Looking for a computer-based math game for your elementary students? (Math Rider Review)
Mounted atop the trusty horse, Shadow, the rider moves through digitally matte-painted scenes and earns animated rewards. Math Rider varies game speed and question difficulty in order to build confidence. The student simply keys in the correct number and presses ENTER. Since the horse’s speed, the animation, and sound effects are all controlled by the game, the child is entertained but remains focused on perfecting math skills. The rewards provide instantaneous feedback and incentive for the child to perform their very best.
Classic Literature Study Guides with a Christian Worldview (Progeny Press Review)
Progeny Press was begun in 1992 when homeschoolers Michael & Rebecca Gilleland were unable to find any classic literature studies from a Christian worldview. Fast forward over twenty years and this family-owned, family-operated business now has over 100 such study guides–each still reviewed and edited by the Gillelands to make sure it adheres to their high standards of literary analysis and biblical application.
Each guide begins with a synopsis of the book, a brief biography of the author; and suggested pre-reading activities. The book being studied is divided into reading sections and for each section the guide has vocabulary exercises; comprehension, analysis, and application questions; and discussion questions of related Biblical themes. Finally, there is a complete answer key.
In order to properly work through a Progeny Press Study Guide, a student will need access to a dictionary, a thesaurus, a Bible (NIV is used in the guide) and may benefit from Internet access or a set of encyclopedias. The guides are available as printed booklets or PDF files on CD-ROM or instant downloads. The new “Interactive” PDF format allows the student to type their answers into assigned fields on the computer screen.
Progeny Press organizes its catalog into four age groups: Lower Elementary (1-3), Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (5-8), and High School (9-12). For convenience, you may purchase both the study guides and the books on which they’re based on the website.
Members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew received one or more of the following:
Elementary:
Hall of Doors: The Dragon’s Hoard Study Guide and paperback copy of Hall of Doors: The Dragon’s Hoard book by Rebecca Gilleland.
Middle School:
Eagle of the Ninth Study Guide ($16.99) The novel is by Rosemary Sutcliff and takes place in Roman occupied Britain in 125 A.D.
The Golden Goblet Study Guide ($16.99) The novel is by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and takes place in Ancient Egypt.
Treasure Island Study Guide (16.99) The novel is by Robert Louis Stevenson. The setting is 18th century England and an Island of undisclosed location.
High School:
Beowulf Study Guide ($18.99) The Guide is based on the Seamus Heaney translation of the Epic poem set in 6th century Scandinavia.
The Hobbit Study Guide ($18.99) The novel is by J.R.R. Tolkien and takes places in mythical Middle Earth.
Things Fall Apart Study Guide ( $18.99) The novel is by Chinua Achebe and the setting is Colonial Africa in the 1800’s.
Progeny Press recommends working through one guide page per day, making each study last 8-12 weeks (Lower Elementary titles may be shorter). For transcript purposes, a High School level guide can be recorded as 1/4 credit hour.
Making History Come Alive! (Knowledge Quest Review)
History is filled with interesting events and fascinating people, and Knowledge Quest offers unique ways to help students learn about and connect with history.
Sacagawea is a historical novel with a twist. It is an interactive ebook for kids ages 10 and up, with embedded links that readers can click in order to gain a deeper understanding of the life and times of one of America’s most honored women.
Written and released as 4 episodes, the complete Sacagawea story is now available in this ebook, beginning with Stolen!, and followed by Passage, Survival and Equal. Read a sample chapter, then the Complete Sacagawea Saga, now available on Amazon.com for $4.97.
KQ TimelineBuilder is an incredibly flexible and feature-packed iPad app for creating custom timelines. Child friendly (ages 10+), TimelineBuilder encourages learning about important events in science, history, art, and literature. You can choose beginning and ending dates, then add, edit, and delete events on your timeline. Use the Wiki button for convenient fact gathering. Make your timeline unique by manipulating the size and placement of images, and choosing different backgrounds. Not just for history buffs, TimelineBuilder can also be used to illustrate family trees or organize the steps of a project. Timelines are saved automatically. You can also share with your family and friends via your image library, email or iTunes.
You can see screenshots and a video tutorial on the KQ TimelineBuilder page, then purchase it from the iTunes app store for $6.99.
A Good Read (A Blog Cruise)
Candace @ His Mercy is New — Abundant Simplicity
“We practice simplicity when we intentionally arrange our life around God – what he is doing in us and in this world -
and let the rest drop off.”
~ Jan Johnson, author of
Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace
Brandy @ Kingdom Academy — God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah
The history and the story weave together so perfectly that you just get lost in the book!
Beth @ Ozark Ramblings — Where Have All the Good Books Gone?
Eighty percent of all books have been published since 1980. Eighty percent of those would have been better off left as trees. So how do you find the remainder worth reading?
Erica @ Be the One — A Good Read: Hearts of Fire
The inspiring true stories of eight different women and their life of faith as a Christian in an underground church, published by Voice of the Martyrs.
Karyn @ Teach Beside Me — Buncha-Buncha Books
Since books are some of my favorite things, I am always happy to get a good book to read. I have a whole bunch of great books to share with you today. I hope some of these will your next favorite!
Bethany @ Little Homeschool Blessings — The Jungle Book and the Second Jungle Book and Notes on the Undertaker Chapter
The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book are two books that have become favorites around here.
Nicole @ Journey to Excellence — Historical Fiction: Inspired to Research
When you saw the movie Titanic, did you do like I did and research everything you could about the people on that fateful voyage? That’s what a good piece of historical fiction does to me. It makes me want to learn MORE!
Kerry @ Old-Fashioned Girls — Ruthless Trust
This is one of those life changing books♥
Gwen @ Tolivers to Texas — Good Reads for All Ages
Reading together with your kids is one of the very best ways to educate them and to strengthen your relationship. With a big family, it’s hard to find the time, but – you have time for whatever is important to you!
Laura @ Loving and Learning on the High Plains – What are you reading?
Lately I’ve had a few books to “read for review” added to my book pile. It’s been a lot of fun getting new books in the mail. Here’s a summary of what we are reading, have read, and what we thought of them. I also have some tips for you on how to get more good books without breaking the bank.
Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road — A Good Read Blog Cruise: Featuring Some of My Favorite Reads
I frequently blog about books over at my Leah’s Good Reads blog. But today I’m happy to bring some of my favorite reads here for the Good Read Blog Cruise! Here are some of my recent favorites.
Heather @ Only Passionate Curiosity — Uncovering the Logic of English
I am not a natural speller. Far from it. As a child, my parents bought me a pocket speller in an attempt to help me in school, but I spell so poorly that the computer couldn’t even figure out what I was trying to look up to spell it for me. One book has given me hope.
Sarah @ Delivery Grace – 6 Favorite Resources for Teaching Children about Church History
My favourite church history resource is “Sketches from church history-an illustrated account of 20 centuries of Christ’s power” by SM Houghton.
Sara @ Embracy Destiny — In the Company of a Good Book
I wouldn’t even attempt a guess at how many books I’ve read in my lifetime, nor how many I have yet to read. Books have been my lifelong companions, the company I’ve kept from my earliest childhood memories through every stage of my life.
Wendy @ Life at Rossmont — My Most Recent Read
Last month I “borrowed” the book, Sue Patrick’s Workbox System User’s Guide, on my Kindle using my Prime membership.
Beth @ Weavings — The Pleasure of a Good Read (or Read Aloud)
There is nothing I like more than settling down at night, opening a book and reading until I can’t keep my eyes open. But as much as I enjoy my personal reading time there is one thing I enjoy more and that is reading a book aloud to my kids, especially one that has everyone begging for more!
Cristi @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm — Our Family’s “Best Books” Awards
Our family couldn’t chose just one favorite book to share for the Crew’s Good Reads cruise so we came up with a whole list of our “Best Books” with winners in several different categories.
Amy @ Bow of Bronze — My favorite book ever besides the Bible (if I must choose)
I don’t know about you, but I have a really hard time picking my favorite book. In the end, I have chosen to write about a book – the one book – besides that Bible that has changed me most as a Mom, as a Wife and as a person before God. I hope you will find it, read it, and be changed too!
Rebekah @ There Will Be a $5 Charge for Whining — On My Bookshelf
If you know me you know I frequently have my nose in a book. And that I have as much trouble parting with my books as I do parting Josiah’s hair. They are my friends. And (shockingly) I have a few favorites.
Grow a Leader in Your Child (Leadership Garden Legacy Review)
Leadership Garden Legacy was created by Debra Slover, out of her passionate desire to grow the leader in all of us. A “Leadership Garden” is a “fun metaphor for growing leadership”, much like you would grow plants and vegetables in your own garden. Leadership Garden Legacy has resources for individual, family, school, community and business leadership. For this review, crew members got to sample the U.N.I.Q.U.E Kids: Growing My Leadership Garden Program and U.N.I.Q.U.E:Growing the Leader Within.
U.N.I.Q.U.E Kids is a leadership development book written for kids ages 8-12. The colorful book tells the story of a sheep named Hugh who has spent time lost and wandering due to negative experiences that resulted in low self-esteem. Hugh wanders into the Leadership Garden and meets the farmers and animals who help him learn how to grow and tend his Leadership Garden. In addition to the book, which has discussion questions after each chapter, you can use the U.N.I.Q.U.E Kids Activity Guide and Journal to go along with it. This guide includes other activities to help children understand and apply the lessons of the book. You can also purchase an MP3 audio download of the book as well. The U.N.I.Q.U.E. Kids book costs $18.95, the PDF download of the activity guide costs $8.95, and the MP3 audio download is $8.95 as well.
The U.N.I.Q.U.E. Growing the Leader Within book is to be used with adults or older students. It still tells the story of Hugh and his experience in the Leadership Garden, but it is not in color, and it includes commentary and reflections from the author about her own personal experiences with leadership. There are activities at the end of the chapter to apply and think about. The Leadership Garden Guidebook is meant to accompany this book and includes step by step exercises you can use to cultivate leadership in your own life, or that of your older student. This book also includes an MP3 audio download. The Growing the Leader Within paperback costs $18.95, the guidebook also costs $18.95, and the MP3 download is $14.95.
Leadership Garden Legacy is offering the TOS Community a “Spring Special Discount” of 20% on all their Empowerment Tools. This is in addition to their already discounted Tool Kit bundles.
To receive your discount, enter the discount code: TOS-SS20D upon checkout. This is a limited time offer and the code will expire on May 31, 2013.
Preview the bundled Tool Kit Discount options at:
http://www.leadershipgardenlegacy.com/catalog/tool-bundle
Preview all product tools at:
http://www.leadershipgardenlegacy.com/store
Visit the Leadership Garden Legacy to learn more at:
http://www.leadershipgardenlegacy.com
With the bundle price of the Family Empowerment Tool Kit and the TOS extra 20% discount this is a $28.70 TOS savings off the retail price of the products.
Giveaway QuickLinks!
Click on theimages below to go to each individual giveaway!
Validation of Our Homeschool Journey
I had a conversation with our family doctor the other day. I had to call him about a question regarding a prescription for my husband, but our conversation quickly turned to other things, including my children.
I have known this doctor for more than half of my life. My parents see him, my husband and I see him, and we wouldn’t trust our children’s health to anyone else.
He asked how the kids were doing and commented on how tall they must be getting. Then he said something that meant so very much to me: “Lisa, you know you are doing the very best thing for your kids by homeschooling them.” He gave me his reasons telling me that schools are not safe places anymore physically, morally, spiritually. He told me how wonderful it is that I can customize the children’s education to their needs, abilities and interests. Wow! Not that I do not agree with those statements 110%, but to hear them from a physician was validating and I hate to admit, very satisfying.
Like every homeschooling mom, I have questioned, doubted, wondered. But, I have also rejoiced, celebrated, smiled, laughed and felt so very justified in our decision. And, thank God, those moments have far outnumbered the ones of worry or second-guessing. Hearing those encouraging and affirming words from a medical professional gave me another boost of confidence in knowing we have chosen the best educational option for our children. My only regret is not doing it sooner. There are still remnants of the scars of their “brick and mortar” experiences, but I am very grateful that they lessen more and more everyday.
I may not know what the road ahead will hold, but I do know that I indeed am doing the best for my children; that no one could possibly know or care for them as much as their parents. It would just be impossible. I taught in a classroom. I know the difficulties and challenges of having 5 sets of 30+ students in a room for 45 minutes at a time. With the time to get settled in and the time to get packed up, that would leave, at best 30 minutes to teach everything that the district had specified. How could I possibly speak to each and every child individually, let alone get to know their interests, abilities and needs in only 30 minutes? Institutionalized education is geared to the masses; it is geared to the average student. In homeschool, my children can be on one grade level in one subject and on a completely different one in another. My hands-on learners can have curriculum that celebrates that learning style. I do my best to allow their creativity to flourish, not be stymied because of a set “learning standard” that has to be accomplished that day. Any of the world’s most accomplished scientists, doctors, writers or artists would tell you that they succeeded because their imaginations were fostered and encouraged, that their own particular learning style had to be embraced and understood and that a “one size fits all” approach just doesn’t work. Never has. Never will.
We are no longer out of the mainstream. We have become the mainstream with millions more joining our ranks every year. Perhaps our nation’s children will again thrive academically, socially and spiritually. Perhaps they will reverse the trend of decline that, no matter how much money is poured into the “system” for 40 years, has not improved. Faith and Family are the centers of our universe and with that as a foundation, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that our children will thrive, using the individual and precious gifts that they have been given
Lisa and her husband Mike live in suburban Philadelphia, PA, where they homeschool their four children. Her interests include blogging at Home to 4 Kiddos, reading, travel, baking, making all kinds of crafts, taking lots of photos and being an active member of their church.
Teach Science the Easy Way! (Supercharged Science Review)
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.
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