Science Weekly ~ Review

My kids love science and I am always looking for fun ways to add science lessons to our week.  Science Weekly is a 4-page newsletter that is written for grades K – 6th.  There are 6 levels available ~ each level comes with Teaching Notes with answer key.   The levels are:

Level Pre-A (Kindergarten) 
Level A (Grade 1)
Level B (Grade 2)
Level C (Grade 3)
Level D (Grade 4)
Level E (Grade 5-6)

A yearly subscription (15 issues) includes two newsletters a month September – November and one issue in December.

Topics covered include earth science, life science, physical science, and technology.  The topics covered for each edition are the same regardless of the level, however the reading and activities are geared toward the specific grade levels.

Our Experience

We had an opportunity to review issues on composting.  Aiden used level Pre-A and Emily used Level B.  The activities in the newsletter are suppose to be completed throughout the week but, we decided to do ours in one day.  Both of the newsletters gave basic information about composting and a list of new words.  The activities included writing, math, and our favorite part ~ a weekly lab.  For our lab we made compost. 

Emily’s lab focused on ~ Does compost need water and air?

She  divided the compost into different bags and provided them with different quantities of water and air during a 6 week period.  The newsletter provided a chart for her to write results from the Weekly Lab.

My Thoughts

Being able to get individual newsletters for each child, based on their grade, is a big plus!  Aiden was especially thrilled with having his own science “worksheets”.  The activities, at least for this newsletter, required no preparation other than gathering basic items we had around the house.

Pros:

• Specific to each grade level
• Little preparation required
• Comes in the mail (Oh how my kids love getting mail!)
• Each newsletter provides new vocabulary, writing, math and a lab
• Teach notes come with newsletter

Cons:

• I like a little more substance to my science lessons.
• Not sure if there is enough material in each newsletter to keep a child busy for a week.

Find Out More

Want to see a sample?  You can check out a sample issue about Coral Reefs. 

The cost for a yearly subscription (15 issues) is $19.95 per student.

You can read reviews by other TOS Crew Members 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

KinderBach ~ Review

I grew up surrounded by music.  My mom was a piano teacher, my sister and I both took piano lessons, and classical music was often playing softly in the background of our home.  I have tried to pass the love of music to my children.  Both of my kids participated in toddler music classes and my daughter started taking piano lessons when she turned 6.  I have grown up with more of a “traditional” approach to learning music so I was excited to learn I would be reviewing KinderBach. 

About KinderBach

KinderBach introduces children, ages 3 to 7, to music using a keyboard or piano.  Lesson are available online or DVD format.

KinderBach breaks down the various tasks and techniques of playing the keyboard and separates them into child portions.  For example:  Before playing a song, rhythm, note identification, note placement, and music patterns are presented as different items through discussion and games.  Learning is gradual and child-paced.  In addition KinderBach uses fun characters to teach ideas, making the process entertaining.

Karri Gregor is the creator of KinderBach and she teaches each of the lessons.  The lessons are broken down into short segments that holds a young childs attention.  In addition to the video portion there are printables and color sheets to go along with the lessons.

What We Thought

I used the program with my daughter (7) and son (4).  My son loved everything about the program ~ music, characters, and active lessons.  He frequently asked to watch more than one lesson and was able to demonstrate what he learned on our keyboard.  My daughter was not as thrilled about the program.  She found the program “babyish”.  I was not surprised by her reaction since she already knows the keys and has taken piano for over a year.  Overall, I think it is a fun program.  I do think it is geared more for the younger children ~ preschoolers.

Find Out More

KinderBach offers a free online trial.  A one year membership is $95.88 annually or $19.99 a month.  KinderBach At Home also offers DVD and CD packages starting at $40.45.

To read more reviews of KinderBach 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

Go Go Kabongo ~ Review

 Go Go Kabongo is an online site, for kids ages 4 –7,  that has games aimed to improve pre-reading and critical thinking skills.  Skills are developed by playing in three different habitats; Twister Top, Galaxy Gardens and Laughter Lake.

Each habitat contains 3 different games, with six different levels, that target specific pre-reading and/or critical thinking skills. 

Go Go Kabongo automatically sends progress reports via email each week, showing which games, skills used and what level your child has reached.

Our Thoughts

My son (4) and daughter (7) both love the site.  My son found some of the games challenging and became frustrated ~this had more to do with his mouse skills than the actual games.  There is such a wide variety of games to pick from, and with 6 levels for each game the site will keep them challenged and entertained for a long time.  I like that the kids are learning skills while having fun.  I was impressed with the brightly colored habitats and fun characters.

My only complaint is the wait time while loading new games.

Find Out More

You can sign up for two free habitats at Go Go Kabongo, with the third habitat costing only $4.95 for a lifetime subscription.

You can read other Crewmates reviews of Go Go Kabongo 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

Artistic Pursuits ~ Review

I like to think I am an artistic person so art should be an area that my kids receive regular lesson in, right?!  The truth ~ I have failed in providing consistent art lessons.  What I needed was an art curriculum that provides information about the artists, their artwork, and teaches the techniques used ~ with a reasonable price tag!  Artistic Pursuits Curriculum by Brenda Ellis has been the answer!  I received Artistic Pursuits Grade K-3 Book 2 ~ Stories of Artists and Their Art to review.         

About Artistic Pursuits

Artistic Pursuits program presents both the expressive and the technical aspects of art.  The books, which are written to the student, can be used by homeschoolers or for independent study.  They offer books for preschoolers to grade 12. 

Artist Pursuits Book Two ~ Stories of Artists and Their Art contains 32 lessons with projects featuring Gothic, Renaissance and Academy Art of the 18th Century.  Artists featured in this book include:

• Cimabue
• Giotto
• Limbourg
• Van Eyck
• Leonardo de Vinci
•   Michelangelo
• Raphael
• Anguissola
• Durer
• Bruegel
• Parmigianino
• Rembrandt
• Vermeer
• Fragonard
• Turner
• Millet

The book introduces students to pan watercolors, tempera paints, oil pastels, printmaking, stamping, paper mache, and mixed media.   All of the materials needed are listed, making for quick and easy preparation. 

Each lessons starts out with a short and easy to understand introduction to the artist and their artwork.  Next is a project to go along your artist study, showing supplies needed and easy to follow directions.  Each project contains a student gallery showing actual artwork done by a student.  Following the project is information about a specific piece created by the artist.  Questions provided help the student observe the details of the artwork.  Students are then given another, slightly more complex project.

Our Thoughts

This book has put art back into our homeschooling routine!  The list of supplies needed in the front of the book made it easy for me to see what I already had and what I needed to purchase.  The supplies I needed were easily found at our local craft and art supply store.  If you don’t have an art store near you Artistic Pursuits does offer sets of art supply packs.  Each lesson provided just the right amount of information, but not so much that my busy 4 year old lost interest.  

   

Artwork by Emily: Age 7

The books, which are $42.95 each, are so worth the price and each book is non-consumable so you can use them over and over.

Find Out More

Visit Artistic Pursuits site to purchase Book Two ~ Stories of Artists and Their Art ($42.95 each) and check out the other books they offer. 

For more Artistic Pursuits reviews 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

Brill Kids Little Readers ~ Aesop’s Fables {Review}

Back in October I did a review for Little Reader from Brill Kids, so I was excited to find out that I would be reviewing their new Aesop’s Fables Volume I Little Readers.   

About Aesop’s Fables Volume I Little Readers

The Volume I set ($37.50 per set) includes:

• The Lion and the Mouse
• The Fox and the Grapes
• The Fox and the Crow
• The Boy Who Cried Wolf
• The Turtle and the Rabbit

The books are designed to help small children (3 months and up) to read.  So what makes the Little Reader Storybook series unique?

Each book has large text printed on the left side and illustrations on the right.

  A special flap covers the picture as the child reads. 

What is the benefit of the flap?

When words and pictures compete for a child's attention on the same page, the pictures invariably win out. What's more, when parents point to words in traditional storybooks, they will often obscure the pictures - resulting in protests from the child.

My Thoughts

The first think I noticed when looking through the books were the colorful illustrations.   I read the books to my son Aiden, who is 4, and he enjoyed the rhyming text.  He was not a fan of the flap ~ maybe once he is starting to read and concentrating more on the words.  My daughter Emily, who is 7, had no problem reading the text while using the flap to cover the illustrations.   Overall, I can see how the use of the flap is helpful in keeping the child focused on the words and I plan on using these in the future with my son. 

Find Out More

For more information visit Brill Kids website.  The Little Reader Storybook series Aesop’s Fables Volume I is available for $37.50.

For More Brill Kid Aesop Fable Reviews 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

Farm Animal Block Mates {Guidecraft Mom Review}

Wooden blocks are played with daily in our house.  They can be used for so many different things.   Our block play has been extended with the addition of Guidecraft’s Farm Animal Blocks Mates, which can be used to transform basic blocks into fun farm animals.

What are Farm Animal Block Mates

Farm Animal Block Mates includes 20 pieces (4 parts for each animal), to make a goat, horse, sheep, cow and pig. 

The pieces slide onto standard wooden blocks and fit snugly into place with a patented "slip-grip" system.

Guidecraft has a great 5-piece block set that works perfectly with the Block Mates.

Our Thoughts

The Block Mates have been a hit in our house.  Aiden immediately starting putting the animals together

and stacking them.

 

It wasn’t long before he started creating unusual animals and saying “Mommy, what do you think this is called?” 

I have to say that I am completely smitten with the cow who has udders ~ so cute!

Find Out More

The Farm Animal Block Mates and the 5 Piece Unit Blocks can be purchased directly from Guidecraft’s website or from Amazon.

Be sure to check out the Dinosaurs and Safari Animals Block Mates.

 

Two new sets are coming soon:  Construction Vehicles and Community Vehicles.

Giveaway!!

Jodi @ Granola Mom 4 God is giving away a set of Farm Animal Block Mates along with a set of 5 Unit blocks (ends 3/28/11).

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

Moon Rocks

Have I mentioned how much my kids love to collect rocks?  I found a craft for moon rocks at DLTK’s Kids and decided this would be a great way to use some of the lovely rocks just lying around the house.  Aiden decided he would prefer to suit up in his jet pack and gather more rocks.

 What We Used:

• rocks
• small cardboard boxes (I purchased ours from Michaels)
• paint
• paint and foam brushes
• metallic pens

I let Aiden paint the rocks (he had specific ideas on what color they should be) and the cardboard boxes.

When the boxes were dry I wrote Moon Rock on them with the metallic pen. 

 

The boxes can be used to display the rocks or to store them ~ cause we really need a way to keep even more rocks in the house! 

~Cindy