tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42644209293928806612024-03-12T17:58:06.326-07:00Homeschool Reviews for YouHomeschool Curriculum reviewed by a homeschool mom still in the process.Regenia Spoerndlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00887055952362758798noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264420929392880661.post-65268885122650171412011-05-06T07:26:00.000-07:002011-05-15T07:31:43.270-07:00Kregel Publications-Andi's Fair Surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iibkPUrG3Lk/Tc_imAKq_XI/AAAAAAAAAaE/JWg8RtZSoBI/s1600/CCB_banner_new_with_black_outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iibkPUrG3Lk/Tc_imAKq_XI/AAAAAAAAAaE/JWg8RtZSoBI/s320/CCB_banner_new_with_black_outline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.circlecadventures.com/">Andi's Fair Surprise </a></span></i>by Susan K. Marlow and illustrated by Leslie Gammelgaard is a great addition to the bookshelf of any novice reader. Set in 1874, the thoughts, passions and problems faced by young Andi Carter, a six-year old cowgirl in training, are classic and relevant to today's young reader. A handy mini-dictionary of "new words" is included at the beginning of the text to help young readers as they read through this 63 page beginning chapter book divided into 9 chapters. A final chapter titled, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"A Peek into the Past"</span></i>adds an extra educational element providing insight to the historic context of the story.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LG-_A56KJoc/Tc_iaTaChXI/AAAAAAAAAaA/nyJ-iCrKnjU/s1600/3-_FS_125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LG-_A56KJoc/Tc_iaTaChXI/AAAAAAAAAaA/nyJ-iCrKnjU/s1600/3-_FS_125.jpg" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.circlecadventures.com/">Andi's Fair Surprise</a></span></i> is the latest edition (2011) to Marlow's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Circle C Beginnings Series, </span>written for <b>ages 6-8</b>. All the texts in the series showcase the antics and struggles of Andi, a horse-loving, tom-boyish, independent little girl with a big heart. Andi's adventures continue in the <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.circlecadventures.com/">Circle C adventure series </a></span></i>designed for <b>ages 9-14</b>. Both series are written to illustrate wholesome lessons in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"family, faith and friends"</i></span>. All titles from the series can be purchased on the author's website, <a href="http://www.circlecadventures.com/">www.circlecadventures.com</a><br />
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I am always on the lookout for wholesome and engaging beginner readers and was thrilled to receive this title to review as a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew. I had heard of Andi and the Circle C adventure series from fellow homeschool parents, but hadn't shared them with my horse-loving daughter, Sierra yet. Sierra, a 3rd grade, beginning reader, agreed to assist me with this review and shared the following comments regarding the series.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"I think its a great book for little kids. It's a great book to read and it wasn't that hard to read. It's kind of easy and that's what makes it fun. I want to read the older books </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_194536608">(</a></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_194536608">Circle C adventures)</a></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.circlecadventures.com/"> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">too</span>"(Sierra, age 9).<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">The Circle C Beginner Readers </span></i>sell on the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.circlecadventures.com/">Circle C website</a></span></b> for <b>$4.99</b> each, <b>$9.98</b> for two, or <b>$15.96 </b>for the first four. The website hosts a treasure trove of information about the characters, books, supplemental study guides and lapbooks for purchase, on-line games and puzzles and a handy link to Andi's blog. Gallop on over and set for a spell. You'll be glad you did.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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If you love trivia, if you love family friendly competition, or if you just long for a another board game that the entire family can play together and enjoy, you will want to get a copy of <a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a>. </p><p><br /><a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html">As a member of the Old School house Homeschool Crew, I received </a><a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> in exchange for this honest review. </p><br /><br />Our family is larger than average with six "children" ages 21-6. Because of our size and age span, we don't often find games we can all play together and enjoy. We are pleased to announce after our test marketing experience during a recent snow day, that <a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> has been placed on our short list of fantastic, fun and family friendly games for everyone!<br /><div><div><a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> is easy to set up and takes less than an hour to play to completion. Not good with trivia? Never fear, because the beauty of <a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> lies in the fact that guessing is encouraged and anticipated. No one is expected to know the answers to the trivia questions, but everyone (ages 8 and older) is expected to play.</div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550747400046604482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 101px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/TQg3WemzcMI/AAAAAAAAAY8/g8DYMwGOQGk/s200/DSCN5777.JPG" border="0" /><br />The game consists of a simple scoreboard, five color coded mini answer boards, Meeples (one large and one small for each color) and a generous supply of trivia question/answer cards. The scoreboard and answer boards are coated with a slick surface allowing players to use dry erase markers to record and change information easily. Mini dry erase pens are included with the game.<br /><br />Meeples are small wooden people shaped place markers used in the </div><div>game; a design borrowed from a European board game, "Carsonne" by <a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> designer Dominic Crapuchettes. All game pieces and parts are well designed and constructed guaranteeing many years of use and family fun. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">North Star Games</span> prides themselves as producing <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,0,0)">"games with personality" </span>making the game appealing from the moment you open the box.</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.northstargames.com/North_Star_Games/Home.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> is designed to be used by <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">3-10 players</span> ages <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">8 and older</span>. We chose to play with 7 players placing our two youngest players on "teams". Due to the nature of the game everyone could easily participate and enjoy all aspects of play. After I read the brief instructions for the first time, we dove into the game eagerly. I served as question reader and assisted my 9 year old with some trivia answers, but for the most part watched and observed for the purposes of writing this review.</div><div><br /></div><div>Play begins by reading a trivia question, having players/teams write their answer to the question on their answer boards and then laying the boards face down on the table. Next, the boards are turned over for all to see and Meeples are placed on the answers assumed correct in an effort to garner more points. Points are awarded based on the closest correct answer with a </div><div>total of 15 points winning the game. The questions are so unique that 3rd graders can easily compete with college Seniors, Graduate students, Mom or Dad.<br /><br />Here's what the reviewers thought:<br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"It was fun. It was very competitive if you want it to be."</span>- <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Courtney, age 21</span>.<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"The questions were very entertaining. It's a good party ga</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">me."-</span> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jonah, age 16</span>.</div><div><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"It was enjoyable to play. It's a great way to create healthy competition for a family game night. I think it's a great game to play with people of all ages." </span>- <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sammi, age 19.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"></span><b><br /></b><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550747998179229570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/TQg35S0u_4I/AAAAAAAAAZE/7ufubHCxl4I/s200/DSCN5780.JPG" border="0" /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"I liked how strange and funny the questions were. I especially enjoyed it because I got to guess answers I didn't know. It didn't really matter if I didn't know the right answer. I could guess and still have fun." </span>- <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Micah, age 13</span>.<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"I liked the little dry erase boards you get to write the answers on."</span> - <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Aidan, age 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"It's really fun with the dry erase boards, markers, and Meeples. It can be a really great family game because you can play as a team. If you get stuck on a question you can ask your team mate for help." </span>- <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sierra, age 9</span>.</div><div><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">"It's been ages since I have played a game with all of my children at once! I can think of no better way to spend an afternoon than with Wits and Wagers Family and my children. Thank </span></div><div><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">you North Star games!"</span>- <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mom of six/ reviewer</span>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550749082874563026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/TQg44boQSdI/AAAAAAAAAZM/jD84gpM7YbQ/s200/DSCN5782.JPG" border="0" />To learn more about <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">North Star Games </span>visit their website at <a href="http://www.northstargames.com/"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">www.northstargames.com. </span></a>Tell the facebook world you're a fan by visiting their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/northstargames"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Facebook page</span></a> or keep current with updates by accessing the company <a href="http://twitter.com/NorthStarGames"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Twitter page</span></a>. <a href="http://www.northstargames.com/"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Wits and Wagers Family</span></a> is available at Target, Borders and most specialty toy stores. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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For <span style="font-weight: bold;">$29.00 a year</span>, or <span style="font-weight: bold;">$49.00 for a two year</span> subscription, homeschool families can have unlimited access to hundreds of resource materials located on the site. Similar in scope to other subscription based worksheet sites, <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers</span></a> offers a <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">FREE 10 day unlimited tria</span>l subscription to those wondering if it is worth the investment. I received a FREE one year subscription to the site in exchange for this review.<br /> I have test driven quite a few of these worksheet sites over the years, but for some reason <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers</span></a> felt a bit different to me. To begin with there is no search button to use. While some might think this problematic, <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers</span></a> is convinced that a well designed website does not require a search tool. According to the website, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"We believe that on a well designed website you should easily find your way around and find what you need in three clicks or less. Gone are the days of searching endlessly."</span> Is that right?! Hmmmm..... I was not so sure at first.<br /><br />I spent my first visit to <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers website</span></a> testing the <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"three clicks or less"</span> theory. Within minutes (perhaps even seconds) I had found seasonal educational games and worksheets to print out for my daughter to use with my six year old son and his friend during her weekly babysitting sessions with the boys. But were the very cute pumpkin/ghost maze/shapes game worksheets I found a true crowd pleaser?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I think they were cool. I really liked the maze with the ghosts and haunted houses",</span> said Aidan, age 6.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I thought the games were really fun and interactive, yet simple for the boys to use. I liked that I could pack them easily to go because they didn't have a lot of pieces and easily fit inside a file folder"</span>, said Sammi, 19 year old babysitter extraordinaire.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers</span></a> offers a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">FREE</span> weekly newsletter subscription distributed through email with every membership. The newsletter is filled with tips for using the site, highlights of educational moments for that week or month and links to other educational resources. For example, for the week of November 1st, I received a newsletter highlighting <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/monthly/november/f62e.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">National Sandwich day</span></a>, November 3rd and National Saxophone Day, November 6th plus other valuable tips and links. If I chose to take a few moments on the 3rd to celebrate sandwiches I only needed to clink on the live link in the newsletter and be directed to a printable worksheet at <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">KB Teachers. </span>Once on the site I could choose other links to enable further research for the topic of sandwiches.</a> I found this feature very creative and relatively effortless to use; a great aspect for any parent.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers</span></a> definitely was a hit with the younger set as a supplementary/ educational play option, but I was a bit disappointed with the lack of depth the site provides for older students. There are geography, science, language and math worksheets, but no foreign language, history/ social studies ones like I've seen on other sites. Some of the text was difficult to read on the site perhaps due to my internet browser choice.<br /><br />For the most part, however, I think <a href="http://www.kbteachers.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">KB Teachers</span></a> is a great resource for anyone needing a little extra help with their homeschool lessons or simply something new to do with the kids while waiting for a sibling at dance or during lengthy visits to waiting rooms.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Over the years I address grammar, vocabulary, reading, logic and other skills that will build a good writer, but deliberately I save writing instruction for the high school years.<br /><br />One of the most important forms of writing for college bound students is the essay. I have never devoted an entire semester or year to learning to write an essay, but if I wanted to <a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Write Foundation</span></a> has my back. Written by Rebecca Celsor, <a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Write Foundation's Essay Writing I</span></a><a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">nstructions </span></a>consists of <span style="font-weight: bold;">30 lessons</span> (enough for a whole school year) divided into two books with <span style="font-weight: bold;">15 lessons each.</span> I received Lessons 1-15 to use in my home for free in exchange for this review.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">200+ page curriculum</span> arrived spiral bound, black text on white paper. COMPLETE step by step instructions, scheduling recommendations and even ideas for assigning grades offer the novice writing teacher wonderful guidelines for handling instruction. Although this curriculum lacks visual appeal its content is very comprehensive. Incorporating more than basic skills, Essay Writing may tend to be too thorough for some families.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Write Foundation Essay Writing</span></a> could easily lend itself to a Co-op class or private school instruction. The <a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Write Foundation Essay Writing</span></a> curriculum is recommended for <span style="font-weight: bold;">ages 14-17 </span>and retails on the company website for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$100.00 </span>for the two volume 30 lesson set with separate student worksheets and resource CD or <span style="font-weight: bold;">$65</span> for a one volume set. If student worksheets and resource CD's are not on your shopping list the instruction manual alone sells for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$75</span> for lessons 1-30 or <span style="font-weight: bold;">$40.00</span> for Lessons 1-15. This flexibility in pricing is a plus in my opinion as one size does not always fit all homeschooling families.<br /><br />True to most great homeschool curriculum, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Write Foundation</span> products were birthed out of need by a homeschool Mom looking to fill a gap. Rebecca Celsor homeschooled her own children through high school and then began to teach Creative Writing for a co-op. Frustrated by a lack of options for teaching her writing class, Celsor designed her own lesson plans which she now shares in the form of <a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Write Foundation curriculum.</span></a> The curriculum is divided into three levels beginning with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Level 1: Sentence to Paragraph Writing</span> for ages 11-13, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Level 2: Paragraph Writing</span> for ages 12-15 and concluding with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Level 3: Essay Writing</span> for ages 14-17.<br /><br />Homeschool families that embrace structured curriculum will love <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Essay Writing</span>. Assignments and instructional goals are clearly written and organized for the teacher. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Essay Writing Lessons 1-15</span> cover the topics of sentence structure, paragraph organization, essay organization, poetry, and outlines. Critical thinking <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">MindBenders</span> are integrated into the curriculum as well as an option for developing strong logical thinking; an often over looked element of essay writing.<br /><br />From our sampling of this program I easily identified its merits, but it was more than I actually needed. Perhaps I have been blessed with competent natural writers for our home, but to spend an entire school year with essay writing at this depth would be a waste of precious time for us. However, the fact <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Essay Writing</span> has been kid tested and homeschool Mom approved should be reason enough to check it out when curriculum shopping. For<a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/20_Samples.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> sample lessons</span></a> of each level of the curriculum, syllabii designed for writing classes, or to purchase visit the company website at <a href="http://www.thewritefoundation.org/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">www.thewritefoundation.org.</span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Lucky for me I received a <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Buckets O' Fun</span></a> sample kit to review as a member of The Homeschool Crew in exchange for this review. My children Jonah, age 16, Aidan, age 6 and Sierra, age 9 signed up to assist me by offering their honest opinions onthis educational, family friendly product.<br />My intentions for cool craft projects or amazing science experiments often remain just that; intentions. Life can be hectic as the mother of six and understandably the benefits of hands-on learning often times get squeezed out by the reality of time limitations or having to find just one more item to complete the supply list. <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Buckets O' Fun</span></a> brings great intentions to life by providing everything in one package with easy to follow directions. We received samples of <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Buckets O' Fun</span></a>'s <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html">Yuck activities. </a></span><div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/TNTChm9CbGI/AAAAAAAAAYs/SKiU2wwOFb8/s200/DSCN5671.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536263724593212514" /></span>In case you were wondering......<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Yuck</span> is code for science experiments involving polymers. Yuck experiences are available in <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Saucy"</span>, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"Chunky"</span>, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Snowy"</span> or <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"Sticky"</span> options. Changing the polymer through hydration is as simple as adding water, but the effects are outstanding! A one pound package of dry <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yuck powder</span></a> complete with directions, scientific explanations, and optional expansion activities costs between <span style="font-weight: bold;">$16-$20.00</span> depending on the polymer. A free sample of <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yuck</span></a> is available to interested, yet skeptical</div><div>customers at the company <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">website</span></a>.<br /><br />I must admit I was curious how fascinating the <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yuck</span></a> could really be and was very pleasantly surprised by it's <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;">"WOW"</span> factor. Aidan, Sierra and I created<a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Snowy Yuck</span></a> first and the squeals of delight were enough to draw their 16 year old brother into the room. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yuck</span> is definitely appropriate for all ages as the scientific principles coupled with the hands-on experience keep everyone's interest.</div><div><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/TNTDw7B7n1I/AAAAAAAAAY0/TV2QiCdTSq4/s200/DSCN5672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536265087192112978" />When asked for his honest opinion Aidan eagerly said, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"It's fun! We made snow. I liked</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">watching it melt when we put salt on it"</span>. Aidan highly recommends purchasing <a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yuck</span></a> and says on a scale of 1-10, it is definitely a <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"10"!</span><br /><br />Sierra's reaction to our sample of<a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Buckets O' Fun</span></a> was similar. <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"It's a fun science experiment", she said. "I liked seeing different things happen that I've never seen before!"</span> she continued. Sierra also highly recommends Yuck products giving them two thumbs up for their "fun" factor.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Buckets O' Fun</span></a> prides themselves on unusual fun-filled products. A visit to the company website is a one-stop shopping trip for mammoth beach balls, finger rockets, rubber chickens, ricochet balls, silly swords, belly bumpers and more. Pricing and specific product information can be found by clicking <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.buckets-o-fun.com/3yucks.html">here</a>.</span><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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The company offers unit studies and Bible studies for children in grades K-12. As a member of TOS Homeschool Crew, our family received a digital copy of Soli Deo Gloria's "<a href="http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/index.php?main_page=index"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Young Hearts Longing for God: A Pre-inductive Psalm Study"</span></a> in exchange for this review.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/index.php?main_page=index"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Young Hearts Longing for God: A Pre-inductive Psalm Study</span></a> written by Kim Kargbo, is designed for students who can read alone, but may not be ready for disciplined independent Bible study. According to the author, this is typically grades 3-5, but a recommendation is also given to utilize the curriculum through 8th grade. My third grade daughter, Sierra and my 8th grade daughter, Micah both made use of the study for the purposes of this review.<br /><br />Inductive Bible studies utilize the power of color and shapes to identify key elements within the text. For example, the lesson studying Psalm 95 instructs the student to underline all the names for God in red, while the lesson on Psalm 36 has the student underlining attributes of God in orange, drawing a star over the sentence which tells the end result for a wicked person, etc. Using color and pictures is much more engaging than dissecting sentences in a more typical manner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/index.php?main_page=index"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Young Hearts Longing for God</span></a> has all scripture used typed on the top of each worksheet page. The author uses the New International Version of the Bible. Below the text are a series of questions, some of them simply instructions for underlining, etc., which help the reader draw meaning from the passage. The final step for each lesson is to answer a question in a journal. The author recommends keeping a spiral notebook for journaling exercises. She has designed her study to last an entire school year with the student spending one week studying each Psalm. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><br />"Again, you may use your discretion in this regard, but a word of caution--taking longer than one week per Psalm may cause the child to become bored and lose interest, therefore not gaining all that could be gained from the study"</span>, says Kargbo.<br /><br />I found the curriculum to be very user friendly, well organized and easy to implement. I simply printed out the digital copy, read the one page of instructions for use and we were off and running. Sierra required lots of hands on time with me in order to successfully make use of the study. Some of the concepts were difficult for her to grasp at first, but with discussion she genuinely engaged with the study and enjoyed it. Micah, grade 8, used the study completely independent of me as she does with most of her studies.<br /><br />When asked for their opinions of Young Hearts Longing for God, the girls had lots of glowing comments.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"It helps you to think about what each verse means instead of just reading it. Sometimes I don't stop to think about the true meaning of a verse or I don't understand it. (when reading the Bible). This helped me focus on that"</span>, said Micah.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I liked the journaling because it helped me think more and apply the Psalm to my life. It made all the verses more relevant"</span>, she added.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"The colored pencils helped me understand the meanings of different things"</span>, said Sierra, age 9. <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"It helped me understand what we were doing."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I liked the journal too because at the end of the year I can look back and see all the things I learned",</span> Sierra continued.<br /><br />When asked for any final comments, Sierra added, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I also liked having the verses on the paper. It made it easier to have them right there".</span><br /><br />To purchase <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Soli Deo Gloria's Young Hearts Longing For God: Pre-Inductive Bible Study of the Psalms </span>or any of their other products simply visit their website at <a href="http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/</span></a> The study sells for<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $16.00</span> plus minimal shipping on the site. A sample can be viewed by clicking<a href="http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/bmz_cache/5/516b46842d36dd278a7e39a5dda468c7.image.150x189.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> here</span></a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Hop on over to<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html">Digital Frog International </a>at <a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html">http://www.digitalfrog.com</a>. Famous for their innovative virtual frog dissection interactive video computer program, <a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Digital Fro</span></a><a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">g</span></a> now offers virtual field trips for all ages. I received the entire virtual field trip series ,<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"The Wetlands, The Rainforest and The Desert"</span> as a member of the Homeschool Crew in exchange for this review. Although my first initial reaction was "a bit pricey for an educational computer program", <a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Digital Frog</span></a>'s programs are not average!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Digital Frog International</span></a> describes themselves at their website as: <a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/dfi/index.html">"an innovative, enthusiastic, software company, dedicated to creating high-quality educational, multimedia CD-ROMs with an ecological focus. Our corporate headquarters is a converted barn surrounded by frogs, dogs and bogs in rural Ontario, Canada."</a><br /><br />Always in need of an assistant, I asked my Kindergarten son Aidan to assist me with this review. Aidan is a Jr. computer geek, Lego afficiando and lover of animals. He is the biggest nature enthusiast of all of my kids, so I was sure he would definitely enjoy a virtual field trip.<br /><br />Aidan was very excited to click through the different options of this program while I read the excellent, in depth text aloud. The field trips are multi-layered adventures filled with clear, bright photography, easily read, yet extremely informative text, and interactive opportunities within the virtual world.<br /><br />Aidan and I chose to visit, "The Wetlands" first. We selected this from our initial screen choices of Wetlands, Rainforest or Desert. Next, the program directed us to a bog in Canada and we were asked if we would like to locate the bog before our visit. Choosing "yes" the next screen challenged us to click on North America on a world map, then Canada, then the Province of Ontario, then Algonquin Park, until finally we arrived at Cloud Lake. Throughout our virtual journey short, detailed descriptions of our destinations were provided in text which I read aloud to Aidan.<br /><br />Once we arrived at Cloud Lake a series of 8 different posts, or specific sites of the bog, to visit were presented. We chose to travel to in order so as not to miss anything on our visit. Clicking on a mini map took us directly to the post marking where we investigated various plant and animal life at each location. The visuals have a 360 degree effect (think Google Earth) which is very fun for a six year old. We spun around in circles and happened upon a wood duck, a wolf and a beaver at various moments. Besides the fun of spinning, a small virtual notebook located to the right of the viewing area for the bog presents "field notes"for areas encountered. The text for the field notes is very concise, informative and intelligently written. I'm not sure of the grade level of the writing, but it is definitely appropriate for high school level nature study and if read aloud with explanation, appropriate for young nature enthusiasts too.<br /><br />Spinning in circles in the "great outdoors" is fun, but for educational purposes, I asked Aidan his favorite animal so we could investigate the variety of information available in the text. He chose "Wood Duck", we clicked the link within the program, and were taken to a close-up photo of the wood duck at the lake. Within this screen were options to read an "Intro" about the duck, "Habitat", "Behavior", "Life Cycle", "Food Source", "Size Ranges", "Latin Name/Classification", "Trophic Level (ie. Consumer), and "Food Source".We could have spent hours just investigating the wood duck and all its related components, but the great thing about a virtual field trip for nature study is that you don't have to do it all at once. Older students can benefit with longer visits to study the in depth nature of the text and visuals, while young ones can glean brief snippets of information and enjoy "spinning" in the great outdoors.<br /><br />I asked Aidan, for his honest opinion of <a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"The Digital Field Trip Series"</span></a> and he said, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I liked seeing the beaver, the frog, the wolf and the bald eagle in the wetlands!" When asked if he had any suggestions for improvement he added, "I wish there were games to play".</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitalfrog.com/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Digital Frog International's "Digital Field Trip Series"</span></a> can be purchased at the company website for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$199.00</span>. Individual trips (ie. Desert only) can be purchased for home use for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$60.00</span> each. Digital Frog is used in classrooms, but is a perfect product for home education as well.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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According to Harding, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Foundlings is historical fiction that takes place in the time period of Peleg, soon after the tower of Babel dispersion".</span> Dragons, giants and huge beasts are common throughout the storyline adding to a more fantastical experience for contemporary readers.<br /><br />Harding, a homeschool Dad, offers a young earth creationist Biblical worldview which he says, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"conforms to the Word of God"</span>. "<a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Foundling</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">s</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> weaves together the Biblical principles of chivalry, truth, courage, duty, faith and love within the framework of Genesis, and a bold adherence to its historicity"</span>, he says.<br /><br />Understanding Harding's motivation for writing the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Chronicles of Peleg </span>is equally noteworthy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/files/IMG_75.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 285px;" src="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/files/IMG_75.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>. The author states in his testimony that he is a former member of the occult saved through divine intervention only God could orchestrate. His credentials include an English degree from St. Olaf College and a Masters in Special Education from the University of Arizona. The greatest motivation, however, came from his love for his children and the desire to share meaningful stories with them at bedtime. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"When I put the children to bed at night, they would often ask to hear stories about when I was young. Tiring of the same routine, I began to make up stories that got longer and more intricate, sometimes lasting for months",</span> he says.<br /><br />Encouraged by his wife to record these works of fantasy, Harding began to write the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Chronicles of Peleg.</span> To date he has completed, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/">Book One: Foundlings</a> and <a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/">Book Two: Paladins</a></span>. Harding says he plans many more to follow.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Foundlings </span></a>is designed to appeal to children ages 10-12 and older. Younger children may enjoy the novel as a read aloud. My 13 year old daughter, however, is not a fan of fantasy fiction and did not enjoy the novel. Unfortunately, I also struggle with fantasy literature often feeling I have to work too hard to learn a new vocabulary, and follow complex plot lines. It is a personal genre preference that kept me from enjoying all <a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Foundlings</span></a> had to offer. I could not identify with the characters easily and the rich descriptions were not enough to carry my interest forward.<br /><br />In an effort to give <a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Foundlings</span></a> a fair evaluation I passed the novel on to my 21 year old daughter, a self-professed fan of Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis, both genius fantasy authors in their own right. Her review of <a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Foundlings</span></a> was more favorable, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"It's creative, but very long and drawn out. I felt it was overly detailed. I would still recommend it however, to lovers of fantasy fiction, especially because of its Biblical content"</span>, she said.<br /><br />For those who enjoy a unit study approach to literature study, Harding is intending to publish a companion book which will investigate the historical, Biblical and character building themes of the literature. Consideration is also being given to creating a lapbook and educational game in the near future.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/">Foundlings and Paladins</a> </span>can be purchased at Hardings website, <a href="http://www.matthewchristianharding.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.MatthewChristianHarding.com</span></a>, local bookstores, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Ingram and Baker & Taylor. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">256 page novel</span> sells for <span style="font-weight: bold;">11.95</span> in paperbook format. Harding offers <span style="font-weight: bold;">free shipping</span> on his website for all customers. In addition, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">"money back guarantee" </span>accompanies each purchase.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">* As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received Foundlings for free in exhange for this review. My review is a reflection of my honest opinion of the book.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">*</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Words like <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">affinity</span>, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">expunge</span>, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">laudable</span> and <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">porcine</span> just don't seem to find their way into my kids' language arts lessons and therefore don't appear in their written work or conversations. <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons</span></a>, a product of <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">New Monic Books, Inc</span></a>. might just be the solution to help my students improve their <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">rudimentary</span> skills with a minimal investment of their time. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons SAT Word Power</span> is designed to appeal to a multitude of ages and can be used in a <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">myriad</span> of ways.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Monic Books </span>sent me a copy of <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons SAT Word Power</span></a> for free in exchange for this <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">affidavit</span>. I am happy to report <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">unbridled</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">accolades</span> of my own <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">volition</span>. <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons SAT Word Power</span></a> is <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">propulsive</span> in developing language skills.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Monic</span> describes the theoretical design of their book by defining mnemonic. According to the publisher a mnemonic<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> "is a device that helps you remember something by associating what you are trying to remember with something you already know". Examples include acronyms like DEAR (drop everything and read)-- or rhyming phrases like "In 14 hundred and 92, Columbus sailed the ocean blue"</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons </span></a>is designed on the principle of a visual mnemonic. For example, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"capacious"</span>meaning <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"roomy, able to hold much"</span> is illustrated with a small boy wearing a baseball hat 10 sizes too large. The phrase <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"A spacious cap is capacious"</span> is written below the illustration. Using the cartoon visual to connect with the definition encourages the brain to develop a learning connection ensuring the student will remember the word. According to the publisher, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Vocabulary Cartoon mnemonic strategies not only accelerate learning, but they also motivate, entertain and build self-esteem"</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/product_images/uploaded_images/vocabulary_cartoon_demo.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 370px;" src="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/product_images/uploaded_images/vocabulary_cartoon_demo.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span>The publisher contends standardized test scores for PSAT, SAT/ or even the GRE will improve from a deeper understanding of scholarly vocabulary. The words selected in <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons</span></a> are those most frequently found on the verbal sections of the SAT and GRE exams. Additionally, students enrolled in adult education classes, ESL students and individuals suffering from ADD could all benefit from this unique product because of its strong visual component.<br /><br />I believe the true test of <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons</span></a> is evident when utilizing it for sporadic vocabulary study. I had Micah, grade 8, use the book occasionally over the past six weeks to note if vocabulary development had occurred or if the book was simply <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">quixotic</span>. Micah took a short quiz included within <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons </span></a>to evaluate her ability to evoke the meaning of the first ten words included. She remembered 70% of the words, but felt the words she did remember were <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">erudite</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"It's a great study tool for vocabulary", said Micah. "I liked the illustrations that they used to help to display vocabulary words or phrases. I found it easy to picture the illustrations in my mind when I was trying to remember the meaning of the word. I think I only got 70% of them correct when I took the test because it had been two weeks since I last looked at the book. I think I will continue to use Vocabulary Cartoons, however to help me remember vocabulary words I don't often use and to look for meanings of difficult words I encounter when I am reading". </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Vocabulary Cartoons</span> can be purchased on <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Monic Book's</span> company website <a href="http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/home/</span></a> for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$12.95</span> plus shipping and handling. With casual use and dedication your student will <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">veer</span> from <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">tyro</span> to <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ubiquitous</span> vocabulary enthusiast.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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I must admit that I now see <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/department90.cfm">Jason Gibson</a>, creator and instructor for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Math Tutor</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/images/dept90.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 303px;" src="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/images/dept90.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> DVD</span>, as a familiar, reliable friend to call upon when needing help with complex mathematical questions. Gibson holds advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Physics and recently resigned as Flight Controller for NASA's space shuttle program. Most importantly, however, he is able to translate his vast knowledge of physical science and mathematics to young less experienced students. There will be no more tears or stress when utilizing <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/main.cfm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Math Tutor DVD </span></a>products for middle school and upper level mathematics. The DVD's are user friendly, well designed and an extremely valuable resource to have in the home.<br /><br />Our family received the <span style="font-weight: bold;">5 hour</span> <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/products/department24.cfm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Pre-Algebra Tutor Volume 1 </span></a>and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">8 hour</span> <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/products/department23.cfm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Texas Instruments TI-83/TI84 Calculator Tutor DVD</span></a>'s for review. Each DVD is priced at <strong>$26.99</strong> on the company website.<strong></strong> With step by step instruction and all the quality aspects of a DVD like portability and easily accessed repetition of instructions, I can't imagine a more affordable educational option for anyone seeking a supplemental high quality math instruction.<br /><br />Customers with a <strong>Facebook</strong> account have the opportunity to visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Math-Tutor-DVD/14199103341"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Math Tutor DVD </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">fan page</span></a> and receive a <strong>$10.00 coupon</strong> off their purchase for clicking the "like" button. The company offers an affiliate program, DVD bundle pricing, and the opportunity to win a complete set of all the <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/">Math Tutor DVD </a>products directly from the website. If that weren’t enough <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/">Math Tutor DVD </a>offers a <strong>100% money back guarantee</strong> for all of their products.<br /><br />But are these DVD's effective? I decided to ask my 13 year old, 8th grade daughter her opinion of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">TI-83/84 Caluculator Tutor DVD</span> after viewing it. She is a current Algebra 1 student, so the graphing calculator is a tool she had no experience with, but will need to master in a few years. According to Micah,<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I found the DVD really helpful because the calculator is rather complicated tool and the DVD teaches you how to use all the different keys. It was easy to understand because he used the calculator with the different functions while he talked. I could see exactly what I needed to do. I would recommend this as a tutorial for anyone needing to learn how to use the TI-83/TI-84."</span><br /><br />For more specific information regarding <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/main.cfm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Math Tutor DVD</span></a> products visit their website at <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/public/main.cfm"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">www.mathtutordvd.com</span></a>. To read my other reviews of Math Tutor DVD products visit the links listed below.<br /><br /><a href="http://homeschoolreviews4you.blogspot.com/2010/02/math-tutor-dvd-numbers-and-counting.html">Numbers and Counting-part of the Young Minds Pre-school series</a><br /><br />and <a href="http://homeschoolreviews4you.blogspot.com/2009/02/math-tutor-dvd.html">Basic Word Math Problems and Algebra 2</a><br /><br />Whether it's pre-school or upper level Calculus <a href="http://www.mathtutordvd.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Math Tutor DVD</span></a> has products that will help your family embrace mathematics. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Math Tutor DVD's</span> are award winning, affordable and easily accessible. Buy one and soon you will feel like Jason Gibson is your new best friend too.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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You can read my complete opinion of this amazing planner by clicking<a href="http://homeschoolreviews4you.blogspot.com/2009/06/oldschoolhouse-planner-2009-2010.html"> here</a>.<br /><br />Although the 2009-2010 planner's service has come to an end the unit study based<a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=191_193"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Schoolhouse Planner modules </span></a>can still bring new life to your homeschool.<br /><br />I LOVE unit studies. At one time, my homeschool support group referred to our family as "the unit study family". If you are unfamiliar with the term, a unit study is a organized effort to incorporate all subject areas of learning around one central topic or theme. Unit studies to me are like a big educational party filled with activities, recipes, great books to read and arts and crafts to make. They are especially wonderful with younger aged children who don't require a lot of structured learning, but really just need to catch the "fever" of the learning process.<br /><br />I received the <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">June 2010 Module</span></a> (unit study) designed to accompany the <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=191_193"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">2009-2010 Schoolhouse Planner</span></a> for free in exchange for this review. This module titled <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Travel the World"</span> is designed to introduce children of all ages to the study of <span style="font-weight: bold;">world geography</span>.<br /><br />My children just completed a year long study of world geography so we did not use this module for this review. I wish however, I had latched on to <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122">"Travel the World"</a> last year at this time. All of my planning and prep work for the World Geography co-op class I taught would have been done for me. <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Travel the World"</span></a><a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122"> </a>is filled with well written, concise informational text, poetry, fill in the blank activities, word scramble, word search, crossword and rebus puzzles, coloring pages which include world and continent maps, manuscript and cursive copywork, a high school expansion section with literature and activity suggestions, recipes, resource list and my personal favorite, answer keys. A section titled "Lapbook Beginnings" is included with several lapbook elements to be used as starting points for families wishing to develop a geography lapbook to chronicle their time with the study.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Travel the World"</span></a> was written especially for the homeschool family. Homeschool teachers can literally download the <span style="font-weight: bold;">52 page curriculm</span> to their computer, open it up, print a few relevant pages and teach. It is a unit study homeschool teacher's dream come true and even strict textbook families will not be able to resist its charm and ease of use. To be able to take all children within your home on a learning adventure for a mere <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">$7.95</span></a> is a treasure.<br /><br />I have seen and participated in writing a lot of unit studies over the years and this is one of the best. It can be used as a brief break from routine studies or as one of a collection of units for an outstanding school year. Because of the variety of resources available through this digital download, families may choose to spend a full week using <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=16122"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Travel the World" </span></a>exclusively or simply sample parts for several weeks. Since no two families look or school alike the flexibility and ease of use of this module make it a perfect homeschool product.<br /><br />For more great Planner modules and products visit The Old Schoolhouse Store at <a href="http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=index"><span style="font-style: italic;">http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=index</span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Fans of foreign language education will appreciate and understand Katherine Birkett's enthusiasm in writing <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Great Latin Adventure</span></a> curriculum designed for students as young as 3rd grade, but specifically <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">written for grades 4-6.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"I have been a language lover since I was a girl", says Birkett. "Words, grammar, etymology, writing--I love them all. It's been my privilege to study Latin, French, and Russian under various teachers, and a bit of Greek on my own. A desire to share that love of language with children has shaped my Latin program", she said. </span><br /><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://classicallegacypress.com/images/GLA_L1Stu_large.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 175px;" src="http://classicallegacypress.com/images/GLA_L1Stu_large.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Birkett developed <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Great Latin Adventure </span></a>while teaching a homeschool co-op class. She searched for an appropriate curriculum that could meet the needs of teacher and student, found nothing and decided to write her own. <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">GLA</span></a> has been homeschool tested and approved.<br /><br /><a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Great Latin Adventure </span></a>is grammar focused, not conversational. It is also teacher intensive, but extremely easy to use regardless of Latin education background. The program is not computerized or self-teaching like other homeschool foreign language programs. It is Christian focused and does not include Roman history, culture or teachings on mythology.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">232 page student manuals</span> can be purchased three hole punched and ready for a binder for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$15.00</span> or three hole punched in a binder for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$22.00</span>. Teacher's manuals are <span style="font-weight: bold;">$30.00 </span>or <span style="font-weight: bold;">$40.00</span> dependent on presentation and come with a pronunciation CD. <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/index.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Classical Legacy Press </span></a>accepts PayPal and credit card payments on their website.<br /><br /><a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Great Latin Adventure</span></a> is divided into two levels each containing <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://classicallegacypress.com/images/GLA_L2Stu_large.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 175px;" src="http://classicallegacypress.com/images/GLA_L2Stu_large.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">12 lessons</span>. A table of contents of Level One can be viewed <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/sample_pages_Latin/TOC_LI_Student.pdf">here</a>. To view the Table of Contents for Level II simply click <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/sample_pages_Latin/TOC_%20LII_Teacher.pdf">here</a>. Each level of the <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Great Latin Adventure</span></a> includes:<br /><ul><li>Detailed lesson plans</li><li>Built in exercises to drill grammar, translation and vocabulary</li><li>Vocabulary/ full chapter quizzes</li><li>LOTS of teacher's notes and tips for each chapter to build confidence</li><li>Answer keys that model the student sheets with answers<br /></li></ul><a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Great Latin Adventure</span></a> is divided into 12 chapters organized to take one school year to complete. It is encouraged to schedule lessons three times a week with independent study, like reviewing vocabulary with flashcards, expected. Students are expected to dedicate three, 30-45 min. study sessions per week to Latin to complete the program in a school year.<br /><br />We received <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Level I of The Great Latin Adventure </span></a>for free in exchange for this review. My 7th grade daughter Micah, a student of Latin for the past two years, helped me test market this curriculum. We found that although the 12 lesson curriculum is designed to cover 36 weeks of school we could easily blow through it in less than 6 weeks. Although the lessons are well designed, and very thorough in presentation, the material was not challenging enough to demand the amount of time allotted by the curriculum guidelines. Micah easily completed 4 days worth of work in a short one day session.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"I learned a lot from the program because there was a lot of information regarding grammar, and how many Latin conjugations there are. It seemed to be a little too easy for me, however. Too much time was spent on one particular subject which slowed me down a little too much. I think I would really like to take a course like this designed for an older student", said Micah.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Micah's summation is spot on. I loved this course for its ease of use, and detailed teaching instructions. The more notes and teaching aids I can get from a curriculum the happier I am. <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/product_details/GLA_L1_Stu.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Great Latin Adventure</span></a> makes teaching Latin as easy as reading and following directions. Unfortunately, because it is written for the younger student it was not challenging enough for my soon to be eighth grader with two years of Latin study behind her.<br /><br /><a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/index.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Classical Legacy Press</span></a> provides a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">60-Day unconditional money-back guarantee</span> for all of their products. Classical educators will want to take note of the company's <a href="http://classicallegacypress.com/logic1.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Logic curriculum </span></a>on their website too.</span> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Stacks of things to be dealt with grow taller and taller on my desk and I begin to dream of long, summer days with nothing to do but, get organized.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This summer as I sit at the beach relaxing I know I have a new tool to help me re-capture order once I return. It's <strong><em><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx">LOBSTER NETWORK</a></em></strong> found at <a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/">http://www.lobsternetwork.com/</a>. Making use of the facets of this <strong>FREE</strong> website can refresh a stressed out disorganized homeschool parent just like a day at the beach.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><em><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx">Lobster Network</a></em></strong>, created by Canadian homeschool parents, Isabelle and Robert Lussier, is a <span style="color:#cc0000;">"one of a kind item networking"</span> system that allows you to keep track of important items, share them with friends or borrow new things from others. If you can imagine maintaining a library of valuables while networking with other like-minded families you can imagine the possibilities of <strong><em><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx">Lobster Network</a></em></strong>. <strong>LOBSTER</strong> is actually an acronym for <strong>L</strong>end it/ <strong>O</strong>rganize it/ <strong>B</strong>uy/ Borrow it, <strong>S</strong>ell it, <strong>T</strong>rade it, <strong>E</strong>xchange it, <strong>R</strong>equest it. <strong><em><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx">LOBSTER NETWORK </a></em></strong>is like a support group, garage sale and Facebook wrapped up in one handy website.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Creating an account on <a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx"><strong><em>LOBSTER network</em></strong> </a>is simple and FREE. Once registered you can join "communities" or create a new community for your friends to join. The most useful aspect, I think, is the ability to inventory all of your books, cds, educational games, etc. I have homeschooled for nearly 15 years and have an unbelieveable supply of educational resources. During the summer months I generally create lesson plans and begin to develop the ensuing school year. Many times I neglect items in my vast collection of resources and regret it later simply because I have lost track of it. Utilizing <a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx"><strong><em>LOBSTER Network</em></strong> </a>in the planning process will ensure I never do that again.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If time is limited and the thought of rifling through all of your "valuables" turns your heart to ice, never fear. Simply enter a few items every day and soon a wonderful list will develop ensuring you are well underway to optimum organization. I was amazed when I used <strong><em><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx">LOBSTER</a></em></strong> network for the purpose of this review how quickly and efficiently the inventory process was. I also was able to quickly glance through the needs of members of my TOS Review Crew community to determine if I could fill a need.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Since I am a member of The Homeschool Review Crew for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine a special community group was created for us to use. My youngest child will enter 1st grade next year and I am finally willing to begin to part with some of my educational supplies. I listed these specific items to be searchable in the "Marketplace" for friends in my community. This allowed my friends to search my inventory and the inventory of other connected homeschool families when shopping for new homeschool supplies. <a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx"><strong><em>Lobster Network</em></strong> </a>allows users to search for products by name, category, purpose or distance.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx"><strong><em>LOBSTER network</em></strong> </a>members can advertise items to other users. This advertising can include, for sale, for FREE, for lending,for trade or "I want this"in the listing. Lending and borrowing items with other homeschool families is a great way to frugally homeschool, but sometimes tracking those transactions can turn into a major waste of time. It is at best difficult to manage. <a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx"><strong><em>LOBSTER network</em></strong> </a>allows users to easily keep track of items lent, due dates, send messages to borrowers for due date reminders and request an extension on a loaned item. All communication can be managed right on the site.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>When I return from my beach vacation and begin to tackle those stacks on my desk one of my first priorities will be to add to my <strong><em><a href="http://www.lobsternetwork.com/LN/Public/home.aspx">Lobster Network</a></em></strong>. It's free. It's fast and efficient and it will help me refresh and re-organize my homeschool journey.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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All titles are designed to appeal to teens as an entertaining review of various high school level course work. <strong><em><a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/Light_Speed_Learning_Video_DVD_s/214.htm">Light Speed videos </a></em></strong>cover topics such as Fractions & Decimals, Civil Rights, SAT Prep, U.S. Government & Politics, Chemistry, Writing, and History of the U.S.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Our family received a FREE copy of <a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/Light_Speed_Learning_Video_DVD_s/214.htm"><strong><em>Light Speed AP U.S. History Exam Prep</em></strong> </a>from <strong>Cerebellum Corporation</strong> in exchange for this review. Although no one in our home was preparing this year for the <strong><em>AP American History test</em></strong> we did think the DVD had a lot to offer. Included in the DVD package was a digital student workbook on CD-Rom to reinforce concepts reviewed by watching the video.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/Light_Speed_Learning_Video_DVD_s/214.htm"><strong><em>Light Speed AP American History Exam Prep</em></strong> </a>has a run time of about <strong>90 minutes</strong>, but provides a comprehensive review of all major events in U.S. History. The amount of time spent reviewing various topics is dependent on the number of questions a student will be asked when taking the AP Test. Watching through the DVD for the purpose of this review I found it covered:</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><ul><br /><a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/v/vspfiles/photos/GH4000-2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 316px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.sdlearn.com/v/vspfiles/photos/GH4000-2.jpg" /></a><br /><li>Test taking tips and strategies</li></ul><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>An explanation of what to expect when taking the AP test like types of questions, tips on answering essay questions, and a breakdown of subject matter covered</li></ul><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>An explanation of how much time is dedicated to each part of the test aiding the student with time management issues commonly faced during comprehensive timed tests.</li></ul><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Step by step instructions detailing how to write a strong and effective essay for the essay question portion of the exam</li></ul><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>A <strong><em>"30 in 30"</em></strong> portion of the video which reviewed 30 major events and facts of American History in 30 mins.</li></ul><br /><br /><p>I found the <strong><em>"30 in 30"</em></strong> portion to be especially well done. Although 30 minutes is a bit of an understatement (try 60-65) an amazing amount of detailed information was presented to the student in an effective manner. Seven different college-aged young adults, who according to company description are actors, are placed in varied colorful and visually interesting sets to review pivotal events in American History. The topics are presented in an enaging and entertaining lecture format. Clever graphics, sound effects and occassional humorous commentary keeps interest and appeal high throughout the "30 minutes" of <a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/Light_Speed_Learning_Video_DVD_s/214.htm"><strong><em>Light Speed</em></strong> </a>education. There is a LOT of information in this short span of time, so most students would benefit greatest from the DVD by viewing it in small portions or reviewing its entirety several times.</p><br /><br /><p>If any of my children need to take an AP test or review for a College entrance exam in the future I will definitely consider taking advantage of <strong><em><a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/Light_Speed_Learning_Video_DVD_s/214.htm">Cerebellum Corporations Light Speed DVD's</a></em></strong>. Cerebellum sells their <strong><em>Light Speed</em></strong> collection on their website, <a href="http://www.sdlearning.com/">http://www.sdlearning.com/</a> for <strong>$14.98 each</strong>. Currently, readers of this blog may receive <strong>a 20% discount</strong> off any product purchased online by using <strong>coupon code OHS20</strong> at checkout. That's nearly a $3.00 savings per item <strong>through December 31, 2010!</strong></p><br /><br /><p>Take the stress out study and reach your 21st century student's needs at <strong><em><a href="http://www.sdlearn.com/Light_Speed_Learning_Video_DVD_s/214.htm">Light Speed</a>. </em></strong><strong>Cerebellum Corporation</strong> makes it easy.</p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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I received a free downloadable copy of month 1, Transportation unit of <a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html"><strong><em>Ideal Curriculum</em></strong> </a>to use with my five year old son, Aidan, in exchange for this review.</div><br /><div></div><div>I have six children ranging in age from 20 to 5. I have spent many, many years in the presence of pre-schoolers. My oldest two children attended three years of pre-school classes at a wonderful, enriching pre-school near our home. It was a great asset for our family at the time since I was overwhelmed with other responsibilities and unable to create a formal pre-school educational environment in my home.</div><br /><div></div><div>After those initially busy years of having only little children in our home, I never provide a formal pre-school education for my youngest four children . Their pre-school years were filled with educational toys, being read to on a daily basis and my concentrated effort to faciliate age appropriate activities on a regular basis. Simple and basic to be sure, but not a formal curriculum. My confidence that informal pre-school was enough to meet their needs only took root after my confidence in my parenting skills was built. Ideal curriculum, thorough and comprehensive, will support and build confidence in new homeschool Moms and Dads.</div><br /><div></div><div>The following components are included in month one of <strong><em><a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html">Ideal curriculum</a></em></strong>:</div><br /><div></div><ul><br /><li>Goals for the month</li><br /><br /><li>Initial assessments</li><br /><br /><li>Literacy activities complete with a sample daily/weekly schedule</li><br /><br /><li>Science/ Social Studies activities</li><br /><br /><li>Math activities</li><br /><br /><li>Calendar activities</li><br /><br /><li>Songs on MP3 files to complete activities</li><br /><br /><li>Printable resources and scripted teaching helps for activities</li></ul><br /><div></div><div>I administered all portions of the initial assessment with Aidan. The first assessment took a total of 8 mins. and near the end I found Aidan to be tired and distracted. I did, however, learn the precise holes in his phonics education and letter recognition skills. Since we were in assessment mode we followed with additional evaluations of his knowledge of print and other literacy skills, sight word recognition and phonemic awareness. Total assessment time was close to thirty minutes. </div><br /><div></div><div><strong><em><a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html">Ideal</a></em></strong> offers lots of suggestions to the homeschool teacher of how to incorporate the curriculum into your pre-schooler's day. It is designed for formal scheduled school time or to be used subltley throughout the day and play time. Repetition is key when learning new skills and with handy sample schedules included in the curriculum, parents can be assured they are covering all elements several times whether scheduled formally or not. </div><div> </div><div>We chose the non-scheduled approach to <strong><em><a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html">Ideal</a></em></strong> based on my previously stated philosophy of pre-school. The songs included were very easy to incorporate throughout our day. My older children and I even began to sing some of the songs to encourage Aidan to review adding to the fun and playfulness of the curriculum. </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">"I like the animal freeze dance. I like to make a pose for the freeze part. I like to freeze. That is really fun. I like all the songs. They are really cool</span>", said Aidan.</div><div> </div><div>I found all the worksheets, and supplemental paperwork a bit confusing to organize. Having an instant download is great when shopping plus makes storage a breeze, but be ready to become an organized publisher. It took me nearly an hour of time to print, organize, cut, staple, three-hold punch, etc. for two weeks of the curriculum even before reading through the teacher's notes and directions. This is not a grab and go curriculum. It requires thoughtful planning and organization, but once it is in place it is full of fun, games and wonderful learning opportunities.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html"><strong><em>Ideal curriculum</em></strong> </a>sells for <strong>$55.00</strong> per monthly unit for a print version and <strong>$30.00</strong> for the downloadable version at the company website, <a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/">www.idealcurriculum.com</a>. Currently only month 1 is available as an instant download, but months 2-9 are under development and available as a pre-order. Customers wishing to purchase an entire school year of product and take advantage of a <strong>10% discount</strong> by purchasing the package for <strong>$526.00</strong>.</div><div> </div><div>For more testimonials and information regarding <a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html"><strong><em>Ideal curriculum</em></strong> </a>check the company <strong><a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/index.html">website</a></strong>, read the <strong><em>Ideal Curriculum</em></strong> blog at <a href="http://www.idealcurriculum.com/Preschool-curriculum-blog.html">http://www.idealcurriculum.com/Preschool-curriculum-blog.html</a> or read reviews from the rest of the Homeschool Crew by visiting Crew blog.</div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Steve and Stephanie Walker Tallent created a catalog and on-line store, <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beeyoutiful</span></a>, in an effort to offer natural health, nutritional supplement, and skin care products to people all over the world. Their mission, "to do good to all men" encompasses the couple's philosphy of business and life. Stephanie also writes a blog, <a href="ttp://traditionalfoodadventure.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">www.traditionalfoodadventure.com ,</span></a>to chronicle their journey in healthy eating.<br /><br />Our family received <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beeyoutiful</span></a>'s 4 oz. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Laveshmint Daily Moisturizing Lotion</span> and a 4 oz. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Laveshmint Hydrating Toner</span> for free in exchange for this review. My four daughters and I are connoisseurs of fragrant bath products; using them daily. We anticipated really enjoying this test market experience. I gave the toner to my 18 year old daughter, Samantha, to use and I took on the task of evaluating the moisturizing lotion.<br /><br />One of my favorite fragrances is lavender. I thought the lavender fragrance would be a major component of each <span style="font-weight: bold;">Laveshmint</span> product based on the label and name. Unfortunately, I had to really use my imagination to discover any lavender scent in the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Laveshmint</span> lotion. Upon opening the jar it appeared to be a bit more watery than the moisturizer I typically use and held the fragrance of peppermint. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Laveshmint lotion</span> contains peppermint and lavender essential oils that are designed to offer cool relaxation. My experience did not relax me nor offer a fragrant escape. I was disappointed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/L/a/LaveshmintLotionP1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 117px;" src="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/L/a/LaveshmintLotionP1.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laveshmint Daily Moisturizing Lotion </span>sells on the <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beeyoutiful</span></a> website, <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">www.beeyoutiful.com,</span></a> in <span style="font-weight: bold;">4 oz. jars for $12.00.</span> Besides the essential oils it contains aloe and coconut oil designed to smooth and nourish the skin.<br /><br />After using the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Laveshmint Toner</span> for five weeks, Samantha had lots to say about her experience.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I liked how it was in a spray bottle. I thought that was really unique because it made it easier</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/L/a/LaveshmintToner.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 75px; height: 162px;" src="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/L/a/LaveshmintToner.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">and more fun to apply. The only problem with the product, however, is that I didn't feel it was strong enough for my skin. For the most part it helped with breakouts, but I didn't feel it helped me as much as my regular skin regimen I use to combat</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">acne."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"At first when I used it, it was more fragrant than later uses. I really didn't notice any real fragrance and I never noticed it helping my mood in any way as promised by the catalog description",</span> she said.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I would recommend this product to someone with normal skin, but if they had any trouble with acne I think they would benefit from something else more"</span>, she concluded.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beeyoutiful Laveshmint Toner</span> sells for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$14.00 for a 4 fl. oz.</span> atomized bottle.<br /><br />In addition to skin care products, <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beeyoutiful</span></a> offers a variety of nutritional supplements including vitamins, herbal remedies, essential oils, and multi-vitamins for children, men and women. Their catalog includes non-fiction books supporting natural health issues as well. Customers can order a paper copy of the company catalog or simply view the products on-line at <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beeyoutiful.com</span></a>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shipping</span> for all products is <span style="font-weight: bold;">$6.00 domestic</span> for any size order.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Give <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">www.lessonplanet.com</span></a> a try. With a data base of over 225,000 teacher created lesson plans and worksheets divided over 9 subject areas plus a special teacher's resource area, Lesson Planet is bound to have a fresh idea to jumpstart your homeschool curriculum. I received a free 3 month subscription to <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> in exchange for this review. Customers interested in Lesson Planet are offered a FREE 10 day trial of the site. After the trial, a one year membership costs <span style="font-weight: bold;">$39.95</span>.<div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> offers sage advice and specialized lesson plan ideas on the teacher subject guides portion of the site. These subject guides offer insight and advice from teachers specializing in each area. Homeschool parent, Kristen Kindoll writes articles of special interest to homeschoolers. Kindoll has written numerous lesson plans for science, history, math, literature and even a helpful article about sifting through homeschool curriculum choices.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lesson planning is paramount at <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet.com</span></a>, but for those working from a curriculum who simply need a little enrichment, choosing to search through the worksheet section covering 10 content areas might be valuable. For example, while searching under the subject area of World Geography, I chose "cultures" and found 64 pages of worksheet options including an Italian culture word search for grades 4-7. I noted the word search would make a nice little addition to my 7th grade daughter's computerized Italian language curriculum to reinforce vocabulary and cultural knowledge.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much information provided in the <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> database that teachers could easily become overwhelmed with too many good options. In an effort to minimize frustration, <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> has built in search engines which allow teachers to direct choices through subject, age and rating requirements.A helpful Youtube video demonstrating the search options provided on <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> can be found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpSGoBJWyiY">here</a>.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes the best test of an idea is how well it can be implemented. <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> products are rated by the teachers who use them with 1-5 stars. When searching for lesson plans or worksheets an option of choosing only those with 3, 4, or 5 stars ratings is available.<br /><br />An amazing <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planning Calendar</span> is another tremendous resource for teachers needing a little inspiration with curriculum. A monthly calendar with live links to lesson plans for topics listed on the calendar saves searching time while providing fresh ideas. For example, April 29th was Duke Ellington's birthday. If I want to capitalize on this historical fact, I could choose from 115 lesson plans, 4 worksheets, and 4 Duke Ellington websites to build an educational unit. Add in the additional suggestions for Jazz, Piano and Big Bands and within minutes an entire musical unit study for my family is planned and ready to be implemented.<br /><br />If your homeschool is needing a bit of inspiration, or perhaps a tad bit of enrichment, make sure and give the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">10 day FREE trial</span> at <a href="http://www.lessonplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lesson Planet</span></a> a whirl. It really is out of this world!<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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Our family received six of the games for free in exchange for our review.<br /><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>All games are available as an <b>instant download</b> from Curr Click and retail for <b>$3.50.</b> Created by licensed speech therapist and homeschool Mom Debra Lott, the games are simple old-fashioned board games focused on specific topics. Currently, Lott offers:</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/S9L9vpvKg8I/AAAAAAAAAXc/UTT47zhXwKk/s200/Planets+cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463708293053187010" /></div><div><ul><li><b>Silly Snail</b>: A parts of speech game for grades 3-6</li></ul><ul><li><b>Road to Revolution</b>: A game to understand the events, times and people of the American Revolution for grades for grades 3-8</li></ul><ul><li><b>The Inventors Game:</b> a game designed to review inventors and their inventions for grades 3 and older</li></ul><ul><li><b>Colony Quest</b>: Designed around the 13 American Colonies for grades 3-5</li></ul><ul><li><b>Climb the Vine:</b> A question/ answer board game about plants for grades 3-6</li></ul><ul><li><b>All About Animals</b>: An animal classification game for grades K-5</li></ul><ul><li><b>Explorers of the World:</b> Focused around 24 different Explorers for grades 3-8<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/S9W7uW1YpFI/AAAAAAAAAYE/WCt1Vo-inEg/s200/continents+cover+small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464480127961834578" /></li></ul><ul><li><b>Covering the Continents:</b> Questions, answers and maps about the seven continents for kids aged 6-10</li></ul><ul><li><b>Exploring Egypt:</b> Centered around Ancient Egypt this game is appropriate for grades 3-8</li></ul><ul><li><b>The Insect Game</b>: Designed for children in grades 2-6</li></ul><ul><li><b>Planet, Moons and Stars:</b> A trivia based game perfect for grades 3 and up</li></ul><div>Although each of the games has a slightly different objective all of the games my family played were easy to use with simple instructions and very little set up time. I printed my downloads onto cardstock for durability and stored pieces in labeled ziploc bags. The small investment of time reassured me that if pieces got lost or destroyed I could easily print off new ones without a hitch. Because the pieces including game boards were no larger than 8 1/2" by 11" pieces of</div><div> paper the games were easy to take on the road to be used during boring "wait" times. I love the simplicity and quality content of each of these games!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a firm believer in the power of educational games. I know my children learn more when the experience is relaxing, fun and just a bit competitive. A game format also helps me see new strengths and weaknesses in my children that would never show up with ordinary school work. For example, while playing <b>All About Animals</b> my 5 year old blew me away with his ability to recognize complex vocabulary words and classify his animals. Apparently, he had been "eavesdropping" on his older siblings recent science lessons. </div><div><br /></div><div>In an age of so much electronic media, <b><i><a href="http://www.superstarspeech.com/homeschool-games.html">Super Star Speech's Homeschool Games </a></i></b>are refreshing, affordable, and extremely engaging alternatives. My 15 year old, 8 year old and I played Climb the Vine using only the questions and answers while sitting in a parking deck waiting on my 5 year old to finish his nap. A potentially wasted hour of our time was spent laughing, learning, and building a quirky, fun memory because of our portable, adaptable game.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/S9W5pr1AE5I/AAAAAAAAAX8/AmC8a-dNB5Y/s200/animal+game+cover3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477848674767762" /><div><br /></div><div>After playing <b><i>All About Animals</i></b> I polled the test market group for their honest opinions. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">"It's so exciting!"</span> said Aidan, grade K. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">"I like the questions and I like the pictures o<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">n the board"</span>, said Sierra, grade 2. </span>"I learned a lot from the facts about the animals"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">, said Micah, grade 7.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Although <b><i><a href="http://www.superstarspeech.com/">Homeschool Games</a></i></b> are listed for specific age groups, many are adaptable for multiple levels of play. Because the content and vocabulary are rich, the games engage older secondary aged siblings creating educational family fun. Their unique design and affordable price make them perfect for any size homeschool.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about <b><i><a href="http://www.superstarspeech.com/homeschool-games.html">Super Star Speech Homeschool Games </a></i></b>visit the <b><i>Super Star Speech website</i></b>, <i><a href="http://www.superstarspeech.com">www.superstarspeech.com.</a></i> Everyone needs to play during their day. <b><i><a href="http://www.superstarspeech.com/homeschool-games.html">Homeschool Games</a></i></b> offer families a chance to play a little while they learn.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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The DVD was free in exchange for this review. <a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The TV Teache</span></a>r 's motto, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"We make learning easy and fun!"</span> capitalizes on the power and impact television has over young children to teach valuable early learning skills like handwriting, shape and number awareness.<br /><a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/Home/ABDualWorkbookCover&SampleHomelr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 150px; float: right; height: 115px;" alt="" src="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/Home/ABDualWorkbookCover&SampleHomelr.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />There is a wealth of information for parents, teachers and therapists regarding <a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Alphabet Beats</span></a> on the company website. Created by Susan Ellis, mother to Ryan an autistic pre-schooler, the DVD's are perfect for any child aged 2-8. Ellis's son had difficulty forming alphabet letters although he could recite and read them. Marnie, his occupational therapist, agreed to video tape her therapy sessions with Ryan to be used at home. The videos helped him so much that Ellis knew others would benefit from a similar product. The videos began to be professionally produced in 2006, and have received acclaim from therapists, teachers and parents. Alphabet Beats received the <span style="font-style: italic;">"Preferred Choice Award" by Creative Child Magazine in 2008.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Alphabet Beats, writing lowercase </span></a>teaches all 26 lower case letters in 5 minute mini-unit studies. The very happy, engaging and encouraging, Miss Marnie shares vocabulary words, songs, objects, visits around town and of course specific direction for each letter formation with humor and energy. <a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Alphabet Beats, lowercase</span></a>, however is more than simple handwriting practice. In my opinion it is a full pre-school curriculum filled with alphabet organized mini unit studies.<br /><br />A typical unit shifts from video segments demonstrating letter formation for handwriting practice to short segments relating to the letter sound. For example, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">letter P unit</span> teaches the student, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"dotted line down, follow up and around"</span> with Miss Marnie chanting the catchy reminder and demonstrating on lined paper how to form lowercase p. After reciting the chant a few times the segment shifts as Miss Marnie narrates <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"P is for police officer!"</span> The camera reveals a man dressed in uniform. The officer smiles at the camera saying, <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"Hi! I'm a police officer. You can come to me for help if you need it. I'm your friend".</span><br /><br />Other examples of the comprehensive pre-school units include taking a virtual field trip to the dentist with Miss Marnie and learning a song to remember the days of the week. These activities are part of the unit dedicated to learning lowercase d letter formation.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 516px; display: block; height: 90px;" alt="" src="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/Parent_Corner/IMAG029.JPG" border="0" /><br />Handwriting practice is demonstrated on chalkboards, dry erase boards and lined paper. Parents can download the same lined paper Miss Marnie uses from the <a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">TV Teacher website</span></a> for free. Miss Marnie uses colored magic markers and dry erase makers adding visual impact for children.<br /><br />Parents using Alphabet Beats for teaching handwriting instruction are offered the following teaching tips at the beginning of the video:<br /><br /><ul><li>Watch the DVD with your child. (Alphabet Beats is NOT a video babysitter)</li><li>Practice the handwriting skills for 10 mins. a day</li><li>Complete no more than 3-4 letters in a day</li></ul><p>Aidan is 5, almost 6 and I would agree with all the teaching tips offered with the exception of 3-4 letters in one day. We chose to focus on one letter per day by watching the video through once, then watching it a second time while he practiced letter formation along with Miss Marnie on the screen. At the conclusion of the video segment, Aidan spent some solitary time completing more letter writing practice before we called it a day. I found focusing on one letter at a time with Aidan had a greater impact in helping him remember the lesson.<br /></p><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/S8xbxmMKCAI/AAAAAAAAAW8/UcNQe4WEduA/s200/DSCN4890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461841355716823042" border="0" /><p><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YTMC0KEGJiM/S8xbiG58ejI/AAAAAAAAAW0/WjXTLjcIWYs/s200/DSCN4889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461841089620900402" border="0" /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"I liked it!" commented Aidan. "The letters are easy to make. I liked using the markers to write with. The paper made it easy too. I really liked the A's (for Aidan) the best.</span></p>I think the use of color and other visual stimulation accompanied with the chanting and narration are excellent examples of teaching to auditory and visual learning styles. Approaching handwriting through a variety of senses helped Aidan's handwriting lessons find their way into his long-term memory. Add in the "fun factor" brought to lessons by Miss Marnie and handwriting practice evolves from dreaded, boring chore to one of the best parts of the school day.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"It's really cool! When we were learning about the letter P my favorite part was picnic"</span>, said Aidan.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Alphabet Beats lowercase DVD</span></a> sells on the <a href="http://www.tvteachervideos.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">TV Teacher website</span></a> for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$35.00</span>. A spiral bound from the top student workbook of the special lined paper Miss Marnie uses sells for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$4.49.</span> For the frugal minded individual sheets of paper can be printed free of charge directly from the website. In addition, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">TV Teacher's Uppercase </span>and<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> lowercase DVDs</span> sell as a<span style="font-weight: bold;"> set </span>for <span style="font-weight: bold;">$64.99.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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The computer, next to Legos, is his favorite toy. Many times, however, I find myself in a battle of wills with Aidan and his computer time. I wouldn't mind his favorite toy taking most of his time if I was assured it was well spent. Like his older siblings and mother, Aidan can easily fall into the trap of the "hypnotic passive stare"; a common side effect of too much screen time.</div><div></div><br /><div>Lucky for Aidan, more computer time was required for him to help me with my review of <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a></i></b>'s newest product created for students in pre-K. <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a></i></b>, an on-line curriculum designed for home education, provides pre-school activities completed on a home computer linked into the company's website. Aidan and I were given a <b>FREE</b> one month subscription to <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning- PK edition </a></i></b>in exchange for this review.</div><div></div><br /><div>Our family was familiar with <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning </a></i></b>since reviewing the program last year for two elementary aged kids. At the time only limited portions of the Pre-school program were available. You can read that review <strong><a href="http://homeschoolreviews4you.blogspot.com/2008/12/time-4-learning-on-line-curriculum.html">here</a></strong>. </div><br /><div><b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning Pre-K </a></i></b>is now a comprehensive pre-school curriculum with two different levels of ability with an average of 20 units per level. <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a></i></b> promises to be a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"learning program that's fun and effective"</span> providing a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">100% satisfaction guarantee</span></b> upon registering. In addition, <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a></i></b> placed in Homeschool.com's top three <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"100 Educational Websites for 2009". </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>After assisting him with log in procedures, Aidan easily navigated through the program without supervision. Graphics and visual cues like a smiling happy face nodding yes or a frowning face nodding no are provided to aid the non-reader with screen selections. Aidan chose a topic to study, clicking on the graphic which matched the description. Each topic consisted of 4-5 different activities to explore and learn taking him approximately 4-5 mins. to complete each unit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aidan's first choice of topic was "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><i>Garden"</i></span>. Within the topic he was presented with the choices of <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"storybook"</span></i>, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"patterns"</span></i> or <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"paint it" </span></i>activities. Clicking on <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"Storybook"</span></i>, for example, provided him with a listening activity as a brief storybook related to gardens was read to him. Words of the narration were displayed to encourage reading. Aidan easily clicked the mouse to turn pages of the e-story book. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite activities Aidan participated in was called <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"Write It!"</span></i>. Pre-schoolers are guided through making choices in plot, setting or characters by answering a series of simple questions. The activity concludes with the new story "written" being read aloud to the child complete with illustrations. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">"I like the 'make the story' activity because it is really exciting"</span>, shared Aidan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Level two topics and activities of <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning, pre-K edition</a></i></b> are more involved and require greater critical thinking skills. For example, one activity, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"Re-call"</span></i> asked questions to demonstrate reading comprehension for the <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">"Manners"</span></i> unit of Level 2. The "<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Color Mixing"</span></i> unit contained an activity allowing kids to virtually mix paint colors to create new ones. The newly mixed colors were expressed as round circles with eyes. They appear to be spray painted to life in a factory. I thought the graphics were adorable and held great kid appeal. I noted Aidan spent more time playing the paint game than he had with previous activities; meaning it captured and held his attention well.</div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 650px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 428px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.time4learning.com/program/images/screenshots/650x390_edcolor.jpg" /><div><br /></div><div>From storybooks to games to ideas for parents to extend topics with pre-schoolers, <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/"> Learning</a></i></b> has a lot to offer parents and pre-schoolers. Subscriptions cost <b>$19.95 a month</b> for the first child and $14.95 a month for the second child. Although I am not a huge fan of on-line curricula especially for pre-schoolers, I believe <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a></i></b> provides age appropriate, engaging and valuable activities for little ones in love with computer time. Customers interested, but not convinced may try a free demo of <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a></i></b> on the company website.</div><div><br /></div><div>When asked for the final word, my little computer game consultant provided a high recommendation for <b><i><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning- preK.</a></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">"It was very cool! I got to do the games and stuff and watch the shows"</span>.</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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