The Mobile Classroom

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Among the many wonderful benefits of home education is the chance to more readily experience learning opportunities beyond a classroom setting.

Below, Cole has the chance to learn more about video production, architecture, and geography as he helps Mark Schlicher prepare for a shot in downtown Chicago.

Earlier in the afternoon, Cole and his sister, Peyton, sat in on an interview with Dr. Nigel Cameron, a renowned bioethicist, as Dr. Cameron discussed the crucial need for Christians to bring a Biblical perspective to advances in the field of science, particularly in the areas of embryonic stem cell research, cloning, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology.

After the science lesson (which doubled as a television taping), they moved into the brisk outdoors to shoot additional footage…

enjoying (and shooting) the sites of the vibrant city…

and concluding the day by studying (it’s school, remember?) the ice skaters, festive lights, and holiday cheer that make Chicago a distinctive American city.

Posted on 11/27 at 2:05 PM • Permalink

A New Film is Being Built…

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Something very exciting happens when young men pick up a hammer, a saw, a level, a drill - when they put their hands to the task of construction. 

On a recent Autumn morning, a group of young men rose early to begin work on the newest Franklin Springs DVD. 

They gathered the necessary supplies…

The filming began…

They measured (twice), cut (once)…

And over the course of the next several days, a group of young men learned invaluable carpentry skills…

Stay tuned for more coming soon about this exciting new DVD from Franklin Springs!

Posted on 11/20 at 11:17 AM • Permalink

Beyond The Classroom…

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Just-turned 16 year old Cole got word Sunday night to pack a bag and join his father, who flew to Florida the next day to shoot another episode of a new television series with Joni Eareckson Tada. This homeschool/family business trip put Cole in the middle of the story of Terri Schiavo and her tragic death by starvation and dehydration in 2005.  Here, Cole holds the camera for the D.P. in front of the Pinellas Country Courthouse, where the judge ordered Terri’s feeding tube removed.

Below, Cole is flanked by Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadamo, Terri’s brother and sister. At Franklin Springs, we’re grateful for homeschooling (and the true educational opportunities it affords), for family members working alongside one another (as Bobby and Suzanne do in their Terry Schindler Schiavo Foundation), and for the opportunity to tell stories that affirm the sanctity of God-given life — and the rich value of family.

Posted on 10/18 at 9:26 AM • Permalink

What others are saying about Still Standing…

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

“In true Franklin Springs Family Media fashion, Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story is destined to become a family favorite. Still Standing chronicles the life of a true Christian man brought to fame by his exemplary military acumen in the American Civil War. But it was his faithfulness to the Gospel — in his family, with his children, toward his soldiers, and the Sunday School class for Blacks (freemen and slaves) that he started, taught, and supported — that, no doubt, earned Thomas Jackson the reward of hearing those precious words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,’ from his King when he ‘crossed over the river’ and finally ‘rested under the shade of the trees’.

This important documentary will be used in my family to inspire a new generation to look to General Jackson as a man with flaws, but who followed hard after Christ. May mine and I, by God’s grace, stand like a stone wall before the onslaught of the enemy, trusting that we are as safe on the battlefield as we are in our beds.”

— Jim Bob Howard
Editor-In-Chief, Homeschooling Today Magazine

Order your copy today!

Posted on 10/17 at 10:26 AM • Permalink

The first “Still Standing” review

Friday, October 12, 2007

By Bethany Vaughn -- of Vaughnshire.com

The new DVD from Franklin Springs Family Media has just been released. This is yet another excellent film from Franklin Springs that not only excels in masterful workmanship and beauty, but completely captures the Biblical worldview, the gentle heart, and solid character of Stonewall Jackson during a pivotal time in our nation’s history. We especially enjoyed the information presented about Stonewall Jackson’s black Sunday school class in which he labored diligently to share the love of Christ with his black brothers and sisters.  It is a fascinating and inspiring story that still lives on today.

The film is beautiful.  We greatly enjoyed the rich cinematography which is remarkably more vivid and complex with many beautiful intricacies that lent further richness to the well-told storyline. As a home educating family whose children thrive on any bits and pieces of information surrounding the Great War and those involved in it, I appreciate such quality and accuracy in this historical biography of Jackson.  Still Standing highlights a man whose intense love for the Lord, unshakable courage in the face of adversity and stalwart faith in the Almighty still impacts my family today in the year 2007.

Our family will be using the film as an important homeschool tool this Fall.  There is a wealth of historically accurate information from a Biblical worldview that will be used to build the academic knowledge of our children.  More importantly, this film provides yet another reminder of the importance of studying Godly men from the past.  The preparation of Godly men to lead the cultural reformation our nation needs, must include an understanding of our nation’s history.  The character of men like Stonewall is the character of the men that move nations.

Although the film itself did not attempt to tackle the moral difficulties of the time period, it does fully examine the life of a great general who himself wrestled with those issues. The film discusses some little known facts about a man our politically correct institutions have ignored for far too long.  As such the “Vaughnshire Review Board"… that is to say dad and mom along with all the children, gave it a quiverfull thumbs up.

Order your copy now.

Posted on 10/12 at 9:42 AM • Permalink

Young Eyes Are Watching…

Monday, October 8, 2007

On a recent Saturday, Cole and Sam did what outdoors-inclined young men are eager to sometimes do, and they set about the business of tackling several substantial trees that needed cleared…

And their activities did not go unnoticed…

And on this one early-Autumn Tennessee afternoon, the beautiful picture of younger siblings and family friends watching and learning from the older children unfolded once more…

At Franklin Springs, we continue to celebrate the blessing of family and friends, and of older children modeling honorable lifestyles, values, and (in this case) good-old-fashioned hard work for the younger children.

Posted on 10/8 at 10:18 AM • Permalink

Off the Farm…

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Yes, many of our productions take us to picturesque rural settings (Inherit the Land, A Journey Home, The Eden String Quartet).  But now and then, our production travels take us a significant distance from the farm…

And we trade a ride on a tractor or combine for a ride of another sort…

And what would a trip to the Big Apple be without a stop at our favorite computer company?

Truth be told, however, while shooting in New York City is a fun “day at the office”, we prefer pushing the children on a tire swing in the quiet countryside to pushing our way through Manhattan traffic…

Posted on 10/2 at 12:01 PM • Permalink

Just Around the Corner…

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

We’re within days of releasing our newest film, Still Standing:  The Stonewall Jackson Story.

The final touches are being put into place (composer Tom Howard works on the film’s theme below)…

Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story will be available for pre-order next week…

Posted on 9/26 at 11:54 AM • Permalink

The Silver Lining…

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Unfortunately, our busy production schedule has included too much of this:

But this week’s trip to Los Angeles had, indeed, a silver lining. 
After shooting was done, a very grateful producer/director was able to meet some very special people in Old Town Pasadena for dinner.

First, he got to see the Andre children (his nieces and nephews), the first four who are pictured below…

For number 5, four year old Luke, the excitement caught up with him…

And for number 6, well, the producer/director will just have to wait a little longer…

But he sure was happy to visit with his brother and sister in law, Scott and Ashley Andre, who are a great blessing to the Carpenter family.  We’re thankful for the network of friends — and family! — who are building God-honoring families around the U.S.  And we’re thankful that production travels often include visits such as this one!

Posted on 9/20 at 3:52 PM • Permalink

Inherit the Land Available for Pre-order!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

We are very pleased to announce that we re now taking pre-orders on our new DVD Inherit the Land: Adventures On The Agrarian Journey. Those that order between now and October 1st can purchase the DVD at the special pre-order price of just $17.95. Additionally, purchase Inherit the Land at the special pre-order price of just $17.95, and you may purchase any additional DVD in our library for just $15.95. Simply add Inherit the Land to your shopping cart and make your other DVD selections.

Inherit the Land features families from across the nation, including the Michael and Susan Bradrick family in gorgeous Washington state, the Houk family in central Illinois — who’ve been farming for three generations — the Wilson family in Virginia, and many more! Hosted by Jim Bob Howard, this DVD is beautifully filmed to capture the true essence of family life on a farm. Order today!

Posted on 9/18 at 8:58 AM • Permalink
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