UMHB

The University of Mary-Hardin Baylor has officially changed it's name to:

University of Many Handsome Bentzs

Are you ready for this Belton, TX?  The 3 amigos are registered for Fall Semester!

I love the "new" logo a friend made for Noah's Graduation....

Matific Galaxy: A TOS Crew Review

Matific Galaxy 

We have been enjoying exploring Matific Galaxy for  our daily math lessons (yes, we do math all summer) with our one-year subscription to Matific Galaxy

Matific Galaxy is an online program designed for grades K-6.  It's easily accessible from any digital device - computer or smart phone with the browser of your choice, so you can even take it on the go with you.  It's filled with over 1,500 game-based math activities designed to get your child mastering math, while having fun.

My tester is not a fan of math. She is going into 6th grade, so we are spending the summer reviewing our 5th grade math skills.  Matific Galaxy was her favorite program ever!  This program is very easy to use.  Parents create a login and monitor progress in the handy Parent dashboard.  Your child works independently through a spiral progression of math skills and lessons.  This means as they work, previous concepts are reviewed as new concepts are introduced.  Perfect for summer math lessons!


The program is very intuitive, my tester was able to figure out what to do without any help from me.  Written and audio directions are included on each screen.

In this self-paced program, the goal is to visit a series of 10 planets, and rescue an alien "creature" by helping them regain their pixels.  This is done by answering math problems and mastering skills. Correct answers add pixels to the creature, and rewards are earned as each creature is completed.  The student can take care of their creature, and purchase accessories for them with the coins they earn by answering questions.

The activities in each lesson are varied.  Immediate reinforcement is given for correct answers.  Incorrect answers allow the student to get another try.  My tester needs plenty of practice with geometry and measurement skills, and Matific Galaxy provided it in a fun, but challenging way.

One game she enjoyed was called "Poly Golf".  Different triangles are stacked up over a golf cup.  Her goal was to correctly identify each type of triangle, and make it disappear.  This moved the golf ball closer to the cup.  Incorrect answers added triangles back to her screen.  The golf ball lands in the cup after all the questions have been answered correctly.

The student can also see their "achievements" as they progress.  My tester loved being a "hero" and winning "legendary speed".

Parents are able to monitor progress with their own login to the parent dashboard.  I can see which topics she has been working on and where she needs more practice

.  Parents can also adjust their student's grade level if  needed. Each grade level covers between 30-60 skills, making it a very comprehensive program.  Parents can also choose to get a weekly progress email sent directly to their inbox.

I loved getting to send her encouraging notes through my login.  I just select one from my dashboard, and she sees it when she logs in.  Fun touch!

If you are looking for a way to make math practice more fun, you will want to check out Matific Galaxy!

Find Matific Galaxy on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatificGalaxy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matificgalaxy/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #math #mathematics #learningthroughplay #edtech #edutech #educationtechnology #STEM #STEMeducation #mathanxiety #mathematical #mathproblems #mathonline #mathresource #mathteachingresource #elementaryeducation #kindergartenmath #elementarymath #mathgames #mathfun #funwithmath #mathforkids

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Jump!

We spent a lovely day with friends at Guadalupe State Park. A much needed escape from reality.

There was a river, with a fast current for tubing, and a huge, tall cypress tree.  It was made for climbing and jumping.  A magnet for my kids.

Up they went, and down they came! Over and over and over.

 I was proud of how brave they are.  And, how much like that big, high tree branch our lives are right now.  We have found ourselves out on a limb, in a new place...looking down, not sure what to do. 

One of my younger daughters sat on that branch longer, looking down longer, and getting more and more scared.  We all started encouraging her, a friend came and sat with her, and finally she closed her eyes and jumped!

Once she conquered her fear, we couldn't stop her.  A reminder to me, we are not alone, we need encouragement, and we will make it off that limb!

I love how they teach me, everyday.

Jump In, 2nd Edition by Writing with Sharon Watson: A TOS Crew Review

Jump In, 2nd Edition by Writing with Sharon Watson

What's your biggest challenge to teach?  I bet you answered - Writing!  Well, it doesn't have to be, let me introduce you to Jump In, 2nd Edition by Writing with Sharon Watson.

This program is designed for those delightful middle schoolers, grades 5th - 8th.  It is available in either downloadable PDF (what I've been using) or print editions. 

The program is customizable to your schedule, the lessons are short and painless, even for a middle school boy.  My 7th grade son was my tester for this one. Each of the 98 lessons take between 5-20 minutes to complete. The program comes with two parts - The Student Text, and Teacher's Guide.  The Teacher's Guide includes plans to complete the program in One Year, Two Year or Three Year schedules, a "teacher's backpack" of helpful tips, ways to evaluate your student's writing, samples, and 10-minute writing plunges (more about that in a minute). 

The Student book contains all the lessons and teaching. The students will complete nine types of essays and one research report. Two different levels of word counts for each assignment are given, so you can customize to your student's ability. Units cover opinions, persuasion, cause and effect, newspaper articles, how-to, reports, biography compare/contrast, book report, book response, description, narration and poetry.

I love that this program begins teaching writing with persuasion, instead of exposition.  Most middle schoolers I know are way more willing to jump in with their opinion, and defend it.  Brilliant way to capture their attention right off the bat!  

My tester was intrigued right away.  With the short lessons, it didn't even feel like writing to him. The Student Book is written directly to the student, so they can work independently.  The author, Sharon Watson, often adds bits of humor .  

With the PDF download, you can print off what you want, or use with multiple students.  I love to print everything off and put it into a binder right away.

Let me show you a lesson. The lessons are organized in step-by-step instructions.  First, he began listing his favorites and least favorites.

Then, listing reasons.

The next step was to put them into point order (really teaching inverted or climatic order essays...but don't let them in on the secret).  

After discussing the structure of body of  the writing, detailed instruction on on paragraphs and topic sentences is covered, which is the main focus of this program.  Helping them create strong topic sentences and great paragraphs.

All throughout each lesson, the student gets to read examples of other student writing.  This was extremely helpful for my son.  I appreciate that this program doesn't just tell, it shows too.

Each writing unit ends with an assignment - with several choices, a suggested writing schedule, and a checklist. My tester really enjoyed having choices of what he wanted to write about.

One new thing my son picked up from this program, brainstorming with sticky notes!  Not only was this fun, but it makes it easier for him to organize before he begins writing.

 Now, back to the Teacher Guide.  Sharon Watson has included an entire section of "10-Minute Writing Plunges" for each month.  This is a valuable tool!  This is a way to take a break from the daily workbook lesson, or just for fun.  She offers suggestions for how to use them in coop settings as well.  Since I teach writing at our coop, this was for me.

 I love how well thought out, and easy to use this program is.  My middle school son actually asked if he could keep writing, and it's summer!  I think that speaks for itself.

Check this one out!

Find Writing with Sharon Watson on Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/writingwithsharonwatson
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/writingwithshar

Hashtags: #hsreviews #homeschoolwriting #writing

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Graduation Quilt 3.0

Just had to show off another creation.

I've collected t-shirts for each of them, and love getting to put them together into a special graduation gift.

Here's Noah's -

I love knowing they'll be wrapped up in it when they leave...

Hey, Mama! Homeschool Planner for 2019/20 Year from The Old Schoolhouse®: A TOS Crew Review

Hey, Mama! Homeschool Planner for 2019/20 Year from The Old Schoolhouse®

 Hey, Mama! Homeschool Planner for 2019/20 Year from The Old Schoolhouse®, written by Gena Suarez is one of my must have homeschool power tools!

Summer is a wonderful time to relax, unwind from the school year, and start to plan. The Hey, Mama! Homeschool Planner for 2019/20 Year  is part planner, part journal, and part personal encouragement for this journey. 

Gena is a homeschool veteran who talks directly to your mama's heart.  Each month begins with a devotional from her heart to yours.  Topics like joy, provision, perseverance and hope give you a burst of encouragement to begin the month.  Gena's practical advice is like having a mentor along with you,  field tips, squabbling kids, and naysayers, her tips are just what you need!

The planner is designed to get you organized, with monthly 2 page spreads. I love planners that begin in July!  This keeps my school year all in one place.

In addition, the weekly section is left blank, so you can customize.  I appreciate this.  I use this specifically to be my Co-op planner.  Instead of using the titles for "child", I use them for "class".  This works perfectly for me to see all of the classes I teach in one place.  

One of my favorite features of this planner, is the ability to use it like a journal as well. It has room for up to 5 children.  I just realized, with 3 graduated, I fit into this planner!  Sections are included so you can record specific things for each child.  A blank lined page you can journal on,  detailed curriculum planning section, attendance record, books read log, yearly goals, and semester goals.

I use my summer months to pray for these goals for each of my children.  We discuss them together and I love to be able to look back.

All of this AND this planner is beautiful!  The cover is a lovely floral design.  The pages are heavy quality paper.  It is sturdy enough to stand up to an entire year of use.  

You will want one of these, but you better hurry!  They are already 98% sold out!

Find The Old Schoolhouse® on Social Media:


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoldschoolhouse/?fref=ts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tosmagazine/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOSMag @TOSMag
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tosmag/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #IGotMyHeyMammaPlanner #tosmagazine #homeschool #schoolplanner #schoolresources

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