AIMS Education - Earth Rocks

From their website:

Earth Rocks - Grades 4-5 - $29.95 (Paperback or PDF versions)

"50 activities —336 pages Students explore soil, rocks/minerals, the water cycle and properties of water. In the section on Earth Changes, students will look at weathering and erosion. The Resources section has them classifying resources as renewable and nonrenewable. The book ends with a section on pollution."

The Bentz Test Laboratory LOVES anything hands-on and everything Science!  Aims Education is a supplier of activity books, lab kits and supplies and much more. 

I am currently teaching Earth Science at our homeschool co-op, so I had the perfect "class" to test out activities on.  I like having additional resources, printables, activities to coordinate to our lesson.  Earth Rocks was a useful resource to have available.  The activities were easy to implement, using readily available materials. 

One word of caution - Earth Rocks is from a secular worldview.  I believe the point of science (and all learning for that matter) is to point back to our Creator. Earth Rocks was not "overt" in their presentation of evolution, but neither did they endorse Creation.  Due to the secular nature, I would not recommend this product as "curriculum", but rather as additional information that you can use to add some hands on activities - once you have evaluated it first. 

You can download Free Samples - check it out for yourself!

See what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

Disclaimer:
I was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

Write with WORLD

A description from their website:

Write with WORLD is the middle school writing curriculum developed by education and media professionals. Use it to inspire and train your students to become proficient communicators who can meet educational requirements and navigate today's growing new media and conflicting worldviews.
Write with WORLD exposes students to:

• reading and critical thinking that develop discernment
• contemporary subjects and professional guidance to pique interest
• flexible exercises to build confidence and skill for using today's new media
• a thoughtful and meaningful Christian worldview   

Check out a sample lesson.  The Full Year Curriculum includes online access in addition to the Teacher Textbook and Student book. This is a two year program. We were sent a pilot copy of Year One which retails for $95.00. You can see purchasing options including a Year One and Year Two combo here.

Now, for what the Bentz Test Laboratory thought...

Since Write with WORLD is from the makers of WORLD Magazine and God's World News (a long-time Bentz family favorite) - I had a "feeling" it would be good.  I was not mistaken!

My testers are all in the "learning-to-love-writing stage", but they are boys. Enough said - some of you know what I'm talking about.  They don't necessarily chose writing as their favorite subject.  One thing that stood out right away was the connection made in writing about real-life topics - a huge motivator!

This curriculum is very well organized (especially for your boy students)  It is broken into "capsules" of learning.  Each of these capsules are a managable daily lesson (take a peek at the Table of Contents).  The language is clear and easy to understand.  The first capsule begins with advertisements - which really can capture their interest and get them ready to dig in, not to mention the critical thinking skills that are sharpened.

I was not able to review the online access portion - but, it will be available in the fall. 

My favorite part - the writing and instruction is from a strong Christian worldview.  Teaching our children this worldview, along with the writing skills to make themselves heard and understood - is vital!

I agree with this from their website wholeheartedly: Christians in particular should try to be the best communicators. They possess the truth and need to articulate a biblical worldview. Just as important, today's students must be discriminating media consumers - able to read, hear, and watch what the world is saying and to recognize the truth. (the bold words are my emphasis)

Overall, I was very impressed with this writing curriculum. 

See what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

Disclaimer:
I was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

TruthQuest History

From their website:

TruthQuest History is a deep and rich literature-based history study…but with a difference. You will not learn the story of mankind; you will learn the lovestory of mankind. You will not focus on the rise and fall of human civilizations; you will focus on the arrow-straight line of God's unchanging existence, power, love, truth, and plan for civilization. You will not simply 'meet the culture' or 'get the facts;' you will probe the truths of history so deeply that your students will be equipped to change their world!
You can use this handy guide to find where to start.  They offer samples of each guide as well.

I was sent a complimentary copy of :

Renaissance/Reformation/Exploration (1400-1600)


Your children must understand the deep issues of this time period! It was such a crossroad! They will see two different responses develop to the spiritual emptiness of the late Middle Ages--an emptiness quite like that of our own age, so we can learn much.

• It was good for the people to seek truth, but where did they turn? Themselves? God?
• How did the 'searchings' of the great artists, scientists, mathematicians, architects, businessmen, writers, philosophers, rulers, and explorers affect their awesome achievements?
• This truth quest, and the decisions made in response, determined the future of many nations--those that were on their way to cataclysm and those headed for greater freedom.
• The issues are not Catholic vs. Protestant, as TruthQuest History explains, so people of both faiths can feel safe using this guide.
• Ideally for Grades 5-12, but younger siblings can participate. Includes book recommendations for all ages, where available.

Available as printed book - $24.95 , or PDF eBook  $19.95 (immediate download)

Here's what the Bentz Test Laboratory thought...

I have been eager to get my hands on this program for quite awhile.  We LOVE history at our home (almost as much as we love history resources!)  If you are like us, this program will appeal to you.  It's chronological, and it's very large-family, multi-level friendly. Plus, it's affordable and reusuable!  If you love books - this guide will give you all the recommendations you need to build an amazing history library for your family. 

Read their educational philosophy for yourself...

It was an easy program to pick up and begin - if, you have a  well stocked library already.  If you don't, you're going to have to go shopping! (a bonus in my opinion...)

The tone of the author speaks directly to your student in the commentary sections (I'd recommend you read first, and then paraphrase the information they need).  And in my opinion, this is the only weak point in this program.  It comes across a little bit like trying really hard, but  "talking down" to their level (maybe it's just the editing!). 

I love the variety of literature choices recommended.  The ThinkWrite exercises are well thought out, and provide the meat of the learning.  If you like to be able to pick and choose a curriculum to fit your family, rather than trying to fit your family into a specific curriculum, this may be just what you are looking for!

See what the other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

Disclaimer:
I was sent a complimentary PDF download in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

Amazing Animals by Design

Product Description:

Why is a giraffe's neck so tall? Why do zebras have stripes? Did all of these things happen by accident? When John and Sarah visit the zoo, they ask these questions and many more. Their parents and the zookeepers keep using the word design, but what does that mean? With its relevant message and exciting presentation, this is the perfect book to help introduce children to intelligent design. Come find out in Amazing Animals by Design by Debra Haagen!

24 pages - $8.99 (paperback) or $7.99 (ebook download)

Visit them on Facebook too!

The Bentz Test Laboratory are ALL animal lovers!   We love to point out the amazing designs and creativity of God, and what better way to do this than with animals!

This book is specifically geared to younger childern (PreK to Grade 3).  The design is engaging and it's the perfect length to capture their attention.

I was sent the ebook (which works great on my Nook), but we will be purchasing the paperback as well.  This is the kind of book you want to read again and again!  Not to mention, it's message is an important one for even our youngest children to understand.

See what the other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

I was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

I See Sam Little Books

The Reading for All Learners “Little Books” program is a sequence of 141 color coded books. There are 8 sets of books from Kindergarten to 3.6 reading level. Each set contains up to 27 books for $30.

You can see a Flash Demo here.  Download a Scope and Sequence here.

My tester at the Bentz Test Laboratory was at the perfect place to start Level One (he knows his letter and sounds and is beginning to blend them well).  You should have seen his face when I showed him an entire box of "real books" for him to read!

The books are illustrated well - and are engaging to the early reader. I liked the extra prompts in small letters at the bottom of the page - my tester loved the smiley faces.  I like that we have a whole new library as we are learning to read, and my tester likes seeing how much he can read!

This is from their description:

Little Books Set 1 Reading level: K - 1.0 Set includes 27 different books Decoding skills: 27 new sounds, new sound combination's, 73 new regular words, 9 new sight words, comprehension skills. Assessments located in books 6,11,16,21,26.


Academic Success for All Learners is all about helping your child have success, and they make it easy for you!



They will create a customized guide and lesson planner just for your child. Answer a few simple questions about your student's reading skills and and they will create a guide tailored to their needs. Download your guide today.

See what the others on the TOS Review Crew thought about it here.

I was sent a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

Action Alert

Do you monitor the internet usage in you house?  Of course you do!  But, how would you like to have a dedicated company helping you keep your family safe...even when you're not there looking over a shoulder?

Action Alert includes everything you need to create a safe environment on the family computer

• Creates a kid-safe PC - with web site blocking and filtering
• Control Computer Use - with comprehensive time controls
• Get alerted - know if anything suspicious occurs and review activity

 

You can get a Totally  FREE Version to make your computer kid-safe in seconds.

 

Or,

 

A FULL Maximum Protection Version is just $29.99 and allows Multiple User Protection,  is Fully Customizable, & allows Full Social Network Monitoring.

 

How it works:

 

Action Alert has been pre-loaded and blocks hundreds of thousands websites known to host damaging spyware or other unwanted content. If at any time you have a website that you want blocked, you can enter the information into the key by going to your Action Alert settings under Web Site Blocking.

Parents can also choose to use the "allowed sites only mode" which can be created from your Favorites List.

 

Action Alert records up to 60 hours of all computer activity: web activity, chat sessions, games, and homework sessions, everything online and off.  Action Alert will stop recording when the computer is not being used.

Action Alert's patent pending capture process allows you to review activity in the same way you would watch a movie. You can quickly scan the video, or type in a key word or phrase to jump to any point in the video.

 

You can set Action Alert to notify you, in the Activity Notification Alerts setting. You will be notified via e-mail, or sent a text message to your cell phone when key words or phrases are used by your child. Action Alert will also update you with information on: weekly time used, and other data.

 

I have been using this program for over a year now.  It's one of our favorites!  I have not found it to slow down the computer, and I love knowing that I can review all the activity from that computer. With older students at the Bentz Test Laboratory using more and more internet based learning, I need a program to keep them safe and give me peace of mind.  You want to believe that no one in YOUR house would ever use the internet inappropriately.... With Action Alert - you can know what's being accessed.  It's like having a trusted friend to help look over their shoulders, when you can't.

 

I was sent a complimentary download in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.

 

See what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

 

 

Progeny Press

Progeny Press

From their website:

Progeny Press has over 100 study guides for literature, covering kindergarten through high school. Progeny Press study guides concentrate on critical thinking, comprehension, literary analysis, and Christian application. Our goal is to teach our children to think clearly, to understand literature, and to rely on scripture for truth and values, and enjoy themselves while they do it!

Feel free to check out their full Progeny Press Catalog, and take a look at an Interactive Sampling of their Study Guides.

We were priviledged to review 2 different levels:

Julius Caesar
Study Guide by Michael Gilleland,
for the play by William Shakespeare
Grade Level: 9-12
Setting: Rome

Take a peek inside - sample pages

Looking for more than activity sheets or a who-did-what series of questions?

Want to dig into the essence of the novel?

This study guide provides easy-to-use, reproducible lessons on literary terms, comprehension and analysis, critical thinking, related scriptural principles, vocabulary, and activities, plus a complete answer key.

This study guide is available in 4 formats.

1. As a printed and bound booklet - $21.99
2. On a CD in .pdf format - $18.99
3. As the same .pdf file as an e-mail attachment - $18.99
4. CD & Booklet combo - $27.99

My 8th grade tester at the Bentz Test Laboratory has completed Progeny Press Literature Guides in the past.  He was very excited to have the opportunity to do another, and was quite impressed that he could now do them on the computer!  The guides are interactive, allowing them to type directly into the PDF on your computer.  (you can still opt to print and have them write out the answers, but, why?)

These guides are very comprehensive - they introduct the literature's author, give a brief synopsis, provide helpful background information and even have ideas to do before reading!

The "meat" of Progeny Press Study Guides are the vocabulary and questions.  These are not your general - "what was the book about", "what did you like", who was... kind of questions!  The questions are designed to make your student interact with the literature, use critical thinking skills and increase their ability to communicate.

My favorite part - classical literature is taught and examined from a Christian Perspective!  Progeny Press Study Guides will be a vital part of our high school program.

But,
Progeny Press is not just for High School...  With 100 titles to choose from, all grades - you can follow your children's interests as well.

The Bentz Test Laboratory was also reviewed

The Cay 

Take a peek inside sample pages.

Grade Level: 5-8
Setting: Caribbean, World War II

Study Guide by Lisa Tiffin
for the novel by Theodore Taylor

This Guide is available in 4 formats:

1. Paperbound booklet (reproducible) - $18.99
2. PDF file on CD (opens with Adobe Reader, interactive files can be completed on computer or printed) - $16.99
3. PDF file emailed directly to you (opens with Adobe Reader, interactive file can be completed on computer or printed)- $16.99
4. Booklet & CD Combo - $21.99

All formats include full student text and complete answer key.

Each guide is designed to take from 8-10 weeks to complete. 

I highly recommend checking into Progeny Press Study Guides for your literature program!

See what the other members of the TOS Review Crew thought here.

I was given complimentary Guides in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Review Crew.