Student Planner from My Student Logbook (Schoolhouse Review Crew review)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: My Student Logbook

Vendor Information Link: My Student Logbook

Age Appeal: 2nd grade and up

Format: Dated My Student Logbooks for the current school year (August 1 – July 31) or Dated My Student Logbooks for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31) or Undated My Student Logbooks, PDF or physical copy, there are also different cover choices available

Price: $15 per physical book or $20 per family use license PDF or $10 per single use license PDF

Does your state require you to record what your children do for school or do you and your children like to keep track of what is happening?

The Student Logbook could be just what your family needs.  This system involves writing a checklist of tasks, how much time it should take to complete the task, and then checking it off each day when each task is done.  This checklist can be used week after week for as long as needed or it can be done as often as needed.

In the back of the logbook there is an All About me page, Prays and Goals page, Bible Verses Memorized page, Books Read pages, Events, Projects, Field Trips, Presentations, Activities pages, Test Records pages, and Year Highlights: My Favorite Memories from this Year page.

Our Experience: 

B was very excited when I told him about the chance to be able to review My Student Logbook.  He wanted to be able to make a list of things to do, so he made sure he had gotten them done daily.  B was very excited when we were chosen and when it came in the mail.  It had a wonderful plastic cover, which protected the Freedom cover he had chosen.

When we got the package he opened it right away, started looking at it, and started setting it up.  He tore out the needed page, glued it in, and began to write down his schoolwork and other tasks that he needed to work do daily.  Every day he would look at the list, then check off what he successfully finished.  He also worked on filling out the special sections in the back of the book.

As I saw him work on his logbook I saw that it was something that would benefit C as well.  I plan on having B continue filling his out.  I plan on purchasing one for C.   

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I really like this student planner.  It means that either B or I can write down everything that B needs to do for school and how much time it should take him.  It gives him the chance to take control of when he does his work.  All I need to do is require that it be done by the end of the day.  The fact that the schedule can be changed  when we need it to be or not at all is great too.
• I think this is the perfect lesson planner for homeschoolers, because each child can have their own book.  When they have their own book they can take control of their lives and lead an organized future.  It can work perfectly for a keepsake for the future or to show the state what has been done for the year.
• The extras at the back of the book were an added bonus.  B had a lot of fun filling out the All About Me section.  I learned more about him when I read it.  He was super excited about making a list of books he had read.
• I liked having the instructions in the front of the book.  They were very clear and B knew exactly how to set it up.
• While this product is good for elementary school age children, I think it is perfect for people in high school.  It would be a great way to keep track of everything that was done during the school year.  According to the instructions it can also be used to help create transcripts.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I think this would be fun if it was an app.  I liked the “All About Me” page.  I liked the space where you could put down your favorite holiday.  I liked that I could list the books I read.  I liked the Year Highlights.  I thought it was super cool that you could do the whole year on one checklist.

I think this would be good for kids my age and older.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

C did not participate in this review.

Dad’s Thoughts:

The Student Planner provides a needed means to recording your student’s courses, the time spent on each course, and any necessary comments that pertain to those courses.

The design of the planner was made with the intention of keeping costs down for the homeschooling family. I think however, that instead of tearing out sheets, folding them over and then taping it to the back of a weekly chart the design could have been made more efficient by printing the Course List, the Comments section, and the Daily Schedule (by the week) in landscape so as to get all three on one page. This does mean that the courses would be re-written every week and that exercise could be used as part of a writing course. The main benefit is that you have all the documentation on one sheet.

I’m glad that the My Student Logbook was created to assist students and teachers track their homeschool lesson plans. It’s definitely worth looking at.

Mama highly recommends!

Social Media Links:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MyStudentLogbook
You Tube -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMxzpy91vov8a8nDpyp2ihQ

 

Micro Business for Teens (Review for Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links:

Starting a Micro Business (book)
Running a Micro Business (book)
Micro Business for Teens Workbook

Vendor Information Link: Micro Business for Teens

Age Appeal: This is ideal for ages 10-18.

Format: physical book

Price: Starting a Micro Business ($9.95), Running a Micro Business ($9.95), and Micro Business for Teens Workbook ($14.95)

Micro Business for teens was started by Carol Topp, CPA.  She began it, because she was unable to find any business books that were designed with teens in mind.  These books include examples of teens that she personally knows and specific steps on how to build a business and reach your goals.

In Starting a Micro Business you will learn:

• What a micro business is (simple, educational, etc.)
• Business ideas for teens
• How to use little start-up money
• How to write a business plan
• and more!

In Running a Micro Business you will learn: 

• How to make a marketing plan
• What it takes to make a good sales presentation
• How to keep records
• Time management
• and more!

The Micro Business for Teens Workbook takes everything that is learned in the books and helps you to plan and begin your business.

Our Experience: 

B has been wanting to start his own business for about a year, so when we were chosen to review the two books and workbooks from Carol Topp’s Micro Business for Teens, I knew B was going to have fun and a good beginning for his own business.  I knew I was going to have fun working with B on his business and working on my own.  I also wanted to see if C would be interested in working on her own business.

Since we have Starting a Micro Business, Running a Micro Business, and the workbook (I recommend that you purchase all of these at the same time), B and I would read the chapter in the book and then do the corresponding pages in the workbook.  I took some of the ideas from the books and worked on them individually with C.

B did a wonderful job reading the chapters and doing the workbook.  He decided what he would like to do for his micro business, an author.  He is working hard to put all of his business plans into action.  I have decided upon a business as well.  I really like the idea of no start-up costs, so I am going to work on selling e-books.  I have lots of ideas coming to my mind.  C has decided to put her plans on hold for now.  I am sure she will pick it up again when she is a bit older.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought the books and workbook were excellent.  They included so much information and worked together flawlessly.  I am very grateful for Carol Topp and the time and effort she put into this program.  It will be a blessing to all who use it.
• One of my favorite parts of this program is all of the examples Topp gives about other teens and their businesses.  They helped B realize what could be done and how to do it.  For me the examples and quotes were inspiring.  It was really helpful for us to have the quotes from famous people and Bible verses, because it helped us be perseverant.
• I have looked at a variety of business books in the past, but none of them are as good as these.  I think they would work well for adults as well as teens.  Everyone needs to have good business books and a plan that will help them become successful.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I really, really liked Micro Business for Teens.  My favorite part was in Starting a Micro Business chapter two.  In chapter two there were different ideas for micro businesses.  I enjoyed reading through the ideas.  I also liked writing the business plan in the workbook. 

I have decided to become an author.  This system really helped me to make the choice. 

I also liked Running a Micro Business.  I liked how it told about having good customer service.  My favorite part for each book are all the short stories about different micro business owners. 

There was nothing to dislike.  Overall I would highly recommend Micro Business for Teens.   

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade):

It was fun to brainstorm for business ideas, but right now I do not want to start a business.

It would be good for people older than me.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Carol Topp has done a superb job with her Micro Business for Teens books.  She presents the information for starting and running a micro business in an easy to read way that makes keeps kids' attentions.  Her Micro Business for Teens Workbook reinforces the reading and prepares kids for doing.  She breaks down the details into an easy to understand format that shows just how easy it is to get a business up and running.  Of course the toughest part of this process is deciding what you would like to do.

As the state of our economy continues to make the news headlines, our kids can clearly see that they will need to pursue other ways of making money.  Gone are the days of someone entering the workforce and remaining with that one employer for 40 or 50 years.  Having to work for a year to get 5 days of paid vacation, watching health care costs soar while wages remain stagnant, promotions from the lower ranks are dwindling are all things that can be solved by starting and running a micro business.  Carol presents some great business ideas for teens to do while living at home, going to school, participating in sports and still having a social life.

Kudos to Carol for taking the time to create a business learning program for kids!

Mama highly recommends!

Social Media Links for Micro Business for Teens:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicroBusinessForTeens?ref=ts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolTopp
• Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caroltopp/

 

Digital Heroes & Heroines of the Past: American History from Golden Prairie Press (Review for the Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received this for review purposes!

Product Links: Digital Heroes & Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum

Vendor Information Link: Golden Prairie Press

Age Appeal: Best for grades first through sixth (can be used with older ages)

Format: Digital downloads (Adobe files and MP3s), large Zip Files

Price: As of May 12, 2014 the price is $98.99

Do you have children in multiple grades and need a history program that works for everyone?

Golden Prairie Press and Amy Puetz have developed a digital copy of Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History.  This thirty week program begins with the Vikings and ends with our most current presidents.  The download includes PDFs of the text and needed extras along with MP3s of songs and speeches. 

This program has the text divided into different age groups, 1st and 2nd, then 3rd through 6th.  At the end of the daily lessons there are questions, a geography section, “Writing Topics,” memory verses, “Examining Historical Art,” and the special activities.  The special activities are games, cooking, singing, listening to historical documents and speeches, crafts, and experiments.

 

Our Experience: 

If B and C could decide which area of history they would able to study, it would be American history.  Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History, became an instant favorite in our homeschooling day.

This American history program has two separate books and is divided into different sections like “The Revolution” and “The Period of National Development.”  Since we were reviewing the digital version I printed one section a week for B and C.

Each lesson has a part for 1st and 2nd (C) and for 3rd through 6th (B).  Initially I had each of them read their own section.  I discovered even though there was enough information for C in her section to answer the questions she would not be able to answer the questions.  After the first couple of lessons I had them read their parts, then I would read the 3rd through 6th part aloud so C could learn and remember more information.  After they verbally answered the questions we moved onto geography, “Writing Topics,” “Examining Historical Art,” and the weekly memory verse.  Some days had extra activities like cooking, games, crafts, and listening to documents and speeches.

Each of our daily lessons varied on the amount of time it took us to complete them.  It varied due to the extra projects.  B and C had the most fun with the extra activities like cooking and games.  The writing topics were difficult and time consuming for the children.  B could not keep technology out of his history.  C had a hard time opening her mind to the creative process.  After I had her think of things for who, what, when, where, why, and how before she began writing, it became much easier for her.

I really enjoyed this history program, so I plan on continuing it into the next year.

 

Mama’s Thoughts:

• This is such a fun homeschooling history program.  It is something I would have enjoyed when I was in school.  I only remember reading the text, answering questions, and taking tests for my elementary American history.  B and C were able to listen to songs, play games, and perform skits.
• I am glad there were answers to the questions at then end of each volume.  I would like to see this program have tests, so that I can see how well B and C are learning and remembering the material.
• It was exciting for me to learn about the history I already knew and learn about new people and events.  I did not know anything about John Winthrop, Sarah Edwards, and George Whitefield.  I learned more about the Puritans than I had ever known from a religious point-of-view.
• I am very thankful that Amy Puetz spent the time writing and developing this elementary American history program.  It will serve homeschooling families for many years to come with its in depth text and fun activities.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I liked Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History.  I had fun making Succotash with Mama.  It was delicious.  I also liked listening to history.  My favorite was “The Mayflower Compact.”  I enjoyed playing the games.  My favorite game was “Pitching Pennies.”  Blind Man’s Bluff was also fun.

I liked the “Writing Topics,” but I could not come up with any reasonable ideas.  My favorite person to learn about was George Whitefield, because he was a preacher and one of the people who began the first Great Awakening. 

I think this Providential history program would be good for people of all ages.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade):

It was fun to read the lessons, especially the stories.  They were really good.  I did not really like the writing topics.  I could not think of one thing to write.  We listened to “All the Pretty Little Horses.”  B and Mama cooked Succotash.

This program is good for people my age and older.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Amy Puetz's Heroes and Heroines of the Past American History book raises the study of history to new and exciting levels. She includes many pictures, drawings, and maps to help illustrate the lesson's topic of discussion. Amy has also included activities at the end of each lesson such as Examining Historical Art, Games of the Past, Crafts, Cook up Some History, Experiments and more to help students experience how  the people of that time lived. The recipes and games look quite interesting. I wish I would have had something like this for my history classes as it would have been so much better than just reading a text book and taking a test.

If you're looking for something to really engage your kids in the study of history beyond just reading assignments, give Amy Puetz's Heroes and Heroines of the Past American History a try. You just might find yourself doing the activities time and time again long after the lesson has passed.

Mama highly recommends!

Social Media Links for Golden Prairie Press:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldenPrairiePress

 

Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive from Logic of English (Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received the complete set of Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive for review purposes!

Product Links: Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Complete Set

Vendor Information Link: Logic of English

Age Appeal: ages 4 to adult

Format: The Complete Set includes 1 printed Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive Student Book, 1 Cursive Handwriting Quick Reference, 1 Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive Tactile Cards, 1 Student Whiteboard- Full Size

Price: As of May 9, 2014- $65 for the complete set

Are you struggling with your child’s current handwriting program?

Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive teaches letters with a multi-sensory approach.  The student will learn the strokes and verbally say them as they trace the letters on the tactile cards.  They will then write them in the Student Book, where there are different line sizes.  There are instructions listed for students of different ages and other ideas for handwriting practice.

Our Experience: 

B has wanted to learn a different style of cursive for sometime, so this review was perfect for him.  C wanted to try it out too.

We did not work on the lessons as described it the book, because B is a fluent reader and did not need to learn the phonograms.  He only needed to learn his letter formations.  For the swing letters (i, t, u, etc.), I give B the tactile card, then we would say the steps (long and short versions) to make the letter aloud.  He would then write the letters in his workbook.  There is the option to write different sizes of letters.  He did them all.  He wanted the practice.

The instructions state that if the student is over seven (he is ten) he/she can either write two, four, or all the letters based on one stroke per day.  Since we use a learning style that is based on short lessons, B worked for fifteen minutes per day, five days a week.

After B had finished the swing letters, he worked on the curve and loop letters on his own.  He had a difficult time with the curve stroke.  He practiced that stroke again and again on the whiteboard until he perfected it. 

He now does the steps of each letter by himself and then does them in the workbook.  He is still doing all the line sizes.  I often circle his best letters as I did in the beginning, but his letters are so uniform that it is difficult to choose which is the best.

C is really into her own cursive handwriting program, but she thought she would give this program a try.  She worked on the letters i, t, u, s, and j.  She enjoyed saying the steps and writing the letters of the Student Whiteboard.  

Mama’s Thoughts:

• The Tactile Cards were really nice.  It could be helpful for many children if they can feel the letters as they are saying the steps.  B did not actively use the cards.
• I was grateful that the program included the different strokes, like curve, role, slash, and others.  B needed it to learn how to make the curve.
• The Student Whiteboard was perfect for C’s use and for the times that B needed extra practice to learn a specific stroke.
• I am glad that a secondary student book only costs $15.  It is more cost effective for large families.
• I was very thankful for the instructions in the book.  They helped know exactly how to teach the program.
• I was so excited when I saw how diligently B worked on the lessons.  I have never seen him work this hard on handwriting lessons.  He will spend more than our allotted fifteen minutes if he is having fun and is not distracted by other things.  I feel that this program is one that he will be able to continue and grow with.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I really, really liked Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive.  I had been wanting to learn this type of handwriting for quite awhile.  I think this is a very good product if you want to learn this style.

There was only one thing I didn’t like and it is this: I think it could use a small teacher workbook, so that the teacher doesn’t have to look at the book when you are writing something.

My favorite letter was B.  This style of B is very different than other ways I have learned.  B was my favorite, because I liked the way it looked (see the photo below).

I think this product would be good for kids of all ages.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade):

It was fun to do the letters for Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive.  I did the letters i, t, u, s, and j.  I used the Student Whiteboard.  It was fun.  I liked the tactile cards.  I liked them, because it helped me to write the letters.

It is good for kids my age and older.   

Dad’s Thoughts:

Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive by Denise Eide is an interesting program using systematic phonics, phonograms, reading, spelling and handwriting to learn how to write in cursive. She breaks it down into the strokes for each letter and says that starting with cursive writing is easier than starting with printed writing. It's a different concept than what I grew up with but I have learned over the years that changing your perspective in the way you do things can have significant improvement with your results.

I see improvement with B's cursive handwriting using Denise's method. She's onto something good with Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive and I recommend you giving it a try even though it's probably not the way you were taught handwriting. Be adventurous and try something new.

Mama recommends Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive!

Social Media Links for Logic of English:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLogicOfEnglish
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/logicofenglish/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/logicofenglish/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LogicofEnglish

 

Missionary Stories from Brinkman Adventures! (Review for the Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received Brinkman Adventures Season 2 for review purposes!

Product Links: The Brinkman Adventures Season 2: Episodes 13-24

Vendor Information Link: The Brinkman Adventures

Age Appeal: For families of all ages

Format: MP3 format or 4 CDs (We received the MP3 format).  It includes 12 episodes and more than 5 hours of listening time.

Price: As of April 23, 2014 Suggested donation of $25 per CD set or $17 per MP3 set

In the Brinkman Adventures, the names have been changed, but are based on a a real family.  The actors and actresses play themselves in this audio drama and the episodes are based on different stories from around the world.

Here are the episodes from Season 2:

• The Mystery Ring
• Blue Hat & T-Shirt Bible
• How Big is Your God, part 1
• How Big is Your God, part 2
• Mexico by Bus
• Treehouse Academy
• Pirates of Mayan Island
• Sapphire Slaves, part 1 (not for children under 10)
• Sapphire Slaves, part 2 (not for children under 10)
• Hadi’s Choice (not for children under 10)
• Castle of Secrets
• On the Run

Our Experience: 

We enjoy reading and listening to different missionary stories, so I thought these would be fun to listen to and talk about.

We needed to take a short road trip, so we listened to some of these Christian stories along the way.  We listened to others during Bible study time and when B and C worked on their handwriting lessons.  We had a lot of fun talking about them.

The children enjoyed all of the episodes, but the two about the sapphire slaves.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I really recommend that you listen to the two episodes about the sapphire slaves and “Hadi’s Choice” before you let your children under ten listen.  The subject material might upset your children.
• I liked that there were adventures from different parts of the world and from different people.  They just didn’t involve the Brinkmans.
• There was a wide variety of adventures from bus, boat, and horse rides along with pirates, chickens, and bad guys.
• B and C really enjoyed the stories until they heard the episodes about the sapphire slaves.  I thought they would like the stories, but they did not.  B did not even want to listen to any of the other episodes.  I had to reassure him that they were good.  It was strange, because they have listen to other stories with similar situations.
• My favorite episodes involved the character, John Benti.  He told them stories and at the end he would ask, “How big is your God?”  These stories showed me that God can work miracles and have unexpected things happen.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I liked every adventure, except both parts about the sapphire slaves and “Hadi’s Choice.”  I did not like “Hadi’s Choice,” because Hadi’s father said that if he became a Christian, Hadi would no longer be his son.  I did not like the ones about the sapphire slaves, because the slaves were children and had been kidnapped. 

My favorite adventure was “Pirates of Mayan Island.”  I liked that in the story Damacio was a relative of Blackbeard.

I think that Brinkman Adventures would be good for people my age and older.  

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade): 

The episodes were interesting.  The episodes about the sapphire slaves, were not my thing.  I liked “Mexico by Bus,” because the semis moved so the Brinkmans could go through and go to Belize. 

All the episodes, except for the two about the sapphire slaves, would be good for kids my age.      

Dad’s Thoughts:

The Brinkman Adventure series about a family traveling on missionary trips to serve Christ are quite entertaining and informational.  The Brinkman children put together the stories from their experiences and added their voices to the audio tapes.  I enjoyed listening to the story of their trip to Belize.  They had several adventures just trying to get out of the US.

What fascinates me the most is how God provided answers when the Brinkmans were facing challenges and difficulties. The answers were like pieces of puzzle, they always fit together to make a clear picture.

I recommend getting the Brinkman Adventure audio series as they are just 30 minutes an episode and are great for short travel trips or for longer trips you can keep the story going. When we stopped the car we would sit and listen to the last few minutes of an episode. The are truly enjoyable and revealing of God's love through his answers to prayers.

Mama recommends Brinkman Adventures Season 2!

Social Media Links for Brinkman Adventures:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brinkman-Adventures/152895116079

 

Curiosity Quest (Review for the Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received the Curiosity Quest DVD Combo Packs for review purposes!

Product Links: DVD Combo Pack – Produce (Mushrooms, Cranberries, Orange Packing) and DVD Combo Pack - Swimmers of the Sea (Sea Turtle Rescue, Penguins, Salmon)

Vendor Information Link: Curiosity Quest

Age Appeal: ages 7-14

Format: DVD, 3 episodes which are about 30 minutes long each

Price: as of April 11, 2014, each DVD is $24.95

Curiosity Quest is a television show for families, hosted by Joel Greene.  In each episode Greene takes the viewer on a quest by on a question from another viewer.

In our two combo packs we learned about:

• Mushrooms: how they grow and how to pick and pack them.
• Oranges: how they grow and how to pick and pack them.
• Cranberries: how they are harvested, cleaned and selected, then packed.
• Salmon: what they eat, how long they live, and how they know how to come back to the same place where they were born.
• Penguins: what they eat, how to pet them, what noise they make, why penguins don’t fly.
• Sea Turtles: how fast they swim, how big they can get, and reasons why they need to be rescued.
• and more!

Our Experience: 

We love learning about different subjects.  Videos can be a fun way to learn about something we may never be able to experience ourselves.

B and C were excited when we received the DVDs in the mail, so we stopped what we were working on and decided to watch the episodes about cranberries, mushrooms, and oranges.

We learned how mushrooms are grown, about harvesting cranberries, and orange packing.  We couldn’t believe the amount of information that was given in thirty minutes.

On another day we learned about sea turtle rescue in the Florida Keys, Magellanic penguins, and King, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon.

I know these videos will be favorites in our family for years to come.  We plan on watching them with the cousins this summer. 

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I really enjoyed how involved each episode was.  Even though each episode was only 30 minutes, I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about salmon, sea turtles, penguins, cranberries, oranges, and mushrooms.
• One of my favorite parts of each episode was when they asked questions to people off the street.  The questions were interesting and not all the people knew the right answers.  That was interesting.  There were many questions where I did not know the answers.
• I did not know it was against the law to touch a sea turtle.  Now I am wondering what happens to you if you have to touch a sea turtle to rescue it when you are at sea.
• I enjoyed everything about these videos, there was nothing to dislike.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I really liked Curiosity Quest. 

Here is what I have to say about each episode:

• The episode about mushrooms was my favorite.  I really liked how they broke down the hay and turned it into soil.  I also liked learning that the hay can get over 100 degrees.  It was interesting learning how mushrooms grow. 
• I enjoyed learning about cranberries.  I learned a lot of new things in this episode.  I used to think that they grew cranberries in water, not that they flooded the bogs to make the cranberries float.  I also learned about all the products that contain cranberries. 
• I learned a lot about oranges.  I did not know there were so many steps to take before they arrive at the grocery store. 
• The episode on penguins was my second favorite, because the penguins were so cute and cuddly.  I really liked how they walk.         
• I liked watching the episode about salmon.  I thought it was interesting how millions of fish are raised in the hatchery each year. 
• The episode on sea turtles was my third favorite, because I like the way they look, move, and swim. 

What I didn’t like:

• In the episode about salmon they didn’t mention what they did with all the salmon after they die from spawning.

Overall, I think these two Curiosity Quest DVDs would be good for people of all ages.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade): 

I really liked Curiosity Quest. 

I really enjoyed watching the episode about penguins.  I learned what they ate and how to pet a penguin.

The other episode I liked was about oranges.  I learned that they took good care of the oranges when they were in the processing plant.  There was even a washing machine for the oranges.

It would be good for people of all ages.

Dad’s Thoughts:

Joel Greene's Curiosity Quest videos are informative, fun, and best of all realistic.  He doesn't rely on special effects to make the videos entertaining.  His direct approach to conversations with the owners/operators/staff is refreshing and informative.  I like how Joel uses readers' letters to determine the topics for each Curiosity Quest episode.  I would say that Joel does his best to make each topic a learning reality show and that's what makes you want to keep watching episode after episode.  You can watch sample episodes at their website, www.curiosityquest.org, which I highly recommend because they have some great stuff on Rugby, Go Karts, and Challenge Courses.

Joel and his crew are doing a fantastic job with Curiosity Quest !  My kids and I will keep coming back for more.

Mama highly recommends Curiosity Quest DVDs!

Social Media Links for Curiosity Quest:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuriosityQuest
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/curiosityquest
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijkbeDwySOsg-pZjOeWsgg

 

Science4Us.com: a Science Curriculum for Kindergarten to Second Grade (Review for the Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received Science4Us.com for review purposes!

Product Links: Science4Us.com Online Subscription

Vendor Contact Information: Science4Us.com

Age Appeal: Kindergarten- Second Grade

Format: Online Subscription for computer, will be available for iPad in 2014

Price: $7.95 per child per month

Are you looking for a fun science program that gives both online instruction and hands-on activities? 

Science4Us.com provides over 350 online lessons, hands-on activities, and worksheets.  It uses the 5E Inquiry-Based Instructional Model of engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.  It also integrates math and literacy with the online and offline activities.

Our Experience: 

B and C were really excited when we got the e-mail with the usernames and passwords.  They wanted to login and get to work! 

They have had quite a bit of experience in the past with science, so I thought the offline activities might not add much for them.  I found that I was right.  I decided to let them just jump right in and explore and absorb all of the great information that was being presented.

B started with physical science and C with inquiry.  They had so much fun the first day learning about the different activities, such as explore and engage, and meeting the different characters that it was difficult to get them to stop.  I was so glad to see that they were having fun and learning a lot.

On some days I would give them assignments and we would do some of the second grade science worksheets, if I felt it would add to the online activities.  They would typically work for around 30 minutes on activities five days a week.  During the time we have worked on Science4Us.com, B and C were able to explore and learn about physical science, life science, inquiry (what tools do what job), and earth/space science. 

I learned more about science when I explored my teacher’s account.  I was able to watch the videos and fill out the notecards like the children did.   On my teacher’s account I was also able to keep track of what and how the children were doing on their activities and tests.  I was even able to look at their notecards and make suggestions to them.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought Science4Us.com was an excellent review for B.  It was very good second grade science curriculum for C.  When it wasn’t even school time C asked if she could work on her assignments.
• The second grade science lesson plans were well written and planned out.  They would work perfectly for someone who didn’t have a lot of time to make their own lesson plans.
• I liked the wide variety of subjects taught.  The children could pick from physical, life, or earth/space science.
• The notecards were very helpful, because I was able to see how well the children were learning and if they needed extra help.  The children are excited to print them out, so they can keep them as a record of what they accomplished.
• As I look back on the time the children have spent with Science4Us.com, I think they have learned more from the online activities than the offline second grade worksheets and activities.
• It would be helpful for me if the program would lock after the assignments were done.  C would always move on after she had finished the assignments.
• The teacher’s account was very informative.  It had all the lessons that the children were working on, the offline activities and worksheets, and information on how I could teach the lesson.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I really liked Science4Us.com.  My favorite book was Physical Science.  I learned a lot about Physics, like electricity, energy transformations, and simple machines.

I really liked being able to use the notebook.  I was able to make a really funny bird.  I made a Venn Diagram about cats and dogs.  The notebook pages can be printed.  I’m going to have my mom print out the notebook pages so I can look at them when I want to. 

The Glossary was also nice, because I could look up words if  I didn’t know them. 

I didn’t really like “SillyBulls.”  It was too easy for me.

I would recommend this product for all ages.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade): 

I think Science4Us.com would be good for people of all ages. 

I really liked the “Brainy Bots” activity.  It was fun answering the questions that were given to me.  I like “Shade and Shine” in the Physical Science book under the module Energy Sources.

My favorite book was Life Science.  I learned about eco awareness, living and nonliving, and habitats.  

I didn’t like “SillyBulls,” because it was too easy for me.  Most of the words were under four syllables, so it was easy to put them together.

Dad’s Thoughts:

I like the layout of the Sience4Us.com webpage. It's easy to navigate and pleasant on the eyes. The lessons are well presented with just the right amount of information and activity to keep kids interested. The notebook is a good means of journaling for the kids and provides the teacher/parents a means of tracking the lesson progression and activity completion. I also like that feedback can be given through the notebook to students.

Overall I enjoyed exploring Science4Us.com and my children enjoyed it as well. I recommend this to parents wanting to boost a science education for their children.

Mama highly recommends Science4Us.com!

 

French Essentials (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received French Essentials for review purposes!

Product Links: Full Access Program (one full year, all modules, of their French lessons)

Vendor Contact Information:  French Essentials

Age Appeal: ideal for grades 3-8

Format: online exercises and tests, downloadable lessons (PDF format), and workbook (PDF format)

Price: $149.95 for one year of access for all of the modules, $69.95 for 90 day access per module

Does your family want to learn French with a combination of PDF Lessons, workbook, and online exercises?  French Essentials could be just the program for you.  It is divided into five modules and each module can take a year if the children are younger, and less if the children are in high school.  

Our Experience: 

B has been wanting my mother to teach him how to speak French for a while, but their schedules have never worked out.  He was very interested to try French Essentials.

C was not interested in learning French, so B and I worked together after she went to bed.  I did have C work on a couple of lessons, so she would know if she liked the program.

B and I would usually work on the PDF lesson on Monday night, then Tuesday night he would work on the workbook, and the rest of the week he would work on the online exercises and the test.  We would spend time during the day speaking the French we had learned.

Mama’s Thoughts:

• B was always excited to learn and work on his French lessons.  It made me happy to see him so excited.  He was even happy if he got the answer wrong.  This has been one of the few subjects that does not upset him when he gets the answer wrong.
• In the PDF lessons were the links to videos which had different speakers.  We had a hard time knowing how to correctly pronounce the words, because each speaker said it differently.  It would be nice if each person said the words the same, especially for those of us who have never worked with French before.
• I thought the combination of online activities and PDF exercises were perfect.  B was able to learn how to say and spell the words correctly with all of the practice he did.
• I would like to see a basic daily lesson plan.  I was not sure what to do on a daily basis, so B and I accomplished what we could do in 30 minutes.
• The parent’s section of the French Essentials website includes a FAQ section, details about each module, free samples and more.  I thought it was a great resource.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age nine, officially in fourth grade):   

Bonjour!

Comment vous appelez-vous?

Moi, je m’apelle B. Et Toi?

Enchanté!

I really liked French Essentials. It was a good product if you want to learn French. I liked how the online exercises opened up in a new tab, however in module 5 it did not. I did not like that. I liked the workbook.

I think this product is good for kids my age and older.

Au revoir!

C’s Thoughts (girl, age seven, officially in second grade): 

I liked what I did.  It was fun learning how to speak French.  It would be good for children my age and older.

Dad’s Thoughts:

B has been working on their French at French Essentials.com and thus in the last few weeks I have been met with various French greetings and phrases upon my arrival at home.  I work for a French multinational company so I interact with the French language on a weekly if not daily basis and I am impressed with how well B is learning his lessons.  The lessons are presented audibly with visual aides and are reinforced in English.  This method works well.

While the teaching method is solid there are some rough edges that need to be addressed about the website.  One is that the program runs best in Firefox.  That's ok with me as I am used to using multiple browsers and Firefox can be downloaded for free, however, this fact should be boldly stated on the Parent page even though it is listed on the Free Registration page.  Let parents know from the get go.  At the beginning of each module instructions are provided on how to make the most of the lessons.  I found the instructions wordy and lengthy.  People like quick and simple.  If the instructions are put into single line bullet points it will clarify the instructions and get people into the lessons quicker.

The biggest issue is web page navigation.  Once you select your module the page quickly comes up with the instructions and you can scroll down to get a listing of lessons and their respective tests.  Click on the lesson you want and you are redirected to Quizlet's simple and clean lesson web page.  It's good, but, when you want to navigate away from this page back to the instruction/lesson page you can't.  You're taken to a different page on Quizlet.com and you can't easily get back to FrenchEssentials.com. You can get back to what you were doing by clicking on "Flashcards" but that still doesn't return you to the instruction/lesson page.  Anyone should be able to do that with just one click.

The teaching is solid, it works, and is a good program for learning French, but until the web page navigation flows better I would hold off on signing up.  Once that issue is resolved French Essentials will be time and money well spent. 

Mama definitely recommends French Essentials!

George Washington: True Patriot from YWAM Publishing (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received George Washington: True Patriot, by Janet & Geoff Benge, from YWAM Publishing for review purposes.

Product Link:

George Washington: True Patriot
George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide

Vendor Contact Information: YWAM Publishing

Age Appeal: 10 and up

Format: George Washington: True Patriot (224 pages in paperback, Kindle, or Nook), George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide (64 pages in paperback only)

Price: $6.99 for George Washington: True Patriot, $7.49 for the George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide

Are you looking for a readable book and unit study to help your children learn more about one of our Founding Fathers, George Washington?

Look no further than George Washington: True Patriot and George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide.  The book contains George Washington’s life from his childhood to his military campaigns to his death.  The unit study contains many different activities, like key quotes, field trip ideas, chapter questions, and more.

Our Experience:

B and C love history, especially American history.  I was excited to be able to bring them a book and unit study about George Washington.  We have studied him before, but we have not studied him in the detail that this book enabled us to.

We spent a lot of time reading this book.  It was a lot longer than I thought it would be, but it was very informational and fun to read.  After we read each chapter I would ask B and C the chapter questions.  I waited until we finished reading the book to work on the other activities.  We worked on the art activities, made a display of items relating to George Washington, and more.

I Liked:

• B and C really enjoyed the book.  They were always wanting me to read more.
• B and C had fun with the art activities and making a display of items relating to George Washington.
• I liked the detail of the book.  The children were able to learn a lot about George Washington.
• The unit study contained a lot of activities that we were able to do.  There were a lot of activities left that we will be able to do them when the children are older.

I Disliked:

• I disliked nothing!

What B (boy, age nine, officially in fourth grade) Liked and Disliked:

It was a good story if you would like to learn about George Washington.  I liked the part about George Washington and Lafayette.  The unit study was also pretty fun.  It would be good for kids my age and older.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in second grade) Liked and Disliked:

I liked the book.  It was a very, very good story.  It would be good for kids my age and older.

Dad’s Call:

I enjoyed Heroes of History George Washington: True Patriot. It's an e-book that is written for ages 10 and up, not because of any graphic battles or other scenes but simply because some of the themes would be a little difficult for younger child to comprehend.  It is an easy read that provides details of George Washington's life from his early childhood to the time after he was President of the United States.

Janet & Geoff Benge did a wonderful job of detailing George Washington's life that keeps the reader wanting more.  The happy times of George's early childhood to the difficult and trying times of the Revolutionary War to diplomatic issues of being president.  Janet & Geoff cover all the major events of Washington's life and that's what makes this a great place to start learning about our first president for our children.

Dad did not have time to look at the George Washington: Unit Study Curriculum Guide.

Mama highly recommends George Washington: True Patriot from YWAM Publishing!