TOS Review: We Choose Virtues

We Choose Virtues is a family based company created by Heather McMillan that emphasizes character training in a lighthearted manner. Your children are introduced to a new character with each virtue, and they will have a chance to learn a catch phrase to help them remember the character trait. We Choose Virtues has many products that will enrich character training in your home or classroom setting.

Some people believe that homeschoolers should have perfect manners and behavior. But my kids are not perfect - they are children who are being trained up in a godly manner...but they are still kids. One moment they are best friends and playing harmoniously, the next moment I'm wondering where my children have gone and who let these monsters in! Teaching them virtues such as Patience, Obedience, and Perseverance are not just a short lesson I can teach and then move on from. They are life-long characteristics that have to be instilled and worked on every day. They are virtues that will make them better citizens, finer family members, and more trustworthy adults. These virtues will carry them through life's hard lessons, and hopefully with a content and joyful outlook on life.

I was sent the Virtue Clue Cards ($5.99) to review.



The Virtue Clue Cards have no lesson plan. There are no instructions. They are meant to be helping tools for you and your family in the area of developing Virtues. Here is how we are using the cards. Every day, we pick out 3 cards and set them on the kitchen table. We talk through the catchphrase, discuss the antonyms (what this virtue would NOT look like) and learn the Character's name. When we see someone exemplifying that virtue throughout the day, we praise them and call them out: "That's great, you are really being like Kettle Gretel (Kindness)!" If they show poor behavior, I'll say, "Oh, Kettle Gretel wouldn't act like that. Are you showing kindness right now?" It is a quick and easy reminder, and it's great that they can call each other on good and bad behavior - without resorting to tattling on each other (a big problem in our home at times).

We were also sent a list of bible verses that the kids could use to remind them of how God wants us to have these virtues in order to honor Him. That is always so important to me. The main reason we homeschool is for us to be the godly influences He has called us to be, and that the children learn to live their lives to glorify our Savior. Unfortunately, we often lose our focus and get off track from the goal. This is why these simple cards are such a blessing. It is a little reminder for me to keep the main thing the main thing.

We Choose Virtues has an entire array of products that will assist you in your home or classroom in instilling good character into your children/students. This is not just for homeschoolers. Every adult in authority has a golden opportunity to mold a child's character. These tools would be a great way to do it.

*Don't just take my word for it! Check out some of my fellow TOS Crew Members' reviews HERE.

**Disclaimer: I received this product via TOS Homeschool Crew in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions stated are mine or my children's.

TOS Review: Zeezok

Zeezok Publishing - this could be one of the best kept secrets out there in the homeschool curriculum world. I had no idea what Zeezok even was, so I'll assume you have never heard of them, either. Zeezok's Z-Guides are study guides of sorts...for movies. Yes, I said it. Movies! Now for those of you who know that countless hours of my childhood revolved around movies (my parents owned video stores, and movies were my constant companions), you ought to understand how excited I was about this product! And it's not just any movies that the Z-guides cover, it's the classics. We were privileged to review the Z-guide for "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

Ah, there is just something about Jimmy Stewart that makes me swoon...


(SIGH)...

Oh, sorry, back on track! ;)

The Z-guide is a comprehensive guide that incorporates book report-type review questions, plot overview, and history. This guide took us through the legal process of how a bill becomes a law. We learned the Gettysburg Address. The kids learned some very important lessons about how government SHOULD be run...and how it actually IS run at times. They learned, and internalized, that one person CAN make a difference, and that they can take action in their government now, at 7, 8 and 10 years old. I was amazed and appreciative of the content of this guide.

Oh, yeah, and my kids sat through a 2-hour-long, black-and-white movie...and survived! ;)



The Z-guides cost $12.99 each and are comprised of short lessons that can be distributed over a week's time. It is not all-consuming, but can be looked at as a fresh change of pace in whatever subject the movie covers. You may be worried that you won't be able to find some of the older titles, but fear not! Zeezok carries every movie that they have created a guide for. Oh, and did I tell you? They are continuously working on extending their line. Here's what they had to say on the site:

"Our Z-Guides to the movies have been a big hit this year. We are working diligently to produce more and fill in some gaps in the history timeline. We anticipate adding one or two each month for awhile." YAY!

Zeezok Publishing carries a variety of different products that you can check out HERE. I am sure that I will enjoy purchasing from them for years to come, and I hope you will, too.

*Don't just take my word for it! Check out some of my fellow TOS Crew Members' reviews HERE.

**Disclaimer: I received this product via TOS Homeschool Crew in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions stated are mine or my children's.