Homeschool Review Crew Favorites for 2017

Two weeks ago I posted my last review for the 2017 Crew year. I still can't believe the Crew year is over. We were so blessed to have received so many wonderful products. All in all, it came to 36 wonderful products we reviewed for the Schoolhouse Review Crew in 2017.

While this year has come to a close, I received some wonderful news last night. I have been accepted back for the 2018 Crew Year! From what has been hinted at, it looks like 2018 will be another amazing year.

Before we were able to move on, we had one last Crew responsibility to fulfill before our end-of-year break. It was time to vote for our favorite Crew items, this is known as The Blue Ribbon Awards.  I have to tell you, this was quite the difficult task. We loved SO MANY of the products we received this year.

Below you will find the winners in all of the many categories. If we reviewed the product that won, the link will lead to my review. If we didn't review that product, the link will direct you to the Schoolhouse Review Crew anchor post.

Favorite Reading Curriculum – Reading Eggs
Favorite Writing Curriculum – Writing with Sharon Watson
Favorite Grammar Program – Eclectic Foundations
Favorite Penmanship Program – Channie’s Visual Handwriting & Math Worksheets
Favorite Literature Curriculum – Hewitt Homeschooling

Out of these Language Arts products, we used three of them. We did not review Reading Eggs, as we had used other curriculum during the year and really didn't need another one at the time. I had voted for The Crafty Classroom, as Harold just loved using the Learn to R.E.A.D. Curriculum Notebook. We actually didn't use a writing curriculum this year, so I didn't vote in that category. Hannah was the one who used both Eclectic Foundations and the Easy Peasy Cursive Workbook from Channie's and we loved them both. Amelia enjoyed the Grade 3 Lightning Lit Set from Hewitt Homeschooling.

Favorite Social Studies Curriculum – Let’s Go Geography
Favorite History Supplement – Rush Revere
Favorite Science Curriculum – Innovators Tribe
Favorite Math Curriculum – CTC Math
Favorite Math Supplement – Times Tables the Fun Way

Social Studies, History, Science, and Math wrap up the rest of the "core" curriculum categories. Out of the five winners above, we used and voted for four of them. We really enjoyed learning about different countries using Let's Go Geography and I plan to continue using it after our winter break. The Adventures of Rush Revere books were a huge hit in the house, Liberty the time-traveling horse being our favorite character. We even have a stuffed Liberty. We didn't have the opportunity to review any science products this year, so I didn't get to vote in that category. CTC Math is by far our favorite math program. I was thrilled to be able to review it again this year and plan to continue using it. Times Tables the Fun Way was our first review of the 2017 Crew year and the girls really enjoyed the program. 

Favorite Foreign Language Curriculum – Memoria Press (Latin)
Favorite Fine Arts Curriculum – Creating a Masterpiece
Favorite Elective Curriculum – Doctor Aviation
Favorite Christian Education Curriculum – Drive Thru History
Favorite Christian Education Supplement – Brinkman Adventures

Out of all the elective resources above, we reviewed three of them, though I only voted for two. Tabitha and I enjoyed using Latina Christiana from Memoria Press. We have put it aside though for awhile. I plan on taking it back out again next year when we will be learning about ancient Rome. We didn't have the opportunity to review Creating a Masterpiece. Our vote for Favorite Fine Arts Curriculum went to ArtAchieve. We had the privilege of using the Entire Level II this year, and last year we had actually reviewed Level I. Drive Thru History: The Gospels was an amazing resource for digging into the Bible during the time of Jesus. As for the favorite Christian education supplement, we loved season 4 of the Brinkman Adventures. However, we also loved The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls books from Worthy Publishing. I had a very hard time choosing between the two. I would have loved for either of them to have won. 

Favorite Preschool Product – Reading Eggs
Favorite Elementary Product – Susan K. Marlow
Favorite Middle School Product – Innovators Tribe
Favorite High School Product – Doctor Aviation
Favorite College or College-Prep Product – Institute for Excellence in Writing: High School Essay Intensive
Favorite Parent Product – Everyday Homemaking

Of the above resources, we only reviewed two of them. In fact, I was only eligible to vote in two of the categories as I only have elementary school age children. While we did review the first two books of the Circle C. Stepping Stones series by Susan K. Marlow, I did not actually vote for them. Don't get me wrong, we loved the books and hope to get more of them. However, I had to vote for CTCMath as our favorite Elementary product this year. I did vote for Everyday Homemaking as the Everyday Chore System has been such a help in getting our household organized this year. We have continued to use this chore system and I don't plan to stop anytime soon. 

The Resource I Didn’t Know I Needed –  Innovators Tribe
Favorite Planning Product – Only Passionate Curiosity
Best Online Resource – Reading Eggs
Best e-Product – Home School in the Woods
Favorite Book or Novel – Rush Revere
Favorite Audiobook or Audio Drama – Heirloom Audio Productions: Captain Bayley’s Heir
Best Product Just for Fun! – Drive Thru History

Out of the above resources, we reviewed four of them. Again, the Innovators Tribe wasn't something my children were old enough for. I actually voted for the Everyday Chore System for my favorite resource I didn't know I needed. I did use the Homeschool Rescue course from Only Passionate Curiosity, though I didn't vote for it. As for Best Online Resource? I again voted for CTCMath. We didn't have a chance to review Home School in the Woods. My vote for best e-Product went to The Magic Stories (you can actually win a set of these wonderful books in my giveaway which ends December 2nd).  And yes, the Adventures of Rush Revere books did receive our vote for favorite book or novel. Though we did review Captain Bayley's Heir, I actually voted for the other Heirloom Audio Productions Audio Drama we reviewed this year, In the Reign of Terror. We enjoyed that one just a tad more. I am thrilled to see Drive Thru History won the best product just for fun. However, I actually didn't vote for it in this category. I didn't quite see it as a "just for fun" product. I ended up voting for the Daily Bible Jigsaw app from Planet 316

And for the all-around favorites:

Kids’ Choice – The Pencil Grip: Thin Stix
Teens’ Choice – Drive Thru History
All Around Crew Favorite – Drive Thru History

Each of the children got to vote for their favorite product in the Kids' Choice category. Of course, we didn't have anyone to vote in the Teens' Choice. And I got to vote too.

I would like to take a moment to highlight my children's all around favorites. 

Harold loved using Whistlefritz to learn Spanish.

It was no surprise to me when Hannah picked The Magic Stories.

Amelia did surprise me by voting for Times Tables the Fun Way. 

But it wasn't a surprise when Tabitha voted for Latina Christiana from Memoria Press.

Don't forget to check out the Homeschool Review Crew blog to see what my fellow Crew Mates have to share about their favorites.