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

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

CLICK HERE FOR THE THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE STORE ONE DAY SALE!  ENDS TUESDAY, DEC 16 at midnight.

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

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