Marsh Media, a producer of health and safety curriculums for classrooms, have come out with a neat product available to homeschoolers. The Key Concepts In Personal Development kits each include a video, full color hardcover storybook, and teaching guide. Each kit focuses on a different character quality while tying in geography and science, through the study of a particular culture and the animal of which the story talks. They are chock full of educational opportunities. My children really enjoyed the kit we have, wanting to replay the Feathers at Las Flores video as often as possible. The book and video are high quality, and colorful with a charming story about a parrot who talks too much. With the help of the teacher's guide, you could easily turn this kit into a month-long unit study. The teacher's guide includes ideas for math, science, vocabulary, and more. While on the higher end of the price spectrum, when you factor in the enjoyment, as well as the many clearly presented teaching ideas in the guide, this resource becomes a good value. Including character education in our school day is a great idea.

Publisher's note: I, too, had an opportunity to review Feathers at Las Flores, and wanted to include a quick comment. I think the program is especially great for little ones who like to read along. The book that is included with the particular matching video and teacher's guide is extremely high quality, complete with dust jacket and is in full color. Moreover, it contains the exact words as read in the video, so a child can actually follow along with the book. The entire program is designed to work together. I really like it, and although we normally can say more when we have the opportunity to test a variety of products from a given company (it is difficult to represent what the company offers when you only have one item to go by - we only reviewed the one kit), if this is the "norm" from Marsh Media, then we give them two thumbs up!
-- Product Review by: Publishers, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine