HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW: OUR REVIEW OF Teaching Textbooks

 

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

     If you have been homeschooling, you know what a chore it can be to teach Math to your child.  Some days it is a complete meltdown while others you see that lightbulb moment.  You know when they GET IT!  They understand completely and are so happy.  You are in tears either way.... rather they are tears of joy or tears of exhaustion.  Well, I have some good news for you!  There is a math program that can make all the days good! It is called Teaching Textbooks.  Our family has been reviewing Teaching Textbooks Math 4.0. It is their newest version and I have to say.... I LOVE IT! 

      Teaching Textbooks has something to offer for many families. This is a digital comprehensive Math curriculum. They begin at Math 3 and go all the way up to Pre-Calculus.  During this review period, we have been working through Geometry.  I have looked over the other math classes and I wish I would have had these for my kids when they were all growing up and learning math skills.  They really know how to keep a child's attention.  From fun computer backgrounds to a sticker book, they will keep your student happy throughout the lessons.  Even older students will find these features fun. 

     Josh has been enjoying the classes both on his computer and his phone.  YES, I SAID PHONE!!!  Teaching Textbooks has apps you can download for devices.  They have these apps for Apple, Android, and the Kindle Fire Tablet. Once you begin your course, you can log in on your device with your email and password.  We have iPhones and so far the app has run flawlessly.  

     When you purchase your Teaching Textbook digital course enrollment, you will have an entire year to go through the lessons of one course.  They also have a 3-month skip that you can use that won't go against that year if you take summers off or just need a break. They also have a Large Family Enrollment Discount if you have a big family and wish to use it for all of your kiddos. 

     So, what makes these Math courses different than others we have used.... I think it is the layout and way they interact with you as they teach.  The course is taught lesson by lesson then your student works through the lessons.  Most lessons even have hints they can give your child as they work through the problems.  Josh is very particular in how he learns, and he loves the way this is done.  

     He won't admit it but, my 16-year old's face still lights up when he gets the answer right and it is celebrated on the screen 😂 I know little kids will especially like getting rewarded when they get the right answer. 

     There is a 692-page E-book that you use along with the digital lessons.  It goes through the lessons one by one and the questions and answers.  I found it very helpful! 

     There is also a Gradebook that keeps track of your student's grades and progress.  You will always have access to this, even after you finish the course.

 

   Parents have their own portal as well, where we can keep track of our student's grade book, change settings, view the answer key and ebook, and manage the courses our students are working through.  This is a wonderful addition to any homeschooling mom.  It helps us keep records without all the work.  

     Would you like to learn more about Teaching Textbooks?  I would encourage you to check out their website and their social media pages listed below:

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     We also have more reviews for you over on the Homeschool Review Crew website. Just click on the image below 👇👇👇👇

Let's Bake A Cake.... Training in Character!!!

     When I was a young mom, I didn't realize all the moments I missed training my little ones. I had no idea what "Character Training" was. I was too busy growing up myself to realize my children needed me to guide them and train them. Now that I am an older woman/mom I look for opportunities throughout our day where I can help teach my children godly character traits. Have you ever thought about how many good character qualities you can instill when baking a cake?

     The first trait you can teach while baking is ATTENTIVENESS.  In order for a child to make a cake, he/she must listen to the instructions given to them or they must be able to read and concentrate on the directions.  You can not successfully bake a yummy cake without paying careful attention to what is required to make it delicious. Forgetting just one ingredient can spoil it.  As you and your children bake together, you can point out the importance of focusing on the task at hand. 

     You can also teach PATIENCE as you bake together.  Baking takes time and perseverance to get it just right.  You can not rush through the process. You can explain the idea that sometimes we have to wait, but at the end of the waiting, there may be a reward for us.  Give them examples from the Bible.  

    Some other character qualities that can be taught while baking is ORDERLINESS, DILIGENCE, and RESPONSIBILITY.  When you are baking it's essential that you add your ingredients in the right order.  You must be diligent when measuring and responsible enough to follow the baking temperatures and times.  

     It is actually very simple to find little tidbits of time during our daily routines to teach our children godly character qualities.  It just takes a bit of initiative and thought. As moms and dads, it is our responsibility to find ways to help our kids practice these critical qualities so they will grow up and be able to exhibit them in their homes and workplace.  God has given us these precious children and He expects us to follow His Word as we bring them up.  

      
     How do you go about teaching character qualities in your home?  I would love to hear from you!!!  Have a blessed day!!!!!!
     

Homeschool Review Crew: Our Review of ARTistic Pursuits

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

     Art has always been a huge part of our homeschool. We enjoy drawing, coloring, painting, sculpting, and creating wonderful little things for our home.  We were so happy to have the chance to review a wonderful little art book for you. We were given the K-3 Vol. 8 Art in America from ARTistic Pursuits to work through and review.  We really had fun learning some new techniques and watching Brenda Ellis give tips on the videos.  She is a wonderful teacher and artist! 

     We were given the book, DVD, Bluray, and online courses of this resource.  We mainly used the book and online courses since that is what we have set up in our school area.  My daughter Hope, who is out of the age range of the book, still had fun with it and learned a few new things as she went through the lessons.  

     Brenda gives you a list of the supplies you will need for this course and they are 

• Prismacolor Colored Pencils
• Ebony Pencils
• Eraser
• Pencil Sharpener
• Drawing Paper Pad
• Ruler
• Compass with Pencil
• Construction Paper

 

     We had most of these supplies already on hand because like I said, we love art.  These supplies are not expensive but work very well.  

     K-3 Vol. 8 Art in America is geared towards children in those grades but can be used by anyone.  It is designed to activate thought and creativity as you complete each lesson.  It doesn't make things difficult.  It is very simple to follow. My daughter created some great little pieces of art as she went through the lessons.  Some were copies of what was taught, others were sparks of creativity brought on by the lessons.  

     The video lessons and lessons in the book include:

1. Drawing is Moving
2. Drawing a Good Line
3. Identifying Light and Dark
4. Colored Pencils
5. Layered Colors
6. Ruler and Compass

    

     The book also includes wonderful lessons on artists like Arthur Davies, Rembrandt Peale, John James Audubon, Walter Ufer, and more.  You will see their creations and learn how to draw some of them.  

     

     My daughter said she enjoyed watching the videos and reading the book.  She said Brenda has a soothing voice and keeps your attention throughout each lesson.  She said the new thing she learned during these lessons was layering colors.  She said she has always wanted to know how to do that correctly and Brenda helped her learn how to it well.  Here is an example of that. 

     

     Hope is typically a very shy and private young lady, but she is allowing me to share some of her art with you today.  She says she has learned shading and contrast during these lessons and much more.  Here is just some of what these lessons have sparked her to create on her own. 

     Personally, I think they are great and I think these lessons were a great resource!  If you have students in these grades or just students who want to learn more techniques in creating works of art, I encourage you to check out these art books and lessons.  

     You can learn more about this company on their website or social media pages listed below:

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     We have more reviews of this resource and others from ARTistic Pursuits. Just click on the image below. 

 

A Childlike Faith

This is my daughter's Bible pictured above. 

Oh, to be a child again.

     Children are so trusting.  They are full of faith.  They do not question what we teach them.  They just simply believe.  What if we had that kind of powerful faith?  

       

     Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. ~ Matthew 18:3

      This verse in Matthew is so powerful. This verse is telling us that we need child like faith in order to become the godly men and women that God wants us to become.  We must lean on Him and believe on Him just as our children do.  

     I know each day that I fail to have total faith in God.  I try to do things on my own and guess what?  My plans never work out the way I thought they would.  By the end of the day, I am crying out to the Lord to forgive me for not allowing Him full control of my day.  I know in my heart that His plans are so much better than mine, but that selfish and stupid part of me takes over in the morning and I forget to pray that prayer of surrender.  If only I would lay aside my schedule and open my heart to His, life would be so much better.  

     Today is a beautiful Monday.  It is a chance for us to begin a new week. One that will glorify our Father in heaven.  We can choose to have faith like a child and allow God to lead us.  It is all up to us. Our choices have a great impact on our lives as well as our children's.  They watch us. They look up to us for a godly example to follow.  What will you choose today?  

HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW: OUR REVIEW OF Triad Math, Inc.

 

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

     We were very thrilled to be chosen to receive and review Mastering the TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator: Augmented Intelligence for all 21st Century Students Worktext from Triad Math, Inc.  Our youngest daughter Hope, hasn't worked with scientific calculators much so this was a great addition to her curriculum.  I especially liked that we already had this calculator on hand but if you need to get one,  it is very inexpensive to buy.  

     

     This workbook is geared towards post-elementary students who have a good grasp of the decimal number system. It includes 25 lessons that will take about 25 hours to complete. The lessons include:

• Lessons 1-13 are Pre-Algebra
• Lessons 14 -15 are Algebra
• Lessons 16 - 20 are Trigonometry 
• Lessons 21- 25 are Stem

     There are also online tutorial videos to help your student to really understand what they are being taught in the workbook. The online part is called Moodle for Triad Math Inc.  It is very easy to log into and as a parent, you will be able to keep an eye on your student's online grades and progress through the lessons.  

     Hope said she has really enjoyed the program so far and is learning so much.  She said that she didn't realize how easy it is to use a scientific calculator until she started the course.  She said they seemed very intimidating, but with the lessons, she is using it like a pro.  Right now she has completed the first 15 lessons.  In those lessons, she has learned that this calculator is the "PowerTool" of math.  The exercises were simple to follow and the videos helped to reinforce each lesson.  She said she is no longer afraid of using a calculator with so many buttons.  The online quizzes at the end of each lesson allowed me to see if she was understanding what was being taught.  Such a huge plus for a teacher/parent.  From simple addition and subtraction to exponents, each section is remarkable in how it takes on the task of teaching what the student needs to learn.  I wish my other children would have had this resource before taking on using a Scientific calculator.  

 

     I have been looking over other next lessons that will be quite more difficult, but I am confident that they will be taught in a way that will help Hope understand how to go about using the calculator for these more demanding math classes.  "Dr. Del", the teacher in the videos,  will certainly make it a good experience for his students and Hope is excited to go on to the new lessons soon.  

Would you like to learn more about this product? I would encourage you to check out their website and social media pages listed below:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

YouTube

We also have more reviews for you to read over on the Homeschool Review Crew website.  Just click the image below👇👇👇👇👇