer lasting set of markers, we highly recommend giving the Magic Stix a try!

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Check out what other kinds of projects these markers have been used for:

Magic Stix Washable Markers: A Pencil Grip, Inc. Review

The Pencil Grip, Inc. is at again and have released ANOTHER new product that you are going to want to include in your craft supplies.  We were given the chance to try out their new Magic Stix Washable Markers.  When your kids are consuming art supplies like food, it is easy to assume a marker is a marker, right?  According to The Pencil Grip, Inc. these markers are odorless, washable, non-toxic, but the big reason you should care about these?  They will not dry out with the cap off for 7 days GUARANTEED!  That is a pretty bold claim, but we have seen it tested and succeeded.  Some friends tested it much longer than 7 days and so far haven't seen it dry out yet!

They came in a nice plastic carrying case that secures each marker into a spot.  It was so nice that both kids decided it was theirs and of course arguing ensued.  Typical. :)  Whatever the case, they have been using them religiously for the past two weeks and no complaints or throwing them out, so I call it a win!  If you haven't tried out this company's products, you're really missing out! Follow the links on this page and you can purchase them off of Amazon.  

Thin Stix Creativity Pack from The Pencil Grip, Inc. - A Review

I haven't been reviewing products for all that long (about to close out year 2), but I love getting to see a product develop and flourish over time.  The Pencil Grip, Inc. is back with more colors and a bigger collection in the form of the Thin Stix Creativity Pack.  Every time we review for The Pencil Grip, Inc. it's like we get a creativity shot in the arm.  The kids start doing one thing, but then end up with more ideas as time goes along.  This review is no different. Miss Z started with a picture of her dad putting her in a headlock with very colorful furniture and then suddenly we were all making Pilgrim hats and Squanto headbands!

This new creativity set we received includes 24 Thin Stix - 12 Classic colors, 6 Neon colors and 6 Metalix colors.  This collection of colors is a well-rounded assortment that facilitates just about anything you can think of.  And there is something about having a lot of color options that is exciting!  When this set came in the mail, I never once had to offer it up as a suggestion for something the kids could/should do.  It was a go-to activity all on its own for a couple of weeks.

The fantastic quality of this product that I first fell in love with is the tempera paint effect without a mess.  This makes parents happy! Of course my kids are a fan because they are allowed to run wild with it, so to speak.  With the introduction of the Thin Stix - that feel in the hand more like a marker or highlighter - adults are more comfortable using them.  One of my favorite creative activities besides writing is painting.  As a stress reliever, as a creativity enhancer, painting for process is very freeing to me.  I know I'm not skilled at actually creating life forms so it is 100% play.  And as we all know, play is far more important than we give it credit for - even in adults!  By now maybe you already own a set of Kwik Stix, but I'm thinking these would be a easy, cheap gift for your favorite college student, crafty adult, or stressed out friend in need of a stress-reliever!

Did I mention how much of a mess is NOT made when we use these?  One of the kids used a brown clipboard to hold their paper and when they were finished there was paint all over it.  The said child went and got a wet rag to clean it up.  With almost no scrubbing, the clipboard looked good as new!  This is mess-free painting at it's best! 

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The Thin Stix Creativity Pack, like all of their other Kwik Stix products, is so versatile that the possibilities of uses are endless.  Check out all the other projects these were used on through the link below:

Kwik Stix Now Available at BJ's!

One of my favorite companies has expanded their products and where you can buy them! The Pencil Grip, Inc's Kwik Stix are now available at BJ's Wholesale Clubs and Amazon. 

The Kwik Stix's original form was tempura paint in the form of glue stick containers.  Their new Thin Stix is the same paint but in pen or highlighter form.  We have tried both kinds and enjoy them both equally, depending on what kind of art work you are attempting.

In our house they fall close in line with playdough in how long they will occupy the kids.  Kwik Stix are better because of the mess they don't leave behind!  Every classroom - especially large groups in public school - should have a couple of sets of these!  They are reasonably priced and easier to get all the time.

Disclaimer
I will a FREE copy of this product in exchange for spreading the news of where to buy this product.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Thin Stix from The Pencil Grip, Inc. - A Review

With all of the great educational products I get to review, few of them are a great fit for most any family.  With varying ages and differing circumstances, the needs of each family will always be different.  Last year, however, I believe we found something that every family can use and enjoy! We were so excited to discover and review Kwik Stix!  This year The Pencil Grip, Inc. has a new product, Thin Stix 6pk of Classic Colors and we got to review that too!  This is definitely one of our absolute favorite product lines!

Kwik Stix are sticks of Tempera Paint in a solid form that glides onto paper smoothly and dries very quickly.  It's a genius idea and perfect for kids!  When it comes to painting it is hard not to cringe at the request simply because of the mess and clean-up involved.  The solid format and quick-drying aspects make it practically mess free and super easy to clean up! And all the parents rejoiced!!  I have seen them on sale at Target and they are always available on Amazon, with lots of different color options. 

The sticks that we reviewed last year are shaped like glue sticks.  This new product is longer, like a pen and the width of a thick marker, noticeably thinner than the original, hence the name Thin Stix.  The consistency is the same in both products - like writing with lipstick - but with the new thinner tip you can create detail more easily.  Things like writing words or drawing small objects is now possible and adds a different element to the work that can be created with them.  I played around with the Thin Stix myself just doodling, but felt a little limited without original Kwik Stix.  As I contemplated making something more substantial, I went and got out our stash of regular Kwik Stix in order to have both options available.  As I suspected, having both options really completed the tool box so to speak.  Backgrounds and coloring in pictures went faster with the original Kwik Stix and details were noticeably easier with the Thin Stix.  

I think it goes without saying that my kids used them with ease and loved the whole process.  What I find fascinating and convicting is how addicting their use can be to adults.  Anywhere they are placed in the path of adults where they are welcomed to use them and create, people start surprising themselves.  As a society, we just don't freely create as adults the way our brains and bodies enjoy.  Think of restaurants with paper table cloths and crayons lying around.  Most people will pick up a crayon and doodle, at minimum.  It might bring a few giggles (and that's probably good for your mental health too!), but I would love to see after dinner creativity become a thing, like coffee and dessert.  Kwik Stix are the perfect medium to jumpstart it I think! They are easy to use, but the result looks like you've invested some time in painting - very satisfying!

Thin Stix are an excellent addition to the Kwik Stix family and I'll be excited to see what they come out with next!   Follow The Pencil Grip on Social Media: 

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Kwik Stix Review: No-Mess Painting!

Get ready to add something new to your must-have list in every home, classroom, and kid art studio! The Pencil Grip, Inc. is known for line of grips and other educational therapeutic products and now they have added a product you will most certainly use in your home!  I am typically more of a low-key person when it comes to new things, but this is one of the coolest things I've ever used. Tempera painting is super fun for children and adults alike and a great part of any art curriculum.  The trouble is the mess.  Even as adults you just can't get around it sometimes.  Kwik Stix  Solid Tempera Paint from The Pencil Grip, Inc. is the perfect compromise.  

For this review The Pencil Grip, Inc. sent us a Kwik Stix 12 pk, but also generously threw in their signature product, a pencil grip and an extra dark blue kwik stick! At first glance the Kwik Stix simply look like colored glue sticks and work the same with a removable cap and twist-able bottom for more thickness of paint.  The magical part is how quickly they dry with a tempera paint-like finish. They look and feel slightly sticky going on in the way lipstick might feel on paper, but literally in seconds it is dry to the touch.  The label claims it is dry in 90 seconds, but for most pictures it didn't even require a third of that time.  Not only does that mean easy clean up and no messy hands, but you can stack or file all of the artwork almost immediately.

Our 12 pack has given us a great variety of colors and my family (including Mr. Butler) has used them a lot with no sign of running low, but they do come in packages of 6, 12, and a classroom pack of 96 with a neon or metallic set as well.  We found these paints to be a fantastic asset that both my 5 year old and 2 year old loved equally, along with several adults that tried them being highly intrigued.  I'm sure these could fall into the same category with adult coloring books as things we would all enjoy spending more time than we should with.  As much as I adore my kids being creative, every time painting is mentioned, I wince a little bit just because it requires so much supervision and clean up at their age.  With Kwik Stix - and I know  I'm going to sound like a commercial here but it's the truth - all I have to do is tell J to go get some paper and the sticks.  Supervision and clean up is minimal! I can focus on something else with no pang of concern!  

  

Kwik Stix are the perfect gift for birthdays and holidays because they are consumable.  They provide a creative experience with endless possibilities that continues each time they are engaged again.  The best kind of gift in my book!