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A Life Better Than I Deserve
Oct. 11, 2009
Review: Bonnie Terry Learning
Recently I received the Writer's Easy Reference Guide to review through the TOS Homeschool Crew program this year. I received this product free from Bonnie Terry Learning in exchange for providing my honest review. Please visit the Homeschool Crew to read opinions on this and many other exciting homeschooling products and curricula.
 Bonnie Terry Learning surprised me last year with a set of products which I reviewed here. This company is one whose offerings over time I've gradually become more impressed with. You see, as I've continued to use the books I received last year, I've been noticing some improvement with my children. These product offerings are also . . . simple. To the point. Twaddle-free. If you're looking for lots of bells and whistles and lots of color, this is not it. However, if you are looking for simple answers to help students with learning disabilities or educational gaps, look no further.
 The Writer's Easy Reference Guide is a twelve page, cardstock guide which has been three hole punched and is ready to place in your child's English notebook. The outer cover of the guide is heavier cardstock than the interior pages, and the exterior edge which has been three hole punched is the sturdiest yet with a further glossy reinforcement added. This is about the width of a strip of Scotch® tape yet more professionally and permanently applied. This Guide is listed for $17 and appears to be manufactured in such a way as to withstand repeated use as a reference for some time!
This product is suggested for use for ages 7 and up, but my own 3rd grade 8 year old is not quite ready to benefit from it. My 11 year old 5th grader definitely could benefit from it, yet for now I have had my 13 year old 8th grader place it in her own Writing notebook to use as a reference guide. Middle schoolers as well as high school aged youths would likely derive the most benefit.
Now, since my children and I have recently been studying writing descriptive paragraphs, the most helpful pages we have found are pages 2 and 3, which includes information on the steps of the writing process as well as a set of "Words to Make Your Writing More Interesting." My daughter has also referred to the Punctuation Rules on page 7. Yet the "Types of Sentences" chart on page 1 could easily be a great way to encourage a child to vary up his writing as well; I can definitely envision a parent referring to this page as she explains to her child how he can improve a paper by adding additional clauses.
Many other helpful lists are included--from paragraph and essay writing tips to a two page spread of literary terms and grammar usage definitions to "More Advanced Writing Tips." Furthermore, this resource guide offers much for a reasonable sum. I have considered several times whether I have ever seen anything like this reference guide before, or even whether I already own some type of grammar and writing reference which includes all this information. No, I honestly believe this product is unique--and uniquely helpful. Finally, I have also been trying to consider whether this product contains enough tips. You know, I really have considered back to when I taught English and cannot think of any additional information I think it should include.
This resource will require both student and parent to actually use it in order to derive benefit, however! Both should become familiar with its contents and refer to it often while writing paragraphs, essays, or even research papers. The parent should be ready to discuss its content--or at least refer her child to a specific list or tip as needed. This resource comes highly recommended--though it should still be supplemented with a good grammar and writing reference. Remember to see the other offerings available from learning disability specialist at Bonnie Terry Learning.
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Oct. 13, 2009 - I deleted the previous comment!