Funny Farm at School

Spell Quizzer

2009-03-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

Explaining Spell Quizzer is very simple. It allows children to practice their spelling words. It is a software that allows the user to make a recording of the spelling list and the student to practice.

In order to make a sound recording, you need to have a microphone that can plug into your computer. If not, the other option is to create a phrase or use a definition to help the child remember the word.

Many people have weekly spelling lists. We have always used Spelling Power, which doesn’t have weekly lists. So for us, this isn’t really something we would use.

I do think it is beneficial though for families who choose to teach spelling another way. Why don’t you head over to the Spell Quizzer website for more information.If you’d like to read reviews of this and other products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Further Up and Further In - Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum

2009-03-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

I was so excited to be able to review Further Up and Further In. I love unit studies and my kids love the Chronicles of Narnia, so this is a perfect match.

The study is designed for students in grades four through eight, but just like other unit studies, it can be adapted for older or younger students. It covers many topics, including history, mythology, geography, health and safety, cooking and others. You will need to add your own math, grammar and spelling for a well rounded year.

The book is spiral bound and 338 pages. It has seven units, each corresponding to one of the seven Narnia books. You can finish one book a month by covering a chapter each day. Again, you can adapt it to your family’s needs and aren’t really bound by following this schedule.

There is a planning guide at the beginning of each section that allows you to prepare for the lessons. There are suggested videos, books, field trips and memorizations. The student is challenged to do further research to learn, not just reading the particular book the unit is covering.

In order to give you a good understanding of what is in the book, I am going to highlight Chapter 11 of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The student is given vocabulary words and are asked to look them up in a dictionary. They are to write them, along with a definition in their vocabulary notebook. There are then fill in the blank statements for the vocabulary words. Then the student is asked to read Chapter 11. Next, there are 6 assignments to choose from. Three science, one art, one cooking and one critical thinking. One of the science assignments is to look at a book about tracking animals. Then mix Plaster of Paris and make animal tracks in them. The art assignment was to draw a picture of the animals having Christmas Dinner.

I really can’t express enough how impressed I am with this unit study. It is very thorough and well written. It is published by Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum and they offer unit studies on Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables. You can see their offerings on their website.

For reviews on this and other great homeschooling curriculum, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Math Tutor DVDs

2009-02-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

I can’t tell you how many times as a homeschooling mom that I have been asked “Are you going to teach through high school?” Then that is followed up with “Well what about math?”
I now have the answer to “what about math”. Math Tutor DVD.

What a great find. Math Tutor offers just that, math tutoring DVDs in numerous areas. They currently have DVDs from Basic Math and Word Problems, to Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry and even Physics. You’ll need to check out their website for a complete list.

One of the reasons that I love the DVDs is that some kids just need to “see” to learn. What better way for them to see than through a DVD. They are growing up during a time that they are definitely receiving a lot of visual stimulation, and this is another avenue for learning a subject that can sometimes be difficult.

We received the Basic Math Word Problems and Algebra 2 DVD. Both of them were easy to understand and the teacher explained the material in a very clear way. His voice is very pleasant and the video is well made.

If math is scary to you, these DVDs would definitely be a great investment. To learn more about Math Tutor, check out their website. To read reviews of this and other great homeschooling products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Bible Story Songs

2009-02-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

What a pleasant surprise to be able to review a CD. We received Moses – Volume 2 – The Last 40 Years from Bible Story Songs.

The CD is one hour of songs, leading us along with Moses on a journey through the wilderness. Each song is straight from the Word of God. The songs are catchy tunes and is a great way for children to learn scripture.

Some of the songs on our CD are from Deuteronomy, Exodus and Numbers. One of my favorites is “Do All Things without Murmuring – Philippians 2:14”. I wonder why?

I would recommend any of the titles from Bible Story Songs for little ears to hear! They even offer sheet music and songs books, in addition to other CDs. They are even offering MP3 versions of their songs as well.

You can go to their website and see the titles they offer. For reviews on this and other products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Artistic Pursuits Grades 4-6 Book One

2009-02-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

I loved art in high school but I have to confess that it has been a difficult thing for me to teach my kids. I’m not sure why. Probably because I could never find the right thing to use. Until now.

I love Artistic Pursuits. I received Grades 4-6 Book One: The Elements of Art and Composition. It is such a great program. The book suggests two classes per week for one hour to finish the book in one school year.

For each unit, students are presented vocabulary, given a creative exercise, exposed to a work of art from history that relates to the subject and shown techniques. Some of the topics of this particular book are Space, Line and Shape, Contrast and Form. A few of the techniques covered are texturing, blending, shading and scratch art.

I love the fact that this curriculum covers multiple levels and is non-consumable. While using it now for my older children, I will be able to use it for the younger two in a few years.
Artistic Pursuits also has other levels, from preschoolers to high schoolers. The book that I have retails for $42.95 which is great for a whole year of art instruction. If you’d like to get a closer look at each level, check out their website at http://www.artisticpursuits.com/. For reviews of other ARTistic Pursuits products, head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

One 2 Believe Noah's Ark Playset

2009-02-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

We received this really cute Noah’s ark playset from One 2 Believe to review. Having previously reviewed their nativity set, I was anxious to see how the Noah’s Ark set compared.

I liked the figures, however, I did not think that the ark wasn’t up to par. It was tough to open, and it is made of hard (more like potentially brittle) plastic. I’m not able to speak intelligently about the different kinds of plastics that are used in toys, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
I think it’s fine for story reenactment if you aren’t planning to open and close the ark a lot. It’s more difficult for little people than it would be older children.

One 2 Believe is a great company and has lots of great products for children. I firmly believe that children learn through playing and retelling stories. The Noah’s Ark playset retails for $29.95 and you can see it and other products here.To read other reviews of this and other homeschooling products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Rocket Phonics

2009-02-15T09:17:00.000-08:00

Rocket Phonics is an easy to use phonics based reading program that I had the opportunity to review. I love it.

The program uses games, riddles, jokes and stories to make reading fun. I am a firm believer that children learn through play and that school can be fun. Rocket Phonics helps that become a reality. Geared for students between 4 and 10 years old, the program helps beginning students and those who are experienced. It is a great tool to help those children who have found reading to be difficult.

They recommend that you spend 30 to 50 minutes, three to five times per week with your child and the program. They also guarantee that your child’s reading skills will improve within 90 days or you can get your money back. You definitely can’t beat that.

Each kit comes with a workbook, symbol cards, bingo chips and extra games, and a few other things. The retail price is $160 which is great compared to other popular phonics programs. And the other ones do not offer a 90 day guarantee!

To see more detail about Rocket Phonics, go to their website here. For reviews on this and other great homeschooling products, head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Math Mammoth

2009-02-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Math Mammoth offers affordable math workbooks covering numerous topics. Some of them include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and place value. Some workbooks are organized by topic, others by grade level.

We received Grade 6A and 6B, Multiplication 2, Division 2 and Multiplication/Division 3. 6A is an 87 page download with a focus on Operations with Numbers, Place Value, Decimals and others. 6B is an 80 page download with topics including geometry, equations, ratios and statistics. The books aren’t meant to be a teaching text but more of a review or additional worksheet helps. Answer keys come with the books.

The company’s website is very informative and helps with placement. There is a free 280 page download so you definitely get a great sampling of the books. The books are available as downloads, CD version and print version. The prices vary according to the product.

You can check out the Math Mammoth website here. Also, be sure to read reviews on this and other great homeschooling products at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Write Shop Story Builders

2009-02-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

Write Shop Story Builders are just that. Story Builders. They come as a download and are a set of cards that help the student with jumpstarting their creative writing.

The World of People set is 62 pages and includes 192 cards different printable cards. You can choose to print out the black version to print on colored cardstock or the colored version to print on white cardstock. Also included are 48 blank cards to make your own, instructions and ideas on how to use the set.

The other sets offered are World of Animals, World of Sports and a Christmas Mini-Builder set. Each set retails for $7.95 which makes it a very affordable addition to your homeschooling day!

To check out the story builders, click here! For reviews on this and other products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Deeper Roots Jr. High Bible Curriculum

2009-01-28T09:17:00.000-08:00

We were blessed by having the opportunity to review a Bible curriculum, Discovering Our Amazing God, from Deeper Roots Publications. We received the 7th – 9th grade curriculum, so my oldest son was able to jump right in.

This volume includes 10 total lessons, counting the introductory lesson. Some of the topics are Discovering God’s Wisdom, Power, Creativity and Love. Each lesson starts with a Memory Verse and questions to allow the student to begin thinking of the subject. For the next 10 to 14 days, the student is challenged with a scripture passage and questions.

There is a study sheet at the end of each lesson, as well as journaling pages for the student to write his thoughts on what he has studied. An added bonus to the book is the study of different people groups between lessons. Some of those covered in this volume are the Muslims, Hindus, Chinese and Buddhist.

I think my son and I were both pleased with the content of this study. It is challenging to the student, makes them think, but isn’t so time consuming that it ever feels like work. It is very meaty, meaning it doesn’t just skim the surface, and doesn’t require the student to merely learn facts and spit them back. The student is challenged to apply the things they are learning to their life situation.

Deeper Roots offers 3 other volumes for the 7th-9th grades and I am sure they are of the same quality and content. You definitely would not be disappointed with any volume. They also have a high school aged book, Rooted and Grounded. Go to their website to see all the great materials they offer.

For other reviews on their products, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew page!

All About Homophones

2009-01-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

All About Homophones is an e-book that we were asked to review. It comes from the author of All About Spelling, which is an excellent spelling program for your kinesthetic, visual, or auditory learner.

Homophones are words that sound alike, but are spelled differently, and have different meanings. An example is there and their. Or blue and blew. The list goes on and on.

The e-book is 240 pages and is full of great tools to teach children about homophones. There are worksheets, crossword puzzles, card games and much more. It really is a fun way to learn.

Learning about homophones isn’t just for the elementary students. The word lists shows homophones for grades one through eight. You go from to and two in the first grade to assistants and assistance in the eighth.

You can purchase this ebook here! To learn more about All About Spelling, click here. To read reviews on this and other homeschooling products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Homeschooling ABCs

2009-01-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

Knowledge Quest Homeschooling ABCs course is an online e-course for new homeschoolers written by veteran homeschooler Terri Johnson. Each week you will receive an email with a link to your current lesson. Many of the weeks you receive bonus materials along with your lesson.

Some of the topics covered are:
B is for Basics
G is for Get Together
I is for Internet and Library
N is for Nature Science

Each lesson is packed with information, helps and tips and is very well written.

The cost for joining the class is very reasonable. It's only $10 per month which works out to $2.30 per class. You will definitely not be disappointed in the information you will receive.
I would have loved to have had access to these classes when I began the homeschooling journey. I would have saved myself hours of research and reading and would have learned so much more. This lesson series has definitely been one of my favorite things to review so far.

Check out this great product at http://www.homeschoolingabcs.com/ today! For other opinions of this product, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

All About Spelling

2008-12-28T07:15:00.000-08:00

All About Spelling is a program that teaches spelling “hands on”. It works great for those kids who are kinesthetic and visual learners. It does for spelling what Math-U-See does for math!

The program uses phonogram cards and letter tiles to give the learning a hands-on approach. There is a CD of The Basic Phonograms for those students who are auditory learners.

There are four levels available with two more to come. The author suggests starting with Level One, no matter what type of speller you have. Some older students will progress through Level One pretty quickly but doing it will definitely not hurt. You never know when you may touch on a concept that was not quite grasped when the student was younger.

The program may look overwhelming at first, but it is definitely worth the investment in time for the student who struggles with spelling. My son that I worked with this program on typically is one who dreads most things to do with school. After a couple of days, he was asking when we were going to do spelling.

To get a great understanding of the program, check out their website! For reviews of this and other homeschooling products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Kinderbach

2008-12-27T21:07:00.000-08:00

Kinderbach is an online music curriculum designed to teach an introduction to music using the keyboard or piano. For this review, I primarily used my 5 year old daughter, even though my boys watched a little. (Quickly after beginning, the boys opted out, feeling they were a bit old for this.) Our family has been a Kindermusik family for many years, so I was curious to see how Kinderbach compared. I was pleasantly surprised.

Kinderbach is advertised as being for 2-7 year olds. I would agree, and maybe even say 2-5 if the child has had any kind of music class, such as Kindermusik. We reviewed the online class, which consists of four 15-minute lessons per week. There are 60 weekly lessons. The lessons have PDF worksheets that you can print out. The course covers such topics as rhythm, note reading, singing and identifying patterns. The tunes are catchy and my daughter seemed to enjoy the time she spent watching.

One of the things to keep in mind is that to really use the program as designed, you need to have a keyboard or piano nearby the computer. I don’t have a laptop, so this was an issue for us.
The cost for the program is $85.95 for the year, if paid at one time. You can also pay $14.95 per month. They also offer a DVD program to purchase if you’d like to use for years to come.

Check out Kinderbach and the reviews from other members of the TOS Homeschool Crew and see what they think about this program.

TIme 4 Learning

2008-12-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Time 4 Learning is an online educational program for ages pre-K through 8th grade. It covers math, language arts, science and social studies. For homeschoolers, I feel that the program is used best as supplemental instead of the main curriculum. (Just my opinion. Others may find that they can use it for the bulk of their studies.)

For this review, my main guinea pigs were my two oldest boys. They are the main computer users (meaning, they can navigate pretty well without my constant supervision).

There is much to cover with this program, but I’m going to try and hit the main highlights.
Initially, the parent fills out a questionnaire about the student being signed up. The questions allow for a grade level to be assigned as a starting point. The program is very flexible, and can be started at any time, including mid-year.

The student can choose from a subject, then concept, and work on the self-guided lesson at their own pace. A check mark indicates when the concept has been completed and a percentage given indicating the level of mastery.

Both of my boys seemed to enjoy the site. As for the teacher, there are printable lesson plans that show the concepts being covered and progress reports showing each student’s progress in the individual subjects.

I do need to point out that this is not a Christian curriculum and it does not claim to be. Having said that, you may want to preview the science sections before allowing your child to complete them. As with any site, I want to know what my children are seeing and learning. Just because it is “educational” in nature doesn’t mean that it is something I want my children to learn.

Though I do like it, this site is a little out of our price range. The monthly membership fee is $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child. So for only two out of the four, I would be spending approximately $35.00. Being the bargain shopper, I can find many other resources for learning that are far less than that amount.

To read what others are saying about this site, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew’s review links.

2008-12-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

Puppetools is a website whose mission is "to open the door to sweeping change in education by advancing the principle of play in teaching and learning." The founder of Puppetools, Jeffrey Peyton, has done much research on using puppets and play in education. The majority of homeschoolers that I know definitely agree that children learn by playing.

The site allows teachers (public school, private school, homeschool, Sunday School, etc…..) access to many types of puppets that can be downloaded and printed out for their students use. Mr. Peyton has developed a “hinged” type mouth for the puppets that is very unique. The possibilities are endless when you search through the many printables on this site.

Puppetools offers a yearly subscription for $20, or you may get a group subscription for $99 (for up to 30 subscribers). The group subscription would work great for a homeschool group or co-op.

Take the time to check out the website and see for yourself. If you’d like to read other reviews, then look at what the other TOS Homeschool Crew members are writing about this site.

Core Learning Crayola Art Studio CD

2008-12-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

Core Learning is a publisher of educational software, books, multi-curricular projects and on-line learning applications. Their mission is “to provide effective learning solutions for the development of fundamental knowledge and skills. Its primary focus of skill development is in areas that both support higher order thinking but also provide important life skills.”

The Crayola Art Studio CD was tried out by my ultra-crafty son, the one who can construct anything from tape and cardboard. I determined that his critique would have the most credibility of the four kids.

I’m happy to announce that this CD received two thumbs up from Crafty Boy. Our conversation at the beginning went something like this:

Me: Hey G, I’ve got a new CD I want you to check out.
G: OK.
Me (two hours later): G, are you still trying out that new CD?
G: Oh yeah, Mom, this is so much fun. Look at what all you can do!!

So it is definitely a keeper.

A few details about the CD: It is very user friendly, geared for even the younger set. There are two levels, one with the whole array of tools and the other more simple that younger kids won’t be frustrated with it. There are also twelve different “realistic” artistic tools, from chalk and crayon, to oil pastels and water colors. The term “realistic” is very literal. When using the crayons, the color goes on like a crayon. When painting with water colors, the color goes on like water colors. It is very cool.

There are many features of this CD, and I felt like we have only begun to discover all of its many uses. The CD retails for $24.95 from Core Learning. If you’d like to read other reviews of this product, then check out the TOS Homeschool Crew page!

Times Tales and Clean 'N' Flip Charts

2008-12-15T22:14:00.000-08:00

I tell you what. Those on the TOS Homeschool Crew have been receiving some great products for review, and Times Tales is one of them. We received Times Tales and Clean 'N' Flip charts from Trigger Memory Systems, and they are both great products.

Times Tales is a program that covers the most difficult to remember multiplication facts. They use simple stories and illustrations that provide students with a "memory peg" to recall the facts quickly. It is a non-consumable book and can be used by the whole family.

Along with Times Tales, we received 3 Clean 'N' Flip Charts: Zone Cleaning, Bedroom Cleaning and Laundry for Kids. What a great idea for kids (and those of adults who get off track while cleaning!). Each chart (booklet) gives step by step instructions for doing certain chores. It can be used by non-readers as well.

Trigger Memory Systems has some great products that you will want to check out. For other reviews on these products, go to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Schoolside Press - The Little Man in the Map

2008-12-13T07:22:00.000-08:00

Schoolside Press is the publisher of The Little Man in the Map, a beautiful hard bound book that teaches US geography. We received this for review and couldn't wait to sit down and read it.

This book is very clever, capturing the fact that the states in the middle of the country resemble a man. The well illustrated book helps us to remember the names of the states and their regions.

My kids who range from 5 - 12 yrs. old, loved the story and I'm sure this book will be read many more times. It is a great addition to our collection of picture storybooks.

The Little Man in the Map is available at Schoolside Press for $19.95. You can also purchase a wall map or download a couple of coloring sheets on their website also.

Check out other reviews of The Little Man in the Map at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Let's Make a Webpage

2008-12-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

Let’s Make a Webpage is a 60 page e-book from Motherboard Books. It is a tutorial for kids ages 8 – 12 that helps walk them through the process of creating a Web page.

I have a son who loves to create, so this a great product for him to try out. He’s not quite finished with his site, but I hope to link to what he did after he is done.

The book leads the student through the process of creating a web page. By using a free trial version of an HTML software, the student will write an interview and make a Web page for it. He will include photos and animation, sounds and links. The book teaches how to add text, make a table and upload the work.

A younger student will need some assistance with the project, however, an older student should be able to work on their own.

This e-book retails for $19.99, making it a great choice for homeschooling families. For other great computer skill resources, be sure and go to the Motherboard Books website. For reviews on this and other great homeschooling products, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Salem Ridge Press

2008-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Salem Ridge Press is a publishing company founded by a homeschool graduate in 2005. Their mission is to republish quality children’s books of the 1800’s and early 1900’s. They currently offer over 20 books for all ages. All of the titles promote strong moral values and encourage godly character.

Our family received three titles to review, Glaucia the Greek Slave, Mary Jane – Her Book and the White Seneca.

Glaucia the Greek Slave was originally written in 1874 and is set in Athens, Greece. The story follows a young girl and her brother, whom after the death of their father, were sold into slavery. This book would be great as a read aloud while studying Greek history. There are historical notes and a timeline in the beginning of the book, as well as definitions of “new to us” words at the bottom of each page.

Mary Jane – Her Book is a sweet little book originally published in the early 1900’s. It follows the adventures of five year old Mary Jane and her family. It is written for children ages 6 – 10, but it is great as a read aloud for younger girls. There is also a sequel available: Mary Jane – Her Visit.
The White Seneca was originally published in the early 1900’s and is set in Colonial America. Again, another great historical time period read aloud for your family. While studying history, I love to be able to incorporate videos and books that give my kids a feel for the time period and the White Seneca does just that. The story follows a fifteen year old boy who was captured by the Seneca Indians and raised as “the white Seneca”. This too is a great read aloud for your family.If these three books are any indication of the quality books that are offered by Salem Ridge Press, then I don’t anticipate being disappointed by any of them. If you’d like to read more reviews of Salem Ridge Press, be sure to check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Spears Art Studio Review

2008-12-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

I was excited to receive a fantastic art curriculum for review, the Spears Art Studio K-8 Curriculum. I received this on a CD (retail price is $39.95), which is in a printable PDF format.

What an awesome program. I have two art lovers, and two non-art lovers in the family. This curriculum is perfect for both sets! It is written from a Christian perspective, and that is definitely a plus for our family. It can be used from grades Kindergarten through 8th grade, and each month covers a different theme and art topic. There is a scripture passage highlighted with each lesson, vocabulary words, materials list and detailed instructions on how to do the activity. There is even a picture of the desired finished project, so you have a sample to go by.

There is nothing about this program that I do not love. It is well written, very informative and easy to use. Go to Spears Art Studio’s website and check it out. You may look at many samples and see for yourself why I am thrilled with this program! You can also check out other reviews at TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

Rime to Read Review

2008-12-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Rime to Read is an online reading program for beginning readers. There are 20 books total that are online, but you are able to print them out at any time (however, you only have the ability to print them out once, so make sure you get it right!)

The books are based on "rimes" (not to be mistaken for rhymes), which are words that sound alike and look alike. Rimes are sometimes referred to as word families and are an effective way to teach reading skills. (These books remind me somewhat of what I used to teach my oldest two boys, Alpha-Phonics.) The books on Rime to Read are color coded so that your child can clearly see the part of the word that sounds the same. You have the ability to click on the words that are highlighted in the story and they will be read back to you! (This is one of my favorite features of the books.) Sight words are also a part of the books, with 35 sight words introduced throughout the series.

I think that the child needs to know the sounds of the letters before attempting to use the books. I also think that this serves as a great supplement or starter program for the early reader. The site allows you to start with a sample book prior to purchasing. The entire set of 20 books costs $44.99, or you can buy 4-book vowel sets for $9.99 each. Head over to the TOS Crew blog to check out other reviews for Rime to Read.

One2Believe Nativity Playset

2008-11-25T20:26:00.000-08:00

What a pleasant surprise when a package arrived on our steps with a 17 piece nativity set from One2Believe. I love nativity sets and have been semi-sorta collecting them for a few years, so to receive one to review was a blessing.

One2Believe is a Christian company whose “passion is to help children learn important Bible lessons and to have them come to faith in Jesus. Our goal is to provide fun ways of teaching children about the greatest people who ever lived. Through the toys that we design children will learn and play out exciting stories about real people. Our toys teach children that there are real superheroes they can believe in!”

The set comes with 17 well constructed pieces (which have been made from PVC, so you definitely don’t want these pieces chewed on by little ones.) The “set includes a “Birth of Baby Jesus” mini-storybook and 17 PVC pieces (Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus in manger, King #1, King #2, King #3, Angel #1, Angel #2, Shepherd #1, Shepherd #2, male camel, male donkey, male sheep, female sheep, stable, tree, and a barrel of hay).”

I am impressed by the quality of this playset, and with the other items that the company offers on their website. When there are so many negative influences in front of our children, it is refreshing to know there are toys that can help reinforce the values being taught in our home.

You can purchase the set for $24.95 on the One2Believe website. For other reviews of this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

The Missing Link: Found

2008-11-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

I have been bothered for some time by what appears to be a phenomenon among the major bookstores. Several months ago, I was in a major bookstore chain with my son, and we were looking on the teen aisle. I couldn’t help but notice the “dark” nature of the books. Books about wizards, vampires, witches and evil all seemed to jump off the shelf at me. As I looked closer, those topics seemed to overwhelm the shelves. I left that day feeling like there was something really wrong with our culture when darkness was portrayed in such a popular light.

Now to be fair, I haven’t read any of the books on wizards or vampires, and really am not interested in them. My kids haven’t read them either. They have never given me that warm fuzzy feeling. (The wizard and vampire books, not my kids!)

I say all of that to say this: I am thrilled with a book that I received as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew reviews. Media Angels, Inc. is a “publishing company that is dedicated to serving the needs of Christian parents, students and teachers.” Media Angels sent us a copy of “The Missing Link: Found” which was written by a mother and daughter team, Christina and Felice Gerwitz. Christina was just 12 yrs. old when she began writing this book, (which is part of a three book set, the Truth Seekers Mystery Series).

I’m excited for a couple of reasons: The first is that it was written by a homeschooler. I love to see the success of students who are homeschooled and homeschooling families. Secondly, the content of the book is adventurous, entertaining, educating and captivating. There were no dark overtones to the book, such as the ones mentioned at the beginning of my post.

There are three books in this series, and I intend to purchase the other two at some point. The author has also created literature guides to go along with all three books.

You will not be disappointed when choosing these adventure books for your family. Check out other reviews on Missing Link: Found at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Homeschool Library Builder - Website Review

2008-11-16T22:03:00.000-08:00

Homeschool Library Builder is a website that I have been asked to review as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I am so thankful that I have been made aware of this site. Typically, I am a library kind of girl. I generally check out the 3 major library systems nearby when I am searching for a book that we need for school. If that doesn’t work, I go straight to ebay. Now, I’ll be headed straight to the Homeschool Library Builder. Let me give a few highlights of the site:

-The site is run by two homeschool families who understand the needs of homeschoolers, the type of books we are looking for and the prices that we need them to be!

-User friendly site with a quick search engine.

-They offer great books - the books that are used in homeschool curricula such as Five in A Row, Tapestry of Grace, Sonlight, Veritas Press and others.

-Membership is free and allows you to accumulate points which equals free books. It reminds me of the grocery stores!

-They have many out of print books

-Great prices throughout the site: A sample of the pricing – Retail: $15.89 – Sale Price: $3.00

-Shipping based on purchase amount – up to $25 – shipping is $4.50 – 25.01 – 50.00 – shipping is $7.70

Please bookmark Homeschool Library Builders and check them out when you are shopping for books. You never know what great bargains you will find. For more reviews on this website, head on over to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!

Great Internet Resource!!

2008-11-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

When talking to parents who are new to homeschooling, I have often said that if you have access to the library and the internet (with a printer), you can teach your children at home. Now, that doesn’t mean that I don’t purchase curriculum, but I do supplement a great deal from those two resources.

I have recently reviewed a website for TOS Homeschool Crew that can definitely be a big help to those starting out in their homeschooling journey.

Helpme2teach.com is an internet directory for students, teachers and parents that boasts access to over 2500 safe and educational links. From preschoolers to high schoolers, this site will guide you to free resources on numerous topics. You may search through the Table of Contents or type your category into the search line. A brief summary of the website will come up in the search, as well as a color-code that shows whom the site is geared toward, i.e. Primary (K-2nd), Elementary (2nd – 5th), Secondary (6th – 12th) and Teacher. This can be a definite timesaver function.

The site was developed by a teacher of over 40 years. She has spent numerous hours searching the internet for sites that are safe and relevant. All sites have been prescreened, so allowing your 7th grader to search on the site alone is not a scary prospect.

Currently the pricing for the site is:
1 yr.: $29.95
3 mos.: $15.95
1 mo.: $9.95
3 days: $4.95

There is also a special running through December 31, 2008 where you can buy 1 year and get one free. (Everyone loves BOGO!) The author is updating the site daily, and many categories have been added since the first time I logged on.

Helpme2teach.com definitely warrants a good look by those parents who are new to homeschooling as well as those veterans who have been around the block.

Be sure to check out the Homeschool Crew's other reviews of helpme2teach!

It's been crazy.......

2008-10-31T06:44:00.000-07:00

At the funny farm school lately. Last year, we didn’t do much in the way of extra curricular activity, mainly because of all the unknowns surrounding A-queen’s surgery schedule. This year, knowing a little better what to expect, we decided to venture out some more and participate in outside activities. In the past, I’ve always said that it’s kinda hard to homeschool if we are never at HOME.

My girl, A-queen is taking a Kindermusik class for the first time. She’s always been pretty quiet, and sticking close by me. This has given her a chance to do something on her own, away from her posse of brothers. She is definitely loving it.

I tried and tried to get N-mouse to do something, but he just wouldn’t budge. He’s the type that wants to observe and know what he’s getting into before EVER trying ANYTHING. I guess that’s good in a way. Basketball is his thing, so he’s waiting for that.

G-man is the one who wants to do it all, and would if I let him. He’s doing a homeschool gymnastics class on Wednesday mornings and is finishing up his flag football season this weekend.

Coobie has taken up karate, and participates in a karate class at the local YWCA on Wednesday afternoons. He’s only been doing it for about 6 weeks or so, and has already received his orange belt. I’m so thankful that he is progressing and learning something new.

Those are just extra things we are doing this semester. It’s nice to be out of the house some, but it definitely has its disadvantages too.

Adding to the craziness is all of the wonderful products that are coming our way to review. I am participating in a marketing program with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. It is a nine month project, with lots of great goodies coming our way. Just so far, I have received 11 products, valued at over $400. Some are online and many have been products coming in the mail. I’m looking forward to finishing up some reviews over the next week and getting them posted soon.

Next week is surgery week at our house, so another crazy week at the funny farm school!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Fall Promotion

2008-10-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

“The Old Schoolhouse Magazine – The Magazine for Homeschool Families” Fall Promotion!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a 200 page, full color quarterly publication that ministers to homeschoolers in our nation and abroad. I say “ministers” because every time I have opened one, I have felt ministered to. For families that are just starting out, to the veterans that have been on this journey for years, this magazine has something for everyone. And right now is THE time to get yours!

I wanted to tell you all about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Fall Special. You can get two years of the magazine, 6 fabulous physical gifts (no downloads!) worth over $120, plus the current issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine that is full of ideas for the new school year, so you start receiving your magazine in a flash!

It really is one of their best deals ever and you don't want to miss out. In fact, they've got a really cute Homeschooling with Heart tote bag (valued at $13.95) for the first 1000 to subscribe. A lot of them are gone, but you should still be able to get one if you hurry!(They will remove the info from the subscription page when the bags are all gone.) The total value is over $212, but you receive it all for only $39 - 50% off of cover price! Plus subscribers get their online monthly Teacher's Toolbox which focuses on a different topic each month, giving you words of encouragement, hands-on teaching ideas, book recommendations, field trip ideas, and a bonus download item.

I just received my tote bag yesterday, and it is WONDERFUL. The tote bag alone is a great gift, but this promotion gives you other gifts as well!

Click here to order your subscription today!

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/US_Promotion.php.

Science for the day!

2008-09-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

One of the things I like to joke about (kinda sorta joking) is how there are always opportunities for learning in every situation, if you just keep your eyes open. (Really it is the same principle as being thankful, if we just look around we can always find something to be thankful for.)

The boys participated in a local county fair last week, which means they made some things and baked some things, and we entered them for judging. They look forward to this time of year because they know they will actually get some decent money.

This year’s fair was profitable. C (12) made $28, G (10) received $16 and N (8) raked in the highest total of the three, $39. With this particular fair, they pay you cash money on the spot when you pick up your ribbons. Wooohooo!!

From previous experience, I knew that one child in particular would be itching to spend his money. Immediately. Probably all of it. Bless his heart. And he received the least of the three. (Yes, I just gave it away.)

Anywho, yesterday the three younger ones went shopping with their dad, while me and my oldest son went off for what we like to call M&C Day. (This is where he goes along for the ride while I run all of my errands, including the ever-exciting fabric store, and in return, I reward him with a lunch out. The boy loves him some food. And I love his company, so it is a nice trade.)

G was predictable once again, and came home with a couple of things from Target. The first was what he had been searching for, a guitar instructional booklet that comes with a CD. (I thought this was a great purchase for him and was pleased. He loves music, and is actually pretty talented, and is determined to teach himself every instrument ever created.) The second purchase was neat, but I figured it was one of those things that will get misplaced, and turn into “just a fad” type toy. It was this: Wild Planet Micro Ear Gear

Boy, I think I might have been wrong about this little gadget.

This morning, N, who is the early riser of the four was playing with the little ol' micro ear and discovered that he could use it to hear his heart beat. What??? We now have a stethoscope. How cool. So I listened to his heart, then I said "Hey, let me see if your stomach is talking." So I put it on his little washboard stomach and you could hear the stomach acids just a churning. What?? Even cooler now.

So today we will be studying medical science. All because of a toy from Target called Micro Ear Gear. (Let's just wait and see how gross it gets with 3 boys playing. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before one suggests to listen to the others' bottoms.)

Science for the day!!

The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine Review

2008-09-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I was skeptical of an online digital version of a magazine. I currently only subscribe to one magazine that comes in my mailbox, and I love flipping through the pages, and skipping over the ads and articles that don’t appeal to me.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the digital version of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Through no fault of the magazine, I can tell you that if I had a larger monitor, the whole process would have been much better for me. Even better would be if I had a laptop computer and could be reading the magazine on the couch. But in any event, it was still pretty neat.

The magazine is very easy to navigate using the toolbar at the top of the page. You have the table of contents available quickly, and can go straight to the page you are interested in. One of my favorite features is being able to see all pages as thumbnails. (I love to do this with the Target ad online as well.) You can view the magazine as one page, or to get the “magazine” feel, you can pick a two page spread.

The content of the magazine is great, with tons of relevant articles for all areas of homeschooling. Just like most magazines, there are quite a bit of ads, but not so much that you feel that’s all you paid for. Speaking of the ads, though, one of the coolest features available are hyper-links to other websites referenced throughout the magazine. Even if an author mentions a website in her article, the link to that website is right at your fingertips. Definitely can’t do that with a printed version.

All in all I was pleased with the digital, online version. It was very easy to navigate and you don’t have to worry about misplacing it. It definitely doesn't clutter up my living room. A great savings over the printed version, which is $39, the online version is currently $16.95. Click here to check it out.

The Schoolhouse Planner Review

2008-08-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to review/preview The Schoolhouse Planner from The Old Schoolhouse Online Store recently. My first thought was “OH MY WORD. 247 pages. WOW. That’s a whole lot of ink. I honestly thought that if I were to only want to print half of it, I would be shocked.

Guess what? I was shocked.

To someone who desires to be organized, but faces reality daily in knowing that God did not create me that way, I was skeptical that the planner would be useful for people like me. You know the type. We read all of these organizational blogs, and drool over the schedules that our fellow homeschool moms are following from the first day of school. But in our reality, our little world, it just doesn’t work that way. The Schoolhouse Planner is a downloadable, user friendly planner. It is an interactive PDF format and it is fun to use.

Each month begins with a calender, has a fact sheet (or in my house, we refer to it as trivia), which range in topics anywhere from Timeline of Inventions to the Periodic Table of Elements. How timely that I saw the topic of Countries and Capitals in the middle of watching the Olympics. I had just asked my husband, “Is St. Kitts and Nevis even a country?” Thanks to the planner, I learned that yes, it is a country. And now I know the capital is Basseterre.

There are also very informative homeschool articles, resource lists from the Schoolhouse Store and monthly recipes.

After twelve months of planning sections, we come to the homeschool form section of the planner. After spending hours upon hours searching for forms on the internet, this section is a blessing. There was thought given to all types of homeschoolers, even providing a form for the unschoolers to the preschoolers.

It gets even better. There are countless numbers of household forms. From menu planning, grocery shopping to monthly household maintenance and cleaning reminders. (Oooh, I did not know I should clean out under my refrigerator every month. I am so far behind.)

This planner does not disappoint. I was very pleasantly surprised that I will be printing off the majority of pages and will use it frequently. About the only thing I will omit from my printing schedule is the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Emancipation Proclamation. Yes, they are all in there.

No, I’m not kidding.

Welcome

2008-08-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Funny Farm at School! This blog will be my attempt to chronicle our homeschooling adventures, including reviews of great homeschooling products. We are in our 8th year of homeschooling. We have four children, Coobie who is 12 and in the 7th grade, G-man who is 10 and in the 5th grade, N-mouse who is in the 3rd grade, and A-queen who just turned 5 and is in Kindergarten. Hope you enjoy the adventure with us!