Maths Facts Now

Maths facts Now 2.0 is a fantastic drill program that is used to reinforce those essential maths facts.

We have been trialling this over the Christmas break with a great deal of success. I love the simplicity of the program. Once you (teacher/parent) set the program in motion during the initial process, it regulates the strengths and weakness of the student and sets the program accordingly.

If the student makes a mistake on a problem, Maths facts Now will take them back over that problem several times with a little warning 'be careful' just to remind them not to be tricked again.

I'm not good with things that have timers. My girls are not competitive by nature and find that hard, but the beauty of this program is that you can set the 'times up' timer to your own request. I did want it longer but they do limit you with that.

Price

Math Facts NOW! 2.0 IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD costs $15.95 NO S/H!

Math Facts NOW! 2.0 on CD-ROM costs $15.95 + $3.95 S/H

System Requirements: Runs on Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista and Windows 7. 4.5 Mb of free hard drive space required.

For a free trial of this program click here

What We Think

While maths isn't one of my girls favorite subjects, this one works really well for drill practice with purpose. I like that there is no blurry lines to distinguish between as far as 'games' are concerned. No animation. No playgrounds to venture into when you have done your facts. Just straight out maths facts in a clear, easy to follow method of delivery. For $15.95 its not a big out of pocket expense for a fantastic program.

The Digital Frog Field trip Series

Our latest review has been the interactive, educational DVD The Digital Field Trip Series 2.5 from Digital Frog that lets you explore The Wet Lands, The Rainforest & The Desert. The disk also includes an electronic versions of material for both the teacher and the student. The workbook materials are located on the disc in each Field trip folder.

So what is The Digital Field Trip to the Wetlands?

This Digital Field Trip uses virtual reality technology to allow students to visit a bog in Ontario without getting their feet wet! It is a truly interactive CD-ROM incorporating animations, narration, games, text, full color photographs and a comprehensive workbook in one easy-to-use package.

The Digital Field Trip to The Wetlands makes learning biology an enjoyable experience; students have fun and are able to learn independently through exploration and discovery.

The Digital Field Trip to The Wetlands teaches the principles of wetlands ecology and encourages an awareness of the importance of wetlands conservation.

The beauty of this disc is the easy installation instructions that just "run". I love anything that doesn't take an IT degree to install or that comes with an instruction manual so thick it's practically a thesis. No this one you just pop in the disc and follow the prompts.

Once Installed What will I Find?



Once in the main menu you can can go off and 'explore' whatever you like. As we're not doing any unit studies in this area at the moment, I just let the kids loose with it. They had a ball. The favorite was taking a closer look at pond life. Water, mud and fascinating creatures is right up my kids alley.




You will be able to take a journey in any of the three ecosystems for a close up view of life. Using your mouse move over & click on anything that takes your fancy. This is totally interactive. The photography is great, but perhaps not National Geographic style. The myriad of creatures available for you to explore with in the three ecosystems is amazing.



So Now The Big Question ~ Price

Like all homeschooling families value for money is at the end of the day the over riding question. While all the three ecosystems are available individually at a price of US$60, we received the set of three all included on the one disk. This is valued at US$125 and is available online. This is a saving of around 20% when purchased this way. (got to love the Australian dollar at the moment, my palpay account is almost in melt down)

So What Did We Thing?

I would give this an 8/10 for its content. At the end of the day for us here in Australia, I would rather narrow the study down and head out with buckets, magnifying glasses and field study guides. But for a sit at the computer style of educational experience this has all you need and more.

Disclaimer~ I received a complementary copy of
The Digital Field Trip Series to review as part of my association with TOS Homeschool Curriculum Review Crew.

Pyramath Review

Pyramath is a card based game able to be used for a single, double or small teams of kids. The object of the game is to complete a pyramid using any maths operation ~ addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division in any sequence to build the pyramid. The cards are brightly coloured with English, Spanish, Chinese, Roman, French and Arabic translations and symbols on the front, with 56 cards in the deck. So at a price of US$6.95 it's excellent value and a great way to increase the maths facts.

How To Play
The game starts with you putting a row of between 5-7 cards between the two players, then place remaining cards facedown as the draw pile. One player then starts their turn by taking a card from the draw pile and if possible playing that card on their side of the cards. If unable they place the card in discard pile beside the draw pile. If able to play we had the children say out loud what the play was so as we could all learn as we went along. This continues until one player has been able to build the pyramid.

I See Cards also make available Pyramath Online in either the 5 or 7 cards start. To help you better understand, the instructions are also available for you so pop on over and give it a try. The online version is both free and a great way to teach students the game.



So what did we think~
Jessica was able to use a combination of addition, subtraction and multiplication (not so much division) with more ease. They all enjoyed playing against me (trust me I didn't cut them any slack) and their speed and confidence certainly did pick up as the weeks have gone by.
This game is fantastic value for money and offers a lot of variations to it so as to be able to include all your children regardless of their current level. While at times it was a little limiting given the skill of the child, it was still fun to play.

Time 4 Learning Review

The Time4Learning curriculum is an online core curriculum program that can be used as a complete curriculum or as a supplement to what you are using now. Available subjects are Language Arts, Maths, Science and Social Studies from Prep to year 8.

The Time 4 Learning website says:

"Homeschooling parents share some common problems, including organizing their children's curriculum and scheduling their family's time. The Time4Learning self-running curriculum can provide the basis of a homeschool program or can supplement other programs with an enriching, easy-to-use program ensuring that the basics are covered, allowing more time to explore student-directed subjects".

Once signed in the child is presented with a choice of subject and each student is able to access to at least 2 grade levels of curriculum for each subject, so they can move ahead or review at their own pace.Always an aspect that I like.This provides a scope and sequence of learning bring order to the delivery of content, supporting the maximising of student learning while offering sustained opportunities for learning. Without a considered scope and sequence there is the risk of ad hoc content delivery and the missing of significant learning. I love the printable lesson plan that they have available as this helps you and your child really use this program as a structure learning tool rather than just a play time.

While the child can work independently if required, it's always over seen by the parents with a report available for ongoing assessment. This also gives you an idea of how they are progressing and what areas of weakness still need further work.

Take a look at the getting started guide as it gives you a comprehensive overview to Time 4 learning.

So what did we think

Well as I have said before I find working with this type of curriculum very difficult. I'm a book person and without the planning schedule, that I spoke about above, would find it difficult to use to it's full potential. This is by no means a reflection on the product, but more on me. The girls loved it, Lucy, at 4 is very computer savvy, whipped around the program like a duck to water. She was quick to work out the longer she spent on the lessons, the longer she seemed to get in the 'playground'. I have to say that was excellently done. The children couldn't just hop straight in to the 'fun' games in the playground with out having done their lessons first. That to me was one of the high points of this program. Sure you get play but first you have to earn that time by working. Not that the working was boring in fact the graphics, and use of different age appropriate 'animated' teachers, was fantastic.



As for the price, I feel it's competitive with similar products on the market. Also available is Time 4 Writing, Spelling City I would jump over to this sight. Plenty to do over there, just find your local Australian school (or US) for lots of spelling practice.

Peterson Directed Handwriting Review

Over the past month with TOS, we have been reviewing Peterson Directed Handwriting. I choose to only trial this on Lucy as she's not had any formal training in handwriting. The states in Australia have their own style of handwriting that is commonly used in schools. I've used Queensland Cursive in the past, as I was most familiar with it after having taught it to the older 3 children. I used it loosely with Jessica and Maddie I have used another method. So Lucy was still really a blank slate as far as formal handwriting was concerned.

I have to say that I have found the Peterson Directed Handwriting a little difficult to understand at first.Purhaps me more then them. You know I have had wedding brain for a while. However, once I sorted my end out Lucy found it simple and more 'normal' for her to use. We're using the We Write to Read Series in Kindergarten Print. They have products available for both classroom situations or the homeschooling families which you can see here.

The actual Peterson Direct Handwriting website is rather comprehensive. With video's there that help you to not only understand their product but also the rational behind the method. They link a direct correlation between the ability to be fluent with your handwriting and your ability to read and offer many studies to back up their claims. They also offer reasons why a child should not trace over letters as a way of learning to write. Click here. The course is more personalised with your ability to be able to 'speak' with Rand Peterson via a weblink. Something that not many homeschooling curriculum offer.

I loved it in the end and have found Lucy really getting the hang of it quite quickly. She enjoyed writing practice and I wasn't met with the "oh no not handwriting again!" Something that I have heard many a time in the past. You can check out more of the sample Ebooks here. Really worth a look.

Yesterday I received my first two e-books to review as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew.

The first one is Travel Kits. I had the chance to flick through it yesterday and it seems interesting. I'm looking forward to the girls getting back and sharing it with them and getting their ideas on how we can use this one. This is right up my girls ally. Jessica will really get into this.


The second e-book is the June module of The Schoolhouse Planner - Travel the World. We love anything that is a lapbook/notebook unit study. These two curriculum review choices are perfect for us as I have been exploring better ways to incorporate Geography into our week. So stay tuned for the reviews on these two. They will be up in about a month.

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

This week as part of my TOS Homeschool Crew 'tryout' we've been reviewing one of the E Books from the Wanna Be Series - Firefighter. I have to be honest when I first flicked through it I thought NO, not really going to be relevant for us here in Australia. Plus all I could see was how much research I will have to do to make it relevant. Well actually I am pleased to say that I was wrong. Sure I had to look at our building codes which were easily located and to explain. Recruitment requirements were a little different and I included the US history and Queensland history which for me was so interesting.
We had loads of fun on our own QLD Fire & Rescue Service website. Loads of online games and colourings for the kids to do which help to solidify the things covered in the unit but with a real Australian flavor. Most importantly that we ring ooo for emergency.

When I grow Up I Want to be a Firefighter has been so much fun.
The highlight for us was learning about the role of the dogs, both in history and still today. When you see an American firefighter or fire house you see a dog. We had no idea what that was all about. We knew that they worked in forensics, and as cadaver dogs but the need for them in the early history of the fire brigade was so fascinating. I won't give it away here you will need to purchase the unit study to find that one out and at $8.95 per unit it is well worth the investment. You and the kids will not at all be disappointed.

We spread this unit study over 1 week as it's quite comprehensive, but a user friendly unit study. Given the nature of this series it's able to work equally as well for multi ages which is fantastic when you are homeschooling multi aged families. It covers Science, Maths, Literacy, Grammar and more.
As we used this with 7 & 4 year old girls they were totally enthralled. They loved playing dress ups, sliding down the pole off our deck(it was safe and not too far from the ground). Making the model of the Robotic Arm out of Styrofoam was also a great highlight.

This series which also includes 10 other careers to explore together can be purchases individually for $8.95US each or as a package of 10. Samples of each EBook from the Wanna Be Series is available on the wedsite.

Take a sneak peek for yourself. This is the beauty of The Old SchoolHouse Store as you're able to get a good look inside so you're able to make the best choice for you and your families needs.


Maddie and Lucy gave this unit a big yyyaaahhh, when asked if they enjoyed this one. I think the trip to the Fire Station scheduled for next week has also added a yippee to it!

What Language DO We Speak?

This week we've been reviewing Download N Go - Expedition Australia as part of our 'try out' for The Old Schoolhouse (TOS) Homeschool Crew. It has been so much fun for us here at home, and very timely! We spent our summer vacation traveling 4 states in 5 weeks (husband is a teacher so we get great vacation time). We saw some of the most fantastic sights from inland to ocean. We camped in National Parks which meant that it was just you and the best Australia has to offer. So Download N Go Expedition Australian has been a fantastic unit study to apply fact and knowledge to our experience.

However, this unit study doesn't require such an experience as ours to be a fantastic learning tool. It examines Aussie geography, culture, language, traditions and our Indigenous people. It's user friendly and as the series suggest you just download and go. All the research has been done for you including lists of relevant fiction and non fiction books coupled with video clips for the kids to 'see' for themselves, which are available at the click of a button. As the recommended book list is not exclusive or exhaustive, you're not left feeling like you need to purchase or track down all the books they suggest. You are able to mix and match with what you have available to you.

This unit study has been designed to be completed over a 5 day week, but we've spread it over 2 weeks because I'm working with a 7 and 4 year old. It's a combination of workbook style and lapbook. Maddie has enjoyed both aspects and at no time felt bogged down with a lot of writing or over whelmed with facts. Lucy worked on her own lapbook which included many of the same activities that where age appropriate eg. colouring, map work, animal facts. The joy of working with this style of curriculum is the 'tweekability' of it. You just pick and choose according to your 'students' needs. Its all there whether you have big or little people or a combination of both.

The first day I found I was jumping between the computer, books and activities a little more than I would have liked. With young ones the slightest break in 'transmission' and it can be all over, they're off doing their own thing. However I managed to find my flow and was much better prepared with links, books and info on the subsequent days and found the girls fully engaged on their 'journey' around Australia.

My favorite question in the Expedition Australia was "What is the national language of Australia"

I asked Maddie "what language do we speak?" She looked puzzled and said "...clearly" All those speech pathology lessons have paid off because we'd always say " Maddie you must speak clearly". In her mind 'clearly' must have been our National Language!!

Amanda Bennett has done a great job at putting together a variety of subjects for the Download n Go packages. As the E-Book series name suggests "Go for Learning, Go for Fun, Go for Adventure" and they are great value at $7.95 US each. Bundles are also available as are Sample pages for you to try before you buy.

So whether or not you are an Aussie looking for a unit study on Australia or just looking at exploring where we are & our way of life I would give this one a definite thumbs up!