Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Announcing: Bible Memory Passages - NKJV! And Bible Verse Songs . . .


We have a new freebie on our website; it is Bible Memory Passagesin the New King James Version. This e-book is also available in the 1611 King James Version. The NKJV is what I usually use, so I'm really glad to have gotten permission from the publisher to make the e-book in this version-- and to have it ready and up on our site!

Also, speaking of Bible memory, Here is a review of a different Bible memory product, available through another company, that I’m really excited about:

The other day, while doing some artwork, I was listening to a CD that a friend of mine created, that has Bible verses set to music. There is a verse to go with every letter in the alphabet.

I was so impressed with this music, and wanted to tell you about it; it is a great way to reinforce verses kids already know, or just to “slip” some in while they are playing quietly or doing art/crafts or household tasks.

I don’t think I could adequately describe these songs—you’ll have to listen for yourself—but these are some of the adjectives that came to mind when I was listening: delightful, charming, impressive.

There are a variety of musical styles—in general they tend to be mellow (no hard rock or rap here . . . !) and have some interesting solos as well as group singing.
The name of the CD is ABC Bible Memory Verse Songs, and the songs were composed by Mrs. Candace of Sonbeams, a homeschool curriculum company.

These songs can be used as part of a school routine, too, if you’d like to include them—Sonbeams has created a preschool curriculum for teaching letters and numbers and colors, etc. that also uses the Bible verses that are in these songs.

She has a special offer (that ends tomorrow—June 30 is the last day) for receiving a full month of lesson guides—these have some creative and kinesthetic activities as well as Biblical concepts. For example, for letter D the story of Daniel is used, and kids also write “D” in the dirt with a stick and glue over a workpage letter and sprinkle it with dirt! There are some fun matching card games in the letter lesson guides, too. Click on the following link to receive access to these lesson guides—you are welcome to save them to your computer for future use. These cover letters A,B,C,D as well as some numbers, colors and shapes, and Bible stories, and give a good idea of what the curriculum is like.

http://www.sonbeams.com/blog/2011/06/11/free-1-month-homeschool-preschool-kindergarten-curriculum-trial/


Candace has also generously offered two special coupon codes for friends of Gentle Shepherd, for the Bible Memory Verse Songs:

for 30% off the mp3 files and parent/teacher guide, use code GENTLEMP3
for 30% off the CD (without a guide- but this is a hard-copy CD that will come in the mail), use code GENTLE

Monday, June 27, 2011

More Knights . . .


OK, I admit I'm not a pacifist. Not a war-monger, either, but when my 11-year-old son asked me to make some felt toy knights, that sounded like a really fun project.

So here are the newest additions to the knights set-- swords and shields, lances, and horses with armor.

The lances have double-ended knitting needles sewn inside, to keep them straight. Coming up soon will be a princess, and a dragon. Maybe part of a castle, too . . .
Cheerio!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Spring Gardens


Here's a picture of our new strawberry bed-- a friend was so kind to give us some starts, and they are the everbearing type. Molly and James helped to prepare the bed, getting out rocks and hauling in some rich soil from an old garden area.

We also started some snowpeas, in the side garden . . . but mostly the slugs have eaten the seedlings, so need to get some other things planted there, and put out some slug traps.

What are you planting this year?