There are so many expensive homeschool resources, but one of the best science investments we have ever made cost less than $15.00. We purchased a Pocket Microscope($13.95) several years ago from Home Science Tools. With two AA batteries, and three zoom levels (60X, 80X, 100X) this little microscope can help even a 2 year old explore the world around them. A small, lightweight base has clips for … [Read more...] about Under the Microscope
Editor in Chief
My last review I shared about my search for a grammar text that would finish our study of grammar. I found Our Mother Tongue, and I am pleased with the way it teaches grammar. But, it doesn't include sentence mechanics. (There is an appendix for the topic, but I don't find it adequate.) It doesn't address topics such as where to put commas, semi-colons, and quotation marks; or how to correct … [Read more...] about Editor in Chief
Spellquizzer
Spellquizzer is spelling software that gives you a break while helping your children learn their spelling words. This software can be adapted to your current spelling lists or you can find sample and full spelling lists to use on this program. There is a section that allows you to share spelling lists with other homeschoolers as well. Whether using your own spelling and vocabulary lists, … [Read more...] about Spellquizzer
Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind
There were just a few more pages to turn when it happened. My voice froze and I felt the tears pushing. My son grinned knowingly, "Mom's going to cry." It doesn't happen very often, but literature gets me the most often. And biographies. Biographies can be just too inspirational for me to maintain my composure. I picked up a copy of Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind … [Read more...] about Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind
Time4Learning Preschool Give-away!
Time4Learning has graciously allowed us to give-away one subscription of their newest product for preschoolers. The preschool learning games and activities combines technology, animated characters, original stories and fun music to inspire a love of learning in the littlest e-learners. Ed Mouse and his friends guide children through more than forty topics such as numbers, letters, rhymes, self, … [Read more...] about Time4Learning Preschool Give-away!
Time4Learning Web-Based Curriculum
When I first found out I was going to review this product, I was excited. Since my boy's love to play on their (non internet) computer with their educational games, I thought this would be great to try out. In the past we looked into different curriculum that offered computer learning and we currently use a (non-internet) computer program for my oldest son. Since we use one already I thought it … [Read more...] about Time4Learning Web-Based Curriculum
Daily GRAMS-Junior High/Senior High Level
Daily GRAMS (Guided Review Aiding Mastery Skills) This is one of those simple ideas that I love as a review in our weekly schedule. We thoroughly covered grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and sentence writing in our grammar and logic stage years (grades 4-8). As high school students, they no longer needed a full-blown language arts program, but I also didn't want to get rusty with our … [Read more...] about Daily GRAMS-Junior High/Senior High Level
Winter Promise American Story 1 Curriculum Review
Winter Promise (WP) is a provider of complete curriculum packages (excepting math and often science, depending on the program). Their philosophy is primarily Charlotte Mason with an emphasis on living books, narration, timelines, and historical fiction read alouds. One main difference from other similar curriculum providers is the addition of hands-on projects, paper crafts and notebooking … [Read more...] about Winter Promise American Story 1 Curriculum Review
Geopuzzles
Geography a bore? Not anymore! As the name implies, Geopuzzles are geography-based puzzles manufactured by GeoToys. There are five continent puzzles, each focusing on a specific area of the globe. The world according to Geopuzzles has the following divisions: ●Africa and the Middle East ●Asia ●Europe ●Latin America ●U.S. and Canada It may be … [Read more...] about Geopuzzles
Jonathan Park CD’s
I think my older children were 8 and 5 when we bought the first volume of the Jonathan Park audio series. We've been hooked ever since, buying a new volume each year for Christmas. What an exciting, educational joy these CD sets are for our entire family (not just the children!) The action-packed story lines follow the Park and Brennan families as they find themselves involved in adventure … [Read more...] about Jonathan Park CD’s
Book of Saints
Amy Welborn’s Book of Saints is a good choice for a living book about the lives of saints. My twelve year old son reads the four page stories independently at a rate of two per week. He then narrates in writing, often draws a picture or sometimes journals after each reading. When asked what he likes best about the stories he says, “I like reading about the lives of individual people, not that I … [Read more...] about Book of Saints
Vocabulary Cartoons, SAT Word Power
I have to admit, when I find a book or resource that works wonderfully for my family, I love to tell everyone about it. That’s exactly how I felt when I found this book. I was so excited by the results I saw right away that I literally carried this around in my purse so I wouldn’t forget to show it to my friends on homeschool outings. Are you curious to know what has me so excited? Allow me to … [Read more...] about Vocabulary Cartoons, SAT Word Power