Institute For Excellence in Writing- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style DVDs By Andrew Pudewa Feeling Empowered as a Parent/Teacher Many of my blog readers have been asking me to write a review of Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) for a long time. I have hesitated to write the review since we are still very much a work in progress using their system of writing. My boys were in … [Read more...] about Institute for Excellence in Writing: TWSS
Teaching Grammar With Playful Poems
When I taught school outside my home it was all the rage to teach grammar through writing. While grading the students papers I made notes on the grammar I thought they needed to learn and then used the grammar textbook to teach grammar in mini ten minute lessons three times a week. Overall, I didn't feel very successful, but I kept plugging along as that was what was required of me as a public … [Read more...] about Teaching Grammar With Playful Poems
Lessons in Responsibility for Boys
Boys are curious creatures if you ask me. One day I think I've got mothering boys down, and the next day I realize I have no clue! They want different things than girls - they need different things than girls. One thing I've seen in both of my boys, as compared to my daughter, is the need for independence. They both want to do things their way, feel like they've made the decisions and done the … [Read more...] about Lessons in Responsibility for Boys
About Animals Series by Cathryn Sill
On any given day a stranger stumbling unsuspecting into our home could—and should—expect to meet with any of a large variety of animals. The possibilities range from the exotic to the mundane: a maned wolf, a gorilla, a fox, a hippo, a mountain goat, a cheetah, a cat, a puppy. The animals residing here really just depend upon the current whimsy of my three very imaginative children, whose … [Read more...] about About Animals Series by Cathryn Sill
Great Science Adventures: Discovering the Human Body and Senses
I used Great Science Adventures: Discovering the Human Body and Senses from Common Sense Press as the main resource for our recent study of the human body. Overall, I enjoyed this program and plan to use other titles from the Great Science Adventures series in the future. Before the individual lessons are presented, there is quite a bit of information included at the beginning of the book … [Read more...] about Great Science Adventures: Discovering the Human Body and Senses
Under the Microscope
There are so many expensive homeschool resources, but one of the best science investments we have ever made cost less than $15.00. We purchased a Pocket Microscope($13.95) several years ago from Home Science Tools. With two AA batteries, and three zoom levels (60X, 80X, 100X) this little microscope can help even a 2 year old explore the world around them. A small, lightweight base has clips for … [Read more...] about Under the Microscope
Editor in Chief
My last review I shared about my search for a grammar text that would finish our study of grammar. I found Our Mother Tongue, and I am pleased with the way it teaches grammar. But, it doesn't include sentence mechanics. (There is an appendix for the topic, but I don't find it adequate.) It doesn't address topics such as where to put commas, semi-colons, and quotation marks; or how to correct … [Read more...] about Editor in Chief
Spellquizzer
Spellquizzer is spelling software that gives you a break while helping your children learn their spelling words. This software can be adapted to your current spelling lists or you can find sample and full spelling lists to use on this program. There is a section that allows you to share spelling lists with other homeschoolers as well. Whether using your own spelling and vocabulary lists, … [Read more...] about Spellquizzer
Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind
There were just a few more pages to turn when it happened. My voice froze and I felt the tears pushing. My son grinned knowingly, "Mom's going to cry." It doesn't happen very often, but literature gets me the most often. And biographies. Biographies can be just too inspirational for me to maintain my composure. I picked up a copy of Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind … [Read more...] about Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind
Time4Learning Preschool Give-away!
Time4Learning has graciously allowed us to give-away one subscription of their newest product for preschoolers. The preschool learning games and activities combines technology, animated characters, original stories and fun music to inspire a love of learning in the littlest e-learners. Ed Mouse and his friends guide children through more than forty topics such as numbers, letters, rhymes, self, … [Read more...] about Time4Learning Preschool Give-away!
Time4Learning Web-Based Curriculum
When I first found out I was going to review this product, I was excited. Since my boy's love to play on their (non internet) computer with their educational games, I thought this would be great to try out. In the past we looked into different curriculum that offered computer learning and we currently use a (non-internet) computer program for my oldest son. Since we use one already I thought it … [Read more...] about Time4Learning Web-Based Curriculum
Daily GRAMS-Junior High/Senior High Level
Daily GRAMS (Guided Review Aiding Mastery Skills) This is one of those simple ideas that I love as a review in our weekly schedule. We thoroughly covered grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and sentence writing in our grammar and logic stage years (grades 4-8). As high school students, they no longer needed a full-blown language arts program, but I also didn't want to get rusty with our … [Read more...] about Daily GRAMS-Junior High/Senior High Level