If you are looking to get your children riled up for science then head right over to Supercharged Science and check out their “Super” e-Science program! Supercharge Science was started by Al and Aurora Lipper 10 years ago with the mission of improving the way kids learn science.

With over 1,000 videos on hundreds of science topics, the e-Science program guides kids step-by-step through hands-on activities, projects and experiments. The lessons in the e-Science program are formatted so that children actually DO the lesson and discover on their own, rather than watching someone else do them.

The e-Science programs includes:

• Access to self-guided lessons that kids can complete on their own
• Detailed video instruction taught by a real Rocket Scientist
• Step by step videos to show how the experiment is to be done
• Comprehensive parent/teacher guides
• Textbook readings
• Exceeds most K-8th State Standards
• Exercises and Quizzes
• Unlimited support for teachers and students

The Supercharged e-Science program is a complete online curriculum for children in grades K-12 and retails for $37.00/ month for the K-8 section and $57.00/month for the K-12 section.

ABeCeDarian Reading Program is “a research-based, explicit, comprehensive, multi-sensory decoding program.”  It focuses on phonemics awareness, phonics, and fluency.

ABeCeDarian is divided into 4 levels. Crew members with young readers have been using the first two levels of the program. Level A is for nonreaders or very beginning readers. Level B is for students reading at mid-1st through 2nd grade level.

Level A lessons combine sound blending, sound segmenting, letter/sound correspondences, reading, and spelling. Later lessons include two-letter combinations such as sh, ch, th, and ck. Required materials for level A include Teacher’s Manual A1, Student Workbook A1, Teacher’s Manual A2, Student Workbook A2, and Storybooks for Level A. Each of the teacher’s manuals costs $28.50, and each of the student workbooks costs $12.25. The storybook collection is a set of 10 softcover readers and costs $21.50.

The Level B materials cover 1st and 2nd grade reading skills. The primary focus is on various ways that specific sounds can be written, and the program continues to emphasize reading fluency. In this level, the student also learns how to decode words with multiple syllables. There is only one Teacher’s Manual and one Student Workbook for Level B. Additional reading practice is provided in ABeCeDarian Aesop, a paperback collection of eleven fables. The Teacher’s Manual B1 costs $25.50, the Student Workbook B1 costs $10.25, and the Aesop reader costs $2.50.

ABeCeDarian recently combined all of the instructional materials for levels A and B into a single volume — the ABeCeDarian Parent/Tutor book, which costs $29.95.

Members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew received all of the materials necessary for teaching Levels A and B so that they could choose the most appropriate level for their child.

For the past several weeks, the Crew has been reviewing computer programming software from Computer Science for Kids.

The Crew reviewed two different products, Computer Bible Games for Microsoft Small Basic and Beginning Microsoft Small Basic.  

Using Small Basic, a simple computer language that makes writing code easy even for kids, these two products teach Middle School children how to program.  In lessons designed to take between 3-6 hours each to complete, students learn to write simple programs culminating in demonstrating to the student how the Small Basic programs learned can be further enhanced in a more advanced computer programming language.  Not only do students learn basic (or Small Basic!) programming, then, but their appetites are whetted for further computer programming.

Beginning Microsoft Small Basic is comprised of 11 chapters teaching program design, text window applications, graphics window applications, and other features of Small Basic.  Computer Bible Games for Microsoft Small Basic differs from it only in that in place of Chapter 11 (which uses secular games to show how other computer languages can enhance the game experience), the program adds several new chapters explaining how to build computer Bible games.  The program is designed specifically for Christian homeschool families.

Computer Bible Games and Beginning Microsoft Small Basic are available fro $59.95, but are currently on sale for $34.95.  The price includes a single-user  license and digital E-book download.

A Journey Through Learning provides a wonderful opportunity to practice scrapbooking/lapbooking in an educational setting.  The lapbooks are available for all different subjects and ages.  On the main page of the website you will see a few new lapbooks including ones for upcoming holidays.

A Journey Through Learning was created by two homeschool moms who wanted more hands on things for their kids to do in school.  Nancy and Paula were meeting without kids and the idea was born.  The first thing they worked on was a unit study.  From there you can see that they’ve progressed into all areas of lapbooks including working with major homeschool companies.  They have gone from two homeschool moms working together to having  a team of writers working with them.

Members of The Crew reviewed three lapbooks and one unit study.  Each came as a download with all instructions and requiring a manila folder to make the book.  Find out more about the lapbooks below.

Letters Numbers and Shapes:  As part of the “I Can Do School Too” series, this lapbook is geared to early learners.  It helps to teach letters, numbers, and shapes.  It can be purchased for in print for $20 or as a download for $13.

The Earth:  Developed for children in grades 1-4 to learn about the Earth and it’s structures, this lapbook can be bought in print for $21 or as a download for $13.  As part of this lapbook your child will learn about rock layers, the Earth’s four spheres, as well as much much more!

Knights and Castles:  If your kids are in grades 2-7 this lapbook is for them.  This lapbook covers the fall of Rome into the Middle Ages including knights, castles, peasants and more through a Christian perspective.  You can purchase the downloadable version for $13 or the print version for $21.

Astronomy and Space:  This is the unit study that was offered for grades 2-7.  Your children will learn about space, the solar system, what makes day and night, and what stars are.  The downloadable version is available for $13 or in print for $21.

Math U See is a comprehensive K-12 math curriculum. It was founded over 20 years ago by Steve Demme, a successful math teacher.  Using his combined knowledge of curriculum and teaching experience, he began developing worksheets based on a multi-sensory approach.

What sets Math U See apart is the hands on nature of the program. Each lesson uses tools such as videos and manipulatives. These tools are designed to work with all different learning styles. Math U See fits into many different homeschool styles from Charlotte Mason to Unit Study, from Traditional to Relaxed.

There are three things that make Math U See a unique math program.

1. Concept teaching: The teaching of why the problem is solved in a certain manner and when to apply that concept. Learning concepts comes first, then memorizing facts and formulas and being able to apply this to life.
2. Mastery Program:  Students should understand each concept and be able to teach it. Review is also a constant during each lesson.
3. Complete K-12 skill based, mulit-sensory program: Manipulatives are used from Primer through Algebra1. Because of the unique nature of how each kid learns, Math U See uses many senses to help students understand the materials they have learned.

The Crew was given the opportunity to pick which level of Math U See would work best for their student. They each received a full program plus all needed manipulatives. A full program consists of a Student Workbook, Teacher Book, Test booklet, and  Lesson DVD. Each elementary program also requires a manipulative block set. The upper levels have specific manipulatives for fractions, decimals and Algebra.

Each level of Math U See focuses on a specific set of concepts. Where appropriate, other topics are introduced. Math U See has just recently revised their student and teacher books. Applications and enrichment  pages have been added to each lesson. As well, an updated teacher’s guide gives more teaching tips and examples.

The following products are available for purchase from Math U See:

Primer Level

• $31  Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $22 Student Pack

Alpha/Beta

• $43  Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $30 Student Pack

Gamma/Delta

• $44 Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $30 Student Pack

Epsilon/Zeta

• $45 Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $30 Student Pack

Pre-Algebra/Algebra 1/ Geometry

• $57 Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $32 Student Pack

Algebra2/Pre-Calculus

• $72 Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $32 Student Pack

Calculus

• $92 Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $32 Student Pack

Stewardship

• $57 Instruction Pack w/DVD
• $27 Student Pack

Manipulatives

• $38  Math U See Block Set
• $33 Fraction Overlays
• $22  Algebra Decimal Inserts

Adventus is an award-winning music education that you can use in your own home. This multi-level music and piano curriculum was created by music educators. They have created MusIQ Homeschool specifically for homeschoolers, which has levels available for ages 4-18.

Children’s Music Journey Volumes 1-3 is for ages 4 to 10. There are 25-35 lessons, depending on level, that are taught by the greatest names in music. This curriculum covers lessons, practice sessions, learn-to-play pieces, games, and the chance to compose their own masterpieces.

There are many different options for purchase.

Year 1 Quick Start Bundle is designed to get 4 to 10 years old playing quickly with an education quality 49-key piano keyboard- $199.95.

This bundle includes:

- Children’s Music Journey Volume 1
- Beginner Level 1 Lesson PlansThis bundle includes:
- Children’s Music Journey Volume 1
- M-Audio KeyRig 49 MIDI piano keyboard

Children’s Music Journey Volumes 1-3 can be bought separately and include:

-Beginner Level 1, 2 or 3 Lesson Plans and are available for $89.95 each.

MusIQ HomeSchool Early Curriculum, Years 1-3 Bundle, $309.95

This bundle includes:

- Children’s Music Journey Volume 1
- Children’s Music Journey Volume 2
- Children’s Music Journey Volume 3
- Beginner Level 1 Lesson Plans
- M-Audio KeyRig 49 MIDI piano keyboard

The Multi-level Curriculum begins at age 10. This curriculum is broken into three programs over 4 years.

You may purchase the Quick Start Bundle to start your music education journey from this point for $219.95.

Includes:

- Piano Suite Premier
- Level 1 Lesson Plans
- M-Audio KeyRig 49 USB MIDI piano keyboard

In Year One, Piano Suite Premier is studied the entire year. This program is interactive and gives the student immediate feedback. Price $109.95, and includes

- Piano Suite Premier
- Level 1 Lesson Plans

The lessons include:

• 500 pieces to learn: classical, jazz, rock, country, and more
• 3 Interactive learning methods
• Comprehensive music theory course
• Instant visual & audio feedback, detailed evaluation & reporting
• Compose, edit, save, print and play your own music

In Year Two your child will finish up Piano Suite Premier and begin Ear Training Coach 1&2. Price, $59.95 and includes:

Ear Training Coach 1&2
- Level 2 Lesson Plans

Ear Training Coach features:

• Rhythm – recognize & play rhythmic passages
• Melody – retain & play back melodic passages
• Intervals – discern between intervals & identify them by symbol or notation
• Sight-Reading – review musical passages & play them back at sight

In Year Three your child will complete Ear Training Coach, with levels 3&4. Price, $59.95 and includes:

- Ear Training Coach 3&4
- Level 3 Lesson Plans

Features:

• 35 lessons taught by Dvorak, Scarlatti, Haydn, Bartok, Chaminade, Debussy, & Schumann
• 35 More practice sessions with Miss Melody
• 50 New learn-to-play pieces
• 10 New games
• Compose & improvise with dozens of instruments, beats & arrangements

Year Four moves into analyzing music through strategic game with MusicIQ Challenger Game. Price, $69.55.

Includes:

- MusIQ Challenger Game
- Level 4 Lesson Plans

You may also bundle everything from both levels for $489.95, including the keyboard.

Classical Academic Press offers curriculum for today’s students, refreshing proven techniques and innovatively combining them with modern education methods. They produce materials for many subject areas, including Poetry, Logic, Bible, and the languages Latin, Greek, Spanish and French. Crew members recently reviewed two course, The Discovery of Deduction: An Introduction to Formal Logic and The Art of Poetry.

The Discovery of Deduction: An Introduction to Formal Logic, accompanied The Discovery of Deduction Teacher’s Edition is a semester or year-long course in formal, deductive logic. Though the topic is generally reserved for college students in modern times, this text is designed to make logic comprehensible to students as young as eighth grade by emphasizing real-world applications and practicality.

Through methods such as discussion, Socratic dialogue, and by integrating other subjects, a student should be able to recognize all twenty-eight fallacies in advertisements, speeches, and everyday conversation.

While Classical Academic Press recommends that The Discovery of Deduction be preceded by a study of informal fallacies, such as The Art of Argument, The Discovery of Deduction is a stand-alone title and previous instruction in logic is not absolutely required.

The teacher’s edition includes the entire student text, teaching tips, all answer keys, plus sample arguments, dialogues, and essays. Sample semester and year long schedules are available for free download, and a FAQ explains why you might want to teach your child logic, among other questions, such as the difference between formal and informal logic.

The Art of Poetry was created for middle and high school students by Christine Perrin, an accomplished poet and educator, as an introduction to poetry. Topics include the elements of poetry, such as metaphors, images, and rhythm; the structural forms of poetry; and how to effectively read a poem for meaning and impact.

Both The Art of Poetry student text and the teacher’s edition are necessary for instruction. The teacher’s edition includes the complete text of the student book, plus:

• Tips and suggestions for teaching poetry,
• Interpretation of every poem in the student book,
• A poetry time line, to put changes in context with historical events,
• Quizzes for every chapter, plus a cumulative quiz on the entire book,
• Answer keys for all quizzes and anthology exercises.

The optional 15+ hour DVD series features the author teaching a group of 8^th grade students. It covers all chapters in the text, including discussions of both the included poems and literary devices, plus instruction for the end-of-chapter writing activities.

Audio files of the poems, plus suggested weekly schedules, are available for free download. The weekly schedules compromise a range to fit almost any need, from a half or full-year course to a four-year-long poetry appreciation schedule.

The student text ($24.95), teacher’s edition ($29.95), and DVD set ($69.95) may be purchased individually; the complete Art of Poetry set is also bundle priced at $99.95, a savings of $24.90.