Category: 5th Grade

5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, Critical Thinking and Logic, Curriculum, Curriculum Resource, Education, Homeschool, Homeschool Family, Homeschool Human Body Studies, Middle School, Science

Comprehensive Review of Heron Books Circulation of the Blood and Human Body Curriculum

Little Learner and Mom

We received for Heron Books Circulation of the Blood and Human Body Curriculum for our honest review. This review may contain affiliate links at no additional charge to you.

As a homeschooling parent committed to providing my children with a well-rounded and engaging education, I recently had the pleasure of exploring the Heron Books Circulation of the Blood and Human Body Curriculum. With a focus on the intricate workings of the human body, this curriculum promises to deliver a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. After thoroughly evaluating its content, structure, and effectiveness, I am delighted to share my detailed review.

Content

The Heron Books Circulation of the Blood and Human Body Curriculum offers an in-depth exploration of anatomical structures, physiological processes, and the interplay between various systems within the human body. From the fundamentals of circulation to the complexities of cellular biology, each topic is meticulously covered, providing students with a thorough understanding of human anatomy and physiology. The curriculum also delves into relevant historical and scientific discoveries, adding depth and context to the lessons.

Structure

One of the strengths of this curriculum lies in its well-structured format. The content is organized into logical units, with each unit building upon previously acquired knowledge. This progressive approach ensures a smooth and cohesive learning experience, allowing students to develop a solid foundation before tackling more advanced concepts. Additionally, the curriculum provides clear learning objectives, outlines of lessons, and suggested timelines, making it easy for parents to plan and implement the curriculum effectively.

Engagement

The Heron Books curriculum excels in engaging students through a variety of learning modalities. Richly illustrated textbooks capture the attention of visual learners, while hands-on activities and experiments cater to kinesthetic learners. Furthermore, the inclusion of multimedia resources, such as videos and interactive simulations, enhances the learning experience and appeals to auditory and visual learners alike. This multi-dimensional approach not only keeps students actively engaged but also fosters a deeper understanding and retention of the material.

Critical Thinking

One of the standout features of this curriculum is its emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Throughout the lessons, students are encouraged to analyze data, make connections, and apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios. Thought-provoking questions and prompts challenge students to think creatively and independently, fostering a spirit of inquiry and curiosity. By nurturing these essential skills, the curriculum prepares students to become thoughtful and analytical thinkers.

Flexibility

The Heron Books Circulation of the Blood and Human Body Curriculum offers flexibility to accommodate diverse learning needs and preferences. Whether used as a standalone science course or integrated into a broader interdisciplinary curriculum, it provides ample opportunities for customization. Parents can adapt the curriculum to suit the pace and interests of individual students, allowing for a personalized learning experience that maximizes engagement and comprehension.

The Middle Schoolers Thoughts

Okay now that my mom has broken it down here are my thoughts. I am quite sure you all already know I want to be a heart surgeon. I already read a lot about the human body so I didn’t need another textbook. This is not just a bunch of boring textbooks. Nope, there are cool illustrations, hands-on activities, and even interactive digital resources that make learning about the human body way more fun and interesting. Everything is laid out in a clear and organized way, so you always know what you’re supposed to be learning and when. Plus, there are tons of opportunities for hands-on experiments and projects, which really help to bring the lessons to life

So yeah, if you’re a middle schooler looking for a fun and fascinating way to learn about the human body, I definitely recommend giving the Heron Books curriculum a try. Who knows, you might just discover your inner scientist along the way! Now back to you Mom!

Final Thoughts!

The Heron Books Circulation of the Blood and Human Body Curriculum stands out as a comprehensive and effective resource for homeschooling families. With its rich content, structured approach, engaging activities, and emphasis on critical thinking, it offers a truly immersive learning experience that fosters a deep appreciation for the complexities of the human body. Whether you are seeking a standalone science curriculum or a supplement to your existing program, this curriculum is sure to inspire curiosity and ignite a passion for scientific inquiry in students of all ages. Highly recommended.

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Education, Family, Homeschool, homeschool curriculum, Language Arts, Literature Base, Middle School

Hearth & Story Language Arts Curriculum: Nurturing a Love for Language

Little Learner and Mom

We received Hearth & Story curriculum for our honest review!

As a homeschooling parent, discovering a language arts curriculum that fosters a love for literature, writing, and effective communication is crucial. Hearth & Story has emerged as a valuable resource for homeschooling journey, offering a well-rounded and engaging secular language arts program. If you are familiar with Pandia Press History Quest is authored by Lindsey Sodano the creator of this new language arts curriculum.

The Program

One of the standout features of the Hearth & Story curriculum is its emphasis on literature. The carefully selected reading materials expose my child to a rich variety of genres and authors, fostering a love for literature. The integration of classic and contemporary works ensures a balanced and comprehensive reading experience.

The writing component of the curriculum is equally impressive. The program provides clear and structured writing lessons that progressively build on foundational skills. The inclusion of creative writing prompts and projects has sparked my child’s imagination, making the writing process both enjoyable and educational.

The flexibility of Hearth & Story can be a significant benefit for an homeschooling schedule. The well-organized lesson plans and resources allow for easy adaptation to our pace and learning style. The inclusion of assessments and progress tracking tools has been helpful in monitoring my child’s development and identifying areas that may need additional focus.

The incorporation of grammar and language mechanics is seamless. Rather than being presented as isolated exercises, these elements are integrated into the broader context of reading and writing. This approach not only reinforces grammatical concepts but also demonstrates their practical application.

Final Thoughts

From a parent’s perspective, the support materials provided by Hearth & Story are comprehensive. The instructor’s guide, supplementary resources, and online support contribute to a smooth teaching experience, even for parents who may not have a background in education.

One aspect that particularly stood out to us was the “brain food” section, which quickly became our favorite. It’s amazing how it effortlessly stimulates young minds while providing valuable insights. Moreover, the curriculum’s design encourages independence in learning, allowing children to navigate through the materials with minimal assistance. As a parent, this feature not only promotes self-reliance but also instills confidence in my children’s academic journey.

It has been a delightful experience. This curriculum truly caters to the holistic development of a child, addressing various learning styles and fostering critical thinking skills along the way.

Regarding grade level suitability, I found this curriculum to be well-suited for advanced 4th graders, while still offering a challenge for those in 5th and even 6th grade. It’s a versatile resource that adapts to the varying needs and capabilities of students.

The graphics within the curriculum are not only visually appealing but also possess a calming effect, creating an environment conducive to learning. The beautifully illustrated content brought back fond memories of another curriculum we had previously used when my son was younger. He particularly enjoyed revisiting similar styles, using it almost as a nostalgic review session. The cost is of the complete curriculum is inexpensive and you have options to purchase individual areas of interest.

I was pleased to discover the literature sections, which included titles like “The Giver,” a book typically reserved for older grades. This demonstrates the curriculum’s commitment to offering enriching and thought-provoking material, catering to a wide range of reading levels and interests.

Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate exploring the upcoming 6th-grade language arts component. The flexibility of this curriculum is another commendable aspect; it leaves room for additional supplements, allowing for customization based on individual needs and preferences.

Overall, our experience with this curriculum has been nothing short of excellent. It’s a well-rounded educational tool that not only educates but also inspires young learners to explore and grow. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent or educator seeking a comprehensive and engaging learning resource for their children.

In conclusion, Hearth & Story Language Arts Curriculum has the potential to be a cornerstone of homeschoolers language arts instruction. Its focus on literature, comprehensive writing lessons, seamless integration of grammar, and flexibility make it a standout choice for homeschooling families seeking a well-rounded language arts program. I highly recommend Hearth & Story to parents looking to cultivate a love for language and literature in their children.

5th Grade, Curriculum, Homeschool, Math, Middle School Math, Reviews, S.T.E.A.M

Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 Review!

Little Learner and Mom

I received Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 from Timberdoodle Co. in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Hey, homeschool moms, it’s that time of the year when we are slowing things down and just relaxing. Here is the question do we really shut down? We all know the homeschool mom’s brain never shuts off entirely. We are always thinking about the next homeschool year or just reevaluating the current year. Right before we started our school year we were sent Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 by our friends over at Timberdoodle Co. In all honesty, we were still working through our current math curriculum and I wanted to finish it out. We finished his math curriculum in October and we picked up Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 as our review and started our journey.

Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 is being used as a review until we jump back into our spine in February. We received Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 Homeschool bundle that includes:

  • Homes Instructor Guides 5A & 5B
  • Student and additional practice books Grade 5 A & B

We aren’t new to the latest release from the Singapore Math family, we completed Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 4B over the spring/summer as a math review. My son really liked the colorful pages and the flow of the curriculum. If you aren’t familiar with the newest release let me tell you how they differ from traditional books. The new books are published by a different publisher in the US and the curriculum features all new material that aligns with the U.S. common core standards. Through my research, the curriculum is on grade level and will help students who are struggling in math or those who need a quick review. Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 can be used for students on all grade levels, students using grade 5 will transition easily to the next book which is Dimensions Grade 6. teaches the concepts but takes them to a more in-depth understanding.

How it Works

Let’s talk layout each student book has 6 chapters, and within those chapters, there are 1-4 lessons that follow this progression:

  • Chapter Opener
  • Task ( includes recall activity)
  • Learn (Teaches how to solve the task)
  • Activity ( encourages further understanding of a concept through hands-on activities and problem-solving)
  • Learn Together (helps student gain confidence with concepts with parent support)
  • Practice on Your Own (students work independently )

You can find full sample pages, placement test, and scope and sequence on the Timberdoodle Co Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 page.

The recall activity in my opinion is very important for your student to complete before starting the new material. The recall will alert you if your student hasn’t mastered the previous chapters before moving on. I wouldn’t skip this section. The chapters also include a chapter practice which in my opinion is like a chapter test, as well as:

  • Performance Task ( apply chapter skills to real-world problems)
  • Steam Project Work
  • Solve! Heuristic ( helps children learn how to solve problems in multiple ways)

I do like that there is a substantial amount of word problems within each of the lessons. In the student book 5B, the entire chapter 8 is solving word problems. At the end of the chapter practice, students will have the opportunity to reflect on how they fill they did on the chapter. At first glance, you would think there isn’t a lot of practice for the student but I assure you there is a lot of practice and instruction.

The homeschool instructor guide is a new feature for Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 the homeschool instructor includes:

  • Chapters Pathway
  • Singapore Math approach
  • Informative breakdown of the student book
  • Digital Manipulative (you receive this code when you purchase a home instructor guide)
  • Detailed Instructor guide for teaching the lessons
  • Answer Key

The home instructor guide in my opinion is one the most detailed guides I have ever seen, it doesn’t miss anything. It really guides you through each chapter’s lesson so you feel confident about teaching your student. I love all the extra hands-on activities and extra resources they alert you to in the other books such s the additional practice, mastery and beyond, and teacher assessments. The only con I would have would I would like to have the actual lesson my son is working on in my home instructor guide because it is a little bothersome to have to share his book just to see what he is working on. I have the answer key and how to help solve the problems but I would like the actual page.

The chapters average 10-20 days, it all depends on your student I personally wouldn’t recommend trying to cram more into one day than instructed unless you are confident your student has mastery. We are at the end of chapter 2 in 5A this chapter was 20 days and I added 3 days to that because I had him do the additional practice pages for a few lessons. I really like having those additional practice pages because it really let me know that he knew what he was doing. I also noticed while he was working through Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 that he was more confident about his learning and I saw him apply some of the skills he was learning in his lessons when he was playing online math platforms.

My observation these last 2 months has given me a lot of insight into our upcoming term. What I have noticed he is eager to learn and use the textbook. I also recalled these observations during the summer of how much he enjoyed using grade 4 Primary 2022, which has this mom wondering if we need to continue to use this for the rest of the term. Even as I write this review I am thinking more about this decision because I want my son to be excited about what he is learning. I feel like Primary 2022 is helping him review and introducing him to a new way to do the math. I actually printed out the spine curriculum we were going to start in January and compared it to Primary 2022 Grade 5 and I am seeing some of the same concepts being introduced.

I like that the Singapore Math Primary 2022 Grade 5 helps me review what I already know while challenaging me to learn new concepts. I also like that it teaches new ways of doing math!

Jai-10

What I am looking for in a curriculum is not only teaching procedure but also the why and presenting several ways to solve. One great example of this is Chapter 2 The Four Operations with Whole Numbers. I was shocked to learn that he preferred using area models for long multiplication. He told this method made more sense to him than the traditional way of cross multiplication, and he also he better-understood complex order operation problems. Now can I just be completely honest my child has been doing long multiplication since the 3rd grade and it takes him a few minutes to do problems. This kid was running through the problems in record time, I went to start dinner he had 8 problems to do and I was sure he was going to be working on those for 15-20 mins. I looked over my shoulder and he was closing his book in victory!

Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 is a new math curriculum being offered by Timberdoodle Co. If you order from Timberdoodle Co you also receive 100 linking cubes, 250 transparent circles, and fraction circles. The bundle again also includes the home instructor books for both student consumable books 5A & 5B as well as the additional practice books. If you are looking for a more holistic way of learning math that is colorful, rigorous, and multifaceted I highly recommend it. You are getting that same Singapore Math method teaching but redeveloped for U. S aligned common core standards that are also friendly to the homeschooler.

I am still undecided but I think as we work through Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 for the month of January I think we will come to some sort of decision in regard with we are going to continue with Singapore Math Primary 2022 Grade 5 and finish it out or move back to our spine. I am almost sure my son’s vote is to stay with Singapore Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 .

Until the Next Time,

Mom and J

5th Grade, Coding, Games and Apps, Homeschool, Math, Reviews, S.T.E.A.M

Let’s Start Coding: Base Kit 2 Review!

Little Learner and Mom

I received Let’s Start Coding Base Kit from Timberdoodle Co. in exchange for my fair and honest review.

We love technology in our home, and lately, my son has really gotten into coding. He has tried several online programs and has taken online classes for coding. I like having him code things that allow him to be hands-on and interactive. With the fast growth of technology, it is really important that students are exposed to coding early. I am very grateful that many companies like Timbersdoodle Co understand this importance and are including resources such as Let’s Start Coding Base Kit in their curriculum kits.

We were given the opportunity to try out Let’s Start Coding Base Kit which is included in the Timberdoodle Co 2022 Fifth-Grade Curriculum Kit. My son has really enjoyed the Let’s Start Coding Base Kit, he really likes having the storage kit that provides easy access and convenient storage. Even though my son has experience in coding the Let’s Start Coding Base Kit did an excellent job reviewing concepts and introducing new ones.

The Let’s Start Coding Base Kit includes:

  • Storage tackle storage box
  • 12 pieces of electronics including a mini speaker, LED lights, and makers board
  • 50 + Projects
  • Coding Reference Cards

Let’s Start Coding Base Kit is free to install directly on your computer. The process was easy to install and my son was coding away in 5 mins. The project board for the Base Kit has informative videos that I highly recommend you have your student review before getting started. The get started videos cover a wealth of information for the student, just in case they run into problems. After looking over the first set of videos students will jump right into the coding project.

How it works

Let’s Start Coding Base Kit is a beginner’s program for students 8+, so keep this in mind if you have a student who is an advanced coder they may jump right to the challenging part of the project in which they can change the code around. The initial code for the project is already given to the students all they have to do is properly insert the parts needed for the code. I really like that the student has a visual so they are sure they using the correct parts and inserting the correctly. My son is a visual learner and he really appreciated this assistance. The students connect the parts and run the code, but once they have successfully run the code, students looking for more of a challenge can move onto the checklist. I also like the reference cards that are included the cards teach the student the proper coding language and definitions.

My son did an estimate of ten codes during the review process and also explored the challenge checklist. He said the Let’s Start Coding Base Kit is easy to use and he liked how the website gave him a lot more ideas for coding. We plan to use the Let’s Start Coding Base Kit over the holiday for extra coding practice. I personally like how he could independently set up the program and run it. My son keeps his Let’s Start Coding Base Kit on his desk for easy access.

If you are looking to check out Let’s Start Coding Base Kit be sure to click the banner below and don’t forget that Let’s Start Coding Base Kit is included in the Timberdoodle Co 2022 Fifth-Grade Curriculum Kit.

Until the Next Time,

Mom and J

5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, Language Arts, Literature Base

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Review!

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary Product Received from Hewitt Learning!

We have been long-time users of Hewitt Learning Lightning Literature & Composition curricula. My son has completed grades 2nd-4th grade, I have also taught the 1st grade online. Each year our family has loved the curricula! Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide & Student Workbook is no different than the previous years and brings that same familiarity my son has grown to love.

Who is Hewitt Learning?

If you aren’t familiar with Hewitt Learning the company has always been at the forefront of supporting homeschool education since the early 1960. The company has since created award-winning literature-based curriculums for grades 1st-12 grade. They also have administered over 350,000 P.A.S.S tests to homeschool students for standardized testing. Along with the curriculum and standardized testing, they have ventured into the arena of STEM with their Innovators Challenge program. Hewitt Learning is currently developing an online component coming soon. This Fall their highly anticipated release of Kids Chemical Solutions is coming in the next few weeks.

About Lightening Literature & Composition Grade 5

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide & Student Workbook has kept that same standard of rigor. The curriculum is not religious. A complete set includes the Teachers Guide and Student Workbook. Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 is the last of 2 left in the elementary series until middle school. You have the option of purchasing the physical books or pdf. Their is a literature pack bundle if you would like to get the readers.

I love the design of the student book, the illustration are colorful and not overwhelming. There are 36 weeks of lessons which include grammar/mechanics and reading comprehension. Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 students will read nine novels. Students will also work on poetry which is included in the student text. The included poetry is new for us this year. In grade 4 we used a poetry book that my son LOVES and had me buy the sequel to the book.

The literature selections for this year’s curriculum are phenomenal. Every book selected for this year was on my to-be-read list. You can purchase the literature pack from the company or check them out from your local library. I was equally impressed by the inclusivity and diversity of the book selection. The very first-week students are The Mighty Miss Malone.

Gary, New York City, and the Deep South; they’ll journey to Canada, Europe, and Pakistan; they’ll travel from a hundred years in the past to some unknown time in the future; and they’ll explore a fantasy world peopled with strange characters.

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5

I love the student checklist that breaks down the chapters the students are responsible for reading for the week. The checklist also includes the grammar/mechanics as well as the composition assignment for the week. Each week has four days of written work including reading comprehension questions. The fifth day is reserved for finishing the final draft of the composition or extension lessons. Students are expected to work on their compositions throughout the week.

Students will also review sentences diagramming. My son loves to diagram sentences I am not a huge fan, but I do understand the reason behind learning the skill.

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 doesn’t include spelling, reading, and handwriting. These other disciplines can easily be supplemented and blended into the curriculum.

About the Teacher’s Guide

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide is comprehensive. The how-to-use sections provide parents with information on how to teach the lessons. I really like how the guide tells you to tailor the course to your needs. The teacher guide also includes a week at a glance for the lesson along with the answers to the student text. There are also extra resources available on the the companies website.

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide includes detailed help for guiding your student through writing their composition for the week. Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide is must have when working with your student, please don’t skip purchasing this guide.

How We Use

Okay, this isn’t our first time working with this curriculum, so I consider ourselves pros now. We have used both pdf and hard copies of Lightening Literature & Composition curriculums. I like both versions, but for this review, we are using the Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 hard copies. My son is a grammar monster he loves grammar. This year we have a spine English curriculum, but Lightening Literature & Composition Grade 5 is also being used alongside his spine as his independent work.

This year we are excited to use Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 and have already started listening to and reading week one novel. We use the novels from Lightening Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide & Student Workbook novels as our read-aloud. My son works on the lesson on his own and he does the compositions as part of his writing time on Fridays.

Parent Involvement and Preparation.

With any curriculum there is some level of parent involvement. With the upper elementary levels 4-5 grade students are on the independent track. I personally preview the lesson each week on Sunday and evaluate if this something my son can do on his own or do I need to review with him. I also enjoy reading/listening along to the literature so we use them as our read a-louds and do the reading comprehension questions together. If you purchase the hard copies you don’t need to prep the lessons you can tear them out the book and put in a binder or keep them in book. My son prefers I tear them out each week. If you feel you need to prep external resources for the lesson that is clearly up to you. The pdf version does need some preparation. The curriculum is low prep and requires parent involvement based upon your students capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 is a great curriculum it can be used as a stand-alone or combined with another spine. The lessons are short and in-depth. Students have plenty of practice over the week of the grammar and mechanics. After every five lessons, students will get a review of the previous lessons. The poetry is spread throughout the book over the course of 36 weeks.

Is it on grade level? Absolutely, actually above grade level in my opinion. My son works well in Lightning Literature & Composition curriculums, the literature picks are great and keep his interest. If your student doesn’t have a strong grammar background I would consider looking over the sample pages of each of the grade levels before purchasing. I would also recommend that if your students aren’t familiar with the writing process you give them a quick review or use the composition as a way of teaching them about the mechanics of writing.

Lightning Literature is a language arts curriculum designed to:

  • instill a love of literature in students,
  • expand their ability to read intelligently and deeply, and
  • prepare them for more advanced language arts concepts.
Hewitt Learning

Hewitt Learning’s website provides excellent sample pages of the curriculums and great customer service. At the time of this review Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide & Student Workbook combo is on sale for $80.65 and the regular price is $84.90. If you would like to purchase the Lightning Lit — Gr-5 Pack w/Readers the cost is $154.33 on sale!

I highly recommend Lightning Literature & Composition Grade 5 we have used their curriculas for several years. One of the things I really enjoy about this curricula is their commitment to including divirsity in their booklist and illustrations. My son loves the books and academically they have been phenomenal. I think that curricula works well for those looking for a relaxed approach to grammar while being challenging. The upper grades provide checklist for students allowing them to be independant and a steward over thier learning. You can do the lessons as part of a morning basket and the learning schedule will fit into a loop homeschool schedule perfectly.

Until the Next Time,

Mom

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4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Curriculum, Homeschool, Homeschool Family, Language Arts, Literature Base, Unit Study

Progeny Press: Farmer Boy Study Guide Review!

Little Learner and Mom

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

We have never read any of the Laura Ingall book series, I know how could we be a homeschool family and never read any of her books? It’s simple for us my son and I didn’t find the books relatable as an African -Latino family. When the crew was given an opportunity to review Progeny Press Farmer Boy Study Guide 4-6 grade, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to check out the series.

Farmer Boy is the second book in The Little House series, the story follows the adventures of 9-year-old Almanzo Wilder as he works on his family’s farm. As the book moves through the different seasons we learn about the chores of a farmer boy and Almanzo’s many adventures in farm life.

We have previously reviewed two other Progeny Press study guides and have found them to be comprehensive literature guides. We received the pdf and answer key, you will need to purchase the book or you can use the audio. Farmer Boy Study Guide follows the same flow as the previous guides providing the student with:

  • Instructor Notes
  • Book Synopsis
  • Author & Historical Background

Students start the study guide with activity ideas for pre-reading the book. These activities can include reports, giving an informative speech, map work, and much more. The goal is to get your student’s mindest prepared for the book as it whisks them away to the Wilder farm at the turn of the century.

As the student moves through the study guide the lessons are divided into chapters, some lessons covering more than one chapter. Students will work on vocabulary, literary terms, comprehension questions, projects, and writing. You will see Biblical scriptures reference in some of the activities, but it isn’t overwhelming and can be easily skipped over if that is your preference.

I really do like Progeny Press study guides and the Farmer Boy Study Guide was a welcoming introduction to one of the Little House book series. I like how we can easily use the activities that will work well for us and do some activities orally. The study guide can be done over a period of time or it can be used just as your literature lesson for a month. One of the other things I do like about these study guides is that each study guide works on character-building and moral lessons. Farmer Boy Study Guide is for grades 4-6, so your student can work independently.

There are a few more Progeny Press study guides I plan to pick up over the next few years. I really like how they have organized their guides and it’s not a bunch of busy work. The guides are affordable and are in black and white so they don’t eat up your ink. Be sure to check out the other Crew’s reviews of Progeny Press study guides by clicking the banner below.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/progenypress
Twitter: https://twitter.com/progenypress
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/progenypress/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ProgenyPress

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Art, Homeschool, Morning Basket

ARTistic Pursuits: Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2

Little Learner and Mom

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew!

The crew was given the opportunity to review ARTistic Pursuits: Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2. It is an excellent opportunity to study again for this great company, we have reviewed several of their other levels they have been a pleasure to have in our home.

This year we shifted our homeschooling focus to a more relaxed Waldorfish curriculum. One of the benefits of this switch is incorporating more into our lesson. Most importantly use more watercolors in our artwork. I personally don’t have a lot of knowledge on water coloring painting so I am learning alongside my son. Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2 is not like typical watercolor instructions your student is using watercolor pencils! If you are not familiar with ARTistic Pursuits they have homeschooled art curricula with 8 eight levels for K-3, upper elementary, and middle school.

Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2 instructions are available on DVD/Blue Ray or digital access through your personal dashboard. You also can purchase the supplies kit to go along with the curriculum. There are 36 lesson illustrated lessons included in the hardcover book and 9 video lessons that are the same as the book. Mrs. Brenda breaks the lesson down in easy-to-follow steps. I really enjoyed the color swatch videos, because I know all watercolors aren’t created equal so it was nice that she went through these swatches with the different types of watercolor pencils. The introduction videos were very helpful in getting used started with watercolor painting because I wasn’t aware of the different colors and how they blend together and create beautiful masterpieces.

We slowly worked our way through lesson one of Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2, we learned about wash and line and hard and soft lines. My son instantly noticed that the amount of pressure you use with your open will determine the light and deepenest of the color when activated. Would you look at that I am using artist lingo…LOL! We practiced our technique a few times a week because we needed a lot of practice before we felt comfortable moving on. The online streaming service is a major plus with this curriculum because it allows you to have a personal lesson in your home at your pace.

Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2 is the second level in the upper elementary series. I really think we need to try out the first level, I was super excited to see the watercolors book and I choose this one to review, but my son said he wants the first one because he wants to learn how to draw like Mrs. Brenda. He always gets excited when a new ARTistic Pursuits book arrives in the mail. Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core 2 is a wonderful curriculum, I love the online streaming and the use of watercolor pencils I don’t feel as intimidated by using watercolors.

If you are a homeschool that is dipping their hands into water coloring I would highly recommend ARTistic Pursuits: Painting with Watercolor Pencils, Art Core. If you are interested in finding out more about ARTistic Pursuits be sure to click the banner below and read the other Crews reviews of ARTistic Pursuits curriculums.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/artisticpursuitsinc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARTisticPursui1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artisticpursuitsinc/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk75eIpDhZUqbr1On5xEQJQ

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Education, Family, Homeschool, Homeschool Family, Unit Study

Five Senses Literature Lessons: Children of the Longhouse Unit Study!

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary product received from Five Senses Literature Lessons

I am starting to lesson plan for our upcoming school year and one of the things I like to include is 3-4 unit studies each year. Last year my son had the opportunity to take classes with Kelly Tudor, if you are not familiar with Kelly Tudor she is a citizen of the Lipan Apache Tribe in Texas. She teaches Indigenous studies classes in Outschool, and she is a wealth of truth about Indigenous people. We love her classes and we will be taking full advantage of them again this year.

I mention Mrs. Tudor because we always do an Indigenous study between October and November. This year we will be using the Five Senses Literature Lessons ,Children of the Longhouse Unit Study.

About Five Senses Literature Lessons

Five Senses Literature Lessons were developed by an occupational therapist, turned homeschool. The lessons are secular and can be used as a full curriculum depending on the student. There are 4 levels instead of grade levels, the reason being the lesson is designed to appeal to all students based on their abilities.

You will see some overlapping of skills because not all children learn at the same pace and may need more time to develop skills. The literature lesson covers multiple academic disciplines such as:

  • History and Social Studies
  • Science and Math
  • Art and Health
  • Language Arts

Everything you need to teach these lessons is within the literature guide. Speaking of the lessons you will receive embedded video and resource links for each lesson which makes this guide easier to implement. You really don’t have to print out the guide itself just the appendix section that has all the printables you will need. I personally like to have both a hard copy (planning and note-taking reasons) and a digital version for the clickable links.

I want children to experience learning with their whole bodies. I want them to not only hear about something but taste it, feel it, talk about it and wonder about it beyond what they were shown. I do not believe that learning about history, science, art or language should hinge on how well a child can read or write.

Laura Sowdon – Five Senses Learning

Five Senses Literature Lessons work for children with disabilities as well as gifted children. The guides appeal to all learning styles and I really like that they were created by the occupational therapist because she has taken the time to really design a program that is relaxed and stress-free for both the learner and parent.

Children of the Longhouse Unit Study

Children of the Longhouse, Unit Study is a part of the green level for students ages 8-12 years. The green level concentrates on historical fiction, critical thinking skills, independent learning, and ambitious hands-on activities. The creator of this unit study was very intentional to point out that the unit was about Appreciation not Appropriation I really like this because I don’t know how many times I have tossed a book or printable because of misappropriation.

There are 13 lessons that directly correlate with each chapter in the book. You will find a book list, how-to-use, supply list, pre-reading activities, and appendix. There is a detailed chart that tells you what subjects are going to be covered in each chapter lesson. Students will learn about Indigenous culture, herbology, sports, woodworking, food, anatomy, and first aid. I really appreciate the life skills included in the resource and recipes.

Last Thoughts!

I really like the Children of the Longhouse, Unit Study from Five Senses Literature Lessons. The unit has cut down my prep time for this year’s unit study on Indigenous Studies. I like the included book list for optional resources all I have to do is grab the books from the library. I do like she included the Wildcraft board game that has been one on my list for our homeschool. November is our slow-down month with homeschool so having all the integrated subjects included takes my mind off lesson planning for those subjects. We are working on independent learning this year so having some of the activities that encourage these skills is a major plus. Five Senses Literature Lessons are great for family studies and morning baskets.

Right now there are 7 unit studies available in the Five Senses shop. I am hoping that she will come out with some new unit studies. At the time of this review Children of the Longhouse, Unit Study is $9.95 and she is having a Summer Sale you can save 25% off with the code hotmom2022.

If you would like to see a full walkthrough of this unit be on the lookout for our video on Little Learner and Mom IG.

Until the Next Time!

Mom

5th Grade, Education, Family, Homeschool, Teaching Resources

HUE HD Pro Camera Review!

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary product received from HUE!

When the pandemic struck I was teaching at my son’s homeschool co-op. After several weeks of trying to pull things together for our students, we ended our school year on a sad note. Then Fall 2020 came and like many schools, homeschool co-ops turned to virtual teaching so we could stay connected with our students. Fast forward 9 months and teachers across the country had learn to adapt and come up with some innovative ways to teach online. I happened to follow one great teacher on Instagram and she spoke highly of the HUE HD PRO Camera. Teachers commented on the post saying the same great things about HUE HD PRO Camera. I knew I needed to get one of these because I was also teaching online and needed a better way to present lessons.

When I was approached to review HUE HD PRO Camera I was overjoyed because this has been on my list to purchase as soon as I could.

HUE HD PRO Camera is super simple to set up and can be used on PC and MAC computers, be sure to check your system with the HUE HD PRO Camera system requirements. I first set it up on my son’s PC because he has already told me that he is using it for stop animation, so I went ahead and downloaded the software for him and HE showed me how to use the camera. Then my husband got wind that I was setting up on my son’s computer and he insisted he was next on his MAC so he could use it for recording music production tutorials. Later I set it up on my computer to try out with my summer virtual students.

HUE HD PRO Camera includes a flexible body and stand, you can use the camera while on the stand or attach it directly to your computer. The camera can capture a standard size document or A4. With manual focus and magnification, you can use up close with objects for demonstrations. HUE HD PRO Camera uses a high-quality microphone and LED lights. The additional HUE INTUITION software is spectacular for teaching allowing you to be able to “annotate and manipulate the live video stream”. The HUE INTUITION software also allows you to:

  • Record Videos
  • Scan documents
  • Image Capture
  • Skype
HUE INTUITION

I am super impressed using it with one of my virtual students I tutor he likes to have a visual of the page we are working on so he can find the page faster in his book and we can work together. Now before having the HUE HD PRO Camera I had to scan the sheet then upload it to my computer, then try to work on the sheet with him using annotate in Zoom while trying to manage my teacher’s manual. Now all I have to do is turn on my camera share screen and place the page in a sheet protector and slide under HUE HD PRO Camera and keep it moving. No more scanning and weird clumsy writing with annotating.

HUE HD PRO Camera is a really great addition to our homeschool and my teaching online. I am still learning my way around HUE INTUITION so I can really use the software to make things easier for my students and my son. At the time of this review HUE HD PRO Camera is $79.95 and it comes in four cool colors. You can also project on whiteboards and projectors, this is definitely a must-have for back to school for teachers. If you are looking for a gift to give your student’s teacher I recommend HUE HD PRO Camera they will love it.

Until the Next Time,

Mom and J

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Critical Thinking and Logic

The Critical Thinking Co. Building Thinking Skills Level 2

Little Learner and Mom

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

The Critical Thinking Co. is definitely a familiar name in this house, my son has been using their products since he was 3 years old. Every year we add at least 1-2 books to our homeschooling year and sometimes books stretch into the next year. We were super happy to be able to add Building Thinking Skills Level 2 for grades 4- 6 to our upcoming school year.

Like most resources from The Critical Thinking Co., the concentration is to build logic skills. Building Thinking Skills Level 2 is a paperback book with 412 pages including the answer key. The pages can be reproduced for your personal use only. You can purchase the physical or the ebook for $36.99. We were sent the physical book for our use, I will probably end up removing the pages we use and photocopying for my son and have the book end cut off and the book coiled bound.

Building Thinking Skills Level 2 has ten chapters of higher-order thinking activities that include:

  • Logical Thinking
  • Sequences and Classifications
  • Analogies
  • Antonyms & Synonyms
  • Spatial Awareness
  • Similarities & Differences
  • Following & Writing Directions
  • Map Reading and much more

Building Thinking Skills Level 2 activities help your students to develop figural partial and verbal skills. The skills are in a sequence and highly recommend you go in order and monitor your student’s progress. What I really enjoy about the Building Thinking Skills Level 2 students will use math, reading, writing, and vocabulary as they work.

Building Thinking Skills Level 2 book is a great resource because it can be stretched over a 2-year period. I love having this option of being able to use a great resource over a period of time. Not only does this create consistency, but also saves money.

The Critical Thinking Co. is such a great company for resources for students and their parents. We have really enjoyed using several of their products throughout the years. We really enjoy receiving their free Math & Critical Thinking Worksheets. At the time of this review, the company is offering some great savings on purchases. If you are interested in reading our other review of The Critical Thinking Co. products feel free to click here.

Be sure to check out the other Crew’s reviews on The Critical Thinking Co. by clicking the banner below.

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