Comparing and Contrasting Books That Were Made Into Movies

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We had tons of fun with the Poppins Book Nook blog series last year and we will be continuing that fun all throughout 2015. This month's theme was, "Books That Were Made Into Movies" Keep reading to learn more about the book we read, movies we watched and grab some great resources. There is also a giveaway at the end of the post! To check out all of our past Poppins Book Nook posts click here.

Books:
This month we read The Prince and the Pauper. I am sure you are well aware of this classic Mark Twain story that was originally written in 1882. The story takes place in Tudor England. A young ragged peasant boy wanders the streets begging for money. As he passes the golden gates of the Westminster Palace he bumps into the prince who just happens to look just like him. It is a moment that will change both of their lives, forever...

The adaptation we read is part of the Usborne Young Reading collection. The book is 63 pages with large easy to read text and beautiful illustrations.

After we read the book we discussed adaptations both in books and movies. Then we watched several movie adaptations of The Prince and the Pauper.




After reading the story and watching a few movie adaptations we completed a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast them. Download a FREE Movie/Novel Venn Diagram.

Additional Resources:
-Comparing books and movies lesson
-Lesson Plans Using Film Adaptations of Novels, Short Stories or Plays
-Books vs Movies - Teaching visual literacy and literature through movies

Here is a list of the wonderful bloggers participating in the Poppins Book Nook be sure to visit them for more fun ideas:

Enchanted Homeschooling Mom - 3 Dinosaurs - ABC Creative Learning - As We Walk Along the Road - Brain Power Boy - Chestnut Grove Academy - Embracing Destiny - Every Bed of Roses - Farm Fresh Adventures - Growing in God's Grace - Kathys Cluttered Mind - My Bright Firefly - Peakle Pie - Preschool Powol Packets - Pray Species - SAHM I am - Stir The Wonder - Sunny Day Family - Sweet Silly Sara - Teach Beside Me - To the Moon and Back - Tots and Me - Tree Valley Academy - Witty Hoots

Books That Were Turned Into Movies Bundle Giveaway!

Hollywood glitz and glamour means nothing without a good story. Some of the places that these block buster movies come from is straight from the pages of our favorite books. This month one lucky entrant will win the Books That Were Turned Into Movies Bundle Giveaway. The winner will receive one copy of each of these storybooks that were turned into movies: The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web, and The Gruffalo. So pop some popcorn, jump in your comfy chair, and get ready to enjoy books that were turned into movies this month with the Poppins Book Nook! 

Entrants must be 18 years or older and reside in a country that receives U.S. Postal mail. This giveaway is brought to you by the company Enchanted Homeschooling Mom who is owner and founder of the Poppins Book Nook. By entering this giveaway you are also acknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the PromoSimple terms & conditions as well as Enchanted Homeschooling Mom's disclosures found here.

Image attribute: Melonheadzdoodles CollectiveCreation

Inside Out - Journal Page, Craft and More

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A couple days ago we went to the theater with our homeschool movie club group to see Pixar's newest film Inside Out. If you missed the last movie club updates check it out, we went to see Disney Nature's Monkey Kingdom (there is a fun, free journal page and craft idea on the post that you won't want to miss).

Every few months when a fun, educational movie is released we get together and go to the movies with friends from our homeschool group in Georgia. But that's not all...I also create a journal page centered around the movie and come up with a fun craft project for the group to complete afterwards.

Inside Out was amazing...it is definitely my new favorite Pixar film! The film had us laughing one minute and in tears the next (well it had me in tears). It was a fabulous way to teach children about emotions.  I'm sure by now you have seen the previews but let me give you a quick synopsis. Inside Out is a about a girl named Riley, and the various emotions that shape her into who she is, starting from the day she is born. Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust are the emotions Riley experiences on a daily basis together these emotions help form her life long memories. The majority of Riley's memories are happy until she gets uprooted from her childhood home, friends and hockey team. Her emotions begin to run wild and Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust start to take over. One of my favorite lessons that is taken away from the movie is that without occasional sadness, we would never know what real joy feels like.

After the movie our group got to go behind the scenes to check out the projection room....special thanks to Aurora Cineplex a locally owned and operated theater and entertainment center.

Then the kids made a fun stress ball craft to help them explore and learn about their emotions even more. These are super easy to make and great for helping kids get in touch more with their emotions and relieve some stress that they may be feeling as a result of those emotions.

Stress Ball Craft:

Supplies:
-Balloons (12 inch balloons work best)
-Flour
-Permanent markers
-Straw
-Funnel (or a water bottle with the bottom cut off....these actually work better than a funnel)

Instructions:

1. Stretch the balloon out by holding it at one end and pulling on the other (pull gently so you don't tear it). You can also blow it up and deflate it several times to stretch it out. 
2. Place the funnel (or cut water bottle) in the balloon opening and slowly pour flour into the balloon until it is full (about 1 cup).
3. Tie off the balloon end and clean any flour off the balloon.
4. Draw a face on the balloon that corresponds with the balloon color. (ie green = disgust, blue = sadness, red = anger, yellow = joy and purple = fear). Optional write the emotion on the back of the stress ball.

Free Inside Out journal page:
Each family also left with a copy of the journal page I created for the movie. You can download a copy for FREE here (or click the photo below).

Image courtesy of Pixar.

Recommended reading:

• What's Happening To Me? Girls Edition and Boys Edition - These books help children understand the changes, feeling and emotions they are having as they go through puberty.
• Do Nice, Be Kind, Spread Happy - This cool and quirky title is full of ways to spread a bit of happy, and release your inner ninja of niceness with some guerrilla acts of goodness.
• The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness - George lived alone with his grandmother and an empty place where his mother and father should have been.
• The Feelings Book - The Feelings Book vibrantly illustrates the wide range of moods we all experience
• Understanding Myself - A self-help guide for kids to understand and manage their strong emotions.

More resources:

• Inside Out Activities - Memory Mural, Abstract Art and more
• Inside Out Recipes and Printables 
• The Science of Inside Out - 5 TED -Ed Lessons to help you understand the film

Don't worry I will share the craft and journal page after each homeschool movie club meeting!

Disneynature Monkey Kingdom - Journal Page, Crafts and More

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A couple days ago we went to the theater with our homeschool movie club group to see Disneynature's newest film Monkey Kingdom. If you missed the last movie club update check it out, we wen to see Night At The Museum (there is a fun, free journal page and craft idea on the post that you won't want to miss).

Every few months when a fun, educational movie is released we get together and go to the movies with friends from our homeschool group in Georgia. But that's not all...I also create a journal page centered around the movie and come up with a fun craft project for the group to complete afterwards.

We are huge fans of the Disneynature movies. We have seen them all and even reviewed Chimpanzee when it was released. This movie was just as good as all its predecessors. There were funny, sad, and edge of your seat moments. Plus the movie is really educational. An added bonus of seeing the movie during opening week is that part of the movie ticket proceeds go towards helping protect monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitats.

After the movie our group got to go behind the scenes to check out the projection room....special thanks to Aurora Cineplex a locally owned and operated theater and entertainment center.

After the movie the kids made two fun crafts. One is craft was about monkeys and the other was about our planet Earth, both go along great with the movie

Earth Rock Craft:

Supplies:
-Blue Paint
-Green Paint
-Rocks
-Paint brush
-Acrylic Spray

Instructions:

1. Paint the rock blue first and let it dry.
2. After the rock is dry add some land formations with the green paint.
3. After the rock has completely dried spray it with acrylic paint.

You can put the Earth rock in your garden, flower pot or just sit it on a shelf.

Monkey Pipe Cleaner Craft:

Supplies:
-4 Brown Pipe Cleaners
-1 Yellow Pipe Cleaner
-Scissors
-Pencil

Instructions:

1. Cut the brown pipe cleaners into the following sizes: 1- 10 inch, 1 - 6 1/2 inch, 2 - 3 1/2 inch,  2 - 1 inch. Cut the yellow pipe cleaner into the following size: 1 - 1 inch
2. Take the 6 1/2 inch pipe cleaner piece and make a circle at one end for the head. This is the head/tail.
3. Next take the 10 inch pipe cleaner piece and create a corkscrew/spring. You can either wrap it around a marker or your finger. This is the body.
4. Place the corkscrew/spring over the head/tail pipe cleaner piece. Pinch the top and bottom of the body piece onto the head/tail piece to secure.
5. Next take the two    pieces and place one just below the head and wrap it around once to secure. Place the other piece at the bottom of the body piece and wrap it around to secure. These creates the legs. 
6. Next take the two   pieces and wrap them around the top of the head to create ears. 
7. Finally give the monkey a banana to eat by placing the yellow pipe cleaner in one of his hands.

The monkey can now be played with, sat on a shelf and posed, wrapped around a stick and placed in a flower pot or put on the end of a pencil for a cute pencil topper.

Free Monkey Kingdom journal page:
Each family also left with a copy of the journal page I created for the movie. You can download a copy for FREE here (or click the photo below).

Photo courtesy of  Disneynature.

Recommended reading:

• Monkey's
• Monkey's Sticker Book
• Monkey's Friends
• National Geographic Monkey's
• Monkey's A Picture Book (FREE eBook)
• Gorilla, Monkey and Ape Eyewitness 

More goodies:

• Visit the Monkey Kingdom website for fun games and downloads, including an educator guide and parent guide.

Don't worry I will share the craft and journal page after each homeschool movie club meeting!

Night At The Museum - Secret Of The Tomb Journal Page and Craft

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About a week ago we saw Night At The Museum - Secret of the Tomb with our homeschool movie club. Yes I totally created a homeschool movie club for my homeschool group in Georgia. Every few months when a fun, educational movie is released we will get together and go to the movies. But that's not all...I also create a journal page centered around the movie and come up with a fun craft project for the group to complete afterwards.

The Night At The Museum films are some of my kids favorites...okay mine too. Believe it or not my children have learned quite a bit from the movies as well. Night At The Museum - Secret Of The Tomb was just as good as its two predecessors. It was filled with laughs, excitement and educational references.

After the movie our group got to go behind the scenes to check out the projection room....special thanks to Movie Tavern. Did you know a projector light bulb is about $3,000!

Not the best photos..but you get the idea!

After the movie the kids made their own tablets of Ahkmenrah using salt dough.

Tablet of Ahkmenrah craft instructions:

Supplies:
-1 cup of salt
-1 cup of flour
-1/2 cup of water (might need a little more)
-Gold paint
-Bamboo skewer or paper clip or another sharp object to carve with
-Hieroglyphs printout

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl combine the salt and flour.
2. Gradually add the water and knead with your hands until it forms a doughy consistency. If the dough is too hard add a little more water. If it is too soft and squishy add a little more flour.
3. Form a ball and continue to knead for about 5 minutes. The longer you knead the smoother it will be.
4. Next form a rectangle for the tablet.
5. Use a sharp object to gently carve hieroglyphs into the dough.
6. Bake the table at 200 F until your creation is dry. The amount of time needed to bake your creations depends on size and thickness; thin flat tablets may only take 45-60 minutes, thicker tablets can take 2-3 hours or more. Make sure you dust the pan with some flour to avoid the piece sticking.
7. After the tablet is hardened paint it using gold the paint.

When you are not using the dough make sure you store it in a sealed baggie or container as it will dry out.

Free Night At The Museum journal page:
Each family also left with a copy of the journal page I created for the movie. You can download a copy for FREE here (or click the photo below).

More goodies:

• Visit the Night At The Museum website for fun games and downloads.
• Night At The Museum game app for iPhone.

Don't worry I will share the craft and journal page after each homeschool movie club meeting!

Peachtree City Adventures - From Air Aerobatics to Zombies There's Something for Everyone

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A few weeks ago we visited Peachtree City for a short weekend getaway. It was our first time visiting this spectacular city and we fell in love. Peachtree City is located just 26 miles South of Atlanta and is the perfect place to live, work or play.

In the 1950's a group of developers joined forces to build a planned community on over 12,000 acres in Fayette County.And in 1959 Peachtree City was chartered. There are 5 villages in Peachtree City each connected by over 90 miles of multi-use recreational and golf cart paths. Peachtree City's current villages are Aberdeen, Braelinn, Glenloch, Kedron, and Wilksmoor and each has their own shopping areas, elementary schools, recreational parks, facilities and more. There is something for everyone in this amazing city including outdoor recreation, leisure activities, nationally recognized festivals and more.

During our visit we stayed at the beautiful, serene Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree Hotel. And we had the opportunity to catch the breathtaking plane stunts at The Great Georgia AirShow, geocache on the Peachtree City pathways and tour film locations on The Southern Hollywood Film Tour.

Visit my Trekaroo list for more information.

Revolutionary War Films For Children

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My last two war film posts were such a huge hit that I figured I should just continue working through the wars. You can view the other lists here: WWII Films For Children and Civil War Films and Apps For Children.

Here is a list of Revolutionary films (movies and documentaries) that are child friendly (PG-13 and below ratings).

War is always a very sensitive subject and can be a very tricky one to discuss with children due to the horrific nature of the events. These are documentaries and movies that we would allow our children to watch with parental supervision. However children's maturity levels and parent views are all different so before letting your children watch these I encourage you to preview them first!

Revolutionary War films for children:
1) Drums Along the Mohawk - Amazon - Newlyweds Gil and Lana Martin try to establish a farm in the Mohawk Valley but are menaced by Indians and Tories as the Revolutionary War begins.
2) John Adams - Amazon - 7 part mini series about the life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.
3) April Morning - Netflix - The "April Morning" here is the famous April 19, 1775 upon which the "Shot heard 'round the world" was fired, signaling the start of the American Revolution. Faithful to author Howard Fast's somewhat revisionist view that the skirmishes between the Colonial militia and the British troops in Lexington and Concord (Massachusetts) were precipitated as much by fervent American patriots led by Solomon Chandler as by any "Redcoat" belligerence.
4) Johnny Tremain - Amazon - Johnny Tremain is drawn into the Revolutionary War, and becomes a patriot fighting to free the colonies from England. Along the way he learns about life and about himself.
5) The Crossing - YouTube - A dramatization of George Washington's perilous gamble of crossing the Delaware River and attacking the British forces at Trenton
6) All For Liberty - Amazon - It is 1775. Henry Felder, a Swiss-German colonist, lives with his family in the British colony of South Carolina. After many years of struggling with corrupt British rulers, Felder is urged by the new patriot governor to write Articles of Separation from the English King. Felder's old Indian fighting comrade forms a Tory militia to assist the Crown as the fight heats up.
7) The Scarlet Coat - Amazon - Colonial counter-intelligence officer Cornel Wilde poses as a deserter to ferret out a British spy in this action-packed Revolutionary War adventure.
8) America - YouTube - The story of a family caught up in the American Revolutionary War.
9) 1776 - Amazon - A musical retelling of the American Revolution's political struggle in the Continental Congress to declare independence.
10) Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor - Netflix DVD - On the glorious battlefields of the American Revolution, two great generals distinguished themselves; George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
11) Jamestown: The Beginning - Amazon - Historical overview of America's first permanent English settlement, including Jamestown's origins in England and the first quarter century of the colony's existence.
12) America: The Story of Us (Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2) - Amazon - The colonies declare independence, taking on the might of the British Empire. Washington's army is near defeat, but new weapons and battle tactics turn the tide. Forged through revolution, a new nation is born.
13) Revolution - Amazon - Revolution is a 1985 historical drama directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Robert Dillon and starring Al Pacino, Donald Sutherland and Nastassja Kinski. The film stars Pacino as a New York fur trapper who involuntarily gets enrolled in the Revolutionary forces during the American Revolutionary War
14) American Revolution Animated Kids Lesson - No More Kings - Schoolhouse Rock
 - YouTube - School House Rock is an animated children's cartoon that teaches about the Constitution, the American Revolution, and other aspects of American politics, civics, and U.S. History.
15) Liberty's Kids - American Revolution Episodes - YouTube - Watch all 39 episodes which deal with the American Revolution
16) The American Revolution (Documentary) - YouTube - History Channel series on the Revolutionary War17) PBS The War That made America Documetary (2 parts) - YouTube - PBS documentary on the Revolutionary War.

I will continue adding more films and apps to this list as I come across them so be sure to pin or bookmark the post for future reference.

*We may let our children watch things other parents may not approve of. So before you let your children watch any of these I encourage you to preview them first.

Documentary printable:

This journal page is great for any documentary, get yours here for FREE or click the photo below.

What are some of your favorite child friendly Revolutionary War films or documentaries?

Civil War Films and Apps For Children

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

The Civil War is a huge part of Georgia history and it is almost a guarantee that we will learn something new about the Civil War during our fieldtrip adventures. And it is inevitable that my children will have questions and will want to learn even more afterwards. Thankfully there are amazing films and apps to help us out.

Here is a list of Civil War films (movies and documentaries) that are child friendly (PG-13 and below ratings). As well as several great Civil War Apps.

War is always a very sensitive subject and can be a very tricky one to discuss with children due to the horrific nature of the events. Civil War films tend to be very bloody and gory, since it was one of the bloodiest battles in our history. These are documentaries and movies that we have allowed our children to watch with parental supervision. However children's maturity levels and parent views are all different so before letting your children watch these I encourage you to preview them first!

Civil War films for children:

- Dog Jack - Redbox - During the Civil War, a slave boy and his dog escape from a plantation, join the Union army and eventually face their former master on the battlefield.
-Ken Burns: The Civil War - Netflix - a documentary depicting the action of famous Civil War battles. Includes stories of soldiers and generals and the president.
-Death and the Civil War - Netflix - A film that explores how the American Civil War created a "republic of suffering" and charts the war's far reaching social, political and social impact.
-National Geographic: Civil War Gold - Netflix - Excavators and explorers uncover the mysteries of the SS Republic, a steamship that sank in 1865.
-Fields of Valor - Netflix - The miniseries brings to life the intimate accounts of brave men on both sides of the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict the U.S has ever know.
-Gettysburg - Amazon Prime - The epic story of the three day battle that forever changed the course of the American Civil War, this sweeping drama is compassionately recounted through the eyes of soldiers.
-Gods and Generals - Amazon Prime - The rise and fall of legendary war hero Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson as he leads the Confederacy to great success against the Union from 1861 to 1863. Prequel to the 1993 classic "Gettysburg".
-The Red Badge of Courage - Amazon Prime - Truncated adaptation of Stephen Crane's novel about a Civil War Union soldier who struggles to find the courage to fight in the heat of battle.
-Warriors of Honor - Amazon Prime - The Revolutionary War united America. Less than one hundred years later, a bloody Civil War divided it. Most Americans believe that Southerners fought to preserve slavery; however, a much deeper divide existed between the North and South. Two drastically different cultures had emerged on the American landscape.
-How the West Was Won - Amazon Prime - A family saga covering several decades of Westward expansion in the nineteenth century--including the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the building of the railroads.
-The Civil War, Part I: Crash Course US History - YouTube

-The Civil War Trust - YouTube - has tons of awesome videos (I love their 4 minute videos)
-Conflict in the South (2 part) Liberty Kids - YouTube
-Causes Of The American Civil War  - YouTube
-A Summary of The Civil War - YouTube
-Johnny Shilo - YouTube
-History.com Civil War videos

Civil War Apps (FREE):
-Civil War Battles - Android - Civil War Battles is a detailed turn-based simulation of combat from the American Civil War. Unit types include infantry, cavalry, artillery, gunboats, and supply wagons as well as leaders which can significantly determine the outcome of a battle just based on their own personal leadership and command abilities.
-American Civil War Gazette - Android - With the advent of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War (ACW) upon us, this is a simple app + widget that will unfold the news headlines and events of the ACW in real-time as they occurred.
-Atlanta Campaign Battle App - IOS and Android - The Atlanta Campaign Battle App™ is the perfect touring partner for your visits to North Georgia’s Civil War battlefields. Our GPS-enabled tour application allows you to discover the great historical sites associated with this pivotal 1864 campaign.
-Civil War Interactive Tour - IOS and Android - Sandy Springs has a rich, complex Civil War history.  This app is a wonderful new asset that residents and visitors to the area can utilize to learn more of the pivotal role the area played during the turbulent summer of 1864, when Union General William T. Sherman unleashed his Army to cross the Chattahoochee River and take the City of Atlanta.
-Marietta's Cannonball Trail -  IOS and Android - Download this app for a voice narrated, guided tour of Marietta’s Cannonball Trail. Stops include: Cheatham Hill and the Illinois Monument, Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park, Kolb’s Farm, The Marietta Confederate Cemetery and many antebellum homes.
-History Here - IOS and Android -  an interactive travel guide to thousands of historic locations across the United States.

A few months ago The Civil War in Four Minutes was available to watch online but was removed for copyright infringement. It was absolutely amazing though and I highly recommend purchasing The Civil War In Four Minutes DVD. Here is the trailer.

I will continue adding more films and apps to this list as I come across them so be sure to pin or bookmark the post for future reference.

More suggestions:
-FREE Civil War resources
-Your Story Hour - General Lee Hero of the South

*We may let our children watch things other parents may not approve of. So before you let your children watch any of these I encourage you to preview them first.

Documentary printable:

This journal page is great for any documentary, get yours here for FREE or click the photo below.

What are some of your favorite child friendly Civil War films or apps?

Homeschooler's Unite - Go See Dolphin Tale 2 On September 12th and Download Your FREE Curriculum

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You may remember me asking you to go see Dolphin Tale back in 2011? Well thanks to homeschoolers all over the country flocking to see Dolphin Tale in theaters we caught Hollywood's attention! And it is because of us that Dolphin Tale 2 was able to be produced! If you haven't see Dolphin Tale you really need to. You can read our review here.

"Homeschoolers made a huge difference for the first Dolphin Tale movie. When our groups and communities showed up en masse to catch the matinee screenings on opening day, we caught Hollywood’s attention, helping make the original film a box office success and enabling Dolphin Tale 2 to be produced.” ~ Homeschoomovieclub.com

So homeschoolers are you ready to unite again? It is not often that homeschoolers can ban together nationwide to advocate an educational, homeschool friendly film. Did you know that the two main actors are homeschooled? Dolphin Tale 2 releases on Friday September 12, 2014 and has been dubbed Homeschool Day by HomeSchoolMovieClub.com!!!! Check with your local theater and find a matinee showing, then get a group of friends together and GO SEE this fabulous movie! Lets create a wave again!

Let me know in the comments if you plan to attend!

After you see the movie you and your children can continue the fun at home by learning all about dolphins and marine biology with the Homeschool Movie Club FREE Dolphin Tale 2 curriculum. Sherri Seligson author of several Apologia books is the writer of this fantastic, comprehensive curriculum. The new curriculum not only presents lessons on dolphins, it also explores careers in marine biology and aquarium life. There are five lessons (2-3 pages each) which are paired with special videos that were filmed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium!!! In addition to the five pdfs and video curriculum, Homeschool Movie Club has also partnered with Classical Conversations to create a Dolphin Tale curriculum for additional learning and fun!

The Dolphin Tale Curriculum is really comprehensive, engaging and most importantly fun. Each pdf lesson contains instructions and activities for elementary to high school-aged students, along with age-appropriate explanations and vocabulary. A dolphin and turtle symbol are used to indicate if the activity is for elementary age children or middle-high school aged children. Here are some of the activities you will find in the pdf lessons - matching, drawing, experiments, coloring, reading comprehension, mapping, art, math problems and more. There is also an answer key provided.

The videos are about 2-3 minutes in length and are filmed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. David Yates, a homeschool dad of 4, provides detailed information about dolphins and marine biology. You will even get to see some clips of the Clearwater staff in action.

The Classical Conversations Dolphin Tale curriculum contains 71 pages of information on dolphins. It is also very comprehensive, engaging and fun. Biology, Math, Bible, Geography, History, Art, Literature and Language are all covered in this pdf booklet. Each subject is broken up into it's own section making it very easy to navigate and fit in a little of each subject everyday. My daughter loved the art section of course!

*Note you will need to create a FREE account on Homeschool Movie Club to access these files.

About the movie:

Inspired by true events, Dolphin Tale 2  continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery—thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail—made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie “Dolphin Tale.” This film reunites the entire main cast, led by Harry Connick Jr., Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and of course, the remarkable dolphin Winter as herself. Champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who has been an example of courage, also appears in the film.

It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett, rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy, who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life. Yet their fight is not over. Winter’s surrogate mother, the very elderly dolphin Panama, has passed away, leaving Winter without the only pool mate she has ever known. However, the loss of Panama may have greater repercussions for Winter, who, according to USDA regulations, cannot be housed alone, as dolphins’ social behavior requires them to be paired with other dolphins. Time is running out to find a companion for her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.

Watch the Trailer:

Follow Dolphin Tale On Social Media:

-Website 

-Facebook

-Twitter

Use these hashtags when talking about the movie: #DolphinTale2, #HomeschoolDay2014 & #WinterHasHope

Now check your local theater for showtimes! 

World War II Films For Children

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

My children have both been really into WWII history lately. So after much research I have compiled a list of WWII films (movies and documentaries) that are child friendly and can be found on Netflix or at Redbox.

WWII is a very sensitive subject and can be a very tricky one to discuss with children due to the horrific nature of the events. These are documentaries and movies that we have allowed our 7 and 8 year old watch with parental supervision. However children's maturity levels and parent views are all different so before letting your children watch these I encourage you to preview them first!

WWII films for children (ages 7 and older):

1) Boy In The Striped Pajamas (Netflix) - when a German family moves from Berlin to Poland, a young boy befriends a boy who lives on the other side of the fence, unaware he's a Jewish prisoner. (PG-13 rating)
2) Monuments Men (Redbox) - an unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. (PG-13 rating)
3) Mystery Files Hitler (Redbox) - what happened in WWI that turned socially awkward loner Adolf Hitler into the most infamous dictator in human history? (TV-PG rating)
4) Steal a Pencil for Me (Netflix) - this moving documentary chronicles the unshakable romance between a couple who met and fell in love while in a Nazi concentration camp (NR)
5) Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack (Netflix) - dive deep into the waters of the historic Pearl Harbor to find the remains of a Japanese sub and examine the wreckage of the USS Arizona. (TV PG rating)
6) Tora! Tora! Tora! The Attack On Pearl Harbor (Netflix) - the movie is named for the Japanese phrase that signals the start of an attack. In this film the American and Japanese versions of the bombing of Pear harbor are told. (G rating)
7) Search for the Battleship Bismarck (Netflix) - join Dr. Robert Ballard on a gripping underwater journey to discover the secrets of the Bismarck, a notorious World War II-era German battleship. (TV-PG rating)
8) The Diary of Anne Frank (Netflix) - based on the classic book, teenage Anne Frank tells in her own words, how she and her Jewish family hid from the Nazis during WWII. (NR)
9) The Book Thief (Redbox) - while subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents. (PG-13 rating)
10) Life Is Beautiful (Netflix) - a Jewish waiter, his wife and their son are sent to a concentration camp, where the waiter tries to protect his son's innocence by playing a game (PG-13 rating)
11) Nova: 3D Spies of WWII (Neflix) - discover the little-known secrets of Allied spies whose photography helped thwart new German weapons technology at the height of World War II. (TV-PG rating)
12) History in HD: The Last Bomb (Netflix) - rarely seen combat footage takes viewers along for a 21st Bomber Command's long distance strikes on Tokyo near the end of WWII. (TV-PG rating)
13) Paper Clips (Netflix) - struggling to understand the enormity of the  Holocaust, students at a Tennessee middle school collect 6 million paper clips to grasp the concept. (G rating)

WWII films for older or more mature children:

1) Auschwitz Inside The Nazi State (Netflix) - this is a documentary series that tackles one of history's most disquieting subjects: the Holocaust and infamous Aushwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. (TV-PG rating)
2) The Winds of War (Netflix) - the trials of the Henry and Jastrow families in the early years of World War II. (NR)
3) World War II Final Days (Netflix) - witness the accounts of those who survived the final days of WWII, from soldiers on the front lines to citizens on the streets of Berlin. (TV-14 rating)
4) Hitlers Children (Netflix) - the descendants of Hermann Goering, Heinrich Himmler and Amon Goeth come to terms with the role their families played in the Holocaust. (NR)
5) Ken Burns: The War (Neflix) - a 7 part series that brings to life WWII through the harrowing personal accounts of soldiers and others from "typical" American towns. (TV-14)
6) Inside The Nazi Hunters (Netflix) - this series documents the work of Nazi hunters who chased down a few of the most hated individuals on earth, often employing controversial methods. (NR)
7) Secrets of the Dead: Deadliest Battle (Netflix) - aided by archival film, eyewitness accounts and long buried documents, this probing documentary looks at Germany's 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. (NR)

I will continue adding more films to this list as I come across them so be sure to pin or bookmark the post for future reference.

*We may let our children watch things other parents may not approve of. So before you let your children watch any of these I encourage you to preview them first.

I will try to post a top 10 list of our favorite documentaries and films at least once a month!

Documentary printable:

This journal page is great for any documentary, get yours here for FREE or click the photo below.

What are some of your favorite child friendly WWII films?

Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con BIG Ticket Giveaway

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Every year Atlanta Comic Con draws tens of thousands of visitors. It is a can't miss event for every geek, comic book lover and fantasy enthusiast. Comic Con will be held May 30th - June 1st at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Atlanta Comic Con brings it all - Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Graphic Novels, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles, Anime, Manga & More! It is Georgia’s best new Comic Con!

Some of the special guests include Kevin Sorbo, Lauren Cohan, Karen Gillian, Robert Knepper, Michael Rooker and more. For the entire program and guest line up visit the Comic Con website for further details.

Atlanta Comic Con is a family friendly and each adult ticket includes free admission for 2 kids under 10 years old.

Our geeky family is really excited, hope to see you there!

Discount Code:

Do receive an awesome discount on tickets ($16.45-$18.80 off) follow these instructions:

1. Click on our ticketing link: http://wizd.me/ATL_TIX

2. Choose either Friday or Sunday 1-day Ticket

3. Add to Cart & Checkout

4. Enter "ATLBLOG" in "Discount Code" section

(*discount code expires Saturday 5/31 at midnight*)

(*discount may not be applied to any previously purchased tickets*)

Now time for the giveaway: 
From now until May 28th (midnight) I will be giving away 2 Comic Con tickets per day! 2 winners per day will each receive 2 adult tickets (up to 2 kids under the age of 10 get in FREE with each adult ticket). Tickets may be used either on Friday or Sunday. Tickets will be emailed to the winners on or around the 28th-29th. Under the mandatory entry please be sure to list the name and email address you would like your tickets under. 

Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winners will be posted on the rafflecopter widget and will receive their tickets via email from Comic Con marketing.

**Please note the requirement of providing your name and email address in first entry is only used to send your contact info to Comic Con if you win. You will not be added to any email list of any kind. Your email is needed so that Comic Con can email your ticket to you and add you to the list. 

Please wait a moment for Rafflecopter to load.....
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners List:

1. Sheryl B. and Cleve W
2. Derek S. and Melissa H.
3. Adam B. and Cara S.
4. Leighann E. and Kristin P.
5. Jennifer B. and Tracy V.
6. Melissa S. and Sarah C.
7. Steven H. and Margaret W.
8. Matt G. and Adonis I.
9. Trisha D. and Kim B.
10. Jamie H. and Kelly C.

Congratulations! You should have received an email from me and will receive your voucher from Wizard World on or around the 28th.

Fernbank Museum IMAX - Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Review

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Last month during our visit to Fernbank Museum of Natural History the children saw a preview for the IMAX film, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar. They both begged to return to Fernbank to see it when it released on April 4th. Well last week we were lucky enough to attend a screening of the film and it was spectacular.

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar is brought to you by IMAX and Warner Brothers Pictures and was directed by Drew Fellman (writer and director of 2011 IMAX documentary Born to Be Wild). This amazing documentary journeys to a place that is on my travel bucket list, Madagascar. The film highlights the incredible, true story of nature's greatest explorers, lemurs. Did you know that lemur means, wondering spirit?

The film is about 45 minutes long and takes you on a breathtaking journey around the remote island of Madagascar. During the trip you will learn about the sacred creatures that make their home there as they leap, sing and dance their way into your heart. One of my favorite actors is the narrator for the journey, Morgan Freeman! Freeman gives the lemurs a voice throughout the film making it fun and entertaining! The cinematography was breathtaking and the soundtrack was fun and upbeat. The film is rated G so it's perfect for the entire family!

Throughout the documentary you will follow Dr. Patricia Wright, a passionate scientist, as she works towards preserving a life for these magnificent creatures through amazing conservation techniques. Several different species of lemurs are discussed during the film including the endangered Bamboo Lemur. Did you know there are 60 species of lemurs?

You will not only learn about the lemurs and how the castaways arrived millions of years ago on the island, but you will also learn about the ever changing landscape and the people who inhabit the special island. Did you know that lemurs have adapted over the years to survive the diverse habitats on the island?

As a homeschool mom I loved how educational the film was. It incorporated history, science, geography, the importance of conservation and more! Both children learned a lot from the film and were oohing and ahing the entire time. Visit the official Island of Lemurs: Madagascar website for FREE educator and activity guides, downloads and more!

This film will bring to life these living treasures and their surroundings without ever leaving Atlanta!

More Details:
Fernbank Museum of Natural History and the 5-story-tall Rankin M. Smith Sr. IMAX^® Theatre are located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Call 404.929.6400 or visit the website to purchase your tickets. The film will be shown daily from April 4th- August 14, 2014. IMAX tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $11 for children 12 and under and $8 for museum members.

*To find out if the film is playing in a theater near you visit the official Island of Lemurs: Madagascar website. There are 3D and 2D productions and our review is based on the 2D version.

Thor Movie Review

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

We spent our New Years Eve watching action packed, superhero movies. Which are a favorite genre for the entire family. We already own many of the Marvel superhero movies like Iron Man, X-Men, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and Captain American and now thanks to Connect Your Home we now own the first Thor movie.

Moms review:
What's not to love about Thor it has action, fantasy, romance and suspense. There is something for everyone in the is movie. Not to mention a little bit of mythology education too!

Thor in case you didn't know is a Norse hammer-wielding god. He is associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing and fertility. Back in 1962 Stan Lee created the Thor comic book which was based on original Norse myths. Now years later Thor was brought to life in a motion picture by Marvel Studios.

The movie opens with physicist (and main character) Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) investigating a atmospheric disturbance with her team in the New Mexico desert. The disturbance? You guessed it Thor falling out of the sky.

The movie flashes back to introduce you to Asgard, the inhabitants and the war against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. You also meet Thor (Chris Hemsworth), his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) all key players in the movie.

Then the action starts and things get interesting. Thor and his brother Loki are both ready to take over the throne of Asgard. Sibling rivalry takes over and both battle for their father Odin's approval. Odin is a wise ruler and has kept Asgard a peaceful place for many years. But his life is coming to an end and war is threatening their World. Both brothers have their own thoughts on what should be done. The arrogant Thor takes matters into his own hands and as a result he is banished to Earth by his father for his actions.

Flash forward back to Earth where Thor lands in the desert with no power and the loss of his hammer. Now he must fight to reclaim his warrior status by proving to his father he is worthy! And when dark forces threaten Earth and Asgard, Thor becomes a true hero to save those he cares most.

The visuals in the movie were spectacular especially Asgard. My children loved the rainbow bridge. I really liked the Asgardian costumes and thought they were very well done. The acting though was just okay there could definitely be some improvements in this area.

The second Thor movie Thor: The Dark World is still in theaters and will be coming out on DVD and Blu-ray on February 25th.

Marvel synopsis: 
The epic adventure "Thor" spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Warnings: 
My 6 and 7 year old watched this movie and I was not overly concerned about anything but here are some cautions.

You see Thor's bare chest once or twice. There is kissing between Thor and Jane. Intense, non-realistic, not overly bloody battle scenes and explosions. There is the use of swearing about 7 times (d#m*, hell, a*#, God's name in vain). There are a couple scenes with alcohol. The Frost Giants and giant robot creature may be scary for some children.

Overall, the majority of the violence is fantasy and against nonhuman enemies. However fight scenes that take place on Earth and the cars crashing might be upsetting to some due to their real world nature.

Trailer:
Thor 2 trailer! I cannot wait to see this with the family!




Important information:

MPAAP: Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston

Director: Kenneth Branagh, Joss Whedon

Running Time: 115 minutes

Release: 2011

Favorite quotes:
Here are a few of our favorite quotes:

"Well magic's just science we don't understand yet.'

"Whosever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."

“I will never be a wiser king than you. Or a better father.  I have much to learn, I know that now.”

Educational resources:
There are many character lessons that can be learned from this movie. Like humility, sacrifice and selflessness. Another good message is honoring your father and mother. You can also learn a little bit about some Norse mythology.

Links to follow:

-Marvel Website
-Marvel Facebook page
-Marvel Twitter

I give this movie 5 STARS!

If you miss watching it in theaters you can also pre-order Thor: Dark World on Amazon, release date is February 25, 2014.

Special thanks to ConnectYouHome.com for providing us with a copy of Thor!