"What a brilliant idea to 'wrap learning up' in such a fun, and easy to use package."
-- The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

My husband is a history teacher, and we love discussing historical facts around our table at meal times. Usually, we follow up on Papa's lesson plans, but that is limited to American History. Now, we have the perfect conversation starter, right on our kitchen wall: The Learning Calendar. Each day of the year has an historical fact listed, some with pictures and some with follow up activities suggested. The design is colorful and attractive, too. I have enjoyed flipping through the pages and seeing the people, events, and facts that were chosen for 2003. There are birth dates for presidents, inventors, composers, and scientists. There is the day gold was discovered in the Sierra foothills, beginning the gold rush of 1849. The history of holidays, the founding of countries, and the beginning and ending to wars are just a few of the fun things included.

Some of the activities suggested are looking up countries on the map, discussing what an oath means, making a painting, writing a story about landing in a new world, and creating a character like Dr. Frankenstein's monster. The Learning Calendar is sure to inspire some extra reading, writing, and artistic endeavors as each day's entry is read.

To make an order, see The Learning Calendar website at www.thelearningcalendar.com, or call 1-800-335-5621. For a daily glimpse at moments in history, hang The Learning Calendar somewhere your children will notice it, and see what happens. My guess is that history will come alive as you delve deeper into the day's event. Our family is ready for the first week of the new year when we can learn about the history of the calendar, photographing the moon, Tutankhamen and Louis Braille. There is sure to be a topic to interest each of us, thanks to The Learning Calendar.

-- Product Review by: Diane Wheeler, Senior Staff Writer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

Here’s another The Learning Calendar review!

The Learning Calendar is an excellent supplement to any schoolroom. One thing that I am realizing as I "advance" in my homeschooling years is how much more information is understood and retained when it is FUN and INTERESTING! The Learning Calendar is both of these! We love ours. Every day there is a new, interesting tidbit of history, which happened on that particular day in history, that we can't wait to learn. I did not know that the Titanic sunk on my birthday. Or that Thomas Edison sent his first telephone message on my sister's birthday (looking up birthdays is great fun). Holidays are also marked on the Calendar and give historical information of their origins. I LOVE that! Every day there is something fun and new to learn. Many days, the information ends with great "starter" or "dig-deeper" questions that are wonderful for ideas for further research and reports. What a tremendous resource. And what a brilliant idea to wrap learning up in such a fun, and easy to use package.

Way to go, Learning Calendar!

-- Jenefer Igarashi, Senior Editor, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

Update for 2004!

It's easy to get excited about homeschool resources that make learning fun. I was delighted when I first got a hold of The Learning Calendar 2003 edition. I was pleasantly surprised when I received the 2004 version - they've made a great resource even better by including larger boxes that hold all new information for what happened on that day in history, and, particularly, I noticed the new element that includes a variety of miniature sized maps of the United States with the "featured" state of the day colored to stand out. This is a quick way to learn where all the states live at a glance. What a great way to incorporate geography. This is a unit study on the wall! Our family loves it, and I love it because I know that learning sticks when it's fun. Thanks, Learning Calendar, for another great year!



-- Product Review by: Jenefer Igarashi, Senior Editor, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine