Math Essentials

Math Essentials is a math program for students working at a 4th grade level in math through algebra.  Books available are:

• Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 1 (w/DVD)
• Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 2 (w/DVD)
• Mastering Essential Math Skills Pre-Algebra Concepts (w/DVD)
• No-Nonsense Algebra (w/online lessons)
• Decimals and Percents
• Fractions
• Geometry
• Problem Solving
• Whole Numbers and Integers

 I received Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 1 and Geometry to review.

Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 1 is the first book in this math series and is for grades 4-5 (table of contents).  Rick Fisher, the author of Math Essentials, is a teacher who developed this math system for use in his classroom to prepare students for algebra.  Lessons are short--20 minutes a day is all that is needed.  A DVD is included, and Mr. Fisher is the tutor.  He asks students to bring paper and pencil when they watch the DVD segment, and the student writes down the problems and works through the problems with Mr. Fisher.  After the DVD segment, the student works the problems in the workbook.  Each page is made up of review exercises, speed drills, helpful hints, problem solving, and problems based on the day's lesson.

In addition to Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 1, I received the Geometry book (table of contents).  This book doesn't come with a teaching DVD, but the lessons are similar to the lessons in Mastering Essential Math Skills.  Daily lessons begin with review exercises, then helpful hints (this is where the teaching occurs), problems based on the day's lesson, and problem solving.  Once again, lessons take only 20 minutes.

I used this program with Jacob, who is going into 5th grade.  I'll admit that I was skeptical about what he would think.  It's a very no-frills program; the DVD teaching isn't exciting, and the workbook pages are very utilitarian.  But he liked the program.  He enjoyed working through the practice problems with Mr. Fisher, and he really liked that the workbook pages took less than 20 minutes.  Priced at only $33.95 for Mastering Math Essentials Book 1 (including the DVD) and $11.95 for the Geometry book, it's an affordable option.

For more reviews of the Math Essentials program, go here.






Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

Knowledge Quest: TimeMaps

We have used Knowledge Quest's Map Trek since they first came out.  These have simplified geography in our homeschool, so I was excited when the opportunity arose to review TimeMaps.  

There are currently 7 TimeMaps available, and they are priced individually at $9.95, or you can purchase the set for $44.95.  The titles are:

• Ancient China
• Rise of Rome
• Fall of Rome
• Rise of Islam
• The Black Death
• European Exploration
• Atlantic Slave Trade

TimeMaps are interactive, allowing you to follow how civilizations have changed over time.  The maps run using Adobe Flash.  As you click on the arrows by the date, the map will move forward in time (or you can go backwards as well), showing the changes in the region.  In addition to showing the changes on the map, there are little information buttons that provide a mini history lesson.  When these "i" buttons are clicked, the changes are explained in a little text box.

Since describing TimeMaps don't do them justice, here is a short video you can watch that shows the maps in action.

A teacher's guide is also included with the maps.  It's a pdf file that contains a few activity suggestions, as well as a printed commentary on the maps that you can read with your child.  This gives a great overview of the map and the changes shown.  Also included are timeline pages that you can print for the time period and a printable map of the area.

TimeMaps are another fabulous product from Knowledge Quest.  Being able to see the changes in various regions over time is wonderful, and we look forward to utilizing this resource in our homeschool for many years to come.

To read more reviews of TimeMaps, as well as reviews of MapTrek, go here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

Who Is My Neighbor?

Who Is My Neighbor? is volume 3 of a four volume Biblical worldview series published by Apologia, in conjunction with Summit Ministries.  Volume 1 is titled  Who Is God?, volume 2 is titled Who Am I?, and volume 4 is titled What On Earth Can I Do? (available 2013).  For this review, I received the Who Is My Neighbor? book ($39), Notebooking Journal ($24), and Coloring Book ($8).  This volume focuses on a Biblical worldview of servanthood.

I believe that teaching a Biblical worldview is very important.  Everyone has a worldview, or a compass for guiding their thoughts and actions, whether they want to admit it or not.  The choices and decisions we make are filtered through this worldview.  The "What We Believe" series will help you teach your child (ages 6-14) how to view the world and make decisions through the light of Scripture.  

Who Is My Neighbor? is broken down into 8 lessons:

• Does Anyone Really Need Me?
• How Can I Make a Difference?
• Who Is My Neighbor?
• Why Did God Make Families?
• What Can I Do For My Country?
• Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
• Who Is God's Family?
• Why Does the Church Need Me?

Each lesson is further broken down into 12 parts.  The lessons are very flexible and easily adaptable to your family's schedule, though there is a sample schedule that demonstrates how to do each lesson in three weeks, doing the curriculum two days per week.  Since the lessons are flexible, you could easily do more or less each day, depending on your needs.

The book is written directly to the child.  This means older students can read it to themselves, but younger students might need you to read it to them.  The stories are engaging and the text is thought provoking. Who Is My Neighbor? takes the lessons, verses, and stories from Scripture to the next level by having you and your children engage with the text and apply it to every day life by answering the big questions listed above.

The Notebooking Journal is in full color, and a beautiful place for your child to record their thoughts and ideas as you go through Who Is My Neighbor?.  There are over 200 pages of hands on activities, questions, puzzles, and pages to draw and interact with what is being taught.

The Who Is My Neighbor? coloring book is a great way to keep younger children engaged during the lesson.  I know my boys can focus better when their hands are busy, and coloring is a great way to accomplish that.  

My family thoroughly enjoys the "What We Believe" series.  I love that my boys are being challenged to really think about why we should act and behave in certain ways; not because of a legalistic worldview, but because as children of God we are called to honor Christ in all we say and do.

For more reviews of Who Is My Neighbor?, go here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

Professor B Math

Like many homeschooling families, we try to keep up with math over the summer.  There's nothing worse than starting a new year, pulling out the new math books, and realizing that your children forgot how to count.  Okay, maybe it's not usually that bad, but it's frustrating.  When the opportunity arose to review Professor B Math, I was happy to have a chance to use a different math with my boys.  I was given a 1 year subscription to review.  While I was given access to all 3 levels, I only used the first level.

Professor B covers three years of math in one year (about 10 months for the average student).  Students can begin as young as 3, but it is stressed that you start your child at the right level instead of going by grade.

Each level begins with a Table of Contents, and you choose the lesson you wish to complete.  The lessons are a series of slides, and the parent is supposed to read what Professor B says on the slide to the child.  There is no sound in the lesson.

Professor B steps the child through the lesson.  Concepts are broken down into very small chunks, and the child is supposed to work to mastery on each skill.  In addition to the online lessons, there is a printable workbook in PDF form for each level.

I had high hopes for this program, but it just didn't work for us.  I found it cumbersome and slow moving.  It was difficult to figure out where to place Nicholas, and the levels we did were a bit too easy.   Having to click through the slides and read each step to him was time consuming.

I do think this program would work well for children who are struggling in math or who need remediation.  The steps are broken down into very small parts, so the child wouldn't be overwhelmed with too much information at once.

Subscriptions can be purchased month to month.  They begin at $20/month, with discounts for each additional level purchased.  You may also purchase a 36 month subscription to each level for $100.  

For more Professor B Math reviews, go here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

Faith Like a Child

We were recently evacuated due to the Waldo Canyon fire. We had wonderful friends that took us in at 10:00 PM after we received the reverse 911 call, and they graciously housed the 8 of us (yes, they generously allowed us to bring our dog, Jed, along) for 2 days. Before we were evacuated, we watched the flames rush down the hill toward the neighborhood that lost 346 homes, and we stood on our hill and watched these homes burn and listened to small explosions.  We figured out that these explosions must've been propane tanks that belonged to gas grills, and we knew from the amount we heard that the devastation was going to be horrible.  We were fairly certain that our home would be safe due to the terrain, but after the activity on that night (fires simply don't behave the way this one behaved that night), we realized anything could happen.

About 36 hours into our evacuation, Nicholas walked up to me, looking just the tiniest bit down.  He looked at me and said "I'm kind of sad that our house burned down."  I quickly explained that our house was still  standing, gave him a hug, and he went happily on his way.

Since that day, I've been thinking about his reaction.  In his 6.5 year old mind, his house was gone.  His toys were gone, his roller skates were gone, his hamster was gone.  Everything he owned was gone.  Yet, he wasn't distraught.  He wasn't weeping (though at one point the day before he cried when he realized we didn't bring his skates--we'd had plans for going skating for Jacob's 10th birthday).  He was merely a bit sad.  

He never doubted that Craig and I would take care of him.  He never doubted that his needs (and even some of his wants) would be met.  That is faith like a child.  Do I have that much faith in my heavenly Father?

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  (Matthew 10:29-31 ESV)

Hewitt Homeschooling: Lightning Lit & Comp 8

Over the years, I'd heard about Lighting Lit & Comp by Hewitt Homeschooling, but had never seen it in person.  I was very excited to have the opportunity to review the 8th grade level.  I received the Student Guide ($25), the Student Workbook ($25), and the Teacher's Guide ($20).

In this course, the student will read and write about several novels, along with short story selections and poems.  The novels studied are Treasure Island, A Day of Pleasure, A Christmas Carol, The Hobbit, My Family and Other Animals, and To Kill a Mockingbird.  Short stories and poems by Chesterton, Hawthorne, Whittman, Emerson, Keats, and others are also included.

The literary lessons (and additional mini lessons) covered in the 8th grade level are:

• Author's Purpose/Taking Notes
• Setting/Rewriting in Your Own Words
• Vivid Imagery in Poetry/Free Verse and Ballad
• Sharing Your Culture/Rewriting Your Own Words
• Details in Writing/Citing Sources in a Paper
• Character Development/The Narrator
• Figurative Language in Poetry/Fun Poesm
• Conflict/Genre Fiction
• Symbolism/Sentence Structure
• Humor/Bibliography
• Meter/The Sonnet
• Writing a Literary Analysis/Writing A Conclusion

There is a basic rhythm throughout the program, though the length of time spent on a particular work depends on its length:

• Read the introductory material
• Read the assigned book/story/poem
• Read the corresponding lesson and mini-lesson 
• Complete the corresponding workbook pages
• Complete one or two writing assignments
• Review and revise the compositions

Luke & Ezekiel worked through a portion of this program.  They are entering 8th and 7th grades this year.  Since we only had 6 weeks with this program before I needed to write this review, we began with Chesterton's short story, A Crazy Tale.  This chapter teaches about the author's purpose, and includes a mini lesson on taking notes.  According to the provided schedule in the Teacher's Guide, this unit should take about 3 weeks, and I think that is a reasonable amount of time to complete the chapter.  It took us a little bit longer because we were unable to work on it every day.  I had intended to also complete one of the poetry chapters, but the Waldo Canyon fire caused a disruption to our homeschool.

I broke the lessons down so the boys only had to a little bit each day.  They were able to complete much of the chapter by themselves.  There are several worksheets provided, and these worksheets focus on different skills.  For this chapter, the 8 worksheets focused on discerning the author's purpose (was it to inform, explain/instruct, persuade, describe, or explore), a short writing assignment (writing about the same topic with two different purposes in mind), capitalization and apostrophes, discerning fact and opinion, and taking notes.  At the end of the chapter, there are four different writing assignments to choose from, with different levels of difficulty--the easiest option is writing a paragraph or two describing everyday things as if you're seeing them for the first time, the most difficult is writing a research paper.

I asked Luke and Ezekiel what they thought about the program.  They both enjoyed the story, the Student Guide (sample), and the worksheets (sample), but they didn't like the writing assignments.  I've got to agree with them, though for different reasons.  Not liking writing assignments is their default position, but my issue with the writing assignments is that there isn't enough hand holding for me as the teacher in the Teacher's Guide.  The Teacher's Guide (sample) provides short explanations and some tips about what the student is learning as well as answers for the worksheets.  Even though I wish the Teacher's Guide contained more detailed information and explanations, I still think this is a very well done program that deserves a look.  It takes important literary concepts and explains them well and thoroughly, using a fabulous variety of novels, short stories, and poetry instead of excerpts.  It's not overwhelming in the way it presents the information.  In addition to the 8th grade program, Hewitt also has Lightning Lit available for 7th grade, and several different programs available for 9th-12th grade.  They're also working on elementary levels, beginning with 1st grade.

For more reviews of Hewitt Homeschooling products, go here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

Homeschool Spanish Academy

Jacob has been itching to learn Spanish.  For various reasons, it always gets pushed to the back burner.  I was so excited when I received a half-semester (7 week) subscription to Homeschool Spanish Academy Early Language program.  Jacob was even more excited than I was.

Homeschool Spanish Academy offers lessons via Skype for all age groups and ability levels.  All of the teachers are native speakers.  They offer 4 different levels:  Early Language, Middle School, High School, and Adult Program.

To begin, you sign up for a free trial.  Homeschool Spanish Acadamy will contact you and help you run some tests to make sure that your internet connection is up to speed and that everything is working.  The next step is to schedule your lesson.  Lessons are offered daily during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.  Finally, at your scheduled class time, the instructor will contact you via Skype to conduct the lesson.  In addition to the lesson, there are review pages and homework emailed to you to work on before your next lesson.

Jacob absolutely loved this program.  He looked forward to his lessons, and when I asked him what he liked about it, he told me that the teachers were very nice and encouraging.  He even asked for homework!  We were recently evacuated for a couple of days due to the Waldo Canyon Fire, and Jacob made sure that I packed his Spanish homework.  


Classes at Homeschool Spanish Academy become less expensive per class the more classes you sign up for at a time.  Here is the pricing structure for the Early Language program (pricing for the other levels can be found at the links above):

There is also an option for two students to take a lesson at the same time:

I think Homeschool Spanish Academy is a wonderful option for learning Spanish.  Having a native speaker is fabulous, and the program is so flexible that classes can be worked around any schedule.  The pricing is reasonable for 1 on 1 (or 2 on 1) tutoring.

For more reviews of Homeschool Spanish Academy, go here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

IXL

IXL is an interactive online math site for children of all ages.  It covers skills in pre-k through algebra, with more topics on the way, and can be used alongside any math program.  I received a one year subscription to review.  Subscriptions can be purchased yearly ($79/year) or monthly ($9.95/month).  Additional children are $20/year or $2/month.

When your child signs on to IXL, they (or you) can pick from any skill area in any grade to focus on.  It is wonderful to not be locked into specific grade level questions and problems.  There are over 2000 skills to choose from!  When you hover over a skill, a sample problem appears.  As the child works on skills, they earn virtual prizes.  The student can also click on the virtual prize board and work on the specific skill needed to uncover a virtual prize.  In addition to virtual prizes, they also can earn printable Achievement Certificates.

The reports for the parent are wonderful. They allow the parent to look and see exactly where their child needs extra practice and what content their child has mastered.  Emails are also sent outlining your child's achievements.  IXL aligns to the common core standards for all 50 states, so it is easy to see and focus on areas that your child might need to work on.

Micah spent most of his time on the time and money questions for 2nd grade.  This isn't his strongest area, yet he enjoyed practicing on the computer and earning awards.  I liked that I could easily keep him learning and engaged while I was working with his brothers.  

IXL is a fabulous program.  It's bright and colorful, yet not overwhelming.  It is a great supplement to any math program, or a wonderful way to keep your child's math skills sharp over summer break.  And since you can purchase subscriptions by the month or by the year, it's affordable for any situation.

To read more reviews of IXL, go here.






Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine.

Pearson Homeschool: Reading Street

I recently received Scott Foresman Reading Street 5 to review.  This is published by Pearson, and is made available to homeschoolers by Pearson Homeschool.  Reading Street integrates reading instruction with grammar, writing, vocabulary, and spelling.  There are 6 units, and each unit is broken down into 6 weeks, providing enough content for 36 weeks of instruction.  The homeschool bundle consists of 2 student hardback books, a Teacher Resource DVD-ROM, ExamView Assessment Suite CD, a Guide on the Side, and a Parent Guide.  This bundle is priced at $124.99.

• The Parent Guide is a 5 page color pamphlet that explains a bit about each component and encourages the parent to adapt the curriculum to their child.  
• The ExamView Assessment Suite CD allows the parent to either use the Reading Street test items included on the CD or create their own tests and exams for their child.  There are weekly tests, unit tests, and end-of-year tests provided.
• The Teacher Resource DVD-ROM includes many different teacher helps and worksheets. There are worksheets for each week for spelling practice, grammar review, literature elements, writing, and vocabulary (there are 20 worksheets available for Unit 1 Week 1).  There are vocabulary cards for each week.  In addition to the worksheets, there are additional practice sheets to be printed that include editing and grammar practice.  There are scoring rubrics and Reader's Theater Anthologies.
• The Guide on the Side is a spiral bound guide with teaching helps for the teacher.  It includes several tabbed sections:  Oral Language, Fluency, Vocabulary/Word Analysis, Comprehension, Writing, Genre/Text Structure, Media Literacy, ELL, and Resources.  Each of these tabbed sections are broken down further into small sections that are filled with ideas and guidance for successfully teaching all of the different areas.
• The Student Books are hardback and very colorful.  Book 5.1 contains units 1-3 and 5.2 contains units 4-6.  Each book begins with an Envision It! Visual Skills Handbook and an Envision It! Visual Strategies Handbook.  These are colorful reference pages for the student that focus on key concepts, such as cause and effect, literary elements, inferring, and story structure.  The stories and excerpts throughout the text include many different genres, and many are science or social studies related.

When I received this box, I was thrilled to unpack it.  The texts are shiny and colorful, and ask to be opened.  However, when I sat down to plan this out, I was confused.  There are no lesson plans available, because the publishers want you to be able to plan it out specifically for your child.  In the Guide on the Side there is a pacing guide that shows what skills are worked on each week.  This is helpful, but there are so many parts that it's really hard to figure out how they all fit together.  I decided that it would be best if I just jumped right in with Jacob.  I'll explain how we used Week 1.

Each unit has an overarching focus.  The focus for Unit 1 is "Meeting Challenges".  Week 1 focuses on courage, and we discussed courage.  The first skills introduced are character and plot.  These are defined and explained, and are referenced in the Envision It! Visual Skills Handbook, so we looked them up and studied the page.  There is also a comprehension strategy introduced called "Monitor and Clarify", and this is referenced in the Envision It! Visual Strategies Handbook.  Next we read the short story, Brave Melissa, and discussed the conflict in the story and how it was resolved, along with how Melissa was courageous.  Vocabulary is introduced next and homographs are discussed.  The next story, Lifesaving Classes, highlights the vocabulary words and  the student is supposed to write a paragraph using the vocabulary words.  I didn't have Jacob write the paragraph, but we did discuss the vocabulary words.  Next is an excerpt from the book Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings.  There is a Question of the Week:  "What inspires people to act courageously?" that the student is to keep in mind while reading.  There are questions throughout the reading in the sidebar that are supposed to keep the student engaged in the text, and after the story there are questions that require the student to think about what they've read.  Jacob and I discussed these questions orally, and then we read the author's bio together.  This is followed by an expository writing assignment, and includes some grammar instruction (on the four kinds of sentences).  The last reading assignment for the week is a how-to text called What Will I Do in an Emergency?.  The chapter wraps up with fluency exercises (reading with expression), a review of homographs, and an  assignment for conducting an interview.

There are 20 worksheets that go along with Week 1.  There are spelling worksheets, vocabulary worksheets, worksheets on plot and character, sequencing, the four kinds of sentences, dictionary usage, and a worksheet on written directions.  Each of these worksheets enforces a specific skill being taught in the reading textbook.  I found it easiest to just print out the worksheets and decided which ones to do after they were all printed.  There is definitely enough practice provided.

The Guide on the Side is written more for a classroom teacher than for a homeschooling parent.  I didn't use it at all, and don't know if I will.  Another disappointment was that there are references to online activities throughout the textbook, but these activities are not available to homeschoolers.  They aren't needed, but knowing that the activities are out there makes me feel like we were missing out on something.

Despite the fact I found this complicated and confusing to actually get going, I think it is a good program.  It covers a lot of subjects, and I like the way it covers basic literary elements and requires the student to think about and interact with the stories and excerpts.  We've never done a textbook reading program, and I wasn't sure what Jacob would think.  I asked his opinion, and he told me he really enjoyed it because it made him think.  I asked him if he wanted to continue with it, and he said that he did.  Finally, I asked him if he wanted to keep at it over the summer or if he wanted to wait until the fall to continue, and he requested to keep working on it over the summer.  That's a pretty strong endorsement from a 9 year old boy if you ask me.

If you're looking for a textbook reading program, I would suggest you take a look at Reading Street. You'll need to be prepared to spend some time figuring out a lesson plan, but that time is well worth it.  

For more reviews of Pearson Homeschool products (including enVision Math, myWorld Social Studies, MyMathLab Algebra 1 & 2, and additional levels of Reading Street) go here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine. 

Count It All Joy

For the past few years, I've been plagued by extreme fatigue and joint pain.  I went to the doctor in 2010, thinking it was my thyroid.  Instead some lab markers that are often associated with liver issues came back high.  I was eventually diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, and have been on medicines since 2011 that have made me functional again.  I still have pain and fatigue, but it's greatly improved.

The other night, Micah came up to me and said "I'm sorry you don't feel good.  I don't know why your liver is bad.  But God knows.  God knows why your liver is bad.  God gives us suffering to increase our faith."

It's funny how God can use the little people He gives you to teach you and bless you.  I've prayed for healing more times than I can count.  I've wondered why I have this disease.  I've struggled with various sinful emotions ("It's not fair!"--complete with the stamping of the rebellious feet in my soul).  But in the end I know God is good and He is faithful.  I still don't know why God has allowed me to have this chronic condition, but if having a funky liver helps my son(s) to see and trust God more clearly, well then, it's just a bit easier to count it all joy.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  James 1:2-4 ESV