The Auto Upkeep Kit
Posted By Miss Jocelyn Tzahala on March 5, 2009 | Category: Editorals, History, Homekeeping, Homeschooling, Reviews
When I was contacted about reviewing the Auto Upkeep kit I was very excited and pleased to be able to use it. It’s courses like these that people think homeschoolers miss out on, but there is opportunity in everything to learn. The Auto Upkeep curriculum was written by a husband and wife team, Mike and Linda Gray, who both grew up knowing how to handle cars by helping with their family automotive businesses. They wrote this curriculum to enable everyday people to know the basics of car maintenance.
“Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care was first published in July 2003, but that date really only represents the starting point for Rolling Hills Publishing. By 2003 Auto Upkeep had already been a work in progress for several years. The author Michael Gray has always been interested in the automobile. He started in the automotive field at the early age of twelve in his family’s service station. In the mid 90s Michael implemented and taught a basic high school automotive program. This program is still a popular elective at that high school.”
The kit includes a workbook, textbook, and instruction recourse disc. These are sturdy materials with thick pages and large text. The workbook is pre-made to be placed in a three-ring binder and the textbook has 
a nice hardcover so they can be placed anywhere without being easily damaged.
This curriculum is set up for middle and high school grades, but my 11year-old brother could easily go through it and still I think a younger age could use it. Throughout both books there are over 400 illustrations and drawings to make it easy for the student to understand in given details of text and images. On the disc you will find documents and pdfs of syllabuses, activities, questions, examines, and more to use on your computer or print off.
The student uses this curriculum by reading over a chapter in the texbook and then going to the workbook to complete activities, questions, and quizzes based on each chapter. Both are easy to follow and read. I really liked how there are different signs for different topics of information, in balloons and sidebars, in both books. These not only inform the student, but keep them interested while completing the chapter. They make this a well-rounded curriculum with including information that may not be directly on auto upkeep, but certainly is important. In the beginning of the textbook a history is given of the automotive’s progression and impact on the course of the world since the 1770’s. You don’t often get to read about this kind of information, unless the guy at the mechanics is quite friendly. Ha!
They make this an interactive course. It’s not just reading or writing. It’s getting involved and getting to put into practice what you’ve learned. They have you going out to your own car to find parts that are important to locate and identify. Giving you info on what to look for in a car, buying, expenses, and safety.
“We want to provide you with the best resources possible. We value your input. We are constantly working to develop and improve Auto Upkeep and additional teaching resources to make learning about car care easy and fun. If you have suggestions on how to improve our products, please email us.”
This is a curriculum that can be used for a one on one or in a group. You can buy them in sets for co-ops or buy just a replacement workbook to use with the textbook and disc again and again. On their website you can find frequently asked questions, ask a question, visit their blog or watch videos on their YouTube channel. They thought of everything!
Whether you have someone to show how to keep basic auto maintenance or not this curriculum will benefit you. As a young lady this type of job will be something I’ll let the men do, but it is useful knowledge I need if ever I should be put into a position where I have to do it myself. Being prepared for anything, even changing a tire yourself, is one of the best traits of a homekeeper can have.
Auto Upkeep Homeschool Curriculum Kit
Mike & Linda Gray
Rolling Hills Publishing
http://www.autoupkeep.com
242 Eagle Flight
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (800) 918-READ
Fax: (800) 918-READ
You’ll enjoy this curriculum and complete it with confidence. You also have a chance to win the Auto Upkeep Homeschool kit, which is valued at $70.
To enter just leave a comment. Additional entries: follow me on twitter and tweet giveaway, add a link to your blog, or click on any of the social networking icons below (must be on direct post). Giveaway ends on March 10th, 11:59pm PST.
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65 Responses to “The Auto Upkeep Kit”
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Shalom, welcome to A Pondering Heart. I hope you will be challenged by what you read here and it will cause you to search deeper and deeper into the Word of YAH. My name is Jocelyn Tzahala - I am a 19yo young woman, living in Latin America, seeking to be 'set apart as YHVH is set-apart". I want my faith to resemble that Avraham because in him YHVH found a man who would trust in him with everything and act upon his Word. My hope is that my life may be a sweet fragrance unto YHVH the MOST HIGH! HalleluYAH!
This sounds wonderful , I have Retweeted , Stumbeled , Delisocous(ed) , Technorati’d , Facebooked , and Didigged (Dug?) .
Have a wonderful day.
HappyHermits last blog post..Getting Ready to Spring Clean
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Already Tweeted! Looks neat! I had no idea there was something like this. Thanks!
Ruths last blog post..Charging to Mentor?
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oh my husband would love this – thanks for the chance!
Ebies last blog post..Prizey Prizey
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Being a mom of 3 boys, I know this will be well used. Please enter me in for the contest!
Thank You!
Kendra Neals last blog post..Holiday Freebies
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I was blessed to be able to review this kit as well. It is fantastic! I wish that my parents would have had it when I was a new driver (and when they were home educators back in the 80’s!). I know my way around the kitchen, but I’ll be honest, I have never even tried to learn about our cars and trucks. This course changed how I look at everything. I think that everyone should own it. It’s not just for new drivers (such as my son) and not only for home educators. The Gray’s have so much wisdom and many money saving tips to share, that anyone who owns a vehicle could benefit from it. Thanks for helping to spread the word about this terrific product, Jocelyn! :-)
Amy Christys last blog post..Goodbye for a little while…
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Wow what a neat blessing….. I just tweeted and I also just blogged about it! Thank you!
Gingers last blog post..Baptism
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Hey MJ! I’m fixing (hopefully!) to by my first car and I will be paying cash (this translate into an older car) so this sounds like something I could use! Please add me name to the drawling!
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What a wonderful resource and a helpful review! My husband is a mechanic, and I have been looking forward to what he has to teach my sons. I think the curriculum would even be helpful to “car guys” such as him as a teaching tool. I’m off to take a look…
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While I don’t own a car, we have the van, and I’m sure my ten year old brother would love to take a homeschool auto shop class. :)
Serenity
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This would be perfect for both of my sons!!! Thank you so much!
~ Kim L.
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Looks like a great resource. I think even my dh and I could benefit from this one!
Kates last blog post..Little Update
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The only thing I know how to work in my car is the stereo.
And climate control knobs.
This would be great for me, huh? ;)
Krystals last blog post..God Is in Control
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I retweeted it and follow you!
Hannahs last blog post..Photo Shoot
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I posted about it on my blog here http://tinyurl.com/avk5ll.
Hannahs last blog post..Photo Shoot
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This sounds wonderful! I remember when I was taught by my Stepfather how to take care of my own vehicle. Boy, those are memories…. That truck had me changing tires every week or two, until I could afford new ones!
Vicki Bs last blog post..Let’s Go Shopping!
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Well that sounds interesting and so helpful for myself and my children!
Kristals last blog post..While I was MIA see what I did!
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That sounds like a wonderful product! I would love to be entered. :)
Firing does make SUCH a difference. I almost think I liked it better before firing though. :) I’ve used it quite a bit. :)
Blessings,
Mara
Maras last blog post..Pottery
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Oh, I’d love to win this kit.
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I put icons in my side bar
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This sounds awesome. My husband is teaching our son about auto upkeep now. This would be perfect to supplement his teachings. This is something I need too.
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Sounds great. Would be good for any family even for families with girls. I wish I knew all this ‘basic’ care before I had children. I would totally teach my sons if I had a clue because then they’d be able to assist their future wives or even perhaps their old Mum.
momwithahooks last blog post..Crochet and Other Crafts
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This would be helpful for 7 people in my family:) None of us are very mechanical, so I am thinking that the kit would be very helpful!!
Thanks for entering me,
~Jenna~
Jennas last blog post..In His hands
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It sounds like a wonderful curriculum!! :)
Emilys last blog post..Beatrix Skirt
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I twittered it. My twtr: gahome2mom. Thanks.
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Hello Jocelyn!
Please enter me! I was just thinking the other about how I need to learn skills such as changing tires, etc., and this sounds like a great tool!
Many blessings to your day! I am going to try to update my blog soon…it has been forever, but I have few mintutes to spare these days. :)
~Missie~
Missies last blog post..It’s Been a While…
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this looks good! my brother would love to do this, I would too!
Have a wonderful week!
God Bless!
Hannah
Hannahs last blog post..10 Things about me
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I’d LOVE to enter this, sounds awesome!! I know *nothing* about cars, so this would be a great thing to have around. ^_^
Love,
Miss Toria
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As someone who has to ask my husband how to open the hood…I could use that..lol..
:) I twittered about it too.
Thanks for the contest!
Jack’s Mommys last blog post..My Son, the Socialite
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Thanks for the comment!!!
Blessings,
Naomi
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Thanks for this great giveaway, my family would just love it. I know even I would be interested in taking the course! I need to learn some things about our automobiles!
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My husband would love something like this. He knows how to work on cars, which is such a blessing. It saves a whole lot of money when you have someone who knows how change the oil in your car, change the brake pads or shoes when they go bad, or even fix something that just go completely wrong on your vehicle. Thanks for sharing!! Have a bless weekend!!
Toias last blog post..There’s Nothing Like A Good Laugh Friday ~ :-D
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Me! Me! Pick me!! I blogged it and posted on facebook. Thanks!! :)
TeamBettendorfs last blog post..If You Drive, Will Someday Drive, Have Ridden In a Car…
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Oh wow! I would love to dive into these with my brothers!
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Great giveaway! My son would love this.
Angela Maddoxs last blog post..It’s garden time!
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Seeing as I don’t even know how to change the oil on my vehicle, nor even the windshield wiper, I think my family & I would greatly benefit from this!
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Hello,
I would love to teach my two high-school daughters through this course, so they will know more than I do about car care. I don’t tweet, twitter, or digg, so this one entry will have to do. Thanks for offering your course.
Michelle
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I would love to use this with my 14yo son!
Stacy
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This sounds great.
Donna Ks last blog post..On Other Blogs
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I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/1295650563
Donna Ks last blog post..On Other Blogs
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I blogged here;
http://donna444444.blogspot.com/2009/03/on-other-blogs.html
Donna Ks last blog post..On Other Blogs
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My three boys would benefit greatly from this! Please enter me into the draw.
Thanks!
Erin
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This looks like so much fun – I think our whole family would enjoy it and benefit from it!
Hilary :)
Hilarys last blog post..Teeth (Mildly Graphic)
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This looks like so much fun – I think our whole family would enjoy it and benefit from it!
Hilary :)
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this would be great for my teens :)
Valerie Ms last blog post..Room704 Personalized Stamp Giveaway 3/8/09
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http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/1296845611
Valerie Ms last blog post..Room704 Personalized Stamp Giveaway 3/8/09
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I would be interested in doing something like this!
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stumble
valerie2350
Valerie Ms last blog post..Room704 Personalized Stamp Giveaway 3/8/09
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blogged
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot.com/2009/03/ponderingheart-curriculum-giveaway.html
Valerie Ms last blog post..Room704 Personalized Stamp Giveaway 3/8/09
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technorati
valerie2350
Valerie Ms last blog post..Room704 Personalized Stamp Giveaway 3/8/09
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This would be great for a high school elective credit, thanks so much for the chance to win!
It would make me feel so much better if my daughter took this course along with Driver’s Ed, so it’s not just driving that she is learning but other things about vehicle maintenance as well.
I twittered also http://twitter.com/threedifferent/status/1296920672
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My son would love this kit. Thanks for the drawing, please sign me up. I love your blog and I follow it through Google Reader. Jody
visionquest2020@msn.com
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I would love to use this curriculum with my 14yo son!
Stacy
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Looks very interesting! Thanks for the chance to win.
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I blogged about your give away
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Ohhh, how exciting! My 14yo daughter has recently shown a lot of interest in cars. I think this would be *great* for her!
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Thanks for the helpful review!
Would love to win this.
Jay
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Wow! This sounds great. I’d love a chance to win!!
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How wonderful is this resource?! I didn’t even know it existed. Thank you for much for posting about it. We would love to have it to use with our sons!
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This sounds great! Thanks for doing this giveaway. :)
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[...] Pondering Heart presents a review and giveaway of The Auto Upkeep Kit. (Giveaway ends March 10th at 11:59 p.m. [...]
This would be a wonderful thing for my children to learn! Thanks for offering it as a giveaway!
Mommaofmanys last blog post..Apple Butter
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Thanks for entering everyone. The giveaway is now CLOSED. Winner will be announced shortly.
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[...] recently reviewed our Auto Upkeep Homeschool Kit. You can read the review and comments at http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?p=1900. I also pasted the review [...]
Ooops, Looks like I got back too late to enter! Oh well! ;-)
How are you doing? I miss you!
Joys last blog post..Tag
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[...] homeschoolers miss out on, but there is opportunity in everything to learn.” See full review at: http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?p=1900• Jamin – Homeschool Mom “I wish I would have had this for myself many, many years ago when I [...]