Archives for 2012
Zane Education {Crew Review}
Super Duper Publications: Hear Builder Auditory Memory {Crew Review}
One of the many programs developed by the Webber’s is the Hearbuilder Educational Software series. The series of four programs help to improve auditory listening and memory skills. The multiple levels in the programs provide specific learning objectives, while remaining fun and engaging to children.
Hearbuilder Auditory Memory Software Program is one of the four programs in the series. This program teaches key strategies for remembering numbers, words, sentences, stories and more. It also provides 5 listening activities like memory for words, numbers, details, WH information and auditory closure. Each of the multi-level tasks takes the student on the mission with Recall Agents Kim and Joey to save MemoryTown and defeat Dr. Forgetsit.
Hearbuilder Auditory Memory Software is also compatible with SMART board. The PC version of this software, which I have reviewed is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7. An Intel Pentium IV or an equal processor is required to run this program.
I used this program with each of my children specializing each to their personal needs. All three enjoyed working through the game levels of this program, advancing at their own paces as they worked through it. This was exceptionally good for my youngest who has auditory processing issues with her speech processing. Even at age 4, she was able to participate, follow along and learn at her own pace without feeling rushed or like the program was too much for her.
Hearbuilder Auditory Memory Software is available on the Super Duper Publications website for $69.95 for the Home Edition or for $149.95 for the Professional Edition. For more reviews of this software program, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!
*Disclaimer – This program was provided to me from Super Duper Publications and the TOS Schoolhouse Review Crew for free in exchange for my personal opinion of the program in a blog post.
Knowledge Quest Time Maps {Crew Review}
Christian Keyboarding {Crew Review}
The book is written for students in grades K-5 but even my 4 year old was willing to test it out. The lessons aren’t too hard, yet they are challenging enough at the same time. The Large Print of this book allows students to easily follow the lessons as they learn to use a keyboard while using the computer.
I remember keyboarding class in school as one of my favorite subjects. My kids enjoyed keyboarding as much as I did when I was in school. I have searched for a while for a simple, yet thorough program to use with them in order to ensure they are using the correct techniques on the computer. This program is it!!
When students finish lessons in the Elementary book, they are able to advance to the older student’s version created for grades 6 and up. There is also a course available to teach creating Tables and another for creating Columns in Word. All books are affordably priced.
The best thing about this curriculum is that it is biblically based, building a sound foundation on scripture as students work through the courses. Lessons are printable or as I mentioned above, can be easily downloaded onto an iPad or similar device to use without printing since the eBooks are created to be used with a Word program on a computer. Even parents can benefit from the lessons, practicing themselves and learning the word of God along the way. If you would prefer a bound book over an eBook for this curriculum, they are also available for purchase through the website.
For more reviews of this product, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!
*Disclaimer – This product was provided to me for free in exchange for my opinion in a blog post by Christian Keyboarding and the Schoolhouse Review Crew.
The Other Side of Epilepsy {Epilepsy Awareness}
A few weeks ago we had our VEEG for Emmalee which showed us she no longer has seizures, thankfully. In this post, I want to share my reactions to that testing and our life itself. I’ve been meaning to write about it, but I keep putting it off. Today I’m making myself tell the truth though.
It’s hard being a Mom of three with one on the way and three stepkids to love too. It’s even harder being the Mom of two girls with Epilepsy. I guess I should change that to one daughter with Epilepsy.
It’s been a long road with my oldest, going through all of this for the first time as a parent and not a patient. Watching her seize without any known cause. Seeing her stare off for periods of time for absolutely no reason. Taking her off her medications and praying to God every minute that she will be in control and not suffer from that. Praying too that she would outgrow it and never suffer again every second of my normal thought-filled days.
I think the hardest part has always been leaving it up to God, placing her into His hands and knowing He would protect her. After all, as her Mother, isn’t that my job to do? Didn’t He give me that purpose in life?
When the doctor came in to our room and finally after four days of testing told me that she was perfect, she was smart, she was beautiful and a blessing, my first thought was I knew all of that already. I’m proud of her in all her stubborness and I’m thankful to have her every single day.
I mean I should feel so blessed by this but my only thoughts at the moment was “Thank you so much God but why not Laycie too?” Why does one of my daughters still suffer from this while the other no longer carries the burden? Why does my baby still have a chance of seizing while my big girl is done with it all? What makes them so different in His eyes that He does not heal them both?
I know I am not supposed to know these answers. Obviously, He has plans for Emmalee that require her to be well and healthy and live a long life. And I haven’t given up hope that He will completely heal my Laycie too. I know He can make that happen. But I couldn’t help but wonder why one and not the other.
I’m human. I have human faults. I have human thoughts. I control. I am a Mother who God has graced multiply with blessings. All of these are the reasons I immediately thought as I did. I am not perfect and I never will be. But He trusts me with His blessings. He gifted me as the Mother of these girls that He allowed to be burdened and He took away the burden for one. For that I’m am thankful, I am in awe and blessed by Him, as is she though she may not know it.
I pray daily for Laycie to be blessed in the same way but I also know that blessing may not meet His purpose for her and I have no choice but to be accepting of that. I’m thankful every day each of my children are here to bless my life and each other. I could not imagine having life any other way than it is with them in it, even with Epilepsy in our lives to.
I was talking with a dear friend the other day who’s beautiful darling girl also has this disorder. She was feeling things and simply needed a confirmation that she wasn’t wrong for feeling them. They were feelings that only someone in her shoes could understand and yes I thankfully did understand them.
As a Mom of a child with a disorder, we tend to feel alone – as if no one else understands our feelings and everyone else is tired of hearing them. That simply isn’t true. God allows us to walk these similar paths and become friends with each other to help as we walk through these things. I share this story because my friend brought it to my attention that she felt alone and that no one truly understood. I encourage other families to share so that other’s know they are not alone in their feelings, in their joys and disappointments and their fears. There are others who do understand what you go through.
We have come a long way in finding ways to connect through this disorder and ways to change to help each other. Keep going at it. I know I will.