TOS Crew Review - World's Greatest Stories

"The World's Greatest Stories" are an award-winning series of dramatic audio CDs that tell the stories of the Bible, using the direct words of Scripture itself. Narrated by dramatic storyteller George W. Sarris, the Bible comes alive through his skill and passion.  Available in both NIV and KJV, there are 23 stories contained in 6 Volumes:

• The Prophets - The Blazing Furnace, The Handwriting on the Wall, Daniel in the Lions' Den, Elijah and the Prohets of Baal, and the Prophecy of Jonah
• The Life of Christ - The Real Story of Christmas, The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus, The Healing of the Blind Man, Things Jesus Said and Did, and The Real Story of Easter
• Beginnings - In the Beginning, A Lame Man in Lystra, A Jailer in Philippi, The Story of Ruth, and The Raising of Lazarus
• Joshua and Esther - The Battle of Jericho and The Book of Esther
• Joseph and His Brothers - Genesis 37:2-46:7 and 46:28-50:26
• Defeating Giants - David and Goliath, Naaman the Leper, Micaiah the Prophet and Jeoshaphat the King, The Sacrifice of Isaac, and Gideon and His 300 Men

(You can hear samples of each Volume here!)

For this review, I received a copy of The Prophets. We opened it up while we were heading for a little day trip about 2 hours from our house, and we finished listening to the whole thing (each CD is about an hour long), the kids BEGGED to hear it again!  They loved the voices and drama that were infused into the Bible stories.  I loved that it wasn't just a version of a story, it was straight, pure Scripture, presented in a way that captured my children's attention and really brought to life the emotion of every scene.

Each CD is only $7.95 and shipping is free if you order 6 or more, which, in my opinion, is a very reasonable price.  My children love audio stories to listen to in the car, at bedtime, or while doing chores, and The World's Greatest Stories are a wonderful way to pour pure Scripture into their hearts in a way that is engaging, exciting, and fun!  I definitely recommend them!

Be sure to see what other TOS Crew Members thought by checking out the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer:  I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here  on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other  compensation in regards to this review.

TOS Crew Review - Pitsco Medieval Machines

 

Pitsco is a company that specializes in educational, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) products and curriculum, including products specifically designed for homeschoolers.  For this review, I received the Medieval Machines Pack, which included a Trebuchet Kit, a Catapult Kit, a Siege Machines book, and counterweights for the Trebuchet. 

The entire kit, as packaged.

Catapult

Trebuchet

This pack is specified for Middle School ages and up, so Isaac (5th grade) was just on the younger side for this pack, but he and I had no trouble putting the kit together.  It would have been more of a stretch for my younger kids, however, so the age designation is very appropriate (unless you have a younger child who is very into and experienced with models and kits).  The instructions were detailed and thorough, but not difficult to follow.  The hardest part was waiting for the glue to dry on each step!

Unfortunately, because we were out of town for over a week during Thanksgiving, we did not complete the Trebuchet at the time of this review, but we did complete and use the Catapult.  It is a huge hit!  The pack comes with clay to make little launching balls out of, and the kids enjoyed seeing how big or small the balls had to be in order to fly the most effectively.  The Catapult is quite sturdy and has held up to use in this household of boys!  I full expect the Trebuchet to be the same, and we are looking forward to trying it out soon.

Here are two videos of our first tries with the Catapult.  We did it outside just in case, but we have since used it inside very safely!  The first one hit something and didn't go far, which is why we did a second video - hopefully between the two of them you can get a good feel for the Catapult!





The Siege Machines book includes a history of each machine, and then various experiments to try with each one, as well as space to record observations and results. Science concepts that are taught include Mass, Tension and Torsion, Force and Motion, Gravity and Levers, (plus more) and Mathematical concepts such as averages, metric conversion, and prediction.  I, personally, love how so many topics can be covered by playing with a fun toy that my boys love!

The Pitsco Medieval Machines Pack is available for $21.95. To build the kit and utilize some of the activities, you will need basic household items such as glue, scissors, and a ruler.

Also available are Teacher's Guides for both the Trebuchet Kit and the Catapult Kit that include multiple hours worth of STEM activities and lessons.  For added savings, you can get everything included with the Medieval Machines Pack, plus the two two Teacher's Guides and extra clay in the Trebuchet & Catapult Pack for $64.95.  Be sure to check out many of the other Science, Technology and Mathematical products Pitsco has available for Homeschoolers! 

Also see what my other Crew Mates thought over at the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

Kregel Publications Review - The Three Trees: A Traditional Folk Tale

The Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale, by Elena Pasquali, illustrated by Sophie Windham, and available from Kregel Publications, is a touching and beautiful story.  Here's the summary from Kregel Publications:

Three forest trees dream of what they will one day become. One dreams of becoming a royal throne; one of being a ship that can withstand any storm; and one longs to stay in the forest and grow as tall as tall can be. When they are felled, it seems their dreams are over. But as each tree is crafted into a new item--a manger, a fishing boat, and a rugged cross--it becomes clear that through the role they play in one important life their hopes are more than fulfilled.

I had actually read this story many years ago, so when The Three Trees arrived at our house, I was very excited to read it to the children.  Unfortunately, remembering the story also caused me to do something I don't do very often while reading aloud - I cried!  Not because the story is horrible!  No, the story is a sweet, tender story showing what God can do with our dreams when we give them over to Him.  They might not turn out the way we imagined, but they will turn out to be more than we imagined! The book also tells the most beautiful story of all - the story of Jesus - His birth, His life, His death, and, wonderfully - His resurrection!  All written in such a lovely way that my heart was stirred with the beauty of God's lovingkindness and mercy.

Not only is the story wonderful, the illustrations are gorgeous (here's an example):

I couldn't recommend The Three Trees more!  The children also love it and ask for it repeatedly.

The Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale is available for $14.99 from Kregel Publications.  It is hardcover, 32 pages, and suitable for all ages.

Disclaimer: I was given this product  specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as participant in the Kregel Publications Blog Tour. I received no other compensation in regards to  this review.

TOS Crew Review - Keyboard Town PALS

Keyboard Town PALS is a typing program for children ages.  Different from traditional typing programs, which focus on speed + accuracy, Keyboard Town PALS approaches typing instruction in a unique and innovative way.  

Keyboard Town PALS focuses on a gentle learning approach, not focusing on mistakes and no time pressures. (Click here for a more in-depth look at their method and reasonings.)  The lessons consist of 8 videos, each about 6-7 minutes long, so the entire course is about an hour. (The website promotes: "help kids learn to type in an hour!") In the videos, the letter keys are introduced as characters that live on Main Street, Uptown, or Downtown, based on each letter's location on the keyboard.  All of the letters' characters' stories intertwine, creating a town of friends on the keyboard, hence the name "Keyboard Town PALS"!  As the video progresses, the student is encouraged to type the letters in a text box below the video.  Within a very short time, the student is typing entire words, as well as spacing and punctuation.  You can see a sample lesson here.

Keyboard Town PALS is available both online and as a CD-ROM, for the price of $39.95, and is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Unfortunately, for us, this program wasn't one that we enjoyed.  Before I explain why, I want to remind my readers that just because something hasn't fit our family does not mean it would not fit yours!  Each family is different and has different needs and methods that work best for it - that's the beauty of homeschooling, being able to meet those needs individually.  So, please read over my comments keeping that in mind.

I, personally, don't agree with the overall philosophy that Keyboard Town PALS endorses.  I believe that "Mistakes are opportunities to learn" and should not be overlooked, but gently corrected, so that (especially in learning a skill such as typing) the new skill is learned the correct way.  Since there was no correction offered in Keyboard Town PALS, a student could easily be typing incorrectly and it would not matter. It would seem to me that would only cause a development of incorrectly learned habits that would have to be "unlearned" later down the road.  

Also, part of the reason no correction is offered is because the instructional portions are just videos.  This means that the typing that the student does is not interactive in any way with the instruction, so a student could potentially sit there and waste all their time doing nothing at all or fooling around, unless a physical instructor (teacher or parent) was standing over their shoulder making sure they stayed on task.  Even with a diligent child, management would still be needed as there is no way to monitor the student's progress.

My reviewer for Keyboard Town PALS was Joel (6.5 years old), and he did not enjoy the program, either.  He thought the main narrator, "Sunny", was (in his words) "freaky", he was frustrated by the fact that he could not use the backspace to fix a mistake when he made one, and that the program would not wait for him unless he paused it, which caused his fingers to lose their spots on the keyboard.  

Overall, Keyboard Town PALS was just not a good fit for our family.  I have heard from other reviewers that it is a great program for special needs children, and perhaps younger children that just need a basic, gentle introduction to the keyboard.  To read for yourself what other reviewers thought, please check out the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.  I highly encourage you to do so, and not just take our negative experience as the only perspective!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

TOS Crew Review - Ooka Island

Ooka Island Adventure is a 3-D interactive reading program designed for ages 3-7.  Ooka Island is a virtual world in which children participate in different activities designed to teach phonics, word blends, sight words, and early reading.  All of the activities are designed to be fun and engaging, while also educational.  You can read about Ooka Island's philosophy, methods and features here.

The student starts their island adventure by creating an avatar.  This avatar then travels to different areas in the island, completing various tasks and challenges, for which they receive "Ooka Mist" - a currency they are able to spend later on.  Activities include the "Cave of Sounds", in which they have to listen for as well as visually find different phonic sounds, "Alphabet Mountain" in which they climb a mountain by jumping from letter to letter in alphabetical order, and then skateboard back down, also identifying letters, and "Z-Doo", in which the student rides on a watercraft vehicle and has to practice saying various sounds at checkpoints, plus many more! There is also a visit to the "Popcorn Library", where the student hears a book being read to them, and then has to answer some basic questions about the story, as well as learn sentence structure and sight words.  As the student progresses in their lessons, more and more parts of the island become accessible, teaching more and more complex skills, such as phonics blending and sight words. 

After about 20 minutes of lesson time, the student is rewarded with "Free Play" which lasts about 8-10 minutes.  During Free Play, the student can visit "Pencil Playground", where they can play with elves, change their avatar, listen to music, or spend their Ooka Mist on other fun things.  The student can also choose to go play some more of the learning activities during Free Play - which, surprisingly, was a popular choice here!  That goes to show how fun the learning activities are!

Check out videos on The OokaTube to get a more in-depth look at the program!

Nathan (4.5) was my reviewer for Ooka Island, although ALL the boys enjoyed watching Nathan play.  He eagerly asks for his "Ooka Island" time every day (even on the weekends!) and I feel that the program has definitely strengthened his progress in reading.

We did find a few small potential drawbacks that I wanted to address.  First, to access the program, it must be downloaded, and it is a very large file.  It took several tries to get my computer to complete downloading it, and once it finally did, it took over an hour for the entire download.  (Also note, that even though it is a downloaded program, web access is still required to play - not a drawback for me, but just something to keep in mind.)

Second, there area  few games that said a microphone was needed for voice recognition so the student can practice saying the sounds.  The games are actually still fully functional without the microphone, so if the student doesn't have one, that's OK.  However, we noticed that even with the microphone, Nathan could say whatever he wanted into the microphone, and the game still continued as if he were saying the correct thing.  I didn't understand this, but the FAQ's on the Ooka Island website somewhat addresses this (and also leads me to another point):

At Ooka Island our goal is to help all young learners achieve reading success. We wanted to make the game accessible to all children, so the game is playable without a microphone or headset. If a child plays without a microphone, she/he will not miss out on any features or activities on the Island.

Not having a microphone does not change the game play experience but it does change the data that we are able to process during play. Without a microphone we are unable to record and process speech using voice recognition. Without this data we are unable to produce a report in the Ooka Lighthouse that displays progress in the Z-doo (Voice Recognition) activity.

It says that the voice recognition feature is used to produce a report in the Ooka Lighthouse, which is supposed to be the parental control spot, where I would be able to see Nathan's progress.  However, at the time of my writing this review, the Ooka Lighthouse was not yet functioning, so I can't comment on how well it is laid out or how useful it is.  That was a bit disappointing for me, because part of using a computer-based educational program is the ability to track my children's progress, since I am not teaching them directly.  I am looking forward to when I can get a look at it!

My final drawback was that I felt the lessons were a bit too long.  I'm not a fan of my 4 year old sitting in front of the computer for a half an hour at a time.  I know many people don't have a problem with that at all, so its a particular issue I had, and may not be something that concerns others at all!

However, despite these drawbacks, overall I feel that Ooka Island is an early reading program that is effective and engaging, and I would recommend it!  You can actually try it yourself for 14 days free, to see what you think!

Here is the pricing list for Ooka Island:

(Please note that if you are a large homeschooling family with more than 4 children that would be using the program, they recommend buying an annual school license.)

Here's a promo code you can use to save 30% on a monthly subscription!

Check out what other Crew Members thought of Ooka Island by heading over the the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this product  specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of  the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to  this review.

TOS Crew Review - Bower Books - The Person I Marry

"The Person I Marry", published by Bower Books, is a sweet and beautifully illustrated story designed to remind readers of all ages of character traits that are important to look for in a potential husband or wife.

In a day and age where marriage is considered disposable, love and lust are interchangeable, and culture as a whole encourages emotionalism and seeking after one's own self, this book is a breath of fresh air! 

It lays out sweetly and simply that marriage isn't just about emotion, it isn't just about a big wedding day, and love isn't all about looks.  It describes marriage for what it really is meant to be - a lifelong covenant - and goes into detail about important character traits that need to be sought after, as well as developed in oneself, while waiting for the time for that special day to arrive. Traits such as honor, mercy, humility, and most importantly, loving the Lord, are just a few of the many that are discussed. Along with the wonderful storyline, the illustrations are gorgeous!  Here's a video with some peeks inside:


The Person I Marry from Bower Books on Vimeo.

"The Person I Marry" is hardcover and 32 pages -  a keepsake! It is available at Bower Books for $11.99.  It is a part of the "Bright Future" series of books - all of which look as equally delightful!  I recommend it for families of any age or gender children, or even as a gift for older children or newly engaged or married couples!

Please check out what my fellow Crew Members thought by stopping by the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog to read more reviews!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

TOS Crew Review - Memoria Press First Start Reading and Classical Phonics

Memoria Press is a company that produces Classical-style curriculum for Christian homeschoolers and private schools. Their program for teaching children to read encompasses two products - First Start Reading, and Classical Phonics. Both can actually be used independently of each other, but work wonderfully when paired together.

First Start Reading includes 3 student workbooks and one Teacher's Manual.  The Teacher's Manual walks the instructor step-by-step through each lesson, giving a script of what to say, as well as helpful hints to encourage the students.  It is written to a classroom environment, but is easy to adapt to a one-on-one homeschool instruction situation.  The student workbooks focus on learning new phonics sounds and then learning how to blend those sounds with earlier learned sounds - in fact, by the 5 Lesson, the student is reading their first simple sentence!  The workbooks include handwriting practice for each sound, word, and sentence, helping to make the curriculum mutli-sensory - hearing, seeing, and writing the letters.  There is also a space in each lesson for the student to color pictures and draw their own pictures, incorporating the material taught in the lesson.

Here are some sample pages of the Workbook:

• Lesson 1, Book A
• Lesson 3, Book B

Classical Phonics is a handbook of phonetically organized word lists (that coincide with the order of sounds and words taught in First Start Reading), which can be used to help a student practice the new sounds and words they've been learning, or to test them on what they already know.  Below are some sample pages (you can click to enlarge the images):

I used First Start Reading and Classical Phonics with my 4.5 year old, Nathan.  While I felt the method of teaching was good (teaching several phonics then moving into words that use those phonics), for us, the workbook required a little too much writing coordination for my little boy.  He got frustrated by his lack of ability to write well, and was not overly interested in coloring or drawing pictures.  All of these things I find typical for a boy his age, at least in my house, so I don't know that those things would be a struggle for an older beginning reader, or perhaps a girl.   I didn't see this as a negative against the curriculum, just more of something that made it not quite the right fit for us.  Overall, I thought the quality of the program was very good, and would recommend it to those who have young early readers who enjoy handwriting and drawing! 

The Classical Phonics book was a helpful, non-workbook way to reinforce what we worked on in First Start Reading, and could easily be used on it's own to teach basic phonics and reading. However, it is not scripted like the First Start Reading Teacher's Manual, which doesn't intimidate me, as I've taught reading a few times by now, but if you happen to be one who wants some guidance as to what or how to teach, I'd recommend First Start Reading.  But, if, like us, you have a student who is hesitant to do a lot of writing, and you feel confident teaching early reading without a script, Classical Phonics is a great tool!  I feel both programs together give the perfect blend of styles and reinforcement.

First Start Reading is priced at $29.95 (that includes the Teacher's Manual and all 3 Workbooks), and Classical Phonics is $14.95.  Both are included with Memoria Press' Classical Kindergarten Curriculum, as well.

Be sure to see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of First Start Reading, Classical Phonics, and other Memoria Press materials, by checking out the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

TOS Crew Review - Say Anything

Say Anything is a fun family game from North Star Games, who also make the game Wits and Wagers (which I had the enjoyment of being able to review last year).  It is for 2-6 players, ages 8 and up, although my 6 year old was able to play easily, as well.  (It is helpful for all players to know how to read and write.)  It's a game that not only tests how well you know each other, but also can reveal things you might not have known about each other!

What's in the box:

• 60 question cards, with 360 topics
• Wipe-off answer boards and makers for each player
• Wipe-off scorecard
• 12 tokens (2 per player)
• Spinner (officially called the "Select-O-Matic 6000")

The question cards all start with "In My Opinion..." and then has three scenarios on each side of the card that the reader can choose from.  The youngest player starts first, and reads one of the scenarios.  For example, it might say, "In my opinion, this is my favorite rainy day activity...".  The rest of the players have to write on their answer cards what they think the reader would finish the sentence with.  When each player finishes, they place their answer card into the middle, face up.  Once all of the players have finished, the reader then (without showing anyone) selects the answer they like best on the spinner and places the spinner face down, so that the other players can't see what's been chosen.  Then, each player places a token or two on the answer(s) they think the reader picked.  Once all the tokens are placed, the reader shows their answer on the spinner, and points are awarded based on the amount of tokens on the answer.

That might sound a tad bit complicated written out like that, but it's actually really, really easy to figure out and get the game going.  Not only is it really, really easy, but it's really fun, too!  It's a challenge to try to figure out what might get the reader's votes and always interesting to see what they've picked! (Hint - since I play with all boys, I always write down something having to do with Legos, Star Wars, or bodily functions - those get chosen a lot!)  The game tends to go by pretty quickly, which is nice for a quick afternoon pick-me-up, and we just play double or triple rounds for family game night.

Because the questions are all based on personal opinion, as well as the wipe-off answer boards, this game is virtually reusable forever!  It's a different game each time, which means it never gets old.  Young and old alike can enjoy playing Say Anything.  All of these factors add up to make Say Anything an awesome family game!  Another two thumbs up for North Star Games from our house!

Say Anything is available at different retailers, both online and in stores, and the price is averages about $20 or so.  Well worth it for an enjoyable family game!  Be sure to find out what other Crew Members thought by visiting the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

TOS Crew Review - Educating the WholeHearted Child

Educating the WholeHearted Child (3rd Edition), by Clay and Sally Clarkson, and published by Apologia Educational Ministries, is a 375+ page book written for Christian homeschoolers, as well as parents who are considering homeschooling.

Educating the WholeHearted Child is broken down into four main sections:

• Home - focusing on building a relationship with our children and the reasons to choose homeschooling
• Learning - discussing various homeschooling styles and how to choose the best for your family
• Methods - going into detail about the "WholeHearted Learning" model of homeschooling and how to teach various subjects
• Living - how to balance homeschooling and "real life" - remembering that so much of learning takes place during those "real life" times!

These are followed by 40 pages of resources, including planning pages, character traits, chore charts, and book recommendations. (Click here to see the entire Table of Contents.)   I was not able to completely finish reading the book before this review was due, but after delving into many chapters and skimming the rest, I know without a doubt that it is an absolute treasure-trove!!

Clay and Sally Clarkson's hearts for families is so evident in their writings, you can't walk away from this book without being encouraged and revived in your homeschooling journey!  For just a small sample of how rich this book is, please be sure to read the first Chapter and get a feel for yourself. 

This review has actually been a bit difficult to write, because all I can think of saying is, "It's awesome!  Get your hands on it!" and how many times can I say that in different ways without sounding like a sales pitch?!  But, it's true!  I would not only recommend, but highly encourage all Christian Homeschoolers, new, veteran, or even "just considering" to read this!

Educating the WholeHearted Child is available from Apologia Educational Ministries for $22.  It is well worth it!  Apologia also offers many other Christian books for parents and children, as well as curriculum.

Also be sure to see Clay and Sally Clarkson's ministry page, "Whole Heart Online" for more encouragement!

You can read other TOS Crew Member's reviews on Educating the WholeHearted Child at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.  I think you'll be hard pressed to find a negative one! ;-)

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

TOS Crew Review - Visual Latin

Visual Latin is a unique video-based Latin course, designed for ages 9 and up.  Created by two homeschooling dads, Visual Latin offers two levels of instruction -  Level 1 and Level 2, with each level containing 30 lessons, enough for about two year's worth of Latin instruction together.

Each lesson is broken down into three parts - Grammar, Sentences, and Reading.  Each of those sections is taught in a brief video, usually about 6-10 minutes long, and followed by an accompanying worksheet that gives an overview of the lesson and some work for the student to do to practice the lesson.

What makes Visual Latin unique?  Several things:

• Humor plays a big part in each lesson - Dwane, the instructor, has a wry, witty sense of humor that keep the kids interested
• Lessons are short and not overwhelming
• The format is realistic - instead of memorizing complicated conjugations, the lessons use more of an immersion method - grammar is taught, but then the students get to see it and use it in sentences and reading, seeing and experiencing how it actually "works"
• Because it is in video format, it is easier for the students to get a feel for the language, by hearing it and also by having an experienced Latin teacher demonstrate it's usage.  It's like having a private Latin tutor!

(For more reasons from the creators' own thoughts, be sure to check out "The Unique Design that Really Works"!)

For this review, we were sent a DVD for Lessons 1-10 (lessons can also be purchased as downloads in HD m4v and iPod m4v formats).  We followed the recommendations included with the video - we watched the video for one section of the lesson, and then did the accompanying worksheet.  Since each lesson is broken down into 3 sections, we did Latin 3 days a week.  The amount of time spent on Latin each day was probably no more than 15- 20 minutes, if that.

I was very curious to see how Visual Latin would go over for us.  I've never really had a desire to teach Latin, and wasn't sure how enthusiastic the kids would be over it.  And the whole idea of Latin instruction that could be humorous?  I always sort of perceived Latin to be a rather serious, stuffy language, so I was skeptical! 

However, after watching just the introduction Lessons, I was more eager to give it a try.  The kids warmed up to Dwane (the instructor) right away.  He's... funny!  In a very witty way that makes the kids laugh, but isn't corny for grown-ups.  He comes across as a very down-to-earth and enjoyable teacher.  He also addresses the students directly, which I think the kids enjoy.  I also appreciate that he is a Christian, homeschooling dad.  He makes many references to God, as well as jokes about homeschooling.  That makes me feel as if he understands how to relate well to the students he's teaching.   Here are some screen shots (the kids call Dwane "the guy in the blue shirt"- you can see why!):

But aside from the instructor's personality... what about the lessons themselves?  I've been very pleased!  At first I was nervous that some of the grammar concepts would be over the boys' heads, but they took to them without any problems.  I think much of that has to do with not just having it taught, but them actually reading it and having to use it in real sentences makes it much more natural.  Right away they started noticing words that they've learned from their Spanish lessons and seeing similarities.  They think it's almost like a secret code, and enjoy trying to decipher new words they're introduced to.  I find that I'm eager to delve more into learning some Latin myself!

All in all, we've been quite please with Visual Latin and will be continuing the lessons.  That says alot, considering I thought we'd never "do" Latin!

Get a glimpse for yourself - you can view a Sample Lesson, or even download some Free Lessons (4 Intro Lessons and 2 Regular Lessons).  Be warned, though - you might just get hooked!  Who knew learning Latin could be interesting and fun?!

Want to know a few more details?  Be sure to check out their Q&As!

DVDs contain 10 lessons each, and can be purchased singly for $30 a piece, or an entire level (30 lessons), for $80, for single family use (they also have pricing for co-op/class use).  Downloadable lessons are $25 for a 10-lesson set for single-family use.

If you are looking for a enjoyable, easy-to-learn Latin course, I definitely recommend Visual Latin!

See what other TOS Crew Members thought of Visual Latin by checking out their reviews at the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

My Memories Review and a Giveaway!

(This Give Away is now CLOSED! Thanks to all who participated!)

Sometimes, I really surprise myself!  I don't consider myself the "creative" or "artistic" type, not by a long shot.  I'm also not especially gifted at technology - blogging is about as technologically creative as I get, and that's because it's pretty easy!  Because of these two things, I have never considered trying my hand at digital scrapbooking.  I've often admired the efforts of friends who do it so well, but that's as far as it went.

Keeping all these things in mind, you can imagine what I thought when I was given the opportunity to review My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbook Software! I figured I'm probably one of the best candidates to review it, considering my qualifications (or lack thereof)!

Well, I've been playing around with the whole digital scrapbook thing for a few weeks now, and let me tell you - I am sold!  I don't know a thing about other scrapbook software, but My Memories Suite has made my introduction into scrapbooking an absolute breeze!

Downloading the software went without a hitch.  When I first open the software, I am given the choice of either using a pre-made template of pages, or designing my own.  In a pre-made template, there are lots of choices included with the software, and more choices available at the My Memories website - many for free, which is good for my budget!  Then, I can choose which order I want the pages laid out in, and whether or not I want the pictures automatically filled in, or if I want to place them myself.  Then, I am prompted to select the photos I want to include, and... Tada!  A beautiful scrapbook!  Really.  It's that easy.  Crazy, huh?

These are two of the FREE! pre-made pages available on MyMemories.com

One of the nice things about the pre-made templates is that they can still be edited to add a more personal touch.  So they can be used as-is, or as a "starting point" to get creative juices flowing!

After giving the pre-made templates a try and seeing how simple it was, I decided to try my hand at creating my own.  That took a little more time, as I am an admitted perfectionist... but, it was still amazingly easy.  There are many so many papers, fonts, embellishments, and even features like video and audio to use and choose from!  Here's my very first attempt (inspired by a recent post):

You can see that at first I was a little afraid to get too creative!

Then, I got a little braver and played around with more embellishments:

 

I get so excited every time I finish a page!  I can't believe I can actually do this, and so easily, too!

It's hard to even go into detail about ALL of the neat features that are a part of My Memories Suite.  Photos can be cropped, shaped, sharpened, the color changed, red eye removed, and other editing, all within the software.  Embellishments are infinite, it seems - there are so many incredible options!  You can even add music, narration, links and other multi-media to a page or an entire book.  Who knew?!

There are also many tutorial videos on YouTube as well as the My Memories Blog... and they have loads of helpful information.  The more I learn, the more amazed and excited I am at what a neat tool My Memories Suite digital scrapbook software is!

I wanted to add a little something about my experience with My Memories Customer Service.  In my first try in downloading a kit I purchased from the website, I was able to download and install it correctly, but then... couldn't find it in my software!  (That's my technological ineptitude for you!)  The FAQs on the website were very helpful, but I still wasn't getting it, so I emailed Customer Service.  They replied in just a few hours, with very helpful and precise instructions, and I was easily able to find and use my downloaded page.  I always love a company with fast and efficient Customer Service!  

Plain and simple, the software is easy to install, easy to use, and brings out the creative inspirations I've had hiding somewhere and never knew! Whether you're a digital scrapbook newbie, like me, or a seasoned pro, I definitely recommend My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software!

Here's the really fun part!  You can WIN your own My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software (a $39.97 value!).   There are several ways to enter - please leave a comment for each way you enter:

• This one is required to enter! Visit MyMemories.com and take a peek at their cute kits, papers, and embellishments.  There are tons, so try not to get overwhelmed! Come back and share with me your favorite, and what you might use it for!
• "Like" My Memories on Facebook for 1 extra entry
• "Like" A Full Heart on Facebook for 1 extra entry
• Share this giveaway on Facebook for 1 extra entry
• Follow my blog (see right sidebar) for 1 extra entry

If you don't want to wait around to see if you might win, I've got an awesome discount for you!  Use coupon code STMMMS71850 to get a $10 discount off MyMemories Suite Scrapbook Software, as well as a $10 credit at the MyMemories.com store!

This giveaway will close at 5 pm Eastern on Monday, October 3 - that's 1 week!  I'll pick the winner that evening and post it on Tuesday, October 4!  Have fun!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the  purpose of reviewing here on my blog. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.

Timberdoodle Review - Purpllinker

It's a bird!  It's a plane!  No, it's a....

Purpllinker!

Purpl... what?!  Purpllinker!  Don't worry, we just affectionately call it the "purple thing".  What is this long, bendy purple thing, you ask?  It's a great manipulative (and toy!) from Timberdoodle (one of the most fun homeschool supply resources around)!

 

I'll be totally honest here - I was given a few choices of items to review, and the Purplinker was not my first choice.  I didn't think it looked very... interesting.  Boy, was I wrong!  From the minute the package was opened, the "purple thing" quickly became the most fought over item in the home  (Well, Michael and I usually share, but the boys have some trouble!).

Intended for ages 3 and up, and included in Timberdoodle's Preschool Curriculum, every single one of my children love to "fidget" with it.  It gets carried in the car, played with during read-alouds, used for quiet time, and occasionally confiscated as it attempts to be used as a sword or other weaponry. (Hey, this is a houseful of boys, what else is to be expected?!)  Thankfully, because of it's rounded edges and lightweight, flexible deisgn, it's never done any damage!

It's actual purpose it to be used as a manipulative to help children with early phonics - making reading "hands-on" through the child shaping the Purpllinker into various letters.  Of course, this can also carry over into math, being used to make numbers or shapes.  It's not always as easy as it looks, however, so it's also a great thinking skills and coordination tool!  The package comes with instructions demonstrating how to make each letter, number, and shape, but I've found it far more interesting to allow my children to try to figure it out themselves!

Here's Nate (4.5 years old), using the Purpllinker to make a "d", which is the letter he's currently learning in Explode the Code book C:

It has 7 "links", so it's long!

Thinking hard!

No, silly!  That's an "L"!

That's close!  Try a little more...

Yes, it is tricky!

Hooray!  We got it!

I was pleasantly surprised at the versatility, usefulness, and FUN!  that the Purpllinker supplies.  I definitely recommend it!  It is very reasonably priced at only $11.25 and can be found at Timberdoodle!

By the way, if you don't already get Timberdoodle's catalog, you're missing out!  I actually hide mine when it comes so I can read it in peace and quiet without lots of little eyes peering eagerly over my shoulder.  It's FULL of unique and interesting homeschool supplies!  Also, be sure to "like" Timberdoodle on Facebook, too!

As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free Purpllinker in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.