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MathRider for Math Fact Games

February 3, 2012 in Homeschooling, TOS Crew Review with 0 Comments

Do you find yourself looking for ways to drill in math that your kids will enjoy? I am constantly looking for ways to make this necessary reinforcement seem like fun for my youngest student! I was glad to try MathRider. Check out this math facts game that offers students races and quests and tracks their progress, using computer intelligence to adjust to their needed level as they practice.

Em really enjoys racing “her” horse and does very well doing timed addition and subtraction with this game. We do have several math fact type games and what she likes most about this one is having her horse and being able to do the quests, where she takes her horse on a journey and completes math questions to move on and complete her quest. The game has several quests and I would like to see even more , as she likes that portion of the game so much.

The game does track her progress and adjusts the questions to fit what she needs. There is quite a bit of background “code” so that the game can track her progress and intuitively advance her. It is easy for a parent and student to see how they are doing, through incentives like point bonuses, time bonuses, quest progress, progressively animated rewards and a comprehensive statistics screen.

I think the graphics are adorable and the sounds are very pleasant. Visit MathRider to learn more and get a FREE trial! Right now, the software is on sale for $37.

See what my crewmates have to say about Math Rider

I received a Trial download of Math Rider through the TOS Crew for review purposes. I have given my honest opinion.

Kinderbach Piano Lessons for Children

January 29, 2012 in Homeschooling, TOS Crew Review with 0 Comments

Want to find piano lessons for children? Try Kinderbach.

Kinderbach is more than piano lessons. It is Piano, with Music Appreciation.

Each lesson has playing and coloring and singing along so that your child has a gentle introduction to many music concepts.

Kinderbach lessons basically include a video session, with singing and stories, worksheets to color and cut and some type of music practice—whether that is tapping to a beat or playing on the piano. In just the beginning, my daughter learned about reading notes, about rhythm and levels of sounds…and little by little she learned where and what all the keys were on the piano. Additional music pages help kids feel successful in playing simple songs pretty quickly.

See a video about how Kinderbach works on their site.

The video sessions are led by Kari Gregor, creator of the program, who uses a cast of characters to help deliver many of her lessons–small children will love Dodie and Frisco—my child certainly did. The fun videos do all the teaching.

You can use the online or DVD versions and move at your own pace. We have used Kinderbach before, but this time around I LOVE being able to use my iPad for the lessons. Using the iPad makes it so portable and easy for our family! I hear that Kinderbach even has an APP coming out (not positive, though, check that infoJ)

Anyway, when we first tried Kinderbach, we were able to look at two weeks’ worth of lessons totally free. You can too—click to see their two week trial. To really enjoy each lesson, for us I found it helped for me to preview the lessons and print out any sheets we would use in that lesson, so it was streamlined, although an older child could easily work alone.

We do have access to a piano, but you can easily use a little keyboard as well to get going (we did for awhile).

Kinderbach’s online lessons start at $7.99 a month. DVDs can also be purchased starting at $40.45. You can also preview Kinderbach with their free trial. And there is a sale going on right now, hurry! Details: “Sale ends TUESDAY, January 31, 2012. Can you believe it’s the end of January already?! Anyway, 40% off coupon code is: KBclear2012″.

So much nicer than going to piano lessons!

See the Kinderbach website to find out more, and find them on facebook.

See what my crewmates have to say about Kinderbach.

I received three month access to Kinderbach through the TOS Crew for review purposes. I have given my honest opinion.

We Choose Virtues

January 19, 2012 in family, Homeschooling, TOS Crew Review with 0 Comments

Emma has been choosing one card per week to put up on her wall and work on

“We Choose Virtues…simply inspiring character that lasts”

We Choose Virtues is a curriculum for character development that was created by pre-school teacher and children’s pastor, Heather McMillan. You can purchase the various components in sets or teachers and parents can just mix and match some pieces to choose and use the system for ongoing learning.

I received several items, including “Virtue Clue Cards,” from the creator. I think the artwork is fantastic and really got my child’s attention.

You have to see the character illustrations and the content of these! My daughter loves the cards and easily associates a behavior with the character “card” so I can say things like, “Em, remember Cake Jake? Lets get our wanter under control.” And she does! The set of cards represents the 12 virtues for the younger set:

They are…I am Diligent, I am Kind, I am Helpful, I am Obedient, I am Forgiving, I am Perseverant, I am Gentle, I am Patient, I am Self-Controlled, I am Content, I am Honest, and I am Attentive.

I also received ebooks of the Teacher’s Handbook, Memory Verses, Family Character Assessment and the Virtueville coloring book.

These products, from the Our Kids Set are for Early Education-Elementary kids (ages 3-11). The parts of We Choose Virtues are designed to use in a classroom or home setting, and can be used one-on-one.

I really have enjoyed looking at these with my six year old. She is very receptive to the colorful, fun characters and easy to remember concepts. I could see using this long term. Prices range, but for example, the clue cards are very inexpensive at $5.99. (on sale right now).

Go check out all the stuff!

During January, February, they are having some sales:

The 100 Days of Virtue Poster and Stickers will be included FREE with any Homeschool Kit purchase during these months.
Code VIRTUE15 for 15 % off the shopping cart is still available
Code FAMILY for $3.00 off the Kids Virtue Poster
Code SHIPFREE for free worldwide shipping

* only one code can be used at a time

Visit the We Choose Virtues Facebook page for tips on parenting, leadership and inspiring lasting Virtue.

See what my crewmates have to say about We Choose Virtues

I received the Virtue Clue cards, and several download files through the TOS Crew for review purposes. I have given my honest opinion.

Goalforit.com for Fun Chore Charts for Kids and More

January 15, 2012 in curriculum helps, family with 0 Comments

Reward Earned!

Over the years, I have tried loads of charts and graphs and reward systems as I raised my kids. Some worked great, some not so well. As most of my children are now teens, the charts are fewer!

Still, I have a six year old, and as much as she mimics her brothers and sisters, she still deserves some focus, some help with goals and chore charts…instead of her mother just fussing at her.

So, turns out, we both love this new site that offers free chore chart systems for kids and teens, called goalforit.com.

The site loads quickly and has bright and colorful chart graphics and loads of options for things to include in your charts. The options for little ones use pictures and words for chores, so even non-verbal young children can see what they need to do. Setup is so simple and they have over 50 templates to make your chart pretty. For example, Emma was much more excited to do her chore chart when it was designed all in hot pink, with a girl with a guitar. Haha!

We are able to print out a sheet for Em, but also, I let her login on the iPad and click on each of her completed goals. She loves doing that. I would love a little app for this too!

Anyway, goalforit.com has free charts for tweens, teens and adults as well. I made a chart for Nick and a goal setting chart for myself. There are good instructions on how to use everything, complete with video instructions if you need.

You can use the site free, and I have three charts on there currently. You can set up your charts to share with friends, which might in itself be a nice incentive, to say, add grandparents to see progress. Older kids could share with friends. I always do better with my goals once I tell the world about them!

So besides for maintaining Mom’s sanity, why else should you use a chore chart? goalforit points out a few reasons below:

“Responsibility; A Chore Chart is an ideal way to help your kids feel like they are making a contribution to their family by doing their part around the house.
Understanding right from wrong; Setting behavior goals is an important way to help children strengthen their character and judgment.
Healthy Habits; Teaching good habits involving nutrition and physical activity are the cornerstone of prevent obesity in children and adolescents.
Money Matters; The optional point system teaches children three important lessons for managing money; earning, spending and saving.”

So far, the kids like this and I really needed a boost to get the household more under control for this new year. I am excited to use these to be more consistent. As a mom, I know the consistency is so important. Goalforit.com makes it easy for me to be more consistent. If you like they will even send email reminders and parenting and goal setting tips.

Seriously, go check this site out and have a plan for the New Year!