Math Essentials

My next review.... One especially hand-picked for me.... (well, not really - but I wasn't paid for my opinion!)...

America's Math Teacher!

The one area of homeschooling that fills me with dread, I mean wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night terror - MATH! I have jumped in and tried to "re-learn" aside my kiddos, from those first addition and subtraction facts. Well, even with all I have "re-learned" - it hasn't been enough to give me the confidence to tackle the more difficult math. In fact, after a lengthy explanation including diagrams... My wonderful, math-brained son said, "You're making it worse Mom!"

So, imagine my delight at getting this product to review!

America's Math Teacher is an online math course - available at all hours! You can access clearly explaned concepts from Early Addition all the way to Algebra! And, I must say - the students are not more confused than when they started! In addition to the video teaching, you also can access written exercises, speed drills, and evaluations! All coordinated to meet the "NCTM standards".

I tested this out with "algebra boy" and he gave it 2 thumbs up! He is only negative comment was that the Online Tutor wasn't quite as funny as he would like him to be.

My next son, who has my "math brain" - tested the Speed Drills for me. He was reluctant at first, but after a round or two - even he was hooked, trying to best his score.

I really wish I had known about this fabulous resource earlier in our homeschooling journey, it could have given me many more peaceful nights of sleep... not wondering how I was going to teach Math! It features 4 complete Math courses - from Basic Math to Algebra 1. For homeschools - the price of $195.00 per year, no auto renewals! (unlimited students, all 4 courses, all the time, and any time!) It's a bargain compared to purchasing seperate programs for each child's level!

Here's how to find them:

www.americasmathteacher.com

You can also read what our other reviewers thought about this program at:

www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/

Bible Bee 2010

We just completed the National Bible Bee 2010 competition....

Here are my competitors - Sam - 3rd Place in Jr. Division, Luke-4th Place Jr. Division, Noah - 4th Place Primary Division, and Selah - 3rd Place Junior Timothy Track.

I am so proud! They worked hard all summer memorizing Scripture, and working on a family inductive Bible study on the book of Colossians.

If you have not heard about the National Bible Bee - you need to look into this wonderful organization at http://www.biblebee.org/.

This year, I volunteered to Host the local contest. WOW! is all that I can say about all the amazing kiddos and families I got to know this summer.

To brag a little more (if you haven't already left...) The Conway, AR local contest has a National Qualifier that will go to compete with the top 100 finalists for some MAJOR cash prizes this November in Chicago!

(they better be working hard, because the Bentz Bunch is going to give them a run for it next summer!!)

Our First Day of Koinonia Cooperative Academy

Back to school - 2010-2011

I can't believe we are beginning our 9th year of Homeschooling!!!!
We joined a Co-op this year (0ur first experience with this type of learning...) The kiddos were so excited to finally have backpacks and lunchboxes.

What a wonderful group of families we are blessed to be a part of. Our first day went well (even Esther had a great time!)

Now, back to lesson planning...

Peterson Directed Handwriting

It's time for another installment in my Product Reviews for The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. I was not paid for my opinions (still looking for that paying job...)

I was selected to review Peterson Directed Handwriting.

Here's how to find them:

http://www.peterson-handwriting.com/

I specifically looked at Handwriting for 2nd Grade - $15.05 for the set.

Their products are very homeschool friendly, available as downloadable Ebooks. This was a feature that jumped off the page at me right away. I love being able to print what we need, when we need it, and multiplied by as many times as I need it! A very economical choice for families.

I must say, Handwriting is not a favorite subject in the "Bentz Academy for Gifted and Talented Students"... But, it is one that we have been in need of assistance with for some time. Unless all your children are planning on becoming Doctors (we have several in our family, so this is said in love...) You probably need some help with it too!

Peterson's approach is what makes it so unique. Instead of focusing on "drawing" the letters, you teach your child several simple strokes with a corresponding voice chant, which make up most of our letter formation. But, the goal of this program is not to just draw the letters, using your visual processing... It it to create fluency with legibility.

One thing I found particularily helpful with this program was the throughness of explanation. I must say, I had never really focused on handwriting as a process - more of an outcome. This program breaks the teaching (or coaching, as they call it) into very managable steps. Directed practice using the child's voice to create rythym and fluency is a whole new approach for us.

The program comes with everything you need, but if you want additional information, more help with how-to teach this approach... The website is full of helpful and useful items! Even an Information Directory with links to many training videos that you and your child can watch together.

All together, this is a very comprehensive Handwriting program. But, in my opinion, even more than handwriting is being taught with this method. Cognitive processing in every area is increased with their approach. They claim improved spelling, grammar and reading as well. Based on experience going back to 1908 - I'd say they can back up the research.

I can't say that Peterson Directed Handwriting moved our handwriting up to the "favorite -subject-of-the-day" spot.... But, it did give me some very specific, measurable ways of directing my children's progress in this area.

Check out what the other members of the Review Crew had to say at

www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew

My First Official Review!

Guess What?! - I have been chosen to be on the 2010 Review Crew for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!

So, from time to time - I'll be posting some reviews of curriculum they send to me. I do NOT get paid for this, and these are my opinions only... (Matt was delighted to hear I had found a job - but slighly disappointed to hear I don't get paid).

My first product is:

The Old Schoolhouse Travel Kits - A Simple Way to Bless Others by Donna Rees

E-book.

Available online from : http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/

Cost: $12.45

I was so excited to get this ebook! The timing was perfect, since my family was about to leave on a 15 hour road trip. Let me clarify... 15 hours, in a passenger van (3 rows deep...), no DVD player, and 8 children - ages 1 -12. See why I couldn't wait to dive into this book?!

This 93 page book did not disappoint! It has chapters covering everything from the basics, presentation and distribution, making gifts for others and even suggestions for snacks and how to prepare your vehicle for the trip. It is full of useful inspiration, testimonials and how-to's.

I especially enjoyed the chapter on presentation and distribution. Individually wrapping those "goodies" may be more time consuming before you go...but, they love the un-wrapping along the route! Be sure to keep those garbage bags handy!

I found so many new ideas for making our trip more enjoyable: games, snacks, stories. But, one of the truly great chapters expanded the usefulness of this book past just "travel". You'll want to be sure to check out the chapter "Variations on a Theme" - just to see what I mean! I'll be using those ideas all year around.

For anyone planning some travel with children this summer, this is a must-have resource.

Here's a couple of testimonials of my own... aren't they cute!

Be sure to check out all the reviews available on The Old Schoolhouse Review blog at: www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew

Family Camp 2010

Sam got Baptized! My biggest moment of Family Camp... my wonderful, almost 13 yr old son being baptized in the river by his Dad! I had major tears of joy... and such a full heart!

We had an awesome time - and I'm happy to report that I've been delivered from the temptation of EVER tent camping! Heat, snakes, floods (not while we were there - thankfully) but - I guess I'm way too much of a suburban girl to go for that kinda of suffering...'er family togetherness.

We also won an award - "My family's bigger than the Tufu's"... I was starting to wonder when another family with 6 kids won the "big family award"... But, we were "next"! They even had a golf cart just perfect for us...

Memorial Day 2010

We had a wonderful Memorial Day! We went hiking at Petit Jean Mountain State Park. It was breathtaking (in more ways than one...)

The view was amazing, and Matt keep the children on their toes by climbing out to the very end of the drop off. When did my children develop a "sense of caution"... they never seem to use it when I'm watching!

After a nice lunch, some more hike, and a downpour of rain - we went home for a nap. (yes, all of us :-)

Naptime was done too soon, so we loaded up and went to the Pool. It's a great family place, it feels like you're stepping back in time... it's old-fashioned fun - just like it was when I was a kid (except we never went to pools - I just dreamed it would be like this!)

We splurged on the family season pass, so I sure the kiddos will want to go everyday!