Easy Classical

Let me introduce you to - Easy Classical

I was sent a copy for my honest review as part of The Oldschoolhouse Review Crew, no other compensation.

Easy Classical is a company that specializes in providing the busy homeschool mom with a valuable, time-saving product. Following the guidelines in The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer, Sandra Williams of Easy Classical gives you a 36 Week, framework schedule to cover each historical time period.

I was given the Early Modern History Schedule to review.

Here's what I liked:

I love to combine different curriculums, books and resources together as we study. This does that for me! (anyone else out there suffering from "I got-to-do-it-all syndrome can contact me... I can't promise any help, but I'd love to hear what you're doing so that I don't miss out on something good...)The variety of resources also provides opportunities for all your kiddos learning styles to be accomodated.

Simple, easy to follow layout. Very easy to understand, very easy to read. Comprehension quesions and answers are even on the same page. Shopping lists are also on the page for next week's planning. I really appreciate a one-page per week format (easier on the printing toner costs that way...)

Each week has a Comprehension Quiz for your student to complete. Even though you are pulling from various books, it puts it all together into one quiz for you.

Cost effective - you can purchase this Early Modern History Schedule for $29.95(download version) or $35.95(printed version).

Easy Classical has Writing (that is a companion to IEW - love it!!),Copywork Geography and Science plans as well. They range in cost from $9.95 - $29.99 for downloadable products. (print versions are always available as well). Complete curriculum packages are available (if you just got to "Do it all").

The schedule uses books that I already have on my shelves, many popularly recommended resources. Easy Classical will also provide you with books lists - directly linked to various buying options. (I love that it's not just the titles, but a cover picture... I'm so visual...)

Overall, I thought this product is a great value. Time is the one component that I never have enough of, well, time and money... Having the schedule completed is a huge time saver (and it's affordable). If you are a "Classical" homeschooler, you will love this schedule. If you're not, it may convince you to become one.

See what the other reviewers thought here

Winter Wonders

Time for Winter!

Winter Wonders from Download N Go that is...

A wonderful, winter wonderland of learning. This Download N Go unit study by Amanda Bennett is one that made this Minnesota born girl (but who now finds herself in a snowless, sunny, and 56 degree Arkansas address) long for some SNOW...

Download N Go Unit studies are 5 day long learning adventures. Everything you need is already there, just pick your topic and download and GO! Each unit comes with video links, worksheets, and all the components you need for a lapbook. And, if you still want more, you will find book suggestions, family fun ideas and lots more activies to add to your study.

In Winter Wonders, we were able to learn the science of snow, make snowflakes (edible and nonedible...), we were introduced to "Snowflake Bentley" and his amazing photos as well as Art Appreciation with Robert Duncan's winter work.

I loved watching my younger children (they don't remember MN snow... sniffle, sniffle) and my older children (who do remember, but are missing it this year) all sit with rapt attention to a website devoted to "watching it snow". I guess that's as close as we'll get here in AR.

We enjoyed a trip to the North Pole. As well as, a peek at hibernating bears. Actually, we got to learn about a number of polar animals. We also enjoyed watching some birds in our own backyard, and making pinecone bird feeders (I knew there was a reason I was keeping those pinecones!)

Each day we had a challenge to do a nature walk and record our observances of winter... we had a little trouble finding that particular season here. But, on the positive side, we weren't cold (or wearing coats).

This unit was packed with information, and fun videos. We especially enjoyed a view from a dogsled while learning about the Iditarod and Balto (one of our all time favorite heros!)

Best of all, I didn't need to spend a minute of prep time. We were all engrossed in learning as soon as the kiddos heard the "voices" coming from the screen. All I did was add hot chocolate (did I tell you we learned the origin of hot chocolate?... you may be surprised to hear the climate it comes from...) and s'mores (yep, they're in this unit too).

For a cool $7.95 each, Download N Go units are affordable, and with numerous titles to choose from... you can become a Unit study pro in no time!

Go here to find them

Check out the blog tour of reviews

Math Facts NOW!

Time to get back into the "school swing"! Happy New Year!!

For the first review of 2011... Math Facts NOW!

I was given a copy of this program in exchange for my honest review of it. (Maybe I'll try a paying job this year...)

You can get your own free trial here

Math Facts NOW! is a simple, yet effective program to review basic math facts. It doesn't have any "gimmicks" to entertain... just the facts. As a parent, you can replace the boring flashcard method of review with this program.

I was able to easily set up lessons for each of my children, unique to their level. And, they were all able to work on that ever important drill and review, without taking up all of Mom's valuable time! The program allows you to specify a "reward" when their mastery is complete. I loved this, I could even sneak in little "mom touches" with rewards that my children appreciate most...i.e. extra computer time, snacks, etc.

You begin by selecting the facts you want them to review, specify how long they get to answer each question (this one was fun... I tricked the "math brain" kiddo into testing it, he thought - "too easy"... but, I gave him only 3 seconds to type the answer! Ha! score one point for mom!) Then, you pick the number of times to re-type corrected anwers, and the total amount of questions.

All in all, this program is simple and easy to use. I like that it doesn't get too complex, just a focus on increasing your child's speed and accuracy for those ever-important math facts.

For a cost of $15.95 - you can have customizable math review for all the students in your family!

Check out what the other reviewers thought here

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you for reading all my posts, and being my friend.

I just had to share this picture (it's so rare to get a picture with no one crying, or trying to escape...)
The kiddos were on the way in to their Holiday Performance with Blackbird Academy. I was yelling -"go over by the fountain, not IN the fountain, nobody get wet...or I'll scream!". I thought it turned out well...

They were adorable on stage - of course - it wasn't a flawless performance (not with Bentz kiddos involved!) Joshua managed to trip and fall flat on his face (yes, on stage!) during his "bow" at the end of their song... I have a sneeking suspicion that he may have been pushed (Lydia was next to him) or maybe - he just needed to make his own impression on the audience?!
Anyway, it was entertaining.

Selah was an adorable ballerina in her debut as a purple snowflake.

These truly are the "best of days", don't you think!

Merry Christmas and God Bless

Tiny Planets

Tiny Planets is a website that provides "award-winning educational entertainment set in space exploration and discovery, inspiring creativity and critical thinking in youth ages 4-12."

Follow the adventures of Bing and Bong, two adorable little aliens as they explore in space, traveling on their gadget loaded, plush coach.

You can check out The Tiny Planets Website,

Tiny Planets has won two BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television) Awards- Interactive Best Entertainment Website and Best Children's Interactive

You can watch old episodes of Tiny Planets television episodes and access several different areas:

My Tiny Planets- Virtual world community that combines social elements & gaming to create on engaging space exploration experience. Children create on avatar called their "Cadet", solve galactic missions with Bing and Bong (the guys on the couch...), play fast-paced mini-games, care for a planet, earn badges and more.

Tiny Planets Fun- Find brainy puzzles, coloring books, comics and more.

Tiny Planets Books- Read books with pictures about Bing and Bong, their friends, and many of the planets you will explore in your space adventures.

Tiny Planets Learning- is a place for parents, homeschoolers, and educators. It contains mini lesson plan & science experiments, as well as providing information on how every episode of the Tiny Planets television series maps to an early learning goal.

Tiny Planets Labs- This is a Playground for things to come. Tiny Planets is connected with EU University research projects, which keeps them up to date on technology. New games will be posted and tested here.

KEYS- Much of the site is free. BUT there are things you can only see and access with KEYS which must be purchased. KEYS will unlock more tv episodes, stories, and items to care for your planet.
The KEYS can be purchased in various amounts. It is 10 KEYS for $1.95, 25 KEYS for $3.95, and so forth. They can only be purchased by a parent using the Parent Account.

Overall, my children enjoyed playing on this site. It was fairly intuitive, but we did have some difficulty in mastering the on-screen movements. Using the arrow keys and the enter key are not as familiar to them as the more "modern" control methods. (Although, we don't have a game system...So, my kiddos were okay with it...) Another aspect that I found frustrating was setting up their "Cadet" accounts, it took several tries, but we successfully figured it out.

I love that it is a Free (or mostly free), safe, online option. No ads. Educational content. I think it's appeal is appropriate for the younger end of their recommended age range.

I'm sure that many hours could be spent in the World of Tiny Planents.

See what the other reviewers thought here

I was given free keys in exchange for my honest opinion of this product, no other compensation.

Creation Camouflage

Here's a FUN one!
A Download n Go Unit study by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse
find them online here

This Unit is on sale for $5.95 from Dec. 13-18th (I think it's a great way to add a little school over the holidays, without them knowing what you're doing :-)

Download N Go studies are 5 day - complete unit studies. All you have to do is "download n Go". There is no prep work needed!! There are many, many units to pick from, so you can find something for everyone.

In this unit - we learned about camouflage. We visited Rainforests, deserts, tundras, and oceans to learn about the animals that camouflage there and their "secrets", not to mention a little about Class - Animalia.

One of our favorite parts was the "Animal of the Day". Each day we were introduced to an animal and their camouflage specialities.

I've saved the best for last... Each unit comes complete with all the components needed for a LAPBOOK! All you have to do is print and assemble.

And, if that's not enough - there are book suggestions and family fun ideas to round out the unit.

so, check out the Download N Go store for the great GIVEAWAY

See what the other reviewers thought here

Good Morning, God

Hello Everyone!



Here's another review from the TOS Review Crew. Apologia sent me this beautiful children's book for my honest review of it, no compensation included :-)



You can order yours here

Retail price: $14.00

(a great Christmas gift idea...)



This beautifully illustrated children's book is recommended for ages 1-8 (but, all my children ages 1-13 enjoyed listening to it...)



It is meant to encourage you to live out the Deuteronomy 6:6-7 passage. "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you walk alont the road, when you lie down and when you get up."



It is written as a walk through your week - Sunday through Saturday, and encourages your child to think about God all day.



You can use this book in several ways, first - just read it through as a story (our favorite way to enjoy a book...). Or, at the end of the book are suggested questions you can use and activities to do.



You could really make it into a "mini-curriculum" if you choose... read a selection, answer questions, and do the activities. Some of the questions would make great journaling prompts for an older child. And, several questions would lead to more in-depth study topics. (I think my affection for a unit study is showing...)



Basically, I found this to be a charming children's book, complete with a great message. It's the kind of "cuddle up and let's read" type of book my "littles" love.



Apologia also offers a Coloring book as a companion. See them online at www.apologia.com
I bet it would make a great stocking stuffer!


See what the other reviewers thought here