Using her child-like painting of Revelation, artist and teacher Debby Topliff takes you through the scenes of John's vision on the island of Patmos and provides an overview of the entire book of Revelation.

45-minute video appropriate for children and adults

Includes small group study guide and discussion questions

Chosen by American Library Association in November 2009 as one of the top ten religion videos of the last two years

Topliff has a masters degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Presents the biblical story of John's vison without theological interpretation

Learn more at www.paintingrevelation.com

“In a thoughtful and artistic way, Debby allows us to hear the words of this mysterious book in a fresh way. This video, like the book of Revelation itself, carries with it its own blessing.”
— John Ortberg, author and teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian

“This is the most memorable bible teaching I have ever heard…and I have heard a lot of good bible teaching….This is just fabulous.”
— Judie Childress, LPC, M.Div in Biblical Communication

“It is difficult to express the beauty of what Topliff has created. When viewed on the whole her painting is stunning, though simple in execution. It is as though the Spirit of God has anointed her work, and the glory shines through the painting, rather than drawing its aesthetic appeal through technical merit. Her verbal tour through her work is certain but never strident, both authentically honest and loving. While the reality of eternal punishment is never hidden, Topliff draws viewers into the recognition of the safety, joy, and eternal love that is found within the promise of Revelation for those who follow Jesus.

The message of Painting Revelation is one that reaches viewers no matter their age. In one chair our 3-year-old was as equally captivated as her 43-year-old father. Topliff’s delivery is always calm and reassuring so that even the most graphic events described in Revelation, when illustrated by simple figures with little detail, never created a sense of fear or alarm in our young ones. As easily as small viewers receive this orientation to Revelation, older individuals can dig in deep with the extensive study resources provided on the DVD-ROM for use on personal computers.”
— Jennifer Bogart, Quiverfullfamily.com

“Topliff is a delight to listen to. She retells the story in Revelation using her very simple but beautiful paintings and the sound effects really compliment what is being told. She uses explanations from scholars but it’s done in a very simple and natural way and is easy to follow.  I liked it too that she herself wasn’t overgroomed or too ‘glossy’, but comes across as very natural and unassuming. It makes it easier to focus on what she says and demonstrates through her works of art.

The DVD has 5 sections - and each can be watched independently.  She does quote scripture but most of the script is a re-telling of the story and linking it with other sections of the Bible, which is great. I believe that this DVD is a really useful aid to getting into Revelation, which is - for so many - a very difficult book to understand, and which sadly is often skipped over.”
— Lorna, See-through faith, Finland

This is a set of 4 one-hour classes for children on "How to Write a Mystery Story." It is for all ages, from 6 to 18 years old. I'm dressed up as Sherlock Holmes, and we write the mystery story in easy installments. The first session includes the setting and the crime, which we weave together for a spectacular beginning. The mural behind me is a dark and stormy night with a mansion. Floor plans of mansions can be observed on mystery gameboards. At the end of the first session, I do a brief demonstration of spy equipment. I do a lot of hands-on activities, including taking fingerprints, handwriting analysis, secret messages, and other clues during the second session. The detective arrives at the scene of the crime to collect clues and interview witnesses. We make a ring of cards for the description of characters, and during the third class, a skit is performed with costumes to show dialogue and surprise endings. Suspects are also interviewed during that third class. Lots of ideas are supplied to make the writing fun and interesting. The fourth session gives ideas for revision to make the story come alive even more.

I've taught this Mystery class successfully to public school kids, Christian school kids, and kids living in London, England, for 7 years while I was a teacher. It has always been popular and well-liked, and the teenagers come out with at least 10 pages for their story, and they are very proud of their work. (The younger children had fewer pages, but their stories were also fabulous.) Children who hated writing began loving writing for the first time after taking this class. It is always a fun class for me to teach!

Does it take you half an hour to find the grammar book each morning? Do the kids take five minutes to find and sharpen a pencil? Many people ask, “Why bother to organize? It is too much work!” That has an easy answer: organization equals peace and consistency! In addition, I think that it is much less work to teach in an organized space than to try to find space and tools to teach every day. You reap what you sow: sow peace and efficiency into your homeschool to reap peace and effectiveness.

This seminar shows you how to set up an organized homeschool space, even if it's your kitchen table. You'll discover the top ten tools and how to use them. You'll finally be able to tackle the mountain of art projects and math papers. You'll learn how planning ahead can save you time and energy without being restrictive, and more.

Come on a virtual tour of my home, where I will show you:

1. How to organize each room in your house to maximize your space and streamline your time.
2. How to organize art supplies for hands-on learning projects.
3. How to organize baskets and bins for unit studies.
4. How to set up fun learning centers for elementary-aged children.

I have always been known for my organizational skills. It actually relaxes me to organize stuff! You will be sure to come away with fresh ideas because I made it up myself and personalized common organization strategies.

This one-hour workshop on Early Childhood Education was recorded at the Inland Northwest Homeschool Conference 2010. This lively workshop includes:

1. A dramatic reading (using different voices to read stories to your children)
2. Sandbox demonstrations (including battle tactics of soldiers in the sand)
3. Puppetry demonstrations (how to integrate puppets into your homeschool day)
4. Use of costumes in your homeschool, as it relates to young children

You will be sure to come away with many fresh ideas to use with your children ages 0 to 4.

One of the best supplements for practical, hands on science is nature study. Keeping a nature sketchbook helps students of all ages (that includes us adults!) look more carefully at the world around us, and observe the bits of nature right in our own backyards.

The problem is, nature sketching can often be intimidating due to a lack of drawing skill. Many moms have told me of the frustration of holding Edith Holden's Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady in one hand, and their own first attempts in the other. Super Simple Nature Sketching for Early Spring is designed to help you get a good foundation for sketching the nature we commonly come in contact with in early spring. Using regular and colored pencils, Kimberly Eddy walks you through, step by step, how to draw:

• Creative Cover Pages with Fancy Lettering
• Simple Spring Flowers such as Tulips and Daffodils
• Flowering and Budding Branches on Spring Trees
• Clouds and Rain
• Tadpoles
• Baby Turtles
• Birds' Nests

Super Simple Nature Sketching for Early Spring also includes a downloadable ebook supplement, with suggestions and resources for further nature study into each of these topics. Most of the resources are free resources I've used with my own family that I've found online. There are also many books you'll likely find in your library. Super Simple Nature Sketching for Early Spring (ebook supplement) also includes some of my favorite early spring quotes and poetry to use in your nature journal. I've also included some line art coloring pages for you to use.

Math Teacher Releases SAT-Prep DVD 
Six hours and six practice tests prepare kids for Math SAT

Sarasota, FL, July 5, 2010 – Long-time math tutor, teacher, motivator and study-skills master Dennis DiNoia has released a six-hour DVD designed to prepare high school students for their math SAT. The program includes test-taking strategies and six full-length practice tests with step-by-step solutions. It also explains how to use calculators on the SAT and includes access to DiNoia’s online help center and SAT practice-test center.

Better known as “Mr. D” to his students, DiNoia taught math in the Sarasota, Fla. public school system for 13 years before beginning his practice as a full-time math tutor 10 years ago. He has taught arithmetic and algebra to over 5,000 students and has personally tutored over 500 underachievers in math, raising their scores by 50 to 100 points when they take the math portion of the SAT. Mr. D is piloting a pre-algebra and algebra I curriculum for homeschool students for the 2010-11 school year.

“It is usually not the math on the SAT that gives students difficulty but rather the way the questions are asked,” DiNoia said. “Focusing on the kinds of questions they will encounter and on test-taking strategies has made all the difference for students.”

Nate Reynolds of Sarasota, Fla., who graduated from high school in June, credits DiNoia with getting him into the college of his choice. “Before I started using the Mr. D math program, I found myself exasperated with tough equations on tests. Even simpler algebra just frightened me. No other curriculum or teaching method has ever helped me like Mr. D. My math scores were high enough to be accepted to the college of my choice after the first time I took the SAT.” 

The SAT math-prep DVD retails for $149 but can be purchased for $99 through Scholars Sqaure. Live in-person 2-day SAT-prep seminars are also offered. For information, phone Dennis DiNoia at (941) 240-2957 or go to www.MrDmath.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Dennis DiNoia, M.A.Ed
dennis@mrdmath.com
941-240-2947

First time sky-diver?

First time heart-surgeon?

First time race car driver?

First time author?

There is a first time for everything and while writing is not life-threatening there is still a skill-set necessary, even for you! Join Felice Gerwitz, an author and publisher, as she recounts what she considers her necessary top-10 list.

These items include:

Creating your brand awarenes

Creating a speaking platform

Protecting your work

and much more!

Special bonus,

10-Things You Should Know Before You Write the First Word

eBook with every purchase.

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