REVIEW: The Insitute For Exellence in Writing~Teaching Writing Structure and Style AND Student Writing Intensive C AND Portable Walls

IEW: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style

IEW:  Student Writing Intensive Group C

IEW: Portable Walls

Website: HERE!

Ages:  9th GR and up (High School)

Price: $239.00

I say: STANDING OVATION!

I received IEW: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style and IEW:  Student Writing Intensive Group C as part of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Crew review group in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

Writing is one of those subjects that it takes some pretty strong know-how to pull off UNLESS you have a solid  curriculum behind you.  Having worked over the years on my own writing and then just shuddering when trying to convey the needed information and skills to my own children, I have honestly tried and RETRIED so many things to end them in unneeded frustrations. 

When I received the Institute for Excellence in Writing's complete curriculum for teaching Student Writing Intensive Group Level C (SWI~LC)writing I was so excited! In truth, it has been a dream come true.  I was sent the text and dvd lessons for this level~there's A, B and C available.  Included was the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) as well as the Portable Walls.  Of course, when I opened the box from IEW, I was so excited, and in looking it all over I noted how beautiful it is too: each part of the product is colorful and appears well made.  The Portable Walls is sturdy wipe- coated professional full color tri folding 11.5X14 paper.  All these are used in coordination to teach the high school level of writing.

What's really cool is all the resouces IEW has available for homeschool parents to teach our children.  There are teacher dvd in a seminar just for us to help us teach and guide our student into developing their writing to a much higher potential! Hearing Andrew Pudewa tell how IEW came to offer such wonderful resources really makes sense to me~that a college professor saw a GREAT need in his students as they struggled to write for him...it just grew from there as other professionals joined in and then IEW's teaching writing seminars were developed and designed. EVER WISH you could be taught to teach writing? This is the FANTASTIC THING about this curriculum...and as in my instance, your kiddos can learn this too~LET THEM watch it if they are older for sure! WHY STRUGGLE? I mean, I've certainly struggled, and SisterT won't 'go there' to include all the names of the writing products I've used over the years! NO I won't, but you have to know that this IS the best of the best! I believe this!

I don't  believe you will find a better writing curriculum for your up and coming writer! After working through and listening to this systematic program I found that writing really wasn't as hard to teach as it has seemed. With the teacher training and student focused program, The Institute for Excellence in Writing materials literally taught themselves! HOW cool is that?

Not only does IEW have three levels: the Elementary Level A; Middle School Level B and High School Level C, there are continued studies available as well as additional resources! I LOVE that there are FREEbies on the 
Site
such as a weekly webinar and even free download eBooks or mp3 downloads! You can't go wrong..even a Yahoo group! There is LOADS of support to help us teach our children the valuable skill of writing.

There's more~Mr. Pudewa is funny and engaging! NO BORING stuff here! Everything is done very well and laid out in an easy to follow format.  Each part comes in a 3-ring binder that really makes the materials user friendly! I like this too~


I highly recommend this curriculum to teach your child. IT'S GREAT!

The CREW has reviewed various levels from the Elementary, Middle and Upper grades.  You can read those reviews HERE!

Review: GoTrybe~Fitness For Kids Via the Net

GoTrybe~Kids Fitness, Wellness, Motivation
CK it out here!
AGES:  6th gr & up
COST: 99 cent Introductory Trial Special
I say:  Not convinced...read on...

I was given a trial of GoTrybe as part of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

I've been working hard on my family and my own health for a good number of years and when given the opportunity to review GoTrybe, I was excited.  Looking at ways to bolster our efforts for a healthy lifestyle and learning more has always been my goal so that we'd be able to live more productive and satisfactory lives.  It's a noble goal, and while there's tons of info out there in the marketplace of ideas, it' doesn't all add up to what I believe is sound conventional wisdom that best suits and fulfills our needs.  So what's GoTrybe and how did it add up?

About GoTrybe~

GoTrybe is a subscription for net users that you can purchase yearly for $19.95 but there is a FREE Trial Period (unspecified) and at the end of you will be asked to join. 

From the website:

GoTrybe.com is an online fitness and nutrition community that delivers daily fitness, nutrition, wellness, and motivation content to students and teachers across the US.

You get your own homepage  on the site and an avatar where you earn points by daily picking a series of activities regarding a workout in the warm up, cardio. flex and strength training areas. There are quite a few choices of activities in each domain with varying intensities such as moderate or intense with a score card of sorts with each one so good choices can be made.  You can't do more than one sequence of Daily Activities per day and this could be good for children who need more structure, but I'd think the ages this is really targeting that allowing the nutrition and wellness videos to be seen in multiple segments really couldn't hurt anything~but then I dunno..the idea I think was to get consistency over TIME...getting short snipits of info that could be absorbed in the long run is the goal~

Here's a screen shot of my choices so you can see that each domain as a score card explaining each activity. Each video is different in duration too~as well as different GoTrybe Instructors and activities...

 When you click and drag each video in each domain into the workout recipe above the choices you form your work out for that day.  After you're done creating your workout, you can hit the start workout button and get going. 

My experience has been that what I've chosen is between 19-24 minutes in length.  The videos are well made, and the trainers are personal, attactive and engaging along with children and other young people. There are no children younger than about 12 that I can see here, and even the classroom settings are showing what looks at least to be middle and high school kids.

I do note that the work outs are mostly moderate in intensity.  I found no beginner or easy levels available which I would think might preclude some children from participating and certainly those (of us) who might benefit most.

The sets are clean, attractive and colorful.  We especially liked the Salsa video warm ups and wish there had been more dance steps with better music on these videos.  I love dancing, and I believe marketing to children/teens might be better served if  the videos used more child/teen friendly fare such as HIP music and concepts. What happened to OLD FASHIONED PLAY as warm ups, cardio, flex and strength? Don't tell me that playing hop scotch and climbing monkey bars didn't condition us...LOL...

Soo onto How It Added UP for us~

I confess that I did not jump head long into GoTrybe like I might have done had I liked first off what I saw.  In checking out the site, I was unimpressed by the 'staff' of young super healthy folks who obviously have been in the exercise/health field for a good long time and might not fully understand or appreciate the needs of the outta shape/poorly nutritioned population GoTrybe has hoped to reach.  When looking at the staff, I am skeptical because it seems they have been in this field for some time and have never experienced being out of shape or dealing in obesity.  I wonder just what they have to offer me without these kinds of experiences.  When I viewed them, I saw young instructors with their beautiful, and I don't mean this disrespectful, either.. beautiful bodies and perky encouragements and had trouble seeing that any of this was going to motivate me(albeit an obese middle aged mama, but desiring change) much less a sedentary overweight child who is already dealing in all of the ilks of their misery.  (In my own defense, if there had been a level of workout I could have accomplished, I would have.  I bike and swim. Lame effort probably, but it's what I can do...Gotta start SOMEWHERE!) 

Two things stood out in my mind: Could that child be reached, and if so HOW~Can GoTrybe be used to accomplish this? Not sure. And the reason is that I'm not sure is that 20-30 minute pretty high intensity workouts using OR not using added equipment...along with >1 min video bites seemed, try as they might, would make some connection for me.  It seems impersonal to me and doesn't seem motivating. 

I think that IF this problem were solved by diet and exercise alone, Lord knows the zillions of OTHER iniatives over the years would have worked. But what I've discovered in my own life and in the life of others as well as the 'fat' kids I know is that obesity isn't as much about the body as it IS about the mind.  Does GoTrybe address this area? NO. Other than some perky uplifting mentors who try their best to be positive and encouraging, little reached us.  I wasn't motivated a bit to leave my chair and get moving~which I believe would be the goal of this program.  Now, the question is CAN IT to the job? Maybe. If you have a child who already has made the mind-body connection and is already on the MOVE, yeah, it's possible they'd enjoy the benefits of GoTrybe which is FIRST of all~the increased health and energy/fitness.  But as for the avatar, I'm not so into that. Don't know how many homeschoolers live in 'virtual' worlds either, but if they do...buying outfits and dressing up that virtual fit/gorgeous/perky ME just might motivate me, but I'm thinking that as a fat child, and I was one..not just a fat adult, that it wouldn't have had much power to push me onward.  Sorry, SisterT doesn't usually feel so strongly, but I've battled this area ALLL my life...let's just say heading into Weight Watchers in the 4th gr taught me something about this...maybe experience that 'normals' don't get...ya think?

Soo I really hate that I haven't found here what I had hoped, and better able to recommend GoTrybe to you as a magic bullet to get you and ME off our ...and MOVING! NO, some good dance music and a phone call with some prayer~yeah...that might~no! It DOES help me!  Focusing on God and His power in my life has been just what the doctor ordered to move me..MOVE MEeee...

Don't just take my word for this, please...do your own research here and head over to ck out the          and see what they are saying on this one! I'm betting some of them see things from a different vantage point and that if you don't identify with my perspective you could very well theirs and GoTrybe IS just what will get you and your kiddos up, moving and living a healthier lifestyle. That IS the goal, isn't it? Healthier for ALL of us??

Thanks for stopping in and leave me a shout out~I'd love to hear your thoughts on my thoughts~
HUGS!

REVIEW: TenMarks Math Online Learning

~Strong Foundation 
Strong Future
Website:  HERE
  
Ages: Elem 3rd gr-HS~Alg 2 and Geometry
Cost: $10 mo subscription
I say:  Useful and Helpful

I received a subscription to TENMarks online math learning website as part of The Old Schoolhouse CREW review team in exchange for my honest opinions with no monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

I'm the GAL with math terror~remember ME?  Well, it's been my quest to find the perfect program that will really teach math to my kids and lesson the burden placed upon me~something about just looking at numbers and my palms sweat, heart races and my brain TURNS TO MUSH~Soo when we were asked to review TENMarks, I sighed...oh no! NOT an online math program~HOW AM I GONNA do that? AND can I get my kiddos intrested~DID THEY inherit this dreaded math terror? ? ?

Well, as it happened, Boy Thing One (God bless him!) got finished with his preAlgebra studies with our current math program and so we had some time to work TENMarks and give it a go~  I set the program up for him and each day reminded him to do lessons~

Here's what the site says:

TENMarks is the only online math program that helps students refresh, learn, and master math concepts - in their own time, at their own pace. Each child receives a personalized curriculum to help them master the concepts quickly.

Here's some of the features of TENMArks:

• Online learning~
• Math videos that can be played over and over~
• Hints available while working the worksheets~
• Customizable learning~parents can assign topics~
• REWARDS~kids get to earn online games as they complete work~AND certificates of completion which are pretty cool if you'd like to print them for your child.
• Email reminders to do worksheets with the assigned dates to parents~
• A PLACE ON HOLD button for stopping the worksheet generator progression if you need to slow it up~
• Testing throughout as well as initial Assessment for placement~

Okay~sooo HOW did this grumpy, attitudinal TEENAGER do given he was just coming out of preAlgebra and had never truly seen some of this stuff~First, he seemed to like that it went fairly fast~he could do a lesson in 1/2 an hour or less.  As a parent, I'm not sure how effective this was~and if he had found some loopholes~he's prone to do that...but some lessons he scored the TEN and others he was less~I PUT into place that he needed at least a NINE to progress...sometimes he didn't make it, but I also noticed that he wasn't watching the instructional videos either.  I had to go back and remind him and literally insist.  Perhaps they ought to play ANYWAY whether a kiddo thinks he needs them or not and THEN be available for a re-run!  This Mama thinks so! But he did end up earning some certificates, which I did print and are pretty cool looking~but as for the games, they were a wash. I have no real way to ck this behind him~it's set up pretty independently, but he says he played the racing game and the warehouse game. Okay, just so you know, there are games that are earned as lessons/worksheets are completed. But for a teenager~particularly THIS BOY, they were...well....ineffective as a motivator. I quote:  "I can play them in my sleep!" Oh brother! I have no way to know this either~but IF it didn't motivate him, it just didn't.  Okay, he also said that he has 'these' games on a disk..dunno...really don't..but either way~it didn't motivate him at 15...BUT for a younger kid, they would most likely work to play the games~sooo if you are push pull tugging and towing a teen, just know that the games may or may not be a motivator~but kudos to TENMarks for attempting to MOTIVATE~I like this a lot!

I am thankful for this opportunity as it has helped my son prepare and practice. I am unsure that TENMarks would adequately teach my son Algebra I, but for sure that it did give him some introductory information and practice~I guess I've just become a believer in text books and loads of paper and pencil power~

Another positive is that I like the pricing. Of course, SisterT advocates shopping the market for any product, but I like the subscription pricing~YES I DO~this could work for my budget whether I used TENMarks for the full coursework OR supplemental~LOVE IT!

Thanks for stopping by and go            to ck out the CREW about TENMarks!

REVIEW: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids

Age:  3rd-up (possibly adults with little knowledge~the format and color would make less intimidating.)
Web:  Lifeway StoresPrice: $14.99
I say: I truly love it~This is a wonderful resource MUST HAVE for a good introductory study of the Bible for children and up.

I received the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids as part of The Old Schoolhouse CREW review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids ~

This is a beautiful hardback book with 212 pages with really cool features to teach children the historical and practical information to unlock the Bible for them.  My teens think it's a great resource for kids, and I find it useful too in teaching the Bible. The format and layout~by alphabet is a very good way to find just what I need.  The features include:

• Reconstructions~like a drawing of NT Rome. Very coool!
• Illustrated Charts~like Foods in Bible Times:  Do you want to try something 'different'? Ever eat a fig?
• Charts~The Apostles: I'm teaching about them right now in Youth Group @ church~sooo useful!
• Entries~The KJV Bible is used in the defining and descriptions of each subject defined.
• Pronunciation Guide~Ever wonder just HOW to say those funky names? Here's a great resource!
• Photographs~My fave part~ACTUAL beautiful color photos~This feature alone makes this book AWESOME!
• Realistic Illustrations~Drawn pictures of the Bible stories to depict ACTUAL HISTORY~woot! No kiddiefied stuff here!
• Definitions~Bio info about the REAL PPL of the BIBLE~HISTORY has COME TO LIFE!

 Each topic/subject is catagorized by alphabet.  All A, B, C stuff is together so it's easy for little hands.  What an awesome resource for anyone teaching or learning the Bible YOUNG AND OLD alike! Kids of ALL ages will benefit. I find the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids useful for every level.  Your kids will love it~and what better way to deepen their Bible knowledge than with a beautifully written full color resource that they can definitely understand.  Of course, there can be more study added to the topics, but it's not overly simplified what is here~soo why NOT begin with a great many facts and continue to build their knowledge?  

Read           to see what the rest of the CREW is saying~ 

Review: Speekee Spanish for Children Online

Speekee, Dino and Lupe'

Speekee~Spanish For Children
Age:  Toddler/Preschool to Elementary
Cost:  $7.50 mo  (First 2 wks FREE)
Website: Speekee TV Online also available on DVD format. 
I say: Really cute and engaging~LOVE Speekee!

I received a trial of online Speekee for review purposes from the vendor as part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew review team without monetary compensation for my opinions.

Thinking FOREIGN LANGUAGE for your child's future?  WHAT ABOUT Spanish~the up and coming language in the US~let's face it, there's a great need to know how to communicate mutli-culturally!  GET A JUMP START on those needed high school credits~Let Speekee charm and engage your little one into learning through emersion and activities~SPANISH with Speekee!

SisterT found herself singing along and remembering the dialog in this very cute multi sensory integrated approach to learning Spanish for young children!  Speekee is just a cute little purple puppet guy!  He is funny and quite engaging as the focal character along with Jim and the team of children who speak Spanish with subtitles provided to immerse children into this world of speaking a foreign language.  I love Speekee! Wish that we had had him when mine were littles.  My son watched  few episodes with me, but you can guess what a fifteen year old said about it all~BUT THEN...he can be excused as a fifteen year old, right? I KNOW children will love Speekee.  He is a brightly colored Henson-like puppet that reminds me of bygone days of Muppet mayhem! What fun and activities to get your child learning~SPANISH! 

How It works is you purchase a subscription and then obtain a user name and password to utilize the site on a monthly basis.  It's just a small investment ($7.50/mo) INITIAL 2 WKS FREE! to teach your young child Spanish in a fun way! Each video is really engaging.  Bright colors and practical themes such as the Park, Zoo, Cafe, Classroom and more. This is appropriate for the smallest learner~I actually think it reminds me not only of the Muppets, but also of the quality PBS preschool learning my children did when there were littles.  You can try Speekee  with 2 WEEKS FREE HERE!  What a wonderful opportunity to give your young child an educational advantage... The secret will be playing the films over and over~your kids will love it!...  And then when they are in high school LIKE MINE, they will be on top of the game in high school Spanish~woot! Every child deserves a kick start like this!


So won't you consider checking out SPEEKEE for your littles and give them a huge ADVANTAGE now for the future??

Go HERE to ck out what the Crew is saying!

REVIEW: Positive Action For Christ (JR/SR High School Curriculum)

Student wkbook

Positive Action For Christ~Life of Christ by Frank Hamrick
Ages: 12 & up
Cost:  $17.95 (Student Delux Workbook) and Teacher's Manual ($41.95)
Web:  HERE 
I say:  Very complete and I LOVE IT!

I received Positive Action For Christ's study, Life of Christ (book of the Gospel of John) as The Old Schoolhouse Crew member for my honest opinions without monetary compensation.

The Life of Christ is a teen Bible study on the gospel of John.  I was sent the teacher's binder and student workbook which are a beautiful product~so well done, easy to navigate~I fell in love~and actually have been using the study myself.  The workbook isn't workbooky, but engages the learner in thinking and applying the concepts discussed.  I especially love the geography helps with the beautiful maps and the study aids.  My kids have enjoyed this study as well.  As teens Bible curriculum that provides a platform for continued discussions is soo good, and the Life of Christ accomplishes this aim~

The study is laid out in 35 weeks of study with  a workbook which is the Student Deluxe Edition~It is not only beautiful but written to the student.  We really enjoyed this timely study as we began during the Christmas season, and learning of Jesus Christ during that time was very meaningful.

I like the Teacher's Manual b/c it's well laid out with tabs and in a sturdy binder which makes it an overall very nice notebook of resources~there are maps, overhead masters and more.  The teacher's notes are helpful and engaging.  It was easy to read. I got really excited with the maps of the region and how they were laid out by events and areas~VERY USEFUL!

Here's what you can get for this study~

• Teacher's manual available
• Student Deluxe Workbook available
• Gospel of John Multimedia DVD available (didn't review)
• Student Outline Workbook avaliable (for church use/didn't review)
• Overheads on CD available

Details on the Student Deluxe Wkbook:

• Content age-appropriate for middle school or high school
• Illustrations and notes from the teacher's lesson
• An introductory section with reading and homework to be completed in advance
• Additional student research for each lesson
• A Digging Deeper section with further ideas for expanding each lesson
• A recommended reading list
• Original artwork to introduce each lesson
• Full-color pages with charts, maps, and photos
• 8 x 10 inch size
• 277 pages (from the website)

Details on the Teacher's Manual:

• 35 lessons (one lesson per week)
• Plans for 3, 4, or 5-day a week Bible classes
• Full copy of student's manual with answers
• Reproducible quizzes and unit tests that use a variety of testing techniques
• Overhead transparency masters
• 342 pages (from the website)

The Life of Christ from Positive Action For Christ is a very good Bible study for this age with enough practical application and historical perspective to make it a well rounded study for teens.  It will definitely deepen their knowledge and hopefully their faith~I salivated over all the additional resources available and can see this as useful for group study as well as homeschooling~woot!

Read the Crew HERE!

REVIEW/GiveAway: The Little Man in the Map Teaches the State Capitals

The Little Man in the Map Teaches the State Capitals

E. Andrew Martonyi
AGES:  K-Jr. High
Price: $11. 95
Paperback/109 pages.
SOURCE: schoolsidepress.com
I say: AWESOME!
GiveAway:  See below for ways to enter!

If you are looking for an entertaining way to teach US geography The Little Man in the Map Teaches the State Capitals! is just for you!   Using a fun way of learning, it is easier to learn all the US state capitals.  The drawings are well done in black line cartoon with easy to remember rhymes that are sure to help even a struggling learner.
The author says, " ...one of my key objectives was to find a straightforward method for readers to link the clue for each capital with the name of its state.  A rhyme or catchphrase then highlights the name of the capital, and both elements  are reinforced in a humorous cartoon."

Samples and More On FaceBook!
FREE Coloring Pages HERE!

My children think this is a neat book for kids, and I agree!

We reviewed The Little Man in the Map: With Clues to All Fifty States, and am so excited that Mr. Martonyi has written one for state capitals! Thank you, Sir~this is GREAT!
Congratulations on its recent release!!

Here's a video of The Little Man in the Map: With Clues to Remember All Fifty States~


I am so excited to offer a GiveAway for the HOT OFF THE PRESS~The Little Man in the Map Teaches the State Capitals by E. Andrew Martonyi!

Here's how to enter/be sure I can contact you: Go to Schoolside Press and come back leaving me a comment telling me you've visited there~
For Additional entries:

• Google Friend Connect to me (Follow).

• Join my Networked Blogs.

• Create a post announcing this giveAway and leave me your link.

• Twitter this GiveAway.

• Facebook this GiveAway.

• Friend/Like The Little Man in the Map on FaceBook.

•  For 3 entries add my BUTTON (blog feed) to your sidebar.

My GiveAway ends 9/1/2010@ 11:59PM EST and will be drawn by random number drawing!

Oh I am soo excited~you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this new geography tool!  Oh yeah!!

Please go check out FREEbies/GiveAways to find more items to win!! 

I received a copy of The Little Man in the Map Teaches the State Capitals from Schoolside Press for review. I've gained no other compensation,  My opinions are my own.