Time Engineers: Math and Science CD-ROM for Middle and High School Students

At a Glance: Product: Time Engineers Cost: $19.95 Individual, $49.95 School District/University Use: Homeschool, Classroom, Home Grades: Middle School-High School (5th-9th) Lessons Taught: Math, Science, History, Physics Skills: Problem Solving, Reasoning, Critical Thinking Rating: 5 out of 5 Gold Stars Today I am sharing with you one of my new favorite tools to teach math concepts to middle and high school age students. For many homeschoolers these years are difficult in terms of teaching math. I agree. It is for this reason I want to present you with a tool that you and your students will enjoy. What is Time … Continue reading →

Books for Winter Solstice

Winter is approaching. Wait, did you think that it was already here? Not yet, even if it is cold. This year, winter arrives in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21st or 22nd, depending on where you live. Technically, the winter solstice is just one brief moment in time. It is the time at which your particular part of the earth is tilted as far from the sun as it will get. While that just lasts a moment, the day on which this occurs is sometimes also called solstice, since it is the day on which night is the longest and … Continue reading →

Math Mammoth

Math Mammoth offers affordable, yet quality math worktexts and workbooks for grades 1-8, available as both downloads and printed books. These books concentrate on conceptual understanding and are strong in mental math. The directions in the worktexts are written directly to the student, and are often self-teaching, thus requiring little preparation and involvement from the teacher. ~From the website The Product Math Mammoth: 6th Grade Full Curriculum Cost: Download $34.00 (Please check site for more options.) Included in the Full 6th Grace Curriculum Two student worktexts, a separate answer key for each, chapter tests and an end-of-year test, cumulative reviews, … Continue reading →

Vocab Cafe

The Product Publisher: Maven of Memory Publishing Cost: $12.95 each or the set for $51.80. Check the site the was on sale for $38.85 Ages: Recommended for High School College Prep Genius makes the ‘Master the SATs’ DVD course. They publish a novella series called Vocab Cafe. The books are designed to teach vocabulary words frequently on the SAT exam. Each book is designed with a 3-step approach of increasing vocabulary: definition, repetition, and reinforcement. The words are highlighted in the text, and the definition is found at the bottom of the page. Each book teaches 300 SAT words. The … Continue reading →

Best Read: Educating the Wholehearted Child

God did not forget to include “school” in his biblical design for raising children-home education is a natural expression of all that God intended for parents and their children. ~ Educating the Wholehearted Child * Written by Clay Clarkson with Sally Clarkson * Published by Apologia Press (3rd Edition – June 2011) * Paperback Volume – (11 in x 8.5 in x 1in) * 376+ pages * Biblical, Christ Centered Advice for Homeschooling Families * Available from Apologia Educational Ministries * $22.00 * See the Table of Contents HERE. The Clarkson’s began their homeschooling journey when their first child was … Continue reading →

IXL: Math for the Left and Right Brain

When I find something that I think is an amazing way to teach a child I cannot keep it all to myself. I am bursting at the seams to tell you about a website called IXL. I thought I knew what to expect from IXL Math since I have used several online math programs in the past. What drew me in was the colorful and whimsical design of the site. What else would draw a jaded homeschooling mom into a site she was sure was just like the others? Well, you guessed it, this site is not like the others. … Continue reading →

Flower Art

All right, so fall doesn’t really seem to be the season of flowers. Spring has that reputation. But fall can be glorious, and what better thing to do with falling petals than to make crafts with them? Experiment with flower dyes. For younger children – and all right, for older ones too – pounding flower petals is not only a great way to burn energy and relieve stress, it’s also a good way to discover how well flower colors can dye fabrics and paper. Get some sturdy uncoated cardboard and gently mash flower petals onto the white card, squishing them … Continue reading →

Before Five in a Row

Product: Before Five in a Row Age Level: 2-4 years old Format: Softcover book Price: $35.00 What is Before Five in a Row? Not to leave out the eager younger children, this volume provides mini Five in a Row- style lessons for youngsters. This book; however, is divided into two parts, the first being similar to the other curriculum guides. Just as in the original series, each unit is built around a simple, classic children’s storybook. This book differs from the older volumes in that it is not structured around a week. The purpose is simply to provide an array … Continue reading →

Do you need the teacher’s manual?

Through the years I have used many different types of curriculum. I have tweaked and molded much of it to my homeschool while others I have stuck to the plan in the teacher’s manual. It is believed by many you gain the most from your curriculum by referencing the teacher’s manual. The teacher’s manual will provide you insight on how to use the curriculum properly. Many view the teacher’s manual as a chokehold while some find it a lifesaver. During my years of reviewing and selling old curriculum many have asked “Do I need the teacher’s manual?” The answer is … Continue reading →

Cool Find: A Kid’s Guide to Drawing America

State history is required in most states. I must admit I am not always up on teaching state history while in the middle of teaching algebra, biology, preschool, American History, Ancient History, Latin, and all other subjects to my children. I teach history chronologically and so far we have not hit the history of my state. After giving this great thought, I realized it is important to take out time to briefly teach the history of my state. After all, it is where we live and one should know about the place they dwell. It is only logical. To help … Continue reading →