tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49830078686845596002024-02-19T03:29:13.125-05:00The Well-Rounded MindClassically-Educated Kids in Today's WorldKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-4065457001378946892012-09-22T20:29:00.002-04:002012-09-22T20:29:25.519-04:00Architecture Alphabet, Outing #1<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
We decided to do a little architecture study of our hometown and while we were at it, snap some A-Z photos. Some letters, like O, are easy. Others, like B, R and Q, not so much. We are splitting this project into several outings because it's still so hot outside, even though it's "fall" (in Florida, the air quotes are necessary). So, here's what we captured today, mostly at Florida Southern College, some in downtown Lakeland. We can't decide what we like best for "X", so for now we have two of those. And couldn't resist the exclamation point in the hedges! I know what you're thinking....how could you not have the iconic Lakeland swan in any of your photos?! Don't worry, that's a trip for next week. She will become an S, a Z or a question mark, depending upon her posture that day. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCy9LpcC1C_4xYtXWFUSKJzRpfWs1sZBfmG22X_bGAN22U-2HF47vR_5uKZTeSmCltQpIFfEAgRWxPgW5KfM4C9VBuQ7xCe_cd3Pd29v_BL_PHpLVplB0UyljFxqPmlOxjGs0mJQNoR7f/s1600/D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCy9LpcC1C_4xYtXWFUSKJzRpfWs1sZBfmG22X_bGAN22U-2HF47vR_5uKZTeSmCltQpIFfEAgRWxPgW5KfM4C9VBuQ7xCe_cd3Pd29v_BL_PHpLVplB0UyljFxqPmlOxjGs0mJQNoR7f/s400/D.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT8AgJyVBGTPjc9MaNk_vJ7nbc8TrZIeHGT9xv1GG8XMs6rZzmN4T9H2YGa3vBA1fpcNDo6_8E9yWwx6Sdl7QxnrCSUo1h07C3BobIGhpRvP6N4A-zkvtkt-MCt-_24Ee6wYN6t1FTaf4/s1600/E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT8AgJyVBGTPjc9MaNk_vJ7nbc8TrZIeHGT9xv1GG8XMs6rZzmN4T9H2YGa3vBA1fpcNDo6_8E9yWwx6Sdl7QxnrCSUo1h07C3BobIGhpRvP6N4A-zkvtkt-MCt-_24Ee6wYN6t1FTaf4/s400/E.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3h-o0uiva-nA-xvmPqiyGRbjzHPsvs8UNPPj9jyUczkVw5vsA2ODojltu7n6CZFUx-6s4ldD7wSXOWWmjGSoH4uGDrWwdtNenr7toHxnQ3fMHQETSBObzbCUkRFrvk2u8pdmlBC-KTPVl/s1600/Exclamation+Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3h-o0uiva-nA-xvmPqiyGRbjzHPsvs8UNPPj9jyUczkVw5vsA2ODojltu7n6CZFUx-6s4ldD7wSXOWWmjGSoH4uGDrWwdtNenr7toHxnQ3fMHQETSBObzbCUkRFrvk2u8pdmlBC-KTPVl/s640/Exclamation+Point.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT-kGdoNNP4TkfClNkDycrdZIBHHc49_VRKTO238t0i90gMDFVGCrX8ab4juGqjHdpeoltCIGfa60jfJrl6LK_YZOVmK82iH-ptLLZzVlRzIlQzwzMeQQcvlWsuI-ydVPM2cy67cQkfqd/s1600/H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT-kGdoNNP4TkfClNkDycrdZIBHHc49_VRKTO238t0i90gMDFVGCrX8ab4juGqjHdpeoltCIGfa60jfJrl6LK_YZOVmK82iH-ptLLZzVlRzIlQzwzMeQQcvlWsuI-ydVPM2cy67cQkfqd/s640/H.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UFXzJ1-aeV6D-IlTEYkTw9g-SuSzxea3f-luo74B2oIgpy0eQMpXzIcbw8mv7Q4Qipw9caBfM59bzAU8f00INvJtYb2QeKJz4S8K4O2ASCVkbD9F48T3_y4w0L5cC1SEPwPoJ77uJ4jj/s1600/I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UFXzJ1-aeV6D-IlTEYkTw9g-SuSzxea3f-luo74B2oIgpy0eQMpXzIcbw8mv7Q4Qipw9caBfM59bzAU8f00INvJtYb2QeKJz4S8K4O2ASCVkbD9F48T3_y4w0L5cC1SEPwPoJ77uJ4jj/s400/I.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgpS3dHS5zXi2CSmI48NIDpmeFjt9g_gf4QMESiVuij_vHHEFB65Rt-XeYtxXz8GnRHBFuF5r9l8rflfa5aLz9RFZ1REdTx-Fkojygz_OSvYLRO6Z_3NdNDVmxQRcL80SNKK4IOWMiy4A/s1600/J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgpS3dHS5zXi2CSmI48NIDpmeFjt9g_gf4QMESiVuij_vHHEFB65Rt-XeYtxXz8GnRHBFuF5r9l8rflfa5aLz9RFZ1REdTx-Fkojygz_OSvYLRO6Z_3NdNDVmxQRcL80SNKK4IOWMiy4A/s640/J.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnge4GyNIgv-5VBKHJmKdxRXhR9kqEu35YEKQrwtFs8Ams5SWQRQZVZeJzxJbXsPiagcv6AUtdTMZ7cEosPkVuUq8UP7PsMef2rKy2eOhH79FYDZgdZECKy-aHIdJKxr3OuPnP-76NGuoq/s1600/K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnge4GyNIgv-5VBKHJmKdxRXhR9kqEu35YEKQrwtFs8Ams5SWQRQZVZeJzxJbXsPiagcv6AUtdTMZ7cEosPkVuUq8UP7PsMef2rKy2eOhH79FYDZgdZECKy-aHIdJKxr3OuPnP-76NGuoq/s640/K.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuPSwiJPl2ykRPEVXh3y1o1xyhLuBXI7169kMhuT2ScbYLptkZC27bEZGnLIvTbEF4cxx55oONwAUV2F0DKqPDRWh03n5YU5g7galdpN9QvzKxypFnkWiCpGsmSppynOfJfdlLbrhuHW4/s1600/L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuPSwiJPl2ykRPEVXh3y1o1xyhLuBXI7169kMhuT2ScbYLptkZC27bEZGnLIvTbEF4cxx55oONwAUV2F0DKqPDRWh03n5YU5g7galdpN9QvzKxypFnkWiCpGsmSppynOfJfdlLbrhuHW4/s400/L.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QaMtdR0msJ1c486QquIq8KlhVSgqsdvqWBSygTAresxZoyaR5jOaITgQlF7zE3-qB5SNuNRno-c0SSfY-Mb5dnj1QQZaC57OWnBd_b-g4GY1azVodJcPDM9lTMU-0mBwZSVGbto-1Aeb/s1600/N.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QaMtdR0msJ1c486QquIq8KlhVSgqsdvqWBSygTAresxZoyaR5jOaITgQlF7zE3-qB5SNuNRno-c0SSfY-Mb5dnj1QQZaC57OWnBd_b-g4GY1azVodJcPDM9lTMU-0mBwZSVGbto-1Aeb/s640/N.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtjUMll5FBEcP9RkXL3YsgqNnZhFD0-YJPa_0IvGhgaoIDCE4jZdiZT8u8vJByeTo61QdegSf-iuBKTJjxM_pfuBIxrq9ItytUMb-BGsm-mCWviVgcFhXhMzxLeuYBJ96oytiN13RAouy/s1600/S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtjUMll5FBEcP9RkXL3YsgqNnZhFD0-YJPa_0IvGhgaoIDCE4jZdiZT8u8vJByeTo61QdegSf-iuBKTJjxM_pfuBIxrq9ItytUMb-BGsm-mCWviVgcFhXhMzxLeuYBJ96oytiN13RAouy/s640/S.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVvzDEa_zHOnYCIHtH05IcTwEWSgn4cGhn42y_ad_S-Bk0LYJ_0x_8UFnSET9HIj_Niz9yLJZ8QdNUGs2rFkgaiFj6UnTb3wcKJ-2XCgVc0aAqZo66EmP4ijwWblmsJvKnsyZ3HEKpwq3/s1600/V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVvzDEa_zHOnYCIHtH05IcTwEWSgn4cGhn42y_ad_S-Bk0LYJ_0x_8UFnSET9HIj_Niz9yLJZ8QdNUGs2rFkgaiFj6UnTb3wcKJ-2XCgVc0aAqZo66EmP4ijwWblmsJvKnsyZ3HEKpwq3/s640/V.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8_IHr9iiLtgSzPXiUOX0Uqm8wLxnnfQSQJY7DQE9TN4t9BTMEqApuROhIQZB-fbWeDSlE5LLQDSn2O7pXpso536pjxh9cl6RMhL4ZKQiCAx_KDZt_AdWp9nq6sLGM0j_dFQ95UOus7hu/s1600/W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8_IHr9iiLtgSzPXiUOX0Uqm8wLxnnfQSQJY7DQE9TN4t9BTMEqApuROhIQZB-fbWeDSlE5LLQDSn2O7pXpso536pjxh9cl6RMhL4ZKQiCAx_KDZt_AdWp9nq6sLGM0j_dFQ95UOus7hu/s400/W.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8-bCbBodUb6SGH8MBrkv8hcKJxDZ7tZ4_oxdHEotKSDo9pDunSfIinKcTlzDN3sCYwFysaNHaML3zF4fY3t_hW663nrtyi5AtByopKL0XiQ1cjchET1X2S6Axp_fH5XkDxpFr35_pKWP/s1600/X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8-bCbBodUb6SGH8MBrkv8hcKJxDZ7tZ4_oxdHEotKSDo9pDunSfIinKcTlzDN3sCYwFysaNHaML3zF4fY3t_hW663nrtyi5AtByopKL0XiQ1cjchET1X2S6Axp_fH5XkDxpFr35_pKWP/s400/X.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLRki9a0QJH-D96qC_-lj_KU_A4HtjR0cuPVEsYFRkFA-101K87JJkUD4sJ5WYgnvI7ua_M2H8I03JKnNKAG7R9JXbEmB-bo5yoHNo60e0FOMN6ctWpBXbl71oDTCSZhK0PLSxYGAvZq7/s1600/X+Poor+Porker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLRki9a0QJH-D96qC_-lj_KU_A4HtjR0cuPVEsYFRkFA-101K87JJkUD4sJ5WYgnvI7ua_M2H8I03JKnNKAG7R9JXbEmB-bo5yoHNo60e0FOMN6ctWpBXbl71oDTCSZhK0PLSxYGAvZq7/s640/X+Poor+Porker.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHfsaI2Rfnsb8jXfzHO90lGYkknvYzL0NrlimAH1XKBjqXIfA7uVVPXHbIbyHKqQFs8ykWrpsGDWlgpTmXMiLjVtr8uh7kOg8O0hzfo4jv588GTGgRvygKno8O6A8qy9V4xSX-ADn1_4k/s1600/Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHfsaI2Rfnsb8jXfzHO90lGYkknvYzL0NrlimAH1XKBjqXIfA7uVVPXHbIbyHKqQFs8ykWrpsGDWlgpTmXMiLjVtr8uh7kOg8O0hzfo4jv588GTGgRvygKno8O6A8qy9V4xSX-ADn1_4k/s400/Y.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-92122883265091524942012-09-12T23:34:00.000-04:002012-09-12T23:34:39.931-04:00So, Anyway....Back to MeAs many of you know, I have been reviewing educational products and services for the Old Schoolhouse Magazine for the last year and a half. This month, I made the decision to amicably resign from this position. I found myself drowning a bit in obligation, as much as I loved most of the products. <br />
<br />
I'm finally getting back to what I love most--teaching my kids, tending to my husband and home, quilting, baking and planning field trips like crazy. Not to mention keeping 5 hens happy, facilitating a book club for 12 ladies, and shuffling children to things like archery, riflery practice and other things that scare the crap out of me.<br />
<br />
So, more everyday posts about chickens, quilts, the Louisiana purchase, ukeleles, classic films and baking disasters. It's good to be back!<br />
<br />
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-19791867392898674452012-09-11T22:39:00.001-04:002012-09-11T22:39:22.162-04:00Math 911: Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sROoMAzo02h-GVlKxvrOSQgRhg6XPo1Cx-qlaw_KLtzgXQ2EnNBoCHoIy-nU87IQbsRDYplskCYOqRbyoEZ6KmeBn2RDqy9xxVSe_2ki9FaWlIPlHNbnj6zIwZOwLuXmclpRHVuo0fCX/s1600/math911logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sROoMAzo02h-GVlKxvrOSQgRhg6XPo1Cx-qlaw_KLtzgXQ2EnNBoCHoIy-nU87IQbsRDYplskCYOqRbyoEZ6KmeBn2RDqy9xxVSe_2ki9FaWlIPlHNbnj6zIwZOwLuXmclpRHVuo0fCX/s1600/math911logo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="gsc-clear-button" id="uds-searchClearResults" style="display: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gsc-clear-button" style="display: none;">
This month, I took Math 911 for a test drive. Math 911 is math software is designed to assist students who struggle with mastering skills in mathematics. It uses this mastery approach and allows students to work at each concept until it is solidified without penalizing them for incorrect answers.</div>
<div class="gsc-clear-button" style="display: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The Introductory Algebra course may be downloaded for free at <a href="http://www.math911.com/">Math 911</a>. Topics are categorized by chapter, section and levels. Within each level, you will find problems that identify the concepts that your students must be familiar with in order to be successful in algebra including word problems and graphs. <br />
<br />
<div class="widget Blog" id="Blog1">
<div class="blog-posts hfeed">
<div class="date-outer">
<div class="date-posts">
<div class="post-outer">
<div class="post hentry">
<div class="post-body entry-content">
<br />
I noticed that the program was pretty "no frills" in appearance. It is a far cry from other math programs that we use that are more "fun" to look at and to operate. Because there isn't really any teaching or lessons to speak of, it would be difficult for us to use this as a full program. If a student got a problem wrong, the only way to figure out why they got it wrong would be to study the solution. The website does have free downloadable PDFs for algebra that teach the concepts, but these teaching helps are not provided for the upper level courses. <br />
<br />
However, some students may not need the slick appearance if they are self-motivated and the content itself is quite good. <br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
The content of the program is as follows:<br />
<strong> Step By Step Introductory & Intermediate Algebra Tutorials:</strong><br />
Intro Algebra<br />
Intermediate Algebra<br />
Statistics<br />
Trigonometry<br />
College Algebra<br />
Pre-Calculus<br />
<br />
<strong>There are also free PDF lessons consisting of:</strong><br />
Intro To Whole Numbers<br />
Addition & Subtraction<br />
Multiplication Factors<br />
Division of Wholes<br />
Intro To The Integers<br />
Multiply Divide Integers<br />
Combine Like Terms<br />
<br />
Math 911 Premier Version can be purchased as a <a href="http://www.algebrainaflash.com/index.html" target="_blank" title="USB flash drive">USB flash drive</a>, it is regularly $49.95, now <strong>$9.95, using code homeschool.</strong> There is also a free<strong> </strong>version so you can try it out first. I think that the price of $49.95 is fair for what you get with the program, which is essentially five high school level math courses.<br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided with a free download of this program in exchange for an honest review. <br />
<br />
See what the other crew members thought of Math 911 <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786316/">here</a>.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-52408006933378411112012-09-01T12:25:00.001-04:002012-09-01T12:25:27.149-04:00Notable Novelists, card game by Calico Kids<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd32pcXb5DHGYaanWUi35QcGgLwte6sV_FWWcJD1Vn8BbtnW7pSvuwxAaqKZ_Jj7sMYQI6aEfF2bMWHDF9rH9kqwAU9Ei4rhMDITFm0P8MzL-2DG8NQdYzfpKRlwBNfk5oPt54Stn-uWy-/s1600/NotableNovelists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd32pcXb5DHGYaanWUi35QcGgLwte6sV_FWWcJD1Vn8BbtnW7pSvuwxAaqKZ_Jj7sMYQI6aEfF2bMWHDF9rH9kqwAU9Ei4rhMDITFm0P8MzL-2DG8NQdYzfpKRlwBNfk5oPt54Stn-uWy-/s320/NotableNovelists.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
Notable Novelists is a card game published by <a href="http://www.calico-kids.com/">Calico Kids</a>. It is a "go-fish" style game that includes 18 different novelists of the 20th century. The object is to collect "literary sets", meaning one Author Card (their picture), one Library Card (their famous works) and one Bio Card (author's information). What I love most about this game, besides the incredible price ($10.95) are the beautiful illustrations of the authors. Ernest Hemingway is seated at his office in a khaki safari-style shirt with a taxidermied animal head mounted on the wall. F. Scott Fitzgerald is looking quite dandy at his desk with a picture of his wife Zelda in a frame against Jazz-age wallpaper and decor. The reverse side of the deck of cards is a lovely marbled-paper design--classic and elegant.<br />
<br />
This game would be a nice thing to have in a high-school classroom for a group activitity, something librarians would have for children who check out their books early and need something to occupy 10 minutes, or anyone looking for the perfect gift for a literary enthusiasts. This game could be played by adults or children, depending on their exposure to the literary works mentioned--my best guess would be upper-middle school and beyond. <br />
<br />
You can purchase Notable Novelists and other games by Calico Kids at the above link.<br />
<br />
See what others on the Homeschool Crew had to say about "Notable Novelists" <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786257/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this product in exchange for an honest review.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-74333549964373017492012-09-01T11:59:00.000-04:002012-09-01T11:59:03.422-04:00Costumes With Character<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7Ab3YjSKyUlAQ2D5zKhEQ7kcr2FhnBADGibALWRtlsyicuTiq-vvKDbwhE2Oa9o2F7r9Kw-DQ4mGMfPVs10G20yLiNFzgNTGe-z34NTYYK-ptGCx0iJvey9BzbmCr80IQu1JLpA46mHU/s1600/Costumes+with+Character.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7Ab3YjSKyUlAQ2D5zKhEQ7kcr2FhnBADGibALWRtlsyicuTiq-vvKDbwhE2Oa9o2F7r9Kw-DQ4mGMfPVs10G20yLiNFzgNTGe-z34NTYYK-ptGCx0iJvey9BzbmCr80IQu1JLpA46mHU/s1600/Costumes+with+Character.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This month I'm reviewing "Costumes With Character" by <a href="http://amypuetz.com/store/">Amy Puetz</a> Amy is a homeschool graduate, lover of history and creator of this wonderful book of ideas for fashioning costumes to coincide with American History studies. Her idea is, by starting with one basic dress, you can make basic changes in the embellishments and change your Puritan outfit to a Pilgrim, your Pioneer dress to a Civil War ensemble, just by making simple changes to the collar or by removing the apron. <br />
<br />
This collection of looks if accompanied by historical information that could supplement your history curriculum. If I had daughters, I know we would be making all of these outfits, probably wearing them in public every chance we got!<br />
<br />
I like that a color photograph of each style being modeled is available for you. Instructions for making your own patterns is at the start of the book. The patterns, as they are written, are designed for an "average" 16 year old girl, but modifications are shown for all ages that should make this relatively simple for someone with basic sewing skills. The book is infused with historical and literary quotes and more tips on modifying the looks to suit a different time period. There are patterns for sunbonnets and capes to top it all off! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDo8qU_9peiegyCpf6wr0N4yvKMrwLd31DGTELoX6hHWnSKYSL0vwUZPJmOzN6u52NVBJ2Zc8DsnZSyBi42sCOHoVBytzxgjqMlzt4ZX-_edBbNaigIr_HBWKgU5QjhTVrfYPgBu9hyphenhyphenjX/s1600/CostumeswithCharacter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDo8qU_9peiegyCpf6wr0N4yvKMrwLd31DGTELoX6hHWnSKYSL0vwUZPJmOzN6u52NVBJ2Zc8DsnZSyBi42sCOHoVBytzxgjqMlzt4ZX-_edBbNaigIr_HBWKgU5QjhTVrfYPgBu9hyphenhyphenjX/s1600/CostumeswithCharacter.jpg" /></a></div>
Costumes with Character is available as a soft-cover book for $37.00 or as a digital download for $21.95. A seperate e-book of printed patterns that can be printed right to legal-sized paper is available for $15.00. Some larger pattern pieces must be fit together once they are printed, but not many.<br />
<br />
I think this is very unique product that needs to be on the market. There are patterns currently available at fabric stores if you enjoy historical sewing. However, Amy's book brings it all together in one place and shows how to save money and time by changing the look of a simple frock pattern to suit your style. My only wish is that there could be something for boys in the book. For the rare family that is comprised only of females, this book would be a great value. But for most families who have sons that would want to be included in the historical reenactments or whatever the occasion may be, they would have to seek out another product or pattern line for their boys. I personally have only boys, so I'm not sure I would buy this product at all, besides the fact that I secretly hope to be cast as an extra in a Jane Austen movie one day.....I think adding a few simple elastic-waisted pants paterns (that could be long or knee-length) and maybe a simple collarless shirt that could be modified for boys, plus a vest or two, would greatly enhance this product's appeal for families needing a bit of both.<br />
<br />
Amy does, however, have many other history books and products available at her website (link is at the top of the page). <br />
<br />
Please see what the rest of the Homeschool Crew thought of "Costumes with Character" and Amy's other history products at <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786199/">http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786199/</a>.<br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided an e-book version of this product in exchange for my honest review.<br />
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-55262732511451959292012-08-15T15:37:00.002-04:002012-08-15T15:37:16.350-04:00Vocab Videos: A Review<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg975wLS_SctmBWJ7aGy-f08PwCHR65MNxjCxM5CLMI9HCICbFTlPfAsClJH5MQVSDfKUslrhwL1Sdb3o1Z5rJvKMu81vzKHnakZqAz4MM4qFZinv-s7WHt4hR_rTVLnIudqrcepqNkFgwq/s1600/Vocab+Videos+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg975wLS_SctmBWJ7aGy-f08PwCHR65MNxjCxM5CLMI9HCICbFTlPfAsClJH5MQVSDfKUslrhwL1Sdb3o1Z5rJvKMu81vzKHnakZqAz4MM4qFZinv-s7WHt4hR_rTVLnIudqrcepqNkFgwq/s320/Vocab+Videos+logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.vocabvideos.com/">Vocab Videos</a> in an online learning tool that uses videos to illustrate over 500 SAT level vocabulary words. It is compiled of several ongoing series, broken apart into segments. Each segment contains 20 vocabulary words that are illustrated in about 20 seconds. The program utilizes auditory and visual aspects of learning as the narrator says the word and the meaning, the actors participate in a scene that illustrates the word, and then the narrator recaps how the definition relates to what the student just saw in the video. It is all very fast-paced and modern--not drudgery at all. I wish Vocab Videos would have existed when I was in high school, studying sheets of paper with defintions on them. Ugh. <br />
<br />
The videos are humorous, sometimes hilarious, and really help solidify these sometimes-tricky words into your brain for good. Some of the series are TV show parodies of shows like Lost, The Office, Gossip Girl, etc. If your student doesn't watch these shows, the satire might go over their heads, but nevertheless, they will still learn the meaning of the vocabulary words.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.vocabvideos.com/our-videos.html">here</a> to see samples of some of the Vocab Videos.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXqaax-1rJtbTefSANrUvlDIXHurB7woq8QlbC7HKqiLV3-0AYPa44gL5E_ekRQSACnyMZHV9lwa2Nfy54AjMmM9tX6Cegv-L0RDQUfRS5-9X2bpyTym9eIKc3yJDRNOnzKqm6Q6fvmOt/s1600/Vocab+Videos+flashcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXqaax-1rJtbTefSANrUvlDIXHurB7woq8QlbC7HKqiLV3-0AYPa44gL5E_ekRQSACnyMZHV9lwa2Nfy54AjMmM9tX6Cegv-L0RDQUfRS5-9X2bpyTym9eIKc3yJDRNOnzKqm6Q6fvmOt/s320/Vocab+Videos+flashcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In addition to the videos, there is an opportunity to print activity sheets for the words, take online quizzes, and even make your own set of digital flashcards using your own definitions and even your own images! I liked this part of the program, as it does exactly what I used to do last year by hand with our history curriculum. I used to hunt down images for each word and then print them out for my kids to use as flashcards. This will save me so much ink! The flashcard feature also brings more value to the product, as you can use it with your younger kids as a tie-in with their curriculum, and use it as it was designed (with the pre-loaded SAT vocab videos) with your high schoolers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ASjAzmc5br3mIMUSPdxVCqFoRwtt3PbOAA55nk1pwBVS4L1KtL5EepqJxfmX9LY2Q9FqhoS9wL2R28Wsso-u7giqcYBt4syAJaBNB558yEgdNvL582lq-ALeSZXTbT8NDC99Mo_xRtmC/s1600/Vocab+Videos+Teacher+Dashboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ASjAzmc5br3mIMUSPdxVCqFoRwtt3PbOAA55nk1pwBVS4L1KtL5EepqJxfmX9LY2Q9FqhoS9wL2R28Wsso-u7giqcYBt4syAJaBNB558yEgdNvL582lq-ALeSZXTbT8NDC99Mo_xRtmC/s320/Vocab+Videos+Teacher+Dashboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLizW8ao94zmN1F7tg1tOvQpC07EnLoHM6-uibRJn_LGOMsvdmtvPgLcpFs32LM336vHrJlUErg3bZ9BQGPCySW03rJZ1d6Os0pAPvrgwzvx-0l-JN_WDKzLkQjVyZoNym6vCKiMAVjdUG/s1600/Vocab+Videos+Teacher+Progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLizW8ao94zmN1F7tg1tOvQpC07EnLoHM6-uibRJn_LGOMsvdmtvPgLcpFs32LM336vHrJlUErg3bZ9BQGPCySW03rJZ1d6Os0pAPvrgwzvx-0l-JN_WDKzLkQjVyZoNym6vCKiMAVjdUG/s320/Vocab+Videos+Teacher+Progress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And I say that because it really is designed for older students, not just because the words are upper-level, but the subject matter (dating and so forth) is more mature. Also, in one of the Lost parodies that I watched, the words "pissed", "what the hell", "sucks" "Oh my God" and "are we lovers?" were uttered, and not just once. Granted, the character has amnesia and is frustrated when his attempts to survive are a miserable failure, AND the company is trying to appeal to today's teenagers by setting itself apart from other boring drill-style programs, so I see where they are coming from. But conservative families need to be aware of this before purchasing.<br />
<br />
Teachers and educators are able to add students to their "class" and monitor each student's indivdual progress as they take the online quizzes. There is also a glossary that lists all 500 words alphabetically for ease of use or reference.<br />
<br />
I think this is a program that I would use with my kids when they are a little older. I have enjoyed watching the videos and brushing up on some of those forgotten words myself. I aced a few of the quizzes, but got an 18/20 on another. I still have some stuff to learn :) But just for the sheer sake of the language and situations, I wouldn't make it a part of my 5th and 7th graders' daily assignments. <br />
<br />
Student Memberships to Vocab Videos are $24.99 for 6 months and $39.99 for 12 months. This gives access to all 500 videos, online quizzes, worksheets, downloadable crossword puzzles and the online flashcard maker.<br />
<br />
Teacher Memberships include all of these features, as well as the classroom management functions to monitor student progress. These are the costs per year:<br />
<br />
1 Month Educator Trial is FREE<br />
Small Educator Account (up to 20 students) is $74.00 <br />
Medium Educator Account (up to 40 students) is $134.99<br />
and a Large Educator Account (up to 100 students) is $254.99.<br />
If you have more than 100 students, you will need to contact the company for pricing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvlJtB8bFsL99wYf7FsMtqDpQm94xvnYAlJYQfE_QmQBXs6EXl4oAlV0jkM3EngOPk23MXtroJoKWZjzKjSuBvp-k8goHaIvplgr80LEFFFod7-ca0qerGvF_3lyC1m_MtWC5hYhHHlkd/s1600/Vocab+Videos+Workbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvlJtB8bFsL99wYf7FsMtqDpQm94xvnYAlJYQfE_QmQBXs6EXl4oAlV0jkM3EngOPk23MXtroJoKWZjzKjSuBvp-k8goHaIvplgr80LEFFFod7-ca0qerGvF_3lyC1m_MtWC5hYhHHlkd/s320/Vocab+Videos+Workbook.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And now, there is a Vocab Videos Workbook that you can purchase for $11.99 to use as a supplement with your online subscription. Click <a href="http://www.vocabvideos.com/the-workbook.html?redirected=1">here </a>to order the workbook.</div>
<br />
Check out other reviews of Vocab Videos by clicking <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786133/">right here.</a><br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided access to Vocab Videos in exchange for an honest review, which I have provided here. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-88568234264576135652012-08-06T10:39:00.003-04:002012-08-06T10:39:28.553-04:00Math Made Easy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2op4ULKPqYsdX06wlxmCxdiqL_MBnWl3GekhO6eYs0i9juduos-MORY2Ur-8RioJw7FDa624Bz02pOjajXcj8_u1BOZZ_VitsROqSBailwe7E5Kk9B8envxpa3cG7Gz9813WVnifBWTxp/s1600/Math+Made+Easy+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2op4ULKPqYsdX06wlxmCxdiqL_MBnWl3GekhO6eYs0i9juduos-MORY2Ur-8RioJw7FDa624Bz02pOjajXcj8_u1BOZZ_VitsROqSBailwe7E5Kk9B8envxpa3cG7Gz9813WVnifBWTxp/s320/Math+Made+Easy+cover.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<br />
Phew! Two math products to review in just a few weeks! However, this one is a little different because instead of delving into fractions and pre-algebra concepts, it focuses on something a little more basic: mastering multiplication facts. Don't be fooled. Just because my sons are entering 5th and 7th grade this school year doesn't mean they don't still use their fingers or go through an entire song in their head before telling me what 9x8 is. And that means that they never memorized them. Boy, are we in trouble.<br />
<br />
Even though "Multiplication Teaching and Learning Made Easy" is geared for grades 1-6 and even though most of the exercises looked a bit juvenile for their liking, I've still made them sit down and go through the program. I don't make them color every worksheet (and there are alot of coloring sheets with clowns and kitties and bunnies that made my sons look at me like "Whaa?"). But there is still some quality material here that I think is worth some merit. <br />
<br />
For instance, I love the way the author teaches the simple things first. The Zeroes. The Ones. The Tens. The Elevens. And then she shows you that if you look at a multiplication fact chart (1x1 through 12x12) and cross off all the 0,1,10 and 11 facts and then cross out all the duplicate problems (keep 2x4, nix 4x2, etc.), that you only have 36 problems remaining to memorize! Split that up into 6 weeks and you only have to memorize 6 facts per week! That is more than doable! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIKbILc0jjGkyuyCCM7b6Yp9HOIm5nmVCL0qsbyVpyq_OO5kcUX7wD7mtWFtcNftRGacpM1uyMntcs9C_2znxQZz4JkDk8rIIaqBN7EHygm8B7s2BGOhzllneyqKTrKB9z5s1j2bSkGhY/s1600/MathMadeEasyFlash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIKbILc0jjGkyuyCCM7b6Yp9HOIm5nmVCL0qsbyVpyq_OO5kcUX7wD7mtWFtcNftRGacpM1uyMntcs9C_2znxQZz4JkDk8rIIaqBN7EHygm8B7s2BGOhzllneyqKTrKB9z5s1j2bSkGhY/s200/MathMadeEasyFlash.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a pre-test to give on day one, a post-test to give on day 36 and plenty of resources packed in the back. There are perforated flashcards, a "Chutes & Ladders"-style math game, a spinner-type study tool, and a game where you build a Native American Indian's headdress by adding feathers that match the math facts. <br />
<br />
I'll admit, at my first glance of the cover (rainbows and balloons), the copyright date (1989) and the interior pages (remnants of a coloring book from my childhood--and I'm kinda old), I was turned off by this product. However, I like the way the author has broken it all down into manageable lessons. And judging from my sons' current method of multiplying, the teaching tool NEEDS to be simple like this to work. <br />
<br />
The only other negative that I would point out is the price. I'm not quite sure the collection of worksheets is worthy of a $24.95 price tag. The copies of the pages don't seem as clean and crisp as other products on the market, it has a comb binding, and honestly, there are many pages that in my opinion, would not be utilized with children in the older range of the age bracket (especially boys) just for sheer lack of interest. So I'm not sure the value warrants the price. There are some parents who may feel this is completely reasonable and have no problem with the cost.<br />
<br />
So my final word on Math Made Easy is that it could use an updated look to appeal to today's children and it might consider a $19.95 price point. But the heart of this program is quite good.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://mathmadeeasy.org/homeschool.html">here</a> to order the product or to learn more about their other products for Addition.<br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review, which I have provided here.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-85976108100537466652012-07-29T22:59:00.002-04:002012-07-30T08:54:34.114-04:00From The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.....SchoolhouseTeachers.com<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ise-ELc4h1_ZnD_E4naIHUEyF47w2vlR6sp4polgl9HV6-iQY4a42idW1KcI-OjWGg758L6aojyiYvBd8kEu-J0Pmq7TB-tc9N9DJnEET-YGiWA_fSZl2mPWU6DPGUzb0kICTUWudrlp/s1600/SchoolhouseTeacherslargelogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ise-ELc4h1_ZnD_E4naIHUEyF47w2vlR6sp4polgl9HV6-iQY4a42idW1KcI-OjWGg758L6aojyiYvBd8kEu-J0Pmq7TB-tc9N9DJnEET-YGiWA_fSZl2mPWU6DPGUzb0kICTUWudrlp/s640/SchoolhouseTeacherslargelogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
If you've been a fan of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine (and who hasn't?), you will love what they have in store for you now. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is a special feature that has so much content, it almost defies categorization. Think about a site where you can get lesson plans and tutorials from experts you've heard of (WriteShop, KnowledgeQuest, Hands of a Child, and more), with 24/7 access and new content added monthly, weekly, and daily. And what if these lessons were for students of all ages, including children with special needs?<br />
<br />
What about the addition of high-quality, full-length daily/monthly planners for primary, elementary, middle, high school and special needs? They've got them for you to download and print right from home! This feature alone is worth using SchoolhouseTeachers.com. If you've shopped for planners recently, you know how expensive they have gotten! Plus, these are packed with spiritual encouragement, organizational tools, recipes, etc. A great, great feature.<br />
<br />
Did I mention e-books? They have a FREE one for you to download each month. <br />
<br />
Getting excited? You will find text lessons or video lessons on the topics listed below. How you choose to use them (one lesson per day one lesson per week) is up to you! <br />
<br />
Chemistry<br />
Career Exploration<br />
College Choice Guidance<br />
Economics<br />
Figures in History<br />
Filmmaking<br />
Geography<br />
High School Math<br />
History<br />
Home Ec<br />
Lapbooking<br />
Literature<br />
Music-Voice<br />
Reading<br />
Special Needs<br />
Technology<br />
Writing<br />
<br />
There are so many articles that are added daily: Daily Math, Daily Grammar, Daily Writing, Ditch-the-Desk (Hands on projects for K-5), Everyday Easels (art studies with hands-on ideas), Everyday Explorers (US and Canadian), Pre-K Activities, Everyday Shakespeare, This Day in History<br />
<br />
You also get access to digital copies of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, including back issues! <br />
<br />
You have access to Schoolhouse Expo, including mp3 downloads from speakers homeschoolers want to hear from (this feature is "coming soon").<br />
<br />
In addition to the aforementioned free e-book of the month, each month you are a member, you receive access to an additional dozen or so MORE free e-books and downloads. See the titles you will receive <a href="http://schoolhouseteachers.com/2012/07/member-monthly-bonus-e-books/">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Looking for copywork? Don't buy them elsewhere--there are several themed copybooks here for you to choose from! <br />
<br />
Looking for encouragement? The "Library" section has stories from moms who have been there, as well as tips on keeping your home in order.<br />
<br />
Stumped on what to assign your kids to read? SchoolhouseTeachers.com has themed reading lists for all ages in all genres for all types of readers! <br />
<br />
If you're dying to see samples of the items I've mentioned, click <a href="http://schoolhouseteachers.com/sample-pages/">here</a> for sample lessons and videos.<br />
<br />
The cost of SchoolhouseTeachers.com is just $1 for the first month, $5.95 for each additional month. For the price of a Chik-Fil-A meal, you can fill nearly all of your homeschooling needs with this one subscription. I am truly, truly pleased with this site and can't wait to see what more they add in the future. My sons are enjoying the film-making class and I definately plan on using all the Explorer lessons this year with our study of the Westward Expansion. Our planners are printed and bound (thank you, Staples). I could go on and on....you can see the infinite possibilities of SchoolhouseTeachers.com <br />
<br />
See what the other folks at the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this product <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786047/">here</a>. <br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided free access to SchoolhouseTeachers.com in exchange for an honest review of its contents.<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-53387576055209432122012-07-27T14:52:00.000-04:002012-07-27T14:52:27.664-04:00How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Cinematically Speaking)We're just a few weeks away from the first day of school. We've had a great summer--probably the first one in years that hasn't been stuffed to the gills with places to be and people to see. The guys have gone on a few "Man-Cations" (spearfishing and camping) and that has left me home to tend the chickens and pets and do what I love best---catch up on "my" movies. I say "my movies" because no one in this household is laying claim to them (at least the majority of them). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3Bww5nEjRoqNw63aTBWKUIT9JbJCYpVz_RYYTQRrqhyphenhyphenlIC9ue1iPIGdtgifbdu9GhFgMCIaBp-wBC_J9aOipz8jzM6oj9JZXrewqpP6VcDS5H99qD8KzWB4Ct7ka5b3SxY9j5GDGmxCa/s1600/birdsong_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3Bww5nEjRoqNw63aTBWKUIT9JbJCYpVz_RYYTQRrqhyphenhyphenlIC9ue1iPIGdtgifbdu9GhFgMCIaBp-wBC_J9aOipz8jzM6oj9JZXrewqpP6VcDS5H99qD8KzWB4Ct7ka5b3SxY9j5GDGmxCa/s640/birdsong_300.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I really loved Birdsong. It's based on the book, by the same author that did "Charlotte Gray". Eddie Redmayne is normally not my idea of a leading man, but give it some time. You'll be swooning for his Stephen's devotion to Isabelle. Heartbreakingly lovely in every way. I thought about it constantly when it was over, and that's the sign of some major soul-impact.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAk7HaHeV34ToByvq_IgBjfzaU1AgSIgc-8JPWibmub_HhsXA_W39vCPmZpZsUZ5w2mKaw9puaJmZUsgV8eWJpFs00sPvzt2rG2sxN2tSGXANtszVtsK2g-Y_Nxaf5BY0R2oTJFp_r8qz/s1600/Place_of_Execution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAk7HaHeV34ToByvq_IgBjfzaU1AgSIgc-8JPWibmub_HhsXA_W39vCPmZpZsUZ5w2mKaw9puaJmZUsgV8eWJpFs00sPvzt2rG2sxN2tSGXANtszVtsK2g-Y_Nxaf5BY0R2oTJFp_r8qz/s400/Place_of_Execution.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Oooooh....I normally don't watch the Masterpiece Mystery selections. This one was recommended by a friend and I'm so glad I gave it a go. Most all of the twists were unexpected for me. I went to Barnes and Noble to buy the book. I could only find it in mass-market paperback. Yeah, right. Maybe Amazon has it for real. <br />
LOL. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqbFnTASXCSQV7crUrYih-nKA4ftmfELqjGvMdQ22arUvgqTjFktc6fyExxjU2zZYcrZbSnbHWEzYfjGhmA_xeaPBhtuQ7CQiPY3yFIiyuEA16Psl-Lj3G33oWDz6Sx2hkmh81zsj42v7/s1600/framed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqbFnTASXCSQV7crUrYih-nKA4ftmfELqjGvMdQ22arUvgqTjFktc6fyExxjU2zZYcrZbSnbHWEzYfjGhmA_xeaPBhtuQ7CQiPY3yFIiyuEA16Psl-Lj3G33oWDz6Sx2hkmh81zsj42v7/s400/framed+2.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a quirky story about a struggling family, a crisis at the National Gallery of Art, and a possible romance between a stuffy museum guy and a free spirited teacher who rides bicycles everywhere. Takes place in Wales with lots of kooky characters.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTe-KvCtPeOt31oFYaC4ydX2jMipePejIM6lF0AgjnputvZdPazNT982g8-mWR7MPaavxcmjRL_ndThvD6iwWSZe2SFt1Eun-IdBTkvGF3Xis-jVcRGJuYypMeBCWp3kcMxkK67FhXLjR/s1600/god+on+trial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTe-KvCtPeOt31oFYaC4ydX2jMipePejIM6lF0AgjnputvZdPazNT982g8-mWR7MPaavxcmjRL_ndThvD6iwWSZe2SFt1Eun-IdBTkvGF3Xis-jVcRGJuYypMeBCWp3kcMxkK67FhXLjR/s400/god+on+trial.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A group of Jews, thrown together in Auschwitz, decide to hold a mock trial against God, who seemingly is the only one responsible for their misery. I couldn't get into this one at all. It all felt very contrived and I'm thinking, "Ummm...what about the Nazis? Try blaming them."</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5Yngw_jgxzHaBXJkD0q-69vO8KZ9PZP9UE4HinjLZI-Ptx2P5WIGMETkRhyXrIge5ObdrBxExdXzMbXOUfNuGVLbmWCV6cLS3rrrU9MvNsmkO3gIDvei2PSjqpDJmd3fkHKJOCoWYjHN/s1600/The-Old-Curiosity-Shop-2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5Yngw_jgxzHaBXJkD0q-69vO8KZ9PZP9UE4HinjLZI-Ptx2P5WIGMETkRhyXrIge5ObdrBxExdXzMbXOUfNuGVLbmWCV6cLS3rrrU9MvNsmkO3gIDvei2PSjqpDJmd3fkHKJOCoWYjHN/s320/The-Old-Curiosity-Shop-2007.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not horrible, but definately not my favorite Dickens adaption. I hate when the villians are TOO villianous, and that's what happens in this one. They may as well have put a handlebar mustache on Quilp and had him tie up Nell to railroad tracks. There was way to much skulking around, laughing diabolically, and well, I just thought, "Nobody is THAT mean."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhOUkrxYsEhSlOjD0YPGFZe8l4KNIbZCvDAlvQTOJs-cHHm_tp9YAHZypHL5y-QgQc6i4Xrzx8rGY9u6drmr2VgaMxpSmYvDMEEgP0tkAllgfkzol6gsboiz25yeBHFDDuI2E4Dr0hzKR/s1600/great-expectations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhOUkrxYsEhSlOjD0YPGFZe8l4KNIbZCvDAlvQTOJs-cHHm_tp9YAHZypHL5y-QgQc6i4Xrzx8rGY9u6drmr2VgaMxpSmYvDMEEgP0tkAllgfkzol6gsboiz25yeBHFDDuI2E4Dr0hzKR/s640/great-expectations.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay. This one more than made up for The Old Curiosity Shop. Talk about swooning--Pip Pip Hooray. I wasn't too keen on the casting for Stella, but she grew on me. This one is pure joy. I want to own it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguYN7Ni8SEij60of8ftk18u1Xcli9M9RWqUUABoTeEB3-qTUTsME7sdUTH0psiV_bLGn4jLjYitmFHxS4XQQHPzjmISAZi6J_NdSd4aM6Inb6Ih0-sYnXTdaE6-8_9JUCrgIdAhVRVFFt/s1600/moonrise-kingdom-international-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguYN7Ni8SEij60of8ftk18u1Xcli9M9RWqUUABoTeEB3-qTUTsME7sdUTH0psiV_bLGn4jLjYitmFHxS4XQQHPzjmISAZi6J_NdSd4aM6Inb6Ih0-sYnXTdaE6-8_9JUCrgIdAhVRVFFt/s640/moonrise-kingdom-international-poster.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My bookclub and I went to see Moonrise Kingdom at the old Tampa Theatre. I giggled through the entire film. The cast is amazing. The set design is a dream. Frances McDormand is the queen of independent films. My Ed Norton did a great job in the lead. But the kids really stole the show. If you liked "Little Miss Sunshine", you'll love Moonrise Kingdom.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJg0MpaHslmei_UCgmENKfPVGGKJ3JImCko5P_um7zMNBP051ee3s3o_BLx70xz5Q5QzHcI3NcldrGEQNYrL3x1rEYtIkwyIVfV8WJnrxpCRqfzg4NdaWX1qNnD8Xp_agmFmK_O40XxOl/s1600/Casablanca-Bogart_l1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJg0MpaHslmei_UCgmENKfPVGGKJ3JImCko5P_um7zMNBP051ee3s3o_BLx70xz5Q5QzHcI3NcldrGEQNYrL3x1rEYtIkwyIVfV8WJnrxpCRqfzg4NdaWX1qNnD8Xp_agmFmK_O40XxOl/s640/Casablanca-Bogart_l1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For the third or fourth time. Never gets old, kid.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2kfa7K7yawSRpMJ46HS8RLZalsTF1A6op99AkRX0yPz7SArv8s2Co1ALUaakxenDHp5DGrPwfinyr-gVynhDO9eIUSGtjv4sCgbnikIW-ZnwNXCj0PwU9uLFPI5lL3lr_vSo49OB4H8x/s1600/edward+scissorhands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2kfa7K7yawSRpMJ46HS8RLZalsTF1A6op99AkRX0yPz7SArv8s2Co1ALUaakxenDHp5DGrPwfinyr-gVynhDO9eIUSGtjv4sCgbnikIW-ZnwNXCj0PwU9uLFPI5lL3lr_vSo49OB4H8x/s320/edward+scissorhands.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We saw this one restored on 35mm as part of the Summer Classic Movie Series. At first, I was like "Classic?". Then I realized it's been 22 years since it came out. How in the heck?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimY4VZfNvW8XrnTo7SR07r9b-PdzPRXXg4tjqCn_PkdOJeTaO1unkARbpoAutq5udKJfXHMIAISKNihflawNkL1qbuFH5eIMxJ55kzFxbI-h9uPRZdfaXgqNq_R3x9eA6ss_I1x6WSYldf/s1600/coco_before_chanel08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimY4VZfNvW8XrnTo7SR07r9b-PdzPRXXg4tjqCn_PkdOJeTaO1unkARbpoAutq5udKJfXHMIAISKNihflawNkL1qbuFH5eIMxJ55kzFxbI-h9uPRZdfaXgqNq_R3x9eA6ss_I1x6WSYldf/s640/coco_before_chanel08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Coco Before Chanel is a little French movie that oozes style, elegance and independence of spirit. I loved Audrey Tatou in "Amelie" and here she is all grown up. The costumes are phenomenal and won an Oscar. You will love learning about Gabrielle "Coco" before she became an icon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7fTudQ2r0k2T41gv-xQTuH5ZWeCUd1jK7hbWRHvExITb1dZbpaeZNZV3JokshL_tG61HHUjgcjv1_hcSUzgGAyfYbuwIwkMDylV9By-oi6KVJ7rUE77shIsy8uSEXO3_-cNDukYq96V1/s1600/endeavour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7fTudQ2r0k2T41gv-xQTuH5ZWeCUd1jK7hbWRHvExITb1dZbpaeZNZV3JokshL_tG61HHUjgcjv1_hcSUzgGAyfYbuwIwkMDylV9By-oi6KVJ7rUE77shIsy8uSEXO3_-cNDukYq96V1/s320/endeavour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't have perspective because I have not quite gotten to watching "Inspector Morse" on PBS as I've been meaning to. However, Endeavour (Morse's first name) is a prequel to the series. Set in Oxford, this one was a mystery of the murder of a high school girl and it kept me interested until the last second.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6LncCbZfbEJPsSZ3sOB2XQMSkqdoBooJQ4A8ymumbEhujgElvxNHajxkbKuDxobBIZcqdXG-52vuZRcwm2ij-odeRDDmYyTF9O8095O-lSvLWxkP5A99Ba1eywICtJ7lhGPBPfj9NTsz/s1600/smallisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6LncCbZfbEJPsSZ3sOB2XQMSkqdoBooJQ4A8ymumbEhujgElvxNHajxkbKuDxobBIZcqdXG-52vuZRcwm2ij-odeRDDmYyTF9O8095O-lSvLWxkP5A99Ba1eywICtJ7lhGPBPfj9NTsz/s320/smallisland.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wept buckets. So much going on here. So many story lines, but mainly it revolves around the lives of Jamaican citizens, some of which come over to fight in the name of England in WWII and afterward are shunned by society because they are "black". There's romance everywhere, lots of twists. Very endearing to say the least. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3QrouMfHFD39RXMVPn73T5vcSqGidzDPHO5lgJms28sumpeOLB0tSi5tPVatMMIWjIPPs6cXCgeSbcIPV9nzDOLNtCeDtgbQuN6tkO_-cq3vbUdT_y8_cUwICbmLgfgijr1E1oEU8XJJ/s1600/brideshead-revisited-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3QrouMfHFD39RXMVPn73T5vcSqGidzDPHO5lgJms28sumpeOLB0tSi5tPVatMMIWjIPPs6cXCgeSbcIPV9nzDOLNtCeDtgbQuN6tkO_-cq3vbUdT_y8_cUwICbmLgfgijr1E1oEU8XJJ/s320/brideshead-revisited-poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I told a friend as I was in the middle of this, "this is like the Talented Mr. Ripley meets Mommie Dearest". Set in a gorgeous landscape with a castle-like mansion they like to call home, it's a love-triangle of sorts, a struggle for power, family ties so tight they strangle. Check out "Brideshead Revisited".</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd5tkUKJjUomg7IZdSBgXYU3qke9nU3bDkhmeJc2g3rnbuzXj7kWyEzXDPefqFuoLSOIltWrcgP_jcxkqf74SgiHcwAxmmNs0TYtEsCY1DXjIuC7f8l3OCxDzmJ79sm9zJw9sTECXYFEp/s1600/My_Boy_Jack_3_by_anniehermypotter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd5tkUKJjUomg7IZdSBgXYU3qke9nU3bDkhmeJc2g3rnbuzXj7kWyEzXDPefqFuoLSOIltWrcgP_jcxkqf74SgiHcwAxmmNs0TYtEsCY1DXjIuC7f8l3OCxDzmJ79sm9zJw9sTECXYFEp/s320/My_Boy_Jack_3_by_anniehermypotter.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't hear much about "My Boy Jack", but it was one of my favorites from the BBC. The true story of Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book) and how he deals with his only child going off to war. Daniel "Harry Potter" Radcliffe and Kim Catrall are surprising casting choices, but they pull it off to a "T".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcEbnOwc87f4PhDbKYKlVleQDq8bFeZl8BUa7jVsVMwe0lDyLSYuhCaZrwtmmH3gaKnpMbsuhbBMcDgJjFMyxNI4qn0jzZFG9X7yzpMdHmTYcx4OE3u-2yWXUoU3J2D3kjJWcq-VA7Cq6/s1600/Secret+Life+of+Mrs+Beeton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcEbnOwc87f4PhDbKYKlVleQDq8bFeZl8BUa7jVsVMwe0lDyLSYuhCaZrwtmmH3gaKnpMbsuhbBMcDgJjFMyxNI4qn0jzZFG9X7yzpMdHmTYcx4OE3u-2yWXUoU3J2D3kjJWcq-VA7Cq6/s320/Secret+Life+of+Mrs+Beeton.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another favorite. The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton is narrated by a dead woman. She goes back in time and explains how she, a young 20-something woman of very little domestic knowledge, went on to publish one of the most successful cookbooks ever (still in print today). It's also a story of what happens when your husband works too late at the office (check it out to see what I mean).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakqb6IIRZ6f2bDVUEcz3B83YjuVRXdLPlaKDLnZmyEmEk-lGW343AOiJDu4nci1wPo4BpefXZ0g9uf5x46tKKBC43jXqLar1aG5DqU7GmRrHrRW9WgxKC1uizH7IwUpJtMb_kV4rFUnLz/s1600/Mystery+of+Edwin+Drood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakqb6IIRZ6f2bDVUEcz3B83YjuVRXdLPlaKDLnZmyEmEk-lGW343AOiJDu4nci1wPo4BpefXZ0g9uf5x46tKKBC43jXqLar1aG5DqU7GmRrHrRW9WgxKC1uizH7IwUpJtMb_kV4rFUnLz/s320/Mystery+of+Edwin+Drood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is another Dickens adaption. It's a whirlwind of courtships, jealousies, and a whole lotta opium goin' on. Like it alot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVfcEyT0SEijt6D7DwHzNYw_jbXrqqM81uyvHRb0q6x0__5CX3h8FzQmiTc_FMDFov-ocmlxim625Isz16OVptH3qw4ctOORviQK_xGk9NSyq7XzBUr9kUEvjV_5HbGXQTFtqw4l0g2n7/s1600/The-Artist-2011-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVfcEyT0SEijt6D7DwHzNYw_jbXrqqM81uyvHRb0q6x0__5CX3h8FzQmiTc_FMDFov-ocmlxim625Isz16OVptH3qw4ctOORviQK_xGk9NSyq7XzBUr9kUEvjV_5HbGXQTFtqw4l0g2n7/s320/The-Artist-2011-movie-poster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, The Artist. What can I say that's not already been said in the news and on the Oscar stage already? If you doubt that a silent film can pack much punch in this century, think again. Wow. And wow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKGvfqkCGbYni78WBKE01cuwTooY1VNJaJQwxQkTwRzdWq3CRfYb_BXyImP6fqJhGUNa5T2pt2q-rtHw1u3GRHC67SjV2TdacR_xrd0YcjNazCYMSdbIGP5YeRL-bpzCf_JJPxlz-VhD/s1600/extremely_loud_frontsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKGvfqkCGbYni78WBKE01cuwTooY1VNJaJQwxQkTwRzdWq3CRfYb_BXyImP6fqJhGUNa5T2pt2q-rtHw1u3GRHC67SjV2TdacR_xrd0YcjNazCYMSdbIGP5YeRL-bpzCf_JJPxlz-VhD/s320/extremely_loud_frontsmall.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This kid annoyed the heck out of me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDfBj9W1IB8BnU14FkApB2Sx6c3LhI6uaq2ZTgrKfmnFDSLxgPidJyCeOu6TEetuwuGhnlNk4VxeidE8SNmwoBsUJYR4cDUHh79rciYag_OXCTVxKMwzY2KMSWmZXrHgtnjnu0L3J0Gqr/s1600/mighty_macs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDfBj9W1IB8BnU14FkApB2Sx6c3LhI6uaq2ZTgrKfmnFDSLxgPidJyCeOu6TEetuwuGhnlNk4VxeidE8SNmwoBsUJYR4cDUHh79rciYag_OXCTVxKMwzY2KMSWmZXrHgtnjnu0L3J0Gqr/s320/mighty_macs.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, my word. A G-rated movie has survived the cutting room floor! If you like stories of underdogs, basketball and nuns, this one is a winner for Family Movie Night!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAAOiHCskGzbcDS0k4Mh1Zlf6jl5svqiGZztJK3U0tnrhLtkvXtUZJiSJwj3sBB6utBQbeO_4NsnaxBgujTsIHO9R-8qDZuiWy1t66jAZrFG8EjB3uNkB0433jwfk38K3DL5ux2Kye9la/s1600/Boy+in+the+STriped+pajamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAAOiHCskGzbcDS0k4Mh1Zlf6jl5svqiGZztJK3U0tnrhLtkvXtUZJiSJwj3sBB6utBQbeO_4NsnaxBgujTsIHO9R-8qDZuiWy1t66jAZrFG8EjB3uNkB0433jwfk38K3DL5ux2Kye9la/s320/Boy+in+the+STriped+pajamas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A wonderful, wonderful story. My 12 year old son watched it and then started it over and watched it again. It deals with the Holocaust in an interesting way--from a child's perspective. And they do a very gentle job of handling the subject matter without softening the impact. Two thumbs way on up there.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnvwr_SlIVi-3dVsR5A9XyUYGAgARe1OjAMuKD5asN2ggWP3ZqgHsFoxMmZTY1SvKEFuWTW1Po0-fUpewzWf3em6L0-DuzHnHqfvAA25ol56N5sLYCGq1737W7SOUulCPfDOpMNserSaG/s1600/valkyrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnvwr_SlIVi-3dVsR5A9XyUYGAgARe1OjAMuKD5asN2ggWP3ZqgHsFoxMmZTY1SvKEFuWTW1Po0-fUpewzWf3em6L0-DuzHnHqfvAA25ol56N5sLYCGq1737W7SOUulCPfDOpMNserSaG/s320/valkyrie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And we had to follow up our Holocaust Movie Marathon with Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise. This got obliterated in the reviews. However, I didn't quite care about the lack of German accent on Cruise's part. It was an interesting story, well acted, and it taught me something I didn't know. It was suspenseful, my kids really liked it, and so for that, I have to give it at least 3 and a half popcorn kernels.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp0svEehEP1Q4_bSXcnt3aYW8fFDE_QnQD8ODFJTtkXZuvGjXXvlWEJLPPrLm0VO8F_M5vEFniW03ouWgpKiJGqGZWBi50qal8FKMWQHnFDUhOIyNqQBTQcCwtBQDZcTlZuq01yDdCizF/s1600/lark+rise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp0svEehEP1Q4_bSXcnt3aYW8fFDE_QnQD8ODFJTtkXZuvGjXXvlWEJLPPrLm0VO8F_M5vEFniW03ouWgpKiJGqGZWBi50qal8FKMWQHnFDUhOIyNqQBTQcCwtBQDZcTlZuq01yDdCizF/s1600/lark+rise.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My next long-term commitment is "Lark Rise to Candleford", which was recommended by my local librarian. It's four discs long, so stay tuned....Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-83442409746535683142012-07-25T17:22:00.000-04:002012-07-30T08:56:08.676-04:00Math Essentials<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf7CKj5ra_1cbs1K2aTCYNnkVxry3686gw_cx1PifNW0KwVAgokXtEZfeh8xiW3Ih51ix91ehlJyOhPJqKKtnmzqzqAEnnyrbZCKI54aWqe8bD8U2_g_1ikZhiRn2eh4xvwdw7kxTKDBl/s1600/MathEssentials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf7CKj5ra_1cbs1K2aTCYNnkVxry3686gw_cx1PifNW0KwVAgokXtEZfeh8xiW3Ih51ix91ehlJyOhPJqKKtnmzqzqAEnnyrbZCKI54aWqe8bD8U2_g_1ikZhiRn2eh4xvwdw7kxTKDBl/s200/MathEssentials.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Mastering Essential Math Skills is a line of products that gets right down to business. They review skills, give you adequate, but not laborious practice on these skills, give you space to work out your problems and a special place to put your answers. At the end, you have an opportunity to apply your knowledge to a life-application problem.<br />
<br />
This month, I used Fractions with my 12 year old son. We used another math curriculum this year, but didn't quite finish. I had to return the curriculum to a friend (it was borrowed) and I wondered how I'd fill in the gaps with the fractions skills. This was a good tool to help him practice identifying fractions in an illustration, writing them in their simplest form, identifying equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, improper practions and so forth. We haven't had a chance to work through the entire book yet, but it goes all the way to reciprocals and dividing fractions. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupkZK7k6boS9-ORGqj4OvpoQXDV-iO2qyxHu-1at3tn_W4yQrw9yWKXgiYtvOcV-Qp434GdNQNvnTGmuEIBI3ZaTDJ2M3zShRTUZCG83_xKrJ-NrQV-CmiA2-nPUVki4rmvzaIskgLRdV/s1600/MathEssentialsbook2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupkZK7k6boS9-ORGqj4OvpoQXDV-iO2qyxHu-1at3tn_W4yQrw9yWKXgiYtvOcV-Qp434GdNQNvnTGmuEIBI3ZaTDJ2M3zShRTUZCG83_xKrJ-NrQV-CmiA2-nPUVki4rmvzaIskgLRdV/s1600/MathEssentialsbook2.jpg" /></a></div>
Mastering Essential Math Skills offers quality workbooks for Grades 4/5, Middle/High School, Decimals and Percents, Fractions, Geometry, Pre-Algebra, Problem Solving, and Whole Numbers/Integers. These workbooks vary from $11.95 to $15.95 each and include all the solutions, a glossary and helpful math charts in the back.<br />
<br />
I also reviewed one of the selections from their Book/DVD sets. Mine was "Mastering Essential Math Skills: Pre-Algebra Concepts". The make-up of the workbook is the same as the rest of the books. The DVD, however, has a live professor (the creator of the company, "America's Math Teacher, Richard W. Fisher"). He has a pleasant voice and explains things in plain language. There were a few issues with the video lessons for me. First, the initial lesson had 4 minutes and 1 second of nothing but whiteboard on the screen as the professor explained the basics of the program. That's a little much "nothingness" for most students. Maybe some graphics could be added here, or maybe it could be a video of him explaining the housekeeping issues. Also, his written instructions seem to be a tiny bit out of sync with his lecture. There was a 3 or 4 second gap between what he was saying and what appeared on the screen. This might be a bit confusing to some who are struggling to learn the concept. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pak5iglc-02UkEhOpwGbbqWq7W5II3WeIyGS-0YYTvga82Q2AGg5tSeM36t1SDmhxgY2UfrVr7IoHx0dRW7g-I3c3XruUN15H6_PuMqDJRk-vdP3ZJDAfSrKItmEQn9oKSysgGbojPut/s1600/MathEssentialsDecPerc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pak5iglc-02UkEhOpwGbbqWq7W5II3WeIyGS-0YYTvga82Q2AGg5tSeM36t1SDmhxgY2UfrVr7IoHx0dRW7g-I3c3XruUN15H6_PuMqDJRk-vdP3ZJDAfSrKItmEQn9oKSysgGbojPut/s1600/MathEssentialsDecPerc.jpg" /></a></div>
Other topics included in the book/DVD series are No-Nonsense Algebra, Math Skills for Grades 4/5, Middle/High School, and Pre-Algebra Concepts. There are also some options for buying just the DVDs for multiple sets or buying three sets together. The prices for these sets are $33.95 and go up to $89.95 for combo-packs. <br />
<br />
Go to <a href="http://www.mathessentials.net/">http://www.mathessentials.net/</a> to order your copies of this company's product, winners of the <span class="small"><b>Intel Innovations in Teaching Award. </b></span><br />
<br />
<strong>Go <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786006/">here</a> to see what other Crew members thought of Math Essentials.</strong><br />
<br />
<span class="small"><strong>**I was provided with a copy of the Fractions workbook and a copy of the Pre-Algebra Concepts DVD/workbook set. No other compensation, financial or otherwise, was provided to me for my honest review.</strong></span><br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-84633486397652753282012-07-25T12:45:00.001-04:002012-07-30T08:57:41.556-04:00Excuse My Absence....Well, it has been a month since my last post. How did that happen? Oh yes, I've been having a summer! Hope all you moms & teachers have been taking a break. Summer flies by too fast and is all to often (at least in my house) consumed by plans for the upcoming year and not enough laziness.<br />
<br />
Today, I want to review for you a product that we've been using this month called <span style="background-color: yellow;">Zane Education</span>. ZE is more of an online library of educational videos and resources on all topics for all ages. It is a way to integrate a visual aspect of learning into your curriculum. <br />
<br />
When you log on to Zane, you can search by topic or by age level. It has videos for Elementary, Middle School, High School, College and Adult. I found several topics that I randomly clicked on, but found myself watching until the end because they were thought-provoking and new to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw7wXTBorgPrvIHENvGOZBmm2fl85Bs74iD8kWeHKDqKj7fQDl4v_YYcm2doDGy4J2qQ43CPsACMB76xlHFfkB0rLN5th4xOg_4l3BAUAjdtMAwAPp-go6UwMQIUQJz_b8ewn8i9rdQTD/s1600/Zane+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="63" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw7wXTBorgPrvIHENvGOZBmm2fl85Bs74iD8kWeHKDqKj7fQDl4v_YYcm2doDGy4J2qQ43CPsACMB76xlHFfkB0rLN5th4xOg_4l3BAUAjdtMAwAPp-go6UwMQIUQJz_b8ewn8i9rdQTD/s400/Zane+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
What makes Zane Education different from some other video learning sites, is the large, readable subtitles under all their videos. On one hand, if you have a struggling reader, it could help them improve their reading, similar to read-along audio stories. On the other hand, if you have an advanced reader, they could get frustrated reading the subtitles quickly and then waiting painstakingly for the narrator to catch up. I have one of each in my household, so there were mixed reviews on that point.<br />
<br />
I found the diversity of topics to be quite good. I enjoyed videos on the Bayeaux Tapestry, The Lost Generation of Post WWI writers, as well as videos my kids will use for their upcoming study on the Erie Canal, Westward Expansion, as well as the Digestive System. I noticed that the content of the videos seemed a little "kitschy", a la 1960's public service announcements, or in some cases, the old Disney educational filmstrips. I couldn't tell whether they were old-fashioned or if the Zane people were just being nostalgic on purpose. I didn't have a problem with them, but I'm wondering if modern kids will find them a tad silly.<br />
<br />
Zane's video library does contain topics about puberty and sex education, but they do not come up when searching in the Elementary level videos. However, the science section (and even the geography section) contains videos that focus on or mention evolution. With a roll of the eyes, our family skips these. We currently subscribe to a similar service of cartoon videos for various topics, and I find the same secular components in this service. In some cases, it's better not to throw the baby out with the bathwater--we just use what we like and ignore the few things that we don't agree with.<br />
<br />
Despite some negatives, including the annoying banner that covers the progress bar at the bottom of the video screen and the three icons on the video that seem to do nothing, I found that Zane Education videos are something we could use quite often. This is especiallly due to the fact that they have downloadable lesson plans which include helpful vocabulary, an at-hand dictionary (I randomly plugged in the words "malicious" and "propogation" to try to trip up the system, but they were there!), a World Fact Book, a thesaurus, and a rather impressive encyclopedia. <br />
<br />
Students can even take online quizzes after viewing the videos in a particular section, which provides some assessment for the teacher. <br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.zaneeducation.com/Membership.php">here</a> to check out the pricing for memberships to Zane. They range from $8.99 to $17.99 per month, depending on whether you want full access, access to all videos in a subject, or access to all videos in a grade level. There are many choices, so check out which membership suits your needs.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/786038/">here</a> to see what other Crew members thought of Zane Education.<br />
<br />
**I was provided full access to Zane Education for one year in exchange for an honest review. I have received no other compensation, financial or otherwise.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-43275292670287081842012-06-16T20:34:00.000-04:002012-06-16T20:34:01.362-04:00IXL: A Fantastic Site for Math!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmEs5zzSYvpr2WIVv-saC1v_lYhoiFDsPK1XJRwaUI5QrBKX9Kvztp0YEtuDtom_zGvZxCBOlTbY-j04ttMDtfKqSy_lybSVViSh_Gf6id4TKBaok-c1uzX6r7Cu89lgTeFIkWFk5yOyc/s1600/IXL+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmEs5zzSYvpr2WIVv-saC1v_lYhoiFDsPK1XJRwaUI5QrBKX9Kvztp0YEtuDtom_zGvZxCBOlTbY-j04ttMDtfKqSy_lybSVViSh_Gf6id4TKBaok-c1uzX6r7Cu89lgTeFIkWFk5yOyc/s400/IXL+logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've heard my friends who have children in public school rant and rave about IXL. They just love how their kids can work on their math skills at home, even over the summer. Well, what product soon comes my way for review? You guessed it! It was meant to be....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CuSe3k4MuRRsQsuKo-KPooOoawtnCsVCA6synpyKzRnK-8D4iFsmFaN7JY0hCqJSCLYzaNKpNmWhKQvyK58JuQqt-w9uZikBOgnx4hcMq0ar0tBqUehvoueZcb1p7Yc6IbOo3tYifkfS/s1600/IXL+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CuSe3k4MuRRsQsuKo-KPooOoawtnCsVCA6synpyKzRnK-8D4iFsmFaN7JY0hCqJSCLYzaNKpNmWhKQvyK58JuQqt-w9uZikBOgnx4hcMq0ar0tBqUehvoueZcb1p7Yc6IbOo3tYifkfS/s320/IXL+Header.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The kids and I have thoroughly enjoyed IXL the last month or so. It reviews every skill under the sun in the realm of Math, grades Pre-K to 8th grade, plus Algebra. Advanced topics such as Trigonometry and Geometry are on their way to being added to the site soon. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4GmkLdky8fYprNHBnVo3mDdVuZEe4o8O6EOIT6wS5j7iW7U9bnVsbdYrFQOZ0Ub4JpOuX2SlNloVnJhg-5QqElMXOCVc48sABDVW92xTOepl32i3uJGJYWJDHrl78s6GBfG9P3Vb_3m6/s1600/IXL+Header+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4GmkLdky8fYprNHBnVo3mDdVuZEe4o8O6EOIT6wS5j7iW7U9bnVsbdYrFQOZ0Ub4JpOuX2SlNloVnJhg-5QqElMXOCVc48sABDVW92xTOepl32i3uJGJYWJDHrl78s6GBfG9P3Vb_3m6/s320/IXL+Header+3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Within each grade level, there are seveal different topics and sub-topics. For example, if you click on "Fourth Grade", there are 22 general topics to choose from (Money, Time, Fractions, Coordinate Graphs). Within each topic, there are subtopics which match up to your state's standards. For instance, in "Money", you will find 8 different money topics, including "Making Change", "Unit Pricing", "Rounding Money Amounts". You see how it goes....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv9Emph6B11tARpZblGv2qm_oR3Jz21LCtIaxee4_ESEz2FJnToDaVD85nZA4FS-_-pwdlhCL9IvfB45hxrCdvffZhugE5TzAM1bOhSEyXSSMXHEaI10yGiOM8ZFqFPCg3e1NKayu3P9B/s1600/IXL+Header+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv9Emph6B11tARpZblGv2qm_oR3Jz21LCtIaxee4_ESEz2FJnToDaVD85nZA4FS-_-pwdlhCL9IvfB45hxrCdvffZhugE5TzAM1bOhSEyXSSMXHEaI10yGiOM8ZFqFPCg3e1NKayu3P9B/s320/IXL+Header+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What I love about IXL is that you can set the grade level for each child and it is kept hidden from their view. I have one that works below grade level (for now) and it is often deflating for him to see that constant reminder on some of his assignments and workbooks. Right now, he just knows he works in Level E. The problems are presented using colorful pictures or some other type of visual to help them understand the problem being asked. In fact, the Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade problems come with an audio feature to read the problem to the student! Love that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HfFBNZoOZCtLrxTXRO01DqFIZU_32-jeL3vxlIhmfRGAsfteO-hpOt0u1xEdLofxG7dmKeo4t9qlvxfwP__FQwf613gXEOZ9jZBaQD89YAZwGTxANn5tiLk-mX6-U4NiRisbbNqM6xTN/s1600/IXL+Report.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HfFBNZoOZCtLrxTXRO01DqFIZU_32-jeL3vxlIhmfRGAsfteO-hpOt0u1xEdLofxG7dmKeo4t9qlvxfwP__FQwf613gXEOZ9jZBaQD89YAZwGTxANn5tiLk-mX6-U4NiRisbbNqM6xTN/s320/IXL+Report.png" width="302" /></a></div>
You can set up your parent account to receive emails daily or weekly to receive progress reports on your child. You will see what they have been working on, how long they worked, how many problems they completed and what the outcome was. This is all presented in a very easy to understand report, complete with a pie chart to see where they have been spending their time. When you are signed in with your Parent login, you can poke around in all of the levels, even trying out the problems, and no progress is recorded. I loved that feature. Sometimes you just want to see what they are going to ask your child (did we cover this? is the difficulty too low, too high? etc.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf6GjnRaX_cNT_1uv_wklain8fk517Xyjt-7g6Xz_8ZDxw7uKVqavLYtcwKKJ6GAdqKJOJMHNuGtnnn6SdKQefU5b6YuWFvkEYuQHTThtqWE5H6Z5aKK6cmSkfbHlR30WBkrToMWBqR3X/s1600/IXL+certificate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf6GjnRaX_cNT_1uv_wklain8fk517Xyjt-7g6Xz_8ZDxw7uKVqavLYtcwKKJ6GAdqKJOJMHNuGtnnn6SdKQefU5b6YuWFvkEYuQHTThtqWE5H6Z5aKK6cmSkfbHlR30WBkrToMWBqR3X/s1600/IXL+certificate.png" /></a></div>
<br />
You will receive notifications when your child has mastered a topic, worked 100 problems, worked on IXL for 1 hour, etc. You are able to print nice, colorful certificates to present your child, right there from these progress emails. This was a nice touch. I started not to print them (my kids are about to enter 5th and 7th grade). But they still appreciated the certificates, so I'm glad I did :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGHYcfymXBAWMqq_jWlkReYZh98prgCvZMI1Z-KLn0HUxiWnEHtTPrjDIalQLRT06O6qAIp-sIXOAPzDtoINe4yUo5B9QetMzL6bBJ1N2P2MTQQ0XpkZaH0ZWCGKbqT0Nw_ca1teK5jXj/s1600/IXL+Awards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGHYcfymXBAWMqq_jWlkReYZh98prgCvZMI1Z-KLn0HUxiWnEHtTPrjDIalQLRT06O6qAIp-sIXOAPzDtoINe4yUo5B9QetMzL6bBJ1N2P2MTQQ0XpkZaH0ZWCGKbqT0Nw_ca1teK5jXj/s320/IXL+Awards.png" width="299" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the coolest things about IXL is the virtual reward system. Once they reach certain goals, colored ribbons show up in their sidebar. They can then go to the Awards screen and uncover virtual rewards, such as a yacht or a starfish, etc. Even my oldest son got excited. We would all gather around when he finished his lesson and when he revealed his award on the chart, he, myself and his younger brother would yell (in a really exaggerated way) "Oh my goodness!!!! It's a walrus!!! Woo-hoo!!!" LOL. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIInCwH5aS-SXpvjK0ObBW5ax_xJSYvGodLrGVDhASMoTohl7_ebMtmJBKn7GZFlPqgmEHZMpnGyXrsPFP1nllQC8ar2GTBX2XJLIXopB-kmggzPha2aEguIykPVzou2us2DaQ6bcyHFW2/s1600/IXL+First+Grade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIInCwH5aS-SXpvjK0ObBW5ax_xJSYvGodLrGVDhASMoTohl7_ebMtmJBKn7GZFlPqgmEHZMpnGyXrsPFP1nllQC8ar2GTBX2XJLIXopB-kmggzPha2aEguIykPVzou2us2DaQ6bcyHFW2/s1600/IXL+First+Grade.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd3pEKMCb19swlbiVhmkWGrmTqttGvQ29I6Tn_zIhTYeWtA5V73jNE01txAnMNRM2HjL_XE5KIUYefpFP-TJexEMn6W0OKmLfIQftmDbFgxdeqgOrSSTKEvE2kEI3Tjz6E_altOzfyV0M/s1600/IXL+Sixth+Grade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd3pEKMCb19swlbiVhmkWGrmTqttGvQ29I6Tn_zIhTYeWtA5V73jNE01txAnMNRM2HjL_XE5KIUYefpFP-TJexEMn6W0OKmLfIQftmDbFgxdeqgOrSSTKEvE2kEI3Tjz6E_altOzfyV0M/s1600/IXL+Sixth+Grade.png" /></a></div>
<br />
What you need to know about IXL is that it does not TEACH your child concepts. It is designed to work ALONGSIDE your math curriculum as a review, skill-builder, extra-practice. It will not present a lesson or lecture. If it did that, we would abandon all math curricula and just do IXL forever. That's what my kids want, anyway! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzGo7iAjfYGjeGNAt6arAFYb3Wrooe4V7-0JlPtAsleaEXe9gWyQPy_MEmmMzfXX_Oj5nopViwQ_x9s4Gup6U7wQU2iIQpDx-RWta83sNJ7qbgtYyEVTDRAxvRsLucc9GzAyKp2WH7Egj/s1600/IXL+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzGo7iAjfYGjeGNAt6arAFYb3Wrooe4V7-0JlPtAsleaEXe9gWyQPy_MEmmMzfXX_Oj5nopViwQ_x9s4Gup6U7wQU2iIQpDx-RWta83sNJ7qbgtYyEVTDRAxvRsLucc9GzAyKp2WH7Egj/s320/IXL+map.png" width="320" /></a></div>
According to the IXL website, here are the benefits of membership:<br />
<br />
<ul id="offerList">
<li><b>Complete coverage</b> of math curriculum from pre-K to algebra. Your kids won't miss a thing! </li>
<li><b>Unlimited</b> questions in over 2,000 skills. </li>
<li>Fun and <b>colorful</b> practice formats. </li>
<li><b>Questions that adapt</b> to your child's ability, increasing in difficulty as they improve. </li>
<li><b>Immediate feedback</b> and question-specific explanations to solidify understanding of each concept. </li>
<li><b>Audio</b> for all pre-K through first-grade skills. </li>
<li>Weekly <b>e-mail updates</b> on your child's progress. </li>
<li>Informative, <b>detailed reports</b> pointing out successes and trouble spots. </li>
<li><b>Awards and certificates</b> for you and your children to print out as they reach important milestones. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Pricing for family memberships starts at just <span class="IXLMathmonthPRICE">$9.95</span>/month or <span class="IXLMathyearPRICE">$79</span>/year. Each additional child costs <span class="IXLMathaddchildmonthPRICE">$2</span>/month or <span class="IXLMathaddchildyearPRICE">$20</span>/year. When my trial subscription is over, this is something I will definately be getting for the 2012-2013 school year. I don't want to be without IXL again!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVOQq7rpm0SiY2VU0AgbfjCXvm1Uo1_3sG8oTBYgKFec9pqaOaEbFA-2Xp1Uh9THMgNFVC3TH10exFREsxWpBirxJ4pxcHKKPKl4lseuEaL3nzf6dY4us-7NB8bdy3oq922ECLFzCRX2z/s1600/ixlcostbuttons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVOQq7rpm0SiY2VU0AgbfjCXvm1Uo1_3sG8oTBYgKFec9pqaOaEbFA-2Xp1Uh9THMgNFVC3TH10exFREsxWpBirxJ4pxcHKKPKl4lseuEaL3nzf6dY4us-7NB8bdy3oq922ECLFzCRX2z/s320/ixlcostbuttons.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was given a 6-month trial subscription to test-drive IXL for review purposes. No other compensation was provided to me and my honest opinion is what I have provided here.<br />
<br />
See what the other reviewers from The Homeschool Crew Review Team thought about IXL <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/785456/">here</a>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-22019285858555445942012-06-16T19:53:00.001-04:002012-06-16T19:53:31.270-04:00Creation Illustrated Magazine<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eDx4l9oV9gtUlMxojJ_okQaq8Gy6X4M1NP82B4QYGm7Hij1yvwmybBpYJIp5LPjUCWnobS-Pz0hAgR-aMGbxi1uOqEguw-kWChYl5gcOoYNWxFCynGL8OtPQge52pCnhThvbwnwOGMxV/s1600/Creation+Illustrated+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eDx4l9oV9gtUlMxojJ_okQaq8Gy6X4M1NP82B4QYGm7Hij1yvwmybBpYJIp5LPjUCWnobS-Pz0hAgR-aMGbxi1uOqEguw-kWChYl5gcOoYNWxFCynGL8OtPQge52pCnhThvbwnwOGMxV/s400/Creation+Illustrated+Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Creation Illustrated has been around for almost 20 years, yet it wasn't until I had a chance to review it this month, had I even heard of it. Where have I been? Probably perusing popular book-chains who would rather carry magazines whose covers I wish I could...well, COVER UP. With Creation Illustrated, you don't have to worry about the cover. It is not only family-friendly, it is beautiful!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmrlyU0pcVSD7p126btfhNohTTzChT1cbqr2CNjJ4NinV68h2YvPXcnZ1r7htu3QMb4CTaFSoLvjPeGGXN7gSVXJuLIDHeRib9P1q86U1ZMAWJS09EtvgZVzUzSfnk0guJsyewD1WjT2y/s1600/Creation+Ill+Winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmrlyU0pcVSD7p126btfhNohTTzChT1cbqr2CNjJ4NinV68h2YvPXcnZ1r7htu3QMb4CTaFSoLvjPeGGXN7gSVXJuLIDHeRib9P1q86U1ZMAWJS09EtvgZVzUzSfnk0guJsyewD1WjT2y/s1600/Creation+Ill+Winter.jpg" /></a></div>
Creation Illustrated has been called the "Christian National Geographic" by many readers. It is a publication that you'll want to read and then save to read again and again. Each issue is a keepsake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy9Yg3pKalr7gQMPoNY6Wuf7L0Wvnu8INMppaSjVORkyTBaMKsBL4x9dSUFfsI2g5mpMHpKjTh2S_W-4gUb4sZehlrc_F-v0mTSf2o0aw62FTowmL9T-B0369OMI7JGHVLIM4WsWtKVfs/s1600/Creation+Ill+Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy9Yg3pKalr7gQMPoNY6Wuf7L0Wvnu8INMppaSjVORkyTBaMKsBL4x9dSUFfsI2g5mpMHpKjTh2S_W-4gUb4sZehlrc_F-v0mTSf2o0aw62FTowmL9T-B0369OMI7JGHVLIM4WsWtKVfs/s1600/Creation+Ill+Fall.jpg" /></a></div>
Each issue contains motivational, uplifting articles that spotlight all of the wonderful thing that God has made for us to enjoy in this world, from the largest whale in the ocean, to the smallest eye on a fly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFOLJMzUZ3N1SzgsOxze_s3Uumovh4AqVSBCoqazn57HdJSvPpcmkYHszZn672OuW26H9eW1HHhTGBcjkXskb_0Bw24xXaifLGT62MqDLzKHGVw1kntQ64jBZnlkMPwjz2yTFB7syVdoT/s1600/Creation+Ill+Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFOLJMzUZ3N1SzgsOxze_s3Uumovh4AqVSBCoqazn57HdJSvPpcmkYHszZn672OuW26H9eW1HHhTGBcjkXskb_0Bw24xXaifLGT62MqDLzKHGVw1kntQ64jBZnlkMPwjz2yTFB7syVdoT/s1600/Creation+Ill+Spring.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vKjfh8lSpx8wd4bDhq_ArNQelx0n5i_Q-i2k9tfTj9Vdq30c2gDbvjM3MpBHrMU4t6BywoDb7Y-_g4SMZRFsRt674R5mM7XX2pKXR5SCRkyqY1gvHKgvHY654ijfXILLfTBQZkhuGcVU/s1600/Creation+Ill+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vKjfh8lSpx8wd4bDhq_ArNQelx0n5i_Q-i2k9tfTj9Vdq30c2gDbvjM3MpBHrMU4t6BywoDb7Y-_g4SMZRFsRt674R5mM7XX2pKXR5SCRkyqY1gvHKgvHY654ijfXILLfTBQZkhuGcVU/s1600/Creation+Ill+Summer.jpg" /></a></div>
This is a magazine devoted to nature, family and glorifying God in everything, even the pattern of a leaf or the stillness of a forest. It truly is a treasure. However, I didn't realize it at first glance. My first thought was, "Where are all the cool graphics? Where's the edgy, modern feel?". But that's the point. We get enough of that in society, on the news, in television programming, texts, tweets and whatever. Creation Illustrated is something you'll pick up to read when you want to get away from all that and focus on the beauty of God's creation, while learning at the same time. And while your kids are learning, they are also picking up great character and values from the content and tone of the articles, as well as the focus on scripture. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MchbKGgCaCKfskD3HDFK1z16OWb3jL5xiSGZ7XzH_XcRvO5FGS74nPcsxHODxwCYkL-VB622kNuCiiLwflPSZQeC1TFciPIMnOzqoBzB1_yCYvlXWAt67odZNex6uH6rYidhIUdsKLet/s1600/Creation+Ill+Inside+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MchbKGgCaCKfskD3HDFK1z16OWb3jL5xiSGZ7XzH_XcRvO5FGS74nPcsxHODxwCYkL-VB622kNuCiiLwflPSZQeC1TFciPIMnOzqoBzB1_yCYvlXWAt67odZNex6uH6rYidhIUdsKLet/s320/Creation+Ill+Inside+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I got a chance to peruse the last 4 issues and they seem to all follow the same format. "In Nature", "In Scripture" and "In Living". There are freelance articles and photography that are scrutinized for the upmost quality and content. "In Nature" contains articles from a first-hand experience in nature by the author (Charlotte Mason would approve, I believe). "In Scripture" contains lots of "creation confirmation" moments and news on scientific finds that support creation. "In Living" will include recipes from nature, children's stories, photo contests for youth and (I love this part)...Instructional Guides! You can use this magazine as part of your education with your children by using the guide questions to go with the articles. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNLtWI1K3LR28xQX8YWvLW6i1Zsc9iRzqD13CgxJbCDKEQGJatWF66rOEf7mq3_G9YQ5kvJVvnpVP499NbTnQNi2yY22ovx2DgweWnJrrsYHun2gXvs_n5Ns0amepDZaOzR5qYi_gL1Ss/s1600/Creation+Ill+Inside+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNLtWI1K3LR28xQX8YWvLW6i1Zsc9iRzqD13CgxJbCDKEQGJatWF66rOEf7mq3_G9YQ5kvJVvnpVP499NbTnQNi2yY22ovx2DgweWnJrrsYHun2gXvs_n5Ns0amepDZaOzR5qYi_gL1Ss/s320/Creation+Ill+Inside+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Creation Illustrated is published quarterly in the United States for $4.99 per issue. You can also subscribe <a href="http://www.creationillustrated.com/">here</a>, using the following rates: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 year subscription is $ 19.95</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 Year subscription is $ 37.95</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 Year subscription is $ 53.95</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Those who pay now with a credit card will save another $5.00 per year per subscription. ALSO, YOU MAY REQUEST A FREE SAMPLE COPY TO CHECK IT OUR FOR YOURSELF!</u></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">**Disclaimer: I received 4 free issues of the magazine to use for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are mine, and no other compensation was provided.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See what the other reviewers thought about Creation Illustrated magazine <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/785451/">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"></span>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-90142713998866548382012-06-08T09:56:00.002-04:002012-06-08T09:56:47.666-04:00Buying Used----Frugally HomeschoolingFor the second year in a row, I've worked at a large used curriculum sale in Orlando. Boy, is it big! It is also two days of hard-work, lifting, loading, categorizing, assisting shoppers and cleaning up. I find it to be well-worth it for the spoils I bring home. Yes, those are brand new 7th Grade Daily Grams workbooks for $5 each! The Fallacy Detective for $3! IEW Theme-based writing for $5! Novels in excellent condition for 50 cents! Encyclopedias! Wall charts! Jonathan Park on audio! Biography magazines! Card games! Board Games! Math Manipulatives! I got nearly everything on my list this year in "gently used" or "brand new but discounted" condition. I was thrilled!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj6eyoG4ic2WLJURATMUr5B9vbWwwYeCB3cZ8ciU-5hW6X207Aiiu1XNGdduhirag8NXDvWkvEp5rPBiHPxQETTlbu6ax8oJ0RpTJD_U1OqHGMyBCv9z_9XFf8iVtBKO7vKp0m2IPDzzM/s1600/Circle+Sale+Spoils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj6eyoG4ic2WLJURATMUr5B9vbWwwYeCB3cZ8ciU-5hW6X207Aiiu1XNGdduhirag8NXDvWkvEp5rPBiHPxQETTlbu6ax8oJ0RpTJD_U1OqHGMyBCv9z_9XFf8iVtBKO7vKp0m2IPDzzM/s640/Circle+Sale+Spoils.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
All of this was purchased for $186, and some items were in the "FREE" area--oh, how I love free.<br />
<br />
I used to be very snobbish about used items. I liked everything to line up on my shelf in pristine condition so I could marvel at its perfection and beauty--LOL. Now, after calculating the costs of homeschooling two boys in the manner in which I want to homeschool them, I've realized that it ain't cheap. Ebay is fine, if you can find what you want and don't mind paying for shipping (or finding a box a packaging materials if you're the one selling). But I much prefer to buy/sell to local homeschool moms. I belong to two homeschool support groups and we are fortunate to have a "forum", where moms can chat about curriculum, field trips and used items up for grabs. Also, just recently, a Facebook page was created for our area specializing in curriculum exchange. So, it's been nice to get what I need for relatively little this year. <br />
<br />
I have had a few splurges......we bought Rosetta Stone Spanish at the Homeschool Convention (new, but at a great promotional price for Levels 1-3). Sometimes I'm leary of buying software used, fearful that the alotted number of registered users has been surpassed and it will be unusable to me. I've purchased used copies or borrowed Teaching Textbooks in the past and we were easily able to add new registered users to that, so I got lucky there. Always do your research before buying anything with CD-ROMs.<br />
<br />
Do you have a fantastic library? Does it have used items for purchase? I do and I have to say that is the #1 way I've built my personal collection over the past 15-20 years. New, hardback versions of best-sellers and classics---$1, or even 50 cents! Anything I no longer use that isn't "curriculum" or of possible interest to homeschooling families gets donated to my local library. I like to give back to the service that has given so much to me :)<br />
<br />
So, check out your area and see if they have used curriculum sales. If they are small-scale, encourage more people to participate. It's much more fun! If nothing exists, create something! Local churches are usually more than happy to provide a fellowship hall for use on a Saturday, in exchange for a small fee for electricity. This can be re-couped by charging sellers $5 or $10 per table. Everyone wins in the end and it's a great way to promote homeschooling in the area with signs and advertisements. Never underestimate the power of word of mouth (i.e. Facebook posts!). <br />
<br />
Good luck with shopping frugally this summer! I'd love to hear of your best deals!<br />
<br />
Kimberly<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-91591442068127746572012-05-27T17:25:00.002-04:002012-05-27T17:25:22.287-04:00Choices, ChoicesI'm just back from the FPEA, Florida Homeschool Convention in Orlando, FL! This was my second year venturing out to the Gaylord Palms Resort for another relaxing, overwhelming, encouraging and moving weekend. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptKCY0Y3xPP3KK-c2XOp65dnz9D3EiUXnEgSuIymVK1PFb4FUv_oEGFhFOBQxm9WCkxBiaoMdwVFsives1kr-7IYxNPGo0LyZw1NShk5RGml_DSVJYs2uhyphenhyphen5q3pmfrjS-nXvpYAK6wKvu/s1600/gaylord+palms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptKCY0Y3xPP3KK-c2XOp65dnz9D3EiUXnEgSuIymVK1PFb4FUv_oEGFhFOBQxm9WCkxBiaoMdwVFsives1kr-7IYxNPGo0LyZw1NShk5RGml_DSVJYs2uhyphenhyphen5q3pmfrjS-nXvpYAK6wKvu/s400/gaylord+palms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This time I vowed to spend more time in the speakers' sessions and less time in the Exhibit Hall shopping. But you know how that goes......All in all, we made it to three seminars all weekend. But how many hours did we spend perusing curricula in the Exhibit Hall? I lost count.<br />
<br />
Here are the things I was looking for and the things I'm still contemplating for 2012-2013:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Core/History</span>: <a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/year3/">Tapestry of Grace, Year 3</a> (the 1800's). I've used this curriculum for two years in a row--hoping to use it for a third if I can find it used at the right price (or borrow it--hint, hint). I love the classical model for education and Tapestry is the ultimate in my opinion. It's overwhelming to look at, but I use it as a foundation for history, literature and activities. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xINGl7ULDntUrdiEpuU6UMhrKvRbbRjYO8tvfRm8CLeBEpfwi61ee7G_BvZClQxLRb1d398LJA97Muu9bAEP7INb2_7pSnk-rO4GnmN4CT7gLrKl-ZyLe4OOkX7uOhCD8Usvg5RkSGg7/s1600/tog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xINGl7ULDntUrdiEpuU6UMhrKvRbbRjYO8tvfRm8CLeBEpfwi61ee7G_BvZClQxLRb1d398LJA97Muu9bAEP7INb2_7pSnk-rO4GnmN4CT7gLrKl-ZyLe4OOkX7uOhCD8Usvg5RkSGg7/s1600/tog+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I like to use Story of the World alongside Tapestry and this year we will be vaccilating between Volume 3 and 4. The booklist for this year is exhaustive, consisting mostly of books on the Louisiana Purchase, Westward Expansion, the Civil War, the Underground Railroad and the Industrial Revolution. Lots of good titles for history and literature in this mix! I also purchased two of Greathall Productions storytelling CDs for history (Lewis & Clark and Abe Lincoln).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF55MNoK1pgAW0t4zVuP2sIKtKxySUEAx6QgICCi3NJRvLwZH1mFYiy5o02hlyR7GhZl0pTm4xo47VsQ6tVaprgd-aUmZCxoDSXJmITYlTbr0Hr_3RvLq8qq3EmYYU2359hRwHag_A9kzw/s1600/story+of+the+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF55MNoK1pgAW0t4zVuP2sIKtKxySUEAx6QgICCi3NJRvLwZH1mFYiy5o02hlyR7GhZl0pTm4xo47VsQ6tVaprgd-aUmZCxoDSXJmITYlTbr0Hr_3RvLq8qq3EmYYU2359hRwHag_A9kzw/s320/story+of+the+world.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXmqRWUrtjgiRaAoLbhh7ILNIUBR2_aavsfhyyBnBafK7Um6QINjmdRf_hMIAbfaqexx9-6TeI-s4DcO9vtGnmkEIaX_qRtftUFkELf82F1ytmDuC8ehetgByxA7uTwOpgh6sfUUZriRe/s1600/greathall+productions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXmqRWUrtjgiRaAoLbhh7ILNIUBR2_aavsfhyyBnBafK7Um6QINjmdRf_hMIAbfaqexx9-6TeI-s4DcO9vtGnmkEIaX_qRtftUFkELf82F1ytmDuC8ehetgByxA7uTwOpgh6sfUUZriRe/s1600/greathall+productions.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Math</span>: Continuing with Teaching Textbooks. This year, Math5 and Math6. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqrdxQWy6C0OTJRlzyC5VlEA9he8z4Em7_KIy63w57KKOisGQZXARvij-HO5i_mX_zvtWr2kFJ_eqcwPrVh0tyuyXZ1zpRIaOFyIhPO4KN3UA6NI7CBQ3QRmeHdsDraG-3b8x2L5Su1ka/s1600/teaching+textbooks+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqrdxQWy6C0OTJRlzyC5VlEA9he8z4Em7_KIy63w57KKOisGQZXARvij-HO5i_mX_zvtWr2kFJ_eqcwPrVh0tyuyXZ1zpRIaOFyIhPO4KN3UA6NI7CBQ3QRmeHdsDraG-3b8x2L5Su1ka/s1600/teaching+textbooks+6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Science</span>: For the first time, I'm farming this subject out with a local Young Anatomist Class in a nearby town. Looking forward to letting an expert who is passionate about science take the reigns from me for at least one subject! We will continue to stay engaged with quality science documentaries as we have time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pxn7W12EcYTYZWajWhXD8wZInfY30rSYWGFfXg3q0ETtWF8H61eIpxxWuPqEKq_4K34OB_0UWySrlnqCjtYX9BIKBHFAkRzhhTZy0qhtlhR-SxBrDZ_qd87_xoIVj_u0IOa6W3Mr5n7D/s1600/anatomy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pxn7W12EcYTYZWajWhXD8wZInfY30rSYWGFfXg3q0ETtWF8H61eIpxxWuPqEKq_4K34OB_0UWySrlnqCjtYX9BIKBHFAkRzhhTZy0qhtlhR-SxBrDZ_qd87_xoIVj_u0IOa6W3Mr5n7D/s320/anatomy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Grammar</span>: First Language Lessons has come to the end of its available levels, so we are moving to <a href="http://www.winstongrammar.com/basic.php">Winston Grammar</a>. Also keeping with Daily Grams for daily grammar warm-ups.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Spelling</span>: This one has been the bane of my existence since the beginning.....the first program we tried was called Spelling Power, but it wasn't the "genuine" Spelling Power that everyone loves. It was some knock-off brand of workbooks with (you'll never guess)....spelling errors!! I was appalled. We switched to Sequential Spelling, but it wasn't sticking with them. We have used a Harcourt workbook from Barnes and Noble for the rest of this year and it's worked okay. My 10 year old flew through the 6th grade book with hardly any errors. My 12 year old, who struggles with spelling, was having a lot of difficulty, though. So I have two problems. To find a better hands-on method of teaching basic phonics to my 12 year old so that he can fill those mental gaps and become a better speller. And also, to properly challenge my 10 year old, who seems to have a photographic memory! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHvEBcYUCC-ZQNv00WgzCuuqSuhnrEIBZu-lmalxw4zigXcYKTAayux7v7k8hElKAhr1L5WU2qkJDbiKvj8y7lYgmilnIYld4Dq6nDAiAmEJ9a-AdzlfI1YR8JmeKl4mDdNrheKwggK5l/s1600/all+about+spelling" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHvEBcYUCC-ZQNv00WgzCuuqSuhnrEIBZu-lmalxw4zigXcYKTAayux7v7k8hElKAhr1L5WU2qkJDbiKvj8y7lYgmilnIYld4Dq6nDAiAmEJ9a-AdzlfI1YR8JmeKl4mDdNrheKwggK5l/s320/all+about+spelling" width="320" /></a></div>
This year, I'm trying All About Spelling Level 5 for my struggling speller. I'm still learning the program, but it appears to use letter tiles to incorporate a kinesthetic element. It is promoted by IEW as a forerunner for Phonetic Zoo. I'm hopeful.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdqTY_6y4pueZlw3mdYX3vGrVUEMu6MUcG2JitNWGrrWwB7aAplwsSc5jMaR0s5eb2NHu5VwvBNiUGgyA0LqYVKgiAIBYm2C6DbG_IUNZ9HEQxmN9j4nDPwHyHZuuRr0IzDsFtFYBRgCr/s1600/abeka+spelling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdqTY_6y4pueZlw3mdYX3vGrVUEMu6MUcG2JitNWGrrWwB7aAplwsSc5jMaR0s5eb2NHu5VwvBNiUGgyA0LqYVKgiAIBYm2C6DbG_IUNZ9HEQxmN9j4nDPwHyHZuuRr0IzDsFtFYBRgCr/s200/abeka+spelling.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
For my spelling whiz, I'm hoping to take a closer look at MegaWords, or just have him study the Abeka Spelling Challenges book, which is designed for Spelling Bees and Competitions. Still accepting suggestions in this area!</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-kCNGjvFaecUnYyARPoFJvsxMgZYh_YDIqcZKJ9LZNccaFB4HSbdMnlnYTx2P650hRHXf6PHG8klQ-FT3vu9Acb8pFJcDFC2u3v-dOawyl6P9vDHL_xGaAk1Rx9A5yE29IWlwDzowgU1/s1600/cursive+connections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-kCNGjvFaecUnYyARPoFJvsxMgZYh_YDIqcZKJ9LZNccaFB4HSbdMnlnYTx2P650hRHXf6PHG8klQ-FT3vu9Acb8pFJcDFC2u3v-dOawyl6P9vDHL_xGaAk1Rx9A5yE29IWlwDzowgU1/s1600/cursive+connections.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: red;">Handwriting</span>: Cursive Connections<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Bible/Worldview</span>: I thought we'd read through Ken Ham's Answers, Books 1-3, as well as go through God's Great Covenant (New Testament), which was a product I reviewed this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XdITu3k0ah4rI-hXT67fgy__zrj_jNoB1hhMoD8oc71J7GdWhjX3Qkufk7h0Q5zSWpo9qlg8vpJPvzj3ZeNTbcULolcmYwRtT9SS9Px_YFtilVcdB7wVNvQc7__MK7F4vrAIOSMsTy_h/s1600/god's+great+covenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XdITu3k0ah4rI-hXT67fgy__zrj_jNoB1hhMoD8oc71J7GdWhjX3Qkufk7h0Q5zSWpo9qlg8vpJPvzj3ZeNTbcULolcmYwRtT9SS9Px_YFtilVcdB7wVNvQc7__MK7F4vrAIOSMsTy_h/s320/god's+great+covenant.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: red;">Critical Thinking</span>: My kids go cuckoo for analogies and logic puzzles, so I didn't want to deprive them. Thought we try <a href="http://www.criticalthinking.com/series/095/index_c.jsp">Inference Jones</a>, and continue with the next level of Perplexors by MindWare.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Writing</span>: I have to admit, we fell off the IEW wagon around Christmastime, due to my taking a second job. It just felt like too much. By doing so, I've noticed a significant drop in the quality of the kids' writing. We are getting back on the straight and narrow and going back to basics with Student Writing Intensive A. As we move through the year, I thought "All Things Fun and Fascinating" or "Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales" would be a good themed unit to use with the program.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBL2AAEb6JBDUiM5qI6bDwDOEjwl-c24v1zgIrPLjXLqXHp6Fm4zumveYg_B1uWmZu3_HDu7ugqGknauMSC3o-Gf5Ycdws-qSNSm2Icrn4IhX4GJLDdmIhaybunNRgrskb0m1jOULF-c3/s1600/iew+all+things+fun+and+fascinating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBL2AAEb6JBDUiM5qI6bDwDOEjwl-c24v1zgIrPLjXLqXHp6Fm4zumveYg_B1uWmZu3_HDu7ugqGknauMSC3o-Gf5Ycdws-qSNSm2Icrn4IhX4GJLDdmIhaybunNRgrskb0m1jOULF-c3/s1600/iew+all+things+fun+and+fascinating.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Reading Comprehension/Test Prep</span>: McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension booklets are so cheap $3.95, and the lessons are short and sweet, I couldn't resist.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9unP0Swd9JM_WA4_U9ae42jrUDIncL5nozFK5oxmzycG-kGfTa7n2w7btU86UWTnTQi8PZo9im_3MKonHAKwntQmwWFgkkopHuL87B_E6BbcDQ8yxScH4cH25DSskjjNKIi_SSH1Iu9oS/s1600/mccall-crabbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9unP0Swd9JM_WA4_U9ae42jrUDIncL5nozFK5oxmzycG-kGfTa7n2w7btU86UWTnTQi8PZo9im_3MKonHAKwntQmwWFgkkopHuL87B_E6BbcDQ8yxScH4cH25DSskjjNKIi_SSH1Iu9oS/s1600/mccall-crabbs.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Vocabulary</span>: Worldly Wise 3000, Grades 5 and 6<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP7hDUinFX3JXzEpRoURlnujkTRU7senPxIemP6l3qLNvW-VYlQ2BJSeBW-TfzyLqAtrkmpXAE5y72XSFVLJk5xMvhPvENhzuM5wyWt2xCAXD4O9qtZ_XCATMiaXKxWbDiISX1bqiByHm/s1600/wordly+wise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP7hDUinFX3JXzEpRoURlnujkTRU7senPxIemP6l3qLNvW-VYlQ2BJSeBW-TfzyLqAtrkmpXAE5y72XSFVLJk5xMvhPvENhzuM5wyWt2xCAXD4O9qtZ_XCATMiaXKxWbDiISX1bqiByHm/s320/wordly+wise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Foreign Language</span>: So excited for the whole family to try Rosetta Stone Latin American Spanish, Level 1! I absolutely loved the look of it at the convention. It's tried and true--I hope it works for us!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Dw5Wg2bDdecQDQG4EnaVXCzsZA3gw_tV9kj7c0vs0OYYWzFkFtfEmc6964_fIzDcuc3trbBweJqOw6n6J-H_bLB89JoxJP660kmYd4C2fjnXVHQQrPUtQZ1nWoGpaCeeRACm2Qet2hW/s1600/spanish-latin-america-PE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Dw5Wg2bDdecQDQG4EnaVXCzsZA3gw_tV9kj7c0vs0OYYWzFkFtfEmc6964_fIzDcuc3trbBweJqOw6n6J-H_bLB89JoxJP660kmYd4C2fjnXVHQQrPUtQZ1nWoGpaCeeRACm2Qet2hW/s320/spanish-latin-america-PE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red;">Typing</span>: Typing Instructor Platinum, Version 21 for PC. The Typing Instructor for Kids, from the same company, looked a little cutesy for my boys, so I thought I'd bump them up to this level which still looks fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwK0NBVrYaKUL5eGAkoxDIRy7w4Q3GrDUvIL1KchFpTFFHvxfR1LCoihyIl4WsI89KFF6Kkf2zStzU8_qWhRVWpxxYqmVMAzFRV8-ic28llBe88pq5xSJObkl3u7ERABAQkLJxY2DrgqQ/s1600/typing+instructor+platinum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwK0NBVrYaKUL5eGAkoxDIRy7w4Q3GrDUvIL1KchFpTFFHvxfR1LCoihyIl4WsI89KFF6Kkf2zStzU8_qWhRVWpxxYqmVMAzFRV8-ic28llBe88pq5xSJObkl3u7ERABAQkLJxY2DrgqQ/s320/typing+instructor+platinum.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: red;">Art</span>: A friend and I are toying with the idea of an art/art history co-op. Looking at God and the History of Art or Simply Draw with Bob Parsons. There really isn't that great of a selection when it comes to drawing programs. Still dilligently looking! This year, I want to study Chagall, Matisse, Hopper, Rockwell, Warhol and O'Keefe. I know I'm going to use Mike Venezia's "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists". Just need something of quality to help them with art instruction.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Memory Work</span>: Continuing with my Poor Man's Classical Conversations program that I created, memorizing any of the History Sentences that correspond with what we're studying or the Science Sentences that pertain to our topics. I'm so proud that we've learned so many pertinent dates in history, scripture and poetry this year (and they actually UNDERSTAND what they've memorized!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp17wV-m1KvdK0ZvfLN7gXf3emQ4kR-QcmsOHrqNAgVsnftorzHfCtT-HLhyphenhyphen3sOReKfiS8UCiXqTxaZwkl4jBWK3lslcDYLud8ah4h8t7rKbclH6mcyeKVx_GQMuPNia0g4ATDUS9TQiK/s1600/Classical+Conversations+Foundations+Guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp17wV-m1KvdK0ZvfLN7gXf3emQ4kR-QcmsOHrqNAgVsnftorzHfCtT-HLhyphenhyphen3sOReKfiS8UCiXqTxaZwkl4jBWK3lslcDYLud8ah4h8t7rKbclH6mcyeKVx_GQMuPNia0g4ATDUS9TQiK/s320/Classical+Conversations+Foundations+Guide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">4H</span>: Archery and Riflery, possibly Etiquette (LOL)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Music</span>: continuing with piano for Solomon, guitar for Denver <br />
<br />
We are headed toward our last half-week of school right around the corner. I can't believe how it all flew by. Looking forward to a summer full of relaxation, reading and beach trips! I know the kids are ready :)<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-90113676156580950482012-05-17T14:50:00.000-04:002012-05-17T14:50:15.037-04:00Write Shop Junior: A Review<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvuYffqvaN8J9VTxVHLCXVC0WxJVwpCHqa9pf6tjPmbGYEtT9Wt18QSXGccpRaJUkWmchjKUYv9HQx-cBgwTEfVCxDq8G7_lJQe3A4yclJrGX2dWN348gDacZGq3-WPW4DGsC8DDYbFaf/s1600/Write+Shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvuYffqvaN8J9VTxVHLCXVC0WxJVwpCHqa9pf6tjPmbGYEtT9Wt18QSXGccpRaJUkWmchjKUYv9HQx-cBgwTEfVCxDq8G7_lJQe3A4yclJrGX2dWN348gDacZGq3-WPW4DGsC8DDYbFaf/s320/Write+Shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Write Shop sent me a product to review this month! It is the Write Shop Junior Book D, designed for 3rd and 4th graders (and maybe 5th graders who rebel at writing). My Write Shop set came with a sturdy spiral-bound Teacher's Guide, the Student Activity Pack and the Time-Saver Pack. You could complete this program without the Time-Saver Pack, but it is a nice addition for not alot of extra money and includes ready-made props for games you will use such a cards and spinners. There are instructions for making your own items in the teacher's guide, though.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwoFYNH5N_wWflLtDuqj5Z7tmqxrkbmxj8HSa2d2HL02Z28xEskrcdMz9yqmzBvi3Fq7m_qo4eAdCwWjU1la4U1pXYhOYEBefj5uYyMCbSH8YrgkA9XGL2PuSRYZwYHWamQk86yjVDOBG/s1600/Write+Shop+Lessons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwoFYNH5N_wWflLtDuqj5Z7tmqxrkbmxj8HSa2d2HL02Z28xEskrcdMz9yqmzBvi3Fq7m_qo4eAdCwWjU1la4U1pXYhOYEBefj5uYyMCbSH8YrgkA9XGL2PuSRYZwYHWamQk86yjVDOBG/s640/Write+Shop+Lessons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of what's in the Time Saver Pack.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each lesson is split into 8 sub-lessons, so you could finish each in 2-3 weeks depending on your schedule and pace. Topics for Junior Book D include: Letters of Invitation, Humor, Adventure, Science Fiction, Mystery, Haiku, Folktales, Historical Fiction, Personal Narrative and Expository Writing. <br />
<br />
Lesson objectives are clearly stated and any materials needed or preparation on the teacher's part is marked write at the beginning of each lesson. There are some parts that are scripted for you. Take just 10-15 minutes or so and look over what you'll be teaching each day before you get started. It will make everything run smoother!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEJuEQ-jhwIf9J5OdR645JrXMaRLQHNIpFg4UmCPhPjYjIMgp3HXJ2Z1WOBTPJuD0zbSwRVKzSUnOJPKMOXBqEKD2qMkFXYRpSvFZb1vdLXokqk4pQiDo4YMOIyZYz_Tsf4alyGvQC0pY/s1600/Write+Shop+Brainstorming+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEJuEQ-jhwIf9J5OdR645JrXMaRLQHNIpFg4UmCPhPjYjIMgp3HXJ2Z1WOBTPJuD0zbSwRVKzSUnOJPKMOXBqEKD2qMkFXYRpSvFZb1vdLXokqk4pQiDo4YMOIyZYz_Tsf4alyGvQC0pY/s320/Write+Shop+Brainstorming+Cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Brainstorming Cake"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVLeJEDVz2pDb_k4LaFzOvNi_o79KVDasrrakktxNMg1mcrvZVGPtycBtjVlZ7DNTWk0WUeV4AhKM0eepsm1OFHLB8GEhuJreXprzgmcZg9D1KM3-XjCpepDj8_uX2GUTWz0QmavxHNHo/s1600/Write+Shop+Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVLeJEDVz2pDb_k4LaFzOvNi_o79KVDasrrakktxNMg1mcrvZVGPtycBtjVlZ7DNTWk0WUeV4AhKM0eepsm1OFHLB8GEhuJreXprzgmcZg9D1KM3-XjCpepDj8_uX2GUTWz0QmavxHNHo/s320/Write+Shop+Plans.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesson Plan example</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
WriteShop Junior teaches children to:<br />
<br />
Discern between fiction and nonfiction<br />
Identify and write in different genres<br />
Narrow a broad topic to a specific topic<br />
Organize ideas before writing<br />
Learn about characters and plot<br />
Write details about story setting<br />
Develop the middle of the story and make it interesting<br />
Choose strong words instead of weak ones<br />
Use descriptive writing<br />
Develop voice and show emotion in their writing<br />
Vary sentence length<br />
Use proofreading marks<br />
Develop and improve self-editing skills<br />
Use reference materials<br />
Write a 5-paragraph composition (Books E and F)<br />
<br />
A highlight of this program is that children will make and use 10 Portable Grammar Guides throughout the year which will help them with skills such as punctuation, grammar and parts of speech, as well as self-editing. The Fold-N-Go Grammar Packs are one one side of the student folder, while the other side holds the Student Worksheets. They are in a gummed "rip-out" tablet format, which makes it very easy for copying for multiple students to use if you wish.<br />
<br />
The Time Saver Pack has cards and game pieces to cut out to play various games that are included in the lesson plans to reinforce the concepts. <br />
<br />
You can purchase Write Shop Junior products at <a href="http://www.writeshop.com/store/products.php?cat=19">this site</a>. You will also find Write Shop Primary products for younger students at this site. The Write Shop Teacher's Guide is available for $39.95 for the print version and $34.95 for the downloadable version. The Student Activity Pack is available for $39.95/$29.95. The optional Time Saver Pack is available for $13.95 (same price for print or digital download.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUiGGS5-pxmemte0Ej8_5S-tAasDR0wAZTnX00EjeV48d1xg4xzp2AZ91JNbyjFIUHl12zHDlFRI1YjkE2qWrA3YuJetV9jga185w2F6RUK3OBcm8mP6WRtrvNrw6Oap-xGRF2qHjiwRk/s1600/write+shop+junior+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUiGGS5-pxmemte0Ej8_5S-tAasDR0wAZTnX00EjeV48d1xg4xzp2AZ91JNbyjFIUHl12zHDlFRI1YjkE2qWrA3YuJetV9jga185w2F6RUK3OBcm8mP6WRtrvNrw6Oap-xGRF2qHjiwRk/s320/write+shop+junior+d.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
Junior Book D is new for Spring 2012! Be sure to take a look at all the products they offer and see which is "write" for your child ---(ha ha....couldn't resist..)<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=139479&type=thumbnail&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">here</a> to read other reviews of Write Shop from my friends at the Homeschool Crew!<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I was provided with the products listed above to review honestly. No other compensation was provided to me.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-7593879176776201362012-05-09T08:16:00.001-04:002012-05-09T08:24:50.373-04:00Homeschool Library Builder<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B4fA-1EwYUEMade7g74mdEueemZCzkUZ84LFlUKtIxlLm91abXpyoEhIE5RK1N1d21xvX5L9J4Ql8T6Saw23Z3JeswZaMK-mx1ng6zLcyY7UAP96ZHXB-w-3bD17zyZzuGBK7jKuYOnQ/s1600/home_school_library_builder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B4fA-1EwYUEMade7g74mdEueemZCzkUZ84LFlUKtIxlLm91abXpyoEhIE5RK1N1d21xvX5L9J4Ql8T6Saw23Z3JeswZaMK-mx1ng6zLcyY7UAP96ZHXB-w-3bD17zyZzuGBK7jKuYOnQ/s640/home_school_library_builder.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Homeschool Library Builder is an online compay that specializes in helping you build your classroom library without breaking your budget. This is the time of year that we're all meticulously planning out next year's school year, looking at curriculum and the corresponding reading lists that go with them. Sometimes I think, "Hmmm.. I could by a compact car for what all these books are going to cost me." I have already tallied the retail value of the books JUST for history this year and the total was over $700. <br />
<br />
Homeschool Library Builder to the rescue. They have new and used books in hardcover and softcover. They also carry rare and vintage books, all categorized by author, subject, or even the curriculum in which they are used! They have their books currenty categorized by some of the popular curricula: Tapestry of Grace, Sonlight, Ambleside, Five in a Row and Beautiful Feet.<br />
<br />
What sets HLB apart, is that you can build book points for every dollar you spend on their books and redeem them for discounts on future purchases. There is no cost to join their site and start building your points and your collection!<br />
<br />
<strong>For the month of May, you can also receive 25% off anything on the website!</strong><br />
<br />
Go to <a href="http://www.hslibrarybuilder.com/pages.php?pageid=5">this site</a> and see how you can start building your classroom library for not a lot of cha-ching.<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: No compensation was provided for this review.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://homeschoolcrew.com/785086/">here</a> to read what other TOS Crew members thought of Homeschool Library Builder!<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-13666188083112135652012-05-04T17:38:00.002-04:002012-05-04T17:38:52.205-04:00NotebookingPages.com has big news!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW0218J-66aPuATGKHksPSmhToOO39DHEROhggze-1oyRF1rxy5240Ai7FmySia_ip8DFK34s7QcXaCkdp6qa3GiZ8yTOCmJ5xTndEttjSF9AQUfQUKTV0Bkuf3gMsOBBOac6Sagpjq05/s1600/Notebooking+Pages" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW0218J-66aPuATGKHksPSmhToOO39DHEROhggze-1oyRF1rxy5240Ai7FmySia_ip8DFK34s7QcXaCkdp6qa3GiZ8yTOCmJ5xTndEttjSF9AQUfQUKTV0Bkuf3gMsOBBOac6Sagpjq05/s320/Notebooking+Pages" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Everyone who visits here regularly knows I love notebooking pages, specifically the ones designed by <a href="http://www.notebookingpages.com/">http://www.notebookingpages.com/</a>. It is a clearinghouse of notebooking page topics--everything from Marie Curie to Mozart to Montezuma! <br />
<br />
Today, Debra announced an exciting new addition for Treasury Members (and an enticing feature to get you to BECOME a Treasury Member)--Notebooking Publisher! Here, instead of waiting for her to design a specifically-themed page, you can choose from over 100 templates and add your own photo or sketch from the internet, as well as have your children TYPE their narrations right there on the page! For example, she is well-stocked in pages from Ancient times, Westward Expansion, Composers, Nature Study, Biographies, etc. But last week, I had trouble locating a page on the Boston Tea Party. I made my own, but it looks awful. With her new Notebooking Publisher feature (set to be up and running by June!), I could plug in a photo/painting/clip art from the internet, type in a snazzy title, and the save it all to a PDF. Better still, I can now share my notebooking page with the rest of the members! <br />
<br />
So, if you use notebooking pages in your school day, or would like to give them a try (think of them as short summaries assessing your child's understanding of a topic, but done in an aesthetically-pleasing way), then check out the details <a href="http://notebookingpages.com/archives/9202">here</a>!Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-38487225545939325952012-04-27T08:09:00.002-04:002012-04-27T08:09:59.741-04:00Lapbooks for Apologia Science and Much More!<div align="center" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #006633; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you getting bored with school? Do you use Apologia's middle or high school science? Or do you use the elementary science series by Jeannie Fulbright? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you MUST check out Knowledge Box Central (<a href="wlmailhtml:{4A16A044-CA22-444C-99DD-327FD0BFAA4F}mid://00000056/!x-usc:http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=PChCA&m=JSmSjlHXl1HxC1&b=woCgtxC_7mZtrj83YpFvmw" title="">www.knowledgeboxcentral.com</a>)! They have amazing products, including Apologia Vocabulary Flash Cards, Lapbooks, Lapbook Journals, and more. If you sign up for their newsletter, you will receive a</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #006633; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> $10 coupon code to use on their website. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHw3apaWskm23DzCmylwN2kNG-ZIPvQMg_9Md1TyqMEwv0kBXsjoiknieXQ5r5Ad-QWDWymdN_61NbcKS_cwZADq8jn_CRgNiaUv3bbN1DsBhSu8FH-XpTbgcNx5XtJkE_8f195GEfqpT/s1600/Knowledge+Box+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHw3apaWskm23DzCmylwN2kNG-ZIPvQMg_9Md1TyqMEwv0kBXsjoiknieXQ5r5Ad-QWDWymdN_61NbcKS_cwZADq8jn_CRgNiaUv3bbN1DsBhSu8FH-XpTbgcNx5XtJkE_8f195GEfqpT/s400/Knowledge+Box+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white;">
</div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-6735552597852722412012-04-26T17:41:00.002-04:002012-04-26T17:41:44.309-04:00A Different Type of Math...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_qtpzAypYjEhRn0B5gz6G0Fe5H8TSR4EbKcubKgAQ_QKBJe592DFSFo5XmHRCBhQFQeG0e61EDwbZIySGtBRSy9-IVkgMRgkSSgsBKHbC__amcwi8iSpjAEMGCXusn428uuqOCt6nIYa/s1600/BalanceMathTeachesAlgebra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_qtpzAypYjEhRn0B5gz6G0Fe5H8TSR4EbKcubKgAQ_QKBJe592DFSFo5XmHRCBhQFQeG0e61EDwbZIySGtBRSy9-IVkgMRgkSSgsBKHbC__amcwi8iSpjAEMGCXusn428uuqOCt6nIYa/s200/BalanceMathTeachesAlgebra.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
On a roll this month with some amazing products....This time it is The Critical Thinking Company! Specifically reviewed this time was "Balance Math Teaches Algebra". If you have never heard of The Critical Thinking Company, they put out super workbooks that teacher deductive reasoning, inferences, lateral thinking, logic, analogies, and other thinking skills.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
We purchased Balance Math and More, Level 2 at last year's Homeschool Convention, where I was completely overwhelmed by their booth ( I wanted everything!). My children have enjoyed using it to supplement their regular math program, or as something different to do on Fridays. Balance Math Teaches Algebra is a 62 page workbook, using scales to show equalities (or inequalities) and using shapes, letters and numbers to present equations that the student must figure out based on deductive reasoning and logic. They are actually quite fun once you get the hang of it. </div>
<br />
It starts off simple, to get children used to thinking in terms of "x". You'll see two scales. On one side of the first scale, you see "20". It balances with the other side that shows "x". So you reason that 20 and x are equal. The second scale shows "x" and then the other side has a "?". The student simply writes that the answer is 20. Once they get their mind working along these lines, they get a little tougher, showing 4 cubes, each labeled "x". The scale balances out to "20". The second scale shows 3 "x" cubes, with a question mark on the other side. The student must realize that if 4x = 20, 3x must equal 15. And so forth......<br />
<br />
Never fear, English-majors! There are tips and hints in the back, as well as the answers to each question with explanations. Each page is perforated for easy copying, so you can use them with multiple children and still keep your originals intact for future kiddos coming up the ranks.<br />
<br />
I think by using the balances and the shapes, not just numbers and letters, kids will "get it" much easier because the problems look like fun. They look more like puzzles. And that's what we call them around here. "Puzzles".<br />
<br />
This product sells for $14.99 through the company's site <a href="http://www.criticalthinking.com/index.jsp">here</a>. If you have younger children, they also offer Level 1, 2 and 3 Balance Math and More. The concept is the same, but at lower levels (these are the ones we started on last year). They range from 2nd grade up to 12th grade and start at $9.99 per book. <br />
<br />
I just love the products from CTC! Looking forward to more excuses to squeeze in a few new concept books each year!<br />
<br />
The link to other reviews of this product is <a href="http://homeschoolcrew.com/785039/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book to use with my children, in exchange for an honest review, having received no other compensation.<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-75055337327963142252012-04-23T21:52:00.004-04:002012-04-23T21:52:58.647-04:00One of my Favorites of the Year: Amazing Science, Volume One!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzpbpyjU-XoevwoNRUIiK72jVOdVysxeiy7KqZNc6VpcU35KbPLuMzUWgGjeNTHLaR9MBd-QZp4912dgwUWimyu50znL3rOQSA222jQQ2IVESPnWRw1iDqq5xT8tuHsKKmdHORxcBE4HI/s1600/ScienceandMathlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzpbpyjU-XoevwoNRUIiK72jVOdVysxeiy7KqZNc6VpcU35KbPLuMzUWgGjeNTHLaR9MBd-QZp4912dgwUWimyu50znL3rOQSA222jQQ2IVESPnWRw1iDqq5xT8tuHsKKmdHORxcBE4HI/s1600/ScienceandMathlogo.jpg" /></a></div>
This is definately one of my favorite products I've reviewed this year--and I don't use that phrase often. This company has earned the honor. Science and Math.com brings you a 2-disc set of DVDs filled with fun and unique science experiments. You'll be fumbling for your safety goggles, anxious to try them out for yourself! The best thing about this series is that the scientist (yes, a real rocket scientist), Jason Gibson, doesn't rely on crazy costumes, hokey props or false hype. The "amazing" part is the science itself. And you probably have everything you need to conduct these experiments at home right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbEMQzhf08IOPPmQHV_gFQBo6nJnD6hKK0CwRx9Iw-LISyrXvmaq2PIx3f5FqEScUxpRLIe5kKvZ2nD7E-RHbh-iOh7TRDkDECpvRfDKslTBUylDGrkUOOVECL4lIWPKB0goG55lyzFEQ/s1600/ScienceandMathDiscs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbEMQzhf08IOPPmQHV_gFQBo6nJnD6hKK0CwRx9Iw-LISyrXvmaq2PIx3f5FqEScUxpRLIe5kKvZ2nD7E-RHbh-iOh7TRDkDECpvRfDKslTBUylDGrkUOOVECL4lIWPKB0goG55lyzFEQ/s640/ScienceandMathDiscs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sometimes I'll review a product and I'll use it as part of "school" for the day. Not this. I was previewing it around 4pm, long after school was over for the day. My sons were walking through the room, stopped in their tracks and watched as the narrator was building a battery from a lemon. The next thing I know, they are bustling around the kitchen with a lemon (that I needed for a chicken dish that night--grrr) and getting everything they needed to make their own battery. <br />
<br />
I think that's all the testimony you need.<br />
<br />
With Volume 1, you'll get 23 step-by-step experiments presented in short videos (around 8-10 minutes). Materials are shown, the experiment will wow you, then Jason tells you the "how" and "why" science behind the fun. According to the company, "you'll learn about electricity, magnetism, heat, temperature, pressure, surface tension, buoyancy and much more."<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh2tB0PFN_hcjSmbCBBInuv2nnXBoW559SIaMNHNZAAGxKUBBMicQ5dlxvXItQ4yzr-84Rpnbc49tkudA3Km5A_rwntDG1Cg3amA9vomBiOjPDGTI2vAZ-cGFiL8yj2xs-2FCmNko9-15/s1600/ScienceandMathbattery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh2tB0PFN_hcjSmbCBBInuv2nnXBoW559SIaMNHNZAAGxKUBBMicQ5dlxvXItQ4yzr-84Rpnbc49tkudA3Km5A_rwntDG1Cg3amA9vomBiOjPDGTI2vAZ-cGFiL8yj2xs-2FCmNko9-15/s400/ScienceandMathbattery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We did the Color Changing Milk experiment, the amazing Egg in a Bottle (which really would be a great thing to do at parties to stump your friends), Build a Lemon Battery, Unburnable Money, Matchstick Speedboat, Simple Lava Lamp, and Invisible Ink. There are so many more we want to try! My plan is to finish them throughout the summer.<br />
<br />
I highly, highly recommend Amazing Science! Volume 1. I can't wait for more from the great folks at ScienceAndMath.com. In the meantime, I think I will check out their other DVD sets, which explore science and math instruction. See for yourself at <a href="http://www.scienceandmath.com/products/Get-Immediate-Help-in-Basic-Math.cfm">this site.</a><br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I was provided with this product in exchange for an honest review, which I've provided here. No other compensation was provided. <br />
<br />
See what the other reviewers thought of this product <a href="http://homeschoolcrew.com/785006/">here</a>.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-13357983739653584092012-04-22T23:28:00.001-04:002012-04-22T23:28:30.733-04:00God's Great Covenant (NT): A Review<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruk9GBlLwDpxYbpa_fF1pirjRJkndpArcp-ktYh6uluIxB0b4L501XLYcsKT0NCGVaOqwr9-IpW1X_r6wpm1j55NVofKwnRf67m90K6Ic4E2Sro3yAVJNzF8e40ktZRi4kydDUotcoivN/s1600/Classic+Academic+Press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruk9GBlLwDpxYbpa_fF1pirjRJkndpArcp-ktYh6uluIxB0b4L501XLYcsKT0NCGVaOqwr9-IpW1X_r6wpm1j55NVofKwnRf67m90K6Ic4E2Sro3yAVJNzF8e40ktZRi4kydDUotcoivN/s320/Classic+Academic+Press.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This month I'm reviewing a bible course for children from Classical Academic Press entitled "God's Great Covenant: New Testament". This course is laid out in 36 lessons grouped in 4 units. Perfect for a one year study of the New Testament and the person of Christ. Each lesson is well researched and well-written, beginning with a theme. For example, in Week 26, the theme is "The Messiah's way of salvation is accepted by some and rejected by others". There are several scriptures supporting the theme that are to be read together. Then there is a specific verse to be memorized. Key facts are stated for the student to study (always in the chart form--easily distinguished).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThAQS4X5TYaLKjshWqLyQJsTkX_D3Aa8ij1hxpx90jSiYRB9cHttR8H-smDwjQfyQ-4Zj7Huh-3uDliu9UszA9YreTNqF7lXg2SKvxlByxGo5J85mhRp0-032miWwOa7Cebd4jPOLtWgx/s1600/God's+Great+Covenant+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThAQS4X5TYaLKjshWqLyQJsTkX_D3Aa8ij1hxpx90jSiYRB9cHttR8H-smDwjQfyQ-4Zj7Huh-3uDliu9UszA9YreTNqF7lXg2SKvxlByxGo5J85mhRp0-032miWwOa7Cebd4jPOLtWgx/s320/God's+Great+Covenant+1.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
For the following day, there is a Storytime Worksheet. <br />
<br />
Then a Review Worksheet with fill in the blank activities assesses the students comprehension of the material. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCOZwnWsclJjcL8QhkWaFkqkHsn-S4Kavo_ieiDAVBF11b9dzaKbGCLyNjMxf0uCrxSFskeMgDh4qrP5uuRxYnnAW3SiCii3djyO19gfrZctkdr1ZsT5lTejX6tLNjfD6VwizrHj7ZJpO/s1600/God's+Great+Covenant+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCOZwnWsclJjcL8QhkWaFkqkHsn-S4Kavo_ieiDAVBF11b9dzaKbGCLyNjMxf0uCrxSFskeMgDh4qrP5uuRxYnnAW3SiCii3djyO19gfrZctkdr1ZsT5lTejX6tLNjfD6VwizrHj7ZJpO/s320/God's+Great+Covenant+2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The student workbook is printed with large font so it is very easy to read. It is consumable. The teacher's edition is a replica of the student's book, but includes LOTS of notes in the margin for expanding upon the lessons, as well as blank line space for adding notes. There are often references to other sources for additional information.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewz795pTjXVv45Ld3tJ6sO6L-T4kfD8n45-QdBAn9U5wK_vUEnc7kIg6VQrzetFIapkSk1rsZimUbBcEGjb30L4ACuXGHPQWGMw-EJepp7eboZWUUIWeBbmfJG7sBFyaR1oERivmY2i0Z/s1600/God's+Great+Covenant+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewz795pTjXVv45Ld3tJ6sO6L-T4kfD8n45-QdBAn9U5wK_vUEnc7kIg6VQrzetFIapkSk1rsZimUbBcEGjb30L4ACuXGHPQWGMw-EJepp7eboZWUUIWeBbmfJG7sBFyaR1oERivmY2i0Z/s320/God's+Great+Covenant+3.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This bible course could easily be done in a 36-week school year, three days per week. The lessons are of quality--not a lot of fluff (word searches and unscrambling, which I despise). Just good information presented, analyzed and discussed with the mind and heart and a good, sound assessment at the end of each week.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3&zenid=681b65ea576c2195e89304155ac05fd5">Classic Academic Press</a> sells this product for $26.95 for the student edition. The teacher's edition is $29.95 and includes all of the answers to the activities. Two different products dealing with the Old Testament are also available. <br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this product, including the Teacher's Edition, in order to provide an honest review. No other compensation was provided.<br />
<br />
See what the other reviewers had to say about this product <a href="http://homeschoolcrew.com/784911/">here</a>.<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-32213856188051215132012-04-12T09:14:00.000-04:002012-04-12T09:14:45.725-04:00Christian Kids Explore...Chemistry! (A Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmqW23UBLxcUf6mXayW25gxvOp92S8a1Ojd-3GXbaILFumDpGbWNJgie_-H-jzeAo3frBAIHEa3jKG4Q6vuudtvwlGJxKfbc2rABGsa4Ef2jxafShWwtdhZXcGMqGTul8Jf5n4TxQsmn7/s1600/Bright+Ideas+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmqW23UBLxcUf6mXayW25gxvOp92S8a1Ojd-3GXbaILFumDpGbWNJgie_-H-jzeAo3frBAIHEa3jKG4Q6vuudtvwlGJxKfbc2rABGsa4Ef2jxafShWwtdhZXcGMqGTul8Jf5n4TxQsmn7/s400/Bright+Ideas+Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This month, I got a chance to review a product from Bright Ideas Press. This one is "Christian Kids Explore Chemistry". <br />
<br />
This curriculum is designed for 4th-8th grade and explores the topics of chemistry tools, matter, elements, mixtures and compounds, atoms, atomic number, atomic mass, the periodic table, chemical bonds, states of matter, chemical reactions, organic chemistry and more. Each lesson is paired with a hands-on activity. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dpsjWzVqW7KjrIsRhQnDQX6HSHbIwBCWyLgzGPp4vMEKc4aYhdTfOm0BIIgWPvpkBFiYDMb_fUMYg6qPwPRvTDhZckdR1LJZsL0VA8wgUULbXpWpKNgkurjMKuA4kamZ9mSRuxLLkniH/s1600/Bright+Ideas+Chem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dpsjWzVqW7KjrIsRhQnDQX6HSHbIwBCWyLgzGPp4vMEKc4aYhdTfOm0BIIgWPvpkBFiYDMb_fUMYg6qPwPRvTDhZckdR1LJZsL0VA8wgUULbXpWpKNgkurjMKuA4kamZ9mSRuxLLkniH/s320/Bright+Ideas+Chem.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
Key concepts and vocabulary are introduced at the beginning of each unit. Each unit is comprised of several smaller lessons. The lessons follow the same pattern. <strong>Teaching Time</strong> introduces the material. <strong>Review It</strong> solidifieds these ideas with questions designed to make sure the student is keeping up. There is an activity or experiment that follows next and then <strong>Think About It</strong> wraps up the material for that lesson. At the end of a unit, there is a <strong>Wrap Up</strong> unit test. Vocabulary words are defined in a glossary at the margins of the book. The book comes with a resource CD to make reproducing lessons a snap.<br />
<br />
There is also an added literature guide to <em>A Piece of the Mountain</em>, a biography on Blaise Pascal. <br />
<br />
I thought that the lessons were reasonable for the age group listed. If your child is on a more challenging track, they may want to try out something different. However, for my kids, who have never had any formal chemistry lessons, this would be perfect for them to start out and maybe we could cycle through Chemistry again in high school at a deeper level. <br />
<br />
This curriculum is $39.95 and can be purchased <a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=98">here</a>. There are also many, many other titles for this age group and other ages as well. <br />
<br />
See what my crewmates thought of their products <a href="http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=134593&type=thumbnail">here</a>.<br />
<br />
*Disclaimer: I recieved a digital copy of this curriculum in exchange for an honest review.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-11877549054707026002012-04-12T08:29:00.000-04:002012-04-12T08:29:35.788-04:00Write with World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVCfJ94SmtMQxWfrqphBdCMWuEK3Hv14cTeEhDEW3kOf769yni0IJlD3IaZtdx9HYsZGto29YQXs25m2bgfrfRkwZwVkoifOLzv79JRR5dqnvFoX3xVFCyBO_qltZUY8EYlG1t6jZKFye/s1600/write_Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVCfJ94SmtMQxWfrqphBdCMWuEK3Hv14cTeEhDEW3kOf769yni0IJlD3IaZtdx9HYsZGto29YQXs25m2bgfrfRkwZwVkoifOLzv79JRR5dqnvFoX3xVFCyBO_qltZUY8EYlG1t6jZKFye/s320/write_Logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
From the publishers of God's World News and WORLD Magazine comes a new writing curriculum for grades 6-9 called "Write With WORLD". I like it. I really like it. It takes a new approach and is quite different than other things I've seen out there. The more I look at the lessons, the more I want to try it out with my two sons, who are not reluctant to write, but have a difficult time organizing their ideas into a coherent piece. Plus, they often need concrete guidelines as to what to write about and this program does just that. <br />
<br />
Write with WORLD uses what reminds me of a "journalistic" approach to writing. Writing based on photographs, current articles and interviews. And the lessons are broken down into what they call "capsules", very short lessons that can be written in a writer's journal. The lessons also prepare you for supplies you may need, like Post-it notes, index cards, photographs, a thesaurus, etc. For students who become easily frustrated with writing, these assignments are not exhaustive.<br />
<br />
The curriculum is written by writers from God's World News and WORLD magazine and they speak to the student as "fellow writers". There is a section in each lesson called "The Right Word" where five new vocabulary words are introduced, so you could use this as a vocabulary curriculum as well. They also tackle the 20 most common grammar mistakes used by U.S. college students. So, you could say this is a complete writing/grammar/vocabulary program. <br />
<br />
From the Table of Contents, you can see what topics this curriculum covers:<br />
<br />
Table of Contents: <br />
<br />
<strong>YEAR ONE CURRICULUM </strong><br />
<strong>INTRODUCTION </strong><br />
<h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #1: DEVELOPING CRITICAL READERS </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Reading Images and Advertisements <br />
Lesson 2: Comparative Reading: Sentences <br />
Lesson 3: Comparative and Critical Reading: Paragraphs <br />
Lesson 4: Critical Reading: Essays </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT#2: DEVELOPING WRITERS: BUILDING BLOCKS AND BIOGRAPHY </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: The Paragraph <br />
Lesson 2: Composing and Linking Sentences <br />
Lesson 3: Creating Focus and Arranging Ideas <br />
Lesson 4: Linking Paragraphs: Transitions and Logic </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #3: WRITING AUTOBIOGRAPHY </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Reporting Facts <br />
Lesson 2: Creating Character <br />
Lesson 3: Developing Ideas with Specificity <br />
Lesson 4: Writing Autobiography </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #4: CRAFTING NARRATIVES </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Developing a Point of View <br />
Lesson 2: Showing vs. Telling <br />
Lesson 3: Narrative with a Purpose <br />
Lesson 4: Writing a Fictional Narrative </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">YEAR TWO CURRICULUM </span></h2><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #1: REPORTING AND INTERPRETING: MAKING NEWS </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Working with Controversy <br />
Lesson 2: Conducting Interviews <br />
Lesson 3: Reporting a Story <br />
Lesson 4: Developing a Feature </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #2: REVIEWING TEXTS </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Good or Bad, Like or Dislike: Working with Criteria <br />
Lesson 2: Evaluating a Current Event <br />
Lesson 3: Reporting on a Book <br />
Lesson 4: Writing about controversy </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #3: CRAFTING AN OPINION: JOINING A CONVERSATION </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Reading as a Believer and as a Doubter <br />
Lesson 2: Critiquing an Opinion Statement <br />
Lesson 3: Responding to Opinion: Your Voice <br />
Lesson 4: Your Opinion: a Response </blockquote><h2><span style="font-size: small;">UNIT #4: THE ESSAY </span></h2><blockquote>Lesson 1: Opportunity, Material, and Reasons <br />
Lesson 2: Writing the Short Essay <br />
Lesson 3: Revealing your thinking and addressing audience concerns <br />
Lesson 4: Writing your Essay </blockquote>For a sample lesson from Write With WORLD, click <a href="http://www.learnwithworld.com/pdf/writewithworld/sample.pdf">here</a><br />
<br />
For $95 per year, you receive a student workbook and a teacher's guide. For two year's worth of curriculum, you only pay $165. The teacher's guide is everything the student has in their book, plus marginal notes and lesson plan ideas. Sometimes the lessons use articles from God's World News or WORLD magazine, but the curriculum could certainly be used independently from these. <br />
<br />
I am currently using a different writing program, but I kind of stopped in my tracks once I took a look at this. This could really be what we've been searching for! With full-color, modern and relevant photographs and the "I'm talking directly to you" style from the authors, I think my sons would really respond to this program. In all, I give it high marks.<br />
<br />
See what my Crew-mates thought of this program at <a href="http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=134592&type=thumbnail&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">this link.</a><br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of Write With WORLD, Year One. I have not been required to write a positive review, just an honest one based on our own experience using this product. Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983007868684559600.post-63414878033423117162012-04-11T21:30:00.000-04:002012-04-11T21:30:55.902-04:00AIMS "From Head To Toe": A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGksqddQzPFFMzm9OGxymOdonNT0brc539S2fhT1lH1-lz91XRrLTTzEIWXVIkoQR1pce78CB-F3kNT416nelHy78182vO6QIWW2FECNcu8yyFU4amDOg5rov35ZtLyUK7t2aKD0znbUW/s1600/aims_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGksqddQzPFFMzm9OGxymOdonNT0brc539S2fhT1lH1-lz91XRrLTTzEIWXVIkoQR1pce78CB-F3kNT416nelHy78182vO6QIWW2FECNcu8yyFU4amDOg5rov35ZtLyUK7t2aKD0znbUW/s640/aims_logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The AIMS Educational Foundation has done it again and made me happy with "From Head To Toe"--a biology curriculum for grades 5-9. This product comes in the form of a 277 page book, consisting of 39 hands-on activities reinforcing knowledge gained about the skeletal, nervous, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and sensory systems. <br />
<br />
I love that this book contains a resource CD in the back of the book. I wish all companies would start doing this! This eliminates me standing over the copier into the wee hours of the morning, getting the spine of the book all out of shape and usually ending up with distorted copies from flattening the pages. The resource CD allows you, the teacher, the ability to print just what you need for that day, as many copies as you need.<br />
<br />
The student learns new information by reading a short "rubber band book". These are mini-books that are created simply by folding the paper into quadrants and securing with a rubber band. <br />
<br />
At the start of each activity, the teacher is presented with a page of important data. What is the topic? What key information will be presented? What supplies are necessary to perform experiments? What benchmarks will be mastered? What skills will be utilized (reasoning, inferring, observing)? What background information does the teacher need before leading this lesson? I really appreciate this page! I feel empowered to move on, even when my previous knowlege has been lacking in a certain area. <br />
<br />
We are studying the skeletal system through another science curriculum, so when this product came up for review, I chose the activities on the skeletal system as well and they meshed nicely! The rubber band book reinforced the information that we had just read about, and the activities were fun and different, such as recreating a skeleton using real-size cut-outs of the pelvis, the skull, etc. Also, hands-on activities using beef bones and chicken wings went along with what we had just learned about marrow and its role within the bone structure.<br />
<br />
I have previously reviewed AIMS Educaional Foundation's "Electrical Connections" and gave it high ratings. "From Head To Toe" has proven to be no exception. I see a pattern here of consistency and quality, as well as top-notch customer service! I am anxious to take a look at their "Earth Book" and "Chemistry Matters", which I'm sure will be fantastic.<br />
<br />
This product is sold <a href="http://store.aimsedu.org/aims_store/books/from-head-to-toe.html">here</a> for $24.95. I think the value is phenomenal.<br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of this product in exchange for an honest review. <br />
<br />
See what the other folks at the Homeschool Crew thought about "From Head to Toe" and other products from the AIMS Educational Foundation by clicking <a href="http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=139474&type=thumbnail&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">here</a>.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05724028213938654250noreply@blogger.com0