Math Shed & Spelling Shed: 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

Math Shed & Spelling Shed from Ed Shed

Summer break is a great time to sharpen some basic math and spelling skills with Math Shed & Spelling Shed from Ed Shed.

Math Shed and Spelling Shed are an online subscription from Ed Shed designed for your 1st-5th graders to help practice math and spelling skills in a fun game.  The subscription gives one year access to the Teacher Hub and Web Game for up to 5 students. Each user creates their own individual login.

The Teacher Hub allows parents to set up students and groups of students called leagues, create assignments with spelling lists or custom spelling lists and to monitor student's progress.

Students have unlimited access to the web games, and easily switch between Math Shed and Spelling Shed. Students create a personalized avatar that is shared between programs.  To upgrade their avatar, they need to earn Honeypots by answering questions correctly within the game.

This is one of my tester's favorite parts - she loves to accessorize her avatar!

Web Game portion of the program is where all the fun is at.  Students get to practice math or spelling skills with a variety of options.


There are several options for play in Spelling Shed:

• Play - is where they practice spelling a list of 10 words in a timed format
• Beekeeper  - allows them to guess the words by choosing letters
• Buzz Words - they create words with random letter tiles 
• Hive games - where students can play with others inside the program

In addition, the web games have options they can choose from to adjust the level of difficulty:

• Easy–The word is shown, an audio clip is played and only the included letters are shown.
• Medium–An audio clip is played and only the included letters are shown.
• Hard–an audio clip is played and the included letters plus some random letters are shown.
• Extreme–An audio clip is played and a full qwerty keyboard is shown. Letters must be correctly accented and capitalized.

My testers are in 5th and 6th grade.  They loved getting to pick the level they wanted.  The "hard" words were a challenge for them.

Each game includes 10 words to practice spelling. Immediate feedback is given, and the word's part of speech and definition is displayed.

They especially liked playing "Bee Keeper" where they guess a word after choosing letter tiles, kinda like an online hangman game - but, be careful not to lose your bees for a wrong pick.

They could easily switch between games.  In Math Shed - they could practice a variety of math skills at different levels, a great way to keep those math facts sharp over summer!

Math Shed allows students to practice math facts and functions in several categories with the choice of Easy - Medium - Hard.  

• Number Bonds
• Times Tables
• Add & Subtract
• Powers of 10 
• and More

I really like how customizable this program is!  The student can pinpoint exactly what type of problems they want to work on.  It's a great way to zero in on skills that need a bit more practice and to keep them from getting bored.

In each game, students type their answer on the calculator, or choose the correct from multiple choices. Each game is short and has a timed response to see how many questions they can answer.

Immediate feedback is given and a summary of questions and answers is displayed at the end of each game.

 My testers loved playing the games so much that it really didn't look like learning.  I'd check this one out!

Find Ed Shed on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdShed-US-113476190342149/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdShedUS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spellingshed/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJKXC4Rd29eQQWPbSdITLhw


Hashtags:
#hsreviews #Spelling, #Phonics, #Math, #Math Facts, #Homeschooling, #iPad games, #literacy, #homeschool

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Art in America from Artistic Pursuits Inc.: 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

Art in America from Artistic Pursuits Inc.

We love creating, and Art in America from Artistic Pursuits Inc. has been a great addition!  This hardcover book is designed for your 8-10 year olds and is part of a series we have been enjoying from one of our family favorites for art instruction - Artistic Pursuits Inc.

These books combine a time period and art instruction.  Each book offers detailed, guided instruction for 18 projects as well as the background information to go along with learning about the artists.  Since we have been studying American history this year - this was the perfect complement!

The book contains 2 DVD's with all of the instruction or is available as an online course if you prefer.   The materials required are all detailed at the beginning.  One thing I appreciate about Artistic Pursuits  Inc. is that they keep supplies required simple - all we needed was some quality colored pencils and basic drawing supplies.

Art in America  focuses on teaching them how to observe and draw better.  Detailed objectives for each lesson are included.  The 6 videos teach basic art techniques like "Drawing a good line" and "Identifying Light and Dark" along with background on 12 famous American artists.

Prep Notes for each lesson help you set the stage - from taking a walk to observe shadows to arranging the room to demonstrate the effects of light source on objects, they are easy to set up and effective tips.

The series is designed for the K-3rd student, but my testers have been enjoying this series in 5th and 6th grade. We love the combination of video and text instructions.  The book is filled with full color examples of the master artist's work making it a way to teach them to appreciate great art as well.

I love that they can work independently.  The videos are short and easy for them to follow along with.

This is a great way to combine subjects as well.  Working with the ruler and compass was a great reinforcement to some geometry lessons.

I love how Artistic Pursuits Inc. makes creating art so engaging and easy to do. We are always proud of our creations!

Check our other titles in the series and click the link to read our review:

• Art for Children, Building a Visual Vocabulary
• Art of the Ancients
• Art of the Middle Ages
• Artists that Shaped the Italian Renaissance
• Art of the Northern Countries, Renaissance to Realism
• Art of the Impressionists
• Art of the Modern Age
• Art of America

Find Artistic Pursuits Inc. on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticPursuitsInc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARTisticPursui1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artisticpursuitsinc/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #ART, #Homeschool, #ARTEDUCATION, #artisticpursuits, #creativity

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Passport Weekend #3

I finally got the chance to plan a weekend away!  

The much anticipated "Passport to Purity" weekend - #3.  It's one of my favorite one-on-one times with my sweet girls as we get away together for "the talk".

Of course, it always starts with Starbucks!

We were able to book a wonderful condo - only about an hour drive away.

I think she's looking older already.

I highly recommend the Passport to Purity materials!  They have audios we listened to, several object lessons and tons of great discussion points to share.  It's been a very special mother-daughter time each time we have gone away.

I top off our weekend with a couple of special gifts - a Study Bible and a special ring.  Only one more to go...

Reading Kingdom: 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

12 Month Subscription to Reading Kingdom

12 Month Subscription to Reading Kingdom is a great tool to keep your child reading through the summer.

We have used  this online program for children ages 4-10 in the past - you can check out our review from 2018 here   I am happy to report - I have a graduate!

Reading Kingdom begins with a skills survey to help determine exactly where your child needs to start. The reading software assesses their skills in reading and writing. Based on the results, the program places them at the point that is just right for their reading skill level.


One thing I really like is that the skills survey starts your child right where they need to be.  No need to bore them or waste time learning something they already know or frustrate them with tasks that are too difficult for them. 

 
This program takes an integrated approach that combines 6 skills needed to become a fluent reader.

• Phonics
• Sequencing
• Writing
• Meaning
• Grammar
• Comprehension

The lessons are short and varied, and immediate reinforcement is given. Reading Kingdom recommends your child use the program 4-5 days a week for optimal progress.  The lessons are short, usually around 15-20 minutes.  Student progress is easy to track, and they even email you updates on your child's progress.

Be sure to check out the Crew reviews for ASD Reading - another program for children 4-15 on the autism spectrum.


Find Reading Kingdom on Social Media:

Facebook: for Reading Kingdom https://www.facebook.com/readingkingdom/
for ASD Reading https://www.facebook.com/ASDReading/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/readingkingdom
Instagram: for Reading Kingdom https://www.instagram.com/readingkingdom
for ASD Reading https://www.instagram.com/asd_reading/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/readingkingdom/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGyBpW5jyyOy6Q48qoWdZQ

Hashtags:  #hsreviews #ReadingKingdom

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook from Workman Publishing : 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

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook from Workman Publishing


It seems like today's teens were born with an innate ability to comprehend technology and they have questions that I can't answer.  We have been enjoying Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook from Workman Publishing to help fill in some of those blanks.

This fun edition of the "Big Fat Notebook" series is designed to answer your middle schooler's questions about Computer Science and Coding.  It's a hefty paperback book with a sturdy cover and nice thick pages.  It is formatted much like a page of study notes from "the smartest kid in the class"- with lots of color, diagrams and doodles.

It's organized with 8 units that cover:

• Computing Systems
• Data and Analysis
• Software Engineering
• Algorithms and Programming
• Universal Programming Principles
• Programming with Scratch
• Programming in Python
• Web Development

Each unit contains short chapters that break down the complex information of computer science and coding into easily understood bits of information.  From the history of computers to HTML and CSS - it's a treasure chest of information that my testers have enjoyed discovering!

This book focuses on key concepts - definitions are bold print.  The information is presented visually in diagrams and graphs (great practice for math skills too).  Throughout the book - mnemonic devices are used to make the information memorable.  One of our favorites - the use of humor!

The information is presented in clear, easy-to-understand ways.  For example, the cost of social networks is explained - "just because you don't have to pay, doesn't mean they are free.  The cost is that you hand over tons of information about yourself..." We found lots of important topics centered around computers and technology that sparked great family discussions!

Each chapter ends with a quick review called Check Your Knowledge, with answers printed on the next page.  We really did not want to write in this valuable book, so we used them as oral discussion and review questions.

This is a great way to spark an interest in computers and coding in your child, or simply to answer some questions.  It's vital information in today's world, and it's delivered in a very user friendly format. It's not an in-depth exploration, but rather a great bird's eye view.  Exactly the kind of book my middle schooler can't put down.

We are excited to see the other books in this series from Workman Publishing  - Math, Science, World History, American History, and English!

Find Workman Publishing on Social Media:

Facebook: facebook.com/workmanpublishing/
Twitter: twitter.com/workmanpub
Instagram: instagram.com/workmanpub
Pinterest: pinterest.com/workmanpub
YouTube: youtube.com/workmanpublishing

Hashtags:  #hsreviews #BigFatNotebooks #BigFatNotebook #EverythingYouNeedToAceComputerScienceAndCoding

See what other members of the Crew thought here

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