Book review: "Simon and the Easter Miracle" by Mary Joslin; illustrated by Anna Luraschi

Simon and the Easter Miracle is a hardcover children's book written by Mary Joslin and beautifully illustrated by Anna Luraschi, based on a Polish folktale about Simon of Cyrene. Reading it together with your children would make a great family tradition to begin this Easter.

The pictures are done in warm colors and add a richness to the prose.  Of course, the message is eternal, so the whole family can appreciate this book together.  The story does not mention Jesus by name, so the true meaning of Easter and the Biblical account of Jesus' death and resurrection must be provided by the parent.  It might make a good introduction to sharing the Gospel with small children, appropriate for preschoolers through early elementary.

My oldest daughter (10) remembered the mention of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross of Christ in the Bible.  She liked reading more about this and imagining what it must have really been like to be there.  It helped to make those scriptures even more vivid for her.  It's interesting to look at the Easter story from Simon's perspective as a bystander.

If you liked the traditional folktale of The Three Trees, you will enjoy this book.




Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Simon and the Easter Miracle for the purpose of review.  No other compensation was given for my honest opinion.

TOS Crew Review: Action Alert

Homeschoolers are well aware of the potential of the Internet's vast resources to plan lessons, to research, and even just to order curricula and supplies.  However, we're also aware that the Internet has a dark side that can be harmful to our children in more ways than one.  Whether it's giving out too much personal information or accidentally clicking on something dreadful, our kids are at risk when they're online.  Action Alert has created an extra set of eyes for parents to guard their children from these dangers and temptations.

A simple download provides access to the following safety tools:




Just like the name says, Action Alert sends you an alert so you can take action.  These alerts can be sent to your phone as a text message and/or to your email.  At the moment you get the alert of questionable activity, you can disable the computer remotely right then and there!  I appreciate this feature to stop the damage before it is done in case of an accidental wrong click.

Other features include:

Access Control & Activity Notification:  You can get “alerts” to your computer or cell phone via email that lets you know someone is trying to access a questionable site.  You can then choose to disable to computer right from there.

Site Blocking & Content Filtering:  Action Alert comes “preloaded” with websites known to host damaging spyware or other unwanted content. You can add others that you don’t allow in your house also. You can even just choose to use just the allowed sites only mode, where you choose the only sites they can visit. There is also a safe search option which filters the search results to family friendly.

Activity Video Recording, Keystroke Logging & Chat and Email Logging: This records screen shots every couple of seconds, so you can see exactly what your family is doing on the computer online and off.

Time Allowance:  Set time limits or daily times when the computer can be used.

My daughters are still young and never have unsupervised access to the Internet.  They don't have any kind of social media, either.  I can definitely see this coming in handy during the teen years, though, as a means of protecting them from possible dangers.  I particularly like the safe search option to filter searches.  Sometimes an innocent key word search can result in sites or images that are inappropriate or offensive, so this is a good safe guard for that.  Blocking spyware and setting time limits for computer usage are great features as well.

Action Alert can be downloaded for free for the basic version or for $29.99 for the premium version with more ways to customize.





To read what other Crew members had to say, visit the Crew blog.




Disclaimer:  I received a free download of Action Alert for the purpose of review.  No other compensation was given for my honest opinion.

Book Review: "Saving Grace" by Annie Jones

From the moment I read this description on the Waterbrook/Multnomah website, I was intrigued by the novel Saving Grace by Annie Jones:

Every year on the night of New Bethany's annual Splendor Belle Gala, reclusive Sera Grayson appears on the porch of her aging antebellum home dressed in a tattered ball gown. Legend holds she is reliving the greatest disappointment of her life: waiting endlessly for the man who stood her up more than fifty years ago. Rosemary, Naomi, Gayle, and Lucy, first introduced in Jones's Prayer Tree, together decide to help out the eccentric old woman-partly to strengthen their own special bond, threatened by time and the demands of everyday life. Will their joint project instead tear them apart forever?

A bit of a mystery, a bit of a character study.  Definitely right up my alley!  I enjoy these types of women's fiction novels that have an ensemble cast that we get to know throughout the series.  Yes, this is a series book, but I didn't know that until after I started reading.  It stands alone pretty well, which is important to me because sometimes the library doesn't always have the books available in the order that I want to read them.  I used to dread reading one book in a series for fear that I would never make the connections between the characters and a previous plot.  After reading this, I do want to go back and read the first one, Prayer Tree.

One of the things I liked about this was the relationship between the women.  I know I'm guilty of not making time for friends at this season of my life, so it's nice to read about women who can offer this kind of support to one another.  The suspense of Sera's secret ritual added to the enjoyment and kept me turning the pages to see the outcome.  Who doesn't love the romance and mystique of a southern ball?

If you're thinking ahead to your summer reading list, I think this would be a great addition!

Please take a moment to rank my review. Thanks!





Disclaimer:  I received a free PDF download copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing.  No other compensation was given for my honest opinion.

A few of my favorite (homeschool) things

Asking a homeschooler to choose just one favorite resource is a little like asking a mom to choose her favorite child.  Or a gambler to make just one bet.  Okay, maybe it's not that dramatic.  It might be more like eating just one peanut or potato chip.  How to choose and stop at one?  I've been thinking about it all week in the back of my mind, but all I can do is gasp in horror at the mere thought of narrowing my bookshelf to just one book!  *faint*

Now that I've regained my composure somewhat and realized that it's a hypothetical choice since no one will really be confiscating my books (Lord willing!), I'm pretty confident about my answer.  Bible notwithstanding since that goes without saying, my favorite homeschool resource is . . .

Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson.  It's one I return to again and again for inspiration and encouragement.  It's the book that reminds me why I'm homeschooling in the first place.  If I could put everything I love about homeschooling into one book, this would be it.  Everything I believe -- that homeschooling is a way of life, that we do it for the glory of God first and foremost, that the whole family participates, that quality literature is an essential foundation of all subjects, that character building is as important as knowledge building -- it's all in there.  It was the first "homeschooling" book I read when Big Sis was 4 years old and I still recommend it to everyone.

As far as actual textbooks or curricula, the list is varied.  Here are my top picks by subject:

Exploring Creation with Astronomy

We have really enjoyed the Apologia elementary science series by Jeannie Fulbright.  The notebooks can be purchased separately and are really worthwhile, too!  This science resource takes a Charlotte Mason approach, which we like.

Our choice for math is Math Mammoth.  Simple to use, inexpensive, clear mastery-building concepts.

For language arts, we've used a literature study approach.  At different times we've used Five in a Row (FIAR) and just studied quality writing to learn the parts of speech, spelling, and punctuation.  Big Sis has always taken her own initiative for creative writing so that has never been an issue for us, thankfully.

History is another subject we have studied with living books.  Reading biographies, historical fiction, and watching documentaries has given Big Sis a well-rounded view of history.  Field trips to historic sites are a great way to supplement, too!  We plan to start getting more specific this coming year by adding in a timeline and using Heart of Dakota curriculum as our guide.

Another resource that we haven't completed, but we really enjoy is The Prairie Primer.  If you like the Little House on the Prairie books, I highly recommend this unit study curriculum!

The Prairie Primer: A Literature Based Unit Study Utilizing the Little House Series By Margie Gray

One of our favorite ways to study any book, topic, or basic concept is through lapbooking.  We have used lapbooks from In the Hands of a Child, A Journey Through Learning, Homeschool Share, and Amanda Bennett.  You can find lots of those resources at Currclick.

What is your favorite resource?  Can you narrow it down to just one?

The Homeschool Classroom is hosting a weekly writing prompt to get those creative blogging vibes going.  I like the idea of participating in this kind of community blogging because I always learn something from other homeschoolers!

TOS Crew Review: The Art of Argument (Classical Academic Press)

As I work on teaching my daughters how to think logically and reason through issues independently, the world is busy trying to teach them what to think.  Marketing and media are rife with false promises and flawed information.  How can I teach my girls to see through it to the truth?  Classical Academic Press offers a solution in The Art of Argument: an Introduction to the Informal Fallacies.

In this study geared toward seventh to ninth graders, your children will learn the 28 basic fallacies used to sway opinion.  Fallacies are false impressions presented as truth in order to convince someone to buy something, use something, vote a certain way, dress a certain way, etc.  Common fallacies prey on fear, compassion, envy, and other strong emotions rather than logic.  Sound familiar?  Just think about the cute babies or puppies used to sell everything from cars to toilet paper.

We received the student textbook ($21.95) and Teacher's Edition ($24.95).  There is also a set of DVD's to accompany this series available for $54.95.  The basic bundle of The Art of Argument student book, teacher edition, and DVD can be purchased for $88.95.  Although Big Sis (10) is younger than the suggested age, she grasped the concept quickly and actually enjoyed pointing out fallacies she saw in everyday life.  I'm not going to say that she's naturally argumentative, but let's just say that she'd make a good lawyer one day.  Using the word argument does not mean fighting or disagreeing, but rather logically refuting false information and ably making a point for truth.  That is a wonderful skill to have in life, especially as Christians who are called to defend our faith in a world of unbelievers.

This is one of those resources that I didn't know I needed.  It's definitely something I want to teach my girls, but my focus is always on the basic foundation of their education, so resources like this can be overlooked while searching for reading, writing, and arithmetic type curricula.  I am so glad to have the opportunity to use this in our studies.

I respect the ideals of Classical Academic Press and believe they offer quality resources.  They also offer a Latin program  (Song School Latin) and a next step in the logic series called The Argument Builder.  I would highly recommend their products to other homeschooling families, particularly those interested in a classical education.

You can find Classical Academic Press on Facebook, as well.

You may read more reviews at the TOS Crew blog.




Disclaimer:  I received The Art of Argument set at no cost for review purposes.  No other compensation was given for my honest opinions.

St. Patrick's Day homeschool ideas

I try to work holiday or special occasion themes into our lessons each month to keep things fresh and fun.  Right now we're working on some St. Patrick's Day studies so I thought I would share a little bit in case you're looking for ideas.

We're doing this excellent Download-N-Go study from Amanda Bennett.  Our family heritage is Irish, so I want the girls to know where our ancestors came from and to take pride in those family stories.  One way to do this is to learn about Ireland itself.  Download-N-Go is one of my favorite resources for unit studies/lapbooks anyway, so this was an easy choice.  It's a week-long unit study with an easy-to-follow schedule.  One of the things I like about it is you can pick and choose which elements you want to cover or skip if your time is limited. 

Click here to view more details.  It's on sale till Saturday!

I also put together a few facts about St. Patrick's Day from Enchanted Learning, as well as some crosswords and word searches just for fun.  The girls always love coloring pages, so we're doing those, too.  I have a few ideas for craft projects, but I'm not sure if we'll have enough time for those.  There are so many fun choices!

Here are some books that we've read, which you can probably find at your local library:

St. Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola

Do you incorporate anything into your studies for St. Patrick's Day?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Cooper & Me winner

"More Beauty, Less Beast" by Debora M. Coty (Review & Giveaway)

I was intrigued from the moment I read the title More Beauty, Less Beast by Debora M. Coty.  The tagline is Transforming Your Inner Ogre.  Gee, I didn't know it showed.   Like a good friend sharing a cup of coffee together, Debora tackles the negative self-talk that tears down our self-esteem and prevents us from realizing our potential as princesses (daughters of the King, of course).  She uses humor (obviously) to share her tips on healing emotional wounds, letting go of unrealistic standards, and accepting the gift of grace.

The book is divided into four sections:

• Outer Beauty
• Inner Beauty
• Undergarments by Fruit of the Spirit (not the Loom!)
• Beautifying My World 

She covers everything from fashion to fitness to prayer to discernment to the fruits of the Spirit to relationships (both friends and marriage).  I guess that adds up to life in general for a woman!  Each chapter begins with a Bible verse and ends with questions to ponder.

I think this would make a great gift book for a friend, sister, mother, or daughter.  I really like inspirational humor and it's nice to have something light to read for a change.


Transform Your Inner Ogre with a $150 Visa Cash Card from @DeboraCoty!

Using Biblical advice and her trademark humor, Debora Coty urges women to conquer guilt and re-institute hope in More Beauty, Less Beast. Celebrate with Debora by entering to win a $150 Visa Cash Card!



One "beautiful" winner will receive:

• A $150 Visa Cash Card (Treat yourself to a spa day or weekend get-away!)
• A Debora Coty Library (More Beauty, Less Beast, Too Blessed Too Be Stressed and Everyday Hope)
• Chocolate (Every good things begins with chocolate!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/22/12. Winner will be announced at Debora's "Divine Beauty" Facebook Party on  3/22. Debora will be hosting an evening of chat, fun beauty trivia, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Debora via Skype.)

So grab your copy of More Beauty, Less Beast and join Debora and friends on the evening of March 22nd for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

 

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of the book for the purpose of review.  No other compensation was received for my honest opinion.

TOS Crew Review: Creek Edge Press

Although I'd say our schooling style is eclectic rather than strictly adhering to one particular method, I most definitely incorporate elements of Charlotte Mason and Montessori into our learning.  Creek Edge Press offers resources that mesh well with Mason, Montessori, and Classical teaching methods, so I was eager to see exactly what we were going to review with the TOS Crew!

What we received: Geography and Culture task cards, Teacher's Guide

What does it cost? $18

Task cards are exactly what they sound like -- index-style cards with a list of tasks for your child to complete related to the topic. You provide the learning space and the necessary resources while your child works independently on completing each task. Here is a closer look at a sample card from the Geography and Culture set:




A trip to the library can supply most books and/or atlases you'll need. Like most homeschool families, we already had a globe and several maps on hand, so the cost is minimal for any extras.  The pace is flexible with a suggested one card per week schedule.  This could be increased, of course, if your child works more quickly through them, or adjusted for younger children who might take a little longer on each task.  I appreciate resources that can be self-paced like this.

My favorite aspects of the task cards:

• self-paced
• affordable
• variety of tasks to keep interest high
• Big Sis was able to work independently while I did preschool activities with her younger sisters
• Big Sis loved the feeling of accomplishment as she worked through each card
• knowledge is retained more readily because she searched for the answers herself

This system works really well with our learning style right now.  Big Sis wants to do more independent work, but I don't want to overwhelm her.  These cards are nice "bite-sized" chunks of work to do at her own pace as she is able during the day.  It's easy to do a few tasks and then set it aside for later.  This also keeps her interest level high.  She is a very goal-oriented kiddo and she loves the idea of checking things off the list as she completes them.  I actually have to encourage her to slow down since she is apt to keep going until she finishes the entire card at one time.  Giving her the goal of 1-2 cards per week is great.

The Teacher's Guide gives additional ideas for activities and uses for the cards.  It also provides a description of setting up the ideal learning environment at home with a dedicated workspace and bookshelf for the resources to go along with the cards.  We are using a plastic storage container since we don't have a free bookshelf at the moment!

The task card series is geared toward grades K-8 with sets covering science, history, art, music, grammar, and geography.  I think the idea is so simple that it's brilliant.  This is something I would've liked to design myself if I had the time.  I can definitely see using these cards for other subjects in the future.


You may read more reviews at the TOS Crew blog.




Disclaimer:  I received a Geography and Culture task cards set at no cost for review purposes.  No other compensation was given for my honest opinions.

Week 9: 1 Peter Inductive Bible Study by Sue Edwards

Lesson 9:  1 Peter 5

1 Peter 5:7 is one of my memory verses that I repeat often:  "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."  It serves as a reassuring reminder of God's love for me, even in the midst of anxious times.  He wants me to bring my troubles to Him.  Amongst all the vastness of creation, He knows us all by name and He cares.  If I'm worried about paying the rent or finding something I've misplaced or how I'm going to teach long division to my daughter, the Lord cares.  If it causes me anxiety, no matter how trivial, He cares.  As someone who often gives in to the temptation of anxiety, this means a great deal to me.  No matter how "put together" I might look on the outside, the Lord knows the deepest concerns of my heart.  In this short little verse in the middle of 1 Peter 5, He tells me that He cares, loud and clear.  He tells me exactly what to do when those worrisome thoughts overwhelm me -- give it all to Him.  Thank You, Lord, for this reassurance!

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:8-10

 

It's obvious to me as I look around today that the devil is a roaring lion.  We are called to be alert to his trickery.  How many people are devoured by addictions, selfishness, greed, adultery, and other tools of the devil?  Even complacency can slip into our lives and trip us up.  As believers, we need to encourage one another, pray for one another, and wait expectantly for the day of restoration.  I want to be strong.  I want to be steadfast.  I want to be a good servant alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

 

As I think about being an example to the next generation, I know that my behavior will be modeled by my daughters, and their daughters to follow.  I think about my grandma and what an example she was to me of adjectives like strong and steadfast.  I am creating a heritage for my daughters right now, moment by moment.  This is my sphere of influence, and by the grace of God, I must guard it from the lion who would devour it.

I have enjoyed this nine-week study of 1 Peter.  I think it's important to examine the Scriptures carefully and thoughtfully on an individual basis from time to time, rather than rote reading.  I have made the time to do this purposefully and intentionally rather than make my usual excuses.  It has been good spiritual discipline for me and I would like to do more studies like this in the future.

 

You can read what the other bloggers have learned in their studies here.  Thanks to Kregel Publications and Sue Edwards for making this study possible.

Book Review & Giveaway: "The Beautiful Wife" by Sandy Ralya

Sometimes a message you really need to hear can be very difficult to hear. However, most things in life that are worth having require work, dedication, and some stretching toward personal growth. I value my marriage very highly, and in a world that takes a "throw away" attitude toward commitment, it's not always easy. When things don't go as perfectly as I envision they should with my husband, it's tempting to blame him. That's exactly when my commitment to walking with Christ must come first and guide my actions, thoughts, and words. I want to be closer to Christ and closer to my husband everyday.

Sandy Ralya knows that marriage isn't always roses and romance. She has written The Beautiful Wife to cover the issues of romance, money, beauty, communication, and physical intimacy.  Through inspirational stories from her own experience and from other Christian women, she faces the tough questions that we're sometimes afraid to ask out loud.  She believes in the power of prayer and community to draw strength from God and each other.  The community can be found at Beautiful Womanhood.

In addition to the book, there is a prayer journal and Mentor's Guide.  The book is best used in a small group setting, but can certainly be read and studied independently.  I personally think the prayer journal is a great idea.  I often work through tough times and tackle spiritual issues through my own prayer journal, so this is a great companion to the book for me.  It's nice to have a place to record my thoughts and to look back on later to see the prayers that God has answered.

Reading the book was like talking to a good friend.  Sandy does not pull any punches, but gets right to the heart of the matter -- our hearts as wives.  What is our true motivation?  Who are we trying to please?  What do we truly treasure in our hearts?  What is our identity as women, wives, and daughters of the King?

I wish I had had this book about 10 years ago.  It's definitely food for thought and I can imagine returning to it again in the future.


Celebrate with Sandy by entering her Kindle Touch Giveaway and coming to her "Beautiful Womanhood" Facebook Party {3/8}!

One beautiful winner will receive:

• A Brand new Kindle Touch with Wi-Fi
• The Beautiful Wife By Sandy Ralya
• The Beautiful Wife Prayer Journal and Mentor's Guide

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/7/12. Winner will be announced at Sandy's "Beautiful Womanhood" Facebook Party on 3/8. Sandy will be hosting an evening of chat, laughter and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, prayer journals and a live chat with Sandy for your Bible study or small group!

So grab your copy of The Beautiful Wife and join Sandy and friends on the evening of March 8th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 8th!

Be sure to visit the other LitFuse bloggers who are participating in this blog tour.

"Cooper & Me and the Military" Review & Giveaway

The name Cooper & Me has become familiar in the world of children's books, recognized for its colorful illustrations and irresistible dog characters.  Mother-daughter writing team Monique & Alexa Peters have created a new book in the Cooper & Me series in honor of military families.  They share the story of siblings Joe and Gracie, whose mom and dad are both deployed through the military in defense of our country.  A new dog friend is also introduced -- Trooper.  He belongs to Joe and Gracie.  The story is told through rhyme in a kid-friendly, heartwarming way.  I've never seen a book quite like this before and I think it's a wonderful idea to both explain to children what it means to be in the military and to honor those serving our country.  It would make an excellent gift for the children of military families in your life.

As usual with the Cooper and Me series, there are interactive activities in the book, including a special memory creation (writing a letter to someone in the military), a song, and a life lesson that children will remember.

If you would like to win a copy of Cooper & Me and the Military, you may enter here to do so!  This is my first Rafflecopter giveaway and I hope it simplifies the process for you all.  ;0)  Just follow the instructions in each box below.  If you have any problems or questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you.  Thanks!

Week 8: Love (1 Peter Inductive Bible Study by Sue Edwards)

Lesson 8: 1 Peter 4: 7-19

This week's lesson includes some of my favorite verses from the Bible.  For example, 1 Peter 4:8 --  "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  I think that as wives and mothers we can truly appreciate this verse.  There are times when our children can push our buttons, but it becomes so much easier to overlook little grievances when seen through the eyes of love.  I believe the same is true in marriage.  If we look at our spouse with loving eyes and focus on the good, rather than finding fault, our relationship deepens, we practice forgiveness, and we grow as Christian women.  This is, in essence, the heart of the Gospel.  It is because God loved us that he sent Jesus to die for us.  It is because He loves us that He forgives us.  It is because Jesus loves us that He was willing to give up everything to save us.  All of our sins are covered by this deep love.  What right do we have to withhold love or make it conditional?

In addition to this verse regarding love, there are some other gems in this week's lesson that particularly spoke to me, including verse 10:   "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."  This confirms that God has a specific purpose intended for each one of us with a specific gift that we are to use.  I know that as a stay-at-home mom, it's easy to underestimate my worth.  The world doesn't value what it cannot measure or put a pricetag upon. However, God does!  He has gifted me with patience to raise our children and the opportunity to influence them for Him.  This is an awesome privilege!

This selected reading also talks about the end times and suffering for the name of Christ.  Obviously, death is not a pleasant subject to most people.  God gives us reassurance that we need not fear it, though, and the admonition to live in readiness and to share our hope with others.  We can do this best by loving others and using our God-given gifts to be lights in a dark world!

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I'm participating in a 9 week study of 1 Peter by Sue Edwards through Kregel Publications.  You may read what other bloggers are learning in their studies here.

TOS Crew Review: K5 Learning

With a whole world wide web full of educational websites, it can be difficult to wade through the ones that will really benefit your children and which are just fluff.  We had the chance to try out K5 Learning through the TOS Crew and I'm happy to say that it has been beneficial in our homeschooling with solid lessons in math, reading, and spelling.

We began with the assessment tests for reading and math to be sure that Big Sis was accurately placed in her grade level.  I was happy to see that she is performing above grade level in both subjects, but the detailed report showed exactly her strengths as well as which areas could use some shoring up.  It's nice for informational purposes, but I think it's also helpful for our homeschool paperwork for the state.  It shows progress and demonstrates ability, which is great for record-keeping requirements depending on your state.  These assessments are comprehensive and I appreciated this feature.

Sample assessment test

Big Sis wanted to try out the spelling section right away.  She was given a quiz geared to her skill level with 15 spelling words to challenge her.  K5 recommends a score of 70% or greater to proceed to the next quiz.  Big Sis scored 87%, missing only two of the words.  She knew the definition of them all, but she is sometimes reluctant to try spelling on her own since she has an aversion to being wrong.  *grin*  Anyone else have a perfectionist student out there?  This quiz was a good incentive to try and she was pleased with her level of accomplishment.  Of course I was too!  I love to see her gain confidence and stretch with new learning situations.

From the parent dashboard, I was able to see exactly which words were on the test, which she spelled correctly, the two she misspelled, the length of time it took, and her percentage score.  I really like this insight so I can allow her to work on her own, but still be involved behind the scenes.  The same options are available for the math and reading quizzes as well.

What's included with K5 Learning?  4 reading and math programs: K5 Math, K5 Math Facts, K5 Spelling, and K5 Reading.  Take a look at some sample screen shots:

K5 is customized for each student through 8 key skills assessments, so it's based on individual ability, not just age/grade level.  It's web-based so ready to use anytime or anywhere.  The navigation is simple and straightforward without any distractions so your child can focus on lessons without ads or jumping from website to website.

What does it cost?  For unlimited usage of all 4 programs on K5 Learning:

Monthly subscription
First child..........................$25
Additional children..............$15

Annual subscription
First child..........................$199
Additional children..............$129

 

K5 Learning offers a free 14 day no risk trial, along with the free assessments.  I highly recommend giving it a try because there is nothing to lose and the information you get from the assessment alone is worth the time.


You may read more reviews at the TOS Crew blog.




Disclaimer:  I received a free trial of K5 Learning for review purposes.  No other compensation was given for my honest opinions.