Life Of Fred Books

Aug 242011

This year my fourth grader and I are having some fun living math lessons a few days a week using the Life Of Fred Fractions book. The Life Of Fred books are quite catchy and well written for children, and they cover so much more then math!

Fred happens to be a 5.5 year old little boy who’s all ready in university. Throughout the books you learn various math concepts by reading Fred’s stories.

In the fraction book it starts out slow and simple and you cover greater then and less then, most likely a familiar topic to someone in fourth grade. You quickly move on to billion, diameter & radius, and so on until you reach fractions.

Once you reach the information about fractions you learn how to do all sorts of fun things with them. Write checks, reducing fractions, adding fractions, subtracting fractions and more.

The fun thing about Fred is you aren’t given a dry boring lesson and then asked to complete countless worksheets. No, you’re given a humors story often full of other useful information. At the end of each short chapter there are 6-10 questions to answer to show if you remember what you learned.

The book even works in review or quizzes, but they call them bridges. I mean, who doesn’t love to cross a bridge? It sounds far less intimidating then “Quiz” doesn’t it?

What we like about the Fred Books:

We love the short simple chapters & fun engaging story.

We like that there are only a few questions at the end of each chapter, but those questions can cover a mixed bag of topics.

I love that my son loves the book and is learning at the very same time.

I also love that these are non-consumable hardback books. That means I can reuse them with both of my children without having to repurchase them.

What we didn’t like about the Fred Books:

Honestly, so far we’ve yet to meet any part we didn’t like, but I do think that there will be some drawbacks for some people.

The questions happen to be on the same page the answers at the end of each chapter. Bridge answers are on the back of the book. This isn’t a problem for us as I often read out the problems to my son and he copies them onto notebooking paper. You could easily cover up the answers with a sheet of paper or a large post-it note if you were unhappy with this.

Because the author is American and American’s use the imperial system you’ll find that most of the terms will swing in that direction. {ie pound not kilo, inches not centimeters, etc.} I never hold that against a book, but I always feel it’s fair to let people know.

Common Questions About Fred:

Can I use this on it’s own or is it just an extra?

Honestly, I’ve seen families use it both ways. For us we’re using it as an extra. I like to teach my kids a lot of math topics in a year, but I like to really focus in on one topic to give them a great foundation and build their confidence. I think the Fred books really help in that area.

I want to use this on it’s own but there’s only about 36 – 40 days worth of lessons, what should I do?

You could expand on the lessons by incorporating other fun living math things into the lessons. For instance in lesson two you learn about a billion. You see what it looks like in both numbers and words. You also learn the importance of writing numbers with letters and not just numbers. You could focus in on number words throughout the week and also offer your child worksheets on skills they all ready have in math in order to drag it out. Another option would be to use several Fred books in one year.

The Fred stories seem a little bit cheesy, are you sure we’ll learn from it?

Absolutely! If you have a sense of humor you’re going to love these books. If you enjoy something, chances are you’re going to learn from it. My 4th grader has been the intended student for these books, but I’ve caught my 2nd grader listening in several times and then attempting to quiz both of us later on in the day. So needless to say, I believe no matter how cheesy you find the stories you’ll learn from them. It doesn’t have to be hard to be educational.

Kendra lives in Tasmania Australia with her husband, the Man From Down Under, two curious boys, a dog, & a bird that constantly talks back. Creator, and avid user, of the Homeschool Book Of Days & The Nature Game she can be found retelling tales from The Land Down Under over at the Aussie Pumpkin Patch.

Educational Apps

Language Arts, Mathematics, Mom Helps, Nature Study, Online, Preschool, Reading, Science, Spelling 1 Response »

Aug 102011

Technology continues to advance, and with it, comes many opportunities to learn. Today, cell phones have become much more than just a way to call someone. But, did you know that beyond Facebook and Angry Birds (a game), there are some really great learning gems available for smart phones?

5 Great Apps For Education

Super WHY!

Originally just a TV show, Super Why! has transitioned to a kid-friendly App! This app features the four main characters from the TV show as they teach the alphabet, rhyming, spelling, writing, and reading. Our family uses this app often as its graphics are great and the games make learning fun! $2.99* See More.

TEACH ME

TEACH ME currently has three apps out – toddler, kindergarten, and first grade. The kindergarten version teaches Math (addition and subtraction), Spelling, and Sight Words. However, my FAVORITE part is that it allows for multiple users and tracks their progress. That, and it’s really affordable! $.99* See More.

Project Noah

For kids of all ages, Project Noah is a great app for citizen scientists everywhere! With this cool app, you can add a photograph of an interesting creature you’ve found, or you can access the database to learn of and about different organisms in a specific area. You can even help track migrating species or document endangered wildlife! This great app takes learning to a whole new level and gets kids excited about exploring nature and teaches on the go! FREE* See More.

PBS

PBS.org now has apps for ipad, iphone, and ipod. You can now preview or view full episodes, as well as check out your local station’s schedule! While not quite as an impressive app as the previous ones, this app could still be invaluable to your planning time if you’re constantly on the go (or someone is using the computer)! FREE* See More.

Storyrobe

Use photos and videos from your library to create and share stories! This interactive app lets you record your voice through the microphone or you can use the 3rd party mic to get the story going. From telling the story of an event in history to tracking the growth and development of a butterfly to teaching Kindergarteners parts of a story…this app has unlimited potential! $.99* See More.

So, tell me… What are some of your favorite learning and education apps?

*Prices at time post was written.

Written by Ashley. Find more of Ashley’s writings and reflections on motherhood, marriage and life on her blog.

Answers for Preschoolers

Bible, Biblical Principle Approach, Mathematics, Preschool, Science No Responses »

Jul 052011

Stop, drop and roll; numbers, matching, science, music, math, cutting and pasting, coloring, calendar and pattern practice, weather and seasons, holidays, physical education, Bible verse memory work and Biblical world view. Definitely a “Complete multi-subject curriculum for preschoolers” ~ Answers in Genesis

And, look! Right at the top of each page – plenty of practice in name writing.

Here’s an example of a quick Answers for Preschoolers science lesson my preschooler enjoyed when she was four:

She was to take the magnifying glass and find some dust. To go to the spot where the most dust collected in the house.

Well, I directed her to the corner of the foyer where there was plenty of dust at the time. But she remembered that her favorite stuffed animals harbor dust mites. So she wanted to take a peek up close. Of course, she couldn’t actually see the dust mites but she had fun finding plenty of dusty specimens around the house. Then drawing the dust samples afterwards.

Features:

Biblically-based: Starting at the beginning, in Genesis, children learn Biblical truths with God at the beginning of all things.
Soft bound: (easy to tote around the house. Easy for a preschooler to run and fetch from the shelf!)
180 lessons: 90 lessons per volume
Colorful: full color pages and illustrations throughout.

What is preschool without music and singing? Accompanying CD – 17 fun songs. Perfect for morning room time or to pop on in the car. See the list of songs and hear samples by clicking over to the Answers in Genesis site.

For the teacher: For an additional cost, teacher Guides are available for both volumes. Minimal preparation. Any supplies needed can be gathered from household items. However, an accompanying resource packet is also available: “It contains 284 pages of full-color teaching aids to help teach letters, colors, shapes, numbers, seasons, time, Bible memory verses, and more!” ~ AiG site

In our family: we bought one volume of Answers for Preschoolers and used it a few days a week. Two volumes are available. We mix things up. Some days we enjoy an activity from Answers for Preschoolers, another day maybe an idea from Slow and Steady Get Me Ready (skills, large and small motor) or a Five in a Row selection (wonderful list of books!) and an accompanying activity. Some days our preschoolers join in a Tapestry of Grace (classical history unit study) family activity. It just depends. But being purposeful in my preschool planning and having these resources on hand sure helps with the age range.
It is fun! Which is, of course, the main criteria for your preschooler. We’ve really had fun with Answers for Preschoolers.

It was easily adaptable for the youngest children: Little brother, age 2 at the time of this photo. He liked to be included in the cutting and pasting.

Available as a kit or as individual purchases: To view both volumes, the teacher guide, the resource packet and the accompanying CD, see the curriculum section of the Answers in Genesis (AiG) site.

We love all the AiG curriculum in our house. We use Answers for Kids for morning quiet time. And, after lunch, we push back the dishes and enjoy a science lesson with God’s Design for Science. Preschoolers are always part of the action!

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She contributes a blend of writing at parenting and homeschool sites as well as her own daily Hodgepodge.

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Arithmetic Village: And The Winner Is…

Living books, Mathematics, Uncategorized 1 Response »

Jun 152011

Congratulations to commenter #12, Dawn!

Our winner was chosen using the online Random Number Generator.

Dawn, please email me at songofmyheartblog at yahoo dot com within three days for info. on how to claim your set of Arithmetic Village books. I know that and your children are going to enjoy them!

Thank you to all who participated in our giveaway!

written by Shannon from Song of My Heart

Lollipop Logic

Charlotte Mason, Classical, Elementary, Logic, Mathematics 4 Responses »

Jun 082011

Many of you know that I’m a huge fan of teaching logic in the homeschool. For most people, the word ‘logic’ brings to mind older children in middle school and beyond. Believe it or not, I’ve successfully used logic materials with my children as early as the preschool years!

Today I’d like to introduce you to one set of fantastic books which I’ve used with K-2nd graders – Lollipop Logic and Lollipop Logic 2 by Bonnie Risby and Robert Risby.

The logical/critical thinking skills of relationships, analogies, sequences, deduction, inference, patterning, decoding and analysis are covered in simple and attractive worksheets. Each page has only five or six problems, but it’s the perfect amount for a little ones.

Although teacher’s notes aren’t really necessary, there are some for each new section that help you know how to introduce various things to your child. Answer keys for each page are included, too.

It’s helpful if a child can read since there are directions at the top of each page, but reading skills aren’t necessary for completing the pages. I simply read the directions orally and my non-readers have no problems with the activities.

Like all logic materials we use, my kids eat these up! I’ve used a bunch of them and have loved every one. In fact, I wrote a review back in 2009 about some of my favorites that you might like to reread.

-Written by Cindy West, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of three from Kentucky. You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and find her NaturExplorers studies at Shining Dawn Books.

(These books were provided to Cindy for free. However, as always, her reviews contain only her honest opinions.)

Arithmetic Village Review and Giveaway

Charlotte Mason, Elementary, Hands On, Literature, Living books, Mathematics, Preschool, Uncategorized, Unschooling 24 Responses »

Jun 022011

I am always on the lookout for living math books, and when I stumbled upon Arithmetic Village, I knew I had to read this new series of books with my children. The five books arrived, and after one reading we were hooked. Ever since then my children, ages 5, 7, and 9, have chosen to read these delightful stories again and again. (Yes, even the nine-year old boy enjoys them!)

The Arithmetic Village series, written by Kimberly Moore, is set in a lovely, magical village nestled in a fairytale countryside where glittering jewels fall from the sky. The reader is gently introduced to place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as the children in the village collect, lose, and share the jewels with others.

The series includes:

Arithmetic Village – This first book of the series introduces the five main characters: Polly Plus, Linus Minus, Tina Times, and King David Divide. The concept of place value is introduced through the use of jewels, velvet sacks (ten jewels go in a sack), and treasure chests (ten sacks go in a chest). You can read the story in its entirety here.

Polly Plus – This story demonstrates the concept of addition as Polly goes about the village collecting jewels and adding them in her neat and precise manner.

Linus Minus – Described as “an adorable mess”, Linus shows us how to subtract by losing and scattering jewels everywhere he goes.

Tina Times – Speedy Tina demonstrates multiplication by quickly and efficiently counting groups of jewels as she gathers them.

King David Divide – The wise and fair king of Arithmetic Village, David Divide shares jewels with everyone. He distributes them equally, but if some are left over they go to his pet dog, Rover. (I love the idea of Rover receiving the remainder.)

My favorite things about this series:

Rhyming text
Engaging and whimsical story line
The characters’ demonstrations of sharing, kindness, and other noble qualities
The use of fun props – jewels, sacks, and treasure chests – that bring the math concepts to life
The Arithmetic Village website. The author offers free hands-on activity ideas and downloads to accompany the books. She has posted several videos showing how to easily make (or buy) your own set of jewels, sacks, and treasure chest and how to use them with your children to reinforce through play the concepts taught in the stories. This website is a valuable resource and is not to be missed.

To purchase any or all of the books in the series, visit Arithmetic Village’s shop page where you can receive an online discount.

I am excited to announce that Kimberly is graciously giving away a set of Arithmetic Village books to one Curriculum Choice reader.

Two Ways to enter the giveaway – you can do both:

Browse the activities at the Arithmetic Village website. Leave a comment here at CC telling us your favorite activity!
Follow Arithmetic Village on Twitter, and leave a comment here at CC to let us know that you did.

Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each of your entries, as well as an email address or blog url where you can be contacted should you win. Entrants must live in the continental U.S.

**Deadline for entries is Monday, June 14th, 10:00 pm (EST).

Good luck, and enjoy your time in the Village!

(Disclosure: The Arithmetic Village series was provided to me for free for review purposes. The views and opinions expressed in this review are purely my own.)

Written by Shannon, who blogs about living books and other homeschool-ish things at Song of My Heart.

Daily Word Problems by Evan Moor

Elementary, Mathematics No Responses »

May 192011

At a Glance:

Product: Daily Word Problems Grade 1 and Daily Word Problems Grade 5

Publisher: Evan Moor

Grade Level: 1 and 5

Teacher Prep: Minimal

Uses: Math Supplement

Rating: 4 out of 4 golden apples

Workbooks are something I never have a shortage of in my home. However, I do not use them nearly as much as the space on my bookshelf warrants. However, one company always comes to mind when I think of the workbooks which get time in little hands and that company is Evan Moor. I am never disappointed when I purchase an Evan Moor product. So when given the opportunity to review Evan Moor’s Daily Word Problems from Timberdoodle I happily accepted.

Many kids dislike word problems. They think of math as simple black and white numbers on a page they must solve to get more black and white numbers on a page. This is a serious flaw in the teaching of math. Math is life. We use math everyday and that isn’t some math geek slogan. Word problems are essential to relating the equation to life to make it relevant to the child. If you can make math relevant you will have greater success with understanding. Evan Moor provides a few minutes a day of connecting the black and white numbers on a page with real life with Daily Word Problems.

What I liked:

I liked the set up of having daily word problems. My daughter loves this book and wanted to do a full week in one day. She asks daily to use this workbook. I was quite surprised how well she began to learn concepts beyond her and put together how math is used in real life. I attribute that to having a brilliant daughter. Now, my unbiased nature also attributes that to how nicely Even Moor sets up word problems and keeps to a weekly theme. This truly helps the child visualize and conceptualize math in a real scenario. The weekly build up of skills finally ending in a more advanced problem is a nice way to reinforce the lessons while showing what the student knows and building on what the student knows.

My son would rather play Xbox than solve equations but he claimed to have “liked” this workbook. He did not complain about doing the problems and it did help him understand math better in the real word.

What I disliked:

For the fifth grade, I would have liked to seen more daily problems. I think three a day would have been better. With only one problem and a host of other school work this book was easily pushed aside for a day. However, that is hardly a complaint.

For the first grade, there was nothing to dislike. I thought one problem a day was perfect for this age.

Overall, it is a nice supplement to your daily math routine. It reinforces what the child learns and draws a concrete line from math on paper to math in real life.

If you want see more just go to the Timberdoodle site and you will have the option of seeing pages from each book.

Written by Richele, mother of four, homeschooler for 9 years and has over 100 loads of laundry under her belt. Find her blogging at Under the Golden Apple Tree.

Disclosure: As a member of Timberdoodle’s Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

The Factor Tree

Elementary, Mathematics, Online No Responses »

May 162011

Here is a great new addition to homeschooling or struggling students! It’s called The Factor Tree and it’s basic premise is to offer additional support and practice to elementary school kids from grade K-6 in basic math.

The Factor Tree allows for parent and child log-ins so you can setup worksheets, review their progress and target their weak spots; they even have a worksheet they generate based on what your child got wrong! My son especially loves their games, one of which is a timed speed drill. He loves seeing how fast he can go and how many he can get right!

Their description from their website says it perfectly:

What makes the Factor Tree so effective?

Provides the practice and repetition needed for a child to truly master key math skills

Use a skill-adaptive progression algorithm to pinpoint each child’s true skill level

Provides parents with helpful reports, metrics and notifications to track their child’s progress

Combines a state testing-compliant curriculum, world class educational theories and innovative technology to create a better learning tool

I truly like this program as anytime you can make math mastery FUN is a winner for me. The only thing I did not love about the site is the navigation. If you have a browser that has a couple add-on search bars, a lot of the navigation cannot be found. (I had to hit F11 to make it workable). The site is a bit confusing to start and is not intuitively created; there are no arrows or back markers or navigation trees. It was initially very irritating. However, it’s does get easier once you get past the navigation learning curve.

Regular price for the Factor Tree runs at $20.00 per month for each student, which could get quite pricy if you have a family of homeschoolers using their service. However, it is a price worth paying if it truly helps foster a love of math in your children. It is also a much more affordable alternate to onsite match tutors such as Kaplan and the like. The great thing is you can sign up right now with a 14 day FREE trial that does NOT require a credit card to begin! Visit them direct at The FactorTree.com

Open disclosure: I received a free 30 day trial as a BuzzAgent to review and share. The review and opinions are fully mine which are provided honestly and without bias.

Bluestocking Press Middle School Set

Economics, High School, History, Mathematics, Middle School 3 Responses »

Mar 042011

I have been searching for an economics course that would be suitable for middle school students. Much to my pleasure, I found exactly what I was looking for in Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship for Middle School Students by Bluestocking Press!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? was recommended to me over and over, which was what originally led me to the Bluestocking Press site. I was overjoyed to find an entire curriculum set for middle school students that included not only the book I was looking for, but three others!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy is a simply written book of 15 chapters that helps students (and adults like me) understand the basics of the economics system in the United States. Not only that, but it incorporates history and current events in as well.

In real terms that aren’t weighty and hard-to-grasp, your children will finish this book with more information than I was ever taught (even in college) about such things as wages, inflation, recessions, federal debt, and so much more. Even better, there’s a common-sense sort of humor to the book that kept me chuckling all the way through.

A Bluestocking Guide: Economics is a sort of workbook/test book/extra study guide to go along with Whatever Happened to Penny Candy. It includes extra articles to further study and understanding of each chapter in the “primer” (which is Whatever Happened to Penny Candy), as well as discussion questions and tests. The tests include everything from short answers and definitions to multiple choice and essay questions. Further reading lists, charts and diagrams are included, too.

You could read the primer without using this book, but it really helps round out the course.

Common Sense Business for Kids is 17 chapters, but only 62 pages of just what it says – common sense. Students learn the ins and outs of what it takes to successfully run a business – things like operating costs, markets, needs vs. wants, changing with the times, keeping inventory, employees and salesmanship.

Since each chapter is only a few pages, the info is not in depth, but instead very to-the-point. I find that extremely refreshing, and I have a feeling your kids will, too!

Capitalism for Kids is subtitled Growing Up to Be Your Own Boss. With a little more depth and a different range of topics, this book continues on the same theme as Common Sense Business for Kids.

Chapters focus on such topics as evaluating what sort of business best suits the child’s interests and talents, capitalism vs. communism and socialism, family businesses, investing time and money, gaining education and experience, and even such things and laws and licenses.

Again, I really like the common sense writing that isn’t too wordy or philosophical. Quite simply it’s written to kids for them to read themselves.

Even though this curriculum is suggested for middle school, I found it to be meaty enough for many high school students. However, if you’re hoping to find a set put together specifically for high school, Bluestocking Press offers two.

Both contain some of the same books that are in the middle school kit, so you will want to decide which age level you’d most like to purchase and then purchase only that set. On the other hand, all of the books contained in the sets are available individually for those who would prefer to simply go through one or two books.

Loving this!

-Written by Cindy, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of three from Central KY. You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward or find her nature study curricula at Shining Dawn Books. Cindy specifically requested this set for her honest review.

Games for Learning

Bible, Logic, Mathematics, Spelling 3 Responses »

Dec 062010

While browsing the Christian Home Educators of Kentucky Convention last year, I came across a booth with several games that looked exciting. The company, HL Games Limited, allowed me the opportunity to review three of those games.

All of them are appropriate for middle elementary children and older.

Amuse Amaze happens to be our favorite of the three, although all of them are fun. Your job is to meander your way through the game board collecting three of four target cards and reach the finish line before your opponents. In order to make a move, you have to go from space to space spelling words.

Even my slightly spelling challenged child enjoyed the game because being able to spell long words doesn’t necessarily get you any farther than steadily spelling smaller words.

The game is different every time you play since the board comes in squares that are put together in different orders each time you set up. Couple that with the removable white tiles (in the picture) changing each new game and you’ll never experience the same words twice. We love this game!

My 13 year old daughter and I have really enjoyed Beadecked. My son, although entirely capable of playing, feels like it’s too “girly” since beads are the topic. I disagree and don’t find it to be “girly” at all, but I can’t convince him otherwise.

There are six different ways to use the deck of cards, all of which enhance logical/mathematical thinking. Essentially, each of the game options require you to make bead matches of some type from card to card. That sounds easy, but the beads each have varying characteristics of shape, color and pattern – and you usually have to match two or more of the characteristics in order to complete the play.

For those of you who have played SET, this game is similar in that you have to really think through corresponding characteristics. Critical thinking can be very fun!

And finally, Go Mental SacraMental is a trivia game for learning and reviewing Bible knowledge.

Players take turns reading game cards to one another. On each game card there are four phrases having to do with something from the Bible. One of the phrases doesn’t belong. The player whose turn it is gets to move one space on the board if they can tell which phrase doesn’t belong. They get to move three more spaces if they can tell how the other three phrases are connected.

There is a Bible reference on the answer card if you wish to give your child an opportunity to answer the question with help from the Bible. Players can also give and take questions to move their playing piece ahead or send opponents backward on the board.

With 1,ooo questions, we won’t be repeating cards for quite some time!

What games are you playing?

-Written by Cindy, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of 3. You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and learn about her nature study curriculum at Shining Dawn Books.