Sculpture Technique: Construct by ARTistic Pursuits: A TOS Crew Review

Sculpture Technique: Construct by ARTistic Pursuits For ages 11-18 - Cost: $47.95 Are you the artsy type?  Or, maybe not?  Either way, you are going to love this curriculum!  ARTistic Pursuits is an award winning curriculum that will have your children learning, creating and having fun - all at the same time.  With 13 different books available - ages Prek-High School, you can find the perfect starting spot to get your children enthusiastic about art.  We are excited to introduce you to a brand new book in their lineup - Sculpture Technique: Construct.  This is a first of it's kind art curriculum, much more than just an "arts & crafts" series - these books focus on the processes of working with different types of materials to introduce the elements of sculpture in ways that your student can do independently. 

The Bentz Test Laboratory selected our 11 yr. old, creative tester to take a peek at Sculpture Technique: Construct.  This tester could not wait to dig into this.  This year long curriculum  is organized around 4 Units focusing on the elements in three-dimensional art:

•  Creating Form in Papermaking 
•  Creating Planes in Cardboard
•  Creating Motion with Papier-Mache
•  Creating Volume with Wire. 

 Each unit can be used independently and in any order. My tester picked Papier-Mache to begin exploring.  By teaching the process, your student will focus on the elements of this type of art with examples from contemporary artists.  The Papier-Mache unit's focus is on creating motion in their pieces.  During Project inspiration phase, the student becomes familiar with the type of material being used, and and is inspired by their own creativity for the project they will undertake. Project execution takes them step-by-step through the process with clear instructions and examples.  The student is creating their very own, one-of-a-kind masterpiece.  ARTistic Pursuits is giving them the guidance through the process - but, they are not creating a cookie-cutter replica.  This is real art instruction, designed to help them develop their own skills.
One of our favorite features of this book was the pictures of sculpture from contemporary artists.  In addition to learning the process, there is a good amount of art appreciation being taught as well.  I love how ARTistic Pursuits combines both to give a well-rounded approach to art instruction.  My tester took off with this project - completely on her own!  The easy to understand instructions and readily available materials, made it so very easy for her (and painless for me...).   She was able to easily follow the instructions, which are written in a conversational tone, directly to the student. My tester appreciated the numerous diagrams and pictures that outline each step.  "Hands on" and "Hands off" symbols let her now when she needed to stop - for example - Papier-Mache needs drying time.  This is a very self-guided curriculum, but all the instruction she needed to succeed with her project was clearly included.  What a great way to encourage independent thinking and creativity!  

At the end of each unit - there is an Evaluation to reflect on what they accomplished.  Advanced methods were also discussed, i.e. using fabic, adding texture, and even repairs.  

While her project turned out quite simple - she was extremely pleased with her efforts.  Her ability to pick this book up, and work independently really boosted her confidence!  
We have used ARTistic Pursuits for several years, and I can report that this curriculum truly delivers a high-quality art experience - for both you and your child.  It's easy to teach, well-written and very affordable. So, even if you don't feel qualified, or excited about teaching art... this curriculum can help deliver an outstanding art education for your students!  Check out some of the other titles the TOS Review Crew worked with: Sculpture Technique: Model,  The Way They See It (Preschool) , Early Elementary K-3, Book 1: Introduction to the Visual Arts , Early Elementary K-3, Book 2: Stories of Artists and Their Art, Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture ,Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition, Elementary 4-5, Book 2: Color and Composition Find ARTistic Pursuits on Facebook! See what other members of the Crew thought here

Philosophy Adventure by Home School Adventure Co.: A TOS Crew Review

Philosophy Adventure by Home School Adventure Co.

Do you want to inspire your students to write, think and speak effectively?  Philosophy Adventure  will have them well on their way, by discovering the world of ideas!

Cost: $39.95 for the Digital Download (physical products also available)

It includes PDF files of the Reader, Student Workbook, & Teacher's Resource

Philosophy Adventure by Home School Adventure Co.  has become one of my all time favorite resources!

This 8 unit study dives deep into the world of ideas by studying some of the greatest philosophers and what they thought, taught and believed.

Vocabulary, memory cards, a "Write Think Speak" journal, notebooking pages, mapping assignments, timelines, quizzes and tests, writing checklists and freewriting exercises are all included in this very well-rounded curriculum. Additionally, other members of the TOS Crew were reviewing additional resources from Home School Adventure Co. designed to complement the Philosophy Adventure - Mere Christianity Journal,  Philippians in 28 Weeks & The Wise Woman with Literary Analysis Journal Questions. 

The Bentz Test Laboratory volunteered our high school and middle school testers to give this a try.  Eight key philosophers are studied:  Thales, Pythagoras, Xenophanes, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Empedocles, Protagoras,  & Democritus.  Don't let these names scare you!  The author - Stacey Farrel's goal is to take this subject matter - philosophy, and make it engaging, easy to use and empowering. 

Each lesson features several main components.  First, the Philosopher's story - quotes, history, ideas and impact they had.  The Write, Think, Speak sections are included to complement and give hands on assignments for the concepts presented.  Geographical information is included.  The School of Thought of the philosopher is discussed along with a Contrast section.  The contrast section was their favorite part - it contained source material - written by the philosopher, and how that information aligns with a biblical worldview.

My testers worked through this independently (good for moms who don't care to tackle this subject).  However, this material is very thought-provoking and you'll find yourself wanting to have those meaningful conversations with them as they encounter the world of ideas.  

The Reader is in full color (however, we printed it black and white to save some money).  The nice part of a digital download package - you can have read it on mobile devices too.   The Reader is very engaging, easy to read, and filled with information.  Do not rush through this - it's really great stuff, especially for our high school students! 

 Each student needs their own Student Workbook.  They create their very own notebook of philosophy.  Mapping and critical thinking exercises are included.  My favorite sections were the creative writing exercises.   Set the timer, and see where their own creativity goes, guided but not scripted. Journaling pages are included for each lesson - tackling key questions like "Where did I come from, and why am I here?" and "Can you identify a prize for which you would be willing to suffer?" These are the thought-provoking questions that will generate unbelievable discussions with your teens.  The seven reproducible writing checklists are a very valuable tool - covering every step from pre-writing to evaluation.  A self-created glossary of terms and definitions is an engaging way to work with the advanced vocabulary they are mastering in this program. 

We choose to add this program as a supplement to what we have been already working on in history.  Philosophy Adventure is easily adaptable to the way you want to use it - as an intensive 8 week study, a 16 week semester, or even just one lesson a month.  Credit and time calculations are included in the Teacher's Guide for how to allot high school credit. 

This is one of the best resources for your middle and high school level students that I have ever seen.  Don't miss this one!

Find Home School Adventure Co. on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and Instragram


SPECIAL DISCOUNT  - JUST FOR YOU!  Use Code: CREW-10  (Expires: May 15) for 10% off any download product!

See what the other Crew members had to say here

e-Science Premium Membership by Supercharged Science: A TOS Crew Review

e-Science Premium Membership by Supercharged Science   The program includes:

• Cool science projects you can start doing right now with easy-to-find materials
• Step-by-step videos that show your kids exactly what to do.
• Perfect if you don't have time to teach science, or science isn't your thing!
• A 17-page student guidebook PDF that includes explanations and questions for each lesson.
• Science Newsletter with lots of great science activities
• Instant online access to the videos and guidebook 
• Recommended for all K-12 levels!

Cost: $57/month (full access)  or $37/month for (K-8 access only)

Want to see for yourself - Just for the TOS readers, you can Try Supercharged Science for a month for just $1  Check out FREE SAMPLE experiments here!


How would you like a REAL rocket scientist to come and teach science to your children, in your home?  I'm excited to introduce you to Aurora Lipper of Supercharged Science   (I love her red hair!! - you need to see a family picture to understand...she's one of us!).

While I enjoy science, and experiments - let's just say they turn out like my cooking... sometimes they work, sometimes - not so much!  The Bentz Test Laboratory was excited to preview the  e-Science Premium Membership from Supercharged Science.

This 20 unit, online curriculum for K-12 features video instruction and step-by-step videos of each experiment.  (wish I could find something like this to help me with my cooking...).  Text readings, and printable worksheet activities and even "shopping lists" are included in each lesson.

Since all my children had access to the program - a GREAT value for larger families with multiple grade levels, I assigned them to work in "buddy pairs".  Two by two, they were able to explore the many topics, and choose what they wanted to investigate together further.  A handy grade level organizer can help you narrow down the topics for specific grades:

The online program is very easy to navigate.  My children, even the younger ages, had no problem. There is no mandatory starting spot, and you can skip around the units as you feel led. 

Every child loved this program!  That in itself, should tell you about the variety and depth.  From a 10th grader, deep into Chemistry  - to a Kindergartener - all of them were enthralled.  

This is science taught the way it should be!  Aurora is a passionate teacher, and her passion for the subject lights a fire in your students. One mom-to-mom tip - when someone runs in and excitedly exclaims that they need eggs, vinegar, baking soda, etc.  Don't worry... it probably won't actually blow up anything.    Or, you may find that your swingset has acquired a whole new use - a testing laboratory for Newton's Laws.   Just smile, nod your head, and realize that they are well on the way to becoming rocket scientists themselves!

 We used Supercharged Science as an addition to our regular textbook style science curriculum.  It offered the zing and zap that was missing, and made science a delight driven subject again.  Thank you Aurora!  This program could easily stand alone as full curriculum - especially if you have hands-on learners. 

With summer right around the corner, Supercharged Science is a fun way to sneak some learning in too - check them out  on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google +, and their Blog.

Read what the rest of the Crew thought here 

Victus Study Skills System: A TOS Crew Review

Victus Study Skills System by Victus Study Skills System  Student Workbook - $20  - and Teacher Edition - $40
"The Latin word victus means a way of life. The Victus Study Skills System is based on the premise that effective study is best when it is a system of study and when it becomes a way of life."
The Bentz Test Laboratory has a goal that all our testers will love to learn, but love to study?  Hmmm... how are we doing on that one? We decided to take a look at our study habits while working on this program.
Check out a short intro video for the Victus Study Skills System:

The 3 cornerstone questions for personal success are each addressed:  "Where are you now?",  "Where do you want to be?", and "How do you get there?" Using a teacher led model:  purpose, preparation and procedure are covered in 10 sessions designed to be taught sequentially in 5 - 1 hour sessions. The actual amount of time spent on each lesson will vary from student to student, but it is important to maintain the sequence of the lessons in the order they are presented.  The Teacher Edition will help you understand the scheme of the course, the lessons to be taught, and offers supplemental materials to use throughout the course.  The Student Edition contains all the worksheets and forms to complete as they work through the concepts.
The Bentz Test Laboratory has several testers in high school, or about to enter it.  We decided to work through the Victus Study Skills System together for this review.
Lesson 1 focuses on "Where am I now?" - They do this by completing a study habits checklist, investigating learning strengths and determining your own learning strength.  We have spent some time reviewing our learning styles, and most of my testers felt pretty confident that they know "where they are now", definitely a good place to start!  Lesson  2 & 3  dive into "Where do I want to be?" with mission statements, goals/priorities, and a very helpful chart for developing SMART -specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound goals for each season of the year.  This was extremely useful for my testers.  It forced them to evaulate their goals to come up with personal objectives plus an action plan in various areas - academics, extracurricular, physical fitness/health, and family/personal areas.  I realized that we talk about our "plans" frequently - but, have never actually put pen to paper with a written outline of specific goals.  This is such a great exercise - I recommend all parents participate as well!  Each of my testers completed this session with a summer reading plan, a community service project they would like to get involved in, a spiritual growth goal, and a plan for a physical fitness activity to participate in.  Best of all, we can go back and evaluate how we did!  We will definitely use this tool each season.    Sessions 4 - 10 concentrate on "How do I get there?" -   Time management, organization and study environment, PQRST (a new way to read material), listening skills, note taking, test taking, and a review of what they have learned are all covered with helpful teaching, tips and practice examples.  These are all effective, easy-to-use tips and tools that every student should learn how to use.  My testers were eager to learn new test taking procedures, as our standardized testing is right around the corner.  I realized that in our homeschool environment - my testers had rarely ever taken notes.  The note-taking instruction and practice was a valuable tool they will need in college.  They practiced these new skills by taking sermon notes at church too! 
The Appendix offers reproducible forms to help with goal setting, getting organized, schedules, and mnemonic devices and strategies to reinforce the skills they have been learning.
This is just the practical, logical, step-by-step how-to that my testers needed to help them succeed at study. It's not a long, complicated course.  It's a straightforward, easy to implement path to better study skills.
I think every student should take some time to work through the material in this program.  It is useful and motivating, not just for your students - but for homeschooling parents as well!
Find Victus Study Skills on Facebook and Twitter
Check out what the rest of the Crew had to say here!

Spelling You See: A TOS Crew Review

  Spelling You See: Wild Tales (Level C)  from  Spelling You See

Spelling You See: Wild Tales (Level C): Instructor’s Handbook $14 - Student Pack $30

Demme Learning (makers of Math-U-See) has introduced a NEW spelling curriculum!  Much like the innovative Math-U-See,  Spelling You See is an innovative approach to the subject of spelling.

Spelling seems to be a struggle for some of the Bentz Test Laboratory.  Several children spell effortlessly... they just "know" it.  However, some of the Testers - do not!  We've tried many different approaches - all mainly based on mastering the "spelling rules".  Unfortunately, the "rules" haven't universally produced good spellers. 

When I heard that Spelling You See was about to be released, it instantly caught my attention.  Math-U-See has been exactly what these particular testers needed,  and I was excited to see if Demme Learning's new approach to spelling could be equally as successful.

Let me explain a little about how this program works.  Spelling You See consists of five levels that are based on the five levels of spelling mastery.  This is not a "grade or age level program" - it's designed to meet you child at the appropriate developmental level that they are at, and to move them toward spelling mastery. Read more about their Developmental Stages and discover which level to start with their placement information.

My tester for this is my 2nd grade son who knows all his sounds, spells many common words correctly, and is becoming comfortable with reading.  According to his development - we choose  Spelling You See: Wild Tales (Level C) - you can take a peek at a sample lesson here. 

Wild Tales focuses on a brief daily activity - they recommend doing it 5 days per week, keeping the lessons short and upbeat.   Each lesson incorporates writing, reading, speaking and listening.  This helps create a long-term visual memory of the letter patterns.  If you're like me, you may spell by writing the word to see if it "looks right", turns out this is one way our brains process spelling.   BINGO - we're onto something new in spelling instruction at the Bentz Test Laboratory!

I find myself wholeheartedly agreeing with this quote from their philosophy..."Those who set out to remember every letter of every word will never make it.  Those who try to spell by sound alone will be defeated.  Those who learn to 'walk through' words with sensible expectations, noting sound, pattern and meaningful relationships, will know what to remember, and they will learn to spell English" - Edmund Henderson, 1991  

Spelling You See is based on this developmental spelling model.  Accordingly, they say students must master each developmental stage before advancing.  No one can "skip" stages in spelling, and spelling ability and reading achievement are NOT correlated.  Just as I've always suspected... after listening to my horrible spellers read perfectly!

Wild Tales begins with 7 weeks of a nursery rhyme theme and moves into non-fiction passages about animals.  These topics are both familiar and interesting to the students.

Each of the 36 weekly lessons are divided into 5 parts (A thru E)  - each lesson is designed to be completed in just 10-15 minutes per day.  The student book is full color with with plenty of room for the daily copywork, free writing and dictation exercises..  (We recieved a pre-release PDF file - which was printed black and white... the color is much nicer!)

My tester started out noticing a difference to this program right away... he got to color in his book!  Actually, it's a process called "chunking" - locating and marking specific letter pattens - where he highlighted all the vowel "chunks" (2 vowels together) with a yellow highlighter.  He "chunked" while I read the passage, then he copied it, and "chunked" again.  Painless, no tears at all!

This same process with the identical passage 3 sections.  After that he is allowed to draw a picture to go with the rhyme, or write his own part of the story - this is a "No Rule Day" , encouraging him to be creative . Dictation exercises are included on final day - with a reminder to only spend 10 minutes! The goal is quality, not quantity.

Once "Vowel" chunks are mastered, he started on the "Consonant" chunks (this time in blue).  Moving into "Bossy r",  "Tricky y Guy", "Silent", and "Endings" - each in a different color.

He actually enjoyed his spelling lesson!  I noticed this approach really made him slow down and look at the letters in the words.  He even asked if he could start "chunking" other subjects!

The Student Pack includes two student workbooks and a pack of erasable colored pencils - $30 and the Instructor's Handbook  - $14,  will guide you through the philosophy and implementation of the weekly lessons, and a handy answer key as well as dictation passages.

I am sincerely impressed with this program.  All the different approaches I've tried in the past have been similar in philosophy...and produced similar results (poor spellers, that did not enjoy the process).  Spelling You See has been a breath of fresh air for our homeschool.  These spelling lessons are both effective, and enjoyable!  I plan to start my other students in this program as well.

Be sure to check this one out!





Find Spelling You See on Facebook and Twitter

Read what the rest of the Crew thought here

At Home in Dogwood Mudhole from Franklin Sanders: A TOS Crew Review

Franklin Sanders from At Home in Dogwood Mudhole

From their website:
"When Y2K looms and modern life fails to satisfy, Franklin Sanders and wife Susan go from nuclear family to multigenerational farm. Despite Susan’s admonition that they acquire nothing that eats, they gain dogs, chickens, horses, cows, pigs, ducks and sheep. Their children move back in and bring their spouses, filling Dogwood Mudhole with grandchildren. It’s no Green Acres, but through sheer persistence and good humor, they learn to farm. At Home in Dogwood Mudhole, a three-volume collection of letters, provides a running account of an attempt to live an authentic life, as Franklin writes every month for seventeen years a personal letter to his The Moneychanger newsletter readers."

Cost:

Volume 1, Nothing That Eats, 379 pages, available in paperback for $22.95, or ebook formats Kindle, ePub, or PDF for $16.95. 

Sample chapters for both Volume 1, Nothing That Eats, and Volume 2, Best Thing We Ever Did, are waiting for you online. 

Best Thing We Ever Did is currently available in PDF format, with Kindle and ePub to follow in late November, and the paperback is expected to ship the first week of December.

Finally, a review for me - At Home in Dogwood Mudhole - a treat to savor.  This heafty book is a collection of letters inviting you to visit "Dogwood Mudhole", the destination of a lifetime!

I took this book with me on a weekend escape with my hubby.  Our setting - high in the Ozark mountains, in our private cabin with a view that stretched for miles (it's okay to be jealous...) just helped set the stage for getting lost in this book!

I remember the Y2K scare... but, living in suburbia at the time, we just bought some extra bottled water.  Franklin Sanders and his wife, along with 7 children, did far more.  They made a move to Dogwood Mudhole, Tennessee.

His stories are heartwarming, encouraging and inspiring.  Right off, in the preface - he clues you in on his motivation.  "So here we are, all of us - you, too - at home in Dogwood Mudhole, sunk in the mire of the world but surrounded always by the promise of resurrection, the assurance of grace, and the hope of glory.  That hope transforms the mudhole back into a garden."    

I was hooked!  Being a transplanted northerner, I loved his descriptions of the south.  Having a large family myself, his family antics made me chuckle with agreement.  Growing up on a farm, it brought back plenty of childhood nostalgia.  

Now - if only I can convince my husband to sell everything and head to Dogwood Mudhole...  :-)   Seriously, you will enjoy this read.  

Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

IXL: A TOS Crew Review

IXL - 

Online Math Membership (K-12)  & Online Language Arts Membership (2nd - 4th)

From their website:
"Practice makes perfect, and IXL makes math and language arts practice fun! IXL motivates students through interactive games and exercises while keeping teachers and parents informed and involved. With more than 2,500 skills spanning pre-school through high school, IXL offers a dynamic and enjoyable environment suitable for any learning style. Students who use IXL are succeeding like never before."

COST:  IXL - $9.95 for math only, $9.95 for language arts only, or $15.95 a month for both.

 If you purchase a yearly subscription it is $79.00 for either math or language arts, and $129.00 a year for both subjects. (Each additional child is only $2 per month, or $20 per year)

The Bentz Test Laboratory was excited to get a fresh new look at IXL -  Online Math Membership (K-12).
My five testers were grades K-5th grade.  IXL arrived at a great time, we really needed some extra practice in the dread subject... math!

IXL is a very comprehensive drill and review program.  It's not full curriculum, it doesn't actually teach the concepts.  However, I think it is one of the most appealing, user friendly online programs we have used.

After setting up a family account, I was able to create child accounts, complete with their own avatar :-) for each of my testers.  That was painless... and they were ready to begin!  I hate complicated parent account set-ups,  IXL was so easy to get started.

It's been a tough time around the Bentz Test Labortory - I recently finished radiation treatment, and a 2 week mission trip to India.  So, needless to say, math practice has be automated, or it may not get done.

My testers were able to easily log in independently and choose from skills for their appropriate grade level.  In addition, they could choose the specific topics they wanted to work on - from simple counting all the way to geometry! They could choose whatever they wanted, and jump around within their level.  As they complete each topic, they earn awards and medals.  This was surprisingly effective.  Seeing their percentage correct advance until they reached their goal, kept them motivated.

It was an easy way to incorporate math review into their day.  They all enjoyed the computer time, and found the program enjoyable.  Not too bad for math review, wouldn't you say?

Weekly progress reports were emailed to me, so I could see exactly what they had been working on, and what they had mastered.  I think this is a useful tool to add to your math toolbox.  However, with multiple children it can be a bit pricy.  I found it worth the cost during this season of our life - math practice was getting accomplished on a daily basis!

Another fun addition (PUN intended!)  is the FREE IXL App for your iPad.  You don't want to miss getting to take IXL on the go.

We did not spend any time with the IXL - Language Arts section, but - you may want to check it out for yourself.  Online Language Arts Membership (2nd - 4th).

Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

Carole P. Roman with Away We Go Media: A TOS Crew Reveiw

Carole P. Roman with Away We Go Media

If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico
If You Were Me and Lived in...South Korea
If You Were Me and Lived in...France  If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway
From their website: "An exciting new children's series - If You Were Me and Lived in... that focuses on learning and appreciating the many cultures that make up our small planet. Perfect for children from Pre-K to age 8, this series is a groundbreaking new experience in elementary education. Interesting facts and colorful illustrations help children realize that although the world is large, people all over the globe are basically the same." Check out this short intro video:
COST:  Available on Amazon for $8.99 each (Norway - $10.79) 



Geography study is a foundation of Bentz Test Laboratory!    However, with many ages to teach - it can be difficult to find the right resources for the younger testers.  I want something more than just a picture - with details, but, not too many.  A book long enough to have some "meat" to it - but, short enough for their attention span. I have found the perfect addition to our country studies...especially for my younger crowd! Carole P. Roman with Away We Go Media has written 4 wonderful books exploring Mexico, South Korea, France and Norway.  (If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico, If You Were Me and Lived in...South Korea, If You Were Me and Lived in...France, If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway) Each of these gems introduces your child to a country, it's language, landmarks, food, and more.  My testers immediately caught onto the similiar format to each book and were eagerly looking for what their name would be, or what they would call their parents by the 2nd book!  The illustrations are bright and colorful.  My tester loved that futbol on the TV looked like an actual picture...I think these are very well done books.  You could take each book and use it as a springboard for a unit study on that specific country - dig deeper into each landmark, make some of the food,  try some new words out.   Our package included some fun "extras" - a passport book, inflatable globe and fun pencils.  Perfect!!  Just what my little testers needed to get the geography fun rolling,  Thank you Carol Roman! The books are each 20-30 pages long, a 8 1/2 x 81/2 paperback.  The author plans to have 6 books in the series, and we can't wait to add the others. Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

VocabularySpellingCity: A TOS Crew Review

VocabularySpellingCity

From their website: "  VocabularySpellingCity :

• An award-winning game-based learning tool for vocabulary, spelling, writing and language arts
• A K-12 educational service used worldwide by schools and families
• 50,000 words and 60,000 sentences read by a real person
• Access via mobile app for your tablet and smart phone,or online via computer and interactive whiteboard

Buy a Premium Membership to enjoy ALL of our features at a surprisingly low cost (Check out a demo video here) :

• Vocabulary, writing, spelling, and language arts activities
• Access to ALL games and interactive Flash Cards
• Student progress tracking
• Automated testing and grading
• Personalized learning with assignments for differentiated instruction
• Student logins with no commercial ads

COST: $29.99  per year for up to 5 students,   K-12

Bentz Test Laboratory is in despreate, desparate... ummm, I mean SERIOUS need of help with spelling Instruction!  I'm a "sight speller" -either it looks right, or it doesn't.  Some of my testers have been "rule spellers" - just tell them the spelling rule, and they're good.  Other testers - well, not so much.    

Maybe it's due to my own lack of diligence in teaching my testers further down the birth-order ladder (please, moms with more than a handful...tell me I'm not alone!)  But, I have several testers that need some spelling instruction that does NOT include yelling and tears (from either of us).

Ta-da!  VocabularySpellingCity arrived at just the right time.   I was going to be on a 2 week mission trip, and spelling was already a much neglected subject.  I couldn't sign my testers up quick enough.

Our Premium Membership allowed for up to 5 students for an affordable $29.99 per year.    It was very easy to set-up.  I logged on as the Parent, and found some spelling lists to add to our account.  You will be impressed with the lists that are available - K-12 - literature, math, sight words, so many - arranged in an easy to find manner or you can create your own.   I added them to our main page, then added each student.  Smooth, easy and fast.  I love a program that can work with all my ages at the same time.

My testers LOVED this program!  They had many ways to interact with their spelling words - tests, flashcards, and games (their favorite).  A great feature with the Premium Membership is the addition of Vocabulary review and practice as well.  (Yeah for us, that's 2 subjects for the price of 1).  

I was impressed -They could also practice geography- states and capitals, science vocabulary, math words and more.  Sentence writing, paragraphs and analogies are included as well.

Of course, the games were their favorite.  Playing Letter Fall, Hang Mouse and even doing Word Finds & Crossword Puzzles kept their attention on learning those pesky spelling words in a way that seemed more like fun.  Maybe...spelling isn't that bad after all.

The Premium Membership allows the parent access to information - a great way to keep up with their progress. You can easily customize each child's plan.  Frankly, I was excited that my testers were happy to do spelling - EVERY DAY.  

Another plus - Access via mobile app for your tablet and smart phone. You can take all this fun with you, but don't let on it's really spelling practice... :-)

They offer a Free membership, so go ahead - give it a try, you can't lose. Their website has an entire page of great videos to explain exactly how to use this resource to it's fullest.  The Teaching Resources page is a valuable tool for you too - don't miss it.

I will say, I was glad to have the Premium Membership with all the extra features - it's too affordable to pass up.  

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