Schoolhouse review

ZooWhiz {Crew Review}

October 10, 2012 by Dana

As a Homeschooling Mom, I learned a long time ago that in order to motivate my children to learn, I had to find resources that would allow them to enjoy the learning experience. Many educators frown upon the excessive use of video and web games to educate children but for us, especially for my oldest son, video and web games are the key to learning. Providing my children with lots of interesting web games that promote education and learning has been important to our educational style and learning methods.

As a reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, I find that many times we are provided with wonderful opportunities to review websites and web games. Most of them fit us perfectly and ZooWhiz is one of those perfect learning websites filled with lots of fun educational games. My children don’t even realize they are learning while playing online. They usually think they are just playing a game until I say “Hey, did you just learn that?” And I find myself saying that a lot lately.

ZooWhiz is flexible. ZooWhiz is creative and imaginative. ZooWhiz allows children to learn while rewarding them along the way.

ZooWhiz is available to play for free by creating a FREE Keeper account or you can purchase a Premium Zoologist account for $19.95 for an entire year of fun play per child. With ZooWhiz, your child can choose the whichever avatar they’d like to be. Then they can begin to explore the ZooWhiz world.

They can visit Learn and Earn to earn coins through educational activities. Check in at Milestones to see what progress has been made. In the Biodome, they can purchase items and animals to place in the Zoo. Visit the arcade to play games and learn more too.

With the FREE Keeper account, your child can access the educational activities but available animals and arcade games are limited. Play outside of school hours is also limited in the free account. But with the PREMIUM Zoologist account, all content is available including unlimited play time, endangered zoo animals, and the ability to choose levels of play for your child.

With ZooWhiz your child will gain additional learning experience in math, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, phonics, phonemics, reading and more. Kids ages 5-15 can learn and enjoy using ZooWhiz. We certainly did!

For more reviews of ZooWhiz, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!!

*Disclaimer – Access to the Premium Zoologist account on ZooWhiz was provided to me free of charge for a limited time by ZooWhiz and TOS’ Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest opinion of the website in a blog post.

BOX of I.D.E.As. {Crew Review}

October 5, 2012 by Dana

When I first responded to the BOX of I.D.E.As. review form, I was following my instincts because I wasn’t at all sure that this product would work for us. My choice for the review was for the SALT box since I figured that would go along well with past lessons we have done on Egypt. Salt is also a hugely used item around our house so I thought, “Hmm, what a great way to teach the kids about something we use so much of!”

BOX of I.D.E.As. SALT box has not disappointed us. Our SALT box arrived packaged within another box and true to it’s name this BOX was with great ideas. A brochure for this product was included explaining the concept of BOX of I.D.E.As and other than the actual SALT box, it was the first thing to catch my eye.

The brochure proclaims this product to be “All you need in one neat box!” and it really is. 10 activity based modules make up this extensive curriculum targeting ages 9-16. All in one box, getting the child off the computer and back to learning from scratch. It’s definitely a lot of hands-on learning fun.

Everything you need is included in one simple box and each module is easily setup. Each box is easily implemented and adapted to any homeschoolers curriculum. This box reminded me of a wonderfully, complete unit study. The box is portable to be used anywhere, even while traveling. The included exercises are engaging and interesting, keeping the child captivated and wanting to learn more.

Upon opening the box, the user finds a welcome note explaining the curriculum along with 10 individually zip-lock package bags of activities. The user can simply pull one of any of the 10 modules from the box to get started learning about SALT. The only needed accessory is a pencil or pen. If any other supplies are necessary for the module, it can be found listed on a label on the front of the module bag.

A related quote can be found on the label on the front of each module bag. These quotes can be used for copywork. They can also be used for a writing project or a discussion to further build upon the curriculum and extend it to other areas in homeschooling.

Fact cards are another bonus provided throughout the SALT box. These cards can be used for memorization or a creative game. They could also be turned into a writing assignment and added to by students as they learn more about Salt working through the curriculum.

Each module is jam-packed with activities, games, facts, weblinks and more. The modules cover everything from the Salt March to where salt comes from to why we use salt and so much more than most of us even know. The Great Wall of China was even paid for with money gained from taxing salt. Colorful photos are included to expand lessons and plenty of quality flashcards are included to be used as needed within the curriculum.

We learned so much about SALT through this wonderful curriculum and so much more than any other curriculum we have used has taught us about it. It was also very easy to include my littlest homeschooler in lessons, allowing her to listen as absorb as we held discussions and read through the activities included in each module. This is a box we will be returning to over and over again as we learn more about how salt is used through history and more. It’s a huge bonus to have a complete subject such as this one on hand.

Other topics are available through BOX of I.D.E.As. such as Laundry, World War II (multiple products for WWII), Quilting, Civil War and more. To purchase your own BOX of I.D.E.As., visit their website. The SALT box like we used, which includes everything but a pencil for activities, is available through their website for $79. A PDF for SALT is available for $49. Extra modules can be purchased as needed for $4 each.

For more reviews of BOX of I.D.E.As. products and of SALT, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!

*Disclaimer – BOX of I.D.E.As. and the Schoolhouse Review Crew provided me with this SALT box for free in exchange for trying the product and providing my honest opinion in a blog post review.

Music Together {Crew Review}

October 1, 2012 by Dana

Music Together is an award winning music program created to be used with children in any setting from homeschool to public school. Internationally used, this product has provided a structured music program throughout the world. They have worked to bring music to children everywhere.

For this review, I was asked to try out Music Together: Family Favorites with my children at home. When my package arrived, I found the Teacher’s Songbook, a full CD of music to use along with the program and a folder of information for completing my review. The covers for this particular program are green with black font that is simple yet professional in type.

The Music Together: Family Favorites Songbook for Teachers begins with a short preface explaining the purpose of the program, then provides a section of how to use the book for the program. Next is the Introduction which goes into further detail explaining the programs usefulness and purpose. The beginning of the book is a guide that tells the teacher how to use the program, what props to use along with the songs, and differing activities that are used as well as how to use them for each part of the program. This section also covers how to use this program with special needs students.

The next section of the Songbook for Teachers begins the lessons for the program. This section, called Songs, shares a different lesson for each song provided on the CD for the program. How to teach the song, activities, as well as lyrics for each song are covered within this section. The songs are further broken down to explain how to use them with children of differing ages from infant through school-age and also for special needs children.

The last section of the Teacher’s Songbook is a reference section, providing information on other books in the Music Together program. Also included is a guide for guitar playing to use with the songs for the program and a dictionary explaining the terms used throughout the program.

We used this program over a period of several weeks, while working with adjustments to having a new baby in the home, and we enjoyed what we were able to complete during that time. Music is a favorite of mine so I enjoyed teaching my children with this particular program. I also enjoyed sharing several of my own childhood favorites that we hadn’t already covered with other programming in the past. Songs like Biddy Biddy, She Sells Sea Shells, John the Rabbit, and I’ve Been Working on the Railroad allowed me to share a part of my own childhood with my children that we may have otherwise missed out on. And I found my children enjoyed those songs and others just as much as I did. Integrating activities like clapping along, using home-made drums and rhythm sticks, and singing together was a lot of fun to share as a family activity. Overall we give this program two-thumbs-up as far as lessons go.

Music Together: Family Favorites is available online as a combo package for the special price of $39.95 (a $5 discount from the regular price). Use the code “Schoolhouse” at checkout to receive an additional $2 off the program. The Songbook for Teachers is available to purchase separately for $29.95. The Family Favorites CD is available for $14.95. Individual tracks can be downloaded as needed for $.99 each or for $9.99 for the entire album.

For more reviews of Music Together: Family Favorites please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog!

*Disclaimer – This program was provided by Music Together and the Schoolhouse Review Crew free in exchange for my honest opinion in a blog post.

A Cry From Egypt from Raising Real Men {Crew Review}

September 23, 2012 by Dana

Great Waters Press, publishers of Raising Real Men from my dear friend and her husband, Melanie and Hal Young, has recently published a wonderful new book: A Cry From Egypt by Hope Auer. Prior to this book I had never personally heard of Hope Auer but now I am not likely to forget her as an author. A Cry From Egypt is a great addition to any home library.

Hope Auer began writing at a young age. She developed a passion for HIStory and storytelling throughout her school years which eventually led to her development of “The Promised Land Series”. Hope places the Lord first in her life followed closely by church and her family. Her joy for writing definitely shows throughout her books and her love for educating children shows through too.

A Cry For Egypt is about the family of a young girl named Jarah who is a slave in Egypt in early biblical times. Jarah and her family are torn between God himself and the Egyptian Gods and Kings of their time. Living through the trials and tribulations of the day, Jarah’s story shows children what life was like at this crucial time period in HIStory.

This story fit in well to our daily lessons and was easily implemented into our daily story time. As a chapter book, we read it over a period of a few weeks, having a brief break for the birth of our youngest but was easily picked back up as we adjusted to his homecoming. My children enjoyed the stories inside, learning about Jarah and her family and in turn more about Egypt. Books like this one become classic favorites around our house.

Hope Auer wrote this wonderful historical fiction to capture the interest of the child reading it, as well as adults. Through it she shares life, biblical ideals and the story of the Lord in a way children can understand. This is one story you don’t want to miss.

A Cry From Egypt by Hope Auer is available as an Advanced Reader Copy for $12.50 through https://acryfromegypt.com/store/. To learn more about Raising Real Men from Hal and Melanie Young visit https://www.raisingrealmen.com/. More reviews of A Cry From Egypt and also Children In Church: Nurturing Hearts of Worship can be found on the Schoolhouse Review Blog!

*Disclaimer – A Cry From Egypt was provided to me by Great Waters Press, Raising Real Men and the Schoolhouse Review Crew for free in exchange for my honest opinion in a blog post.

Speekee {Crew Review}

September 14, 2012 by Dana

Speekee is an awesome way for kids to learn Spanish. Designed for toddlers through elementary aged students, Speekee teaches children Spanish by providing lessons from children who actually speak the language naturally. Each lesson and video is jam packed with Spanish leading to a thorough education that can’t be beat.

Speekee FastTrack provides a 40 week lesson plan complete with corresponding videos, worksheets, and other extras laid out to make lessons easy for a teacher/parent to implement with any student. Speekee FastTrack comes as a bonus for signing up to use the Speekee TV program. Speekee is available as an online program, a school program or a DVD curriculum.

This program with it’s adorable children and cute characters connects children to others like them making it easier for them to pick up on a language that could otherwise be hard and confusing to learn. The programs structure makes it easy for toddlers and 10 year olds alike to pick up on the new language immediately. My children themselves are ages 4, 9 and 11 and all three equally enjoyed using and learning with this program while we were reviewing it. My youngest enjoyed the fun colors, the children, and most especially the characters in each video lesson we did.

Speekee TV with it’s FastTrack program is available as a two week trial at https://www.speekee.co.uk/. A subscription is available for $7.50 a month using PayPal or $60 for a year’s subscription. For more reviews, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!

*Disclaimer- A subscription to Speekee TV was provided to me free for my honest opinion in a review post by Speekee and the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

Reading Kingdom {Crew Review}

September 6, 2012 by Dana

I cannot express how much I love this product!! It is simply amazing. When this review became open, I was unsure who I really wanted to use it with. I thought it would be great for all three of my children but my son stood out the most since he’s my struggling reader. So, of course, I chose him to use Reading Kingdom and it’s surpassed my expectations and his too.

Winston’s preferred method of learning is digital through video games and websites online, videos and lots of hands-on activities to bring things to life. He struggles with reading simply because books are boring to him. Reading Kingdom has changed all that simply by making reading fun!!

Reading Kingdom helps promote reading skills and build reading strengths by using reading games, online incentives, and progressing at a child’s skill level. Reading Kingdom teaches important skills such as sequencing, sounds, meaning, comprehension and more with it’s program. It is super easy to use. My son was able to work through the program on his own with sound cues throughout the program prompting him to move forward in his learning. Nothing was over his head in terms of learning either, all adapted to his skills through assessment in the beginning of the program. Lessons are a short 15-30 minutes each, allowing a child time to adjust to things he’s just learned about.

Reading Kingdom is definitely a program we will be sharing throughout the future. It’s perfect for leveled readers as well as struggling ones like mine. It captivates the child and keeps them interested in learning to read in a fun way. My son absolutely loved the program which says a lot to me since it’s so hard for us to find a program that keeps him interested and fits his learning style.

Reading Kingdom is available risk-free for free for 30 days. A subscription is available for $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year for the first reader and additional readers can be added $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. Additional products are also available through the website for learning to read.

For more reviews of Reading Kingdom, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog!!

*Disclaimer – This product was provided to me free for a blog post review by Reading Kingdom and the Schoolhouse Review Crew.