Horizons 2nd Grade Phonics & Reading Set from Alpha Omega Publications : A TOS Crew Review

   

Horizons 2nd Grade Phonics & Reading Set from Alpha Omega Publications 

 

This engaging, homeschool phonics and reading program contains the following:

 

• A must-have, 380 page teacher's guide that includes a daily lesson planner, teaching tips, duplication masters, answer keys, review worksheets, and 16 tests to evaluate your child's performance.

 

• 160 fun-filled lessons and activities that enhance your child's mastery of phonics, spelling rules, and vocabulary  divided into  2 Volumes.   Each lesson is 2 full color pages. Activities include word searches, matching, fill-in-the-blank and more.   

 

• Two student readers included. Readers feature classic stories and poems to be read aloud.  Robinson Crusoe and A Little Princess.  The lessons from the workbooks correspond to the reader. 

  Check out a sample page      

The Bentz Test Laboratory was excited to finally have a chance to take a peek at the Horizons 2nd Grade Phonics & Reading Set from Alpha Omega Publications.  My tester is going to be "officially" starting 2nd grade soon, so we reviewed this as a preview to what is coming for our year. 

 

My tester was impressed as soon as she opened the box!  The workbooks and readers are brightly colored, not something our previous reading program included.  Who would have thought that the colors could make so much difference in enthusiasm??

 

However, I have been learning a lot about how different children learn this summer, and all those brightly colored pages are actually a great fit for her particular learning style.

 

This is a great - "open the box and GO" type of program.  It's very low teacher prep, and everything you need is included.  The lessons usually contain a moral lesson - things like: "Look ere you leap", and "Out of sight, out of mind". 

 

My tester is more of a struggling reader, but the reader's clean font, and uncluttered pages were a huge help to her.  She is very excited to be getting to read a "big kids story" like Robinson Crusoe.  The poems and classic short stories are fun reads too.

She really enjoys workbooks, so I knew this one would be a hit.  The program moves at a pretty healthy pace, but not too fast.  Completing 2 pages a day will make this a full year program. Once the phonics lesson has been introduced, she has been able to work independently for the most part.  This can be a lifesaver in a busy house with more than one child!

 

The Teacher's Guide is a very useful tool for this program.  Each lesson has the overview, materials & supplies and plenty of teaching tips.  If you are new to teaching reading and phonics - you will love this!  Activities to reinforce each rule are included, and a picture of the accompanying student pages as well. Review of concepts is built into the program.  Assessments are included if you like to measure progress that way.

 

I really can't believe we've never discovered this program in all of our years.  I must say - I'm impressed at how easy it is to use, and how much my tester has been picking up!

 

We're looking forward to the new year.

 

 

 

 

 

Other members of the Crew reviewed some gems from Alpha Omega  you may want to take a peek at:

  Horizons Preschool for Three's Curriculum Set

Horizons Preschool Curriculum Set

Horizons Kindergarten Math Set

Horizons Kindergarten Phonics & Reading Set

Horizons Kindergarten Health Set

Horizons 1st Grade Spelling & Vocabulary Set

Horizons 1st Grade Math Set

Horizons 1st Grade Phonics & Reading Set

Horizons 1st Grade Penmanship Set

Horizons 1st Grade Health Set

Horizons 2nd Grade Spelling & Vocabulary Set

Horizons 2nd Grade Math Set

Horizons 2nd Grade Phonics & Reading Set

Horizons 2nd Grade Penmanship Set

Horizons 2nd Grade Health Set

Horizons K-2nd Grade Physical Education

 

 

 

Find Alpha Omega Publications  on Social Media: Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/aophomeschooling
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+Aophomeschooling/posts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/homeschoolers/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aophomeschool/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/aophomeschooling/

  See what other members of the Crew thought here    

Cookies for Breakfast?

 

 

Getting ready for the upcoming school year.  I really want a fast & healthy breakfast plan - what could be better than Cookies for Breakfast? My dear friend has adapted these cookies from an Against All Grain recipe. (Almond and coconut flour can be found at most stores now).

Another great recipe using traditional flours is Ellie Krieger's breakfast cookies.   

 

Breakfast Cookies

1/4 c. Coconut flour

1/2 c. Almond flour

6 pitted dates

3/4 c. Shredded coconut

1/2 c. Unsweetened applesauce

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 t. Cinnamon

1 t. Vanilla

1/4 t. Salt

1/2 t. Baking soda

2 T. Dried cherries

2 T. Pecans or walnuts

3 T. Cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process dates in a food processor until smooth. Add all ingredients down to cherries. Pulse until combined. Throw in nuts and dried fruits. Pulse just to combine. Scoop large tablespoons and shape until cookie disks. These cookies won't spread. Bake 12-14 minutes.

Enjoy immediately or freeze and allow 20 minutes to thaw before enjoying.

 What's your favorite breakfast on the go recipe?

Thank You!

 

We are just days away from leaving for India, and I wanted to say THANK YOU!!

 

 

We'd treasure all your prayers for our team and trip, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

 

 



We're climbing the walls...

Summer is almost over, the wall of school is looming right in front of us...Hang on precious ones, we can do this...

 

"Let's just go climb it!" - this may have to be our new motto!

The Conversation, by Leigh A. Bortins from Classical Conversations : A TOS Crew Review

 

The Conversation, by Leigh A. Bortins
from Classical Conversations 

           

This is on for moms!  I recently got to read The Conversation, by Leigh A. Bortins

from Classical Conversations the newest book to her how-to trilogy of classical education — The Conversation: Challenging Your Student with a Classical Education.

 

 

Do you ever get the question, "What method of homeschooling do you use?"  I like to answer this way... "We are a bit Unit Study,  kinda Charlotte Mason-ish with a decidedly Classical flair and an occasional textbook thrown in here and there..."  Or, for the short answer....eclectic!

 

The Conversation is a handbook for any parent of high schoolers,  even if you aren't a "classical" homeschooler.  It is broken down in three parts: 

• High School at Home - Confident Parents, and Defining Rhetoric

• Rhetorical Arts - Subject by subject chapters outlining and illustrating the art of  rhetoric in Reading, Speech and Debate, Writing, Science, Math, Government and Economics, History, Latin and Foreign Languages, and Fine Arts

• Appendices- Conversational games, rhetorical devices, resources and real parent responses

 

Let's pause... you do know what fundamentals of the classical model, right?  If not - here's a quick review.  All students pass through three stages of learning:  Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric.   Grammar students are taking in information,  memorizing facts, filling their brains.  Dialectic students are then organizing and categorizing all that information.  And, Rhetoric students are ready to take the organized information and turn it into action - they are using it to persuade others, debate, and discuss.

 

Each chapter guides you through scripts of what conversations with your student might look like using the Five Canons of Rhetoric. (Not sure about most people, but my children...never follow the script!)  The Five Canons are Invention, Arrangement, Elocution, Memory, and Delivery. This is a helpful guide to show you how to initiate these conversations with your children.  This book focuses on that final stage of learning - usually where your high schoolers are. I have three high schoolers this year. Oh, my, that's a lot of conversation -  even for me!

 

Leigh A Bortins offers so much practical wisdom in this book. (she's an aerospace engineer...aka - rocket scientist)   She says, " We sometimes forget we only need four things in order to educate someone.  We need pencil, paper, good books and a time for conversation..."  AHA!

 

If you haven't been following a classical model - it's never too late.  Homeschooling educates two generations at once, this book offers plenty of useful suggestions you can implement any time, even with the adults in your life (maybe even husbands...shhh, don't tell them!)

 

 

Find  Classical Conversations on Social Media:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classicalconversations
Twitter: https://twitter.com/classicalconv
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/classicalconv/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/117616164250444350670/posts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClassicalConv

      See what other members of the Crew thought here    

Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers from Funtastic Unit Studies: A TOS Crew Review

   

 

Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers from  Funtastic Unit Studies 

 

Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers from  Funtastic Unit Studies  is a 20O page, softcover science experiment guidebook.  The author, Susan Kilbridge is a homeschooling mom who also happens to have a degree in biology.  She wrote the book especially with homeschoolers in mind, but the activities inside could be used by any curious children. 

 

 With 20 chapters, or units, designed for  children ages 4-13 years old, this book is a key to unlock the delights of science firsthand. The first 10 chapters are for the younger age group of about 4 to 7 years old, and the second half of the book is geared towards children 8-13 years old. You can check out a couple of units for free to see for yourself:   Atoms and Molecules for ages 8-13 & Plants for ages 4-8.

 

This is not some flashy, colorful "book" about science that they can read, but rather - a simple, straightforward guidebook for them to use to actually "DO" science.

 

 

Topics for ages 4-7:

• Senses
• The Human Body
• Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
• Animals
• Insects and Their Kin
• Fun with Magnets
• Stars and Planets
• Health
• Beginning Plants
• Animal Ecology

Topics for ages 8-13:

• Insects
• Microscopes and Invisible Creatures
• Atoms and Molecules
• Matter
• Chemistry Fun
• Weather
• Force and Motion
• Simple Machines
• Light and Color
• Plants II

 

Each unit clearly lists the materials needed, like a recipe.  Most of the materials are common household items.  I have a confession... this is where science can stall at Bentz Test Laboratory - scrambling around for materials for the experiment!  I loved how this book gave me a clear list to assemble before we started.

 

From there, the unit is broken down into smaller parts that you can do over a few days, or all at once.  Clear instructions and explanations are included for every activity.  Additional books or movies are recommended throughout the guide as well.  This is a unit study approach, so while you may be doing science experiments, you'll be learning about much more! 

 

This book is a great resource, if you to stop just reading about science...and start doing science - this is exactly what you need to get started.  It's customizable - you can pick and choose what you want to do, and it's super multi-child friendly.  For just $16.95 - you'll want to have it. 

 

Beware...you might get your hands dirty, you'll never what is going on in all those cups on the counter, and your children will suddenly start working together ;-)

 

(yes...phyiscs experiments on force & motion require goggles for safety - just kidding, she loves them!)

 

It's not a stand alone science curriculum, but can easily add the pop, fizzle, and bam to ANY curriculum by giving you the hands-on experiences that make science learning happen. 

 

Best of all, it's easy to use!

PS - The author has an American History Freebie you should check out as well!

      See what other members of the Crew thought here  

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY: Parent Training Center

  We are back with another great giveaway from the folks at the National Center for Biblical Parenting. This one is for the parents and includes a great little camera, as well as a $50 Amazon gift card! Here's what your church could win: 

Parenting Is Heart Work ($15 value)

This foundational parenting book starts with a study of the 750 times the word “heart” is used in the Bible. That changes everything. God’s Word reveals new insight into strategies for change in a person’s life. Concordia University’s Family Ministry Program requires that every student read Parenting is Heart Work. Dr. Ben Freudenburg says, “This is our go-to book for parenting. It’s biblical practical approach is powerful.”

Parenting Is Heart Work Training Manual ($50 value)

The Heart Work Training Manual with Audio Sessions is designed to help you integrate key success principles into your family. Answer the questions in the lesson, look up the scriptures, reflect on the teaching, and watch yourself make significant changes in the ways you relate. When parents change, children change. You’ll love the difference.

Canon Powershot ELPH 170 IS ($150 value) 

High quality still images and video are practically effortless with the slim and stylish new PowerShot ELPH 170 IS camera. The ideal tool for capturing everything from daily fun to special occasions, it's equipped with a powerful 12x Optical Zoom for maximum versatility, plus Intelligent IS to make images clear and almost shake-free even at high zoom lengths. Sharp, high-resolution imaging is fast and easy thanks to the 20.0 Megapixel* sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor. Beautiful 720p HD video is as simple as pressing a button, while Smart AUTO intelligently selects just the right camera settings based on predefined shooting situations, so all different types of shots come out perfectly. 

Amazon $50 Gift Card

A fun gift of $50 to spend at Amazon.com

***

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway Terms and Conditions: This giveaway is open to residents of the U. S. only.  Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years of age. This giveaway is in no away associated with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.. No purchase necessary for entry. Odds are determined by the number of entries. Selected winner will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.  Entrants to this giveaway will be added to the email list for the National Center of Biblical Parenting.