Science Exploration with KidQuest Science Adventures {A Back to School Review}

As I have mentioned in the past, the children love getting outside and exploring to learn about God's creation. They love being able to get down and dig in the dirt and discover different sorts of critters. We love finding new resources to help in this endeavor. So, I was excited when I learned about these KidQuest Science Adventure Guides. We were given these two digital ebooks: Wild at the Zoo and Bugging Around Insects. 

Stay tuned for the full review

Fun and Easy Online Math for Kids with Math World from 10Monkeys.com {A Back to School Review}

We love having fun with math, and were thrilled when we were given the opportunity to try out a year subscription for all three girls to 10Monkeys Math World. 

 When the girls log in, they go to their account screen and are able to choose the level they want to work at. They can work with numbers from 0-10, 0-20, 0-100, or 0-1000. Math World has also added a Geography section to choose from. 

Once the choose which level they are going to work on they get to choose a topic to work in. Each topic has activities that increase in difficulty.

Stay tuned for the full review

Organizing My Day with the Well Planned Day Planner {A Back to School Review}

I have been working valiantly to get my life organized this year. Organization is my word for 2014, and so far, I haven't been succeeding near as much as I had hoped to. As we are heading into the start of the homeschool year, I was thrilled to be able to receive a copy of The Well Planned Day 2014-2015 Family Homeschool Planner from Home Educating Family Association-hedua. 

This planner is chock full of ways to keep me organized, if I can stay disciplined enough to continue using it through the school year.  There are encouraging articles form the Home Educating Family Magazine and plenty of room for notes, spread throughout the year. Instructions are given for various scenarios in using the planner, such as using it with 1, 2, 3 or 4 students. 5 Core subjects are included with space for 2 more. Even household pages are included, such as household finances and household duties. There are pages to write down both the teacher's and the student's schedules, and then it moves into the monthly and weekly calendars. The monthly calendar is a double page spread, as are the weekly pages for each month.

Stay tuned for the full review.

Daily News for Kids with News-O-Matic from Press4Kids {A Back to School Review}

Keeping up to date with current events is very important, but did you ever think of the importance of children also keeping current with things going on in the world? Press4Kids has developed an app (available for iPad or Android) for children in elementary grades to keep abreast with the news, at their level. Each day the children will get 5 updated news stories (because, you know, the news changes every day). Along with being able to read the news along with related pictures, the child can also have it read to them. There are slide shows, fun facts and games, and ways to interact with the editor by sending in letters and pictures.  

Tabitha has had a blast being able to sit down with my tablet and read the news for herself. She has gotten to read such things as an underwater art exhibit in Italy and other fun stories. 

Stay tuned for the full review

Stimulating Our Brains with BrainFood Learning DVD's {A Back to School Review}

The girls really love getting out into nature, exploring and observing. As all children are, they are curious and have a thirst for knowledge that needs to be filled. That is why I love the name of this next company in my Back to School/5 Year Blogiversary Celebration: "BrainFood." What exactly makes something food for the brain? Well, the answer can be found on the BrainFood Learning website. Brainfood is "stimulating and interesting content that educates as well as entertains." As the children are being entertained, they are being educated and helping to quench their thirst for knowledge. 

The "Fascinating World of . . ." video series came about because the creators were unable to find resources for their children that were educational as well as stimulating  and interesting. Bryce Mooney Ph. D. and Jennifer Mooney M. Ed created captivating videos focusing on Insects, Mammals and Birds. Last year I was fortunate to be able to review The Fascinating World of Insects with the Schoolhouse Review Crew. For this celebration, BrainFood Learning agreed to send me the other 2 DVD's to review. Fascinating World of Mammals and Fascinating World of Birds.

These DVD's are chock full of interesting facts about animals that are explained to us while we view images, pictures, and live-action videos of each animal. From the menu, the viewer has the option to "Play All" or click on the "Mammals" or "Birds" tab (depending on which DVD you are watching) to be directed to the specified menu.

If you click on the "Mammals" (or "Birds") selection, you can choose which animal you want to focus on. We learned, from watching the Insect DVD last year, that if you "Play All" from the menu you will have an introduction of about 3 minutes with an overview before it moves into each segment. We have found it makes the DVD flow better when choosing this option, than it does when choosing to watch each segment individually. So, I allowed the children to watch them all the way through.

Here, let me share which animals are on each DVD.

Fascinating World of Mammals (Approximate Running Time 52 minutes):

• Giraffe
• Moose
• Lion
• Dolphin
• Elephant
• Beaver 
• Chimpanzee
• Bat
• Kangaroo 
• Bear

Fascinating World of Birds (Approximate Running Time 44 minutes):

• Ostrich
• Penguin
• Canada Goose
• Eagle 
• Hummingbird
• Woodpecker
• Macaw
• Pelican
• American Robin
• Owl 

Each segment, ranging in length from 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, focuses on one animal and introduces a new vocabulary word. The viewer is able to watch the animals in their natural habitat and in wonderful detail. These segments each start off by naming the animal (both written on the screen and announced by the narrator) along with a picture that stays on the screen for several seconds. Then it alternates between videos and still images of the animal that you get to watch while the narrator discusses some intriguing facts about the selected animal. The viewer will learn such details as physical characteristics (height, weight, and how to distinguish between male and female), social characteristics (solitary or living in community, dominance rituals, etc), life span, habitats, and other fun bits of trivia.

Occasionally, there are images where specifics are labeled and highlighted (for example, the bat segment on the Mammals DVD includes a picture of the bat where the patagium is highlighted while the narrator discusses it).

The section then concludes with a focus on the vocabulary word that was mentioned in context during the segment. The word is shown on the screen while a young narrator explains the word.

When you are finished viewing all of the animals you have the option to choose between different reviews (5 for the Mammal DVD, 4 for the Bird DVD) or you can play them all.

These reviews increase in difficulty as you go through them and range in length from 1 1/2 to 4 minutes. Like the Insect DVD, the Mammals DVD includes a "Flash Card" review, though it is absent in the Bird DVD.

In the Flash Card Review, the child narrator names each mammal while a photograph of the animal is on the screen. This is in preparation for the next review, which is why it was a bit confusing to have it missing from the Bird DVD.

The next review is called "Review Your Mammals" or "Review Your Birds." In the review of the mammals, the viewer is given multiple choice selections, however, in the bird review the narrator asks if we remember the name of the animal without any helps.

Both DVDs then move on to the "Features of the..." review. This is a review of the different features of birds and mammals that were first mentioned in the introduction and gone into more detail in the individual segments. We learn what makes a mammal a mammal and what makes a bird a bird.

The next review is "Review Mammal Facts" or "Review Bird Facts."  The adult narrator reads the questions on the screen and gives the multiple choice answers, visually and verbally. The child is given several seconds to answer the question before the wrong answers are taken away and the narrator announces the answer along with showing a picture of the correct animal. These questions are taken from the information that is mentioned in the segments.

The last review on each DVD is: Review the Big Words -This review section is done in the same format as the previous review, except we are reviewing the vocabulary that was given in context, and highlighted at the end of each segment. I have to tell you, mommy learned some new vocabulary through these DVDs. There were also words I had heard before and not really understood what they were. Here are some of the new words that were added to their vocabularies: ruminant, echolocation, biped, zygodactyl, gizzard, and plumage

These videos captured their attention right away, I mean the first time they watched them they were riveted to the screen. As I was making lunch in the kitchen, I could hear them calling out answers to the review questions. The individual segments are short enough to keep the attention of the youngest viewers, but the details and vocabulary are great for teaching older children. The age range for these DVD's is about 3-11 years old, though younger children and slightly older children will also enjoy and benefit from them.  And most importantly, I know that are well received because of the words that issued forth from my daughter's mouth this morning as we finished rewatching the DVD's so I could write my review. What are those words, you wonder? "Can we watch it again?"

Each DVD in the Fascinating World of . . . series can be purchased for $14.99.

 You can more about these DVD's at their site. And you can find lesson plans for each of the DVD's at their curriculum tab.

You can also find BrainFood Learning on Facebook, Twitter, and their blog.

The generous folks over at BrainFood Learning have given me permission to give away both of the DVD's I have reviewed (Mammals and Birds). I also have an extra copy of The Fascinating World of Insects that I am going to include in the Grand Prize Giveaway (worth over $300) that begins August 17th, giving the winner the complete set!

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.

How would you like some extra entries into this giveaway before it even starts? 

Head on over to their blog and tell me something you learned. Leave the answer here in the comments with your email and when the giveaway is live I will email you the secret code to place in the Rafflecopter for a bonus 10 points. 

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.

Hands-on Learning with Fundanoodle {A Back to School Review}

It is no secret that we love hands-on learning in our home. From the early "home-preschooling" days, the children were learning with hands-on activities. I love finding new products to use with my children that will allow them to work on their fine motor skills and that they can manipulate to get the tactile experience to enhance their learning.  That is why I was so excited when Fundanoodle agreed to join in with my Back to School/5 Year Blogiversary Celebration. 

I was thrilled when Fundanoodle generously agreed to send not one, but two of their hands-on learning products to try out and share with you. We have been using I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace! and I Can Build Upper Case Letters. I figured I would have one product to work on with Hannah and one for Harold. 

Hannah was excited to get started with I Can Build Upper Case Letters!

This kit comes with 1 set of 14 magnetic pieces for building the letters (called Magnastix), a magnetic dry-erase board, an upper case writing tablet, 6 muscle movers cards, a dry-erase pen, 1 die, and the instructions.

 Inside the lid of the case you will find a rundown of the benefits of using this kit along with which magnetic pieces are needed to build each letter. 

The instruction booklet lists the contents with images so you can see what is supposed to be included. It is recommended to follow a specific order when doing lessons with your child.

The Muscle Mover cards are to be used first to get the wiggles out and help the children remain relaxed and focused.

Then the child is to work with the Magnastix to learn how to build the letter, a wonderful tactile experience.

Finally, the child is to practice writing the letters in the tablet. You can find instructions and tips on the first page. Stickers are also included for encouragement.

How did we use I Can Build Upper Case Letters!? 

The first time we used the kit, we followed the recommended instructions and started by using the Muscle Movers Cards. I have to admit, there are times we just pull out the kit and start using the other elements. However, the children have already been playing at that point and it was time to sit and get some work done. Hannah rolled the die and chose the matching numbered card. Then she flipped it over and acted out the animal action. However, for some reason I did not get any pictures of this (oops).

We next moved into using the Magnastix. I showed Hannah how to form the letter and then she took a turn building it.

Here she is, telling me the name of the letter she just built.

 I then worked with her on writing her letters. There are multiple lines to practice writing on.  A row of boxes, a row of boxes with a dotted middle line, green start line up top and a red stop line, another row of  boxes with a dotted middle line, without the colored reminder lines. Then there are two rows of writing lines with a dotted middle line, the first one with those colored reminder lines.

Max the Monkey gives instructions on how to make the letter, while Alphie gives encouragement for a job well done.

At first I had Hannah work her way through the entire row. Then I realized that it was a lot of writing and probably not meant to be finished in one sitting. I decided to have her practice a few in each row at one sitting, and then when she comes back another time she can use a different color pencil so I differentiate and tell if there has been any improvement.

We will continue using this kit as we go through the school year. It is a great way to learn the shape of the letters, with lots of writing practice.

Even Harold has been getting lessons from his sister on how to form the letters! He isn't quite ready for writing the letters yet though. 

That is why I am so thankful Fundanoodle sent us two kits. Harold was much more interested in the I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace! Kit.

Enclosed in this kit you will find many different hands-on items to help improve fine-motor skills. There are 10 assorted-shapes ripping cards with adhesive backs, 3 assorted lacing/tracing cards, 20 wooden beads, 12 pipe cleaners, 5 beading pattern cards, 3 shoelaces, 3 strands of yarn, 300 assorted colored tissue paper squares and 1 crayon.

The instructions are again printed on the inner lid, along with the benefits.

How did we use I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace!?

I decided right away that these would make great activities for their Learning Trays.

Harold enjoyed trying to lace the beads onto the pipe cleaners. 

And Hannah worked on ripping.

Harold got distracted from his beads.  He was really interested in ripping up some paper and making a picture. We still have a ways to go when it comes to actually ripping the paper properly though.

This activity was so popular, everyone wanted to make one the next time. The only problem is, we are going to run out of the adhesive ripping cards. I'm going to have to see if I can find something similar somewhere.

It was Hannah and Amelia who were interested in using the lacing cards.

Tabitha decided it would be more fun to trace and draw a picture. 

So, yes, my 6 and 7 year old girls are having a blast with these preschool products along with their younger siblings. 

It is great to have all of these activities contained in these sturdy boxes that can be stored and brought out when it is time to use them. The children have been having a great time with these kits. 

My thoughts on I Can Build Upper Case Letters!:

There is lots of space to practice writing letters in the writing tablet, plus the dry erase board can be used and reused. I love that the dry erase board has the green (start) and red (stop) coloring on the top and bottom just like the tablet. Being able to build the letters with the magnets is one of my favorite aspects of this kit, though I am a bit concerned that the magnets are too strong. Even I struggle to get the magnets off of the board, Hannah has been unable to get them off on her own. The idea of the Muscle Movers is interesting, but to me they didn't really fit in with this set. Perhaps if there was a card for every letter of the alphabet and a card was just drawn instead of using a die, then it would fit in with a kit about learning letters. They are fun, but seem kind of random to me. The inclusion of the cards does not take away from the quality of the kit, however, so I can still highly recommend this letter-learning resource.

My thoughts on I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace!:

This is a fun kit for developing fine motor skills and the activities can be done, for the most part, independently. There is room for growth in the activities. For instance, a younger child can just lace the beads, a more advanced child could follow the pattern cards to lace the beads. The beading also goes in stages. There are pipe cleaners, shoelaces, and then yarn to lace onto. As a child improves their fine-motor skills, they can advance to the next "string." Most of the contents can be reused, except for the adhesive cards and the tissue paper. I have to say, I wish the company would make extras of the consumables available for purchase (you know, like a refill). This is also a great kit and one we will be using through the school year. I will be including these activities on the younger children's Learning Trays.

Both I Can Build Upper Case Letters! and I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace! can be purchased for $32.99 each.

 You can more about Fundanoodle at their site.

You can also find Fundanoodle on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Flicker.

The generous folks over at Fundanoodle have given me permission to give away one of these kits. Fundanoodle will be included in the Grand Prize Giveaway that begins August 17th and is over $300.00. You will be able to choose between I Can Build Upper Case Letters! and I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace!.

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.

How would you like some extra entries into this giveaway before it even starts? 

Head on over to the website and tell me something you learned. Leave the answer here in the comments with your email and when the giveaway is live I will email you the secret code to place in the Rafflecopter for a bonus 10 points. 

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.

Multi-Sensory Letter Learning with ABC Twiggles {A Back to School Review}

I always love finding new ways to teach the children their letters. When I started this blog 5 years ago, I was doing my own version of Letter of the Week with Tabitha while Amelia joined in occasionally. I already had plans this year to do Letter of the Week with Hannah and Harold. I just wasn't sure of the details. Then I discovered KidsSoup and their site, ABC Twiggles. I will be sharing more about KidsSoup in a couple of months when they are finished with their site updates. For now, I would like to share their fun site, ABC Twiggles. 

ABC Twiggles is an Multi-Sensory ABC Letters Preschool Curriculum.

This multi-sensory approach is very important for the development of children. As you can see above, children will get exposed to letters in these different contexts: Auditory (hearing the letter), Tactile (feeling the letter), Tasting (tasting the letter), Visual (seeing the letter), and Kinesthetic (writing the letter).  According to the website, "multiple pathways are formed for enhancing children’s retention of the names of the letters and their most common sounds. This multi-sensory approach incorporates activities that directly stimulate the five senses with exercises in dramatic play, art, movement, music, cooking, and literature exploration."

There is just so much on this site. Here, let's take a look.

After choosing the letter you would like to work on, you have many options. The child can get on the computer to listen to the online story (each letter has 2 books) and play a letter finding game. They can choose to have the story read to them or read it themselves. Even if they choose the "Read the Story" option, they can still click on each word to have it read to them if they need some help.

There are many different printables. There are flash cards in black & white or color, posters in black & white or color, phonemic awareness worksheets, coloring pages, letter fun pages for letter recognition, word cards, and letter matching for children to match upper case and lower case. Additionally, a child will hear a chant to help learn the sound associated with the letter while also learning the sign language sign for the letter.  There is a tongue twister poster featuring words that start with the sound, the sign for the letter and some pictures illustrating the tongue twister. The last section, "Feel the Letter" leads to resources for tactile activities for the letter.  There are also patterns for making letter people puppets.

Further down the page you will find even more activities. There are several different levels of handwriting practice, from larger pre-writing pages to help the child learn the shape of the letter, to medium size tracing letter pages, and finally printing pages in Block and D'Nealian. Children will go from writing the letter to writing words. You can print out color or black & white versions of the online letter book, plus a color version of the online storybook. There is also a folder game that would need printed out and instruction for a letter craft. The "Letter Themes A" section will take you to related activities on the KidsSoup site. There is a banner to print out, in either black & white or color. Then there are ideas for recipes/snacks to taste the letter, idea for games/activities to get up and move, and books for literacy.

How did we use ABC Twiggles?

First, I wanted to explain that I didn't want to go too far into the program because we will be starting school up on August 25th and I will be doing this curriculum with them in full.

Hannah's favorite thing to do is listen to the online books and play the letter finding game. These are cute animated stories. As the words are spoken or clicked on, they will be highlighted in yellow. If you choose to read the story, you have the option of taking a quiz on each page. This quiz is to find the letter and click on it. Hannah really enjoys watching this over and over.

I printed out some coloring sheets, letter recognition activity sheets for Hannah, the phonemic activity worksheet and the simple tracing worksheet.

They had fun coloring the letter page.

Harold was learning some new words. 

They made a A alligator as well.

I decided the matching letters would make a great Learning Tray activity.

I absolutely love that there are recipe suggestions and instructions to go with each letter. I know what we will be doing for Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen this year! For "A" we made Applesauce Delight. Yum.

I feel I can truly make Hannah and Harold's Letter of the Week from this curriculum. There was a time when I was all for making my own crafts and activities. That was when it was just two children who I needed to prepare for. Now that the older two girls are in first and second grade, I have a lot more preparation to do for them, leaving me less time to focus on the younger children. All I have to do is print out the pages, cut out the necessary elements and glue or laminate if needed. Yes, there is still prep time, but I don't have to be wracking my brain for ideas. They are neatly laid out for me. 

An ABC Twiggles annual membership can be purchased for $21.99. If you are a KidsSoup member, they are offering a 30% discount on ABC Twiggles.

 You can more about ABC Twiggles at their site, and get a full free preview of the Letter A materials, plus a free Alphabet Chart Placemat.

You can also find KidsSoup on Facebook.

The generous folks over at ABC Twiggles have given me permission to give away a year's subscription. It will be included in the Grand Prize Giveaway.

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.

How would you like some extra entries into this giveaway before it even starts? 

Head on over to the website and tell me something you learned about their approach. Leave the answer here in the comments with your email and when the giveaway is live I will email you the secret code to place in the Rafflecopter for a bonus 10 points. 

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.