May 212012
 

We have really struggled with math in our homeschool. I think that it is partly because math just isn’t our strongest subject. For a few of my children it is also from not learning certain concepts thoroughly in public school.

Because of these things we have also struggled to find the right math curriculum.

We have recently gone back to the math we started with – Horizons Math. I think leaving it the first time was because of the number of children needing one-on-one help. I wish we had stuck with it!

We have been using Horizons for a few months now and the children are doing really well with the spiral approach in math.

Sam’s Noggin

Horizons Math covers much in each level. It also covers some concepts like beginning algebra sooner than in other programs we have tried. The good news is that these concepts won’t be scary later on, as they are introduced very gently.

Horizons is a bit advanced, so we are not using per the grade level our students are in necessarily. They would have been further if we hadn’t tried other curricula but we live and learn I suppose.

Kindergarten level

Sam's Noggin

I rarely have to use the teacher’s manual because Horizons does a great job at self-teaching with examples and brief explanations. The lessons themselves are in-depth and cover new concepts as well as reviewing things previously learned. I know my children forget concepts without the spiral approach, so this is a great fit for us.

Sam's Noggin

Pros:

  • Spiral approach works for our family.
  • The workbooks aren’t overly busy, with enough color to make them friendly.
  • Teacher involvement is low – I have only needed to reinforce a few concepts on the board.
  • Thorough – you won’t wonder if your child is getting enough.
  • Covers time and measurement.

Cons:

  • I would love to see the price drop a little. {I feel the full kit with teacher manual is needed for most levels but can run up to $80 without a sale.}
  • Some lessons are a little long, I mark out sections my children can skip.

Horizons Math is the strongest math curriculum we have used. See the scope and sequence, starting on page 5. Timberdoodle has a sample of each level.

I suggest using the placement test before jumping in to buy a level.

~Written by Sam of Sam’s Noggin.

May 142012
 

Big Brainz is giving away a deluxe version of Timez Attack multiplication and division, valued at  $59.99, to one Curriculum Choice readerdon’t miss it at the end!

We’ve enjoyed Timez Attack by the Big Brainz company in our homeschool for several years now. These fun, multiplication games were recommended to us by my friends and fellow homeschool moms. It’s one of those resources we turn to when we know we need a little boost in multiplication practice. And, wow, how Timez Attack has improved since we first learned about it. See, we’d tucked it away because there was some space there between our older children and our middle girl. But now, she’s the one that needs that encouragement in times table memorization and division practice.

Enjoy this video for a quick start overview in a minute and a half:

“The most powerful multiplication games ever created.”

Three of my children practice with the Big Brainz game – three different ages/grades. And what better way to practice than with a fun computer game?

But guess what else? Timez Attack now offers addition and subtraction practice, so rising 1st grader got in on the mix as well. At the start, your child practices finding the numbers on the keyboard, chooses a boy or girl player and takes a pre-test to determine skill level. What impressed me most about this offering is that the game slows down when a child misses a certain problems. I watched as Timez Addition drilled my daughter in 2 + 1 = 3 then 3 – 2 = 1.

Plus, Big Brainz just recently added division! Hmm. I sure can appreciate a program that my age range of children can use! Here’s what my rising 8th grader had to say about the newly improved version, “They made it harder to play (you have to give your answer in less time) but easier to remember the multiplication facts.”

Some things I bet you didn’t know:

  • available for both Windows and Mac platforms
  • built in pre-test and post-test
  • a retention component to regularly review the facts

How to find out even more:

 

Cost:

  • There is a free version! You and your child can try it out and use the free version which is what we did to start with
  • The paid version gives your child access to more ‘worlds’ and entertainment.
  • Standard version: $39.99
  • Deluxe version: $59.99
  • 100% money back guarantee
  • Comparison of the different versions and cost, plus what is included HERE.

Why would I want to pay for Timez Attack?

  • As your child is successful in learning the times tables, he/she will advance. The free version only has one world (the dungeon world). However, your child can practice all the times tables with the free version.
  • Paid version has more worlds. Some examples are rock tower, ruins with a jungle, volcano, and the machine world.
  • Basically, by paying for Timez Attack, you give your child more opportunity to practice and challenge what they have learned.

In summary: Timez Attack meets the needs of several different ages – in our house from age six to 14! It is nice to have a math drill resource that is fun as well as challenging. We use Timez Attack throughout the school year to boost confidence or help a struggling child get back up to speed. But we’ve also found that summer time is a perfect time to use Timez Attack for some fun review.

Special Discount Code just for Curriculum Choice Readers! Enjoy a 25% discount when you purchase from Big Brainz. Just enter code ireadcc  at checkout

Now for the giveaway! Big Brainz is giving away a Deluxe version of Timez Attack Multiplication and Division – a $59.99 value!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Homeschooling for over a decade now, Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos with five children. She shares a mixture of free art lessons, recipes and helpful homeschool habits at Hodgepodge. Her husband, Steve, also writes reviews here at Curriculum Choice.

May 042012
 

One of the things I love to use for our living math lessons is games. I don’t know about your children, but mine can pick up skills they never knew they had simply by playing a game. When I taught my eldest how to multiply one of the things I started with was this very simple game called Ka-Ching! Instead of using the word “multiply” though I used the words “groups of”. My son had so much fun playing this game he had absolutely no idea he was learning a valuable math skill!

How We Use It:

When we’re having a living math day, I pull this game out and challenge my son to a round or two. It’s a very fast paced game all about buying and selling stocks. It’s really addictive to play as well!

Basically you set a game board up with the cards by laying them out in a 7×5 grid. Each person is given a certain amount of money {provided in the game} to buy stocks with. I give out money a little differently than the game indicates. I hand out one $10, one $5, one $2, & three $1’s to get the game rolling. Each player also gets one bonus card which can be paired, at any time, with any stock card from the grid. {We generally save it until the end!}

From there, on each turn a person can collect a card from the grid or they can sell stocks, the choice is theirs. The idea is to buy low and sell high. For instance, if you purchase a $3 card and a $6 card you’ve spent a mere $9, but when you sell them you get $3 x $6 for a grand total of $18!

You can see where this is going right? I didn’t explain this strategy to my child when we started playing the game. We simply played. I prefer to let them find their own strategies as they go along, it’s more likely to stick with them. That’s exactly what happened with this game! It took a few rounds of plays but he very quickly realized he needed the higher value cards in order to beat Mom at the end.

What I love:

  • I love the simplicity of this game. It didn’t take us an hour or a week to figure out the instructions. It was pretty open and go!
  • I love that this is made by Gamewright. Seriously! They sell some amazing, but quick, fun games!
  • I love that the cards are reasonably durable considering I play this with my kids.
  • I love the color! For anyone who’s visual it’s really eye popping to play, not to mention the pictures of the presidents on the money crack us all up.
  • The price. If purchased in the US, this game is fairly reasonably priced at a meager $9.89 + shipping from Amazon.

What I don’t like:

When sold overseas I find the price of this game a bit much. I bought it at a local shop in Tasmania for $20. At the same time, the game is fun, educational, and thus makes it worth what I paid.

Other than that I really can’t complain about this game!

Bottom Line:

We love this highly fun, extremely addictive, amazingly educational game. You really have got to try it for yourself!

Apr 202012
 

I am so excited to share with you a curriculum that has allowed my children to move past the traditional black and white numbers and into a world where numbers create characters and characters stories. Allow me to introduce you to Addition the Fun Way! by Judy Liautaud with City Creek Press. 

The curriculum is a fun, picture method of learning and the addition facts, per the author. I whole heartedly agree. Let me explain how the method of learning the addition facts work. First, the author goes into great detail to explain how to use and teach this book. I found this area very helpful simply because this was an entirely new way for me to think about numbers and for my children as well. Any question that you may encounter will more than likely be answered in this section and if not, Judy Liautuad is incredibly prompt at answering any email request AND phone calls that you may have have! This is based on personal experience!

The book then goes on to explain who each of the number characters are. Each number becomes a constant character throughout the entire book. For example, there is ” 3 bee” and ” sick 6″. The stories are constructed around these characters and a new addition fact is learned after each story.

The curriculum covers EVERYTHING from adding zero through ten. Learning the one’s and two’s addition facts are covered in the beginning and not used as character in stories. Rather the numbers are given the staircase picture of going up one step if you add one and two steps up the stairs if you add two to a number.

Silly and memorable number characters are a great way to describe how the author draws the children into learning in a very visual and interesting manner. For example, one of our favorite stories is 3+3=6. The story, in summary, talks about how sick 6 was picking flowers on a beautiful spring day but there were 2 bees in the flower who stung him. The author then recaps each story with,

” Remember: When its 3+3, the 3-bees sting the 6 and make him sick.”

Now, for the best part, our experience with the curriculum! I received this curriculum in February and was not sure how long it would take for me to accurately write this review, based on my children’s results. However, the method and results with the picture methodology presented in Addition the Fun Way! is incredible!

We began with two stories a day. That is all. Then after my boys became familiar with each character they would go through the book and pick out stories that appeared interesting to them. We did not go through any specific order. Rather we simply enjoyed reading the stories and learning the characters.

After a couple of weeks, I began pulling out some manipulatives that I had in our home. I did this for the purpose of observing if they were understanding the concepts behind the stories ( they were!!). I began to incorporate the flashcards that can be purchased along with the curriculum. The fun part about these flashcards is that they show the characters on them thus further helping to press the pictures as well as the addition facts into a child’s long-term memory.

I cannot, honestly, say enough great things about this incredibly fun and EASY way to learn the addition facts. After a few short weeks my boys were rattling off EVERY single addition fact while smiling about them. We all know those “flash card” moments where we sit with a black and white fact and continually repeat, ” you know this, what is this, what is this??”. Now, I hold up a flashcard and it is still black and white (the book is all in color) yet the difference is with the picture association built into the addition fact there is an immediate recognition and recall from the stories. I find this so encouraging and incredibly helpful in building the math foundation!

  • The author has addition and subtraction as well as multiplication and division programs for you to choose from on her website: City Creek Press.
  • The addition book that we have will cost $19.95 and the flash cards at $8.95.
  • There are also great options to buy for one student on her site that include basic and deluxe kits.

I encourage anyone who is looking for an addition program that is engaging and fun to try out Addition the Fun Way! We have not been disappointed!

Mar 302012
 

Why Time Engineers?

Time Engineers is a CD Rom designed to teach math skills to middle school through high school students.  Not only does it teach math skills such as algebra it also concentrates on engineering skills. By taking students through history, this interactive computer game, takes math to a new level and one many young people will appreciate. Please visit the site for system requirements.

The Breakdown:

Product:  Time Engineers
Cost:  $19.95 Individual, $49.95
Use:  Homeschool, Classroom, Home
Grades:  Middle School-High School (5th-9th)
Lessons Taught:  Math, Science, History, Physics
Skills:  Problem Solving, Reasoning, Critical Thinking

Game Play

The CD-Rom quickly loads and gives you the option of playing it from the disc or installing it on your computer.  The first screen  gives you options to learn about the game, how to play the game, etc. I love a screen that introduces you to the game rather than going directly to the game.  The game is first person and easy to navigate.

When you hit play you are in a library searching through books.  As the story goes you are at a university library doing research on career interests. You become overwhelmed studying about engineering and know there must be an easier way.  This is when you find a document called Time Engineers. Reading it you realize you have stumbled upon confidential information on a time travel machine.  It contains three chapters concerning three different time periods and the location of the time machine.  So you do the only logical thing:  find the time machine, go on the adventures and solve common engineering problems of each time period.

To enter the factory where the time machine is being kept you must enter a binary code which you have to determine.  That marks lesson #1.  The next lesson involves using the power switch.  Once you solve both lessons you are on your way to the different time periods.

The different time periods and lessons are:

Ancient Egypt

  • Pyramid Building
  • Crop Irrigation

Middle Ages

  • Drawbridge Design
  • Catapult Operation

World War II

  • Submarine Simulation
  • Radar Detection

Why I Recommend Time Engineers

  • If you go the Time Engineers website and click on Teachers and you will find not only a laid out curriculum of what each time period teaches but PDF files for Lessons associated with each activity.
  • Ability to play in  interactive mode. The interactive mode is the adventure fun one where the student walks through the game.
  • Ability to play in activity mode. The activity mode takes you directly to the individual activities in each time period.

As a history lover, math hater, and a mom who seeks to make her children love and excel in both this game is a perfect fit.  In fact, I learned a bit about math myself and began to see math as fun!  To connect the concept of math and physics to both visually and hands on use is powerful and reveals the mystery behind it.  Your student will learn engineering principles while developing problem solving, reasoning and critical thinking skills.  Yeah, it’s that good.

 

Mar 262012
 

We LOVE Discovery Toys! Ever heard of them? They’ve been around for many, many years and they have a bunch of fun, educational toys for infants to adults. One of our most favorite is Busy Bugs! They make learning so much fun!

The set consists of 35 bugs and 23 cards. There are several ways you can use it. You can have your little one match colors:

Match color and type of bug:

There is also sequencing and practice in addition.

The bugs are made of soft rubber so they are fun to hold and manipulate while the cards are made of durable stock that is laminated – both perfect for little hands and little people!

Since I have a boy (not to say girls can’t or won’t like it!) bugs are right up his alley! So, not only is he learning but he is having a ton of fun doing so! Another thing I personally like about Busy Bugs is that it is quick and easy – not a lot of mess. My son’s attention span for any particular item is about three minutes (if I’m lucky) so when I spend a lot of time preparing something and he’s done with it in about one minute, it can get frustrating for me. However with this I simply open the box, dump out the stuff and he has fun! Then we just pick it up and put it away. LOVE IT!

The set sells for $22.50 plus shipping and handling and is recommended for age 3 to primary school.

If these look good but you don’t think your little one would like the bugs, they also offer “Busy Farm” which basically the same thing but with farm animals instead of bugs (although the set is a small step more advanced than this set ~ it has children do things like: pick which animal would go on the pond, or in the stable along with picking which animal is different).

Here’s praying you have fun learning!

Come visit Dawn over at her blog, Guiding Light Homeschool, on Facebook and on Twitter…friends are ALWAYS welcome!

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Mar 162012
 

Geometry

Algebra

Measurement

Statistics

What is GAMSology?  A board game developed by a math teacher to help practice math facts for elementary, middle and high school students.

Quite simply, players draw a card and show it to the person on their left.  The player on the left solves the math equation on the card.  If correct (as determined by the person who drew the card and can see the answer), the player moves a given number of spaces on the game board.

2-4 people can play and each game takes about 10-20 minutes to play.

What I like best is that various skill cards can be purchased to go along with the game board.  In other words, you can purchase the addition/subtraction card set when your children are in elementary school, add the multiplication/division set as they get older, then buy the proportion set in middle school, and add the algebra set for high school.

In fact, if you have children working on different levels, you could actually play the game with more than one set in the same game.  Simply make sure each child gets equation cards appropriate to his or her level and the playing field is more evenly  matched!

It’s highly unusual to find games that practice higher level math skills like algebra, making this a huge positive of the game!  My 9th grader and I had a blast trying to beat each other to the end with the algebra set.  She won every time.  Hmmm.

Negatives?  Well, just a couple.  There are a few misspellings on the cards  – for example, “quoien” instead of “quotient”.  Also, our game board did not lay flat.  Neither of these issues made a difference in our game play, but they are worth mentioning.

There are other ways to use the game cards, too.

 

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Mar 052012
 

What a treat for the eyes and a delight to the heart! I LOVE this book and any mom who is looking for ways to build on play-based learning, this book is a gem. The book, Playful Learning by Mariah Bruehl, will help you create an atmosphere of learning by building spaces and providing activities that spark creativity and fun. Looking back over my years as a homeschooling mom, I realize the best learning takes place when I could build on my child’s interest in a relaxed and enjoyable way. The trick was to be prepared for those moments.

Sometimes it is as easy as creating a learning environment, introducing your child to the space, and then letting them explore.

Playful Learning is the kind of book that can be referred to again and again and you will always find some new idea to spark a creative activity. It is a visually appealing book that outlines areas of your home where you can set the stage for playing and natural learning.  The author stresses the importance of free and unstructured time for children to explore their interests and Playful Learning gives specific ideas for building on your child’s natural inclinations to play and learn by organizing play spaces and materials to nurture the interest alongside your child.

“Playful Learning gives us as parents an opportunity to play again! It is wonderful to teach the way we wish we had been taught. I have rediscovered my own awe and wonder of the world.”

 

  • Do you want to nurture your child’s love of writing? Young writers will be encouraged to keep lists and notebooks, write stories and letters, and have a try at bookmaking.
  • Do you want to build an art area, a child’s science “lab”, or a cozy reading library? Images and resource lists are included in this book.
  • Has your child shown an interest in learning geography?  Create maps together and learn more about the world we live in using suggestions in this section of the book.
  • Is your child a nature lover? Activities illustrated will help your child better connect the the natural world in your own backyard.

Mariah Bruehl will give ideas in pictures and words, making it easier to provide a richer learning experience at home by showing you activities to plan on and offer as you play through your day.

She explains that the key for parents is to stay “one step ahead”.  I appreciate that this book assumes you want to identify an interest and then build on it, preparing yourself to offer up the space and ingredients for playful learning at home. She outlines in each main section the stages of learning, how to stay “one step ahead”, the process of building on interests, and then more ways to explore with your child. She suggests skimming the book with your child and then refer back to it when they become interested in a particular subject.

The book includes lots of printables in the back of the book as well as from the Playful Learning website. What a great way to get started with your Playful Learning experiences! You may also want to follow Playful Learning on Pinterest where there are many, many wonderful additional ideas for you to implement in your home.

Excellent resource for families with children from ages 4-8 (even older if you extend the ideas). This book will be a perfect supplement to any homeschooling curriculum and can be used with any style of learning. Big thumbs up for this sparkling gem of a book!

Written by Barb-Harmony Art Mom.  I blog at Harmony Art Mom and am the creator of  Harmony Fine Arts. I would love for you to join us for the Outdoor Hour Challenges at the Handbook of Nature Study.

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Feb 172012
 

I’m not going to lie.  We’ve struggled with algebra.  It’s the first real struggle we’ve had since this journey of homeschooling began, but a struggle it’s been.  Not so much because my daughter nor I can do it, but because it’s one of those things that’s harder to backtrack with and find the method to the madness when you get stuck.

This year, I’ve made sure we have an arsenal of help awaiting us when necessary.  My daughter CAN tackle algebra successfully, and I CAN be her teacher!  We’re still using Saxon Math as the main curriculum because I’ve grown to dearly love the thoroughness and incremental approach.  But, three new products sit on my shelves: Saxon Teacher, Math Dictionary for Kids, and A+TutorSoft’s Algebra 1 CD Curriculum.

I’ve gotten to know Vinod, the author of the A+TutorSoft curriculum, through various conventions I’ve attended and upon hearing of my struggles with algebra, he was quick to offer me his Algebra 1 Full Curriculum CD in exchange for a review.  So, in this post about algebra, I’d like to highlight the A+TutorSoft weapon in my arsenal.

Consider the joy of having your very own tutor at the ready whenever you or your child gets stumped on an algebra concept.  That’s what you have with A+TutorSoft!  Every algebra topic you can think of is taught clearly by a teacher’s voice while examples are “written” on a computerized chalkboard.  Additionally:

  • Text of the teacher’s lesson is available for re-reading yourself.
  • You can rewind or fast forward the teacher’s lesson.
  • All concepts are introduced in a clear step-by-step fashion.
  • You get to work sample problems within the lesson to make sure you get it.
  • Immediate feedback is given whether answers are right or wrong.
  • You can print off practice pages for extra understanding on the topic.

The CD is very organized, too.  You can easily locate a particular topic and go directly to the specific tutorial(s) you need.  With A+TutorSoft, there’s been no need to pay a pricey real-life tutor!  My daughter is tackling algebra with success this year – and I couldn’t be more relieved!

Because of the multiple choice nature of the computer-based practice problems, I would not feel comfortable using A+TutorSoft as a full curriculum.  It certainly covers all necessary algebra 1 topics, but there wasn’t quite enough written accountability for me to consider using it as our sole text.  Honestly, some people may disagree with me – and that’s okay.  I encourage anyone who has used it to leave their thoughts about whether or not it should be used as a stand-alone.

When I spoke to Vinod about this stand-alone question, he responded:

Our curriculum is designed to be a full curriculum and hopefully the only resource homeschoolers will need. And that is the reason we provide printable worksheets and exams where student is required to show their work. And of course, because they are printable, a parent teacher would need to check student’s work using our “Worksheet Solution Guide” and “Exams Solutions Guide” (the parental manuals) which are also included with this MATH curriculum software.

You have automatically graded interactive quizzes for each lesson which provides instant feedback with step-by-step explanation for each problem if the student answers it incorrectly. And at the same time, if you need additional practice with problem solving, we provide printable worksheets and exams, which can be used in more traditional way. And as I mentioned, there is help (the solutions guide) for every problem on the worksheets and exams.

We explain step-by-step solutions to each worksheet and exam problem. And that’s what makes this such a great MATH curriculum product. Because of this reason and thoroughness of all the material that is covered, I would highly recommend that A+ TutorSoft MATH curriculum be used as a full curriculum. However, if parents want to supplement it, sure you can to that but we don’t believe that is really necessary.

Either way you decide, it’s truly a great resource – professionally done, full of meat and worthwhile!

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Feb 082012
 

Clever Dragons is a really neat online learning tool geared toward BOYS ages 7 – 12 (but my son is 15 and there were still several places he found that were helpful and fun)! Boys. Dragons. Need I say more? *grin* This online program covers all the main areas of teaching: Language Arts, Math, Geography, History and Science. If your boys are anything like mine, sitting and “doing school” is super boring for them, this program allows them to learn while having fun! Please note: online learning is definitely not my favorite but I do enjoy finding things they like to do that also offers them the opportunity to learn – this program meets that need.

Taken directly from their site:

Clever Dragons is an educational and entertaining website exclusively for boys between the ages of 7 and 12. On Clever Dragons boys can access interactive learning materials, play age-appropriate games, view specifically selected videos and communicate with their friends. By completing the learning materials and videos users can earn Gold Coins – the virtual currency on Clever Dragons. This currency can then be used to play games or access other fun content. Together with www.always-icecream.com, its “sister site” for girls, Clever Dragons is the first website that combines all these aspects of online usage in an educational and safe format.

Here is a general breakdown of what is taught at each level:

  • Beginner (7-8): Basic mulitple choice questions, Basic spelling quizzes, Typing 1 (letters), Instrument Quiz, MiniMe Customization
  • Intermediate (9-10): Advanced Quizzes & Basic Drills, Language Quizzes (Synonyms), Typing II (words), Classical Music, Anatomy & Health Quizzes
  • Advanced (11-12): Advanced Drills & Equation Solver, Lanuages Arts Quizzes, Typing III (passages; coming 2012), Clothing Design (coming 2012) and Science Quiz
  • Applied (7-12): CastleWorld Shop & Money Budgeting, Messaging & Commenting, CastleWorld Desing Studio
Here is a sample of one of the quizzes (this particular one was very easy, obviously):

They also offer parent reports which look like this:

We have watched some of the videos since I took the above snapshot and let me tell you, there are some amazing videos! The site has learning videos along with just fun videos. I think our favorite right now is the Amazing Insects video. It was really cool!

One part of the program we did not participate in was anything to do with friends or online chatting and messaging. We just don’t allow that in our home for our boys at this time.

Overall, we LOVE this program! Clever Dragons has so many learning games for the boys to play. There are around 75 games!

So, if you love what you are reading, but have a girl? Don’t fret! As mentioned above, they have something similar for girls called Always Ice Cream!

Now…the cost:

Monthly: $5.95
Two Months at one time: $11.90
Annual: $47.40
Lifetime: $119.00 but ON SALE for $69.00 if purchased before February 15th!!! 

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Come visit Dawn over at her blog, Guiding Light Homeschool, on Facebook and on Twitter…friends are ALWAYS welcome!

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