Maestro Classics- Peter and the Wolf

Product: Maestro Classics- Peter and the Wolf
Vendor Contact Information:
http://www.maestroclassics.com/
Maestro Classics
div. of Simon & Simon, LLC
1099 22nd St., NW
Suites 602/603
Washington, DC 20037-1824
Phone- 1-888-540-2811
e-mail- info@magicmaestromusic.com
Age Appeal: all ages
Format: CD
Price: $16.98From the website “Maestro Classics is the ambassador of great music for both children and adults, helping them experience the art form in new and exciting ways. Through wondrous new recordings, innovative educational and performances, Maestro Classics guides the audiences as they expand their listening horizons...”

The Peter and the Wolf CD includes: an introduction by Yadu (narrator), the story of Peter and the Wolf with and without narration, background the composer Prokofiev, A Russian Peter (short song), details about the music, invitation to grandfather's party and Kalinka, a Russian folk song. There is also a small booklet with information on the conductor and the group who played, A Russian Peter and Kalinka. Children will also have fun with connect the dots, match the instruments and several other booklet activities. For a free sample of the music please go here.

Our Experience:
We were going on a short day trip, so I knew this was the perfect time to listen to the CD. B, C, my husband and I enjoyed listening to all of the music and information about Sergei Prokofiev and the song itself. We also enjoyed the addition of the Russian folk music. When we had some time at home the kids and I had a fun time learning about the different Russian instruments, crossword puzzle and other activities.

What I Liked:

• The 24-page educational book activities provided reinforcement for which instrument represented each character.

• The Russian folk music played by Trio Voronezh led me to learn more about the group.

• I enjoyed learning more about the composers, so I was grateful for the informational section on Prokofiev.

What I Disliked:

• Nothing!

What B (boy, age seven, officially first grade) Liked and Disliked: I liked Peter and the Wolf, because it had music and words. I didn't like it that the wolf ate the duck. On the CD I was able to listen to a short biography of Prokofiev. I like learning about composers. I would recommend it a lot for kids my age, because it has music and words!

What C (girl, age five, working on Kindergarten) Liked and Disliked: Peter and the Wolf was scary, because of the wolf. The crossword puzzle was fun. I enjoyed learning more about the composer and instruments. I recommend this for kids my age.

Other Products Available: Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Casey at the Bat, Juanita the Spanish Lobster, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Tortoise & the Hare, The Story of Swan Lake

I would recommend Maestro Classics' Peter and the Wolf. For more reviews on Peter and the Wolf by Maestro Classics go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.

See-N-Read

Product: See-N-Read
Vendor Contact Information:
www.see-n-read.com
CadenaSmith Enterprises
2533 Sutton Lane
Aurora, IL 6502
Phone: 630-236-5592
Fax: 630-236-5593
e-mail: info@see-n-read.com
Age Appeal: People who have difficulty tracking as they are reading
Format: Plastic 5.5x3" or 8x3" Reading Tool and e-edition
Price: See-N-Read Reading Tool- book size $2.99, See-N-Read Reading Tool- document size $3.49, eSee-N-Read Electronic Reading and Instruction Tool for PCs, $29.99, See-N-Read MemoryMark- book size $2.99

Do you have readers that have difficulty seeing, focusing and remembering what they have read? Then See-N-Read Reading Tools might be what you are looking for.

Who uses See-N-Read?

• Readers who skip words or lines

• Readers who have trouble focusing their eyes

• Teachers who need to show specific areas of text without hiding everything

Why use See-N-Read?

• It will be easier for readers to keep focused on one line and not other lines on the page

• Keeps out distractions like pictures and other words

Is See-N-Read Flexible and Easy to use?

• Yes. Set the See-N-Read on the page you wish to read and move down as you read the page. The reading window will work with font sizes up to 20

Our Experience: I was very excited when we received the See-N-Read Reading Tools. B sometimes misses words when he reads, so I was interested in learning if these tools would help him. We have used both one on the computer and a physical one. It was difficult to work with moving both the internet page and the eSee-N-Read on the computer. When B uses the See-N-Read, I have noticed an improvement in reading all the words on the line. I tried using it to read, but I found it fuzzy and distracting. It was fun using the MemoryMark, because I could highlight exactly what I needed and not other lines. I could also use it to read with as it did not have the clear plastic.

What I Liked:

• The See-N-Read MemoryMark made it easier to highlight specific lines.

What I Disliked:

• It was difficult to coordinate the eSee-N-Read with the page we were trying to read.

• The See-N-Read Reading Tool made the page more difficult to read.

What B (boy, just turned seven, some first and some second grade) Liked and Disliked: I wish it was darker, because I kept on reading without moving the See-N-Read. I liked that it helped you see the words. I loved that. I like using bookmarks instead of See-N-Read, because they aren't see-through. This is kind of good for kids my age, because the See-N-Read was see-through.

What C (girl, just turned five, working on kindergarten) Liked and Disliked: C did not use this product as she is not reading yet.

Other Products Available: There are multiple packs and combination packs available.

I would recommend See-N-Read Reading Tools for people who need help staying focused as they read or need to highlight specific areas of text. For more reviews on See-N-Read go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.

Math Facts Now!

Product: Math Facts Now! Version 2.0
Vendor Contact Information:
www.mathfactsnow.com
Math Facts Now!
2882 Shenandoah Shores Road
Front Royal, VA 22630
e-mail- support@mathfactsnow.com
phone- 1-540-622-4160
Age Appeal: K-6
Format: download (what I reviewed) or CD
Price: $15.95, $3.95 S/H

Math Facts Now! is a computer program that your children can use to memorize their math facts.

• You can design the lesson using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division and numbers up to twelve.

• You select how many problems your child will answer for lesson and then save that specific lesson.

• You decide how many times your child needs to type the problem that was missed.

• You can have a reward chosen for each lesson completed with no mistakes.

• You can print the results of the lesson, for your child to practice later.

Please click here for a free trial.

System requirements: runs on Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista and Windows 7. Needs 4.5 Mb of free hard drive space. Is not available for Macs at this time.

My Thoughts:
I remember from my own time in school that it is very important to memorize the math facts. I also had a lot of fun doing the timed math tests. Math Facts Now! is perfect for me to help teach my children to love math just as I did, but without the use of paper. It is a great way to save paper and ink!

B has a good grasp of basic addition and subtraction, so this was a fun program for him to see how quickly and accurately he could do the problems. C has not had enough practice with math to use this program as the 60 second time limit per problem was not long enough for her to finish the problem.

Math Facts Now! has been a wonderful tool for us to use and will be in the years to come in strengthening their knowledge of math facts to twelve.

What I Liked:

• A perfect timed test, we didn't have to use paper!

• Showed results and what problems were missed, so B could practice them.

• It was challenging, but not enough to be frustrating.

• I could choose a reward for a test done correctly.

What I Disliked:

• Nothing!

What B (boy, age seven, first grade) Liked and Disliked: I did addition, subtraction and a little multiplication (x's 1). It was fun because we got to try to beat the timer. It was o.k. if you didn't beat the time, because you memorized the problem by typing it out. The problems were up to twelve, for example 12+12. I think it is good for kids my age.

What C (girl, age five working on Kindergarten) Liked and Disliked: Math Facts Now was a little difficult and I need to learn how to add and subtract easily before I try again. This might be easy for kids my age if they know adding and subtracting.

Other Products Available: None at this time.

I would recommend Math Facts Now! For more reviews on Math Facts Now! go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.

Tiny Planets

Product: Tiny Planets

Vendor Contact Information:

TinyPlanets.com

Buckingham House, West Street, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1BE, England

e-mail- contact@mytinyplanets.com

Age Appeal: 4-12

Format: online gaming experience

Price: Many items on website free, to watch most of the TV episodes, read books and buy extras on My Tiny Planet you need to purchase keys at 10 keys $1.95, 25 keys $3.95, 85 keys $9.95, 250 keys $25.95, 600 keys $49.95



Winner of two BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards- Interactive Best Entertainment Website and Best Children's Interactive, Tiny Planets is a fun, fictional and interactive website for kids. When the kids have their Cadet accounts, they can go to:

Tiny Planets TV where kids can watch the different television episodes which were co-created with Sesame Workshop

• My Tiny Planets is an online community where children adopt a planet, go to different areas through wormholes and play with other kids.

• Tiny Planets Fun is where there are games, coloring books and comics.

• Tiny Planets Books has interactive stories with Bing and Bong and the locals and the flockers.

• Tiny Planets Learning has lesson plans that incorporate the television episodes and books into a complete learning experience.

• Tiny Planets Labs is where the new games are tested out.

• Tiny Planets Blog is where families can go to learn even more about the site.

Our Experience: We started Tiny Planets by exploring each planet and looking at the free books and movies after I signed the kids up for their cadet accounts. I also signed up for a parent account, so that I could add the keys to the cadet accounts. After that we worked on trying out games, like Lava Rescue and Afraid of the Dark. Those games were a little tricky for B and C, but they had a fun time trying them out. It was a couple days later when I helped the kids discover My Tiny Planets, the online community where the kids were able join other kids exploring the different neighborhoods. They are now asking me every day if they can play.



What I Liked:

• The lessons involve the book, TV. and coloring book.

• It was a safe site for the kids as they could only go to specific areas and on My Tiny Planets they could only “say” specific phrases to other kids.

• Alpha Defender was a game where you type the letters as they come towards you it was challenging and good for learning the where the letters are on the keyboard.

What I Disliked:

• When moving from planet to planet, for example TV to books, we would get logged out and we would have to log in again.

• To get the learning experience with the lessons you would have to buy a lot of keys.

What B (boy, just turned seven, some first grade and some second grade) Liked and Disliked: I disliked that you don't learn anything and that it was hard to do some of the games, really hard. I liked that you got to watch TV. I wasn't sure when one of the book stories ended, because it just stopped. Those were my first thoughts. Here are my current thoughts. I liked shooting Quasars (stars), the music and making friends on My Tiny Planet. I am glad the books match with the TV episodes. Here is information about what happens with purchased keys. “When you purchase a book, video, planetary assets they are yours forever. For example, when you purchase a video it gets placed into the "My TV" and will be there whenever you log into your account.”



What C (girl, just turned five, working on Kindergarten) Liked and Disliked: I didn't like the game, "starlight", on My Tiny Planet, because it was really hard. I liked all my new friends. I'm going to change my ship. I liked the TV episode, “Picnic Poser.” And when I didn't know when I went to the stars I pushed the movie, but it would do it and not say anything. I didn't like that. My Tiny Planets was good and the wormholes were fun. I liked to play games and boom things. Traveling around was so so fun. In Star Fractions (My Labs) stars fall down and break, then you rebuild the stars, then they go floating back up into the sky and you can do it over and over again.

Other Products Available: None at this time.



I would recommend Tiny Planets for families with children under the age of fourteen who want a safe place for their kids to play. For more reviews go to The Homeschool Crew review page.



Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.

Apologia Press- Good Morning, God

Product: Good Morning, God by Davis Carman and illustrated by Alice Ratteree
Vendor Contact Information:
Apologia Press
Apologia Educational Ministries
1106 Meridian Plaza Suite 220
Anderson, IN 46016 US
Phone: 1-888-524-4724
Age Appeal: 1-8 years of age
Format: hardcover book, 48 pages, ISBN 978-1-935495-25-3
Price: $14.00



“These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV), is the theme of this book.

Good Morning, God told from the view point of a four-year-old boy is about his week with his family one day at a time. Each day for the young boy begins with a message to God, then continues with what he does during the day, followed by a bedtime prayer.

The application of Deuteronomy 6:6-7 can be done by the parents by doing the “Questions and Activities” in the back of the book with their children.

For a sample chapter please go here.

Our Experience: B, C and I were excited when we received this book in the mail. I opened it right away, took a look at it and decided that we would read the specific day of the week and do the activities. We waited until it was Sunday and we then began our week. It was during our school day that we did it during the week. It was a perfect break from our usual Bible study and the kids liked drawing pictures, like of our family, and studying the verses.

What I Liked:

• The “Questions and Activities” section in the back of the book gives us greater insight into the daily story.

• The section for the reader in how to use the book.

• How the author takes the young boy through each day for a week.

What I Disliked:

• Nothing

What B (boy, age seven, grade one) Liked and Disliked: I liked Good Morning, God very much. I liked Tuesday because the boy made a sandwich. And my favorite activity was from Saturday, because you can go on a bike ride. But we didn't go on a ride, because of snow. I think it is a good idea for kids my age to have this book, Good Morning, God. It teaches about how to be good, like not running, jumping, and climbing for cookies.

What C (girl, just turned five, doing Kindergarten work ) Liked and Disliked: I liked it all. I liked the kids coloring in the schoolroom. You don't jump on your bed and that is what the boy was doing Tuesday. I liked the picture of the little boy putting jam on the sandwich. I liked the activities. My favorite was drawing a picture of Jesus going up to heaven. I think this book is good for kids my age, because it teaches us about God.

Other Products Available: Good Morning, God coloring book ($4.00) and books about homeschooling

I would recommend Good Morning, God.

For more reviews on Good Morning, God by Davis Carmen go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.

KBTeachers

Product: KBTeachers
Vendor Contact Information:
www.kbteachers.com
Age Appeal: preschool-12th grade
Format: online worksheets to print as needed
Price: $29 for 1 year, $49 for 2 years, free 10 day trial with PayPal, 30 day money-back guarantee with credit card

KBTeachers is a website filled with thousands of worksheets and workbooks for all grade levels.

Worksheets available
Worksheets according to the season and holiday
English Language: printing, cursive, grammar
Math: money, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time, algebra
Science: astronomy, geology, weather and climate
Biology: human anatomy, nutrition, marine biology, plants and microbiology
Social Studies: workbooks and maps
More Activities: dinosaur workbooks, four seasons, arts and crafts, clipart, basic skills

Please go here to find free worksheets and more.

What I Liked

• 1,000 of worksheets at my fingertips!
• I can generate different math pages with answer keys multiple times.
• The coins in the money worksheets were very realistic.
• The kids enjoyed having worksheets to do outside of our school time
• Print button directly on the page, for easy printing.

What I Disliked

• There is no search option that would have made it easier to find the specific worksheet I was looking for.

What B (boy, age six almost seven) Liked and Disliked: I liked the addition up to 20 worksheets. I liked that I could check my own answers when I was done. I liked the counting money worksheets, because you got to match the name of the coin to what it looks like. I think KB Teachers would be good for kids my age.

What C (girl, just turned five) Liked and Disliked: I like the math worksheets, because I know that 4+0=4. I liked the fall add across. I agree with my brother about the counting money worksheets. These worksheets are good for me! I think kids my age would like the worksheets.
Other Products Available: None at this time.

I would recommend KB Teachers to teachers and parents who want to give kids a chance to learn even more. For more reviews on KB Teachers go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.

Book Collector Pro by Book Collectorz

Product: Book Collector Pro
Vendor Contact Information:
www.collectorz.com
Collectorz.com BV
W.G. Plein 384
1054 SG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone: +31-20 772 44 11 (during Dutch business hours)
Age Appeal: For those who are interested in having a complete list of their books on a computer for easy access
Format: Downloadable software for PC or Mac, CD available
Price: $49.95

Do you have so many books that you don't know what you have? Book Collectorz Pro is just what you need.

Book Collector Features:
Browse collection
Automatically data and covers
Sort and search
Export to CLZ (iPhone, iPad or Android)
Print book data
Use Loan Manager
See statistics of database

Add books in three easy steps!
1. Type or scan the ISBN- will automatically search Collectorz.com book database online (you can also add all the information yourself)
2. Chose your book from the results
3. Add the book to your database, then add your details


Book Collector Pro is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7 and several different languages. It is also compatible with the Mac OS X of 10.4 or higher and only English.

Here is where you can read more about all of the features available.
For a free trial go to Book Collector.



What I Liked:

• Ease of typing in book information, whether by ISBN number or title and author and then selecting my specific edition
• Loan manager (just like a real library!)
• All the available fields, such as genre, Dewey, Collection Status, personal information, etc.

What I Disliked:

• Not all book covers available
• LC Classification did not work for me
• Owners manual only accessible online

B (boy, age six almost seven) and C (girl, age four almost five) thought it was exciting that we were going to be able to put a list of all our books on the computer. They were very surprised when they saw the number of books I inputted and what a small pile it was.

Other Products Available: (very useful if you have many books with bar-codes) CueCat Scanner, C37 Scanner, OPN-2001 Scanner, Music Collector, Movie Collector, Comic Collector, Game Collector, MP3 Collector, Photo Collector

I would highly recommend this product. For more reviews for Book Collector Pro go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.