One of our investments for the 2011 school year was Scholastic’s Interactive 3D Maps: American History. It was actually recommended by the core programme we are using, but the book itself was bound to be a hit with two map loving young boys. Not to mention they really enjoy doing hands-on projects, so mixing the two together sounded like it would be right up their alley! We were not in the … [Read more...] about Interactive 3D Maps
Envision Teaching Latin with Visual Latin
The thought of teaching Latin made me want to hide under a table. I did not think there would be any way for me to teach Latin. I never took Latin in school. I have no experience in this subject and quite frankly it is an intimidating subject if you are unfamiliar. Knowing that I decided to homeschool to provide a better education I knew I would have to find away to teach my children Latin. Latin … [Read more...] about Envision Teaching Latin with Visual Latin
Learn Our History DVD’s
My husband and I have been thrilled to introduce the Learn Our History DVD's to our children. We both have a passion for teaching fundamental truths about the history of the United States in our homeschool. Believe it or not, much of what we read/hear/watch is either extremely watered-down or downright misleading. Not so with this series of DVD's from Learn Our History! In each of the … [Read more...] about Learn Our History DVD’s
LightHome Publications Penmanship Books
I like handwriting books. They make life simple: Get out the book, turn to the page, write, put the book away. Repeat until the book is finished. This year, though, I decided that the shipping and handling on my favorite handwriting book was outrageous. I refused to do it. What’s a homeschool mama to do? Download handwriting books instead! So, I tripped along to Currclick and found an … [Read more...] about LightHome Publications Penmanship Books
Explode the Code Review
Explode the Code is a phonics based program I consider invaluable in helping my daughter learn to read! Explode the Code Review The series starts with three Primers, all introducing the child to the consonants sounds and written letters. Then the series moves on to the vowels and basic phonics patterns in Book 1 and Book 2. The best thing was that my daughter loved doing it! First thing in … [Read more...] about Explode the Code Review
Primary Arts of Language: Writing
This review is Part 2. If you haven't already read my review of Primary Arts of Language: Reading, please do so before continuing with this post. Primary Arts of Language: Writing by Jill Pike of Excellence in Writing is the companion program to Primary Arts of Language: Reading. While the reading program focuses on early phonics and reading skills, the writing program focuses on printing, … [Read more...] about Primary Arts of Language: Writing
Hands And Hearts Curriculum
It’s a well-known fact that we learn best by immersion. When we’re studying a foreign language, it’s recommended that at some point, we fully immerse ourselves into the language and culture to learn and absorb more. But, when it’s time to study history, learning by immersion can be a little tricky. We don’t always have the resources (or, time!) to re-create a version of the past to immerse … [Read more...] about Hands And Hearts Curriculum
Native American Legends by Terri Cohlene and Charles Reasoner
While perusing the library's database in search of books about Native Americans, I discovered a wonderful little series of Native American legends written by Terri Cohlene and illustrated by Charles Reasoner. There are six titles in the series. Each presents a legend and a different tribe of Native Americans. Clamshell Boy is a Makah legend telling how a boy, born of a mother's tear, saves a … [Read more...] about Native American Legends by Terri Cohlene and Charles Reasoner
Teaching Textbooks
For the past few years we haven’t used a math curriculum of any sort. Yes, you read that right. For several years we’d been “free flying” as I call it, learning math through games, hands on applications, & stories. We had a grand time of it, and both of my children had a firm foundation in basic mathematics. However, we made a few changes to our little homeschool & one of the changes I … [Read more...] about Teaching Textbooks
Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension
Have you ever wished for a reading comprehension program that encourages higher order thinking skills? Questions that require deep thinking, inference and opinion? Questions based on "living" literature selections rather than dry paragraphs? All of this in assignments that can be completed in a lesson or two? Not to mention, reading comprehension available for children as old as 9th … [Read more...] about Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension
CalcuLadder: Turning Finger Counters into Number Crunchers
We’ve tried many computer and online math drill programs. We’ve even used flashcards. But we often return to the first formal drill program we bought years ago: Calculadder by Dr. Myers. It’s quick, simple, very effective, and can be used for all the children in a family. Each drill page has a number of problems, a recommended time limit, and a Bible text that’s sometimes relevant. The … [Read more...] about CalcuLadder: Turning Finger Counters into Number Crunchers
It Just Couldn’t Happen
What an exciting new product! As a home-schooling family, this has just taken it's place in our standard curriculum! Want to address those tougher questions about biblical vs scientific subjects typically taught in schools? This is fantastic for that, too! The book is easy to read, geared for all ages as it is well written, and has fantastic pictures to captivate. It Just Couldn't Happen … [Read more...] about It Just Couldn’t Happen