Words Rock Online from EdAlive: A TOS Crew Review

                                

 

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew

Words Rock Online from EdAlive

Summer is a great time to sneak in some learning that looks more like a video game!  Words Rock Online from EdAlive is an online, adaptive learning program designed to help your students (ages 5-15) with core literacy skills like vocabulary, spelling, grammar, punctuation and pre-literacy in a fun game-like environment.

Parents login first and set up student user accounts.  The program will work on any internet ready device - tablets, computers and smartphones - you can take it on the go!

Students can choose to play a multi-player, Battleship-type game to capture slugs and earn points. The program is an adaptive learning format, that means it records and adjusts the difficulty of questions to each student.  Players can choose quick games against other players or against the computer. My testers really didn't like the game - it seemed to take too long for the turns, and they quickly tired of it.

My students preferred to choose the "Questions Only" option.  In this mode, students are asked a WIDE variety of language questions including vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

The questions are varied, with an option to choose "Too Hard" if the question is above their level.

What my students enjoyed most was the variety.  Some questions have them typing in the answer, some moving the boxed word and other variations. Here's a peek at some of the questions:

At first the questions were easy for them, but the adaptive learning function adjusted questions to more and more difficult questions.  Each question allows the student the opportunity to attempt to answer twice before displaying the correct answer.  

This one even stumped me!

The questions cover spelling, vocabulary, grammar & punctuation and advanced grammar questions.  You can also choose the "all content" option and have all types of questions in a random order. It's a fun way to review and keep those skills sharp over the summer.

Each question is presented in a fun, cartoon illustrated way.

Spelling exercises are included too...

These type of questions were great for developing careful reading and details!

The parent account lets you see detailed results so you can know what needs some more attention, and which skills are mastered.

The program is not comprehensive enough to teach the skills, but it can be a fun way to sneak in some review.

Be sure to check out the other products from EdAlive    

• Baggin' the Dragon Maths Online
• Volcanic Panic Reading Success Online

Find EdAlive on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdAlive
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edalive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edalive_onlinelearning/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/edalive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/EdAliveTube

Hashtags: #hsreview #wordsrock #vocabularygames #wordgame #grammarlearning #vocabularyenglish #vocabularylearning #wordgames #wordskills #readingsoftware #vocabularyinenglish #wordpower #phonicsisfun #phonicsactivities

See what other members of the Crew thought here 

        

Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting ebook from Everyday Education, LLC: A TOS Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting ebook from Everyday Education, LLC

Want better handwriting?  Take a peek at Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting ebook from Everyday Education, LLC , written by Caroline Joy Adams.

This easy-to-use book was used by Janice Campbell of Everyday Education, LLC with her own children.  When it went out of print, she brought it back for the next generation.  I'm so grateful for these pioneer homeschooling parents that share their hard-earned experience with us, aren't you?

Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting ebook comes as a 218 page PDF download with 6 chapters of 60 daily lessons. A handy guide is included with a schedule of how to use this book to teach your child to read and write beautifully. It is in clear black and white, and you can print exactly the pages you want, as many times as you need with no expensive color printing required. A great resource for families with multiple students.

 I love this solid, effective approach - it's the same way I taught all 8 of my children to read!  It focuses on mastering phonics, the sounds of the letters - one at a time. Many of the more modern approaches to reading are frequently ineffective.  If you have a child that struggles with reading, this may be the tried and true approach you are looking for.

Since all of my testers are already reading well, we focused on Chapter 6 - Handwriting Practice.  I love the examples of different styles and the history behind italic letters included in Chapter 1 in the "about writing" section.

After mastering the basic letter formation in italics - students get to practice with copy work.  I love incorporating great copy work into our school day. In this chapter, they practice their handwriting skills with the poem - The Night Before Christmas, a family favorite.

The goal with italic script is to become fluent enough to write quickly and beautifully with joined lettering. My testers are still perfecting this - they are both lefties, so they prefer a more straight up lettering.  We were happy to read that this is "normal" for us south paws, and perfectly acceptable!

The chapter offers more practice with more short quotes to work on joining letters, tips for using an edged pen, adding serifs, and variations.  Many of these were still much beyond my testers, but would be an excellent source for ANYONE that wanted to improve their handwriting.  I can't wait to get started myself.

We really enjoyed this well done program.  Be sure to check it out!

Find Everyday Education, LLC on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janicepcampbell & https://www.facebook.com/excellenceinlit/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EverydayEdu & https://twitter.com/JaniceCampbell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcwords/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.mx/janicecampbell/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #beautifulhandwriting #everydayedu #doingwhatmatters

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Foundations Level C from Logic of English: A TOS Crew Reveiw

Foundations Level C  from Logic of English 
The Bentz Test Laboratory has been using Foundations Level C  from Logic of English for my youngest tester, my 6 year old first grader.  We are HUGE fans of this multi-sensory  approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling.  (You can read about our experience with Level B here).
This program is designed for ages 4-7. Level C Set we have been using includes:

• Teacher Manual
• Student Workbook
• Phonogram Game Tiles
• Phonogram & Spelling Rule Quick Reference Guide

We already had the Basic Phonogram Flash Cards, Red and Blue Phonogram Game Cards and Student Whiteboard from Levels A & B.
 Level C focuses on mastering 27 multi-letter phonograms and 14 spelling rules. This level includes reading short paragraphs and multi-syllable words without sight words or guessing.  
There are 48 Lessons (40 instructional lessons and 8 Assessment and Review lessons) in Level C.  The lessons include:

• Phonograms &  Phonogram Practice 
• Spelling Rule & Spelling
• Phonemic Awareness 
• Vocabulary
• Fluency Comprehension  
• Writing

Since we have completed Levels A & B this was perfect for my tester to keep moving forward.  The Student Workbook is brightly colored and very engaging.  She likes to work independently, and this is a great fit for her.  It has large, easy to read print, and multiple size lines for writing practice. Our workbook included the eight nonfiction readers  (mine were tear-outs in the back of the workbook - but, new editions come as a separate bound set)  The Readers focus on finding the main idea, locating key words, and applying other comprehension strategies. The Readers are on of her favorite parts,  she "collects" them.  I guess she is her mama's daughter, collecting books already ;-)

The Teacher Manual is your must-have tool.  This is a very easy, user friendly program to teach.  Everything you need to know is clearly outlined for you in each lesson.  Highlights are included throughout with "Teacher Tips".  Each lesson includes many ways you can customize it to fit your child's needs.  Lots of games and multi-sensory fun activities make it a good fit for all learning styles!

The Phonogram Game Tiles are one of our favorites.  They are sturdy, colored coded tiles for all 74 phonograms taught in the program.  Tiles are color-coded for consonants, vowels, R-controlled phonograms, and silent E's.  We did almost all of our spelling lists with these and my tester loved them!

The Phonogram & Spelling Rule Quick Reference Guide is a handy reference tool for both you and your student. It is a heavy cardstock, six-sided reference card that folds to 8 1/2 x 11 inches,  On it you will find Phonograms, Spelling Rules, and more.  This is a great way to review what they are learning. 

My tester has completed Levels A & B and I can honestly tell you - this program has been the most effective phonics instruction we have used!  It's fun and easy to teach, and my tester loves it. It makes me wish I had a couple more children to use it with... 

Be sure to check this one out!

Find Logic of English   on Social Media; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLogicOfEnglish/  @LogicOfEnglish
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LogicofEnglish
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/logicofenglish/
See what other members of the Crew thought here

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    

Logic of English - Foundations, Level B : A TOS Crew Review

Foundations, Level B by Logic of English for ages 4-7 Phonics with Phonograms App (ages 4 to adult)  & Doodling Dragons App (ages 2-7)
Cost: Customize your Package here 
Foundations Level B - Teacher's Manual (print or PDF) - $38.00 Foundations Level B - Student Workbook (print or PDF family license) - $18.00 Phonograms App - $2.99  Doodling Dragons App - $4.99 
Bentz Test Laboratory is a big fan of  Logic of English and their Foundations program!  We reviewed Level A last year, you can read more about it here.  This time around,  my tester was ready to advance to Foundations, Level B.  


This is a fully integrated, research-based, systematic curriculum designed to teach your child handwriting (cursive or manuscript editions available), phonemic awareness, spelling rules and high frequency words -  altogether in a single, easy-to-use program . We chose the manuscript version -but, if you have a student that struggles with fine motor skills or letter reversals, they suggest beginning with cursive.    In Level B, we focused on learning upper and lower case letters, becoming familiar with their names and sounds while advancing to reading short sentences.  Typically, this is used by children in Kindergarten, but Logic of English programs are completely customizable to your child's level, not just a grade level.  Do you need some help deciding if this is the right place to start?  Check out this handy guide.  Ready to check out some samples?
Level B is 40 lessons, with 8 additional review/assessment lessons (every 5th lesson).  The assessments are used to provide information on what skills may need additional practice.  The focus is on mastery.
One of my favorite aspects of this program are the speech tips included throughout.  My tester has been doing speech therapy for years.  The articulation guides are very useful if you have a student struggling in this area. 

This is a multi-sensory program.  Tips, games and other activities are included in each lesson, and all clearly explained in the Teacher's Manual.  The supplemental, but essential  Reusable Resources of Basic Phonogram Flash Cards - $18, Phonogram Game Cards - Red Manuscript - $10, Student Whiteboard - Full Size - $12, Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript Tactile Cards - $28, Manuscript Handwriting Quick Reference - $10  are the spice of this program.  Multiple ways to engage your student in the process of learning to read and write.  My tester thoroughly enjoys the whiteboard!    Additional resources, which are optional add-ons to lessons, are clearly included in the lesson prep section. 
Lesson B features many different ways to practice what is being learned.  We especially enjoyed the "phonogram" days - i.e.  "TH Day" - with suggestions of ways to incorporate the phonogram into other activities like - reading the THermometer, counting to THirteen, and others.  
Phongram practice is taken off the page with games and activities. "Phonogram tightrope" was a favorite of my tester.  When shown the card, she had to correctly sound the phonogram - if she did, she could keep taking one step (heel touching her toe).  When she reached the destination - she won.   I love that it is so rich in content, but so easy to implement!   The Teacher Manual is clearly designed with everything you need in one place. 
The Student Workbook is colorful, and high quality.  It includes 8  tear out, full color, Student Readers as well.  My tester really likes the color (I know it shouldn't make a big difference, but she likes it much better than the boring black and white only).  The pages are perforated, and easy to remove it you want.  For multiple students - you can purchase this in a PDF form that you can repring.
This is a very comprehensive program, and it's a lot of fun too!  The games, activities and multi-sensory approach keep the learning lively, and my tester eager to do more.  Because my tester has struggled so much with speech articulation, as well as learning to read - Logic of English has truly been a God-send.  This program is so well balanced that she is able to keep making progress step-by-step, without losing her joy! This program's variety is just what many struggling learners will love.
Other fun tools to consider for your teaching toolkit are the Logic of English Apps: 
Phonics with Phonograms App - $ 2.99   
Students HEAR the sound, SEE the phonogram, and TOUCH the matching card.  With 10 guided levels to teach the 74 phonograms needed to read and spell 98% of English words, it's great for all ages. Works on iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.   We loved being able to take our reading practice on the road with us.  It's a great way to learn and entertain.  Customizable too!

Doodling Dragons App - $4.99
You can listen to the Doodling Dragons book, read by Jim Weiss. They can also interact with the illustrations and play games all while learning the letter sounds.  A great way to introduces phonograms!

See Reviews for other Logic of English products:Essentials: Logic of English Complete Set,  Rhythm of Handwriting Complete Set,  Foundations, Level A,  & Foundations, Level C 


Find Logic of English on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Foundations A by Logic of English: A TOS Crew Review

Foundations A by Logic of English
From their website: "Learn and giggle alongside your students as you engage them in fun, multi-sensory activities which lay a complete foundation for reading, handwriting, and spelling.
This pick-up-and-teach manual provides everything you need to introduce students ages 4-7 to reading and handwriting! The manual is filled with fun games and activities that engage children’s natural energy and playfulness while teaching them the systematic structure of English.

Cheerful callouts provide Teacher tips, ideas for Multi-Sensory Fun, Speech Tips, Challenge Activities, Vocabulary Development Tips, and Book Suggestions. Instructions for teaching both the cursive and manuscript lowercase letters are included as well as eight lessons which aid teachers in assessing student progress and provide resources to create customized review lessons."

What is covered in Foundations Level A? - see the scope and sequence 

Ready for a peek - check out some sample pages too - Sample Lessons 1-3

Cost: Customize your Level - with either PDF or print editions and many fun tools too!

• Foundations A Teachers Manual ($38)
• Manuscript Workbook ($18)
• The Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript Chart ($9)
• Basic Phonogram Flash Cards ($16.20)
• Manuscript Tactile Cards ($25.20)
• Red Manuscript Phonogram Game Cards ($9)
• Blue Bookface Phonogram Game Cards ($9)
• Student Whiteboard ($10.80)
• Phonograms App ($2.99)

Here we go again...the Bentz Test Laboratory is on our final two.  Final two to teach to learn to read, that is... My tester is our very eager - 4 year old.  She has been watching everyone get all the "attention" with school, and wants a piece of the action for herself. When the  Logic of English - Foundations A box arrived, we were blown away!  It was a learning-to-read-treasure chest.  Games, cards, colorful and bright, and even a whiteboard.  This is a package worth getting any day. The Teacher Guide is laid out in a very clear, easy to understand manner.  Plus, everything you need to succeed is included - supply lists, speech tips, and so much more. The speech tips have proven to be especially helpful - as my tester is in speech therapy.  I found many tips that are helping her progress (and that I plan to use with other children as well) I really enjoyed that it was so colorful, I know it shouldn't matter - but, I really felt like it made this program seem more "new" and advanced than the same old black-and-white stuff we've been using forever.  Add in the App - and we're moving into a whole new generation!   My tester was in love with this from day one!  The Tactile letter cards quickly became a favorite.  Being able to touch the letter was just plain fun (if you have a tactile learner - these are a MUST HAVE).  The Student Workbook is also a visual treat - the pictures are all full color - it captured her attention.  Several other testers happened by and mentioned,  "Why didn't we get to learn to read with all that fun stuff?".  The Student Whiteboard - what genius idea!  What kid doesn't love writing on the whiteboard?  With the pre-printed lines - this was a perfect way to practice, and we've been using it all over the place. The handy Rhythm of Handwriting Manuscript Chart was a helpful tool to remind me of the proper way to form the strokes, the Phonogram Cards have the same info as well.  The Game cards are used in lessons throughout to reinforce and make the learning fun. One of our favorite parts - was the Phonograms App.   We could take our learning on the go with us (and trust me - we are always on the go!)  My tester could practice her phonograms with a fun matching game, or use it like her own set of talking flashcards.  We had every little kid in the waiting room crowding around to see what she was "getting to play".  I loved being able to pull it out, and let her practice!

I was completely impressed with Logic of English's Foundations A.  It is very complete, very professionally done and very easy to pick up and use.   Now, if only the poor testers that didn't get to have this experience learning to read would quit whining about it...  Logic of English offers many other products to fill your language arts needs. Foundations B is the next book in the Foundations series, Essentials is a program designed for students ages 7+, the Rhythm of Handwriting is an easy to teach handwriting program available in manuscript or cursive. Click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew