MathRider ~ Review

Finding new ways for my daughter to practice math skills without moaning and groaning is a challenge. Finding a way to practice math skills that keeps my daughter attention ~ nearly impossible, until now! 

What is MathRider?

MathRider is a downloadable program ($37.00) that any child learning mathematical facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication or division) can use to practice and master those facts.

How To Play

The student rides a horse, answering math questions and jumping hurdles, on a quest through the magical MathLands.  The horse  adjusts it speed based on how quickly the student inputs the answer.  The faster the student answers, the more points they will receive.  If the student gets the answer wrong, the computer will give them the answer and lower the hurdle for them to walk thru and continue on.  After the student completes a portion of the ride, they can see how far they have traveled on their quest.

Click on the video below to see an example. 

The program allows you to check on the progress of the student.

Our Thoughts

Emily was immediately mesmerized by the beautiful graphics and the idea of riding a horse while on a magical quest!   She has used the program almost everyday since I downloaded it.   The more she plays the more challenging it becomes.

I am amazed how quickly she is mastering her addition and subtraction facts.  I big plus for me has been that she needs no assistance what so ever while playing the game.

Find Out More

MathRider is available for download for $37.00 at MathRider’s website.  One Math Rider license can be used with up to ten children. 

To find out more information about computer system requirements for MathRider click here.

To see additional reviews by the Homeschool Crew click here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Cylinders & Cubes {Guidecraft Mom Review}

There is just something about good quality wooden toys that I love ~  the feel, the durability, and the open ended play that most wooden toys provide!  We received brightly colored, wooden nesting Cylinders and Cubes from Guidecraft for the kids to play with. 

                     

About the Cylinders and Cubes

Both the Cylinders and Cubes come painted with brightly colored non-toxic paint and have a fun pattern painted on the edge.  The pieces graduate from primary (red, blue and green) to pastel colors.  You can use the bright yellow base to stack and sort the pieces. 

Our Thoughts

We really had fun with the Cylinders and Cubes!  We took turns seeing who could stack the most pieces before they would came tumbling down.

We hide a gem under one of the Cylinders and guessed where it was.  To make it a bit more educational we talked about ordinal numbers. I would give Aiden a hint like it is under the 2nd Cylinder.

We did some color matching with colored pencils ~ talking about the variations in the colors and

Aiden made a dinosaur pet shop using the Cubes.

These are not your ordinary stacking containers!  The pieces are recommended for ages 3 and up however, since they are painted with non-toxic paint I would feel comfortable giving them to younger children.

Find Out More

You can purchase the Cylinders and Cubes directly from Guidecraft.  The Cylinders and Cubes are also available from Amazon.

Giveaway!!!

Xenia from Thanks Mail Carrier is hosting the giveaway this month! Head on over to enter, now through 3/11/11.

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

The Curiosity Files ~ Puffer Fish E-Book {Review}

Have you been looking for ways to add some science fun to your homeschooling?  Then check out The Curiosity Files from The Old Schoolhouse.

What are The Curiosity Files?

The Curiosity Files are fun unit studies where you join Professor Ana Lyze and her research team as they investigate and learn about some of the most fascinating oddities on Earth such as:

• Blue Diamond
• Dung Beetle
• MRSA
• Puffer Fish
• Red Tide
• Zombie Fire Ants
• Blue-footed Booby
• Cicada Killing Wasp
• Quicksand

Each unit study is geared for children ages 8 –13, however they are easily adaptable for younger and older students.   The units are packed with information and fun activities:

• Bible study and memory verses
• Math, history, and geography investigations
• Literature and suggested book list
• Writing, spelling, and vocabulary activities
• Copywork pages (manuscript and cursive)
• Science observations, projects, and experiments
• Discussion questions
• Art, crafts, drawing, and coloring pages
• Lapbook and notebook pages
• Internet resources and video links
• Complete answer key

Puffer Fish E-Book

We received the Puffer Fish e-book (77 pages).  While doing the unit we learned so many interesting facts including:

• How do puffer fish PUFF? Are they filled with air or what?
• Other amazing abilities that they have?
• Can we get a puffer fish for our aquarium?
• What do people and puffer fish have in common?
• How does God’s design for puffer fish protect them?

Our Thoughts

I am a huge fan of unit studies and have done many with my children throughout the years.  The puffer fish unit study exceeded my expectations!  I LOVE that this unit study had everything I needed, had hands on activities and included Bible verses, math, writing, spelling, science project ~ every subject including art!  We decided to add our information to a notebook, but you could easily create a lapbook.

Find Out More

Want to check out a sample of the Puffer Fish e-book?  Go here to view some of the e-book.  To get the best deal on The Curiosity Files, you have two options:

• the CD of all nine units is available for $49
• or you can get all nine units as downlodable e-Books for $46.

To purchase individually, please refer to The Old Schoolhouse Store website for pricing details.

To see additional reviews by the Homeschool Crew click here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Maestro Classics: Peter and the Wolf ~ Review

Maestro Classics Stories in Music provides wonderful stories combined with beautiful symphony orchestra music.  Each CD is a combination of music and educational information which includes ideas on what to listen for and how to listen.  These delightful stories are designed for children ages 5 and up. 

About Maestro Classics Stories in Music

Each series has three significant benefits:

1. To expand listening horizons ~ the series of recordings introduces the listener to an orchestra's magical sounds and
   awe-inspiring power, and helps them understand that music can be dramatic, can paint pictures, and is often filled with humor.
2. To hone listening skills and accumulate musical memories ~ the musical discussions will sharpen listening skills of children and adults alike, the discussion of the story will promote conversation about human values, and the musical work will leave each listener whistling a new tune.
3. To encourage adults and children to listen to music together ~the very young will listen for the story, the slightly older child will enjoy the music, and the adult will be surprised how much he/she has learned.

Maestro Classics sent our family Peter and the Wolf ($16.98) to listen to and review.   The CD included a 24-page program book and 7 tracks: the life of the composer, a Russian Peter, The Magic Maestro Talks about Peter and the Wolf, Peter and the Wolf without Narration, Invitation to Grandfather’s Party and Kalinka ~ dance along.

Maestro Classics ~ Stories in Music also offers the following stories:

• The Tortoise and the Hare
• The Story of Swan Lake
• Juanita The Spanish Lobster
• Casey at the Bat
• Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
• The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Our Thoughts

We all enjoyed the story and music.  Emily and I both found that the booklet included was very helpful in identify the different instruments used.  Emily enjoyed completing the activities included in the booklet.

 

The additional tracks really helped the story come alive and enriched out learning experience!  We have enjoyed listening the to the CD over and over!  I plan on ordering Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel for Aiden and The Story of Swan Lake for Emily.

Find Out More

You can listen to samples here.  Individual CDs are available to purchase from Maestro Classic for $16.99 or you can purchase three CDs for $45.00 (these CDs are so worth it!). 

To see additional reviews by the Homeschool Crew click here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

 ~Cindy

Construct-it Early Builder {Guidecraft Mom Review}

We are big fans of building tools.  They always seem to inspire creativity and my kids are more likely to show teamwork when they are building together.  We received a Construct-it Early Builder set from Guidecraft and it has been a hit! 

The Construct-it Early Builder set includes 160 pieces ~ which was enough pieces for the kids to build multiple things without having to tear their creations apart.  The tools and pieces where just the right size for Aiden’s hands! 

                     

The Construct-it Early Builder set is recommended for ages 4 and up.  The kit includes pictures of things you can build with the kit, such as a lawn mower and windmill.

          

Our Thoughts

My kids LOVE the Construct-it Early Builder set!  I really thought that Aiden would be the one building with set, but Emily has spent more time playing and creating!   

This has been another winner from Guidecraft!  The pieces are well made ~ and they have been tested in our house!  It has been fun to watch the kids as they come up with new ways to use the building set.

                   

Find Out More

The Construct-It Early Builder Set is available through the Guidecraft website and also Amazon. Recommended age for the Construct-it Early Builder is 4+.

Giveaway!!!!

Mama Jenn is hosting this months Guidecraft giveaway until January 21st, so head over to win!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Easy Classical Early Modern History Schedule ~ Review

As part of the Homeschool Crew I received a digital version of Easy Classical Early Modern Age History Schedule to review.

About Early Modern History Schedule

• Intended for grades K – 6
• 106 pages
• Cost:  Notebook version $35.95 or Digital version $29.95
• Includes day by day lesson plans for 36 weeks
• Easy reference list of icons used in daily schedule
• Schedule includes list of suggested curriculum choices, book list, and materials shopping list
• Includes sheets to enhance learning (step by step how to draw sheets)

The schedule was structured around the recommendations of Susan Bauer’s book The Well Trained Mind: a Guide to Classical Education at Home.  It is adaptable for kinesthetic, visual and auditory learners.  The weekly schedule covers history, writing, geography, projects, read aloud books, and a quiz.

My Thoughts

I am a very visual person so I was immediately impressed with the way in which the schedule is laid out.  It includes a list of all the curriculum items and books and a separate list of supplies needed during the year.  Everything is in one place so I can print out the lists and check off the items as I purchase them. 

The weekly schedule is broken down Monday through Friday and then broken down by each subject, making it easy to see what daily tasks need to be completed.  Monday is typically when a new topic is introduced, so that day has a good bit of reading to do.  The nice think about the schedule is, you can change it to fit your family and each child’s attention span.  Our family loves to read so we wouldn’t have any difficulty completing the assigned reading.  At the end of the weekly schedule is sticky note of the items you will need to purchase for next week ~ once again a great visual!

Overall, I think the schedule is thorough, easy to use, and includes some awesome curriculum suggestions! 

Find Out More

You can view sample pages of Easy Classical Early Modern Age History Schedule by clicking the links below:

• Sample Introduction Pages
• Sample History Schedule Pages
• Sample Lesson Pages
• Early Modern History Curriculum and Books (gives links to purchase items)

To purchase the notebook version ($39.95) or the digital version ($29.95) click here.

Easy Classical also has available Complete, Main, Science and additional History Schedules for K – 6.

To see additional reviews by the Homeschool Crew click here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

See-N-Read ~ Review

I was intrigued when I found out that I would be receiving a reading tool from See-N-Read.  I decided to check out the website to see what I would be receiving and once I started reading about the research that went into the product and its purpose, I couldn’t wait until we received our reading tools!

What Are See-N-Read Reading Tools?

They are transparent reading tools available with a clear window (See-N-Read) or open window (MemoryMark), so you can highlight text as you read.  See-N-Read tools clear window help you concentrate on the text and move easily to the next line ~ without loosing your place, which increases fluency and comprehension.  The products helps early readers with left to right eye movement and filter distractions, such as pictures.

See-N-Read reading tools were researched for three years in the fields of reading, dyslexia, visual and cognitive processing and tested in the classroom for 2 years.

The products are available in two sizes:

• Book 3 1/2” x 5” – for small books and chapter books
• Document 3 1/2” x 8 1/2” – for large books and documents

My Thoughts:

What an amazing little tool!  The product has helped my daughter, who is often overwhelmed by all the words on a page in chapter books, focus on one line at a time.  We have also used it with her math worksheets to help her work on one problem at a time ~ no more skipping problems! 

I have been using the MemoryMark product while reading (and highlighting) my Bible and it has been a tremendous help.  I find that I don’t skip ahead and stay focused on what I’m reading.  If I happen to be interrupted while I’m reading, the product helps me keep my place and not end up reading the same passage over and over.

Find Out More:

You can order See-N-Read products here.  See-N-Read (one book size) is available for just $2.99.  They also have a product called eSee-N-Read to use with your PC.

To see additional reviews by the Homeschool Crew click here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy