Failure Free Reading Home Edition: A TOS Crew Review

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

Failure Free Reading Home Edition

Everyone can use help polishing their reading skills. We have been taking a look at the 

Failure Free Reading Home Edition.

This is an online program designed to help struggling readers master those vital reading skills with a new and varied approach based in brain research. The focus of this program is to help build the neural pathways needed for reading skills via a non-phonics based approach.  If you are one of the many families that has students that struggle with phonics, this may be a great fit for you. 

I was intrigued by science behind the program and had 4 of my testers give it a try.  Quick note, all of my students have mastered phonics and reading skills, one of the things I like about this program is that it offers benefits for all readers, not just struggling readers. 

 It's a fairly easy-to-use program that begins with a single login and individual placement tests for each student to determine their level.

My students all scored well above their grade level for this program, so we can't really speak to it's efficiency in helping struggling readers, but - we can show you how it was helpful for building vocabulary skills.

Once their level has been determined by the placement test, each student can begin the "Instruct" portion of the program with the option of self-paced, computer guided lessons (the option we used) or a more scripted teacher directed path. A combination of both online and teacher assisted lessons are the recommended path.

The lessons are grouped into levels, clusters and units. Each include online lessons and downloadable instruction materials - 

Illustrated Reader

Student Workbook

Teacher Manual

The Online lessons include guided audio instruction and are designed to take about 20-30 minutes of independent work for the student to complete.  Lessons begin with a short video definition of vocabulary words, there are 5 new words in each unit for a total of 30 new vocabulary words in each level.

The lessons focus on learning the meaning of the vocabulary, with a variety of activities like identifying synonyms, fill in the blank, spelling exercises, using the word in proper context and matching exercises.  

Vocabulary skills are frequently strong determiners of success on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT.  My high school level testers found this program a great tool to help practice and learn new vocabulary and my middle school testers used this program to help refine their vocabulary and spelling skills. It's a rare program that can truly meet the needs of all levels, and Failure Free Reading Home Edition passed our test with flying colors.

The online lessons were engaging with variety and easy to complete, plus the program allows me to see reports of each student's progress to pinpoint what they are working on.

Overall, we found this to be a well-designed program and a fun way to practice reading skills at all levels!

Find Failure Free Reading Home Edition on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FailureFreeReading/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thereadingdr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/failurefreereading
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FailureFreeReading

Hashtags: #hsreviews #FailureFreeReading

See what other members of the Crew thought here

PersonalFinanceLab.com: A TOS Crew Review

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

PersonalFinanceLab Budgeting Game, Stock Market Game and Integrated Curriculum from PersonalFinanceLab.com

Most students love the challenge of a fun game! PersonalFinanceLab.com has created an online platform that will get your 7-12th graders learning all about finance, business, and economics all while playing the PersonalFinanceLab Budgeting Game, Stock Market Game and Integrated Curriculum.

It's easy to get started, just register your account and start playing. I am teaching a personal finance class at our Coop, so I was excited to jump right in.  Let me show you how the Budgeting Game works.

The games puts the player in the role of an employed (part-time) college student with real life living expenses and bills.  The player can control several fixed expenses by making choices.  For example - you can choose to live in a small studio, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom apartment.  Choices for TV & Internet, Cell Phone Plans and even Diet, all encourage the player to think about personal preferences and balance that with budget realities.

During the game, which consists of 12 "virtual" months, players roll a die to move through the days. A dashboard shows they player how much is in their accounts, their credit score, a quality of life rating, outstanding bills, and credit balances and allows for transfers from checking to savings to achieve goals.

 Paychecks are earned and deposited. A realistic statements shows the player how to see earnings and deductions.

Bills are issued and paid, along with due dates and late fees!

One of our favorite parts of the game, was the unexpected expenses that are encountered (just like in real life - with choices to pay via debit or credit) Using credit creates new bills to pay!

50 lessons on personal finance are included with the game. Lessons are encountered throughout the month.  The lesson contains a pop up with a short text about a relevant topic, and a question to answer. The player must answer correctly to keep advancing.

Weekends come with choices of how to spend and budget your most valuable resource - your time.  Each choice carries different implications and the player can vary what they choose depending on their personal goals for that month. Working extra hours is a highly addictive game, which allows you to earn more money, but socializing, chores and personal development can also carry benefits.

The game is packed with opportunities to learn about budgeting, making decisions about cash flow and real life expenses and scenarios.  From breaking your leg to needing to replace your worn out futon, it gives the players a fun way to learn about finances! Each virtual month takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

The Stock Market Game is another tool you can use to give your students a peek into the world of stock trading. This realistic game comes from their university platform that is used by over 80% of the top US Business schools (my sons played in their business courses in college and loved it!).

It gives players a virtual $100,000 to build a virtual portfolio of stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds at real time prices.

The Stock Market game includes 20 lessons to introduce the player to the world of stocks with income statements, cash flow, analyst statements and much more!

The Integrated Curriculum contains hundreds of articles and resources you can access to help your students learn more about the world of personal finance, economics, career development, accounting, management, and marketing.

build a portfolio of stocks, bonds, ETFs, andmutual funds at real-time prices.build a portfolio of stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds at real-time prices.portfolio of stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds at real-time prices.portfolio of stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds at real-time prices. 

This is a fabulous resource to let your high school students learn and explore, you may find yourself learning right alongside them.  I highly recommend giving it a try!

Find PersonalFinanceLab.com on Social Media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/personalfinancelab/
Instagram: @pfinlab / https://www.instagram.com/pfinlab/
YouTube: Stock-Trak - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1bctfGzsS_YVQT1MGMRIGQ

Hashtags: #hsreviews #budgeting #education #personalfinance #stockmarket #strategy #k12 #distancelearning #homeschool #teachingresource #payyourselffirst #qualityoflife

See What other Member of the Crew thought here

Valentine Saga Continues...

 Of course...we couldn't escape a Valentine's box day at Coop - even with an epic Texas Snow storm.  We just postponed it, and added dressing up as a favorite book/movie character!

I had quite the cast of characters...

Anne of Green Gables & her Book

Cruella deVille & her Dalmatien

George Washington & The Dollar Bill

Mouse & her Cookie

Cinderella & her Carriage

We teachers couldn't be left out... so Sherlock Holmes and Albert Einstein made an appearance!

Some of you may remember my love/hate relationship with Valentine's boxes (check out our first year 2013!)

I must admit... this year was virtually painless - they all did them together (without my help!)   

Dissection Day!

 If you know me... you know I love teaching science class, and I love dissection day!

We are loving introducing our Coop to CrossWired Science this year.  They are truly loving science again, and learning so much along the way!  

The integrated approach combines biology/chemistry/physics into a program that teaches by concept instead of stair stepping through science.  It is full of engaging videos and hands on actives that really build a student's science knowledge while pointing them to the Creator.

Here's a couple of quick pics of our class star fish dissections - you can follow along with us on our FB Group just for upper level learners. Check it out!

We had so much fun... I can hardly wait for the shark and squid dissections!

Snow day in S. Texas

 It rarely snows in South Texas... so, it's a big deal when we get to see some of that white stuff in the sky!

Even qualifies for a "snow day" (don't laugh at me my MN friends...)

Even better if you can play in the snow...er, sleet... with friends!

HomeGoing 2021

 The 2nd Annual "HomeGoing" was a big hit!  Since homeschoolers miss out on all the traditional Homecoming events, my girls got together and created "HomeGoing" instead.

Who doesn't love to get dressed up and GO out?

Aren't they beautiful??

My girls... Sugar & Spice.  Can you guess which is which?

A real Ghost Town!

 Our travels took us thru a real-life ghost town!

Wow - what a place...

Our "dream home"... maybe needs a little fixing up...

This was dubbed "the toilet trail"... yep, those are actual toilets!

Better hold your hats... that's a cowboy comin!