Eagle's Wings--Considering God's Creation

Many years ago, while we were on a camping trip, the kids and I (I didn't have as many then as I do now!!) were sitting at the playground looking for rocks, classifying them, etc. and we were having a blast!! I knew then that I needed to find something different for our science curriculum so we could do more hands on things and have fun. We got home, and I did some searching on the internet, and found Considering God's Creation curriculum. It was fun and hands on and we enjoyed it. Fast forward to when this review came up. I realized I hadn't yet done this curriculum with my younger set, so I was glad to be able to review it!

Considering God's Creation is an easy to follow science curriculum or supplement, whichever will meet your needs. It covers such topics as creation, solar system, earth, rocks, weather, Plant and Animal Kingdoms, and animal and human anatomy and physiology. How's that for a lot of earth and life science topics??? It is easy to follow, with comprehensive lesson plans and minimum cost. What a great combination!

This curriculum is for grades 2nd-7th, although it can be adaptable for other ages, too. There is a "digging deeper" section that is for the older students. It is great for all students in your homeschool to learn together.

My children like this curriculum. It is full of activities, and I like that it is hands on and more enjoyable than just reading a textbook. You can go to the website at http://www.eagleswingsed.com/ and take a look at this fun, affordable science curriculum. You can get the teacher's guide and student workbook for $29.95, and additional student workbooks for $13.95. There is also an audio CD included, and a replacement is $3.00.

This is worth checking out to see if it will work for you family!


***Disclaimer: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

Mad Dog Math

I struggled with math facts when I was a kid. I remember having to stay after school to practice them over and over. While practice and review is a good concept, the delivery and results weren't the best! Mad Dog Math gives a better option to practicing math facts that is fun and effective. It was developed by Julie Kotoff, who has been a classroom teacher, administrator, and now an educational consultant. It was while she was a 3rd grade teacher that she came up with this program using paper and pencil. Now, with our technology, it is done on the computer.

Mad Dog Math is downloadable software that gives the student short, timed practice tests that are paced individually. There are 3 levels, plus a challenge level, to give the student/s lots of practice. Levels 1-2 are addition and subtraction, level 3 is multiplication and division, and the challenge level has all operations. The student can do a worksheet that has 20 math problems (levels 1-2) or 24 problems (level 3 or challenge) and if they get 2 or less problems wrong in 2 minutes, they will get a student sticker for the 2 minute club. Then, they would go back and do a worksheet in 1 minute, and again if they get 2 or less problems wrong in 1 minute, they will get a student sticker for the 1 minute club. Then, it moves on to 30 seconds. It is recommended to do this program for 10 minutes a day, which would be time well spent. Drill, drill, drill has never been so much fun!!!

I had my 7 and 9 year old boys do this program. They liked it, and were challenged to get better and better. They got pretty competitive, even though it was MATH they had to work on, and enjoyed it and learned from it in spite of that! My 12 year old daughter looked over their shoulder, then finally had to try it for herself. She had a disinterested interest in it, as most 12 year olds do, but had some fun with it. We weren't able to do it every day for 10 minutes, but we did it when we could, and it worked for us. A big thing in homeschooling is the flexibility, right?!

Mad Dog Math is $19.99 for 1 year, $29.99 for 2 years, or $39.99 for a perpetual license. It is a good deal for a product that can produce results. Check out the website for more information, (and see some cute pics that I'm still not able to download onto my blog) at www.maddogmath.com and see what you think. You can sign up for a free trial and give it a test drive today! You can see what other crew members say about this product at homeschoolblogger.com.


***Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

Monki See

I received some Monki See products to review, and it was fun to try them out! I have 4 children who I knew might benefit from this, ages 2, 3, 4, and 5, two with some learning challenges. The age range on this program is actually 3 months-2 years, but I knew the older children in my "young crowd" would benefit from it as well. They loved reading the book and watching the video, and even for a child farther along in reading, it would be a good review.

My kids loved the book we received called Know Your Monkey. The two year old carried it around a lot, even before we watched the DVD. He would sit on the floor and go through the book and say words to go along with the pictures. It was such a cute little book, and all the kids enjoyed the rhyme and pictures.

The DVD, called Baby's First Words, was very fun for my children. There were 40 words introduced with poetry, music, puppets, and real life images. It (mostly) held the attention of my 4 little ones. There was a slide show with the words and real life pictures at the end, and they liked going through that.

My children aren't reading War and Peace or anything, but they had fun that happened to be educational and that is what matters to me. The creator of the MonkiSee products, Krista Guerrero, says in the DVD not to push, but allow the child to have fun. Goal accomplished!!

I am still having troubles trying to put pics up on my computer, or I would have posted some of the cute MonkiSee logo, or other fun pictures from the website, but you'll just have to check them out yourself when you are looking into these products at www.monkisee.com. You can get the books for $9.95, the DVDs for $19.95, and lots of other products like word cards and a reading kit. It may just be a good fit for the younger crowd at your house!

See the Light art curriculum

My kids are crafty, and are drawing or creating or coloring a lot. But, we seem to neglect any formal art curriculum in this homeschool, as it is not my "thing." Fortunately, it IS Pat Knepley's "thing" and she teaches it well!!

We received a DVD with Lessons 1-4 on it. It was a treat to watch and learn!! Included on this DVD were the following lessons:

Tools of the Trade , which teaches the basics of what makes a drawing.

It All Starts With a Line, which discusses lines and contour drawing.

Contours & Composition, which shows how to be synchronized and how to place things in a drawing.

Draw What You See, which helps you know if you are drawing what you see or what you know.


These DVDs were enjoyable and educational. My children enjoyed them, and learned from them. I would say they are good for elementary age, but could also be good for older children with little or no art instruction. In all, the entire course consists of 9 DVDs with 4 easy step lessons on each. It is $99.99 for all. You can also start an online subscription for $10 a month. If you go to the website, you can request a free DVD of the first four lessons, like the one I received. It is http://www.seethelightshine.com and it has the curriculum and many added products you might be interested in. It is definitely worth looking into!!

The best part of this curriculum, besides the great instruction, is how it "draws children to Him" as it says in the logo. (I would have added that to this review, but we are having computer trouble and after numerous tries, we gave up trying to add pictures!!) It is wonderful to use a curriculum that is Christ-centered!

I would recommend this "art class" to anyone who is looking for a good foundation in art. It has added extras, like chalk lessons, that are fun, too. Take a look at the website and see if it would appeal to the budding artists in your homeschool!


***Disclaimer: I received this DVD at no cost in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I received no other compensation.***

MathRider

It's fun to find a product that teaches math facts under the disguise of a game, and that is exactly what MathRider is!! My kids had a good time playing MathRider, and that makes learning (or mastery) happen.

MathRider is a fantasy game where the student completes noble quests riding through Mathland on a horse named Shadow. For one example, the child has to answer math facts to try to get a flower to make medicine for his or her sick mother. (hence the "noble" quests!) Just FYI, there is a wizard and elements of magic, so that may be an issue of concern for some families. All through the quests, math fact mastery is going on while the child is having a great time.

There are 4 levels for each operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) so it is a very versatile program for all ages and levels. It works on the areas your students need work on, which is a great feature. The four quests are the same in each operation, but the rewards are different.

Here are some screen shots of the game to give you a feel for it:

I had three of my children work on this game. My 12 year old daughter loves horses, and did like the game. She was able to quickly complete quests in addition and subtraction, and got the practice she needed in multiplication and division. My 9 year old son needed practice in all the operations, so it was great for him. My 7 year old didn't get very far because of his age, but still liked doing it and did well. I love that you can set it up with more than one student, and everyone can do it and talk about it and learn math facts. My little ones often gathered around the computer to watch, and that is great secondhand learning!! I am always looking for different ways to work on mastery, so this is a great supplement to their math curriculum.

If you think this sounds like a good thing for your family, go to http://mathrider.com/ and check it out. For the very reasonable price of $37 for a download, you can give your children a good tool to learn math facts. You can also read more reviews on this product at http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=77474&type=thumbnail to see what others think of it.

Here's to educational, yet fun, products for our students to learn from!!

***Disclaimer: I was given a free trial of this product in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

VocabAhead SAT Vocabulary

It is fun to find a product that is...well...fun...and helpful... and practical... and useful. That is what this wonderful book from VocabAhead is, and more. It is called VocabAhead SAT Vocabulary: Cartoons, Videos, and MP3s. This is a very good tool for all your vocabulary needs.

This book takes a word, gives the definition, adds a black and white drawing, then gives sentences to reinforce the definition. It also gives the synonyms and antonyms to each word. The drawings are clever, oftentimes funny, so they stick with the reader so he/she can remember the definitions easier. How fun is that?!? (well, it's educational, too, but fun sounds better!)

I really liked how the book had a review page after every 10 words. There the reader can match the word to the correct definition, and fill in the blanks with the appropriate word. What a good feature to test how well the reader understood the words! It's just a very good review.

You can download cartoons, videos, and MP3s to reinforce the book. The download is large, and will take a bit, just FYI. Those kinds of things can really cement the words in the minds of the reader.

My older kids enjoyed looking at the book and videos. There were laughs and aha moments, which is always good to see. (and hear.) One example is the word "writhe." It says it is a verb, then gives the definition "To twist or bend and roll around,usually in pain." Then, the picture shows a young man on the ground holding his head, obviously (from all sorts of squiggles and marks) writhing in agony. That is a good word picture!

You can get the book at Amazon for $12.95 currently. There is also a DVD-Rom that other crew members reviewed that is $24.99. Check out the website at http://www.vocabahead.com/ and discover all it has to offer. There are a lot of helpful resources just waiting for you. It just may be something that will be a lifesaver for your school!

Find other reviews of this product at: http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783745/

As with any homeschool materials, you will want to preview it to make sure it is appropriate for your tastes.

Have fun!!!

***Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

Maestro Classics--Peter and the Wolf

It's nice to find products that are both fun and educational. I was sent a copy of Peter and the Wolf by Maestro Classics to review, and we feel it is a good find!!
The CD has 7 tracks.


1. Introduction

2. Peter and the Wolf

3. About the Composer--Prokofiev

4. A Russian Peter

5. About the Music

6. Peter and the Wolf (Instrumental version)

7. Invitation to Grandfather's Party

8. Kalinka (Dance Along--Trio Voronezh)


We enjoyed Peter and the Wolf. It's different than anything my kids have been exposed to, but it was good to hear a sample of a symphony orchestra. It was beneficial for my kids to realize that music can set a mood or tone in a story. They didn't always understand it, but enjoyed the music nonetheless.


There were many extras on the CD. The introduction was very helpful to set the stage. It talked about the characters, and the instruments that would represent them, among other things. The other extras were fun and interesting, and I was glad they were on the CD.


There was a booklet included in with the CD, and it had puzzles and information about the composers and instruments. That was so nicely done.


The only thing I didn't like was it being said in the extra material that it wasn't right for Peter to disobey, but if he didn't they wouldn't have caught the wolf. Other than that, it was very enjoyable. I can see that it would be good for homeschool families to listen to in the car or in productive free time.


You will definitely want to check out the website: http://maestroclassics.com and see all that it offers.


The CD sells for $16.98, or CD's for $45. The other titles available are The Story of Swan Lake, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and Juanita the Spanish Lobster.

Read what other reviewers said about this product at http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783654 to see more and decide if you think it would be something your family would enjoy.


***Disclaimer: I received this CD free of charge in exchange for my review of it. I received no other compensation.***

Virtual Nerd

Math and science have never been my strong subjects, and a few of my kids are following in my footsteps. I reviewed a product that I thought was really good--a math and science tutor on the computer!!





Virtual Nerd is an online tool to help with math and science, and I was really impressed with it!
The concept (from the website) is easy:



My daughters and son are not exactly at the place in their math and science where the videos are, but I had them watch some of them anyway. I watched them, too. and I thought they were good. (and so did my kids.) Really good. The tutors were pleasant and knowledgeable, dressed in black shirts to help prevent distractions, and explained things clearly and simply in front of the whiteboard. It was not dry at all. Could I even go so far as to say it was sort of interesting? (coming from someone who isn't mathematically or scientifically bent!)

The subjects covered were Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Physics, with more on the way. You could search for the topic you wanted by keyword, topic, or textbook. While you watch the video, the problem is being displayed on the right side of the screen. If there are any questions or problems within the topic, there is a link for that, too. You'll go to another section to get the question answered. It is quite the set-up, if you ask me--very cool how you can go from one thing to another to get all your questions answered. You really shouldn't have any excuse to not understand with so many options!!

I found this on the website:

"Created by an expert tutor and a designer, Virtual Nerd gives students a new option to turn to when they need help. For a fraction of the cost of private tutoring, students gain access to hundreds of interactive step-by-step video tutorials that match up with the practice problems in their textbooks. Virtual Nerd's patent-pending e-Learning system anticipates students' questions, so they can easily drill down to related tutorials if they get confused. The innovative design makes it easy for students to stay focused. Plus, unique reporting features mean parents and teachers can stay involved with students' progress."

There are daily, weekly, monthly, and 3 month subscriptions, with varying costs. It would be handy to purchase a day or week "pass" if you are having specific problems with math and need immediate help, or a longer subscription if you know there will be lots of problems. It is not intended to replace a textbook or a teacher, but it is so good when there are problems to have some good explanations to help. That is exactly what you'll find on the Virtual Nerd website!!


It would be worth your while to check out the website : http://www.virtualnerd.com/ and see if it would be something that would be a help for your family. You can see prices, FAQ's, and other details concerning the product.

You can check out other review of this product at http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783627 and get even more opinions on it.






***I received a subscription to this online product in exchange for my review of it. I received no other compensation.***

Easy Classical Early Modern History Schedule

It's always nice to find a product to make our job as homeschoolers easier. I was sent a link for the Early Modern History Schedule from Easy Classical to review. I am just reviewing the schedule and how it could be used in a homeschool, but did not receive any of the books on the schedule to review.



This schedule, intended for grades K-6, includes history reading, writing, geography, hands on and other activities, read-alouds, quizzes, review questions, and a shopping list for the next week. What more would you need?? It has 36 weeks worth of schedules, plus 45+ pages of charts, sheet, and helps.

It is set up really well. It is easy to read and understand. I like having something in front of me to direct us, and this definitely fits the bill. It tells you what books you will read, and the activities to go along with them. It even has some symbols to let you know if you need to complete a mapping exercise or history summary, sing history songs, or complete a reading narration.

The notebook version of this product is $35.95. The digital version is $29.95. You can go to www.easyclassical.com to find out more about this product. It just may be a perfect fit for you and your family!

Check out other reviews of this product at http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/ to see what others say about this product.



***Disclaimer: I was giving a copy of this product free of charge in exchange for my review of it. I received no other compensation.***

See-N-Read

I received a handy tool from See-N-Read that I would like to tell you about. It is a See-N-Read reading tool, and it is a practical reading intervention tool. From the website, it says it improves reader focus on the line being read, reduces distractions on the page, reduces word- and line-skipping and pattern glare, and reduces eye strain and fatigue. It puts text in manageable chunks, and helps with smooth eye movements on a page. There you have it--a BIG help with reading!

It is made out of a flexible material and has a reading window called a ReadBar. You place this on a page with words you are reading in the cutout window, and move it down the page. It's a very easy concept for a big job! You read the text in chunks and not individual words, so it is easier to stay focused and comprehend what you read. It helps you to see, focus, and remember, which are the goals of reading. The material surrounding the window is tinted, so you don't totally isolate the text in the window.

It is a handy tool. We found it to be somewhat hard for my little ones, but the older ones can manipulate it easier. It would be worth trying it out to see if it helps a problem reader. This morning I mentioned this product to my husband for the first time,and he said it sounded like something that would help him stay focused as he reads. I guess I'll have to loan it to him!

This product comes in different sizes. I got the book size, which is 5 1/2" x 3". The document size is 8 1/2" x 3". You can pick your size to help you meet your needs best.

The book size costs $2.99 for a one pack, $8.99 for a three pack, and $27.99 for a ten pack. It is a very cost-effective product, in my opinion. Look at the website see-n-read.com to check out this product, and see the other products available.

Try it out and see if it can make a difference with the readers in your family!

You can read other reviews of this product here:

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783605

***Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange of my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

TOS Review--Tiny Planets website

My middle boys (5, 7, and 9 years old) really liked an "assignment" I gave them recently--to look around the Tiny Planets website and see what they thought. We took the adventure together, and had some fun cosmic adventures with Bing and Bong, two aliens who travel the universe of Tiny Planets.

This website is divided up into different areas. The first is My Tiny Planets, which is the main page. The next is Tiny Planets TV, where the child/ren can watch videos of the show this website is based on. My Tiny Planets is where the child/ren can choose a variety of space adventures. Tiny Planets Fun contains puzzles, coloring pages, comics, etc. that can be utilized. Tiny Planets Books have interactive books that the child/ren can read, or have read to him or her. The Tiny Planets Labs is a place to try things out. You can find lesson plans and early learning goals at Tiny Planets Learning.

Ok, that is a very quick overview of the website. It is free, unless you want to purchase keys for further fun. We didn't do that, but there is that option. But, who can top free??? That is a very good thing for something that my children enjoy.

The website is set up for ages 4-12. I think there is flexibility in that as I observed with my boys. It is fast-paced and fun. It contains a lot of "stuff" that children like. There is a parent's account that I admit I had trouble setting up. That has nothing to do with this website, just the slow, technically challenged brain of mine!!

This website may not be for everyone. We will continue to look it over in more depth as the days go by. You can go to www.tinyplanets.com to look it over in more detail and see if it is a good fit for your family.

Be sure to read more reviews of this product at : http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcres/783525 to see what you think. It just may turn out to be something your children will really enjoy!



***Disclaimer: I signed up for this website at no charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

North Star Games--Wits and Wagers Family

It was perfect timing to get the game Wits and Wagers Family by North Star Games to review--right before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years!! The website says it's a game with personality, and I have to agree.

In a nutshell, every player writes down a GUESS to a fun trivia question, and tries to score points by choosing which guess is closest to the right one without going over. (even if it's not your own guess.) There are 300 cards with questions (examples: how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon, how many columns go across the Lincoln Memorial, how many men have walked on the moon), a score card, individual mini white boards, dry erase markers, and Meeples. (human shaped wooden markers) Sounds like the makings of a great family game to me!! Don't take my word for it--try it out yourself!!

Wits and Wagers Family is a fun game to play. My children really liked it, after they figured it out. (which didn't take long.) The first time, my 16 year old, 14 year old, 9 year old, and 7 year old played it. (or in his case, tried to play it ) The little ones watched, and I watched the whole process. I didn't play that time so I could test to see how easy it was to figure it out, and they did quite easily.

The box says it is for ages 8+, 3-10 players. I urge you to go to the website at http://www.northstargames.com/ and take a look. You can purchase the game on Amazon, at Toys R Us, and other places on the web. The price is from around $18-20, depending on where you purchase it. It will be a fun experience for your family and friends!

***Disclaimer: I received Wits and Wagers from North Star Games at no charge in return for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

TOS Review--ALEKS

Are you looking for a research based on-line program for math? Well, look no further...here is a great one to check out.

ALEKS stand for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces. it is web based. It is an artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that meets the student at his or her own level. In instructs the 3rd-12th grade student on topics he or she is most ready to learn. Wow. Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?? It is!

It has a course library to support all that is being taught. I am impressed with all this program offers.

Now, for your enjoyment, are examples of screenshots you will see on the ALEKS website. This will give you a very good idea of the specifics of the program:

Impressed? Interested? Go to the ALEKS website (aleks.com) and sign up for the free trial. You will be glad you did! ALEKS is $19.95 for a month, $99.95 every 6 months, and $179.95 every 12 months. We were able to play around with it, and still didn't get to everything it has to offer. Have fun exploring...

***Disclaimer: I received a free month trial in exchange for my honest review of this product. I received no other compensation.***

Master Innovations--Master Clocks

I've been homeschooling a long time, and have looked at and/or used a lot of things. Sometimes, though, I come across a company that sells something I've not heard of before. Master Innovations was like that for me.


I received a Master Clock to review, and I am really impressed!! It is a clock that has removable hands, and overlays that help with hours, minutes, and seconds. It also has a display for digital, so it can be a help for either analog or digital time-telling. It really is a clever little hands-on teaching tool!!

The clock is color coded, and goes along with the four clock face overlays. The hour hand is red, and so are the markings on the hour face. The minute hand is green, and goes along with the markings on the minute overlay. The second hand is blue, and coordinates with the markings on the second face. Gears connect the minute hand and the hour hand, so it works like a real clock. It may sound a bit confusing, but when you have the clock in hand, it makes sense.

There is a workbook that goes along with the clock. It has fun activities to learn about telling time, all using your Master Clock. It contains beginning and up to 5th grade concepts of telling time. It is very helpful to use it with your clock and make sure you are covering everything that needs to be covered.

My kids like "playing " with the clock, not realizing it is educational! The book is helpful to make it all come together, and I appreciate that. The clock is such a versatile tool, one that you can make work for your child where he or she is at. Younger students can learn the concepts, and older students can review. That is what we are looking for as homeschoolers!!

The Master Clock is available at themasterruler.com for $14.95. The workbook is $15.95. What a deal for a great manipulative!! You will definitely want to check it out, along with the Master Ruler, Master Fractions, and Master Angles. I am putting those on my wish list!!

***I received the Master Clock and accompanying workbook free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

TOS Crew Review--Christian Kids Explore Biology (Bright Ideas Press)

I had been looking at the Christian Kids explore science series by Bright Ideas Press, so I was thrilled when I found out I would be reviewing Christian Kids Explore Biology. What a treat to be able to review something on my wish list!!

This science curriculum is really good. It is concise, well-written, and very Christian, which is THE most important thing to me. It is written by Stephanie Redmond, who is a homeschool mom. Funny thing is...it works for homeschooling!! You can work with individual students, or a multi-level group. You can make it work for the younger crowd, or add it to another curriculum for the older students, although it is intended for grades 3-6. It could be the sole curriculum, or a supplement. You can even use it as a review beyond elementary. Isn't flexibility nice??



The book has 35 lessons, intended for 2-90 minute lessons a week. Of course, it can be scheduled however you choose. It includes teaching lessons, coloring pages, hands on time (including some experiments--you could always add more if you like), memorization lists, review sheets, creative writing assignments, and a supplemental book list...WOW! It really packs a punch in its pages. I found it all helpful and informative for my 9 and 12 year olds. (the 7 year old listened in, too!)

There is also a student activity book download available. It includes all the reproducibles from the book. It is a helpful resource as you go through this curriculum. Timesavers are wonderful, in my opinion.

This curriculum is available at www.brightideaspress.com/?p=257. The book is $34.95 and the student activity book download is $12.95. There is also good information on the website about a yahoo group, materials list, and sample lesson plans. You can also explore the rest of the website and see the other books available in this series, Christian Kids Explore Physics and Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space.

This is such a versatile curriculum. You can make it work for your homeschool needs, and that is a plus. Check it out and see if it is a good fit for your homeschool science!!

***Disclaimer: I was given Christian Kids Explore Science and the student activity book download free of charge, in exchange for my honest review of them. I received no other compensation.***

The Write Foundation

I think writing is one of the hardest things to do in our homeschool. Yet, it is so important to be able to write well in "real life." I was excited when I found out I was going to review The Write Foundation material. I really liked what I saw on the website as I looked it over to pick which level I wanted. It was hard at first to decide what to pick, then I realized it would probably be best to start at the beginning. I chose Sentence to Paragraph Writing Instructions, and looking it over, I know I made the right decision. It is all about laying a good foundation, and I think this curriculum does it well. It can be used for a coop class (the writer used it for that, as well as her own children.), but of course it is great for homeschoolers in the home setting.





The writer of the curriculum, Rebecca Celsor, recommends the first level (on sentences to paragraph writing) for ages 11-13. I agree with that for my own children. For level 2 (on paragraph writing), she suggests ages 12-15, and level 3 (on essay writing) for ages 14-17. I found this to be totally flexible, since there are different levels of experience and skill. It was and will continue to be very helpful for my three middle girls, ages 12, 14, and 16, to make sure a good foundation for writing is in place


I received a teachers instruction manual and student worksheets. There were detailed instructions on how to put it all together, then implement it. It was confusing to me at first, but I am understanding more and more as time goes on. (yes, I'm slow--I have mommy brain most of the time!!) There is a 5 day schedule in the instruction booklet that goes like this:


Day 1: Sentence structure and sentence practice



Day 2: Instructions for paragraph writing--teacher writing instructions



Day 3: Work on paragraph writing assignment--mostly student independent work



Day 4: Finish paragraph writing assignment--most student completing independent work



Day 5: Poetry and Mind Bender (activities from the Critical Thinking company to order)




There is a 10 day schedule, too, which adds to the flexibility of this curriculum. You can tweak it to meet your needs and schedule. Oh, how I love products that allow for that!!


The curriculum is very well laid out, and gives much detail. It keeps the student engaged, and that is so important for learning. It is not a curriculum you can just pick up and teach, as it takes some thought and preparation beforehand to get a feel for it and understand how it works. It takes concentration and time to get the bugs worked out in your mind, as it is teacher intensive.



As far as ordering goes, you can order any level with lessons 1-15, 16-30 for $65 each plus tax, or a bundle that includes lessons 1-30 for $100 plus tax. You get an instruction manual, 1 set notebook ready worksheets, and a cd. Check out their website: thewritefoundation.org and get a feel for it yourself. You can read more reviews on this product at : homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783366

This is a writing curriculum you will want to look at. It just may be the thing for your family!




***Disclaimer: I was given this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

TOS Crew Review--PG Key

These can potentially be dangerous times. Parents, we need to be so careful of our children! With the new technology that is available these days, things could get ugly for your children as they work or play on the computer. They could stumble on things we don't want them to see or do or read or experience. PG Key is (part of) the answer!!







PG Key is just that--a key you plug into your computer, then add a password, and presto!! Your child, whatever age, will be a lot safer on the computer. What could be easier than that?! As the mother of 11 children of all ages, I am thankful for anything that will make things more secure for them. We don't allow a lot of computer time, and it is closely monitored. BUT... it doesn't matter how young, old, responsible, trustworthy, or competent your children are--things can happen when they are doing a simple search for something, intentionally or not. With PG Key, things are just...safer. More secure. I like that!



PG Key has 10 parental controls:





-Access Control



-Time Allowance



-Content Filtering



-Site Blocking



-Activity Tracking



-Activity Notification



-Chat and E-mail loggings



-Computer Configurations



-User name and password logging



-Inappropriate activity evidence





As you can see, it has so many great features that will protect your children from inappropriate things on the computer/internet. My husband specifically commented on the time allowance, which would be helpful for anyone, young or old!! You are able to view all computer use for 60 hours--wow. That gives you a lot of useful information.



You can get a free trial of PG Key. Or, you can order for $49.99 plus shipping. There are no yearly fees. That is a deal.



Keep your children safe. Keep them accountable. Use whatever measures you have to use to achieve these goals. PG Key is a great start, along with a lot of parental monitoring. Stay involved in your children's lives--whatever age they are!!!



Visit the PG Key website and check it out:


http://pgkey.com





***Disclaimer: I was given one PG Key free of charge in exchange for my review of it.***

Talking Fingers: Read, Write & Type

I was excited to get access to the online version of Read, Write, & Type! Learning System by Talking Fingers. At first, I had trouble getting it to work, and had to contact Talking Fingers to help. Well, the gal couldn't have been nicer. She did everything she could to get me up and running. (and, for the record, it was ME that was the problem and not the product at all!!)



This product incorporates phonics, reading, writing, and keyboarding. What a wonderful idea!! I always like it when a product covers more than one subject, and these subjects just naturally go together. I originally targeted my 7 year old son, and it was perfect for him. He enjoyed the activities with Lefty and Rightaway, and the villain Vexor. He would stay engaged at the task at hand for a good stretch of time, then had to stop. It kept his attention for the most part, but I think a 7 year old can only take so much learning at a time, even if it is FUN learning!

My 9 year old wasn't as enthusiastic. He is a good reader, and I think it felt a little slow to him. I think another product by Talking Fingers called Wordy Qwerty for grades 2-4 would be a better fit for him, although I may have him continue with Read, Write & Type just to get a good base in keyboarding.

I asked my 12 year old daughter to try it out, just to see if she could pick up some good keyboarding skills, but it was just too slow for her. She was able to tell me about it, so it did catch her attention, but because of her age, just didn't hold it. (and Talking Fingers targets this product for ages 6-9, so that makes sense!)

I have little ones, too, in the 3-4 year old range. They haven't done much on the computer at all, so this was too big of a challenge. We didn't get far at all, but I just wanted to check it out. They like to watch when big brother does it, and that is good for now!




This is a very good product that is lively and fun. It is geared toward how the brain learns. I am very impressed with this, and look forward to my son (s) completing it in the weeks to come.

The online version price of Read, Write & Type is based on how many users you have, and is good for five years. (one user -$35, two users - $55, three users-$70, four users-$80, and five users $100.) You can also get a CD version of RW&T for $79, and that would be good for a lot of children! Quite a good deal, if you ask me! (and I'm big on deals since I have 11 children...)

To order this online product, you can click here:

http://www.talkingfingers.com/store/home-onlineproducts

For the CD, you can click here:

http://www.talkingfingers.com/store/home-cdproducts

For more information about this product or other products by Talking Fingers, click here:

http://www.talkingfingers.com/readwritetype/RWT-learningsystems.html


This is a great product, and we definitely enjoyed reviewing it. Check it out today. Your child/children will be glad you did!!


***Disclaimer--I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***

TOS Product Review: The Peleg Chronicles: Foundlings (Book One)

My middle boys (ages 5, 7, and 9) love to have read-alouds with their dad before they go to bed. Foundlings (Book One of The Peleg Chronicles by Zoe & Sozo Publishing) was the perfect book for them to read together. I think it will leave you wishing for more! (there is a second book called Paladins already out, with a promise from the author for more...that is good news!)


The author, Matthew Christian Harding, has a fascinating testimony on his website. It definitely made you think, and I appreciate that. It is good background to the book, too, in my opinion.

The back of the book says there is no evolution, no magic, and no humanism. That is wonderful news, isn't it? My boys love these kinds of books. I'm sure some girls do, too. (mine don't, but the boys like them enough to make up for that! I've almost convinced a few of my daughters to try reading the book...) Sometimes books of this type are not books I want my children reading. You just have to be so careful. The good news is...this book is good, safe, and exciting. It contains a lot of Bible truths and Christian traits. That is a very good combination for fun read-alouds with Dad!!

Here is a description of the book from the publisher (from the back of the book):

"There will be dragons. There be giants. And God: our maker, our help, and our righteous judge." The Warrior's broad hand rested upon the eager shoulder of a boy. "Does it not stir your soul?"

It was in the days of Peleg, when the world was divided. After the flood of Noah, after the tower of Babel and the dispersion, when men wondered where they were upon the earth, and where their fellows had gone to, when beasts were more numerous than men-predators in the mood, in the water, and in the air. But men struggled and fought, carving their place. And in the process of time they once again began to multiply upon the face of the earth.

Fergus was shield-bearer, sworn protector of his liege Lord. Armed with spear and sword, his purpose, he knew, was to defend his master, anticipate danger, and support assault. But keeping up with McDougal's long legs was difficult, and he trembled with excitement of what might come next.

A human voice screaming, and McDougal exploded down the hillside. A moment later, he leapt upon a rock twenty feet from the bog's discernable edge and drew back the first arrow. Fergus scrambled up beside him.

On the other side of the marsh, a man of dwarf height, thickset, and slightly hunched, staggered from the weeds-a mace outstretched above his head. He peered into the high branches of the forest. But the pursuing creature, whatever it was, did not emerge from the canopy above. Down at the forest floor, near the base of a great dead tree, a black mouth, imbued with yellow teeth, hissed and snarled. The dwarf screamed and swung his mace through the air...

That gives a good introduction to the book, enough to make you wonder what else is inside!

The boys had some trouble following the story at times since they are young. My 17 year old son was reading it, too, and found the same problem at times, but was able to work through that. There was good character development and lots of plot to follow. You just have to love a book like that! Enjoy!!

The book (along with the second in the series) sells for $11.95, with free shipping. Order it here:
http://matthewchristianharding.com/Orderpage.html

Find other reviews for this product here:

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783082/

***Disclaimer: I was given this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I was given no other compensation.***

TOS Product Review--Vocabulary Cartoons SAT Word Power

I have a "homeschool wish list" in my head, and this book was on it. We have the elementary version, but I thought we should have this book for the older students. It was a hit!! I gave it to my 17 year old son, and within a few minutes I heard him laughing over the pages of this book. He is a hard sale, so this was a good sign. A few days later, after he had a chance to look through it, I pried it out of his fingers and gave it to my 15 year old daughter. Within a few minutes, she was laughing and showing different pages to her younger sisters. I'd say this was learning at its finest! (or should I say funniest??) There are a few places where we had to weed out the slightly immodest pictures, but that worked out fine for us.


The concept is very simple. Take a look at the sample cartoon below, taken from the website vocabularycartoons.com:

First, there is the main word with a dictionary entry. (which is not shown in this example, but the word is "Fathom, v. to understand fully; to penetrate the meaning of.") Then, a simple link word or phrase is listed, one that sounds like the main word. (fat thumb) Underneath that is the crazy cartoon to incorporate the main word and link word into something unforgettable. The caption is underneath the cartoon, connecting both words in a sentence. Finally, there are sample sentences on the bottom of the page to reinforce learning. This particular cartoon had "The jury found it hard to fathom how the defendant could commit such a terrible crime." as one of three sample sentences.

Sound simple? Well, it is. And...it works to help the student learn the words. I love the use of mnemonics in learning, and that is what this whole book from New Monics Books, Inc., is about. I also like it when fun learning takes place, and that is what happened as my children read this wonderful book!

This particular book sells for $12.95 at:

http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/categories/Books/

It is targeted for grades 7-12. My 12th grade son already took his college entrance tests, but this book would have been a great help. I'm using it for my 8th and 9th grade daughters to develop their vocabulary for now, which is always a plus, and to help them study for their college entrance tests when or if the time comes.

So, my kids will learn lots of vocabulary words and have fun while they are doing it. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!!



Check out other reviews of this product at:

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783022/






*** Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review of it. I received no other compensation.***