Search Results for: schoolhouse review crew

Reading Kingdom Review

ddd Tracy

Reading Kingdom is an online program for grades Preschool through 3rd grade that teaches kids how to read and write. The system was developed by Dr. Marion Blank, a world-renowned expert on literacy, and incorporates elements of phonics and whole language, teaching six basic steps toward reading: sequencing, motor skills, sounds, meaning, reading, and comprehension.   I used this program with Middlest, who is entering K4. She has a great grasp of letters and their sounds and is about half way through blend work, beginning to put together three letter words. The approach to this program, I felt, was based…

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Apologia’s I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist review

ddd Tracy3 Comments on Apologia’s I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist review

I have long been fascinated by the apologetics resources that Apologia has been publishing for homeschool students, so I jumped at the chance to get to review this particular high school/adult course for the book I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek. Also, my husband is pursuing an advanced degree in apologetics, and I thought this would be a terrific opportunity to interact with him about some of the same ideas and arguments that he is studying. Though I am far from having completed this course, I will say that I think…

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SpellingCity.com Review

ddd Tracy1 Comment on SpellingCity.com Review

Vocabulary Spelling City has probably been one of my favorite products to review so far. It is a game-based online program that teaches spelling and vocabulary while allowing the teacher to customize the list or choose from thousands of pre-made lists. The website includes 25 online or print-off activities for reviewing the list: handwriting sheets, alphabetical order, matching definitions, Word Scramble, HangMouse, Speedy Speller, and more. The website was very user-friendly. Adding the lists, assigning the lists and corresponding activities, reviewing reports—all of these steps were easy to do. Plus, video tutorials are available to help with every step of the…

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King Alfred’s English review : an entertaining history of the English language

ddd Tracy2 Comments on King Alfred’s English review : an entertaining history of the English language

I’ve heard so often the complaint that English doesn’t make sense, that it doesn’t follow its own rules. But really, that complaint comes from not understanding the history of English itself. Within all of those apparent inconsistencies lies a rich history of various cultures merging together and changing. King Alfred’s English provides that complete history of the English language in a fun engaging story—from its origin, roots, and early influences, to the influence of the printing press and the King James Bible. I loved learning that English was scorned as a language for centuries. I loved learning why our words are spelled…

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SchoolhouseTeachers.com Review

ddd Tracy

As a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I got the opportunity to review SchoolhouseTeachers.com, a “massive expansion” on The Old Schoolhouse Teacher Toolbox site. “Massive” is the word used to describe the site on the home page, and it’s the perfect word. There are so many resources on this site, and an inexpensive membership provides access to all of them: chemistry, preschool, grammar, history, music, lapbooking, and more. Several teacher and student planners are included in the site, as well as recommended reading lists, recipes and monthly meal plans, free ebooks, and on and on. I especially liked the…

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Zane Education Review

ddd Tracy

When I first saw Zane Education, I had a “Eureka!” moment. Videos with closed captioning and still pictures on over 380 topics! My daughter is a very hands-on, right-brained learner. Oldest, on the other hand, is all about words: words he can see, words he can hear, words he can write, words he can spell. Zane Education just might be a perfect fit for both kids! The topics range from K to adult, which means I’ve watched a few with my soon-to-be four year old, and I’ve watched a few all by myself for my own enrichment (“The History of…

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Super Duper Following Directions Review

ddd Tracy

It was really awesome to get this review because, honestly, this is not a product I would typically buy for the kids. And they’ve had so much fun with it! Hear Builders Following Directions is produced by Super Duper Publications, which specializes in making products for kids with special needs. However, the products work well for any learner. This particular computer game is aimed at improving a young child’s skills at following directions. What child doesn’t need that, right? Children are challenged in a total of 40 different concepts in 5 areas: basic directions, sequential directions, quantitative and spatial directions,…

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