I am a wife to one and a mom to five. We learn by living and live by learning. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:05:00 -0600 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:05:00 -0600 Heads Up Now! learning aids provides a LARGE selection of aids to students of all abilities. There inventory is specifically directed towards students who have challenges from distraction to sensory to auditory.   I have been using the Heads Up! Frames and the Readers.   I had the opportunity many moons ago to learn about the Irlen Method and Scotopic research - using colors to redirect students and help them stay focused. I will be honest and say that the office space I shared with the tester/director was often tense because I felt what she did was bunk. Students would come in, take a test, leave and two weeks later return to pick up a pair of literally rose-colored glasses. Or blue-sky colored glasses. Or green-egg colored glasses. I didn't really know what to make of that.   Well, guess what? That little kid I had with me in my office became one of those easily distracted kids! We've done it all...put him at a table and desk by himself...allowed him to complete lessons on his bed...set up a "science project board" in front of him...he was only isolated from the pack and he simply did not like it.   Well, into my life come the Heads Up! family of thin colored plastic "rulers." And the kid uses them AT the table with the rest of us. And he is much more easily and effieciently focused. And the price is so good you'll want to stock up in case you're like me and you have an industrious four year old who enjoyed trimming the edges... At only $1.00 a piece (except for the full page which is $5.00), they are one of the most useful and cost-effective  tools ANY learner can have in his toolkit. Shipping is VERY reasonable to it is worth stocking up.   I had only one child who did not care for them. And she is just highly focused as it is and she was actually distracted by manipulating an additional something. So... check them out... http://www.headsupnow.com/index.php . You will not be disappointed. It may just help your child, like mine, over the hump. For only $1... (plus about $3 shipping). (three out of three) Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/661727/ Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:05:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/661727/ Do you talk to yourself like I do? Well...here's incentive to put your musings ink to paper! +++++ Exciting News from TOS!   Attention writers! Grab your pencils and get those creative juices flowing! The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is hosting our second Storytime Writing Contest! We have two creative fiction categories: adults (16 and up 2,500 words or less) and children (15 and below 1,500 words or less). Deadline to enter is March 16, 2009. $7.95 fee per entry. Grand prize winners in both the adult and child categories will receive prize packages valued at over $1,000, publication in the Summer 2009 issue of TOS, and publication in our Storytime 2009 Compilation E-Book. Eleven Honorable Mentions from each category will also be included in the E-Book in addition to receiving gifts from top homeschool companies. We look forward to reading your entries! For a detailed list of prizes, official contest rules, to meet our judges, and to upload your story, please visit: www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/Short_Story_Contest.php.   Need help teaching writing? We have over 200 writing products in the Schoolhouse Store! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/661713/ Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:59:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/661713/ It has been TOOOOOO long since I have been able to write. I feel kind of crazy from having talked to myself for so long.   Do you have those mini-conversations? The conversations that start while flipping laundry or vacuuming or even following kids throughout the yard?   Mine go something like this: What a great winter day. If it's going to be cold I wish it would snow. What's the weather like on the mountain? *checks the iTouch weather channel app* Oh! We could ski on Thursday. The weather would be perfect. No, Mike has a diaconate meeting on Thursday. What does Wednesday look like? Hmm... piano lessons on Wednesday. Wonder if Sam would reschedule. Well, with Scouts on Monday and basketball on Tuesday I really wouldn't have a lot of time to prep everything. I need ot get that Lowes Foods To Go order placed. Did Jessica say she needed anything? *checks past emails* Hmm... I'd prefer to place my order on Wednesday then we have more choices for the weekend... But if we're skiing then I don't really need choices.   And so goes the continuous loop. Somehow in the whole mix of mini-convos I manage to get chores and lessons and special time all in the day, too. But I end the day with an incredible headache. Ouch!   I hope having my blog back will help alleviate the headaches! And I have lots of great reviews to write, too! Among them are Heads Up Visual Aids. I love these! And better yet, they work...and there's a story behind this one worth reading, IMO. And we just began an Apologia science book today. I've never seen Apologia though I have of course heard of it. I am very pleasantly surprised after our first day!   Additional reviews include a lovely Home School in the Woods, SpellQuizzer (which will get cranked up later this week), and MathMammoth which is a delight!   Please check back as I recommit to daily writings. And to see if my own little headache experiment works!   Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/656273/ Mon, 9 Feb 2009 13:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/656273/ These are easy, breezy reviews because these five products offer immediate results with fairly little effort from mom (or dad!).     We began on a late Saturday morning with the Zone Cleaning Clean 'n'Flip chart. Saturday mornings are our home are the messiest because we kind of laze around a bit and take our time with life. I introduced the children to the clean 'n' flip chart and set them loose with the goal of completing the living room zone. WHEW!   They worked together and they worked swiftly. Never once did they need my assistance. In about 15 minutes my living room was ready for even the most discriminating guests! The Zone Cleaning Clean 'n' Flip chart also includes the kitchen and bathroom zones. It is laminated and is OK for dry-erase markers (for those changing responsibilities).   Since that was such a speedy success, we moved immediately into the Bedroom Cleaning Clean 'n' Flip chart. We put it to the ultimate test - the girls' room. This place is a filth magnet. It can be clean one moment and a disaster site the next. I am not kidding!   Again, I introduced the girls to the Bedroom clean 'n' flip chart first. I provided them with the correct number of baskets and they commenced upon Step 1: Make Messy Pile. What a great way to get started! The girls worked very hard on their messy pile. And they wanted it quite high and indeed they met their goal. Admittedly, there was less enthusiasm when it came to following through with the remaining steps. They did, however, complete them and with a good attitude. I believe they enjoyed being guided and with very clear instructions on what they were to do.   We have yet to try to the Laundry Clean 'n' Flip chart as this is an area that I have yet to let go. But we'll get there! The set of all three Clean 'n' Flip Charts is very well worth it $29.95. They can also be purchased in sets of two or individually  from Trigger Memory Systems HERE. We used the bedroom chart today, several weeks after introducing it and they're still going strong!     Times Tales, also by Trigger Memory Systems, is a VERY unique and VERY successful way to teach EVERYONE in your family the upper times tables at once.   The Monday following the introduction of the Clean 'n' Flip charts, I introduced Times Tales. We used them each morning in our circle time. This was a very exciting addition to all of the children (ages 2 - 9) because they were new and unique stories about familiar things. I did my best to follow the directions exactly. (We generally follow a Waldorf rhythm style to our days and so I don't necessarily take direction well, but rather prefer to manipulate resources to my own style). The children did not bat an eye when I added the flachcards, which are very whimsical and relate directly to the stories.   Then, when I moved to the more traditional flashcards, also included with Times Tales, the older children still did not bat an eye even though the younger ones did become distracted. By the end of the week, all four older children knew the stories and the three older children knew the upper times tables with near mastery. The 4 year old could recite but still does not yet have a concept of written numbers so he didn't grasp what the older ones did. I no less feel he benefitted from our circle time with Times Tales because when his turn comes to learn, he'll already be familiar.   Times Tales is a KEEPER. I will certainly recommend Trigger Memory products to fellow homeschoolers and conventional schoolers with ease. I hope you enjoy the opportunity to purchase Times Tales HERE. And while you're there, how about checking out the other great offerings from Trigger Memory as well!   (three out of three) Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632950/ Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:51:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632950/ CLICK HERE FOR THE THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE STORE ONE DAY SALE!  ENDS TUESDAY, DEC 16 at midnight. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632708/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:58:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632708/ Using ALEKS Math with Reade has been a new experience for me. Since beginning homeschooling I've never relied on a computer for teaching or assessment. This was a leap for me!   Reade, my nine-year old "fourth" grader savors every moment he's given to utilize a piece of technology. The computer is no exception. So I was grateful to have been provided the opportunity to use the ALEKS Math Assessment and Learning. Reade enjoys the computer and he enjoys math - perfect combo!   The program begins with an assessment. The child works through many, many math questions to determine what he does and does not know. At the end of the assessment, the parent and child are provided a pie chart from which the child will work to gain mastery of unmastered topics (or review of mastered topics). This is a GREAT tool! It was easy for me and for Reade to understand what we needed to do to get him in line with state standards in specific topic areas. Which brings us to the next step of lesson work. By selecting a piece of the pie, Reade could practice what he wanted to practice. And based on his answers, he was guided to the next appropriate question and assessed at regular intervals. On days when I wanted to limit the computer use (which were many, as we are not a tech-heavy family), I could print a worksheet for him to complete at the table. The worksheet option was actually my favorite option of the program beyond the assessment.   The reports provided are nice as well. But as I believe I would feel with any computer-based program, I felt a little too out of the loop. Since ALEKS is a subscription-based program, I could choose to subscribe during down times such as breaks or when we're going to be busier than usual. Reade really enjoyed it. I just missed doing the teaching!   I would easily and strongly recommend ALEKS to any new homeschooler as a great way to ease into teaching. Subscriptions to ALEKS  can be purchased here and begin at $19.95 per student, per month with discounts offered for longer subscriptions paid in advance. There are also discounts available to families who would have several children in grades 3 - 12 using ALEKS at one time.   (three out of three)   Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632707/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:38:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632707/ I LOVE SPEARS ART STUDIO!   (Above are our first Christian Art Curriculum art projects!) Yes, love. And that is not a word I use lightly with homeschool curricula.   Spears Art Studio's Christian Art Curriculum  is only one of a few art curricula I have tried. This is one I can easily use with all of my children. ALL of my children. Arriving on a CD, the program is geared for K-8 with different age and skill appropriate activities sometimes for each grade and other times for age groupings. The art lessons focus around a biblical perspective relating to a general theme for the month.   The Christian Art Curriculum lessons may often be completed with regular art supplies kept in the homeschool home. I appreciate this more than anything. As someone who did not grow up with the opportunity to create a lot of art (on paper), I am easily overwhelmed when I enter an art supply store or section. If I did not have a supply on hand, I could easily replace it with something else.   The devotions that are a part of each lesson fit so neatly into our lessonwork. They art lesson becomes a part of the natural rhythm of our day. Thank you, Spears Art Studio for the Christian Art Curriculum. Your time in making sure the program fit it's name is obvious and very well appreciated! Visit here to purchase Spears Art Studio's Christian Art Curriculum for $39.95. A teacher's manual is also available.   (three out of three and a heart for good measure!) Patty     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632697/ Tue, 9 Dec 2008 23:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632697/ Rime to Read is an up and coming online resource for beginning readers. A “rime” refers to a word family and each online interactive book focuses on a single rime. The color enhanced rimes help children recognize and learn the pattern in each online book. As a part of the growth of Rime to Read, the rimed words can now be clicked on and the word is said aloud. There are still some glitches as this is a new facet to the program, but the authors are actively working to resolve the issue.   My five and one-half year old really liked the idea of “playing” on the computer like her older siblings. But she couldn’t stick with it. We are not a tech-heavy family and therefore I think the combination of inexperience on the computer and fairly bland pages left her frustrated and unable to progress very far. I chose not to push it as we typically do not use formal reading lessons until the children are older.   However, since I did learn more about rimes from Rime to Read, I did decide to try their method out using some of our own bound readers that contain sets of rimes. The five and one-half year old really caught on and really enjoyed the technique. I appreciate knowing that Rime to Read’s concept is valid and can be used across media. The online books can be printed, but I chose not to do so.   You can try the first Rime to Read online book for free here to decide if it is a good method for your family’s reading lessons or enrichment. If you decide to purchase the program, it is sold in whole at $44.95 for all twenty books. Or, you may choose to purchase the books in sets of four with rimes surrounding a single vowel for $9.95 per set.   (one out of three) Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632684/ Mon, 8 Dec 2008 20:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632684/ Since becoming a member of the TOS Review Crew, I've had a lot of unexpected opportunities. Time4Learning is by far my favorite online site thus far. In no way do I need ever ask the children more than once if they wanted time on this site. This is a fully multi-media site with interactive exercises and printable worksheets. I appreciate, also, that I can get instant assessments on the children's work.   Beyond the fundamental facets of state-approved education, Time4Learning is very eye- and ear-catching. There is a lot to really hold the children's attentions. While the timer at the top of the screen is fabulous- fifteen minutes is just not long enough to explore and complete the activities.   There are SO many different activities within Time4Learning covering language arts, history, and math. There are some science activities as well. The history and science activities are of special interest to my children. The somewhat customized (by parent-input) instruction is helpful when knowing the child at the computer can tackle the tasks presented. And even if the child struggles a bit, there is positive reinforcement at every attempt. Every child needs to know he is progressing even when not yet mastering a concept. While this is certainly an enrichment activity for my children, I can easily see how a new mom or a recuperating parent could use Time4Learning as a primary curricula by using the lessons covered as a springboard for more intimate learning. Computer time is a rarity for our family so I had a hard time getting myself to allow the children the opportunity. But once they were on, they were ON GO! While this input doesn't exactly match up with my Waldorf-style teaching, I am strongly considering extending my membership to the site. It was excellent for busy days! Time 4 Learning costs $19.95 for one child The rate is discounted to $14.95 for additional students within the same family. The buyer can also take advantage of additional discounts by paying for multiple months, including a year, at one time. The 14 day money-back guarantee, helps a family take the lunge to determine if online-centered learning is really right for them. A very neat option available for a fee, is progress report storage should a family choose to take a long break from the program.   (two thumbs up out of three) Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632674/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:02:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/632674/ I have just read The Old Schoolhouse's e-book What About Socialization? Dispelling the Myths by Stephanie Ruby, et al.   I am by no means a veteran homeschooler. I am not a newbie, either. Perhaps most importantly, I was homeschooled for a few too short years. I  believe I understand this question from all sides of the fence.   We have been learning our lessons at home from the beginning. As a mother, I know no other way. I do not know about dressing in a hurry to meet the school bus, running to the school to drop off a forgotten permission slip, or wondering if I sent a lunch or at least some money. I know nothing about that other than what I observe in my friends.   As a student in the past, I do know the difference. I know about racing to school - no bus, had to walk, probably uphill both ways in a foot of snow - in order to avoid a tardy. I know about my mother forgetting to sign permission slips, so I mastered her signature. I know about forgotten lunch money, so I saved found coins and kept them in a baggie in my backpack.   I also know the joy of waking with a purpose. Waking up to the same new days I had as a public schooler but instead of dreading the standard routine I could do my lessons on my own schedule and get on with my chores and personal persuits. I think those middle school years as a homeschooler were my favorite years as a student. And homeschooling was *not* legal in NC. Which only greatly begged the question, "Who do you hang out with?"   Yes, the socialization question. Did I have friends? Was I bored? Would I be OK if I had to re-enter a conventional school? No. No. Yes.   Now, as a mother who chooses to learn lessons at home with her children rather than handing off this critical responsibility to strangers, I, too, am asked the question: "What about socialization?" Interestingly, however, to my knowledge my children have never been asked if they have any friends. Is it because they've never met strangers? Is it because they know how to properly greet and introduce themselves to known and unknown people of all ages? Is it because they carry themselves with a confidence not always seen in young children? Maybe it's just because learning at home is now more common. But I do receive that question, often.   I have a new arsenal in my replies: In TOS's new e-book What About Socialization, I was introduced to many new responses from over twelve different parents and a homeschool graduate (!). I have a newer set of "defenses" when asked that dreaded, and honestly, ridiculous question.   I now have confidence in avoiding the question altogether with a somewhat flippant but not disrespectful reply. I have strong logical material for discussion from a former public school teacher turned home educator. I have the deep convicting words of a father who is not the primary lesson instructor in his home but no less is deeply involved with his children's lessons. And I have the sage wisdom of a young woman who is learning her bearings among her less aware peers. All of these answers I can now use as I encounter less enlightened family members and friends.   From Stephanie Ruby in her Prologue: "How do you answer these questions? I think by doing that we sometimes, inadvertantly, confirm to the person asking that we aren't doing the right thing by homeschooling."   Erin Lasky has one of my favorite suggestions, "...properly..."  I want you to read what else she shares with us! But before I leave her I must share this thought of hers. "My goal is to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, renewed minds, and living sacrifices. You don't find that in most classes or scope and sequence charts." LOVE it!   The book progresses from Amy Pak's description of others' "morbid curiosity" as to why we homeschool to J. Lyn Jones' many examples of how socialization occurs in any famliy learning at home. I was brought to more awareness of some of my own actions by her highlighting those actions. Thank you, Mrs. Jones!   I appreciated greatly the Biblical references by W.K., Erin Lasky, Phylicia Duran, and others. It is not without foundation in God's Word that I can do what I do.  I appreciate every point of scripture anyone offers. It may have been one I've overlooked. Most significantly, I appreciated two of the authors' discussions about Mark 12:30-31. Perhaps it is indeed this single point that is our goal as parents keeping our children at home.   When I read a father's perspective from Mr. Greg Day, I was giddy and anxious to share this particular chapter with my husband. "I consider schools to be unsupervised social laboratories where children are traversing a minefield of danger." Take moment to read his further development of this statement. Surely other readers will be as wowed as I was!   What About Socialization? Dispelling the Myths is an e-book I will recommend to many of my homeschool friends. I undoubtedly will encourage my new homeschooling friends to read this book as well. I would have certainly appreciated the wisdom and perspectives shared in the fifty pages. The Additional Resources at the end will prove especially helpful to the new homeschooler also. While some authors' writing styles were more pleasing to my reader's eye than others, they all offered experienced and unique ideas and instrospection much of which I had not considered in my time with my children at home. To read more or to purchase What About Socialization? Dispelling the Myths from The Old Schoolhouse store, click HERE.   (three out of three) Patty http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/623674/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:56:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/southofthefork/623674/