IXL--TOS Review

IXL.com is a fun, easy to use, interactive web based math practice site for students in Pre-K through Algebra. I was so pleased for the opportunity to review IXL, my kiddos on the other hand were kind of skeptical. You see, Math really isn't their favorite subject so I had to be quite creative in presenting this review to them! They were willing to give it a try and when they did, they were pleasantly surprised!

 IXL is currently being used in more than 150 countries around the world. In the USA, state standards are listed for every state. I was able to click on a grade level and the IXL site automatically brought me to the WI state standards for math. What a handy tool! We received a family subscription to review for up to 3 students for this review, my three oldest children participated. The children that gave IXL a try are ages: 13, 12 and 9.

IXL can be used along with any math curriculum. Students practice their math skills in many different areas, and are rewarded for their efforts with virtual awards as they complete a challenge or master a concept. There is also an option to print awards if you like (my kids really like that option, you, you should see our refrigerator!). Parents or teachers can keep track of what each child accomplishes through the parent/teacher account. Weekly email reports are also sent. Each detailed report lets you see at a glance how many minutes each child practiced, and what skills they have worked on or mastered. You can see how much time was spent practicing in each category, and where a little more practice may be needed. I personally loved this as review so our family had additional "summer time practice" that was fun and not in the form of boring math worksheets.

 IXL gives their members complete coverage of math curriculum from Pre-K to algebra. Your kids won’t miss a thing! There are unlimited questions in over 2,000 skills and fun, colorful practice formats. Questions adapt to your child’s ability and increas in difficulty as they improve.One thing that we found really neat is that there is audio for all Pre-K and first-grade skills.

You can sign up your child for either $9.95 monthly or $79.00 per year. Additional children can be added to the account for an additional $2.00 per month or $20.00 per year. Special pricing is also available for schools.

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Creation Illustrated, visit the Homeschool Crew Blog to read more.

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.

Creation Illustrated--TOS Review

 

Our entire family just adored this review! We knew about this magazine but had never received it (until now!).  What a plethora of information and wonder, the animal lovers in our home were especially intrigued. As a side note, when our family visits science museums I spend quite a bit of time explaining to the children why/what we are seeing that doesn't line up with our belief of Creationism. This magazine is a refreshing addition to the reading material in our home, no outside explanation required. 

The makers of Creation Illustrated say this:

Our Purpose…is to share the wonders of God’s creation. By revealing fresh insights of His infinite wisdom, gentle touch, undeniable justice, redeeming love, and flawless design, pure truth shall bring renewed peace. Each part of this publication is offered as a reprieve from the daily rigor’s of life so that all can look to the future with unbridled gratitude and hope.

 

For almost 20 years, Creation Illustrated magazine has used articles, short stories, photo contests and puzzles for kids, even recipes to share some of God’s wonders with readers.  In order to bring a balance of  physical, spiritual and mental enrichment, each issue is divided into three parts: nature, Scripture, and living. Just as the title implies, throughout the magazine there are dozens of photographs—from macro close ups of flowers and insects to panoramic landscapes. 

Creation Illustrated is published quarterly in the United States with a cover price of $4.99.  You can subscribe online for the following lengths/rate:

• 1 year    $ 19.95
• 2 Years  $ 37.95
• 3 Years  $ 53.95

Those who pay with a credit card will save another $5.00 per year per subscription.  Canadian Residents will need to add $5.00 for postage, those living in other foreign countries will need to add $10.00. Did you know you can request a sample issue before deciding on the commitment of a subscription? Fill out this form to receive your sample- see how your family likes Creation Illustrated!

 

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Creation Illustrated, visit the Homeschool Crew Blog to read more.

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.

Pearson Homeschool--TOS Review

Pearson Education Inc. is a curriculum supplier (to school districts across the nation). They are proudly presenting Pearson Homeschool. This curriculum has been created to help you develop a rich love of learning in your home education program.

Pearson has offered four examples of their curriculum to reviewers on the TOS Homeschool Crew. Each family had the opportunity to review one of the four products at a grade level that would be the best fit for their family. Our family received myWorld Social Studies: Regions Of Our Country, 4th grade.



Growing up in public school, I never really enjoyed Social Studies. When we received this review I was very excited to see what was inside and to present it in a fun way to my children. I really want my children to be interested every aspect of learning. I've come to realize how important this subject really is so my goal was to be excited about presenting a subject in hopes my kiddos would be excited too! The main lessons in the book we reviewed were: Land and Regions in the US, Weather and Climate (along with Maps), Regions and Resources, and People and the Land. There's a list of vocabulary words along with each chapter, that was another bonus for us. This Mama is big on vocabulary and usage!  :)

myWorld Social Studies uses Essential Questions help students see the “big ideas” they’re learning about, and activate prior knowledge in social studies. These questions engage students in an active discussion of what they already know about the topic, but also encourage them to think further.
This curriculum also offers a variety of ways for your child to think critically about key concepts so they actively experience the world they live in and develop a true understanding of the subject. For me, that's the main goal in learning- to develop a true understanding!

Students don’t simply memorize facts, dates, and places. They take what they’ve learned and transfer that knowledge to new content, situations, ideas, and to their own lives. The goal is to help your kiddos become successful learners so they will remember not only what they have been taught, but how to learn more (and want to learn more)!

Scott Foresman’s myWorld Social Studies will be priced at $69.99 for their Homeschool Bundle for the 2012-13 school year. Please visit Pearson Homeschool’s website for individual pricing details.

Read what other crew members are saying about Pearson Homeschool on the TOS Blog. 

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.

Mobile Education Tools--TOS Review

 

We were able to review a really cool app from Mobile Education called Story Builder. I downloaded the app on my iPhone and the kiddos had fun getting to know the ins and outs and playing with different aspects of building their own story.  

 StoryBuilder is an app that is specifically for the iPhone or 4th generation iTouch ( the ones with a camera). It is designed to help children accomplish the following goals: 1) Improve paragraph formation; 2) Improve integration of ideas; and 3) Improve higher level abstractions by inference. Through the use of extensive audio clips it promotes improved auditory processing for special needs children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders.

 

There were different settings available (levels of difficulty) for all the "reading" kiddos in our home (ages 6-12). In the easiest level, the question is read for you and they you press the green "record" button to record your answer. The only thing we didn't catch right away was that we needed to answer the question in a full sentence.  After recording your answer, you can play the answer back to see if you are satisfied with the way it recorded.

My kiddos had a really fun time with this, some times they laughed and giggled through their answer. The playbacks were really funny to listen to.  At the end of all the questions, you hit the "play story" button and all of your answers are read back to you in the order in which you recorded.  You then have a "story" of all your answers.  The kids loved this app! 

As the level of difficulty increases, our older kiddos needed to look at the picture and decide what they thought would happen next.  They then recorded what they thought might happen next as a result of what they saw in the picture.  This level was great for the imagination!

We also have a child with a sensory processing disorder so this app is great for him to practice on.  Not to mention all the kids get a turn "playing" on my phone (which rarely ever happens)! They told me they want more educational apps on my phone so they get more time to "play" on Mom's phone. Pretty smart kiddos if you ask me! LOL

 Both of these apps are available for purchase in the Apple App store. Rainbow Sentences is available for $7.99, while StoryBuilder sells for $5.99.

Read what other crew members are saying about Mobile Education Tools on the TOS Review Blog. 

**Disclosure: My review and opinion written in this post is entirely my own. This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my review as a member of the 2011-2012 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew.